25th March 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,465

FRIDAY, 25 MARCH, 2016

NSA: Presidential committee indicts over 300 contractors, recovers N7bn —P6

•Wants N41bn refunded •More companies face further probe

www.tribuneonlineng.com

CCT: Saraki fails to stop trial again

•Wants Justice Kafarati to deliver withheld judgment —P3

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

How Badeh diverted N3.7bn for personal use —Witness

Nigerian Tribune

N150

Collapsed building kills mother, daughter in Abeokuta

—P16

—P41

I didn't succeed in Bayelsa, Rivers, Kogi elections —Buhari —P2 •Says he has 3 more years to fix economy •Apologises for dissolving varsities' governing councils

Don't snatch Rivers by force, PDP warns FG

•We are sorry, APC begs NYSC —P4

Budget 2016: Nigerians knock NASS for lapses —P11

Military to conduct forensic analysis as Shekau appears in new video President Muhammadu Buhari exchanging pleasantries with chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC), from left, Chief Segun Oni, Senator Lawal Shuaibu; Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara and the national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at the national secretariat of the party, on Thursday.

•Boko Haram abducts 14 women, 2 girls in Adamawa —P7

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

I didn’t succeed in Kogi, Bayelsa, Rivers elections —Buhari Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, expressed disappointment at the way the conduct of elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Rivers went and particularly described that of Rivers rerun, which was marred with violence, as shameful.

The president made this known at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at its national headquarters in Abuja, adding, however, that he would address the problem of election violence in subsequent elections.

“I am afraid I did not succeed in the election in Kogi, Bayelsa, Rivers. I think more Nigerians are killed or killed themselves in Rivers than in any particular state.

“At this stage of our political development, to remain brutal is shameful and as a government, I promise we will do something by the next general election.

“I want all Nigerians to believe and hold their permanent voter card (PVC) as personal entitlement as Nigerians and use it the way they like, and vote for whoever they like at whichever election. If they voluntarily sold it, it is part of their right and so, let them sell it and remain at home and not participate in any election.

“But let the law enforcement agencies give them the confidence that nobody, who has money to hire thugs and give them drugs, would stop them from exercising their fundamental right.

The president also told the the top hierarchy of APC that whenever they are confronted with question on the bad state of the economy, they should respond by saying the government still have three more years to go.

The president said the country was able to save over N3 trillion with the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

He equally disclosed that probe of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would soon kick start once there were enough evidences to nail the culprits.

The corporation, he added, was being re-organised to know the exact amount of crude taken out of the country.

On the state of economy, he said “I wonder why people could not believe that in Nigeria, about 27 out of 36 states have difficulty in paying basic salaries of their workers.”

On the TSA, he said “if

you go and see the Central Bank governor, he will tell you that in the TSA, we have more than N3 trillion. Where would this money have been if TSA was not in vogue?

“I was made to understand that vouchers would have quickly been raised towards the end of the financial year and checks made. Whether they are going into projects or private pockets, nobody can prove it to you.

“That money is there, it is identified, it is quantified and when the budget comes back eventually, the Ministry of Finance will see how to allocate it to the rest of the

country.”

On NNPC, he said “we have tried to make sure it is reorganised, so that we know how much of our crude is taken, how much is sold and to which account the money is going.

“But I tell you that up till the time we came, if anybody told you that he knows how much of crude exchanges hands either on the high sea or reaching their destination and the accounts the money goes into, that person is not telling you the truth.

“We are getting the cooperation of countries that has received this crude. But we

have to be sure of the facts in our hands before we start prosecution, so that Nigerians will believe what we have been telling them.”

“I was telling a British team that came to supervise the training team they sent, that when I was in uniform, we took the perceived corrupt ones and put them in safe custody and quietly told them they were guilty until they can prove themselves innocent.

“But now, under multiparty democratic system, I see some of them ride Rolls Royce, some of them have built estates here, but they

are innocent until we can prove them guilty.

“This situation is true and you don’t need to stretch your imagination to find out.

“If you can find out, you discover that a level eight officer has five houses, while you, as a permanent secretary or commissioner is still living in a rented house.

“That is the credible thing to do now. We have to get credible evidence to carry out successful prosecution and get judgment from the judiciary.

“Effort is being made to give a list of recoveries in whatever currencies so far,

From left, Head, Media and Strategy, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Bisi Kazeem; Corps Public Education Officer, Imoh Etuk and the Sector Head of Operations, FCT command, Udeme Bassey Eshiet, during the Easter public enlightenment rally, in Abuja, on Thursday.

From left, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Halima Buhari Sheriff and the governor’s wife, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, during the health screening initiative by wife of the president, Mrs Aisha Buhari, held at Owu African Church Central School, Akin Olugbade, Abeokuta, on Thursday.

Buhari’s wife challenges states, LGs on quality healthcare delivery Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta WIFE of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has tasked states and local governments to provide qualitative healthcare delivery system for the citizenry.

She said this at the kickoff of a free medical screening programme organised

by Future Assured Initiative, her brain child programme, in collaboration with Cry for Help Organisation, held at Owu Afri-

can Church Central School, Ita-Iyalode, Abeokuta, on Thursday.

Mrs Buhari said her focus is on health challenges confronting women and children, in order to complement government’s effort in providing improved health care services to citizens of the country.

The president’s wife, who was represented by Dr Abdulrahaman Kamal, said the programme was targetted at women and

children in hard to reach areas.

No fewer than 2,500 residents of the state benefitted from the free screening medical services, which include blood pressure, blood sugar checks, eye and dental check-ups, genotype screening for sickle cell disease, screening of women for breast cancer and cervical cancer, deworming of children and Vitamin A supplementation, among others.

She hoped that the initiative would contribute to the realisation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Vision 2020 global initiative, which aims at eliminating major causes of all preventable and treatable blindness.

In her remarks, wife of the Ogun State governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, noted that health challenges remained a major challenge to government and individuals.

so that Nigerians will know that it is not all about long stories,” he said.

He urged APC members to continue to make sacrifices, adding that when he came on board, he had to cut down on cost by reducing the 42 ministries to 24.

The president also apologised for dissolving governing councils of universities along with the boards of parastatal agencies.

“We gave a blanket order which we had to rescind when we said all boards are suspended or dissolved. We had to go back and lick our vomit in terms of universities councils, because we found out that according to their laws, they cannot choose vice chancellors unless the councils sit and interview candidates who want to be VCs. “So, there is nothing wrong in saying sorry and going back on your decision. So, we said sorry and allow all the universities to continue with their councils.

“So, please, try to bear with us as we reflect on where we found ourselves,” he said.

On the accusation of globe trotting, Buhari explained that ‘”sometimes, you need to present your case on personal basis to your economic colleagues and neighbours.

“Nothing is better than personal touch and I believe that we are learning a lot and eventually, the nation will realise. So, I don’t envy you on the harassment you are going through from your constituencies.

“Take it with a lot of determination and we will be all right, God willing,” he said.

Buhari said the government had made progress in security, as 14 out of the 774 local governments seized by insurgents had been recaptured.

Speaking on the outcome of the NEC meeting, the national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, while briefing newsmen, said it was resolved at the meeting to establish a budget for the party.

According to him, “we went through all our experiences since the last elections and we have taken decisions as to where are strengths were, where we did not quite measure up and all these are going to be addressed.

“For the first time, NEC has established a budget for the party and we have set up a committee to look once more into the constitution of the party to be able to streamline it.

“More particularly, NEC decided to downsize our Board of Trustees (BoT), in line with all other constitutional amendment.”

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

CCT: Saraki fails to stop trial again

Wants Justice Kafarati to deliver withheld judgment Sunday Ejike - Abuja

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HE Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Thursday, threw out an application by Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, challenging its jurisdiction to prosecute him on the 13-count criminal charge bordering on falsification of assets brought against him by the Federal Government.

Tribunal chairman, Danladi Yakubu Umar, in his ruling on Saraki’s application, on Thursday, held that the tribunal had the jurisdiction to prosecute him and added that the failure of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to meet certain conditions precedent before putting Saraki on trial was not weighty enough to discharge him and strike out the charges against him.

He said Section 3(b) of the CCB and Tribunal Act, which made it a requirement for any defendant to be invited for confirmation or denial of discrepancies in the assets declaration form, had been overtaken by the provision of Section 3 (e) of the 1999 Constitution, which he said was the supreme law.

The tribunal chairman said by virtue of Section 3(e) of the 1999 Constitution, which did not make provision for the condition precedent as in the case of CCB and Tribunal Act is unconstitutional, null and void, having been inconsistent with the constitution.

The tribunal further said failure of the CCB to invite the defendant in the instant case had not ousted the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

On the failure of the tribunal to obtain Saraki’s written admission on the alleged discrepancies in his assets before referring him to the tribunal for trial, Umar said the issue was crucial, but could be raised in the substantive matter, saying it was premature for the issue to be raised at the preliminary objection stage.

“On the failure of the CCB to obtain a written admission of discrepancies in the assets forms of the defendant before referring him to this tribunal, we hold that this is crucial, but the issue can be raised in the substantive matter, as doing so now at the preliminary stage is premature, For us, therefore, it will be out of place to give legal weight to that failure

for now without hearing the substantive matter.

“On the discharge of the former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu by the tribunal some years ago, simply because the CCB failed to fulfill the condition precedent, we have since realised that we acted in error in discharging Tinubu on that ground and we have since departed from that error.

“In essence, provision of Section 3(a) of the third schedule of the 1999 Constitution, which has no provision for the fulfilment of certain condition precedent before the CCB can act, is now the guiding force for the tribunal,” he stated.

On the filing of the charges by the Federal Government 13 years after Saraki had left office, the CCT boss said that there was no statute of limitation on criminal matters and it was not out of place for government to charge him the way it did, even though he left office a long time.

Meanwhile, the Senate President said he was ready to face his trial in the charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

Saraki said although he would have wished that due process of law was fol-

lowed by the government before putting him on trial.

The reaction of the Senate President, though his counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, followed Thursday’s ruling by the tribunal that it had jurisdiction to try Saraki on the charges preferred against him.

“We are the ones being suspected of wrongdoing and we are ready to establish the fact that we are innocent of the charges, even though we are convinced that the right thing has not been done as far as the charges are concerned,” Agabi said.

The Senate President had challenged the competence of the false assets declaration criminal charges brought against him by the Federal Government, insisting that the charges were politically-motivated and in bad faith.

Saraki, in his objection, said the charges could not be sustained, as due process was not followed before it was initiated and asked the tribunal to quash or strike out the charges contained in Charge No. CCT/ABJ/01/2015 filed against him.

The Senate President also asked the tribunal to discharge him from the charges on the ground that

the charges were not competent and lawful in the eyes of the law.

His grounds of objection to the trial were among others, that the tribunal, headed by Umar, had no jurisdiction to entertain the charge, because a condition precedent to the exercise of jurisdiction had not been fulfilled.

Besides, he also anchored his objection on the fact that the charge was brought in bad faith, brought not in the interest of the public and justice and that the charge constituted a gross abuse of legal process.

The tribunal chairman fixed April 5 for trial.

Also, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Godwin Sunday Ogboji, while reacting on the ruling of the CCT in Saraki’s matter, held that even though the tribunal admitted that its decision in Tinubu’s matter was in error, the matter has become funtius officio.

Ogboji said the case file cannot be opened again, because it had been closed by the court, saying it was the court’s final decision on the matter at that point in time.

“Once a judicial pronouncement has been made in a matter, it cannot be set aside by the same

court, except by the Court of Appeal, which can order that the case should be heard,” he said.

In a related development, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has demanded that Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, be allowed to deliver judgment in his (Saraki’s) fundamental rights enforcement suit filed before the court.

Kafarati had, on Tuesday, withheld his judgment in the case and announced his withdrawal on the ground that reports by Sarahara Reporters and Naija.com alleged that he was bribed by the Senate President to give favourable judgment in his matter.

Saraki, in a protest letter dated March 22 by his lawyer, Prince Ajibola Oluyede, to the Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, noted that although he sympathised with the judge, the interest of justice would only be served if the judgment was delivered.

Oluyede, while speaking with journalists on Thursday, after the submission of the letter to the CJ, accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of being behind the publications, which he said,

were intended to intimidate the judge.

“It is our argument in the suit that the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) cannot act independently the way it is currently constituted, because we believe its chairman, Danladi Umar, who is currently under investigation by the EFCC, cannot be independent in deciding a case being prosecuted before him by the EFCC,” he said.

Oluyede said his client was planning to proceed against the known face behind Sahara Reporters by initiating criminal contempt against him for frustrating the process of justice, adding that the immediate concern of his client was to ensure that justice was done in the case, with the judge being allowed to deliver his judgement, no matter in whose favour.

Oluyede dared the EFCC to come out with any fact that Justice Kafarati was compromised, if it had any, after the judge must have delivered his judgment.

He blamed the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for not doing enough to protect lawyers and judges against what he described as the gestapo tradition of the EFCC, by which it allegedly sought to cow the judiciary.

CLO warns over Saraki’s trials

Says govt may be unwittingly walking in error Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja THE Civil Liberties Organisations (CLO) has warned the Federal Government against dissipating energy over the trials of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, saying the government may be unwittingly walking in error and playing into the hands of those, whose interest is to whittle down and frustrate the anti-corruption battle.

The CLO applauded the administration for its courage in bringing to the court one of its principal actors and acknowledged this as part of the administration’s effort in stamping out corruption and all its vestiges from our national life.

However, the CLO stated that after reviewing the trial, the government may be unwittingly walking in error.

In a statement entitled: “The trial of Bukola Saraki: Prosecution or persecution?” The organisation said: “After reviewing the ongoing trial so far, the

CLO contends that while engaging this battle, the government may be unwittingly walking in error and playing into the hands of those whose interest it is, to whittle down and frustrate the anti-corruption battle.”

The organisation called on the government to avoid dissipating needless energy in the matter, as precedence already exists in the case of former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu.

It urged the court to allow justice prevailed as its work seemed to have been cut-out.

The statement, signed by the CLO President, Igho Akeregha and the Head, Programmes and Labour Rights, Chris Onyeka, said: “The organisation firmly holds that nobody is above the law as one of the cardinal principles of the Rule of Law. We, therefore, support every effort at arraigning anyone suspected

to have put his hands in the public till before the court of law for proper prosecution and discharge or conviction as appropriately prescribed by the law.

“However, the process must conform to the well enunciated dictates of equity, fair play and justice.

The CLO have reasons to worry that anything that makes the citizens to lose confidence in the anti-corruption battle ultimately undermines it and given

the Nigerian context, exposes it to hollowness and thus doomed to failure.

“It is, therefore, important to maintain the integrity of the prosecutorial chain of the anti-corruption effort. When the rule of law is allowed to govern public governance processes, Nigerians will appreciate the transparency of the process and this will inevitably guarantee credibility and sustainability of government effort.”

Arms deal: Drama as police lay ambush for Metuh in court Sunday Ejike - Abuja THERE was a mild drama at the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, as men of the Nigeria Police stormed the premises of the court, where the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisah Metuh, is standing trial over his alleged involve-

ment in the $ 2.1 billion arms purchase scandal.

The police were in court in wait to rearrest Metuh and take him back to the Kuje Prisons custody should the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, disqualifed himself from the trial, following allegation of bias by the PDP spokesman.

Metuh had, last week, accused the judge of bias, saying he would not get justice

if his trial continued in his court.

Metuh, through his lawyers, further asked the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, to withdraw his trial from Justice Abang and reassign it to another judge.

The PDP spokesman is standing trial for allegedly obtaining the sum of N400 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colo-

nel Sambo Dasiki.

When the matter came up on Thursday, the defence counsel, Emeka Etiaba, informed the court that the defence team had filed a motion for stay of proceedings and another application for the judge to disqualify himself on ground that they would not get justice should he continued with the matter. continues pg16

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

Don’t snatch Rivers by force, PDP warns FG Says ‘we are owners of Aso Rock’ Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South zone, has admonished the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to refrain from trying to snatch Rivers State by force, because according to the party, it was a stronghold of the opposition.

Reviewing the last National Assembly and state House of Assembly rerun in the state, National Vice Chairman (South-South), Honourable Cairo Ojuigbo, observed in an interview with reporters in Abuja, on Thursday, that if the APC had not flooded the state with the military, nobody would have been killed.

He said there was an attempt by the APC to armtwist the people of the state and acquire the state from the opposition, but the people stood with the PDP. Ojuigbo said: “The APC that has the Federal Government and wants to im-

pose itself on the people of Rivers State and the people of Rivers State are saying ‘no, we are PDP.’ “So, what is the solution?

‘Wike, take the government, run the government and deliver the dividends

of democracy to the people of Rivers State. Amaechi (Rotimi), you are a minister. Concentrate on your ministry and minister well.’

“Must you come to Rivers State and acquire it by force? If APC did not come

with soldiers and with violence, nobody would have died.”

He appealed to the international community and wellmeaning Nigerians to intervene in the matter “so that peace can reign in Rivers.”

Ojugbo added: “We, the South-South people, feel we are the people at the receiving end, because when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.

“We are the grass in this matter. Let them allow us,

Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (right), cutting the tape to commission an electrification project connecting 67 communities in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, on Thursday. With him are Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Wale Oluwo (middle) and Oba Aladeshonyin of Noforija Kingdom, Epe, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja (left).

PDP chairman, Senate caucus demand release of outstanding Rivers rerun Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja NATIONAL chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and the Senate caucus of the party on Thursday, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately release the outstanding results of the Rivers rerun.

Modu Sheriff and the senators, in a communique issued at the end of a caucus meeting, held in the National Assembly, said INEC should, as a matter of urgency, release the outstanding results of the rerun, held into national and state House of Assembly positions.

The PDP and the senators also condemned the violence witnessed during the election, which they said led to the loss of lives.

INEC had cited the violence witnessed during the election, held last Saturday across Rives State to suspend the release of the polls. The election was also postponed in eight of the 23 local governments of the state.

The electoral body also linked the suspension of the poll process in some state and federal constituencies within the state to the at-

tack on some of its staff and members of the ad hoc staff.

In the communique signed on behalf of the caucus by the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, the senators said INEC had

no reason whatsoever withholding the results after collation of results at various poll units and centres had been collated.

They expressed fears that further delay may send

wrong signals to stakeholders in the entire process, particularly the PDP in Rivers State, whose candidates were overwhelmingly voted for in the election.

The communique also

called on President Muhammadu Buhari to support the ongoing commission of inquiry investigating the killings in the Rivers rerun, with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice.

We are sorry for Okonta’s death, APC tells NYSC Adetola Bademosi - Abuja THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has said it is sorry to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the death of late corps member, Samuel Okonta, at the Rivers rerun.

The party described the incident as unfortunate, saying Nigeria had lost a young man, who could have contributed his quota to nation’s development.

APC governorship aspirant in the 2015 election and the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, made the appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, when he led a five-man delegation to the NYSC headquarters on a condolence visit.

“We have come as a delegation of APC Rivers State to pay our condolence to NYSC on the loss of a patriotic young man, Samuel Okonta, who offered to serve his fatherland, instead

of being rewarded, had been sent to early grave. He died in the course of national assignment in Rivers State, I am not sure he bargained for early death, but today, he had gone to join his ancestors.

“We are here to pay our condolence that the death of a young man, who had a great dream, who was promising, who spent the best part of his life acquiring education, hoping to contribute his own quota to the development of our country, but instead of be-

ing given that opportunity, today had been killed at the course of national assignment. We are saddened and sorrowed that it happened in our state.

“We think that Nigeria owes Samuel Okonta a lot and all those who were injured at the course of election in Rivers. This is not only the state in the country, we don’t know why our own case will be peculiar, we feel very bad, we feel saddened and on behalf of all our people, we want to say sorry to the entire family of the NYSC.

“We appreciate that you lost one of your own, but first he is a citizen of Nigeria before enrolling in the NYSC and so, it is not your loss alone, it is our collective loss.”

He, however, pledged that the party would support family of slained corps member in all ways.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NYSC, who was represented by Director of Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, Mrs Rhoda Kwaki, noted that his death was a huge loss, but prayed against any recurrence.

Ambode inaugurates 67 communities’ electrification project Bola Badmus - Lagos LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday, commissioned 67 communities’ electrification project at Ibeju- Lekki, Akodo area of the state.

The governor, at the ceremony, vowed that his administration would not tol-

erate residents’ resistance to developmental projects in the state.

The state government, according to Governor Ambode, is currently addressing power problem of 34 other communities in Badagry, promising that those communities would get connected to the na-

tional grid before September.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony which took place at Ibeju-Lekki, he said his administration was moved to embark on the project because of the ordeals the communities were subjected to, due to lack of access to electricity.

the PDP members, the good people of Rivers State, to have peace. Let Amaechi maintain and run his ministry.

“He is our son too, coming from the South-South. So, that we too can say ‘minister, you have ministered well. Welcome home.’”

According to him, the issue in Rivers State was that while the governor, Nyesom Wike, had control of the state, APC leaders wanted to impress the Federal Government by making it appear that it could have an inroad into the state.

Ojuigbo stated: “So, they mobilised the military massively, mobilised the security agencies to intimidate the people, but the people of Rivers State said ‘no, we stand by our votes.”

The national vice chairman questioned the role of the military in the exercise and absolved the PDP of the violence which led to the death of some people.

Ojuigbo said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had no right not to announce the result of election already collated at different levels.

He, therefore, called on INEC to immediately release all the results to enable the elected officials to resume their work of representing the people.

He also called on President Muhamnadu Buhari to realise that while the people of the South-South have accepted their fate as opposition, they were, however, not enemies of the Federal Government.

“We call on the president of Nigeria that yes, we accept our fate as opposition, but we are not enemies of government or the people of Nigeria,” he stated.

The party chieftain cautioned that the statement emerging from the APC that there would be no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2019, was a fallacy.

According to him, “we want to caution that the statement of impunity that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2019 is not only a fallacy, but a lie. It should be completely discarded, because, I tell you very seriously, there is vacancy in Aso Rock in 2019. We are going to behold our property. We are the owners of Aso Rock. We are going back there.

“It is very obvious that the APC is not prepared, never prepared for governance and as such, is wallowing in darkness, trying to find its feet.”

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

Friday, 25 March, 2016 Nigerian Tribune 6 news NSA: Presidential committee indicts over 300 contractors, recovers N7bn •Wants N41bn refunded Leon Usigbe-Abuja

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committee set up to probe contracts awarded by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) from 2011 to 2015 has indict-

ed more than 300 companies and prominent citizens, including serving and retired officers of the armed forces.

According to the a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), over N7 billion had

FCT poll: UniAbuja workers reject INEC ad hoc jobs Taiwo Adisa -Abuja

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appears to have run into a dilemma, following the rejection of ad hoc jobs by staff of the two key institutions being relied upon for the conduct of the area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Sources said INEC had planned to draw its ad hoc staff from staffers of the University of Abuja and the Federal College of Education, Zuba, for the April 9 election.

It was, however, gathered that the plan had run into a hitch, following the discovery of the development whereby almost all ad hoc staff already trained by INEC had withdrawn from the job, while a number of others simply walked away from the training ground.

It was gathered that many of the ad hoc staff had come under intense pressure from members of their family, following the widespread vio-

lence that rocked the rerun in Rivers State, claiming some lives.

It was gathered that INEC had to make the disclosure at the stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday’ following the frustration about the ad hoc staff to be used to prosecute the election.

been recovered so far from the indicted companies and individuals.

Another N41 billion is to be refunded by the indicted companies, while further investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been ordered to determine whether another N75 billion should be recovered from some of the companies for unexecuted or partially executed contracts.

The committee, according to the statement, further established that one of the indicted companies, Societe D’Equipment International, was overpaid to the tune of 7.9 million Euros and $7.09 million.

The committee, which is different from the one in-

vestigating the defence arms and equipment procurement, discovered that there was a total disregard of salient provisions of the Public Procurement Act in the award of contracts by ONSA. Several contractors were apparently overpaid, while others were given full upfront payments contrary to their contract terms and agreements in force.

According to the committee, there was also evidence of payments to individuals and companies by ONSA without any contractual agreement or evidence of jobs executed.

It further discovered that some companies failed to meet up their tax obligations for contracts executed.

A cross section of students at the 2015/2016 matriculation of fresh intakes of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Thursday.

LAUTECH assures students of conducive academic environment.

VICE Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Professor Adeniyi Gbadegesin, on Thursday, restated the commitment of his management team to ensuring a conducive academic environment on the institution’s campuses.

Speaking during the 2015/2016 matriculation ceremony for fresh students, held at the main campus of the university in Ogbomoso, he urged the 5,435 students to reciprocate the efforts of LAUTECH’s handlers to ensuring peaceful and conducive academic environment, by being diligent and committed to their studies.

Advising them to give undivided attention to the main purpose of coming to the university, which is learning to become better persons, he added that extra curricular activities, though good for their wholesome development, should not take priority over their academic work.

Counseling the students further, the vice chancellor said “by formally admitting you today as members of this community of learning, the complexion of the population is bound to experience a change, but this is expected

The committee, the statement stated, made attempts and succeeded in recovering some of the funds from these individuals and organisations amounting to N3,537,549,223.04, $8,000,000.00 and houses worth N512 million from 32 companies.

The committee, it added, also established that some individuals and companies received monies without evidence of contractual agreements or jobs done, totalling N7,104,925,000.

In a similar vein, the committee revealed that some companies that failed to execute contracts or did so partially were to make refunds.

In the statement, the total amount to be refunded was esti-

to be a change for better.

The highlight of the event was the recognition of the best 100-Level student for

2014/2015 academic session, Adeleke Theophilus Adekanbi of the Department of Architecture, with a CGPA of 4.96.

The registrar of the institution, Mr Jacob Agboola, later administered oath of matriculation on the students.

NAFDAC sets N1bn worth of counterfeit, expired products ablaze Newton-Ray Ukwuoma -Lagos

NATIONAL Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday, destroyed counterfeit and unwholesome products worth N1 billion.

The products, which were set ablaze in Sagamu, Ogun State, consisted counterfeit drugs seized by the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Lagos State and its environs; prohibited substandard and expired food products, cosmetics, chemicals and other regulated products seized from manufacturers and importers and distributors, as well as expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies in Lagos.

Speaking to pressmen at the Sagamu Local Government dumpsite, venue of the destruction exercise, the acting Director General of the agency, Mrs Yetunde

Oni, condemned the activities of drug counterfeiters, while describing drug counterfeiting as “an act of economic sabotage and terrorism against public health.”

Represented by the Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr

Kingsley Ejiofor, Oni noted that the agency would continue to aggressively pursue the goals of ensuring that only genuine medicines and wholesome foods of the right quality were imported, exported, manufactured and distributed in Nigeria

Trans-border trade: Customs to engage Benin, Niger, Chad Saliu Gbadamosi -Abuja

IN view of the dwindling revenue accruable to the coffers of the Nigerian government, the Nigeria Customs Service (NIS) has said it is making moves to engage neigbhouring West African countries, with a view to controlling transborder trade to generate more revenues.

Customs Public Relations Officer (PRO), Wale Adeniyi, told the Nigerian

Tribune that the Service was strategising to ensure that the vast Nigerian borders were effectively patrolled and policed, in order to generate appropriate revenue on goods coming into the country through the land borders.

He informed that to achieve this, the NIS wanted to engage neighbouring countries to enable the Service to control cross-border trades between Nigeria and the respective countries.

mated at N19,896,539,125.20, $43,771,433.73 and two houses in Abuja worth N260 million.

Fifteen companies the statement noted were awarded contracts that required further investigation to ascertain the status of their contracts.

The total value of the contracts awarded in the category, according to the statement by Shehu, was N11,726,571,161, $202,136,890 and €4,114,752.96.

UITH resident doctors call off strike ASSOCIATION of Resident Doctors (ARD) of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) has called off its strike over salary cut and selective implementation of the Federal Government’s circular for some health workers.

Dr Ade Faponle, president of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday, that the strike was called off because of the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Health.

He said most of the doctors’ demands had been met, while the few issues remaining were being looked into.

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

Military set for forensic analysis as Shekau appears in new video Boko Haram abducts 14 women, 2 girls in Adamawa Chris Agbambu - Abuja

T

HE Nigerian Military has said that it will conduct forensic examination to ascertain the authenticity of a new video allegedly released by leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau.

The video featured the leader of the sect, calling on his followers to embrace peace and stop the fighting by sheathing their swords and surrender.

A top military officer however, disclosed that

“the ongoing campaign against insurgency and indeed Boko Haram is being intensified, most especially in the Sambisa Forest, and its environs, in order to further degrade and demystify the sect and bring them to their knees.

“We are aware of the video but we are subjecting it to thorough forensic investigation. We won’t take any action that can stop the ongoing offensives against the terrorists in all fronts.

Every terrorist is free to surrender.

“While the military is conscious of sustaining the

tempo on its war against terrorism, the military intelligence will subject the undated and unverified video to forensic analysis.”

The officer concluded.

Shekau was last heard from in March 2015, when an audio message attributed to him was released, pledging Boko Haram’s allegiance to the Islamic State militant group (ISIS).

It, afterwards rebranded itself as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The Boko Haram leader also issued a threat to disrupt 2015’s general elections in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, about 16 female residents of Adamawa State were abducted Wednesday by suspected Boko Haram militants, the police and local officials said.

Police said a team of officers had been deployed to the area to search for the abducted persons.

Those abducted include 14 women and two girls.

They were seized in Sabongari Madagali, in Madagali Local Government Area of the state, a federal lawmaker representing the area said.

Local sources said some of the women were taken

from a nearby bush where they went in search of firewood. Others were seized from a nearby river while fishing.

A source said two women managed to escape the abductors by pretending to have drowned.

“The two women who are in real state of trauma told us that the suspected Boko Haram insurgents had a field day carting away the women when their escorts ran away for their dear lives,” the source said.

He said two vigilante operatives who escorted the women to the bush fled on

Benue Legislative rerun: Tribunal orders substituted service on Mark THE National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Makurdi, on Thursday, granted Daniel Onjeh’s motion exparte for substituted service on Senator David Mark.

Onjeh and Mark contested the February 20 Benue South senatorial district legislative rerun election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), respectively.

Onjeh had filed a petition urging tribunal to declare

him as the winner of the poll.

Joined in the petition as co-respondent were INEC and PDP. INEC had declared Mark as the winner of the poll with a margin of barely more than 12,000 votes.

Onjeh insisted that “the purported margin of win that led to the declaration of Mark as winner of the poll was far less than the number of cancelled and rejected votes.’’

He told the tribunal that

the cancelled and rejected votes were over 29,000.

According to him, evidence on the face of the certified true copy of result declaration sheets obtained from INEC showed irregularities and non-compliance with Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

The tribunal gave 21 days to the respondents to reply to the petition upon

service, following which Onjeh and APC would reply within seven days after which sitting would commence.

Onjeh informed the tribunal that the court bailiff made several attempts to effect service on the respondents to no avail.

In his ruling on the motion, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Abdullahi

PDP raises the alarm over plan to extend Edo council chairmen’s tenure

SATURDAY, 26 MARCH, 2016

Allegation baseless —Govt Banji Aluko - Benin City THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State said it has uncovered a plan by the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, to illegally extend the tenure of local government chairmen in the state.

The party warned the state government not to embark on the planned extension, advising that the proper thing to do was to begin preparations for elections to fill the offices that would soon become vacant.

The three-year tenure of the local government chairmen is expected to end on April 22, 2016.

A statement issued by the publicity secretary of the Edo PDP, Chris Nehikhare, said “an extension of the tenure, especially of this set of council chairmen will be an aberration.

It would be emboldening the current excessive centralisation of governance that deepens corruption and abuse of power.

“It is pertinent to warn that this action is not only illegal, but unconstitu-

tional, primitive and an assault on the sensibility of Edo people as well as thousands of local government workers and pensioners who have not been paid for months.”

A statement by the Executive Director of Media and Public Affairs, Governor’s Office, John Mayaki, however, described the PDP allegation as baseless, pointing out that the issue has not been discussed at any forum.

“The governor is aware that the Local Government Council chairmen are running a three-year constitutional tenure and will not meddle in such issues. The best that can happen is for their tenure to come to an end, and elections will be contested into the local government councils, all things being equal.

How can you extend the tenure of an elected officer whose tenure has not come to an end? Is the PDP daydreaming of an act of parliament? If yes, then where is it? Is it a declarative statement from Mr Governor? If yes, where is their proof?

Sanya, ordered that service be effected by substituted means.

Sanya said that the petitioner could paste the service at the gate of Mark’s compound at No 20, David Mark Way, Otukpo, Benue State.

NAN reported that this was the second time Onjeh dragged Mark to the tribunal.

sighting the heavily armed men, who arrived in good numbers.

“They left the women to their own devices as the gunmen were left unchallenged leading to the abduction of the said women,” the source said.

Confirming the incident, the member representing Michika/ Madagali Federal constituency, Adamu Kamale, said, “I just received the shocking news to the effect that about 16 women have been abducted by Boko Haram.

“We have been witnessing pockets of attacks contrary to the belief that security has been fully restored in the area. As a member of NASS (National Assembly), I have been calling for the deployment of security personnel but to no avail as the government seems to have relegated our concerns to the background.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of Adamawa, Othman Abubakar, said on learning about the development, the command deployed officers to the affected area.

N150

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I submitted authentic He’s an list of candidates to impostor ODIEC —Ogunye —Okunomo

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I be Ijaw, I be pastor ...

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Lagos model colleges of stench, neglect and hope Book your copy today

8

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Lagos

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Bricklayer smashes mother, daughter’s heads with iron rod Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A bricklayer, Salaudeen Abdullahi, 29, has been arrested by the police over an alleged assault of a mother, Rashidat Tayo, and her daughter, Bukola Salawudeen, by smashing a rod on their heads, thereby inflicting injury on the centre of their heads.

Abdullahi, who has no fixed address, allegedly assaulted both mother and daughter on March 21, between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., at Dangote Oniru, Victoria Island area.

The police Prosecutor, Cyriacus Osuji told an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, where Abdullahi was arraigned, that the offence committed is punishable under section 171 of the Criminal law of Lagos State 2011.

A car that somersaulted on Jakande Gate, Isheri-Oshun, Alimosho Local Government Area, on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

Lawmakers condemn principal for ordering flogging of female student on bare buttocks Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos

T

HE Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday condemned the actions of the principal of a secondary school in the state who allegedly ordered an erring student to be flogged on her bare buttocks.

The call followed a motion raised by Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, the Chairman, House Committee on

Judiciary, Human Rights, Petitions and Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) under the matter of urgent public importance on the floor.

In her submission, she called the attention of the House to an incident where a 14-year-old SSS II student of Eva Adelaja Girls Secondary School in Bariga, Miss Ogechi Blessing, was allegedly assaulted by her teachers under the pretence that they were

punishing her.

Tejuosho informed the House that the girl was allegedly flogged on her bare buttocks and back by the school’s principal and five other teachers for slapping the head girl. The lawmaker said that under no circumstances must the teachers and the principal of any school strip up a student so as to punish him or her. She therefore urged other lawmakers to join hands with her to con-

Ikorodu, Badagry recreational parks opened for Easter celebration IN a bid to improve the quality of lives of the citizens through recreational activities, the State Government has concluded plan to open the Badagry and Ikorodu Recreational Parks for public use during the Easter holiday.

The General Manager, Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency

(LASPARK), Mrs Abimbola Jijoho-Ogun disclosed this on Thursday, during an interactive section with newsmen in her office at Alausa. Jijoho-Ogun stated that all necessary arrangement have been put in place to make the Easter celebration a fun filled experience for the residents of the two towns, adding that both parks have all

the necessary facilities obtainable in any standard park in the state.

According to her, “Adequate security have been provided for all fun seekers who desire to visit the parks as men of the Nigerian Police, LASTMA and KAI officials will be on ground to protect the lives and properties of all visitors.

demn the incident and to call on the ministry to urgently investigate the incident.

Other lawmakers took turns to condemn the action of the school teachers and the principal.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa said: “Although, we do not condone what the junior student did to her senior, all the same,

we are not in support of that kind of merciless beating.

“We know that the Ministry of Education has stepped into it but we want them to ensure that their findings get back to House for necessary action on the matter. The ministry should instil proper discipline in students to make them better children in the society.”

Lekki Gardens MD released on self-recognisance, contractor gets N10m bail Gbemi Solaja THE Managing Director, Lekki Gardens, Nyong Richard and a contractor, Odofin Taiwo, have been admitted to bail.

The Magistrate of an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s court, Mrs Afolashade Botoku, granted the contractor bail of N10 million, with two sureties and also admitted Nyong to bail on self recognisance.

It will be recalled that Mag-

istrate Botoku had ordered the remand of the Managing Director and contractor, for their role in the collapse of a five-storey building which killed not less than 35 people in Lekki, recently.

Botoku had ordered that both Nyong and Taiwo should be kept in police custody at the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba for the next 30 days pending the conclusion of police investigation.

Abdulahi who is facing a two count charge bordering on unlawful assault however pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

His lawyer, Daniell Abbe, asked the court to admit the defendant to bail in the most liberal terms, as the defendant is still presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. M. Ajayi, admitted the defendant to bail, in the sum of N100, 000 with two credible sureties with verified means of livelihood, who must show evidence of tax clearance and their addresses to be verified and adjourned the case till April 13, for mention.

UNILAG Suicide:

arrested Naza Okoli

FOUR students from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) were on Wednesday arrested at Ifo, in Ogun State over the death of Mr Eniola Jacobs, a 300-level student who died on Sunday after reportedly consuming a certain quantity of an insecticide called Sniper.

The students, (names withheld) are all executive members of a church fellowship in the university, which Jacobs used to attend before his death. They were arrested at Ifo when they went to attend Jacobs’ burial.

It was gathered that Jacob’s relatives had quickly invited officers from the Ifo Police Station and had the students arrested, alleging that they were the ones who had forced Jacobs to ingest the lethal chemical.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of Lagos, Dolapo Badmus, said it was “out of her jurisdiction,” since the arrest was made in Ogun State.

Attempts made to reach the Ogun State

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

metro 8 babies, 9 pregnant women in Kirikiri Maximum Prison —DCR Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin THE Director, Directorate of Citizens Rights (DCR), Mrs Omotilewa Ibirogba, on Thursday, disclosed that eight babies and nine heavily pregnant women are among 222 inmates in the female section of Kirikiri Maximum Prisons.

Ibriogba and her team, who were received by an Assistant Controller of Prisons (ACP), Mrs B.C. Nwaekwe, explained that the visit was part of the efforts of the state government to decongest the prisons.

Asked of the fate of the babies, she explained that once they attain 24 months, they would be taken from their mothers and handed over to their appointed relations so that they are not

institutionalised.

The prison which is over-populated has 175 awaiting trials, 43 convicts, two on life imprisonment and another two, for the

hangman noose.

The DCR director said their findings revealed that most of the inmates already have legal representations and have been granted

bails but have not been able to perfect such bail conditions.

She said there are plans by her directorate to provide free legal services to

those whose cases are not going on well in the court while applications would be filed in courts to vary bail conditions by those already granted bail by the courts.

Badagry residents lament inadequate water, electricity, good roads Chukwuma Okparaocha-Lagos

Four students Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, Thursday evening were unsuccessful.

The University of Lagos spokesman, Mr Toyin Adebule did not return several calls placed to his line.

However, the Chief Security Officer of the University, Adamu Shehu, confirmed the incident, and said that the Vice Chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello, had given a ‘directive’ concerning it.

Contrary to what obtained in the past, Mrs Ibirogba said the inmates looked neat, healthy, well fed and has no rashes on their body. “I am sure they now take very good care of them,” she added.

Members of the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco of Grand Oak Limited protesting the use of contract and casual members of staffs and the increasing influx of more expatriates on the company’s payroll by the management at Oregun, on Thursday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Boy attempts to jump inside lagoon for losing N6,000 to hoodlums Olalekan Olabulo A seventeen-year old boy, (names withheld), who allegedly attempted to commit suicide on the Third Mainland Bridge, has been rescued by policemen from Lagos State.

The boy told the police that

he decided to kill himself after losing a mobile phone and the sum of N6, 000 to social miscreants on the Lagos Island.

The timely intervention of policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), who were on regular patrol of the Third Mainland

Managing Director, Primero Transport Services Limited, Mr Fola Tinubu (left) with the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, during the monarch’s movement with ‘LAMATA BRT’ public transportation, on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

Bridge, saved the boy. Their attention was drawn by a roving mechanic on the bridge, to the lone teenager, standing on the bridge and looking into the lagoon curiously. On getting to the scene, he was sighted standing on the crash barrier, ready to dive into lagoon before he was held in the legs by the RRS officials and taken to their headquarters for counselling and further investigations.

The boy, after receiving counselling from the RRS Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olatunji Disu, disclosed that he decided to jump into the Lagoon after losing N6, 000 and a mobile phone to ‘Area Boys’ on Lagos Island.

“I couldn’t summon the courage to go back home to confront my mum that I lost the money she gave me to purchase foodstuffs at Ita Faaji. I don’t know those guys and I have never seen them before,” he stated.

His mother stated that she had been looking for him for

couple of hours after sending him on errand. “I have searched everywhere, his friends’ and the entire neighbourhood. I was shocked to learn that he has attempted suicide by jumping into the Lagoon. He has just finished his secondary school. He went to Lagos City College.

I don’t know why he wanted to commit suicide,” she said.

The woman added that, “if he had returned home to tell me what happened, the worst I could have done was to slap him and threatened him to return my money. I know I have been an exceptional mother to the four of them. I have never allowed them to miss their father and they are doing quite well in their studies.”

The boy was subsequently released to his mother at the RRS Headquarters in Alausa and they are to report back next week.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the rescue of the boy to Lagos Metro.

RESIDENTS of Badagry area of Lagos State, on Wednesday urged Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and lawmakers from the area to give priority to the provision of water, roads and transformers for the people.

The residents made the plea in separate interviews with Lagos Metro which visited the area during the official commissioning of eight modern boreholes donated by a lawmaker, Mr Setonji David to his constituency, Badagry Constituency II at various wards in two areas of Badagry, the Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Badagry Central Local Government Area (LGA).

Pastor Olusegun Odesanya, the Chairman, Ibiye Town Community Development Association (CDA) in Olorunda LCDA said that residents had been battling with poor water supply for years, stating that, “The challenge of water here is so much that we have started using this borehole long before today using our power generator for pumping water. Our problem is not limited to water, we don’t have good roads and we need relieve transformers. We commend Honourable Setonji for providing us with water.”

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

IPMAN decries NNPC import monopoly Calls for private sector participation OlatundeDodondawa-Lagos

F

OLLOWING claims by the Federal Government that fuel scarcity may linger for next months, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged for more participation by marketers in product importation rather than being the sole importer of fuel.

The National Operations Controller, IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, stated in a telephone conversation with the Nigerian Tribune on Thursday that “there is need for more participation by other marketers because NNPC as a sole importer of petroleum products is inadequate.”

Osatuyi argued that the fuel scarcity being experienced in the country would not go away unless the issue of foreign exchange scarcity is addressed.

“We raised an alarm few months ago that there would be scarcity due to certain decisions that were made. Today, we have a situation at which everything is determined by the government, how much allocation we can get and how much we can sell.

“Right now, there are almost no cargos out there.

They are not expecting any cargo. Even if you are going to get the cargoes, the premium is going to be high, and who bears the difference,’’ he said.

He said the NNPC is rationing available products to marketers and “this has led to serious scarcity.

He, however, blamed the scarcity on lack of adequate planning.

According to him, “the government has not been sincere in addressing fuel scarcity in the country. I don’t think the right people have been put in the right positions, and when they are hired, the government has not made the environment conducive for them to operate.”

The IPMAN boss also said that non-availability of petrol in most filling stations has affected marketers’ businesses who rely on bank loans for their operations.

“Even if the refineries have been working at installed capacity, common sense should have informed the government there was the need to make additional provision for the people 26 years after.

“The refineries were neglected to rot since year 2000, the fuel scarcity challenge has been a recurring

decimal as Nigeria depends on the importation of products to meet its domestic needs,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the statement by the Honourable Minister

of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, that he is not a magician and that he may not be able to solve the scarcity problem soon, have led to panic buying by

motorists and hoarding of products by marketers.

Long queues have suddenly emerged on Thursday which resulted into heavy traffic across Lagos metropolis.

Most filling stations that have products in Lagos and its environs were seen with long queues. The major marketers were seen dispensing at recommended

From left, The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II); the Chairman of Gran Imperio Group, Mr Ayo Ojuroye; Founder of FCMB Group and Olori Omo-oba Akile Ijebu, Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun and his wife, Olori Abimbola Balogun, during a courtesy visit by the Ooni to Otunba Balogun at his residence in Lagos.

Why high fuel prices, fuel scarcity may persist Chima Nwokoji -Lagos STRONG indications have emerged as to why scarcity of fuel and its high prices may last longer, despite plunging prices of the commodity in the global market.

This is coming when the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu has said fuel scarcity may persist for two more months as oil produced in the refin-

eries would not be sold but kept in a “strategic reserve.”

While economists bemoan the lower prices, consumers have grown increasingly excited with the expectation that this would translate into lower transportation costs, an expenditure that occupies a significant position on their disposable incomes.

However, Nigerians are likely to be disappointed due mainly to the fact that

oil accounts for just 20 per cent of the cost of a liter of petrol, there are other costs.

According experts at the Financial derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, while the price of oil may be dropping, these other factors are experiencing stability, increases or removals. As a result the direction and movement in pump prices may not move in the same direction with gas prices at the international front.

Residents of border towns in Oyo, Kwara pay N300 per litre RESIDENTS of Iseyin area of Oyo State on Thursday bemoaned the persistent fuel scarcity in the town and its environs and urged the Federal Government to tackle the issue.

In the same vein, motorists and other users of petrol in the Nigerian/Benin Republic border area in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara now buy the commodity for N300 per litre.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that majority of petrol stations in Iseyin had no stock, while the few that opened to motorists were also selling petrol above the official pump price.

In separate interviews, some residents told NAN that the situation had become very difficult to bear.

Mr Bambi Ishola, an official of Iseyin local government council, suggested to government to convene a

national stakeholders meeting to discuss the issue of fuel scarcity in the country.

Also, Mr Dele Onimole, a motorist, said it was important for government to ensure that owners of filling stations did not take advantage of the current situation to cheat innocent citizens.

Similarly, Jonathan Mi-

chael, another Iseyin resident, decried the current situation in the area, saying “it is very difficult to cope under this condition. We have no public electricity supply and we can’t fuel our generators! Goods are also very expensive everywhere; I appeal to the government to please intervene.

Rather, Nigerian pump prices are likely to remain the same, if not increase, due to the costs and risks associated with freight, subsidy removal,Port duties/ Storage and the impacts of supply-demand dynamics, competition and foreign exchange (forex) volatility.

In Nigeria, the pump price of petrol is regulated by the government and currently sells at N86.50 while selling at N86 in the subsidiaries of the national oil company. Based on the Official Energy Statistics from the US Government, Energy Information Administration (EIA’s) break down of the cost component of a litre of petrol, 20 per cent of the N86.50 is N17.30 while freight cost occupies the majority in the cost component of litre of petrol at 41.5 per cent.

Massive queues re-appear at filling stations in FCT MASSIVE queues have resurfaced in filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after few days of relief, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A survey conducted by the NAN on Thursday showed that most filling stations had queues which stretched over two kilometres.

Some of the petrol stations on the Kubwa Expressway which had long queues of vehicles waiting to buy fuel were AA Rano,

NNPC Mega Station, MRS, Bulsalewa, Conoil and Mobil.

Other fuel stations in the Central Area with long queues were Mobil, Conoil, NNPC outlets, Forte Oil, Total, among others.

Mr Emeka Ifedikachi, express regret over the non -availability of petrol, saying it was unfortunate that government had yet to fix the problem of the supply of petroleum products.

“I read in the papers that the problem will not end

till May, which means all the things they have been saying to us were not true.

“I have to queue to fill up my tank because from tomorrow, I have many activities to mark the Easter holidays.

“It is obvious that many people will sleep and celebrate their Easter queuing to buy fuel,’’ he said.

Another customer at the NNPC mega station, Mr Yusuf Ahmed, told NAN that he had been on the queue for over an hour.

retail price of N86.50 per litre, while most independent marketers with products were dispensing between N120-N150 per litre.

When the Nigerian Tribune monitored some filling stations in Lagos and its environs on Tuesday, it was discovered that Oando, Mobil, Total Conoil, MRS and NNPC Retail stations at Oregun, Ikorodu Road and Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway were dispensing to motorists at recommended retail prices.

Independent marketers like Technoil, Petrostar and AB filling stations, situated at Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, were dispensing between N120-N150 per litre to motorists. One of the dealers who preferred anonymity argued that they are selling at above recommended retail price because they did not buy at approved ex-depot price of N77.60 per litre.

“I am a businessman with many staff to take care of including my overhead bills.

NNPC is selling only to major marketers who in-turn resell their allocations to us at above ex-depot price. We have to be in business, that’s why we buy at any rate to sell to desperate motorists who cannot afford to waste their precious time queuing for fuel,” he said.

Airtel sponsors Julius Agwu’s ‘Laff for Christ Sake’ 4 city’ tour

By Rotimi Ige LAFF For Christ Sake, an evening of gospel rhythms and jokes comedy brand created by one of Nigeria’s biggest comedy exports, Julius Agwu, is billed to start again this Easter season.

This season’s Laff for Christ Sake tour will hold in four different cities back to back and is fully sponsored by leading telecommunications company, Airtel.

The show will kick off in Calabar on 25 March and the train will move to Uyo on 26 March. It will then be the turn of Port-Harcourt to experience rib cracking jokes on 27 March and the final stop for the tour is Bonny Island on 28 March, 2016.

The event will feature performances from top entertainers such as Buchi, Dan D Humorous, Acapella, Afy Douglas, MC Abbey, Ime Bishop, Funny Bone, Last Prophet, Freke Umoh, General Odey, Joe Praize, Steve Crown, Preye Odede and many others.

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

Budget: Nigerians knock NASS on lapses

R

EACTIONS have continued to trail Wednesday’s passage of the 2016 budget with some Nigerians deploring National Assembly’s approval of the bill with lapses.

They faulted the lawmakers for passing a budget that had identifiable lapses ``after spending three months with the document.’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Appropriation Bill was presented to the assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on 22 December, 2015.

The respondents told NAN in Abuja that the legislature had no excuse to have passed the budget without addressing the lapses it identified in it.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje, had while presenting the budget report shortly before its passage admitted that there were still certain lapses in the budget which had not been taken care of.

He said that the committee had to let the lapses go because any attempt to correct them would mean that the budget would stay longer before being passed and that Nigerians would not understand.

However, a civil servant, Mr Joseph Joseph, said that it was the function of the National Assembly to correct all errors in the Bill before passing it.

He said that hitches that would be experienced in the implementation of the budget would be blamed on the legislature and not on the executive.

“The responsibility of the National Assembly is to collectively help us correct any

anomaly.

“But, where they decide to look the other way and let a budget that is not fully corrected to be passed, then we are all in a state of quagmire.

“When they came out blazing and telling us how the

budget had been padded and how so many things were wrong, I honestly thought that we finally had a Senate that is not an extension of the Executive.

“But, that seems not to be the case; the budget ought not to have been passed

From left; Director of Rural Community Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Oyo State, Pastor Yode Ayanlowo; Executive Director, British American Tobacco Nigerian Foundation (BATNF), Mrs Oluwaseyi Ashade; the Aare of Ago-Are, His Royal Highness, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola (Ilufemiloye) Olakanla II; General Manager, BATNF, Abimbola Okoya and the Chairman, Management Committee of Ago-Are Cassava Cottage Industry, Chief Adedigba Josiah, during the commissioning and handover ceremony of the newly rehabilitated Cassava Processing Cottage Industry to management committee of Ifelodun Ago-Are Parapo in ATISBO Local Government Area of Oyo State.

NSE market capitalisation up by N56bn to close for Easter celebration ACTIVITIES on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday closed for the Easter celebrations on a positive note with the market capitalisation increasing

by N56 billion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisa-

tion improved by N56 billion or 0.63 per cent to close at N8.909 trillion compared with N8.853 trillion achieved on Wednesday.

Nigerian Stock Exchange Nigerian Stock Exchange In the same vein, the AllShare Index which opened at 25,736.92 grew by 162.99

points or 0.63 per cent to close at 25,899.91.

An analysis of the price movement table indicated that Nigerian Breweries led the gainers’ table, growing

by N4.09 to close at N117.70 per share. International Breweries followed with N1.74 to close at N18.80,

Customs impounds ship over illegal operation inside NNPC jetty Tola Adenubi -Lagos OPERATIVES of the Eastern Marine Command, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have impounded an oil tanker, MT AFRICAN BEAUTY, for allegedly operating illegally in the nation’s waters.

The ship was impounded while operating at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) jetty in Warri, Delta State.

The Custom Area Controller, Eastern Marine Command, Comptroller Usman Kankara Bello, said that the vessel was found operating with expired Temporary Importation (TI) Permit at the time it was impounded.

He noted that it was illegal for any shipping company to allow its vessel to operate in Nigerian waters without a valid import permit, adding that the permit is given to ship owners by NCS to operate in Nigeria within a specific period of time.

According to him, the permit is given under bond granted by Nigerian banks and that upon expiration,

with issues pertaining to lapses,” Joseph said.

According to him, the passage of the budget with lapses was just a way of telling Nigerians to expect a bumpy implementation.

Miss Adanna Uwaleme, an Information Technology ex-

the vessel is expected to return to its country of origin.

“However, a window period is given to the owners to allow it renew its document if it intends to continue operating within the nation’s water. In this case a fresh TI is issued for extension.

“But what we found out

is that some vessel owners keep their operations running without recourse to the rules. In such instance, such vessel is viewed as operating illegally and we will no longer condone such act.

“In the case of MT AFRICAN BEAUTY, we discovered that there was no

conscious effort by its management towards renewing the document. We therefore, impounded the vessel,” Bello said.

He also warned ship owners and tankers operating within Nigerian waters to comply with the extant laws and guidelines of the NCS.

Labour pickets Grand Oak Ltd over expatriate recruitment Tola Adenubi -Lagos THE Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the early hours of Thursday picket the office premises of Grand Oak Limited located in Lagos and its subsidiaries scattered across Ogun State over demand that the company stop further recruitment of expatriate workers.

According to findings, subsidiaries of Grand Oak Limited like Supreme Distilleries Limited (SDL) located along the Owode Idiroko road and the Nigerian Distilleries Limited (NDL) located along the Lagos-Abeokuta express road, both in Ogun State were shut down by

protesting workers over the incessant recruitment of expatriate workers for jobs that Nigerians could do.

According to one of the staff who was among those locked out by the protesting labour union, the issue over incessant expatriate employment for jobs Nigerians can do has been on the front burner for a while now.

The staff who declined not to have his name in print has he is not authorised to speak stated that, “Many of the workers have shown resentment in the past over Grand Oaks policy of bringing in expatriates for jobs that Nigerians can do.

“We heard labour had

written many letters to the management over a period of time over this issue but nothing was done by management to address it.”

“The last straw that broke the camel’s back was a recent employment of 3 or 4 expatriate personnel for jobs that could ordinarily be done by Nigerians. I think that is why the NLC has taken the action to close down all our offices.

“We heard both of our subsidiaries in Owode and Sango have been shut down.

The situation is not different over here at the head office where I work. We just hope management quickly resolve this so that life can return back to normal.”

while Mobil Oil gained N1.09 to close at N156 per share. PZ Industries appreciated by N1.08 to close at N22.79 and Ecobank Transnational garnered 49k to close at N14.74 per share.

On the other hand, Seplat topped the losers’ chart, dropping by N8 to close at N300 per share. Total came second with N2.45 to close at N140.01 and Cadbury lost 76k to close at N14.77 per share. Nestle lost 55k to close at N700 and National Salt Company of Nigeria shed 34k to close at N6.52 per share.

Zenith Bank drove the volume of shares traded, accounting for 89.39 million shares worth N1.13 billion.

GT Bank followed with an exchange of 79.89 million shares valued at N1.28 billion and Transcorp traded 49.43 million shares worth N60.31 million. FCMB Group sold 34.94 million shares valued at N26.76 million and United Capital traded 28.01 million shares worth N56.39 million.

A total of 397.05 million shares valued at N3.28 billion were exchanged by investors in 3,742 deals. This was against the 398.28 million shares worth N2.65 billion transacted in 3,581 deals on Wednesday. NAN also reports that the market will remain closed till March 29 due to public holidays declared by the Federal Government to mark Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Nigerian Tribune

pert, said that there was no reason for the national assembly, especially the senate, to have passed a budget with lapses.

She said that the lawmakers were not given a deadline within which to pass the budget; they set the deadline for themselves and should have no excuses of pressure.

“I admit that it is a very difficult task to look through a voluminous document such as the Appropriation Bill, but it is the function of the legislators and their staff to ensure that all necessary corrections are made.

“Where the national assembly told us on national television that they noticed some lapses in the budget, and still let the budget pass the way it was, doesn’t speak well of them.

“It is even more worrisome that the lapses as explained by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekwerenmadu, bothered on salaries for workers.

“It does not show the lawmakers as true representatives of Nigerians and their constituents who are going to be at the receiving end when government does not have appropriation for paying salaries,” she said.

An economist, Ahmed Omowale, queried why the lawmakers had to deduct N17 billion from the budget and did not think of using the money to fill some of the identified lapses.

Omowole said that the passage of the budget with lapses was just like an accountant presenting a financial report where the accounts were not balanced.

“How could the national assembly pride itself to have deducted N17 billion from the budget when it left lapses unaddressed.

“I really wonder why the senate was making public the lapses as if it were some achievement on its part.

“Whatever happens, the national assembly should take the blame for whatever errors that are found in the budget,” he said.

However, another civil servant, Mr Baba Onoja, defended the lawmakers, saying that the budget was well scrutinised within the time that was available to them.

He said that Nigerians should not always find fault with everything and every process but should support the budget throughout the period of implementation.

“The 2016 Budget to the best of my knowledge was scrutinised properly; the yearning and aspiration of the general populace played a part in that budget being passed.”

eastermessages FG warns airlines against arbitrary hike in fares

12

T

HE Federal Government has warned airlines operating in the country against arbitrary hike in fares, during the Easter celebration.

Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, in a statement on Thursday, urged the airlines not to take advantage of the heavy traffic, during the Easter period to exploit travellers through arbitrary increase in fares.

The statement was signed by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr James Odaudu, and

Mimiko calls for sustained prayers, sacrifice ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has called for sustained prayers, sacrifice, cooperation and understanding from the governed to enable government serve them better even in the face of the current economic reality.

Congratulating Christians as they celebrate Easter, Mimiko in his Easter message, said the occasion should not be seen as a period of winning and dinning alone, adding that it is a period for sober reflection, thus, he challenged the people to be more prayerful than ever before, and implored them to give more assistance to the government by making more sacrifice.

“Jesus’ life exemplified sacrifice. He lived and died for humanity. No sacrifice could be greater than this.

As we celebrate Easter, we can engage in winning and drinking. But it is also a period to emulate Christ and reflect on what sacrifice we can make to move the society forward,” he said.

made available to newsmen in Abuja.

According to Sirika, the warning becomes necessary in view of some air-

PRESIDENT of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called on Christians in the country to use the Easter celebration to pray for sustainable peace and economic growth.

Saraki made the call in a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser, Media and

‘Imbibe virtues of peace, love, sacrifice, forgiveness’ GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged Christian faithful to imbibe the virtues of peace, love, sacrifice and forgiveness, being the lessons of Easter.

In his Easter message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, the Governor said: “as we join Christians all over the world to celebrate this Easter, I urge the faithful in Edo State and Nigeria to imbibe the core values of Christianity and the lessons of the season which are sacrifice, love, sharing and forgiveness of sins.

“We should remember that the progenitor of the Christian faith is

also known as the ‘Prince of Peace’ and we should, therefore, embrace peace with all men ,and maintain the peace which we have enjoyed in the state in the past years.

CORPS Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, on Thursday, assured Nigerians of free flow of traffic and road safety during the Easter holiday.

Oyeyemi told newsmen in Abuja that the corps had deployed appropriate logistics to major highways to check traffic challenges during the period.

“We have about 23 corridors which the country highways have been divided into, and with the injection of new sets of patrol vehicles, we have been able to cover critical corridors effectively.

“Going by the strategic session we had last week, we promised Nigerians we will be able to put in our best to ensure free flow of traffic.

people of Oyo State, urging all Christians to demonstrate the love that Christ showed by giving his life to save mankind.

Chris Agbambu-Abuja

THE Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase

has directed all Zonal AIGs and State Command Commissioners of Police to take all necessary measures at

Oyo NSCDC deploys 2,500 personnel OYO State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), John Adewoye, has said 2,500 personnel had been deployed to guarantee security of lives and property during the Easter celebration.

Adewoye, in his Easter

“Already you know we have some critical black spots from Kotonkarfi to Yangoji, then from Yangoji, you look at Lokoja/ Okene Egbeda, that is, Iwo Road-Ninth Mile, then Ogere and Akwanga.”

message, assured residents of the state that security agencies would not hesitate to rid the state of all forms of criminality.

He said security checks would take the form of mobile, static and leg patrols throughout the celebration in the state.

He charged all Nigerians to be law-abiding during the Easter celebration, while calling on them to shun criminality and other social vices to ensure the progress of the country.

Calling on Nigerians to reflect on the teaching of sacrifice and love epitomised

by Jesus Christ, he further urged Christians to pray for the survival of the country.

Pray for Nigeria, Bello urges Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

GOVERNOR of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has called on Christians to use the Easter period to pray for the quick resolution of the economic challenges currently confronting the nation.

In an Easter message released on Thursday, in Minna, Governor Bello called on Nigerians to continue to work for peace, the prime essence of Christ’s resurrection.

The message, as contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Vatsa, said as the country continues to fight economic hardship and corruption, there is need to

Passengers besiege Abuja airport, many stranded NNAMDI Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was a beehive on Thursday, as passengers who were desirous of celebrating the 2016 Easter with their families, thronged the airport.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Federal Government had declared Friday and

“As we celebrate, we should not forget to extend a hand of fellowship to the less-privileged among us, as Christ taught us to ‘love our neighbours as our ourselves.”

Pray for sustainable peace, economic growth, Saraki calls on Christians Publicity on Thursday, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Christians around the world celebrate Easter in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Saraki said it was imperative for Nigerians to learn from the humility and sacrifice exhibited by Christ when he gave his life for the redemption of mankind.

He commended the Christian community for its fasting and prayers, during the Lent, and urged the faithful to sustain the tempo for the continued peace and unity of the nation.

He reminded Christians of the need to remain steadfast and always promote religious harmony, describing as panacea for the development of the nation.

Ensure adequate security for worshippers, travellers, citizens, IGP orders AIGs, CPs

FRSC assures Nigerians of smooth traffic, safety

Exemplify sacrificial love of Christ, Oyo NOA boss enjoins citizens STATE Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Oyo State, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu, has enjoined the citizens of Oyo State to exemplify the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ in all their endeavours; a message inherent in the current administration’s change mantra which encapsulates reviving our attitudinal and value re-orientation, shunning social vices and maintianing a peaceful co-existence amongst ourselves, irrespective of our tribes or creed.

Dosunmu gave the charge in an Easter message to the

lines’ penchant for unwarranted inflation of air fares, during festive seasons, thereby causing air travellers untold hardship.

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Monday public holidays for Easter celebrations.

NAN also reported that there was heavy traffic in the departure hall and the booking points of the domestic wing of the airport.

NAN also observed that some passengers were stranded as there were no available flights for them to travel to their destinations.

pray for the nation.

He also urged Christians to imbibe the ideals of perseverance, sacrifice and commitment to the will of God which characterised the Lenten season.

Governor Bello while congratulating Christians and all Nigerians, reminded them of the transient nature of life and the need to keep the faith at all times.

ensuring the provision of adequate security for worshippers, travellers, picnickers and all citizens across the country, before, during and after the festive season.

Also, Command Commissioners of Police were also mandated to personally ensure that all key and vulnerable points within their jurisdictions, including places of worships, recreation centres, motor parks, highways, financial institutions and all places of public resort are adequately and effectively protected.

The IGP on behalf of officers and men of the Ni-

geria Police Force, in his Easter message, sent his hearty greetings to the entire Christian community in Nigeria, as they join their brethren across the globe, to mark the 2016 Easter celebration.

While urging Nigerians to emulate and adopt the selfless lifestyle of Christ, the IGP enjoins them to be open- minded to issues of forgiveness, peace and harmonious co-existence, in consonance with the principles and teachings of Christ, especially in this trying moment in the history of our dear country.

Maintain virtues of piety —Ekiti speaker SPEAKER of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable Kola Oluwawole, has congratulated Christians across the country, particularly Ekiti State, on the occasion of Good Friday and Easter celebration, calling on them to maintain the virtues of piety that ruled during the lent.

The lawmaker, who prayed that God would protect and preserve the people to witness another Easter celebration, also charged the people to celebrate with moderation and endeavour to share whatever they had with

their neighbours, particularly the needy “to emulate Christ who gave us all for us to live.”

In a congratulatory message signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Stephen Gbadamosi, Oluwawole, who also charged the people of the state to continue to support and pray for the Ayodele Fayose-led government in the state, said; “I heartily congratulate Christians across the country, particularly in Ekiti State, on the occasion of this year’s Good Friday and Easter celebrations.”

Archbishop Gabriel, Bishop Badejo, other clerics to grace Easter Fiesta in Ibadan AS part of preparations for the maiden edition of the Easter Fiesta in Ibadan, organisers of the event, Cletcom has announced that the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, Most Reverend Dr Gabriel Abegunrin, is expected to be the special guest of honour at the event.

The Bishop of Oyo Catholic Diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend Dr Emmanuel Badejo, is also expected at the Easter Fiesta which holds on Easter Monday.

Other invited men of God on the occasion include the Anglican Archbishop of Ibadan, Presiding Bishop of Victory International Church, Bishop Taiwo Ad-

elakun, Pastor in-charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, of the three regions in Oyo State, Pastor in-charge of the Living Spring Chapel, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, among others.

Managing Director of Cletcom Services, Prince

Cletus Iloabanafor said its organisation is happy that great men of God would feature at the Easter Fiesta, adding that with this development, residents in Ibadan would have enjoyable Easter celebration.

Keep hope alive, Kalu tells Nigerians Shola Adekola-Lagos

EMINENT businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Kalu, has called on Nigerians to use the Easter period to pray for leaders at all levels of government.

According to the former governor, despite the economic challenges facing the country, the President Buhari-led Federal Govern-

ment is on track in reshaping the economy through the implementation of wealth and employmentcreation initiatives.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “as we witness yet another Easter in commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we glorify God Almighty for the gift of life.”

Friday, 25 March, 2016 13 news Religious tolerance key to fighting insurgency —Saraki Ayodele Adesanmi Abuja

T

HE Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has identified tolerance, harmony and better understanding of religious tenets by adherents as long term solutions to the problem of insurgency and other conflicts facing the nation in particular, and the world in general.

Speaking while receiving the leadership of NasrulLahi-l-Fatih Society Of Nigeria (NASFAT), who paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday, in Abuja, Saraki, according to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Public Affairs, Mohammed Isa, stressed that though President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is winning the war against insurgency in the North East, the long term solution to the issue is to preach, entrench and sustain religious tolerance and harmony not only among Muslims but among adherents of all religions.

“Yes, the government of President Buhari is winning the war against insurgency, but that will be a short time solution. The long term and sustainable solution is to make people understand the teachings of their religion and have respect for the beliefs which others hold dear.

“That responsibility is

not for the government. It is for religious leaders and organisations such as NASFAT. We need to educate the people on the importance of peace, tolerance and harmony as enjoined by the teachings of all religions.

“It is my belief that the

root of religious conflicts not only in Nigeria but across the world is the lack of proper understanding of the teachings of religions, as no religion encourages violence and other forms of aggression against other people.

“This is where you and

other religious groups like yours come in. You need to preach to people on the importance of peace, the need to accommodate other people’s views, obey the laws of the land and treat one another as brothers and sisters”, he said.

Saraki commended the

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki (left), receiving the 21st anniversary flag of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Faith Society (NASFAT) from its national president, Alhaji Kamil Yomi Bolarinwa. With them is the chairman, Planning Committee of the 21st anniversary celebration, Mr Remi Bello, when the group visited the Senate President in Abuja, on Thursday.

IGP deploys additional mobile policemen, operational vehicles in Agatu villages Chris Agbambu - Abuja

IN a swift reaction to the recent killing in nine Agatu Local Government Areas of Benue State, allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen, the Inspector-General of Police,

IGP Solomon Arase, has put up additional mobile policemen and operational vehicles.

The IGP visited the area where he assessed the extent of damage caused during the clash and the impact on the

Agatu people of the state.

Based on his assessment and coupled with the logistical requirement, the IGP Immediately deployed two Units of Police Mobile Force to the area, to reinforce the Unit on ground, while ad-

6 arrested over robbery, kidnap in Delta As police rescue kidnapped 7-year-old Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

FIVE armed robbery cum cult suspects and one kidnap suspect have been arrested by men of the Nigerian Police in Delta.

Names of the robberycult suspects were given as Okolie Nkem, aged 21yrs; Oshoiokpu Emmanuel, Okuku Azuka, aged 22yrs; David Danboyi, aged 32yrs; Edio Lucky, 30yrs; Monody Odeni, 30yrs and Ifeachukwudeni Chidi, 21yrs.

The suspects were arrested, it was gathered, when the police at Obiaruku division were said to have received a tip-off that hoodlums were on the prowl at various locations of Obiaruku axis, terrorizing innocent citizens.

It was gathered that detectives from the division were swiftly despatched to the black spots where a gun duel eventually ensued between the police and the robbery suspects leading to the arrest of five of them.

It was gathered that preliminary inquiry has revealed that the suspects were responsible for various robbery incidents and cult-

organization for making peace and harmony the corner piece in its preaching and other activities, noting that, “our generation must preach peace like our forefathers did, and ensure that the next generation do not witness what we are witnessing today.”

related murders in the area in recent times.

Meanwhile, a seven-yearold boy, Great Opone, was said to have been rescued from his abductors while playing with his mates along Ekrebuo street, Orhoakpo, Isiokolo.

He was eventually rescued by a combined team of anti-

crime patrol men and local vigilance groups after combing the bush and uncompleted buildings in the area.

The hoodlums were said to have opened fire on the security men and in the ensuing gun battle, one of the criminals was shot in the leg and arrested while others escaped.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed both incidents to have taken place on March 17 and that young Opone was rescued unhurt, said the suspects had made useful statements and are assisting investigators with a view to apprehending other fleeing criminals.

Federal Ministry of Science and Technology would work very hard in the years to come to strengthen all the structures of the agencies that would help us to ensure that the nation play role in the space.

“We believe that this is achievable and we are working very hard to make sure that all the structures that are needed are provided.

The space is major asset in which nation like Nigeria must also be involved for the purposes of protecting our own national interest.

“We want to assure you that the ministry would continue to collaborate with you and to give you any support

that we can give because whatever you do will always be for the best interest of our nation,” he promised.

Dr Onu pointed out that Nigeria has the highest population and economy in Africa, hence, the reason to establish the Space Defence Agency.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Agency, AVM Udo said the agency was seeking for the ministry’s support to achieve desired efficiency.

He called on all the stakeholders to support the passage of the Bill establishing the Agency which has passed first reading at the National Assembly.

Nigerian astronaut will land in space by 2030 —Minister Ademola Adegbite - Abuja

MINISTER of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, on Thursday, said that the Federal Government was putting all the structures on ground to ensure that a Nigerian astronaut lands in space on or before 2030.

He made this known in his office in Abuja, when the management team of Defence Space Agency led

by Air Vice Marshal Victor Udo, paid him a working visit.

According to him, “the space programme is a very important programme for a country like Nigeria, the

ditional Police operational vehicles were also sent to the Commissioner of Police in the state command to aid operational support.

The Inspector-General of Police reaffirmed that the Nigeria Police Force, working in conjunction with the state government, will do everything within its powers to fish out and bring to book, perpetrators and other similar killings, stressing that an end must be put to this endless circle of impunity.

IGP Arase, while describing as regrettable, unprovoked and brutal, the killing of two policemen who were on legitimate assignment in the troubled area of Benue State, by the people of the area, warned that any person found to be involved in the killing would be made to bear the full wrath of the law.

The IGP further noted that the police and other security agents have relentlessly worked round the clock with significant success to stave off such attacks on the people of the area and the entire country at large.

In line with this, he reassured Nigerians that security agencies would do everything possible to further strengthen the security within and beyond the state.

While commiserating with families of the affected victims, the Inspector-General of Police appealed for the citizens’ support and cooperation to enable the Nigeria Police and other security agencies unmask perpetrators and sponsors of the crime.

Court sentences 3 kidnappers to 60 years imprisonment in Delta Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba

THREE accused persons who abducted Tobechukwu Ochei, younger brother to former Delta House of Assembly Speaker, Victor Ochei, in 2012, have been sentenced to 60 years imprisonment with hard labour by an Asaba High Court.

The hoodlums, who were armed with guns, kidnapped the victim who was on his honeymoon at the gate of his house in Asaba within the Asaba Judicial Division, and whisked him away in their operational vehicle to an unknown location.

He was later rescued by men of the DSS after spending four days in the kidnappers den, identified as an Iraq Community inside the creeks. They had demanded a ransom of N300 million from the family before he could be released.

The Court presided over

by Honourable Justice Cletus Emifoniye while delivering its verdict found the three accused persons, 37year old Igane Enekorogha, a fisherman, 36-year old Godwin Sibede, a driver and 47-year old Job Burutu guilty of the four-count charge of kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, demanding property with menace and illegal possession of firearms.

Mrs Olagunju for burial BURIAL arrangements for Mrs Felicia Tinuola Olagunju (nee Akinyemi), who died at the age of 93, will begin with service of songs on Friday, April 1, at Oisikin Compound, OdoEse, Okemesi, Ekiti State, by 5.00 p.m.

Outing service will be held on Saturday, April 2, at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Alaafia, Okemesi, by 10.00 a.m.

Mrs Olagunju

14

Friday, 25 March, 2016

I want to project Ago-Are to the whole world —Oba Kofoworola where the entire curriculum used in schools is produced.

Being an Oba does not stop me from presenting papers whenever I’m called upon to do so.

History was made in Ago-Are on Thursday, March 24, 2016, as His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Kofoworola, Abodunrin Oyetunji, Ilufemiloye – Olakanla II, was coronated as the fourth Aare of Ago-Areland. He told TAIWO OLANREWAJU about his vision for the town.

Excerpts:

Tell us a brief history of Ago-Are. Ago-Are is an integral part of Oke-Ogun. By God’s design, Ago-Are is centrally located in Oke-Ogun. You get there before going to other places. Ago-Are is a small London, a city of God. Founders of Ago-Are were great warlords, who assisted communities in waging wars against their enemies.

Ago-Are is known for three things – Onduro, the Field Marshall Insignia given to Aare; Ade Aminjingin, signifying and the leopard skin. My title is Aare alawo Ekun.

We hail from Ikole-Ekiti. Those days Princes left Ile-Ife to establish their own domain. Ago-Are is made up of two quarters. We are a unified community, peaceful and cooperative.

H

OW do you feel been coronated the fourth Aare of Ago-Areland?

I am very happy, like any other individual who finds himself in this position. It is not by might or power but by God’s grace.

What is your message to the people of Ago-Are on this occasion?

My people are peace loving and very accommodating.

They have shown me love; they have shown that they wanted me as their king; this they have demonstrated in so many ways, right from the day I was made the Oba-elect till date.

I thank them all.I want to tell them that I will run an all inclusive administration that is effective participation by all.

My doors will be open – for advice, suggestions and ways of moving Ago-Are forward.

My vision is to make Ago-Are one of the big towns in Oyo State, in Nigeria and the world at large.

What are the needs of the people of Ago-Are and how do you intend to meet these needs?

I am a grassroots man. I grew up in Ago-Are. I come home often because Ago-Are is my root. I am abreast of the needs of my people and I have been participating in ensuring that these needs are met. The needs are many but I will prioritise them.

During the Ijawe ceremony, their requests include having a higher institution, good hospital and effective banking system. Since the collapse of Savannah Bank, there has been no bank in Ago-Are. We go to Saki, Iseyin for bank transactions. We have written to some banks to come to Ago-Are to offer their services to her and neighbouring towns like Irawo, Ofiki, Owo, Agunrege, Tede, Sabe and others.

My people are agrarian farmers, they make money, can you imagine people burying money under the ground? I

His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Kofoworola, Abodunrin Oyetunji Ilufemiloye-Olakanla II, Aare of Ago-Areland also wish to help my people assess government incentives accruable to farmers.

On infrastructure, you can see it for yourself. Oke-Ogun has not had it so good and we want to have it so good. We will continue to meet with government agencies to provide necessary infrastructure for Oke-Ogun.

On security, in terms of letting the farmers enjoy the fruits of their labour, in terms of Bororo crisis. We want to promote a peaceful atmosphere for all, irrespective of your ethnic background.

On how to meet the needs of my people, I want to convene a two-day summit of stakeholders on a blueprint for Ago-Are in the short, medium and long term plan for Ago-Are. We will give suggestions on how to implement our suggestions. I also want to build an ultra-modern palace for use in the town.

As a PhD holder Sir, don’t you think you would have contributed more to the education sector if you had taken to lecturing?

I am contributing my quota. The department where I worked is the think-tank of education in Nigeria. That is

How do you intend to merge and manage your two titles, Ilufemiloye and Olakanla II? I adopted Ilufemiloye because the people of Ago-Are coined it; they told me they wanted me to be their king.

Olakanla is my grandfather’s name. I am his descendant, that is why I am Olakanla the second.

How do you intend to reconcile the factions that emerged as a result of the contention for the throne, more so that they are your family members?

The reconciliation process has started from the time I became the Oba-elect. It is the right of every male prince to aspire to the throne. The nomination exercise was a perfect one. So many things were taken into consideration. Our nomination exercise was a template for other local government areas. The exercise was perfect. Of course, if you feel you lost out over something you want to contest it.

There was no consensus candidate. I had four votes out of six.

The second person had two while 12 didn’t have any vote at all. One of the 15 of us before one backed out, was writing his NECO examination. That was no problem, if you are eligible, you are eligible. That is to show you that the exercise was fair.

We want a formidable Ago-Are community. I am extending my hand of fellowship to them. As a family, they should come back home. If we debase the stool, no one will raise it for us.

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

16 news

Friday, 25 March, 2016

How Badeh diverted N3.7bn to personal use —Witness Sunday Ejike - Abuja

A

witness of the Economic Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja, how former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh, authorised transfer of funds which he later diverted for his personal use.

The witness, Air Commodore Abdullahi Yushau, who was the former Director of Finance, Nigerian Air Force, said during a cross-examination that: “No money goes out of the accounts of Nigerian Air Force without the authorisation of the Chief of Staff.

“When documents of transactions are sent to the Chief of Air Staff, he usually authorised them. The balance of the salaries and allowances of personnel of the Nigerian Air Force was used for the servicing of the office of the Chief of Air Staff,” he said.

The retired Director of Finance had earlier told the court that money meant for personnel allowances and salaries was converted into dollars and that he personally delivered the money to Badeh in his then official residence at the Ni-

ger Barracks.

He said: “What is remaining is usually about N1.6 billion and N1.7 billion, out of which the sum of N558,200,000 was usually taken to Badeh’s official residence at the Niger Barracks in Abuja.”

The witness also stated that the N558,200,000 was under the “control of Badeh, which he usually gave approval for, so it could be exchanged into US dollars and taken to his official residence.”

Meanwhile, Justice Okon Abang adjourned the matter till April 8 for cross-examination of witness.

The Federal Government, through the EFCC had, on February 29, filed the charges against the former CDS and his company before the court.

EFCC alleged that Badeh, while serving as Chief of Air Staff and Iyalikam Nigerian Limited, between January and December 2013, did use dollar equivalent of N1.1 billion removed from Nigerian Air Force’s accounts to purchase a mansion at Maitama, Abuja.

Badeh and his company were accused of removing money from Nigerian Air Force’s accounts and did use dollar equivalent of N650 million to purchase

a commercial plot at plot 1386, Oda Crescent Cadastral zone Ao7, Wuse ll, Abuja.

The offence, the EFCC said, was contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act. The defendants were also said to have, between March 28 and December 2013, in Abuja, did use an aggregate sum of N878,362,732.94 removed from Nigerian Air Force’s accounts and paid into Zenith Bank Plc account of Rytebuilders Technologies Limited for construction of a shopping mall on plot 1386, Cadastral zone.

It was equally alleged that the defendants removed the sum of N304 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force and paid it to Rytebuilders for the completion of the shopping mall and that he also used N260 million dollar equivalent removed from the Nigerian Air Force accounts and paid to one Oluwatoyin Oke, through Platinum Universal Project and Construction to purchase for his son, Alex Badeh (Jnr), a duplex at No 19 Kumasi Crescent, Wuse, Abuja.

Arms deal: Drama as police lay ambush for Metuh in court continued from pg3

He also informed the court that his team had also appealed against the ruling of the court on the no-case submission filed by the defence.

Etiaba urged the court to take the application for motion for disqualification first as it touched on the jurisdiction of the court.

He admitted that the prosecution team were not served with the application seeking to disqualify the judge, saying that prosecution team rejected service on the flimsy excuse that the lawyer, who served them, was not a court bailiff.

Etiaba urged the court to adjourn the matter, saying the trial could not proceed because of the lead defence counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu’s absence.

He had earlier told the court that Ikpeazu was indisposed as a result of his ailment and that he needed

time to recover to handle the case himself.

On his part, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs opposed the application for adjournment and expressed concern that the defence was not fair to him by not serving him with the motion to disqualify the judge after he had called eight witnesses and the defence made a no-case submission, which the court ruled against the defence.

Jacobs told the court that he needed time to reply to the motion seeking to disqualify the judge.

The judge, after listening to would take the application on jurisdiction and if it succeeded, he would disqualify himself, but if it failed, the defendant would be at liberty to open their case.

He also said he would proceed to take the application for stay of proceeding and if it succeeded, the court would wait for

the ruling of the court of appeal, but if it failed, the defendant would open his case.

The judge, however, warned that the next adjourned date might be the last chance the court would give to the defendant to open their case.

He traced the history of the proceedings and noted that the matter had been adjourned three times on the instance of the defendant.

Justice Abang said the petition written against him to the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta and his response to the petition, now formed part of the records of the court.

The EFCC, in its charge against Metuh, who was arraigned alongside his firm, Destra Investments Limited, alleged that he received N400 million, part of the money meant for the procurement of arms, from the Office of the NSA in November, 2014.

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

E

VEN though Hannah was unaware of the young Ikenne man living in Ibadan who had moved from public letter-writing into transportation business and then produce-buying, he was aware of her. He knew of her family background and had heard so much about what a beautiful, amiable, conscientious, and disciplined lady she was. She was a teacher as well. He was at that stage in his life when he was looking for a good, strong and pleasant homemaker to compliment the public life he was contemplating for himself. Having resolved to take himself seriously for the rest of his life – before he will be taken seriously too as a public figure – he needed a woman by his side who would take him seriously enough to provide the harmony, order and love upon which he would build the foundation of his family and public life.

In the immediate post-Victorian era Western Nigeria, “love-letter” had become the significant and acceptable way by which the educated and the “modern” men courted similarly educated and modern young women. But when Obafemi wrote his first letter to Hannah intimating her of his love for her and his desire for a relationship that would lead to marriage, she hadn’t even met him and was left wondering who this love-struck man was.

“My husband started courting me in writing ever before we met face to face”, Hannah discloses in her autobiography. He was then the secretary of the transport’s union in Ibadan and a leading member of the produce buyer’s association. The skills he had deployed as a public letter-writer came in handy in the process of expressing his affection for Hannah. Even though he deployed the language facilities he had acquired from wide-ranging literature, he made the core of his message very clear. “I want to marry you”.

Hannah was not interested in a relationship; she was not even interested in dating a man she had not met. There were a few others who had expressed interest in her. They were mostly non-Ikenne indigenes. Given her mother’s very clear and strong position that she was not ready to “lose” her to some non-indigene who could take her to a “far-away” place after marriage, she turned down her suitors. Even though the latest suitor was an Ikenne indigene, she was still not interested. But the letters continued to arrive from Obafemi in Ibadan. He needed to move on the next stage of what was emerging to be a well-planned life and would not be deterred by the lady’s rebuff.

One day Mr. Emmanuel Obajimi Olutunda, a native of Ikenne and Obafemi’s friend who was also a relation of Hannah met her to verbally relay another message from Obafemi.

Olutunda spoke glowingly about this man. He was a “serious”, “successful” and “focused” man who would make a good husband, he said. The relentlessness of the suitor through letters and Olutunda’s testimonial succeeded in raising some curiosity in Hannah. She told Olutunda, “Look, I don’t even know the man you are introducing to me”. That was an ice-breaker.

Olutunda promised to bring the suitor as soon as possible.

He sent a message to Obafemi in Ibadan. It was a message of optimism, or more precisely, of possibility.

On the appointed day in 1934, the smartly-dressed Obafemi, accompanied by Olutunda met Hannah in her friend’s house. Here, at last, was the man behind the sweet words.

And here was the object of his desire, the much-sought after beauty. Obafemi introduced himself and added that he was the one behind the letters. He had come to re-affirm his craving for her love. He asked for her hand in marriage. Having satisfied her curiosity, Hannah again repeated her rejection of his request for a relationship that could blossom into marriage. She told him she had someone else in her life. It was just a ploy to shake him off.

Before that day, as Hannah repeated, “I did not know him very well, because he left Ikenne in 1921 when I was just six years old, but I have been hearing about him. He had written to me, as was the pattern in those days…. I rejected his offer saying there was a man already in my life”. Hannah adds with a smile, “You know you won’t agree immediately….”

Obafemi was unrelenting in his attempt to make her relent.

But no dice….

EVEN THOUGH OBAFEMI AWOLOWO EMPHASIZED only character in his entreaties to Hannah, in the light of the fact that he had grown somewhat strait-laced as he entered his early twenties, he was actually someone who had an eye for attractive women. His ideal woman was one who combined character and beauty.

Before he focused on Hannah and resolved that this was the woman with whom he would spend the rest of life, he had been associated with two other women, one of whom he felt was qualified to be his wife. The other, a stunning beauty, never stuck him as someone he could marry. At some point

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Wale Adebanwi on Mama HID (4)

•Mama HID Awolowo

early in his life as a bachelor in Ibadan, Obafemi had a girlfriend who lived with him. Her name was Wura, which is the Yoruba word for gold. Obafemi Awolowo told one of his most loyal aides, Ebenezer Babatope, the story of his relationship with Wura who hailed from Awe town, near Oyo. According to Babatope, “(Awolowo) said Wura was a beautiful woman whose beauty caught (the eyes of) everyone that was privileged to have known her…. Awolowo said at the time of his friendship with this (lady), he has a special native herbal tea that he was fond of preparing in his house (in Ibadan).

The herbal tea became a source of attraction to his friends.

(But) he knew that many of his friends were more interested in coming to his house to bear testimony to the beauty of his female friend, Wura, than coming to take his herbal tea… (O) ne day he had to tell one of his friends who had come to visit him and who was expressing his appreciation of the herbal tea that he should keep the attraction of the herbal tea to himself…. “No, you have come to appreciate Wura”…..”

Babatope, who much later in Awolowo’s political life became the Director of Organisation of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), concluded that “the story…. Awolowo told me of Wura did make me to know fully well why (he) had referred to his wife throughout his life as “MY JEWEL OF INESTIMABLE VALUE” Obafemi Awolowo never told Babatope why he didn’t consider asking Wura to be his fiancee’ But it can be suggested that even though she was a very beautiful woman, she perhaps didn’t fully meet his second condition – character. It could also be that she did, but that, like other members of his generation, Obafemi wanted to marry from his community.

The latter perhaps explained his interest in Augusta Omorisola Onafowokan, the daughter of one of the most eminent men in Ikenne in the first half of the 20th century, Gabriel Onafowokan. Onafowokan was the Treasurer of the Native Administration in Ijebu Province in the colonial era. Incidentally, Augusta was born the same year as Hannah. She was the first Ikenne girl to attend high school. Like Hannah, she also went to school in Lagos, where she attended CMS Seminary. Like Obafemi and Hannah, Augusta was also the child of one of the early converts to Christianity in Ikenne. Their parents were also all patrons of the St. Saviour’s Church, Ikenne. When Obafemi asked for Augusta’s hand in marriage, her father refused because she was already engaged to another man, even though some suggested that Onafowokan was swayed by other considerations. Insa Nolte submits that “Onafowokan was a man who brooked no op-

position, and (Obafemi) Awolowo’s self-assured demeanour and unwillingness to supplicate others may have piqued him”.

Even though hurt by the attitude of the older Onafowokan, Obafemi appeared not to have bothered ro pressurize Augusta.

However, by the time he heard of Hannah and then met her, he was convinced that more than any previous Wura, he has found the pure gold. Therefore, when this gold turned down his advances initially, he was resolved never to give up. Extracting and purifying gold is a multi-step process. He was ready to do all it took to get this lady who combined beauty with character.

Yet, some people in Ikenne kept warning Hannah about this rascally and troublesome young man.

It was not as if Obafemi too didn’t have people trying to dissuade him from courting Hannah. Some told him that she was an Abiku. An Abiku in Yoruba belief-system is a child who dies and is reborn many times in the same family. As the only surviving child of her mother’s seven children, even though she was past the twelfth year which was believed to be the cut-off point for any Abiku to die only to be reborn later, some people still reminded Obafemi that “every attempt of the parents to prevent the Abiku’s death proves abortive because, by its nature, the Abiku is shrouded in mystery”. Indeed, in Yoruba cosmology, “no Abiku ever pledges to stay put in life, which explains why the Abiku is indifferent to the plight of its mother and her grief at leading a childless life”. The fact that Hannah was already nineteen did not deter those who warned Obafemi not to court her. They repeated that Hannah’s mother was an only child too, just like her own mother, which ought to further raise suspicion about the lady Obafemi was pursuing. What the gossips forgot however what that Obafemi’s father died fighting such superstitious beliefs and that his son’s life too is devoted to the Enlightenment, based on a fundamental confidence in human reason.

His dogged pursuit of the object of his desire and refused to surrender to cynicism or fantasy paid off later. At any rate, Hannah dismissed the abiku charge as utter nonsense.

“Eventually, we came to terms and settled down”, was how Hannah describes her decision to enter into a relationship with the man who would go on to redefine modern political leadership in Nigeria.

However, with Hannah relenting and accepting Obafemi’s advances in 1935, the next challenge was her mother, Elizabeth Adelana. She was resolved that her daughter would never marry such a rascally youngman who feared no one. To matters more challenging, for Hannah, “my first consideration for a man then was centred on the wish of my parents”. Therefore, her mother’s opposition was a major problem.

Interesting enough, when her father, Chief Mosos Odugbemi Adelana got wind of the relationship, he was glad. He remembered Obafemi’s father fondly as not only one of those with whom they founded St. Saviour’s Church, but also one with whom the early Ikenne Christians challenged and confronted “pagan” practices. They had both experienced exile from Ikenne in the course of their Christian beliefs and both experienced the triumph of return under the protection of the enforcement agency of the colonial authorities. Though they lost David Sopolu Awolowo many years ago, Moses Adelana regarded Obafemi as the son of a good Christian. Still\, Hannah’s mother, who was by this time a deaconess of the Apostolic Church, remained unconvinced. She had a lot of fears about “surrendering” her only daughter to this young man because her memory of his early years was his rascality. Hannah recalls her mother saying “This is my only child, and she is young. One does not have an only child and throw her into the river (A kii bi omo kan soso, ki a so sinu omi)”.

With her father’s approval of the relationship, even though she was closer to her mother, Hannah had found a good excuse to continue “the relationship underground”. Her father took up the task of convincing his wife about the relationship.

She too eventually gave her blessing to the relationship….

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18 LETTERS TO THE

Friday, 25 March, 2016

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Rivers’ election of shame

P

ERMIT me to use this opportunity to share my feelings on the rerun election in Rivers State, which can only be described as a shame. No matter how many times the election is held, we will always have the same outcome because of the orientation among the people who see politics as a do-or-die affair.

I think what Rivers people need is orientation, and before that election, I thought the National Orientation Agency (NOA), as well as other information agencies, would have gone to the state to sensitise the people on why they should shun violence.

Since we are not sure of what the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will finally do about the election, it is high time commitments are obtained from political leaders in the state to call their supporters to order.

Newspaper reports carried the story of highlyplaced government officials who were arrested during the election by the military, but no one is talking about them any longer.

Have they been released or what? Have those in positions of authority been able to intimidate our security agencies into releasing them?

We need to be tough on electoral violence in this country if we don’t want a return to the era when opposing political actors attack their rivals even before the start of an election.

Not punishing electoral offenders properly will simply embolden other violent politicians in other states.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan was able to let Nigerians know that elections should not be a do-or-die affair; it was because of this that he willingly handed over to his

successor, President Muhammadu Buhari, without challenging the result at the tribunal, or even using his power to hold on to the presidency.

Politicians in Rivers State, as well as other violent states, must also learn this from the former president; political violence will only bring about apathy, and this is what we don’t

want in the country. We are still experimenting with our democracy, and we will never go far in a violent atmosphere.

It is as a result of this that I am calling for the prosecution of those arrested before or during the election; our security agents are not fools and would not arrest someone who is doing the right thing. If the

Federal Government does not want to tell us that there are laws for the rich and powerful, and separate laws for the poor, then everybody arrested during the election must be prosecuted, no matter how highly-placed, or the party they belong to.

This is a good opportunity to show the direction in which this Federal Govern-

ment is headed in terms of dispensation of justice. Nigerians demand an end to electoral violence now, and it can only happen when political actors play by the game in a non-violent manner.

•Eno James, Woji, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

NFF, give Siasia Eagles’ job THE Super Eagles of Nigeria will, today, play the Pharaohs of Egypt in an African Cup of Nations qualifier in Kaduna. The team will be led by Samson Siasia after the shocking resignation of former coach, Sunday Oliseh.

Already, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Mr Amaju Pinnick, had said the country would now go for a foreign coach after several local

coaches had been given the chance.

However, I think we shouldn’t just conclude that we are going for a foreign coach now; we should give Siasia the opportunity to first qualify the team for the tournament. Siasia is a good coach, but was not so lucky during his first stint.

I know he will do his best now that he has another chance.

The NFF president

should, therefore, not say he is giving the job to a foreign coach after the qualifiers. I am sure Siasia will qualify the team for the tournament.

Another important thing is that the Super Eagles have lost their fear factor due to the fact that they no longer have a stable home ground.

In the past, the Super Eagles played in Lagos, and other teams feared to play against the team there.

Even the players gave their best because the fans

in Lagos wasted no time in switching their support to visiting teams if our boys were not playing well.

It may sound unfair, but it is important that we have a stable ground for our national team; taking them across the country will make them feel as if they are playing in foreign lands.

It is high time the NFF stopped moving the team up and down the country if we want to return to the good old days in football.

•Vincent Kadiri, Benin, Edo State.

Nuclear bombs: Time to take North Korea serious NORTH Korea is definitely a rogue state, and every effort must be taken to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.

Already, it is being speculated that the country has about 12 warheads of nuclear bombs, but nobody can ascertain this at the moment.

However, the United Nations should pressurise China, the only ally of the rogue state, to call the regime’s leader, Kim Jong Un, to order.

Jong Un is an ambitious young man who is still in his early 30s, and I fear he can make the mistake of declaring war against his perceived enemies — the United States and South Korea.

Recently, the US and South Korean marines staged their annual military drills, and in annoyance, North Korea fired an hydrogen bomb. Just recently, North Korea fired a ballistic bomb into

the Sea of Japan.

The aggression from the regime in North Korea, particularly against the South, is just so much; many people in South Korea fear that the North might one day attack their country with missiles.

I am happy that the UN has placed further sanctions on North Korea, but I don’t think this will be enough to deter the government from going ahead with its weapons programme.

The easiest way to curb the regime’s ambition might be for the world body to locate where its weapons of mass destructions are, and then attacking the locations.

This is what former US president, Mr George Bush, wanted to do when he attacked Iraq, then under the leadership of Saddam Hussein.

•Funso Samson, OOU, Ago Iwoye.

19

editorial

I

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

The Agatu massacre

N menace ranking, the Fulani herdsmen and their deadly strikes are only outclassed by the Boko Haram insurgency which has gripped the North Eastern part of Nigeria with frightening imprimaturs. What initially played out as a pastoralist group of nomads seeking pasture for their herds has become a terror organisation which leaves sorrow, tears and blood in its trail at every strike. Recently, the Fulani herdsmen again struck twice, almost in quick succession, in the Agatu area of Benue State, leaving scores of people dead and hundreds homeless. Condemnations greeted these strikes from the people while graphic pictures of the attacks vividly brought the enormity of the menace into painful contemplation.

While Nigeria is playing down the rampaging onslaughts of these pastoral criminals, the world has already conceptualized the group as the next wave of terror, lifting the Fulani nomads aloft, with a trophy for its unenviable rampage. The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) in a recent survey ranked the herdsmen on the world index of terror as the fourth deadliest terror group. The report submitted that the herdsmen, mainly of the Fula ethnic group, killed 80 people in total in 2013 but by 2014, had murdered at least 1,229 people, thus conferring on Nigeria the unenviable position of being the third most terrorized nation in the world. The group, according to the report, operates between Nigeria and parts of the Central African Republic (CAR), recording 847 deaths in 2015 across five states in Nigeria. Among the profile of its atrocities, said the GTI, are several and coordinated attacks in CAR, where it inflicts varying degrees of attacks on local civilian populations.

From the GTI’s statistical submission on the Fulani herdsmen’s atrocious onslaughts, as much as 92 per cent of their attacks were unleashed on private citizens, bringing to the fore the group’s primary but audacious contest for the farmlands of their victims.

In the wake of these attacks, said the report, an average of 11 lives, with the largest known killing in April 2014 which was as many as 200 people in Zamfara State, announces their blood-thirst. The herdsmen are pictured in possession of frighteningly sophisticated weaponry and are reputed with a maniacal thirst for blood that can only be matched by the infamous Boko Haram insurgents.

Their modus operandi of destruction, according to their victims, is clinical and bereft of any consideration for humanity.

Where do the herdsmen get the sophisticated weapons they use? They are reputed with a worldview which ascribes a right to graze their cattle in limitless precincts on the continent. A mode of operation which ensures that a cattle-rearer on commercial expedition feeds his cattle with other people’s crops, only to sell to the same people, does not appear to him as self-serving, warped and iniquitous.

All over the world, especially in advanced democracies, cattle are reared without infringing on the rights of existence of other

people. If cattle-rearing is thus a business that the businessman must invest in, it beggars logic that a Fulani cattle-rarer must appropriate the farmlands of his victims and their blood in order to stay in business. The frightening statistical submissions of the GTI on the Fulani herdsmen vividly capture them as a blood-sucking behemoth which the Nigerian nation and government must begin to give a prime place in a suggested proactive projection of the national threats next door that they constitute.

We are everything but enamoured by the initial response of government to the herdsmen’s atrocious pillage of their, especially Agatu, victims. The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, was for instance quoted as saying that the Agatu killings were exaggerated. Since no rebuttal is available to the contrary, we state without equivocation that that statement is indeed unfortunate. Every life matters; even if a single life was lost to the infamy of the rampaging pastoralists, it was worthy of governmental flex of muscles and intervention.

The presidency’s delayed and reactionary response to the atrocity of the herdsmen is also not too recommendable in the future.

It was an onslaught that demanded anticipation, immediacy of response and concerted governmental riposte. It was this kind of lethargy and under-estimation of the huge dynamics of a national problem that festered and negatively dimensioned the Boko Haram insurgency. If government, whose most basic role is to protect the lives of the citizenry, is this bereft of its protective responsibility, it will only activate the hidden tendency resident in all men to organize quasi-legal protective means for themselves in the face of external threats.

Government at both state and national levels, especially in states where the Fulani herdsmen have constituted themselves into a menacing blood-thirsty group, must do more than spreading their arms helplessly in the face of the attacks. Agriculture is a concurrent item under the constitution, which means that every state can regulate how it should be run. Some states in the Northern parts of the country have been said to have introduced novel methods of rearing cattle in their domains. Kano, for instance, was said to have sent herdsmen to Turkey to receive training in that respect. We are also aware that one of the best cattle in Nigeria is produced in Shongai Farms in Kwara State, yet few or no complaints have come to the fore of cattle in that area trespassing on adjoining farmlands.

The activities of herdsmen who mostly share the same inhuman philosophy as Boko Haram insurgents, of carrying sophisticated weaponry across grazing zones where they operate, is analogous to tactically moving arms about the country. This fuels a propensity for genocide. It is an emerging insurgency in which everyone should be their neighbour’s keepers, in the task of curtailing a terror group that is only next door.

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opinion

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Economic challenges: Nigeria is still standing

By Fola Ojo

T

HE Immune system is a defence mechanism and an Iron Dome configuration that God has put in place as part of human physiology. This system of many biological structures and processes protects against germs and disease entities. For example, when cancerous cells threaten the body, the system sends out killer T-cells against the invading strangers, whose assignment is to snuff life out of a man.

Every territorial assemblage of humans defined as a country has its own “cancer cells” to battle with the help of its defensive T-cells. Throughout history, the Nigerian nation has faced her portion of innumerable trials and troubles. These hordes of challenges, to date, are multiplying and mutating beyond the healing power of radiation or chemotherapy offered by our leadership. Instead of letting up, our troubles linger on.

At the advent of any new administration, people’s hopes rise with the belief that relief will soon come. But, unfortunately, in government after government, the citizenry has been disappointed. The disappointments have in the past given birth to picketing, which led to skirmishes, with some people demanding they want out of a union that exists without unity of purpose. It is amazing, however, to note that internal uprisings, ethnic tensions and wars that have brought down other nations to their knees, have not been able to subdue Nigeria. Nigeria, no doubt, is dying; but it’s not dead. It may be weakening and wobbling; thank God it’s still breathing. It may be standing still, but it is still standing. But what is that phenomenon that keeps Nigeria holding on?

Not too long ago, soothsayers had predicted that in 2015, Armageddon had been scheduled to run its course in Nigeria. We waited to see hell let loose; we tarried to behold heaven shut down, and the prophets of doom stood from afar, declaring that we would see war break out. But whatever that fortifying phenomenon was, the predicted bloodbath did not see the light of day.

However, Nigeria’s best friends have been her household enemies. Men and women privileged to be in positions of authority have consciously or unconsciously tried to kill Nigeria with

their unbridled and reckless indiscretions. You will think that by now, the amount of money that has been stolen by our predator-leaders in the last 20 years and beyond should have folded up the country. But Nigeria is still holding together.

To get a clearer picture of the plundering odysseys that should have ripped Nigeria into smithereens, read up on the report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, Samuel Ukura, which was submitted to the National Assembly recently. The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in 2014, failed to remit into the Federation Account about N3.2tn revenue from the sale of domestic crude oil. $235.6m earned from gas was diverted to undisclosed escrow accounts, and the whereabouts of $316.2m in NGL Funding Account was unknown because no document was made available to confirm either the receipt or utilisation of the cash.

The manner with which the NNPC was run in the past ought to have clogged up the arteries and veins of this country and send her into a sleep of death. The cost of running the NNPC is much more than running the Federal Government. From presidents to governors, to ministers and menacing politicians from all tribes and tongues, Nigeria has experienced persistent, perverted and pernicious pillaging practices. But the country is still holding on.

The marginally-corrupt among us, I refer to those who claim not to be brazen looters, those who “ONLY” offer and accept bribes; who “ONLY” inflate contract costs, and still believe they

are better citizens than others, have taken their swipes at Nigeria. On the flip side, the blatantly-corrupt, the audacious inyour-face gluttons and unapologetic unmasked thieves whose first nature is plundering have also struck at the country. But Nigeria is still standing. Air planes crash, cars crash; economy is also crashing, and our leaders are not yet signing up for a crash course to change the course of why things crash in the system.

By some magical means, Nigeria is still holding on.

Nigeria’s domestic debt is about N10tn to N8.51tn, and external debts of both the federal and state governments are about ($9.46bn). Twenty five per cent of our annual earning will be spent on servicing the huge debt while power has raised the cost of doing business by 16 per cent. According to a recent World Bank study, we need about US$ 14.2bn per year to bridge the infrastructure gap. Current spending is only $5.9bn. Infrastructures are dysfunctional, but Nigeria is still standing.

We are losing businesses to neighbouring countries due to poor business environment, caused by bad business laws and lack of infrastructure. Many companies have divested as a result of high cost of production, which result from infrastructural infractions, high exchange rate of the naira and congestion at the ports. We have lost the competitive edge even in the West Africa sub-region, as businesses migrate to other countries with better business and legal regimes.

Some time ago, Dunlop Nigeria Plc., the only surviving tyre manufacturing company in Nigeria then, shut down its plants and booted its workers and relocated to Ghana; same for Michelin. Rumours have it that other businesses might be following suit because of the high cost of production, decaying infrastructure, as well as the ravaging global economic recession. With the dismal picture that Nigerians have had to live with, something is still keeping this county together. What it is, I know not.

But how long can we hold on together as a nation when hunger, poverty and diseases are biting the majority? How long can we hold on together when hopes are regularly dashed, and destinies often crushed? How long can we hold on together when injustices are prevalent, and fairness is nothing but a fairy-tale?

•Ojo is a public affairs analyst.

MTN/NCC debacle: Why we can’t afford bilateral bickering

By Olugbenga Adekunle

WHEN the news of the visit of the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, to Nigeria became apparent, Nigerians and, indeed, Africans waited anxiously for the outcome of the meeting. Unlike previous meetings, there seem to be so much that the two countries have in common; from the arms deal dollars seized by the South African government during the last administration, to the survival of South African businesses in Nigeria, it was no herculean task setting an agenda for the meeting of the presidents of the two giant African countries.

Amidst the numerous issues that observers expected the two leaders to discuss, perhaps one of the most focal is the pressing and protracted Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC)/ MTN regulatory debacle. The mounting expectation that preceded the meeting was expected, particularly on the regulatory issue since this is the first time President Muhammadu Buhari will speak on the matter. And so, everyone waited to hear what the president would say. Interestingly, a day before the meeting, the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, had visited the telecommunications operator to commend the company on its impressive contribution to the country’s GDP and its leadership role in the telecommunication industry, particularly with regards to providing infrastructural backbone for the industry.

Report credited to the minister stated in part, “in fact, the government appreciates the contributions MTN Nigeria is making to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generating employment and putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians…I believe that MTN appreciates the fact that Nigerians love MTN. More than half of people who patronise GSM operators in Nigeria are your customers and I think that is an appreciation which must be acknowledged.”

But President Buhari’s comment while receiving President Jacob Zuma less than 24 hours of the minister’s visit, where he expressed the government’s readiness to support MTN and, indeed, other telecommunication companies to better the industry, was, indeed, a break that brought another silence.

As speculated in the minds of many, the meeting touched on virtually all areas where observers have expressed concern. What

is alarming though is that, of all the issues that was discussed by the two leaders, the most reported was the president’s statement on the NCC fine as it stood bold on the front pages of more than 80 per cent of the Nigerian national dallies the following morning. Like a wild inferno, similar headlines such as “Buhari blames MTN for Boko Haram casualties”; “MTN Contributed to Boko Haram high casualties”; “MTN caused death of over 10,000 Nigerians” among other sensational but scary headlines stared Nigerians in the face.

While many Nigerians expressed surprise at this revelation, many are worried about the implication of the president’s final break of silence on a protracted regulatory debacle that has lingered for months. The president may have spoken in his capacity as a Commander-in-Chief, but the impact of his assertion is enduring a span of time and stamping impressions in the minds of Nigerians.

Following the presidents claim, many Nigerians have wondered how the president came to this conclusion that MTN Nigeria was fuelling Boko Haram’s activities and insurgency. Truth, the security agencies claimed the SIM used when former presidential aspirant, Chief Olusegun Falae, was abducted was an MTN line, but, may be that isolated situation is enough to put figures behind the issue is a discussion for another day. Of greater concern was the editorial attention in the media following the president’s declaration. So, my network is a terrorists’ network?

This, among other questions, was the rhetoric on the mind of average subscribers of the brand because no one really wants to

be associated with terrorism in whatever form.

It is instructive to say that there are evidences that MTN and other telecom providers have provided relevant technology and security enhancers to stem the tide of terrorism and support the fight. I am sure none of them would expect a direct accusation such as this from the presidency. For instance, the Nigerian military can testify to the co-operation of MTN in the fight against terrorism. At a point, MTN had to disable its masts and base stations in many parts of the North-East in conformity with the directives of the military to curb terrorists’ activities.

Taking this initiative obviously caused the company an arm and a leg as it subsequently suffered severe setback on its infrastructure caused by reprisal attacks by the sect. Yet, losing huge revenue did not deter MTN from providing needed and relevant support to the Nigerian military, demonstrating that it is ever committed to ensuring and supporting the sanctity of life and security of the Nigerian people.

The president may have spoken in good faith about what he frankly feels about what he described as the company’s “very slow” process of deactivating the unregistered numbers, but there is a genuine fear that such statements may have negative effect on bilateral relationships which the president have been trying to build during his numerous foreign trips.

Nigeria, like many other countries, recognises that bilateral economic relations play a strategic role in the growth and development of an economy. The benefits that come from building a strong bilateral relationship is undoubtedly numerous from advantages of cost, to economies of scale and even employment opportunities. This is why many countries across the globe have established strong bilateral economic relations with other countries.

For Nigeria, as a country in search of foreign investors, our actions or inactions must not be perceived as an attempt to malign or bring into disrepute the image of key investors that have contributed immensely to the development of the economy. Our economy cannot afford any bilateral bickering, not now please.

•Adekunle, a communication expert, is based in Lagos.

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fridaytreat

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

MUSIC BUSINESS 101 Much Ado about Psquare’s Break-Up: Partnership Agreement as a Tool for Prevention and Resolution of Conflict among Musical Groups/Bands

By Toyin Adeniji

T

HERE are two categories of groups, bands or artiste and manager relationships in the music business; the groups, bands or artistes & managers that are destined or determined to stay together and those destined to break apart along the way. Breakups in the music business may or may not necessarily equate to a bad development for some groups or bands, it could sometimes end out as a blessing or as a mistake, it could also sometimes be a sort of a much needed liberation for a group member to step up into a higher dimension of their career or the entire group to rediscover their individual magic in a solo career pursuit, or it could also be nature’s way of rewarding musical excellence and punishing mediocrity. Groups or duos in the music industry have always at one time or the other break-up when conflicts happens and a “leaving member” decides it’s enough or believe he/she could be better off in a solo adventure. In the history of the music business, there are several cases that are reminiscent of break-ups within musical groups, bands or artiste & manager. Sting the artiste left the successful group known as “The Police”; Robbie Williams left one of the world’s all time most successful boy’s band “Take That”, Justin Timberlake parted ways with “NSYNC”, Beyonce pursued a solo career at the expense of Destiny Childs, the Plantation Boys, the group that formerly housed Tuface Idibia, Faze and BlackFace at some point disintegrated with all members pursuing solo careers, it was the same fate that befell the “Remedies” the group that produced Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tetuila and Eddy Brown which existed shortly before the Plantation Boys came on the Nigerian local music scene.

Understanding the dynamics of artiste partnership agreement and its importance in safeguarding or protecting the structure

of relationship in the career of artistes/ musicians is important. Many promising artistes/musicians’ groups/bands have suffered breakdown or crashed due to an ignorance of the nature and makeup of the artiste as a business entity; the artistes/ musicians in a band or group are business entities in a partnership venture. It is highly imperative to protect the personal interests and the business interests of every member through a legal partnership agreement. Every decision taken by the parties must work to protect the overall interest of the group and work in tandem or complement the objectives of the band/group as a business.

The structure and foundation of relationship in every business is founded on interests whether it is personal or corporate. In the process of business interaction, intra or inter- business objectives are influenced by interests. Goals and objectives both at the personal and corporate levels are manifestations of interests. Interests are what define the borderlines between peoples into communities of common interests. At the end of the day, when all has been said and done, people generally congregate and fraternize along the lines of interests. Because humans are dynamic beings, their interests and the value systems that shape and inform their choices of interest changes in line with their experiences and the evolution of their temperament. These often lead to changes or differences in interests which creates conflict of interests.

In all businesses generally, the sole purpose of the article/memorandum of association is to safeguard interests. In the music business especially among bands and groups, it is always important as a rule of thumb to have a structured formal partnership agreement which sole purpose is to protect the interests of every member of the band or group, and in so doing protect its existence and continuity. Among groups or

Bounce Music unveils new artiste, Gidikid

A fine face and a velvety voice, Michael Oladimeji Idumu aka Gidikid has definitely got what the ladies like. And that’s not all, the Lagos-based dude is also multi-talented. He’s a singer, sound engineer, and music producer as well.

Newly signed to the Dr. Gee-owned Bounce Music, Gidikid has a lot to offer. His newest single, ‘Super Story’ produced by Maxxy Jay, mixed and mastered by Marqui Mix, is set to be released in a couple of days, and his fans and social media followers are already giddy with excitement and expectation.

Speaking on the inspiration behind ‘Super Story’ Gidikid says it’s a product of his life experiences. According to him, ‘The song is all about me begging God to bless my hustle. Then telling people the story of how God blessed me and some of the stuff I passed through along the way. It was basically inspired by life, and the things around me. While growing up, I went through a lot, and that’s what prompted me to sing this song.’

Some of Gidikid’s previous songs include club banger, ‘Buga’ and he was also featured by Sleek in the hit-track, ‘In the Mood.’

bands in the music business, this is referred to as a “band partnership agreement”. This agreement often provides for ways of resolving differences and conflicts of interests when they happen and also provides clauses and conditions for members exit from the group without the need for the conflict situation to become messy.

I want to assume that a successful group like Psquare must definitely be a professional music business organisation. I believe that they must have a legalised written partnership agreement since they have been transacting or operating as a business with other businesses. Partnership agreements usually have all the articles of association/ partnership that covers everything including the formation of partnership, partnership investments/assets, partnership accounting, duties of the partners, rights of partnership, management and control, termination/admission of partners, selling off or purchase price of a partnership interest, provisions regarding partnership termination and dissolution of the partnership. If all these concerns in a partnership had been taken care of in the legal partnership agreement between the duo and trio as the case maybe, then it ought to eliminate the need for the members of the group to engage in the shameful act of washing their dirty linens out in the public sphere. This is what it means for artistes and musicians to professionalize their music business. A partnership agreement among musical groups or bands from the same family even becomes more important as it is the only guarantee and way of keeping the familial bond between the members and ensuring the continuation and equitable distribution of their estates among their offspring.

All throughout the history of the music industry, cases abound of many break-ups between musical groups and bands, or between artistes/musicians and their managers or record labels. The story of Psquare is

I will never deviate from gospel music — Dele Gold

not peculiar or different in any way from this phenomenon. It’s always about the changing nature of interest between people. Our views, beliefs and perspectives as human beings over time will always change or modulate; this is the reason why it is very necessary to have a structured partnership agreement that is designed to protect the interests of the people involved in a relationship such as a musical group or band. Husbands and wives divorce, business partners separates because people’s interests’ change with time and it is unpredictable. The very nature of man as a being is dynamic and unpredictable.

When conflicts arise as it will between artiste and manager, musical band members, and musical groups; the resolution becomes easy to handle if the interests/stakes of every member was adequately protected in a signed partnership agreement/contract from the beginning. Conflicts often arose when the interests of a member/party in the group is infringed on. It is important that groups, artiste and manager, bands etc employ the services of a professional entertainment attorney to help structure out an agreement that will protect present and unseen future situations that could arise among parties thereby providing automatic resolutions. In the event that a party clamours for a break-up, or wants to start a solo career, the partnership agreement signed by the parties has provisions that will ensure a smooth process of separation without the situation becoming ugly and messy.

N.B. Going by the latest news from the social media as of the time of writing this article, it is good to note that the group has decided to bury the hatchet and put their differences behind them, A lot has been invested in the brand name “Psquare”, as an indigenous Nigerian and African musical group they will do well to keep and preserve the heritage for posterity.

Rayce gets car gift from label

Newton -Ray Ukwuoma FAST rising star in the gospel genre, Dele Agbeyo, alias Dele Gold, has reassured his growing fan base of his career devotion to gospel music, stating he is too comfortable to be enticed to deviate from gospel music.

The singer and businessman, whose brand of music emphasis a fusion of gospel and Miliki orientation, told a gathering of newsmen during the premiere of one of his musical videos, Every Knee, on Tuesday that his motivation for the “good news music” stems from the acceptance he gets from his fan base, also said he wants to be a musician of impact.

He said, “I believe that when you serve God diligently as a musician you would not have a reason to deviate. I have been doing gospel music for over six years now. God has made me comfortable. I have not intentions to deviate from gospel music. Even if he does not reward me, I still would not change my style of music.

“I want to be an artiste of impact. My greatest achievement is the embrace I get from my fans. I want people to be positively influenced by my music”.

Dele Gold who credited Baba Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade with inspiring his style of music, said he intends to use their pattern to “win souls for Christ”.

Anchored by Nollywood actor, Saheed Balogun, the premiere of Every Knee witnessed a large turnout of industry stakeholders and has been regarded as a successful body of work.

SHORTLY after dropping ‘Wetin Dey’ video, Kingsley ‘Rayce’ Amoni of the Ragabo fame has received a multi-million naira Acura MDX Suv Jeep from his newly singed record label, Jebon Records International.

The recording deal was signed last weekend at Jebon Records Empire in Lagos.

Rayce , multi-talented producer cum singer, is also working with Yusuf Adepitan’s management outfit, MSN GANG at the moment.

‘I am very excited for this opportunity. I have been eager to get this for a while. I thank God the chance finally comes. My manager, Danku, has been working assiduously in making the deal real. Finally we have signed the mouthwatering deal. This will be a new experience for me. I appreciate my new label that they believe in my talents. I am ready to succeed with the new label, Jebon”, Rayce said.

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

society

Nigerian Tribune

For Booking, contact Alaba Igbaroola alabaadewale01@gmail.com 08155975474

...celebrating the people

...When Abisola Josephine Boyejo married Adeboye Ifeanyi Ige

Groom’s parents, Mr and Mrs Ige

Chairman of the day, Chief Femi Akinrinade.

The couple

The couple

From left, Father Augustine Ikuomola, the sponsors, George Osigwe, the couple and Mrs Chinyelo Osigwe.

Bride’s parents, Mr and Mrs Tony Boyejo.

Lagos Music festival shuts down Festac Penultimate Friday, top Nigerian music stars such as D’banj, Sound Sultan, Wande Coal, among others treated guests and other fun seekers to a night of great music at the 2016 edition of the annual Music Festival which held in Festac, Lagos.

In its fourth edition, the event, put together by Five Star Music in collaboration with Golden Tulip Hotel also featured performances from music stars such as Kcee, Harrysong, Iyanya, Majek Fashek, Oritsefemi, Ycee, Humblesmith, Koker, Viktoh, and Terry G. Guests and other attendees were treated to rib cracking jokes from comic acts such as AY, Seyi Law, Pencil, Patrick, and several others who took turns to delight everyone present.

E Money (middle) and crew

AY and Seyi Law

D Banj and Terry G

Yemi Alade

Kcee

24

fridaytreat album review

He’s young and getting it, code named ‘Lil Kesh’

N

igerian Hiphop is divided along a lot of lines, with each fragment competing within and without, to impose itself on the limited attention span of pop culture consumers. When they compete within each other, they take the form of intra-subgenre needless comparisons such as ‘Olamide is better than Reminisce’ or ‘M.I has more influence than Modenine’.

When that competition happens against various cultures of rap, it becomes ‘M.I has more flows than Olamide’, or ‘Lil Kesh works harder than Yung6ix’.

Two cultures and styles that have emerged and on the outside, are seen to be completely against each other are the Indigenous and Westernised rap groups. M.I is the leader of one, and Olamide sits on the throne.

At the moment, the latter is regarded as overall king, due to the massive acceptance of his rap.

Lil Kesh, is just next in line, learning from King Baddo at YBNL Nation, and his guidance is proving instrumental in the creation of the next street king.

In many ways, this grooming is a good thing.

From his signing in 2012 to his first hit song, Lil Kesh has been growing organically, on the merit of his songs. This is no artiste pumped with financial steroids and packaged as a construct for gullible Nigerians. This is the real deal, rapping his way through barriers and challenges. Before our eyes, he has become successful, with the instruments of that success benefitting each of us in our parties, clubs, celebrations, and victory lap dances. That’s why this is different. That’s why Lil Kesh is winning. He is “Y.A.G.I (Young And Getting It)”.

19 tracks and brimming with the ubiquitous Yoruba language, Lil Kesh’s “Y.A.G.I” album is a victory for the street. Life on the street is filled with tales of hustle, love, wanton celebration and fights. Lil Kesh starts off with the former.

In fact, the entire work is hinged on tales of his

25

Friday, 25 March, 2016

d Getting It) .G.I” (Young An .A “Y – Album – Lil Kesh izzi Artiste , Young Jonn, Sh lz ee h P –

Producers – YBNL (2016) Record Label - 65 minutes Duration

hustle, and the success that come his way.

‘F**k shit up’ is a fitting opener, an arrogant reminder of why he is the best on his level.

He beats his chest and reminds everyone of his hustle, and why he is at this level. He also deals with the controversial Headies 2015 loss and how popular opinion resides in his corner, “Every single was a hit, f**k the award I don’t care, Kesh is all about his cheese…They say Kesh is our next rated, f*** that, I think I am the best rated’. That same braggadocio wraps up this work in ‘Lyrically’, his first ever hit song. ‘Ishe’ appreciates his ‘Baby’, an affectionate term for his mother. ‘Semilore’ tells his come-up story with underlining talking drums and rattles. Here Kesh combines Fuji and rap to impressive effect.

There are shades of these also in the introspective ‘Igba Iponju’, and the dance fiesta ‘Jabo’.

Street fight and displays of machismo comes in as Lil Kesh brings on Ycee and Wale on two versions of ‘Cause Trouble’. Fierce words are exchanged and bottles are smashed in the back-

ground of both songs. You get riled up, all of a sudden it seems cool to be violent.

This is the way of the street.

Trouble is second nature.

Ycee and Wale truly have no business on this track.

Lil Kesh’s dynamism was sufficient. Wale struggles needlessly, and Ycee comes across as a cameo. You can still get this pugnacious vibe on ‘Abija Wara’, as Phyno and Chinko Ekun join the razz-matazz.

On thematic young and ghetto love, you get the hit song ‘Is it because I love you’, and the highly disappointing ‘For you’. At this point, you get the feeling that low-tempo is not for Lil Kesh. He is most vulnerable to mediocrity when he lacks the verve that comes with increase in Beats Per Minute. He also flounders spectacularly on a failed country song ‘Life of a star’.

Even Adekunle Gold looks ordinary on that track.

Dance tracks are Lil Kesh’s bread and butter, and that’s why his singles all come with it as a bonus.

‘Efejoku’ still makes a strong case. But Olamide barely comes alive on ‘Problem child’, a direct sample of Drake’s ‘Energy’.

Lil Kesh stuck to the concept of being young and successful. Every song, becomes a piece of that big puzzle, each complementing the other and bringing out the bigger picture. In many ways, this is a journey through the life of a man who rose from the hood to riding through the hood.

Lil Kesh’s first effort is a win for him, and for the street life. Here is one of ghetto’s most loved exports, making it big with all the lessons learned from the hood. “Y.A.G.I” stands tall as one of the most relatable works from rappers.

Unlike Olamide’s already-earned king status, Lil Kesh is on the rise, embodying the spirit and effort of many of his fans who are still hoping for a better tomorrow. He hustles, he fights, he loves, and he celebrates. In a nutshell, that’s what we are all about. We all hope to be young, old and still getting it.

Courtesy Pulseng

‘Odunfa Caucus’ to celebrate 30th anniversary Odunfa Caucus, one of the longest surviving theatre group/ academy in the Yoruba movie industry, is set to celebrate its 30 years anniversary.

In a release, the celebration, will hold on Sunday April 10, 2016 at Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos State.

Founded in 1986, the Odunfa Caucus is home to some of the

best theatre practitioners this country has ever produced namely Yinka Quadri, Taiwo Hassan aka Ogogo, Abbey Lanre and Razak Ajao aka Araosan among other newer popular actors who passed through Odunfa Caucus who are Saheed Balogun, Faithia Balogun, Sanni Ali, Funke Akindele, Aina Gold, Iyabo Ojo, Kemi Afolabi and Yomi Gold.

Bull Fuji Hunt 4 unveiled

The popular talent competition targeted at the Fuji genre of entertainment, Bull Fuji Talent Hunt, has been unveiled by its sponsors , Intercontinental Distilleries Limited at a briefing in Ibadan on Tuesday.

Led by the Head of Marketing of the company, Mr Mobolaji Alalade, said that the competition, now in its fourth year, had waxed strong and had changed the lives of many since its inception. He also stressed that through their continuous support, the Bull Fuji hunt’s past winners had released albums back to back; Antenna with four albums, Aloma, three; Mufutau Alabi a.k.a Senior prefect, who won last year, two.

Alalade also added that the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN) had also given kudos to Bull Fuji talent

hunt on account of the support given to Fuji artistes. This year, he revealed that the competition will extend to Lagos to discover talents in Oshodi and Ikorodu.

Mr Lanre Alabi, CEO, Kingsize Entertainment, who was the brains behind the hunt, in his remarks, highlighted the details of the hunt, stating that the competition would start and end in Ibadan between April 1, and June 3, 2016. The competition would visit seven cities; Ibadan, Osogbo, Akure, Ikorodu, Oshodi, Ilorin and Ijebu Ode. The winners in the seven zones will finally compete at the grand finale on June 3, in Ibadan. Among Fuji icons which would be part of the tour are Abass Obesere, Taiye Currency, Muri Thunder, Tiri Leather among others.

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636 twitter: @rotifizzle twitter: @fridaytreat

Tribute:

Life and times of Nomoreloss •As colleagues, fans mourn

OLUMIUYIWA Osinuga aka Nomoreloss was born in Lagos western Nigeria in the 70’s. He attended A.D.R.A.O . International school for his secondary and primary education in Victoria island which is a high brow area in Lagos Nigeria this played a great part in his appreciation of classical music as well as music of international flavor. He had the privilege of studying the rudiments of music from one of Nigeria’s greatest instrumentalist and jazz saxophonist, Kunle Ajayi.

He started out in the world of entertain-

ment as a rapper while in high school and later on switched to master of ceremony at various events.

An accomplished stand -up comedian, MC, musical video director as well as a television host. He was also a producer of both music and television programs.

He has directed musical videos for such artists like Lexy Doo, Jagunlabi, Jah Borne, Cimion, the gospel sensation Folake Umosen and was project coordinator and producer for the video CD for the controversial rapper Rugged Man’s ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ album.

With role models such as

Some more celebrities have continued to mourn the sudden demise of prolific song writer and singer, Olumuyiwa Osinuga, popularly known as `Nomoreloss,` who died on Monday in Lagos after a brief illness.

Many celebrities took to their social media timelines to mourn the deceased entertainer who made his mark with hits like, “Iyawo Asiko’’ and others.

Adesola Idowu, popularly known as Weird MC, who was a close friend of the singer while alive, wrote a touching tribute on her Instagram page.

“Muyiwa, words fail me, I’m reeling in disbelief. I’m in pain, I’m trying so hard not to cry, but the tears are just flowing freely.

“We spoke just a few days ago and you said ‘mama don’t worry, I’d be out and about by the weekend.’’

She also wrote: “Friend, brother, confidant, a pillar of strength. I’m going to miss our ‘convos’, your laughter, your jokes, and your smiles “You were one in a million, a true soul, a thoroughbred. Thanks for being real, thanks for true friendship, thanks for great music, thanks for co-writing ‘Happy day’ with me.

“I guess heaven was missing an angel sail on my dear friend, fly like an eagle, rest well.

I will miss you so, so much,” Idowu wrote.

Veteran rapper, Ruggedman, another close friend of “Nomoreloss’’ in his heartwarming tribute wrote on his Instagram page.

“My brother Nomoreloss, those who never called to ask how you are doing will appear.

God knows and sees all.

“Those who demanded money before playing your music or showing your videos will now play it because after your death, it is now a good material for their shows. God sees all, ``he said.

He continued: ``Great, talented, funny and creative you. So, I will not call you “Amonalis” to your hearing and I will never hear you call me “reptile” in this life time.

“I appreciate every contribution you made to my career. God bless you brother, till we meet again.’’

However, Comedienne Princess, Damilola Adekoya, popularly known as Princess Dammy, in her Instagram page, condemned some celebrities for ignoring the late producer when his career went down.

Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Orlando Owoh, Orlando Julius, IK Dairo, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1), it is easy to see where and how this music researcher / songwriter/singer draws his inspiration.

With a fusion of R&B, pop, jazz, reggae and jazz with an underlying tone of west African high life, his conviction that art must take material from its environment has led him to create a style that is unique in its appeal but most certainly soulful in its delivery which has been labeled as new high-life.

According to Princess, his ‘fake friends’ avoided him like a plague because they thought he was no longer a relevant artiste.

She wrote, “Nomoreloss is gone! Painful but more painful is all these social media downloaded pictures everywhere.

“Yes, downloaded because most of you don’t have real pictures of him. He was never on your contact list neither did you have his phone number.

“Where were you all when he was sick and dying of pain and depression? Oh yeah, some of you will say “I never knew or heard”, that’s crap!

“His last post on instagram was 13 weeks ago.

Did you try to find out why? Did he change, display pictures on bbm or whatsapp?

“Some fake people putting his name on their social media now didn’t put his picture up on his birthday oooo.

“Now he is dead, they are putting his picture up.

“Calling him a prolific music writer; why didn’t you ever pay him to write for you? Calling him a great performer; when was the last time any of you paid him to perform at shows?

“Where were you all when Muyiwa’s career went down? You fake friends avoided him like a plague because you thought he was no longer a relevant artiste.

“Today, you are celebrating a dead man we could have saved. A lovable guy that championed the crusade to save the life of another artiste went off the radar and no one noticed.

“You guys never celebrate the living. Once a celebrity becomes irrelevant, you pack them, even fellow “relevant “ celebrities avoid them like a plague.

“Reading some comments and remarks about Nomoreloss, you will know most people didn’t know him; they had no relationship with him, they are just doing follow, follow to look like they care.

“Muyiwa, you were a great man, you will never watch another go through what you went through. You are gone now; let the conscience of those of us alive judge us.

God bless all the good friends that stood by you, God comforts them. May early death not be their portion. Goodnight Muyiwa; may your good deeds remain a memorial,” she wrote.

Nomoreloss will be buried on April 1, 2016, his family has announced.

26

Friday, 25 March, 2016

travelpulse&m.i.c.e

’Wale Olapade 08161235359 wale11g3@gmail.com Winner, NMMA, Tourism Reporter Of The Year

Cruise line is one of the cheapest means to travel — Egbuna The Managing Director of Tour Brokers International, Uloma Egbuna, In this interview with SHOLA ADEKOLA, unveils the importance of cruise to the travel industry.

P

ASSION for travel business I don’t like to say I came into it by accident like people would always say. I have always had passion for travel even as a young girl. But after I finished my Masters Degree, and I started work in a construction company, there was then an opportunity to work with a travel agency, and I said this is something I have always wanted to do all my life. So I took up that opportunity and started working with a travel agency called Abbey Travels and Tours. That was in 1990. So I have actually been in the tourism industry for twenty 26 years now. In Abbey Travels and Tours, I started off as their Head of Tourism that was as early as 1990, nobody was really doing travel as at that point in time, so it was something new in the market and that gave me a passion for tourism. So over the years I have always been more focused to do tours as against selling tickets and that is why I put a company with my partner, Mr Femi Adefope of Tour Brokers International, with aim of bringing tourism into Nigeria and also to let people know that we can always provide for then a one-stop-shop to every destination of the world. And I think that was really the advent Package Holidays when we opened up tour brokers international in 2002.

Bringing cruise to Nigerians In cruising like I said is the holiday of the 21st century, a number of people are tired of having the Europe holidays whereby you book your flight, you go to destination, you stay in the hotel and all that.

People are looking for other forms of adventure. And so what we have done is to bring that adventure into

Egbuna

Nigeria for people. Besides you will find out that it is one of the cheapest means travel in the sense that you pay once and then you probably visiting four or five people in one cruise on a seven night cruise.

You don’t have to pack and unpack, or change flight. So, I take off from Barcelona for example, I find myself in Italy, I take off from Italy I find myself in Greece. I take off from Greece I find myself in Turkey and in all of these I haven’t had to pack and unpack; I haven’t had to change flight. So it is all encompassing and because you pay once and you get all the value. Nigerians are looking for value for money at this point in time, with the present economic situation. So we are saying there are other ways to enjoy your vacation without stressing yourself and having it at good prices. And then we all know that Nigerians love to travel with children and we are family people and cruising is one of the easiest vacations you can have with your children. The parents are not stressed

Radisson Anchorage to host Moet Ice Easter party RADISSON Blu Anchorage Hotel, Lagos is set to excite guests during the weekend to mark this year’s Easter festivities. The waterfront hotel in Victoria Island is enticing costumers with a “Stay two nights get one free offer” for rooms starting March 24 to 28. The promo is inclusive of bed and breakfast for two guests.

In the spirit of Easter, there will be a brunch on Good Friday as well as Easter Sunday.

Apart from regular themed events that have made Radisson Anchorage the go-to spot for discerning fun seekers on the Island and its environs, the hotel will be also be the venue for a Moet Ice Imperial allwhite-party on Good Friday to get the Easter festivities started.

Moët Ice Imperial, the world’s first-ever champagne, specifically brewed to be enjoyed on ice in warm climates.

Ice Imperial reflects a new frontier in champagne, delivering new sensations of crisp freshness and powerful tropical fruit aromas and offering a unique, fun-filled experience for chic, sunny and exclusive social gatherings.

and then the children are having a holiday of a life time. You don’t have to border about what you children are eating, because you unlimited food.

Challenges Well, the challenge of running a tour company, is that at the initial stages when we started Tour Brokers International in 2002, we were more like a lone voice crying in the wilderness, people are more interested in going on holidays in the US and to the UK and staying with families and friends because they did not understand the concept of package holidays. So at the initial stage, it was difficult convincing people but once people now realised that they can actually have a one stop shop and have an all-inclusive package and not have to go and share rooms with their families and friends all over the world. It gradually became a fashion in Nigeria. For us, the challenges have not really been bad because it is something that we have a passion for. And you know when your work is your passion, you go beyond them, you go beyond the call of duty to make a difference. So we have really had clients who have enjoyed our tour packages and continually we keep having referral business. So I think apart from the current economic situation which is biting hard with the tour operators because we constantly have to remit money abroad, so it is a question of you sell packages in naira, you are having to do your remittance in foreign currency which has been a major challenge for us.

But otherwise I think we have done pretty well.

Participants at the Sheraton Abuja Hotel Earth Hour programme in Abuja recently

Sheraton celebrates Earth Hour Stories By ’Wale Olapade SHERATON Abuja Hotel went dark to shine the light on climate change with Earth Hour 2016. The hotel joined millions around the world in turning off lights for one hour on March 19 at 8:30 p.m. local time to illuminate a powerful message about environmental awareness and action.

The theme of the 2016 Earth Hour celebration focused on climate change following a successful United Nation’s COP21 conference in Paris.

Sheraton Abuja Hotel participated by engaging in a host of activities

which included planting of Moringa trees around the football pitch on the eve of the celebration and switching off all lights around the pool area between the hours of 8:30 and 9:30 on Saturday, March 19, 2016.

To further promote the cause, funds raised from the event will be deployed to the planting of more trees later in the year during the Starwood Cares initiative.

“It’s a privilege for us to support such a powerful movement with such a simple gesture,” said the Deputy General Manager, Mr Emad Rizk.

ONE&ONLY Resorts, the awardwinning collection of ultra-luxury resorts, is celebrating Easter and the arrival of the spring season with a variety of activities and unique offers across the nine-resort collection set in some of the most beautiful locations.

From complimentary nights, exclusive dining experiences, exciting activities and complimentary yacht transfers, guests of One&Only can indulge in a choice of memorable offers at One&Only Royal Mirage and One&Only The Palm in Dubai, One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius, One&Only Cape Town in South Africa, One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives, One&Only Palmilla in Mexico, One&Only Ocean Club in

The Bahamas, One&Only Hayman Island on the Great Barrier Reef and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains in Australia.

One&Only offers two distinct experiences in Australia taking travellers from “bush to beach”: Nestled in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area of Australia, Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley’s 7,000-acre conservancy reserve is the centrepiece for unique experiences and insights into Australia’s wildlife, history and cultural heritage.

This Easter, guests who wish to experience a true Australian retreat can participate in the Good Friday Seafood Degustation Dinner, relax at an evening bonfire under the stars and enjoy a morning face painting session at breakfast with the family.

Additionally, guests can book the Mountain Discovery package, which includes two nights in a Heritage Villa and includes complimentary daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a choice of two on-site nature based activities per day and a hosted campfire experience. This package is valid through 30 June 2016.

The closest private island resort to the Great Barrier Reef, One&Only Hayman Island fuses breath-taking natural beauty, restorative peace, indulgence and adventure. Easter festivities include a Good Friday Seafood Buffet, Face Painting and a Bunny Dance Party, Easter Bunny sightings and a grand arrival complete with photo opportunity with the Bunny of the hour, and an Easter BBQ Lunch by the Coral Sea.

One&Only Resorts offers enticing Easter activities for customers

Wakanow, KQ Holidays rally support for Travelscope youth tourism forum AS preparation for the seventh edition of Travelscope Youth Tourism Forum hots up, Wakanow.com and KQ Holiday have signified interest add colour to the annual event as it hold on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 in Ibadan.

Speaking with Travelpulse&MICE in Ibadan, the organiser of the seminar and publisher of Travelscope Magazine, Omololu Olumuyiwa said the event is the only forum that rallies, prepares and connects youth with tourism stakeholders to sustain the future of tourism in Nigeria.

“This year’s edition will rallied participants from all walks of life to a day of tourism education and scholarships for some lucky participant,” said Olumuyiwa.

Olumuyiwa added that the theme of this year’s edition is Reviving Tourism and Hospitality Sector in Nigeria; A Way Forward and will throw light on different areas to solve issues bothering the indus-

try and stakeholders.

Among the speakers lined up for this year’s forum include Dr Carol Ogunlade of Department of Tourism & Hospitality Management, Federal Polytechnic, Ede; Mr Kenneth Oudah, Stay Up Aviation Institute of Technology and Dr Tijani Olawale, National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).

Apart from the guest speakers, representatives of KQ Holidays and Wakanow.com will be on ground to educate and broaden the scope of participants on the latest online offers, trend and various services that will be of great value to understand the travel and tourism industry better.

The seventh edition of the seminar has improved on its contents to not only reawaken youths to the opportunities in the tourism sector, but also to educate and link them up with stakeholders for gainful employment in different fields.

27

Friday, 25 March, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

A distressed judge can’t think of Code of Conduct —Agbakoba Former president, Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), in this interview with journalists in Lagos, speaks on various issues of national interest.

BOLA BADMUS brings excerpts:

Y

OU raised a concern that the government is retrieving money or saving but not spending it and that takes us back to the era when President Muhammadu Buhari was a military Head of State. People are saying this was exactly the situation then. Are we back to the same approach to solving economic problem?

Yes, he creates policy but the fact that it is not being followed is a different story. The economic policy, as I said, is monetarism and what I said shows it. Monetarism is how not to spend money and how to use other scientific methods to get things going.

So, if President Buhari were to be the laissez-faire type, he would want to spend. But the reason I don't want to criticise him overtly is that we have to also realise that the outgone government was rather profligate in spending.

I would not align myself with the criticism that not spending is necessarily a bad thing; it has to be given a value. I think the challenge is in tying restraint to the wrong notion; restraint is being tied

Agbakoba to anti- corruption. So, people are saying “save the money, don't spend it in the interim,” because the other government had a world-class economist in the person of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who should have seen all these, but did not see them.

If you see the sort of corruption stories coming out, it beggars belief. So, if I were Buhari, there will be a tendency to want to do the opposite. I don't think he should

Why would CJs go cap in hand to governors for goodies for their judges? Why? I know so many judges who are in difficulty. Some can’t even pay school fees.

be criticised for slowing spending,.

By the way, in spite of alleged hyper corruption in Jonathan's time, we clipped away at about nine per cent growth rate, which was why the famous Dutch journalist said corruption is a lesser poison than incompetence, which is a matter for another day. But the point is that on the strength of why President Buhari wanted to gather the money in, I think it has to do with what we all wanted, the change from profligacy. That was the conceptual background. Okay now that he has gathered it, the big question is, what next?

First, we have fallen into two recessions, so what is the government's response? Would it now still stay with monetarism or would it reflate? I would like the government to reflate by putting money in the economy in a productive way in areas of public construction, rebuilding the institutions of state, like the civil service, the police and other things.

A lot of Nigerians interested in entrepreneurship seem discouraged by the blockages in the Bank of Industry. What do you say about this?

In the first place, I think the name Bank of Industry is a misnomer for funding SMEs because Bank of Industry suggests they are funding industries but they are actually funding SMEs. So, you can see the challenge there. We need to rejig our economic dashboard to ensure that the right institution is doing the correct thing. What happens in the UK is quantitative easing. I can give an example of where the government of that country made available £20 billion loan at exceedingly low interest rate. But those who can access the loan are first time buyers, not those who are already with 10 houses like we have in Nigeria.

Nigerians have complained on the issue of prolonged cases in courts. What do you think can be done to address the problem?

The first thing is to change the model.

Every business has a model. The dispute resolution model that the courts are using is outdated. It is about 200 years old, it's too slow, non-technical and Continues on pg28

28

politics&policy Continued from pg27

lacks skills. So, just changing the models will make things go quicker. I was on the National Judicial Council (NJC) and I know about this very well. Somehow, the profession is very conservative and that change idea hasn't gone in yet.

In England, a judge controls the court but a judge does not in Nigeria. A lot of times, lawyers play a strong role in the control process because we say that a judge does not enter the field; he doesn’t descend into the arena. At a time, that was correct, but not anymore. So, judges are a bit too cautious not to take care of their cases because they don’t want to be seen as taking sides and that causes a tremendous amount of delay.

Secondly, the nature of disputes is so diverse that the regular courts can no longer cope. What this brings as international best practice is to create, like it is done in the US, a system of special administrative tribunal, sector by sector. So, we can now have the financial sector tribunal that can deal with anything in that sector. If you look at many of the cases in court from the banks, 80 per cent are on "I don’t owe you N10, it is N5.” A court can’t deal with that. But a tribunal made up of people of technical experience can do so.

We need to create diversified types of courts and you will leave the regular types of cases to continue. So, you can open up new channels. I am not saying that special regular courts should be established.

We need to return to that system where we have administrative tribunals because the Federal High Court has taken more powers than it can actually deal with. We have judges that deal with everything and often they cannot have the type of expertise in construction dispute, aviation problems, maritime, financial sector and others. Also, the judicial system is outdated and needs to be updated.

What do you say on the current debate about whether the Naira should be devalued or not?

I think many people have misunderstood the devaluation debate and that is causing a big problem. Investors will not come in if they feel the Naira is being held down. The president himself has said that he is not going to devalue, but the fact is that we already have devaluation. I think the argument is not devaluation but revaluing the naira. The choice here is between regulation and deregulation. The regulation logic would encourage the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to dictate the exchange value, in this case, it amounts to devaluing it.

This is the position favoured by IMF. The contrary view, which I feel is more reasonable, is to deregulate the environment and allow market forces to determine the exchange value. Also tied to this is that the CBN should allow free flow of Forex. CBN should expand the space and allow all Nigerians to participate in this. Currently, the centralised system on this issue excludes critical stakeholders from Dangote to the ‘malam’ on the street. The problem with Forex is that CBN does not have enough, but if we expand the space, we would be surprised that many Nigerians can participate and increase the stock.

All that is needed is to create a legal framework to encourage this participation, subject to money laundering rules.

Friday, 25 March, 2016

‘We should diversify courts’ We need to return to that system where we have administrative tribunals because the Federal High Court has taken more powers than it can actually deal with.

Agbakoba Recent statements from President Buhari and the EFCC boss suggest that the judiciary is corrupt. Is the judiciary corrupt in your estimation?

The judiciary is not corrupt. The fact that you have some judges that are corrupt doesn’t make the judiciary corrupt. The judiciary is a branch of government but clearly, there are some bad eggs in the process.

To say the judiciary is corrupt is a sweeping statement but I won’t vouch for not finding one or two, even among lawyers.

For very many years, Nigeria has been talking about looking for others areas to generate revenues from the abundant resources that God has blessed the country with. Don't you think the current federal structure we run in the country is hampering efforts at diversifying the economy especially for state governments?

If the Federal Government were courteous enough to allow the other sovereignties to share power, it will help because I can’t just see how Solomon Arase (Inspector General of Police) can be expected to guarantee the safety of all Nigerians, it makes no sense. Whereas you can remove the police from the Exclusive List and say to the 774 local governments that they have authority over municipal policing and you define what each person can do. In the US, the FBI deals with federal cases, other police like the famous NYPD deals with New York issues. So, that was my earlier point that we have a country where everybody, as it stands today, the only responsible sovereign is President Buhari and his ministers. That's all because I was at a conference, where Adams Oshiomhole (Edo State governor), was

also speaking and I told him he was not correct because he is not a sovereign.

I reminded him that Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, was not even allowed to get into his house

by Joseph Mbu, which shows that the Commissioner of Police can actually be the sovereign of a state. If the Commissioner of Police in Lagos wishes to arrest the governor of Lagos State, he can do so, and you can then talk of immunity. But he can do so. Because when former Governor Bola Tinubu wanted to remove, rightly or wrongly the market at Falomo, Lagos, the police put two armoured tanks there. So, a country where sovereignty is only in the Federal Government is problematic. It means that they can't see everything.

I always like to use the example of where I come from. When I was probably 22 or so, I was a second-year Law student or so at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. That was when they started talking about dualising the Onitsha-Enugu road. Up till today, different governments have been dualising but they have never finished the road because it is from Abuja and nobody cares.

I also remember that something called a port was put at the River Niger and has never been used till today. But if the governor of Anambra State has the responsibility, I think it will be a different story. So, that is a very valid point you made. The nature of our federalism creates a lot of inefficiency. But having said that, we can still do a lot better even in the context of the political configuration.

Can we have your opinion on this issue that has just come up in fresh revelation of cases involving some lawyers and judges. Is it a crime to assist a judge who

has a domestic problem and approaches his friend for assistance?

Yes, it is a very good question. When my father was the Chief Judge of the old East Central State, to even attempt to approach our gate if you’re a lawyer, you would land you in jail. And I remember the late Justice Kayode Eso said that he would refuse to accept a Christmas hamper from even me because he and my father were very close. But he said "I can accept a complimentary card wishing me a happy birthday." But we also know that values have changed. It is part of the challenges, why would that judge be in a situation of that kind of helplessness? That is the underlying question.

I remember when Justice Adeleke retired from the Supreme Court and her valedictory speech actually suggested that she had nowhere to go to. So, I took it up at the NJC, and said we can sit here, supposedly the third arm of government by the constitution, and our judges are dying, they have no houses. So, I requested the CJ at the time, Aloma Muktar, to take it up. She said no, no. I said if you don't do it I would do it and I went to court, it was Agbakoba vs the AG on the point of how to fund the judiciary and I won the case, even though it has not been enforced.

On your question, the way I would answer it is that I will leave out answering directly whether it is right or wrong.

But if a judge is in a situation where his mother is dying, he will take money from anybody and lose his job. It doesn’t have to be a lawyer. But the issue is, why would he be in that sort of position in the first place? That, I think, is a better conceptual question, not whether it was right or not.

If you ask Justice Esho this question, he would tell you that it is wrong because that was their training. But at that time, they were properly funded, everything was in place. I remember former CJN, Justice Belgore. When he was then CJ of old Benue-Plateau and then governor of old Benue-Plateau referred to them as my judges, he absolutely abused him. I think it was Gomwalk. But today, a lot of irony is in place in judiciary. I think Ricky Tarfa is even a better person to ask for assistance than a governor.

Why would CJs go cap in hand to governors for goodies for their judges?

Why? I know so many judges who are in difficulty. Some can’t even pay school fees. The question it raises is funding of the judiciary. You don’t expect that a judge whose mother is dying would be thinking about Code of Conduct. I don’t think so.

29 politics&policy

Friday, 25 March, 2016

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari returned from a visit to Equatorial Guinea recently armed with an agreement on the establishment of a combined maritime policing and security patrol committee with the small country off the southern coast of Nigeria.

This agreement is expected to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea and help to check maritime crimes including piracy, crude oil theft, sabotage of oil rigs and arms smuggling.

This is arguably the major take-away from state visit during which both Buhari and his Equatorial Guinean counterpart, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, also agreed to discuss greater cooperation on oil and gas production and a bilateral trade agreement. Other discussions centered on sub-regional, regional and international issues including terrorism, violent extremism and the state of the global economy, especially as it affects Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea as well as the crises in some African countries and efforts by the African Union (AU) to achieve peace, stability and progress across the continent.

There was also a commitment by both leaders towards the resuscitation of the Nigeria-Equatorial Guinea Joint Commission to enable it to play its proper role in the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Following the visit, Buhari became the proud recipient of Grand Collar of the Order of the Independence, Equatorial Guinea’s highest honour, which Mbasogo explained was conferred on the Nigerian leader for his “personal integrity, exemplary leadership style and courage to fight terrorism in order to ensure peace and safety in Africa.” Mbasogo heaped praises on Buhari over his successful war on Boko Haram in Nigeria’s North-East.

Buhari’s state visit to Equatorial Guinea followed the pattern of the one undertaken by former President Goodluck Jonathan, to the country in March 2013. At that time, Jonathan and his host, Mbasogo, also harped on the need to revive the Nigerian-Guinea Bi-National Commission to meet regularly in order to address pending consular issues and those that may arise in future. The communique read at a joint news conference by both leaders at the end of the two-day state visit in Malabo, the country’s capital, similarly indicated that they agreed to concretise cooperation in areas of mutual benefit, including defence

inside

aso rock WITH LEON USIGBE

08078891838 leonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk

Equatorial Guinea and two s Nigerian presidents and security; trade, aviation, energy, culture and tourism; agriculture, telecommunications, shipping, environment, education, health and consular matters. In that context, the leaders instructed the foreign ministers of their two countries to ensure the completion of all draft agreements exchanged between the two countries before the sixth session of the Joint Commission of Cooperation.

Mbasogo was also generous in his praises for Jonathan “for his determination and firmness in the fight against terrorism and piracy, in accordance with the commitments made by all member states of the Gulf of Guinea Commission and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.” Just like he did to Buhari, Mbasogo had decorated Jonathan with the award of Grand Collar of the Order of Independence, which gave Jonathan the rights and privileges of an Equatorial Guinean citizen, in recognition of his contributions to peace, stability and development of the oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.

The only significant difference between Jonathan and Buhari’s state visits can only be seen therefore, in the open offer of Equatorial Guinean oil blocks to interested Nigerians by Mbasogo himself who wanted to tap into Nigeria’s vast oil sector experience. Equatorial Guinea has recently struck oil but has quickly developed an unenviable reputation for being cited as a textbook case of

aso rock

the resource curse or the paradox of plenty. While it is blessed with abundance 08078891838 naturalyahoo. resources, it lacks real WITH LEON leonusigbe@ co.uk economic growth and has less democracy.

Despite its huge resources, only a few of its citizens have benefited from the oil riches and the country ranks near the bottom of the United Nations (UN) Human Development Index. According to the UN, less than half of the population has access to clean drinking water and 20 percent of its children die before reaching the age of five.

Human rights group’s condemn Mbasogo, who seized power through a palace coup in 1979, for running a repressive government which has shown little tolerance for opposition in its decades in power and have placed him among the worst abusers of human rights in Africa.

They also allege that oil earnings are stolen by the ruling elite. Little wonder then that the corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) ranks Equatorial Guinea in the top 12 of its list of most corrupt countries.

As a neighbour that attracts a huge number of Nigerian economic migrants who are mainly il-treated by their host, maybe it is essential for Nigeria to court Equatorial Guinea’s friendship but the country hardly provides a model of leadership for every succeeding Nigerian leader to hobnob with in the manner Jonathan and Buhari have done.

‘Why we must rally round Saraki’ Former Liaison Officer and Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Prince Yusuf Sulu-Gambari, speaks with BIOLA AZEEZ on the ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and the economy. Excerpts: He will continue to prove his innocence of the charge pending against him because it is not about corruption. I don’t understand how the same organisation that cleared the Senate President’s assets declaration as proper in 2004, 2009 and 2011 can now say that his record is faulty.

The belief of the 8th Senate and a substantial number of the senators is that the trial is persecution rather than prosecution.That’s why they believe that their utmost responsibility is to stand by him. Let me be honest with you; from the little that I know, the public sees the trial as more of a political trial than a trial intended specifically for the purpose for which it should be done. It is in the overall interest of everyone who loves this country to assist this government in doing everything in accordance with the dictates of our Constitution.

Sulu-Gambari HOW would access the ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)?

With all modesty, I want you to agree with me that Saraki’s trial is persecution and not prosecution. His trial was the handiwork of powerful people who were unhappy with his emergence as Senate President. When he was the governor of Kwara State 13 years ago, he filled the assets declaration form which is a must for all public servants once they enter office.

The charges have nothing to do with corruption or money being stolen anywhere.

Why the need for people’s support for Senator Saraki?

I want every indigene of IIorin and Kwara State at large to see the position of Senate President being occupied by Dr Saraki as a blessing to Kwarans and Ilorin in particular. We should not see Dr Saraki as a difficult person. He’s quite different from what some people think he is. He listens to advice. He is also accessible. No matter the differences we have, we should try and sit down with him in a round table and see how to go about it. He’s a son of the soil.

I have travelled round states of the federation, particularly the Southern states, of the country and especially Enugu State where the

deputy Senate President comes from. I have seen the benefits of being the deputy Senate President, let alone of a Senate President.

With the Saraki that I know, there will be lots of development that are likely to come to the state. So, we should try as much as possible to support him and support the struggle.

For instance, during Professor Abdulraheem Oba’s face-off with the Senate President, some of us met with him and made him see reasons on why he should allow Professor Oba to be screened at the floor of the Senate and succeed. We made him to realise that it’s Ilorin project and Kwara project. And that should supersede any other interest, which he concurred to.

Who are you actually appealing to?

APC leaders or members of the opposition?

I am not talking as a party man. I am not being partisan here. This is a general appeal to Ilorin people, people of Kwara State and Nigerians. Let me say something here, the goodies in Senate President’s office is beyond what APC members alone can enjoy.

It’s enough to go round and spread among everyone.

But, there are speculations that the Senate President is expending public fund on frivolous matters..

It is a mere speculation and assassination of character. Those who are peddling the rumour are unpatriotic and enemies of progress of the state. Some are even saying that he is using the state fund to pay his lawyers and ‘settle’ some senators. All these are fallacies and cannot hold water.

We have about 150 lawyers that are willing and ready to appear for Saraki free of charge in Kwara State. The number of lawyers people are seeing now is not up to what he has on ground. They are not doing it for money. It’s just for the love they have

for him and what he stands for. It’s part of their own solidarity for him. So, the issue or speculations that he’s using public fund for his case is unfounded.

What do you make of the current economic challenges?

There can’t be any development project with the bad economic situation in the country. The conomy is grounded and it is a general phenomenon in all the states of the federation. Kwara is number 35 on the revenue allocation ladder. We are so lucky to have a governor like Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed who is versed in economic strategy.

Otherwise, our case would have been worse than that of Osun.

The economy is bad globally due to the fall in oil price and this has been affecting every aspect of the economy. All states have been recording shortfalls from the Federation Account. The local government areas could not meet their financial commitments due to persistent shortfall from the Federation Account. But the state government is making concerted efforts to ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries, despite dwindling resources. I want to commend the government for exhibiting transparency and honesty with JAAC fund.

Recently, there was a general outcry that the Makama of Ilorin, was sacked by the Emir of Ilorin because of his speech against Senator Saraki.

What would you say about this?

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has urged the general public to disregard the rumour making rounds that the Makama of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Oniye, has been suspended. The rumour was received with rude shock and disappointment. Those who are peddling that rumour just want to cause division and chaos.

30

politicscommentary

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Issues and challenges of governance in Nigeria Continued from yesterday

By Akin Mabogunje

I

T is this opportunity that traditional Town Unions and Development Associations had that enabled them to make more impact on the development of their communities. Apart from being open to all citizens of the area, membership of such a Town Hall meeting should include neighbourhood leaders, leaders of different occupational and informal sector trade associations, representatives of the local chamber of commerce, leaders of women and youth associations, religious and traditional leaders as well as representatives of nongovernmental organizations within the local government area. The list should cover critical groups in the area whose advisory deliberations can easily be transformed into decisions of the council.

More than this, the failure to distinguish between urban and rural settlements had made it impossible for Nigeria to establish a mayoral system for its municipalities and denies her participation in international conferences of mayors of cities. It has also made it difficult to evolve appropriate management systems for agglomeration bigger than cities such as metropolitan authorities which oversee the transportation planning and development of expanding urbanized areas. When the Kano State Government during the first coming of Alhaji Kwankwaso attempted to establish such an authority for the orderly planning and development of the extensive urbanized Kano, the local governments protested that he was circumscribing their authority and resources.

Lessons of Nigeria’s historical/cultural situation Although not many Nigerian ethnic groups and nationalities were sufficiently organized and powerful enough to establish kingdoms and empires, every one of them had a system of local government. Each settlement based its local government either on the oldest member of the community (usually known as Elder) or the earliest settler on the site (which could also be a representative of the family). Whether as the Elder or the representative of the oldest settler, this local government and its members consult constantly with all the inhabitants of the settlement in respect of services required by the community as a whole.

For the bigger ethnic groups and nationalities, there were clear systems of local government which revealed some hierarchical relationships. Among the Igbos, for instance, the traditional local government was based on the structure of settlement. This structure is the obodo, a group of six to seven villages acknowledging a common descent and social bond. Although each of the villages had an elder as its head, the administration of the whole community was based on the obodo. So enduring was this system of local government that it was critical for the recovery of the Igbo after the civil war of 1967-1970. Indeed, Ukpabi Asika, the Administrator of the East Central State was so impressed with the resilience and capacity of the system that he decided to build on it his new system of Development Administration (Odenigwe, 1977) which was obviated with the Local Government Reform of 1976.

In the northern part of the country, where the Fulani had articulated a somewhat unique system of local governance base on the Hausa settlement structure, the smallest communities were probably family groups clustered into hamlets. These hamlets, known as kauyuka (sing. kauye) were regarded as wards or unguwoyi (sing. unguwa). They were independent and separated from each other by uncultivated land. The political authority in each hamlet or ward was vested in a ward head (mai unguwa)who presided over family heads or masu gida (sing. mai gida)(Smith, 1970). The hamlets, in turn, were organised into village areas under a village head or dakace. Village areas were then further organized into districts with a district head or hakimi. Where, as a result of favourable conditions, larger settlements eventually grew up and became towns or garuruwa (sing. gari), these were organized also on the basis of wards or unguwoyi.

In such larger settlements general political authority came to be vested in the sarkin gari, king of the town.A further stage in the development of political organization when a particular sarkin gari began to exercise authority not only over the town and its associated rural area but also over substantial tracts of territory containing other garuruwa as well. Such a sarkin gari then becomes a sarkin kasa, king of the country, the ruler of a Hausa State. These rulers lived in walled cities containing a mixed population of diverse origins and providing places of protection and refuge for people living

Bukola Saraki, Senate President in the surrounding countryside. Such settlements of which there were many examples in Hausaland were characterised by their fortifications and are known as birane (sing. birni). With the conquests of most of Hausaland early in the 19th century, most sarkin kasa became Emirs and only finetuned this earlier system of local governance.

In the Yoruba area, it is the ilu, translated to mean “a town” but which could embrace numerous villages and hamlets that constitute the unit of local government. According to Fadipe (1970: 200, 208), the average Yoruba state comprised the capital, generally walled (in some cases with double walls) together with one or more other towns, townlets, farmers’ villages (abule) and hamlets (ileto) whose inhabitants regarded themselves as belonging to one or another of the towns. The other towns besides the capital were usually either originally settled from the capital or annexed by conquest as tributary towns. The government of each local community, whether town (other than the capital), townlet or village, was self-contained except in extra-state relations which was in the hands of the government of the capital. A dependent town or community had no power of the sword with regard to capital punishment. The authority to execute must come from the king. In all other respects the government of the local community and even its organisation were a reproduction on a small scale of the government of the capital town......Ward chiefs were a part of the active personnel of the state. The ward embraced many compounds and, therefore, generally many extended families. (The extended family was actually the smallest political unit in Yoruba) The main purpose of this hierarchical organization of communities everywhere from the ward level to the highest traditional position was to facilitate information dissemination, mobilization and the fostering of a strong sense of belonging. Apart from

There is also the experience of other countries such as China and Singapore which decided to put a substantial portion of such foreign currency inflows into a “Sovereign Wealth Fund” and invested most of it in modernizing and upgrading domestic infrastructure and the economy.

the hierarchical organizations, this purpose was also pursued through the instrumentalities of age-grades (or Egbe) and occupational guilds or association. More than this, as Fadipe again noted, there were other democratic features observed in the constitution of Yoruba states before the establishment of colonial rule. According to him (1970: 212), in Ondo, for example, “at its great council, members of the general public were generally present, although they could not take part in the proceedings. Individual members of the public were, however, asked on occasions for their opinions on important matters. The device of the mass meeting for the purpose of ascertaining the wishes of the people on important matters was also used.” All of this is to emphasize that even within our own traditional systems, principles of participatory democracy and consultation in decision-making were highly regarded.

In short, the traditional system made arrangement for administrative presence even in the smallest settlement and organized them into identifiable units. It also gave recognition to settlements on the basis of their size and importance. More than this, it acknowledged the dynamics of internal migrations on the growth and development of settlements in favoured locations making them transit from being a village to becoming a town needing further recognition such as a crowned head. Barnes (1986) provided a detailed story of the growth of Mushin, a satellite town of Lagos in the 1950s and now part of the Lagos Megacity and the effort of the landlords’ association to secure a “crown” for the Olu of Mushin, the head of the emerging urban community at the time. It will, of course, be equally interesting to explore the circumstances in which the status of “sarkin” (town-head)” is conferred on an emerging urban settlement (“gari) in the northern part of the country.

And it is not unlikely that the rash of igwes and ezes noted in the south-eastern part of the country in recent years is indicative of a number of settlements crossing the threshold to urban size among a people which were said to be republican and to have no traditional rulers and where the British claimed to have established most urban settlements like Port-Harcourt, Enugu, Aba, Umuahia and Owerri.

Lessons of international experience Three lessons of international experience are worth stressing if only to indicate how each level of governance in the country can be moved away from an “awuff” orientation to a more constructive and business-like approach. At the Federal level, there has been two issues as to how the government could have managed our abundant resource inflow from petroleum instead of setting out on the spending spree as we did. Norway, when she found herself in the same position as Nigeria from the abundant reserve of North Sea Oil reserve, decided to “sequester” these oil export receipts which were in foreign currency into an “Oil Fund” which she then invested outside the country mainly in European and US stocks and bonds. This Fund as of 2011 has exceeded US$500 billion, second in the world only to that of Abu Dhabi (Hudson, 2001). It is claimed that treating these savings this way avoids domestic inflation that would have resulted from spending more than 4 per cent of the returns to the Fund at home, a situation into which Nigeria rushed and which has been with us since the 1970s.

However, there is also the experience of other countries such as China and Singapore which decided to put a substantial portion of such foreign currency inflows into a “Sovereign Wealth Fund” and invested most of it in modernizing and upgrading domestic infrastructure and the economy, thereby lowering the cost of living and doing business in the country and making the domestic economy more competitive globally. This latter idea of putting significant proportion of inflow from petroleum resources into a ‘Sovereign Wealth Fund has nominally been accepted by our Federal Government. It has, however, not succeeded in weaning State Governments away from their “awuff” propensity such that they are not truly in favour of such a Fund and have gone to court to challenge the initiative of the Federal Government in this matter, belated as it is.

Continues on Monday

Being text of the Guest Lecture delivered by Professor Mabogunje, on the occasion of the launching of the endowment fund for the Oba Sikiru Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance, Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos on Thursday, March 10, 2016).

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

eyesof islam

Saheed Salawu yinkadejavu@yahoo.com 0811 695 4643

Travelling distance for Qasr: A critical analysis

By Rasheed Adekunle Haashim

T

HE Arabic word for journey or travel is safar. Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali has defined safar as the movement from a place of residence with the aim of proceeding to a known destination. (Ihyau Ulumiddin vol. 2. p. 404) Shaikhul Islam Ibn Taimiyyah, in his Majmu’-l Fatawa vol. 24, argued that journey (safar) has no technical definition in Sharia. Thus, any term/terminology that has no technical meaning in Sharia will be defined linguistically or based on urf (custom, tradition or convention). However, there were some scholars who attempted to produce technical meanings and definitions of safar in Sharia. Their attempts and definitions were only based on Madha’ib (schools of Islamic laws) not on the authentic traditions from the Prophet (SAW).

This lack of consensus among Muslim scholars on the technical definition of safar in Sharia has contributed to the divergence on travelling distance which a traveller must cover before being entitled to Qasr (i.e. shortening of the obligatory prayers of four rakats to two rakats while on a journey).

Qasr, which is a permissibility of a traveller while on a journey, shall be the focus of this article.

It is common to hear people pass verdict (fatwah) that a traveller is not entitled to Qasr in Shariah until he covers 48 miles on his journey.

Is this assertion really the most authentic? Can a traveller observe Qasr on a journey less than 48 miles?

It is apposite to mention here that Almighty Allah (SWT) and His noble Messenger (SAW) have not restricted shortening of salat to any specific distance while on a journey. They left the permissibility of Qasr to any journey that falls within the linguistic definition of the term “safar.”

There is no authentic evidence in the Sunnah which confines this general term to any particular meaning. However, Islamic scholars, due to their different perceptions and understanding of the ahadith of the Prophet on the issue, have presented divergent opinions on the travelling distance that must be covered before being entitled to Qasr. Ibn Mundhir and others have reported more than 20 different opinions on the issue in question. Ibn Hazm, in his Muhala, refuted some of those views. Three of those opinions that are most popular are as follow: The adherents of the first opinion held that travelling distance for Qasr is four burud, which is equivalent to 48 miles. A barid is equal to 12 miles. Among the scholars who upheld this view were Ibn Abbas, Hasan Al-Basri, Az-Zuhri, Al-laith bn Sa’id, Malik, Abu Thawr, Ahmad and Ash-Shafi’.

The evidence put forward are summarised below: Ibn Abbas (R.A) narrated: Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “Do not shorten the prayer for a distance that is less than four Burud (48 miles) from Makkah to Usfan.” (Baihaqi 3/137 and Ad-Daraqutni 148) Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbas (RA) used to shorten the prayer and break fasting on a journey of four Burud. (Baihaqi 3/137 and Fathul Bari 2/701 – 702).

The second opinion was that of Abu Hanifah, Suwaid bn Ghaflah, Ash-Sha’bi and Ath-Thawri. They opined that the required travelling distance for Qasr is three days journey.

Their proofs are as follow: Ibn Umar (RA) narrated: The Prophet (SAW) said: “A woman should not travel for three days except with a Mahram (i.e. a non-marriageable kin)”. (Bukhari No. 1087 and Muslim No. 1338) Ali bn Abi Talib (RA) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) had fixed three days and three nights for a traveller and one day and its night for the resident in wiping over the Khuff (leather socks).” (Muslim No. 276). The argument of the advocates of this assertion is that the noble Prophet (SAW), in the narrations above, called travelling a three days and three night’s journey.

The proponents of the third opinion asserted that there is no specific travelling distance for Qasr. They argued further

that a traveller is entitled to Qasr in any kind of journey that is known and recognised as a journey in a particular culture, no matter how long or short such a journey may be, provided that it is still within the linguistic definition of safar. This view was upheld by Az-Zahiriyyah (the literalists). Among the erudite Muslim scholars who opined as such are: Shakhul Islam Ibn Taimiyyah, his student Ibnul – Qayyim, Abul – Bara’ Ghassan bn Yusuf, Al-Barqawi, Abu Malik Kamal bn Sayyid Salam, Shaikh Muhammad Al-Alawi, Shaikh Muhammad bn Salih Al-Uthaimin, Shaikh Muhammad Nasirud-din Al-Albani and many other Muslim scholars.

Their evidence are given below: Almighty Allah says in Qur’an chapter 4:101: “And when you travel in the land, there is no sin on you if you shorten Assalat, if you fear that the unbelievers may attack you.” They claimed that Almighty Allah mentioned shortening of salat while on a journey in the above quoted without specifying any distance.

Yahya bn Yazid Al-Huna’i reported: “I asked Anas bn Malik (RA) about shortening of the prayer. He said: The Messenger of Allah would pray two Rakats, if he had travelled a distance of three miles or three farsakh (i.e. nine miles)” (Muslim 691). Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani in Fat’hul Bari remarked: “This is the most authentic and explicit hadith which explains travelling distance for Qasr. Those that held contrary view to it have assumed it to mean a distance in which Qasr starts, not the actual journey itself.” Ibn Hajar, after he had brought the above statement and refuted it, then remarked: “It is clearly stated in the narration of Baihaqi (as well as Ahmad) that Yahya bn Yazid who was the narrator of the hadith from Anas bn Malik (RA) said that I asked Anas about shortening of the prayer and I was setting out to Kufah from Basrah so that I should be observing two rakats until

Almighty Allah (SWT) and His noble Messenger (SAW) have not restricted shortening of salat to any specific distance while on a journey. They left the permissibility of Qasr to any journey that falls within the linguistic definition of the term ‘safar’.

I return. Anas now mentioned the above quoted hadith to him. Therefore, it is clear that he asked about permissibility of Qasr while on a journey, not about the distance in which Qasr starts.” (Fat’hul Bari vol. 2. pp. 702-703).

They said that the Prophet (SAW) had not specified any distance for Qasr in any of the authentic narrations from him. He only attached permissibility of Qasr to what is known as journey without any specification. Those ahadith that may contain certain miles or kilometres as travelling distance for Qasr are either weak (da’if) or untraceable to the Prophet (mawquf) which cannot be used to establish a ruling on contentious issue like travelling distance for Qasr.

The evidence and arguments put forward by the proponents of the opinions cited above require critical analysis. This critical analysis will reveal to us the weakness and the strength of those assertions.

The first view which confines travelling distance for Qasr to 48 miles is not all that strong. The evidence of the protagonists of the view has been strongly criticised.

The hadith of Ibn Abbas in which 48 miles (four burud) is mentioned as travelling distance for Qasr is Da’if (weak) as explained

by Imam Baihaqi, Imam An-Nawawi, Ibn Hajar PHOTO: google.com Al-Asqalani and Shaikh Al-Albani (Irwa’ul Ghalil Hadith 565).

The narration, in which Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbas used to shorten the prayer on a journey of 48 miles, is authentic but not strong enough to specify travelling distance for Qasr due to some reasons. The first reason is that the narration is contradictory to the meaning of the Qur’an 4:101 where Almighty Allah allows one to shorten the prayer when one embarks on any journey on the earth surface. It is as well in sharp contrast to some authentic narrations (such as that of Anas quoted above) from the Prophet where Qasr is allowed in a distance that is less than 48 miles. The second reason is that there are still other authentic narrations from Ibn Umar himself apart from the one cited above, where Qasr is allowed for a distance that is less than 48 miles.

There are other authentic narrations from other Sahabah of the Prophet in which Qasr is allowed for a distance that is less than 48 miles and these narrations match that of Ibn Umar. Imam Ibn Qudamah, in Al-Mughni volume three, pages 107-108, mentioned some of these narrations from the Sahabah and Tabi’un. One of them goes thus: Jabayr bn Nufayr narrated: “I went out with Shurahbil bn As-Samt to a village which was situated at a distance of 17 or 18 miles. He offered only two Rakats of prayer. I asked him (about it) and he said: I saw ‘Umar bn Al-Khattab (RA) offering two Rakats at Dhul-Hulaifah and I too asked him (about it) and he said I am doing the same as I saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW).”

(Muslim No. 692) The second view that specifies three days for travelling distance is as well not tenable. The narrations of Ali bn Abi Talib and that of Ibn Umar used by the Hanafis and their supporters in vindicating their stand are not appropriately used. The narration of Ali is pointing to the days in which a traveller is allowed to wipe over his leather socks (khuff), not the travelling distance for Qasr. The hadith of Ibn ‘Umar, on the other hand, is emphasising the prohibition of Muslim woman travelling alone without her Mahram [nonmarriageable kin] for the days mentioned. Other narrations mentioned two days, a day and a night, and one barid (12 miles) for such prohibition. In short, those narrations have nothing to do with the travelling distance for Qasr while on a journey.

From the foregoing, it is crystal clear – Allah knows best –that the view of the scholars who opined that there is no specific distance for Qasr seems to be the most correct and convincing based on the evidence and arguments put forward. This is the stand supported by the writer of these few lines too. Utmost respect is given to the views of other scholars.

Culled from Al-Futuur news magazine.

32 islamicnews

Friday, 25 March, 2016

IIRO ends 4-day symposium for preachers in southern Nigeria

By Saheed Salawu

T

HE International Islamic Relief Organisation (IIRO), on Tuesday, rounded off its four-day symposium for preachers in southern Nigeria with a charge to the participants to rise up and join in the crusade against terrorism and insurgency in all their ramifications across the world.

IIRO is a charity, based in Saudi Arabia, founded by the Muslim World League.

It sponsors social welfare programmes, society development projects, emer-

gency relief, health care, educational care and Qur’an memorisation.

Participants at the symposium with the theme “Muslim Preachers in the Modern World,” which opened on Saturday, 19 March, at Ummul Qura High School in the Amuloko area of Ibadan, Oyo State, were drawn from Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Edo, Imo and Rivers states.

Several scholars, including Shaykh Abdul Rasheed Adiyatullah of the Sharia College of Nigeria, Iwo;

Professor Yusuf Lanre Badmos of the University of Ilorin; Dr Qosim Badmosi and Dr Rasheed Azeez Olalekan of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin; Dr Daud Amoo Alaga and Dr Khidr Mustapha, delivered lectures at the event.

In a goodwill message to the closing ceremony, on Tuesday, the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Shaykh Abdul Ganiy Abubakri Agbotomokekere, represented by the Grand Mufti of Ibadanland, Shaykh Abdul Fatai Alaga, underscored the need for the grooming of more preachers to cater

for the growing need of the modern world for the word of God. The representative of the IIRO from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Ba Mumin Muhammad Khamis, gave the assurance that the organisation would continue to work at meeting the needs of Islam and Muslims around the world.

The acting director of the Nigeria Office of IIRO, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Ustaz Adil Usaen Abdullah, promised that southerners would always be carried along in the activities of the organisation.

Let’s be wary of retribution —Preacher As NASFAT Ring Road is inaugurated

MUSLIMS and, indeed, all and sundry have been urged to watch what they earn from Allah through their words and deeds in their day-to-day living and interaction with fellow human beings for the sake of retribution.

People in positions of influence or authority in one way or another were particularly admonished to be empathetic and kind towards those under them as negative actions carry with them proportionate consequences in the immediate future and ultimately, the Hereafter.

A preacher, Khalifah Qaseem Akilapa, gave the admonition last weekend in a lecture he delivered at the inauguration of the Ring Road branch of the Nasrul-Lahi-Il-Fathi Society (Worldwide), at Aba Igbira, Oluyole Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Khalifah Akilapa stressed the need for everyone to be mindful of the blowback from evil actions in this world, even before the Day of Qiyama.

The preacher advocated the embracement of goodness and repression of evil as Allah has prescribed a heavy punishment for wickedness on the Day of Reckoning.

In a remark, the Chief Missionary of NASFAT Worldwide, Alhaji Abdullah Akinbode, advised Muslims to form the habit of spending their resources on da’wah and do away with the practice of wasting money on trivialities such as staging lavish burial ceremonies.

Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of NASFAT Ring Road branch, Alhaji Tawaliu Samsondeen, expressed joy that NASFAT had become a household name worldwide, a reference point and pride of Islam.

Ansar-Ud-Deen holds confab MEMBERS of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria nationwide will converge on Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, today, till Sunday, for the organisation’s eighth national triennial conference under the leadership of Alhaji Olufemi Okunu (SAN).

A statement by the national organising secretary of the society, Alhaji Ibrahim Kilan, disclosed that the national vice president, Dr Ganiyu Owolabi, would be the chief host, while the keynote address would be delivered by a former deputy governor of the state Dr Sikiru Lawal.

BOMYOF organises comparative sermon

Acting director of the Nigeria Office of the International Islamic Relief Organisation (IIRO), Kaduna, Kaduna State, Ustaz Adil Usaen Abdullah; former chairman of Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Shaykh Lukman Busari, representative of the IIRO from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Ba Mumin Muhammad Khamis; the Grand Mufti of Ibadanland, Shaykh Abdul Fatai Alaga, who represented the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Shaykh Abdul Ganiy Abubakri Agbotomokekere (fifth right) and others at the closing of a four-day symposium organised by IIRO for preachers in southern Nigeria, in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday.

Saudi to replace 4,000 old buses for Nigerian pilgrims AHEAD of the 2016 hajj exercise, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said that about 4000 buses used by Nigerian pilgrims would be replaced by Saudi Arabia government.

NAHCON chairman, Abdullahi Mohammed, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

He said that a recent visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Saudi Arabia as well as efforts of the commission and other stakeholders led to the securing of better deals for Nigerian pilgrims.

Mohammed said the gesture by the Saudi Arabia authorities would be applicable from this year’s hajj.

“The Saudi Arabia authorities have assured us that only buses from 2008 models would be used by

our pilgrims and that about 4000 of the existing buses would be withdrawn and replaced with new ones.

“The visit of President Muhammadu Buhari also led to the Saudi government assuring us that there would be change in the location of Nigeria’s tent in Mina to be closer to the Jamrat (station of the symbolic stoning of the

devil),” Mohammed said.

He said that due to forecasts that hajj seasons will fall in hot weathers for some years from now, the Saudi Arabia government has promised to improve the cooling system in the tents and camps.

The chairman commiserated with the MMPN over the death of Hajia Bilikisu Yusuf in the 2015 Mina

stampede, saying she died while serving female pilgrims as an official of the commission.

Earlier, the MMPN chairman, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, represented by his deputy, Hajiya Medina Dauda, reiterated the commitment of the organisation to assisting in the realisation of the commission’s objectives.

A renowned scholar on comparative religious studies, Dr Daud Amoo, will on Sunday discuss with stakeholders on the controversies surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The public lecture, facilitated by the Bodija Muslim Youth Forum (BOMYOF), will hold at the Islamic Centre, Housing, Bodija, Ibadan, starting from 11.00 a.m.

A statement by the chairman of the forum, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that the topic of the lecture is “Was Jesus Crucified and will He return?”

Balogun said that the topic was carefully selected to educate members of the two major religions — Islam and Christianity — on the doctrine of crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the belief of other faith-based believers.

MSSN holds mini IVC

THE 101st edition of the Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) B-Zone began on Thursday (yesterday) and will end on Monday.

A statement by the Amir/Zonal Coordinator, MSSN BZone, Alaran Mushafau, said this edition had been decentralised for efficient and effective assessment of the impact of the MSSN in fostering unity through the theme “One Ummah.”

The IVC, with the aim of bringing all Muslim students and youths closer, has served as a source of spiritual, moral and academic advancement through a series of exhortation in the course of the camping.

BECE: AMIS organises mock exam for JSS 3 students IN preparation for the forthcoming Basic Education Certification Examination (BECE) of the National Examinations Council (NECO), the Association of Model Schools (AMIS), Oyo State chapter, has organised a mock examination for Muslim Junior Secondary School (JSS) students.

The state chairman of the association, Alhaji Lawal Abbas, during his visit to one of the examination centers, Darul Hikkma Group of Schools in the Muslim area of Ibadan, in Oluyole

Local Government Area, expressed delight at the turnout of candidates.

“Despite the fact that the [mock] examination is the first of its kind, the turnout of member schools is quite impressive. At least 60 per cent [of the schools] participated, while the remaining 40 per cent wished they were also part of the exercise,” he stated.

About 643 candidates sat for the examination which focused on three subjects - English Language, Mathematics and Islamic Reli-

gious Studies - in 11 centers in Ibadan and Ibarapa.

Alhaji Abbas, who promised to increase the number of subjects as well as the number of days for the examination in the subsequent exercises, expressed the hope that next year’s edition will record more participation.

He admonished members to be punctual to unit and local government meetings so as to be abreast of the decisions of the association.

AMIS is the umbrella body governing the affairs of Muslim schools in Nigeria.

Alhaji Abbas during his visit to one of the centres.

33 hersay

By Monica Taiwo

O

FTEN, when a lady is getting married, her parents, especially her mother, tells her repeatedly that it is not African for her to adopt the ‘my-husband-and I’ syndrome, as this is not an acceptable norm in this society.

Long before now, it is assumed that a child belongs to the community and not to his or her nuclear family alone, so all adults in the family see to his/her upbringing.

The African culture believes so much in communal living, where people share their joy and otherwise together. Even in a situation, where they don’t reside together, they are still their brother’s keepers, despite the distance.

With this lifestyle, civilisation notwithstanding, parents feel confident to leave their children at home because they know there will always be watchful eyes of an elderly person around.

Apart from this, with the extended family set up, people do not lack, as they always look out for one another. This does not mean that you have to live in a big compound, but a rich relative always looks out for or look after the underprivileged family member.

Today, things have changed, civilisation, the economic situation in

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Extended family: Blessing or burden?

the country, coupled with the environment, among other factors, have created a gap between the way it used to be and what it now obtains.

Olayemi’s narrative says a lot, and then we can draw our conclusion on extended family after reading her story.

A mother of two, Olayemi, grew up in an environment, where her parents always had their relatives around, as opposed to her husband’s background. Most of the time, they disagreed on issues of the extended family, though she understands where her husband is coming from but she has her misgivings about the extended family.

“This issue came to me as my husband and I were having a conversation and it occurred to me that both of us have such different perspectives on the family unit.

My husband was born in Britain and has two siblings. Their family was nuclear and they only interacted with their first cousins and a very few members of their extended family.

He lost both parents at a very tender age and so, his elder sister was responsible for taking care of him and his elder brother. They get on well with their cousins and all, but I noticed that they are not too comfortable with distant relations. They don’t even know a lot of them.

“At our wedding ceremony, my family members outnumbered theirs; it was a ratio of about eight to one. My own family is much extended, which sometimes annoyed me while growing up. We always had one relative or the other living with us then. I had numerous ‘grandmothers’. They really were not my biological grandmothers, but were just elderly women in the family, my grandparents’ siblings or cousins.

“My mum and dad are both first children and so, were given added responsibilities at the very beginning of their marriage. It was quite a lot on them, especially my mum, and to be honest, half of these peo-

My husband believes that his nuclear family being us; me, himself and our kids are the first priority, and then others are secondary.

ple today are not even grateful for the sacrifices they made for them.

We had one cousin living with us, who attended the same private school as my younger sister and my parents sometimes struggled with the fees. They knew if any suggestions were made to take the cousin out of the private school, it would have been misinterpreted.

So, we the kids forfeited lots of luxuries, especially if they could not afford them for all the hordes of people living with us at the time, so as not to create animosity or the feeling that we the children were better taken care of.

“To cut the long story short, my husband believes that his nuclear family being us — me, himself and our kids are the first priority, while others are secondary. I, on the hand, believe that of course, my family is first, but that the extended members are also important.

Don’t get me wrong, my husband is close to his siblings and is quite a good uncle, but he is of the impression that carrying, extended family problems on ones shoulder makes it quite difficult for one and it is like giving oneself so much pressure.

“This argument arose because I wanted to come home to Nigeria and he thinks I am wasting money trying to buy things for so many people. My thinking is that I would feel bad if I see some people

and not give them anything and his thinking is, “do you need to see them?” But I will, because I know my mum is always habouring one person or the other.”

He also is not too comfortable with one distant aunty calling from the airport, saying she wants to stay with us. I have seen him do it to his family, he will say ‘no’. I know that one distant aunty from my family will call one day and it might cause problems, because I know he will say ‘no’, especially if it is one of my aunties he has not met.

“I find it difficult to say no and might not sleep for weeks thinking I turned down someone I am though remotely related to away from my house; it is just the way I was brought up,” she said.

Others may have similar or different experiences, but the bottomline is, do we see our extended family members as a blessing or burden? Can we afford to do away with them? Should we allow them to be a part of our lives, despite civilisation and the economic situation? Obviously, the world has become a global village, is civilisation and the social media gradually taking over the place of the extended family members? Is this good for us? How can we balance the situation, so we can have an equilibrium?

34

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Monica Taiwo monicataiwo@yahoo.com 08055001724 @taiwomonica

heartcopy This young girl needs help!

PHOTO: Google

M

Dear Taiwo, Y husband and I are ardent readers of your column and sincerely, we have learnt a lot from reading your pages; this is why I felt you can be of help to us in this situation.

It is not an issue we both are directly involved in, but I especially cannot stop thinking that I can do something to help the young girl in question, may be, because I have a daughter exactly her age. I cannot imagine my daughter going through the situation the poor girl is in.

My husband and I moved into our present neighbourhood about seven years ago. It is our own house and we have been friendly with this young girl and her mother even before we finished and moved in. The area is a developing one, with a few houses there then. Her family then happened to be our direct neighbours. We didn’t see much of the man, the woman’s husband, because probably he was always at work whenever we went for supervision. This woman and sometimes her little daughter became friendly with us and sometimes assisted us.

By the time we moved into our house, we had become close and friendly with them. I noticed that the woman was always moody and sad. I couldn’t ask her because I didn’t want her to think I was meddling into her private life. She had a small shop built into their fence and she usually opened the shop when she returned from the office, where she works as a secretary to sell provisions.

I stopped at the shop to a pick few things for our home on that fateful day and I met her husband. He was drunk and kept raining abuses on his wife. Initially, I thought he was a drunken customer, until he started beating his chest and telling her that he remains her husband and the head of the home. I felt really bad when she started crying, though, quietly. It was then I realised the reason for her melancholic look.

We couldn’t talk that day, but I couldn’t help but advise her to take things easy the following day, when I drove past her shop. We started talking from that day.

I later learnt that the little girl is her only child and the man happened to be her second husband. I also learnt

that the building belongs to her and not the man. She decided to take things easy because she doesn’t want a situation, where her marriage will crash again.

I told my husband what we spoke about when I got home, he advised me not to get too involved in her issue, because he knows my type of person. I, however, wished I had intervened or done something to help her, because she died two weeks after she spoke with me. She slumped and died in her shop on a fateful evening.

It was after her demise that a lot of stories came to fore.

We learnt that she had been a victim of domestic violence for years, but kept quiet and suffered in silence.

The poor girl she left behind had no where to go than to stay with the man we all thought was her father. Of

course, she also suffered the same fate from this man.

For several days, she would not go to school and at such a tender age, she does all the chores in the house.

Many times, she would sit in front of her late mother’s shop and cry because she was hungry. Many times, I have had to give her food because her step father would have been too drunk to get her something to eat. As if that was not enough, I later learnt from my daughter, who she confided in, that her stepfather raped her one night and had been doing that persistently and threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

Initially, I felt it was impossible, but my daughter told my husband and he asked that I investigated it.

Instead of asking the young girl (she is just 13), I called the attention of another neighbour to what I heard.

She said it was very possible as the man does not strike her as being emotionally unstable. She said she would be vigilant as their house is closer to theirs.

Two weeks after, she gave me a feedback, which was shocking and disheartening as well, she actually heard the girl screaming and begging her stepfather not to have sex with her that particular night, as she was having pains.

This really touched my heart; I had an audience with her and learnt that this had been going on a few weeks after her mother’s demise and he had warned her not to tell anybody or he would kill her. I also got confirmation that this man is her stepfather and not her real father.

I was forced to ask her where her father is, but unfortunately, she does not know how to locate him. I asked if she knows any of her mother’s relatives if she cannot locate her father or his people, but her answer was more devastating. She said the only aunty she knows resides in the northern part of the country and she doesn’t even know where or how to contact her.

It is obvious she needs help, but how does one go about it? I learnt of her plight, I felt sad. My neighbour and I often raised money for her feeding and to keep her personal hygiene. We also raised money to pay her school fees so that she can go back to school, but the issue of sexual abuse, as far as I am concerned, is more serious.

Would we not be meddling into a family affair if we confront this girl’s stepfather? Is there a way we can help her?

The poor girl is even scared of opening up because of the fear of death. Please, how can I go about this?

Anonymous.

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35 hersay TEENAGERS, God loves them. I say that because most of the time, God is about the only one who could love them they are a breed on their own. There is no way to guess what they will do or why they do it.

When my boys were teenagers, I used to tell folks that I was going to put one of them through college and the other I was going to put through a wall. I looked one of my boys in the eye one day and said, “I love you, son. There isn’t one thing I like about you right now, but I love you.” He said, “Back at ya, Mum.” Meaning he loved me but there wasn’t one thing he liked about me either.

But we made it through somehow. Based on my experience with teenagers I want to give them some advice in this column. Yes, this section is for them, not you.

Don’t bother reading this next section as it won’t do you much good and I didn’t write it for you anyway. I wrote this one for the teenager in your life. Give it to him/ her to read. Seriously, simply hand your teenager the news paper and tell him/her to read just these few words on this dailies and take it back to you . It will help if you have 10 thousand in your hand when you do it.

Dear Teenager: Your parents are idiots. Not really, but a

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Parenting The host of Straight Talk!

With Olufunke Adetuberu

08023242389

cryonmenow@yahoo.com

Parenting for your teenager

good part of the time that’s what you are going to think. It is okay to think that way because sometimes they really could be idiots. Why? Because you are the one driving them insane. Yep, you are driving your folks absolutely crazy. That is the power you have over them. It is a powerful tool, so please use it carefully.

They don’t have all the skills they need to do a great job raising you. When you say to them, “But you don’t understand!” you are right. Sometimes they don’t understand.

Things are different today than when they were young. On the other hand, things haven’t changed all that much. Sometimes they understand perfectly what you are going through because they have been where you are and they don’t want to see you go down the same road.

Your parents are pretty much doing the

best they can with what they have. They didn’t learn all they needed to know about raising kids from their own parents so they don’t have a perfect example to follow and learn from. They are scrambling to get this parenting thing right. They are frustrated, confused and scared to death that they are going to mess up and you will turn out to be a disaster.

They are afraid you are going to do something that will ruin the rest of your life. They are afraid you will get drunk and wreck the car and either get killed or end up killing someone else. They are afraid you will end up on drugs. They are terrified your friends will talk you into doing things you know are not right and that you will end up in jail.

They are afraid you will get pregnant or get someone pregnant. They are scared you won’t get out of school with grades that will

get you into the university. They worry they won’t have enough money for you to go to the university. They are concerned about you every minute of every day and night.

The fear they feel for you exhibits itself in various ways. It shows up through their being overprotective at times. Then they realise that they are being overprotective and they back off and give you some space.

They yell, they cry, they try to be your best buddy. They don’t know exactly what they should do, so they end up trying everything, hoping that something will work.

I know it is driving you crazy. I really do understand that. But you have to understand this: All of that nagging, pestering, bitching, griping, pissing and moaning, yelling, screaming and crying comes under the heading of love.

Those things don’t always feel like love, but that is what it is. Your parents only want the best for you, but face it: You don’t want to listen. You scream back at them or tell them they don’t understand or ignore them completely, so they yell and nag, trying to get you to pay attention. Forgive them and know that the underlying motive is love. Shake your head and roll your eyes; but not when they can see you. Try to find it in your head and heart to appreciate their inept attempts at loving you.

share a

burden

With Monica Taiwo

08055001724(sms only) monicataiwo@yahoo.com

He wants a virgin, I am not!

D

EAR Taiwo, My name is Bunmi, I have a problem with my relationship.

My guy asked if I was a virgin and I told him no; he then told me that he cannot date a lady who is not a virgin.

I have begged him, but he refused to listen to me, but I still love him. Please, tell

me what to do.

Dear Bunmi, I wonder what you expect me to tell you. If I also may ask you, why did you have to beg him? What for?

When he asked if you were a virgin, did you bother to ask if he is

also a virgin? Why does he want a virgin? These are salient questions you should have asked him. It is okay to be in love and love is beautiful, but you don’t have to be stupid about it. Please, do not exhibit any form of stupidity, if you cared about your virginity, you should

have been more careful to protect it.

If he doesn’t want you, I am sure somebody else would. What about the guy who deflowered you? Forget about him, it is obvious he doesn’t share your passion, move on.

I just can’t trust my girlfriend Dear Taiwo, Please, can you help me with this issue?

I have a girlfriend and I sincerely love her.

I know she loves me too and I don’t have a cause to doubt her feelings for me, because she has really gone out of her way to prove her love to me.

My problem, however, is that I cannot trust her. I don’t know why I cannot trust her, honestly, I don’t know.

Something happened a few weeks ago and I hope I would not lose her over the issue. We had a argument over a few things.

I went to see her and I saw that she had bought some new things for herself. Ordinarily, she would tell me before doing anything, I asked her and she gave me an explanation; which ordinarily should have been satisfactory, but I couldn’t believe her.

This really pained her and she wept like a baby. Her tears touched me because I hate to see her cry and as much as I know her, whatever makes her cry is always a big issue.

Taiwo, why can’t I trust a woman I love?

This is really giving me concern, please, help me.

Timmy Dear Timmy, The first thing you must realise is

that without trust, no relationship can survive. You must learn to build trust in your partner.

Your trust for her must grow with your love for her. Your letter is quite vague, because there must be a reason or something must have happened either to you; or she must have done something before which made you feel this way about her.

If you search your mind and you sincerely feel the root cause is not you but her, you have to try and forget so that you can move on.

If the reason is what she had done or as a result of her past, please, you must learn to forget and trust her.

There is something called benefit of the doubt, why don’t you try this out with her. Let her know the reason you still cannot trust her, so both of you can talk it over and the issue of trust will be done with.

Communication is a vital issue in every relationship; cultivate the habit of communicating, even with your friends. You also must learn to make her your friend, do not remove the barrier of friendship from your relationship, as this will give room for better communication.

Photo: Google

36 hersay

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Eat healthy at Easter

...Vitamin-packed foods for younger looking skin

Apricot

Almond

Broccoli

Water melon

Chicken breast

Kiwi

Strawberry

Shimps

By Monica Taiwo

Y

OUR skin’s general health is greatly influenced by what you feed on.

If you think young looking skin is just about skin care products and make-up, then it is time to get the facts straight. More than the beauty products you apply, your skin’s general health is greatly influenced by what you feed it with. The amount of water you drink and the types of food you consume everyday can say a lot about you and your skin. If you have been munching on unhealthy foods lately, there’s a good chance that your skin will suffer.

Eat: Carrots, butternut squash, beef liver,

TIP FOR YOUNGERLOOKING SKIN: TO avoid the frustrations that come with fine lines, age spots, and blemishes, here are some of the best ways you can eat your way to young, looking skin: • Pick out colorful fruits and vegetables and serve a minimum of five portions each day.

• Avoid consuming too much saturated fats, like dairy products and meat.

• Choose foods that have low glycemic indexes, such as apple, avocado and celery.

• Stay away from crash diets.

• Try adding herbs and spices, like turmeric, to pack in extra nourishment to your skin.

Tomato

Egg apricots, broccoli and mango for Vitamin A Benefits: Helps prevents breakout and black spots and slows down signs of skin ageing. It also increases blood flow to the skin for hydration, decreases sebum production and reduces damage due to excessive UV exposure.

Eat: Yoghurt, eggs, mushrooms, broccoli, oysters and soy beans for vitamin B2 Benefits: Helps relieve dry and itchy skin, keeps skin moisturised, assists in cellular respiration and stops pellagra, a skin disease caused by vitamin deficiency.

Eat: chicken breast, lean ground beef, tomatoes, eggs, potatoes and tuna for Vitamin B3.

Benefits: Can protect against certain skin cancers, effectively manage the symptoms of Rosacea, reduces sebum production to prevent acne formation by 52 per cent and improves skin barrier to maintain skin hydration.

Eat: Legumes, mushrooms, fish, cheese, eggs and lean pork for Vitamin B5 Benefits: Deeply moisturises the skin and breaks down oil that clogs pores. Vitamin B5 also helps in skin renewal for younger and fresher looking skim and has anti-inflammatory properties to help manage itchiness and skim discomfort.

Eat: Banana, broccoli, watermelon, white rice, chicken breast, spinach for Vitamin B6 Benefits: Helps treat dry skin, eczema and acne. It also helps fight skin blemishes by regulating hormones.

Eat: Soy beans, green peas, cauliflower, almonds, walnuts and salmon for Vitamin B7 Benefits: Restores skin moisture, relieve itchy skin and help manage eczema and seborrhoea dermatitis. This vitamin also increases the production of fatty acid in skin to improve hydration.

Eat: Guava, kiwi, oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, red peppers for Vitamin C Benefits: Fight UV-induced damage, minimise the risk of dry skin and reduce the production of melatonin.

Eat: Salmon, fortified milk, yoghurt, cheese, egg yolks and cod liver oil for Vitamin D Benefits: Aids in skin cell renewal, rejuvenates aging skin, controls the natural protective mechanism of skin.

Eat: Tofu, shrimp, avocado, sunflower seeds, almonds and wheat for Vitamin E Benefits: Decreases the roughness of skin, reduces wrinkles and fine lines, keeps the skin firm and effectively lightens dark spots.

Eat: Mayonnaise, walnuts, grapeseed oil, olive oil, salmon, and avocado for Vitamin F Benefits: Keeps skin supple and youthful, effective in controlling acne and encourages skin renewal to fight blemishes and scars.

Eat: broccoli, cheese, spinach, meat, eggs and Brussels sprouts for Vitamin K Benefits: Enhances skin elasticity, helps get rid of dark under-eye circles, smoothens fine eye wrinkles.

Guava

Tofu

Oyster

37

news

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Employment scam: EFCC arrests ex-fire service chief

Group condemns attack on Wada at tribunal venue

Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

OPERATIVES of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, arrested a former Assistant Comptroller General of the Nigeria Fire Service, Dada Olatunji, for offences bordering on employment scam.

According to a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Thursday, in Abuja, by the commission’s Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, Olatunji’s arrest was as a result of a petition by two applicants, Robert Mathew and Theresa Abah, alleging that sometimes in December 2014, one Christopher Adaje, an officer at the Nyanya office of the fire service informed them of a recruitment exercise purportedly going on and promised to facilitate their employment into the service before April 2015, if they could part with N350, 000 each.

The statement added that, desperate to get employment, Matthew and Abah, who could not afford the said sum, resorted to soliciting help from their friends and loved ones.

Eventually, Matthew was able to source his from a friend, while Abah took a loan of N225,000 from her friend, to meet Adaje’s demand to offer them job. Both raised a total of N575,000, which was paid into an account supplied

by Adaje in one of the old generation banks.

KOGI State chapter of Great Transformation Support Initiative (GTSI), on Thursday, condemned the attack on a former governor of the state, Idris Wada, on the premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the venue of the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal The initiative, in a statement by the state coordinator, Zacch Jonathan and his Kogi East coordinator, Ahmed Ibrahim, said the development was taking the state back to the dark days.

Suspected thugs were said to have hauled pebbles at the ex governor’s vehicle on Tuesday, while leaving the court premises after his petition came up for hearing.

The body called on President Muhammadu Buhari to speak out on the incident and quickly arrest the situation to avoid a repeat, stressing that the activities of the thugs at the tribunal did not portray the nation in good light.

From left, Deputy Director, Environmental Right Action/Friend of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FOEN), Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi; Executive Director, ERA/FOEN, Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo; Campaigner Friend of the Europes, Anne-Marike Van Schaik and the Campaign Coordinator, Environmental Justice/Friends of the Earth Netherlands, Mr Geert Ritsema, during a media advocacy on non-implementation of the UNEP assessment report on Ogoniland, in Abuja, on Thursday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI

Cop, civilian shot dead in Rivers robbery attack Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

I

T was another sad day for the Nigeria Police as it lost one of its men to suspected robbers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday.

A police sergeant, Sunday Adoga was shot dead by the suspected robbers during the incident, which occurred at about 10:30 am, along the Garrisson/ Waterline axis of the state

capital.

Another version of the story had it that one other policeman was killed in the incident.

Also killed at Rumoamasis junction on Thursday was a man (identity not known), who was said to have gone for a cash transaction in an old generation bank along Aba Road.

A security source, who did not want his name in print, disclosed to the Ni-

gerian Tribune that the robbery operation started from the UTC Junction, less than two kilometres to the state Government House and spread to the Garrison/Waterline axis.

“The robbery incident started from the UTC Junction and spread to Garrison and the Waterline axis of Aba Road. The deceased man was killed inside his Toyota Corrolla car, when the rob-

Implement 2011 UNEP report on Ogoniland, Environmental Rights Action tells Buhari Ademola Adegbite - Abuja

THE Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, on Thursday, warned the Federal Government to implement 2011 UNEP report on cleaning up Ogoniland, telling President Muhammadu Buhari not to act like his predecessor, who made similar promise but later subjected the people to the

burden of environmental degradation .

Its executive director, Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo, said this at a media advocacy on the non-implementation of the UNEP assessment report on Ogoniland, at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja.

He lamented that since August 2015, when President Buhari promised to act on the report, nothing has been done.

Dr Ojo said the situation has not changed, as President Buhari has since promised to take immediate action on the report but nothing happened.

The executive director added that Shell was liable and should be prosecuted for the crime of Ecocide against mother earth and the people since it has been responsible for the wanton destruction of lives in Niger Delta region consistently.

Pay your workers, CD tells state govts THE Campaign for Democracy (CD) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, address the problem of state governments not being able to pay their workers despite receiving a bailout to offset their debts.

In a press release signed

by Ifeanyi Odili and Adeusi Campbell, national coordinator and acting secretarygeneral respectively, the CD said: “It is appalling that state workers have been subjected to servitude, mass hunger and poverty in the face of a government that

promised to put smiles on people’s face. It is worthy to question the president on the rationale behind the policy of bailout he did for the state governors that were owing their workers.

“It is sad that despite the bailout, most states, like Ondo, Niger, Osun, Delta, Ogun and others, have not paid their workers for the past four months, thereby turning them to street beggers and scavengers, yet the workers are expected to be punctual and those that get to work late due to lack of transport fares are punished.

“The state governments are called upon to live up to expectation by making the welfare of their workers paramount as contained in their campaign promises.

Any government that fail to meet up with this obligation, is not worth its salt and such should get prepared to quit the stage.

“We want to state here that gone were the days we sat back and watched issues of importance swept under the carpet, political leaders robbing Nigerians to keep their families in affluence.

He was of the view that the company was political and has economic power over the state, saying the Federal Government should reclaim the power so that the impunity could come to an end, “because we believe that Shell no longer have a hidden place.

“Stop the politicisation of the Ogoni clean up process and let the will of the people prevailed and not that of politicians.”

While we welcome the political will shown by the Federal Government to implement the UNEP report, it should quickly make effort by inaugurating institutions to oversee the clean up.

“While the Federal Government promised $10 million is yet to be paid, this amount is less than one per cent of the initial grant required to commence clean up operations that would last 30 years.

“The UNEP recommendation on the establishment of Ogoni clean up should be implemented forthwith, including the payment of an initial $1 billion,” he added.

bers gunned him down. He was reported to have died at the hospital.

“The robbers continued with their operation, which lasted more than one and a half hours, as they pursued the policemen who were in their patrol van, three of the policemen were seated at the back of the van.

“Suddenly, there were gunshots and two of the officers dropped dead, while the remaining one started calling on the driver of the patrol van to stop the vehicle, shouting that they have been hit by some gunmen,” the source said.

Confirming the incident, the state police image-maker, Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), however, said it was only one policeman, Sergeant Adoga, that was killed.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said the policemen were ambushed in their patrol van and described the killing as senseless, adding that such was one of the risks the law enforcement agents were exposed to on daily basis, in seeking to keep the society free of crimes.

“We are deeply saddened by the senseless killing of Sergeant Adoga, who was ambushed in the police patrol van today (Thursday), along Garrison-Water line.

“Sadly, today’s event, once again, demonstrated the profound dangers our men face and witness. Police officers put their lives on the line every day to confront crime and violence in our communities,” he said.

Abia North rerun: Orji Kalu goes to tribunal Shola Adekola - Lagos

FORMER Governor of Abia State and senatorial candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), during the March 5, 2016, Abia North rerun, Dr Orji Kalu, has gone to the election tribunal in Umuahia to protest massive electoral irregularities that robbed him of his victory during the rerun Mr K. C. Nwufor, is leading Dr Kalu’s four-man legal team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had earlier on Sunday morning, March 6, declared the rerun inconclusive only to return in the afternoon to make a volte-face by announcing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr Mao Ohuabunwa, the winner of the rerun.

Dr Kalu’s camp is alleging that the same forces behind what they called “electoral fraud were the same people that rigged Dr Kalu out of the 2011, 2015 and 2016 senatorial polls.

This time around, Dr Kalu has vowed not to allow this swindle to become a permanent feature in Abia State by approaching the tribunal to rectify the latest anomaly by calling the perpetrators to order and enthroning political accountability.”

38 eastermessages

Lagos lifts order on restriction of movement

T

HE Lagos State government has lifted the order on restriction of movement during the forthcoming monthly environmental sanitation exercise, on Saturday, March 26, 2016 to allow free movement of people and vehicles, during the Easter celebration.

A statement issued on Thursday, by the Office of the Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, noted that despite the lifting of the restriction order, Lagos residents were still expected to observe the monthly exercise, by cleaning their homes and immediate environment.

The Commissioner enjoined residents in the state to prioritise the cleaning of their environment in realisation of the fact that the rainy season is fast approaching.

“As we gradually approach the rainy season, Lagosians must shun acts that could contribute to flooding such as dumping waste in unauthor-

ised places like canals and drainage channels.

“We cannot but encourage cleanliness in all aspects of our physical and spiritual life, having just completed the 40 days of the Christian fasting. I therefore wish to enjoin all and sundry to ensure that the festival is celebrated in the cleanliest environment possible.”

While wishing Lagos residents a happy Easter celebration, Adejare advised them to celebrate in moderation, and to be conscious of their environment, stressing that “we need to respect our environment, so as not to incur the wrath of nature.”

The Commissioner further admonished all residents to bag their refuse properly to allow for easy collection and disposal to designated landfill sites by LAWMA and PSP operators, adding that LAWMA had been fully mobilised to deploy men and equipment to ensure prompt evacuation of waste generated during the festive period.

‘Imbibe teachings of Easter by shunning corruption’ A civil rights group, The Democrat, has charged Nigerian leaders to imbibe the teachings of Easter, by shunning corruption and material acquisition, do or die politics which are detrimental to the progress of the country.

National Leader, Apostle Kehinde Ojoawo, in a Easter message, called on Christians to emulate leadership qualities of Jesus Christ, especially sacrifice, selflessness, love and hope.

The Democrat added that leaders should respect human rights of the citizenry and eschew violence as a means of gaining power and wealth.

“In demonstration of repentance from their sins and departure from their evil past, Nigerian leaders should find sincere solu-

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tion to the present economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians, by improving the standard of living of the people. They should love and serve the people honestly and selflessly and give hope to the poor masses of Nigeria.

“Government at all levels should embark on economic transformation and diversification of Nigerian state. Leaders should promote peace and stability of Nigeria as demonstrated

by Jesus Christ during His lifetime.

“People and leaders in Nigeria are called upon to repent from their evil ways such as corruption and material acquisition detrimental to their fellow humans, violence do or die politics in order to move the country forward.”

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General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Adedeji Boade Bosede am the same person bearing Adedeji Abigail. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADEDEJI BOADE BOSEDE ABIGAIL. All documents bearing these names remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fabiyi Omolara Oluwaseun now MRS. OLAYIWOLA OMOLARA OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adeola Taiwo Aruna now HARUNA SAHEED BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Mustapha Oyeladun Oludayo now MRS OYEWUMI OYELADUN OLUDAYO. All former documents remain valid.

TESCOM, Oyo State and general public take note.

I, Oyedokun Oluwatobi John am the same person bearing Oyedokun Oluwasegun, Oyedokun Tobi Oluwasegun and Oyedokun Tobi. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OYEDOKUN OLUWATOBI JOHN OLUWASEGUN. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Emmanuel Bukola Sarah now EMMANUEL TEMITAYO JOSEPHINE. All former documents remain valid. FCMB and general public take note.

I, formerly Babatunde Amos Kayode now ALAMU AMOS OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Kingsley Udoh now KINGSLEY VICTOR JACOB. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Ayuba Musa am the same person bearing Bature A. Musa.

Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as AYUBA MUSA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adenike Iyabode Adegoroye now ADENIKE IYABODE HAWA ASAFA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Emmanuela Chimarame NWACHI now MRS. EMMANUELA CHIMARAME IGBOZURIKE. All former documents remain valid.

Imo State College of Health Science & Technology, Amaigbo, Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), WAEC, NECO and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fatokun Aminat Adewumi now MRS ADEYEMO AMINAT ADEWUMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Olaniyi Tunde Olaoye now OLANIYI TUNDE SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Simon Abichele Michael now EDO MICHAEL SIMON. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Alake Taofik Abiodun now SUARA ALLIU ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olawuyi Rashidat Adeola now MRS OGUNBIYI RASHIDAT ADEOLA CHRISTIANAH. All former documents remain valid. IBSW LGEA and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Awakan Aderonke Yetunde now MRS OWOADE ADERONKE YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid.

Oyo State Hospital Management Board (OYSHMB) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Abraham Hannah Dolapo now MRS OSENI HANNAH DOLAPO. My correct date of birth is 19/01/1985 and not 20/01/1985. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adediji Funmilayo Oyinade now OGUNSANYA FUNMILAYO OYINADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Abeeb Shina now OLAYEMI QUADRI ADESHINA. All former documents remain valid.

Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeyeri Ayoade Amudalat now MRS OYEYEMI AYOADE CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid.

TESCOM, Oyo State and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akintola Ruth Yetunde now MRS ADEBAYO RUTH YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid.

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Gbolahan Mofoluwake Halidat now MRS AKANNI MOFOLUWAKE HALIDAT. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Hospital Management Board (OYSHMB) and general public take note.

I, formerly Musa Yakubu Onubeji now ADENIPEKUN SUNDAY OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bunmi Solarin now MRS. BUNMI EKUNDAYO ONI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Clement Ezenwamadu now MR CLEMENT OKWUEGBULEM and was born on March 15, 1966.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ajekigbe Abimbola Deborah now MRS. ADEWOYE ABIMBOLA DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Michael Adebayo Orebe now MICHAEL ADEBAYO ADENIYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Joseph Bosede Abiodun now MRS. ARIDEGBE BOSEDE ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid.

National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) and general public take note.

I, formerly Adepoju Tunde Sunday now OYEDEJI OLUGBENGA JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. Yale Foods Limited and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oyekanmi Grace Aanu now MRS. OGUNWEMIMO GRACE AANU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Friday Usunobun Edoru now FRED USUNOBUN EDORU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

WILLIAMS: I, formerly Mrs. Taibat Abiodun Williams now MRS TAIBAT ABIODUN OGUNKOYA. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adekunle Adesola Amudat now MRS. KOLAWOLE ADESOLA AMUDAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Egbinola Olalekan Ajao now EGBINOLA OLALEKAN JUBREEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oyedeji Florence Olufunke now MRS. OJO FLORENCE OLUFUNKE. All former documents remain valid.

Auditor-General, Secretariat, Oyo State and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Yusuf Rasheed Kolawole now MR. OLALEKAN OMOYENI KOLAWOLE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Fagbamila Monday James now OSANYINTUYI MONDAY JOHN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Kazeem Tosin Ismail now MR. KAZEEM ISMAIL ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. Yale 2B, Zenith Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Badmus Saffiu Abibola now GBADAMOSI SAFIU ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Sani Babangona now SANI MUSTAPHA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Yemisi Imezerua now YEMISI REBECCA EDEMA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Ayodele Olujinmi Lucia now MRS. SANGOJINMI LUCIA AYODELE. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Babalola Isaiah Moyoade now BABALOLA OLUSEGUN ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Iyabo Olajide now MRS. IYABO MOJEED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aloba Olubukola Ifeoluwa now MRS. SHABA OLUBUKOLA IFEOLUWA. All former documents remain valid.

MDCN and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Alli Balogun Haminat Oyindamola now MRS. ADEBAYO HAMINAT OYINDAMOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Makinde Ismaila Abimbola now MAKINDE ISMAILA BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Yunus Qamorudin Adewolu now ADEWOLU KAMORUDEEN YUNUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Mrs. Kareem Omotayo Kafilat now MISS ADEWUYI OMOTAYO KAFILAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinbinu Florence Taiwo now MRS. AJAGBE FLORENCE TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Oyerinde Adebayo Akeem Raji am the same person bearing Oyerinde Adebayo. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OYERINDE ADEBAYO AKEEM RAJI. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Access Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Kehinde Mariam Olawunmi now MRS. MARIA OLAWUNMI TIMSON. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Sulaimon Theresa Kemi now SULAIMON OLUKEMI OLUBANKE. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Abutu Ajanigo Rose now MRS. OLADELETAIWO ROSE OJONIGO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Ajibade Ifedolapo Felicia now MRS. AJAKAIYE IFEDOLAPO FELICIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bola Kuburat Olorukooba now MRS. BOLA KUBURAT OLORUKOOBAJIMOH. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc., UBA Plc., Heritage Bank Ltd. and general public take note.

39 CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Friday, 25 March, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

RECONCILIATION OF NAMES

I, Tijani Ismaila Alabi am the same person bearing Tijani Ismaila and Ismaila Alabi. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as TIJANI ISMAILA ALABI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Skye Bank Plc, Union Homes Interest Bank of Nigeria Plc, Nigeria Breweries Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Ibrahim Ahmed Muhammed now IBRAHIM MUHAMMED MUHAMMED. All former documents remain valid. All Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinrefon Temilade Adebunmi now MRS AKINWALE TEMILADE ADEBUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I, Oyibo Kelvin Nyerhovwo am the same person as OYIBO KELVIN. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bunmi Esther Kolawole now MRS ADEDIJI BUNMI ESTHER. My correct date of birth is 8th of August, 1978 and not 6th of July, 1978. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oluwayemisi Ade Omiyale now MRS OLUWAYEMISI ADE ONI. All former documents remain valid.

Forestry Research Institute and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Ayoola Adenike Florence now MRS AYANFEMI ADENIKE FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Okoror Victor Eromosele now KEN UZODINMA EBENSUNU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Robert Kerho Omoyovwi now ROBERT OMOYOVWI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, Obey Adekunle Alashe is also known, called and addressed as Waheed Obey Alashe.

The two names belong to the same and one person, ALASHE Waheed Obey Adekunle (Prince). That all documents bearing Obey Adekunle Alashe and Waheed Obey Alashe remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mrs Yusuf Aderonke Adeyemo now MRS BOLANLE ADEYEMO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Hamzat Nasimot Toyin now HAMZAT NASIMOT ABENI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Folorunsho Oluwadare now IGE KEHINDE OLUWATOBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ibomor Ruth Abike now MRS OBE RUTH ABIKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oshilaja Adeyemi Abiodun now MRS AMINU ADEYEMI ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid.

Vicmart Enterprises and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olaniyan Ahwau Dasola now MRS RAFIU AHWAU DASOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ogunseye Olubunmi Adeola and Mrs Adebayo Olubunmi Adeola now MRS OMOTOSO OLUBUNMI ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. O.A.U., Ile-Ife and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Yusuff Omobolanle Risikat now MRS FOLARANMI OMOBOLANLE RISIKAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bello Nofisat Ajoke now MRS ADEMOLU NOFISAT AJOKE. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Moyosola Fiwasewa Ogundipe now MOYOSOLA KEHINDE OGUNDIPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Toyin Risikat now MRS TOYIN FOLAKE AWONUGA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH

I, Isaac Opeoluwa I am the same person bearing ISAAC OPEOLUWA BINTINLAYE and my correct date of birth is 25th December, 1973 not 2nd June, 1974 and 23rd December, 1973. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Attama Mathew Emenike now ATTAMA MALACHI CHINONYE. All former documents remain valid.

Sumal Group of Company, Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Jonathan Akpos Temienor now JONATHAN OCHUKO AKPOS TEMIENOR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Amusat Rafiat Omowumi now MRS SHITTU RAFIAT OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Sogbaike Bilikisu Adewunmi now MRS ELEGBEDE BILIKISU ADEWUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME/DATE OF BIRTH

I, Ogar Okang Ogar, born on 13/03/76 was incorrectly said to be Ogar Elvis Okang, born on 13/11/70 in some documents.

Now, I want to be known as OGAR OKANG OGAR with 13/11/76 as real and correct date of birth. All former documents remain valid. FCMB and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Fasanmi Ebenezer Dare now OLUSANMI EBENEZER DARE. All former documents remain valid.

LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, The Nigerian Society of Engineers, GTB Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Odewumi Abosede Funmilola now MRS OLADITI ABOSEDE FUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Towolawi Opeyemi Afusat now MRS DARE OPEYEMI FAUSAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ayo Rebecca now DARE AYO REBECCA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Akintayo Sikiru now ADEKANBI HAMMED ARIBI. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Abiodun Oladimeji now AKINYOOLA ABIODUN IBUKUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ojo Oyeronke Theresa now MRS DAIRO OYERONKE THERESA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeyeye Adebola Oyedamola now MRS AWOSAN ADEBOLA OYEDAMOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ibraheem Olayemi Idayat now MISS IBRAHEEM OLAYEMI MARY. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Mojisola Omolola Atalabi Daramola now OMOLOLA MOJISOLA ATALABI. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc. and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oluyemisi Ebunolu Awobodu-Duke now MRS OLUYEMISI EBUNOLU ONIBOKUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Aluko Grace now ODEKUNLE GRACE OLADUNNI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Titilayo Olanike Olodude now OLANIKE ALAKE COMFORT ADEGBOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Taiwo Oluwakemi Orenuga now MRS ODUNAIYA TAIWO OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Waheed Ambaliy Amobi now WAHEED AMBALI and my correct date of birth is 19th July, 1982. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Osuolale Oluyemi Thomas now OSUOLALE ELIJAH OLUFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Dada Abimbola Anthonia now MRS OGIDI ABIMBOLA ANTHONIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Oyewale Abidemi Oyenike now MRS ADEYEYE ABIDEMI OYENIKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adeyemi Kazeem Isiaka now KAZEEM AKINYEMI ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Omaloko Jonathan now ADEGBE HARUNA. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ajao Iyabode Alake Osenat now AKANDE IYABODE ALAKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Sabitu Modinat Bisola now MRS RAFIU OJEALE MODINAT BISOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Emehinola Bukola now MRS LIKINYO BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Olaleye Isaiah Oladokun now SUNDAY IDOWU OLADOKUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Banjoko Dorcas Olufunmilola now MRS MAMORA DORCAS OLUFUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Gegeleso Funmilayo now MRS AJAYI FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ajadi Agnes now MARTINS AGNES. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Aribe Esther Chizoba now EZECHUKWU ESTHER CHIZOBA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, Ganiyu Mumini Mobolanle that during the time issuance of ATM Card at GTBank my name was written as Ganiyu Rofiatu. Now, my correct name is GANIYU MUMINI MOBOLANLE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mis Akinrolabu Oluwafunmilayo Oluseun now MRS OLUWAFEMI OLU F U N M I L AYO OLUSEUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeniyi Aderonke Fatimo now MRS AWOTUNDE ADERONKE FATIMO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Adekunle Babatunde now ODEKUNLE ADEKUNLE MUTIU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Omoniyi Suebat Tinuola am the same person as Omoniyi Suwebat Abike. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OMONIYI SUEBAT TINUOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Itoro Sunday Praise now MR UMOREN SUNDAY PRAISE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Babalola Atinuke Aderinsola now MRS NWADIKE ATINUKE ADERINSOLA. All former documents remain valid.

FCMB and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Ijadunola Olayiwola Taiwo now MR OLAYIWOLA TAIWO HASSAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Dupemide Bose Orelusi now MRS MODUPE ABOSEDE ORELUSI. All former documents remain valid.

Guaranty Trust Bank, FCMB and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adegbite Grace Temilade now MISS OGUNDARE GRACE BOSEDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Azeez Bilikis Adenike now MRS AMUSAT BILIKIS ADEBUKOLA. All former documents remain valid.

National Open University and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olaleye Olanike Moronkeji now MRS OGUNNIRAN OLANIKE MORONKEJI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adesina Adebisi Tola now MRS AKANGBE ADEBISI TOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Ayansola Adebowale David am the same person bearing Yakubu Olusegun Owolabi. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as YAKUBU OLUSEGUN ADEBOWALE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc, GTB Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr Abass Ojolowo Lateef now MR ABASS OJOLOWO OWOYEMI. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Sikirat Osi am the same person as Mojeed Eunice Omolara.

Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as SIKIRAT OSI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Odutola Omolade Yetunde now MRS AYODELE OMOLADE YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Okunnuwa Mekanjuola Taye Cynodia am the same person bearing Okunwa Sino. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OKUNNUWA MEKANJUOLA TAYE CYNODIA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. EcoBank Plc, FCMB Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Basiru Foluwaso now BASIRU FOLORUNSHO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Odebode Kehinde Damilola now MRS OMOGBEHINWA KEHINDE DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Monday Jafeti Omogbehinwa am the same person as Zachariah Monday Jafeti. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MONDAY JAFETI OMOGBEHINWA. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adepoju Ramota Kehinde now MRS AWOTUNDE RAMOTA KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Prince Oyewale Muritala Adegbaibi now PASTOR OYEWALE MICHAEL ADEGBAIBI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Abdulazeez Jemilat Amoke now ABDULAZEEZ JEMILAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fatoye Oyindamola Feranmi now MRS MARTINS OYINDAMOLA FERANMI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeyemo Yetunde Omolara now MRS OYABUNMI YETUNDE OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Abiola Halimah Oluwafunke now MRS ABIOLA SADIAT FUNKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Falade Joshua Oladimeji now OLADIMEJI OJO RAPHEAL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Okpeku Ebisco now IKINA TINATEI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

south-westnews Oyo has highest pneumonia, diarrhea death rate in South-West —Advocacy groups 40

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Say 400,000 children die annually in Nigeria

By Wale Akinselure

A

DVOCACY groups in Child and Family Health have bemoaned that Oyo State has the highest rate of under-five children who die from diarrhea and pneumonia in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country.

Just as the groups charged government at all levels to increase budgetary allocation to the ministry of health, noting that 400,000 children die annually from pneumonia and diarrhoea in Nigeria.

The groups gathered under the auspices of Civil Society legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) at the Development Support Centre, Ibadan, on Thursday.

Making special reference to the state’s recently passed 2016 budget where less than five per cent was allocated to the health ministry, the groups called for increased and dedicated funding to address the children mortality rate that the state grappled with.

In their different presentations, representatives of CISLAC with partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) maintained that government at all levels should allocate a minimum of 15 per cent of their budget to the health sector.

The statistics, according to Program Officer, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mr David Akpotor, showed that 10 per cent each of under-five children in Oyo State die from pneumonia and diarrhoea as well as a mortality rate of 90 out of every 1,000 children.

On ways of stemming the death rate, Akpotor noted the need for parents to adopt the use of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) with low osmolarity, followed by zinc tablet as first treatment for childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea.

According to Akpotor, such ORS formula with low osmolarity contained low salt content and less sugar, relevant to boost the immune system and prevent further occurrence of diarrhoea.

To this end, he enjoined the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to increase its oversight functions and mop out manufacturing companies who produce ORS solutions with high osmolarity.

Mrs Chinwe Onumonu of the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning called for a holistic

approach to family health rather than the routine immunisation.

While lauding the Oyo State government for achieving 92 per cent coverage in immunisation, the groups urge for the commission of more money to sustain the coverage in view

of the fact that some diseases were not covered by vaccination.

While calling for enhanced transparency and accountability on routine immunisation spending at national and state levels, the groups urged the Nigerian government to increase immunisa-

tion vaccine procurement in the budget and ensure timely release of funds allocated in the 2016 budget.

Programme Officer, Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), Ms Aanu Rotimi, noted that no fewer than 111 women and young girls

die daily from conditions associated with pregnancy and children.

She called for a dedicated and specific budget code for family planning, urging government to ensure adequate allocation, timely release and effective utilisation of funds.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; wife of the founder of FCMB Group, Chief Abimbola Balogun; wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi and the founder of FCMB Group and Olori Omo-oba Akile Ijebu, Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, during a courtesy visit by the Ooni to the founder of FCMB Group, at his residence in Lagos, on Monday.

Explore eminent alumni to develop Ibadan poly, Ooni tasks management Oluwole Ige - Osogbo THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja 11), on Thursday, tasked the management of The Polytechnic, Ibadan to explore the influence of eminent alumni in facilitating the development of the institution.

He said the management should not put the burden of infrastructural growth of the polytechnic on Oyo State government alone.

Oba Ogunwusi gave the charge in Ile-Ife while receiving the management of the institution, led by its rector, Professor Olatunde

Fawole, who paid him a courtesy visit in his palace.

While assuring that he would be actively involved in the physical development of the polytechnic, he said: “Do not put the burden of developing the institution on government alone. Your advancement centre is not

Research institute maps out 5 forest reserves in South-West THE Department of Environmental Management and Biometrics, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, said it had mapped out five forest reserves in the South-West in the last one year using decadal satellite.

The Head of the Department, Dr Adekunle Meduna, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday, in Ibadan.

Meduna said that the department started the research in 2014 and concluded it in the first week of March 2016.

According to him, the five

forest reserves mapped are the Onigambari forest in Oyo State, the Oluwa forest in Ondo, the Ife forest in Osun, the Omo forest in Ogun and the Shasha forest in Osun State.

He said that the validated maps would be used as baseline study for the UN programmme on Reducing Emission in the Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) of forests status.

He added that the results of the study showed that the forest lands in the selected areas were fragmented, which led to a decrease in the forest land.

He explained that “by the

time the forest reserve map is in place, Nigeria will be stable in climate change and carbon emission will be reduced.

“However, the forest lands in the selected areas are fragmented, leading to decrease in the forest land.

“This means that all life forms that depend on these forests will also become threatened as the available space they have for their daily activities is gradually reducing.

“If action is not taken quickly to curb the menace and convert forest lands to other uses, our source of biodiversity may be lost to extinction.’’

effective enough. I am ready to be at the front burner of developing The Polytechnic, Ibadan.”

“I am one of your products. It is not my making, but the will of God. God used Oba Adesoji Aderemi to facilitate the citing of OAU in Ife. You have great individuals who have passed through your institution. You need to involve them in the task of developing the polytechnic,” Oba Ogunwusi remarked.

The monarch said he would be interested in some projects. “Hostel accommodation is part of it. OAU started from The Polytechnic, Ibadan. I was into property development before I assumed the throne. Whatever I can do in my capacity, will be done to assist your institution.”

“You know your needs.

Let me know and I will see what I can do to intervene.

This would challenge other great Nigerians who have passed through the institution. Before your next convocation, whatever projects that I can execute would be done,” Oba Ogunwusi added.

Nigerian Tribune

Debasco hails Amosun on creation of 37 LCDAs A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Otunba Babatunde Onakoya (Debasco), has commended the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on the creation of 37 LCDAs in the state.

Speaking with journalists at his country home in Atiba, Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state, Onakoya declared that the creation of the LCDAs would bring more development to the state and job opportunities for the youth.

He noted that the creation “would also reduce cultism and armed robbery attacks because if people are gainfully employed, there won’t be need for them to engage in nefarious activities.”

He, however, charged the people of the state to support the governor in order to make the newly created LCDAs work, noting that it was done in Lagos and it worked.

Onakoya, who said he would continue to support Senator Amosun in his developmental efforts, added that development is a systematic process, while urging the people to appreciate what the governor is offering across the state, especially the newly commissioned 40 projects to mark the 40th anniversary of the state.

Afijio LG boss promises all-inclusive govt THE new Caretaker Chairman of Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr Anwo Olasunkanmi, has promised to put smiles on the faces of the people of the area irrespective of their political affiliation.

The chairman made the promise at the palace of the Akibio of Ilora and chairman of traditional council in the area, Oba Stephen Olufemi Oparinde, during a visit to the monarch.

He told the crowd at the palace that his administration would do everything within the available resources to reciprocate the confidence reposed in him.

The monarch, in his response, implored the people to be patient and give necessary support and cooperation to the new chairman.

Also at the local government secretariat, Jobele, Anwo met with the workers of the council and assured them that their welfare will be utmost priority.

news Released Ekiti lawmaker in rousing welcome, blasts DSS 41

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Nigerians should be wary of voting ex-military dictators —Fayose Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

T

HE member representing Efon Constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr Afolabi Akanni, who was detained for 18 days by the Department of State Services (DSS), arrived in

Ekiti State on Thursday after his release, to a welcome crowd of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, his constituents and supporters.

The lawmaker, who was arrested on March 4, in what the Assembly described as “an invasion of the Assembly complex,”

was received by a crowd led by Governor Ayòdele Fayose; his deputy, Dr Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola; the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Kola Oluwawole; members of the Assembly and many other people.

Akanni was released, according to officials of the state government, along

with a former special assistant to the governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Mr Ropo Ogunjobi, who was also part of Governor Fayose’s entourage that had landed at the Christ’s School playground in Ado Ekiti, where the crowd was waiting.

Akanni said: “What man-

Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose (left), presenting the lawmaker, Honourable Afolabi Akanni (right) and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR), Mr Ropo Ogunjobi ( second row) to the Ekiti people in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, after their release from the Department of State Security (DSS) custody after 18 days.

Ondo election: PDP days are numbered —Boroffice We will participate in election —IPAC Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

A governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, on Thursday, said the days of misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state are numbered.

Boroffice, who stated this in Akure, the state capital, while declaring his intention to contest in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, said the present administration in the State had failed the people.

He said the present administration had derailed in fulfilling its electoral promises while governance in the state was at its lowest ebb.

Boroffice said: “Salaries are not paid, no good road, employment on the rise, our industries are in coma and the government in the state is insensitive to the plight and sufferings of the people.”

He expressed the readiness and determination of the party to take over power in the state in order to make

life meaningful to the people.

Boroffice said he had the magic wand to turn around the economy of the state within a very short period if given the opportunity to serve.

Speaking during the declaration, the state’s party

chairman, Honourable Isaac Kekemeke, said there was no preferred candidate among the over 40 aspirants eyeing the governorship position in the party.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Ondo State chapter, has expressed its readiness to par-

ticipate in the local government election in the state.

The council, which is a conglomerate of registered political parties, stated this in Akure, during a press conference organised to keep the public abreast of its decision to participate in the election.

Collapsed building kills mother, daughter in Abeokuta Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta TRAGEDY struck on Thursday morning when a dilapidated building fell on a three-month-old pregnant woman, identified as Mrs Kafayat Somoye and her five-year-old daughter, Ganiyat, at Onifufu/ Aderupaba Compound, in Oke-Ijeun area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The incident, the Nigerian Tribune learnt, occurred when the deceased woman was taking her children to school.

Mrs Somoye and her daughter were unlucky when the building fell

while the boy, Ganiyu, narrowly escaped death.

It was gathered that Mrs Somoye was rescued alive from the rubble and eventually gave up the ghost while she was being taken to the General Hospital, Ijaye, for medical attention.

The prompt intervention of police officers from Itoku and Ibara Divisions prevented angry youths from setting the remaining building on fire.

An account linked the incident to the heavy rainfall that occurred on Wednesday night in the city.

An eyewitness, Tajudeen

Badru, said the collapsed building had no sign of any structural defect before the incident happened.

He said: “It happened early this morning as the woman was taking her children to school, although we heard that the girl was not her direct daughter.

“We were later told that a young girl was also trapped and we equally searched and found her dead.”

Attempt by the police to deposit the dead bodies at the morgue was vehemently rejected by family members while their remains were later released to the family for burial.

ner of democracy are we practising? How can DSS invade a House of Assembly and arrest a lawmaker with intention to impeach a governor? They even came without a warrant of arrest. Is this democracy?

“Fayose is our leader and I can’t betray him. Ekiti people must stand behind him.

Mr Governor, I am assuring you that I will always stand by you,” he assured.

Also, Ogunjobi revealed that the DSS, during interrogation, accused him of laundering a sum of N22 billion being amount paid on federal roads to Ekiti by the Federal Government into Fayose’s accounts, which he described as a blatant lie.

“They even said I helped Fayose to launder another N1.3 billion out of the N2.5 billion ecological fund released to the state. I said all these were lies. I can’t lie against Mr Governor.”

Fayose regretted how past military dictators were endangering Nigerian democracy, urging Nigerians not to vote for them into any sensitive position to preserve democratic values.

He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo are not democrats. They have no respect for the constitution and the rule of law. But no matter what they do, we won’t succumb to intimidation.

“Today, I am excited because we have won the battle again. They took Honourable Akanni to Abuja as a captive, but he is back now as a hero.

“Our economy is bad, people are losing their jobs on daily basis, but what the APC knows how to do best is to lie to the people. They have no answer to this bad economic situation. When PDP was in government, a dollar was N200, but today, it is almost N400, shame to them.

“We thank God that we have a house of assembly that refused to join forces with them to remove the governor.

That was why I told them that they had engaged a wrong customer. They should forget about impeachment, because this is not 2006.

“President Muhammadu Buhari should face Nigerian financial problems.

Though they cannot perform because they took Nigerians votes by tricks,” Fayose said.

Nigerian Tribune

Ige advocates continuous improvement in knowledge dissemination A member of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing Ibadan South East Constituency 11, Honourable Akeem Ademola Ige, has advocated proper equipment of secondary school students to be able to compete favourably outside their school environment.

He stated this on Thursday at an event organised

by Lead City University Students Representatives Council, a community service programme, where he donated books and other environmental cleaning materials to St. Anne’s School on behalf of the university.

Honourable Yinka Omikunle was also present at the event.

He said the idea of embarking on community service for secondary schools in Oyo State is to help students showcase their talents.

Speaking earlier, the Vice President, Lead City University Student Representative Council (SRC), Dapo Durosaro, said the maiden programme of the student body, sponsored by eminent Nigerians, was to serve as motivation and help students to showcase their talents.

Ogun to create database for motorcycle riders Olayinka Olukoya Abeokuta THE Ogun State government said on Wednesday that it will soon create database for commercial motorcycle operators in order to block revenue leakages.

This was coming on the heels of a statewide protest by the three accredited unions of the commercial motorcycle operators in the state, the Articulated Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria, Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria and Tricycles Operators and Riders Association of Nigeria, alleging that government increased ticket fee from N300 to N400.

The commercial motorcyclists had on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday protested the alleged increment in the daily ticketing fee.

However, the state government through the Consultant and Special Adviser to Senator Ibikunle Amosun on Revenue and Taxation, Alhaji Shehu Adebayo, denied the claim that government had increased fees.

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Land dispute: 3 wounded as Urhobo, Ijaw youths clash in Delta Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

T

HREE youths were said to have sustained life-threatening injuries during a bloody clash between youths from Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Delta State.

Community News gathered in Warri, on Thursday, that youths from the two communities were armed with weapons of war, while children and women scampereds for safety.

Aladja, a suburb of Warri, is an Urhobo riverine community in Udu Local Government Area while its neighbour, Ogbe-Ijoh, is an Ijaw riverine community under Warri South West Local Government Area.

Unconfirmed report said youths from Aladja had invaded Ogbe-Ijoh at about 6:00a.m onThursday to unleash mayhem on the community, but another report claimed otherwise.

Community News gathered from a member of Aladja community, who declined being identified, that youths of Aladja had blocked the only road used by Ogbe-Ijoh to access their community as a reprisal for the alleged assault and rape of some of their women last Tuesday by some Ijaw youths.

The communal clash, it was gathered, eventually left three yet-to-be-identified persons seriously wounded. They have been taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

It was further gathered that the bloodletting led to the deployment of soldiers to the scene to restore law and order.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta State Police Command, DSP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the clash, but did not state or affirm the number of casualties, adding that tranquility had been restored in the area.

Besides Tuesday’s alleged rape of Aladja women, an age-long dispute over a piece

of land, as gathered, had always been a source of perennial communal clash between the two neighbouring communities with past governments in the state said to be unable to summon the political will to broker permanent peace.

It was gathered that OgbeIjoh people can only access their community on land through the major road that passes through Aladja community and youths from Aladja usually cash in on this to extort money from them.

This, it was gathered, occurs on a daily basis and had been a source of smaller skirmishes between the two communities.

A member of Ogbe-Ijoh community, who declined identification or comment on the alleged rape, said several protest letters had been sent to the Delta State government in the past to wade into the land and road dispute which had always pitched the people against themselves.

When asked to give a situation report on the clash, said “nothing dey happen; just little quarrel between the two communities. Security dey settle them. Even Aladja people dey say the whole OgbeIjoh na them get am. We dey calm, everything dey fine.”

Another source said in pidgin that “na Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja land matter o. Na waterside the fight dey happen.”

Meanwhile, the Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (FHRACC) with headquarters at Ayakoromo in Burutu Local Government Area of the state, has called on leaders of both communities to prevail on their people to sheathe their swords.

National president of the foundation, Alaowei Cleric, in a statement, called on the

Delta State government and relevant security agents to nip in the bud the recent needless near bloodshed and go ahead to acquire the disputed land if the two warring communities would not settle for amicable resolution.

Meanwhile, following the land dispute, angry OgbeIjoh youths have allegedly sacked police personnel at the divisional headquarters in the community.

operatives.

One of the soldiers sustained injuries as the invading Ogbe-Ijoh youths set ablaze two houses at Aladja and residents scampered for safety in the woods and neighbouring Udu communities.

As of the time of filing this report, several children and women have taken shelter under mosquitoes-infested shanties at Udu.

From left, a community leader, Chief Mufutau Adisa, commissioning the Omo Oloore Water Project at Ile Titun, Ibadan, constructed by the member representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, Honourable Adedapo Lam-Adesina, on Tuesday. With him are the chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, Chief Kayode Arowolo; Honourable Lam-Adesina, Honourable Taiwo Ige and a party chieftain, Chief Bolade Akinyemi. PHOTO: MOSES ALAO

Water Day: Rep member commissions water projects in Ibadan communities by moses alao

IN commemoration of the 2016 World Water Day, the member representing Ibadan North-East/ Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Adedapo Lam-Adesina, has promised to ease the burden of water scarcity in communities in his constituency.

Lam-Adesina, who stated this on Tuesday, during the commissioning of

four water projects he constructed at Ile Titun, Ode Ige, Ile Alapafon and Araromi spare parts market at Gate, said the projects were in fulfillment of his campaign promises.

Apart from the mechanised boreholes, generating sets were also procured for all the projects, the lawmaker said, calling on the communities to ensure the maintenance of the projects, just as he promised that the remaining two water projects in Ward 7, Are-

mo Compound and Ward 6, Ayedaade in Ibadan NorthEast and Ibadan South-East Local Government areas respectively, would be completed soon.

Speaking before a gathering of party faithful and community leaders in his constituency office at Ile Titun area, the lawmaker said the constituents would continue to witness unprecedented development, noting that those yet to benefit from his array of programmes should be patient.

Eripa Day: Eleripa charges community members A frontline traditional ruler in Osun State, the Eleripa of Eripa land in Boluwaduro Local Government Area of the state, Oba Samuel Bamidele Oyediran Akinsowon II, on Wednesday charged sons and daughters of the town to turn out enmasse for the celebration of the 22nd Eripa Day and fund raising activities slated for tomorrow, Saturday.

The monarch, who made the call in a statement made available by one of the community’s illustrious sons, Prince Adeolu Adeyemo, affirmed that this year’s celebration

It was also gathered that police armoury was looted by the angry youths, after which they descended on Aladja community, although, this could not be confirmed from PPRO, Celestina Kalu, as of the time of filing this report.

However, military sources informed The Nigerian Tribune that soldiers had been drafted in when the youths had overpowered the police

which would be held at Eripa Community High School playing ground at 11.00 a.m, would be colourful, unique and would attract the presence of “who-is- who” in the society from far and near.

The statement added that, the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, would be the guest of honour at the event, while Barrister Sikiru Oke, an Abuja-based legal luminary would be the chief launcher.

Oba Oyediran, who pleaded with his subjects at home and abroad to participate fully in the

event that will be chaired by an illustrious son of the state, Chief Oluwole Daisi, said the occasion would be second to none.

He described the town as harbinger of progress for its people and inhabitants and appealed to indigenes to always make themselves available for activities that would bring its rapid development.

According to him: “If every indigene of the town contributes his or her quota to its development, there will be no limit to its development.

Speaking on the fund raising for community

projects, Oba Akinsowon expressed optimism that the participation of all and sundry would make it a success.

He, however, appealed to indigenes not to ignore their town but instead stand up for its rapid development saying, without them, the expected rapid growth of the town would be hindered.

The statement also quoted the chairman and secretary of Eripa Progressive Union, Barrister Wole Oyedele and Alhaji Jimoh Durodola, to have charged all indigenes of the community not to be left out in the programme.

Commenting, chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC) and community leaders, including Chief Kayode Arowolo, Alhaji Mufutau Gbayawu,

Chief Bola Adigun and Chief Rasaq Ekundayo said the positive development witnessed by the constituency under Lam-Adesina was unprecedented.

Communiy leader wants FG to construct Lagos-Ibadan-Ife bypass sam nawaoko-ado-ekiti

A community leader in IreEkiti, Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Chief Benedict Ajayi, has called on the Federal Government to construct what he said would be a “state connectivity road” to ease the pains and lamentations of users of the LagosIbadan-Ife Road.

Chief Ajayi, in an open letter to the Works, Housing and Power Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said the minister should include the proposed road in his strategic road network master plan, adding that it would “allow travellers who have no business in Ibadan to link Ife-Ilesha Expressway on their way to their destinations.”

Ajayi said this would be “a solution to the age-long public outcry to ease the pains and lamentation of commuters.”

He said in the letter that “travellers going to Oshogbo, Ife, Ilesha, Ekiti, Kogi and other northern states are fac-

ing unimaginable anguish before getting out of Ibadan due to the endless traffic jam within the town,” and explained that such a bypass would “complement the ongoing six-eight lanes LagosIbadan Expressway.

He said travellers, during such scenarios “spend more hours inside Ibadan town than the time spent on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway thus eroding the joy of riding on the new Expressway network.”

He added that the experience often led to “dysphoria for many of the travellers as they fall into excessive pain and malaise.”

According to Chief Ajayi, the proposed road would “give reprieve to Lagosbound commuters and motorists in Ibadan,” pointing out that “such new connecting road will contribute to the economic development of the nation through as smooth and efficient transportation of goods and services.

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foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Brussels attacks: EU discussing

security measures

E

UROPEAN Union justice and security ministers hold talks in Brussels on Thursday on ways to shore up intelligence and security, as police search for yet another suspect in the attacks in the Belgian capital that killed at least 31 people and wounded 300 others.

Police have launched a manhunt for a second man who appears involved in the suicide bombing at Maelbeek metro station on Tuesday morning, Belgian media report. Authorities earlier identified Khalid El Bakraoui as the assailant in the metro attack that killed 20 people and injured scores more.

But video surveillance at the Maelbeek station showed a second man walking with El Bakraoui carrying a large bag, Belgium’s Le Soir newspaper reported,

citing police confirmation.

El Bakraoui’s brother Ibrahim has been formally identified as one of the two suicide bombers in the airport attacks that occurred the same morning. Media have identified the second bomber as Najim Laachraoui, a bombmaker for Islamic

State, who is considered a key accomplice in the November Paris attacks.

A third man, captured in airport video pushing a trolley with the two suicide bombers, remains at large.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the Brussels attacks, as

it did for the Paris attacks in November.

Indeed, mounting evidence points to increasingly closer links between the Brussels and Paris terrorist strikes, raising questions about lapses in cross-border intelligence and security cooperation.

EU Commissioner, Jean Claude Juncker

Congo’s president re-elected after 32 years in power CONGOLESE President Denis Sassou Nguesso has extended his 32 years in power, winning presidential elections in the first round with 60 per cent of the vote, the interior minister said.

Raymond Zephyrin Mboulou, the interior minister, an-

nounced the results on national television at 3:30am local time (02:30 GMT) on Thursday after a tense weekend poll held under a communications blackout.

The official count gave Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas 15 per cent of the vote and

Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso. PHOTO: Anis Mili/Reuters.

General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko came third with a little less than 14 per cent.

On Wednesday, the two opposition candidates rejected partial results released by the Republic of Congo’s electoral commission, which gave the country’s longtime ruler 67 per cent of votes.

Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa, reporting from the capital, Brazzaville, said the president’s supporters started celebrating on Wednesday after the initial results were announced.

“In areas where the government enjoys support, the streets are busy and there is hardly any police or army present. They feel keeping

otherNEWS

N/Korea boasts more progress in ballistic missile program NORTH Korea says it has successfully tested a solidfuel rocket engine, which would be a major step in its effort to develop a longrange missile able to reach South Korea and the United States.

The North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency says leader Kim Jong-un was on hand for the test, which he said “will

strike great horror and terror into the hearts of the enemies.”

Using solid-fuel reduces the amount of launch preparation time, increases the mobility of the missiles, and makes them far more reliable than liquidfueled rockets.

Pyongyang has made similar claims before of progress in its nuclear

weapons and ballistic missile programs, including a successful simulation of an atmospheric re-entry of a ballistic missile.

North Korean president

Nguesso in office is good for Congo,” she said.

“Opposition leaders, however, say they will not accept another win for the incumbent. The government has extended an order to shut down mobile phones and the internet to prevent unrest.”

Oil and timber-rich Congo has been on edge since an October constitutional referendum that ended a twoterm limit on presidential mandates, allowing the 72-year-old former paratrooper colonel to run for office again.

The long-serving leader is accused by critics of rampant corruption and nepotism and of stifling democracy.

Ex-Serb leader Karadzic guilty of Srebrenica genocide Radovan Karadzic. PHOTO: Al Jazeera FORMER Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic was found guilty of genocide on Thursday over the Srebrenica massacre and crimes against humanity committed during the 1990s war in the former Yugoslavia.

UN judges at the international tribunal in The Hague said Karadzic was guilty of 10 of the 11 counts brought against him during the fiveyear trial, and he was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Karadzic, 70, is the highest-ranking person to face a reckoning before the UN tribunal over a war two decades ago in which 100,000 people were killed as rival armies carved up Bosnia along ethnic lines.

Presiding Judge O-Gon Kwon said Karadzic was

criminally responsible for murder, attacking civilians, and terror for overseeing the deadly 44-month siege of the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, during the 1992-95 war.

Karadzic used a campaign of sniping and shelling targeting the city’s civilians as a way of furthering his political goals, Kwon said.

Karadzic’s lawyer, Peter Robinson, said his client was “astonished” by the ruling.

“President Karadzic was disappointed, he doesn’t feel he is legally responsible for any crimes. Nobody has really won from today’s judgement,” Robinson said.

Karadzic will appeal the convictions, a process that could take up to three years, he said.

MH370 search: Mozambique debris ‘almost certainly’ from missing plane THE transport ministers of Australia and Malaysia say two plane parts found in Mozambique almost certainly came from missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.

The two pieces of debris were found separately by members of the public and were flown to Australia for analysis.

Australian’s Darren Chester said the finds were “consistent with drift modelling” of ocean currents.

MH370 vanished in March 2014 with 239 people on board.

It went out of contact while flying from the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Satellite data suggests it likely went down in

the southern Indian Ocean after veering off course for unknown reasons.

The fate of the plane, its passengers and crew remains one of aviation’s biggest unsolved mysteries.

One of the parts retrieved in Mozambique was found on a sandbank by an amateur US investigator in late February.

That find prompted a South African tourist to come forward with a piece he found in Mozambique in December.

Mr Chester said the investigation team had finished examining the debris and found both were “consistent with panels from a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft”, the same make as the missing plane.

Trump’s investment funds lose money DONALD Trump’s presidential campaign is built on his business acumen.

But some of the Wall Street funds that he has invested in have proven less successful, underperforming industry benchmarks in the last 15 months, according to a Reuters examination.

Eighteen out of 21 hedge funds and mutual funds in Trump’s portfolio lost money in 2015, and 17 of them

are down so far this year, according to public disclosures and private performance data seen by Reuters.

The funds managed by Paulson & Co, BlackRock Inc, Baron Capital and others lost an average of 8.5 percent last year, according to Reuters calculations, whereas stock market and hedge fund industry benchmarks broke even or came close to it. Trump’s funds

are down another 2.9 percent so far this year, underperforming many benchmarks again.

Donald Trump. PHOTO: REUTERS

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Friday, 25 March, 2016

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Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 081 118 450 48

Despite boat mishaps, Bayelsa communities relish water transport In spite of cases of boat mishaps and other hazards on the waterways, Bayelsans and other tribes for peculiar reasons still relish the pleasure of boat rides writes AUSTIN

B

AYELSA’S latest boat mishap took place in the coastal community of Koluama, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area where a boat conveying 14 passengers capsized in the Atlantic Ocean leaving seven dead while seven others managed to swim to nearby communities with serious exhaustion, and were later taken to hospital for proper medical treatment.

Statistical data reveals that no fewer than 50 passengers have died as a result of boat mishap in the state between 2014 and 2015, particularly visitors from other parts of the country to Bayelsa including undergraduates of the state-owned Niger Delta University, Amassoma, who travel to the university by speed boats prior to the construction of the bridge linking the state capital, Yenagoa to Amassoma.

However, amidst this tragedy, most Bayelsans and non-indigenes residing and doing business in the coastal communities still travel by speed boat regardless of the challenges of time wasted on the waterways, cases of goods worth millions of naira lost in the ocean due to boat mishap and the high cost of travelling on the waterways compared to road transportation.

A boat operator, who pleaded anonymity, told Nigerian Tribune that though there were dangers, fears and anxiety when travelling on the waterways, these would not deter operators from conveying passengers from the Yenagoa to their communities in the riverine areas of the state.

According to him, road and air transport also have their hazards; but pilots still fly and commuters still use the roads in the country, stressing the same is applicable to water transportation, even as he noted that the most grievous challenge was the menace of sea pirates and abduction of innocent passengers. He said that was the only reason that they (boat operators) differed with the government over the ban of the use of 200 horsepower outboard engine speed boats.

He noted that government should exclude commercial boat operators from the ban, stressing that the use of 200 horsepower outboard engine had saved them from sea pirates on numerous occasions because the 75 horsepower engine with limited speed would make them susceptible to sea pirate attacks on the waterways.

Another boat driver who also did not

Speed boats loaded with passengers waiting to leave the jetty in Yenagoa. want his name in print told Nigerian Tribune that water transport business was more lucrative than road transport, adding that passengers could decide trek and still get to their destination on the road but nobody can walk on the water even if the distance to their destination was short.

Continuing, he alluded that even for short distance, boat fare was not less than N500, while farther communities pay as much as N4,000 as transport fare, but noted that the challenge was also enormous, pointing out that careless driving could result in boat mishap that would virtually perish all goods on board the vessel and the lives of passengers.

At the Swali loading jetty in Yenagoa, a passenger, Mr. Martin Ayibanua said, “Boat transport was the safest compared to road and air because even if the boat engine developed a fault, the boat would continue to float and in no distant time another boat would come to rescue both goods and passengers on the troubled watercraft.”

He also posited that the river was wider and as such there was little chance of two boats colliding on the waterways, as against the incessant collisions on the roads. However, his regret was that when travelling with outboard engines during rainy season passengers often got drenched because the boat had no cover to shield them and their goods from the rain.

In her response, Mrs. Joy Beredugo said though travelling by boat was fun as passengers enjoyed the cool breeze from the sea, but her fear was that some drivers were reckless and the consequence is that when faced with big waves they often lose control that in turn could capsize the boat, leading to loss of lives and goods.

She said, “The loss cannot be recovered because the goods, passengers and drivers are not under any insurance policy.”

Another respondent, Mr. John Manor, working with an oil exploration subsidiary company said travelling by boat was a tourist delight, and that it was usually fun when he was on board the speed boat as it gave him opportunity to interface with nature’s gift to mankind ranging from the waves, alluring mangrove creeks and aesthetic sand beaches, as well as the mass of water bodies created by nature.

According to him, “the open wide ocean view in Okpoama and Twon Brass coastal community in Brass Island reminds me of Bar Beach and Badagry Beach in Lagos and other beaches. I have made a lot of money from photo shots of the mangrove creeks, as well as fishes swimming in the water and fishermen with their fishing gears or pulling canoes into the ocean.“ Bayelsa State Maritime Union Chairman, Comrade Sese Lloyd said the union has continued to take the responsibility of regulating the activities/operations on the

The open wide ocean view in Okpoama and Twon Brass coastal community in Brass Island reminds me of Bar Beach and Badagry Beach in Lagos

waterways to curb accidents and improve safety of properties and human lives.

Noting that boat mishap has claimed many lives, Lloyd said to stem the tide, the union adopted the practice of organizing monthly seminar to educate boat drivers on how to avert accident and ensure their safety, the passengers and properties on board their speed boats on the waterways.

He noted that the main message at the seminar was that boat drivers should desist from overloading their boats to make more money, and the need to provide life jackets and ensure passengers use them before leaving the jetty.

Lloyd also warned boat drivers to stay away from alcohol if they must drive in order not to risk passenger’s lives and properties, adding that the union taskforce to patrol the waterways was set in motion to arrest any drivers caught violating the union’s rules and regulations.

Continuing, he noted that “drivers that contravene the rules and regulations are made to pay fine and in extreme cases offenders boats are impounded from navigating the waterways to do business.

“Several flyers and hand books were printed and given to boat drivers to serve as guideline, while passengers were also given mobile numbers to call to report erring drivers to the union headquarters.”

Lloyd averred that on the menace of sea pirates, the union had entered into a synergy with the joint military taskforce of the navy, police and air force in the state, who now patrol the waterways and conduct searches on the vessels.

According to him, the presence of the military supported by the state government has made significant impact, as sea pirates and other nefarious activities carried out on the waterways have reduced drastically in the state.

He noted that prior to the military intervention insecurity was such that passengers got scared on sighting any oncoming boat.

45

features

By Olukayode Oyeleye

T

HE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has repeatedly announced that he was changing the system of ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) husbandry in Nigeria, replacing the timeworn method of nomadism and roaming of animals with intensive and better organised system of keeping animals in paddocks and feedlot. I am aware it will take some knowledge of what is wrong in the livestock industry to understand and appreciate what the minister is talking about. He has said the constantly moving animals don’t grow as they should. He has spoken of availability of grasses of low nutritive values. It is not enough for the animals to eat grass. They need to eat grasses of high level of nutrients.

This is the crux of the matter.

Animal rearing in Nigeria is far behind the age we live in, and the system warrants an urgent change.

Nigeria has an estimated 15 million cattle, 34 million goats and 22 million sheep that need to be fed daily. Compare these statistics with Nigeria’s population of about 170 million and think of how many cows, sheep or goat per person. Think of the slow growth and retarded development of the indigenous breeds fed on poor quality grass. Considering the short duration of rainy season in most parts of the savannah regions of middle belt and north of Nigeria where animal rearing is done mostly the traditional way, Nigeria has been glossing over some threats and opportunities. One of the threats to the existing system is that of climate. Uncontrolled grazing by animals is capable of exposing fragile land to erosion and land degradation. This is in addition to the well-known crisis and conflicts that have become associated with incursions of roaming animals into crop farms, leading to human fatalities. If there were enough grasses on the vast landscape these conflicts would have been non-existent.

The opportunities being ignored in settled animal husbandry are enormous, assuming the statistics are right. Taking a median price of N40,000 per cow alone, we have an industry of N600 billion that does not show under Nigeria’s economic radar.

This estimate ignores goats and sheep. The operators are unknown to government of any state in particular because they are constantly on the move. The government does not earn appreciable revenue from their activities, except those that pass through control posts, en-route to terminal markets.

A study conducted in Makurdi Abattoir,

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Grass importation:

Understanding the dynamics Benue State, showed a total of 45, 742 were slaughtered in the abattoir, with a total of 1,508 (3.9 per cent) foetuses recovered from 1997 to 2002. A much more recent study (2015) elsewhere confirms the continued practice of slaughtering pregnant animals, leading to foetal losses. A 2015 international journal publication published a report on foetometrics and economic impact analysis of reproductive wastages in ruminant species slaughtered in Maiduguri, in a study carried out between March and April, 2012 in Maiduguri.

The rate of pregnancy wastage was 15 per cent among the cows and 21 per cent among the does (female goats). The economic cost of the total foetal wastages in the (cows and does) in the Maiduguri study was estimated at US$ 559,440 annually. If this figure applies to all other state capitals, including FCT (ignoring all other major towns nationwide), we could imagine an annual loss of $20.7 million annually, translating to N7.25 billion annually at a conservative exchange rate of N350 to the dollar. This indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant livestock has been observed in Nigeria as widely associated with farmers financial needs and/or incompetence in determining pregnant animals or that pregnancy diagnoses are not routinely carried out in the slaughterhouses, particularly since animals are mostly brought or bought for slaughter

The quantum of grass seeds to be imported to commence the pasture improvement programme and establish Nigeria’s commercial fields is nothing to warrant worries about impacts on foreign exchange.

from roaming herds.

Grass, by definition, is vegetation consisting of typically short plants with long, narrow leaves, growing wild or cultivated on lawns and pasture, and as a fodder crop.

Grasses are commonly planted in pastures and almost always play a fundamental role in the diet of grass-fed cows. However, many non-grass plants are also found in pastures, including legumes. Depending on the season and region of the country, 100 per cent grassfed cows may have eaten a mixed variety of the plants. For cows, a natural diet consists of plants that can be “grazed” or “browsed.”

The economics of nomadic animal production have been poorly documented.

These are both causes and consequences of poor organisation of the sub-sector. The current status of dairy production in Nigeria shows that 85 per cent of cattle in Nigeria are managed by 12 million indigenous pastoralists who are essentially constantly on the move. The volume of milk produced by a cow in a single year averages just about 200kg in most areas. Compare this with the European cows producing an average of 6,500 kg per cow. Yet, milk production is not growing fast enough to satisfy Nigeria’s expanding milk appetite.

Nigeria spends more than $200 million on milk imports from abroad every year.

This makes no sense. Importation may bridge supply gap in the short term, but it is not sustainable in the long run. We need to develop appropriate husbandry and feeding methods that will boost our dairy production and supply chain, create business opportunities and reduce our dependence on importation.

Improved livestock production is one of the preferred agricultural enterprises into which we could expand, especially as we adopt new ideas and innovative practices. Knowledge of the agronomy of grasses and their feeding value is very important in the new context of animal production as a business. Most, practically all the cultivars in widespread use are old, at least half a century since their introduction and there is a lack of new cultivars.

Open range livestock feeding systems

typically comprise rain-fed annual pastures.

The grasses don’t supply adequate nutrients needed for optimum production. The same goes with the impact of consumption of wild, natural grasses, which our nomadic cattle are presently exposed to. There is therefore a need for a paradigm shift towards conscious efforts at cultivating grasses while embarking on measurable performance indices. These affect the animals in a number of ways.

The Nigerian soil map will be a good guide for agriculturists in Nigeria henceforth.

The minister is emphasising the use of the information contained in the soil map for taking agronomic decisions. The fact that soil properties vary from place to place is a reason to note that grasses that grow on their own might not have much nutrient quantity for animals’ optimum growth and performance. This is one major error in the years of emphasis on grazing routes all across Nigeria.

Most of the tropical pastures have crude protein contents ranging from seven to 12 per cent for grasses and more for legumes like Leucaena, which has 25 per cent protein content. But Leucaena has its own demerits in the anti-nutritional factors of tannin.

The discovery of grasses that possess as much as 28 per cent crude protein marks the beginning of a breakthrough for grass utilisation for great performance and productivity. These varieties of grasses can be produced commercially and sold to herdsmen year-in, year-out. They can be made into hays during the rainy season and sold during the dry season to keep feed supply constant all-year-round.

The business of grass cultivation requires agronomic practices applicable to cultivation of rice, sorghum, maize and wheat, all of which are classified as grasses by any other name. The nutritive values of the grasses to be cultivated can be improved with fertiliser, the blend and specification of which will vary depending on the attributes of the soil in particular locations. To this end, the new initiative of adapting blends of fertiliser to suit the specific attributes of soil in specific locations will be applicable. The Nigerian soil map will be of tremendous use in this initiative and investors in grass cultivation will find the soil map pretty useful as a guide.

Importation of grass for developing Nigeria’s pasture for commercial purpose is not intended to be in perpetuity or business as usual, but as a short-term intervention.

The quantum of grass seeds to be imported to commence the pasture improvement programme and establish Nigeria’s commercial fields is nothing to warrant worries about impacts on foreign exchange.

As the seeds germinate and some localised fields are established, multiplication of grass becomes easier locally. Better qualities of grasses will help stop nomadism and the attendant conflicts.

Brazil shares common geo-climatic attributes with Nigeria, with the Brazilian cerrados similar to Nigeria’s savannah.

Grasses that have done well in Brazil are expected to do equally well in Nigeria. Like Brazil, Nigeria can become a notable exporter of beef and producer of high volume of milk through the adoption of the commercial grass production, using improved varieties.

These are grasses that have been subjected to upwards of 18 years of research on nutritional qualities. Rather than trying to re-invent, the wheel or beginning a new set of research on grass nutrition, Nigeria can embark on the short-cut, importing the varieties and cultivars of grasses that have helped Brazil rise to becoming a major beef exporter, multiplying them locally and using them to feed the same breeds of cows found in Nigeria.

Dr. Oyeleye is a veterinary doctor and media adviser to the Minister of Agriculture

features World Water Day: Lawmaker commissions projects

46

By Moses Alao

M

ARCH 22, 2016 was not a day like every other; it was a special day designated by the United Nations as World Water Day. But for the people of Ibadan North-East and Ibadan South-East local governments, that date would remain much more special than just a UN day; it was the day their lawmaker at the House of Representatives, Honourable Adedapo Lam-Adesina, popularly known as Omo Oloore, solved their water scarcity challenges.

The lawmaker, who in company of notable leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and community leaders in the two local government areas, commissioned four of the six water projects he constructed at Ile Titun, Ode Ige, Ile Alapafon, Aremo Ward 7, Ayedaade Ward 6 and Spare Parts Market, Gate, said the projects were in fulfillment of his electioneering promises, promising not to relent.

Friday, 25 March, 2016

The beauty of the water projects, which were under his Omo Oloore Water Scheme, however, was the fact that the lawmaker had also factored in Nigeria’s epileptic electricity by purchasing generating sets for all the projects.

Lam-Adesina had earlier on 8 March, 2016, commemorated the International Women’s Day by empowering 250 women, traders with N20,000 each and before then, he distributed WAEC forms to students.

Already, the people have been wowed by the level of developments he has brought to the constituency in less than 10 months, with political and community leaders including Chief Kayode Arowolo; Chief Rasaq Ekundayo; Chief Mufutau Adisa; Chief Bola Adigun and Alhaji FAS Oloyode, among others, noting that the constituency was witnessing good representation under LamAdesina, as most of the projects and programmes he has carried out so far were first of their kinds in the local government.

1

3 1. Honourable Adedapo Lam-Adesina, addressing the crowd at the Araromi Spare Parts Market, Gate, during the commissioning of the water project at the market.

2. Honourable Lam-Adesina, cutting the tape of the water project at Ile Alapafon.

3. The water project at Ile Titun.

2

It is an era of peace for NURTW —Oyerinde What is the union doing to address the issue of some miscreants using ‘Micra’ cars to kidnap and commit some other atrocities?

The problem with these ‘Micra’ vehicles is that they are not only from Oyo State; many of them come in from neighbouring states like Ogun, Osun, Ondo and the likes.

So what we need is a backing from law enforcement agencies to tackle this.

The national union is doing all it can to bring an end to this, so we are urging these agencies to support us in fighting these crimes because we can’t do it alone. We need their assistance to deal with them. We don’t know them because they are not our members. So there is no way we can locate them except through law enforcement agencies. But like I said, we are doing our best.

Oyo State chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, better known as Fele, recently emerged as the South West chairman of the union, which comprises of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Ondo and Ekiti State councils. He speaks with OLAWALE OLANIYAN on his plans for the union, among other issues.

T

HE new appointment comes with its responsibility, so how do you intend to merge Oyo State leadership with that of the South West, considering the volume of work in Oyo State?

It has been God all the while and I’m sure that getting the new appointment is not a mistake, because my people know my ability and that is why they cast their vote for me to lead them in the South West. The volume of work here in Oyo State is okay as we are comfortable with it. All the members of NURTW Oyo State chapel are doing really well, as well as those in the South West region.

By the grace of God, I will combine both assignments effectively well to ensure that what they enjoy in Oyo State will also get across other states in the south west. Our people will enjoy good governance in my regime.

What are your strategies for governance especially in the area of security?

We started taking some steps as regards

Are you thinking of setting up a task force to curb this?

We have already engaged that tactic in some areas. We have a task force in Akinyele, Egbeda, Lagelu and Oluyole Local Government Areas and they are working really hard. But we still need the help of the law enforcement agencies to back them up.

Alhaji Oyerinde that when we were inaugurated few months ago, that is I and the other executives, because there are representatives from other states.

For instance, my deputy represents Osun State; the treasurer is from Ogun State; the auditor is from Lagos State; the financial secretary is from Ondo State and there is also

an executive from Ekiti State. So we all paid a courtesy visit to security agencies within the south west, where we assured them of our support and cooperation in ensuring that peace is maintained in the region. We are not going to engage in any violence in South West.

Do you sensitise members of the public about your activities?

We have always urged people to patronise car parks; it is safer there. Trying to save N20 by boarding a cab on the roadside often puts their lives at risk. They should go to parks and board cabs and also avoid unpainted vehicles.

47

Friday, 25 March, 2016

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

The Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung (middle)and the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick (right) after watching the Super Eagles’ training session at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN

My daughters would have loved to meet Messi —Obama AS the president of the United States, you’d think Barack Obama’s position would afford him the opportunity to meet anyone, including one of Argentina’s favourite footballing sons.

However, even Obama has failed in his quest to meet reigning Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

The 44th American president is currently visiting Argentina and had hoped to meet the 28-yearold - with his daughters, Sasha and Malia, avid admirers of the forward’s footballing ability.

However, like many a defender can testify, the opportunity to get close to Messi eluded the Obama family although they did bump into another famous Argentine, Pope Francis.

“I also wanted to bring my daughters here, so they could see the beauty and the vibrancy of [Buenos Aires],’ Obama said.

“They’ve already met one famous Argentinean - His Holiness Pope Francis. Now they want to meet Messi, but I could not arrange that.”

Ex-England star, Johnson bags 6-yr jail term For sexual activity with 15-yr-old fan DISGRACED footballer, Adam Johnson will spend his first night in prison on Thursday (yesterday) after he was jailed for six years for sexual activity with a 15-year-old fan.

The former £60,000-a-week Sunderland winger showed no emotion as Judge Jonathan Rose read the sentence.

The judge said the footballer had shown no remorse for what he had done, adding: “This will be your first prison sentence, this is all entirely your fault.”

The judge said the offence was aggravated by the fact Johnson took the girl to a dark place, tried to conceal his crimes and the impact on his victim, who now suffers ‘night terrors’ and needs therapy.

He added: “You are trusted by young fans to behave properly... You were a respected Sunderland footballer, that is why you were able to commit these offences.”

Johnson, who stood chewing gum during the hearing, will serve half of his sentence in prison before being freed to spend the rest on licence.

The former England star will be on the sex offenders’ register for the rest of his life.

I will take Nigerian football to next level

—Mikel Olawale Olaniyan - in Kaduna

J

OHN Mikel Obi has promised to take Nigerian football to greater heights as the new captain of the Super Eagles.

Mikel is expected to lead Nigeria out today against the Pharaohs of Egypt in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

The Chelsea star made the declaration after Ahmed Musa hand-

AFCON qualifiers: Glo urges Eagles to go for victory THE major sponsor of the Nigerian national teams, Globacom has urged the Super Eagles to work assiduously towards qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by defeating the Pharaohs of Egypt when the two teams clash today at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

In a press statement issued in Lagos, the company urged the Eagles to defeat the Egyptians not only in Kaduna, but also on their home soil in Alexandria, Egypt.

“It is important to go for victory in this encounter to help the team gain confidence ahead of the crucial second leg in Cairo which will ultimately determine which of the two teams will qualify from group D,” Glo added.

Globacom charged the Eagles to go the extra mile and re-enact the “can-do spirit” and determination which Nigeria is known for and which has helped the nation to win many laurels in the past, including the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

While advising the technical crew to field the fittest players who can

withstand the pressure associated with matches of this magnitude, Glo urged the entire team to give their best and ensure that they outclass the Egyptians during the twolegged encounter to make qualification for AFCON less cumbersome.

“The Super Eagles should make Nigerians happy by qualifying for the next African Cup of Nations in Gabon. The team needs to start building its way back to reckoning in African football,” the statement said.

ed the Eagles captainship role to him at a press briefing in Kaduna.

“I must say a big thank you to Ahmed Musa for his courage and being a wonderful professional player, our relationship has come a long way,” Mikel said.

“I promise to give my best as the team captain and take the team to greater heights.”

Speaking ahead of today’s match, Mikel maintained that the match is not going to be a difficult one for Nigeria.

The 2013 AFCON winner stated that, with the quality of players on the ground, the Eagles are up to the task.

“For tomorrow’s (today) match, it’s not going to be a difficult match, it is a game we have been looking forward to and with the great and quality players we have in the team, we have a very good chance to win tomorrow’s match.

I promise that we will record the maximum points here in Kaduna tomorrow (today),” he added.

From right, John Mikel Obi, Coach Samson Siasia and Ahmed Musa during the press conference, on Thursday, in Kaduna. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN

Dutch soccer legend, Cruyff dies at 68 NETHERLANDS soccer legend, Johan Cruyff has died of cancer, aged 68.

Cruyff, who made his name as a forward with Ajax and Barcelona, was European footballer of the year three times.

He won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax from 1971, coached Barcelona to their first European Cup triumph in 1992 and helped the Dutch reach the

1974 World Cup final, where they were beaten 2-1 by West Germany.

The Dutch FA said: “Words can hardly be found for this huge loss.”

It added: “The greatest Dutch footballer of all time and one of the world’s best ever. Our condolences go to his wife, family, friends and the entire football world at home and abroad. We

wish everyone a lot of strength in this difficult time.”

He first showcased the ‘Cruyff turn’ at the 1974 World Cup in a match for the Netherlands against Sweden and scored 33 goals in 48 international appearances.

He scored 293 goals in 521 appearances for five different clubs including 204 in 276 games while winning 18 trophies in two spells for Ajax.

SIDELINES

N150

FRIDAY, 25 MARCH, 2016

NO 16,465

One Lawrence Ugwu has been set free by a Karu Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, after he claimed frustration made him to claim being a Boko Haram agent. He had in a text message also stated that he would come to one hotel and bomb it after drinking beer. But had Lawrence ended up in prison, who would he have blamed for his woes?

Nothing toworry about

Egypt Oshoala

Oshoala scores on debut for Arsenal

By Ganiyu Salman NIGERIAN international, Asisat Oshoala began her romance with Arsenal Ladies FC on a good note as she was on target when her team dumped Reading Ladies FC 3-1 on Wednesday night in the Women’s Super League opener at Meadow Park.

The Super Falcons star after her persistent effort scored against the Berkshire-based side one minute into the second half after she displaced Grace Maloney and tucked the ball in.

An elated Oshoala said on the Arsenal’s official website that the victory was a good start for her as an individual.

“I had fun. It was a very good start for me as an individual, getting to know my players, getting to know a new role. I think it was a very good thing for me to grow into the game.

“I promise to give my best to the team. I want Arsenal to win trophies, win every competition and win every game we play this season. I just have to give it my best in the training sessions and in every game give 100 per cent. This is a very competitive team.

“You have to give your best every time, because we have a lot of good players. Three points in the first game of the season is very important for us and it was very difficult as well,” Oshoala said.

—Siasia Olawale Olaniyan - In Kaduna

N

IGERIA head coach, Samson Siasia says the Super Eagles are battle-ready for today’s 2017 AFCON qualifier against the Pharaohs of Egypt at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

The Bayelsa State-born coach said the players have adapted to the Kaduna weather compared to the first three days of training, just as he urged Nigerians to come out en masse to cheer the Eagles to victory in today’s match.

“With what I saw, the team is ready to play and defeat Egypt. They are all in high spirits and each player in the camp is determined to give his best.

Things have changed. Initially, what gave us worry is the heat but it has changed compared to Wednesday’s weather.

“We have so much confidence that we are playing against Egypt and that we are going to win the match. Nigerians should expect to see a new Super Eagles tomorrow (today).”

The man who coached Nigeria to win silver at the Beijing 2008 Olympics said only the deserving players will make the line up today.

“We are going to pick the best legs and shun any form of sentiment in selection, we have had three days of training and I promise to select a strong team for the match,” Siasia said.

He stated that Fanendo Adi trained well with his colleagues and did so well.

Mikel named Eagles new captain Olawale Olaniyan - In Kaduna

JOHN Mikel Obi has been named the new captain of the Super Eagles.

The Chelsea star takes over from Ahmed Musa who relinquished the position during a press briefing held at the press centre of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, on Thursday, ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Pharaohs of Egypt today.

The CSKA Moscow forward, Musa said his decision was

based on justice saying this is to “right the wrong” which had been previously done.

“I want to announce to you today that something happened (last year) before I was made the Super Eagles captain but now, I don’t deserve the captain’s armband. I want to say that John Mikel Obi will be the new Super Eagles captain,” the 2013 AFCON winner said.

Meanwhile, head coach of the team, Samson Siasia who expressed delight at the development described Musa’s decision as heart warming.

“Ahmed (Musa) is a great player, for me I’m so proud of him because this is one of the hardest decisions one can take.

There is hierarchy in the team and to have come out today and announce Mikel as captain of the team, I am so proud of him.”

Mikel

These Eagles will deliver —Dalung Olawale Olaniyan - In Kaduna MINISTER of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung has expressed confidence that Super Eagles will triumph over the Pharaohs of Egypt in today’s AFCON qualifier.

He made the submission when he visited the players and officials of the Eagles at their last training session on Thursday night at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

He said the country has confidence in the players and the management of the team, just as he urged all Nigerians to come out en masse to cheer the team to victory.

“Our expectations and the expectations of Nigerians remain the same and that is for the Super Eagles to win the match because we have worked hard and prepared for it.

“The players we have are tested and they are determined to make Nigeria proud, so we have a lot of confidence in their capacities to deliver and perform better than even our expectations,” Dalung said.

However, there was a mild drama as journalists were barred by the security personnel from gaining entry into the stadium to cover the Eagles training session which lasted two hours as well as fans.

The arrival of the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick at the stadium became a blessing to the journalists around as the gates were eventually thrown open for fans as well to come in.

Meanwhile, the Pharaohs also trained at the stadium on Thursday night after the Eagles to feel the turf ahead of today’s cliffhanger.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 25/3/2016.