27th November 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,380

FRIDAY, 27 NOVEMBER, 2015

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Senate gives Buhari 2-wk ultimatum to end fuel scarcity —P6

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We lost N50bn to oil thieves in 9 months —P35 —NNPC

Oyo: 400 farmers protest Fulani herdsmen's invasion —P7

FALEKE, AUDU'S RUNNING MATE, TO INEC

Declare me Kogi gov-elect •No supplementary candidate can hijack our votes, he says •Wants APC to distance self from illegality —P4,5 •Kogi East picks Audu's son to replace him •With Audu's death, APC has crashed out of race —PDP

over e g a r t Ou a's 'No' i Niger gainst —P44 vote a solution n UN re ing huma d defen defenders rights

James Faleke (left) with the late Abubakar Audu.

Bromide of the letter. MORE ON PAGE 4

N19.2bn fraud: Court drops charges against Sylva —P6

Again, ex-NSA Dasuki defeats FG in court —P6

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

Frisday, 27 November, 2015 PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE, ALABA IGBAROOLA, ALOLADE GANIYU, YEMI FUNSO-OKE, SYLVESTER OKORUWA & D’TOYIN

HID AWOLOWO’S BURIAL

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8 1. Great grandchildren of Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo with President Muhammadu Buhari. 2. Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole (right) and former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. 3. Chief Ayo Adebanjo with Otunba Subomi Balogun. 4. From left, Honourable Oladipo Adebutu, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, his wife, Iara, and others. 5. From left, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Mr Gbolabo Ogunsanwo, Mr Kehinde Osinfade and

6. 7. 8. 9.

Dr Mike Anjorin. Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Segun Ogunsanya and his wife, Ronke. Mrs Christy Ade Adebanjo and Mrs GOK Ajayi. Senator Lanre Tejuoso (left) and other senators. From right, the only surviving brother of Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, Pa Festus Taiwo Adelana, Pastor (Mrs) M.A. Macaulay and Mr Niyi Adelana.

Friday, 27 November, 2015

news Faleke, Audu’s running mate, to INEC: Declare me Kogi gov-elect

YinkaOladoyinboAndYejide Gbenga-OgundarewithAgency Report

UNNING mate to the late Abubakar Audu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State, Mr James Faleke, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare him governor-elect. Faleke, in a letter to the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, insisted that under Section 187 of the 1999 Constitution, he was duly elected as deputy governor of the state. While expressing sadness over the demise of his principal, Audu, the deputy governorship candidate said INEC had no right under the law to declare the election inconclusive. He accused INEC of deliberately creating what he called “legal conundrum” and urged the APC not to be a party to the action.

Friday, 27 November, 2015

In a letter written by his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, Faleke said “in law and logic, no new candidate can inherit or be a beneficiary of the votes already cast, counted and declared by INEC before that candidate was nominated and purportedly sponsored. “Assuming without conceding that INEC is even right to order a supplementary election, the votes already cast, counted and declared on Saturday, November 25, 2015, were votes for the joint constitutional ticket of Prince Abubakar Audu and our client. “Therefore, no new or ‘supplementary’ candidate can hijack, aggregate, appropriate or inherit the said votes.” In another letter to APC chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Faleke urged the party to distance itself from the “Greek Gift” being offered to it to nominate a new candidate for a planned supplemen-

tary election in 91 polling units. He said the election had already been won and lost, adding that the party should rather support him in actualising the mandate already given to APC and its candidates. Faleke argued further that the election to the office of the governor is regulated by Sections 178 and 179 of the 1999 Constitution as amended while nomination to the office is regulated by Section 187 of the same constitution, saying that by this law the election to the office of governor of Kogi State had been conducted and completed in accordance with provisions of the constitution. “Therefore, INEC has no alternative or discretion other than to announce the result of the election and declare our client winner, the reasons given by INEC for declaring the election inconclusive are alien to the constitution and therefore unconstitutional. He stated further that

Section 61(c) of the Electoral Act 2010 says that once a Returning Officer announces the result of an election, his declaration is final and can only be reviewed by an election tribunal. “In other words, the scores already announced for APC remain final and binding. Section 181(1) of the constitution again comes into play under the present circumstances, viz-a-viz the death of Prince Audu. The section is all -embracing, in no unmistakable language, it mandates that the deputy governor -elect shall take over and be sworn in. “By parity of reasoning, the APC shall be declared as winner of the election by INEC while Faleke is declared as governor-elect.” Faleke finally enjoined the APC not only to support him at actualising the mandate already given to the party under the joint ticket of himself and the late Audu, but also to distance itself from the greek gift offer being made by

Senate asks FG to immortalise Audu Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

THE Senate on Thursday passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to immortalise the former governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, who died last Sunday before the conclusion of the state’s gubernatorial election. Prince Audu was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Senate, however, held a minute silence in

honour of the former governor, while also agreeing to send a high powered delegation to Kogi State, to condole with the people, government and the family of the deceased. The sevenman delegation will be led by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki. The decision to honour Audu was sequel to a motion brought before the Senate by Senator Abdulrahman Abubakar (APC Kogi East) and five others. Senator Abubakar told the Senate that the late Audu made valuable contributions to the banking sector of Nigeria, adding that he also left an indelible mark

Amosun, Dabiri-Erewa, others laud Airtel for support to IDPs AIRTEL has been commended for its key role in touching the lives of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. This commendation was given at the press briefing of “Climb with Remi,” an initiative that aims to raise funds for IDPs in Nigeria. Speaking about the initiative, wife of the Ogun State governor, Mrs Olufunsho Amosun, explained the sufferings and pains thousands of IDPs go through. According to her, a lot of people were unaware of the hardship faced by

“our fellow brothers and sisters who, as a result of one crisis or another, have become homeless.” Also speaking at the event, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the need for Nigerians to be empathetic and embark on laudable projects to uplift the underprivileged. “As citizens of this great country, we must inculcate a spirit of oneness and be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We must emulate organisations like Airtel Nigeria who are lending a helping hand in taking care of IDPs,” she said.

on the sands of time in Kogi State where he served as governor for two terms. He submitted: “The Kogi State University, the confluence stadium and a host of other icons of development were Audu’s handwork.” He also observed that due to his impeccable records of meritorious services to the state and the people, he won the APC ticket and contested the inconclusive election to the office of governor of Kogi State, where he was leading comfortably before he died. The senator noted that during his tenure, Abubakar Audu won the award of the most performing governor in Nigeria. He recalled that late Audu made valuable contributions to the banking sector where he worked and rose to the rank of Executive Director before he delved into politics and equally did same in Kogi State where he served as governor twice. Senator Dino Melaye in particular, debunked allegation made against the late Audu while alive that he embezzled N11billion as governor of Kogi State from May 1999 to May 2003. According to him, “throughout the four years period of the second coming of the late Audu as executive governor of the state, the total revenue ac-

cruable to the state was N17 billion out of which the late Audu put on ground the state university, the state Polytechnic, Conference Hotel, Housing Estates, network of roads across the state etc, aside prompt payment of salaries of the state civil servants. From where did he now get the alleged N11 billion?” Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso told the Senate that his relationship with Audu dated back to 1992 when he was the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives while Audu was the governor of Kogi State as the first executive governor, adding that Audu and himself belonged to different political parties. “We related very well with each other,” he said. He stated further that he was with Audu in Lokoja through most part of last week, rounding up his gubernatorial election campaign, saying “l was scheduled to leave Kogi State on Friday when Prince complained of feeling a bit dizzy. I then recommended that my doctor with whom l travelled with examined him.” “He did and opined there was no cause for concern. His death was therefore a rude shock to me, however, as Muslims, we are very much aware that each soul will surely have a taste of death.”

INEC. While speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, Olanipekun stated that Nigerians should speak out against obvious disregard for law like they did during the Jonathan/Yar’adua issue. Reacting to Faleke’s comment and letter, the state publicity secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode Ogunmola, in a telephone interview with the Nigerian Tribune, said INEC had declared the governorship election inconclusive. According to him, by

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the declaration, nobody had been declared elected based on the election held on Saturday. “As far as we, the PDP, are concerned, Prince Abubakar Audu died and 240,867 votes he garnered are dead. The only living votes are the 199,514 votes scored by Governor Idris Wada and so, INEC should, therefore, declare him winner,” he said. He called on INEC to act according to the rule of law and declare Governor Wada as winner of the election held on Saturday.

news Audu’s replacement: Kogi East picks his son 5

Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) Executives, Delegates and Stakeholders Forum in Kogi State, on Thursday,

Friday, 27 November, 2015

endorsed the son of the late governorship candidate of the party, Muhammed Abubakar Audu, as the candidate to conclude the election in the state. The people, after an en-

larged meeting held at the party secretariat in Lokoja, the state capital, said the junior Audu should fill the vacuum created by his father’s death. According to a communi-

que read by the zonal chairman of the party, Comrade Isah Daniel, the decision to support junior Audu was a unanimous one by the stakeholders. He said Muhammed

You are not Attorney General of APC, PDP tells AGF Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives, on Thursday, slammed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, for asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the All Progressives Congress (APC) field a fresh candidate in the December 5 governorship supplementary election in Kogi state, saying that he was not the AGF for the APC. Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, PDP Caucus called on Malami to “immediately withdraw such statement and seek legal interpretation of the law before the Supreme Court.” According to the PDP lawmakers, “the AGF position is not that of the law officer of the nation, but a law officer for the ruling APC.” The caucus, speaking through the Minority Leader of the House, Honourable Leo Ogor, said: “We are concerned about the comments coming from the

AGF on the Kogi debacle, which is very worrisome, as a law officer of the Federal Government. “It is important we point out very clearly that the laws the AGF quoted in his directive to INEC has no basis or relationship with the situation in Kogi State. “The scenario has no relations with the subject matter. And when you have an Attorney General speaking as if he’s the Attorney General of a political party leaves much to be desired,” Ogor pointed out . “What he should have done was to approach the Supreme Court on this matter for clear interpretations of the constitution,” he declared. Ogor pointed out that “the Supreme Court, in offering interpretation on the matter, must also answer one key question as to whether the said supplementary election is legal and should go on, as well as determining whether the APC has a candidate with whom to proceed with the said election following the death of Audu?” According to him “we must also be mindful of

the fact that nobody ever envisaged what happened in Kogi, not even the laws. Because death is something that cannot be ruled out in the affairs of men, and we sympathise with the people of Kogi State and the party as well as his family.” “But the question for INEC and the Supreme Court remains: is the proposed supplementary election legal in this scenario? If yes, should

the APC be participating, and who is their candidate, because the laws governing elections do not give any room for substitution in a process that has already began,” he stated. “We, therefore, call on the AGF to immediately withdraw the comment and apologise to Nigerians. I will not ask him to resign, but he should withdraw the statement,” he declared.

A Lagos-based legal practitioner and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has asked the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, for an order mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh gubernatorial election in Kogi State. Adegboruwa filed a suit on the Kogi Governorship election on Thursday against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and three other defendants. Those joined alongside the AGF as respondents in the suit are the INEC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The rights activist, in the suit delineated FHC/L/ CS/1786/2015, is contending that under Section 181(2) of the 1999 Constitution, whatever makes it impossible for the winner of an election to take the benefit of his mandate, whether by reason of death, illness or otherwise, the constitution-

al dictate is to conduct fresh elections. He insisted that the constitution does not recognise any arrangement whereby votes will be preserved in memory of a dead candidate and then subsequently transferred to another candidate that is newly nominated and who was not part of the previous election that has been declared inconclusive. Adegboruwa further challenged the directive of the Attorney-General of the Federation and INEC, to the APC, to conduct fresh primaries to substitute the late Prince Abubakar Audu and asked for court clarification on certain issues. The lawyer seeks the court’s determination on whether late Prince Audu, being the governorship candidate of the APC in Kogi gubernatorial elections held on November 21, was duly elected in accordance with Section 179(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to entitle the All Progressives Congress to substitute him for a

that our resolution to substitute Muhammed for the deceased, his father, is given utmost consideration for the interest of peace, unity and togetherness of the state. “Mohammed Abubakar Audu as sole candidate from the zone to participate in the fresh primaries was aimed at sustaining the prevailing peace, unity and progress of the great party put in place before the sudden demise of the late Prince Abubakar Audu.” The forum commended INEC and the leadership of the APC for the opportunity to substitute the late Audu, saying it would communicate the National Working Committee (NWC) on this resolution for onward convey to INEC.

With Audu’s death, APC crashes out of Kogi poll —PDP national caucus Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that with the death of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Kogi State gubernatorial election, Prince Abubakar Audu, the party has, legally speaking, crashed out of the race. This was the conclusion of the National Caucus of the opposition party following its emergency meeting convened in Abuja, on Wednesday, to deliberate on the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the

APC to substitute its candidate for the election. The PDP said the electoral body has no right to allow for the substitution of a candidate in the middle of an election and has therefore vowed to challenge the decision in court. The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, read the communique issued at the end of the meeting to newsmen at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, on Thursday, saying that the caucus of the party thoroughly considered the developments arising from the conduct of the inconclusive governor-

Adegboruwa asks court to order fresh elections in Kogi By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare and Adelowo Oladipo

should be allowed as a substitute to his father following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow APC replace the deceased, before the supplementary election. He added that the constitution of the APC had provision for special waivers which also give room for consensus candidate in primaries. He argued that Muhammed is a financial and card carrying member of the APC that had contributed greatly to the success of the party, stressing that it would be appropriate and fair to substitute him for his father who is the party structure in the state. Daniel said, “We hope

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supplementary election. He also asked the court to determine whether when a nominated candidate dies in an inconclusive election, such an election can still be concluded with a substituted candidate who did not canvass for or was part of the inconclusive election. And whether the governorship ticket for the election of a governor in a state is the exclusive preserve of the political party, or a joint ticket of the political party and the candidate nominated such as when the nominated candidate dies in an inconclusive election, the political party will be entitled to nominate another candidate to conclude the said election or whether when a nominated candidate of a political party dies in an inconclusive election, INEC is entitled to proceed with the said election with liberty to the political party of the dead candidate to substitute in the said inconclusive election. Further, the lawyer asked the court to determine whether INEC should not

conduct a fresh election to occupy the position of the governor of Kogi State, given the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the governorship candidate of the APC Adegboruwa also asked for some court declarations; that the elections conducted in Kogi State on the 21st of November, having being declared inconclusive by INEC before the death of the governorship candidate of the APC, INEC is not entitled to proceed with the said inconclusive election with liberty to the 4th defendant to substitute its dead candidate. He also asked for a declaration that under and by virtue of sections 33, 36 of the Electoral Act (as amended) and Section 181(2) of the 1999 Constitution, the death of a nominated candidate for an election that has been declared to be inconclusive, before the declaration of the winner of the said election, INEC is not entitled to continue with the said election but to order a fresh election.

ship election in Kogi State. He said it resolved that it completely rejected the decision of INEC in “yielding to the unlawful prompting of a clearly partisan Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mallam Abubakar Malami, to allow APC to substitute a candidate in the middle of an election, even when such has no place in the Constitution and the Electoral Act.” The caucus insisted that with the death of its candidate, the APC has legally crashed out of the governorship race as no known law or constitutional provision allows the substituting of candidates, once the ballot process has commenced. The communique insisted that with the death of Audu, the APC has no valid candidate in the election, leaving INEC with no other lawful option than to declare the PDP candidate, Idris Wada, as the winner of the election. It noted that the combine reading of the provisions of the constitution and Electoral Act does not in any way whatsoever support the substitution of candidates for election in the middle of the ballot process. The Caucus further argued that if APC is allowed to substitute its original candidate, then the party would have fielded two separate candidates in the same election, a scenario that it observed, “is completely alien to the nation’s electoral laws and to any known democratic norms and practice world-over.” The communique observed that the APC, fully aware that it has no case before the law, is now orchestrating confusion in the polity with a view to diverting attention from its glaring incompetence and failure of governance. It similarly observed that

the leadership of INEC, as presently constituted under the chairmanship of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has demonstrated that “it is incapable of neutrality and as such cannot be vested with the conduct of the Kogi governorship supplementary election as well as the December 5, 2015 Bayelsa governorship election.” The communique stated: “As a result, caucus demands the immediate resignation of the chairman and all national commissioners of INEC to pave the way for a new non-partisan commission to conduct the forthcoming elections. “Caucus also demands the immediate resignation of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mallam Abubakar Malami, for deliberately misleading INEC into arriving at the unconstitutional decision of allowing APC to substitute its candidate in the inconclusive election. “Note that in order to save the nation’s democracy from imminent collapse, the PDP as a critical stakeholder will immediately challenge this unlawful and unconstitutional decision by INEC in the court. “Caucus also alerts that the AGF, INEC and APC are creating a scenario where a loser in a primary will patiently wait for the winning candidate to finish election and then have him either poisoned or assassinated before the final collation of results. “Caucus calls on the international community to prevail on the APC government to stop this ceaseless assault on our democracy.” It will be recalled that Audu died last Sunday following the declaration, by INEC, of the outcome of the Kogi State gubernatorial poll as inconclusive.

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Friday, 27 November, 2015

Fuel scarcity: Senate Committee gives Buhari 2-wk ultimatum •Demands details of subsidy claims •NLC outraged, wants prompt action from president From Taiwo Adisa, Ayodele Adesanmi and Shola Adekola

HE Senate, on Thursday, issued a two-week ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Petroleum, to end the lingering fuel scarcity in the country. Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Senator Uche Ekwunife (PDP, Anambra Central), who issued the ultimatum while meeting with top officials of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, said the government needed to solve the problem of fuel scarcity and ease the burden on Nigerians. The development came on the heels of the disclosure by the Managing Director, Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Mrs Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, that Nigeria had lost 531 million litres of fuel worth N50 billion in the last 10 months to petroleum pipelines vandalism. Senator Ekwunife further said the Minister of Petroleum, alongside the Permanent Secretary and heads of agencies under the ministry, must put heads together and end the scarcity within the stipulated time. She directed that the Minister of Petroleum must ensure that the premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, was sold to the public at the government’s controlled price of N87 per litre. She said: “We are mandating the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Permanent Secretary and heads of agencies to stop this fuel scarcity in two weeks. “We are giving a target now, we don’t wan’t to know how you would achieve it, but it must be stopped. This is a critical period, as the next few weeks will be Christmas, Nigerians want to see an end to this scarcity and be able to buy petrol at N87 per litre.” Ekwunife, however, commended the efforts of PPMC towards putting an end to the scarcity, but maintained that “what Nigerians wanted is getting fuel being sold to them at every filling station across the country.” PPMC boss, Mrs Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, told the committee that the major problem disrupting fuel distribution in the country was vandalism of the oil pipelines by criminals, adding that Nigeria lost about 531 million litres of petrol, valued at N50 billion to the activities of vandals between January and September, 2015. She fingered sharp practices at the fuel depots, in-

cluding illegal charges and diversion of the products by marketers, saying these were some of the factors which led to the scarcity and discrepancies in the prices in various part of the country . She, however, lamented that these sharp practices amounted to economic sabotage, adding that the PPMC had gone into collaboration with the Department of State Security (DSS) and the police to tackle the hoarding and diversion of petroleum products in the country. Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment of NNPC, Dr Victor Babatunde Adeniran, said payment of fuel subsidy as at when due would help oil marketers to play their roles effectively, but advocated repair of petroleum pipelines vandalised by criminals across the country, pointing out that these would help in

solving the scarcity that had brought untold hardship on Nigerians. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Jamila Soara, stressed the need for strategic back-ups for fuel reserves in various locations across the country. She explained that the back-ups, which would be similar to strategic grains reserves, would help ease the hardship of fuel scarcity whenever it happened, as it used to provide succour for the pool of South-West, with the existence of Arepo, Mosinmi and the Atlas Cove in the region. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it is outraged by continuing fuel scarcity resulting in skyrocketing prices and long queues at filling stations in different parts of the country. This was as it implored the Federal Government to

take urgent measures to end current fuel scarcity being experienced by the masses. Making the NLC’s position known, its president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, lamented that it was unfortunate that Nigerians were experiencing untold suffering and hardship looking for fuel, in spite of the fact that the nation was an oil producing country. “NLC is outraged by continuing fuel scarcity resulting in skyrocketing prices and long queues at filling stations in different parts of the country. It is unfortunate that the situation has not improved after more than 72 hours of assurances from government and its regulatory agencies that the situation will improve and that Nigerians need not to go into panic buying,” Wabba declared. While pointing accusing fingers at marketers and some groups for holding

the country hostage over the years, Wabba added that it was unacceptable for Nigerians to be forced to go through perennial fuel shortage and hardship, especially towards the end of every year. “It is unacceptable to us that Nigerians are being forced to cough out between N150 and N300 for every litre for fuel instead of official price of N87 per litre. This to us, showed a clear determination by some unpatriotic operators in the petroleum industry to circumvent government regulation through blackmail and other unorthodox methods,” he stated. While commending President Muhhamadu Buhari for opposing removal of subsidy, Wabba declared that the ongoing fuel scarcity was a deliberate strategy by the cabal in the oil industry to force the hands of government to remove subsidy and thereby, work against

the interest of the Nigerian masses. Calling on the Federal Government, through the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR), to impose sanctions on hoarders of fuel, Wabba said the NLC was prepared to partner relevant agencies to enforce the official N87 per litre fuel price. The NLC president, who further implored President Buhari to take prompt action to stop further suffering by Nigerians, however, enjoined him to resist any attempt by any cabal, no matter how powerful, to arm-twist his government to do its bidding against the wider interest of Nigerian people. Wabba also advised the Federal Government to establish more refineries in the country and along the West African coast, in order to ensure sufficiency of oil products at all times.

Court dismisses corruption charges against Sylva, others Sunday Ejike -Abuja THE Federal High Court, in Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed fresh criminal charges brought against former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, by the Federal Government. Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who dismissed the charge, held that the action of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the endless prosecution of the former governor, constituted a gross abuse of court processes and that must not be encouraged. The judge, while delivering ruling in a preliminary objection filed by Sylva against the fresh charge preferred against him, said it had been proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused person (Sylva) was first put to trial in 2012 and later in 2013 and now in 2015, on the same subject matter. Justice Ademola said the action of EFCC was to get the accused persons convicted at all cost. The judge specifically said the former governor was arraigned before Justice Evoh Chukwu, where the charge was struck out in 2012 and later rearraigned on the same issue before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, who, in 2013, dismissed the charge against the accused persons. Justice Ademola said for the same case to be resuscitated in 2015 before the same Federal High Court was nothing, but a gross abuse of court processes and contempt against the Federal High Court. The judge said having pe-

rused the charges against the accused persons in 2012, 2013 and in 2015 and found that the charges were based on the same subject matter and that the witnesses listed in the fresh charges, were the same witnesses listed in the previous charges, same with the proof of evidence and exhibits. He, therefore, said no court of law would allow the show of power by the anti-graft agency, saying “to commence a fresh trial in 2015 is a complete abuse of court process and that will occasion miscarriage of jus-

tice if allowed. “In this circumstances, this court lack the jurisdiction to adjudicate on the charges against the accused persons. “From the foregoing, this court, hereby, dismiss the charges filed against the defendants in this suit,” the judge held. It will be recalled that the EFCC, in June, this year, filed fresh corruption charges against Sylva before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Sylva is charged alongside Francis Okokuro, Gbenga

Balogun and Samuel Ogbuku for allegedly using three companies to move about N19.2 billion from Bayelsa State coffers between 2009 and 2012, under false pretence of using the withdrawn money to augment salaries of the state government workers. The action of the antigraft agency came two days after Justice Ahmed. R. Mohammed of another Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the 42-count charge of stealing, brought against Sylva and his co-accused by the EFCC, with the excuse

that the prosecution’s application to consolidate the charges against the defendants amounted to an abuse of court process. The commission faulted the ruling on the ground that it was premature, as the accused persons had not taken any plea before the court. The action of the trial judge stalled the move by the antigraft agency to consolidate the charges against the former governor having, days earlier, withdrawn similar charges pending before Justice Chukwu of the same court.

Again, ex-NSA Dasuki defeats FG in court Sunday Ejike -Abuja THE Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed the application brought before it by the Federal Government, seeking an order compelling the presence of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) in court throughout his trial. Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Diri, who filed the application on behalf of the Federal Government, argued that it was wrong under law for the former NSA not to be present in court for three consecutive times the case against him was heard. He cited section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 as a law that made Dasuki's presence mandatory in court everyday the case against him was heard. But, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in his ruling on the application, dismissed it for

being frivolous, unwarranted and lacking in merit. The judge agreed with counsel for Dasuki, Joseph Daudu, that the law was turned upside down by the Federal Government's counsel for no just cause. The judge, who read out section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, held that the law was so clear that the presence of an accused person could be dispensed with in court during interlocutory

applications. He agreed that since only interlocutory applications were being argued in court presently, the presence of Dasuki was not mandatory in court for now. The former NSA had filed an application before the judge to permit his absence in court for now in view` of the alleged threat to his life in the hands of operatives of the Federal Government security agents. Meanwhile, hearing in

Olamide Baddo loses dad By Segun Adebayo NIGERIAN rapper, Olamide Adedeji, also known as Baddo, has lost his father. He described his death as painful, saying it was one which had left him in a sad state. The YBNL boss, who broke the news of his father’s death on his Instagram page on Thursday, said he was left in shock to hear about the demise of his father. Olamide, who dropped his

fifth studio album, Eyan Mayweather, days back while praying for the peaceful repose of his father, said “O God, who hast commanded us to honour our father and our mother; in Thy mercy, have pity on the soul of my father and forgive his trespasses; and make me to see him again in the joy of everlasting brightness, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rest well Dad. Forever in my heart.”

another application filed by the Federal Government, seeking court order to revoke the bail earlier granted Dasuki had been fixed for December 3. The application could not be heard on Thursday, as Justice Ademola said he was being expected at the ongoing judges' conference holding in Abuja. The DPP's application is asking the court to commit the former NSA to prison pending the completion of investigation into the money laundering allegations against him. He also opposed the permission granted Dasuki by Justice Ademola to travel abroad for three weeks to treat his ailment, adding that the NSA would escape justice if allowed to go abroad. Dasuki’s lawyers, led by Joseph Daudu, had, however, filed objection to the application on the ground that it was baseless and speculative. They urged Justice Ademola to dismiss the application.

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Friday, 27 November, 2015

I will professionalise INEC —Yakubu Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja

hairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Thursday, assured the nation and the international community that he would professionalise activities at the commission during his tenure, in order to ensure that INEC would no longer be an issue during elections in the country. The INEC boss gave the assurance in Abuja, on Thursday, when he received in audience the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright, who paid him a courtesy visit. Yakubu explained that he had witnessed elections in other societies, where the identity of the chief electoral officer was not an issue, adding Nigeria must start moving in that direction. He said: “The first priority at the commission is to bring professionalism into election administration in the country and as well “instutionalise ICT-based solutions. “The success of the last general election and the recent inconclusive governorship election in Kogi State was made possible with the deployment of ICT,” he stated. Yakubu also pledged to improve engagement with major stakeholders for maximum participation, with emphasis on women, youths, the disadvantaged, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups. While seeking more technical assistance from the United Kingdom (UK) government, Yakubu said he would ensure that the commission consolidated on its modest successes in the last

general election. Speaking, Arkwright expressed the readiness of his

home government to partner INEC, in order to deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

He said the British government looked forward to getting a comprehensive

brief from INEC, stating major areas of necessary assistance.

Plateau majority leader abducted, released Isaac Shobayo -Jos

From left, Chief Umana Okon Umana, All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Akwa Ibom State in the 2015 election; Senator Aisha Alhassan, Minister of Women Affairs; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice-President and chieftain of APC and his wife, Dr Jamila Atiku-Abubakar, cutting cake to mark the 69th birthday of Alhaji Abubakar, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Kaduna to employ 16,000 cooks for primary schools Muhammadu Sabiu -Kaduna Kaduna State governor, Nasiru el-Rufai, has said his government has concluded necessary arrangements to employ 16,000 cooks for feeding of its primary school pupils. He dropped the hint on Thursday, while receiving part of the report of the Transition Committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Lawal Abbas Balarabe. He said the women would participate in implementing our primary school feeding programme, which

would soon take off. In the same vein, he disclosed that 5,000 tailors, who would produce school uniforms for primary school pupils, would be employed by the state government. el-Rufai, who was apparently presenting his scorecard within the last six months he held sway as governor, also said his government saved N4 billion from the traditional practice of parents paying for the admission forms of their children. “Don’t forget that we not only stopped payment of fees for basic education,

we have ended the practice of making students pay for admission forms into any state-owned school, effectively saving our parents nearly N4 billion. “The House of Assembly has passed legislation to bring our primary healthcare under one roof, hence ensuring credibility and attracting donor support. “The effort to improve our healthcare system is receiving international and local awards, thanks to the effective work of the commissioner, Professor Jonathan Andrew Nok and the dedicated staff of the Health Ministry.

“UNAID gave Kaduna State the prize for the best performing state during the Maternal, Newborn and Child Healthcare (MNCH) Week. MTN Foundation selected our submission to upgrade the maternity wards of five of our general hospitals. “Last week, the World Bank selected Kaduna State for a $2 million grant to advance the ‘Save a Million Children’ programme,” he said. The governor also said: “With the support of Peugeot, Kia Motors and our banking partners, we have started our Kaduna cabs scheme without spending public funds.”

Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Honourable Daniel Dem, was abducted last Friday, by men suspected to be robbers at his residence at Bukuru area of Jos South Local Government Area of the state and whisked him away to an unknown destination. Narrating his ordeals to newsmen in Jos, Dem said four robbery suspects took him to the bush, where he was severely tortured and dispossessed of his belongings, including his official car, a Toyota Avensis, before releasing him. Dem, a member representing Riyom Constituency, who described his escape as a miracle, said the incident happened around 7.30 p.m. last Friday, while he was driving home from work. He said: “As the security man in the compound opened the gate, the robbers, who had laid ambush at a nearby street, drove behind me into the compound. “Immediately, four men brandishing guns ordered me into their vehicle and drove off alongside my own vehicle.” According to him, while three of the robbers carried him to a bush, the one who drove his official car headed towards Jos-Abuja Highway. However, luck ran out on the robbers when the Police Commissioner in the state alerted security agents on the road, with assistance also coming from members of the community, who mobilised themselves, a development which forced the fleeing robbers to abandon the car in Hawan Kibo village and fled.

Oyo: 400 farmers protest Fulani herdsmen's invasion By Tunde Ogunesan OVER 400 farmers in Omi-Adio, Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Thursday, appealed to both state and the Federal Governments to wade into the recurring invasion of their farms by Fulani herdsmen. The farmers, while expressing their feelings during a peaceful protest, maintained that their farms had been continuously invaded by grazing cattle, and therefore, called on the Oyo State government and the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to intervene in the crisis before it was too late. The aggrieved farmers,

Nigerian Tribune learnt were drawn from various villages—Abokede, Onikanga, Mabolese, Alatori, Agbetu and Olorode, all in Ido Local Government Area. They further claimed that they had lost virtually all their farm yields to the invasions. Led by the secretary, Osho Forestry Reserve in Ido Local Government Area, Alhaji Asimiyu Yusuf, the protesting farmers further claimed that victims were also recorded from such villages as Adedapo, Olorode, Keji, Aboke, Pelu, Alagbe, Gbagba Elewure and Areyinjetu. Among farm crops allegedly destroyed by the invading Fulani herdsmen, according to Alhaji Yusuf,

were cassava, maize, yams, tomatoes, potatoes, pepper, as well as assorted vegetables, which are their only means of livelihood. Yusuf said: “Many of us have been ruined, following the incessant invasions of our farms by the grazing cattle of these Fulani herdsmen, as we have no other means of livelihood. “This year alone, some of our members were matcheted on their farms by invading Bororos, while nothing seems to have been done by the authorities to checkmate them,” he further stated. The aggrieved farmers told newsmen that the invading Fulani herdsmen, who were always armed

with knives and guns, as they also wore militant outlook, had been striking at the various farms with their grazing cattle, not only in the day time, but also at night, when nobody dared stop them. It was also alleged that the invaders, at times, raped wives of some of the farmers. When asked if concerned authorities had been briefed on the development, Yusuf said they had lodged series of complaints on the incidents to the police and the State Security Service (SSS), but were now calling on the state government to intervene without further delay, so as to save lives and property.

When contacted, Sardaunan Yamma and the Sarkin Sasa, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin, promised to wade into the matter before it gets out of hand. The Sarkin Sasa, who is the leader of the Fulani community resident in the South-West, however, pleaded with the aggrieved farmers not to take laws into their own hands, as the issue at hand was being resolved amicably. It will be recalled that the leadership of the Fulani community resident in the South-West recently resolved to embark on compulsory registration of all Fulani herdsmen operating in the various states of the geopolitical zone, including

their animals, with a view to ensuring effective monitoring of their activities by their host communities and security operatives, in order to guard against unwholesome behaviours. Alhaji Maiyasin had, also at that meeting, called for cooperation of host communities, including the various state and local governments in supporting the Fulani leadership to effectively implement the proposed registration exercise, just as he mandated Fulani parents to keep close watch on their children and wards to ensure they did not engage in anti-social behaviours or consumption of hard drugs.

Nigerian Tribune

Friday, 27 November, 2015

Lagosmetro

Friday, 27 November, 2015

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Photographer, teenager jailed for dealing in marijuana AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin

Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Special Adviser, Transportation, Anofiu Elegushi; Commissioner for Transportation, Dayo Mobereola; Director, State Security Service, Mr Adekunle Ajanaku and the Assistant Corps Marshal, Nsebong Charles Akpabio, during the Traffic Management and Transportation Summit, organised by the State Ministry of Transportation, at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday.

I have political will to tackle gridlock —Ambode

agos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday assured the people of the state of his strong political will to take tough decisions and implement effective strategies to bring about a robust traffic management system in the state. Governor Ambode, who stated this at the Traffic Management and Transportation Summit, organised by the state government, added that, as a government, his administration is keenly committed to make Lagos work for all, and that effective traffic management, for him, is a good place to start. The governor observed that there is the need for practical and innovative solutions to address the traffic challenges confronting the state, to deliver immediate dividends and future aspirations. He said, “Many people leave other states and travel to Lagos seeking better opportunities. More Nigerians want to reside in Lagos and this obviously comes with some

challenges. As one of the leading commercial centres and an emerging city -state, we need to agree on how our transportation sector can be effectively and efficiently operated to support the kind of trade and investment we want to continually attract.” Reflecting on the circumstances of high population and pressing need for economic growth, Governor Ambode said there is a strong need for stakeholders in the transport sector to evaluate and articulate smarter and effective strategies that would reduce congestion across the roads. While emphasising the need for all stakeholders to work together to ensure a commuter-friendly and productive Lagos that promotes a shared sense of vision and leadership opportunities for all, the governor stressed the need for the consideration of how to make other means of transportation more viable and attractive to reduce the pressure on the roads. “As a Government that is

keen on promoting business and creating wealth opportunities for our residents, we are committed to seeking and funding substantial and comprehensive solutions to traffic challenges, therefore we are ready to take tough recommendations you come out with. We owe it to the people to ensure Lagos works for all. Tackling traffic is a good place to start; a good place to begin the significant change that our

people expect from us. Let us make Lagos work for us all,” the governor said. Earlier in his welcome address, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dayo Mobereola said the summit was put together in furtherance of Governor Ambode’s determination and commitment to genuinely address the traffic challenges confronting the state. Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of Federal Road

Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi on his partssaid, because of its strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy, Lagos accounts for about 70 per cent of the country’s transportation network and over 30 per cent of vehicular density in Nigeria. He added that there are about 40 petroleum tank farms in Lagos, and that the best way to tackle gridlock is enforcement of traffic laws and regulations.

empty containers to the terminals inside the seaports. “You know if we don’t return these empty containers as quickly as possible, the demurrage that will be paid on them will keep increasing. So there was traffic along the Wharf road leading to the Apapa port this morning because many of us wanted to return the empty containers back to the terminals at the ports. “If you notice, there is no traffic on the section of the Wharf road leading outside

the port, it is because most of us are bent on entering the port at the same time to return our empty containers,” one of the truck drivers identified as Mufu explained. Speaking to LagosMetro, a member of staff of a database company located in Apapa, who was caught up in the traffic for several hours, Miss Omotolani Adio, bemoaned the way and manner Nigerians drive vehicles anytime there are no security operatives to monitor traffic along the road.

A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a 30- year-old photographer, Lucky Guieze and an 18- year-old, Abdul Rasheed to two years in prison for dealing in marijuana. Justice Aneke Chukwujekwu convicted and sentenced the duo after they pleaded guilty to the charge. According to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), the photographer was arrested at 3, Kayode Adu Street, Ikorodu, Lagos with 200 grammes of marijuana on April 22, while the second accused, Abdul Rasheed, was arrested at Oke Eletu area of Ikorodu, on July 12, with 200 grammes of the same substance. NDLEA further informed the court that banned substance which Abdul Rasheed was arrested with was called Scum, a substance with higher potent compared to Nigeria’s Indian hemp, usually imported from Ghana. The offence according to the prosecutor is contrary to and punishable under section 11(c) of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, Cap. N30 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. Consequently, Justice Chukwujekwu sentenced the two convicts to two years imprisonment.

...as heavy traffic returns to Apapa Tola Adenubi

Motorists around the Apapa area, on Thursday lamented over the return of heavy traffic situation to the area. LagosMetro gathered that there was heavy traffic situation on the road leading towards the Apapa port while the road leading out of the port was virtually free of traffic. Truck drivers speaking with LagosMetro explained that the gridlock was as a result of the many truckers wanting to return

“Traffic has improved for some time now due to the presence of naval officials and LASTMA staff, which usually help in coordinating trucks movement along the road. But today, there was no official in sight and the truck drivers blocked the road. It is not fair enough because they ought to consider some of us who have offices inside the port too,” she lamented. Efforts to speak with port authorities were not successful as at the time of filing this report.

Nigerian Tribune

The judge ordered that the banned substance arrested with the convicts

New face of Oshodi garage, after a publication by Lagos Metro, showing dirty state of the garage. This caught the attention of LAWMA, which immediately cleaned up the garage after the publication.

be destroyed 30 days after if there is no any appeal against the judgment.

Govt vows to tackle building collapse Chukwuma Okparaocha Worried by the recurring menace of building collapse, the Lagos State Government has vowed to enforce the Physical Planning and Urban Development to stop unwholesome practices in the building industry.

Indiscriminate bush burning caused Lagos explosion —Fire Service boss

The Director Lagos Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, on Thursday attributed the Wednesday fire outbreak at Owode Onirin area of the state to the nonchalant attitudes of residents to bush and refuse burning. He made this known during the joint inspection of the fire accident scene by the officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency and fire-fighters, to determine the cause of the inferno and to protect the lives of other people. Fadipe disclosed that, disaster was averted as 11 people suspected to have inhaled toxic fumes were quickly evacuated. According to him, “Seven out of the cylinders exploded and unleashed havoc on the residents. We attacked the fire professionally; bearing in mind that the area is surrounded by iron scrap markets and residential area and if not quickly quenched could lead to disaster. He added that the affected people were quickly rushed to trauma centre at toll gate for further medical attention.” According to Fadipe, people must avoid the temptation of indiscriminate setting ablaze of bushes and refuses in the name of saving cost as this can escalate into consuming properties including houses and human lives.

According to the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Wasiu Anifowoshe, the government means well for everybody and would want all people intending to build houses in Lagos to obtain necessary building plan approval. Anifowoshe admonished people to always build in accordance with the approved building plans so as to avoid disorderliness and haphazard development in the communities, adding that Lagos State as a fast growing megacity was poised to ensure liveable and sustainable environment through constructive engagement of all stakeholders. The Commissioner, while addressing issues, which was raised by stakeholders, particularly, the process of obtaining building plan approval stated that the State Government had opened Physical Planning Permit offices in all the Local Governments. He advised the people to go to the office with all the requirements for the processing their building plans application, assuring them that plans would be approved without wasting time with the submission of necessary documents.

Olalekan Olabulo

Gang who dupe people with fake dollars arrested

The police on Wednesday arrested five members of a 15-man gang who specialise in duping unsuspecting members of the public with fake foreign currencies. The arrested suspects were rounded up by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), during a raid on their hideout, around Wilmer area of Apapa.

The police revealed that they are also on the trail of 10 other members of the gang, who escaped arrest during the police invasion of their operational base. The arrested suspects all blamed their involvement in the illicit trade on greed and their inability to secure good employment. Oyewole Thompson, one of

the arrested suspects, while speaking on the operation of the syndicate, stated that they are 15 in number. “We usually divide ourselves into groups and walk around Boundary Market and Marine Beach in Apapa. We introduce ourselves as international businessmen and that we have brought some imported

Refuse dump immersed in an overflowing sewage near Conoil filling station, Mushin, Lagos on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

Govt lifts ban on intake of new resident doctors at LASUTH Bola Badmus Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode has raised the ban on intake of new resident doctors at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Lagos State doctors have therefore, lauded the efforts of Governor Ambode towards resolving the outstanding issues relating to their welfare, as well as improving the healthcare delivery in the state. Chairman of the Guild,

Dr Biyi Kufo, noted that, “Governor Ambode has directed that all the key issues be resolved; the suspension of intake of new residents into the Residency Training Program at LASUTH has been lifted and admission of the new residents have commenced; the appointment of doctors as contract workers has also been stopped,” Kufo said. Kufo also disclosed that the governor had directed

that medical doctors currently on contracts should be converted to permanent staff and the salaries during the three months of industrial action be paid. Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Chapter, Dr Tope Ojo, in his contribution, commended the governor for his various discussions with the medical personnel, especially over implementation of the corrected CONMESS

salary scale. Governor Ambode, however, urged medical professionals to continuously uphold the Hippocratic Oath in the discharge of their duties, just as he assured them of his administration’s commitment to their concerns. He also assured that the state government under his watch would be open to suggestions for efficient health care delivery systems in the state.

gadgets that we want to sell. “We will ask our victims to bring naira, which we would either change into fake United Sates dollars or British Pounds. The head of our gang is called Toronto while we also, have Ifeanyi, Emeka, Bobo and Onyibo and each of them head a group,” Oyewole explained. One of the victims of the gang’s operation, Chiamaka Anusim while speaking on her experience with the gang stated that her travails started in August when she got in contact with Oyewole. “The man just walked up to me and introduced himself as an international business man, who was looking for ladies who could assist him to market some used phone sets and laptops he just brought from abroad. “I told him that I was in a hurry to go to for a nanny job interview but he pestered me, that he was going to reward me very well and I succumbed to pressure,” the victim confessed. She also added that from there, he took her to a place under the Welma flyover, where he duped her of huge amount of money on several occasion. The RRS commander, Olatunji Disu, when contacted on phone confirmed the arrest of the suspects and added that investigations into their past misdeeds were still on.

10 news

Friday, 27 November, 2015

Nigerian roads need urgent attention —Buhari Leon Usigbe -Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has conceded that the nation’s roads are in poor shape and require urgent attention from the Federal Government, even as he stressed the need for immediate development of infrastructure like rail and power. The president spoke on Wednesday night, at a presidential dinner in honour of senators, at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. “The roads are dead. Those who drive between Lagos and Ibadan will have a lot of stories to tell you. Those who drive from Kaduna to Jebba may have more stories to tell. The same thing is applicable to the East West roads,” the president said.

Buhari tasks Africa’s public broadcasters on content review Christian Okeke -Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, challenged public broadcasters in Africa to review their content so as to take their rightful place and be a catalyst for growth. He said that creation of content and world class production would create jobs, provide revenue for government and quality entertainment capable of increasing the broadcasters share of the advertising pie. Buhari spoke when he declared open the 9th African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) General Assembly in Abuja. Represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the president stated that public broadcasters in Africa, should use the power of their reach to invest in good quality content for the viewers. He said that African countries must not see the digital switch over as a simple crossover from analogue to digital but an opportunity to provide enhanced services, quality programming, interactive content and a new and vibrant media industry that will help grow the economy of the various African countries and create jobs. Buhari disclosed that the country had recorded significant achievements in her digitisation effort, adding that it is willing to share her experiences with the AUB member countries.

Buhari, therefore, called on the Senate to assist his government in its effort at revamping the country’s infrastructure. He also tasked the Senate committees to review the various agreements the nation had entered into in the last six years, to determine

where Nigeria had defaulted in terms of counterpart fundings. President Buhari expressed appreciation to the Senate for the speedy approval of his ministerial nominees and urged them to treat the nation’s budget with same sense of urgency.

“We are enjoying tremendous goodwill outside this country. Whatever we do, let us have it in mind that people have confidence in this government,” he stated. In his remark, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki thanked the President on

behalf of his colleagues and pledged their continuous support for the government. Present at the dinner were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senator Bola Tinubu; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; top government officials, among others.

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, exchanging pleasantries with the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, while President Muhammadu Buhari watches them, during a dinner organised by the president for senators, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Borno not fully liberated from Boko Haram —Speaker Biola Azeez -Ilorin CHAIRMAN, Conference of Speakers of Houses of Assembly and the Speaker of Borno State Assembly, Honourable Abdulkarim Lawan, has said that only a local government is yet to be liberated from the hold of Boko Haram insurgents out of the 20 local government areas in the state. Speaking at the conference of Speakers of state Houses of Assembly organised to deliberate on a model administration of criminal justice Act in Ilorin, on Thursday, the Speaker said that the Nigeria military had never been so committed to the fight against insurgency. “As of now, only one local government is yet to be liberated from the clutch of the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state. That’s the Abadam Local Government, located along the border town of Niger Republic. Nineteen local governments are now in control of the military. And the people are gradually returning to their homes in the affected areas. “Military is very committed to the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. We never experienced the kind of commitment from military before. They have

driven the Boko Haram to the bush. I am sure the military is equal to the task and will meet the timeline of December 2015 given by the President to rout the insurgents. The chief of army staff is leading the military. Various local governments captured by Boko Haram have been recaptured with the federal troops stationed there, just as they proceeded to other local governments. So, only Abadam Local Gov-

ernment Area is not liberated. And am sure they are going to liberate every local government in the state,” he said. The Speaker, who urged the people of the area to support the military in its efforts to end the issue of insurgency, which he described as madness and unislamic act, said that, “Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states have suffered so much due to this security challenge in the last six

years. Now, we are gradually getting relative peace. So, I advise the people in all these areas to support the military.” Also speaking, the host Speaker, Honourable Ali Ahmad of Kwara State, said the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari should urge the National Assembly to sign constitutional amendment bill into law as a measure to assist in the fight against corruption.

IBEDC staff escapes death in Osun Oluwole Ige -Osogbo There was pandemonium in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, at the office of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), when an artisan, identified as Akinwumi Sunday, stormed the premises with a cutlass, threatening to kill a staff of the company, who he accused of his failure to give him a prepaid meter. Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that Akinwumi, a welder at Olugbeja Market, Osogbo, stormed Station Road, Osogbo office of the IBEDC, and demanded for a particular staff of IBEDC, who had thwarted his move to get prepaid meter for his workshop.

Some customers and IBEDC staff, who witnessed the incident, said Akinwumi accused the staff of the IBEDC he had wanted to attack of grounding his business by disconnecting his source of power. The incident, which caused panic in the area, however, was brought under control, when Akinwumi took to his heels, when he discovered that security men had been contacted to arrest him. Commenting on the incident, the Regional Brand and Communication Officer of the IBEDC, Kikelomo Owoeye, said “the matter was reported at Dugbe Police Station, Osogbo, which led to the arrest of the assailant.” She stated that Akinwumi

allegedly wanted to get prepaid meter and therefore abandoned the old meter on which he had accumulated huge debt. “When the matter was reported to us, we summoned the staff that was mentioned and he stated his own side of the story. “The customer has huge debt on his old meter, but did not want to pay, but get prepaid meter for same address. “The staff he mentioned is of our marketing unit and he discovered the fraud and stopped the process of issuance of new meter for him,” Owoeye explained. Security sources informed Nigerian Tribune that Akinwumi was later arrested and detained by the police over the matter.

UNHCR distributes relief materials to 800 households in Taraba Sylvanus Viashima -Jalingo UNITED Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Thursday, distributed non-food items to victims of Boko Haram attacks in refugees’camps in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital. UNHCR Country Representative, Mrs. Angele Atangana said the commission was worried about the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs), adding that it was doing everything possible to ameliorate their sufferings. Represented by the Head of Field Unit, Mr Daniel Bisu, the country representative said even though Taraba was playing host to over 50,000 IDPs, the relief materials could only get to 800 households. Bisu noted that the commission was aware of IDPs who are victims of internal crisis in Bali, Wukari, Donga and Mutum-Biyu, saying that it prioritised those from Adamawa, Borno and Yobe that had fled from Boko Haram insurgents at the moment, even as he called for understanding and corporation in assisting victims of the crisis.

FCT CP restates need for collaboration among security agencies Chris Agbambu -Abuja THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Wilson Inalegwu has restated the need for partnership and collaboration among security agencies. Inalegwu stated this when the Commander Army Headquarters Garrison (AHQ) BrigadierGeneral J.S. Malu visited him as part of his tour to sensitise other security agencies in FCT He also seized the opportunity to call on the commander to continue to collaborate and complement the efforts of the FCT Police Command at ensuring a safe and secure Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Earlier, Brigadier-General Malu had reiterated the need for security agencies to close ranks and work together for the common good of the nation and the citizenry, being the core mandate of all security agencies.

businessnews

Friday, 27 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Amosun, Dabiri-Erewa, others hail Airtel for support to IDPs Tola Adenubi - Lagos

irtel has been commended for its key role in touching the lives of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Nigeria. This commendation was given at the press briefing of ‘Climb with Remi,’ an initiative that aims to raise funds for IDPs in Nigeria. Speaking about the initiative, Ogun State’s first lady, Mrs Olufunsho Amosun, explained the sufferings and pains thousands of IDPs go through. According to her, a lot of people are unaware of the hardship faced by our fellow brothers and sisters who as a result of one crisis or another have become homeless. “They lack proper shelter, feeding and other basic necessities. I wish to thank Airtel Nigeria for supporting the ‘Climb with Remi’

Liquidity: BDC chairman commends CBN over lending rate The Chairman, Sokoto State Chapter of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators, Alhaji Aliyu Yar-abba, has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for reducing the banks’ lending rates from 13 to 11 per cent. “This singular, highly commendable act would certainly boost liquidity in Nigeria’s economy, boost domestic commerce and trade,” he added. Yar-Abba told newsmen in Sokoto on Thursday that the gesture by the apex bank was capable of enabling local manufacturers to bolster their activities across the nation. “The domestic manufacturers would now be able to draw more facilities from the banks, resuscitate ailing and collapsed industries and establish new ones. “They will also be able to get more funds at reduced interest rates to establish new factories,as well as small-scale enterprises across the country. “Consequently, the nation’s hard-earned foreign reserves would be saved; create more employment locally and curb poverty and its attendant negative consequences,’’ he added. The Bureau De Change Operators further praised the CBN for directives to BDC operators across the country to collate the details of all those seeking to buy the US Dollars.

initiative, as they put a smile on the faces of IDPs in Nigeria.” Also speaking at the event, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the need for Nigerians to be empathetic and embark on laudable projects to uplift

the underprivileged. “As citizens of this great country, we must inculcate a spirit of oneness and be our brothers and sisters keepers. We must emulate organisations like Airtel Nigeria who are lending a helping hand in taking care

of IDPs,” she said. Under the ‘Climb with Remi’ initiative, a group of six passionate Nigerian women will climb Mountain Kilimanjaro, as part of the activities to attract global attention and raise funds in support of government’s

efforts at improving the living conditions of displaced women and children in IDP camps across Nigeria. Backed by Airtel Nigeria, the project is championed by Mrs Remi Abere, along with other women including the wife of Ogun State gov-

ernor, Mrs Funsho Amosu; former member, Federal House of representatives, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Mrs Joke Olanipekun; Mrs Uzo Nwani and Mrs Debo Laditan, who will climb the mountain.

Nuel Mark set to unveil foundation Akin Adewakun- Lagos

From left, Head of Public Relations, Airtel Nigeria, Adefemi Adeniran; Ambassador of the ‘Climb with Remi’ Project, Remi Abere; participant/climber, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa and participant/climber, Debo Laditan during the press conference held to announce ‘Climb with Remi’ initiative in partnership with Airtel Nigeria in Lagos.

Customs intercept 576kg of hard drug at APM Terminals Tola Adenubi - Lagos The Apapa Command of the Nigeria? Customs Service has intercepted 576kg of drugs concealed inside 10 containers of food items that were destined for South Africa, but transiting through the APM terminals in Apapa, Lagos. The Customs said the containers were intercepted based on intelligence report received from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). One person was also apprehended in connection with the seizure. The drugs: Ephedrine and Amphetamine were loaded inside 17 jerry cans and distributed into 10 containers carrying foodstuffs like garri, beans and cartons of Indomie noodles. On examination, one of the containers with number PCIU10548616 was discovered with the harmful drugs. The Customs’ Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, Compt. Charles Edike was at the examination area of the APMT to inspect the seized drugs as part of his working visit to all commands under his zone. Even though he could not give the street value of the drugs, Edike disclosed that the ?drugs were detected as a result of synergy between Customs and the NDLEA. He assured that Customs

have so far examined three out of the 10 containers properly and out of the three, drugs were found in one. He assured that investigations into the remaining seven containers are on-going. The Zonal Coordinator attributed the synergy playing out between the Customs and NDLEA to the recent visit of the Customs Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) to all relevant agencies and a call to them to work together. The Customs’ top official also assured that the containers will be handed over to the NDLEA in a manner

approved by the board of the Customs. “We will continue with the examination because as of now, it is inconclusive, we still have seven containers to examine, by the time we finish, we will know if there were drugs in them. “For us in Customs, we don’t work alone, we work with partner-agencies. The command has in the past handed over containers seized to relevant agencies in the port,” Edike stated. He also appreciated the NDLEA for supplying intelligence on the containers to the Customs and for its

officials cooperating with Customs. Also speaking on the seizure, Commander of Apapa Special Area Command of NDLEA; Mrs Titus Awogbuyi Joyce, said one person has been arrested in connection with the seizure and investigation is still on-going. She said that this is enough lead for the agency to go after the shipping company and the syndicate behind the export. “We have one arrest for now, he will give us further leads into the syndicate, as investigation is still on-going.

Union Bank appoints new chairman Chima Nwokoji - Lagos Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (Union Bank) has appointed Mr Cyril Odu as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, following the resignation of previous Chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, who was recently appointed as the Minister of Budget and National Planning by President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr Odu joined the Board of Union Bank in 2012, following a $500 million (USD) investment in the bank from Union Global Partners Limited, a private equity consortium. Emeka Emuwa, Group Managing Director and

Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank in a statement and on behalf of the board and management of the bank, thanked Senator Udoma for his astute leadership and support over the past three years. He said that under Senator Udoma’s guidance, the bank defined its strategic direction, outlined its transformation roadmap and has made significant strides executing its priorities as is evident in its achievements of critical operational and financial milestones. “We wish him success as he is called to serve our country in a higher capacity and to assist the administration of President

Muhammadu Buhari in the transformation of the Nigerian economy,” he stated. On the appointment of Mr Odu, Emuwa said: “We are very pleased as Mr Cyril Odu assumes the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors. As a non-Executive Director since 2012, he has brought his extensive knowledge and experience to bear and has provided critical input and direction to support Union Bank’s transformation. His appointment brings continuity and ensures that the bank will continue to execute its defined strategic initiatives over the next few years.”

To demonstrate its commitment to giving back to the society, especially the less privileged, Nuel Mark & Partners has announced plans to officially unveil her non-governmental organisation, the Nuel Mark Foundation this month. The company’s Lead Consultant and Head of Practice, Emmanuel Mark, stated that though the company had been involved in philanthropic gestures in the past few years, the Foundation demonstrates the resolve of the company to take really impact the lives of her business environment t positively. He stated that the foundation had played some vital role s in the past, especially during the last flood disaster in Egbema, Ogba-Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State by donating reasonable quantities of beddings, food items, and other instructional materials to the flood victims. The foundation, he went further, is currently constructing a state of the art Police Station at Omagwa, Port–Harcourt, Rivers State which it hopes to formally hand over to the top echelons of the Nigeria Police at an event that will also coincide with the foundation’s official public presentation. “We have also given scholarships to some indigent children of Rivers State who are of school age,” he stated. According to him, the Foundation, in partnership with Nuel Mark & Partners, is also packaging the inaugural summit on Land administration and Mass Housing Construction in the Niger Delta, a summit designed to enhance effective delivery of housing in the country. “It will interest you to know that housing deficits in Nigeria is well over 17 million. For us as a people, to bridge the gap in our housing deficiency, the policies relating to making land needed for development, must be readily available to developers.

businessnews

Friday, 27 November, 2015

FG to set up $25bn fund infrastructure investment Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba - Lagos

he Federal Government as made known it’s intention to set up a $25 billion fund wholly dedicated to infrastructure investments in recognition of the role of the capital market as critical to the kind of economy the present administration intends to develop for Nigeria. Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, revealed during the inauguration of the Capital Market Master Plan Implementation Council (CAMMIC), National Investor Protection Fund (NIPF) and the launch of the Corporate Governance Scorecard for quoted companies by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Lagos on Thursday. In a release made available to the Nigerian Tribune, Adeosun explained that, “In the current environment of

Stock market goes 0.17% downward after a day pickup Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba - Lagos Equities market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange took a plunge on Thursday, after having just picked up on Wednesday following a seven-day fall. All Share Index went 0.17 per cent low to close at 27,697.12 basis points, compared with the 0.53 per cent appreciation recorded previously, with its Yearto-Date returns currently standing at 20.08 per cent. Market turnover closed negative as volume declined by 17.84 per cent against 15.55 per cent upsurge recorded the day before, as investors traded a total167,466,952 shares in 2,625 deals. Zenith Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc were the most active in uplifting market turnover, trading a total of 78,811,119 shares. Zenith Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc made the top market value list with stakes of N540.3 million and N623.8 million. Market breadth closed positive as Guiness Plc led 24 gainers against 20 losers topped by Tiger Brands Consumer Plc at the end of the day trading, an improved performance when compared with previous outlook, where there were 12 gainers and 20 losers.

significant revenue squeeze and other budgetary constraints, these investments will clearly not come from government coffers alone. We believe this is where the capital market can really make itself relevant by stepping in to close the funding gap. Government is already looking to set up a $25 bil-

lion fund wholly dedicated to infrastructure investments. A crucial assignment we have for the capital market community is to come up with other innovative ways of mobilising the capital needed to address Nigeria’s infrastructure challenge.” The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secre-

tary Ministry of Finance, Dr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, said an efficient and vibrant capital markets are an indispensable feature of any modern economy supplying affordable medium-to-long term capital needed for growth as they facilitate mobilisation of savings, accelerate capital formation, provide investment avenues and enhance

efficient allocation of capital to growth sectors as no country has been able to develop without a thriving capital market. “Nigeria needs and deserves a capital market that is characterised by high levels of liquidity, depth, breadth and sophistication to enable rapid socio-economic development.”

From left, Principal Partner, Lubservice Associates, Mr Kayode Sote; Chairman of the summit, Chief Philip Asiodu and Chairman, Lubcon group, Mr Jani Ibrahim, at the second edition of the Nigerian Lubricants Summit 2015, held in Lagos recently. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

ANLCA, NAGAFF back CTN implementation at Nigerian seaports Tola Adenubi - Lagos The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the two leading stakeholders in the nation’s cargo logistic chain has backed the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) at Nigeria’s seaports. According to a press release signed by the National President of ANLCA, Olayiwola Shittu and the National President of NAGAFF, Eugene Nweke on Wednesday evening, both associations stated that anybody who is against the CTN has ulterior motives at the nations seaports. The two associations adduced 35 reasons to justify their support for the CTN, and also express confidence in the capacity of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) to administer the scheme successfully. They acknowledged that CTN will act as a revenue booster for government agencies like the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

“With cargo status indicator, the CTN will boost the operations of the SON, NAFDAC etc in line with providing adequate real time information of cargo owner, nature of cargo and address for the interventions by SON, NAFDAC etc, thereby facilitating the reduction in

the influx of substandard and counterfeit products into the country. “With its anti-theft device, the CTN will improve the confidence of the shippers, terminal operators and carriers, as cargo/fleet management will be enhanced. It will eliminate to the barest mini-

mum the incidence of cargo dumping and diversion. “In the case of peril at sea, the CTN information database will be apt in insurance salvage and general average re-consolidation between the shippers, carrier and the under-writer,” the joint statement added.

Senate confirms Danbatta as EVC of NCC By Bode Adewumi The Senate on Thursday confirmed Professor Umar Garba Danbatta as the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). He was appointed in Acting capacity by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 4, 2015 following the expiration of the tenure of Dr Eugene Juwah. Having gone through what has been described as thorough screening by the Senator Gilbert Nnaji-led Communication Committee, the Committee yesterday affirmed Danbatta for the job for the next five years in the first instance. Before his appointment, he was the Acting Vice Chancellor, Kano State University of Science &

Technology, Wudil. Born in Danbatta Local Government Council of Kano State, Prof. Danbatta obtained his BEng, MSc degrees from the Technical

University of Wroclaw in Poland and his PhD from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) UK respectively.

Nigerian Tribune

Actis acquires $62m investment stake in Nigeria’s Sigma Pensions Chima Nwokoji - Lagos pan-emerging Global market investor, Actis, on Thursday completed an investment of $62 million for a majority stake in Sigma Pensions, which is a leading Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) in Nigeria. Partnering with Sigma’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Umaru Modibbo and the current management team, Actis top management team expressed satisfaction in the acquisition of stake in Sigma and sees great scope for further growth of the business. According to Natalie Kolbe, Partner at Actis, building on extensive experience in the asset management and distribution sector, Actis is very excited to be investing behind a growing consumer demand for future financial protection and wellbeing in Nigeria. “In Sigma, we have identified a well managed, solid business with ‘best in industry’ back office, IT and operational systems and excellent customer service that can leverage these underlying secular trends,” he stated. Tony Abakisi, Investment Principal from Actis’ Lagos office, added: “Sigma sits in an under-penetrated, well-regulated market and has excellent growth prospects. We are excited to be investing in the Nigerian PFA industry and to be partnering with Mr Modibbo and a great management team to support growth initiatives, including extending the core business, enhancing the brand, and creating a platform for further expansion within Nigeria.”

Naira firms at unofficial market on compliance with BVN rule Chima Nwokoji - Lagos As more and more customers comply to the directive on dollar purchases by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to submit their Bank Verification Number (BVN) to Bureau De Change operators, the Naira strengthened 2.1 percent to N235 per dollar on the unofficial market on Thursday. This traders said, was because most customers that had earlier refused to submit their BVN to BDCs and sourced their dollars from parallel markets are now shifting demand back to the BDCs.

Traders said the central bank moved to enforce documentation requirements on bureau de change operators prior to dollar sales. The naira had fallen sharply on Wednesday, a day after the central bank unexpectedly cut interest rates to stimulate lending in Africa’s biggest economy. Reuters reported that in a circular on Thursday, the central bank asked all bureau de change operators to submit accounts showing their dollar usage at the start of each week before they can access future sales, a move traders say was aimed at curbing speculation.

The local currency was quoted at the pegged rate of N197 on the official interbank market on Thursday. Meanwhile, Acting President of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu Gwadabe in an interview said CBN should create more awareness as the policy has crippled the Bureau De Change Business in Nigeria within a few days of its introduction. According to him, though the association is in full support of BVN there still exist a lot of challenges in its implementation for BDC operator.

tribunebusiness

Friday, 27 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Participants throng Dangote pavilion at Kano Fair

From left, Uche Nwagboso, Public Relations and Communication Lead, OLX; Mayokun Soremekun, Business Development Manager, OLX; Lola Masha, Country Manager OLX and Fife Aiyesimoju, Brand Marketing Manager, OLX at the recently concluded Nigeria Technology Awards, in Lagos.

Customers and visitors alike to the Kano International Trade Fair on Wednesday displayed excitement at the on-going Mega Million Dangote Cement promo as the company management announced to the visitors that N1 million would be won every day while the promo lasts. This is even as the President of the Kano State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), Umar Farouk Rabiu Dansuleka, who described the Dangote Group as a worthy partner and major sponsor of the Trade Fair. He said the Dangote Group had contributed to the development of businesses in the country through the sponsoring of businesses activities like the Trade Fair. Most of the would-be customers that visited the group’s pavilion said they were thrilled with the promo and would like to participate at the company’s promo

World Bank calls for $16bn funding for Africa

he World Bank Group, on Tuesday, unveiled a new plan that calls for $16 billion in funding to help African people and countries adapt to climate change and build up the continent’s resilience to climate shocks. Titled Accelerating Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Development, the Africa Climate Business Plan will be presented at COP21, the global climate talks in Paris, on November 30. It lays out measures to boost the resilience of the continent’s assets its people, land, water, and cities as well as other moves including boosting renewable energy and strengthening early warning systems. “Sub-Saharan Africa is highly vulnerable to climate shocks, and our research shows that could have far-ranging impact on everything from child stunting and malaria to food price increases and droughts,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “This plan identifies concrete steps that African governments can take to ensure that their countries will not lose hard-won gains in economic growth and poverty reduction, and they can offer some protection from climate change.” Per current estimates, the plan says that the region requires $5-10 billion per year to adapt to global warming of 2°C. The World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme estimate that the cost of managing climate resilience will continue to rise to $20-50 billion by mid-century, and closer to $100 billion in the event of a 4°C warming. Of the $16.1 billion that the ambitious plan proposes for fast-tracking climate adaptation, some $5.7 billion is expected from the International Development Association (IDA), the arm of the World Bank Group that supports the poorest countries. About $2.2 billion is

expected from various climate finance instruments, $2.0 billion from others in the development community, $3.5 billion from the private sector, and $0.7 billion from domestic sources, with an additional $2.0 billion needed to deliver on the plan.

“The Africa Climate Business Plan spells out a clear path to invest in the continent’s urgent climate needs and to fast-track the required climate finance to ensure millions of people are protected from sliding into extreme poverty,” explains Makhtar Diop,

World Bank Group Vice President for Africa. “While adapting to climate change and mobilizing the necessary resources remain an enormous challenge, the plan represents a critical opportunity to support a priority set of climate-resilient initiatives in Africa.”

No bank has capital adequacy problem —Emefiele The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, said that no bank in the country had any problem meeting the required Capital Adequacy Ratio of 10 per cent. Emefiele said this on Tuesday in Abuja while fielding questions from newsmen after the conclusion of the Monetary Policy Meeting. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that there were reports that the CBN had given three commercial banks until June 2016 to recapitalise after failing to meet required 10 per cent capital adequacy ratio. According to the reports, the three unnamed banks stand to lose their licences if they do not meet the apex bank’s deadline. “This has been a subject of topical discussion of late. Let me confirm that there is no bank in Nigeria that has capital inadequacy today. The news around is all false. “ The CBN has its own internal mechanism to monitor banks. We conduct monthly stress testing of the operations and activities of commercial banks. “We stress test their balance sheets on regular basis, using different scenarios to determine the strength and strategic health of a bank. “So when we carry out our stress test and a bank has, say 10.5 per cent liquidity ratio, we write an informal disclosure to the bank to let

them know that they are close to the minimum ratio. “We advise them on what to do not to fall below the minimum liquidity ratio benchmark of 10 per cent. That is what we do. And so far no bank has reached the minimum benchmark,” he said. Emefiele said the introduction of Bank Verification Number (BVN) had brought sanity to the sale of foreign exchange at the Bureau de

Change (BDC) segment. He said that the CBN directive to BDC operators to take down BVN of all customers interested in purchasing foreign exchange had enabled the apex bank to track illicit financial flow in and out of the country. He said also that the policy was already bearing fruit as naira continues to appreciate at the BDC segment.

that seeks to create new millionaires as the marketing team of Dangote Cement explained the process of participating in the promo. In the same vein, the Director General of KACCIMA, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad Mustafa, hailed the Dangote Group for the sponsorship and for supporting the growth of businesses in Kano State. “Dangote Group is our major sponsor. We want to commend Alhaji Aliko Dangote for helping businesses to grow in Kano State and by extension the whole of Nigeria,” he said. Alhaji Mustafa expressed optimism that this year’s trade fair, with the Theme: Improving Products Quality and Packaging to Competitiveness for the Attainment of Sustainable Economic Growth, is seeing a higher patronage. He said as usual the West African countries are participating. Other countries that are participating, according to him, include India, Poland, Pakistan, Turkey and Argentina, among others. Companies from the Dangote Group that are on ground at the fair include Dangote Sugar Refinery, NASCON Allied Industries Plc (Dangote Salt), Dangote Cement Plc, and Dansa Foods Limited among others. Some of the products being displayed at the fair include Dangote sugar, Dangote Cement, Dangote salt, DanQ seasoning, tomato paste, various ranges of fruit juice products and bottled water from Dansa Foods. Dangote Sugar will be offering customers different sizes of granulated sugar packs at the fair. A statement from Corporate Communications Department of the Dangote Group said the fair has become a veritable avenue for the display of innovative products of the Dangote products and that visitors to the group pavilion will have the opportunity of buying the products at discounted prices.

Women entrepreneurs meet FCMB, assured of more support The Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr Ladi Balogun, has urged Nigerian women to take advantage of the opportunities provided by various initiatives of the government and the bank in the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) space to enhance their well-being and that of the country. He assured that the bank would continue to deepen its support to existing and upcoming women-owned SMEs through increased lending, capacity building, advisory and value-added products as well as service deliveries that would enhance customer experience. Mr Balogun made these known while speaking at a capacity building session on Wednesday, in Lagos, which was organised by

FCMB for women entrepreneurs on the N220 billion Central Bank of Nigeria intervention meant for SMEs’ development. The programme was in partnership with WEConnect International and Poize Magazine. FCMB is one of the financial institutions appointed to disburse the fund which requires that 60 per cent of it should be channeled to women-owned businesses. So far, the Bank which grants over 20,000 monthly loans to individuals and companies and over 2,000 women-owned businesses (non-collateralised lending), has disbursed over N1.7billion to SMEs in the intervention scheme. The capacity building session was attended by women entrepreneurs who operate in various sectors of the economy. It is part of FCMB’s strategies to reach

out to the operators and educate them on how to access the fund, and equip them with relevant skills to take their business to greater heights. The development formed part of the bank’s contributions to the growth of SMEs and promote financial inclusion. According to Mr Balogun, “we recognise the role of women in the society and their capacity to drive growth. It is gladdening to note that a lot of women-owned businesses are performing creditably well and their impact is being felt in the country with regards to job creation, economic empowerment and other benefits. We are committed to supporting these businesses with our innovative solutions as an inclusive lender and a true partner in progress.”

Friday, 27 November, 2015

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Friday, 27 November, 2015

Release Kanu unconditionally, Uwazuruike tells FG Joe Nwachukwu -Owerri

EADER of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has passionately appealed to the Federal Government to unconditionally release of Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. He made the appeal on Thursday, while addressing scores of loyalists and friends of MASSOB, who stormed Owerri, the Imo State capital, for the third anniversary of death of Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu. Notable personalities that honoured the event were Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, Dr Fredrick Fasehun, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, who was the special guest of honour, Alhaji Yerima Shetima; president, Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Professor Alu Danladi, Ambassador John Fashanu, Alhaji Abdullahi Zaria, Alhaji Sale Hassan, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu, Alhaji Zallari Bello and Alhaji Aminu Gwaru, among others. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Uwazuruike urged the Federal Government to ignore their earlier empty threats, stressing

that if there was any group that should be feared in Nigeria, it was MASSOB. “We are not operating from any foreign country. The so-called Radio Biafra, London, was opened by MASSOB in London and Nnamdi Kanu appointed as the Director, after MASSOB had operated Voice of Biafra International in Washington DC for three years. The purpose of Radio Biafra London was to showcase the marginalisation of Ndigbo,” Uwazuruike he added. Speaking on the occasion, Major Al-Mustapha said he was able to learn a

lot from the late Ojukwu, especially his wisdom and capacity to understand issues an period in time. “I am not here to recall the circumstances that led to the three-year civil war in Nigeria, but I believe that it was our collective destiny to have had that war. “For now, it is unfortunate that the unity of purpose and sense of care to be our brothers’ keepers are still missing in our psyche and some people, instead of investing their resources here in the country, prefer to invest it abroad,” AlMustapha said.

NAFDAC staff union calls off one-week warning strike Bola Badmus -Lagos WORKERS Union of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday, announced that it has called off the oneweek national warning strike embarked by members of staff of the agency. The staff were ordered to embark on a warning strike, following the failure of National Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to review their monthly allowance.

Speaking during a press conference in Lagos, the chairman, Federal Area Council (FAC) of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Comrade Ibrahim Isah, said the workers would resume today, following a resolution. He, however, added that they were giving the government more time to review their allowances, failure of which the workers would embark on indefinite strike to press home their demand.

Friday, 27 November, 2015

HE book “MY MARCH THROUGH PRISON” authored by the Avatar, the late Papa Obafemi Awolowo is dedicated to “all those who courageously and steadfastly stood by me and my wife through all our trials and tribulations from 1962 to 1966”. Those years were indeed the tempestuous years of the politics of Nigeria as they affected Papa Obafemi Awolowo, the Action Group party that he led and his country Nigeria. Both husband and wife faced the political problems with equal minds and they succeeded in ensuring the survival of Nigeria from the dark days. About 48 hours ago, Mama H.I.D Awolowo the Matriarch of the Obafemi Awolowo political dynasty was committed to mother earth, exactly the very day she was born, on 25th, November 1915. The remains of Mama H.I.D lie buried near her husband and a wonderful era was concluded. She was a great woman. Super stories and controversies trailed Mama H.I.D’s life just the same way as they had featured in her husband’s life. Mama was unique in the way and manner she faced and solved these challenges. One of such was the formation of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) which today exists as one of the formidable groups in the politics of Yorubaland within the federation of Nigeria. Recently, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a leading leader of the Papa Obafemi Awolowo school of politics granted an interview for a Nigerian newspaper where he had stated that he (Adebanjo) disagreed with the establishment of the Yoruba Unity Forum by Mama H.I.D. It was Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s opinion that Mama instead of forming the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) should have united the Afenifere group. The interview was done after the death of Mama H.I.D Awolowo. Let it be said that Mama while alive was never apologetic or pretentious in her efforts and drive to establish the YUF. Mama justified her contention for the existence of the YUF and did everything to show that the principal aim of getting the group on was to ensure the Unity of purpose of Yoruba groups in their operations within the federation of Nigeria. YUF came after all genuine efforts of Mama to effect peace within the Afenifere movement and to refocus the group as the authentic leader of Yoruba Opinion in Nigeria. Mama’s efforts at ensuring peace in Nigeria were sabotaged by powerful forces inside and outside the Afenifere movement. Notable political leaders of the Afenifere group did not show interest in Mama H.I.D’s peace drives. When people like Bola Tunubu and co showed up at Ikenne, it was to let Mama know that their group had severed all relationship with the Afenifere leadership. Besides, the Afenifere group itself religiously believed in the politics of exclusiveness. Some people were just not wanted in the group. Everything was done by the Afeniferes to block the political participation of some people from the operations of the group. This is not the time to attempt a reconstruction of the events of those times. The full story will be told one day. The younger members of the Afenifere group wanted a situation that permitted the participation of all persons in the affairs of the group but some leaders simply did not support the yearnings and aspirations of the younger folks. History will justify all the efforts of younger people like Yinka Odumakin, Omololu, Atere, and others in the above story told. It was right inside these controversies that Mama H.I.D called a Conferences of Yorubas at Ikenne and established the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF). We cannot also forget to remark that a national newspaper attacked viciously Mama H.I.D’s person during those controversies. Mama H.I.D remained calm while the controversies lasted. When the Yoruba Unity Forum was formed, Mama H.I.D became its leader. Bishop Gbonigi was immediately named her assistant, Archbishop Ladigbolu a retired clergyman of the Methodist Church of Nigeria and a prince of Oyo town emerged as an Assistant Leader to Bishop Gbonigi. The Yoruba Unity Forum also had an Engineer, Tony Adefuye as its Secretary General. At the Conference in which the YUF emerged, Mama H.I.D made it clear that the Yoruba Unity Forum was not a political association or a political party. The group was to ensure the unity of the Yoruba people within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mama stressed that all members of the YUF must never use the forum to advance the cause or interests of political parties within the group. While Engineer Tony Adefuye who emerged as the Secretary of the group is today an active supporter of the APC, many other members belong to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties. Mama believed until she died that it was a duty of genuinely motivated Yoruba people to ensure that the Yorubas are treated and respected as members of a united Nigerian federation. She went ahead to provide a space within the large compound of the Awolowo in Ikenne for the activities of the Yoruba Unity Group. The YUF later merged with other prominent organisa-

With

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Mama HID Awolowo and the YUF

•Mama HID Awolowo

tions in Nigeria to form the Southern Nigeria Peoples’ Assembly (SNPA). The Southern Nigeria Peoples’ Assembly has remained a major force in the stabilisation of Nigeria as one indivisible and united Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has Papa Edwin Clark, Bishop Gbonigi and Dr. Alex Ekwueme as its leaders. Briefly put, the above was how the Yoruba Unity Forum was formed by Mama H.I.D. It was a visionary move which will stand to the credit of the old woman for a long time to come. Today Mama H.I.D Awolowo is gone! She can, however, never be forgotten. She was a woman who refused in all her activities beside her husband to compromise the TRUTH of events. She rejected falsehood and she distanced herself from issues that have no relevance with patriotism and loyalty. When Papa Obafemi Awolowo died in 1987 and Mama had travelled to London for a rest, she was visited by a former British official in Nigeria to pay his condolence. The former British official did not forget in asking Mama during his visit “who was now to take over the political leadership of her husband’s organisation.” Mama simply laughed as she remembered fully well the antics of British colonialism and imperialism. Mama was a patriot to the very end. Papa Obafemi Awolowo quoted the following passage in Henry VI, Part 2 by Shakespeare in introducing his book “MY MARCH THROUGH PRISON” :“What stronger breast place than a heart undaunted!, Thrice is the arm, Oh that hath his quarrel just, And he but naked, Though locked up in steel, Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted”.

“THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH” – Romans 1:17. Mama, GOOD-NIGHT and GOODBYE! CONGRATS REV. (MRS.) TOLA OYEDIRAN AT 75 In a few days time, Rev. (Mrs.) Tola Oyediran (nee Awolowo) will turn 75. Sister Tola and Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu are the children of Papa and Mama Awolowo that we will be meeting and chatting with now until biological process of human development starts to send us off one by one. Both Papa and Mama Awolowo are gone and are now with God our Creator and Saviour. Reverend (Mrs.) Tola Oyediran is a good woman, a great mother and a wonderful mobiliser. Sister Tola is the wife of Professor Oyediran, a Medical Doctor who was once the ViceChancellor of the prestigious University of Ibadan. Political Panorama appreciates most sincerely our Sister Reverend (Mrs.) Tola Oyediran. We will be writing fully on her very soon. On December 1, this Godly woman will turn 75. From the elaborate and great burial given to Mama H.I.D Awolowo, it will be seen that Sister Tola fully carries in her venom the blood of Immortal Awo. On December 4, we will remember our own Wole Awolowo, the UNBREAKABLE of the Unbreakable Heritage who would have turned 73 were he to be alive. We say again, congratulations on Rev. (Mrs.) Tola Oyediran’s 75th birthday! You Live Oh Jeremiah!! EBINO TOPSY – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE) NEXT WEEK PROFESSOR ‘TUNDE ADENIRAN AT 70 (BOOK YOUR COPTY IN ADVANCE).

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Friday, 27 November, 2015

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letterstribune@yahoo.com or by sms to 08055001747 or 08054005323. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

Why study of politics is important

OLITICS is the theory and practice of influencing other people. More narrowly, it refers to achieving and exercising positions of governance-organised control over a human community, particularly a state. Furthermore, politics is the study or practice of the distribution of power and resources within a given community as well as the interrelationship(s) between communities. The study of political science is however very useful and valuable. Its knowledge is essential and useful to both the ruler and the ruled. However, the primary aim of the study of political science is to inculcate knowledge of the state, its origin, nature, structure and functions. Knowledge about the state is of great significance to modern man. State can be defined

as a group of people inhabiting a specified territory, who live according to common political and legal authority. It can also be defined as a body of polity. The administrators, political leaders and diplomats, who conduct the affairs of the state, also require sound knowledge of political science in order to perform their functions with efficiency. An administrator who has no knowledge of political science is bound to be a failure. The principles and norms established in the scholars in political science are of immense utility and value to the executives, legislators and judges. Political science is said to be a science of statesmanship and leadership. In order to know what is happening in the world around us at least an elementary knowledge of political science is necessary. In the

modern age an individual cannot live an isolated life. Each country has to maintain relations with other countries of the world. The study of political science makes people to be conscious of their rights

and duties. It also makes them vigilant; unless the citizens of a country are vigilant, alert, intelligent and patriotic, there is no possibility of successful working of democracy in that country. It has been

rightly said that ‘’eternal vigilance is the price of to pay for liberty.’’ As Nigerians we should be conversant with what is going on in the country politically; as such, we can fight for our rights when

politicians do the wrong things or are not living up to the task before them. •Yusuff Adedamola Ridwan, Dept of Political Science Osun State University (Okuku campus).

sionary leader, and I urge Nigerians to support him. I, hereby, call on Nigerians to stop criticising the president, but should help him in finding solutions to our problems. Conclusively, I am writing this as a concerned citizen, and more so, I want to change people’s mentality about the president’s ten-

ure. We should pray that God will give him divine strength, wisdom and courage to lead us to the land of fulfillment.

Economy: Buhari needs time It is not the cook’s fault when the cassava turns out to be hard and tasteless; when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion. Only a wise man can solve a difficult problem. No matter how long the night, the day is sure to come. It is no delight that the country is experiencing great economic challenges at this moment. We, therefore, can’t expect President Muhammadu Buhari to correct the wrongs of the past, which

have dragged Nigeria into various bondage of economic crises in just six month. President Buhari and his cabinet are working to rescue the country from the economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians. I wonder why Nigerians cannot be patient for the present administration; we should help Buhari and not criticise him. Let there be a stop to the saying that Buhari wants to run a one-man show. President Buhari is a vi-

•Ojejimi Damilola, Mass Communication Dept, The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

HID: My heroine Mama, despite the fact that you have gone to be with the Lord, what you are to me has not changed. You are still my heroine, model and respected mother of O’dua descent. You remain a source of inspiration and strength to me. Whenever I remember that the Almighty God gave me the privilege of sharing November 25th of every year with you, I praise Him. I am happy to be born on November 25, the same day and month with you, Papa’s Jewel of inestimable value. I tap from the grace, strength, industry, longevity, values and virtues, you embodied, while here and strive all the time to have them in very large measures. Mama, whenever I am faced with any challenge, I reason that you had also passed through such before, and that was why you went on to become great and successful; I then draw strength to fight on to victory. I am spiritually and eternally connected to you and your stoicism. Mama, once, I visited Ikenne, stood across the road and watched with great admiration and reverence, the modest home you lived in with Papa, I concluded that you were both rare gems and great

gifts to humanity. Aside from sharing the same birthday with you, Papa Awolowo gave me the opportunity to enjoy free education (Secondary School), through Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the then Governor of Lagos State. For me, this is a timeless and an ageless relationship with you and your lovely family. You will remain in my heart always, adored and respected. As Nigerians bade you farewell, I joined them to celebrate you and pray to live a good and successful life, like you. Adieu, Yeye Oodua, my heroine and inspirer. •Ndidi Okafor, Lagos.

On Kogi guber crisis THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State should just make James Faleke the governorship candidate of the party. Bringing in another person to replace the late Abubakar Audu will be unfair, particularly to the Kabba people in the state. Anything short of Faleke should make the Kabba people dump the APC entirely. •Nelson Ekwale, Benin.

editorial

Friday, 27 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

The exit of Lamorde

HE recent change of guard at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with the approval of the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as the Acting Chairman by President Muhammadu Buhari to replace Ibrahim Lamorde who has been asked to proceed on his terminal leave, should ordinarily not attract attention if not because of the notoriety the cankerworm of corruption has attained in Nigeria with the EFCC positioned as one of the organs of government that could counter it. Incidentally, the new government of President Buhari has also made the frontal fight against corruption one of the priorities and cornerstones of its rule such that Nigerians are expecting the cankerworm to be dealt with seriously under the current government. It is perhaps therefore appropriate, to point out that the government has managed to not thrust itself into any controversy with the removal of Lamorde given that he would be completing his term by proceeding on terminal leave. In the controversy-soaked Nigerian political environment, many would have questioned the rationale for Lamordeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s removal outside of clearcut indictment with such impugning the anticorruption process. It is also on record that Lamorde has been summoned by the Senate on the strength of a petition against him on the corrupt utilisation of the proceeds of the anti-corruption crusade, which process has not come to any significant level. We believe that the law in Nigeria is to presume everybody innocent until proven guilty and we would, therefore, support the position of the government to ask Lamorde to proceed on his terminal leave without prejudice to any new finding on him in the future which would be addressed as appropriate then. In the same vein, we believe that Lamordeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exit at the EFCC presents the current government with the platform to put into effect its own organisational vision of proceeding with the anti-corruption fight as it has the chance to appoint a new Chairman reflecting its preferred mode of operation of the

EFCC. To be sure, there have been suggestions about the slowing down of the activities of the EFCC under Lamorde even with Lamorde insisting that under his watch, the organisation was only more concerned with following due process and appropriate procedures without undermining the fight against corruption. The issue is that the new government has an opportunity now to start afresh with its own appointee to reflect the kind of importance it attaches to the fight on corruption. Perhaps this is what informed the appointment of only an Acting Chairman for the EFCC for now, to give the president the opportunity of casting the net wide to get the kind of candidate he wants even as he also has the chance of assessing the performance of Mr Magu in the same regard. Nonetheless, we want to emphasise that the opportunity presented by the exit of Lamorde should also not become an invitation to overzealous activities on the part of the officers of the EFCC in the desire to impress the President or show him that the organisation is turning a new leaf under the new management. It is important to realise that whereas Nigerians are desirous of a reenergised fight against corruption, this has to be within the confines of the law in order for it not to become witch-hunting and another form of corruption. Nigerians have elected to have for themselves a democratic system of government which emphasises the rule of law and strict regard for due process. This means that all activities of government and governance would have to take place within the parameters of democracy including the fight against corruption. Indeed, what Nigerians are looking for is a demonstration of the right kind of tenacity in the fight against corruption without sacrificing the essence of democracy and the rule of law. We would expect that the change of guard at the EFCC would herald the realisation of such a dream as the new management comes to terms with the task of invigorating the war on corruption while still respecting the rights of Nigerians who could have cases with and under the investigation of the organisation.

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opinion

Friday, 27 November, 2015

Secured Lagos, Ambode’s priority By Kayode Olopade

OR a cosmopolitan state like Lagos, it is unexpected to experience a lot of insecurity as often witnessed in city-states across the world but the good news is that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, as a compassionate leader that has the love of, and security of lives and property of his people at heart, has mapped out different plans to ensure Lagos is secured 24 hours. Though, it is strange to hear that there is little 30,000 policemen deployed to police over 22 million residents in the state, but that notwithstanding, efforts are being made by the proactive governor to institute 24/7 communication channels by which security operatives can be reached for prompt response to security in addition to other agenda being propounded by the governor to ensure maximum security in this centre of excellence. Against the aforementioned, I think it is too early to start passing uncomplimentary remarks to a government of just 4 months in office with vibrant and innovative ideas of moving the state forward. Let us calm down and be assured that a safer Lagos, where everybody would be sleeping with their two eyes closed, was what Governor Ambode promised us in his inaugural speech and that has been what he has been planning both day and night to install in Lagos. That notwithstanding, the Governor has decided to handle governance without any molestation and force, hence his directive to officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), not to impound vehicles but do their work of enforcement with human face and not harassing members of the public in the cause of enforcing laws because according to him, the people and residents of the state are not animals but rationale human being, and so should be treated as such. All that the governor has been trying to do is to attest to the fact that the era of dictatorial leadership is over but should treat ourselves with respect. The governor has stated it times without number that he will adopt ‘continuity with improvement approach’ to governance in the state.

“All what I told LASTMA and VIS officials are to treat everybody with respect and employ rule of law to the letter. I didn’t tell them not to do their work as being speculated in some quarters. But that doesn’t mean that the residents too should take law into their hands and be violating it. However, anybody found wanting or disturbing the public peace, what I told the law enforcements agents was to handle them with care and taken them to where he/she would be dealt with as stated by law,” Ambode said. The traffic situation has further been worsened by the fact that over the past few weeks, more than 3, 000 tankers visit Lagos to lift fuel, and this is where the Federal Government must really come in by doing the needful. To Ambode, everybody counts as encapsulated in his inaugural speech when he said;”As we collectively face the challenge to make Lagos a better place to live in, we must recognize our strength in diversity, a common national identity where everybody counts,” he said. In essence, the job of securing Lagos should not be put in the hand of government alone, but be taken as the job of all so that

collectively we all have a safer and secured Lagos. However, the little being witnessed could just be taken as the replica of what is associated with the cosmopolitan city like Lagos where people from various tribe, nations and creed are trooping in on daily basis with different motives. Please tell me how many of these illegal immigrants would be known by the government? That is the reason why Lagosians must take it upon themselves to support the government by reporting any suspicious people to the appropriate authority for necessary action. Moreover, the aftermath of any general elections is also a contributory factor where according to statistics; all politicians usually explore all avenues to put candidates of their choice in power, including procuring various arms and ammunitions for their political thugs. The same arms and ammunition are used by the thugs to commit all sorts of crime after the electioneering period when their services are no longer needed by the politicians. In the event that such candidate fails to win the election, he would be too busy ruminating over his loss of the election than the recollection of the procured ammunitions from the so called political thugs. That is the replica of what is being witnessed on the street of Lagos and other cosmopolitan cities. However, we should all be aware that governance is about systematic evolution and positive coordination. Ambode is ready to overhaul security situation in the state where all would be involved in eradicating crime in the state. Recently, at Third Mainland Bridge and all black spots in the metropolis, men of the Rapid Response Squad and Lagos State Task Force, as well as the Governor’s Monitoring Team (GMT) have been combing several places suspected of harbouring the hoodlums and criminals at nights. On our part as citizens, let us also assist the government to succeed by voluntarily complying with the laws of the land and reporting any suspicious activity around us to security agencies. •Olopade wrote in from Alausa, Lagos.

The Yoruba and ‘twins cult’ By Adeleke Fasilat Bibitayo

The Yoruba are a major African ethnic group and are wellknown for their traditional belief in twins as important beings. Twins biologically occurred when two sperms fertilise two eggs simultaneously or an egg is fertilised by a sperm and the zygote formed divides into two cells. In Yoruba tradition, it is mythical and it is believed that some supernatural powers surround their births. This leads to deification of twins into “twins cult” (Orisha Ibeji) a deity that is well honoured and respected by Yoruba traditional believers. Twins birth is a universal concept and occurs globally, but the Yoruba of Nigeria are known for having an extra-ordinarily high rate of multiple births. The rate of twins births among the Yoruba is one of the highest in the world. It is estimated that in every 1,000 births 45% would be twins compared to United States of America where in every 1,000 births only 2 8.9 per cent are twins. In fact the Yoruba town of Igboora boasts an average of 150 twins in every 1,000 births and is therefore considered Nigeria’s and world’s capital of twins. Some researchers have speculated that the large consumption of yams, which contains estrogenic substances is responsible for the high rate of twins in Yoruba land, the truth is that there is yet to be a scientifically proven explanation for this phenomenon. Afler all the intakes of yams among other Nigerians and West Africans is no less frequent than it is among the Yoruba. The high birth rate of twins combined with the high infant mortality rate are thought to have brought about a natural reverence for twins. However, the legends of the Yoruba tell otherwise; twins were not always revered by the Yoruba people because they believe that twins were evil, monstrous and abnormal and infanticide was a common practice then, especially among the poor families where the birth rate is even higher. This is done to ease family financial burdens. However, when twins of the wealthy families began to die, the Yoruba leaders became concerned and consulted Ifa. Through divination, Ifa discovered the killing of the twins was offending Shango, the god of Thunder. The oracle informed Ifa that the mother of twins must dance to the spirit of the twins every five days in the market places to appease their spirits. However, such beliefs and practices were superceded

and reversed and the birth of twins came to be seen as a blessing and extremely beneficial to the family. They were, therefore awarded status of minor deities called Orishas, and their arrival was viewed as omen of good fortune for the family. By the 19th century the cult of “Ere Ibeji” was firmly established and continued till today. The death of one or both twins is regarded as a calamity for the family one which requires immediate appeasement of the soul of the deceased twin. Traditionally, when twins are born, the parents would visit a Babalawo (father of mysteries) three days after their birth to find out their wishes and to seek the blessings of the Babalawo. The Babalawo drives out any evil spirit that may harm the children and educates the parents on how to raise them. This includes among others instructions on the colour and type of clothing or jewelery to wear on them, the foods that they should eat and the animals they should avoid. In Yoruba land, the first of the twins to be born is traditionally named Taiyewo or Tayewo which means ‘the first to taste the world’. This is often shortened to Taiwo or Taye. The last born twin is called Kehinde. These are what could be called “celestial” Yoruba names; names given due to birth circumstances. It is believed that Kehinde sends Taiwo to check out what life is like on earth and to tell him or her whether it is good. Therefore, Taiyewo goes as sent by Kehinde and becomes the first child to be born. He or she then communicates to Kehinde spiritually (believed to be from the way he cries) whether life is going to be good or not. The reply determines if Kehinde will be born alive or still born. Both return to where they came from if the reply from Taiyewo is not good enough for both of them. The Yoruba traditionally say that Kehinde is the true elder of the twins despite being the

last to be born because ‘he sent Taiyewo on an errand,’ a prerogative of one’s elders in Yoruba land — Kehinde is therefore referred to as Omokehindegbegbon (which means ‘the child that came last becomes the elder’). In Yoruba tradition, each person is one soul in the long line of ancestral souls, twins are complex, sharing the same soul but one of the two is thought to have the spiritual half of the soul while the other has the mortal half. As stated above, the Yoruba believe that both twins share one soul, so if one dies at a young age, the balance of the soul is upset and thrown into disarray. The death rate of twin children is very high in Africa, on account of this, a ritual is carried out to re-establish harmony and balance between the souls. To do this, the Babalawo would direct a renowned carver to sculpt a small figure that symbolises the dead child. In the rare instance that both twins die, the carver recreates two figures. After the carver completes his task, the souls of the dead twins are transported into the figures and housed there. These figures are called “Ere Ibeji” which means “the sacred image of twins”. Ibeji figures are believed to possess as much powers as the twins they represent and are therefore treated with tremendous respect. Like real children, the Ere Ibeji are fed, bathed, clothed and taken to market places. These actions are intended to please the soul of the deceased twin so that he or she will bring good fortune to the family and also return to the mother again. Ere Ibeji are particularly special to the mothers who pamper them and keep them close to their beds. Occasionally rubbing them with red wood powder in order to give them a glossy look. They are caressed frequently and their birthdays are celebrated with rituals and prayers. Caring for the Ere Ibeji is the mother’s responsibility. If the mother eventually dies, Ifa is consulted. Ifa summons the spirit of Ibeji to ask what should happen to Ere Ibeji, sometimes, Ibeji spirit will order the figure to be buried with the mother, other times, the figure is passed to another family member to be cared for. If the surviving twin happens to be a girl she is in the best position to take over the care of the Ere Ibeji when she becomes of age. •Adeleke is of the National Museum, Ibadan.

Friday, 27 November, 2015

fridaytreat

Nigerian Tribune

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636

MUSIC BUSINESS 101

Tips for music business success

I ‘cook’ music to inspire joy in my listeners — Ketchup

DGV/Ibadan Fashion Institute to stage ‘Dress for Less’ event

Emmanuel TV debuts on DSTV First Female Car Winner Emerges In Gulder’s Ultimate Promo

fridaytreat

Friday, 27 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

MUSIC BUSINESS 101

here is an ongoing argument within the digital domain about the need to “degrade” the terms and conditions of copyright laws as it is presently constituted. The proponents of this arguments claims that copyright laws does not promote creativity on a larger scale, that it in fact stifles creativity especially in the context of the Internet and social media usage of creative works. It is a known fact that music and entertainment is the major driver of digital technology and commerce. Many online based business empires were built on or are driven by consumers’ affinity for the consumption of entertainment content. These contents are the conscious creation of individuals for whom the copyright law provides protection to encourage more creativity and the right to profit from their works. ASCAP notes that “Those working in the digital arena in particular are aware of the tremendous appeal of music and other creative content. Many popular sites and services - from MySpace, to YouTube, to Google - rely on music to attract consumers and build their business models (often based on the sale of advertising). Yet in many cases, these are the same entities testing the boundaries of copyright law.” So, in other words, these powerful businesses are building their global empire on the creative contents of artistes/musicians which attracts consumers to this various platforms, but they are not interested in compensating the creators of the works. It is in the interest of every creative worker such as artistes/musicians to educate themselves about their rights as constitutionally provided by the copyright law. To this effect, ASCAP released a “Bill of Rights” for ar-

tistes and musicians similar to constitutional rights which is stated below, I strongly recommend for all artistes/musicians to read and understand their fundamental musical rights. 1. We have the right to be compensated for the use of our creative works, and share in the revenues that they generate. 2. We have the right to license our works and control the ways in which they are used. 3. We have the right to withhold permission for uses of our works on artistic, economic or philosophical grounds. 4. We have the right to protect our creative works to the fullest extent of the law from all forms of piracy, theft and unauthorized use, which deprive us of our right to earn a living based on our creativity. 5. We have the right to choose when and where our creative works may be used for free. 6. We have the right to develop, document and distribute our works through new media channels - while retaining the right to a share in all associated profits. 7. We have the right to choose the organizations we want

Many online based business empires were built on or are driven by consumers’ affinity for the consumption of entertainment content.

to represent us and to join our voices together to protect our rights and negotiate for the value of our music. 8. We have the right to earn compensation from all types of “performances,” including direct, live renditions as well as indirect recordings, broadcasts, digital streams and more. 9. We have the right to decline participation in business models that require us to relinquish all or part of our creative rights - or which do not respect our right to be compensated for our work. 10. We have the right to advocate for strong laws protecting our creative works, and demand that our government vigorously uphold and protect our rights. ASCAP further emphasised that: • The creative people who bring vital art forms like music to life have a right to share in the profits generated by their work and earn a living from uses of their work. • The protection of copyright in the musical realm is ultimately for the benefit of the creator who hopes to make a living from his or her talent and passion to create. • Without this protection, many who dream of focusing their talents and energies on music creation will be economically unable to do so. This will mean music lost both today and to future generations - as well as an overall diminishing of the diverse artistic expressions today’s fans of music have come to expect. I believe this bill of right is universal in its importance and application to the musical career success of artistes and musicians generally. More than the development of musical talents, having a knowledge of the rights that belongs to every artiste/ musician according to the provisions of the copyright law is key. It is rather shameful to see artistes and musicians out there struggling to invest in the development of their musical career and yet are ignorant of their fundamental rights under the copyright law.

First Female Car Winner emerges in Gulder’s Ultimate promo Gulder lager premium beer, manufactured by Nigerian Breweries Plc., has made good its promise of giving out 15 brand new Hyundai Elantra cars to lucky consumers in the 2015 edition of the Gulder national consumer promotion. The 15th brand new Hyundai Elantra car was won by AyobamiOgundeji, a 35 year old hair dresser from Osun State. Incidentally, it marked the first time a female would win a car in the Gulder Ultimate Promo as the 14 previous brand new Hyundai Elantra cars had been driven away by men. Mrs. Ogundejiemerged the star prize winner at the last electronic raffle draw of this year’s edition of Gulder national consumer promotion which was held at the Sweet Garden Bar in Onitsha, Anambra. The highly elated wife and mother stated that she was shocked when she received the phone call informing her of her good fortune. She said: “When I received the call that I was the winner of the brand new Hyundai Elantra car, I did not believe at first. It was after I was informed that I won the car courtesy of the Gulder Ultimate Promo that it dawned on me that it was genuine. It has been celebration galore in my house with my husband and my children ever since I received the good news.” Mrs. Ogundeji, who also sells beer, said she learnt about the consumer promotion from her customers who helped in sending the alphanumeric numbers under the crown corks to the stipulated Gulder short code. She said: “My customers told me that Gulder was giving loyal consumers of the brand the opportunity of winning fabulous prizes, including a brand new car. They were the ones who helped me to send the crown cork codes to the stipulated Gulder short code. I sent more than 13 crown cork entries with my phone. Even though I didn’t expect to win anything and despite the fact that N10 was being deducted per SMS, I did not mind. I kept on drinking Gulder and I continually asked them to keep sending the codes.” Mrs. Ogundeji stated that the car would greatly turn her life around. She noted: “My husband is a driver. He owns a bus and a car. These vehicles are for commercial use. I will park this car in front of my

shop so that anyone passing by will see the joy that Gulder has brought to my life. The car is for me.” Other winners who emerged at the raffle draw were Thlama Buba and Ejike Okelom who won N200,000 and N100,000 cash prizes respectively; while Ugwoche Uroko won a television set. Aloysious Aiyebelehin and Vandi Musa both won N50,000 shopping vouchers while Ifeanyi Okonkwo and Gency Bature both won home theatres. David Louis and Tochukwu Aruah both won refrigerators. Christian Obinna and Christiantus Eyo won 2.5 KVA generators. The previous day, Esedi Joe David, a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, won

the Onitsha edition of the Gulder Ultimate Chase. The Micro Biology graduate edged out close to 1,200 contestants who turned up at the Achebe Stadium, to compete for the brand new Hyundai Elantra car. The 23 year old who had earlier competed unsuccessfully at the Ultimate Chase in Owerri and Calabar stated that he competed in the Onitsha leg with the confidence that he would win. Speaking on his experience, Esedi said: “I was at Owerri but I was unsuccessful. I also tried my luck in Calabarwithout winning. I arrived at the stadium yesterday and I slept on the field because there was nowhere for me to sleep. I was stressed, but

I endured till the morning and I was also famished. When the race started, I almost fainted, but I ran all through. But thank God I am the winner of the brand new Hyundai Elantra car.” Even though Esedi was at the venue of the Port Harcourt leg of the Ultimate Chase, he could not participate because he did not have the six crown corks that would have granted him entry. Esedi stated that he would have been stranded in Onitsha had he not won the car as he had no dime on him, having expended the N1,500 which he loaned from relatives on transportation from Port Harcourt to Onitsha.

DGV/Ibadan Fashion Institute to stage ‘Dress for Less’ event

Aderonke

The owners of the Ibadan Fashion Institute have announced their yearly event, ‘Dress for less’, a fashion charity/concert where clothes made by the students from the institute are sold for very affordable prices. According to the CEO, DGV/Ibadan Fashion Institute, Olubanjo Aderonke, the initiative is to cater to everyone’s fashion needs at an all low price. She said, “You can dress up well and spend less. That’s the goal. You don’t have to break the bank to look like a million dollars. ‘Dress for less’ is aimed at giving you class, quality and uncommon fashion at affordable prices. That’s why this year, we are stepping out differently. For those planning to resell, with just N5000, you can definitely buy enough to resell and make more. Ready-to-wear outfits will be available for as low as N500-N3500. The event will also parade a galaxy of musical stars, comedians and models from all over Nigeria. It is scheduled to hold on Saturday, December 19th, 2015.

society

Friday, 27 November, 2015

...celebrating the people

Nigerian Tribune

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

Pomp and glitz @ Mama HID’s burial party

Rev (Mrs) Tola Oyediran dancing to Chief Ebenezar Obey’s music.

Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran (left) dancing to King Sunny Ade’s music.

Prince Damola Aderemi dancing with Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran and Mrs Yemisi Subair.

Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Alhaja Sinat Aderoju Ojikutu and Chief (Mrs) Folake Solanke (SAN) dancing to Obey’s music.

Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu (middle) dancing with her guest.

From right, the wife of vice-president, Mrs Dolap Osibajo; the wife of Imo State govenor, Chief (Mrs) Nkechi Rochas Okorochas and the wife of Oyo State governor, Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi at a reception.

Yeye Oluremi Orefuwa dancing to Adewale Ayuba’s music.

Funke Awolowo dancing

Friday, 27 November, 2015

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

fridaytreat

‘I am not one to have a child outside wedlock’

In this interview with ROTIMI IGE, Ketchup talks about his personality, love for music and plans for music domination in the coming years.

HAT have you been up to in the last few months? I have been working hard pushing my new single ‘Pam pam’ and I am also working on releasing my next single and album next year. Tell us how your musical journey started... Music started for me like magic. One minute, I was a dancer and used to mime other people’s songs and then gradually the passion grew on me. I discovered that I started writing my own songs and dancing to them and before I knew it, I had made a monster hit and that was how I became a musician. I give all glory to God. Why the name, Ketchup? Ketchup used to be my name from a hype man job I once had in a club that I worked in before music started, so when music kicked off for me, I already had fans that loved the Ketchup brand so I simply stuck to it . And they are loving it till date. You are usually tagged a ladies’ man. Is this true? Well, I make sweet soft music and we all know that ladies love sweet things. So, I guess it is just about good music for the ladies and everyone else at the end of the day. PROFILE ONYIDO Nkemjika better known as ‘Ketchup’ born on May 1 in Lagos, Nigeria is the first of four siblings who drew his earliest inspirations 2face, Dbanj, Chris Brown, P diddy and a host of others. Ketchup had his secondary education at St Leos School and Federal Government College Ijanikin. He spent a few years at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, before he proceeded to Atlantic College, KL Malaysia, where he studied Mass Communications. While in School, Ketchup was always in touch with his music which spurred him to write his first song in 2010, titled Nuvo featuring U.K Disc Jockey ‘DJ jam jam’. The song went on to bag him an award at the prestigious Malaysian AEA Awards that year, while the video of the song ‘Nuvo’ went on to receive rave reviews. He later relocated to Nigeria and released another single, ‘On The Beat’ featuring Rayce in 2012. During this time, he met the talented producer, ‘EmmyACE’ and together, they created a new direction for Ketchup’s music and released the club banger, ‘Show Me Yuh Rozay’. He has won numerous award like Best stage performance – AEA Awards Malaysia 2011 – Won, Best Video of the Year – AEA Awards Malaysia 2011 – Won, Artist of the year – AEA Awards Malaysia 2012 – Won, Best international Act – NEA Awards New York 2012, Best new Act – NEA Awards New York 2013, Artist of the Year – Mayhem in May (MIM) Nigeria 2013 – Won, Artist of the Year – Green Awards Nigeria 2013 – Won, Club Flames Merit Awards – Club Hottest Music Artist 2013 Nigeria.

How do you cope with your female fans? My female fans show me love and I reciprocate. Some still think that I am a snob but the closer you get to the ketchup brand, the better you know I guess. Critics opine that male artistes are predisposed to having constant female attention, the reason for having children outside wedlock. Does Ketchup have a love child? Well, I don’t have any child yet and I have no plans of having any till I put a ring on a finger. What kind of woman appeals to you? Wow, she should be smart, independent, focused and I love a woman with a good heart. These things overwrite physical looks by a hundred.

Who are your mentors? 2face, D banj, Chris Brown, P diddy. What would you like to be remembered for/ what do you hope to achieve with your music? I want to be remembered for good vibes. I want to be remembered for making people happy every time I show up on stage or in a video. Every time people remember Ketchup they should remember happy moments and I hope to be able to spread as much positive vibe with my music; Music that cuts across all strata and barriers. That kind of music that you listen to and you feel you are bigger than your worries so you just dance and have a great time.

date I remember humility and appreciating everything I have. As a kid, I loved to be creative, I used to draw, sing on my way to school and I loved to play football at the time. But family values always topped my list even though I don’t get as much time to spend with them like I used to. However, I always make sure that every time we link up, it is a magical and worthwhile experience.

Do you write your songs? Yes, I do and I sometimes lean out for help every now and then.

How did your parents take the news of you wanting to become a professional musician? (Laughs) My father was the proudest. My mother already saw it coming because she knew I loved entertainment from the onset. They were happy as long as it was my passion. They have been very supportive and I am eternally greteful for all they have done to support me.

Tell us about your growing up years and memories of early life... My parents moved around a lot. My mother is Yoruba and my father is Igbo. I grew up in Lagos and though we weren’t born with silver spoon, my parents made sure the spoons we had, looked like they were made of gold so till

You are very energetic... define your personality. I’m the guy that brings good vibes. I am the guy that shows up and brings so much positivity to the screen. I’m the guy that has so much energy and good vibes to share with my people and make sure I do whenever I get the chance.

My parents moved around a lot. I grew up in Lagos and though we weren’t born with silver spoon, my parents made sure the spoons we had, looked like they were made of gold so till date I remember humility and appreciate everything I have.

Which song would you say brought you to limelight? Definately, it would be the hit, ‘Show me yuh rozay’. Should fans expect an album from you soon? Yes. Tell us about you fashion sense... I wake up and think, ‘what would Ketchup wear’ and I go ahead with any choice made. Most times, my people love my mode of dressing so I would say that I am fashionable. Favourite fashion accessory and how many do you own? Scarves and hats... I own a handful. Tell us something not many know about you... I don’t know how to cook...and I don’t like football as much as I used to.

Emmanuel TV debuts on DSTV

MULTICHOICE Africa has announced the addition of Emmanuel TV, a Christian television channel founded by T.B. Joshua, Pastor of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN). The channel has launched on the DStv and GOtv platforms yesterday, Thursday, 19 November 2015. Subscribers will get access to Emmanuel TV on DStv channel 390 and GOtv channel 82, bringing the ministry to the homes of viewers across Africa. The channel will air 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will bring to viewers inspirational sermons from Prophet T.B. Joshua alongside dramatic healings, deliverances, miracles and touching charitable projects. Since its beginning in 1993, The SCOAN has grown to become one of the most sought after Christian ministries across the world. The church’s television network, Emmanuel TV was established in 2006 and has been broadcasting worldwide with a viewership of over 100 million. Emmanuel TV is currently one of the most subscribed Christian channels on YouTube with over 250,000 active subscribers and nearly two million followers on Facebook. Emmanuel TV’s numerous videos online have amassed well over 200 million views. One of the highlights of the channel will be the live Sunday Service which will enable viewers to listen to the teachings of Prophet T.B. Joshua, as well as partake in the mass prayers with the congregation in Lagos, Nigeria. “The purpose of Emmanuel TV is to preach the Good News of salvation to all mankind. That is what we are born for; that is what we are living for and that is what we shall die for”, says Prophet T.B. Joshua. “Emmanuel TV is committed to changing lives, changing nations and changing the whole world through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. It has a message for the entire world and the message is quite simple: ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’. If people are to believe this, someone has to point the way and that is what Emmanuel TV is set to do.”

Tayeta, Alayuba for Akesan Day 2015

TWO leading musicians (Fuji and Traditional Musics) in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Taiwo Akanni and His Karori Fuji band, popularly called Tayeta and Olalekan Alayuba and His Ekute indigenous and traditional music a.k.a (Iwuri Omo of Remoland) will be on the bandstand to spice up this year’s grand finale of Akesan Day 2015 celebration on Saturday November 28, 2015, courtesy of Abata Club International. In a statement from Mr. Adeolu Adekoya, the Asiwaju Abata, the show will be graced by creme-de-la-crème of the society, like HRM Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo (JP) the Odoru 5, Oluperu of Iperu Remo, Sir. Dr. Kessington A. Adebutu (KAAF), Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu (Member House of Representatives), Femi Roleola (ICDA Committee Chairman). Others are Fass Karamson, Soyombo Sakiru (President, Ikorodu Fans Club of Tayeta), Chief Isiaka Talubi (Aseni Sofa Ore), Musiliu Raji Allybey, Siyege Afolabi (Afoo), Hon. Muyiwa Abdul, Hon. Tope Seidu, El-Hajj Nofiu Ibrahim Awoleiro, Engineer Sikiru Salami Ekuola, Erelu Taobat Oloyede (TAO Stores), El-Hajj Fatai Lanihu, Hon. Bukola Taofeek Buramo, Abbey Oluomo (Tollgate), El-Hajj Moshood Sulaimon (Ogun State ACOMORAN), Dr. Rahmon Ogunjembola-Omuyadun, among others. Both Tayeta and Alayuba have promised to enliven this year Akesan Day, with their unbeatable superb music, songs and beats, that will linger in the memory of those that attend the community carnival, which will also celebrate the 80th birthday of Sir. Dr. Kessington Adebutu (Baba Ijebu).

Password drops new single PATRICK Mathias, popularly known as Password is a Nigerian producer, song writer and singer. He has been active in the music industry for years and has decided it is time to bless the world with his music. His first offering ‘Amaghimo’ speaks of gratitude to God through the different seasons of life. According to Password, “When words become insufficient to articulate your deepest appreciation, just say ‘Amaghimo”. Password is working on his EP which will be announced in January 2016.

Friday, 27 November, 2015

travelpulse&m.i.c.e

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

Dubai Tourism rewards Nigerians As shopping festival gets exciting

s part of a diverse programme of activities to mark the 2016 Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Tourism has launched a competition rewarding Nigerians with exciting paid travel experiences to the city, to enjoy the festival in January. Tagged the “Dubai Shopping Festival Giveaway” promotion, Dubai plans to reward Nigerians who are keen travellers with thrilling shopping experiences in Dubai. Over the past decade, Dubai has developed into a leading shopping destination offering visitors a wealth of unique experiences and opportunities. Commenting on the promotion, Ms. Stella Obinwa, Regional Director – Africa at Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), said the promotion is an appreciation of Nigerians and their love of shopping in the emirate. “Over the years, Nigerians have demonstrated the desire to get the best in terms of products and hospitality. With this promotion, we are showcasing what Dubai offers in this regard,” said Obinwa. To qualify for the promotion, scheduled to run from 19 November until 1 December 2015, participants can visit leading travel agency websites Tour Brokers International and World N Traveland where there are multiple chances to win a trip to Dubai Shopping Festival 2016. They can also listen to the daily competition on Nigeria’s top radio stations from November 20 to 29, Raffle opportunities will also be announced for Lagos and Port Harcourt. All 200 winners will travel January 18 to 22, to the city that makes every shopping dream come true. Obinwa continued: “The prize consists of a three-night experience in Dubai from January 18 to 22, when the winners will enjoy extensive shopping experiences across the city and its world-famous malls. The package includes flights, tickets to some of Dubai Shopping Festival’s many events, hotel accommodation and visa application – all paid for

by Dubai Tourism. Dubai is a city that makes remarkable things happen, and our winners will have the opportunity to shop till they drop.” First launched in 1996, Dubai Shopping Festival has

grown to become one of the largest shopping, fashion and entertainment extravaganzas in the world, with exciting activities such as musical concerts, sports shows and fashion displays.

From left, the chairman, GPC Group of companies, Chukwundi Okonji, regional director, Lagos, First City Monument Bank, Mrs Bukola Smith and convener, Hanlage and Logistics Magazine Annual Conference and Exhibition, Mr Alfred Okugbemi, during the event held in Lagos, recently.

Golden Tulip Lagos Airport Hotel opens for business Golden Tulip Lagos Airport Hotel has opened for business after months of undergoing serious make over, swelling the ranks of hospitality outfits in Lagos. The former Woodridge Hotel, is now revamped to meet the International standard with local flavour, which is located in Ajao Estate, Isolo, is certainly a place where you would be spoilt for choice. The latest addition to Golden Tulip brand in Lagos and Nigeria, boasts a rich ambience, with inviting scenery while its facilities are luxuriously styled and its services

are tailored to cater for the discerning business and leisure travellers. It comes with some of the finest and most sophisticated hospitality gadgets, all exuding pomp and panache. Speaking on the mission of the newly opened hotel, the general manager, Vikas Kane, said that it is a choice property, which is devoted to the promotion of the highest standard and quality in hospitality, adding that patrons with rich life style and corporate bodies would find the hotel an exciting hideaway to savour the best of hos-

Sheraton Abuja Hotel launches buffet at Papillion Restaurant Sheraton Abuja Hotel has launched an additional venue for its buffet service at the hotel’s Continental Papillion Restaurant. The compelling buffet venue, which previously offered breakfast and dinner, is presently equipped to serve lunch for the hotel’s loyal customers and guests. At the recent lunch of the Restaurant’s buffet tagged Papillon Food-tasting Lunch, the General Manager of the hotel, Mr Nouman Irshad stated that the hotel initiated the food-tasting event as part of the re-introduction of an elevated lunch experience for our in-house guests and walk in customers. According to Nouman, “I am very pleased to announce to you the reopening of the Sheraton Abuja Papillon buffet, we can proudly say that our patrons are sure to expect an enriching food variety which will far exceed your culinary expectations. Located in the heart of the hotel, the very flexible restaurant combines an indoor fully air-conditioned eating area and an

outdoor, aerated patio where in-house and walk-in guests can enjoy breakfast lunch and dinner varieties with family, friends and associates. “The primary essence of providing our guests with both options of an indoor and outdoor venue is to present a dynamic and seamless dining experience where one can choose to enjoy their meal in the midst of pure nature and if you are an eco-friendly enthusiast, you can recharge your senses during lunch breaks where you can relax in-room, after your intense morning meetings or over a midday meal with friends and family. General Manager, Nouman Irshad summarily tells all potential patrons of the Papillion Restaurant “our food and beverage teams are constantly innovating and following current global food and beverage trends, which sets us apart in expertise in menu options and dining experiences.”

pitality services and entertainment. ‘‘Our hotel team is trained to be dedicated to satisfying our customers with International hospitality services, standard and local flavour. The team is highly motivated and determined to provide you with genuine warm hospitality services in accordance with the professional international Golden Tulip standards. You and your guests will surely feel at home at the Golden Tulip Lagos Airport Hotel where you experience “International Standard with Local Flavours,” said Kane. He disclosed that as an international brand that the hotel is committed to maintaining the high standard for which Golden Tulip is known across the globe, however, he insisted that the hotel offers a blend of local elements and flavours as well that visitors can easily relate with as the idea is to give the guests the best of the two worlds – international and local tastes. Golden Tulip Lagos Airport Hotel has 101 rooms of different categories - Standard, Diplomat and Club rooms, Junior and Club suites, all classically styled, luxuriously fitted and furnished with some of the best hospitality elements such as LCD flat screen, mini – bar, jacuzzi/bathroom, tea/coffee making amenities, large size comfy bed, wifi and complementary drinks among others. Other facilities include, a lounge, executive bar, restaurant, swimming pool with a pool bar and relaxation arcade, fully equipped fitness and health centre, an expansive banquet hall and meeting rooms as well as laundry and dry cleaning services, airport shuttle, concierge, 24 hours room service, 24 power supply and secured environment. The hotel is owned by GKO Properties, which is also the owner of Golden Tulip Warri Airport, which has 192 rooms and Golden Tulip Abuja Hotel with 375 rooms.

Friday, 27 November, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Okorocha Jude Ossai - Enugu

U “

NTIL his arrest and detention, many of us, Igbo leaders did not know about Nnamdi Kanu and his radio, and, we dare say, neither did most of the rest of the world. But with his arrest, the opposite has become the case. Our youths, many of whom were born more than 10 years after Biafra and who hardly thought of Biafra in mind, are now matching through our streets, unemployed and hungry for Biafra.” The above were the words of Chief Eke Ogburu Urum, an indigene of Abririba in Abia State, after reviewing the stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu on Sunday. His view spoke volumes of how an average Igbo man or woman perceives the on-going protests by members of the Movement for Actualisation for Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and other pro-Biafra agitators. Indeed, the meeting of South-East governors and stakeholders held on November 22, 2015, gave an indication that the activities of the pro-Biafra groups are becoming of serious concern to the authorities, including the Presidency. But how far the Igbo governors will go in pacifying the groups is another thing all together, as it appears that the move might be an exercise in futility unless the governors and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo agree to work in harmony. Already, a discordant tune has begun to rear its head between the South-East Governors Forum and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The emerging picture indicating that the governors have no confidence in the leadership of Ohanaeze came to the fore when Governor Rochas Okorocah of Imo State, who spoke on behalf of the Igbo stakeholders, told reporters after the meeting in Enugu that there was an impasse in the

Ekweremadu

Ugwuanyi

Biafra: The dilemma of South-East leaders pan-Igbo group. The import of Chief Okorocha’s message is that neither the group of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Gary Igariwey nor the Ohanaeze Committee chaired by Chief Ralph Obioha was invited to the Enugu meeting. “We agreed that South-East governors set up a committee to immediately address the impasse on Ohanaeze leadership,” Okorocha said. But the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Dr Joe Nworguthinks differently, as he told Nigerian Tribune in a telephone interview that their absence at the Enugu stakeholders summit had nothing to do with the crisis in Ohanaeze. He disclosed that they were not invited to the meeting. “We have a leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. It is led by Chief Gary Igariwey. He is the incumbent President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yet he was not in the picture of the governors and stake-

holders proposed dialogue”, Nworgu added Be that as it may, the Igbo elders summit in Enugu was significant in many respects, as it afforded the Ndigbo an opportunity to brainstorm on how to chart the way forward for Ndigbo in national politics. According to Okorocha, “After a compassionate review of the recent MASSOB/ IPOB agitations in the country, it was resolved that a committee be set up to dialogue with MASSOB, IPOB as well as the Federal Government with a view to finding a lasting solution to the issue.” Interestingly, both the Igbo governors and Ohanaeze share a common view on the activities of the pro-Biafra agitators, which is restoring lasting peace to Igbo land they only differ on the approach. Perhaps, the non-recognition of the warring parties in Ohanaeze led the SouthEast governors to hold their meeting at

The Igbo elders’ summit in Enugu was significant in many respects, as it afforded the Ndigbo an opportunity to brainstorm on how to chart the way forward for Ndigbo in national politics.

the Government House Enugu simultaneously with the one Ohanaeze faction held at the residence of Dr Nworgu the Secretary General of the pan-Igbo group. Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, the President of the South-East/ South/South group of Professionals, Emeka Ugwuogu said: “The leadership of Ohanaeze met with MASSOB, IPOB, where we agreed to summon a meeting of Imeobi (the highest decision body) of Ohanaeze. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges MASSOB, IPOB to continue to be peaceful. Ohanaeze is the only channel to talk with MASSOB and IPOB on the agitation for Biafra. If there is any other burning issue tabled at the Enugu gathering of elders, it was the deplorable condition of roads in the Igbo land. Governor Okorocha, “The elders also examined other issues including poor state of infrastructural facilities in the SouthEast, marginalisation in federal appointments and other social economic issues that impact on the economic development of the South-East and resolved to support the decision of South-East to set up an economic council and urged them to interface with the Federal Government on remedial issues. A delegation of elders of the South-East was mandated to meet the President.” To the Eke Ogburu Urum, “old Biafra will be better off in a truly federal, strong and prosperous Nigeria than they continues pg30

politics&policy

Friday, 27 November, 2015

Why southern Plateau should not have produced minister —APC chair Honourable Letep Dabang, a former chairman of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission and now the state chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), in this interview with ISAAC SHOBAYO, speaks on power sharing in Plateau, ministerial slot from the state and bailout from the Federal Government. Excerpts:

N223 billion. That is a problem for any state like Plateau that does not have any serious industry in ground. We are more of a civil service state. There is no serious means of internally generated revenue. It is as good as saying we have eaten our future and would be left to be paying even by our future generation to come for what has been mismanaged in the past eight years. But I can assure you some of those areas that are so obvious that corruption have been established, we will advise government to set up a technical committee that will look deeply into the reports of the transition committee, so that those that can be charged to court should be so charged. Like the governor said those who can return what they had looted quietly should do so instead of embarrassing ourselves before the court.

HE battle appears to have been lost and won after the Plateau State governorship election petitions ruled in favour of APC. What is your advice to the citizens of Plateau, especially the opposition parties? My advice to the opposition party is that we should come together to ensure that the prevailing peace is sustained and maintained for the progress and development of the state. The opposition should be constructive in their criticisms to make the ruling party sit up. If they see themselves in this light rather than drumming war song, it would help in the development of our democracy. The opposition should see the Tribunal as a continuation of the election process where instead of carrying gun and sticks at the polling units, we go to the Tribunal to resolve the matter amicably in a more civilised way. And now that the matter has been laid to rest in favour of APC, we should all put our hands on deck for the governor to settle down for governance. What is your party doing to fasttrack the process of appointing commissioners by the governor? The party is doing its best to ensure that cabinet is properly formed. We took over from the government that left a lot of problems. The Transition Committee set up by the APC government revealed quite a lot of things, especially misdemeanours of the last administration. Government has been looking at the possibility of reducing or scaling down the number of ministries to cut cost because of the financial predicament the nation is passing through. It is not as if we don’t want to appoint commissioners or chief executives of boards and parastatals; we are only taking time to ensure that we do the right thing and also to subject the people we intend to appoint to serious scrutiny. The security operatives are doing their job; all the nominees are undergoing screening. We want to look into the past record of every candidate so that the right people will be picked at the end of the day. We don’t want to rush to appoint people simply on sentiments; we want to ensure that the right calibre of people are given the job. So for us as a party, we cannot say that the government is too slow, I strongly believe that very soon, commissioners will be appointed. It is better to take your time and do it right than to rush in and make mistakes. How is your party handling the animosity over iinsinuations by some APC members that the ministerial nominee from Plateau was nominated without the consent of the party

Dabang

If you take APC as a party in the Southern Senatorial zone, we have two the Board of Trustees (BOT) members in the person of Ambassador Yahaya Kwande and Mrs Pauline Tallen; you have the governor from that zone and now a minister from the same zone. and APC state administration? That is true. The President didn’t hide that. It was reported some months back that the President would be independent in appointing his ministers; that he was not necessarily going to consult with chief executives of states. For us in Plateau State, our situation was not exception. Some states had gone to the pages on newspapers to complain about their nominees because they were not consulted. But for us in Plateau, we have decided not to heat up the political system. The man, who was nominated, is a member of APC. He had worked for the party at his own level. So, we don’t have any reason to say we don’t want him to be a minister even though we were not consulted. If we were consulted, probably we would have not advised against an individual but probably to advise that the ministerial nominee should have come from other senatorial zones rather than the senatorial zone where the governor comes from. That would have been our advice because the Northern and Central Senatorial zones would probably be the zones that would have been proposed for the purpose of balancing and spread of appointments and political offices. If you take APC as a party in the Southern Senatorial zone, we have two the Board of Trustees (BOT) members in the person of Ambassador Yahaya Kwande and

Mrs Pauline Tallen; you have the governor from that zone and now a minister from that zone. If we were consulted, we would have advised that other zones should be considered. Since we are not consulted and it has been done, so be it. I don’t have anything personal against the nominee. Sometimes, you let the sleeping dog lie rather than making issue out of nothing. The APC, both at the state and national levels, seems to be fighting corruption in all fronts. In Plateau, the governor said he had petitioned the EFCC over some alleged stolen funds What is your stake on the fight against corruption? I saw it on the pages of one of the local newspapers that the governor was expressing his frustration with the institution that has to do with the fight against corruption, that is, the EFCC. He was quoted to have said the that the agency was getting slow on some of the complaints they have presented to them. But for us in Plateau, we not going to let the sleeping dog lie on this matter because a huge sum of money has gone down the drain for no job done. Initially, we were told that our debt profile was N104 billion; the transition committee has come up with

Does it not amount to an overkill for the present government to obtain a loan, given the debt profile of the state? If you look at the reality on ground, especially after the report of the transition committee was submitted, some of us have not been sleeping well. If you are owing N223 billion as a state and your subvention is barely N2.3 billion monthly, the question you should ask is, the people you are owing either the banks or contractual obligations, what were the agreements between you and the institutions to service those debts? If I received N 2.3 billion in a month and have a debt profile of over N200 billion, by implication without being told, it means when the N2.3 billion hit my account, if I am lucky, I will go home with point something million because certainly, you have to service those loans. It is very clear in my mind with the reality on ground that by the time the story of the bailout is over, Plateau may not be able with her subvention to pay workers’ salary and at the same time maintain social service and running costs. In this state, we have hospitals, schools, water to supply, roads to maintain and with that kind of income and financial situation, it is as good as saying that what we have got so far is a temporary relieve. Even the N5.3 billion that was given as bailout to Plateau is not a grant. It is not free; Plateau will still pay; so if you add the N5.3 billion to the debt of N223 billion, that is to tell you what Plateau is owing. The only difference with the bailout is that if you are to pay it in one month, you may be asked to pay it in 30 months without an interest. But, whether you like it or not, it is still a debt which you must pay. As a party we have advised the government to put its record straight and address the people of Plateau State appropriately; address the stakeholders appropriately. Let everybody know what the state is passing through and the financial position of Plateau. It is so sad that one regime can be allowed to borrow so much to the extent that future generation would be left with no option but to continue to pay for a debt which could have been avoided. Some developmental issues that the debts were incurred like construction of roads, some (roads) have no economic value; key roads were not the issue. So bad that even federal roads that the Federal Government should have been pressurised to construct, the state went out of her way to incur debt to construct them, hoping that the Federal Government would pay and if the centre is as broke as we know, it is as good as saying that the payment will continue to linger.

politicscommentary

Ambode

Friday, 27 November, 2015

Obasa

Lagos Assembly as a model in democracy By Charles Chukwu

ECENTLY, the print and electronic media came out with advertisements on the first constituency stakeholders meeting of the 8th Lagos State House of Assembly, detailing vital information about the exercise, especially its intent and purpose. From Badagry to Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Epe, Somolu and the other local governments making up the state constituencies, the exercise took place simultaneously on November 10, 2015. It was undoubtedly the first of its kind in our legislative history in terms of content and style. The programme was designed by the Lagos Assembly to obtain the input of Lagosians on their desire in their areas as a way of carrying the people along in governance, coupled with encouraging the vital principle of bottom-up development model that has led to sweeping transformation in advanced nations.. This no doubt is big plus for the Right Honourable Mudashiru Obasa-led Lagos State of Assembly, in view of its timeliness and alignment with the social contract principle. More so, the House of Assembly is constitutionally empowered to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the state “by virtue of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” (as amended). The strategic nature of the stakeholders’ meeting could be better understood, considering the fact that the state legislature performs other functions including representation, oversight, checks and balance on the Executive and the Judiciary and conducting investigation into matters which it has powers to make laws and more. The Speaker Obasa was therefore on point when he told stakeholders at his constituency meeting in Agege that the

event was in line with the social contract, which the House has with the people. His words: “We are collaborating with our constituencies to ensure that the impact of government is felt at all levels and to reinvigorate rapid socio - economic projects, control of traffic, implementation of traffic laws, security and maintenance of law and order.” The spokesman of the House, Honourable Tunde Braimoh amplified the essence of the unique event, which has continued to be the main subject of in-depth, fascinating and highly instructive commentaries from far and wide. He stated at his constituency meeting; “While it is correct that constituency input has always been sought in formulating budgeting proposal every year, it is also correct that the scale and style on this exercise stand out as novel and new.” One of the biggest drawbacks of our democracy is the alienation of the people from government, thus sidelining the people for making meaningful inputs into government programmes and policies. Consequently, what we sometimes have are largely projects conceived without the voice of the people who are the reason for government. The end result is huge waste of tax payer’s

money as some of these projects do not suit the immediate needs of the people. The Lagos State House of Assembly must therefore be commended for according due recognition to their constituents through the stakeholders meeting. This, no doubt, is what participatory government is all about because all elected representatives must, as a matter of routine, report back to the principle periodically to intimate them about their stewardship. That those, who spoke across the 40 state constituencies included obas, chiefs, Community development Associations (CDAs), youths, artisans, professional bodies and various unions is highly commendable. Lagosians will also be glad that Speaker Obasa has assured that these inputs would form part of the 2016 Lagos State budget, which is very remarkable. If actualised, it therefore means that Lagos State would have, through its lawmakers, come up with a truly “people’s budget” next year. By this giant stride, the Lagos Assembly may have begun its journey towards fulfilling its vision “to be the leading light and pathfinder for Nigeria and African legislatures.” To realise this, it must continue its pursuit of excellence by ensuring it fulfills its prom-

What we sometimes have are largely projects conceived without the voice of the people who are the reason for government. The end result is huge waste of tax payer’s money as some of these projects do not suit the immediate needs of the people.

ise of a people’s budget in 2016. It should also continually interface with the people periodically to perfect their position on issues, as it better placed to do this than other arms of government. This will no doubt make the Change mantra of the All Progressives Congress-dominated House come to fruition, as the country is in dire need of true change. Other legislatures should also take a cue from the precedence set by the Assembly of the “Centre of Excellence,” which has opened a new vista in participatory democracy through the constituency stakeholders meeting by organising similar programmes. Just like a former chairman, Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Monday Ubani said during Honourable Tunde Braimoh’s meeting with his constituents, the Lagos Assembly has set precedence for other legislatures with this novel idea. Aside interfacing with the people, across the length and breadth of the state, one of the unique things about the event was that it cut across every strata of the society which makes it inclusive. The Assembly may have unknowingly assisted the Executive by using the medium to collate issues very dear to the heart of the electorate for onward transmission to the Executive for consideration and implementation. Also by holding the exercise simultaneously across the state, the lawmakers have saved the state huge resources which could have been wasted had the exercise been staggered at this time of falling oil prices. The Lagos Assembly therefore deserves our praises, while hoping it continues to strive to be the flagship of the legislature for the benefit of the people by rising up to its constitutional duties at all times •Chukwu, the chairman of the Centre for Accountability and Good Governance (CAGG), writes from Lagos.

politics&policy

Friday, 27 November, 2015

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari was attending the Third Summit of the Gas Exporting Forum (GECF) in Tehran, the capital of Islamic State of Iran, when rumour broke of the death of the All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the Kogi state election, Prince Abubakar Audu. Needless to say that the president followed the events far away from the nation’s shores but he did not react publicly immediately. Perhaps, he too, was hoping for a resurrection just like thousands of supporters of the former Kogi governor regarded by his admirers as the best executive governor the state has ever known. In spite of everything, this became a forlorn hope. Some reports suggested that Audu died at about 5am on Sunday following the Saturday’s election but the news was kept away from the public. Others said he passed away upon the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the Kogi poll was inconclusive. There was still no official statement concerning his demise. However, Buhari tarried for things to be cleared up before sending his condolences which for us, State House correspondents, served as the official confirmation of the sad news. Before the election, it had also been rumored that Buhari did not want to have anything to do with Audu supposedly because of his tainted past. Even though the former governor had corruption cases slammed on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pending in courts for years, he had never been convicted. Yet, it was thought that

inside

aso rock WITH LEON USIGBE

08078891838 leonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk

Buhari, Audu and GECF if Buhari attended his rally and raised up the candidate’s hand to the people, that would have been seen as an open endorsement of corruption which would be at variance with the president’s fabled anticorruption mantra. Buhari’s absence in Audu’s grand finale rally lent credence to this perception. But his description of the late politician conveys a completely different impression. Speaking through Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Buhari expressed his shock and sadness over Audu’s sudden death, saying that he received the news with an enormous sense of shock. “ We are obviously devastated at the loss.” Buhari described Audu as a talented politician, a loving family head and a respected community leader. “He was immensely courageous,” he added. The president condoled Audu’s family, the government and people of Kogi and all APC members, who stood with Audu in his bid return to Lugard House, Lokoja. He even went as far as observing that Audu ran as the favourite in the election as the early results showed and then prayed to

Allah for the peaceful repose of his soul. of crude oil, whose glut has come with a While he mourned Audu, the president global decline in its revenues. That notwas still focused on GECF meeting where withstanding, he expressed the hope that he spoke of his administration’s plan to the nation’s proven gas reserve base put at take appropriate steps to sustain the pric- 188 trillion cubic feet could actually be in ing of gas at the international marketWITH forLEON excess of08078891838 600 trillion cubit feet when deleonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk the benefit of member countries. Beside veloped and has the potential to replace Nigeria, other countries involved are Al- crude oil as the goose that lays the golden geria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, egg. Iran, Libya, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and The president used the opportunity of Tobago, UAE and Venezuela. The forum his presence in Iran to confirm the long was established to support the sovereign speculated refund of some money looted rights of these countries over their natural by officials of the previous administration. gas resources and their ability to indepen- Answering questions from some Nigeridently plan and manage the sustainable, ans residents in Tehran, he also explained efficient and environmentally conscious that those accused of corruption were yet development, use and conservation of to be charged to court because of the need natural gas resources for the benefit of to gather enough evidence to nail them. While Nigerians expect that to happen their people. Buhari outlined his plans during his soon, they will also want to be apprised remarks at the summit, talking about ap- of how much has been refunded so far, propriate thing being done to turn Nige- by whom and into what account, if only ria’s abundant gas resources into veritable for the sake of openness and transparency. More importantly, they should know catalyst for development. He thought the forum should foster technical and eco- whether refunding such money absolves nomic cooperation among member states the looters of their guilt, whether it is just and was rueful that Nigeria had in the “Your sins are forgiven thee. Go and sin no past, concentrated on the development more.”

aso rock

The planned meeting with Buhari continued from pg27

will be in the Biafra of 1987 boundaries”. He regretted. “Today’s Nigeria is not truly federal. Instead, it is military unitary system masquerading as civilian federalism.” Comparatively, the meeting of the Igbo stakeholders at Enugu seems to have an upper hand. It had in attendance past and present governors, ministers and senators of Igbo extraction. Among them were: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Governor Dave Umuahi; Ebonyi DeputyGovernor Nkem Okeke (Anambra) and Governor Rochas Okorocha (Imo), deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Dr Sullivan Chime, Professor Barth Nnaji, Chief John Nwodo (Jnr), a former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara. The conduct of some of the past governors at the meeting reminds observers of the transient nature of power. For example, ex-governor had to run like a sprinter from the Lion Building to join other stakeholders for a group photograph and hung on for a while before walking away lonely to his car without any policeman or security personnel accompanying him. Prior to the beginning of the meeting, it was pretty difficult for guests to enter the venue of the meeting, as a list of invited dignitaries was placed at the major entrance to Government House, where the meeting was held. Most journalists waited for hours outside the venue of the meeting, as the summit was held behind closed door. Dilemma Even when late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu came up with the crusade for Biafra, he did not underplay the place of dia-

Igariwey logue. His first speech on the subject matter made it crystal clear that he and his colleagues in the novel venture were not averse to seeking discussions towards addressing “our differences.” His advocacy on peaceful means of resolving national issues became more pronounced during the military rule in the post-Nigeria civil war. He had vehemently denounced military rule because it undermined the fundamental rights of the citizens. He said: “As a committed democrat, every single day under an un-elected government hurts me. The citizens of this country are mature enough to make their own choices, just as they have the right to make their own mistakes.” Thus, Ojukwu took a shot at the presidency of the country after Nigeria’s return to civil rule in 1999 under the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and he did so three times

Obiano until de died in 2011. But, the crusade for Baifra has since assumed different dimensions, with some protagonists making angry comments, especially against perceived adversaries. For instance, a leader of the MASSOB threatened tthat the group would move against leaders of Ohanaeze if they failed to guide their utterances over the Biafra agitation. In a press statement, MASSOB stated: “The widely acceptance and consciousness of Biafra can never be thwarted or dislocated by disgruntled Igbo....How can a self-acclaimed Igbo leader openly and shamefully disown and condemn Biafra, the living symbol of Igbo survival?” It added: “MASSOB warns Igbo to stop making open derogatory statements against Biafra or we shall banish them from Igbo land. It shall continue to represent the genuine interest of Ndigbo.”

Ikpeazu Planned dialogue Meanwhile, there are several permutations on the likely outcome of the planned South-East leaders meeting with representatives of the Federal Government. While the authorities are yet to make any categorical statement on the proposal since Ohanaeze leaders announced it, some observers that the proposal was subject to approval by Abuja, which can only materialise through the political sagacity of eminent sons and daughters of the geopolitical zone. Another school of thought believes the impact of the action so far taken by the South-East leaders on the pro-Biafra agitation will become manifest in the coming days based on the actions and inactions of the protagonists, as well as the response of the agents of government.

Friday, 27 November, 2015

hers

Editor: Yemisi Aofolaju yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com 08055001741

Can you give your spouse a kidney? Social critics/ analysts opined that many marriages today lacks true love and sacrifice. However, what happens if ones partner is in need of a kidney. Can you sacrifice yours? Idowu Faji and Victor Abiodun interviewed a cross section of Nigerians what they would do in such a situation. Their responses: Abiola Busayo Yes, I can, when you are married you are one and marriage is for better for worse; I can give him my kidney. It is another story if we are not married then, I can’t give him because it’s not certain he will get married to me, so, he should look for another donor. Stepine Obi I can, marriage is for better for worse. I will see it as a necessity, marriage is all about sacrifice. Assuming it is just a relationship, where there is no commitment involved then, there is no point. It is not that we both will end up getting married, but if he is my husband, one I claim I love and he is in desperate need of something that will make him live for me, why won’t I? Salau Buki I don’t pray my spouse develops kidney problem, but if the situation comes up, then, I am not sure if I can do that. You know sometimes when you get married you can actually fall out of love, in case the man is not responsible, caring and all that, if he is someone like that, then I won’t.

but I prefer my kids to my wife. If she dies, I will remarry.

Adeyemi Ademola When you are married, you are one. If it happens that my wife has kidney problem which I don’t pray for and the doctor says I can donate one of mine to her, then, I will because she is my wife and the mother of my children.

Best Idabor I don’t pray my spouse develops any kidney problem, but if he does, yes, I can donate to him because marriage is for better for worse.

Akhigbe Shola Yes, I will donate to her because marriage is for better for worse and also she is the mother of my children. I will because I know if I am the one in that situation, she will ultimately donate hers. Tony Ojeabulu I prefer to donate to my kid than my wife. I can never donate to my spouse, it is not possible and can never be possible. Although she is the mother of my kids,

Audu Idowu Yes, I will, my wife is my life, my everything and also the mother of my children. I will donate to her, because marriage is all about sacrifice.

Adelusi Adepeju Ibrahim Adebayo Yes, I can, because of the love we have for When my wife and I exchanged vows in each other and because he is the father of my the church, we said ‘‘for better for worse’’ children, yes, I can. if something like that happens and if truly I love her with my whole heart then I Akinwale Olaoluwa should be able to do everything in my caIt depends. If she is someone I really love pacity to make her live. and she is trustworthy, I will donate to her, but if not, I won’t. Gbadamosi Bisola I can’t do it because men of today are not Eyitayo Fadare worth dying for. If he wants to die let him die, I can’t donate my kidney. We will pray beI can take care of the children alone with the cause I am a believer and whatever happens help of God. God will intervene.

Sangoyomi Temiloluwa No, I can’t, what if in the process of donating mine to him I die and he also dies then, our children will become orphans? I can’t donate mine, if we find a donor, then that is okay, but mine, no way.

Shola Babatunde Yes, I can, because marriage is all about sacrifice. If I can’t donate my kidney to the man I love and the father of my children, then who else will I donate my kidney to? Even if it’s both my husband and my child that is in need of kidney I will donate to my husband first because we can still have another baby.

Bimpe Bashorun I don’t pray my husband develops any kidney problem, but if he does, I will surely donate to him because he is the father of my children and I don’t want to be a widow untimely, I will do everything in my capacity to save his life.

Farinde Adepeju No, I can’t, because no one can be trusted and no one knows what will happen tomorrow. If I donate to him and he gets well and later brings in another wife, what will I do? I am sorry, I can’t donate to him.

Kamardeen Mudashiru Yes, I can, because she is my wife and the love of my life. When we were taking our marriage oath, we said ‘for better for worse’. Ademola Johnson Yes, I can because she is my partner, my better half and the mother of my children so if I don’t donate to her, who else will I donate to? Alausa Temitope I can, he is my husband, the love of my life and the father of my children, so, if I don’t donate to him, who else will I donate to? Also, marriage is all about sacrifice.

32 hersay

Friday, 27 November, 2015

he ability to get along with others is going to be critical to your child’s success. You need to teach your children how to do it. Explain to them that other people are going to do stupid things—things that make them mad and things that are wrong. People will be rude, inconsiderate and irresponsible. You have to teach your kid that all of those things are normal and he has to learn how to respond when it happens. Sometimes, it is necessary to call people out for their behaviour. Teach your kid how to do that calmly, politely and logically. Also, teach your kid when to laugh it off, shake his head, roll his eyes and move on. Teach him how to choose his battles and how to know when it’s worth it and when it isn’t. “These are valuable lessons he is going to need every day of his life.” Teach your kid to listen to others. Teach her to respect others for who they are even when she can’t respect them for what they do. Teach your kid to be kind. Teach your kid that she can’t always be right, and when she is, she doesn’t need to be a jerk about it. Teach her to win with humility and lose with graciousness. These lessons will help her get along with others and be the kind of person others enjoy. “Sibling rivalry, playing favorites and how to keep your kids from killing one another. Siblings fight. It’s natural. You can’t stop it, so don’t drive yourself crazy trying. All you can do is teach them how to do it so no one ends up hurt too badly. My boys fought constantly. They still do quite often as grown men. They are very different men with very different jobs, skills, likes and dislikes. They have very different views on politics and religion and most other subjects. How they both came from one source is a mystery. I bet it is the same with your kids, too. “The rule I used with my boys was to let them work it out on their own and leave me out of it. I told them to close the door and figure it out and not to hurt each other. I didn’t want to see any bruises or blood. And if you think I was kidding when saying

Parenting

The host of Straight Talk! With Olufunke Adetuberu cryonmenow@yahoo.com 08023242389

What to teach your child about getting along with others no bruises and no blood” then you were either an only child or you now have only one child. Little boys and girls play rough with each other and don’t kid yourself by thinking that they don’t smack each other when you aren’t looking, because they do. “My boys never liked my approach. They wanted a parent to rule in favour of one or the other. Sometimes it is necessary

There are also some things you can do to make sure your kids aren’t constantly at each other’s throats.

to mediate a dispute, especially when one child is physically dominant, smarter, older or more devious than the other, but most of the time, it’s best to let them work out their differences on their own. They need to learn how to negotiate with each other and how to find a resolution without interference from a grown-up. If this doesn’t work, chances are that your house has more than one room. Separation is a great mediator. It is perfectly normal and acceptable for your kids to fight with each other. They need to learn how to work out their differences with others within the safety of their own household so they will know how to do it in the real world. Let them feel anger, resentment, envy, jealousy and all the other emotions and coach them through how to handle those emotions at home before they rear their ugly heads at school or in other public places. There are also some things you can do to make sure your kids aren’t constantly at each other’s throats. “Don’t make comparisons between your children. “Your sister always made A’s in math; why can’t you be as smart as she is?” Your brother was star quarterback and you can’t throw a ball at all.” Statements like these cause problems that don’t need to be there. Kids are very self-critical anyway and they get plenty of criticism from their peers, so comments like these only hurt and cause more problems. Don’t play favourites and be sure to balance your time between your kids evenly. This can prove challenging. If you are a sports guy and one of your kids loves sports and the other has no interest, it may be challenging for you to connect with the child who doesn’t share your interests. Do it anyway. I went on more camping trips, freezing my butt off in a stupid sleeping bag lying on the cold, hard, rocky ground, than I can count simply because I had a son who loved it. I hated it, but I did it because it was important to him. Often your children will feel your love and your interest based on the amount of time you spend with them, so make sure you show impartial interest among them.

Benefits of Cucumber for healthy skin Cucumber is a very edible fruit which comes from the cucumber plant cucumis sativus, which is part of the gourd family. It is being used for different purpose, as it can be eaten raw or cooked. With so many health benefits it becomes one of the most important parts of food diet as well as skin diet. Your skin has many other purposes other than being beautiful and serving as an eye candy for everyone. It protects our internal organs from any of the external adversities as far as possible. Types of cucumber include: Dosakai - A cucumber that is yellow in colour, has a round shape and commonly found in India. English cucumbers - Have very little in the way of seeds and can grow to around two feet in length. Mediterranean cucumbers - Skins are smooth with nearly seedless flesh, they have a mild taste. Japanese cucumbers or kyuri - A dark green cucumber with a very bumpy skin. Mainly used for slicing, salads and pickling.

I n North America, the term “wild cucumber” refers to manroot. Cucumber can claim to be a water body as it has 90 percent water. It is

known to be a cooling agent due to the water in it. Cucumber for eyes It is believed that cucumber helps in reducing swelling around the eyes or the big dark circles under your eyes. This is worldwide treatment which is being used to its maximum extent. Cucumbers are the most wonderful and natural eye pads you can find for yourself. The puffiness and the tired-

ness in your eyes may just leave you, if you do this in a relaxed fashion. These natural eye pads do wonders after a long day’s work. Cucumber for skin If you want a happy skin, then cucumber is the answer. As cucumber and the skin share the same level of hydrogen, it becomes easier for cucumber to mask all the problem areas. It helps in soothing and softening your skin which can get you relaxed in no time. With so many useful ingredients in cucumber it can help you in treating so many skin problems. It has become part of daily beauty product into face packs, facials, juice and many other things which can affect your skin. Due to its cooling effect it can be termed as a magic wand for all your skin problems. The cleaning and cleansing property helps your skin tremendously making it soft and supple. The regular intake of cucumber juice is very useful both internally and externally. To have a healthy glowing and smooth skin use this recipe: Blend 4 - 5 leafs of fresh mint. Peel and de-seed the cucumber. Add mint leaves to the cucumber to make a puree. Beat egg white and keep it separate, then add this egg white to the cucumber mixture. Apply this evenly on your face for 20 minutes and then rinse it with water and pat it dry.

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Friday, 27 November, 2015

and need to be steamed,” she explained. She goes online and chooses the outfits she wants for her various meetings, lunches, client dinners and charity balls, and they are all waiting in her wardrobe when she checks in. Kate, pictured wearing her designer clothes, heels and accessories, said she doesn’t get embarrassed by her extravagant spending as she Kate with Graydon and Grayson has worked hard for everything she has. Kate’s ‘empire’ included owning tanning shops and beauty salons and she made her first million ten years ago “With the outfits already being here, it is so much easier and it is like being Cinderella trying them all on,’ she said. “I have gone online picked what I wanted and then it is all here so all I have to travel with is toiletries. “Every second is accounted for, time management is key in my life. This is just so much easier for me.’ Kate, a mother of three, believes ‘image is paramount’ so she is keen to make the right impression with her choice of outfit and show of wealth. ‘It is not about being looked at, it is about being remembered,’ she said. “I feel like a kid in a sweet shop!’ she exclaimed as she tried on a The teenage single mum who became a millionaire: Woman who left school at 17 reveals how she 38-carat £80,000 diamond necklace. built a beauty empire and now splashes £250,000 on diamonds and stays in £1,000-a-night hotels In the end she opted to spend £242,000 on a diamond bangle de•Kate Stewart left school with no qualifications and had a baby at 17 claring it ‘a bargain.’ •She’s now a wealthy businesswoman with ‘empire’ of beauty salons She said that getting dressed up in expensive clothes and adorning herself in gems is her ‘armour’ in the business world. •Spends £1,000 a night on hotel suites for business trips She explained: “I don’t get embarrassed by my spending, I have •Uses ‘designer wardrobe room service’ so she doesn’t have to pack worked for everything I have got and I am proud of everything I buy. •Loves to spend her money on diamonds as a show of wealth. “Sometimes nice clothing and jewellery is your armour, you put your amour on and go out and you are almost usinesswoman Kate Stewart is so rich she playing a role, it makes me feel more confident.’” prefers to pay for designer clothes to be delivKate admits her lifestyle now is a far cry from her humered to her hotel when she goes away rather than ble beginnings. pack a suitcase. Kate revealed: “I don’t get embarrassed by my spendThe multi-millionaire, 33, from Liverpool, thinks ing, I have worked for everything I have got and I am spending £242,000 on diamonds is ‘a bargain’ and loves proud of everything I buy’ ‘Sometimes nice clothing and to flaunt her wealth with her expensive tastes. jewellery is your armour, you put your armour on and go The mother-of-three, who appears on How The Othout and you are almost playing a role, it makes me feel er Half Lives, says she is not ashamed of her extravamore confident,’ said Kate as she snapped up items of gant spending as she has worked hard for everything she luxury jewellery. has after starting from nothing. She is now married to Graham, with whom she had ‘I left school with no qualifications and had a normal, twins Graydon and Grayson in September 2014. dead-end job paying £2.50 an hour,’ she told the show’s Sadly, the couple lost a previous baby six months into presenters. Kate’s pregnancy so this time she took no chances, hav“I got pregnant at 17 and the destiny written for me was ing regular private check ups and hiring her own mid“you are going to claim benefits and have more kids”. Evwife. eryone wrote me off and I thought “no” and came back She then booked an elective c-section at the Women’s fighting. That gave me the drive to achieve.” private Catharine Medical Centre in Liverpool. Kate said it was initially hard to get people to give her She told the Liverpool Echo the money she spent on a chance but worked as a secretary while studying for a her sons’ safe delivery was the best she has ever spent. business and management degree, alongside raising her She said: “I didn’t care about the cost, I’d have gone daughter, Caitlin, now 15. without food or without anything in my life, I’d have sold Recalling her career ascent, she said: ‘‘I did my educaeverything just to ensure that my children were well and tion at the same time while I was a single mum. I did a deborn safely. gree and ended up running a company and then invested “I don’t go out every weekend, I don’t drink, so I spent my money correctly so I built up my own empire.’ that money instead on the well-being of my pregnancy Kate said she started out with nothing but built up an and I’m glad I did.” empire of tanning and beauty salons after getting a busi“Now I look at my babies’ two faces every morning and ness degree and making wise investments know it’s the best thing I could ever have done.’” Her ‘empire’ included owning tanning shops and beauKate is back at work now, the boys are a year old and ty salons and she made her first million 10 years ago. had a busy round of meetings and presentations on the She went on to own Liverpool’s Heritage Market while Eamonn and Ruth to feature on their show day she met expanding her businesses and making other wise investinvestigating ‘how the other half lives’. ments. Asked if she has ever attempted to drop her heavy Now she can afford to travel with only toiletries when Scouse accent, she replied: “I am who I am, Eamonn, she goes on business trips to the capital to save herself and I am proud of where I came from. the time and inconvenience of packing clothes. “People always underestimate me and assume I don’t She pays £1,000 a night to stay in a suite at the W Hotel know what I am talking about, but as soon as I do a prein London where they offer the ‘designer wardrobe room Kate, pictured wearing sentation or start speaking in business, you can see the service’. her designer clothes, shock on their face.” “I like to travel light and not have loads of suitcases, and heels and accessories. •Dailymail.co.uk. by the time you get here the clothes would all be creased

How a teenage single mum became a millionaire

34 news

Friday, 27 November, 2015

Bayelsa: Dickson to prioritise community development in second term

AYELSA State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has said community development would be a major priority of his administration when re-elected. In an interview with

newsmen on Wednesday, he said his shift in focus to community development became necessary in view of its immense possibilities among the rural dwellers in the area of economic integration and

general wellbeing of the people. Dickson, who said his recent community tour in the course of campaign across the state further opened his eyes to the realities of rural life and

the APC ship, christened the Noah’s Ark. Sylva reflect on the awakening effect of the fresh breeze, which according to him gives a lot of insight that prosperity has come to people of Brass Local Government Area. The APC governorship candidate who hails from Okpoama community in Brass council, said he did not come to campaign but his visit to Brass was to see his kinsmen and also merry with them because of the assurance that they would deliver 100 percent votes to him in the December 5, 2015 election. Sylva posited that the power to liberate Brass from the Dickson led PDP inflicted poverty and hunger lies in their hands, even as he urged them to use them to vote for the broom symbol of the APC on the

day of election. According to him, “those who hate progress would follow the dead party (PDP) to the grave. Sylva told the people that the Dickson led PDP deception has become so embarrassing, as the governor now carries appointment letter in his pocket to deceive people, saying “Dickson has been going about giving people appointments without office nor salary or does he want the people to feed on the appointment letters. The PDP is pathetic as they are doing this when their occupancy of “Creek Haven” the state seat of power is coming to an end. He, however, enjoined teeming APC supporters that they are in majority,

the lots of the people. “My tour has opened my eyes more than ever before to the realities of rural life and particularly to the possibilities of our people. God bless our women, mothers and grandmothers! As we tour communities, we see them happy, showing heartfelt appreciation for one school or health centre that was built or renovated. “I believe that with what and that the instrument of cohesion is no longer in I have seen in the course the hands of the PDP but of my tour, in the next in the hands of the federal tenure community develgovernment, hence nobody opment will have a higher priority because I have can intimidate them. The Director General of seen that one little investthe Sylva/Igiri Campaign, ment in your community touches many lives and Minister of State for Agrichanges their lives and culture and Rural Developthe way they perceive govment, Senator Heineken ernment. I will find a way Lokpobiri indicts the Dick- of emphasising community son led PDP government needs in the budget parof impunity and anti-de- ticularly issues of women velopment, saying “before empowerment”, he said. Sylva was ousted from ofHe said he was moved by fice, he awarded the Nem- the affection shown to him be/Brass road, but Dick- by the chiefs, women and son revoked the contract. youths in the communities, He assured that when saying he realized more Sylva is elected, he would than ever that these catensure that the road is re- egories of Bayelsansmatawarded and constructed tered even more to govto Brass to support the ernment that they needed development of the BLNG to be assisted to overcome \\B\users\public\Izzy\Saturday the challengepromo of poverty project. appreciation of the people especially the women for the government’s efforts in establishing amenities in their areas, believed community development would help to have an inclusive society and better

My vision is to deepen Bayelsa economy, focus on blng —Sylva Austin Ebipade— Yenagoa

AHEAD of the Bayelsa Governorship election, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva has said that if elected into office, his vision is to deepen the state economy, diversify and focus on the Brass Liquified Natural Gas project, as well as the industrialisation of the state. Speaking at the grand campaign rally in Brass Island, Sylva said this time his vision for the state is clear, as he would ensure that Bayelsa become the economic hub in the Niger Delta, and also stand tall among comity of states in the country. At the carnival like rally, the APC also received notable PDP stalwarts that dumped the party for

Navy frees female kidnap victim in Bayelsa Austin Ebipade—Yenagoa

Operatives of Nigerian Naval Base in Yenagoa, on Thursday, rescued a female kidnap victim abandoned by her abductors in the creeks of Southern Ijaw, in Bayelsa. Commodore Yakuku Wanbai, Commander of Nigerian Navy Base in Yenagoa, who confirmed the development, said that the kidnappers struck at about 2 a.m. in AngiamaGbene, on Thursday. “My men on patrol in the waterways got a distress call and the gunboat headed to the scene of the incident where the kidnappers, whose speedboat had developed a fault abandoned the victim and fled on sighting the patrol boat. “My men rescued the woman and brought her to the base and in line with the existing inter agency cooperation we are handing the woman over to the police for preliminary investigations and re-uniting her with the family,” Wanbai said. Narrating her ordeal, Mrs Tokoni TrustGod said, at the Naval Base, Yenagoa that the kidnappers numbering five and armed with gun and machetes had invaded her residence at An-

giama Gbene, in the early hours of Thursday and abducted her. “They broke into the house and asked me if I was Professor Millionaire Ambowei’s sister and I told them that I wasn’t, they said that I was lying and took me away to the water side where they put me in a speedboat. “When we got to Olagbene, their boat had a fault and ran out of fuel, when they saw an oncoming boat, they fled into the bush and the people in the boat took me and hid me in the neighbouring community. “Shortly afterward, the kidnappers who had fixed their boat came to the place I was kept and shot severally, threatening to kill the people if I was not produced, so they brought me out and left for the waterside. “We boarded the kidnappers’ boat again and heard the sound of the Navy gunboat, it was at this point that the kidnappers abandoned their boat and when the Navy people came, I cried out to them that I was the one held hostage. “They took me in their boat and brought me to Yenagoa,” TrustGod said.

SATURDAY, 28 NOVEMBER, 2015

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and live a better life. He narrated how he was touched when he got to some communities and women put their wrappers down on the road, one after the other, over six to seven hundred meters up to the podium for him to step on as their own kind of red carpet. He said he found it difficult to step on these wrappers but appreciated the love behind it and the need to reciprocate their gesture through socio-economic development of their communities. The governor said he shared their interest more than ever promising to return to them in their localities after the election to thank them and begin work on proper policy framework to cater for the development of these areas to spread facilities that can enhance the people’s welfare and happiness. “As a countryman I will go back to my country people. That is what this job entails, not flying about in expensively-rented choppers. What I know is that I am in this business to serve and for me even life itself is for service to humanity, our society and God.

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Why I married ex-Governor Yuguda — Wife

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Bayelsa gov poll:

PDP, APC draw the battle line I do not have many friends in Nollywood — Kunle Afolayan

Abubakar Audu:

APC and its new ‘torchbearers’ in Kogi feature

24-year-old man attacks magistrate. His punishment? Find out tomorrow Book your copy today

news Fayose to Buhari: Give us names of looters, amount returned 35

Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

OVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has chided President Muhammadu Buhari on his announcement that many of those who looted public treasury in the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan had started returning the stolen funds to the government. Fayose, in a statement in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, challenged the president to tell Nigerians how much was returned and the names of the looters who returned

Friday, 27 November, 2015

the alleged stolen funds. According to him, this had become imperative “since the purported looted funds belong to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” and added that “it ought to have been paid into the Federation Account and shared by the federal, state and local governments.” Fayose, in the statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, argued that “the president should rather stay at home to govern the country instead of junketing around

the globe and acting like a saint before the international community.” He advised President Buhari to “tackle the collapsed economy headlong instead of going from one country to another, casting aspersions on Nigerians with his sing-song of fighting corruption.” He contended that “the president’s attitude is yet to change from that of 1984 when he was military Head of State,” adding “Buhari’s statement in Tehran, Iran that it was easier for him as a military Head of State

in 1984 to arrest corrupt individuals and put them in protective custody was a pointer to the fact that he has not changed from the dictator that he was then. “The truth is that Buhari did not fight corruption in 1984. Rather, he persecuted great Nigerians, especially the likes of Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Ambrose Ali, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Bola Ige, who served the people meritoriously. “Is Buhari justifying the imprisonment of Dr Alex Ekwueme, who was the

Bama Council exhumes remains of 81 Boko Haram victims for proper burial CHAIRMAN of Bama Council in Borno State, Alhaji Ali Gujja, has said 81 remains of Boko Haram victims “killed and dumped” into the Yadzeram River at Bama bridge by insurgents, were on Thursday, exhumed and buried at a cemetery according to Islamic rites. The remains that were mainly skeletons and skulls, according to military authorities, were exhumed and collated along the river beds by volunteers and some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF). Addressing newsmen at Bama on the ceremonial and religious rites of burying remains of Boko Haram victims, on Thursday, Gujja said that the bodies could not be retrieved from the flowing river because of insecurity and capture of Bama, on September 1, 2014 by insurgents. “We had no option other

“Today, Nigerians are faced with serious hardship occasioned by prolonged fuel scarcity that the Federal Government does not have any solution to. Multi-national companies are layingoff thousands of workers while contractors working for the Federal Government have left their sites. Yet, what we get to hear from the president is noise in foreign lands about non-existing fight against corruption. “Honestly, this president should get to work and stop lying to Nigerians and the international community.”

Pipeline vandals stole N50bn worth of oil from a single pipeline in 9 months —NNPC

From left, Secretary to the State Government, Enugu State, Mr Gabriel O.C Ajah; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Chairperson, National Association of Accountants of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, Princess Roseline Egbo and state’s Head of Service, Mr Chidi Ezema, shortly after the executive of the National Association of Accountants, Enugu Chapter, paid a courtesy call on the governor at the Government House, on Thursday.

James Bwala - Maiduguri

vice president or All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Chief Bisi Akande, who only served as a deputy governor?” He urged President Buhari “to stop acting like the sole-administrator of Nigeria and the only honest man among Nigerians,” saying “Nigerians are desirous of concrete developments, not rhetoric about fight against corruption that is only being used to persecute perceived political enemies of the president both in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and within the APC.

Nigerian Tribune

than the 81 bodies to continue to float and eventually buried in river beds and sand for over a year, before some volunteers and members of CJTF swung into action last week; to exhume remains of 81 killed residents,” said Gujja on the manner the remains were recovered for burials.

He further disclosed that two cement wells in three wards of destroyed Bama town were also used by insurgents in dumping several bodies of killed residents. The affected wells, according to him, had been sealed off and fumigated to prevent further outbreaks

of air and water-borne diseases in the town. On the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), he said: “The population of this camp is over 6,000 displaced people, comprising 560 households with 2,140 children under the age of five, while the ones below one year, are 1,140.”

Vandals stole nearly $250 million (about N50 billion) worth of petrol from a single pipeline in Nigeria, in the first nine months of 2015, the country’s state-run oil company told Agence France Presse (AFP), on Thursday. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said 531 million litres of petrol worth more than N50 billion were lost between January and September. The petrol was taken from the System 2B pipeline, which stretches from Lagos to Ilorin, the company added in a statement. Nigerian government, past and present, have repeatedly blamed pipeline vandalism and theft on the oil sector for hitting revenues, as well as supplies to consumers. The Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), a NNPC subsidiary, told a Senate committee that ‘incessant hacking’ of the System 2B pipeline had “made the task of providing seamless flow of petroleum products to retail outlets more burdensome.” Long queues have formed at petrol stations across Ni-

Insurgents liberated territories need civil authority —IGP Says N8.7bn required to fight insurgency Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

THE Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, on Thursday, stated that places in the North-East that have been ridden of the Boko Haram terrorists group should have civil authority put in place. The IGP, who stated this while briefing the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, said that about N8.7 billion would be

needed to effectively crush the insurgents. According to him, “the North-East places that have been cleared of the Boko Haram terrorists yearn for civil authority. Fifty-six facilities (of the Police) have been destroyed,” saying the Federal Government had concluded plans to employ 10,000 additional police personnel. He said that of the 10,000 personnel to be employed, recruit constable will comprise 7,500; cadets 560;

cadets ASP 500 and special officers 1,500. Arase said that there was an outstanding N57 billion due to the Nigerian police that was appropriated, but had not been released till date, noting that since the emergence of insurgency in the country, no fewer than 56 police stations were destroyed in the region. “A total of 56 police stations, formations and facilities have been destroyed by insurgents. “The present devastative

situation has greatly impaired as it constitutes a major challenge to the capacity of the police within the formations. “The total replacement value of the affected structures becomes about four billion for us to put those things back to shape,” Arase said. He pointed out that the destruction of the facilities had affected the communication process crucial in the fight against insurgency in the area.

geria in recent days. The situation has been blamed on payment dispute between oil marketers, who import petroleum products and the government.

Why fixing Nigeria is difficult —Lai Mohammed Christian Okeke - Abuja

MINISTER of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Thursday, in Abuja stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has already started working round the clock in its efforts to put the country back on a sound footing, but noted that the task will not be easy by any measure as things have really gone bad in all spheres of life. As a result, he appealed to workers in public sector to ensure industrial peace and harmony so as to provide enabling environment needed for the efforts of the government to yield fruits. Mohammed, who spoke during his meeting with the enlarged staff of the ministry in Abuja, noted that without industrial peace, there can be no progress in the country. The minister urged the staff to be ready and willing to make sacrifices for the country’s progress. He said, ‘’In this era of change, we expect efficiency, punctuality, high level of discipline and total dedication to duty. Nothing less will do. “On our part, we will continue to meet our obligations to you, within the limits of available resources because we believe that you possess what it takes to change our country for the better”

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Friday, 27 November, 2015

Kwara civil defence constructs office blocks through self help Biola Azeez-Ilorin

he Kwara State command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps has commissioned her new office complex, built through self help project in Ilorin, the state capital. Prior to the construction of the office complex located at Gaa Imam area and adjacent to CocaCola bottling plant in Ilorin, the officer and men of the command used to crowd themselves in a rented apartment situated at Fate GRA, Ilorin, where operational activities were reportedly hampered. However, several appeals made to the state government yielded desired result when Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed approved a large piece of land for the authorities of the command to build their state headquarters. Thus, through self help of the officers and men, as their different vocational skills in carpentry, bricklaying, electrical and painting, were deployed in the construction of the office, including donation from friends of the commandant, Mr Augustine Obiekwe, within and outside the state. Speaking with Arewa, the Kwara State commandant, Mr Augustine Obiekwe, said the new office blocks were constructed through direct labour by the officers and men of the command, adding that financing was made through voluntary contributions of the officers and men. Obiekwe, who said the piece of land constituted security risk to the immediate community and was a deep bush when the first visit was paid to the site, added that a very big snake was killed among other dangerous animals during the construction. “Men and officers carried head pans,

Poverty: Ex-teacher offers own kidney for sale in Kano Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna AN ex-primary school teacher, Idris Bala, has offered to sell one of his kidneys because he could not feed his family as well as pay his house rent. Speaking in an interview in Kano, Bala, who lives in Naibawa quarters, said he used to ride a tricycle known as ‘Keke Napep’. However, according to him, three months ago, the owner collected the tricyle and sold it because he needed money. Since then, the embattled ex-primary school teacher has been looking for jobs. ‘Every morning, I trek to ‘Dangi Pharmacy’ to look for any type of job, but I go back home empty handed. ‘I am the shy type who cannot beg for money or go from one house to the other to ask for pittances. He said life was too harsh on him as he could no longer feed his family, pay his children’s school fees and even pay his house rent. Piqued by this unfavourable condition, ‘’ I talk to myself that the only thing left for me is to offer one of my kidneys for sale. “That was the reason I went to the state radio in Kano to market myself for any prospective buyer”, he declared.

handled shovels, mixed sand and practically deployed all their various skills to the achievement of the project”, he said. Also speaking on the feat achieved by the officers and men of the command

during his visit to the state, the zonal commander, Zone D, Dr Ahmed Jega, commended the efforts of the command and promised to support the project in some other areas.

Dr Jega also appreciated the state government for releasing the plots of land, just as he appealed to the government to fulfill its financial pledges when its economic situation improves.

The new building constructed by NSCDC.

Man without leg thanks Tribune over wheel chair Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna Mallam Yahaya Ibrahim, whose story was first published on Arewa page of 11th September,2015, is a happy man today. Few weeks ago, he had told Arewa that his wheelchair is old and decrepit. He appealed to the state government, Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) as well as wealthy individuals to come to his aid by donating a new wheelchair to him. A month after the interview was published, Ibrahim was given a brand new wheelchair. Presenting the wheelchair to him, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi M.G. Abdulsalam, said the state government was deeply concerned with the plight of the physically challenged and the less privileged ones in the society. Abdulsalam maintained that it was for this reason that the state government was making a donation of 40 wheelchairs and 10 walking aids to some of the handicapped persons. Speaking on the receipt of his wheelchair, Mallam Yahaya Ibrahim remarked that when he was presented with his own wheel chair, he was short of words. Ibrahim thanked the state government for the kind gesture, saying that it showed that Nasir el-Rufai was a listening leader who is after the welfare of his people. Similarly, he also extended the same gratitude to the Ministry for Women Affairs for making the donation on behalf of the state government. The slippers’ seller believed that the Nigerian Tribune, which published a story that revealed his plight to the world to see must also be commended for doing a fantastic job because this eventually touched the heart of the governor. “I never envisaged that succour would come my way soon. I thank the Tribune newspapers because if it didn’t write the story, nobody would remember me. This shows that your work(journalism) is a noble profession that assists us the downtrodden. Please continue with the good work”. Commenting on the chair, he disclosed

that he would use it to ride to other parts of the metropolis to sell his slippers. ‘I will ride to as far as Malali, Unguwar Rimi, and Sarki to sell my products unlike before that I only confined myself to

only NEPA roundabout. Ibrahim still has words for others who still like to beg to desist from the act, pointing out that ‘begging is dehumanising and bad to one’s image and reputation.

When IGP vowed to assist Kaduna in fighting crimes Muhammed Sabiu-Gsuau Kaduna has become the haven of crimes and criminals in recent times. The Kumuzu forest in Birnin Gwari has become the hideout of cattle rustlers who, over the years, have perfected the act of terrorising surrounding villages and towns, killing and destroying houses. Similarly, the story is the same in the Southern part of the state where cattle rustlers terrorise villages surrounding Sanga communities. In Kaduna township, the notorious activities of the ‘Saran Suka’(area boys) have become a major concern to residents of Unguwar Rimi, Rigasa, Tudun Wada, Unguwar Shanu, Badarawa communities. A concerned citizen, who pleaded anonymity, told Arewa that ‘these boys will come to your area with dangerous weapons attacking innocent souls and sometimes inflicting serious injuries on people and killing at will. However, the police image maker, DSP Zubairu Abubakar, remarked that the state was now safe from the activities of these area boys. According to him, the state police command has arrested over 200 boys. He told Arewa that the police

Patrol vehicles purchased for Kaduna State security outfits.

would continue to checkmate the activities of these area boys. Piqued by this ugly trend, the state government decided to purchase patrol vehicles for security outfits in the state in order to assist them in their operations. During the inauguration ceremony held on the 24th November,2015, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, said the 107 patrol vehicles and 230 bullet vests which were donated to the security agencies by the Kaduna State government were a clear demonstration of the state government’s effort to bring to an end, the menace of crime activities . He maintained that for’ the state government to use its resources to procure the vehicles and bullet proof vests was an indication that the state was very serious. Arase assured: ” The police will live up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizens of the state by bringing to an end the activities of these criminals. Earlier, Governor El-Rufai said the existing partnership between his government and security agencies had yielded positive results in the last six months, particularly in the fight against cattle rustling.

Friday, 27 November, 2015 37 news FG moves to tackle graduate unemployment, skills gap Kwara Poly Clement Idoko-Abuja

HE Federal Government has said it is alarmed by the growing youth unemployment which is aggravated by serious disconnect between university training and the needs of the labour market in Nigeria. Accordingly, the government through the National Universities Commission (NUC), has kick-started the process of conducting industrial skills gap assessment and Pilot Tracer Study of graduates from Nigerian universities.

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who declared open on Thursday, in Abuja, a workshop on Pilot Tracer Study of selected graduates from Nigerian universities, said this becomes imperative in view of the fact that the issues of job creation and the need for highly skilled workforce, were critical to the economic development of the nation. Adamu, lamented that in spite of the huge number of graduates that are churned out from the nation’s university system on an annual basis, some industrialists and employers

of labour prefer to source their workforce internationally to the detriment of Nigerian graduates. He said: “In year 2000, a World Bank study revealed a serious disconnect between university training and the needs of the labour market in Nigeria. This mismatch has been and continues to be socially costly to Nigeria. “Dangote group, for instance, prefers to source its workforce internationally to the detriment of Nigerian graduates. It is therefore, pertinent that Nigerian universities need to produce the skilled

workforce that matches the needs of the market both in terms of quality and quantity,” he said. While expressing concerns about disturbing rate of graduate unemployment in Nigeria, the minister, however, said youth unemployment was a global challenge, disclosing that in January 2015, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, it was observed that global youth unemployment was growing at an unprecedented rate. He said it was further observed that the growing rate of youths unemploy-

ment was as high as 50 per cent. He noted that the collaboration between NUC and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), was to conduct a pilot Tracer Study of graduates of Science and Engineering programmes from selected universities. Adamu, explained that survey would provide information required to evaluate the employability of graduates of Science and Engineering programmes. Tracer Studies are also used to provide data to students, parents, career guidance professionals and policy-makers as to which programmes are likely to lead to employment, while universities and planners would use the information to help them plan and improve on their curriculum and programmes.

We’ll resuscitate eroded cultural values —OSCAC By Oluyomi Fashakin

From left, Acting Head, Public Affairs and Communication, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Mrs Sade Morgan; Director, NBC, Alhaji Ahmed Mantey; Managing Director, NBC, Ben Langqat; Director, NBC, Laolu Akinkugbe and the Kwara State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, during a visit to the Government House, Ilorin, by the NBC officials, on Wednesday.

Fire razes 118 shops in Jos A raging night inferno razed 118 shops at the Kabong market in Jos North area, Plateau State, on Thursday morning, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported. A NAN correspondent, who visited the market, could not access the burnt section as some shops were still in flames. Others also had thick smoke billowing from them, making visibility very difficult. The actual cause of the fire could not be ascertained, but Mr Christopher Jama, Chairman, Kabong Market Traders Association, who briefed Governor Simon Lalong when he visited the scene, said the fire started by 4:00am. Jama claimed that the fire was caused by an electrical spark when public power supply was restored in the night. He told Governor Lalong that 118 shops were completely burnt, and noted that goods destroyed included bags of maize, beans, rice, and poultry products. He appealed to the governor to come to the aid of

the affected traders ‘whose means of livelihood had been destroyed’. Lalong, who expressed ``deep shock’’ at the development, promised to remodel the market and also address the traders plight. ``Government was al-

ready working towards remodeling before the inferno,’’ he said. He, however, expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost. The governor directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Com-

merce to liaise with the market union to get details of the incident. NAN reported that the market was still inaccessible as at the time of the governor’s visit as smoke was still billowing from the burnt shops.

NDDC seeks development partners for N/Delta Dapo Falade-Port Harcourt Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sir Bassey Dan- Abia, has said the commission would partner with stakeholders and development partners to fast track the development of the Niger Delta region. He disclosed this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, adding that the interactive partnership sought to open a window of opportunity for all stakeholders to meaningfully contribute pragmatic ideas to the development of the region. Dan-Abia said this would be realisable at a two-day Partnership for Sustain-

able Development (PSD) forum meeting, scheduled to take place between Sunday and Monday. The PSD forum meeting, coordinated by Professor Eyo Etim Uyo, would attract stakeholders from the nine-member states that constitute the commission. Dan-Abia said the forum would guide the commission on the issue of development and also go a long way to minimise and reduce wastage. “Our main focus is to distance the work of the commission from partisan politics. The PSD will review the achievements of the commission. It is our cherished desire to eliminate wastage of funds allocated to the commission.

“It will be unwise for the commission to strive to operate in the region without consulting other stakeholders or partners in the region. “Other stakeholders and partners need to know what we are doing and join us, from time to time, to assess how well we are doing in the execution of projects. “The forum will also afford us the opportunity to assess the uncompleted projects we inherited from the immediate past board, most of which we have now completed”, he said. The NDDC boss also disclosed that his immediate predecessor left 18 uncompleted university hostel projects spread across the nine states constituting the commission.

OYO State Council for Arts and Culture (OSCAC), in collaboration with Macsteve Tourism Events, organisers of Tarmac Festival 2015, has said that it is all out to resuscitate cultural values eroded by western culture. The group said this during a visit to the Tribune House, Ibadan, Oyo State,on Thursday. Lamenting the extent at which cultural values have been affected, the leader of the group, Mr Jide Olatubosun, said that the type of food and clothes Nigerians wear are results of alien cultures imbibed. He said the three-day event which will commence on December 16, is aimed at language, dressing, food and values with participants cutting across the 33 local government areas of the state. The senior manager, Advert, Mr Kayode Titiloye, receiving the group, said that African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Publishers of the Tribune titles, in continuation with the legacy of its founders,, will always support cultural promotion, saying that this prompted the dedication of pages to culture and tourism on the Wednesday editions of the Nigerian Tribune. He further said that “if we intensify our efforts in promoting our culture in the South-West, it will spread like fire and affect other parts of Nigeria.”

suspends 3 students

Biola Azeez-Iloirn

THE authorities of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, have suspended three students for alleged unlawful possession of live cartridges and charms contrary to the rules and regulation of the polytechnic. A statement signed by the Deputy Registrar, (Information and Publication Division) of the institution, Alhaji Moshood Amuda, which was made available to journalists in Ilorin, on Thursday, said that the institution was determined to maintain conducive learning environment. According to the statement, the students involved are Bolaji Tunde, Marketing Department, Abdullahi Wasiu, Marketing Department and Atoyebi Atanda, of theBusiness Administration. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, said that only one suspect with three live cartridges was arrested, adding that the suspect had been handed over to the police.

Jigawa extends immunisation exercise Jigawa State government has extended the national measles immunisation exercise period by two days so as to ensure full coverage of the exercise This was disclosed by the Director of Primary Health Care Agency in the state, Dr Kabiru Ibrahim ,while speaking to the Nigerian Tribune, in Dutse, He said “the state government and the facilitators agreed to use the two days make-up to continue with the excercise to complete the remaining target percetage”. Dr Ibrahim explained that “we targeted to achieve 96 per cent coverage of 1.5 million children targeted to be vaccinated during the exercise as of the last day of the exercise (Thursday), some teams achieved less than the targeted percentage.” He described the measles immunisation exercise as the best ever conducted in the state and said that the extention of the exercise by two days would not cost the state extra money.

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School administrators tasked on global standard

rovost, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Dr Rasak Adefabi, has urged administrators in tertiary institutions to aspire to meet global standard, through best practices in governance, so that they could compete favourably with colleagues all over the world. He said embracing best practices in the governance of tertiary institutions in this age of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), was very germane to their efficient operations. Adefabi stated this at the second registry annual public lecture, tagged “Best practices in tertiary institutions governance: The Nigerian experience”, held recently. Adefabi explained that the mentality of “government work is no-one’s work” should be discarded, stating that change should come first from

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individuals and then collectively. He urged administrators to shun negative and lackadaisical attitude to work which hindered optimum performance on the job. According to him, mentoring of subordinates should be key priority for all experienced administrators to ensure continuity, because “success without a successor is failure”. The guest lecturer, Mr. Oluwarotimi Shodimu, ,a former registrar of the University of Lagos, and now visiting registrar, National Universities Commission (NUC), in his lecture, said for an officer to achieve best practices and be effective, he must be knowledgeable, diligent, versatile, trustworthy, resourceful, industrious, patient, tolerant, purposeful, upright, matured, focused, consistent, punctual and regular.

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I, Adigun-Lasisi Tinuade Taibat am the same person bearing Azeez Tinuade and Adigun Tinuade Taibat Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADIGUN-LASISI TAIBAT TINUADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Alaba Ahmad Adeleye now ADEGOKE PAUL ADELEYE. All former documents remain valid. University of Ibadan, The Nigeria Law School and general public take note. CONFIRMATION NAME CHANGE OFOF NAME

I, formerly Miss Kongi Olufunmilola Adenike now MRS AJIBADE OLUFUNMILOLA ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oyagbesan Olusegun Samson now FESTUS OLUSEGUN FOLAJIMI. All Former document remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION NAME CHANGE OFOF NAME I, formerly Mr Gambo Musa now MR UNAJI OKO CHRISTOPHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oladimeji Akinwumi now ORELUSI AKINWUMI. All Former document remain valid. First Bank Plc, Access Bank, Wema Bank and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Susan Onong am the same person bearing Susan Patrick Edet. Henceforth, I want to be called and addressed as SUSAN PATRICK EDET. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, U.B.A. and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Babatunde Latifat Mojirade am the same person as Babatunde Latifat Mojira. Now wish to be known and addressed as EJIDE OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Omomunmi Stephen Adeniyi now MR. ADENIYI STEPHEN OMOMUNMI. All former documents remain valid. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Friday Edet Udoh now UDEME EDET UDOH. All former documents remain valid. UBA Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyetunmbi Taiwo Rasheedat now MRS LAWAL TAIWO RASHEEDAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olanipekun Adetutu Adenike now MRS FASOLA ADETUTU ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Marquis Olubunmi Iyabode now MRS OKWUCHUKWU OLUBUNMI IYABODE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Babarinde Omolola Blessing now ADEBOYE OMOLOLA BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Akinlolu Grace Funmilayo am the same person bearing Akinlolu Grace Funmilayo and Akande Temilade Funmilayo. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as AKINLOLU GRACE FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alabi Moradeke Rachael now MRS OYEBISI MORADEKE RACHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Willoughby Abiola-Rotimi now OLUSEGUN ABIOLAROTIMI. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Udoutin Emem Emmanuel now MRS EMEM-OBONG ODU. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogbe Esther Enovwo now MRS ONOYENURE ESTHER ENOUWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Joseph Uwah Stephanie now JOSEPH VERA ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Romoke Janet Okegbemi now MRS ROMOKE JANET OYEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Irene Taiwo Olajumoke Oladele now MRS ADETOUN KOLAWOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Iineke Abel now MR ENIAFE ABEL AYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION NAME CHANGE OFOF NAME

I, formerly Awolusi Helen Oluwabunmi now OJO HELEN OLUWABUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION NAME CHANGE OFOF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Samiat Temitope Lakondoro now MRS OSHO SAMIAT LAKONDORO. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oladele Olamide now MRS FESTUS OLAMIDE ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alawode Folake Folashade now MRS ERINLE FOLAKE FOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ayoola Abosede Oluwatosin now MRS OLAWEPO ABOSEDE OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr Sunday Solomon Okon now MR KUFRE OKON UDOH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION NAME CHANGE OFOF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adesina Suliyat Bosede now MRS AKINBOWALE SULIYAT BOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION NAME CHANGE OFOF NAME

I, formerly Miss Orisabinone Toyin Folaye now MISS ADEKANKUN TOYIN ROSELINE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, OSUSTECH and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Osa Osayande Obaita now BENJAMIN ALIMHINGBE OBAITA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oyetunji Ganiyat Idowu now FASASI GANIYAT IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oyeniyi Damilola now MRS RAJI ASIFAT DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Odubitan Sulaimon Abiodun now MR BELLO SULAIMON ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, ALHAJI NURUDEEN OJULARI KASHIMAWO am the same person bearing AMUNE NURUDEEN OJULARI. All documents bearing both names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr. Jimoh Waidi Alli now MR. WAIDI LASISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Morenigbade Adijat now BABALOLA MORENIGBADE ADIJAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

39 CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, 27 November, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Omolajaye Esther Olusola now MRS ODEYINKA ESTHER OLUSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Asimolowo Nureni now ASIMOLOWO ADEKUNLE SAMSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Onyinye Ngene now MRS. KOSIRIKWE ONYINYE CHRISTIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Tabi Ibitayo Elizabeth now AJUWON IBITAYO ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oyeyemi Dorcas Ayobami now MRS ADEBAYO AYO GANIYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. I, formerly Miss Azeez Kafayat Arike now MRS JIMOH KAFAYAT ARIKE. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oyemade Funmilola Aderonke now TORIOLA OMOLOLA ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Olaniran Bayonle Emmanuel now THOMPSON OLAWALE ADENIYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Oladipo Omolara Olutoke now OGINNI OMOLARA OLUTOKE. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Osunkunle Olalekan Joseph now JOSEPH OGUNRINU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Buremoh Susan Oluwatoyosi now MRS. IBIGBAMI SUSAN OLUWATOYOSI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ibukunoluwa Fehintola Rebecca now OMIDIYA IBUKUNOLUWA FEHINTOLA REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly A Wahab Hakeem now ABDUL WAHAB HAKEEM AMOO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ganiyu Jimoh now YUSUF MOMOH YAKUBU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Akinbo Lasisi Alagbe now AKINBO NOFIU OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Asalu Sheriff now KUYE IBRAHIM ATANDA. All former documents remain valid. Sumal Foods Limited and general public take note.

I, formerly Ganiyu Ahmed Kunle now GANIYU IDOWU DAUDA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Afolabi Yinka Bukola now MRS ONIFADE OLAYINKA TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ayobami Onaolapo now MRS RASAKI FAMUYIWA APENA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Omobitan Odunayo Kofoworola now MRS. IDOWU ODUNAYO KOFOWOROLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs O.T. Ajibola now MRS OLUREMI TEMITOPE OLAYOMIGEORGE. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Peter Dele Oyemolade now PETER DELE OYELEYE. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank, Wema Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr Jimoh Samuel now MR AMONGBONSAYE SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Tijani Isiaka Olajumoke now MR. TIJANI ISIAKA GBOLAGADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Abosede Aderiyike Adewusi am the same person as Samson Abosede, Abosede Aderiyike Adewusi. Now I wish to be called and addressed as ABOSEDE ADERIYIKE ADEWUSI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Lamidi Olaitan now AZEEZ ASIATA OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ayun Oluwakemi now MRS. AKINLABI OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank, GTBank and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Abdulahi Ayetoro am the one and the same person bearing Abdulahi Aransi now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULAHI AYETORO ARANSI. All former documents remain valid. FCMB Bank, First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Abifarin Nurat Abiola now DAMBELE ABIFARIN NURAT ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Culture and Tourism and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Samuel Blessing, am the same person as Busayo Dasola Dorcas. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as BUSAYO DASOLA DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. Sterling Bank, Access Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ogunkanmi Olaide Oladisun now MRS OMOSEBI OLAIDE OLADISUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Anjorin Bisola Minare now AROWOLO MUJIDAT ADEREMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Ajala Lander: I, formerly Miss Ajala Lander Muibat Funke now MRS RAJI MUIBAT FUNKE ABENI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Hammed Saheed now KELANI SAHEED OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. UBA Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Balogun Kazeem A. now IDOWU SARAFADEEN O. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Amodu Faith Olubukola now AGEMO FAITH AMODU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ayodele Solomon Oloruntoba now OYATUNDE TOBA AYODELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Omiwole Bilikisu Nike am the same person bearing OMIWOLE BEATRICE NIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Nnamani Rita Ebere now MRS ONUORAH RITA EBERE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Otoaye Isaac now OTUAYE ISAAC. All former documents remain valid. UBA Bank and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Aminu Omonike Eniola now MRS ADEGBOYE OMONIKE ENIOLA. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Ifasanya Anofi Babatunde now SANSALIU ANOFI BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinbohun Oluwatosin Folashade now MRS FALEYE OLUWATOSIN FOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeojo Adekemi Iyabo now MRS. ADEGBOYEGA ADEKEMI RUTH. All former documents remain valid. TESCOM, Oyo State and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olabisi Adenike Dorcas now MRS BABATUNDE ADENIKE DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akege Bridget Onyeisi now MRS AGU EKENE BRIDGET ONYEISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Salam Mistura Idowu Bolanle now MRS OYEWOLE IDOWU BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adebiyi Banke Mercy now MRS OLANIPEKUN BANKE MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akanbi Titilola Anike now MRS OKUNOLA TITILOLA ANIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Daniel John Onwububiko now OHAGURU OBINNA PETER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Abilawon Halimot Olaide now MRS SHITTU HALIMOT OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oloko Ayodele Dorcas now MRS ADEYEMI AYODELE DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Victor Kenibra Aboyewa am the one and the same person bearing Aboyewa Kenibra Bright, Victor Kenibra. Now I wish to be known and addressed as VICTOR KENIBRA. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank, Wema Bank Plc., UBA and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeniran Nike Afusat now MRS SALAUDEEN NIKE AFUSAT. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Amola Busola Alice now MRS AKINSANYA BUSOLA ALICE. All former documents remain valid. FBN Insurance and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Nsiah Sylvia Sade now MISS ADEDIRAN SYLVIA FOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid. UK Embassy and general public take note.

I, formerly Samuel Akin Akinwumi now SAMUEL AKINWUMI JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank, First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olanrewaju Fatimoh Olabisi now MRS AKINOLA FATIMOH OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. UBA Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Saka Yemisi Ayodele now MRS OYEYIOLA YEMISI AYODELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr Olaifa James Femi Olajesu now MR OLAJESU JAMES FEMI. All former documents remain valid. Guaranty Trust Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Onabiyi Oluwunmi Olutola now MRS. IDOWU OLUWUNMI OLUTOLA. All former documents remain valid. FRIN and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Onasanya Abidemi Abosede Aina now MRS. OGUNDIPE ABIDEMI ABOSEDE AINA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Waidi Amusa Idowu now MR WAIDI OSUOLALE IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogunniyi Folake Abidemi now MRS. RABIU FOLAKE ABIDEMI. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Civil Service Commission and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Hamzat Mojisola Aminat now MRS ADEGUN MOJISOLA AMINAT. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, UBA Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajibola Mujidat Modasola now MRS. AJIBOLAOLANIYAN MUJIDAT MODASOLA (NEE AJIBOLA). All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Lands, Housing & Survey, Oyo State and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Sulaiman Aminat Omolola now MRS OJO ABOSEDE OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Government and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Muraina Opeyemi Ramat now MRS OLATUNJI OPEYEMI RAMAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olamijulo Taiwo Damilola now MRS AKINTUNDE TAIWO DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Gabriel Oluwayemisi Abigail now MRS AROWOLO OLUWAYEMISI ABIGAIL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Nwanneri Thankgod now OSUAJOKU LOUIS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr. Yahaya Ibrahim Adisa now MR YAHAYA IBRAHIM SAHEED. All former documents remain valid. Kwara State Local Government Service Commission, GTBank, FBN, Zenith Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ajagbe Funmi now MRS OMOLOLA FLORENCE AJAGBE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ajayi Opeyemi Adedayo now MRS ALOWOESIN OPEYEMI ADEDAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Peter Michael Olurinde now MR AYESAN MICHAEL OLURINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ugwuanyi Felix Ejiofor now UGWUANYI JAMES OSITA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Wale Micheal Blackgold now MR WALE AROMAX. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly John Sunday Okafa now MGBAGE SUNDAY OKAFA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adefila Oluwatoyin Omolara now MRS ODEJIMI OLUWATOYIN OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid. The Nigeria Police Force and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Opeloyeru Fatai Abiodun am the same person as Opeloyeru Abdulfatai Abdulazeez. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OPELOYERU FATAI ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Oderinde Adesina Oluwaferanmi am the same person as Ojo Fowope Abefe. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ODERINDE ADESINA OLUWAFERANMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Akusus Ese am the same person as Solomon Abue Caleb. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as AKUSUS ESE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Simon Chiehemba now MR AJAYI OLUWASEYE PETER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Obisesan Omolara Janet now MRS POPOOLA OMOLARA JANET. All former documents remain valid. ISON BPO and general public take note.

40 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oni Christianah Toyin now MRS OKOMAFE CHRISTIANAH TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Yusuff Sakirat Funke now MRS ISMAIL SAKIRAT FUNKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Ajibola Comfort Infeanyi now MRS COMFORT EYEBIOKIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Imhanfidon Felix now FELIX ODIANOSE SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Abimbola David now MRS TOLA OTUKOYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oladosu Muhideen Bayonle now HAMEED MUHIDEEN BAYONLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Okusanya Bisi Oyinda now ONAMADE BISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Aliu Sofiat Adebola now MRS AKOREDE SOFIAT ADEBOLA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, 27 November, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ochochi Salu now SALISU IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Uchekwe Uju Rachel now ANIEKE RACHEL UJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Okah Efemena Meekness, am the same person as OKAH EFEMENA EYAGOMARE. All documents remain valid. General public take note. AUTHENTICATION OF NAME

I, AGU MOSES COLOMBUS, am the same person as Agu Moses Saty. My correct name is AGU MOSES COLOMBUS. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Emmanuel Pius Amos am the same person as Prince Pius Amos. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as PRINCE PIUS AMOS. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Monday Ogaga now IROBO OGAGA BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Onotokpefe Victoria now MRS OBIRE VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. College of Education, Warri, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, Jane Ijeoma Nwanguma, am the same person as IJEOMA NWANGUMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Queen Dode now MRS QUEEN JOSIAH OMATUWESH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss. Gbada Atu Maryam now MRS. ANISTAR MIRIAM ATU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeboje Fasilat Idowu now MRS OPABAJO FASILAT IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adedoyin Abimbola Omolewa now MRS BADEJO ABIMBOLA OMOLEWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Udoka Nnennaya Chinwendu now AKOR SAMUEL NNENNAYA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ebiye Tina now MRS SAWYER FORSON WOYENGIEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Lawal Mojisola Mutiyat now ABDULSALAM MUTIAT MOJISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluwakemi Adenike Mary now MRS ADETUNLESE OLUWAKEMI MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Moriamo Hassan now MRS MORIAMO OMOLOLA DURODOLA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, GTBank Plc, Skye Bank Plc and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Olowookere Olusola Matthew am the same person bearing Olusola Matthew. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OLOWOOKERE OLUSOLA MATTHEW. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Azeez Alabi now AFOLABI AZEEZ. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olayomi Bukola Esther now MRS BODEOLOYE BUKOLA ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. University of Ado-Ekiti, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ayano Adedotun Abiodun now OLADIMEJI MICHEAL ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ogunbuyide Bamitale Taiwo now MRS AWOPILEDA BAMITALE TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, UBA Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Robinson Ogaga Alegbe now ROBINSON O N O B U K O R A Y E EMURAYE. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public take note.

I, Mrs Kehinde Omiata Williams am the same person bearing Mrs Kehinde Williams and Kehinde Omiata. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS KEHINDE OMIATA WILLIAMS. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, Wema Bank, Zenith Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Ogundirahun Oluwaseyi Abidemi now ADEGBEYENI OLUWASEYI ABIDEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Anosike Edith Ijeoma now MRS NWOKEDIUKO EDITH IJEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Ibrahim Salis, am the same person as Marazu Mohammed. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM SALIS. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Nurudeen Zainab Ajike now MRS OLAYINKA ZAINAB AJIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Anwure Almardiyah now ABDULKAREEM ANWURE ALMARDIYAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Muhammed Fausat Fayoke now MRS ALI FAUSAT FAYOKE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly James Ayeni now TIJANI AYOFE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

I, formerly Miss Josephine Okwagbe now MRS JOSEPHINE ODODO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Suleman Folashade Sekinat now MRS FAKOMITI FOLASHADE SEKINAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Idris Momoh am the same person as Dauda Anate Salawu. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as IDRIS MOMOH. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Atuchukwu Ngozi Uchenna now MRS EKWEGBALU NGOZI UCHENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

INCLUSION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oladipo Funmilayo Adenike now MRS JOLAYEMI FUNMILAYO ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. Staff of SUBEB, Osun State and general public take note.

I, formerly Adepoju Temitope Eunice now MRS SOLEYE TEMITOPE EUNICE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Francis Ayogu Okeke now MR. FRANCIS AYOGU. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank, Access Bank Plc., First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Tuyi Olawale Oladunni am the same person as Osanyituyi Jonah Olawale. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as TUYI JONAH OLAWALE. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ayobami Badmus Surajudeen now AYOBAMI RAJI SURAJUDEEN. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Sunday Mivwoghene Paul now SUNDAY PAUL MONDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Eghenure Ejiro am the same person as Eghenure Ejiro Praise. Praise is my English name. I now bear EGHENURE EJIRO PRAISE. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Azeez Damilola Alimotu am the same person as Azeez Damilola Eniola. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AZEEZ DAMILOLA ALIMOTU. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Odor Chioma Evelyn now MRS OKORO CHIOMA EVELYN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Anie Basil Oluchukwu now ANIE BASIL OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank, UBA and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr Olanrewaju Tirimisiyu Onijo now MR SALAUDEEN TIRIMISIU ONIJO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Mmadu Blessing now MRS NNAMANI BLESSING NNWADIMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Zeblon Eninidiwei Biribomowei now LAGOS ENINIDIWEI SMART. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Okunowo Folashade Mojisola now MRS SENBANJO FOLASHADE MOJISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Taiwo Adetolani Rukayat now MRS ADEKOYA ADETOLANI RUKAYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olufunmi Olugbemi Fadamoro now MRS OLUFUNMI OLUGBEMI MAJEKODUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aminu Lateefat Adenike now MRS ALADE-AMINU LATEEFAT ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I, formerly John Blessing Sunday now JOHN BLESSING TOBOLAYEFA SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Akinduro Samson now AKINDURO SAMSON OGUNNIYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Uyateri Akpodulagha now MR EBIS HOSPITAL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ahmed Lateefat Adeola now MRS OGUNBAYO LATEEFAT ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Nike Kehinde now SODIQ NIKE BILIKISU. All former documents remain valid. UBA Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, Uyateri Etimidoomin am the same person bearing Uyateri Tobolayefa. Now I wish to be known and addressed as UYATERI ETIMIDOOMIN. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc, UBA Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Tella Aramide Esther now MRS EMEHINOLA ARAMIDE ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adeyemi Oluwatosin Temitope now OLAJIRE OLUWATOSIN TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adekemi Margaret Ademiluyi now MRS ADEKEMI MARGARET ADEPOJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ojo Temitope now MRS AKANDE FOLUKE ADUKE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities of Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meal in the State of Osun and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Ikomo Fredrick now OKEH FREDRICK. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank, Diamond Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Enigbokan Oluwasesan Bukola am the same person bearing Enigbokan Oluwasesan Tolulope. Now I wish to be known and addressed as ENIGBOKAN OLUWASESAN BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Opinmi Ibalmughan Perebotei am the same and one person as Opinmi Lawrence Ditimi. Now I wish to be known and addressed as OPINMI IBALMUGHAN PEREBOTEI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, UBA and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Nwani Ikechukwu Nwene now NWANI IKECHUKWU FREDERICK. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Busayo Elizabeth Adebajo now MRS OLUWAKEMI TOPE ADEBAJO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Okwara Prisca am the same person as Ike-Okwara Prisca. Now I wish to be known and addressed as IKE PRISCA. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank, Fidelity Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olusanya Omobolanle Grace now MRS OBANIGBA OMOBOLANLE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

I, Awobajo Bisola Abimbola am the same person as Awobajo Bisola Sekinat. Now I wish to be known and addressed as MRS AWOBAJO BISOLA ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. FBN Plc, Sagamu and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Idowu Bolarinwa now ALOLODU BILIKISU YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Iyiola Teniola Abdullahi now IYIOLA IDOWU ABDULLAHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olabamiji Oredola Lovelyn now MRS ADEBIYI OREDOLA L. OLABAMIJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Gbatoi Diye-Oriamaja am the same person bearing Gbatoi Queen Anyaku. Now I wish to be known and addressed as GBATOI QUEEN ANYAKU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Friday, 27 November, 2015

eyesof islam

Saheed Salawu yinkadejavu@yahoo.com 0811 695 4643

Why Muslims plead ‘guide us to the straight path’

USLIMS plead to be guided to the straight path at least 17 times a day due to the obligation of reciting Surat al-Fatiha (Qur’an 1) in salah (the five daily prayers). How many of us have reflected on the nature of this guidance and the path that we are supposed to be upon? ‘Guide us’ (Ihdina) In Arabic, the word “hidaya” doesn’t simply mean guidance, it means to guide gently. The word for gift (hadiyya) in Arabic also comes from the same root letters as the word for guidance (hidaya). Religious guidance is the greatest gift that a person can possess. It is also something that we do not control or own, but rather it is bestowed upon us in an act of infinite mercy and grace by Allah. Notice how it is in the plural - not ‘guide me,’ but ‘guide us.’ This instils in us a sense of brotherhood by making this request on behalf of fellow Muslims, especially as we stand in prayer as a group.

Types of hidaya (guidance) mentioned in the Qur’an There are four types of hidaya mentioned in the Qur’an. General hidaya that is given to all creation. This type of guidance and knowledge is given by Allah to all created things. By this guidance, animals, plants and even inanimate objects fulfil the purpose for which they were created. This also includes the general intellect, wits, and inherent intuitive knowledge given to all responsible beings regardless of their faith. This is referred to in the following verse: “Our Lord is He who gave each thing its form and then guided [it].” (Qur’an 20:50) Hidaya that is in the form of explanation and education by way of defining the two paths of good and evil. It is when someone guides you by explaining that which is good and warns you from that which is evil according to Islam. This is the type of hidaya referred to in this verse: And indeed, [O Muhammad], you guide to a straight path. (Qur’an 42:52) Hidaya that is tawfiq (a specific type of divine guidance) and inspiration (ilham) from Allah to be guided to the truth of iman (faith), Islam (submission), etc. The following verses refer to this type. “…Thus does Allah leave astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. (Qur’an 74:31) “No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah – He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things.” (Qur’an 64:11) Hidaya that is in the next life, by which one shall be guided to Paradise “And We will have removed whatever is within their breasts of resentment, [while] flowing beneath them are rivers. And they will say, “Praise to Allah, who has guided us to this.” (Quran 7:43). Each one of the above types of hidaya has a sequential connection and relationship. Without the first level of guidance, you will not have the capacity to attain the second and without the second you cannot attain the third and fourth levels. We have absolutely no power to guide anyone using any of the above types of guidance except for the second type of hidaya that is explanation and education. The remaining types of guidance, particularly the third type of guidance which is tawfiq from Allah to have iman, are what are referred to in the following verse of the Qur’an, again addressing the Prophet Muhammad: “Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.” (Qur’an 28:56) In other words even the Prophets, much less others, cannot guide whom they choose to become believers in the sense of actually putting faith in a person’s heart. They can only guide in terms of explanation, exhortation, clarification and instruction regarding the truth. The first lesson here is that we should seek guidance in every matter with Allah first and foremost before turning to others. Secondly, it should humble those of us who are inviting or ‘guiding’ others to Islam to acknowledge and in-

ternalise the fact that we have no real power over this matter, and that true guidance is the sole dominion of Allah, the ‘turner of the hearts.’ However, on the other hand, that should not make us despair of the work we do, for which our reward is with Allah. But rather, it should increase our confidence in inviting others knowing that the result is not dependent on ‘my dawah’ or speech, which is full of weakness and defects, but is in the hands of Allah who can instantly change the hearts of the most wicked and tyrannical into the most pure and righteous. The 10 levels of guidance A Muslim may question why he or she has to ask for guidance at least 17 times a day while they have already been guided to Islam. Scholars have explained that it is because firstly, we ask for constancy (thabat) on guidance and secondly because there are so many levels and aspects of guidance that we are in need of in every detail of our daily lives that it becomes imperative to seek it. There are a further 10 levels of guidance that need to be attained for one to be truly guided. Therefore, one should bear in mind when asking for guidance that one is asking Allah to: be granted guidance of knowledge and clarity, in order for one to know and reach the truth; for the capacity to be guided; make one desirous of guidance; make one act upon the guidance; make one remain steadfast on guidance; remove all barriers and obstructions that impede guidance; be granted a distinctive and detailed level of guidance on the path itself and its stations; be granted sight of one’s ultimate goal along the path, to be alerted to it so that one can

Islam is straight in that it is a correct and firmly established way, pure and protected from any crookedness or deviation from the truth.

perceive it on the journey, catching sight of it without being blocked from seeing it; make one aware of one’s own destitution and desperate need for guidance (from Allah) over and above all other necessities; make one see the two misguided paths that veer off from the path of guidance; firstly, the path of the people of wrath—those who intentionally, out of rebellion, turned away from following the truth; secondly the path of the people of misguidance-those who turned away out of ignorance and misguidance. One then sees the straight path upon which are all the prophets and messengers along with their followers from the truthful (siddiqeen), the martyrs and the righteous. We are instructed by Allah to ask for guidance to the straight path (al-sirat al-mustaqim). What then is the nature of this path? Description of the Straight Path (al-sirat al-mustaqim) In the language of the Arabs, a path (sirat) needs to possess five qualities for it to be called a sirat. The path needs to be straight; easy to travel upon; a familiar well-trodden path; wide and spacious; lead one to the desired destination. Since the path that we are asking guidance to is Islam itself, notice and reflect on how these qualities apply to Islam. Islam is straight in that it is a correct and firmly established way, pure and protected from any crookedness or deviation from the truth. And as the Prophet said, “The deen (Islam/religion) is easy…” [Bukhari]. Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. There will be challenges, temptations and difficulties in living as a Muslim but they are things that we ultimately have the capacity to bear. Everything in shari`ah (Islamic law) benefits us or wards off harm for us in this world and/or the next. Islam, which is submission to the commands of Allah, is also a familiar and well-trodden path, the path of all the Prophets and their followers. It is a specific and definite known path that we are seeking guidance to. It is the path that Allah has ordained for the people that He has favoured, the path that leads to His pleasure and His paradise, which is in fact His deen—besides which nothing is acceptable to Him. It is said that it is also the path that we intuitively know in the deepest core of our hearts that must exist because as human beings we already affirmed when we were created that Allah is our Rabb (Lord). Source: SuhaibWebb – Shafiur Rahman

42 islamicnews

Friday, 27 November, 2015

MSSN counters rejection of faith-based school uniforms

he Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit (MSSN Lagos) has faulted a call for the disallowance of faith-based uniforms in schools. Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, was, at the inauguration of a school built by the Osun State government in Ejigbo and named after him, reported to have frowned on the wearing of uniforms depicting students’ religious affiliations to schools across the country and said this should be disallowed.

MSSN Lagos, in a statement by its president (Amir), Mallam Saheed Ashafa, however, expressed disappointment that a person of the literary icon’s standing could make an “uninformed” comment on education and human right. According to the group, it should be recognised that the current uniforms worn by students in schools were already faith-based. “It should be noted that the statement by Soyinka is one sided and a calculated attack on the agitation for equality through request for the wearing of hijab on

school uniform. It should be clearly stated that the current school uniforms in all government schools is already Christian - school uniform with beret for females and short for males as against hijab and trousers for Muslims. “It is obvious that Muslims are the only ones denied our religious right. Or is Soyinka trying to say that students should begin to wear their indigenous outfits, meaning Yoruba students or students studying in Yorubaland will begin to wear io, buba and gele or agbada and

sokoto with fila as against the faith-based uniforms currently being worn? It is high time equality was granted instead of running around the bush.” The group warned governors of states already respecting religious differences not to fall for illadvices capable of disrupting the peace and causing confusion. MSSN Lagos added that it was more interested in the cooperation and peaceful co-existence, stating that would be fast tracked by respecting religious differences and peculiarities.

Don challenges govts on education, social justice AN appeal has gone to governments to invest in education and social justice in order to stem social problems in the country. Delivering a lecture at the 20th anniversary of Fityatudeen-il-Islamiyyat Society of Nigeria, a senior lecturer at the Lagos State University, Dr Saheed Timehin, identified investment in comprehensive and beneficial education and social justice as antidotes to social unrests and youth restiveness. He advocated provision for all and sundry in the society, taking into cognisance their limitations, saying a society which ignores the poor, the unemployed and the physically challenged is sitting on a keg of gunpowder. Timehin also deplored the current budgetary provision for education, lamenting that Nigeria currently devotes less than nine per cent of its annual budget to education, contrary to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO’s) benchmark of 26 per cent.

Uphold Islamic ethics in business dealings, AMP advises Muslims MUSLIMS have been admonished to embrace Islamic ethics in their business dealings in order to build a fair world and comply with the injunctions of Almighty Allah. The admonition was given, in Lagos, at the general lecture of the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP). The lecturer, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Tijani, an accountant, speaking on the topic, “Business Ethics in Islam,” charged Muslims to take cognisance of Islamic ethics in their transactions. He specifically warned Muslims against engaging in any business that involves riba (usury), alcohol, drugs, sculpture, hoarding and speculation. He also said it was incumbent upon every Muslim to exhibit trust and good faith in business. Tijani stated that Allah enjoins Muslim employers and employees to be just and faithful to the terms of their business agreement by giving one another their dues.

Scholar advises Muslim parents, guardians Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo (right) and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola (De-Damak), during the former’s visit to the latter at his residence, in Ibadan, recently.

Help us to promote moral regeneration, gov tells Bauchi people Saliu Gbadamosi -Abuja

BAUCHI State governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, has called on the people of the state, particularly community and religious leaders, to join hands with the state government to promote moral regeneration, especially among the youth, in the state. This is even as he gave the assurance that his administration would continue to create conducive environment for adherents of various religions in the state to practise their faiths without hindrance. The governor stated these while declaring open the state’s 30th Qur’an recitation competition holding in Katagum, headquarters of Zaki Local Government Area of the state. Governor Abubakar, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Community Relations, Alhaji Kani Faggo, stated that when moral regeneration was achieved in the state, it would prevent violence,

drug abuse and other social vices in the society. He promised that religious matters would be given the necessary attention in order to build a God-fearing society. Abubakar stated that his administration released over N55 million for the conduct of this year’s Qur’an recitation competition and appealed to the

judges to follow the rules to achieve the desired goal. Earlier, the chairman of the state’s Qur’an Recitation Committee, Dr Zubairu Abubakar Madaki, gave the assurance that members of the committee would avoid favouritism and be fair so that the best candidates who will represent the state at the national level could be produced.

He expressed the committee’s gratitude to the state government for its support and promised that the funds approved for the competition would be judiciously used. Madaki disclosed that a total of 240 male and female contestants are participating in the competition, saying that winners would go home with cars, tricycles, among others.

Muslim leader seeks support for govts Sam Mwaoko -Ado Ekiti

THE Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus, has charged the Muslim Ummah to support the Federal Government in its efforts to stabilise and secure the country. Badmus also called on Muslims in Ekiti State to help the Mr Ayodele Fayose-led government in bringing its mission to take the state to greater heights to fruition. The Muslim leader spoke in Ado Ekiti during the installation of the Chief Imam of the state, Al-

haji Jamiu Kewulere, as president of the League of Imams and Alfas in the South-West, Edo and Delta States by the Amirul Mu’minin and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III. Alhaji Badmus, represented by Senator Hamsat Salami, told Alhaji Kewulere that his position now required him to be a promoter of peace and unity not only among Muslims but among people of all faiths. He said Muslim and Christian leaders had the task of keeping the country together, especially at

this period when it is facing security and economic challenges. He urged Kewulere to make the unity of Muslims a priority in the course of discharging the responsibilities of his office. Recalling the strides made by some Muslims to promote the ideals of Islam, Badmus said, “We are all living witnesses to the achievements recorded by the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola-Alao; ditto the late Baba Adini of Yorubaland, Chief MKO Abiola.”

Biola Azeez –Ilorin

MUSLIM parents and guardians have been urged to give their children and wards sound moral, Islamic and western education to make them useful members of the society. A Patigi, Kwara State-based scholar, Ustaz Abdullahi Lade, gave the advice in a sermon, in Ilorin, at the aqeeqah (naming ceremony) of the new baby of the family of the immediate past deputy speaker of the state House Assembly, Professor Mohammed-Gana Yisa. Ustaz Lade explained that as future leaders, children’s training should be accorded priority attention. He blamed the moral decadence in the society on lack of attention to most children by their parents. He equally cautioned Muslim parents and guardians against discriminating against the female child, saying that all children, irrespective of gender, must be given adequate attention to enhance their wellbeing.

UNIFEMGA holds education summit THE Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, will host a national education summit organised by the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA), slated for tomorrow in Abuja. A statement by the chairman of the planning committee, Abdul Basit Bakare, stated that the summit, scheduled for 8.00 a.m. at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Central Area, Abuja, and themed “Nigeria’s Education Sector: Transforming into the 21st Century with Content, Quality and Global Recognition,” would be attended by stakeholders in the education sector. The statement said Professor Musa Aibinu of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, would deliver a paper on a sub-theme, “Creating and Sustaining a Qualitative Pool of Education Sector Professionals: Solution Options.” Over 350 stakeholders in the education sector are expected to attend the one-day summit.

communitynews Olofa stool: ‘Offa people followed due process’

rince Abdulwahab Agbaje of Anilelerin ruling house in Offa, Kwara State, has said that the people of Offa remained committed to the traditional way of appointing their Oba. Agbaje said this on Sunday in Abuja, while briefing the media on the protracted court case on the stool of Olofa of Offa. The case, between the Anilelerin and Olugbese ruling houses, is now at the Supreme Court. There has been a legal tussle between the two ruling houses following the appointment of Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi of the Anilelerin ruling house as the Olofa of Offa in 2010 by kingmakers. Agbaje said that contrary to insinuations that the selection of Gbadamosi did not follow due process, it was in accordance with laid down rules and procedures, as well as in tandem with the Yoruba tradition. According to him, Offa has customs and tradition of appointing their Obas and this was duly followed by the kingmakers, who selected Gbadamosi as the most suitable candidate for the Olofa stool. “There are usually natural endowments for the would be king in any ruling house of Yoruba land. “Such persons can only be selected by consulting the oracle and going through all the traditional rites. “You can confirm this from any Offa person. Af-

Friday, 27 November, 2015

ter the death of the former Oba, the kingmakers followed the procedure, the customs and traditional process of selecting oba in Offa, “The two ruling houses were consulted to bring nominees, which has been the normal practice. “”The oracle was consulted before Oba Muftau Gbadamosi emerged as Oba-elect and his name was presented to the state government for final approval,’’ he said. Agbaje said that the people of Offa had witnessed unusual peace since the emergence of Gbadamosi, adding that the development strides in the town is now unprecedented. He called on the aggrieved party to the throne to sheath its sword after four years of intrigues, stating that such prolonged bickering could stall the development of Offa. Agbaje said that despite attempts in the past to settle the rift between Anilelerin and Olugbense ruling houses in Offa through a committee, the other party had remained adamant. He said that the fear of a ruling house going into extinction had made it impossible for the aggrieved party to backtrack and al-

low peace to reign in Offa. Agbaje said that the people of Offa had been in mourning since the Appeal Court nullified the appointment of oba Gbadamosi. He said that this was because the incumbent Oba had impacted positively on the lives of the entire community. The prince said that Oba Gbadamosi had shown

that he was not a self-seeking person, but one who loved his community. He said that the king had made the people to understand that Offa was too big to be manipulated by selfseeking individuals, who were seeking power for personal interests. Since the emergence of oba Muftau Gbadamosi as Olofa of Offa, the

Adelowo Oladipo-Minma

The decision of the High Court was, however, upturned by the Court of Appeal. The appellate court held that the evidence before it showed that the ascension to the stool of Olofa of Offa is by rotation between the two ruling houses. Hearing on the matter, which is now at the Supreme Court, has been fixed for April 11, 2016.

Former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli (second right), presenting scholarship award to one of the beneficiaries on behalf of Dr Jacob Ogunmola, founder, Ogunmola Foundation, recently.

Traders initiate measures to ensure cleaner markets Concerned about the state of their markets, traders in Lagos State have initiated measures to ensure reduction of re-

fuse and debris in their environments. The market leaders, who unilaterally came up with the decision, told

newsmen that the measures were to complement the weekly environmental sanitation exercise. The spokesman of the

Women with VVF get free treatment in Niger A consultant gynaecologist and wife of the Niger State governor, Dr Amina Abubakar Bello, has, in conjunction with Sani Bello Foundation, conducted a free surgical treatment for women with Vesicular Vaginal Fistula (VVF) in Kontagora Local Government Area of the state. According to her, the camp was specifically aimed at improving the maternal health of women in the state. Women were operated free by the wife of the state governor, alongside VVF surgeons, who were from Katsina, Kano and Niger states. Speaking to newsmen in one of the wards at the General Hospital, Kontagora, Dr Bello said the aim was to carry out operations on women, who have this problem and have no money to treat them surgically, emphasising further

Olugbese ruling house had dragged him to court claiming it was their turn to produce the next Olofa. This led the Olugbese ruling house to file a case before an Offa High Court to challenge the appointment of Gbadamosi, but the High Court upheld the appointment of Gbadamosi on July 19, 2012.

that curing them from the ailment would give them succour and better life. According to her, “VVF is a terrible condition which usually affects women in the poor areas and because they are poor, it is difficult to get treatment. “What we have done in collaboration with Sani Bello Foundation and Niger State government is to call Fistula surgeons, who are experts in treating the diseases surgically so that

those affected can have the surgery free and be integrated back into the society.” Bello further highlighted that she intended to open a VVF Centre in Niger State with the view to addressing the backlogs of women with VVF problems and have not been treated. Accordingly, Dr. Abubakar Bello said, “Niger State has a pool of patients with VVF that have not been treated. So, we are hoping

of having a VVF Centre in the state, but before the centre is up and running, we intend to conduct free surgical camps in the three senatorial districts of the state which include, Niger East, Niger North and Niger South.” She however debunked myths that VVF was mostly caused by teenage pregnancy and early motherhood, saying that those who registered for the camp were above 30 years old.

Ogun assembly commends PAGADEB over peace Chairman, Committee on Transportation in Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable Israel Jolaoso, has commended the state Parks and Garages Development Board (PAGADEB) for maintaining peace and tranquillity in the garages across the state. The House Committee Chairman gave the

commendation during an oversight visit to the board headquarters, Abeokuta, recently. Honourable Jolaoso expressed happiness over the revenue drive of the board and measures taken to stem illegal parks and garages in the state. He, however, urged the board not to rest on its oars, especially in the area

of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive, saying there was still room for improvement. The General Manager, Parks and Garages Development Board, Alhaji OlaAyo Ogunsolu, told the lawmakers about activities of his board, disclosing that the board generated N34 million as revenue as of August, 2015.

Mile 12 Market Perishable Food Association, Mr Femi Odusanya, said that a clean market would enhance patronage of traders. “We appreciate the importance of having a clean market. The government is particular about it and we traders, share their sentiments,’’ Odusanya said. The traders’ representative said one of the measures to keep the market clean was initiated by the state government and involved changing the way perishable food was packed and handled. “The state’s Ministry of Agriculture came up with the idea to replace raffia baskets, which we use to pack our foodstuff, with plastics. “This has helped a lot in reducing the amount of debris from packing materials. Farmers that embraced the use of plastic to pack their produce now use few leaves. “For this, we thank the state government and hope for more collaboration,’’ he said. Odusanya, however,

noted that the state government needed to help in monitoring the level of compliance and impact of this scheme to ensure success. He urged the government to assist traders with infrastructure that would promote easy and convenient trading activities in the market. Also speaking, the Chairman, Mile 12 Ifesowapo Yam Association, Alhaji Wasiu Bilawu, said the efforts to maintain hygiene in the market was targeted at reducing the amount of dirt on the yam produce they sold. “The farmers have been sensitised on cleaning the sand on yams before transporting them to the market. “Small as this measure may seem, it has reduced the previous dusty and filthy state of the yam section of the market,” he said. On her part, Mrs Helen Imafioha, a plantain seller at the Mushin Plantain Market, Idi-Oro, a suburb of Lagos, said the traders’ efforts at sanitising the market involved evacuating waste from the market daily.

Friday, 27 November, 2015

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

Outrage over Nigeria’s ‘No’ vote against UN resolution defending human rights defenders Nigeria human rights activists took to Twitter, on Thursday, condemning Nigeria’s ‘No’ vote against United Nations’ resolution supporting human rights defenders. The UN General Assembly, had, on Wednesday, adopted a resolution which seeks to protect those who face risks and attacks for their work to defend and promote human rights. The resolution, as drafted, includes robust protection measures for human rights defenders, including the need to combat impunity for violence against human rights defenders and to release defenders who have been arbitrarily detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms. However, Nigeria and 13 other countries, Kenya, Burundi, Russia, Syria, Burma, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe,

China, North Korea, South Africa, Iran, Pakistan and Sudan, on Wednesday, contributed ‘No’ vote against the UN resolution. Reacting to this, the #BringBackOurGirls campaigner, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, wrote on her Twitter handle, @obyezeks, condemning Nigeria’s stance on the human rights protection: “The current ad-

ministration of @MBuhari would do well to ROLL BACK EVERYTHING that put Nigeria on this ODIOUS LIST.” Mo Ibrahim Foundation, also joining Ezekwesili on her stand wrote @ Mo_IbrahimFdn that: “We cannot #thrive in a world where so many #women live in fear of violence.” Another contributor, Sa-

mantha Power, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, a human rights defender and member of #RedSoxNation, condemning the act wrote via her Twitter handle, @ AmbassadorPower: “Terrible. Nations voting against UN resolution supporting and protecting people who bravely promote and defend human rights,” sup-

Russia targets Turkish economy over downed plane

Vladimir Putin

Russia on Thursday pledged broad retaliatory measures against Turkey’s economy in revenge for the downing of its warplane, as recriminations between Moscow and Ankara reached fever pitch. While Moscow conspicuously ruled out any military retaliation against NATO member Turkey, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said

he had given ministers two days to work out “a system of response measures” in the economic and humanitarian spheres. He said the broad punitive steps for what he termed “this act of aggression” could include halting joint economic projects, restricting financial and trade transactions and changing customs duties, AFP said.

Pope tells African leaders to act with integrity Pope Francis waves to the faithful as he arrives for a Papal mass in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, on Thursday. PHOTO: REUTERS.

n actions and words on his first tour of the world’s poorest continent, Pope Francis has sent a message to African leaders that they could do with less pomp and a bit more humility. In a region where presidents speed past slums in cavalcades of luxury vehicles and the public complain about corruption in high office, the pope was cheered as he drove in a small Honda and told national leaders to act with integrity, Reuters said. Kenya’s prolific Twitter users were quick to notice the contrast. “Thieving politicians arrive in their SUVs and Mercs to listen to @Pontifex

porting her comment with an image enlisting Nigeria among other nations who voted ‘No’ against the UN resolution. However, amendments, tabled by the African Group, China, and Iran had sought to dramatically weaken the resolution on human rights defenders and delete entire paragraphs regarding the need for their protection.

who will arrive in a Honda. Shameless ‘leaders’,” wrote @Kunj_Shah. Francis, who has spurned many of the institutional perks of the Vatican, shunned the armored cars with tinted glass driven by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his entourage. Nor did he follow the example of visitors like U.S. President Barack Obama, who turned up in Nairobi in July for an official visit with an army of security personnel and a bullet-proof limousine, dubbed “the Beast”. Instead, the pope waved to rapturous crowds from his white popemobile with open sides despite pouring rain and was ferried around Nai-

robi in the Honda that local media said cost a modest 1.5 million shillings ($14,700). “The pope is down to earth,” said Lucy Musyoka, 48, who braved a downpour to attend open-air Mass in a sodden

Nairobi University sports field. “It is good for our leaders to notice.” “They like the wealth of the world but they can’t understand the people of our country,” she said. “It is vanity.”

Measures could also target the transport and tourism sector after Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier backed a warning to citizens not to travel to Turkey, where nearly 3.3 million Russians went on holiday last year. Russia also attacked Turkey’s agricultural sector, tightening checks on food imports over alleged safety standard violations. The move could have a major impact on the economy of Turkey, which over the past 10 months has exported agricultural produce and food worth just over $1 billion (940 million euros) to Russia. In another move, lawmakers from the Kremlinfriendly A Just Russia party introduced a bill calling for a maximum punishment of five years in jail for those who deny the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turkey in 1915 was a genocide.

otherNEWS

India commemorates 7th anniversary of Mumbai attacks

Police and government officials lay a wreaths at a memorial site on the seventh anniversary of the Mumbai attacks on Thursday. On November 26, 2008, 166 people were killed when armed gunmen attacked several locations in the Indian financial centre.

Bishops urge Congolese to reject Kabila for 3rd term Democratic Republic of Congo’s powerful Catholic church called on citizens on Thursday to defy any attempt by President Joseph Kabila to hold on to power beyond the end of his term next year. More than 40 per cent of Congo identifies itself as Catholic. The church has been outspoken on the subject of Kabila’s future, notably condemning the government’s crackdown on anti-government protests in January that left about 40 people dead.

President Joseph Kabila Kabange

Boko Haram militants kill 18 in Niger Eighteen people were killed and 100 homes torched in an attack in the dead of night by Nigeria’s Boko Haram fighters on a village in southeastern Niger, local authorities told AFP on Thursday. “The toll is 18 dead, 11 hurt, almost 100 homes burned down” in the village of Wogom late Wednesday, the mayor of the nearby town of Bosso, Bako Mamadou, told AFP.

A humanitarian worker said the Islamists came from Nigeria and crossed the Komadougou Yobe river, the border between Niger and Nigeria. Armed jihadists and suicide bombers from Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamist group have staged repeated attacks since February in Niger’s southeast Diffa region near Nigeria, leaving hundreds of people dead.

Cameron says it’s time to bomb militants in Syria Prime Minister David Cameron said on Thursday it was time to join air strikes against Islamic State in Syria because Britain cannot “subcontract its security to other countries.” Reuters reported that many Britons are wary of entering into another war in the Middle East after Western intervention in Iraq, Af-

ghanistan and Libya failed to bring stability to the region and some believe led to the rise of militants groups such as Islamic State. But after Islamic State claimed responsibility for killing 130 people in Paris, some members of parliament who were reluctant to launch further military action in the Middle East now

feel it is needed to protect Britain from such attacks. Cameron lost a vote on air strikes against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in 2013 and must persuade some wary members of his own Conservative Party and in the opposition Labour Party to back him if he is to win parliament’s support for military action.

David Cameron

news

Friday, 27 November, 2015

ICPC to draft youths for monitoring corruption in public sectors

HE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has agreed in principle to deploy Nigerian youths to monitor corruption in public sectors at both federal and state levels with a view to reporting cases of grafts to it for necessary action. Already, the anti-graft Commission in a communiqué, agreed to the process of urging the youths, mostly students in the tertiary institutions, to monitor the disbursement of the bailout funds released by the Federal Government to the states, while reporting any fraud associating with process of disbursements. The youths are also to pay attention to cases of unnecessary increase of school fees by school administrations, police extortion, and other corrupt acts that affect students in their respective states. A synergy between ICPC and the Nigerian youths on

Plateau by-election: No PVC, steer clear of polling units, INEC warns THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned those without Permanent Voters’ Cards to stay away from the 42 polling units in November 28 Qua’an Pan North by-election in Plateau. The INEC Human Relations Officer, Mr Osaretin Imahiyereobo, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday, in Qua’an Pan. “Only those eligible voters who have their PVCs will be allowed access to the 42 polling units of the constituency to queue for accreditation and voting proper. “Any person who flaunts this order will find him or herself to blame as the security operatives will deal decisively with any intruder or mischief makers during the by-election,’’ he warned. Imahiyereobo said that all the human and material resources needed for the election was ready. He said that all the electoral materials, including the ballot papers, had been collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for onward movement to Qua’an Pan. “INEC has completed the training of all the Ad-hoc staff and they will soon be deployed to their various polling units for the election.”

the fight against corruption was the fallout of just concluded two-day National Conference on Youth against Corruption, which held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The Conference themed, Eradicating Corruption in Nigeria: Youths Perspective and Engagement drew participants and representatives from Federal Government, Nigerian students, youth groups, youth-based Non-Governmental Organisations and youth entrepreneurs. Federal Government officials at the conference had advised the youths to shun all acts of corruption in order

for them to effectively take possession of the struggles for reducing corruption within the Nigerian society. After the two days of deliberations, the Conference, resolved to create a platform for youths across Nigeria to unite for the purpose of creating awareness among themselves on the danger corruption constitute to their future and how to join the anti-graft agencies in combating the vices. A communiqué issued at the end of the Conference, has however, indicated that ICPC will launch Campus Watchdog Initiatives to establish its presence and help the students fight tertiary

institution-related corrupt acts. The Communiqué also among others stated: “That the anti-corruption war should be deepened on the Internet and the social media; and the legal framework for fighting cybercrime be strengthened to fight technology-induced corruption; “Government should support ICPC with more funding to enable the agency execute a more intensive fight against corruption. “That the teaching of the National Values Curriculum in schools be intensified to ensure its widespread implementation across the educational system.

“That access to broadband Internet should be considered a human rights issue and be made available to all youths; while the relevant authorities martial out a comprehensive IT-based career development plan for the youths;“That government should address the high tariffs charged by the GSM companies; “That government should monitor the spending of internally generated revenues raised by school authorities through increased fees and levies; “That religious organisations and institutions should be mobilised to join the crusade against corruption.”

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State speaking when the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Mr Paul Arkwright, who paid him a courtesy visit, at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, on Thursday.

Oyo Speaker advocates independent legislature As PASAN gets new exco By Wale Akinselure

Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo, has said that the nation could not claim to be practising democracy without the independence of the legislature. Adeyemo, who was special guest at the inauguration of the executive council of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN),

Oyo State Chapter, emphasised the need for the independence of the legislature, as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He bemoaned that the legislative arm had suffered many setbacks, particularly executive incursion, and assured of pursuing the independence of the legislature in a systematic constructive and persuasive manner.

This is just as a new executive council of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Oyo State Chapter, led by Mr Tijani Babatunde, was sworn in on Thursday. Other members of the executive council are Mr Omoniyi Adesina, vice chairman; Mr Mapaderun Abiola, general secretary; Mr Kasali Olaniyi, assistant secretary; Mrs Yusuf Olu-

Man 21, bags 2 years jail term for stealing water pump machines Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

A Federal High Court, sitting in Osogbo, has sentenced a 21-year-old man, identified as Toheeb Azeez, to two years imprisonment for stealing six water pump machines. Azeez, who was arrested on November 16, 2015 by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State command, was found guilty of a two-count charge levelled against him. According to the charge sheet, the 20-year-old accused person did commit

felony to wit unlawfully destroying and removing six pumping machines, property of the Federal Housing Authority, at the Federal Housing Estate, Ogo-Oluwa area, Osogbo, an offence contrary and punishable under section 1 (3) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. He was also accused of committing felony to wit stealing six pumping machines valued at N102, 000 property of the Federal Housing Authority at the Federal Housing Estate Ogo-Oluwa area, Osogbo

thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383 (1) of the Criminal Code CAP C38 Vol.4 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The accused person, who pleaded guilty to the twocount charge, begged the court to temper justice with mercy. Delivering his ruling, Justice Babs Kuewumi, who sentenced the accused person to two years imprisonment with hard labour on the first count and one year imprisonment with hard labour on the second count, however said that the sentence shall run concurrently.

wabunmi, financial secretary; Mr Ademola Emiiola, treasurer; Mr Falana Kunle, auditor. Others are Mr Alarape Kazeem, public relations officer; Mr Ojeleye S. O, welfare secretary; Mrs Kike Ogunkeye, social secretary; Mr Ajasa Sunday, ex Officio; Mr Oluwadare Olatunbosun, ex-officio and Mrs Adewale Christiana, ex-officio. In his charge to the new executive council, Adeyemo called for transparency, accountability and unity among members. He further charged the association to work towards being registered as a trade union. Chairman, PASAN Oyo, Mr Babatunde, assured members of focus on improved welfare of staff, such that they get their rights as at when due. He asserted focus on generating more fund for the running of the association, decrying limited members and limited resources. Furthermore, he said the National Executive Council of PASAN had put machinery in place to ensure that the association becomes a union.

NEMA delivers relief items to Dikwa IDPs IN continuation of efforts to bring succour to distressed inhabitants of liberated communities affected by insurgency in the North east, the Zonal Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in Maiduguri, Mohammed Kanar, has led a team of emergency workers and other stakeholders to deliver relief materials in Dikwa Local Government Council, Borno State. The items distributed to the internally displaced persons include food, tents, medical supplies, firewood, cooking utensils, clean water, among others. Thousands of visibly elated residents lined the streets to welcome the team which included representatives of international bodies like UNICEF and Red Cross. Local government health workers embarked on erection of tents, immunisation of children and administration of drugs to those requiring medical attention. In his address, Kanar said that internally displaced people would soon return to their homes after the security personnel would have given the clearance.

Tribunal gives FG two months to amend charges against ex-minister Sunday Ejike - Abuja

THE Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Thursday, gave the Federal Government two months to amend the four-count charge preferred against the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Peter Orubebe, by the Federal Government. Orubebe is being prosecuted over charges bordering on false assets declaration and alleged demand and collection of bribe of about N70 million while in office as minister. The chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Yakubu Umar, granted the adjournment even when Orubebe’s counsel, Selekeowei Larry (SAN), repeatedly insisted that he was ready for the trial to go ahead. Counsel to the Federal Government, Peter Danladi, leading the prosecution team, had sought to alter the charges filed against Orubebe, who was put on trial for allegedly receiving N70 million bribe from a contractor and also for false declaration of his assets.

Friday, 27 November, 2015 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08074626431

features

Secretary of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Chief Joshua Ayodele, speaking while (from left) Father Aborisade, Oba J. A. Adeleye-Oni and the Owa of Iludun-Ekiti, Oba J. K. Akinola, at the event.

When JDPI pitted elected officials against the people Sam Nwaoko reports a recent free and easy town hall and interface meeting, ‘Peoples’ Participation in Government in Ilejemeje,’ convened by JDPI in the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti.

HE Justice Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI) of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti recently brought elected officials face to face with the people, at a special no-holdsbarred forum it organised in Ilejemeje Local Government of Ekiti State. The gathering tagged “Town Hall and Interface Meeting”, held at the palace of the Oniye of Iye-Ekiti in Iye, headquarters of the local government, saw the people gather from the seven communities that make up the local government. The JDPI had initiated the move to bring elected and appointed representatives of the people to meet and interface with the people as a way of strengthening people’s participation in governance. Thus, at the first-of-its-kind meeting convened by the JDPI, people were brought in from Iludun, Eda-Oniyo, Ijesamodu, Ewu, Ipere, Ijaro and Iye to meet with their representatives in government and interface with them. Political parties, including the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state; the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC); traditional rulers, including the Oniye, who doubles as the chairman of Ilejemeje Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba J. A. Adeleye-Oni and the Owa of Iludun-Ekiti, Oba J. K. Akinola; the Secretary of the Ilejemeje Local Government Council, Chief Ayodele Joshua, who represented the council, were all in attendance. Community leaders from the seven com-

munities, the iyaloja and traders, youths, commercial drivers and motorcyclists and sundry stakeholders were all in the palace hall to see their representatives in government and speak with them, through the forum facilitated by the JDPI of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti. In his opening address, the Director of JDPI in the diocese, Reverend Father Raphael Aborisade, told the gathering that the JDPI brought about the forum to facilitate a meeting between the people and those in government as a way of strengthening governance. He said the meeting was meant to educate the people on their rights and how to seek and protect those rights from the government. The Ekiti JDPI director said: “Our role is to create awareness among the people on their rights from and obligations to their elected officials.” He explained that the members of the public needed to know their roles after using their powers to put people in government in election, saying “the people need to know that it is their right to seek for and demand for good governance from their elected officials.” In a keynote speech, an assistant director in Ekiti JDPI, Reverend Father Emmanuel

We must respect ourselves as the electorate so as to earn the respect of the politicians and officials in government.

Akingbade, reminded the people that governance, according to the laws of Nigeria, “starts from the wards and then to the local government, to the state and Federal Government,” adding that in the case of Ekiti State, governance starts with the councillors in the 177 wards in the 16 local government areas of the state. “But our observation is that post-election, elected representatives of the people tend to lean more towards their political parties and its members and supporters rather than seeing themselves more as representatives of the generality of the people.” Fr. Akingbade, who is a lawyer, said, “The people must create a platform for an interaction with their representatives in government so as to make these people truly speak for us as a people.” He said it was the right of the people to know what their representatives in government do and that such representatives needed to report back to the people after the government had reached a decision. He presented a contract proposal by the JDPI which suggests that: “The people and the politicians should enter into a contract agreement in which they would write the politicians’ promises down, which would be presented as a scorecard when they might have won elections. “Secondly, there should be periodic town hall meetings and interface between the elected people and the public and, thirdly, the politicians should have a constituency or situation office which the people can easily access for their suggestions, views or complaints.” The people at the meeting asked questions around non-existent local government autonomy as well as the appointment of officials to run the affairs of local government areas. In response, the JDPI officials explained that the amendments to Nigeria’s 1999

Constitution were still ongoing and had not accommodated local government autonomy. However, with local government elections coming in a couple of months in the Ekiti State, the people would have a say since those to be elected would also be from among them, just as it is with those appointed where there are no elections into the offices. In his remark, the Oniye, Oba AdeleyeOni, expressed total support for the three proposals of the JDPI, and contended that carrying them out would make people in government more accountable. “It is a commendable enlightenment that the JDPI has brought to us in Ilejemeje local government. The idea of contracts is welcome; it would serve as a checklist. There should be a timed forum with our representatives in government so as to review together with them the contract. I also support an accessible office because we would be able to reach them faster and in a reliable way,” Oba Adeleye-Oni submitted. However, Oba Akinola, the Owa of Iludun, who was effusive in his commendation for the Catholic Church in Ekiti Diocese for the forum, lamented that the people’s understanding of their rightful demands from their representatives in government was wrong. Speaking in the same vein, the Ilejemeje LG Secretary, Chief Joshua Ayodele thanked the JDPI for the forum, saying “with what the Catholic Church has done for us in Ilejemeje LG through this enlightenment where the people and government officials have bore their minds, I’m sure the people would not remain the same and we are on the way to a better democratic society.” On the issues raised at the forum, Ayodele said, “We must respect ourselves as the electorate so as to earn the respect of the politicians and officials in government.”

HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

Friday, 27 November, 2015 PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE, ALABA IGBAROOLA, ALOLADE GANIYU, YEMI FUNSO-OKE, SYLVESTER OKORUWA & D’TOYIN

HID AWOLOWO’S BURIAL

10 1. Chief Dan Etiebet (right) and Elder Samuel Akpan. 2. From left, former Lagos State deputy governor, Chief Femi Pedro; Minister of Transport, Mr Romiti Amaechi and the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai. 3. Imo State governor, Mr Rochas Okorocha and the Ogun State deputy governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga. 4. Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Mrs Winifred Ochiniabo. 5. Chief Olu Falae and another guest.

6. Cross section of governors’ wives on the ocassion. 7. From left, Mr Muyiwa Ige, Mrs Funso Adegbola and the wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola. 8. Pastor Tunde Bakare and his wife, Laide. 9. From left, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, Chief Moshood Adegoke Salvador and Oba Otudeko. 10. Pa Emmanuel Osibona, Mrs D.M Adedayo and mother of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Chief (Mrs) Bisi Osinbajo.

SIDELINES

FRIDAY, 27 NOVEMBER, 2015

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One of the Nigerian returnees deported from the United Kingdom on arrival in Lagos, told BBC that he returned without his belongings as he was whisked away right from the street to the airport. Now that the returnees are here, though against their wish, it is wise to take solace in the saying that “East or West, no place like home.”

Klitschko will knock Fury out —Olympic champ,Joshua REIGNING World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation champion, Wladimir Klitschko will knock out Tyson Fury when they clash in Dusseldorf tomorrow, says British heavyweight prospect, Anthony Joshua. Ukrainian Klitschko, 39, has been a world heavyweight champion since 2006, engaged in 27 world title fights and made 23 successful title defences. He will be defending his WBA, IBF and WBO belts against Britain’s Fury. “How great would it be if Fury won? But I’m picking Klitschko, in round five or six,” Joshua told BBC Sport. “Fury will come out fighting, the adrenalin will get to him, take over his body. “He throws a lot of punches and moves a lot for a big guy but Klitschko has got so much experience, he’s been defending his heavyweight title for 10 years. And it only takes one shot.” Olympic champion Joshua, 26, has won all 14 of his professional fights by knockout and is yet to be taken past the third round.

MLS tougher than EPL—Drogba IMPACT Montreal striker, Didier Drogba believes the Major League Soccer is more difficult than the English Premier League. “It is a different challenge. People think it is easy to play here. But believe me, it is more difficult than to play in the Premier League because of the travelling,” the former Chelsea player who joined the MLS this season told Reuters. “You can stay in an airport for three or four hours if you miss your flight,” added the former African Footballer of the Year, who is adamant the MLS will become one of the top leagues.

Drogba

Klitschko (right) deals with an opponent.

Martins on Newcastle, Sunderland radar E NGLISH Premier League clubs, Newcastle United and Sunderland have been linked with signing Nigerian international, Obafemi Martins on a short-term loan deal in the MLS off-season. The Magpies have been goal

shy this season and manager Steve McClaren is reportedly keen to bring Martins back to St. James’ Park, where he played for three seasons between 2006 and 2009. Current Sunderland manager, Sam Allardyce worked with Martins during his spell at Newcastle

and is well aware of the West African’s abilities. In three seasons in the MLS with the Seattle Sounders, Martins has scored 40 goals and registered 23 assists. The former Inter Milan forward

who early this month staged a comeback to the Super Eagles in the double header against Swaziland in a 2018 World Cup qualifiers, was also a runner-up in the voting for the 2014 season’s MVP (Most Valuable Player) award.

FIFA donates confiscated watches to charity NEARLY 50 luxury watches confiscated from football officials who had received them as “gifts” ahead of the World Cup in Brazil have been donated to charity, FIFA’s ethics committee said on Thursday. The watches, estimated to be worth 25 000 Swiss francs ($24 400, 23 000 euros) apiece, were given to streetfootballworld, an international network of groups which uses football to help young people. Ahead of last year’s World Cup, the Brazilian Football Confederation handed out 65 gift bags each containing a Parmigiani timepiece to FIFA Executive Committee officials and members of the 32 competing associations.

The gifts created a furore at the time but now disgraced FIFA bosses, including president Sepp Blatter, denied any corruption. However, the ethics committee’s investigative branch has determined that the watches were “unauthorised gifts,” and called on officials to hand them over. It agreed not to open formal ethical proceedings against anyone who complied. The ethics committee said in a statement its probe had determined that “from the initially intended 65 watches offered by the CBF to football officials, several officials had, in fact, not received a watch”. It said that once all potential recipients had been contacted, 48 watches were handed over.

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. 27/11/2015.

Martins