28th May 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 1,153

SATURDAY, 28 MAY, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

N150

Nigerian Tribune

Militants blow up more pipelines Say, ‘We ’ll shock the whole world soon’

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Buhari orders EFCC to probe minister, 2 govs

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To announce total recovered loot tomorrow

What stardom has cost me

— Linda Ejiofor

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Ajimobi nominates 14 as commissioners pg6 At 160, Nigeria’s oldest woman says marriage is sweet pgs9&12

Another wife killer nabbed in Lagos pg6

From left, Zonal Quality Assurance Officer for Lagos and Ogun states, Police Children’s School, Mrs Esther Gbadegesin; Executive Director, Lagos and South-West, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo; Divisional Police Officer, Bar Beach Division, CSP Olusegun Ajamolaya and the Head of Research and Development, Mrs Stella Igbonwelundu, at the commissioning of the classroom block at Police Children’s School, Obalende, Lagos, renovated and furnished by Fidelity Bank, in Lagos, on Friday.

Weekend Lagos

How policemen, soldiers kill in Lagos and escape justice

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The insinuation even affected my job as it was all over in the dailies and on the internet.

Tall, huge and handsome, ace actor, Ernest Chidozie Asuzu, before his present predicament, was a popular actor in Nollywood. A popular face in many home videos, delight some Asuzu, who’s from a family of eight in Imo State, recently had partial stroke which has temporarily left him limping on one leg and has kept him off the screen lately.

EBENEZER ADUROKIYA ran into him in Warri where he’s receiving further treatment. Excerpts:

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HEN did you begin your acting career?

I started very early in life. At a time when a lot of my friends were still playing around. I started early 1995. The first job I did was the one produced

by Hilda Dokubo, titled: ‘Another Campus Tale.’ I played a wonderful role there. I did another auditioning where I performed in the movie titled: ‘Rituals.’ That was the movie that blew me out. After the home movie, my face was used for the poster. I’ve done a lot of movies — I’ve done the good, the bad and the ugly - I’ve played the role of a 19-year-old boy, dirty roles - I’m like three-in-one actor. I also produce music. That’s why they now gave me stroke because they think they could stop me from showcasing my talents.

How many movies have you produced so far?

Unfortunately, I’ve not really produced any movie.

How many have you featured in?

I’ve featured in no fewer than 100 movies!

Of all these movies, which one are you emotionally attached to?

The one where I played the role of a boy whose mother abandoned him.

That was the movie I featured at the time I lost my father. I cried a lot.

How has it been since 1995 in the movie world?

It has been good o. If not this stroke that they gave me, it has been very, very good. I’ve been striving very hard, but these bad people, when you are striving hard, they don’t like it. So, they gave me this stroke to slow me down. They did not know that when you throw an arrow at somebody, that arrow may eventually take the person into his greatness.

How would you rate the Nigerian movie world today?

The movie world here is bad.

How? It is full of a lot of atrocities now.

That’s why I’m preaching to them to change. For example, we have juju people there, we have people who hinder others’ progress, it is full of a lot of bad people. That’s why I was affected.

There is this general notion that movie people usually engage in diabolical things, is it true?

It’s not true . You know, they have

How about the begging rumour?

It never happened. It did not happen. Someone saw me at Shoprite and introduced himself to me as a journalist. And I’m this kind of outgoing person. He asked me why I was limping and I explained. I’m a very free person, but the reporter went to take advantage of me to sell a wrong story.

to have those diabolical things to progress. It is because they don’t know God. I’m a gospel artiste and I’m preaching to people to change.

Is there any day you won’t like to remember as regards any of your fans?

It was a day I went to a supermarket and a fan said I must sign an autograph for her. Then she said I must autograph on her breast! I said I couldn’t, it was embarrassing.

When did you meet with Christ?

I met with Christ at a time I was nobody. Christ just came from nowhere to rescue me. Now, all I know is to do a gospel album to appreciate Him. It has not been released.

What challenges did you face in the world of Nollywood?

I’ve said it before.

The one I remember till now is the fact that they gave me stroke.

Because it is very hard for a young man, at 44, to suffer stroke.

That’s why you saw me limping. Like I said, it’s really, really bad for Nollywood people to always think of evil. If they can think of good things, they will move up.

What was the last movie you featured in before your health challenge?

The last movie I featured in was in Asaba. The production was not nice. There are good people in Nollywood and I’m praying to God to show me the good ones. But I’ve not laid my hands on the good ones. The one I worked with in Asaba, the guy was very bad.

Why they afflicted me with

stroke

So, did you eventually autograph on her breast?

(Laughs) no, I didn’t .

in getting roles exist in Nollywood?

I’ve not experienced it but I’ve heard of it. That is, a man harassing a woman. I’ve not seen one before. I hear them from news.

I’ve never personally witnessed any female artist being sexually harassed.

—Ernest Asuzu

What are your plans for the future, movie wise?

First of all, I want to produce my own movies. Then I’ll delve into my music and every other thing that will make a very young man survive.

What would you say about the status of Nollywood in the Comity of ‘woods?’

We still have much work to do. If you watched an American movie, you’ll see the kind of strength they put into the production. Nollywood, as far as I’m concerned, has not geared up to that standard. We need some extra work, especially in production. For now, we are not matching up.

Who’s your idol in the movie world?

My idol is God. Okay, who’s your role model in the movie world?

You talk about people like Pete Edochie, I look up to him, I pray I be like him.

Saturday Tribune

What pranks did you play when you were young?

(Laughs) Good.

Good. Good. Categorically, when I was small I was very stubborn. Another thing is that when my mother cooked soup, I’d go and steal her meat.

What is style to you as an actor?

Style is how you do your thing. My own definition of style is one must dress well.

What type of dressing do you like?

I like the hip-hop style. Hip-hop rules the world. You can see the way I’m dressed now.

Does sexual harassment

Which artistes do you like working with?

A lot of them, like Mike Izumu, I like him so much.

Some say we look alike. People say we look alike, but I know that I’m finer than him (laughs). Then Jim Iyke. They say he acts like me. I don’t know.

You were rumoured to have been spotted at a Shoprite in Lagos begging, how true is the story?

There was even a time they said I had gone mad. I don’t blame them.

There were actually some times I did things irrationally. People that like to do their own things, they do things that you don’t understand.

Something you don’t understand, you give it a name. If I was mad, I won’t be here talking to you now.

And your happiest day?

Ahhhh! My most joyous day was the day I met Christ. You know, but most people do not understand Christ, that’s why we crucified Him. The day He came to my rescue was my most joyous day. That day, I felt I did not have any other person in this world. He came from nowhere and said I’m His son.

What’s your view about movie piracy in Nigeria?

It’s very bad. I’m already scared of my upcoming music album that they may pirate it. Well, piracy itself is publicity in a way because they make you more popular. If not, how can somebody work hard, and you now go and pirate his work? It’s bad.

Pirates should remember there is God o (giggles).

What’s the future of Nollywood?

The future is bright. Ah Nollywood, they are really trying o. They are trying very, very well. Out of nothing, they are creating something. It has created jobs for a lot of people. The future is bright if only those good things that are lacking can be made available to them.

What are those good things they are lacking?

They are lacking a lot of things.

Check their movies, before they start, you can already predict their ending! But in American movie, you can’t predict what would happen last. It’s creativity at its best. But we are lacking in creativity.

What message do you have for your fans and colleagues...

First to my fans: they should think of God first. They should give their lives to Jesus. To my colleagues, they should know that whatever they do, they should think about God because all this idea of not being happy when someone is rising is not good. If they have Jesus in their lives, they won’t think of harming another person.

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Buhari orders EFCC to probe minister, 2 govs FG inaugurates prosecution panel for corruption cases Leon Usigbe - Abuja

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S President Muhammadu Buhari marks the first anniversary of his presidency tomorrow, he has decided to rev up his fight against corruption, shaking off the tag of fighting a partisan war.

Consequently, at least one of his ministers and two serving governors (names witheld) are having mature cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the orders of the president.

A competent source said the probe of the minister is connected with how he ran the finances of his state when he was governor, while the two serving governors are being probed based on petitions alleging sundry infractions to public funds.

One of them will answer questions on his handling of local government funds while the other is implicated with regards to misappropriation of security funds.

One of the governors belongs to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the other is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Misapplication of funds meant for an agency of the state government is the crux of the allegations the said minister is contending with.

Investigation is on and he will be asked questions in the days to come,” an EFCC source told Saturday Tribune on Friday.

The source also said President Buhari would not shield any member of his party implicated in cases of fraud and misappropriation of public funds.

Saturday Tribune also reliably learnt that the president would, in his broadcast tomorrow, give an account of the funds recovered so far from former government officials, contractors and military officers.

The source, who informed Saturday Tribune of this part of the president’s message to Nigerians on the first anniversary of his administration, however, did not give the figure the president would announce.

“Refunds have been made in billions. The president will speak on the amount on May 29 and Nigerians will be shocked. Even at that, the figure keeps increasing every day. Many have refunded, some are saying they would return their loot, provided they would not be prosecuted,” the source said.

He, however, added that while some may end up being witnesses, others would not escape prosecution even after paying back what they ‘stole’.

FG inaugurates prosecution panel for corruption cases The Federal Government has set up a National Prosecution Coordination Committee (NPCC), to coordinate the prosecution of high profile cases of corruption in the country.

The panel which is headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, was inaugurated

by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

Members of the panel include Mr. Taiwo Abidogun, Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Mr. Dipo Okpeseyi, SAN; Mr. Chukuma Machukwu, SAN; Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption; Mr. M.S. Diri, Director of Prosecution, Ministry of Justice; Mr. Pius Oteh, Okoi Obono-Obla, Mrs Juliet Ibekaku, Mr. Abiodun Aikomo, Mr. Kehinde Oginni, Mr. Salihu Othman Isah, Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to the Attorney-General; AlAmin Ado Ibrahim, from the Office of the National Security Adviser; Nafiu Yakubu, Tunji Oluborode, Eric Onokif Ifere, Mrs Diane Okoko, Temitope Adebayo, DIG Abdulrahman

Yusuf (retd) and Sylvester Imhanobe, who is Secretary to the committee.

At the inauguration ceremony, Osinbajo assured that President Muhammadu Buhari would not tele-guide anti-corruption agencies or prosecution authorities in the country but he advised antigraft agencies to treat people suspected of corruption with fairness.

Osinbajo further said that it was important that those being prosecuted were not embarrassed needlessly by the prosecutors He noted that the agencies were expected to use their powers with fairness, devoid of any prejudice.

According to him, from the operations of the agencies, it was clear that the government has not interfered in their activities.

He said: “When you look at the way that the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies have acted in recent times, you will notice that they are not under any kind of influence of the president.

“They are given the independence to act; they are given the authority and backing to act on their own and to use their own discretion appropriately at all times.

You don’t get any situation where the president says “go

get that person or back off that person.”

The vice-president said such external influence did not exist under this administration, as the agencies had been given the full authority to act.

He said the same responsibility had been given to the newly formed NPCC to bring justice to the people.

He told the committee: “That is the sort of responsibility placed on your own shoulders as well; the responsibility to exercise prosecutorial power independently and without any direction, except, of course, from the learned AttorneyGeneral who is the constitutional and prosecutorial authority in the country.”

“It is a very serious responsibility because it also involves making sure that people are treated fairly or that people are not pursued by reason of bias or any other such consideration.”

Stressing the need for fairness in prosecuting cases, he said they should ensure that “the system is fair and that the system works in the interest of the Nigerian people. When the system is fair, everybody buys into it and it is not difficult for people to relate with it and support it.’’

While stating that every prosecuting organ or agent

had the responsibility to put in place a system that “we ourselves would not be afraid to be subjected to,” the vicepresident said that the selection of the committee members took into consideration not only their legal skills and learning, but also their integrity and strength of character in order to chart a new course in the nation’s criminal justice system.

He said although legal background was important, particular consideration was given to those who have courage and would not allow themselves to be cowed or influenced by tribe, religion, and friendships.

According to him, “Given the nature of economic crimes and the enormity, sometimes, of the money that is involved and the influence of those who may have to be prosecuted, you need more than legal skills.

“You need men and women of strong character and courage who will not only be able to turn down inducements of any kind but also act without consideration for tribe, friendship, religion or any other parochial considerations.’’

The vice-president observed that the committee was important because “the administration itself is committed to ensuring that we are able to

deal with not only question of corruption which is a big item on our agenda but also other economic crimes.

“Terrorism has assumed different shapes and proportions of late, and the vandalism that we see in parts of the Niger Delta, which has affected so many different things, including oil production, power supply.”

He further said: “We are in a very crucial time in our social development and a committee such as this is very necessary and historic because I do not know of any other of such committee in the history of this country.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Attorney General and Justice Minister said that the committee comprised 12 ex-officio and eight external members of proven integrity and competence.

He said in order to fastrack the work of the committee, the ministry had created 20 prosecution teams with four members each and had requested all the agencies exercising police powers to recommend five experienced investigators to support the committee’s work.

According to him, “The aim is to ensure effective investigation and prosecution of high profile criminal cases in Nigeria.’’

Militants blow up more pipelines in Delta •Threaten to shock the world soon

•Ijaws beg militants to stop onslaught on oil pipelines Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri LESS than 24 hours after a Chevron gas pipeline which provides electricity to the Escravos Tank Farm in Delta State was blown up, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) Thursday night blew up gas and crude trunk lines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

They have also warned oil companies and the military to watch out for “something big” that will “shock the whole world.”

The sabotage, characterised by multiple explosions, as gathered, was carried out at about 11:45.pm on Thursday.

The bombed trunk lines are said to be at Batan, Warri South West Local Government Area, close to the oilrich city of Warri and heavily guarded by troops from the Nigerian military Joint Task Force (JTF).

It was further gathered that the damaged pipelines are being operated by the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd.

Both PPMC and NPDC are subsidiaries of the NNPC. In its Twitter handle, @ NDAvengers, the new militants said: “At 11:45pm on Thursday, @NDAvengers blew up other #NNPC Gas and Crude trunkline close to Warri.

“Pipeline that was heavily guarded by military.”

In several other tweets announcing the attacks on Friday, NDA warned oil companies to await more severe attacks.

“To the IOCs, Indigenous Oil Companies and Nigeria Military. Watch out something big is about to happen and it will shock the whole world,” they warned.

Yet, another tweet denounced the Niger Delta stakeholders meeting held with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, describing it as an insult.

“The Niger Delta stakeholders’ meeting is an insult to the people of Niger Delta. What we need is a sovereign state not pipeline contracts,” the militants reiterated.

The group has, however, threatened both international

and indigenous oil companies to expect more pipelines attacks in the days ahead.

Meanwhile, a worker with one of the companies described the attacks as devastating to the economy of the country.

The source, which declined being identified, said the affected trunklines were strategic to the country’s oil production.

He said the nation’s oil production would further be depleted due to Thursday’s night sabotage.

Although the JTF’s spokesperson, Lt. Col. Isah Ado, could not be reached, a senior military officer confirmed the incident.

The spokesman for the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Mr Eric Omare, bemoaned the incident which he described as ‘becoming unbecoming.’

A senior naval officer, who did not want to be mentioned also confirmed the sabotage, saying only the soldiers manning the area could explain better how the incident happened.

It will be recalled that the re-

newed onslaught by the NDA began after the two weeks ultimatum issued to owners and operators of oil blocs in the Niger Delta to stop operations and quit the Niger Delta expired on Wednesday.

Also in the goodwill message on its website titled “Happy Children’s Day to the Children of the Niger Delta,” the militant group said: “Childhood means unlimited opportunities for children.

“This is what the Nigeria government has refused to give you the children of the Niger Delta. But what they have refused to give to you is what we (Niger Delta Avengers) are promising you.”

Spokesperson for the group, Col. Mudoch Agbinibo, who signed the statement, described an ideal childhood as one which is supposed to be filled with “an enchanting vista, endless fun, a joyful classroom, and an era of imagination and hope.

He said “unfortunately, the children of the Niger Delta region are missing all these because of the deliberate policies of every successive Nigeria government.”

Meanwhile, the apex sociocultural organisation of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), has begged the NDA to halt all forms of bombings of oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

The national delegation of the body, comprising members from various Ijaw clans, made the plea on Friday in Warri, Delta State.

The delegation, inundated with holding consultations with Ijaw leaders, youth groups and various associations across 78 Ijaw clans within and outside the Niger Delta, is to unravel the causes and possible solutions to the renewed insurgency in the region.

Leader of the delegation and secretary-general of INC, Dr Bello Orubebe and other executive members, said peaceful coexistence among various ethnic groups in the Nigerian nation, the Niger Delta was necessary.

Them group also reminded President Muhammadu Buhari of the need to answer what they described as “the Ijaw question.”

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Afenifere carpets Buhari over security appointments

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (middle) with senators and students from various schools cutting a cake to mark the Children’s Day in Abuja, on Friday.

Dollar scarcity: British Airways may stop flights to Nigeria

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RITISH Airways is evaluating its routes to Nigeria, adding to aviation industry

pressure on the government as sister carrier, Iberia and U.S. competitor United Airlines, halt flights to the

country as traffic stutters and currency controls delay access to revenue.

Online business newspa-

Another wife killer arrested in Lagos Olalekan Olabulo - Lagos THE police in Lagos State are investigating the murder of yet another woman allegedly by her husband in the Araromi area of Oshodi.

James Kafaru Esougie allegedly killed his wife, Rose, for refusing to give him money to travel to his hometown in Edo State.

The acting Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Damasus Ozoani, who confirmed the incident to Saturday Tribune, said the man had acted under the influence of drugs.

The suspect, Ozoani said, had been transferred to the homicide section of the state police command for further investigation.

The father of five had reportedly denied the murder and accused one of his children of killing their mother.

James was said to have slashed his wife’s throat while she was asleep in their home on Araromi Street, Oshodi, on Friday.

The couple were said to have had a troubled marriage with the man accused of having battered the woman several times.

An in-law to the suspect, who gave her name simply as Vero, said: “We were sleeping when my sister’s husband came to wake the first son to go and urinate. This was around 4.00 a.m. When the boy went to wake his mother, he saw that she was not responding. He shook her vigorously but she did not

respond and that was when he rushed to call me.

“When I got there, I shook her to wake her but there was no response. When I touched her legs, they were very cold. I shuddered and

quickly removed the cloth on her face. It was then that I saw that the husband had used a knife to slash her throat. He cut the vein in her neck. She was in a pool of blood,” the in-law said.

Solve Nigeria’s problems, Maitama Sule tells Buhari Kola Oyelere -Kano NIGERIA’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr Maitama Sule, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to address the problems confronting the country head-on.

This is just as the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the immediate past administration in the country as weak and corrupt.

Sule, on Friday, in Kano, urged the president to put the Nigerian economy on the path of recovery and invigorate the education sector.

According to him, the country requires a redirection and because the challenges associated with reforms are enormous, Nigerians need to support the president.

Alhaji Mohammed was in Kano in company with five other ministers for a town hall meeting designed to intimate Kano residents of President Buhari’s achievements in the last one year.

At the meeting, conducted in Hausa language, the minister said, “for the first time, we have a president whose integrity is the driving force in the country.”

The other federal cabinet members in attendance at the meeting are the Minister for Interior, General Abdulraman Bello Danbazau; Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar; Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Minister of State for Budget and Planning, Hajiya Zzainab Ahmed and Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Bawa Buari.

Mohammed said the present administration inherited “a very sick government,” adding that “we came into government at a very bad time.”

The minister, who said that the Buhari-led government had spent the past one year planning and blocking leakages, claimed that “our opponents have stolen so much money that they are richer than the government.”

per, Bloomberg, which carried the story noted that the development came amidst concerns by some foreign airlines on repatriation on their ticket sales.

The U.K. carrier is struggling to repatriate its share of the $575 million that Nigeria currently owes to airlines globally from tickets sold in the nation, said Kola Olayinka, country manager for British Airways’ and Iberia’s parent company, IAG SA. Madrid-based Iberia halted flights on May 12 to Lagos, “due to very difficult operating circumstances and dwindling passenger numbers,” he said in an e-mailed response to questions.

International Air Transport Association Chief Executive Officer Tony Tyler met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo this week, the lobby group said in a statement on Wednesday and warned that Lagos could lose its role as a hub to West Africa. United Airlines informed employees on Wednesday that it would end flights from the U.S. to Nigeria on June 30 because of a lack of demand and difficulty in collecting payments.

THE appointment of the Controller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service and the Comptroller-General of the Immigration Service from the northern part of the country has drawn scathing remarks from Pan Yoruba group, Afenifere.

The two appointments were additions to previous ones that had been criticised in the past as lopsided.

Apart from the ministers of Defence and Interior who are from the North, others from that part of the country are Chief of Army staff, Chief of Air Staff, Comptroller-General of the Customs, Director General of the State Security Service, National Security Adviser and the Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Afenifere spokesman, Mr Yinka Odumakin, while reacting to the latest appointments warned that concentrating the headship of all key security outfits in a section of the country was not healthy for the nation.

“The placing of the entire security architecture of a multiethnic country in the hands of a section of it is quite unhealthy and insensitive.You need an inclusive approach to security and wider perspectives from every section of the country. When you narrow your top brass to only an ethnic group you have lost a great deal of your capacity to take decisions in the overall interest of the entire country.

“It is not an accident that the security forces have looked the other way as Fulani herdsmen are ravaging the South and the Middle Belt as all those who should act properly view the whole crisis within the same prism as the herdsmen.More importantly, you create unease in other ethnic groups in a volatile polity like this with such height of impunity,” Afenifere said in a statement sent to Saturday Tribune on Friday.

Ajimobi nominates 14 commissioners, electoral commission members

By Wale Akinselure ALL is now set for the formation of a cabinet and conduct of local government elections in Oyo State as the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi forwarded the list of commissioners and members of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) to the state’s House of Assembly, on Friday.

Special Adviser to the state governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka, while confirming the development said the list includes 14 people as commissioners and eight as members of OYSIEC. The development, according to Layinka, puts paid to speculations that the Oyo State government was insincere about the conduct of local government elections and lax about forming a cabinet.

It will be recalled that Ajimobi had assured of the conduct of local government election in July.

Both the executive and House of Assembly have however kept sealed lips about the identities of commissioners and OYSIEC members.

“I can confirm to you that the list of all commissioners to be appointed into the government of Oyo State has been sent to the House of Assembly for due process. They will come back with a list which will be formally announced, hopefully in the next few days. Similarly, the governor has sent his nominees as members of OYSIEC to the Assembly.”

“You know it took some time for the list of commissioners to come. The governor had to take time and was very careful in ensuring that stakeholder representation is taken care of, but most importantly, competence was the greatest criterion in determining who made the list,” Layinka said.

Strike: Labour task force beats up workers in Ekiti Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti LABOUR leaders who picketed some offices in Ado Ekiti to enforce compliance with the strike called to protest against unpaid five months salaries on Friday beat up some workers on essential duty for allegedly acting as saboteurs.

The picketing was carried out by a task force set up by the chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ade Adesanmi, TUC, Odunayo Adesoye and Joint Negotiating Council.

Members of the task force, who brandished cudgels, visited the old and new governor’s offices and chased out those on essential services, especially the staff of the protocol unit, those on directorate cadre and staff of the internal revenue service.

A leader of the task force, Com. Kingsley Ebong, said those who flouted their order were believed to be either benefitting from the system or being used to sabotage the strike.

“Civil servants can no longer pay school fees of their chil-

dren, pay their house rents or eat good food, some are even on the verge of divorce. We are not begging the governor to pay us, we are only requesting for our legitimate rights”, he said.

The Public Relations Officer of EKSUTH, Mrs Rolake Adewumi said no death had been recorded since the commencement of strike on Thursday.

Adewumi urged members of the public to discountenance the rumour of death of patients following the strike.

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Ahmed urges against child abuse Biola Azeez - Ilorin GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state has called on Nigerians to stop Child Abuse and other forms of violence against children.

Governor Ahmed, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba in commemoration of the 2016 Children’s Day, noted that a society that subjects its youngsters to abuse is in jeopardy.

The governor, who noted that the theme of this year’s event, “Protect the Right of Children in the Face of Violence and Insecurity: End Child Marriage,” was apt, called for more commitment by various stakeholders for proper upbringing of children and, especially in the areas of values of respect for self-discipline and dignity.

Governor Ahmed also said that society must ensure that the Nigerian child, especially the girl child, lives in a peaceful atmosphere that is conducive for growth and well being rather than the present state of insecurity in the country.

From left, Mr Muyiwa Ige, former Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Osun State; Miss Aisha Agboluaje (1st runner up from The Vale College); President, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Akande; winner, Master Olumayowa Ige of The Vale College; 2nd runner up, Miss Akanni Omolara of St Annes’ School, Molete, Ibadan and Mrs Oyindamola Ige, at the Splash FM/Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Akande Oratory Contest 2016 (Season) to mark the 2016 Children’s Day at the Agodi Gardens, Ibadan, on Friday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

PHCCIMA, a hope for zero-oil plan —Awolowo DapoFalade-PortHarcourt

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XECUTIVE Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Olusegun Awolowo, has described the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce (PHCCIMA) as a dynamic and result-oriented chamber that will help NEPC drive its zero-oil plan project.

This is as he said the project was to ensure increase in productive capacity, boost productivity and stimulation of the export revolution strategy in the country.

The NEPC boss made this assertion when he led a delegation of NEPC officials to PHCCIMA office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, recently.

He ranked PHCCIMA on the top spot in terms of innovation, value to its membership and contribution to national economic development.

Awolowo said he was impressed with the achievements of PHCCIMA and lauded the various activities

of its present administration, headed by its president, Dr Emi MembereOtaji.

He said the visit was premised on the need to present the NEPC zero-oil plan to PHCCIMA members, including the business community in Rivers State.

He also said the plan would drive diversification efforts and stimulate the export revolution strategy of the Federal Government for economic sustainability.

“During the oil boom, di-

versification to Nigerians was more of a passerby, but now, following the crunchy economic situation resulting from the global shortfalls in oil prices, diversification is firmly seated with us in our houses and we must grapple with it.

“As a federal agency with the objective of stimulating non oil exports, we have drafted 13 products that will replace oil, including cashew, palm oil, etc, so as to pursue an exportbased economy and key in

Our govt will protect children, women’s rights —Oyo gov

By Tolu Olamiriki OYO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Friday said that the current administration in the state will continue to give outmost priority to the rights of citizens of the state, most especially the children as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

The governor said this through the state Head of Service (HoS), Mr Soji Eniade, during the 2016 Children’s Day celebration,

tagged “Protect the rights of the child in the face of violence and insecurity: End child marriage,” held at Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

The governor said that the topic for the event was suitable and apt, bearing in mind the current challenges facing the nation through a total breakdown of societal values as well as the current unrestricted social media vices.

Ajimobi stressed that for all relevant stakeholders

Buhari restates commitment towards rescue of remaining Chibok girls Christian Okeke - Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Friday restated the commitment of his government towards rescuing the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls.”

He stated that no Nigerian child should be put through any form of trauma or denigration.

The president, who was represented at the 2016 Children’s Day celebration in Abuja which was held at the Eagles Square, by the

to President Muhammadu Buhari’s charge that Nigerians must begin to act now as if we don’t have oil so as to surmount our economic problems.

“In actual fact, Nigeria does not have oil problems.

The real problem is that, as a country, we don’t export.

“We need to start exporting to earn foreign exchange. Similarly, the private sector must begin to influence how public money is spent to ensure we do things right,” he said.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT, Mallam Musa said that there was urgent need for all stakeholders to make conscious efforts towards protecting children against all forms of abuse and exploitation.

He noted that the occasion reminded parents of their responsibility towards protecting the rights of children and teaching them to live a virtuous life.

According to him, it was also an occasion to remind children of their duties towards

their homes and society.

He assured every one present that his government was committed to protecting rights and privileges of all Nigerian children and charged the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to work out appropriate programme that will help to fight child abuse, labour and trafficking.

The president challenged the children to rededicate themselves towards becoming responsible citizens and shun all acts of violence and cultism.

to make conscious efforts in raising the awareness of parents, families and communities on the critical role of protecting children against all forms of violence and exploitation, including abduction, forced and early marriage.

While saying that the current administration will leave no stone unturned at protecting the rights of the people of the state, he said that as relevant stakeholders, it is the responsibility of parents to protect, care and teach children to live a meaningful life, embrace honesty as well as absolute dedication to duty.

“It is an occasion to remind our children about their duties and responsibilities to us as parents in conducting their affairs morally, respect for elders, by avoiding drug abuse and other forms of criminal tendencies.”

He said that the current administration in the state will continue to assist children in all spheres of life and called on all critical stakeholders to rise up and take a decisive action to stem the tide of violence and intimidation against children as it causes them emotional and psychological trauma.

Lagos Speaker calls for more efforts at protecting children’s rights Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos THE Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has called for improved efforts at protecting children’s rights as well as putting in place measures that will enhance their welfare.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, to commemorate the Children’s Day celebration, the Lagos Speaker also called on children to do away with all forms of crime and violence. He reminded the young ones that shaping their character and preparing themselves for the challenges of nation building should be paramount to them rather than engaging in activities that could hinder their development and future.

Obasa posited that the realisation that children were future leaders of tomorrow made it imperative for individuals, government at all levels and corporate organisations to put all hands on deck to improve on activities aimed at protecting the rights of children.”

Government must protect children’s rights —Ize-Iyamu Banji Aluko - Benin City CHILDREN are the very first victims of misgovernance and inadequate implementation of government policies, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has observed.

Addressing a large crowd of children who visited him during the week in Benin as part of the activities marking the Children’s Day celebration, the PDP governorship aspirant said it was the responsibility of the government to ensure the protection of children’s rights and future through adequate welfare packages.

He pointed out that any government that fails to capture the welfare and growth of children through adequate policies has effectively mortgaged the future of its youth.

Ize-Iyamu expressed disappointment that the Edo State government could not provide adequate clean and drinkable water for children let alone other fundamental necessities needed for the total development of a child.

Children should be responsible citizens - Professor Awe

By Oluwatoyin Malik A retired professor of Oral History, Professor Bolanle Awe has tasked Nigerian children to be determined to be responsible citizens.

Professor Awe gave the advice on Thursday at the 2016 Children’s Day school debate and quiz competition organised by the Dorcas Oke Hope Alive Initiative themed ‘Your health in our hands’.

She said that any child that is neglected and not given required attention by the parents would end up becoming a social dissident.

She said, ‘‘It is good and ideal for parents to have time for their children. You, children, also have a responsibility to your parents and the society to be the best.

“You are the future of the society and as such, you have to behave properly to your teachers and other people in the society.

“You have to respect the elders. Some children can be rude; they will not greet the elders well. I urge you all to be responsible citizens.”

In her speech, the Executive Director of DOHAL, Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Ajibulu, said that health is wealth, hence it should be given required attention.

8

news

28 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Illegal detention: Lagos proprietor files N5m suit against IGP, others

By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

Nine-month-old Nigerian Baby Favour who survived a shipwreck in the Mediterranean with Dr Pietro Bartolo.

N8.5bn fraud: EFCC to arraign Akpobolokemi for the 6th time Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin -Lagos

T

hings are presently not looking up for embattled former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) Patrick Akpobolokemi, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to again arraign him over an alleged fraud of N8, 537,586,798.58.

The new charge pending before Justice Saliu Saidu of a Federal High Court in Lagos is the sixth that the EFCC would file against Akpobolokemi following his removal as the DG of NIMASA by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He is currently standing trial alongside others on three different charges before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court.

He was also arraigned alongside others before Justice Raliat Adebiyi of a Lagos State High Court in Igbosere.

The EFCC filed two charges, including the fresh and

the latest one against him and others before Justice Saidu.

Joined with Akpobolokemi in the new and latest charge is a former Commander of the military Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta, Major General Emmanuel Atewe.

The other defendants in the charge sheet containing 11 counts are Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuaga.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to de-

fraud NIMASA of N8.5bn using six companies — Jagan Limited; Jagan Trading Company Limited; Jagan Global Services Limited; AlNald Limited; Paper Warehouse Limited; Eastpoint Integrated Services Limited and De-Newlink Integrated Services Limited.

The EFCC claimed that the defendants committed the alleged fraud between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering

Migrant crisis: Nigerian orphan baby starts new life in Italy A nine-month-old Nigerian girl who survived a shipwreck is going to an Italian foster family after her story triggered many adoption offers.

The BBC reported that the baby’s mother, who was pregnant with a second child, died of petrol burns when an overcrowded migrant boat capsized in the Mediterranean. Five bodies were found at the scene.

Dr Pietro Bartolo gave the baby first aid on the island of Lampedusa.

Favour and dozens of other survivors will be transferred by boat from Lampedusa to Sicily. She will be taken in by a child care centre before being looked after by an Italian family.

Dr Bartolo earlier told Italian media that he himself had asked to adopt Favour. But as a 60-year-old

We have not sacked any worker—Oyo govt

By Wale Akinselure The Oyo State government has quelled speculations in some sections of the public that some teachers on the payroll of the state government had been retrenched.

Speaking, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli, noted that such fears might not be unconnected with the ongoing verification exercise of the state government.

He, however, maintained that no worker had been sacked.

“Nobody has been retrenched. You might be

(Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. The defendants are also to be tried for allegedly violating Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C. 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Their arraignment earlier scheduled for Friday could not proceed as Akpobolokemi told the court that he had yet to be served with the new charge.

Their arraignment has been slated for June 3, 2016.

talking about the ongoing verification exercise which is to verify the number of workers that we have and to ensure that there are no loopholes or fraud in our payroll. Out of the 100,259 persons in the data we used, we discovered 16,532 irregularities subject to further verification and nobody has been asked to go because there is a procedure. There is a further verification of the 16,532 by a committee with labour, government and consultant representatives to ensure that nobody is actually sanctioned. We have not sent anyone pack-

ing,” Alli said.

Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Oyo State Mr Waheed Olojede, maintained that he was not aware of such speculated sack of teachers.

with three other children he admitted that he was unlikely to get custody.

“I want to keep her with me forever,” he said. “She is a marvellous creature, she hugged me and didn’t shed a tear.”

Dr Bartolo said his clinic on Lampedusa had been bombarded with phone calls from Italians touched

by Favour’s story and offering to adopt her.

Favour was given warm clothes, milk, biscuits and ointment at the clinic.

She had come ashore in the arms of a young Nigerian woman, who was one of many survivors with serious burns, apparently caused by a petrol leak from the boat’s engine.

A clergyman who is also the proprietor of D Glory Top Private Schools, Legasa Phase 11, Lakowe in Lagos, Pastor Ochuko Osusu, has filed a N5million fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Inspector General of Police over his alleged illegal detention by the Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

Those joined alongside the IGP as respondents in the suit are the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (SCID) and Inspector Solomon Ojo of SCID, Panti.

In the motion on notice filed by the applicant’s counsel, Kayode Bankole, delineated FHC/L/CS/680/16, Osusu is asking the court for a declaration that his arrest by the police on May 11, 2016 and his subsequent detention till May 19, 2016 is a gross violation of his right to dignity of human person, personal liberty and private life as guaranteed by Sections 34(1), 35(1), (3) and 37 respectively of the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

He also asked the court to declare that the act of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, (SCID) and Inspector Solomon Ojo of SCID, in carting away his documents from the school on May 17, 2016 when he was paraded in handcuffs to the said school is contrary to Sections 34, 1 (a) and 44 (1) of the 1999 constitution.

Further, he asked for a declaration that the respondents have no powers to close down his school or threaten to shut it down and that the respondents have no right to interfere with his legitimate activities.

Further, he is asking for an order restraining the respondents from further arresting him or threatening to close down his school, the sum of N5m as damages and and a public apology.

Nasarawa govt prioritises education in 2016 budget Godwin Agwani -Lafia THE Nasarawa State government has prioritised the educational sector in the 2016 budget by allocating N17.05 billion out of the N79.3 billion of the total budget.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning Dr. Othman Ibrahim Ahmed, on Friday in Lafia the state capital.

According to the commissioner, the sector got the highest allocation to enable government to give adequate attention to the decaying area of the economy in order to provide quality education to indigenes and inhabitants of the state.

He explained that the amount would help finance the construction/ equipping of technical workshops in Assakio, Mada station, construction of college of medicine at the Nasarawa State University, development of hostels in state owned tertiary institutions, amongst others.

Othman added that other sectors that got critical attention included works, housing and transport, health and lands.

Muslim old students hail Aregbesola over school upgrade

By Tunde Busari Old Students Association of Muslim Grammar School (OMOSA), Oke-Osun, Osogbo, Osun State has commended the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, for upgrading their alma mata to Middle/High School.

The commendation followed a letter dated January 25, 2016 by the Osun State Ministry of Education, which formally approved the upgrade of the school.

In a letter of appreciation signed by the Chairman and Secretary of OMOSA home branch, Mudasiru Giwa and Akeeb Afolabi respectively, Aregbesola was assured of continued support in his commitment to improve the standard of education in Osun State.

The association also extended gratitude to the deputy governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, for identifying with its concern and returning smile to their faces.

“The association and the entire Muslim community in Osogbo Local Government say thank you. May God continue to strengthen you,” the letter stated.

9

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Saturday Tribune

At 160, Nigeria’s oldest woman says marriage is sweet, wives shouldn’t leave their husbands

By Biola Azeez

I was ushered into her room by two middle-aged women who were taking care of her. One of them was wife of one of her grandsons and the other, a great-great-grandchild. Her head being bare just as I entered, she quickly asked for a scarf to cover her all-white hair braided all-back. She was promptly handed her cap and scarf which she quickly put on.

She said jokingly that she had to cover her head to prevent the visitor from catching a glimpse of her hairstyle which was only meant for her husband’s eyes. I greeted her and she replied in Fulfulde language. She then greeted me in the Islamic way: Asalamu alaekum warahmotulahi wabarakatuhu.

They said she had a considerable skill to speak in English, Hausa, Igbo, Fulfulde, Nupe, Igbira, Tiv, Kanuri, Kaje, Idoma and a few other languages.

She enjoined all around to praise God with her for attaining the age of 160 without losing her senses or memory. We all chorused: Allahu akbar and then Alhamdulilahi. After some pleasantries, we tossed a few questions to Alhaja Alimatu Abdul Malik, said to be about 160 years old, arguably the oldest person in Nigeria. The interview was conducted in Yoruba.

How much do you remember of your childhood, Alhaja?

I was born about 160 years ago to the family of Alhaji Kokewu-Kobeere in the Oja Gbooro area of Ilorin. I have witnessed the reigns of six emirs of Ilorin. I was born at a time when there was no means of recording dates of birth, when people were not literate enough to do that. But with the number of emirs who came to power and reigned in my lifetime in Ilorin, I believe my age should be around 160.

One of my contemporaries was Sheu Ahmad Folorunsho Faagba who died at the age of 145, eight years ago. He was my classmate in Arabic school though I was about five years older than him.

Apart from the premier emir of Ilorin, Sheik Alimi, I knew when the other emirs came to power. When Sheu Sulaiman came to power (in 1896), I was already a grown-up.

Although I cannot say exactly how old I was that year, I was a grown-up when he became the emir of Ilorin. Unfortunately, many of my contemporaries who witnessed the reigns of those emirs are long gone.

tions you witnessed would you say had the most impactful reign?

It was Emir Sheu Sulaiman. He brought railway to this town (in 1904). He was asked the importance of bringing railway and he answered by saying that it would make all poor people wealthy. The wealthy argued that they would no longer be relevant. Then, it was time of surplus. Foods that were worth Eepinini (half a penny) would be eaten and people would have their fill. At our Kokewu-Kobere Compound, there was a house nearby then with an alfa.

The children there were given three Onini for their upkeep.

The reign of Emir Sulaiman was quite significant.

Who among the six Ilorin emirs whose installa- After his death, Bawa, the father of Abdulkadir, took care

of those in villages. That’s the legacy being enjoyed by his children till date in Ilorin. The children of those who leave good legacies are bound to benefit. The first son of Faagba made me the Magajiya of Tanmowo Compound (head of the womenfolk). I went on holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in 1977, when I was well past the age of 100. There is the date, written on the wall (pointing to the wall of her room).

I thank God. Alhamdulilhahi robil alamin.

After the Adubi War (1918), as a traditional clothes seller, I took Etu (a popular local fabric) to Abeokuta for sale. We sold it for five pounds. Sanyan (another popular fabric) sold for seven pounds then. It is now100 pounds. We were Continues pg12

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28 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

style

Saturday Tribune

31

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11 commentary

28 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Buhari’s first year: Five ways Nigeria has changed

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari came to power promising Nigerians “change”. Novelist and writer Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, writing for the BBC, gives five examples of what has changed in Nigeria since 29 May 2015 when he was sworn in.

1. Are we safer?

Those of us who travel regularly in Nigeria’s north-east had become used to what should be a 15-minute journey turning into an hour-long ordeal.

You had to stop dozens of times at roadblocks and disembark, while heavily armed soldiers inspected your vehicle for traces of the Islamist militant group, Boko Haram.

Today, the number of checkpoints has fallen significantly - even on the road to Chibok - thanks to enhanced confidence in the security of the entire region.

The army has regained swathes of territory that the Islamist militants had occupied as part of their so-called caliphate.

Boko Haram has been considerably weakened, resigned to attacking soft targets using suicide bombers.

Thousands of women and girls kidnapped by the group have also been rescued, including one of the 219 schoolgirls from Chibok abducted in April 2014.

But while there is progress in the north-east, trouble in the Niger Delta, the country’s oil-producing region, is resurfacing.

Recent attacks on oil facilities have caused a drop in production and helped push up the global price of crude oil.

2. Where’s my money?

In the months preceding last year’s elections, the popular chant on the streets was “Sai Buhari, Sai Buhari”, which means “Only Buhari” in Hausa - the most widely-spoken language in the north where the president originates.

“Sai Buhari” became an almost magical greeting, capable of earning you a discount from the sweaty chap pushing a wheelbarrow of tiger nuts or sugar cane.

It could even elicit a smile followed by permission to move along, from the miscellaneous airport officials who usually ensure that your passage through Nigerian customs and immigration is fraught with agonising delays.

A year later, the chant has changed to “Buhariya”, which roughly translates to “Buhari’s way” or “Buhari’s time”.

The slogan is now used to explain every unpleasant

evidence of Nigeria’s troubled economy and a time of austerity.

ent Buhari, during his election campaign, said he would abolish the office of the first lady - but then retracted the suggestion when challenged by feminist voters.

“A basket of tomatoes has gone up from 3,000 naira ($15) to 18,000 naira?”

It’s “Buhariya!”

5. What are we wearing?

In Abuja the government in power influences the style of dress throughout the administration.

Staff of the government, friends of the government and aspiring friends of the government all aim to dress like the person at the top.

Northerners ruled Nigeria for most of the country’s first three decades after independence from the UK in 1960.

Over time, their traditional outfits, babarigas (flowing gowns) and kaftans, became firmly entrenched - even when a non-northerner was elected in 1999.

Cartoons depicting a typical Nigerian “big man” will usually feature him dressed in the flowing robes, his potbelly distorting the layers of cloth.

All this changed in 2011, with the election of Goodluck Jonathan.

He was Nigeria’s first president from one of the country’s smaller ethnic groups, and also the first from the oil-producing Niger Delta, in the south.

Mr Jonathan preferred the long shirt and trouser outfit that is traditional among his Ijaw community.

Suddenly, the babariga was nowhere to be seen.

Government offices and hotel lobbies began to feature an inordinate number of men dressed in the presidential style of the time.

Some even went as far as the fedora hats and walking sticks that go with the outfit.

Eventually, the style gained its own special nickname - “resource control” - in reference to the fact that most people who wore it seemed to be the ones controlling Nigeria’s oil resources.

Indeed, it seemed to be the preferred outfit of many of Nigeria’s newest millionaires.

Not any more. Within a year of Mr Buhari, “resource control” outfits have almost completely vanished from view. The babariga is back.

Beyond these five areas, there are many more profound changes that Nigerians are expecting from our government, but those will take time.

The structure of corruption and mismanagement which previous governments left behind must first be dismantled before a new foundation of progress can be laid.

And President Buhari is no modern-day Hercules.

Cleaning Nigeria’s equivalent of the fantastically filthy Augean stables of Greek myth is certainly not a one-year job.

“How come the naira is plummeting against the dollar on the black market?”

It’s “Buhariya!”

3. Where’s our money?

This time last year, friendship with Sambo Dasuki, the former national security adviser, could have altered your economic circumstances forever.

He would have been besieged with invitation cards to be the chief guest at various events.

When he entered a room, almost everyone would stand in respect.

Today, he sits in an Abuja jail, awaiting trial for the alleged mismanagement of billions of dollars meant for the war against Boko Haram - charges he denies.

Several other big men, previous untouchables, such as former service chiefs, top politicians and government officials, are also sitting in jail awaiting corruption trials, or out on bail.

And, if you’re looking for a second-hand luxury car to buy, now may be the time.

A number of people formerly linked to the government are desperate for cash and selling off their fleets.

It would seem as though the leaking taps that gushed dollars to be spent carelessly have stopped flowing since President Buhari came to power.

4. Where are the women?

Ensuring women’s participation at all levels in political, economic and public life is one of the targets of the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs).

But only six out of Buhari’s cabinet of 37 are women, a meagre 16% and way down on the previous administration’s 31%.

The president’s wife, Aisha, is also the most silent first lady Nigeria has had in decades, barely seen or heard - except maybe when she is visiting unkempt children in a refugee camp or donating food items to victims of Boko Haram. She appears as the stereotypical good African wife.

Her invisibility is suspicious when you consider that Presid-

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12 interview

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Saturday Tribune

Why people say the Sarakis are from Abeokuta —160-yr-old woman Continues from pg9

selling to army officers and their wives. I had a shop at Sobi Barracks then. Soldiers were drafted to keep the Emir of Ilorin safe. I spent 10 years with the soldiers. I was living there during the (second world) war. After the war, I came back home due to old age. The soldiers came back to take me away. I said, ‘who are you taking away?’ I said I didn’t want anything. They said they would give me gun salute when I died. I said they should rather give the gun salute to their grandmothers.

What will be your reaction if an organisation or government provides a more befitting place than this for you to live?

I will die where my husband married me and put me. Or have you come to take me away from my husband? (she then chanted: Wa inna jundana lahumul ghaaliboon, which is verse 173 of chapter 37 of the Holy Qur’an).

At your age, you say you won’t leave your husband’s house, but wives, nowadays, with or without children, pack out of their matrimonial homes, what do you have to say?

It is not supposed to be so. Patience is the watchword here. Wives would only leave matrimonial home because they have lost their heads. Matrimonial homes are the heavens of housewives. Why would you leave the home of your husband who relates with you with patience? You have what to eat and drink. You have children and you are financially stable. Why are you moving about? Both of them [man and wife] should be patient. If one party is patient and the other is not, they cannot last long. (At this point, she saw me taking her picture) Take my picture very well because you may not see me again.

Mama, should money be a source of problem for a couple?

Money may lead to marital dispute. When a man has money and becomes evasive and pretends he doesn’t have and he doesn’t give his woman money, surely, there will be fight.

Please, tell us about your marriage.

Marriage is sweet but children nowadays do not follow the right way in selecting their partners. That is why it [marriage] doesn’t last anymore. I still live in my husband’s house as old as I am.

I am blessed with 11 children, 119 grand and greatgrandchildren but I am left with only one surviving child, an over 80-year-old woman. I lost my first child in 2011 at the age of 113. I always give thanks to God in any situation I find myself. Almighty God is the giver and taker of life. It was her destiny to leave me behind. I don’t have authority to question God because whatever He decrees must come to pass. It is His will that I live this long.

What can you say about the late Dr Olusola Saraki?

Saraki, Baba Bukola [Bukola’s father]? His father was taken away to partake in the Adubi War. Saraki embraced Ilorin and prevented his people from being put to shame.

Saraki was born in my presence. I knew when his father had him. The people from Abidjan came. They said there was war and that Amidu, Saraki’s father - or what’s the name now? - should come and fight for them so that they would not suffer defeat. That was when Saraki’s father was taken away. He took his children along. All the children of Saraki’s father were born in Ilorin. [The late] Saraki was born at Agoro Compound, in the Agbaji area of Ilorin here.

What were the late Saraki’s contributions?

Ha, who can mention them all? He met Ilorin in total darkness. He said he would rebuild his father’s house. Did he do it or not? What did they say Bukola did that they are fighting him? It was money his father was giving people.

He gave people clothes and if a son cannot give as much as his father did, we don’t need to fight him. We should draw him closer and rally round him. If you say you don’t

I am blessed with 11 children, 119 grand and great-grandchildren but I am left with only one surviving child, an over 80-year-old woman. I lost my first child in 2011 at the age of 113. healthy living?

Many important people in the society come to me but I am not the one they come to visit, really; it is Almighty Creator. I drink obatin (Ovaltine) and I drink milk. I don’t eat much bread. If you eat bread, you may find it difficult to ease yourself in the toilet.

I eat it [bread] but it has to be oven-fresh and soft, not stale.

Are there some foods you don’t eat? For instance, some say milk, which you just mentioned, should not be taken by old people.

Those who are not well or whose death is near are the ones that say all that. When you take milk..... bring your hand (reporter stretched out his hand and she pulls) e get power! If I don’t take tea and milk, how will I have power? Or am I saying nonsense?

Can you recall what happened at the time you went on holy pilgrimage to Mecca?

I went on hajj once in 1977, which felt like more than a hundred times. People from all parts of the world came for hajj that year. We were 14, 000 in number that year. Many people came to meet me.

They asked me to follow them to visit different mountains and places in the holy land.

Why did they come to you?

It is God that directed them to me; that I should go with them to all those mountains He created. Or you think I won’t know how to answer you? It’s a person with sight that will show the blind the way.

How do you want to be remembered?

People will remember that Alhaja Ita Kure, Ile Elepo used to say this and that. Tell them that in Ilorin, Saraki did all he could do and his son wanted to contribute his own quota, but some people disagreed. And that they said there is money they wanted to retrieve from him. Which money is that?

Their forefathers’, which Saraki got and which they want to collect from his son? It is a lie. Who are you, by the way?

want little, what if you don’t get to see him anymore? Is the little you are getting not enough? What I will say is that people should give him support and not mind the consequences otherwise disunity may set in. Or am I saying balderdash or this is just an old woman’s idea? If Bukola didn’t do as much as his father, people should consider what his father did for the town and accord him more goodness. I am talking to only considerate people fah. Those that are not in their senses will say they should take Bukola away I am Abiola Abdul Azeez, a journalist. and all that he has but they will all fall. They can’t take anything.

A journalist? You write news, don’t you? Don’t you His father met this town in total darkness. He turned around his have any other job than carrying newspapers about? family house. He saved Alimi’s ancestral place from disrepute. Please, don’t take me overseas o! It has been a while He refurbished it. Am I lying? since I went there. The children I had for Ekundayo, the judge, had done all that (taking me abroad).

What do you have to say about the speculation that the late Olusola Saraki was an indigene of Abeokuta?

Alhaja, do you remember Obafemi AwoloNo. Do you know why he was said to be from Abeokuta? Their wo? great-great-grandfathers had come to settle here. That was how He was from Ikenne. Ha! (she begins to sing) all of us had come from different places to settle in Ilorin. Some Awolowo, Baba Layinka, okunrin jigi jigi lori alawere from Sokoto, others came from Gwandu, Katsina, Borno, etc. bosi. Boroboro nii yo, ko see pa, ko see lu loogun (strongman that could not be killed or beaten with What have you been eating to stimulate long life and charm).

13

28 May, 2016

BLESSING EKUM ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

food&drink If your cake maker doesn’t do these things, fire him!

cake maker for his/her event?

The first is what people have to say about the baker and his cakes (especially if you have not tasted his/her cake before).

Don’t be deceived by pictures.

Secondly, the price is important too. Go for what you can afford. A cake that is too cheap can be a disaster. Baking ingredients are expensive, so don’t expect to get good cakes very cheap.

Lastly, request for pictures of the baker’s previous jobs. This will help you to see how professional the person is.

What’s the current trend for weddings in the cake making industry?

Brides are now falling in love with white tiered fondant cake. This is either because people are getting mature or the fact that aso ebi colours can be confusing, so it’s safer to go for an all-white cake.

What’s the most surprising cake you’ve seen someone make?

A suspended cake. I was hoping it would be my invention until I saw a wedding picture online. I felt surprised and robbed.

Do you enjoy eating cakes? What’s your favourite?

I love hot cakes; cakes straight from the oven. I really don’t enjoy eating chocolate cakes.

Cakes give your event that special touch, so it’s important to get it right in your choice of a cake maker. The Chief Executive Officer, Whitehands Cakes, Mr Olalekan Adekoya, who holds a degree in Geography but has made a mark in the baking world due to his passion for cakes. He speaks with BLESSING EKUM on the trends in the cake making industry and what to look out for before doling thousands of naira to a baker.

What attracted you to catering? have always loved being around the kitchen since I was a child. I loved the aroma of food and the fact that it allows you express creativity. To me, the kitchen is another world I love exploring.

I

A lot of men are going into the food business these days, what in your view is the attraction?

I believe a lot of guys are passionate about the food industry but were not bold enough to come to the open about it then. The fear of what people would say and how they would see a guy doing something ladies ought to be doing held them back. But things are different now. We can now follow our passion and we are doing fine.

What were some of the challenges you faced, especially as a man, when you initially started out?

Getting clients was difficult at first. Prospective clients were surprised each time they saw a guy appear as the baker. I got the reaction most at weddings. But with time, my work started speaking for me and I started enjoying referrals.

What’s the most fulfilling part of cake making?

The most fulfilling part is when your client is ‘wowed’ seeing his/her cake. No matter the effort and ingredients you put together and no matter how beautiful the cake is, if the client doesn’t like it, you’ve done absolutely nothing.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Saturday Tribune

I draw inspiration from everywhere. Cobakers, nature, my clients. I can see cake design in anything.

The design. I love fondant icing. I love the height of creativity one can achieve with fondant.

Can you recall the most challenging cake you’ve ever made?

It was a wedding cake. I wanted to bake a new recipe I overheard at the market. But the cake came out in crumbs. So, I had to start all over. Since then, I learnt not to follow dogmatically. It’s better to try out a recipe on your personal cake than on a client’s cake.

What’s the most important quality a cake maker must possess?

The most important quality, for me, is patience. When you have patience, you can try over and over again, until you get it right.

Don’t rush, but don’t be too slow. Another important quality one shouldn’t do without is integrity.

What aspect of cake making do you pay more attention to?

What are the top three things a client should look out for before hiring a

Mango-pineapple slush Ingredients: 2/3 cup pineapple juice fresh lime juice, from half a lime 2/3 heaping cup pineapple chunks, frozen 2/3 heaping cup mango, frozen (chunks) 2 teaspoons agave syrup 1 cup ice cubes

Directions: Add ingredients to the bowl of blender, starting with the liquid and ending with the ice. Blend until smooth.

If the mixture is too thick, add a touch of more pineapple juice.

Pour into glasses. Garnish with a slice of pineapple or wedge of lime. Serve.

14

28 May, 2016

With Bosede Ola-Samuel 08112658560 bosedeola_samuel@yahoo.com

intimacy T

Saturday Tribune

STRICTLY FOR ADULTS

HE following nuggets are essentials for couples who desire better sexual performance: Create a love-filled and romantic atmosphere Many couples desire better sexual performance but what they fail to realise is the fact that achieving better performance does not start in bed, it starts with you creating a love-filled and romantic atmosphere that is conducive for fire to spark between you and your spouse at every unexpected moment. To ensure a love-filled and romantic atmosphere in the home, you must “stay in touch” with your spouse.

This will entail you touching him/her, speaking through eye contacts, sitting together to watch television, send text messages, etc. You and your spouse must also create room for proper communication and this requires that you respect each other’s views. Never explain away any complaint from your partner as this brings about tension, rather than romance. Resolve all conflicts quickly however difficult this may be. Never sweep any conflict under the carpet for this will amount to postponing the evil day. Learn the art of playing and cracking jokes with each other for this enhances intimacy between you and prepares you emotionally for sexual acts.

Frank talks with your spouse Frank talk between a couple that is working towards better marital relationship and better sexual performance will afford them the opportunity of ironing out whatever might have been constituting hindrance to achieving these goals in time

you need to stop doing, and what you should do that you have not been doing and vice versa. This will go a long way to make things better between you. It is a wrong assumption for you to think you are satisfying your spouse.

Love must be the motivation and not passion In satisfying your sexual urge, it is important you do not create the impression that you are only driven by your passion to satisfy your sexual urge and not by your love for your spouse. This impression many men create in their wives by not taking into consideration what they need to do, and how they need to go about having sex with their wives that will not just satisfy their sexual urge, but also satisfy their wives as well. Sex is for mutual satisfaction, and whatever will make the satisfaction mutual should be pursued by the two.

Simple ways to better e c n a m r o f r e p l a u x e s your past. This is because rather than assuming what pleases or displeases your spouse,

it gives you the opportunity to hear from him/her what you have been doing that

conversewithyemisi I’m hurt!

I Dear Yemisi, am a fan of your column. I am a 20-year –old girl.

I dated a guy in my secondary school days, but we broke up. I realised that I still love him, but I am not sure if he still does. I

For Him Gavin, 39, single, Delta-Ibo, businessman, needs a lady aged between 35 and 38 for marriage. Call 08137674998.

Adeyiga, 49, needs a God-fearing woman for marriage. Contact 09037596806.

Ropo, 29, needs a mature lady for a relationship. Call 09038252434.

Oluwole, 40, Christian, divorced, selfemployed, Ibadan-based, needs a good, slim, mature, working class, single lady aged between 30 and 40 for a relationship. Call or text 07033470833.

David Oluwasanmi, 33, businessman, Christian, based in Ibadan, needs a Yoruba lady aged between 25 and 34 for serious relationship. Call 08109608439.

asked him, but he did not reply.

I am hurt.

Please, what can I do?

Worried Girl.

Dear Worried Girl, You need not get hurt over a trivial

issue that will not add any value to you. Though I can understand your predicament, getting hurt will not solve the problem on hand.

There is little I can do because you did not give me the cause of the breakup in your first outing together as

For Her

Ronke, 28, mature, neat, good looking, needs a mature, honest man aged 35 to 48 for marriage. Contact 08037740493.

Stella, 43, from Delta State, needs a God-fearing, responsible man aged between 48 and 50 for a relationship. Call 09084916946.

Dammy, 28, 5.5feet tall, dark-complexioned, God-fearing, needs a God-fearing man aged between 38 and 50 for marriage. Call 08162103848.

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Call 08140750856.

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Tola, final year student, needs a mature, caring, responsible, honest man aged between 35 and 50 for marriage. Call 08033665961.

Learnt the art of lovemaking Lovemaking is an art and must be learnt.

Readiness to learn the art of lovemaking by every couple will make them masters at the act, thus make them to ‘live happily forever thereafter.’ Dr. Ed Wheat of Springdale, Arkansas once said: “If you do what comes naturally in lovemaking, almost every time you will be wrong.” This is because like every other physical activity in life, the art of lovemaking must be learnt. That is why couples must invest in literatures, seminars and conferences, and programmes where such knowledge is imparted. After all, without sexual fulfilment, a person is not complete.

08055001741 (sms only) yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com

dates, but I want to believe that you broke up then maybe due to irreconcilable differences or immaturity of the two of you. Whatever might have led to the breakup might have informed your former boyfriend’s reaction for the comeback attempt that you are working at.

What steps have you taken so far to make him open up? If he remains incommunicado, you had better shift your gaze and stop imagining that someday he might have a soft spot for you again. Though it is said that love is blind, happenings around have proved this saying wrong in certain quarters.

From your brief narration my dear, you are the only one in love with him, to him, he is done with you. Now that you have made your feelings known to him, let the next move be from him.

Give him time to rediscover you in his life because with age most times come with maturity. My dear, if he does not return your affection, life continues.

Be prepared to start on a new note with a man who will appreciate you for who you are and make you fulfilled. Take care of yourself and never give your concerned friends any opportunity to organise any pity party for you.

It is well with you.

15

voxpop Isaac Richard HAT have I gained?! You will get very few responses to this question. The right question should be “what have you lost?”

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Pepisko Pepeye I entered a danfo yesterday. There is no better place to access the minds of the people than on the bus.

Adeola Hammed We have gained hunger, high prices of foodstuffs, scarcity of money, darkness, poverty, unemployment, increase in prices of petroleum products, Fulani herdsmen attacks and so on.

Joseph Ogunleye We have gained devaluation of naira, favouring of Nigerians of northern extraction in appointments, fighting members of the opposition instead of corruption, non-stop foreign trips and delay of budget signing.

Saturday Tribune

28 May 2016

With Kate Ani 08071080888

anikate92@yahoo.com

Buhari’s one year in office:

What have you gained?

Eric Selven

Nigerians’ perspectives clashed when KATE ANI gauged their pulses on President Muhammadu Buhari’s first 12 months in the saddle. Their divergent opinions, obtained via Tribune’s Twitter handle, @nigeiantribune and Facebook account, are presented here.

Bankole Olatunji

Salihu Bubakar I am glad to be alive to answer this question. I don’t know where I would be by now if former President Goodluck Jonathan had won the last election. I would probably have been exiled or killed by Boko Haram. I thank God for President Buhari, Vice-President [Yemi] Osinbanjo, Lieutenant-General [Tukur] Buratai and other gallant Nigerian military personnel.

Nkiruka Ekezie

Samson Ofofo Honestly, Nigerians have gained a lot, especially from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which has saved you and me from the callous political office holders. I can tell you for a fact that a lot has been recovered from looters, which will soon translate into visible projects.

Jehoshaphat Rutherford Let’s be frank, even President Buhari knows that his first year in office is a total disaster. Otherwise, why is he alongside Bola Tinubu, Rotimi Amaechi, [Babatunde] Fashola, [John Odigie-] Oyegun and others pleading with Nigerians to exercise patience in the face of the current economic crisis? The following are now our reality: poor electricity supply, increased unemployment, increased spending by households, flouting of court orders, just name it. All these, in addition to many failed promises, have given this government a poor mark.

Dare Adeleke

Kenechi Mba I have gained N145-per-litre price of fuel price, N405-to-one-dollar exchange rate, N800 for a handful of tomatoes, increased Fulani terror attacks, judicial and legislative decay, DSS, EFCC and military intimidations.

Saheed Kayode To me, he is doing a wonderful job but it is hard to grade him because of the ongoing problems of hunger, devaluation of currency, killing of innocent people by Fulani herdsmen and more. However, I strongly believe that we are going to enjoy at the end of the day. Let us be patient, tomorrow will be fruitful for all of us.

Continues pg35

Babs Oredola

Aladerun Segun

Ikechukwu Ene

Louis Akhigbe

16 healthandfitness

28 May, 2016

No menses at twenty

I am 20 years old and I am yet to see my menses. The doctor has carried many tests but did not find anything wrong. Finally, the

doctor said I will need surgery. All my efforts to enquire about the effect was without answer. Kindly advise me.

Rabiatu (by SMS)

Dr. Wale Okediran Many reasons have been adduced for the absence or late arrival of menses in women. One common reason which may necessitate surgery is ‘imperforate hymen’. This occurs when the small opening in the hymen of a virgin which should normally allow the free passage of menstrual flow is closed. With this, the normal outward flow of menses is impeded with a back flow into the woman’s uterus. This usually manifests as an enlarged uterus which is usually treated with a minor surgery which will involve cutting the hymen after which the dark congealed blood is usually released from the uterus.

If this is what the doctor wants to do for you, you have nothing to worry except the loss of your ‘virginity’.

I cant access my HIV drugs I sincerely need your urgent advice. I have been on antiretroviral drugs since March 2015 but for some difficulties, I have been unable to access the drugs for the past two months.

Please, what is the health risk and immediate help to prevent any serious health hazard.

Tokunbo (by SMS) Two months is a long time to miss your drugs.

As you know, this may have serious health implications on you. I am aware that antiretroviral drugs are free in government health facilities in the country, as such, you

Saturday Tribune

should avail of yourself of this arrangement and go for your drugs immedi-

ately even if you have to borrow money for transport to the facility.

Herbs for treatment of diabetes I have been on antidiabetics drugs for the past five years with good results.

Recently, a friend suggested I use some herbs which she claims can completely cure my diabetes. Although I have good results from my current drugs, the thought of a permanent cure is making me feel like trying this herb drug but I am also afraid in case it is a fake drug. Kindly advise me.

Suleiman (by SMS) As of today, there is no scientifically proven drug to cure diabetes. Most of the claims made so far about a ‘wonder anti diabetic drug’ have been found to be a myth. In view of this, I will advise you to continue with your regular anti diabetic drugs until such a time the claims of about a permanent drug to cure diabetes can be confirmed.

08055069356 (sms only)

waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk

Pains after sex ANYTIME I have sex with my girlfriend, I always feel pain in my pubic area leading to difficulty in urinating easily. I have never had sex with anybody else.

Each time I complain to her, she will tell me to treat myself since she does not have any problem. I don’t know what to do although I suspect her movement.

Silas (by SMS) Your painful groin and difficulty to urinate a day after sex with your girlfriend may not necessarily be due to a Sexually Transmitted Infec-

tion. Although you did not mention anything about urethral discharge, a laboratory examination of the discharge would have enabled us to confirm if your ailment was sexually transmitted or not. Oftentimes, because of

the peculiarity of their anatomy, some women may not even know that they are carrying any infection. Your best bet will be to see a doctor for some proper examination and laboratory tests to unravel the mystery.

Should I cut my tonsils?

I have problems with my tonsils and I was advised to cut it or see the doctor but I am afraid. Please what should I do?

George (by SMS) There has been some degree of confusion in what people generally consider to be ‘ton-

sils’. Although the ‘tonsils’ are the two fleshy projections at the corners of the throat, what the local surgeons usually cut is the central projection from the roof of the mouth called uvula. In

addition, being very vascular body organs, the tonsils usually bleed a lot when cut as such the need to see a medical doctor for the operation to avoid any dangerous complications after surgery.

Dr. Abiodun Adeoye adeoyemoshood@yahoo.com

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08056564360, 08072000017 (sms only)

ORLD No Tobacco Day takes place every year on May 31 and this year’s theme is “Get Ready for Plain Packaging”. Plain packaging is a measure that restricts or prohibits the use of logos, colors, brand images or promotional information on tobacco packaging other than brand names and product names displayed in a standard color and font style. According to WHO, plain packaging is an important demand reduction measure that reduces the attractiveness of tobacco products, restricts use of tobacco packaging as a form of tobacco advertising and promotion, limits misleading packaging and labeling, and increases the effectiveness of health warnings. As has been done in Australia, Ireland, United Kingdom and France, member nations including Nigeria are expected to pass the laws to implement plain packaging to discourage tobacco use.

Why is this important?

Tobacco use is a risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death, namely Ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), lower respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Tuberculosis, Trachea, bronchitis, lung cancers. The escalating epidemics are worrisome with about 80% of world’s smokers living in low- and middle–income countries like Nigeria. If current trends continue, by the year 2030, these countries will experience seven million tobacco-related deaths a year and also by the same year, tobacco will account for more deaths than the total deaths from malaria, maternal conditions, and injuries combined. You can imagine the number of lives that could be saved by this law if promulgated and enforced in our communities.

There is no organ in the body that tobacco does not affect, either directly or indirectly.

How does tobacco use affect the heart?

Cardiovascular diseases are on the increase with many

World No Tobacco Day 2016

people dying silently. Some years ago, a man at age 65 came back from his shop apparently healthy and died suddenly over the night. Few minutes after he retired to his bed, he ran out complaining of a very tight chest pain and before anything could be done, he gave up the ghost. He was a chain cigarette smoker, alcoholic, and a lover of kolanut. The death was ignorantly interpreted as the handiwork of Satan and one of the wives of the man.

The man simply died of heart attack, the acute form of ischaemic heart disease that tobacco use can lead to.

Recently, a young man suddenly developed severe chest pain after smoking about 20 sticks of cigarette in company of ‘white men’ business associates. He was lucky not to have died. He confessed he needed to impress on the business partners that he was up to the task in other to win the contract. If the man had died another person would have been given the contract. Please let us stop smoking cigarette. I encouraged the young man to trust God, not cigarette and other social mishap in business prosperity. God giveth power to make wealth Smoking affects the heart in many ways, I will just mention a few: • Oxygen supply to the heart and other tissues in the body is decreased. When you smoke, the good air, oxygen that you breathe in from atmosphere is not utilised by the body in the production of energy.

Smokers do not have strength.

• Smokers experience decrease exercise tolerance since there is no strength. They replace food with cigarette.

• The good cholesterol (HDL) that protects the heart is reduced in smokers. In company of other risk factors they are prone to heart attack.

• Because of the nicotine in tobacco use, the rate of

heart contractions are increased leading to high blood pressure (hypertension). If the smoking continues, the person may develop stroke or heart attack.

• As the heart pumps out oxygen rich blood, by nature it supplies self, first through the coronary arteries.

Heart as the strongest muscle in the body consumes more energy than any organ in the body, hence the need for the lion’s share of the blood. These all-important blood vessels are damaged when you smoke cigarette. The result is imminent heart attack. Watch it.

• Smoking can also affect the heart indirectly by attacking other organs in the body whose diseased state will compromise the function of the heart. It increase the risk of developing cancer of the lungs, chronic asthma (iko gbofungbofun), chronic obstructive lung diseases. When the lung is chronically diseased it affects the heart. · If you are smoking or chewing tobacco, diabetes which is excess sugar in the blood is not far from you.

Remember diabetes is a twin brother of hypertension and both will heavily knock down the heart.

• Cigarette smoking makes the flow of blood in the vessels to be sluggish. The cells that make the blood clot now have enough time to interact. Once the clot is formed, it can travel to the heart to cause heart attack, brain to cause stroke and lungs to cause pulmonary embolism. All these are deadly diseases arising as a result of smoking habit. Stop smoking today.

• Generally, smokers have increased risk of becoming sick, especially your children who stay around you.

Smokers are bound to die young. Not only you, including your innocent friends, co-workers, family members who stay around while you smoke.

17

28 May, 2016

Divorce

She’s the reason my church crumbled —Husband

Saturday Tribune

Court & Crime

No, his extramarital affairs collapsed his church —wife

A petty trader, Juliana Aquila, has told a Nyanya customary court in Abuja, the Federal Capital that her husband’s extramarital affairs led to the collapse of his church.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Juliana, the respondent, said this when she testified in a divorce petition filed against her by her husband, Abba.

“I’m not the reason why my husband’s church closed down as my husband alleges; it was his extramarital affair with a woman called Rosemary that led to the collapse of his church.

“In 2015, my husband relocated from Minna, Niger State, where we resided, to Abuja and was cohabiting with his girlfriend, Rosemary, who specialises in Gwangwape traditional dance.

“Because of this relationship, my husband confiscated our marriage certificate and filed for divorce in the customary court, without my knowledge,” she said.

The respondent also denied her husband’s allegation of being possessed by an evil spirit, which he claims, makes him unsuccessful.

“If my husband is sure that I am possessed by evil spirit, let him provide proof to that effect,” she said.

She denied ever having a relationship with or being impregnated by another man.

“If my husband claims that our son, Jerry, is a product of my relationship with another man and not his, why then is he demanding custody of the same child?”

Juliana also denied breaking her husband’s heart as he alleged, claiming rather that it was her husband that broke hers.

“My husband has been maintaining one extramarital relationship or another; at the moment, he is cohabiting with one Paulina, who sometime in 2009, divorced her own husband.

“My husband assisted this woman through the divorce process in court.

“After Paulina’s divorce, my husband transferred the incorporation document of the church to his name alone.

“My husband and Paulina are now overseeing a church called Kingdom Power Deliverance Ministry in Masaka and he is bent on having our marriage dissolved.

“He wants to dissolve our marriage, which has been blessed with wonderful children, in order to be free to marry Paulina,” Juliana, who had become emotional, said.

She begged the court to save her marriage by not granting her husband’s prayers.

The president of the court, Mr Everyman Eleanya, advised the couple to consider out-of-court settlement, and adjourned further hearing in the case till June 2.

I knocked out her tooth by mistake during a fight —Husband No, his ill-manners led to the removal —Wife

StoriesbyAyomideOwonibi-OdekanyinandOyeyemi Okunlade, with Agency reports

A

respondent in a divorce petition, Mr Taiwo Salami, 54, prostrated in an Ikorodu customary court in Lagos State to implore his wife not to divorce him after 27 years of marriage.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Salami, an electrician, said that his life would be meaningless if his wife packed out of his house.

“I don’t want to separate from my wife because her presence in my life has brought much glory to me.

“I beg this court and everybody here present to appeal on my behalf to her that she will quicken my death if she divorces me,” Salami said.

Salami said that his wife’s tooth that was removed in a squabble they had was by mistake, saying it happened when he was trying to stop her from biting his male organ during a fight.

He told the court that he would change the bad habits that compelled his wife to be seeking a divorce.

“Although, her testimony is 40 per cent to 45 per cent true.

“I have asked Olufunmilayo, my eldest daughter to beg her mother not to leave me,” he said.

The petitioner, Yetunde, 46, urged the court to dissolve the union because her husband was too hot-tempered.

Yetunde said that Salami had threatened to use a knife to stab her if she attempted to leave him.

“I don’t want to die; I am psychologically down and this man has made me to develop high blood pressure.

“His ill-manners led to the removal of my tooth and because of constant fighting, I am forced to run away from our house.

“I have also lost my teaching job,” she said, adding that she was fed up with the marriage.

She said she could no longer combine the duty of a mother and a father by being the major provider for her six children.

The first child of the marriage, Olufunmilayo, told the court that, “I have lost more than two potential suitors because of the constant fighting of my parents.

“I am not in support of a divorce, but if it

will curtail my father’s anger and constant harassment of my mother, so be it,” Olufunmilayo said.

President of the court, Mrs Abiola Omolara, said the court would do all within its power to save the marriage because peace in a family was paramount.

She urged the parties to consider the effects of their actions on the six children after 27 years of marriage.

“It is very wrong to be sending the message to Olufunmilayo, who is 25 years old this year that marriage that has lasted this long can break up,” Omolara said.

The court adjourned till June 14 for further hearing.

inside My husband was beaten mercilessly when caught with another man’s wife —Wife Help me beg her, I still love her —Husband

He wanted me to go through rituals in his village, wife tells court ‘I sponsored her education, now she wants to marry another man’ See pages 18 & 23

18

28 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Saturday Tribune

23

courtandcrime

My husband was beaten mercilessly when caught with another man’s wife —Wife

Help me beg her, I still love her —Husband StoriesbyAyomideOwonibi-Odekanyinwith Agency reports

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Chartered Accountant, Sola Andrew, has told a Nyanya customary court in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, that her marriage to Eze had bought her nothing but shame and sorrow.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sola made this known when she testified in a divorce petition she filed against Eze. “Since I married my husband, it’s been one issue of shame or the other.

“Worst of all was that my husband was caught in a shameful act of adultery with another man’s wife in her matrimonial home.

“He was beaten severely, his leg was broken and he could not get out of the house for about 10 months; the cost of getting him on his feet was solely borne by me.

“My husband had no money with which to treat himself neither did his family render any assistance at anytime.

“As a result of the adulterous act, he was arrested and arraigned by the police in a court.

“I took a loan from my workplace to bail my husband and settle the case out of court; this brought upon me shame and regret and impugned my reputation and integrity,” she said.

The petitioner also said that she was shocked when she found out that her husband was married to two other women who already had children for him.

“My husband never told me that he was married to any woman; it was a rude shock for me to hear that he was married to not just a wife, but two wives and children.

“It’s just dawned on me that he was using all my hard-earned salaries to take care of his wives and children.

“Marriage to my husband has brought me nothing but shame and sorrow; I beg this honourable court to grant me divorce and tell my husband to return the car and lands I bought which are in his possession,” she said.

Eze, a businessman, who was present in court, denied most of the allegations and begged the court not to dissolve the marriage, saying that he still loves his wife.

President of the court, Everyman Eleanya, adjourned further hearing in the case till June 8.

He wanted me to go through ritual in his village, wife tells court

‘I sponsored her education, now she wants to marry another man’ AN Igando customary court in Lagos State has dissolved the two-year-old marriage between one Yetunde Omale and her husband, James, over sacrifice making.

Yetunde, 29, who was the petitioner, had filed a suit seeking the dissolution of the two-year-old marriage over alleged moves by her husband to force her to make a sacrifice.

She told the court that her husband, James, asked her to go to his village to make sacrifice.

“My husband asked me to travel to his village in Benue State to make a sacrifice to know if a man had slept with me while he was away.

“James told me that he always sees a man making love to me in his dreams,” she said.

The mother of one said that her husband goes out at will and comes back at will.

“My husband left the house without my knowledge.

“When his phone was not reachable and he did not bother to call, I went to stay in my parents’ house,” she added.

The petitioner urged the court to dissolve the twoyear-old marriage because she was no longer in love with her husband.

James, 41, who is unemployed, however, said that his wife left her matrimonial home for a month to an unknown destination.

“In my tradition, when a woman leaves her matrimonial home and wants to come back, she must first go to our village to swear that no man has slept with her.

“But my wife left my house without my consent and when she returned, she refused to go to my village,” James said.

He described his wife as an ingrate, saying, “I

I’m not a troublemaker and I never beat her —Husband

A 35-year-old housewife, Afolayan Blessing, has begged an AdoEkiti customary court in Ekiti State to dissolve her nine-year-old marriage to her husband, Adebayo, citing frequent beatings and lack of care.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Blessing, a resident of Lane 4, Olujoda, Ado-Ekiti, said that they had been living together until two months ago when he deserted her with four children.

She said Adebayo always beats her and slaps her over minor issues such as food.

The mother of four accused Adebayo of not providing money for household maintenance, but said he atimes comes home with some tins of rice and beans.

According to her, he does not take care of her, even during pregnancy as well as the children but only pays their school fees.

She prayed the court to award her the custody of the children.

But, Adebayo, 40, a resident of Olujoda, Ado-Ekiti, told the court that all the allegations were not true, and accused his wife of being very adamant to correction.

He said that he was not a troublemaker and he did not beat her.

The respondent said there was a particular time Blessing brought her manfriend to their matrimonial home when he was on night duty.

Adebayo said he wanted to attack the man with a machete, but Blessing held his hand and the cutlass struck her body and blood

She flares up at almost everything —Husband

SIX months after a marriage was contracted between 30-year-old Happiness and her 35-year-old husband, Martins Uwah, the union has been dissolved on the orders of a court.

An Igando customary court in Lagos State, which gave the ruling, cited constant battery on the part of the husband.

The court’s president, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, in his judgement, held that “all efforts to reconcile both parties have failed as the petitioner was adamant despite mediations by the court and the family’s intervention.

“Since the petitioner (the wife) insisted on divorce after several interventions, therefore, the court has no choice but to dissolve the union in spite of the fact that the husband still claims he ‘loves’ his wife.

“The court hereby pronounces the marriage between Mrs Hapiness Uwah and Martin Uwah dissolved today; both parties henceforth cease to be

‘He abandoned me by marrying another wife’ Odunade, however, awarded the custody of the four children to Ruth, and ordered Ogundepo to pay N10,000 monthly allowance for the feeding and upkeep of the children.

The court also ordered Ogundepo to take up the responsibility of the children’s education and other welfare.

Earlier in his petition, Ogundepo had explained that his wife messed up their marriage when she turned into a prostitute and became distrustful and disobedient.

“Since I got married to Ruth 16 years ago, I have had to cope with her many tricks on me in order to leave home to

enjoy her prostitution with her concubines.

“When I noticed that she was mingling with women that were having negative influences on her, I warned her to desist from further association with them.

“Ruth, however, ignored my advice, saying that I had no right to instruct her.

“I have over the time reported her to her parents and other relatives without any fruitful outcome.

“As a matter of fact, Ruth packed out of my home three weeks ago with my children in her custody.

“My lord, there is no more love in our union, please separ-

ate us,” he pleaded.

Ruth, who did not deny the allegations, gladly accepted the divorce prayer.

“My lord, what I want this court to know is that Ogundepo himself is not trustworthy.

“Just a few years into our marriage, Ogundepo abandoned me by marrying another wife. Without taking proper care of me, he keeps monitoring my movements all around the town.

“I want the union to be dissolved because there is no more love,” Ruth said.

had failed.

“Since both parties consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this court has no choice but to dissolve the marriage.

“Both parties are no longer husband and wife as the marriage has broken down totally; they are free to go their separate ways,” Omilola stated.

He beats me and does not care about our welfare, wife tells court

He beats me at the slightest provocation —Wife

She became distrustful and turned into a prostitute —Husband THE Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, Oyo State has dissolved the 16-year-old marriage between Muideen Ogundepo and his wife, Ruth, over prostitution, distrust and disobedience.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the president of the court, Mr Ademola Odunade, held that the court had no option but to let Ogundepo and Ruth go their separate ways since it was obvious love was no longer in their union.

He said that the duo was given enough time to settle the matter amicably, but nothing positive came out of it.

sponsored Yetunde from her 100 level to final year.

“After her graduation, I lost my banking job and she told me she was not interested in the marriage again,” he said.

But delivering his judgement, the president of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, said the estranged couple was tired of the marriage and all efforts to reconcile both parties

husband and wife.

“Both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to marry any partner of their choice without any hindrance and molestation,” Omilola ruled.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Happiness had filed the divorce suit over her husband’s constant beating.

According to Happiness, her estranged husband was in the habit of beating her at the slightest provocation.

The petitioner told the court that her husband was a chain smoker, a habit he did not exhibit during courtship.

“We dated each other for about three years before the traditional wedding was consummated six months ago.

“The first day the beating started I was sick. So, he asked me not to take any drug that we should go to the hospital first and do all the necessary tests.

“He asked me to wind down the glass of the car door and ask for the turning to Subol Hospital, but I told him I was familiar with the turning; but he suddenly stopped and asked a passerby.

“The man said we had passed the turning, he hit my head and started beating me, I had to go back home,” she said.

Responding to the allegations, the estranged husband told the court: “I still love my wife, her behaviour towards me only shows someone who does not want to keep her marriage.

“It is true that I beat her, but I have apologised to her. She flares up at almost anything.

“There was a day we wanted to have our morning devotion, I told her to switch off her phone, but she refused.

“She got angry and went to the living room, I went to talk to her and held her. She told me not to touch her and I left her.

Then l went back and beat her severely.

“She still receives phone calls from men. I always tell her that we were married by tradition, though we are still preparing for our church wedding.”

Uwah added: “I think the whole thing is more of tribal issue.

I’m from Akwa Ibom and she is from Imo. Her mum, who was against our union, says things that are derogatory about my family.”

gushed out.

He said that he reported the incident to her parents and they assured him that their daughter would not go with another man.

President of the court, Mr Joseph Ogunsemi, after hearing from both parties, adjourned the case till June 17 for judgement.

Our major quarrel is his failure to pay our child’s fees —Wife She added liquor sales to restaurant I opened for her —Husband AN Ado-Ekiti customary court in Ekiti State, has dissolved the 10-year-old marriage between Ogunleye Titilayo and her husband, Taiwo, on the grounds of incessant fighting, lack of care and public assault.

President of the court, Mrs Olayinka Akomolede, held that the marriage had broken down irretrievably and consequently dissolved it.

Akomolede awarded custody of the child to the wife and ordered that the education of the child should be the joint responsibility of both parents.

She said that the husband should be paying N4,000 as monthly upkeep allowance and granted him access to see his child.

Titilayo, 40, a resident of No 35, Araromi, Ado-Ekiti told the court that their incessant fighting was mainly on the maintenance of the only child they both have.

She said whenever she demands for the child’s school fees, it would lead to a fight.

The mother of one said that Taiwo refused to take care of her, claiming when he lost his job, she did not support him.

According to her, before she left his house, they were jointly paying the child’s school fees but after leaving his house, she alone has been paying the fees.

She said her husband always assaulted her publicly, saying anywhere he saw her, he was fond of calling her a prostitute.

Titilayo urged the court to dissolve the marriage and award her custody of the only child, Joshua.

But Taiwo, 42, denied fighting his wife.

He said that he always gave her money to buy foodstuffs in the house.

The respondent said that he even opened a restaurant for Titilayo but she added the sale of beer to it which he did not accept.

He said that he started suspecting her whenever she picked her calls outside at home.

Taiwo accused the wife of attempting to stab him with knife when they were fighting, and used his money to feed another man.

Woman in trouble for allegedly poisoning husband to death A 40-year-old woman has been accused of poisoning her husband to death at the Ashanti region of Ghana for being a drunkard.

The woman, Eno Akorah went to consult a traditional priest to prepare a concoction for her so she could mix it with food for the husband to ‘heal’ him of alcoholism.

The woman allegedly mixed her husband’s meal with the concoction prepared for her by the priest, in the hope that it will work as she had requested.

But the deceased, according to Ghanaweb.com, reportedly started complaining of stomach ache after consuming the meal.

He fell and started convulsing on the floor before shocked friends, family and witnesses rushed him to the hospital. But he died on the way.

Relatives of the deceased are accusing the Akorah of intentionally poisoning her husband to death but the suspect has denied the claims, saying that she only meant well for the husband who she wanted to stop drinking.

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28 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Lawmaker’s ‘dryness’ lullaby

Eko Akete The ‘sex’ question

21

Weekend Lagos Editor Lanre Adewole m: 0811 695 4637

Gov Ambode of Lagos

e: olanreade@yahoo.

How policemen, soldiers kill in Lagos and escape justice

IGP Solomon Arase

LEKAN OLABULO goes underground to uncover stories of cover-up, betrayal and perversion of justice in this report contributed to by LANRE ADEWOLE and NAZA OKOLI.

I

T was Easter Monday. One of the commemorative days for adherents of the Christian faith, celebrating the death and resurrection of their Saviour. For Alfa Muhammed Ambali Obadina, it was equally time to pray just as every other day, considering his spiritual role as the Quranic teacher and prayer leader of the mosque in Iberekodo area of Badagry in Lagos State.

As usual he was the last to quit the

prayer mat well into the early part of the night. Whatever was his desire in what turned out to be his last prayer in the land of the living would eternally remain in the realm of conjecture. Moments after he ended the supplication to his Maker, a drunk soldier from a nearby barracks came along staggering and by the time he would be sober the next day, Ambali had become cold dead, his body dumped by the roadside. His wife became an emer-

gency widow.

Move over to Igando, another suburb of Lagos. A policewoman and a commercial bus driver were reportedly sighted in a heated argument. It was alleged that the female officer was demanding the usual ‘egunje’ (N50 or N100) bribe which the driver wasn’t ready to part with. She allegedly pushed him into a nearby ditch and got him drowned before help could reach him. His dependants irretrievably

‘Police railroaded my brother into Kirikiri’ Mr. Jeffery Idehen is the older brother of the Igando victim, Sunday Idehen, who was beaten to a pulp, arrested and detained in Kirikiri Prisons for six days by the police, for pleading with four policemen not to beat to death, an okada rider who refused to bribe them. Idehen shares heart-wrenching stories with BOLA BADMUS

C

AN you tell us what the situation is with your brother who was detained by the police at Igando?

Yes, I have been in the court for the past three days now, I was able to take him on bail. I fulfilled the bail conditions and as I am talking to you now, he is on his way from Kirikiri, he hasn’t gotten home.

You finally secured bail for him?

Yes, I secured his bail but he hasn’t been home yet. When he comes in now, I will take him to hospital straight.

What exactly happened, why was he locked up by the police? Can you relate to us the incident that led to

lost Muyiwa Ijaduola, their breadwinner.

During the fuel crisis, another female officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCDSC) allegedly shot into the midst of petrol black marketers for refusing to “settle”, killing one instantly and leaving others with injuries. The prayer of “may we not be consumed by what we want to consume” didn’t answer for the deceased.

Continues on pg21

his arrest and detention?

He was coming from work, when he got to Igando Police Station area, policemen were beating one okada man over this issue of their normal collection of money or so. So when he saw how they were beating him, he approached them and Continues on pg21

20

28 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Saturday Tribune

Weekend Lagos

How Lagos’ merchants of death escape justice Continued from pg19

In the same outgoing month of death merchandising, an Air Force officer in Apapa, decided to be a peacemaker, the devil’s way. While trying to broker peace among some feuding fellows, he allegedly shot one dead instantly and critically injured three others. Though the Holy Books prescribe blessing for peacemakers, this officer should be qualified for it the other way round. He threw families into deep agony.

Last month, three young men were mowed down in cold blood by some Naval officers in Arepo, a border town between Lagos and Ogun states for alleged involvement in illegal bunkering. The officers simply constituted themselves into a court of law, found them guilty, sentenced them to death by firing squad and implemented the execution, all within a midnight.

This unenviable list is endless but one common denominator to them is the suspicion of cover-up by authorities which should have brought the suspects to justice, but incidentally their employers protect them, thereby playing the devil’s advocate.

Also in almost all the cases, the identities of the suspects had been deliberately put under wraps by their supervising authorities, making it near impossible for relatives of their victims to pursue justice for their loved ones, cut down tragically.

Saturday Tribune, however, went underground to unearth the identities of some of the suspects and the frustration of the relatives of the victims in their pursuit of justice.

It will be recalled that the only killer police officer who was successfully prosecuted for shooting and killing one of the protesting youth during the January 2012 fuel subsidy removal was Segun Fabunmi, the then divisional police officer (DPO) in charge of Pen Cinema Police Station in Agege area of Lagos State. Justice was served him because the public put pressure on the police authorities to unmask him and put him on trial.

The 10-year jail term handed down to him was still considered a kind of judicial soft-landing, the victim and his relatives unlike those listed above, still got some justice respite.

Saturday Tribune can reveal that the alleged killer-soldier in Badagry that took Ambali’s life because some boys in the area were sleeping with his girlfriend, is one Okeke (surname withheld).

Operatives at the homicide section of the Lagos State Police Command told Saturday Tribune that they were battling the military authorities to ensure the release of Okeke to them for prosecution, with no success yet.

The slain Ambali’s spirit was fortunate enough that a neighbour identified as Iya Biliki was on hand when Okeke battered Ambali before taking him away alive and returning his corpse. Though Iya Biliki had reportedly fled the area after she came under death threats for identifying Okeke during a parade by the Barracks Commandant, Okeke is still being allegedly hidden by the military authorities. But the Muslim community in the area has promised the security agencies, ‘war’.

Saturday Tribune has also uncovered the identity of the policewoman involved in the alleged Igando killing for which rioters almost razed the police station in the area. She is one Corporal Taiwo (surname withheld). Instead of the police authorities to take prompt action to ensure justice, they had engaged in a blamegame, adding that the driver was epileptic, had a seizure and fell into the ditch on his own, with the mob preventing the other policemen who raced to the scene from helping him, after Taiwo had fled.

As of Thursday, Saturday Tribune enquired about the case, the police leadership claimed she would soon be invited for questioning, without being forthcoming on her identity.

Much as Saturday Tribune tried, the identity of the female Civil Defence officer that allegedly pulled the trigger in FESTAC could not be unearthed. It was

complete sealed lips everywhere within the system, with the leadership putting up a robust defence for her. While the official immunity continues for her, efforts by the police to investigate the killing were said to have been completely frustrated. Civil Defence Corps leadership has allegedly continued to spurn the demand by the police that she should be handed over for probe.

Yahaya ( first name withheld) was the peace-breaker Air Force Officer who allegedly on May 3 this year at Westminster area of Apapa shot to kill while making peace. While the Air Force authorities were not denying that he shot and killed another human being, their defence for not releasing him for justice was that the shooting incident occurred when he was being attacked by some traders where he had gone to buy a mobile phone.

It was also gathered that officials who are culpable of extra judicial killings are only made to face the full wrath of the law when such killings are widely celebrated by the media .

A senior police officer, who spoke with Saturday Tribune, under the condition of anonymity gave a rare insight into the systemic disposition. “It is a normal thing to protect a policeman. It is not just in the police. It happens in other agencies but one thing about the police is that you are on your own, when such killing is in the public domain.”

The senior police officer added that “if anybody hears, you should not ex-

He even took them to where he killed him before the corpse was handed over to the police but he was not handed over to the police for prosecution

pect the police to raise the alarm that a policeman has killed someone. It is a dent on the image of the police itself.

Look at the case of the former DPO of Pen Cinema, despite the fact that he was a senior police officer, no one could protect him from justice, since the case had been widely celebrated. In some cases, what people don’t know is that relatives of slain people may decide not to pursue the cases in court and it is only when such officers have been proven to have committed a very serious offence that the police would go ahead with the trial. For instance, if a policeman mistakenly shoots someone in the process of trying to free himself from a gang of hoodlums and it was confirmed that the killing was accidental, you should not expect the police to vigorously pursue such a case but if the mobile policeman who killed Taiwo and Kehinde in Ketu, Lagos had not killed himself, he would have been charged appropriately,” the police source said.

The senior police officer may be correct after all because public uproar of Taiwo’s alleged murder of Ijaduola seems to be yielding result, if not much. At least, the police have backed down on defending her and are now saying that investigations have commenced.

The acting image maker in charge of the state police command, Damasus Ozoani, while speaking with Saturday Tribune could neither confirm nor deny that the accused police

woman had been arrested.

When asked, Ozoani said “you want to know if the woman has been arrested . Is it possible for an investigation to commence into that case without the invitation of all the parties involved? We have invited all the parties involved.”

When further pressed on whether the accused police woman had been detained or released, Ozoani said “send me a text.” The text message was sent to his mobile phone line and he was yet to reply as of the time of filing this report.

The spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Megor Chukwuma, while speaking on the latest development on the FESTAC killing, said that the national headquarters of the corps had taken over investigations into the alleged murder.

But the Muslim community in Badagry is not keeping quiet over Ambali’s death. Alhaji Muyideen Abdul-Quadri, the chief Imam of Low Cost Housing Estate, Badagry is a resident of Lagos State, who strongly believes that security agents are protected from justice, when they indulge in extra judicial killing .

He has been appealing to the authorities of the Nigerian Army Barracks, Badagry to release Okeke to the police at the homicide section of the state police Criminal Investigations Department for investigation and possible prosecution for Ambali’s murder.

The army leadership in Badagry however claims to have court-marshalled the accused officer, adding that he would be made to face trial, but Imam Abdul Quadri and the Obadina family describe the planned trial as “unacceptable” and are seeing it as a way to protect the killer soldier.

The chief Imam gave Saturday Tribune a peep into the alleged travesty of justice ongoing over Ambali’s murder. “The soldier was drunk and fell from a motorcycle and became unconscious and after some time, he woke up and coincidentally , the Islamic scholar was coming from the mosque at that time.

Before then he (the soldier) had gone to Ajara, where he drank himself to stupor . He wanted to take Alfa to the barracks to lie against him that he was one of those people that attacked him but he killed him on the way.

“When we got to the barracks, the commander ordered an inspection parade and the woman (Iya Biliki) identified him. He did not deny it. He even took them to where he killed him, before the corpse was handed over to the police but he was not handed over to the police for prosecution . They said that he had gone through orderly room trial and that he would be made to face military trial. That is not what we want.

That is not acceptable to us. We want him handed over to the police for prosecution.”

The police at the homicide section of the state police command also accused the army of shielding Okeke from justice. A police source at Panti, who pleaded anonymity said “we have done the necessary things but the army authorities have refused to hand over the soldier to us. We cannot go into the barracks to arrest him. We have not identified him but they have done that. It is only when they hand him over to us that we can investigate and prosecute the case in court”.

Speaking on extra-judicial killings and efforts to sweep them under the carpet, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, president, Women Arise for Change Initiative, said “Extra judicial killing by the police has become one of the most common occurrences of violation of rights of Nigerians to life and sadly rather than abate, it has continually repeated itself.

“This terrible practice by the police and by extension Nigerian law enforcement officers, keeps exposing the type of characters that are recruited into many of these agencies, their training capacities and the weakness of these institutions.

“It is, therefore, my view that government must re-educate our law enforcement officers on the need to respect the sanctity of lives of Nigerians and also remind them of the consequences of their actions against harmless civilians.

“Nonetheless, the law must take its full course and whosoever is responsible for taking the life of anyone, no matter how highly placed within the force is made to face the full wrath of the law.”

21

Eko Akete

The ‘sex’ question

‘Police railroaded my brother into Kirikiri’ Continued from pg19

appealed that they should let the okada man go, but they refused, you know. Because he was intervening at all, they pounced on him.

How many of the policemen were involved?

There were three policemen that were on that beat. I later spoke with the present DCO who is the acting DPO. His name is Oyedele. I was trying to appeal, to ask what was the problem because they detained my brother and kept him incommunicado for that Wednesday night.

We got to know this because we went to different police stations because we were afraid for the whole night when we didn’t see him, this is because my brother doesn’t sleep out. It was just now we discovered that he was there and by the time we discovered they already prepared a charge against him and they took him to court; the only thing I could do was to follow them to the court on Thursday.

pecially the father and the mother on this issue?

They felt very bad because he is a young man that has two children; he has two young children and he left them.

What does he do for a living?

He works with one of my friends as a personal assistant.

Like how much did you pay to secure his bail?

The total money we spent to secure his bail from the court is more than N150,000. Like I was saying, my brother spent six days there in Kirikiri, the other person who intervened while they were beating my brother, as I am talking to you now is still there (detention) as there is nobody to secure his bail. He is still at Kirikiri as I am talking to you now because there is nobody to take him on bail.

He saw the way they were beating my brother, almost to the point of death. So the guy now went to beg the policemen not to kill him, they then started beating him. That guy is still in Kirikiri now, there is nobody to take him on bail.

What manner of charge did they prepare against your brother?

They said assault. He has a lot of bruises on his body, I have some photographs I took. When he comes this night, I am taking him to hospital. I hope the police can come to the hospital so that they can interview him and take photographs. Most times, the attitude of Nigeria police is unspeakable, most especially the policemen at Igando Police Station.

How many days did your brother brother spend behind bars at Kirikiri now?

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday till Wednesday.

How many days?

That is about six days.

Which court was he charged before?

Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court.

Let me ask you how did the family feel, es-

What was his offence and why was he arrested and detained?

He saw the way they were beating my brother, almost to the point of death. So the guy now went to beg the policemen not to kill him, they then started beating him. That guy is still in Kirikiri now, there is nobody to take him on bail.

Maybe you will have to take up that responsibility to also bail him like you did for your brother. Is that what is going to happen?

Yes, that is likely going to happen because the relatives of that guy who pleaded for my brother have no money.

Do you know the person’s name?

His name is Mr. Domigo Richard, a Ghanaian.

What prayer are you now making to government or the police authorities?

My prayer to the government is that they should release that boy and on the issue of my brother, we can take it up with them if necessary because I know that my brother didn’t do anything wrong.

WE all know him. He likes the mic a lot.

He is ebony black, handsome and very talented. He loves a town near Ojuelegba so much that we think he hailed from there. But the place is just a metaphor for him. It reminds him of the journey of life. His life has been slow and shiny, until some bad belle fingered him on a sex spree scandal. Who doesn’t do these things? Well, as a gentleman loved by all the ladies, including his wife, he has been acting cool and private. Yes, he is married to a beautiful woman. One would think with a woman like that, no one should remember adultery. But his name was linked in a roll call of other wise men. The gist is that Lagosians believe they did it, maybe before they started walking down the aisles – for those of them who have.

When the scandal got out people thought it will crash his marriage in particular. But his marriage is still standing kakaraka.

It is rumoured that his wife either decided to forgive or swallow what he fed her. We all have our past. And people believe him a lot especially when he came out clean about one mansion he did not buy with all the cash. He was the first celebrity to be so sincere. What a guy! So, during the week, Eko Akete bumped into him. He was in a very good and “gisty” mood. And the gist started to flow. He said very plenty things: how his wife rubbished the allegation, how he didn’t care about it, how the female colleague is a good person. “But, sir, did you sleep with her?” It was a “No” that sounded like Bill Clinton’s.

Lawmaker’s ‘dryness’ lullaby

AS the financial crunch continues to press hard on the nation, squirms and grumbles are also beginning to spread overboard even to the most unlikely places. The masses are no longer the only ones experiencing rough patches. The workers, the entrepreneurs, the celebrities and politicians are becoming red in the face with frustration. During the week, Eko Akete dropped in on a certain Lagos lawmaker bitterly remonstrating the brunt of the country’s hardship on the State House of Assembly. The fair-skinned legislator, from a former national ruling party, was powdered in pain as he described the current “dryness” of the Lagos Assembly. This was the first time he has held a political office; the first time he’s been in any government’s payroll.

Sources around the Assembly Complex told Eke Akete that this has become his favourite rant. Any moment he spends in public is an opportunity to complain about ‘the current dryness’. Whether it is a chat with his colleagues outside the complex, or while addressing journalists – it is almost always about this ‘current dryness’.

But the rain has begun to fall in Lagos since May.

22

28 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

FG/Lagos ‘gang-up’:

Residents to pay more for sand, water transport?

“This means trouble because we will have to pay more. However, if we are forced to pay more, then Lagosians who are our customers too should be ready to pay more”.

I

T appears Lagosians are eternally doomed to pay more for services rendered them by governmental bodies, due to suspected deliberate arrangements to make more money on the part of government. These come in different forms and shapes. The most recent is the alleged gang-up on the marine related businesses where boat operators and sand dredgers eke a living.

The Lagos waterways and their content had been an issue of discord between both tiers of government in recent years, with the Federal Government winning a court case over who controls the waterways and their content.

For many people that do businesses on the waters or inside the waters, regulatory oversight was coming from the Federal Government. The Nigerian constitution backs the control of the waterways and its content by the Federal Government, and this had been so in the past years.

Many of the operators, either conducting businesses on the waterways or inside the waters, had been making payment to the Federal Government. Even in 2014 when the Lagos State government tried to come into the whole water business affairs, it was quickly reminded in court that waterways and its content belong to the Federal Government.

Many of the operators applauded this court judgement they thought would save them from multiple taxation.

However, recent development has suggested both tiers of government have reached

an accord on regulating water businesses, no thanks to the fact that both are now under the same political umbrella.

According to some members of the Association of Tourists Boat Operators and Water Transporters Of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) who begged not to be quoted due to fears their businesses might become a target of witch-hunting by both tiers of government, the recent collaboration is down to the fact that both governments are under the same political headship in Abuja.

In his words, “As at April, 2016, NIWA (Nigeria Inland Waterways Agency) was still keen on meeting the Lagos State government in court. NIWA was winning the case. The Lagos State government had appealed the case since September 2014, but due to obvious reasons, did not pursue the case.

“All this happened during the period when the Federal government and the Lagos State government were not under the same political umbrella. During this time, NIWA never had any collaboration with the Lagos State government.

“Now that we have the same political party controlling the Federal government and the Lagos State government, both governments have suddenly realised they need to collaborate on waterways transportation regulation.

“This means trouble because we will have to pay more. However, if we are forced to pay more, then Lagosians who are our customers too should be ready to pay more in fares.”

The Lagos waterways provide a means of livelihood for people with diverse interests

and goals. However, for the sand dredgers and boat operators, the recent alleged gang up will affect many of them, business-wise.

Sand dredgers provide sands for building projects in the State while the boat operators provide alternative means of transportation in the State. For many who work on the island, the ferries have shielded them from the chaotic traffic gridlock that has come to be synonymous with Lagos roads.

For many who access Apapa from the Marina in Lagos, they only part with N150 to get to Apapa. Aside the fact that it is very economical compared to the N250 collected by buses going to the same destination from Marina, it also saves them time as there are no traffic gridlocks on the water.

In the case of sand dredging, prices depend on tons of sand and location. A 15 tons costs N18,500 while a 25 tons goes for N25,500. The biggest is the 30 tons which cost N35,5000.

All these rates apply on sand dredging in Ajah and its environs. For places like Badagry, a 15 tons could be purchased for as low as N12,000 while a 25 ton goes for N18,000 or N20,000. The 35 tons in Badagry costs just N28,000.

For many operators, the alleged gang-up which will definitely add to the cost of obtaining regulatory permission to carry out business operations on top and inside the Lagos lagoon will be borne by the end users who are Lagosians.

“We all know that this sudden collaboration will lead to double taxation. However,

we won’t have any choice but to hike fees because we are in business to make profit. Except the state and federal governments want to drive us out of business, we will be left with no other choice than to hike fees so that we can balance our books.

“Although they promised us that it will not bring about added cost to what we have been paying to government before now, we are waiting to see how that will be achieved given the fact that the Lagos State government has already outlined some capital intensive projects they wish to carry out on the waterways.

“They have told us they will be removing wrecks from the waterways and I know that will cost them some money, which they will want to recoup from us. All this is aside the money we have been paying to the Federal government.

“Except the Federal Government decides to take a pay cut to allow the Lagos State government make some money, which I doubt because the country is currently facing cash crunch at the Federal level and they need every kobo they can lay their hands on,” Tunde Ilori, a sand dredger with one of the sand dredging firms explained, adding that “except both governments want to drive us out of business, we will be left with no other choice than to hike fees so that we can balance our books.”

With the dredgers and boat operators waiting for the new partnership to roll out, there is no doubt that ultimately, Lagosians are the ones that would likely be rolled over when push comes to shove.

A Reporter’s Diary

Area journalist in Area Boys’ den

By Chukwuma Okparaocha IT was a day that began like any other for this guy who claims writing for one of the newspaper houses in the country. His medium is not a household name so he doesn’t get press invites for events like many who are favoured enough to be working for some of the well-known newspapers.

He has, however, never allowed this handicap to stop him from working his way to some events, or ‘assignments’ as they are called, even when not invited, thereby ensuring he goes home with a few ‘brown envelopes’ too. This never-say-die spirit of his earned him his cherished sobriquet of ‘omo igboro’ which means the ‘street boy.’

But one other assignment he worked his way into almost turned awry as he would have been mauled by a group of street urchins who had equally stormed the same assignment ground for the same reason – to make money.

The assignment, which took place in Ketu area of Lagos, was financed by one of the lawmakers in the House of Representatives, who happened to be a friend to the fellow in question, who I will hence refer to as “Tee.”

Trouble started when the event eventually came to an end, and it was time for the legislator to “drop the usual.” Being a very good friend of Tee, Tee was expecting an unforgettable treat from him.

And one unforgettable treat he got, when the event centre was bombarded by a hoard of hoodlums who had also come to see what they could milk from the politician. It is fitting to say at this juncture that it is not uncommon to see street urchins generally referred to in local parlance as “Area Boys,” storming events organised by politicians or other rich people, who they usually target and repeatedly hail with a view to having them part with some money.

Unfortunately for Tee, his politician-friend failed to give him the ‘usual’ on time, and when he eventually did, it was in the presence of a group of area boys who had been stalking the lawmaker for hours.

No sooner had Tee got hold of the ‘brown envelope’ than the “boys,” many of whom had just apparently finished drinking and smoking Indian hemp, swooped on him, insisting that the money he had just been given was not meant for him alone.

This led to a serious confrontation between him and the ruthless guys, as Tee himself fought tooth

and nail to ensure he parted with no penny from what he had been given.

In the ensuing melee, his shirt was ripped, yet he did not let go.

The real journalists stood a short distance away, watching everything in awe, not knowing what would become of Tee. One of the “boys” swiftly gulped the alcoholic content of a bottle he had in his hand, perhaps with the intention of smashing the soon-to-be empty bottle on poor Tee’s head. But before he could have a chance of carrying out this dastardly act, fate smiled on Tee, as a heavily-built man came from nowhere and began knocking out each member of the group one after the other.

As soon as an escape opportunity appeared, Tee, clutching the money in the corners of his shred shirts, ran like a wounded chicken that had just escaped from the talons of a ferocious hawk.

He eventually sneaked his way out to a safe place, with his prize safely tucked in his pocket- only one thing was on his mind – how to spend his prize, which turned out to be a bulky envelope. At least for an Area Journalist, it is worth celebrating with a swag!

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28 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Toluwani Olamitoke 08050498504 toluwaniforever@yahoo.com

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OW will you assess the level of awareness of sickle cell disease in Nigeria in the past decade?

I want to believe it has improved but we are yet to make a mark. Nigeria has the highest number of SS disease victims in the world which is four million while 40 million are AS. Maybe adults have heard about it and some of our youths whose parents are professionals have also heard about it, but this awareness has not got to the grass roots. Sometimes parents don’t know about it, how it came about or how to handle it and as such a victim of this disease can sometimes put himself or herself in a state of rejection. It is good for every parent to know. Sickle cell disease is everywhere—in the extended family, so there is nothing to laugh or castigate someone about. It’s quite unfortunate that some fathers or mothers are ignorant of this disease and therefore abandon the victim and run away.

What is SCHAF about?

We want the masses to know that SS disease is controlled by choice and that prevention is better than cure. This is why it is necessary for people to know their genotype. Our activities involve increasing awareness, education and screening programmes for youths to enable them to make informed choices about marriage and childbearing and for couples at risk. We also introduce guidelines for healthy living and the improvement of the understanding of caregivers and the public at large on the management and control of the sickle cell disease. SCHAF has been going to meet with people to enlighten them.

‘Bearing SS children puts marriages under great strain’ Mrs Adeyinka Falusi, professor of Haematology is the founder and president of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF). She is also a former Director, Institute of Medical Research and Advanced Training (IMRAT), University of Ibadan and L’Oreal/ UNESCO Outstanding Woman of Science (Africa 2001). She speaks with TOLUWANI OLAMITOKE on her marriage and activities which are focused on ridding the society of Sickle Cell diseased victims.

Why is your focus presently on secondary schools?

Youths are directly concerned. They attend churches and mosques which preach and do their best to create awareness about the sickle cell disease, but this is not structured in the proper manner. Some do say two SS victims can’t marry. This is wrong.

We are not expected to dictate to any one, rather, youths are meant to be enlightened on the sickle cell disease which can be done through the radio, internet, newspaper and the like. If an awareness of this disease is created in a child at age 5, 10, 15, 25, nobody needs to tell him or her what to do. We want our youths not to be told or instructed, but take decisions by themselves. They should know by themselves the importance of knowing about SS disease, what to do and the importance of going to physicians.

Good awareness, well structured, will guard against stigmatisation. People will know SS victims are not to be stigmatised but helped. And this should come first from not only mothers but also fathers and then the public. We are training them to help these victims with money and care among other things. When they come across them they can be sympathetic and assist. They will go back to their parents and spur them to help.

These youths also form their character by helping others. Our next target are artisans.

We will get to them through the youths among them. We will talk to their different clubs and societies in the language which they would understand.

What does it take to care for a sickle cell diseased person?

It’s not easy taking care of sickle cell diseased children, but we still need to give them care.

Theirs is a case of chronic life long disease. I know

of a lady who has been suffering from leg ulcer for over 22 years and who wanted to commit suicide because people around her were hostile to her. For some, it could be bone pain crisis while many suffer with nobody to marry them which leads to emotional disturbance. But then I know of a woman with this disease and has lived up to 90 years. Caring for this group of people requires adequate attention, love, care patience and money. We can help with blood transfusion, drugs, but these are quite expensive and beyond the reach of the poor. We are therefore calling on Nigerians and governments at all levels to wake up to this. Let us help them.

We hear of genotype changing from SS to AA, is this scientifically possible?

There is nothing like that. Sometimes you can have human error in the hospital when results are inadvertently swopped or when the medical personnel carrying out the test are not competent enough.

In the face of new treatment/cure would you encourage couple who are at risk to get married?

I can never take a decision for them or dictate to them. They will be the ones to take the decisions and face the consequence. In fact they ought to have known what it entails.

Don’t you think love is strong enough to help both waddle through this challenge?

Love is in different categories. And I must confess the love which must sustain such a couple must be a strong one. I know of a woman who on discovering their child is a SCD victim, left home and abandoned both her husband and baby. According to her, her genotype is AS and her husband told her he was AA, but unknown to her, he was also AS. When she discovered their child was SS she told her husband she had warned him she was not ready to take care of a sickle cell diseased child and as so walked out of the home and marriage. Bearing SS children puts marriages under great strain. The fact is that many of these SCD victims sometimes go into priapism and impotence and find it difficult to discuss it with anyone.

Some couples check their babies’ genotypes before birth and abort such pregnancies when they are discovered to be SS, what’s your take on this?

There used to be a couple- the man is AS and the woman, SS. They lost their first child who was SS at the age of seven months. They later travelled to the United Kingdom. There, they aborted two pregnancies after going

through prenatal diagnosis which stated the babies were SS. The husband left the woman in the UK, came to Nigeria and took another wife who is AA. The first woman was of course left devastated.

Did you check your genotype before you got married?

I was in the Zoological class at the University of Ibadan and we were asked to check our blood groups and genotypes. They didn’t explain to us what it meant. I was fortunate to get married in the United States. There, you will check your genotype and blood group when you file your marriage notification.

They will further advise you on the danger of the decision you are making. And if you still go on to get married, as you have these children, you take them to the hospital. I’m happy my husband and I are both AA. You must have had many admirers, what did you find striking about your spouse which made you decide to marry him?

I guess I was in love. Although people say he’s tall and lanky, I didn’t look at that. Again, he was telling me early to meet his parents.

We were then at the University of Ibadan. We went to see his parents and they accepted me like their daughter. He also came to see mine in Lagos. Also, sometimes when we had our differences, our hearts would long for each other and we would talk and make up. He was a year ahead of me in school and he ensured I came to the US a year after he got there.

What changed about you when you got married?

When two come together they become one.

His ways rubbed off on me especially in the area of giving. He also loved me to do what I wanted. I didn’t pick up academic work until 1975 because I was caring for our children.

I sat back for him to excel and when I was ready to start, he gave me 100 per cent support. Now, my husband and children have been supportive of SCHAF. They give me money, correct my scripts and do some other things. Some friends also support financially, but I’m yet to get a breakthrough from the public. In the beginning, Kayode Olabode Taiwo Foundation (KOTF), gave SCHAF N1,000,000 for drugs.

How do you make your weekends different from your week days?

My husband takes me out. I also love to party.

Do you have a favourite music?

Yes, that’s Ayefele’s songs and Jim Revees’ .

What’s your hobby?

Dancing and gardening.

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28 May, 2016

ntertainment News

Society Gist

Saturday Tribune with Joan Omionawele and

jistwtjoan@yahoo.com Twitter:@joanbajojo 08059793705 Newton-Ray Ukwuoma 08052271251

Celebrity Interviews

What stardom has caused me —Linda Ejiofor

Nollywood actress Linda Ejiofor has successfully interpreted the role of Bimpe in MNET’s popular TV series, Tinsel, for over seven years. In this interview with JOAN OMIONAWELE, she talks about her life as an actress, among other issues. Excerpts:

Y

OU recently featured in the movie ‘8 Bars and a Clef’ as the girlfriend of a troubled musician, what was the experience like?

It was exciting and challenging, but in a great way. I had never played anything like my character in ‘8 Bars and a Clef’. I had a fantastic time becoming her and I would not change anything about that process.

What prompted you to take the role?

The director did. I first met Chioma at the African International Film Festival. When she told me about this film and wanting me on board it, her passion was infectious and then, of course, when I read the script I was sold.

What makes this movie special?

It is definitely the message. Dyslexia is not something that is regularly addressed in mainstream Nollywood. ‘8 Bars and a Clef’ helps turn the spotlight on this condition and shows us how a very determined young musician excels in spite of his challenges.

Domestic violence is on the rise in recent times, what do you think is the solution?

I think we all need to realise that every individual is unique. Simply because something works for you does not mean that it will work for your neighbour. I think violence of any sort is unacceptable and domestic violence should not be condoned. I think that as humans, we need to use the gift of speech

that God gave us, to communicate. Everyone needs to use their words instead of their fists. And when you do speak, try to be kind, especially in those moments when kindness does not come naturally to you.

What, in your opinion makes a good script?

There are too many elements that go into making a script good. But as an actor, we want to read scripts that are original, or have a fresh take on an old idea. We would like the story to be relatable and for the characters to be believable and three dimensional.

What can make you refuse a script?

I have said no to scripts due to scheduling challenges.

It’s about nine years since you have been playing the role of Bimpe in ‘Tinsel’ and the character has remained stupid, how do you keep up?

(Laughs) Bimpe holds a very dear spot in my heart. This character was my introduction into the acting world. She is so different from Linda Ejiofor. I enjoy the challenge of playing someone who does the opposite of what I would do. As for her stupidity, well that is an integral part of the character; she puts her foot in her mouth a lot. Unless the writers decide to take her in a different direction, I’ll continue to play Bimpe as written.

Continues on pg32

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28 May, 2016

Tiwa savage shakes off TeeBillz saga

M-Net Movies highlight Hollywood’s biggest African American stars

Stories by Joan Omionawele and Newton-Ray Ukwuoma

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OLLOWING a month of drama, accusations and global publicity, Tiwa Savage has put the controversy behind her as she, on Friday, featured on a new track with popular musician, Solidstar.

The song which originally featured Davido, also features dancehall hotshot Patoranking, as Solidstar prepares to release his third studio album ‘Weed’.

Commenting on Tiwa’s involvement on the track, Solidstar remarked: “When the chance came to work with Tiwa, I immediately went for it. She is one of the biggest artistes in Africa and certainly the biggest female

artiste in Nigeria, so it was a big privilege to feature her on the ‘Wait’ refix, which is

Africa Magic and Femi Odugbemi premiere Gidi Blues THE continent’s leading entertainment content provider,Africa Magic, and an ace Nigerian filmmaker, Femi Odugbemi will premiere ‘Gidi Blues, an unusual love story on June 4.

‘Gidi Blues features star cast of Gideon Okeke, Bukky Wright, Tina Mba, Lepacious Bose, Nancy Isime, Banky W among others.

Shot in locations such as Idumota market, Makoko, Victoria Island, Isale Eko, Lekki, Freedom Park and Broad Street, Lagos, ‘Gidi Blues’ presents another vista of Lagos, the energy of its people, through the lenses of two unusual lovers – Akin and Nkem.

Starring Hauwa Allahbura, widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most exciting new talents, in the lead role as Nkem, in an unpredictable place. Nkem, a beautiful, confident but unusual young lady, who devotes herself to her work as a community volunteer in the belly of the city’s worst slum, ‘Gidi Blues’ tells the story of Akin, the role played by Gideon Okeke, an indulged playboy from an affluent family, who accidentally meets an interesting beauty, Nkem,. Their encounter begins the exposition that unravels his world. “’Gidi Blues’ is the result of inspiring creativity, innovative filmmaking and exciting storytelling,” says, the Regional Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu.

“We take pride in bringing to life the best of film and television content out of Africa through partnerships with some of the best talent out of the continent and Femi Odugbemi’s work as a filmmaker is very well renowned,” she added.

Saturday Tribune

probably one of my favourite songs. I think her fans have been looking forward to

this very much, and I hope they will enjoy this track as much as I do.”

MULTICHOICE and MNet Channels have announced the launch of M-Net Movies Select, an urban movie channel celebrating the immense contribution of African-American stars to the magic of Hollywood, on June 3.

While the spotlight will be on a long list of wellknown international Black talent, this pop-up channel will also feature a variety of popular films that will appeal to a diverse crosssection of viewers.

Coinciding with the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), an annual international event in Miami dedicated to showcasing entertainment content made by and about people of African descent to a worldwide audience, MNet Movies Select will be

Victoria Kimani’s debut album launch holds in 3 countries

CHOCOLATE City songbird, Victoria Kimani, is planning a multinational launch for her debut album titled Safari in the third quarter.

The Nigeria-based Kenyan artiste in an interview with Elle Magazine South Africa during the week said her maiden album would be launched in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, the countries with her largest fan base.

Safari, which is translated journey or expedition in Swahili, according to Ms Kimani, will reveal the scope of her brand to her fans when released.

The 12 to 15 tracks album features artistes such as Sarkodie, from Ghana, Donald and DJ Maphorisa from South Africa and an international artiste.

Safari will be dropping from November in the three countries starting from Nigeria.

Dolapo Oni returns with season 2 of The Marcy Project ACTRESS and media personality, Dolapo Oni, has returned with the second season of her renowned TV show, The Marcy Project.

The Marcy Project which was officially launched in 2015 as a 30-minute entertainment, fashion and lifestyle TV series features celebrity guest interviews and latest beauty and fashion tips. It will see the

host, Dolapo, bringing new twists and excitement to the show.

From becoming a lady mechanic to jet skiing, Dolapo said the new season would reveal a different side of her.

Guests for the season include Seyi Shay, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Wale, Burna Boy, Lil Kesh and more. The new season airs every Sunday on Africa Magic Urban.

available on DStv Premium across Africa.

Among the stars who will come out to play on MNet Movies Select are Will Smith, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Hart, Tyler Perry, Wesley Snipes, Viola Davis, Morris Chestnut, Martin Lawrence, Mia Long, Vivica A. Fox and Zoe Saldana.

Some of the big titles that viewers can look forward to are Wild Wild West, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Bad Boys 2, Madea’s Witness Protection, Get Hard, Fast & Furious 7, The Wedding Ringer and Ride Along. Viewers will also see the movie Chocolate City for the very first time. It tells the story of a struggling student who turns to the life of an exotic dancer to make ends meet.

Chocolate City is scheduled for broadcast on Sunday, 19 June at 7:30p.m.

Burna Boy releases ‘Duro Ni Be’ video, features Phyno AFRO-fusion and dancehall recording artiste, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy has released the official visuals of 'Duro Ni Be,' a single that features rave making indigenous rapper, Phyno.

Directed by Matt Max, Duro Ni Be video is the third video from his sophomore album titled: ‘On A Spaceship (OAS)’, released late last year.

The video brilliantly captures the mood, theme and message of the song from the start giving its scenes the us-against-the-world vibe that are imprints of Burna’s lyrics which were complemented by the masterful delivery of Phyno.

Since the release of #OAS, Burna Boy has performed his songs in different African cities.

27 entertainment Old or new, Nollywood is Nollywood— Linda Ejiofor Continues from pg25

Who are the people you look up to in Nollywood?

I look up to a lot of people in Nollywood, but if I had to list a handful of names, I’d say RMD, Joke Silva and Rita Dominic.

You are a shy person, yet the industry requires you to be outspoken, how easy is it for you to switch when the need arises?

Initially it was very difficult, but now not so much. I’ve learned to separate Linda Ejiofor the person from whatever character I am playing. My feelings do not matter, only the character does. So if I am playing an outspoken character I would be doing her a disservice if I held back.

What will you say stardom has cost you?

My privacy, but it has given me so much more. Being able to spend every day doing something I love is a privilege. I have a bigger voice now and the ability to influence hundreds, thousands and even millions of people. I am grateful for it all.

What’s your beauty regimen?

Nothing complicated, I do not sleep with makeup on my face. I drink loads of water, I moisturise and when I am out I use sunscreen.

How do you keep in shape?

I work out, I watch what I eat and I do not eat after 7pm.

What do you think should change about Nollywood ?

Financing is a major challenge in Nollywood. Compared to Hollywood, we have to work on a shoestring I think I would change that. If producers had more resources at their disposal I am certain it would help improve the current standard.

How has life been as an actress?

It has been rewarding. I may have not started on this path, but I love my job and I cannot imagine a reality where I was not an actor.

There is this disparity between the old and new Nollywood, what’s your take?

Nollywood is one industry, old or new, young or veteran, what we do is make films. I think experience and youth can function side by side, and I do not see a need to differentiate or segregate the industry. There is no new Nollywood and there is no old Nollywood. There is a Nigerian film industry and our moniker is Nollywood.

What pisses you off about people?

I do not like dishonest people.

28 May, 2016

9ice, Lil Kesh, Bash, Taye Currency, others for Ile-Ife Fiesta

‘Tinsel’ actress responds to critics’ who blame her for exposing brother StoriesByJoanOmionawele and Newton Ray Ukwuoma

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URING the week, ‘Tinsel’ actress, April Joju Muse revealed that she was brutally beaten by her brother for asking him to wash dishes. In a Facebook message, she wrote: “I regret this day, the 22nd of May 2016.

I was brutally assaulted by someone I least expect. I cry out against domestic violence and I will always do. But how does one handle this? When the culprit is my own blood? Today I cut the tie between us with no regrets!. I didn’t throw the first punch! But u beat me to a pulp. I suffered a seizure and I am to do head and chest X-ray all thanks to you (referring to her brother).

After the actress posted the above, she received lots of backlash from people who felt she shouldn’t have brought family affairs to social media. The actress wrote: “Some people aren’t thinking right, I got beaten and I posted pictures online, and people started saying brothers and sisters fight. bla bla bla... it’s a family issue not a social media thing, they said I am blowing things out of proportion, oh really? I don’t see it that way. I am sorry. It’s because of dumb silences we have so many maniacs roaming the streets causing harm to other people’s kids.”

She continued: “Violence starts in a day but the way you handle it determines if it stops. if I had died, it would have been a different story circulating based on family coding until someone else’s daughter becomes the next victim.

This is my own way of discipline; disgrace him openly and let him know it’s unacceptable. At least I didn’t get him arrested and I didn’t give up his identity and detailed information on what led to the brutal attack because it’s all based on parental favouritism and religious fanaticism. If disgracing myself and my family by speaking out against this will make my brother a better man and save a life in future and also create awareness against sibling abuse, which has led to grievous regrettable circumstances in most homes, then I am not sorry. I love my life and mio le wa ku (I don’t want to die) because some messed up people think its washing dirty linen in public. He is just 19yrs old and supposed to protect me. What will now happen if an outsider does this to me? NO sentiments! I forgive him. But we all need to kick against sibling abuse because it leads to what we know as spousal abuse and domestic violence,” she wrote.

ALL roads lead to Ile-Ife, Osun State, as 9ice, Lil Kesh, Bash, Falz and Taye Currency lead a host of other notable artistes to dazzle dignitaries, guests and the people of Ile-Ife today for the much anticipated event tagged “Ile-Ife Fiesta”.

Other artistes and comedians billed to grace the event include Simi, Oyinkanade and Adetoun, Still Ringing, Arole, Fabulous Pizzy, Keanzo, Yinka Adonai, Goke Bajowa, Soji Best (Mr. Solace), 13th Disciple and Thompson Lawyer.

The event which is poised to promote the rich culture and tradition of the city as well as to light up entertainment Ife as part of the goals of the recently emerged Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, is slated to hold in his palace, while it will be graced by dignitaries from all walks of life, business moguls and eminent Nigerians.

Other dignitaries that will grace the event include Father of the day, Chief Alex Duduyemi; special guest, Lagos State Speaker, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa; Grand Patron of the event, Professor Emeritus Dibu Ojerinde; special guests and patrons, Senator Babajide Omoworare and His Royal Majesty Oba Saheed Elegushi; mother of the day, Yeye Apesin of Ede, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Afolabi, while the chief host and royal father of the day is HIM Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife. The Project Director, Ayo George, assured that all is set for the success of the event, just as he noted that it will, no doubt, leave a mark to be the top notch event in the history of Ile-Ife and the entertainment industry.

He added: “Various programmes, artistes and comedians have been lined up for the day. I am confident that it will be an unforgettable experience for everyone that would grace the event, or watch it live from anywhere in the world. There will also be fireworks and other surprises to make the event grand.”

Ara named ambassador for culture ACE talking drummer/musician, Aralola Olumuyiwa has been appointed as the Ambassador for culture by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

This, the musician announced via her Facebook page. “With deepest appreciation to my lord, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi for appointing me cultural ambassador of his kingdom, words fail me and I cannot thank you enough sir. This is all the encouragement I need to remain steadfast and continue to promote our culture,” she said.

Waje, Jamie Oliver, Chef Eros launch Food Revolution Day in Nigeria AMIDST a fanfare of celebrities, live cooking events, a flurry of social media activity and, with the presence of a British celebrity chef and campaigner, Jamie Oliver, as well as popular musician, Waje, a food campaign has been launched.

Jamie and his army of revolutionaries staged a series of live events on Facebook to encourage governments at the World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva on 23 May to tackle the child nutrition crisis.

The aim of Food Revolution Day is to encourage people to join them in the global food re-

volution as a major part of which will be giving people the power to lobby their own governments to fight diet-related disease.

According to Jamie Oliver: “The last 15 years have been tough. There were a few of us out there asking questions, wanting answers and making a lot of noise but it often felt like no one was listening. But recently we started making headway, governments are beginning to change policies.

For Waje, ‘This is such a brilliant initiative by Jamie because it combines the two best things in life — food and laughter. But

Saturday Tribune

at the same time, it highlights such an important issue of a proper food education in a world riddled with undernourishment, obesity and eating disorders. Such a fun event and a great initiative.”

While Chef Eros also said “It is so important to empower our youth with the knowledge about healthy food and nutrition. We live in a country that is riddled with undernourishment and obesity. So let’s keep the food revolution going and support Jamie’s creative campaign to promote healthy eating globally!”

She promised to keep making Nigerians proud saying: “ I promise to make you even more proud, the entire Yoruba race and Nigeria. My heart is filled with so much joy, this is the highest honour ever. God bless you my king. Long may you live. Arole Oodua,” she wrote.

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28 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

with Tunde Ayanda ayandaayotunde@yahoo.com 08034649018

Post-humours honour for Bola Amole JUST a year ago, the news of the death of Chief (Mrs) Bola Amole, the owner of the Bims Store in London, United Kingdom, hit many of her associates, friends and many more like a thunderbolt. The sad news threw a lot of her friends and family members into weeks of mourning as the deceased meant different things to a lot of people. She was a mother, sister, confidant, soul mate, inspiration and many more to her teeming friends, family and admirers.

As part of activities marking a year of her departure, the British Government honoured her with a Certificate of Appreciation in a short ceremony at the House of Lords, United Kingdom, where the Lord Popat, who was appointed a Minister of the Crown and Government whip in the House of Lords presented the certificate to Amole’s daughter.

The late businesswoman was one of the first people to import agricultural crops from Nigeria to the United Kingdom with her established company called Bims African Foods in 1994.

Two-in-one for Seyi Makinde

S

EYI Makinde, who can aptly be described as the Man-of-the-moment in Oyo State politics, has a big day to celebrate.

The politician was recently at an empowerment programme where he donated gifts and money to widows and other underprivileged people, is out of the country again, this time for family matters.

Makinde is not a man given to the public alone as he is an African that puts the love of his family in the right place in his heart.

As you read this, the politician’s first child, Feyi, graduated from the Lindell Hall, Pennsylvania, United States and has been admitted to Walton Business School, which is regarded as the best in the world.

This feat is a source joy for father and daughter and to be part of the big day, Makinde, who has won the hearts of many in Oyo State with his Omi Tuntun Foundation, cancelled everything on his schedule and flew to the United States to witness the cer-

Celebration for Sunday Dare at 50 SEASONED journalist and the Chief of Staff to Senator Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sunday Dare is currently enjoying a time of happiness as he celebrates his 50th birthday today.

The award-winning writer, who has chosen to remain behind the scene while making things happen in the public affairs of his principal would have just allowed the day passed without a notice, claiming he will be engrossed in work as

usual, but for the insistence of his friends who believe he has done well in handling the Asiwaju Tinubu brand over the years have decided to celebrate him.

Today, the top echelon of the APC, colleagues, friends, associates and family members of Dare will gather at the Ikoyi Baptist Church, Lagos where a thanksgiving service tagged, ‘Let’s Come Give Thanks For His Life’ will be held with a grand reception later in the heart of Lagos.

Ace photographer, Logo Adeyemi makes a debut PHOTOGRAPHER and filmmaker, Logo Adeyemi, has debuted on the Alara Art platform, with a conceptual installation of light and photography that featured excerpts from his widely acclaimed ‘Monochrome Lagos’ and many of his other works recently.

His first project, Monochrome Lagos, which is a unique reflection on the city of Lagos that strips down the noisy colours of the busy metropolis, is what many arts critics described as masterpiece.

Logo’s recent exhibition, Down ‘The Rabbit Hole’, which is his maiden exhibition with Alara Arts, achieved a true paradigm shift in how the city is presented and appreciated by a global audience, including local residents who typically rush past the unchanging beauty of the old town.

Present at the exhibition were art patrons, socialites, entertainers and others, who understand the quality interpretation of visual arts and its essence on the lives of the people.

What’s Gani Shonubi cooking?

NOT many would believe that furniture business can thrive in Nigeria without the input of foreigners, but he proved them wrong with the successful operation of the Gaso Furniture that for years provided every detail in classy furniture.

Gani Shonubi did not rest on his oars, he also dabbled into entertainment and hospitality

with Casa Lucio, a one of its kind Event Centre, which is strictly for classy weddings, birthdays and other shindig that is worth the mention.

The socialite now seems to have taken a backseat and has retired from the social outings, but those who know him claimed his temporary absence is caused by the new project he is working

on.

The businessman is said to be a great thinker and harbours innovative ideas that he later translates to big dreams.

Gani’s new idea is said to be taking him through different African cities for strategic meetings and his method of keeping his friends guessing brings the question ‘What is Gani cooking?’

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28 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

How NYSC member constructed road in Ido LG

By Tunde Ogunesan

M

embers, take the great salute, put the nation first in all, with service and humility, NYSC for the noble youths, make Nigeria a great nation.” This second stanza of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) anthem aptly describes the effort of a member of the 2015 batch A stream 1 of NYSC, Owokoniran Gabriel Oluwole.

The Biology graduate from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, as his CDS project, led in the construction of an almost impassable bridge linking several communities in Ido Local Government area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The road, linking Asaka, Idi-Awun, Oritamerin, Araromi, Elebu, Aba-Ido, among others, according to Oluwole, was a problem for the residents. But by last year after a heavy rain, the serving corps member, while taking a stroll on the road decided to something about it.

On that fateful day, one of the residents had her documents defaced after same had slipped into puddle.

Oluwole, who hails from Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, said “I decided to embark on the project because of what I saw when I was working on a video projection. A particular woman was coming with her family and their car broke down in the middle of the water. In the course of finding a way out, an envelope containing some of her documents fell into the water. She picked it and found out that vital document which included that of her landed property had been soaked in water. The woman could not control her emotion as she wept openly.

“Also, some school buses do break down there. And with no alternative, the pupils “have to come down right inside the water

with their socks completely soaked in the puddle.

“So, I felt it is something I could do, because I believe my office as a corps member can be used to network within organisations and some individuals to raise money beyond what an individual person can do.”

With that determination, Oluwole swung into action by fulfilling the official bureaucracy of presenting the project before NYSC coordinators, got an approval and commenced work on the project.

Though he never thought the project would cost so much, he said over N800,000 has been spent on the project.

As a youth corps member, raising that huge cash was challenging.“I wrote letters to corporate organisations and some individuals with the Oluyole area to help fund the project. Some responded, some with tokens, others who loved to contribute but could not prayed for us, and with joy while others didn’t believe in the project.

“When much was not coming from them, I introduced ticketing option to the elders and landlords. I thank God they believed in me.

At the end of the day, it worked out.”

Spurred by the seventh line of the national anthem ‘To serve with heart and might” Oluwole said the proceeds from donations and ticketing were used for the project. He said that the current status of the road is a big relief to the residents of the area, noting that he is also happy seeing people with less stress accessing the road without stress.

“We’ve completed the first drainage on the left side-the inlet by which the water will cross the road. There was an existing culvert that was completely blocked. We cleared the culvert and discovered that another one was also blocked and broken. We removed the rings, unblocked the blockages and removed the broken pieces before replacement. We

also filled some portions of the road to a great extent, graded it with the help of an escalator made available by one of the landlords while what it is left at this moment is the second phase of the drainage which is ongoing.

“What that means is that we did another channelisation across the road. We now have two channels through which the water can cross to the other side freely. All these were done within my period of service, before 14 April, 2016.

“After this, I discovered that the second side, if left undone, will affect the side we did.

So, I had to stay back to raise money to complete it.”

Oluwole also said that he worked with more than 20 workers to realise his mission.

Two people were employed to collect money through ticketing on the spot from motorists, and were paid on a daily basis from the income.

One of the elders from Asaka community, Mr Wellington Kayode Adebanjo was full of praises for Oluwole.

“That corper is a nice boy. When he showed interest in the project, we rallied round him and I thank God today that he did it according to our directive. When he

Oluwole (left) with caretaker chairman, Ido Local Government

came to me and we discussed the issue, I never imagined he could be so hardworking.

On the issue of the ticket to raise fund for the project, unknown to him, I monitored him closely so that he won’t trick us on the money realised, but he was faithful to the cause. I really appreciate his doggedness. I think we should appreciate him. I can recommend him to anybody or organisation that might need his service. He is a nice boy.”

Also, Chief Rotimi Olagunju admitted that “God has used him to alleviate the sufferings of residents’ on the road.”

“Today, our people are enjoying the road. If not for that corper, only God knows what we would have been experiencing now that we’re in the rainy season again,” Chief Olagunju said.

But because the ambitious young man was unable to complete the project by the end of his service year, after passing out on April 14, 2016, he decided to stay back and ensure its completion.

We’re in perpetual fear of possible fire disaster Ile-Oluji residents living with petrol stations cry out Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure RESIDENTS of Ile-Oluji in Ile-Oluji/OkeIgbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised the alarm over the rate at which petrol stations are being built in-between residential buildings across the agrarian town. The residents, who are nursing the fear of possible fire outbreaks and other concomitant environmental hazards, called on relevant authorities to stop the trend before it begins to wreak havoc.

The fear of the eventualities of this practice has driven 85-year-old Mrs Elisabeth Akingbe out of a house built for her by her children in the Odolu area of the town.

The heavy fumes from the filling station right beside her house would not allow the octogenarian to enjoy a fruit of her labour.

Her children, with the realisation of the health implication of the fumes, took their mother away with them to the United States of America, apparently to save her from untimely death.

Speaking on the development, a native of the town, Mr Abiodun Akintomide, said the practice of locating fuel stations in residential areas had been on for some time with the approval of such stations usually done through the back door. Akintomide, who called the attention of relevant authorities to a new petrol station under construction beside his house in the Ajiferere area of the town, said he decided to cry out to save the people of the area from a disaster which,

he said, was bound to happen at one time or another.

According to him, the residents of the area, having opposed the construction of the filling station when town planning officials visited the site about two years ago, were surprised to see that the authorities had approved the construction of the fuel station in the area. “Despite our objection to the construction of a filling station here, the town planning authorities approved the plan and gave them the go-ahead,” he said.

Also speaking, one Dele Ijimakinwa of Surulere Street described his experience and those of other inhabitants of another building since the construction of a petrol station beside it in 2008 as nightmare.

“Each time they are offloading, it is hell because they would instruct us not to light a match in our kitchen. We cannot use our kitchen at will and the odour [from the petrol station) is nothing to write home about.

Many of our children get sick from this

odour. We hardly sleep at night, too,” he said.

He equally said they fought against the construction of the fuel station but the concerned authorities approved the construction anyway.

Aside from Ile-Oluji, Saturday Tribune noticed that towns across the state are replete with filling stations built in residential areas. Every available space within every residential area has become a target for the construction of a fuel station. From the state capital, Akure, to Ondo town, to Ore, Owo, Ikare Akoko and Akungba, it is not strange to find a concentration of petrol stations in residential areas. The development has remained a cause for concern for many.

An official of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that most of the owners of the filling stations sited in the residential areas obtained their certificates of approval through underhand dealings without necessarily meeting the requirements for such approvals. He stated that part of the requirements was that a fuel station must be sited on a parcel of land which must not be less than 33 x 33 square metres and must not be sited adjacent to a market, hospital, school, church

or mosque. He said further that there must be a satisfactory arrangement to prevent fire outbreak and this must be signed by the chief of the state fire service before a licence could be issued. “I think the major problem is the issue of planning. There is no planning at all. Ideally, all areas should have been planned. The areas where all these things should have been sited are to be specified in the plan but nobody is following any plan anymore,” he said.

An official at the state General Hospital, Dr Kunle Akinfolarin, frowned on the practice of building of petrol stations in residential areas, noting that the rules governing their setting up stipulate that filling stations should be located away from residential areas. Akinfolarin blamed lack of regulation in many sectors in the country for to the menace. “It is just unfortunate that in this country, most of the things we do, there are no regulations governing them. What we are after is how to survive and what we look at is just the monetary value of everything, not the implications of the decisions we take. Petrol stations are to be built as far away as possible from residential areas because it has a lot of health implications.”

The medical doctor said apart from likely fire outbreak, petroleum products contain hydrocarbon and the inhalation of the substance is dangerous. According to him, this could trigger episodes of attacks on asthmatic patients and some other respiratory illnesses that affect the people.

30

28 May, 2016

weekend cartoons

Saturday Tribune

Adeeko Olusegun adeeko.olusegun@yahoo.com 0811 695 4638

Just a Laffing Mata

Hu sban d’s SMS

A man sent a text message to his wife in the afternoon which reads: “Hi dear, I will come back home late, please try and wash all my dirty clothes.” But his wife failed to reply.

Then he sent another text: “Make sure you prepare my favourite dish before I return.”

Still, he got no reply, so he sent a third text: “I forgot to tell you that I got an increase in my salary, and at the end of the month, I’m getting you a brand new car.”

Immediately, the wife replied the text: “Oh my God! Really? I am so happy.”

Relieved that his wife had her phone all the while with her, the man sent another text: “No! I just wanted to make sure you got my previous messages.”

POLITICO

Tr aff ic of f ic er

FUNOLOGY

A traffic warden noticed Segeluulu was over-speeding and stopped him.

Traffic warden: Hello Segeluulu: Hello, officer Traffic warden: You are over-speeding. What is your name?

Segeluulu: Segeluulu Akoboriomoje.

Traffic warden: Where do you live?

Segeluulu: With my parents Traffic warden: Yes, with your parents, but where do you and your parents live?

Segeluulu: We live together.

Traffic warden: (Beginning to get upset) But where do you and your parents live?

Segeluulu: We live next door to our neighbour Traffic warden: Ok now, where exactly does your neighbour live?

Segeluulu: But officer, if I tell you, you will never believe me.

Traffic warden: Just go ahead and tell me Segeluulu: Our neighbour lives right next door to us.

The traffic warden just laughed and told him to just go away!

When LOVE overrides AGE

32

28 May, 2016

The South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga | 08111813056

Saturday Tribune CREW

sari Tunde B9u3530 081275 ndare nga - Ogu Yejide G8b1e16706853 0 unesan Tunde O9g54634 08116

t: r us; contac Got news fo bune@yahoo. ri tt es hw sout bune@ uthwesttri co.uk or so ail.com gm

Yoruba culture should be commercialised and exported, Ambassador-turned Oba says Ambassador Adegboyega Christopher Ariyo, until he ascended his traditional status as the Onibala of Ibala in Obokun Local Government Osun State, was in the Nigerian Foreign Service from 1976 to 2011. In an interview with TUNDE BUSARI, he speaks extensively on Yoruba culture. Excerpts.

C

AN you let us into your career in public service?

I joined the Foreign Service in 1976 and my last post was the Nigeria High Commission in Namibia. I served there for four years, three months and 19 days. I retired in 2011 after what you would say meritorious service to my country. It was a career of fulfillment, having carried out assignments given to me with high commitment and patriotic zeal.

From which royal family are you sir?

I come from Bilayiarere royal family.

We are one of the four ruling houses that produce Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesha.

I became the Loja of Ibala by the grace of God and instrumentality of the Owa Obokun Adimula, Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran on September 26, 2013.

Yoruba culture is said to be suffering gradual extinction, especially the use of Yoruba language. What is your take on this claim?

I believe strongly that we are retrogressing as a people. A History scholar said there is no permanent civilization worldwide. Civilization comes and goes. But the scholar failed to say culture also comes and goes. Culture is the identity of a people. It is a means to identify that there is a race called Yoruba for instance. No matter the change that occurs in civilization, there is what you must retain as identity of your people. That is why when I was in Czechoslovakia, I submitted that Nigeria is a country, not a nation simply because Yoruba identity cannot be wished away in any set up you have in Nigeria. We must reserve a place for the preservation of Yoruba culture. What is culture? You see it exhibited as the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, always emphasises on Omoluwabi. Who is Omoluwabi? He or she will dress well. He or she will behave well.

He or she comes from good home. He or she is a plus to the society, not a negative instrument to society. These are values that distinguish Yoruba culture in Nigeria setting.

I observe that for everything, Yoruba has a name for it. Is this part of the richness of Yoruba culture?

Yes. We don’t joke with our greetings. We are naturally respectful in all aspects of our life. That is the uniqueness of our culture.

Let us take greeting as an example. There is a way we greet in the morning which is different from afternoon, evening and night.

You respect elders. It is not only elders that

are respected by the younger ones. Elders also have a way of respecting younger ones.

We don’t seek to dominate people by force.

We don’t seek to dominate people by dubious means. We don’t seek to dominate people by amoral activity. We do believe in the use of intelligence to get things done. We rather use wisdom to interact with others.

In terms of dress code, presentation and moral orientation, Yoruba is a unique culture and the culture needs to be preserved.

Look at Indians and the Chinese. They have kept their respective cultures. Chinese have been there for 5000 years as an organised country yet they maintain their culture, commercialised and exported it. We also need to commercialise our culture, export it and make it a dominant force as our own contribution to human development.

Don’t you think traditional rulers are doing enough in rescuing Yoruba culture from extinction?

Government has politicised traditional institution even before we became independent. In the days of our forefathers, we owned the land. But the colonialists came and took the land from us and the politicians, our own children who succeeded the colonial masters, continued the policy.

That is life because we all submitted to Western civilisation. But I must say that before the colonial masters came, we had practised democracy effectively here. The decision of the Owa, the paramount rule of Ijesha land was made in concert with the input of his chiefs. What is important now is to call on government to give more recognition to traditional rulers. Traditional rulers must be involved in governance right from the drawing board, that is planning stage to implementation of development programme of a community. They should understand the truth that we are closer to the grass roots than them. We know where government attention is really needed. What I am saying is that there must be cooperation between government and traditional rulers. They should explore the opportunity that we have professors, PhD holders, medical doctors,

engineers and other professionals among us.

Giving us more recognition is an advantage to the development of the society.

Is it possible for a traditional ruler to be a good Christian or Muslim in the face of his expected commitment to custom?

Why not? It is possible. Christianity, Islam and traditional religion all look at one God. What is different is how they reach God. I have responsibility to recognise all faiths. I am a Christian but I was at jummat service today at the central mosque. I did what they did and everybody was happy. This does not remove the fact that I am of the Christian faith. I also have to say that if our traditional religion is destroyed, our culture is also destroyed. As long as human being is not killed, there is no reason not to support all religions as father of all. That is my position on traditional rulers and religion.

What do you think is the selling point of your domain?

Ibala is found in Obokun Local Government area of Osun State. It is rich in gold deposit.

Study has also shown that aside gold, there are also zinc and copper in Ibala. This is in addition to the fertile landmass. My vision for the community is to take the advantage of these resources to bring back our youths to the community. This will be done by setting up industries which will create employment

Government has politicised traditional institution even before we became independent. In the days of our forefather, we owned the land.

opportunities to our youths who are not really gainfully employed in the urban centres. This rural-urban migration is becoming alarming and there is need to address it before it explodes because there are a lot of graduates in the cities who are living there only in hope.

But if agriculture is developed, they would have something to fall back on and live decent life. That is my vision.

What is the specific legacy you want to be remembered for?

By the special grace of God, I am over 60 years now and I have trained all my children.

I am now here to dedicate myself to the service of my people, my community, my state and my country. I want to use my experience for the benefit of my people. I don’t believe in acquiring property and leaving property for children. The legacy I have for them is the productive education I have given them. That is enough for them to become whatever they desire. All that is important to me is that they must also contribute to humanity. That is what our lives should be about. It is the value one adds to the world that matters, as far as I am concerned. Also, I am against oligopoly. I detest doing multiple jobs at the same time.

It is not normal.

Coming from different countries, you must be missing your service years. Are you?

I am not missing anything. I am rather enjoying myself in this serene environment under a peaceful atmosphere. I have time now to reflect on why I am here and my mission on earth. There is no more chaos and heavy vehicular traffic. I reach wherever I want to go now under 30 minutes.

The beauty of life is to live it simple because it is not more than two by six feet. Even if you are buried with gold casket, your corpse will not be allowed to rest well. People should be contented. The more money you have the more problems and enemies you have.

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28 May, 2016

achievers

It took me 28 years to create, invent my games — Michael Ovienmahada

Michael Ovienmahada is a 57-year-old man with the antics, wits and mental ability of a youth. Full of life and vigour, he narrates to RONKE SANYA how, within a long period of 28 years, he created and developed some educational games.

I

F one doesn’t take a second look at him, Ovienmahada could be mistaken for a man in his thirties. He was so excited and eager to narrate to this reporter his innovation and ideas, which according to him, he started putting together 28 years ago. “I created my first game which I called Fireman Rescue in July 1986. Since then, I have been trying out different dimensions, in other to perfect it which I eventually did about a year ago. In September 1986, I came up with the Scramblers Cross Numbers, a game which is based on arithmetic.”

When asked what inspired the game creation ideas he said, “I was inspired to create the Fireman Rescue when I watched the fire accident at Tejuosho market, which occurred some years back in Lagos. I thought it was important to help create awareness so

that people will know what to do to prevent fire and when fire outbreak, they will know what to do to save other people and themselves. The Scramblers Cross Numbers was inspired by playing the popular Scrabble game.

“Also, I have another one called Shake and Spell. It is a mobile version. I developed it last year in order to create something more mobile, that you can take with you to the parks and play.

Amazed by Ovienmahada’s passion about his numerous games, one is forced to ask why he decided to invent all these games.

He was quick to response and say, “Inventions are not decisions that you make. You don’t decide that I want to invent. Invention is a natural stimulus from the inside. It is a natural urge to want to improve an existing

Saturday Tribune

With Ronke Sanya (Winner, NMMA Innovative Reporter of the Year 2015) 07036050161 | sanyaaderonke@gmail.com

item or to create something new to solve a problem. The problem can be lack of awareness. For example, I created the Fireman Rescue game because I wanted to solve the problem of lack of awareness of what to do during emergency. The Scramblers 10, I created that because I wanted to solve the problem that I experienced as a child.”

He explained that, “I was not very good Maths when I was a child because I was very afraid of Mathematics. So I thought, if I can develop a game of numbers that will teach you all the basic Maths symbols like addition, division, multiplication, subtraction and how to use them while playing, it will remove that fear and one will conquer that fear. In the process of playing, they are learning, and that’s one of the best ways children learn.”

Educational games, Ovienmahada explains further, have helped families that have been playing them, especially residents of Lagos and it environs, who have since embraced his games since they entered the market, few years back. “The spelling game is an opportunity for parents to interact with their children. Instead of playing with toys that have no knowledge to impart, or watching television, all day. Parents can play Shake and Spell with their children and then they will learn how to spell different new words. It improves their speed at spelling and their recognition of letters and how to combine letters,” he said.

Numerous challenges abound in starting up. Therefore, Ovienmahada was quick to reel out his challenges as a creator and developer of educational and entertaining games, when asked. “One of our major challenges is getting good workmen that will craft the components of the games. There is a skill deficit in our society. Our carpenters are no longer as skilled as they used to be in

Inventions are not decisions that you make.

It is a natural stimulus from the inside and a natural urge to want to improve an existing item or problem.

the 70s and the 80s. All those carpenters we used to have then, who were very competent have grown old and have retired. The young ones want to learn for three months and say they have graduated. They want to make quick money,” he decried and added that, “there is a skills deficit in our country that makes it difficult to get what you want and how you want it. This is why many people import materials into the country but most of the materials I use are 100 per cent Nigerian made.”

Ovienmahada, who is a graduate of Psychology from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and a father of three children, is also a passionate politician. He explains why he chose politics with business, “I have been doing this (games creation) for the past 28 years but I decided to go into politics because I felt this country was going in the wrong direction. So I joined one of the political parties to air my opinion and I also wrote a book.’’

In a competitive society like ours, many people would attempt to trivialise the work of other people and discourage their efforts.

Ovienmahada also was faced with discouragements, but according to him, “I overcome challenges by ignoring them. Whenever I am faced with a challenge, I don’t allow it to discourage me,” barring his unrelenting youthful vigour, Ovienmahada adds, “instead, I think of how to create a solution.

The inventor never gives up until he dies!

When you invent something, every time you see that thing, you continue to think of how to make it become better because you want to be ahead in what you are doing. Through the years, I just kept hoping that I will be able to perfect what I was doing and have it embraced by the world, and that is what has brought me this far.”

In conclusion, Ovienmahada states; “The lesson that one of my games teaches is safety. Safety should be introduced into our curriculum in schools, most especially from primary school level, and children learn better in a playful environment. If we take safety and precautions as priority, we will live in a safer and better society.”

34 interview

28 May, 2016

We’ll recover every kobo stolen in Kogi —Governor Bello

Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in his first interactive session with journalists in the state, speaks on some salient issues affecting the state, including the ongoing screening of workers, bailout fund and increase in crime rate. YINKA OLADOYINBO brings excerpts.

anything that will add value to their lives to be part of the government’s gesture to secure their future.

Those who have been stealing Kogi’s wealth through a bloated payroll, we will fish them out and recover the money they stole. We will not stop at that, they will face prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others. I am assuring the people of the state that there will be no sacred cow in this fight against fraudulent activities that have retarded the development of the state.

During the May Day celebrations, you said your administration had secured the much-awaited bailout fund, what is the situation now?

Yes, the Federal Government through the CBN has released part of the bailout fund applied for by the state government. The amount that has been released so far is N20 billion and we cannot allow this fund to go into the pockets of a few like before. We are going to look into the past and we will be ready for the future to look into the present.

We will fish those who have engaged in stealing Kogi’s wealth out, recover those monies from them and make them face the full wrath of the law. Any agitation now is because they are afraid of their past. It is not the present exercise that is the problem, what has been embezzled, what has been stolen is what they are afraid of, but I can assure you that we will go after them. That will serve as a deterrent to would-be criminals.

T

he state and local government staff screening exercise has been going on since the inception of this administration on January 27...

The screening involves all categories of workers in the state. The verification has been completed and the committee is in the process of collating the report. I have taken my time to go over the preliminary report to ensure that the final report of the screening exercise does not go the way of previous administrations. It is also important to re-echo it that Mr President has released part of our bailout fund and I do not want the fund to be in government account for too long.

The screening exercise was very interesting as a lot of shoddy deals were unravelled. I took my time to visit the collation centre to have firsthand information about the exercise and then I visited some schools in Lokoja to see if what was being collated at the collation centre tallied with the reality on the ground.

Having met with the NUT representatives and various head teachers in the state, I decided to visit some schools within the state capital. With the ghost workers discovered during the screening, if we should pay salaries of local government workers immediately, we would pay billions of naira into the pockets of a few individuals and it would not be healthy for the state.

Saturday Tribune

I am particularly aware that the bailout fund that was computed by the immediate past administration was heavily padded and if we should allow that to be, the state will continue to be paying for services not rendered.

But the report of the screening is generating ripples and protests in some parts of the state.

I was on my visit to the schools when the first list of those that were through with the screening was released and there were some workers who took to the streets to protest that their names were excluded from the list.

I went to the venue of the protest to listen to them and I explained to them vividly what the current administration is doing to ensure that the issue of payment of percentage salary will not resurface again in the state. I equally warned them against doing things that will subvert the law. I advised them to always channel their complaints to the appropriate quarters.

must succeed, by the special grace of God. There are a few indigenes that were benefitting from the rot without recourse to the future of the state and its people. I don’t think there should be tension because after the exercise if anybody with a genuine complaint is left out, they can forward the complaint.

And I want to make it clear that we are not retrenching. We are not downsizing, rightsizing or ‘left-sizing’ because that is not our focus for now.

There are fears among the workers that a considerable number of them will be laid off...

There shouldn’t be any fear about the ongoing screening exercise. No single genuine worker of Kogi State will be sacked. If you are a genuine worker, you will remain in the service of the state or local government. The protests are coming from those who have been benefiting from a rotten system whereby one person had multiple names on the payroll. Those kinds of people will definitely be affected by the screening exercise. They don’t want it to succeed and that is the reason they decided to send their cohorts to take to the streets. But like I have often said, this exercise

How will you ensure that the screening reaches a logical conclusion, considering the barrage of criticisms by the organised labour?

We cannot be intimidated to the point of abandoning the screening. I am particularly aware that the bailout fund that was computed by the immediate past administration was heavily padded and if we should allow that to be, the state will continue to be paying for services not rendered. The bailout fund is not a grant. It is not free money. The state will pay back and every kobo paid will affect its economy. So, a few individuals cannot continue to pack billions of naira while the masses continue to wallow in abject poverty.

If we allow that to continue unchecked, we will end up leaving a heavy burden for generations yet unborn.

So, the right thing must be done this time around and I am not ready to renege on my promise to reform the civil service both at the state and local government levels. Although this effort is taking our time, we have to painstakingly remove ghost workers from the payroll. Therefore, I don’t think there should be any form of tension or rancour because of this very important exercise, which is in the interest of Kogi workers.

It worries me that workers, especially in the local governments, take percentage salaries at the end of the month. We are resolute to remove the cause of such hardship on workers.

Crime is on the increase in the state.

What efforts are you making to rid the state of criminals, particularly kidnappers now terrorising the state?

Before I took the mantle of the leadership in January, the security situation in the state was better imagined. Some parts of the state were already rife with kidnapping and other criminal activities. But I want to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, for deploying four units of mobile policemen, special anti-robbery squads and a helicopter for aerial surveillance in the state.

The newly appointed local government administrators are already organising vigilante groups to assist in fishing out the hoodlums in the grass roots. We are going after the criminals. We will hunt them down. We will continue to pursue them until the state is free of heinous crimes.

The bad system in the past which allowed a few individuals to cart away the wealth of the state to the detriment of the masses, whose population is over three million, has thrown youths into total joblessness. To restore the hope of the youth of this state, we are planning to go into an agricultural programme wherein they will be fully engaged to earn a living. We are appealing to some of the youth who are recalcitrant, who don’t want to do

What are your plans for the disbursement of the bailout fund? Will there be a committee to that effect?

To the best of my knowledge, the bailout fund is meant to pay the arrears of workers’ salaries and other allowances they were entitled to in the past. The government does not need a committee to pay monthly salaries.

We will follow all the processes that normally lead to payment of workers’ salaries, using the government machinery. Involving a committee for that purpose will mean that we have to pay their allowance and we don’t have money for that. We have the list of genuine workers that the government owes salaries both at the state and local government levels. The record of various unpaid salaries and the months is there. Once the screening exercise is completed, we will disburse the fund through government machinery the way and manner monthly salaries are paid to the workers through their various bank accounts. I am also assuring the workers that no kobo will be paid in cash. It will be through bank transfer so that the disbursement can be audited by anybody.

We will make sure that the disbursement is properly done so that we can also access the balance of the bailout to put smile on the faces of Kogi workers, especially the local government staff who, for long, have been collecting percentage salaries. I have said it several times, that this administration will not spend a kobo belonging to the state without recourse to accountability. This state has suffered enough at the hands of fraudsters who do not believe that Kogi State should grow.

Therefore, whoever is willing to work with me should have it at the back of their mind that they are not coming to serve in order to siphon the state’s resources. Such characters cannot go on the same train with me.

Besides the screening exercise, what other things are you planning for the state in terms of development?

We met a state that was decayed in all sectors. The resources which ought to have been used to engender positive development have been carted away by a few opportunistic individuals who do not have the interest of the state at heart. We are ready to recover those funds stolen through phony projects executed in the past. We are not only concerned about the issue of salary. We will extend our tentacles beyond that. That is the reason we will block all the loopholes that has been established in the past.

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Buhari’s first 366 days: ‘Life is really hard now but I have hope’ Continues from pg15

Edward Ogbonnaya I have gained nothing. As a graduate, I am jobless, even after giving a whole year to the service of the nation. I am currently into menial jobs to keep body and soul. No job, no wife… They say we the youth are the leaders of tomorrow but the tomorrow appears to be far-fetched with President Buhari’s style of administration.

Bankole Olatunji First, I have gained sincerity and honesty and doing things in the right way. That PDP would have ruined this country if God had not saved us. I am sure we shall tell a good story by next year.

Mark Macaulay I gained a lot of information. We now know how rich Nigeria is and how some people siphoned our collective wealth. I believe that Nigeria is the next face of civilisation after China. And the discovery of oil in Lagos State is a positive development. The man [President Buhari], who built those refineries, is back to complete his work.

Seye Omotola What other gain can be greater than true commitment to the good of all? Here is a president whose life has been all about the people, honesty, contentment, selflessness, discipline and incorruptibility. How do you think a thief would have fared gaining power in times of crises such as this?

Ganiyu Akani President Buhari’s government has enhanced the integrity of Nigeria in the comity of nations. Although the economy is bad, with ongoing fight against corruption and attendant revelations, there is hope of a better Nigeria.

Olatokunbo Fowowe I reserve my comment till 2019. By then, a lot must have happened in the life of this administration. It is my hope and prayer that our lot will have improved by then.

Clement Marcilinus As an unemployed youth, President Buhari is yet to touch my life positively. However, the youth may be stricken with hunger and poverty may seem to be increasing but I still have confidence in him.

Salawu Adekunle Everyone wants to make heaven but no one is ready to die. Many are not ready to make sacrifice. I see PMB’s administration as a development that will be sustainable as many policies are being implemented for the good of all and sundry. I see hope rising for this country. I see a better Nigeria. God bless my country Nigeria.

Tarnongo Michael Let the budget be implemented, then, I will be able to say if I have gained. He has achieved little in the area of Boko Haram insurgents, recovery of looted funds, financial indiscipline. Most campaign promises of the administration will be fulfilled in the long run when the economy has improved.

Victor Oganufa The list is inexhaustible. I am delighted about the decimation of the monsters called Boko Haram. I hope he will be able to bring an end to their menace. I am of the opinion that we should be patient with the Buhari-led government and work together to build a great nation as we have no other place to call home.

Abavar Ali Nigerians can’t see anything good in this administration unless we stand as one and work together.

Ayeni Douglas I have gained a lot: in my 20 years of existence, I have never heard Nigeria being described as ‘fantastically corrupt.’

I reserve my comment till 2019. By then, a lot must have happened in the life of this administration. It is my hope and prayer that our lot will have improved by then.

Danladi Hikon I have gained a better perspective as to how to vote in future elections.

Olufade Stephen I have gained nothing. No money for us to spend. He has blocked all means of making money for us.

Simon Bala Lots of looted funds have been recovered, corrupt people are now known. Our society has learnt a lesson. Subsidy has been removed so that the market is better regulated. The world has confidence in this government.

Kingsley Kingsley To be sincere, Nigerians have gained ab-

solutely nothing from [the first] one year of President Buhari in office.

Eric Selven I can applaud him [Buhari] for fighting Boko Haram but there is so much hunger in the land. I can’t afford two square meals under this administration.

Ene Ikechukwu President Buhari has the opportunity to make Nigeria great but because of his sectional, ethnic, regional and nepotistic disposition, he cannot move Nigeria forward.

He must learn how to integrate the country.

Mark Benny No matter how hard life has become, I will endure and smile, believing that in the nearest future, we will appreciate how stiff and hardened our president is. Nigerians are a tough people, but let us be assured that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

It is sad how ethnic boundaries are setting us on the brink of chaos. I still believe in a better tomorrow.

Aladerun Segun The problem with Nigerians is that we are impatient. PMB’s one year in office can’t bring about a sudden change in a country that has already collapsed. We are all talking about economic hardship. Yes, everyone is affected but for it to end, proper steps have to be taken and that is what PMB is doing. Is PMB responsible for the fall of the price of crude in the global market?

How much is a barrel of crude oil sold now compared to GEJ’s administration?

Why will a country be so dependent on importation of goods that can be produced in the country?

Babs Oredola I gave gained a lot. I am beginning to have hope in a better and brighter Nigeria under the watch and leadership of PMB. May God help him and grant us the grace and spirit of patience. Amen.

Mark Benny

Oyedun Akinniyi

Louis Akhigbe Tribune! Why talk about gain when the entire nation is counting their losses? The country is simply worse off.

Eze Gerald A man woke up and shouted “Holy Ghost Fire!” Wife: What is it, was lion chasing you? Man: That would have been better.

Wife: What was it then? Man: I nearly voted Muhammadu Buhari again in my dream. Wife: Blood of Jesus! Honey, please, let us pray.

Iliyasu Adamu We have gained a lot, especially in the areas of diversifying our economy, dealing with Boko Haram, discovery of ghost workers at different levels of government, provision of bailout for 23 states to settle salary arrears, creation of Treasury Single Account and many more.

Bodi Simon I have gained peace in my region, the North-East, as a result of the triumph of the military over the hitherto notorious Boko Haram.

Oyedun Akinniyi To be sincere, I ‘gained’ increase in fuel price from N86 to a ridiculous N145, inflation, increase in the value of dollar against naira, high electricity tariff, high transport fare, increased domestic and other needs with no increase in my salary of N24,750.

Salawu Adekunle

Edward Ogbonnaya

Nkiruka Ekezie The headline ought to be what the northern Muslims think their (god) have done since one year now, if you are taking a comprehensive opinion poll that is devoid of sentiment, tribalism and religious affiliation. In my opinion, he has scored zero.

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views.com

Aregbesola: Visionary leader in troubled times

By Tola Adeniyi

P

REMIER of the then Western Region of Nigeria, the Honourable Chief Obafemi Awolowo, hugely popular, was in 1954 set to introduce free and compulsory primary education throughout the region and needed money to finance the social welfare project. He had earlier on January 7, 1952 launched the welfarist and progressive government that kick-started the second stage of Yoruba civilisation with the attendant prosperity and development of Yoruba land in all facets.

Detractors of Chief Awolowo and of his government mounted vitriolic campaigns against his welfare package and had brainwashed the people that should Awolowo be allowed to make education available free-of-charge to all and sundry, there would no longer be labourers and servants; farmers would lose their children who hitherto were the unpaid hands on the farms to the schools and a heavy tax burden would be inevitable for the people to bear.

On a sunny Saturday, January 9, 1954, the then sleepy town of Ago-Iwoye erupted in unprecedented riots. The town’s hitherto beloved monarch, Oba David Meloniti Osiyemi, had to flee the burning palace and trekked through the bush to Imodi in an escape route to Ijebu-Ode. He was an Awo ally. He cheated a certain death by a whisker to escape detractors of the late Chief Awolowo who were opposed to the regime’s policies.

Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola arrived in the world three years later on May 25, 1957. Right from childhood he imbibed an inquisitive mind, a can-do spirit and an unusual humanist flare. He grew up with the conviction to be ‘his brother’s keeper’. Kind-hearted and caring, he abhorred injustice and the man-made human suffering and deprivation.

He was a mere two-year old boy in 1959 when the immortal Awo completed his mission in the West. Rauf did not know the Awo of pre-1959, but the spirit of Awo lived in him.

“If ever I had the opportunity to lead, I will serve humanity with all my strength, vigour and absolute transparency. I will inculcate the dictum of ‘Mind is the Master of Man’ and make education and acquisition of knowledge the cornerstone of my covenant with people I lead and serve” was the common saying attributed to Rauf Aregebsola, an extremely studious and voracious reader, while going through high school and tertiary institutions.

At The Polytechnic Ibadan, Dr. Gbolade Osinowo then a lecturer and later a senior aide to the late Governor Olabisi Onabanjo of Ogun State and recently to President Olusegun Obasanjo, remembered young Aregbesola as a most formid-

able debater, a great student leader, a visionary and an unusual science student who was more concerned with liberal humanism and people’s struggles.

“I knew he would go high in life,” Dr Osinowo testified.

It was this kind of background that prepared Rauf, widely acknowledged as an exceptional grass-roots campaigner and mobiliser, for the daunting task of turning a hitherto civil service-cum agrarian state into a vibrant, competitive and technology-driven modern Osun State.

Journey to the top of the ladder was not easy or smooth, though he got his political, administrative and managerial teeth sharpened by an unbroken eight-year tenure as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Africa’s most prosperous and active state of Lagos with a population of 24 million restive cosmopolitan beings. Rauf was reputed to have worked exceptionally hard and prepared himself for governance. He later underwent three and a half years of gruelling legal and political battles to regain his mandate as governor of Osun State in November 2010.

Quickly, he settled down to serious work and within the first three years of the administration his vision and mission had produced a catalogue of impressive landmarks. Some of these imperishable legacies include: The recent publication from the National Bureau of Statistics clearly shows the macro and micro economic effects of Aregbesola administration’s interventions in human and infrastructure development in the state. It is very graphic. The tables show the formal transactions in banks in the states of the federation, from 2010 to 2015; a period that captured very effectively Aregbesola’s tenure so far. The credit section is the outflow from the banks to the populace, while the deposit tables represent the inflow from the populace to the banks. The combination of the two clearly exhibits the strength, dynamism and vibrancy of the economy of the states. Osun State has the highest growth in credits among the states in Nigeria, with the N13.2billion in 2010 rising to N170billion in 2013. This was phenomenal and cannot be overlooked. There are other indications and interpretations. What is not disputable is the strength of the state’s economy as a result of Aregbesola’s constructive developmental agenda. It is little wonder Aregbesola emerged the Daily Independent Newspapers Man of the Year in 2013.

Then, the bubble burst!

Nigeria, which operates a monoculture economy, met its Waterloo in the falling price of its largest revenue earner, this coupled with unprecedented looting of the national treasury and the huge theft of a chunk of the crude oil lifted for interna-

tional market. The immediate impact of this calamitous fall in federal revenue was the slashing by more than a half or in extreme cases by two-thirds the monthly revenue allocations to states. States that normally base their planning majorly on the funds coming from Abuja suddenly became orphans and several of them, about 30 of the 36 states could hardly pay salaries and pensions to their citizens.

In 2015, the net statutory allocation for January was N1.25 billion, by February it was N1.12 billion, in March it dropped scandalously to N624 million while the April figure dropped further to N466 million. The statutory allocations began the precipitous fall in 2013 while salaries and emoluments began a steady climb. The contrasting allocation to Osun from the federation account is highlighted by the peak of the allocation of N5 billion received in February 2013 against the N466 million received in April this year.

These details put a lie to the accusation of alleged profligacy, especially considering the fact that statutory allocation alone cannot meet obligations on salaries and other emoluments. The financial challenge faced was enormous and daunting and a disaster was mitigated only by prudent management and sheer financial wizardry that allowed the state to make so much from so little. It could have been worse. But the cup in Osun State’s finances remained half full, rather than half empty.

The challenge on salaries delay is not peculiar; it is the story in 30 states. The sharp drop in revenue affected the state’s ability to pursue developmental programmes and projects for further economic activities that could be ringfenced into the state tax net to push the annual internally generated revenue from N10billion to the medium term yearly target of N18 billion.

Luckily and through astute financial management the debt of the state is within its capacity as certified by Debt Management Office, the federal agency mandated to issue such assessment and opinion. Rauf’s skillful financial engineering informed his use of creative funding to finance road projects; rather than make payments in advance, he chose to transfer construction risks to the contractors and only pays whenever substantial milestones are reached, at times paying through promissory notes, which could be discounted by the contractors or sold to their financial partners. This is a secondary market for construction/financial consortium. This derivative financing method has been adopted by the Federal Government on federal roads that are being constructed by the Julius Berger. The approach is a responsible way to conserve resources, pay only for jobs done and spread payments over certain periods.

•Chief Adeniyi sent in this piece from Lagos.

2016 Children’s Day celebration: Reflecting on the Nigerian Child

By Gerald Adewole

T

HE 27th day of May every year is set aside for the celebration of Children’s Day in Nigeria. This day was adopted based on the 1954 recommendation by the United Nations General Assembly that member-nations set aside an appropriate day to recognise and honor children all over the world.

The Nigerian Children’s Day was created in 1964 and since that time, it has continued to provide a veritable platform for drawing attention to issues relating to the rights, privileges and general welfare of the Nigerian child. On the part of the children, it offers an ample opportunity for them to express their fears and frustrations as well as their yearnings and aspirations.

The 2016 Children’s Day celebration is yet another opportunity for us to reflect on the plight of the Nigerian Child in our contemporary society. The theme of this year’s celebration which is “Protect the Right of the Child in the Face of Violence: End Child Marriage,” is particularly apt at this time that the Nigerian child is under siege from various fronts. At the domestic level, the child has become an innocent victim of such vices as assault, battering, rape and forced labour by parents and caregivers who are expected to show love to these vulnerable and helpless members of the society.

The plight of the Nigerian Child is made worse by the callous and gruesome activities of criminal elements in our society. The most dastardly of these is the Boko Haram insurgents who have made the innocent harmless and defenseless children a primary target of attack,

abduction and violation. For example, on February 24, 2014, 59 students of Government College, Burni Yadi, Yobe State were mowed down in cold blood.

Less than three weeks later, over 200 female students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, were kidnapped under very mysterious circumstances.

Despite the concerted effort of government to locate and release these innocent children, their whereabouts remains shrouded in mystery.

These are just two classic examples of the numerous cases of vicious onslaught on the Nigerian Child. The UNICEF report published in the Tribune newspaper of April 14, 2015 indicates that there are at least one million, two hundred thousand internally displaced children within Nigeria and around 200,000 others in neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger. While the internally displaced children are going through very excruciating social conditions in the camps, many are made to fight alongside armed groups and at times used as human bombs!

As we celebrate the 2016 Children’s Day, we must remember all the innocent and harmless Nigerian children who have been sentenced to their untimely graves by purveyors of sorrow, blood and death. While their lives have been cut short by the cruel hands of bandits, their saintly souls, having triumphed over death, and the folly of their murders, are secure eternally in the bosom of the Almighty.

As we celebrate the Nigerian Child at this auspicious moment, our heart and national conscience must go to the Burni Yadi matyrs, the Blessing Orurus of our generation and all those Nigerian children who have had to suffer one form of cruelty or the other, for the simple reason

that they were born Nigerians. It is a moment of sober reflection on the plight of over 200 Chibok schoolgirls held captive by Boko Haram since April 14, 2014. It also offers an opportunity for us to commend the gallantry of the Nigerian military for valiantly sustaining the battle to ensure that Boko Haram is decimated and brought to its knees.

The crushing defeat of Boko Haram by the military and the voluntary renunciation of membership by many is a clear indication that the final end of the insurgent group is near. Even more significant is the recent liberation of Amina Ali, one of the Chibok schoolgirls captured by the insurgents, in 2014. Her personal revelation that the abducted schoolgirls are still alive and healthy is not only reassuring to our nation, it has also boosted our national resolve to intensify our efforts in ensuring that all the girls are liberated, re-united with their families and reintegrated into the society.

As we mark the 2016 Children’s Day, we must all resolve as citizens to work with government in overcoming the various security challenges facing Nigeria. We must work together as one, to defeat the agents of terror whose sole agenda is to dismember and destabilise our nation.

Above all, we must remember that our children are our future. They have been placed on our hands as custodians and caregivers by God. We, therefore, owe it as a duty to God and to humanity not only to protect their inalienable right to life, but also that the enabling environment is created for them to optimise their potentials.

•Dr. Gerald Adewole is the Director of Public Education and Mass Mobilisation Department at the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

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Saturday Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Real/Atletico showdown: Ronaldo, Torres talk tough

ATLETICO Madrid striker, Fernando Torres believes today’s Champions League final with Real Madrid is the “most important” game of his life.

The Spaniard, 32, won the trophy with Chelsea in 2012 and has also won the World Cup and European Championships.

But since making his debut in 2001 and returning last year, Torres has never won a major trophy with Atletico.

“This is different, this is special,” said Torres.

“It’s what I wanted when I was a kid,

more than I dreamed.”

“Without any doubt it’s the most important, special and lovely game of my life,” added Torres, whose Atleti loan deal and contract at parent club AC Milan expire at the end of the season.

“Anything I can do with the club that gave me the chance to start my career, the team I was a fan of since I was five years old, is different to any-

thing else I’ve won.”

Torres, who left the Vicente Calderon to join Liverpool in 2007, missed Atletico’s spell of success from 2010 to 2014 where the club

claimed two Europa League wins, the Spanish Cup and the La Liga title in 2014.

Torres has managed 12 goals for the Diego Simeone-pioted side this term as they finished third in La Liga and booked a place in what is a rerun of the 2014 Champions

League final.

Real Madrid’s 4-1 extratime win in Lisbon in 2014 saw Los Blancos sweat on the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo while their city rivals lost talisman Diego Costa after nine minutes.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo during the week declared himself fit as he chases a third Champions League success with the Zinedine Zidane-

side.

“Cristiano always appears in the games that matter,” he told reporters. “I’ll be at 100 per cent. On Saturday (today), I’ll be in better form than I was in Lisbon.”

Ronaldo has scored 16 goals in this season’s Champions League - as many as the entire Atletico Madrid squad - and could break his own record of 17 in a single campaign.

Simeone

Dream Team lists Awoniyi, 19 others for Korea tourney

Zidane The trophy at stake

CAF bans Giwa for 5 yrs T HE Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has imposed a five-year ban on Mr Chris Giwa, who is contesting the leadership position of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with Mr Amaju Pinnick.

The sanction, which was also extended to four other members of Giwa’s faction, confirmed an earlier ban placed on them by the Pinnick-led NFF board.

The four are: Muazu Suleyman, Yahya Adama, Sanni Fema and Johnson Effiong.

CAF made its decision known in a letter signed by Hicham El Amrani, its secretary-general.

Below is the letter: RE- CONVEYANCE OF SANCTIONS BY NFF DISCIPLINARY SANC-

TIONS EXTENSION AT THE CONTINENTAL LEVEL

Dear President, Following your previous correspondence dated May 16th and subsequent exchanges, CAF has well noted the decision of the NFF’s Disciplinary Committee dated May 12th placing

five(5) year ban from all football related activities for the following people.

Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema, Johnson Effiong.

Following receipt of the documentation and details on the case, CAF hereby confirms the extension of such sanc-

tions at the continental level.

Please accept, dear President, our most sincere regards.

CONFEDERATION AFRICAINE DE FOOTBALL Hicham El Amrani, secretary general.

Giwa and Pinnick have been engaged in a tussle for the leadership of the federation.

Navy Sailing Club set for Diamond Jubilee boat race in Lagos THE Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas are expected to storm Lagos, tomorrow as the Navy Sailing Club rolls out her boats and sailors in grand style to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Nigerian Navy and the Democ-

racy Day. Speaking with journalists in Lagos, spokesperson of the club, Commodore Tunde Giwa-Daramola revealed that preparation for the Diamond Jubilee boat race and regatta to celebrate the Nigerian Navy which will turn 60 on June 1 and the Democracy day of the

biggest black Nation in the world is already in top gear.

According to him, the one-day event is also an opportunity to expose Nigerian-based athletes to water sports to help the Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation kick start its early preparation for 2020 Olympics holding in Tokyo.

NIGERIA’S U-23 team head coach, Samson Siasia has named captain, Azubuike Okechukwu, Taiwo Awoniyi and 18 others for next month Suwon Invitational tournament in South Korea.

The 20 players are made up of 12 home-based and eight overseas professionals.

The list is dominated by players who featured against the Brazil U-23 in a friendly in that country two months ago which Nigeria won 1-0 while two new faces, Emiloju Julius and Abdulrahman Taiwo break into the team and winger, Saviour Godwin also makes a return to the team after a long absence.

Siasia charged those selected players to see their call as a rare honour to serve fatherland.

“That you were selected does not mean that those not selected are not good.

We simply want to give everyone enough opportunity to justify why they should be part of the team to the

Rio Olympics,” Siasia told thenff.com.

Siasia however, urged the unlucky ones not to see themselves as not part of the plans of the technical crew, but a clarion call to work even harder as the team will be going to the United States of America for its final camping where the best will be selected for the Olympics.

The team is expected to depart Nigeria for Korea Republic on Monday aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight to arrive in Seoul on Tuesday.

The full list: Emmanuel Daniel, Yusuf Mohammed, Emmanson Daniel, Sincere Seth, Ndifreke Effiong, Segun Oduduwa, Stanley Amuzie, Julius Emiloju, Erhun Obanor, Saturday Erimuya, Azubuike Okechukwu, Usman Mohammed, Stanley Dimgba, Sodiq Popoo, Saviour Godwin, Taiwo Awoniyi, Ubong Ekpai, Abdulrahman Taiwo, Nathan Oduwa,Tiongoli Tonbara.

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Saturday Tribune

Akintunde wins Ogun SWAN election Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta NEW officers who will run the affairs of the Ogun State chapter of the Sports Writers Association (SWAN) emerged on Friday with Alhaji Hakeem Akintunde as the chairman.

Akintunde, a sports journalist with the state-owned television, Ogun State Television (OGTV), defeated Mr Wole Otayemi of the Ogun State Broadcasting

Corporation (OGBC) by 11 votes to one in a poll conducted under the supervision of the SWAN vicepresident(Southwest), Alhaji Muideen Adeleke.

Other members of the new Ogun SWAN executive council are Abdulfatai Sobande, Rockcity FM, who emerged as the vice chairman and Lateef Sanusi of Rockcity FM Sports, who was elected unopposed as

the Secretary.

Akintunde, in his remarks, promised to run an all-inclusive administration just as he assured members of Ogun SWAN of his determination to reposition sports journalism in the state. crimereport

‘How we relay visions as ‘prophets’ to swindle victims’

Nigerians urged to shun self medication in preventing SJS Oluwole Ige - Osogbo A 25-year-old Nigerian, Mr Fadesola Adedayo, currently running a marathon from Abuja to Lagos, to create awareness on a rare skin disease called Steven’s-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), has cautioned Nigerians against self medication.

Adedayo who spoke in Ilesha, Osun State, on day 13 of his mission, said he was running the “Marathon for Love” in memory of his late brother, Adeyosola, who died of the syndrome in 2012, saying “this is a marathon of love for my brother, mankind, my country (Nigeria) and the world at large”.

While admonishing Nigerians to always consult with pharmacists or medical doctors before taking any drug because of its side effects, Adedayo, a Civil Engineer, trained in Canada, who started the race on May 13 in Abuja said he was also raising $1 million naira research fund on the syndrome.

According to him, “ I believe I can create the needed awareness on SJS through the marathon for a period of 17 days. I have been stopping in villages on my way to warn people against self medication, which can result in SJS, if not properly taken.”

Adedayo continued, “I am doing this in remembrance of my late brother, a trained medical doctor from the University of Birmingham. He died while at the head of a medical team, offering free medical services to HIV victims and the people in Ijora Badia in Lagos. And it is as a result of this that I want to create awareness into the consciousness of Nigerians and indeed the whole world about SJS”.

Scheduled to arrive in Lagos tomorrow, May 29, he said he does not want Nigerians to lose their lives to the deadly syndrome any longer, just as he tasked government to immortalise his late brother who died as result of humanitarian service to the nation.

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sport Okocha steals the show at Yobo testimonial 39

Nurudeen Alimi in-Port Harcourt

F

ORMER Nigeria captain, Joseph Yobo on Friday, officially quitcompetitive football as Team Nigeria defeated Team World 5-4 in Port Harcourt in a testimonial played in his honour.

However, another former Super Eagles captain, Austin

Yobo

Okocha, stole the show at the capacity-filled Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium during the testimonial which featured a number of football stars on the continent.

Okocha first captained the Super Eagles Stars (Team Nigeria) in the first half and came back to play for the Yobo and Friends (Team World) in the second half before he was later replaced by Azubuike Okechukwu.

The former Bolton Wanderers player was a delight to watch as he reignited some of his exceptional qualities which made him the toast of many Nigerian fans in his heyday.

Emmanuel Emenike who was the first scorer on the

Kaduna: ‘Nigeria/Egypt match was peaceful’ Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna THE Kaduna State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Culture, Daniel Danauta has absolved the state of blame from the overcrowding which almost marred the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between the Super Eagles and the Pharaohs of Egypt.

Nigeria was later fined $5,000 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for poor crowd control.

Danauta said the Ahmadu Bello Stadium was overcrowded during the match which ended in a 1-1 draw because of the passion the people of the state have for football.

“Even though the Ahmadu Bello Stadium witnessed a mammoth crowd during the match, it was however, a peaceful crowd as Kaduna was a city of football lovers,” Danauta told reporters.

He stated that the AF-

CON qualifier was under the purview of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Danauta however, said Team Kaduna is prepared to win multple gold medals in the 19th National Sports Festival scheduled for Calabar later this year.

According to him, considering the performance of karate, taekwondo and weightlifting athletes from the state in continental competitions and Olympics qualifiers, Team Kaduna would start conquering from the zonal elimination tournament in Ilorin.

“All the 36 sporting associations are engaged in competitions to prepare our athletes towards the National Sports Festival, we will start conquering from Kwara to Calabar 2016,” he said.

Danauta also savoured the feat of the state’s athletes starting from weightlifter, Mariam Usman who has qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

day finished with a hat-trick for Team Nigeria, who also paraded goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Ahmed Musa, Godfrey Oboabona, Mutiu Adepoju, Kanu Nwankwo, Joel Obi (who scored his side’s second goal), Efe Ambrose and Ike Shorunmu, among others.

Okocha, after providing Emenike with another pass which earned him the third goal, was dramatically asked to leave the pitch by former Cameroon’s captain, Samuel Eto’o as the Team World had no answer to his ‘killer’ passes.

The drama was celebrated by spectators on the terraces as they indicated that they were enjoying every bit of ‘Okochamania’.

Former Manchester United manager, David Moyes, who made Joseph Yobo his first signing at Everton, alongsside former Nigeria coach, Fanny Amun coached the Team World.

Yobo led the Team World at first half which paraded Samuel Eto’o (who scored the second goal) Ghanaian Suley Muntari (who scored the opener for his side), another Ghanaian, Stephen Appiah, goalkeeper Dele Ayenugba, ace Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme (Paw Paw) and stand up comedian Ay, among others, and also captained Team Nigeria in the last half.

Yobo, who played at three World Cup finals before his retirement in 2014 after the World Cup game against France, scored for both sides in the testimonial.

His first goal in the first half came on the dot of time to make the half time score 4-3, while he alsoscored in the last half through a penalty kick after Ayenugba had saved his first spot kick.

Interestingly, unmarked Nollywood star, Paw Paw also scored for Team World to make the final score 5-4 in favour of Team Nigeria.

28 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

PHOTOS: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

BURIAL CEREMONY OF MRS ADELINE OLUFUNBI OGUNSAJU (MOTHER OF CHIEF ACCOUNTANT, ANN PLC)

The chief Accountant of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc; Pastor (Mrs) Oluremi Olufisayo (second left) paying last respect to her mother, while her siblings, Mr Adekola ogunsaju (left), Mrs Adebisi Kehinde and Mrs Olajumoke Adebanwo watch, during the burial of Mrs Adeline Olufunbi Ogunsaju, after a funeral service at All Saints Anglican Church, Irolu, Ogun State.

Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Mrs Olufisayo.

Co-chairman, ANN Plc, Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu and Mrs Olufisayo.

Friendly: Iheanacho’s goal sinks Mali MANCHESTER City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho was the match winner for Nigeria against Mali on Friday night in a friendly played at Stade Robert Diochon, Rouen, France.

Iheanacho

Iheanacho’s goal came in the 77th minute after getting a pass from another substitute, Michael Babatunde, just moments after he replaced Arsenal youngster, Alex Iwobi.

It was the attacking substitution by coach Salisu Yusuf that brought some gloss to an otherwise drab affair.

The caretaker coach brought on Babatunde, Umar Aminu and Brown Ideye in place of Moses Simon, Oghenekaro Etebo and Ighalo, before he added Iheanacho in the mix.

Both West African teams cancelled themselves out by the halfway mark in Rouen, France.

Nigeria lined up a very

young starting XI that included Iwobi and debutant Musa Mohammed.

The game started at a slow pace under a nice weather before a scanty crowd.

There was not much to choose between the two teams in a half that offered very little.

Debutant Musa came close to opening scores for Nigeria with Watford striker, Odion Ighalo also threatening the Mali goal.

The Eagles of Mali also came close to getting on the scoreboard towards the end of the first period.

Nigeria will play a second friendly on Tuesday against Luxembourg in Luxembourg City.

From left, Mrs Olufisayo, her husband, Pastor Olufisayo, Mrs Bukola Ezeamaka and Mrs Oluwabunmi Dickson.

Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran (middle) and Consultant, ANN Plc, Pastor Segun Olatunji with the management and the staff members of ANN Plc.

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Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: saturdaytribuneeditor@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: LASISI OLAGUNJU. All Correspondence to P. O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation.28/5/2016.