July 18, 2015 by The Nation

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THE NATION, SATURDAY JULY 18, 2015

EID EL-FITR

Sallah tragedy: Boko Haram kills 13 at praying grounds

HE Eid el-Fitr turned bloody yesterday in Damaturu after bombs carried by three girls went off at two Eid prayer grounds in the city, killing at least 13 worshippers. Fifteen others were injured by the blasts at Layin Gwange and at Phase1, about two kilometres from the Central Mosque where Governor

•Army, police issue conflicting accounts Duku JOEL, Maiduguri with agency reports Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai, and other dignitaries observed the

Eid prayers. Buratai was in the Yobe State capital as part of his effort to boost the morale of soldiers who have been fighting the Boko Haram insurgents and to enable him assess the requirements

of his men. “13 people were killed in the suicide blasts,” said Police Commissioner Markus Danladi. “The attacks were carried out by three underage girls. 15 people were also injured in the

attacks.” The Army’s account was slightly different,with the acting Director of Army Public Relations,Colonel Sani Usman, saying the suicide bombings were carried out by “one elderly woman and a 10-year girl.” “Four persons died in the first explosion and seven people injured,while five people lost their lives in the second explosion and 11 were wounded,” Usman said,saying the Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) went off as security personnel were screening worshippers entering the prayer grounds. He said that the situation had been brought under control and declared that “no amount of terrorist act would deter our

resolve to stamp out terrorism and insurgency.” The explosions sent people scampering to safety while many others chose to stay indoors. The police and other security agencies had intensified their watch over Yobe and Borno states over the last few weeks, following the upsurge in attacks by the terror organisation. The Islamic State (ISIS) group, to which Boko Haram has pledged allegiance, had issued a directive to create more mayhem during the just-concluded Ramadan. Only on Thursday, two bombs killed about 50 people buying goods for the festivities at a market in Gombe. The National Emergency Management Agency spokesman Sani Datti said another 75 were wounded.

Chief Imam calls for support for Aregbesola

•Governor Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslims at Oke-Baale, Osogbo...yesterday

Ajimobi urges Nigerians to pray for peace in North East T HE Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the return of peace in the county, especially the North Eastern part of the country. He said Nigerians must strive to live devotedly like the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), even as they beseech the Almighty to bestow His mercies upon the nation in this month and the others to come. Ajimobi, who stated this in his Eid-el-Fitr message, implored the people of the state to pray for the people at the helms in the state. “As we mark the completion of one of the most important tenets of Islam, the holy month of Ramadan, I pray that our lives will continue to reflect the devotion of the past month and we will continue to aspire to pure living. “The lessons you have learnt during the Holy month are not to be discarded only to be relearnt next year. We must strive to live devotedly like the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), even as we beseech the Almighty to bestow His mercies upon us in this month and the others to come. “Since the celebration of the last Eid-el-Fitr, our country Nigeria, and indeed our state,

Jeremiah OKE, Ibadan

Oyo, have gone through a political season. For the first time in many years, the election season was peaceful and hitchfree. I want to encourage you all to continue to live in that spirit of peace, and I hope that the period of Ramadan has granted you the spiritual strength to do so. “Even as we rejoice, I remember our brothers and sisters in the Northern part of the country. The past few weeks have witnessed insecurity in some of

those states, as a result of the evil acts perpetrated by insurgents. We must all pray for the safety of our fellow countrymen and for an end to the insecurity,” he said. Ajimobi called on the people to look out for the less-privileged in the society and extend the hand of generosity to them. “My dear people, please look out for those who are less privileged amongst us. Beyond praying for them, extend a hand of generosity to your neighbour. The Prophet (SAAW) made it a habit to be even more generous than usual in the Holy

Co-operate with Buhari to end insurgency —Lagos Speaker

PEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has urged Nigerians to give adequate co-operation to President Muhammadu Buhari in his effort at putting an end to insurgency in the country. Obasa gave the advice shortly after observing his Eid el-Fitri prayers at Oyewole Primary School, Mulero, Agege, Lagos, yesterday. He said: “We are all aware

Oziegbe OKOEKI of what is happening in Ukraine. The whole world is in support as regards their challenges. We have similar problems in the Arab world. So, there is no problem if our president is seeking the support of the world on insurgency. “We must all support the president in this regard. Our concern should be on the way

President’s wife, daughters pray at Ansar-ud-deen Mosque

HE wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, and her three daughters yesterday observed the Eid el-Fitr prayers at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Mosque in Abuja. She was received at the mosque by Alhaja Saudat Dudayemi, the Chairperson, Ansar-ud-Deed Society of Nigeria (ADSN), FCT Chapter, the wife of the FCT Chairman of the association, Alhaja Risikat Yusuf, and other officials. Others who joined her in the prayer session were the APC Woman Leader, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, and Dr Hajo Sani, the

month. This is a practice we must all imbibe. “The spirit of community that we have all embraced in the past month should become a part of our lives. Sacrificing for one another is one of the quickest ways through which we can individually contribute to the growth of our society. “The spirit of contributing to the growth of society, I implore you all to make it a habit to pray for your leaders. Pray for those of us in Oyo State upon whom you bestowed your mandate again in 2015. Pray for the leaders at the centre, even as we all work together to bring the change that you overwhelmingly voted for months ago.”

Senior Special Assistant (Administration), to the wife of the President, among others. Delivering his sermon, the Chief Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Musa Olaofe, urged Muslims to pray for peace and unity of the country. He appealed to Nigerians to support Buhari’s administration to ensure the achievement of all the set goals. The Imam advised Muslims to give out Zakat-ul-Fitr to the poor and the needy, so that they would have a sense of belonging. Also speaking, the FCT Chairman of the society, Alhaji

Yusuf Adebayo, informed the audience that the National Universities Commission had granted the association licence to establish the Summit University. Adebayo, however, said the society was now faced with the challenge of raising N5 billion required to fully establish the institution. “The licence is part of the fulfilment of our objective which is to promote education among Muslim youths.’’ He urged Muslims to continue to maintain the spirit of Ramadan and lessons learnt from it as stated in the Holy Quran.

to put an end to the crisis,” Obasa said. While commenting on his plans for Lagos as the newly elected Speaker, Obasa premised the anticipated success on collective readiness of all members of the House. “Success of any Assembly lies on the members. It is not about a single person; it is about collective responsibilities. Whatever achievements recorded are collective,” he said. The Speaker urged Muslims to be law-abiding as citizens, adding that virtue exhibited during Ramadan should not be discarded. Earlier, the Chief Imam of the Papa-Ashafa Central Mosque, Sheik Shereefdeen Ali, called on Muslims to continue to uphold virtues already acquired during Ramadan fasting. He said: “Fasting has endowed us righteousness; it is incumbent on every one of you to be upright as you did during Ramadan.” While praying for a successful tenure for the Speaker, Sheik Ali stated that as the Speaker it would be a glorious moment for him and the entire Lagos residents.

HE Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheik Musa Animasaun, yesterday told a huge congregation of Muslims to support Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in his efforts to transform the state into a model for other states in the country. He said the governor could not be accused of being the architect of the delay in the payment of salaries in the state. The cleric, at the prayers marking the end of the Ramadan fasting at the state capital, said those focusing on Aregbesola were only dissipating energy as he said “there is a malady afflicting the national economy for which Nigerians must seek God’s favour and intervention”. He commended Governor

Aregbesola for the development he had brought to Osun, admonishing him to always seek God’s guidance. The Chief Imam urged the people of the state to be prayerful and put their trust in God. The cleric lauded the government for the truce reached with workers and the commencement of the payment of salaries. He said: “All of us should put our trust in God and desist from sins because sins brought us to where we are in the country today. Everything that is happening is the wrath of God. We need to turn to God to heal our land. “We are all witnesses to the transformation that Aregbesola has brought to the state. No government in the history of the state did what he has done.”

Sultan wants measures to curb rustling, kidnapping

HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, has called for stringent measures to curb the increasing menace of in surgency, cattle rustling and kidnappings. According to reports, the Sultan made the call in Sokoto yesterday in his Sallah message to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. The sultan said that all Nigerians, both the leaders and the led, were concerned over the loss of lives in the North East and other parts of the country. Abubakar noted with concern the increasing spate of cattle rustling in Sokoto and Zamfara states, as well as kidnappings across the nation. He appealed to the government to involve traditional rulers and other key stakeholders to eliminate these crimes. The monarch appealed to the Muslim Ummah to sustain the lessons learnt during the Ramadan fast. Abubakar also urged Nigerians to continue to live in peace with one another, irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences. The monarch further called for sustained efforts to ensure the success of the forthcoming Hajj exercise in terms of transportation and accommodation on intending pilgrims. The event was attended by the second republic President Shehu Shagari and Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, among other dignitaries.

‘Let Ramadan lessons guide you’

HE Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Asiwaju Khamis Olatunde Badmus, has charged Nigerian Muslims not to lose sight of the lessons of Ramadan and allow them to reflect in their lives. By doing so, according to Badmus, who is also the Chairman of Tuns Farms, they would have succeeded in satisfying the main objective of fasting which is obedience to the wishes of Almighty Allah. Badmus gave this charge to the Muslims in his Eid el-Fitr message to people of Nigeria to mark the end of this year’s Ramadan fast. In a statement made available

to the news men and signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs,Alh Dawood Ajetunmobi, Asiwaju said: It is important that Muslims recognize the positive roles of spiritual renewal, compassion and charity that the month of Ramadan symbolizes. While congratulating Nigerian Muslims for witnessing the celebration, Badmus also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the bailout given to the states facing economic challenges in order to meet their financial obligations. He added that the gesture would go a long way to make lives more bearable for Nigerians.

THE NATION, SATURDAY JULY 18, 2015

ECURITY operatives struggled for several min utes yesterday to control hundreds of worshipers trying to touch or shake hands with President Muhammadu Buhari at the end of the Eidel-Fitri prayers in Abuja. Buhari admitted later that the surging crowd almost overwhelmed the security men and that “the incident is a clear indication that the ultimate security of leaders can only be guaranteed by God”. Recounting his experience when he received a delegation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents at the Presidential Villa, Buhari said he “had to hold tight to my gown to get to my car” as the youths surrounded him and his convoy. His words: "Today, during and immediately after the prayers, I think I was bombarded by the youths who al-

News 7

EID EL-FITR

Excited youths mob Buhari Augustine EHIKIOYA, Abuja most overwhelmed the security, and I had to hold tight to my gown to get to my car. "I was advised to enter the car from the ADC side, and I refused. I went across trying to hold my hand to the wild youths who wanted to see me. "On an occasion like this, it shows that after what happened to President Ronald Reagan of the USA, it is only God Almighty that protects leaders because in a mob like this, anybody with a sharp knife can get access and do a lot of damage. "So, all the policemen and soldiers that were deployed since six o' clock in the morning before I came out two hours later in the rain, cannot

•President says: ‘My life in God's hands’ protect you.Only God protects. I hope God will continue to protect us." He thanked the delegation “most sincerely for fulfilling the tradition of greetings for whoever occupies this place “ during Sallah . He also congratulated them " for the privilege which only you residents of the FCT have

to shake hands and take pictures with me. “Other Nigerians are envious of you, if you don't know it." Also speaking,Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said that the homage was a demonstration of the expectations for all religious faiths to live together in unity and peace.

He urged Nigerians to cooperate with the government as it strives to put things right. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Obinna Chukwu, who led the delegation, said the delegation was at the Villa to “congratulate both you and the Vice President as the FCT is the centre of excellence and

we promote unity.That is why you have here Muslim and Christian faithful ." Also on the delegation were the Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, Christian clerics, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Chief Justice of the Federation, the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police.

Embrace peace, says cleric

r Muhammad Kabir, the Deputy Chief Imam, National Mosque, Abuja, yesterday urged Muslims across the country to live in peace wherever they found themselves. Kabir, who gave the admonition shortly after the two Rakat Eid-el-Fitr prayers in Abuja, said that there was no better time than now to pursue peace as the country battles serious security challenge. He said that the essence of life was to live in peace, harmony and be our brother's keepers at all times. He urged Nigerians to complement the Federal Government's efforts towards tackling insurgency head-long, adding that security was the collective responsibility of everybody. ``I have no doubt in my mind that the Almighty Allah will soon put an end to all the challenges facing the country. ``I also have no doubt in my mind that with serious and sincere prayers, the country will win the war on the insurgency.'' Kabir commended the security agencies for their doggedness and urged them to improve on their intelligence gathering, if their quest to surmount the insurgency was to be achieved. He further advised politicians to unite and pursue one cause that would benefit the entire citizenry.

Alaafin calls for unity

HE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, has called on Nigerians to be united, irrespective of faith and creed. According to a statement signed by his media aide, Prince Azeez Fehintola, Alaafin, while greeting Muslims on Eid-el-Fitri, said there was no better way for Nigerians to be united than now. He said if Nigerians were united, there would be accelerated development and Nigeria and the Nigerians would be better for all of us to live. “If every Nigerian supports the present administration, Nigeria will be better and a pride of place for everyone to live.” He urged Nigerians to support the present government because, according to him , President Muhammadu Buhari has a good intention for Nigeria.

Okowa preaches love

ELTA State governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on Muslims across the country and Nigerians in general to use the occasion of the Ed-el-Fitr to imbibe the culture of peace, unity and love, among one another. Governor Okowa , in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Aniagwu Ehiedu, urged Muslims in the state to adhere strictly to the teachings of Prophet Mohammad and sustain the ideals of the month of Ramadan beyond the Ramadan period. Governor Okowa said: “Islam is indeed a religion of peace and the true essence of the religion is to unite the entire mankind in love and harmony”, adding that: “We must all continue to pray and work hard towards building a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.”

Forgive your enemies —APC chieftain

S muslims all over the world celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Niyi Adeagbo, has urged people to embrace peace and forgive one another as done during the holy month of Ramadan. The security expert in his sallah statement made available in his Otu, Itesiwaju country home, said that it was by embracing peace that the society could be better off, adding that people should imbibe what they learned during the just concluded holy month of Ramadan. He said: "People should forgive each other and be united in a positive cause. By so doing, the much needed developmental projects would trickle in. We should continue to live in unity. Ramadan teaches patience, love, humility, forgiveness and unity." He urged people to continue to support Governor Abiola Ajimobi in his quest to continue the developmental strides in all facets of life in the state.

•Muslims praying at Oluwanishola, Eleganza Estate, Ajah, Lagos.

PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL.

Don’t forget Ramadan lessons —Ambode

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday joined Muslims to mark the Eid-El-Fitri celebrations, just as he called on them to sustain the lessons of the Ramadan fast beyond the season. The governor, who spoke when he hosted scores of Muslims to a feast at the Lagos House, Alausa, urged them to imbibe the tenets of the season and ensure they reflect in their daily activities. “Let me use this medium to felicitate with our Muslim

brothers and sisters on the completion of the year 2015 Ramadan. Ramadan has come and gone, but the lessons of the month remain and we should as worshippers sustain them in our everyday activity. “Let us put to use the lessons of Ramadan. Let us remain peaceful and eschew vices by remaining steadfast in our journey to make Lagos State a better place for all of us. “We may differ in tongue and faith, but we all remain equal before our creator, the owner of heaven and earth.

“It is my fervent prayer that the Almighty will continue to increase our wisdom and improve our health and wealth. May we witness many more celebrations”, the governor said. Earlier in her welcome address, First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, expressed her appreciation for the support given to the present administration so far, just as she appealed for more cordial relationship being enjoyed in the state. “While I enjoin you all to feel relaxed and enjoy yourselves,

please remember to continue to pray for peace, tranquility and prosperity of the state,”she said. She urged parents to inculcate moral and religious teachings in their children and support their families. “As the family is the bedrock of any society, let us all endeavour to focus on teaching our children in the way of Almighty Allah and support our husbands in all their endeavours”, she said. Highlights of the celebration included a quiz and dancing competition.

IBB, Abubakar drum up support for Buhari

WO former heads of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), yesterday urged the citizenry to support the Federal Government in its efforts to win the war against insurgents. The two former leaders made the call after joining others to perform the two Rakaah Eid-el-Fitri prayers in Minna. Babangida urged Nigerians to be patient with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and support it in the efforts to not only end insurgency, but also boost the country’s economy. ``I call on Nigerians to support the present administration in the country in its efforts to end insurgency and regenerate the economy,’’ he said. Also speaking, Abubakar said there was need for the citizenry to be more vigilant in order to help government overcome insurgency, especially in the North Eastern part of the country. Also speaking, Gov.

Abubakar Bello of Niger prayed “Allah to accept our devotion during the Ramadan.” He also prayed to “Allah to

guide the leadership of the state and the country at large to enable us overcome our challenges.” The governor enjoined the

people of the state to continue to co-exist peacefully irrespective of religion and ethnicity. He congratulated the Muslims for the successful completion of the Ramadan rites.

Ikuforiji rejoices with Nigerians

HE immediate past Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has enjoined all Muslims and other Nigerians to give thanks to the Almighty Allah for seeing them through this year's Ramadan Fast. Ikuforiji said:"The Almighty Allah deserves our thanks and praises for seeing us through the just-ended Ramadan fast. As believers, we must cultivate the habit of praising the Almighty Allah for His mercies and protection over our lives at all times. Notwithstanding whatever challenges that we may be going through now, the praises of the Almighty Allah must never depart from our mouths. And when we do

that, He will surely continue to bless us." The former Speaker stated this in his Sallah message to Muslims and Nigerians generally. He said: " In addition to our praising Almighty Allah at all times, we must also make it a policy to always reach out to the less-privileged in our society so that we can touch their lives positively and give them hope. And by so doing, we as believers will keep drawing more souls to worship the Almighty Allah ." He admonished Muslims to remain faithful to the ideals of Ramadan fasting and not let the lessons learnt during the period to pass away. He said:“One other reason

that we must all keep praising the Almighty Allah is the peaceful outcome of the recently-held general elections. Despite the predictions from far and wide that our nation, Nigeria, would not survive that elections, it is gratifying that the Almighty Allah took absolute control and made sure that the elections went on smoothly without any hitch. " And as we can see already, things have started taking shape for the better again in our country. At the federal government level, our incorruptible President Muhammadu Buhari has started positively putting things right already, while Lagos State has also started soaring higher under the able leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode."

THE NATION

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SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

Governor Ayade’s baptism of fire

ROF. Ben Ayade no doubt came on board as the governor of Cross River State with lofty plans. From his ambitious plans for a new seaport and a 240kilometre superhighway to massive industrialization and creation of jobs, it is obvious that the governor has big ideas for indigenes and non-indigenes. But the menace of robbery, kidnapping and other crimes are threatening to jeopardise his ambitious programmes. Calabar, the Cross River State capital, is generally regarded as the people’s paradise. Besides its serene nature, it has also earned a reputation as the safest and most peaceful state in the country. In fact, some people have wittily turned the city’s name into acronym for ‘Come And Live and Be At Rest’. Until recently, crime and other anti-social activities were near absent in the South-South state. Even during elections when the pressure to keep the peace is stretched to the limits, the state was usually free of the violence that characterised others around the country. Unfortunately, the foregoing was not the situation the Ayade administration inherited. The serenity that characterised the city has since given way to a wave of crimes that has shaken it to its very foundation. Now, resident are anxious to see an end to the trend which first reared its ugly head in the middle of the second term of the immediate past administration in the state. Some of the problems the new Ayade administration would have to battle with include cultism, robbery, kidnapping as well as the menace constituted by a group known as Skolombo Boys. This dreaded group, whose members actually include young girls, move around Calabar in large numbers with different kinds of crude weapons, collecting phones, money and other valuables from people they run into in the streets. There have also been reports of robbery operations carried out by members of the group, the oldest of which are teenagers. They consist mainly of homeless children who had previously been roaming the streets. Also worrisome has been the audacity of some of the perpetuators of these criminal activities. For instance, a couple of months ago, the city was held hostage by a gang of daredevil robbers for about two hours as they robbed in several locations in broad daylight. More recently, a pastor with Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), located on IBB Way opposite the Margaret Ekpo Airport in Calabar, Pastor Seyi Adekunle, was abducted by gunmen who stormed the church while Adekunle and other pastors were having a prayer session in preparation for Sunday service. Not long after the incident at the Living Faith Church, the news broke that suspected militants had attacked facilities of the Marine Police Station located on Marina Road in Calabar, to steal weap-

“The governor understands that he needs security to realise his promises. Until recently when we started experiencing this little challenge, Calabar and Cross River were described as the safest. So, besides nipping this issue in the bud, we also want to maintain our status as the safest and most investor-friendly state in the country” Nicholas KALU, Calabar ons. The Ayade administration, realising that the trend needs to be halted before it gets out of hands, has sent an executive bill to the Cross River State House of Assembly, seeking death penalty for convicted kidnappers in the state. He has also set up a security task force codenamed Operation Skolombo. The outfit, an addition to the already existing Quick Intervention Squad and Rapid Response Squad, is saddled with the task of ridding the state of crimi-

nals. Ayade appointed Brig-Gen. Mannix Nyiam (rtd) as the Chairman of the task force, with Lawrence Alobi, a retired Commissioner of Police; Col. Ekanem Ikpeme (rtd); Bassey Inyang, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police and Inyang Yibala, a security consultant, as the other members. Ayade, who said the state prides itself as the most peaceful in the country, said the reports of incidents hitherto unheard of in the state informed the constitution of the task force and other measures taken to ensure the security of lives and property in the state. Addressing officers and men of the state’s Quick Response Squad, the governor emphasised his war on criminals, vowing to strengthen the security agencies in the state. He assured that the state government would provide all the logistics needed by security agencies to ensure that the state remains the safest in the country. State Security Adviser, Mr Jude Ngaji, said the Ayade administration was re-jigging the security architecture in the state to specifically deal with some of the threats already identified. Ngaji said: “He has set up a security task force to go after all the criminals that have been creating problems across the state. The composition of the task force speaks volumes of the intentions of the government. It is headed by a retired general and others with cognate experience in crime fighting. “The governor understands that he needs security to realise his promises. Until recently when we started experiencing this little challenge, Calabar and Cross River were described as the safest. “So, besides nipping this issue in the bud, we also want to maintain our status as the safest and most investorfriendly state in the country.” “In the short time that this administration came in, we have engaged with the service chiefs to improve security. We are working with a pool of personnel from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police and other security agencies. They are to be given special training approved by the governor. “When they are done with it, some of them would be at our signature projects, airports, boundaries and city centres for quick intervention and rapid response to any security issues. Basically, we are ahead in terms of security.” The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Henry Fadairo, said the force was doing everything possible to ensure that peace reigns supreme in the state. Speaking through the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Hogan Bassey, he said the job was however not for security agencies alone but the entire populace.

Cardinal Okogie, Sagay, others demand cut in NASS members’ remuneration

ETIRED Catholic

Archbishop of La g o s State, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, Constitutional lawyer, Prof Itse Sagay and several other prominent Nigerians want members of the National Assembly to emulate President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by slashing their salaries. The President and the Vice President last week announced that they were slashing their salaries by half as part of the effort to reduce the cost of governance. Cardinal Okogie hailed Buhari’s initiative although he wondered why the President and the Vice President “ didn’t tell us about their allowances.” “Public officers in the country should compare their salaries and allowances with what is obtained in other climes and adjust theirs. We have to do this honestly and frankly, because these are the areas all the monies that should be for the de-

•We’ll act based on committee’s report- Alasoadura

Segun AJIBOYE (Assistant editor ) and Innocent DURU velopment of the country and the people are going into,” he told The Nation by phone. He said : “It is unfortunate that they are collecting big salaries and bogus allowances when many workers are being owed salaries.” “A lot of people are being retrenched in their places of work every day because the economy is inclement to both the entrepreneurs and the masses. Is this not the simple reason the challenge of armed robbery, kidnapping, assassination and terrorism is on the rise in the country? “ For his part, Prof Itse Sagay said any reduction being planned by members of the National Assembly should be rigorous and far-reaching. His words: “The slash in the salaries and allowances of members of the

National Assembly should be more rigorous and far reaching. They collect about N150 billion per annum. Somebody said that what each of them gets every month is in the region of N29 million per month, albeit mine showed something above N15 million. “There should be a drastic reduction in all their allowances, which include one for hardship. So it is hardship to be working in a offices fitted with air conditioners? They should not be getting more than one third of what they have been getting and if they refuse, we should make them to be working on part-time so that what they would be getting would be on the basis of the number of times they sit.” Former Inspector General of Police ,Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, said that the salary cut should affect not only the federal lawmakers but also state governors and their deputies “ towards reviv-

ing and revamping our ailing economy.” Lagos lawyer,Chief Ladi Williams (SAN), said that as far as he is concerned,salary cut is not enough. ”Salary cut may appear palliative, because it doesn’t solve all the nation’s problems. They must forget their wardrobe allowances car allowances and the rest of them,” he said. “ We are entering an era where self-sacrifice, and not money, should be the issue in the interest of the nation. What the National Assembly members are getting is too much. What is allocated as constituency allowance alone is far more than what a large number of the population get in many years if not their lifetime. “It appears the downward trend in the price of crude oil is to teach us a lesson as a nation. The National Assembly members should accept 50 percent cut in salaries and crack down on frivolous allow-

ances.” Another Senior Advocate,Mr. Niyi Akintola believes that farreaching decisions have to be taken with a view to solving the various problems facing the nation. To fix the problems, Akintola said government should address financial wastes , which he described as too many and too glaring. “The problem of the nation is not about salary reduction. So, it does not matter whether the National Assembly slashes its salary or not. After all, how much is the salary? The problems we have are all the wastages in the country. The wastages are too many and they are glaring for everybody to see. “Do we need all the ministries that we have? The answer is no. Now, there are about four ministries that have been created out of one that was doing the same job before. Aside from this, you also have many top officers and aides, many of whom have noth-

ing doing . “When a governor is going out, have you tried to count the number of vehicles in his entourage? There is no governor that has fewer than 100 policemen around him, when the masses have nobody to respond to their security needs.” Speaking on what to expect from the members of the National Assembly, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, representing Ondo Central said that the Senate will hinge its decision on salary cut on the recommendations of the committee it set up to advise it. He said: “we are now waiting for the recommendations of that committee. It is what the committee advises that we would do. You know that it is easier for the executive arm to sit down and come up with such a decision. “But for the National Assembly, such decision is not what the president can decide unilaterally on behalf of the 109 senators and 360 House members. I am sure that we would come with a decision on that when the committee submits its report.”

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

Buhari, Obama and the battle of ideas HEN Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari visits US President Barak Obama next week it will be a meeting of two titans or leaders at the crest of their popularity and leadership charisma. They meet with their heads held high as proud representatives of their nations very much in cordial relations in terms of diplomacy , economic cooperation, political and military collaboration. Indeed in mind as in spirit the two leaders are in harmony as are their two nations. It is in the area of ideas however that they must wrestle to fashion out a solution that will not throw their bilateral relationship into disharmony or be an harbinger of discord or friction. The two leaders meet at a time when terrorism or precisely Islamist militancy is threatening world peace and harmony and in particular is attacking global democracy and the free market economy which are the ideologies the US and its allies in Western Europe or the EU have been marketing around the world as the best form of government in our time. The two leaders come with impeccable democratic credentials to their meeting although their age and the experience in the practice of democracy is inversely proportional. Obama is a young man compared to our president but the US is a far older democracy than Nigeria. Buhari’s tall and stately figure is equally matched by the imposing basket baller height of the US president. Both have arresting and dignified presence. Yet our president brings into this meeting the full weight of Nigeria’s travails and challenges with democracy which he expects the US president to appreciate and understand and help without any loss of face on the part of the Nigerian people and nation. That really is the Gordian knot of this visit as Nigeria goes to Washington to get help not only to fight Boko Haram but to kick start our economy and our presidential system after an unexpected legislative hiatus so soon after a smooth election that the US was amongst the first nations to congratulate us on its success. Let me state clearly from the onset here that Nigeria and the US face a long and challenging battle of ideas in their relations and this meeting is just the tip of the icebag. Both nations have a shared background in terms of their big size and diversity and cultural plurality. Nigeria’s motto is Unity in Diversity while that of the US is In God we trust. Nigerians in particular worship God in mosques and churches so much that religion is such a booming business nowadays such that pastors are the most eligible bachelors amongst our youths, outpacing youthful bankers, oilmen and IT magicians who used to be favorites of our fairer sex before. That however has not prevented the emergence of Boko Haram the terrorist group that has been killing Nigerians with impunity for some years now and whose blood letting must be the priority on the agenda of the meeting of the two presidents next week. In the last one month Boko Haram has killed about 5OO innocent Nigerians and this no doubt has prompted the replacement of Nigeria’s security and military chiefs by the Nigerian president. A move that has made Nigerians to heave a very heavy sigh of relief of hope that Boko Haram will at last be contained and destroyed by the Buhari Administration. More importantly and unbelievable as it might sound Nigeria faces difficult problems on the issue of democracy as a concept and its understanding and practice which the Americans have to be apprised of before it is too late. I presume it was some knowledge and anxiety in this direction that prompted the unpopular US prediction that Nigeria will collapse in 2015. Now Nigeria has seen 2015 and has had a successful election that has brought in a president of hope contrary to this US doomsday prediction. That president is needed by the US to lead the ECOWAS region in the fight against ISIS which is the sole and worst enemy of the US in the war

on terrorism which the US has finally, if belatedly, admitted is a battle of ideas stretching far beyond the global theatres of war in the Middle East and the rest of the world. Boko Haram is the proxy of ISIS in the Sahel covering Niger Republic, Cameroon and Chad and Nigeria’s North East and has continued killing Nigerians even during Ramadan , the holy month of Islam. Yet it claims it is, together with ISIS, trying to establish borderless caliphates in which it hopes to practice its bloody brand of religion that says No to western education. In addition the two presidents have to make each other know the way democracy is understood and practiced in their two nations. Former US President Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as government of the people by the people and for the people. On the other hand Tony Blair the former British Prime Minister in his Memoirs called simply ‘A Journey ‘ - in explaining the creation of New Labor which kept him in power for a decade as the British PM, identified a situation whereby government was not for the people but above them and used the correction of that anomaly to change the Labor Party and defeat the Conservative Party led by John Major at that time. Nigeria I am afraid is in that dismal situation right now whereby the government has been above the people and not for them in anyway even though it got elected into office by them in the 2011 elections. That really was the origin of the momentum of change and expectation that saw President Buhari elected into office on the platform of his party the APC and his assumption of office on May 29 2015. However the legislative elections of June 9 2015 which brought into legislative power a new leadership of the legislature unknown or approved by the party in majority in the legislature has brought back the hand of the clock in the progress made by Nigerians in electing the APC into power and Buhari as president. The June 9 legislative leadership elections in Nigeria has created what Tony Blair and New Labor

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Buhari’s tall and stately figure is equally matched by the imposing basket baller height of the US president. Both have arresting and dignified presence. Yet our president brings into this meeting the full weight of Nigeria’s travails and challenges with democracy which he expects the US president to appreciate and understand and help without any loss of face on the part of the Nigerian people and nation

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uprooted in winning the mind of the British electorate which is government above the people as opposed to the much needed government for the people and for the people which is what democracy is all about. It behoves the US president then to direct its foreign and diplomatic officials as well as those of its allies in the EU nations to steer clear of the leadership of the Nigerian legislature until it is democratically sanitized from the opprobrium it brought on itself from the June 9 2015 electoral malfeasance. This is really is to save the face of democracy as promoted by the US and EU as many Nigerians were nauseated by the trooping of Western European and US ambassadors to the legislature to congratulate both the Speaker and President of the Senate while the Nigerian nation was still in a very deep shock and trauma over the manner of their emergence and election. Surely democracy in principle as well as in practice either in Nigeria or globally deserves better recognition and acclamation than the one put on display by those marketing it as the best and fairest form of government in the world today given their reaction to our last leadership elections in our legislature. We recall that in August this year it will be 30 years since our new president left office as a military leader. He has moved on since to contest elections thrice and losing before being elected last time around. He has paid his dues in terms of leadership experience and he knows his nation and his people like the back of his hands. He is a devoted Muslim and has condemned Boko Haram in the strongest terms as anti Islam. Undoubtedly on gay rights he will not mince words in telling the US president that that is a no go area in terms of any change of attitude on the part of Nigeria which he presides over and its people. He can say this clearly and mightily because he was just newly given his mandate. Unlike the US president who is fastly running out of time and tenure and has become a lame duck president giving parting gifts to the US electorate. Unfortunately he has had to use threats of presidential veto to cement his departure presents to the US electorate such as the threat to the US legislature to veto any opposition to the controversial Nuclear Deal with Iran. Historically however the two leaders saddled with containing terrorism globally and in their domain remind me of one or two famous world leaders. Obama reminds me of Abraham Lincoln who fought the US Civil War to free slaves although I wonder how Lincoln would react in his grave on the gay rights that Obama has given legality to. Our president reminds me in terms of his figure and stature of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery of Alamein the Second World War British military hero nicknamed the Spartan General who defeated Erwin Rommel the German general in the same war. Which really is my own way of wishing our new president every success in defeating , first Boko Haram, Corruption and false democracy over fake election rules. Just like Montgomery became the nemesis of Rommel in the hot deserts of Egypt in Alamein so many years ago. Again long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

COMMENTARY

Our children’s unanswered questions recall a recent event in which some children did not only thrill us but asked questions that left many parents bewildered. With songs, drama and speeches, they held an audience spellbound as they took everyone down the memory lane of the nation’s journey since independence. They drew our attention to the maladministration of the nation’s different sectors. They demanded the whereabouts of the over 200 girls abducted from Chibok, Borno State and asked if they would ever return home. Then they came hard on insurgents and demanded to know their sponsors. The occasion took place in Abuja about a year ago during the launch of the Federal Government’s Victims Support Fund, chaired by Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd). Present at the occasion meant to raise funds for the rehabilitation and upkeep of the victims of insurgency were President Goodluck Jonathan, state governors, service chiefs, captains of industry, members of the diplomatic corps and who is who in the country. The performance of the children, who were drawn from various tribes, provoked and prodded sane minds. To men of conscience, the children could just not be ignored. And from the look of things, some of the questions the children asked are receiving attention even though some others may go unanswered. Of all the questions the children asked, the one that has continued to agitate the mind is the one that formed the basis for this article, namely: “Are there no sponsors of Boko Haram?” Or, put differently: “Where are the sponsors of this heinous crime?” When Al-Shabab, the militant Islamist group attacked a shopping mall in Kenya, the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta responded with the speed of a meteor. One of the immediate steps was to locate the possible sponsors of the dastardly act living within Kenya. In the process, about 80 people or sources were identified and their accounts were immediately frozen. In the process, it was discovered that some government functionaries were suspects. Similarly, when the Al-Shabab assaulted Garissa University and left 148 people dead, Kenyan fighter jets went into immediate action, bombing the two camps of the group in the Gedo region. Investigation further revealed that the son of a Kenyan government official was one of the masked Al-Shabab gunmen who stormed Garissa University College. Kenyan Interior Ministry said Abdirahim Abdullahi, who was the son of the government official in question, was among the four attackers killed during the attack. News from Niger Republic revealed that 643 people have been detained and charged to court for acts of terrorism and criminal conspiracy since February 2015. This was announced to the Niger Parliament by Hassoumi Massaoudoy, the Niger

Victor IZEKOR

Security Minister. According to the Minister, Niger has deployed 3,000 soldiers to a joint regional force formed with Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria in order to quash the Boko Haram insurgency. Hassoumi further told the parliament that several Boko Haram networks and sleeper cells had been dismantled in Niger’s Southern Diffa region, which is on the border with Nigeria, and troops deployed there. In the words of the minister, “If this measure had not been taken, we could have had an uprising in the very interior of Diffa.” In Nigeria, it was recently announced that about 300 of the over 500 suspects of terror attacks would be charged to court for terrorism and conspiracy. Militarily, the war against insurgency has been intensified. The tail end of the erstwhile administration of President Goodluck Jonathan saw more heat on the insurgents with the liberation of more local government areas from the hitherto strongholds of the Boko Haram sect. Today, vigorous military action by the Buhari administration aimed at total liberation of the entire North East from the shackles of Boko Haram is ongoing, ironically provoking the intensification of attacks by the insurgents, especially on soft targets, which include churches, mosques, markets and defenseless civil populace mostly in the rural areas as well as in the cities through suicide bombing and outright gun attacks. In this renewed intensification of attacks by the insurgents, hundreds have been killed while many were injured with incalculable damage to property. All these unprovoked attacks by the insurgents, apart from being self-seeking, is to further

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From the present severe heat and intensity of air and ground attacks on the insurgents, it is predictable that sooner than later, the Nigerian military will heave a sigh. Yes, militarily, the battle would be won, but the war is still on. And one of the ways to end the war is to locate and bring to book the local sponsors of this man inhumanity to man

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create fear and intimidation in the minds of the people who would in the ultimate be made to feel that the government of the day is incapable of protecting the citizens. This perception of the insurgents, who by all intents and purposes are war mongers and demons of division, must not be given credence or approval. From the present severe heat and intensity of air and ground attacks on the insurgents, it is predictable that sooner than later, the Nigerian military will heave a sigh. Yes, militarily, the battle would be won, but the war is still on. And one of the ways to end the war is to locate and bring to book the local sponsors of this man inhumanity to man. It is obvious that without local sponsors and conspirators, the overbearing strength and orgy of destruction perpetuated by the Boko Haram sect would not have manifested. The local sponsors serve as the window or link for the external collaborators or sponsors to get into Nigeria. Identifying the local sponsors and block their sources of funds locally and externally will no doubt have positive effect on the war against insurgency. It is no longer a secret that local sponsors of insurgency are in our midst. What is surprising is that up till now, the Nigerian public is still in darkness with regards to the identity of the concerned individuals or groups who through outright sponsorship, aiding and abetting, continually desecrate Nigeria, especially North-East, with the blood of innocent citizens. Even as President of the nation, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan publicly declared that there are Boko Haram members in his administration. These so called members of the sect might not just be members but sponsors. Who are these and where are they now? The war against insurgency must not only be won but must be seen to have been won. The Nigerian Army has been forthcoming in this regard. It has demonstrated of recent the capacity and capability to defend the sovereignty of the Nigerian state. Besides, the military is purging itself of various ills or afflictions through court marshalling suspects for various offences, including aiding, abetting the enemies and abandoning the war front. Our security agencies, especially the intelligent units, must brace up and be pro-active to counter all moves by the insurgents to mar the peace and destabilise the nation. Above all, they will have to think ahead and set in motion pre-emptive moves or forces to counter the plans and forces of the enemy. They have to reach out to concerned groups, stakeholders and individuals, low or high. •Victor Izekor, a journalist and public affairs analyst writes at victorizekor@gmail.com

50-year uneconomic legacy – The way forward A RE we seriously ready to sail through our present scenario of more than half a century old uneconomic legacy? Or are we going to excel in the myriad of flowing excuses we roll out for our disappointing state of economic affairs? ‘Corruption is the bane of our underdevelopment.’ ‘Lack of power is an obstacle to our economic growth.’ ‘Underfunding of our health and education sectors is a serious drag on our development.’ ‘Without infrastructural investment we cannot make progress.’ Yet, in these dire straits of a society as depressingly laid out, foreigners can set up various agricultural and agro-allied firms able to make something meaningful out of our country. It is the level of disorganisation, ineptitude and visionless outlook in the midst of aplenty that leaves one speechless without any national sense of achievement. A foreigner once stated that his company grows and processes agricultural products in Nigeria before sending to Asia for further processing before onward shipment to Europe. Guess which country gets the more juicy part of the return on investment? Another foreign company recently acquired a five hundred million naira machine in a suburb of Lagos as part of their expansion plan. This was bought during the height of our political tension with the accompanying downward spiral of the Naira. But it did not stop their growth. In this unending list are another foreigner and Nigerian who were each given loans of, coincidentally, five hundred million naira. Within three years, the foreigner’s company expanded into a two billion naira company. The Nigerian, a well-known social philanthropist, never paid back the loan. With both of them living within the same environment, would this be financial corruption or bankruptcy of ideas? You decide. Not to bore readers with all these examples, all these organisations are making it big and expanding here, but what are our excuses? – lack of enabling environment, power challenges, corruption, inadequate road and railway infrastructure, low educational standards, insecurity issues, blah…blah…blah. The country needs a holistic approach to economic development especially at the socio-political level to involve three critical groups of people - governors, religious spokespersons and traditional rulers. They are the reasons for our lack of focus and without them being reoriented to rural growth values we are hardly going anywhere. Governors need entrepreneurial approaches to state governance and not merely resource administrators. It is almost impossible to point to any entrepreneurial governor since the regional premiers of the First Republic. We have had excellent administrators but finding governors able to wean themselves off Abuja goodies is like a pipe dream. Same extends to the religious leaders who need to accord priority to the nation’s growth and image and not on JMR – Jerusalem, Mecca or Rome. Your national achievements in agriculture, industrialisation, national research and development,

educational standards, etc., determine the respect we get abroad than our religio-spiritual endeavours. No amount of vigils or fasting would ever reduce the embarrassment and insults our green passports confer on us abroad. Keying in the religious leaders to this, to which we might have to call on the divine, is an obstacle that really needs to be surmounted. Ditto our traditional rulers who are the best representatives to spur rural growth and development as it affects the up-andcoming towns and villages nationwide. These three groups of people can effect changes through the relevant government establishments and their absence hamper local governance in being able to address rural developmental issues. If we complement this at the federal level, we can consolidate what is available by developing easy large scale start-ups, reduce blockages to the financial system in all sectors, divert available power to identified priority sectors of the economy and apply same to the refineries. A classic example of easy large scale start up or expansion would be the furniture cane weaving artisans in Mende, Maryland, Lagos, the Panteke fabricating market in Kaduna, the tie-and-dye ‘Adire’ textile market in Abeokuta or the Aba/Onitsha fledging industrial enclaves . Imagine the cane weaving village being given a ten-hectare land with subsidised rates or leased by the relevant land authorities with government administrators spearheading the planning and layout. The economic village can display a museum or show rooms for commercial tourism, fashion design centres and technical-vocational institutes attached or partnering with it, car parking services and eateries sprouting from it, distribution network and transportation, business centres for branding, advertising and sales, visits from all academic institutions to key in the education sector, security provision, estate maintenance, banking, insurance and other financial services,

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The time is NOW to shift focus away from problems or passing blame and move towards solutions and opportunities. Looking inwards, there is enough intellectual capacity – local and foreign-based - to tackle the national and international development challenges affecting Nigeria. Are you one of such professionals? Are you willing to contribute

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revenue generation offices, and you would practically have a cane weaving economic hub – corruption or no corruption. The bonus of these kinds of places is the need for minimal power compared to the power consuming industrial outlays, large employment of labour, real reduction in rural-urban migration and one of the sources of real economic diversification on ground. Replicating this in every local government would not only ensure a leap in economic growth but would contribute significantly to both our Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and Gross National Product, GNP, handled for Nigeria by Nigerians not by foreigners which is what presently dominates our GDP biggest-in-Africa economic activities. Without making civil servants proactive in orientation as opposed to sitting in offices and aligning remuneration allowances to the fate of their establishments’ results, then this is a non-starter. This extends especially to local government personnel mostly with no clue about their roles in rural or local development. Revenue yielding ventures precedes infrastructural development and welfare spending. This is majorly why our administrator governors are busy constructing roads and other infrastructure, building fantastic stadiums on borrowed money or inadequate IGR, sponsoring pilgrimages earning no money while straining our foreign exchange, building schools and hospitals on a grand scale with a minimally productive population, all classic examples of misplaced priorities no matter the best of intentions. The result is an able-bodied population as demonstrated by the miasma of street hawkers nationwide and a fairly educated population seen annually at Immigration recruitment. They are however cheap enough to be in abundance and wellexploited by the smart foreign companies forever expanding within our midst. There is financial corruption and also corruption of ideas. It is best to leave us to decide which one is drawing us back or is worthy of tackling. The time is NOW to shift focus away from problems or passing blame and move towards solutions and opportunities. Looking inwards, there is enough intellectual capacity – local and foreign-based - to tackle the national and international development challenges affecting Nigeria. Are you one of such professionals? Are you willing to contribute Talent/Competences; Time/Effort and Treasure/Money (1, 2 or all 3) towards transforming the Nigerian society? Are you willing to work as a TEAM (Together Each Achieve More) with like minds to arrange a better benefit together? If yes, please send email to addresses below in not more than 250 words describing the contribution you are willing and able to make towards rebuilding Nigeria. •Dele Owolowo, Author ‘Nigeria’s Odyssey…’, is an Educationist, Trainer and Rural Entrepreneur with widely travelled background. owolowo.dele@gmail.com and Lanre Rotimi – Director NEHAP, nehap.initiative@yahoo.co.uk

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

‘Why I had to visit 68 countries’ Stories on pages 30,31,34&35

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

He is a politician and member of the House of Representatives, but with his charming looks, you can easily take Hon. Emmanuel Ekon for a showbiz impresario, particularly if you run to him at a social function. The businessman turned politician and second term member of the House, representing Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika Federal Constituencies in Akwa Ibom State enjoyed a humble beginning growing up, according to him, without electricity in his community and without a television set at home. Ekon's parents hinged their son's future on education; a strategy that eventually paid off. He later joined his sister in the United States of America, where he recorded his first major success, but the glitter and allure of America could not hold back his childhood memories. He returned home and picked a ticket for the House of Representatives, from where he has been contributing his own quota to the development of his native constituency. PAUL UKPABIO met him at a social function in Lagos, where he spoke about his life as a politician and a socialite.

I’m a car and per fume freak

–House of Reps member Emmanuel Ekon

HICH would you say lifted you to your present position in life, destiny or hard work? Both of them have played significant roles in whatever I am today. But it must have been more of destiny than hard work. What was growing up like and what memories of your early years do you recall? I grew up in Iwukem village, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. I had my primary education there too. Those days were not really rosy because of the constant communal clashes we were having with the people of Azumini in Abia State. We were constantly under threat. Mark you, Iwukem village, where I come from, was not developed. To be candid, we never had electricity supply in any part of the community until I went to the National Assembly in 2011. So, you can imagine what it meant to start life in such a community. But that did not stop us from having fun: Going to fetch firewood in the surrounding bushes, sitting under the moonlight to listen to folktales with the sound of crickets in the background, within the ambience of our environment; these are memories I will cherish till the end of my life! Let me also add that finding ourselves in such condition challenged us to work towards liberating our people from the shackles of poverty and bondage, and I know we are progressing in the right direction. What in particular do you miss about childhood? I miss the fun of running around the village with my friends without any fear of harassment.

Though we often had communal clashes, it did not stop us from doing the things children of my age were used to doing then. We were completely free from the travails of today’s generation. People cared about what happened to their next door neighbours. Everybody shared the little they had, unlike today where suspicion, greed and insecurity is the order of the day. In those days, no one talked about being kidnapped. We only heard about the activities of armed robbers in the big cities, although we had few incidents of petty thieves here and there. I wish we could have such times back in this modern era so that our children can have a feel of what we had back then. So, who influenced you most; your mum or your dad? Both! My mum and dad had a great influence on my life. Now that you are in the National As-

Hon. Ekon

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

Actually, I put on traditional attires most of the time and for that reason, ties and cufflinks rarely comes into my everyday dressing. But I am a perfume freak

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sembly, where do you live more? To be honest with you, I shuttle between Abuja and Akwa Ibom. I am in Abuja on Mondays to Thursdays because I have to attend Plenary on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I am always in Akwa Ibom attending to the needs of my constituents from Thursday evening to Monday morning before boarding the next available flight to Abuja every Monday. How about your family? How do you cope shuttling between Akwa Ibom and Abuja? My wife has been very supportive and I also have the understanding of my children. We are coping fine. You are a trendy dresser. Who did you take after in this regard and what kinds of clothe do you like wearing? I do not know anything about being a trendy dresser and I also do not have a reference point when it comes to dressing. All I know is that I am modest in the way I dress and most of my dresses are made by local tailors here. I put on an outfit that befits an occasion. I don’t like something that is too provocative. I go for good designs. That is all. What male fashion accessory would you not do without? Actually, I put on traditional attires most of the time and for that reason, ties and cufflinks rarely comes into my everyday dressing. But I am a perfume freak. What makes you happy? I feel fulfilled every time I am able to address the needs of my people. How best do you love spending your leisure? My job is very demanding. If I am not at the plenary, I probably may be attending one meeting or the other. The little time I have to spare, I try to devote it to my family. Continued on page 34

National Coordinator of the Nigerian Network of Women Exporters (NNWE), Nkiru Joy Okpala, is a holder of master’s degrees in no fewer than three different fields, including Law and Business Administration. She speaks with YETUNDE OLADEINDE on her love for training programmes, the potential of export services and its challenges. OW is life as a lawyer who is helping to develop the export service sector? The law profession is very interesting. When I sit in my office and somebody calls me from the United States, saying, ‘Can you help me register a company?’ Or the person wants me to bring a company to Nigeria and I say, ‘Okay, it would cost you so and so amount,’ and he wires some dollars to me, what have I done? I am sitting in my office and exporting my service. This is how to tell you there are modes of exporting service. If I have not been put through by this organisation, I might not have understood that. What informed your choice of the Law profession? Although I studied Law, I also hold an MBA in Business Management and another master’s degree in Business Administration. I also hold a post graduate diploma in Management Accounting. These are apart from my legal profession where I have gone for post graduate and masters. When I was growing up, I saw lawyers in their wigs and gowns and I was thrilled, so I said I must also wear them. I also had another passion: if I see someone being trampled upon, I feel for them and wonder why someone would do a thing like that to another. That was how it started. By the time I got into legal practice, I joined FIDA. I am still a member of FIDA (International Federation of Women Lawyers) and the International Bar Association (IBA). As much as I had this passion, I also had the passion to help people come out of poverty. That took me to the other things that I do. I realised that most organisations are interested in doing things around violence against women, women’s rights and all that. Yes, they are good, but they have not actually addressed the other side of the woman—a process where a woman has confidence in herself and where she can compete with the men favourably. So, when this opportunity came, I was happy and knew I had seen something that would help women achieve their dreams, and I said I was going to work at it. I thank God that we have been

Okpala

‘The best gift I got from dad’ achieving a lot and I am grateful that we are seeing results in what we are doing. When you work and you do not see results, you do not get encouraged. Let’s talk about some of the places where you schooled… I had my primary, secondary and university education in Enugu. Then I did my PGD (post graduate diploma) at the University of Ife and my LLM with Kogi State University. And aside those ones, I had a lot of international programmes. I have gone on a lot of executive programmes with the World Bank in Washington DC, and Policy and Economic Studies with the London Graduate School in UK. I also did Arbitration and alternative dispute Resolution at the University of Estrada in Germany. I have really travelled far and wide when it comes to executive training. I have been to about 68 countries of the world. Some

were for conferences, some on presentation of papers and others where we had to sit with other people to understand how the shoe pinches them and how it pinches us. At the end of the day, we come back to implement what we have learnt. What gives you the drive to do all this? Well, I would say it is the passion for doing something you know would affect others. Mine is not about money because most times, I spend my money doing all this and come back to relay it to the women. I do a lot of research and I write articles for International bodies. I write for missions and I derive joy doing such work. It gives me great pleasure. If I am alone and not doing anything, I am not fulfilled. I feel as if something is missing from me. What influence did your parents have on you? My parents are disciplinarians. My father really influenced me. He was a banker but he is late now. When he was alive, he was comfortable and contented with what he had. He was not looking for the extras and he made us to understand that as well. He made us to realise from childhood that the best gift from him was the intellectual ability and knowledge. When we were growing up, he was not living with us because of the regular transfers to different states. Funny Continued on page 34

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

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‘Childhood memories I’ll cherish for life’ Continued from page 31 Tell us about your first car? What determines your choice of cars? My first car was a 1995 Toyota Camry which my sister gave to me when I arrived at the United States in 2001. Two things determine my choice of car: the torque and the luxury of the car. In what ways would you say that your background has influenced the person that you are today? I come from a very strong religious background where discipline and honesty were the factors that guided me. My parents recognised the value of education and even when they were not well to do financially, they encouraged us to embrace formal education and I personally took that challenge seriously. I can say with all honesty that where I have found myself today is as a result of abiding by the upbringing that they gave me. What else occupies your time most, apart from being a lawmaker? Like I said earlier, my schedule is very tight. So whatever little time I have, I try to be around my family. Tell us about your spouse. How did you meet? Was it love at first sight? My wife is a gift from God. We started our relationship before our matriculation and even flew to the United States on the same day. I will say she witnessed all the transformation in my life. She is everything that any man would dream of in a wife. Tell us about some of your best moments in life? The best moment of my life was the day I won the 2011 election to the House of Representatives. It had always been my desire to serve my people and God

did it for me. Do you see yourself as a lady’s man? As a successful man, a lot of ladies would love to come close. How do you handle that? I have a wife and that makes me a lady’s man. I am also a committed Christian who is duty bound to deal with all manner of people. What role does religion play in your life? The word of God as contained in the Bible has affected my life positively. I allow the fear of God to guide every step I take. With growing voice for gender equality, when do you think that Nigeria will be ready for a woman President? To be honest with you, except a miracle happens, it may take years before Nigeria gets a woman President. All over the world, Nigeria inclusive, elections are very expensive. Campaigning for the office of the President is also breathtaking and tedious. Hope you remember what President Buhari and former President Jonathan went through during the campaigns. You have to campaign in every nook and cranny of the federation. This involves money, logistics, time, materials and so on. I have

To be honest with you, except a miracle happens, it may take years before Nigeria gets a woman President. All over the world, Nigeria inclusive, elections are very expensive. Campaigning for the office of the President is also breathtaking and tedious. Hope you remember what President Buhari and former President Jonathan went through during the campaigns. You have to campaign in every nook and cranny of the federation...

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not seen any frontline female politician who has the financial muscle to dominate the political landscape in Nigeria. Even in the United States, since 1776 when United States got her Independence up till date, America has not been able to produce a female President, although there is the likelihood that America may make history in 2016 if

Hillary Clinton secures Democratic Party nomination to contest election for the Office of United States President in the forthcoming November 2016 US Presidential Election. How about your educational background? I have a degree in Statistics alongside other professional certificates. What influenced your choice of a career in politics? The passion to alleviate the sufferings of the members of my constituency is a motivating factor. Before I ventured into politics, I had the opportunity to relate with my people and saw what they went through on a daily basis. I see the army of unemployed youths almost every day. I see decayed infrastructure as well. I hear stories of indigent brilliant students who could not further their education due to lack of funds/scholarships. The passion to address these issues influenced my choice of politics. If you were not what you are now, what else would you have loved to be? I came from the private sector. I ran a very successful business in the USA for seven years. So if I was not in politics to serve my people, I would have remained there to look after my business. What do you value most? I value my family and then my constituents. Are you fulfilled? Honestly, I am not yet fulfilled. I will be fulfilled when every Nigerian student has access to student loans as we have in developed countries, so that you do not need to depend on your uncles and politicians before you can further your university education. I will be ful-

‘Why I’ve dedicated Continued from page 31

Okpala

enough, whenever he was coming back, one thing I always looked forward to was his pile of newspapers. What is the focus of your organisation? It is focused on trade and services; trying to let women know how they can improve their economic status. I am the national coordinator of the organisation in Nigeria, and it was launched in Abuja in 2006, as well as in Lagos. It was officially registered in 2007. Was there a need for the organisation? Yes, there was. It came as a final project of the DFID, which was implemented by the International Trade Centre, a unit of the United Nations. It was like the world was going through a lot of innovations and things were happening. Research showed that every time, we talk about expanding a product, forgetting that the major driver of the economy is the service sector. Again, women in developing economies are involved in the service sector. Moreover, before any product would come into existence, there must be a lot of services, and those are the ones changing the economy and bringing about a lot of issues The outside world felt that developing countries, especially Nigeria as a major country in Africa, can show the use and essence of the service sector. So, that was how it came about. It was the executive director of the International Trade Centre who came in the company of other executives to

launch it. In attendance was the then Minister of Commerce as well as the Minister of Women Affairs and the executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. What were some of the programmes and projects you have carried out? We have carried out a number of projects. We were involved in advocacy projects. We first of all tried to understand the problems women are having when it comes to trade and services. So we had to also lead them through the dictates of export. Having done that for the people in the private sector, we brought in the public sector. We had to retrain them to understand that if the environment is not stable, there is no way that they can do business. We saw that the average person in business was suffering and so we had to go to them to understand their own role when it comes to efficiency in service delivery and expanding the non-oil sector through service. That was one. And then we went further to see that better education was put in place and we had to deal with other issues because we saw that the world is going global. In Africa, you find that we have the customs’ tariffs, which also affects the export of not just goods but also services. So we had to see how we could facilitate trade across the regions of Africa. And during the EPA negotiations, we had to make sure that the voices of women were heard. Again, the network has participated during the World Economic Forum in Abuja.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

I love the game of football and I played it in my early years. But of recent, I have not had the opportunity of participating fully in football activities because of other pressing matters.

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Hon. Ekon filled when there is 24-hour supply of electricity in Nigeria so that the economy can grow. I will be fulfilled when Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria becomes a thing of the past and Nigerians can walk freely in any part of the country without entertaining fear of being attacked. I will be more fulfilled when our economy bounces back and the exchange rate is brought back to a minimal level. What sports did you grow up with? Have you developed new ones in re-

cent times? I love the game of football and I played it in my early years. But of recent, I have not had the opportunity of participating fully in football activities because of other pressing matters. But I am considering sponsoring a tournament to boost the morale of youths in my constituency to explore the possibility of making a career out of football. With the new dispensation of democratic government, what are your expectations?

I would be much happier if things were good and different in the country and the erstwhile President had fulfilled his promised transformation programmes for the country. But be that as it may, I urge all Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari to enable him deliver on his campaign promises. The APC as a party promised change during the campaigns. The party’s slogan during the election was change. I expect the present government to bring positive change to governance

35 and to the country as a whole. Tell us about your experience so far in government. I represented my people in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the 7th National Assembly. My constituents were satisfied with my representation between 2011 and 2015 and they gave me another mandate in March 2015 to represent them in the 8th National Assembly. My experience in government has shown that government cannot solve all the problems of the citizens alone. There is need for collaboration between the government, the private sector and individuals like you and me who are expected to engage in community services. Can you recall any significant contribution you made on the floor of the House? I raised the motion against the International �airlines’ unfair treatment of Nigerian passengers and high fare charges. I also moved a motion against the Federal Government of Nigeria, calling on them to cover the drainages on our federal highways, citing the situation along the way to Abuja Airport which has become a death trap now because of the open drainages. There were other motions that I raised too. What kind of country do you hope Nigeria should be? I expect Nigeria to maintain its status as the giant of Africa not only in words but in deeds. I also expect Nigeria to be a country where peace and security will reign. I expect Nigeria to be a country where there will be abundance of food and starvation or hunger will be a thing of the past. I also expect Nigeria to be a country where there will be housing for all. I expect Nigeria to continue to block all institutional loopholes making corruption to thrive. It is important that under the regime of President Muhammed Buhari, the President would block institutional loopholes that were making corruption to blossom in the country. I expect that the President will also continue to sustain this noble effort.

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my life to advancing the cause of women’ for the SDGs in the world. We are also the protocol for financing for development, which is also coming up in Ethiopia this July. Not just for Ethiopia but also within the local area, we have also been able to gather some women who are involved in trading in products to see how we can help in establishing warehousing for them. One of the things we do is creating awareness and access to international markets. So, most times, we take the women on international symposia, international business meetings and even local business meetings. We now realise that these women are productive but cannot access markets for their products. One of the services we render to them is trying to liaise with other countries that are interested in their products, finding markets for them and seeing how they can improve on their exports through assisted deliv-

We were involved in advocacy projects. We first of all tried to understand the problems women are having when it comes to trade and services. So we had to also lead them through the dictates of export. Having done that for the people in the private sector, we brought in the public sector

We had to let them bring in the African world because the Forum was for Africa, to let them understand how to develop and handle the service sector, since we were talking about non-oil export. So, we looked at how to develop it and assist the women. Then again we have been very fast in gaining the consultative status with the United Nations. We have also been involved in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which is coming to an end this

year. And the new goals are sustainable development goals (SDGs). And where we are talking about developing the economy, the environment and the social aspect of life, the climate change, innovations and technology, in all this, trade and services as well as financial issues are involved. We were a member of the major group that went to Ethiopia to draft an African agenda that would be included in the high level political forum in New York

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ery. These are some of the things that we have done. The other thing is that we have been in contact with the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), where they formed a network consisting of 17 women organisations. We have been with them and we have been at the forefront of issues about expanding their services as it relates to business, and we did a project on access to credit. Is it easy doing all these or are there challenges? There are numerous challenges. The number one is letting people understand that what they are doing is adding value to the society. When you are able to understand what you are doing and understand how to do it best, you stand a chance of competing favourably with others locally and internationally. The second is the access to funds that we work with. Because we do not have support from anyone, we raise our funds on our own. I should say that it was once that we received something from the Nigerian Exports Promotion Council. They are our parent body when it comes to supervision. When it comes to dealing with women and addressing their issues and helping them to come out of poverty, which is their major role, we are cash-strapped.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

RITUAL killers have lately laid siege to some communities in Ogun State, leaving the residents to live in pains and perpetual fear, KUNLE AKINRINADE reports. HEN he set out for business on June 10, 2014, the only thing on the mind of a belt hawker in Itele area of Ota, Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State, was how he could make a huge sale. He had no inkling of the danger that lurked around when some men in front of an uncompleted building on Alhaji Jamiu Sulaimon Street, beckoned to him. He cheerfully responded to their call, thinking that he was about to make some sales. Unknown to him, the supposed customers were ritual killers. They seized him as soon he arrived. His friend, who was also a hawker, had to raise the alarm after waiting for about 30 minutes without a sight of him. By the time policemen from Itele Police Division stormed the building, the hapless hawker was found wriggling in pains. A big gash was found on his neck and blood was gushing out of his battered eyes as the fleeing ritual killers had tried to slaughter him and pluck out one of his eyes. The poor boy, however, survived the unfortunate incident after he was taken to a hospital for treatment, while a few arrests were made by the police. But since the incident, killing of innocent people for ritual purposes has not ceased in the rustic community. On May 5, 2015, men of the Itele Police Division rescued an unidentified 28-year-old lady from an uncompleted building in the Unity and Peace Estate along Lafenwa-Itele Road, after she was lured there by some persons suspected to be ritual kidnappers. While she was kept in the building, her face was covered with a cloth and her mouth was gagged. Her hands and feet were also bound to prevent her escape. During the rescue operation, the decomposing body of a missing job seeker, Miss Precious Kessington Omorodion, was also discovered in the building. Our correspondent learnt that some of her belongings, including phones, bags and other women accessories, were found at the scene. The Nation had published the strange disappearance of Precious while returning from a visit to one of her cousins in the Ilishan-Remo area of the state on April 19, 2015. She was allegedly abducted by one Mayowa, who had promised to get her a job. Our correspondent learnt that Mayowa had met Precious in Meiran area of Alagbado, Lagos and asked her out but Precious turned down his request for a relationship, saying that her pri-

•One of the shrines

Ritual killers on the prowl •Outrage in Ogun communities as ritual murderers go on the rampage ority was not dating but securing employment. Horror scenes Similar scenarios have since played out in other parts of Ogun State. Among them was the horrific sight at Eposo village in Isara, Remo North Local Government Area, Ogun State on Tuesday June 16, 2015, where policemen discovered the decomposing body of a Science Laboratory Technology student of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapaade, Miss Morenikeji Owolabi. The mutilated body of the 21-yearold student was allegedly found in a shrine owned by a suspected ritualist,

Femi Awise, who is now on the run. The late student was said to have visited Awise’s shrine for undisclosed reasons but did not return home, fuelling suspicion that she might have been kidnapped. Those who saw her while she was being ferried to the place were said to have instigated the arrest of the commercial motorcycle operator who conveyed her to the shrine, leading to the discovery of her dismembered body. Men of the Ogun State Police Command however succeeded in apprehending three suspects who allegedly connived with Awise to perpetrate the

crime. Another sad episode occurred on Friday June 19, 2015, in Oju Ore area of Ota, Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area, where an eight-year-old pupil of a private school on Funmi Ayopo Street, Master Olamilekan Olajide, was allegedly killed by one of his teachers for ritual purposes. It was gathered that Olamilekan’s teacher, one Sunday Anaeto, allegedly connived with two others, Uche Isaac and Opeyemi Shodeinde, to carry out the dastardly act. It was alleged that Continued on page 52

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

NEWS

CRIME & OTHER STORIES Sacked but T pardoned employee injures boss in robbery attack

Tragedy as hunter shoots colleague dead

Bashiru (Opee) used to be a land speculator until recently when he started going on hunting expedition without proper orientation or training

n Kunle AKINRINADE n

RAGEDY struck in Olorunleke village near Atan, Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State penultimate Sunday as a local hunter allegedly shot his colleague dead during a hunting expedition. It was learnt that in the evening of the fateful day, the errant hunter, identified simply as Jamiu, had approached his late colleague, Bashiru Opee, and invited him for a hunting expedition in a nearby forest. Forty-two-year-old Opee was allegedly clearing a bush path with a cutlass when Jamiu, who was holding his gun for him, “mistakenly” pulled the trigger and killed him. The gunshot was said to have drawn the attention of villagers who immediately rushed to the scene. The villagers were said to have invited the police who arrested Jamiu. It was learnt that Opee was found in a pool of blood while efforts made by the villagers to save his life did not yield fruit. The deceased was buried the next day according to Islamic rites. Although many of the villagers declined to speak to our correspondent during a visit to the community, a man who asked that his name should not be mentioned said: “Bashiru (Opee) used to be a land speculator until recently when he started going on hunting expedition without proper orientation or training.” Confirming the incident, the spokesman of Ogun State Police Command, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, said the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, had ordered the transfer of the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

bakery owner has n been critically injured while trying to stop his employee from carrying out a robbery attack on his home. Sunday Olufemi a.k.a. Omoga allegedly attacked his boss, Abel Kayode Ogunsakin, at the latter’s residence in Shagamu, Ogun State at about 11.30 pm on June 30, 2015. It was alleged that on the day in question, Ogunsakin sighted Olufemi sneaking into his residence at No 5,

Kunle AKINRINADE n Okedeji Street, Shagamu. Our correspondent learnt that Olufemi allegedly beat up Ogunsakin when the latter made to raise the alarm in a bid to apprehend him, but he suffered a bloody face and lost a tooth while Olufemi escaped. Bystanders, who were attracted to the scene by the alarm Ogunsakin raised, were said to have taken him to a nearby private hospital for treatment when they noticed

Outrage in Ogun communities as ritual murderers Continued from page 51

•The late Precious

the suspects lured the pupil into a corner of a classroom and killed him for rituals. Our correspondent learnt that the suspects threw the mutilated body of the boy into an uncompleted building behind the school. Anaeto and his accomplices were however caught by vigilant residents and promptly handed over to policemen at the Obasanjo Farm Police Station, Ota. The school building has since been destroyed by an angry mob while the suspects are being being tried at an Ota Magistrate’s Court. It was however a narrow escape for 97-year-old grandfather, Pa Iposiola Samaiye, on June 16, 2015, when he was rescued by policemen from Aye Forest in Isire village, along Ijebu Ode/Benin Expressway, after spending one week in the kidnappers ‘den. Pa Samaiye was taken to a hospital for treatment while the mastermind of his abduction, Emeka Obi, 40, was apprehended by men of the Ogun State Police Command. The baits In the case of the unidentified 28year-old lady rescued in Itele, she was allegedly lured into captivity after some men had promised to secure her a lucrative contract. She reportedly told journalists: “I met one of the ritual killers two weeks ago and the relationship became deeper after the guy introduced himself as a contractor and promised to secure me juicy contracts. “The man called me two days ago

and told me about a contract worth about N1.5m, but I could not go and meet him because I was sick. The man later came to my residence in Lagos and persuaded me to come for the contract deal. “But on getting to Unity and Peace Estate, we headed for an uncompleted building. One other person joined us. But when we got to the building, I smelt a rat. The building was already plastered and the floor had been cemented too. “But before I knew what had hit me, both of them had pounced on me. They beat me up and tried to rape me only to find that I was observing my period. They then tied my two hands and legs and covered my face and mouth with a cloth. They agreed to come back at night to complete the assignment. It was a miracle that passers-by rescued me.” In her comment shortly after the strange disappearance of Precious, her twin sister, Constance, said she feared her sister might have fallen victim to Mayowa because of her desperation to secure employment. She said: “She travelled to IlishanRemo to see one of our cousins on Easter Sunday, from where she told me on the phone that Mayowa had asked her to attend an employment interview with an Apapa-based manufacturing outfit where he works. Three days later, she informed me that she would be returning home on Thursday April 9, 2015. “On the day she promised to return, she told me that she had reached

Berger Bus Stop on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. A few minutes later, she sent me a message on Whatsapp that she was at Lafenwa area of Ota, Ogun State. “She later sent me another text message saying that she was on her way to Spain. From then, she was no longer reachable as her three phone numbers were switched off. I feared she might have been kidnapped by Mayowa because our cousin, who she visited at Ilishan-Remo, said she overheard my sister asking the said Mayowa on the phone to pick her up at Berger Bus Stop.” Outrage Speaking with our correspondent in different interviews, outraged residents of Itele community have urged law enforcement agents to step up vigilance in order to stop the heinous killing of people in the town for ritual purposes. A community leader, Elder Wole Sowole, observed that the community had been under siege from ritual kidnappers lately because of security laxity. His words: “We were indeed more than shocked to discover another ritual kidnappers’ den in this town. We had thought that such occurrence would never be seen again after a male belt seller was rescued from an uncompleted building used by ritual killers last year. “It is sad that our community has been turned into a den of ritualists because there is no adequate security. The law enforcement agencies relaxed

NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

olukunle87@yahoo.com

•Ogunshakin that he had lost a lot of blood. It was gathered that Olufemi had worked in Ogunsakin’s bakery for three years before he was sacked for misconduct and later reinstated. Our correspondent learnt that Olufemi allegedly continued to engage in stealing money from his colleagues and boss shortly after he was reinstated. An impeccable source who asked not to be named told our correspondent that “Ogunsakin, who owns Timmy Bakery Ltd, had sacked Olufemi not long ago for engaging in unwholesome acts but reinstated him after some people had pleaded on his behalf. Ogunsakin was said to

have taken him back when he explained that he had no money to feed his family because he was jobless. “Olufemi however continued to engage in all kinds of misconduct, including stealing from his boss and colleagues at work. He narrowly escaped being arrested in April last year when he was caught by his boss inside one of his rooms but he lied that he was taking refuge there to avoid being caught by some assailants who were pursuing him.” “Ogunsakin did not know that Olufemi had entered the building through the ceiling and was hiding in the corridor of the house. It was while Ogunsakin was trying to know where Olufemi was hiding that he landed several blows on his face, leading to the loss of his tooth and the blood that covered his face.” It was learnt that the incident was first reported to the men of the MTD Station at Sagamu before it was transferred to a police division opposite Awolowo Market, also in Sagamu. Our correspondent contacted the spokesman of Ogun State Police Command, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi for comments, but he had not responded at press time.

( 08167164657 or 08023910970 )

Police arraign five suspected cult members IVE men, Adeniyi Folami, 23, Kehinde Oshodi, 22, Ololade Oyedele, 37, Lekan Oseni, 38 and Olalekan Ajiloore have been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate's Court for allegedly belonging to an unlawful society. The defendants and others now at large were said to have conspired to manage an unlawful society called "Eiye Confraternity at Bajulaye area of

n Stories: Rukayat JIMOH n Shomolu, a suburb of Lagos. They were said to have committed the act at about 8am on May 2, 2015. They were arrested and arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy and membership of an unlawful society. They denied the charges. The offence according to the police prosecutor, Nkankuk Etim, contra-

vened Section 409,41and 42 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The defense counsel, Imelda Adebambo, applied for the bail of the defendants in the most liberal terms. The presiding magistrate, A.F Botoku, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100, 000 and two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned till September 9.

Woman loses N1.5m to suspected fraudsters USPECTED fraudsters who disguised as passengers have allegedly duped a woman, Omolara Ogunmakin, of the sum of N1.5 million. The incident occurred at Jakande Estate, Ejigbo, a suburb of Lagos on June 19, 2015. The suspected fraudsters, Vivian Okoro (31), Glory Bassey (29) and Uche Amaechi (29) allegedly tricked and administered unlawful oath on Ogunmakin, to prevent her from revealing what transpired between

them to anyone. Ogunmakin, it was learnt, had boarded a bus and was joined on the way by the trio who quickly tricked her into paying them the sum of N1.5 million. The suspects were however arrested and charged before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court on a six count charge of felony, fraudulent trick, administering unlawful oath and obtaining under false pretence. The accused persons, however,

pleaded not guilty to the charges. The police prosecutor, Inspector Uademevbo Moses, told the court that the defendants have committed an act punishable under Sections 35, 36(1), 312, 316, 321 and 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs I.O. Adelaja, admitted the accused persons bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two responsible sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned till August 3 for mention.

Two charged with manslaughter N Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate's Court in Lagos has ordered that two men - Mathew Imeh (25) and Aliu Salisu (29) be remanded at the Ikoyi prison following their arraignment on a two count charge of conspiracy and murder. The accused allegedly conspired to kill 52 year old Rafiu Baale at Aiye Junction,Mushin /Isolo road on May

go on rampage

•Pa Samaiye

their vigilance after a belt seller was rescued last year. Such cases may not abate if adequate security measures are not put in place to stop or fish out wicked people from turning this community into their devilish den.” A resident of Funmi Ayopo Street, Mrs Sarah Edunjobi, said: “We are currently living in fear since a school was discovered to be the den of ritual kidnappers. Only God knows how many innocent people would have been killed in this gruesome manner. We are calling on security agencies to help us rid this community of evil men who have started preying on innocent people.” Condemning the killing of Miss Owolabi for ritual purpose, a

community leader in Eposo, who asked not to be named, said: “We do not want a repeat of this dastardly act in our community, hence we are calling on the state government to save us from the grip of kidnappers who are prowling our community unchallenged. We have destroyed the shrine where the evil was perpetrated but we are hoping that police will come to our help so as to secure our community from these marauders.” When contacted on his mobile phone for comment, the spokesman of Ogun State Police Command, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, did not pick his call while a text message forwarded to his phone was not replied at press time.

7,2015 at about 11am. They were said to have pushed the deceased onto the path of an on-coming truck that crushed him to death in contravention of Sections 221 and 231 of the criminal law of Lagos state. Their plea was not taken. Police prosecutor Elizabeth Ekuma,an Assistant Superintedent of Police (ASP) asked the court to re-

mand the accused in prison custody pending legal advice from the office of the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). The presiding Magistrate O.A. Komolafe turned down the bail application of the defense counsel and ordered that the duo be remanded pending legal advice. The case was adjourned till August 19.

BRIEF

Recovered/missing vehicles The Ogun State Police Command and its Lagos State counterpart have urged those who lost their vehicles or motorcycles to thieves or abandoned them to report at the following police divisions for possible identification and claims within two weeks or forfeit them. Adatan Division, Abeokuta (vehicles) Nissan (taxi cab) KRD 980 XA; Volkswagen (taxi cab) YC 520 LSD; Toyota (bus) GX 511 KJA; Mazda (bus) XX 573APP. Motorcycles Sinoki Supra OP 860 LSD; Lifan QB 616 TFM; Lifan QT 542 KSF; Qlink N 375 KTU; Boxer QR 934 AKD; Boxer TRE 596 WW; Qlink OL 704 GGE; Suzuki QS 173 EKY; Honda QZ 741 LND; Qlink QV 270 AGL; Lifan QB 550 ABG; Lifan QY 372 AGL; Lifan Supra QY 862 AKD; Lifan QK 239 KSF. Onipanu Division (Ota) Nissan Vanette LND 389 AE Ikenne (motorcycles) Boxer Bajaj QH 519 BDJ; Jincheng 615 AGL; TVS QY 845 MUS; Honda Lady 929 KNN; Suzuki 80 QA 194 SGM; Suzuki LA 5794 SGM; Suzuki 100 QG 3633 R. Abigi Division, Ogun Waterside LGA (vehicle) ASTRAL OPEL (unregistered) Motorcycles Jincheng AYE 535 QA; Jincheng QK 447 KSF;Jincheng QW 215 LSK. Ijaiye Ojokoro Division (Lagos State) Toyota Camry FKJ 547 AS; Nissan AV 936 AKD, Ford bus XV 737 SMK; Nissan Primera CW 730 LND; Mazda car CX 95 SMK and Honda car HQ 143 AAA.

•Gov Akinwunmi Ambode’s representative Engr Ganiu Ajadi (left) planting a tree while Wahab Ajulo (right) looks on

‘Tree planting can stop flooding, climate change’ REE planting can be used to combat perennial flooding and menace of climate change in Lagos State, the Executive Secretary of Agbado/Oke Odo Local Council Development Area, Hon. David Famuyiwa, has said. Speaking during the 2015 tree planting exercise held at the Ibari Junction in Alagbado on Tuesday, Famuyiwa said: “We must recognise the need to conquer environmental challenges such as flooding and climate change. Therefore, let us plant trees for a better, healthier and happier life.” He said the exercise was in line with the tree planting campaign of the Lagos State Government which started about eight years ago.

Famuyiwa praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for sustaining the greenery campaign initiated by his predecessor, Mr Babatunde Fashola. “We cannot but commend the vision Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for embracing the culture of tree planting from the immediate past administration in the state in order to sustain the position of Lagos as the most greenery state with healthy environment,” he said. The council boss urged the people of the council area to discontinue activities that can “contribute to environmental degradation or habits that can further create unfriendly environment and endanger human lives.”

THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

OYAL Air Maroc has been awarded the 4 stars label by Skytrax at the Paris Bourget Exhibition. Skytrax is an organization known worldwide for its audits and assessments of the level of services in various aviation trades. The award was presented by the president of this international organization, Mr. Edward Plaisted to the President of the national company, Mr Driss Benhima. This recognition comes only one year after the awarding by Skytrax to Royal Air Maroc of the 3 stars label . This denotes the great efforts made during these last months by the national carrier to enhance, in record time, the level and the quality of its services. This distinction propels Royal Air Maroc among the major international companies in the African continent. Highly coveted by the airlines, the Skytrax award is a worldwide reference in the air transport sector.

MC Connect, MTN partner for tech plus NE of Nigeria’s leading marketing services company, Connect Marketing Services (CMS) is partnering MTN Nigeria Communications Limited to host the maiden edition of TECH+, a technology conference and exhibition in Lagos. The event will be showcasing the future of technology in Lagos. It's also an innovative technology conference and exhibition that will feature live hightech demonstrations of the latest digital products and services along with handson practical workshops facilitated by renowned IT experts. The theme of the event is “Leadership in digital technology” and will hold at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on July 24 and 25, 2015 and is expected to attract SMEs, IT experts, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and consumers. Speaking at a meeting with journalists, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Richard Iweanoge, said the event would not only showcase the latest technology but will equally be an avenue for participating individuals, businesses and top brands across Nigeria to understand the potentials of the emerging digital technologies as businesses will have the opportunity of interacting with business solutions that will drive their businesses whilst providing value for their customers.

‘Low-income Nigerians can own houses’ Mr. Babajide Alade, an architect is the MD/CEO of Structuracasa, a construction company focused on large mass housing development projects. He speaks with HANNAH OJO on how technology can be deployed to meet housing demands in the country HAT is your take on recent developments in the housing industry in Nigeria? Nigeria has a population that is almost approaching 190 million people, the same size as the United States of America that has a land area that is obviously much bigger. The housing sector is still standing by government policy but the government is trying. I think people are shining their spotlight in the housing area. The Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company, a new entity is basically starting a secondary market for mortgage finance. There are not so many banks that can just give out a 100 billion in mortgages so the Mortgage Refinance Company is now buying those mortgages off the banks and structuring them into instruments to sell to investors. That way, the banks have constant capital to be creating mortgages. I think that is one key thing that I see as a policy and a government intervention to help spark housing finance industry in Nigeria. I am really looking forward to the time we would have a viable industry in Nigeria. You accumulated experience practising in real estate development in the United States, what are the things Nigeria can learn when it comes to developing mass housing projects? I made a tour of Mexico while I was doing my MBA at the Marshal School of Business in the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Mexico is somewhat similar socio-economically to Nigeria whereby the population breakdown has some few wealthy people at the top although in Mexico they have a decent middle class and then they have a large population of low wage earners. One of the policy trust of President Vicente Fox then was housing. They were basically giving the challenge to the people in the industry to figure out the best way to create mass housing. That involved both the architects and the builders, but more importantly it involved the financial system. They had some policy changes regarding mortgage finance, land laws and land tenure systems. Some of the issues that we are having in Nigeria currently is related to land use but they were able to put things together in a way that allowed large scale housing development. The big engine that was pulling that is housing finance with the most important being mortgage finance. The fact that they were able to have a successful mortgage finance system enabled low earners who were participating in the society to buy houses that were equivalent at the time of 20-30 dollars. We are talking about 4/5 million equivalent in naira with the ability to pay over 20-30 years whereby they are using only about 25 to 35 percent of their household income. How possible is it to repeat this feat in Nigeria where middle income earners find it difficult to own houses? I believe this is possible in Nigeria. Those are the things that drove me into returning after practising in the US. I felt with my understanding of Nigeria since I grew up here and lived my early life in Nigeria; I could see the difference between Nigeria and some of these countries. In the US, consumer spending is about 70 percent of the economy. There is a big industry related to things that has to do with housing just because housing growth was robust, you have that creating a lot of jobs and that helping to sustain the economy. That is missing completely in Nigeria. That is one opportunity I believe is available for Nigeria. We haven’t task it yet, though we are beginning to try. The other thing I noticed about Nigeria especially in the mid 2000-2005 when democracy got truly entrenched in 1999 is that a lot of my friends and colleagues in the UK and the United States were coming back to Nigeria. There was a repatriation of experts and we noticed a significant improvement and forward thinking modern ideas in various sectors of the economy. Basically, the whole economy is modernising and of the pieces that hasn’t really been touched except in the very highbrow areas in Nigeria like Lagos, Port-

Harcourt and Abuja is housing estates. What is occurring in a large part of the country is that people build incrementally whereby they want to build something bigger but they start small and start adding to it overtime. It’s similar to what you have in agriculture where you have subsistence farming versus mechanized industrial farming. You can translate that into the housing industry. Where there is an opportunity to be able to build large scale housing estate that could afford several things; you can put in infrastructure so everybody is not just building where there is no roads and drainages and gradually it becomes a •Alade slum. The problem with housing as it is also with agriculture is land tenure and finance. Again, there is a huge population of able bodied people who need housing. A lot of people in middle management find it very difficult to be able to have their own house but in other developing societies like Mexico and Brazil, they can. So those are the things that I saw that encouraged me to make a plunge back to Nigeria. I felt government was instituting some business regulations that are encouraging the development of job, creating industries and allowing the middle class to grow. That really is a direction that would continue in Nigeria even though there would be hiccups. Having identified the issue, what innovation is your company bringing to solve the housing challenge in Nigeria? Structuracasa was registered in 2010 but we began operation in 2011 with a small prototype. The main focus of our company is the democratisation of home ownership in Nigeria and across West Africa. We are currently participating in the construction of housing and we are deploying a technology that we introduced into the country which is called the Aluma Easyset. We are the pioneer and we hold the right to deploy that system of construction in Nigeria. We did get approvals from the various state planning authorities which are the bodies that supervise housing constructions. We have been working to make whatever local content element we need to test it and to ensure that what we are preparing to deliver enmass to the public is well suited and well-grounded for Nigeria. We have worked in Legacy estate Ibadan in Oyo State and Abeokuta in Ogun State. We are having discussions with people in Lagos and definitely we will like to work with the government on the benefit of using this novel system of construction to achieve their housing goals. The technology allows us to build

Again, there is a huge population of able bodied people who need housing. A lot of people in middle management find it very difficult to be able to have their own house but in other developing societies like Mexico and Brazil, they can

Skytrax: Royal Air Maroc gets another recognition

much faster than the conventional construction and with better quality and actually at a lower cost especially when you have economics of scale, when you are building a 100 or more units of the same type. How can this technology work in Nigeria putting into consideration our socio-cultural peculiarities? We have done a lot of research. We are familiar with concrete in Nigeria. I studied and built in America. I didn’t build with concrete in America, we were building with gypsum, drywall and wood studs, aluminium but in Nigeria nobody wants to hear what is going on in the next room. Those are some of the cultural things that we feel would ensure our own longevity. It happened in Mexico, there is no reason why it shouldn’t happen in Nigeria. You have a lot of people who want to buy houses and they are not ready to wait, they just want to buy. With the demand that comes with mortgage financing being readily available, there is going to be need for fast, good quality construction and at a lower cost construction. A lot of developers and banks are now going to be looking for solutions; we are already on ground in Nigeria. We are building up slowly and steadily and we have a track record. The good thing about our system is that we don’t necessarily have to be the developer. We can sell or lease our system to developers or work with government for them to use this system of construction to build the carcass. Overcrowding has been a challenger whereby there is a huge population but there is no purchasing power, so how do you intend to get the houses across to people? That is a social engineering question. I have my own perception which can be policy ideas but in different countries, you look at the strata of your population and you put so many things in place to help the population. Job creation is important so that people can be gainfully employed and have some money. In some other countries, they provide subsidies for people who want to rent houses. When people cannot afford to own a house and they still need a place to live then the government gets involved somehow by building decent houses which people can rent, they don’t have to own it. The asset is an asset that is owned either by a cooperative or a government or non-profit organisation. Big cooperations can set aside their income and get tax benefits for providing low income housing. Our system of construction can also work in that way because when we are building large scale, we can actually build at a lower cost than the conventional construction. Ours will just be one little element out of a switch of things that can be done to help address housing at the very lowest rung. By building large estates, you can put some infrastructure in place so that people are not living in slum conditions. How do you tackle mass production in respect to climate change? With respect to climate change, the big area in which we are involved is the reduction in the use of timber which leads to the question of reducing some of the causative effects of deforestation. It is not easy to reforest. In the US and Canada where they have softwoods, they grow in 10-15 years. You can harvest and then constantly replant but that is difficult for us here. If you go to a typical construction site, they are using planks. Apart from the roof whereby the woods stay over the life of the building, all the other woods go to waste. The rest are going to be burnt somewhere and then you release a lot of emissions. But we use this aluminium panels, yes they are things and processes that cause carbon footprints while you are using them but these things can be used for over 500 times and after that they can be meted and recycled. That is a big area that we’ll say our own system of construction helps to reduce carbon emissions and carbon footprints.

THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

DEA rules the world. This certainly explains why many business men and women, upwardly mobile business executives in particular, hold their ideas close to their chests to prevent others from stealing them and reaping from where they did not sow. This business mindset was however punctured last weekend when Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of United Bank of Africa (UBA) and the founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, generously shared his business ideas and principles with 1,000 young entrepreneurs drawn from 51 African countries. It was a day that the celebrated business mogul lavishly emptied his business ideas and knowledge on the young entrepreneurs. The participants were in no small measure overwhelmed by their encounter with Elumelu who interacted with them in a camaraderie atmosphere. He enjoined them to ask questions without holding anything back. Riding on this, the participants, threw a barrage of questions bothering on his personal life and businesses at him and had all their questions answered to their satisfaction. They unanimously called on other established entrepreneurs to follow the Elumelu example by deploying their knowledge and resources to helping budding entrepreneurs. The occasion was the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme(TEEP) boothcamp held at the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Bishop David Oyedepo of Faith Tabernacle, Mr Lionel Zinsou, the Prime Minister of Benin Republic among other dignitaries graced the event. The participants had the benefits of learning first hand from successful entrepreneurs across the continent. Sharing his business principles with the participants, he said: •Elumelu “If you must be successful as an entrepreneur, you must have principles that you must not compromise. As an entrepreneur, I have my principles which would be of immense benefit to you if you follow them. The first principle is hardwork. If you want to be successful as an entrepreneur, you must be hardworking and as they say, hardwork doesn’t kill. You have to imbibe this principle and follow it to the letters. “You also need discipline to excel as an entrepreneur. Any entrepreneur that is not disciplined cannot succeed. The fact that you own your business should not be an opportunity to behave the way you like, instead, it should make you to be focused and always exercise self-restraint. “The third principle you must have is the ability to think in the long term. You must learn to forgo short term gains in the interest of the future. Keep visualizing yourself in the long term and not in the short term.” He continued: “ As an entrepreneur, you must dare to dream. You must not be afraid of dreaming. Have a dream first and ask yourself what to do to achieve it. You must set milestones for yourself. “As an entrepreneur, you must learn how to save and make sacrifices. You must learn not to eat with you ten fingers. You must equally learn to partner with others and also close your ears to a lot of things people say because a lot of people say all manners of things in this clime. Always put issues on the table and not under the table. Be disposed to discussing issues and appreciate where the other person is coming from. By and large, you must not compromise the interest of the business in all you do. Lastly, you must make integrity your watchword in your dealings as an entrepreneur.” The idea of the event, Elumelu, said, was borne out of the economic philosophy “ I call ‘Africapilism’ -

ment, then younger ones can also succeed,” he said. President Muhammadu Buhari, in a letter to the foundation, said he was pleased to see that the efforts aimed at promoting self-help and creating jobs and opportunities for Africa’s youths are gaining ground without overt government intervention. “This demonstrates that the work of rebuilding our country as well as the wider continent is one all the patriots and stakeholders must actively engage in. I am proud that a Nigeria and a Nigerian is taking the lead in this effort to promote self-worth, encourage entrepreneurship, create jobs, build and promote networks for intra- African trade, business collaboration and investment.” He added: “ Our administration is committed to unlocking all such opportunities to restore dignity to our people. This programme is one example I hope others will emulate ad I commend Tony Elumelu and his foundation for their endeavour and leadership in this area.” Elated that the economic transformation of Africa is starting in the country through Elumelu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said: “I am delighted that the spark of transformation of Africa through entrepreneurship , has been ignited in Nigeria. I congratulate the 1000 African entrepreneurs who made it to TEEP. I urge you to use the TEEP experience as a roadmap to help your entrepreneurship journey. And may the road lead you to prosperity that benefits the entire continent. Commendations for the soft spoken business executive were not limited to the country. Other African leaders also appreciated the gesture and sent their words of gratitude to the foundation and its founder. President Boubacar Keita of Mali in his terse remark of gratitude said: “ Tony Elumelu, we appreciate your work supporting young Malian entrepreneurs. Thank you for this. His Senegalese counterpart, President Macky Sali, while expressing his unreserved delight about the programme, spoke about his expectations from the nationals that attended it, saying: “ It was a pleasure to meet the five young men from Senegal who were selected into Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme. I know they would make Senegal proud and that collectively, the 1,000 entrepreneurs from all corners of Africa will leave Lagos with the right networks, knowledge and inspiration to make our beloved continent a better place.” Aware of the impact that the programme would have on individual participants, their countries and the continent at large, Dr Nkosangana Diamini Zuma, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said: “ As a public servant tasked with advancing African unity and cooperation, I believe there is no stronger evidence of the potential of private sector to promote Africasn unity than self changing initiative conceived in one member state to be accessible to citizens in all member states. “The Tony Elumemlu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) embodies the spirit of African unity. Beyond that, it stands for African solutions to African problems. Congratulations to the 1000 African entrepreneurs that made it to the TEEP boothcamp in Nigeria. Through TEEP, you have been empowered and with that empowerment there are no limits to your success and no excuses. Individually and collectively, you can help create ripples and waves of economic transformation across the continent, that will be observed and felt on other shores.” In spite of the accolades showered on him and the foundation, Elumelu remained humble, strictly concerning himself with liberating the continent from poverty and economic dungeon. Defining success, Elumelu, said: “ Success to me is for young Africans to succeed.” One of the participants, Anthony Nwajiugo said: “ The booth camp has added value to our businesses. We all came here with different challenges bedeviling our businesses and I can boldly tell you that we have been equipped with skills and practical ways of tackling the challenges. For me, the booth camp will help me to transform my challenges to economic gains.

Africa’s private sector must play leading role in continent’s development —Tony Elumelu Innocent DURU

businesses that will drive the continent’s transformation. Africapitalism in the words of Elumelu is predicated on the belief that Africa’s private sector can and must play a leading role in the continent’s development. The foundation strongly believes that entrepreneurs are essential to Africa’s development-many Africans are already running homegrown businesses based on deep insights into local consumer demand. “They also spot unique gaps in the market for specific products and services, tap into local networks, and often create innovative and disruptive solutions to complex changes.The model of Africapitalist entrepreneurialism is one that empowers individual Africans and harnesses the power of innovation, personal initiative, hard work and market driven ingenuity previously intractable problems and change our continent forever. “TEEP is a holistic 10-year N100 million commitment that will identify, grow, and create 10, 000 African entrepreneurs. A programme built by Africans for Africans. Africa’s destiny lies in the hands of Africans and I am a testimony to entrepreneurship in Africa. If I could succeed in this environ-

As an entrepreneur, you must dare to dream. You must not be afraid of dreaming. Have a dream first and ask yourself what to do to achieve it. You must set milestones for yourself

the belief that Africa’s private sector must drive our economy and social development. The vision is to unleash the inherent ingenuity and passion of African entrepreneurs by empowering them to create

H EALTH MATTERS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

Excess belly fat n Patience SADUWA n xcess fat, being overweight or obese can present health risks but this is especially so when it comes to excess belly fat, according to health experts. They point out that fat around the waistline is a strong risk factor for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some types of cancers such as colorectal cancer. "Excess fat in the stomach area or 'pot belly' in local parlance, comes with a lot of health risks," noted Dr Matthew Ogwa, a medical practitioner. He pointed out that those with very large waistlines are susceptible to many problems especially 'insulin resistance syndrome or metabolic syndrome.' "The thing is, those with insulin resistance often develop type 2 diabetes. They also tend to have high blood pressure and too much bad cholesterol, which is a recipe for heart disease," he added. Besides causing these serious ailments, experts also point to the danger excess belly fat pose to the internal organs such as the kidneys and liver. "This type of fat, known as visceral fat is extremely danger-

Some big bellies are due to genetics, for those who are predisposed to be fat due to their genetic makeup. Others are caused by childbirth particularly women who have had many children. For many, however, food is the major culprit. Too much fatty, sugary and calorie filled foods and snacks coupled with a lack of exercise can cause excess weight especially around the waistline. As the body ages, metabolism slows down, thereby burning less calories. The excess calories are stored in the body as fat particularly in the waistline. This is why 'pot belly' is more common among the middle aged and elderly people than in the young whose metabolism is still high

ous as it gathers round the internal organs like the heart and kidneys, causing health problems," warned Ogwa. He added that people with big stomachs have higher risks of dying from cardiovascular diseases and even stroke, than those with slimmer waistlines. "If you know your belly is too big and it's affecting your overall health and wellbeing, it's advisable to slim it down to avoid these health risks which can be dangerous," he cautioned. Losing the bulge Someone whose excess weight including a very big belly was giving her serious health problems was Madam Dina (surname withheld). Narrating her story to the Nation, she said: "I've always been big but three years ago in 2012, my weight ballooned to over 150kg. I was having some emotional problems then relating to my marriage and family and I took solace in food. The more I ate, the bigger I got. At a point, my old clothes could no longer fit and I needed a new wardrobe especially loose outfits like boubous and caftans. Those were the only kinds of clothes I could wear as I was so shapeless. I looked a mess and seriously out of shape with my stomach so large, I looked like a nine months pregnant woman. Worse, my health was being affected. Any time, I walked a short distance, I will start panting like someone who just ran a 100 metres race. I developed sores on my thighs as they used to rub together when I walked. I knew I was not fit but I did not know how bad it was until I went to the hospital one day for treatment for fever. The doctor took one look at my blood pressure and promptly admitted me. She told me I was on the verge of having a stroke as my blood pressure was so high. My heart froze when I heard that word, stroke. It was the last thing I wanted as my children were still so young; who would look after them if I was ill, I told myself?" Upon discharge from the hospital, Dina decided to do something about her weight. "The doctor advised me to watch my diet especially the intake of fatty foods and to exercise regularly. I bought some exercise equipment and I have been using them regularly. I also jog nearly every morning. My weight has gone down, I've lost nearly 30kg and I hope to lose more before the year ends. With the change in diet and exercise, I feel like a whole new person. I feel fitter, stronger, healthier and I don't

H EALTH MATTERS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

and health risk Health benefits of tiger nuts IGER nuts also called aya (Hausa), ofio (Yoruba) or chufas (Spanish) are a highly nutritious plant food with a high energy content (starch, fats, sugars and proteins). These small, round tubers (either fresh or dried) are rich in minerals such as phosphorous, potassium and vitamins E and C. Tiger nuts are very healthy as they help to prevent heart attacks, thrombosis and activate blood circulation. Due to the high contents of soluble glucose, they prevent cancer and lately some investigators have discovered that they reduce the risk of suffering colon cancer. The very high fibre content combined with a delicious taste, make them ideal for healthy eating. High fiber content The tiger nut has a higher fiber content than the oat bran, the cabbage, the carrot, plums and the Chia seeds. The fiber helps the organism to prevent constipation and acts as an appetite suppressant, which helps us to control our body weight. Has the same benefits for the heart as the olive oil Cardiologists recommend eating non saturated fats or vegetable fats and the tiger nut has a lipid profile which is very similar to the olive oil, which is considered one of the healthiest oils. One of the best natural magnesium sources available With only 100 gr. of tiger nuts, your body gets 13% to 17% of the daily recommended dose of magnesium. This mineral stays active in the body and participates in more than 300 biochemical reactions of our organism. Helps to control blood pressure Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high content of amino acid arginine helps the body make nitric oxide which keeps our blood vessels dilated and have a normal blood flow. Can help to prevent cancer and heart diseases

get as tired and out of breath as I used to. Best of all, my BP has gone down." Healthy lifestyle To beat belly fat and lose excess weight, health experts including nutritionists advocate a wholistic approach. This include combining a healthy diet with regular exercise. "Losing your excess belly fat is not a one day thing; it's something that takes time, commitment and effort," stated Mercy Ok, a nutritionist and lifestyle coach. To her, what you eat plays a major role in getting a large belly. "Some big bellies are due to genetics, for those who are predisposed to be fat due to their genetic make-up. Others are caused by childbirth particularly women who have had many children. For many, however, food is the major culprit. Too much fatty, sugary and calorie filled foods and snacks coupled with a lack of exercise can cause excess weight especially around the waistline. As the body ages, metabolism slows down, thereby burning less calories. The excess calories are stored in the body as fat particularly in the waistline. This is why 'pot belly' is more common among the middle aged and elderly people than in the young whose metabolism is still high," she said. She advised a diet plan that includes

less fat and sugar and more protein. As she stated: "Those who want to reduce their big belly should eat more plantbased foods such as fruits like pawpaw, watermelon and vegetables like legumes and pumpkin leaf. These are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals which are good for the health. For meat, avoid fatty meats like organ meat, go for white meat like fish and poultry. Eat without the skin and grill to reduce fat from frying. Avoid sugar especially sugary snacks and beverages which are calorie filled but with little essentials nutrients. "Exercise is also important. Aerobic exercise- walking, running, swimming, jogging- has been shown to cause reduction in belly fat especially when done regularly. No matter what weight you are, try to keep fit with regular exercise to live a long, healthy and disease free life. Regularly detox the system by sipping lemon or lime juice in hot water daily. These both invigorate the liver and help to liquefy fat, which aids in flushing it from your system more quickly." She also advised drinking enough water to flush out toxins, aid digestion and prevent dehydration as mild dehydration can cause the kidneys to call on the liver for help. This can reduce the liver's ability to burn fat, thus leading to fat deposits often in the belly, she noted.

The tiger nuts is a source of Vitamin E that protects us from the creation of harmful free radicals which are responsible for the death of the body cells. This fact, combined with a high content of oleic acid, has demonstrated that it reduces the risk of heart diseases. Gives your body more potassium than a banana Eating 25 tiger nuts gives the body 139 mg. of potassium, being this the same level as a potato or an avocado and exceeding the potassium levels of a banana. This mineral helps the cells and organs to work correctly. It also regulates the muscle contractions, which helps your digestion. Source of non-animal protein The proteins are fundamental for the human body. Different studies have demonstrated that the Chufas have a content of proteins which is 8% higher than wholemeal wheat. Also the Tigernuts have more amino acids than standards of the World Health Organisation for proteins. Helps to control diabetes The high non soluble fiber contents of the tiger nuts help the diabetics to regulate their sugar levels in the bood. Recent studies have demonstrated that the fiber doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t elevate the sugar levels in the blood as the carbohydrates. The tiger nuts milk is a perfect substitute of animal milk Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very easy to make your own tiger nuts milk with cooking equipment that can be found in every kitchen. Together with a few chufas we can prepare a vegetable milk, that is healthy, without lactose and rich in calcium, vitamin C and E. Tiger nut oil is used in the cosmetic industry. As an anti-oxidant (because of its high content in vitamin E) it helps slow down the ageing of the body cells. It favours the elasticity of the skin and reduces skin wrinkles. It supplies the body with enough quantity of Vitamin E, very essential for fertility in both men and women.

Olatunji OLOLADE, Associate Editor

The sacked service chiefs

Whichever way you choose to see President Buhari, he is a man undeniably avowed to rock the applecart of Nigeria's political class

Jonathan

Continued on Page 69

THE NATION

64 NEWS

HE security siege upon the Asokoro,Abuja residence of the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA),Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) is over following the withdrawal of the personnel of the State Security Service (SSS) from the premises last night. The siege began on Thursday ,72 hours after Dasuki was removed from office along with the service chief. While it lasted,the former NSA could not attend yesterday’s Eid-el-Fitr prayer marking the end of the Ramadan fasting. He was restricted to the house with two cooks and dogs with an order banning them from either going out or receiving visitors The SSS operatives also ransacked the house at No. 13,

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

SSS lifts siege on Dasuki’s house •Blockade prevents ex-NSA from attending Eid Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation John Kadiya Street , seizing nine cars. A similar security raid was carried out at the Sokoto home of the ex-NSA’s father, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki (the deposed Sultan of Sokoto). A source close to Dasuki said: “We cannot say what is really happening because the former NSA was not arrested. But a search was conducted in his house without the operatives making reference to any document they are looking for. “The SSS operatives however went away with his

car to restrict his movement. Therefore, he could not attend the Eid-el-Fitr prayer to mark the end of Ramadan. “No one can say what exactly the situation is because the operatives kept on making frantic calls and receiving intelligence messages.” In spite of the upturning of his residence, Dasuki remained unruffled as he worked on his phone. It was gathered that he was moving about freely in his house Another source added: “The only thing giving concern to the former NSA was the invasion of his father’s house

in Sokoto by some SSS operatives. “He said his father is sick in London and he could not explain how the deposed Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Ibrahim Dasuki was connected with the ongoing investigation of his activities by the SSS.” There were suggestions that the raid was to search for documents relating to the $ 15m cash for arms seized from agents of the Jonathan Administration by South Africa last year. The NSA Office was also said to have hired South African mercenaries to assist in the fight against Boko

•From left: Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, Dr. Abubarkar Saidu; Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Executive Governor of Gombe State, H. E. Alh. Ibrahim Dankwambo, during the VP’s visit to the victims of bomb blast in Gombe State

Boko Haram has operated for too long — Army Chief Buratai

HE Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai said yesterday that the terror sect,Boko Haram ,has harassed Nigeria enough and it is time to stop the terrorists. “It is time to put a stop to their madness,” Buratai declared in Damaturu,the Yobe State capital,at a Sallah gala for soldiers fighting the insurgents. The army chief , Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe and Deputy Governor Abubakar Aliyu personally went round to serve the troops at the event. The gala and the visit were aimed at boosting the morale of the troops. Buratai who was appointed last Monday was confident that soldiers would not run away from Boko Haram during his tenue,but stand and fight to defend the country. He said: “This period is quite challenging and it just manifested itself this morning (yesterday). There are several others and it’s this challenge and unfor-

Duku JOEL,Damaturu

tunate incident not only here in Yobe but also in Borno, Adamawa, Gombe states as well as in Kaduna and Plateau. “These act of terrorism is what we all detest and it’s what we want to bring to an end. This why we are here as members of the Nigerian Army and indeed members of the Nigeria armed forces like the police, and the department of state service. “We are here to put a stop to this madness being perpetrated by the Boko Haram terrorists. They have been operating for too long. It is time to put a total stop to it and by the grace of God their end is near. What you are seeing here this evening is a clear testimony of the commitment and dedication and indeed loyalty of the Nigerian army to the Nigerian State.” He assured families of soldiers who have died in the fight against insur-

gency that their death ”would never be in vein.” But he enjoined the soldiers to exhibit professionalism and responsiveness in the course of their duty. He said: “One major problem that we have been having in this operation Zaman Lafiya is lack of responsiveness. We have received various reports across various state and across the divisions that troops failed to respond to distress calls and situations that could easily be remedied with their timely presence. This under my watch will stop. From whatever quarters you get information especially when we relate very well with other sister agencies and government officials. We must coordinate and we must operate together.” Earlier yesterday,General Buratai vowed that he would not tolerate indiscipline in the army. He ruled out the possibility of recalling the over 4000 soldiers sacked for alleged indiscipline in the anti Boko Haram fight. “I don’t know how they would become a problem to

us concerning your questions. But what I would tell you is that I cannot tolerate indiscipline in the force,” Buratai told reporters in Damaturu when asked about the fate of the dismissed soldiers. The Chief of Army Staff explained that his visit to Damaturu to celebrate Sallah with the troops was part of the measures to boost their morale and also to enable him access their equipment and level of discipline. He said: “I cannot tell you why I am here on the strategic level because it’s a strategic decision. We all know the importance of Damaturu and Yobe State in particular. “My presence here is to improve civil military relation, we need the cooperation. My presence will boost the morale of the troops. This is one of the reasons why I am here. To see for myself ,and it will also help me to access the state of readiness in terms of equipment and indeed their state of discipline and we would be able to access the threat properly from this perspective.”

Haram. It was learnt yesterday that some of the South African mercenaries had started withdrawing their services from Gwoza and Sambisa Forest in the Northeast. A reliable source said mercenaries attached to the infantry unit had returned quietly to their country. But those es assisting the Air Force to carry out bombardments of the camps and cells of Boko Haram were

still around as at press time. “The South African mercenaries made it possible for the nation’s military to reclaim Gwoza and make substantial inroads into Sambisa Forest,” the source said. “Those fighting on the ground among them have decided to leave because the government which brought them is no longer in power. They were unsure if the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would retain them . “But the jet fighters among the South African mercenaries are still working. I think their contract has not expired.”

Kogi guber poll: PDP at daggers drawn with NWC

THINGS seems to be fallen apart for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State ahead of the November governorship election in the state. Already, elected delegates in the state are at dagger drawn with the National Working Committee of the party. The delegates who were elected in the June 27th, 2015 ad-hoc delegates election across the various wards in the state, have rejected the purported cancellation of their elections. They described the action of the party NWC as undemocratic and unacceptable to them. A lawyer, Ibrahim Abdullahi, an elected delegate representing Igalamela/Odolu LGA in his address said the party leadership erred by setting up a new committee to conduct fresh adhoc delegates election when the first one was declared to be free and fair. He further stressed that there was no justification for the new directive, except if there was a hidden agenda. He said: “We state categorically at this juncture that, we totally reject the purported cancellation and plot to conduct a fresh election for the ad-hoc del-

egates. Information available to us suggests that certain elements in the National Working Committee of the party have colluded with some undemocratic party members to deny the state a transparent process leading to the election of state executives. “We therefore wish to warn any of such members of the National Working Committee against undue vested interest they are showing in the matters of our state. We wish to also inform all, that the entire members and leaders of our party in the state will resist vehemently, any form of undue attempt to subvert the process with a view of installing state executives against the interest of the teeming members of the party. “We therefore call on our National Leaders, Board of Trustees members, other state governors and opinion leaders in the party to call the misguided members of the National Working Committee to order in the general interest of our party. “While we reaffirm our loyalty, commitment and support to our party PDP, we will resist, contest and reject attempt to hijack the party structure through unpopular and undemocratic means.”

Kubwa Muslims defy rain, throng out for prayers MUSLIMS in Kubwa, a satellite in Abuja came out in large numbers to attend the Eid elFitr prayers in spite of downpour in the area. The prayers, which held at the Eid Praying Ground, Phase 3, Kubwa, Abuja, saw a large turnout of gaily dressed Muslim faithful, most of who got drenched in the rains. Imam Abdurrahim Muhammad, the Chief Imam of Kubwa, in his sermon, enjoined Muslims to draw from the lessons of Ramadan and continue to live responsible lives. He emphasised the importance of the Zakatul Fitir, which, according to him, all Muslims are obliged to pay on behalf of themselves and members of their families. “The days of Ramadan were made lively through fasting and increased remembrance of Allah, while its nights were lightened through night prayers, and people retained an expected kind of behaviour.

“ Ramadan has left us with several lessons, like truthfulness, piety, justice, patience and goodness, and all these should be retained afterwards. “Allah has enjoined all Muslims to observe the Zakatul Fitir at the end of Ramadan, and this is meant to increase our faith, complete or worship and perfect His favours upon us. “It is obligatory on Muslims to give out Zakat on behalf of himself and those under his care, including wives, children, parents, relatives and house helps.’’ The Imam decried the spate of insurgency in the country and urged the government to take decisive steps to end the scourge. “Boko Haram is a major challenge to Islam and we urge government to take the necessary steps in ensuring that the menace is ended and its perpetrators and sponsors brought to book.

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THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015 LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has assured Lagosians of his administration’s determination to complete the Mile 2-Badagry Road Expansion project in quick time. Ambode, who gave the assurance when he inspected the Mile 2-Badagry road expansion works, which is being expanded to a 10-lane way, said the contractor working on the project will be mobilised to ensure its completion. “What we have come here to do is to specifically ensure that the contractor here is mobilised. It’s also important for us that the contractor takes it as a major priority. “The Mile 2 Badagry Expressway is very important

Ambode inspects Mile 2-Badagry Road expansion •Declares work on Badagry Deep Sea Port begins soon to all of us and like we said, it’s a project that we must finish. It’s a project that I would like completed within the shortest possible time. I will like to see greater work done on the road project itself,” he said. On the Blue Line Light Rail project, the governor said, efforts would be made to ensure that the Mile 2 to National Theatre Corridor is completed soon. “We should be able to put to use whatever has been done from Mile 2 to Marina. Once we have gone beyond Okokomaiko, we should be

Senator Tinubu distributes 200 free CONSAT decoders AS part of her continuous efforts to reward her constituents, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated 200 free Consat and Satellite decoders to people in Lagos Mainland Constituency. Her Yaba constituency office was jam-packed with people of different tribes during the disbursement. Speaking on the disbursement, she said: “The idea behind the distribution of CONSAT decoders was to ensure a digital age community where all my people can benefit from Corporate Social Responsibility. I decided to partner with Television Continental (TVC) Satellite Network to render more social service to my people.” The Chief Executive Officer of CONSAT, Mayo Okunola, said: “We want people to be aware that Consat Satellite is available and that they can switch to digital migration as they will not be able to watch TV in the ordinary way without decoder.” He continued: “Nigeria is ripe for this because satellite has been here for long time, though we might be new because there are other satellite providers. Our subscription rate is N2000. Even if you don’t renew your

subscription, you can still watch some channels, so you are not totally cut off. It is important to note that the overall benefits of digital migration is equal access to information and enterainment which is key to the development of the average Nigerian household.” At the event, the dish and decoder with all the accessories, added with two month advance subscription was distributed. One of the beneficiaries, Alhaja Rukayat Adeyemo said: ‘’I want to appreciate Senator Tinubu for giving me the Consat satellite decoder with the two-month subscription. God will continue to bless her.” Mrs Adedoyin Emmanuel , who also benefitted friom Senator Tinubu’s gesture, said: “I’m very grateful. I hope others can take it from where she has started. I really appreciate this. May Almighty God continue to bless her household.” Elated by the gesture, another beneficiary who gave his name as Raheem Ogunsola said: “Imagine having a big dish in my compound. I’m going to feel like a king for some time. This is a big privilege for me to have a CONSAT decoder. May God continue to bless her for us.

Council donates cash to mother of triplets AJEROMI-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State has donated N250,000 cash to Mrs. Charity Omini who recently gave birth to a set of triplet in the council area. The Executive Secretary of the council, Engineer Tajudeen Ojora said the donation was to assist the parents of the triplets in taking care of their immediate needs.

Rukayat JIMOH Hon. Ojora described the children as a divine blessing to their family and promised that his administration would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that residents of the council are well taken care of. Mrs. Omini thanked Hon.Ojora and his team for coming to her family’s assistance.

Sure Word Assembly holds thanksgiving concert SURE Word Assembly, Okota, Lagos is today holding a thanksgiving concert in the church auditorium. The concert will feature some of the best gospel musicians in the country. Among them are Eben, Sammie Okposo, Buchi, Nathaniel Bassey, Praise Machine, Niki Laoye, and many others. Speaking on the concert, the planning committee chairman, Pastor Chucs Ahiakwo, said the church was holding

the concert ‘to proclaim to the world the wonders of God and His faithfulness. He decided to bless the founders of the church, Pastor Dennis Inyang and his wife, Aity with twins, Awesome and Gladsome.’ Ahiakwo said that the thanksgiving concert is also a platform to provide encouragement to people, particularly the men to be supportive of their wives in such situation.

able to do the blue rail from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko.” He urged the contractor to increase the pace of work on the project just as he assured them that the government would address every challenge it encounters in the course of completing the project. “What we expect is that notwithstanding the rain, the immediate mobilisation should be done and then the contractor should also increase the pace of work and that’s what we would like to see and to let you know that we would look into whatever it is that are impediments to completing this project. We are all going to sit down to make sure that we alleviate the sufferings of our people.” The governor who later inspected the Badagry Deep Sea Port project assured that the state government would

give adequate support to the initiative just as he assured the communities within the location of the project that their interests would be protected . He said the sea port, on completion, would be the biggest in the African continent. “The land space for the Deep Sea Port is over 1000 hectares of which we have just been told that there’s going to be a free trade zone and then a container terminal that we are going to have here. “We already know that the investors have done the best they can. We have Mearsk in the bouquet of investors who have signed on to this project and what that means for us is that we are going to have the largest cargo container port in Africa, situated in Badagry. “That means a lot in terms

of employment. It means a lot for us also in terms of new settlement like it has been said, we hope that in the next two months to come and start this project here.” He said that he personally came to see the project, stating that it is part of promise aimed at bringing development to the communities in that axis. Harping on the need for compensation, he said that the state government would ensure that the 12 communities expected to be resettled as a result of the project are duly compensated. He said aside the Deep Sea Port, the state government would utilise the tourism potentials and side attractions notable within the axis. “As you have also been told, this project is 500 metres away from the ‘Point of No Return’ which is also a tourist attraction

for us, so we have decided to protect that particular place to make sure that tourism is also complemented in this project. “With a deep sea port project like this, it means that there would be new settlements in Badagry, new towns and the standard of living is positively affected by this kind of project. “Before I came here, I had already inspected the Mile 2 Badagry Expressway Project which is a 10-lane project. There is no way we want to do the Deep Sea Port project here if we do not finish the Mile 2 Badagry Expressway project”. “I just want to assure you that simultaneously, those two projects will start in earnest and then we would use that to create jobs for our people and also increase the GDP of the Lagos economy and strongly within the next four years you will see a dramatic change in this axis of Lagos,” he said.

•L-R: Father of the groom, Chief Abiodun Obayomi, mother of the bride, Mrs. Aina Ogunbiyi, the couple, Mr and Mrs Olawale Opeyemi Obayomi, father of the bride and former editor of the defunct Community Concord newspaper, Chief Abiodun Ogunbiyi and mother of the groom, Mrs Obayomi, during the wedding ceremony held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Agents of terror not true Muslims, says Amosun GOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun on Friday said those behind the spate of bombings and killings of innocent Nigerians in parts of the north are not true Muslims, urging them to desist from further bloodshed. Amosun said Islam is a religion of peace and harmony as prescribed by the Almighty Allah, adding that those who kill and maim their fellow human beings

Ernest NWOKOLO, Abeokuta the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to cannot be said to be obeying address the pressing or honouring Allah. challenges facing the country, The governor who made and called on Nigerians to this known in Abeokuta, the continually pray for him to Ogun State capital, shortly succeed in making the country after the Ei’d - el - Fitri better. prayers at the Lantoro He decried the increasing Muslim prayer ground, urged spate of insurgency in recent Muslim to keep observing times, saying it does not make daily, the reasons for the just room for growth and concluded Ramadan fasting. continued development of the He expressed confidence in country.

The governor noted that no meaningful progress and development can take place in an atmosphere of fear and chaos, pleading that all hands should be on deck to make the country safe. On Ogun State, Amosun assured that he would work more in his second term to leave the state far better than he met it, pledging not to take the people’s support and trust for granted.

It is too early to criticise Buhari, says Ladoja FORMER governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja yesterday said it is too early for party or individuals to criticise President Muhammadu Buhari. The former governor stated this on Friday in Ibadan, the state capital, shortly after he observed the Eld-el-Fitr prayer with other Muslims in the state. According to him,an administration must spend a minimum of 100 days in office before anybody can criticise it. Ladoja said Nigerians should give the president a little time before condemning his administration, adding that the president is taking stock of what he met on ground. The governorship candidate of Accord Party in the last elections in the state noted that democracy requires patience unlike military regime that acts witout

Jeremiah OKE, Ibadan consultation. He noted that policies made in a democracy requires ample time to be executed. In his words: “it is too early to criticise President Muhammadu Buhari. So why

are people criticising him when he has ust spent 30 days in office? We should allow him to do his work. He is up to the task. If he does not improve in the next six months, then we can assess him and start talking about his administration. He is taking stocks,therefore, we should not be in hurry. This is not a military

regime that would give orders and want it carried out with immediate effect. He has to carefully look at the eefcts that such policies would have on the people before going ahead with it. He also needs to consider the National Assembly’s decisions on issues.”

Family holds Fidau for Alhaja Asikolaye FAMILY and friends recently gathered for the 41 Fidau prayers to celebrate the departure of Alhaja Muibat Asikolaye. Alhaja Asikolaye, who died on the 12th of April 2015, was buried on April 13, 2015, according to Islamic rites. According to her husband, Asikolaye Dauda, the 41-day Fidau prayer was organised for her on the May 23, during

which the children of the deceased with their friends and families gathered to extol the virtues of the Asikolaye matriarch. Asikolaye said the family held a three-month Fidau prayer on July 12, 2015 as part of the efforts to celebrate the memory of his wife. She was survived by her husband and seven children. Muibat Asikolaye

NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

Jonathan’s associate, others dump T PDP for APC in Bayelsa HE Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday suffered a major setback ahead of the December 5th governorship election in the state. The PDP lost hundreds of its members to the APC in a carnivallike reception ceremony held at the state secretariat of the APC in Yenagoa. Among those who abandoned the PDP were former political office holders, appointees who served in different capacities in various PDP administrations and past party executive members. Also former aides, whose appointments were terminated in controversial circumstances by the incumbent Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, were among persons who joined the APC. They were led to the APC by a two-time member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Warman Ogoriba, who was denied the PDP ticket in the last general elections. Pioneer Majority Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Ayiba Glover; former Secretary of the PDP and close associate of President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. Tarila; former PDP Secretary, Sokari Jackson; former Commissioner for

•We'll sweep Dickson out of office –Sylva n Mike ODIEGWU, Yenagoa n Environment in Dickson's administration, Mr. Sylvanus Abila and former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Charles Opuala were among the defectors. Others in the train of former political office holders who dumped the PDP are Gesiye Frank-Oputu, Abel Osuo, Nelson Belief, Samuel Boy, William Ofoni, Benjamin Yebouowei, Ayibakoro Nelson and Livingstone Egba among others. They were received by a former governor and leader of the APC in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, in the presence of former Ambassador Felix Oboro, former acting governor, Chief Nestor Binabo, APC state chairman, Tiwe Orunimighe and former deputy and acting governor, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu. Sylva, while handing brooms, the symbol of the party, to the defectors, said the APC had come to

end divisions in the state. Describing the APC as one family, he said he was highly privileged to welcome two persons who became acting governors during his administration to the APC. He said the APC would use brooms too sweep Dickson and his PDP government out of the state, adding that the PDP was already dead and was waiting for its funeral. He said all the people who matter in the state and the masses had joined the boat of the party, which he said is sailing to the Creek Haven Government House. He said with the number of people joining the APC, there is no way the party will not form the next government on February 14, 2016. "The APC ship has started sailing and everybody is welcome. It is the ship of unity and if you don't get inside, you will be marooned. The PDP is dead. This Dickson's gov-

ernment is dead. It is only waiting for its funeral", he said. Oruminighe, in his welcome address, said he had predicted at the early stages of the APC that the party would form the next government. He said the Dickson government was unfriendly and deceitful, questioning the rationale behind the government's move to reconstitute the Bayelsa volunteers. "Dickson has been there since, but he did not talk about Bayelsa volunteer. Now that he wants reelection, he started constituting the volunteers. Don't be deceived," he said. Referring to the APC as the only platform available in the state, he said the party would eliminate the existing classification of the people into core and fake Ijaw, and assured the new members of a level-playing field, adding that all the privileges available to old members would also extended to them.

He, however, warned that the supremacy of the party must be upheld at all times. Advancing reasons for their defection, Ogoriba said the APC is the light while the PDP represents darkness. He said the government of the PDP in the state was based on falsehoods and too many talks without action. According to him, the Dicksonled government has ridiculed the people of the stage by building a "monkey bridge and walkway" in the name of a flyover. He said while the PDP was claiming to be unruffled by the defections of its members, it was busy calling defectors at night for reconciliation. "The APC is a sweet party and we are happy we have been accepted into it. We will subject ourselves to all the authority of the party. We have not come with any ambition. We have come to strengthen the party. With our presence here, the PDP has murdered sleep."

Don’t be dragged into election petition cases, group tells Buhari Non-governmental n Uyoatta ESHIET, Uyo n group, Akwa Ibom Ofon-ama Initiative, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to be careful and not allow himself to be dragged into the governorship election petition cases currently going on in the country. The group, speaking through its National President, Ambassador Ukai Udeme Emmanuel, commended the president for standing on the side of justice, regarding the Rivers State Local Government election. Ambassodor Udeme said,” Without being sentimental, President Buhari is trying hard to govern the country as he promised during his electioneering campaigns and we all must support him to deliver on those promises to better every one’s life in the country.” On the Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Delta states Governorship Election Petition Tribunals, Udeme noted that these Niger Delta states are known PDP states and moving their governorship tribunals from these states where the elections took place to Abuja against the provisions of the enabling law is making the region uneasy. Udeme said, “Nobody is angry with anybody who may have genuine reasons questioning the result of the elections. But the tribunal should operate where the law prescribes for it to function and should not be controlled by any group.” He siad that if not handled satisfactorily, militancy could be resurrected in the region. ” The country today has enough trouble from the North East region of the country. The Boko Haram crisis that the president is trying to address, he should not allow himself to be dragged into unnecessary controversy. If these things are not done properly, trouble might break out from the region.” He commended President Buhari for recognizing the expertise in Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State in appointing him as one of the four wise and trusted governors to unravel the rot in the NNPC, assuring that the governor will not disappoint.

•From left: President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Gov. Udo Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Mr John-Kennedy Opara, at the maiden Jerusalem Pilgrims' Sensitisation and Appreciation Dinner in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Jonathan's performance will haunt Niger Delta, says Obasanjo ORMER President of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that the Niger Delta region will suffer for the actions and inactions of his successor, Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan, who lost to Pres-

n Osagie OTABOR, Benin n ident Mohammadu Buhari hails from Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta. Obasanjo spoke yesterday while responding to questions shortly after he deliv-

ExxonMobil sacks 190 in Akwa Ibom •Sacked staff urge FG, state’s intervention OBIL Producing Nigeria (MPN), the operator of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation MPN/NNPC Joint Venture in Akwa Ibom State, has sacked about 150 contract staff and 40 drivers from its employ. Some of the victims, who spoke with the newsmen in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom yesterday, said that the development had devastated them. They lamented incessant sacking of workers in Akwa Ibom State by the oil giant company. A driver affected by the sack, Mr

n Uyoatta ESHIET, Uyo n Frank Etebong, said that ExxonMobil had paid their entitlements, but complained that the sacking of workers in the company was getting out of control. ``Working with ExxonMobil is like holding your heart in your hand because you can be fired at any time. ``If government does not take urgent step to check the incessant sacking of Nigerians in ExxonMobil, one day the oil giant company will disengage all our people in the company,’’ he lamented. Etebong, who would not disclose

how much he was paid, said that the money was not enough to start a good business. He explained that there are two set of drivers in the company, namely service contract workers and contract workers. He appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the sacked workers, saying that the situation had devastated their members. Another Victim, Mr Martins Usendia, said there was no justification for the sack of the workers, lamenting that the benefit given by Mobil could not feed him for four months. He called on the Federal Government to intervene, saying that the ``incessant dismissal of workers had an adverse effect on the economy.’’

ered the convocation lecture of the Benson Idahosa University in Benin City. He explained that he couldn't have helped Jonathan do his job as Nigeria’s President after helping him secured the presidency. According to him, "To become Head of State was because of my performance in the war front. If General Gowon had not sent me the war front, he would not know whether I could perform or could not perform. He sent me to the war front and because I performed, we both shared the credit but if I had failed, he would not have shared the condemnation with me. I would have been alone. "I believe that the opportunity that availed itself in 2010 was for somebody from the minority to become the President of Nigeria. We should never lose such opportunity. What he did with it is entire up to him. What he did or did

not do with it will reflect for a long time in that part of the country. There is no particular person who got there without the people." Meanwhile, the former President has said that educating the masses is the right tool to defeat the Boko Haram insurgency. According to him, even if Nigeria wins the war against Boko haram insurgency on the military front, it still needs proper education of the masses to sustain the victory. He said Nigeria must give education the priority it deserves or the dream to have a great Nigeria would remain a pipe dream. The former President noted that the Nigerian government needs to combine the power of education and military in its fight against Boko Haram. Former President Obasanjo spoke in Benin City, Edo State, while delivering the 11th convocation lecture of the Benson Idahosa University.

NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

Save us from cult groups, Rivers community leader, youths call on Wike n Precious DIKEWOHA, Port Harcourt n OLLOWING another round of killings by rival cult groups in Rivers State, the monarch of Ubima in Ikwerre Local government Area of Rivers State, His Royal Highness Eze Chima Ofurum and the youths of the community have called on the state governor, Nyesom Wike, to come to their rescue. which has made the total number of people killed to four in Ubima community in Ikwerre Local government Area of Rivers State, the monarch and Youths of the community have pleaded the immediate intervention of Governor Nyesom Wike. Eze Ofurum said the supremacy fight between the rival cult groups has got to stage where the government should act to restore peace back to the community. It will be recalled that the Degban cult fraternity and the Axelander cult group, last week engaged each other in a deadly fight in the area, during which four cult members were killed, while scores of villages were left various degrees of injuries. Ubima community, the home town of Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Sir Celestine Omehia has been engulfed in serious cult war since 2014. Reacting yesterday to the spate of clashes between cult groups in the community, Eze Ofurum said he is hopeful that peace would return to the community if government intervenes and put a stop to the activities of the cult groups. The monarch noted that if Governor Wike truly loves the people of the community, he should mobilize security operatives to the area, adding that some of the villagers who could not withstand the heat of the fight between the

•From left: Pascal Dozie, founder of Diamond Bank Plc; Barth Nnaji, Chairman, Geometric Power Limited and Ike Chioke, CEO of Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited, during the burial ceremony of Igwe Alexander Chioke in Enugu.

Tension in Anambra as govt agency, business owners clash HERE was tension on the streets of Awka, capital of Anambra State yesterday, following a clash between operatives of the Anambra Traffic Management Agency (ATMA) and members of Aroma Traders Owners Association (ATOA). The government Agency officials defied the Federal Government public holidays to extort money from mo-

n Nwanosike ONU, Awka n torists. Some motorists who refused to play ball by refusing bribe the traffic officers had their vehicles towed away by the traffic officers. The action of the traffic officers angered some motorists and business owners, who protested the agency’s action.

Following the resistance, the ATMA officials called for reinforcements, leading to exchange of blows by the parties. The traffic officers operated in an all yellow Hilux jeep, with the inscription: Anambra Traffic Management Agency 003. One of the agency’s official, who pleaded anonymity, accused members of the business owners

association of breaking into the office of the traffic agency to retrieve a vehicle seized by the agency, describing such action as an offence. Spokesperson of the traders union told the The Nation that the traffic officials were fond of disrupting business activities in the area. The Agency was set up by former Governor Peter Obi as part of the efforts to decongest roads in towns in the

state. As at the time of filling this report, the business owners, numbering over 150, had moved to the B- Division Police office in Awka to register their protest. The business owners are appealing to Governor Willie Obiano to provide a parking lot for their customers in order to end what they describes the continued harassments of the agency officials.

Abducted Delta Ayade slams UN, FG for ceding Bakassi poly lecturer of dollars can assuage us, says Gov regains freedom •NoROSSamount River State Governor, Senator “Take it that the people feel very disn Polycarp OROSEVWOTU, n Ughelli

bducted Delta Polytechnic lecturer, Mr. Chike Gbemudu, has been released after spending two weeks with his abductors. Gbemudu, a lecturer in the Directorate of General Studies department of the institution, was kidnapped in the early hours of July 3, 2015, at his residence, in the Ozoro metropolis. The kidnappers demanded a N20 million ransom fee for his release. A source in the institution, who revealed that Gbemudu was released on Wednesday, said he was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. He said, “A certain amount of money was paid to the kidnappers as ransom, but I cannot say precisely how much was paid. The good thing is that he has been released and we thank God that for keeping him alive.” Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, confirmed that Gbemudu had been released.

Ben Ayade on Friday chided the United Nations and the Federal Government for ceding the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsular to the Republic of Cameroon without seeking the consent of the people through a plebiscite. Ayade, who stated this while receiving the Country Representative of United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Mrs. Angele Dikongue Atangana, in his office in Calabar, said the people of the state were still angry over the ceding of the peninsular. He said the ceding of the peninsular was done without a plebiscite, thus unjustly depriving the people of their ancestral home and turning them into refugees in their own land. The governor, who struggled with his emotions, said: "Your Commission is undertaking a worthy and noble cause. I thank you for your humanitarian assistance and expression of emotion, but the people are angry in the way and manner they have been treated. They have been deprived of their heritage and livelihood.” Speaking further, the governor said: “The people of Bakassi were not given the opportunity to choose where they would want to belong and I am telling the UN that this is an unsettled issue and no amount of dollars can settle the issue. “ The people have now been split between Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, as well as Nigeria and Cameroon. As the agony of the people continues, their plight cannot be wiped away by dollars.

turbed and unhappy, and if this had happened in any other part of the world, there would have been war today. This is totally unacceptable and is not done in the modern society. Today, Cross River is traversed by internally displaced persons, who are refugees in their own state.” Continuing, the governor said. “the displaced people of Bakassi are suffering and if United Nations had anything in mind, it should have started from there and if anything needed to be treated as an emergency, it is the Bakassi, because the people live in such sub-human condition. The state will work hard to strengthen things and we will partner the commission to achieve its aims.” Earlier, Angele Dikongue Atangana, commended the state for accommodating refugees from Cameroon, and said the commission was touched by the plight of the displaced persons of Bakassi, adding that while everything is being done to ensure the resettling of the Cameroonians in their country of origin, the commission would collaborate with the state to make life comfortable for the people of Bakassi who are internally displaced in the state. Atangana explained that the commission spent about $200,000 in the first half of 2013, adding that it has worked out modalities to introduce vocational training for the people with the assistance of development partners as a means of giving them a sense of livelihood, saying that they should not be seen as stateless people but be recognized as citizens or nationals of Nigeria who are rightly settled in their motherland.

rival cult groups have relocated to neigbouring communities. The youth leader of the community, Michael Amaechi, said the youths are ready to work with security operatives to ensure that peace is returned to the community. A member of the Degban cult group who pleaded anonymity, said the latest spate of fighting started when one of their leaders, Chinedu Umezurike a.k.a Biggi, was murder by the Axelander cult group. But a member of the Axelander, who also pleaded anonymity, while speaking with our reporter on phone, accused the Degban group of committing a lot of atrocities in the community.

Transition HE death has occurred of Chief Earnest Onyekwelu Chukwu. He died on Saturday June 19, 2015 at his residence in Emene Area of Enugu. Until his death, he was a businessman and politician of note. Ernest Chukwu was born on June 5, 1960 at Ikom, Cross River State to late Chief Simeon Nwodo Chukwu and his wife Mrs. Josephine Chukwu of Umuigbo Amurri in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. His late father, ex-student of College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, worked in the Public Service of Eastern Nigeria, East Central State and Anambra State before his retirement. As a patriot, he went into politics and contested to serve his people as Chairman of his Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. His popularity was so much that even though he lost the bid, the epithet “Chairman” stuck to him as an appellation. He later went back to his first love: teaching. He lectured at the Institute of Strategic Marketing in Lagos until 2009 when he relocated to Enugu. He will be laid to rest at his compound at Umuigbo Village in Amurri Town in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State on June 24, 2015. Adieu Ernest. Chairman, may the good lord have mercy on you and give those you left behind the fortitude to bear •Chukwu the loss.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

NEWS

PDP chieftain, 12 others shot U dead in Benue NKNOWN gunmen yesterday shot dead a Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) chieftain, Chief Atoza Hidan in Katsina Ala, Benue State.. Also shot dead around Yoyo District in the town were12 other people after an attack the gunmen launched on the settlement. According to an eyewitness Chief Hidan was shot while inspecting a work done at his building near the Federal Low Cost Housing estate in Katsina Ala. He was said to have been killed in

n Uja EMMANUEL, Makurdi n the presence of his police orderly and his assistant, who were with him at the site of the building project. The gunmen were said to have arrived on a motorcycle and immediately opened fire on the Second Republic lawmaker who was sitting under a tree.

He was said to have been shot in the head by the gunmen who fled immediately, giving him no room to survive. The killing of Chief Hidan brought to seven the number of PDP members killed by unknown gunmen in Katsina Ala in recent times. The son of the late politician and the immediate past commissioner

for commerce and industry, Terfa Hidan, described the death of his father as shocking and unfortunate . In a telephone interview with The Nation, the son of the deceased described his father as an easy going man and wondered the motive behind his killing . Police spokesman, DSP Austine Ezeala, confirmed the incident, saying that 14 persons had been arrested with armed and ammunition in Makurdi in the last one week . He said investigations had commenced to fish out the culprits

Nasarawa approves N790,500 as 2015 hajj fare HE Nasarawa State Government says it has approved N790, 500 as hajj fare for the 2015 intending Muslim pilgrims from the state to Saudi Arabia. Mallam Abubakar Nalaraba, the Executive Secretary of the state’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, said this at a news conference in Lafia on Friday. He said that the new hajj fare for the state contingents was a bit higher than N756, 478 hajj fare fixed by the National Hajj Commission. Nalaraba explained that the fare from the National Hajj Commission was without administrative charges and other logistics such as medical screening, suit cases, hijabs, uniforms, badges and food on Arafat day. He added that states, had therefore, decided to increase the fares a little to make up the difference, saying that the fare for state was the least in the NorthCentral zone. Nalaraba recalled that the hajj for the state pilgrims in 2014 was N715, 000, attributing the present sharp increment to dollar exchange rate. He said that comfortable accommodation and tents had been secured in Saudi Arabia for the state pilgrims and expressed optimism that the hajj operation would be a success. Nalaraba also said that the commission had fixed July 27 as deadline for all intending pilgrims to pay their fares. He said that 1,691 intending pilgrims would be performing the 2015 hajj in Saudi Arabia as against the 1,785 who made the journey in 2014

n James AZANIA, Lokoja n HE gubernatorial ambition of Alhaji Yahaya Bello (a.k.a Fairplus) got a boost yesterday as youths from the 21 local government areas of Kogi State gathered in Lokoja the state capital to endorse his candidature. The youths, under the aegies of Kogi APC Youths Arise Movement, said among all the aspirants, Bello stands out as the most pro-masses and youth friendly. Addressing newsmen at the NUJ Press Centre, the leader of the group, Mr Edward Onoja, said the youths in the party had undertaken discreet findings of the strength of character and electoral values of each aspirants on the platform of All Progressives Congress to ascertain Bello stands shoulder high above the others. He said: "As youths of Kogi State, we see Yahaya Bello as the carrier of our hopes and aspirations; his blueprint is pro youths and addresses the germane issues that concern our demographic needs. As one of us, he understands our needs and carries our dreams.

Seek face of God, Kumuyi tells Tarabans •Wife of the president, Mrs Aisha Buhari (middle) with her children and other Muslim faithful, during the Eid-El-Fitri prayer at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Mosque in Abuja...yesterday Photo: NAN

Nigerians condemn Damaturu S blasts OME Nigerians have expressed shock over the bomb blasts that rocked Damaturu, the Yobe capital, on Friday, leaving many casualities in its trail. The respondents, in separate interviews with reporters in Abuja, described the incident as unfortunate, adding that it had ruined the celebratory mood across the land. One of the respondents, Mr Musa Salihu, while condemning the act, described the bombing of innocent citizens on a day millions of Muslims faithful across the world were in celebration as a dastardly act that must attract the rebuke of all peaceloving Nigerians. "These acts of violence against innocent citizens are an unwarranted affront on our collective safety and free-

dom; Nigerians must stand as one. ``The reason I went out to vote was for the peace of Nigeria; I am not saying the President is slow at his duty but, I am saying that he should have a better idea to curb the violence.'' In her reaction, Mrs Mario Aliyu, expressed her condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the attacks. "I am surprised that we still have the problem of Boko haram in Nigeria; last sallah, I and my family were almost victims. "There is the need for the Federal Government to reassure all Nigerians of its determination to bring to justice all the perpetrators of today's acts of violence,'' Aliyu said. Mr Dada Olayiwola condemned the blast, saying that

``the jihadist group that wants to create an Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria are enemies of the country.'' "Nigerians must under-

the guns and firearms should report with their firearms irrespective of whether the licence was obtained from the state or any other states, and irrespective of their renewal status. The Police Public Relations Officer,(PPRO) ASP Sola Collins Adebayo, who signed the statement said that the action was informed

by the need to revalidate the licences of the existing holders of such firearms. According to the statement, the exercise has become necessary in view of the proliferation of firearms and the recent surge in cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes associated with the use of firearms in the state.

stand the game they are playing and they will fail because nobody can divide us in this country." he said It will be recalled that the bomb occurred in the Gwange area as the Muslim faithful prepared to go to the Eid ground for prayers.

Don’t be in a hurry to sell your produce, monarch tells farmers HE Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustafa, on Friday advised farmers in the state against being in a hurry to sell off their farm produce. Mustafa gave the advice in Yola when Gov. Jibrilla Bindow paid him Sallah homage in his palace. ``The same people you sell your crops to at lower prices now will come back later to sell them to you at exorbitant prices”, the monarch said. He, therefore, urged the farmers to ensure that their farm produce were well preserved and sold at the right time and right price. He commended the government for providing adequate security for the people and pledged the support of the traditional council to government’s efforts to sustain the development. Mustafa also called on It said that, any holder of residents to be cautious of firearms that fails to heed the happenings in their envidirective, but later found to ronment and report any be in possession of firearms suspicious movement to of any calibre would be law enforcement agencies. made to face the law. Bindow presented a gift "The case will be treated to the traditional ruler. as being in possession of unThe governor was accomlawful firearm and such perpanied on the visit by his son will be made to face the deputy, Martin Babale, and full wrath of the law, " it other top government offisaid. cials.

Kogi Police Command summons licensed-gun holders HE Kogi State Police Command has directed all licensed holders of guns and other firearms in the state to report to its headquarters latest by July 22, 2015. This is contained in a statement issued in Lokoja, capital of Kogi, on Friday by the command headquarters. It said that the holders of

Kogi youths turn out for Yahaya Bello

HE General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, on Friday urged the people of Taraba State to seek the face of God for their deliverance from insecurity. In a sermon at a special crusade in Jalingo, Kumuyi assured the people that God was set to bring them out of their 'Red Sea' to the Promised Land of abundance if they surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. He said that there was assurance of salvation, healing, deliverance and provisions for all those who sincerely sought the Lord. Kumuyi said that God always opens the door to those that knock and seek Him. "If you have Jesus, you have more than a man; this is the day of your healing, salvation and deliverance. If a sinner agrees with the Lord, he will be saved. ``If the sick person agrees with the Lord, he will be healed and if the oppressed person agrees with the Lord, he will be delivered," he said The crusade featured special music presentations and praise worship led by music legend, Panam Percy Paul and his team. Among the dignitaries that attended the crusade were former Gov. Jolly Nyame and the Secretary to Taraba Government, Mr Anthony Jellason. Similar crusades were also held in Zing and Bali, with the theme "Total Recovery and Restoration".

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015

SPORT EXTRA WIKE TO DREAM TEAM IV

Beat Congo, get $100,000 R

IVERS state Governor, Barrister Wike Nyesom has promised the U-23 Coaching crew and the players $100,000 if they beat the Congolese team on Sunday. The Governor stated this while addressing the technical crew and the players immediately after their training at Adokiye Amiesemaka stadium last night. He said: "We want to tell you that we need this match against the Congolese, and we want to win convincingly , we want to win by you playing good football , and therefore , we will give you $30,000 par goal , two goals $60,000, and three goals

From , Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Porthartcourt $100,000. "We will give you all the support you need to be successful in this match. I want to thank you my brother , my friend , coach Samson Siasia for the good job you are doing. I thank you for being here for the past one week preparing your team for Sunday match against the Congolese team, I decided to

come and talk to the players and to let you know that we are fully in support of you people . "Its been long Porthartcourt hosted any international match, and am sure this is your first time of coming to this Adokiye Amiesemaka stadium, we have the facilities to host international matches , we believe that from now on NFF will allow us to host other international matches, especially Super Eagles .

"I hope you people realise that it is important you defend your country , you need to make your country proud and we will give you the support . "We want to tell you that we need this match against the Congolese, and we want to win convincingly , we want to win by you playing good football. "The president will be happy that you win this match against the Congolese on Sunday."

Oliseh back in Belgium • Coach pushes for more backroom changes

EWLY appointed Super Eagles’ Coach Sunday Oliseh has returned to Belgium, officials have disclosed. A top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) told AfricanFootball.com the new Eagles coach is expected to return to the country two weeks before the Eagles AFCON 2017 qualifier against Tanzania in September. The news would come as a surprise to many after the NFF insisted that the same contract handed to Keshi was handed to Oliseh. "Oliseh is back to Belgium. He is expected to return at least two weeks before the qualifier against Tanzania," stated the official. "At least this would give him time to plan for the match and subsequently upon his return release the list of players for the Tanzania game." The NFF has already paid Oliseh three months’ salary of 15 million Naira in advance. However, Oliseh is determined to start on a clean slate as Super Eagles coach and as such has demanded for more changes to his backroom staff. Oliseh personally requested for former international teammate Alloy Agu as goalkeeper trainer and he now wants more changes in his backroom staff as he begins a new Eagles’ era. Agu has replaced former international goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu as goalkeeper trainer. “He simply wants to begin on a clean slate and that is why he wishes to make more changes to the Eagles backroom staff,” a top official informed AfricanFootball.com. “What is now left is for the NFF secretariat to effect those changes.” Oliseh has equally demanded that all his assistants be given their contracts as soon as possible. Interestingly, Salisu Yusuf did not have such a contract when he was appointed to assist Stephen Keshi. “Oliseh is a team player. He has made it very clear to the NFF that all his assistants get their own contracts soon so that the work can start in earnest,” another official disclosed. Oliseh’s first match in charge of the Super Eagles will be a 2017 AFCON qualifier in Tanzania in early September. The Eagles will also play a friendly days later.

• Governor Wike Nyesom with the players and technical crew on Friday

Siasia tackles fatigue, finishing • Congolese team arrives, eyes upset against Nigeria

HEAD of Sunday's African U-23 Championship final round, first leg qualifier at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Coach Samson Siasia at the evening training yesterday focused on fatigue and finishing. Siasia had earlier complained of poor finishing of his boys. The training which lasted about two hours was witnessed by the State Governor, Barrister Wike Nyesom. Speaking to sports journalists inside the main bowl of Adokiye Amiesemaka stadium, the media officer of the team , Timi Ebikagboro said the boys are ready to unleash terror on the Congolese come on Sunday . Timi said though the Congo-

• Moses

From , Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Porthartcourt lese Coach had boasted to collect the three maximum points, he, however reminded the coach that Coach Samson Siasia beat the team in Congo before and Sunday match will not be taken lightly. However , the Congolese team arrived Porthartcourt international Airport at 3:5pm and headed straight to the presidential hotel where they are lodged. The team is expected to train at the Adokiye Amiesemaka stadium today (Saturday ). Meanwhile , total renovations is currently going on at the stadium with men putting finishing touches at the sitting and the stadium surroundings . However, Le Roy says he is confident his Under-23 team have what it takes to upset their Nigeria counterparts, when both teams clash in an Olympics 2016 qualifiers this weekend in Porthacourt. Le Roy who lead Congo senior national team last year to inflict a first ever home loss on Nigeria, in an Africa nations cup qualifer which went a long way in denying Nigeria a chance to defend her 2013 crown, at the tournament proper is confident his Under-23 team are capable of doing same. “We are in an identical position to last year with no one beyond Congo giving us a chance,” Le Roy said during a training camp in Atlantic City

Spurs table £8m for Moses

OTTENHAM Hotspur have made an £8 million offer for Nigeria international Victor Moses, according to media reports. The 24-year-old winger spent last season on loan at Stoke City, where he posted a decent showing which got the club manager Mark Hughes to consider having him on permanent basis, but that now looks to have hit the rocks.

Moses scored four goals in 23 appearances in all competitions for Hughes’ men last term, prompting Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochetinno to make an offer for the Nigeria international despite Spurs being Chelsea’s arch-rivals, according to Daily Mirror of UK. The player is currently in Montreal, Canada, for pre-season training with Chelsea.

Pointe-Noire. “But my team have a huge chance of not only eliminating Nigeria, but qualifying for the Rio Olympics, there is no reason why we should fear Nigeria. “Congolese football has made tremendous progress recently and we must maintain that improvement.” The 67 year old can call on four of his senior squad for the thirdround, first-leg clash – goalkeepers Christoffer Mafoumbi and Pavelh Ndzila, defender Sagesse Babele and striker Sylvere Ganvoula. Siasia has expressed confidence that his team will overcome their Congolese counterparts in Sunday's African U-23 Championship final round, first leg qualifier at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday. Siasia, who led the Class of 2008 to runner-up position at the Men's Football Tournament of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, said this in a chat with the media at the Hotel Presidential abode of the team. "I am very confident that Nigerians who will troop out en masse to see our match on Sunday will see one of the best displays ever by the Dream Team. "As a team, my boys have always created chances, but our greatest problem has been to convert these chances to goals. We have been doing a lot of work in this critical area and if what I have seen in training of recent is anything to go by, then I can assure Nigerians that these boys will make them proud by scoring enough goals against the Congolese come Sunday." On the issue of the non-availability of most of the overseasbased professionals he invited for the game,Coach Siasia said neither himself nor the NFF has been taken unawares, as the match is only a qualifier for a continental competition and not on the FIFA calendar.

A word for Oliseh <<<<<<Continued from back page should ensure that their contract within the team should be is not a one-way document. If handled internally. The coach any employer fails to pay his will instill discipline in the squad coach, for instance, there should when he obeys his own laws. be sanctions. These players are adults, who We don’t expect Oliseh to run expect to be treated with decoto the media over salaries berum. He mustn’t be influenced cause of the federation’s anteby scouts and/or agents in pickcedents on such matters. His coning his squad. tract must contain sanctions Nigerians expect to see signs against the NFF if they default of his technical savvy on Sepon his salary. tember 6 in Dar es Salaam when the Eagles file out against TanRemembering zania. We expect to see changes the way the Eagles play- posiYekini tively, not the boring first half When you appoint knowland half-hearted second half peredgeable people into any enformances that have deavour, you expect changes. characterised the team’s outings. And so, when the new League Nigerians want to be excited Management Company (LMC) watching the Eagles play. They decided to name the gold trophy want to celebrate goals scored for the highest goal scorer in the from team play, which will be domestic game after Rashidi the result of what they practised Yekini, I unwittingly shouted in training. Nigerians want to “Eureka!” see the Eagles score goals from I’m sure that Yekini would set pieces. They want to leave the sneeze, if it is possible, wherever stadium or sit back in their he is. He was the goal merchant homes recounting how the goals for all the teams that he played scored happened. Nigerians are for. discerning people and would From Nigeria through Cote d’ clap for the Eagles if they play Ivoire to Portugal, Yekini was as if something is at stake, not in renowned for scoring goals. the lethargic manner in the past. Little wonder, he was the first to The Eagles shouldn’t be the score a World Cup goal for Niplatform to teach players the geria. He achieved that feat in basics of the game. Any player 1994 against Greece. invited to the camp must be I hope that LMC men would ready to fit into the opening allow Yekini’s kids, not some which his inclusion is designed Agbada-wearing politicians, to do to fill. It is for this reason that the presentation to the winner. Oliseh must have benchmarks That way, they would know with which his team can be that their dad didn’t die in vain. evaluated. I giggle when I hear people Thank you Falconets talk about Oliseh’s conduct. I’ve confronted him many times and When the news broke a few we’ve joked over my columns. weeks ago that Ebola had reWhat Oliseh doesn’t like is falseturned to Liberia, my heart hood. He would be the first tell skipped a beat. I nursed a serime, ”Ade oni jungbon. O mo pe ous fear for Super Falconets playfootball shoro gba (troublesome Ade; ers who were billed to visit you don’t know football is not easy Liberia for the first leg of an elimito play). We want to win not for nation game. the fans but even to boost our Would it be worth the effort careers. Sometimes, it happens for the Falconets or will CAF in football. You win some, you consider a rescheduling of the lose some. We don’t go out on game to another country? The the field to deliberately play Falconets soldiered on with their badly or lose matches. We want preparations, leaving the logisto win all the games, if it is postics for CAF and NFF. The Falsible.” conets made the trip to Who isn’t quick to temper? We Monrovia, whipped their hostall are when in foul moods or esses 7-1and returned home hale when we are taken for a ride. and hearty. Quickly, I tried to We must understand people guess the scenario if it had been and learn how to live with their Super Eagles’ turn to play a game shortcomings. in Liberia under the same cirI’m pleased that Oliseh has cumstances? addressed his relationship with Where do we start Eagles his employers creditably. It is the complaints? Is it from goalreason why Eagles have probkeeper Vincent Enyeama whose lems with the NFF. I have chalvoice would be the loudest, even lenged people who allege that if he has not been to Liberia in NFF chiefs take bribe from the two years? Or would it be the coaches. Till date, no coach has noise from football fans crying told us what he gave to any NFF more than the bereaved? Or is it member during his tenure. the vituperations from habitual Therefore, Oliseh’s foresight in NFF critics over the propriety of accepting that a greater percentplaying against Liberia, in a age of his ability to succeed in this place where “fresh” outbreak of daunting assignment rests on his Ebola has been reported? How relationship with his employers. about the National Sports ComIt is disrespectful for any emmission (NSC) warning the NFF ployee to discredit his employer. against honouring the game? Oliseh said during his inauguWhat won’t the NSC chieftains ration in Abuja on Wednesday: do to show that they are in “I have come to serve, and the charge when it concerns NFF? NFF has promised to give me all Do they really care for other the support I need to succeed. sports? Eye service merchants, They are the employers and I am if you ask me. the employee. That distinction Many questions with no anhas to be appreciated at all swers. But these questions times.” weren’t applicable to the Fal“One thing I will say, dear conets? We seem to over-pamcompatriots, is that I am not a per the Eagles, yet they give us Messiah. I have come to do my more pain. Falconets went to very best, give 150%, to take NiLiberia, won and no one regeria football to the next level, members about the Ebola outwith the support of my assisbreak in Monrovia. tants, the NFF and relevant I doff my heart for those stakeholders. I am optimistic that brave girls. I hope the Eagles we will lift the Nigeria game to a can emulate the girls by playing new height.” the game and leaving other jobs Well said Oliseh. It is, howfor those whose duty it is to do ever, expected that coaches them.

TOMORROW IN THE NATION PUNCHLINE

President Buhari should prune the number of aircraft in the presidential fleet. We do not need 10 or 11 aircraft, gulping more than N10bn annually —Tunji Adegboyega

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL.10, NO. 3279

OST leaders of the underdeveloped countries, particularly of Africa, eu phemistically described as 'developing countries' perceive and conceive of development as catching up with the industrialised countries especially of the west. It is thus not surprising that most African governments having thoroughly mismanaged their affairs after decades of 'flag' or 'nominal' independence, through massive corruption, violation of the rule of law, lack of accountability and transparency and other forms of impunity now swallow hook, line and sinker the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank diktat of neo-liberal economic policies as a condition for loans and other forms of economic aid. These policies include rolling back the frontiers of the state, privatisation of public utilities, removal of subsidies on critical social services and the pursuit of economic growth at all costs as if growth is necessarily coterminous with development. It is thus a grand irony that some of the best and brightest minds in the advanced countries of the west continue to raise serious doubts about the true socio-economic and psychological health of their countries as well as question the direction in which they are headed. One example is Professor Tony Judt, whose last book titled 'Ill Fares The Land' was completed just before his death in August 2010. Tony Judt was at the time of his transition, Erich Maria Remarque professor of European studies at New York University. In recognition of his contribution to British political writing, he was awarded a Special Orwell Prize for Lifetime Achievement. 'Ill Fares The Land' is a devastating attack on the neo-liberal socio-economic values that have dominated public policy in the west especially over the last three decades commencing with the rise of Thatcherite and Reaganite conservative economic ideology in the United States and United Kingdom. From his introductory chapter, Judt minces no words but goes straight to the heart of his subject: "Something is profoundly wrong with the way we live today. For thirty years, we have made a virtue out of the pursuit of material self-interest; indeed that very pursuit now constitutes whatever remains of our sense of collective purpose. We know what things cost but we have no idea what they are worth". Professor Judt laments that in the west money has become the measure of all things and people hardly question anymore whether a legislative act, executive action or judicial decision is right, good, fair or just but only if it is materially beneficial. In his searing words, "The materialistic and selfish quality of contemporary life is not inherent in the human condition. Much of what appears 'natural' today dates from the 1980s: the obsession with wealth creation, the cult of privatisation and the private sector, the growing disparities of rich and poor. And above all, the rhetoric which accompanies the uncritical admiration for unfettered markets, disdain for the public sector and the delusion of endless growth". If there is no change of socio-economic direction in the wealthy societies from an obsession with profit maximisation towards

Tony Judt, neo-liberalism and the human condition

‘ •Jim Yong Kim greater equity, justice and social democracy, Judt warns, the fiscal crisis that rocked the world economic system in 2008 will occur on a larger scale in future because "unregulated capitalism is its own worst enemy: sooner or later it must fall prey to its own excesses and turn again to the state for rescue". Examining 'The way we live now' in the first chapter of the book, Professor Judt decries the wide gulf in western societies, especially the US and UK, between private affluence and public squalor. He contends that even as the wealthy in these societies have grown wealthier and more conspicuous in the exhibition of their opulence, than at any other time in history, "the symptoms of collective impoverishment are all about us. Broken highways, bankrupt cities, collapsing bridges, failed schools, the unemployed, the underpaid and uninsured: all suggest a collective failure of will". He sees this as a great leap backward compared to the period between the late 19th century and the 1970s when "the advanced societies of the west were all becoming less unequal. Thanks to progressive taxation, government subsidies for the poor, the provision of social services and guarantees against acute misfortune, modern democracies were shedding extremes of wealth and poverty".

The one significant point that resonates throughout Judt’s book is that trust and altruistic reciprocity, not selfish and mindless individualism, are the foundations and indispensable ingredients for the success and sustainability of any collective enterprise

’

In sharp contrast, he points out, the UK, for instance, is today "more unequal in income, wealth, health, education and life chances than at any time since the 1920s". Professor Judt cites inequality as a key factor why infant mortality, life expectancy, criminality, prison population, mental illness, unemployment, obesity, malnutrition, teenage pregnancy, illegal drug use, economic insecurity, personal indebtedness and anxiety are more pronounced in the US and UK than they are in continental European societies. Professor Judt contends that society is an inter-dependent enterprise and that the idea of the self-made, self-sustaining, ruggedly successful individual is entirely mythical. The author denounces the callousness of placing efficiency above compassion or evaluating society and the choices individuals make in a moral vacuum. While free market fundamentalists, for instance, rhapsodise individualism and unregulated competition devoid of perceived sentimentalism, Judt notes ironically that markets and free competition also require trust and cooperation. He argues that "If we cannot trust bankers to behave honestly, or mortgage bankers to tell the truth about their loans or public regulators to blow the whistle on dishonest traders, then capitalism itself will grind to a halt".

The author elaborates on these points in the remaining six chapters of the book. In chapter two, 'The World We Have Lost', he traces the rise of the social democratic consensus that gave rise to the 'cradle to grave' welfare states of the post 1945 to the 1970s period in the west to the plagues, unbearable misery and poverty both of the economic depression of the 1930s and the devastations of war. It was thus realized that the notion of an 'invisible hand' mechanically and automatically regulating the market was a myth and state intervention was imperative not only to stabilise the economy and prevent future depressions but also to provide succour for the vulnerable sections of society. This social-democratic consensus which included subsidized public education and health care, subsidized public transportation, unemployment compensation, affordable public housing among others, however, began to crumble in the west from the late seventies due largely to unbearable budgetary pressures arising from over extended welfare states. Another reason for the collapse of the welfarist socialdemocratic consensus was the rise of a younger generation which did not witness either the horrors of economic depression or war and were therefore less appreciative of what had come to be perceived as a patronising 'nanny state', which restricted and restrained initiative, uniqueness, creativity and autonomy rather than increase freedom and opportunity. It is against this background, Judt explains, that neo-liberalism emerged and bloomed from the mid- 1970s and has remained ideologically dominant ever since. But the neo-liberal response to the perceived excesses of the Social-Democratic consensus was itself extremist. Neo-liberal governments not only stigmatized as well as severely downgraded the state and the public sector as a whole; they fetishized the private sector, glorified profit maximisation, celebrated materialism and enthroned individual self-seeking to the detriment of the collective good and purpose. This way of living, Judt insists, is unsustainable as evidenced by the new and very grave socioeconomic and moral crises in which the west and the entire globe is currently enmeshed. The one significant point that resonates throughout Judt's book is that trust and altruistic reciprocity, not selfish and mindless individualism, are the foundations and indispensable ingredients for the success and sustainability of any collective enterprise. The implication is that the individual and society are intricately intertwined and the conventional state, despite the acceleration of globalisation, is the indispensable mediator to guarantee socio-economic as well as political equity and stability. Neo liberalism is clearly running out of steam and it is time to bring back the compassionate social democratic state shorn of the doctrinaire ideological excesses that was its undoing in the past. This piece was not originally written for this space but came in handy because Illuminations is under the weather and unable to gather his thoughts this week on Nigeria’s ever intriguing politics.

Ade Ojeikere on Saturday talk2adeojeikere@yahoo.com

A word for Oliseh

LL hail Sunday Oliseh, the new Super Eagles chief coach, ex-international who Segun Odegbami ‘mathematician’ describes as the intellectual face of the Nigeria’s game in the 21st Century. Oliseh becomes the first Nigerian coach to assume the position with the certificate most European coaches have. So, nobody is talking about a foreign coach when there is a Nigerian, who is eminently qualified. Oliseh is accepting the world’s most difficult job. Yet he could write his name in gold, if he picks new players for the national team. It won’t be easy. He needs time to clear the mess of the past, including winning the confidence of the home-grown players who

would cease to be training materials, if they possess the skills to displace the foreign legion. The best way to rejuvenate the Eagles is to create competition among the players. Such a setting would come from picking our best at all times, irrespective of what such players did in the past. The Eagles must be an embodiment of our most talented players here, in Europe and the Diaspora. The Eagles should never be a work- in- progress because we have the players to do the job. Those who were perpetually building the Eagles did that to satisfy players’ agents and scouts. This is the only team that we keep rebuilding even after winning trophies and matches. Traditionally, when a set of players wins trophies and matches, they are allowed to

prosecute the next game to gel through matches, although with little additions for those who may have lost form or are nursing injuries. A wholesale dismantling of winning teams is the hallmark of a confused coach. This shouldn’t be Oliseh’s portion. Competition for places in the Eagles will be best espoused if players who fumbled in the previous game don’t return in the next match. It amounts to fixation on the part of the coaches if such fumbling players return, especially for a country like ours, which filled with talents waiting to grab an opportunity to wear the green-white-green jersey. In fact, any player dropped for poor performance will work harder to improve on his weak points. Such change of attitude would help him to regain his jersey. Of course, the

player who replaces him would strive at all times to keep the shirt, like the other regulars. Happily, Oliseh said during his unveiling that only those who play in the elite leagues in Nigeria, Europe and the Diaspora would be invited to the camp. Good talk. But I must remind Oliseh that Obafemi Martins was picked from Inter Milan of Italy’s B team, although he had cameo appearances for the senior team. The coach should be flexible to accommodate exceptional talents. I also hope he doesn’t recant on this declaration when European scouts and agents pressurise him. The players will give their best to ensure that Oliseh succeeds, if he treats everyone equally and makes the right decisions- no matter whose ox is gored. Indiscipline starts when there are double standards. Disputes

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