24th April 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 2,043

SUNDAY, 24 APRIL, 2016

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Nigerian Tribune

Fire razes 150 structures, Customs’ warehouse in Lagos

Senators under threat over Jeeps

N200

Pg41

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• Don’t bring them home, constituents warn

Why I can’t marry an actor

—Folakemi Bello

Grazing reserve:

We’ll reject attempts to take our land

•Southerners kick against bill •Northern elders back idea

Pg5

Independent marketers behind fuel scarcity — FG •FG needs $700m to update refineries, says NNPC boss

Abductors of Osun PS, director Pg4 demand N50m

Pgs5&42 Minister of Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu (in white helmet), cutting the tape to inaugurate the multibillion naira crude oil underground pipe line from Escravos to Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, while others watch in Warri, Delta State, on Friday.

ICPC report: Govs risk prosecution •States deny diverting funds •PDP, others react

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24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

life&living Oddities in the houses of God

Slaps, physical assaults, sexual perversions, bodyguards’/bouncers’ parade, sale of holy water/handkerchief/anointing oil and charging for special services are just a few of the practices that are gradually becoming commonplace in many religious settings across the world. RITA OKONOBOH reports some of the relatively odd occurrences that take place in places of worship.

A church member being made to eat a snake

HEN a video clip surfaced on youtube sometimes back showing a popular pastor of a mega church slapping a supposed ‘ogbanje’ who was reluctant to ‘confess’ many people felt that the man of God was overstepping his boundary and authority. Today in many churches, all sorts of things go on in the name of God. Not only that, men of God now go about with full compliments of security men with lots of hangers-on who stand at their beck and call genuflecting before the powerful pastors. Once upon a time, the life and calling of a preacher was so hard that many openly declined any semblance of a divine calling. They were expected to preach and nothing else. They faced daring situations, deprivations, sometimes putting themselves in the line of fire, all in order to preach the gospel. Many dared world powers, presidents, politicians and even powerful industrialists, condemning their negative actions, in the bid to ensuring a society that holds its leaders accountable. However, things have since changed. The bodyguard parade Bodyguards, bouncers, security men, or whatever guise in which they operate in religious settings are now common place. According to respondents, there is no reference for it in the scripture. Popular pastors are known to employ bodyguards, with some even taking them as far as very close to the altar, all in the bid to stay safe. While one must not be quick to point fingers, especially with the kidnapping of pastors even right on the altar, it also begs the question of whom exactly the scripture urges religious adherents to trust for absolute safety. It is no longer uncommon to see pastors arrive at church events in long convoys, with gun-wielding security operatives daring anybody to cross the path of the pastor and sometimes, his wife. While some have defended their use of bodyguards a by saying ‘times have changed,’ especially with the rise in kidnappings, it is also pertinent to wonder about the sense

Eating grass in the name of God in putting a pastor’s life in the hands of mere mortals. The scripture promotes joy that comes with persecution, and it is thus strange that a pastor would want to preach about the saving grace of God in one minute, and in the next, run under the cover of armed security men when he is in public. Mrs Celestine Ambrose, a respondent says, “who are we to judge? Bodyguards or not, they will die one day. Haven’t popular bishops and even powerful Alfas faced death? It is really laughable. I still do not understand what they are afraid of.” Prophet Mboro and his underwear anointing “Instead of laying my hand, we call that the [transferring of the] anointing. I speak the word to those underwears. The power of God will get in, they wear it and God

does something,” was the declaration of Paseka Motsoeneng, otherwise referred to as Prophet Mboro, in an interview with Jacaranda FM on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, as reported by the Daily Sun, South Africa. According to the prophet, in a recording posted on News 24, he warned about the terrors of invisible men known as “spiritual husbands” who stalk ordinary people’s houses, sleeping with both men and women, noting that these spiritual husbands cause horror and agony in people’s lives, including causing vaginal, discharge, menstrual disorders, sexually transmitted diseases and erective dysfunctions in men. Prophet Mboro’s declaration is not isolated as it is what is gradually becoming the norm in many Christian and Continues pg 3

life&living

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Holy water, oil, cream, handkerchief for sale

Preaching from a casket. Photo:www.africanspotlight.com

anything with any married woman until the full consent and agreement were sought and reached between the husband in line with the directives of the Holy Spirit to do the will of God, which is an act of spirituality.”

Stepping stone: A pastor standing on members. Photo:www.dailymail.co.uk

Continued from pg 2 Islamic settings, with many falling on the belief that with God, the possibilities are limitless. However, one wonders just how much of these famed practices actually give honour to God’s name and encourage spiritual uplifting of the worshippers. Holy water, oil, handkerchief, preaching for sale On December 31, 2014, a religious organisation, was reported to have charged its members N1,000 as gate fee for the Crossover Night to the New Year 2015, presided over by the General Overseer. The fee, which has been justified across various platforms, albeit informally, is said to be a means to control the crowd expected at the event, while others have aligned with the excuse that the funds will go into paying for broadcasting the gospel across media platforms. The church is said to have the capacity of about 20,000 seats, and according to reports, the practice began in December

2010 and has rarely failed to create diverse reactions. Muslim clerics are also not left out of the equation as there have been reports of Alfas who charge exorbitant fees for special prayers, saying the money is for special items that will be procured for prayers. In fact, a few respondents who spoke to Sunday Tribune on the condition of anonymity claim that even Christians patronise these clerics. Some are made to part with huge sums of money, some undergo spiritual baths, and some fall victims of rape. Cleric impregnates 20 women, blames God On July 9, 2014, 53-year-old Timothy Ngwu, who claimed to be the Pastor of Ministry of the Holy Trinity in Umudikwere community in Enugu State, was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing female members of the ministry, claiming that it was under the direction of the Holy Spirit. He was reported by his estranged wife, Veronica Ngwu, and according to statement credited to the pastor: “I do not do

Pastor sucks women’s breasts to ward off evil Late last year, the report also made the rounds of a certain Pastor Chijioke of Breasts and Honey New International Church, who allegedly healed women by sucking their breasts. According to the reports online, Pastor Chijioke was exposed when a female radio DJ called him using a fake name to ask for spiritual guidance. In the phone call, the DJ told the pastor that her problem was her ability to get anyone to marry here. The pastor then counselled her, telling her that to ward off the spirit of rejection, he has to suck it out of her breasts. According to Chijioke, “The spirit lies in the breasts of the lady. The more you suck the breasts the more you get the fulfilling of the Lord.” When asked the scriptural reference for such action, Pastor Chijioke stated that “Don’t bring up the bible, you just come, we do this thing and then we finish.” The situation took a twist when the pastor was reportedly called out on his deception and he was said to have swiftly denied his name and instead called the radio presenter stupid, saying she called because she had heard of his ‘nice’ exploits. Alfa engages woman in 3-day sex deliverance Jamiu Mukaila, a married 42-year-old Islamic cleric, in September last year, also allegedly engaged a certain Bose Alele, aged 32, in a marathon-sex deliverance

The spirit lies in the breast of a lady. The more you suck the breast the more you get the fulfilling of the Lord

session that lasted three days. According to the report, under the pretext of casting off evil, Mukaila was said to have defrauded Alele of N350,000, while also claiming that there were evil forces hindering her progress, stating that the money was to procure certain items needed for deliverance. Many clerics have also been accused of selling all sorts of items, with the claim that they have special anointing features. These items range from handkerchiefs, olive oil, water to creams, powders, and even framed pictures. Certain clerics have even been accused of extorting worshippers under various guises. Pastors, riding on the claims that nothing is impossible under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, have subjected members to absurd activities, including riding on their backs, feeding them grass and snakes, with some even forcing them to abandon families and friends all in the bid to attain some form of fantasy progress. Some churches now invite comedians to spice up church performances as well. Whatever the excuse for performing these activities, some of which have no basis in both Christian and Islamic scriptures, it becomes worrisome that even with the exposure and outright condemnation of these activities by clerics, many would still gladly engage their services. In a world that has become gradually consumed by the love of money and power, and the attendant consequences of poverty, evident in the never-ending search for miracles, Christians and Muslims owe it to themselves to discourage all forms of hero worship of clerics. Archbishop Kehinde Stephen of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Ibadan Archdiocese, sums it up this way: “Fellow ministers of God must hold on to the picture of Jesus Christ. We must focus on the teachings of the Beatitudes so that our attitude can also reflect Christian virtues. “Church leaders have been accused of doing crazy things, all in the name of God. I heard of a pastor who had to step on people to proclaim God’s word. These are acts of criminality. Once we get the message of Christ right, we won’t be caught in the web of doing what we shouldn’t. Christian leaders should also be humble. If we believe we have got it right with God, it must be tested out on the horizontal level. Why must a person use the name of God to exploit people?”

news

Senators under threat over Jeeps From Oluwole Igeand Johnson Babajide

HE uproar that greeted the purchase of 36 luxury SUVs as project vehicles of the Senate committees continued to reverberate at the weekend, following indications that senators from the Northern part of the country have been barred from driving home the vehicles. Investigations by the Sunday Tribune in Abuja confirmed that many of the Northern senators, who received the cars ,are in dilemma over driving them home because of threat text messages they have been receiving from their constituents. Sources in the Senate told Sunday Tribune that immediately the Senate came up with explanations last week to the effect that it only purchased 36 cars on one senator per state, messages started bombarding phones of the Northern senators, telling them not to attempt driving the cars in the streets of the north. Perhaps, as a foretaste of the intention of constituents in the North to deal with any senator that defies the order, some unknown persons were said to have attacked the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Hamman Misau, in Bauchi last week. Sources told the Sunday Tribune that the lawmakers had since decided to keep the new vehicles in Abuja to avoid trouble. “Many of our colleagues from the North have received text messages threatening to deal with them if they attempt driving the Land Cruiser V8 SUVs on the streets. The tones of the text messages were strong enough, such that nobody is actually ready to dare them,” a source in the Senate said. The Senate on Tuesday last week had clarified reports about the purchase of its project vehicles, saying that the upper chamber only bought 36 cars, not 108. Chairman, Senate Services Committee, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, who made the clarification, told newsmen in the Senate that the decision was taken that only 36 cars instead of 108 would be purchased and that the cars would go round at one senator per state. Senator Gobir said that the public was apparently misinformed about the purchase of the cars, saying that each of the Toyota Land cruiser VXR V8 costs $90,000, while the final figure for the purchase

amounted to N36.5 million each, after tax was added. The senator said: “A lot has been happening within the last two days concerning the issue of cars vis a vis car loan, and cost of the car and we feel it is necessary to come out and inform the public about what it is. So that people can have a better understanding of the whole thing to avoid wrong perception as being created among Nigerians. “First, I would like to say that the issue that we bought 108 cars is totally wrong, It is not correct. We bought 36 cars. These 36 cars because each senator in each state is either a chairman or a vice chairman and we gave one car to

each state. “We don’t have money to buy 108 cars. On the issue of buying cars without appropriation, this is totally wrong because this has been appropriated for in the 2015 budget. “So we used what we have in the 2015 budget to buy the 36 cars so that it can go round to each state. “On the issue of the cost of the car, the showroom price, the cost of the car is N36.5m and we are surprised. The car we bought is Land Cruiser VXR V8 not V6. Therefore the showroom price is about N31m minimum and when you put 10 per cent tax, it becomes N36.5 million. “In fact you can go to the internet and download

it. It is very simple. We can give you the website, we have several items we downloaded from the internet, you can see them.This particular car costs about $90,000. “By the time you multiply that, you will have about N28.8m, so when you add tax, you will end up with about N37m. So I think what we have purchased the car for is very reasonable and sensitive to economic challenge. “We are supposed to buy 109 cars but because of the paucity of funds, because of our sensitivity and concern for lack of funds, we bought only 36 to go round per state. “There is no minister that

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

hasn’t got about three or four cars. One land cruiser, maybe a backup and two Hilux cars. There is no director in the civil service that hasn’t got a car. There is no permanent secretary that hasn’t got a land cruiser. “In fact, every House of Assembly (member) has either a Prado or a Land Cruiser and here is a senator, you say he cannot have one Land Cruiser. “On the issue of car loan, let me tell you, the car loan that we were given, we have not taken, hear it from me, we did not take the car loan. No senator was given car loan, we did not take it. “Currently, we have money for 36 vehicles and we

procured 36. We had a close session and we all agreed that we should give one car per state, we sat down and agreed, who needs the car most and that was what happened.”

ICPC report: Govs risk prosecution Osun, Benue deny diversion of bailout fund FromOluwoleIge,Johnson Babajide and Jude Ossai STATE governors who mismanaged the Federal Government’s bailout funds are likely to face prosecution, Sunday Tribune has learnt. According to sources from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), some of the state governors who might have been deemed to have committed infractions in the administration of the bailout funds would be prosecuted and consequently sanctioned. One of the sources explained to Sunday Tribune that the report, which the commission released to the media, “is one of the many reports that the commission will still issue on the matter. Further investigation is ongoing on the administration of the funds by the state governments. Once a case of wrong application of the funds is established against any of the states, those responsible will be prosecuted. And if they are found to be guilty by the courts, they will be penalised,” said the source but that will only be after they might have left office. Sunday Tribune learnt that ICPC had issued queries to some state executives to get update on how they (states) spent the funds meant to pay the backlog of workers’ salaries and emoluments. “The reason the commission involved organised labour in the whole exercise is to ensure transparency. Though the report only captured the situation up till September last year, investigation is ongoing to get update,” volunteered one of the sources. Meanwhile, reactions

have trailed the ICPC report which outlined how some states diverted the bailout funds with some states denying the allegation. The Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy to Osun State governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, described as untrue, claims that his state diverted the fund. According to him, “there is no case of diversion of bailout funds as far as Osun is concerned. Has anyone asked how the state was able to accommodate pensioners in the bailout funds application when in actual fact pensioners were not part of the bailout scheme? “Don’t also forget that the bailout was to take care of salaries backlog up till June last year. The report that Osun paid salaries last in July 2015 is laughable when in actual fact, workers in the state have got their salaries up till January 2016 and already looking forward to February salaries, including pensioners. “The PDP, thinking it now has a tool to hang Aregbesola would soon find out it’s all a mirage. Aregbesola cannot be found wanting because whether in bailout funds or other funds of Osun, he has been very creative in the management of the scarce resources to lift the state beyond the limit of the available resources,” he added. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, on Saturday, said it had been vindicated by the report which categorically indicted the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, for not expending N34.9 billion government bailout fund on salary arrears of workers. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Strategy of the party,

Prince Diran Odeyemi. According to Odeyemi, “ICPC had confirmed that Osun State governor got bailout cash from the Federal Government for the settlement of arrears of workers’ salaries and emoluments but diverted the funds for other purposes, thereby defeating the purpose of the government’s effort to provide succour for the workers. “When we cried out that our governor had fixed the bailout, they called us liars; when we alerted that part of the fund was later used to pay a powerful contractor now in Buhari’s government, they denied it; what will the government say now that an independent government agency has confirmed and corroborated out claims? Indeed, we have been vindicated.” Also, the Benue State government has denied the allegation that it has diverted over N1.6 billion of the N12.5 billion it accessed to pay backlog of workers salaries inherited by immediate past administration. In the statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr David Olofu, who stated that the state is still having a balance of N1.6 billion could not say what happened to the balance after six months of receiving the bailout funds, but only said ‘the balance has not been diverted. According to the statement issued and made available to Sunday Tribune in Makurdi on Saturday, “we wish to reiterate that the bailout funds given to Benue State have been transparently handled and the state government has repeatedly informed the people of the state that the

over N1 billion balance after the payment of the backlog of workers’ salaries has not been diverted.” The statement, however, stated that the double payment of N37,760,000 paid to the deputy governor was statutory sum paid monthly to Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, the club owned by the state government. The release added that the ‘double payment’ referred to by the anti graft agency in favour of the office of deputy governor was two months payment made to the football club, saying such payment was the practice in the years past. It added that the state deputy governor is the chairman Lobi Stars Football Club, adding that the payment was meant for March and April 2015 salaries and allowances owed the players and officials. It further assured of the commitment of Governor Ortom’s administration to continue to hold transparency as its watchword in providing good governance to the people of the state. In its own reaction, the Enugu State government also faulted media reports that it misappropriated the bailout. Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Elder G.O. C. Ajah, on Saturday, in a statement made available to Sunday Tribune in Enugu, said the report credited to ICPC was wrongly stated, saying that the state collected N10,174,238,681.00 as bailout fund. Elder Ajah explained that “Enugu State government received the sum of N4,207,000,000.00 from the Federal Government as bailout fund for the settlement of outstanding salaries, subventions and pensions for public servants in the state.”

Abductors of Osun officials demand N50m Oluwole Ige -Osogbo AS the abducted Permanent Secretary of the Osun State Ministry of Finance, Mrs Adebimpe Ogunlumade; a director in the ministry, Mr Tajudeen Badejoko and their driver spend third day in the kidnappers’s den, Sunday Tribune has reliably gathered that their abductors have demanded for N50 million ransom. Top government official in Osun State, who pleaded anonymity on Saturday, informed Sunday Tribune that the kidnappers of the three officials had established contact with their families. Their abductors were said to have placed N50 million on the three of them before they could regain their freedom. But, the Osun State Head of Service (HOS), Mr Sunday Olayinka Owoeye, described the demand as untrue, saying “this is far from the truth.” It is recalled that kidnappers on Friday in Kogi State abducted Ogunlumade, Badejoko and their driver, Mr Oladapo Ajani Arogundade, between Obajana area and Lokoja when they were on their way from Abuja to Osogbo. According to a statement issued by the state Head of Service, Mr Sunday Owoeye, shortly after their abduction, the gunmen forced their vehicle to stop and violently whisked them away to an unknown destination. The statement further explained that the abducted officials were returning from Abuja after attending a briefing on the State and Local Government Reforms Project; a World Bank and European Union programme. However, no official statement was issued on their abduction on Saturday, but responding to the text message forwarded to ascertain that ransom had been placed on the officials, the state Head of Service, Mr Owoeye, simply responded “Far from the truth.” Sources within the government circles confirmed that the kidnappers were already in contact with the families of their victims, adding that ransom may have been placed on them, but could not tell the exact amount. One of the sources said that “police and other security agencies are collaborating to ensure their safe release.”

news

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Low turnout as Ondo holds LG polls HakeemGbadamosi-Akure

HE local government election in Ondo State on Saturday was peaceful but recorded low turnout of voters across the 18 local government areas of the state. The people of the state complied with the ‘no movement’ restriction while security operatives were seen in polling units to maintain law and order but accreditation of voters failed to commence on time as officials of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission ( ODIEC) were not available in most of the polling units. Election materials did not get to the polling units in most of the local government areas as scheduled while accreditation commenced in most of the units between 10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. due to the late arrival of the materials. Chairman of ODIEC, Professor Olugbenga Ige, explained that the delay and lateness of some officials of the commission was due to some logistic challenges which the commission was able to manage. However, the situation was not the same at Itaogbolu, in Akure North Local Government Area of the state where accreditation started at 9:00 a.m. and voters were seen waiting to cast their vote as early as 11.00 a.m. Speaking after casting his vote at Monac Ward 7, unit 20, the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the election, saying it was peaceful. He stated that some of the political parties that boycotted the election have the right to abstain. Mimiko said: “It is within the constitutional power of any individual or party to boycott an election they want to boycott, all I know is that in the last one week, there had been up to three court cases that have been decided at both state and federal courts that everything is in order, that the election should proceed. Speaking during the exercise at Iju, Mr Dele Babalola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the election, saying eligible voters will still come out to vote. The PDP chairmanship candidate,in Akure South Local Government, Adebayo Alarapon, said that the election was free and fair contrary to opposition’s views, noting that the election would afford the people to have dividends of democracy. Some opposition political parties, however, lauded the ODIEC over the peaceful conduct of the election. They also said that although there were little hitches during the accreditation, they

were not enough to rubbish the process. Mr Tunji Kalejaiye of the Labour Party (LP) from Okitipupa Ward 1 said that the

electioneering process was peaceful and commendable, saying “the process is commendable, there is not much rancour and I am happy that

I cast my vote without fear or favour.” Mr Taiwo Ogunyemi of the National Conscience Party (NCP) also commended the

electoral commission for fair conduct of the election, adding that the elections were be free and fair. Mrs Tawa Kuoti, of the Ac-

cord expressed displeasure over late arrival of electoral materials which led to late accreditation of voters at Okitipupa.

We’ll reject attempts to take our land

Southerners, Northern leaders speak on grazing reserve bill From Dare Adekanmbi, JudeOssaiandKolaOyelere MORE knocks came the way of the National Grazing Reserve Bill currently before the House of Representatives, as people and groups from the SouthWest and South-East zones condemned the proposal. But two frontline politicians from the North, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai and Dr Junaid Muhammed, said the bill would de-escalate tension and reduce frequent clashes between farmers and herders. Among other things, the bill recommends the establishment of a National Grazing Reserve Commission whose chairman is to be appointed by the president with the mandate to procure land for cattle grazing across the country. Speaking with Sunday Tribune on the proposal, publicity secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Mr Yinka-Odumakin, described the bill as an invitation to anarchy and one capable of setting the country “on the road to Kigali.” Odumakin said the bill, rather than solve frequent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers, would create more problems, adding that the bill “offends the principle of federalism and violates the Land Use Act.” “It negates every known principle of fairness and justice to empower the Federal Government to take land from a group of Nigerians and give same to another set of Nigerians who are doing their private business. It is offensive. “How can they now be using their influence in government to empower some people in private business at the expense of other occupations? Just as the Fulani inherited cattle rearing from their forefathers, so also did the Yoruba people of SouthWest and other Nigerians inherit farming from their forbears. “The British knew we were people of different occupations and interests and that was why they gave us a federal constitution so that everybody can manage their own space according to the occupation that suits it. “So, the National Assembly should throw out the bill in the interest of peace. If they pass that bill, they are going

to create what we have been battling in Jos-indigenes/ settlers rift. “Without the bill, the herdsmen are busy killing people and raping their women and girls. If the bill is passed into law, they will multiply the carnage on a larger scale. The bill will surely set Nigeria on the road to Kigali if passed and assented to. “What we should do is to have ranches in the North. Let those who are interested in raising cattle do so in ranches and if they wish to embrace technology, they can grow grasses through irrigation to feed their cattle. A former secretary to the Oyo State government, Chief Ayodele Adigun, whose 500-acre farm was raided by suspected herdsmen last week Tuesday, also urged the House to ensure that the bill did not see the light of day. “The bill obviously can’t succeed. The federal lawmakers should throw it into the dustbin. They should learn from civilised countries which have used cattle ranches for animal husbandry. The world has progressed beyond cattle moving by road from Sokoto to Calabar. “If the government wants to help the cattle owners, it should go to Argentina, United States, Britain and learn modern technology about animal husbandry and replicate same in Nigeria. “The Fulani farmers should not be seen to be employing the same approach that was used over 200 years ago. Government must not come in and seize other people’s land to satisfy the business interest of the Fulani in the name of creating grazing reserves. “What the northerners could not get in the dark ages, government must not attempt to give it to them in this age and time when modernisation has changed the ways of doing many things,” Adigun said. Ohanaeze, Igbo groups react Also condemning the bill, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Joe Mworgu, said there was a subtle Islamisation agenda behind the bill and that it was not just one seeking to create grazing routes for the Fulani herdsmen. “Although the call for grazing might be as a result of global warming which

had made Savannah zone to lack grasses for cattle, to many people in Igboland, the grazing reserve has a hidden agenda as it could be a ploy to Islamise the entire country. “We do not want the Federal Government to be involved in the grazing reserve matter as it is unconstitutional for the government to use public money to fund private enterprise. “Cattle rearing is purely private business and if the need be, let the owners of cattle establish ranches to domesticate their animals. It is injustice to force people to surrender their land for another set of people for private use,” he said. A chieftain of Igbo Kwenu, another Igbo group, Mr Bizmark Okoro, said the bill was dead on arrival and one that intended to confer undue advantage of Fulani herdsmen over other Nigerians. “In a democratic society, you do not make such law where you take people’s land and give it to another set of people. That means Fulani’s herdsmen have two heads. “Host communities will not take it kindly as it will lead to anarchy in the land. The constitution said all citizens of this country are equal. You cannot say you are acquiring the land for public purpose. It is meant for only one set of people — the herdsmen. It amounts to discrimination,”

he said. President of Umuada Idemili, Enugu branch, Lady Maureen Ikpeama, said: “Igbo people are business inclined. Is the Federal Government going to give Ndigbo traders free stores and warehouses? “There is more to this agitation for grazing land. The Fulani want to capture the entire south to fulfill Othman Dan Fodio’s desire to expand Islam to the coast. It is a jihad war. Why now? Where have they been all these years?” According to the secretary of Igbo Youth Liberation, Ifeanyichukwu Eze, “It is a recipe to quicken the destabilisation of the country going by the provision of the proposal whereby federal agency named Grazing Commission will forcefully seize any portion of land in any part of the country and give to herdsmen. “The modern trend is ranching where interested cattle owners can buy land and feed his cattle within the ranch,” he added. Northern leaders react Yakasai, who was special adviser on National Assembly matters to former president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, said the issue of grazing reserve was not new, as the British colonialists set aside grazing routes for the hersdmen across the country.

“The colonial masters knew the reason they introduced the idea then and it served a very good purpose then, as it enhanced good and cordial relationship between the Fulani herdsmen and the community where they resided. “If such idea of establishment of national grazing route is reintroduced, it will curb unnecessary conflicts between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers. The incessant destruction of farmland allegedly by Fulani will be a forgotten issue. “It is a good idea, though it was in existence during the colonial regime and the government then had an impression that it would be good for the whole country,” Yakasai added. In his comment, Dr Muhammed, said though it was a good idea, there were some three vital factors that have to be in place. “How will government ensure that there will be peaceful co-existence between the Fulani herdsmen and the various communities where the national grazing is to be established? “The Federal Government must put this great factor in mind and to ensure it works well, because peace is the vital point to ensure that the actual reason to make the idea succeed, or else, it will end up into square zero.”

Private marketers behind fuel scarcity —FG Lanre Adewole and Bola Badmus -Lagos FEDERAL Government, on Saturday, pointedly accused private marketers of diverting supply of fuel given to them by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), thereby partly causing the fuel supply crisis currently being witnessed in the country. This was just as it also accused marginalisation agitators and promoters of religious or ethnic division as political jobbers who were out to satisfy their personal interest rather than the collective interest of those they claimed to be working for. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said this while speaking at the Town Hall Meeting organised by a group, United Action for Change, even as he said the present administration was currently looking to ways of

easing the crisis and making fuel available in the next few weeks through option of encouraging co-location and allowing more private refineries to come on board. The vice-president, who noted that deregulation of the oil sector remained a key issue, disclosed that the challenge being faced in the sector was that the NNPC currently imports all the supplies needed in the country, unlike in recent past when it was only responsible for just 50 per cent of the need while the independent marketers provided the other half. Osinbajo said this happened because the independent marketers could not source the needed foreign exchange to do the import, pointing out that some of them engaged in the diversion to make more profits for themselves and sometimes without investing a kobo. The vice-president, who

lamented the high level of corruption in the industry, however, said the incidence could be brought under control if the marketers were the ones that imported and also distributed as they would ensure that their investments were guided from collapse. “We are looking forward to what to do, private marketers have been diverting trucks of fuel to sell elsewhere at higher price. There is a lot of diversion,” he said, promising that the government was doing its best to ease the problem and come out in few weeks with way to ease fuel supply in the country. Speaking on the marginalisation agitators, VicePresident Osinbajo said, “I feel strongly that those who use religion to cause division want to do so for personal for personal benefit alone and are not interested in the advancement of the country but self.”

24 April, 2016

crimereports

Sunday Tribune

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

Kidnap gang member shoots member in error while attempting to kill victim 2 gang members arrested Stories by Oluwatoyin Malik

HE membership of a notorious kidnap gang operating in Oke Ogun axis of Oyo State was recently depleted by the Oyo State Police Command when it nabbed two of them in a village near Kishi town after a kidnap operation. But one of the two suspects got a dose of the medicine they force down the throats of victim when the leader erroneously shot him while attempting to kill their victim who recognised him. Disclosing this to Crime Reports in Ibadan last week, the state Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, said the two suspects, Umoru Sidi and Umoru Bawa, who are both Fulanis, were apprehended after they invaded the home of one Alhaji Mohammed Barmo at Geesi Village, via Kishi at about 10.00 p.m. and ferried him to an unknown place. According to the police commissioner, the kidnappers later demanded for N15 million ransom as a condition for his release. One Tambaya, who is the leader of the gang and the mastermind of the crime, as well as a cousin to the victim, however, attempted to kill Alhaji Barmo when he noticed that the victim recognised him. “Tambaya fired shots at the victim to eliminate him, resulting in Barmo sustaining serious injuries in his right arm,” Oyebade stated. Unfortunately, Crime Reports learnt that one of the gang members, Umoru Sidi, was also accidentally hit by the bullet. With the belief that Barmo was dead, Tambaya reportedly left the scene, abandoning both his cousin and his injured gang member. The police commissioner stated further that when his command got the report, the Anti-Kidnapping

Squad was put to task to uncover those behind the crime and fish them out. “Through intelligence network of the command and the investigation carried out by our crack detectives, two members of the notorious gang, Umoru Sidi (22) and Umoru Bawa (36), were arrested in their criminal hideouts. “Preliminary investigations revealed that before the arrest of the duo, the gang was responsible for the spate of kidnappings in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State. Tambaya is still at large,” Oyebade explained. The police boss expressed delight in the new antikidnapping law enacted by the Oyo State government. According to him, “the new

The suspect, Umoru Bawa law that is effective with regards to kidnapping in Oyo State will make crime unprofitable. We are going to ensure that we implement

it with proper investigation and diligent prosecution of cases that fall under kidnapping. “This is sending out sig-

nals to those that want to still get themselves indulged in the acts of kidnapping to steer clear of Oyo State.” Speaking with Crime Reports through an interpreter, Umoru Bawa revealed that he was arrested at Bode Saadu where he went to hide after his gang’s operation. Bawa who confessed to the kidnap, said they picked Bardo and wanted to go and keep him in a place for ransom. “I am from Jega Local Government Area of Sokoto State. I am a farmer and herdsman. I was not there when the kidnap was initially planned but I was later invited and I agreed to join them. I was not the one who demanded ransom

so I don’t know how much Tambaya demanded. We were about eight or nine that carried out the operation but I can’t remember all their names. But there were two people bearing Tambaya among us and another one bearing Ali. “I don’t know why Tambaya shot our victim and I don’t know his current whereabouts. He was based in Kishi before the operation,” Bawa narrated. Crime Reports gathered that the second suspect, Sidi, was on admission in the hospital, as the bone of one of his legs was shattered by the pellets that hit him. A source disclosed that the injury was so bad that Sidi’s leg might be amputated.

Community policing is key to ensuring peace, security —Oyo CP SECURITY got a boost last week in Oyo State Police Command as the state Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, inaugurated two police stations in Ilora and Awe towns in Afijio Local Government Area of the state and one police post at Opete in Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area. The Commissioner of Police was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Sanusi Buba and the Squadron Commander of MOPOL 4, Superintendent of Police, Lukman Adedeji, the state police spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu and his deputy, Bukola Ojieromi. In a courtesy call on the Akibio of Ilora, Oba Stephen Oyeniyi Oparinde, in his palace, Oyebade expressed his appreciation on the support of the community and its indigenes, saying that their action was in line with the desire of the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, on community policing which

CP Leye Oyebade inaugurating the Awe Police Station is being replicated in Oyo Command. Emphasising this at the Akibio’s palace, Oyebade said: “When I came on board, I stressed that I was going to move with the people, that is, community policing. It is about carrying people along; getting to work together to ensure peace. You have expressed this very loud and clear through your support.” He also appreciated the interest shown by the traditional ruler as regards the police station in which

he brought renovation through communal efforts and contributions from individuals to make it better. He said the place had been elevated from being a police post to a divisional headquarters through the approval of the InspectorGeneral. This, he said, would result in increase in the number of policemen, saying it would attract development through the establishment of more banks and other companies. This would also stall rural-urban drift, he added.

Speaking in support of community policing, Oba Oparinde described it as the best step towards eliminating most of the social ills in the society. He gave kudos to the IGP who he said is much interested in community policing through his messages in the media. At the police station, the DPO of Jobele Division, CSP Akintunde Faseyiku, under whom the station was an outpost, said it was inaugurated as an out station on 8th March, 2012

while its proximity to Ibadan-Ilorin expressway has made it to be at the receiving end of criminalities, hence the need to provide adequate security for the inhabitants through the provision of a modern police station and personnel that could stand the test of time. The chairman of Ilora Development Association, Mr Kayode Ajayi, said the upgrading of the outpost to divisional police headContinues pg 7

crimereports

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

How Nigeria Police Force joined Adewusi family to give late IGP befitting burial Stories by Oluwatoyin Malik

THE ancient town of Ogbomoso in Oyo State stood still and witnessed an unprecedented influx of dignitaries between Tuesday April 5 and Friday, April 8, 2016 when the late Inspector General of Police and Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland, Chief Sunday Adewusi, was given a befitting farewell as he made final journey to joining other saints. From Tuesday when the burial rites began in Ogbomoso, to Wednesday when Adewusi’s body was taken to Ilorin, Kwara State, and Friday, April 8, when late Adewusi was interred, the Nigeria Police Force shook the town in a manner that sent a strong message that the departed soul was a well loved man among the law enforcement agents. From the pall bearers to the guard of honour, outriders and horsemen and police with dogs, the police made them everyone, including the late IGP’s family, to know that the burial was “our own.” Eulogies were made by past and current Inspectors General of Police about the achievements of late Adewusi when he headed the Nigeria Police Force. In the funeral oration at the church service on Friday, the current Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase aptly captured the minds of both officers and men of the Nigeria Police when he described Chief Adewusi as a man whose mere mention of his name elicits tremendous respect, love and fond memories of his policing career and landmark exploits within the national security space of his time. Arase noted that Chief Adewusi rose through the ranks to become the youngest Commissioner of Police at 32 years and Inspector General of Police at the age of 45, which made him the youngest officer in the Nigeria police to achieve this feat in the history of the Nigeria Police Force within his 26 years of service. He described the late Inspector General of Police as the Nostradamus of the Nigeria Police Force who saw the tomorrow of policing and national security in Nigeria and prepared the nation’s police ahead. “Today, generations of Nigeria Police officers and

other security analysts nationwide make reference to the tenure of Chief Sunday Adewusi as Inspector General of Police with glowing tributes, just as his flaming passion and foresight are described as unequalled in the annals of police history in Nigeria,” Arase stated further.

In his remarks, the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, said he was thankful to God who made the late Adewusi a good man before his death, noting that only a few funeral services would witness the huge turnout of eminent personalities as noticed in Ogbomoso.

Personalities at the service included the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase and his wife, Agharese; Chairman, Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Okiro; DIG Adeniji; Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone Eleven, Mrs Kalafite Adeyemi; AIG Femi Adenaike; AIG, Zone

Two, Bala Hassan; CP Leye Oyebade of Oyo State and his wife, Mrs Bimpe Oyebade who is also the chairperson of Police Officers’ Wives Association in Oyo State; his counterparts from Osun, Lagos, Kwara States, Kola Sodipo, Fatai Owoseni and Sam Okaula respectively; as well as several serving Dep-

‘Community policing is key to ensuring peace, security’ Continued from pg 6 quarters became necessary to reduce the criminal tendencies usually associated with a fast-growing community like Ilora. He disclosed that the police station was sitting on a three-acre land, and had been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for future expansion. He enjoined Mr Oyebade to urge his officers and men to make judicious use of the land. The police commissioner also visited the palace of the Alaawe of Aawe, Oba

Cornelius Abiola Taiwo, Oladokun III where he said the upgrading of the outstation to a police division would have positive effect on the development of the community. The monarch responded by welcoming the CP to the ancient town and appreciating his good works since he assumed duties in the command. He harped on the need for increased security in the town as a result of notable personalities who are indigenes and the establishment of factories where expatriates work. He said the upgrading

of the police station is the demonstration of community partnership, saying it would bring development, peace and security to Awe. He urged people to continue to support the police as they could not do the job of security alone. Also welcoming Oyebade, the Olopete of Opete, Oba Samuel Oluwatoye Bamigboye expressed the appreciation of his community towards the Inspector General of Police through the police commissioner, for granting the approval for the construction of a police post in

Opete. In commemoration of the commissioning, the Olopete announced the allocation of one acre of land for the police post while he encouraged the Nigeria Police force to establish police training school and police estate in the community. He promised the release of acres of land for the take-off of such projects. At Opete, the Commissioner reiterated his message on the importance of community policing, while he encouraged continuous partnership to keep crime at bay.

uty and Assistant Commissioners of Police. Retired Inspectors General of Police who graced the occasion included Mr Tafa Balogun, Alhaji Musliu Smith, Chief Sunday Ehindero, and Ogbonnaya Okiro while the retired DIGs include David Omojola, Adedayo Adeoye and Kazeem. Also present were the former chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AIG Farida Waziri (rtd); AIG Garuba Ardo; Prince Bola Ajibola who was represented by Mr Idowu Bamidele; former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Akin Aduwo (rtd); General David Jemibewon; AIG Shehu Babalola; representative of former IGP Etim Inyang, CP Moses Onireti (rtd) and CP Tsoho Useine, Mrs Joke Wakama, DCP Operations, Oyo State, Sanusi Buba, DCP Operations, Zone Eleven, Sunday Odukoya, DCP Medical, Zone Eleven, Efunsola Sowemimo and ACP Janet Agbede, among others.

Finally, police exhume late Ilora chief’s remains for investigation

OLLOWING the initial hiccups in the exhumation of the remains of the former Onisa of Ilora in Afijio Local Government of Oyo State, late Chief Lawrence Itiade Owoade, the exercise was eventually carried out on Thursday, April 21, in his private residence along Farm Settlement road, Ilora. But reports had it that strange items, including two skulls of animals suspect6ed to be goats and a pot containing objects alleged to be charms were discovered placed with the body of the deceased in the coffin. Crime Reports learnt that the exhumation was carried out by the joint team of policemen from Zone Eleven headquarters, Osogbo, environmental officers from the Oyo State Ministry of Health and a medical doctor from the Department of Pathology, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in the presence of Chiefs Olayiwola Owoade (a.k.a Alatise) and Ifalose, an Ifa priest, as well as late Chief Owoade’s family members.

Late Chief Owoade Two others, who were among those invited by the police over the allegation of complicity in the death of the deceased, Chiefs Sunday Aserifa and Amidu Adeleke who succeeded late Chief Owoade as the Onisa, were said to be unavailable as the police could not locate them, while several calls made to their phone numbers did not go through. The late Onisa, who was an Ilora High Chief and second in command to the Akibio of Ilora, was al-

leged to have committed suicide by hanging himself in the living room in his one-storey building on November 20, 2014 and was reportedly buried by the traditionalists on the instruction of the monarch without post mortem examination conducted on his body. A petition written by the late chief’s friend, Elder Francis Afolabi Morakinyo, to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, alleging foul play on the death of Chief Owoade

had stirred police’s investigation into the case. According to Elder Morakinyo who alleged that the late Onisa was murdered, there was no reason for the late Owoade to have hanged himself as he was a successful poultry farmer who also had landed properties in Ilora and Ibadan. The exhumation of the body of the late chief which lasted for about three hours amidst tight security commenced at about 11.00 a.m. when the zonal SARS operatives, led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bolaji Alao, got an order from the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Zone, Mrs Kalafite Adeyemi, to go ahead with the exhumation when two of the prime suspects were not found. In the Sunday Tribune publication of December 13, 2015, Crime Reports had written on the invitation of the Akibio of Ilora, Oba Stephen Oparinde and some Ilora chiefs to Zone Eleven over the petition of threat to life written by Elder Francis Afolabi, in which he made reference to Chief

Owoade’s death. The petition, Crime Reports learnt, prompted investigations into the allegation, with the subsequent exhumation of the remains of the deceased. The Balogun of Ilora, Chief Oyaniyi, had confirmed the invitation of the monarch and the chiefs to Zone Eleven to Crime Reports in a telephone interview, just as he said that the late Onisa was quickly buried because suicide was a taboo in Ilora people’s culture. He added that when such a thing happens, the children of the deceased are forbidden from seeing his corpse while certain rites must be performed by traditional worshippers to ward off the consequence of the suicide action. When contacted, the zonal Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sola Babalola, confirmed the exhumation but said he could not say anything on the discovery of some items in the coffin bearing the remains of the deceased until the pictures taken were presented.

photo

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

COMMISSIONING OF POLICE STATIONS AND POST BY CP LEYE OYEBADE AT ILORA, P :O M AWE AND OPETE IN OYO STATE POLICE COMMAND hotos

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CP Leye Oyebade inspecting guards of honour at Ilora.

CP Oyebade (third right) with Oba Oparinde, Oba Taiwo, DCP Buba, ACP Oyediran and others at Ilora.

CP Oyebade (third right) cutting the tape of commission Ilora Police Station and assisted by the Akibio of Ilora, Oba Stephen Oparinde (third left); DCP Sanusi Buba (second right) and Area Commander, Oyo, ACP Yemi Oyediran.

CP Oyebade with Oba Oparinde, Oba Taiwo, police officers and others at Awe.

CP Oyebade with Ilora, Awe and Akinmorin traditional rulers, chiefs and senior police officers in a group photograph.

CP Oyebade commissioning the police post at Opete community in Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area.

CP Oyebade flanked by the Alaawe of Awe, Oba Cornelius Taiwo and DCP Sanusi Buba.

From left, CP Oyebade; Oba Bamigboye and his wife; local government officials and Area Commander, Ogbomoso Area Command, ACP Chinedu Sylva (right).

From left: DCP Sanusi Buba, ACP Yemi Oyediran, Squadron Commander, MOPOL 4, SP Lukman Adedeji and SP Afeez Oyekan.

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CP Oyebade unveiling the plaque at Opete police post.

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

feature Autism, a disorder that knows no race, gender Largely rejected in many quarters by a society that usually fails to understand their ‘difference,’ autistic persons, particularly in Nigeria, face the possible risk of social extinction. RITA OKONOBOH examines the peculiarities of autism.

S six-year-old Samson (pseudonym) struggled to hold the pencil right to make partially legible scrawls on the workbook, an independent observer cannot be helped but moved to near tears. He had refused outright to be helped and he was already 43 minutes behind stop time, and many of the children had closed for the day. It was the second term examination. Luckily, he had an amazing teacher who understood his condition and had the patience of an angel. Speaking with Sunday Tribune, Mrs Mayowa Adesua shared her experience. “Samson is really a wonderful child. Although, he is prone to outbursts of mild violence from time to time but that is really rare and he is really sweet, for those who understand. Although, he is the oldest in this class (Nursery Two), his mother is determined to ensure he fits. She is really struggling to make ends meet, especially as her husband has left her and you can see the resolve in her to give her children the best. He has an elder sister in Primary Four, but I can tell you, unbelievable as it seems, he is smarter than her. His sister isn’t autistic though. It took time and arguments at some points but I can tell you he really is smart. All he needs is a little patience. If you look through his work, you’ll see that he’s really not as dumb as his previous schools had assumed.” ‘Given the right environment, he will excel beyond expectations’ Showing off pages of his report cards from three other schools, where he had come last every term, Mrs Adesua noted that since she began teaching him, he had improved. “I have a background in special education, so I guess I’m at an advantage when it comes to understanding him. Honestly, all it takes is understanding and patience. I have the school’s permission to give him extra time because it takes time to explain the sums to him before he gets it but you can be sure once he gets it, he can handle the rest of the problems. I am almost sure of it that he won’t be coming last this time. As you noticed earlier, some of his school mates still avoid him but we’re working on that. Gradually, I’m involving him in other extracurricular activities. He, sometimes, has mouthfuls of saliva when he gets excited, I’m just glad he is coming out of seclusion. I’m positive that given the right environment, he will gradually become a marvel for Nigeria to behold. I have high hopes for him,” Adesua stated, and at that moment, like some unspoken agreement, Samson looked up at us and smiled. Seconds later, his concentration was back at his examination. ‘I used to beat him for being too different’ His mother, a seemingly gentle lady, sat in a corner, listing chores for her older daughter. As Sunday Tribune approached, she sent her off and flashed a warm smile. After pleading for anonymity, she shared her story. “Once upon a time, I regretted having him. However, with time, and not forgetting spiritual revelation, I have come to accept him. His father left a few years ago, when we discovered he was autistic but all that is in the past

Photo: www.thecolorofautism.org

now. He is my only son and I’m prepared to do what it takes,” she stated. When asked why she didn’t send him to a special school, she stated that she had considered it but thought otherwise. “It’s not like we weren’t given alternatives, but I just have this feeling that I should keep him close to home, you know, close to me. Even at home, he has his mood swings but that’s something we are used to. I remember it took a while for his sister and me to understand and ac-

cept him. With encouragement from his father and neighbours, I used to beat him so much when he was younger. “I thought his odd behaviour was deliberate. It wasn’t until he fell ill and we took him to the clinic that we really understood. Also, my sending him to a regular school is because I’m not very financially buoyant, and the nearest special school is far away. That’s why I tried so many regular schools in the neighbourhood before settling for Continues pg 10

feature

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘I used to beat him for being too different’

Professor Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General

Continued from pg 9

ties during birth, particularly those involving periods of oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain.”

this school. Aunty Mayowa has been so wonderful to him, that I sometimes wish I could take her home with me. At first, I thought she was literally holding his hand to do his sums, until I watched them one time, In fact, he attempts his homework now. Things are finally looking up,” she stated. Banished from society Autism is a condition that affects millions of people across the world, and as obtained in many countries, of which Nigeria is no exception, autistic persons are largely shunned and misunderstood as a result of society’s misconceptions about the attributes of their condition. In some cases, autistic persons are banished from social interaction, not just among their peers, but sometimes by guardians, parents and other family members. Some are locked up in secluded corners of homes, many are denied the right to full quality education and some are exposed to the risk of torture and sometimes, death as a result of their ‘difference,’ actions which can be predicated on factors such as low level of awareness, lack of understanding and sometimes, refusal of parents to accept their autistic children. Following the commemoration of World Autism Day on April 2, with the theme “Autism and the 2030 Agenda: Inclusion and Neurodiversity,” the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, called for the recognition of the fundamental rights of autistic persons to give the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Dr Julia Ejiogu is a family physician, certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Trained in Behaviour Therapy which includes verbal behaviour, in addition to practising the full spectrum of family medicine, she provides Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy (ABA) to clients who have autism and supervises their treatment plans and programme as well. The Director of Autism Care and Support Initiative (ACSI), Abuja, in an interaction with Sunday Tribune, notes the peculiarities of autistic persons. According to Dr Ejiogu, “Autism is a developmental disability which is life-long. It manifests itself in the first three years of life resulting from a neurological disorder that affects brain function. A lot of research has gone into the cause of autism. Initially, no cause was identified; however, current studies have revealed that most cases involve a complex and variable combination of genetic risk and environmental factors that influence early brain development. In other words, in the presence of a genetic predisposition to autism, a number of non-genetic or environmental influences further increase a child’s risk. “The clearest evidence of these environmental risk factors involves events before and during birth. They include advanced parental age at time of conception (both mum and dad), maternal illness during pregnancy, extreme prematurity, very low birth weight and certain difficul-

‘Helen has become an indispensable member of the church family’ Some of these features are also experienced in Helen (surname withheld), another autistic patient, who is of child-bearing age, but is currently unmarried. Gripping her guardian’s hand tightly as she enters the church, she peeps, ever so briefly at fellow worshippers, before settling into the routine of worship. Dressed in a lace black buba and iro, the sleeves of which carelessly fall below her shoulders, she makes no move to adjust her dressing. Her makeup bleeds into other parts of her face but she seems at peace with her appearance. Well into her twenties, she reads to herself, albeit semi-coherently, and her reading sometimes threaten to overshadow the preacher’s voice. However, a large percentage of the church members seem undisturbed by her appearance. According to a few members who spoke with Sunday Tribune, Helen is an indispensable part of the church family. “She has been with us for years, and as you have observed, she sits with people during service. Her guardian sits close to the entrance because she usually leaves before service ends. As for her reading, especially when she can be heard above the preacher’s voice, we really don’t mind. One new usher tried to silence her but that scenario ended terribly so we just let her be. All she really does is to read a major part of the newsletter for that week, and after that, her concentration for the rest of the service is enviable. She even participates in church offerings. Can you believe it?” Mr Anthony Ogundimu, a church worker, stated. Speaking on the her experience with autistic persons,

Once upon a time, I regretted having him. However, with time, and not forgetting spiritual revelation, I have come to accept him. His father left a few years ago, when we discovered he was autistic but all that is in the past now. He is my only son and I’m prepared to do what it takes

Dr Julia Ejiogu

Associate Professor, Department of Home Science and Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta , Ogun State, Dr (Mrs) Tolulope Eni-Olorunda, stated that “I have a background in Nursing and my postgraduate is in special education with a bias in intellectual disability. But because of my family, I moved to Abeokuta about five years ago and I now lecture in the Department of Home Science and Management, with the option of child development and family studies. “Before moving to Abeokuta, I had come in contact with them during my training as a postgraduate student, but it wasn’t as in-depth as what I do now. But when I moved to Abeokuta, I joined an outfit that focuses on children with autism, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, and the like. It’s been for about five years now.” Who is at risk? According to Dr Ejiogu, the word ‘victim’ should be avoided in reference to autistic persons, just as she noted that autism affects children, irrespective of race, gender or socio-economic status. More boys are affected, almost at a 4-5 times than girls. “It is a puzzling and frustrating disorder because the child or individual is not physically affected but is impaired in areas of communication, appropriate behaviour, social interaction as well as cognition. A lot of people are ignorant about what autism is and hence, a lot of children and their families are stigmatised unnecessarily and do not reach out for help in time,” Dr Ejiogu stated “Literature, and even experience, has proved that it usually manifests at the age of three. Incidentally, it is three times more common in boys than in girls. Again, the reason for that is not known,” Dr Eni-Olorunda noted. Cultural, economic and social implications Speaking on the level of awareness of autistic persons, and how parents, guardians, teachers, and even friends can contribute to ensuring that autistic persons make the most out of their lives as individuals in society, Eni-Olorunda noted the negative effect of culture, particularly in the Nigerian society on the perception of children with disability. “It is unfortunate that in Africa, particularly in the Nigerian society, culture has really affected our perception of children with disability generally. We read various meanings and taboos into these situations. There is the perception among Nigerians that autistic persons are people we should not even come in contact with at all. It is even difficult to have them registered in regular schools. For example, Timi, the child I’m working with, fortunately the school which he attends has some level of understanding of autism, so it is easy for him to fit in. Incidentally, he is also quiet and easily socialises and he is doing well academically. His parents are well educated Continues pg 11

life&living

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘Autistic persons face violation of their rights’ Continued from pg 10 and they give him so much love and support. “So, parents should accept these children and not be ashamed of them and should find out how they can really support them, to ensure collaboration between caregivers or specialists and them. Abroad, the integration between parents of autistic persons and caregivers is amazing. And because they recognise the signs earlier, they are well prepared to take care of them and it becomes easier for the children to settle in school. Parents have a major role to play in the care of these children. The first thing is acceptance. The attitude of locking them up at home, or pretending the children do not exist; that era is past. If there is cooperation, it gets better.” Noting the possibility of a child to grow out of autism, Eni-Olorunda stated that it was possible, citing the example of a conference she attended in Canada, in which the keynote speaker was an autistic person. He showed pictures of himself growing as an autistic child and if he didn’t tell, nobody would have known he had autism. However, according to her, growing out of autism may depend on the severity.

Dr Tolulope Eni-Olorunda

Role of individuals, civil society organisations and government ACSI started operations three years ago with a mission to provide children affected by autism in Africa access to local and global opportunities for early, intensive, inclusive education and intervention. They have worked with over 30 children; some directly and others through the professionals who work with them, and have trained professionals which include behaviour therapists and teach-

ers who teach general and special education classes. According to Dr Ejiogu, the organisation aims to continue to strive towards closure of gaps in the area of autism care and support created by limited availability of expertise in diagnosis and evaluation services for children with autism; therapy services – Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA); training for parents and care-givers, and training and capacity building of professionals.

According to her, individuals can tackle autism by volunteering time and resources, joining advocacy groups to promote inclusive education as well as an inclusive society, while government can support initiatives such as the ACSI in the area of capacity building in order to create sustainability of resources and transfer of expertise so as to ensure even distribution all over Nigeria. Government should also “support the training of professionals in special education and make provision for this in budgetary allocations. We can engage in a public private arrangement to ensure that our special education teachers are well trained. Also, encouragement should be given to parents of children with autism by helping to subsidise their therapy costs. The already proposed bill for inclusive education so that all children, irrespective of their ability, can have access to opportunities for education as a basic right, hence creating a platform for enforcement if institutions fail to comply with set standards, should be completed,” Ejiogu stated. For Dr Eni-Olorunda, “Government needs to understand and place priorities right. These persons are also citizens and need to be able to exercise their fundamental human rights. That is why government must know that they have a responsibility to these children. When policies are formulated, autistic persons need to be taken into consideration, especially with the help of experts, to ensure that provision of materials and other services can be provided for them. However, unfortunately, even for regular schools, it is a challenge. In fact, in some cases, even when provisions are made for these children, it doesn’t get to them. So, government needs a good understanding of autism and provisions for autistic persons should even be included in the budget.”

interview

‘Buhari is on the right track’ Mr Abiodun Otubanjo, National coordinator, Muhammadu Buhari Ambassadors for Change Organisation, in this interview with BAYO ALADE, speaks on President Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign trips, terrorism and other issues.

N the last few months President Muhammadu Buhari has travelled so many times. Many Nigerians believe the trips were unnecessary as they could not see the benefits for Nigeria as a nation. Do you think these concerns are unfounded? Yes, I mean the real benefits of these trips are not apparent now but they would begin to be noticeable in the months ahead. Shuttle diplomacy involves interactions between at least two principals or countries. President Buhari is not a mercantile politician who negotiates deals for his personal gains. He is not an intermediary, he is the President and Commander -in- Chief of the Armed Forces. He negotiates on behalf and for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. His trips had been meaningful and bearing good fruits, strengthening political and economic ties with both developing and developed democracies in the world. His state visits to countries like the United States, India, France, Iran, South Africa and recently to Peoples Republic of China will not be in vain. Terrorism has gone global and we be support all global interventions to curb and to eventually exterminate any form of terrorism within the country and outside, whether a treaty is signed in Saudi Arabia, in America or even the Vatican. No coalition of forces and treaties can be too much to fight and win against terrorism. Our dear president announced to us in Saudi Arabia that we are part of the Coalition of Muslim Countries Against Terrorism, because we have got terrorists in Nigeria that everybody knows which claims that they are Islamic.” An insurgency believed to have claimed the lives of over 20,000 Nigerians since 2009 is the highest display of insanity of the few over the sanity of the majority. From May 29, 2015 till date, it is crystal clear the president had demonstrated in words and in deeds his resolve

This is business unusual; a political party that suddenly found itself outside the Aso Rock after gluttonously feeding fat on our national patrimony for 16 years is not expected to behave rationally out of power. The PDP is like an animal taken away from its cage so that the owner can clean the stable. The PDP was mired in a dung pit created by itself via years of deliberate misrule. Back to your question, one minute is a very long time in politics, talk less of the year 2019. Our great party, the APC, remains united in the face of the daunting tasks ahead. Cohesion of all forces is key in 2019 and beyond and it shall surely prevail. APC is up to the task and shall fulfil its promises to the electorate. In sure of that.

Mr Abiodun Otubanjo

to see an end to insurgency and revamp the economy of the affected areas in Nigeria. The PDP is still trying to rediscover itself while the APC is trying to impress Nigerians that it was worthy of the confidence reposed in them through the 2015 election. Do you think the party will eventually win people’s hearts by fulfilling their campaign promises?

You are the National coordinator of the Muhammadu Buhari Ambassadors for Change Organisation. What have you got to gain for your pro Buhari stand. My personal gains? Yes. Of course, my personal gains are the gains for Nigeria and Nigerians who have a lot to gain. And remember I am a Nigerian. A country where the security and welfare- which is the primary purpose of government is assured, a country that boasts an incorruptible judicial process; a country where the people cohabit harmoniously without recourse to creed, religion, faith, beliefs, ethnic leaning and gender discrimination. A country where the fundamental human rights of the people are respected; a country where the much talkedabout dividends of democracy reflect on the faces of the citizens and not the pockets of few individuals; all these are realistic and achievable in our lives under the humble leadership of the president. The Muhammadu Buhari Ambassadors for Change Organisation shall continue to garner support for the ideals and policies of the president both at home and abroad. This will be my gains.

feature

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘Nothing wrong in giving okada, grinding machine for empowerment’ By Tade Makinde

N Nigeria politicians often promise to empower the youth and other members of their constituencies through provision of materials like okadas, hair dryers, clippers, sewing and grinding machines, generators and so on. "According to the United Nations, youth empowerment programmes should be aimed at creating healthier and higher qualities of life for underprivileged or atrisk youths. In countries where records are kept of the successes of empowerment programmes, the overall quality of life is the most important unit of evaluation. It is used as a goal of programmes and as well as an indicator of effectiveness. However, there is no standard definition of quality of life (QOL). A person's QOL is dependent upon subjective evaluation of the individual aspects of that individual's life," says Mr Richard Ajayi. Speaking further, Ajayi, a Sociology graduate who runs an NGO, Ready For Enlightenment (RE) which specialises in youth empowerment told Sunday Tribune that “most youth empowerment initiatives are through non-profit organisations, government organisations, schools or private organisation and that when youth participate in established empowerment programmes, they expect to see a variety of benefits, but it is not generally so in this country.” He added that empoewerment is beyong just buying equipment for people. "It includes educating them for the future, especially on how to multiply whatever they might have been empowered with. The multiplier effect is what impacts positively on the society. “Most programmes take a risk-focused approach. There has Trainee technicians been a major emphasis on what is going wrong for the youth in their lives rather than what goes right. This portrays young people as a problem that needs to be fixed, and displays the process of development as a process of overcoming risk,” he said. Speaking with Sunday Tribune on the same issue, a former Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Chief Hosea Ayoola Agboola, said the issue of empowerment of constituents is not solely about the political office holders, noting that in most cases, people are given what they requested for. Citing his example while in office from 2011 to 2015, Senator Agboola noted that he empowered his constituents with over N100 million in bursary awards, cash gifts and distribution of artisan equipment such as grinding machines, sewing machines, mechanic tools, deep freezers as well as motorcycles. “You asked whether giving motorcycle was not against the spirit of empowerment; how can that be when it was what people wanted? I gave out hundreds of motorcycles across the constituency and my intention was not to give them to those would drop out of schools and become motorcycle rid-

Youths undergoing training in fashion design

Tricycles for distribution to constituents

ers. There w e r e farmers, teachers and party men who needed motorcycles to move around, most of them specifically demanded for motorcycles. Now, if you give such a person a deep freezer, of what use will that be?” Agboola said. Also commenting, the member representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, Hon. Adedapo Lam-Adesina, maintained that empowering his constituents was his way of alleviating their suffering and fulfilling his electoral promises in part, adding that he believed so much in human capacity development, which was why the number of traders given financial support and constituents trained in tailoring and pepper/cassava milling far outweighed the number of motorcycles or tricycles he distributed. According to him, he facilitated the training of 146 in tailoring, 117 in milling and also gave cash support to 250 traders as well as purchasing SSCE forms for hundreds of students.

Okada ready for distribution He, however, said that there would always be those who did not fall in those categories, who demanded for others means of empowerment such as motorcycles and tricycles, hence his distribution of only 40 motorcycles and 17 tricycles, adding: “You can see that our focus is about getting our people back to those good old days where they use their hands to work and earn money, because everyone cannot occupy a political office or get white collar jobs.” Hon Kehinde Odeneye, representing Ijebu Central Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, while speaking on why he empowered the people of his constituency the lawmaker who presented empowerment tools comprising motorcycles, tricycles, hair dryers, generators, barbing kits and tailoring machine worth

over N25 million to 502 youths from across the constituency, 338 artisans drawn from 21 groups were also empowered with tools under Skills Acquisition Programme. According to Odeneye “We believe that our skilled and unemployed youths should be assisted with some aids to become empowered in order to feed their families. There are some artisans who are very good in their job but they are financially handicapped and cannot purchase the tools needed to carry out their trades. We captured 21 artisans groups and we picked 20n persons in each, to assist them. We believe this will go a long way in reducing youth unrest in our area,” he said. —Additional reports by Moses Alao and Segun Adebayo.

13 Continued from

24 April, 2016 last week

HICHEVER way one looks at it, arrival at the 70th natal milestone is an event of the utmost. significance in a man’s lifespan. From the actuarial point of view, it is approximately fifteen years more than the average expectation of life in Nigeria. Actuarial determination apart, I do know that only about twenty-five per cent of people of my age group here in Ikenne now remain on this terrestrial side of the Great Divide. How many of us would be left on this side in ten years’ time can only be a matter of wishful speculation. Physically, at 70, one is far from being as agile as when one was 40 or 50. But this loss in nimbleness of body and limbs is more than offset by gains in more profound mental alertness and intellectual comprehension. Furthermore, if one had made efforts in those directions in earlier years, at 70, one totally vanquishes the tyrannies of the flesh, and completely tames and sublimates the unruly and immoral tendencies of the instincts. In the result, one attains to sublime selfmastery, and self-discipline becomes second nature. Experientially, all the untoward events of life with their heavy billows and poignant buffettings cease to have any adverse effects on one. Having witnessed and withstood most of, if not all, the vicissitudes of life its successes and setbacks; its trials and tribulations; its poverty and affluence; its intense hate and exulting comedies; its downs and ups one is able, at 70 and thereafter, to look at all life’s happenings as so many fascinating, vitalizing, and purifying dramas. “Sweet are the uses of adversity.” Spiritually, and again if one had made unrelenting efforts through studies, devotion, meditation, and prayers, to that end, one is able, at 70, to enter with comparative ease, into communion with one’s Inner Self which is the same in everything, except in magnitude, as the Divine Essence and the all-pervading God of the Universe. Indeed, if one had striven persistently in the past to develop a close and harmonious rapport with the Cosmic Mind, one should be able to proclaim, as I now do, that a 70th birthday anniversary marks a renewed beginning of real life’s continuum. In other words, I believe and assert that life is a

Awo’s thoughts PATH TO NIGERIAN GREATNESS

On the campaign trail Birthday reflections*

spiritual continuum with finite interludes of purposive earthly sojourns. I am exceedingly happy, therefore, to be alive to see my 70th birthday anniversary, and to feel self-assured that I am in a position to enjoy all the physical, mental and spiritual benefits which this ripe and good age confers. For this unique attainment, I direct my profuse and very deep gratitude to five quarters. First, I thank God for preserving my life to this day,

You must constantly seek (and herein lies the narrow path) to cultivate the attributes of tolerance, sympathy, lovingkindness, selfishness, desire to benefit others, and high ideals

Sunday Tribune

and for the innumerable mercies which it has pleased Him to bestow on me all my life. I am particularly thankful that-he has enabled me to know Him - as he really is - and to commune with and draw inspiration and guidance from Him in my hour of need, either on my own (including my family’s) account, or on account of my fellow men. Time was when attunement with Him was accidental. It is not so now. I now testify to the fact that attunement and communion with the Infinite Source of Wisdom and Power can be consciously planned and attained. And to be in attunement with this Force, whether accidentally or consciously, is to have access to the gifts of insight, of objectivity and clear and constructive thinking, and of capability to solve problems - be they private or public - of the most intricate character. But there are preconditions for communion with the Divine Source. You must constantly seek (and herein lies the narrow path) to cultivate the attributes of tolerance, sympathy, loving-kindness, selfishness, desire to benefit others, and high ideals. Secondly, I thank my wife Hannah Idowu Dideolu for her abiding love, and her immeasurable and invaluable contributions to all that I have been able to achieve and attain during the past forty-two years. In times of privations, the undoubted fidelity of a wife as well as her undivided devotion and affection is the one greatest morale booster that any husband can have. Thrice in our married life I needed this morale booster very badly and immensely; and thrice, my wife overwhelmed me with it in uninhibited and overflowing measure. At a times, the flow of her affection towards me is unrestrained and never ceases. Thirdly, I thank all my friends, admirers, and political associates especially the so-called common people of Nigeria (there are millions of them in different walks of life throughout the country, most of whom I have never met and may never meet) who stood steadfastly and valiantly by me during my hour of trouble, and who continued to have faith in the ultimate triumph of the cause which I espoused, when all the powers-thatbe in the land were cooksure that the end had come. To be continued

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24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

foreignfeatures T

he jihadi group Boko Haram are usually characterised as the biggest threat to Nigeria’s state security and even as one of the world’s deadliest militant groups. But in the first four months of 2016, Boko Haram have actually been responsible for less deaths—208 to be precise—than other sectarian groups in Nigeria combined, which have accounted for 438 deaths so far, according to the Council on Foreign Relations’ Nigeria Security Tracker. A huge chunk of these are down to an ongoing conflict between predominantly Fulani herdsmen and settled farming communities, which is costing the Nigerian economy billions of dollars per year as well as hundreds—if not thousands—of lives. The Fulani —also known as the Fula or Peul—constitute a mostly Muslim people scattered throughout West Africa but concentrated in certain places, such as northern Nigeria. Fulanis are primarily nomadic cattle herders who follow their livestock along migratory patterns. This wandering lifestyle has brought them into conflict with settled farming communities in Nigeria, who have accused the Fulani of cattle rustling, kidnapping and murder. Clashes between mostly Fulani herdsmen and settled communities have been concentrated in north central Nigeria, particularly the states of Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari ordered an inquiry into clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Benue at the end of February, which reportedly resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands being displaced. As well as the obvious security threat, the low-level battles are draining Nigeria’s economy of resources and potential funds. A series of reports published in July 2015 by global humanitarian agency Mercy Corps found that the four problem states stood to gain up to $13.7 billion annually in total macroeconomic benefits if the conflict between herdsmen and farmers was reduced to near-zero. And the benefits are not just limited to state-level—Nigerian households affected by the ongoing clashes could expect their incomes to increase by between 64 and 210 per cent were the conflicts to be resolved. Nigeria’s Middle Belt—where the four problem states are located—is an area of ethnic and religious diversity, where the majority Muslim north meets the largely Christian south. On top of this, the Fulani have historical rivalries with other ethnic groups in Nigeria, particularly the Hausa. Led by the religious reformer Usman dan Fodio, a Fulani army fought a fouryear jihad in the predominantly Hausa states of what is now northern Nigeria, eventually triumphing and establishing the Sokoto caliphate. The caliphate was one of the most prominent African empires in the 19th century and was only abolished by the British in 1903. Because of this fraught geography and history, the herdsmen-farmer conflict is often characterised as ethnic or religious in nature. But this is a mischaracterisation, according to Lisa Inks, one of the authors of the Mercy Corps reports. “We definitely believe that the conflicts are caused primarily by competition for scarce resources,” says Inks, citing land and water as the two major conflict drivers. According

Locked in deadly conflict:

Story of Nigeria’s herdsmen and farmers

A Fulani herdsman waters his cattle on a plain between Malkohi and Yola. Clashes between herdsmen and settled communities are claiming hundreds of lives annually in Nigeria. Source: Getty Images. to Inks, solutions lie in supporting both parties by the establishment of grazing reserves for livestock, increasing funding for communities affected by the clashes and improving security at conflict hotspots. The security implications of marauding, armed Fulani herdsmen are significant for Nigeria, already struggling to contain the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, revived militant attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta and substantial proBiafran protests in the southeast. If taken together, casualties attributed to

Fulani herdsmen in 2014 totaled 1,229, according to the Institute for Economics & Peace Global Terrorism Index 2015. It is problematic, however, to group Fulani herdsmen together into a single unit and classify them as a terrorist movement, according to Leena Koni Hoffman, Nigeria expert and associate fellow at Chatham House. Fulani herdsmen cannot be considered a terrorist group akin to Boko Haram or the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), says Hoffman, because of “the absence of a core ideology around the

Because of this fraught geography and history, the herdsmen-farmer conflict is often characterized as ethnic or religious in nature.

violence.” Despite the lack of an ideological basis, links between the organised militants of Boko Haram and the roaming Fulani herdsmen have been suggested before. According to Hoffman, collaboration between herdsmen and Boko Haram is unlikely in terms of formal affiliation but could take place in different types of “criminal activity,” such as cattle rustling. “There could be a link between groups who are exploiting the context of insecurity and instability [in Nigeria] to strengthen their position,” says Hoffman. Whether such links exist or not, the herdsmen-farmers conflict is clearly damaging Buhari’s vision of a unified Nigeria and sucking potential resources and revenues out of the country. “The farmer-herdsmen conflict is not even the most high-profile conflict in Nigeria,” says Inks, “[But] even this ongoing, relatively low-level intercommunal conflict is costing the country billions.” Culled from Newsweek.

24 April, 2016

children’sarena Proverb

In the country of the blind, the one eyed man is king —The person with a little ability in a group of those with absolutely no ability is at an advantage.

Sunday Tribune

Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 0807 449 7425

d k il wee h C he t f o

Discover your talents, stay focused —10-year-old photographer David Jesuferanmi Adesanya, 10-year-old and primary six pupil of Vincy-frobel Model School, Ibadan, Oyo State, is into photography. He is the first of three children in a family of five. He was seen at Sango market, taking shots with people surrounding him. In this interview, he speaks on the challenges facing him as a young photographer. Excerpts:

hat inspired you to learn photogra-

phy? I just like photography. Taking pictures is one of my hobbies since I was six years old. Do you have your parents’ support? Yes, especially my mummy. She always encourages me to be what I want to be. My daddy at first did not allow me to enroll in the photography school but later when he saw my works, he supported me. Why did he initially stop you from learning photography? He said I should finish my studies first and after that, I can enroll. But, after much plead from my mum, he allowed me to go and now, he is happy. As a young boy in the field, what challenges did you face in carrying out your work, especially taking photos in the market place where I saw you? I don’t really have challenges, because I don’t care what people say or do. If I want to take any shot, especially in the open place, I will not let the person see me. Whenever my boss sends us out to take shots, we go everywhere but I like going to the market place to take my own shots. The only thing that embarrasses me is when people gather around me. They will be calling themselves, both young and old, ‘come and see this small boy taking a shot.’ That is the only thing I can say has been my challenge. Why do you like going to markets to take your shots? There are many things happening in markets, both funny and serious ones. I saw one woman in a market one day, she was walking with a load on her head and at the same

time breastfeeding a baby. I ran after her to take a shot of her; it took almost 30 minutes to get her but I took the shot and I was happy. How were you able to combine photography with your studies? Both don’t clash. I go to the photography school every weekend and during holidays. But when I finish my studies, I will face it squarely. How do you feel whenever you are at work taking shots? I always feel good with my camera. I feel on top of the world. I don’t look at anybody’s face. I love photography. Who are your role models? I want to be like my boss, Smile Photography, Mr Sunkanmi Olawoyin and T.Y. Bello; I want to take over when they are tired. What always gives you the courage to do your work? It is always God. Secondly, my boss. He will always tell me to go anywhere, approach anybody, but be humble. What message do you have for young people like you? I will advise them to always follow their talents and be focused. What is your future ambition? I want to become an army general What do you dislike? Cheating. I don’t like cheating someone and I don’t like people to cheat me. Apart from photography, what else do you like? I like reading novels.

Mojisola Sussanah Oluyede clocked Happy birthday.

Buffalo

• Buffalos live mostly on the plains, but some are known to inhabit river valleys as well as forests. • True buffalos only live in Asia and Africa. • Their hides were used for clothing, blankets and shelters, meat was used for food, and bones were used for tools and toys. Horns were used for cups and spoons while tendons were used for thread and bowstrings. Buffalo chips were used for fuel. • Buffalos can be six to seven feet long, stand from five to six feet tall and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Their size makes them the largest animal living in North America. • Buffalo’s tail can be almost three feet long, and they use it to swap at pesky bugs. • Thick brown fur keeps them warm on the frigid and frozen plains during the winter months. • Buffalos also has a large hump on its back. • Buffalos are herbivores and feed on about 60 pounds of plant material and grasses a day. • Buffalos are considered to be an adult when they reach three years old. Adults mate from July to October and it takes nine months for the calf to be born. •Buffalos can live to be 30 years old.

24 April, 2016

T seems it won’t be lawyers’ lot to bail Nigerians out of power misery. Two retired generals, as presidents, have given two lawyers with proven capacity, the opportunity to stand in the vanguard of “light” justice. One didn’t succeed, the other isn’t succeeding. Is this a mere coincidence? You may want to argue who had succeeded since the descent into darkness began. Both experts and lay-men have failed, but while the experts have a way of escaping with sectoral jargons, lawyers’ reputation seems to be going with the failure. Bola Ige never recovered from his solo sojourn in the Power Ministry. Babatunde Fashola is being gradually demystified by sectoral myth. The similarities between the duo are unsettling. Both from South-West, former governors, hailed for outstanding performance in office. Both Senior Advocates. Both with undoubted capacity for excellent delivery on assignments. Both highly heralded into the sector. The older left tamed before killed, the younger almost tamed and it is time to unbundle him. Theories have gone forth on why President Muhammadu Buhari made Fashola a “super-minister”, including the conspiracy angle of wanting to deflate the excitement around him as the “Star of the South” who could rival Northern stars for the top job in the near future. Unlike Ige, Fashola is burdened beyond borders, shouldering non-collocating assignments. There is a simplistic argument that you don’t have to be a system person to lead ministries. It is always complemented with a president or governor not having to be professors or experts of any kind; they only need padding themselves with “experts” as advisers. This simpleton arithmetic is even supported, indirectly by our constitution and celebrated as national discourse in the build-up to last presidential election. I concur some jobs could be at the level of “arun oju” (empirical analysis). Works and Housing assignments could be deemed one. But not Power, starting with mere wires in our homes. Power, on its own, is complex. Then add the humongous systemic corruption. Any layman, regardless of brilliance, positive madness and God-given capacity, will always fall short of expectations. One, he needs experts’ help to decode Power jargons. The mystery of corruption sustaining the darkness being served helpless Nigerians is incidentally buried in these jargons. No matter the affinity, expert assistants are not likely to expose the secrets of the trade to a “bloody” lawyer, at least for self-preservation and continued relevance.

THE notoriety of Nigerian leaders for complicating very simple matters with a view to bamboozling the public is legendary. They give every little problem a gargantuan status to beguile the governed. Their stock-in-trade is to approach a problem situation not with the intention of solving it but with the mind of turning same into an avenue for self-enrichment. This is why problems are usually intractable in the country. Most of the problems that Nigeria is currently battling with are as old as the country as a sovereign entity. Ever since the effort to improve electricity began in this country, there has been a very familiar refrain which is that “You can’t buy power plants off the shelf, you have to build from the scratch and it takes time and costs money.” The people believed the leaders and empowered them to do everything possible to make electricity available. Between 1999 and 2015, a total of N2.74 trillion was expended on the power sector. But what is the result? How much megawatt has been added to the grid? How many hours of electricity do Nigerians enjoy? They asked for time and money we gave them both but what do we get in return? Gross darkness! If it is that difficult to get electricity, how come other countries have been able to overcome the challenge? There are private organisations in this country that have been able to ensure roundthe-clock electricity supply in their companies, if power generation is such a big problem how did they manage to achieve it? The truth is that the stalemate in the power sector is a deliberate design by some people to get wealthy at the expense of the populace. Nigerians who are in their 40s grew up to know that fuel scarcity is a recurrent decimal in their country. The talk about the need for the country to increase its crude oil refining capacity has been on for aeon but nothing has been done in that regard despite the humongous resources the country has earned over the years. Rather than fix the refineries and build more, those in charge opted for the crude swap arrangement. The leadership of NNPC gives crude oil to some companies to refine and they will in turn supply premium motor spirit (petrol) to the corporation. NNPC also licensed marketers to bring in refined products. Now, if building refineries requires such a strange

Sunday Tribune

Mr Giwa is a trader but...

0811 695 4647

olanreade@yahoo.com

Time to unbundle Fashola

Two, the system thrives on being knotty and operators revel in it. That is why aero-this, aero-that engineers still assume special status. Will anyone in good conscience admonish them to behave differently? Will they ever allow a lawyer to undo them? Can any profession allow such? Fashola was a Transport, Roads and Housing governor. Outstanding delivery on Power wasn’t a consideration for his deification. It is about time to free Fashola and allow his pee to foam on a spot. It will be a national shame if all experts in the sector have become completely monetised not to find a competent replacement. I understand the conviction of a lean government but the ministerial marriage should not have been in the first instance. The current challenges of our national life are beyond politics, except we don’t want to leave behind a tomorrow. Glaringly, Fashola’s forte is outside Power.

With Sulaimon Olanrewaju 08055001708

lanresulaimon@yahoo.com

For the political class, the clock ticks

science that is beyond the capacity of Nigerians why is Dangote building what will be the largest refinery in the world? How are countries that are not even producing crude able to build refineries that run for 24 hours all year round unlike ours which start only to stop after a while? Again, at the foundation of the fuel scarcity problem in the country is a conspiracy by some people to keep the nation

WHEN you are a swashbuckling character, it is better you win continually; that is the only thing that makes such personality tolerable. When such person slips, the depth of revulsion for the I-hold-the-magic carriage is brought closer home. When Nigerian Football Federation’s failed president, Amaju Pinnick came ruffling nearly all feathers and rumbling tornado-like, sweeping away troubled erstwhile Eagles coach; Stephen Keshi, I predicted a mission that would end in tatters. One, his media-projected success as Delta FA boss was obviously pumping his adrenaline dangerously. Two, his overt self-confidence, until the recent judicial bubble, was poorly concealed as all-knowing arrogance. Three, he couldn’t wait to take his enemies on. In a Glass House, that has consumed more insightful men, his fall to disgrace was easy to predict for the discerning, regardless of the corrupt fortress FIFA tries to be for its yes-men. At the height of personality clash between messianic immediate past Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh and hot-head erstwhile captain, Vincent Enyama last October, I equally predicted the former’s fall, mainly because of Pinnick’s failures. Both predictions hit a bull eye. That had nothing to do with the gift of Nostradamus. The system has become so predictable. The actors, both entrenched and fringeplayers, are now so common-place in their self-centeredness politics, that it is easy to know when they gotta go. Even with ploys to ensconce in FIFA’s corrupted tower, Pinnick gotta go, because his game has played him out; but the cocky fellow won’t go quietly. A slightly rougher treatment of Kodjo Williams awaits him. Is Mr. Chris Giwa then the awaited turn-around expert? (To be continued).

Osun retired judges FOLLOWING certain interventions, I resolved not to comment on the State of Osun until after the tenure of Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola. I intend keeping the vow. However, while fixing this page on Friday, I missed a call. A return, turned out to be a retired judge of Osun State judiciary. It was an S.O.S. “Since July last year, the government has been paying us half of our pension dues. Help us beg them to pay retired judges”. He rounded off with Ijesa salutation of “Obokun a gbe a o”. I had no response for him and still have none now.

on its knees so that they can perpetually milk it. I do not know what obtains elsewhere, but in the part of the country where I live, public water does not flow into private homes. Each home owner provides his own source of water. Those who cannot afford that ‘luxury’ depend on those whose business it is to supply water to get by. Yet, there is a water corporation that gets government subvention every year. Yet, there is a ministry in charge of water supply in almost every state of the federation. The same excuse that ‘pipes are old and will need to be replaced’ has been advanced since I was an elementary school pupil yet nothing has changed. Years gone, money spent, the same problem persists. Pray, what does it take to get water from one end of a city to another? We don’t get water from government because some interests owe their affluence to the persistent water scarcity. They will fight tooth and nail to perpetuate the problem because the moment water is available everywhere, they become dispensable. Public primary education in Nigeria is characterised by roofless buildings and chair-less classrooms. In some extreme cases, pupils learn under trees. Yet, these governors build personal mansions all over the place. If every governor we have had since 1999 made up his mind to add a number of classroom blocks to the existing ones or rebuild dilapidated ones, the narrative would have changed. But it is profitable to the governors to leave the schools as they are so that money could be voted to the same project year after year after year. Leaders in Nigeria ride roughshod over the people they are supposed to take out of poverty, penury and deprivation because of their belief that the Nigerian public is too docile to fight maladministration. That is why though he mouths change, the average Nigerian leader does not believe in it. He believes he can get away with anything because of his economic advantage. But the fact is that by stretching the patience of the Nigerian public to the limit, he is also overstretching his own luck and this is sure to result in a snap. Once there is a snap, Arab Spring will be a child’s play compared with what will happen. The time for politicians to change is now; tomorrow may be a day after the fair. For the Nigerian politician, the clock keeps ticking.

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Kabio o si, not my best song —Psalm Ebube

Society no longer safe for little girls —Kate Henshaw

Why I can’t marry an actor —Folakemi Bello

24 April, 2016

Segun Adebayo tegbollistic@yahoo.com 08116954644

Sunday Tribune Seyi Sokoya seyi_sky@yahoo.com 08075166585

Society no longer safe for little girls —Kate Henshaw Stories By Segun Adebayo

Lai Mohammed, Folorunsho Coker, others to speak at CIC KEY public and private sector stakeholders in the Nigerian and United Kingdom creative industries will meet to discuss ways to stimulate creative sector collaboration between both countries at the 2016 Creative Industries Conference (CIC) and Expo on 26 and 27 April. The annual event, organised by British Council, is presented this year in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture as part of the British Council UK/NG 2015–2016 programme which aims to stimulate further bilateral collaboration between the creative industries in both countries. Keynote speeches on the economic importance of creative industries to Nigeria and the UK, as well as panel discussions on investment models for the industry and more, will be delivered at the conference. The event will also feature panel discussions as well as trade and creative showcases. It will be opened by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who will also give a key note speech alongside Mr Graham Sheffield, (Global) Director of Arts, British Council.

ORRIED by the reports of rape cases in the country which is common among older men who take advantage of helpless minors, Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw has called on parents to watch over their children, declaring that the society is no longer safe. Henshaw, a mother and a celebrated actress, was particularly miifed by a reported case of a 35-year-old man who allegedly defiled an eight-year-old girl in Somolu area of Lagos State. Henshaw, who said she was sad and incensed by the rising cases of defilement and rape insisted that those who engaged in the act are cowards who prey on children who can not help or fight for themselves. “Our Children’s future is being deliberately destroyed daily....the society is no longer safe. We were our neighbours’ keeper, we watched over our children as a community. My heart is sad, I am incensed. “Are these men without a soul? Are they so weak and cowardly that they prey on those who cannot help themselves or fight them? Parents watch over your children. Even when they go to friends homes, know the parents. Get their full information and details. Visit or meet up with them.”

Double endorsements for the Idibias 2FACE Idibia and his wife, Annie, have been blessed with new endorsement deals. While Annie, a nollywood actress was unveiled as an ambasador for weight loss company, Slim Tea Nigeria, her husband, one of the most decorated African artsites, was unveiled as brand ambassador of Campari Nigeria. The two endorsements came in one week. Elated Annie took to her Instagram page on Thursday to share the news with her fans. “I just became an ambassador

for @SlimTeaNigeria! I’m so excited to be a part of the SlimTea weight loss movement, and a member of the SlimTea Family. SlimTea is a 28-day weight loss tea, made with 100 per cent natural weight loss ingredients that kick start your system into natural weight loss by reducing your hunger hormones, increasing your calorie burn and melting the

fat that is stored in your fat cells. The Nollywood actress has joined Ini Edo as an ambassador for weight loss company, Slim Tea Nigeria.” 2face, who now goes with the stage name 2Baba, was announced as first ever Nigerian ambassador for Campari at the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NEC) in Lagos State on Wednesday. He said: “New endorsement deal alert!! Say hello 2 the new campari ambassador. Speaking on why Campari made 2face its ambassador, Head of Marketing, Abayomi Ajao, said “2face Idibia has in common with the brand that made the company collaborate with him. ‘We believe that there’s a lot of things that 2baba has that resonate with Campari. 2baba is a hardworking guy. Campari is for the man that has worked very hard and wants to celebrate success.” He added: ‘2baba is a stylish person, a humble person. Campari is that brand that’s subtle.

WapTV to air ‘La Hipocondríaca’ Telenovela WAPTV, the 24-hour family entertainment channel, has purchased the exclusive licence to air La Hipocondríaca (The Hypochondriac) Telenovela to its millions of viewers across Africa and Europe starting from May. Produced in 2013, La Hipocondríaca is a popular Spanish Telenovela, which tells the story of Macarena (played by Stephanie Cayo), a hypochondriac who strongly believes that she will die soon. Her ‘dreams’ seem to come true when Dr Alejandro (played by Ernesto Calzadilla) misdiagnosis her with only six more months to live, when in reality, she has a long, healthy life ahead of her. What will happen when both discover the truth? In a situation like this, the best cure is love. According to

Wole Adenuga, MD of WAPTV, “La Hipocondríaca Telenovela will air by 9:00 – 9:30pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday; with repeat broadcast at 2:00 – 2:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Viewers sure have a lot to look forward to; and coupled with WAPTV’s extensive coverage area, this is surely an excellent opportunity for advertisers to reach their target audience and promote their products and services to enhance customer retention and increase market share.”

razzmatazz

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Wizkid vs Linda Ikeji

What next after Lagos CP’s intervention? Stories By Segun Adebayo FOR more than three weeks, Star Boy CEO, Wizkid and celebrity blogger, Linda Ikeji, have not had it rosy. Trouble started when Ikeji posted a report on her blog that Wizkid had been served a quit notice in his house,

which he had ealier reportedly claimed to be his. Apparently worried by Wizkid’s comments which she would later reveal propelled her to approach the police, Ms Ikeji said she could not keep quiet because “Here’s the thing; You can insult me, insult my family,

Chidinma, Mercy Aigbe, Ara others wash at ‘Sunlight demo wash’ FUN and fragrance were the order of the day at Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Lagos and River Plate Park, Abuja as Sunlight detergent hosted celebrities and consumers in its Lagos and Abuja demo washes. Ther event was attended by popular celebrities and on air personalities (OAPs) like Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, Chidinma, Adama Indimi, Empress Njamah, Willy Willy of Wazobia FM Abuja, Amaka Fresh of Hot FM, Duncan Matilda of Rhythm FM, Kenny Saint Best, Omo Baba, Ara, among others. Hundreds of consumers present at the simul-

taneous demo washes confirmed Sunlight’s 2-in-1 claims of improved fragrance and cleaning. The event saw the celebri-

ties wash with the improved Sunlight’s 2-in-1 fragrance and cleaning to the amasement of the audience. Mercy Aigbe, Chidin-

Branding, innovation top discussion at EMCOAN 2016

1404 Entertainment unveils new acts, S-Gee, S-Candy THE music industry is about to witness the entrance of two new talented music acts that are ready to give many established stars the run for their money if the information given out by their management company, 1404 entertainment in anything to go by. At a recent press briefing in Lagos State where the duo of Shittu Ganiyu otherwise known as S-Gee and Samuel Adeyemi also known as S-Gandy were unveiled to the media, bold statements about how thier career would be managed and how they intend to break into the music industry were made. It has been a steady rise for both artistes as they hope that their new

ma, Ara and Kenny Saint Brown were part of the first set of celebrities that took part in the first round of washing in small yellow plastics while Amaka Fresh of Hot FM, Duncan Matilda of Rhythm FM, Omo Baba and other consumers took the second round.

call me any names you like, even lie that I slept with your forefathers…but don’t threaten me. If you threaten me, I will act!” Last week Monday, Wizkid and Linda were invited by the Lagos Lagos State Commissioner of Ploice, Fatai Oweseni, to resolve the feud and it seemed that the peace meeting was fruitful if feelers from the scene were anything to go by. R gathered from a souce close to Wizkid’s camp that the superstar singer would not make any further comment on the issue as a case file was reportedly open in his name and has been cautioned never to threaten another human being again in public. Since the peace meeting with the Police boss in Lagos, many people have been asking if the CP’s intervention was enough to pacify both camps. While it seems that Ikeji has moved on, same can not be said about Wizkid as efforts to reach Wizkid’s manager, Sunday Are to react to the issue proved abortive as he did not pick his calls and would not reply text messages sent to his phone as of press time.

record deal with 1404 entertainment would pave way for their breakthrough. “We are not here to compete with anybody but to create own space and make our mark,” they had said when they were unveiled to the media. 1404 entertainment, an International record with a professional frame work, has put together a team of seasoned industry experts who would be putting heads together to ensure that S-Gee and SCandy hit the ground

running as soon as possible. When asked what their first project would be like, the record label’s manager, Dami Adenuga hinted that 1404 entertainment company is focused on creative innovation and dexterity in the entertainment industry.

THE Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN), the umbrella body of Chief Executives Officers (CEOs) of content owners in Nigeria, is set for the 2016 CEOs business seminar for its members which holds on May 5, at Protea Leadway Hotel, Maryland, Lagos State. EMCOAN President, Mrs. Debbie Odutayo, said the essence of the business seminar was to ensure that “As part of the agenda for year 2016, EMCOAN will be interested in programmes that can empower its members and place them strategically in the comity of content owners globally. “So, as EMCOAN is prepared to support and add value to the ongoing digitization migration process and the MOPICON Bill, the body is also concerned about the capacity building of its members. Attendees at the seminar will

have the opportunity of tapping from the reservoir of knowledge of seasoned brand experience manager and media strategist sdiscussing the following topics: Branding/Innovation: The Key to success for every business- to be delivered by Dr. Ken Onyeali, Managing Director/CEO, Mediacom Nigeria; Content that can fly: Mr. Jonadab Egbowon, Media Strategist/Planner, Starcom MediaVest Group.

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

I’m not struggling to release another hit track —Psalm Ebube

Psalm Ebube broke into the music industry with his famous single, Kabiosi six years ago and has since remained a force to be reckon with. Though, he took a two-year break from music to attend to other projects, Ebube returned with a new single, Thankful last month and revealed that his best is yet to come. He speaks with SEGUN ADEBAYO.

t has been almost six years ago since you dropped your popular song, Kabiosi but nothing seems to be coming from your side after then, what do you think is responsible for this? I thank God for the success of Kabiosi and I am forever grateful to God for the talent He blessed me with, because without it there would not have been Kabiosi in the first place. Now, talking about what has been happening after the release of Kabiosi, I would say it has been music and music since then. I just dropped the video of my new single, Thankful and you need to know the number of people that have called to appreciate me for a good job. A lot of people have been talking about it, and I think what actually got people talking about is because of the location of the video and the song itself has depth. For a gospel artiste, we are not like our counterparts in the secular circle that would always want to drops songs to remain relevant. For us, we do our best and we allow the spirit of God to flow. So, if you don’t hear from people like us often, it goes to show that we are waiting on God’s direction and guidance on the next step to take. Will it be wrong to say that your music career has been on a low key level? You are right, because I actually took about two years off and in those two years that I didn’t release any song, I have been doing shows within and outside the country. I believe that there are times you would work and there are times you would sit down and enjoy the rewards of your hard work. What stage are you now? I am still working, but I am also enjoying the rewards of my labour. At the moment, I am working on my new album which would be dropped this year. Apart from that, I just told you that I released the visual to my single, Thankful about a month ago and the responses have been massive. I actually shot the video at Agodi Gardens in Ibadan. Kabiosi was one song that opened doors for you and placed you on a different platform. In fact, at a point, you were rated as one of the fast-rising leading gospel singers in Nigeria. Six years after,

do you think you are still on the same level? Firstly, I will say where I have been, where I am and where I am going is based on nothing but the special grace of God. If you are talking about fame, I am not the type that is running after it. I believe that everything I am doing or that I have done was inspired by God, when He gives me the words, I follow without asking questions. You seem to be striving hard to release songs, could that be true? That’s exactly what people have been saying about me because I took a break. I am striving to put out new materials. I love to bring myself to a point where God’s inspiration would flow and I will drop my song. Basically, the way the music industry is structured now, when you drop a song, you have to do proper planning for it. The promotion and distribution of the song have to be top notch or else you will be your own listener. So, it really takes a lot of planning and other factors to put your songs to the right places. I am not trying to do another song like Kabiosi. The song has its own inspiration. It was successful because God has a hand in it. Right now, I am not trying to do any song that will be greater than Kabiosi or otherwise, I believe that as God brings the inspiration for a new song, I will drop it.

has given me for the future and for the present. Do you charge for ministrations? (Laugh)…When ministers of God call me directly, I don’t charge them. I don’t ask them to pay me this or that. There had been times that I would go for a ministration and at the end of the event; they won’t pay me a dime. I would have to pay my band members from my personal money. But that doesn’t make me feel bad, I feel very blessed doing it for God. But when the invitations come through my manager, it is his job to deal with it professionally. I don’t have to bother myself with what was paid and who paid it.

So you don’t believe that Kabiosi is your best song ever? No. The song has come and is still trending but my best is yet to come. After Kabiosi, I have dropped two singles-Gbope Mi and 80 years, which sold very well internationally on iTunes. In fact, I felt more fulfilled than I have ever felt on any of my song.

Are you not under any pressure to drop another hit songs that would continue to put profit to your table rather than songs that would lift souls as you have been called to do? The answer is on two sides. If you are conscious about music that will bring profit to your table, honestly, you will do songs that will not be inspired of God. Songs that are inspired of God are songs that last forever; they just come and stay evergreen. You will go to churches from here to any part of the world; the song will still be heard. But when you are trying to do a song that will bring money to your pocket, the song may even enjoy airplay but it will soon fizzle out because the presence of God isn’t felt in it. When a song blesses individual, it will in turn bless you as the owner of the song. Midnight Crew did Igwe a couple of years back and till today, the song has continued to bless lives. Frank Edward did Nmama Eh; the song has remained a total blessing till date. I did Kabiosi, I can’t tell how many people have been blessed by that single song.

What do you think about gospel artistes charging appearance fees? What I tell people each time they asked me this question is that anybody who wants to be a gospel musician must have at the back of their mind that they are in the ministry to sow seed. It is God that blesses. There is no amount of charges you want to place a church that would make you rich. If God doesn’t bless you, then you are not blessed. For me, I am blessed with what God

You also got married recently but it was low profile one, tell us about it? It was more or less like a family wedding. I actually wanted to make it loud, but I followed God’s instruction strictly. Honestly, despite its noiseless nature, it was a very classy wedding that those who were privileged to attend have always been talking about. I have really been enjoying my marriage; there hasn’t been any distraction from anywhere.

glitz

24 April, 2016

RK1 De Superstar sets to rebrand Fuji

Award-winning presenter cum producer, Mursty Adinoyi, is the brains behind the popular entertainment programme, Hitlist N Cruzin, that has become the toast of many viewers. The Kogi State-born media personality who won the Best Entertainment Programme on TV at the 2016 Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, shares the story of his rise to fame.

By Seyi Sokoya

itlist N Cruzin won the Best Entertainment Programme on TV at NBMA award, how do you feel? One can’t express how one really feels when such award comes one’s way, because it was a prestige for me to be nominated in the first instance, not to talk of winning in the category. What I have learnt from all these is that one is being observed in whatever one does; it shows that Nigerians are watching us, and they love what we’re doing. So, I see this award as an appreciation. The joy is much and I have this feeling of satisfaction that what we are doing has an impact in people’s lives. This has made us discover that people are enjoying what we do and I am happy that Nigerians are benefiting from it. So, I am grateful, happy, blessed and I thank God for the development. I also thank everyone that supported and still supporting us. Is this Hitlist N Cruzin’s first award? We have received several nominations and recommendations, but I feel this is our first major award. As I said earlier, it is a welcome one and I am confident that this is just the beginning of good things to come. With the impact and substance of your programme, don’t you think it is long overdue to be winning awards? I don’t look at it from that aspect. I want to say that God’s time is the best. I am committed to what I do. It will get to a stage that your work will speak for you. So, I feel this is the right time to be rewarded for all my experiences in the last seven years in the broadcasting industry. What is the next thing after this recognition? Of course, life is all about moving forward. The way we started is not the way it is right now. Definitely, there’s improvement in what we’re doing. But apart from that, the concept and content of Hitlist N Cruzin is what is winning us awards because we’re not like any other entertainment programme. You can see that we don’t duplicate programmes; we showcase originality, you talk about local content going international with Hitlist N Cruzin. That concept, that content alone is what is giving us recognitions and awards. So, if the major awards are coming now, thank God, because it means that someone sat down somewhere to look deep into the programme and understand that it is 100 per cent original. It is not like it is being done in America and we’re replicating it in Nigeria. It’s our concept and it isspeaking for us. As a presenter, how do you intend to raise your game to the next level?

Sunday Tribune

I feel fulfilled as a

TV, Radio

producer

—Mursty Adinoyi At present, we have a lot of things in our minds on how to improve our game. We have mapped out our plans and I am sure that it will be accepted by our audience. We intend to tour the entire country with the initiative. We pray that governments put in place good security measure so as to be able to take ‘Hitlist N Cruzin’ around states. You are a TV and radio presenter, how easy has it been for you? What I do is all about entertainment, celebrating Nigerians, and we do almost the same thing on the two platforms. But the only difference is that we take people out on TV and buy things for them, but it is not like that on radio. But both TV and radio will feature latest, hottest, fresh music from Nigeria and abroad, entertainment gist that you cannot get anywhere else. The bottom line is that the programme is always informative and entertaining and we have received many words of encouragement with this development. You started with TV, what prompted you to delve into radio programme? As a young man, you have dreams and aspirations, and you want to do more when you achieve one. Our leaders such as Kenny

Ogungbe, who has a 24-hour channel on DaarSat, the owner of Soundcity, Tajudeen Adepetu, who runs a 24-hour channel on DStv and a TV station; Ayo Animashaun of Hip TV and Kwame of StarTimes have opened the door of diversification. Don’t forget that these men started a long time ago and their works have enhanced the growth of the industry immensely. So, we’re looking at the steps they took and most importantly to improve on it. Also, I understand that the best way not to fall is to keep on moving, and to keep moving, you have to keep diversifying, keep expanding. I have people working under me and anytime I look at them, something tells me that it is like these guys are hooking their future on you because if I fail, and by the grace of God I won’t, I’m not failing alone. Which is more challenging between TV or radio production? I would say both are very challenging. TV and radio productions have their own peculiar challenges, but the passion and zeal has been inspiring me. The profession is very interesting and aside the prestige, I feel fulfilled as a professional presenter and producer.

Fuji act, Alhaji Rahumon Akanni, popularly known as RK1 De Superstar, has expressed his determination to rebrand his genre of music with the introduction of sophisticated musical instruments. This was just as he described Fuji icon, Wasiu Ayinde, as a genuine leader, who has contributed immensly to the growth of Fuji music. Speaking on what prompted his drive to elevate Fuji music, RK1 noted that it was time Fuji music, among other genres of music, realised its potentials and also improve on its qualities. He condemned the way some Fuji acts are handling fuji, saying “It is uncalled for and unprofessional to engage in a collaboration with other genres, especially the Hip Hops acts whose works do not last more than few minutes compared to Fuji songs that can last for hours. “I want to urge my colleagues to wake up from their slumber to rebrand Fuji. We should not underrate it, because it entails intellectuality and promotes originality, culture and tradition. The late Fuji icon, Alhaji Ayinde Barrister, also confirmed that Fuji is a combination of Sakara, Juju, Highlife, among other genres. So, we should not relegate this legacy, but rather sustain its leadership among other genres,” he added. The Fuji artiste, who has taken his music career beyond the shores of Nigeria, advised fellow musicians to believe in themselves.

Nollywood actor, Bigval, weds in US By Seyi Sokoya Dark-skinned Yoruba speaking movie actor, Oreoluwa Jokotoye otherwise known as Bigval, who was alleged to have been involved in a messy paternity scandal years back has finally proved many wrong as he got married to his better half in California in the Uinted States. Bigvai and his Nigerian-American lover formalised their courtship in a low key court wedding in Fresno, California, US, last Thursday. The popular actor shared the good news with series of pictures of the wedding ceremony on his social media, where he also received several congratulatory messages on the union from his fans. He wrote on Instagram handle, saying “We are now Mr and Mrs Jokotoye; thank God for the success of our court wedding. I am now married; I am filled with joy. We are staring a new life and thank God for everything.”

Sunday Tribune

24 April, 2016

makeover

Rita Okonoboh 08053789087 rosarumese@gmail.com

Choosing the right underwear Just as important as it is to choose the right bra, so is it necessary to know your butt type in order to choose the right underwear. Plastic surgeon, Dr Matthew Schulman, and lingerie expert, Tomima Edmark, give tips for identifying your butt shape and the recommended underwear styles for the most comfortable, flattering fit. Square If the line between your hip bone and outer thigh runs perpendicular to the ground, your butt is square, according to Dr. Schulman. The best bottoms for you: While styles designed to hit high on the thigh can ride up and result in a wedgie, boy shorts, bikinis, tangas, and thongs can be comfortable and flattering for women with square, flat butts. Just steer clear of panties with elastic-edged leg holes, which tend to have extra fabric that can cause awkward bunching.

below the hip bones, according to Dr Schulman. The best bottoms for you: Because A-shaped butts tend to stem from fuller thighs, the most comfortable underwear styles have high-cut legs with larger leg holes. Stick with tangas, bikinis, or boy shorts made from stretchy lace, or seamless, laser-cut edges – and avoid styles with elasticedged leg holes, which can be binding and uncomfortable. Round This one is pretty much self-explanatory. If you want a rounder butt – which tends to be a popular sentiment among Dr. Schulman’s patients – strengthening

the butt muscles can give your backside “more projection” without surgical intervention. The best bottoms for you: A round butt requires extra fabric in the back for full coverage — otherwise, the crotch of your underwear will just shift backward, which can lower the front waist band and trigger a frontal wedgie. Tangas and thongs, as well as briefs and boy shorts with four-way stretch, a centre back seam, and ruching along that seam are ideal for contouring your butt cheeks. Size up for even more coverage. Upside-down heart The upside-down-heartshaped butt is round without

Rules for lip gloss

Use balm/liner To prevent bleeding and ensure that the gloss stays on, use a lip liner to line the edges of the lips (to prevent bleeding) and apply balm as a base. Lip balm will not only provide the base necessary, but will also prevent undue damage to the lips. Besides, if the gloss loses shine, the balm still takes effect.

Upside down hart

Square shape

Copy skin tone For people who have marked lines on their lips, it is best to go with a lip gloss colour that is the shade of the skin tone. This will reduce the effect of bleeding and make it less obvious. Go thicker For lasting results, especially if you’ll not have the luxury of frequent re-application throughout the day, go for gloss options that are thick; they last longer and retain better shine.

A-shape “Pear-shaped” women tend to have A-shaped butts that widen

If you use glasses, use coloured eyeliner on the lower lash line and a dark colour at the top to make your eyes stand out.

Round shape

Photo:ramair455.deviantart.com

V-shape If the line between your pelvis and hips angles inward, your butt takes on a “V” shape from behind, according to Dr Schulman, who says this butt shape is common among women with broad shoulders and very narrow hips. The best bottoms for you: Stick with briefs, boy shorts, hipsters, or bikinis without high-cut leg holes, which won’t provide quite enough coverage for your butt cheeks. Because a V-shaped butt can make your cheeks look like they’re sagging, make sure your underwear’s leg opening cups the bottom of your buns for extra definition.

MAKEUP TIP

defying gravity. Like round booties, “it involves a curve to the outer hips, but with more volume in the lower part of the hip,” Dr. Schulman explains. The best bottoms for you: Because your butt and hips are full, and your buns are set low, highcut leg holes might not give your butt cheeks quite enough coverage. Go for briefs, boy shorts, hipsters, or bikinis with a lowercut leg opening. If you’re worried about looking saggy, make sure your underwear’s leg openings cup the buns, hitting right below your butt crease for the illusion of an instant butt lift. Source:www.cosmopolitan.org

By Rita Okonoboh

ith the unstable weather, experts have recommended the use of lip gloss more often than lipstick. To get the best results after application, a few tips and tricks are necessary: Exfoliate For the finest results, it is nec-

essary to prepare the lips. As such, exfoliation is necessary to get smooth lips. Gently dab the lips with a wash cloth or you can use the normal facial scrub. The key is to be gentle. Before using exfoliating facial scrub on the lips, seek the services of an expert. A lip treatment applied at night may also be recommended to do the trick. Exfoliating also prevents unnecessary pooling of gloss on the side of the lips.

Do not rub lips together Tempting as it is, especially as it the practice for lipstick, resist the urge to rub your lips together after lip gloss application as you’ll end up making the presentation uneven. Simply apply the lip gloss with the brush and you’re ready to go. Choosing the right colour For fair complexioned ladies, go for pink and nude colour shades; dark skinned people can use dark pink, shimmery chocolate or reddish purple. Be sure to use a lip brush for best application results.

V-Shape

A-Shape

24 April , 2016

With Akintayo Abodunrin akinjaa03@yahoo.co.uk 08111813058

How oil killed our arts —Lai Mohammed Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, reveals ongoing efforts at moving the culture and tourism sectors from the margins to the mainstay of the nation’s economy at a meeting in Lagos.

HE Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, met with arts/culture and tourism writers in Lagos last Sunday to outline the present administration’s vision for the vital but often neglected sectors. Indeed, a number of those at the meeting left with cautious optimism that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration might well distinguish itself and leave positive imprints on culture and tourism as Mohammed not only outlined the visions but also disclosed ongoing efforts to reposition the sectors. Aside listening patiently to questions and giving detailed answers, Mohammed also showed sides that are rarely seen in public: his wit and charm. When a correspondent with one of the Federal Government owned electronic medium introduced herself as a writer for the station, the minister put her at ease by narrating the story of his nephew, ‘OluwaFareed’. The young boy decided to add the prefix ‘Oluwa’ to his name because

all his classmates bear Oluwatosin and Oluwadamilare amongst others. When he was addressed as ‘Honourable Commissioner’ instead of minister, he merely smiled and waved away the apologies. The Minister apologised for postponing an earlier scheduled meeting and highlighted specific efforts at moving the sector from the margins to become a mainstay of the nation’s economy. He said, “Working with various local and international partners, including the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the British Council, we are mapping our creative arts, by which we mean pottery, weaving, dyeing, sculpturing, etc, with a view to reviving them massively through capacity building for those involved and the provision of loans. We believe this will not only create hundreds of thousands of jobs, thus keeping our people meaningfully engaged, it will also become money spinners for the economy and stem the ruralurban migration. We are not re-inventing

Lai Mohammed the wheel, since the creative industry has always been with us. What we are doing is to breathe life into the industry and allow it to become a major player in national devel-

Mike Omilusi: Presenting 3 books in unusual fashion Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti RECENTLY, a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, Dr. Mike Omilusi, presented three books in a manner that is quite different from the norm. He presented and dedicated the books to God at a simple ceremony held at the Holy Trinity Authority Prophetic Church in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. The unusual book presentation was attended by religious leaders and a few friends and relatives of the author, and was chaired by Prophet Olatunji James Omitade, the General Overseer of the church. The uniqueness of the presentation was made more profound by the fact that the three books are secular books that discuss politics and issues around the political economy of Nigeria. One of the books entitled: ‘Democratic Governance in Nigeria: Key Issues and Challenges’ is partly a compilation of some of the various, divergent papers presented at conferences mostly outside the country in the last 15 years. Omilusi said “the book is talking basically about governance.” According to him, “the presentations in and outside the country have received commendable reviews from people in several other countries and I felt it isn’t proper to leave the ideas just to the people outside the country alone.” The second book, ‘Politics, Power and Political Parties in Nigeria’ provides explanations on political parties and electoral democracy in Nigeria with reference to globally acceptable best practices. It didn’t leave out the now notorious fact that there are no political parties with ideology in the country,

Dr Mike Omilusi (fourth from right) and Prophet Omitade (to his right) and others are the presentation of the books but a gathering of people with same interest just to attain or retain power. ‘Insurgency and Terrorism in Nigeria: Perspectives, Phases and Consequences’, the third book, in simple terms, addresses the security challenges in Nigeria. The author said the book “interrogates the deadly activities of the insurgent groups in the country and the factors propelling this phenomenon.” Prophet Omitade made the best of the occasion and, apart from the pure religious suasion that was ingrained in the ceremony, he charged Nigerians on the need to start small and persevere to build enduring legacies. “When you set a goal, pursue it with a focus, persevere, pray and believe in God and you would achieve. There could be so much hindering your steps towards achieving your goal but you must persevere,” Omitade charged. He stated that “every individual has different revelations and unique attributes regarding issues. But God is happy with those who are patient and he said he would renew their strength like that of the eagle as you

pursue your goal.” The cleric noted that writing a book “is not a tea party” and therefore advised that when you set your goals, “don’t be afraid of the giants in your field. Concentrate on your skills and seek the face of God. If you concentrate on the giants around you, you are getting nowhere. Just play your part, focus on your job and dedicate yourself to God. Believe in yourself and trust in God.” Omilusi said the book on insurgency “was spurred by a declaration of Nigerians as the “happiest people on earth” and yet, soon after, several suicide bombings were recorded in the country just as militant groups arose in several parts of the country. The manner of presentation and venue notwithstanding, the quality of the books is not in question. The books are full of contemporary and modern ideas, unlike so many other books in library shelves that discuss old, outdated and archaic ideas. Omilusi said he chose a church for the presentation because “I want God to take the glory rather than me or anyone else.”

opment. “We are doing the same thing for culture and tourism, training festival managers so they can be fortified enough to take their events to the next level, and involving the local communities, as critical stakeholders, fully in our efforts to bring the sectors into the mainstream. We are aware that culture drives tourism, hence we intend to leverage heavily on our numerous cultural festivals in our efforts to boost tourist arrivals. That is why we are currently compiling a list of the top 10 creative arts and cultural festivals in each state of the federation, with a view to creating a year-round calendar of such events. This way, those willing to attend such events can plan ahead.” The minister admitted that repositioning the culture and tourism sectors will not be a walk in the park, hence the decision to hold a National Summit on Culture and Tourism in Abuja from April 27 to 29. “We are aware that similar efforts have been made in the past, without an appreciable result. The difference this time is our commitment and the different milieu provided by the national imperative to diversify the economy, amidst the crash in the price of oil,” he added. Reacting to a question on the resuscitation of the moribund skills acquisition centres across the country managed by the National Council for Arts and Culture, the Minister said though oil had made the country forget craft works, his ministry and its partners are working to redeem the situation. He said: “We discovered oil at the wrong time in this country. We used to have not only skills acquisition centres but craft schools as well. However, we are talking with the British Council and Tony Elumelu Foundation for capacity building for people in the sector.” The Minister further explained that there is no way the country’s art and culture can be developed relying solely on government, hence the decision to expedite action on the National Endowment Fund for the Arts that will see the involvement of the private sector. On the National Theatre and the controversies trailing its planned concession, Alhaji Mohammed said it’s only the fallow land that would be affected. He explained that “as it stands today, the National Theatre can’t be maintained by budgetary allocations alone” and that efforts are on to resolve all the controversies that have dogged the planned concession. “The National Theatre [main edifice] will remain under the Federal Government but the development of the fallow land would be used to generate money for government,” he said. The minister also spoke on the manufacturing of set-up boxes in the country preparatory to the switch from analogue to digital broadcasting. He disclosed that government has licensed local manufacturers of the device but that in light of the pilot scheme commencing on April 30 in Jos, Plateau State permission was given to them to import a certain percentage of boxes. He expressed confidence in a seamless transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in the country.

Sunday Tribune

24 April , 2016

glamour

Folakemi Bello is an actress, presenter and a business woman. In this interview with TAYO GESINDE, the graduate of History and International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, reveals why she will never do cosmetic surgery and her greatest physical assets. Excerpts.

Why I can’t marry an actor —Folakemi Bello

oray into showbiz I have always had a strong passion for the entertainment industry right from my secondary school days. I would sit in front of the television for hours. I was also a regular customer at a video club close to my house. So when I finished secondary school, I decided to take it a step further. I spoke to an older friend, Segun Babayemi, who was a presenter and was very close to many actors and he introduced me to Bukola Fagbuyi popularly called Bukky Apesin. In November 2008, Bukky asked me to come for an audition in Ibadan for an epic movie entitled Moremi Ajasoro. I did well and I was cast as little Moremi, from there I joined Adebayo Tijani’s group. So, I started acting professionally in 2008, when I was still in the university. It wasn’t so difficult for me to get roles because some of my senior colleagues who knew my ability would call me if they had productions. My boss always invites me too. I have featured in English and Yoruba movies like Moremi (yet to be released), Ojo Keji Oja, Iku Ewa, Tibi Tire, Super Story, This Life. I played a major role in the popular soap opera entitled Kilanta where I played Sydney, Saka’s (Afeez Oyetoro’s) daughter. Challenges faced The first challenge I faced was from home. My parents didn’t like the idea of my going into acting and because they didn’t like the idea of me acting, I couldn’t ask them for money anytime I had to go to location, so, I would transport and feed myself with the little money I was given from home. And we were not paid for jobs. So, I was going from one location to another in public transport carrying costumes. It wasn’t easy. But with time, they got used to it. Another challenge I had was that most of the movies were done when I was still in school, so I didn’t have much time. After I finished school, I took a break from acting so I could work because my parents weren’t so comfortable with

pair of shoes, carry my handbag, use my make-up and I am off. Favourite perfumes Paco Rabanne’s One Million and Invictus, Bvlgari’s Extreme Man and Tom Ford’s Black Orchid. I wear male perfumes. Favourite colours I love black, white, red, teal and royal blue. Accessory I can’t do without when going out Wrist watch. Special treat I go for shopping or go on vacation.

What I will like to change about myself I would like to be taller.

Coping with competition in the industry I really don’t see anyone as a competition because when I work, I just enjoy myself and put in my best.

My take on cosmetic surgery I can’t do it. I hate pain so much. So for me, surgery is too extreme. I like the way I am and I am proud of myself anyday, anytime. No addition, no subtraction.

Role models in the industry Genevieve Nnaji, Mercy Johnson, Nse Nkpe Etim, Funke Akindele, Toyin Aimakhu, Mosun Filani and Fathia Balogun.

Greatest physical asset My smile and hips.

Other things I do aside acting. I am a businesswoman and presenter. My television programme: Eku Oro Aje, is set to hit the TV soon. So, people should watch out for it on the local stations and also Africa Magic Yoruba. I am into the sale of all kinds of human hair. I have my own brand called Jophan hair.

My view on toning I don’t believe in changing my skin colour in order to look more beautiful. I can use products that will make my skin glow and fresh but definitely, not change my skin colour.

Description of self I am a God-fearing lady, very straightforward and blunt. I hate lies. I like chatting with intelligent people. I love fashion, good food and music.

Marital status I am single not searching. Qualities I want in a man I want a man who is God fearing, intelligent, caring, and generous and is fashion conscious. I like fine guys.

Philosophy of life Life is what you make out of it. Definition of style My definitions of style are simple, classy, and elegant. I really don’t follow fashion trends, I just go for nice and classy stuffs.

On whether I can marry a fellow actor No, because the nature of my job is time consuming and if I don’t have time to stay with the kids and be at home, my husband can always fill in the gap but in a case where I am out and my husband is also not at home, it will affect the kids and the home in general.

Favourite designers I am not a designer-freak but I love Zara, Michael Kors and Louis Vuitton.

How I handle advances from male fans I handle them the best way I can because they are my fans and I can’t chase them away.

On the allegations that human hair are sourced from dead people. I get mine directly from the factory depending on the origin I want. But I get them mostly from China. It is also not true that it is mammy water’s hair. We have donors from different parts of the world

I am not a fan of people exposing sensitive parts of their bodies, because we believe so much in morals in this part of the world and morally, I feel it’s not good.

With Tayo Gesinde temiligali03@yahoo.com 08054727801

Opinion on provocative dressing I am not a fan of people exposing sensitive parts of their bodies because we believe so much in morals in this part of the world and morally, I feel it’s not good.

me not working and just acting alone. So I worked in Etisalat for about three years, but I later resigned because I had a strong feeling that I was wasting away and wasn’t fulfilling my purpose.

Pains and gains of being a celebrity The major pain is that there is no privacy. What an ordinary person will do and people will overlook, when we do it, people won’t overlook it because we are celebrities. The gains are; special recognitions, endorsements and gifts from fans.

like Brazil, Peru, Malaysia and so on. The reason people prefer their hair is because they have better and stronger hair textures than we do in Africa. How to detect fake human hair The best way to know if a human hair is fake or original is to do a fire test. Pull out a strand and

burn it. If it smells like real hair then it is original. Beauty regimen I really don’t have a beauty regimen per se. I bathe, I rub my body with cream, wear my cloth and definitely must put on my perfume, wrist watch, brush and pack my hair nicely, wear my

Advice to aspiring actors My advice to aspiring actors is that they should work hard and make patience their watchword. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Hard work plus perseverance plus prayers equals success. Parting word to my fans I want to say a very big thank you to all my fans. Thanks for your love and support. May God continually bless and keep you. I love you all.

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

thepolity PDP can’t come back to power —Opara

Chief Perry Opara is the national chairman of the yet-to-be-registered Peoples Mega Party (PMP). He joined Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2010 and became the Director, Contact and Mobilisation for the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) in 2011, before dumping the PDP after the defeat of the party in 2015. He told AYODELE ADESANMI what led to the fall of the PDP in the 2015 elections and the reasons behind the formation of the PMP. Excerpts:

OU were an influential member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and very close to the former president Goodluck Jonathan. At what point did you fall out with the party? I joined the PDP in 2010 immediately after the expiration of my tenure as the national chairman of the National Unity Party (NUP). l formed the party in 2006 and became its national chairman. I later joined the PDP and it was at the time he was the acting president. During the 2011, I was one of the people that wanted Goodluck Jonathan to become the president then. I came on board to support him. In fact, I was one of the people that formed the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) and I became the executive director of the group and later rose to become the director, contact and mobilisation. We ran a wonderful campaign for Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 and he won the election. I also worked in the political hub of the presidency with Alhaji Ahmed Gulak and others to ensure that he succeeds in government. But unfortunately, in 2013, 2014, he lost grip of the party and equally lost the grip of Nigeria. He could not control things anymore in the country. In 2015, he ran an untidy campaign and he eventually lost the election. I discovered very early that there was what one may call a gang-up against him and besides that, there was an agenda that PDP had to return the presidency of the party to the North. Immediately after the election, we wanted to see how we could reorganise the party and inject ideas into it in a way that would attract more people to the party, even if it would mean changing the name of the party and a whole lot of things. But most importantly, there was need for attitudinal change of the managers of the party. Unfortunately, it was not forthcoming. Luckily, we ran to former president of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, to give leadership to our group to ensure that we rebrand PDP. With the frustration experienced, there is nothing we can do but to begin to look for an alternative. That was why the idea of making something ‘mega’ came about, because PDP has become a smaller party after 2015 elections. On the 1st of March, the party was formed during a national executive meeting. We adopted the name Peoples Mega Party (PMP). To you former President Jonathan failed. But who are the people behind that failure? Former President Jonathan allowed

Chief Perry Opara

people, especially younger elements in his government, to control the affairs of the party and that was what gave rise to his failure and he didn’t understand it. When the results, of the election started coming it was like a thunderbolt that hit him. So when the result started trickling in from states, particularly from the North, he felt some people had betrayed him.

what it has done and what it is going to do, was busy talking about Buhari’s wife and children, among others. Honestly, those things were not issues Nigerians were interested in Nigerians want to know what are you going to do for them. What your agenda is for the youth; what is your agenda for the women; PDP government took Nigeria for a ride and it paid dearly for it.

You said Jonathan’s campaign wasn’t properly organised and that his performance was not publicised enough, was that why he lost? He didn’t invest in propaganda; propaganda is an essential tool in politics. The All Progressives Congress (APC) employed experts in perception management. Buhari was rebranded; he wore suit. He started working like a president even when he was not. They repackaged him. His campaign was superb and they invested money in campaign. They invested money on issues. They even promised a lot that up till know they have not done. Nigerians got convinced that change has come. Jonathan’s caqmpaign, instead of telling Nigerians

Are you saying PDP is now history? The party has finished its 16 years rule. It has its scorecard. It will not come back to power. Presently, the party has about 11 governors, more than 40 senators, more than 100 House of Representatives members. Those elected officers will remain in power till 2019. If the party will come back, never under the umbrella of the PDP. I received calls from both serving PDP members and non-serving PDP, members saying that they are coming and we would recognise them as internally displaced politicians (IDPs). We are waiting for May 21st, 2016 when the PDP convention would be held and that convention would mark the end of the party.

What is the ideology of the Peoples Mega Party? This party is people-oriented, a mass movement, a party for the people. That is why we are using a bottom-up approach. We have adopted the option A4 as introduced by Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former NEC chairman and we would organise a standard convention like what you are seeing in America now. One person wins in state A and loses in state B and by the time you collate all, you will know their strength. Whoever that will be the president of the country under Peoples Mega Party should win at least reasonable percentage across board. That is what we are going to introduce and never again shall we sell party form for N10 million, N5million and so on, because there are people who are popular, who are not billionaires. You have to open the political space so that young men can run for governor. People like Orji Uzor Kalu became governor before the age of 40; people like Donald Duke became governor before the age of 40. In 2019 under PMP, young men will run for elections, women will be given opportunity to run. Our own primaries will start well ahead of time. If you want to run for governor, you must make at least 24 months preparation before the election. Mega Party will give everybody opportunity to participate in the election- the youths, the journalists who are popular, Okada riders, taxi drivers, teachers, among others. Who are the people behind PMP? Nigerians always ask for who is behind and they don’t want to know who’s in front. It is important to know who’s in front not who’s behind. I want to tell you that this is a fulfillment of a prophetic mandate that God wants a change for Nigeria. God wants the youth and the women to participate in the governance of our fatherland that is what I can tell you. But it is not to mention names of so-called businessmen who have indicated interest in the party and people registered in the party. I don’t have the details of all our members at various wards. We have approached the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration and we know that registration is a constitutional matter. Once we fulfill the conditions, we would be registered. So we are very hopeful that we are going to be registered. The process is ongoing. We are not experimenting because we have done it before. I have registered a party in this country before; the constitution is still the same but with a little amendment.

interview

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

The problems with Nigeria’s presidential system —Isumonah

Professor Victor Isumonah teaches Political Science in the University of Ibadan. DARE ADEKANMBI and BANJO ALABI take him up on some of the issues begetting Nigeria’s socio-political climate, among other. Excerpts

HEN a person becomes a governor, he thinks first of immediate constituency before thinking about the rest of the state. The same thing applies to a person who becomes a president. How do you think Nigeria can overcome the problem of ethnicity and particularistic tendencies? The problem of citizenship in Nigeria is cultural and it is almost ingrained in everybody, political leaders at all levels. To transcend this problem, every Nigerian should be able to reflect on the current disposition to particularism. What has it helped us to achieve? Has it improved the efficiency of our system? Has it helped to make the system productive for the benefit of all? The reflection should also include an examination of the practice in other climes. Racism itself is an expression of particularism and most white people are guilty of it. In the same way, ethnicity is a problem in Nigeria. But generally, in white-populated countries, the practice is still largely towards universalism. The system there is efficient than ours. Nigeria has been independent for about 56 years and particularism has been the dominant principle for the organisation of the Nigerian state and the distribution of privileges. 56 years is long enough for stock-taking. People are appointed on the basis of ethnic origin. This has been responsible for the collapse of many public institutions like the Nigerian Railway, Nigerian Airways and many others. So, if particularism has not produced an efficient system and served the interest of a larger public, then it is time we began to rethink it. Universalism is better because it embraces the welfare of the majority. Rather than treating one part of the country exclusively or devoting more attention to the welfare or a section of the country, a universal leader thinks about the welfare of all. There are many disadvantages of particularism. If someone takes state funds to provide a good house for himself or herself with toilets and other facilities, can that person always take the building or the toilet around with him or her? That is the limitation of self-interest. If that person contributes to a system that works and ensures that the facilities are everywhere and accessible, then such person will enjoy wherever he or she goes. This is why we should be universalistic in our attitude. Particularism does not pay us as a country. In your admonition to the political class to learn to use universal language while plying their political trade, you commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his ‘I belong to nobody but to everybody’ statement in his inaugural address. But soon after that statement came outcry that he has given more appointments to northerners than southerners.

authority. In the parliamentary system, authority is split more or less between the prime minister and the president.

Professor Victor Isumonah

When I cited him, I only used the statement to illustrate the use of universal language to mobilise and get others to sheathe their swords after a competition. Election is a form of war in Nigeria. Though it ought not to involve the use of physical weapons, in Nigeria it does involve weapon. There is a lot of verbal war in politics. But at the end of the election and the outcome announced, those declared winners have tended to, while celebrating their victories, accommodate those who lost. I was trying to say that such expression, as Buhari used, can soothe frayed nerves. I wasn’t suggesting that those who use such expression follow through such statements. But in the context of the argument for universalism, such leaders should follow through such expression and be fair to all. A president, for instance, has the whole country as his constituency at the end of an election. If the leader is aware of that and is sensitive to diversity in the appointment of functionaries and has policies that those functionaries, appointed on the basis of competence, can assist him to implement, if not all, the majority will be satisfied. Your question depends on who is reacting. When the president started out to make his appointments, there was an outcry that a majority of the appointments were going to the North. But when he announced his cabinet, from what I read

in the newspapers, the feeling was moderated by the composition of the cabinet, particularly on the assignment of portfolios, struck a lot of interest. Babatunde Fashola, former Lagos State governor, was made, as they said, a super minister. So, from the point of view of the Yoruba people of the South-West, President Buhari compensated them in that area. I think by now, we should be moving away from considering who holds what office. I know this is relevant in a diverse society like ours, because people think, if we can’t we have an efficient public service, they can ameliorate their condition if they have one of their own in certain office. People think those who are likely to be accessible to them are people from their own ethnic group or of the same religion. We need to organise Nigeria in such a way that those who hold offices will perform their duties very well, irrespective of religion or ethnic affiliation. Public service in Nigeria has not been organised to emphasise performance. This is why people take interest in who and who occupy what office. But do you think the presidential system of government is good for Nigeria? There was a reason for the adoption of the presidential system of government in Nigeria. The primary reason was that the presidential system allows for a unity of

But the prime minister is more powerful than the president… That is in a system where there is no conscious attempt by one to manipulate towards a certain objective. What happened in 1965 when there was an election with the parliamentary system of government in place? The party with the largest number of parliament seats is entitled to form the government. But it required the president to provide leadership. After that election, President Nnamdi Azikiwe felt that the outcome of the election was manipulated in favour of the ruling party, the Northern Peoples Congress, and he felt reluctant. If the outcome of the election was a product of fairness, that conflict would not arise. So, some people felt the problem arose because of lack of unity of authority. So, they recommended the presidential system as an alternative. The presidential system borrowed from the US has worked for that country for over 200 years. Like Professor Ekeh said in his inaugural lecture, when we borrow institution or culture without the values that oil them in the clime where it is borrowed, it is not going to work. So, the problem is not in the borrowed system but with the refusal to borrow also the oil that makes it work. For example, the presidential system requires that the president should appoint a minister from each state. That is also a requirement of the constitution to avoid the domination of a particular section in the cabinet. But do you think a president can observe the letters and not the spirit of that constitutional provision? For instance, if he is appointing a minister from a given state and that minister is very unpopular with the people. This usually ignites conflicts. You don’t see anything wrong in the duplication of offices at various levels which presidentialism encourages? By nature, it is expensive. But it becomes over expensive in our own clime here because there is tendency towards over-remuneration of political office holders. Nigeria’s political class ranks among the most remunerated compared to other countries of the world. So, it is not just the problem of the number of functionaries, but also of what remuneration is attached. Presidentialism demands the appointment of a large number of functionaries, but who are remunerated reasonably and this should not affect the efficiency of the system. We appoint many advisers just for patronage and those so appointed don’t take the job seriously. If they are appointed to deliver services, then their appointment ought not be a liability to the system, but should help those who appointed them to realise their objectives for members of the public.

interview

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Why I want to run for Edo governorship —Esele, former TUC president

Former president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele is aspiring to become governor of Edo State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He speaks with BANJI ALUKO on his ambition, how he plans to win the ticket of the APC, the challenges in the oil sector and other issues.

FTER romancing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC, you appeared to have finally settled for the APC. Why the choice of APC? I was never a member of the PDP and I never romanced the PDP.

there. I was a board member of NEITI. Go there and find out my roles. I was a board member of PPPRA, go there and find out my roles. I was also invited to Germany as one of the young leaders in the world. 25 of us were selected all over the world and I was the only person invited from Nigeria.

But you were part of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SUREP). I was a representative of the TUC. Putting me in SURE-P was a TUC decision. The rule setting up SURE-P was that NLC and TUC would be part of it. NLC also had a representative there. I was not put there as a PDP member. I was never a member of the PDP. APC is the first political party I’m having its card. You are in a race many are saying has been concluded, as the governor has already endorsed one of the aspirants. The governor has the right to show his preference. I’m not going to take away the governor’s right, because I want to become governor. The power to choose who the candidate will be, however, is in the hands of the delegates. We are all meeting with the delegates and we are discussing. At the end, the delegates will make a choice. The appeal I have been making is that a levelplaying field is provided for the aspirants. I will keep emphasising that. Are you optimistic of winning this primary despite the fact that career politicians and powerful men in the race? When Oshiomhole came, they described him as a greenhorn. They said union politics was different from the other politics. But politics is politics. The same principles apply. It is in practice and in context that you have differences. It appeared Governor Oshiomhole received the support of the politicians when he entered the race. Anything you want to achieve in politics, you can’t do it alone. You also need to reach out. Politics is all about connections, who you know and your credibility. Politics has several variables. The first thing Oshiomhole had was credibility; I have that credibility. Of course, you don’t expect me to join the race without having someone telling me to get into the race. The first thing is that I have made up my mind to run and become the governor of Edo State. People have asked me why I didn’t try the Senate or House of Representatives, but I tell them that it is the government house that I’m targeting. The good thing is that I’m talking to people and I’m laying my views and visions to them. Each time I meet the delegates, I always tell them not to allow the election to be about the highest bidder but about the person who can guarantee our today and secure our future. I believe I’m that person. If the election is free and fair and I don’t get it, fine. If it is, however, not free and fair and I don’t get it, I will

Comrade Peter Esele

have an issue with that. What action would you take then? When we get to the bridge, we will know how to cross it. Right now, I believe and hope that the party will manage its success very well in the primaries, because we still have the main election. Of course, the main election is against the PDP. It is very important the APC manages its success so that the PDP doesn’t take advantage of a divided house Are you aware that your senatorial district has been tactically zoned out of the race? That is why the primaries will be interesting. It is as if some people have taken others for granted. During the primaries, you are going to have people saying “this is where I want to go and that is where I’m going.” There is a particular politician, who started saying that it was the turn of the South (Benin); the politician has been moving from one party to another. If he’s not the candidate of a party, he goes to another. His idea is that it is the turn of the South as long as he’s the candidate. The first argument was that the majority of the voters are in the South but you need to remember that Governor Oshiomhole defeated someone from the South during the last election. Some people believe that you are camouflaging and that your real target is to become deputy governor. Do you know how many local governments I have visited and what I’m going through right now? Do you know the number of sleepless night I have had and

the number of people I have met? You think I’m doing these things because I want to become a deputy governor? That’s an insult. If I want to become the deputy governor, I can reach out to whoever is the leading aspirant and negotiate so that I will not waste the energy and resources that I’m deploying now. If I want to become deputy governor, I know what to do. I think you have already seen people campaigning to become deputy governor. Even in the PDP, I have seen a couple of guys campaigning to become deputy governor. That tells you the kind of desperation we now have. I think this is the first time people are campaigning to become deputy governor. Does that mean you won’t take it if you are offered? Right now, no. Why will I want to become a deputy governor? What if you are offered the post after the primaries? Nobody has spoken to me about becoming a deputy governor and I don’t even think about it. I have prepared myself for this and I’m at my best when the stake is high. I spent my money to do the mapping of the 18 local government areas of the state. I have done my research on education. On culture, I went to the UK, the Vatican City and Rome. I don’t want to become governor because I want to answer the title; I want to become governor because I want to leave behind a legacy. I left PENGASSAN as president eight years ago and nothing happens there that they don’t inform me. Go to TUC, where I left three years ago, and ask about the role I played

What are your plans for Edo State? I have a three-way approach. No government can solve all the problems at a time. I have talked about education, agriculture and culture. In terms of education, Governor Oshiomhole has laid a foundation and I want to build upon it. I will greatly be concerned about the functionality of the education sector. What are they teaching under the red roof built by Oshiomhole? That will be my thrust. I will want to know if what they are teaching will make our children survive in the 21st century. If not, an approach will be evolved. I will use agriculture to diversify the economy. We will look at every benefit that can come from a particular crop. Palm oil, for instance, thrives in all the three senatorial districts of Edo State. How much do you need to set up a palm oil mill? N500 million. I have done the study. If all Edo a State will be known for is palm oil, so be it. We have timber, rubber and so many others, but we have not taken advantage of them. The third aspect is the need to teach our children our culture. I will ensure that the dominant languages in the three senatorial districts are taught in the primary and secondary schools. The essence is to deepen our culture and ensure that our languages do not go into extinction. We need to tell our own stories. Do you know that there were street lights in the streets of Benin as far as the 16th century? The great China wall was a child’s play to the Benin moat. In the 16th century, we were more civilised than the British and we had law and order in the Benin Kingdom that stretches from Benin City to the modern day Benin Republic. You were once a major player in the nation’s petroleum sector. What is the problem in that sector and how can the endless fuel crisis be solved? This same problem will repeat itself whether in the third or fourth quarter of the year; whatever we are doing now is a short term solution. The first thing is that there is an indirect reintroduction of subsidy; they call it under-recovery. We are supposed to be paying N91 or N92 now, but we are paying N86. The shortfall is being paid by you and I from the money government took from us. In the last four months, we were paying N10 more. We were supposed to be paying N76. Then government was saving N400 million every day. Now we are supposed to pay more but we are paying less. If the price of crude oil gets as far as $60 or more, what are we going to do? It means you have to bring in subsidy again. You will then have the challenge of sourcing for Continues pg 30

opinion

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

How Oyeyemi monitored the last Easter patrol By Sani Abdullahi

ASTER celebration is one of the challenging periods of operations for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as it creates opportunity for Nigerians to travel en mass from where they stay to their traditional homes to observe the feast. The mass movement of people and vehicles with accompanying hazards, therefore, makes it imperative that FRSC puts necessary measures in place to avert obstructions, crashes and other road hazards through adequate deployment of its personnel and logistics as well as monitors from the National Headquarters to supervise the field operations. The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, a dogged operational planner introduced a new dimension to the monitoring exercise during this year’s Easter operations when he took his monitoring to the North-Western parts of the country instead of the South as had been the case in the past. As soon as he commenced the monitoring from Abuja on Saturday, 26th March 2016 through the ever busy Abuja-Kaduna- Kano road, drivers with penchant for speed violation realized that the act would not be condoned. In the same way, articulated vehicle drivers who always take over the speed lane as if they were the only ones on the road had to be consistently pulled over to the slow lane by the team before passing them. That was the operational strategy adopted throughput the period of about five hours journey from Abuja to Kano. On his arrival in the city, the first point of call of the Corps Marshal was the Kano state sector command of the FRSC, where he urged the staff to remain vigilant to ensure hitchfree Easter celebration. From the office, he proceeded to the Government House Kano, where he was received by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who commended him for his commitment to issues of road safety and assured him of the readiness of the state government to collaborate with the FRSC to create safe road environments in the country. In his remarks, Oyeyemi informed the Governor that he was in the state to monitor the Easter special patrol and particularly commiserate with the government and people of the state on the fire incident which occurred in one of the markets in the state. Throughout the period of his stay in the state, the FRSC Boss continued to receive update reports on traffic situations within the Zone and across the country. But on his return trip from Kano, he decided to use the road monitoring exercise as an opportunity to visit some of the FRSC Commands located along the highways to see things himself. And he indeed, saw so many things that required his attention which he attended to promptly to the admiration of the Officers and Marshals of the affected Commands. For instance, at the Chiromawa unit command located after Kano city, the Corps Marshal approved the connection of the office to the National Grid to address the challenge of electricity supply, while also directing the head of Logistics to immediately effect repairs on the Command’s Motorbike. When informed that work has been suspended on the Ambulance point being constructed by the World Bank, he directed the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to get to the root of the problem for immediate resumption of work, as he directed the Corps Medical Officer (CMRO) to take necessary steps to post more paramedics staff to the Command. In addition, he gave directives that the height of the perim-

eter fencing of the Command be increased for security reasons and for more personnel to be deployed there to enable it tackle the challenges of overloading which is rampart in the area. All other Commands he visited including Tasha-Yaro, Kakau, Doka and Kateri received one form of attention or the other. For instance, at Tasha Yaro Unit Command, its Ambulance had its four tyres replaced, while the World Bank heavy duty tow truck under Kakau Unit Command in Kaduna state got approval for replacement of its 12 tyres, batteries and towing ropes. The same gesture was extended to Doka Ambulance point where the four tyres of its Ambulance’s were replaced, with the promise of a generator to take care of its electricity needs in the night. There was no doubt that the Corps Marshal’s monitoring exercise was an eye opener to most drivers that came across the team with many of them confessing that they didn’t realize onetime that it was the Corps marshal himself that was leading, as they had to contend with driving within the stipulated speed limits contrary to their usual penchant for speed violation. That was why at the press briefing he addressed on Thursday, 31st March 2016 to give updates on the Easter special patrol, Oyeyemi did not mince words when he told the reporters that the six days special patrol was a huge success, and recalled that all the critical indices when compared with same period last year showed significant improvements. “In terms of arrests made between last year and this year, while 7, 794 traffic offenders were apprehended in 2015, the number reduced to 6, 223 this year, which is 20 percent decrease,” he stated. “Furthermore, while 115 crashes were recorded in 2015, this reduced to 98 this year, making 15 percent decrease. In terms of number of people involved in the crashes, while 885 people were involved in 2015, this reduced to 600 this year, making 32 percent reduction,” Oyeyemi

further stated. The Corps Marshal further disclosed in the address that while 85 people were killed in 2015, the number reduced to 77 this year, making 9 percent reduction, adding that against 463 people injured in 2015, the number reduced to 358 this year, which is 23 percent decrease. “The comparative analysis of the number of people rescued alive last year and this year showed that while 338 were rescued alive in 2015, this reduced to 165 this year making 51 percent decrease,” he stated. Oyeyemi further disclosed that in line with the decision of the Management, Mobile Courts were held across the country to summarily try traffic violators, of which a total of five hundred and fifty nine (559) were arraigned, with five hundred and eighteen (518) of them getting convictions. He added that forty one (41) were discharged, with none being convicted to prison terms. The Corps Marshal thumbed up for the success of the campaign on use of seatbelt, especially by drivers and front seat passengers, he however conceded that more advocacy would be done to convince backseat passengers on the necessity to wear seatbelt while riding in a vehicle. On the whole, the consensus was that this year’s Easter special patrol by the FRSC and the impromptu visits paid by the Corps Marshal to some Commands provided him another opportunity to appreciate the capability and logistics challenges of the Commands. It further created public awareness, saved lives and secured the roads for the teaming road travelers. That was why the Corps Marshal reassured the nation in his address that, “FRSC will continue to deploy appropriate measures that could lead to the attainment of safer road environments in the remaining parts of the year.” • Superintendent Route Commander Abdullahi wrote from Abuja.

interview

‘Fuel scarcity’ll recur in third or fourth quarter of 2016 unless…’ Continues pg 29 forex. When the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) talked about price modulation, their definition of price modulation was different from mine. Price modulation means you can give a bound, like sell the product between here and there. I don’t understand a bound of 50 kobo; I don’t know how we can get around that. The first thing is that if we had enough reserve when the prices were down, we could have got a 90-day stock. In the past, we

used to hear of 90-day stock but we have discovered that the 90-day stock only existed on papers. If we had 90-day stock, we will not be in the situation we are now. The major challenge is to find out the oil and gas policy of the present government. It is when you know the oil and gas policy of the government that you will decide what to follow. Right now, nobody truly knows the oil and gas policy of government. Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was to liberalise the industry and make everything run on its own; as long as things are not running the way they should go, we

will continue to have problems. The short term measure will not help. We will still have about a year or two to go and hope that Dangote Refinery comes up in 2018. If you ask me, that is our major hope. I hope when the refinery comes, it will take over our domestic needs. So, periodically, this scarcity will come. If you listen to the way the Minister of State for Petroleum talked, you will know that this is a short term measure. He knows there are tough decisions to be made but those decisions are not his to make; only the president can make those decisions.

interview

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

We’ve sanctioned CP, 19 others —Shogunle

In his effort to check impunity among police officers, the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase created the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) to bring the people closer to the police. The officer in charge of the unit, CSP Abayomi Shogunle, speaks with Abuja Bureau Chief, CHRIS AGBAMBU and GLORIA ADETOLA on the achievements of the CRU in the last five months, and how a quite number of police officers including DPOs and Area Commanders have faced disciplinary actions, among others. Excerpts:

OW that the Complaint Response Unit CRU is five months old, what are your achievements? Generally, what I can call the achievements of CRU, from evidence so far gathered, the CRU has been able to change the way the police relate with the public and the way the public relates with the police. I will just simply say that the CRU has changed the mode of interaction between the police and the public. It is making the police to be more accountable to the public and the members of the public are happy about this because it has affected the way police officers go about conducting their day-to-day activities in the sense that people can ask questions. So, in essence what you are saying now is that the CRU has helped to reduce misbehaviour among police men while on duty? Absolutely, there is no doubt about it. We are all aware that in the past, there was difficulty in making complaints regarding professional police conduct because it is like there was really nobody to report to, to the extent that police officers continue with their act of misconduct. We have the headquarters in Abuja and something happens in Lagos, which is about 800 kilometres away and or like in Rivers, Borno, Sokoto which is quite a distance from Abuja. Who will the common man have reported to? In the past, practically there was nobody. But now we have CRU where, with N4 text message, you can lay a complaint and it will receive the attention of the IGP and the required action is taken. I think that is going a long way in bringing the public closer to the police and that is even part of the reason the CRU was established. You could also look at the fact that, at the moment, there is no national emergency centre for the country. What we have is one or two states having emergency centres and people having issues calling the control room. The CRU is filling that gap now. That means, if you have the contact of the CRU, you can travel from any part of the country to the other and if you are in distress, you can still call the same CRU number. You don’t need to be copying different phone numbers each time you travel from one country to the other. And to a great extent, I think the CRU is filling the gap which we had in the past regarding police response, regarding resolving complaints in the past. How many officers have been sanctioned since the establishment of the centre? Up till the end of March 2016, a total of 20 officers cutting across all ranks from constable and commissioner of police have been sanctioned and the sanctions vary from official queries, different queries stipulated under the Police Act and Civil regulations and some of these Acts

is awareness about the CRU. Though not to the extent we think it should be, we are working at ensuring that members of the public in the grassroots, especially in the rural areas, are also aware about the activities of the CRU. In a nutshell, you are saying now Nigerians have finally come to terms with the CRU? Of course, people are beginning to be aware and we are also seeing personal testimonies from members of the public regarding their interaction with the CRU; regarding how their complaints have been resolved. We have been seeing this as well and the only thing we can do is to build on this. The slogan of CRU is «No to Impunity», everyone will be held accountable and there is consequence for every action taken by any police officer irrespective of the rank of officer. So what are you future plans? As I have stated, we are working towards CRU filling the existing gaps. There are certain things that should be in place for things to run the way it should run and where we see this gap, the CRU will be filling them up. The issue of national emergency centre, there is none for now in the country. CRU is filling this gap where anybody from any part of the country can report an emergency and the CRU takes it up with an appropriate response to such distress call. CSP Abayomi Shogunle

also include transfer of officers from one state command to another. Recently, the CRU picked up a complaint from members of the public in Sagamu, Ogun State, where there was a demonstration against a particular DPO and the case was looked into and part of the sanctions given to the DPO was his transfer from Ogun to Kogi State. These are parts of the disciplinary actions you are seeing and they will send the right signal to other officers that, if they do something similar, if they act in an unprofessional manner similar, they will get the same treatment. So, it also keeps the officers in check as well. From your report in first quarter, the complaints of Lagos remain high. What can you attribute this to? We are trying as much as possible in CRU to provide scientifically based solutions to problems. It is one thing to have a problem; it is another thing to proffer the real solution after due study and analysis of the problem and this we are currently doing. If you check the highlight of the 2016 first quarter, it stated that Lagos State remains the command with the highest number of complaints since inception of this unit. We are also studying the pattern of these complaints from La-

gos. We want to draw out a pattern for the complaints. We want to see the involvement of different categories of officers in Lagos so that we can make appropriate recommendations to the IGP on how best we think this can be addressed. In the first 100 days of the report, Lagos accounted for about 30 per cent of the whole report from across the federation. In the current report, Lagos state is responsible for 22.68 of the total report. So, in the coming days, we are going to make appropriate recommendations to the IGP on how we believe this can be resolved. It is also positive to state that, generally from the whole federation, we have seen a decline in the complaints being made compared to previous reports we released. Particularly, we have discovered that in 10 states, namely Bayelsa, Benue, Ebonyi, FCT, Kano, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Zamfara states, we have seen a steady decline in the number of cases in January through March 2016. What this means is that from January to March, we have seen a consistent reduction of cases of complaints. Also, when you look at Kebbi State, we are yet to receive any complaints from the state since the establishment of the CRU and to us we also see this as a positive development because in all the states there

What is your advice to officers who have misconduct tendencies? This is the era of rule of law. Gone are the days of impunity; everyone will be held accountable for whatever he or she does. My advice to police officers is that they should abide by the rules laid down because any deviation from the rules will attract the appropriate action. We all know what the law says; we know what the police code of conduct says; we know what the police regulations say. Nobody will be spared. To members of the public, there is no point struggling with a police officer. When they come in contact with any police officer whatever order he has given to them, they should please abide by the order. If at the end of the day, they are not satisfied with the order or not satisfied with the way they have been treated, they should make a complaint through any of our CRU platforms. They can call us on phone lines, send message, tweet at us and even send messages via whatsapp, BBM and their complaints will be looked into. That is better compared to having unnecessary fisticuffs with police officers which may turn out to be an issue of resisting arrest and obstruction the police officer in the line of his duty, which may now lead to a criminal case against such person. So, there is no point struggling with a police officer. Just do what he tells you and at the end of the day file a complaint and it would be looked into.

opinion

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Danladi Umar and his curious clearance By Tope Ajayi

HE Abubakar Bukola Saraki case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal may end up becoming the most controversial case in the history of our nation. At every point, new twists and turns come up. Last week, we saw how the Defence team filed an application accusing the Tribunal Chairman, Mr. Danladi Umar of bias and calling on him to recuse himself from the case. The motion was predicated on a 2012 case of bribery involving Umar and his Personal Assistant, Gambo Abdullahi. The Tribunal Chairman was said to have demanded a bribe of N10 million from a defendant who had a case before him. The complainant, Mr. Rasheed Taiwo, a retired Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, was said to have paid N1.8 million to Umar through his Personal Assistant, Abdullahi. Consequently, Umar has been on administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since then. It was on this basis that Saraki’s lawyers filed a motion last week asking Mr. Umar to recuse himself from the case because of his relationship with EFCC, which renders him vulnerable to manipulation by the agency, especially given that the preponderance of the evidence being used in the prosecution of Saraki and the principal witness are supplied by the EFCC. And the commission is the one prosecuting the Saraki case. However, Umar and the EFCC did the unthinkable. On the day that Saraki’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, filed the motion against the Tribunal chairman, Umar rushed to the EFCC and a 2015 report signed by former chairman of the agency, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde was quickly repackaged and issued as a certificate of clearance to Umar. The letter was originally written to the then Secretary to Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim. The report dated March 5, 2015 was titled Re-N10 Million Bribery Allegation Against Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja, has a file no EFCC/EC/SGF/03/56. In the report, the Commission stated as follow: “We refer to your letter ref. No. SGF.19./S.24/11/451 dated 23rd February 2015 on the above mentioned case reported by one Mr. Rasheed Taiwo (DCG rtd) of 6AB Milverton Road, Lagos against the Chairman of the Code

of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar and his Personal Assistant, one Gambo Abdullahi. “The complainant, who is facing charges at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, alleged that Justice Umar made direct demand for the sum of N10 million to quash the charges sometime in 2012. He disclosed that he was compelled to pay the sum of N1.8 million after persistent inundation with phone calls from Justice Umar, who received the bribe through the Zenith Bank account of one Ali Gambo Abdullahi, his personal Assistant, in December, 2012. “Investigation was extended to one Hon. Justice G.A Oguntade (rtd), who confirmed that the complainant informed him in 2012 of the issues he had at the Tribunal and the demand being made by Justice Umar. He disclosed that Justice Umar denied the allegation when he called him. “There are indications that the Tribunal Chairman might have demanded and collected money from the complainant through his said Personal Assistant. “However, efforts made to recover the telephone handset used by Justice Umar proved abortive, as he claimed that he had lost the telephone in 2012. This has made it impossible to subject it to independent scientific analysis with a view to corroborating the allegation. “In the same vein, the complainant could also not make available his telephone set for analysis on the grounds that he had lost it. Justice Umar also admitted that he met privately with the complainant in his chamber at the Tribunal. This is a most unethical and highly suspicious conduct on his part. “There is a prima facie evidence to however prosecute the Personal Assistant, Abdullahi, who could offer no coherent excuse for receiving N1.8million into his salary account from Taiwo, who is an accused person standing trial at the tribunal. The full money has been recovered from him in May 2014 and aptly registered as exhibit. The fact that he made two contradictory statements on the reason he was paid the money is clearly an attempt to cover up on the reason the money was paid to him. He has accordingly been charged to court in charge no. CR/137/2015 pending at the High Court of FCT, Abuja. “However the facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute him for the offence.

“Above is submitted for the information of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, please.” This was the letter that was quickly re-validated on the day Saraki’s lawyer filed the motion calling on Umar to recuse himself from the case. What EFCC simply did was to write a new cover letter to the same 2015 letter and forwarded it to the current SGF. This new letter, which was signed by one Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, secretary to the commission was captioned ‘RE: Investigation Report RE: N10million Bribery Allegation against the Chairman Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja has a reference NO: EFCC/P/NHRU/688/V.30/99, dated 20th April, 2016.’ Reads, ‘‘We would like to reiterate the commission’s position in regard to this matter as earlier communicated to you and stated that the allegations leveled against Justice Umar were mere suspicions and consequently insufficient to successfully prosecute the offence.” These are the letters that Umar was eagerly flashing in the Tribunal on the morning that Saraki’s lawyer proposed to move his motion. However, the letters raised many questions. The obvious question to ask was why did the EFCC consider it compelling to issue this “clearance” to Mr. Umar at this time, and on the same day that a motion was filed on the issue? Can the EFCC, which was simply instructed by the Office of the Attorney General to investigate a case issue a clearance? Does the assignment given to the commission not terminate at the point where it submitted its report to the Attorney General? Is the decision to prosecute or not, not that of the Attorney General? Can the EFCC clearance override the recommendation of the AG to then President Jonathan that based on the suspicion and the admission of “unethical conduct” established against Umar by the anti-graft agency, he is no longer fit to sit on the bench as chairman of the CCT? Is it not trite law that any cloud of reasonable suspicion of a judge invariably put to question the integrity of his court? And, quite significantly, how many suspects referred to the EFCC for investigation have been issued this type of curious clearance? Does this action of the commission not justify the widely held belief that the EFCC is being used by some forces to prejudice Umar and use him to nail Saraki? Many more questions awaiting reasonable answers. Ajayi writes from Lagos

Between assets declaration and money laundering testimony By Wale Akinola IT is no longer news that the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, is standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged false assets declaration while he held sway as governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011. He is facing a 13-count charge of anticipatory assets declaration. It is equally no news that that, while testifying before the tribunal, a witness, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Michael Wetkas, said he was part of the team that investigated the various petitions against Saraki from where it was allegedly discovered how he used his domestic aides to lodge funds he allegedly looted from the Kwara State government treasury into an account with the Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB. Abdul Adama, one of the aides, according to Wetkas, said he made cash lodgements 50 times into one account to the tune of between N600,000 and N900,000 in one day. Wetkas, in his testimony, also said the “defendant maintained three accounts with GTB, namely, naira account, US dollars account and pounds sterling account.” The witness went on: “The first account, which is a Naira account, was analysed and discovered that between 2005 and 2013, the account had total inflow and outflow of over N4billion. “The defendant was the governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011. Shortly after the expiration of his second term in 2011, the EFCC received several petitions from various groups. One of them is Kwara Freedom Network. While investigating the petitions, the EFCC received an intelligence report in 2014 about some suspicious transactions relating to the defendant. We also discovered that the major source of inflow into the naira account was loans taken from GTB within the period. The loan disbursement into the account was about N2.5 billion and other source of inflow into the account was massive cash lodgements by individuals. Other inflow was from Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited. My

Lord, it was also discovered that most inflows into the account was basically used for acquisition of properties. “The dollar account was also analysed. We discovered that the major source of inflow into the account was from Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited, which was over $2m. Another source of inflow into the account was from bureau de change companies, as well as cash lodgements by individuals. Analysis of the forms; some infractions were observed on some of the forms. “We discovered that property known as 15 Mcdonald, Ikoyi, Lagos, which was purchased through a company, Hitel Limited, was not declared in the forms. We also discovered that the two properties at 17A and 17B, Mcdonald, Ikoyi, Lagos were bought for an aggregate sum of N497.2m, in 2006.” The witness said the Senate President failed to declare another property at Plot 2A, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, which he bought for N325, 000, 000 between 2007 and 2008, through Carlisle Properties. He said the accused equally failed to declare property at 37A, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. He also said Saraki also failed to declare the property at No. 1, Targus Street, Maitama, Abuja, otherwise known as 2482, Cadastral Zone A06, Abuja, which he bought on September 16, 2003. Saraki was said to have also failed to declare No. 3 Targus Street, Maitama, Abuja otherwise known as 2482, Cadastral Zone A06, Abuja, which he acquired from Alhaji Attahiru Ad-

amu. He was also said to have failed to declare his leasehold interest in No. 42, Remi Fani-Kayode Street, Ikeja, Lagos, which he acquired through his company Skyview Properties Limited from Firs Finance Trust Limited. Certified True Copies of Saraki’s asset declaration forms, which he submitted to the CCB, marked KWSE001440, on assumption of office between 2003 and 2011, were admitted in evidence. Meanwhile, at another hearing of the case, the witness, under cross examination by Kanu Agabi, SAN, Saraki’s lawyer, admitted that he never investigated the petitions in Exhibits 11,12 and 13 tendered by the prosecution in the case. Wetkas equally admitted that investigating the assets declaration of the defendant did not form part of his schedule of duty even as he said that exhibits 3, 4 and 5, which were assets declaration forms of the defendant, were duly examined and stamped by the Code of Conduct Bureau. He added that there was nowhere in the petition they investigated that Saraki’s asset declaration was in contention. The chief witness also said there was nowhere the Senate President was investigated for assets declaration. However, from the proceedings so far at the CCT, the trend does not look like the accused is being tried for false assets declaration. All the testimonies point in one direction - money laundering. Meanwhile, the CCT Chairman, Mr Danladi Umar, continues to assume jurisdiction over the case even when the accused insists that his bias would not make him [Saraki] get justice in the trial. There is obvious hullabaloo over the Saraki prosecution. While some experts think it is a legal issue, which the CCT has jurisdiction over, others believe it is more a political witch-hunting, because the Senate President went against the position of his party, All Progressives Congress, APC, that he should not vie for the leadership of the National Assembly. Many of Saraki’s colleagues at the Senate seem to share the theory of witch-hunting by the ruling party, saying they are ready to swim or sink with him until he is proven guilty. • Akinola writes from Lagos.

NTIL the advent of the Boko Haram insurgency, the northern political establishment looked like a closely-knit institution where the voice of the elders remained the law. Everyone had lived under the illusion that in the North, the leaders hold sway and that whenever there is an infraction, once the leaders say stop. It becomes the law. That illusion was further stretched at the height of Boko Haram’s operations during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Not a few blamed the former president for not taking things from the point of view of the northern leaders who consistently retorted ‘they are our boys; we know how to handle them.’ Recall that when the former president visited Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and the main theatre of Boko Haram’s activities, the elders asked him to withdraw the military and leave them with “our boys.” The former president was then said to have asked the leaders to sign an undertaking that no life will be lost if he withdraws the military. Of course, no one came out to sign the undertaking and the terrorism festered. No matter what conclusion anyone would want to draw from the management of Boko Haram insurgency under Jonathan, the “we versus them” attitude of northern leaders created a groundswell of opposition to the government of the day and that provided a fertile ground for insurgency. Coupled with the attitude of the then opposition party, which tended to celebrate every Boko Haram incursion as a signal of failure of the then administration, the insurgents had a boom in their trade. It became obvious to all when President Muhammadu Buhari took over in May 2015 that only a concerted effort at tackling insurgency can get results for the country. The former opposition party, which is now in government, has now mounted a campaign for national cohesion in the war against the insurgents. But the damage has been done and some 20,000 souls have gone down already. While you cannot directly accuse the leaders of the North for the carnage we have seen as a result of the insurgency, it is clear that the hide and seek from the North did not provide the strong wherewithal for the former government to tackle, degrade or “technically defeat” Boko Haram. Now, the debate over the Grazing Reserve Bilsl is providing us with another opportunity to enable northern

24 April, 2016

the lynxeye with Taiwo adisa

08072000046 taiadisbabatj@gmail.com

Grazing reserves: The North can’t play the ostrich again

establishment showcase their crisis management skills. Social media activists immediately latched onto the bill even before the House of Representatives could deliberate its details. The Bills sponsored differently by two House members are meant to be consolidated and debated. The two bills essentially seek the establishment of Grazing Reserves and Cattle routes across the country through the setting up of the National Grazing Reserves Commission. This, in the view of the sponsors of the bills would help minimise incidence of clashes between Fulani herdsmen and crop farmers in all parts of the country. Good idea that is coming behind its time. That’s how I see the bill. We have read that some grazing reserves were actually delineated in the 1960s from the North to South

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and that these have been encroached upon over time. Those who seek the return of Grazing Reserves want government to take charge through the setting up of a commission. It is a pity that rather than think forward, proponents of this bills seek to take the country back to the pre-1960s and hope that the country would never move beyond that spot. Instead of seeking to do cattle rearing the way it is done in Argentina and other places in the West and East as well, we are seeking to encourage the backwardness of the cattle rearer so that his generations would still remain far from civilisation. And that is where the northern leaders come in. Every educated man in the country today knows that it is no longer profitable to rear cattle by grazing from location to location. Everyone out there, except the Fulani herdsmen themselves know that it is better and profitable to keep cows in one spot, feed them and draw milk at will. Statistics have shown that there are more yields and better nutritive value in that. The question is why are the northern leaders shying away from getting hold of Miyetti Allah, the umbrella group of Fulani herdsmen and educating them on the need for establishment of ranches? Why are we talking about grazing reserves in a fast growing population? Rather than speak boldly to the issue, some northern leaders are seeking to promote the backward idea of grazing reserves. Why can’t the northern leaders encourage the Miyetti Allah to organise themselves into cooperatives to establish ranches at the preferred places such that some women and interested parties can supply them enough feeds to take care of their animals. In truth, what Nigeria needs now is an organised cattle rearing system that would ensure the herdsmen follow the footsteps of their fellows in countries out there. Leaders of the North has a lot to do in reigning in the herdsmen, educating them on the need for them to abandon nomadic live and integrate properly into the society. Rather than hide their head under the sand like the proverbial ostrich, leaders of the North must come out boldly in marketing the new life to the Fulani. This is what will help the country avert the carnage we do not need. For, what I foresee is commotion of unimaginable magnitude. If armed Fulani herdsmen continue to attack communities, nothing would stop the victims to one day rise in unison against the aggressors. No sensible person wants to see that Armageddon.

opinion SON before and after Odumodu By Samuel Onuoha EXCEPT those who were deeply committed to the filthy lucre and corruption of the immediate past administration, everyone hailed the sacking of 26 chief executive officers of some federal agencies. Coming eight months and 17 days after taking office, most Nigerians desirous of change thought it was a bit too late and a little too insignificant, because there are over 500 of such agencies. The concerned ousted officers went on a PR blitz to portray themselves as indispensable in their organisations. But such gratuitous insult only offends more the sensibilities of Nigerians who are too anxious for change. The replaced officers should have known that there time was up long before they were removed. Like everything in life, some took the presidential order with equanimity; others derided it as a political exercise as if they didn’t get to the offices as a matter of political expediency. For instance, what value will the heads of the information agencies add to a Muhammadu Buhari Presidency when they were part of the hate campaign, disparagement and character assassination, individually and collectively, during the electioneering campaign? The head of the Army that could not trace his credentials because it wants to befog the populace about Buhari’s academic qualifications cannot be a loyal officer of the Federal Republic. He, at best, was a loyal officer to anybody in power. Change has come but many still deny it exists. The investigation, exposure and prosecution of actors on the diversion of arms money is enough to tell the tale in practical terms that it is no longer business as usual for the people of yesteryears. It remains undisputable that the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) installed some of these chief executives in office to watch the treasury by proxy for the leaders to have easy access to the commonwealth. But

with Buhari’s decision to sack the heads of the affected boards, no one can allege victimisation , as the First Lady, Patience Faka Jonathan’s brother, Tam George Aaron, remains SON’s director of finance. The wind of change is just inevitable. Displeased by PMB’s change of guard at SON, an article by Luke Onyekakeyah, in a national daily, described the SON as a shadow of itself without its erstwhile Director-General, Joseph Odumodu. “The success recorded so far by the agency in the fight against counterfeit industrial products in Nigeria would be a waste and we return to square one,” he argued. The change in all these agencies is not about personality or incompetence; it is in the mood of the nation and spirit of change. Before David there was Abraham and they both walked with the Lord. It is self-evident that Dr. John Ndanusa Akanya, Odumodu’s predecessor, was an administrative genius. At his instance, the Federal Executive Council considered and approved a recommendation by the then Minister of Commerce and Industry, Aliyu Modibbo Umar, under the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency to restrict headship of the Standard Organisation to technocrats within the agency. But that White Paper was upturned in the appointment of Odumodu.

As a journalist on the beat, Akanya’s integrity, professionalism and consistency, as well as uncommon zeal and passion, which he consistently demonstrated in the battle against substandard and unwholesome products and the promotion of local industries in Nigeria, recommended him to Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria, CICAN, as the Most Outstanding Public Servant in the Commerce and Industry sub-sector for 2009. To rubbish all these and allude to indispensability of an individual, I believe, is a disservice to humanity, Nigeria and SON. Odumodu could have tried, but garbing him in angelic robes is like turning truth on its head in the quest to cover ongoing reforms in the public service sector. The use of the words “Return to square one” in SON is inappropriate since it was the same Akanya’s administration that championed SONCAP and MANCAP to identify imported and local products which Odumodu inherited and sensationalised. It is also not truth that the standardisation laboratory was a baby of Odumodu. The truth is that it was a brainchild of Akanya and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). Before Odumodu’s appointment, Nigeria had committed N450m counterpart funding to it and five years after inheriting the project, it was still work in progress under Odumodu. Describing people who have failed the test of integrity, adaptability and loyalty as Messiah is hypocritical; the death of George Washington did not kill the American dream neither did Winston Churchill’s demise diminish the status of Britain. Public office is public trust; it is timebound and those in political position should learn that you never know in life - so make changes, even though it’s tough and do the things you want to do before it’s too late. • Mr Onuoha writes from Lagos.

24 April, 2016

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Fayose’s tit-for-tat with APC

R Ayodele Fayose needs little or no introduction. He is the mercurial, and at the same time, imperial, tempestuous as well as pedestrian governor of Ekiti state. He is the undertaker of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State and the undertaker of so-called progressive politics in that part of the country. He is a fledgling Adelabu Adegoke aka Penkelemesi and a Busari Adelakun aka Eruobodo all rolled into one. Like them, he flirted with progressivism before firmly pitching his tent with the conservatives. Unlike both who are Ibadan, Fayose aka Osoko is Ekiti. He dominates his environment in a way that will make military despot, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, envious. His opponents he has reduced to appearance only on television and the pages of newspapers. Perhaps, because of this unexpected success at home, he has ventured abroad with his own peculiar brand of politics, which has been derisively described as “stomach infrastructure” but which, like the “amala politics” of the late Lamidi Adelabu, the GOC of Ibadan politics, has resonated well with the downtrodden. Fayose may be Ekiti but the political blood that flows in his veins is that of errant Ibadan politicians of the schools mentioned above. What made those ones popular, successful, irresistible, and irrepressible may also be what is working for Fayose. Students as well as scholars of politics need to do dissertations on this genre. Ideally, Fayose ought to be struggling to survive politically and should have neither space nor respite for the kind of advocacy he has taken upon himself. Like his first, his second coming as governor has not been devoid of controversies of rigged polls, for which some military officers were recently penalised. The full powers of the Presidency under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan plus his own truculence saved him from impeachment for the few months he had to cohabit with an opposition-dominated House of Assembly. Being the governor of one of the nation’s poorest states, it is also a marvel where he gets the resources for his costly advocacy. There are many other hidden costs that Fayose and Ekiti will pay as a result of the governor’s posture – in terms of Federal Government largesse, for instance. Under Jonathan, while PDP governors benefitted from the ecological funds and other largesse, opposition parties were left out in the cold. I expect no less to happen to Fayose and Ekiti under the APC/Buhari administration. Fayose has assumed the position of the unofficial mouthpiece of the PDP. He started showing the traits long before Jonathan was booted out of office and APC/Buhari enthroned. There are three prongs to Fayose’s advocacy. One: His opposition to Buhari, first as presidential candidate and now as president. Two: His opposition to the politics of APC. Three: His opposition to the APC government of Buhari. While Buhari was running as candidate, Fayose did his best to convince Nigerians not to vote for him on account of his age and assumed ill-health. Fayose was so caustic and audacious in his choice of words that many accused him of wishing Buhari dead. He has not relented in his vitriolic attacks on Buhari. There are many who are aghast at Fayose’s demeaning attacks on the person and office of the president, saying it drags the high office in the mud. Fayose and PDP’s riposte is that APC and its leaders, while they were in the opposition, did no less to then President Jonathan. And they are damn right! What names, for instance, did Lai Mohammed, the APC spokesperson at that time, not call Jonathan – clueless, incompetent, Nero! What is sauce for the goose should also be sauce for the gander? But we should be learning our lessons right now: The office and person of the president deserves some respect. How the APC/Lai Mohamed treated Jonathan was bad. Fayose’s payback in the way he has treated and continues to treat Buhari is equally bad. When are we going to pull the punches?

When Jonathan was president, APC and its leaders celebrated every security misfortune that came his way, especially on the insurgency in the North-East and the Chibok girls’ case especially. Every bomb blast was an occasion for the then opposition party to lambast Jonathan and his government. Every raid by Boko Haram was celebrated and shown to Nigerians as evidence that Jonathan was ineffective and should be booted out. Very well, Nigerians have heeded the call and have booted out Jonathan; but has the suicide bombing stopped? Has Boko Haram been defeated? Has the Chibok girls been found, least of all being retrieved and brought back? It is two years hence; nearly one of it under the government of APC\ Buhari and nothing significant has been achieved on the Chibok girls. The truth of the matter, under Jonathan as well as under Buhari, is that insurgency is a difficult nut to crack. But APC mischievously made it look as if it was a bread-and-butter issue. Now they are there, why have they not quickly resolved the problem? They sold a dummy to Nigerians when they were in the opposition to give Jonathan and his government a bad name. It may also be that they were, in all honesty, ignorant of the difficult terrains that insurgency is. Now they know better! While in the opposition, APC petitioned the world powers not to sell arms to Jonathan and his government. When efforts to surreptitiously buy arms from South Africa failed and that country embarrassed us to no end, rather than close ranks, we celebrated the failure as Jonathan’s and pilloried the PDP to no end. Now, what is wrong in Fayose also writing to the Chinese asking them not to give the APC/Buhari government loans? It is tit-for-tat; but one that hurts the country, I must say. Asking for the loan is bad enough, because many Nigerians are opposed to this country increasing its debt stock, but fighting ourselves in the market place and giving an impression that our home front is in disarray por-

trays us in very bad light. What Fayose did in travelling to China to pursue a course opposed to the official position of the Federal Government does not dignify us. As governor and member of the Council of State, he has ample legroom to make his views heard on the matter without the rofo-rofo fight he engaged in on the international scene. But everyone understood he was trying to make a point. He was only serving APC its own bitter pill, which the then opposition party forced down Jonathan’s throat. But shouldn’t we find an end to such unnecessary embarrassment that diminishes us in the comity of nations? When we play dirty politics at home and tar the country’s image in the international arena and diminish its standing, the effects are long-lasting. The country does not automatically recover lost ground and status simply because new persons come into power. One of the stated reasons why Buhari is globe-trotting, according to him, is to repair the damage done to the country’s image during Jonathan’s tenure. I dare to say that much of that damage was done by the APC’s brinkmanship as opposition party. But I admonish Fayose not to add to or compound that problem. It is not only Buhari or APC that will suffer its adverse consequences but the country as a whole. In other climes, once elections are over, political leaders make concerted efforts to climb up the ladder from brinkmanship to statesmanship. Fayose as a state governor is a leader. He should live up to the billing. I can assure him APC and its leaders have learnt their lessons already and he should desist from flogging a dead horse. There are no quick fixes to the myriad problems afflicting this country – from the economic, social, political to security issues. APC as opposition party sweet-talked Nigerians, giving the impression it has a magic wand it would wave and the problems would just evaporate. Jonathan, we were told, was the only obstacle. Now Jonathan is out of the way – but what of the problems? I dare to say that but for the insurgency, which has diminished (kudos to APC/Buhari for that), all the others still bestride the country like a colossus. In fact, fuel scarcity and power outages have never before been this bad. Poverty looms large over the country, again, like never before. Suddenly, APC/Buhari are confessing they do not possess any magic wand! Not only that, they have even reneged on some of their election promises! They never knew the situation was this bad. I dare to say that they deliberately trivialised the issues at hand simply to demonise Jonathan/PDP. Now, they are roasting in their own pot of hot oil. To conclude: The office and person of the president must be accorded the deserved respect. The interests of Nigeria as a country must also be seen to supersede the partisan political interests of politicians and political parties. Drawing the line between what is good for us as a country vis-a-vis what is politically expedient is an imperative incumbent on all leaders. Incidentally and importantly, Fayose is one of the nation’s leaders. As a state governor, he, too, is the symbol of authority of Ekiti state, just like Buhari is for the entire country. I expect Fayose to be treated with the respect due his status and office as a state governor, regardless whatever reservations anyone may have of him. Let him know to accord similar respect to the man above him (i.e. Buhari) as well as those below him (i.e. local government chairmen). Nigeria operates a three-tier system of government, with each head of government vested with executive powers by the Constitution. Concerning the third leg of Fayose’s advocacy, which is holding the feet of this government to the fire, I encourage him to fire on, on all cylinders. Every true democracy needs vibrant opposition. Who provides it is immaterial; for, as the Yoruba adage goes: if a man sees a snake, a woman kills it; what is important is that the snake got killed.

24 April, 2016

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Economic hardship, evidence of godlessness —ECWA President

Reverend (Dr) Jeremiah Gado is the President of Evangelical Church of Wining All (ECWA). He was recently elected by the ECWA/TEKAN bloc in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to vie for the presidency of CAN in the election slated for May. In this interview with ISAAC SHOBAYO, he speaks on his aspiration, the proposed religious bill by the Kaduna State government, the abduction of the Chibok girls, among other issues. Excerpts:

ou were recently elected by the ECWA/TEKAN bloc within the fold of CAN to contest for the president of CAN. What led to your emergence? I would say two things; one God has a plan for all us. God has a divine purpose for each one of us. This is the path God has set for me from the day he saved me and called me to the ministry of reconciliation and the blueprint of my life is in the hands of God and designed by God. I see the hand of God in my emergence. He is the one who spoke to those who voted for me and also designed the path through which this will come into being.

commend the consciousness of the Christian community to that religious bill. Two years ago, over 200 girls were abducted from a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State and they are yet to be found. What is your assessment of government’s efforts in rescuing these girls? I think there is more to it than what we read in the newspapers and it is only those in government who have the information about these girls and know what to do. But our call all the time is that the government should do everything within its powers to secure the release of these girls. Some days ago, about 15 of those girls were shown in a video. That video has given many Nigerians a ray of hope that they are alive. We thank God that they are alive. I don’t know when the video was shot but that is evidence that they are still alive. We shall continue to pray to God to help the administration, the law enforcement agencies and speak to the heart of the abductors to release these girls. It is a shame and dent on the character of Nigerians as long as those girls are still held captive; it is an indictment against societies in Nigeria. We pray that government brings everything to bear to bring these girls to freedom and reunite them with their families.

After your emergence, some people kicked against your nomination within the bloc, alleging that due process was not followed. What actually transpired during that process? In any given situation, you will have people who will agree and as well people who will disagree. It is a God-given right for us to express ourselves. In an election, you have people who are against and those who are in support, for various reasons but once the election is concluded, everybody has to forget their differences and work for the common goal by supporting the candidate that has emerged. I need the support of those who voted for me and those who did not vote for me. There will always be differences in opinions but I can categorically tell you that we are not divided. CAN is polarised along denominational lines and this has always been the bane of unity in CAN. If you eventually win the election slated for May, how are you going to forge unity among members? Jesus in John 17 had already prayed for the unity of the church and God answered that prayer that as the body of Christ we should remain one. So, if that prayer has been answered, it is left for us as leaders to find ways of bringing it to pass. The way to foster unity is to emphasise the things that unite us. We have one Saviour, Jesus Christ, one baptism and one Bible, the word of God. So it is all about focusing on what unites us which is the gospel and Jesus Christ. The path has already been laid by God, and the more we stay away from it, the more divided we are. We shall bring attention to the essentials and, as much as possible, accommodate one another. The

essential things are the glory of God, the preaching of the gospel, and love for one another. What is the position of ECWA on the religious bill proposed by the Kaduna State government? The opinion of the General Church Council is that we commend the Kaduna State government for striving to ensure peaceful coexistence among the citizens of Kaduna State and, by and large, the citizens of Nigeria. That bill is an effort by the government to bring peace and minimise rancour and crisis. However, we caution the government on the flaws in the bill that would in turn negate Sections 38 and 39 of the constitution of the Federal Republic

Corruption war: My prophecies We’ve never have come Pg38 had it so good to pass —Apostle Suleman

—Bishop Popoola

Pg37

of Nigeria, so that bill must not be rushed. All those that would be affected by the bill must be consulted. The process must be meticulous. Christians have faced much persecution, oppression, subjugation and marginalisation. So when you are burnt by fire, the next time you see ashes, you will run away. We have gone through a lot but anything concerning a bill on religion, we are cautious because of the trauma we have gone through in Nigeria. In the past, Christians have been oppressed and not given a fair chance to blossom, and there is always a means to discourage the expansion of Christianity in Nigeria, especially in northern Nigeria. So when a bill like this comes, we ask for the intention in that bill. So I commend the government but I also

Day I brought a dead baby back to life Pg39 —Prophet Fufeyin

What would you recommend as solution to current economic hardship? We sympathise with suffering Nigerians and we pray that God will take us out of the woods, and also that God would intervene through the administration or do it on His own. We also pray that God would restrain evil people who are being used as conduits to bring suffering on Nigerians. This is evidence of godlessness. The word of God says ‘Righteousness exalts a nation, sin is a reproach.’ We should seek to live righteously and ask God to forgive us our sins as a nation. We have sinned against God; we have kidnapped, told lies and performed all kinds of evil and God is not happy. My prayer is that God would have mercy on Nigerians, and we also pray that this government will do everything possible to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. It is a shame that a country that exports oil suffers from petrol scarcity; it is a misnomer, so something is wrong. I call upon Nigerians to reexamine ourselves and our ways because people are suffering. This government has been in office for one year, I am sure they are finding way to put an end to this and I pray that God bless this government to put an end to this. The government knows what is wrong, so let us pray for the government. Let us pray that God should give them the wisdom to fix it. If there are evil people that are perpetrating this, the government should bring them to book because their greed and selfishness is inflicting unending suffering on Nigerians.

36 tribunechurch

24 April, 2016

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churchnews Nigeria will be great again —Oke By Dare Adekanmbi

n spite of the current challenges in the land, Nigeria will still flourish and experience great prosperity as the torch-bearer to other nations of the world. The Presiding Bishop, Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Dr Francis Wale Oke, made the declaration last week, in a statement issued in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital by his Media Adviser, Mr Akinwale Aboluwade, at the end of the Advanced Ministers’ Seminar held at the SWAN hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Oke stated that it was worrisome that some forces were against the move to put the nation on the path of progress but expressed confidence that prayers and government’s determination would bring results. Oke recalled that the integrity of the country had

been battered since the regimes of former military heads of state, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and late Sani Abacha, saying that a new foundation was being laid. Making reference to the positive impact of “Operation Sampson Meeting”, a gathering of 30,000 whites addressed by Oke in the defunct Soviet Republic in 1991, the statement said that God had used the country and some of its citizens to affect the destiny of other countries, noting that “Nigeria will be great again.” “God is using Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi and Dr Ajayi Majebi to make impact. “God said since the 70s that he would use Nigeria to evangelise the world. We (SOTSM) have preached the gospel in, at least, 69 countries but that is just the beginning,” he stated.

From left, Synod Secretary, Vicar of Anglican Church on the Peninsula, V.G.C., Lagos, Venerable Segun Ladeinde; Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend (Dr) Adebola Ademowo and Assistant Synod Secretary/Principal of CMS Grammar School and Vicar of Church of the Nativity, Park-View Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, Venerable Tunde Oduwole, during a press briefing on the first session of the 33rd synod of the diocese of Lagos, expected to begin on May 1. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Ambode, 30 bishops to grace Lagos Anglican Diocese Synod Sylvester Okoruwa -Lagos LAGOS State governor, Ambode and over 30 bishops from different Anglican dioceses in Nigeria and laity delegates from different churches in the Diocese of Lagos will attend the first session of the 33rd Synod of the Diocese of Lagos on Monday, May 2 by 11:00a.m. at Our Saviour’s Church, Lagos. Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, the Most Reverend Ephraim Ademowo, while addressing journalists during a press briefing held last week in Lagos, said that the theme of this year’s synod is “The mark of the Church.” He said that the theme was to appreciate the founding fathers of the church who have made their mark and thereby encourage upcoming members of the clergy to work hard. According to Ademowo, the synod will open on Sunday, May 1, with a service at Cathedral of Christ Church, Marina, Lagos, by 4:00p.m., Monday, May 2, will be the opening ceremony, Wednesday 4th May will be the award cer-

emony. Those who will get awards include Archhbishop (Dr) Segun Okubadejo, Archbishop (Dr) Caleb Maduoma, Bishop Solomon Kutonu, Bishop Johnson Akinwamide Atere and Bishop (Dr) Alexander Chibozor Ibezim. Other notable personalities are Chief Tunde Afolabi and Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

From left, National President, Men’s Missionary Union, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Dr Dawari George; Convention President, Reverend (Dr) Supo Ayokunle; Convention Chairman, Reverend (Dr) Olumide Kehinde and the Marshal, Royal Ambassadors of Nigeria, Mr Ayo Adekunle, at the 2016 RA and Lydia Parade, during the recently concluded Nigerian Baptist Convention Session, held in Ilorin, Kwara State.

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oke-Ado celebrates 65th anniversary SAINTHOOD in the Catholic Church and the scripture as foundation for various sacraments will form part of the discussions for the 65th anniversary celebration of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Oyo State. According to a release signed by the Chairman, Planning Committee, Reverend Father Darlington Agubosim, there will be a

talk which will hold today, entitled, “Sainthood in the Catholic Church – Saint Joseph as a Case Study,” which will be delivered by Very Rev. Father Ezekiel Owoeye at noon. A phone-in radio session on Splash FM, which will focus on the scriptural

foundation of some Catholic practices, as well as a novelty football match between the Catholic Men Organisation and the Catholic Women organisation, will hold on Monday, April 25, at 2:00p.m. and 5:00p.m. respectively. This will be followed by

a three-day preparatory prayer between Tuesday, April 26 and Thurday, April 28, to be directed by Rev. Fr. Benedict Ugwoegbu, the grand finale, which will feature the church dedication by the Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan, Archbishop Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, will

take place on Saturday, April 30, by 10:00a.m, at the church premises. Archbishop Emeritus (Dr) Felix Alaba Job; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his wife, Florence and Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa, are special guests expected at the event.

Kaduna Baptist Conference wins RA/Lydia parade As Ayokunle urges RAs to march on for Christ The 2016 Royal Ambassadors and Lydia Parade of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) has been won by the Kaduna Baptist Conference, with Osun and Kwara conferences coming second and third respec-

tively. The parade, which is an annual event at the NBC’s annual convention session, was held at the Convention Ground, Ganmo, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, last weekend.

Speaking earlier, the president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Revd. (Dr) Supo Ayokunle, appreciated the leadership and members of the Royal Ambassadors for their roles in the NBC, charging them to march on

for Christ and march on their personal lives. The cleric further called on them to continue shining the light and following the exemplary life of Christ everywhere they found themselves.

37 tribunechurch

24 April, 2016

Corruption war: We’ve

Your Life Counts

never had it so good

—Bishop Popoola

Right Reverend James Popoola is the Bishop of Osun Anglican Diocese. In this interview with Oluwole Ige, he speaks about the preparedness of his diocese for this year’s synod, the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari, the role of the church in nation building, among other issues. Excerpts:

hat is your assessment of the anticorruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari? I want to say so far, so good. We have never had it as good as this. I believe that when you see what the Federal Government is doing now, you will see a total war against corruption. If they can go to the extent of asking the Senate President to explain what is wrong about his past life, particularly when he was the governor of Kwara State, you will know that the Federal Government is very serious about the fight against corruption. They have not covered him up at all. I just want to appeal that Nigerians should be patient with the Federal Government, while the government should also remain focused and be determined to fight the war to a logical conclusion because our leaders are very corrupt and that is why we have found ourselves in this mess. So, if we can instill sanity and discipline into the lives of Nigerians – both the leaders and the led – Nigeria would eventually emerge as a great country and there would be hope for a better tomorrow. I want to congratulate President Buhari on embarking on this total war against corruption and he should remain focused until the war is won. What role can the church play to discourage corruption in the country? That is why we have invited somebody to give a lecture on the role of the church in fighting corruption during the synod. The church is the conscience of the nation and the church in Nigeria should be actively involved in fighting corruption by not celebrating corrupt people. This is because when you see people that are corrupt and you invite them to receive awards and give donations, they would not see the seriousness and negative effects of corruption they are involved in. The church in Nigeria should be at the forefront of the fight against corruption by condemning the vices. Even, when their members are involved in corruption, they should condemn it in its entirety. The church should not celebrate corruption. This approach would make the people realise that corruption is wrong and they would avoid it. But, when the church celebrates corrupt people, that war against it would not be won. Men and women of integrity should be praised by the church, while corrupt people should be decried, not minding what they would give to the church. Some people are of the view that the current war by the Federal Government against corruption is selective and targeted at the members of the opposition. Do you subscribe to this view? I don’t think so. Nigeria is a very difficult country to govern. Whatever you do and no matter how noble it is, people would still complain and criticise your actions. I believe people who hold this view are the type who are deeply rooted in corruption. What they want to do is to disrupt the plans and policies of our leaders aimed at combating corruption and other vices. The war against corruption has not ended; it is still on even when they feel that it is only some people that are being prosecuted now. The war against corruption is not selective and I want the Federal Government to remain focused and make sure that even when some leaders in the ruling party are involved in corruption, they should be prosecuted. There is a concern regarding the high level of moral decadence in our society. What can the church do to address this menace? The role of the church is to preach the word of God; that is the main assignment. Through the messages that are preached, society would be reformed and the church would continue to do that. Of course, that has been our major concern although some people are saying that as

churches increase in number, so also is the growing level of moral decadence in the society. But, you can imagine what could have happened if there were no churches at all; the situation would have been terrible. The church should continue to preach against moral decadence and they should also encourage parents to look after their children so that they can grow in the ways of the Lord. What the churches and mosques can do is continuous preaching to uphold virtues and exhibition of good conduct by all categories of people. This year’s synod will take place between 28th April and May 1st. What is the plan of the diocese for this synod? Synod is an annual event and gathering of representatives of parishes in the diocese to take reports and also discuss how to forge ahead. This year we are preparing for the 30th anniversary of our diocese, which is coming up next year. So, this synod is being planned as preparation for that great anniversary. We will begin on the 28th of April with an opening service at St. John’s Anglican Church, Oba, while the closing service would be held on the 1st of May at St. Peter’s Church, Ede, because two archdeaconries are hosting the synod. We have also prepared to have some lectures within the synod so that we would be able to enlighten our members. The first lecture would be on the role of the church in the Continues on pg39

Sunday Tribune

by Tunde Jaiyebo 0803 406 2013

Living responsibly on purpose (1) When we look around it is sad how many people go about living their lives. Far too many people live as if they have another shot at life . . . they live without purpose. Many people engage in meaningless pursuits that have no bearing to making their lives worthwhile. Time is filtered away on trivial pursuits, talents are allowed to waste away and money is expended on things that are ephemeral. Some live life in the neutral. They simply vegetate being satisfied with the status quo. They do not aspire for greater heights as they are just content with their present level. Others simply live in the “land of the grumpy” – they are so disillusioned by the adversity of society that they now completely discontent and negative about life. They have become complacent and just coasting through life. "We cannot tell what may happen to you in the strange medley of life. But we can decide what happens to us - how we take it, what we do with it - and that is what really counts in the end." Joseph F. Newton To many they live life as if life has no meaning. They live carelessly, aimlessly and in a way that their lives do not make any meaning contribution. No life is useless but we must get a grip of life to make our lives count. Our attitude must be right. A wrong attitude is disastrous. "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." W. W. Ziege We indeed live in critically tough times but we must consciously live our lives with the clear understanding that we will all pass through this way once – we all have one life to live and we must ensure that this life counts. We can create our reality and make life worthwhile and meaningful not just for ourselves but for people around us and for the society. “You can accept reality, or you can persist in your purpose until reality accepts you.” ~Robert Brault “Never let the odds keep you from pursuing what you know in your heart you were mean to do.” Satchel Paige Making our lives count does not just happen. We cannot allow our lives to drift but we must live it wisely on purpose. We must live our lives purposefully in a way that our life can be summarized in a phrase or a sentence. We must live in a way that if we were to be asked to describe our life in a phrase or sentence, we should have no hesitation to share it without taking ages to come up with something to say. A life lived without purpose is a gamble of a life. “We should all be obliged to appear before a board every five years, and justify our existence... on pain of liquidation.” George Bernard Shaw If we have to take a “sabbatical leave” to research what is the summary of our lives is then, we are not living a life of purpose. If we are going to end our life really well we should decide, at the early stage, what one phrase we would want to be used to summarize our life. This one phrase should be a summary of what we want accomplished in our life. The phrase or sentence that summarizes our life should tally with what people who have had interaction with us will describe also as the summary of our life. To be continued For enquiries/comments please send email to charismokola@yahoo.com

38 tribunechurch

24 April, 2016

My prophecies have come to pass

prophesied that Nigerian government would start fighting the gospel and the men of God. I still insist that the bill is anti-Christian and it will have dire consequences. What are your other prophecies for Nigeria? Three popular musicians will die. One of them is a young boy. Kidnapping would be more common in the South West. I had predicted that all service chiefs would be fired and even this present fuel scarcity. There are still things to come. Like what? There will be a major boom in the agricultural sector from this year. Nollywood will keep losing people unless prayers are made for repentance because many of them have gone fetish, just as immorality has increased in the industry. Three very prominent Nigerians will die this year unless prayers are made. An attempt will be made on the life of an emir. It will fail, but he will lose some of his men in the process. Rape cases will increase, especially of little children and even pregnant women. A sect deadlier than Boko Haram is being trained and prepared for an onslaught against the nation. I see a governor dying this year. This year, the looting of the national treasury will be on a massive scale. Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s men from his place will fight him. I see the crisis in PDP widening. A Yoruba movie actor will die and it will shock many. This is a year of judgment for politicians and wicked leaders. There will be scarcity of money, but food will be in abundance soon. I warned that the APC in Rivers State needed to do grassroots’ campaign because I saw the election being rigged.

—Apostle Suleman Apostle Johnson Suleman, founder of Omega Fire Ministries International, shares his prophecies for Nigeria, his thoughts on being labelled a false prophet and his recent crusade in Kenya. Tade Makinde brings excerpts:

t’s the second quarter of the year and some of your prophecies have come to pass. In spite of this, many describe you as a fake man of God. How would you react to this? It doesn’t bother me what people say. All I know is that people can still verify online and in print what I said between December 2012 and 2016 that Alhaji Bamanga Tukur would be the last chairman of a united Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as there will be much internal crisis in the party. I predicted that the Chief of Defence Staff would be retired; that former President Goodluck Jonathan would lose someone precious to him either last year or this year and that a Central Bank of Nigeria governor would be made an emir, but that he needed to pray fervently for this to happen. I spoke about the problem that MTN would have with the government; that Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, who was Speaker of the House then, should not contest for presidency, but if he settled for governorship, he would win. I also predicted that Dame Patience Jonathan would have health issues unless prayers are made. Despite warnings by PDP stalwarts that there was no vacancy in Aso Rock, I told Nigerians that there would be a new president. I also predicted the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Kogi State. Nobody remembers anything like that was said even long before it happened. It is the same way they will not remember that many others had warned that there would be tough times in the country, but those who know God would do exploits.

Sunday Tribune

Why did you take your crusade to Kenya this year? Africa will play a crucial role in the spread of the gospel. From all indications, Nigeria has been at the forefront of spreading the good news all over the world. Kenya is where God told us to start our Africa outreach.

You are from Kaduna State, the same state as Governor Nasir el-Rufai who recently introduced a bill that many consider anti-religious and against Christianity. What are your thoughts about the proposed bill? Before I talk about the dangerous bill, I will remind the public that my decision to speak again about most of my past prophecies is because an online news agency labelled me a fake prophet and that my prophecies have never been accurate. That report was sponsored by a governor to attack me. That was after I spoke against the anti-religious bill. I

Would you say it was a success? Of course it was. During the 2016 edition of my ministry’s annual crusade, tagged “Restoration 2016,” held in Nairobi, we were able to teach people new ways of behaving and communicating; that it is the first order of importance, and that people learn to listen to each other more objectively and to be more passionate. It is easier to get through to another person when you are more of a listener. That way, you are able to communicate. When people don’t take time to listen, you have not begun communicating. Any man of God who is worth his salt must be able to reduce fear in the other person by legitimising their right to be heard and by receiving what they say as validly being their view of things. He should not take sides with or against any man, but rather seek clarification both for himself and the other man.

Despite hardship, Nigeria will get better —Prophetess Ojurongbe Prophetess Florence Bolanle Ojurongbe of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Jah Jireh, Challenge, Ibadan, Oyo State, in this interview with RONKE SANYA, maintains that there is still hope in spite of the daunting challenges facing Nigeria and explains how the church established by her late husband, 50 years ago, is still standing under her supervision.

celebrate the golden jubilee and we have tagged it, “Joy Unspeakable.” Being the head of this church after my husband’s demise has been quite challenging. Challenges came, but we overcame them and that is why we are celebrating.

hy did you choose to embrace ministry full-time? Before my husband and I went into ministry full-time, I used to be a sewing mistress. But, when ministry came calling, I had to abandon sewing. Then, the Spirit of God directed me and I saw visions for solutions to other people’s problems and challenges. The Spirit of God also told me that the work of ministry is what I should embrace full-time, so that He can use me to minister to more people. So, I decided to pursue God’s calling upon my life by doing God’s work fully and assisting my husband and by God’s grace, we prayed for people and God answered our prayers. It has been 50 years now since the church was established by your husband. How has the experience been? It has been an experience of joy, filled with God’s abundant grace. Our church, Cherubim and Seraphim Jah Jehovah Jireh Number 1, was founded on January 11th, 1966 by my late husband, Apostle Moses Ojurongbe, alongside some others, including Apostle Fogo Adesanya. We founded the church after our head, Primate T.O. Obadan, instructed us to establish a branch of the church. Before my husband’s demise, I was in charge of women in the church and I also handled other supporting roles, but after he died in 1977, I had to assume full responsibility. The church is still standing strong since it was established in 1966, because God stood by us. We have also received support from other men of God that worked with my husband as well. The 50th anniversary is set to hold on May 29. Part of

Which of the Cherubim and Seraphim does your parish belong to? Ours belongs to Mount Zion, Agbo Jesu, but the point is all these denominations are one because the Cherubim and Seraphim is one. We are all children of the same father; it is just the name that varies.

the success story of the church is the establishment of the cathedral, which was built by God’s grace, even after the death of my husband. This ministry is progressing and God’s faithfulness is evident in the life of members of this church and even in the lives of our children. That is why we have set apart an entire week, May 23 to May 29, to

What is responsible for the current economic hardship and what would you recommend as solutions? God told me earlier, that this year will be tough, that was why at the beginning of this year, in this church, we went on fasting and prayers for seven days. We prayed for peace and that the hardship will be minimal. Even with the fuel scarcity biting harder, God told me things will still get better in this country. Nigeria will still become a better country but we have to be very prayerful, so that when things eventually get better, we will be alive to witness it. Although the many sins prevalent in the nation are infuriating God, we have to pray to God to be merciful to us and we also have to abandon sin. God said I will be merciful to whom I will be merciful, so we have to pray that He should be merciful to us. Despite the hardship, some people are still successful and going about their normal duties. So, we have to keep praying. Nigeria will become better.

39 tribunechurch

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘Day I brought a dead baby back to life’

Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, popularly called Warri TB Joshua by his admirers, is the founder and General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries and the President of Mercy Television. In this interview with journalists, he urged Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari to bring the desired change in the country. EBENEZER ADUROKIYA brings the excerpts:

council chairman or company that supports me. It is those that I prayed for who have no means of livelihood that got instant miracles and paid back through tithes and thanksgiving offerings. That is what I have been using to develop Mercyland Deliverance Ministries.

s a minister known for performing miracles, which of your miracles remains unforgettable? There are lots of them. For instance, when the project of this new site was about to begin, a woman brought her dead baby from Port Harcourt to Warri. On that day, I was at a prayer meeting with some of my members. Immediately she arrived at the church, she threw the baby at me, saying “take your baby, she is dead.” I examined the baby and found out that she was dead. I was even afraid because I had never come across such a thing. Then a voice directed me to pray for the baby. Immediately after the prayer, the baby that had been pronounced dead seven hours earlier came back to life. That is one miracle I will never ever forget. People describe you as Warri TB Joshua, what is your relationship with him? It’s true that people compare me with Prophet T.B. Joshua. I didn’t know him before now. It was when I was in a 21-day dry fast that I prayed for all the great men of God in the world, through the television. They appeared to me and taught me things which I never knew as a child. During the dry fasting, I “died” on the 19th day and woke up on the 20th day; that was when I realised that I was no longer on this earth again; I was in the spirit world where I saw angels. Before I woke up on the 20th day, all the great men of God in Nigeria taught me things I never came across in my lifetime. Some appeared five times, some three times, some four times, but T.B. Joshua appeared to me 10 times and he taught me things that I am still doing today. And when I started practising some of the things he taught me, people now started comparing me with him. I am not T.B. Joshua junior, I am Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin. T.B. Joshua taught me spiritually during my 21-day dry fasting. It was when the incident of one of the buildings belonging to the Synagogue Church of all Nations collapsed that I paid him a courtesy visit. That was the first day we met, and I told him how he taught me in the spiritual world.

As a prophet, do you think Nigeria will still be better despite the present hardship we are experiencing? It is God who chooses the best for us. The Bible says none of us is perfect. Whoever that is made a president today, it is left for us to pray for him, to enable the person attend to our demands. Even unborn children are aware that there are problems in Nigeria; it is only God that can save us. That is why today, different men of God are on the mountains praying for the good of Nigeria. I know that one day, God will answer our prayers by bringing us together in unity for speedy development of the country. This is just the beginning of good things to come. There is nobody that is perfect, so we all need to pray for our leaders because prayer can change situations.

What then would you say is the secret behind your success as a cleric? I am a tireless general of God. The secret behind my success is that I don’t eat much. Most of the diseases ravaging the world today, the food we eat contributes 50 per cent. I normally take my breakfast as from 2:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. on a daily basis. That is just the secret; I also love sports. Then, on the growth of my ministry, it is all the handiwork of God. I don’t have any president, minister, governor,

‘The Synod will prepare us for challenges’

dawnofanewera

Continued from pg37

with Most Revd J.O. Akinfenwa Bishop of Ibadan Diocese (Anglican Communion)

When the righteous rule... Continued from last week 1 Samuel 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them. This passage of scripture is true about those who have ruled our nation in the current political dispensation. All of them, without exception, can readily acknowledge the hand of the divine in their ascendancy to power. The antecedents of each of them, and the circumstances that surrounded thier ascension to the leadership of this nation all bear imprints of the hand of God. In fact, for one or two, the story reads like that of David, of whom God said, 1 Chronicles 17:7-8 ... Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel: And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth. So, if it was God’s mighty hand that pulled them up to the throne, whom should our leaders serve? Whom should they seek to please? Whose standards and interests should they pander to as they discharge their leadership duties? In Bible times, the answers to these ques-

You were in South Africa recently. What happened there? I have a friend in South Africa, who invited me there. When I got there, the crowd I saw on ground at the programme venue was incredible. But then, God used me to perform a lot of miracles there, even some of the members there didn’t want me to come back to Nigeria because most of them needed deliverance. A lot of people in the world today really need deliverance. There was a woman that I encountered whose husband was not able to sell his car for two years and six months, but immediately she left the programme ground, the news came that the car had been sold. There was another one where I used ordinary water brought to the church by a member to wash a pastor’s face and he started prophesying immediately. There were a lot of other miracles I did there.

tions, were quite straightforward. Leaders were expected to please God over and above all else. And as far as God was concerned, it was the spiritual standing of the leader, not his material attainments, which mattered. So, why were all the achievements of leaders or rulers weighed against their standing with God? It is because the character of the leader, over and above his charisma, is the ultimate vehicle that delivers the impact of leadership to the led. In leadership, it is the soft issues that matter most. That is why Proverbs 29:2 says, Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. ***(part 1 may end here) When the Bible speaks of the righteous reigning, it does not have to be what you and I think it is all the time. The word of God is very profound. When it speaks of the righteous reigning in a land, we may experience this in one of two scenarios: One: the righteous holds the instrument of authority; notwithstanding their number. In other words, a righteous person (or some righteous people) have managed to find themselves in the highest office in the land. Or, Two: the righteous are in the majority, so much so that whether or not they occupy positions of authority, they cannot be ignored in the scheme of things. To be continued next week

fight against corruption and it would be delivered by Dr Martins Lawrence, the Osun State director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The second lecture would be on environmental sanitation and health, which would be delivered by Mr Henry Ogunbanwo, the state director of Osun Waste Management Agency (OWMA). Then, the theme for the synod is “I know Your Works,” which is premised on Revelation 2:2. This theme would enable us examine the letters that were addressed to seven churches by Jesus in Revelation 2:3. It would dwell on what we should do to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ. The bishop would deliver his annual presidential address on Friday, April 29 by 10.00a.m. and that would take place at the diocesan conference centre. The delivering of the address would also witness a goodwill message, which would be delivered by the Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola. Two legal luminaries, Chiefs Akin Olujimi (SAN) and Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN), would also launch the bishop’s presidential address. The Bible study would be taken by the priest of our diocese, but we will have a guest preacher, a priest from London, Venerable Tunde Roberts, who is the Vicar of St. Olive’s Church, London, who would preach at the closing service, while Venerable J.A. Ogunleye would preach at the opening service. These are the preparations we have made for the forthcoming synod. What are your expectations for this year’s synod? Our hope is that our members would

be prepared to face the challenges of this season. This is because the theme “I know Your Works” is about the period of persecution, which the seven churches originally passed through and Jesus had to send messages of encouragement to them to persevere, telling them that they would eventually win the crown. It is a difficult time for us now in Nigeria. The theme of the synod would prepare us to face the ordeals so that we can triumph at the end. Secondly, the content of Revelation 2:3 shows that there are things that were hidden, which were revealed by the Lord Jesus Christ. Presently, in Nigeria, a lot of things that were hitherto hidden are being revealed and for us, I believe it is for us to also know that nothing is secret. Whatever things you do in secret would be eventually made known. So, if you don’t want anything to be revealed about you, you better don’t attempt it at all. That again I believe would help our members to continue to live as people of integrity so that they would be qualified to reign with Jesus when he eventually comes. What is your message to the congregation? I want to plead with our members not to see the synod as a jamboree. It is a spiritual exercise. They should pray along with us as we prepare and should come with the mind of receiving messages from God. Surely, through our activities, God will speak to our members and when God speaks, they should listen and do as He says. Our theme in the diocese is total obedience. That is the way by which we can enjoy peace in our homes, states and the nation. Reports of the synod would be delivered in all the churches after the synod.

language&style

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

Of blood, contestants, and marks (II)

IME and space did not permit us to complete the discussion of all the issues arising from the excerpt under analysis last week. That same excerpt serves as the first sample today. Sample 1:“There is a belief in Yoruba land that the cane laced with charms can kill whoever it is used to flog. So to guide against this, the intending participants in the festival are usually warned against doing such…One of the participants in this year’s festival held on Saturday, March 19, Chief Sunday Akande, said the level of pain bearing of the participants usually increases because of the prayers offered in preparatory to the flogging contest…Our correspondent further gathered that blood coming out of the marks on the backs of the contestants are ignored as they forge ahead to win the contest…Despite the intensity of the bashing, the winner often do not have any prize to show for it. The winner is seen as one who is patriotic enough to bear the ‘pains’ for the good of the community…Oyesanmi told Sunday Punch that his support was not limited to contestants from Odo Ise alone but to every participant and the festival as a whole ”(Odun Opa: Festivals Where Partakers Get Flogged Without Mercy, The Punch, Sunday, March 27, 2016) The first feature of the text we consider today is found in the expression, ‘in preparatory to’ which occurs in the following context: “the level of pain bearing of the participants usually increases because of the prayers offered in preparatory to the flogging contest.” The blight is in the particle in coming immediately before the adjective preparatory. Some users confuse the particle/preposition that should go with the verb prepare (or its noun preparation) with the one that goes with the adjective preparatory. They would say, preparatory for instead of preparatory to. Read the following sentences: 1a) We are preparing for exams. 1b) We have bought materials inpreparation for exams. 1c) Materials have been bought preparatory to exams. 2a) We are preparingfor the construction work. 2b) We have cleared the site inpreparation for the construction work. 2c) We have cleared the site preparatory to the commencement of construction work. 3a) INEC is preparing for elections. 2b) INEC has been procuring materials inpreparation for elections. 2c) INEC has been procuring materials preparatory to the elections. 4a) We are preparingfor the meeting.4b) The hall has been tidied up inpreparation for the meeting. 4c) The hall has been tidied up preparatory to the meeting. 5a) I am preparing for resumption. 5b) I have bought new books in preparation for resumption. 5c) I have bought new books preparatory to resumption. 6a) The Super Eagles are preparing for the match. 6b) The Super Eagles have gone to the camp inpreparation for the match. 6c) The Super Eagles have gone to the camp preparatory to the match. Note the following: prepare for; preparation for; preparatory to. Let us also note that the particle in usually comes before the noun preparation which is turn followed by the particle for. Next I draw your attention to the verb formsdo and is both of which occur in the following sentences: “Despite the intensity of the cane bashing, the winner often do not have any prize to show for it. The winner is seen as one who is patriotic enough to bear the pains for the good of the community.” We want to find out why those verbs (do and is) are in the forms in which they are. Undoubtedly, the subject of the verb do is the noun phrase,the winner: “the winner often do not have…” It should be obvious that the nominal phrase the winner, subject of the verb do, is in its singular form. That same nominal form is the subject of the verb is: “the winner is seen as one who is…” In this case, the verb (is) is correctly in its singular form in consistency with the singular nature of the subject (the winner). I want to be sure that my readers are aware that the verb do is in its plural form; or rather, it reflects the supposedly plural form of the subject. But we have seen that the subject is not plural but singular. If the noun phrase,the winner, is singular, as it obviously is, then the verb form should be does

Sunday Tribune

24 April, 2016

and not do. When do we use do and does and even did? We cannot do better than return to some illustrative sentences used a few months ago in this place. Let’s note some grammatical constructions as a way of appreciating and understanding the way these forms are used: 1) He neither encouraged nor discouraged me. 2) The principal neither blamed nor condemned her. 3) The idea neither attracted nor repelled me. 4) He neither failed badly nor passed remarkably. 5) He neither feared God nor respected man. 6) They neither seek nor give information. 7) She neither sings nor plays an instrument. 8) The level of water neither rises nor drops during the dry season. 9) He neither obeys instructions nor respects superior authority. 10) He neither teaches well nor counsels effectively. Please note that there are two verbs in each of those sentences and that the two verbs have identical grammatical forms. Where the first is in the past simple form, the other is in that form as well. Where the first is in the present simple form, the other is in that form as well. Where the first is inflected for the third person singular, the other takes that form as well. Now compare those sentences with the following in which the word do is used for the purpose of creating a negative meaning: 1) He did not encourage or discourage me. 2) The principal did not blame or condemn her. 3) The idea did not attract or repel me. 4) He did not fail badly or pass remarkably. 5) He did not fear God or respect man. 6) They do not seek or give information. 7) She does not sing or play an instrument. 8) The level of water does not rise or drop during the dry season. 9) He does not obey instructions or respect superior authority. 10) He does not teach well or counsel effectively. As in the former set of sentences, each of the sentences in the latter contains two main verbs. But in addition, there is the supporting do. In the previous set, the two verbs are either in the past or present form. Furthermore, in the former set, the two verbs in sentences (7)-(10) carry s or es indicating that the subject is in its third person singular form: sings and plays (7); rises and drops (8); obeys and respects (9); teaches and counsels (10). In the latter, it is the supporting verb do that carries both the tense and the es indicating the third person singular subject. Thus in sentences (1)-(6) in which the tense is past, the verb do becomes did. What happens to the two main verbs? They are retained in their basic, uninflected forms or infinitive forms: encourage and discourage (1); blame and condemn (2); attract and repel (3); fail and pass (4); fear and respect (5); seek and give (6). Unlike in the former set in which the main verbs carry s or es or ies marking the third person singular number, in the latter sentences, it is the supporting verb do that marks that number: does. What then happens to the two main verbs? They are retained in their basic, uninflected forms or infinitive forms: sing and play (7); rise and drop (8); obey and respect (9); teach and counsel (10). The general rule is this: Whenever the supporting do is brought into a sentence for the purpose of negation, it is that verb (do) that carries the tense and concord/number markers. In consequence, the main verb or verbs do not experience change in form. Other examples are: 1a) He knew the truth. 1b) He did not know the truth. 2a) She spoke her mind. 2b) She did not speak her mind. 3a) I accepted the offer. 3b) I did not accept the offer. 4a) He knows the truth. 4b) He does not know the truth. 5a) She speaks her mind. 5b) She does not speak her mind. 6a) She sings well. 6b) She does not sing well. 7a) The man likes his wife. 7b) The man does not like his wife. 8a) She pretends a lot. 8b) She does not pretend at all. 9a) He loves mathematics. 9b) He does not love mathematics at all. 10a) The man dresses well. 10a) The man does not dress well. There is yet one other stylistic point requiring our attention. That has to wait till next week.

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life with

Niyi Osundare

Random Blues (Heatwave Blues 2)

The rain this year has lingered Too long behind the clouds Alas, the rain this year has lingered Too long behind the clouds The land never knows what to do With its sad and sweating crowds Our clothes are glued to our backs And sweatstones harass our brows Yes, our clothes are glued to our back And dusty droplets harass our brows We plod our way along the streets Like a herd of famished cows The air hangs heavy beneath the sky The leaves are rigid on startled trees Alas, the air hangs heavy beneath the sky The leaves are rigid on startled trees The Raingod, for sure, has fled the land In vain our long and moping pleas A muggy monster has seized the wind The hapless fan has lost its blade Ha, a muggy monster has seized the wind The hapless fan has lost its blade In the once blooming garden behind my house A shriveled vegetable patch on heat parade The water taps are dry No cure yet for NEPA, the National Leper Agbaga, the water holes are dry No cure yet for NEPA, the National Leper The land lies supine in soaky stupor Our pain is deep, our fear much deeper

news

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Troops foil attempt to bomb Borno village Chris Agbambu -Abuja

The overall best graduating student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Miss Saidat Sanni, being congratulated by the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Professor Wale Omole, during the convocation ceremony, in Ogbomoso, on Saturday. PHOTO: NAN.

TROOPS of the 7 Division Garrison Forward Operation Base (FOB), on Saturday, averted yet another suicide bombing catastrophe on Ummarari community by a suspected Boko Haram terrorist. The suicide bomber was reportedly intercepted by the troops and the Civilian JTF while making attempt to enter the village to detonate his dangerous cargo in Ummarari. According to an information from the military, the suicide bomber detonated the strapped Improvised Explosive Device (IED) vest on his body, thus killing himself instantly when he was forced to stop moving, following a suspicion that he was carrying suicide bombing material. The information noted that there was no other casualty other than the suspected suicide bomber. It noted that troops along with the Civilian JTF at the village were combing the surrounding area to forestall further attacks and clear the environment of likely remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

Govt alone cannot shoulder education responsibility —Buhari Kola Oyelere -Kano

Children at the scene of a fire incident, which affected about 150 structures at Agoro Community, off Kano Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, on Saturday. Inset: Scene of a fire outbreak at the Nigerian Custom Warehouse and Training School, Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTOS: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Fire destroys 150 shops, Customs’ warehouse Olalekan Olabulo-Lagos

ILLIONS of naira worth of goods were early Saturday destroyed as fire ravaged the Nigerian Customs Training School warehouse in Ikeja and makeshift shops in Ebute Metta area of Lagos State. The Ebute Metta fire destroyed more than 150 shops and it raged for many hours before it was eventually put out by firefighters. The director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, confirmed both incidents to Sunday Tribune, adding that his men responded swiftly to the two incidents. Residents of Kano Street in Ebutte were thrown into panic as the fire destroyed many shops in the area. The fire, which reportedly

started around 10.00 p.m. on Friday, raged till the early hours of Saturday, when it was eventually put out by the firefighters. Though the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, residents said that millions of naira worth of goods were destroyed . Fadipe told Sunday

Tribune that the state fire service were alerted to the Ebutte Metta fire around 10.30 on Friday night. He added that operatives of the state fire service were quickly mobilised to the scene and instantly swung into action. Firefighters had to battle the fire for more than seven hours before it was eventually

put out in the early hours of Saturday. Fadipe also told Sunday Tribune that operatives of the state fire service also responded to a fire alert at the Customs warehouse in Ikeja, early on Saturday morning . He also stated that the storey building, which served as a lecture room and a warehouse, collapsed as a result of the fire incident.

Osun govt suspends slaughtering of animals at abattoirs THE Osun State government, on Saturday, ordered the suspension of slaughtering of animal in all abattoirs and meat shops across the state as from tomorrow. This information was contained in a press statement issued by the Coordinating Director,

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement, Dr Oluwabukola Aluko. “The suspension of all slaughtering activities in the state is to sanitise animal slaughtering and other activities in the meat industry. It is also to meet up with the requisite

standards of providing wholesome meat fit for human consumption,’’ the statement said. The government advised all butchers willing to continue in the trade to apply to the Veterinary Office nearest to them for the renewal of their ‘permit’ to slaughter animals.

Accountant-General named member of IPSASB consultative advisory group THE Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, has been appointed into the membership panel of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board Consultative Advisory Group (IPSASB CAG). A letter confirming the appointment sent by James Gunn, the Manag-

ing Director, Professional Standards, IPSASB to the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, dated 8th April, 2016, said the appointment, which is for an initial term of two years, is subject to re-appointment up to an aggregate of nine years. The IPSAS Consultative Advisory Group is charged

with the responsibility of providing advice on IPSASSB’s strategy work programme and agenda, including project priorities; providing advice on projects, including views on key technical issues or matters that may impede the adoption or effective implementation of IPSAS and giving advice on mat-

ters of relevance on the standards -setting activities of IPSASB ,amongst others. It will be recalled that Nigeria has been implementing a number of public financial management reforms to strengthen controls, accountability and transparency, out of which is the implementation of the IPSAS.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said that government alone could not shoulder the responsibility on education, thus the need for private organisations to complement government efforts in the provision of quality education. He, however, added that his administration would give optimum attention to the enhancement of education, as “it is the bedrock of socio-economic development.” President Buhari, represented by the director, Tertiary Education, Ministry of Education, Hajia Hinditu Umar Abdullahi, made the observation at the 32nd convocation of the Bayero University Kano, during the award of honorary degree of Doctor of Law on King Alfred Papapereye Diete-Spiff as the third Chancellor of BUK. Noting that his administration would focus attention on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, he said: “The 2016 budget has made adequate provision towards the uplift of science, technology and mathematics.” Speaking on the occasion, King Diete-Spiff, after being installed as the third Chancellor of BUK by President Buhari, promised to provide the institution with the needed leadership in policy direction, enhancement of human capital development for undergraduates, graduates and professional students by enriching the quality of their educational experience.

Saraki: ‘APC must learn from past mistakes’ By Moses Alao A group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), APC National Grassroots Forum, has advised the leadership of the party to learn from the past and if need be, employ the services of historians as advisers, noting that the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, “is against the change APC stands for.” This is just as it urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC national chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, to work for the unity of the APC by accommodating the interests of all party members. “Schisms and disagreements cannot be avoided in a big party like the APC, but the leaders are expected to display uncommon leadership qualities by calming frayed nerves and amicably addressing such issues,” it said. The group, in a statement issued by its national coordinator, Alhaji Sulaiman Atolagbe Alege and secretary, Charles Pius, stated that the ongoing trial of Saraki is politically-motivated, questioned the appropriateness of the APC’s ‘change’ mantra, noting that recent developments in the party have punctured the attributes that made the party enjoy the support of Nigerians during the last election.

news

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

How Nigeria can have proper governance —Ofeimun

From left, a governorship aspirant in Edo State, Mr Odia Ofeimun; the host, Dr Tunji Olaopa and Mr Christopher Edeimu, during the courtesy call Ofeimun’s Ibadan School for Government and Public Policy (ISGPPP), Bodija, Ibadan, on Friday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU

We need $700m to fix refineries, says Kachikwu Dapo Falade-Port Harcourt

INISTER of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has declared that there is no plan to sell any of the refineries to foreign investors just as he said that $700million would be needed to fix refineries. Kachikwu had earlier on Friday visited Warri, Delta State, to inaugurate the multibillion naira crude oil underground pipeline from Escravos to Warri and Port Harcourt refineries. He said investors had been coming to fund and offer technical support for the refineries as the country lacked the financial wherewithal to make them function optimally. He made this known while speaking at the recommissioning of the refining crude line of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), Alesa-Eleme, Rivers State, on Saturday. Kachikwu, who is also the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said $700 million would be needed to make the three refineries work up to 90 per cent capacity. He also apologised to Nigerians for the agonies they have been experiencing in the wake of the persistent fuel scarcity, assuring that there would be adequate fuel supply across the country within the next 10 days. “We are not inviting foreign partners to take over the refineries; we do not have the funds. Rather, they are coming with the funds and also to offer technical support. “Even now that they [the refineries] are working, they are probably working to about 60

per cent capacity. So, we need to upgrade these refineries and let them develop to the point where they can perform up to 90 per cent capacity. “Total investment (we will need for that) is up to $700 million and we don’t have that. Let us be honest about it. “So, the best thing to do is to find a very creative way to bring in investors who will come in, work with our team here who have the skills, reactivate and upgrade facilities in this place and help us provide technical support and we will pay through the flow-out of the refined products over time. “There is a lot still to be done. I told you I will never give up. We have signed the advertisements for investors to come in. There

is no confusion about what they are coming to do.” “They are not coming to run the refinery. They are coming to provide funds to take our performance on these refineries to 90 per cent and to provide us with technical skills. So, the areas of intervention will be funding and technical support”, he said. He said the three refineries were currently producing 12 million litres of PMS daily, which is 60 per cent capacity, adding that they would be producing 20 million litres by the time they upgraded to 90 per cent capacity. The petroleum minister also noted that Nigerians were presently consuming 45 million litres per day, a far cry from the 12 million-

litre daily production. He apologised to Nigerians over the fuel crisis, especially in the North, Abuja and Lagos, assuring that there were long term policies put in place to put an end to fuel scarcity. “It is going to take time because we are addressing a long term solution. There is a lot of policy issues coming in to ensure that we resolve this and we would not need to go back to the pipes over again. “I apologise to Nigerians, who have suffered all this time because of product supply, especially those in the North who bearing a big brunt of this [fuel scarcity], particularly Abuja, Kano and Lagos, who are the key consumer cities.

Row in Oyo Assembly over speaker’s alleged secret signing of budget inside vehicle •Allegation criminal, myopic —Speaker By Dare Adekanmbi A fresh row is brewing in Oyo State House of Assembly over alleged secret signing of the 2016 budget by the Speaker, Honourable Michael Adeyemo, in a car, on Wednesday. Sunday Tribune gathered that minority lawmakers in the House from Accord and Labour Party are spoiling for war with the speaker over the development, which they said, was devoid of the usual ceremony, vowing to make the speaker face the consequence of his action. But Adeyemo, in his reaction, said the allegation that he signed the budget in a car was criminal, myopic and mischievous. The minority lawmakers, it was gathered, have sent messages to their colleagues, including those in the All Progressives Congress (APC), to re-convene

in the Assembly on Monday, against the compulsory two-week break announced by the speaker. They have also resolved to resurrect a motion earlier dropped and which had to do with scrutinising the state’s finances and also put the spotlight on the speaker. However, the speaker urged his colleagues to provide evidence for the allegations leveled against him, saying “if they are looking for something, they should look for it in a decent way.” He said the governor was not available on the day he was alleged to have signed the budget, asking what urgency could warrant his signing the budget in a car as claimed. He explained that the two-week break was to enable the various House committees attend to the six outstanding bills be-

fore them for onward action by the assembly. “After passing the budget, the clerk of the House signed it and I only signed the covering letter accompanying it, which is the normal procedure.” “Must there be a ceremony while signing the budget? Is the budget different from other laws and sent to the executive for the governor’s assent? Does the signing of the budget utter the content of the passed budget? “Assuming without conceding that I signed the budget in a car as alleged, is there any law that specifies where the budget should be signed? The claim is too pedestrian. “With what is happening between the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari, will Governor Abiola Ajimobi not look at the budget and raise observations, if any, before signing it?,” he asked

FORMER Private Secretary to late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, poet and governorship aspirant in Edo State, Odia Ofeimun, has advocated a serious intellectual debate between political heads and civil servants, such that transpired between Awolowo and Federal Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Abdul Aziz Attah, as one of the ways of getting back proper governance in Nigeria. He made this known in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday while on a courtesy call on the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP). According to the poet, debates between Awolowo, Vice Chairman of the Federal Executive Council and Federal Commissioner of Finance under General Yakubu Gowon and Attah were such that gave Awolowo the profound success he recorded in the cabinet. “Most civil servants of today would not dare have the kind of intense debate that happened between Awolowo and Attah. Indeed, there were a crop of civil servants who could debate with Awolowo on the running of government and society. He and Attah debated on every stratum of society, from socialism to economy, between state-run economy and private sector-run economy. That was why Awolowo told anyone who cared to listen that Attah was one of the best civil servants he ever came across. Civil servants should be trained and brought to the level where they would believe they won’t get hurt if they criticised political heads.” There should be civil servants who would stand up to political heads because they get away with so many things. When you have civil servants that you can’t debate with, the quality of decision is bound to be worse off. That probably was why Chief Philip Asiodu said that if political office holders wanted to take stupid decisions, civil servants should help them not to,” the poet said.

Popular late actor, Alasari’s wife crushed to death Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta

TRAGEDY struck in Ogun State, on Friday evening, as one of the wives of the late Yoruba movie actor, Isola Durojaiye also known as Alasari, identified as Adeola, was crushed to death by a truck in Adatan area of Abeokuta. Sunday Tribune learnt that the mother of one was coming down on a motorbike when the incident occurred and she was reported to have died on the spot. According to an eyewitness, the truck rammed into the woman from behind which resulted in her death. “The truck crushed the woman from behind as she was trying to disembark from an okada. She died instantly,” the eyewitness said The remains of the deceased were interred at late Alasari’s home at Elega, in Abeokuta on Saturday morning. The incident was confirmed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi. He said, “The accident occurred at Car Wash in Adatan on Friday, where a truck crushed a woman to death. We later got to know her identity as the wife of the late Yoruba actor and movie producer, Ahmed Isola Durojaiye popularly called Alasari.”

I’ll complete all my projects —Wike Dapo Falade-Port Harcourt

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has assured that all projects started by his administration will be completed. He said in the course of the four years of his first term, no project would be abandoned, adding that he had mapped out strategies to apply funds for their completion. The governor said this after he inspected road projects in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwere and Etche local government areas, on Saturday. He added that all key projects abandoned by the immediate past administration would also be completed by his administration. “Today’s project inspection has been fruitful. We are happy at the pace of work at the different sites visited and the people are also happy. The reception we get is an encouragement to do more for the people. “Our first year anniversary will be a celebration of wonderful projects executed by this administration. Most of the roads visited today will be completed by the end of May,” he said. Meanwhile, the governor has directed the chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Chief Azubuike Mmerukini, to coordinate the handing over formalities by the local government caretaker committee chairmen to their heads of local government.

news

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Ajimobi tasks churches on socio-cultural development By Rita Okonoboh

Former president Goodluck Jonathan flanked by the Chief Executive Officer, Moskeeto Armor, Mr Robin Crespo (left) and another official of Moskeeto Armor, during a lecture in the United States, on Friday.

Findings on Shiite/military clash to be made public soon —NHRC boss Sunday Ejike - Abuja

HE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said it will soon make public its findings in the investigation it carried out in the clash between members of the Shiite Islamic sect and soldiers in the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff at Zaria, Kaduna State. Over 300 Shiite members were allegedly killed by the military during the clash in December last year. The Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Bem Angwe, disclosed this at a meeting, in Abuja, with a group of editors under the aegis of New Nigeria Conversation (NNC). Angwe told the group that the commission had received a barrage of criticisms since it took on some powerful individuals and public institutions that were hitherto ‘untouchable’ in issues of rights abuses in the country. He pointed out that since

the country’s foremost human rights commission commenced probe of hate speech in the build-up to the 2015 general election and electoral violence, environmental pollution by multi-national oil companies in the South-South as well as civil strife and other forms of human rights violations in the counry, the commission had become an object of orchestrated attacks by some individuals.

The NHRC boss, however, expressed the determination of the commission to fight for the rights of all Nigerians, no matter the price. “In a democratic society, people are free to air their views. We will derive our strength from those criticisms. “We will work for all Nigerians; we will be fair and firm in the discharge of our mandate as a commission. No matter the amount of

Eminent Nigerians bid Ooni’s grandmother farewell Oluwole Ige - Osogbo EMINENT Nigerians from all walks of life, on Saturday, converged on the ancient city of Ile-Ife for the burial of Marian Ayeyemi Ogunwusi, grandmother of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. The city stood still as dignitaries graced the venue of church service, Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, Ayegbaju, Ile-Ife, to pay their last re-

spects to the deceased. Delivering his sermon at the funeral service, the Bishop of Ife Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend Olubunmi Akinlade, called on Nigerians, irrespective of religious creed, tribe and political inclination, to strive and live exemplary lives during their earthly sojourn. He said: “It is imperative for us all to live a life worthy of emulation so that we can

Nigeria’s economy was 24th in the world under me —Jonathan FORMER president Goodluck Jonathan, at the mayor’s office in Newark, New Jersey, United States, on Friday, spoke to the Friends of Africa coalition on strengthening democracy and elections and also touched on some of the legacies of his administration. Speaking to the elite group, Jonathan said real democracy would continue to flourish in Africa as long as leaders “value the process (of elections) more than the product of the process.” Dr Jonathan said that if the process that brought leaders to power “did not

criticisms, there is no going back on our mandate,” he said. He pledged the commission’s determination to work with the visiting group in the areas of its investigation and workshops on human rights issues. Earlier, the leader of the group, Mr. Samuel Odaudu, said the purpose of their visit was to seek areas of partnership with the commission.

flow through the people, they naturally administered their governments to serve the constituencies that brought them to power.” He said he was fulfilled that during his tenure as president, the nation emerged as the largest economy in Africa and the 24th largest in the world. Jonathan also met with the head of Moskeeto Armor, Robin Crespo and his team as part of events leading up to the World Malaria Day on April 25th, 2016. Moskeeto Armor manufactures clothing to protect against malaria, the zika vi-

rus, Dengue and other vector-borne diseases. Moskeeto Armor was successfully clinically fieldtested in Nigeria in 2014. When worn by children as a standalone product, Moskeeto Armor was 90 per cent effective at reducing the malaria infection rate, and when combined with a bed net, the Moskeeto Armor combination was 97 per cent effective at stopping the spread of malaria. The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation is partnering with Moskeeto Armor to protect African children against malaria and other vector-borne diseases.

leave a good legacy for generation coming after us. We have to ensure that we live a righteous life. Though, it may be difficult, we have to strive and ensure we lead a good life.” While recalling that the deceased was very industrious during her life time, Akinlade said “parents should endeavour to teach their children to be hardworking. Despite facing challenges in life, Mama struggled to live a fulfilled life. “Whenever we lose our dear relation or family member, we are usually hurt and depressed. But we should take solace in the legacy such person left behind. We should have personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Dignitaries at the funeral service included the Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Bamitale Omole, the Registrar, Mr Dotun Awoyemi, Asiwaju of Ife, Chief Alex Duduyemi; representative of the Olubadan of Ibadaland, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the in-laws of the Ooni of Ife, Dr Williams Obanor, Chief Amidu Ajibade, the mother of Ekiti State governor, Mrs Olufunke Oluwayose Fayose, among others.

OYO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has praised the church for its efforts at ensuring spiritual development and called on religious leaders to focus on sociocultural development. This, he said, would ensure that Nigerians develop the right attitude towards development and discourage the culture of impunity. The governor stated this at the archdiocesan reception of the 34th Council of Bishops of the Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), held at Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu House, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday. He called on churches to rededicate themselves to inculcating the right disposition and condemned the lazy attitude of workers. He also commended the MCN for its service to God and humanity and prayed that the relationship he enjoys with the MCN will bring more blessings and wisdom to serve. “It is surprising that among many countries, including Jerusalem, Nigeria seems to have the highest number of churches. Yet, there is no attendant development. “So, I want to challenge the church on socio-cultural development. You have done well in spiritual development but more need to be done to ensure that Nigerians develop the right attitude and discourage the culture of impunity,” Ajimobi stated.

Call herdsmen to order, Tiv group tells Buhari Sylvanus Viashima - Jalingo WORRIED by the continuous attacks by herdsmen on farmers across the country, the Tiv Cultural and Social Association Taraba State (TCSA), on Saturday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently deploy the military to parts of the state that are most troubled and to establish a special fund for victims of Fulani herdsmen attacks in the country. President General of the association, Mr Goodman Dahida, made the call while reacting to the upsurge of internally displaced persons in Dan-Anacha, following renewed killings of farmers in Bornon Kurku and other communities in Bali, Donga and Gassol local government areas of the state. Addressing the over 1,781 IDPs, who are took refuge at Nongosho Primary School and SUTMAY College in DanAnacha, Dahida condemned the renewed attacks on the Tiv people who are managing to return to their homes and called on government to come to the aid the of the IDPs. He lamented the attacks by the Fulani herdsmen in the country and called on Buhari to set up a special fund for victims as an interim measure to assist victims and urged him to quickly end herdsmen attacks on farmers in the country.

NNPC distributes another 1,082 trucks of petrol nationwide THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said a total of 1,082 truck of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were loaded and distributed nationwide on Friday. This was contained in the daily PMS supply and distribution schedule released in Abuja, on Saturday. “A total of 1,082 trucks (38,285,000 litres) were loaded from various NNPC and major marketers depots nationwide. “Twenty import vessels laden with a total volume of 830 million litres have been confirmed to arrive in the month of April for NNPC,” it said. It added that the combined national stock (marine and inland) was 713 million litres. According to the schedule, eight NNPC and marketers vessels are currently discharging at various depots and jetties nationwide. It added that 16 NNPC import and shuttle vessels had been programmed to do Ship-To-Ship (STS) operation for onward discharge to inland depots. The schedule noted that System 2B pipeline was currently on shut down due to sharp drop in pressure adding a total of six million litres of PMS was produced by Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC).

news

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Police to train 10,000 new officers with stun guns Chris Agbambu-Abuja

From left, Professor Olufemi Adediran of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) and Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi at the grand finale of a three-day programme tagged: “Outreach and Support Programme for Widows and Old People” at Idogo, Yewa South Local Government Area, Ogun State, recently. PHOTO: SEYI SOKOYA

UNILAG scraps students unionism, announces May 9 for examinations Naza Okoli-Laoos

EEKS after a violent protest by its students that led to the closure of the institution, the University of Lagos has announced the suspension of the Students’ Union and set Monday May 2 as resumption date. This was contained in a statement issued at the weekend by the Registrar, Dr Taiwo Ipaye. The statement read: “Senate, at its emergency meeting of Friday, April 22, 2016, considered the report of the investigative panel as well as the recommendations from the Committee of Provost and Deans on same and directed that, in view of the violent and disruptive nature of the protest, “the University of Lagos Student Union (ULSU) Constitution should be suspended until further notice. That: “the ULSU executive and the Student Legislative Council should be dissolved forthwith and that “faculty and departmental associations should work with the University management through the Students’ Affairs Division in

the interim.” While announcing May 2, 2016, as the resumption date, and May 9 as the commencement date for the first semester examination, the statement further

directed all students to sign an undertaking “to be of good behaviour.” The undertaking, which must also be endorsed by the students’ parents or guardians, the statement

N29bn fraud: Nyako challenges admissibility of EFCC evidence •Court to decide on May 6 Sunday Ejike-Abuja JUSTICE Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned till May 6 to rule on the admissibility of the document sought to be tendered as exhibit by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of the former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, his son, Abdul-Aziz Nyako, Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba. Nyako and others are facing a 37-count charge on criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and laundering of N29 billion. At the resumed trial on Friday, EFCC counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi, and Leke Atolagbe, sought to present more exhibits against

the defendants through the witness, Celestine Idiaye, Cluster Control Manager, Internal Control Unit, of Diamond Bank, Garki branch, Abuja. Idiaye, who was led in evidence by Atolagbe, told the court that the bank received a letter from the EFCC dated September 23, 2014, requesting for account opening documents and statement of account in respect of Sentinel Exploration and Production Limited, a company linked to Nyako. “We responded with a letter dated September 30, 2014 and provided two statements of account, account opening documents and certificate of identification,” he said. The prosecution sought to tender the documents as exhibits, but the de-

Doctor stabbed to death in A/Ibom, NMA expresses anger THE Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom chapter, has condemned the murder of Dr Ivy Umana, Head, Department of Pathology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital(UUTH). Dr Augustine Umoh, the state chairman of the association, expressed displeasure regarding the incident on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

said, would be required before each student could obtain a clearance form with which they could gain access to the halls of residence and the examination halls.

The late Umana, 44, was found dead in her Shelter Afrique residence in Uyo on Friday, having been allegedly stabbed in the head. Umoh, who described the act as barbaric and inhumane, appealed to security agencies to ensure that they apprehend the perpetrators. “Dr Umana contributed immensely to the development and accreditation of the Department of Pathology, University of Uyo

Teaching Hospital. “She was a professional of the highest order who gave her best to save lives and promote healthy living,” said Umoh. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, confirmed the murder on Friday. Nwawe said that two suspects had been arrested and were helping the police in their investigation.

fence counsel, Yakubu C. Maikyau (SAN), counsel to Abubakar Aliyu, objected to the admissibility of the documents by the court. He told the court that while he had no objection to the forwarding letter, the documents attached, which included photocopies, were public documents that needed to be certified by the public officer who had custody of the original copies. Maikyau argued that the photocopy of the international passport in the document ought to have been certified by an official of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the photocopy of the certificate of incorporation of the company ought to have been certified by an official of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Ibrahim Isiyaku (SAN), counsel to the fourth and eight defendants; Olumide Olujimi, counsel to the fifth defendant and O.A. Dada, counsel to the ninth defendant, all aligned with the argument of Maikyau. In his response, prosecuting counsel, Adeniyi, argued that the points canvassed by the defence team was misplaced, saying that “the position of the law is that documents attached to the letter, which has not been opposed by the defence, must be admitted as a whole.”

THE 10,000 police officers that will be recruited into the Nigeria Police Force will be trained with stun guns. Stun guns are used for shocking people for a short time without causing injuries. Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who disclosed this, noted that stun guns are now becoming internationally prevalent as they aid the in the reduction of casualties associated with misuse of firearms. He stated that the recruitment process would be transparent, even as most of the applicants will be disqualified because of age. Arase also allayed fears that the menace of herdsmen will degenerate into insurgency. Speaking during a chat with journalists on Saturday, Arase said: “we want to migrate from the use of firearms in patrols in main cities and we have ordered for stun guns.” According to him, “The people that will be recruited will be trained with stun guns because that is what is prevalent internationally and stun guns are very effective because they can incapacitate temporarily without killing.”

DPR seals off 4 petrol stations in Abuja THE Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed four petrol stations in Abuja for hoarding, underdispensing and other sharp practices in selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) Alhaji Mohammed Usman, DPR Zonal Operation Controller, North Central, told newsmen, while monitoring some filling stations on Saturday, that DPR would continue to sanction those engaged in sharp practices. Commenting on the fuel scarcity situation, Usman said that most of the filling stations visited had products to sell, adding that there was no need for the long queues witnessed in the city. The Zonal Controller said the DPR had directed that henceforth, there should be no reserve of fuel for socalled ‘special customers.’ Mr Ademola Abraham, a motorist, at NNPC Beulah, commended the effort of the DPR in ensuring that the products were dispensed fairly.

Lagos recorded 736,328 malaria cases in 2015 Olalekan Olabulo-Lagos A total of 736,328 malaria cases were reported in Lagos State in 2015, just as a Nigerian company has invented the first ever urine malaria test. The Lagos State commissioner for health, Dr Jide Idris, who was represented by Dr Olayinka Dania while speaking at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital during the launching of the new malaria test kit, also said that malaria prevalence in Lagos State was about 4.8 per cent. Dr Idris , who commended Fyodor Bio Technologies Limited for the new kit, said “malaria is endemic in Lagos and it poses a major challenge to the state as it impedes human development.” Malaria is both a cause and consequence of underdevelopment and remains one of the leading causes of mortality in the state. “In 2015, 736,328 malaria cases were reported in the state. Therefore malaria remains a priority disease for the Lagos State Government,” Idris stated.

24 bag First Class at Delta State varsity PROFESSOR Victor Peretomode, the Vice Chancellor, Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, on Saturday, said 24 students of the university bagged first class degrees at its 10th convocation. The Vice Chancellor said this in his address at the convocation arena in Abraka. He said a total of 5,811 students graduated under its Bachelor degree programmes in the 2014/2015 session of the university. He added that 24 graduates got first class, 1,123 bagged second class upper, while 3,222 obtained second class lower division, among others, in the first degree programme. He noted that the university in the session produced 47 PhDs, 431 Masters, 243 Post Graduate Diplomas and 485 with Diploma certificates.

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Sunday Tribune

24 April, 2016

PHOTOS OF THE BURIAL ACTIVITIES FOR LATE CHIEF SUNDAY ADEWUSI HELD IN P :O M OGBOMOSO, OYO STATE hotos

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The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, his wife, Agharese and late Chief Sunday Adewusiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s widow, Mrs Aminat Adewusi at the wake keep held at the residence of late Chief Sunday Adewusi.

The wife of Oyo State Commissioner of Police and POWA chairperson in Oyo State, Mr Bimpe Oyebade (second left) and other members of Police Officers Wives Association, Oyo State.

IGP Arase (second left), the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Leye Oyebade (left) one of the pallbearers, Sani Moriki (second right) and one other.

IGP Arase welcoming former IGP Sunday Ehindero while IGP Ogbonnaya Onovo (rtd) and others look on.

General David Jemibewon (rtd) (left); former EFCC chairperson, AIG Farida Waziri (rtd) (second right); Mrs Bridget Okonkwo and others at the wake keep.

IGP Arase with former IGP Tafa Balogun at the church service.

IGP Arase (third right); DIG Adeniji (second left); AIG Kalafite Adeyemi (second right); CP Oyebade (right); DCP Sunday Odukoya (left) and DCP Rabiu Ladodo.

AIG Zone Eleven, Mrs Kalafite flanked by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni (right) and his Osun counterpart, Kola Sodipo.

The pallbearers with the remains of late Chief Adewusi.

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IGP Arase (second right); CP Oyebade (left) and others.

24 April, 2016

Sunday Tribune

24 April, 2016

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SUNDAY

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Ighalo laments goal drought

ATFORD striker, Odion Ighalo has said he may no longer be putting away the goals regularly because he is now better known in the EPL and so a closer attention on him and his strike partner, Troy Deeney. Ighalo, who will lead Watford’s attack in today’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Crystal Palace, has reasoned that being in the spotlight may have caused his goals to now be few and far between. He has scored 16 goals in the EPL but his last goal in the league was in January. “In the first half of the season teams knew me and Troy (Deeney, his strike partner and Watford’s captain), but they did not really pay us attention,” Ighalo said in an interview. “Now they are paying us attention. With two strikers like me and Troy upfront teams are now playing three back against us. They have changed the way

they play so obviously that’s going to lead to fewer opportunities for us. “There are games now when defenders are just on me for the whole game and that wasn’t happening in the first half of the season because they didn’t know me that well.” He added: “So it’s tougher. I took my chances before. Like I say, people maybe didn’t know me too much and I took the Premier League unaware. This second half of the season I have been a bit unlucky but there are also more defenders on me. I don’t maybe get the ball the way I did before and they are basing their strategies on stopping me. Defenders are closer to me and Troy, definitely. “But that just gives me strength to work harder and make sure I find a way. It’s what happens in football, it’s the challenge. As long as the team does well I am happy, but I am also a striker and I want to score goals.”

Iheanacho nets brace in City’s 4-0 win By Nurudeen Alimi NIGERIAN youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho scored twice on Saturday as Manchester City hammered Stoke City 4-0 in a Premier League game at the Etihad Stadium, ahead of its Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday. Manager Manuel Pellegrini, this time rested Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne and the absence of the duo did not give the Chil-

ean coach any cause to worry. Fernando’s header put the Citizens ahead in the 35th minute, while Iheanacho paved the way for his side to double the lead in the 43rd minute, as he was brought down in the box by Ryan Shawcross, while the resultant spot-kick was converted by Sergio Aguero. The 2013 FIFA U-17 Most Valuable Player, Iheanacho, eventually hit the scoresheet in the 64th minute when he buried a cutback from Pab-

Iheanacho’s rounds goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard before his second goal against Stoke City in Saturday’s EPL clash at the Etihad Stadium. PHOTO: SPORTMAIL.

lo Zabaleta, who made his 300th appearance for City. Iheanacho, 10 minutes later made it a brace when he dislodged the Potters defence to round substitute goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard before he tapped into an empty net. City, following the victory, moves back to the third on the Premier League table with 64 points, one point ahead of Arsenal who faces Sunderland today at the Stadium of Light.

Sunday Tribune

Ighalo (front) struggles for ball possession with Cesc Fabregas.

... Says FA Cup victory will make me king in Nigeria NIGERIAN international, Odion Ighalo has said he will return as “King of Nigeria” should Watford go all the way and win this year’s FA Cup. The Hornets face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final today after they knocked out holders,

Arsenal in the previous round with Ighalo scoring one of the goals. “If I win the FA Cup then I will be going back like a king! King of Nigeria!,” Ighalo told The Telegraph of London. “The fans want it and we want it.

“This is a big competition here in England. Now we are safe in the Premier League and although we want to do better this semi-final is a very big thing. It’s a chance for people to have a look at us and understand how we have done.’’

Mikel, one of Nigeria’s greatest midfielders—Chukwu NIGERIA legend, Christian Chukwu has paid tribute to Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi as he celebrates his 29th birthday. The Blues’ star who made his Super Eagles’ debut in 2006, began his international career for the country at the 2003 African U-17 Cup of Nations in Swaziland where the Golden Eaglets finished third before featuring at the FIFA U-17 World Cup same year. He then played for the Flying Eagles coached by Samson Siasia, where he played a key role which aided Nigeria to finish second at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Holland. “There is no debate about his class which I attribute to discipline and dedication,” Chukwu told Goal. “Mikel is committed to whatever he wants to do and that has helped him a big deal as a footballer.

“He is gifted, talented and he is one of the greatest midfielders ever to come out of the country. “And for those who condemn him for not scoring

goals, I would say the most important thing in football is playing to coaches’ instructions and not what people think the player should do.’’

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Mikel in a world of his own.

SIDELINES NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

24 APRIL, 2016

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All-time LASPOTECH best graduate for the 2014/2015 session, 25-yearold Omosalewa Babalola, has narrated how she sold bus tickets to see herself through school; an important lesson for today’s ‘Hennessey’ generation on the fruits of hard work. As she puts it, when life gives you mould, make penicillin.

Southwest: Get this point clear

Owing to reactions from readers asking that last week’s column be repeated, it is hereby reproduced.

N this column last Sunday, I wrote that the Yoruba nation needs to create, urgently, a leadership structure addressed to its needs in these times in Nigeria. That point is so critically important that I must reiterate it today. Someone said to me some days ago that Nigeria is like a large capsule filled with many different nations and sinking towards the bottom of the sea – with the nations inside jostling for safety by pushing one another in a senseless struggle towards the top in the capsule, while the nation that used to be at the top is being pushed to the bottom of all. It does not take much imagination to recognize the Yoruba as the nation that used to be at the top in development and prosperity in Nigeria, and that is now falling to the bottom in most aspects of development in a country that is falling relentlessly. In most aspects of development and quality of life, the best in Nigeria is no longer as good as the worst in most countries of the world. Yes, all the peoples of Nigeria are being pulled down by Nigeria. But the Yoruba nation has fallen farthest down and continues to fall fastest. The pivotal reason for this sad predicament of the Yoruba nation is the failure of the Yoruba elite to formulate a working and effective leadership structure. The Yoruba command the cultural capabilities to create and sustain an effective leadership. They have done it again and again in their history. To give a few recent examples, the Yoruba created a very effective leadership during the years after the Second World War (1939-45) when the British rulers of Nigeria began to seek to structure Nigeria into a country, and the benefits of that leadership showed bountifully in the high quality of governance and development which the Yoruba nation enjoyed in the decade 195262. In the years of the vicious dictatorship of Sani Abacha, when the power of the Nigerian government was directed at subduing the Yoruba nation, the Yoruba elite created a strong and effective leadership which guided their nation successfully through the danger. But, strangely, the present generation of Yoruba elite refuse to create, or are proving incapable of creating, a leadership appropriate to the demands of today. They choose to leave the field entirely to the politicians – to leaders and functionaries of various political parties – even though it is obvious that these politicians cannot possibly offer the kind of leadership that the Yoruba nation’s situation

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demands in these times. Certainly, these politicians are serving vital needs. They make the Yoruba voice heard, and they uphold the Yoruba role, in the political parties that provide the governing structure for Nigeria. But their focus is, and of necessity has to be, Nigerian politics. Often, their need to be marketable across the Nigerian political landscape makes it inappropriate for them to feature prominently as leaders of their Yoruba nation – and this makes it unreasonable for us to leave the leadership of our nation in their hands alone. Some Nigerian nations get this point vividly. For example, Arewa Consultative Forum, the leadership structure of the Hausa-Fulani elite, has been in existence for decades to oversee the purposes and the well-being of the Hausa-Fulani in the affairs of Nigeria. It draws its strength from being a generally respected

ple are right too that the Yoruba Southwest is the haven for religious accommodation and freedom, and the least prone to inter-ethnic conflicts, violence and terrorism. In most Yoruba cities and towns, the number of intending immigrants arriving from distant parts of Nigeria is alarming – and so is the explosion in population. At the same time, different kinds of immigrants are swarming into the Yoruba countryside or farmlands. These consist of Fulani who are commonly classified as cattle herders. For probably centuries, some Fulani cattle herders have come seasonally to the Yoruba countryside; but what is happening today is very far from clear. Very many of the so-called cattle herders of today are armed with very sophisticated weapons, and there are reports from all over Yoruba-

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organization among Hausa-Fulani politicians, professional and business elite, top civil servants, military leaders, religious leaders, and traditional rulers. Consequently, though it may not directly involve itself in partisan politics, it has usually proved very influential in guiding Hausa-Fulani roles and benefits in the life of Nigeria. The reasons why the Yoruba nation needs such a leadership organization today are quite obvious to all Yoruba people. Anybody who cares to talk to Yoruba folks will easily find that most of them are worried that their nation does not have a generally respected leadership group today to uphold and defend their nation’s interests in Nigeria. The reasons for the worries are roughly the same. As Nigeria declines and people become poorer and poorer and more and more unsafe all over Nigeria, most persons who are forced to flee from their homelands come to the Yoruba Southwest. Though the Yoruba Southwest is becoming desperately poor too, yet most non-Yoruba Nigerians continue to believe that the strongly urbanized Yoruba Southwest is the richest part of Nigeria, the area with the most abundant opportunities. Peo-

land that they often attack and kill Yoruba farmers on the farms. These same cattle herders are known to be killing farmers in other parts of the Nigerian South, and even to be wiping out whole villages in the Middle Belt – very much like the Janjaweed terrorists of Darfur in the Republic of Sudan. Yoruba people want to know what is at the bottom of these strange developments, and want to see measures for the defence and protection of Yoruba farmlands and farming folks. Measures being proposed in the National Assembly now to empower the Federal Government to acquire large tracts of farmland for grazing ground for the Fulani cattle herders anywhere in Nigeria threaten the interests of Yoruba farmers and the Yoruba nation, and the Yoruba people are getting very nervous. Equally worrisome are current reports about the quality of education in the Yoruba Southwest. The Yoruba Southwest used to be the pillar of education in Nigeria. Today, its educational standards are among the worst in Nigeria. In the most recent West African School Certificate Examination, only one of the six states of the

Dream Team settles for Korea tourney NIGERIA’S U-23 team coach, Samson Siasia has disclosed that his team will participate in next month’s invitational tournament in Korea, which will feature another Rio Olympicsbound team, Honduras. The Dream Team VI has opted out of the Toulon Football Festival also next month as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) cannot cough up the 80,000 Euros required for the tournament. “We hope to now feature at an invitational tournament in Korea at the end of next month. Honduras and hosts Korea will feature in the competition,” Siasia told Afri-

canFootball.com Some of the qualifiers for the Rio Olympics slated for the Toulon Festival include Nigeria’s Group B foes Colombia and Japan as well as Argentina and South Africa. Nigeria made their Toulon Festival debut in 2013, when the Flying Eagles used the invitational tournament to prepare for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. Nigeria, historic winners of the 1996 Olympics soccer gold, are drawn in group B of the Rio Olympics alongside Sweden, Japan and Colombia. The quadrennial showpiece will hold from August 4 to 20 in Brazil.

Southwest ranked among the best ten of the 36 states of Nigeria; with another two ranking among the 11th to 20th. The remaining three states ranked among the last 16. What this means is that Yoruba High School students are now among the most poorly educated in Nigeria. Reports show that hardly any teaching and learning is going on in the Southwest’s public Primary Schools. The Yoruba have not only lost their educational leadership in Nigeria; they are gradually losing the ability to be competitive in Nigeria. Someday soon, the Yoruba Southwest may replace the North as the least educated region of Nigeria! The historical and cultural readiness of Yoruba people to welcome and accept immigrants from other parts of Nigeria is a good thing. But, obviously, there is need to do more today than merely accept immigrants. Development planning and implementation make it necessary to set up arrangements for ascertaining the statistics of the immigration, and for assessing its impact on State and Local Government finances, on the schools system, on businesses and business opportunities, on employment and employment opportunities, on security, and on social services generally. Definitely, much of the great and growing unemployment in the Southwest today, the growing insecurity, and the generally deteriorating social services, have some root in the massive and unrelenting immigration. It must also not be forgotten that, in this era of federal financial allocations to states, funds allocated to each state are meant for its own people. When huge proportions of such funds are consumed by immigrants from other parts of Nigeria, the indigenes are being deprived - and both the indigenes and the immigrants suffer. It must be remembered too that the crowds who are coming to share in the Southwest’s allocations are part of the population computed for the allocations for their own states back home. These facts need to be looked into and properly factored into development and social planning. Arrangements also need to be designed to protect the rights of the indigenous people in the matter of sale, purchase and transfer of real estate properties. The unregulated deals in land and houses that are now going on in all parts of the Southwest seriously threaten the rights, and the future, of individuals, families, communities, and the whole Yoruba nation. These are only some of the reasons why the Yoruba elite must, at all costs, set up a generally accepted leadership without delay. Further delay is dangerous.

RESULTS English Premier League Man City Aston Villa Bournemouth Liverpool

4 2 1 2

Stoke City Southampton Chelsea Newcastle

0 4 4 2

FA Cup semi-final Everton

1 Man U

POOLS: 3, 7, 8, 11, 16, 20, 27, 28, 34, 42, 45, 48. Today’s match: 02

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. 24/4/2016