20th March 2016

nigeria’s most informative newspaper no 2,038

SUNday, 20 march, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Gunmen invade Zamfara, kill 21

Pg5

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

NEPC pushes for non-oil export revolution

Election war in Rivers size, pg4

•6 feared killed •We are aware of one death — Police •INEC suspends polls in 6 LGs •PDP, APC trade accusations •INEC not ready — Wike 1

n200 Pg34

I like my

shape

—Bimbo Thomas

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Kogi election petition:

Faleke makes fresh bid to stop Bello Pg5

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Happy Palm

PIC 1: Some voters waiting to be accredited during Saturday’s rerun election. PIC 2: A victim identified as Tambari Ntoti allegedly killed by thugs of one of the political parties. PIC 3: Some of the arrested violators of electoral process. PIC 4: The alleged fake result sheets being bandied by politicians PIC 5: Another alleged victim being attended to.

Fresh crisis hits S/West •Members disagree over national PDP chairmanshipposition Pg9

ay nd Su to our esteemed readers

HORROR IN IBADAN

Lover sets girlfriend, Pg6 friend ablaze

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20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

life&living Working for peanuts

The sad tales of ‘private school’ teachers Teachers are saddled with many responsibilities. From ensuring the delivery of quality education, to producing responsible citizens expected to reflect positively in a developed and productive society in all ramifications, it is only reasonable to expect that they rank as among the best paid employees in Nigeria. In this report, RITA OKONOBOH reveals the plight of some private school teachers.

A teacher with her pupils Photo: irinnews.org

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OT a few Nigerians were shocked about two weeks ago when they heard that Edet Umoren, a teacher in one of the private schools in Esugbo, Itamerin near Ijebu-Ife, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, allegedly beheaded a 10-year-old pupil, Precious Adedeji.

Precious was the granddaughter of one Pastor Joseph Olitoye the proprietor of the school where Umoren used to teach.

It was gathered that Umoren had allegedly left two short notes at the scene of the crime saying that he killed Precious because Olitoye owed him N8,000, being his salaries for the months of January and

February.

Umoren, it was also learnt, cut off the right hand of the 10-year-old girl after seizing and dragging her into a nearby bush.

The suspect, according to his boss, was due for sanction after allegedly embezzling about N250,000 belonging to his church where he used to be the treasurer among other punishable acts. Olitoye, it was learnt, had also tried to appeal to Umoren to exercise patience for some time so that his two-month salaries could be paid.

Over time, many Nigerians have been shocked at the poor pay that many teach-

ers working in private nursery, primary and secondary schools get as remuneration. Even graduate employees in such schools do not get more that what Umoren was getting. The tragedy in the slave wages, as it is called in common parlance, is that it is not only poor, it is also irregular as it was seen in Umoren’s case.

Sunday Tribune went to town to speak with some teachers on their experiences while working in private schools. Mrs Romoke Adedeji is one of them. When she took the decision that fateful morning to make bean cakes (akara) which she would take to school for lunch, little did she know that her cravings for the delicacy

would lead to her sack, barely four hours after she first dipped the bean paste in groundnut oil.

Narrating her experience, Mrs Adedeji, who was recently delivered of her first child, said she nearly fainted when, as she opened the bowl of bean cakes she had prepared earlier to eat during break time, the proprietor walked past her window, and catching a whiff of the meal, stormed into the classroom, demanding who would dare to offend the entire school with what she described as a ‘foul-smelling’ food.

Mrs Adedeji quickly covered the bowl and Continues pg 3

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life&living

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

All glitz but no good pay

Adamu Adamu, Minister for Education

Comrade Alogba Olukoya, NUT President

Mrs Akobi, NAPPS President

Beautiful class, no good pay for teachers Photo: newsdotwabedot.org

Continued from pg 2

really bad,” Adedeji stated.

sprayed some of her talcum powder in the air, apparently to reduce the effect.

She didn’t know if it was because of the pregnancy, but she had craved for akara that morning, and with the state of things in the country, there was no question that she would be cooking her meals at home, especially as she was short of funds. A fellow teacher had marketed the bean powder, and Mrs Adedeji had collected two big packets the day before, hoping to pay when salaries were paid.

According to her, “I not only lost my job but my proprietor refused to pay me for that month. If anyone had told me that things would be this bad, I would have cursed such a person. I had to take this teaching job because there was really nothing much I could do. The salary was a meagre N10,000, and now I’m almost out of my mind with worry because there is a baby now. All we depend on is my husband’s earnings from his taxi business and gifts from friends and extended family members. I was just lucky at the time that my house wasn’t too far from work. In spite of the low salary, we were still owed as much as two months sometimes. It was

Go to court over N10,000?

When asked why she didn’t quit earlier, Mrs Adedeji responded: “And go where?

Do you have a job you can offer me now?

One of my colleagues once said something about taking the school to court but can you imagine how laughable that would be? I should go to court over N10,000 salary arrears. Please, there are better things to do with my time.”

Following the argument that many children spend more active hours at school than with their parents, it becomes necessary to bring to the fore the question of quality of education vis-a-vis welfare packages available to the teachers. Private schools occupy a vital place in Nigeria’s educational system and thus, it is not out of place to address the primary issue of teachers’ welfare, especially as it is on this subject that the overall performance of a child is anchored.

As published by the National Bureau of Statistics in February 2015, the Nigerian Formal Education Sector Summary Report: 2010- 2012, stated that “The growing confidence in private schools across Nigeria over the years has been informed

by the belief that these schools out-perform their public counterparts particularly in the area of education. Also, owing to the peculiar nature of education in Nigeria, most private schools are known to be consistent with their academic calendars compared with public schools which are known for repeated strikes and unstable time frames.”

According to a survey carried out by Sunday Tribune, many private school teachers can relate to Mrs Adedeji’s experience, but it is not always all gloom for them. The focus on private school teachers is significant, especially in the face of the proliferation of such schools across Nigeria, with no significant measures in place to check standards or quality of teaching and remuneration.

‘We earn extra from parents’ shortcomings’ Another teacher, Mr Matthew Collins, a graduate of Mass Communication from Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo, who got a job with a private school in Lagos on a salary of N35,000, stated that “I’ve learnt to quit ranting and instead look for means to supplement my income. What we do is to engage the children who are

interested in after-school lessons, and for many of the parents who want some sort of day care. Many of these parents return late from work and don’t mind paying extra for us to look after the children in the meantime - under whatever guise – even for their adult children, it’s a welcome initiative.

“I also teach some children on Saturdays and during the holidays, especially during the first and second terms, when the summer coaching doesn’t take place. For such a venture, it depends on arrangement. I charge some on monthly basis and others on weekly basis. It all depends on the agreement. I sometimes charge N1,000 weekly or N5,000 monthly for the extra lessons, depending on the class. Another interesting thing is that the after-school lessons don’t restrict the class I teach. It is like a rub-my-back-I-rub-yours arrangement.”

Speaking on how N35,000 takes care of his needs, Collins simply laughed and said “the trick is not to take an account of how much you spend on transport, feeding and the like. The few times I tried it, I realised by some miracle, I was spending more than I earned, so I have given up on that. This is Lagos. Of course, it won’t be enough. Why do you think I have refused to get married yet? Transporting myself daily to and from my residence at Omole to school costs N640, and that was when there was no fuel scarcity.

“Feeding is another issue. Breakfast is a no-no. For lunch, I patronise a local cafeteria and I spend nothing less than N250 for food and water. After that, dinner is optional. There is rent, electricity bill of N3000 monthly, doing my laundry, the vigilante monthly fee of N500, among others. That is not counting other external responsibilities, especially with my position in the family. I tell you it’s a miracle how I’ve survived this past three years on this job.”

Owed N5,000 for months Collins is lucky with his remuneration. Miss Catherine Chukwuma, who recently relocated to the South West from the South-East, disclosed how she had to leave her job because she was owed three months’ salary. According to her, “the school was one of what is described as mushroom private schools. The man really cheated me and I was eventually frustrated out, and to think he paid just N5,000. In fact, I was actually owed five months’ arrears, but for a neighbour, whose child used to follow me to school that took up the issue with the man and he paid two months.

“The remaining N15,000 has gone with the wind. I took the job after my OND to raise money as I was trying to get admitted into Imo State University at the time.

I can tell you that the situation is not very favourable in many other private schools as I have friends who work with them.

However, what can one do? It is hard enough for university graduates to get a job, not to talk of OND holders. I had to finally forgive, but I have not forgotten.

“The last I heard was that the proprietor duped his partner with whom he set up the school and has run away. The school has more or less collapsed anyway. I read the story of the man that beheaded a proprietor’s child and I just shook my head. I can really relate to the man. I wish he had Continues pg 10

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news

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

6 feared killed as violence mars Rivers rerun election

Election cancelled in 6 LGAs •Soldiers allegedly shoot 1 in Obio/Akpor •INEC not prepared for election —Wike •PDP/INEC disagree over alleged fake result sheets Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

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ESPITE heavy deployment of security personnel, the Rivers State rerun election into the National Assembly and the state House of Assembly, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Saturday, was marred by violence as six people were feared dead.

This was as the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Aneidi Ikoiwak, cancelled the election in six local government areas namely, Khana, Gokana, Andoni, Eleme, Tai and Bonny, due to non-availability of voting materials.

Governor Nyesom Wike declared that INEC was not prepared for the election, just as the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleged that INEC supplied fake result materials.

A man whose identity could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report was allegedly shot by soldiers at Rumueprikom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

Indications that the rerun exercise would run into a hitch emerged early in the morning when voting materials arrived late in many polling units, delaying accreditation and voting in many of the polling units till about 1:30 p.m.

While there were complaints of inadequate security provisions in many units, more than 2,000 policemen were reportedly seen, as of 8:15 a.m., waiting at the state police command.

Distribution of voting materials did not commence in most of the voting centres

in time in areas, including old Port Harcourt City in Tai Local Government Area, where there were no voting materials as of 9:25 a.m.

There was no presence of INEC officials or any of its ad-hoc staff at the two polling booths situated at Saint Mary, Old Lagos Bus Stop, Port Harcourt, as of 9:45 a.m., even as the voters had already been there as early as 7:45 a.m.

By 10:05 a.m., INEC staff and officials were seen sorting out materials at the State Primary School, Rumueme in Obio/Akpor.

Heavily armed and sternlooking soldiers were seen with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and several vans, at about at 10:10 a.m., at a location close to Governor Wike’s house in Rumueprikom.

Accreditation, however, commenced early at the governor’s Ward 9, Unit 7, where voting started peacefully at 10:00 a.m., with Wike and his wife, Justice Suzette, casting their votes at about 12 noon, after two failed attempts to get accredited by the card reader.

INEC ill-prepared for the polls —Wike

Speaking with newsmen after casting his vote, Governor Wike observed that the challenges that greeted the exercise would have been avoided if the commission had prepared well.

He said some areas in the state were not allocated result sheets, a development he said could precipitate violence from people who would suspect foul play.

He added that the information available to him indicated that INEC failed to take necessary measures to ensure credible polls.

“It is obvious that INEC was not prepared for the rerun election. They refused to tell members of the public the challenges they hard,” he said, adding that information of scanned result sheets was received from several polling units.

He also alleged that there were cases of snatching of election materials in Ubima and Omagwa, noting that it was unfortunate that the challenges came up despite the time INEC had to prepare.

He, however, gave pass mark to the security agencies for maintaining law and order in the state, especially during the election.

Heavy shooting, near diversion of materials

Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, voted in his Ward 8, Unit 4 at about 12:55 p.m., even as there was a reported heavy shooting in Abalama in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

There was low turnout of voters in Omoku community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, a development said to have been due to the massive deployment of JTF soldiers to the area.

There were heavy and sporadic shootings in Abonemma, in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, which lasted over 30 minutes, following a clash by two people over the movement of election materials to Kola community.

The materials meant for Ward 4, Unit 11, along Mile 2 Port Harcourt were almost diverted but for some PDP supporters who prevented such an action, allegedly perpetrated by one agent of the All Progressives Con-

gress (APC).

Four persons were reportedly killed in Eleme Local Government Area, while another person was shot dead in Noha in Tai Local Government Area and a shooting was reported in Omagwa, on the way to Ubima, the community of former governor Amaechi.

of two pregnant women and scores of people.

He also said election in the 15 units of Ward 3, Oyigbo Local Government Area was disrupted and alleged that soldiers connived with APC to hijack electoral materials, kill, main, destroy properties, arrest and detain PDP members.

Voters protest Bonny LGA

REC reacts to allegations

in

There were protests in Bonny Local Government Area and Bodo community in Gokana Local Government Area over alleged circulation of fake result sheets.

PDP kicks, alleges foul play

Reacting to the outcome of the election, Rivers PDP chairman, Mr Felix Obuah, alleged that soldiers arrested the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Kenneth Kobani and also beat up the state Commissioner for Environment, Professor Roseline Konya, to coma.

He also alleged that there were several cases of hijack of ballot papers and results sheets, claiming that some members of the party were arrested and some killed by the soldiers monitoring the election.

Obuah, in a statement, said PDP agents at INEC offices in Bori, Tai and Gokana were also beaten up and driven away, adding that there were massive thump-printing and writing of results.

He claimed that all electoral materials for Tai Local Government Area were hijacked, with the assistance of the soldiers, adding that attempts by voters to resist the hijack of the election materials led to the killing

Nigeria on path of anarchy —Fayose Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has raised the alarm over the fate of democracy in Nigeria, saying President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC government has destroyed former president Goodluck Jonathan’s legacy of free and fair elections.

Governor Fayose, who was commenting on the rerun elections in Rivers State, said “the open display of contempt for free, fair and transparent election by APC government of President Buhari as being

witnessed in Rivers State is capable of setting Nigeria on the path of anarchy.”

The governor, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, described as worrisome what he said was “reports of discovery of fake INEC result sheets in some of the local government areas, security agencies supported siege harassment, intimidation and even killings of Peoples Democratic Party members.”

According to him, “Rivers State is 100 per cent PDP, and any attempt to subvert

the will of the people will be counter-productive.”

“It is strange that INEC produced results sheets which omitted the PDP, and I wonder what is going to happen in 2019 if INEC and security agents are acting in this clear compromised manner in Rivers State.

“What all these portend for our democracy is danger. It is a sign of what APC desperation to take over power in the entire 36 states of Nigeria will cause in Edo and Ondo states this year and in Ekiti State in 2018 as well as the entire country in 2019.

“Curiously, those who went on the rooftops to condemn the involvement of soldiers in the Ekiti governorship election, despite that the international observers hailed their participation and even went to court to stop soldiers from taking part in elections, are silent now.

“They have failed to realise that, if all noble men should keep silent and get cowed by this rampaging beast that is ready to consume democracy and rule of law in Nigeria, ordinary Nigerians will sooner than later end up in the belly of the beast.”

Speaking with newsmen at the INEC Head Office in Port Harcourt, the REC, Mr Ikoiwak, denied that fake result sheets were used in the conduct of the election.

“I don’t think there was anything like fake result sheets. I think I have said that times without number.

You can imagine what you think but what we know in the commission was that only a result sheet was produced.

“You cannot say a thing that does not have a duplicate is fake because fake must be compared with the original. So, what we had was the original. The fake may be in the imagination of those making such an allegation.

“Today (Saturday), we have had the experience where most of our materials were not even allowed to move in; some were returned on the way. Even when we tried to deploy to the RACs in some of the places, certain people with excuses also tried to prevent.

“There were accusations of not believing in the materials we brought and so and so forth. There were issues of violence; there were issues of insecurity of lives.

After all, we let the people know, but at the end of the day, we were still prevented from moving out, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., we did not see that it was necessary for us to continue to press to go to the field.

“Even some of our people, who were able to get to the field, were turned back with sporadic shootings. So, it was better for the life of the personnel to be preserved than trying to conduct the election, even when the environment is not conducive.

“We cannot say that we need to wait for so long to be able to make pronouncements on those areas so that they thinking of manufacturing anything from somewhere.

9 arrested by security operatives Meanwhile, nine persons,

including two ladies, were arrested by soldiers at the GRA Junction, Port Harcourt, by soldiers for allegedly being in possession of voting materials without a police escort.

Two of the arrested persons, Lucky Sunday and Hector Chikere, told newsmen that they were INEC ad-hoc staff for election.

APC reacts

Meanwhile, the state chapter of the APC has denied complicity in the alleged arrest of Mr Kobani and the assault on Professor Roseline Konya.

Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, a media aide to Rivers APC chairman, Dr Davies Ikanya, gave the response in a statement.

“Why should we mastermind the arrest of Kobani?

What is his political relevance? Does his position as SSG place him above the law? Are we the one that asked him to be lawless that warranted his arrest?

“Look, we are orderly and decent group that wants the best for Rivers State. Honourable Amaechi who is a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was directed by the DIG to vote and leave to his residence and he complied.

“Then who is Kobani to be moving around intimidating voters in polling units that he does not belong to?

“Maybe, very soon, they will accuse us of planting the N40 million, arms, police and army uniforms in the car of the Special Adviser to Governor Wike on Special Projects that led to his arrest.

“Look at the embarrassment and national shame that Wike and PDP brought to the state for the few months they hold sway. Today, we are looked upon as barbarians that behead and burn fellow human beings as if they are goats.

“PDP said that they want election. They have had the election and should accept their fates and face the wrath of the law for being a lawless society,” he said.

Only one person killed —Police

Meanwhile, the state police command has denied the killing of about six persons during the election, as the police image-maker, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, said in an sms that “I’m aware of only one (killing) in Eleme Local Government Area.”

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news

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Kogi guber: Faleke makes fresh bid to stop Bello Sunday Ejike-Abuja

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S the pre-hearing session moves to an end in the petitions against the election of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State before the state governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja, the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 21, 2015 governorship election in the state, James Faleke, has forwarded some issues for the determination of the tribunal..

In a process served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), first respondent and Yahaya Bello, (second respondent), Faleke urged the tribunal to, “determine whether, upon a careful reading and application of the provisions of sections 1(2), 179(2) of the constitution, among others, INEC should have declared the election inconclusive instead of announcing Abubakar Audu and his deputy, James Faleke, as winners.

Section 179 (2a&b) of the constitution states that, “a candidate for an election to the office of governor of a state shall be deemed to have been elected where, there being two or more candidates-(a) he has the highest number of votes cast at the election; and (b) he has not less than one quarter of all the votes cast in each of at least two thirds of all the local governnment areas of the state.”

Section 187 (1) of the constitution on the other hand states that. “in any election to which the foregoing provisions of this part of the chapter relate, a candidate for the office of the governor of a state shall not be deemed to have been validly nominated for such office unless he nominates another candidate as his associate for his running for the office of governor, who is to occupy the office of the deputy governor, and that candidate shall be deemed to have been duly elected to the office of the deputy governor if the candidate who nominated him is duly elected as governor in accordance with the said provisions.”

According to him, it was pertinent for the tribunal to also determine whether Section 181 (1) of the constitution was not relevant to the Kogi scenario where the candidate died after election.

The section states that: “if a person duly elected as governor dies before

taking and subscribing to oath of allegiance and oath of office or is unable for any reason whatsoever to be sworn in, the person elected with him as deputy governor shall be sworn in as governor and he shall nominate a new deputy governor who shall be appointed by the governor with the approval of a simple majority of the House of As-

sembly of the state.”

Faleke told the tribunal that it would have to also determine whether by virtues of sections 1 (2), 179 (2) of the constitution and sections 27, 69, and 75 of the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended), the results declared by INEC on November 22, 2015 had not already produced a winner and that refusing to announce the winner by

“declaring the said election inconclusive is not altogether unconstitutional and illegal.”

He said the tribunal should rely on Section 187 (1) of the constitution to determine whether Yahaya Bello was qualified to contest election to the office of the governor of Kogi State on December 5, 2015.

In his words:”Can the

votes legitimately cast for the joint ticket of late Audu and the petitioner (Faleke) in the governorship election of November 21, 2015 be transferred to the second respondent (Yahaya Bello)?”

He asked the tribunal whether Bello “can constitutionally and statutorily assume office as governor of Kogi State pursuant to a supplementary election

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Olayiwola Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1 (left), with the National Sales Coordinator, South-West, Globacom, Mr James Akpomiemie, at the ceremony marking the grand finale of the 2016 Ibadan Week held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, on Thursday.

conducted in 91 polling units of Kogi State on December 5, 2015.”

Faleke went ahead to ask the tribunal whether the return of Yahaya Bello as governor of Kogi State by INEC on or about December 5, 2015 was not “altogether unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.”

He said it was important for the tribunal to determine whether Yahaya Bello, not being a registered voter in Kogi State, was qualified to vote and be voted for and also whether notwithstanding the provisions of Section 187 (1) of the constitution, he (Bello) was qualified to be declared winner of the December 5, 2015 election, even when he ran without deputy.

Sunday Tribune recalled that INEC announced that the APC duo of Abubakar Audu and James Faleke scored 241,000 votes in the governorship election in Kogi State to beat their closest rivals of Captain Idris Wada and Yomi Awoniyi of the PDP who polled 199,000 votes plus, by 41,000 votes but went ahead to declare the election inconclusive.

Gunmen invade Zamfara, kill 21 Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

GUNMEN numbering about 100 on motorcycles on Thursday invaded Fanteka village in Daraga District of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing 21 peo-

ple in the process, while several others sustained injuries.

A survivor identified as Malam Yahaya told newsmen that the hoodlums stormed the village on that day around 4.30 p.m. on motorcycles.

He said “the gunmen started asking whoever they met to surrender their cows and sheep.

“When nobody responded, they started shooting sporadically as the villagers also resisted them and even killed three of the bandits

in self defence.

It was gathered that this got the hoodlums angry and they fired at the villagers. In the process, they killed 21 people.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state

command, DSP Sanusi Amiru, confirmed the incident.

He, however, said that “based on police report, nine deaths were recorded, six of the villagers and three members of the hoodlums were killed.

Abduction: Police begin training schools’ security guards in Lagos, Ogun THE police in Lagos and Ogun states have embarked on the training of security guards in schools in order to beef up security around their premises.

CSP Adebowale Lawal,

the spokesperson for the Police Zone 2 comprising Lagos and Ogun, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

“The exercise com-

menced in Ogun State where some Divisional Police Officers met with security guards and schools management.

“Mr Bala Hassan, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone

2, has also directed all the DPOs in the zone to embark on regular enlightenment meetings on security with school principals and proprietors.

“The DPOs are to lecture them on tips they need to

Finance ministry to improve transparency in allocation committee THE Federal Ministry of Finance has said that it is taking steps to strengthen and increase the capacity of the post-mortem subcommittee of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

It said that this was sequel to the approval at the last FAAC meeting that three independent and experienced financial analysts be appointed to work on the process of account reconciliation.

The ministry disclosed this in a statement issued at the weekend by Mr Festus Akanbi, the Special As-

sistant (Media) to the minister.

The ministry said that the post-mortem sub-committee would henceforth enhance accountability, improve reconciliations and ensure transparent process in respect of all the revenues accruable to the federation account.

“The sub-committee will examine the books of all revenue agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIIRS), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Customs Service.

“Others include the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Ministry of Mines and Steel.

“It is expected to report deficiencies observed to the Federation Account Committee and recommend the way forward.”

The statement said that it would be easy for the sub-committee to achieve results with the increased oversight of the Federal Ministry of Finance and the transparency of NNPC. “This is because the committee, which reports to the Federation Account on

a monthly basis, was originally set up to encourage revenue reconciliation and block leakages.

“The NNPC had rejected the findings of the audit report submitted recently to the National Assembly by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, stating that the audit query it raised over the non-remittance of N3.235 trillion to the Federation Account was erroneous.

“The corporation had insisted that its balance to the federation account is N326 billion,” the statement said.

beef up security around and within their schools following recent abductions,” Lawal said.

He advised the management of schools to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in order to monitor movement within and around school premises.

“There is the need to install CCTV cameras so that at all times, they will be able to monitor those entering the compound.

“The gatemen should not concentrate on the gate alone; they need to patrol at all times and see what is happening as the CCTV will assist them.

“The AIG also directed all DPOs within the commands to ensure regular patrol of all schools in their area,” Lawal said.

The police spokesperson urged schools with low fences to raise them while those without fences needed to build one.

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20 March, 2016

crimereports

Sunday Tribune

edited by Oluwatoyin Malik 0807 889 1950, 0811 695 4633 praiseboy01@gmail.com

Lover sets his girlfriend, friend ablaze Lady dead, friend in hospital I mistakenly stepped on petrol keg —Lover Stories by Oluwatoyin Malik

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28-year-old Togolese, Isah Lamin, who was badly burnt after she was doused with petrol by her boyfriend, Bakare Kabiru, during an argument, has died in the hospital, five days after the incident occurred at Alakia area of Ibadan, Oyo state.

A friend of Kabiru, one Ahmed Muyideen also got badly burnt as he was caught in the fire while trying to pull Lamin up from where she was pushed by her lover during the argument.

Crime Reports learnt that the Togolese, a single mother of two, started dating Kabiru, a tipper driver sometimes in 2015, though the suspect was married and had three children from a former wife.

The lovers reportedly had a misunderstanding on March 13, 2016 at the Tipper Park at Alakia, prompting Kabiru to ask Lamin to go to her residence where she rented.

After she left, Kabiru asked Muyideen who is also a driver to accompany him to a place, only for Muyideen to see that it was Lamin’s residence when they got there.

Crime Reports further gathered that while going, Muyideen had noticed a keg of petrol that the suspect held and had jokingly asked that he should be given the petrol so that he could pour it in his vehicle’s tank. But Kabiru replied that the petrol was for his generating set to enable him watch football.

On arrival at Lamin’s house, a fresh argument broke out between the lovers, resulting in Kabiru slapping the lady. The slap prompted Lamin to hold on to Kabiru’s knickers, while Muyideen made efforts to separate them, castigating his friend for beating a woman.

Smarting from the treatment meted to her by Kabiru, Crime Reports learnt that Lamin held on to his knickers again. The action was said to have earned her a hard punch from her boyfriend, resulting in her falling down beside a stove that a co-tenant was cooking on.

As Kabiru’s friend attempted to lift the lady, Kabiru allegedly splashed a quantity of petrol from the keg he brought to the house on Lamin, igniting both the lady and Muyideen.

Muyideen reportedly rushed out, attempting to tear his burning clothes off while the suspect and sympathisers rushed to save Lamin by pouring water on her.

Crime Reports learnt that Muyideen and Lamin were rushed to a nearby private hospital but Lamin was rejected, with the advice that she should be taken to a better equipped hospital because of the degree of the burns she suffered.

Policemen from Egbeda Division were said to have arrested Kabiru in the hospital premises, while the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan, for further investigation on Friday, March 18.

Things however took a different turn when news filtered into the State CID shortly after the case was received that Lamin had died. Muyideen was said to be receiving treatment in the hospital, though his burns also seemed extensive.

Speaking with Crime Reports on Saturday, Kabiru denied that he deliberately poured petrol on his girlfriend and, inadvertently, his friend, saying that the petrol spewed out when he mistakenly stepped on its container which fell where he put it during the misunderstanding with his girl-

The suspect, Bakare Kabiru

Isah Lamin on hospital bed before her death

Kabiru’s friend, Muyideen Ahmed on hospital bed friend.

Giving an insight to what led to the fight between him and the deceased, Kabiru said: “Lamin was my girlfriend. We started a relationship in November 2015. She used to hawk a local drink, Kunu, around and we met in the process.

“In February, she told me that she would like to get pregnant for me. I replied her that time was not ripe for such since our relationship was still young and I had yet to know her relations. I said I was not ready. She insisted that that was what she wanted.

Because of this disagreement, she changed towards me and when I noticed this, I reduced my visit to her place.

“On Saturday, March 12, she came to me at our park and informed me that she was going to her parents’ place at Monatan area. She added that she knew I was treating her shabbily because I had already slept with her and was satisfied with that only. She said she would not take it lying low.

On Sunday, March 13, I bought petrol for my generator and mixed it with engine oil. I was in the mo-

tor park when she passed by me. She said was just coming from Monatan. She asked why I greeted her and I asked whether her statement was because of the argument of the previous day.

When she got home, she called me again and started raking. She said I should return her battery phone and DVD with me. It was during this that my friend, Muyideen came to me. I asked him to follow me to Lamin’s house. I also carried my keg of petrol with the intention that I would go home from there. When we got to Lamin’s house,

she started making trouble with me and I slapped her.

She held on to me. I placed the keg I was holding on a bucket.

“An elderly woman tried to intervene but while on it, Lamin came to hold me again. I pushed her away, unknown to me that the keg I placed on a bucket fell. My friend went to help her up and I wanted to storm off in anger. In the process, I unknowingly stepped on the petrol keg, forcing the stopper off.

And because someone was cooking within the house, the petrol.”

Landlord demands N100m damages from police over assault No, he’s a suspect —Police

By Bayo Alade

A

landlord, Chief Ola Samson has demanded N100 million damages

from Ogun State Police Command over alleged assault by three police officers.

Samson, who claimed to have been hospitalised at a

private hospital in IjebuOde has therefore petitioned the state commissioner of police over the incident allegedly perpetrated by the three officers

attached to the Igbeba, Ijebu-Ode Division of the force.

Samson’s lawyer, Alhaji Continues pg 7

7

crimereports

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Yes, I’m an Alfa but I can’t recite Qur’an

—Suspect accused of obtaining money under false pretence Stories by Oluwatoyin Malik

L

OOKING at Ismail Ahmed during his parade at the police headquarters on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, with his prayer beads bogusly hanging on his neck, one would not hesitate to think that he was a fervent follower of Prophet Mohammed’s teachings which he was spreading among the faithful.

But going by the narration of one Abimbola (surname withheld), who allegedly fell victim to Ismail’s deception and lost about N700,000 to him, it seemed the young man used his religion to subtly penetrate his victims; until he was arrested by the Oyo State Police Command after Abimbola came to her senses that she was being duped .

The state Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, while addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Ibadan, disclosed that the suspect was arrested after a petition his command received on the activities of the suspect and his syndicate members. Oyebade said that the suspect’s method used to lure his victims was to move about markets and towns, pretending to be an Islamic cleric on the move to spread the message of Islam and pray for the faithful.

Speaking with Crime Reports on how she became Ismail’s victim, Abimbola said: “I am a dry meat trader at Oritamerin market in Ibadan. I have a co-trader who is like an aunt to me in the same market. She is popularly called Mama Fathia.

“The first time I met Alfa Ismail praying in Mama Fathia’s shop, I dropped N500 for him as prayer money, which is common to us as Muslims.

On December 4, 2015, he instructed Mama Fathia’s sales girl to go and call me, after which he told me that he saw a vision that I belonged to the marine world and I must carry out some rites before December 7 so that I would not lose my life. He also warned me against speaking about it to anyone else or the person would die. He told me to come to his office on December 5 with a cup of salt and a white handkerchief.

“On getting there, he put the salt and white handker-

chief in a calabash. Within five minutes, the handkerchief turned to an egg. I was astounded. He poured water into a pot and asked me to hold it with the egg in it.

To my surprise, the egg became boiled without putting it on fire. He said I should eat the egg and I did. He collected N45,100 from me on that day with my scarf.

“On December 6, Alfa Ismail and one Alfa Ibrahim bought a coconut and boiled its water. After boiling, the water turned to two rings and seven pieces of meat. I was asked to eat the pieces of meat. They told me that they needed two pigs for the two rings and collected N59,000 for

them.

“On December 10, they said they needed N30,000 for bag sand. On December 11, the rings and the bank sand and were put in a local pot. After five minutes, they opened the pot and there were dollars in it. Ismail took one of the dollars and went to change it to N25,000.

“They said I would need 19 parrots and each would cost N17,000. All I had was N34,000 and they asked me to deposit it for two parrots.

I told Ismail that I didn’t have money for the purchase of the parrots and he advised me to go to Mama Fathia to borrow money.

“I went to the woman on

December 14 and she borrowed me N200,000. That was how things continued until I was drained of all I had, leading to the collapse of my business. I could not also refund the money I borrowed and this led to my staying away from home and market. The total money Ismail and his friend collected from me was N703,100.”

But the suspect said that it was his friend Alfa Ibrahim who had interaction relating to money with Abimbola, claiming that he was left in the dark by the victim when the deal was being sealed between her and his friend. He however admitted that he was the

one who introduced Abimbola to his friend during one of the prayer sessions held for her.

According to Ismail, “I collected N25,000 four times from Abimbola as charges for the prayer I wanted to conduct for her.

On the day of prayer, I called other Alfas to join me. After the prayer, we killed a ram and cooked rice.

“Other Alfas left, except the one I invited from Ilorin, Kwara State. The Alfa conducted a special prayer for the lady after which he told me that he saw some signs and would like to talk privately with the lady.

I left the room and after

Alfa Ismail Ahmed with the exhibits recovered from him

about five minutes, the lady came out, but refused to disclose her discussion with the Alfa to me.

“She went to buy coconut and was with the Alfa for about 10 minutes, after which she left. The Alfa also left. After about five days, the lady called me to know whether I knew that the Alfa would be coming to Ibadan.

“After about 20 minutes, Alfa called me and said he would be in Ibadan the following day. When he came, he asked me to help him get a hen. I gave him my stove. That was all I knew.

I don’t know how he collected N700,000 from the lady. I don’t know how Alfa Ibrahim did it that a fresh egg turned boiled.”

Ismail said he met Alfa Ibrahim in Ilorin, Kwara State during one of his itinerant journeys. When asked what he was using items that looked fetish, he said he was using them to prepare ritual meals for clients. When asked again whether that was Islamic, the suspect did not respond.

When asked to recite Quran or recognise Arabic letters, Ismail said he could not, but could only recite some verses offhand.

Crime Reports learnt that the suspect was arraigned before Magistrates’ Court 2 on Thursday, March 17 but was remanded in custody until he would be able to fulfil his bail gconditions. The matter has been adjourned to May 10.

Landlord demands N100m damages from police over assault Continued from pg 6 Balogun Adesegun Adebayo, in a two-page petition, said that the landlord had gone to the police division to report an earlier assault on him by one of his tenants when the police officers allegedly attacked him.

The copy of the petition obtained by our correspondent read in part: “Our client owns the house he lives in and an indigene of Edo State was one of his tenants. Because this tenant was keeping late nights, our client had to give him notice to quit. Even though the notice expired in November 2015, it was yesterday the tenant came to

submit the keys of the flat he occupied to our client.

“When he brought the keys, he, without any reason, turned our client and his wife into punching bags and our client and his wife had to go and lodge a report against him at Divisional Police Officer’s office at Igbeba, Ijebu-Ode. Two police officers were detailed to go and arrest the suspect but just as our client and the two police officers were about to leave the station, the suspect and two other persons came into the police station.

“Our client identified the suspect to the police officers. But the suspect and his team went straight upstairs and after about 10

minutes they came down with three police women led by Divisional Crime Officer 1 As soon as they came down, the suspect, now turned complainant, identified our client to the DCO1 and her team.

However, in a twist to the story, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi said that although the command had received Chief Samson’s petition, it had also commenced investigation on the circumstances which led to his tenant being admitted in a hospital in Ikorodu following serious injuries inflicted on him by persons allegedly hired by the landlord.

Adejobi, a Deputy Su-

perintendent of Police said, “Chief Ola Samson is a suspect in the issue. He cannot claim to be a complainant because he came to the station simultaneously as the second injured man came to the station.

As he arrived at the station, some military personnel brought the injured man, too. He actually hired some people to beat up Francis, his tenant.

“It’s like a case of two fighting but he hired outsiders to beat up Francis.

That makes the case more serious because that is another thing entirely and if that man is hospitalised and is seriously injured, we need to look into the case.

It depends on the magni-

tude of the injury the man has sustained.

“So, he cannot claim to be a complainant and he cannot say he’s not a suspect because the other man is down and he is not down.

“The police is looking into the case, his petition has been received and the commissioner of police has forwarded the petition to the area commander in Ijebu Ode, ACP Mudashiru Abdullahi to look into it.

The area commander has confirmed that he has got it and he’s looking into it.

“So, he’s not a complainant in this case. Rather, he’s a suspect and we are investigating him.”

news Police arraign woman, husband for giving false information 8

By Oluwatoyin Malik

T

HE story of a 29-year-old woman, Mrs. Damilola Adegbite, an Ibadan-based petty trader, who alleged that she lost a four-month-old pregnancy, after 10 years of childlessness, to police brutality in Ibadan, Oyo State, took a new twist on Friday, March 18, 2016 when she was arraigned along with her husband, Musbaudeen, at Chief Magistrate’s Court 2, Iyaganku, Ibadan by the police on a three-count charge.

In a suit with charge number MI/395c/16, the couple was charged with conspiracy, giving false information to the police and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The prosecuting team consisted of the officer in charge of the Legal Department of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Funke Fawole and three other counsel while the first defendant was represented

by Barrister Kazeem Gbadamosi and other lawyers and the second defendant

by Barrister A. Olagunju and others.

When the charges were read to the accused in the language they understood, they pleaded not guilty.

The defence counsel applied that the defendants be released on liberal terms such as self recognition, but in opposing the application, the prosecution counsel urged the court to give a stringent bail condition that would not allow the accused persons to jump bail. They also said that the police be allowed to verify the residences of the sureties.

Presiding Chief Magistrate, A.F. Richards, ruled in favour of the prosecution and ordered that the two defendants be released on bail with two sureties each and N100,000 in like sum. The Chief Magistrate said that one of the sureties must be a relation of the accused persons while the second one must be a person with valid international passport, with a police officer attached to the court to verify the residence of the sureties.

Both defendants were, however, remanded in prison custody as they could not fulfil the bail conditions on Friday. The case was adjourned till March 30.

It is recalled that Mrs Adegbite had alleged in a

20 March, 2016

petition that she was brutally assaulted at Akobo police station on August 11, 2015, resulting in her

losing a four-month pregnancy, with the claim that the pregnancy was her first since she got married.

She was reportedly taken to a private hospital for initial treatment when she complained of bleed-

ing and was later taken to State Hospital, Yemetu, Adeoyo, Ibadan for further treatment.

From right, Senator Olamilekan Solomon from Lagos West Senatorial District; Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari; House of Representatives Majority Leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila and Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, during the joint 32nd, 33rd, 34th Convocation and 40th Anniversary ceremonies of Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University, held at the Convocation Ground, Main Campus, Sokoto, on Saturday.

Sunday Tribune

But Sunday Tribune learnt that the medical report from the State Hospital indicated that Mrs Adegbite has two children who are alive and that there was nothing in her uterus to show a recent loss of pregnancy. This, the police said, formed the basis for her re-arrest and second arraignment.

Mrs Adegbite had earlier been arraigned at Chief Magistrate’s Court 1, Iwo Road on August 20, 2015, in case with suit number MNE/82c/2015 on a twocount charge of assaulting two police officials, Corporal Adeleke Adekunle and Woman Police Constable Bunmi Borisanmi on August 11, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. N.A.J, Ogunbona had granted her bail in the sum of N10,000 and one surety in like sum.

The case, which had been adjourned several times, would come up for definite hearing on April 6, 2016.

Kano APC suspends chairman, organising secretary Kola Oyelere-Kano

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has suspended its chairman, Alhaji Haruna Dogu-

wa and the organising secretary, Alhaji Sunusi Suraj, for alleged gross misconduct.

The party’s secretary,

Alhaji Abbas Sani-Abbas announced the suspension of the two party officials when he addressed a news conference in Kano on Sat-

urday.

Sani-Abbas said the party took the decision in order to allow the seven-man disciplinary committee it

Nigeria must stop importing what it has —Emir of Kano THE Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Saturday, said Nigeria must stop importing what it has in order to boost local industries and create jobs.

The emir stated this in Kaduna while inaugurating the new council secretariat of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA).

Sanusi said the current economic crisis induced by the crash in global oil

price, should serve as a wake up call for the country to utilise its resources judiciously.

“Nigeria is full of experts in importing what we have and exporting what we do not have.

“We have cotton but we import textile materials from China; we have crude oil but we import fuel refined from our own crude from Russia and other countries.

“We have gas but we let it flare away instead of utilis-

ing it to produce power, yet import generators from outside.

“We eat our hides and skin and import shoes from outside, and we eat our tomatoes and import canned tomatoes paste from China,” he stated.

The emir said things must change, and advised the Federal Government to give priority to education, industries, power and agriculture.

Sanusi noted that the textile industries in the past had employed more

NGE holds meeting, calls for diversification of economy THE Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has held its first quarterly Standing Committee meeting of the year on Friday, March 18, 2016 in Abuja.

In a press release signed by its president, Garba Deen Mohammed and Assistant General Secretary, Mary Atolagbe, the guild resolved among other issues: “That government should adopt very strong policies that would protect the rights of children, and in particular underage girls, in

the light of the rising cases of abductions and abuse of minors across the country.

“The guild noted that the current economic challenges facing the country has made the need to diversify the Nigerian economy more compelling and urges government to quickly evolve very clear and productive policies on mining, as well as make agriculture more attractive through the provision of soft loans and other incentives that would facilitate

the development of the agricultural sector.

The guild also expressed serious disappointment over the poor conduct of the last JAMB computerbased examinations. Describing it as a national embarrassment capable of truncating the destinies of future leaders. The guild therefore, implore government to immediately halt the approval of centres that lack the capacity to ensure seamless conduct of such examinations.

than 600, 000 people at a time.

He therefore advised industrialists to be in the vanguard of advising the administration on key directions to move the economy forward and always draw the attention of government when it derails from targeted national goals.

The emir stressed that the persistent conflicts in the country were largely due to economic hardships and not religious or tribal sentiments.

He expressed the belief that the resuscitation of Nigeria’s industrial base would offer massive employment and take off the streets, the huge number of idle youths used to foment crisis.

On the current economic hardship in the country, the emir said Nigerians must be educated to appreciate that it was due to the low revenue accruing to government as a result of the fall in oil price.

“It is not possible to continue doing what you are doing when the price of oil was at $110 and now that it is selling at about $30,” he added.

set up to investigate the alleged misconduct.

He said the party had appointed Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, the Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje as the Acting Chairman of the party.

Sani-Abbas said the suspension was endorsed by the former and serving members of the National Assembly and all the chairmen of the 44 local governments in the state.

The suspension, he added, was equally endorsed by 30 out of the 39 members of the House of Assembly, vice chairmen and secretaries of the local governments.

He said the committee had been given one week within which to submit its report to the executive committee of the party for further action.

“If the disciplinary committee establishes any evidence to the fact that the suspended officials were culpable or not, it is left to the executive committee to take appropriate action,’’ he said.

He said APC’s earlier position on former governor Musa Kwankwaso, remained since his action violated the party’s constitution.

He, however, said that what was needed most was cohesion, unity and progress of the party at the time the Ganduje administration was striving to reposition the state.

9

south-westnews

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Ex-House of Reps member condemns call for JAMB Registrar’s sack

By Moses Alao

Associate Professor, Department of Library Archival and Information Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Dr Oshiotse Andrew Okilagwe, presenting some books to Tribune Cartoonist, Mr Olusegun Adeeko. With them are Tribune’s Chief Accountant, Mrs Oluremi Olufisayo (second right); Deputy Manager, Human Resources, Mrs Ijeoma Adesanya (right); Mr Erlujivwo Kelly (left) and Mr Adewuyi Sunday, during Stirling Horden Publishing firm’s visit to the Tribune House, recently.

Fresh crisis hits S/West PDP over national chairmanship ‘Normalcy may not return to Oyo PDP except ...’

From Bola Badmus and Nurudeen Alimi

T

HE fragile peace in the SouthWest chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might be heading for the rocks, if recent protestations and opposition to a recent position by leaders of the party in the region that the national chairmanship post of the party should remain in the North are to go by.

The Senator representing Ogun East, Senator Buruji Kashamu, had, at the wekeend, clarified that the proposal that the national chairmanship of the party should remain in the North was not his opinion but that of the delegation that visited the party’s national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), in Abuja on Thursday.

Kashamu said he was only a part of the delegation.

The senator, who made this clarification on Saturday while reacting to various reports and accounts about the visit, said: “On our proposal that the national chairmanship of the party should remain in the North, I wish to state that it was the opinion of the delegation.

“We were and are still of the view that given the strong presence of the PDP in the South, with 10 governors out of 17 governors in the South and just two governors in the 19 states in the North, it would make more sense to leave the national chairmanship of the party in the North so as not to be branded a

regional party,” he said.

However, a group identified as the Lagos Collectives (LC), led by Professor Tejumade Akitoye-Rhodes, denounced the position of the delegation led by Kashamu, which claimed that the zone was not interested in presenting anybody for the position of national chairmanship of the party, describing such position as totally unacceptable, unfair, unjust and even destabilising to the region.

Kashamu, however, said the view of the delegation did not foreclose any other opinion or suggestion, noting that if some other persons had any other idea, they were at liberty to push it.

“Our view does not foreclose any other opinion or suggestion. If some other persons have any other

idea, they are at liberty to push it. At the end of the day, it is either superior argument wins or we go to the convention.

“For us, as true party men, whatever is best for our party and majority of the stakeholders is all we want,” he said.

But the Lagos Collectives, in a statement entitled, “Mr. Chairman: Beware of the Ides of March!,” frowned on the declaration of the Kashamu delegation, saying he was not qualified to speak on behalf of the South-West PDP. Meanwhile, a chieftain of the PDP in Oyo State, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoenia, has hinted that normalcy might not return any time soon to the state’s chapter of the party, if the present executives are not shown the exit door.

Olopoenia, while speaking

with Sunday Tribune in Ibadan, on Saturday, noted that as much as he had confidence in the decision of the leadership of the party at the national level, which empowered all state executives of the party to continue in office in order to work with the national chairman of the party till the end of his tenure, it had became imperative to urgently hold a state congress in Oyo State in order to usher in new executives that will steer the ship of the party to an enviable destination.

“As far as Oyo State is concerned, the decision of the party cannot, in any way, yield a positive result. This is because the excos have not been functioning effectively well. All the party activities in Oyo State are decided by only one person whom the excos believe in,” he said.

Ooni of Ife in Sokoto, urges Nigerians to work for peace, unity THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has appealed to all Nigerians, irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences, to work diligently towards sustaining Nigeria’s unity.

The monarch told newsmen in Sokoto State, on Saturday, that Nigerians should set aside their diverse backgrounds to work together in ensuring that the country remained indivisible.

“It is one Nigeria and forever, it will be one Nigeria; with all of us the citizens as one.

“I am an advocate of

peace and we as traditional rulers from across the country would sustain the royal fraternities,” he said.

Oba Ogunwusi said there was the need for all traditional rulers in the country to sustain routine visits to their counterparts from other parts of the country, noting that doing so would foster more harmonious relationship, peace, unity and socioeconomic prosperity of Nigeria.

He further expressed confidence in the Nigerian project, saying that the nation would forever be on the march to everlasting

greatness.

He also stressed that the amalgamation of the country in 1914 was never a mistake, urging traditional rulers in the country, as those closer to the people, to always work together in the interest of their people and the nation.

The monarch also underscored the importance of the youth across the country, saying that they formed the majority of the population.

The Ooni stressed the need for the youth to be meaningfully employed to curb the menace of youth restiveness and insecurity.

THE former member representing Irepo/Oorelope/ Olorunsogo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Jimoh Afees, has described the protests against the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Emeritus Professor Dibu Ojerinde and the call for his sack as unreasonable and abnormal, noting that such positions were not in the interest of the education sector.

According to Afees, while responding to a recent protest organised in Lagos State by alleged Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates and their parents, the protesting candidates and their sponsors should have carried out a self-examination to see where they went wrong in the just-concluded UTME rather than “whipping up sentiments and calling for the sack of the head of the examination body.”

Afees, who said that the JAMB Registrar deserved commendations for the transformation and credibility he has brought to the Board, said the call for his sack “is a disservice to the country and such actions have dragged the country backwards for decades, as committed Nigerians who might want to contribute to the nation’s development have always feared the sentiments and needless pressure that some Nigerians often put on public officers whenever there is a slight challenge.”

Mimiko warns against social media bills THE Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has cautioned against any law that will impede on the gains currently being recorded with the judicious use of the social media.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on Information Communication Technology in Akure, at the weekend, Mimiko, who posited that the positive economic impact of the internet is well-known, observed that mobile phones and internet platforms have increased access to improved agriculture, education, health and governance services, adding that beyond these, “ICT can also generate transformative growth that creates sustainable pathways to youths.”

He said the social media had opened up a plethora of opportunities for the younger generation, who have embraced it wholeheartedly, “using it to have their voices heard and their products seen globally.”

Cautioning against halting the trend, Mimiko warned that “we must not hinder such opportunities through bills such as the Social Media Bill. We risk alienating a significant part of our population by stifling their rights to express their views and challenge conventional wisdom.”

The governor, however, offered that “our focus should be on supporting the vibrant social media now evident in Nigeria and empowering the youth to use it in the most effective and responsible manner.”

He disclosed that his government had deployed ICT tools in virtually all of its engagements beginning with primary education and healthcare, among others.

Rep asks FG to declare emergency in power sector Sam Nwaoko -Ado Ekiti THE chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, Mr. Segun Adekola, has called on the Federal Government to declare emergency in the nation’s power sector “to salvage the economy from total and irredeemable collapse.”

Adekola, who represents Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1, said in a statement on Saturday that “any government that wants to lay a solid foundation to revive a dying economy like ours must take power sector as a basis with a pragmatic plan to correct all the mistakes in the sector.”

Adekola said he had moved a motion to that effect on the floor of the House, saying “the power sector remained the most and all-important ingredient of any nation’s economy and without drastic measure to develop the sector, all efforts to revive the economy will be a deliberate waste.”

He said: “It is unfortunate and disheartening that all reforms geared towards repositioning the sector for better efficiency are being frustrated by some individuals.

10

feature

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘Shylock proprietors’ responsible for poor pay’ Continued from pg 3 just left that environment.”

Planning to learn a skill Another private school teacher based in Sango-Ota, Ogun State, whose salary is N25,000 monthly, stated that “I really love teaching, that’s why I’m not very bothered about the salary. One time we were owed for a couple of months but that was sorted out. As regards salary, it depends on the environment and the owners of the school. You know we have different types of private schools – the ones for the poor, the average and the rich. A prospective teacher must know which category the school falls into before applying.

“However, even at that, it is not as if the salary is fantastic. We just try to cope with what we get. I am a graduate of the Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State, and I still live with my parents. It is my way of saving till something better comes.

One of my colleagues is a graduate of the University of Ibadan and she complains from time to time, even though she makes money outside the job. Although she lives alone, she does ushering jobs from time to time at weekends to augment her income.

I’m now thinking of learning a skill to also improve myself.”

Some proprietors are Shylocks — NUT President Speaking to Sunday Tribune on the steps taken by the Nigeria Union of Teachers to address poor remuneration for private school teachers, the National President of the NUT, Mr Michael AlogbaOlukoya, stated that “Some private school proprietors we have these days are Shylocks. They are more interested in making profits than providing quality education.

They promote modern day slavery and internal colonialism. Majority of them capitalise on the unemployment situation in the country to pay peanuts to teachers in their schools. No pension or gratuity is considered, despite the fact that the law is very clear that anyone who employs more than five persons should enrol at PenCom. They toy with the Pension Reform Act and the government is not doing anything. I am not surprised though, because majority of these ‘Shylocks’ are in the corridors of government.”

Addressing how low remuneration may affect quality of services and steps the NUT has taken to address the issue, the NUT president noted that it would continue to affect quality of instruction because if the job doesn’t provide enough motivation, teachers cannot give their best.

According to Alogba-Olukoya, “What you’ll have is beautiful buildings and school uniforms but indepth instruction will not be qualitative. How do you expect a graduate who is paid N25,000 with no job guarantee to cope? To address the issue, we are working on unionisation. All over the world, whatever level one teaches, one must belong to a teachers’ union.

The job one does dictates the union one should belong to. It is just a question of semantics. The teachers’ union is to defend our people.

“However, because of the calibre of persons involved in setting up private schools, they are making unionisation an uphill task in that sector. Still, we are not relent-

Moulding the leaders of tomorrow Photo: wikipedia

Professor Aremu

ing.

The only w a y Mr Adeya, to bring School Administrator them out of this modern-day slavery is to unionise them. We have started by distributing pamphlets to sensitise them. Interestingly, at a school we visited in Wuse, Abuja, immediately we left, the teacher who took the pamphlet from us was sacked the next day. We are not going to give in; we shall continue to sensitise. We have our papers at the National Assembly as we speak on the need for teachers to be unionised.”

Govt must stop substandard schools –NAPPS President The Oyo State President of the National Association of Private School Proprietors (NAPPS), Mrs Elizabeth Olubukola Akobi, in an interview with Sunday Tribune, stated that “there are a lot of contributory factors to what you describe as ‘poorly-paid’ teachers. The economy is bad. Proprietors do not have 100 per cent payment of schools fees and some parents even adopt the attitude of transferring children from school to school because they are unable to pay the fees.

“With this problem, private schools are finding it difficult to have a strong footing regarding payment of fees. I would suggest that government helps us to create a condusive atmosphere to operate; curb the mass springing up of new schools without standards, then private schools will be able to employ qualified and certified teachers. When one has a conducive work atmosphere, things will work out well. It is not as if private school propri-

etors do not want to pay, it is the state of things.”

We sometimes take loans to pay teachers –Administrator The administrator of a private school, Mr Babatunde Adeya, who though declined to state how much teachers in his school are paid, stated that “there shouldn’t be complaints because there is always an initial agreement between the school and the teacher before he/she is employed. We don’t owe here because we pay at when due. The money used to pay salaries comes from school fees. When parents don’t pay on time, there may be the tendency for the salary to be late, but what we do here is to take loans or overdraft since we know that the money will eventually be paid by the parents.

“When you don’t pay teachers at when due, the services provided may not be commensurate with the standard expected, that is why we endeavour to pay at the right time, because after all, they have worked for it. The state of the economy has really affected payment of school fees. The parents are still trying to meet up, although not to our expectations, and even as at now which is three weeks to vacation, many parents still owe and it is affecting the school but what can we do. We do our best to encourage them and also pray for them.”

Low remuneration leads to aggression, poor performance –Prof Aremu A professor of Counselling and Criminal Justice of the University of Ibadan, Oyesoji Aremu, noted that “it is biblical for a labourer to receive his/her wages.

If he/she doesn’t get what is deserved, frustration will set in. It could be physical frustration. It could also be frustration

which is within, which is worse. Internal frustration could manifest in the form of aggression which the person can express towards a significant other. If that happens, the person would not be able to render services effectively and productively at the workplace. There is what is referred to as teaching effectiveness. Teaching goes beyond what we see. It involves passing knowledge effectively. He/she may be teaching but it may not be what would reflect positively on the recipient of the knowledge. Academic performance of the recipient will also be poor.”

Speaking on the situation of those who are paid regularly but well below value, Aremu corroborated the position of the NUT president, describing many of the private school proprietors as “modernday Shylocks.”

According to him, “they recruit people and pay them peanuts. They are paid far below what is obtainable from the school fees and that is why I refer to them as modern-day Shylocks. Government is also not helping matters because they are supposed to be principal employers of labour, but since this is not the case, these private schools are established and the employees are at the mercy of these proprietors.

What many private school teachers are paid is far below what would take them to the workplace, not even what would take them back home.

“This is not counting those who have families to take care of. Many of them have no choice and take up these jobs to keep body and soul together. In fact, one shouldn’t lay all the blame on the proprietors. The government takes part of the blame because even in government circles, the pay is not very encouraging. It is a cycle. The economy also adds to the tight situation.”

11

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

feature Swimming in troubled water Many hazards of the swimming pool

Many funseekers surely love to visit various swimming pools found in hotels, recreational places and others. But the hygienic conditions of these pools are increasingly becoming worrisome. TADE MAKINDE and NEWTON-RAY UKWUOMA report on some of the diseases one could contract while swimming inside pools.

Ogunbiyi

‘No pets allowed No persons with open wounds No woman having her periods Shower before/after swimming’

T

HESE, and many others are the instructions to swimmers written on four boards inside the pool premises of the Lagos Airport Hotel, Lagos State.

Swimming can be a healthy exercise and should be encouraged among the young and old, but swimming in public pools has been known as a means of contracting skin diseases and other infections which can be transmitted from one person to another.

The Lagos Airport Hotel is among the very few hotels in Nigeria with an Olympic-size swimming pool. As early as 9.00 a.m. on this particular Tuesday, teenagers from a school in Ikeja were going through swimming sessions.

Photo: Funke Oke

This was against the 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. time allowed for any public user to get in the pool and out. Upon investigation, Sunday Tribune learnt that “these specials”, two females and four males, had come to train for an international swimming competition taking place in Europe in two months time.

“It was a special arrangement between the management and the school. This happens a lot of times,” Imoleayo Ogunbiyi, the hotel’s lifeguard said. The students had come to perfect their timing. “They come most mornings to train for competitions to meet up standard time preparatory to any competition in/out of Nigeria,” he added.

But before going for a swim at the public pools, it is necessary to think twice about what one is plunging into as a US-based Center for Control and Disease’s (CDC) has discovered that high levels of faecal matter in indoor and outdoor pools have caused an alert for stronger reinforce-

ment of public health and safety regulations.

Most times when there are more than 10 swimmers in a busy pool, the chances are one of them will urinate in the pool. The unhealthy behaviour has put many swimmers at risk of getting infected with bacterial disease. Poor practice of pool compliances, such as the lack of maintaining appropriate disinfectant will make swimmers, especially kids, sick. That is among the reasons most pool managers ensure that all bodies are monitored for sores.

“But we can’t monitor all pool users. 150 persons came yesterday. We had thrice that on Valentine’s Day. That’s why no pool allows anybody to swim in dresses so that the guards can see everyone’s bodies,” Ogunbiyi said.

On this Tuesday, it was obvious that none of these students was afraid of contracting any of the various diseasContinues pg 13

12

feature

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘Those who accidentally gulp water from infected pools are at risk’ Continued from pg12 es known to likely affect most users of public swimming pools. While many don’t worry too much about the risks of using public swimming pools, there are few health freaks overtly concerned that public pools are a few of health risks that can affect swimmers. Among them are: legionnaires’ disease, swimmers’ ear, athletes foot, cancer, asthma and skin diseases.

As regards legionnaires’ disease, it is believed that water and vapour facilitate the transmission of a bacterium lung disease called legionnaires’ disease that is similar to pneumonia. The disease has a strong presence in public swimming pools due to the inhaling of the bacteria in water vapour. Symptoms include cough; shortness of breath; high fever; muscle aches and headaches and it can take from two to 10 days to show.

Feet exposure in a pool can increase the risk of the highly contagious athlete’s foot. Swimmers who have acquired this disease can easily infect others with the pieces of fungi that fall from their feet if they do not wear sandals or pat their skin after they swim. It is believed that communal showers, swimming pools and changing rooms are the top places that athlete’s foot is spread.

Swimmer’s ear is not a popular disease, but Dr Richard Iyiola of Salem Hospital, Isolo, Lagos State, said it is a bacterial infection that occurs in the outer ear canal that only appears several days after a swim. When water stays in the ear canal for long, it allows bacteria to grow and infect the skin. The germs that are commonly found in chlorine pools can bring on this infection. The imbalanced levels of disinfectant and PH levels in pools play a significant role in contracting swimmer’s ear.

Everyone shudders when they hear the word cancer, but it has never entered the thoughts of many that swimming for 40 minutes can result in cancer-causing DNA mutations. In a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers studied the effects of genotoxicity in swimmers and the link to the risk of cancer.

Healthy adults who swim for 40 minutes in a chlorinated pool will most likely have an increased micro nuclei in blood lymphocytes, which is linked with cancer risk along with urine mutagenicity brought on by the exposure to these agents. In the pools used for this recent study, researchers reported the presence of more than 100 DBPs (Disinfectant By Products) linked to gene mutations.

“This does not mean that swimmers should stop this healthy exercise. It is advised that after 40 minutes of this physical activity, one could become more susceptible to the chemical agent associated with cancer,” Dr Iyiola told Sunday Tribune.

In Ogunbiyi’s 17 years as a lifeguard, none of these diseases is known to Nigerians. He scoffed at these ‘strange’ diseases, saying; “These are oyinbos diseases. The most common pool disease in Lagos is skin disease.” He believes that there is no germ that chlorine will not kill once it is applied in the pool as recommended. “The chemical is not applied when the pool is in use as it is potent enough to affect eyes and skin. That’s why the pool is disinfected immediately after the last swimmer gets out of it, allowing it to kill any germ, fungi, algae, etc before the next set of swimmers begin to arrive. The active ingredient in the chlorine works for 24 hours, out of which the pool is opened for nine hours,” Ogunbiyi added.

Also speaking, Dr Bolaji Ajeigbe of Prospect Medical Centre, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo State, insists that “chlorine only purifies the water and no one is sure if it kills germs in pools.”

The medical practitioner said because different swimmers use public pools, they all come with different ailments that nobody knows nothing about. “If an Hepatitis B carrier who is probably healing gets into a pool, how would others know? The danger of having such a carrier sharing swimming pool with unsuspecting others is that they could contact the deadly disease and not know until it is too late because the virus would have been spread in the water.

“Chlorine clears odour from water. You are aware that the water that runs from taps and some wells are chlorinated. That’s why we can drink it. The same water that we drink directly from tap can kill if one gulps that in a pool because of the several germs that are in pools. So, you see the opposite? One refreshes and one kills, even with

Dr Ajeigbe

chlorine. Most swimmers who usually complain of feeling feverish after swimming hardly tell doctors that they had gulped water from a swimming pool and the doctor would be treating him for another thing because they don’t know what had been ingested in the pool,” he said.

Apart from germs that reside in untreated water, the doctor said most swimming kits, the swimming trunks, bikinis, towels, etc, habour germs.

Dr Iyiola also confirmed that “even if a swimmer escapes taking in water accidentally, he is not likely to escape skin rash. He said different diseases unseen to naked eyes lurk on and under water, especially the floors of swimming pools where algae comfortably lives.

“That is why different diseases are not only exchanged inside pools, but also contracted. I fear mostly for children as they are not that immuned to most of these diseases. They can easily contract Bilharzia from urine. You know that the chances of a mischievous swimmer deliberately urinating inside a pool are high. If such a person urinates blood, the virus can quickly spread and children are affected.

Another disease that can be contracted in a public swimming pool is Schistosomiasis. This viral disease is easily caught in rivers, ponds and can also be easily transmitted unto others using regular pools, says Dr. Joshua Adeniran of All Souls Clinic, Oke Ado, Ibadan This disease is more common among rural dwellers, but an infected person can pass it on to others via urine. The terminal piss habours the virus and once it drops in the water, anybody can contract it. It can enter through foot, opening

Those who swallow pool water are likely to have liver or kidney diseases. Those who tone or bleach their skins are not exempted because toning has already reduced the thickness of their skin and by the time they stay long in chlorinated water, they become vulnerable and usually end up having skin cancer

wounds and eventually travels through the bladder to the urethra. It damages the bladder and then the kidney. Schistosomiasis is not very common among users of chlorinated water, but it can find its way into it. Unlike the free flowing river that does not need to be treated for germs, public pools need to be regularly maintained to keep it germ-free,” he added.

As widely accepted as chlorine is in purifying water, a former commissioner for health in Ondo State, Dr Kunle Bademosi, who is also Chief Medical Director of Fullhouse Hospitals and Clinics, Ring Road, Ibadan, confirms that chlorine affects the skin. The skin is a natural covering for everything inside the body from the outside.

The outer part is a hostile environment “The problem is actually the people coming into the swimming pool. It is amazing what the clothes we wear can store. Many are dirty and they don’t even care about anything, so you can imagine the risk of skin infection that can be transmitted swimming in pools filled with unclean people, especially this dry season.

“Even when we have the rain, it is still hot. Fungal, bacterial and viral diseases are widely spread, like the common cold, at times like this-from October to March.

Apart from this, skin infections such as eczema are also transferred. Don’t forget that those with allergic dermatitis react to such chemicals differently. With the heat, it is natural to want to go for a swim, which is not bad if done in moderation.

“The frequency of pool use is another problem as the chemicals not only dry the skin after staying in it for too long, prolonged contact between the skin and water tenders the skin and leaves it vulnerable to attacks. Chlorine is a powerful chemical and can be dangerous if it is not used in adequate amount. Those who swallow pool water are likely to have liver or kidney diseases. Those who tone or bleach their skins are not exempted because toning has already reduced the thickness of their skin and by the time they stay long in chlorinated water, they become vulnerable and usually end up having skin cancer. Soaking themselves in water, with the sun helping to rub it in, they are risking a lot. It is considerably safe to swim for just 20-30 minutes. Spending hours inside swimming pools is not good,” he said.

Dr Oladipo Ogunsanmi, a dermatologist, said that fungal skin infections as well as bacterial diseases can be transmitted in the pool especially when swimmers have open wounds or cuts in their bodies. Citing a study done in Nigeria, Dr Ogunsanmi showed how some harmful bacteria grow better in unhygienic swimming pools and cause a range of illnesses ranging from pimples, impetigo boil to life-threatening diseases like pneumonia, meningitis, toxic shock, respiratory system infection, urinary infection, among others.

He said “urine contains some germs. Swimmers can urinate in the pool knowingly or unknowingly. Some women can have vaginal discharges while in the pool. This can grow if not inhibited by chemicals. People who have diarrhoea can pass waste while swimming. This is why regular maintenance is the most important safety measure to prevent skin infections in the water. Staphylococcus aureus, which causes pimples, impetigo boils, cellutus, folliculitis, scalded skin syndrome; pseudomonas aeruginosa, Kielbasa and aspergillus are found in unhygienic swimming pools.”

Dr Garba Ogwuthe, a dermatologist at P’N’G Keloid and Bumps admonished that people with wounds should not be allowed into public swimming pools as they are more likely to infest the pool or contract skin infections and other diseases available in the pool.

Maintaining a swimming pool is not a child’s play The Olympic-sized swimming pool of the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan Oyo state, which had in the times past hosted national and international competitions, is now an eyesore due to lack of maintenance.

The stadium, now overgrown with weeds, houses three different pools for kids, adults and professionals. Of the three, only the kids’ section is functioning presently, thanks to a private outfit that is now managing it.

Mr Adeniyi Otegbeye, the Training & Reservation officer of Kayrom Lee Services, said his outfit saw an opportunity and took it. When Sunday Tribune visited the pool recently seven teenagers were there. “They had been trained to swim even as far as the deepest end of the pool, 1.8 metres and could go the entire 20 metres length twice, thrice unmanned. “Special training costs N10,000,” Otegbeye said.

13 Continued from

I

20 March, 2016 last week

T is for these and other reasons that we hold firmly and inexorably to the view that as from 1 October, 1979, education at all levels shall be provided free for all the citizens of Nigeria, both young and old. In particular: Education will be free and compulsory at primary and secondary levels. In other words, from the age of six to about seventeen, all children will be enjoined to receive education at all expense of the State. Textbooks will be supplied free, and sufficient classrooms will be provided so that no pupil will have to go for more than three miles to get to school. The shift system will be abolished: and the boarding system will be phased out.

Post-secondary and post-graduate education, including lodging and supply of textbooks, will be free. Meals will be subsidised; and arrangements will be made to enable a student who so desires to earn sufficient income to meet his share of expenditure on food. In particular, the study of science and training in technology will be specially encouraged. Consequently, opportunity will be given to Nigerian youths to acquire the best knowledge in these disciplines wherever it is available in the world.

Adult education will be free; and new schemes will be introduced for wiping out illiteracy from our land within the space of ten years.

To compensate for some of the past acts of deprivation and injustice, all loans given, by the Governments in the Federation and their Agencies, to students to enable them to pursue their studies, which remain outstanding at the indefensible and unconscionable aspects of loans to students is that it is the indigent students - that is, those who are least able to repay them - that receive them.

The second cardinal programme is integrated rural development. In spite of the modern trappings which abound in our cities and highways, Nigeria is still one of the poorest and most economically backward countries in the world. A significant indicator of our economic backwardness is the fact that it takes more than eighty per cent of our labour force to produce much less than one hundred per cent of our local food requirements. I have no doubt that of the 600 million starving people of the world, about 60 million are fellow-Nigerians. It is a shame bordering on criminality that Nigeria has to import some of its basic foods like meat.

Our rural areas are extremely depressed; and the migration from these areas to be urban areas has now reached dangerous proportions. Only middle-aged and elderly people are left to till the land, the same way as

Awo’s thoughts PATH TO NIGERIAN GREATNESS

On the campaign trail At last — the glorious dawn*

Adam did, to produce the foods we eat. Nigeria should be able to produce more than enough to feed itself, and to export surplus foods to other countries.

In all the circumstances, we of the Unity Party of Nigeria, when elected into office, will proceed with the utmost speed to revolutionise agriculture simultaneously in each of the states in the country.

This involves a number of indispensable adjuncts: 1. The provision of infrastructures and modern amenities in the rural areas.

2. Mehanisation of farming which alone can help to increase the productivity of the farming population, and

I have no doubt that of the 600 million starving people of the world, about 60 million are fellow-Nigerians. It is a shame bordering on criminality that Nigeria has to import some of its basic foods like meat

Sunday Tribune

enhance their standards of living.

3. Studied incentive to farmers to encourage them to enter into viable co-operative groups.

4. The availability to farmers of adequate financial support on fair terms, and of free technical and managerial advice.

5. The provision and establishment of storage and marketing facilities.

6. The re-organisation of the rural areas into OPTIMUM communities, each of which should be able to support at least one secondary school. (The concept of the Optimum Community is more fully treated in our Policy Paper on Rural Development.) An Optimum Community (which will be styled OPTICOM for short) will be provided not only with modern amenities but also with cheap but decent and modern housing.

7. The establishment of agro-based and other industries.

In all these, the Government of the Unity Party of Nigeria will go out in a big way to give subsidies to duly established co-operative farming groups and to the OPTIC OMS, especially in respect of preparations and housing.

The provision of infrastructures and public utilities including the construction of new feeder roads, and the immediate reconstruction of the old ones which are in ruins; the irrigation of the savannah and subsavannah areas of the country - all these are, in an underdeveloped economy like ours, the direct responsibilities of the Government. We are resolved to bear them and do so effectively, when we are brought to power.

The third cardinal programme is necessarily implied in every programme that is designed for the good of man. It is the provision of free health facilities for every Nigerian citizen. Lenin said it many years ago that “the productivity of a worker depends on his health”, Indeed, we would go further and say that the success of anything that calls for the exertion of physical and mental efforts depends on good health.

It is the resolve of the Unity Party of Nigeria that, when in power, it will make both curative and preventive health facilities available, free of charge, to all the citizens of Nigeria.

The fourth cardinal programme is full employment.

Again, it is our iron resolve that, when elected into office, we shall pursue policies which will make it feasible for every Nigerian to be gainfully employed at all times. In other words, we are determined that the ugly and souldepressing phenomena of unemployment and under-employment shall be no more, under the new dispensation.

Concluded

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Ibadan Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08077227269; 08034135733 Lagos Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08055333067; 08033013177

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14

Foriegn features

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Agony of 17-yr-old girl who bleeds from eyes and ears •Condition defies medical explanation

A

17-year-old girl is suffering from a horrific mystery condition which causes thick, stinging blood to seep from her eyes and ears.

Marnie Harvey’s condition has baffled doctors for three years and has left her virtually housebound.

Now, desperate for a diagnosis, she is sharing her story in the hope of getting her life back.

Miss Harvey’s ordeal began in 2013 when she woke up with blood spatters on her pillow.

Her terrified mother Catherine, 43, took her to the GP - but despite several tests, no cause could be found.

For the next two years she was sent for more investigations and told to change her diet, eliminating food groups from sugar to dairy, in a bid to find out what was causing her symptoms.

But her condition continued to get worse - and in July last year she was horrified to wake with ‘gloopy’ blood seeping from her eyes.

She now bleeds from her eyes, nose, ears and fingernails up to five times a day - but doctors from every area of medicine are baffled as to why.

In the last few weeks, she has also started to bleed from her tongue and scalp.

Miss Harvey, from Stoke-onTrent, is thought to be the only person in the UK with this unique set of symptoms, causing doctors to dub her ‘The Mystery Girl’.

Her ordeal began in 2013 when she became uncharacteristically unwell and started to cough up blood.

She was sent for a chest scan, which came back clear, but the

worrying symptom continued for two years.

Miss Harvey frequently attended North Staffordshire Hospital and had further blood scans, which again, came back showing nothing amiss.

She developed a pain in her side and also began suffering migraines and sickness which were so bad she would miss weeks of school.

Her attendance fell below 50 per cent and although she managed to take her GCSEs, she did not get the results she had hoped for.

‘We had the medical letters but there were times I didn’t go to school for weeks because the migraines were so bad all I could do was lie in my room in the dark, Believing the symptoms might be related to her diet, doctors advised her to try eliminating food groups.

Over the course of two years she cut out dairy, chocolate, gluten, wheat and sugar - but nothing worked.

By June 2015 the headaches and sickness had worsened. But what was to happen next was truly horrifying.

Miss Harvey had gone to bed with one of her crippling headaches when she woke up with blurred vision and pain behind her eyes.

When she went to the mirror, she had blood over her face and a sharp pain behind her eyes.

‘My eyes started bleeding, then my nose and ears,’ she said.

‘It was a dark red, gloopy blood.

It didn’t gush out, it seeped.’

Her terrified family called an ambulance and she was taken to hospital.

But again doctors couldn’t find anything wrong and she was sent

home, only for the bleeding to return and was referred to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) and eye departments.

She was tested for a brain tumour but the results came back clear.

Despite the negative results, the bleeding continued as often as five times a day and Miss Harvey said she felt like her life was on hold.

She would struggle to open her eyes during the episodes as the blood caused them to sting.

It forced her to give up a hairdressing course and retail job as she ‘couldn’t go and bleed everywhere’.

I used to go out with my friends every day but I became too scared to leave the house ‘I used to go out with my friends every day but I became too scared to leave the house,’ she said.

‘It was alright in the summer because I could hide my bleeding eyes behind sunglasses but I can’t do that now so I stay at home.

‘I never know when it’s going to happen and I don’t like scaring people.’

Miss Harvey’s dream to become a nurse, to go on holiday and find a boyfriend are all shelved while she’s passed from specialist to specialist.

Every day, purple and blue bruises appear all over her body, which hurt to touch and often swell up.

But despite the fact her symptoms seem to worsen when she’s on her period - tests show there is nothing wrong with her reproductive organs or fertility.

She said: ‘They scanned my womb and ovaries and it all came back clear. I saw a gynecologist

in January but it felt futile as I’ve already had my reproductive organs checked and cleared.’

Housebound: She now bleeds out of her eyes, nose, ears (right) and fingernails. In the last few weeks, she’s started to bleed from her tongue and scalp too, leaving her too scared to leave the house (left) Mrs Harvey said she feels frustrated that doctors are unable to diagnose her daughter’s condition.

She said: ‘We’ve had it confirmed that Marnie does not have a brain tumour or brain AVM - an abnormal collection of blood vessels.

‘Her blood tests come back clear and healthy, her iron levels are strong.

‘She has no tumours, no blood diseases and no blood clotting disorders. Her blood clots well.’

An ultrasound scan showed her liver, kidneys, womb and ovaries and confirmed all organs are functioning perfectly, she added, and her eyes, ears, nose and throat are all fine.

She has also had MRI scans, CT scans and multiple blood tests, but the only problem anomaly doctors can identify is that she has a low immune system.

‘That’s all we’ve got to go on for now,’ Mrs Harvey said.

After years of leaving doctors bewildered, Miss Harvey has become accustomed to being the subject of medical fascination.

She said: ‘Specialists bring their students to have a look at me. One student suggested stigmata - the religious belief it’s the representation of the blood of Jesus.

‘We’re not a religious family.

We just want answers.’

Mrs Harvey is now appealing for anyone who might know what could be wrong with her daughter.

Through their own research, the family have found two other

similar cases in the world.

Six years ago in Tennessee, USA, Calvino Inman, who was 15 at the time, was reported to mysteriously ‘cry blood’ up to three times a day.

An ophthalmologist suggested Calvino could have haemolacria - bloody tears.

Yet Mrs Harvey said this doesn’t fit with her daughter’s symptoms, as she also bleeds from other orifices and comes up covered in bruises.

The case of Twinkle Dwivedi, of Lucknow, India, was first reported in 2008.

Then 13, Twinkle was suffering from a blood disorder that caused a loss of blood through her skin without being cut or scratch. She also bled from her eyes.

‘A doctor thought Twinkle might have a coagulation disorder,’ Mrs Harvey said. ‘Maybe her platelets didn’t stick to the blood vessels.

‘But from what we can tell of Twinkle’s case, an official diagnosis has still not been made.’

Again, the case doesn’t help her own daughter’s plight as Miss Harvey’s blood coagulation has been tested and cleared.

The mystery condition has led to cruel taunts from some people and forced Miss Harvey off Facebook.

‘Some friends still come visit me but there are some I haven’t seen in months,’ she said.

‘I had to leave Facebook because people were starting rumours that I had blood cancer or the Ebola virus.

‘Last time I was in hospital kids in the waiting room were taking pictures of me with their phones.

‘The doctors say they just don’t know what’s causing it - I’m their mystery girl.’

Courtesy daily mail.

15

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Dollar rate also affecting prices of foodstuffs —Market women Akin Adewakun - Lagos

N

NAMDI Nodebe, Group Managing Director, Sonia Foods had told a bewildered audience, comprising of the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Jacob and a group of select journalists from the nation’s media, that his newly- commissioned, multi-billion naira tomato paste factory might wind up in a matter of months, if the new policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on forex was not urgently reviewed.

The company was gradually running out of the major raw material, tomato concentrates, which it uses to produce its tomato paste which are usually imported. And, unfortunately, the concentrate is one of the 41 items restricted by the apex bank through its new policy on forex.

“Sir, all these crates you are seeing are our raw materials for the tomato paste, we are likely to exhaust them by July this year, and once that is done, we may be forced to close shops and the over 300 workers in this plant thrown into the labour market,” he said, after taking the Ogun State industry and commerce commissioner round the tomato paste plant.

Nodebe’s plea, like those of many others, is that government should give him time, for backward integration that would enable him cultivate his own farm that would produce the raw materials locally for his plant use.

“Getting a farm of our own and cultivating it is the way out for us, and we are on it, but all these take time. They cannot be achieved in one day and that is why we are pleading with government to give us time.

We will support any policy that would encourage the local industries and grow the local economy, but such policy must not be hurriedly forced down our throats,” Nodebe stated.

Curiously, Nodebe’s case aptly typifies the plight of the average Nigerian manufacturer in the country today. They have continued to tell whoever cares to listen that the signs are ominous, in the nation’s real sector and that majority of them would have no other choice than to kiss goodbye the means of livelihood that had been sustaining them over the years, if government’s policies continue to be a disincentive to business in Nigeria.

For instance, while echoing Nodebe’s claim to the media, in Shagamu, after inspecting the tomato paste plant, the MAN boss told the media that more than 100 members of the association are presently in the Sonia Foods boss’ shoes, bound together by the common ‘adversity’ - the apex bank’s new forex policy, affecting the importation of their raw materials.

“I’ve received several complaints such as this from over 100 members of the association. They are also running out of raw materials and would need government’s intervention going by its recent policy on forex restrictions.

“Nobody is criticising the policy, but what we are saying is that government should give these people between 18 and 20 months to enable them integrate backward, so that the purpose of the policy is not defeated. You can imagine what would happen to the economy if over 100 members of the association shut down businesses, just because of this policy. Re-

member, this sector is supposed to be the largest employer of labour, and if it dies the economy dies,” he stated.

An operator in the food and beverage segment, who would not want his name in print, stated that the forex challenge should be handled with care to enable it achieve its set objective.

“Most of the companies are operating under capacity. For instance, some of us that have the capacity to employ over 100 workers have less than 25 staff doing the little we can do, and this is simply due to the fact that the enabling environment is not there. And I think the best thing is for government is to look at how it can address it and not come up with policies that would sound the death knell of the sector,” the operator argued.

Interestingly, one noticeable trend since the pronouncement of the policy and the beginning of the free fall of the nation’s currency is the sudden rise in the prices of goods and services, including those that do not even have anything to do with foreign exchange.

For instance, Sunday Tribune’s investigation in some markets within the Lagos metropolis revealed such hikes. In Ile Epo, a major market within Abule Egba and Iyana Ipaja axis, where food stuffs are sold, a tuber of yam that hitherto sold for between N200 and N300 now sells for between N800 and N1,000, while a small bucket of yam flour, that hitherto sold for N400 now has its price ranging between N600 and N800. Interestingly the sellers, like all others, attributed the sharp rise in these prices to the price of dollar which has suddenly gone up in the country.

“It is not really our fault, it is because the price of dollars has gone up,” argued a bean cake seller in the market to the utter surprise of this correspondent, who kept wondering how the woman’s product had suddenly depended on forex for survival.

“The challenge we have in this country is that whatever goes up does not come down again. That is why I believe that even if the situation of things improve tomorrow, all these prices as we have them now, have

come to stay,” argued Mr. Seyi Arowolo, an entrepreneur and a consumer.

Narrating a personal experience, Arowolo said he visited a stand where some of the imported doors and tiles were exhibited at the last Lagos Trade Fair held last year in Lagos.

“I thought I would be able to make it back there before the conclusion of the Fair to pick some of the doors which the company agreed to sell for me for N17,000 per unit.

But I couldn’t. Few days later, after the Fair, I went to the company at Suru Alaba in Lagos to purchase the doors only to be told that it had become N23,000 per unit, attributing the sudden rise of the commodity to the dollar. I was shocked!,” he stated.

While Arowolo argued that though the apex bank’s recent policy might be an issue, he is, however, of the opinion that most of the price manipulations Nigerians are experiencing in the market are manmade, and are never induced by the challenge the local currency is presently having against the dollar.

Mr. Biyi Adesuyi, Chief Executive Officer of Wealthgate Advisor would want to take the argument further. He believes the apex bank was right to have come up with such policy since it was becoming obvious that the country was experiencing forex crisis.

“Those complaining about the policy are either ignorant or do not want the na-

Interestingly the sellers, like all others, attributed the sharp rise in these prices to the price of dollar which has suddenly gone up in the country

tion’s economy to experience real growth.

For instance, the country has no business importing tooth picks. Besides, some of these raw materials that the manufacturers are complaining about can be sourced locally. It is when they are sourced locally that the process can be described as valueadding since it would have gone through the entire value chain of coming from the farm, passing through the machines and moving into the hands of the consumers.

“When you manufacture here and your main raw material is imported, what you are doing is merchandising, but what we need at this time is industrialisation, we should begin to look inwards,” he argued.

Interestingly, Adesuyi is not alone in this line of thinking. At a forum organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), held in Lagos last Thursday, Chairman, Agric and Agro-Allied Group, LCCI, Adeola Elliot, insisted on the need to re-activate agriculture so that manufacturers can have access to those raw materials locally.

“LCCI is going beyond advocacy. We are setting up an initiative where we are going to organise the farmers into co-operatives to enable them access some of these facilities as a group from banks. I think we can’t keep complaining, the time has come for us to re-activate agriculture. And I think research institutes and universities should support agriculture too. This is the only way I believe we can solve some of these problems being experienced in the nation’s real sector,” he stated.

But soothing as those suggestions may sound, they are not likely to bring instant smiles on the faces of the manufacturers and the consumers, who have, in recent times been incurring the ‘forex wrath’. But the question on the lips of many is how soon would those smiles be brought back?

Perhaps the signing of the nation’s budget and the subsequent unveiling of the government’s fiscal policy direction would go a long way in making that much-needed difference in the lives of Nigerians whose pockets had continued to experience a gaping hole in the past few months.

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20 March, 2016

L

EKKI Gardens as a business empire surely surpasses Richard Nyong, the 34-year-old MD, standing trial for the 34 souls that perished at one of its constructions sites. Without taking anything away from him, he is surely just a face for either a monstrous face or massive combination of faces behind the high-octane shelter-provider. But the considerations which got him ‘leading’ such a firm, must have also come with the benefits and burdens, only that he might have never envisaged standing a criminal trial. He would be right to so think because until now, there was no such record in Lagos, where such collapse is becoming a common-place. Buildings come down, lives are lost, emergency workers are drafted, media feast on fatalities, threats are issued, emotional rhetorics are delivered, government offers sympathies, then a deafening silence.

Everyone moves on, waiting for the next building to give way.

The gross insensitivity of the past likely accounts for the wide applause Lagos Class Captain, Akinwunmi Ambode is receiving for this one-off. But there are also sniggers. Despite the ownership denial by former Akwa-Ibom State governor Godswill Akpabio, the suspicion is rife that the Real Face of Lekki Gardens is an enemy of the Lagos Crowd, hence the truculent moves by Ambode to practically throw the company out of business with perceived extreme decisions, including stripping it of all incomes by asking all its tenants and property buyers to quit. There are also suspicions that the governor may hide under the ordered integrity test to lay all the so-called Gardens in ruins in Lagos. The question will be, is the governor out to actually ruin someone, a likely political enemy?

Those suspecting Ambode and his Kitchen Cabinet are also asking why he didn’t take the gloves off, on such tragedies before now. But would any argument of bias hold in the face of such human tragedy? Lekki Gardens may be running a multi-billion naira business but the soul of the least of its labourers should worth more than its entire asset base.

In fighting for Lekki 34, everyone responsible, even remotely, should be pursued with the symbolic blindness of justice. Any justice served with jaundice would also be judged by the people. While Ambode has done well by putting the Lekki Gardens operators and those behind

WITH the struggle for power by the political class, which has resulted in the polity being extremely heated and the political space becoming awfully dangerous with brickbats floating in the air, my mind travels to the 2012 Democratic Party’s National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the unforgettable speech of Julian Castro, a former Mayor of San Antonio, who was the keynote speaker at the convention.

After regaling the audience with the story of his grandmother, an orphan who had arrived in the USA with little education, Castro said the woman was able to see her only daughter through college because of the opportunities available in the country. With her college education, the daughter had a better life than her mother. And by extension, the life of Castro, a third generation immigrant who is now United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, is an improvement on both his mother and grandmother’s lives, because of the opportunities available in the country.

According to Castro, “America didn’t become the land of opportunity by accident. My grandmother’s generation and generations before always saw beyond the horizons of their own lives and their own circumstances. They believed that opportunity created today would lead to prosperity tomorrow. That’s the country they envisioned, and that’s the country they helped build. The roads and bridges they built, the schools and universities they created, the rights they fought for and won—these opened the doors to a decent job, a secure retirement, the chance for your children to do better than you did.”

Therein lies the difference between the USA and Nigeria; every generation creates opportunities for the succeeding one. That is why the American story keeps getting better one generation after the other. Contrariwise in Nigeria, every generation narrows the opportunities available to the succeeding one. That is why the glorious days in the country seem to be in the past. It is common in the country to refer to the past in glowing terms and the present in gloomy tones. This is because every succeeding generation is worse off than the preceding ones.

It is unfortunate but the stark reality is that there is a dearth of statesmen in Nigeria. Yes, we have public office holders in thousands and we have politicians in millions

0811 695 4647

olanreade@yahoo.com

Lekki 34, Synagogue 116

the Mile 12 Mayhem on trial, the side-talk of one-sided whipping would not go away if similar tragedies are not tried. In the eye of the law, they are accessories and must be handed over for trial. That is complete justice.

When you have a chaotic system, it breeds corruption.

It is good Ambode is restructuring the LASBCA after axing the leadership, but what does he think of the property bureaucratic control mechanism in the state being about 18? Isn’t that unwieldy? Isn’t that mainly responsible for the chaos in the sector in the state and ultimately the endemic corruption therein? Isn’t about time a streamline was effected?

With the governor promising total repositioning, there is still hope of the realigning the fragmented agencies, but one sore thumb the government may never be able to

With Sulaimon Olanrewaju 08055001708

lanresulaimon@yahoo.com

Where are Nigeria’s statesmen?

but those who put the affairs of the state ahead of personal interests are scanty. Majority of those who stomp around as our nation’s leaders and the people’s champions are not altruistic, they are in it for what they stand to benefit.

From those who want to hold on to power by all means to those who are bent on wresting and wrenching power from them, we have men and women who are driven by

Sunday Tribune

hide for too long is the judicial kamikaze over the human tragedy of epic proportion at Synagogue of Nations where 116 souls were lost and nobody is yet on trial. The leverage provided by the jejune Coroner inquest is now being exploited by Prophet T.B Joshua and the killer-engineers to totally evade justice.

The facts are similar. Approval was exceeded in both cases. Criminals in government colluded with both clients. While the Synagogue’s collapse wasn’t under Ambode, the fact that government is a continuum makes it imperative for him to act with dispatch, as done in Lekki Gardens’ case.

If the Lekki boys could be arrested and brought to court 72 hours after the tragedy, in handcuffs, how will government explain the marooned manslaughter charge brought against a nebulous Synagogue Board of Trustees, which isn’t likely to ever take off, almost 18 months after those lives were lost to some people’s greed.

The Coroner inquest was escapist. Ambode’s predecessor and party didn’t want to touch a popular prophet in an election circle and had to design a way of dousing agitation for justice. Why not charge the contractor as now done in Lekki’s case?

Ambode can’t be harangued over the Synagogue’s judicial mess, but he can further establish his reputation as an advocate of 360 degree justice by commencing fresh judicial onslaught against the Synagogue murderers, without the baggage of the Coroner report.

Suspects should be well specified to avoid the pitfall of the Trustee not be a juristic person. Using Joshua and Lekki Gardens’ billionaires as scapegoats would communicate his no-business-as-usual message than exerting himself to look tougher than his butty visage.

The sentiment surrounding religious issues, especially one involving a popular prophet with miracle touch, is understandable. But the law should and must not be applied as Janus. In fact, God demands fairness from us. While one life should be treated as equal to a 100, it would still be incongruous for a man responsible for the death of 116 souls to be walking around free, with a flourishing ministry, while someone responsible for 36 souls risks being run out of business permanently and run into jail in tight handcuffs. Justice must be seen to have been done in both cases.

their personal prosperity and not matters of posterity.

Our leaders do not believe in creating opportunities, they are more interested in wiping them out. Making sacrifices is a tall order for them; their interest is in feathering their own nest. They have no plan for the future because that will affect the satisfaction of their greed.

That is why they take loans and blow the funds on frivolities; that is why they are not interested in saving for the rainy day and that is why elected representatives have no qualms stealing from the treasury.

How many of our current leaders see beyond the horizons of their own lives and their own circumstances?

How many of them believe in creating opportunities today for a better tomorrow? How many of them believe in sacrificing their comfort for the good of the people?

Leadership is defined primarily by two words; vision and selflessness. A leader must be able to create the picture of a desirable future in the minds of the people. That is vision. He must also be able to overlook his personal benefits and discomfort in bringing to reality the envisioned future. The American society became what it is because of the vision of the founding fathers and their selflessness. That is why they were able to create opportunities for succeeding generations. They had posterity in mind; hence personal prosperity was not their motivation.

But statesmen don’t just evolve; their emergence is in response to societal demands. Can the US president give less than his best? Can the British prime minister fail to perform optimally? When a society demands performance from its leaders, statesmanship becomes a matter of course. But any society that gives the leaders the impression that they can get away with anything can only make progress in reverse.

As observed by Iyabo Obasanjo in her letter to her father, “people ultimately get leaders that reflect them. I don’t blame you for the many atrocities you have been able to get away with, Nigerians were your enablers every step of the way...This your attitude is a reflection of the country. It is not certain which came first, your attitude seeping into the country’s psyche or the country accepting your irresponsible behaviour for so long.”

If we suffer fools gladly, we shall groan sadly.

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20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

I trust people too much and get betrayals in return —Monique

I like my

size, shape —Bimbo Thomas

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20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune With Segun Adebayo &Seyi Sokoya tegbollistic@yahoo.com seyi_sky@yahoo.com 08116954644 08132577840

Bimbo Thomas has established herself as one of the most sought after actresses in the movie industry.

She has been involved in different projects that have kept her away from the scene for sometime, but Thomas said she would soon return to what she loves doing best. In this interview

by SEGUN ADEBAYO, she speaks about her career and what has been keeping her busy.

I’m proud of my

shape, size

–Bimbo Thomas

A

lot seems to be happening to you lately; could you share with us what has been keeping you busy?

I bless God for His grace and mercy that has been keeping and working for me over the years. It could only have been God. Without His support and kindness, I would not be where I am today. Talking about what has been keeping me busy, I will say my entrepreneurial projects, the showbiz business which has also kept me busy and, of course, I have been involved in some commercials and filming too. Very soon, people will get to see what I have been doing. Before then, I urge my fans to watch out and keep supporting the Bimbo Thomas brand, because we have not even started.

What exactly is happening to your acting life, which appears to have taken the back seat or don’t you see it like that?

Well, I don’t see it like that. It is not exactly the way you

I will only like to be associated with quality jobs that would add value to my life

see it. The fact is that I have been concentrating more on quality projects, good scripting and standard directing.

At this point in my life and career, I will only like to be associated with quality jobs that would add value to my life, position in the right place, where bigger opportunities will be enjoyed and improve my standard of living. So, the truth is that, it might appear to you that my acting career has taken a back seat, but, trust me, it has gone way better and bigger than what it used to be.

Quite a number of your colleagues, who used to be at virtually every location, have slowed down Continues on pg19

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20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Continued from pg18

now. When you ask them, they talk about the need for them to diversify. Is acting not lucrative again?

I think it’s an individual’s choice. A lot of my colleagues are still into filming 100 per cent. I wish I can start to tell you the names of some of them who are currently filming and some who have just completed one job or the other. For me, I chose to venture into other businesses as a means of showcasing my other interests and strength. I have always said it that I love acting, but I am also a business-minded person. I have been involved in one business or the other for a long time.

Collections have always been part of me, and that’s how it is going to be.

The movie industry is growing by the day and is witnessing the entry of new talents who are ready to give the established acts a run for their money.

Where do you place yourself in the midst of all these?

Where do I place myself? Do I have to place myself anywhere? To me, in an industry where growth is fast becoming the order of the day, such things are expected. I belong to the school of thought that says “live and let live”.

I’m continually mastering my craft in every way I can and I believe in me. As a true and core thespian, there is no tension for me at all.

Your presence in the movie scene has reduced...

It has reduced absolutely and it’s deliberate. Don’t forget that I told you that I have been involved in quite a number of projects that will soon be made public. The fact is that I have been busy travelling and shooting commercials. I need to concentrate on one thing at a time. I love acting so much because it allows you to depict who you are convincingly.

If you are to talk about a particular thing about your past that you are not proud of, what would it be?

Before now, I didn’t really pay attention to certain things about my life, but that has since changed. I strongly believe that identifying true friendship is very important in life. One needs to identify true friends. Now, I look before I leap.

What does the tattoo on your upper left arm symbolise?

It’s crucifix.

Are you proud to still have it there till now?

I am very proud of it. Why shouldn’t I be?

‘Why I stayed

away from acting’ Would you remove it if you have the chance?

Yes, for a change. I’m growing everyday, so if it is part of what I feel to change, I don’t mind.

Let’s talk about Bimbally Wine, what informed the idea?

As I said, I have always been a collector and lover of fine wines. Nature, beauty and collections inspired my decision to own a wine haven as a wine connoisseur.

Is there something about your past that you wish to change?

You can’t run away totally form your past. I’m growing everyday. It is just the same way a lot of us wish to turn back the hand of clock; I feel the same way too. I just want to be known as that woman who will always stand for what is right and demonstrate openness in every way she can.

Who are your friends in the industry?

I have quite a number of friends in the industry; I really don’t keep enemies.

Who is the man in Bimbo’s life now or love has no place in your heart for now?

I am not sure I have an answer for you.

How do you make yourself happy?

I try to find happiness in myself, not in the stuff I do.

Overtime, people tend to believe in material happiness.

That’s why you hear them say that when I make money, I’ll be happy. Hell no! You are your own happiness What project are you working on?

The next one on sleeve as I speak with you now is Bimbally Fabrics, it is almost set to kick off. I urge my fans to wait on it as it is going to be very lovely. It is coming pretty soon.

You were rumoured to have been in a sizzling relationship with transporter, MC Oluomo. What is your relationship with him now?

My relationship with MC Oluomo remains platonic as ever. Nothing has changed and nothing will change.

But you were said to have dated him…

That could not have been me. I have never dated him.

Are you against anyone going for transgender?

I want to be neutral at this point. Let anybody do what makes them comfortable. You can go ahead and do anything as long as you are ready for the consequence.

Would you go for it?

I love me in that exact way my maker has created me.

How did you seal your endorsement deal with Globacom?

Why don’t you relax? The big news will soon come.

20

20 March, 2016

entartainment

Sunday Tribune with Segun Adebayo tegbollistic@yahoo.com 08116954644

Kenny Jones Design inaugurates factory Kehinde AkinseindeJayeoba — Lagos IT was an evening of praises and thanksgiving as another milestone was made in Nigerian fashion industry, especially the traditional sector, with the inauguration of a fashion design factory by Kenny Jones Designs.

Over the weekend,

friends, associates and wellwishers joined Kehinde Olayiwole, the Cheif Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenny Jones Fashion, to inaugurate the state-ofthe-art factory, located at Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State.

While officially opening the factory for immediate business operation, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, one of Kenny Jones clients, noted that the designer had stood the test of time, while noting that Kenny Jones was more than his personal designer but a son who had heed to elders’ advices.

He said several years back when Kenny Jones was introduced to him by a notable gospel singer, Funmi Aragbaye as a designer who knows his onion, he was a bit pessimistic but on a trial, he couldn’t help but adopt him as his personal desiner.

The celebrant, who was full of praise to God who had brought him through a decade long journey, said it took the intervention of ‘his father’, Ebenezer Obey not to quit the industry when things were on the rough side.

Saheed Osupa, 29 artistes to perform at Bolaji Promotions 25th anniversary

By Seyi Sokoya ALL roads will lead to popular showbiz spot, Top One Garden, Podo Village, Ibadan, Oyo State, on March 24, where music promoter, composer and marketer, Mr. Bolaji Omotosho of the Bolaji Music Promotions International, will celebrate his 25years in music industry.

According to Omotosho, the ceremony, will be in three phases—25 years in music promotions, award presentations and launching of new music studio. The event will attract dignitaries from all walks of life with over 30 artistes expected to perform.

Music stars such as Saheed Osupa, Muri Thunder, Saridoh 2 Kamoru, Adisa Lemmy, Waheed Larondo, Saheed Magic Logo, among others, will perform at the event.

The event which is powered by Olufimo Fans’ Club Oyo State Chapter and YOHAIB HOFT AFRICA Culture & Arts Entertainment based in United States of America (USA) will also host dignitaries such as the Minority Leader Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Wale Akinwale; Chief Banjo Oloke Modakeke a.k.a Dealer, Alfa Shasha Akure, El-Hajj Gasali a.k.a KESCO Lagos among others, while the father of the day will be the Olukoyi of Ikoyi-Osun, Oba Yisau Bamitale Otunla.

S

Wizkid may feature Efya in new song

TARBOY Wizkid has been on his world tour for a couple of weeks and he has been quite busy moving from city to

city.

For a few days, the pop star has been resting at his new crib in the United States but now it looks like he’s back in the studio to

record new material according to the information made available on Friday.

Wizkid shared a couple of photos from his studio session and Ghanaian

songbird, Efya, was spotted in the background.

Questions are already being asked by his fans if he would be doing a song with Efya.

In Da House @ 10 to ‘Ignite’ Ibadan

By Seyi Sokoya A collective of talented group dancers and choreographers based in Ibadan, Oyo State, In Da House, have concluded plans and lined up activities to celebrate its 10-year anniversary in a unique way.

The event with the theme: “Ignite” will commence on March 23 with an exhibition and workshop, at the Livingspring Chapel international, Sango, Ibadan, Oyo State, while the main event will hold on Good Friday, March 25 at the Dominion City Cathedral, Livingspring Chapel international, Adiloju, Iwo Road, Ibadan.

The leader of the group,

Mr Niyi Ayandokun, said that the group is set to lock down the city of Ibadan with the event which coincides with Easter celebration.

“We are delighted for the grace and privilege to use our God given talents to affect lives positively,”he said.

Ayandokun also noted that Abiodun Olatunbosun is the guest artiste just as various entertainers including: comedians: Shete, Afouda and Thompson Lawyer; Alajota, Power of Praise, Living Vessels, Vessels of Honour and Anointed Crew have been lined up to make the event memorable.

21

news

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Top secondary schools in Oyo State

Today, almost everyone wants to run a school; and it is becoming progressively more difficult, by the day, to find a school with proven record of academic excellence in the maze of existing secondary schools in the land. It’s even more difficult still to find those few ones among them which not only consistently deliver on academic excellence but also really pay attention to producing the ‘total child’. Education is an investment; and your child is your future. So, if you must put your money in it, shouldn’t you insist on the best? We are here to help you. NIGERIAN TRIBUNE presents the list of the very best in Oyo State, so that you can make informed decisions. Other very best schools in the state will be published next week.

ORITAMEFA BAPTIST MODEL SCHOOLS, IBADAN ORITAMEFA Baptist Model School is a standard, government-approved co-educational school. It currently operates in two locations in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and is hoping to expand further still soon, based on increasing number of applicants who are attracted by the school’s consistent superlative performance.

The idea of OBMS evolved in 1996 as an answer to a problem. Most prospective secondary school students were roaming the streets owing to incessant strikes embarked upon then by teachers in the public secondary schools in Oyo State. And with the approval of the Oyo State government, Oritamefa Baptist Model School took off with 115 students, 9 teachers and three non-teaching staff on the 23rd of September, 1996.

The school has since witnessed an unprecedented development over the last 14 years. Today, it has 1,200 students, 53 teachers and 15 non-teaching staff.

When the news of the academic success of the OBMS Total Garden spread, and the rush for admission became overwhelming, it became imperative to found the Ring Road Annexe in October, 2002 so as to provide opportunities for qualified candidates who could not be admitted at the Total Garden school.

The Ring Road school began academic activities in October 2002 with 8 members of staff and 53 students. Today, it has a staff strength of 63 and over 900 students.

The consistent academic success of the OBMS, with its state-of-the-art facilities advertises it. The school has been posting excellent performance in all examinations.

The school currently holds the record of being adjudged the best secondary school in the whole of South-West Nigeria (and by extension, the best in Oyo State) in 2015.

BODIJA INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE BODIJA International College, Ibadan (BIC) is an offshoot of Bodija International School, a primary arm of basic education which started in 1966 under the leadership of Mrs. Helen Aina Eso, a renowned educationist, as founder with Honourable Justice Kayode Eso (CON) as the founding chairman of the school.

The college kicked off in 1995 with child-friendly application of curriculum and programmes. The college, since 1997, has been a sun-centre of London Cambridge Examinations (International General Certificate Secondary School (IGCSE). It has been giant strides of genuine successes. The teachers are genial, tolerant, and friendly.

The college has the facilities to establish the fact that it has forged an enviable track record in education.

The college has evolved as one of Nigeria’s leading colleges. As an internationally renowned college, BIC has restored true education and enhanced the structure of sustainable educational order. Its unique multi-cultural environment creates stimulation for learning with the most modern technology and equipment.

The college has won many awards both at the state and national levels, including: • National Art Festival (NAFES) – 1st position in Oyo State, to represent Oyo State at the Calabar contest (Oyinkansola Taiwo eventually came 4th at the national level).

CENFEX HIGH SCHOOL, IBADAN CENFEX HIGH SCHOOL is a government-approved coeducational school founded in September, 2003. Located in a serene environment in Mokola Estate, Ibadan, in Oyo State it is accredited by the state, the federal government, West African Examinations Council and National Examinations Council.

It has been presenting students for the Senior School Certificate Examinations (both WAEC and NECO) since 2009, with brilliant results.

CENFEX is the secondary school arm of the famous Centre for Excellence in Educational Service. It offers qualitative education in a wide range of school subjects at the Junior and Senior Secondary School levels. The Centre

2012 WAEC result by Oyo State Ministry of Education.

• 1st and 3rd position in a Mathematical Olympiad Competition held at the Zonal level organized by Mathematics Association of Nigeria (MAN). January 31, 2013, among others.

Malam Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education for Excellence in Educational Services also offers remedial programme for SSCE (WAEC and NECO), and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The proprietor and principal of the school is a seasoned teacher, a trained school administrator and an educationist par excellence. You can entrust your child to him and team of seasoned and dedicated teachers.

KING’S INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE, IBADAN KING’S International College, Moniya, Ibadan, a school under the King’s Group of Schools, was founded on 25 September 1995. The school came into being as a result of divine inspiration to the visioners: Rev Dr and Rev Professor O. Olawoye, who are both educationists. The driving force of this quintessential school resides in its philosophy; viz: Every child is endowed by God with potential and can reach any height given an enabling environment. Thus, KIC puts God first, then exposes the students to an eclectic form of curricula – academics, sports, skills, public speaking etc.

The uniqueness of KIC lies in so many variables: The principal is a seasoned educationist of some forty years experience; the entire teaching staff are education graduates; the hostels are supervised by graduates; there are fifteen skills areas for the students; students take part in all sports with standard pitch and courts; music, ICT and vocational subjects are given priority; the laboratories are of high quality and well equipped; the library is air-conditioned and well stocked; we parade the best Home Management laboratory, well behaved staff and students who rely solely on God in all their endeavours etc.

KIC prides itself as the midwife of the youngest PhD holder in Africa in 2013. The school excels in sports, academics and co-curricular activities.

Awards include, not limited to: • 1st place in an Essay Competition by Believers World in May 26, 2010 • Winner of the 2010 Spelling Bee competition.

• 1st position in a Quiz and Debate competition organized by FRSC Zonal Headquarters.

• 1st position in a competition organized by Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN) Oyo State Branch.

First and second positions respectively in the competition organized by JETS, Oyo State, May 25, 2011.

• 1st in the junior category and 3rd In the senior category at Mathematics Olympad local level competition in June 29, 2011 • 3rd position in Quiz competition in Maths, Sciences and ICT in the annual junior Engineers and Technician Society Day (JETS).November 22nd, 2012 • Recognition for Excellent performance in May/June

ADESINA COLLEGE, IBADAN Adesina College, Ibadan, a progeny of Adesina Continuing Education Centre, Ibadan was founded on April 23 2003. It a secondary school that blends learning with discipline to produce all-round developed students fully equipped for the next level of education. Under the effective administration of a former secondary school teacher who knows what it really takes to educate a child, the principal, Mr. Adejare Adesina, who doubles as the proprietor since the inception of the college, has never left any stone unturned in his quest for quality education for his students.

In Adesina College, Ibadan, students are closely monitored from JSS up to SSS in order to see to their academic advancement. That is why the school does not admit transferred students into JSS3, SSS2 and SSS3. Results show that 92 per cent of students who graduate from Adesina College annually get immediate admissions into various universities in Nigeria and overseas. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and post-UTME results also give credence to the quality of students produced by the college. In the Post JAMB of Obafemi Awolowo University, 2015, the second best score was attained by a fresh graduand of Adesina College. The school has well equipped and separate laboratories for practical in subjects like chemistry, Biology, Agric. Science, physics, Technical Drawing Computer/ICT and Foods and Nutrition. In addition, the college is endowed with well-stocked modern library, typing pool and an audio-visual room.

Some of the awards presented to the school include: • Recognition of good performance in May/June WAEC awarded by the Oyo State Government • 1st position -French competition organized by Nigerian Association of French Teacher in 2011 • Outstanding Private Secondary School Merit Award by the House Committee on Education, House of Representatives, November 2014 SEED OF LIFE COLLEGE, IBADAN Seed of Life College, a government-approved Christian co-educational school, which gives qualitative as well as sound moral education to become a world class school based on international standards, was established in 1998.

The college, over the years, has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading colleges. The college has been able to achieve its vision and mission to train children in the way of the Lord, inculcating in them responsible qualities that will make responsible future leaders. It also empower children with education and skills that will develop them physically, psychologically, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and morally.

Some of the awards, local, state and national, the college has to its credit include: • 2014 Always forever Scholarship: N100,000 • First position in Mathematics Olympiad, 2013, Ibadan North-West • Award for Excellence from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) 2011 • Outstanding contribution to the community 2010 • 3rd position, National Quiz Competition on Capital Market for Secondary Schools, organized by Securities & Exchange Commission, 2010 • First position, Mathematics Olympiad 2010, Ibadan North-West • Third position, Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition 2008, Ibadan North-West.

For any enquiry on this publication, contact the following people: Laolu Harolds on 08111845016 and Kehinde Adio on 08051000572.

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20 March, 2016

How Nigeria-born beauty queen nearly died after applying eye drops

A

young Nigeria-born Briton spent a month in a coma with her skin melting off after suffering a violent allergic reaction to eye drops, according to the Daily Mail of UK. Marian Adejokun, 24, has been left scarred for life by the incident - but says she feels lucky to be alive.

She spent more than three weeks in intensive care at the Royal London Hospital where baffled doctors diagnosed her with life-threatening medical condition, StevensJohnson syndrome.

The condition causes the top layer of skin to die and then shed - and is triggered by an allergic reaction to medication.

Symptoms include skin rashes, blisters in the mouth, ears and nose and swelling of the eyelids.

If left untreated, the condition can result in death - or trigger possible complications such as blindness and lung damage.

Miss Adejokun’s ordeal began five years ago when she developed an itchy eye. Her doctor sent her to the chemist to get some eye drops which she used before going to bed.

But the next morning, she was horrified to wake up with lumps all over her body.

As her condition began to deteriorate, she was rushed to hospital. As her skin began to peel, she was put into a medically induced coma - and doctors warned her devastated mother she may not survive.

Miss Adejokun said: “Unknown to me,

I had a rare, deadly allergy to eye drops which caused skin to peel off from head to toe.

“When I was in the intensive care unit, crying in pain, all I thought of was coming home.”

Miss Adejokun’s mother, Remi, said the innocuous eye medication left her daughter in such a terrible state she ‘looked like Freddy Krueger’ from the horror film, Nightmare on Elm Street.

“I hate to say that, but there were so many blisters - her skin was just tearing off and her lips were very swollen,” she said.

“I looked at her and I was so scared she was going to burst open. I saw death knocking at my daughter’s door, all because of eye drops.”

She continued: “I was crazy, beyond the worried stage and near to losing my mind.

“After a week, I thought there was no hope - but then as she lay on the bed, unable to talk, I said Marian, you’ve just made it to university, that’s your dream and she moved her toe.

“Realising she could hear me, I started to sing our favourite songs to her. Instead of crying all the time, I went to the intensive care unit and danced.”

Miss Adejokun lost so must skin she had to be wrapped in a foil sheet and still has to be fed through a hole in her throat.

She said: “Everywhere was swollen. My nose was huge and my eyes were so red you could take a spoon and scrape out the

blood.”

Even specialist skin experts told Ms Adejokun her daughter was unlikely to survive.

But she defied the odds and pulled through - with doctors hailing her recovery a ‘miracle’.

Last Tuesday, she said the terrible experience has made her stronger.

“When I was in the intensive care unit, crying in pain, all I thought of was coming home. I’ve overcome a lot in my life. Losing my skin because of an eye drop is just another obstacle I’ve made it through.”

Miss Adejokun has since gone on to com-

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sundayzest

plete a degree in early childhood studies at the University of Roehampton.

She said: “I am so happy to be alive and share my unique story. No matter what the struggles are, you have to believe in yourself - and have a positive attitude towards life.”

She now hopes her story will inspire others to be grateful for what they have.

“My motto is ‘believe in yourself and follow your dreams,’” Miss Adejokun has also written two books about her life to motivate others, entitled ‘My Life Is Not My Own’ and ‘ReachOut2All.’

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arts&culture Of Gbadegesin’s sense of duty

20 March, 2016

A review of Professor Segun Gbadegesin’s All the Way: Serving with Conscience by KUNLE AJIBADE

WILLIAM Faulkner, the winner of the 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature, wrote in one of his novels, ‘Requiem for a Nun’, that “The past is never dead. It is not even past.” If there is any concrete proof of Faulkner’s observation, it is Segun Gbadegesin’s ‘All the Way: Serving with Conscience.’ For in this autobiography the past comes alive calmly and wisely.

In a blend of moral seriousness, sound logic and passionate prose, Gbadegesin renders an account of his life that has been full of grace.

Knowing that his destiny is tied together with the destinies of his hometown, Okeho, Yorubaland, Nigeria and the world, he tells his story in the light of some significant local, national and world historical events.

We encounter in this book a man who takes responsibilities seriously. We encounter a man with a strong sense of honour who has made a lot of sacrifice for the growth and development of every community he has ever found himself serving. We encounter a happy family man; Chief Bisi Akande, who wrote

Book cover the foreword to the book, testifies to this. We encounter a man who has been blessed these past 70 years with exceptional good fortune.

Drawing extensively on oral and written records, he tells us that Okeho came into being when 11 neighbouring villages came together to ward off the fiendish slave raiders, the invading army of Dahomey and the Fulani aggressors. He paints the picture of Okeho in a way that makes that rustic patch of semi-savannah land with rolling hills looks inviting. He celebrates the general culture of hard work, loyalty to friends, resilience and vitality of Oke-ogun people of his childhood days. In spite of many decades of exposure to other cultures all over the world, Gbadegesin is still essentially an up country man. On account of his natural fondness for Okeho, he dedicates this book in part to it. It should be heartwarming to Okeho people that when he retires from Howard University in June 2016 he will be returning to the place to concentrate on the Segun and Adetoun Gbadegesin Foundation which will give scholarships to indigent students and render healthcare services to the poor.

Gbadegesin traces his great grandfather’s

Ebedi Writers Residency honours Soyinka, Gimba, others

I

N recognition of their contributions to the development and sustenance of literature in the country, the Ebedi International Writers Residency, Iseyin, Oyo State recently honoured eminent writers, Professor Wole Soyinka, Mabel Segun, the late Professor Chinua Achebe and Abubakar Gimba by naming the four en suite rooms in the residency after them.

One of the honourees, Professor Soyinka, unveiled the plaques during his one day visit to the Residency on Monday, February 22.

The Nobel Laureate was received by founder of the Residency, Dr. Wale Okediran, former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Professor Remi Raji and caretaker chairman of Iseyin Local Government Council, Saheed Alaran among other dignitaries.

Soyinka, who had an interaction with the current and past Ebedi residents (fellows) and was entertained with songs and poetry recitations by students of some secondary schools in Iseyin who had been mentored by the writers, gave a brief address at the occasion.

Prof. Soyinka said he was very delighted when he learnt that Dr. Okediran has a residency that has been existing for over five years.

Kongi, who established his own residency in his ‘Ijegba’ forest home in Abeokuta, Ogun State, last year, said it will be nice to have a “network of residencies across the country where we can exchange writers,” adding that there is a need for sanctuaries where creative people can stay.

The Nobel Laureate, who invited the then residents to come and spend a few days at his residency, also told the students to embrace the arts because it liberates. “Art liberates; creativity is an agency of liberation.

It liberates all people and genders,” he said.

Before leaving Iseyin, Kongi, as he is also known, visited the Aseyin, Oba Abdulganiyu Adekunle Salaudeen, Ologunebi Ajinase 1, a veterinary doctor and literary enthusiast whom he thanked for his support for the Residency.

Responding, the Aseyin thanked Soyinka for the visit and promised the community’s continuous support for the Ebedi Residency.

Prof. Soyinka unveiling one of the plaques Four Ebedi fellows, Ghana’s Nii Addokwei Moffatt, Cameroun’s Charles Dzekashu, Nigerian Stanley Balogun and manager of the Ebedi Residency who is also a writer, Kofi Sackey have since spent three days at Soyinka’s Residency as part of the collaboration suggested by the Nobel Laureate.

But apart from the new partnership with Soyinka Writers Residency, Abeokuta, the Ebedi International Writers Residency also enjoys the support of Belgium- based Arts Moves Africa (AMA) which provides free return tickets for foreign writers attending Ebedi and Literamed Publishers that will publish quality works by residents.

In a related development, four female writers, Blessing Christopher, Farida Adamu, Mariam Sule and Funke Awodiya have since resumed at Ebedi for the six-week March/April 2016 session.

Christopher, a graduate of the University of Uyo has been published in Nigeria and Africa, both online and in print. She is a fellow of the Baltic Centre for Writers and Translators, Gotland, Sweden. She will be spending her time in Ebedi to complete work on her novel ‘Love is a communicable

disease’ and Iseyin students how to make some Ibibio cuisine.

Adamu, who currently works with Custodians of African Literature (COALS), in Jos, Plateau State, is a graduate of Gombe State University. She hopes to complete work on her maiden novel, ‘Zara’ while in Ebedi and teach students bead making, another of her talents.

Sule, a school teacher passionate about mentoring children in literary activities, will complete work on her maiden novel, ‘Emike’ in Ebedi.

Awodiya, who holds a Masters degree in Medical Sociology from the University of Ibadan, is an active member of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA) Lagos State chapter as well as Poets In Nigeria.

She intends to finish her novel, ‘Omolade’ at Iseyin.

Like their immediate past male counterparts, the quartet will also spend some days at Professor Soyinka’s place in Abeokuta before they complete their residency.

Now in its sixth year, the Ebedi International Writers Residency has hosted over 60 writers from Nigeria, Cameroun, Ghana, Uganda, South Africa and Ivory Coast.

roots to Oyo and those of his maternal great, great grandfather to Ibadan. His father, Joseph Olanrewaju, was one of the respected people in Okeho. He was not a chief—he was only a borokini. He was a popular native tailor who also had a retail shop in town. Although Olanrewaju descended from a family of adherents of traditional religion, he converted to Christianity and he was a strong foundation member of the First Baptist Church, Isia, Okeho. He married four wives and the family was blessed with 12 children. But Segun Gbadegesin, who was the only child of his parents for eight years before his father was prevailed upon by his relations to have more wives, is the only child of his mother, Alice Moriyeba.

Because he grew up in a polygenous family, he was able to write with ease on the ethics of polygeny later in life as a Professor of Philosophy.

He was eight years old when he had his major intimate experience of the efficacy of the Ayajo incantations in controlling evil forces.

One day as he was weeding in his primary school, he was stung by a scorpion. His teacher, having applied first aid treatment, asked Gbadegesin to go home for further treatment. Yet his home was about one mile from his school. The boy, in terrible pain, was crying. He thought he was going to die. But his father’s maternal home was few yards from his school. That was where the wise young boy went. Baba Egbeji, his maternal uncle, a popular herbalist in Okeho, took his arm and uttered on it Ayajo incantations which are reproduced in this book. The scorpion poison vanished. The pain was gone. This Yoruba magical realism has never left Gbadegesin’s consciousness. He has explored its complexity in another book of his, African Philosophy: Traditional Yoruba Philosophy and Contemporary African Realities which he finished writing at Colgate University, Hamilton.

Very early in his life he learnt from his father to be focused on any duty at hand. He often wanted to make his father happy by making excellent grades which he did in all the schools he attended. He was mercilessly beaten and tongue- lashed by his father only two times as a boy. The first time was when he skipped church to follow a popular masquerade called Ogbogbon. The second time was when he left his father’s retail shop to go on an errand for a family relation. He never saw adherents of Islam, Christianity and traditional religion clash. Indeed, each time he tried to persuade his maternal grandmother who was an Orisha worshipper to accept Christ, the old woman would tell him: Orun lo mo eni ti ola.

His father was a staunch member of the Action Group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He preferred the party to the NCNC—National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons—- led

by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe even though many people in Okeho at the time were for the NCNC. The egalitarian programmes of the AG appealed to him. Highly principled, he pitched his tent with Awolowo during the Awolowo/ Akintola clash in the South-west. The young Gbadegesin too was the Secretary at a time of the youth wing of the Action Group in his constituency in Okeho. He would later participate fully in the activities of Oyo Divisional Improvement Association, Okeho Literary Progressive Society, Okeho Progressive Stars, Okeho Strategic Development and Economic Foundation and lately the Board of Trustees of the Obafemi Awolowo Institute of Governance and Public Policy in Lagos. His father wanted him to either become a teacher or a preacher because he thought that the two professions were what the world needed at that time to grow in peace.

•Ajibade is Executive Editor/Director of TheNEWS and PM NEWS

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Sunday Tribune

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20 March, 2016

glamour T

HE journey so far My career has been grace, mercy and favour of God. I bless God for my record label, they are doing wonderfully well. The massive support I have been getting from my record label and the grace of God upon my life has helped my career to move this far. I thank God because every song that has come from Monique has blessed life in one way or the other. Testimonies have followed my songs from within and outside Nigeria. I have seen people perform some of my song on YouTube and tagged me from America, Canada, Spain and so on. I thank God for inspirations for dropping good music. I thank God for His presence upon every of my work. I must say that my career has enjoyed grace.

Coping with competition.

I will like to say that there is no competition in the industry. When you are called of God, you have the backing of the Holy Spirit and everything you do is supported by God and you are all ministers of God doing the work of God. If your sisters and brothers are doing better, it is the glory of God. You have to support them and when it is your turn, you get support from them because everything we are doing is to make sure that we are winning souls to the kingdom of God and God is happy with all of us and when you see a sister in need, we help one another and pray for each other because we don’t want a soldier dying in the battlefield. For us, it is a battlefield, we fight this fight for the sake of the gospel, we win

souls for God and at the end of the time, our father in heaven will welcome us and we will all meet and say that yes we have fought a good fight of faith and we will be crowned, so there is basically no need for competition.

Role models My role models are; Pastor (Mrs) Jumoke Adeyemi of Global Harvest and Mike Abdul of Midnight Crew. Pastor Adeyemi is a God-fearing woman and a loving mother.

She is so humble. I love the attribute of God in her and really want to be like her. She is a very supportive woman. Mike Abdul is my label record boss, he is a very good leader.

He fights without relenting. He doesn’t get distracted. No matter what the plan of the devil is, he keeps moving. His slogan is, my joy is intact, I really want to be like him. He is a soldier of God. He is so passionate about the things of God. These two people have made a mark in my life, I really look up to them.

On whether I am into music full-time I am into music full-time. I don’t do any other thing. I am fulfilled doing music. God has blessed me so much. Music needs concentration. You have to devote all your time to music. You get inspiration to write. Even you want to write outside inspiration, you need to be alone. You have to go on ministration within and outside the country, go for rehearsals, and grant interviews to the media, you need time for all these activities.

You also need time to be alone with God because you can’t do everything on the physical alone, you need spiritual power to back everything you are doing. So, music takes the whole of your time. Don’t forget that you also have to attend to your family. So, all of these get you devoted to music.

Combining the home front with music Home and career are not too different. Taking care of the home is a minister and music is a ministry too. As a minister, I think your ministry starts from home. So, everything you have to do should revolve round your home. So, I make sure my ministrations don’t clash with my home. My children and family come first. My husband, mum and in-laws have been very supportive.

If I am travelling, they hold forte for me so my children don’t suffer. God has been helping me. It has been so sweet serving God with my ministry and having a wonderful home.

Philosophy of life Well, my belief is: “Know what you stand for so you don’t fall for everything.”

When the storm of life comes, if you don’t hold on to something or stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Description of self I will like to describe myself as humble,

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With Tayo Gesinde temiligali03@yahoo.com 08054727801

I trust

people too

much and

get betrayals

in return

—Monique Temitope Monique Lawal, popularly known as Monique, is an awardwinning gospel artiste. In this interview with TAYO GESINDE, the mother of two, who was a year older on Tuesday, March 15, speaks on why she is into music, how she has been combining her career with the home front. Excerpts:

sing. One of my weaknesses is trusting people. I have trusted people who have betrayed me.

Fashion obsession I don’t have any fashion obsession. I have left home without make-up and jewellery many times. I have some nice collection of high heeled shoes but I just kept them at home and even when it is necessary to wear them, I just wear flat shoes on my dress.

As long as I am comfortable in something, I stick to it. I just buy the things I like and that is it.

Definition of style Your style says a lot about the kind of person you are. If you are the humble type, you won’t want to wear “arrogant” colours; colours that are flashy. Reserved people want to wear cool colours so that they won’t attract attention. Personally, I don’t follow trends, I wear what I like and what looks good on me.

friendly and open-hearted. I know what humility means in the life of a Christian, so I am humble. Also, I wear a smile a lot. I am also very emotional, that is why sometimes you catch me weeping during worship.

On the allegation that gospel musicians sing to make money I don’t know about other people but I have a covenant with God and I have every reason to fulfill my own part of the covenant because God has given me a second chance. And the reason I am alive today is so that I can praise God. Winning soul is my number one goal. That is not to say that I don’t ask for money when I am called to minister because I have bills to pay. For instance, I pay my instrumentalist, pay for rehearsal session, pay for studio recording, video shoot and so one

Beauty regimen I don’t have any special beauty regimen.

I just do the normal things that people do, bathe day and night. The only thing is that I go to the spa once in a while. I do a lot of exercises and that is all.

Choice of accessories I love African accessories. I do a lot of beads. You can catch me in beads all the time even on casuals.

requires financing and we are not getting support from anybody. We need money to move the ministry forward.

My strength and weakness My number one strength is God and I must say that the support of my husband

and record label are my strength. I don’t know anything about the business aspect, the record label handles that, mine is just

Coping with advances from men Whether you are beautiful or not, you will get advances from men. I categorise advances into two-directly and indirectly. If it is indirectly, I ignore it, if it is directly, I say no.

My take on provocative dressing As African women, we should not wear dresses that will lead other people to commit sin, which is called ungodly dressing.

Unfortunately what I define as provocative may not be what some people see as provocative dressing. Don’t put on anything you won’t feel comfortable in. We should wear dresses that are appropriate for our environment.

On cosmetic surgery What I will like to change about myself is that I am very emotional and little things hurt me. I hate being lied to by people, especially those I hold in high esteem. As much as I smile, I cry a lot. That will be the number one thing I will like to change.

Sometimes I just want to be strong and stand on my feet without being in tears.

I don’t think I can consider cosmetic surgery. I think I am perfect the way I am.

This is how God wants me to be. I like myself, I love my life, I am made in the image of God. Favourite holiday spot I have not thought of that. I don’t want to say Bahamas because people say that. I will just like to go to anywhere quiet, anywhere that will reflect the image of God to me. Anywhere that I will see the nature and the beautiful things that God created.

It will draw me closer to God and I will also enjoy myself.

Parting words to my fans Know what you stand for. Don’t fight for anything. Don’t let that thing that doesn’t matter take you away from what you believe in. I stand for God and I stand for Him forever. I love you all.

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aspire

20 March, 2016

Your Life Counts

BY OLAIDE SOKOYA 0807 449 7425 (sms only)

Oluwashinaayomi Akomolafe is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Komo Concepts.

He is a native of Akure, Ondo State and also a graduate of Mass Communication from The Polytechnic, Ibadan. In this interview with OLAIDE SOKOYA, he speaks on what it takes to be successful in the business world. Excerpts: How easy is the business?

It has been easy, I have been into it from day one. I have access to everything I needed and I knew how I went about the process of the job.

Why this business?

It was an inspiration from God. I had an encounter with some of my seniors while in school. They shared their experiences on what they encountered during their Industrial Training at media houses, especially on how they turned them to errand boys and girls. That is the reason I decided to be on my own.

How easy was it getting started as an entrepreneur?

Starting the business has not been easy. The machines we use for production, both sewing and branding, are very expensive. It wasn’t getting all the machines at once though I had places where I would pay for the service rendered before I opened my own outlet.

What were the things you had to put in place to get the business started?

A laptop. With that, you are good to go. Also, you look for where you can get good materials you can use and if you have a reasonable capital, you can get office and start buying machines one after the other.

What did you do to expand your business?

In the nearest future, I plan to have all the machines that I will use for the production of my wears and at the same time, I want to start importing all sorts of branding materials and employ more hands for smooth running of the business.

How profitable is this business?

The business has been very profitable. You may spend all the profits to correct mistakes if care is not taken.

Mistakes are inevitable in this line of business due to different types of customers we work for. But since I started, I have not had any cause to regret it.

T

At what point did you decide to establish a business of your own?

The idea came after I finished my Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in 2009. After I finished my programme, I went to Lagos to learn graphics and general printing.

Ironically, that was the time my mates were busy searching for where they can do their one year compulsory Industrial Training (IT). But the most interesting part of it is that nobody taught me the business, except the graphics I learnt when I was in Lagos, and even before I left Lagos for my Higher National Diploma (HND), I had started sewing and branding clothes for some departments in my school, The Polytechnic, Ibadan and individuals in Lagos.

by Tunde Jaiyebo 0803 406 2013

BB pin: 290B9652

Don’t make money your priority—Akomolafe

ELL us what Komo Concepts is all about?

Komo Concepts is an outlet that deals with designing, sewing and branding of all kinds of corporate shirts, departmental wears, interhouse sport wears, carnival and birthday wears. We are also into general printing but mostly, we are into sewing and branding of clothes.

Sunday Tribune

What are the challenges you are facing?

Capital. Another major problem we are facing is non-availability of the materials in the market. At times, we travel as far as Aba in Abia State to get materials to use.

What does it take to be successful in this business?

To be successful in business, you have to be focused, committed and be resourceful. Then you must set goals for the business.

Advice to young entrepreneurs My advice for them is that they should not make money their priority. Setting goals and objectives and working towards them would result in profits.

What are the lessons you have learnt over the years?

As far as your line of business is not monopolised, you will have many competitors, so be unique and be an authority in the field.

Perspective (I) PERSPECTIVE is a critical issue when it comes to life. Our perspective will determine how we will see life. Perspective determines our approach to life, people, issues and circumstances.

“It all depends on how we look at things, and not on how things are in themselves. The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it.” Carl Jung Once perspective is wrong then everything else is bound to be wrong . . . it is just a matter of time. “. . . Our outlook on life is a kind of paint brush and with it we paint our world. It can be bright and filled with hope and satisfaction or it can be dark and gloomy. The world we experience is a reflection of our attitude.” Earl Nightingale We are almost at the end of the first quarter of the year and now is the time when we will begin to know if our perspective at the beginning of the year was right or wrong. If we have started the year with fear we will by now be living our fears.

Approaching life from the angle of fear is bound to cripple us.

“If a man harbors any sort of fear, it percolates through all thinking, damages his personality and makes him a landlord to a ghost.” Lloyd Douglas Fear will either get us to do the wrong action or take no action. Fear always paralyzes. We must go beyond our fears and step out to get things done.

“Many of our fears are tissue-paper-thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them.” Brendan Francis If we began the year on a pessimistic note then, we will have cause to justify what is happening now. We will go about with the “I-told-you-so” attitude. A pessimist never sees anything good coming out of life. He has lost his sense of hope.

“Pessimist one who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both.” Oscar Wilde Pessimism is simply a license to a life of no achievements.

“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.” Helen Keller Life never gives us what we desire but that does not mean we should approach life from a pessimistic angle. It is true life never gives us what we deserve or desire but life will always give us whatever we make a demand of it.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston Churchill Those who started the year on “neutral” cannot be bothered. They expect life to just happen and now that life is not really happening they just flow with the tide – nothing ventured, nothing gained. They are complacent and laid back. They operate on the false premise that “what will happen will happen.” Such attitude makes a man to be light years behind his contemporaries. There is absolutely no way we can drive a car on neutral. Life demands that we keep moving and as long as we are moving in the right direction we are bound to arrive at our destination . . . it is just a matter of time.

To be continued For enquiries/comments please send email to urlifecounts@yahoo.com

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20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

thepolity Amaechi may end up in jail if...

—Rivers State Attorney-General

Last week, in an interview with Sunday Tribune, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Dakuku Peterside, levelled some allegations against the Rivers State government. Mr Emmanuel Aguma, SAN, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State, speaking with Deputy Editor, DAPO FALADE, explains the issues the government has with former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is now the Minister of Transportation. Excerpts:

F

ORMER Rivers State governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, faulted the confirmation of the appointment of Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra as the substantive Chief Judge of the state by nine members of the state House of Assembly. How would react to this?

Well, my position is simple. Anything that they do is legal, but anything anybody else does is illegal, particularly if your perspective or worldview is totally different from their own. I start by saying that there is absolutely nothing illegal in the House of Assembly’s confirmation of Honourable Justice Adama Iye Iyayi-Lamikanra as the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State. It is not in dispute that all the procedures, up to the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommendations of Her Lordship as the Chief Judge of Rivers State, to the governor, were duly followed. Their only complaint is the confirmation by the state legislature.

You see, in life, when you cheat people, you will end up cheating yourself. Most times, it is biblical that when you dig a hole for somebody, you will fall inside.

Their grounds is that there are just nine members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The constitution says the quorum shall be one-third of all members of the House of Assembly. Who are all the members of the House of Assembly now? They are the elected nine members there. They are fortunate that it was not one man because the quorum would have been one-third of the one legislator himself. One-third of nine members is three.

If the constitution had intended that the quorum is one-third of the constituent seats of the House of Assembly, the constitution would have been very clear but it only talked about membership.

Secondly, the constitution does anticipate that, at times, there might not even be a quorum. Assuming, without conceding, that the quorum is 11, what the constitution says is that a member of the House would raise it and where no member of the House raises it, nothing would happen. It is very clear in the constitution.

Finally, the same constitution, because it anticipates mischief makers, like you have here, who would do anything to frustrate institutions of governance, like they closed the courts not too long ago, the constitution says that no vacancy in any seat would invalidate any decision of the House. So what is the big deal? People should try and restrict themselves to their known professions. If you read English, be perfect in English; if you read engi-

Mr Emmanuel Aguma

neering, be perfect in engineering; if you read medicine, be perfect in medicine.

You leave law for we the lawyers to talk law. You can be a pocket lawyer from now till tomorrow, you cannot understand the language of the constitution because you are not trained to understand it. That is just the basic truth.

So, I tell you, all those people who are shouting, are shouting from the position of ignorance. Fortunately, you all know me; I am not television or radio lawyer.

Anybody who feels that an infraction has taken place, the High Court is there; let us go there and test our legal language, our legal skills and our knowledge and the court will make a definitive decision.

So, if any of them feels that there is anything wrong in the appointment of Honourable Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra as the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State, they should go to court. After all, when they closed the courts here, I was into private legal practice. I was instructed and I went to court against them. Fortunately, I have a 100 per cent victory record against

them; all my arguments won. So, I am not afraid of meeting them again in court in this issue.

He is also skeptical about securing orders from the state High Court as he said it is an appendage of the Governor Nyesom Wike-led government...

A man can never rise above his environment; a man can never rise above his thought process; a man can never rise above his intellectual limits. My response to that is found in his thought process. In the course of the interview he had on radio, he referred to Samuel Nwanosike, the caretaker chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area and his words, as close as possible, are as follows: ‘when Nwanosike was at [the Rivers State] University of Science and Technology, he killed somebody.

When he killed that person, SSS arrested him. His family pleaded with him [Amaechi] and so he [Amaechi] called the SSS Director and said 48 hours is too long to detain the boy. If you have evidence,

charge him to court. If you don’t have evidence, release him and the boy was released’. From this narrative, a few things emerged: One, he interfered in the administration of justice. That is why he believes that the High Court is an appendage of this government; that is why he believes that everybody interferes in the administration of justice the way he interferes in the administration of justice.

Two, the whole story showed intellectual vacuousity. By his own narratives, it is clear that he intervened wrongfully by giving the SSS two options: if you have evidence, charge him to court; if you don’t have evidence, free him. It follows, logically, that the SSS did not charge the young man to court, if such an event ever occurred, because they had no evidence which meant he never killed anybody and which meant the story was meaningless and illogical from the beginning. Now, that is the kind of character we are dealing with; that is the kind of person we are dealing with-a man whose very thought lacks logical consistency; internal logical is lacking in it. How can somebody kill and there is no evidence to charge him to charge to court? Yet, you come to the conclusion that the person has killed.

Unless he is saying that he interfered with the prospects of investigation; he was party to the destruction of evidence and he prevented the due process of law from taking its due course, in which case, he committed a criminal offence and in trying to expose Nwanosike’s alleged killing, he also exposed the fact that he is an accessory after the fact.

Relating it now to your question, I can assure you that this administration is not an administration that has interest in the course of justice. Courts are free to make orders as they deem fit, whether for or against the government. I don’t even know what orders have been made that he is claiming were procured.

However, I am aware, as the Chief Law Officer of the state, that we have had course to go to court and obtain orders against the DSS usurping the functions of the police or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commute witch-hunts against officers of government. I am also aware, as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that members of my party have gone and actually obtained judgment against the DSS, restraining them from harassing, intimidating and stalking them. They exercised their legal rights to go to court. Of course, continues pg 37

32

interview

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Fulani herdsmen: Buhari should act fast, or… —Olajide

Convener of the Yoruba Summit and Publicity Secretary of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), Dr Kunle Olajide, speaks with ABIODUN AWOLAJA on the menace of Fulani herdsmen in the country, food security and the downturn in the Nigerian economy.

Excerpts:

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari was criticised recently by Governor Ayodele Fayose for failing to condemn the massacre carried out by nomadic herdsmen in Agatu communities in Benue State, just as the convoy of former Senate President David Mark was attacked by them. To tackle the menace, some northern leaders are talking of grazing routes. What is your assessment of the situation?

Well, the situation is very worrisome, very frightening. In the last one year, the menace of the Hausa/Fulani herdsmen has been threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria. You have the Agatu killings, killings in Nasarawa State and Adamawa State; killings in the South-West---in Oke Ogun, Oyo North, Ekiti, Ondo and Ogun states---and everywhere in Africa. The herdsmen are becoming more daring by the day, and all you hear from government, as far as I am concerned, is rhetoric. On one occasion I heard one of the government officials saying that security would be beefed up in Benue State to ensure that the harassment of the Agatu people stopped, and I wonder what amount of security we have in this country that can be deployed to check the rampaging Fulani herdsmen all over Nigeria.

I want to agree with David Mark who said the Agatu killing was a form of genocide, because it was really massive and destructive. The herdsmen were not only killing, they were also levelling houses and burning the farms. That is barbaric.

So, what I want to see is sincerity of purpose in the administration of this country.

In other words, we should run the country like a Big Brother, a Big Brother that cares for everybody alike in the corporate interest of the whole unit. But I am yet to see that in the present administration. I think the government has been very tardy in tackling this herdsmen’s menace. If anybody talks about establishing grazing routes again in Nigeria today, such a person is not sincere.

Why do you say so?

We had grazing routes in the colonial era and perhaps in the First Republic when the population of the country was under 50 million. Then, you could travel hundreds of kilometres without getting to a farmland. So, it was easy to establish grazing routes. There were primary forests, uncultivated land. But now you have a population of 180 million, and you hardly can traverse 50 or 100 kilometres without trampling on people’s farms. I think that is primitive. What should be expected now is that there should be ranches everywhere. I think I heard the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, saying that the government was importing grass. The government must establish cattle ranches.

In the first instance, you do not even have the security officers to police grazing routes. The major income earner for Nigeria is petroleum and the gas pipelines,

Do you then see any linkage between them and Boko Haram?

Yes. I mean, from what Chief Falae told us, during one of the conversations with the sponsors when he was in captivity, one of the sponsors said over the phone: “What will N3 million or N5 million do for Boko Haram?” Therefore, you can begin to see some linkage there. That’s number one. I think the second point is that these people want to feed their cattle and promote their business at the expense of our own business of farming here, which to me cannot be tolerated. Your fundamental human right stops where you want to infringe on another person’s human right.

Your freedom is limited to your own area.

The Federal Government has to do something urgently.

Dr Kunle Olajide

yet we cannot police them. So, where do we get the forces to now police the herdsmen? We should just go ahead and establish ranches, and ensure that the cattle are kept in the ranches. You cannot have any form of love between the menacing herdsmen with their cattle that cannot be controlled, and the farmers who are cultivating their land. When people say they want to make peace between the herdsmen and the farmers, I wonder what type of peace you want to make between the rat and the cat. For me, the government must tackle this matter seriously and urgently too.

The Federal Government and the corresponding state governments in the North should establish ranches and ensure that these cattle are kept within the ranches, where grass is cultivated to feed them.

Again, you must not overlook the fact that we want to diversify the economy and we are looking at agriculture. I don’t see how you can have food security with the rampaging herdsmen and cattle destroying the farms and crops, and in fact driving away the farmers from their farmland. So, that is a contradiction in terms. We must make sure of what we in fact want to do: resettle these herdsmen in the established ranches, keep them there permanently and let farmers continue to cultivate their farms.

At the recent political summit held in Ondo State, a discussant,

Senator Shehu Sani, disagreed with Chief Emeka Anyaoku on the use of the term, “Fulani herdsmen,” saying that it amounted to criminalising an entire ethnic group because of the activities of a few. How would you react to that?

I was at the summit. In fact, I wanted to speak on that but I spoke on other, more important issues. I think Shehu Sani was just being hypocritical. I mean, who are the herdsmen in Nigeria? They are Fulani people, pure and simple. Not only in Nigeria, but in different parts of Africa.

They are there causing one form of havoc or the other. And I think Governor Olusegun Mimiko pointed it out to him that he (Mimiko) was disappointed, because most of us saw Shehu Sani as one of the radical, progressive-minded Fulani people.

But his position was condemnable. What is more worrisome now is that the Fulani herdsmen move about, armed to the teeth, prepared to shoot down farmers.

Where are they getting the weapons?

One begins to wonder. It must be from their sponsors. I think they have sponsors, because Chief Olu Falae told that on one occasion (when he was kidnapped), they were communicating with their sponsors via telephone. I cannot see the typical, ordinary herdsmen purchasing AK 47, or even knowing where to purchase it.

There was a time Yoruba leaders comprising Yoruba Unity Forum, Afenifere and others were planning a meeting with the Miyeti Allah organisation and President Buhari, but that appears to have been put on hold.

Yes, and no. What happened really was that I discussed on phone with the chairman of Miyeti Allah in the South-West and he said he was going to get in touch with me later, because we were put on Radio Kaduna at the same time. He said he would get in touch so that we could plan a delegation to visit Mr President. But again, so much has happened ever since.

The rampage has gone worse in different parts of the country. We raised the alarm then because of the kidnap of Chief Falae and the destruction of farms in Oyo North and parts of Ogun State, but now it appears that Adamawa State, Nasarawa State, Benue State, Plateau State and South-East states are complaining. So, to a large extent, it has become almost ‘global’ within the confines of Nigeria. So, we have not shelved the planned meeting. I will now follow up on the planned meeting and contact the chairman of Miyeti Allah.

But I think the issue has gone beyond meeting the president. The success of the Minister of Agriculture is going to be determined essentially by how much he is able to revamp agriculture or provide food security for this country, which I cannot see him doing under these circumstances, and incidentally he is a Benue man. He should take the issue up with Mr President and they must address this issue urgently.

The Food and Agricultural Organisation identified four pillars of food security for any nation. The first pillar is availability.

How can food be available now when the cattle are pillaging farms? The second is access to food. The farmers themselves are running from the farms, so you don’t have access to the food. Then, utilization is the third pillar. When the food cannot even get out of the farms to the people, who will utilise it? The last pillar is stabilcontinues pg 49

33

interview

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Not all Fulani herdsmen are criminals —Alkali

Following rising deadly clashes between farmers around the country and Fulani cattle rearers, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Professor Rufai Alkali, a Fulani native himself, has weighed in on the issue, telling LEON USIGBE that the Fulani need nothing but routes to graze their animals.

W

HY does it appear that there is an upsurge in farmers/Fulani herdsmen’s clashes around the country?

Let me start by clarifying a perception without sounding too academic. When you read the Nigerian newspapers and even listen to radio and television, you get the feeling that the nation is at war, that the cattle rearers are in the centre of the war. Initially, it was being managed by our people and people who are supposed to be well-informed are making very strong statements which are capable of deepening tension in the country.

Let’s go back to the basics. First and foremost, you know that Nigeria is basically an agrarian country and when we say agriculture, we mean both arable farming, livestock farming, fishery and even forestry because they are all interconnected. And we also know that agriculture provides a higher percentage in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution to the national economy and also a major source of employment and a major source of raw materials. Whether we are making use of that effectively or not, it is a major source of raw materials for the industries whether local or international. Nigeria is also expanding in terms of population, becoming more modernised. But while the country is modernising very fast, the system of agriculture has not been keeping pace with this process of modernisation. While in the past, there was a closer collaboration and cohabitation between the arable farmers and livestock breeders where they mutually benefited from each other, now that element is being eroded.

It has been said repeatedly that this century and, of course, the coming century, the struggle will be over access to land and water. If, for example, our agricultural policy had taken into account this development where it addresses the need and concern of the arable farmer and the need and concern of the livestock farmer, we will not be at this point. Unfortunately, over the years, the emphasis has always been on arable farming and livestock is just taken as an auto-project. It takes care of itself. It is only recently that people have been moving into fishery as business.

Of course, you know the issue of forestry and the implication for desertification and production of firewood for citizens. So, it’s a bit more complicated.

In the recent past, this issue has come to the fore because the arable farmer is deeply concerned that the little thing he is doing on his farm is sometimes not fully protected, because you have this encroachment of cattle rearers. Cattle rearers complain that the space available now for them to move their cattle has been narrowed to a point where in some places it is even closed. So, the concerns of the cattle rearers are basically three or four.

One: he should have access to the movement of his cattle, whether within the state or between the state and another state or between one country and another

Professor Rufai Alkali

within the West African sub-region. They also want access to places for grazing their cattle, because you cannot have hundreds of cattle and allow them to die because of hunger. So, you must be moving around.

There is no other system available today for them to house them in a particular location. They also need access to water because just like human beings, livestock require water and most of northern Nigeria is dry. Even water for human consumption is still very difficult to come by.

Effort is being made all the time, but it is not catching up with the pace of demand for water. The last point, maybe, is what you call zangos. Zangos are more or less like stations where cattle rearers, especially those on international routes need to spend time. In the past, most of these things were allowed easily by farmers, where cattle rearers can easily spend nights and each one of them benefits. Zangos used to have leaders who harmonise relationships in case of conflicts. All these things are no longer working properly.

So, the question we have to ask ourselves is that first, do we need protein? Do we need beef and this beef that we need, is it the one we have to produce here or we have to import? If we have to import, maybe this cattle rearing has to be phased out completely. Just as we import fuel, we begin to import beef. Alternatively, we also have to decide if we don’t want to import beef in the coming years, then, we have to come up with a creative way of accommodating the interest of the arable farmer and livestock farmer.

Even though they too have to find pasture for their animals, how do you justify the fact that cattle rearers trespass on farmlands?

Let me go back to a point first. One, the popular narrative now is that whereever there is violence between cattle rearers and arable farmers, it must be between Fulani cattle rearers. On the surface of it, that is the point. But the reality is not. Because of the evolution of the modern economy today in Nigeria, I want you to know that there are many Fulani who do not have cattle. And there are many non-Fulani who have cattle, who may, of course, either use Fulani or non-Fulani to run them. And most of these cattle are not on ranches. They are still nonsedentary cattle rearing [method]. It’s still the nomadic traditionalists. So, the popular notion that whenever there is a conflict between farmers and cattle rearers, it’s the Fulani that are at fault, without being apologetic, that is not correct.

Secondly, as I said, in the past when the pressure on land was not as great as now, even the colonial administrators anticipated that things like these would happen and that’s why they created grazing reserves. They created forest reserves; they created cattle routes. Most of them were gazetted, which means they were well known by law. But what is happening in the country, more land is being taken over for building basic infrastructure. Cities are expanding at very high rates; you have roads especially. In the past, cattle can move from one side of the road to another. But from Abuja to Kaduna to Kano,

what you see is a very big wall and you hardly see any particular point officially designated as a crossing point for cattle.

What we are saying here is that apart from the traditional nomadic Fulani, there are the local ones who move their cattle within their state and they don’t go far.

Whenever there is any conflict, it’s in the local community where everybody knows each other. These are the ones you find are easily managed by local authorities. Then you have the interstate cattle movement around the harvest period. And then, you have the international cattle movement, the Wadabes. They move across national borders and they find the midlands of northern Nigeria much more receptive in terms of availability of grass. They move from the northern part of the country to the midlands and some go to the southern parts of the country in search of pasture and water.

In recent times, we have started to see cattle rustlers, snatching cattle and killing cattle breeders. If you know you are a cattle rearer, you don’t look for trouble because if you do, how will you run away with your cattle? The international cattle rearers have their networks in Nigeria who show them the way and they move. They also have problems with local communities, but it is the cattle rustlers that are the bigger menace. Whether these cattle rustlers are external elements, now, they have gotten internal elements. What we are saying here is that, it is a question of managing a resource. Arable farmer is a huge resource for the country. Anything that damages it is not good for our country.

Local communities may not be able to make the distinction among the various cattle rearers but they do see armed cattle rearers who have attacked communities for one reason or the other like Agatu in Benue state, for instance. Who are those that bear arms?

I don’t want to go into specifics, because if you notice recently, there have been a lot of battles in the hinterlands and I think one of the logics can be that desertification is intensifying in northern Nigeria, especially the upper north. Where some of the cattle rearers could have managed initially, they can no longer manage. They have to move. The issue was more or less about the cohabitation of farmers and he cattle rearers and, therefore, farmers were seeing cattle rearers as friends and cattle rearers were seeing farmers as friends.

But my suspicion is that in all those years where there were conflicts, there were systems of conflict resolution between the farmers and cattle rearers. That’s why each one of them has its leadership. The simple rule was that if there was anyone who trespassed and left the cattle routes and then went into somebody’s farm, there was always a punishment and the punishment was not self-help. It is recourse to the police and the courts. I don’t continues pg 49

34

opinion

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

The ‘Zero Oil’ plan and an export revolution

By Olusegun Awolowo

O

IL is down! Pressure on the Naira! Slowing growth! What will Nigeria’s response be? This is the chatter all across the country on shop floors, in markets, within business circles, and in classrooms. But a close look reveals we may be focusing on the symptoms and not the cause. Nigeria does not have an oil price problem, Nigeria has a “failure to export” problem! We have little control over the ups and downs in global crude oil markets; what we do control however is what Nigeria chooses to export, and where we choose to make money internationally.

Unfortunately, our country for decades has primarily exported one product, crude oil, which really is a perishing asset. It is for this reason that the government prioritizes Nigeria’s economic diversification. In line with this, a new agenda - the Zero Oil plan - has been put together to envision a Nigerian economy without oil. What else could we export? Who would buy? How much could we make?

These are the questions answered under this roadmap to change this age-old dependence on one single export commodity. Yet as noble as the idea is, it would take hard work for the objective to be realised. Still, it can be done.

As His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, said to a delegation of manufacturers in 2015, “…Nigeria must begin to behave as if we have no more oil”. These are the words which shape our Zero Oil economic agenda, and are essential to build a strong Nigerian economy for the future. For years Nigeria has imported thousands of goods worth over US$50 billion a year, which we pay for mainly with crude oil proceeds of over US$70 billion each year. Our fears have now materialized, in the past 2 years crude oil prices have fallen 60% and Nigeria’s earnings have likewise fallen by at least US$35 billion, inevitably leaving a financial hole in the economy. The pressing question now is how to fill this funding gap - and the answer is simple: Nigeria must find new things (not oil) to export quickly, in large commercial scale. If Nigeria broadens and grows its export basket, a positive chain reaction ricochets throughout the economy. The logic follows - when you grow exports, national output (agriculture, industry, solid minerals) will also grow; local businesses will grow; supporting infrastructure will expand; and jobs and investments will definitely follow. The overall macro impacts result in growing foreign reserves (from export forex) and a more resilient economy.

We are not the only nation in history to have ever faced this challenge. When India, the 2nd largest country in the world faced similar hardships under its founding father, Jawaharlal Nehru, his clarion call was simple, “India must Export or Perish”. Nehru’s mantra changed the thrust of his country’s economic policy and today India exports over US$300 billion of non-oil goods each year.

More importantly, India made sure that no single product, not even oil (if they had it) would hold the people to ransom. Other countries have similarly done well in exports, for instance Brazil does over US$200 billion of non-oil exports and Malaysia over US$250 billion. In the case of Nigeria’s story however, there is cause to pause.

Despite our population of 170 million people, and being the 7th most populous country in the world, we make only US$5 billion in non-oil exports. To put this in perspective, if Nigeria did not have crude oil, our exports will account for one-third of the total exports of Trinidad and Tobago… a country that is 1% of Nigeria’s population, and far less endowed. This is a cause for worry.

We are not starry-eyed optimists, as moving to a Nigeria with Zero Oil will not be easy. But we should remember that we once had a country that was Zero Oil. The questions to ask are: What happened to our proud history in Palm Oil, Cocoa, Ground Nuts, Cotton? We were the toast of the world, where are these products now? We know in good days Nigeria typically makes over US$70 billion annually from crude oil exports, but the world is bigger than oil. Only 3 of the top 20 exporters in the World depend heavily on oil exports, and today even those 3 are fast diversifying. Indonesia makes over US$18 billion from only Palm Oil exports (we understand the Indonesians took their first Palm seed from Nigeria over 50 years ago);

Barrister Olusegun Awolowo, explaning some points to the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun

Barrister Olusegun Awolowo, explaning some points to the Katsina State governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari

Barrister Olusegun Awolowo, explaning some points to the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko

Brazil makes US$17 billion from Soybeans; Saudi Arabia makes over US$30 billion from Petrochemicals, and Bangladesh makes US$5 billion from T-shirts.

Let’s also look at the Chinese economic miracle - simcontinues pg 35

35

opinion

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Afe Babalola: Yet another well-deserved honour

BY Tunde Olofintila

C

OME Friday (March 25), another colourful feather will be added to the already well-adorned cap of the founder of Afe Babalola University, AdoEkiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, when the Advisory Board of the African Leadership Development Foundation, Inc. USA, in collaboration with the African Leadership (UK) Limited will confer on him the Congressional Commendation of the US Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and induct him into the African Hall of Fame in appreciation of his pioneering excellence and innovation in tertiary education in Africa.

The African Leadership Development Foundation, Inc. USA, and African Leadership (UK) Limited are rolling out the drums in far-away Johannesburg, South Africa, to celebrate Babalola, the scholarly and urbane expert in Law, on the one hand, and honour his six-year-old university which it described as “a leading Nigerian private University by all rating…” on the other.

Some past notable honourees are former president of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba; former president of Tanzania, Jakaya Kiwete; president of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma and the president of the Federal Republic of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, as well as former president of Ghana, John Kuffor.

Others include the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and now Emir of Kano, His Royal Majesty Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; founder, Mo Ibrahim Noble Prize for Leadership, Dr. Mo Ibrahim; former president of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Donald Kebaruka, and the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Republic of Mauritius, Hon. Xavie Luc-Duval.

Other past recipients of the award are Alonzo Fulgam, the International Coordinator, USAID; Oba Otudeko of the Honeywell Group; the president of Namibia, Hage Geingob, as well as Congressman John Lewis, an American Politician and Civil Right Activist, among many others.

The induction into the African Leadership Hall of Fame and the conferment of the Special Congressional Commendation from the US Legislative Black Caucus are

coming exactly 379 days after the famous University of London conferred on Babalola, the dean and doyen of quality education, its Honorary Doctor of Letters at an impressive ceremony attended by representatives from 92 countries on March 11, 2015, thus making him a triple Alumnus of the University, having obtained the university’s B.Sc. (Econs) in 1959 and LL.B in 1963, all by private study.

The London Honourary Award has thus made the tireless worker the first African to be so honoured with an LL.D in the 179-year history of the University of London, bearing in mind that former South African President Nelson Mandela received the honorary Doctorate Degree in Economics of the University in 1996, while Archbishop Desmond Tutu was conferred with the Honorary Degree in Divinity in 2008.

Babalola’s nomination for these double international honours is, to a large extent, predicated on his successful practice as a legal practitioner in the last 53 years and particularly because of the unprecedented and monumental educational landmarks achieved by his university, ABUAD, the fastest growing university in Africa. A pace setter in qualitative and functional education, which former presidents, National Universities Commission (NUC) and other stakeholders have publicly acknowledged and which UNESCO described as “a world class institution of Higher Education.”

In a January 25, 2016 letter announcing the honours, the Editor-in-Chief/CEO of the African Leadership Mag-

azine, Dr. Ken Glami, said: “the Board in its approval noted that as a frontline Educationist, Mentor and Leader, you (Aare Afe Babalola) have pioneered a legendary precedence in Africa’s formal education and academic landscape for which you should be commended.

“The Leadership Hall of Fame is the meeting Hall for great African Leaders and achievers who have distinguished themselves in various aspects of human endeavour”.

An elated Babalola is happy that people and organisations outside Nigeria are noticing what he and his university have been doing since the university commenced academic works on January 4, 2010 to institutionalise qualitative and functional education and ensure that Nigeria regains its lost glory in education.

Afe Babalola’s story reminds about Niccolo Machiavelli, who was born into a “moderately prominent and marginally prosperous” family in a village that belonged to the powerful city-state of Florence, Italy, in 1469. Babalola, a Cardinal in the Basilica of Jurisprudence, was equally born into a moderately prominent and marginally prosperous family in his native Ado-Ekiti about nine decades ago.

But the story has since changed through his wellknown determination and industry: that man with a bucolic background has become a colossus, an artist in the art of giving, building and donating multi-million Naira towering and gargantuan edifices to many institutions of Higher Education, professional bodies and social organisations in different parts of Nigeria in the last two decades. Like the rested Intercontinental Bank with the pay-off of “Happy Customers, Happy Bank”, Babalola is only happy when people around him are happy and this is being acknowledged globally.

It is gratifying that the world is not only watching this plutocrat with pluralistic possibilities, who is sold to humanity, it is also appreciating his deeds. Certainly, the best is yet to come and without any iota of doubt, ABUAD and its founder, Babalola, are going places.

• Olofintila, Head, Corporate Affairs of ABUAD, writes from Ado-Ekiti

Export for survival: The ‘zero oil’ plan continued from pg 34

ply an export miracle. In 1980, both China and Nigeria each accounted for 1% of global world exports, so in a sense “then we were equals”. However by 2011 China accounted for 11% of global exports (all non-oil), while Nigeria was less than 0.4% and shrinking. China has grown richer and its currency, the Yuan, is even considered an alternative reserve currency. Like the Chinese the only way to strengthen the Naira is to increase productivity, increase capacity, and focus on export orientation.

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) anchors the Zero Oil agenda. A few targets to note on Nigeria’s proposed journey to Zero Oil. First, we set a longterm goal of earning over US$100 billion from non-oil exports (i.e. 20% of today’s GDP). When compared with Export to GDP ratios of other emerging market countries, this is reasonable – China’s is 24%, Brazil 12%, South Africa 31%, and Malaysia 76%. Nigeria’s long term goal is however further broken down into two midterm targets - which is to grow nonoil exports from US$5 billion today, to US$18 billion by 2019, and US$30 billion in non-oil exports by 2025. Growing nonoil exports 6 fold in 9 years will be a feat indeed, but then again these are extraordinary times, and we need extraordinary economic action.

In implementing the plan, hundreds of thousands of new jobs will be created every year from numerous initiatives. The sort of scale needed to take it seriously.

The Zero Oil plan identifies 21 priority countries as markets for Nigerian prod-

ucts (termed “Export 21”) and 11 strategic export products with high financial value to replace oil, these include Petrochemicals, Palm Oil, Cocoa, Soybeans, Rubber, to name a few. To achieve this Nigeria must scale up domestic production to levels unprecedented, and create competitive channels to move cargo and get goods into foreign markets. The plan envisages increases in total non-oil export volumes in Nigeria which should grow by 70 million tons, clearly a logistical challenge that would require upgrades on major transport corridors to get goods from Nigeria’s hinterlands in every single State of the Federation, to ports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Calabar. The plan facilitates export aggregators to source products from millions of micro, small, and medium sized enterprises, which ensures our grass roots, youths, and households also feel the economic impact of exports. The 36 States and FCT are also expected to play a leadership role by selecting at least one priority export product under the One-State-One product programme.

Nigeria does not have an oil price problem; Nigeria has a “failure to export” problem!

Barrister Olusegun Awolowo, explaning some points to the Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed

Plainly put, with the Zero Oil plan, Nigeria will be a very different place in the next 5 years. We are a resourceful people, this is the time to dig deep and create an economy to work for us today, as well as last for generations to come. Taking a cue from Roberto Azevedo (Director General, World Trade Organisation) ”…Nigeria’s economic growth has to happen independent of oil exports”.

As everyone talks about the crash in crude oil prices, From Saudi Arabia to Venezuela, and from Russia to the United

States; for Nigeria we seek to go beyond oil. One of Nigeria’s responses is to restructure and drive our economy through non-oil exports. Many emerging market countries have walked this road successfully and thrived. The Zero Oil plan sets our country on this path as well. Now we need the conviction to execute, and the courage to stay the course. Time to Export, Export, and Export!

•Awolowo is the Executive Director\CEO, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

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thepolity

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Economic decline: Nigeria must move from crude oil to gas —Rep Honourable Albert Abiodun Adeogun, a two-term member representing Ife Central/Ife South/Ife North Federal Constituency, is the deputy chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Gas Resources. He speaks with MOSES ALAO on why the country should invest in gas, what the All Progressives Congress (APC) government must do urgently and the developments in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State. Excerpts:

T

HE problem of gas flaring is one of the most talked about in the climate change discourse, with Nigeria being among the worst culprits. As the vice chairman of the House Committee on Gas Resources, has there been any effort taken or you are planning to take as a committee?

Gas flaring has been going on in Nigeria for a very long time and it is worse that the government is even earning revenue for gas flaring. I said this because government has been imposing fines for gas flaring as a sort of punitive measure.

But that cannot be the solution, because it may be comfortable for oil players to pay that fine rather than prevent flaring.

So, there is the need for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to ensure that gas is not flared in Nigeria. Now, we all know the consequences of the flaring; the issue of climate change has dominated discourse internationally. Through flaring, the air is polluted, the ozone layer is damaged.

This incessant flaring, coupled with other activities such as burning of woods, charcoals and others, release emissions into the atmosphere, which has become badly affected and unsafe.

I was surprised that Nigeria participated in the international agreement that stipulated a timeline for gas flaring to be stopped, when we know that we have no control over flaring. So, now that we are part of that position, government must be ready to enforce that position and there is need to revisit the issue of gas exploration. What you discover is that gas is only stumbled upon by those exploring oil like an accident; most of them do not treat gas exploration importantly. All they wanted was crude oil, hence the wastage of the gas. Whereas, government should have put in place a deliberate policy for gas exploration and not that when someone is looking for oil, he finds gas and thinks the best thing is to waste it. Gas exploration should be deliberate and government should get involved in ensuring that gas exploration is treated with importance.

What benefit will that serve when oil price is fluctuating?

Let me inform you that gas, as we speak today, is required by every society. You know quite well that the campaign on climate change implies that we do away with some of the things we use, which can destroy the atmosphere and gas, when wellhandled, is not part of them. If we also want to encourage our people to make less use of charcoal, woods and kerosene, which bring about emissions into the atmosphere, there is the need to conclude on gas as alternative. You know that gas is needed for electricity generation and we do not have enough gas for that. Most of the time when there is shortage of electricity, the explanations were always that there was no supply of gas to some sta-

you take a matter before the public petition committee, the two sides will be invited, because we believe in fair hearing. The two sides will put their issues before the committee and members will ask questions, look at the issues and come up with a position. Such positions are laid before the parliament for it to agree or disagree and once it agrees, the recommendations will be sent to the agency affected for appropriate action.

Honourable Albert Adeogun

tions. So the importance of gas is enormous. Let me also inform you that recently, there have been improvements in the price of gas, which should encourage our people to invest in gas. Yes, I know the gas industry is bedeviled by the question of vandalism; we recently went to Warri area to look at a place where the gas pipeline was vandalised. We had it on good authority that over N800 million is lost every day because of only that portion that was destroyed; so vandalism has been dissuading people from investing in gas. And it is also capital-intensive. You know there is the need to move gas from the Niger-Delta area to other parts of the country and nobody will want to invest in any business in which the yield will not be commensurate with the investment. So, there is the need for government to have a policy and to try and partner with or guarantee investors in this area, because there is the need for every home to change their attitude towards the use of kerosene, charcoals and all that and embrace the use of gas. If this is done, it will reduce gas flaring to a minimum level, because when there is market for the product, people will come in to invest. Gas is important to our economy and I think it is better for the Nigerian government to realise that investment in gas is not a waste; we should be moving from crude oil to gas.

You are a member of the House Committee on Public Petitions and

one could remember how March 1, 2016 was declared by a pressure group as a “No Banking Day” in protest at the reported excessive charges by banks. Did you receive a petition from that group and how does your committee even operate?

The House of Representatives, by our tradition, one of the things we do at plenary is for the Speaker to ask members who have petitions from their constituents and they allow them to present their petitions.

When such petitions are laid before the House, they are referred to our committee. We do not go out of our way to invite people to petition; it is for you to do it, if you have confidence in the system and you have confidence that the House could add value to your plea. You can bring the petition to the parliament, through the Speaker and most appropriately, through your representative, because every part of Nigeria has been delineated into 360 constituencies and whatever petition you have must fall within one area. So, if you have any petition, you present it through the member representing your area and he will lay such before the House.

Do you think Nigerians are aware of this process and have they been sending petitions to the House?

Yes. You can imagine that on a daily basis when we have plenary, we receive an average of six petitions. People are aware and people have benefitted from it. When

You are from Osun State, which has been governed by an APC governor for over five years now, though you are an opposition party member, can you fairly assess the performance of the government?

You may not believe or assign credibility to whatever assessment I give, because you have also referred to me as an opposition politician and ordinarily, people would think that when you are a member of the opposition, you will not see anything right with the government. I want to say that I do not belong to that school of thought. But I will still go ahead and say what’s on my mind. It is practical; you don’t need to stress yourself about Osun State. How do you assess a state which in the last months has been paying half salary to its workers and has insisted that the half salary would be permanent? Someone is working for you and you pay N40,000 and then unilaterally, without any agreement, you say you will now be paying N20,000 and that you do not owe the remaining N20,000. That is the government you ask me to fairly assess? A government that is indebted to pensioners; it is owes pensioners. Doctors have been on strike for months because government could not pay them. The roads are in bad shape; government owes contractors.

How fairly can I assess a government that is asking for another bailout after collecting the first bailout structured to be paid in the next 20 years? This same government owes well over N100 billion; a government that could not generate revenue of N20 billion a year, whereas Lagos State generates about N13 billion monthly…

The opportunities and avenues available to Lagos and Osun are different…

It doesn’t matter. The general adage is that you cut your coat according to your cloth. If Osun is different from Lagos and the opportunities are different, then I don’t see why a government in Osun State would have flower-planting as its projects.

There are thousands of Osun people who cannot eat two meals a day and someone is using their money to plant flowers, to gallivant all over the place and to fund APC in other states to win elections. What can you say about such government? I am happy that the governor agreed that he continues pg 31

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20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘Amaechi may end up in jail if...’ continued from pg 31

I am not surprised that Mr Amaechi would be annoyed and irritated by that, after all, he closed the courts. He treats the judiciary with contempt and the judiciary only makes meaning for him when he intends to use it for his own benefits. His strength is in illegality; his strength is in bullying; his strength is in using the army and the police against innocent citizens.

Governor Amaechi has repeatedly said no page in the Justice George Omereji Report indicted him and the Rivers State government has been urged to go to court to prosecute those indicted in the White Paper. What is causing the delay?

Let me tell me you the truth; three things are delaying it and I will take them in the order of priority. But before I say what is delaying the prosecution, let me clear one fact. I am the state Attorney General and because of that, I am privy to a lot of information. Now, Mr Amaechi has never seen the Omereji Report. I say so with all sense of seriousness. The reason I say so is simple: his counsel, Rikky Tarfa, SAN and Co, applied to this office for a copy of the Report. I told him that I saw in television his client brandishing a copy of the Report before the Senate; that he should go and get a photocopy of that one one, let me compare it with what we have and I will certify it for him.

He raised the issue before the Court of Appeal and informed the Court of Appeal that he had asked for a copy of the Report. I told the justices of the Court of Appeal that he does not need to apply for any report from me; that he showed the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the Report; that I simply asked them to bring what they have, let me certify it for them because they already have it. So, why are they applying to me for it again? Up till now, they have not done that. Instead, they have written over four letter to this office, asking for the Report and each time, we have told them to go and collect from Mr Amaechi the copy of the report he brandished before the National Assembly; let us certify for them. So what that tells me is that they don’t have a copy of the Omereji Report. If they have it, they would have brought it for certification; if they have a copy of the Report, they will not be applying for it from me again.

They also applied for a copy of the White Paper on the Report. I have since give them the certified copies of the White Paper. I can even give all of you people here copies of the White Paper now. If he has a copy of the Report and he had read the Report and he says he is not indicted in the Report, he is not being truthful. If he has not read the Report and he says he is not indicted, well I will only blame him for speaking too quick. As I sit here as the Attorney General of the state, I do know that the Report I read indicted him and I also do know that the White Paper, which I have read, indicted him. So the issue of him not been indicted is just the normal make-believe fantasy

and propaganda.

He was surely indicted. And if he was not indicted, why has he applied to the Court of Appeal to set aside the Report? Do you set aside a report that you are not indicted in? That is a double-speak! The suit is there at the Court of Appeal to set aside the Report. You journalists go there, I will not tell you the appeal number and you see his application there. So what is he applying before the appellate court to set aside? A play song or the indictment?

Now, why we have not implemented the Report is in stages. One, I just told that he applied to set it aside; we respect the Rule of Law. I am the same person who caused the local government election to be set aside because it did not obey the Rule of Law. So, how would I do something against the pendency of a suit knowing the effect? I cannot do that; I cannot advise that.

Number two, which is the second stage, in spite of the indictment, there must also be an independent process of investigation. Under the current climate and nomenclature. It is obvious that it is a waste of time. Amaechi is the Inspector General of Police (he directs police where to go, saying ‘I have deployed police’, ‘police has failed’ and so on). Since he is the Inspector General of Police, he is the Chief of Army Staff, he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces-he is all roll into one, who are you going to report him to, to investigate and prosecute him? The same people he gives command to?

However, all hope is not lost. They crimes committed are multi-jurisdictional. Some of the crimes are across international boundaries. Since the process of the crimes committed are across international boundaries, any of those countries in which any of the incidence of the offence occurred can assume jurisdiction to try the offence.

And I can assure you that, that is where we are headed.

It is unfortunate that my brother, Igo [the APC candidate for the Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1], is in APC. But he is old enough to make decisions for himself, while I am also enough to make decisions for myself

You have heard the last of this incident and Rivers State people will surely get justice at the end of the day.

Are you a politician?

Me, I am. There is nobody that is not a politician; everybody here, including you, are all practising politicians.

Every human being living is a politician because politics is about conflicts and resolution of conflicts. My first degree was in Politics and International Studies before I read Law. In 1999, I worked under [the late] Marshall Harry; PDP, as a party, wanted to make the Attorney General but the elected governor then did not want me.

I went back to my law firm and built it to the stage it is now. I didn’t go to join the defunct All People’s Party (APP); I didn’t start crying about town or making noise; I didn’t form any opposition; I didn’t jump from party to party. I remained in PDP the way I remain in PDP today because I believe in PDP and what it stands for. As far as I am concerned, PDP is the only party that has retained its identity since 1999.

We have two brothers in two opposing parties in the state, that is you and Igo Aguma. How are you managing the differences...

What is it? Don’t you have two brothers who support two different football teams? When they are playing cup finals, how do they manage it? You manage the two opposing parties the same way you manage it when two brothers are supporting two different football teams in a cup finals-one is supporting Sharks and the other one is supporting Dolphins and they are playing the Challenge Cup finals. The same way you manage that crisis is the same way you manage the political crisis.

Are you now saying that you and your younger brother have a way of managing within the family your utterances in the public?

What I am saying is that you support your team, unless you are not a fan of that team. What has family meeting got to do with politics? Of course, everybody knows that I vote PDP, even if my mother goes to the All Progressives Congress (APC), I will not vote for her; she knows. If my father resurrects today and goes to APC, I will not vote for him. I am a PDP person and I will vote PDP. That is why, today, I am the chairman of the Rivers PDP Disciplinary Committee; I discipline people who do anti-party. That is why I cannot do anti-party.

It is unfortunate that my brother, Igo [the APC candidate for the Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1], is in APC. But he is old enough to make decisions for himself, while I am also enough to make decisions for myself. It is nothing emotive; people who see politics as being emotive are the people who deceives themselves. They are the people that whip up the sentiments that they are leading the army to come and all that. Politics ought to be means of achieving discernible and tangible goals.

‘APC should stop blaming past govts’ continued from pg 36

has lost control before taking the bailout and he is asking for another bailout. So, what fair assessment are you looking for? That government has failed; it is a government that is not responsive to the needs of the people and in a decent society, that governor should have resigned.

But because we are in this part of the world, that is why he could sit tight despite losing control of everything.

You sounded critical talking about an APC governor but the party has succeeded in labeling the PDP as the cause of the country’s economic woes, noting that its 16-year rule has brought the country to a sorry state. Shouldn’t you be covering your face in shame instead of criticising Aregbesola?

I don’t know what you mean by shame. Some of the debts we have in this country today were rolled over from the 60s and we will continue to carry them over. The debts Nigeria had before the PDP came into office in 1999

such as the one owed the Paris Club, were paid off. Every new government contributes to the development and the debts where need be when it comes into office. In the case of Osun State, how do you blame the previous governments? What does he do with the resources the state has now? If a person gets a salary of N300,000; he should know what should go for everything he needs for feeding, rent, transportation and family upkeep. If he goes above what he earns, who does he blame? The APC does not have any point or explanation in blaming its predecessor in office unless it has control of governance, because government is a continuum and it is not enough that because a predecessor has acquired debt, then you must continue to sing the song of blame. If the Osun State government is blaming its predecessor or even anyone, what will happen tomorrow when it leaves office, with all the debts it has accumulated in that state?

But the issue goes beyond Osun State to the federal level, where the APC has been blaming the former President Goodluck Jonathan admin-

istration for some of the challenges it is now facing.

I know. It is the general parlance that when someone is handing over an office; he will give you two envelopes.

When you run into trouble and the public is criticising you, you open the first envelope, which says blame your predecessor. So, you will explain to the whole world that the problems you are going through were left by your predecessor. When you sustain that explanation for some time and people are no longer buying it, then you should open the second envelope, which says you should reorganise.

The APC has been blaming its predecessors for too long, it should go back and reorganise. You cannot say because a pregnancy is aborted, then you won’t be pregnant again. We must move forward; we must think of what to do next. As we speak today, the Buhari government is doing a lot of wrong things and it is only a matter of time before we see them. They are in government now; when they leave office, you will hear the stories and I am telling you that it is early in the day to stop complaining.

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I

N a strict sense, political parties are set ups made up of persons with common interests in search of political power. In a broader sense, it is much more than that. Political parties set out to influence the society one way or the other through the propagation of beliefs and ideologies.

In trying to define its essence, a political party tends to align with the wishes and aspirations of the society to ensure that it is eventually trusted with power at the commanding heights of the nation. Each of such parties designs the way to go in terms of how it regenerates, is funded and grows from generation to generation. One thing is crucial though: political parties are critical in the leadership recruitment process in democracies. Once you sign on to democracy, you ‘ve got the important role of defining the leadership recruitment process.

We can also take the prism further into the well-known corporate social responsibility aphorism, which comes in two ways: the business of business is business and the business of business is America(Nigeria or whichever country). If the essence of politics is politics, then the people mean nothing but where the essence of politics is the society, the people are the centerpiece.

Since 1999, Nigerian leaders have emerged through the ballot, something that happened through lots of haggling, pushing and shoving as the military, which shot itself into power just six years into the First Republic appeared to have sunk its straw too deep into the honeycomb. However, the political parties we have seen have consistently failed to define the leadership recruitment process in a scientific way that would allow an inspired youth plan his political trajectory to the very top.

What are the values a person interested in leadership need to imbibe to rise to reckoning in the parties and eventually in the society? Answers to the above have been seriously lacking and what we have got so far tends to be a descent in the quality and character of leaders from season to season.

In the First Republic, the leaders fashioned our democracy after the British Parliamentary system and in the Second Republic, the country adopted a Presidential system, which subsists till today. While we can effectively say that the First Republic developed a strong political

I still can’t get over the statement credited to the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Police Command, Mr Baba Tijjani, as he confirmed the release of the three girls who abducted in Bauchi and who were forcefully converted to Islam.

Tijjani had stated: “The girls were not held by the Bauchi State Shari’ah Commission; they volunteered to become Muslims on their own and reported themselves to the Da’awah and Islamic Education Department, which took them to the Bauchi State Shari’ah Commission.

Did the man listen to himself? How could a girl coming from the Church suddenly go to the sharia commission to declare that she wished to become a Muslim; a mere 13 year old girl? What does she understand about making such profound decisions? According to newspaper reports, Progress Jacob, 13, was abducted by Mallam Musa in the Yelwa, Sabon Kaura area, Bauchi State, on her way back from church on January 3.

According to Ms Gobet, Progress’ aunt, the teenager went to church on the morning of January 3, 2016 and did not return when the church was presumed to have closed at about 10.30am.

The distressed aunt said she reported the case to the traditional ruler (Seriki) of Sabon Kaura as well as the Yelwa Police Station, which only took her statement and directed her to inform them when she found Progress.

She added that all efforts to locate the ‘missing’ girl proved abortive until a letter was delivered to her from the Bauchi State Shari’ah Commission, informing her of Progress’ conversion to Islam. What? A minor? The Nigerian constitution clearly states that a child can only change his/her faith voluntarily at the age of 18 and Progress is nowhere near this consensual age yet.

She is not the only one. Another girl, Blessing Gopep, 13, was also abducted by two men identified as Iliya and Umaru, both living in Alkaleri, Bauchi State. Reports have it that Blessing and her friend, Mary, were on their way back to Jos after spending their holidays with Blessing’s uncle in Bauchi in August 2015.

Her father said Blessing and Mary had gone to the Alkaleri motor park, and while they waited on the bus for other passengers, two men, identified as Iliya and Umaru, arrived at the park on a motorcycle and abducted

20 March, 2016

the lynxeye with Taiwo adisa

08072000046 taiadisbabatj@gmail.com

In search of political party restructuring

culture, which made the political parties real centres of power, with clearly defined routes of access and mentor-

frontrow with Toyin Willoughby Muyi 0805 500 1769 toyeenz@yahoo.com

It is tough being a girl-child in Nigeria

Blessing.

A third girl Linda Christopher was abducted by one Mallam Shagari in Tarsha Durumi village also in Bauchi state. Sixteen-year-old Linda, a secondary school pupil in Enugu, was seen with one Mallam Shagari at Tarsha Durumi village in Bauchi State on November 19, 2015.

Did this girl, who was just coming in to Bauchi suddenly decide on arrival that she wanted to change her faith, or had she been planning it while she was in the east? Going by news reports, Linda had left Enugu four days earlier to join her parents, who lived in the Katanga Giwa village

Sunday Tribune

ship, the Second Republic also shared a bit of that.

The leaders were clearly known and to rise up the ladder, you must have shown character, leadership acumen and commitment. You are not measured by the quantity or quality of the money you mobilise to the party and that was why teachers, retired civil servants and technocrats played big roles in the politics of the past.

Today’s political parties, which took its character from the ashes of the aborted Third Republic has not clearly located itself within the recruitment process of either the Conservative or Labour Britain or the Democratic and Republicans in the United States. In simple terms, our politics, rather than being an all comers affairs in good sense is an anything goes arrangement. Any character can come from anywhere to the pinnacle of power, as far as he or she can profess the right attributes including thuggery, godfatherism, bootlicking, and occultism.

You will be demanding too much of any leader that emerges through that process if you talk of development.

Little wonder you will say many states of the federation are comatose, financially and development wise. Little wonder the biggest oil producer in Africa, is also the biggest importer of petroleum products. Little wonder countries that were far behind us at independence have since joined the big league.

The time is now that our political parties should recalibrate. The parties, rather than being objects in the hands of political office holders after helping them to power, should remain entities that groom leaders of tomorrow. By that, the parties should be in a position to discipline office holders and call them to order when they go wrong.

Why is it that the Peoples Democratic Party, which ran Nigeria for 16 years, cannot boast of a viable bank account that could sustain its staff and workers for as long as possible? It was ridiculous that some leaders of the party had to go and fish out one man they said could fund the party recently.

The APC is also in the same financial mess, even though it is the incumbent ruling party with firm control of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

The parties need to secure their financial independence so that they can serve the people in true sense.

of Bauchi. But she did not get to her destination. While the search for her was on, a kinsman who knew the family and who caught sight of the girl where she was being kept duly informed the family of their daughter’s whereabouts. Just like the Jacobs, Linda’s parents got a letter from the Shari’a commission, notifying them of their daughter’s custody and her conversion to Islam. What kind of conversion is this?

If this trend of abducting, kidnapping and putting knives on the throats of school girls who are eventually turned into unwilling child-brides not forceful conversion, then I wonder what is! Is this not an indication that there is a deliberate and tactical Islamisation of the country through this forceful conversion?

It is good that these girls have been rescued and returned to their parents, but the psychological damage may be beyond repairs. Mr. Jacob, who is Progress’ father, and who was obviously elated about his reunion with his daughter still expressed some reservations about the child’s state of health. He said, “My daughter, Progress, is fine but we are a bit worried about her condition.

She was asked to identify us as her parents and she did so by pointing at us but she did not speak to us. She only shook her head or nodded in response to questions.

There is more to this abduction of young non-Muslim girls than meets the eye. Parents should be more vigilant and chaperone their adolescent daughters as much as possible, for the times are evil. And the abductors? It is not enough for the police to say the Sharia commission has been asked to produce the abductors. They should be made to bear the consequences of their criminal acts.

Those on the Sharia commission should also be prosecuted for habouring minors without the consent of their parents. Writing letters purporting that the girls willingly converted to Islam does not exonerate them from blame.

And the police officers that were privy to the cases and did not lift a finger to help? They also should be sanctioned. Well, if a Commissioner of Police could talk the way Tijani did, then we are in trouble for there are many, Ese Orurus, Progresses, Lindas and Blessings out there in captivity, pandering to the sexual whims of these paedophiles. How can someone with Tijani’s mindset rescue them?

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lord’sday

17 reasons for PDP’s resurgence (I)

T

HE elections of March\April 2015 killed and buried the Peoples Democratic Party, as it were. But, surprisingly, it appears the then ruling party, now an opposition party, has resurrected from the dead. The party, which all had taken for a goner, is resurging in a manner that would surprise even PDP party faithful themselves. If any prophet had prophesied that PDP would still be alive and kicking by now, such a prophet would have been laughed to scorn by many right-thinking Nigerians. PDP has not only found its voice, it has fought back bravely and has put the ruling APC’s back to the wall. Wonders, they say, will never cease.

This turn of events is one of such wonders. Since the All Progressives Congress government was inaugurated on May 29th, 2015, PDP has gingerly but sure-footedly plotted its way back to reckoning. Today, it has become so bold that it issues threats and ultimatums to the ruling party! PDP is on the attack, while APC is on the retreat. PDP is on the offensive, while APC is on the defence. PDP has seized the initiative, as it were, and has become proactive, whereas APC has lost the initiative and is often issuing rejoinders and reacting to PDP attacks. APC appears jaded and worn-out while PDP bubbles with life and is full of confidence. What an irony!

Initially, it looked as if APC was going to run PDP out of town; what will the rash of tribunal verdicts that upturned many important election results won by the PDP. At a point, it was like PDP would lose Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta states and many more, including Taraba. Up to the Appeal Court, the ex-ruling party’s nose was bloodied; but dramatically at the Supreme Court level it got reprieve after reprieve, such that it has retained all those states that were hitherto shaky. David Mark and many other PDP chieftains have won their re-run elections.

Since the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari, PDP is said to have won between 70 and 80 per cent of all re-run elections.

The only significant election won by APC has been Kogi, and that because Audu Abubakar, mercifully, won the election for APC before he died. Had he died before the vote, the likelihood is that PDP would have retained the state. Even at that, the APC is in tatters over Kogi and the courts will have to pronounce on the issues involved before we can say where victory, eventually, would rest. PDP chieftains have, on the wings of its dramatic resurgence, boasted that it would win the next election in 2019. Why not, if the voters so decide; but I laugh at their fawning backslapping: Is this resurgence evidence of the people’s love and support? It is not! It is the APC that is fast depleting its once intimidating arsenal of goodwill and throwing a life-line in the way of PDP? There are 17 reasons why PDP is resurging while APC now looks “clueless and incompetent” (apologies, Lai Mohammed!)

One, Buhari’s first statement of “I am not for anybody; I am for everybody” gave him away immediately as not a party man. Bu-

kola Saraki, Yakubu Dogara and PDP read it well and wasted no time in cashing-in on it. The embarrassment that this government has suffered over the 2016 budget debacle; and the people’s loss of confidence in his ability to tackle the economy, would not have arisen if APC had put its choice candidates in control of the National Assembly instead of the rebels now controlling the place in tandem with the PDP. APC as a party lost its gait and verve and will never remain the same again. Those who thought Buhari was a party man and, therefore, party leader and waited on him learnt object lessons – like Godot, Buhari never showed up! The party, as it were, was a mere platform that some smart guys employed to achieve their political ambition. APC’s soul is already seared.

Two, Buhari’s initial appointments were perceived to be lopsided in favour of North\Muslim and against South\ Christians. The alarm that this sounded travelled far before subsequent (halfhearted?) attempts at amelioration, thus failing till now to allay the fear of North\ Muslim ascendancy under the Buhari administration and the marginalisation of the South\Christians. Three, of the four legacy parties that formed APC, Buhari is alleged to have unduly favoured his own CPC component in appointments to the chagrin of ACN, ANPP and New-PDP. Four, political observers have observed Buhari’s resolve to build his own political structures in places where he had none.

He revealed his hands too early, thereby unsettling political forces in control of such areas. It remains to be seen if the pillars he is erecting in those areas can carry the required weight and deliver the votes when the need arises.

Five, like France’s Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, Buhari is said to be up against his own “General Winter”. If care is not taken, like Napoleon, he, too, may burn his fingers and meet his Waterloo in no

distant future. Six, Buhari is fighting too many opponents at one and same time. He has opened too many war fronts simultaneously. Like Adolf Hitler discovered to his chagrin, Buhari, too, may soon discover that he is biting more than he can chew.

Seven, Buhari’s antecedents as a military dictator are beginning to dog his footsteps.

As he bares his fangs in the many battles he is waging, his methods in a civilian dispensation are beginning to resemble those of his days as a military autocrat. Hear Federal High Court judge, Yusuf Halilu, on the EFCC under Buhari: “The EFCC is a creation of the law. The court will not allow it to act as if it is above the law. It is remarkable to note that the motto of the EFCC is that nobody is above the law; yet, they are acting as if they are above the law. The EFCC Act is not superior to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The respondents in this matter have not behaved as if we are in a civilised society. They have behaved as if we are in a military dictatorship where they arrest and release at will. The respondents, I must be bold to say – the EFCC and the Army – have behaved like illiterates.”

Hear another Federal High Court judge, Okon Abang, in another EFCC corruption case which the prosecution was trying to fast-track: “The justice of the case is to give the defence ample time to study the additional proof of evidence. Though justice delayed is justice denied; justice rushed is also justice crushed”. These are indirect jabs at Buhari government’s autocratic (?) style as it fights corruption. 8. Buhari’s diplomacy to Saudi Arabia to help shore up crashing oil price is commendable; getting support for the war against terrorism is also okay. But he should avoid making Nigeria a member of the murderous Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting insurgency in Yemen. For one, this country can ill-afford setting its Shia or Shiite Muslims against the Sunnis. For another, Nigerian Chris-

tians are ever sensitive to any attempt to Islamise the country under any form or guise. Hear Professor Ben Nwabueze: “We are all against terrorism but don’t make it a religious issue. This country is not a Muslim state. He does not need to drag Nigeria into the coalition. Nigeria is not a Muslim state and that is why CAN in the North is up in arms over that”.

Nine, Buhari’s deafening silence on the wanton killings by Fulani herdsmen has embarrassed many of his die-hard supporters. Whereas the menace of the Fulani herdsmen had been on before Buhari’s ascendancy, the herdsmen appeared to have increased in boldness and audacity since their kinsman became president. And whereas Buhari had expressed his “irritation” at, and “intolerance” for, pro-Biafra agitators and the security forces have declared their resolve to crush the group, no such declaration or action had attended the herdsmen’s menace, until a few days ago when the Agriculture Minister, Audu Ogbeh, tongue in cheek, said the problem of herdsmen and grazing land would soon be a thing of the past. Hear Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State: “If President Buhari could afford to pick his phone and call the Ivorian President Alassane Quattara immediately after the attack (on foreign tourists and others by terrorists), Nigerians must ask the president why he kept mute for days over the Fulani herdsmen’s massacre of over 300 Agatu people of Benue State, the Mile 12, Lagos killings, and the wanton destruction of property, among others”.

Ten, economic and social conditions are deteriorating. Fuel queues are back; power supply had never been this terrible; additional taxes are heaped on suffering people (instead of limiting it to the super rich) and there is no money in circulation.

As Profesor Pat Utomi said, the pauperisation of the people has never been this obvious; saving money and not spending it on areas of need is obsolete economic policy. Yes, government has apologised for the crippling power outages but hear Lagos-based lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa: “The so-called apology then becomes a gratuitous insult to all Nigerians in the absence of any direct responsibility for the blackout that Nigerians are currently experiencing. Thus, a mere apology, without any concrete solution on how to improve power supply, is to rub insult on the already battered life of our people.”

Eleven, going back on campaign promises has severely hurt the integrity of this government which, everyone admits, was its unique selling point. Disputations as to whether it was Buhari, his party or campaign groups that made this or that campaign promise have finally snowballed into an open repudiation of the N5,000 promised to the unemployed, now derisively tagged “largesse” by Buhari. Can this government be trusted to keep other promises? Interestingly, it was the First Lady who first alerted the country about the coming volte-face when she pleaded with APC not to renege on the campaign promise.

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20 March, 2016

language&style

by Samson Dare 0805 500 1770 samsonadare@yahoo.co.uk

Having been paid…

S

AMPLE 1: “In a fresh charge against Metuh, the name of Anenih also came up as having being paid #21.7m from the #4oom allegedly paid to Metuh by Dasuki, different from the #260m said to have been paid to Anenih by the former NSA, as alleged by the EFCC in one of the separate sets of charges of misappropriation of arms funds preferred against Dasuki and others.”(EFCC Probe: PDP in the Eye of the Storm, the Sunday Punch, February 28, 2016) I urge readers to pay attention to the form being which occurs in the following structure: “having being paid #2.7m”. It is important to note the word having immediately preceding being. The error actually lies in the relationship between having and being.

We have repeatedly spent considerable time and space in this place addressing the difference between the forms being and been.

Today we find ourselves in a position to rehash the facts relating to this matter. The error we have noted in the structure from our sample is not different from that in the following structure: “you have being taken around.” In noting the form being, it is important to note also the form have immediately preceding it. The co-occurrence of the two breaches a significant grammatical rule.

What rule is involved here? To understand the nature of the error, we need to sketch and illustrate the two rules that are here confused. First is the rule of the perfect tense situated in the structure of the passive tense. The perfect tense is of the following nature: have/has/had plus a past participle form of the verb. Let’s read the following sentences: 1) David has written the letter. 2) The girl has spoken the truth. 3) The men have broken their promise. 4) The officers have prepared the report. 5) The boy had released the secret before the warning came. 6) The police had arrested the man before the court order was vacated.

Those are examples of the perfect tense outside the passive structure. The same grammatical principle is maintained in the context of the passive structure. In this case, the structure is of the form: have plus been, where been represents the past participle. Now read the following sentences: 1a) The company hasbought new cars (active sentence in the perfect tense) 1b) New cars have been bought by the company (passive sentence in the perfect tense). 2a) The police have arrested the criminal. (active sentence in the perfect tense) 2b) The criminal has been arrested by the police. (passive sentence in the perfect tense) 3a) That transaction has created many fraudulent loopholes. (active sentence in the perfect tense) 3b) Many fraudulent loopholes have been created by that transaction. (passive sentence in the perfect tense) 4a) The central government had constructed numerous roads. (active sentence in the perfect tense.)

4b) Numerous roads had been constructed by the central government. (passive sentence in the perfect tense) 5a) Soldiers have invaded the crisis-torn zone (active sentence in the perfect tense) 5b) The crisis-torn zone has been invaded by soldiers. (passive sentence in the perfect tense) 6a) The library has stocked over six million books. (active sentence in the perfect tense) 6b) Over six million books have been stocked by the library. (passive sentence in the perfect tense) The second rule is that of the continuous or progressive tense.

The rule is of the nature: be plus the ing form of the verb (ie is going; was singing; werewashing; are training; etc). Let’s read the following sentences: 1a) The church is planning a one-week revival programme. (active sentence in the progressive tense) 1b) A one-week revival programme is beingplanned by the church. (passive sentence in the progressive tense) 2a) The people were distributing seditious pamphlets. (active sentence in the progressive tense) 2b) Seditious pamphlets were beingdistributed by the people. (passive sentence in the progressive tense) 3a) The scientists are examining the specimen. (active sentence in the progressive tense) 3b) The specimen is being examined by the scientists. (passive sentence in the progressive tense). 4a) The girl was washing the clothes. (active sentence in the progressive tense) 4b) The clothes were being washed by the girl. (the passive sentence in the progressive tense) 5a) The musician is composing new songs. (active sentence in the progressive tense) 5b) New songs are being composed by the musician. (passive sentence in the progressive tense) 6a) The lecturer isgrading the scripts. (active sentence in the progressive tense) 6b) The scripts are being graded by the lecturer. (passive sentence in the progressive tense.)

Now let’s have more examples from another effort in this place:structures: 1a) The Boko Haram insurgents have abducted over two hundred school girls. (active sentence) 1b) Over two hun-

dred school girls have been abducted by Boko Haram insurgents. (passive sentence) 2a) Almost all the political parties have conducted primary elections. (active sentence) 2b) Primary elections have been conducted by almost all the political parties. (passive sentence) 3a) Armed robbers have taken over our cities. (active sentence) 3b) Our cities have been taken over by armed robbers. (passive sentence) 4a) Members of the National Conference had recommended fundamental changes in the constitution. (active sentence) 4b) Fundamental changes in the constitution had been recommended by members of the National Conference. (passive sentence). 5a) The police have arrested the criminal elements in the group. (active sentence). 5b) The criminal elements in the group have been arrested by the police. (passive sentence). 6a) The security agencies have addressed the issue of security challenges. (active sentence) 6b) The issue of security challenges has been addressed by the security agencies. (passive sentence) In each of the six pairs of sentences, both the active and the passive sentences are in the perfect tense: have plus the past participle. In addition, the passive sentence contains the form, been: have been, has been, and had been.

Furthermore, the form been can also occur in the following contexts: 1) You have been a wonderful host. 2) It has been an exciting experience. 3) It hasbeen some time! 4) She has been a little careless. 5) She has been somewhat unlucky in her choice of husband.

At this point we need to make a distinction between the forms been and being. The form being occurs in the context of the continuous or progressive tense within the passive structure.

That is, two conditions are absolutely essential: the progressive/ continuous tense and the passive structure. The continuous/progressive tense is marked by: a relevant be form plus the ing form of the verb. Please note the final ing in the form being.

Now let’s read the following pairs of sentences: 1a) Farmers are harvesting yams. (active sentence) 1b) Yams are being harvested by farmers. (passive sentence) 2a) We were pursuing wrong ends. (active sentence) 2b) Wrong ends were being pursued by us. (passive sentence) 3a) The girls are writing a play. (active sentence) 3b) A play is being written by the girls. (passive sentence) 4a) The engineers are building new structures. (active sentence) 4b) New structures are being built by the engineers. (passive sentence) 5a) The pioneer workers are experiencing grave challenges. (active sentence) 5b) Grave challenges are being experienced by the pioneer workers. (passive sentence) 6a) Members of the committee were discussing the matter. (active sentence) 6b) The matter was being discussed by members of the committee. (passive sentence) Please note the following segments of the passive sentences: are being; were being; was being; is being. It is mandatory for the word being to be preceded by: is, are, am, was, were.

These are known as be-forms.

The word being can also occur in the following contexts: 1) The man is being unrealistic. 2) You are just being childish. 3) The politicians are simply being dishonest.

Even in these contexts, the word being is preceded by a relevant form of be. Let’s reiterate: The word been is regularly and invariably preceded by have-forms: havebeen; has been; had been. The word being is regularly and invariably preceded by the relevant forms of be: is being; are being; am being; was being; were being.

Let’s not forget that our starting-point is the defective structure: having being. From the discussion and illustrations so far, we should know that the structure should now be: having been.

Before leaving this point, it may be expedient to illustrate the usage of the form having: 1) Having been traumatized by the death of her husband, the woman does not seem inclined to re-marry soon. 2) Havingbeen dismissed from service, the man cannot take up any other job from any government establishment. 3) His licence having been withdrawn, the surgeon cannot practise in any part of the world. 4) Having been introduced to literary studies early in his educational career, the scholar has grown to love literature with a passion. 5) Having been born into a royal family, the prince understands perfectly how feudalism works. 6) Having been trained in one of the best universities in the world, the man demonstrates a scholarship that commands respect across the globe.

The two grammatical features of interest are: have/has/had been and is/am/are/were being.

The sample should read: “having been paid #21.7m.”

Sunday Tribune

line

life

with Niyi Osundare

Random Blues Grow up, old man You’re no longer the boy in the bubble Say, grow up, old man You’re no longer the boy in the bubble Leave airy fantasies to the teenage years Spare us your pranks and endless trouble

Walk chin up and pull up your pants The ground beneath your sole is not afraid Say, walk chin up and pull up your pants The ground beneath your feet is not afraid Think of the heights which invite your gaze Don’t stoop low to eat with ants

When you dream and dream at night Act and act to build the day Yes, when you dream and dream at night Act and act to build the day There’s a debt we owe for life to be Like it or not, you have to pay

Apa lara; igunpa niyekan* Life’s intricate route is in the palm of your hand Ani, apa lara; igunpa niyekan Life’s intricate route is in the palm of your hand A road full of bends and delicate crossroads You just can’t afford to miss your stand

So, wake up, man The road is waiting Say, wake up, man The road is waiting Implacable, mysterious as once before Chattering for a while, forever brooding

*The hand is the best companion; that is, your surest help is in the strength of your arms.

41

20 March, 2016

With Rita Okonoboh rosarumese@gmail.com 08053789087

tribunechurch Stories behind

great hymns

I’d rather have Jesus I’D Rather Have Jesus is a song written by Rhea F. Miller with the tune written by George Beverly Shea. This poem, written in 1922, was left on a piano in the Shea home by Bev Shea who wanted her son to find it and change the course of his life.

The words, I’d rather have Jesus, moved George so much and spoke to him about his own aims and ambitions in life. He sat down at the piano and began singing them with a tune that seemed to fit the words. Shea’s mom heard him singing it and asked him to sing it at church the next day.

George’s life direction did change. He was offered a popular music career with NBC, but a few years later chose to become associated with evangelist Billy Graham and sang this hymn around the world.

The Lyrics I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand....

This hymn is about dedication and commitment. To follow after Jesus is costly. Matthew 16:2426 says: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?’”

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold... www.allaboutgod.com

George Shea

Sunday Tribune

Giving allowances for the unemployed will encourage laziness —Archbishop Abbe

Most Reverend Julius Olayinka Abbe is the Archbishop of the African Church of Nigeria, Ibadan province, and the Bishop of Ibadan diocese. He speaks with SEYI SOKOYA about the relationship between the African Church and the Anglican Communion, the church’s commitment to supporting government policies, among other issues. Excerpts:

H

OW has it been as a minister of God? To me, it is awesome to work as well as remain in the vineyard. The experience has been interesting and I am glad that I surrendered my life to serve the Almighty. I find fulfillment in the devotion of my time and my life to God. By the grace of God, I am the most senior serving archbishop in the hierarchy of the clergy in the African Church of Nigeria, and I have served as a bishop in various dioceses including Oka-Akoko, Ifako, Lagos Mainland, Lagos and Lagos central dioceses. I was later made an archbishop in 2015 and transferred to head Ibadan province.

What is the main focus of the African Church of Nigeria?

Our primary goal is to ensure that the congregation is eligible for the kingdom of God and we have been doing everything possible to achieve this aim through the grace of God. We will not relent in our efforts which are geared towards showing people the way of the Lord and to lead by example. We also focus on improving moral standards, especially in line with what God expects from us as Christians, because I believe that the kingdom of God is another life and we must begin from now to practice how to live when we get there.

This is why we are committed to giving all it takes to teach and lead people in the way of the Lord.

Another goal is to cater for the welfare of the people, from youths to the aged. We are also collaborating with the govern-

looks like. You will agree with me that the rate of crime in the country has reached astronomical proportions and we must all join hands to fight it.

The issue of unemployment is also worrisome and we have to quickly do something about this. God has blessed this country so much. If we face agriculture squarely, I am sure it will improve the economy and reduce unemployment. We will give support in any way we can assist the government to convince our people to embrace agriculture. People should also be diligent regarding work. The idea of living on stipends will not work. I am one of those who oppose the idea of giving allowances to the unemployed; it will make people to become lazier.

It will be better if we empower and create more opportunities for people to exhibit their skills instead of giving stipends or items. So, we will not hesitate to support the government in these areas.

Do you think the church is playing its role effectively in the fight against crime?

The church is actually playing its role and doing its best. We have committed denominations that preach the word of God undiluted, making sure that the truth gets to the people. What the congregation needs is the truth.

The Bible has also established it, that ‘once you know the truth, it shall set you free’, but there are some churches that do otherwise. However, God is the ultimate judge. ment to reduce the rate of crime in the society and the country at large. Our desire is to ensure we have a crime-free society; every-

Preaching licence: C&S threatens to relocate headquarters Pg 44

body will be happy when there is little or no crime. When this is achieved, we will also have a clearer picture of what heaven

‘Nigerian gospel music industry can be number one worldwide’ Pg 43

What is the basis for the planned merger of the dioContinues on pg44

Nigerians must cooperate with government

—Omoyele

Pg 42

42

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

With Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 08074497425

churchnews

Preaching licence: C&S threatens to relocate headquarters

By Rita Okonoboh

T

HE Chairman and Spiritual Father, Cherubim And Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Ayo Ni O, The Most Reverend (Dr) Samuel Abidoye, has called on the Kaduna State government to explore other avenues for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

He also threatened to relocate to another location should the new bill requiring religious institutions to acquire a license to preach scale through.

According to a statement made available to TribuneChurch, Abidoye, who reiterated that freedom of worship is entrenched the constitution, noted that “Kaduna’s new law will directly infringe on the nation’s constitution. If people must be licensed for religious practice in Ka-

duna, the people would be under bondage.

“The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church worldwide has been in Kaduna since 1941 and we have never had issues with both the people and the government of the state. If the government persists in making this a law, we may be forced to relocate to a more amenable location.”

While noting that it was understandable that “Shi’ites are causing problems, yet other extremists are also making governance problematic,” he stated that “the citizens’ right to worship God must be respected.”

Abidoye called for the pursuit of religious harmony and the inauguration of an inter-religious committee to broker peace and harmonious religious relationship.

He also called on government to explore other avenues for religious

tolerance and peaceful co-existence, urging re-

ligious organisations to also ensure cooperation

with the government and restrict their activities

within the confines of the law.

From right, the Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Ravened Kehinde Stephen; the Oyo State Head of Service and representative of the governor, Mr. Soji Eniola; the archbishop’s wife, Iyabo, and the Lay President, Dr Ademola Idowu, at the 54th annual synod of the church, held at the Methodist Cathedral, Agbeni, Ibadan, recently.

Only God can save the world from various afflictions —Pastor Olaiya

By Olaide Sokoya A cleric has advised everyone to make God their refuge and also remain in Him, because that is the only solution to be free from all consequences of the sins and afflictions of life.

The chairman of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Anu Adamasingba, Pastor David Olaiya, made this known during his sermon at the fifth anniversary and thanksgiving service with the theme: “My Rock, My Deliverer” of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Gbaremu Centre, Imalefalafia, Ibadan, Oyo State.

He added that: “It is true that the world is not in a good state. This is why many countries are facing one problem or the other.

All these afflictions and various ungodly things that happen these days are not peculiar to Nigeria, but we can only be delivered and set free by Jesus Christ because He has the absolute power.”

He also urged people not to nurse any fear irrespective of the challenges of life and that of the country, because God is the shield and fortress.

The event also had in attendance, two gospel artistes, Evangelists (Mrs) Rebecca Afolabi and Segun Adewole, a.k.a. Baba Kokoro, as they both thrilled and elevated the spirit of the congregation to God through their songs.

In his remarks, the presiding pastor of the church, Pastor Adebayo Olaiya, appreciated everyone that contributed to the success of the church since its birth, adding that “Ordinarily, the journey has not been easy, but God has made it easy for us. It is good to work for God and I want to urge everyone to dedicate their lives to God for fulfilled dreams. I thank God for divine protection in all ramifications of life. I also acknowledge the support of the authority of CAC Worldwide.”

From left, Prophet Jacob Adebare; Chairman, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Anu Adamasingba, Pastor David Olaiya and Presiding Pastor of CAC Gbaremu Centre, Pastor Adebayo Olaiya, during the fifth anniversary of the church held last Sunday. PHOTO: OLAIDE SOKOYA.

From left, Pastor Funso Ayinoluwa; the Chairman and Vice president, Christ the Redeemer’s School Management (CRSM), Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, represented by Pastor (Mrs) Funke Ayinoluwa; representative of the wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs Rose Oyedele; Regional Pastor in Charge of Region 21, Pastor Dele Balogun, and his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Temitope Balogun, at the first regional Redeemer’s Day, Christ the Redeemer’s School of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, recently. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU.

43 tribunechurch

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Nigerian gospel music industry can be number one worldwide —Yetunde Joyce Gospel musician, Yetunde Joyce, is an inspirational African Afrofolk singer/songwriter, On Air Personality, community project cordinator and relationship expert, based in Ireland, who was named among the most influential Africans in Ireland and Northern Ireland in 2012. She shares with RITA OKONOBOH her inspiration for preaching the gospel through music, her take on Nigeria’s prospects in the international gospel music scene, what drives her passion for charity, among other issues. Excerpts:

I

NSIGHT into background I love God, my family and music.

I grew up and schooled in Nigeria.

I was born into a family of five. My parents, Chief and Chief (Mrs) Akinribido are very hardworking, successful citizens of Nigeria. Dad retired as a bank manager and my mum retired as a chief matron; nursing was her profession.

My first degree was in Biology Education (Obafemi Awolowo University). I earned a second degree in Project Management (IBAT College, Dublin). I furthered my studies in Innovation Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, and have an M.Sc from the University College, Dublin. I am thinking of a doctorate degree as soon as my hands are a bit free.

I am happily married and looking forward to celebrate 15 years of marriage in August. I am also a mum to three royalties.

Inspiration for music I call it the God factor. At a stage, commerce was taking over music in my life.

I remember I had this particular dream over and over. It was about a person in white apparel anointing a choir and at a certain point, the hand was almost passing by without anointing my head. I was convinced it was a warning that I was neglecting my assignment; therefore I resumed choir practice and started recording songs that I wrote. Since then, I have not stopped singing and recording my songs.

Why gospel?

I get my inspiration from God. Also, I was born into a Christian family and I just love singing about someone that never changes (God). Some challenges in my life have also spurred my conviction for gospel music such as losing a whole house to fire accident in December 2013. The truth is that it is easy to swerve into secular music, but in my case, I did not compromise. I call that a huge sacrifice, which people might not understand. Above all, we should not be deceived, because there is God. Career outside music?

I am an On Air Personality (OAP) and a Community Project Coordinator.

How would you rate your support from family and friends?

The support is amazing. I am so grateful to my family and friends.

Awards for performance I recently won the Sheroes Award for Inspiring Women through Entertainment

on Saturday, September 19, 2015. I won an AfriWorld PAN 2014 award for outstanding contribution and exceptional commitment to the Irish community in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday, December 14, 2014.

The Afriworld PAN Award is yearly and power-driven by AfricaWorld TV and Newspaper which promotes top news, entertainment and lifestyle. I was named among the most influential Africans in Ireland and Northern Ireland (which is part of the United Kingdom) at Power-list Ireland Awards 2012, and awarded African Leadership Excellence Award.

Favourite song I love all my songs, although as soon as I release a new song, it becomes my favourite. Up until this moment, I have not been able to free ‘Naija4You’ from my lips since I released it on February 1, because it is very deep. ‘Naija4You’ is a verbal expression of ‘Nigeria for You’; a music story that pleads for God’s mercy and direction.

In this track, I encouraged citizens to be resilient, to be watchful and identify opportunities. Most importantly, to stand in unity and be the change we want to see in Nigeria.

What is the main message in your popular track, Unchangeable, featuring Wole Oni? As a matter of fact, I have released two new tracks after ‘Unchangeable’ in 2016; ‘Naija4You’ was released on February 1 and ‘The Love of My Life’ was released on February 13. ‘Unchangeable’ was released in August 2015 and I sang about a God who does not change. The lyrics of the song tell us the main message: “When I think of what the Lord has done, it makes me want to jump and shout for joy. When I think of what the Lord has done, it makes me know that God is unchangeable. I lift him high, I praise your name, you are unchangeable. Forever you are Lord, forever you are the same. You are unchangeable”.

So that remains the main message of the track “Unchangeable.”

You support charities in Ireland.

Have you thought of bringing your goodwill to Nigeria and what drives your charity-inspired spirit?

Passion drives my charity-inspired spirit. Yes, I support charities such as Barnados and Keep a Child in Ireland. However, I have my Global Foundation which is called Loving and Affectionate Couple. It is a part of Loving and Affectionate Family founded in June 2013. We had LAC/LAF Celebration 2015 on November 29, 2015 in Ikeja, Lagos. The first inauguration was in Ireland and then we hosted it in United Kingdom in 2014. The team did a fantastic job last year by hosting it in my home country, Nigeria.

Out of compassion, I observed a lot of people were dying in silence as a result of what I call C-Square (Conflict of Confidence), especially married couples, as the marriage institution is a journey. We currently have about 14,000 members online on our Loving and Affectionate Couple platform. We interact and mentor one another on this website. Positively, we celebrate couples on our monthly LAC Hot

It is easy to swerve into secular music, but in my case, I did not compromise.

I call that a huge sacrifice, which people might not understand. Above all, we should not be deceived, because there is God

Seat.

I also host ‘Language of Love Show’ on radio and the show discusses everything about marriage, sex, relationship, ministry, society, fashion, money, parenting and a whole lot of relevant topics. I am so thankful for this privilege.

You are described as an African Afro-folk singer/songwriter. Why? The reason I always have to add local dialect to my songs is because I want to stay true to my culture. I don’t want to just be a soul singer without emphasising my uniqueness; I have to be African.

For someone described as having a strong personality, you have a lovely voice. How do you pull it off?

Thank you for the compliment. Yes, I do not like to see unfinished project(s). Despite having a strong personality, looking after my health is very important to me and I have learnt to prioritise. So I take time out to rest when I feel exhausted as I have learnt the hard way to keep my mind as stress-free as possible because stress weakens the immune system. I maintain a happy mindset because you can’t give your audience what you do not have.

Also, singers must train their voice such as doing lip trill and running scale. I will recommend singers having personal vocal tutors if they can afford it. Altogether, that helps me to pull it off.

Do you think Nigeria has what it takes to become number one in terms of gospel music?

My opinion is absolutely yes. We have very hardworking singers and musicians in the gospel music industry as we speak.

Also, the resilience of up-and-coming artists is fantastic and that is what we need for the future of gospel music. However, we need more support from the church, community and government.

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Sunday Tribune

Nigerians must cooperate with govt —Prophet Omoyele Prophet Victor Omoyele is the General Overseer of Christ Love Family Ministry in Ibadan, Oyo State. He speaks with OLAIDE SOKOYA on the high rate of insecurity and unemployment in the country. Excerpts:

W

HAT is your view on the state of the nation?

I am not happy with all what is happening in Nigeria at the moment. Things ought to have changed for the better by now because the expectations of Nigerians were so high when we voted for this present administration. I think Nigerians are not enjoying the full dividend of democracy at present. The government should find a lasting solution to the high rate of unemployment in the nation. I can tell you that 70 per cent of Nigerian graduates are unemployed and that is the major reason crime rate is on the rise on a daily basis. The government should give youths proper attention and they should be encouraged. I discovered that Nigeria is lagging behind in terms of development compared to other countries. If not for the fact that I am a pastor, I would have been an activist, because it’s as if the government is not so serious about the future of our youths.

They should also pay more attention to the issue of Biafra agitation, because that was how Boko Haram started some years ago. The government should, as a matter of urgency, dialogue with them and stop military confrontation. I am aware that the president said that the political office holders during the last administration are already returning our stolen funds. I want the president to be bold enough to tell us the names of these people and tell Nigerians his plans concerning the recovered money.

If not for the fact that I am a pastor, I would have been an activist, because it’s as if the government is not so serious about the future of our youths

special grace of God will become a thing of the past. Nigeria is a nation that God loves so much and that is the reason the country still exists till date. We should all join hands to pray against terrorism.

What is your message for the nation?

Nigerians should continue to pray for the present administration in the country. They should cooperate with the government to move the country forward. Also, our leaders should know that the expectations of Nigerians are high. They should work hard to solve the problems that are affecting the growth of the nation. The development of this nation should be paramount to them. Our leaders should know that they will give account of their stewardship. They should have the love of the masses at heart and should not forget the good people that gave them the mandate.

Any message for the president?

Most importantly, President Buhari, as the father of the nation, should reduce all his travelling and sit down in the country to find solutions to all the pressing problems. For now, his best is not good enough because we want him to formulate programmes and policies that will transform the lives of the masses positively. I believe with prayers and hard work, Nigeria will move forward. We should all work to support the government to achieve the desired change we want in Nigeria.

With the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria, what is your advice for the youth?

My advice is that they should be productive and hardworking. They should not depend on the government for employment. They should find something to do because it is not everybody that will have the opportunity of white collar jobs. Also, they should be prayerful and have faith in God.

Tell us the success stories in the ministry so far?

To God be the glory, we have been able to record various success stories in this ministry. The Lord has used this ministry to bless a lot of people and so many miracles have taken place in this sanctuary. We just have to thank God for his greatness and love.

How can the government handle the menace of Boko Haram?

Boko Haram is a spirit of destruction. We are praying seriously against it and I believe with the effort of this present administration, the issue of Boko Haram by the

What will you say about proliferation of churches; is it a welcome development?

I think we should allow God himself to judge all those pastors that are polluting the church, but I think we still need more churches in Nigeria, because the Bible says that many are called but few are chosen.

‘Our relationship with the Anglican Communion’ Continued from pg41

ceses of the church?

The authorities of the church felt it was time for the merger to ensure easy administration and we are happy that this initiative has become a reality. The church is optimistic and preparations are in top gear for the occasion that will launch this development. The inauguration of the Ibadan province and the endorsement of the first archbishop of the province will hold on April 2. The six dioceses – Ibadan, Ikirun, Kwara, Ilorin, Ife/Osogbo and Ijesa – will form the Ibadan province, while the event will hold at the Ebenezer Cathedral, African Church, Anfani, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The church is over 100 years old, why did it take it so long to merge its dioceses?

The church is a dynamic institution and the fact remains that it has been in existence for a while. The system remained since there was no reason to change it, but it has now got to the point the authorities felt we have become strong enough to move to the next level, because this devel-

opment also has to have financial backing.

Having an archbishop has financial and administrative implications. Most importantly, it takes some time for people to really understand the system. They have to be educated about the pros and cons of the system.

Has the church met the requirements?

Definitely, the church will not make this move if it’s not convinced. We thank God that we were able to attain this stage in the system of the church. To the glory of God, we have been trying our best to move the church forward and that is why we are where we are today and with the assistance of God, we believe that the church will move to greater heights.

Some churches are currently embroiled in leadership tussles. How has the African church been able to avoid this?

There is no institution that doesn’t play politics; we even play politics in our homes too. I can tell you authoritatively that the church is well-organised and peaceful.

Over the years, the church has been do-

ing its best to do the right thing to affect people’s lives and that is one of the basis of the church. Our main core of the theology as a minister of God is evangelism and we are deeply rooted in the word of God. Why do bishops use rings aside their wedding rings?

The ring is not for fashion; it is an episcopal ring and it plays a vital role as a bishop. The significance is that as bishops, we are the bride of Christ and we are married to Christ. It usually has a sign of cross which is a symbol of Christianity. You will definitely identify an episcopal ring whenever you come across it. It comes in different ornaments either in gold or diamond, depending on choice.

What is your relationship with the Anglican Church which the African Church pulled out from?

Yes. There had been a kind of relationship, even after we pulled out of the Anglican Communion. Aside this, both churches have some things in common. We also have an interrelationship between us; we have Anglican and African Church collaboration.

45 tribunechurch

20 March, 2016

dawnofanewera

Sunday Tribune

livingword

with Most Revd J.O. Akinfenwa

By Bishop David Oyedepo Call 7747546-8; or e-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese

...But the labourers are few Continued from last week THEY stay at home and in church, and ask sinners to “come”; whereas our Lord asked us to “Go”. Surely Paul the apostle loved his son in the Lord, Timothy. But when it came to the issue of serving the Lord, this is how Paul advised his son: 2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Today, we no longer strive to ENDURE for the Cross of Christ; we only want to ENJOY. Evangelism and missions require endurance and sacrifice; so we run away!Those who would please the Lord must not run away from evangelism and missions. They must step forward and preach the Gospel. They must join the army of the Lord at this very auspicious time.They must join the army of the Lord at this time of great need. In the book of Matthew chapter 9, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke about that need: Matthew 9:35-38 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

How will you know that we still have a

huge harvest of souls that may waste away if nothing is done urgently? On Sunday morning, instead of going to church, just drive around town and check the football fields. Not yet! Before that, on Friday 2 night and Saturday night, from 10pm till about midnight, drive around town and see the crowd at night clubs and beer parlours.

These days, executive gyms open on Sunday mornings for rich people to come and keep fit. They are trying to keep their bodies fit (bodies that will soon die and decay), when their souls are perishing. On Sunday morning, if it were possible to count those who are on the Internet browsing away, or those who are watchingtelevision, the figures will alarm you. Not to talk of some religions that now holdtheir programmes on Sunday morning. Put all these together, and you will get a feeling of the magnitude of the problem of lost souls that we have on our hands. The harvest truly is plenteous; but because the labourers are few, the harvest is wasting away very fast.

May the Lord deliver His church from lukewarmness and inertia.

Lukewarmnessrefers to our bad habit of not showing appreciable enthusiasm, excitement, seriousness or conviction about our faith and the preaching of it to others.

Inertia refers to our unwillingness to act or to move so that the Gospel message can advance with us. I pray again, may God deliver us from lukewarmness and inertia, in Jesus’ name.

To be continued next week

Provoking speedy fulfilment of prophecies through kingdom advancement endeavour! (3) SINCE the month began, we have been exploring Kingdom advancement endeavour that engenders the speedy fulfilment of prophecies. Last week, we examined some benefits that accrue to us in soul winning. Inthis edition, we will look at more benefits that every genuine soulwinner is entitled to, which include: It endues us with the Spirit of glory: Every Kingdom promoter is entitled to glory.

Remember the Bible says: Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples (John 15:8) This means, “bearing much fruit” which also implies bringing souls to God’s Kingdom, glorifies Him in heaven. The Bible says: If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified (1 Peter 4:14 see also Psalms 69:9; Mark 8:38; Hebrews 13:13).

In other words, when we go out for soul winning, bearing God’s reproach, He releases His Spirit of glory that terminates every trace of shame and reproach in our lives. In addition, it is important to know that mockery, among others, is our highway to glorification. For instance, Jesus was spat on, on His way to the Cross; but today, He sits at the right hand of God. Likewise, until we endure the mockery of men, we cannot receive the impartation of

God’s Spirit of glory.

Soul winning makes nobles out of common men: The Bible says:And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD(Jeremiah 30:21; see also Psalms 102:13-16).

Every time we wholeheartedly engage in Kingdom advancement endeavour such as soul winning, God makes nobles and governors out of us. The Bible further says: Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them (Jeremiah 30:20).

That means when we are out for Jesus, it impacts on our children positively and God continually punishes our oppressors.

Soul winning, among others, guarantees healthy living:Sound health is one of the fundamental returns of soul winning. This is because every soul winner is an ambassador of Christ ordained to reconcile the world to God and the Bible says: …a faithful ambassador is health (Proverbs 13:17; see also John 15:1-2).

Soul winning entitles us to favour with God, which includes: miracle marriage and children (Proverbs 18:22; Luke 1:28).

6 warning signs your church culture is toxic

By Carey Nieuwhof

T

HE politicians win One sure sign of a toxic culture is that you have to play politics to get anything done.

You know things have gotten political in your church when decisions rarely get made the way they’re supposed to be made; most decisions happen outside of meetings or any agreed-upon process; you can’t get a yes without offering something in return; you have to continually lobby to be heard; if you’re always jockeying, lobbying and courting favour to get the right decision made, it’s a sign your organization is unhealthy.

In the local church, having to play politics to win is a sure sign there’s sin. When you do what you say you’re going to do the way you said you’re going to do it, you bring health to an organization.

What gets said publicly is different from what happened privately When there’s spin on every issue and nothing can be said publicly without ‘agreeing’ on what gets said first, things are bad. For sure, there are times where a situation is delicate and you will want to ‘agree’ on what gets said publicly to honour everyone involved, but in too many organisations few

things that get done privately can be announced the same way publicly.

And to be sure…when you’re crafting any kind of a public statement, you want to pay attention to the words you use and perhaps even find agreement on them. But the end product should never be the opposite of what actually or be different than what actually happened.

You deal with conflict by talking about people, not to people The golden rule of conflict is this: talk to the person you have an issue with, not about them.

In too many churches and organizations, the opposite is true. People talk about people rather than to them. The church should be the best organization in the world in dealing with conflict.

Often, we can be the worst. The next time you want to talk about someone (i.e. gossip), talk to them instead. If you can’t or won’t, there’s like something wrong. Pay attention to that. Want to know what’s wrong most of the time?

You’re gossiping. That’s what’s wrong.

Trying to resolve conflict by gossiping about the person you’re angry with is like trying to extinguish a fire with jet fuel. It only inflames things.

church and the community, it’s always fatal to health and growth.

The job of a leader is to raise vision high enough and urgently enough for all of us to become bigger than any of us. United, the church will always accomplish more than we will divided.

Sure, occasionally you need advice from a friend about how to approach a situation. When I’m in that situation, I try to assume the person we’re talking about will hear everything I say. Even if they don’t, the fact that they could speaks volumes.

Church fights are normal Conflict is normal. Church fights shouldn’t be. Yet so many congregations are in perpetual fighting mode. One day it’s the music. The next it’s the carpet.

The next it’s some staff member everyone ganged up on. Failure to get point #3 right above is the way churches come to see fights as normal. Another reason churches fight regularly is because personal preferences have trumped organizational mission.

Essentially, members decide that what they want is more important than what others want or the church needs to make progress.

When that happens, it essentially pits one selfish person or group against others. And when that happens, everything dissolves.

If your church is in conflict there should zero mystery as it why it isn’t growing.

There’s an entrenched ‘us’ and ‘them’ mentality The church should always be a ‘we,’ not an ‘us’ and ‘them.’

Fundamentally, being a Christian causes us to die to ourselves and rise to something bigger than ourselves. Some Christians forget that. Whether the ‘us’ and ‘them’ mentality exists between factions in your church or between your

No one takes responsibility So who’s going to fix your church? No one. Someone.

Anybody but me. As long as things are someone else’s fault, things will never get better. A final sign your church is toxic is that no one takes responsibility. Instead, people just blame everyone else.

You can blame the culture, the pastor, the leader or anybody, but until you take responsibility, things will never get better. Blame is the opposite of responsibility.

Leaders who stop the blame cycle and take responsibility have the potential to usher in real change.

But, you say…”I’m not responsible for all of it.” True. But you’re likely responsible for some of it.

Own what you can. Own all you can. If no one else does, still take responsibility. You’ll get healthier.

And if they don’t, you’ll leave and will eventually join a healthier church. Health attracts health.

Carey Nieuwhof is founding pastor of Connexus Church, Canada, and author of several best-selling books.

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20 March, 2015

Sunday Tribune

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20 March, 2015

Sunday Tribune

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20 March, 2016

children’sarena T

are hit by a small blade of metal called a “tangent”. In the piano the strings are hit by a block of wood called a hammer. The early keyboarded instruments, such as the clavichords, harpsichords and organs that were used at that time, had a much shorter keyboard than they do today. Gradually the keyboard became longer until it had the 88 notes (seven octaves plus three notes) of the modern piano.

At first the instrument was called the

Chores

I love doing

and one I hate most Students of The Fortress College, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State

Bello Ayooluwatomiwa, 15 yrs old, SS 2 The domestic work I like doing is cooking.

A Yoruba adage says “Olobe lo loko”. This means, the woman that knows how to cooks well will enjoy her husband. Being a female, it is very good to know how to cook well since I will marry one day. But, the work I hate doing is fetching water. It takes my time and energy.

Abdul-lateef Afolasade, 17 yrs old, SSS 3 I Iike cooking various foods; cooking is my hobby. I like doing it to make me perfect because I will be a wife and a mother one day. If I don’t know how to cook, how would I be a good wife and a mother to my home? I hate washing either bathroom or toilet. It is very irritating to me but I don’t have a choice than to wash it just to keep it clean.

Onanusi Odunlami, 14 yrs old, SSS 2 My best domestic work is cooking, my dad is very good at cooking. My mum also makes sure that all her children know how to cook. I also enjoy sweeping. But, I hate dusting and cleaning. By the time I am done with it, I would start sneezing heavily.

“fortepiano”. This means “loud-soft” in Italian. It was given this name because it could be played either loudly or softly, depending on how hard the note was hit.

Later this name changed to “pianoforte”.

This is normally shortened to “piano”.

The word “fortepiano” is sometimes used to describe the pianos of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In some languages, such as Russian, “fortepiano” is the normal word for a piano.

k ld ee hi w C he t of

Words From Kids

Oseghahe Francis, 12 yrs old, JSS 3 My favourite chores are sweeping and cleaning of the floor, stools, chairs and other furniture in the house. I enjoy doing it because it serves as a form of exercise to me and it makes the home furniture clean. Also, I don’t hate any domestic chores because it is what we do to maintain hygiene which prevents diseases.

Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 0807 449 7425

Brief history of piano

HE piano is a musical instrument. A normal piano has 88 keys. Pianos use the keys to move hammers that hit strings inside, making a sound.

Pianos come in two basic types: grand pianos and upright pianos.

A person who plays the piano is called a pianist.

The piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori of Padua, Italy. He made his first piano in 1709. It developed from the clavichord which looks like a piano but the strings of a clavichord

Olorunlogbon Habeebat 18 yrs old, SSS 3 I love to cook. I believe that every woman that knows how to cook is a star in her home. Cooking is the best domestic work I love to engage myself doing. But, I hate ironing clothes; I hate it with passion. I believe it is just a waste of time. I believe that without ironing of clothes, someone can still look good and nice by hanging it or folding it in a wardrobe. Some time, I pick up a newspaper. I read papers when I go home on weekends.

Sunday Tribune

Proverb

A roaring lion kills no game Meaning: You cannot achieve or gain anything by mere sitting around and just talking about it.

Omowonuola Adekemi George clocks 3

Many happy returns.

Giraffe

• The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world, with even new-born babies being taller than most humans.

• Baby giraffes can stand within half an hour and after only 10 hours can actually run alongside their family.

• Giraffes spend most of their lives standing up; they even sleep and give birth standing up.

• Giraffes only spend between 10 minutes and two hours asleep per day. They have one of the shortest sleep requirements of any mammal.

• Young giraffes hang out in nursery groups until they are around five months old, resting and playing together while their mothers forage in the distance.

• Giraffes are sociable, peaceful animals which rarely fight. Males do perform a behaviour called ‘necking’ where they will hit necks; however these encounters rarely last more than a couple of minutes and seldom result in injury.

• Just like snowflakes and human fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same spot pattern.

• Even giraffes tongues are huge. They are up to 45cm long and are specially adapted to al-

low giraffes to forage on trees that other animals would avoid, such as acacias which are very thorny.

• In New Age religion the giraffe is a symbol for intuition and flexibility.

• The name Giraffe Camelopardalis means ‘one who walks quickly, a camel marked like a leopard’.

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interview

20 March, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘We must be careful how we handle Fulani herdsmen’s issue’ If it is sudden, it will become a cultural shock and most of them will react to it. So, there has to be a lot of advocacy to mobilise people to understand that certain things have to be adjusted. The issue of meat processing also has to be looked at with the necessary requirements. We have to look at everything holistically.

continued from pg 33

know, maybe it has reached a time when people began to resort to self-help. When somebody offends, the next thing is that “let me deal with the person.” Gradually, the thing got out of hand. But under normal circumstances, if you look at the herders, most of them are young boys and there is no way they can bear arms because it will be visible.

Why then is there so much bloodshed when there is a conflict between herdsmen and farmers?

What I am saying is that if you look at people who are cattle rustlers, who come to steal cattle, cattle became their currency in the past few years now. No system of identification, no system of accountability. What you take from here you dispose of there. Finish. So, those people who come to steal will, of course, arm themselves.

I think the story is much more complex and only the security agents dealing with this matter on a daily basis will be able to tell you the bigger picture.

If cattle rustlers are responsible for the violence, how come the conflicts are against host communities and not just against cattle owners?

That’s why I said I don’t want to go into specifics, because in all the zones, we have this crisis over the past 10 years or so. From Plateau to southern Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, all of them if you notice have different problems on different occasions. It is not something that one can say it is the same issue. They may have common features; they may have common elements .But I don’t think they are all the same. I am not saying all of them are cases of cattle rustling.

Professor Alkali You say government policy seems to be focused more on arable farming to the detriment of livestock. What do you think can be done to move away from the incessant crises? Can the animals be restricted to ranches, for instance?

Everybody seems to know the answers to the problem.

It’s very difficult for me to say I have solution to the problem except to say one, we have reached a point where government has to take the issue of livestock farming even more seriously than it was. It is not all states of the federation that have this problem. Some have succeeded in having some tranquility and have no tension or open conflict as it were. I think revisiting the issue of routes, grazing reserves and zangos is very important and every Nigerian has the responsibility to support the policy in so

far as, for now, nomadic farming has not been formally abolished by government.

If the Federal Government thinks it can abolish it, then it must say the reason. You know it’s a very difficult thing.

And then, what’s the alternative? In the past, attempts were made to provide facilities for nomads, where they could obtain education, but most of them have also collapsed. So, it is very difficult. So, it is very important to revisit this issue, setting up committees to look at what has been done in the past, what is being done now and what can be done in the future. When the destruction of arable farmlands and cattle persists, it’s a minus for the economy. Government must consider creating a ministry specifically for natural resources like livestock and forestry to pay adequate attention to the sector.

There is no harm contemplating establishing cattle ranches, but the mood of the country is that government should not be involved directly. Ranches were established in the past, but were not sustained. Cattle rustling has also discouraged individuals who have ranches in the past. It means if you want to do that one, you have to do extra work of securing the places. You must get the correct feeds in good time, water, vaccines and every other thing. It is possible. You have to persuade some of these nomads to accept this adjustment over a period of time.

What role can cattle breeders associations play to mitigate these frequent crises?

Before, everybody used to be carried along in the resolution of issues like these because they know the secrets of the environment. We have to go from point to point talking to people, emphasising the need for cohabitation. It served some purpose. The only unfortunate thing is that of recent, people have trivialised and tribalised it.

Somebody will say “this is our state; we are not going to welcome any cattle rearer or any farmer.” It sounds very interesting, because when somebody claims that state belongs to him, it’s no more a state that belongs to every Nigerian. It’s very convenient to say it because maybe you are also talking to the sentiments of your local community.

But I think people have to be very much careful about creating wolves between communities, because in every state of the federation, there are citizens of other states who are there doing businesses and successful. If, for example, a certain set of the society, because they are illiterate, are just seen as a nuisance and can be disposed of, it is counterproductive. It’s like saying all the Hausa people in Mile 2 (Lagos) should move to Kano and all the Igbo people in Kano should move back to the East. That is not the language of leadership. Or one person commits an offence and that offence is translated as if it is committed by everybody in the community. We have heard it, but because of our background, most of us have resisted the temptation to go into the fray. Instead of making high inflammatory statements, it is better for leaders to show responsible leadership. Anybody who commits an offence should be tried on the basis and at the level of his offence and should not be attributed to anybody beyond that.

Without being trivial about it, the traditional Fulani man is the only local community person in this country that has an asset and does not depend on anybody. He is not seeking anything from anybody. He doesn’t require your house to sleep; he does not require your office to sit and administer; he does not require your shop to sell his cow. Even if he is selling, he is on the street in the market. He does not require anything from you, only cattle routes. He spends all his life in the bush. And he’s producing something that is required fundamentally for the country. He should not be criminalised.

‘Herdsmen threatening food security in Nigeria’ continued from pg 32

ity, and with this rampaging, destruction, armed robbery and so on by the herdsmen, virtually all the pillars of food security are being threatened in Nigeria. It is time the government acted, beyond just talking.

In the South-West, there used to be ranches such as Fashola farms and others. What can be done now?

I think we must encourage state governments to set up ranches and collect money per head of cattle, and make laws at the state level that the cattle will only be tolerated in the established government ranches. So, it can be a source of revenue generation for the states. We had Fashola Farms, I think, in the Second Republic and even until lately. Then we had Animal Husbandry Farm in Iwo Road, Ibadan, with herds of cattle. It can still be done.

Some people have this theory that the herds-

men feel that they are in power, because their kinsman is the president, and that this emboldens them...

It is a natural human reaction. The moment you believe that your man is in power and your interest is protected, such can happen. In any case, Mr President had in fact come to Oyo State before to plead with the state to stop restricting the movement of the Fulani herdsmen. That can embolden them. And then, the tardiness of the Federal Government in taking steps to curb genocide can lend some credence to such a feeling. But I want to believe that Mr President is sincere. But he should really take firm action.

Why has he not taken firm action?

I am worried myself. I only hope he is not overwhelmed by the problems of Nigeria. You are fighting corruption in one angle, power supply is going down and there is insecurity here and there. But I think preservation of human lives is a primary responsibility of government. He should address that urgently.

Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) recently said that the Nigeria was in recession. Many Nigerians are also lamenting. What do you think the country can do, which will endure, to solve its economic challenge?

You have to look at the causes. One, military intervention in politics destroyed the structure of this country and put a nail on the coffin of healthy competition between the few regions that we had then. The oil boom/oil doom came in and the profligacy on the part of the leadership completely destroyed the value system and the work ethics and brought pervasive indolence into the polity, with everybody looking for quick money and short cuts to everything. So, how do you address this? We thank God we now have democratic government, but again, we still have to restructure this country to make it more productive. In my humble opinion, I think a revisit or implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference report will, to a large extent, help us in that direction.

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Sunday Tribune

FG sets up N3bn research fund for varsities Banji Aluko -Benin City

Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara and governor, Rotary International District 9125, Dr Mike Omotosho,during the unveiling of the prototype of the world’s thickest book, “My Dream Nigeria”, written by 12,000 authors at the National Assembly, in Abuja, on Saturday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

Teenage cultist kills ex-headmistress in Edo

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HE EDO STATE Police Command in Edo State said it was on the trail of a suspected teenage cultist who allegedly shot dead a retired headmistress, Mrs Clara Uwaifo, 65, on Wednesday night.

The Police Public

Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Osifo, on Saturday disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Osifo said the late Uwaifo was on her way back from the hospital, where her daughter was delivered of a baby when she was

allegedly killed at the entrance to her house.

He said the suspect was hiding behind the gate and immediately he saw the victim enter her residence, he shot her from behind.

Osifo said that the suspect had been on the wanted list of the Nigeria Police,

as he described him as a serial killer. He promised that the suspect would be made to who face the consequence of his actions.

The police spokesman also said the force had extended its dragnet across the state in order to bring the suspect to book.

Oritsejafor advocates unity among Christians President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on Saturday called on Christians to be united in order to ensure peaceful coexistence among the people of the country.

Orisejafor made the call while inaugurating the new executive members of the Niger State chapter of CAN in Minna, the state capital.

“If there is anytime the church needs to come together, it is now. This is the time the church needs to be together,’’ he said.

He enjoined Christians to demonstrate true love in their daily lives towards ensuring peaceful coexistence of the people of the country.

The CAN president, who was represented by the association’s Director of National Issues, Elder Sunday Oibie, however, adjudged the election to be the best so far in the country.

“This is the best elections of CAN so far conducted across the country. Before now, the elections of CAN had the capacity to tear the church apart, but God in His infinite mercy has been helping us to conduct the elections without any problem.

“To avoid unnecessary petitions and court cases, we have made

it compulsory for the national body to be fully involved in all state elections,’’ he said.

He advised the new executive to embrace forgiveness and live in the love of Jesus Christ.

Similarly, Mr Albert Uko, National Legal Adviser, said “this is the most transparent election organised by CAN in the country.’’

Uko urged the new

executive to cooperate with the regional and national body for better synergy to establish enduring principles of probity and transparency in CAN. Also speaking, Reverend Mathias Echioda, new CAN Chairman in the state, called for an outburst of spiritual revival among Christians to further promote unity.

Echioda charged

Christians in the state to positively influence their domain, adding that all unnecessary barriers must be broken.

Other executive members included Reverend Father Godwin Yari as Vice Chairman, Venerable Silas Yisa Secretary, with Most Senior Apostle Raphael Opawoye as Assistant Secretary and Reverend Sani Badeh as the Treasurer.

Mother, son in prison custody over N4,000 theft Chief Judge orders release

THE Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah, on Saturday, released a middle-aged woman, Ajaratu Ibrahim, and her 14-year-old son, Muhideen Ibrahim, in prison custody over theft of N4,000.

Ajanah ordered their release during his prison decongestion visit to the Medium Security Prison, Kabara, saying the charge of criminal intimidation, house break-in and theft against them, was malicious.

Mrs Ibrahim had told the chief judge that she was summoned last Sunday morning by her employer at Ekirin-Adde in YagbaWest Local Government Area of the state to be told that thieves broke into the house on Saturday night.

She was later asked to clean up the place and on getting

there, she saw currency notes amounting to N4,000 on the floor.

She said she picked them up and reported to her employer but the lady insisted that the money was kept in her handbag.

According to Ibrahim, the employer insisted that she must have tampered with the handbag with intent to steal and could possibly have organised and led the thieves into her house the previous night.

She said she got home and narrated the story to her son, who immediately called the employer on phone to tell her that his mother was not a thief.

“My son asked her to stop calling me a thief and this led to our arrest on Monday,” she said.

The chief judge restated his stand against the use

of government machinery to intimidate innocent citizens.

“From my interaction with her and her son, the woman did not steal any money nor her conduct amount to intimidation of any person as can be seen from the FIR. “In the case of this accused, it is shown that the complainant is her mistress, who she works for at EkirinAdde.

“There is no offence of intimidation disclosed, even in the FIR against her.

“The history of stolen money in her mistress’s house seems to be a malicious allegation against her.

“The period she and her son have spent in detention so far is unjustifiable. In the circumstance of this case, I hereby release them unconditionally,” he said.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal Government has set up a N3 billion National Research Fund.

Buhari made the disclosure in Sokoto State on Saturday in a message to the Joint 32nd, 33rd and 34th convocation and 40th anniversary of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

The president, represented by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, said that the fund was set up to assist the various universities to undertake meaningful researches.

Buhari explained that such researches were aimed at solving the myriad of problems facing Nigeria currently.

The president specifically charged the nation’s universities to undertake researches in solar and other renewable energy sources.

“The universities should embrace education to solve the challenges facing the nation now.

“Universities should also be vanguards in the diversification of the nation’s revenue sources in view of the falling prices of crude oil in the world market.

“Universities should also rack their brains and come up with alternative sources of sustaining the nation’s economy,’’ Buhari said.

He further expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to continue to be alive to its responsibilities to the education sector.

Kaduna to end payroll verification in April Muhammad Sabiu -Kaduna THE Kaduna State government has said that it is targeting April 2016 to conclude its payroll verification exercise.

A government statement signed by the governor’s spokeman, Mr Samuel Aruwan and issued to newsmen on Saturday, noted that it is important to be painstaking to achieve results and restore integrity to the payroll.

The statement read: “It is in the long-term interest of all public servants and government as employer that there be no doubt regarding how many people work for the government and precisely who they are. ‘ The verification process is necessary to establish this data, and it cannot be considered conclusive until the government is reasonably satisfied that it has eliminated ghosts from the payroll and is paying only the workers that legitimately work for it.

“The process launched with the latest form is designed to furnish the personnel data that can provide the government the comfort to conclude the process by April 2016.

‘Every public servant is required to fill the forms that are being circulated. At the conclusion of compilation and analysis, the government will pronounce on staff numbers.

“Some public servants have been affected by the verification process. The governor has apologised to them, and reiterates that everything is being done to clear the hitches. Special verification exercises are being conducted to help hasten resolution for those affected.

Auchi Polytechnic shut over unrest Banji Aluko -Benin City ACADEMIC activities in Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, were on Friday grounded following protests by academic and non-academic staff unions in the institution over alleged deductions in their salaries and emoluments by the immediate past Rector of the institution, Dr. (Mrs). Phillipa Idogho.

Students of the polytechnic were asked to vacate the campus and go home as the strike embarked upon by the lecturers and the non-academic staff was not likely to end soon, leaving the higher institution technically shut as the protesting workers insisted that they will not return to work until the injustice meted out to them is corrected.

The union members barricaded the entrances to the polytechnic for several hours and shut many offices, including the administrative building.

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Woman dies as balcony collapses in Lagos Olalekan Olabulo-Lagos

A

47-year-old woman died as the balcony of a building collapsed in Mile 12 area of Lagos State on Saturday.

The balcony of the onestorey building, situated at 9, Alli Close, Mile 12, Lagos, collapsed around 8:00 a.m.

The woman was initially rescued but gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital.

Sunday Tribune gathered that the residents of

the building, which consisted of about 18 flats, had noticed “some serious cracks” on the building.

Officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and others have taken over and cordoned off the building for proper tests.

Sunday Tribune gathered that the woman was at the balcony of the collapsed building when the portion collapsed.

Officials of the Lagos State government rushed her to the hospital but only

returned with news of her death.

Some residents of the area, who spoke with the Sunday Tribune, said that the collapsed building had, before the incident, shown signs of cracks.

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Nigerian Police Force, Lagos State Ambulance Service and Lagos State Fire Service took part in the rescue operation.

Residents of the partly collapsed building have been warned by officials

of the Lagos State government to stay away from the house, pending when a test would be conducted on the building.

Ibrahim Farinloye, the spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the incident to Sunday Tribune.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Michael Akindele, also confirmed the incident and blamed the collapse on lack of maintenance of the building.

Sunday Tribune

Akpabio berates politicians over carpet-crossing SENATE Minority Leader and former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, has chided politicians who jump from one party to the other at the slightest opportunity, noting that the development was not healthy for the nation’s democracy.

Akpabio, who was the guest lecturer at the seventh convocation ceremony of the Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, stated this while delivering a lecture entitled: “Ethics and Party Switching.”

According to the former governor, “in this period of uncertainty, many have lost their ethics. That is why every day you hear of people crossing from one political party to the other. People switch parties because their involvement in their former parties was at a superficial level, not ethical level – it had no depth of conviction.”

The lawmaker further noted that, “we have too many journeymen and treasure-hunters in politics. We have many politicians, who watch the weather before they step into the murky waters of politics and set their sails.

“But what we need are politicians who are not affected by the winds of circumstances, but would set their sails the same way in bad or fair weather to arrive at the proper ethically conceived destination.”

Bombings in Borno barbaric, cruel —ACF Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said the recent twin bomb attacks at Umurari village near Molai in the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital which led to the death of 22 people was barbaric and cruel.

This was contained in a press statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna State at the weekend, and signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim.

“ACF condemns in the strong terms the continued use of female suicide bombers by Boko Haram terrorists to kill innocent people in the name of a religious war, as no religion condones such cruel and barbaric act.

‘This is an act of cowardice and wickedness on the part of the terrorists.”

Senator Anisulowo clocks 65

The site of the collapsed building. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Army to deploy more troops to Agatu communities THE Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has said that the army will adjust deployment of troops as part of measures to end the killings in Agatu communities in Benue State.

Buratai, who said this during his visit to a military tactical operational base, near Otukpo, in Benue State, expressed confidence that the mayhem would be contained.

According to him, all lo-

gistics and other requirements had been provided for the operation.

“The crisis here is unfortunate. The farmers and herdsmen fighting must not be condoned. I have heard from the command-

62 die as plane crashes in Russia A Flydubai flight FZ981 has crashed in the southern Russian city of Rostovon-Don, killing all 62 passengers and crew on board.

The flight was en route from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and crashed during its second landing approach amid poor weather conditions.

Air-traffic control and local emergency services confirmed that the Boeing 737-800 jet crashed near the runway during a second approach in conditions of poor visibility.

“According to preliminary data, the plane crashed in poor visibility conditions, some 50-100 metres left of the runway,” a source said.

A video recorded at the crash site reveals the Boeing-737-800 disintegrated on impact. Tiny pieces of the aircraft were scattered over a large part of the runway at Rostov-on-Don’s airport.

An eyewitness, Arina Kozlova, who was driving near Rostov-on-Don Airport at the time of the crash, said the blaze from the explosion was so bright it was like having dawn in the middle of the night.

CCTV camera footage posted on YouTube claims to have captured the moment of the explosion as the aircraft impacted the ground. However, its authenticity could not

be immediately verified.

LifeNews reported that citizens of Cyprus (captain), Colombia, Kirgizia, Russia, Spain and the Seychelles were among crew members.

The company confirmed that 62 people were on board.

Contact has been established with relatives of 47 out of the 55 passengers aboard the plane, the governor of the Rostov region, Vasily Golubev, reported.

The relatives of the foreign citizens that died in the crash would be granted Russian visas using a simplified procedure, Transport Minister, Maksim Sokolov, told the media.

er about the existence of criminal elements who engage in cattle rustling.

“We have observed the deployment of troops on ground; we are adjusting our troops’ deployment to take care of the flashpoints and likely areas where the criminals are hiding,” he said.

Buratai said measures had been adopted to ensure that the clashes did not reoccur and the people return to their settlements.

He, however, noted that the troops were cooperating with other security agencies to restore peace and order in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the army chief met with operation commanders on measures adopted to contain the crisis in the area.

NAN recalled that clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Agatu and environs had claimed many lives and displaced many families.

THE thanksgiving service and celebration of the 65th birthday anniversary of Senator Veronica Iyabode Anisulowo will take place tomorrow at All Saints Anglican Church, Leslie, Ilaro, Yewa, Ogun State, at 10:00 a.m.

Reception follows immediately at Asade Agunloye Pavilion, Empire Field, Ilaro, Yewa, Ogun State.

Anisulowo is a former Minister of Education and the first Yewa person to clinch a gubernatorial ticket on the platform of All Peoples Party (APP) in 1999.

She also represented Ogun West Senatorial District between 2003 and 2007.

Senator Anisulowo

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sport

SUNDAY

Sunday Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Oshoala set for Arsenal debut today DStv Basketball:

By Oluwabunmi Ajayi

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Hoopers coach laments RIVERS Hoopers on Friday were beaten 72-68 by Nigeria Customs at the indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Lagos.

After the game, Hoopers coach, Ogoh Odaudu said the game was decided by the decision made by the two teams.

“They have Baba Jubril, Zanna and Emmanuel Balogun who have been around for a very long time so they capitalised on that experience. You could see the decision making on both teams was quite different. Customs were making smart decisions while we were taking terrible decisions. It was the decision making and it all boils down to experience but I am confident we will get better as the league continues,” said Odaudu.

Some fans questioned why he lacked a Steph Curry-like player in his team but the former Islanders coach said he is not bothered about it.

“If I’m not mistaken, I had a couple of players who shot three points during the game.

Having a three-point shooter is not a factor at all, threepoint doesn’t win games it’s about how many basket you make. You can win a game without actually making one three- pointer,” said Odaudu.

He also explained why his team lost.

“Let me tell you how we lost the game. If you go back and check in the stats we missed something in the range of 15-23 throws and we lost by four points. So do you think it’s a three-point shooter that made us lose the game?

No. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, everybody coaches in his own different way. The way I coach has never let me down and I am not about to change it now.

I will keep doing what I do.”

Odaudu stated.

IGERIA international, Asisat Oshoala is set to make her debut for Arsenal Ladies today as the London side kicks off its season against Birmingham Ladies in the Women’s FA Cup. The 2015 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, last weekend completed her move from Liverpool Ladies to the Emirates and was glad to post the picture of her first training with Arsenal on her social media wall.

The former Rivers Angels striker says she is earnestly waiting for the debut game in the colours of Arsenal.

“I can’t wait for the start of the season to happen. I’m really eager for that - I just want to show what we have to the fans,” said the 2014 African Women Player of the Year.

Arsenal coach Pedro Losa said he is delighted to sign the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup’s Most Valuable Player.

“Asisat is a fantastic talent and will be a great addition to our squad. She is quick, with excellent feet and has proven she can score goals, so it’s very positive she has decided to join us,” Pedro had remarked on the arrival of the Nigerian.

Meanwhile, Arsenal Ladies will on Wednesday also kick off this year’s league campaign when they play host to Reading.

Oshoala (left) battles with a Chelsea player for ball possession.

I was made scapegoat at Sunshine Stars —Abiodun ERSTWHILE technical director of Sunshine Stars, Henry Abiodun has said his purported dismissal is a witch hunt targeted at him because “I am loyal to the past management”.

The dark skinned-coach also maintained he has yet to receive a sack letter weeks after he was reportedly fired, while also maintaining he still has a three-year contract with the club.

“This is a witch hunt because they say I am loyal to the former management. I am being made the scapegoat.

“Two weeks after I was reportedly sacked, I am yet to receive a letter to that effect. And before now I have not received any memo or query, so where is this sack coming from?

“What I know is that in December (2015) I signed a new three-year contract effective from January 2016.

“And my lawyer has advised me

to wait for their next line of action,” Abiodun said.

The former Obeya Babes handler also denied he was at loggerheads with coach Samson Unuanel, who was equally shown the exit door.

“My position is advisory, I am the ears and eyes of the management as regards technical matters, but it is not true that I did not get along with the coach,” he defended.

“Before now I have worked with Fatai Amoo and Kennedy Boboye, so why could I not work with Unuanel?”

He further disclosed that recruitment of players for the current season was not the responsibility of one person but was rather carried out by the technical committee.

“The technical committee signed the new players, it was not a oneman show. That has always been the practice at Sunshine and that has not changed,” he said.

Abiodun

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THE

Fabio Lanipekun 08050498512 lanipekunfabio@yahoo.com

Hathramani’s Cup 1956:

Africa’s number one, Aruna Quadri, in action during a recent international championship.

Victory and bad blood

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HIS is in fulfilment of my promise to tell you the full story of the Hathramani’s Cup which began and died in 1956 in Accra, Ghana. Table tennis has been a long standing sports contest between Ghana and Nigeria even before both countries gained independence from colonial Britain in 1957 and 1960 respectively.

For reasons best known to the organisers, the men’s singles event had always been more glorified than the women’s and in 1956, an Asian businessman and table tennis enthusiast resident in Accra donated a trophy to determine the best and the trophy was named after the donour, Hathramani.

At that time, any sports contest between Ghana and Nigeria was like a war and the Ghanaian team were still smarting from their 1955 demolition of Nigeria in football, 7-0! In the annual table tennis tournament, Ghana and Nigeria were at par and now that a magnificent trophy had been added, nothing would stop them from winning it, the Ghanaians boasted.

Nigeria’s preparation was thorough, as always, and with the bulk of players from the same Faji Boys Club, at Igbosere Street, Lagos, the discovery of a sensational student Mudasiru Alagbala boosted the team and he was the main hope of Nigeria.

Six players were selected to represent Nigeria – R.A.K Azeez, Ademola Adams, then a form three student at Eko Boys High School, Demola “Fireman” Ali, national champion M.B Alagbala, Victor John and a new comer into the national

Sunday Tribune

There was mild jubilation in the Nigerian camp but among Ghanaians it was catastrophy.

team, Jubril Kotun. Predictably, Ghana had the Quaye Brothers Emmanuel and O’Kine and William Darku and reports credited them of benefitting from overseas training in Europe. The Quaye Brothers were no strangers to Lagosians because Ghana’s Prsident Kwame Nkrumah sponsored them on a playing tour of West Africa, and year in year out, were regular faces at the Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, Lagos, for exhibition matches.

The main draw for the championship was player against player, nationality was not a factor, meaning that a Nigerian could be drawn to meet another Nigerian, until two finalists emerged.

When Nigeria’s fourth ranked player by Nigerian officials, Ademola Adams was picked to meet Ademola “Fireman” Ali, there was jubilation within the Nigerian circle because it would be easier for Nigeria to win the tournament with Em-

manuel Quaye out of the way, through elimination by Ademola Ali who had always beaten Quaye. Unknown to anyone else apart from himself Ademola Adams had developed a scret weapon- “very peculiar and “difficult to return chop!

While Ali thought his match against Adams would be a stroll in the park, Adams unleashed his new weapon to destroy “Fireman”, Emmanuel Quaye and Victor John and thus became the first and only winner of Hathramani’s Cup which was held at the Y.M.C.A Hall in Accra, Ghana in 1956.

Ademola Ali claimed that Nigerian Officials had told him to go easy with Adams because he always had the number of Emmanuel Quaye, that was the reason Ademola Adams beat him easily- a claim no officials could own. There was mild jubilation in the Nigerian camp but among Ghanaians it was catastrophy. In his book TEN AHEAD, the author, Femi Olugbile recaptures the gloom of Ghana over the defeat. A leading Ghanaian newspaper, reporting the event, wrote inter alia…. “The story I am going to tell you is definitely not the sort to be happy about. It a story of disappointment, failure, sorrow and heartbreak!.....

All this, you might wonder, over a mere game of table tennis. But this was no mere game. A whole nation’s expectations had been thwarted. “…. The first vital blow was struck in the very match of the day when Adams knocked off our champion, Quaye in straight sets 21-14, 21-16. The piece goes on to end on a note of virtual heart break.

“AND SO NIGERIA BESIDE RETAINING THE AZIKIWE CUP FOR THE FIFTH YEAR IN SUCCESSION, HAS TAKEN AWAY THE HATHRAMANI CUP, LEAVING US WITH THE DOUBLES TITLE. Here is saying well done to our visitors and harder work to our own players.”

All these happened 60 years ago and I vividly remember the day Ademola Adams brought the Hatramani’s Cup to his family house at Koilo Street at Isale Gangan area of Lagos Island. Holding the giant trophy which almost covered him from face to waist, Adams led jubilant youths and admirers to Igbosere Street, via Evans Street and in no time a sizeable crowd had formed. As a 14-yearold kid, I was among the exultant crowd and we really enjoyed the occasion. On a fairly disappointing note, the controversy surrounding the Adams/Ali quarterfinal match persisted for many years.

Was Ali told to lose the match to Adams or did Adams truly discover a secret weapon which he had perfected before travelling to Accra? Both men had passed on and the truth will forever remain in the realm of conjecture. But, really is it ethical for officials to instruct a player to perform below par, isn’t that a form of rigging or corruption? Yet I know of a similar incident when two Nigerian table tennis champions were to meet in the final of an All Africa Games and X was requested to lose in the final to Y. X angrily replied “over my dead body”. Watch out for the enthralling story on this page.

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Sunday Tribune

Awoniyi grabs first league goal for Frankfurt N IGERIA’S U-23 star, Taiwo Awoniyi on Friday scored his first goal for German Bundesliga 2 side, FSV Frankfurt in a 2-2 draw at FC Heidenheim.

FSV Frankfurt is 14th on the table with 29 points from 27 games.

The 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner opened the scoring in the 22nd minute to give his side a 1-0 lead when he connected Perdedaj pass inside the box.

Awoniyi, who also fea-

tured at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand was denied a second goal in the 38th minute by the timely intervention of a Heidenheim defender who cleared the danger.

The young striker, who is on loan from Liverpool till the end of the season, had before now made five appearances for Frankfurt without finding the back of the net.

The Kwara State-born lad is among the players to feature for Nigeria in Thursday’s friendly against Brazil Olympic team.

Otubanjo nets hat-trick in Austria FORMER Nigeria junior international, Yusuf Olaitan Otubanjo grabbed a hat-trick for FC BlauWeiss Linz in a 4-0 routing of Wolfsberg Amateur Club (WAC) in the Austrian Regionalliga Mitte.

Playing in front of an impressive home crowd at Linzer Stadion, the 23-year-old striker grabbed the first goal in the eighth minute following an assist from partner Sinisa Markovic, who incidentally scored the second goal of the lively encounter barely a minute to the end of the first half.

Otubanjo grabbed a sec-

ond-half brace in the 74th and 78th minute to the delight of the home fans.

The former Golden Eaglets striker has been in excellent scoring form for the Austrian side and Friday’s hat-trick took his tally to an impressive 21 goals after 19 matches.

Otubanjo, who is the top scorer in the Regionalliga Mitte, said he would not rest on his oars: “I really have to thank God for being in this great form.

“Everything is going well and I’m determined to work harder; and praying that a bigger opportunity will come my way soon.”

Awoniyi (right) struggles for ball possession during a game in Germany.

3SC pips Rivers Utd

By Olawale Olaniyan WASIU Jimoh increased his goal tally to five this season in the Nigeria Premier League as his strike gave Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) a 1-0 victory over Rivers United.

The match day seven fixture at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, lived up to its billings.

However, the visitors finished the game with 10 men following the expulsion of Ofem Inah Innah before half time.

Jimoh who became the first player to score a hattrick this season converted a spot kick awarded the Oluyole Warriors in the 40th minute for the only goal of the match. He is

now leading the goal chart with five goals.

Inah had brought down Najeem Olukokun in the box which resulted in the penalty kick, while the visitor was also issued a red card in the process.

Speaking after the match, technical adviser of 3SC, Kadiri Ikhana said the pressure is still on his team.

“I must applaud my players for today’s victory because the three points will help us move up on the table ahead of outstanding games against Enyimba and Nasarawa United at away.

“I believe we can earn good results from those matches and with the return of Ajani Ibrahim, we

would get positive results.

“The combination of Dolphins and Sharks as a team is very good and once they blend, Rivers United will be better than what we saw here today,” Ikhana said.

Rivers United coach, Stanley Eguma while speaking with Tribunesport blamed his players for being wasteful in front

CAF Champions League:

Enyimba qualifies for 2nd round ENYIMBA on Saturday qualified for the second round of the 2016 CAF Champions League.

Although Paul Aigbogun’s men were silenced

8th Splash FM marathon holds today

By Ganiyu Salman THE city of Ibadan will be agog today as the eighth edition of Splash FM Integrity Marathon Race flags off this morning at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.

The competition is being organised since 2009

by National Sports Commission (NSC) South west Zone One annually.

Dr Steve Olarinoye, the zonal coordinator, NSC Zone One, told Tribunesport that logistics have been put in place to make this year’s edition a success too.

“We are set for the marathon, some of the registered participants are here to collect their bib numbers and we have made adequate arrangement to

ensure the safety of the participants during the race.

“We have put a measure in place to ascertain the medical fitness of each participant because, be-

fore any participant can be registered, he or she must produce certified medical fitness reports from any accredited hospitals.

“Also, the safety of the marathoners during the

A cross section of participants during the past Splash FM marathon.

race remains another priority and this has been taken care of with the traffic control mechanism put in place,” Olarinoye said.

Already, some of the registered marathoners

of goal.

“If we had converted the scoring chances we had, it would have been another story. So, I blame my players for this loss,” he said.

Meanwhile, a minute’s silence was observed in honour of the former IICC Shooting Stars goalkeeper, Pa Olu Onagoruwa who died during the week.

from the northern part of the country had arrived in Ibadan when Tribunesport visited the stadium.

A number of the participants were sighted at the stadium on Saturday afternoon, to complete their participation formalities, where bib numbers were issued to them.

The 42km race which will as usual attract star prize of N600,000 was won by Harris Ismail of Plateau State last year, while Deborah Pam also from Plateau State won the women’s edition to claim N400,000.

Both athletes set new marathon records last year as Harris returned in a time of 2.39:58hrs, while Pam finished in a time of 3hrs, 3mins and 23 seconds.

2-1 at the Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium, Bujumbura – they qualified 6-2 on aggregate having completed the job in the first round.

With one leg already in the next round, Enyimba put in a great show and was rewarded in the 28th minute courtesy Ikechukwu Ibenegbu’s strike.

The Nigeria international headed in a well-tailored cross from Joseph Osadiaye to put his side ahead.

The lead was short-lived two minutes later as Shasiri Nahimana pulled one back for the hosts.

And with 25 minutes to the end of the game, the hosts snatched the winner courtesy of Laudit Mavugo with a simple tap in inside the six yard.

The two-time African champions, it will be recalled, crashed out in the second round last year when they lost 1-2 on aggregate to Smouha Sporting Club of Egypt.

The Nigerian side won the first leg 1-0 at home before the 0-2 defeat in the reverse fixture.

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Leicester increases lead by 8 points LEICESTER City moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after Riyad Mahrez’s goal saw off a stubborn Crystal Palace side.

Mahrez missed an early chance after being put clean through, but made amends when he turned in Jamie Vardy’s cross.

Damien Delaney hit the bar for Crystal Palace in injury time, but the Foxes held out to clinch another vital win.

The Eagles are into the FA Cup semi-finals but remain without a league victory since December 19.

Leicester manager, Claudio Ranieri revised his points target

EPL Table

Team 1 Leicester 2 Tottenham 3 Arsenal 4 Man City 5 West Ham 6 Man Utd 7 Stoke 8 Southampton 9 Liverpool 10 Chelsea 11 West Brom 12 Everton 13 Bournemouth 14 Watford 15 Swansea 16 Crystal Palace 17 Norwich 18 Sunderland 19 Newcastle 20 Aston Villa

P GD Pts 31 23 66 30 29 58 30 18 55 29 21 51 30 12 50 29 10 47 31 -3 46 30 8 44 28 6 44 30 4 41 30 -7 39 29 10 38 30 -9 38 30 -2 37 31 -10 34 30 -8 33 31 -22 28 29 -19 25 29 -26 24 31 -35 17

for the title this week - moving it upwards from 79 points to 82 points, which is the most that nearest rivals Tottenham can manage if they win all their remaining games.

However Spurs do, Leicester know that if they win six of their last seven fixtures - and reach 84 points - nobody can catch them.

Winning is what the Foxes are doing pretty well at the moment. Saturday’s success was their third in a row, and the way it came will surprise nobody.

Ranieri’s side have now won 13 games by a single goal this season, more than any other top-flight team.

They also have the best away record in the Premier League, with 10 wins on their travels.

They will take some shifting from the top of the table, as their fans did from Selhurst Park.

The Foxes supporters sang “we’re going to win the league” solidly for 15 minutes after the final whistle, and it took repeated announcements from the stadium announcer to persuade them to leave.

Palace certainly put plenty of effort in as they attempted to end their dismal league form they are the only club in the top four divisions without a home win in 2016.

Iwobi grabs first EPL goal

By Ganiyu Salman

A

LEX Iwobi on Saturday scored his first English Premier League goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodi-

Iwobi celebrates his goal at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Fabregas rescues point for Chelsea CESC Fabregas scored a dramatic penalty with one minute remaining as Chelsea fought back twice to draw 2-2 with West Ham at Stamford Bridge, denying the visitors the chance to move into the Premier League’s top four.

Manuel Lanzini’s magnificent strike had West Ham in front, but Fabregas scored with a free-kick just before half-time to level matters.

Slaven Bilic introduced Carroll and he converted Dimitri Payet’s pass after 61 minutes to seemingly seal victory, but Fabregas intervened with a controversial late spot-kick that was awarded for Michail Antonio’s challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

A win would have put West Ham fourth on

the table ahead of the meeting between their two closest challengers for a Champions League spot – Manchester City and Manchester United today.

Instead, they stay fifth and miss the chance to defeat Chelsea for the first time in 10 attempts at Stamford Bridge.

Fabregas’ late strike ensures Guus Hiddink’s men avoid what would have been a first defeat in 14 Premier League matches since Jose Mourinho’s sack last December after a 10-day spell that had also seen them crash out of the FA Cup and Champions League.

Loic Remy was handed just his second league start of the season in place of the suspended Diego Costa - with captain John

Sunday Tribune

Terry and Oscar also coming into the team and the forward forced Adrian to get down and save with his legs from a tight angle early on.

But it was the visitors who opened the scoring in stunning fashion after 17 minutes when persistence from Diafra Sakho – one of the visitors’ three changes – and Payet opened up space for Lanzini outside the area.

The Argentine did the rest, curling a magnificent strike past the despairing dive of Thibaut Courtois for his sixth goal of the season.

West Ham almost made it two when Sakho’s pass was brilliantly flicked on by Payet, but Aaron Cresswell’s tame finish was deflected wide by Branislav Ivanovic’s block as a key chance went begging.

Willian was just off target with a long-range free-kick at the other end as Chelsea, who had physio Jon Fearn back on the bench for the first time since the Eva Carneiro controversy, looked for a way back into the match.

son Park.

Interestingly, it was also Iwobi’s first Premier League start and 14 appearances in all since his elevation from the academy by manager, Arsene Wenger.

The Nigerian international is expected to arrive in Lagos today ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against the Pharaohs of Egypt, starting with the first leg in Kaduna on Friday, while the reverse fixture is billed for March 29 in Alexandria.

Coming on the heels of his impressive performance against FC Barcelona in the Champions League despite his team’s 1-5 aggregate loss to exit from the glamorous competition, Iwobi who made a starting line up again did not disappoint Wenger.

The youngster combined well with Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to ensure the fall of the Toffees.

Welbeck stunned the hosts with a seven-minute opener, before Iwobi doubled the lead in the 42nd minute.

“He is an intelligent boy who loves the ball. He is very passionate about the game and wants to learn. I took him to train with the first team in pre-season and liked what I saw,” Wenger said of Iwobi.

The French manager also stated that the victory at Goodison Park has restored the team’s hope of catching Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at the top of the table.

“If we didn’t win today (against Everton), we knew we were out of the title race. I am not enough of a masochist to consider ourselves out of it. We have a chance, we have a game in hand at home.

“We are not at the moment flavour of the week but if we don’t believe, nobody will do it for us. We have to fight and perform like we did in this game. Our backs were to the wall and we responded. Let’s push on like this for the rest of the season,” Wenger said.

Watford suffers another home defeat

Cesar Azpilicueta (back) celebrates with Fabregas.

WATFORD again lost before their teeming fans at Vicarage Road this season as the newly-promoted English Premier League side bowed 1-2 to Stoke City.

Nigerian international, Odion Ighalo, on the back of his goal in the win at Arsenal last weekend, was ineffective and his pairing with Troy Deeney was outshone by the attacking talents of Mark Hughes’ fabulous front four.

Watford started with plenty of confidence and Jack Butland had to deny 16goal Ighalo with a low save from the forward’s angled shot when Deeney touched him through, but then Stoke took over.

Watford’s best moves tended to come when Jose Manuel Jurado was allowed to

get up with the strike pairing of Deeney and Ighalo and their outstanding chance came from that combination on the stroke of half-time.

Ighalo took a pass into feet before turning the ball brilliantly into the path of the Spanish playmaker only for him to lean back when advancing on goal to wastefully fire over Butland’s goal.

Quique Sanchez Flores would surely have made a point of the lack of pressure on Walters at half-time. Within six minutes of the break though, Heurelho Gomes’ error gave him the platform to punish Watford again.

With four minutes left, Deeney eventually reduced the tally for the Hornets.

SIDELINES NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

20 MARCH, 2016

NO 2,038

www.tribuneonlineng.com

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Nyesom Wike and Rotimi Amaechi engaged in bitter fight in the 2015 elections. Wike won as governor of Rivers State and Amaechi as Minister. What became of those whose lives were cut short in the crossfire? If only the common man can think deeply, politicians won’t have anyone to sacrifice to further their selfish interests.

Of reminiscences and the future

W

HEN thinking or writing about our country, Nigeria, I cannot avoid going back to the past. In fact, it is memories of the past that keep me talking and writing persistently about Nigeria. It is my memories of what Nigeria used to be, and what Nigeria once promised to become, that tug at my heart and compel me to keep screaming for new efforts to make Nigeria orderly again, and to make Nigeria poised again for stability and progress in the world.

The London Olympic Games took place four years ago and the Rio Olympics comes soon. If you are like me, and if you remember a time, long ago, when Nigeria used to shine in international sports, watching the Olympics in London may have left you with a lot of sad feelings, and expecting the Rio Olympics may be making you anxious.

Sure, sports is just sports – young men and women flexing their muscles and showing off their agility. And the soul of it all is not so much in the winning as in the participating. Yet, all of us humans, when we watch international sports in which our countries are participating, eagerly expect our countries to shine at least a little. And if one’s country is one of the largest countries in the world, one’s expectations are likely to be considerably high. In population, my Nigeria is one of the largest countries in the world. In terms of medals in the London Olympics, I was not expecting my country to rank with the giants like China or Russia or the United States, but I did legitimately expect it to do better than tiny countries like Jamaica or Montenegro. Montenegro has a total population of 684,000 (probably less than the population of the Agege area of Lagos), and it managed to win one or two medals. That my country with a population of 170 million could not win any medal at all left me with a sinking feeling in my stomach – and leaves me sadly wondering what to expect in Rio. I cannot help reminiscing – sadly – about the past. When I was a little boy in primary school, our national football team went to Britain to play against some British teams. It was the first time a Nigerian team would do that. Our team lost many games, but they won a few. And the few they won were enough to make us school children wildly ecstatic. We even created beautiful childlike myths - one of which myths had it that, during the tour of Britain, the captain of our team became the

hardest football kicker in the world – and that his shots at the goal were so hard that he wounded many British goal-keepers!

You should have seen our faces as we repeated this story among us. Such things – whether truth or not – are the molders of the love of little children for their country.

Years later, in my last year in secondary school I believe, the British Commonwealth Games was held in Canada. As the Nigerian boy who was competing in the High Jump for Nigeria bounced forward to jump, one lone Nigerian voice rang over the whole stadium with the shout, “Up Nigeria”. And the Nigerian boy, hearing that shout, jumped over the bar – and won the Gold Medal for Nigeria. Well, that was our story of what happened that day. And tell-

for the country may decline further, especially in the hearts of children.

Inevitably, for me and for many Nigerians of my generation, thinking about a thing like Nigeria’s damaging deflation at the Olympics tends to lead to thinking about the general deflation of Nigeria since independence. The great tragedy of Nigeria inheres in the fact that we have gradually, and in countless ways, destroyed the mythical entity called Nigeria in a lot of Nigerian hearts. The moral quality of the leadership of our country has declined disastrously.

The decline started in the crookedness that was brought into Nigeria’s politics in 1962.

In that year, in the then Western Region, we suddenly saw the beauty of our lives being crushed by the rulers of our country. In

diranapata@yahoo.com

ing it over and over among us enlarged something in our hearts, something deeply romantic about our country.

What I am trying to say here is that a country is not merely territory, population, and resources. A country is, even more importantly, a mystical entity living robustly in the hearts of its people. A whole lot of things, including apparently inconsequential things like sports, can contribute to the building and nourishing of that mystical entity.

For Nigeria’s school children of my generation, there were a lot of things that nourished Nigeria in our hearts. Therefore, it leaves me very sad that, for Nigerian children of today, there is very little left to nourish the Nigerian mystical entity in their hearts. The kind of wretched image that Nigeria cut at the London Olympics commands the potential to denude Nigeria in many Nigerian hearts, young and old – especially the young. When a country falls so flat in international contestd, it is a sign that love for the country is weak at home. It is also an indication that love

the place of the orderliness and the pride of achievement and progress that had reigned over our Region since 1952, we were suddenly ushered into a weird new life of crooked politics, election rigging, and violent and unbridled use of power, mostly promoted by our federal rulers. Some of those of us boys and girls who were old enough to resist stood up and fought back – in the process suffering the trauma of having to destroy some of our own people and their belongings. When a military coup finally put a bitter-sweet end to the fight, most of us youths of the Western Region spontaneously rejoiced – and then, as the days and months passed, we suffered the mortification of not knowing whether we should be rejoicing or mourning.

Little did we know that these events marked the beginning of the disintegration of our country. Since then, Nigeria has gone steadily downwards, inflicting wounds that are impossible to heal on all and sundry, steadily making the masses of Nigerians poorer, and thereby steadily shrinking the mystique of Nigeria in a lot

Siasia names Osimeh, Awoniyi, 18 others for Brazil friendly

By Oluwabunmi Ajayi COACH Samson Siasia has named Wolfsburg of Germany wonder kid, Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi and 18 others as Nigeria’s Dream Team faces Brazil’s U-23 team on Thursday in an international friendly.

Osimhen who won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup adidas Golden Boot with a record 10 goals, also featured for Nigeria to win the 2015 African U-23 Nations

Cup in Senegal, while Awoniyi, also a 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner was a member of the Dream Team which won the bronze at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

Siasia also named Anderlecht forward, Ezekiel Imoh alongside experienced defender, Chizoba Amaefule for the top friendly.

Usman Mohammed and Bright Onyedikachi were dropped owing to visa issues as both players submitted their passports

late, while left back Chima Akas was left out because he travelled with Enyimba for a CAF Champions League game played on Saturday in Burundi.

Nigeria is expected to depart for Brazil via South Africa from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, later today, for the game billed for Thursday.

On arrival in Sao Paulo, the Nigerian delegation would be flown to Vitoria where they would be lodged at the Hotel Ilha Do Boi-Senac.

of hearts – all under a barbarous kleptocracy until some months ago.

Nigerians who were babies at independence, and all those born after them, have grown up in the midst of this whole mess, corruption, insensitive governance, and sheer rapacity. Naturally, what Nigeria put into this generation of its children, Nigeria is now harvesting in today’s generation of Nigerian leaders. By the last years of the 1980s, some members of the young upand-coming generation of Nigerian politicians were already saying that their fathers and senior brothers had been fools to have gone into politics and come out materially poor. Today’s Nigerian political leaders, in all parts of Nigeria, are so smart that all are coming out of politics materially very rich, and their children and junior brothers are conditioned to do even worse. That is the root of the constant deflation of Nigeria today in every sphere.

When I ponder these things, I become grateful that I belonged to the generation that saw, as youths, the better sorts of public life and public leadership. In particular, I become very grateful that I was drawn into the circle of the man who was the best and noblest member of the earlier generation – Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I will cut this short by telling a little story. In early 1980, when I was a Senator, a very senior Yoruba politician who was national leader of a political party asked me, “Why do you our young intellectuals all prefer Awolowo to the rest of us? Why do you treat him alone as father?

I too am father to you all. So, why don’t you try to find out what you can gain from the party I lead?” Politely, I answered: “Most of us Yoruba intellectuals are well informed about all Nigerian political parties, but hardly any of us truly likes what we see in any other leader than Chief Awolowoor in any other party than his party. Invitations to us to come and share wealth has little or no chance of attracting us, while Chief Awolowo’s call on us to come and make sacrifices towards building a country of opportunities for all Nigerians is irresistible to us. It is more exciting to us to be intensely engaged in searching for ways to make Nigeria prosperous and great, than to huddle with people who are busy sharing unearned wealth from our country’s coffers”.

I still dare to hope that someday, somehow, somewhere in our land, the Awolowo kind of sacrificial dedication to the welfare of our people will triumph and become the guiding light of our people’s leadership.

Results

3SC

Nigeria Premier League

1 Rivers Utd

0

EPL 0 Arsenal 2 West Ham 0 Leicester 1 Stoke City 0 Norwich 1 Aston Villa

2 2 1 2 1 0

Everton Chelsea C/Palace Watford West Brom Swansea

Pools: 1, 11, 14, 20, 21, 23, 24, 31, 32, 38, 39, 42.

Today’s matches: 4, 5, 6, 8, 47.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: sundaytribuneeditor@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 20/3/2016 MANAGING DIRECTOR/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR : SINA OLADEINDE. All Correspondence to P. O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712.