Saturday 22nd October 2016 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

FG Upbeat about $1bn Eurobond to Be Issued Before End of Year Obinna Chima with agency report

The federal government yesterday expressed optimism that it would sell Eurobond worth around $1 billion to be issued before the end of the year. The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun who spoke

on the move, also disclosed that the government was in the process of appointing managers for the sale. The Eurobond is part of Nigeria's plans to borrow a total of N1.8 trillion ($5.8 billion) from abroad and at home to fund an expected budget deficit of N2.2 trillion this year.

"We are appointing parties this week, we are hoping to come before the end of the year," Adeosun told Reuters at the sidelines of an investment conference at the London Stock Exchange. She gave no details. "We have headroom and we are very fortunate in that regard, we have very low

debt to GDP ratio," she told the conference. Adeosun informed her audience that Nigeria had started a journey, which would take its economy from being dependent on oil as a primary commodity, to a more productive economy. She recently said the Nigerian economy had moved from

spending 90 per cent of its budget on recurrent items and only 10 per cent on capital expenditure, to 70 per cent on recurrent expenditure and 30 per cent on capital expenditure. “From the numbers that we have done, the infrastructure gap that we face, even if we devote our budget for the next

three years, it is not enough, so we’ve got to look for creative ways to mobilise additional capital. “We started of course with spending our own money (pension funds) because we think, of course, that the first thing Continued on page 6

Again, Fani Kayode Arrested on Fresh Money Laundering Charges ... Page 10 Saturday 22 October, 2016 Vol 21. No 7849 Price: N250

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$2.1bn Arms Fund: Abuja Chief Judge Directs Dasuki Be Tried By One Judge Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The Chief Judge of the Abuja High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello has directed that one of the two judges handling two separate trials of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki should hands off the case.

Before now, Justice Baba Yusuf of Court No 4 and Justice Peter Affen of Court No 24 of the high court were trying Dasuki on two separate but related charges. The two charges involved alleged $2.1 billion fraud, money laundering and breach of trust. By the directive, Justice Affen

will hands off the case leaving only Justice Yusuf to handle the two charges. The decision to allow only one judge to handle the two trials was at the instance of the parties. The Chief Judge directed that the charges handled by Justice Affen be immediately

transferred to Justice Yusuf. The prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs SAN, who confirmed this development, said it was the result of several hours of negotiation among the parties. Jacobs told newsmen at the court that the lawyers in the matter were worried over the delay the trial had suffered since

last year when it was initiated by the federal government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The prosecution counsel explained that Justice Affen had already been directed to step aside from the trial so that only one judge would take full

charge. He however hinted that the issue of merging the two charges into one as demanded by the ex-NSA would no longer arise having been overtaken by the new step taken in the matter adding that the two charges Continued on page 6

NJC: NBA's Advice to Suspend Judges Before Investigation Unacceptable Insists attacks on judges aimed at intimidating judiciary Invasion portends great danger to nation's democracy

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The National Judicial Council (NJC) has strongly rejected the recent call by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that judges recently arrested by the operatives of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) be asked to step aside from performing their judicial functions as judges pending full investigation of the allegations made against them by the security agency and possible trial. In a statement issued yesterday and signed by the council's Acting Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye, NJC said the position taken by the NBA was unacceptable and unconstitutional. NJC said that suspending judges pending investigation would amount to a breach of its regulations. The council said: "Thus, the current position of the Nigerian Bar Association vis-à-vis its recommendation that the affected judicial officers involved in the on-going investigation of judicial officers by the DSS, Continued on page 6

ICE PRINCE ZAMANI

My Hit Single Has Taken Me Through an Incredible Journey

SuperSaturday pg. 8-9

SOMACHI KACHIKWU

I Find Joy in Raising Children

Plus pg. 17-19

ANCHORING RICE PRODUCTION

L-R: Anambra State Governor, Chief Willy Obiano; Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele during the inspection tour of the rice farms under the Anchor Borrowers programme in the state...yesterday

FG's Policies, Reforms will End Nigeria's Economic Woes, Says Osinbajo ... Page 6

SATURDAY OCTOBER 22, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY SATURDAY OCTOBER 22, 2016

SATURDAY OCTOBER 22, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY SATURDAY OCTOBER 22, 2016

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R •SATURDAY, ocTobeR 22, 2016

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FG's Policies, Reforms will End Nigeria's Economic Woes, Says Osinbajo Crusoe Osagie The federal government has announced plans to invest massively in infrastructure and human capacity development, noting that the present administration is focusing on policies and reform efforts geared at promoting diversification and structural reform of the economy. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo explained that a successful execution of the policies is expected to result in enhanced productivity growth, increase in the share of manufacturing in Nigeria’s total export earnings and drastic reduction in susceptibilities of the economy to external shocks from commodity volatility currently being experienced by the nation. Osinbajo during a public private dialogue on port efficiency and maritime sector roadmap

organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), revealed that in the strategic implementation plan for 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria has identified four policy fundamental to reflate and reposition the Nigerian economy for change, which includes, critical infrastructure, embracing the private sector, social inclusion and job creation, and improving security and tackling corruption. “It is a pleasure to be here with you at this dialogue session jointly organised by the LCCI and Financial Derivatives Company (FDC). This dialogue and indeed, the research study are extremely timely. The decision to undertake a research study on the current state of Nigerian ports and the maritime sector reflects the repeated commitment of the organisers to tackling important issues that

are imperative for our national economic development," he said. The Vice President who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, office of the Vice President, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, stated that to improve ease of doing business in Nigeria, particularly trading across borders are of high priority in the Buhari-led administration reform efforts, maintaining that government is focusing on critical infrastructure, both hard and soft, particularly trade facilitation, quality infrastructure and ease of doing business reforms. He however stated that to achieve the nation's diversification objectives, it is imperative that Nigeria must improve the administration of its ports, which serve as the point of entry of much needed raw materials and machineries for

any industrialisation efforts, as well as point of exits for the exportation of manufactured goods and agricultural produce. "I, therefore, commend the LCCI and FDC for this laudable initiative to convene stakeholders and key players in the ports and the maritime sector to analyse germane issues within the sector on a credible platform. Your collaboration bolsters my confidence in the quality of conversation and knowledge sharing expected from this morning’s deliberations, and heightens my expectations about the recommendations expected from this dialogue," he added. He pointed out that given the current strong economic headwinds facing the Nigerian economy resulting from decades of overdependence on oil as the primary foreign exchange earner, the need to diversify and restructure the

Nigerian economy has never been more crucial, stressing that it is, indeed, a tough but necessary period for Nigeria to achieve the desired structural changes needed for economic growth, inclusive prosperity and sustainable development. He noted that reform efforts at the ports is focused on deploying a deliberate, well-though-through automation strategy that achieves the tripartite objectives of blocking revenue leakages, improving process efficiency and reducing human intervention, adding that since the automation efforts started in 2012, revenue at the ports have grown by over 25 per cent where actual revenue has increased from N57 billion naira in 2005 to N184 billion in 2015. He assured that the Nigerian government was already making serious strides in actualising the administration’s commitment to

delivering on its promises, saying that the federal government is repositioning the economy for inclusive growth and sustainable development through key trade and investment policy and business climate reforms. Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, represented by the Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said about 90 per cent of the nation's trade is done by sea, saying that the sector is very important to the life of the Nigerian economy. He said Nigeria must at every point in time remain competitive, stating that if the nation's ports are not optimised, the utility would go elsewhere, but stressed that in the past six months, there has been an appreciable increase in Nigeria’s non-oil exports thanks to the present administration's drive to diversify the economy.

provisions of the constitution. He said: "The NBA is indirectly advocating a system of presumption of guilt, which is contrary to our Constitution." Adegboruwa cited section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution which stated that every person charged with a criminal offense should be presumed innocent until the contrary was proved. According to him, this presumption of innocence, offered to all citizens of Nigeria, is even in relation to when the citizen has been charged to court, and not speculation and half-truths, based on 'sting' operations. He said: "In the case of the judges, not a single charge has been filed in court yet, with some proof of evidence, showing some prima facie evidence of the allegations. "In the case of My Lord the Hon Justice Ngwuta, he has deposed to an oath, barring the details of the disgusting attempts made by members of the ruling APC to pervert the course of justice, involving two of the

party's serving ministers. Do we ask such a judge to step aside so that the ruling party will laugh over him, or what?" He said that NBA was already privy to the decision and stand point of the NJC to the extent that the judges would not be suspended based on mere unproven allegations from the DSS, which has now become the security wing of the ruling APC. He said: "This decision is binding on the NBA, whose accredited representatives were in attendance at the various sessions of the NJC when its decision was taken. "I noticed that the NBA executives recently visited Aso Rock Villa and they were hosted by the Presidency, and so the latest turn around by the NBA President in capitulating to pressure from politicians and the ruling APC, to disown the judges, who by tradition, are unofficial members of the Bar, bears no justification whatsoever," Adegboruwa added.

NJC: NBA'S ADVICE TO SUSPEND JUDGES BEFORE INVESTIGATION UNACCEPTABLE be requested to proceed on compulsory leave until the conclusion of all disciplinary proceedings against them, is unacceptable to the NJC; as it breaches the 2014 Revised Judicial Discipline Regulations formulated by NJC pursuant to Section 160 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended." NJC also maintained its position that to do what the NBA asked for was to surrender its authority to another institution which would be contrary to the provisions of the constitution. The council said: "It is to be reiterated also that by the provisions of Section 158 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, NJC shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person while exercising its disciplinary power of control over Judicial Officers in the Federation. "The members of the public are hereby informed that the mechanism that will determine a judicial officer to be directed or requested to proceed on compulsory leave or be suspended from office, is a disciplinary power that NJC can only exercise after initiating disciplinary proceeding on the complaint or petition forwarded against the Judge, after he has been found culpable. "Therefore, to act on the recommendation of the NBA, is not only contrary to the provisions of Section 158 of

the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, but means NJC will direct any judicial officer that has been petitioned even if the allegations contained therein are frivolous and baseless, to proceed on compulsory leave or be suspended from office without complying with the Rule of Law." "That is not the understanding of NJC of the intention of the framers of the 1999 constitution, as amended visà-vis its constitutional powers and functions on initiation of disciplinary proceedings culminating in suspension of Judicial Officers. "Thus, to act on the request of the Departments of Government and the recommendation of the NBA, the 808 Judicial Officers that had been petitioned and accused of professional misconduct and or corrupt practices, without investigation by NJC, would have all been suspended or sent on compulsory leave and the courts would have been deserted." NJC said it was not unmindful of the concern of the public on a situation whereby a judicial officer was being investigated and or prosecuted for commission of a criminal offence such as murder or robbery; and whether he was not supposed to be requested or directed to proceed on compulsory leave or be suspended from office. It however, stated that, in the circumstance, unless the judge accused of commission of the

offence of murder or robbery was petitioned to NJC, the council would not assume the disciplinary power of control over judicial officers to suspend or direct the affected judge to proceed on compulsory leave. "Thus, NJC can only direct any Judge alleged of committing such criminal offences, to go on compulsory leave or be suspended from office if he has been investigated and found by NJC culpable of misconduct," the statement added. The council said that the participation of NBA members in the emergency meeting of NJC was necessitated by the unfolding events between the DSS and the Judiciary, bordering on administration of Justice. It stated that the decision of NJC in respect of the recent events and the current state of the judiciary, particularly in condemning the invasion and arrest of the judicial officers by the DSS and considering it as a threat to independence of the judiciary, which portended great danger to the nation's democracy; and a clear attempt by the DSS to humiliate, intimidate, denigrate and cow the judiciary, was unanimously taken by members of the council present, including the President and other Members of the Nigerian Bar Association at its last emergency meeting which was held on 11th October, 2016. It also released the names of the NJC members who participated at the meeting and unanimously agreed

with the NJC position and the geographical zones they represented. The council said it was aware of the judgment of the court of public opinion on the recent event between the DSS and the judiciary as well as the various views expressed by lawyers, academics, politicians and the general public. The council said it was constrained to inform the general public that its constitutional mandate was to process and recommend to the executive at the Federal and State levels, the appointment, and or the removal of judicial officers from office, including exercise of its disciplinary control of suspending and or warning judicial officers; after complying with due process and the rule of law. Also yesterday, a Lagos based lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa called on the NJC to reject the advice by the NBA calling for the suspension of the arrested judges saying that the NBA position was contrary to the

$2.1BN ARMS FUND: ABUJA CHIEF JUDGE DIRECTS DASUKI BE TRIED BY ONE JUDGE In one of the two sets of charges, Dasuki was charged along with five others before Justice Peter Affen on 22-count charges. Others who were charged before the judge along with the former NSA with respect to charges of diversion of funds include a former Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu; a former minister of state (finance) Bashir Yuguda; a former Sokoto Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, the ex-governor’s son, Sagir Attahiru, and a firm, Dalhatu Investment.

But in a motion brought pursuant to Sections 6 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 1, 208, 396, 491 and 492 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Dasuki had claimed that the two charges against him and others revolved around the same set of transaction and facts on the alleged funds misappropriation and the breach of trust. He claimed that the two charges with NO FCT/HC/ CR/43/2015 and another one with FCT/HC/CR/42/2015 pending before Justice Baba

Yusuf of the High Court No 4 and Justice Peter Affen of High Court No 24 are identical charges emanating from the Office of the National Security Adviser and as such must be consolidated. The applicant further claimed that to stand trial before two different courts and two different judges on the same set of facts and purported transaction of the office of the NSA would be prejudicial and great hardship against him as he stands the risk of double jeopardy having being charged in two different courts on the issue.

FG UPBEAT ABOUT $1BN EUROBOND TO BE ISSUED BEFORE END OF YEAR

WOOING INVESTORS

L–R: Chief Executive Officer, London Stock Exchange (LSE), Nikhil Rathi; Director General, National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Chinelo Anohu-Amazu; UK Minister for International Trade, Greg Hands; Hon. Minister of Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kemi Adeosun; Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar N. Onyema; and Executive Director, Capital Markets Division, NSE, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, at the Opening Bell Ceremony of the London Stock Exchange to kick off the 3rd London and Lagos Capital Markets in Partnership Conference organized by the Nigerian Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange in London...yesterday

we have to do is to re-establish some benchmarks, some ability to deliver on roads, on rails, on basic infrastructure,” she said. According to her, Nigeria’s long-term plan is to mobilise private capital. “We think the narrative around who pays for infrastructure is a very important one in Africa. I say that because at the moment, if you don’t have infrastructure, you are going to pay anyway. If you spend six hours on a journey that should take you an hour, you’ve paid. “So we are hungry for infrastructure. We’ve got 170 million people who don’t have power in sufficient quantities, we don’t have a rail system, we

don’t have a road structure, we believe that if we solve these infrastructure challenges, the entire productivity chain — agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, our unemployment problems — could all be solved. “Our population is young; we have to provide a standard of living that keeps young vibrant Africans in Africa, because we think that is very important for eliminating poverty,” the minister stated. Adeosun also said the government had spent N770 billion on capital expenditure since President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2016 budget in May. Nigeria’s economy has slipped into recession for the first time

in 25 years, brought on by low oil prices that have cut government revenues and weakened the OPEC member's currency and a lack of clear policy direction that put investors on the edge. Crude oil sales make up 70 percent of national income. The African Development Bank has said it would help Nigeria to overcome its recession. The lender's board is expected to grant a $1 billion loan at a rate of around 1.2 per cent, which Nigeria could use to help plug its deficit. The finance minister said she hoped oil prices would stabalise around $42 and $50 per barrel. Oil edged higher yesterday, with Brent crude futures 12 cents higher at $51.50.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY OCTOBER 22, 2016

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 22, 2016

SUPER SATURDAY Ice Prince Zamani

Zamani

My Hit Single Has Taken Me Through an Incredible Journey As the chorus wafts through the speakers, everyone is gripped by some frenzy.They find the hip-hop lyric irresistible. In rapture, they begin to sing along. ‘Oleku’ is by no means a new song but it is a song that soothes frayed nerves and thrills adventurous minds. It is perhaps, Ice Prince Zamani’s biggest song ever. But the music star has not rested on his oars. Having dropped another album, he hopes to capture the imagination of the world once again, withJ‘ os 2 d World.’He is heralded as one of Africa’s hip hop greats, thanks to his evergreen ‘Oleku.’In this interview with Azuka Ogujiuba, Ice Prince clearly proves that he’s back like he never left

hat change did your first hit single, ‘Oleku,’ bring about in your life?

The hit single, ‘Oleku,’ was a song that literally changed my life and gave me a voice as an artiste to be heard. Till today I am quite respected for having such a classic record under my belt. It is necessary to say kudos to Jesse Jagz and Brymo for working with me to create that masterpiece. It’s been an incredible journey of living and learning. But I must say that it’s been God all the way. It is six years since I was welcomed to the big stage with the release of my first official single (‘Oleku’) and I’m still alive doing what I love (music). My fans are still asking for me. I’m about to drop my third album. I’m super-excited and

feel blessed. Let’s talk about your new project, ‘Jos 2 d world,’ which is interestingly the title of your latest work of art. ‘Jos 2 D World’ is the title of my new and third studio album. It is an 18-track album, with a two-track medley bonus done with producers like Chopstix, illkeys, Mr. Kamera, Sammy Gyang, Tone P and Fresh Brit. This is the first project I will be the executive producer in collaboration with my Business Manager, Tobi Sanni Daniel, under my record label, Super Cool Cat Entertainment Company. Also, I have features from Krept and Konan, BRE-Z (From the American TV Show Empire), Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Vanessa Mdee, Timaya, Phyno, Yung L, Runtown, Sojay, Phil Ade, Koker and Dice Ailes. It took quite a while before you

dropped this new album. Why did you keep your fans waiting this long? It took me sometime because I needed to take time to work on the quality of music I intend to release to my fans. They say everything good takes time. Also, a lot of behind-the-scenes issues were involved. But I had to take care of myself, my family, my team and others. Now I’m ready to serve my fans, Zamaniacs. How many tracks does this album have and who did you feature in it? It is an 18-track album with a two-track medley bonus and I have 13 features in all. In the last couple of years, you have toured within and outside the country. How does that influence your music?

Touring and performing are what bring me closer to my fans. That way, I see and feel their response to the music I make. It gives me more experiences and topics to talk about, I learn about more genres of music and that helps my versatility as an artiste. Which are your favourite tracks in the album that you’ll want people to listen to? That’s really hard to pick. As a matter of fact, I love a lot of the songs in the album. This album did not make it to the final cut of the tape. I will let my fans pick their favourite. Is there anything about this album you’d like to go back to the studio to remake? I don’t think there’s any song I’d like to add or remove anything from at the moment in the album. In fact, I wish

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 22, 2016

SUPER SATURDAY My Hit Single Has Taken Me through an Incredible Journey... It took me sometime because I needed to take time to work on the quality of music I intend to release to my fans. They say everything good takes time. Also, a lot of behind-the-scenes issues were involved. But I had to take care of myself, my family, my team and others

I could add more songs or release a double CD for my fans because I have a lot more. But (Trash Can Ep volume 2) also on the way though – stay tuned. Will there be a new rhythm in the new album and a new dance step to go with it? You know I said it from day one: I dey rap, I dey sing, I dey come MC. Ice Prince hasn’t changed and so hasn’t his music. So expect a lot of everything you already know me for. And if you don’t know about me yet, please get my new album and find out about my story, ‘Jos to D World.’ Did you work with Chopstix solely on the album or you had a mix of different producers? Chopstix worked with me as a co-executive producer on this project. I solely produced five songs on the album including songs like, Stand Out with the girl,’ and BRE-Z from the series Empire. What is truly special about the title of your new album? My city (Jos) has been portrayed or perceived to be a violent or crisis-related city for some time now. Since the first major crisis broke out September 7, 2001. And Jos used to be a hub for entertainment and a place to groom talents. It is seen as the home of peace and tourism with beautiful weather and amazing people. As a son of the soil, it is my duty to remind the people of the city that once was ‘J-town.’ We need to send the J-town glorious good news to the world. What genre or style of music should we expect from the album? Expect the versatility of Ice Prince and the Fire of Zamani. I dey Rap, I dey sing, I dey come MC. What would your producers say they appreciate the most about you during the production of the album? That question I will leave for my producers to answer. But I would say they all know I have deep love and belief in them.

Zamani If you were to blink your eye and be in a favourite place right now, where would it be? If wishes were horses, l would love to

be in Aso Villa right now with President (Muhammadu) Buhari and Vice President (Yemi) Osinbajo discussing how we can move Nigeria forward. I would love to be able to release more albums and

Performing on Stage Draws Me Closer to My Fans

share my story through my music. Is there something you would like to do more often in the future? I’d love to be able to release more albums and share my story through my music How do you manage music and other obligations? It’s really tough handling the busy schedule that comes with music and other responsibilities in life. But l would say God has been faithful. I keep my head low and I stay devoted to God.

NEWS

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 22, 2016

News Editor Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (sms only) Email ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

Again Fani-Kayode Arrested on Fresh Money Laundering Charges Davidson Iriekpen The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arrested former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, within the premises of the Federal High Court in Lagos. Reacting, his media assistant Jude Ndukwe raised the alarm over the health of his principal, pointing out that the constant harrassment posed health hazard to him. Fani-Kayode, who was also former Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign committee of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was charged alongside a former Minister of Finance, Nenandi Usman, and Danjuma Yusuf. Also charged is a company, Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Ltd. They were arraigned on a 17-count charge of unlawful retention, unlawful use and unlawful payment of money in the tune of about N4.9 billion. They each pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail. On Friday, after the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, opened the case of the prosecution and had wrapped up the witness' evidence for the day, the court adjourned the case to November 14 and 15 for continuation of trial and rose. However, shortly after the accused left the courtroom, two officers of the EFCC dressed in white kaftan accosted him and requested that he followed them to the commission. Immediately, the court's gate was barricaded by a Toyota Hiace bus and Fani-Kayode was bundled and taken to the EFCC. However, when the case was mentioned yesterday, Oyedepo

had opened the case for the EFCC and called his first witness, a media consultant, Mr. Idowu Olusegun. Leading him in evidence, the witness, who is media consultant from Paste Posters Company Ltd, told the court that N30 million was paid in cash to him by the office of the Director of Media and Publicity, PDP Campaign Organisation. According to Olusegun, he had reached an agreement with the organisation whose office is situated at 14B, Samora Micheal Avenue, Asokoro FCT, for the sum of N24 million for media consultancy services. He said a further negotiation was reached in which N50 would be paid for each size of A2 posters, while N20 would be paid for each size of A4 flyers. Olusegun told the court that after the printing job for the posters and flyers was done, he was invited to the office of the organisation, and given N30 million in cash. He told the court that he had demanded to know why payments was made in cash, and was informed by one Mr. Oke, that cash was the approved means of payment. He said Oke had been the person communicating with him throughout the pendency of his engagement to do the media jobs. The witness also told the court that apart from the N30 million paid to him, there was also an outstanding payment of N24 million which was not paid to his company. After his testimony, and based on agreements of counsel, the court fixed November14 and 15 for continuation of trial. Meanwhile, a mild drama had

HERE'RE MY CREDENTIALS ...

L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffery Onyeama; President Muhammadu Buhari receiving letter of credence from the Ambassador of the State of Israel to Nigeria, H.E Mr. Guy Feldman at the State House in Abuja. yesterday PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

unfolded in court during trial when the trial judge, Justice Sule Hassan, ordered the seizure of the mobile phone of Fani-Kayode. The accused had held his phones and suddenly, the phone rang out loud and the judge asked: "who is doing that"? He spontaneously, ordered the court's registrar to seize the phones. Similarly, the trial judge also issued a warning to counsel representing the accused when

he sighted him sipping a bottle water during proceedings. The judge had warned counsel to seek the permission of the court whenever his client was pressed for a drink of water. According to Hassan, "The court is not a market place, there must be order and sanity." In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015.

In counts one to seven, they were alleged to have unlawfully retained over N3.8 billion which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act of stealing and corruption. In counts eight to 14, the accused were alleged to have unlawfully used over N970 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of an unlawful act of corruption.

Meanwhile in counts 15 to17 Fani-Kayode and one Olubode Oke who is said to be at large, were alleged to have made cash payments of about N30 million, in excess of the amount allowed by law, without going through a financial institution. Besides, Fani-Kayode was alleged to have made payments to one Paste Poster Co (PPC) of No 125 Lewis St., Lagos, in excess of amounts allowed by law.

Buhari's Daughter Budget Padding: Jibrin Withdraws Suit on Denies BBOG Suspension, Sues Dogara, Clerk, for N1bn Justice John Tsoho, in a short suspension and was adopted filed against the Speaker and 13 Franchise Infringement AlexEnumahinAbuja others, Jibrin's lawyer informed

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

The Africa Support and Empowerment Initiative (AFRISEI) has rejected allegations of franchise infringement by the Bring Back Our Girls group, led by former Education Minister, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili. In statement jointly signed by the President of the Non-Governmental Organisation, Hajiya Hadiza Buhari Bello, a daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari and the secretary, Don Uche, the group said it was a responsible body that would never engage in illegal activities by stealing someone else’s franchise. It explained that contrary to Dr. Ezekwesili’s allegation, the organisation did not need to lean on the BBOG to be of service to the Chibok Girls and therefore had no reason to steal anything from BBOG or use its name to achieve any advantage. AFRISEI said it had its own defined objectives and that it didn’t need to steal anybody’s ideas to operate in line with its own objectives. The organisation said it was

duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and was issued a certificate of incorporation on 14th July, 2016. While praising the activities of the BBOG to raise and sustain awareness about the plight of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls, the group said that its organisation had broader objectives beyond the Chibok girls. It said that though the Chibok girls were within the priority of the organisation, its commitments to humanitarian causes didn’t end with Chibok schoolgirls. "Given the size of the problem at hand, the more Organisations we have assisting Chibok and other devastated communities, the better for the country. "As a charitable organisation, AFRISEI is committed to empowering the youth and the less privileged in the area of job creation and skill acquisition. "It is also committed to supporting the education of the less privileged students, giving material support to the downtrodden the internally displaced persons", it explained.

The embattled former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, yesterday withdrew the suit he filed against the House of Representatives and 13 other defendants challenging his suspension from the House of Representatives. The withdrawal was contained in an application for discontinuance of the matter filed through his lawyer, Chukwuma Nwachukwu and dated October 11, 2016 At the resumed hearing yesterday, Nwachukwu prayed the court to discontinue with the hearing of the case. Counsel to the House of Representatives and 13 other defendants in the matter, Onuoha Kalu did not oppose the application of discontinuance but asked for a cost N200, 000.00 on the ground that the defendants had filed processes and had put in a lot in the matter. Consequently, trial Judge,

ruling struck out the matter but without awarding cost against the Plaintiff. Meanwhile, Jibrin has filed a fresh suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja, asking it to award the sum of N1 billion against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and the Clerk of the House as punitive and general damages for his suspension from the floor of the House. Recall that the House of Representatives had suspended Jibrin for 180 legislative days, for actions it considered to be unbecoming of a legislator in bringing the entire house to disrepute in the unfolding budget padding scandal. The decision of the house to suspend the lawmaker from Kano followed a motion by the Chairman House Committee on Ethics, Hon Nicholas Ossai. Jibrin had refused to appear before the Ethics committee investigating the matter, the committee based on this recommended for his

by the whole House. Apart from the suspension, Jibrin will also not be able to hold any position of responsibility for the span of the current National Assembly. Jibrin, had on August 9, 2016 approached the court seeking an order to restrain the House of Representatives from any attempt to suspend him. The suit was filed before Justice Okon Abang during the court vacation period that lasted for about two months. However, upon resumption, the matter was re-assigned to Justice Tsoho and was fixed for mention yesterday. Jibrin's counsel, Mr. Mohammed Abdulhamid had, at the last sitting on the matter, informed the judge that the House of Representatives had, by going ahead to suspend his client ‘overreached’ his motion filed before the court to seek an order restraining the House from carrying out the suspension. In the application for discontinuance of the suit earlier

the court that a fresh originating summons had been filed. Jibrin, in the new suit is asking the court to declare that his suspension was a violation of his fundamental human right to freedom of expression and also prayed the court to declare that the resolution passed by the House of Representatives suspending him was in breach of the provisions of Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. He is also seeking an order of injunction restraining the House of Representatives from preventing him from participating in the Committees of the House or accessing the legislative chambers to perform his legislative duties. Hearing of the fresh suit filed by the embattled former Chairman, Appropriation Committee of the House of Representatives has been scheduled to commence on the twenty-second of November 22, 2016.

OCTOBER 22, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

Buhari, Please, Focus on the Present and Our Future

ith the way our dear President Muhammadu Buhari has been going about his mandate, it is becoming clear that he is unaware that he would be judged on what he is able to do for traumatised Nigerians and not what his predecessor was unable to do for our citizens. Rather than strategising on how he would succeed, our president spends quality time telling us about the failings of the Jonathan administration. Buhari has spent the last 17 months of his administration focusing on the past at the expense of the present and the future. Our president has been spending quality time, resources and energy chasing the past and chastising his predecessor, instead of settling down to work. Rather than holding meetings with groups like the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the National Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Nigeria Medical Association, Nigeria Union of Teachers and academic staff of tertiary institutions on how to increase production, create jobs, salvage our tattered schools and hospitals, Buhari spends precious time with Ibrahim Magu of the EFCC and Lawan Daura of the DSS. Clearly, he wants a pound of flesh from those that pummeled him over 30 years ago. The result of this revenge mission is the massive hunger, unemployment, poverty, disease and sliding economy ravaging the nation. Instead of heart-warming stories about what the administration is doing to impact on our scruffy hospitals, roads and public schools (that is if they are doing anything),we are daily regaled with stories of arrests of looters and recoveries; stories of retrievals not having any impact on the lives of the distressed people. The truth that must be told is that the Buhari administration has failed to focus on the challenges of the present day Nigeria, particularly the economy. This administration has failed to focus on how to revive our comatose economy. The economy is sliding, our Naira is gasping for breath, there is massive unemployment and industries are shutting down, yet, the focus is on vengeance and propaganda. If we

Instead of heart-warming stories about what the administration is doing to impact on our scruffy hospitals, roads and public schools (that is if they are doing anything),we are daily regaled with stories of arrests of looters and recoveries; stories of retrievals not having any impact on the lives of the distressed people. The truth that must be told is that the Buhari administration has failed to focus on the challenges of the present day Nigeria, particularly the economy get the economy right, virtually every other thing will fall in line. The implications of not focusing on the genuine challenges of this nation are all over the place. Because this administration is not getting its priority right, our external reserves is at an 11-year low of $24.21billion. This is according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria released this week. This development means a limited amount of USD will be available at the official interbank spot market, fuelling concerns about another round of depreciation of the Naira. The reserves have been tumbling. Specifically, it fell from $25.8bn on August 16 to $24.8bn on September 16. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics are also pitiable. According to latest figures,

Amosun’s Crackdown on Ogun Workers In Ogun State, it seems it is now an offence for civil servants to protest against oppression and unfair labour practices by the Ibikunle Amosun administration. This was confirmed on Thursday when the workers who came out to protest against the non-remittance of their cooperative deductions were thoroughly pummeled. These deductions have not been remitted in the last 12 months. Pension deductions have also not been remitted in the last five years. Thugs, suspected to be loyal to Governor Amosun, inflicted pain on some of the workers and their union leaders. Labour leaders and union members who gathered at the secretariat

of the state’s Nigeria Labour Congress office in Abeokuta were attacked by the thugs. Some were also attacked at Laderin Estate, Kuto Roundabout and Oke Ilewo. Comrade Benco and Comrade Olayemi were thoroughly battered. Ogun State NLC Chairman, Akeem Ambali, affirmed that the thugs were Amosun’s loyalists. Pictures of the injured workers narrating their experience on television on Thursday evening left me dejected. The NLC at the national level has to move in swiftly to tackle Amosun who has reneged on many agreements reached with the oppressed workers. The workers are still on an indefinite strike over the issues raised.

Boko Haram Attacks in Ghashghar, Goptari Our gallant soldiers need to tighten security in Mobbar, Abadam and Chibok local government areas of Borno State. The two deadly attacks carried out by Boko Haram in these areas this week were disheartening. In Ghashghar town (Mobbar LG), an unspecified number of Nigerian soldiers were killed when the terrorists stormed a joint position of the armies of Nigeria and Niger Republic. The Army has confirmed the attack and also admitted that 83 soldiers were missing. A community leader in the Ghashghar confirmed the attack, saying that the soldiers were taken by surprise when the terrorists launched an attack with heavy guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Reports that these bastards stole six military vehicles and weapons in the Ghashghar attack are also disquieting. The Ghashghar attack highlights the threat the group still poses in the region. Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai has to do something very

fast about the low morale of our soldiers. There are allegations that soldiers are being cheated by their commanders who fail to pay their allowances in full, particularly feeding allowances. Again, on Tuesday, Boko Haram invaded Goptari Village, 10 kilometres from Chibok and set it on fire after looting food supplies and livestock. The attack in Goptari came two days after a raid on Kallali Village (also near Chibok) where the terrorists looted and burnt homes. All these attacks underscore the continued threat of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Clearly, the military is still battling for control despite making gains against the terrorists. This is a fact we must face, if we want to end this war. This administration must work more on a political solution to this crisis. The recent release of 21 Chibok girls was a result of political maneuvering and not military effort. May Allah continue to protect our gallant soldiers.

Nigeria’s second quarter 2016 GDP declined by -2.06 per cent. Annual inflation rose to 17.9 per cent in September from 17.6 per cent in August, and food inflation rose to 16.6 per cent in September from 16.4 in August this year. The total number of Nigerians who became unemployed within the first and second quarter of 2016 was 2.6 million. About 1.46 million Nigerians became unemployed in the third quarter of 2015, while another 518,102 became unemployed in the fourth quarter of 2015. This brings the total of freshly-unemployed persons in the economy to a record high of 4,580,602 under the Buhari administration. The NBS said further that the country’s unemployment rate grew from 12.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2016 to a record high of 13.3 per cent in the second. Again, Nigeria managed to raise only 55 per cent of its six-month revenue target in the first six months of 2016. Today, I want our dear president to reflect on the remarks of award- winning Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, contained in an article she wrote for the New York Times. She said: “Buhari’s outdated economic ideology and the seemingly selective corruption war had led to a declining hope in his government. He had, in many situations, appeared disengaged. His tone and demeanour are reminiscent

of 1984 when he was a military head of state. Nigeria’s economy is unwholesomely dependent on oil, and while the plunge in prices was bound to be catastrophic, Mr. Buhari’s actions made it even more so. “The president seems comfortable with conditions that make an economy uncomfortable — uncertainty and disillusion. There is an ad hoc air to the government that does not inspire that vital ingredient for a stable economy - confidence. There is, at all levels of government, a relentless blaming of previous administrations and a refusal to acknowledge mistakes. And there are eerie signs of the past’s repeating itself. “Nigerians who expected a fair and sweeping clean-up of corruption have been disappointed. Arrests have tended to be selective, targeting mostly those opposed to Mr. Buhari’s government. The anti-corruption agencies are perceived not only as partisan but as brazenly flouting the rule of law. There are no easy answers to Nigeria’s malaise, but the government’s intervention could be more salutary — by prioritising infrastructure, creating a business-friendly environment and communicating to a populace mired in disappointment.” No doubt, Buhari has opened too many battle-fronts in just under 17 months, while the economy suffers. This has created so much tension in the country. He has to close many of them to enable him focus on how to revive this recessed economy.

A Word for Mahmoud Isa Dutse For those who don’t know him, Mahmoud Isa Dutse is the current Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance. He was appointed on November 10, 2015. Dutse is on the recently constituted board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation. He represents the Ministry of Finance. Three weeks ago, he was at the Senate for screening as a board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission. He got the nod of the senators. When the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria is constituted, Dutse will, statutorily, take a seat at the board. With the way Dutse is going, he looks determined to take up all the board seats reserved for the Ministry of Finance. My dear Dutse should consider nominating some directors in the ministry for some of these board appointments. This has happened in the past. In some cases, the laws setting up these government agencies allow a representative of the finance ministry on the Board; not necessarily the Permanent Secretary. How does Dutse hope to contribute effectively, sitting on many boards of departments and agencies? What about copping with his key responsibilities as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance? Again, age seems not to be on the side of Dutse. His CV on my table shows that he was born over

Mahmoud

60 years ago – August 1, 1956. What is he still doing in the service? Well, this is an issue for another day. I am still doing some checks to know if retirement age for this category of civil servants had been amended. For now, Dutse should consider slowing down a bit and allow some of his directors to benefit from board appointments.

Katsina State Police Commissioner Must Enforce Our Laws I hope we are all still following the story of little Habiba Isiyaku (Now 15 years old) who was allegedly abducted about two months ago in Warkaza, Kudun Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State and married out by the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji AbdulMumin Kabiru Usman. The latest news is that the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Usman Abdullahi on Monday directed little Habiba, who was also allegedly converted to Islam, to return to her parents’ house. He maintained that at her age, she was too young to take any decision on marriage and religion. Abdullahi left me disheartened with this strange directive. The fact that Habiba is a minor is not in dispute, and, according to the Commissioner of police, “too young to take a decision on marriage and change of religion.” So, why is Abdullahi not moving to rescue her? The abode of her abductors is an open secret. I am also shocked that over two months after the unlawful act, the Katsina Police Commissioner is still unaware

of the marriage between little Habiba and her abductor, Jamilu Lawal. Honestly, Abdullahi’s directive is preposterous. This CP does not deserve his uniform. Instead of enforcing the law, he has been playing politics. I urge the Katsina State CP to swiftly make amends by leading a team to rescue little Habiba. We need to remind him that he is a law enforcement agent. We also need to remind Abdullahi that Section 21 of the Child’s Rights Act, stipulates that no person shall remove or take a child out of the custody or protection of his father or mother or guardian against the will of the father, mother or guardian. The Act also prohibits marriage to a minor “and any marriage so contracted is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.” According to Habiba’s father, Tanko Isiyaku, his little daughter was abducted on August 16, 2016 by a staff of the palace of the Emir of Katsina called Jamilu Lawal. Yakubu Bawa, an Abuja-based lawyer has been fighting to rescue little Habiba. We must all join in this war against abduction.

OCTOBER 22, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

BETWEEN BUHARI AND BUHARI

Godwin Etakibuebu argues Aisha Buhari may be genuine in her criticism of President Buhari’s administration

isha, grand-daughter of Nigeria’s first minister of defence [Mohammadu Ribadu], was married to General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) at a very tender age. As the paragon of beauty clocked 45 years earlier this year, she has stayed glued to the husband for 27 years. At 45 she is in the prime of life while the husband who is 73 years of age, is heading towards the evening of life. One of them expectedly has better knowledge of the home. The advantage of such comparative differences between the two is likely to weigh more in favour of Madam Aisha than Buhari. So, when Madam spoke to the BBC about the type of government her husband runs in Nigeria, with likely damning consequences of what the husband should expect from her in 2019, Nigerians need to catch cold for three reasons. Yes, we should analyse her language, which to me, was strong and harsh but more revealing than the husband’s response. One, this beautiful home-mender might actually be feeling the pains and agony of over 90 per cent Nigerians who are dying from the most atrocious government in the annals of Nigeria’s history. If this is the true position, it means that, unlike her husband, she is in touch with Nigerians. Two, it could be that Aisha Buhari has become most uncomfortable with the way her husband betrayed his most accomplished benefactor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu and his camp, in distribution of the national cake, which is inclusive of appointments, that she needed to speak out. It is on record that Aisha Buhari appreciated the role Asiwaju Bola Tinubu played in making it possible for the husband’s emergence as president in a speech she gave in Lagos on May 18, 2015. May be, with that background of appreciation, it might have been nauseating for her to see an emerging cabal that was harvesting from where it did not sow. If this is so, it means that this woman is naturally not an ingrate. Three, her outburst might as well be for another reason entirely different. She could have as well been doing the work of a “faithful and dedicated town crier”, performing the duty of the biblical John the Baptist in “announcing the coming of Jesus Christ”. She could be

THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME-MENDER MIGHT ACTUALLY BE FEELING THE PAINS AND AGONY OF OVER 90 PER CENT NIGERIANS WHO ARE DYING FROM THE MOST ATROCIOUS GOVERNMENT IN THE ANNALS OF NIGERIA’S HISTORY

on a mission of flying the kite, in telling Nigerians that the husband would still be “young enough” to continue a second tenure in 2019. This is not impossible, given the fact that politics is a game of manipulation and permutation. And Aisha Buhari is brilliant and erudite enough to operate these lines in luring Nigerians into false sense of security by selling this dummy of a “divided home” whereas she is actually preparing the road [2019 – 2023] for her husband. If that is her mission, then Nigerians are in greater danger than ever. For now, we need to interpret what she said more than what she did not say and also interpret the husband’s response because while the former’s statement, on the surface is encouraging, it is the latter’s response that jeopardised wisdom and comfort for Nigerians. “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room”, he said and thereafter reminded the wife that he ran for the presidency three times before succeeding on the fourth time, as if Aisha was not with him all the time. He then threw the devastative bomb, like the true soldier he is, by saying, “so l claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition because in the end l have succeeded. It is not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition parties or to participate in the government”. I beg to be different from Garba Shehu [the president’s special senior assistant on media], who claimed that the president was just cracking a joke. It must be that Garba does not know the meaning of a joke or would not understand one when it is taken too far into the border of absurdity. How could such offensive “missile” be a joke when the president, with all ferocious audacity, grouped his wife with his political enemies, by saying that “so l claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition because in the end l have succeeded”. The language of the president against his wife was so shocking that the German leader, Chancellor Angela Merkel, standing by his side, cast a glance at Buhari and then laughed. That glance spoke millions about President Buhari and the country he governs. Etakibuebu, a veteran journalist, wrote from Lagos

THE ILLEGALITY OF THE DSS Nkemjika contends the DSS actions are unconstitutional

am one of those who had defended the actions of the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on several occasions in the past because they acted within the bounds of the law. Yes, I defended the storming of the Government House of Akwa Ibom State by DSS operatives because a Government House has no immunity. I also defended the actions of the DSS with respect to the arrest of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), the National Security Adviser (NSA) in the Jonathan Administration because its operatives had valid arrest warrants to do what they did at the time. But what I did not know until now is that the DSS is an illegal and unconstitutional body. Today, I have decided to condemn the Gestapo-style arrest of the Justices and Judges of the courts of the land by DSS operatives because they did not follow the due process of the law – which is, going for the jugular of Justices/Judges without directives from the National Judicial Council (NJC). Sadly too, emerging facts indicate not only that the DSS did not have the mandate to initiate investigations into corruption allegations in the judiciary, the Nigerian Constitution do not even recognise its existence. As far as the constitution of Nigeria is concerned, the DSS is an illegal, unconstitutional and an unknown entity. Section 214(2a) of the constitution says: “The Nigeria Police Force shall be organised and administered in accordance with such Provisions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly”. Of course, Section 4 of the Police Act, backed by Section 214 of the constitution says:

“The police shall be employed for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and shall perform such military duties within or outside Nigeria as may be required by them by or under the authority of this or any other Act”. In spite of this clear provisions of the Police Act and the constitution, the National Security Agencies Act in Section 2(3)(a) insists that the DSS “Shall be charged with responsibility for the prevention and detection within Nigeria of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria”. However, as Prof. Ben Nwabueze, a respected constitutional lawyer pointed out in “Illegality of the State Security Service” (Sunday Independent, April 2, 2006, page B7), “There can be no doubt that the functions assigned to the SSS by the NSA Act are embraced in the power vested, expressly or by implication, in the NPF by the constitution, which establishes it – Section 214. The ‘internal security of Nigeria’ is certainly embraced in the power vested in the NPF and its commander, the IGP, with respect to ‘the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order’ under section 215(3) of the constitution. It is unconstitutional and void to divest any part of that power from the NPF and the IGP and vest it in the SSS”. Prof. Nwabueze also categorically stated in the essay referenced here that “The origin of the SSS by hiving off of the

Special Branch of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and creating it into a new and separate agency by a different name taints it with unconstitutionality. Its functions under its constituent statute, the National Security Agencies Act, Cap 174 Laws of the Federation, 2004, are simply those formerly performed by the Special Branch of the NPF, which makes them a usurpation of the functions of the NPF under the constitution”. I have quoted Prof. Nwabueze extensively just to highlight the underlying illegal foundation that engenders the aversion of the DSS to the rule of law as recently demonstrated by the Gestapo-style arrest of some Justices/ Judges by its operatives in the name of trying to root out the corruption menace in the judiciary. I still believe that the DSS is an important institution to exist if we can by law restrict its activities to information gathering and analysis (actionable domestic intelligence) needed for protecting the government of the day (regime protection) and unearthing threats to Nigeria’s internal security. This is the prime function of an Intelligence agency like the DSS anywhere in the world. However, in order to keep the DSS alive to its legitimate responsibilities, we must as a matter of necessity execute the following two assignments. The first is to get at least 24 State Houses of Assembly to support the National Assembly in amending Section 214 of the constitution to accommodate the DSS as one of the security agencies to address Nigeria’s internal security challenges. This endeavour must be carried out if the legitimate existence of

the DSS is to be guaranteed since item 45 of the Exclusive Legislative List of the Second Schedule to the Constitution which lists “police and other government security services established by law” is not superior to the provisions of Section 214 of the constitution. The second, and final, is that a whole lot of amendments must be effected by the National Assembly to various sections of the NSA Act in order to make the existence of the DSS acceptable to the constitution even after Section 214 has been amended. Again, as Prof. Nwabueze pointed out several years ago, “the NSA Act is irreconcilable with the constitution for the additional reason that, unlike the NPF, the SSS is an instrument of personal power in the hands of the President by whom its principal officer (to be known by such designation as the president may determine) is appointed and may be removed, and to whom he (the principal officer) is ‘directly responsible’; (Section 3). The president too determines ‘the number and level of staff to be employed’ by the SSS, the transfer and posting of such staff, its structure, the manner in which it is to be administered and its functions exercised, etc. Its activities are under his control and direction on the recommendations of a National Security co-ordinator, who is a principal staff officer in his office appointed and removable by him; (section 4). The SSS is simply an excrescence that disfigures the face of our constitutional democracy – an anachronism”. Mr. Nkemjika is co-author of Oil Exploration in Northern Nigeria: Problems and Prospects

OCTOBER 22, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

A new lease of life

Who Killed Dele Giwa?

s a teenager, one of the passions that I indulged in was reading. Those were the days of James Hadley Chase, Mills and Boons, Pacesetters, African Writers’ series among others. An integral part of my passionate reading inclination then was Nigerian newspapers. How much I loved (I still do) reading newspapers. It was in the days of the Daily Times, Daily Sketch and the Lagos Weekend. Along the line came other exciting national dailies such as the National Concord, THISDAY, The Guardian and whole lots of others. In the course of reading the dailies, one came across several writers/columnists whose writing styles are so tantalisingly adorable and irresistible. Among such are Pini Jason, Duro Onabule, Yakubu Mohammed, Mohammed Haruna, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, among others. Of the lot, Dele Giwa was in a class of his own. Dele Giwa brought something entirely refreshing to journalism in the country. He brought an unusual air of intellectualism and enthusiasm to journalism. His write ups were sharp, factual and exhilarating. Giwa wrote in audacious fashion. Back then, one was quite young and fairly rebellious. Before long, I became totally enchanted by Giwa’s style of writings. He was the Apostle while was a disciple. It wasn’t Giwa’s writings alone that captivated me. His style did too. Giwa was a power dresser; handsome and clean. He was very sociable. So Giwa was not just about intellectuality and fine prose, he loved life and was enjoying it to the fullest. In those days, journalists were traditionally regarded as conservatives when it comes to socialising and living the good life. But Giwa changed that perception and it was for real. He rode a Mercedes Benz 200 ‘V booth’, then famously regarded as the king of the wheels. He lived in a high brow area usually reserved for society’s big movers. To Giwa, he was a ‘big boy’ in his own right. His power did not lie in a political office he was holding. His power stemmed from the tip of his pen.With his departure from the defunct National Concord and the setting up of the trail-blazing Newswatch (defunct?) magazine with three of his other colleagues, Giwa brought a brand new dimension into investigative journalism in the country. Every week, readers looked forward to being served the sumptuous journalistic menu from the stable of Giwa and his media co-travellers. It is important to stress, at this point, that

Aisha, Buhari, and Dynamics of Sexism

Giwa and his colleagues operated at a period in our national history when military juntas wielded political power. It was a period when all manner of draconian laws were promulgated to muzzle journalists. And with the brand of investigative and daring journalism that Giwa and his colleagues were practicing, there was no way they won’t run into trouble with the ruling military junta. When it eventually happened, it was in a devastating manner. One fateful Sunday morning, on October 19, 1986, the most unlikely day to execute evil, in the company of a colleague, Kayode Soyinka, a parcel that allegedly had the seal of the Presidency was brought to Giwa who reportedly cuddled it with a smile. Thereafter, he placed the lethal object on his lap while trying to unwrap its content. What followed was a deafening noise that not only blew up Giwa, perhaps Nigeria’s brightest gift to journalism, but disrupted the peace of the entire neighbourhood and indeed the nation for a long while. Tayo Ogunbiyi, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

nce upon a time in England, there were these topics of concern at a time about discrimination on married women not having full rights to own property and unmarried women going into contracts with equal stand as men. Thank God, it was abolished mid-19th century. By now Nigerians must have been going through the viral articles and posts on social media commenting on the alleged hijack of PMB’s administration by some cabal. The trend was ignited by his wife Aisha’s interview with the BBC. To our surprise, what elicits more talks is the president’s “purported joke response”. Many of which aimed at either defending the comment made by the president, that his wife “belongs to the kitchen, living room and other room”, or affirming the allegations made by the president’s wife, that the administration has been hijacked. But most of these articles we have come across were of the take that the president’s comment of his wife “belonging to the kitchen, living room and other room” is sexist. The side of these writers that discern the president’s comment to be “sexist”, have

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also received lots of counter articles aimed at vindicating him of sexism. Among them were: articles highlighting his fathomable and adamant support during her education period, and his female children. Thus, some writers published her resumé online. The published resumé is to show how well educated she has become while being married to him. That in a nutshell, he empowers women. One of these articles goes far in highlighting much freedom he has given her and his female children to study abroad, despite being a Hausa/Fulani man, whom are known to be conservatives. A country with a history of dismissing gender equality bill at Enugu State House of Assembly, and once asked the women to relocate to America for the purported equal rights is all of a sudden interested in a story of sexism. This sudden interest in sexism can best be explained by the current America’s politics of sexism by Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton in their war of quest to the White House. When has sexism become static in Nigeria? Sexism has different forms in different countries, depending on cultures and values of the people. Sexism is dynamic, not just in Nigeria and Africa, but everywhere. In America, asking your wife to be a housewife against her will could be sexism. Is it everywhere here? Let’s be honest. In UK, sexism could mean not giving the woman a long maternal leave. In Nigeria, sexism is mostly starving, assault, harassment, and so on, but not associating wife with “ministry of stomach infrastructure”. In order to understand sexism deeply, we should revisit the mother word, feminism. Feminism is simply advocacy for women’s betterment, which is also dynamic. It is defined by culture and values of a place. The basics being reproductive rights, domestic violence, sexual violence, maternity leave, equal pay and sexual harassment. We do not seem to be questioning the president either of these. We have heard stories of every bad situation having it’s good side. The good side of this, to some degree, is how it suddenly takes everyone’s mind from the horrible episodes Nigeria has witnessed recently. The incredible propensity of Nigerians to force a joke out of the most traumatising situations. The jokes that went viral about kitchen utensils made our days. Mustapha Anka, mustyanka@icloud.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 22, 2016

SPY GLASS

Segun Adebutu’s Suspicious Altruism

Segun Adebutu, CEO, Petrolex Oil and Gas, is a top player in the oil and gas business in Nigeria. He has done so well for himself and has a lot to show for his efforts. However, many are yet to come to terms with the current lifestyle of one of the sons of the Chairman of Premier Lotto, Adebutu Kessington, as he is said to be on a spending spree for ‘inexplicable’ reasons. The Iperu, Ogun State- born businessman, who is also the CEO/ Managing Director of Blue Bridge Global Resource Limited and Oladiran Engineering and Trade Nigeria Limited, is said to be throwing money around in the name of investments and social responsibility. It all began in 2014 when Adebutu, who is on the Board of Directors of Premier Lotto Nigeria Limited, launched Baseline Entertainment, with the signing in of some Hip-hop stars such as Skales and Seon, among others. He is said to have invested over N400 million in its take off, without anything to show for it. Adebutu also set tongues wagging recently when he reportedly splashed several millions of Naira on some less privileged peole in the state, in the name of giving back to his society. But many say his seeming altruism may not be unconnected to his political ambition in the gateway state. A source disclosed he was making clandestine moves to replace his brother in the Federal House of Representatives, Ladi Adebutu, who may likely vie for the number one job in the state come 2019.

Jim Ovia, a dandy of repute

That Jim Ovia is one of the most brilliant bankers in Nigeria is like stating the obvious. His wizardry as a banker beggars description, particularly when he held sway as the Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc. The respected banker, who became the chairman of Zenith Bank Plc. in June this year, is also the promoter and founder of Visafone Communications Limited as well as the proprietor of the University of Information

with Bayo Adeoye ....08054680651 and Communication Technology. Apart from his abiding love for financial analyses, one good thing about him is his dress sense, which many often describe as nonpareil. Whenever the astute banker appears at any social gathering, he always stands out in the crowd due to his impeccable dress sense. Spyglass gathered that he is on the telephone lists of many globally recognised suit designers, having been their loyal customers for many years. He obtained a B.Sc. in Business Administration from the Southern University, Louisiana, U.S.A in 1977 and a Master’s degree from the same university in 1979. He is also an alumnus of the Harvard Business School “OPM”, Boston, U.S.A. He joined IMB as Financial Analyst in 1980 and later moved to the management centre in 1987. He headed the Corporate Finance Department of Merchant Bank of Africa from 1987 to 1990. His interest in IT developed in 1977 when he worked as a parttime computer operator at Baton Rouge & Trust Company, Louisiana. A motivational speaker per excellence, he once served as Director at Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc.

Lagos Socialite, Princess Toyin Kolade Loses Mom

Top businesswoman, Princess (Dr) Toyin Kolade’s heart is heavy. She has been in a grieving mood, following the death of her mother, Madam Comfort Adejuyigbe (Iya Alaiyeure) on Monday, October 16, 2016 at 92. The late Madam Adejuyigbe is described as a righteous and prayerful mother who dedicated her life to the worship of the Almighty God till she breathed her last. A family source revealed that she will be buried at her home town, llesa, Osun State, early next year. In life, the late octogenarian did all within her humanly possible power to raise her children in the way of the Lord. In return, the children were (and still are) a source of pride to the family. For instance, Kolade is a successful businesswoman and socialite of note. She has her hands in many pies, including oil and gas, interior decor, real estate, maritime and hospitality, among others. A woman of means, she commands deep respect from young and old, especially in the political, social and business circles. More importantly, she is also in tune with the modern trends in the fashion world. Call her a show- stopper and you will only be stating the obvious. Kolade, Managing Director, Fisolak Global Resources, Fisolak Royal Furniture and Arikay Oil and Gas, joined the millionaire club at a relatively young age of 21, having learnt the ABC of doing

business from her late mother. With so much confidence, hope and clear vision, she laid the foundation of her business empire some years back. Today, Iyalaje, as she is famously called, is an inspiration to several others. No doubt, it takes a woman of gut as Kolade to thrive in the ever unpredictable business climate in Nigeria.

Akin-Olugbade to be Fatai Williams’s In-law

Prince Bolu Akin-Olugbade, Abeokuta Ogun State-born billionaire and socialite, is set to become Fatai Williams’ in-law, as his second son, Dademu, will be taking Lauratta-Fatai Williams, granddaughter of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, the late Justice Fatai Williams, to the altar. The muchanticipated traditional wedding is billed to take place at Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos on November 19, while the white wedding holds in the United Kingdom next year. The groom, Dademu, is a United States-trained investment banker, who worked with Merrill Lynch Bank in Los Angeles before returning to Nigeria as an Accounting Manager in West Africa for Reuters. He is presently a businessman. His beautiful heartthrob of many years, Lauretta, a lawyer, is daughter of Dr. Allan Fatai Williams and Mrs. Marie FataiWilliams who was an executive director of Total Nigeria.

Real Estate top player, Michael Ejoh’s new idea

Michael Anirejuoritse Ejoh is a name synonymous with real estate business in Nigeria. In the last 15 years, he has been a shining light in the industry, where he has made a name for himself. But he still has a lot to offer the industry. In line with his avowed commitment to the uplift of the industry, he is set to convene a global real estate exhibition and fair tagged ‘The T.A.G Expo’ on November 26, in Regent Park, Central London. The coming event, with the theme ‘‘Meet. Invest. Secure’’, is the first in the series of the United Kingdom/Nigeria real estate exhibition and trade shows aimed at bridging the gap as well as connecting developers and other real estate stakeholders in Nigeria to buyers and individuals with interests in Nigeria’s real estate. According to the organisers, it will attract real estate developers, financial institutions with facilities that support real estate acquisition and procurement. It will also provide the platform for showcasing

all the opportunities in products and services that the stakeholders have to offer to buyers and real estate developers alike. Besides, the annual event is envisioned to serve as a meeting point for stakeholders to network with and obtain databases of potential buyers around the world through the annual network catalogue, a TAGEXPO support publication that will be Nigeria’s premium real estate reference diary. The show is supported by reputable real estate firms across the country and varying media networks. The team of organisers led Ejoh has carefully considered the database of Nigerians in the Diaspora seeking investment opportunities and recognised the need to kick-off the event in the United Kingdom. Ejor, the boss of Lagos-based leading real estate firm, The Anirejouritse Global (TAG) Nigeria Limited, holds a Diploma in Architecture from the Yaba College of Technology and a B.Sc in Computer Science from the University of Abuja. In the course of his career, Ejor, also a graduate of the prestigious Dubai Real Estate Institute, has been part of the team that oversaw monumental projects like Rainbow Town in Rivers State, Buena Vista Estate in Lekki, World Trade Centre in Abuja, realising over N2.75bn in sales of real estate and real estate support services.

Folorunsho Alakija’s Son, Folarin set to remarry

Folarin Alakija, son of African billionaire, Folorunsho Alakija, is set to give marriage another shot, a few years after the death of his first wife, Chena, who died of cancer. Spy Glass gathered that he will be getting married to an Iranian beauty, Naganin, daughter of Tehran, an Iran-based businessman, Khosro, on November 19, at Grand Ballroom of Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The wedding, which is coming about four months after the celebrated 65th birthday of his mother, is set to be gathering momentum, as top dignitaries across the world are said to have reserved the date in their diaries. Anyone who knows the oil and gas top player can testify that she does not do her things in half measures. Perhaps, this explains the frenzy and buzz currently in social circles, as the respected Lagos socialite plans the wedding of her son. It was gathered that colourful invitation cards are already in circulation among family members, close friends of the couple, celebrities, business tycoons, politicians and high net-worth individuals. It was also gathered that the wedding party will be replicated at the bride’s parents’ base in Iran.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY OCTOBER 22, 2016

SATURDAY OCTOBER 22, 2016 T H I S D AY

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LOUD WHISPERS AUTO WRITERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; WOLRD FITNESS FASHION FILE INTERVIEW

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Somachi Kachikwu

I Find Joy in Raising Patriotic and Passionate Children

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 22, 2016

Plus

My Passion for Teaching Led Me to Offer Teachers Free Training

Her gentle, soft hand strokes the hair of the beautiful, little girl. She touches the chin of another pupil, a little boy. Her eyes beam with delight and fulfillment as the children cling to her. Mellifluously, she begins a nursery rhyme and the innocent kids pick up the chorus. She, along with all the kids, chimes the song excitedly. As she returns to her office, her heart wells up with even more conviction; she clasps her hands on her face as she realises the depth of her influence in the children’s life. She pauses along the flight of stairs and sprightly sprints to her office. An office lit with kids’ stuffs: books, crayons, cardboards, paintings, pencils and photos. Founder of Gifted Minds, Somachi Kachikwu, who is also daughter of a former Minister of Aviation, Kema Chikwe, is going places with her educational centre. You can call it a made-in-Nigeria school. It’s local but with a global outlook. It’s global but richly localised. Somachi, with an infectious passion for kids’ development, national unity and advancement, speaks with Stanley Nkwazama about her efforts at helping all kinds of children at her educational outfit. She also offers a rare glimpse into her background; talks about the role her mother and grandfather played in her life and her vision for the next 10 years

Who Somachi Kachikwu is omachi is a young lady from Imo State. I am a mother of four beautiful children. My parents are Chief and Ambassador Kema Chikwe. I grew up in Enugu. I attended the University Primary School. Thereafter, I went to the Federal Government Girls College, Owerri, which was one of the most amazing schools of the time. That is really where a lot of my foundation and skills started – and my determination to suc succeed. Following my secondary education, I went to Wesleyan University, United States of America. It is a top arts college in Connecticut. After that, I came back to Nigeria, did my National Youth Service Corps and got married. I worked for a while at Platinum Bank and the Federal Ministry of Finance. I took a break and started having kids. I went back to do my master’s degree at the University of Lon London. I returned to Nigeria before moving again to the US. I worked for a company called Kimonics. It’s an international development firm. I was in the US for about five years and then moved back to Nigeria, about three years ago. So Somachi has been around, putting together different bits of my life and building my career. Actually, I kick-started my career in international development; I studied Economics and Women Studies. As I came back to Nigeria, I was thinking: do I want to work or what should I do? By then I had four children and when you have children, education becomes a priority for you. You begin to notice the gaps. I think every mother really would do well as a minister of education because you know you want the best for your child. Therefore, from wanting the best for my children I started realising the gaps in education, at least in the city of Abuja. There are great schools in Abuja but you know schools always have their strengths. Growing Up My mum is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, influence in my life. She is a great educationist who rose to become a minister and later an ambassador. Growing up, I was very close to her. I am still close to her. My elder brother and sister went to boarding schools but my younger brother, Naeto, and I were always with her. As a child, I was always in her shadow – be it when she was

mobilising women or involved in grassroots politics; also, when she was doing her PhD in Education. She would pick us up from school and drive to Nsukka for her classes. We would be doing our homework while waiting for her. When you are a child, you do not know the impact some of these things will have on you. As you grow up, you begin to have interest in similar things. Yes, my mother was a great inspiration because she strongly believes in education as a bedrock and foundation for success and leadership. About Gifted Minds Academy Every child is gifted; what we do in Gifted Minds Academy is that we find the gifts and we harness and grow that gift in a child. Our services include, academic enhancement; we have lessons for children and in-house lessons. We have private tutorials where we match a tutor to a child. We also have online tutorials. We also partner an India-based high-performing tutorial service, which involves virtual online classes. We have preparations for different exams and book clubs. We are passionate about reading. Outside the services, we work with children. We also train teachers and provide capacity building for schools. We also run an educational consultancy outfit which caters to the needs of parents and children by helping parents to map out educational plans for their children. Mapping for Children Matters I think it is important because other than when you map out educational plans for your children, it guides you to the kind of schools you want them to attend, activities for participation and goals you are setting for your child. I notice that a lot of parents when their child is 15, they will say they want their child to go to Harvard. You start from day one; you put your child in a certain school. And you expose him to various activities. That is what we do, depending on your goals for the child. From a parent’s interest or depending on the child’s learning abilities or learning style, we are able to come up with a plan. We pick the right schools, the right activities and ensure your child grows up with a proper development plan. Facing Challenges Growing a business in Nigeria is one of the hardest things ever. It won’t be fair to compare anywhere else in the world I have worked with the country. I have never owned a business outside Nigeria. I think major challenges for me will be convincing parents on the need to invest in their children’s education. Sometimes people see my flyers and say it is too expensive. I think our process is affordable. It is a sacrifice because you will spend money and you will fly your child to London, the US, Switzerland, the Gulf and Emirates. I think parents just need to prioritise. In investing in your child’s education, there are many benefits to reap in the future. Another challenge is that at least once in a week someone from some agencies knocks on your door, if it is not tenement rate, it is FCDA for business. It

OCTOBER 22, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

Plus As A Child I was Always in My Mother’s Shadow is difficult to budget because you don’t know what is coming your way next. The unclear tax system in Nigeria worries me stiff. It is not clear to businesses, what is due and when it is due and then you just have random people knock at your gate every now and then. I think between that and convincing parents to invest in their children, the final challenge is training teachers; getting qualified teachers. Starting from October, we’ll begin to be offer pre-teacher workshops because we realised there is scarcity of well-trained teachers in the city and we cannot wait for government to put it in the budget. Interestingly, everybody has rushed into the teaching profession because the jobs are not there. Every unemployed graduate rushes to teaching as a means of survival. The truth is that not everybody has the calling to teach. You need special skills to deal with that. With that skills gap, from training teachers for a fee, we have decided to start training teachers for free. That is our own way of giving back since everyone is saying ‘Change begins with me.’ We are concerned about building teachers’ capacity. Even if they do not work for us, they work for someone else’s school. They are teaching another person’s child and the impact of teachers is important in our society. Handling Children with Different Needs My partner, Kemi Ehilabo, is a trained teacher. She has taught in England for several years. She has an amazing assessment programme. If any child walks in here, the first thing we do is to assess him before we can start work. Before we start any kind of intervention, we assess the child. We have a series of assessments. Based on that, we are able to figure out the child’s learning styles, abilities and then we design programmes suitable for that child’s learning. However, some children have unique learning needs. Some of these needs fall into the category of what we call special education. We partner with certified special educators who come in to provide needed interventions. We have kids who are in different ranges of autism spectrum. When they come, we don’t put them in a class with regular students. I am talking about the Autism Care Initiative, run by Dr. Julia Ejiogu in Wuse, Abuja. She runs an excellent programme. She was trained in the US, has a lot of experience with all levels of special needs. Beyond Exclusive Education In the next 10 years, we have a range of services we are rolling out. I would want at least one or two of our products to be in every home in Abuja. I would want when people think education, they will think about Gifted Minds knowing we offer quality education services and techniques. The target of every business is to make money. But, our target is to enhance leadership skills. That is my own way of impacting on the society. If every Nigerian is brought up with leadership skills, I think in the next 10 years, we will not have a problem with leadership or good governance. I think education is a great pathway to build citizens of Nigeria. Like Grandfather, Like Granddaughter It really wasn’t intentional. That is what amazes me. Sometimes when you look at me, I am really on the same path with my mum and grandfather. My mum ventured into politics. At least, I know I am consistent with my late grandfather, Nathan Okeoma Ejiogu. So, it impresses me any time I think my grandfather was a very great man. I am proud that I am able to continue a legacy that he started. He was passionate about education. He worked hard to ensure there was inclusive comprehensive education, so that children all over Nigeria and not the South-East, had access to education – an education that impacted on their lives and equally enabled them to make a difference in the world. I think my grandfather will be very happy. I could imagine him looking down and smiling. Satisfaction and Quitting Attitudes I am very happy. Every time I get feedbacks from parents: ‘My child is reading properly. ‘My child is more confident in school.’ ‘My child got straight A’s.’ Whenever I hear that, I am fulfilled. It actually makes me happier than a bank alert of more money in my account. Bank alerts make me happy. But achieving set educational goals for parents makes me happier.

A Gifted Genesis Gifted Minds started three years ago in a small office at Jabi. At the time we were doing only private tutorials and we were saving up. I wanted to get a bigger facility. I wanted somewhere that a parent would put her child. He would have a wide range of activities to do. We have a library and IT room as well. We have a big playground. There are also lots of activities; all types of sporting equipment are made available for the kids. On Saturdays, if parents are going for a wedding, rather than leave their children at home, they can drop them here. By the time you come back, they would have had a wide range of fun and education. It is possible here. Educational fun is part of Gifted Minds’ model where learning is fun and exciting. We want children to enjoy learning because when children enjoy learning you do not push them. You don’t have to. They will enjoy learning; pick up books and want to read; they will see a mathematics problem and attempt to solve it without on their own. Going Back to Reading We have Nigerian authors in our library of Nigeria. We have started what we call the ‘Candy Reading’ club. Every month they get a package. In the package we have books, worksheets and a pack of candies. Most children love candy. The idea is that any time a child settles to read, the parent gives them some of the candies from the pack. It’s a little motivation just to get them to read. They have three weeks to read the books. They come to the centre and we do activities around the book. The thing about reading is that you can use books to teach them about so many things. I am also passionate about letting Nigerian children know about Nigeria. Nigerian children go to schools where the curriculum is not foreign. And when it is not, it means they are not learning Social Studies and History. Even for my own children, at some point they could not tell the 36 states and their capital. When I was six, I could have done that. We are using books about Nigeria, by Nigerians, sold in Nigeria and made in Nigeria. The quality may not be great, but I tell parents, not to bother about the quality of the books. I encourage them to look at contents of the books. Let children be proud to read about characters, called Ada and Musa. People they can relate to in their immediate environment. It is hard getting access to children’s literature in Nigeria. It is a field I wish that more people should go into. This month we have a Nigerian author, Chioma Mamah. She wrote a book ‘First day at the Big School.’ She will do a book reading. We are to talk to the children how to be a proud Nigerian. So that is also something that matters to us at Gifted Minds Academy. We teach patriotism. It bothers me when you ask children where they come from and they tell you that they are from America. They are not from America; they are from Imo, Delta or Kaduna State. That is one of the things we try to teach children here. Public Speaking for Kids We have an intensive reading and writing programme which is for kids between four and seven years. We make sure that they get their proper tenses right. It is important. When you speak English, tenses will always give you up. Another thing we do is for children who take English classes as their comprehension. We also do reading activities to help improve spoken English. Because we are a leadership centre, public speaking is important. So, we join the children to read out loud and effect the corrections there and then. When you read aloud you are not reading to yourself. As you stand up to read, it helps you to overcome stage fright. You are trained to be bold when you speak in the public. Finding a Place for Indigenous Languages Over the summer, we ran a programme where Nigerian languages were part of the curriculum. It is an immersion class. When you enter the class, only an indigenous language is spoken. That is the only way to learn a language and get immersed in it. Sorry to say that getting kids to learn French and Mandarin, is like a lot of parents are literally pouring money

down the drain. The child would get some words and won’t be able to speak them. Immersion is really the only way to learn a language. So we do that with the local language as well. Also, we have a great CD. It is a cartoon based in Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. It is always played once the kids start coming in around 4 0’ clock. It is important to learn to speak one’s language. It is also important for safety and unity; to at least know how to understand and greet in different languages is a thing of joy. We live in Abuja, it would be nice to know how to say: ‘hello,’ ‘thank you,’ ‘you are welcome,’ etc. When you speak to people in their local language they appreciate it a lot. So while we try to teach people their own indigenous language, we also try to see if the kids can learn the basics of major languages in Nigeria.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OctOber 22, 2016

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Musiliu Obanikor

Musiliu Obanikoro: Welcome back My egbon just landed and went straight into the custody of the EFCC. That is bravery and courage. A man who was lucky enough to have been outside the borders of the country and instead of continuing his journey to Ecuador or Venezuela, willingly came back to face all the accusations and alleged crimes should be rewarded with a Nobel Prize for courage. Just before the decision to come back was made, I was approached for my thoughts on the matter. He had called me to sound me out since he felt that I could help to smooth the path to his re-entry. You guys are wondering why, just be looking, shey because you all see me as a hungry columnist and Shomolu man; you do not know the kind of influence I wield simply because of my closeness to Tinubu’s driver. Well, people like Obanikoro who need to know my power know how to use it. Immediately I was contacted, I sent the signal to the right quarters on the possibility of Obanikoro being given a soft landing once he comes back voluntarily. The feedback I got was very encouraging, so I gave him the green light and added my own advice. I said to him: please fly back with Arik Air so it would look as if you are supporting the government’s buy ‘made-in-Nigeria’ campaign. He should also wear only white so that he would be supporting the ‘Change Begins with Me’ campaign. Immediately he lands, he should recite the national pledge on the tarmac and get his people welcome him with APC registration forms. He should avoid people like Fayose, Fani Kayode, two Supreme Court Justices and one Federal High Court Judge. He should buy gifts like teddy bears and Donald Trump autographed portraits for people like Lai Mohammed, Osinbajo and the Ogun State Governor. From what I hear, he must have taken my advice because as he landed, he was given enough time to get home, take his bath, and enter the “other room” for a quickie before surrendering himself. Well, the following days are surely going to be exciting as we await a review of his feature in the very first Nollywood political thriller; remember he played a major role in the movie where he gave an Oscar-winning performance in the bushes of Ekiti. Kai, the things that men do. Justice Ademola, the gun and my advice The front-page news hit me with a thud. It blared with an unmistakable headline, “I wrote my statement with a gun pointed to my head.” You see the problem with this Aje butter people. They do not know how to fight or defend themselves. So even if it was true they pointed a gun to your head, would you now write what you did not do because of a common gun? By the way, how will you not fear when in all your life, you have never watched a Chinese film nor have you ever been accosted by an agbero. Next time my Lord, anytime anybody points a gun at you, whether it is DSS or guguru Defence, you should just sit down, adjust your face into a

Justice Ademola

Emem Isong

Aisha Buhari: Advice from the ‘Other Room’ You see, as a husband I find myself very supportive of Mr. President in this situation. When things that should be discussed or have been discussed in the “other room” now get discussed in the open, especially on a platform as widereaching as the BBC Hausa service, it begins to get very disturbing. You see, the power that is being wielded in the “other room” is so much and far-reaching. In that room the person in charge is not the husband, in this case, the president. The person in charge decides when or how things are done, the timing, the duration and the various styles. So in that room, you respect yourself and follow instructions, or else you will be kicked out of that room. Ask my friend, Bill Clinton who during the Mona Lewinsky saga was kicked out of that room and had to sleep on the couch. That was how the most powerful man in the world became very powerless in that room. So when the power was now extended to other platforms where the “room power” was not meant to extend, you begin to see the president’s quagmire and the need to act with wisdom. What we have today in Nigeria is a country of wicked people. Do you people see how beautiful this First Lady is and you now want our president to react violently and lose all his rights and privileges in the “other room”? Me, I support our Oga in his reaction o! He had to be very careful, try to play down the matter in a bid to give himself some level of platform to begin fruitful negotiations in that “other room”. What he was fighting for was a continuous

access to critical factors that make a man, a real man. Food and the other thing, and no amount of taunting and cajoling will make him disrupt the equilibrium, for when the punishment comes, nobody will serve it with him. Ask me, I have been sleeping on the couch now for all of four years simply because my phone fell into the wrong hands and today, I am in exile in my own house with no access to that room or the things that get offered in the room. I am now a nervous wreck. That said, my advice to our all powerful First Lady is to kindly wield this influence with kind caution. Your husband loves you very much and is really trying his best to make things work in this country despite the many challenges caused by PDP. Remember, all these wahala including the so-called people “he does not know” who have hijacked his cabinet are all PDP people. So you should kindly just discuss these matters in the “other room”, providing him with the necessary support and advice that would enable him come out and be the best president this country has ever seen. What you did was putting him in a position where he had to choose between you and Nigeria and that is very unfair to the 170 million of us for I know he will definitely choose you like I would do. Please ma, don’t vex, let’s just keep everything including your thoughts on sensitive state matters in that room. Thank you very much. Kai, but you are really an extremely beautiful and intelligent woman, the best First Lady so far. Keep up the good works. God bless you and your family.

mean frown, look into the barrel of the gun with wicked eyes, think of the man holding the gun slapping your mother or your house girl, whichever one is dearer to you and you will begin to erupt with righteous anger and with a scream, you will jump into the snake in the monkey’s shadow fighting-stance, kicking the gun out of the hands of the

DSS operative. In a swift move, also kicking him in his balls and with an elbow to his back, he will fall down and faint. By this time, the alarm would have been rung and hundreds of DSS agents will come running in; You will now tear your shirt and tie a piece around your head like Rambo. Hit your head on the wall, so that blood will come out.

You taste your blood so that you get really angry. By this time, the agents are rushing in and you are decimating them with blows and kicks. Some, you will head-butt, others you will grab their balls and squeeze them dry while still screaming like a monkey. You know, na exactly how Bruce Lee used to do it. After killing like 100 agents with your bare hands, you will now move out of the premises towards Aso Rock; you must end this once and for all, and they call out the Army. Only you o, they are throwing bombs and bullets, Kai, you are just taking them out, justice Ademola in action. By this time, you would have captured one armoured tank and firing from all angles. People are running away; as you move, you see Senator Ben Bruce running for dear life, you wave at him, he is a nice man. By this time, the government realising that the situation is getting out of hand will pull back troops from Sambisa Forest and the Niger Delta to reinforce but all these will not deter you. By the time you get to the gates of Aso Rock, they will have no choice but to call for negotiations. Kai, Justice, please wake up Jo. As chief Eleyinmi in the now rested very popular Village Headmaster drama series which I am sure even you watched in your younger days would say, ‘Gun ko, Gun ni’. There is nothing we will not hear. Airtel: Emem Isong delivers a blow A few months ago, I wrote a caustic piece on the need for Airtel to respect the Ibibio people. They had launched a campaign where they had further cemented the notion of the Ibibio person as a semi-literate, idiotic man-child. This campaign received a lot of airtime and is still running despite protests from the Ibibio nation. In that write-up, I had decried the continuous depiction of these very proud people in that light when there are so many positive aspects of our people that can be highlighted with the same effect. Looks like Emem Isong was listening, for she invited me to a sneak preview of her new movie titled, ‘Ayanna’. The event was packaged by the rave-making new media outfit, the Manny Udoh-led Katunga Media. As I sat and watched the movie, my head was reeling with pride. As the movie evolved into a kaleidoscope of colours, the deep storyline and sound technical quality immediately grabbed my attention and threw me into the lush forests of Akwa Ibom land. Emem in this work will succeed in repairing the damage caused over the years by a nation that grew up deriding the Ibibio nation with firms like Airtel further cementing these negative stereotypes, forgetting that the Akwa Ibom people were its very first investors when the company first came on board. Well, Emem’s movie backed by the Bank of Industry not only sends a message of national revival but is also a beautiful love story even as it provides a platform for the viewers’ soothing smooth incursion into the Ibibio culture. Well done my sister and keep up the good works.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY OCTOBER 22, 2016

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 22, 2016

EVENTS

twasjoyallthroughrecentlywhen Mr. Lateef Balogun took former Miss Aisha Ahmadu Sheidu as hiswifeatawell-celebratedNikkai Ceremony in Lagos. Here are some of the personalities that attended the event Photographs byYomi Akinyele Couple, Mr. Lateef Balogun and his wife, Aisha

L-R: Bride’s parent, Hon. Babatunde Balogun and Mrs Tolani Balogun

L-R:Bride’s mother, Mrs Amina Sheidu and bride’s brother, Mr. Abubakar Sheidu

L-R: General and Mrs. David Jemibewon

L-R: Mr. Tunde Akinrinmisi and Prince Samuel Adedoyin

Chief Kola Jamodu and wife, Funmi

L-R: Prince Olushola Akanmode and General Raji Rasaki

L-R: Senator Bode Olajumoke and Chief Emeka Okafor

Dr. Leke Pitan, Alhaji Waheed Kassim and Air Vice Marshal S.O. Smith

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R â&#x20AC;¢ OCTOBER 22, 2016

IMAGES

L-R: Former I.G Musiliu Smith, Alhai Tajudeen Yusuf, and Major Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju

L-R: Ahmed Ezidighe and Kashim Ibrahim

L-R: Mr. Dele Alake and Senator Ganiyu Solomon

L-R: Mr. Eniola Bello and Mr. Sony Ekedayen

Hon. Steve Mayaki and his wife, Bridget

L-R: Mr. Yomi Idowu and AIG Tunji Alapinni

L-R: Ajisafe Toye, Bilki Davies and Khadijat Agusto

Chief Emeka Okafor and Princess Tessy Yembra

L-R: Modele Sarafa-Yusuf and Ahjia Rakiya Zubairu

L-R: Chief (Mrs) Gani Dawodu, Chief (Mrs) Fattimah Rasaki and Alhaja Laraba Ibrahim

L-R: Chief (Mrs) Bola Ogundele and Alhaja Tope Lawal

L-R: Mrs Abiosede Noah, Mrs Ikpen Doroty and Mrs Kaltai

VINTAGE

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 22, 2016

The Great Zik Was Here... Welcome to the Revamped Premier’s Lodge Laurence Ani

n a few weeks time just about anyone could stroll down the courtyard of the old Premier’s Lodge in Enugu in much the same manner as its previous occupant had done over 60 years ago. You may also, in fact, slouch at a desk as the former illustrious resident of this lodge must have done countless times and ponder how he would have felt carrying the weight of his people’s expectations. Or simply indulge your fantasies and pretend to rehearse for one of those typically riveting stump speeches that made him a household name across the country. The occupant referred to here is the venerable nationalist and Nigeria’s first president, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. The old Premier’s Lodge where Azikiwe once lived as the premier of the Eastern Region is getting a makeover intended to bring back the classic grandeur it once exuded during its colonial and post-independence heyday. When complete the makeover, as conceived by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, will prepare the facility for its new status as a tourist centre. “We actually want to have that place as a heritage. We’re going to have shelves for the artifacts and put some of his personal effects like eyeglasses, letters and books on display,” said the project’s coordinator, Agu Chukwuemelie, sounding upbeat. Although the progress of the repairs has been slowed down by the rains, he is nonetheless confident the facility will be ready for use in about one month. “It’s something we want to do in remembrance of Zik,” Chukwuemelie, who is also the general manager and chief executive officer of Enugu Housing Development Corporation, said. But despite the optimism, the challenge of refurbishing a structure built in the 1950s and retaining its original pristine look is not lost. “We want to renew and beautify it; but we’re doing so without giving it a modern architectural design,” he said, pointing out that such consideration is the reason behind the choice of black roof and, possibly, white coat for the building. “We won’t touch the windows extensively. The places with wood we would polish and retain but replace the bad ones. And where there are tiles we won’t alter.” Even amid the pile of debris and the frenzied shuffling as the masons worked to meet the schedule, standing within the building

Ugwuanyi

Renovation of the Premier’s Lodge, Enugu

felt like being frozen in time with the musty smell and the many monochrome pictures of First Republic figures and artworks strewn across the rooms. The addition of some of the foremost nationalist’s personal effects and memorabilia which his widow, Professor Uche Azikiwe, had promised to make available, will further strengthen that perception. This trove of history is expected to be a key attraction for visitors just as buildings erected as memorial in honour of influential leaders around the world have been. Major examples include the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, built in honour of two presidents of the United States of America - George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Another notable memorial with a huge tourist traffic is the Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, London, built as a monument to the heroic exploits of Horatio Nelson, a British admiral who earned immense fame after he won the Battle of Trafalgar against a FrenchSpanish fleet in 1805. The project coordinator is also confident that a refurbished Premier’s Lodge would positively impact the value of real estate in

the adjoining neighbourhood and hence the decision to construct the Heritage Estate, a leasehold development. “I think it would even increase its value because everyone would love to reside in an estate where Zik’s official residence is located,” he said, to allay fears that a housing estate might obscure the aesthetics of the Lodge. Work on the perimeter fence has been concluded and the allottees would start building soon. With the sharp drop in oil price and the consequent adverse effect on Nigeria’s income, many states are teetering on the brink as regards their statutory obligations. In fact, only a few (that includes Enugu State) are able to pay salaries of public workers when due owing to reduced earnings from the federal purse. States have been exploring alternative sources of revenue to make up for the shortfall. In Enugu, investing in tourism is a promising option being explored. So, the makeover of Zik’s former official residence is consistent with Governor Ugwuanyi’s goal to give tourism in Enugu a new sheen and make it a vibrant sector that

can bolster the state’s economy. Closely linked to this goal is the plan to establish a new zoo in Enugu, some years after the Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani administration shut the old one and converted the space to residential use. It’s a fitting tribute to memorialize the official residence of Nigeria’s first president and one of Africa’s preeminent anti-colonial voices, but there is a compelling - even if hitherto overlooked - point which further validates the choice of his home as a launchpad for Enugu’s tourism dream: Zik was quite passionate about tourism. You would not doubt that if you had ever been to Onuiyi, the pastoral community in Nsukka with an altitude that gives it a mostly agreeable weather. It was here he built his famous Onuiyi Haven and spent much of his retirement years. So a visit to a home where this great personality once held court should be a time well spent and, of course, an experience worth the visitors’ fee. You would agree once you have felt its rustic splendour. That will not be long for it’s only a matter of weeks before the Premier’s Lodge is open to the public.

PERSPECTIVE

AbiaUniversity:RelocationofFacultiesofLawandHumanities, PoliticsDrivento RidiculousLevel Uzoh Egboh

he Abia state University (ABSU) has had a checkered history of sorts since its inception. This great institution of learning began humbly as Imo State University in the ramshackle structures of Madonna high school Etiti Mbano during the Sam Mbakwe administration. Then the military government of Gen. Ike Nwachukwu gave it a boost when it was relocated to this permanent site, in the lush valleys of Uturu, beautifully and magnificently enveloped by the rolling green hills of Okigwe. Partly because of the incomparable environment of this school and the uniqueness of its mission as the bakery for the production of the goods for which Imo state of yore was famous education being the Imo industry, and partly for the vision of the then Sam Mbakwe administration to avoid railroading a lofty idea such as this in the rocky waters of jejune local nationalism that will atomize the vision, there existed no poly campus structure from the onset. When Abia state was created in 1991 there was a stalemate as to the life of this institution

because continuing as Imo State University was the simplistic way to carry on. The combined efforts of the Uzo Egbo Administration in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, the Uturu elders and some illustrious members of academic staff of the University such as Prof M.A. Mkpa, Prof Mrs Kanno, Dr Jachimike Adiele fought and proved that this institution was situated in the depths of Uturu land and as such its true identity was not in question. Thus Abia state University was born. Our Imo brothers then fled home when we began to prove the boundary between Uturu and their brothers that formed Okigwe town far into the heart of the city. ABSU continued to grow in form and content and ought to have been so as to attain its full -potential, until someone began to conceive the sinister balkanization of this natureendowed environment with its ambience of splendor that no University in this country can rival. One thought that the now evident miscalculations that birthed the debacle called Umuahia Campus of ABSU, would have been lesson enough. Totally obscure and, lacking in academic ambience, it is almost an eyesore. The proprietary paternalism that is befuddling this administration into leaving Abia State

University comatose and of course, moribund is, at best, ill conceived. Umuahia has two great Federal Institutions --The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture and The Crop Research Institute. Umuahia has no need for a poorly funded ramshackle and epileptic campus of the great ABSU. Now someone is at it again. Now as before, for myopic political calculations, probably occasioned by the Uche Ogah/Okezie Ikpeazu governorship imbroglio, an attempt is being made to further atomize ABSU, by removing some vital faculties to some remote location in Umuahia and Aba. That Dr. Uche Ogah is from Uturu is not a valid reason to punish Uturu by removing a greater part of academic Faculties in ABSU from Uturu more so now that Abia State Government cannot pay workers’ salary not to talk of setting up infrastructures needed for the take-off of such faculties in a new location. The best thing this government should do for Umuahia and Aba people is to greatly improve on the decaying infrastructure at Umuahia instead of stretching it to the limit and to keep Aba growing as the commercial city that it is respectively. Let this government rebuild and renew the soul of those great cities — healing the long festering injury

of colossal marginalization and neglect of past administration. Aba already has her fair share of academic institutions, both private and public. A government that cannot pay its staff wages will not find the required funds to embark on the luxury of a multi-campus structure for University whose only complaint is the dearth of subventions and grants from the already gasping Abia State government. Any attempt to balkanize ABSU now or in the future will only stifle life out of her, rob her of her intelligentsia, dismember her of the fabrics that organically hold her faculties together, emasculate her ebullient student population, put a knife on the vision and mission of this great citadel, and generally throw wet blanket on things, as it were. The generality of Abians, the lsuikwuato district, and the Uturu people abhor this move. It is evil. It is petty. It is an affront on the collective sensibilities of all well meaning Abians. It is politics driven to a ridiculous nadir. Abia is already perched on a precipice. ABSU must not die! This petty political gerrymandering will only culminate in eviscerating an already hemorrhaging institution. Let wisdom prevail over Politics. – Uzoh Egboh writes from Umuahia

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 22, 2016

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES BY

Still on First Bank’s Foibles

et us welcome Television Continental (TVC) to this column. Its STANDPOINT news scroll of October 15 fumbled: “Arrested judges: NJC, NBA disagrees (why?) with The Presidency” THISDAY of October 15 goofed copiously: “Some people are (were) sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position.” First Bank’s serial errors continue this week: “We would be showcasing the career potentials (potential or potentialities) in food….” (Fullpage advertisement, THISDAY, October 15) ‘Potential’ is uncountable. “Her lips curl solemnly and fondly as she let (lets) out the first few words about her life with her parents.” It would have been ‘let’ if ‘curl’ had been inflected (past tense). “As she narrates the episodes of her sojourn on earth, she makes the most challenging moment of life appears (appear) ordinary.” “The only time we had a misunderstanding that almost resulted into (in) physical fight was the day….” “…at the party level or at (on) the national platform….” “…the Ondo debacle is beginning to show Asiwaju as a giant with a clay feet.” Loud whispers: a giant with clay feet “Speed Limiter: Six days post motem (sic) (six days’/six-day post-mortem)” Finally from THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER: “…is a society where the playing field between the rich and the poor are (is) more balanced than in any nation I have experienced.” From DAILY SUN of October 10 comes the next flaw: “Lack of funds hinder (hinders) ex-Oil minister, Diezani’s probe” “2019 general elections (election) in danger,

says Senate” (The Guardian Front Page Banner, September 28) “Abagana Welfare Union, Central Executive: all correspondences (correspondence) to President-General” And this: “siege of (to) Abagana….” (Full-page advertorial, DAILY SUN, September 14) “Telecoms operators link poor services on (to) 20 unapproved handsets” (The Guardian Front Page Headline, October 3) “Uncertainty as PDP goes for make or mar (make-or-mar) national convention” (Centre spread headline, DAILY SUN, August 17) The Guardian of October 14 fumbled two ti mes: “The United States has donated a whooping (whopping) N995 billion to the Multinational Joint Task Force to boost military operations against the Boko Haram insurgency, the U.S. government has said.” Conscience, Nurtured by Truth: no whooping cough, please “Also, the (The) Presidency has pledged to garner the necessary investments to improve the wheeling capacity of the nation’s transmission infrastructure.” Would it have been ‘unnecessary’ investment? Still on THE GUARDIAN under focus: “He said that is (was) why he would come back to salvage the state and rescue it to put it back to realize it’s (its) pride of place as he left it in 2003 and go even beyond that.” “Cash and carry (Cash-and-carry) democracy, bane of Nigeria’s development” “Falana supports Soyinka’s objections on (to) Sexual Offences Bill” “Train to become a certified child care personnel (official)” ‘Personnel’ is a collective noun. “In other jurisdiction (another jurisdiction or other jurisdictions), you don’t just file for the sake of filing, you can’t just take a matter for the sake of taken (taking) it.”

“We therefore regret any inconveniences this might cause our esteem (esteemed) distributors. This announcement is ordered by Tiens Group—Nigeria.” “NDIC boss charges corps members on bank saving (bank-saving) culture” “…and newly-elected officials sworn-in (sworn in) at the federal and state levels….” Phrasal verbs abhor hyphenation. “Oil swap (Oil-swap) contracts: AITEO not front for Jonathan, Alison-Madueke—Spokesperson” Except if the headline caster meant that oil was swapping contracts! “Jigawa council chairmen pledge support to (for) APC govt” “I wish you many more years in good health and prosperity, to further your accomplishments to (in) journalism and humanity (service to humanity, you mean?)” “I and my wife, Lady (My wife, Lady…and I….) Etymological sequence is critical to good writing. “Use of made-in Nigerian (Nigeria) cars by Mr. President (Buhari) will lift auto industry” “Tribunal will recover Abia stolen mandate, APGA chieftain assures” Who did the chieftain assure? “Soyinka laments Chibok girls (girls’) continued captivity” (THE NATION ON SUNDAY, October 16) THE NATION ON SUNDAY of October 9 comes up next with the following errors: “Dangote commissions (inaugurates/auspicates/launches, et al) $500 million cement plant in Ethiopia” “Buhari to flag off (inaugurate) super highway in Cross River” “First and foremost, you must look at the PDP; they mismanaged their victory and haven (having) mismanaged the victory….” “The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria…played very prominent roles dur-

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

ing the electioneering campaigns that ushered in the new administration.” ‘Electioneering’ and ‘campaigns’ cannot co-exist in the same lexical environment as the former encompasses the latter. From THE NATION ON SUNDAY of October 2 issues the next set of diseased lines: “Ekweremadu: Igbos (Igbo) right to vote for PDP” “On the occasion of your birthday anniversary….” For the umpteenth time, ‘birthday’ and ‘anniversary’ cannot co-function. ‘Birthday’ is the anniversary/commemoration of one’s birth.

FEEDBACK

TAKE note that the old, grammatical rule that “one” must be followed by “one” and its parts –“one, one’s, oneself”, has changed. The feeling that the repetition of “one”—one’s (e.g. One must do what one can to ensure one’s family a decent standard of living) makes for a stilted style has now led to the permissible shift from “one, one’s” to “he, his” (e.g. One must do what he can to ensure his family a decent standard of living). In general, a shift in the number or nature of pronouns is undesirable, but this particular shift is established usage. Examples: When one is in power and things go his way in highly competitive elections, his first task is to fight his own mentality. Perhaps one has gone to the university where he has been given the wrong orientation that his degree is an opportunity to reach for the skies just like that. One could be said to hate himself if he lacks self–confidence in his abilities. Every user of the language, particularly every journalist or communicator, must keep abreast of the current changes—the dynamics—in the language. (BAYO OGUNTUNASE/08056180046)

Aren’t we All Internally Displaced Persons After all?

hat Nigeria is an ailing nation is a notorious fact. But what irks is the way and manner its contradictions almost always find ways of bubbling to the fore to submerge the inherent positive values of a people otherwise marked for greatness. The case of the country seems to be that of one week one trouble, ranging from the comical to the bizarre and the unbelievable. Nigeria kills hope; enervates even the most endowed and inspired of her citizens; and fritters away the goodwill of the world. It takes a country like Nigeria to, in one breadth move close to defeating boko haram terrorism and in another, deliberately recreate (by state actions, inactions or both) the circumstances that led to the birth of the deadly sect in the first place. What is going with the Shittes in Kaduna and spreading to other states of the north is an example. The menace of herdsmen who have become agents of death and destruction in the middle-belt and other parts of the country in recent times is another. So also is the resurgent militancy in the Niger delta. The list can go on and on. But the focus of this column today is the fate of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) littered in many camps and make-shift holding areas in the North-east and other parts of Nigeria. The situation with the IDPs has unfortunately become another sad example of the contradictions of Nigeria; a representation of almost everything that is wrong with us as a people forcefully bond together in a marriage of convenience contrived by British colonialism. Images of malnourished children from the camps are now juxtaposed with stories of sleaze by officials who cart away food and supplies meant for them. It seems the country’s public officials are no longer moved by fear of shame anymore. That is why a probe of this highly distraught situation by the National Assembly is stimulating only a half-hearted and haphazard response from those charged with the responsibility of providing food and care for the millions of displaced persons. The other day, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, shunned a hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on IDPs investigating allegations of mismanagement and misappropriation of billions of naira voted for this unfortunate and underprivileged lot. It was at this investigation that the nation was shocked with disclosure that N270million was allegedly used to clear grass in the IDP camps where hunger and diseases are threatening to finish up the blood-sucking campaign of destruction which boko haram started. Another frivolous expenditure of N188.69 million allegedly for Nigerian refugees living in Minawao, Republic of Cameroon also came under spotlight. About N12billion was voted for the Presidential Initiative on the North-East (PINE) to alleviate the sufferings of the displaced but a substantial sum of this money seems to have been deployed to aggravate their misfortune. Mr. Sani Zoro, Chairman of the Reps Committee rightly expressed disappointment over the disdainful non-appearance by the SGF who “did not write to intimate us on why his office would not come to explain why issues of internally displaced persons have remained un-encouraging, in spite of the billions of naira claimed to have been spent.” The

PEOPLE2PEOPLE WITH

OKE EPIA Telephone (sms only): 07059850016 Email: resourceman.oke@live.com. Twitter: @resourceme

Dambazzau, Minister of Internal Affairs

lawmaker spoke further: “As the secretary to the government under whose office the rehabilitation of the North-East was placed, we had expected him to come to throw light on the financial expenses made by his office. We also expected him to explain the implementation framework being used to spend money. We have been inundated by reports of diversion of materials and funds meant for the rehabilitation of the IDPs, and the North-East and the scandal had led to international embarrassment for the country. Given the issues of credibility and integrity raised against the agency in charge of the North-East Initiative (PiNE) which falls under the SGF office, we had expected him to respect the invitation.” As I write, there has been no official reaction from Mr. Lawal on these nerve-racking allegations against his office. In a similar move, the Senate during the week commenced a separate investigation of the IDPs situation. Its President, Bukola Saraki during the inauguration of an ad-hoc committee for that purpose vowed that looters of the funds will be fished out. He said the Committee chaired by Sen. Shehu Sani, the renowned ex-civil society activist from Kaduna State, has a mandate to act on behalf of the displaced 4.5 million families in the North East who are in desperate need of assistance; another 1 million in danger of extreme malnutrition; and the over 2 million who are beyond the reach

of aid. “The whole world is watching. We must ensure that there are no cover-ups as this is the first committee of its kind that has been inaugurated to embark on this task,” Saraki told the committee, adding that: “The recommendations that you will submit from the investigation will help us ascertain how much has been spent in our response to this crisis, and will also help us improve our coordination efforts so that the international community will have confidence in us.” Speaking with the air of someone fully aware of the burden placed on his shoulders, Sen. Sani expressed readiness to deliver on the task. “It is alleged that billions of naira and countless trucks of grains meant for the IDPs have been misappropriated and diverted,” he said, noting rather regretfully that “this has been happening while according to UNICEF, an estimated 400,000 children under the age of 5 will suffer from severe acute malnutrition and more than 4 million people are facing food shortages. It is very alarming that the UNHCR has put Nigeria at Level 3, being the highest level of humanitarian emergency in the world. At a time when our gallant troops are winning the war on terror, some people are choosing to engage in corrupt practices and self-enrichment. This is sabotage bordering on treason. This is blood money.” But while the trail of this blood money is being tracked by federal legislators, good news about the recovery of 21 out of the over 200 abducted Chibok girls filtered into town. It has been celebration and chest-thumping by the administration which has come under intense criticisms for its failure to rescue the girls as promised during the electioneering campaigns. President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday captured the upbeat mood of his government on the development when he hosted the freed girls at the state house and promised to turn their lives 360 degrees. “My dear children,” he began, “this is a happy moment for me and for all Nigerians. I welcome you back to freedom. It is a moment your parents, the nation and the international community have been eagerly waiting for, since your abduction on 14th April 2014. These dear daughters of ours have seen the worst that the world has to offer. It is now time for them to experience the best that the world can do for them. The government and all Nigerians must encourage them to achieve their desired ambitions.” For emphasis, the President said: “Aside from rescuing them, we are assuming the responsibility for their personal, educational and professional goals and ambitions in life. Obviously, it is not late for the girls to go back to school and continue the pursuit of their studies. These 21 girls will be given adequate and comprehensive medical, nutritional and psychological care and support. The federal government will rehabilitate them, and ensure that their reintegration back to the society is done as quickly as possible.” That is heart-warming. But it will be more than heart-warming if the hundreds if not thousands or millions of girls, boys and toddlers threatened with extreme malnutrition, diseases and death in IDPs camps are protected from blood-sucking vampires in government. In that way, we can retain some hope that Nigeria is not an entirely lost cause; and that we have not all become IDPs in morals, sense of humanity and humaneness. ––Epia, Publisher of OrderPaper.ng is on Twitter @ resourceme.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 22, 2016

auTO

BMW i8 Spyder to Launch by 2018 Stories by Bennett Oghifo

MW has confirmed that a roadster version of the i8 plug-in hybrid will launch within two years, according to Automotive News. A concept version of the i8 Spyder was first seen back in 2012 at the Beijing Auto Show and production was scheduled to begin much earlier, but it has been delayed a number of times. Now, BMW CEO Harald Krueger confirmed that the i8 roadster will be joining the BMW lineup in 2018. Alongside the new roadster, a revised version of the i8 coupe is also expected to launch in the next two years. Both cars are expected to have a longer-range battery pack and a more powerful electric motor. Currently, the i8 uses a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged 231-hp gas engine as well as a 131-hp electric motor for a combined total output of 362 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Rumour has it that the new i8 will make somewhere around 420 horsepower. Inspiration for the car will also come from the i Vision Future Interaction Concept, which was revealed at CES packing all sorts of technology and some new design ideas. Also, BMW’s future interiors will be a SciFi dream. BMW rolled out two different i8 concepts along with an i3 and more to show off its latest technology at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. The star of these concepts is the BMW i Vision Future Interaction concept, which is an i8 with an interior packed full of futuristic technology. High-resolution vehicle displays including a 21-inch screen are found throughout the interior, which are controlled using gestures, touch-sensitive surfaces and voice controls. BMW says that the content on each screen will match the situation the vehicle is in, while other key info is shown on a head-up

BMW i8 Spyder

display. This i8 concept has three drive modes that have a range of autonomy, from the highly autonomous auto mode to pure drive, in which the driver is in full control. There is also the BMW i8 Mirrorless concept which, as the name implies, ditches its mirrors for cameras which feed their footage to a display which replaces the interior rear-view mirror. Besides showing you live footage, the screen will feature superimposed trajectory

lines along with yellow warning icons to show imminent hazards. BMW also revealed its new Open Mobility Cloud, which allows the brand’s cars, in this case an i3, hook up to a smart home and with personal devices. This will allow all of your devices to share information with your vehicle, including your calendar, mobility options, energy status of the home and charge status of the i3. This i3 is also fit with gesture control parking,

which means the car will recognize certain gestures and can drive into and out of a parking space fully autonomously. For security, bumper detect will know if the car is being tampered with and can send a live video feed to your device. For those interested in BMW’s on two wheels, the brand showed off new laser light in the K1600 GTL that have a range of 600 meters. The brand also showed a motorcycle helmet with a built-in head-up display.

HyundaiTucson, GenesisTop Segments in J.D. Power Experience Study

he J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Tech Experience Index StudySM, named the Tucson and Genesis highest in overall customer experience with vehicle technology in the SUV and midsize premium segments. The inaugural study measures owner experience, usage and interaction with driver-centric vehicle technology. Each model outperformed the competition in their respective segments, with Tucson ranking the highest in six evaluation categories – collision protection, comfort and convenience, driving assistance, entertainment and connectivity, and navigation. The Genesis outperformed 20 other vehicles to rank highest in its competitive segment. “Advanced safety and convenience technologies are top of mind for many drivers, and we are thrilled that our models are exceeding expectations in these crowded segments,” said Mircea Gradu, Director of Engineering & Quality, Hyundai Motor America. “From being among the first to implement and standardize leading safety technologies, Hyundai Motor is committed to providing better technologi-

cal solutions for a better owner and driver experience.” Mircea Gradu, Director of Engineering & Quality, Hyundai Motor America, accepts 2016 U.S. Tech Experience Index trophies for the Tucson and Genesis from Mike Battaglia, Vice President of Automotive Retail Global Automotive Practice, J.D. Power. About J.D. Power J.D. Power is a marketing, consumer intelligence, and data and analytics company that helps its clients measure, understand, and improve the key performance metrics that drive their growth and profitability. J.D. Power’s industry benchmarks, unique data and analytics platform and reputation for independence and credibility has established the company as one of the world’s most wellknown and trusted providers of Voice of the Customer insights. Established in 1968, J.D. Power is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, and has offices in North/South America, Asia Pacific, and Europe. 2017 Hyundai Tucson

NADDC Combats Substandard Auto Parts

ational Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure that motor vehicles and auto spare parts, both imported and locally produced, that are offered for sale to members of the public in Nigeria meet the required international quality and safety standards. Already, the stakeholders committee has commenced organizing series of training workshops across the country, exposing participants to identification techniques and skills required to differentiate between genuine and substandard motor spare parts with a view to halting or minimizing sales and utilization of substandard auto parts in order to reduce road traffic accidents thereby saving

thousands of lives of motorists and other road users annually. One of such training workshops was held in Kano, recently, with over 300 participants had speakers drawn from Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI), Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Toyota NigeriaLimited,KIANigeriaLimited,Amalgamated Motor Spare Parts DealersAssociation (ASPAMDA), Nigeria Custom Services (NCS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Robert Bosch Nigeria Limited and NADDC. In his keynote address at the Kano workshop, Director General of NADDC, Engr. Aminu Jalal, representedbyhisTechnicalAdviser,Engr.Abubakar

Dalhat said, “SubstandardAutomotive spare parts in motor vehicles often function improperly, or fail prematurely causing damages or drastic loss of efficiency to the affected vehicle. The implication of the failure of such substandard safety parts in vehicles is often very severe, leading in some cases to road crashes that could cause loss of lives, and in most cases resulting in financial losses, not just to vehicle owner but also to other road users.” He emphasised that motor parts, whether those classified as safety items or non-safety items must conform to international standards at all times because their sudden failure in service might result in fatal crashes; adding that NADDC in collaboration with SON had so far adopted over 130 international automotive standards for safety and other parts.

The NADDC DG enumerating other critical measures being taken to enhance standards in the Nigerian automotive industry: Auto Test Centres: NADDC has achieved almost 90% completion stage in the establishment of world class automotive test laboratories for emission, components and materials located in Lagos, Enugu and Zaria. The laboratories would be commissioned by the end of the year. SONCAP for Imported Vehicles: At our request, the SON planned to start implementing Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) on imported vehicles by requiring that all used vehicles imported into Nigeria have a roadworthiness certificate from their country of origin.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 22, 2016

auTO SAFE DRIVING

JONAS AGWU

with

(Asst Corps Marshal) Zonal Commanding Officer Zone RS7 Abua phone 08077690700 FRSC TOLL FREE NO 122 Email:j.agwu@frsc.gov.ng

Do You Drive Blind? L-R: Head, Customer Service, Kia Motors Nigeria, Mrs. Bukola Maduka; Head, Marketing and Communications, Mr. Peter Ayewoh, Nigeria Customer Service Award; Coordinator, Nigeria Customer Service Award, Dr. Aliyu Iliyas; and Customer Care Executive, Kia Motors Nigeria, Mrs. Yetunde Busari

Kia Wins Customer Service Award of the Year Stories by Bennett Oghifo

IA Motors Nigeria has over the years distinguished itself in the industry and hinged its business operations on providing exceptional customer service to meet the ever-increasing demands of customers. This unflinching resolve earned the brand the award for the best customer service provider and the winner of

the 2016 Nigeria Customer Service Award (NCSA) in the automobile category. In this year’s edition of the Nigeria Customer Service Award held at the Civic Towers in Lagos, Kia was singled out for superior customer service. The award is recognition of the brand’s proactive practices, continuous improvements, and dedicated resolve to streamline its processes to make service offering more customer-focused. It recog-

nises the top-rated industry players by assessing customer satisfaction, responsiveness and customer experience features as indicators of exceptional achievement. In view of this, Kia’s exceptional service has helped edged it above competition to be awarded the best service provider in the auto industry. The organiser critically examines customer feedback at a long-term touch-point through mystery visits, online polls, cold

calls to customers and use the results from the analysis to determine the winners of the award across all major industries in the country. The 2016 award winners were determined based on results from surveys distributed to customers, hence, Kia exceeded the expectations of its customers from sales to exceptional after sales service and this unprecedented feat was adjudged the best in the industry by the organisers.

Web Voting opens for NAJA Awards

s the date for the 2016 Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards (NAJA) draws nearer, the organisers of the event have called on the public to vote for their favourite nominees on the website of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association. According to a statement released by the organisers, members of the public can log on to www.naja.com. ng and cast their vote as the votes cast will constitute 50% of the total votes to arrive at the winners. The other 50% will be done by the different auto journalists cutting across print, broadcast and on-line. The event which is slated for Thursday, November 24, 2016, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, has nominations in different categories in products/services, personalities and prominent

: 2016 Lexus RX 350

industry personalities. Other highpoint of this year’s award will be in the Car-Of-The-Year (COTY) category where Toyota

Corolla, Peugeot 301 and Nissan Almera were selected. Other categories of awards are Luxury Car Of The Year, Road Safety Personality of The

Year, Heavy Duty Truck of The Year, Auto Plant Of The Year, Auto Personality Of The Year and CSR Company Of The Year.

18th Abuja International Motor Fair Begins on October 25

he annual Abuja International Motor Fair will hold at the Eagle Square, Abuja from October 25-November 1, 2016. According to the Chairman of the organizing committee for the event Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, the event, which is having its 18th edition, is targeted towards boosting investments in the sector, which despite the economic downturn is set to seriously assume its rightful place in the Nigerian economy.

He assured that the platform of this edition has been packaged to increasing the attention of the government to the importance of urgently addressing the current challenges in the sector so as to use it to drive the nation’s economic diversification policy. Disclosing this recently in a chat with journalists, Agwu, who is also the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, organizers of the event said that every effort have been deployed to ensure that through the event, the sector receives the needed

support from the government and the private sector to enhance its’ rapid development. “We are packaging a show that will showcase all the existing and potential investment opportunities that abound in the Nigerian automotive industry, which we believe are very attractive to existing and prospective investors”, he announced. According to him, this edition of the annual event is set to provide the litmus test to the shape of things in the industry with the current paradigm shift in the

economy, government and the automotive sector. “The quality and quantity of showcased automobiles is undoubtedly the primary yardstick of measuring the success of any auto exhibition. This means that auto enterprises showcasing at any exhibition must ensure visibility, wholeness and completeness, not leaving anything to chance”. These will be highly on display at the Eagle Square Abuja from October 25-November 1, 2016 under the auspices of the Abuja International Motor fair”.

n Thursday, Oct 13, 2016,221 people made up of drivers and others enjoyedwhat in Nigerian parlance we call awoof. They were privileged to go through the compulsory eye screening jointly conducted by personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps, Zone 6 headquarters, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and the Optometric Association in commemoration of the World Sight Day with the theme, ‘’Staying Strong’’. Besides the free eye screening, about 55 reading glasses were given out. A breakdown of the one day event shows that a total of221 people made up of 187males and 34females were screened; a further breakdown shows that the number of persons above 18years was 211 while the number that received glasses was 50 made up of 47males and 3females.Outofthetotalnumber screened, 55 people made up of 53 males and 2females were referred. Out of the total number of cases seen, some of the results were as follows;, Glaucoma(10), Myopia(10) and Hyperopia(60) .There were other findings such as cases of cataract, presbyopia, bacteria conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis just to mention a few. My concern is however on these findings that have significant bearings on our ability as an Agency to promote a safer road culture in keeping with our statutory mandate as contained in our 2007 Establishment Act. Let me start with the first finding which shows 10people with cases of glaucoma. Glaucoma, I was tutored by my colleague affectsthevisualfieldofaperson, which means all the points of a physical environment that can be perceived by a stable eye. Glaucoma literally can result to tunnel vision, a situation whereby the driver cannot see peripherally. Adequate visual fieldisveryimportantfordrivers asperipheralvisionisneededfor common driving tasks such as useofsidemirror.Alsoglaucoma can affect central visual field as well resulting to the driver havinghazyvisiontherebyknocking down a pedestrian or running into an oncoming vehicle. Therefore drivers with visual field defects show poorer performances with driving speed, steering stability and tune to collision. The second finding is the 10 people with myopia. Myopia is called short sightedness; drivers who do not wear their prescription will be susceptible to having crashes because of their hazy vision. Night myopia is an increase in shortsightedness at night or low light levels. Drivers with this condition may be involved in night tune road crashes due to

the inability to see glare (blazing light) from an oncoming vehicle. It is found that night myopia is prevalentinyoungerdriversand such drivers should be restricted from driving at night. 60peoplehadcasesofHyperopia: This is called farsightedness; here, the driver cannot see properly at very near and at a near distance. In this case, the driver might have difficulty in recognizing near targets such as the speedometer and pedestrians not too far from the vehicle especially at night and as well experience glare. From the screening exercise, two cases worth mentioning are two drivers whose conditions wereindeedfrightening;thefirst one who is about 63 years of age claimed to have driven for more than 20years with vision on one eye counting finger (counting finger -cf)at 3 meters while the second one who was referred is about 40 years of age, drives drunk and has high hyperopia (long sightedness) and therefore experiences glare. These two cases are similar to the one that occurred some 10years ago at the, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja where a driver was actually driving with dark glasses at night until luck ran out on him when they observed the driver had difficulty controlling his vehicle whenever there was an oncoming vehicle whose headlights obviously blurred the vision of the driver. After pleading to the driver to take off his dark glasses, a male commuter sitting by his side, smartly removed the dark glass. Shock was written all over the faces of the commuters when they noticed the driver was a one eye sight man. I couldn’t lay my hand on a research findings on people driving without prescribed glassesexcepttheoneIstumbled on Daily Mail by TIM UTTON, who raised the alarm that millions risk driving with bad eyesight.Inthatreport,henoted’’ that motorists who need glasses or contact lenses but drive without them increase their risk of an accident four-fold,Afifth (21 per cent) of motorists who need glasses or contact lenses always drive without them,37 per cent haven’thadaneyetestinthepast two years or more,’ Popping to the shops’ is the most common occurrence of driving without glasses or contact lenses,UK drivers risk invalidating their insurance, a £1,000 fine or could face prison if they cause an accident due to defective vision’’.I hopetodealwiththereportmore but for now let us take a look at the provisions of the law here withrespecttoblinddrivingSeeing and being seen is one of the planks on which our campaign on safer roads stands.Available data on the state of the sight of most drivers is hard to come by in our clime unlike the case in developed climes.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OctOber 22, 2016

FAMILY HEALTH with

Look Closely at Your Teeth

he first thing that you would notice on anyone’s face is their teeth. Those prominent white, creamy , or brownish structures in the mouth. This invariably means that the state of your teeth matters a lot , as this says a lot about you. This means that the state of your teeth , can make or mar your appearance. An adult human being has 32 teeth and all these have their names which are given based on their set, arch, class, type and side. There are two set of teeth in human beings, one set is primary or baby teeth and permanent or adult teeth. The set of teeth that replaces primary teeth are called permanent dentition which is a group name. Teeth Names are also given depending on the arch a tooth is found in; maxillary is the name given to the • teeth in the upper jaw and mandibular to those in the lower jaw. •

Care of the teeth • Brush regularly. Brushing is the cornerstone of dental, hygiene. It removes food particles that bacteria feed on, cleans teeth, and freshens breath. A toothpaste with fluoride helps strengthen teeth, but you must brush for at least two minutes to allow it to do its work. Your oral health is about more than a sparkling, white smile. It’s also about protecting your mouth from plaque, the sticky bacteria that can build up on your teeth and gums. The bacteria produce acids in your mouth that can weaken your tooth enamel, lead to

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, 08053372356

A balanced diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, as well as starchy foods, such as bread, rice, potatoes and pasta (choose wholegrain versions and eat potatoes with their skin where possible). You should also eat sources of protein such as meat, fish, eggs, beans or other non-dairy sources of protein, and some milk and dairy foods (ideally lower-fat options). Only eat small amounts of food and drinks high in fat and sugar.

Classes of teeth There are four classes of teeth namely: incisors, canines, premolars and wisdom teeth. Children teeth otherwise known as deciduous teeth also have the same names except wisdom teeth which normally come out at the age of 18. The upper teeth of the adult have the following names: central incisors, lateral incisors, canine , first premolar , second premolar , first molar, second molar, third molar (wisdom teeth). The lower teeth consist of third molar (wisdom teeth), second molar, first molar, second premolar (first bicuspid), canine, lateral incisor and nuclear incisor. In addition, baby teeth also have their names which include the following upper teeth: central incisor, lateral incisor, canine), first molar and second molar. The lower teeth names are: second molar, first molar, canine, lateral incisor and central incisor. Names and functions of teeth Human teeth names are associated with their functions. The teeth are categorised into four; they have typical appearance and perform specific function. They perform these functions according to their shapes and morphology. Human species are omnivorous because they eat both plant and meat and this particular characteristic demands two specific types of teeth namely; incisors also referred to as cutting teeth 1. are used to cut foods into smaller pieces to facilitate inward movement into the mouth. In this type are also canines which are also known as eye 2. teeth, they have sharp and pointed edges which are used for chewing and grinding, they can also pierce and rip at edge of the cusps. The most important function is that they start grinding the foods before transferring it to the molars for final grinding and swallow3. ing. The work of the dentist is made simpler because of the teeth names which are associated with their functions.

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

Your oral health is about more than a sparkling, white smile. It’s also about protecting your mouth from plaque, the sticky bacteria that can build up on your teeth and gums. The bacteria produce acids in your mouth that can weaken your tooth enamel, lead to tooth decay, and irritate your gums

tooth decay, and irritate your gums. They can also lead to the number one cause of tooth loss in adults: gum disease. Your dental health routine and the right dental products can help. But good dental health goes beyond the way you look. The mouth is the gateway to the body, which means the state of your teeth and gums affects your overall health. Taking care of your general health and your mouth is the key to making the most of your smile. Brushing your teeth twice a day (last thing at night before you go to bed and on one other occasion) with fluoride toothpaste and having regular check-ups with a dentist can help to keep your teeth healthy. Diet, smoking and drinking alcohol also have an effect on dental health. Floss daily. Flossing removes the bacteria from in between your teeth that your toothbrush does not reach, which helps prevent gum disease. It is recommended flossing twice a day, but if you only do it once daily, be sure to floss before bedtime. When you sleep, you produce less saliva, which leaves teeth and gums particularly vulnerable to bacteria. Visit your dentist. Visit your dentist at least twice a year for thorough dental cleanings. Your dentist can spot the early signs of gum disease, which is more easily treated when caught in the beginning stages. If you are prone to gum disease and cavities, consider visiting your dentist every four months. Healthy diet : diet is good for your teeth What you eat and drink can cause tooth decay, so a healthy diet is important for your teeth.

Cut down on sugary foods to prevent tooth decay Limiting the amount of sugar you eat and drink is important to prevent decay. A lot of the sugars we eat and drink are in food and drinks such as: sweets, chocolate, cakes and biscuits • sugary drinks, including soft drinks, • fizzy drinks, milky drinks with added sugar, and alcohol fruit juice, including unsweetened • fresh fruit juice and smoothies buns, pastries and fruit pies • sponge puddings and other puddings • table sugar added to food or drinks, • such as tea • sugary breakfast cereals • jams, marmalades, honey and syrups • ice cream and sorbets • dried fruit or fruit in syrup • syrups and sweet sauces Limit your intake of smoothie and fruit juice try as much as possible not to exceed a glass of only one of these a day. Sugars occur naturally in foods such as fruit and milk, but we don’t need to cut down on these types of sugars. However when fruit is juiced or blended, as in smoothies, the sugars are released from the structure of the fruit. Once released, these sugars can damage your teeth so it’s best to drink fruit juice or smoothies at mealtimes. Your combined total of drinks from fruit juice, vegetable juice and smoothies should not be more than 150ml a day – which is a small glass. For example, if you have 150ml of orange juice and 150ml smoothie in one day, you’ll have exceeded the recommendation by 150ml. Alcohol Alcohol can also erode the outer surface of the teeth, leading to a loss of enamel. If this happens, you may need to go to the dentist for a filling. Drinking too much has also been linked to an increased risk of developing mouth cancer. The most important risk factors for mouth cancer are the combined effect of smoking and drinking alcohol. It’s estimated that heavy drinkers and smokers have a 38 times increased risk of developing mouth cancer than people who neither drink nor smoke. Smoking This is very harmful to your teeth. Smoking can stain your teeth yellow, cause bad breath. and increases your risk of gum disease, as well as causing many other serious health problems. What can stain your teeth It is well known that the foods and drinks you take in can stain your teeth. Wine, cigarette smoke, tea and coffee are all teeth-staining culprits. Keep them to a minimum to stop your teeth becoming stained. Your dentist or hygienist can give your teeth a professional clean, which may help to reduce the staining.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER â&#x20AC;¢ JUNE 16, 2011

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Ola Aina

Super Eagles on His Mind?

22.10.2016

No Red Carpet for Mourinho PAGE. 29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 22, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER

Super Eagles on His Mind? Wooing European players of Nigerian origin for the Super Eagles is apparently becoming a norm for the eggheads of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. Chelsea’s new kid, Ola Aina is the latest player likely to be wooed by the NFF and may join Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup qualifying train. Kunle Adewale reports

ast weekend, Ola Aina made his Premier League debut as he replaced compatriot; Victor Moses in Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat of defending champion, Leicester City. After the game, the right-back took to Twitter to express his delight. “So buzzing right now,” he wrote on Twitter before adding, “Another huge milestone for me. Really pleased to have made my Premier League debut @Chelseafc. Chelsea's boss, Antonio Conte, was happy to hand the 20-year-old his Premier League debut. "Today, I'm pleased because I saw the things we have been working on this week. Above all, I'm pleased for the players because when you work so hard during the week, it's logical you want to see a good result and a good game. "Now we have a whole week to work and to see who is in the best shape to play the next match. The players know I want to see the right commitment and work-rate, after that I decide the formation. Another young player from the academy, Ola Aina, played his first Premier League game, and showed he is really able,” the Chelsea boss said. Chelsea have long been criticised for failing to provide a pathway from their all-conquering youth sides, who have been crowned European champions in the past two seasons, to the first team but Conte intends to change that. According to him, “People who know me will know I don't gift a place to anyone,” Conte said. “Only those who deserve to play will play for me. It is important for Aina to understand this. In the future, he can play from the start. Age is not important. I made my first appearance in Serie A at only 16.” Already, Super Eagles' captain and Chelsea team-mate, Mikel Obi, has already called upon the England Under-20s to represent Nigeria as against the country of his birth after Aina impressed in Chelsea preseason debut against Bristol Rovers. "I keep asking him: 'When are you going to come and play for Nigeria?'

and he jokes: 'Whenever you come and invite me I will play. I think it is something that we would have to discuss, " Mikel told Goal. "If he wants to play, we would have to speak to the federation and make sure he really wants to play for Nigeria. If he is ready, we can talk about that, but in the few times we have talked about it, he hasn’t given me a very positive, decisive answer to take back to the FA. I need a positive answer for me to take the case forward to the FA. We will see what happens," Mikel said. Aina's performance stood out to the midfielder during Chelsea's pre-season tour of Austria and the United States, where the youngster made three starts and several substitute appearances to force his way into manager Antonio Conte's plans. "Aina is a very, very good player," he added. "He has improved quite a lot after playing in a few friendly games and he played really, really well. I was quite impressed by his performance and it is only a matter of time before these kids break into the first team." In a telephone chat with THISDAY from his base in America, former Nigeria midfielder, Paul Okuku said he had watched some of Aina’s clips and feels that he has a place in the national team if he decides to play for Nigeria. “It is left for the football federation and the national team manager to decide if he is good enough to play for the team, but from the little I have seen of him I have no doubt in my mind that he has a place in the team, if not now, surely in the nearest future,” Okoku noted. Continuing he said, “when you consider the fact that Nigeria is in a very tough group in the World Cup qualifier, we therefore need our best legs notwithstanding where they are from to prosecute the qualifying campaign. In fact, the fact that Aina is a defender is an added advantage as the defence was the weakest link in our

Aina

OCTOBER 22, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Aina tries a club over the goalkeeper

first game against Zambia with too many errors of which we cannot afford to repeat in matches against tougher opponents like Algeria and Cameroon which we are still going to play.” Asked if the trend of relying on Nigeria foreign-based players for Super Eagles matches is not a wrong signal to the local league, Okoku said: “Unfortunately, that is the situation we have found ourselves. The Nigeria League is not as lucrative as it was during our days whereby the bulk of the national team players were homebased. But thank God for the effort of the League Management Company, LMC, that is trying to revive the local league and with the way it is going, the league’s glamour will soon return and the national teams will benefit from it.” Aina’s love for his motherland has never been in doubt. Early this year, the Chelsea player exhibited his philanthropic nature when he revealed his plans to ship off all his old football gear to the less privileged in Nigeria and the kind gesture has endeared him to the Stamford Bridge faithful after he announced on Instagram that he would be sending his used “boots, balls and kits” to the less privileged in Lagos. The 19-year-old was born in Southwark, London and has represented England youth sides for years now. He has played in England Under-19s, Under-18s, Under-17s, and Under-16s and has also won trophies with Chelsea Under-21 Premier League 2013/14;

It is left for the football federation and the national team manager to decide if he is good enough to play for the team, but from the little I have seen of him I have no doubt in my mind that he has a place in the team, if not now, surely in the nearest future, Aina stops A.C Milan striker, Niang during one of Chelsea's pre-season matches

FA Youth Cup 2013/14, 2014/15, and UEFA Youth League 2014/15. Aina signed for the club as an Under-11 and started his career as a right-winger before establishing himself as a highly mobile fullback, who is also capable of playing as a central defender. He made his youth team debut as a schoolboy in the 2012/13 season and went on to start in both legs of the semi-final and final of the FA Youth Cup. In his debut season as a scholar, Aina featured regularly for Adi Viveash’s Under-18s and was an ever-present on the way to Youth Cup success. European Under-19 and domestic Under-21 debuts followed, with the defender utilised as a centre-back as the senior age group won their domestic title. Aina’s prominence in the Youth Cup continued in 2014/15 when he

won the trophy for the second time. His run of 18 consecutive appearances in the competition across three seasons is unprecedented. He also played in every game in the Under-19s’ triumphant UEFA Youth League campaign, scoring in the group opener at home to Schalke, while establishing himself as an Under-21 regular. Aina signed a first-year professional contract in October 2013 committing him to the club until the end of the 2015/16 season. It remains to be seen if Aina would follow the pathway of Super Eagles players such Moses and Alex Iwobi that dumped England for Nigeria after initially representing them at age-grade level. And with the shaky defence put up by the Eagles against Zambia, with many elementary errors, NFF eggheads might have little choice

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE LAYOUT DESIGNER WAHAB AKINTUNDE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 22, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER

Diego Coasta will be a thorn in the flesh of Mourinho

No Red Carpet for Mourinho as the ‘Special One’ Returns to Stamford Bridge

When Jose Mourinho was officially announced as Manchester United's new manager in May, one of the first things Chelsea fans wanted to know was when the 'Special One' would make his highlyanticipated return to Stamford Bridge.

fter all, Mourinho is regarded as one of Chelsea's greatest, if not their greatest, ever manager despite the Portuguese seeing his second spell in charge of the west London side come to an unexpected end last December. With Mourinho moving on with Chelsea's Premier League rivals United and Antonio Conte doing a good job of picking up the pieces at Stamford Bridge, the clash between the Blues and the Red Devils this weekend will certainly be an intriguing affair. Not only will it mark Mourinho's first game back at Chelsea since leaving 10 months ago, but it will also give both clubs the chance to move into the top four. After a wobble in September, Conte and Mourinho both appear to have discovered their best lineups and formations in the last few weeks. Neither manager will want to risk losing momentum with a defeat, so we could be in for a very cagey game of football at Stamford Bridge. The improvement from Chelsea in the last two matches has been astounding. Where they looked so soft against Arsenal they’ve

discovered an edge both at the back and going forward. They were superb in the predicted win against Leicester. There are plenty of reasons for this, but the first that comes to mind is the midfield. Matic and Kanté is as tough a partnership as it gets, and everything about the pairing seems to work. It puts Kanté in a midfield two, which was the setup that got the best out of him at Leicester. But it has also reawakened a creative flair in Matic that first came to the fore during his time at Benfica. So in a crude way you could draw comparisons between Chelsea’s midfield this season and Leicester’s last year, if you see Matic as an equivalent to Drinkwater. Yet, while Chelsea are playing exciting football and appear to be on the right track again, Blues fans will be wary as they’ve failed their two major tests this season. We can’t forget that they were looking good before the defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal and with this in mind Conte may try to play it safe against United. This match may be one for the tactically-minded fans to admire. There’s nothing pretty about it, but you can

bet that Mourinho’s style of football will eke out results from difficult fixtures. Before Monday, Liverpool had been rampant, thrashing all the big sides, and we expected them to take care of a stuttering United. But the Red Devils, playing with a highly-defensive 6-3-1, kept chances to a minimum, and de Gea was alert enough to claw away anything that fell to Liverpool in the area. Chelsea haven’t been as strong as Liverpool this season, having slipped up against the Reds and been thrashed by Arsenal. So now Mourinho has a decision to make. Does he gamble on a win against his former club and send his midfielders over the halfway line, or aim for a repeat performance and hope to snatch a draw? Chelsea have made an uncertain start to the season. And Mourinho, who studies opponents to find their weaknesses as much as any manager, will see things he can take advantage of. He will also know all about his former players, and is cunning enough to build a game plan around Chelsea’s shortfalls. David Luiz in particular is someone Mourinho didn’t rate, and the Por-

tuguese coach may single out the defender for special attention. However Mourinho configures his side, one man who can change a game in an instant is Paul Pogba. For some reason the Frenchman has attracted criticism for his performances this season, but United are definitely better with him in the side.The problem with spending a record fee on a deep midfielder is that people expect goals from a position in which few players are regular scorers. And the players who do score need to be in a very specific setup. It will take time for United to get this right. If United’s approach to the Liverpool match is now their template for big away matches this season, then this fixture could be a bit drab. Conte favours a more enterprising style of football than Mourinho, but is also very tactically adept and won’t take risks he thinks are unnecessary. So we’ll probably see the two teams cancelling each other out. Two days before being sacked in December a doomed Mourinho spoke of a "betrayal" of his work by some of the players who had propelled Chelsea to the Premier

OCTOBER 22, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER Premier League Man City Arsenal Tottenham Liverpool Chelsea Everton Man Utd Southampton Crystal Palace Watford Bournemouth West Brom Leicester Burnley West Ham Hull Middlesbrough Stoke Swansea Sunderland

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Tottenham 12:30 Middlesbrough 15:00 Everton 15:00 Stoke 15:00 Crystal Palace 15:00 Watford 15:00 Sunderland 15:00 West Brom 17:30

SUNDAY Man City Chelsea

v v

Southampton 13:30 Man Utd 16:00

Juventus Roma Milan Torino Napoli Lazio Chievo Cagliari Genoa Sassuolo Inter Bologna Atalanta Fiorentina Sampdoria Pescara Udinese Palermo Empoli Crotone 8

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 8 8 8 8 7 8 8 8 8 8 -12

12 9 4 8 6 6 1 -1 3 -2 0 -3 -2 0 -3 -3 -7 -7 -9 1

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Head to Head

Mourinho makes an emotional return to Stamford Bridge

League title the previous season. Fingers were pointed at Diego Costa, among others, and the Spanish striker's huge dip in form was a contributing factor to the Portuguese tactician's bitter exit. Costa has started this season like the marauding forward Mourinho signed from Atletico Madrid, scoring seven goals in eight Premier League games, and he will be relishing the highly-charged atmosphere expected on Sunday. The visit to Stamford Bridge could hardly have come at a worse time for a United side who have won only one of their last five Premier League games to stall what had been a promising beginning to the Mourinho reign. United played Turkish club Fenerbahce

in the Europa League on Thursday before they can fully focus on the visit to west London. No wonder Mourinho, whose side are seventh in the table, said it was a time for digging in. "This is not the week where we were expecting to close the distances to the top of the league. This is the week we have to keep contact with them. Then we will arrive at the moment where we win three, four or five matches in a row and we will be there fighting with almost everybody for the title," he told the club's website (www.manutd. com). It is not the first time Mourinho, who won two Premier League titles for Chelsea before his first sacking in 2007, will sit in the away dugout at Stamford Bridge. He masterminded a 1-0 win for Inter Milan over Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea in 2010 on the way to winning the Champions League.

07/02/16 28/12/15 18/04/15 26/10/14 19/01/14 26/08/13 05/05/13 28/10/12 05/02/12 18/09/11 08/05/11 01/03/11

Chelsea Man Utd Chelsea Man Utd Chelsea Man Utd Man Utd Chelsea Chelsea Man Utd Man Utd Chelsea

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Chelsea Everton Man City West Ham Arsenal Tottenham Arsenal Man City Liverpool Watford Swansea Sunderland

TODAY Espanyol Valencia Sociedad Granada SUNDAY Celta Vigo Sevilla Malaga Villarreal Madrid

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Eibar Barcelona Alavés Sporting

12:00 15:15 17:30 19:45

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Deportivo Atletico Leganés Las Palmas Bilbao

11:00 15:15 17:30 17:30 19:45

Bundesliga Bayern Köln Leipzig Hertha Dortmund Hoffenheim Mainz Eintracht M’gladbach Leverkusen Freiburg Augsburg Bremen Wolfsburg Darmstadt Schalke Hamburger Ingolstadt

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Bundesliga Fixtures

Man Utd Chelsea Man Utd Chelsea Man Utd Chelsea Chelsea Man Utd Man Utd Chelsea Chelsea Man Utd

TODAY

Leverkusen

Hoffenheim