20th Septebmer, 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 2,012

SUNDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER, 2015 www.tribuneonlineng.com

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“What I will tell Papa...” pgs 9&12

Goodnight! HID dies at 99 •Buhari, Obasanjo, Saraki, Soyinka, others mourn

Her last moments •Held Ligu-Ogbodo-Adebowale family meeting at 10a.m

•Attended centenary birthday committee meeting at 1p.m •Ate pounded cocoyam with egusi soup at 2.30p.m •Went to sleep at 3p.m

pgs 3, 4,5&6

2 hidawolowo (1915-2015)

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Early callers at the Awolowo family house, Ikenne, on Saturday PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE

From left: Ogun State deputy governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga; wife of the governor, Mrs Funsho Amosun; former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Rev’d (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Dr (Mrs) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu.

Ogun State deputy governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga and wife of the governor, Mrs Funsho Amosun welcoming former President Olusegun Obasanjo while Rev’d (Mrs) Tola Oyediran looks on.

From left; Senator Femi Okurounmu; former Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Rt Rev’d (Dr) Olusina Fape.

From left; Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa; Chief Kehinde Sofola (SAN) and another guest.

From left: Ogun State deputy governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga; wife of the governor, Mrs Funsho Amosun; Rev’d (Mrs) Tola Oyediran; Chief (Mrs) Mercy Owolana and Dr (Mrs) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu.

Ogun State government delegation and Rev’d (Mrs) Tola Oyediran.

From right: Mrs Toyin Fape; Senator Okurounmu and another guest.

Chief Dapo Abiodun (left) with Rt Rev’d (Dr) Olusina Fape.

HIDAWOLOWO(1915-2015)

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Yeye HID Awolowo is dead

HE Yeye Oodua, Chief Mrs Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo is dead. She died yesterday afternoon shortly after a meal of pounded cocoyam with egusi soup at her Ikenne residence. Mama had woken up as usual at about 8a.m. and got ready for the day. By 10a.m., she hosted the monthly meeting of the Ligu-Ogbodo-Adebowale family of Ikenne Remo. She was holding court in the larger sitting room in the house when the Managing Director, African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Mr. Edward Dickson, arrived the Awolowos’ Ikenne home for a meeting of Mama HID Awolowo’s Centenary Committee and had responded warmly to Dickson’s greetings. All of Mama’s children, grandchildren and some great grand children also arrived for the meeting. While preparing for the meeting, Mama’s eldest daughter, Revd Mrs. Tola Oyediran said Mama had expressed her wish to be part of the meeting for her 100 years birthday on November 25, 2015. Shortly after the centenary celebration meeting began at the Efunyela hall, Mama was brought in and the whole family rose up honouring her with a rousing song:“ Mama o, Mama o, Mama o, Olorun da mama si fun wa…” Mama beamed with smiles, expressing gratitude to her children with prayers in Yoruba – “E kuipalemo o, eyin naa a dagba – thanks for the preparation, you will all live long.” She listened to various presentations for about five minutes before asking to be excused to go and rest for a while. After retiring to her room, she demanded for her lunch of pounded cocoyam with egusi soup. While eating, she asked one of her Personal Assistants to eat with her, but the PA said she would eat after Mama had been satisfied. Mama even commented on the beautiful slippers the PA was putting on and requested that she got one for her later. After lunch, she rested on the bed a while. But suddenly, she called out that she would like to be raised up and one of the young men who helped her up was an orphan that Mama had funded his education to Master’s level in the university. When those lifting her up saw that she was gasping for breath, they quickly sent for Revd Oyediran and Dr Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, her two surviving children. Mama stopped breathing

thereafter. Mama, who is the Yeye Oodua of Ife, was very close to the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who passed on July 29, 2015. She, however, was not aware that Ooni Sijuwade had passed on before her. Mama is survived by two children, 20 grandchildren and 34 great grand children. Mama, who was born on 25 November, 1915, has been praised by people across different walks of life and strata as a quintessential woman and mother of the nation, with reactions and calls already pouring in from around the world on the demise of the matriarchal Yeye Oodua. President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara and a leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere and an associate of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and present and former state governors have all described Mama’s death as a great loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria. Among the early callers was also a foremost Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark.

Buhari HID

mourns

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has received with immense sadness, news of the passing away of Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Dideolu Awolowo. Buhari, on behalf of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria, extended sincere commiseration to the children, grand children and great grand children of the jewel of inestimable value on the death of their famed matriarch, just a few weeks before her 100th birthday. This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on Saturday in Abuja. The statement said: “The president joins them and millions of admirers of her late, revered husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in mourning Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo, who will be long remembered and celebrated as the famous spouse and pillar of strength of the late nationalist, political leader and sage. “President Buhari believes that Chief (Mrs) Awolowo will always be honoured for the indelible legacy of very significant, behind-thescene contributions to communal, state, regional and national development which

MAMA’S LAST PHOTOGRAPH

Mama HID Awolowo with the family of Mr Olumide Oyediran on Saturday. Photo taken by one of her great grandchildren, Ayodeji Olonimoyo she has left behind. “The president prays that God will comfort Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo’s family, relatives, friends, associates and admirers, and grant them the fortitude to bear her irreparable loss. “He also prays that the Almighty will receive the late matriarch’s worthy soul and grant her eternal rest from her long, earthly service to her renowned spouse, family, community and country.” The president also condoled with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who is a sonin-law to the the Awolowos.

Our nation has lost a pre-eminent mother —Saraki

SENATE President, Bukola Saraki, said on Saturday that the demise of YeyeOodua, Chief (Mrs.) HID Awolowo amounted to the loss of a pre-eminent mother of the nation. He said: “I have been enthusiastically looking forward to making a big but surprise visit to Ikenne, Ogun State to be part of the Centenary birthday celebration of Mama H.I. D. Awolowo, knowing that she is the last woman standing among the wives and mothers who truly contributed by supporting their spouses in laying the foundation for our nation building. To think that she will not be there during the period of the celebration, which is just about two months away, makes me sad, in spite of her ripe age filled with achievements. “Mama Awolowo truly distinguished herself among her contemporaries and not only because she lived longer but because she served God and humanity to the end. Even as a nonagenarian, she kept on hosting dif-

ferent fora and contributing to ideas on the unity of the Yoruba people in particular and Nigeria in general. She was an epitome of a good wife and mother and I have no doubt that as she reunites with her darling husband, Pa Obafemi Awolowo, she would have good account to give of how far she had held forte in the absence of the late sage. “We commiserate with the Awolowo’s family on the death of their matriarch, the government and people of Ogun State and Nigeria in general. They should all take solace in the fact that Mama lived a good life. May her soul rest in peace.”

Nigeria has lost a mother —Dogara

THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, on Saturday mourned the death of Chief (Mrs) H.I.D.Awolowo, describing her as the mother of the nation even in her death . In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker condoled with the Awolowo family, people and government of Ogun state and Nigeria in general over Mama Awolowo`s death. Dogara said that the late Mrs. Awolowo was a mother to the nation and said she left a huge vacuum in our lives. He called on both Federal and Ogun state government to honour the late Chief Mrs. Awolowo by immortalising her. Dogara said she was a pious woman who was a pillar of support for her husband, the late sage, Awolowo since the days of struggle for independence till he died.

HID’s death, a pas-

sage of an icon —Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the death of Mama HID Awolowo as the passage of an icon. Obasanjo, who arrived the residence of the Awolowo in Ikenne Remo at about 7.20 p.m. was received by the deputy governor of the state, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga; wife of the governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun and the daughters of the deceased, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran and Dr (Mrs) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu. Addressing those present, Obasanjo said that Mama’s death should be celebrated, saying: “It is the passage of an icon. Normally for all of us, it should be a mixed feeling because Mama had lived a life that most of us will envy, but it doesn’t matter how long our loved ones had lived, we will still want them to remain with us. “We must thank God because Mama had lived through vicissitudes of life, but she died in peace. For her, it is a peaceful exit into the great beyond. When I heard, I had to call people on telephone because I wanted to be sure that the information was correct. Since Mama had decided to leave before her centenary celebration, we cannot query God. “Mama’s life had been a joy to many as the matriarch of the Yoruba race, having been the First Lady of the Western Region. There must not be a vacuum. Mama’s shoe is too big,what all of us will have to do is to make our feet bigger so as to enter her shoe. “We have no cause to be downcast. Mama should be celebrated. For each and every one of us, there is a lesson to learn from her death.

May her soul rest in peace,” Obasanjo said.

Mama’s death, a great loss to Yorubaland, Nigeria —Ayo Adebanjo

A leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has described the death of the matriarch of Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, as a great loss to Nigeria and the Yorubaland, saying that he received the news of the exit with shock and disappointment. Adebanjo, who is one of the associates of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, said this while speaking on the phone with our correspondent. “Mama lived a good live and she was an unflinching supporter to the husband’s cause. We knew Chief Awolowo for his greatest achievements; she gave the greatest percentage of her support. She is indeed a Mother-in-Israel. She was one of those who backed their husbands in their good cause,” he said. “Well, as a human being I was shocked, I was very disappointed but you know Mama is not a young woman. God has blessed her with long life. But however long it may be, nobody likes to lose his dear mother, somebody who has made good contribution to life and the cause of human being. It is a great loss, but nobody will say we are happy about it. She could have waited for us to celebrate her 100 years on earth, her centenary, but God’s way is the best. “Her exit, no doubt, would create a vacuum, but by the grace of God. God knows how to fill the vacuum. It will be not be easy to fill her position, there is no doubt about that.”

HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

20 September, 2015

She was a supremely intelligent woman —Mimiko

O say that I am shocked by the devastating news of the passing of Mama HID Awolowo, the Yeye Oodua and one of the most notable icons of Nigerian history at a time we are all looking forward to her centenary celebrations would be an understatement. She was a supremely intelligent, kind-hearted, loving and caring mother of the Yoruba nation. It is traditional to recognise the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as the greatest Nigerian ever, but Awo would not have been the colossus that he was if not for the pillar he had in Mama in his battles

against the forces of underdevelopment and tyranny, and in the face of unceasing persecutions following his tireless commitment to democracy and the advancement of the African cause. As the mother of the Yo-

ruba nation, Mama made invaluable contributions to the Awolowo School of progressive politics encapsulated in the social democratic mantra of Life More Abundant during and after the life time of the great sage.

She was a rallying point for all Yoruba sons and daughters irrespective of political affiliations as the co-chairman, with the late Ooni of Ife, of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), a movement dedicated to the advancement of Yoru-

Our nation has lost a pre-eminent mother —Ambode LAGOS State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, wife of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Mama Awolowo, popularly known as HID Awolowo, passed on at the age of 99 at her country home in Iken-

ne, Ogun State on Saturday shortly after a meeting. Ambode said this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, disclosing that he was one of mama’s many followers looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday, which was just two months away. The governor said Mama’s

demise at this time was painful, especially coming at a period when Nigeria was gradually enjoying democratic bliss, which her late husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo fought for till his death. “Mama would have clocked 100 on November 25 this year. It was going to be a milestone, not just for her, but for our great coun-

try. She was the matriarch of the Awolowo family, a well respected dynasty in the history of Nigeria. “Mama’s demise at this time is painful, especially coming at a period when Nigeria is gradually enjoying democratic bliss, which her late husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo fought for till his death.

worthy of emulation. She stood solidly by her husband during those trying

moments. She showed resilience when it seemed all chips were down.

Conscience of Oodua nation is gone —Fayose EKITI State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, has described the death of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs) Hannah IdowuDideolu Awolowo, as the loss of the real conscience of the Oodua nation, saying her untiring efforts at building and sustaining the unity of the Yoruba nation and ensuring its worthy pride of place within the context of Nigeria’s federal structure will be sorely missed by all. He also described the death of Mama Awolowo as the end of an era. In a condolence message in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor said Mama Awolowo not only wrote her name in gold in the history of the Yoruba race and Nigeria at large, but proved truly that behind a successful man, there must be a good woman. “The Holy Bible says he who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. That was true and real in the life of the late sage Baba Obafemi Awolowo, who found

ba cohesion, progress and advancement within the Nigerian matrix. The government and people of Ondo State commiserate with members of the Awolowo family, the Yoruba nation and all Nigerians on this irreparable loss.

a good thing in our dear Mama and called her ‘My jewel of inestimable value.’

“The good qualities of a dutiful wife and caring mother shown by Mama are

She lived a development-centred life —Wike RIVERS State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has stated that late Mama HID Awolowo lived a develop-

ment-centred life, worthy of emulation by Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity and political affiliation.

Governor Wike described the passing away of the matriarch of the Awolowo family and the co-founder

She was a role model of distinction —Amosun THE Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has described the late Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, as a role model of distinction. In a press statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Taiwo Adeoluwa, the governor described the death of the matriarch of the Awolowo family as a great loss. He however said Mama’s exit deserved celebration because her life and times were noble and golden. “This was an exemplary life that truly ran its full course,” the governor said. “Mama HID stood by her husband like the Rock of Gibraltar throughout the

tough political career of the foremost nationalist and leader of the Action Group and Unity Party of Nigeria. She was indeed a ‘jewel of inestimable value’ as was fondly described by Chief Obafemi Awolowo,” the statement said.

According to Amosun, “Nigeria has lost a role model of distinction, a highly disciplined and principled woman, a trustworthy ally and dependable politician who equally made her mark in the business world.”

She was an exemplary model —Omisore SENATOR Iyiola Omisore on Saturday described the death of HID Awolowo as the end of an era. According to him, “the news of mama’s death was indeed very a sad one. It is the end of an era; the last of our titans immediately afta Kabiyesi Ooni

Oba Okunade Sijuwade demise. I was genuinely worried for her because I know how close they were. Each time Mama saw me, Kabiyesi nko was always her greetings. She was the real jewel of inestimable value as Baba Awolowo described her. She lived well.

of the Nigerian Tribune as an irreparable loss to the entire nation. He stated that the late HID Awolowo was a pillar of support to the late nationalist Dr Obafemi Awolowo, noting that Nigerians would always have fond memories of her contributions to national development. The governor noted that the late Mama HID Awolowo was a voice of reason and a stabilising force who would be missed by the nation. Governor Wike who condoled the members of the Awolowo family and the entire nation over the death of Mama HID Awolowo, urged the nation to take solace in the fact that she lived a fulfilled life and dedicated her life to the service of the nation.

She was a blessing to her generation —Fape BISHOP of Remo Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Right Reverend Michael Olusina Fape, in his reaction stated

that, “Mama HID Awolowo lived a fulfilled life. She was a blessing to her generation. “For me, it was a great

Great loss to Christendom —Akinfenwa ARCHBISHOP of Ibadan Province and Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Anglican Communion, Bishop Joseph Olatunji Akinfenwa has described the passing on of Mama HID Awolowo as a great loss to the entire nation and the Christendom.

He said that, “though she died in peace, but the world will miss her more, especially with her great impact to the humanity. She stood for her husband even after his death. She was clever, humble and always ready to contribute to the work of God; may her soul rest in peace.”

privilege to know Mama. She was a blessing to our Episcopal ministry in the Anglican Diocese of Remo. “She opened a new chap-

ter in the life of the Anglican Diocese of Remo by being the first individual to single-handedly host the synod of Remo in 2011.

From the synod of Remo in 2011. From the Synod came the HID Awolowo Anglican Church, Sagamu. To God be the glory.”

Nigeria has lost greatest woman ever —Agoro DR Olapade Agoro, has described the death of the wife of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dideolu Hannah Awolowo as a painful exit, saying that her departure was to heaven’s glory. He added that, “She is the greatest woman ever

born into Nigeria. Mama stood for value with an extraordinary courage and was a pride to her husband, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo. However, no matter how much we loved her, whatever has a beginning must have an end. There is nothing

to be sorrowful about only that we will miss her. She lived well. I know Papa Awolowo would receive her with joy, because she kept the legacy and value he believed in. I urge all women to emulate her great virtue. Personally, I will miss her greatly.”

Sunday Tribune

She was an uncommon matriarch —Ekweremadu DEPUTY Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said on Saturday that the death of the matriarch of Awolowo family, Chief HID Awolowo amounted to the loss of an uncommon matriarch, who worked for the unity of the country. Ekweremadu, in a condolence message made available in Abuja said that news of her demise was received with shock and sadness. He said that her demise was a grievous loss to the entire nation and Africa, adding that she represented everything a mother and leader should stand for. He said: “Mama H.I.D Awolowo was an uncommon matriarch and pivot of unity. History and posterity will always be kind to the her for co-building the Awolowo brand and sustaining the unity, dignity, and political ideologies of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo dynasty. “As the leader of the Yoruba Unity Forum, she was also a rallying point for peace and unity of the Yoruba land and the nation. She was indeed a true mother and leader who exuded the complete virtues of African woman- forgiving, humble in the midst of affluence and power, and carrying herself with every sense of social grace.”

We have lost mother of Nigeria —Obey CHIEF Ebenezer ObeyFabiyi, has described the death of Mama HID as a rude shock . According to him, the death was even more painful because her centenary birthday celebration was less than two months away. “We thank God that she lived a good life, because it is certain that it was her time. “We have lost the mother of the nation. We are glad that she lived a good life and played her motherly role very well. She has done her best and I pray her soul rest in peace. “I commiserate with the Awolowo dynasty. I will miss her”.

HIDAWOLOWO (1915-2015)

20 September, 2015

She was a pillar of Christian propriety —Oshiomhole

DO State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has described the late Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo as an avatar and a “pillar of Christian propriety and fountain of humanism, who was always eager to dispense goodwill to all”. In a letter of condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr

Nigeria has lost a great mother —Akpabio FORMER governor of Akwa Ibom State and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has described the death of the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Yeye HID Awolowo as national loss, noting that Nigeria has lost a great mother and an exemplary woman. Akpabio, in a release signed by his media aide, Jackson Udom, noted that though Mama Awolowo’s death was a glorious exit, as she has served the nation as the wife of a foremost nationalist and politician and also laid good examples for womanhood, it was painful that she was only two months shy of her centenary birthday celebration, which would have helped to showcase her ideals and encourage other women across the world. The former governor, who praised Mama Awolowo’s lifetime as “memorable, exemplary and excellent,” noting that after the death of her husband decades ago, she has remained committed to his ideals and has remained a mother to all politicians irrespective of political leanings.

Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said “the Awolowo family and indeed the good people of Ogun State and Nigeria have lost a good woman, the compass of the Awolowo family, the towering figure who stood strong behind her children, an enigma who ensured that the name of Chief Obafemi Awolowo continued to ring out loud, long after his exit.

“Mama H.I.D was a pillar of Christian propriety and fountain of humanism, always eager to dispense goodwill to all who came to her. However, much as we mourn her, we believe that

she deserves to be celebrated in deserved tribute to her laudable life as a mother, devout Christian and an exemplary Nigerian. “Although Mama was advanced in age, we appreci-

A loss to the entire country —Wada KOGI state governor, Capt Idris Wada has commiserated with the

Awolowo lineage over the death of Mama Hanna Dideolu Idowu Awolowo.

A woman of courage, resilience —Gbenga Daniel MAMA Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo has been described as an innimitable personality who could only be described in superlatives. In his condolence message on the passing of the matriach of the Awolowo dynasty, Otunba Daniel said she was a woman of charm, humility, generosity, courage, resilience, industry and vision. According to the twoterm governor of Ogun State, she was so strong a personality and so magnetic impressing herself indelibly on the minds of not only her family and kinsmen but her race and the nation in general. “Kind, compassionate, strict but loving, caring and sensitive, Mama was a great humanitarian and strong believer in service to the community. Undoubtedly, she was born into a man’s world, arguably to play a man’s role”. “Mama’s support ignited the flame of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s long held visions as she was ready to spend her life side by side her husband in their patriotic, humanitarian and political dreams”. Continuing, he stressed that “Mama’s life was one

ate the depth of the grief of her children and family, knowing how affectionately close and tightly-knitted the family is. Our hearts are with the family at this difficult period.

selfless devotion as she sacrificed so much of her youth, her adult years and ultimately her life for the benefit of her people in spite of harassment, arrest and even death which were very real possibilities”. “For a woman of remarkable bravery, she surmounted all odds following

her husband and staying by him through all vicissitudes; imprisonment inclusive. “Firm but noble, full of charm, grace and beauty, her intellect combined with her unique resilience made her one of a kind. Even at almost a century old, Mama was still cheerful and as sharp as a tack”.

A message signed by the governor’s Special Adviser Media and Strategy Mr Jacob Edi, described the death as a loss to the entire country. “Mama was indeed a jewel of inestimable value not only to her immediate family but to all Nigerians. We will all miss her motherly concerns for the unity and progress of our country. Adieu mama. May God grant us the fortitude to bear the loss” the statement added

or sign of sickness. While Comrade Wabba said in are shocking response that HID Awolowo death was a great loss, Comrade Kaigama said: “It is a big loss to the entire nation. The mother of contemporary Nigeria. May her soul rest in perfect peace.” Comrade Promise Adewusi, General Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and former Deputy President of the NLC described mama as a quintessential role model and mentor of inestimable value. Adewusi said: “Oh my God, an Iroko tree has fallen, a true Nigerian Matriarch, a quintessential role model and mentor of

Mother of the Yoruba is gone —KSA KING Sunny Ade, in his reaction, said that mama lived a memorable and eventful life even at old age. “Not everybody is lucky to live her kind of life, a dutiful wife to our Sage, Baba Awolowo, who also held fort for years after Baba’s death.” “I believe God spared her life for long, so that she could continue the political life of Baba for the Yoruba race. Mama was warm and good to me each time I visited Baba Awolowo, as PMAN President and later when we performed at his birthdays.

Her death, a great loss to Nigeria —Alao-Akala FORMER governor of Oyo State, Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala has described the death of Mama Awolowo as a great

loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria, noting that she lived an exemplary life that encouraged others as a mother of the nation.

According to Alao-Akala, in statement made available to newsmen, Mama Awolowo, who is the Yeye Oodua of Ife, has been a

She lived a fruitful life —Ademowo ACCORDING to Archbishop E.A Ademowo (Dean Emeritus Church of Nigerian (Anglican Communion) and Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, “Mama Hannah Dideolu lived a

fruitful life in the service of God and humanity. She touched many lives both in society and in the Church. “She was a colossus and a woman of substance. She

stood by her husband at all times and when it was temptestuous like the rock of Gibraltar. We will miss her. May rest eternal shine upon her.”

A titan of Nigeria’s socio-political life is gone IN his own tribute to the Awolowo family, one time Transport and Aviation Minister, chief Ebenezer Babatope, an Awoist said,”Iam short of words to describe my exact feelings now about death of

Mama HID Awolowo”. “Mama was a Woman who gave her best to her Darling husband Awo, her Country Nigeria and to Humanity. Mama lived a full Christian life with love and affection to all Mortals. We

will miss her. Mama Awo defended the political legacies of her Husband to the very end of her life”. “A titan of Nigerias Socio political life is no more, Erin Wooooooooooo, adieu mama.”

the end on her sweat and hard work NOT on corruption and stolen public wealth which sadly is the norm in Nigeria today among some statesmen and their wives. “Both Mama and Papa Awolowo respected dignity of labour for Nigeria, Africa and humanity. Africa has indeed lost a role model for womenhood, family, humility, hard work and love of “inestimable value”. Labour will definitely miss Mama as much as we have missed Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was a labour champion both in words and deeds while alive.” Also, the Textile Union

Workers(TUW) has said late Mama HID Awolowo was a role model for womenhood, family, humility, hard work and love of “inestimable value” when she was alive. This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna Saturday and signed by the General Secretary, comrade Issa Aremu. ‘Just like her respected great nationalist statesman, husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo lived to the end on her sweat and hard work NOT on corruption and stolen public wealth which sadly is the norm in Nigeria today.

NLC, TUC, SSANU, NUTGTWN, TUW grieve Reactions trailed mama HID Awolowo’s death from the Labour sector as the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, General Secretary of Textile Workers and former Vice President of NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu as well as the General Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and former Deputy President of the NLC, Comrade Promise Adewusi, expressed shock at her death; though at old age but without any prior news

Sunday Tribune

inestimable value has gone home! Mam HID rest in the bosom of The Lord whom you faithfully served. Your place in the political and social firmament of Nigeria shall be difficult to fill but we take solace in the knowledge that you lived a good and fulfilled life.” Africa has lost a role model for womenhood Issa Aremu Comrade Issa Aremu, General Secretary, National Union of Textile and Garment Workers (NUTGTWN) and former Vice President NLC said not only Nigeria but Africa has indeed lost a role model for womenhood. He said: “Mama HID Awolowo just like her respected great nationalist statesman, husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo lived to

rallying point for politicians across all political parties and a quintessential leader that provided direction for the Yoruba race. Alao-Akala stated that through her excellent leadership qualities, not only has Mama helped to galvanise the agenda for Nigeria’s progress and unity, she has solidly upheld the qualities and ideals of Papa Obafemi Awolowo, several years after his demise. “May the Lord grant repose to Mama’s soul; she will be missed by us all,” Alao-Akala said.

She was a pillar of peace —Adefarati DEACONESS Adetutu Adefarati, in her reaction, said that, “Mama HID has been a pillar of peace not only for the Yoruba race, but Nigeria as a whole, her efforts after the demise of her husband to propagate peace within the country and all the political divide will never be forgotten. No doubt, she lived as a virtuous woman and a ready made model for womanhood aspiring to keep both home and the public life intact. In fact, she was an embodiment of peace, her place in the political history of the country and nation building will remain evergreen. Inspite of all the challenges faced by her home. Nigeria has lost another gem whose position will be difficult to fill. I condone with the family and entire country at this period of Nation building. This is another sad news.

HIDAWOLOWO(1915-2015)

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

She was the mother of the nation —Mark

MMEDIATE past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, on Saturday described the demise of Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo as the loss of a dependable mother who stood as a dependable pillar when it mattered. Mark, in a condolence message to the family of the Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the government and people of Ogun State and Nigerians at large said that the demise of Chief (Mrs) H.I.D.Awolowo was painful. Mark noted that the late HID was a dependable and an ideal mother of Nigeria, adding that she consistently stood up to offer useful guidance to Nigerians especially during trying times. Mark said: “Our Mama

We pray Nigeria remains true to her motherly vision —CAN ARCHBISHOP Magnus Atilade, South West Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in his reaction, stated that “she was a dear mother to all of us, from our days a Ibadan Grammar School with her son, Wole, when we would stop at her house and she would prepare meals for us and when we were leaving, she would give us provisions to take back. “I pray that the Lord give the family the fortitude to bear the loss and may God fill her role in the family and the nation will be filled.” “She was a virtuous woman all her life and she was the pillar behind Chief Obafemi Awolowo and even after Baba left, she held the fort till the last minute. We pray God gives the family the fortitude to bear the loss and the nation will remain true to her vision as a mother. Once again, I pray that her soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

(Mrs. Awolowo) was always there for us. At several challenging times, she never denied or shied away from offering tangible advice. Her counsel always

sense of wisdom and humour. She has left a big shoe that would be difficult to fill.” Mark stated that it was necessary for both the gov-

ernment of Ogun state and the Federal Government to immortalize the Matriarch for her immesurable contributions to Nigeria’s development.

He also prayed that God will grant the immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss, while also praying God to grant her eternal rest.

The Lord said if you walk in His ways, He would carry you to gray hairs gracefully. She was blessed. Mama’s life

was a lesson to all that when you build your foundation on God, you will “mount up with wings like eagles.”

An era has ended —Oyinlola FORMER Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has declared that Mama HID Awolowo lived a life of love and service and described her death as the end of an era. In a statement issued by him on Saturday, Prince Oyinlola, who described HID Awolowo as the mother of the nation said her death has made the nation poorer. “The exit of Mama HID Awolowo at almost 100 years old is a great blow to all of us who took her as our mother. It, in significant terms, effectively ended an era in the politics of Nigeria and, in particular, of Yorubaland. “She lived a life of love and of commitment to the ideals of service to God and humanity. We were all look-

ing forward to her centenary celebrations in two months time but God had other plans. At almost 100 years,

she remained mentally alert throughout. The gift of longevity is not given to many. Only very few are so blessed.

She was unmatchable —Osoba A former governor of Ogun State and die-hard Awoist, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has described as unfortunate, the death of HID at a time he and other Awoists were looking forward to her 100th birthday. Speaking with Sunday Tribune on telephone, Osoba said he was already looking forward to savouring another of HID’s culinary delight, as he did during the times of Awo, at her centennial birthday only for death to snatch her yesterday. “It is unfortunate that we

were all looking forward to her 100th birthday in November, when I had thought I would have the opportunity of tasting her meals which she used to serve us when Papa was alive. “I had thought that, by the grace of God, she would make 100. But we thank God for her life. She was alert and at the best of her

faculty until she died. We thank God for that. “Papa (Awo) made her the head of the house and Papa demonstrated this by making Mama to sit at the head of the dining table. The head of the table was reserved for Mama and Papa sat at the right hand side of Mama. That was how much Mama stood by Papa. She was un-

THE Yoruba Unity Forum has described the passing of the Yeye Oodua, Chief Mrs HID Awolowo, as shocking. In a press statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr Kunle Olajide, it said: “the Yoruba Unity

Forum received with shock, the news of the passing onto glory of the grand Matriarch of the Obafemi Awolowo dynasty, Yeye Oodua, Chief Mrs HID Awolowo. “The news coming barely two months to mama’s centenary birthday is very sad-

FORMER Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George,

dening. “ Mama was a devoted co-traveller with her husband the sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo during the struggle for Nigeria’s independence. She remains steadfast and committed to all the political struggles of

She was Awo’s political associate —Farounbi Ambassador Yemi farounbi described the death of Mama HID Awolowo as a great loss to the nation. “YEYE Oba was a faithful wife to Baba. She later became his political associate because of her qualities. This is the major reason she became the rallying point for the Yoruba and Nigeria generally. You hardly visited Baba Awolowo without exchang-

been created by her demise and that source of unity for all, be it political, social or at the family level has gone”, he stated. We cannot help but recall her ability to keep together and sustain the family and business of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. She was a rare courage and mother”, he added. Uduaghan prayed God Almighty to grant the family and Nigerians in general the fortitude to bear the loss.

ing greetings with Mama majorly because of her warm disposition to everybody.

The truth is that she lived a unique life for her race. This is one difficult gap to fill.

A woman of substance —NUJ

THE Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State council, received with shock the glorious transition of the wife of the late sage and Yeye Oodua, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, today. Mama as we fondly called her was a woman of substance, a successful entrepreneur, caring mother and a pillar of support. Mama actually measured up to her description by her husband, Papa 0bafemi Awolowo, as “ a jewel of inestimable value”. Mama HID Awolowo kept the faith as she faithfully stuck to the ideals and principles that made her husband outstanding in the nation’s political landscape several years after his death. We condole with the entire Awolowo family, friends and associates of Papa Oba-

matchable. “What Papa Awo did taught all of us, who were with him, great lessons about how we must respect our wives. Papa said Mama was no longer a wife but his mother. He taught us to see our wives not as wives but our mothers. We are going to greatly miss her,” Osoba said.

Irreparable loss to Yoruba, Nigeria —Bode George on Saturday mourned the death of the matriarch of Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Didelolu

She lived a fulfilled life —YUF

...A rallying point for all —Uduaghan THE immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday extended his condolences to the Awolowo family over the death of the matriarch, Mama HID Awolowo describing her death as a big loss. He said that the death of Mama which came as a shock will definitely create a vacuum that would be had to fill, socially and politically. “Mama has been a rallying point for all. A void has

saved our nation from the precipice. “Unarguably, we will miss her wise counsel, honesty, unwavering commitment to the ideals of nation hood,

femi Awolowo, the management and staff of the African Newspaper’s of Nigeria plc, publishers of Tribune titles and the entire Yoruba nation on this great loss. May the almighty God give us the fortitude to bear her demise and grant Mama’s soul eternal rest.

the sage till the end. “Mama lived a very fruitful life in the service of God and humanity. Mama, with the late Ooni of Ife, founded the Yoruba Unity Forum, a non politically partisan umbrella organisation for all Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide. May her soul rest in perfect peace.” Similarly, the pan-Yoruba movement, Afenifere, said mama’s transition coming on the heels of the passing of the Ooni of Ife and the Olu of Warri has bestowed the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, with great receptions in the land of the ancestors. “Our matriarch has gone to join our patriarch after holding the forte for 28 years. Preceded by the Ooni of Ife and Olu of Warri, Papa is having a season of great receptions.

Awolowo, saying it was an irreparable loss to the country “and a collective diminution of the Yoruba race.” Chief George, who is the Atona of Yorubaland, said this in a statement titled: “Passage of an Icon,” which he made available to the Sunday Tribune. According the politician, who said the late HID had paid her dues and her cause was fulfilled, declared that the deceased had now entered the pantheon of unforgettable icons like Moremi, Queen Amina, Efunsetan Aniwura and Madam Tinubu. Speaking further, George described mama as a mother- in- Israel, a superlative patriot, a shining gem and an authentic jewel of inestimable value who walked through the valleys and mountains of life with dignity and with unshakable faith in the will of God. “She stood with her husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo with poise and defiant consistency. She never buckled nor faltered even in the face of the harshest challenges of life.

Sagay, others mourn too IN the spirit of mourning, a legal luminary and human rights activist, Professor Itsay Sagay, described Mama HID as someone who touched many lives while on earth like her husband. “What is important in life is not what name a man is called but the difference his being alive makes to the world around him. Mama you came and, just like your great husband, you made a formidable impact to your

generation. You will forever be remembered for motherhood. Similarly, a Professor of Educational Management and former Director of Academic Planning and Quality Control at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State, Oyetunde Awoyele, expressed shock at the passing of the Yeye Oodua. “Though expected at her age, it’s shocking all the

same she remained an institution, a rallying point of unity, & a great mother of all. H I D is gone. When comes another one? May her soul rest in perfect peace A Lagos-based lawyer, Fred Agbaje, described her as a complete woman both as dutiful wife, mother and a business woman. “Her supporting legacies to her late politician titan husband will ever remain evergreen in our minds.”

tribute

By Abiodun Awolaja

HIS is not a season of mourning. No. Perish the thought. Not just because death is the end of all flesh, what the Bard of Avon brands a necessary end. Certainly, death of war is what claims the soldier, and death of water, the swimmer in the belly of the waters. This moment, however, though the tears are flowing, they are tears of gratitude to the Almighty and Sustainer of Life. For a performance ended in grand style, a song well received, a carving well sculpted and a dance well finished on this stage of human contentions. A mighty fire is no longer glowing, but ashes cover its face, and from here newer and brighter fires are burning.

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

HID Awolowo: 1915 - 2015

Was it shock or was it bewilderment? Let us not try, too quickly, to capture the mood of the nation when news broke of the passing of the Yeye Oodua, Chief (Dr) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), on Saturday, two months before the drums were to be rolled out for her centenary celebrations. How the nation prepared! But the music has changed. From celebration of life to that of transition. But it is still a glorious change, because Mama is going home with full assurances of fond memories and of …And so we roll out the drums… Wife of the greatest ever Nigerian leader and arguably the nation’s most revered woman, HID, chair of the board of Nigeria’s oldest privately owned newspaper, Nige-

rian Tribune, and its sister publications, has been said to have many things in common with Katharine Graham, the late Chairman of the Washington Post Company, parent Company of the Washington Post and Newsweek Magazine, though they were born two years apart, HID in 1915 and Graham in 1917. They both chaired the Board of influential national newspapers. Graham’s personal history won the Pulitzer in the Biography and Autobiography category and H.I.D’s Memoir of the Jewel is strewn with nuggets, a mine of rare information whose gold medal for candour, credibility and readability was never in doubt. Her maternal grandmother, Erelu Adebowale Oyesile. Omo Alade Ijagba, Omo Arojojoye, Omo

Erungben), belonged to the Ijagba Ruling House, Sagamu. Her paternal grandmother, Sadeke, belonged to the Obara Ruling House in Ikenne. Her paternal grandfather belonged to Owogbagbe Royal Family of the Liyangu Akarigbo, Sagamu. It was on November 25, 1915 that Deaconess Elizabeth Oyesile had a golden triumph. She and her husband, Chief Moses Odugbemi Adelana, had endured years of agony, burying six previous seed with their own hands, for death gave no quarter and sorrow no reprieve. So would this one be another sadist “coming for the first and the repeated time?” Time soon perished all fears, and the Yeye Oodua started school at Saint Saviour’s (Anglican) School, Ikenne, her hometown, in 1921. She was also at Saint Peter’s School, Faji, Lagos, in 1928, and later Methodist Girls’ High School, Lagos, from 1929 to 1933. HID returned to Ikenne in 1933 and taught at her old school, but the pull of commerce proved too strong. In any case, she was already a successful woman, even while in Lagos. And then Awo came calling, unmoved by her dismissal of his epistles. For, recall, Continues on pg8

tribute

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Fare thee well, Yeye Oodua! Continued from pg7

young men wooed their beaus through letters in those days. After three years of courtship, precisely on her 22nd birthday, HID said a mighty “I do” to Obafemi in 1937. In January 1939, a bundle of joy arrived and was christened Olusegun, with his siblings coming in quick succession. Awo went to England to become lawyer, and HID, who had given up trading at Awo’s request, returned to her love and catered for her three children, and the fourth who soon arrived, and even sent money to her husband in England. And so often were the occasions when Awo was cash-strapped in England. Dideolu Stores Limited and Ligu Distribution Services Ltd were quickly established, and Awo went on to serve the nation as Minister of Local Government and Leader of the Western Regional Government in 1953, becoming Premier of Western Region in 1954, making inerasable records. When Awo vacated the Premiership in 1959 to serve the House of Representatives as Leader of the opposition, moles in his camp beamed their true colours and a commission of inquiry, set up by the federal authorities to rubbish his tenure as Premier, wrote a predictable report. Awo’s movement was curtailed and it was just a matter of time before a treasonable felony charge was preferred against him. Olusegun, now a Cambridge University graduate was on his way to Lagos from Ibadan to attend the trial of his father when death came calling. This was the time when HID’s reputation for uncommon courage was made, for she ploughed on despite the imprisonment of her husband and the loss of her first born. And between 1966, when Awo was set free by General Yakubu Gowon and 1979 when the Second Republic took off, HID took active parts in progressive politics, and many would still remember her as the originator of the Broom Symbol, now associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Nigerian politics, a fact she was to affirm in 2011 when the need arose to set the records straight. As in 1979 when the then Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo foreclosed Awo’s chances by claiming that the best candidate might not win, the 1983 general election was controversial. It was perceived by many commentators, including the Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, to have been one of the most massively rigged elections prior to that time. The progressive movement was greatly shaken, and Awo warned of the dangers ahead, but the warmth and comfort of a loving wife were always going to encourage him to move on. Perhaps naturally, HID received countless honours. She was honoured by the Agbeni Methodist Church Cathedral and Saint Saviour’s Church, Ikenne, and was Matron of the Agbeni Youths Progressive Association

From celebration of life to that of transition. But it is still a glorious change, because Mama is going home with full assurances of fond memories …And so we roll out the drums.

in 1945, being named Founder and Life Matron in 1995. There were other titles: Matron of the Agbeni Methodist Church Wesley Group and the First Ibadan Company of the Boys Brigade, Life Chief Matron of the Remo Battalion of the same Brigade, Otun Iyalode of Saint Saviour’s Church, Ikenne, Life Matron of Saint Saviour’s Church Choir, Asiwaju Obinrin Onigbagbo of Remo Land (CAN), National Mother of Christ’s Little Bank of Nigeria; President, Men and Women Auxiliary and Diocesan Mother of Remo Diocese (Anglican Communion) and member of Remo Diocesan Synod and the Provincial Synod. She built the Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Anglican Church, Ikeime-Remo, in honour of her husband in March 1990. She was Chairman of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, founding member of the Council of Women Societies, now the National Council of Women’s Societies, and recipient of the Special Merit Awards by the Ikenne Development Association and Remo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agricul-

ture. She was Matron, National Association of Nigeria Women in Business, Ogun State chapter, Grand Matron of Remo Country Club, Grand Matron of Egbe Akekoo Ede ati Asa Yoruba (MGHS), Life Maron, Ikenne Social Circle and Life Matron of Y.W.C.A., Ibadan; Mojibade of Ikenne. The late Ooni of Ife, HRM Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, conferred on her, in 1980, the title of Yeyeoba of Ife and, in 2004, Yeye Oodua. HID received three Honorary Doctorates Doctor in Civil Law (D.C.L.) from the Obafemi Awolowo University (1989), Doctor of Letters (D.Litt), awarded by the Ogun State University (now renamed Olabisi Onabanjo Univer-

sity) 1997; another Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) conferred on her by the University of Calabar, in 2001. She is also an Honorary Fellow of Yaba College of Technology, 2001, while the Federal Government conferred on her the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger in 2003. HID built a block of classrooms in the Obafemi Awolwoo Health Sciences Department of the Olabisi Onabanjo Univesity, Ikenne-Remo, donated a bus to her old School, Methodist Girl’s High School, Lagos, in 1974, among others. Dideolu Specialist Hospital was built and named in her honour by Awo to mark her 70th birthday in 1985. Not many people would forget HID’s generosity and dexterity in the kitchen. It was a sin not to eat at the Awolowos’ home. Indeed, during the detention of her husband in Lagos, she bought a canoe with which she used to go to Epe to buy foodstuff to entertain the political associates, family members and ordinary Nigerians who thronged the detention centre to show solidarity with the national figure. HID’s memory was razor-sharp, even as she neared a century. In October 2012, she told the Nigerian Tribune of her love for Sheila Solarin, widow of the late human rights activist, educationist and social crusader, Dr Tai Solarin. At the Ikenne home of the Awolowos, the matriarch of the Awo family shared fond memories of the late Sheila, a foremost educationist and author. Ás Mama talked, serenading the illustrious woman who, in her own words, “loved Tai too much to want to go back to England,’’ everything felt just like yesterday. But the story actually began even before 1956 when the Solarins established the famous Mayflower School. Hear her: “When we were restricted (to Lekki), the Solarins visited us there, although rain was pouring, as it was the rainy season. They sat on the bare floor. We had nothing to offer them but eba. But some people said ‘This Oyinbo won’t eat eba. Sheila said she would because she had become part of us. “The funny thing, however, was that when they finished eating, because we had no napkin or serviette to give them, Sheila wiped her hands on her husband’s jumper. “Somebody said: ‘E wo obinrin yi; o ma n fi aso oko e nu’ wo!’ (Look at this white woman wiping her hands on her husband’s cloth!’) But Sheila said ‘I’m using part of his jumper to clean my hands, yes. That’s why I bought brown colour for him,’’ presumably because it could retain much dirt.When my husband was alive, both (Tai and Sheila) used to visit us. What I remember was that during Papa’s burial---everybody knew that Tai wore knickers, the same uniform as his pupils— but when Baba was going to be buried, he said he was going to honour him by wearing long trousers.’’ “The Solarins’ two children, Corin and Tunde, were born here in Ikenne and, in fact, completed school certificate here. After the school cert, they went to England to complete their education. Tunde came back as quickly as he could but Corin stayed back and got married in England. She has three girls: two are working and one is still at the university. Tunde speaks Yoruba as fluently as any Yoruba person.’’ That was Mama speaking at 97, recalling 50 years like yesterday. The nation has lost an icon.

HIDAWOLOWO (1915-2015)

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

What I will tell Papa Awo —HID

By Dare Adekanmbi

EFORE her death, what usually delighted Mama HID Awolowo was the testimony she intended to give her husband, the late sage, Papa Obafemi Awolowo. “What will I tell Papa?” she always reminded those who had one thing or the other to do with Papa’s legacies, especially when critical decisions were to be taken. Mama never wasted the opportunity to remind those around her, especially children, management and staff of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) PLC, that she was determined to give a positive account of her stewardship to her husband whenever they meet in the afterlife. According to Mama, decisions on issues concerning the nation and the family should be followed religiously as Papa instructed during his lifetime. As such, Awo’s imperishable legacy must be kept intact. After expressing her satisfaction or disapproval over any particular incident, she would say “This is good. Now I can tell Papa that his legacy is intact just as he would have wanted it.”

HID’s last outing outside Ikenne Mama’s last public outing outside Ikenne was on March 12, 2015, in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the inauguration of the newly procured press of ANN Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles. HID, until her transition, was the chairman and cofounder of the oldest surviving privately owned newspaper in Nigeria. Eminent personalities, including the governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, graced the occasion. She also took a tour of the refurbished newsrooms of the titles and afterwards showered warm and superlative accolades on the management for keeping the flag of the sage flying and sustaining his legacy. As she was being driven out of the premises, Mama gave a smile of satisfaction. As usual, she told those who were there that she already had another good tiding to relate to her husband. An advocate of peace, unity The need to address the fragmentation of Yoruba sons and daughters along political divides in the overall interest of the Yoruba nation was a matter that Yeye Oodua crusaded vicariously. Her lamentation was that the Yoruba nation, known for occupying the driver’s seat in the political affairs of the country, had become the proverbial rooster which has offered its crest to the fox. Consequently, she dared the strains of advanced age to form the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), after broadbased consultations with the stakeholders. The Forum, which meets at Efunyela

hall, Ikenne Remo, has taken far-reaching decisions on the re-positioning of the Yoruba nation in the country’s socio-political

After expressing her satisfaction or disapproval over any particular incident, she would say “This is good. Now I can tell Papa that his legacy is intact just as he would have wanted it.

life. Before YUF, she had set up a reconciliation committee of the Afenifere on April 7, 2009, to bring the three major factions of the group under an umbrella. The first individual to sponsor Anglican synod Each time Mama HID Awolowo could not attend church service as a result of old age, she always expressed her displeasure. It is on record that she was a member of the committee which worked for the relinquishment of the Remo Diocese from the Lagos Diocese and her signature is on the Deed of Relinquishment. For her role in the establishment of the Remo Anglican Diocese on March 5, 1984, she was named the mother of the Diocese on account of her untiring commitment to the uplift of the gospel. Her religious conviction was not discriminatory. She intermingled freely with those who professed other faiths or are of different denominations. As part of her commitment to the growth of Remo Diocese, she single-handedly sponsored and hosted the 2011 Synod of the Diocese, booking another enviable

chapter in the history of the Diocese as the first individual to so do. Ordinarily, the synod is hosted by the big parishes in the Diocese. Not only did the events of the Synod cost her millions of naira, she mobilised for the raising of over N40 million during the Synod. The Diocese, ably led by the Bishop, Right Reverend Michael Olusina Fape, planted a church at Ewuga in Sagamu with the takings from the HID-hosted Synod. The church, which is growing numerically and spiritually, was named HID Awolowo Anglican Church. For her, devotion to the things of God ran in her family. HID was from a royal family. She was born on November 25, 1915, in Ikenne Remo, to Chief Moses Odugbemi Adelana, the Ayangbua of Ikenne Remo from Obara Ruling House of Remo. He mother was Deaconess Elizabeth Oyesile Adelana. Her mother was the founding member of the Apostolic Church, Ikenne till her death in 1975. HID’s father was the Baba Ijo of Saint Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne from 1937 till his death continues

pg 12

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

specialreport

Flourishing flocks, famished families

Every so often, religious worshippers find themselves at loggerheads with their leaders over the failure to shepherd the ‘perfect’ family, at the expense of providing guidance for the flock, sometimes running into millions. RITA OKONOBOH examines the reasons for these seemingly often fall-outs and how balance can be achieved.

INETEEN-year-old Lateef Soberu was, in August 2015, apprehended by personnel of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Lagos State. According to media reports, he is the son of a popular Imam in the area, who also was arrested for trying to assist his son to escape by smuggling him out of the community by 7p.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2015. In another development, in May 2015, it was reported that a presiding pastor of one of the popular pentecostal churches in Nigeria, along with his daughter, engaged in a brawl that led to the stabbing of a nurse – the case being a fight over the alleged theft of a mobile phone battery and charger. It is not uncommon for many clerics to find themselves at a loss when their families dissolve, especially as many may not have seen it coming; it become even worse when the cleric finds himself/herself deeply involved in the family mess. With the seeming rise in the reports of scandals involving clerics’ families, not just in Nigeria, but across the globe, one may begin to question the uneven lines that connect families of clerics to the congregation they shepherd. Interestingly, but sad enough is the expectation worshippers from the cleric’s family, which, they believe, must be an exemplary model of near perfection. However terrible the circumstances surrounding these situations may seem, the followers expect the cleric (male/female) to ensure that his family is an impressive example of what the religious doctrine preaches, in line with the popular adage, ‘Charity begins at home.’ Ministers who neglect the home shall be punished by God –Omoniyi In an interaction with Sunday Tribune, Bishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Oyo, Right Reverend Titus I. Omoniyi, notes that “The call of a minister is total and should be all embracing. If a minister must succeed in these ministerial duties he must, of necessity, give total commitment to his duties. The duty of a minister must start from his home. The home of a minister is an image maker to the congregation. In a situation that a minister neglects his home in order to give attention to the congregation is not good at all. “We have a vivid example in the Bible. Prophet Eli neglected his home and the training of his children while his 100 per

A pastor preaching to a crowd. Photo: www.bonnke.net

An Imam leading prayers. Photo: www.royaltimes.net

cent attention was given to the ritual of the temple and his total attention to those who visited the temple for prayer and sacrifice. God did not overlook the sins of his sons but the total family was rejected and

the evil sons of Eli perished in the war. Eli himself who gave no attention to his home was punished by God, as stated in the Bible thus – And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli that the iniquity of

Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever (1 Sam. 3:14). “It is therefore important for every mincontinues

pg 11

specialreport

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

‘The necessary failings of a cleric’s life’

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, CAN President

continued from pg 10

ister of God to strike a balance; equal attention must be given to the minister’s home and the congregation committed to his charge. If a minister fails in his duty to the family, just like Prophet Eli, such a minister who neglects his home shall be punished by God. Every minister of God must make the effort to strike a balance.” Such vocations would be deemed an aberrant indulgence in fakery, hypocrisy –Oladosu Professor Afis A. Oladosu of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, in his view, observes that “despite the fact that the task of providing guidance to humanity is a noble one and one for which the Almighty has sent messengers across eons and ages, it is however ironic for us to note that not in all cases have such messengers recorded hundred per cent success in their vocation. In other words, Islam teaches us that in one or two instances, some prophets of the Almighty did not actually succeed in rescuing their families from divine wrath when it was visited on their iniquitous followers. “The son of Prophet Nuh, for example, refused to follow his father to the path of redemption. But unlike those Prophets of God who actually delivered God’s messages of guidance and righteousness to members of their families, it is with regret that we note that nowadays, most clerics have actually not bothered to begin their divine ministrations from the home-front. They often begin to establish the house of God not from within but from without; they prefer to be seen as angels in the open while in the hidden they suffer insuperable diseases of materialism and hedonism. Some of our clerics are busy building other people’s homes while wives and children are left un-catered and un-cared for. Unless this gap is filled such clerical exercises would remain invalid. In fact, such vocations would be deemed to be an aberrant indulgence in fakery and hypocrisy.” Family comes before church –Adelaja In his view, the founder of the Embassy of God Church, Kiev, Russia, the largest church in Europe, Pastor Sunday Adelaja, observes that “Balance between family and church is a matter of principles. My belief is that family comes before church; I make sure I control it all the time. I have a principle I live by. Three times a week, I make sure I am at home till 12 mid-day before leaving the house, and three days a week I must be back before 7pm, just to ensure I spend some time with the family. I make sure I spend three hours every day on the average with my family. You just have to put some principles in place in order to effectively manage your time. You have to make your life revolve around your priorities. My priority is God, family and church. That is what I try to follow.” It is a sin to neglect one’s family –Shaykh Baazmool Shaykh Muhammad ‘Umar Baazmool, instructor at Umm Al-Quraa University in Makkah, in an article on how families suffer absence and neglect because Muslim men seek knowledge at Islamic centres, get involved in

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto

Reverend Samuel Uche, Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria

various affairs of da’wah, and then socialise with the brothers (at the masjid and elsewhere), states that “The Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Verily your wife has a right over you, and verily your guest has a right over you, and verily your body has a right over you...’ [Saheeh Bukhari [1975] (Fathul-Bari 4/275) and Saheeh Muslim [2722] (Sharh An-Nawawi 4/283)]. “So, based on this, providing for one’s family, spending on them, and tending to their affairs, are all obligations without doubt. Taking care of your obligations related to your wife and children, your guests, your household, and your own self must be given priority over your involvement in affairs of da’wah, because these things are obligations, while your involvement in affairs of da’wah is recommended so long as the da’wah is not totally dependent upon you and there are others who are taking care of it. “Therefore, you are falling into sin by neglecting the rights of your family! Likewise, anyone who wants to call to the Way of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, he must first take care of his own individual responsibilities. Then, after that, he can involve himself in recommended affairs.”

Kingdom and America. He started the far-reaching Methodist movement that is still active today. Yet Wesley was not shy when articulating his view of marriage. He wrote these words in a journal entry on March 19, 1751: “I cannot understand how a Methodist preacher can answer it [sic] to God to preach one sermon or travel one day less in a married than in a single state. In this respect surely ‘it remaineth that they who have wives be as though they had none.’” Noting that many popular examples within and outside the Bible may have failed on the home front, “Their apparent failures as husbands and fathers should not lead us to discount all that the Lord did through these men. God uses sinful, imperfect men and women to bring about His sovereign purposes for His glory, and He has done this throughout history and continues to do it today. Still, these examples point to the fact that the temptation to elevate ministry concerns above family commitments is a persistent problem, one that is easily ignored in our current church culture,” Croft notes.

The necessary failings of a cleric’s life Brian and Cara Croft, in their book, The Pastor’s Family, acknowledge the failings that are a necessity of a pastor’s life, which he/she must acknowledge to be able to raise better families. According to the book, “Struggling pastors need to rely on two facets of the biblical gospel is they hope to experience its power: they need to own their sin, acknowledging their neglect and failure, and they need to rely on the grace Christ offers, trusting in the gifts and promises of God rather than in their own efforts to secure what they want and need.” Writing further on his research for the text, Brian Croft, Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky and founder of Practical Shepherding, a non-profit organisation committed to equipping pastors all over the world in the practical matters of pastoral ministry, notes that “The classic example is found in the contrast between the ministry of the eighteenth-century evangelist and pastor John Wesley and his marriage. Wesley is celebrated for how God used him to bring about the conversion of many people throughout the United

Some of our clerics are busy building other people’s homes while their wives and children are left un-catered and un-cared for. Unless this gap is filled, such clerical exercises would remain invalid

‘A cleric’s family should be an example the congregation should look up to’ Ustaz Mikaheel Adeyemi, an Islamic cleric, in an interaction with Sunday Tribune, notes that “it is lack of knowledge that makes religious leaders act like that. Islamic leaders are supposed to make their families models for others. Preaching should begin with one’s family. For example, the rise in insurgency is as a result of these failings. If a person doesn’t have sufficient knowledge of the doctrine, the cleric is bound to fail in his duties, and will in turn mislead his congregation. The family is the best place to understand how to make impact religiously. There are some clerics who leave their families for weeks and even months, under the pretext of gaining religious knowledge but it rarely augurs well for such people. There was an example of a cleric who left his wife for six months. By the time he got back, someone else had impregnated her and he went round the neighbourhood making trouble, forgetting that he brought it upon himself. There are some clerics who have let the toga of leadership of get to their heads that they find it difficult to share a vehicle with other people whom they would rather view as sinners. All these actions are against what the doctrine preaches. Even the Holy Prophet wouldn’t have left Mecca if not for the crisis at the time. What’s important is for religious leaders to understand their roles and gain adequate knowledge, beginning impact from their families. A cleric’s family should be an example the congregation should look up to.” What is of importance to all religious people is to note that their leaders, in spite of their sometimes superficial number of worshippers which seem never-ending, are just as human as they come. They deserve the respect and immense prayers of the congregation, just as the congregation also expects them to keep them as top priority in their prayers. It takes the ultimate grace of the Almighty to properly lead a model family, in a world consumed by sin. As a popular quote states – God only puts us through as much as we can handle. So the people who struggle the most., have been chosen by God to be the strongest ones.

12 HIDAWOLOWO (1915-2015)

20 September, 2015

HID: A full life

nation building did not go unnoticed. In 1989, the Obafemi Awolowo University, which her husband had founded and led as it Chancellor from 1967-1975, bestowed on her a honorary Doctorate degree of Civil Laws (D.CL). A similar honour from the home front, the Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago Iwoye, was soon to follow. She bagged the university’s Doctor of Letters (honoriscausa) in 1997. HID was made the honorary Fellow of the Yaba College of Technology in 2001. Playing her role as a matriarch of the Awolowo Dynasty, she opened the family’s doors at Ikenne Remo to all, irrespective of ethnic or political affiliation. It is the tradition for politicians who profess to believe in and intend to follow Awo’s examples in selfless public service to pay homage at the Ikenne residence. On every of such visits, HID gave her blessing to her guests and admonished them to use the offices being sought for the good of the masses. Just as Dr Goodluck Jonathan visited her in the build up to the 2011 election, Muhammadu Buhari and some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were also hosted by her.

continued from pg 9

in 1951. HID Awolowo, till her transition, was the IyaIjo of the same church. How HID and Awo met In her book, A Memoir of the Jewel, HID Awolowo gave details of how she and Awo met, recounting that their marriage was ordained by God. She recalled the memory of their union in the lines below: “My husband had started courting me in writing ever before we met face to face. He was then the Secretary to the Transporters and Produce Buyers Union. I was at Ikenne during this time (1934) and he was at Abeokuta all the time after his father died in 1921. I did not see or know him at all before he came back again to Ikenne because his youthful time he spent at Abeokuta. “He used to write letters saying, ‘I want to marry you.’ I did not meet him before he wrote the first letter. I said NO to his advances. I was later introduced to him by one of his friends. I told the friend that I did not know the man he was introducing to me. So, on the day he (Obafemi) came in the company of his friend, he met me at one of my friend’s house, who also was one of my relations. So he said he was the one writing letters to me. I said NO! But he did not take my ‘No’ for an answer. He continued to write his letters. “My parents were very much against the relationship because my mother said of me: “This is my only child and she is young” and that “One does not have an only child and throw her into the river.” In the first place, she said she knew Obafemi when he was young and that she he was a rascally young man known as such in town. But my father agreed to the relationship almost immediately, while my mother kept objecting to our relationship because of her feelings about me and the rascality of Obafemi. But we continued the relationship underground and later on, my father was able to convince my mother and we both agreed to get married. “The courtship lasted three years. We fixed the wedding for 26 December, 1937. It was on a Sunday because people used to marry on Sundays in those days. Everybody was happy.” Awo and his Jewel of Inestimable Value Awo never took a decision without consulting with his Jewel of Inestimable Value. In his book, My Early Life, published in 1968, Awo summarised what HID meant to her thus: “Throughout all the changing fortunes of my life ... , my wife, Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo (nee Adelana) has been to me a jewel of inestimable value. She is an ideal wife ... The outpouring of her love and devotion to me and to our family is exceeding and beyond words ... I do not hesitate to confess that I owe my success in life to three factors: the Grace of God, a Spartan selfdiscipline, and a good wife. Our home is to all of us, a true haven; a place of happiness, and of imperturbable seclusion from the buffetings of life.” Awo not only acknowledged his wife privately; he also did so publicly. Awo was so much in awe of his wife that he characterised HID as his best and most loyal friend in human flesh. As Olufemi Ogunsanwo in Awo: Unfinished Great-

the United Kingdom.

I owe my success in life to three factors: the Grace of God, a Spartan self-discipline, and a good wife. Our home is to all of us, a true haven; a place of happiness, and of imperturbable seclusion from the buffetings of life.”

ness notes, HID passed “Awo’s test in flying colours. She would marry this man in good times as well as in bad…While Awolowo was trying to gain a bachelor’s degree in commerce as an external candidate before proceeding to the United Kingdom on August 14, 1944, Chief Mrs Awolowo had already engaged herself in general merchandising to keep the home front economically buoyant. She became a major distributor for the Nigerian Bottling Company….Her acumen encouraged Awolowo to confidently proceed alone to

Sunday Tribune

A woman of substance Mama’s substance and contributions to

A woman of exceptional grace At her advanced age, HID still spoke audibly almost without the aid of a microphone. Her voice would resound in Efunyela hall during the meetings of the Yoruba Unity Forum and the annual general meeting of ANN Plc, to the admiration of those in attendance. To register one’s name in HID’s heart, a single encounter was enough. On the next visit to her, she would recall the last encounter and what the discussion centred on. She demonstrated this till she joined the saints triumphant yesterday.

Road to her centenary celebration By Vera Onana THE Yoruba adage that goes “fi ile pon ti, fi ona r’oka” would not have been apt enough to describe her centenary celebration as conceived by her. But it may have partially sufficed. The roads to Ikenne, tucked in the heart of Ogun, would have been temporarily blocked as a result of an epic congestion and its gates would have been shut down. The temperature of Ikenne’s soil would have been slightly increased as well as a result of the mammoth crowd, filled with men and women of rare value thronging on it. The atmosphere would have been warmer and in the midst of the felicitations, the chirping of the birds would have drowned. It was to be a suis generis event and the entire Awolowo clan looked forward expectantly. Illustrious Nigerians also earnestly waited to celebrate the matriarch. Alas, it never dawned! Like the rest of the world prepared, Mama in her exceptionally meticulous manner, looked forward to the beautiful day. As a matter of fact, due to her unique nature of not venturing into anything hastily, Mama had been preparing for her big day since January 2015.

No detail must be missed; everything must be done unto perfection. That was mama’s mantra. She had craved to celebrate the huge milestone planned by her children and grand children and had given concise prescriptions on her expectations. Mama, even at her age, still maintained an infallible attention for detail. She picked the variant of blue that was to be used for the celebration without breaking a sweat, a feat considered herculean, even by the modern day bride. Mama made sure that a committee was set up to achieve the requirements she had envisioned. Professor Wale Adebanwi, was commissioned to write an update on her biography. This updated version of Mama’s biography was meant to be published on the day Ikenne would be thronged by her highly placed well wishers and admirers. Professor Adebanwi had developed this biography to an advanced stage. According to Mama’s description, the apparel that would adorn Pa Awolowo’s Jewel of Inestimable value on that day had been chosen by her children, waiting to be worn by the matriarch. Ikenne will stand still for the celebration of a life well spent.

13 Continued from

20 September, 2015 last week

N the matter of dissemination of news, the Press must ensure the accuracy of its information before it passes it on to others as gospel truth. It is a well known dictum of journalism that ‘Facts are sacred’. Freedom to know is the first among all freedoms. An ignorant and ill- informed person cannot be his neighbours. To know the truth, and to disseminate untruths to the ignorant, or to disseminate news careless as to whether it is true or else, is the most heinous of all sins in a Democracy. The people as well as the Government might be misled as a result; and untold adverse consequences might ensue. Truth and liberty are twin sisters where there is Truth there is Liberty. The first attribute of the Press in the service of the State is truthfulness or, in journalists parlance, accuracy of reporting. The Press, in order to render a beneficial service to the State, must of itself be sufficiently knowledgeable. An unsophisticated Press is much worse than the fool in the Chinese proverb ‘who knows not and knows not that he knows not’. In order that the Press may be effective in the discharge of its functions it must be held high in the esteem of educated and enlightened persons. An uninformed, ill-informed or semi-educated Press will be a laughing stock and an object of contempt. If the Press loses its prestige it loses its efficacy and potency as well. The second attribute of the Press, therefore, is knowledge. The duty of the Press is not only to inform and entertain, but also to instruct. To be instructive is to be knowledgeable, well-informed, accurate and constructive. It is the easiest thing in the world to demolish what others have built, or to point out the defect in what others have done or propose to do. The Journalist who indulges in destructive criticism brings the odium and derision of the persons affected on himself and on the newspaper he represents. The third attribute of the Press, therefore, is constructiveness. To disseminate news accurately and to criticize pungently demand that the Press should posses sufficient courage and impartiality to play a role which may please some and displease others. There are those who would like to have certain news suppressed which in the interest of the public should be given the widest publicity. There are acts of the people or of the Government which certain papers will not criticize lest they should cause offence and thereby lose circulation. Democracy demands, however, that the truth should be told always, and that

Awo’s thoughts VOICE OF REASON

The press in the service of the state A lecture delivered under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, West Nigerian Branch, on 14th June, 1958. charlatans and saints should be called by their proper names. The fourth attribute of the Press, therefore, is courage and impartiality. In a country such as ours,

Any newspaper that values its freedom and believes sincerely in the liberty of the citizens of this country must wield the cudgel heavily, fearlessly and relentlessly against the oppressors and the budding dictators in our midst

Sunday Tribune

where the masses of the people are largely untutored in the art and concept of a modem State, and where Democracy is still in its inchoate stages, a free Press such as we have in this country today has a unique role to play. There is need—urgent need—to educate the masses about their civic responsibilities and about the rights to which they are entitled as citizens of a democratic State. There is a tendency on the part of many people to expect that the amenities for which they clamour and which they deserve may be provided without any sacrifice either of time, energy or money on their part. They must be told in certain terms by the Press that amenities and all the other good things of this world are the products of the sweat of our brows. There is no other means of making them available. Government measures in this respect must, therefore, receive the unqualified though critical but constructive support of the Press. In parts of the country, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and other fundamental human rights are being trampled under foot and suppressed. The Press is endangering its own freedom by winking at these evils. Any newspaper that values its freedom and believes sincerely in the liberty of the citizens of this country must wield the cudgel heavily, fearlessly and relentlessly against the oppressors and the budding dictators in our midst. Newspapermen must always remember that without democracy there can be no liberty, that the right to franchise is essential to liberty and that this latter right is the rock foundation on which the congenial superstructure of democracy can be firmly erected. The Press in Nigeria does neither itself nor its noble ancestry any credit - indeed it is doing a veritable and pernicious disservice to the masses of our people - by prevaricating, hedging and quibbling over the issue of denial of franchise to millions of our people in certain parts of Nigeria. The young plant of democracy is already suffering violence at our hands in the name of unity, harmony and concord. If this plant were destroyed (which God forbid) we might have unity of some sort: but we would have neither harmony nor concord. I do hope and pray that in this pioneering, momentous and historic period in the life of our great country the Nigerian Press will prove itself worthy of its great heritage by fighting ceaselessly, unyieldingly and uncompromisingly on the side of Democracy and the Rule of Law.

Concluded

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20 September, 2015

homes&interior s r Giving your

bedroom a touch of

class

EDROOMS are spaces primarily created for privacy. They are places meant to unwind and relax. Also generally considered as a place to feel at ease after a long day, bedrooms, because of the unique purpose they serve, are advised by interior experts to be stylishly decorated to bring about a more soothing feel. Changing the face of a bedroom could be made on any budget, whether it means bringing in new furniture pieces, adding a few splashes of colour or altering the lighting to be more soothing. There are many different styles and aesthetics you can emulate in order to produce a space that works for you. Bedrooms should be a place where you can feel at ease after a long day. Outfitting your room in soothing colours is a good way to help your bedroom become a tranquil sleeping space. Start by focusing on high impact areas, like the walls and floor space. Using calming greens, beiges or misty blues works well in areas like these, because they create a peaceful, serene feeling that will help you feel more relaxed. Keep your bedding colours simple and avoid any bright colours or patterns that might hamper your sleep. Instead, add in Continues on pg15

Are you an interior decorator?

Advertise on this page

Sunday Tribune

Remi Anifowose And Seyi Sokoya oluremi_anifowose@yahoo.com seyi_sky@yahoo.com 09090652322, 08141986123 08075166585

15 homes&interior

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

At Goshen, quality interior is our watchword —Olaniyi

Goshen Megabiz Worldwide Limited is a new interior designing and decoration company, located at Alakia, in Ibadan. In this interview with REMI ANIFIWOSE,the company’s manager, Mr Olaniyi Patrick, unveils the prospects and vision of the company towards achieving its aims and objectives. Excerpts:

the company too.

HY did Goshen Megabiz choose interior designing despite its market competitiveness? Yes, Goshen Megabiz Worldwide Limited is new in Nigeria, but it has its headquarters in Dubai, where the chairman, Mr Akande Gbolahan, is fully on ground. So we can’t really say it is new, because it has affiliation with its parent company in Dubai. Interior designing is a global phenomenon and anybody that appreciates comfort and taste would not undermine the significance of interior decoration. As humans, we love good things; we want to live in beautiful, comfortable and tastefully furnished apartments and homes. We want to ride in nice cars and get the best at every given time. So many times, our search for good and quality things motivates some individuals, companies and offices to end our search and provide the service of making life comfortable everywhere we find ourselveshomes, offices, hotels, restaurants , among other places. So, Goshen Megabiz chose the interiors to meet the quality and variety needs of Nigerians who appreciate comfort. Then, interior decoration has a very wide scope such that there are so many aspects to explore and still stand out.

Mr Olaniyi Patrick about two years ago, I would say we had a rough experience starting out, being an upcoming enterprise, but we thank God for bringing us this far. We started then with the importation of shoes, bags and wears from Dubai, and since then the business has

Goshen Megabiz chose the interiors to meet the quality and variety needs of Nigerians who appreciate comfort.

How far has the business gone ? Well, we thank God. We are getting there gradually. When the company started

Giving your bedroom a touch of class Continued from pg14

tactile luxuries, like throw pillows or sumptuous woolen blankets to add texture to the room. Sometimes choosing a theme for a room can be the best inspiration for getting it to feel exactly how you’d like it. For bedrooms, one great theme is going with a country vibe that will make you forget the bustle of life outside the bedroom door. Keep the walls sunny and bright by choosing a pale yellow paint color and decorate with landscape photographs and light wooden furniture. Use antique touches, like a delicate chandelier and curvy night-stands to make sure the room doesn’t feel too old-fashioned or frumpy. In the past, bold patterns were used everywhere in the home. Bold wallpapers could be a dramatic aesthetic, either an accent wall or an all-around covering.A A patterned duvet cover in the similar colours could also complement the look. When using bold patterns, go with vivid colours like bright reds, yellows, blues or oranges; this helps make the patterns pop and gives your bedroom a distinctive look and feel. A bedroom stylishly designed in colours of the seaside-pale blues and beige-are naturally soothing for your body and mind. You

been expanding and the company is diversifying. Apart from interior designing and decoration, we are also into agriculture, automobile, real estate, machinery and equipment. We have versatile and experienced staff working in different sections of

will be able to relax more easily when you feel like you’re in a natural setting that reflects the essence of the oceans. Paint your walls a soft blue and layer natural textures on your bed in order to recreate the look and feel of the seaside. Keep your floors raw and simple, and use weathered pieces of furniture to give your bedroom a timeless feel. For some people, a bedroom is not simply some place to sleep, it’s also a place where they can celebrate their own personality and style. A bedroom is an oasis for personal style and favorite items that you wouldn’t necessarily display in your living room. That makes it a great space for big, bold, art or other design elements that inspire you, but might not blend into other areas of the home.

Bedrooms should be a place where you can feel at ease after a long day.

What is interior decoration aspect of Goshen Megabiz offering its prospective customers? We offer quality and express service delivery. Because we believe so much in sustaining our integrity in business, we encourage very strong relationship with our clients and customers, giving them the best of service delivery as they place their orders. Customer satisfaction is our watchword and we make our services available at very reasonable and affordable prices. The quality of our products is next to none, as we give 20 years warranty on some of our products. We design homes and offices to the perfect taste of the owner or dweller from start to finish, according to specifications given. Were there challenges while starting out the business? Yes, a lot. At a time we were faced with how to introduce and convince people about our products and services. At another time, the economy instability and poor infrastructure such as road and light posed a threat to us. Also, we have the challenge of funding and capital, as banks’ interest rates on loans are unbearable. It is discouraging people who want to go into the interior business. What is your selling point? Well, there is a Yoruba adage that says itowo la fi n madun obe. We sell quality and we are convinced beyond reasonable doubt our clients would be satisfied and fulfilled at what we offer, even at the most affordable cost. Our clients never get to leave us because we provide the best interior service anyone could think of. How would you advise intending and upcoming interior decorators? They should be painstaking and hard working. Starting out might not be too rosy, but with dedication and patience, they will get to the height of the career.

20 September, 2015

HERE is Silly Season in American politics. It is campaign season. Almost anything and everything within the limit of civility is allowed. Even a step into the ludicrous is indulged. The season is on right now, in the zero-sum game for 2016 presidential poll. But it unofficially ends immediately the elections are over and a national leadership is in place. Our politics mirrors America’s. The only difference is that our Silly Season is unending. It runs through campaigns, elections, forming government, policies and governance. The season has been with us since 1999 and even with a change in political leadership, there are no abating signs. It could be because Nigerian voters don’t unite after putting a government in place. It is always about “my party” and “our party leaders”. I’m no prophet but I had predicted in a June piece “PDP+APC=GodWin” that the struggle for prominence and relevance in APC and by extension, Nigeria political leadership would be avant-garde, flowing from the National Assembly leadership crisis. I am predicting again, going by the information at my disposal on the triangular political/leadership war, that Senate President Bukola Saraki may not last this December in office, APC won’t know political peace till 2019 and governance attention, will permanently be on devious personality clash. Bukola is leading a damaged senate presidency. His persona wasn’t so exotic coming into office. His politics; ferociously and dispassionately personal. After taking on his late Dad, he would take on anyone’s Dad. Technically, there are four alleged corruption cases against the Number Three Citizen. We still remember what happened to his compatriot Adolphus Ndaneweh Wabara with just one alleged criminal case in 2005, though the Supreme Court eventually cleared him of complicity in the alleged N55 bribe-for-budget scandal. I am in no way insinuating a repeat of such exit for Dr. Saraki. But the cloud is seriously gathering. I am not assuming. I know it is. Won’t say more. Saraki is facing two formidable foes that are not really united. Each is grinding his axe with him, over a central issue, though with tangential sub-plots. Am I being too obscure with information? Maybe, for good reasons. Guess, we should rather focus on the real danger ahead. Nigerians can claim not to sign for what is unfolding when a change of leadership was enforced at the last poll. But the discerning can’t deny not seeing it coming. While

THE average Nigerian politician cuts an interesting picture. First, he sounds religious and regularly brings up the name of God in his discourse, but deep down, he is very superstitious, in fact, very fetish. The faith he professes does not matter, his faith is actually in the juju and the charms of his spiritual contractors. He feels everybody is against him and has to join a cult group to seek protection from his foes. He does not subscribe to the axiom of a person’s word being his bond, but would rather subject his associates to the rigour of oath taking at shrines in order to extract commitments from them. Because of his faith in voodoo, the Nigerian politician has scant respect for science and technology, the antithesis of superstition, and does little to promote them. Then, he is visionless. He lacks the ability to look beyond the moment. He lives for the present; he does not believe in preparing for the future. The good book talks of a good man leaving an inheritance for his children’s children but that is not the concern of the Nigerian politician. The only thing he is eager to bequeath to the coming generation is piled debts. It has been said that there is the likelihood of the Nigerian oil wells running dry in less than 50 years even as the nation faces the problem of dwindling resources occasioned by plummeting oil prices. Some more forward looking countries have engaged in using the proceeds from oil to develop new income-generating ventures as it has been done in the United Arab Emirate, where Dubai was developed as the new world centre for commerce and tourism with proceeds from oil. But the slogan here is ‘share and spend the money.’ All earnings must be spent, not invested, forgetting that the nation that spends all it earns will always be at the mercy of the one that saves part of its earnings. He is also not sportsmanlike. He must always win or else all hell must be let loose. When he wins an elec-

0811 695 4647

olanreade@yahoo.com

Saraki and the Silly Season

there is nothing wrong in forces coalescing around a personality to push for a conquest, the assumption that all would be gentlemen after entering the conquered space is as erroneous as dubious. Were there agreements at the point of forming the all-conquering alliance? Who is now acting without honour? Who is the unleashed bull? Yoruba’s philosophy of justice is legendary; “Enu isa ni won npin omo eku (immediate sharing is desirable). Only the greedy would not agree with its didacticism. I guess the current political leadership doesn’t. All the three lead characters in the current drama, are both immovable and unstoppable. Their antecedents say

With Sulaimon Olanrewaju 08055001708

lanresulaimon@yahoo.com

Portrait of the Nigerian politician

tion, the process is fair, but when he loses, there must have been a manipulation of the process. He does not

Sunday Tribune

so. Their current engagements of not letting go, confirm it. The immediate future speaks to imminent intra-mutual destruction. The Saraki saga will last this administration, regardless of what happens to him. His traducers with enormous national security, financial war-chest and media influence won’t allow him to stay. His main backer, the PDP, has the numerical capacity and leverage to keep him in office, even if the planned arrest sails through. He will also not quit willingly. Dirt will be thrown everywhere, including at personalities considered immaculate. Pray, who doesn’t have a secret. Isn’t why we all beseech God to help preserve our dignity and secrets? The Nigerian public of little-reasoning and much-sentiments, will swing sides as its emotions are tossed. A lot of ground will be lost. The back and forth will derail the little this leadership is garnering as voters’ benefits. Goodwill will be lost and we will be back at the basement. Do I hear, God forbid. I will reserve my personal opinion of Saraki. Buhari’s leadership is being crooked by pretending to just realize Saraki’s fingers are sleazy and sticky after his senate presidency rebellion. Where is honour, if the tactics of breaking political enemies, would mirror the condemnable leadership style of between 1999 and 2007? I have heard arguments that Buhari knew the New PDP decampees were corrupt but wanted to use them as platform to get power and deal with them. Balderdash. Whoever helps a roof-thief drop his hanging loot, is more culpable. Does the law not say all proceeds of corruption and beneficiaries, remain eternally tainted? Yes, criminal cases have no life-span and this government should be ordinarily commended for being bold where predecessors had been jelly. Yes, nobody should also be above the law, including thieves who are trying to catch thieves. But those behind this, know there is nothing anti-corruption in it. It is pure political vendetta. While such may in rare cases achieve unintended anticorruption results, experience has shown that it always backfires since the motive and motif are bent. Will Saraki be clean again if he steps down? Somehow, the actors will waltz through this but where does it leave the people whose general interest is already compromised. I pity those who fight on politicians’ behalf because nothing takes precedent over their interest. This judicial comedy of error is horrific. I suspect it will end up making a saint of a sinner.

mind destroying the system to have his way. He does not believe in fair play. For him, election is war and in war, all is fair. He deploys all means to win an election. He will rig, he will corrupt election umpires, he will harass opponents with law enforcement agents, he will even maim and kill his opponents and the people he supposedly wants to serve, just to get into office. If he does all of these and the result of the election glaringly shows that the people do not want him, then he resorts to the courts to thwart the decision of the people. The Nigerian politician does not believe the people have the final say on who should serve them, he believes since he has expressed the desire to serve, his wish must be done. He is self-serving and not altruistic. The Nigerian politician is not interested in anybody’s welfare but his. The federal legislators have indicated that they will not succumb to any idea of their emoluments being slashed despite the financial difficulty the country is currently battling with. Despite sitting for less than 20 days in their hallowed chambers since the commencement of the current assembly, they have each been paid more than 20 years income of a senior civil servant. The governors had blamed paucity of funds for nonpayment of workers’ but even after being bailed out by the Federal Government, they are reluctant to pay the workers their due. They have come up with all sorts of hurdles to disqualify as many of the workers as possible from reaping the fruits of their labour. So, what matters to the people is of little significance to the Nigerian politician. Despite what he professes, he does not work for the people, he works for himself. Now, it is the political class that produces the nation’s political leaders. But when it is a fetish, visionless, unsportsmanly and self-serving leadership that is foisted on a state, the result can only be catastrophic. That, unfortunately, is the story of the Nigerian state.

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

mydeath... I’ll never fake

—Skiibii Mayana

Naeto C blesses fan with N100,000

When a woman found my pix in her hubby’s phone... —Lara Olubo

Still on Don Jazzy’s C&S performance

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Tade Makinde tademt2@yahoo.com 08055001753

Marc IV picks Oct 1 for “Ori Owo” official launch By Seyi Sokoya

Still on Don Jazzy’s C&S performance By Tade Makinde And Seyi Sokoya

spiritual leader of Cherubim & Seraphim (C&S), Iya Melody of the Ona Ayo Jerusalem church, has expressed dismay at how Nigerians quickly jump to conclusions when it comes to spiritual matters. In her reaction to the significance of the staff and necklace that their leaders usually carry on them, she said most of those who were truly anointed hardly attend public events with their staff as it is a symbol of divine authority. On Don Jazzy’s signature staff and necklace, she said Don Jazzy and many others only adorn themselves with the necklace as fashion statement. “Of course this is allowed, even among Cele people. What is not allowed is for those not anointed to carry any staff, even though many do for reasons known only to them. “When there were not many C&S members in years past, you were anointed at Agelu, Olounkole and other designated and popular spiritual mountains. These days, many get anointed in their homes. This does not make you less a leader, but that anointing must take place before one can carry the staff. Anybody can buy the staff, but not everybody

is anointed. “The staff naturally will give an impression that its carrier is powerful and anointed when he or she is seen in public with it, but out of 100 anointed leaders, less than 20 will take the staff out. It is not for fashion, unlike the necklace. I don’t take my own staff out. I am not saying that Don Jazzy is not annointed or called, but I know that only those anointed are expected to have the staff, even if they don’t carry it about. We also recognise amure, ororo, cap, but not any necklace. Penultimate Saturday when the Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim celebrated its 90th anniversary, Don Jazzy was among the celebrities whose background were traced to the church. He was the cynosure of all eyes at the event which was held at the NIS hall, National Stadium, Lagos, as he adorned his gold necklace and staff. The music producer’s status as an influential member of the church was revealed at the allnight event after he and Korede Bello got on the stage at the musical concert tagged “Singing Unto Zion” to sing the song entitled “Godwin”. Jazzy, who played the bass guitar during their performance, said that he learnt various musical instruments when he was with the church as a youth. When

asked on whether he was paid to attend the event, Jazzy replied “No. I am a member of this mission and I am proud to identify with my source. I was an evangelist.” He sneaked out briefly after his performance. Evangelist Ebenezer ObeyFabiyi mounted the stage later, stirred the leaders to their feet as they joined him to dance. He told R after he was presented an award by the deputy Baba Aladura of the church, Dr Harold Demuren, that he was pleased to be part of the church’s landmark anniversary. “I am not surprised with the award by my years of experience in the industry and as an evangelist. I really appreciate the recognition and I pray that

the church will continue to soar higher.” The Adegbodu twins, Akpororo, who said he was born into C&S back in Warri and the Mid-NightCrew also performed at the event. The award presentation to the music producer has, however, generated mixed-reactions among Nigeria as it has received commendations. Some have described the recognition as uncalled for to have celebrated a secular musician, while some embraced the church’s initiative. They say it is an effort to celebrate one of their illustrious sons who has made the church proud both home and abroad through what he knows how to do best.

Drillmeister releases ‘Into My World’ By Soji Bamikarere DrillMeister, one of the hottest hip hop acts in Abuja, and who just finished recording a single entitled “The Promise,” with Giniz, has releaesd his own single entitled ‘Into My World’. Online music platforms in the capital city have described it as an outstanding single. DrillMester teams up with Jable, the “Voices” crooner, in the single that has been described as an amazing

record. The single is the 1st off a producer compilation that DrillMeister is presently working on. Animashaun of popnewsonline describes “Into My World,” as a song with fresh beat from a HipHop/R&B orientation. The blog praised Jable’s lyrics and melody as soulful and melodious. “He has done unique justice to produce a beautiful piece of music. The song was released from the stable of Alien Prose Entertainment.

Hip-hop artiste, Marc Harrison, popularly known as Marc IV, has concluded plans to launch himself into the entertainment industry with his first single entitled: “Ori Owo”. The launch will take place on October 1. Mark told R that the move was part of his plans to celebrate the Independence day with other Nigerians in a unique way. He believes that launching his music career on such a significant day would indirectly be among part of activities marking the independence anniversary. Marc asserted his readiness to take the industry by storm, just as he assured that his music is different from what is now being accepted as music in Nigeria. I promote sanity and moral in my music. “I have been taking my time to study the development of the industry for a while and I think it is time for me to make an impact, as well as set a pace in the industry. My expectations are high and I am convinced I am going to take the industry by storm in no time.” In bid to build his fan base across Nigeria, Marc IV and his management have concluded plans to embark on a media tour which will take off from Ibadan to other parts of the South West states from next week. He also revealed that a media parley is also in the pipeline so as to meet with the media gurus in the industry face-to-face.

19 razzmatazz

20 September, 2015

ZAINA drops ‘PANA’

SIGMA Club’s 65th anniversary kicks off with public lecture By Tosin Olarerin IN a bid to kickstart the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the long serving educative and social club in the University of Ibadan, Sigma Club will host dignitaries and scholars in its public lecture slated to hold on October 8, 2015. The guest speaker of the lecture entitled: “Addressing Youth Employment Through Enterpreneurship” is the

CEO Designate of First Bank, Plc. The Laguno Balogun of Ibadan land, who is also the president of Omo Ajorosun club in Ibadan, High Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, will be the chairman of the day, while the special guests include: the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Group Medical Ibadan and Aare of Efon land, Ekiti State, Dr Aare Kunle Olajide, the Chairman Sigma Educa-

Sunday Tribune

By Segun Adebayo

tional foundation, Professor Tola Atinmo, Emeritus Professor Ayo Ladipo Banjo and Major General (Dr) Reuben Nkado. The event, which is expected to be educative and resourceful, according to the organisers, will gather young and aspiring youths to garner more knowledge from the scholars that will grace the event at the First Bank building in the university.

SULTRY Nigerian singer, Zaina, has just released a single entitled Pana (“Hit Me”). The song, which explores the raw concepts of insatiable desire and mutual attraction, was produced by Vtek and was released by the Livespot Entertainment label. According to the 24-year-old singer, “Pana is what happens when there’s an explosion of strong feelings. It’s a shock wave of unpredictable reactions.” The Lagos-based singer reinvents a sound Nigerian music fans are familiar with, working with Vtek, the producer who has worked with P-Square on a few songs. The new track, according to Vtek, though local, “would certainly open doors of opportunities for Zaina.”

Fans, AFRIMMA, BET, felicitate with Basketmouth By Seyi Sokoya AFRIMMA, BET and KIA officials were among those who celebrated with comedian, Basketmouth, on September 14 when he turned 37. Basketmouth who was dazed with the birthday wishes from all corners, especially on his social media, said he felt elated to be remembered as well as celebrated by individuals and organisations. The comedian posted on his Instagram that: “If you were born in September, it’s pretty obvious that our parents started their New Year with a bang”. He also posted a copy of his teenage birthday picture, captioned “In the beginning”, which got the attention of his fans who eventually bombarded him with birthday wishes. The comedian did not hesitate to reciprocate the gesture bestowed on him as he wrote on his Instagram handle: “Thank you KIA; a big thank you to BET, Mtv Base, Mtv and Comedy Central. You guys are the best. For the birthday wishes; I say thank you for the prayers. May God bless you with long life, great health and wealth to each and everyone.” R also learnt that the comedian is currently making preparations to storm the city of Lagos with his upcoming event tagged: “The Lords of the Ribs with Baskemouth” slated to hold on October 4 at Eko Hotel and suites.

Miss Black Africa Pageant & Charity Awards BY October 20 this year, 21 beauty contestants from African countries will compete for the Miss Black Africa UK laurel. The eventual winner will automatically become the ambassador of the Queens4Africa Charity Organisation. On the same night, the organisation will present five individuals and organisations with its prestigious Charity Awards in categories

such as Young Fundraiser of the Year Award, Golden Heart Award, Diamond Heart Award, Charity of The Year Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award. This promises to be a great night of brilliant entertainment, beauty, Fashion, music, comedy and a remarkable opportunity to network with hundreds of professionals and dignitaries from various fields

that will be attending the event.

On-Air personality loses dad By Kunle Kudoro Lagos-based On-Air personality with Classic FM 97.3, Benjamin Okoh, a.k.a Benj, has lost his father. His father, Mr Christopher Iduh Okoh, aged 85, died on September 10. The radio presenter, who described the death of his father as a rude shock, told R on Friday that he has lost his mentor and companion whom he loved even to the point of his death. “I have accepted my fate because I believe that he has gone to rest. His loving memories will continue to be remembered.” Mr Chris will be buried traditionally on December 7, 2015 at his residence of the deceased at Umuoshomi, Onicha-Ugbo, Delta State. Burial arrangements will, however, commence from December 4 with a service of songs, while interment, outing service will hold on December 5

and 6 respectively. Benj, a former Metro FM On-Air, joined Classic FM 973 in 2010 and anchors command programmes.

20 September, 2015

entartainment

Sunday Tribune

with SEGUN ADEBAYO tegbollistic@yahoo.com 08116954644

Omoni Oboli’s new flick, The First Lady set for the cinema ACTRESS-TURNED movie producer, Omoni Oboli is back with a new movie, but this time, it is comedy. The highly entertaining and hilarious blockbuster starred Omoni Oboli, Alexx Ekubo, Chinedu Ikedieze, Joseph Benjamin, Yvonne Jegede, Tony Monjaro and many others. In a what appear like a classic Cinderella-like story, a prostitute, Michelle, is stuck in a world she couldn’t escape from. Her

hope that one day a Prince Charming would rescue her from it all, seems lost . A heir to an empire, Kenechi, is transformed into a child by an overly ambitious uncle who wants the empire to himself. Bound by a shared destiny, Michelle finds that she might be doing the rescuing until she realises there’s no escaping her pimp (Obama), who would do anything to keep her as his First Lady.

Phizzle features DJ Spinall in Rashidi Yekini PHIZZLE is back again with the second instalment off his upcoming project Egypt: The EP. This new single titled RASHIDI YE-

KINI is an ode to the Nigerian football legend, who was arguable the country’s most famous No. 9, hence Phizzle’s lyrics “...balling like Rashidi Yekini”. Phizzle who has his hands in different pies has always insisted that though he loves music, he would never be pushed to doing music the wrong way. Before Rashidi Yekini, Phizzle had dropped Biggest, a song that earned him more respect, especially among music lovers, who appreciate his talent.

NBC holds workshops on broadcasting code THE National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, is organising a two-day workshop on the theme: understanding the Nigerian Broadcasting Code. According to a statement by the NBC, the workshop will hold at three different locations across the country, with the first holding in Ibadan, Oyo state between Monday, 28th September and Tuesday, 29th September, 2015. Others will also in Kaduna and Enugu on 14th and 15th October; 21st and 22nd October, respectively. The workshop is said to be

mandatory for general managers of radio/tv stations in the country; Tv/radio independent producers; top officers of broadcasting regulatory bodies like APCON, NAFDAC, NBC; among others. According to the organisers of the workshop, it is among other things, meant to create better understanding of the provisions of the broadcasting code, renew participants’ knowledge, reduce incidence of breaches, and provide avenue for interaction among the participants.

Meet the ‘Soldier’s Story’ troop

ETERMINED to bring home the story of the courageous soldiers who bear arms and face several harms in defence of their countries, a new movie that celebrates Nigerian soldiers, some of whom have been battling the Boko Haram insurgents in the

northern part of Nigeria, will hit the cinemas across the nation, this October. This much-talked about movie - ‘A Soldier’s Story celebrates and appreciates the sacrifices and contributions of the heroic Nigerian soldiers and their often traumatized families to the unity and sustenance of the peace, progress and wellbeing of the country and the citizenry, just as it seeks

to encourage the soldiers’ sense of patriotism. In the movie, AMVCA award winning actress and model, Linda Ihuoma Ejiofor, known for her role as Bimpe Adekoya in M-Net’s TV series Tinsel, plays the lead character as Regina. Renowned voice-over broadcaster; Tope Tedela, a graduate of University of Lagos who came into limelight after playing the lead

Naeto C blesses fan with N100,000 IT is very rare to see or celebrities give out money on social media platforms to their followers. The reason is not far-fetched, most of them hardly pay attention to such request and when they do, it is usually a negative response. But that trend was altered during the week when pop singer, Naeto C showed his other side that many people did not know when he gave out

a cash of N100,000 to a fan who was in dire need of it. The fan @Jidenna had reached out to him on twitter, begging him to assist him with N50,000 and NaetoC humbly requested for his account number and transfered N100,000 to Jidenna almost immediately. In his usual calm manner, Naeto C said it is key never to neglect an opportunity to help someone.

role in the 2003 film, A Mile from Home, for which he was nominated for Most Promising Actor Category at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards, plays the lead character as Major Egan. Daniel K. Daniel plays the character “BossMan”, a ruthless and brutal dog of war whose only interest is in the spoils of war. Daniel started out modeling while he was in school, and he has featured in a couple of Television commercials. In 2009, he got his first acting job in the Television series “All About Us”. The movie also features a daughter of a soldier and civil engineer, Adesua Etomi, who plays the character “Lebari”, Major Egan’s beautiful wife who has to deal with the realities of a soldier’s spouse. Adesua debuts her acting career in 2004 after studying Physical theatre, Musical theatre and Performing Arts at the City College, Coventry, United Kingdom.

20 September, 2015

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

Weeks back, the music industry was thrown into confusion over the alleged death and sudden revival of Five Star Music act, Skiibii Mayana. Though, most of his fans claimed that Skiibii faked his death to promote his new song and drag attention to himself, but Skibii said he actually passed out for few hours before he was revived at the hospital. He shares his story with SEGUN ADEBAYO in this interactive session.

OW do you feel now that you are back to doing what you love best after your revival from death? I have been responding very well and I am taking it one step at a time. I have been attending some public events and my music has been going on fine. It was a tough moment for my team and I, but right now, we are happy to have put all that behind us. I thank God for giving me the grace to return to life after passing out for some hours before I was later revived. I appreciate Nigerians, especially my fans for their continued support since then. I feel blessed to have them. Talking about your fans, how do you want to convince them that you didn’t pull a stunt on them with the reported death? Shortly after the incident, we went on air to clear the misconception and I strongly believe that many people were convinced that we were not pulling a stunt. I would not do that, because I know what it means to be dead and I won’t joke with such a big thing. I really don’t want to talk about it, because we have moved ahead, talking about it again means I have not moved on. I remain grateful to God. How would you describe your last moments before you collapsed? On that day, I had an appointment with some radio stations and I told Harrysong that we would go by 1.p.m. So, that morning, I wanted to go and see my family members, because I have not seen them in a long time. I was planning to go and see them and come back before 1.p.m for the interview. My friends who were with me said I fell down and passed out. That was the last thing I could remember until I woke up in the hospital. How did you feel when you woke up and heard that you had been reported dead? I felt very bad. It was not what many people thought it was. I heard people saying that I faked my death because I wanted to be popular. Some said I did it because I wanted to promote my new song, Sampu. It was very devastating for me and my people

I’ll never fake my death;

I’m not desperate for fame

—Skiibii Mayana I thank God for giving me the grace to return to life after passing out for some hours before I was later revived.

but we had to cope with it and manage the situation. Though, things had gone out of hands as many people had been calling me and leaving condolence messages for me on social media platforms. Even my colleagues thought I was dead. It was hard for them to think otherwise because of the information they got from Linda Ikeji, who broke the news that Friday morning. Who broke the news? It was Soso Soberekon, Five Star former manager. He claimed that my friends who were with me told him I had died and he

decided to break the news and confirmed it to Linda Ikeji. Soso was not in Nigeria when it happened, so it was hard for him to confirm if I was dead or not. He went ahead to put the news of my death on his Instagram and twitter, and that was where a lot of people got the information from. By the time I woke up, the situation had gone from bad to worse and I started crying. I felt very so sad that such a serious matter was not well managed by our manager. When I heared all the ‘Rest Continued on pg22

22 glitz

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

‘I’ll become

the man of my dreams’ Continues from pg21

In Peace’ stories flying around, I started crying. Who do you blame for this? I blame Soso for not handling the situation professionally. What did the doctor tell you was wrong with you? The doctor could not really ascertain what was wrong; because that was not the first time I would experience the blackout. It once happened to me inside the flight when I was going to South Africa with my producer, Del B. At that time, doctors carried out a heart scan on me and said I was fine. The doctor said it could happen to me anytime I am too excited or stressed. I think that was what happened that Friday. So you think that could have caused the blackout? I had been going up and down weeks before the incident and couple with the success of my new single, which was widely accepted barely 24hrs after its release. That could have largely contributed to the blackout that I suffered. It was never about publicity stunt for my career or song. Come to think of it, I am not desperate to become a star. I know I will become one at God’s appointed time. Kcee and Harrysong are enough motivation for me. They become whatever they are today through sheer hard work and perseverance. So, why should I jump the line, because of popularity and

fame? I believe in hard work, prayer and favour. I am not desperate for fame. Don’t you think this ailment could hamper your music career considering the fact that musicians, especially hip hop artistes are usually stressed… I am trusting God for a perfect health. I don’t see it stopping me from getting to the top of my game. We are not stopping. We are not sleeping. Five Star music is the main thing now and I have got the support of every member of the team, so life goes on. You dropped your first single in January and the second one came just last month, what is causing the delay? I have to take my time and work according to plans of the management. I can’t just release songs without the full consent of my management. They know what is good for me and I am very confident in their direction. For the rest of this year, it is going to be Skiibii songs and videos. Just watch out for Five Star Music. What is the next thing for Skiibii now? We will keep dropping more songs and videos. As you can see, we have moved on from that point to dropping great

songs. Right now, Sampu video is taking over and my fans are happy about it. I can only tell you that we will continue to drop more beautiful songs that Five Star Music is known for. As I speak with you now, I have a couple of new songs already and we are also looking at some collaborations. So, the next few weeks would be very busy for me, but I am ready for it. This is what I bargained for and I am ready to give my all to make sure my career gets to the next level.

How did you find your way into the Five Star family? Kcee heard my song some years back and he loved it. I got an invitation from him and I met with him, that was how the relationship started. Since that day, the relationship has been very cordial and fruitful.

What does Skiibii Mayana mean? My real name is Abbey Elias but my uncle named me Skiibii and I so much love the name. Skiibii means a smart and sharp person. Mayana is a Spanish word, which simply means tomorrow or the future.

How does it feel since you joined the team up with Kcee and Harrysong? It has been good. You need to experience what I have felt since I got signed on Five Star Music. We are like one big happy family. Kcee and Harrysong have been very supportive since I joined. When you see us talking, you would not believe we are not blood brothers. We have a very deep relationship.

My uncle named me Skiibii and I so much love the name. Skiibii means a smart and sharp person. Mayana is a Spanish word, which simply means tomorrow or the future.

Do you see yourself becoming the man of your dream with these two heavyweights on the label? Sure, why not? The thing is, God knows when my time will come. I am not desperate for fame. If you know where I am coming from, you will not even ask me this question. I am going to become the man I am destined to be on this record label, because this is a family and not a competitive venture. The people you see as heavyweights are my brothers and they have got my back every time.

20 September, 2015

sundayzest

Sunday Tribune

With Victory Oyeleke victoryoyeleke@yahoo.com

New Ebola strain:

Sex, masturbation link?

IKE an unforecasted tornado, Ebola swept through West Africa in 2014 claiming the lives of, at least, 11,284 people in six countries; Nigeria, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Mail, and The US. The outbreak, which began in late 2013 in Guinea, was left unchecked and by early January, had picked momentum spreading across borders. The rate of transmission and the simultaneous occurrences in multiple countries propelled WHO (World Health Organisation) for the first time, in capital cities, to declare the outbreak; a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As the virus raged through the countries, some were able to curtail it quickly and after a 42-day period with no new reported cases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared Nigeria and Senegal free from Ebola in October 2014. Worst hit countries like Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone are still battling the virus with the assistance of

the international community.The deployment of trial vaccines and intense collaboration between medical charities

According to Bruce Aylward, head of the WHO’s Ebola response team, male survivors should be tested three months after the onset of symptoms and then monthly until they are no longer at risk of passing on the virus through their semen.

and local agencies has significantly reduced Ebola transmission and the number of cases is now declining. Whilst Liberia is at present on a 59day period with no new Ebola case, transmission has however, continued in Guinea and Sierra Leone. These new cases are considered to be isolated flare-ups as the rates of transmission are lower than what it was initially. Causes of the new reported cases are more speculative than facts but a soonto-be published study in the New England Journal of Medicine claims, sex and masturbation might be the culprit. According to Bruce Aylward, head of the WHO’s Ebola response team, male survivors should be tested three months after the onset of symptoms and then monthly until they are no longer at risk of passing on the virus through their semen. However, a study based on 200 male survivors, found that, around half still had traces of the virus in their semen after six months. A Doctor conversant with the study told ‘Reuters’.

“The old advice of three months is no longer good,” the doctor said. “The number of people with persistent virus in their semen is much greater than expected.” Aylward further expatiated on the sex theory during a news conference but did not give details. “It’s not the sex that is dangerous, it’s the semen that is dangerous,” said Aylward. “How people actually get exposed, in soiled linens or whatever, is not clear.” Transmission through semen seems plausible and may explain why new cases keep occurring even though the outbreak is almost eradicated. But Aylward believes; sexual transmission is “obviously not a huge risk, because if it were, we would have seen a lot more in the areas that were hardest hit at the beginning of this outbreak.” The sneaky nature of Ebola cannot be underestimated and health ministries are keeping a lookout. “This virus and this outbreak in particular has a nasty sting in the tail,” Aylward said. “It’s not finished, by a long shot.”

24 news

20 September, 2015

Child’s formative years, key to controlling scourge of corruption —SICMC Founder

Mrs Alaba Pinheiro, founder of Saint Isabel Group of Schools, Eleyele, Ibadan, is one the proprietors of private schools in the south west that have contributed immensely to the qualitative education development and its sustenance in the country. In this interview with Kehinde Adio, Mrs Pinheiro, a former Police Officer, shares her 32 years of experience in the education sector. Excerpts:

HAT informed you to invest in education? I was a police officer and I worked in different sections of the police force, such as National Security Organisation (NSO), Anti-Fraud and Crime prevention and so on. When I came back from a juvenile welfare course, where I studied the causes and effects of juvenile delinquency, and its remedies. I was placed in charge of the Osogbo division of the juvenile welfare centre. The joy and satisfaction in seeing delinquent children, changed to law-abiding and disciplined children changed my orientation. I was then convinced that if children were sent to good and disciplined schools, and trained properly, they will not be delinquent. Consistent with this conviction, when I retired, I decided to set up a day care centre and a play group. With the discipline in the running of the school, the calibre of staff that joined me as a team, the attention we paid to each child and the thorough supervision I am known for, parents far and near started pleading with us for the establishment of a secondary school. Saint Isabel Group of Schools started as a Daycare Centre/Play Group in September 1983 with a couple of children who were then babies. I started the school with one other staff to help me with the washing and changing of children’s nappies. The Nursery/Primary School started on February 2, 1985, with four children and rose to 75 within eight months. With the calibre of Ghanaian and Nigerian teachers working with me then, we resolved to combine and integrate syllabuses of four good schools together into a single super document and therein our Nursery/primary school began. So, with great teachers, and super syllabus combined with discipline and strict surveillance in line with my police training gave us years of academic excellence. We then started witnessing our children attending secondary schools that were not really reputable. Some even from primary 3 and 4 were being admitted because of our good standard, not minding their ages. The Board of Governors of the school then sat and decided that we should start our own Secondary School. The college started with 57 students in September 2007, with most of the students coming from our Primary School. Tell the general public about the academic performance of the students? Our middle name on the chart of Academic Performance is “excellence”. I have commendation letters from the Oyo State Ministry of Education, to attest to this. Consistently and persistently at junior and senior secondary school levels, no student has left my college to retake any paper. They always attempt JAMB with the instructions received from the school and we have the results to confirm our Resolve of Excellence. My teachers are highly motivated, and students are mobilised to work very hard and make waves without cheating. External supervisors of external examination bodies do testify that we have zero tolerance for malpractices.

Mrs Alaba Pinheiro How can we control corruption from the Nursery,Primary and secondary schools in Nigeria? Corruption, simply put, is a dishonest way of life and it starts mostly in childhood and from homes. Parents send reluctant children on errands at home and reward or bribe them with gifts in order to fight the reluctance thereby stifling the sense of duty. Parents dropping-off children late at school and blaming it on traffic in the presence of the children when there was no traffic on the way at all. Whose fault? A mother covering up for a child who steals or does other negative things at home is the beginning of corruption. My point is that, the formative years of a child are very key to controlling the scourge of corruption in our society and parents, teachers and care-givers must be sensitized to help. A child’s mind is free of virtue or vice when they are born. What parents, the School, the Church, Mosque and significant others impact into it, is what the society will benefit from, when the child is of age. Therefore, if parents are disciplined at home and they strive to inculcate that virtue into their children, then the beginning of solving the scourge will be in place. In our schools, we train, instill and direct our little children right from the Nursery School to know that, any thing that puts one in an undue advantage over another is “cheating”’ or “stealing” and therefore should be resisted. An example that easily comes to mind is of a child who left our primary school for another in primary 4 to sit for the Oyo State Common Entrance Examination. His parents found a way to smuggle him into taking our college examinations, which he did and passed. He was however recognised by his seniors at the college. They recognised him and exposed him to the principal of the college. They protested to the principal and insisted that, he must be sent back to the primary school to complete his primary education before coming to the college. We encourage our students at all levels of our educational strata that a N10 earned is of more value than a thousand Naira found. We teach them, that it is more honourable to fail than to cheat. We pray that, many more Nigerian education providers join us in this fight to correct this anomally, from the cradle up. May the Lord help us all, to instill this discipline, in our different schools.

Sunday Tribune

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Sunday Tribune

20 September, 2015

THE OYO STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, CP LEYE OYEBADE’S VISIT TO OYO P :O M AREA COMMAND ON WEDNESDAY, 16TH SEPTEMBER, 2015 hotos

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7 1. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi (sitting, middle), the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Leye Oyebade (sitting, third left), the Area Commander, Oyo Area Command, ACP Yemi Oyediran (sitting, third right) with other police officers and traditional rulers in a group photograph during Oyebade’s visit to the palace of the Alaafin.

8 5. CP Leye Oyebade inspecting the fortification of cell project going on at Ojongbodu Dvision, Oyo.

2. CP Leye Oyebade taking a salute from sentry guard of honour mounted for him at Oyo Area Command.

6. CP Oyebade (middle, front row) in a group photograph with members of Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Oyo town.

3. CP Leye Oyebade (middle), ACP Yemi Oyediran (left) and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Atiba Division, SP Sadiq Mana during the police commissioner’s visit to Atiba Division, Oyo.

7. CP Oyebade (middle), ACP Yemi Oyediran (fifth left), Area Commander, Agodi, ACP Sunday Odukoya (fourth right) and other officers in a group photograph at Jobele Division.

4. CP Leye Oyebade (left) in a handshake with the Officer-in-Charge of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Oyo, SP Sola Aremu (second right), while the second-in-command, Oyo Area Command, SP Bunmi Apapa (third right) and others look on.

8. Cross section of traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders at the stakeholders’ meeting, held at the police headquarters on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.

20 September, 2015

With Akintayo Abodunrin akinjaa03@yahoo.co.uk 08111813058

MUSON Festival 2015 to showcase achievements of School of Music The students and alumni of the MUSON School of Music will add fillip to the 2015 Music Society of Nigeria Festival starting midOctober

must-not-miss event for art lovers, especially those with a preference for quality music and performances, the 2015 MUSON Festival themed ‘Celebrating the School of Music: The Arts through Young Nigerian Eyes’ will hold from October 14 to 25. Dedicated to celebrating the achievements of the MUSON School of Music established in 1989, activities for this year’s festival holding at its traditional venue, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos were unveiled at a media briefing on Wednesday. Vice chair of the MUSON, Louis Mbanefo (SAN); Chair, Festival Planning Committee, Kitoyi Ibare-Akinsan; General Manager, MUSON, Gboyega Banjo; Director, MUSON School of Music, Marion Akpata and one of the patrons, Francesca Emanuel were among those that briefed reporters at the occasion. The youth concert featuring the seven finalists for this year’s MusiQuest will be the curtain raiser on October 14 before My Kind of Music, a festival favourite holds the following day. Featuring in the programme where eminent guests discuss their musical preferences and how they relate to aspects of their lives, personal beliefs and philosophies are Consul-General, South African Consulate-General, Lagos; Ambassador M. S. Monaisa, Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Osagie Okunbor and Deputy Director, MUSON School of Music, Mrs Edna Soyanwo. Completing the quartet is Head, Energy and Natural Resources, FBN Capital, Ms. Rolake Akinkugbe. Taking the slot of this year’s festival drama is Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical, ‘Jesus Christ Super Star’. It is produced by Uche Nwokedi’s Playhouse Initiative and is scheduled for October 16 and 17. The 2015 classical concert comes up on October 18 and features the MUSON Symphony Orchestra conducted by its German inspira-

From left, Mr. Uche Nwokedi; Architect Kitoyi Ibare-Akinsan; Mr Louis Mbanefo; Mrs. Francesca Emanuel and Mr. Femi Adeniyi-Williams at the MUSON media briefing. tional Visiting Conductor, Walter-Michael Vollhardt. The MUSON Diploma School Festival Recital, a new item on the programme, will happen on October 19 while the Jazz Night featuring current students and alumni of the MUSON School of Music follows on October 23. Some of the scheduled performers are The School Big Band led by Lt. Cdr Abayomi Odujobi (Rtd) and Navy Lieutenant Enesi Salawu (Rtd); the Jazz Quintet led by jazz trumpeter, Ubong Etuk; The School Jazz Band; The Girlz Rule Band featuring six female alumni of the School of Music; Philip Uzo and Ranti Ihimoyan The partnership between the MUSON and the Society of the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) continues this year with the dancers presenting a dance concert titled ‘The Gathering’ on October 24. It will feature dance studios across Lagos. Concluding the 2015 festival on October 25 is the MUSON Day concert and cocktails that will coincide with the festival’s closing choral concert. The Sir Emeka Nwokediled MUSON Choir and the School Orches-

tra will perform Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert’s ‘The Pirates of Penzance’, a comic opera in two acts. Speaking earlier before the activities were unveiled, the Vice Chair, Mbanefo, touched on the formation of the MUSON in 1983, its objectives and how the society has gone about achieving its goals. He said apart from holding regular concerts for the past 32 years, the MUSON also established a School of Music to teach young people music theory and how to play musical instruments. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria expressed happiness over the growth and achievements of the school that has since become a Diploma Awarding Institution accredited by the Ministry of Education and the Music Examination Board in England. He explained that the Society decided to showcase its products this year to underscore it has come of age. Mbanefo also clarified that the MUSON is not elitist but that it believes “that the pursuit of classical music is an important discipline for our youth and a source of spiritual fulfilment, not to mention employment, throughout their lives.”

Day Word and Spirit Assembly Church celebrated Nigerian cultures THE Word and Spirit Assembly Church, Satellite Town, Lagos proudly showcased Nigerian cultures last week when it held its traditional Sunday. It was a colourful event which saw members attired in different traditional outfits depicting their roots. The founder and General Overseer of the church, Pastor Chris Ekeh, described the event as a significant and a special occasion to celebrate the cultures and ethnic nationalities

in Nigeria as reflected in the congregation. Prayers and songs of praises were also rendered to God in different languages but the highpoint of the day was a traditional fashion parade featuring male and female members of the congregation. The first three in each category were given cash prizes ranging from N50, 000 to N20, 000 and N15, 000 respectively. The trio of Ozo Ifeanyichukwu Nkemka, Godday Ejum-

etara and Nwadike Andy came first, second and third in the male category while Mrs. Chibuzor Iheagwam, Mrs. Juliet Ogbebor and Mrs. Mary Johnson were the prize winners in the female category. The day also witnessed the presentation of a cheque of N200, 000 to an ex-female convict, Miss. Jennifer Ngozi Mberekpe by the General Overseer of the church to enable her start a new life outside prison.

Chair, Festival Planning Committee, Ibare-Akinsan, spoke in the same vein. He explained that the theme for the 2015 festival ‘Celebrating the School of Music: The Arts through Young Nigerian Eyes’ was deliberate and that it “is designed to draw attention to the significant progress that the school has made since it was established, first as a Basic School in 1989 and more especially since the Diploma School came on stream in 2005. But more especially, the choice of theme draws attention to the contribution of the school, its current students and its alumni have made to MUSON’s core activities, concerts and annual Festival, over the past decade.” General Manager of the MUSON, Banjo, took a leaf from the books of the previous speakers. He also highlighted the significance of the theme and the achievements of the MUSON School of Music. He said: “In the last 25 years, the school has trained thousands of students, mainly young boys and girls, in its Basic School and in the last 10 years about 200 students have graduated from its Diploma School. The Diploma School alumni are now key players in the Nigerian music industry earning their living as music teachers, entrepreneurs, members of MUSON Orchestra and other orchestras, members of MUSON Choir and other choirs etc. Others have gone abroad to South Africa, United States of America and Europe where they have distinguished themselves in their studies for higher qualifications.” Banjo added that he hopes “that the focus on the school at this year’s Festival would lead to a wider awareness of its achievements and future potentials as well as draw attention to its present and future needs and how these might be addressed. The dream Continues p27

27 arts&culture MUSON Festival 2015 to showcase achievements of School of Music

20 September, 2015

Master artist, Bruce Onobrakpeya, writes Chibok Girls

continued from pg26

of the Founding Fathers of the Musical Society of Nigeria is that the school would ultimately take its place among the renowned music Conservatories of the world.” Director of the MUSON School of Music, Marion Akpata, also dwelt on the achievements of the institution and its impacts on the Nigerian society. Despite its achievements, Akpata noted that the battle to make music education available to Nigerian children has not been won. She said, “We face the daunting challenge to make music education available to all of our children. There used to be national school music festivals where school children were groomed for performances in choirs, solo singing and instruments. Such competitions are distant memories. Now, in some schools that used to have musical activities, there is not even a school choir. The MUSON School is poised to face this challenge. It will not be accomplished in a year but it will happen with our persistence in the cause of good music and the demands of the new generation of music consumers who have realized through their personal experience the numerous benefits of music to life and well-being.” Responding to a question on the MUSON’s sponsorship drive and the society’s impact on the Nigerian society, Mbanefo appealed for support from all Nigerians and corporate organisations. On her part, Emanuel said that the purpose of the MUSON is to evolve a new breed of Nigerians that will understand classical music. She added that students of the School of Music are already doing this by influencing the music produced outside the institution.

ENOWNED printmaker, sculptor and painter, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya, has dedicated his latest work, an installation titled ‘Sambisa Forest’ to the abducted Chibok Girls. In a short letter attached to the work, the master artist disclosed that he had once been kidnapped too and assured the girls they have not been forgotten. He said Nigerians will continue to pray for their safe release and that they shouldn’t lose hope. The letter reads: “Dear Chibok Girls, “This to let you know that our spirits are there with you in the Sambisa Forest where you have been suffering in the hands of kidnappers for a period of over 510 day. As grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, friends, citizens of Nigeria and the world, we share your pains. We daily work and pray for your release from the forbidden forest. I feel intensely what

CORA/Arterial Network Nigeria elects new officers THE CORA/Arterial Network Nigeria has a new national steering committee. The members were elected at the third General Assembly held on Sunday, September 13 in Lagos. Before the election, members reflected on the network’s state of affairs in Nigeria; reviewed preparations for the Nigerian delegation to the 2015 Arterial Network African Creative Economy Conference and the 5th Biennial Meeting scheduled for Yaounde, Cameroon in October. The newly elected steering committee members are: Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo (chairperson); Bolanle Olatunde (deputy chairperson); Sola Alamutu (treasurer and Sulayman Deji Etiwe (financial secretary)

Others elected at the meeting were Samuel Osaze (media & communication); Malaika Toyo (cultural policy officer); (Jerry Adesewo (Federal Capital Territory representative) and Victor Nwokocha (Port Harcourt representative). Arterial Network is a dynamic, pan-African civil society network of artists, activists, organizations and institutions engaged in the African creative and cultural sectors. Operating across 90 per cent of Africa, Arterial Network is actively engaged in strengthening the creative sectors and utilizing arts and culture to contribute towards sustainable development. Arterial Network is represented in Nigeria by CORA Art and Cultural Foundation (CORA).

Bruce Onobrakpeya. PHOTO: MOLARA WOOD you are going through because I too had been kidnapped as a child during the Ekene festival but was miraculously rescued before being taken away into the forest. “I dedicate this installation

called ‘Sambisa Forest’ to you. It is a prayer to the supreme intelligence for your release. “In the picture, protesting mothers parade behind totems which represent you girls, the armed in-

surgents, denied or delayed laurels and most importantly, starves of empowerment which you will receive at the end of your travail. “Finally dear girls, don’t lose hope, your present state may be a design by the creator to put you at the top of the world “Sincerely Obo –me-yoma.” Born in Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, the 83-year-old artist is one of Africa’s best known and highly respected artists. His career has spanned several decades and he has had notable exhibitions at the Tate Modern Gallery, London, National Museum of African Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, and Malmö Konsthall, Sweden amongst others. A product of the Zaria Art School, Onobrakpeya who established the Harmattan Workshop in 1989 in Agbarha-Otor for training artists, joins the list of eminent people across the globe who have prayed for the safe upkeep and release of the girls abducted from their school, Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on April 14, 2014.

Obi wins SONTA drama prize

From left, Profesors Ayo Akinwale; Sunny Ododo; Olu Obafemi; the prize winner, Nwagbo Obi and Professor Saint Gbilekaa at the SONTA conference. THEATRE scholar and ex-arts correspondent with The Sun Newspapers, Nwagbo Patrick Obi recently won the 2015 SONTA-Olu Obafemi Playwriting Prize with his unpublished play, ‘When Women Go Naked’. The prize, worth N100, 000, was presented to Obi at the opening ceremony of the 28th Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA) conference with the theme ‘Repositioning Nollywood for the Promotion of Nigeria’s Cultural Diplomacy and National Security’ held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin, Professor Ayo Akinwale presented the award to Obi, now a staff of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), at the conference attended by theatre scholars and practitioners from

across the country. Commenting on Obi’s work, one of the judges, Prof. Victor Dugga of the Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State said: “The actions in the play are amenable to staging but the stage directions appear more in tune with screen scripts than tailored for the stage. The play has prospects especially with good editing.” Other scholars that judged entries received for the category were Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, Prof. Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh, Prof. Chris Ugolo and Dr. Stephen Olusoji. About a dated form of patriarchy that is impervious to social change, ‘When Women Go Naked’ centres on Ogana, a wealthy man who uses his wealth to become the king of Umundiagu. He, however, refuses to give Udenkwo, his orphaned niece’s hand in marriage

to Udunna because he is poor. Ogana’s struggles to establish a dynasty leads to the tragic death of his only surviving son, Akubuike and other calamities in the play. While Obi won the prize for the unpublished category, another theatre artist, writer and Association of Nigerian Authors presidential candidate, Denja Abdullahi won the Published Play category with ‘Death and the King’s Grey Hair’ Obi, a native of Ichi, Ekwusigo local council of Anambra State, gained his first degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt and holds a Masters in the same discipline from the University of Lagos. He has worked with the Daily Times, The Comet and The Sun Newspapers and has several research and scholarly publications to his credit.

Sunday Tribune

20 September, 2015

glamour My encounter with a woman

With Tayo Gesinde temiligali03@yahoo.com 08054727801

who found my pictures in her hubby’s phone —Lara Olubo

Musician-cum-actress, Lara Olubo, is currently one of the television presenters rocking the industry. The big, bold and beautiful lady, as she usually describes herself, is the anchor of the popular TV programme, Miliki Express on Orisun. She speaks with SEYI SOKOYA on her success story and fashion preferences: Excerpts:

It has been wonderful. Though it is not new to me, because the table had just turned from being an interviewee to an interviewer. I used to be interviewed as a gospel artiste. But now, I interview people. I don’t think I have any regret concentrating more on broadcasting. It has afforded me an opportunity to set a standard and brand. Words of encouragement from people and my fans have also spurred me to excel in the field. I am fine and proud to be described as a successful and vibrant broadcaster. Greatest challenge I won’t succumb to the fact that I experience challenges always, because I have got the best team anyone could ask for except during the training. It could be difficult to source for ideas sometimes, especially when you don’t have a solid background about the subject matter. But God has been helpful through the bunch of talents He surrounded me with. Bimbo Ogunsanya and Yemisi Jacobs who are my producers sometimes drain me. My boss, Kwame would not give me breathing space too. But is has been lovely all the way, because I was never discouraged or feel embarrassed during trainings. To be honest, it has been God since I ventured into broadcasting. Though it has not been easy but I’m grateful to God for my background and upbringing. I also want to use this medium to appreciate my parents for what they have deposited in me which has really helped me in life and my career.

OW I ventured into broadcasting I won’t say it was sudden. Another thing is that God has His own way of doing things, especially when He is ready to usher one to the top. He will use one particular person to change one’s story for good. Bimbo Ogunsanya discovered me and got me into Orisun television. I never knew I could be a presenter. Though I loved it when I was in the university, my late father never wanted me to study Mass Communication which eventually made me to study Business Administration. So, being a TV host was never part of my plan. But as God wanted

it, one thing led to the other and I eventually found myself in the mainstream of the broadcasting industry. It all started when I paid Bimbo a visit at the Orisun Television station in Lagos. My main focus was to feature in his movie entitled: “Asababi”. This was about three years ago. Instead of discussing about the mission of my visit, he asked me if I could present a show and I replied that I could try. Lo and behold, that was how it all started. I would say life as a broadcaster has been awesome. How broadcasting has been treating me

Assessment of the broadcasting industry It is a welcome development that we are improving day by day, but I strongly believe we will get there soon. Though I am not contended with the state of things in the broadcasting industry, I’m convinced that we could improve on it so as to have a better industry. Also, I have been able to develop myself following the new face of the industry. On whether I have dumped music and acting for broadcasting I can never dump them for broadcasting; the three are interwoven and I have been handling them with care. Acting for me, started like a joke. Bimbo Ogunsayan brought me into acting and the experience has been awesome since I found myself in the mainstream of the field. I have acted alongside some notable actors in the industry such as: Jaiye Kuti, Baba Ijesa, Baba Alariya, Yinka Quadri, Mercy

Aigbe and a host of others. As for music; it all started when I was eitgh years old and I have been singing professionally for over two decades now. I have had collaborations with my mentors, Evangelists Soji and Tope Alabi. I have also worked with the likes of Wole Oni, Mike Abdul, Kunle Ayo and Kemi Olaitan among others. I have three albums to my credit; I released my first album entitled: “Advocate” in 2006, followed by “Adoration and currently, I am working on my third album I entitled: “In His Presence”. Aside all these, I am poised to venture into fashion very soon, because I love looking good. How I have been able manage the hazards of the job As said earlier, it has been God and good upbringing. My parents are disciplinarian and I still have that in me even till today. Also, the fact that I put smile on people’s faces has been more than enough rewarding. On the other hand, I really want to thank my boss, Mr Femi Aderibigbe, popularly known as Kwame of the Orisun TV for believing in me. To mention a few, Bimbo Ogunsanya and Yemisi Jacobs have been my mentors and guide on the job. How I have been able to combine the home front and my careers Honestly, it has not been easy but God’s grace has been sufficient. My family has been supportive in all ramifications. I would say the grace of God has been more than sufficient for me. I think I have to clear this; the media has been unfair to celebrities. They also contribute to the rampant crashed marriages among celebs by reporting what they don’t know or could not establish. I urge them to change their orientation about news judgments and be positive-minded. Personally, I won’t want to talk about my privacy. My home and way of life should be private. What stands me out from other fe-

male broadcasters One fact about me is that I don’t pretend. I do my things and leave the rest to God. I don’t envy people’s progress. I will never over do things, so, I would say I am the best of my kind. On whether I feel threatened with the huge competition Feel threatened? Never, I wasn’t brought up that way; I am big, bold and beautiful. So, there can never be any threat from anyone whatsoever. Educational background I had my primary education at Ijapo Primary School, later proceeded to Ijapo Secondary School for my secondary education and eventually had my higher education at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State where I studied Business Administration. Growing up As I said earlier, my parents are disciplinarians. All they thought us while growing up is what I’m enjoying till today and I’m so glad I came through them, because their impacts in my life really helped me in all manners. Description of self I’m an homely, caring, straight forward person. I hate lies and I am very understanding, but I hate to be taking for a fool. Definition of fashion To me, fashion is anything you are comfortable in. Dressing is the function of your head. It has to do with instinct. One doesn’t really need to go to the extreme to make a fashion statement. Choice of accessories I love wrist watches a lot. Perfumes are my best choice too. I also love shoes to a fault. Also, I have got plenty beads as well, though I

Media also contribute to the rampant crashed marriages among celebs by reporting what they don’t know or could not establish. I urge them to change their orientation about news judgments and be positive-minded.

make them myself. Yes, I love hairs! However, I am contented with whatever I have. Beauty regimen I love my palm oil and honey with turmeric mix together with my rice water. These are natural stuff I learnt from Arewa Bukola Fash. For me, I don’t really have any beauty regime. Most women don’t know milk is one of the most beautiful nutrients our skin needs. I learn a lot from a group called EGS on the social media. I gathered a lot of information and tips each time I check on the group and the results are always instant. Fashion icons My mum and my sister are great inspiration. They taught me most of the things I need to know about fashion. I have also learnt some skills from my two lovely friends, Mercy Aigbe Gentry and Funmilayo Onigbogi. Fashion item you can’t do without As I said earlier, my perfumes and my wrist watches are the major things I cannot do without, especially when I am going out. Most expensive item in my wardrobe They are three; things-my hair, my wrist watch and my laces. Fashion item I won’t be caught dead wearing Never, I cannot be caught wearing skinny dresses or revealing clothes, because I cannot imagine what I would look like. In fact, they are not my choice. I am always conscious of being seen as a responsible and cautious person wherever I found myself. What is your opinion on toning? I’m not a fan of such though. As I said earlier, I use natural product for my skin, because I’m light skinned. Personally, it is meaningless for me to tone with what I have learnt from EGS; natural products such as: lemon oil, milk, tomatoes, palm oil, turmeric and many more are enough to look good and healthy, so, using chemical on my body is a big NO for me and for those who engage in such, they had better watch it because of old age. Cosmetic surgery God forbid. It is a no go area for me. I am not a fan of such. Anyone who might want to encourage me to do so should just leave me the way I am.

Special treatment I’m a homely girl. It is either I take a nap at home or go to the cinema to watch movies which I hardly do these days. I also love going to Chinese restaurant once in a while. But at present, I am pleased staying at home with my people. My greatest physical asset My smile is my greatest physical asset. The fact is that I have chosen to be happy in whatever situations I find myself. This even gives me more confidence when things are not fine. I always want to wear a good face so as to overcome the challenge in no time. This has really worked for me. I enjoy wearing a good look with my smiles, because it speaks good volume of me. Take on provocative dressing It is such a pity most people don’t know that they would be addressed the way they dress. I don’t support this at all. I project dignity and sanity, because I am a role model to some people, aside the fact that I am a disciplined person. Beauty secret I don’t really have any secret except God. I have learnt to always let go the past and move on with my life. I pray a lot and I am also an advocate of contentment, just as the Yourba proverb says: “Se bo ti mo, elewa

sapon”. How I handle male advances Honestly, it has been God and being firm with my decision. My upbringing has been helpful too. I don’t get distracted with material things, because I am content with the little I have. Most embarrassing moment I could remember a nasty experience I had with a family when a lady called me on a fateful day and started abusing me for minutes over the phone, because she saw many of my pictures in her husband’s phone. I was speechless because I didn’t have an idea of what she was talking about. I never expected such from anyone. I later got to know that it was not a joke. Apparently, she fought with her husband and the dispute was eventually resolved by members of their family when the husband presented some of the cloths I wore in the stored pictures which he bought for his wife to the meeting in order to establish the main reason he used to snap my pictures during my programme on the TV. She later informed me about the whole issue and begged for forgiveness and compensated me with the sum of N3,000 recharge card. The interesting part is that the scenario had made the whole family to be fans of my TV programme, Miliki Express. We are friends now, though we have not meet face-to-face.

aspire

20 September, 2015

BY OLAIDE SOKOYA 0807 449 7425 (sms only)

BB pin: 55CBFA49

Self determination, discipline key to success — CEO ABTO Conglomerate A graduate of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB), Babafemi Omodehin, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ABTO Conglomerate. In this interview with OLAIDE SOKOYA, he shares his experience about his career, what has kept him and the business going, and how youths can be successful, among others. Excerpts:

OW has it been as the CEO of ABTO Conglomerate? It hasn’t been an easy ride because of challenges here and there, but the most important thing is how I responded to them as they came. So far, God has been faithful; it is like taking care of a new born baby that must be fed with all the necessary nutrients required to grow, live well and live long, even if you have to starve yourself of some things. But, I believe selfdetermination and discipline has brought me this far. What prompted you into this business? Cleaning is my passion; I love to clean. It is like my way of life. What services do you offer to the people? We offer house cleaning, laundry, office cleaning and car cleaning, to mention a few. How did it all start and how long have you been in the business? By the grace of God, this is my fifth year. I started when I was in the university.

You are a graduate of FUNAAB with a degree in Physics, what will happen to your certificate since you seem to be passionate about cleaning? Yes, I am a graduate and I till work with my certificate; I am still a scientist. Physics is the study of nature, a science and an act. Even in my laundry, I still apply my physics methodology. ABTO entails a lot of things; it is a conglomerate which has various segments. We have cleaning section, laundry section, transportation section, web section which deals with designing websites. How did you choose the line of business you wanted to do? Divine wisdom, prayers, creativity and ability to relate effectively with customers. How do you see laundry services in Nigeria compared to other climes? In Nigeria, laundry services are growing very fast. When Nigerians hear that something is booming, they all rush into it. So many people think laundry is just the normal way of washing clothes at home. There are some kind of water which is not good for washing clothes; they are high in alkaline which change the colour of the fabrics. But, in our own case, we will first check the base scale of the water, the kind of soap to use and the chemical to use. We wash according to the manufacturer’s instructions. What are the challenges you have faced? I can’t say I do not have challenges because there is no

Babafemi one without challenges in life. I don’t see my challenge as challenges. What I can say is that I have not yet seen anyone that can do my job as I do it. How profitable is this business? This business is very lucrative. What is your philosophy of life? Whatever your hand finds; do it well. That has kept me on in everything I do. What advice will you give the government on youth development? The government should encourage the youth with more free skill acquisition centres in every community, and after youths must have acquired desired skills, the government should also provide a start-up capital. This is creating jobs in a way, and it will reduce the rate of youths looking for employment because they already have a skill to practice and make a living. I believe that, if the government can invest more on the youth in this area, they can be able to cater for themselves, whereas the economy of the country is growing. How will you advice the youth? My advice for the youth is to take any opportunity available for acquiring a skill. And when the opportunity comes, they should make the best out of it. Youths should be less concerned about the capital for now, but strive to acquire the necessary skills, learn more from accomplished entrepreneurs how capital can be raised in other to be successful. How do you unwind? I relax with my family because I am a homely person. Sometimes, I go to recreational centers; I also party with my friends.

Your Life Counts

Sunday Tribune

by Tunde Jaiyebo 0803 406 2013

The power of influence (II) WE have been looking at the issue of influence. Every accomplishment in life, whether good or evil, is the product of influence. When influence is properly used it leads to transformation and when it is negative it causes pain. Influence always travels on the vehicle of relationships. As long as we have relationships with people, directly through personal interaction or indirectly through the media (books, television, internet, radio etc) we are being influenced. Influence is a two-way street. We get influenced and we influence others. We owe ourselves a responsibility not to be negatively influenced. We must understand that we are ruled and guided by the influences we get exposed to so we need to jealously guard the kind of relationships we engage in. If we are not going to be negatively influenced we must avoid certain kinds of relationships. We must totally avoid relationships which will have a negative impact in our lies. We must also avoid relationships that will adversely affect the execution of our life purpose. We must avoid unwholesome relationships. If we discover we have relationships that have over the years militated against our interest wisdom demands that we minimize our involvement. No relationship is neutral. No matter how seemingly insignificant or casual a relationship is influence still gets to be shared. We must consciously determine to have ourselves influenced positively to enhance our purpose by acquiring, nurturing and maximizing certain relationships. We need relationships that will make us sit on the shoulders of giants so we can see farther than others. “Get around people who have something of value to share with you. Their impact will continue to have a significant effect on your life long they have departed.” Jim Rohn We need the influence of mentors and experts who have tread the road we are planning to travel so we can glean from their experience. “Socrates had a student named Plato, Plato had a student named Aristotle, and Aristotle had a student named Alexander the Great.’ Tom Morris Only a fool makes the mistakes of others – a wise man makes his own fresh mistakes. We must also position ourselves to be a means of positive influence to other people. “We live in a world which is full of misery and ignorance, and the plain duty of each and all of us is to try to make the little corner he can influence somewhat less miserable and somewhat less ignorant than it was before he entered it.”Thomas Huxley We must live our lives in a way that every encounter we have with people will leave them better than we met them. Our lives must be described by people who relate with us as positively influential. “Alignment -This is one of the great buzzwords of our time. When used consciously, it's also the key to building solid relationships as well as the foundation for being influential. When you are able to show how someone else's needs can be met through your idea or process, you both stand a chance of walking away satisfied.” Steve Roesler Being influential is not just caring but being firm and willing to effect changes. “Effective managers are sensitive to, and caring of, people — they know that why and how they exert influence matter greatly — but behind everything they do is this fundamental need to shape and change what others do and the thoughts and feelings that drive their actions. Ask yourself: Do I want to influence others? Am I ready and willing to do so?

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

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

thepolity CodeofConductBureauvsSaraki: Betweenpoliticsandprobity Last Wednesday, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) took on the Nigeria’s number three citizen, Senate President Bukola Saraki. A number of commentators have raised issues of content and context concerning the charges preferred against the Senate President. Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA, examines the issues.

EFORE the publication of a story headlined: “APC Chiefs in fresh plot against Saraki” by the Nigerian Tribune on September 8, calls were put through to the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, to ascertain the side of the Senate President on the matter. The former commissioner in Ogun state had immediately retorted that “this is new to me.” But two weeks down the line, the matter was no longer new to him as he got confronted with documents indicating that his boss, Senator Bukola Saraki, had been charged with alleged perjury at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). According to insiders in the said story, a plot was being orchestrated to make Saraki the next target of a “dribbling run.” The sources had said that Saraki was the next target and that a committee was assiduously working on the proverbial “banana peels” that would ensure the man bites the dust as soon as possible. Indeed, what was gathered indicated that Saraki may not be the one to preside over the confirmation of ministers, whose list is expected at the Senate on September 30. On Wednesday, the nation woke up to the reality that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) had slammed the Senate President with a 13-count charge at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The charges, endorsed by a Deputy Director in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, M.S Hassan, indicated that the Senate president committed alleged perjury in filling his Code of Conduct forms when he served as governor of Kwara State in 2003. The charges also alleged irregularities in the forms submitted by the Senate president in 2007 and 2011. The allegations border on alleged anticipatory declaration and failure to disclose properties owned by the former governor as well as operation of foreign account as at the time of holding office as governor. Count one of the 13-count charge reads: “That you, Dr. Olubukola Abubakar Saraki, while being the executive Governor of Kwara State on or about 16th September, 2003, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Tribunal did make a false declaration in assets declaration form for public officers on assumption of office as Governor of Kwara State by making an anticipatory asset declaration in that you claimed to have owned and acquired No. 15A and

Senator Bukola Saraki, Senate President

N0. 15B McDonald Ikoyi, Lagos through your company Carlisle Properties Limited in the year 2006 when the said property was in actual fact sold by the Implementation Committee on Federal Government landed property in the year 2006 to your companies Tiny Tee Limited and Vitti Oil Limited for the aggregate sum of N396, 150, 000 and you hereby committed an offence under section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and incorporated under paragraph 11(1) and (2) of Part 1, 5th schedule to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and punishable under section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and incorporated under paragraph 18 of part 1, 5th schedule to the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). According to the charge sheet No. CCT/ ABJ/01/15, Saraki was also accused of operating an American Express credit card account during his tenure as governor, which he allegedly wired at least $3.4 million to from a Nigerian account. Another count on the charge sheet also

President Muhammadu Buhari

accused Saraki of acquiring houses No 17A and 17B McDonald Ikoyi, Lagos at the sum of N497,200,000 (four hundred and ninety seven million, two hundred thousand Naira only, which the charge said was “not fairly attributable” to his income. The Senate President was also accused of alleged false declarations in his Asset Declaration Form of June 2011 by allegedly refusing to declare a house located at Plot 2A Glover Road Ikoyi Lagos, which he was said to have acquired at the sum of N325,000,000 (Three hundred and twenty five million Naira.) Another charge accused Saraki of failing to declare a house at Plot 37A Glover Road Ikoyi in June 2011, besides also allegedly making a wrong declaration in respect of a property at 1, Tagus Street, Maitama Abuja. The Senate President immediately rejected the allegations, insisting on his innocence. He fired two salvos that same day. First was a statement from his office and the second at a forum with the management of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), which paid him a courtesy visit. In the statement, the Media office of

the Senate President also raised 13 points to counter the move from CCB. Saraki rejects charges The Senate President said in a statement that the allegations against him were politically-motivated, insisting that he would meet his traducers in court. The statement reads: “The attention of Dr. Bukola Saraki, President of the Senate, has been drawn to a charge sheet being widely circulated on the online media, upon which he is expected to be tried at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). “It should be noted that at the time of writing this statement (10.00am on September 16, 2015), Dr. Saraki has not been served the court process. However, we recognise that as a public officer, he owes members of the public explanation on the allegations contained in the charge sheet. “We therefore state as follows: 1. That all the claims contained in the charge sheet are false, incorrect and untrue. 2. That Dr. Saraki has consistently deContinues

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interview

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Buhari, beware of APC governors —Agbaje

Fred Agbaje is a legal practitioner and human rights activist. He speaks with OLAKUNLE TAIWO, on the Buhari administration, assets declaration, the principle of Federal Character, among others. Excerpts:

HAT significant change have you noticed in the socio-economic and political life of the country since the change of guard? I am not a blind critic. I am an openminded critic. One thing that I learnt from Pa Obafemi Awolowo is that, in his every criticism, he would always proffer solutions. He wasn’t a blind critic. So, my criticisms or whatever I say, I am just being objective like the sage. But, to appreciate what President Muhammadu Buhari has done in the last three months, we need to do a comparative study of the first three months from President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration to that of Jonathan’s. There is a fundamental difference. Sincerely, I am not advocating for President Buhari or anybody. But, what were we facing before he came on board? Three months before the last general election, the economy was virtually in comatose and fuel scarcity became the order of the day. When Buhari came in, we started seeing fuel everywhere. The war against corruption simply took centre stage. Electricity that was nowhere to be found was now enjoyed by the people. In all of these goodness, I like the modesty displayed by President Buhari when some journalists asked him what magic wand he used that suddenly brought power sector almost back to life and petrol now available, he said he had not fixed any refinery, that these were works done by his predecessor, but there were so much of sabotage around the system. If it were to be some other politicians, they would be claiming credit for what they didn’t do. The president has not brought any bill to the National Assembly as to the economic direction of the country, yet things have started taking shape. And that has now confirmed to me that the fundamental problem of Nigeria, as a society today, is bad leadership. A good leader inspires the followers. And another thing that he did that has also won my heart is the movement of the security chief to the heartland of terrorists. But some claim even that decision hasn’t put an end to Boko Haram attacks… But terrorism has reduced. What we now have are pockets of people throwing bombs here and there, but the major fighters are in comatose. Before, they were confronting the soldiers with heavy guns, but they have now been incapacitated. Only the displaced ones are trying to fight back, and the army has taken over Sambisa forest. At least, there is a relative peace in the most affected Northern states. You mentioned bad leadership as one of challenges facing the country, what solutions would you proffer? I may be crude in my answer, but let us

Fred Agbaje

go back to adopt hook, line and sinker, the white paper or what we call the Justice Uwais electoral reform committee reports. He made far-reaching suggestions about how to turn the electoral system of the country around. And don’t forget that until a country like Nigeria has a good leader, things can never go right. And things have started just going right, because we have a leader that the people yearned for. Without a cabinet in place, things have started taken shape. As I said, this confirmed to me that the problem of Nigeria is leadership. We have followers who are ready to work with any good leader. Those who were called saboteurs of the past administration, who hindered the performance of that administration, would not have embarked on sabotage, but did that because the electoral process that produced the past leader was heavily manipulated, and such process couldn’t have given birth to a right type of political leaders, but a crooked leader. And that is why they won’t listen to the people. That was why a former Nigerian leader could elect his own special adviser and said he was not

bound to take his advice. Obasanjo did it. In other words, he didn’t trust himself neither those he elected to work with him. And don’t forget that Obasanjo’ electoral process, crooked as it was, witnessed one of the most lumberous litigation one can ever imagine; virtually all other political parties fought him. Even if he won at the election tribunal, that didn’t mean he won popular mandate. So, a good leader is an intelligent one who shows examples. He is not one who will tell you one thing and does the other. And that is why they didn’t want Buhari all along; because they knew he was going to make them accountable. God has helped him and he is there now. Why is the the president undermining the constitution on key appointments as claimed by many Nigerians? What would the people who think in that manner have done if they were in his shoes? Will they go and elect those they don’t know or have never worked with? People should not forget the simple fact that we are running a presidential system

of government. And under this system, the bulk stops on the president’s table. If the government succeeds, he will get the credit, and if he doesn’t, to him will all of us point accusing finger at. I think the man is trying to be very careful. Whether you call him Baba go slow till tomorrow, he wants to be on the safe side. He will remain on that slow lane and be careful so as not to make mistakes. I have never been an apostle of this so-called Federal Character principle. Count me out of the concept of Federal Character, because that is one of those dubious political concepts that found it dirty leg into the constitution. That was how the constitution was made to entrench mediocrity as against meritocracy, and allowed the blind to lead the sighted, illiterates to lead the schooled. And we are still suffering from this till today, because of the so called Federal Character. If it was limited mainly as a political slogan, I won’t have bothered my head, but they went ahead and inserted it into Section 14 of the constitution that all appointments must be reflective. Don’t forget that this concept found its way into our political lexicon when the military came into power in 1966, because they wanted to entrench military hegemony, particularly having regard to where the majority of the military men came from. With the limited education they have, they must be everywhere and those of us who are educated should wait. Nigeria is yet to recover from that retrogressive concept called Federal Character. Based on this, I am not one of those pointing accusing finger at the president. He selected those he trusted and believed are capable. In other words, if I am more qualified than you, because of Federal Character, you could be taken, and that is what is happening in most profession till today. It is the mediocre that are ruling. They have even extended it to university admission and say some areas are a catchment area. Whether they meet up with the cutoff mark or not, they must be allowed to come in. But some believe he has committed an impeachable offence... What impeachable offence? The constitution did not say the man can’t appoint his team from anywhere. What he can’t do is that his cabinet must be reflective of the 36 states. It is his kitchen cabinet, not mine or yours. So, when those criticising him are in power, they can appoint their enemies to hold the kitchen appointment with them and see how successful they will be at the end of the day. Does that mean people from other regions lack merit and trust? He has his own reasons; if he says he doesn’t trust people from other regions to form his kitchen cabinet, how will you fault him? We are talking about success. As far as I am concerned, I am not bothContinues

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interview

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Politics should not be a permanent job —Agboola, former Deputy Senate Whip

Hosea Ayoola Agboola is the immediate past senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District and Deputy Senate Whip. He speaks with MOSES ALAO on life after office, the need for politicians to shun politics of desperation and the chances of his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Oyo State and at the national level.

INCE the last general election in which your party, PDP, suffered massive losses and you also lost in your bid to return to the Senate for another term, you have been silent, leading to insinuations that you have left politics for good. Where have you been and what have you been up to? There was nothing to contest for again after we lost at the senatorial, state and federal levels; so the next thing was for me to face my business. If you say I have been silent, you are correct. Only empty barrels make the most sound. But I can tell you that I have faced my business since I was not contesting for anything again. And let me tell you, politics is about timing. It is now the time of APC and sooner, PDP’s time will return. Many people think politics is politicians’ business, the cash cow that they cannot do without but you said you have returned to your business, what happened to the business you have now faced squarely in those four years you were in the Senate? A good politician whose interest is service and not selfishness should have an active business outside politics. And it is destructive for anyone to consider politics as his only business or a cash cow as you put it, because as I said earlier, it is about timing. If a farmer plants maize or yam, he tenders them and expects an harvest; a politician cannot have such a luxury; you just do your own and expect the people to repay your good deeds with their votes. If you take politics as your only business, what if you or your party does not win elections? Former President Olusegun Obasanjo once said that politicians should have a second address; my second address is my business. To answer the second part of your question, when I was in Abuja as a senator, I didn’t do away with my business. I am into oil, hospitality, farming and many other businesses; these are, first and foremost, the reasons most people got to know me. So I never abandoned my business for politics. I monitored what was going on in my companies and immediately the electorate in my constituency said they no longer want me to represent them, I decided to take full charge of my businesses. That is what I have been up to. But there are those who believe that it is difficult doing politicking and running a business effectively side by side. Did your business suffer while you were in the Senate? It suffered a lot. You know that if you delegate something to someone, it can never be like when you supervise it yourself. My businesses suffered a lot and I am only trying to bring some of them back to where they were, while I have also been able to improve on some others. You talked about politicians having second address; do you have any advice for the current crop of politi-

contribute my quota to the uplift and development of the society and for the good of the people. I have participated at the grass roots and the highest level as a commissioner and later as a senator and what I have been able to do to develop my area is there for everyone to see. In the same vein, my contributions to helping the people of my constituency and even across Oyo State are also there; I have come, seen and conquered and I can decide that I have had enough of contesting for offices. As the Bible says, there is time for everything under the sun; so for me, the time for contesting elections is over. I can act in advisory capacities. There were some projects you facilitated as a senator, including the N500 million University College Hospital (UCH) annex at Sepeteri. Apart from that project, were there others that you were able to complete? The Otu Museum Park in Otu, Itesiwaju Local Government Area was completed. We also facilitated the building of several blocks of classrooms across the 13 local governments. The solar streetlights projects were also completed. As you said, the UCH annex is a huge and massive project, it gives me joy that I was able to facilitate that project for the use of people in Oke Ogun area. As a matter of fact, if that had been the only project I was able to facilitate, it would have been worth it. But we were also able to facilitate the building of health centres in many local governments. The projects that we were not able to complete were the roads and dam projects.

Senator Hosea Agboola

cians? Politicians should know that politics should never be a do-or-die affair; if you contest and you lose, you should see it as an act of God and return to your business. That is why you have a solid business or career before going into politics. Unfortunately, most politicians in Nigeria have nothing before going into politics and that is the reason they handle things with desperation. Such people cannot but want to win at all costs. Since you became a commissioner in Oyo State about 12 years ago, people have always come to you for one form of assistance or the other, turning Alleluyah petrol stations and some of your other companies into avenues for politicians and non-politicians seeking your favours. Do people still come now that you are strictly a businessman? They do, but it has reduced. You know that before, when they came to me, they would say ‘you know we voted for you,’ or ‘you are our commissioner’ and all that . Now that I am no longer in office, it has not completely stopped, but it has reduced.

So how do you handle such people? I still give them what I can afford, but it is not as high as when I was in office. A newspaper recently claimed that following your loss in the last election, you have left politics. Did you at any time say that you are quitting politics? I didn’t tell anyone that I am quitting politics. Nobody had an interview with me or even asked me whether I was leaving politics or not, so I was surprised to also read that story. However, what I have said again and again is that I am now facing my business and that I am no longer going to contest election. Really? You won’t contest elections again? I won’t contest election again. Why? Is it because you are disappointed that the people you worked for in the last four years let you down with their votes? I joined politics because I wanted to

Is there a way you can influence the completion of some of the yetto-be-completed projects, having served as a principal officer in the last Senate? I can only try; it cannot be like when I was in office. I can try but I cannot promise that my effort will translate into the incumbent Federal Government completing those projects. I have to confess that it pains me that the people could not enjoy the roads before I left office. Are you in talking terms with your successor, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari? We talk. Is it possible for him to ensure the completion of some of the projects you started, because it will amount to a waste if those projects end up being abandoned, as has always been the case with projects facilitated by legislators? I cannot force him to complete any project; you know we are not in the same party. But if people in the areas affected by the projects feel that those projects are important, they should approach politicians in his party to discuss with him. You know that Buhari is in APC and I am in Continues

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thepolity

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Saraki: Yet another battle Continued from

pg 31

clared his assets as required by law at every point before resuming any political office and that of 2015 is not an exception. It is surprising that the alleged charges are now referring his asset declaration made in 2003 while in office as Governor of Kwara State to formulate their charges. They therefore ignored the recent declaration for which they last week issued an acknowledgement. 3. That we believe that the Code of Conduct Bureau, following their processes in which after a declaration is submitted to the bureau they carried out verification of the assets and ascertained the claims made, should not wait till 12 years later to be pointing out alleged inconsistencies in a document submitted to it in 2003. This same Dr. Saraki submitted asset declaration form in 2007, 2011 and 2015. It is unexplainable that the case in question is now based on the 2003 declaration. 4. This is why we are of the opinion that present effort is a desperate move initiated due to external influence and interference. 5. It should also be noted that contrary to the procedure indicated in the law setting up the CCB, the bureau never wrote to Dr. Saraki to complain of any inconsistency in his asset declaration forms. 6. It should also be noted that Dr. Saraki as Governor of Kwara State never operated a foreign account. 7. That some of the issues contained in the charge sheet are subjects of earlier decided and on-going Court cases. We therefore believe those behind filing of these charges are engaging in forum-shopping. 8. It should be noted that we do not know on whose authority these charges are filed when the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act clearly indicate that any prosecution must be authorized by an Attorney General and we know the nation last had an AG in May 2015. This is another clear indication that the CCT is acting under influence from outside its domain and therefore ready to bend the rules to achieve this obnoxious objective 9. We, therefore, conclude that this is not an anticorruption driven case and cannot be part of the moves aimed at fighting corruption. It is simply a pure malicious and politically-motivated prosecution aimed at undermining the person and office of the Senate President. 10. That those behind this plot will definitely meet Dr. Saraki in court as this case, which is based on outright fabrication and mischief, will not and cannot stand the test of justice. 11. It should be noted that throughout his career as a public official democratically elected to high public service, Dr Saraki has always held himself, to global standards of transparency and accountability, to a far higher standard of diligence, disclosure, and compliance, than required or even requested by Nigeria’s Code of Conduct protocols. Thus, Dr Saraki has always, lawfully and accountably, declared his assets, both directly owned, and in which he may derive any historical and on-going degree of beneficial interest. 12. In view of the above, Senator Saraki hereby affirms his belief in the justice system and that when the proposed case comes to the tribunal; he will diligently state his case. He is also ready to co-operate with the Tribunal and other lawful government agencies in the bid to genuinely fight corruption and eliminate impunity in our public affairs. 13. We also note that anytime you try to fight corruption or insist that the right thing should be done, the system will always come after you. This is another case of desperation to fight Dr. Saraki because of his recent stance on national issues.” Also at a forum in his office when he hosted the management of Public Complaints Commission (PCC) on Wednesday, Saraki said that the era of impunity and administrative injustice in the country are over. “This is the beginning of our accountability to the Nigerian people, what makes a society is for people to have a sense of belonging, to have a sense of ownership of their governance and commissioners like you,” he said. The Senate president has been having a running battle with the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) since his emergence on June 9, 2015, while

Danladi Umar, Code of Conduct Bureau chairman

his wife, Toyin, has been interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of money laundering and diversion of Kwara State government funds, while her husband served as Governor of Kwara State. Senators vow to defend Saraki Though some senators would not want to be dragged directly into the issue, a number of them who spoke on the development on Wednesday and Thursday insisted that Saraki was a victim of political victimisation, adding that the upper chamber would defend the man. They also claimed that the attempt to try him was aimed at distracting the Senate and derail the Senate President’s anti-corruption stance. Senator Issah Misau, APC, Bauchi, who spoke on Wednesday night, said that external forces targeting the Senate were responsible for Saraki’s travails. He asked leaders of the APC to act fast and nip the crisis in the bud. He said that what was afoot was not a fight against corruption but an attempt at politicising some issues, adding that since the legislature and the executive need to work together, party leaders must prevail on those behind the plot against Saraki to stop. Senator Sabi Aliyu Abdullahir, APC Niger, who spoke to newsmen on Thursday, said that the move against Saraki at the CCB was aimed at distracting the Senate and the National Assembly. He said: “I want to believe an allegation remains an allegation; and our laws are very clear. It is an allegation until it is proven; I want to believe it remains an allega-

Those who raise the issue of context have relied heavily on the scenarios surrounding Saraki’s emergence as Senate President and the fact that Buhari has refused to host him at the Villa three months after his emergence

Senator Ahmad Lawan

tion. However, let’s take a closer look at what the allegations are; dating back to 2003 to date, I think, as far as I am concerned there is something fishing about it. It is very obvious; of course we know what has happened since the inauguration of the 8th Senate. “And what I want state here clearly is that we have a duty based on our mandate by the electorate to come here, a number of processes were done, and I want to believe that, unless if somebody is trying to tell that all those processes were carried out by various security agencies were not correct, I want to believe, if they were correct, then somebody needs to ask the question: how come twelve years down the line somebody is feeling that there is something he has forgotten in those years and he wants to find out an answer for them now? “We will stand by our leaders, because leadership is from God and as far as I am concerned, I didn’t come here because I am the best; it is just the will of God that we will be here. And based on the fact that we are here, we shall try as much as possible to deliver very good legislations that will move this country forward. Nigeria is great, and we want to make it greater. And I assure you, we will definitely not be distracted. The entire Senate is behind our leadership.” Senator, Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP Abia) also condemned the attack on Saraki said that the plot against the Senate President was unnecessary adding that Saraki has in the last 100 days served the led the Senate creditably. Senator Hussain Salihu (APC Nasarawa) said: “The charges against Saraki as far as I am concerned are just distractive, in the sense that we are talking about issue of thirteen years ago and people are bringing it now. I think Nigerians should disregard such issues because they are distracting the National Assembly from doing its own constitutional work. And I don’t think that it is going to help us. “What we are talking about now is how we are going to get power supply; how the ordinary man can send his children to school and the sick to get hospitals that will treat them. So, the allegations are non-issues. I think the people who are doing this are not helping the country; they are not helping the President and they are not helping anybody because as far as the National Assembly is concerned, we are going to move on from all these distractions. Issues of content and context Besides the immediate response, Saraki has also assembled a list of lawyers to examine the battle at hand. A Continues

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interview

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

‘Federal character principle has done more harm to Nigeria’ Continued from

the one begging. Finally, judges should stop being narrow-minded in their judgments. Justice is no longer one way traffic, which is justice to the accused. No, rather, it is now four ways traffic; justice for the accused, me and you, justice to the society, justice to the victim of the crime and justice to the international communities that are watching us.

pg 32

ered about where the kitchen cabinet came from. As I said, everything lies on his table, and if he is successful, so be it, and if he does not, people like us will be the first to point accusing finger at him. And that is the more reason he has to go for the best: people who have the fear of God and are transparent. Are you satisfied with the way the president declared his assets, especially the contents? I have read the contents as reported in most of the national dailies. Don’t blame the president and his vice if there is any shortcomings coming from the issue of assets declaration, people should blame the wayward constitution. Sections 144, 149 and 185 of the constitution talked about public officers declaring their assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau and that’s all. But, the president went ahead to make it public, because everything that surrounds him is anti-corruption. And I expect all the governors to do the same, but many of them have said no. This shows that the governors are not sincere working with the president. Most of the APC governors are fundamental irritants who will work against his government. Because, if only for probity, which the president has shown an example of and his followers are saying they cannot abide by it, it means they have skeleton in the cupboard. It means they are going to steal and the president should begin to mark them. So, the president should not sleep with his eyes closed, believing that he has governors from the same party who are going to abide by his bidding. But to end the issue of assets declaration, the rituals in the constitution are not far-reaching enough. What ought to be is that, if the constitution is strengthened, every public officer must upon declaration of assets, within five days, further declare that assets in five national dailies. If this can be done, the outcome will be that corruption will reduce, because the people will be involved. If my neighbour, who is a commissioner, has lied that he has only one house and I know he has many houses, he is already on fire. You will see that people will prefer not to go into public service, for them to go and be humiliated. What do you see as the missing links in the fight against corruption, especially now? Corruption has become a mainstay and is being worn like ‘babariga’ and ‘agbada’ in Nigeria. Our lifestyle is incomplete without corruption. It is now an institution that employs people, because you have to be corrupt to survive. What the president needs to do is to remove the heads of anti-graft agencies who have never worked and have been compromised all along, with allegations hanging on their necks. The anti-graft agencies should be fortified as an institution in order to go after former and sitting governors, because what many of the public office holders do, especially governors, is to loot for four years, and if they are lucky, for eight years, then send themselves to the National Assembly, where they would become stumbling blocks to the passage of any bill that

Agbaje

will expose them. The fight against corruption is going to be a long one for Buhari, because some Senators and governors are going to fight against him. What the government must also do is to amend Section 36 of the constitution dealing with for hearing. It says every accused person is innocent until proven guilty. It should be made that when it involves corruption cases, that presumption of innocence does not apply. We have not violated any fundamental human rights law, if the onus is shifted on any public office holder to come and defend his source of wealth. Apart from that, we should move further to amend the available criminal laws, penal laws, administration of criminal justice Act to include graft offences, and make those graft offences capital in which the grant of bail will only be discretionally limited to health ground. And that health ground is for the accused to convince the judge that public hospitals cannot take care of that ailment, and must not go to any private hospital for any bogus report. By so doing, people will think twice before committing graft. It will mean that those who are standing trial on graft related offences will be begging judges, saying ‘my lord, grant me accelerated hearing. Because bail cannot be granted without solid health ground’, and they are detained, they will begin to talk like parrots. We are the ones begging them to come and stand trials; they will be

How would you assess the National Assembly in performing its constitutional role? Will those ones allow any useful amendment that can help in the fight against corruption to see the light of the day? As far as I am concerned, the National Assembly has not impressed me. How many days have they sat for one to even assess them? They are busy gallivanting and many of them are still battling their fate in the election tribunals. I know many of them will be thrown out of the chambers by various tribunals. That is why I can understand why many of them are tactically avoiding sittings and clamouring for adjournment. But for how long will they delay the hands of the clock? Whatever the number of remnants that will be left after the judicial fumigation process has taken place, I expect them to work hand-inhand with the president to ensure that assiduity is given to the bill that will help in fighting against corruption and good governance. Their oversight functions should not be limited to how much they will get from companies’ transaction. I sympatise with the president and his vice because they have good intentions, but there are fundamental legal and constitutional flaws towards achieving a decent society or that will be partially free of corruption. I am scared that after Buhari, what happens to the fight against corruption? The only way out is to strengthen those institutions so that they can outlive his tenure. I don’t see the present crop of National Assembly members as dancing to the same drumbeat with the president. How would you assess the present government in Lagos? Governor Akinwumi Ambode is trying but a lot of damage has been done before him. The past administration gave false hope to the people that things have been done. Look at the road on Pedro Street, the contractor did it half-way and abandoned the road, and nobody is saying anything. And that was why I wrote a letter to Governor Ambode a month ago that if one of the things they handed over to you concerns Pedro Road and that it has been completed, it is a lie. I met the greatest shock of my life last week when I went to Okota at Ago Palace way, I had never seen a deceit in governance like that before. They put broken blocks on the road and looked so nice for about two miles, but they told us the road was completed. We were on that bad road for two hours. In other words, Ambode must sit tight because I think he has good intentions, but if there are people standing on his way. He should get them out from the service. He should go for good hands that can work effectively with him. He should not be blindfolded by party politics alone, because the state has gone beyond those who cannot deliver.

‘It’s too early to assess Buhari’s govt’ Continued from

pg 33

PDP. If the APC members believe that the projects matter to them, they should link up with him. Other than that, I cannot force him to complete the projects. It is now a little over three months that President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, as a businessman, how do you see his government? I am still studying it, I cannot assess him now. It is still early to assess. As a man who has petrol stations, hotels and other businesses, how have they fared in the last

few months? I still maintain that it is too early to assess. Okay, what is your assessment of Buhari as an opposition politician? Same thing; it is early to assess. I cannot say whether he is performing or not. But do you think there is a chance for your party to bounce back in Oyo State and the national level, because your party is riddled with crises? Secondly, the popular political culture in the country is for the people to move to where the money is, how will your party be able to sustain

its large membership? When APC won Oyo State in 2011, it was not in power at any level; it had nothing. It is not a matter of money, though people in PDP believe a lot in money. If we can see people who are committed to the party and to the welfare of the people, the PDP will bounce back. I will leave the people to be the decider on which party pays them most in Oyo State. But I can assure you that the PDP will surely bounce back. Will you be among those committed people? Yes, I can play an advisory role. If what they want is advice, I will be among those that will help PDP to bounce back.

thepolity

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Can Saraki survive the storm? Continued from

pg 34

number of his colleagues who were out of the country had also started retuning to join in the battle to save their man. There are indications that the powers that be are tired of Saraki and want to get him out at the earliest possible time. For instance, the Senate President was said to have offended two top leaders of the APC with the manner he emerged the nation’s number three man in June. On one hand, the Senate president was said to have demystified the strongman of the APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was said to have given clear preference to Senator Ahmad Lawan as Senate President in line with the directives of the APC. Again, he was said to have offended President Muhammadu Buhari for failing to name Ahmad Lawan as Senate Leader in July, after it was claimed that an agreement to that effect was reached. While no one can directly link the two leaders to the present travails of the Senate president, the thinking in the political circles is that those who felt offended at Saraki’s emergence had swung into action. Sources believed that the charges against Saraki are the handiworks of the group saddled with fishing for “banana peels” meant to slip Saraki off the high horse. There are questions as to the content and context, however. Those who raise the issue of context have relied heavily on the scenarios surrounding Saraki’s emergence as Senate President and the fact that Buhari has refused to host him at the Villa three months after his emergence, despite the claim by the president that he could work with anyone. According to the sources, what is happening to Saraki was a “desperate, mischievous, malicious and careless attempt to undermine, intimidate the Senate President as well as suppress and incapacitate him.” It was also learnt that the delay in presenting the list of ministers to the senate was as a result of the need to allow the plot against Saraki to crystallise and eventually get him out of office. The sources have also alleged that the plot was a baby of the highest of the high in the APC, with the plot also said to have a hint of 2019 in it. According to sources, the plot this time is two-fold. One is to possibly get rid of Saraki as Senate President by the end of September and the second is to ensure that in case he miraculously escapes the banana peels, he is damaged politically to the extent that his candidature for future politics becomes impossible. Said a source: “The plot is being weaved at the highest level of government and the ruling party. The plotters include people in the Presidency, some party leaders, mainly based in Lagos and Abuja, a few aggrieved Senators and two Governors from the North-West who believe if Saraki falls, it will enhance their own chances to replace Buhari in 2019. “The plan is to make a final push to remove Saraki as Senate President in the next two weeks before the end of the month so that when Buhari is submitting his list of ministers, it will be a ‘friendly’ Senate President that will be in charge. The Saraki front has also faulted the moves to charge him at the CCB, insisting that the laws setting up the Bureau indicates that charges can only be preferred by the Attorney-General of the Federation. For instance, they have quoted Section 3 (d) of the CCB Act which states that one of the functions of the Bureau is to “Receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of this Act and where the Bureau considers it necessary to do so, refer such complaints to the Code of Conduct Tribunal established by Section 20 of this Act.” “Provided that where the person concerned make a written admission of such breach or non-compliance, no reference to the Tribunal shall be necessary.” Saraki’s loyalists also indicate that because his traducers are desperate, they cannot wait to follow the process and are therefore making undue errors. In the area of content, Saraki’s men have insisted that his earnings cover the properties included in his name and that the said property he was accused to have anticipatorily declared were acquired in year 2000 rather than 2006 as claimed by the government. They also insisted

Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC chairman

that as a Director of the defunct Societe Generale Bank, his becoming governor did not nullify his shareholdings in the bank and other companies. Besides, they have argued that he did not run a foreign account as alleged. Conspiracy theories There are indications that a strong collaboration is playing out between the CCT and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as, according to sources, the witnesses being relied upon by the CCT are EFCC officials. One of the sources quipped: “Are we to conclude that EFCC helped the CCB to do verification of assets or are the two agencies working together?” The sources said that the chairman of CCT, Mr. Danladi Yakubu Umar, might have been seen as a soft target by the Saraki traducers owing to the ongoing investigation against him by the EFCC. Besides, the EFCC is also believed to have a grouse with Saraki. His wife, Toyin was recently quizzed by the antigraft agency, while a petition surfaced in the Senate days after, accusing the chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, of frittering away some N2 trillion belonging to the Commission. The petition by one George Uboh had been a source of division in the Senate following protests by the PDP caucus as well as the Senate Unity Forum on the procedure in taking the petition. Is this a payback time for Saraki? That is the question the EFCC is being called to answer. But there are also questions as to why it took the CCB all of 12 years to verify Saraki’s assets, whereas he has declared assets at least four times within the period. Said a Saraki loyalist: “How come that they are now faulting Saraki’s 2003 declaration in 2015? Apart from the declaration in 2015, he has declared in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. Just last week, they wrote to acknowledge receipt of the 2015 declaration. Have they ever notified him of the inconsistencies they are now filing charges against?” Further defences from Saraki

Saraki’s loyalists also indicate that because his traducers are desperate, they cannot wait to follow the process and are therefore making undue errors.

Mrs Toyin Saraki

One of the allies of the Senate President attempted to put aside the charges against the Senate President thus: “In the first charge, they talked about anticipatory declaration in 2003 on a property, which had been owned by Saraki and occupied by his staff since 2001. That is the 15A and 15 B McDonald Road, Ikoyi. The one that the FG sold to him later which they mistook for the 15A and B is Plot 17A and 17B. The plots will definitely be beside each other. So, they are mistaking one for the other. Then on Plot 17 A and B, they charged him for owning a property of N497. 2m, which they said is beyond his means. With Saraki’s antecedent, how can less than N500m be beyond his means? If you check the contradictions, a man who owned two plots on one street can as well afford to own two other plots in the same vicinity. “In another charge they said he claimed to earn money on a house under construction. Don’t they know about buying property off-line or paying rent to a landlord whose house is still under construction if you are interested in the property and its location and you do not want others to beat you to it? This is simple logic. “Saraki has said he does not own any foreign bank account anywhere. Their problem is that they are mistaking an AMEX (American Express) credit card which is not linked to any account for having a foreign account. You will just fund the card and use it for your transactions. Some Nigerian banks offer similar service. EG is GTB’s international dollar Mastercard debit card. Zenith also has similar service. The account they quoted is that of a card not linked to an account. And the law says do not maintain any account. It does not preclude you from having credit or debit card.” Legal battles On Thursday, the legal battles on the matter were kicked off, with a suit filed by Saraki’s counsel at the Federal High Court. The suit was aimed at stalling Saraki’s arraignment at the CCT on Friday. While the Federal High Court asked the CCT to appear before it on Monday, September 21, the court did not issue orders stopping the CCT trial. And on Friday, the CCT commenced its trial, with Saraki’s counsels insisting a wrong procedure and incompetence of the Tribunal to try the Senate President. It is certain that the legal fireworks would take some time to vitiate but what is certain is that the combatants in this case have already showed their hands. Whether there are more gun powders to be offloaded and whether this is the last joker of Saraki’s enemies remain to be seen. There are questions of politics and conspiracies. It might be difficult getting to the roots of the matter in such a context. Right now, however, a huge and apparent challenge to Saraki’s stay on the nation’s number three position is afoot. How the Senate President goes about defending himself legally and politically will define the outcome of the days and months ahead.

interview

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Bayelsa 2016: Buhari’ll not sacrifice his integrity for APC agenda —PDP chair His Highness, David Serena-Dokubo, is the traditional ruler of Spiff Town in Bayelsa State. A legal practitioner with 37 years’ experience, he is also the acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. He speaks with Deputy Editor, DAPO FALADE, on te preparation of the party for the December 5, 2015 governorship election in the state.

CTIVITIES are in top gear in the state ahead the governorship election coming up on December 5. How prepared is PDP for the election? The PDP is fully prepared and we are rock solid; PDP is a veteran in the business of electioneering as far as Bayelsa State is concerned. We remain focussed. We have our structures on ground; they are resilient; they are effective and they have been calibrated to ensure unqualified success during the upcoming governorship election in the state. The fortune of the party has nosedived, particularly after the last general election. Unlike when PDP was in power at the centre from 1999 to 2015, things have changed. Don’t you think this can cascade down to the state level here in Bayelsa? Far from it; perish the thought! Yes, we had a setback at the centre; we lost the presidency, but so be it. In so doing, PDP also exhibited exceptional traits of extreme statesmanship because the leader of the party at the time conducted himself and things in such a manner that led to the prevailing peace in the country today. Had then President Goodluck Jonathan not done what he did tediously, out of patriotism, we would have been singing another song today; Rwanda and Burundi would have been a child’s play. But it is so easy to forget. You recall that in 2011 when the elections were held and we had a winner and a loser, there was strife across the country; there was turmoil and insecurity. This time round, PDP is not on the winning side, yet, very gracefully and out of sheer patriotism, the PDP-led administration voluntarily opted not to take any step that would jeopardise the peace and security of our beloved nation. It is not enough for us to sing ‘Nigeria we hail thee, Nigeria we love thee’. It is also important that we dramatise that love. This we did and I am very proud of it. To come directly to your question whether or not that loss will cascade down to Bayelsa, I say no, it will not. I give you my reasons. Let everyone hear and know that President Muhammadu Buhari is a man of discipline, a man imbued with the spirit of propriety. He is not a man who will want to micro-manage a situation and create problems in realisation of the ambition or agenda of his party. He is a true statesman and we in PDP are counting on him to be neutral and; never to deploy the asset of the country for the use of private and sectional political ideals. President Buhari hopefully is not going to do that [promote sectional ideals]. And so we expect to have fair ground, a level playing field; a situation where the vote of each and every Nigerian living in Bayelsa State will count. Are you afraid of the law of Karma, considering accusations by the then opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), that your par-

tatives seats. Then, in the state House of Assembly, we won 21 seats out of 23, so far declared. We are very likely to win the last one. Check your statistics; that was a resounding success by any standard. So it tells you that yes, we had a setback, but we have the capacity to bounce back and perform most creditably. So I repeat, PDP Bayelsa State is strong, robust and is exuding confidence. Look at the declaration of Governor Seriake Dickson for a second term of office; I don’t know whether you were at the stadium. If you were there, I am sure you saw the teeming masses of people, genuinely expressing and exuding support for PDP; they were in PDP colours. So, I have no doubt in my mind that come December 5, we will triumph yet again.

David Serena-Dokubo

ty, when it was in power at the centre, was deploying the machinery of state towards facilitating sectional interests at the state level? How unfortunate for anyone to suggest that? Why do I say so? One of the hallmarks of the success of the Goodluck Jonathan-led presidency was non-interference in elections. As a result, so evenhanded were the authorities that even PDP, the ruling party at the time, suffered serious and significant electoral setback. Examples are there; we don’t have the time to go into details. But we remember Anambra and a number of states where PDP lost at the governorship, even at the National Assembly elections and so on. So, it would be unfair and incorrect for anyone to level such allegation that when it was our time, we were meddlesome with the process. Far from it; we were not. But we are talking about the current situation and I want to believe that Nigeria will have yet another opportunity to demonstrate to the developed world that we are capable of doing it right with our elections. It is not yet Uhuru; we are not yet there but are homing in to the destination and, by the grace of God, we will arrive there.

How are you sure of victory on December 5 when, at this critical period of election, political big wigs in the state are leaving your party and have abandoned the governor? That is a good question. Conventional wisdom and a superficial view might suggest that, ‘oh, they have lost big names and the party is now in trouble. But when the issues are fully analysed, that seeming setback is actually a blessing in disguise. Reason? All those individuals, I call them our brethren who are distracted—some erroneously refer to them as defectors—all of them were always there with us when the last set of elections were conducted. They were with us, but they were not for us. So, from within they were sabotaging our efforts or trying to do so. They were green snakes in green grass; the enemies within. But just take a look at the results of the last elections. Yes, we had a setback at the centre. But two weeks later, when we went for the other sets of election, PDP Bayelsa State, even with these dissenting sabotaging elements from within, performed most remarkably. We won the three senate seats; we won five House of Represen-

You are the father of PDP in the state and from what happened at the declaration, it was observed that former President Goodluck Jonathan openly endorsed the governor after a rumoured disagreement between the two. How did you resolve the matter? Resolved? I do not know that there was ever a problem between erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan and the state governor, Henry Seriake Dickson. They have always been mutually supportive of one another. In the words of Governor Dickson, ‘there has never been anything he has taken to the former president which will advance the interest of the state and which the former president has not done with passion’. And likewise, reciprocally, it is a matter of common knowledge in this country that Governor Dickson has been very supportive of former President Jonathan. You will recall that there was a major crisis within the Nigerian Governors’ Forum which had a breakaway group. Let me ask you, ‘who was the main man doing the shuttles among the PDP governors, especially the governors in the North, to ensure the stability of the PDP family? It was Henry Seriake Dickson. The immediate beneficiary of this initiative was the then President Jonathan. They have always worked together. But we must be wary of rumour-mongering; we must be wary of vile and evil propaganda. It is atrocious and the nation will be counting on honourable men and professionals, such as you, to ensure that only authentic, credible news items are pushed into public domain. Because if we don’t do that, we will be giving, unwittingly, wrong direction to the country. Speak the truth and damn the consequences; that is why you are in a honourable profession. What issues does Dr Dudafa, one of the aides of former President Jonathan, have with Governor Dickson and PDP? Let me make my position clear; every citizen has an inalienable right to contest elections. But the right that you do not Continues

pg 39

N Wednesday September 16, the nation woke up to the news of a suit filed against the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The Tribunal is a creation of the Constitution and it a powerful tool. Lawyers would tell you that the framers of the Constitution gave the CCT powers that are almost slightly ahead of the High Court. Again, the legal minds would tell you that indictments by the CCT are not classified under those that can benefit from the Prerogative of Mercy, exercisable by the President or governor. The procedures are said to underline the weight of offences to be adjudicated upon by the Tribunal. But loud silence has always emanated from that Tribunal in the Nigerian context. Apart from 2011, when the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was arraigned in the Tribunal over charges of operating foreign accounts, which were eventually quashed, no other public office holder of note has appeared before the CCT in recent times. Thus, the alarm that sounded in the political circles immediately the charges against Senate President Bukola Saraki should be understandable. With those charges, it should be clear to Saraki that what he had tended to keep under the table all this while seemed to have escaped. It is also becoming clear that the Saraki traducers are no longer prepared to treat him hands in glove. They seem to be saying we are ready for the “kill.” Unfortunately, Saraki had kept hopes alive that the issues he and the leadership of the Senate have been battling with would get resolved. Unlike the British General, who goes to the negotiation table with his sword by his side, Saraki had kept the sword far away, thus allowing his opponents a huge space to approbate and reprobate at will. What really are the issues with Saraki, the Senate and the APC? The party does not hide its anger against his emergence. The party leaders made vows silently and openly that Saraki would be Senate President over their dead body. They also made difficult proposals to him, which he equally repudiated. When they kept quiet, Saraki made moves, in the hopes that the issues would be resolved in the night. Now that the opponents are not accepting the Saraki

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, to me, has tried within the first 100 days in office but what I’d expected of him within the period include – having his cabinet in place, effective reduction in the activities of Boko Haram and presentation of the lists of the already known corrupt people. However, I’ll implore him to tackle the issue of corruption vigorously within the next 100 days not minding party affiliation, tribe or religion. I thank him for the improvement in fuel and electricity. May God help him! —Adepoju Ajibare, Ado Ekiti 08070777773 The truth of the matter is that 100 days in office of PMB is not enough for him to correct the PDP’s disastrous governance of the past 16 years. However, there is yet time. PMB has done well in some areas like power and refinery although one can conveniently say he built on what former president Goodluck Jonathan started. This he was able to do because of his pragmatic approach to governance. Those who are saying that PMB has not done anything in 100 days in office should have a re-think because PMB is taking Nigeria to the Promised Land. What PMB needs from us are prayers to deliver on his promises because if Nigeria prospers today everybody would benefit from it. —Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State 07084644222 100 days in office is too early to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari. To me, he is still sorting himself out. However,I’d say, we’ve had enough of this indefinite wait for him to pick the 36 Ministers. PMB can run the government without Ministers for only a few weeks; doing so for months is unacceptable. I must say though that on the psychological front, he has achieved a lot as the fear of PMB has curtailed the activities of some corrupt elements. He could cash in on this and direct his attention to the fight against corruption. For instance, if PMB should retrieve N10 trillion of the stolen funds of September 1985 to May 2015 within 100-500 days in office and

20 September, 2015

the lynxeye with Taiwo adisa

08072000046 taiadisbabatj@gmail.com

Can Saraki survive the coming Tsunami?

handshake and have decided to throw things into the open, the die appears to be cast. The time appears to have come for Saraki to define himself, defend himself and move to come clean in this big battle. In March 2005, former President Olusegun Obasanjo applied the big hammer against then Senate President Adolphus Wabara, by announcing allegations of graft against the Abia lawmaker in a national broadcast in the celebrated N55 million bribes for budget scandal. He got Wabara to resign eventually. Before then, Obasanjo’s hands had been seen in the removal of Senator Evans Enwerem and Chuba Oka-

frontrow with Toyin Willoughby Muyi 0805 500 1769 toyeenz@yahoo.com

Re: Much ado about Buhari’s 100 days in office then he throws in the towel without completing the four years of his presidency, he would have written his name in GOLD in Nigeria’s History! I agree with you that the major focus of PMB’s administration should be security, employment and poverty alleviation. As it is, the focus seems to be on power alone, as electricity seems to have marginally improved, although it is too early to conclude. On the downside, he has incurred the wrath of some regions with his appointments. There is an abundance of trusted people/hands for ANY position in any or all the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, so he has no excuse for what he has done. Another minus is the issue of the 200 Chibokgirls, which situation remains as it was under the previous government. —Lanre Oseni 07064181043 I must confess that the 100 days of President Buhari in office is far better than the 16 years of PDP in power. In terms of financial discipline, policy, accountability

Sunday Tribune

digbo as senate’s helmsmen. In 2007, former President Umaru Yar’Adua looked the other way as political opponents dragged Honorable Patricia Etteh down the seat of Speaker of the House of Representatives. In all these, executive powers had come in handy in achieving a course of history. In contemporary times, however, Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim (20002003) Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abbah (1999 to 2003), Senate President Ken Nnamani (2005 to 2007) and Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (2011-2015) have demystified executive powers by retaining their seats despite executive antagonism. Incidentally, political charges, no matter how they are couched are not really about right and wrong. They are more of political expediency. For instance, while Etteh was harassed out of office, her colleagues later apologised to her in an open session in the chamber. While Wabara and 12 others were hounded over N55 million bribe, the same government was linked with offering N50 million to each lawmaker during the third term bid. The former Senate President himself had granted interview indicating that officials of the same administration offered him N100 million to back that project. It goes to show that notwithstanding claims of legalities around the cases being offloaded against Saraki, it might be difficult to get to the roots of the matter since the issues are already wrapped in politics. Many would say that Buhari has not hidden his disapproval of Saraki as Senate President having refused to sit down with him since his emergence on June 9 and that such a President would give anything to get the unwanted man out. It clearly means that the ball of survival lies in Saraki picking his spot. He could choose to follow the adversarial path toed by Anyim, Nnamani, Na’Abbah and Tambuwal. Or does he continue to lie low in the hope that Buhari will not unleash another deadly blow? These are the questions his strategists have to come to terms with. In the normal setting, Saraki might be allowed to have his days in court, see through the processes and go in for it if indicted, since the law presumes an accused innocent until proven guilty. But the first inclination in a political setting is to have the accused step aside. Once that is done, his traducers are relieved, forces realigned and allegations rested. That is the enormity of the challenge ahead of the former Kwara Governor.

and transparency, president Buhari has proved himself beyond reasonable doubt that he is up to the task of leading the nation to an Eldorado. Yet, the task ahead of him is daunting. An adage says, “a building that collapsed in only one day, may not be easy to be rebuilt in the next six years.” Nigeria is a country that has remained in a collapsed state for 30 years and to ask president Buhari to rebuild it in just 100 days in office, is asking for the impossible, indeed it is an act of ignorance and wickedness. —Taiwo Sangotikun Iseyin, Oyo State.08056309372 The founding fathers of Independent Nigeria made no noise on their achievements, rather, their works continue to praise them accordingly. This is why those of them who have passed on are still living in our hearts. Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari must be careful of noise makers so that he doesn’t fall into the trap into which leaders of today fall. There are many wars yet to be fought, corruption happens to be one of them. Let not the noise kill the battle before it starts. The President’s kitchen cabinet appointment is okay. If he decides to make his wife vice president, his Son SGF, and his In-Law CoS, provided he delivers on his promises, there should be no qualms about such decisions. He has been on the apex seat before, now he’s on it again and for that very rich experience, (including his age) it is a great plus for the nation. But to turn round now and say he underestimates Nigeria’s problem is unacceptable. This is his time; we should allow him to work! —Olu Akin. Lagos. 08057688097 We have been taken on a cesspool voyage that our collective psyche has become warped such that we expect that PMB should hit the ground running-even if helterskelter. I think we should be thinking of post Buhari tenure because governance is a process that transcends 100 days. —Dayo Oladeji, Saki, Oke Ogun 08027278748

interview

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

‘Enemies within have left PDP’ Continued from

duct of primary, will be backed fully by the party as its standard-bearer and will ensure that the party wins. That is my position and that of the party.

pg 37

have is to seek to contest election on the platform of patent falsehood and vituperation, throwing abuses on constituted authority. That is wrong and must be roundly condemned. While I do not doubt his right, as enshrined in the constitution, to contest, if he wishes to, he should not in so doing seek to generate ill-will and should come clean. And let me seize the opportunity to emphasise that PDP, under my watch, will give a fair and equal opportunity to every aspirant to contest. Our party has guidelines enshrined in our constitution; primaries will be conducted and the people who own the party, the grassroot, the entire gamut of the system will participate in the process of choosing the standard-bearer. Let me make it clear today, we all see the good work of the current PDP administration under Governor Dickson but that is not going to make us push aside the constitutional provisions of PDP. So, every aspirant is encouraged to contest; it will deepen our democracy; it will make us stronger. Come and test your popularity among your compatriots within the party. Judging by what happened when the governor declared, will it not be appropriate to say it was a fait accompli, that the party leadership had already endorsed Governor Dickson for second term? That is wrong. The party leadership is two steps ahead of you because no single member of the party leadership in the state was at the stadium. I was here in my house from morning till night. We thought about it and we felt that we should leave no room for speculation. If you had seen me there, you would have couched your question

Serena-Dokubo

differently and you would have been lambasting me. I stayed back here; we did not go but we have seen on television what happened. That notwithstanding, the party, under my watch, insists that primary would be held and let a standard-bearer be chosen in accordance with laid down principles and procedures. That is what the situation is and whoever the system throws up, upon con-

You had earlier said you wanted to organise the party and step aside; that you didn’t want to continue as the chairman. What is your position now? I was whispering to you all; I did not say that should be a subject of a world interview. Anyway, since you have raised it, let me make it clear that the party head-hunted me. I am a traditional ruler; when the party thought it wise to enlist my support, I told them that I was a very busy legal practitioner in Port Harcourt and that I was also a traditional ruler; the King of Spiff Town, Twon Brass. I also told them that I will not take a decision unless I had the expressed consent of my people. They said fair enough. I went to Brass, summoned a meeting of chiefs, elders, women, youths and so in and I told them PDP in Bayelsa wants to employ my services; they want me to come in and help them stabilize the place, correct certain ills and give a proper direction to the party. But I will not consent to doing that unless you my people over whom I reign as king so direct expressively. So I am placing it before you and if you say I should, then I will take it that you are sending me forth to represent you in that capacity. But if you say I should not do it, I will not touch it with a 10-feet pole. Speaker after speaker got up and said, ‘how many people will have such an opportunity and not grab it? We will only hear it on radio or see it on the television. But for coming to us to do us the honour of seeking our face, you are permitted. Go and represent us and, please, bring good things to our community.

opinion Assessing Nigeria’s ICT local content development policy By Tunji Olaopa

am quite delighted by the opportunity this meeting affords for me to make some clarifications on the government’s local content policy and program. I do recognise the need for continued stakeholder interaction and dialogue on the import, status and implementation of the program, especially in the light of Federal Government numerous international obligations and evident crying need for FDIs. The local content program is essentially a developmental initiative of the Federal Government which was necessitated by the compelling need to diversify the Nigerian economy. Apart from the oil and gas sector, ICT has been identified as a critical growth sector of the economy. Indeed, over the last two years, ICT has made double digit contributions to the GDP of the nation. At about 11 per cent, it ranks as one of the major contributors to the GDP. Unfortunately, its growth has not yet translated into jobs and commensurate wealth for the nation. The reason is simple. Nigerian companies either lack the capacity or the opportunity to leverage this growth potential to participate significantly at many levels of the ICT value chain. Therefore, a fundamental component of the local content development program is rooted in a compelling patriotic and strategic drive to build the capacity of the indigenous companies to enable them to take advantage of the opportunities in ICT and actively participate at all levels of the value chain of ICT products and services. Part of the strategy is to assist indigenous players to obtain international certifications, such ISO and CMMI. The program encourages them to implement quality assurance processes, and adopt world-class standards. This would enhance their capacity to be globally competitive. We envisage that the effect of such an intervention would be the emergence of a strong, vibrant and larger indigenous ICT industry in which both foreign and indigenous companies co-exist for mutual benefit. Let me use the opportunity of this meeting, therefore, to reiterate the point that the objective of the local content development program is not to alienate foreign

multinationals. On the contrary, the program requires the cooperation of the multinational companies to succeed. Indeed, a stronger and bigger ICT industry would be of even greater benefit to multinational companies. If we bake a bigger pie, everyone will get a sizeable chunk. But if the pie remains small, it certainly cannot go round. The win-win equation is simple and straightforward. For example, when more devices are bundled with local apps and content, more sales of the devices occur. This automatically increases the annual total available market for Intel processors and Microsoft operating system, among other foreign components. I therefore use the opportunity of this meeting to appeal for the understanding, cooperation, collaboration and support of the multinational companies and the international community for our local content development program so that we can jointly build a bigger ICT industry in Nigeria. I do know that the American Business Institute and the American Chamber of Commerce, among other international organisations, have at various times, expressed reservations about a few aspects of the guidelines for Nigerian content development in ICT which came into force as a regulation in 2013 and is being implemented by the

Office for Nigerian Content Development in ICT (ONC). I acknowledge the several feedbacks we received and assure Your Excellency and our other stakeholders that the concerns so far expressed will receive a fair consideration within the context of the change agenda of the new administration. As you all know, we are in a transition and government needs to be adequately briefed about the status of the local content program, which, for me, is work in progress, hence the built-in flexibilities that afford adjustments where such dynamic is in the nation’s best interest. As the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry under whose purview the local content initiative falls, I am taking conscientious steps to brief Mr President about the program. I believe that the subsequent actions that the PMB administration would embark on can only further strengthen the existing US/Nigeria cooperation and would not deviate from the understanding between President Buhari and President Obama. A cardinal objective of the Buhari administration which it shares with the Obama presidency is the creation of jobs. This is why, like the US, the local content program in Nigeria is a national imperative. Nigeria is a large market in Africa. An average of four million mobile phones is imported into the country every month. That number is enough to warrant the siting of assembly plants in the country. World-class assembly plants would no doubt catalyse a manufacturing ecosystem in which Nigerian companies would be integral players. The effect would be the creation of skilled and unskilled jobs, and the retention of a significant percentage of the value chain in-country. Being the remarks by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, Dr Tunji Olaopa, at the Critical ICT Industry Stakeholders Interactive Meeting with the United State of America (USA) Secretary of State, Mr Charles Rivkin and US ICT Entrepreneurs/Investors on Local Content Development and Implementation, held in Lagos on Wednesday, September 9, 2015.

20 September, 2015

language&style

by Samson Dare 0805 500 1770 samsonadare@yahoo.co.uk

Guarded secret!

ODAY, we continue the discussion of the only sample that supported last week’s article. The excerpt returns here as sample 1 today. Sample 1: “But how did NNPC established on April 1, 1977 as a merger of the Nigerian National Oil Corporation and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel, came to the sorry past?... Although not much was known about its methods and processes due largely to high bureaucracy, the first attempt at unravelling the corporation began few years ago when the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI had revealed that the management of NNPC ran a largely opaque organisation whose guided secret was kept by a few men in the corridors of power... The ministry has its own budgetary allocation and it is unclear why the NNPC is paying for its expenses. The nature of some of the expenses are also unclear...” (NNPC: The Final Days of a Behemoth, The Nation, Sunday, August 2, 2015) Next, we pay attention to the expression, “guided secret” which occurs in the following structure: “the first attempt at unravelling the corporation began few years ago when the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, had revealed that the management of NNPC ran a largely opaque organization whose guided secret was kept by a few men in the corridors of power.” The expression is defective in that the word guided is not the appropriate one. The appropriate word is guarded. The expression should actually read: guarded secret. Many times in this place, we have drawn attention to and illustrated the difference between guide and guard. Let’s repeat that effort for the umpteenth time. We can’t do better than reproduce some sentences illustrating the usage of gird, guide and guard used some weeks ago. There is a difference between guide and gird, and the difference is not a minor one. But hobbled by an apparently severe pronunciation challenge, the reporter is not in a position to know and note the difference. There is even a third word, guard, that is also often a victim of mistaken identity. It is expedient at this point to illustrate the usage of the three words: guide, guard, and gird. To gird one’s loins or gird(oneself)for something is to get ready to take a decisive action, deal with a difficult situation. Here are sentences illustrating the usage of the word: 1) The Federal Department of Meteriological Service has warned that torrential rains are coming, and urban dwellers should gird themselves for a time of heavy flooding. 2) In view of the apparent determination of the Boko Haram insurgents to continue the sectarian war, the Federal authorities should gird themselves for a protracted war. 3) As monthly allocations are not being released regularly to the states, civil servants in the states are girding themselves for protests. 4) When the lady got the information that her husband had married another wife secretly, she girded her loins for a legal battle. 5) After two or three rains, farmers usually gird themselves for the planting season. 6) As the Super Eagles are preparing to meet a team of that reputation, they should gird their loins for a titanic battle. Now guide: 1) Guided by a sense of history, the leader has formulated a policy that will hopefully take the nation out of the present conundrum. 2) If you have no clue as to how to tackle that mathematical problem, you can ask your seniors to guide you. 3) This being your first time in the city, you need someone to guide you through the dangerous parts. 4) Centuries ago, people in Africa were guided by the rising and setting of the sun as they tried to figure out what the time of the day could be. 5) Pastors and imams are meant to guide people spiritually, and not impose their views on them. 6) I have told my children repeatedly that when it comes to mathematics, I’m not a reliable guide. 7) On current news and information, newspapers are your best guide. 8) Parents are the children’s best moral and spiritual guide. 9) The book is a wonderful guide on tourism and entertainment. 10)The Holy Spirit is the Christians’ most reliable guide. When someone or something guides you, he/it gives you information, shows you the right direction, gives you needed moral, spiritual or intellectual light. As those sentences show, the word can be used both as a verb and as a noun. Guard: When you guard a person or place, you stay with or round him/it, so that you protect him/it from harm. The word can be used both as a noun and as a verb. The following sentences illustrate its usage: 1) He is such an important suspect

Sunday Tribune

line

life with

Niyi Osundare

Random Blues that soldiers and policemen are guarding him. 2) The former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice was killed when the policemen guarding him allegedly left his house. 3) The Central Bank of Nigeria is supposed to be guarded twenty-four hours a day. 4) The former Chief Justice of Nigeria reportedly rejected the policemen meant to guard him. 5) Only one security man is employed to guard the vast neighbourhood. 6)The guards are made up of two soldiers and three policemen. 7) The place has been attacked more than two times since the guards left the job. 8) The night guards who were alleged to have killed one of the landlords were arrested, detained and prosecuted. 9) The job of a night guard is such a sensitive one that he must be paid regularly. 10) The guards were said to be sleeping when the armed robbers arrived. People are said to make unguarded statements or talk in an unguarded manner. The adjective unguarded here means not cautious or thoughtful or careful enough. Again, read the following sentences: 1) Civil servants and political leaders should guard against corruption. 2) As a way of guarding against examination malpractices, invigilators should stand at strategic points in the exam hall. 3) To guard against flooding, all the drainage system must be free from obstruction. 4) The president should guard against sectionalism and nepotism in the appointment of federal officers. 5) Respectable men should learn to guard against making false accusations. 6) It is important to guard against repeating the mistake in the future. It is important to note that the idiomatic expression is guard against and not* guide against. In addition, read the following sentences: 1) The soldiers who fought the civil war claim to be guarding the unity of the country jealously. 2) The time has come for us to guard our faith jealously. 3) Her mother’s illness is a jealously guarded secret. 4) The affair between them is a highly guarded secret. 5) The information is a closely guarded secret. Next, we pay attention to the verb-form (are) which occurs in the following structure: “The nature of some of the expenses are also unclear.” The verb are is obviously in its plural form. The question to ask is this: What is the relevant noun that this verb is meant to be in concord with? There is the plural noun expenses to the immediate left of the verb slot. But is this the noun that is logically and grammatically related to the verb slot? Not at all. The crucial word in this regard is nature, obviously a noun in its singular noun. The singular noun (nature) requires a singular verb form: is Sample 2: “Already, the agency has seized 24 property and several cars from three civil servants with one of them having 18 property...revealed that the commission seized the property from three officials of the Ministry of Niger Delta. It stated that the property was seized because they were excessive of the emoluments of the affected officers...The ICPC boss said the decision to seize the property would be served on the appropriate Land Registries and Departments in all the states where the property are situated... Other plots of land said to belong to Obah are located in Umuodili Odubo Community in Rivers that is worth N16.5m... The PUNCH had exclusively reported on July 30 that the Federal Government’s anti-corruption operatives had been sent after ‘super rich’ public officers who had multiple property and other assets suspected to have been the reward of graft. According to the report, the searchlight of the anti-corruption agents was on civil servants that possess questionable property in the Federal Capital Territory...He explained that the funds for the furniture supply was certified paid whereas the inspection carried out by the Auditor-General’s office revealed that no single chair was distributed during the period under review.”(Anti-corruption War Begins: ICPC Seizes 24 Property from Three Civil Servants, The Punch, Sunday, 16 August, 2015) There are too many blemishes in this piece. Consider the verb was which occurs in the following context: “He explained that the funds for the furniture supply was certified paid...” The verb (was) is obviously singular, and as such it ought to be in concord with a singular nominal subject. But the subject of the verb is funds, a plural item. That being the case, the verb should be changed to its plural to reflect the plural nature of the subject. The plural form of the verb is: are. The discussion of the excerpt continues next week by God’s grace.

Whitman’s lengthy lines Langston’s limpid lilt Hear? Whitman’s lengthy lines Langston’s limpid lilt Brathwaite’s* magic leaps Like words on a stilt

Product of a complex clay I am a running mix of good and bad Say, product of a complex clay I am a running mix of good and bad Like Siamese twins with a common heart My songs sometimes happy and sometimes sad

The day is The baby of the night Yes, the day is The baby of the night Crystal birthwater, the dew, Come now, lullaby of the Light

The smoke is The whisper of the flame Say, the smoke is The whisper of the flame On a night aloud with darkness, Its flare tough and very tame

Those who seek it Never find it Say, those who seek it Never find it Close your eyes and see my tale Life’s story is a riddle in a pit

*Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes are American poets; Edward Kamau Brathwaite is Caribbean.

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune With Rita Okonoboh rosarumese@gmail.com 08053789087

tribunechurch

If the church loses focus, the world will collapse —Revd Babalola Reverend Jonathan Ademola Babalola, the chairman, Ibadan Baptist Conference and the Pastor-in-Charge of Union Baptist Church, Ekotedo, Ibadan, Oyo State, speaks with RITA OKONOBOH on the church’s accomplishments in the past 70 years, why government sponsorship of pilgrimages should be reconsidered, his expectations of the Buhari-led government, among other issues. Excerpts:

OW does it feel celebrating 70th anniversary? It is a wonderful time in the presence of the Lord. The church realises the fact that we need to thank God for the last 70 years and we decided to come together to showcase the grace of God upon our lives. The last 70 years was full of challenges and blessings but in all, we discovered that we have reasons to thank God. Some of the programmes organised for the celebration are, the revival led by Reverend E.A. Falade; medical test; visitation to orphanage; music cantata; drama ministration/documentary; youth reunion/alumni night; launching of history book/presentation of awards, among other activities. We will also inaugurate Goodwill Baptist Church, Akuru, Ibadan. How did the church start? According to history, the church started in 1945, but the process began in December 1944 from the First Baptist Church, Idi-Ikan. A few members of the church discovered that they were being victimised because they were nonnatives; some were polygamists and they were not allowed to play statutory roles in the church. Based on the message they heard from one of the pastors during the foreign mission week of prayer programme, titled “Ihin ha, nitori naa, awa nlo” meaning “this place is too tight for us; we are leaving,” they left. They started meeting at Pa Ayegbayo’s house at Oke Bola. A few other worshippers joined them and with time, they decided to look for a place in this area. The first place they worshipped was Ebenezer Primary School. Afterwards, they consulted members of Saviour’s African Church, and the church’s basement was used for worship. With time, the first church building was constructed in 1952. The church was founded on January 1, 1945 and it was organised (using Baptist language) on February 10th 1946, to the glory of God. What are some major challenges the church has faced these past years? Thank God for the wisdom of

the founding fathers. It wasn’t originally in their understanding that there would be crisis. As the church started to grow, there was crisis, which was three-fold but by the grace of God, we were able to rise above these challenges. After some years, the convention waded into the crisis and it was resolved and the church has been growing ever since. How about major testimonies the church has recorded? In the first place, I thank God for Mama Adewunmi, who gave the land to the church free of charge; she had no biological children. She decided to give this land to God as part of the testimony of her existence. Secondly, the two buildings constructed by the church are monumental to the history of the church. The church has also reached out to many people and has established more than 12 churches within Ibadan. The church has also affected many lives positively. We are proud of about 18 pastors who developed from the church and now shepherd their own churches, both within and outside the Nigerian Baptist Convention. God has helped the church affect lives spiritually and academically, and the church is blessed with a nursery/primary school, and a model college which has ensured growth of the people and the society. Any regrets so far? When you serve the Lord, challenges become stepping stones to greater levels. If any minister of God sees challenges as problems, he/she will not move forward. As much as UBC has faced challenges, personally, there are no regrets. By the grace of God, we have been building on the foundation the forefathers laid. What we read about our founders are testimonies of God’s grace and God

Church closure: Kaduna beefs up security Pg43

has been faithful to us in the UBC. There are no regrets because it is God’s work. After 70 years, what next? Unlike the growth of mortals which begins to deteriorate after 70, the UBC will get better in impacting lives. We see a better future; touching lives across the world. We trust God that our growth will be unlimited af-

ter 70. The revival messages we have been receiving has showed that we will have cause to grow spiritually, affect our families for good, help to increase our faith, and work towards the salvation of souls. The church has 70 years experience of spreading the gospel. How would you address the seeming imbalance

‘Pastors who criticise other pastors need deliverance’

between church proliferation and moral decadence? The moral standard of society which seems to be diminishing is not singularly dependent on the church because the church is a part of the light that should shine in the nation. Even when the church wants to shine, there are forces against that goal. I agree that moral standards are reducing but what if there were no churches? It would have been worse. I believe the church is the only hope of God for the world. When the church loses its focus, the world will collapse. What we trust God for is that even if moral decadence is on the rise, the children of God will be ready to obey God’s word. Application is important. There are so many Christians but how many people really apply God’s word in their daily lives? Some people attend churches because they are searching for favours, not for genuine conversion. However, if we can all come together and trust God for change in our lifestyle, the spirit of God will touch lives. With the recent focus on the fight against corruption, what is the role of the church? There is the saying that “He who comes into equity must come with clean hands.” The church is the best institution to support the fight against corruption. As such, the church must not condone any form of corruption. It should begin with church leaders so that we can be bold enough to minister to the people on the need to shun corrupt practices. Church leaders should question dubious sources of donations and be willing to condemn the practice in all ramifications. God loves us but he hates sin. Do you support government’s cancellation of pilgrimage sponsorship? With the current state of the economy, sponsoring pilgrimage Continues on

pg42

My target is to depopulate hell —Oluphemee Pg42

Pg44

42 tribunechurch

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Pastors who criticise other pastors need deliverance —Prophet Fufeyin

Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin is the Founder and General Overseer of Mercyland Deliverance Gospel Ministry based in Effurun-Warri, Delta State. The cleric, popularly called “Ijaw TB Joshua” by his admirers, in a chat with EBENEZER ADUROKIYA, denied the involvement of his members in a recent building collapse that left scores injured and described men of God who criticise their colleagues as needing deliverance. Excerpts:

ECENTLY, there was the alleged involvement of some of your members in the recent collapse of Makaval hotel at Effurun-Warri. How would you react to that? I give glory to God that no life was lost. There were several calls and messages on twitter, Facebook and the rest asking what went wrong. I told them there was nothing like that. We have stopped using the guest house or any other guest houses for about two years now.

tivating factor? I assist people because I’m parachuting what the Bible teaches. As you are aware, I have been assisting people, helping them with money and taking care of maternity needs for women and their children. As I speak with you, during every Sunday service, if I don’t help at all, I spend at least N1million, at times N900,000, and more. I have been helping different kinds of people from different places, because God said love one another. I practise what the Bible teaches us.

So, why were people calling you? People were calling because I have my own guest houses now and we are managing them. The visitors are comfortable, they are safe and sound. We have been giving messages through Mercy Television that anybody who wants to lodge at our guest houses should contact some numbers and that is what they’ve been doing. Even right now, it’s still scrolling on Mercy TV screen. They were calling to ask if the collapsed guest house was mine and I told them it does not belong to me and we had stopped patronising it.

How would you react to certain insinuations on the source of your inspiration? Power is from God. The Bible says “by their fruit, we shall know them.” If a prophet is not a prophet, then by the fruit, you will know that this man is not a prophet. Your anointing, your work speak for you. The anointing of a man speaks for him. Our father, Jesus Christ’s anointing spoke for him. Anybody can call himself a prophet; any woman can call herself a prophetess. If you are a prophet, what is your handiwork? What has God given to you? If you are a prophet and you speak something, that thing must surely come to pass, but if you are a prophet and you speak something and it doesn’t come to pass, that means you are not a prophet. So, it is not something that should be subject to condemnation. Note that every man of God anointed by God, will face criticism.

Did you have a premonition of the collapse? I had earlier warned the owner that if care was not taken, one day that guest house would collapse because the man refused to take care of the place till today. I told him and the man did not understand the message. So, the victims went to Makaval Hotel without the knowledge of the church, but to the glory of God, because of the God I serve, the grace just covered all of them and they were saved. We thank God nobody died. I wonder why they now call the place Mercyland guest house! We just thank God that no life was lost. Makaval Hotel does not belong to Mercyland ministry. My visitors are safe and sound. For over three years now, you have been conducting deliverance for people and you have been giving financial assistance. What is the mo-

What are some of the challenges you have come across in ministry? I am not facing any challenges. Critics are promoters; if they criticise you, people will know the truth about you and if they don’t criticise you, that means they are not right. Have you seen a mango tree that bears fruits that are yet to ripe being stoned by students or human beings? It is the one that is ripe we stone. As a man of God, who has higher anointing, they must stone you. Anybody who has higher anointing must be accused of one thing or the other. Sometimes, other pastors or

If you are a prophet and you speak something and it doesn’t come to pass, that means you are not a prophet

men of God are the problem. Those men of God who accuse one another need deliverance because how can a man of God criticise a man of God? The work is not easy and instead of seeing the good, some people would instead criticise. Some clerics need deliverance. So when you do what they don’t agree with, they tend to criticise you. Your programme, “I Must Carry My Samuel,” has been on for two years and focuses on women. What is it really about? If I’m not mistaken, more than 300 women have testified, carrying their babies. Some of them are pregnant now. A woman came and after 31 years in marriage, she is pregnant now. There have been people who have been married for over 15 years without children, now they are expecting. The Bible said “speak the word” and when I spoke the word, the word came to life. Now, many of the women in these marriages are pregnant, many

couples are now celebrating. So, I’m waiting to dedicate them. Every year, we hold that programme. What is your advice for Christians in general? We should practice love; we are lacking in love. If you look at Christianity today, you see that the percentage of love now is 20 per cent; 80 per cent is gone. We don’t love each other, but I keep praying that God should touch us so that just the way Jesus loved the church, we will love one another. What is your take on President Buhari’s appointments so far? If it is a political matter, I am for everybody. Like I said, I have to pray for the government and for my country Nigeria, Africa, the whole world. So, anybody that is appointed, I pray for them to carry the people along so that peace can come to Nigeria. God is going to help us. Freedom and peace is what I am praying for.

‘After 70, our growth will be unlimited’ Continued from pg41

may drain the government’s purse and if so, then the church should not encourage such. Many of those who are sponsored are not even religious people. Some of those who visit Jerusalem are not even Christians; some are there on business. People who can afford it should go.

What are your expectations of the Buhari-led government? If the government can stand on its change agenda, then it will be well with the church. Change should be in governance, the rulers, and the people. It should be a part of every aspect of our lives and should reflect in leadership.

With the state of insurgency, what are your recommendations for curbing the menace? Christians should pray more for God’s intervention. In the scripture, God intervened in wars fought on behalf of His people. These are testimonies to show that God can still fight our battles. The prob-

lem we have is that some people don’t want God to intervene because of religious and tribal sentiments. Also, people are not united regarding God’s intervention. God will still use the military to win this war. More support should be given to the military in terms of equipment. But most importantly, we should pray.

20 September, 2015

With Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 08074497425

churchnews Prophet urges support for Buhari, Fayose Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

HE General Overseer of The Word Bible Church, Ketu, Lagos, Prophet Babatunde Kumoluyi, has expressed the desire to see Nigerians rally behind President Muhammadu Buhari as the government is taking shape, saying “the president has started well and needs everybody’s support.” Prophet Kumoluyi, who

revealed that God instructed him to move in to evangelise in his native Ekiti State, told newsmen in an interview in Ado Ekiti that Buhari had been “on a steady path of reconstruction since he assumed office.” He said: “So far, President Buhari has been doing well. Nigeria is like a 13-storey building that collapsed. It has to be re-

constructed steadily and carefully. People say Mr President is slow, but I say he is on course. The needful has to be done to ensure responsible people and things are in place. The results are coming out.” The cleric, who also lauded the Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, for his exploits in moving the state forward, appealed to Ekiti people “to join hands with

the governor in the development of the state.” He charged the people of the state to shun “unnecessary criticism,” saying “this is time to come together and join hands with the governor so that we can move the state forward. Pray for the success of the government. Men of God should join hands as well and pray for the governor.” He further urged Presi-

dent Buhari to ensure equity in his appointments into offices and suggested that all parts of the country should be considered equitably in the appointments “since we own Nigeria together and we all have a role to play together in building and rebuilding it.” He also charged the president to “look into the different opposition parties in his search for responsible Ni-

gerians for appointments.” The cleric was in Ekiti State for a monthly threeday All Purpose Prayers programme as a response to the directive from God that he should move in to evangelise the state.

Akinosun not sincere about ending CAC crisis —The Patriots Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

Church closure:

Kaduna beefs up security Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

KADUNA State Government has beefed up security for the protection of its citizens following the closure of two churches, seminary school and evangelist hospital in Saminaka, the headquarters of Lere Local Government area. Speaking with newsmen in Kaduna, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the state governor, Samuel Aruwan, appealed to the leadership of the Assemblies of God Church Saminaka District, to reconcile themselves. He disclosed that the state government had tightened security in the area and other parts of the state in order to avert the breakdown of law and order. While calling on citizens to go about their normal businesses, Aruwan said the closure has no religious or political undertone but for the safety of the followers of the two camps which posed a security threat to even non members of the church. Aruwan said: “Government has beefed up security in the area for the maximum protection of church followers and others. We are still calling on the church camps to reconcile for peace to reign among its members.” It will be recalled that Kaduna State Security Council had announced the immediate closure of the two churches, a seminary school and a hospital as government’s previous attempts to resolve the crisis were aborted by those involved in the church leadership tussle.

Sunday Tribune

From left, Chairman, Oyo State Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr Gbenga Opadotun; Comrade Cosmos Oni; Reverend Father John Idio and Reverend Fr. Felix Adedigba, during the Directorate of Social Communications, Archdiocese of Ibadan training workshop for Catholic Media Practitioners, held at Ss. Peter & Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan.

From left, (standing) President, Disciples of Church, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Isale Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mr Israel Jogunomi; Pastor E.O. Ogunyemi; former president of the association, Mr Akande; Evangelist Tunde Labiran; Elder Taiwo Idowu and others, during the 26th anniversary of the association, held at the Egba DCC headquarters, Isale Ake, Abeokuta, last Sunday.

Cleric tasks leaders on positive impact By Rita Okonoboh THE Director-General of Vision International Christian Ministries, a non-governmental organisation, Reverend Olubanbi Francis, has reiterated the need for leaders at all levels to focus on positive impact through reorientation. Olubanbi stated this at a press briefing in Lagos the NGO, on the organisation of a three-month leadership conference, titled,

“The Global Leadership Summit 2015, organised in conjunction with Willow Creek Association, Chicago, USA. Speaking at the event, Olubanbi said the summit which will run between September and December, 2015 is a video cast, packaged to equip leaders at all levels on how to use leadership positions to impact positively on every spectrum of the society. He noted that, leadership across board has been the

bane of the country and so there is need to urgently address it through proper orientation and education. “Nigeria is blessed in every ramification but our leaders across board have not allowed this country to attain her God-ordained greatness. Leadership in Nigeria is all about the well-being of the leaders and their cronies. If every leader at various strata lead where they are, it will surely impact positively on the larger society,” he

stated. Speakers drawn from international and local scenes are billed to orientate participants at the summit and they include: Founding and Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, Illinois, Mr Bill Hybels; American business consultant, best selling author, and lecturer, Mr Jim Collins; Mr Brene Brown and Reverend Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre.

THE President of the General Executive Council of the Christ Apostolic Church, (CAC), Pastor Abraham Akinosun, has been accused of being the clog in the wheel of progress towards settling the lingering crisis rocking the church. A movement responsible for the reconciliation and reunification of the CAC worldwide known as, The Patriots, stated this in a press statement sighed by its coordinator, Pastor Tunde Omojola, saying the anti-unity posture of Akinosin has been truncating the peace moves instituted by the group. The Patriots explained that the President of the General Executive Council faction of that CAC, Akinosun, had approached the leadership of the Supreme Council faction in June 2012, seeking for reconciliation and asking the two factions to put up a 40-man committee to see to the reunification of the CAC church. The statement said “But after some weeks, he changed his mind and objected the suggestion claiming that the 40-man Peace committee would be too large. He then suggested a smaller committee consisting of ten members with delegates from each side. And up till today three years after, he has neither appointed his own five nor allowed the committee to take off.” The Patriots commended the immediate past President of the GEC faction, Pastor Elijah Olusheye for embracing the truth and toeing the line of unity and peace and called on Pastor Akinosun to desist from plans to remove Olusheye from the trusteeship of the church.

44 tribunechurch

20 September, 2015

These days, a lot of people are embracing the call to music ministry. What makes you unique? Wow! I hear many voices in the music industry today. Some good, some bad. Some successful, some not. I was foreknown, predestined, called, justified and surely would be glorified. My goal is to fulfill purpose and then I’d be prosperous in that.

Gospel music sensation, Akinyemi Olufemi Samuel, a.k.a., Oluphemee, is a graduate of Agronomy, from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. He shares with OYEYEMI OKUNLADE his inspiration for gospel music, the story behind his hit single, Ma je n’te, what makes his music unique, among other issues. Excerpts:

HAT was growing up like? I grew up in a Christian home. My parents helped me to develop my musical endowments. As a child, I enjoyed going to church for the purpose of music and I was willing to sacrifice many things for that. I remember trekking several kilometers from Agbowo to Akobo in Ibadan to attend rehearsals at Christ Apostolic Church. I always felt sad whenever I was stopped from rehearsals. Many times, I sacrificed food, but the experience was worth it. Aside being deprived of the chance of going for rehearsals, did you face any other challenge from your parents? Not really. Just that my parents wanted me to complete my first degree in the university before any other thing. At what age did you start singing in public? I joined the choir at a very tender age; precisely at the age of 10. I was part of the church juvenile choir then. I grew up from there through other stages of the choir groups to eventually joining the main church choir. Did anyone foretell your future in the music ministry? I can’t remember anyone giving me such prediction. But I recall many encouraging words I got from people back then. I clearly knew God had a plan for me in the music ministry. The manner at which he started to inspire me in writing songs dexterously made me realise my calling into music. Aside from singing, do you

Sunday Tribune

Prosperous, you say? Then the issue of money making comes in. The gift of a man stands him before kings and not mere men. So it’s biblical to be prosperous. Whatever I lay my hands shall prosper; that’s scriptural. I’m not covetous though. But those who work at the altar, eat from the altar. Who is your target audience? My target audience is ‘everyone’. Men and women, young and old, believers and unbelievers. As much audience I can get to depopulate the kingdom of hell.

o t s i t e g r a t My l l e h e t a l u p o dep

What is the story behind your hit single, ‘Ma je n’te ‘? Hmmm! “Ma je n’te” was written in the year 2005. I was facing some hard times then and needed a turn around. The song was a prayer borne from within. Do you plan to have music concerts now or later? Surely! I’ve so long been involved in series of musical concerts for about 15 years now. May God make me stronger and bless me with the wherewithal required for the organising of the future concerts. Amen!

—Oluphemee

also play musical instruments? I play piano and drums. Why did you decide to go into gospel music? My joy is to see the name of God glorified through my music and to see the light of God shine over every listener. I want people

to be blessed by my music. I want to make people happy and elated in spite of what they may be going through. Most importantly, I want to draw the people unto God through my music. I am yet to make a complete album; I have three single tracks now which will be released, God willing, on October 1. But work is ongoing on it.

How do you get inspiration? All that is good and perfect comes from God, the Father of heavenly lights... (James 1:17). The Holy Spirit of God inspires my compositions. I buttress this with a devout spirit to get the best tunes.

When should a full album be expected? By God’s grace, my target is January 17, 2016. I have about three tracks already done and I’m working on another track; a song for Nigeria, titled ‘We stand in the gap’, hopefully to be released on the 1st of October. Then the remaining tracks would follow.

news Group counsels Christians on avoiding alcohol By Victoria Ilari THE Better Life for Alcoholics and Drug Addicts (BETLAADA), in conjunction with Global Teen Challenge, has enjoined Christians, especially men, to avoid alcoholic drinks to help them reshape their lives through the help of God. This was the message during a seminar organised by the group to reach out to drug addicts and alcoholics all over the world, and rehabilitate them with the word of God by telling them what they need to do and know to overcome the power of drug and alcohol addictions. During the programme, the President for the Global Teen Challenge in Jos, Mr David Omil, using the example of himself, narrated how he was addicted to drugs

and how God saved him from the addiction. “When I was in the United States of America, I lived under the bridge with those who take hard drugs but today, I am a changed person,” Omil stated.

Another participant, Reverend Anna Droll, from the USA, also shared her experience with drugs and how God saved her, stating that the organisation was set up to help people to get better lives, free from drugs and alcohol, and also rehabilitate

drug addicts and alcohol victim sto give them new and better beginnings. The host of the programme, Mr Raymond Ajagbe, gave encouraged people to to stay away from alcohol for them to have a better lives.

South-West CCC declares support for Paseda By Rotimi Ige THE members of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), in Ogun State and around the South-West have been called upon to give all necessary support to ensure that 2019 governorship hopeful, Prince Olatunde Rotimi Paseda, wins the Ogun State governorship election.

This was revealed by the Chairman of the Ogun State Celestial group for Rotimi Paseda, Most Senior Evangelist Olushola Oyapidan, on Sunday, during a press briefing in Ibadan. Oyapidan, in a chat with TribuneChurch, stressed that since the inception of the church, they (Celestials) had not produced any member as governor

in Ogun State, adding that Paseda was poised to break the jinx come 2019. He also said that Paseda is widely known across the world and has contributed immensely to the development of many celestial parishes in Ogun State and assisted members of the mission on pilgrimmage to Jerusalem, likewise in the community as a whole.

45 tribunechurch with Most Revd J.O. Akinfenwa

with Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, fradebadejo@yahoo.com

Unity and commitment

God bless Mr President

CBCN speaks again The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and archbishop of Jos, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, delivering his opening address at the second plenary meeting of the Bishops last week at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Igwuruta, Port Harcourt, expressed strong views on the challenges facing Nigeria. Speaking in the presence of the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibajo and the Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, the archbishop called for a new attitude of patriotism and altruism and a conversion of heart in all Nigerians. “I wish to again hereby invite Nigerians not merely to “change” but also to have a “conversion of heart” because change without interior conversion is only cosmetic and superficial. Our wasted opportunities must be recovered. This should include every Nigerian, and not only those in government”. The archbishop advocated conversion on the social economic, political, moral, judicial and spiritual levels. His speech several times elicited spontaneous applause from the huge crowd present. He was obviously touching the right chords that resonated with the people’s yearnings. More highlights of the address deserve public attention: Moral and spiritual conversion “We need moral conversion whereby we do not practice external, religious piety while condoning extortion by security agents on the high way, the embarrassment of our international visitors through greedy and corrupt demands and activities at international airports or borders and ports, where illegal/harmful items

Sunday Tribune

dawnofanewera

firmfaith:rightreason

THE head beneath the crown We live in times that demand a lot from our leaders. President Muhammadu Buhari does not have an enviable job especially if he is truly resolved to be a good leader. Nigerians seek to be led from barren grounds to green pastures, from scarcity to prosperity and from turbulence to peaceful times. Because of the complexity of Nigeria’s problems we all seem to agree that prayer is needed in abundance. Most Nigerians seem to agree that endemic, systemic corruption is the biggest monster threatening to devour Nigeria and that Nigeria’s brand of corruption seems to be altogether special. We agree with President Buhari that we either kill corruption or corruption will kill Nigeria. What we do not seem to agree upon however, is how to achieve this or exactly from where to begin. Debate is on whether the government should plead, bargain or negotiate with looters. Some see no sense at all in granting suspected looters any courtesy or rights. Simply grab them and squeeze them hard until they yield all they have looted. The Labor Union is even reported to have proposed capital punishment as sentence for corruption. Clearly, the leader at the helm of affairs in Nigeria will need all the goodwill and prayers that he can get to correctly discern in what way to lead the nation. That is why it simply is best to say everyday: “God, bless our President”.

20 September, 2015

are allowed into the country as long as the owners can pay sufficient bribes. Enough of the antics of psychedelic, manipulative religious leaders who pontificate on morality but see nothing wrong in scandalously enriching themselves and corruptly supporting those who mismanage our public affairs and then rob our country blind. We need spiritual conversion where religion is not all about money-making and prosperity or determined by the wealth of a religious leader. We know that some preachers centre their message on making their followers astoundingly and miraculously rich and insist that prosperity is a sign of God’s blessings, because God is not a poor God, instead of focusing on true worship, fraternity and the common good. It is perhaps only in Nigeria that a comedian, a singer, a shrewd business person, a motivational speaker, a house wife, a politician or an ex civil servant can wake up and declare himself or herself a “man” or “woman” of God, i.e. a religious leader. Judicial conversion We need judicial conversion, a situation where we shall have courageous judges who judge wrong and right with the fear of God. (Dt. 2:16-17) I charge your judges, ‘Listen to complaints among your kinsmen, and administer true justice to both parties even if one of them is an alien. In rendering judgment, do not consider who a person is; give ear to the lowly and to the great alike, fearing no man, for judgment is God’s”. Prophet Micah in chapter 3 warns leaders and rulers to abhor injustice, crying out that the leaders of Zion pervert all that is right; render judgment for a bribe, her priests give decisions for a salary, her prophets divine for money’”. Need for collaboration in repentance The foregoing and more emphasize why President Buhari was elected to lead Nigeria. Undoubtedly, he needs more than the wisdom of Solomon to succeed. He needs God’s help to make Nigerians to transcend tribe, region, religion and personal interest, not only to work with him but to allow him do the work. Needless to say he must transcend those pitfalls as well. King Solomon’s words in the Bible, when confronted with the challenges of ruling Israel, fit well our President: “And here is your servant, surrounded with your people whom you have chosen, a people so numerous that its number cannot be counted or reckoned. So give your servant, a heart to understand how to govern your people, how to discern between good and evil, for how could one otherwise govern such a great people as yours?” (IIKgs. 3:9). As Archbishop Kaigama noted, the Nigerian condition is complicated by the cynicism of Nigerians who have disengaged from the destiny of their country and often deliberately wage war against her in words, attitude and action. From those kind of tendencies, Nigerians must repent. This persistent voice of reason must not be ignored. The very soul of Nigeria depends on adherence to it and it is impossible to say that too often in our situation.

TEXT: Nehemiah 2: 15 - 20 Any time God’s people set out to do a thing that requires collective action, one requirement always ranks topmost amongst others. That requirement is unity. Unless we are united, we cannot agree in the first instance upon a common objective. In Genesis 11:1 - 9, we read of the united and committed resolve of the people of Babel to build a tower that would reach unto the heavens. The people drew such strength from unity and commitment that nothing could stop the project. Even God admitted that nothing would prevent these united people from achieving their goal (verse 6). So God had to scatter their language (in other words, disunite them). That is why Apostle Paul enjoins us in Ephesians 4: 1-3: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The major outworking of unity among Christians is commitment. When we unite to say that we shall do something, all of us shall show commitment towards the objective. We shall spend quality time, quality attention, quality resources, to ensure that the goal is achieved. We shall endure incon-

venience, suffer deprivations, make sacrifices, because we are committed. We shall give up many things, not because they are convenient, but because we are committed to the objective that compels such deprivations and sacrifices. In Nehemiah chapter 2, we read the story of the commencement of the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. After Nehemiah had surveyed the situation, he rallied his people together and told them of the good hands of the Lord upon his life. At the end, the people said: Let us rise up and build. (2:18) What follows this mental assent is very important to us. The Bible says “So they strengthened their hands for this good work. If the work of God in our midst must experience progress, we must be committed. Nehemiah had a committed company, so the word of God records that the wall became completed. Nehemiah 6: 15 says, “So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.” Have we completed the “wall” that God asked us to build? Or is our story like the story of Joshua? The Bible says in Joshua 13:1 that “Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the .LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.” To be continued next week

livingword By Bishop David Oyedepo Call 7747546-8; or e-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Encounter with destiny from His book! (3) WELCOME to another week in this glorious month. Last week, we began to explore our Eagle nature in Christ as shown to us from scriptures and what it takes to manifest same. This week, we will continue that teaching with more qualities that enable us to manifest our eagle nature. The eagle is “exploratory”: I remember going to the mountain and asking the Lord to show me the secret behind the book of Ezekiel. I also remember engaging in a long fast to access the secret behind the Acts of the Apostles. As spiritual eagles therefore, we must not just study the Word, but explore the treasures hidden therein, which determines our placement in destiny (Deuteronomy 32:13). The eagle’s flight is guided by the direction of the wind: The eagle waits on the mountaintop to study the direction of the wind before embarking on its flight. As the wind blows, it spreads its wings and flies to its destination. As a result, the eagle is free from struggles by following the direction of the wind. We understand from scriptures that the wind is the Holy Spirit and every child of God is entitled to the leading of the Holy Spirit; for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:14; see also John 10:27, Revelation 1:10, 1 Corinthians 2:14). Every eagle-believer must, therefore, be one that is led by the Lord, because in the midst of the desert, by His leading, we

continually experience a gushing. As it is written: And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out (Isaiah 48:21; see also Deuteronomy 32:10,12, 18:15; Numbers 11:14; Exodus 19:4, Acts 3:21-22; John 5:30). However, the Bible is a Book of instructions and our lives cannot be worth any more than we are addicted to following those instructions. In fact, the realization of our glorious destiny is engendered by our tireless commitment to obeying His instructions and that is why those who hate instructions cannot go far with God. Therefore, sensitivity and commitment to His leadings are vital to our making (2 Timothy 3:16, Proverbs 4:13, Isaiah 48:21). The eagle has a unique way of training its young one to fly. The mother eagle goes outside her nest, bears the eaglet on her back, and soars to the skies. In the midst of the flight, the mother eagle suddenly removes her back, while the eaglet struggles for survival. When the eaglet is about crashing into the sea or on the rock, the mother eagle comes and bears him. There are too many believers who have remained eaglets all their lives, because they won’t get out of the ‘nest’ and take responsibility. Friend, though there is an eagle in us, it takes discipline, focused spiritual exercises and being led by the Spirit among others, for the eagle in us to come alive.

voxpop

20 September, 2015

Who is happier on wedding day; the bride or the groom?

Wedding is one of the most memorable days in human life. The joy of the day is shared by parents, friends and relatives. But who is happier between the groom and the bride? OLUWABUNMI AJAYI presents people’s opinion on the question. Excerpts:

AFOLABI BUKOLA The bride tends to be happier because every lady looks forward to the day when her future will be established. Also, the fact that she has a man of her own is something of joy. In Africa, a man is the ‘crown’ on the head of a woman. A woman who is not married, or who is divorced, does not have a crown on her head. So, this alone brings joy to the lady on her wedding day, as the man makes a lady complete.

OGUNBAYO OLANIYI I want to say that the bride is happier because she now knows that the man now belongs to her. No matter how long she dated the man, there was the possibility of a break-up but the marriage finally seals the love, and she now knows that no woman will ever share her husband with her again.

Sunday Tribune

The bride is the happier person on the wedding day because most of her mates are still single and seriously searching for responsible men.

MUHAMMAD KIRU The bride is happier because she is happy that she is ‘promoted’. A girl under her parents always lacks freedom. When a girl of marriageable age is still with her parents, she won’t feel comfortable. There are areas she will be having misunderstanding with her parents about. However, with marriage, she feels she has got her independence.

DAYO OLADITI The bride is the happier person on the wedding day because most of her mates are still single and seriously searching for responsible men to ask for their hands in marriage. Again, the society respects a married woman more because people will now see that she is now more responsible for a family life. A woman takes care of her husband and her children and, as such, is more respected in the society.

ILESANMI BUKOLA It is usually difficult to determine what happiness means. While the wife will be happy that she is getting married, the husband will be thinking that he now has a wife to think about. He will no longer be free as he used to be when he was single. Even with all this, the husband will still be happy that he is starting a family, and that very soon, somebody will call him daddy, and would look forward to when he would return from work to the warm embrace of his wife and children. These are feelings that are difficult to gauge. The truth, however, is that both are happy.

AWOYEMI JOHNSON I think the man is happier, especially if he is above 30 years. It is not an easy thing for a man to settle down; he first gets a job, then an accommodation, and has to be financially okay to take care of his wife and children. Providing for one’s family brings happiness, and I think this makes the groom happy during the wedding. The woman’s happiness may be a one-way flow, because she is only happy that she is now a Mrs.

BALA MUHAMMAD It depends on the age of the couple. If an aged bachelor is getting married, then he will be happier because he is finally doing what he ought to have done a long time ago. By the time he is getting married, his friends may already have more than three or four kids, so he will be happy that he is getting married finally.

CHARITY ENUMA The bride is the happier person on that day because she would have passed through a lot of disappointments and heartbreaks in her life before finally having a man to settle down with. This is an everlasting joy for the woman.

TONY FIDELIS ADEDOYIN TOLULOPE Both the bride and groom are happy on wedding day because they have been waiting for a day like that in their lifetime. It is a day they will both be making reference to for as long as they live. Both are definitely happy.

If the relationship is based on same feelings of love, both should be happy. Men are naturally possessive; their nature is to conquer. They don’t have the same nurturing feelings as women when it comes to marriage or a relationship.

MUDASHIRU AYANNIYI AIYEJINO MICHAEL As for me, it is the groom because he now has power and authority to do everything he was unable to do before; to know what is inside the pot. And he will also have the assurance that nobody is sharing his wife with him again.

In some cases, the groom is` happier if he has not had any sexual intercourse with the bride before; but if they have been sleeping together before marriage, then the bride will be happier that the man is finally hers.

47 hid awolowo (1915-2015)

20 September, 2015

Nigeria will miss her wise counsel —Fashola Immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, at the weekend, mourned the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, saying the mother of a nation has transited to immortality. In a condolence message to the Awolowo family, Fashola expressed grief at the passage of the widow of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, noting that the nation would sorely miss her wise counsel. “I condole with the Awolowo family at this moment of physical separation and bereavement,” he stated. Fashola urged the family to take solace in the memory of the departed matriarch’s decades of patriotic service

to the nation even without seeking any title. “No words will suffice to describe how sorely Mama will be missed. But I am confident that the memory of Mama’s

legacy, her national service without a title, and the pride of her life’s work will build bridges of comfort for the entire family,” he stated. While condoling with the

government and people of Ogun State, Fashola prayed that the soul of Chief (Mrs) Awolowo finds “favour with her Creator and rest in His bosom peacefully.”

The Grand Lady passes —Soyinka

OBEL Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has also expressed condolences.

In his tribute to Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, he said: “An Era recedes. As solace, it leaves in it wake a treasured privilege for

those who knew her, who experienced her indomitable spirit at first hand, and drank from her depthless fount of family embrace.”

We cannot but celebrate her —Kashamu According to the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Prince Buruji Kashamu, “Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo’s passage into eternal glory signifies the end of an era.

“At 99, we cannot but celebrate her exemplary life. She did not die but merely transited from this terrestrial plane to the celestial. “Therefore, on this occasion of her passage into

eternal glory, I do not mourn but celebrate Ogun East’s, nay Ogun State’s gift to Nigeria, African and the black race. Adieu, Mama. We love you, but God loves you more.”

She is worthy of emulation —UI VC The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, has joined other Nigerians to mourn the death of Mama Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, saying that the matriarch of the Awolowo family lived a fulfilled life. “She was an upright Ni-

gerian with an impeccable and immaculate character, worthy of emulation,” the Vice Chancellor remarked in a statement by the university‘s Director of Public Communication, Mr Olatunji Oladejo. Quoting the words of Victor Hugo, Professor Adewole said: “It is nothing

to die; it is frightful not to live. For Mama Awolowo, she came, she fought and she conquered.” The Vice Chancellor said Mama HID has lived and done her best. “She is irreplaceable. She will forever live on in our memories. On behalf of council, senate, congrega-

tion, management, staff and students of the University of Ibadan, we commiserate with the Awolowo family and Nigerians. “We pray that her gentle and tender soul rests in perfect peace. Indeed, a gem has gone to be with the Lord,” the VC stated further.

Oyo NLC commiserates with Awolowo family The chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Oyo State, Comrade Waheed Olojede, in a statement is-

sued on Saturday, said that with the demise of Mama HID Awolowo, Nigeria has lost a colossus, an icon,

a humanitarian par excellence and a woman of virtue, whose unequalled attributes are worthy of

An extra-ordinary woman —Olumilua According to former governor, Old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, “It is a great loss to this country. She was a unique woman in every way. When we tried to reconcile the warring sections in the West then, we went to her and she said if her husband was still alive, she and Mrs Akintola would have been reconciled by now. “The understanding of the woman was so supreme. She’s an extra-ordinary woman. When the husband

was cast in jail, she went about campaigning for him. She was a solid character, a great politician. It’s a great loss. We knew her; we were always going to her to ask her questions

about what she thought about the country and all that, and she was always coming up with solid ideas. She’s an extra-ordinary woman. We will miss her; she is a fantastic woman.”

emulation. According to Olojede, “no doubt, Mama Awolowo’s exit has created a vacuum which will be difficult to fill. The Nigeria Labour Congress, Oyo State, commiserates with the Awolowo dynasty on the loss of its matriarch and prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed.

A monumental loss —Kwara Speaker Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo has been described as a monumental loss to the nation. The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad, made this observation while reacting to the death of the wife of the late Premier of the old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The Speaker, in a statement by his media aide, Abdul Rahman Sanni, said Mama as she was fondly called died at a time when the nation was undergoing structural change in her political history. Dr Ahmad, who described the demise as the end of a glorious era, pointed out that she passed

on to the great beyond when the nation would tap into her wisdom in translating the change slogan into reality to better the lots of the citizenry. He urged the Awolowo family to take solace in the fact that she lived a fruitful life that would continue to be a point of reference for generations yet unborn.

One of the early callers to her residence was the Ogun State deputy governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga, who in her condolence message said: “The government and the people of Ogun State commiserate with the entire children and family on the passing unto glory of their matriach. “The news of her departure came to us as a shock when we are preparing for her centenary birthday. Indeed, Ogun State has

lost a mother who has always been supportive of the Governor Ibikunle Amosun-led government. It is our prayer that her gentle soul rest in peace.” A former member of the National Assembly, Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka, also described the death of Mama Awolowo, as the end of an era. Kaka, in a message made available to Sunday Tribune, said that, “Mama HID, the Matriarch of Awo

dynasty, passed on to greater glory which signifies the end of an era in many respects. “The jewel of inestimable value was a paragon of what a dutiful wife should be. She was a solid rock behind the political machinery of the immortal Awo and was very supportive from the beginning to the end, even posthumously of the sage. She was a rare gem for womenfolk and custodian of our cherished value and culture.”

A genuine progressive is gone —Famuyibo Ogun has lost a mother —Ogun dep gov, Kaka A former presidential aspirant, Chief Reuben Famuyibo, has described the passing of Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo as “marking the end of the real founders of progressive politics in Nigeria. “Mama was a genuine patriot who stood by the Yoruba nation at all times. “Her commitment to the ideals of progressivism was never in doubt. “May her gentle soul rest in peace.”

Sunday Tribune

A big loss to retrogressive forces —Aborisade A constitution lawyer, Femi Aborisade, has described Mama as one who had strong distaste for bad governance when she was alive. “The news of the passing

on of the Awolowo matriarch is a big loss to retrogressive forces. For as long as she lived, she constituted a moral force against irresponsible governance.”

Her death, a colossal loss —Obasa The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has expressed shock at the death of the Awolowo matriarch, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, describing her exit as a collosal loss not only to the Yoruba nation but also to the Nigerian federation and Africa at large. Obasa said this in his reaction on the death of the Awolowo matriarch, who passed on Saturday evening at the age of 99. Mama was to celebrate her 100 years on November 25. “I was shocked when I learnt of the news,” Hon. Obasa said, adding, “Personally, despite the fact that Mama died at a very ripe age, we will still miss

her and the Nigerian federation will miss her most because this is the moment her words of wisdom, advice and motherly role is most critically needed to contribute to the growth of our democracy which her great husband with her by his side, lived and died for.” The Lagos Assembly speaker, while saying Mama’s death was painful at the point in time in Nigeria’s march in democracy, noted that Nigerians would definitely miss her. Speaking further, Obasa described the deceased as a loving, obedient, loyal, committed and persevering wife who stood strongly by her late husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, during his political travails.

Nigeria has lost a gem —Akinruntan In his message, the Leader, Yoruba Obas Conflicts Resolution Committee and Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, “The transition of Mama Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, marks

the end of a rich era of perseverance, industry, service to God and humanity. “The Yoruba race and Nigeria have lost a gem. May the Lord grant her perpetual peace.

Her death should be a national celebration —Paseda A former governorship aspirant in Ogun State on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Prince Rotimi Paseda, has declared that the death of Yeye Odua, Chief Mrs H.I.D Awolowo, be celebrated nationally as a mark of respect to the matriarch of the Yoruba race. In his words, “Yeye Odua was a mother to all. She was a timeless heroine, a symbol of the unity of the Yoruba race and an epitome of humil-

ity. I visited her last year during campaign and she received me with open arms. The nation and especially the Yoruba race and I demand that her demise be celebrated nationally. “I commiserate with the entire Awolowo family and the entire Yoruba race, praying that the values which she stood for will be respected and considered as a roadmap for Nigeria’s redemption.”

She was mother of all —Adeyemo An Ibadan-based businessman and politician, Mr Sunday Adeyemo, who said the news of Mama’s demise was shocking, described her as the mother of all when she was alive. “In fact, I can’t believe

Mama did not stay to celebrate her 100 years on earth of touching lives. She lived a wonderful life a mother would live. She was just like her husband. “I pray that God will continue to protect the Awolowo family.”

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 0807 449 7425

children’sarena

Words from the kids How I spent my last holiday I travelled to Lagos to see my cousins —Demilade Adebayo, Grade 3, 8 yrs.

I spent my last holiday in Lagos. I travelled to see my uncle’s new house which he just built. I really enjoyed myself with my cousins. I did so many things to assist my uncle; I washed plates, cloths and made sure the house was always in order. My uncle took me to Shoprite to shop and to Trans Amusement park to relax my brain after so much work at school. I came back to Ibadan last week to prepare for the next academic session.

I spent three weeks in Lagos with my cousins —Ayomide Ebun , Grade 4, 8 yrs.

My parents gave me a surprise gift— Kenneral Keshi, Grade 3, 8 yrs MY last holiday was fun. I went to Shoprite, played games and watched movies. My parents gave me a surprise gift. I used my holidays to study more and my mummy engaged me in coaching at home. I had much time to play with my friends; I read so many story books and I also played with my toys. I also went to birthday and wedding parties with my daddy.

I spent my last holiday in my grand mother’s house —Hammed Esther, Grade 4, 9 yrs.

MY last holiday was fun to me. The first day of my holiday, my mum asked me to wash plates and sweep the house. The following week, I told my daddy that I wanted to travel to Lagos to spend the remaining weeks of my holiday which my dad accepted. I spent three weeks in Lagos and it was fun. I came back to Ibadan last week to prepare for school.

I spent my last holiday with my grandmother. I had time to play around and to watch television. I helped my mummy in the kitchen, cleaned the house and played with my toys. Sometimes, I followed my mum to the market, I read so many books and I went to birthday parties.

All students are from Fortune Height Elementary School, Ibadan.

Brief history of Eid-al-Kabir

SLAM celebrates two great festivals annually - Eidul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. The first is the great festival that follows the month of Ramadan when the fast is broken. The second occurs about two months later during the month of Zil-Hajj when an animal is sacrificed in commemoration of Abraham's sacrifice of his son In four days’ time, precisely Thursday, September 24, Muslims across the world will be celebrating the Eid-elKabir, popularly called ‘Ileya’ in the South- western part of Nigeria. The word ‘Ileya’ was coined from the event that unfolded when Prophet Ibrahim was ordered by Allah to sacrifice his only son, Ishmael, for Him. At the point when he was about to offer the sacrifice, his son was replaced with a ram. So, instead of slaughtering the son, he slaughtered the ram as an offer of sacrifice to Allah. Thus, this event led to the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir festival.

However, the importance of the festival should not be ignored by Muslims, amidst celebration. Eid-elKabir is a time for sober reflections about how the different injunctions of Allah have been strictly adhered to; it is a period to brood over Allah’s kind gesture of mercy and steadfastness on all human beings. Indeed, the festival is a reminder of the unimaginable things that would have happened to mankind if Allah had not been kind enough to substitute a ram for Ishmael at the point he was about to be slaughtered. It would have been a tragic course in which every Muslim faithful would have had to obey in accordance with the injunction of Allah. Compiled by Ilari Victoria

Eid al-Kabir celebration •Eid al-Adha, also known as Eid al-Kabir or Eid alQurban. God revealed to Abraham that His command was merely a test of Abraham’s devotion, and that he doesn’t need to sacrifice Ishmael anymore. Instead, he was asked to sacrifice a sheep. •Eid al-Adha is between a two and four day celebration, depending on the country. •The Eid al-Adha dates are confirmed o n l y if reputable moon-sighting committees in the Islamic world announce they have spotted the new moon with the naked eye. •A Muslim must recite ‘tusmiya’ before sacrificing a sheep and make sure it is of a certain age and in good health. When slaughtering sheep, a Muslim must ensure the sacrifice meets Islamic standards, and the meat is ‘halal’. The slaughterer must cut a deep incision into the animal’s neck, severing the jugular veins and carotid arteries. •The meat from the sacrifice is divided into three portions: a third for the family, a third to friends, and a third donated to the poor. • In the period around Eid al-Adha, many Muslims travel to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage (one of the five pillars of Islam). The Eid begins the day after Muslims on the Hajj descend from Mount Arafat. • On the first morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world attend morning prayers at their local mosques. It has been said that it is better to take a different route back home than the route first taken to go to the mosque.

20 September, 2015

crimereports

Sunday Tribune

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

How I killed a man, kept his flesh for sale —Suspected ritualist

HE putrid smell that emanated from the chunks of fatty decomposing pieces of flesh said to be part of a human body recovered from suspected ritualists filled the entire space in front of the Oyo State Police Command headquarters, Eleiyele, Ibadan on September 15, 2015. Journalists, policemen and visitors who were around the place covered their noses with kerchiefs. Four suspects—Oluwatoyin Odetunde, Adewole Elijah, Adeyanju Adeniyi, and Odetunde Jacob – arrested in connection with the human flesh were all calm looking, as if waiting for the fate that would befall them after their arrest. And a member of the syndicate, Odetunde, confessed that he got the human flesh from Elijah and one ‘doctor’, one Olusegun Babarinde, who was discovered to be a retired mortuary attendant. Briefing journalists on the arrest of the suspects, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Leye Oyebade, said that they were arrested after the raiding of a black spot at Owode area of Oyo town, following information received that criminals used to gather at the spot. The police commissioner said that the suspects were found in an uncompleted building and when searched, pieces of human flesh were found in their possession. According to Oyebade, “the suspects, some of who wore garments and pretended as if they were coming from a church, claimed to be members of a white garment church. But upon interrogation and search, pieces of human flesh were found in their possession. They are ritualists and are not supposed to be within the society. They will face the music and the court of law will prevail on their activity which is barbaric in nature.” Crime Reports also learnt that Babarinde retired from one of the teaching hospitals in Oyo State. when interrogated, he was

said to have confessed to the police that the human parts he supplied to Odetunde were taken from corpses deposited at the hospital mortuary. He further claimed that they either belonged to unclaimed corpses of armed robbers brought in by the police or mad people who died on the streets. He referred to such corpses as wastes, saying he usually took some parts of the corpses before mass burial. Knowing the workings of the mortuary, despite hav-

ing retired, Babarinde said he used to go to the mortuary on Saturdays when he knew other attendants would not be available. Speaking with Crime Reports, Elijah said: “I was at Odo Oba when Odetunde called me on phone that he needed the flesh of a dead armed robber which he could use. I told him I had some which I got from a deceased armed robber when I was still working as a night guard. My partner, one Tunji, and I killed him beside a

river at Odo Oba along a private hospital road because he ran away when we tried to stop him one night. “My partner cut a part of the armed robber’s buttocks and kept it. That was about four months ago. I covered it up somewhere and regularly preserved it with schnapps. My partner died the following day in an accident when he was going to Osogbo. “I told Odetunde that I would check the remaining human flesh I kept and he asked me to bring it to him

in Oyo. He asked Mr Adeniyi to use his motorcycle to bring me to Oyo. I tied the human flesh in a polythene bag and took it to him. As we were talking, police came and arrested us.” In his own confession, Odetunde (65) stated: “I am a prophet of a C&S church. It is true I asked Elijah to get some human flesh for me. I wanted to use it to perform rituals for someone. I use any part of human flesh. I took the buttock part from Elijah while I got the fleshy

The suspected ritualists

rib part from one ‘doctor’ in Ogbomoso.” Adeyanju told Crime Reports that “Odetunde had a church at Odo Oba before he moved to Lagos State. So he said he needed to rent the place out since no member was attending the church again. We wanted to discuss on how I would be in charge of the church. He called me recently and asked me to join him in Oyo. He wrote some things in a paper for Elijah about ritual processes but I was not involved. We were together when police came to arrest us.” But Odetunde said that Adeyanju knew about what he was doing and had come to him so that he could understudy him and learn how to do such rituals too. Jacob, who is Odetunde’s son, said: “I didn’t know anything about the issue. My father called me and told me he was coming from Lagos State to Oyo. I went to him so that I could greet him and get some money from him. I met Adeyanju and Elijah with him.” Crime Reports gathered that the suspects had been charged to court.

Suspect arrested for car theft cries: ‘God take my life’ By Oluwatoyin Malik and Olakunle Kudoro

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Leye Oyebade, has said that his command has apprehended a notorious three-man syndicate that specialised in removing vehicles from where they are parked in Ibadan. He gave the names of the suspects as Akeem Yusuf, Lekan Rasak and Morufu Oladimeji. Speaking with Crime Reports at a press briefing held on Tuesday, September 15, at the police headquarters, at Eleyele, Ibadan, the police commissioner said that one of the suspects, Yusuf (30) removed a Nissan Micra car, painted in commercial colours with registration number JJJ 521 CW, from where it was parked at

Olomi area. He added that Yusuf took the car to Agodi spare parts market where he allegedly connived with Lekan and Morufu to dispose of the car in pieces by dismantling it into scraps. “Through the collaboration of our strategic partners, detectives from Agodi Division in Ibadan were hinted on the proposed transaction among the syndicate, so my men tracked and arrested Yusuf on September 10 at about 5.45p.m. “He confessed to have removed the car from where it was parked at Olomi area in collaboration with two others. The other two suspects were also picked and the car recovered from them,” Oyebade stated. Reiterating his determination to fight criminality

headlong in the state, the police boss said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations. Yusuf, who admitted that he stole the car, attributed his action to his need for money to survive. He also lamented his arrest, saying it had brought him shame, and asking God to take his life. According to him, “I am married with four children. I am a mechanic. I am from Ijebu Igbo but I live at Olomi area. I stole the car because feeding had been difficult for me since I had an accident in December 2014. I had no help. “I got N10,000 assistance from a transport union boss. The owner of the car in which I had accident also spent a lot of money paying my hospital

bill, so there was no other means of survival. This is a big error on my part as I have never been involved in such a thing in my life. “I was the one who went to meet Lekan at Agodi Gate area of Ibadan. I told him I needed to sell a car and he told me that he was not into purchase of cars that would be turned to scrap. He offered to help me get someone, promising to deliver the proceeds to me after sale. “He got one Monsuru for me. I opened up to the two of them that I stole the vehicle. We were yet to agree on the price when other traders within the market insisted on seeing the original documents of the car before it would be dismantled. That was how they informed the police

and I was arrested. Lekan however denied knowledge of the car theft, saying “Yusuf never told me that the vehicle was stolen. The last time I saw him before our recent meeting was over nine years ago. I was on my way to shop at spare parts market, Agodi Gate on September 9 when he called my name. I looked back and saw him. We exchanged greetings and he told me that he had an accident and needed N40,000 to mend his bones properly. “He stated further that he had a car to sell as scrap. Since he was a mechanic, I thought it was his personal car, but I told him I was not used to such sales. He begged me to get him someone and I got Morufu’s number from one of the traders.”

crimereports

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Oyo CP tours Oyo area command, gets royal blessings By Oluwatoyin Malik

n his pursuit of achieving a successful tenure that will witness putting the activities of criminals at bay, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Leye Oyebade, was in Oyo area command on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 to pay a courtesy visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, and to give pep talks to the officers and men of the area command. The Commissioner was accompanied to the palace of the Alaafin by the Area Commander, Oyo, ACP Yemi Oyediran, Divisional Police Officers and unit commanders in the area command. Speaking at the palace of the Alaafin, who was on ground with other traditional rulers to receive the police commissioner and his officers and men, CP Oyebade solicited the prayers and support of Oba Adeyemi to ensure a crime-free Oyo State. According to the police boss, “when I assumed duties on September 1, I drew a programme of action that I intend to pursue with the aim and objective of combating heinous crimes such as kidnapping, robbery and cultism in Oyo State. Not only that, I have mapped a strategy to prevent insurgency or terrorism within the state command. “We have an arrangement to practise what we have been preaching, which is community policing. We need community partnership to dialogue and ensure that we carry our people along in combating crime. We want to reassure our people to have confidence in today’s police. We will treat information given to us with the confidentiality it deserves and they will see the result in our prompt response to distress calls.” He made reference to the stakeholders’ meeting held at the command headquarters on Tuesday, September 15, saying that his coming to pay homage to the Alaafin was a followup to that. He sought the traditional ruler’s prayers and support, saying that “we shall work together to ensure that Oyo State is relatively crime-free for businesses to thrive.” In his response to the police commissioner’s address, Oba Adeyemi stated that there had always been a synergy between the community, the Alaafin, the other traditional rulers on one side and the po-

lice on the other side. “We are happy that we have a cordial relationship with them. In exchanging views, there is likely to be clashes of opinions and conflict of views but we resolve it peacefully. It is a universal phenomenon. “We appreciate the invaluable contributions of the police in the nation. Without a good and efficient police force, govern-

ment cannot operate.” The Alaafin of Oyo said that he was instrumental to the review of the salaries of police officers and men during the administration of retired Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie. “At a meeting of Traditional Rulers and Leaders of Thought, Coomasie was speaking and he told the audience, which I was part of, that he was

only entitled to N100,000 if he fell down dead. “After the conference, I came home and prepared a 24-page memorandum stating the history of the police right from inception and submitted it to then president. Three weeks later, I received a letter from the Federal Government, stating that they had reviewed upwards the salary of not only the IG, but the

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi in a handshake with CP Leye Oyebade at the Alaafin’s palace during a courtesy visit.

entire police force. I have a commendation letter to that effect. “This is one of the reasons I have never taken my pen to report any police officer. If any of them misbehaves, I call his boss, we sit down and resolve the issue. I take them as my children and partners in progress to improve the service of the police.” The royal father assured CP Oyebade that he and his subjects would do their best to give him maximum cooperation in order for him to have his service placed on a pedestal that would be remembered for years to come. Noting that the police operate under severe constraints to maintain peace and create atmosphere for businesses to thrive, the Alaafin called on the Federal Government and wellmeaning people to assist the police for them to discharge their duties effectively. He said the prayers offered the CP would come to pass, adding: “We will con-

tinue to partner with you day and night. We will give you information in strict confidentiality. By the grace of God, you and your officers and men will have a success story of your tenure.” The Commissioner of Police was also at the Oyo area commander’s office at Durbar area where he was received by all the Divisional Police Officers and unit heads in the area command. He held a town hall meeting with members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Vigilante Group of Nigeria and other stakeholders. He also did an inspection tour of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit in Oyo, headed by SP Olusola Aremu. He commended the state of the unit and noted the neat cells and well-kept and secure environment. Oyebade was also at Atiba, Ojongbodu and Jobele Divisions where he addressed members of the PCRC and other stakeholders in the community.

Back to beat: Ex-prison inmate arrested for robbery By Oluwatoyin Malik and Olakunle Kudoro

Shittu, a Olayinka 28-year-old okada rider left Agodi prisons in February 2015. He was released on bail but still attends court whenever his case comes up. But it seems the accused has not learnt his lessons, as he is back in the police net after he was arrested by Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 in connection with a robbery operation he and his partner in crime, one Balinga, allegedly carried out at Ologuneru area of Ibadan, Oyo State. At a press briefing held on Thursday, September 17, the state Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, told Crime Reports that the police outpost in the community received a distress call at about 7.40 p.m. that armed robbers were operating at Aba Nla area. This, the police commissioner said, made the officer-incharge of the outpost, one ASP Ajinde Mogbojuri, to lead his men to the scene to crosscheck the information. “Though the robbery suspects escaped and hid in the bush, the policemen combed the bush and fortunately, they got one of them where he was hiding in the bush. They found a bag containing

Olayinka Shittu five live cartridges with him. The second suspect however escaped,” Oyebade stated. It was further gathered that the officer-in-charge returned to the bush the following morning on the suspicion that the suspect had hidden his gun somewhere. A search conducted by the police reportedly yielded fruits as a cut-to-size locallymade gun loaded with a live cartridge was recovered. Narrating her experience in the hands of the

armed robbers, the victim (names withheld) said she was returning home from her shop with her husband when they were accosted by the armed robbers in front of their house at about 7.30p.m. “As we parked our car, two armed robbers emerged from nowhere. I believed that they had been hanging around before we came. “They ordered us to freeze and demanded for our bags. I gave them my own bag

containing N500,000 and documents while one of them followed my husband to take his bag. He warned my husband that he would shoot if he messed up. “The arrested suspect asked me to lie face down. I complied but watched from the side that he was not holding a gun, unknown to me that he hid it in his waist. I started struggling with him and he hit me on the head with an object, wounding me in the process. He also bit my ear. I became helpless and he seized the opportunity to run away.” The woman, who bore the marks of fresh injury, spoke further: “A neighbour of ours stopped them from escaping with their motorcycle when he threw an object at them. The partner of the arrested suspect ran away and this one also did, and went to hide in a bush. “It was a boy who told us that he was hiding in the bush, and as policemen came from Ologuneru police post, they combed the bush and discovered him where he lay. I was rushed to the hospital where doctors had to quickly scrape off my hair and suture my head, ear, lips and face where I had very deep cuts.” The arrested suspect also spoke thus: “I am an okada rider. I went with

a friend, called Balinga, to Ologuneru area to rob. I knew Balinga at an IMG school premises where we used to go and play ball. We were already hiding within the neighbourhood where we went to rob, waiting for potential victims. “We saw a couple approach their home in a car and we attacked them. Balinga gave me one of the guns he brought out of the bag he was carrying and asked me to mark the wife. He went to the husband and started demanding for money. He followed the husband in. “The woman suddenly grabbed me and started shouting thief! thief!! My partner ran away. I had to bite the woman in her ear so that she could leave me. It was my partner who hit her head with an object to loosen her grip on me. “I came out of prison in February. I was arrested when I robbed a woman. I spent almost two years in the prison before I was granted bail, but the case is still ongoing.” CP Oyebade ordered that the suspect be transferred to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Ibadan, for further investigation, adding that efforts were on to apprehend the suspect at large.

opinion

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Repair, restoration and redirection of Nigeria

Speaking on the benefits of the change mantra championed by the Buhari-led administration, A.B.O.O. OYEDIRAN, in this piece, examines the necessity for change and its implication for Nigeria.

omeone once said to his friend: ‘May you always live in interesting times.’ In Nigeria, we have been living and continue to experience interesting times. Among other things, there is widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo. Earlier this year, the dissatisfaction led the electorate to replace the governments at the federal level and in many states. There were similar changes to the composition of the legislative assemblies across the country. Thereafter, many Nigerians, as it were, have sat back, expecting and looking out for ‘CHANGE’. With some people, it has not been a case of patient expectation but, rather, a demand for instant turn-around. Indeed, what may be described as the syndrome of Lesekese has been quite widespread and, within two months of embarking on a 4-year mandate, President Muhammadu Buhari has been given a new name –Baba Go-Slow! I invite us to reflect on the nature of the CHANGE we want or need; to consider the questions: change of what?, change of whom and by whom?, change by what means? The text for this sermon is taken from Mark 7:21-23 which is rendered in The Message by Eugene Peterson as follows: “Jesus went on: It’s what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness – all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution.” So, what are the manifestations of the status quo with which we are dissatisfied? The list includes insecurity of life and property, endemic corruption, ostentatious materialism in the midst of grinding poverty and widespread unemployment, poor governance, inordinate pursuit and worship of money, declining standards of education coupled with the celebration of mediocrity, incessant power failure, increasing prevalence of filth and unwholesome behaviour such as cultism, kidnapping and prostitution, a culture of impunity and cynicism, the distortion, devaluation and commercialisation of religion – one could go on. This approach to the summarisation of our national problems and predicament may inadvertently encourage a de-personalisation of the matter, a silent denial of personal involvement in their commission, a perception of the perpetrators as THEM/THE LEADERS, and the victims as US/so-called ORDINARY CITIZENS. Therefore, let us take a closer look at some of these problems. For this purpose, I looked up reports on three topics

in 3 national newspapers during the earlier weeks of this month. Corruption: The Sunday Punch of 16/8/15 reported that the ICPC had seized 24 properties and several cars from three principal accounts officers of the Niger Delta ministry. One of them had an uncompleted duplex valued at N90million, 10 hectares of land valued at N50million, and 16 other plots of land, all in Abuja and all covered by certificates of occupancy. The Tribune of 7/8/15 reported that in a week-long exercise, the Department of Petroleum Resources(DPR), Ibadan field office, sealed off no fewer than 100 petrol stations across Oyo and Osun states for various offences including diversion of petroleum products, selling of the products above government approved prices, under measurement and manipulated meter counts. The DPR has carried out similar closure of petrol stations in Lagos, Edo, Benue, Nasarawa, Kano and other states. The Sunday Tribune of 16/8/15 reported that Commodore Aliyu Sule, Commander, NNS Delta identified impunity and slow pace of adjudication as factors responsible for the persistence of illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region. The process of trial of arrested suspects for such theft was slow and encouraged the perpetrators to easily go back into the illicit act. The new Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, recently said that he sees his appointment as a serious national assignment, and called on well-meaning individuals to support him and stop the frivolity of congratulatory adverts in the media and the celebration they connote.’ That was a report in the Saturday Vanguard of 8/8/15. On 12/8/15 the Vanguard published as a half-page advert, a letter written to President Buhari by the South-South Elders and Stakeholders Forum with the title “The reasons why Chief XYZ should be the next Petroleum Minister” Education The Tribune of 17/8/15 reported that Yaba College of Technology had expelled 73 students for presenting forged SSCE and National Diploma results. An article in the Punch of 4/8/15 focused on the recent protest march by parents to force the University of Lagos to scale down the admission cut-off mark from 250 to 180 which, they claimed, had been the norm in previous years. The Punch of 13/8/15 reported that, in the May/June 2015 West African School Certificate Examinations, 118,101 candidates had their results withheld for alleged involvement in examination malpractice. The same publication reviewed the problems of sexual harassment, plagiarism, fraud and

so forth in the nation’s tertiary institutions, and quoted Professor Okebukola, former Executive Secretary, NUC, as follows: “We cannot have a saintly university system in an ocean of corrupt larger community populated by persons of dishonest attributes, where parents are key agents in ‘sorting’ by inducing lecturers with money for marks on behalf of their children and wards, while admission officers are also bribed to secure admission placements.” The Tribune of 17/8/15 reported that the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) lamented that over 40% of the federal government’s matching grant allocated to state governments for implementation of the UBE programme had not been accessed because the governments of most states had not paid the requisite counterpart fund. Unwholesome behaviour A part-time lecturer at UNILAG was accused of raping the 18-yearold daughter of his neighbour whom he had agreed to assist in securing admission even though she scored below the cut-off mark. He claimed the act was consensual. Saturday Punch 15/8/15. The Vanguard South-East Voice of 12/8/15 published an extensive report on child trafficking (known in common parlance as ‘baby factory’) in the southeastern states, with babies being sold for amounts ranging from N200,000 to N400,000 depending on the sex; male babies usually cost more. The Sunday Tribune of 16/8/15 reported that the Cross River State Police Command had arrested a 55-year old woman and her 27-year old daughter for kidnapping 23 children. Because of constraints of time the foregoing selective review of media reports is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. It omitted important problems such as the Boko Haram insurgency, armed robbery, murderous clashes between cattle herdsmen and farmers, cultism and so forth. However, it does demonstrate that Nigeria has reached and remains in this deplorable state as a result

of poor leadership coupled with poor followership. This vicious combination has led to the devaluation, abandonment and loss of our time-honored cultural values; it has led to widespread godlessness even as religion and religiosity have continued to thrive in our nation. Clearly Nigeria is in great need of repair, restoration and redirection. How may we achieve this? Dear Christian brothers and sisters, I believe we can achieve it if, at the individual, family, community and national levels we take the following five steps. Confess: It is important that at both the individual and community levels, we admit and confess our numerous failures and misadventures. As it is written in 1 John 1: 8-9: ‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ Unfortunately our national life is largely characterized by rationalisation and outright denial of glaring wrongdoing. Even when people are apprehended, our law enforcement and judicial systems seem more devoted to the use (or shall I say abuse?) of technicalities, and deliberate delay aimed at frustrating the aggrieved parties than to the pursuit of justice and speedy redress of wrongs. Repent: It is not sufficient for us to confess our sins. It is very important that we should repent because repentance is sine qua non for change of attitude and behaviour, and reversion to the path of rectitude. Faith: We must have faith that God is able and willing to forgive our sins and restore us. God’s invitation and promise to Judah and Jerusalem, as recorded in Isaiah 1: 18-20, are applicable to us. Prayer: The importance of prayer is obvious and undeniable. It is the means by which we commune with God in a two-way traffic. In Ephesians 6: 10-18 Paul urges us to ‘put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’ After itemising the various components of ‘the armor of God’, he proceeded to add in verse 18 ‘—Praying al-

ways with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for the saints’. Here at All Saints’ Church, Jericho we always pray for Nigeria. If we do not already do so, we should supplement this with daily prayers for our country during individual and family devotion at home. Live out our prayer: We must live out our faith and prayer because, as it is emphasised in James 2: 14-26, ‘faith without works is dead.’ Confession, repentance, faith and prayer are all important, but they will amount to nothing unless they are reflected in our works. In the discipline of health education, it is emphasised that the objective and end-point is positive change in behaviour. Health knowledge and attitude are of very limited value if they are not put to practice. In like manner what counts and should be cultivated and sustained is behavioural change from Godlessness to true moral Christian living. Conclusion It would be nice and wonderful if, like the people of Nineveh, all Nigerians were to change overnight from Godlessness to the path of rectitude. However, the probability of such an occurrence is practically zero. It is also common for us to bemoan the fact of very poor leadership (especially political leadership) in the country and, by extrapolation, to conclude that all we need are good political leaders. Without prejudice to this important fact, I wish to emphasise that virtually each and every one of us is a leader in whatever position we find ourselves – cook, steward, driver, doctor, lawyer, accountant, engineer, teacher, lecturer, professor, minister of state or religion, legislator at the federal, state or local level, president, and so forth. Therefore, each of us has, can and should demonstrate good leadership role in whatever position we find ourselves. If as little as 1% of Nigerians insist on playing their roles and discharging their responsibilities correctly, our country would improve markedly, and the ripple effect would be great. All of us in this sanctuary could and should determine to be part of that 1%. Let us pray. Our Father and our God, in your infinite mercy, grant to each and every Nigerian grateful appreciation of your goodness and benevolence to us and to our country. Save us from the consequences of our various acts of foolishness and Godlessness; help us to forsake our evil ways, and to stop destroying the good things you have given us and entrusted to our care. Grant us the grace to return to the path of rectitude, and to begin to live our lives and conduct ourselves in ways that are pleasing unto You. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen. •Professor Oyediran, former vice chancellor, University of Ibadan, delivered the sermon at the All Saints’ Church, Jericho, Ibadan.

52 news

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

APC faults PDP’s statement on Buhari’s anti-corruption battle

Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, receiving medical publications from the president, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Kayode Obembe, while the past president of NMA and Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Omede Idris looks on during a courtesy visit to the Senate President, in Abuja.

Tears, as Olu of Warri’s death is announced •Council names Omo-oba Ikenwoli Emiko as successor Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

EARS flowed freely on Saturday, at Ode-Itsekiri, as the demise of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, was official announced. Scores of the Itsekiri from home and abroad, as early as 7:00a.m, had thronged the Itsekiri ancestral home, following a call made on Friday that sons and daughters of the race should gather for briefing. The mourners thronged Agohfen (Palace) located at Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) wearing long faces. The sad news was eventually broken by High Chief Yaya Pessu, who also performed the breaking of a redcoloured pot thrice at the palace premises at 11:45a.m as tradition demands. As expected, raucous ovation followed the sad news, even as 14 canons shots were fired into the air to officially announce to the world that

the proverbial elephant had joined his ancestors. Traditional rulers of Warri Kingdom were also at the occasion. They all wore long faces, declining to grant interviews requested by some journalists. Immediately after the brief rituals, the Olu designate, Omo-oba Godfrey Ikenwoli Abiloye Emiko was unveiled amid frenetic jubilation. But he was briskly whisked away by security operatives before admirers could catch a good glimpse of the new monarch. However, Chiefs Thomas Ereyitome and Yaya Pessu, who spoke with journalists, explained that the Omo-Oba (Olu Designate) will go into seclusion (Edaniken) for 90 days ahead his official coronation. They further explained that a period for the burial of the late Olu would soon be made known to all Itsekiri home and abroad. Meanwhile, some notable Itsekiri spoke on the devel-

opment. A former commissioner in the state, Dr Joseph Otumara, disclosed that the announcement of the passage of Ogiame Atuwatse II had put to an end the speculations of the situation sur-

Push for Saraki’s ouster deepens: CCT chairman under EFCC administrative bail •You’re not a judge, CJN tells him Taiwo Adisa and Christian Okeke - Abuja INDICATIONS emerged on Saturday that opponents of Senate President Bukola Saraki are unrelenting in their bid to remove him from office through the ongoing suit at the Code of Conduct Tribunal(CCT). Insiders in the plot involving mainly leaders of the All Progressives Congress(APC) said the ultimate push in the ongoing suit was for Saraki’s ouster. It was gathered that the plot had already started un-

Exercise caution over reduction of foreign missions, don appeals to Buhari By Remi Anifowose A political scientist, Dr Gbade Ojo, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to exercise restraint in his bid to reducing the number of foreign missions in the country, noting that the outcome might not be favourable to some Nigerians. The don stated this while responding to questions from journalists on the need for the president to rescind his decision to prune down the number of foreign missions in the country and to reduce the number foreign

diplomats, which in his opinion, might not be beneficial to the country. “Ordinarily, Nigeria may not require diplomats in all countries of the world, but as a force to be reckoned with in the sub-region, it is advisable we retain foreign missions and diplomats in very many countries of the world because, the whole world has become a global village in the sense that, Nigerians are virtually everywhere in the world and people from other different parts of the world are in Nigeria.” Dr Ojo, a senior lecturer in

rounding the late Olu. Another erudite Itsekiri son, Professor J. Omatseye, on his part, described the late Olu as an epitome of exemplary character cherished by all the Itsekiri both at home and abroad.

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of openly launching a counter-offensive against the determined efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to rid the country of impunity and corruption, but warned that the opposition party would fail in its attempt to take Nigerians back to Egypt. The party, in a press statement issued and signed by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Saturday, in Lagos, and made available to Sunday Tribune, stated that ‘’Saturday’s press statement by the PDP is nothing but a thinly-veiled frontal assault on the relentless efforts of the Buhari-led administration to clean the Augean stable of the last PDP-led Federal Government.’’ ‘’With its statement that is nothing but an unabashed support for impunity and corruption, as well as its major actors, the PDP has now confirmed itself as the official ‘poster boy’ for corruption in Nigeria,’’ it said. APC said the long-winding sophistry about the rule of law, democracy and personal freedoms was aimed at couching the PDP’s abhorrence and disdain for the fight against corruption in democratic cliches, especially now that the battle was gradually hitting the PDP where it hurts. The party said for the PDP’s national publicity secretary himself, the persistent onslaught against the Buhari-led administration was neither altruistic nor informed by any belief in higher values, ‘’because the allegations of corruption hanging on his own neck, from within his own party, is a clear indication that he is mortally afraid that the wind will soon blow hard enough to expose the fowl’s rump.’’

the Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin also highlighted three basic criteria needed to determine a foreign mission in a country, which included economic relationship with that country, volume of citizens in another country and balance of trade with another country. “Those things determine where you have a foreign mission, but if there are small countries that you hardly have anything to do with them, you may perhaps be dependent on yourself. You may not really maintain a mission there,” he noted.

folding at the weekend with some forces in the party already calling on Saraki to resign. Sources said on Saturday that the next stage was to brand any resistance by Saraki as a lot to truncate the government’s anti-corruption drive. It emerged that the new week is to be devoted to orchestrate campaign to project the morality of Saraki resigning. A number of forces have already positioned to start the campaign that Saraki would do the government’s anti-corruption drive a whole lot of good by “resigning honorably.” It was also gathered that the forces had started reaching out to Saraki with the aim of procuring a “soft landing.” Said one of the sources: “There is the belief that what the government has against the Senate President is enormous and that the way out now is to secure a soft landing. A lot of work is going on underground.” Meanwhile, it emerged at the weekend that the Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal Mr Danladi Umar, was under administrative bail of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Loyalists of the Senate President have therefore

alleged that the CCT Chairman could be acting under the influence of the antigraft agency to embarrass the Senate President for Senate’s probe of its chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde. It also emerged that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mahmud Muhammed had in a memo dated May 18, 2015 and with Ref. No. NJC/CIR/ HOC/1/74 indicated that Umar and other members of the CCT are not judges. The CJN, in the letter, stated that “no member, including the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal on appointment is a judicial

officer as defined in Section 318 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, unless he or she has held office as a judge of the Superior Court of Record in Nigeria.” In the vein, the trials of Senate President Bukola Saraki over assets declaration, on Saturday, assumed a different dimension as groups converged on Abuja and threatened to match to select embassies to pass across a message that the country’s democracy was under threat. The groups did not, however, give names of the embassies where the message would be delivered.

Jubilation healing crusade holds in Kenya EVANGELIST Hillary Esikalam of the Beloved Global Outreach Ministry, located in Shekoni Plaza, Iyana Ejigbo, Lagos State, will attend a six-day healing crusade in one of the branches of the church in Kenya. The crusade, which also coincided with the official inauguration of the Kenya branch of the church, will kick off from September 23 to 28 at the church branch. Evangelist Hillary Esikalam The branch pastor, Richard Wachira, is the host, while the head of the church, Esikalam, will be accompanied by other ministers of God. Esikalam is also the president and founder of Jubilation Widows and Orphanage Foundation.

news

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Don advocates life jail for looters Biola Azeez- Ilorin

Ambassador (Mrs) Jacinite Akabogu – Chinwuba, presenting a plaque to Chief Gani Adams, at the Nigerian House, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Thursday.

Buhari unfair to call ministers noisemakers —PDP chieftain •Says he should talk less, act more Bola Badmus - Lagos

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-West Zonal Organising Secretary, Mr Femi Careena, has enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to hit the ground running now and talk less so as not to lose both local and international goodwill, saying it was unfair for him to have tagged ministers as noisemakers. Careena said this, at the weekend, shortly after receiving the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Award of Excellence on Youth Development presented to him at a brief ceremony by the NANS Vice President on National Affairs, Comrade Timileyin Gbenga Ayenuro. This was just as Careena, who described the accolade as special in tandem with his great Nigerian dream, said today’s youths had no excuse not to excel as nothing was inhibiting

them to pursue careers of their choice unlike in the past when parents were opposed to certain professions, including sports, entertainment, among others. Careena said Buhari should talk less, work more as talk was cheap while action was expensive, maintaining that Nigerians and foreign partners had much expectations from his government. Buhari had said in an interview with French television station, France 24,

in apparent justification of delay in appointing his ministers, that civil servants and technocrats were more involved in the process of governance than ministers, who he noted were only there to “make a lot of noise.” According to the PDP chieftain, calling ministers noisemakers amounted to Buhari covering up his ineptitude, saying that Nigeria was blessed with world- class ministers and administrators, including Professor Akinwunmi

Edo PDP suspends Imasuen, 2 others for anti-party activities BY Olakunle Kudoro

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has suspended one-time deputy governor and former state vice chairman (Edo South) of the party, Chief Lucky Imasuen, and two other members for anti-party activities. The two members are

former Deputy Chairman, Honourable Christopher Adesotu and former Organising Secretary, Mr Richard Ehimagbi. The suspended members have been directed to appear before a disciplinary committee of the party , on Monday, September 21, 2015, in accordance with the

Buhari urged to immortalise Gani, Ubani, Aturu, others Bola Badmus - Lagos Rights activists have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to accord the late activist, Mr Chima Ubani, who died a decade ago in a ghastly motor accident in Potuskum on his way to Maiduguri and other fallen heroes and martyrs of democracy struggle, the recognition they deserved for their various enormous sacrifices. Other heroes, according to them, include the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Dr Beko Ransom- Kuti, Bamidele Aturu, Emma Ezeazu, among others. The activists, who led a procession on the streets of Lagos in marking the 10th

Adesina and Professor Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala. “It is a way of covering his ineptitude. In this country, we have world class ministers, administrators. Adesina left this country, left the administration of Jonathan, he made an impact before living, how can you call such a person a noise maker? Do you understand what I am saying? Today he is on the world platform. We should be proud of that, so how can you call such a person a noise- maker?

anniversary of the death of Ubani, also urged President Buhari to address the problems that occasioned the death of some of the fallen heroes such as poor health system in the case of Fawehinmi, bad roads in respect of Ubani, as well as ensure good governance in the country. The activists, under the aegis of Nigerian Women Activists and Friends and led by the National Coordinator, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria, Mr Nwanguma Okechukwu; Comrade Mma Odi, among others, later delivered a letter at the Lagos House, which was addressed to the President. In the letter, they lamented that since the death of

Ubani, Nigeria had lost many of its invaluable patriots, saying that the rank of the country’s fighting forces was fast depleting and the struggle for democracy suffering a major setback. “Our democracy movement has lost many more of our great, indefatigable and inspirational leaders and patriot. We have lost Chief Gani Fawehinmi, we have lost Dr Beko Ransom- Kuti, we have lost Bamidle Aturu, and recently, we also lost Emma Ezeazu “The rank of our fighting forces is fast depleting and our struggle for democracy is suffering a major setback. Our humanity is getting diminished by these major losses of the arrow heads of our struggles,” the said.

party constitution. A statement signed by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Chris Nehikhare, said the decision was “in the spirit of rebirth and re-organisation of the PDP and in line with the solemn pledge to bequeath a responsible and responsive government to Edo people in 2016.” The party also commended the Edo State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for reaffirming the victory of Senators Matthew Uroghide (Edo South Senatorial District) and Clifford Ordia (Edo Central Senatorial District) in the March 28 senatorial election. According to the statement, “the party congratulates Senators Uroghide and Ordia on their victory at the Tribunal and restates its confidence in the Judiciary as the last bastion of hope for the citizens. “Indeed, the outcome of the National Assembly election, which saw PDP winning two of the three senate seats and five of the nine House of Representatives seats is a clear indication that Edo people have rejected the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s administration.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, has advocated life jail term for any public office holder found guilty of looting public fund in the country. Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin as part of activities marking 40th anniversary of the university, the Ambali, however, kicked against capital punishment for corrupt officials, saying stolen fund should be collected from persons found guilty of corruption. “If corrupt leaders are killed without recovering their loots, we are only trying to transfer the stolen monies to another set of people. But, if the stolen monies are collected and the perpetrators are imprisoned, it will serve as deterrent to others and lessons to the victim to afford them the opportunity to change their ways for good. “Also, if the perpetrators are killed and the loots are recovered, it becomes double jeopardy for the offender. I will want the Federal Government to look towards this direction in the interest of the country and humanity. In fact, we need to look at those nations that practised such idea in the past and look at what has become of them now,” he said. Speaking on the likely choice of President Muhammadu Buhari as education minister, Professor Ambali advocated for the nomination and appointment of a person that has the interest of the education sector at heart as the minister of education.

Aisha Buhari tasks health workers on accountability Clement Idoko - Abuja

WIFE of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, has called on the professional and non professional health workers in the country to ensure accountability in the distribution of resources meant for the needy. She spoke while distributing fortified milk to pregnant women and lactating mothers in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State. Buhari warned that anyone who diverted resources meant for the indigenes should be ready to face justice when they do otherwise. Represented by the wife of the Kebbi State governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu, she said, while commodities often come into the country for the needy, some are commonly found in the open market indicating leaks in the health storage system. Presenting the item to over 2000 women at the Sir Yahaya General Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, Bagudu said the gesture was a contribution towards improving the nutritional status of women in order to ensure healthier children and better pregnancy outcomes. The wife of the governor had earlier in the week visited Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camp in Makera which is housing victims of the recent flood disaster in the state and distributed milk, food and clothing items.

Adefarasin drags famous clerics to ‘Spirit Life Conference’ By Seyi Sokoya THE founder of The Rock Cathedral, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, has assured to play host to selected great ministers of God from all over the world including: Dr Mike Murdock of The Wisdom Centre, USA; visionary of the Living Faith Church, Nigeria, Bishop David Oyedepo; Ruach Ministries, London, Bishop John Francis; former Senator and author, Dr Cindy Trim and Zimbabwe’s finest, Bishop Tudor Bismark of Jabula New Life Ministries for its annual programme tagged: “The Spirit Life Conference” which will commence from September 23 to 27. According to organisers of the conference, themed: “The Next Level,” the church’s mission is to impact, empower and spiritually refresh people as inspired by the scripture, Isaiah 43:18-19 “Do not remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth….” The conference will also prepare the church and participants for the world’s biggest gospel concert, The Experience 2015 and consequently, stepping into year 2016 with a renewed mindset. Micah Stampley, Sonnie Badu, Nathaniel Bassey and the Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir (LMGC) are the gospel artistes to perform at the five-day event, which will hold at The Rock Cathedral, popularly known as House on The Rock Church, Lekki-Epe expressway, Lagos State.

20 September, 2015

SUNDAY

Sunday Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

GLOBACOM PREMIER LEAGUE Week 29 Today’s Fixtures

Giwa FC Dolphins El-Kanemi Wikki Tourists Heartland 3SC Nasarawa Utd Abia Warriors FC Ifeanyiubah

vs Sharks FC vs Taraba vs Enyimba vs Bayelsa Utd vs Lobi Stars vs Akwa United vs Rangers vs Warri Wolves vs Kano Pillars

TABLE

Ighalo’s brace nails Newcastle at home

DION Ighalo struck twice for Watford at Newcastle United to celebrate his recall by Nigeria to two friendlies in Belgium next month. Ighalo scored in the 10th and 28th minute to record his fourth goal in the English Premier League and mark his club’s second win in the English top-flight league. It was also Watford’s first win at St.James Park since 1981. Watford now have eight points, while Newcastle remains winless thus far. His goals came just a day after he was named on a 24-man squad by Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh for matches against Cameroon and Congo next month. Last month, Oliseh snubbed Ighalo for a 2017 AFCON qualifier in Tanzania despite the striker scoring his first goal for the Super Eagles against Les Sao of Chad in June. His exclusion was widely criticised and he has now been reconsidered by the Eagles. It will be recalled that Ighalo last weekend scored Watford’d only goal against Swansea for the Hornets’ first victory of the season. The Edo State-born striker is having 20 goals in 2015.

Brazzaville 2015: This is Nigeria’s best performance since 2003 —Ogba TEAM Nigeria’s performance at the 11th All Africa Games which ended on Saturday in Congo Brazzaville has been described as the country’s best since 2003. Nigeria placed first in the 2003 edition hosted by the country in Abuja, and has not come close to winning in the last editions of the Games. President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Solomon Ogba, while speaking with Tribunesport on Friday at the Revolution Sports Complex, Brazzaville commended the athletes and the technical officials

for the performance. “This is the best performance by Team Nigeria since 2003 because every athlete was struggling to win medals for the country and this really paid off. The zeal to excel was there and you can feel it. “Coming second behind the eventual winner when we are not hosting is a good development for Nigerian sports and I think our people at home would applaud these athletes and the National Sports Commission (NSC) officials for doing a good job,” Ogba said.

Team Enyimba Warri Wolves Sunshine Stars Wikki Tourists Giwa FC Kano Pillars Heartland FC Nasarawa Utd Abia Warriors FC IfeanyiUbah 3SC Rangers El-Kanemi Lobi Stars Akwa United Sharks FC Kwara Utd Dolphins FC Taraba FC Bayelsa United

P W D L Pts 29 15 10 4 55 29 15 6 8 51 30 15 5 10 50 29 13 9 7 48 29 12 10 7 46 29 13 4 12 43 29 13 4 12 43 29 12 7 10 43 29 13 4 12 43 29 12 5 12 41 29 12 5 12 41 29 11 7 11 40 29 10 6 13 36 29 8 11 10 35 29 9 7 13 34 29 7 12 10 33 30 9 5 16 32 29 7 10 12 31 29 7 8 14 29 29 5 11 13 26

Ighalo, voted the game’s man of the match, scores one of his two goals. PHOTO: AFP

Brazzaville 2015: Team Nigeria beat them all in wrestling Niyi Alebiosu - Brazzaviile TEAM Nigeria dominated the wrestling event of the 11th All Africa Games which ended on Saturday in Congo Brazzaville with nine gold, five silver and four bronze medals. Nigerian wrestlers it will be recalled clinched six gold medals at their last appearance at Algiers 2007. Head coach of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Victor Kodei hailed the performance of his athletes for the feat at Brazzaville 2015. The wrestling event was excluded from the 2011 edition held in Maputo, Mozambique. Kodei while speaking with Tribunesport noted that the athletes deserve to celebrate the feat. “Well I am very happy because I was expecting to win even more than nine gold medals. I know my job, I know how to train these athletes. “When I was an athlete, I played very well, so I transformed myself in the coaching way to others to perform more than I do. “So I want to commend the athletes for putting up such an impressive performance. This is the time for them to celebrate, let them enjoy the moment,” Kodei told Tribunesport. On Friday, in the men’s freestyle wrestling, Nigeria won three gold medals through Amas Daniel (61kg), Melvin Bibo (74kg), Tamarau Soso (97kg) as Boltic Sinivie (125kg) won the silver medal, while Clackson Sampson (65kg), Adibo Dick (65kg) settled for the bronze medals. Last Thursday in the women’s freestyle, Nigeria had five

gold medals from, debutant, Gold Mercy Genesis(48Kg), 2015 World

Wrestling bronze medal- (55Kg), 2014 commonlist, Odunayo Adekuoroye wealth gold medallist, Am(53Kg), Opene Patience inat Adeniyi(55Kg).

tribute

20 September, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Life and times of Mama HID Awolowo

2 1

6 5

7 1.

Former governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili with Mama HID Awolowo.

Former governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel with Mama.

Mama with former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande

Mama (left) being decorated with Yaba College of Technology â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fellowship Awardâ&#x20AC;? by the then Rector, Chief (Mrs) Felicia A. Odugbesan, during the 23rd convocation ceremony of Yaba Tech,Lagos.

8 5.

Mama with Chief Richard Akinjide, former Attorney-General of the federation, at the Yoruba Council of Elders meeting held at Premier Hotel, Ibadan

Mama with the General Overseer of the Redemeed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye.

Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu with Mama.

Chief (Mrs) Adedoyin, the Yeye Oba of Remoland (left) and Mama HID Awolowo, at the installation of Chief (Mrs) Mojirade Joseph as the Otun Iyalode of Remoland, at Akarigbo Palace, Shagamu

11th ALL AFRICA GAMES SEPT. 4 - 19, 2015

Niyi Alebiosu

reporting

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

20 SEPTEMBER, 2015

NO 2,012

www.tribune.com.ng

N200

Egypt wins 11th All Africa Games

As Nigeria finishes second

EGYPT on Saturday dethroned South Africa to emerge winner of the 11th All Africa Games held in Congo Brazzaville with over 200 medals. The last time Egypt topped the quadrennial Games was in the 2007 edition held in Algiers. Nigeria was comfortably second on the medals table with 47 gold, 55 silver and 42 bronze medals as of the time of this report ahead of South Africa. Most of the gold medals won by Team Nigeria came from wrestling, weightlifting and para-sports. It will be recalled that Nigeria placed third at the last edition, Maputo 2011 with 31 gold, 28 silver and 39 bronze medals.

English Premier League results

Moses goal against Manchester City, inset: celebrates after scoring

Moses soils City’s EPL clean sheet As Eagles star scores his 1st goal for Hammers Yaya Toure-led team loses at home

By Ganiyu Salman

ANCHESTER City on Saturday suffered its first defeat of the season in the English Premier League, with Nigeria’s Victor Moses as the architect of the drama at the Etihad Stadium. The Nigerian international who is on loan from Chelsea, in his second game of the season scored the opener for the visitors in the sixth minute of play. It was also the first EPL goal to be conceded by the former EPL champions this season.

Moses became the player who spoiled the record of Manchester City which kept a clean sheet for 566 minutes this season, as he had enough time and space after collecting a sideways pass to unleash a 20-yard shot past England ‘s first choice Joe Hart. Diafra Sakho doubled the lead for the Slaven Bilic’s side in the 31st minute. City which however, remains top of the table with 15 points got what turned out to be its consolatory goal before half time through Kevin De Bruyne, who was making his full debut.

Eagles won’t miss AFCON 2017 ticket —Ighalo WATFORD FC and Nigeria international, Odion Ighalo says that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2017 ticket is still within the reach of the Super Eagles. Nigeria’s Super Eagles are second in their qualifying group, two points behind leaders Egypt after two rounds of matches. Both countries will clash home and away in March. Ighalo who is among the 24 players called up by Sunday Oliseh for the friendlies against Cameroon and Congo, has admitted it’s a tight situation but the Eagles still have their destiny in their hands. “The AFCON 2017 ticket is within our reach, this is football never say never. We still have to play the group leaders Egypt home and away, those matches are of great importance to our ambition,” said the striker whose brace gave Watford a 2-1 win on Saturday against Newcastle at St James’ Park. “I think we have a bright chance to grab the ticket as the group leaders even though it is a bit difficult but by God’s grace and hard work, we will qualify.” Ighalo has returned for Nigeria after he was snubbed by new coach Sunday Oliseh last month despite scoring his first goal for the country against Chad in June this year. “I am grateful to God for another call-up to Eagles and I feel good about it,” said the striker, who has four goals in the EPL this season. “I am going into the team to give my best as always and see what happens.”

Enyeama

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, Moses was later replaced after an hour by Michail Antonio. Meanwhile, his compatriot, Kelechi Iheanacho who scored City’s match winner penultimate weekend against Crystal Palace was introduced in the 85th minute in place of Alexandar Kolarov, but he was unable to hit the headlines this time. The victory took the East London side to the second on the log with 12 points.

Chelsea

2 Arsenal

Aston Villa

0 West Brom 1

Bournemouth 2 Sunderland 0 Newcastle

1 Watford

Stoke City

2 Leicester

Swansea

0 Everton

Man City

1 West Ham

Globacom Premier League Kwara Utd 1 Sunshine 2 POOLS: 7, 8, 15, 19, 20, 25, 27, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 45. SUNDAY’S MATCHES: 03, 06, 09, 21, 44, 47.

Enyeama sees red in France NIGERIA’S first choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama was sent off on Friday night as Rennes moved level on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1 after a 1-1 home draw against 10-man Lille. For Lille, the result is its fourth draw in six matches to go with one victory and a defeat as Herve Renard’s men climb to tenth. The visitors grabbed the opening goal just after half-time when French-born Moroccan midfielder, Sofiane Boufal fired a low left-foot shot past the despairing dive of Rennes ‘keeper Abdoulaye Diallo. It was only Lille’s second goal of the season but their chances of victory suffered a blow when Enyeama was shown a straight red card for bringing down Ivory Coast striker, Giovanni Sio and conceding a penalty in the process with 23 minutes left. Reserve ‘keeper Mike Maignan came in to face the spot-kick and promptly blocked Paul-Georges Ntep’s shot down the middle of the goal with his legs. However, Ntep made up for his mistake minutes later when he bundled the ball home for the Rennes equaliser following a scramble in the Lille penalty box in the 77th minute.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: sundaytribuneeditor@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON EDITOR: SINA OLADEINDE. All Correspondence to P. O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 20/9/2015