29th January 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,425

FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Buhari rejects naira devaluation •Says 'subsidy payments by Jonathan bogus' •No new increase in VAT, corporate taxes —FG •NNPC, 80 other firms for forensic audit —Pgs2,11

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7,000 illegal schools in Lagos —Dep gov —P8

N150

Senate probes sale of 10 power plants

•As Saraki, Reps reply OBJ —Pgs5,42

Presidency, Jonathan trade words over arms purchase •Buhari still fighting insurgency with equipment I bought —Jonathan •You bought junk as weapons —Presidency —Pgs3,5

•EFCC arrests Amosu, ex-Chief of Air Staff

Olubadan: Seriki line begins legal battle

•Court adjourns till Feb 16 —P3

Metuh regains freedom —P3

From left, Governors Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara; Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Bindo Jibrilla of Adamawa, at the National Economic Council meeting, in Abuja, on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

I will appear in court at appropriate time —Tompolo —P14

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Friday, 29 January, 2016

Buhari rejects naira devaluation •Says subsidy payments by Jonathan bogus From Leon Usigbe and Chima Nwokoji

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has rejected pressure to devalue the naira, saying he was yet to be convinced that Nigeria and its people would derive any tangible benefit from an official devaluation of the currency. He made the declaration while speaking on Thursday, at an interactive meet-

ing with Nigerians living in Kenya. Buhari maintained that while export-driven economies could benefit from devaluation of their currencies, devaluation would only result in further inflation and hardship for the poor and middle classes in Nigeria’s import-dependent economy. The president added that he had no intention of bringing further hardship on the country’s poor, who

he said had suffered enough already. He likened devaluing the naira to having it “killed,” noting that proponents of devaluation would have to work much harder to convince him that ordinary Nigerians would gain anything from it. The president also rejected suggestions that the Central Bank of Nigeria should resume the sale of foreign exchange to Bureau de Change (BDCs), saying that

the Bureau de Change business had become a scam and a drain on the economy. “We had just 74 of the bureau in 2005, now they have grown to about 2,800,” he regretted. He alleged that some banks and government officials used surrogates to run the BDCs and prosper at public expense, by obtaining foreign exchange from government at official rates and selling it at much higher rates.

According to him, “we will use our foreign exchange for industry, spare parts and the development of needed infrastructure. “We don’t have the dollars to give to the BDCs. Let them go and get it from wherever they can, other than the Central Bank of Nigeria.” The president reaffirmed his conviction that about a third of petroleum subsidy payments under the previous administration was bo-

...reaffirms commitment to Ogoniland clean-up Leon Usigbe - Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his administration’s steadfast commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme’s recommendations for the clean-up of Ogoniland and other parts of the Niger Delta, which have been damaged by crude oil spillage. He gave the reassurance while speaking during a visit to the United Nations Office in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. The president urged the world body to give more support for his administration’s efforts to clean up the region. He said: “When I came into office on May 29, 2015, one of the first tasks I carried out was to authorise the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) for the clean-up of Ogoniland. “The devastation caused by oil spillage has destroyed many lives and livelihood, and is clearly one of the reasons many people in that region lost faith in government and resorted to the many criminal activities we are seeing in the region today. “The action our government took to implement UNEP’s recommendations has given the indigenes of the region hope that there are better days ahead. “Let me, therefore, express appreciation on behalf of the government of Nigeria to UNEP and other development partners for their cooperation and support on this very delicate matter and also request for their continued support as we implement the recommendations and transform the fortunes of the region.” Buhari applauded the outcome of the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the United

Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which held in Paris, in December, last year. According to him, “the commitments agreed on in Paris will clearly benefit Nigeria and many African nations adversely impacted by climate change. We, therefore, look forward to their fulfilment and implementation. “As the United Nations (UN) office in Nairobi gears up to host the second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) this year, under the auspices of UNEP, I would like to take this op-

portunity to further pledge Nigeria’s commitment to this very worthy cause of having a safe, secure and clean planet.” He also said with half of the world’s population now living in cities, world leaders must give greater attention to the challenges of rapid urbanisation. Buhari spoke further: “In our effort to promote the sustainable urbanisation in Africa, the Federal Government of Nigeria funded and anchored the Africa Urban Agenda (AUA) programme, in partnership with the UNHabitat.

“The programme aims to enhance engagements between state and non-state actors to build consensus around identified urban development priorities and amplify Africa’s voice at the global level towards HABITAT III. “The Africa Urban Agenda will culminate in a major conference of African Ministers of Housing, where numerous issues will be discussed. “I am pleased to announce that this conference will be hosted by Nigeria in Abuja, next month and I look forward to meeting and deliberating with you and other

stakeholders on this very important topic.” Resident Coordinator of United Nations Office, Ms Sahle-Work Zewde, in her remarks, said the election of Buhari in a free and fair election last year demonstrated the commitment of Nigerians to democracy as a system of government. She described Nigeria as a “crucial member of the UN, a vital partner and a major contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.” President Buhari undertook the symbolic planting of a tree before leaving the UN office.

We’re not aware of $470m CCTV contract —BPP There shall be no sacred cow —Dogara Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja DIRECTOR-General of Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Emeka Eze, on Thursday, disclosed that the Bureau was not carried along in the award of controversial $470 million contract for installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in Abuja and Lagos. The BPP boss, who stated this during the investigative hearing on the circumstances of the award of the contract for the installation of CCTV cameras in Abuja and Lagos, and the failure of ZTE corporation to complete the contract organised by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee, affirmed that the multi-million contract was not processed at the BPP before it was awarded. While defending the position of the Bureau, Eze said: “Except if it is proven to be a national security since the purported award was made without a certificate of no objection issued by the Bureau, despite the fact that the contract sum exceeded the approval powers of the ministry of police affairs.’’ Speaking further, he said

based on the provision of section 16 (1) (b) of the Procurement Act 2007, the execution of $470 million magnitude contract ought to have been issued a certificate by the BPP, unless it concerned national security or by presidential approval. “The contract for the CCTV installation in Abuja and Lagos, under the National Public Security Communications System was not processed at BPP prior to the award. In other words, the project was not issued the certificate by BPP. “Considering the purported sum of the contract to the tune of $470 million, the contract ought to have been accompanied by the certificate of no objection issued by the BPP,” he said. The Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, who declared the investigative hearing open, implored members of the ad hoc committee “to carry out this investigation thoroughly, succinctly without let or hindrance by studying the memoranda submitted and give to all concerned stakeholders the opportunity to fully make their submissions, so as to assist the committee in situating where the problems lie and making pro-

found recommendations to the House, which will stand the test of time. Be reminded that there shall be no sacred cow.” The Speaker, who was represented by the Chief Whip of the House, Honourable Alhassan Doguwa, added that “this public hearing should, therefore, be seen as a deliberate effort to ensure that the lives and property of Nigerians are safeguarded through a responsive system, and that there is transparency and accountability in the deployment of government funds within the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.” Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Honourable Ahmed Yerima, on his part said “the purpose of the CCTV contract was to facilitate real time online communication between security agencies to enhance their capacities in fighting crime. “Failure to complete the National Public Security Communication System (NPSCS) has its attendant negative effect on the capacity of our security agencies to fight crime as they ought to do. “The need to resolve the issue of the failed contract quickly and move forward, will reposition the crime

fighting capacity of our security agencies,” the lawmaker stated. Addressing the committee, former Managing Director of NigComSat, Mr Ahmed Rufai, told the panel that, NigComSat, during his tenure, acted as consultants of the project, adding that there was no funding from the Federal Government to make the project operational. He added that, the project reached a stage where the server was installed to power the cameras, but due to lack of funding from the Federal Government, the project was not operational. However, ZTE Nigeria Managing Director, Mr Hao Faqiang, claimed that the company delivered the best video surveillance system to Nigeria, stressing that any perception that the project was not working was unfounded, adding that acceptance certificate had been issued by the Federal Government. He also claimed that the cameras were used during “the inauguration event of President Goodluck Jonathan’s first term, the World Economic Forum, held in Abuja and other events hosted at the Eagles Square, Abuja.”

gus. “They just stamped papers and collected our foreign exchange,” he said. The president appealed to Nigerians studying abroad to bear with his administration as it strove to address the challenges they were facing as a result of new foreign exchange measures. The president expressed optimism that the Nigerian economy would stabilise soon with the efficient implementation of measures and policies that were being implemented by his government. Meanwhile, the insistence by the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele and President Buhari, that there will be no devaluation of naira is appropriate, because only rent seekers will benefit, while producers and consumers suffer. An Economist and principal partner at B. Adedipe Associates Limited, Dr Biodun Adedipe, made this submission on Thursday, while delivering a paper entitled: “The Nigerian Business Environment: Navigating the rocky road ahead.” At the Nigerian South African Chamber of Commerce (NSACC)’s monthly breakfast meeting held in Lagos, Adedipe said the ‘noise’ suggesting that the naira should be devalued, was completely misplaced. Adding that the problem lies essentially in the underlying goods and services being exchanged for the currencies, the Economist wants to know where such goods are produced and the accompanying jobs created. Adedipe said “the real problem of Nigeria is not so much as the falling oil prices, but massive fiscal indiscipline,” advising that efforts should be made to align fiscal, monetary, trade and industrial policies if the country must save the naira and survive the present economic crisis. President Buhari, on Thursday, said proponents of devaluation would have to work much harder to convince him that ordinary Nigerians would gain anything from it, his office disclosed in a statement entitled “President Buhari rejects devaluation” to fund essential imports such as food or machinery spare parts, adding that foreign stock and bond market investors have become reluctant to put money into Nigeria because they assume the West African nation will have to devalue its currency eventually.

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Friday, 29 January, 2016

Presidency, Jonathan trade words over arms purchase •Buhari still fighting insurgency with equipment I bought —Jonathan •You bought junk as weapons —Presidency Leon Usigbe - Abuja with Agency Report

HE Presidency and former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, exchanged words over the purchase of arms during the last administration, for which the current government had continued to prosecute. Jonathan, in an interview with France 24, according to TheCable said insurgency caught the country unawares, but his government laid a solid foundation for terrorism to be defeated. “The new government is working hard and I believe they are still using the equipment we procured. Though the budget is still being debated, no new equipment has been bought; so even those equipment the president is using to prosecute the war against Boko Haram are those equipment we procured. “When Boko Haram started in Nigeria, we had no terror experience. Yes, we had armed robbery and other common crimes, but terrorism was different, because the people involved were not afraid to die. “So, you need a different mechanism to confront terrorism, you need superior technology, so that you will be able to stop them even before the attack. We never had the equipment, but when we were confronted, we started acquiring and before I left office, we built reasonable capacity and I believe with what we left behind and also with what the new government will acquire, they will be able to prosecute this terror war to a reasonable conclusion,” he said. Reacting to his position, the presidency said the current government could not prosecute the war against insurgency with arms bought by the Jonathan-led administration, saying they were junks. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said Jonathan bought bullion vans as armoured tanks and floatation jackets as bullet proof vests. “We have it on good authority that the former president did not get the correct briefing on these facts. Weapons that were bought by his government were mostly junk. “From the revelations of the procurement investiga-

tion committee now going on, it is clear that his government was misadvised in their procurement processes. “Evidence shows that some of his service chiefs used criminally-minded vendors to defraud the country of billions of Naira. “For instance, bullion vans, the ones used in ferrying cash to and from banks, were procured and presented in military colours as armored personnel carriers. “Bullion vans have what the military call ‘soft skin,’ which is easily penetrated by bullet. On good author-

ity, we have equally been informed that ‘floatation jackets’ were brought in as bullet-proof jackets. “If the correct procurement procedure had been followed, in a governmentto-government order as we now have under the Buhariled administration, this disservice to the nation would not have happened. “This administration found out, upon investigation, that most of those things the soldiers at the front were complaining against were true. The personal weapons they were made to carry were those

bought in the 60s, 70s and the 80s. “Those defective weapons are now being replaced even as investigations are still going on,” he said. Jonathan also attributed the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to loss of the 2015 election, but expressed optimism that the former ruling party would soon gain stability. “The PDP definitely will have some minor issues, it is expected. We lost the presidency and definitely, we will have some kind of leadership problems. When you have a president, everybody

looks up to the president. But when you no longer have the president, it becomes difficult for the party to have strong leadership. “I believe whatever you observe will be sorted out. Leaders and elders of the party have been meeting and all these perceived disagreements will soon be sorted out. “Every political party has misunderstanding, it is not new, it is always there. From the beginning of PDP, even before I got to Abuja as a vice-president and president, there were instances when the chairman of the

party would be asked to step down. And some officers leave from time to time when there are issues. So, what is happening is not new, but I promise you that PDP will stabilise. “In fact, by March this year, we are going to elect officers at the lowest levels of the wards to the local government, to the states, to the zones then, of course, at the national, officers will be elected; that is just in March. So, the party will bounce back, whatever you are perceiving, it always happen and we will get over it,” he said.

Olubadan: Seriki line begins legal battle Court adjourns till Feb 16 By Tunde Ogunesan JUSTICE Mukthar Abimbola, at Court 1 of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, on Thursday, adjourned till February 16, the matter brought by Chief Adebayo Oyediji of the Seriki line against the Olubadan-inCouncil, seeking to restrain the council from installing the Olubadan-designate, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, as the new Olubadan, following the death, on January 19, 2016, of Oba Samuel Odulana. Chief Oyediji, through his counsel, Abideen Adeniran, is claiming to be the next qualified candidate for the Olubadan stool from the Seriki line, while also seeking an order against the elevation of any of the high chiefs in the Olubadan and Balogun lines. Michael Lana appeared as counsel for the defendants. Drama, however, ensued as Justice Abimbola requested the two counsel to agree on a date. While the defence counsel, Lana, was suggesting a date in March, Adeniran openly objected, saying the March date was suggested for ulterior motive, as it was too long. Both counsel later agreed on February 16 for the Olubadan-in-Council to react to the application, as well as regularise the issue of parties to the suit. Oyediji had put forward before the court an amendment to reflect the earlier order of the court made by Justice M.O. Ishola in 2008, where he sought a declaration that “by the provision of the consent judgment delivered by the High Court in suit

No. I/313/88, it is the turn of the claimants to produce the next Olubadan of Ibadan on both the Olubadan line and the Balogun line.” He also sought the order of the court “setting aside the purported appointments made by the first defendant (the late Oba Odulana) to fill vacancies existing in the chieftaincy titles of Ekerin Olubadan, Ashipa Olubadan, Osi Olubadan, Otun Olubadan and Balogun Olubadan of Ibadan since November 21, 2008 up till the last appoint-

ment he made on January 1, 2016.” Similarly, Oyediji sought an order “setting aside the purported approval granted by the Governor of Oyo State on January 5, 2016 or thereabout to the appointments made by the first defendant on January 1, 2016 to fill vacancies existing in the chieftaincy titles.” A previous court had, on November 21, 2008 granted the application of the Seriki line, saying “the interlocutory injunction succeeds. The four interlocutory injunc-

tions prayed for are hereby granted.” Before Adeniran could move the motion before Justice Mukthar Abimbola, the defendants’ counsel, Lana, informed the court that he just took over the matter and so would need some time to study the application and respond to it. He even told the court that some of the parties in the matter had died, adding that there would be need for some regularisation and substitution of the parties before the substance of the

matter could be heard. Adeniran, however, opposed Lana’s application for adjournment, saying that he had served the defendants with his motion eight days earlier. “They have all opportunities to react because they have been served since eight days ago,” he said. Justice Abimbola affirmed that he could not hear Adeniran on ground of fair hearing, adding that “you know I cannot hear you if they have not reacted, that is fair hearing.”

Senate honours late Olubadan, observes a minute silence Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja THE Senate, on Thursday, observed a minute silence in honour of the late Oba Samuel Odulana, the Olubadan of lbadan, who passed on at the age of 101. The Senate would equally send a six-man delegation to condole with the family, people and government of Oyo State. Given his contributions to the nation at large, the Senate urged the Federal Government to immortalise the deceased monarch, by naming a national or state monument after him as a mark of honour. This was sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi (APC Oyo South) with 16 others, who noted with sadness and great sense of loss the demise of Olubadan of Ibadan. He disclosed that Oba Odulana’s journey to the throne started with his appointment as the Mogaji of his Ladunni family compound at Oja-lgbo in 1972,

while he became the Jagun Olubadan in 1976. The lawmaker added that the late monarch earned an exemplary character award as a result of his hard work and patriotism and was put in charge of demobilisation of returning soldiers in Lagos, who fought in 1945 World War and climaxed into an immediate appointment with the Colonial Office Education Department in 1946. He observed that the late Oba was a soldier, who fought in the World War II, just as he described him as a seasoned civil servant and

a thorough-bred politician, who later became a minister in the First Republic. He recalled that he was a former Minister of Labour and also former Parliamentary Secretary to the late Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in the country’s first independent cabinet and actively assisted in the establishment of both primary and secondary schools in various parts of the old Western Region in 1959. The lawmaker also informed that the late monarch led the Nigerian Parliamentary delegation to the

London Constitutional Conference to restructure the British Colonies of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, now known as Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia. He believed that the late Oba left a strong, stable, cohesive, united and prosperous lbadanland, which is the culmination of his selfless service and exemplary leadership qualities, insisting that his loss at this critical time in the life of the nation was, no doubt, a huge one, but trusted that his legacies would continue to serve as reference point for peace and unity.

Metuh regains freedom Sunday Ejike - Abuja THE national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on Thursday, perfected the bail conditions granted him on Wednesday by Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court sitting

in Abuja. Following his application for variation of his bail conditions granted him by the court on January 19, as he was unable to meet with the aspect that said the landed property of the two sureties that will stand for him must be located in Maitama

District, Abuja only, the court, on Wednesday, said Metuh’s proposed sureties could now be owners of property with valid title documents “in any district of the Federal Capital Territory.” continues pg42

Friday, 29 January, 2016

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Friday, 29 January, 2016

Saraki replies OBJ

•We won’t be distracted by his letters –Reps • We’re not the ones that defrauded you over 3rd term, Dino tells OBJ Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi- Abuja

ENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, replied the letter of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to him and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, insisting that the National Assembly

was committed to transparency and good governance, contrary to allegations contained in Obasanjo’s letter. Saraki, in posts on his Facebook and Twitter handles, said he was still preparing a comprehensive reply to Obasanjo’s letter, but added that the Senate under his leadership had vowed to make its budget open to the people.

He said in line with the legislature’s commitment to transparency, it had introduced “bold and progressive reforms” in the management of its finances. “Yesterday [Wednesday], I acknowledged that I received a letter from former President Olusegun Obasanjo in which he called the attention of the National Assembly to some issues. “I will want to assure

EFCC arrests Amosu, ex-Chief of Air Staff

Arraigns 2 for petroleum equalisation fraud Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wednesday night, arrested a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd), to answer questions on his roles in the ongoing arms procurement scandal being investigated by the anti-graft agency. The arrest of the ex-Air Force boss followed a presidential directive mandating EFCC to investigate former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Amosu and 15 other serving and retired Air Force and Army officers on their roles in fundamental breaches in the arms procurements by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) between the period of 2007 and 2015. President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive came on the heels of the recommendation of the audit committee set up by the National Security Adviser (NSA) to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector with the period. The committee had recommended, among other things, further investigation into the misconduct established against the affected officers, including two ex-Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Dikko Umar and Amosu, as well as 21 other companies. An EFCC source informed the Nigerian Tribune on Thursday, in Abuja, that Air Marshall Amosu (retd) was picked up by the operatives of the commission in Abuja, following the refusal of the military officers’ to show up at the anti-corruption agency’s office, despite a formal invitation extended to them. As of the time of filing this report, Amosu was still at the EFCC office, where it was learnt he was being grilled by operatives, with a view to obtaining vital information from him on his roles in the arms procure-

ment saga. It was, however, not certain if he would be granted administrative bail by the commission. Amosu’s arrest came on the heels of sealing-off of property of some of the affected retired and serving officers by EFCC on Wednesday. In another development, the commission, on Thursday, arraigned two oil dealers, Aku Ben Aku and Philips James Aliku, alongside their company, Al-Aminu Oil and Gas Limited, before Justice Sulaiman Aliyu Tukur of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna, the state capital, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N14,602,600. The offence, according to a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune by EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, was contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable Under Section 1(3) of the same Act. The statement informed that the first accused person, Aku, while being in the employ of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund Board, allegedly registered a private company, Al-Aminu Oil and Gas, where he was a director. He was alleged to have conspired with the second accused person, Aliku, who was also a director in the company and obtained the sum of N14,602,600 from the Federal Government on the pretence that the money was for the loading and selling of petroleum products by the filling station purportedly located on Madikiya Road, Kafancha, Kaduna State. Following their not guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, Steve Odiase, asked the court to fix a date for their a trial.

Responding to Odiase’s submission, defence counsel, F.C. Ikpe, told the court that there was a pending application for bail and prayed the court to grant the accused bail on liberal terms. This was, however, not objected to by the prosecution counsel. After listening to both counsels, the presiding judge, Justice Tukur granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N1million each, with one surety, which must be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 14 officer or a principal officer in a company, each in like sum and directed that accused persons must deposit their international passports with the court registrar. The case had been adjourned to March 11, while the accused persons were to be remanded in Kaduna Prison till they fulfill their bail conditions.

President Obasanjo that the leadership and membership of the eighth Senate are committed to good governance, transparency, accountability, due process and responsiveness to the economic reality of our nation. “It is for this reason that the legislative chamber has introduced bold and progressive reforms in the management of the finances of the National Assembly. “This is of even greater importance during a tough fiscal period for our country. Like I said during my closing address at the plenary after our debate on the 2016 budget, the Senate must lead by example in terms of our own funding, budgets and accountability – showing, beyond doubt, value for money. I have canvassed that we must lay bare the budget of the Senate, nay the National Assembly and its affiliated institutions. “I equally canvassed the need to strengthen the capacity of the legislative institution to carry out effective oversight of the executive arm, so that we can ensure the budget leads to the realisation of the policy objectives of the Muhammadu Buhari-led dministration. “Again, let me reiterate my position in the speech I made this morning (Thursday) on the need for us to work towards blocking all areas of revenue leakages while also strengthening the anti-corruption agencies, so that the little resources that are now available will serve the interest of the overwhelming majority. “As a former president and

a father of the nation that we all hold in high esteem, I intend to reply the letter and outline the actions the Senate is taking to address his concerns. “In conclusion, I appreciate President Obasanjo for his consistent role in always reminding those of us in government about our responsibilities to the general public and offering timely advise where necessary,” the letter read. Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Honourable Abdulrazak Namdas, also said the National Assembly would not be distracted by criticism from Obasanjo. Namdas, at a news conference in Abuja, on Thursday, said the lawmakers had much respect for Obasanjo, adding that they would not join issues with him since he was exercising his right to freedom of expression. According to him, the letter by the former president might not have been for the eighth National Assembly, but rather in the fourth or fifth assembly. “We have tremendous respect for the former president. We don’t want to be distracted by letters,” he said. Commenting on the alleged sharing of N50 million and 150 motorcycles to

all members by the House leadership, he said the matter would be investigated. In his reaction, Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Dino Melaye, said “in the letter, I can see misplacement of anger.” In the letter he personally signed, he said Obasanjo thought of the eighth National Assembly as the same Assembly that defrauded him in 2007; those who collected his money and refused to implement the third term agenda. “After nine years of that bribery saga, I expect forgiveness to have taken place. There was the case of bribery introduced by the Obasanjo regime in the desperate attempt to remove former speaker, Ghali Umar Na’abba, from office then. “In fact, there was open display of the bribery money on the floor of the House. That government exposed the National Assembly to corruption and easy money. I hope this is not in an attempt to cover up and distract attention from the Halliburton and Siemens corruption allegations. “While I am against corruption anywhere in Nigeria, I will not support accusation based on anger and vindictiveness. The eighth Senate should also look inward and purge itself of all the deliberate misgivings of the past,” he said.

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Lagosmetro

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Inter-state movement barred for monthly sanitation

7,000 illegal schools in Lagos — Adebule The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, on Thursday said that over 7,000 private schools in the state were not registered with the ministry of education, meaning many were operating illegally. Adebule spoke at the stakeholders meeting with Proprietors and Owners of Private Schools organised by the office of Education Quality Assurance of the Lagos State Ministry of Education and decried the high rate of illegal operation of private schools in the state. “Statistics show that we have over 11, 000 private schools in the state, but only 4,000 are registered with

Scene of the incident at Jakande plank market, on Thursday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

2-hour inferno razes Jakande plank market

Olakekan Olabulo

illions of naira worth of goods were early Thursday destroyed as fire ravaged the popular Jakande Plank Market in the Ketu area of Lagos State. The fire, which reportedly started around 4:00 a.m. was said to have started from an electric spark from one of the electricity metres. A resident of the area, who identified himself as Taiwo while speaking with Lagos Metro, said “we don’t know what actually led to the fire incident but those who got there early said that it started from a spark from one of the meters at the market.”

•Traders count losses Planks and other building materials estimated at several millions of naira were completely destroyed in the fire incident. “The security men at the market had tried to put it out but the fire continued to get bigger until it became uncontrollable for us, before the arrival of the firemen,” a security source stated. A source at the Lagos State Fire Service, who spoke with the Lagos Metro, under the condition of anonymity, stated that the firemen met the fire “well alive,” adding that the fire grew wild because of the combustible nature of the materials that were stored in the stalls in

the market. He also added that our arrival at the market saved a nearby health centre and the fruit market near the plank market. Meanwhile, traders at the burnt market have bemoaned their fate in the incident, which according to them has rendered many of them jobless. A food canteen operator, who identified herself as Rukayat Jinadu, stated that she had lost all that she had in the inferno. A trader, who said that she just started operation at the market on Monday, said she lost her new freezer, generator and other goods in the fire.

Teenagers take turns to rape minor AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin Four suspects, three of them teenagers, have been accused of gang raping a minor. The suspects: Femi Olatunji, 18; Rasheed Oyekanmi, 18; Habeeb Oladele, 18; and John Alade, 20, were accused of raping the 14-yearold girl who is their neighbour. According to the police, the alleged rapists

committed the offence on January 11 at their 16, Ige Avenue, Bariga, residence. The first accused, allegedly Olatunji, lured their victim into his room where she was gang raped. The Police added that as soon as she entered the room, he overpowered her, tied her hands and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.

The police also alleged that the second, third and fourth accused persons, also came into the room and took turns in raping the minor. Their offences contravene Sections 135, 137 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. They are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, child defilement and rape before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Shina, a tailor in one of the burnt shops at the markets stated said “As I tried to take the key of the vehicle I just bought yesterday, I saw fire. I had no other option than to run for my life. It is very painful. All my machines got burnt. I watched my shop burn. All I worked for went up in flames in minutes.” Another trader who simply identified himself as Muritador said that he lost planks estimated to be over N4 million in the fire incident. The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Mi-

chael Akinde stated that apart from the plank market, a part of the banana and tyre section was also destroyed. He also that three vehicles were also destroyed in the fire and commended policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Ketu police station for their prompt response to the scene of the accident. Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe told Lagos Metro that three fire trucks were deployed to curb the fire.

the ministry of education, meaning that many are operating illegally. “Many private schools do not employ qualified teachers and school administrators and at the end, students’ outcome and performances will be negatively affected. “Right now we are dealing with the cases of 25 schools sanctioned by WAEC for malpractices. This is not good as it affects the state in terms of national rating. “I urge school owners to stop cutting corners for the sake of making money and protect the integrity of the education sector,” she said. Adebule said the government would sanction and shut down any private school that did not comply with laws and regulation of the state’s education sector. The deputy governor said that the government would commence census of private schools in the state and intensify regulation to ensure that required standards were upheld. She also promised to meet with the tax authority to review levies, dues and taxes, to make operations easier for proprietors. “We recognise your role in the sector, and as a government, we will ensure that you get all the support, and we are ready to partner with you to move the sector forward,” she said.

Chukwuma Okparaocha

Scene of the tanker explosion at a Filling Station at Lawason area. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Explosion rocks Lagos filling station, two houses burnt Olakekan Olabulo There was confusion around Lawanson area of Lagos State as a filling station went up in flames, following a tanker explosion. The tanker and two residential buildings were also burnt in the fire incident, which was still raging as of press time. Lagos Metro gathered that the fire started on Thursday afternoon, when a tanker was trying to discharge its content at MRS Filling Station.

The fire was almost spreading to a nearby Oando Filling Station, when fire fighters from the state fire service curtailed it. There was serious confusion with heavy smoke pervading the entire Lawanson community, as residents of nearby buildings attempted to salvage their property. Samsoonden, a resident of the community told Lagos Metro that “the fire started from a tanker at the MRS Filling Station. The tanker came this after-

noon and was discharging its content into one of the wells, when the explosion occurred. “The fire was almost spreading to Oando filling station and it would have been more than this but for the timely intervention of the fire fighters. Apart from the filling station and the tanker that were completely, two nearby building were also ravaged by the fire. The spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim

We exploited Nigerians’ craze for imported goods — Fraudsters Olakekan Olabulo Three members of a gang, which specialise in using foreign languages to dupe unsuspecting residents of Lagos State, have attributed their success to Nigerians’ obsession with imported goods. The suspects Eyiema Bassey, Azubuike Ogbamhwo and Daniel Nwanubam were on Wednesday evening arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), around the Computer Village in Ikeja. The suspects had deceived their last victim, Luckas Olushola to part with his

mobile phones and other valuables, when the policemen swooped on them. According to Bassey, the leader of the gang, “The guy’s (victim) phone was collected in Ikeja at around 8:00 pm on his way to Conoil Filling Station in Ikeja.” He stated that members of his gang had approached the victim with all of them pretending to be foreigners from a francophone country. Bassey narrated that “We were trying to strike a business deal with him. What we do is that, we would first engage a passerby and secure his attention. “Later, we would tell him

that we are foreigners and that we have brought goods to Nigeria. We would then tell them to deposit money for the goods, but for this guy, he said he had no money and he deposited his phone back. “He told us that he was going home to get money and we told him where to meet us. Suddenly, I think he realised that he was dealing with fraudsters and he attempted to get his phone back from us but one of us.” He also stated that, as part of their plan, one of the suspects, Nwanubam, was to pretend as a

Nigerian Tribune

stranger and intervene, and later escape with the phone. “Unfortunately for us, he was caught and handed over to the RRS men.” Members of the gang all blamed their involvement in the illicit business on joblessness, adding that it was their only way of meeting their needs. The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmus confirmed the arrest of the suspects to Lagos Metro. She also added that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded on

Suspected fraudsters who exploited Lagos residents’ craze for imported goods.

Farinloye, while speaking on the incident said nobody died in the inferno. The fire at the filling station and one of the affected buildings had been completely put out with fire fighters still battling to completely put out the fire on the second affected residential building as of press time. Scores of residents of the affected houses, many of whom were not around, during the time of the explosion, have been rendered homeless.

Business activities as well vehicular movements, including inter-state journeys, have been restricted for tomorrow’s monthly sanitation exercise. It is the first of such exercise in 2016 and it is scheduled to hold throughout Lagos State. The three-hour-long exercise, which is slated to hold between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., will be expected to afford Lagos residents the opportunity to clean their drainages, environment and homes. This edition of the monthly exercise is expected to be significant because it would mark the first time the environment would be generally cleaned after the Christmas and New Year festivities, which are believed to have generated huge waste in every community in the state.

The exercise will also afford residents the opportunity to once again take care of their surroundings, so as to get rid of rats which have been identified as the main vector of the virus causing the deadly Lassa currently ravaging the country. When stressing the importance of this exercise, the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, warned residents that the Ministry was now more determined to implement the state government’s policy of keeping its environment clean and safe enough to attract investors and boost the economy of the state. He warned that violators of the state’s environmental laws must desist or incur the wrath of law enforcement agencies, as the state government would step up its zero tolerance policy on street trading and hawking.

Pregnant woman bleeds, collapses after four days in cell Olakekan Olabulo An eight-week-old pregnant lady, Tosin Taiwo narrowly escaped death in the cell of Surulere divisional police station cell, where she was detained over N4.5 million debt, for four days. The victim has since been rushed to Randle Hospital in Surulere, where she is being attended to by health workers. Lagos Metro gathered that the Investigating Police Office (IPO) in charge of her case, who had earlier denied her bail, was forced to follow her to the hospital. Relatives of the victim told Lagos Metro that the victim was arrested at their Agbado, Oke Odo residence and detained at Surulere police station. An unnamed friend to the victim had reportedly lodged a complaint at Surulere police station, accusing her of owing him N4.5 million. Efforts by her husband

to facilitate her release since last Saturday, when she was arrested, failed, as the IPO reportedly insisted that she had an order from above not to release the victim. The situation went worse on Monday, when the victim began to bleed inside the police cell, forcing other occupants of the cell to raise the alarm. A family source told Lagos Metro that “It is true that she owed that man but what happened was that she was duped. “We have agreed to be paying the money but the IPO insisted that she had an instruction from above not to release her. “This is not the first time that they had been doing business together. This is happening because of what happened to her.” Efforts to get the reaction of the image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmus failed, as calls to her mobile phone line were not answered.

businessnews

Friday, 29 January, 2016

FIRS restructures, Fowler redeploys 26 directors •Adds 359,158, corporate taxpayers in 107 days Gbola Subair - Abuja

he Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler, has approved the transfer of 26 directorate cadre staff and the introduction of the State Coordinator structure in the FIRS. Each of the 13 State Coordinators will supervise operations in their areas of jurisdictions. Two directors were moved to the headquarters in Abuja. Three will coordinate affairs in the states. According to a press statement signed by the Head, Communications and Servicom Department, Wahab Gbadamosi, experienced deputy directors were transferred to FIRS’ training school and centres across the country as part of the efforts of the Service to strengthen its knowledge transfer programme and expeditious development of the capacity of its workforce in the interim. The state structure is part of the new FIRS Chairman’s vision of minimising the span of control, closer focus on corporate taxpayers in all states of the federation and stronger collaboration with State Boards of Internal Revenue, SBIR, to increase overall tax yield accruable to the three tiers of government. Under a new campaign to widen the tax base, FIRS registered additional 359,158 corporate taxpayers in 107 days (13th October 2015 to 27th January 2016. The FIRS chairman plans

to add at least 500,000 new corporate taxpayers by 31st March 2016. Working with states under the Joint Tax Board, JTB, structure, the FIRS Chair-

man plans to widen the tax base further by adding five million new individual taxpayers to the country-wide tax register, by December 2016.

THE President, Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Mr Michael Ale, has advocated the regulation of the drilling industries and activities in the country. He disclosed this at the Annual Convention of Water Well (Borehole) Practitioner Executives in Nigeria held at the Kakanfo Inn in Ibadan on Tuesday. Ale said the non-regulation of the drilling industry was the root cause of the nation’s economic and social problem, adding that the non-regulation had allowed for influx of alien quack drillers. “We must make it clear to

Director, South-South and South-East Directorate Department is now Acting State Coordinator, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Cross River States.

From left, Executive Commissioner, Ubale Maska; Executive Vice-President, Professor Umar Garba Dambatta; Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo and Director, Policy Completion and Economic Analyst, Ms Josephine Amuwa, all of Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) at an International Press Conference organised by the NCC, held at Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Trade: UASC advocates closer ties among West African economies TolaAdenubi-Accra,Ghana The Union of African Shippers Council (UASC) has advocated for closer ties amongst West African economies, if the regions hope to surmount the challenges of lack of participation in global value chain. Speaking at the 10th General Assembly of the UASC held at the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana on Thursday, the Chairman for the UASC, Dr Nortey Quarshie Omaboe,

stated that there is need for effective linkages in economic activities. According to him, “indeed, a recent study has shown that for developing economies to effectively participate in the global value chain, there should be effective linkages in. activities such as farming, extraction of natural resources, research and development, manufacturing, design, management, marketing, distribution and post-sales services across the entire

Water expert advocates regulation of drilling industry in Nigeria By Tunde Ogunesan

In the recent posting, the Director of FCT and North Central Region, Olufemi Faniyi, was posted to the Compliance Support Group, while Innocent Ohagwa,

the National Government of Nigeria and their respective state governments that non-regulation of this industry is the cause of our social and economic problem. For any meaningful development to be prominent, this show of shame must be stopped. “It is bad when an alien quack driller says Nigeria is not organised because they have never paid tax five years into their operations,” he said. He urged government at all levels to stop patronising the aliens called Indian quack drillers so as to create jobs for young undergraduates through developing indigenous companies. “Statistics has showed

that at least average of 400 boreholes are drilled daily in Nigeria with over 200 India machines scattered in Nigeria and with over 50 boreholes daily in Oyo State.” He alerted that danger is imminent if the indiscriminate in Nigeria continued, which may lead to other vices like water contamination from incessant drilling and land slide in future. Ale commended President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to their request of not merging the Ministry of Water Resources and for appointing an expert as the minister. “We need to support the President in directing the country from a monolithic economy,” he said.

sub-regions value chain. “It will therefore be essential for shipper’s organisations to analyse the entire value chain of their respective economies, isolate the common challenges and proffer solutions towards a removal of the bottlenecks that hinder a proper alignment of this linkages. “Over the last couple of years, I have observed at close quarters some of the efforts of the Ghana Shippers Authority towards a reduction in the cost of doing business at her ports through their publication in national dailies I am of the firm belief and conviction that its impact would only be truly felt when a monitoring mechanism is put in place to ensure compliance. “In the same vein, I have

observed and keenly followed the efforts of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) at capacity building for judges through the Maritime Law Seminars for judiciary, your consultative forum and stakeholder engagement seeking to address bottlenecks in the international trading system. “These are indeed laudable and commendable initiatives. As shippers’ organisations within the sub-region, it would be my expectations that you would utilise the common umbrella that the UASC offers to harmonise your approaches towards the resolution of the myriad of shippers problems and develop common templates for trade facilitation in the sub-region.”

Nigerian Tribune

Unsolicited text messages, deductions, others must stop —NCC By Bode Adewumi The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has read the riot act to telecommunications services operators in the country to stop forthwith unwarranted deductions of airtime from subscribers’ lines with immediate effect. While answering questions from journalists during an international press conference in Lagos during the week, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, who led other management team to the conference, said the commission would not fold its arms and allow the operators fleece subscribers of their hard-earned money. Danbatta also said the issue of unsolicited text messages and calls emanating from the operators would be looked into with a view to stopping the menace, which he said many subscribers have complained of in recent times. He said the commission would engage the operators in dialogue to put a stop to these unwholesome disturbances and that failure on the part of the service operators may attract sanctions. The NCC boss, who used the opportunity to unveil his eight-point agenda for the agency, said his vision for the commission is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s change agenda. “The vision is to promote innovation, investment, competition and consumer empowerment on communications platforms for today and the future, maximising the power of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to grow the economy.”

Nigeria’s economic growth depends on insurance devt As NCRIB relists 21 brokers

Strategies for reviving Nigeria’s economy would achieve desired result if greater premium is placed on the insurance industry’s growth by government. This assertion was made by the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Kayode Okunoren, at the council’s secretariat in Lagos. According to him, aside from providing investible funds, insurance is one of the financial management

strategies that must be factored into genuine economic revival development initiatives of government. Okunoren applauded the various economic revival initiatives of the present administration and lamented that inadequate attention had been paid to insurance which had proven to be the linchpin of economic growth in advance climes. The president who reiterated the council’s desire to partner government in

building formidable economy through the instrumentality of insurance, stressed that NCRIB would be creative and proactive in maximising the seemingly gloomy economic situation to the advantage of insurance brokers. “As you are aware, this is a challenging time for the insurance industry in Nigeria, in view of the recession being witnessed in the economy, which is taking its toll on insurance like any other sectors of the economy,” he said.

businessnews

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

No new increase in VAT, corporate taxes —FG

nnpc, 80 other firms for forensic audit Leon Usigbe - Abuja

HE Federal Government will not raise Value Added Tax (VAT) and corporate taxes at least for now but would enhance the collection of VAT to increase revenue. The Minister of National Planning, Udo Udoma, made this known while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. With him at the briefing were governors Willie Obiano (Anambra), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) and Badaru Abdulahi (Jigawa). “We do not intend to increase VAT rate at the moment but increase collection rate from 20 per cent. “We will also not raise the corporate tax because we do not want to impose additional burden on Nigerians. “Government’s position is however that those who make money and have not been paying taxes should

Job creation: States, Solid minerals Ministry to partner Leon Usigbe - Abuja STATE governors are to partner with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to evolve ways towards job creation for the teeming unemployed youths in the country. This was part of the outcome of Wednesday night’s meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) which took place at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to a communique issued at the end of the meeting which was signed by the NGF chairman and governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, the agreement to partner with the ministry followed a comprehensive briefing provided to the governors by the Minister of State for Solid Minerals Development, Bawa Bwari during the meeting. It said: “After a comprehensive presentation made by the Minister of State, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Honourable Abubakar Bawa Bwari, members resolved to partner with the Ministry and other key stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the sector to act as a catalyst for job creation revenue generation industrialisation, environmental sustainability and inclusion.”

pay. “We expect at least 20 percent increase in tax collection rate which is conservative in terms of our revenue projection,” he said. Udoma said government was determined not to cut

capital budget because projects were needed to stimulate the economy. He said: “With reference to the budget, one thing we are determined not to do is to cut any of those capital projects, because we need them

to stimulate the economy. “We are going to work with the National Assembly, to see how we can get savings. One of the areas we are looking at is our cash call elements. “The minister of state for

petroleum is looking at how we can cut our cash call elements which is about N1trillion by innovative financing. “So, he is discussing with some oil companies and looking for some innovative financing which might pick

From left, Executive Director, Frank Umole; Chief Executive Officer, Bolaji Osunsanya, both of Oando Gas & Power and the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State, Olawale Oluwo during the commissioner’s visit to Oando’s headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos to discuss Oando’s ‘Light Up Lagos’ initiative on Tuesday.

Excess liquidity averaged N747.73bn by end 2015-CBN •As CIBN advises FG on 2016 budget chima Nwokoji-Lagos liquidity, an Excess amount that is more than needed in the banking system averaged N747.73 billion per day by the end of December 2015. This drove interest rates movement in the money market. Dr Joseph Nnanna, the Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Cen-

tral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said this while delivering a keynote address at a Round Table Session on “Economic Outlook for 2016 and its implication for Business in Nigeria,” organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) on Thursday. This according to him, is in addition to Statutory Revenue Allocation through

monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements of about N870.00 billion coupled with the liquidity impact of the reduction in Cash Reserve Requirement. (CRR) from 25 percent to 20 percent during the period under review. “The impact of these liquidity injections can be assessed from the downward

Homeowner Charter scheme: 1,000 residents receive C of O in Ogun OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta Another batch of 1,000 house owners have been presented with their title documents by the Ogun State government under the Homeowners’ Charter scheme. The state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Architect Olamilekan Adegbite, made the 11th presentation at the Arcade Ground of the Governor’s office in Abeokuta on Thursday. The Homeowners’ Charter is an intervention programme of the state government as a means of assisting property owners in the state to obtain needed title for their property. Adegbite represented by the Director of Administration and Supplies at the ministry, Dolapo Adewunmi, gave assurances that all those who have purchased the form and pro-

vided needed information will get their certificates. “They (the house owners) should not entertain such fear at all because you can see that the governor is doing all he can he is asking us to move as fast as we can. “People can be rest assured that they will definitely get their certificates in record time. These documents would be recognised anywhere, even in banks.” The state Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Bashorun Adebola Adeife, assured speedy collection of the title documents. “Maybe we are having a short delay but the truth is that, doing it well requires taking sometimes,” he said. The commissioner noted that the state government had begun negotiating with the Association of Surveyors who had instituted legal proceedings against the state.

He said, “what the state is doing is to speak with them and reach amicable resolution where it is appropriate.” One of the beneficiaries, Olaleye Bamgboye, expressed satisfaction with the state government’s initiative.

trend of the average interbank call and Open Buy Back (OBB) rates which decreased from 1.00 and 1.50 per cent respectively to 0.85 and 0.94 percent respectively as at end-December 2015,” Nnanna stated. In her opening remark at the session, the president and Chairman of Council, CIBN Otunba (Mrs) ‘Debola Osibogun called on the federal government to consider financing the 2016 budget deficit through the capital market. “We encourage government to consider the option of financing the deficit through the capital market as the stock exchange exists to provide a platform for financing the economy from equity, fixed income and other asset class perspectives,” she suggested.

up some of the financing so that we reduce our financial output and contribution by the Federal Government. “That will be a major saving which can be used to plug the gap particularly with falling oil prices.” The minister who had earlier given the council an update on the economy, said the economy had been largely affected by the decline in oil price between June 2014 and December 2015 which he said has increased domestic vulnerabilities. Speaking on the objectives of the 2016 budget, he said it was it was geared towards alleviating the poor and the most vulnerable in the society. He said the Accountant-General of the Federation reported to the Council that the balance of Excess Crude Account as at 31 December, 2015 stood at $2,257,937.98. On the government agencies collecting revenue in dollars and remitting to government on naira, he said the introduction of the The Single Treasury Account (TSA) has resolved the problem. NEC received update from the Ad-hoc Committee on Excess Crude which submitted a memo for approval on its findings and recommending 81 government revenue generating agencies for forensic auditing. Eighteen core revenue generating agencies like NNPC would be audited by KPMG while other revenue generating agencies would also be forensically audited by SIAO, a local auditing firm Council approved engaging the forensic auditors. On bailout funds to states, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, gave an update to the Council that 23 States have benefited from the N10 billion each from ECAbacked soft loan. Some states have not indicated interest, while some are still holding discussions with their banks. Twenty eight states have benefited from the Presidential bailout.

Glo collaborates with 15 banks to launch new recharge code In order to enhance subscribers’ experience on its network, the next generation network, Globacom, has partnered with fifteen leading banks to launch a unified short code for customers to purchase Glo airtime at anytime from banks in the partnership. According to Globacom, the unified USSD short code *805# will give subscribers who have accounts with any of the fifteen partnering banks a seamless opportunity to top up their airtime with money from their bank accounts at any time of the day, whether locally or while

roaming. “The unified short code is designed to make life easier for our esteemed subscribers as it is simple and easy to remember,” said Globacom. The partnering banks include First Bank, Ecobank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, UBA, Union Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Sterling Bank and IBTC Bank. Others are FCMB, Heritage Bank, Keystone Bank, Skye Bank, Unity Bank and Jaiz Bank. The network explained that it entered into the partnership with the foremost

banks in the country to enable Globacom customers purchase airtime without any stress assuring its esteemed customers of “more innovations that would enhance their experience on our network.” The statement enjoined subscribers to register their Glo lines with any of the partnering banks to enjoy the facility free of charge. It added that the process of registering Glo lines with the banks is easy, adding that all a subscriber needs to do is have his phone provisioned by his bank for airtime quick recharge service.

Friday, 29 January, 2016

eyesof islam T

HE Arab News, in one of its recent editions, hit the nail on the head when it declared: “Hijab or veil takes the center stage whenever there is battle between truth and falsehood.” A few topics would rank above hijab on the count of the most discussed global issues in recent times, which have drawn attention and distraction alike. The concern about hijab has grown beyond the specific to the general, far above religion to politics, economy, culture and philosophical interests. Whatever the reason for the worldwide attraction to this topic at this particular time may not be as necessary as the ignorance, misconceptions and mischief that have been displayed by many while trying to participate in a discussion that is certain to shape the faces of many things for a long time to come. It is pertinent to start by stating that hijab belongs to Muslims. If this is the case, it behooves anyone with desire to contribute to the discourse to either devote time to learn or ask those who are versed on the subject. Islam is a religion from Allah, the Creator of the earth and the heavens and all that is between the two, Who, in fact, gave the religion its name. All actions and inactions of Muslims without exceptions have connection with the dictates of Allah, in the Qur’an, and as explained by the last prophet, Muhammad, in his Sunnah. Islam is a guide to its adherents on their ways of life, and one of the mandatory beliefs in the religion is to have certainty in the appearance of the Day of Judgment where the deeds of man will be reviewed. Those who conform with the dictates of the Creator will be rewarded while man will be punished for his deeds that go contrary. Hijab is only one of such. Perhaps the gap that has existed between the facts and figures on this topic can be traced to people’s ignorance on the workings of Islam. Hijab represents a woman’s submission to her Creator and her connection with the faith. It is disheartening to note that despite the fact that relevant Qur’an verses, Hadith (Prophetic traditions) as well as scholarly works of pious predecessors on the topic reveal a strict emphasis on the need for Muslim women to observe modesty in their dressing when they appear in public, by covering all of their bodies and any ornaments or other means of beautification they might wear, many people still think that Muslim women are only having fun with their mode of dressing. Allah, the Exalted, says in Surat an-Noor (Qur’an chapter 24), ayah (verse) 31: “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not show of their adornment except only that which is apparent, and draw their veils over their (necks and) bosoms and not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, or their brothers’

Hijab:

sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no knowledge of women’s private parts. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn you all to Allah in repentance, O believers, that you may be successful.” And He says in Surat al-Ahzab (chapter 33), verse 59: “Oh Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their outer garments close around them. That will be better, that they may be known and so not be bothered. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Sadly, for exercising their right to religious association and practice by following the dictates of their religion regarding dressing, Muslim women have been made objects of ridicule, condemnation and harassment. Examples abound in the various sections of the society. Higher institutions of learning are supposed to be havens of freedom of expression, of intellectual thought and opinion. It is unfortunate to note that Muslim students in hijab are sometimes taunted by their fellow students and oppressed by some of their lecturers on Nigerian campuses. Some of these students eventually graduate as the best or one of the best in their departments. This is an indication of the fact that the hijab does not in any way prevent aiming for the best in life. These Muslim women are not spared at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps as they are sometimes physically assaulted or decamped due to their refusal to put on skimpy dresses that go against the dictates of their religion. We condemn in its entirety the idea of expecting a woman who had covered herself up all her life to now resort to putting on a pair of shorts not up to her knees all because she wants to serve her country. Section 38 (1) of the 1999 Constitution states that “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.” Also, Section 42 (1) says that “no

t c a f n e Betwe n o i t c i f and

Saheed Salawu yinkadejavu@yahoo.com 0811 695 4643

The concern about hijab has grown beyond the specific to the general, far above religion to politics, economy, culture and philosophical interests. citizen shall be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to any form of disabilities or restrictions by reason of belonging to a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex.” Muslim women are also insulted and ridiculed by officials of federal agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigerian Immigration Service during image capturing and biometrics. These officials insist that they remove their head covers or expose their ears even when the face is visible. Nigeria belongs to all and so all Nigerians should be protected by the laws guiding the different government agencies. The use of hijab by Muslim women is an expression of fundamental rights protected by the constitution and a number of international human rights conventions. Therefore, the recent statement of the president during a media chat that security concerns might warrant a ban on hijab is a violation of the constitution which he swore by the Qur’an to protect. As a matter of fact, the absence of and the failure of local intelligence-gathering mechanisms have allowed evil doers to resort to the use of various disguises, including niqab, hijab and several other attires by Boko Haram and others on their missions. Inasmuch as we subscribe to the fact that the safety and security of every Nigerian is germane, we strongly believe that rather than ban hijab, the government should find solutions to the security challenges facing the country. It is an incontrovertible fact that the Nigerian constitution guarantees every citizen freedom of dressing and Muslim women are no exception. Advocating banning the hijab is, in our view, a case of over-generalisation. Hijab is worn by millions of women who cut across diverse social, political and economic strata in the society. Can these millions be considered to be security threat to the nation? Should the law-abiding Muslim female teacher, trader, journalist, lawyer, doctor, accountant be deprived her right to religion? Military intelligence, security beef-up, community involvement, renewed strategies, among others, are what the government needs to focus on in order to eradicate Boko Haram and its dastardly activities, not stigmatization of lawabiding, useful citizens of Nigeria. We are aware of the various attempts to discredit Islam and tarnish the image of Muslims in Nigeria. The Boko Haram scourge and the recent strategy of using hijab-donning Muslims is one these. It is an irony that though this deviant group claims to represent Islam, they not only destroy churches, they unleash mayhem on Muslims and burn mosques as well. This means there are brains behind this group whose motives are far from being religious. Thus, rather than make innocent Nigerian Muslim women scapegoats, the government should intensify efforts at wiping out the group. We hereby state categorically that Muslim women in hijab are exercising their God-given and constitutionally endowed right. The hijab is a garment of honour and apparel of modesty. Muslims who wear hijab are doing so not because their fathers or husbands command them but because it is a divine commandment, enshrined in the Qur’an, to be worn when they leave their homes or in company of people who are not close family members. To consider banning the hijab is like considering stopping Muslims from observing daily salat (prayers) or fasting in Ramadan. It is like stopping us from breathing, snuffing the life out of Muslim women. While celebrating this year’s World Hijab Day (on Monday), we call on the government to allow us exercise our rights. We also enjoin all Muslim women in hijab to continue to be law-abiding and uphold the tenets of Islam by being models of dignity and uprightness in all spheres of life. Courtesy: Al Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) Organisation, Oyo State.

islamicnews

Friday, 29 January, 2016

muslim

sermon

with AbdulJaleel Solaudeen 0703 030 7232

Brotherhood: The foundation of Islamic civilisation

National Amirah of Al-Mu’minaat Organisation, Hajia Nimatullah Abdullateef (second right), with other members of the organisation, during a World Hijab Day press briefing in Lagos, on Tuesday.

Muslim women decry harassment, stigmatisation over hijab

IGERIAN Muslim women have expressed concerns over the stigmatisation and harassment of women in hijab across the country. The National Amirah of Al-Mu’minaat Organisation, Hajia Nimatullah Abdullateef, who spoke at a press conference in Lagos to herald the forthcoming World Hijab Day, said Muslim women were worried by the way the Nigerian army harassed women within and outside conflict zones just because they put on hijab which, she said, is a symbol of the Muslim faith.

World Hijab Day is an annual event that takes place on February 1. The first World Hijab Day was celebrated in 2013. It is a worldwide event that encourages Muslim and non-Muslim women to wear the hijab and experience life of a hijabi woman. According to Hajia Abdullateef, Muslim women remembered the isolated incidents of harassment, persecution, emotional and psychological anguish women who wear hijab had suffered in Nigeria in recent times, especially after President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that the nation

UIMGA holds education summit Feb. 6 THE University of Ibadan Muslim Graduates Association (UIMGA) will be holding a summit on Saturday, 6 February, to review its 10 years of supporting scholarship for Muslim students and promotion of Muslim education. A statement said the summit, which will take place at the University of Ibadan Conference Centre, at 10.00 a.m., will have the guest speaker, Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN), Chief Executive Officer of Bi-Courtney, speak on education as panacea to

insurgency. Dr Taofiq Abdul Azeez of the University of Abuja, according to the statement, will be discussing the paper at the summit, expected to be attended by representatives of many Muslim organizations. UIMGA will issue a communique on the way forward at the end of the summit, the statement added. Since the summit started 10 years ago, UIMGA has supported the educational programmes of both graduate and undergraduate Muslims.

might consider a ban on hijab if terrorists continued to use women in hijab to bomb innocent Nigerians. Abdullateef said attempts by some government agencies to legislate and limit the hijab standards of Muslim women and free citizens of Nigeria “remain a festering sore in our hearts, while we note with suppressed anguish, the harassment of Muslim women in hijab by officers and men of the Nigerian army within and without military installations in different cities all over Nigeria.” She said: “Other government agencies trying to rob the Muslim hijabi her right to freedom of religious expression by demanding that she expose her ears

AMIN sponsors 53 Nigerian imams for training in Morocco IN order to counter Islamic extremism and radicalisation of Muslims in Nigeria, the Assembly of Muslims in Nigeria (AMIN) has sent 53 imams for training in Morocco. This is contained in a statement by Dr Kamal Ali, Administrative Secretary of AMIN, which is operating under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ibrahim Saleh Alhussaini, chairman of the

Lagos commissioner, Tinubu for N111m zakat distribution LAGOS State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef and the Iyalode of Lagos and President, Fatima Charity Foundation, Hajia Bintu-Fatima Tinubu, will on Sunday join other dignitaries for the 11th Zakat Distribution Ceremony (ZDC) organised by the Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation (ZSF). The event, scheduled to hold at the hall of the Lagos State secretariat

mosque at Alausa, Ikeja, will be chaired by Justice Wale Abiru of the Court of Appeal. According to ZSF Executive Director, Imam Abdullah Shuaib, 528 beneficiaries are expected for the Lagos distribution. “For the year ended 2015, a total sum of N111, 096,876 is being disbursed as zakat fund to a total of 21,038 beneficiaries across the South West, SouthEast and South-South re-

during image capturing are the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps. We call on the leadership of these agencies to call their men to order. “We wish to remind the Nigerian security institutions that Boko Haram is the enemy and not Muslim hijabis. “In fact, several thousands hijabis have been victims of Boko Haram attacks either as deceased victims or living but shattered IDPs and it would amount to double jeopardy if Nigerian security authorities harass and de-robe chaste Muslim women whom they, indeed, are supposed to be protecting from our common enemy, Boko Haram.”

gions of the country by Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation,” he said. Other dignitaries expected at the event include President, Muslim Community of Lagos State, Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi; The Companion National Amir (President), Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso; President, Rhesus Solution initiative (RSI), Alhaja Jameela Olufunmilayo Banire and Sheikh Imran Eleha.

fatwa committees of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI). AMIN said the training was sequel to a letter of request written by Sheikh Saleh to the King of Morocco to sponsor the training of some Nigerian imams at King Muhammad the Sixth Institute for Training of Imams and Women Preachers in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco. Following the granting of AMIN’s request by the King of Morocco, the Assembly said it engaged in continuous consultations with various Muslim leaders and groups across Nigeria to select the imams. Ali said that the 53 imams, who constitute the first batch of beneficiaries, were drawn from 15 states. He listed the 15 states as Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, Bauchi, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa and Taraba states.

“A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor disappoints him. Allah is always ready to bear the burden of that servant of His who is always ready to bear the burden of his brother” (Muslim). Whosoever removes the worldly grief from a believer, Allah will remove from him a grief on the Day of Judgement. None of you is a believer until he likes for his brother that which he loves for himself (Bukhari). Abdullahi ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) once said, “If you are willing to follow a good example, then you have a recourse, because the living are likely to fall an easy victim to oppression so they might waver in faith, follow the steps of Muhammad’s Companions. They were the best in this nation, the most pious, the most learned and the least pretentious. Allah (SWT) chose them to accompany His Prophet and establish His religion. Therefore, it is imperative to get to know their grace, follow their righteous ways and adhere to their manners and assimilate their biography...” That was Abdullahi ibn Mas’ud’s description of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (SAW). They were the first nation that practised brotherhood as a concept in Islam. Their relationship was very cordial. Their brotherhood and fellow feeling created a spirit of selflessness, infused in their hearts. For example, Se’d bin Ar-Rabii, an Ansar said to his fellow brother, Abdur-Rahman bin Awf, who was a Muhajir (a migrant): “I am the richest man amongst the people of Medina. I am glad to share my belongings half-and-half with you. Also, I have two wives I am ready to divorce one and after the expiry of her iddah, you may marry her.” But AbdurRahman bin Awf was not prepared to accept his property or home but said to his brother. “May Allah bless your wealth and your family. Please direct me to the market that I may make my fortune.” Islam teaches us to show love, empathy, compassion and kindness to ourselves. It encourages us to be supportive of one another, find relief for a hard-pressed person, make life easy for our brothers and sisters, cover up the faults of our brethren, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless and coexist in a symbiotic manner. The Holy Prophet (SAW) was reported to have said: “He is not a true believer who goes to bed having eaten to his fill and knows that his neighbour is hungry (Bukhari ). It was also reported that He (SAW) said: “None of you truly believers until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. As brothers, we should always encourage one another in acts of righteousness, be ready to relieve our brothers from financial and spiritual difficulties. We should make urgent attempts to come to the aid of our brothers and sisters. Besides, we have regular obligations towards ourselves which the Messenger of Allah, encouraged so that our cord of brotherhood continues, even stronger. These obligations include extending greetings when extended unto us. We are also charged to visit the sick and pray for their quick recovery. When a Muslim brother sneezes and thanks Allah by saying Alhamdulillahi, his brotheres present should say “Yarhamukallahu,” which means “Allah’s mercy be unto you” and he, in turn, should respond by saying Yahdikumullahu yuslihu baalakumu, may Allah guide you and make your affairs easy for you. The corpse of a dead Muslim brother should be accompanied to the cemetery after the congregational funeral prayers. It is fardul kifayah on every community to execute this instruction of our Prophet and share its merits. A Muslim is also obliged to honour the invitation of his brother when invited to ceremonies like marriage, naming, house warming and graduation. Islam enjoins us to maintain a smooth relationship among ourselves and abstain from such acts as cheating, envy, backbiting, tale-bearing, fighting, keeping malice, forsaking our Muslim brothers and raising arms against one another whether as individuals or nations. The blood, wealth and dignity of your brother should be held sacred and not violated except for a just cause. You are not to support a disbeliever against your Muslim brother in whatever circumstance. The Holy Prophet (SAW) describes the believer in this manner “Believers, in their mutual love, are like the human body where when the eye is in agony, the body feels the pain, when there is a headache, all the body suffers (Muslims). The bond of brotherhood between two Muslims is likened to the parts of a building structure, one block strengthening and holding the other. Therefore, every Muslim is expected to be his brother’s keeper and supporter. Let us revive the spirit of brotherhood in us so that we can work together for the renaissance of our civilisation.

news

Friday, 29 January, 2016

I’ll appear in court at ‘the appropriate time’ —Tompolo •Denies purchase of war boats to fight FG Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

ormer lord of the creeks, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has hinted that he will honour the invitation to appear at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for prosecution when the time is appropriate. The former warlord has also debunked reports that he has purchased speed boats to prosecute a war against the Federal Government. Tompolo, who was leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), made these known in a press statement signed by his media adviser and consultant, Paul Bebenimibo, and made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Thursday, in Warri, Delta State. Hinting on his plans to honour the invitation, Bebenimibo, who did not give away the whereabouts of his boss, said, “As he (Tompolo) has stated on several occasions, he will appear in court at the appropriate time, as his lawyers are working towards that.”

Nigerian Tribune recalled that the former warlord was issued a bench warrant for his arrest by the Federal High Court on January 14 and had not honoured the invitation. The bench warrant was sequel to the application by the Economic and Finan-

cial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) which had filed different charges against Tompolo, including the alleged diversion of N34 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), as well as the laundering of N22.6 billion. Tompolo, in the state-

ment, denied, for the umpteenth time, his alleged involvement in the recent bombing of oil and gas pipelines in Delta State. He said he would never wage a war against the Federal Government, as he had sworn in 2009 during the take-off of the amnesty

programme never to raise his hands against his fatherland. While dismissing the reports credited to former fellow militant, Africanus Ukparasia, also known as “General” Africa, that he masterminded the bombings, the statement said:

Ex-militant in Ondo denies arrest President Muhammadu Buhari, addressing United Nations (UN) children, when he visited the UN offices in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday.

FG withdraws security detail of Tompolo’s company’s director •We withdrew the security men last year —Police •As soldiers raid Sokebolou community for miscreants Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

The battle to unmask miscreants responsible for the recent bombing of oil and gas pipelines in Egwa community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State took another dimension on Wednesday, as the Federal Government has withdrawn the security detail of Mr Kestin Pondi, the director of Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Ltd (GWVSNL). Pondi is also the elder brother of Honourable Ju-

lius Pondi, House of Representatives member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, Delta State, while GWVSNL is believed to be owned by former militant, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo. The security detail of Tompolo’s right-man was withdrawn, as gathered, on Wednesday, a day after soldiers were also said to have invaded Sokobolou community in Ogulagha kingdom of Burutu Local Government Area of the state.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the soldiers raided the Ijaw community on Tuesday, on two gunboats and one open double flying boats in what appeared as a hunt for miscreants suspected to have blown up oil pipelines a fortnight ago. The soldiers were said to have been unable to make any arrest, but left villagers scampering for safety and fleeing into the deep woods. Speaking with one of the villagers and national president of the Foundation for Human Rights and

PCC petitions Ogun CJ over unlawful detention of 4 teenagers, 3 others Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta

For alleged unlawful detention of four teenagers and three others by the Chief Magistrate Court in Ota Division of Ogun State, for a period of over one year, the Federal Public Complaints Commission(PCC) has petitioned the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade. The petition was submitted by the Federal Commissioner in charge of the commission, Mrs Oluyemisi Dawodu, when she

“Imagine Africanus is alleging that Tompolo is preparing for war with the Federal Government. And that he is purchasing speed boats to that effect. For what? “Let it be known to Nigerians and the entire world that Tompolo will never wage a war against the Federal Government, as he has sworn in 2009, when he accepted the presidential amnesty declared by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. “He has kept faith with Nigeria. He has promised to work with the present administration unconditionally and he stands by that declaration. “He was seriously troubled by the recent pipeline bombing incident, because he has provided security for these pipelines even when the government refused to pay him. And so, he could not have been the one to damage same pipelines,” Bebenimibo stated.

paid a courtesy call on Justice Olopade, at her office in Abeokuta. The teenagers (names withheld) and others, according to the petition made available to the Nigerian Tribune, had been in police custody since July, 2014. She said the young boys, between ages 16 and 23, had been in custody, because the court had yet to receive an advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). The commissioner sought the intervention of Justice

Olopade for speedy dispensation of justice, adding that the commission was established, among others, to investigate complaints of injustice, oppression and victimisation. She explained that the agency had resolved a total of 158 of the 196 cases it received since April 2015 when she assumed the headship of the commission. She said: “I should not fail to add that the commission should not be seen as being at variance with the law courts.

Anti-Corruption Crusade (FHRACC), he noted that “there was tension, as villagers dashed into the woods for fear of attacks and arrests. There is still tension as villagers are either taking refuge in the woods or relocating to Warri.” According to him, “Niger Delta is a peaceful place; we did not expect the recent bombings. It was unfortunate it happened. But the people should not be made to bear the brunt of the sins of miscreants. Soldiers should fish out the perpetrators alone and stop harassing our innocent villagers.” Another villager, Comrade David Saturday, who is the national president of the National Association of Izon-Ebe Students, said many villagers had fled to safer havens, including Warri, on sighting the armed soldiers in the gunboats. He said the soldiers stormed the community as early as 5:00a.m on Tuesday, prompting villagers to flee for fear of arrest, adding that after the raid, no arrest was made, as the persons probably targeted by the soldiers were not reachable. The spokesperson for the

military Joint Task Force (JTF), Lieutenant Colonel Isa Ado, could not be reached for comments on the invasion, but the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Delta police command, DSP Celestina Kalu, said the security detail attached to Mr Pondi were withdrawn in 2016, following the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that all security detail providing safety for private individuals should be withdrawn. “The security details were not withdrawn yesterday, but last year, after we were given the order by the IGP. They were asked to reapply, but they had not not so,’’ Kalu reiterated. It will be recalled that GWVSNL’s contract for the surveillance of oil pipelines and waterways was stopped in June 2016, by the present government, as it found outrageous the supposed N1.5 billion being paid to the company monthly by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) formerly headed by Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi, who is now in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for criminal charges.

Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

Ex-militant leader in the coastal area of Ondo State, Bibopiri Ajube, on Wednesday, denied being hunted by the military over the vandalism of pipelines in Delta State. Ajube, who stated this while speaking to newsmen in Bolowoh in Ese - Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, also raised the alarm over threat to the security of lives in the coastal region of the state by the military. Ajube, reacting to a report that some military operatives invaded his home in Bolowoh, said there was no time the military visited him to arrest him, but said some military personnel invaded one of his companies and whisked his Operation Manager, Molous Ebi, away for no reason. He, however, demanded for the release of the manager, saying the military men in the area we acting the scripts of some people who were linking him with pipeline vandalism in Delta State. He explained that the petroleum pipeline vandalism took place in Delta State, and not in Ondo State, wondering why he was linked with happenings in other states which were not within his jurisdiction. According to him, the oil producing area of Ondo State is peaceful and he should not be dragged into the military operations going on in Delta State, to fish out those who ruptured the petroleum pipelines.

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Friday, 29 January, 2016 16 news Arms deal: Metuh paid N77.5m for publicity, witness tells court Sunday Ejike-Abuja

prosecution witness, on Thursday, told a Federal High Court

in Abuja, that the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, paid him N77.5 million for publicity.

The witness, Yomi Ogunsanya, who is the Managing Director of CMC Connect Ltd, a public relations consultant, testified that he was awarded the con-

sultancy job for the PDP after an exhibition he held before former president, Goodluck Jonathan, in December, 2014. Led in evidence by the

Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Works, Mr Sunday Hyat (second right), briefing the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (left), on the bridge being constructed at the Secretariat junction, in Jos, during the minister’s verification and inspection visit to Federal Government’s projects, in Plateau, on Wednesday. With them are Plateau State Commissioner for Works, Pam Dongs (second left) and the Director, Highways, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Bala Dansheu. PHOTO: NAN

counsel representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sylvanus Tahir, the witness said he received the sums of N7.5 million and N70 million on December 1, 2014 and December 15, 2014 respectively. Also testifying, Ibrahim Kabiru, a Bureau De Change operator, told the court that he received the sum of $1 million from Nneka Ararume, who is the Assets and Resource Management’s (ARM) portfolio manager for Metuh’s company, Destra Investments Limited. Being cross-examined by Metuh’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, Kabiru told the court that he was not aware of the foreign exchange limit by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Metuh is currently standing trial on a seven-count charge of money laundering. The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, adjourned the case to February 4, 2016 for continuation of

ulated Governors Nyesom Wike and Mr Dave Umahi of Rivers and Ebonyi states respectively, over the Supreme Court’s judgements which affirmed their election as governors, while assuring its members, in a statement signed by its National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon, in Abuja, on Thursday that the leadership composition of the party has not changed. The statement added that the statutory organs of the party, the NWC, National Caucus, BoT and NEC will be meeting next week to deliberate on some developments including the replacement, from the NorthEast of Muazu. The statement said the replacement will be in strict adherence to the provisions of the constitution of the great party as specified in section 47(6).

trial. EFCC had accused the PDP spokesman of receiving the sum of N400 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Mohammed Dasuki (retd). The money, the anti-graft agency claimed, was part of the $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgents in the NorthEastern part of the country. The prosecution has so far produced four witnesses who had given their various testimonies against the embattled PDP spokesmen, detailing how huge sums of money were received and transfered to Destra Investment Limited, a company allegedly belonging to Metuh. The fourth witness, EnoMfon Effiong, who is a staff of Diamond Bank and Account Officer to the five accounts maintained by Metuh and his company, Destra Investments Limited, confirmed a document admitted into evidence, outlining the transaction details of an inflow of N400 million into the account of the second defendant: Destra Investments Limited. While being examined by the prosecution counsel, Effiong admitted that on November 24, 2014, she was aware of the inflow of the sum of N400 million into the account of the second defendant in the Diamond Bank to which she was account officer. Reading details of account document admitted into evidence, she said, “the transaction recorded on November 24, 2014, is a credit into the account of Destra Investments Limited in the sum of N400 million. The narration: CBN/ CIFTS/NAT SEC ADVIS, in simple terms means that it is a credit from the office of the NSA.” The witness also admitted that shortly before the inflow of the sum of N400 million into the account of Metuh’s company, the balance on the account was N6, 676, 576.6

PDP Governors’ Forum, he said in the statement: “The national chairman of PDP, hereby, humbly submit that the Governors’ Forum has been misadvised to issue a statement to the effect that the national secretary should take over the leadership of our party. “This is not only contrary to the Constitution of the PDP 2012 as amended, it is in flagrant contempt of the declarative judgment given by the FCT High Court on the 16th day of December, 2015 which clearly

states “that under Section 47 (6) of the first defendant’s (PDP) constitution, upon the resignation of the former national chairman of the first defendant (PDP) from office, ONLY, the plaintiff (Alhaji Barr. Ahmed Ali Gulak) or any other eligible members of the first defendant (PDP) from the North-East zone of Nigeria, where the said chairman of the first defendant (PDP) originated is eligible to be appointed to act in that office pending elections into that office.”

PDP govs sack Secondus

•Direct national secretary to take over •Secondus remains acting chairman —NWC •PDP chieftains disown Gulak •NWC, caucus, BoT, NEC meet next week Leon Usigbe And Jacob Segun Olatunji-Abuja

MORE drama is unfolding in the leadership crisis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as governors elected under the party have weighed on the side of the FCT High Court which has ordered the acting national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, to vacate the office. But the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has kicked against the order, insisting that the Rivers State-born politician remains the acting national chairman. Rising from a meeting in Abuja, in Wednesday night, under the aegis of the PDP Governors Forum, they ordered the national secretary of the party, Professor Wale Oladipo, to take over the leadership of the former ruling party. They did not indicate what would be the fate of the substantive deputy national chairman now that he has been asked to cease to act as the chairman. Chairman of the forum and governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, while reading the communique issued at the end of the meeting, said: “In recognizance of the judgment the court gave, we call on the national secretary to take over the leadership of the party immediately and that is in line with the provisions of the PDP constitution.” Former Special Adviser to the President on Political

Matters, Dr Ahmed Gulak, who hails from Adamawa State, in the North-East, had approached an FCT High Court in Abuja and obtained a ruling reserving the national chairmanship seat of the party for a member from the NorthEast to serve out the tenure of a former party boss, Dr Adamu Muazu. Muazu, from Gombe State, in the North-East, resigned in March last year in the wake of the party’s stunning defeat in the general election. In granting his prayers on December 16, 2015, the court barred Secondus from further occupying the office, but he had filed an appeal and approached the FCT High Court for stay of execution pending the determination of the substantive case at the Court of Appeal. Gulak, who stormed the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, on Wednesday, in a bid to assume the chairmanship of the party, claimed that Justice Baba Hussein of the FCT High Court had now dismissed Secondus’ motion on the ground that the judgement was a declarative one that should be obeyed by Secondus and the PDP. But the governors were angry with Gulak for declaring himself chairman and attempting to grab the office through the back door. The communique condemned what it said was the “invasion” of the party national secretariat by

Gulak, following the FCT High Court ruling. The PDP governors said: “The invasion of the party headquarters today by Ahmed Ali Gulak who reportedly assumed the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is regrettable and condemnable. Meanwhile, Gulak may be swimming in troubled waters, in his bid to assume the leadership of the party, as more party chieftains he claimed were behind him disowned him, saying he never consulted them. The party chieftains, who distanced themselves from Gulak, on Thursday, and reaffirmed their supports for the Secondus-led NWC, were Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, National Auditor of the Party; Honourable Denis Alonge Niyi, Deputy National Youth Leader and Alhaji Ahmad

Guasau, a one-time deputy governor of the Old Sokoto State and former minister Also, the chairman of the PDP Ex-Officio members, Honourable Udo Ekpenyong, on Wednesday, distanced the group from Gulak, following his efforts to recruit their support. In a statement in Abuja, on Thursday, by Honourable Alonge, said: ‘‘My attention has been drawn to a publication in today’s dailies purportedly mentioning my name as one of the party members that escorted Barrister Ahmed Gulak to the National Headquarters of our party yesterday.” “This is far from the truth and very mischievous and scandalous as my numerous engagements did not permit me to visit Wuse Areas talkless of Wadata throughout Wednesday.” The PDP has also congrat-

Gulak rejects Oladipo Leon Usigbe-Abuja

PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) factional national chairman, Dr Ahmed Gulak, has rejected the order by governors elected under the party that its national secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo, should take over the leadership of the party. The governors, following a meeting in Abuja, on Wednesday night, had urged Prince Uche Secondus to vacate his position as the acting national chairman of the PDP, in

line with the ruling of the FCT High Court. But Gulak, who secured a court order and had declared himself the new party boss, has now said that the governors’ order was wrong. In a statement he made available to journalists in Abuja, on Thursday, he said he, as the plaintiff, was the rightful person to occupy the post of the national chairman. Addressing himself as the national chairman and expressing his respect for the

Friday, 29 January, 2016

HEN I celebrated my 70th birthday at Ilesa three years ago, I announced that I was returning home “ULE YA”. I am glad I made the announcement. When I made the announcement, my children (in particular) never like the choice I had made. My daughter in Ireland, Fehintola, who had come from Dundalk, Ireland to celebrate my 70th birthday with her husband, had asked me: “Daddy, who will take care of you here at Ilesa? I laughed in my reply to her. I assured her that I was going to receive the best care she, as my daughter, would wish for me at Ilesa (my hometown). I said the African people believe that no matter man’s journey on earth, home is home. The Yoruba believe that home is the final journey for a man who had travelled abroad for economic survival in life. I have not regretted returning home. I thank God that as an old man living with my people in Ijesaland, I am able to serve my God with all my heart. It takes me an easy time to move from my Ilesa residence to my Church – the Otapete Methodist Cathedral, Ilesa. We experience no traffic hold up at Ilesa. When we finish service, I am able to discuss and exchange ideas with my friends who have come to the Church for the Sunday service. One person I am always happy to see is Professor Olu Odeyemi, the former Popular Rector of Esa-Oke Polytechnic. We are both regular members of the English morning service at Otapete Methodist Cathedral, Ilesa. I will have cause to return to my ULE-YA decision later on. In my 73 years on earth, there are certain towns in Yorubaland that I can never forget until I return to the bossom of God. Ifaki, Ilesa, Iperu in Ijebuland, Ibadan and Osogbo. These towns were crucial in my childhood days. I mentioned last week why Ifaki in Ekiti State will forever be in my mind. I have written on this page why I will want my children, particularly my first child on earth, Mrs. Gbonjubola Alao (whose mother is an Ifaki princess) and my friends and associates to arrange a memorial service at Ifaki whenever I am gone. Ifaki was where I was born. Ifaki has remained much in my heart. I appeal to all my readers not to be bored with my constant mention of Ifaki on this page. When I was young, I used to hear people say that children of clergymen are rascally and very special in their behavior. I used to wonder why this belief was always expressed by people. On reflection, I have now agreed with the ideas when I talk on my early life. I give praise to God that I have given my life to God. I believe in Christ as my Lord and Saviour. In my early life at Ifaki, Ilesa, Iperu, Ibadan and Osogbo, though I was compelled, being the son of a clergyman, to attend church services every Sunday, I had plenty of time to myself to find out about other matters like other religions. I did this secretly without ever allowing my parents to know. At Ifaki Ekiti, I have entered “Igbo Oro” (the Oro forest) to eat (pounded yam with Okro soup in particular). At Iperu in Ijebu Remo division of Ogun State when my father was there as the vicar in-charge of the Methodist Church, Iperu, I had followed with keen interest the Egungun (masquerade) festival in the town, I was seven years old at that time. There are certain songs we used to sing while following the masquerades which I still can recite correctly even now at 73. Aworomo Raje O, Aworomo raje, Emafiya jeo Adodo Osanyin, Aworomo raje Iya esuna oloju werepe o o, Iya esuna, oloju werepe, Oma mi bami damoron Urun we ma gba, wema maro sibe, Sajo o, sajo mila Debusa mole, Aso ofi mireju remu iipan nise, Kiweruse se, kiweruse se, Kola ma gbamala, laroko, Ogbe laya bi eye atiala. At Ibadan, I followed nearly all the masquerades in the town. My father had traveled to finish his divinity studies at Umuahia in the present day Abia State at that time. I followed masquerades like Atipako, Iponriku, Alapansanpa, Afibi elege, Oloolu (who must never be seen by women) etc.

With

Ebenezer Babatope

0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE)

73rd birthday notes (2)

Chief Ebenezer Babatope

At Osogbo, our centre of attraction was the pharmacy shop owned by a popular politician, Senator Ayo Fasanmi. The shop was at Fagbewesa Street, almost next door to the Pax Hotel, owned by the father of one of my friends Gboyega Adepitan. Senator Fasanmi was then a radical follower of the Avatar, Papa Obafemi Awolowo, leader of the Action Group (AG). We as young people were just delighted to know him (Fasanmi). Senator Fasanmi at that time was just exceptional as a politician (and he still is up till today). At Ilesa, we the young elements of the town formed a Club called the Young Ijesa Students Society. We were then led by Akingbade, aka “Aki”, and later by Obi Gbadebo aka Obi Debson. Both Obi Gbadebo and Akingbade now live in America. Akingbade, who worked at the Central Bank in Lagos before moving to America to work at the World Bank, has never been seen at Ilesa for years now. Joe Abiola aka Joe Atuma was our Secretary at that time. Other members of the society are, Oyewumi aka Omo Oye who nicknamed me “Top Secret”, Adisa Oginni, Sanya Adegbayibi, late ‘Tayo Olojo, Alake, Ajayi who lived in America for many years, the late Femi Layinka, Joe Abiola’s cousin, the late Ambassador Isaac Aluko Olokun and several others including me. We are now old and many of our friends and colleagues today live at Ibadan. Our other childhood friends at Ilesa used to congregate every night those days at the musical store owned by our Egbon, the late Uncle Luyi Fajuke. We were always there to listen to the best highlife music, particularly from Ghana at that time. Uncle Fajuke’s musical store was simply the best in town at Ilesa in the 50s. Obi Gbadebo and myself caught the Ghana Highlife music fever from Egbon

Fajuke. We have remained (even till now) enthusiasts of the Highlife music of the Broadway Dance Band that later became the Uhuru (freedom) dance band, E.T. Mensah and his Tempos Band, the Stargazers of Kumasi, Ted Osei and the Comets, the Ghana Massagers Dance Band, E.K Nyame’s Guitar Band, Onyina’s Guitar Band, the Black Beats Dance Band, the Rambers Dance Band etc. May I appeal to anyone who may have the records of the above stars, to kindly make them available to me through the Tribune newspapers. At 73, I still think about my Ghana records of the 50s. Honourable Pastor Davie Salako has assisted me in having compilations of the ace records of Victor Abimbola Olaiya, and Roy Chicago of those years. I once again thank God that at 73, I still affirm the correctness of my ULE YA declaration made three years ago. I wake up in peace and sleep in peace at Ilesa. I believe it is from Ilesa in Ijesaland that Nigerians will wake up one day to read and hear about my translation to eternal life. I pray that this should still be a longtime from now. Praise God! Ebino is 73!! Life is full of ups and downs!!! I plead that all those that I may have offended in my 73 years on earth should forgive me. It will be well with all of us! •EBINO TOPSY – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE) NEXT WEEK: WALE ADEBANWI’S BOOK ON MAMA H.I.D. (BOOK YOUR COPY IN ADVANCE)

18 LETTERS TO THE

Friday, 29 January, 2016

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@tribune.com.ng or by sms to 08078891826. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

Unemployment, every youth’s nightmare

NEMPLOYMENT in Nigeria today has become every youth’s nightmare. It is no longer about going to school and graduating or learning a trade, but about how to face the reality of graduating and joining the brigade of the unemployed with no hope of a better tomorrow. Nigeria’s population is characterised with young people and over 50 per cent of these youth are without jobs or stable economic income. But while developed countries are taking the threat seriously and restructuring their education and social security systems to suppress its growth and escape the high disastrous retrenchments, Nigeria seems not to be doing enough. The youth unemployment crisis is not new, what is new is the incredible proportional in-

crease it has reached in the recent time. Unemployment has promoted ‘gangsterism’ among youths. Many youths now engage in violence, armed robbery, kidnapping, car snatching, illegal bunkering and fuel sales, and illegal importation of arms, most of which have reached alarming levels in several Nigerian cities. In the South-South zone especially, youths have formed different gangs engaged in kidnapping, blowing up of oil pipelines, raping, oil bunkering and operation of illegal refineries, among other criminal activities. Hundreds of jobless and poor youths have died from explosions trying to scoop petrol from broken oil pipelines or overturned oil tankers. The role of the Nigerian government must include the formulation of policies

and laws that could help improve the economic and social wellbeing of its citizens and wealth creation. There is a need to increase jobs through small enterprises and poverty alleviation schemes. Other solutions such as

the provision of right skills to youths should be given adequate attention. If factors that are responsible for youth unemployment in Nigeria are addressed, youths’ criminality would be reduced. I am, therefore, calling

on President Muhammadu Buhari to work towards tackling youth unemployment in the country, as this is the only way we can reduce crime. We cannot imagine welleducated young men and women doing nothing with

their lives; they will either be contributing their quota positively or negatively to the development/destruction of the country. •Adeosun Aishat Nifemi, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo.

city from the status of 19th century to the 21st century.” Virtually all the vestiges of the past have now given way to modern structures. We now have the Ibara, Sapon, Itoku and Iyana-Mortuary flyovers. There is the internationalstandard six-lane IbaraTotoro Road. We have the 10-lane boulevard between Enu-gada and Itoku, the modern six-lane Abiola Way, Panseke-Omida motorway, among others. There are also community roads such as the four-lane Madojutimi-Muda Lawal Road, where every house along the road is provided with an access slab, underscoring the attention paid to the convenience of the residents. All these highways have furniture such as medians, walk-ways, greens and street-lights. The old markets, which had no toilet facilities for ages, have now given way to modern ones in the capital city. There is the Orange Valley Estate for the rich, from whom, according to the governor, you collect and use for the poor. The Plainfield Estate is for the middle-class

while the Laderin Estate accommodates the average income earners. Whatever is your station in life or the stratum of the society you belong to, the modern shelter is there for you. A 21st century-compliant model secondary school also sits atop one of the hills at Kobape in Abeokuta. The Ogun State capital has changed dramatically for good in less than five years. Show me your state capital and I know your vision and future as a people and government. I am not from Abeokuta or Ogun Central, but I know a lot of work still needs to be done in the capital city. As this modernisation is being replicated in other cities such as Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ota, Aiyetoro, Ilaro, among others, Abeokuta, being the capital and first port of call for investors, deserves more investment. For now, it’s more power to the elbow of the modernizer, the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who turned 58 on Monday, January 25, 2016! •Soyombo Opeyemi, Abeokuta.

The transformation of Abeokuta ABEOKUTA, the capital of Ogun State and first point of contact for investors and those transacting business with government, is now a modern city. I recall my bewilderment in 2011, when I had the opportunity to criss-cross the ancient city. The roads were so narrow such that a man waking up in his bedroom could, through his window, exchange a handshake with a commuter in a taxi cab. Four and a half years into the Ibikunle Amosun administration, the

ancient-looking city can now lay some claim to a 21st century status. No one was probably better placed to attest to the transformation of Abeokuta than the Alake of Egbaland, HRM Dr Adedotun Gbadebo. At the launch of the first flyover in the capital city constructed by the Amosun administration on January 24, 2013, the highly revered monarch enthused, “Today can be likened to the day electricity, pipe borne water and railway first came to Abeokuta. Amosun has changed the

Biafra: An appeal to President Buhari I want to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to wade into the Biafra agitations by some people in the South East and South South zones of the country. At 73, President Buhari is like a father to all, and I want him to use his fatherly wisdom to assure the agitators that they will prosper more in a united Nigeria. I am of the opinion that those behind the agitation are politicians who felt defeated in the last general election in the coun-

try, and one of the ways through which they can become relevant is throwing up some controversial issues like the Biafra agitation. However, President Buhari should bring everybody to a round table discussion, while assuring them that every tribe is important in his government. •Taju Alalade, Ilorin, Kwara State.

editorial

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Allegations, probes and then what?

IGERIA’S socio-political landscape has in recent weeks been awash with allegations of high grade sleaze which, if true, would make all former records to pale into insignificance. However, it is important to bear in mind that the various trials have been dogged by the Federal Government’s refusal to obey court orders, and the guilt or otherwise of those currently undergoing trial has not yet been established by the court of law. While the dust raised by the allegations in the arms deal is yet to settle, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, while announcing a National Sensitisation Against Corruption, alleged that 15 ex-governors and 40 others had, between them, stolen N1.3 trillion in eight years. Predictably, however, Nigerians are gearing up for more outrageous revelations, as if tickled and thrilled by them. Since the penchant for scandals to literally outdo one another in terms of scale and weight is legendary, it is easy and safe to guess that further revelations may put the current outrage in the shade. In any event, what is worrisome is the fact that probes have become routine and probably docile. The country’s history is replete with them, but the scandals and probes have even birthed many potential leaders from their odious crucibles and the people have usually responded to impunities with varying degrees of cynicism and despondency. Perhaps, that is part of the reasons the Minister of Information embarked on a National Sensitisation Against Corruption. Instructively, the late South African President, Nelson Mandela, once wondered in an interview: “I cannot understand why Nigerians are not angrier than they are. What do young Nigerians think about their leaders and their country and Africa? Do you teach them history? Do you have lessons on how your past leaders stood by us and gave us large amounts of money?” Mandela’s agitation about Nigeria’s fate prior to his demise is still fresh today as the country

confronts one of its epic dimensions of public scandal in the arms deal and the alleged stealing of N1.3 trillion by 55 persons in eight years. The truth is that such reports have untold damaging effects on the country’s reputation, especially with regard to foreign investment. Eventually, what is lost could be significantly more than what has been allegedly stolen. It is also easy to see the current frantic marching into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) either as an attempt by politicians and public officials whose fingers have been sullied by ill-gotten funds to evade prosecution on corruption charges, or simply as an attempt to partake in the national largesse. This has been a common feature in the narrative of corruption in the country from time immemorial and matters have not been helped by the complicit levity with which felons have been handled up to now. Except for a tiny sprinkle of public officials and politicians who have been disgraced from office, the majority of those in recent memory have not been brought to book. The putrescent level which corruption has reached in the country now certainly calls for an expeditious, decisive and enduring solution. Nothing can be more corrupt than for the people not to feel incensed enough by the growing evil in their immediate environment to repudiate it. Nigeria’s records of probes are even unkind to its present struggle, as nothing really significant has ever come out of them in terms of convictions or even sanctions and there have even been subtle fears about ruffling some ethnic feathers. This, it is being feared, has compromised the fight against corruption. The cynics are already all over the place dousing the war against corruption with vitriolic sarcasm, so it is crucial that the present struggle is not made business as usual. We are persuaded that the fight against corruption must be collective for it to succeed and it would not even start until Nigerians can collectively say NEVER AGAIN.

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opinion

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Lagarde’s sympathy for Nigeria’s poor By Henry Boyo

HE Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde, held strategic consultations recently with President Muhammadu Buhari and some key legislators and ministers. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, also met with the IMF boss, who quickly dispelled any anxiety that we might be programmed for another oppressive round of the IMF conditionalities. However, Lagarde confirmed that the consultations centred on “the challenges stemming from the oil price reduction, and the need to find different revenue sources.” Consequently, the discussions related to the evaluation of Nigeria’s short term fiscal situation, and the application of fiscal discipline in the management of available resources so as to effectively redress the pervading social welfare deprivations of the masses and also reduce the widening gap between a very rich, small minority, and over 100 million other impoverished Nigerians. Buhari’s well-known resolve to wrestle corruption and plug leakages and administrative wastage is certainly in consonance with the IMF’s expectation of fiscal discipline in governance, as Lagarde, reportedly, expressed confidence in the current administration’s “determination and resilience.” Nonetheless, the IMF boss was clearly hesitant to endorse Nigeria’s N2tn plus, highest ever deficit in the 2016 budget as fiscal discipline, particularly with the severe depletion in revenue from crude oil export, and the dismal prospect of crude prices remaining cheap in the foreseeable future. Lagarde, unexpectedly, also commended Nigeria’s already diversified economy with a celebrated GDP of over $500bn, with the service sector surprisingly contributing about 50 per cent of output. It was probably convenient for the IMF boss to ignore the reality that naira devaluation wiped off over $100bn from our GDP in 2015, and that the financial services sector, particularly, was growing at the expense of the rest of the economy; surely, this cannot be the type of inclusive growth Nigerians expected. Thankfully, however, notwithstanding the optically

deceptively modest debt/GDP ratio of 12.5 per cent, Lagarde endorsed concerns about government’s “ambitious” plan to dedicate 35 per cent of all generated revenue to servicing existing debt She, therefore, cautioned that “it weighs heavily on the public purse when already about 35 kobo of every naira collected by the government is used to service outstanding debts”. Pray, how can anyone compliment a fiscal plan that resorts to borrowing to service debts and fund substantial increases in recurrent and capital expenditure, without considering the oppressive cost of debt service or the capacity of future generations to repay those debts? Nevertheless, Lagarde’s empathic redemption song for the poor may encourage some Nigerians to pray that “Mama Christiana” should repeat her visit if necessary, to forestall enactment of the 2016 Budget as proposed. Indeed, if the IMF remains passive on this score, Lagarde’s reported sympathy for the poor may be decried as plain propaganda, just like her media-studded side visit to an Abuja orphanage, to promote a public image of the ‘Supreme financial regulator” as a caring interventionist institution, in a world where the gap between rich and poor nations still continues to ironically pull apart under the Fund’s imperial watch. Furthermore, the IMF’s recommendation for VAT increase to generate more revenue may not however be welcome news, particularly with the organised labour, that will clearly be wary of the inflationary implications on incomes and wages of Nigerians. Consequently, government may be well-advised to only consider VAT increases, specifically on luxury and elite lifestyle products like air tickets, hotel and restaurant facilities (excluding local “bukas” for now), yachts and automobiles with en-

gine capacity above 2000 cc, spirits and tobacco as well as GSM airtime and personal and corporate turnovers in commercial bank accounts with levies on bank profits inclusive. Nonetheless, VAT on those imported industrial raw materials which cannot be sourced locally, should remain at five per cent so as to promote competitive pricing of locally manufactured products, while imports of finished consumer goods should conversely also attract a higher VAT rate as recommended by Lagarde to bolster government revenue. In addition, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) should broaden the tax net to increase revenue rather than squeeze “more blood” from or exposing already well-documented tax compliant enterprises which can barely survive to possible extortion from the FIRS staff. Furthermore, the prevailing low price of crude oil should also allow for a minimum five per cent VAT on the price of AGO (diesel) which now sells profitably, according to the current the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency template without subsidy at about N100/litre. Nonetheless, the IMF team will successfully resolve the above strategy dilemma with a careful examination of the market dynamics between systemic excess naira supply caused by CBN substitution of naira allocations for dollar denominated revenue and the CBN’s weekly auctions of dollar rations which predictably promote weaker naira exchange rates that distort resource allocation and also destabilise those economic fundamentals which induce poverty by instigating higher inflation rates and prohibitive cost of funds to the real sector. It is inevitable that Lagarde recognised that fiscal indiscipline and wrong choices not only deepen poverty in Nigeria, but also adversely affect the economy of the whole West African sub-region. It is inconceivable that the counterproductive results of the CBN’s monetary offensive will escape the attention of Lagarde and her formidable array of IMF experts, unless of course, everyone is knowingly looking the other way, so that, ultimately, the predictable failure of our economy will sustain the historical lopsided template of trade between colonies and their imperial masters. •Boyo is an economic analyst.

Nigeria and the tragedy of the wealthy By Olawale Sadare TO the chagrin of the concerned minds our value system suffers an abysmal decline on a daily basis and to say that values in our society have virtually been eroded is an understatement. In Nigeria today, we live in an era when hard work could be less rewarding than criminality, conspiracy and all sorts of indecent practices. Privileged few hijack the commonwealth of the people and do not care whether hunger, diseases and frustration ruin humanity as long as they live comfortably (or uncomfortably) in affluence. People use ill-gotten wealth to dominate and oppress others in the society while they have almost succeeded in rendering the laws of the land useless. Definitely, we must not continue like this! Man, by nature, is an impatient being, but he cannot close his eyes/mind to the established process of growth and development as this concerns self, ideology and phenomenon. The case in my mind is the level of moral degradation in the geographical entity called Nigeria. Hitherto, many did not appreciate the magnitude of corruption that had permeated all the segments of our national life without an exception. The cancer of corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the most populous black nation in the world that a purposeful leadership change, as experienced recently, is struggling not to be overwhelmed by the challenges of championing a new cause devoid of the status quo. In fact, it would take more than the substitution of the ubiquitous shout of ‘Power to the People’ with the Change mantra for the comatose Nigeria to be on her feet again... Corruption is killing Nigeria and for her to be saved, the dreadful killer (corruption) must be killed at all costs. As war against corruption is being fought with an un-

precedented savvy, I am of the opinion that the Nigerian Senate should be compelled to amend the EFCC law to contain a new paragraph which shall provide for Individual Assets Verification as necessary. I observe there are many emergency millionaires and billionaires around who acquired wealth overnight and use same to influence the vulnerable youth negatively. Some people live far above their income while some, without any known means of livelihood, flaunt wealth acquired in questionable circumstances. If the Code of Conduct Bureau attends to political office holders and civil servants, a unit under the EFCC could be saddled with the responsibility of fishing out the owners of some choice properties and breath-taking automobiles with a view to ascertaining who has got what legitimately or otherwise. How can I own a phone kiosk or Okrika fabric shop in either Gbagi or Alesinloye and drive a ‘clean’ Mercedes 4matic around, live in a mansion situated at Alalubosa, an affluence neighbourhood in Ibadan, and have my two kids in private school where I pay N1 million per term? ‘Yam eaters’ are being stripped by the new All Progressives Congress (APC)government of President Muham-

madu Buhari but more citizens are involved in cybercrime, armed robbery, money rituals, illegal mining, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, corporate world fraud, among others, without being noticed while they do more harm to the society at large than they do to their immediate victims. If ownership of a Hummer jeep is shown by tendering papers as particulars, the owner should be made to explain how he acquired it in relation to what he does for a living. If people could be made to explain their sources of income to justify their flamboyant lifestyle, the quest for avarice through dirty means would be minimised to the lowest minimum. She sells Ankara fabric or headgear and owns more than 20 choice properties in the city while she also doles out millions of naira to musicians on a weekly basis and keeps a chain of young boys as amorous tools on high cash inducement... Haba! On the other hand, I do hope it would not be out of place for Nigeria to have something like Exemplary Conduct Reward Commission (ECRC) for the purpose of identifying underachievers who must have served in high capacity with unblemished record but quit in fullness of time only to be in penury because they had refused to corruptly enrich themselves while in office. Civil servants, academics, political office holders, law enforcement agents, medical personnel, among others, found to have served diligently but ended up as indigent citizens should be targeted for this. They should be made to be the beneficiaries of monies, properties and cars either seized or confiscated from men and women of shady characters. •Sadare lives in Ibadan.

Friday, 29 January, 2016

fridaytreat Meet your artiste:

Emmanuel Imani

Iroko TV set to expand

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636

Music Business 101 Tips for music business success

Value, not sex, sells any I was an only entertainment child for 14 video or film years, so I â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Seun Omojola, Actress, filmmaker

Nigerian Tribune

found solace in music

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Femi Naija

fridaytreat

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

MUSIC BUSINESS 101

Professional artistes don’t cry over stolen songs, they See ‘payday’ instead!

“It is absolutely unprofessional for any artiste/musician to treat their intellectual property or work carelessly without securing its protection through copyright.” In the last edition of this column, I wrote about how unbecoming it is for artistes to cry foul and throw tantrums ignorantly over the case of copyright infringement such as song theft by other artistes. Any serious minded professional artiste should never be caught in such a situation as it is detrimental to the career integrity of such artiste who complains or cry over stolen compositions, as it only raises questions about the competence or capabilities of such artiste to manage his/ her music business. How do such artistes expect investors to invest their resources in an artiste that cannot demonstrate confidence in their ability or competence to manage and secure their most priced asset in the music business – their musical composition? The song or musical composition is the artiste’s intellectual property and asset which carries revenue generating potentials for the artiste/musician. It was therefore laughable to hear the story in the media again about a former member of the defunct Plantashun Boiz group – Blackface, alleging that Tuface and Wizkid stole his songs in their recent recordings. The reaction of any serious minded professional artiste/musician at the news of someone infringing on their musical copyright is always that of excitement as it means that “payday” or windfall of compensation is around the corner because they have done the right and proper thing by securing the copyright registration of their songs/compositions. The fault here is not so much of the thief but that of the alleged owner who threw cautions to the wind

Meet your artiste:

by failing to protect his/her property. As a business entity providing musical products/services for the consumption and use of music consumers, the artiste has the number one responsibility of securing the ownership of his/her musical composition before exposing it to the public in the course of production, marketing and promotion. The artiste/musician as a business entity is not in any way different from a real estate investor/developer. Any real estate investor or developer worth his/her salts will always ensure due diligence in the process of protecting their properties by ensuring that all documentation concerning a piece of property is adequately verified and duly signed with all appropriate agencies. That is the reason why all prospective buyers of real estate properties always enlist the services of competent real estate experts and professional property lawyers to help them ensure that their investment is adequately protected. No real estate developer will invest in the development of properties on a land for which they do not possess the certificate of occupancy or any other valid document, simply because they understand that proving their ownership of such property may be impossible without possessing all the relevant documents. The same is also true for any artiste/musician who writes a song but fails to protect his/her intellectual property by copyrighting the song. The claim to ownership of such songs is left open to anyone except when the original writer of the song is able to provide overwhelming evidence in a court of law to prove ownership. Even when such artiste succeeds in proving the ownership of the song, he/she will get no damages or compensation awarded for the infringement be-

Emmanuel Imani INTRODUCING fast-rising British Nigerian actor, Emmanuel Imani, who is set to take Hollywood by storm in 2016, with the premiere of his debut Hollywood movie titled Criminal, which sees Imani starring alongside three of the biggest actors in the world: Oscar Award winners, Kevin Costner and Tommy Lee Jones, as well as BAFTA Award winner, Gary Oldman. Hailing from South London, Emmanual Imani began his acting career in 2013, making his theatre debut as part of the critically acclaimed play, ‘A Thousand Miles Of History,’ which was directed by Harold Finley. Imani then went on to star in his first feature film, 2014’s Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, alongside Chris Pine and Oscar Award nominated actress, Keira Knightley. 2015 saw Imani starring in British independent feature film, Invisible Men. The critically acclaimed film, which was premiered at the 2015 British Urban Film Festival and supported by Channel 4, captured Imani playing a Nigerian immigrant who invites his friend from Nigeria to travel to London to start a new life. He also stars in future horror flickServants Quarters to be released in the summer. Later this year, Emmanuel Imani will also be looking to leave his mark on Nigerian theatre, as part of the cast of hugely popular D’Banj-inspired Afrobeats play Oliva Tweest, which will be debuting in Nigeria, as part of the Lagos Theatre Festival. Oliva Tweest first debuted in 2013 at London’s West End to rave reviews, before another at the renowned Hackney Empire last year.

cause the song/composition was not copyrighted in the first place. Securing a song/ composition’s copyright is a no brainer for any artiste/musician who takes his/her music business seriously as a professional. It is vital and very important for artistes/ musicians to separate the “artiste as a personality” from the “artiste as a business”. It is common among artistes/musicians who are friends to be around each other in the process of writing their songs/compositions most times, at moments like this, it is necessary to adequately articulate and define whether inputs or contributions by other artistes are accepted or not and most importantly to use discretion in keeping the song writing process secret without attracting unwarranted solicitations. Every transaction that the artiste has to do regarding his/her music should be treated as a serious business transaction that requires blocking every legal loop holes that could deprive the artiste/musician from their fundamental rights in the music business. If you are co-writing a song or composition with a friend, let there be a written agreement that adequately gives credit for what you have done even if you did it free of charge. Doing a project without collecting money initially does not remove your rights as a co-creator and to benefit from the potential of such work to earn or generate revenues on a commercial scale in the future. A song has the potential to continue to generate revenue for a lifetime, so it will amount to a great rip-off or disservice for any artiste under the guise of friendship or plain ignorance to throw away his/her rights in writing or co-writing a song by not ensuring that credit is appropriately given in registering

the song for copyright. Understand that this is purely a business affair; it has nothing to do with friendship, family or ignorance, it is about protecting and having your rights respected by others. Any artiste/musician friend that wants you to co-write a song with them without agreeing to give you credit as a co-writer on the copyright registration is not a friend but an enemy. The most important step any artiste/musician can and should take with their song is register it first with the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) before going ahead to promote or market the song’s recording. No builder will borrow an architect’s drawing to develop a house without due consultation and payment for the services and contributions of the architect’s intellectual work; so, why should any artiste/musician contribute freely without been given credit to a commercial oriented project that will earn or generate revenue potentially? It is absolutely unprofessional for any artiste/ musician to treat their intellectual property or work carelessly without securing its protection through copyright. Every involvement in a creative project by an artiste/musician must be treated as a business transaction and ensure that all credits for the artiste’s contribution is appropriately attributed. A professional artiste/musician never goes around crying foul about copyright infringement, the right step is to contact your lawyer and institute a legal action and patiently wait for the award of damages to you. It is simply an exhibition of incompetence, stupidity and gross ignorance when an artiste/musician cries foul over copyright infringement because they fail to protect their song – asset through copyright.

Iroko TV set to expand WITH the introduction of Netflix, an online movie rental/streaming site and the competition coming via the American giant in Nigeria, Jason Njoku’s Iroko Tv seems to be prepared to raise the bar and meet the competition headlong, having just announced a new investment deal worth $19million in content and cash. In a statement released by Iroko Tv, French media giant CANAL+, together with existing investor Kinnevik AB, are investing in addition to iROKO’s own cash flow to give the leading African tech & entertainment company the platform to scale its operations and expand aggressively across the continent. CEO and Co-founder of iROKO, Jason Njoku, in a statement said, “With millions more Africans poised to come online via mobile in the coming years, our mission is to lead viewers to content they’ll love. This is something the vast majority of the continent struggles with today. We hope to bridge that divide,

and this additional investment supports such a plan. “For us, there is no version of reality where the marriage between Africa’s most powerful communication tool (mobile) and the most prolific and loved entertainment provider (Nollywood) won’t be a joyous union.” iROKO will channel the investment into local content financing and production, as well as its product and engineering teams in Lagos and New York. The ambition is to produce at least 300 hours of original content in 2016, with the expectation of doubling that by 2018. This will enable the company to build on its already extensive catalogue, making it arguably one of the largest libraries of local African content. The announcement also sees Jacques du Puy, President of Canal+ Overseas, join the iROKO board.

society

Friday, 29 January, 2016

...celebrating the people

Nigerian Tribune

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

Faces @ the 76th birthday celebration of Alhaji Rasak Okoya

The celebrant flanked from left by Chief Adekunle Ojora, his wife, Ojuolape, former President, Ernest Shonekan and Chief Adebutu Kessington and others.

From left, Erelu Abiola Dosumu, former lagos deputy governor, Mrs Orelope Adefulure, former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan, wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode and others, with the celebrant and his wives.

From left, Osile of Oke Ona Egba , Oba Adedapo Tejuoso and his Oloris.

From left, Mrs Sade Okoya, wife of Lagos State Governor,Mrs Bolanle Ambode and Mrs Oguntade.

Alhaji and Mrs Jubril Martins Kuye

Former Minister of Industry , Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande and former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan.

From right, Justice George Oguntade,Chief Adekunle Ojora ,Mrs Oguntade and Chief(Mrs) Ojuolape Ojora.

Mrs Funmi Ajila and Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Friday, 29 January, 2016

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

fridaytreat Femi Naija burst into the Nigerian entertainment scene in 2013 when he was signed to SQN music label. He grabbed major headlines when he released his hit, Desire, which has endeared him to fans as one to watch. A doctor turned professional musician, ROTIMI IGE engaged him recently in an interview about his calling, craft and how he balances both.

ELL us a bit about your background? I was born in Lagos. I grew up in Sagamu, Ogun State, I was raised by my parents. I attended Mayflower School for both my primary and secondary education, and then I proceeded to Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) where I graduated as a medical doctor. So, how did you discover your musical abilities? I have always been a sound box since I was a child. I really love singing. Earliest memories of family life... I was an only child for 14 years and my mother was a very strict teacher; she never spared the rod and my father was the cool one. Also, I guess I got my love for music from him, though mother used to be a music lover when she was younger. It was quite lonely growing up so I sought comfort in music. What musical influences did you have growing up? Consciously, I listened to a lot of foreign music, especially Micheal Jackson, R Kelly and all the boy band groups: Backstreet, Boys 2 men, Nsync, Westlife and the likes. However, subconsciously, I was also influenced by our local Highlife music; Fela and a lot of country music, thanks to my father and his ‘turn-table.’ You are a certified doctor, how did music begin professionally for you? I started music professionally in 2005. I was encouraged by my friends and fans then on campus to hit the studio and record some of my songs. Prior to that time, I had only sang in choirs and occasionally scored solos and performed on stage. Sometimes, I did original songs and it was all fun. Until 2009 when I signed to Thumbs Up Records and recorded my first song “Chacha 9ja” meaning “New Nigeria” and that was when it all took off. Do you still practice as a doctor?

I was an only child for 14 years, so I found solace in

music — Femi Naija Yes I do. I’m a general practitioner working with a private hospital by choice, so I can have time for music. What kind of music do you do? Basically Afro pop, African folk and a bit of Highlife. But in all, I just do good and conscious music.

entertainment video or film

— Seun Omojola, Actress, filmmaker

Seun Omojola is a multi talented actress and filmmaker who has produced and acted in movies like Taloniro, The Ex, Wings of my dreams and many more. The brilliant role interpreter attended the London Film Academy in 2015 where she acquired knowledge about film making. In this interview, she opens up on why Nollywood needs to grow, attending the London Film Academy, how she treats her male fans, among other issues. CAN you describe your personality? Seun Omojola is a simple person with a big heart. I am a bit on the shy side but most people don’t know I am, just close friends. I dislike people who are dream killers and do everything possible for you to fail.

represents. Any collaborations in the offing? Quite a few collaborations to look out for, still under wraps for now though, until all logistics are solid.

Do you have your family’s support doing music? I kind of left them no choice. Initially it was tough, being in medical school and all, but Why? I kind of evolved into this genre after when they saw I meant business, they just allowed me to follow my dream. studying the audience and experimenting with some other styles. How did you get signed to I started out with gospel music, owing to my choir background, then I SQN? I had released a single after leaving evolved to R’n’B and then soul, before Thumbs Up Records; a friend of mine I started adding the local touch till I took my song, ‘Together as one’ to the finally arrived here. SQN CEO who decided to grant me an audition and that was it. Tell us about your songs... I’m currently under SQN, I have two What other projects are you songs: ‘Baye molla’ and ‘Desire.’ Both involved in? are absolutely unique and catchy. For now, there is barely time for ‘Baye molla’ is a song that encourany extra projects, but I have my ages everyone to take life easy. Don’t plans and goals set. So that time let circumstances dictate your pace. is coming. Life is too short for unnecessary stress. So live your life like a “malTell us something not lam.” many know about you... ‘Desire’ on the other hand, is just a I love making friends and feel good song that talks about what hanging out, and l’m a movie many young guys go through seeing the girl of their dreams, probably a lit- freak. tle out of their league. It just encourYour typical day... ages them to go for it. Well, it’s mostly work for me ‘Desire’ was a hit with the fans at the hospital, but when I’m needed for studio work, interand became a wedding anthem of sort in some cities in Nigeria. views or shows, I gladly turn up. That is what I do for fun. What was the inspiration? Inspiration for desire was simple. How do you Guys should stop suffering in silence. If you see a girl you like, that’s all that relax? I love to matters. Don’t get intimidated by her watch movlooks or status. I also wanted to make a dance song ies, listen that would still fall within my style of to music or simply just music. sleep. The video was also colourful. What Who was the brain behind the concept? is your thought None other than Wale Kuku, CEO, on the Nigerian enSQN media and Catalyst, the video tertainment scene? What is director. right and what is lacking? I’m proud of where we are right now. We What is next for you? are now recognised globally and that is a good thing, More singles and of course, an but there is still so much to be done, particularly in terms of album. We just want to focus on monetising creative content and curbing piracy. We need churning out good music. That’s what more structure. SQN represents.; that’s what Femi

Value, not sex, sells any

What informed your decision to attend the London Film Academy? I just got to a point in my career where I needed to up my game. I run a production company called May Punctual Multimedia Limited. I had to learn new skills in order to be able to add value to my company. I want a situation whereby if an opportunity shows up to handle a project, I will be able to give my best as a result of my competence. No knowledge is lost if it’s acquired. This made me attend the London Film Academy. What are the things you learnt while in the school? A lot! For instance, I learnt how to be more patient. When you are working with your crew all the time, there is bound to be some misunderstanding but what keeps us together is understanding our boundaries and putting our grudges aside in order to achieve our set goal which is making a fantastic film. I learnt the act of taking time to review a script and getting the best cast to interpret the role properly. I also learnt camera angles, story boarding, editing and even more. It was a worthwhile experience What areas do you think Nollywood needs improvement? We still have a long way to go in Nollywood but we are improving. Many film makers are coming out with amazing projects. This shows that Nollywood is moving towards greatness. I don’t think we need to compete with any other countries, rather we should focus on improving the deployment of technology in our movies. I know it’s expensive and getting funding isn’t easy. We also need to improve on our scripting writing and the way the scripts are being executed. If people are paying for what we produce, then we need to give the best.

Final thots... I believe whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well, and patience is key in achieving greatness in life. Also, hard work and dedication are vital to realising one’s dream. God help us all.

When you are working with your crew all the time, there is bound to be some misunderstanding but what keeps us together is understanding our boundaries.

What does it take to be a filmmaker? Honestly, passion is paramount because it can be frustrating and one has to be ready to put in a lot of hard work in order to achieve one’s goals. Calling yourself a film maker isn’t just enough. One has to keep learning new film technologies, new skills and keep growing. We also cannot rule out the importance of internship. Learn from people who have gone ahead of you. I am still learning even though I have learnt a lot over the years in the industry. I am gradually getting recognised. I have been in the game for a while, acquiring skills to improve my acting and other areas. I have given up on several occasions but I always pick myself up and keep going on again and again. This is what I am passionate about and will keep doing. Do you think sex sells in entertainment?. It depends because there are so many entertainers who get almost naked in their videos and still they are nowhere. In my own opinion, I don’t believe sex sells. For me it’s all about releasing high value materials. As a beautiful lady, how do you manage the attention from the opposite sex? Well, I try to be polite. It gets uncomfortable when I say “No” and some men start stalking me on phone or other ways. I simply create a boundary between me and the individual. How did you raise funds for your projects? I started small by raising funds from friends and family who believed in me. I had raised funds from my days as a model and I invested them. I took part of it and shot my first film in 2013 which I starred in. The funny thing is that I didn’t make profit from the film and didn’t get my complete capital back. I never gave up. I joined my old time friend, Ike Nnaebue and we began a company together where we shoot commercials and do market activation. Then in 2014, we shot a commercial for Alomo Bitters and a couple of market activations for some companies. I make my money from other avenues as well, which I use to shoot my recent films like ‘The Ex’ and others. I pray it all pays off eventually and I know it will. I am positive because I don’t let things keep me down for too long. I pick up the pieces and start all over again until I get it right. What are the new projects you are working on for 2016? I am working on few scripts which includes a series. Also, films shot by my company like ‘Unjustified’ and ‘Aniwura’ will be released before the third quarter of this year. Another of my short film, ‘Wings of my Dreams’ is on Afrinolly presently. I produced the film with my amazing friend and colleague, Ike Nnaebue. ‘Taloniro’ just came online on 13th January and it’s on YouTube. We are looking forward to an amazing year.

Friday, 29 January, 2016 ’Wale Olapade 08161235359 wale11g3@gmail.com

travelpulse&m.i.c.e

Winner, NMMA, Tourism Reporter Of The Year

Edo: Who is terrorising Ogba zoo?

OURISM assets are sustainable fortune in growing the future of any country’s economy, which global evidences are countless to draw inspiration from. And for any country which is endowed with these gifts of nature, if well developed would help to reduce the problems of unemployment, terrorism, poverty among other economic vices. Nigeria is gifted, yet no seriousness is attached to its development and promotion to reap its benefit. And again, few areas of importance, which are supposed to be protected, are now facing extinction, one which is the Ogba Zoo in Edo State. In recent times, pillaging and wanton destruction of the last of Edo State’s urban forestry assets within Ogba Zoo and Nature Park continued unabated and now assuming dangerous dimensions, has geared the management of the zoo to call on the state government to take action in stopping the poachers from further decimating this natural heritage, which over the years has suffered series of damages. Following the latest incursions on the zoo by suspected desperate land grabbers, the management in an open letter signed by Mr Andy Andy Osa Ehanire, Director/Chief Ex-

ecutive of the zoo, to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, titled, ‘Further horrific destruction of Ogba Zoo infrastructure and nature park.’ chronicles the ongoing plight of

Amachree calls for restoration of tourism ministry FORMER President of Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), an investor and stakeholder in the tourism industry, Alabo Mike Amachree has called on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to bring back the tourism ministry. He said the sector should not be subsumed under culture or information but rather, tourism should stand as a ministry. He said this has become important in the light of the key role tourism plays globally in the economic development of many countries. He said Nigeria should not be different. His words: “I am not really bothered about pushing the ministry to information, but what I am saying is that tourism was not mentioned. They just pushed culture to merge with information and tourism is now under culture. Mind you, if you build an industry and you have some products, if those products are not marketed, the industry will close down because it has to be marketed and people have to patronised it. If you say you only recognise culture, mind you, culture does not exist on its own. Cultural products can only be for entertainment. They are not capable of generating income without going through tourism. “So, tourism is about the biggest provider of jobs in the country. Let me tell you, all the airlines, human transportation, and movement of all kinds are under tourism. You can see the number of people those agents are employing, and in talking about foreign exchange earnings, what else maybe apart from petroleum that can generate foreign exchange more than tourism. If we plan our tourism very well, people will be coming to Nigeria because of certain centres. Let us develop tourist sites, museums and other things that will attract the world to Nigeria, this is the work of tourism.” On the impression that tourism ministry may not have done well in the last couple of years, he said: “That is not true. They don’t keep records of tourism. They don’t have records. Most government agencies don’t have records. We had government agency’s stand at the port in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and so on, but they were all removed. They no longer function. “Government cannot push tourism to the background; let them find out why the ministry was unable to do those things. The departments under tourism should do what they are supposed to do. Why is it that other countries that have many products to showcase still sell their tourism? The Gambia, sells more tourism than a lot of other African countries. Tourism is their main source of income. If those you put in-charge cannot do it, consult the stakeholders, they will tell you what to do. You can’t just go and employ people. That is how it is. We know those who are good and can do the work. “In those days, when I was young, during FESTAC 77, we saw a lot of inflow of tourists into Nigeria and with money,

paid hotel bills and bought food from the market, not that government was feeding them. Tourists should bring their money to the country to spend. We stopped that.” Amachree talked about how practitioners had clamoured for the ministry before it was created. He said: “When I came into tourism, the sector was buried under Ministry of Trade and Industry. It was not mentioned, rather it was buried there. It was when late General Sani Abacha invited us to join vision 2010 that we deliberated on. Among us were the late Chief Segun Olusola, Captain Okon, former Managing “Director of ADC Airlines and myself. We were senior members of the committee. “We deliberated that tourism should not be buried; let it come to limelight, let it be brought out from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. We met Chief Earnest Shonekan, he was the chairman of the Vision 2010 committee. “We told him what we wanted; he said we should go and debate it, we did and we won. That was the beginning of Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Culture products on their own cannot be marketed or generate employment. “So, we called it Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Since then things were going on well, now tourism has been on the forefront, but the current dispensation is no longer mentioning tourism, but added to Ministry of Information. “Tourism is not supposed to be under culture and information because tourism is the generator of revenue and employment in this country. Which other sector can generate employment and revenue like tourism. Tourism is the movement of people from one point to the other, and any money you make from the movement of people is tourism earning. “So, people move to all parts of the world and within Nigeria, if you make money from the movement of people, you have created wealth and job. I am calling on the Federal Government to bring out tourism and culture as one ministry. You cannot say it is under information. It is not supposed to be so,” he added.

the zoo, which are symptomatic of anarchy. The letter called on the governor to immediately deploy state apparatus to restore order in respect of saving this priceless asset, while the zoo management also called for the setting up of a panel of inquiry to look into the situation and save the zoo enclave from further incursion. The letter fingered Utagban and Ogbaneki, two neighbouring communities of the zoo in the land poaching acts which are believed to be getting support from some officials of the state government and members of the State House of Assembly. “In this recent incursion, the land poachers deployed arson that destroyed over 70 per cent of the zoo’s natural wildlife habitats, before the use of bulldozers, which has now turned the once forested land into a construction site for different private structures. “The zoo management is seriously baffled by the tendencies of the communities and some government officials, who don’t seem to understand the importance of the asset in terms of its inherent scientific, educational, economic, environmental and human capacity development attributes, in this era of competitive progress. Particularly hit by these developments are students of higher institutions in the state and beyond, who regularly use the zoo for their field practical training and research in various disciplines such as Forestry and Wildlife, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Science, etc. In the open letter to the governor, which was signed by the chief executive of the zoo, Mr Ehanire, he alluded to the efforts of his management, which for over a decade and half, has struggled to revive the zoo under the Private Public Sector Partnership (PPP) scheme of the state government, with the government not having to make any financial contribution. He therefore reminded the governor of a recent state executive Council’s pronouncement in the media that it would dislodge all manners of encroachments on the zoo, as well as the delineation and survey of the zoo land. He lamented that the encroachment has been so devastating to the extent that the expansive purpose-built lion enclosure across Ogba river was not only destroyed, but now surrounded with illegal building sites. The open letter, however, expressed confidence in the forthrightness of the governor in giving steam to the decisions earlier reached by the State Executive Council in dealing with the matters affecting the zoo.

The Gambia sets for food festival

IF you missed the opportunity of spending the New Year holiday in The Gambia, there is yet another reason to visit the smiling coast of West Africa this year. Unarguably, the most peaceful country in Africa, The Gambia invites lovers of food and tourists alike to her food and beverage festival this year. The two-day event holding from February 26-27, 2016 at Green Mamba Gardens/Jakarlo Bar and Restaurant will feature musical jamboree (including contemporary and classical), live entertainment with bonfire and competitions such as: wrestling, eating and pool. The festival will showcase various local dishes including,

but not restricted to mbahal, benachin, fufu soup, lamb afraoff the grill, Pork afra-off the grill, yassa kobo, yassa nganar, Ebbeh, and Nyambeh Nyebbeh. Also, renowned Gambian chefs and other locals will showcase their signature dishes and brand to become permanent representatives in the event, which The Gambia Tourism Board is promoting as a major event in the tourism calendar of The Gambia. The organisers also noted that the two days festival would provide families and tourists the opportunity to socialise and experience the variety of Gambian gastronomy and international cuisines .

Friday, 29 January, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

Abia: Waiting for the Judgment Day SAM NWAOKO, who was in Abia State, brings a report of the people's disposition towards the recent Appeal Court judgment, which ordered the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to vacate the seat and that Dr Mr Alex Otti, of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), be sworn in as the governor

VEN while the Federal Government and the only known promoter (so far) of a sovereign state of Biafra, Mr Daniel Kanu, are currently wading through a legal labyrinth, the fear of the Biafra agitators, more than anything else, is obviously the notable cause of tension in Abia State. The tone of discussions around the issue and, in most cases, the outright unwillingness occasioned by fear of the unknown, to even discuss it, shows how much of a topical issue it has become in the state. At best, it could be said that the people are extremely cautious in discussing the issue in the open. However, it is not just etched on their hearts, it is to some extent, part of their daily prayers, for some of the people. Not a few top personalities in Abia skillfully declined interviews, while those who speak on it, even as unofficially as it was, constantly watched their backs. However, the extant politics of the state isn't lost on them either, but it hasn't elicited as much passion as the Biafran issue. To many of the people spoken with in Umuahia, the state capital recently, they are rather aloof about the current state of affairs in the state's polity, especially as it affects the last governorship election in the state. Of a fact, the aloofness of the respondents about governance in the state, was found not to mean a lack of interest because many of them had wishes and desires as the governorship matter awaits final resolution at the Supreme Court. They all have interest in what becomes of Abia after the 90 days they said they were counting for the Supreme Court to come up with a decision on who really is the fair winner of the last governorship election in Abia State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 11, 2015 governorship election, winner of the polls. The commission adjudged him to have polled the highest majority of the lawful votes cast in the election. INEC said he had defeated all the other candidates in the election, notable among whom is his main challenger Dr Alex Otti, candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). But, Otti expectedly disagreed with the INEC on this and went to the election petitions tribunal to challenge the result declared by the electoral commission. He had claimed in his petition, marked AB/EPT/ GOV/2/2015 that there were widespread irregularities in the conduct of the election in parts of the state and, most notably, in Isiala Ngwa South, Osisioma and Obingwa local government areas of the state. Otti held that there was a cancellation of the results in the three local government areas, as announced by the INEC Returning Officer in the state, Professor Benjamin Ozumba of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The cancellation had been predicated on alleged various malpractices, violence and irregularities and Otti

had asked the tribunal to sustain the cancellation. The APGA candidate thus challenged the conduct of the election in the whole of Obingwa Local Government Area, Osisioma Local Government Area and Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area; nine polling units in Umuahia North Local Government Area and 82 units in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area. He prayed the tri-

No responsible government will fold its arms and watch as rival political groups clash in the streets of Umuahia and disrupt the peace of the state

bunal to declare that the return of Ikpeazu be voided for substantial non-compliance with with the provisions of the Electoral Act and that it may be determined that Otti won the majority lawful votes cast in the April 11 election and April 25 supplementary election. He sought that in the alternative, declare him as the winner of the election. Thus, from the polling booths in the 17 local government areas of the state, the battleground shifted to the election petitions tribunal, led by Justice Usman Bwala. After all the exchange of legal fireworks, the tribunal dismissed Otti's petition and affirmed Dr Ikpeazu as the governor of the state. In expressing dissatisfaction with the tribunal's judgment delivered on November 3, 2015, Otti said it was "a rape of democracy." He announced that he would approach the appeal tribunal for a review of the judgment, and he did just that. The Court of Appeal, sitting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, eventually delivered its judgment on December 31, 2015. The five-man appeal panel, led by Justice Oyebisi Folayemi Omoleye, did not only allow the appeal of the petitioners, Dr Otti, it also ruled that he be sworn in as the duly elected governor of Abia State. The Appeal Court Continues on pg28

politics&policy

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Claims and counter-claims over street jubilation Continued from pg27

justices in their unanimous judgment, held that Otti actually scored the majority lawful votes in the election. In the appeal with number CA/OW/EPT/ GOV./6/2015, the respondents (Dr Ikpeazu and others) had filed a notice of preliminary objection embedded in their reply to the petition. The respondents had challenged the competence of some of the grounds of the appeal and sought that they be struck out. Reactions The state had witnessed two types of reactions since November 5, 2015. The first was the joy in the PDP camp after the election petitions tribunal judgment, which sustained the election of Dr Ikpeazu. According to many respondents in the state, the outcome of the judgment of the lower tribunal did notelicit the kind of reaction that followed the December 31st, 2015 judgment of the Court of Appeal. To the people sympathetic to the cause of APGA in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, "there was jubilation and celebration across the state, following the declaration by the Court of Appeal that Otti be sworn in as governor. They deserve it because they braced the odds to vote for the governor of their choice." To those who are loyal to the PDP and Ikpeazu, "there were protests in parts of the state, because thousands of people, who trooped out to vote for Governor Ikpeazu, were aggrieved at the judgment of the appellate court." The chairman of APGA in the state, Reverend Augustine Ehiemere, noted that the jubilations and celebrations of the pronouncement by the Court of Appeal was justified because "the people were happy seeing their dream come true." But the state government announced a ban on all forms of rallies and processions in the wake of the varying reactions to the appeal court judgment. According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Abia State, Mr Godwin Adindu, the security situation in Abia State called for a government action on the rallies and processions, which he said could degenerate. But, the Abia APGA chairman, Ehiemere said: "We don't believe in violence because violence does not bring change. That's why when the lower tribunal gave judgment against APGA, we remained calm. We did not go to the streets to insult and molest people. We remained calm because we are not a lawless people. But when the Appeal Court addressed issues and gave victory to APGA, what we did was to thank God and rejoice. But, the PDP went to the streets insulting, and molested people, destroyed their property, engaged in demonstrations here and there. APGA remained very calm. The moment we came out to celebrate our victory, Okezie Ikpeazu used all available law enforcement agencies in Abia State and banned demonstrations, processions or even prayers at public places." In a reaction to this accusation, Adindu said the state government was being proactive, especially when the security situation in the state occasioned by the actions of the Biafran agitators was considered. He said part of the duties of the government information system was "to ensure that only the right information gets to the people so as to avoid the confusion wrong, conflicting pieces of information could cause in the society." He insisted that, "no responsible government will fold its arms and watch as rival political groups clash in the streets of Umuahia and disrupt the peace of the state." He clarified that both the supporters of the governor's PDP and the opposition APGA were either protesting or celebrating, and "the ban is not meant for any particular group or persons but for all kinds of processions and rallies in public places. So, the complaint by APGA is unfounded and misplaced." He said the state government had "worked hard to maintain peace and harmony in the state despite the machinations of the opposition and those working against peaceful coexistence in the state." Adindu, who described the Appeal Court ruling as "a minor setback," maintained that "Dr Ikpeazu remains focused on his work of infrastructural development of

Abia State, and he is not perturbed or disturbed or distracted by the ruling." According to him, "we have left the matter in court to the lawyers and we believe that the Supreme Court will upturn the Appeal Court judgment because we believe that the appeal court erred." What people think Apart from what APGA, which is in court and hopeful for a victory, thinks, the people also have their thoughts about the current state of things in the state. Not a few of them believe that they were unhappy with the PDP and had voted against the party in the election. This is just as the supporters of the party also claimed that they won the election despite the acclaimed odds. But a common ground among all the commentators is the insinuation that "whatever we are witnessing in Abia today is the making of Theodore Ahamefule Orji. He is the architect of all the troubles Ikpeazu is going through." In their various contentions, some people claim that it was their desire "to see the liberation of Abia from the grip of political godfathers and embrace a change from the past that has been ingrained in PDP." But, some others believe that the fresh initiatives by Governor Ikpeazu was the kind of steps needed by the state to move it forward from where former Governor Orji, who now represents Abia Central in the Senate, stopped." While the people are showing bias for their preferences, the politicians also have the same sentiments. They are also divided along party lines and would rather see their party form the government. However, a PDP member in the state capital, who wouldn't want to be named, said: "even though it could be said that our party made some mistakes in certain areas in the build up to the governorship election, I don't think there's anything different in the whole political set up in the state." According to this trader cum politician, "the various players in the current politics of Abia State are the same people who have been running the politics of Abia since the time of Dr Oji Uzor Kalu, because we all belong together and somehow, Abia is a one-party state." He claimed that "Dr Uche Ogah, who contested the primaries in the PDP with Dr Ikpeazu and Otti, is the only one that could be said to be the outsider in all of this. I think that's why he didn't scale the hurdle of the core politicians because he was popular among the people." According to him, "he actually came from nowhere. The perception of the core politicians is that he has no real political base. "We agree that it would have been easier for us in PDP than it is now with either Ogah or Otti. But again, Otti himself came through the same T.A. Orji. As a matter of fact, Otti and Orji are business partners, and they are friends beyond the things some of us know about. It would still have been the same thing if Otti had emerged the candidate of the party, there wouldn't have been issue. But he was smart and took his game to APGA which had no candidate by the time the PDP had concluded its primaries. "The governor today is also one of the team members. Otti left the party only after he lost at the primaries. Then APGA had no candidate and Otti joined the party and got the ticket of the party. So, would there have been all these court issues if it had been Otti? I doubt it but then, since Ikpeazu is now suffering from a T.A Orjiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liability, wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it have been the same with Otti since he also came from the same godfather? "Now, we seem not to have a one-party state anymore, because APGA, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) are now teamig up to fight PDP in the state because Buhari is now the President. But the matters would soon be resolved because it's all politics and inter-

Gov. Ikpeazu

Otti ests would soon take over all other considerations." He was also quick to point out that the fear among many of them is "where the current Biafra agitations will lead us. The politicians are united in our thinking that there must be a way to bring the agitations under control. That's even more important than whatever the courts say, because we are still a federation and we must make the best of out of our union in a one united Nigeria." On whether there could be violence after the Supreme Court must have delivered its judgment, he said: "I cannot decide to kill someone I will end up burying. That is the thinking among many politicians that I know and have spoken with. There's no sense in that kind of violence because one way or the other, we are all connected in this game."

I cannot decide to kill someone I will end up burying. That is the thinking among many politicians that I know and have spoken with.

Thus, in Abia State, it is more of the fear of Biafra than anything else. But, the various political divides in the state are also optimistic about the 90 days within which the Supreme Court would arrive at a decision on the governorship election in the state.

politics&policy

Friday, 29 January, 2016

INEC must transfer its senior officers in Abia —APGA chairman Reverend Augustine Ehiemere, is the chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State. He speaks with SAM NWAOKO, on his party and its expectations as it awaits the outcome of the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Supreme Court. Excerpts:

Is the tenure and person of Senator Theodore Orji a factor in all these? Of course, because he wants to cover his track. This is because if you say it is the turn of a people to produce a governor, we expected that you would ask them to give you a candidate. Why impose someone on the people? So, because he put his person there who would cover his tracks, that’s why he was quoted to have said he would stand strongly with him to ensure that Okezie Ikpeazu becomes the governor.

OW that the Appeal Court has ruled in your favour, what is the feeling within your party in the state? It’s not even the feeling within the party alone but the feeling of Abians. We are happy because a credible candidate was fielded by our party and that has raised the hope of the people of the state and our members inclusive. Generally, Abians are very happy because they felt disappointed at the judgment delivered by the lower tribunal. People cried and many people relocated saying there’s no nope. However, the moment the Appeal Tribunal, on December 31st, delivered the judgment in favour of Dr Alex Otti, Abians saw hope that their mandate was restored. People rejoiced from Ukwa East to Arochukwu because that judgment was victory for democracy and they saw that judgment as a sign of the desire for change which they voted for, Dr Alex Otti who represents the change that they desire.

Talking about change, what difference does your party want to make when it is the thinking of some people that they already have what they want? If you knew who Dr Otti is, you would know that he represents change. The mere hearing of his name by Abians even makes them to feel the change. I say this because when you want to govern the people, you must have an agenda. PDP has no programme right from the time of T.A. Orji and that’s why the state has continued to degenerate. Then, Okezie Ikpeazu came on board, and he too has no agenda for the state. So, how would you expect a change from such a person and his government? It’s not possible. How did he start? He started by borrowing money here and there without due process. There’s nothing that’s going on in the state. Are you saying that the lower tribunal didn’t do well? For instance, they based their judgment on a rerun whereas there was no rerun in Abia. What we had was a supplementary election. Rerun and supplementary are two different words with two different meanings. You can only rerun when election is declared inconclusive while supplementary holds if there are areas where election was not conducted for one reason or the other. But the lower tribunal based their judgment on rerun. There was no rerun in Abia. A lot of issues were not addressed. The issue of card reader was not addressed, over-voting and all of that were not addressed. So, we don’t see what they gave as a judgment. How would you then describe the conduct of the election by the INEC? It is very unfortunate that when two teams are playing football, the umpire is supposed not to be biased in officiating the match. But in this case, you see INEC with their lawyers standing against the candidate of APGA in the tribunal. The INEC caused more injury to that election. The attitude of INEC in that election has left Abians so disappointed that many have even decided not to take part in voting anytime soon when

Ehiemere

If you say it is the turn of a people to produce a governor, we expected that you would ask them to give you a candidate. Why impose someone on the people?

election is conducted in Abia. The only thing that can rekindle the hope of Abians and make them go to vote anytime there would be election in Abia is by declaring Dr Otti as the winner of the 2015 governorship election because they all trooped out and voted for him. Thats why I want to call on the chairman of INEC to make haste to transfer all senior INEC officers in Abia if they really want Abians to take part in any election in the state. Your party put up a very good show in the election and considering that a llot of things go into elections, beyond politics, how were you able to get this far in a state that has the machinery of government and incumbency? How were you able to achieve this?

When the people are tired of a system, just as Abians are tired of PDP government in the state; and another party featured a credible and responsible candidate, you will not need to spend much to sell such a candidate. I think that’s what happened in Abia. Abia desired change; they were tired of no roads, insecurity, infrastructure decay, non-payment of salaries and so on. Everybody was discomfited with the system. And so, when Dr Otti emerged, judging from his track records as a developer and very humble leader, and seeing his programme for the state, people did. It need to be given money to go and vote just as PDP did. So, that’s why we have come so far, because a credible candidate was featured by APGA to contest that election.

Where do you see everything going? What I see is a repeat of what the Appeal Court at Owerri did, because that judgment is one that will stand the test of time anywhere in the court of law. So, what we expect is victory at the Supreme Court. We urge the people of the state to be patient, hopeful and prayerful. God said when the righteous is in power the people will rejoice and because God is carrying Abia as a project in His hands, let them not lose hope, let them be prayerful and expect victory at the Supreme Court. APGA people are very peaceful and responsible. We don’t believe in violence because violence does not bring change. That’s why when the lower tribunal gave judgement against APGA, we remained calm. We did not go to the streets to insult and molest people. We remained calm because we are not a lawless people. But when the Appeal Court addressed issues and gave victory to APGA, what we did was to thank God and rejoice. But the PDP went to the streets insulting and molesting people. They destroyed people,s property, engaged in demonstrations here and there. APGA remained very calm. But the moment we came out to celebrate our victory, Okezie Ikpeazu used all available law enforcement agencies in Abia and banned demonstrations, processions or even prayers at public places. Nigerians and Abians in particular must know that APGA as law-abiding citizens don’t engage in violence and we can never be in opposition to the government at the federal level. We will never be a party to it. We say this because PDP has been going about pushing propaganda that we are supporting IPOB. It is false, misleading and very diversionary. It is not true. So, let it also be known that it is the handwork of PDP because they want a way to create problem so they will say APGA has done this or that. Why can’t you be in opposition to the Federal Government? We are a people that want change both in the country and in our state. If we should oppose or say anything against the Federal Government, it must be constructive criticism which must be useful to them, not engaging in destructive opposition. Even though the government is still very young, we are watching, and we believe that President Muhammadu Buhari is a man that we know is disciplined and is not corrupt, we expect that the desired change which APC preaches will also be put in place in Nigeria and when that is done, there will be no need for opposition.

politics&policy

AST Monday, the spirit of Dr Reuben Abati, intruded the State House Press Corps, looming large in a heated discussion among members after a rather innocuous observation I made about his last Sunday’s article, “Where are the public intellectuals?” Fresh from the weekend, a number of corespondents arrived the Presidential Villa that morning to find that there was nothing immediately scheduled for President Muhammadu Buhari and consequently huddled together in different groups chatting away on matters of interest. I cannot recall exactly what got me to raise the point about the article but I was clearly less concerned about the content but his style which I have always admired. This was what I vocalized that drew the attention of many of the reporters. One or two persons had also read the piece and concurred that the former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan is a gifted wordsmith and somebody went into history to recall how he had been hooked on Abati’s writings since he was a young undergraduate. The discussion of his writings inevitably regurgitated his time as presidential spokesman in the consciousness of all involved in what quickly become an intellectual debate on his works and character. A few with good sense of humour imitated his mannerisms, his speech nuances and how his jacket hung from his shoulders and sat on his stomach. It provided a hearty laughter on a lazy Monday morning. Yet, the debate elicited strong opinions, favorable and not so favorable, especially about his approach to Jonathan’s media affair and his classification of some members of the State House Press Corps. Those who bothered or were fortunate to work closely with him stuck out their necks to fight off the arguments from antagonists that he was responsible for the not so positive perception of journalists by Jonathan himself and by the Villa establishment. The antagonists believed that they did not get their due respect in the eyes of Jonathan and other Villa operatives because Abati did not think too highly of their dignity. They easily recalled how he talked down on some journalists and made them feel they were imbeciles. Of course, there were vehement counter arguments with some suggesting that those who hoped for or waited for Abati to

Friday, 29 January, 2016

inside

aso rock with Leon Usigbe 08078891838 leonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk

Abati’s return to State House Press Corps raise their profiles as reporters in State House were either plain lazy professionals or misunderstood their roles as journalists in the seat of power. In all this argument, what intrigued me most was the point someone advanced that Abati was solely responsible for the failure of Jonathan in the media. Failure in the sense that despite the enormous successes the former president recorded in various sectors of the nation’s economy - from innovation in agriculture, construction of power plants, establishment of universities/almajarai schools, railway, airports modernisation, construction of thousand11up to the 2015 general election. But like someone asked: how was Abati all by himself supposed to ensure Jonathan’s re-election? How was he expected to roll back the well-orchestrated propaganda sold to and bought by many Nigerians? How was he all by himself going to deal successfully with the traditional media many of who had turned their backs on his principal or for that matter, the thousands of social media citizen reporters who had apparently embraced the vociferous message of change that many Jonathan supporters believed at the time were part of the well-oiled propaganda machinery arrayed against him? At the risk of sounding like his attorney, I knew Abati’s job was never going to be easy. There would have been

PDP won’t die —Olujimi In this interview with WALE AKINSELURE, member representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, Senator Biodun Olujimi, speaks on the need to diversify the nation’s economy to ICT, the anti-corruption drive of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and life as an opposition member. YOU are a member of the Downstream, Federal Capital Territory, Communications, Women Affairs Committees. What issues have you identified? What is important is for us to look at existing laws and acts of the National Assembly and be able to properly position them, as well as look at them in the context of what obtains now. Most of the laws are a bit obsolete because they were enacted when the political and economic climate of Nigeria was very different. But now, we have advanced. In communications, we have come such a distance in ensuring that we use communications to drive development. We also look at problems in their areas of existence like anything that will be a cog in the wheel, any issue that will not enable the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved have complete hold on their environment. We try to put them right. Our oversight is to ensure that the committees comply with their budget and every penny in their budget is spent as stipulated and that they give back to the society. The Federal Government has identified ICT as one area that should be looked into in the clamour for diversification of the economy. How is the Senate involved in ensuring that Nigeria appreciates ICT in national development? What we doing is to provide enabling laws that will ensure that the cyber space is tightened and properly handled. Our own primary goal is to provide the legal framework for the sector to thrive. We need to do to all we can to ensure that communications thrive because that is the only other alternative to diversifying our economy apart from agriculture. Also, with ICT, we should be able to address deficit in our budget. What do you make of the current anti-corrup-

Olujimi tion drive of the federal led administration amid insinuations by some Nigerians that the executive is interfering in the administration of justice? The government is probating and reprobating at the same time, which is not right. There are institutions that are cut out for certain things. They should be allowed to work. We don’t want any military system whereby someone is taken to court and immediately arrested from

friends - old and new, colleagues, pressure groups, numerous other favour-seekers and even saboteurs exerting and exacting pressure and with their own distractions in the midst of lean resources. I am not to judge because I cannot claim knowledge of the facts of the case. Abati certainly can tell his own story. This was the point those who argued against my admiration for his writing style sought to push - that he should go beyond just dazzling readers with his creative writing skills and address some fundamental issues concerning his time as the president’s megaphone. They want to know, for instance, his insider’s perspectives on the ongoing Dasuki-gate. Is there any such thing as diversion of $2.1billion meant for arms procurement or somebody is just giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it? How could so much money have been looted under his Presidency? Why was Jonathan hounded out? Where did he get it wrong? Could it have been any different? Unless he plans a book on his time in office which I strongly expect, there are lots of issues he can chip away at in his columns to enlighten Nigerians on the Jonathan days. I too can’t wait.

court. That we put behind us long ago. It is not right that in this century, at this time, we still have that. Nobody condones corruption. None of us will; whoever is a culprit must go in for it. But, they must be proven guilty. It is not enough to accuse a person and commit him on the pages of newspapers. That is not in the spirit of democracy. What is your definition of playing the role of the opposition, as there usually is a clash between APC and PDP senators whenever issues are thrown up on the floor of the National Assembly House? We really do not go against each other. We put Nigeria first. Because the APC is in the majority, it is easy for APC to want to always clap for the government in power. But we must always be able to put the government on its toes to ensure that justice is done; to ensure that there is equity, to ensure that we get the best for Nigeria. We, as PDP, know our pitfalls. We know the problems. If we go at them like they went at us, the country will collapse. We do not want that; we work together. We raise issues not because we dislike APC but because we want Nigeria to be on a strong footing. Life as an opposition member is very frustrating. But, there is no one party that will be there forever. You will be in opposition sometime and in the mainstream at another time. We must learn how to be in the opposition and we are learning fast. For 16 years, we were in the majority and now, we are learning to be in the minority for a few years. Many continue to leave your party, PDP, for APC, and these people maintain that the PDP is a party doomed to die. The APC wants the PDP to die, but it would not happen because we will reposition it. The fact that a party lost election does not mean that it should die off. In Ghana, the party in power for years lost power and came back in four years, and it has happened in several other places. You see Nigerians always want a new thing. They don’t want to work hard at anything. If you lose an election, will you not go back to restrategise? If we lost election, we should be able to rearrange our party and come back again and that is what life is all about. Life is about never say die and that is PDP.

Friday, 29 January, 2016

hers

Editor: Yemisi Aofolaju yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com 08055001741

Sensitising journalists to join the maternal health crusade

THE need for journalists to be aware of the challenges facing maternal health in the country was the key message during a workshop organised for members of the fourth estate of the realm recently by the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), and ADEWALE OSHODI, who was a participant, reports.

OURNALISTS bring happenings in the society to the knowledge of the people, but when members of the fourth estate of the realm don’t know about certain issues, then it will be a big challenge to disseminate such, thereby getting the attention of policy makers. It is because of this that the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) recently organised a workshop for media practitioners in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, so that they can join in the campaign for a more robust maternal health policy in the country. In her opening remarks at the workshop, the Oyo State Team Leader of NURHI, Mrs Stella Akinso, charged journalists to take the issue of family planning seriously, as Nigeria would benefit tremendously if we can do things right. “Journalists have the ear of policy makers, and when you become more passionate about maternal health issues, then things will go on as they should in our country. “We can’t continue to rely on Bill Gates and other foreign donors to always come to our aid; we need our government to also ensure that all the policies we have on ground as far as maternal health issues are concerned are

well implemented.” The Oyo NURHI boss, while admitting that her organisation had done a lot to sensitise the average woman about the benefits of family planning, said, “there was a time people found it hard to discuss about family planning. “It was a kind of taboo to be discussed at home and in public places, and then we came on board and changed everything; we were about to involve a lot of individuals and groups, particularly religious and community leaders to join in the campaign. “The first phase was a remarkable success, and the second phase will also be a success, as we have added more local governments to the initial five that we started with,” Mrs Akinso said, while charging journalists to develop a passion for maternal health issues in the country. In his lecture, a family planning expert, Dr Monday Famakin, admitted that Nigeria’s exponential population growth should be cause for concern for everybody in the country, “and it is high time we checked the growth. “With family planning, we can actually plan for our future generations; we have a maternal mortality rate in the country, but

we can use family planning to reduce this by 33 percent. “Family planning also offers mothers the opportunity to have smaller families with improved nutritional status and standard of living. “Issues of unwanted pregnancies will also be reduced, as women can decide when to get pregnant and how long to wait before their next pregnancies. “There are many economic and socioeconomic benefits of family planning, and that is why journalists, who are the agents of positive change, must realise that we can actually have the Nigeria of our dreams using these methods,” Dr Famakin said. An official of NURHI, Mr Seun Ayankola, used graphical illustrations to highlight the problems Nigeria will face in the next couple of decades if nothing is done to curb the high population growth.

Most of the side effects are just mild reactions to whatever method one has chosen, particularly for firsttimers, but it is important that qualified family planning specialists are patronised for the procedure.

Mr Ayankola said Nigeria will be a country of 210million people by 2020, and by 2050, we will be having 450 million people living in the country. “At that time, we will be the third most populous country in the world after China and India, and this is very dangerous for the country. “We will have more people to feed; more people will need healthcare services, more people will need shelter, schools, among others, and I don’t think we have the capacity to cope, so we must do something fast,” Ayankola said. Another official of NURHI, Mr Tunji Samuel, admitted that the country has a different family planning blueprint, “but implementation is our problem in Nigeria. “It is because of this that we need journalists to partner with stakeholders in the reproductive health sector to champion the cause of curbing our exploding population.” On the myths and misconceptions about family planning, the Oyo State family planning coordinator, Mrs Stella Falaye, said while there are side effects to the health initiative’s methods, “they are not life-threatening. “Most of the side effects are just mild reactions to whatever method one has chosen, particularly for first-timers, but it is important that qualified family planning specialists are patronised for the procedure.” The journalists rounded-off the workshop with a visit to a family planning clinic in Ibadan, where they had the opportunity to interact with the matron on duty.

Friday, 29 January, 2016

TEENS make just over 200 cell phone calls per month. They also send about 80 text messages per day on the average. 63 per cent of children between the ages of eight and 12 have a cell phone. For what? Do you notice that some private secondary schools and some universities refused the use of The host of Straight Talk! mobile phones? W ith Olufunke Adetuberu I simply don’t understand it when I see an eight-year-old cryonmenow@yahoo.com 08023242389 girl talking on her little bedazzled cell phone. Is talking with her little friends really so important that it has to be done right then? I know that attitude is allowed in a household where mommy and daddy are pushovers who can’t say no. What in the world is going on in a kid’s life that needs to be handled on a mobile phone? Nothing, that’s what. They don’t have any deadlines to deal with, or employees or a boss to talk to. They aren’t dealing with issues of commerce or the mobile phone is not a right. It is a privilege that comes world peace. They are kids! I don’t think a kid needs a mobile as a reward for good behaviour, good grades and responsible phone until she is able to drive. When your child gets in a car and drives away, that is when she needs to be able to call for help. This is also the time that the kid can start going on dates, which means that a mobile phone is appropriate for staying I don’t think a kid needs a mobile phone in touch with you. 16 is the age that a child has the need for until she is able to drive. When your child a cell phone. If you feel there are special circumstances that require your kid to carry a phone for emergencies, then make gets in a car and drives away, that is when it one of the emergency cell phones that have a couple of preshe needs to be able to call for help programmed telephone numbers that include police help line and your phone number. Don’t allow them a phone on which they can talk to their little friends. It’s ridiculous. At any age,

Parenting

Mobile phone, not a right!

actions. Sexting That’s right, SEXting. That is texting with sexual content. You know, like phone sex, only you type it. Or you send dirty pictures. A recent study of this action proved that 20 per cent of teens are sending naked or sexy pictures of themselves to each other. Nine per cent of kids as young as 13 admit they have received or sent sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude photos by e-mail or phone text. Does that surprise you? Why? I have given you lots of statistics about all of the sex kids are having, so why should this extension of that action be surprising? Here is the biggest problem with sexting: If a person of any age sends a nude picture of an underage child to another person over the Internet or over their cellular telephone, that person is guilty of child pornography and can be tried in a country that is civilised, if found guilty and will forever more be a registered sex offender. Don’t believe me? Do some research. That harmless fun your kid is having is about to get him a felony charge that will be with him for the rest of his life. What is a parent to do? Scaring the hell out of him would be a good place to start. Show him what being a registered sex offender means. Explain jail and how much fun he will have in prison. This is serious business and you need to put some real fear in your kid to make sure he isn’t participating in this activity.

Varsity student commits suicide for not qualifying as research scientist

university student jumped to her death from her halls of residence after she feared her examination results would stop her becoming a research scientist, an inquest has heard. Samantha MacDonald, 20 was determined to get a firstclass degree as part of her life's ambition to 'make a difference' as a top scientist. But the human biology undergraduate was left devastated after receiving a 2:2 in her second-year examinations which she feared were not good enough. She had also been battling undiagnosed depression following the death of her great aunt and had written notes to her family, later found in her bedroom, in which she revealed her intention to take her life. After a night out clubbing with friends, Ms McDonald jumped from her student apartment at the University of Salford in Greater Manchester. A security guard tried to revive her, but she died at the scene from multiple injuries. An inquest into her death in Bolton recorded a verdict of suicide. She died in October, just weeks after starting the third year of a human biology and infectious diseases course. During the hearing, the inquest was told how Ms MacDonald, from Dukinfield, Manchester, wanted to achieve a firstclass degree and was disheartened with her results. Her father Stephen MacDonald told the inquest: ‘'Sammy was very focused at university and really wanted to get a First. ‘‘She did extremely well during her first year and was just short of the mark she needed for a First. She did well in her coursework but seemed to struggle during examination. ‘‘After second year she got a 2:2 which really knocked her confidence.’’ He told the hearing that her family tried to encourage Ms MacDonald as much as possible and that she had never spoke of feeling depressed. ‘‘She was always a very hard-working girl, but she never really got the grades that reflected her studies,’’ he said. 'She had a very strong interest in science and wanted to make a change in the world. She could not wait to get back to university as she had a good social life and enjoyed seeing her friends.

After her death, police found a diary which contained a list of Ms MacDonald’s likes, dislikes and ambitions. It included the intention to complete a PhD, to find a cure for diabetes and to ‘make a difference’ in the world

The hall of residence from where the student jumped from. Inset is Samantha Mc Donald. ‘‘As far as we were aware she was very focused on completing her degree and working in science afterwards. We were so proud that she was making new friends and a life and a future for herself at university. ‘‘She has never mentioned to us that she was feeling low or depressed and she has not given any indication to any of her family that she was feeling low or that she wanted to harm herself in any way.’’ He added that the letters written to the family suggested she had intended to commit suicide. ‘‘In one letter she says she had written the letter 100 times. I don't know if she intended doing this at the start of the night but maybe the reason she got drunk is maybe to go through with it. ‘‘One of the letters said she had been hiding her depression from us.’’ After her death, police found a diary which contained a list of Ms MacDonald's likes, dislikes and ambitions. It included the intention to complete a PhD, to find a cure for diabetes and to 'make a difference' in the world. Ms MacDonald's housemate and course mate Emma Reid, who went out with Ms MacDonald on the night she died, said that the pair would often go out together but she rarely noticed anything troubling her friend. ‘‘Sometimes if she has a drink she gets emotional but would tell me if there was something bothering her,’’ she said. ‘‘Recently her aunt passed away and she told me about it. I would say she didn't have personal issues she was struggling with. She was shy and didn't have a lot of confidence but nothing too drastic. She was a quiet person. She would have a little cry after a few drinks sometimes.’’ The hearing heard how, on the night before she died, Ms MacDonald and Ms Reid had been out with two other friends in Manchester city centre. After visiting some bars, they attempted to get into a club

but were rejected for being 'too drunk'. The two housemates got a taxi back to their block of flats and the pair were said to have been laughing and joking until Miss Reid went to bed at 4am. But, shortly afterwards, another flatmate Jasmin Lodge, who was up early to attend a nursing placement, heard movement from Ms MacDonald's room followed by commotion outside the flats. She arrived downstairs at 5.40am to find a security guard giving Ms MacDonald chest compressions while awaiting paramedics. She told the hearing: ‘‘I could see him standing over a girl lying on the ground. I went to see if he needed help. ‘‘I looked at the building and could see Samantha's window was open and the light was on. I said: "I think it's my flat mate". I could see it was my friend and I covered her up with my jumper. The paramedics arrived just after that.’’ Tests showed Ms MacDonald had 206 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal drink-drive limit is 80mg. Police Coroner's Officer Alison Park said that a number of notes were found in Samantha's bedroom, with the handwriting possibly affected by the amount of alcohol she had consumed. A search of her mobile phone revealed that she had made a Google search for 'funeral songs' at 5.39am. The inquest heard she had never sought help for mental health issues from a doctor or university health advisor. Recording a conclusion of suicide, coroner Jennifer Leeming said: ‘‘One way of looking at the consumption of alcohol is that it is a way of giving her the courage to perform the act she had in mind. ‘‘I can imagine there is no greater pain than the loss of a child.’’ Dailymail.co.uk

Friday,29 January, 2016

With Yemisi Aofolaju yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com 08055001741

thekitchen Putting

lassa fever

at bay By Yemisi Aofolaju

S the dry season gets hotter by the day, the deadly Lassa Fever that is on the prowl in some states of the federation calls for caution on the part of every homemaker so as not to expose the family members to the scourge. Hardly will any household boast of non invasion of rodents, irrespective of fumigation. Though the spread of the epidemic has been linked to dry season which ultimately pushes the fever -causing specie. The rodents, said to be commonly found in large numbers in the savannah grasslands or tropical and subtropical forests of West Africa, are known to carry Lassa Fever virus throughout their life without developing clinical symptoms. Accordingly, the asymptomatic rodent carriers can excrete the virus in their urine, saliva, respiratory secretions, and thus expose blood vessels on anything including uncovered food, food products, meat and its products on contact

with any of these. During the dry period under review, bush burning is said to usually drive rodents to peoples’ homes and grain stores. As the rats search for food, the infected ones among them can contaminate exposed food, food products, grain and other materials. Consumption of such food or grains raw, or when not properly cooked, causes Lassa hemorrhagic fever. Eating raw grain, a common practice for quality testing of stored grains by traders, is a pos-

DO-It-Yourself

SCALDING can occur from hot steam as well. Be careful when lifting lids from hot food! Handling Knives: (a) Always cut away from your body when using a knife. It can slip and cut you, (b) Always use a cutting board, (c) Protect your counter tops. (d) Keep blades sharp.

sometimes nibbled by the rats and the infected ones among them can transmit the virus to such persons. What the above communicates to us is that women need to urgently spring into action by ensuring that all raw food staples, especially rice, beans, millet, yam flour and others, are kept in containers with firm lids. This is not the time to leave rice grains in bags as these rats could be ferocious, and in a twinkle of an eye, devour the food stuff, thus inflicting untold worries

Couscous

IN keeping to o u r powerhouse resolution for 2016, we bring to you this menu f r o m North Africa specifically, Mali. Couscous is a

How safe is your Continued from last week

sible source of transmission when such products are contaminated. Hunting and subsequent consumption of rat meat as a source of animal protein for some families is another possible means of contracting the Lassa Fever virus. Consequently, the virus has been confirmed to be transmitted in humans through the feco-oral route. Furthermore, in dirty, unhygienic houses infested with rodents, the legs of persons, who sleep in such environments, are

commonly served type of pasta in the region of Northwest Africa known as the Maghreb. In typical Maghreb cooking, couscous is cooked in the top part of a pot known as a couscousière. The bottom part holds a stew, or tagine, whose simmering vapours steam and flavour the couscous. Ingredients Couscous -- 2 cups Salt -- 1/2 teaspoon

power house? (2)

(e) Keep knives clean (including handle) – slippery handles can cause injuries. (f) Don’t put knives in a sink of soapy water – they may not be seen and accidents can occur, (g) Wash and dry carefully keeping sharp edge away from your hands. (h) Always lay them flat, never on the back or edge.

on the household. There is also the need for us to take a stock of our pantries and discard all unused bags, containers that could be the haven of these deadly animals. Any food that has hitherto been exposed should be disposed off right away. Leftovers must be left for the bin and not dropped in the sink overnight. It is not enough for one to just drop the wastes in the bin without tying or covering as well as ensuring that the gabbage bin is dropped in the bigger incinerator before one goes to bed. It is the duty of us all to sensitise the not-so-lettered in our communities on the outbreak of Lassa Fever as they are not conversant, as you are, with the implication of preparing already contaminated food for their household. We also owe it a duty to counsel them on the need to stop buying raw foods (aired/ dried) by the road side. Some proactive states in the country that are predominantly lovers of ‘bushmeat’ have placed a ban on the consumption of such so as to stem the spread of the fever to undiscerning consumers. This is not the time to ignore warnings from every available authority. Taking a cue from the Ebola scourge of 2014 which necessitated vigorous campaigns on environmental and personal cleanliness, we have to abide by the rules. All the food and meat must be well cooked and not consumed just by warming in the microwave. Ensure you rinse all serving plates, cups, cutlery, cooking pots among other tools in the rack before you prepare and dish out meals as the rodents also hibernate in some racks that are put in closed corners overnight.

Boiling water or stock -- 2 cups Method Mix the couscous and salt together in a large bowl. Pour the boiling water or stock over liquid all at once into the couscous and stir in well. Cover the bowl with a tightfitting lid, plate or with plastic wrap. Set aside for about 10-15 minutes to steam. Remove the cover and fluff the

(i) Don’t attempt to catch a knife as it falls – better it hits the floor than cut your hand. (j) Wash knives with warm soapy water after each use. Be sure appliances are unplugged before touching sharp edges (blenders, can openers, mixers, etc.). Never stick a fork in a toaster

to retrieve trapped toast – you may get shocking results. Always be sure the blender is unplugged before touching the blades. Never ever, ever leave cooking foods unattended – not even for a minute. Casualness causes casualties – don’t answer or talk on the phone while cooking – you can be distracted and injuries can

couscous with a fork. Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter or olive oil if you like. Use couscous as a base for North African tagines and stews, or as an accompaniment to hot entrees or cold salads. Couscous Notes Couscous looks like a small grain, but is actually a type of semolina pasta. Other names for couscous: keskesu, kuskus, mftoul, seksu, ta’aam, kusksi, kisksu, cuscusu. result. Clean up spills immediately – wet floors are slippery when wet. Keep the kitchen floor clear of toys and other items. Keep young children out of the kitchen while cooking. Always use a step-stool to reach high places. Store cleaning supplies and all chemicals in a safe place. Additional report: Google

news Army arrests Boko Haram suspect in Sapele 34

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Displays list, faces of wanted suspects Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

NE of the Boko Haram suspects declared wanted by the Nigerian Army was on Wednesday arrested in Sapele, Delta State.

The 35-year-old Boko Haram suspect, whose name was given as Bukar Abacha, was arrested by officers of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Sapele. Nigerian Tribune

Senators disagree over presence of Boko Haram in Taraba Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

TWO serving senators from Taraba State, on Thursday, disagreed on the presence of Boko Haram terrorists in the state. The two lawmakers are Senator Yusul Abubakar Yusulf representing Taraba Central Senatorial district and Senator Emmanuel Bwacha representing Taraba South. Senator Emmanuel Bwacha had told the Senate last week during plenary when he raised point of order that Boko Haram terrorists had entered the state, disguising as Fulani herdsmen. He called on the Senate to direct the security operatives to be on guard and arrest such extremists to avoid any attack on innocent people of the state. However, on Thursday, Senator Abubakar Yusuf equally raised a point of order to correct the alarm raised by Bwacha, explaining that such was misleading and attempt to create tension in the state, pleading with the Senate to advise Bwacha to desist from such false alarm. Yusul informed that immediately Bwacha raised the alarm, he met with both the state commissioner of police and the State Security Services (SSS) as well as the people and they all confirmed nothing of such. According to him “Last week, my colleague and younger brother, Senator Bwacha raised an issue regarding influx of people who are disguised as Fulani herdsmen into Taraba State, this has created fear in the state. I want to state here that such a thing did not happen. “I have met with the state commissioner of police and the SSS and they have said nothing of such happened. I want to put it before the Senate to advise Senator Bwacha to be mindful of his utterances. “In case of this matter, l wants the security operatives to be investigated. I want to state here that such thing never happened. I have met and discussed

with my people and I want to equally place on records that my colleague and younger brother did not get his facts correct. “This has created unnecessary tension in the state and I wish we disregard it and Bwacha be advised against raising false alarm,” he declared.

gathered that Bukar Abacha, who hails from Borno State, was arrested some hours after arrival at Hausa Quarters in Sapele metropolis following intelligent report. The intelligent report was said to have been forwarded to the Joint Task Force (JTF) code-named Operation Pulo Shield by members of the Arewa community. It was gathered that the suspect has been subsequently whisked to the army headquarters in Abuja. A senior army officer in Sapele, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that Abacha was in possession of the list of wanted Boko Haram

suspects in the state at the time of the arrest. Leaders of the Arewa community, who handed over the suspect to the army, said the suspect was looking strange, psychologically imbalance and uncomfortable in their midst which aroused their suspicion that he might be a wanted suspect. The officer added that many of the Islamic sects had migrated from the North-East of the country to the South-East, following the military offensive against the sect in recent times. He said all hands must be on deck to arrest all the fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile, soldiers from the 19 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Sapele, have gone on a “Show of force/confidence-building patrol” and sensitization spree in Sapele and its surrounding on the need for inhabitants to watch for strange movements and report to security agencies. While pasting the lists of 100 wanted Boko Haram suspects by the Nigerian Army in some strategic places in Sapele metropolis during the sensitisation exercise, the army disclosed that “the aim is to create awareness and as well make the people conscious of the fact that an enemy may be hiding among them.”

Nigerian Tribune

INEC moves 9 RECs in minor shake-up Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday redeployed nine Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). According to a statement made available to news men in Abuja yesterday by its Secretary, Mrs Augusta C. Ogakwu, the commission said the re-deployment took immediate effect with the handing and taking over to be concluded by next week Tuesday, The redeployment, according to the statement, showed that Dr Lawrence Azubuike, formerly REC in Ebonyi, has been transferred to Anambra State, while Dr Ogbudu Gabriel Ada was moved from Imo to Akwa Ibom State. Also, the Cross River, REC, Sylvester Okey Ezeani, was moved to Abia State, while Sam Olumekun who was in Ekiti has been redeployed to Edo State. Mrs Gesila Khan was moved from Rivers to Cross River State, while her counterpart Austin Okojie moved from Akwa Ibom to Bayelsa State. The REC in Bayelsa, Baritor Kkagih, moved to Delta State, just as Mr Habu Zarma Hinna of Yobe was transferred to Taraba, while Okoiwak Aniedi Abasi moved from Delta to Rivers State.

Graft war: Probe NNPC, CBN, Fafowora tells Buhari From left, incoming Ekiti State Director of Department of State Security (DSS), Mr Andrew Iorkyar; Governor Ayodele Fayose and the outgoing Director, DSS, Mr Fubara Duke, during the visit of Iorkyar to the governor, at his office in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday.

Chibok bombers targetted Commanding Officer —Army James Bwala - Maiduguri

THE Media Coordinator, Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Mustapha Anka, on Thursday, revealed that the two female suicide bombers who detonated improvise explosive device in a market at Chibok town on Wednesday actually targeted the commanding officer in charge of Chibok and surrounding areas. Speaking in an interview with newsmen at the Maimalari Cantonment, the Army spokesman said that the suicide bombers disguised as women backing babies when they were approaching the Army officer, but detonated the explosives before they could

reach the Commanding Officer. “The commanding officer and another officer with him sustained injury and are currently receiv-

ing treatment. A number of people lost their lives and several others sustained varying degree of injury,” Colonel Anka said Although he could not

confirm the total number of casualties, reports from Chibok indicated that the death toll has risen to 20 while some of the injured persons are recuperating.

US condemns Chibok bomb attacks Christian Okeke - Abuja

THE United States Government has condemned the multiple suicide bomb attacks on Chibok community. The attacks happened on Wednesday and left many persons dead. Chibok is a community where over 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped in 2014 without being rescued yet.

In a reaction through its embassy on Thursday, the US government described the incident as senseless acts of terror. The embassy issued a three-sentence statement where it extended its condolences to the families of the victims. United States, according to the statement, said it remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s fight

against terror. The statement reads, “U.S. Embassy condemns the multiple suicide attacks against the Chibok community on January 27. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. “The United States remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s fight against these senseless acts of terror.”

Bola Badmus - Lagos

FORMER Ambassador and Deputy Representative of Nigeria at the United Nations (UN), Chief Oladapo Fafowora, said it was high time Nigeria ended public corruption in the country, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the searchlight on corruption to various government institutions, including the NNPC, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), among others. Fafowora, while calling for a holistic approach to the fight against graft, contended that it was not an exaggeration that virtually all public institutions in Nigeria had been gripped by the vice. The former ambassador made the call in Lagos at the 11th Annual Surveyor Adekunle Kukoyi Memorial Lecture, organised by the Lagos State Branch of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS).

Friday, 29 January, 2016

arewa

Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

NGO introduces Arabic classes to IDPs’ children

Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

Non Governmental Organisation in Nigeria, under the aegis of Community Reading and Information Acquisition Skill Initiative(CRIASI) has concluded arrangement to introduce Arabic classes to the Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs’) children who are living in different camps in Kaduna. The co-ordinator of the NGO, Hajiya Maryam Mohammaed Barau, stated this while she led the group to IDP centre at Barakallahu in Kaduna. She said her organisation had identified over 200 IDPs’ children scattered around Kaduna, saying these children needed to be in school, but unfortunately they were not. Barau said: “There is the need to assist these children in order to enable them learn how to read and write”. She said it was for this reason that they volunteered teachers who had agreed to teach the children Arabic. “We are equally working to have corps members, especially those with bias in education posted to the IDPs’ camps to teach the children. While appreciating the support of the parents who willingly surrendered their children for the programme, the coordinator called on the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), as well as international donour organisations to introduce a programme that could help in reshaping the lives of orphans, widows, old men and women living in various IDPs camps in Northern Nigeria. She also stated that they had enrolled many IDPs children in government primary and secondary schools. “We also buy them books and new uniforms with other learning materials needed for studies” Speaking at the occasion, the District Head of Barakallahu, Alhaji Mohammad Abdullahi, expressed satisfaction over the introduction of the school for IDPs children in his community, saying it was the first of its kind in the area. According to him, the programme would help in overcoming the challenges faced in providing education for the hundreds of those children living in the camp. He also called on private school owners to give free admission to these children.

Two suspects arrested with 55 AGO jericans in Kaduna —Pg.36

Senator pays 40 patients’ hospital bills in Kaduna —Pg.36

Children of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camp.

Mad nursing woman gets donation from senator, others Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna A 22 year old mad woman, Hassana, who gave birth to a boy in the Kaduna Central Market has received donation from Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central and other good Samaritans.

The mad woman with her baby boy

Eye witness told Arewa that the lunatic delivered in front of a bank at the Kaduna Central market under the watchful eyes of some customers who came to the bank. ‘After delivery, some women assisted her by cleaning her up, while others rushed to donate rolls of pampers, olive oil, baby

cloths, underwears, milk, etc. Later, she was assisted and taken to a hospital on the orders of a philanthropist who doesn’t want to be named. “When the news got to the ears of Senator Sani, he sent his emissary to the hospital, promising to settle the hospital bills as well as the drugs she took. As at the time of filing this report, the boy, who was given the name Abdullahi by the market people, was hale and hearty. However, a source, who pleaded anonymity, told Arewa that there was the need for both the state and local governments to rehabilitate those lunatics living among them. “Many of such types of people have been neglected by the society for years, saying for many years, this particular mad woman moved from one place to another in Kaduna metropolis in search of food and shelter”.

Crew Sabiu Mohammed - Kaduna 08067698878 mohsabiu@yahoo.com Isaac Shobayo - Jos 08037032359 shobayo.isaac@gmail.com Biola Azeez – Kwara State 08034276889 biolababes@gmail.com James Bwala – Borno / Yobe 08069596659 jamesbwala97@gmail.com Adamu Amadu - Dutse Kola Oyelere - Kano

36 arewa

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Two suspects arrested with 55 AGO jericans in Kaduna Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

HE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kaduna State Command, has arrested two suspects and recovered over 55 Jericans of Automotive Gas Oil(AGO) also known as diesel. State Commandant of the Corps, Alhaji Modu Bunu, who spoke in Kaduna over the unfortunate trend, expressed worry over the antics of the vandals, saying the suspects were arrested at Ungwan LimanKangimi in Igabi Local Government Area following a tip-off. Bunu vowed that the command would not relent in its anti-vandalism drive, warning that hard times awaited unscrupulous elements who, rather than use legitimate ways of living, resort to illegal and criminal means. He maintained that the command would continue with surveillance on petroleum pipelines in the state, calling on residents to assist by giving the corps information to enable the NSCDC live up to expectations. The commandant attributed the arrest of the duo and recovery of the filled jericans and two motor-cycles to information that was given to the corps, adding that information volunteered to the command

Senator pays 40 patients’ hospital bills in Kaduna CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Foreign and Local Debts , Senator Shehu Sani, has pledged to defray the medical bills of 40 patients admitted to St. Gerald’s Catholic Hospitals, Kaduna. He made the pledge when he visited the hospital recently. He equally promised to build a new Neonatal unit at the hospital after discovering that existing one at the Hospital could not cater for the overwhelming number of premature babies delivered on a daily basis. Speaking in an interview after the tour, Senator Sani commended the management of the hospital for working within limited resources to maintain large number of patients that visit the hospital frequently for medical care. However, he lamented that most of the hospitals today could not operate because of poor infrastructure or lack of funds. “It is high time we looked inward towards equipping our hospitals adequately. It is an irony for people in government to claim they have achieved a lot in health sector only for them to send their families abroad for medical treatment,” he stressed. The Senator representing Kaduna Central further explained that the decision to visit St. Gerald’s Catholic Hospital was informed by the passion to assist and attend to people who could not afford their medical bills. “You can see that the situation here is pathetic. The hospital needs support and some of the patients equally need support. So, I have decided to write off medical bills of 40 patients, that also includes those at emergency wards. Meanwhile, he urged other Nigerian leaders and the rich in the society to, as a matter of concern, consider the plights of the sick and find a way of assisting.

pects, recovery of 55 quantities of 25 litres of AGO and two motorcycles”, the commandant said, adding “during the operation, all male inhabitants of the village were discovered to have disserted their houses leaving only women who declined comments on the whereabouts of their

male folk. “In most of the houses searched, jericans and other wares used for scooping of AGO from a vandalised pipeline in the community were found. While the commandant has informed the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) of the incident, investigation into the matter is being conducted with a view to charging the suspects to court.

Plateau to sanitise land ministry for more revenue Isaac Shobayo - Jos

Gov Nasir el-Rufai

Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

was treated with utmost confidentiality. He explained: “following a tip-off on the activities of vandals at Ugwan-Liman Kangimi in Igabi LGA, I directed a combing operation of the area. The operatives stormed the location and conducted a search resulting in the arrest of two sus-

Unguwar Dosa residents lament refuse dump on prayer ground Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna RESIDENTS of Unguwar Dosa and Badarawa areas of Kaduna metropolis are calling on the state government to evacuate the heap of refuse dump at prayer ground. Findings by Arewa revealed that most of the households dump all waste on the Idi ground, thereby causing environmental hazards to the people of the area. According to Mallam Nasir Umar a resident of the area, “if you are passing through the Idi ground, the offensive smell that oozed out from the refuse is worrisome. ‘Last month, we saw the refuse collector employed by the Kaduna State government clearing the site and they worked for

Heaps of refuse on prayer ground

two or three days before they disappeared. Another source, who pleaded anonymity, noted that the Idi ground, which is situated on the land belonging to Sardauna Memorial College, is used by the Muslims to observe the Idi prayers during the eleid fitr and el-eid Kabir celebrations. ‘Now, the refuse has covered almost the entire ground. So, how can people now go to the ground to pray. A youth in the area, who gave his name as Awwal, told Arewa that every morning, he and his friends would go there(refuse site) with the hope that the state governor would go there to see how the place was turning into a slum. “Keeping Kaduna clean campaign must start from here”, he added.

AS part of the efforts of the Plateau State government to boost its internally generated revenue, the State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Barrister Festus Fuanter, has said the government is set to sanitise the ministry for effective land administration and make it a veritable source of revenue for the state. Barrister Fuanter, who stated this while interacting with the staff and management of the Ministry, said with the dwindling oil revenue, coupled with the shortfall in monthly allocations from the centre, there was the need to look inward and boost the internally generated revenue, adding that the ministry was in the best position to achieve this if well positioned. According to him, to make the ministry more viable, there is the need to sanitise the system and remove all bottlenecks that might hinder the transformation and introduce transparency. “Governor Lalong is determined to better the lives of indigenes of the state; we are to work and co-operate with him to achieve this. The only way for the present administration to succeed is to harness all the avenues that will enhance the financial status of the state. The era whereby government depended solely on oil is gone and every government has to look for an alternative. “I don’t believe in failure, making Plateau great is a collective responsibility. Plateau is strategic to many Nigerians, that is why people, irrespective of their origin, want to own houses in Jos; so, we need to take advantage of this to improve our revenue. It is not going to be business as usual and I am calling on all staff to be diligent and co-operate with us in order to move the state forward.” he said He implored the staff of the ministry to change their attitude to work and embrace the change mantra of the administration, adding that laziness would not be tolerated and that his determination was to double the revenue base of the ministry within the next one year. “To achieve this objective, we must change our attitude to work and be more determined. You must double your efforts for the greater challenge; failure is not an option in this business. The revenue of this ministry must double within the next one year” Said he: “I will deal with the business with all the seriousness that it requires; it has worked in other places, there is no reason it will not work in this state. We must ensure that peace reigns supreme in this state, but it must be a collective effort.”

news NYSC orders personnel to declare assets 37

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Plans quarterly orientation for corps members

By Adetola Bademosi and Alphonsus Agborh

HE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has, on Thursday, ordered its personnel whose assets declaration dates are due, to make such declaration immediately in line with the code of conduct for public officers. Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, gave the directive at the opening ceremony of its 2016 Annual Management Confer-

ence (AMC) in Asaba, Delta State. The scheme also unfolded plans to start conducting orientation courses on quarterly basis from 2017 to meet up with challenges posed by the increasing corps population. He pointed out that the scheme, which started with a pioneer batch of 2,364 corps members in 1973, now mobilised around 260,000 corps members annually with the population expected to rise to 350,000 in no distant time. Olawumi said the scheme

would forward detailed proposal and cost requirement of the planned quarterly orientation to the Federal Government for consideration. Speaking on the theme of the 2016 AMC, “Strengthening the Operational Strategies of the NYSC Scheme for Effective Youth Management”, the DG said it was apt as it would come up with strategies that would help address some of the challenges confronting the scheme to enable it achieve its

objectives. He used the occasion to appeal to states that do not have permanent orientation camps to expedite action on same, stressing that the provision of camps was the statutory responsibility of state governments. Olawumi also decried the rejection of corps members by some organisations, especially in the public sector. “While the scheme appreciates the consistent co-operation of corps

employers over the years, it further appeals that rather than reject corps members who actually are in national assignment, a budgetary provision should be made for them at the beginning of every year by both public and private organisations in the country.” In his address, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, commended the NYSC for its contributions to the social, political, economic and cultural development of the country. Okowa, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Festus Ovie Agas, said the scheme had added value to Delta State communities in the areas of education, agriculture, infrastructure, technology, youth empowerment and social services. He also hailed the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers for its contributions to healthcare delivery in communities in the country.

Ooni inaugurates N56m buses, free health service Oluwole Ige -Osogbo Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, exchanging pleasantries with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Nigeria, Dr Valerii Aleksandruk, while the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani, watches, during a courtesy visit by the ambassador to the Senate President, in Abuja, on Thursday.

Lassa fever: Victim’s family insists on collecting corpse By Sade Oguntola THERE was anxiety at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday, when the family of a patient said to have died from Lassa fever insisted on collecting the corpse. The patient was brought into the hospital’s accident and emergency unit on Tuesday with signs suggestive of Lassa fever, but died same night. Tests carried out on his blood by the hospital found him to be positive. UCH’s Chairman, Medical Advisor Committee Chairman, Dr Femi Afolabi, responding to the incident, explained that the hospital had to take precaution to ensure that the corpse is properly handled and buried to prevent the infection spreading in the community. Afolabi, who said the hospital would not want the patient’s death to heighten tension of Lassa fever incidence in Nigeria, said “our

laboratory says that the patient is positive for Lassa fever and there was lack of understanding on the part of his family and the colleagues of the person that died. “But there are precautions you must take in packaging the corpse; it is different from what we normally do and we needed to ensure that appropriate bag is used; the appropriate chlorine con-

centration when handling the corpses. All that will take time. “We invited them to my office and we educated them on why we were taking such precautions. It is not a corpse that corpse bearer throw all over in the casket or want to have a lying in state and then people sitting around, but buried in a special way like all patients with viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola

disease.” Dr Afolabi said that although results from the reference laboratory in Lagos State indicated that the patient tested positive for Lassa fever and contrary to that from the hospital, “whether the final report would have been negative for Lassa fever or not, we took all the precautions and that is what we should do as professionals.”

Accord governorship candidate defects to APC in Ekiti THE governorship candidate of the Accord party in Ekiti State in the last election, Mr Kole Ajayi, on Thursday, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection ceremony, which took place at Ward 4 in Ado Ekiti Local Government Area, was attended by the acting chairman of Accord in the state, Mrs Funmi Akinyemi; public relations officer, Mr Taiwo Olatubosun, party dignitaries and members. In his speech, the Ward

Chairman, Mr Sunday Omotosho, commended Mr Ajayi for his decision to come back to the party, saying that it was significant to note that Ajayi contested under Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Ado Ekiti Constituency 1 for the state House of Assembly in 2003. He enjoined the new entrant to use his wealth of experience to join hands with the leaders to build the party in the state. In his address, Ajayi thanked members of the

party in the ward for accepting him back with open hands, saying that he was back to where he belonged. He said his decision to join the APC was based on his belief that the party was implementing change in all spheres of life and the change mantra as being implemented by President Muhammadu Buhari. He pledged his loyalty to the party leadership at all levels and urged members to be loyal and upright in their activities.

THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Thursday, inagurated seven coastal buses to ease inter and intra state transportation for the people of Ile-Ife and its environs. This development came as the traditional ruler also announced free treatment of ailments for the people of the town. While commissioning the Made-in-Nigeria coastal buses in his palace at Enuwa Square, Oba Ogunwusi tasked Nigerians to patronise locally-made products, with a view to enhancing the nation’s economy. He maintained that the present economic downturn bedeviling Nigeria could only addressed if citizens of the country cultivate the habit of patronising products and goods produced locally. Oba Ogunwusi said he decided to collaborate with Olofin Micro Finance Bank, Ile-Ife, to purchase the vehicles in order to bring about economic growth of Ile-Ife and also facilitate effective transportation system in and outside Ife town. Managing Director of Olofin Micro Finance Bank, Mr Toyin Olufolahan, disclosed that the buses cost N8 million each.

Nigerian Tribune

Lassa fever outbreak: ‘Failure of nation’s public health’ Biola Azeez - Ilorin THE outbreak of Lassa fever in some states has been blamed on the failure of public health system in the country. Speaking on ‘Media as a strategic tool in healthcare delivery,’ at a health retreat organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), in Ilorin, on Thursday, a media practitioner, Alhaji Ishaq Modibbo, said the outbreak had also exposed the poor state of the nation’s primary healthcare system. Alhaji Modibbo, who described Lassa fever as a disease of the poor, lamented poor environmental sanitation and hygiene among the people, saying that there would be improvement in public health with cleanliness caused by availability of potable water. “Lassa fever is a quintessential disease of the poor, because it is often directly associated with poor communities in rural and urban settlements around Nigeria. I was in primary school in 1969 when the first cases of Lassa fever emerged in present day Borno State. And the re-emergence of the infection in recent months is being associated with the deterioration of primary health care and basic sanitation in our rural communities and increasingly over-populated urban settlements,” he said.

Ogun warns V1O against extortion, unruly behaviour OGUN State government says it will not hesitate to deal with any of the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) caught extorting money from motorists and other road users while discharging their duties. The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Olamilekan Adegbite who handed down the warning during the passing out parade of the 23 newly deployed VIO whose ranks ranged from works superintendent to principal works superintendent, advised the officers to be cautious while dealing with the public. Adegbite, according to a statement by the ministry’s spokesman, Mr Ayokunle Ewuoso, said government’s aspiration was to build well-trained, efficient and very effective inspection officers that can meet up with the world standard in road traffic law enforcement.

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I, formerly Miss Adewoyin Oluwatosin Adenike now MRS. ADEWOYIN OLUWATOSIN ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. OAU, Ile-Ife, NYSC, GTBank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Akintunde Festus Popoola now OLADIPUPO FESTUS POPOOLA. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc., Wema Bank Plc., and general public take note.

That my correct name is Amadi Collins Chimerze and not Amadi Collins Chinaza and that my correct date of birth is 17th of August, 1985 and not 17th of August 1981 as documented in my Bank Verification Number. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinlabi Oladayo Temitope now MRS AKANDE OLADAYO TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Jinad Adedoyin Azeezat now MRS. OLAOSEBIKAN ADEDOYIN AZEEZAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ogolo Gbemisola Rasidat now MRS. AKANBI GBEMISOLA RASIDAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ezekiel Christianah Bunmi now MRS. BABAYOMI CHRISTIANAH BUNMI. All former documents remain valid. Yagba East Local Government Education Authority and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Daguro Olufunbi Adebola now MRS. AYEJUNI OLUFUNBI ADEBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Talabi Akinola Akinlo now MRS. OMOTEHINSE TALABI GLORY. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Christiana Olajumoke Ilesanmi now MRS. CHRISTIANA OLAJUMOKE OYEKANMI. All former documents remain valid. MDCN, NYSC and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Abayomi Ilesanmi Jackson am the same person bearing Ilesanmi Abayomi, A. Ilesanmi Abayomi and Ilesanmi Jackson. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ABAYOMI ILESANMI JACKSON. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. EcoBank, UBA Plc., FCMB and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Aniwachukwu Joseph Ogbona now ANI JOSEPH OGBONA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Sulaiman Akanmu Olaiya am the same person as Sulaiman Akanmu Ola and Sule Olaiya. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as SULAIMAN AKANMU OLAIYA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Union Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, Onyolu Bunmi Esther am the same person bearing Onyolu Bunmi Lebi and Esther Bunmi Onyolu. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ONYOLU BUNMI ESTHER. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. UBA Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Yekeen Abibat Titilayo am the same person as Miss Abdulyekeen Abibat and Mrs Abdulyekeen Abibat Titilayo Adedokun. Now wish to be addressed as MRS ADEDOKUN ABIBAT TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Asunke Silifat Amusa, born on 20th day of January 1971, am the same person as Lasisi Silifat Abake. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ASUNKE SILIFAT AMUSA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Britto Olufunmilola Ibironke now MRS. JOHNSON OLU F U N M I LOL A IBIRONKE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, Adebiyi Iyanuoluwa Elizabeth am the same person as Adebiyi Iyanuoluwa F. and Adebiyi Olufunmilayo Olajumoke. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADEBIYI IYANUOLUWA ELIZABETH. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Yewande Abigail Sangotayo now MRS YEWANDE ABIGAIL SENBANJO. All former documents remain valid. UBA, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Nwalozie Rachael Chioma now MRS. OSAKWE RACHAEL CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adesokan Odunayo Grace now MRS. BANDO GRACE ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ololade Orimolade Abidemi now ORIMOLADE FOLASADE ABIDEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fakeye Oluwaseyi Ajoke and Fakeye Oluwaseyifunmi Ajoke now MRS. OGUNDOYIN OLUWASEYIFUNMI A. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Halleluyah Temitope Animasaun now MRS. HALLELUYAH TEMITOPE ANIMASAUN-ADEGBOLA. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adebisi Oluseyi Abigeal now MRS. OMOTAYO OLUSEYI ABIGEAL. All former documents remain valid. Teachers Establishment and Pension Office (TEPO), Osun State and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Rasaq Aminat Bukola now MRS HASSAN AMINAT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adebayo Mistura Folasade now MRS. BADMUS MISTURA FOLASADE. All former documents remain valid. Teachers Establishment and Pension Office (TEPO), Osun State and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adejinmi Tinuola Abebiade now MRS BOLADURO TINUOLA ABEBIADE. All former documents remain valid. NCRIB, Lagos Area Committee and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Rasaq Joke Baliqee now RAJI ADEJOKE BILI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Rosiji Olasunbo Basirat now MRS ROSIJI ADELABU BASIRAT OLASUNBO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Funmilola Adeola Fadele now MRS O L U WA F U N M I L O L A FADELE AYANWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Dr Oyewale Emmanuel Oluyemisi now DR OYEWALE FEMI ISRAEL OLUYEMISI. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Hospital Management Board and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ganiyu Adenike Sakirat now WAHAB SAKIRAT ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Awoyemi Olufunke Deborah now MRS OLAJIDE OLUFUNKE DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

40 news Reps to probe alleged N50m, 150 motorcycles largesse for members

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Ogogoro kills

2 in Edo

Banji Aluko- Benin City

Adjourn till Feb 16 for budget defence

session till February 16. Speaker Dogara said the two weeks break would allow members to participate fully at the committee levels in the 2016 budget defence by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.

The lawmakers disclosed that consequently, he had been under pressure by his constituents who had been demanding for their shares of the largesse, adding that the issue should be investigated because as he never collected such money or motorcycles.

Ikpeazu not distracted by Appeal Court’s ruling —Gov’s CPS

Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) United Kingdom, Abiodun Alli (right), exchanging pleasantries with the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment , Dr Samuel Babatunde Adejare; while the treasurer, Mr Babatunde Seriki and member, Alhaji Razaq Courage, both of APC UK and Lagos, watch, during a courtesy visit to the commissioner, over partnership with the ministry for a cleaner Lagos, on Thursday. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel--Abuja

he House of Representatives, on Thursday, mandated its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate an alleged sharing of N50 million and 150 motorcycles largesse by the leadership of the House to members. This followed a point of privilege raised by the deputy minority whip, Honourable Yakubu Barde, in the floor of the House. Honourable Barde alleged that a member of the Green Chamber from Kaduna State, Honourable Mohammad Abubakar representing Igabi federal constituency of Kaduna, said on a local radio station (Liberty Radio) in the state, that the leadership of the House was sharing the largesse with members without further explanations.

Celestine IhejirikiaUmuahia

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s passion for service to Abia people and his inspirational obsession, despite the distractions of the Appeal Court ruling has been described as the hallmark of a good leader. Chief Press secretary to the Governor, Mr Godwin Adindu, who stated this during a press briefing in his office, noted that what should have caused a low morale to dampen the spirit of a leader has been a source of strength to him. According to him, the Governor is committed to providing the people of Abia with dividends of democracy, despite obvious threat. He added that the regime of projects and road constructions had continued unabated,despite the distractions of the Appeal Court ruling. He stated that the Governor’s covenant with Abia people remains constant, adding that this is a time of consolidation of earlier achievements and opening up of new frontiers. Adindu, who disclosed that the state government is currently handling a total of 47 road projects scattered across the state with two bridges, added that some of the projects had been commissioned.

According to Barde,”This is an allegation, considering the present economic situation of Nigeria. As lawmakers we have to be very careful to make sure our image is not tarnished, Nigerians need to know what really happened.” The Speaker, Honour-

able Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the plenary in his ruling, referred the matter to the committee on ethic and privileges which would report back to the lower chamber in four weeks’ time. This came just as the House adjourned plenary

Benue South rerun: Mark praises constituents for loyalty Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

Ahead of the February 20, 2016 Benue South Senatorial rerun in Benue State, immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has commended members of his constituents for standing by him in spite of all odds. Senator Mark, who received members of Idoma Dreams and Idoma Young Professionals already campaigning for his rerun said: “ I am deeply touched by this uncommon show of brotherhood and solidarity.” The two groups volunteered to campaign for Mark’s rerun in the nine local government areas of Benue South Senatorial district. Senator Mark assured the people that he is irrevocably committed to the development of Benue South and beyond, assuring that he would do everything legitimate to improve their lots. According to Mark, “I am deeply touched by this uncommon solidarity. Let me also remind you that in going about the campaign for me, please, always be law-abiding. I need you to be peaceful during the pre-

election, election day and post-election. “Like I mentioned before, no election is worth injury or loss of life . I crave for a peaceful conduct of election at all times. The choice of representation resides with the people and ultimately God. “I want to thank you for believing in my leadership and

understanding that credible representation at the Senate is of utmost importance. “By the grace of God, we shall triumph at the rerun. I will defend the interest of our people at all times.” Earlier, the team leader of the Idoma dreams, Mr Donald Ogah said the campaign for Mark’s rerun had been impressive “because

our people have seen the need to uphold a credible and quality representation and the good works that he represents.” Ogah maintained that the battle to return Mark to the Senate is not negotiable “because he represents Idoma Dreams. This battle is not for you ( Mark) but for the survival of Idoma nation.”

Two persons in Ugie, a community in EtsakoWest Local Government Area of Edo State, have died while three persons have been hospitalised after drinking local gin popularly called ogogoro. A member of the community, Lukman Rilwan, said at least, five persons in the community, complained of stomach ache, after consuming the local dry gin. He said: “after they consumed ogogoro, they began complaining of stomach ache, unfortunately two died while three have been hospitalised.” The incident was confirmed by the traditional ruler (Aidonigie) of South Ibie, Alhaji Kelvin Danisi, and the chairman of Etsako-West Local Government Area, Yesufu Busari. The council chairman added that a ban would be placed on the consumption of ogogoro and other illicit gins in the local government. “I got a report that two people have died and three others are still critically ill at the hospital. We are doing everything possible to make sure that such things don’t happen again. “I have already summoned a meeting of all those that are into sales of alcohol, and we are going to place a ban on illicit gin,” the Aidonigie said.

Abandoned baby

Vaccinate your children against measles, mothers advised By Sade Oguntola

Mothers have been enjoined to vaccinate their children against measles, just as they were told that worldwide, at least, 13 children below the age of five years, die every hour as a result of the disease. World Health Organisation’s Oyo State coordinator, Dr Ada Erinne said this in her goodwill message, at the kick off of the 2016 measles immunisation exercise, at Alakia/Olode ward model primary healthcare, Egbeda Local Government Area. The opening exercise was performed by wife of the Oyo State Governor, Chief Florence Ajimobi. Dr Erinne, who urged that no child should be allowed to

die or have disabilities from measles, declared that the disease could be effectively prevented through immunisation. According to her, “we have effective vaccines that Nigeria is providing free of charge to protect children from measles. Children can die from measles; we have had that experience in Oyo State, where some children died from measles.” Erinne said after the campaign, mothers should also ensure that their children are routinely immunised for measles. Chief Florence Ajimobi while flagging off the exercise appreciated the supporting funding partners and the Oyo State government’s effort, at ensuring healthy children, and urged mothers to get

their children vaccinated, saying it is free. Ajimobi, who remarked that many childhood deaths, were due to ignorance by their parents, urged parents, especially mothers, to be more proactive about the health of their children. According to her, parents should avail themselves of the opportunity of the free measles immunisation excercise, and convert the monies they should have paid to private hospitals into doing other things. The 2016 measles campaign is a five-day exercise, billed to hold in all the 33 local government councils of Oyo State. It is targeted at about 2.5 million children between the ages of nine months and five years.

TEMITAYO OLUKUNLE AMOSUN, eight-day-old boy was found abandoned in front of a gate at Bello’s House, Ifekowajo Estate, Bode Olude, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on January 22, 2016 at about 05:15hrs. Anyone with useful information on the whereabouts of the subject’s mother/relatives, should please, contact the nearest police station, or the Director of Social Welfare Services, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

news

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Lawmaker charges telecoms stakeholders on safety, radiation hazards From Tunde Ogunesan and Ronke Sanya

HE chairman, House Committee on Telecommunication, Honourable Saheed Fijabi, has charged all stakeholders in the sector to work together to protect “our environment”, sensitise Nigerians on the safety and health hazards as a result of Elec-

tromagnetic Field (EMF) and radiation. Honourable Fijabi, representing Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, stated this on Thursday, during the opening session of an awareness and sensitisation workshop, organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission

(NCC), on electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure and health for South West and North Central regions, at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan. With the theme “Awareness on the safety profile of EMF from telecommunication infrastructure”, Honourable Fijabi, noted that it is high time Nigeria, as a country safeguard it’s health and environment when it

Carnages involving tankers worrisome —FRSC boss Clement Idoko - Abuja

THE Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi, has said that stringent measures will be taken to bring the menace of tanker crashes in the country under control. He described as worrisome the high rate of multiple road crashes involving articulated vehicles leading to horrendous loss of lives and huge economic loss to the nation. Oyeyemi, spoke on Thurday, in Abuja, during a presentation he made before the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, at the stakeholders’ interactive session it organised to find lasting solutions to the menace of tanker tragedies in the country. Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Mr Bisi Kazeem, in a statement said Oyeyemi revealed that about 1.25 million people die each year worldwide as a result of road traffic crashes which have become the leading causes of death among the people. He said that 50 per cent of the world’s fatalities on the roads occur in low and middle income countries and stressed that without action, road traffic crashes could become the leading cause of death by 2030. “In 2013, a total of 21,199 vehicles, were involved in crashes, in which 1,495 were tankers/trailer related, representing 7. 05 per cent. The following year, a total of 16, 779 vehicles were involved, out of which 998 were tankers/tanker related, representing 5.94 per cent,” he stated. The Corps Marshal further observed that despite the trending down of road traffic crashes involving all categories of vehicles in the country, that of the tankers was most worrisome to the Corps, because the damage they caused were not only measured in the loss of lives and limbs, vehicles and infrastructure, but spillage of fuel which resulted in fire that constitute huge eco-

nomic losses. He identified the causes of the tanker tragedies witnessed in the country last year to include scarcity of petroleum products, which created increased demand for vehicles to transport across the country. This, he

said, led to rampart use of non road worthy vehicles by some drivers. “Another reason for the prevalence of non-road worthy vehicles on the roads was the prohibitive cost of articulated vehicles,” he added.

comes to communication. “The deployment of mobile telecoms infrastructure by the operators in Nigeria, is faced with several health, safety and environment-related challenges. These challenges range from policy and regulatory frameworks, through operations and implementation to monitoring and evaluation of mobile telecommunication management in Nigeria,” he said. “There are increasing concerns among the public, media, healthcare and indeed, legal practitioners on the safety of mobile telephone. Currently, at least, six out of every 10 documented complaints received by the mobile telecoms operators in Nigeria, centred on the safe-

ty, health and environment risk concerns. These range from the belief, to the assertion of the possibilities of such health impacts as cancers, habitual abortions, infertility, birth defects, among others. The world has become aware that radiation and electromagnetic field exposure have harmful effects on the environment.” On the solution to safeguard Nigerians health and environment, the lawmaker said “the absence of clear legislation and regulations on electromagnetic fields and radiation by telecommunications, has not helped matters. We must come up with new laws or policies that regulate EMF and radiation in the country.”

Ladoke Akintola memorial lecture holds tomorrow

The grand finale of a series of lecture marking the 50th memorial anniversary of the assassination of the last premier of the old Western region and the 13th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, will hold tomorrow at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, by 1.00 p.m. According to a statement signed by Pastor Mark Debo Taiwo, on behalf of the convener, Justice Akinniyi Ladiran Akintola, a son of the late premier, the lecture will be delivered by a former Vice Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Sola Akinrinade. The lecture, tagged: Corruption and Nigeria’s search for purpose 50 years on, will be prefaced by an anecdotal presentation on S.L.A. in the Eyes of History, to be delivered by Honourable Femi Kehinde, a former member, House of Representatives. Notable political associates of the former premier, current political functionaries, clerics, traditional rulers, diplomats as well as senior members of judiciary across the nation are expected at the event.

Burial From left, Director, Licensing and Authorisation of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Ms Funlola Akiode; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications, Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi and the NCC Technical Services, Mr Ubale Maska, during an awareness and sensitisation workshop, organised by NCC, at Premier Hotel, Ibadan, on Thursday. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN

Declare your assets, rights group tells Bello Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

The Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Kogi State, on Thursday, challenged the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to declare his assets as required by law. Apart from this, the centre also asked the new governor to probe the activities of his predecessors while in office.

A statement by the executive director of CHRCR, Idris Miliki, said the call was predicated on the inaugural speech of Bello, where he promised to fight corruption. While congratulating the new governor over his inauguration, the centre noted that he had to be deciseful for him to be successful. The statement read, “In his acceptance speech dur-

ing his inauguration, it was clearly stated that he would not tolerate corruption, the cankerworm that is currently ravaging the nation and Kogi State in particular. Furthermore, he promised to build his administration around the same principle he shared with President Muhammadu Buhari, in his effort to stamp out corruption. “It is noted that the pres-

ident and his vice, have declared their assets publicly. As a young governor of a state like Kogi, it will enhance confidence, credibility and above all, trust from the people of Kogi State and Nigeria if the new governor can declare his asset that will make us to know his worth in resources. We, therefore, call on him to declare his assets without further delay.”

Court hears N200m suit against Pacesetter transport, Oyo govt, Mukaila March 10 Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare and John Umoh

Justice S. A. Akinteye of a state High Court, Ibadan Judicial Division, on Thursday, fixed March 10, for hearing in a matter filed against three people; Pacesetter Transport Services Limited, the Oyo State government and Alhaji Ogundele Mukaila, over allegations of negligence that led to the death of his 20-year-old daughter, Nifemi Bamgboye. The father of the deceased,

Bamgboye Oladele, had filed the matter against the trio, asking the court to award a sum of N200 million as special and general damages for the perpetual loss suffered by him and his family as the result of the death of his daughter caused by the negligence of Alhaji Mukaila while in the employment of the Oyo State government and Pacesetter Transport Limited. He claimed that Ogundele recklessly drove a Daewoo

luxurious bus with registration number OYO-14B730Y, jointly owned by the Oyo State government and Pacesetters Transport, which had an accident at Samonda area along UI-Sango Road on May 14, 2015. According to him, Ogundele, due to negligence and reckless driving, knocked down and ran over the motorcycle conveying Nifemi and the rider which resulted in the former’s death on the spot, adding that at the

conclusion of the police investigation into the incident, it was discovered that the bus driver had no valid driver’s licence. At the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday, the defendants were not in court neither were they represented by counsel, consequently, the claimant’s counsel asked for a short adjournment since the court noted that there was no proof of service of hearing notice on the defendants in the court’s record.

Reverend Isaac Ayoola Alabi is dead. He died on December 12, 2015. He was aged 92. Christain wake keep commenced on Thursday, at 5.00 pm, at Alabi’s Villa, Idi-Abebe, Ikoyi Road, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Funeral service will hold at Odo-Oru Baptist Church, Ikoyi Road, Ogbomoso, by 10.00 am today. Reception is at Osupa Baptist Day School, Ogbomoso. Reverend Alabi, was survived by his wife, Mrs Janet Oyeronke Alabi, Children: Mr Mike Alabi, Mr John Alabi; Dr Samuel Alabi; Dr Matthew Alabi; Mr David Alabi and Mrs Deborah Oladeji as well as grand-children. The late cleric worked for 32 years at First Baptist Church, Ago-Are, before he retired in December 1993.

Reverend Isaac Ayoola Alabi

communitynews

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Measles: 515,531 children for immunisation in Ekiti communities Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

he Ekiti State Primary Health Development Agency has announced that no fewer than 515,531 children would be immunised across the various communities in the state beginning from Thursday, January 28. The Director of Primary Health Care of the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Joshua Ileke, disclosed this at a sensitisation forum on the coming Integrated Measles Campaign targeted at children in the state. According to Dr Ileke, no fewer than 515,531 children between ages nine and 59 months, were expected to be immunised in the exercise. Specifically, he disclosed that the five-day immunisation programme would take place in over 300 government immunisation centres scheduled to hold between January 28 and February 1. Ileke further disclosed that the programme will

take place in governmentowned health facilities as well as selected sites such as churches, mosques, markets and schools. While appealing for journalists’ cooperation in

sensitising the public, Ileke lamented that Nigeria was among the countries that still had high number of measles cases in the world and ranked second in Africa. He recalled that measles

outbreak was lower in 2014 due to aggressive campaign against the disease in 2013, adding that in 2015, however, such campaign did not take place resulting in the latest development. While appealing to moth-

ers to allow their children to be immunised, Ileke blamed some women for their ‘I don’t care attitude’ towards the vaccine. A UNICEF expert billed for the exercise, Dr Iyabobola Ajibola, said in a

Saraki donates N2.9m to fire victims Biola Azeez-Ilorin

A long abandoned feeder road off Oke-Ado/Molete Expressway in Ibadan. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

Olukoyi warns youths against street carnivals IN collaborating with the Osun State government to fight criminal activities in the state, the Olukoyi of Ikoyi land in Isokan Local Government Area of the state, Oba Yisau Bantale Otunla-Kodaolu 1, has warned youths in his community not to turn the celebration of annual carnivals into crisis events. Oba Otunla gave the warning in a press statement issued after his meeting with the Olukoyi-incouncil in his palace, on Tuesday. According to him: “Youths in my domain should not embark on any carnival that will turn to a clash instead, they should be celebrating carnivals in front of their various houses as this would prevent

them from fomenting trouble”. The traditional ruler further said: “My community, Ikoyi, is synonymous

with peace and tranquility hence, I don’t want anything that will disrupt the existing peace in the area. This is why I am warn-

ing youths to desist from any act capable of causing mayhem. “Youths who want to celebrate carnivals should

The people of Mogaji Gerin community in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State have commended one of the political leaders in the state, Alhaji Toyin Sanusi, for disbursing over N2.5 million to widows and the underprivileged through his empowerment scheme. Also, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms worth N500,000 were distrib-

do so in their various compounds and not on the streets as they used to. This development will surely avert crisis.”

Students honour council chairman for community development Biola Azeez-Ilorin

The West Africa Students Union (WASU) has conferred on the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Al-hassan Bagudu, the 2015 Kwame Nkrumah leadership award as most outstanding administrator of the year for his community development. Presenting the award to

Alhaji Bagudu, the Head of Parliament of the union, Mr. Emmanuel Sobir said the aim was to promote good leadership with vision. WASU Head of Parliament also said that the choice of Alhaji Bagudu for the award was a testimony of the dedication of a true West Africa son to the development of the continent.

He urged the awardee not to see the award as just a celebration of his achievement as an outstanding performer but as a clarion call for him not to relent in his efforts to redefine the standard of educationt in West Africa. Receiving the award, the local government boss, appreciated WASU for bestowing on him the meritorious award and

Widows, underprivileged get empowerment in Mogaji Gerin Biola Azeez-Ilorin

statement that UNICEF was providing funding for the exercise while it is also giving active support to the Ekiti State government and other donor agencies. It added that over 2,832 health workers distributed into 800 teams have been mobilised for the exercise scheduled to hold daily between 8.00am and 4.00pm. The statement said the agency “solicits the cooperation of nursing mothers , market women, community leaders and head of affected schools as well as well religious leaders for the success of the immunisation exercise.”

uted free to students in the various wards. Speaking with journalists at the event in Ilorin, the Director-General, Toyin Sanusi Empowerment Scheme, Alhaji Abdulfatai Elegede, said the gesture was borne out of the love the donor has for his people, saying that the aim was to alleviate the suffering of the people. He, however, implored beneficiaries to use the money judiciously and not consider it as their own

share of the national cake. He disclosed that the exercise would be a continuous one. On behalf of ward chairmen, Alhaji Abdulmumini Jimoh of Oke-Ward 1, commended the donor for bringing succour to his people. While calling on other political office holders to emulate the gesture in order to better the lot of the people, he promised that the beneficiaries would

would not abuse the opportunity. The Secretary, Mogaji Gerin ward, Hajia Ibrahim, on behalf of the women, thanked the donor for putting smile on their faces. “We, the entire women, the widows and underprivileged of Mogaji Gerin Ward wish to use this medium to express our sincere gratitude to Alhaji Toyin Sanusi for his empowerment programmes,”she said.

dedicated to the people of Kaiama and his political party, the All Progressives Congress. Alhaji Bagudu promised that he would not relent in embarking on peopleoriented projects and further improve the standard of education to enable his people acquire qualitative education. He noted that the award required that he should continue to exhibit patriotism, selflessness, determination and courage to enable him continue to serve as role model to younger generations. Also speaking on the occasion, the ALGON Chairman in Kwara State, Barrister Abdul-Lateef Okandeji’s aid the award was a testimony to good governance in the state which Alhaji Al-hassan Gagudu demonstrated at the gassroot level, while appreciating WASU for the gesture.

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has donated the sum of N2.9 million for the reconstruction of shops destroyed by an inferno at Oja Tuntun in Ilorin, Kwara State about a fortnight ago. He made the donation during his unscheduled visit to the market to commiserate with victims. Speaking while inspecting the burnt shops, Saraki lamented the dislocation the incident had brought to the economy of the people. He urged the traders to, henceforth, take greater caution by ensuring that all objects that could ignite fire and all electrical appliances were switched off at the close of business. To bring immediate succour to the victims, he also made a cash donation of N500,000 to enable them meet exigencies of daily living. Earlier, the Chairman of Oja Tuntun market men and women, Alhaji Razaq Lasoju, said the incident had brought untold hardship to the victims. He regretted that most of the traders care for their families from the sales they make on daily basis. Lasoju, however, expressed gratitude to the President of the Senate for his on-the-spot assessment of the damage and the donations. He said Saraki’s visit was a demonstration of his leadership quality of attending to the needs of his people at all times.

Friday, 29 January, 2016

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Zika virus spread alarming, 4 million cases possible — WHO

he World Health Organisation (WHO) warns the Zika virus, seen as a possible cause of severe birth defects, is spreading rapidly through the Americas and could affect as many as four million people. WHO, according to VOA said the mosquito-borne virus was originally seen as a mild risk to humans, but it has since grown rapidly to a public-health threat of “alarming proportions.”

Matheus Lima, 22, and Kleisse Marcelina,24, tend their two-month-old son Pietro suffering from microcephalia caught through an Aedes aegypti mosquito bite, at the Obras Sociais Irma Dulce hospital in Salvador, Brazil. PHOTO: AFP.

Uganda origin The United Nations health agency’s director general, Margaret Chan, said the Zika virus was discovered in Uganda in 1947, but has since spread throughout the world and in recent years has become associated with neurological complications.

Thousands of pregnant women infected with the virus have given birth to severely or mortally disabled infants. Chan told a special meeting of WHO in Geneva on Thursday that the Zika virus is “spreading explosively” in the Americas. She has called for an emergency meeting of

experts on Monday. “As of today, cases have been reported in 23 countries and territories in the (Americas) region,” Chan said. “The level of alarm is extremely high. Arrival of the virus has been associated with a steep increase in the birth of babies with abnormally small heads.”

In the United States, President Barack Obama has called for the rapid development of tests, vaccines and treatments for Zika infections, which until now have resisted all treatment efforts. Obama convened a meeting of senior health advisers to discuss the spread of the virus and its economic and developmental impact on the Americas. WHO’s Chan said a direct, causal relationship between the Zika virus and such birth defects has not yet been firmly established, but it is strongly suspected. Next week’s meeting in Geneva will explore measures that affected countries should take to combat the virus, she said, and also provide advice on the appropriate level of international concern about the ailment.

Bed bugs developing resistance to common insecticides They’re ugly and suck blood and now researchers said the lowly bedbugs are becoming resistant to the most common insecticides used to kill them. Writing in the Journal of Medical Entomology, researchers from Virginia Tech and New Mexico State University said the overuse of commercial chemicals has made many of the pests resistant to the compounds. “While we all want a powerful tool to fight bed bug infestations, what we are using as a chemical intervention is

not working as effectively as it was designed and, in turn, people are spending a lot of money on products that aren’t working,” said Troy Anderson, an assistant professor of entomology in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Specifically, the researchers looked at a group of commonly used pesticides called neonicotinoids, which are often used together with pyrethroids to treat bedbugs. “Companies need to be vigilant for hints of declining performance of products that

A bed bug pictured walking on human skin. PHOTO: IMAGE.

contain neonicotinoids,” said Alvaro Romero, an assistant professor of entomology at New Mexico State University. “For example, bedbugs persisting on previously treated surfaces might be an indication of resistance.” To determine the bed bugs’ resistance levels, the researchers took samples of the creatures from several locations. Some had been exposed to neonicotinoids and some had been isolated in a lab with no exposure to pesticides.

Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo awaits the start of his trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, on Thursday. PHOTO: REUTERS.

Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo declares innocence at start of ICC trial Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo entered a not guilty plea on Thursday in the opening day of his trial at the International Criminal Court. Gbagbo, the first former head of state to be tried at The Hague, is facing charges of crimes against humanity, including rape and murder, for his involvement in a protracted postelection battle in 2010 and 2011 that left 3,000 people dead, VOA reported. Prosecutors said the

70-year-old Gbagbo and his co-defendant, former youth leader Charles Ble Goude, plotted and launched vicious attacks against supporters of his rival, Alassane Ouattara, after Ouattara was declared the winner of the presidential election runoff. The bloody conflict ended in April 2011 after France, Ivory Coast’s former colonial ruler, sent in troops to restore order and arrest Gbagbo, who was holed up in the presidential palace during the war.

Social media may disturb sleep in young adults — Study Social media could be affecting the sleep of young adults, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine say that young adults who often use social media are more likely to suffer sleep disturbances than those who use social media less.

According to the findings, doctors should ask young adults about their use of social media when treating sleep issues. “This is one of the first pieces of evidence that social media use really can impact your sleep,” said lead author Jessica C. Levenson, a postdoctoral researcher in Pittsburgh’s Department of Psychiatry.

otherNEWS

Clinton, Sanders locked in tight democratic race in Iowa Former United States secretary of state Hillary Clinton and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders are locked in a tight Democratic presidential nominating contest ahead of the Iowa Caucus, the latest survey in the farm state showed. Quinnipiac University said Sanders, who calls himself an

independent socialist Democrat, is winning the support of 49 per cent of Democrats likely to participate in next Monday’s party caucuses in Iowa, compared to 45 per cent for Clinton, the country’s top diplomat from 2009 to 2013, VOA said. The Iowa voting is the first balloting in the months-long pro-

cess to pick Democratic and Republican presidential nominees ahead of next November’s national election to select a successor to President Barack Obama when he leaves office in a year. Days before the vote in Iowa, Sanders met with President Obama at the White House Wednesday for talks on foreign

policy and the economy. After the 45-minute meeting, Sanders said Obama has been “even-handed” in publicly staying neutral in the long drawn out campaign, even though U.S. political analysts have long assumed the president favors Clinton’s nomination as the Democratic candidate.

Hillary Clinton shakes hands with Sanders during a recent public debate. PHOTO: AP.

Gambia president fires 3 ministers as departments merge Gambia President Yahya Jammeh

Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh has fired three government ministers in a department reshuffle, according to a statement, another unexpected turn for the tiny West African country, VOA reported. Minister of Fisheries

Lamin Nyabally, Energy Minister Edward Sanneh and Minister of Presidential Affairs Yam Keita were all released from their posts after some departments were merged, the state house communique said. The ministries of en-

ergy and petroleum, previously two separate entities, were joined. The ministry of fisheries was integrated into the ministry of environment, water, resources, park and wildlife and climate change, while the Department of forestry was

wrapped into the office of the president. The tiny West African nation of less than 2 million people has been ruled by Jammeh since 1994, when the then 29-year-old seized power in a bloodless coup. The country’s economy

faces serious risks from a worsening budget, rising inflation and tight interest rates, the IMF said last year. The European Union temporarily withheld aid money to the country in 2014 over its poor human rights record.

Friday, 29 January, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 081 118 450 48

features

A remarkable work of art at the popular Oba’s Square, Ring Road, Benin.

Sapele market fire:

Pain as victims recount losses Ebenezer Adurokiya was at the site of burnt stores along Sapele Market Road in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Warri and tells the agony victims are going through after the inferno.

IRE outbreaks have become common phenomena in Nigeria’s markets, particularly towards the end and beginning of every year. In their wake, many struggling traders, many of whom have been denied white collar jobs in spite of their degrees, have been thrown into great economic hardship as a result of loss of goods and wares worth millions of naira. Often, the fire outbreaks are either caused by human or mechanical errors or a simple act of sabotage by faceless hoodlums. Just 22 days into 2016, some traders along the popular Sapele Market Road were thrown into an early mournful mood as they woke up one morning to behold their shops and stores stocked with a potpourri of goods and wares were razed to ashes. Many of them broke into tears given the hardship and privation they went through in growing their businesses and the debts they might have incurred in the process. Among the traders who suffered great

losses of goods and wares in the inferno, was a retired principal of a secondary school. Mrs Oboba Ufoma Florence, a retired principal from Ugborode Secondary School, Sapele, who has been selling

I’m still surprised at everything. I and my wife were at home and suddenly I received a call...before I got there, the whole place was already on fire.

household items since 2000, was in hot tears when narrating her ordeal to our correspondent who visited the site last Monday. According to her, “We have lost so much to the inferno. I started selling household items in that shop since year 2000. I started the business with N800,000 then. I’m not really at peace with what happened. I lost almost N1.7 million of goods in that shop, including raw cash that I kept there.” Oboba, the bread winner of her family, wondered how life would suddenly turn sour for her at the early stage of the New Year. She passionately appealed to the Delta State government to find a way of cushioning the effect of the loss in order to start life again. “I think it will be encouraging and lifesaving as I also appeal to the authorities of the Sapele Local Government to come to our aid as we have children in schools that we need money to cater for.” A victim, whose rented shop and property were lost to the inferno, Mr Innocent

Okoli, decried the incident, saying he lost goods worth a million naira to the fire. He said: “I’m still surprised at everything. I and my wife were at home and suddenly I received a call, saying: ‘Come oh! Fire oh! Come oh!’ Before I got there, the whole place was already on fire.” According to him, “I just bought some goods recently, but I have lost all; we sell baby clothes, refrigerators and soft drinks. My wife has not been comfortable ever since the incident. We have nothing to do; goods lost were estimated over a million naira, because I am still calculating it. The one calculated for now is more than a million. So, if government can help us in order to pay our debts, we will be grateful.” Another victim, Mrs Ngozi Mbaeri, who was badly affected, lamented in tears the magnitude of her loss, describing January as a hard month for her. “I sell rice and provisions in a big store. I have lost everything in the shop, even the ones I collected on credit that I have not Continues on pg45

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Friday, 29 January, 2016

We couldn’t recover anything —Traders Continues from pg44

paid for. This January is hard; I can’t even do anything now. “If really government can assist us to start business again, it would be better for us, because things are hard; we are really appealing for their support,” she pleaded. Narrating how the inferno began, Mr Majority Gbedjor, whose shop is close to the scene of the fire, said, “I came the next day (Friday, 22nd) after the incident. I was shocked when I saw my close neighbour’s shops burnt completely; nothing was recovered!” When the fire started, Gbedjor said that men of the Delta State Fire Service at Sapele were called upon, but they complained of lack of water. “Later, the fire service at Oghara, a neighboring town, was contacted, but it was already late. By the time they arrived, everywhere was already burnt down,” he lamented. Angered by the wanton destruction, the ineptitude of the Sapele Fire Service and the subsequent delay of the arrival of the fire service men at Oghara, Gbedjor declared: “I don’t think government exists at all in this state, if really they do exist, then these people whose items were lost to the inferno should be supported again.” Corroborating Gbedjor’s narrative on how the fire razed the shops at No. 57, Sapele Market road, an eyewitness who declined being identified, disclosed that the fire started late night on Thursday till the wee hours Friday. “I have not experienced such kind of burning before, it’s really shocking. When ‘NEPA light’ came, the wire close to the pole sparked which caused the fire. You can see that everything was burnt down. The fire might have extended to residential quarters but for local fire fighters who battled it,” the

Rubbles of some of the stores.

Obuba Ufoma Florence, the retired principal informant disclosed. The new Sapele Modern Market, which is located not too far and which is still under construction, was not affected contrary to

Innocent Okoli reports, just as traders were still seen selling fish, tomatoes and other food stuff at the Sapele Market road. The victims have, however, jointly called

Ngozi Mbaeri on the speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Monday Igbuya, who hails from Sapele, to come to their aid in earnest.

Excitement, as Dammy and Yinka tie the knot 1

1. The couple, Mr and Mrs Abiola 2. The couple and Pastor Oladele Balogun, Regional Pastor, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 21, Bolumole, Ibadan. 3. From left, Ondo State Area Postal Manager, Mrs Nwajei Celine; (fourth from left) Ogun State Area Postal Manager, Mrs Egbesola Toyin and Deputy Post Manager General (Mail Operation), Mallam Y.B.K. Wambai, among others. 4. From left (front row) Mrs Akinwunmi I.N, Ekiti State Area Postal Manager; Mr Bature, Nassarawa State Area Postal Manager; the couple, Mr and Mrs Abiola; a staff; Mrs Adeniyi Adedoyin, Osun State Area Postal Manager and Mrs Ujong M.I, Lagos Island Area Postal Manager.

IT was a joyous day for the families of Abiola and Ajayi when their children, Olayinka Babatunde and Oluwadamilare Busola tied the knot on December 19, 2015. Held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Oyo Province 1 Headquarters, Bolumole, Ibadan, the families and friends converged on the Genesis Hotel and Suites, Challenge, Ibadan for a grand reception. Dignitaries from all walks of life graced the event, especially colleagues of the groom’s father, Dr Bankole Abiola, who is a lecturer at the Department of Actuarial Science and Insurance, University of Lagos (UNILAG), and those from the Nigerian postal service (NIPOST), where the bride’s mother, Mrs T.T. Ajayi, is an Area Postal Manager, Oyo territory. Chairing the occasion, Postmaster General of the federation, Architect Enoch Ade Ogun, who was represented by the Deputy Postmaster General (Finance and Investment), Mr Joseph A. Ariyo, urged the couple to remain each other’s friend and always cherish one another.

news

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

I’m ready to work with Wike —Dakuku PDP door opens to APC members —Party chairman Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

HE defeated governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers State, Honourable Dakuku Peterside, has indicated his willingness to work with Governor Nyesom Wike, to move the state forward. He made this known, on Thursday, while reacting to the Supreme Court judgment, which upheld the victory of Wike in the governorship election held in the state on April 11, 2015. Governor Wike, reacting to the court’s decision, on Wednesday, had praised Dakuku for approaching the judiciary to seek redress over the outcome of the election, rather than going violent. The governor also extended an olive branch to his opponent and the opposition in the state, asking the APC candidate to unite with him in the task of moving the state forward. Dakuku, while accepting the offer from Wike, however, said APC would remain a formidable opposition party in the state, serving as a mirror for the activities of the government. “Consequently, we shall do our best to work for the peace and development of Rivers State and all who reside in it. “We shall creatively offer our help to Governor Wike. We will provide a virile opposition, serving as a mirror for the conscience of government, in the interest of Rivers people. “When encouragement is needed towards a just

and proper course of dealings, we will offer our commendation to the government. “Conversely, we will constructively express objection to policies and actions we consider inimical to the overall interest of Rivers people.

THE Ekiti State government has opened public bids for the construction of a modern market at the site of the demolished Oja Oba Market in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, as well as the bid for the construction of a flyover in the town. The government said this was “as a concrete step towards ensuring the urgent construction of a new Oja Oba Market and a flyover in Ado-Ekiti.” The Director General of Ekiti State Bureau of Public Procurement, Chief Segun Akinwumi, who is the chairman of the bid opening committee, described the event as “a testimony to the transparent stand of Governor Ayodele Fayose-led

Rivers people rather than dismiss the messenger,” he said. The APC governorship candidate, however, said the judgment was a departure from the earlier findings of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal,

which had both declared that the election failed to comply substantially with the requirements of the Electoral Act. “This decision marks the culmination of a legal battle we instituted, not merely because we want power for its sake, but against the

Nigeria’ll be no more if judiciary crumbles —Wike Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt RIVERS State governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that the country would be dead and long forgotten if the judiciary crumbles. He said this when the National Working Committee

of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the acting national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, paid him a congratulatory visit in his office, on Thursday. The governor said the judiciary remained the only hope of the country, adding

that the judgment by the Supreme Court upholding his election was based on the constitution, while the lower courts ruled, based on opinions about the 2015 governorship election in the state. “The Supreme Court is the only hope we have in

the country. Therefore, if the judiciary crumbles, the nation will crumble. The tribunal aired her opinion, the Appeal Court aired her opinion while the Supreme Court delivered judgment based on the constitution and the Electoral Act,” he said.

osene is to test the waters because the users do not talk unlike the petrol. “The masses are the ones that are affected by kerosene, but when the petrol subsidy is announced and people revolt, kerosene will be cited as successful template for subsidy removal,” he said. “By law, the Federal Government, through the PPPRA, is empowered to fix

prices of petroleum products. However, only the board has the powers to do that, We are part of the board and it is time for President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute the board of PPPRA. “As an organisation that has stood to represent the masses, we should not continue to fold our arms on some of this policy pronouncements that in the

past we have been able to overcome them. “I can see clearly that some of the gains we have made in the past have gradually been deluded and I think, as a movement, as a people, we stand in the gap to represent Nigerians, the larger society, we should continue to engage the process and we only do that on the basis of credible information.”

NLC kicks against subsidy removal on petrol, kerosene Soji Eze-Fagbemi and Olatunde Dodondawa THE Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), has kicked against the removal of fuel subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol and kerosene. The Federal Government, had last week, announced removal of subsidy of kerosene and put the pump price at N83 per litre, while petrol was fixed at N86.50 per litre Speaking at a workshop tagged: ‘Fuel subsidy and petrol pricing’, NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, said the union frowned at the removal of subsidy on kerosene and petrol without due consultations with stakeholders, including members of the Board of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). He noted also that the removal of subsidy on ker-

Ekiti govt opens bids for flyover, new market construction Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

“It is our hope that Governor Wike and his team, will appreciate the suggestions and proposals that would be made in the interest of Rivers people. “If we sometimes sound strident, he should pay heed to the message of passionate and zealous

administration in handling public finances and projects.” Akinwumi, who is also the Special Adviser on Due Process, said the state government advertised twice in four newspapers ,seeking bids for the projects and three firms put in bids for the market, while one did for the flyover. According to him: “those who tendered bids for the market were Time Building and Construction Company Limited, which put in N3.65 billion; Tiangen Nigeria Limited, which put in N3.33 billion and Kaymon Construction Nigeria Limited, which put forward N3.06 billion.” The state Ministry of Works, had said it put the estimate of the market project at N3.19 billion.

SATURDAY, 30 JANUARY, 2016

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interview

Dysfunctional local government system, bane of governance in Nigeria — Professor Akin Mabogunje

Why I tore presidential nomination form once I was asked to pay N.5m — Fasehun

interview

entertainment

It is wrong to say private universities are for dull students —Ojo, Bowen VC

virus of electoral violence that often thwarts the will of the people. Meanwhile, Rivers PDP chairman, Mr Felix Obuah, has said the door was opened to any APC member, who was willing to come into the ruling party in the state. Obuah, in a statement, urged APC members in the state to accept and take advantage of Governor Wike’s call and invitation for collective efforts to move the state forward, by joining PDP. Noting that the governor was magnanimous in victory, he said the extension of hands of fellowship by Wike to APC was borne out of open-mindedness and genuine love for all, irrespective of party affiliations. However, the state APC chairman, Dr Davies Ikanya, in another statement, said the party leadership received the judgment with mixed feelings. This was as he said the party would neither applaud nor condemn the judgment, insisting that the election was marred with violence.

What I want in a man — Yemi Alade Book your copy today

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Shopping malls as excursion grounds

47 tribunesport

Friday, 29 January, 2016

Germany Open:

Quadri returns to winning ways

IGERIA”S Aruna Quadri returned to his hunting ground – Germany where he started his resurgence in 2014 as he caused one of the upsets at the ongoing ITTF World Tour tagged German Open. The 2014 ITTF Star Player, despite not seeded for the tournament as the world’s top 16 players are listed in the main draw and Quadri has to commence his campaign from the preliminaries. The German fans were not disappointed with the Nigerian who they have known for his ferocious forehand and true to his rating, Quadri lived up to expectation when he stunned world number 30, Sweden’s Par Gerell to join the world best in the main draw of the championship. Having won two matches, Quadri was fired up against the left-handed Swedish as he was in fine form with his attacking style of play which bemused his opponent. The

fans has something to cheer during the encounter and it was the Nigerian that had an upper hand with a 1513,9-11,9-11,11-3,9-11,2-11 (4-2) to become the first qualifiers to make it to the main draw. “The experience of the German Open is very helpful for the ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup and the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The standard of the German Open is very high and one of the best of the world preparations for the top events as ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup and the Olympic Games. My motivation for the Africa Cup is become one of the two best players of the competition,” Quadri said after the energy-sapping tie. However, the good run of Quadri’s compatriot, Bode Abiodun was ended by Korea’s Minseok Kim. Abiodun who is ranked 236 in the world had made headlines in the competition after edging out world number 151, Frenchman,

Nwakali heads for Arsenal By Niyi Alebiosu 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup Most Valuable Player, (MVP), Kelechi Nwakali has expressed confidence of having a successful career at Arsenal football club. In an exclusive chat with Tribunesport, Nwakali who led the Golden Eaglets to victory at the 2015 FIFA World Cup in Chile, said it is a dream come true for him to be heading for a big club like Arsenal and having the opportunity to work with a

Nwakali

great manager like Arsene Wenger. Tribunesport learnt that the Diamond Football Academy product who is scheduled to jet out to London today aboard a British Airways flight with his elder brother, Allwell Nwakali and the Stellar Group representative, Errol Olumide Olowu who brokered the deal with Arsenal and his partner, Josh Alejo, is expected to do his medical on Saturday (tomorrow) before signing a four-year deal. He stated that he is not going to Arsenal to make up the numbers but to make a name for himself, his family and the nation, saying with God nothing is impossible. “I am going to Arsenal to work and try to be the best and with God anything is possible. I will work hard and justify my claim for first team football,” he said. The Eziobodo, Owerri born-footballer revealed that he is keen and will make request for No 25 at Arsenal made popular by one of his football heroes, Kanu Nwankwo. Meanwhile his Golden Eaglets team-mate, Samuel Chukwueze is expected to be in London next month to also sign for Arsenal.

Romain Lorentz 14-12,119,12-14,11-7,11-5 (4-1) as well as Russia’s Alexey Liventsov, ranked 76 in an encounter that ended 9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 12-10, 11-6 (4-1) in favour of the Nigerian. But the Korean who is ranked 39 in the world was too much for Abiodun as the Asian won at 10-12, 5-11, 6-11, 5-11 (4-0) to end the fine form of the Nigerian. Egypt’s Omar Assar also advanced to the main draw after beating India’s Harmeet Desai 4-1.

Quadri

’85 Eaglet, Babatunde Joseph boosts Ondo football youngsters By Wale Emosu A member of the historic Golden Eaglets team of 1985, Joseph Babatunde, has indicated his willingness to facilitate the movement of sports-talented youths from Ondo State to the United States in furtherance of their sporting and academic aspirations. United States-based Babatunde made this disclosure on Tuesday in Akure, where he had gone to present football equipment to the Ondo State government to boost the state’s effort at further developing football in the state. Babatunde, a native of Ilu Tuntun-Osoro in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, was a member of the Nigerian Golden Eaglets team that won the maiden edition of the FIFA U-16 Championship, known as the FIFA U-17 World Cup, hosted by China in 1985. “I think it will be helpful, hopefully, we can develop a partnership with Ondo State because I am most interested in plans for the youth that are interested in going to the United States on scholarship,” the former football said while being received by the Ondo State governor. To achieve this, Babatunde, who said he was visiting Ondo State for first time since 1985, said some of his friends “are willing to come and help grow sports in general,” adding that he “will definitely come back with more equipment in

the future”. Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, represented by his deputy, Mr Lasisi Oluboyo, while welcoming back “our own son” Babatunde , said: “It is not far-fetched when you see someone who has the love of his community, anywhere he is, he will find his way home.” Describing Dr Mimiko as a sports-loving governor in whose tenure the state has won the women’s Federation Cup for the first time, Mr Oluboyo hinted that the governor might likely organise a dinner and awards night in honour of sports men and women who have brought honour to the state in the past, when the state clocks 40 years next month. He submitted that Ondo State was ready to partner with Babatunde, whom he said had seen it all, with a promise too that the state government will make judicious use of the equipment donated by the former player. “I just want to assure you that Ondo State is ready to have a working relationship with you anytime because you are our son and you have seen it all over there. I know you can still help to deliver sports in Ondo State,” Oluboyo said. Those who joined Mr Oluboyo in receiving Babatunde included the Chief of Staff to Governor Mimiko, Dr Kola Ademujimi; Mr Dayo Awude, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development; Prince

John Ola Mafo, Chairman, Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA); Comrade Jegede Olugbenga, Chairman, Ondo State Sports Council; Dapo Ajibade, Executive Director, Ondo State Football Agency; Chief Dele Ajayi, chairman, Ondo Football Association and executive board member, Ni-

geria Football Federation (NFF). Babatunde also used the opportunity to visit the street named after him after the Eaglets won the World Cup in 1985. Though officially renamed Babatunde Fapetu Street, it still goes by the old name - Araromi Street.

8th Splash FM marathon holds March 20 By Mojisola Adewunmi The organisers of the annual Splash FM Integrity Marathon has assured participants of adequate medical attention during the 2016 edition which has been scheduled to hold on March 20 in Ibadan. Speaking on Thursday at a press briefing to herald the 8th edition of the 42km marathon, Dr Steve Olarinoye, the zonal coordinator, National Sports Commission (NSC) South west Zone One disclosed that the sponsor and the ministry are more concerned about the medical fitness of the participants hence their determination to pay more attention to medical aspect of the race. He also informed that medical team from the University College Hospital (UCH), will be on hand to attend to the medical needs of the athletes. Olarinoye stated that any athletes who intend to participate in the race must

come with certified medical fitness reports from any accredited hospitals. This was to ensure that only athletes who are medically fit participate in the race which will be flagged off at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium gate. In her speech, Mrs Oyebisi Asimolowo, Chief Operating Officer of Splash FM while assuring of a hitch-free event informed that her organisation will not encourage any form of fraudulent act. She further disclosed that N2 million has been earmarked as total prize money for this year’s edition with the overall male champion going home with N600, 000. The second place winner would go home with N300,000 as N150,000 goes to the third place winner. In the female category, the winners will get N400,000 as second and third placed winners go home with N200,000 and N100,000 respectively.

SIDELINES

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Friday, 29 JANUARY, 2016

no 16,425

A seven-year-old boy was recently forced to marry a stray female dog – like in a normal ceremonial wedding in India, to ward off evil spirits after his horoscope predicts his first wife will die young. Hmm: As Fela would say, ‘Na craze world’.

Australian Open: Djokovic

CHAN 2016: I spent $4,000 on Eagles —Oliseh

sends Federer packing

Novak Djokovic on Thursday advanced to his sixth Australian Open final with a 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Roger Federer. The world number one dominated the first two sets with some superb hitting, then had to hold off a spirited Federer fightback. It was the third straight Grand Slam in which Djokovic has beaten the Swiss, prolonging Federer’s wait for an 18th major title. Djokovic will face the winner between Andy Murray and Canada’s Milos Raonic in the final. The Serb has beaten British number one Murray in the final on three occasions, including last year’s four-set victory. “I played unbelievably in the first two sets but I needed to because Roger has been playing unbelievably and I knew he would be aggressive,” 10-time Grand Slam winner, Djokovic said. Also, world number one, Serena Williams dismissed number four seed, Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0, 6-4 to qualify for her seventh Australian Open final. “I was really trying to get off to a fast start,” Williams said. “Every single time, you know, I would just start out down. I just really wanted to focus on when I first walk out there to be ready to go from the first point, then that way I don’t necessarily have to play from behind, which I can do clearly, and I proved that last year, but I wanted to prove that I can play also ahead this year.”

By Ganiyu Salman

igeria’s head coach, Sunday Oliseh claimed he spent $4,000 (about N1.2million) from his pocket to sustain the Super Eagles which on Tuesday crashed out of the ongoing fourth African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. The home-based Eagles which needed a draw to advance in group C had lost 0-1 to Syli Nationale of Guinea to exit from the biennial tournament, leaving Oliseh to face criticisms from soccer buffs in Nigeria as to his justification to remain on the driver’s seat. The former Nigeria captain who had earlier defended his team’s seemingly unimpressive performance in Rwanda, also revealed that he doled out $4,000 to improve the team’s nutrition during their pre-tournament training camp in Pretoria, South Africa. “I spent $4,000 to feed the team because the food being served in the camp was not good enough. I used my personal funds to get the team going in the interest of the nation,” Oliseh declared in an interview aired on local radio on Thursday. The former Borussia Dortmund player said his team lacked the required motivation to excel that a national team should have had.

“We have family men who have been working hard for 50 days, but who couldn’t afford to buy a bottle of Coca-Cola. It was unbearable. And now they are going back home with nothing to give to their families,” said Oliseh who featured at the US ‘94 and France ‘98 World Cup finals. Meanwhile, ex-international, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has described Oliseh as the right man to rebuild Nigerian football to meet the challenges ahead. Okocha, a former captain of Bolton Wanderers of England pointed out that the Eagles’ performance at CHAN 2016 should not be used as a basis to assess the professional competency of Oliseh. “Oliseh is the right man to take us to where we want to be, he’s the right man for the job. “We cannot use the CHAN to judge him. Rather we should encourage and support him,” said the former Super Eagles captain.

Adekuoroye, 25 others storm Bayelsa for camping By Oluwabunmi Ajayi Sensational Odunayo Adekuoroye and 25 other wrestlers have arrived in Yenagoa, Bayelsa to start preparation for the Africa Wrestling Championship scheduled to hold in Egypt in March. The list is made up of 10 female wrestlers, six Greco Roman and nine Freestyle wrestlers and six coaches. The Africa Championships holds from March 2 to 7 in Alexandria, Egypt, while the Africa and Oceania qualifier is scheduled to hold from March 30 to April 4 in Algeria. According to the president, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Dr Daniel Igali, the wrestlers will be at the Den Gymnasium Yenagoa, before the national camp opens. Oliseh Igali said the Greco Roman wrestlers will in the next few days move to Calabar. He expressed confidence that the National Sports Commission (NSC) will approve the commencement of national camps soon. loan,” said Bilic. The other women wrestlers in “By today (Thursday) or tothe camp are Adeniyi Aminat, morrow (Friday), we will know Oborududu Blessing, Rueben how it goes.” Hannah, Iheanacho Ifeoma, OnyeThe bulky striker who starred buchi Blessing, Nweke Rosemary, at the 2014 World Cup joined Al Genesis Mercy, Nwoye Ifeoma and Ain on a season-long loan from Makanjuola Bisola. Fenerbahce of Turkey, but he The male freestyle wrestlers are became disinterested in the UAE Welson Ebikewenimo, Daniel side and preferred to cut short Amas, Bibo Melvin, Dick Adibo, the deal this month and return Tamarau Soso, Clackson Sampson to Turkey. Ekerekeme Agiomor, Ebi Akene It will be recalled that Emenike and Enozunimi Simeon, while the was instrumental in the Super Greco Roman wrestlers are NwoEagles’ triumph at the 2013 Afrie Emmanuel, Ituru Oke, Okeke rica Cup of Nations (AFCON) Tochukwu, Onyemelusi Abraham, where he also emerged the goal Agbonavbare Joe and John Ogking of the tournament with four bonna. goals.

West Ham deal: Emenike

knows fate today

Emenike

West Ham manager, Slaven Bilic has admitted a loan move for Nigeria striker, Emmanuel Emenike has become “complicated” as the Hammers would now have to deal with two clubs, Fenerbahce and Al Ain of Dubai, but he remains hopeful of a clearer picture by today. The London club which has another Nigerian Victor Moses on loan from Chelsea, wants to sign Emenike this transfer window following injuries to their top strikers. “It first looked easy, a straight swap between two clubs, but now we also have to talk to Al Ain of Dubai, where he was on

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