Saturday 21st January 2017 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Obasanjo Heaps Praises on Jonathan, Says His Leadership Exemplary Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday showered praises on former President Goodluck Jonathan for his exemplary leadership at his Ibogun country home in Ifo area of Ogun State, after a closed-door meeting that lasted

almost two hours. It was a sharp contrast from his constant criticism of the former president in the last couple of years. Jonathan was accompanied by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki as well as other close aides. Though, details of the meeting was not disclosed, Obasanjo,

who spoke to the press after the meeting, tasked leaders across the world to learn from the exemplary leadership style of himself and that of Jonathan, saying that Jonathan went into the office of the President with "little or no experience" but has now amassed more wisdom and experience on leadership after leaving office.

Obasanjo said: "I believe that not only Nigeria, West Africa and Africa and indeed the world will continue to tap into our experiences, our wisdom and I hope and pray that when the call is made to you, you will be more than ready to put your experience, the lessons you have learnt into the service of this country, for African and indeed

for humanity in general. "I have said to you (Jonathan) before and I will say again that there are plenty of opportunities out there, within the country, within West Africa, within African and indeed in the larger world where people will want you to make contributions. "I believe that you (Jonathan) are resting now and when you

have fully rested, you will be hearing from me because I have this opportunity to be around the world and I will mention your name in dispatch. "Since you (Jonathan) left office, you hardly have time to sit down and relax like you have been able to do today Continued on page 6

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Trump Takes Oath of Office as 45th US President Against the Run of Play

Reiterates 'America First' policy Vows to make Washington work for ordinary Americans Signs first bill on waiver for his defense secretary Protesters march against new president, confront police, smash windows Yemi Adebowale with agency report Donald Trump, a real estate mogul and reality television star who upended American politics was yesterday sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, succeeding Barack Obama and telling a bitterly divided country that he would pursue "America first" policies at home and abroad. First they said he would not win the primary, he won. Next they said he didn't stand a chance against Hilary Clinton, he defeated her. Then, they said he would not be President because of the Russian hacking, he was sworn in as president. His inaugural address may have disappointed many who had thought that he would leave behind his campaign rhetorics and pivot towards a broader inclusive multilateral international agenda. Rather, he used his first speech as president to reinforce those same rhetorics that have caused consternations around the world more especially with America's age-old allies. Ebullient Trump supporters flocked to the nation's capital for the inaugural festivities, some wearing red hats emblazoned with his "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan. But in a sign of the deep divisions Trump sowed during his combative campaign, dozens of Democratic lawmakers boycotted the swearing-in ceremony on Continued on page 6

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President Trump was administered the oath of office as the 45th President of the United States byChief Justice John Roberts with his wife, Melania holding the Bible in Washington ...yesterday

Yahaya Jammeh Agrees to Vacate Office ...Page 55

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PAGE SIX

How Did He Do It? Trump's Shock Rise to the Presidency

Agency Report Less than 17 months -- that's how long it took Donald J. Trump to reach the White House, besting rivals who had been chasing that dream for years. But his political ambitions go back nearly three decades. In 1998, on the set of Oprah Winfrey's talk show, the provocative billionaire first signaled his interest in the Oval Office. "I think I'd win. I'll tell you what, I wouldn't go in to lose," he boasted to the iconic television host. "People are tired of seeing the United States ripped off," added the real estate tycoon. The author of the best-selling "The Art of the Deal" ultimately declined to run that year, but the seed was planted. Beginnings and a breakthrough In 1999, Trump took the idea a step further. He quit the Republican Party and announced an exploratory bid under the Reform Party banner, with neither a conservative or liberal agenda but backing for America's "workers."

He blasted Germany, France and Japan as countries that treat America "like a whipping post" when it comes to international trade. Trump abandoned his bid after four months, but that early run helped shape his nationalist, populist orientation that would prove crucial to his success 17 years later. Fast forward to June 2015, when a new race for the White House was cranking up. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders dominated the Democratic field, while 11 Republicans including Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz were already running for their party's nomination. In the glittering lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, Trump threw his hat in the ring pledging to "make America great again" -- a vow that would become his campaign slogan. A month earlier, he had not even been included in Republican primary polling, and was known far more for his role as the brash reality TV boss on "The Apprentice." By July, he was leading in the polls. His candidacy proved a

blockbuster. As controversy swirled and he flung his harsh rhetoric in multiple directions, Trump never apologized. As his presence on cable news channels grew, he endured endless criticism while soaking up the benefits of wall-to-wall coverage. The political establishment collectively cringed on December 7, 2015 when he proposed that Muslims be barred from entering the United States -- one month after terror attacks in Paris left 130 people dead. "The Donald" nevertheless rose steadily in the polls: from 25 percent, to 30, and then 35 percent approval among Republican likely voters. The primaries On the eve of the first primaries in February 2016, the Republican establishment became convinced that the antiWashington candidate would hit a support ceiling of 30 or 35 per cent, and that another candidate would ultimately consolidate the remainder of the party's support and oust Trump. But the party's base appeared to be in open revolt, riding the anti-establishment wave

TRUMP TAKES OATH OF OFFICE AS 45TH US PRESIDENT AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY

Capitol Hill. As scattered protests erupted elsewhere in Washington, Trump raised his right hand and put his left on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln and repeated a 35-word oath of office from the U.S. Constitution, with U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts presiding. Afterward, he stretched his arms wide and hugged his wife, Melania, and other members of his family. Then he turned around to a podium and delivered his inaugural address. "This moment is your moment, it belongs to you," Trump told a large crowd that had earlier booed Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader in the U.S. Senate. Revisiting themes from his improbable campaign victory, Trump said his presidency would aim to help struggling middle-class families, build up the U.S. military and strengthen U.S. borders. "We are transferring power from Washington D.C. and giving it back to you. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward it's going to be only America First," he said. Trump said in his speech: “Together, we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come. We will face challenges. We will confront hardships, but we will get the job done. Every four years we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power. And we are grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition. They

have been magnificent. Thank you. “For too long, the establishment has reaped the rewards of government while people have borne the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs and while they celebrated in our nation's capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land. “That all changes starting right here and right now, because this moment is your moment. It belongs to you. It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America. This is your day. This is your celebration. And this, the United States of America, is your country.” The transition from a Democratic president to a Republican took place on the West Front of the domed U.S. Capitol before a crowd of former presidents, dignitaries and hundreds of thousands of people on the grounds of the National Mall. The crowd stretched westward on a cool day of occasional light rain. Trump, 70, takes over a country divided after a savage election campaign. A wealthy New York businessman and former reality TV star, he will set the country on a new, uncertain path at home and abroad. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate who Trump

defeated on November 8, attended the ceremony with her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Former presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter were also present with their wives. Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush, 92, was in Houston recovering from pneumonia. Trump and his vice president, Mike Pence, began the day attending a prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House. Trump, wearing a dark suit and red tie, and Melania Trump, clad in a classic-styled, powder blue ensemble, then headed into the White House for a meeting with Obama and his wife, Michelle. Trump took office with work to do to bolster his image. During a testy transition period since his stunning election win, Trump has repeatedly engaged in Twitter attacks against his critics, so much so that one fellow Republican, Senator John McCain, told CNN that Trump seemed to want to "engage with every windmill that he can find." An ABC News/Washington Post poll this week found only 40 percent of Americans viewed Trump favorably, the lowest rating for an incoming president since Democrat Carter in 1977, and the same percentage approved of how he has handled the transition. His ascension to the White House, while welcomed by Republicans tired of Obama's eight years in office, raises a host of questions for the United States. Trump campaigned on a pledge to take the country on a

embodied by Trump and rival Ted Cruz, a senator with Tea Party backing. On February 1, Cruz snatched a narrow victory in the opening contest in Iowa, and the primaries race congealed around the battle between two figures distrusted and disliked by Republican heavyweights. As Trump slowly built a lead, outside groups poured millions of dollars in vain into an "anyone but Trump" movement. But by early May, Trump had seized the nomination. Victorious, he strode on stage at the Republican convention in Cleveland in July, proclaiming: "America first!" But the real war was yet to come. Target: Clinton Trump's tactics hardly shifted as he pivoted to battle the Democrats, who were better funded and enjoyed support from incumbent President Barack Obama. Trump expertly tapped into the anti-elitism that swelled in communities across America, and despite his brutal rhetoric, he managed to rally most of his party.

At campaign events that often attracted tens of thousands of supporters, he portrayed Clinton as the ultimate political insider, chummy with Wall Street and a symbol of the status quo who deserved to go to prison over her email scandal. In September, Trump seized on Clinton's bout with pneumonia to portray the 68-year-old former secretary of state as too feeble to lead. But he lagged behind in public polling. Clinton appeared to dominate their three televised debates, and Trump earned rebukes when he tangled with the Muslim parents of a US soldier killed in action, and then a former Miss Universe. Controversies over his foundation and his unreleased tax returns simmered. One month before the election, Republicans were sent reeling with the release of a decade-old video in which Trump is heard crudely boasting about assaulting women. But in the campaign's final weeks, the political winds began to shift in Trump's favor. On October 7, WikiLeaks began publishing emails hacked

from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta's account, laying bare the cynicism and indiscretion of her campaign's inner workings. Combined with a surprise relaunch of an FBI probe into the email case, the revelations proved devastating for Clinton, who thought she had weathered that storm. Even on the eve of the November 8 election, polls suggested the damage was not enough to reverse the trend line of a Clinton triumph. But in a surprisingly close election, broad antipathy against Clinton combined with Trump's change-agent message was enough for the political novice to gain ground in several "Rust Belt" states. The world was stunned to see many white working-class voters in those states -- who once supported Obama -- favouring the Republican candidate. Even the brash billionaire appeared stunned by his own victory. "I sort of thought I lost," Trump said, recalling how he had purposely rented a small New York ballroom for election night.

more isolationist, protectionist path and has vowed to impose a 35 per cent tariff on goods on imports from U.S. companies that went abroad. His desire for warmer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and threats to cut funding for North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations has allies from Britain to the Baltics worried that the traditional U.S. security umbrella will be diminished. In the Middle East, Trump has said he wants to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, at the risk of angering Arabs and stirring international concern. He has yet to sketch out how he plans to carry out a campaign pledge to "knock the hell out of" Islamic State militants. The inaugural festivities may have a more partisan edge than usual, given Trump's scorching campaign and continuing confrontations between him and Democrats over his takeno-prisoners Twitter attacks and pledge to roll back many of Obama's policies. More than 60 Democratic lawmakers stayed away from the proceedings to protest Trump, spurred on after he derided U.S. Representative John Lewis of Georgia, a hero of the civil rights movement, for calling him an illegitimate president. Protests around the world… Away from the Capitol, masked activists ran through the streets smashing windows with hammers at a McDonald’s restaurant, a Starbucks coffee shop and Bobby Van’s Grill steakhouse several blocks from

the White House. They carried black anarchist flags and signs that said, "Join the resistance, fight back now." Police used pepper spray and chased them down a major avenue, a Reuters eyewitness reported. In another location not far from the White House, protesters also scuffled with police, at one point throwing aluminum chairs at them at outdoor café. Activists in London hung a banner reading "Build bridges not walls" on the city's iconic Tower Bridge yesterday, in a reference to Trump's signature campaign promise of building a wall on the US-Mexican border. About 30 groups have obtained permits for protests they estimate will attract about 270,000 people on Friday and Saturday, far more than have been seen in other recent presidential inaugurations. Quick Action… Trump's to-do list has given Republicans hope that, since they also control the U.S. Congress, they can quickly repeal and replace Obama's signature healthcare law, approve sweeping tax reform and roll back many federal regulations they say are stifling the U.S. economy. "He's going to inject a shock to the system here almost immediately," Truamp senior adviser Kellyanne Conway told Fox News. Democrats, in search of firm political footing after the unexpected defeat of Hillary Clinton, are planning to fight him at every turn. They deeply oppose Trump's anti-immigrant

rhetoric from the campaign trail and plans to build a wall along the southern U.S. border with Mexico. Trump's critics have been emboldened to attack his legitimacy because his win came in the Electoral College, which gives smaller states more clout in the outcome. He lost the popular vote to Clinton by about 2.9 million. Trump's critics also point to the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia used hacking and other methods during the campaign to try to tilt the election in the Republican's favor. Trump has acknowledged the finding - denied by Moscow - that Russia was behind the hacking but said it did not affect the outcome of the election. To his critics - including Obama who during the campaign called Trump temperamentally unfit for the White House - his straight talk can be jarring, especially when expressed in tweets. His supporters, many of them working-class whites, see Trump as a refreshingly anti-establishment figure who eschews political correctness. First executive orders Moments after Trump’s inauguration, he started signing his first ceremonial and logistical executive orders as president. He signed a bill clearing a way for retired Gen. James Martins to be confirmed as his first action as president earlier Friday. Congress passed the waiver making an exemption to a law requiring defense secretary to be out of military at least seven years before service earlier this month.

Trump’s Full Speech Chief Justice Roberts, President Carter, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, fellow Americans and people of the world, thank you. We, the citizens of America are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and restore its promise for all of our people. Together, we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come. We will face challenges. We will confront hardships, but we will get the job done. Every four years we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power. And we are grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition. They have been magnificent. Thank you.

Today’s ceremony however, has very special meaning, because today, we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington, DC. And giving it back to you, the people. For too long, have reaped the rewards of government while people have borne the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered period, but the jobs left and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs and while they celebrated in our nation's

capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land. That all changes starting right here and right now, because this moment is your moment. It belongs to you. It be longs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America. This is your day. This is your celebration. And this, the United States of America, is your country. What truly matters is not what truly controls our government but whether our government is controlled by the people. January 20, 2017 will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you

now, you came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement, the likes of which the world has never seen before. At the centre of this movement is a crucial conviction, that a nation exists to serve its citizens. Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighbourhoods for their families and good jobs for themselves. These are just and reasonable demands of righteous people and a righteous public. But for too many of our citizens, a different reality exists. Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities, rusted-out factories, scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation, an education system flush with cash Continued on page 55

OBASANJO HEAPS PRAISES ON JONATHAN, SAYS HIS LEADERSHIP EXEMPLARY and I hope, I sincerely hope and pray for more of such relaxed situation where we can reminiscence situations of the past that we have been through in this country and we can also look at what the future portends. "When leaders come, they have little or no experience. When they have to go is when they have a lot of experience; where they have wisdom. For people like you and me who have the grace of God to bow out gracefully, if there is no more constitutional office, we have residual responsibilities to Nigeria." On the Nigerian nation, Obasanjo said the country was not created by error and “neither by chance.” He said: “God has created it (Nigeria) to be and God did

not make a mistake when he put all of us together and if he doesn't want us to be together, no power in the world would have made us come together." He therefore, urged Nigerians, especially the leaders to continue to work together for the success of the country, saying, "Nigeria is a good country and we must never be tired of lifting the country up to the height that God has created it to be." Jonathan declined speaking to journalists, saying his visit to Obasanjo was private. But Turaki on behalf of Jonathan appreciated Obasanjo for extending his hand of fellowship to him and for his consistent guidance. He commended Obasanjo's exemplary leadership, which he said Nigeria had enjoyed so far.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 21,2017

SUPER SATURDAY Donald Trump Inauguration

Melania Trump Evokes Jackie Kennedy, Ivanka in White for Swearing in By Jill Serjeant

ew U.S. first lady Melania Trump stepped out in a Ralph Lauren baby-blue jacket and matching dress on Friday, choosing one of America’s most iconic designers for Inauguration Day ceremonies. Democrat Hillary Clinton, who lost to Republican Donald Trump in the November elections, also chose Ralph Lauren, and her cream coat and white pantsuit was echoed by the choices of the Trump daughters. Ivanka Trump, who has her own fashion line, donned a white pantsuit with an asymmetrical cut that was designed by Oscar de la Renta. Tiffany Trump wore a white doubled breasted coast over a white dress. But the outfit getting most attention on Friday was the red hat with white and blue military style coat worn by Trump’s former campaign spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway. The short, double-breasted Gucci coat had a revolutionary-era look that took social media by storm, evoking comparisons ranging from Paddington Bear to Napoleon and a nutcracker. Conway’s outfit sparked some 28,000 Tweets in three hours. By contrast, Melania Trump’s custom-designed Ralph Lauren outfit, worn with long matching gloves, stiletto shoes, and her long hair swept up in a loose bun, had a 1960s vibe and wowed fashionistas. Womens Wear Daily said the outfit, with its mock turtle neck, triggered comparisons to the late U.S. first

Melania Trump

Michelle Obama and Melania Trump

lady and style icon Jacqueline Kennedy. Style-watchers agreed, posting archive photos of Kennedy in a similar blue outfit for her husband’s inauguration in 1961, and giving Trump’s outfit a large thumbs-up. “It was very Jackie,” said Joe Zee, editor in chief of Yahoo Style. “Melania looks every inch a first lady. So beautiful and classy! I’m proud of her!,” admirer Theodora West wrote on Twitter. Melania Trump’s Inauguration Day outfit had been the cause of much speculation after Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and other leading designers said publicly they would not dress the former model for her big day because they opposed her husband. Lauren and his eponymous corporation became synonymous withAmerican style through his preppy line of Polo shirts, casual slacks and shorts in the 1970s and is regarded as one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. Ironically, Lauren was also the designer of the pantsuits in many colors that became Clinton’s signature look. He was also the designer Clinton chose for her own Inauguration Day outfit. Melania Trump, 46, is the first U.S. first lady to come from the fashion world. She began as a teen model in her native Slovenia and has been featured on the cover of magazines like Vogue and GQ. Standing 5 feet, 11 inches (1.8 meters) tall, she tends to favor unfussy dresses in solid colors, tailored coats and killer high heels. --(Additional reporting by Angela Moon; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Cynthia Osterman)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER â&#x20AC;˘

JANUARY 21,2017

SUPERSATURDAY Trump Inauguration... Trump Inauguration... Trump Inauguration...

Former President Obama bids farewell to Washington DC after the former first couple were seen off by President Trump and his wife, Melania PHOTOS: Reuters

(L - R) First Lady Melania Trump, Karen Pence, President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, former president Barack Obama, former vice president Joe Biden, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden stand on the steps of the Capitol.

Senators Bernie Sanders and John McCain

Bill and Hillary Clinton at the ceremony

Former president George W. Bush, keeps covered in the rain as he sits with his wife, Laura

The former first couple Barack and Michelle Obama poses for a photo at the White House Gate

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn

Swearing in of Vice President-elect Mike Pence

President Trump and his wife, Melania during the Church Service

Protesters in Washington yesterday protesting against President Trump

JANUARY 21, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

Yemi

Adebowale Time to Rejig the War against Boko Haram 07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

vents in the last three weeks confirm that the celebration of the purported victory over Boko Haram terrorists in December last year was political and absolutely needless. It was a clear case of deceit. The military high command knew quite alright that the war was far from over, but had to bow to pressure from a federal government that was desperate to celebrate a devious victory and score a cheap political point. They regaled the nation with the flag and Quran of the terrorists, as if that will disable the terrorists. Just as Human Rights Watch remarked in its 2017 report, the conflict is far from over, contrary to government’s claim. The truth is that the terrorists obviously still exist in large number and very potent too. Attacks by them have been heart-wrenching. This week, they strolled into the University of Maiduguri, killed Professor Aliyu Mani and five others. The previous week, one officer and seven soldiers were killed in two attacks by the sect in Cinki Gundu and Old Marte, both on the outskirts of Maiduguri. Two weeks ago, there was an attack on an Army brigade in Buni Yadi, Yobe State. A Captain (Victor Ulasi), who was a medical doctor with the brigade and five other soldiers were killed. A day after the attack in Buni Yadi, multiple explosions hit Maiduguri, resulting in the death of five innocent people. The terrorists had earlier attacked a military facility in Rann, in the northern part of Borno State, injuring several soldiers in the process. Madagali was attacked three weeks ago, with 56 people killed. We are at an unprecedented situation in which officers are now being killed by the terrorists and yet, the federal government is celebrating a deceitful victory. Four Lieutenant Colonels have been killed. Lieutenant Colonel O. Umusu, the Commanding Officer, 118 Task Force Battalion in Borno State was killed, alongside his security details, by an Improvised Explosive Device in an ambush. Others killed are: Lt. Colonel K Yusuf, who was the Commanding Officer of 223 Tank Battalion (October 16, 2016); Lt. Colonel Abu Ali (November 4, 2016);

This morning, I am reopening the issue of using mercenaries. I have for months canvassed for the return of South African mercenaries and greater involvement of Russian experts in this war. We all saw the impact of the mercenaries in the few months they worked with our military during the Jonathan administration. We are at a level where technology and intelligence are germane for us to truly decimate these terrorists and Lt. Colonel B. U. Umar (November 15, 2016). Our obviously overwhelmed, overworked and poorly-motivated gallant soldiers erroneously dropped bombs on innocent civilians in the Internally Displaced People’s camp in Rann, Borno State on Tuesday, leaving scores dead. The camp in Kala-Balge Local Government Area caters for thousands of persons displaced by Boko Haram. The tragedy shows the severe pressure our gallant soldiers are working under. Any terror group capable of attacking military positions remains a very big threat to any country. Unfortunately, many of the

The Shameful Human Rights Report on Nigeria The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami must spend quality time reading Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) World Report 2017 and advise the Buhari government fittingly. The section on Nigeria upbraided the Nigerian government for large scale human rights abuse in 2016. The HRW reports growing concerns about intolerance of dissent and a heavy-handed response to protests in Nigeria. It said this dominated Nigeria’s human rights landscape in 2016 and that government rhetoric about security sector reform and improving accountability for rights abuses were yet to translate into concrete action. In the 687-page World Report, HRW reviewed human rights practices in more than 90 countries, Nigeria inclusive, and concluded: “Nigeria is plagued by serious human rights problems on many fronts. Government inaction against those responsible for violent communal clashes between pastoralists and sedentary farmers has fueled a decade-long cycle of reprisal killings. In the Southeast, police killed at least 40 pro-Biafra members of the separatist Indigenous Peoples of Biafra during protests and processions in February and May 2016. No security agent has been prosecuted for the killings. In December 2015, soldiers killed 347 members of a Shia Muslim minority group, allegedly for blocking the army chief’s motorcade in Zaria, Kaduna State. “A resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s economic powerhouse, has been met by harsh sweeping security measures against communities perceived as harbouring militants. Soldiers allegedly destroyed homes and businesses in

three Bayelsa State communities during a search for members of the militant Niger Delta Avengers group. As the seven-year Boko Haram conflict wanes in intensity in the Northeast, a near-catastrophic food shortage is affecting many of the 2.5 million displaced people. Severe restrictions on their movement have affected access to basic livelihoods, health, education, and protection from sexual abuse.” The HRW officer in Nigeria, Mausi Segun, added: “Nigeria’s leaders should focus on providing basic rights to their people who bear the brunt of the country’s economic downturn. Attempts to shrink the space for people to hold government accountable are unhelpful and may be counter-productive.” I sincerely hope that concerned authorities in our great country will read this report. The National Assembly must also be seen working to ensure respect for human rights. For example, I am surprised that our lawmakers are not insisting on justice for Ibrahim Zakzaky, the detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. Amnesty International had to remind the Nigerian government on Monday to comply with a court ruling to release the Shia cleric and scores of his supporters. Zakzaky has spent more than a year in custody. A judge in Abuja on December 2, last year, called the detention of Zakzaky and his followers illegal and unconstitutional, and imposed a 45-day deadline for their release. This has since expired. Amnesty Nigeria Director, Makmid Kamara remarked that government “will demonstrate a flagrant and dangerous contempt for the rule of law” if it ignored the ruling. For me, this country can’t afford a confrontation with Shia members. We can’t afford another Boko Haram.

statements issued by the military after attacks are capable of dampening the spirit of our soldiers and often leave Nigerians bewildered. The other day, after the attacks on troops of 119 Battalion and 133 Special Forces Battalion of 7 Brigade, the Army issued a statement saying that it recovered one Pulemyot Kalashnkova Machine Gun with 67 rounds of ammunition, an AK-47 Riffle with 18 rounds of ammunition, two AK-Rifle top covers, one Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube with three bombs, one Rocket Propelled Grenade charger and smoke grenade. Members of a purportedly defeated terror group can’t be going around with these high caliber ammunitions. Pragmatic steps must be urgently taken to stop these terrorists. The first step is to agree that we still have a big problem at hand and work accordingly. The second step is to swiftly address the issue of equipment and welfare of our gallant fighters. While the terrorists operate with sophisticated weapons, the Nigerian military mostly use outdated ones. Often, we have seen soldiers on the frontlines complaining about not getting their allowances. There was a case of soldiers complaining about lack of drinking water in their base. Some have over-stayed on the war front, leading to fatigue. I have heard some complaining that they have spent over two years on the war front. These must not continue, if we are serious about winning this war. The third step is to engage key stakeholders in these troubled states on how to tame these monsters. They should be carried along and their suggestions implemented meticulously. Few weeks back, the member representing Michika/ Madagali in the House of Representatives, Adamu Kamale, made a number of suggestions on how to curb Boko Haram attacks. He remarked: “The solution

is for the government to provide adequate security for these communities in Madagali by ensuring that the military has a permanent operational base there. We need the federal government to come to the aid of these vulnerable villagers. I am always embittered each time the government asked displaced villagers to return home on the excuse that their communities had been fully liberated. Let the people have adequate security; the psychological loss to our people is devastating. Their problem is beyond sharing food items to them or merely asking them to return to homes that are not secured.” The military authority is yet to respond appropriately. Legislators representing these hapless communities must be carried along in this war. Their opinion must be taken seriously. Hunters in some of these communities have made significant contributions to the war against Boko Haram. Their efforts are hardly acknowledged. Government must reward and encourage them to do more. Clearly, terrorists dread these local hunters. Those in charge of this war must use them proactively. This morning, I am re-opening the issue of using mercenaries. I have for months canvassed for the return of South African mercenaries and greater involvement of Russian experts in this war. We all saw the impact of the mercenaries in the few months they worked with our military during the Jonathan administration. We are at a level where technology and intelligence are germane for us to truly decimate these terrorists. The mercenaries will offer us this benefit. If we genuinely want to win this war, we must search for and engage the best hands against Boko Haram from anywhere in the world. This is a legitimate step and should not be viewed as a sign of failure or weakness on the part of our military. Rather, it should be viewed as complimentary. The ultimate aim is to truly disable Boko Haram. We must all continue to support our armed forces in this arduous task. May Allah continue to protect them.

Toothless Electricity Regulatory Commission Our lethargic Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, says Electricity Distribution Companies must metre customers on their networks, who had advanced money to the Discos through the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Initiatives, before February 28, 2017. NERC has vowed to sanction the DISCOs if they fail to adhere to this new deadline. The NERC, in a statement on its website, on January 11, said sanctioning of the defaulting DISCOs would begin on March 1. This same NERC had earlier directed DISCOs to conclude metering of these customers before November 30, 2016. I am very sure that nothing will come out of this current threat. My dear Anthony Akah, who is the acting NERC chairman, knows that this agency has consistently failed to adhere to its mandate of protecting the rights of electricity consumers. DISCOs have been exploiting consumers with crazy estimated bills and will do everything possible to ensure that consumers are not metered. They will always succeed, because they have an ally in NERC. Our languid NERC has, over the years, shown that it is more interested in DISCOs than consumers. If electricity consumers are to be genuinely protected, then NERC will have to be overhauled.

Akah

Poor Man’s Kerosene Hits N400 Per Litre As at press time, kerosene, poor man’s cooking fuel, was selling for N400 per litre in some states, thus, compounding the agony of Nigerians. Many households are in crisis, with many forced to resort to firewood, charcoal and other sources of dirty energy. The Nigerian National

Petroleum Corporation has not been able to offer any convincing reason for this suffering. The truth is that NNPC last imported kerosene in September last year. Major and independent markers have long stopped importing. The masses are in a big mess.

january 21, 2017• THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

A TALE OF TWO TRANSITIONS

Trump assumes power in the United States while Adama Barrow does in a cloudy environment in the Gambia, writes Akin Rotimi

his is a historic week in the world as far as democratic transitions are concerned. Yesterday, January 20, 2017, President Barack Obama handed over as President of the United States of America to Donald Trump, the maverick businessman turned politician who won the 58th quadrennial American presidential election. Last Thursday, January 19, 2017, Adama Barrow was sworn in as the third president of The Gambia – after 22 years of dictatorship by Yahya Jammeh. The two transitions bear some similarities. Aside coming in the same week, both presidents Trump and Barrow won as outsiders, on the back of very strong anti-establishment sentiments, and were given very little chances by the bookmakers prior to their elections. The two transitions came in the face of alternations of power between political parties, and both men were real estate moguls with absolutely no prior experience holding public office. But that is as far as the interesting coincidences went. The two transitions pose in very stark relief the differences between a country that is grounded in democratic principles and traditions, and one still grappling with the stranglehold of authoritarian dictatorship. The America’s inauguration was held on the same day – January 20 – since 1937, as Donald Trump was sworn-in as president, and in a defined form that featured a number of ceremonies befiting inauguration of a world leader, and the celebration of the country’s 240-years unbroken tradition of peaceful transitions. Even in instances where electoral outcomes have not been favourable, key political operatives from both sides of the partisan divide have historically put aside their interests and worked to protect the sanctity of America’s democracy. President Obama sums up this patriotic spirit in his post-election speech, “… one thing you realise quickly in this job is that the presidency and the vice presidency is bigger than any of us. So I have instructed my team to follow the example that President Bush’s team set eight years ago, and work as hard as we can to make sure that this is a successful transition for the president-elect.” President Trump has thus benefited from a rich tradition that he himself could not commit to keeping, in the event that he lost the election. Conversely, the Gambia’s transition is threatened by one man – Yayha Jammeh, the country’s autocratic ruler who came to power in 1994 as a 29-year-old army lieutenant. Jammeh had conceded to Barrow via a state-wide broadcast after losing the December 1, 2016 elections, but recanted a week later citing irregularities in the election. On Tuesday, Jammeh declared a state of emergency in his country, heightening tensions and the military intervention by ECOWAS to forcefully remove him from office. Senegal is currently playing host to Adama Barrow who was indeed sworn in as President of The Gambia that country; it is leading the regional bloc’s military offensive against Jammeh. The likes of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Nigeria, and John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, by their statesmanlike rhetoric and conduct after losing their re-election bids, can be considered good sons of Africa, who made us proud by ensuring

THE TWO TRANSITIONS POSE IN VERY STARK RELIEF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A COUNTRY THAT IS GROUNDED IN DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES AND TRADITIONS, AND ONE STILL GRAPPLING WITH THE STRANGLEHOLD OF AUTHORITARIAN DICTATORSHIP

peaceful transitions in their respective countries – Yayha Jammeh is a bad son of a good mother, the type that insists on dancing naked in the marketplace covered in faeces. After over two decades as president, he has apparently learnt nothing from history, as he appears to be hell bent on being disgraced and humiliated out of office like Laurent Gbagbo of Côte d’Ivoire before him. While President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the current Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and other presidents in the region should be commended for their lead role in the mediation efforts, and for taking necessary steps to mobilise the military intervention to remove Jammeh from office, it should be placed on record that they have set a harmful precedent by circumventing democratic principles by failing to respect Jammeh’s right to contest the election results. Amongst other allegations following Jammeh’s volte-face, he claimed there were irregularities in the election and thousands of Gambians with voters’ cards were denied voting even though they were at the polling centres before polling closed. His election appeal was filed in accordance with section 49 of the Gambia’s constitution, which states that “any registered political party which had participated in the presidential election or an independent candidate who has participated in such an election may apply to the Supreme Court to determine the validity of the result of a president by filing a petition within 10 days of the declaration of the result of the election”. There were however no judges to hear the case. Jammeh had for all the years he has spent in office failed to build the institutions that support democracy, including an independent judiciary. The Gambia’s Supreme Court is not currently constituted and has not held any sitting since May 2015 following the arbitrary dismissal of two justices by Jammeh. The supreme court was billed to hear Jammeh’s appeal on January 10, 2017, but according to the country’s only supreme court judge and Chief Justice, Nigerian-born Emmanuel Fagbenle, the foreign judges that had been appointed to hear the case would only be available in May or November, 2017, effectively putting paid to Jammeh’s chances of being heard before the expiration of his tenure. This is a constitutional crisis and a rape of justice and ECOWAS is complicit. Jammeh obviously doesn’t deserve it, but the constitution should have been upheld and the appeal heard. ECOWAS had the powers to deploy judges from the member countries to do this, and fast track adjudication on the matter, and the dispensation of justice before the inauguration. To ECOWAS, the dog’s bad name is sufficient reason to hang it – the ends of Jammeh leaving office, justifies the means of a landmark constitutional breach. The days to come would be very interesting as history would be made. Barack Obama is out, but his name and enviable legacy would be forever etched in gold. Donald Trump has assumed office signalling a new era in America’s history. Yayha Jammeh would most likely go on exile to another African country, and would one day have his day in court – not for his election appeal, but to be tried for his human rights violations while in office. Rotimi wrote from Abuja

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES

Niyi Anibaba writes that Akinwunmi Ambode is committed to taking Lagos to the next level

hen Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State delivered his epochal address at the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan in Lagos late last year, he reminded most history-minded observers about the vision of United States of America’s President, John F. Kennedy when he was hosted by a joint session of the Congress on May 25, 1961. The US leader told the lawmakers of his ambitious dream to send an American to land on the moon before the end of that decade. It was a tall order because the world had only known of the unmanned Sputnik shock of the Soviet Union in 1957 and the feat of the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin who became the first man in space on April 12, 1961. He orbited Planet Earth to the consternation of the whole world. But now Kennedy was daring to overthrow that record with the goal of making man walk on the moon before 1970. His dream became a reality on July 20, 1969 when US astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped off the Apollo spacecraft onto the moon’s surface, scoffing those who mocked Kennedy as a daydreamer, turning the joke on those who said his plan was doomed to fail. Now, watchful Nigerian commentators are beginning to draw a comparison between Ambode’s yearning projection to make Lagos the third largest economy in Africa and Kennedy’s wild aspiration to take man to the moon. Both are transcendent ambitions that bring forth the ability of great leaders to overcome challenges that come with far-fetched dreams and visions. But then, what is a leader if he does not raise the bar of governance and administration if they don’t forsake old benchmark to create

new ones? A purposeful leader must be marked by his knack to dream dreams with both eyes opened while others are snoring and allowing the world to go by in its settled state. A good leader would harness available resources, even if negligible, and bring into being new resources needed to create a fresh order thought to be unrealisable by those given to pedestrian thinking. That was what Ambode did when he presented his vision of the Lagos of the near future to members of the Yoruba Tennis Club 2016 Christmas Eve Dance. This is how he summed it: “We are committed to making our state globally competitive because by virtue of our indices. Lagos State has become a major city-state in the world. We are Africa’s fastest growing market and still the 5th largest economy in Africa with a GDP of $91billion. The drop in our GDP value from $131billion is as a result of the fluctuation in foreign exchange but our ultimate goal is grow our GDP to move from 5th to 3rd largest in Africa.” There is no magic to how it can be achieved just as there was no magic related to man’s conquest of the moon after the idea was broached to a disbelieving world. With a GDP of $91billion dollars, Lagos is at the moment the 5th largest economy in Africa. It surpasses that of Ghana whose GDP is $38.6billion dollars. It is also bigger than those of a couple of sub-Sahara nations put together. Lagos also has a population estimated at 24 million, which again exceeds the total figure for a number of African and European countries. It is instructive to state that some 15.2 million

of these residents are in the bracket of the productive force, which puts Lagos as the state with the largest share of the working population down the Sahara. The state is also home to 65% of Nigeria’s business, hosting over 2,000 manufacturing companies, 200 financial institutions and the largest collection of small and medium enterprises in Africa. These are formidable statistics a visionary leader can wield to take the society to the acme of social and economic transformation. In the hands of an ordinary leader, they do not conjure a potential for radical greatness. But it is different with Governor Ambode. He is exploiting these facts and figures to call into being a Lagos that would leap into the league of the world’s major city-states like California and New York, both in the United States of America. The point I am making is that it takes a man with an Olympian mind with objectives that go beyond the ordinary to harness latent advantages into progressive reality even with all its corresponding challenges. For instance, planning revolutionary changes for Lagos brings with it numerous concerns such as infrastructure renewal, human capacity building and insecurity that come with a burgeoning population of immigrants seeking economic opportunities. These are by-products of urban development and the landing of a 24-hour economy Ambode is working out. The governor isn’t scared by the change to come. Indeed he is backing his vision with generous but pragmatic budgetary provision. He has improved on the capital-recurrent ratio in the 2017 Appropriation Bill just passed into

law by the State House of Assembly. For the empowerment of the citizens, he is focusing on employment generation, youth emancipation and vocational training. The budget also plans to build what he has described as “world class infrastructure” to position Lagos as the 3rd largest economy in Africa. He is also reforming the solid waste collection and disposal profile to achieve the vision of a cleaner Lagos. Transportation has been schemed for upgrade with the government leveraging on water transportation in combination with rail and road networks for an integrated system that will reduce travel time and earn Lagos the tag of a 24-hour economy. Of course tourism has been identified as a key component of the agenda to diversify the Lagos economy, using Badagry, Lagos Island and Epe as hubs. In 2017 Ambode has set aside N20 billion for these tourism projections. Ambode told members of the Tennis Club that these strides of development would be heavily secured by a growing investment in power generation and distribution and more spending on security. And going by the success of the eight days, five centers, Lagos fiesta that dramatically changed the social landscape of the state during the end festive season, it is clear from the governor’s presentation that truly he has an achievable vision required to move Lagos from its present stage to a higher level befitting its name, first as the former capital of the giant of Africa and secondly as the economic power house of the sub-Saharan region. Anibaba, an economist, wrote from Gbagada, Lagos

january 21, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

What fate awaits Jammeh?

The Menace of Street Beggars in Lagos

hey are on the streets, at every corner, on the major roads, under the bridges, in shanties, in the traffic, you can’t miss them. Begging takes place in different shades and forms. They also prey on the sick, the old and the handicapped as they use them to attract the attention of passersby while begging for alms. It is not uncommon to see women with babies, twins or triplet in the scorching sun begging for alms. They do not only abuse the rights of these children but also expose them to danger and risk their lives as they take them through traffic, begging for alms. Apart from this, in some cases these children are either rented or taken without their parents’ knowledge. It is also saddening to observe that parents also push their children to the streets to seek for alms using their innocence to prey on the emotions of people. These children who are often between the ages of four and 10 years are encouraged to approach well-dressed men and women for money while their benefactors lurk around waiting patiently to collect the money. This ugly practice is contrary to section 166 sub-section 1 (b) of the criminal code which prohibits street begging with adequate penalty for defaulters. So it is not only morally unjustifiable but criminal for any adult to exploit the innocence of children and the weak for selfish financial gains. It is instructive to note that on the streets, these children are unprotected from predators; man and nature. In most instances, they are also denied the right to education and a good life. This practice is antisocial especially among Yorubas and Ibos who believe that a beggar is a lazy man who has hands, legs and his whole body intact but refused to work. The culture of begging is taboo to some tribes in the country but society has changed with people losing their values for hard work and honesty. The act of begging is not only degrading, but has become a menace to society especially with the influx of professional beggars from other states of the federation to Lagos State, creating a nuisance. The professional beggars have honed their acts so well that they sometimes put up public performances such as sudden fainting spells, cardiac attacks, asthmatic attacks and the likes to deceive unsuspecting passersby just to get their attention and eventually get them to part with some change. They have become an eyesore as they litter every nooks and crannies of different areas in the state creating an impression of an unkempt society. It is not uncommon to find seemingly helpless and hapless beggars linked to organised criminal gangs. Some of the beggars have been found to be accomplices to certain crimes for which they sometimes hide weapons as robbers believe they would not readily be suspected. Street begging has reached an alarming

dimension in spite of regular rescue operations being carried out by the rescue team of the State’s Rehabilitation Department of the State’s Ministry of Youth and Social Development. The department rescued a total of 531 beggars, destitute and mentally challenged people off the street between October 2015 and January 2016. That these staggering numbers of people were rescued from the streets of Lagos within four months is indicative of the humongous number of destitute in the state. Aware of some of the social factors like poverty, lack and hunger responsible for pushing people into the act of begging the Lagos State Government has gone a step further to ban street begging by establishing a community for beggars in different areas of Lagos State with a functional school, free books and free education. The State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode pledged his unwavering support for destitute and beggars in providing adequate welfare and other social amenities at all special homes built for them, as the sight of beggars on the streets and across the nation paints a picture of undeniable poverty. This social intervention programme by the state government is part of plans to empower beggars and the destitute, educate their children and give them a better life and a brighter future. To reduce this number, the government also stepped up on its welfare package for the People Living with Disability in the state as it is apparent that an average percentage of beggars are the physically challenged who turned to begging in the bid to

survive. Through the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) the government has been able to reach out to this group of people by ensuring their needs for infrastructural development, social welfare and amenities, employment opportunities, education and inclusiveness. Overall, efforts need to be intensified to curtail the activities of professional beggars parading fake medical bills, fake drug prescription note, harassing people and pretending to be helplessness during the day while camouflaging as robbers at night. People should be law abiding and respect the state law against street begging by desisting from patronising beggars. Destitute could be given alms through faith-based organisations and recognised non-governmental organisations or recognised government homes that will handle such donations responsibly. Temilade Aruya, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

BetweenTrump and Lewis

resident Donald Trump’s apparent racially related response to the civil rights icon John Lewis’s comment regarding his presidential legitimacy has outraged many in the society. Mr. Trump, insulting a civil rights icon like John Lewis on a MLK Weekend remains troubling and matches what Psychologist Ryne A. Sherman noted about Trump in recent times (posted in Psychology Today, Sep 17, 2015).“Personality of Donald Trump (whom) I have never had the opportunity to assess… his personality (appears as one who)… intimidate others…impulsive…and easily angered”. Trump, even if the guess on your personality characteristics is right, taking on civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), after he said he would not attend the inauguration ceremony, leaves you open to more future and collective rebuke from the public. T H E S AT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R Sir, this man you are insulting, the Georgia lawmaker EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE who has served in Congress in the last 30 years, is one MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO of the few and last living speaker of the 1963 March on DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE Washington who was severely beaten after leading civil CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI rights demonstrators across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN Selma, Alabama in 1965. When Mr. Lewis said “I don’t see this president-elect as a legitimate president,” because of the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, you in an apparent impulsive way said of Lewis “All talk, talk, talk – no action or results. Sad!” T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D Sir, you went on to describe him as presiding over a EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, failing and crime-ridden district when in fact the areas he ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU represents in Atlanta is faring well and remains marked GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA with the median household income of just over $48,000. DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, Sir, how do you justify attacking a man who risked his life MBAYILAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE for equality in America while you reportedly avoided the DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI draft? SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO Sir, we don’t want you to get America in trouble again CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI as it relates to your line of offensive outpourings and GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI detestable words particularly against Lewis. Sir, consider GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE apologising to this American patriot publicly, and tweeting ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II it will just be fine. Be careful of your use of words, DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO henceforth! TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com John Egbeazien Oshodi, Clinical/Forensic Psychologist, Miami, Florida

JANUARY 21, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

Osinbajo’s Tour of the Niger Delta and Matters Arising

arly this week, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo flagged off a tour of the Niger Delta region, starting from Delta State. No doubt, the motivation for the tour is apparently in search of peace. The peace, not for the sake of it, but so there will be conducive atmosphere that will boost crude oil exploration and exportation, unhindered. In otherwords, the tour has a capitalist drive. That perhaps further explains why the first port of call for the Vice President is Gbaramatu Kingdom, the unofficial headquarters of the Niger Delta militancy. Okerenkoko in Gbaramatu Kingdom is the base of the wanted Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo). Osinbajo had also secretly met with Tompolo during the visit. This is the same person on government’s (EFCC) official wanted list for the alleged crime of corruption. That means that the search for Tompolo is no longer an issue, not when there is a more important search for cash. The visit is in eventual realisation that the tough posture of the federal government in applying maximum force in dealing with the uprising in the region, is counter productive. Yes, the Niger Delta has been on the boil for years, and this has had its hurting economic effects in the nation’s treasury reports. With oil and gas exploration disrupted, and revenue projections badly affected, the federal government has realised, that dialogue, and not force of might and weapons is what will produce beneficial result. Indeed, it has been proven that even if all the Nigerian army is deployed to the region, it will not guaranty peace for maximum oil production and sales. Many had told the government that dealing with the violence in the Niger Delta region requires utmost tact. It is likened to the perching of a tse-tse fly on a man’s scrotum. Smashing it may kill the tse-tse-fly, but the accompanying pain on the scrotum could also have fatal consequences. Thus, merely driving away the tse-tse-fly may be the surest means of stooping to conquer. Reading the body language of the stakeholders at the meeting both at the Gbaramatu Kingdom and the one held later at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, one could see a measure of distrust and cautious optimism among the people. A veneer that seems to say we have seen all these before and it led us no where. As

Osinbajo a proof of this, the militants launched another attack on some pipelines in the Ughelli area, just after Osinbajo left the state, although the military authorities claimed that the pipeline damage was due to bush fire and not militant action. To get to Okerenkoko, the Vice President had to arrive in a helicopter. This is because there is no road to such an important location. If the same nation could construct the Third Mainland bridge, reputed to be the longest in Africa, why is it difficult for the same federal government to build a road network to the creeks from where the money for the Third mainland bridge was sourced? What is the cost of a bridge network that can connect many of the communities in the creeks? What does it cost government to scale up development efforts in the entire Niger Delta region, as a way of assuaging the frayed nerves and compesating them for the damage to their ecosystem because of oil and gas exploration? Would such a cost be beyond the federal government? In 1999, I was in a tour of oil facilities in the Netherlands. We had travelled to one small oilbearing community called Pernis, outside The Hague, within the Rotterdam district. Pernis

plays host to one of the biggest refineries in the world, owned by Shell. As small and far as the community is from the centre, it had all, yes, all the facilities and attributes of a modern city. I dare say that the huge cost of fighting for peace (with little success) in the region is more than the cost of engendering peace through development of the region. Over the years, governments have come and gone, but the Niger Delta largely remains in its decrepit state. If the succeeding governments have been sincere, the sorry narrative of the Niger Delta would have since been different. The creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, was about the boldest attempt to address the myriad of issues related to the region. But it soon got bedeviled by some problems like mismanagement including the refusal of government to even contribute its statutory quota. Aside the several redemptive works done by the commission across the region, the putting together of the Niger Delta Master plan which was launched in 2007, just before former President Obasanjo stepped down, remains the most scientific and reliable roadmap to the recovery and rejuvenation of the oil-bearing region. That document, produced (at a huge cost) by GTZ, a German firm, captures succinctly, all there is to do to develop the region. But it has long been abandoned. The brains behind the master plan are still alive. Messrs Timi Alaibe and Godwin Omene both former Managing Directors of the commission have the capacity and know-how on how to make the region to work. But today, we seem to be groping in the dark, in search of the solution to the problems which should be in our kitty already. To neglect the master plan and look for short cuts on the Niger Delta question is akin to looking for the eye of a fish around its tail. Pray, does Professor Osinbajo not know of the Niger Delta master plan? It’s about ten years now that the document has been gathering dust in the president’s shelves. What is Osinbajo going to be told now in this tour that had not been told to his predecessors in government? What did those ones do? When the rain fell heavily, the bucket was not full, is it the fall of the dew that will fill the bucket? In practical and realistic terms, what can the Buhari administration do to radically change the narratives of the people of the Niger Delta? Here is a government bed-straggled in economic recession, struggling to climb out of its economic

woes, bugged down by unprecedented inflationary bite, distracted by huge security challenges, wracked by unrelenting corruption forces, harangued by a colony of unemployed youths, weakened by dwindling industrial growth etc. etc….. where will this administration find the money to rekindle the hope and fortunes of the people of the region? The VP promised the revitalization of the Maritime University in Okerenkoko…. It sounded sweet and soothing. We can only wait to see the activation of the promise. The late Yar’Adua administration perhaps demonstrated the sincerest attention to the Niger Delta issue when he not only granted the militants amnesty, but also set up a full fledged rehabilitation structure that was meant to redeem the militants and the region. The Amnesty Programme was framed in phases. Rehabilitation of the militants and retraining them for productive ventures was just one of the phases. There were other phases on how to grow and develop the region. But the succeeding administration of Goodluck Jonathan, abandoned the other phases, immediately some measure of peace was achieved to boost oil production. Those documents are in the archives of the presidency. Let Osinbajo dust them up and do the needful. Unless there is clear sincerity of purpose in addressing the issues bedeviling the region, the Osinbajo tour of the region would end up like another expensive jamboree. While not supporting the spate of violence that has crippled the oil and gas sector, it must be stated that the anger that has produced such actions is justified. As late Chinua Achebe would write, no one who sits at the bank of the River Niger is expected to wash his hands with spittle. In tackling the problem, the federal government must this time avoid the mistakes of the past: to think that the Niger Delta region begins and ends in Ijaw creeks and water ways. In fact, the anger that all the attention was being given to those who launched the fiercest attacks recently exacerbated the violence in the region. Many of the attack groups sprang up so as to draw attention to their areas as well. All things considered, Professor Osinbajo was very right to have declared that without peace there can be no justice and vice versa. To engage in dialogue with the stakeholders is laudable. But more laudable will it be to match the outcome of those dialogue with actions. That is only when there will be substance to the dialogue.

Jammeh: The Die is Cast

ast week, I had hoped that former Gambian President, Yahyah Jammeh would accede to the final entreaty of the ECOWAS leaders to step down and handover power to Adama Barrow who won the December 1 presidential election last year. My hope was reinforced by the fact that Jammeh had appointed a liaison between him and Barrow. But all that was shattered after previous Friday’s meeting with ECOWAS leaders where Jammeh insisted on challenging the outcome of the election in a court that wont be ready to sit until May this year. Clearly, Jammeh wants trouble. I hardly can understand his argument which lacks rhythm and reason. Here was a man who called his opponent and congratulated him after the results were announced and declared that by losing the election, Allah was telling him his time was up. Here is a man who had ruled his country for 22 years and massed up great wealth for himself. Why would he not yield to the wish of

his people? The Gambia is a small West African country with about 1.9million people, just about the population of Mushin (in Lagos) alone, daring the military force of the entire sub region. Since last Sunday, Barrow had temporarily relocated to Senegal pending when he would assume power. And in his absence, his 8-year old son was attacked and killed by a dog. Some queer metaphysics! Jammeh had simply unplugged his head from reason. He has ignored all the passionate appeals from within and outside The Gambia for him to save the nation needless bloodshed, by stepping down. Many countries had promised him soft landing and asylum, but he still wont leave without a fight. A bloody fight. But it is all avoidable. Tension in Banjul and many other towns in the tiny country has reached a feverish pitch. Many of the nationals are fleeing the country in droves. Six of his ministers, as at Tuesday, had resigned from the cabinet. Some of the soldiers have even fled their posts and granting damning interview to journalists. And 48 hours to stepping down, Jammeh had

declared a state of emergency for 90 days, with The Gambian parliament extending his rule by the same period of 90 days. This obstinacy has been buoyed by the Gambian army which has pledged to support him all the way. But that is an army that could just be crushed with the ease with which a raw egg can be crashed in the palm of an average adult. A dog destined to die will naturally not hear its owner’s whistle Surely the die is cast! As at Tuesday, a Nigerian warship was already heading to The Gambia, with about 800 combat soldiers and Airforce personnel being deployed to the country. Other ECOWAS countries like Ghana, Senegal, Liberia etc., are preparing to send troops to the small country to force the dictator out of office. One would have thought that Jammeh would learn from the tragic end of Saddam Hussein, or more recently Muammar Ghaddafi of Libya. But he wants to end up a disgraced villain. The events of the coming days and weeks will be quite interesting in the tiny West African Yammeh country.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JANUARY 21, 2017

NEWS

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

Fashola Assures Sector Operators, Stakeholders of Improved Power, Gas Supply in 2017 Says efforts on to rectify recent power outage situations through improved liquidity; averse to privatisation cancellation Daji San inYola The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has asked stakeholders in the Power Sector to look forward to the implementation of policies that would improve gas supply and liquidity as well as the completion of several power projects by the Federal Government in 2017. Fashola, while making his Opening Address as Guest Speaker at the January edition of the Nextier Power Dialogue held at the Thought Pyramid Art Centre, said the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing along with other agencies of the Federal Government, like Ministry of Finance and the World Bank, had put together a policy framework that would help establish stronger and better institutional framework needed to tackle the challenges in the Power Sector. According to the Minister, such policies would help realise a deepening of metering, sanctions for energy theft and better contract performance from Operators in the Power Sector as well as help achieve the financial strengthening of the Nigerian Bulk Energy Trading PLC (NBET). He explained that he could not discuss the policies yet in details at the event because they were in the process of being presented for consideration and approval by the Federal Executive Council, but however, assured that when implemented, they would take the nation to more gas and assure payment to gas suppliers and generation companies which was the way forward. He told his audience, “Clearly these policies constitute the way forward and ensures that everybody in the system gets paid. If we have that, at least, we can be sure that those who are supplying gas will not be shutting down because their creditors are pulling them. Then we go to the

MUSIC ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: Sound Sultan; musicians Adewale Ayuba ; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode with musicians, Alariwo of Africa during the Governor’s meeting with Y2016 One Lagos Fiesta Artistes at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, recently other side that are angry to see what we can do because gas problem is exacerbated on both sides”. While explaining the current decreased power supply and outages across the country, he blamed the sabotage of gas pipelines by “some of our angry brothers”, adding that because of the debt owed gas companies by the DisCos, the companies also withheld supply of gas. The Minister, who noted that there had been some outages across the

country in the last 24 hours, however, assured Nigerians that himself, the Permanent Secretary and other officials of the Ministry were trying to see what they could do to address the situation. Emphasising the need to increase liquidity in the sector, Fashola explained that as a result of the frequent power outages due to the sabotage of power assets, the operators along the power chain were being owed as distribution companies could not pay

generating companies who equally could not pay gas suppliers who, in turn, could not pay their bankers. The Minister pointed out that the debts had been accumulating since 2015 leading to gas companies currently shutting their tanks and forcing power again down to 2,000MW. In line with increasing liquidity in the sector, Fashola also said Government intended to quickly complete the audit of its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to enable it pay

proven debts owed the Operators in the sector adding that the payment had been delayed as a result of lack of authentic debt figures. The Minister further explained, “You have heard that Federal Government is owing and all that; but you know, we don’t have the authentic figures and until we have that I cannot go and tell President Buhari that we want to pay ‘about…’. He will say we are not serious. So we expect to see the completion

of that so that we can pay what is proven debt”. According to him, Government also intended to see to the financial strengthening of the Nigerian Energy Bulk Trading (NBET), the bulk trader who stands as the interim partner to ensure that everybody that was doing their part in the system was paid, adding that once that was achieved Government would then insist on better contract performance and sanctions for non-compliance.

NBS: Nigeria Imported Petroleum Products Worth N2.58tn in 2016

Only Restructuring will take Marginal Rise in Allocation Nigeria Out of the Woods as FG, States, LGs Share Say Balarabe Musa, Obi N400bn for December

James Emejo in Abuja

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

The total value of imported petroleum products for 2016 stood at N2.58 trillion, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated yesterday. A breakdown showed 18.8 billion litres of premium motor spirits (PMS), 4.89 billion litres of automotive gas oil (AGO) and 713.79 million litres of household kerosene (HHK), valued at N2.01 trillion, N505.8 billion and N70.7 billion respectively, were imported into the country last year. Furthermore, petroleum products importation gulped N790.4 billion in the fourth quarter of the year under review (Q4 2016). The breakdown for the last quarter indicated 4.83 billion litres of PMS; 1.00 million litres of AGO and 182.9 million litres of HHK valued at N629.6 billion; N136.1 billion and N24.7 billion respectively were imported into the country. According to the Petroleum Products Imports Statistics for 4th

Quarter 2016, which was released by the statistical agency, the month of May 2016 recorded the highest volumes of premium motor spirits (PMS) imported at 2.02 billion litres valued at N249.88 billion. This coincided with the May 11th, 2016 official announcement by the Federal Government on the deregulation of PMS importation aimed at improving its supply nationwide. According to the report, State-wide distribution of truck-out volume for Q4 2016 showed that 4.83 billion litres of premium motor spirits (PMS), 1.00 billion litres of automotive gas oil (AGO) and 182.95 million litres of household kerosene were distributed nationwide during the period under review. Meanwhile, the average monthly landing cost of petrol in October N132.6 per litre; N121.7 per litre in November and N136.71 per litre in December with 1.43 billion litres; 1.65 billion litres and 1.74 billion litres respectively imported in Q4.

Notable political leaders including former Governors, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and Peter Obi of Kaduna and Anambra states on Thursday in Enugu joined the clamour for the restructuring of the country, insisting that only restructuring would take the country out of the woods. They stated that when restructured, the six geo-political zones would serve as the federating units. They spoke as guest lecturers at the 18th Annual Convention of the Igbo Youths Movement (IYM) at Universal hotel Enugu on the theme, “How To Resolve the Crisis of Nigeria as a Nation”, Musa specifically warned that the nation would remain in arrested development unless it was restructured to achieve true federalism. “As presently constituted, the states are virtually all unviable entities which are incapable continuing to exist as viable constituent units of a true

federal structure. Secondly, reverting to say, a six regional structure would reduce the competitive pressure for power at the centre and redirect more attention to regional political competencies”, Musa said.. The former governor of Kaduna State, whose paper was presented by the leader and founder of Igbo Youth Movement, Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, sympathised with the Igbo ethnic nationality for accumulated marginalisation and unfair treatment in Nigeria federation especially since after the civil war. “There can be little doubt that the Igbo ethnic nationality - like many other ethnic nationalities which today constitute the Nigerian State - have had a raw deal in the Nigerian project This has been particularly so since the conclusion of the unfortunate Nigerian Civil war and the failure of the State to continue to be faithful to the policy of 'no victor, no vanquished'.

Ndubuisi Francis inAbuja

Monthly share of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to the three tiers of government recorded a marginal increase in December 2016, from N386.879 in November to N400 billion. The December allocation, which is N13.1 billion higher than the preceding month (November), is however lower than N420 billion shared by the three tiers in October. Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun traced the marginal increase to increase in royalties collected, Company Income Tax (CIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT). Giving further details, Adeosun, who is the Chairman of FAAC, disclosed that N224.883 was shared as Statutory Allocation with the federal government receiving N105.762 billion; states, N53.644

billion; local governments, N41.357 billion, with N15.504 billion as 13 per cent derivation for oil mineral producing states. Adeosun stated that N79.273 billion was shared from VAT, giving the breakdown as N11.415 billion for the government at the centre; state governments N38.051 billion and local governments N26.636 billion. N52.846 billion was also shared as proceeds of exchange gain and N42.998 billion from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT). On the maintenance of the PPT account, Adeosun revealed that the account, was being kept as a stabilisation fund in agreement with the state governments. The amount, she said, had a balance of $148 million which would be used to augment shortfalls in revenue to all tiers during difficult times. She also put the balance of the Excess Crude Account at $2.457 billion.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 21, 2017

THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri Why President Buhari Ran(n) to Gambia and Away From Rann

resident Muhammadu Buhari wants to intervene in The Gambia to prevent a breakdown of law and order which will lead to a humanitarian crisis. The Gambia has a population of 1.8 million people, while Kaduna has a population of 6 million people of which over 2 million of those are in Southern Kaduna. Till date, the only person who has died in The Gambia is President-elect Barrow’s son, Habibu Barrow, who was bitten by a dog. But in Southern Kaduna, hundreds of people have bitten the dust. If in truth President Buhari really wants to prevent a humanitarian crisis, the place he should be visiting and intervening in is Southern Kaduna before The Gambia. And the penchant of the President for delegating pressing domestic problems to his subordinates while personally addressing foreign challenges of lower priority is on the increase. I have chosen to empathise with the Buhari administration over the deaths of Internally Displaced Persons and international aid workers at the Rann IDP camp in Borno state by a bomb mistakenly dropped on the camp by a Nigerian Air Force Jet, but for the life of me I cannot understand why the President, who heavily criticised former President Jonathan’s handling of the Boko Haram crisis, elected to delegate his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and some ministers to visit the victims and survivors of the Rann disaster to offer condolences and supposed support. And to the Borno State governor who cheekily said there was progress because in his words, there was no “blame game” as would have happened in the previous administration of Jonathan, I would just say, wake up and smell the coffee. I can see no excuse for this faux pas except the Borno State governor is sarcastically trying to call out the Buhari government for its overindulgence in blaming previous administrations. If it was possible, the Buhari administration would have taken out a registered trade mark on the phrase ‘blame game’. Never in the history of Nigeria, and perhaps contemporary Africa, has an administration invested so much of its focus and time on blame gaming as the Buhari government. So Governor Shettima would have to pull more fallacious words out of his mischievous magical hat of illusion to be able to pin such a false accusation on the Jonathan government. It may be necessary to remind Governor Shettima that the Jonathan he so likes to blame visited Borno more than once as President during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. Has President Buhari even bothered to drop by? That is how much the President thinks of him! But in all this, we still must give God the glory that the mistake by the air force did not occur while Oby Ezekwesili and Lai Mohammed were combing Sambisa forest in search of the missing Chibok girls. And let me speak directly to the President. President Muhammadu Buhari, as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, don’t you think you owe it as a duty to be in Rann at this very moment to personally comfort victims and survivors of the unfortunate mistaken bombing by our Armed Forces? This is more so when some of the dead include qualified doctors who left their countries, homes and profitable businesses to volunteer through Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross. If those foreigners could leave their countries to go to Rann, sir, you can leave Aso Rock to go there. This bombing is not your fault, but if you fail to visit Rann where lives have been lost, you will send a very wrong message, particularly as you just visited The Gambia where no lives have been lost accidentally or deliberately due to Yahya Jammeh’s actions. Why President Buhari Ran(n) to Gambia and ran away from Rann would continue to be a mystery for a while. But the truth still remains that you do not focus on putting out the fire in your neighbour’s tiny hut when your own massive estate is on fire. In Nigeria’s history, no President has engaged in foreign travels like President Muhammadu Buhari yet never before has foreign investment dried up in Nigeria as it is today. So bad has the situation degenerated to that Reuters, in a piece by Paul Carsten and his colleagues published on January 18, 2017 detailed how President Buhari’s globetrotting efforts to secure foreign loans have hit a brick wall. The article cited failure to present a coherent economic recovery programme as the reason why foreign donors are wary of trusting the Buhari administration with their hardearned money. In fact, the article posited that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been forced to work with a “consultancy” to patch together a policy document that it hopes would be acceptable to foreign lenders. Now, Nigerians can understand why I questioned the wisdom in the appointment of a polytechnic graduate by President Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s finance minister at a time when we should be putting our best foot forward. The finance minister, Kemi Adeosun, attended the University of East London. The problem is not that this university is one of the worst universities in the United Kingdom today. The issue is that the ‘university’ was actually a polytechnic at the time Kemi Adeosun attended it and was only upgraded to university status in 1992! If you Google this university, you will find that its graduates are one of the least likely to get a job on the strength of their degrees of any university in the United Kingdom.

Buhari

I guess the guidance and counselling department of the University of East London should by now have found a fix for this problem - if you cannot find U.K. employment with your UEL degree, just relocate to Nigeria. Chances are you would be made a cabinet minister! The funniest thing is that when President Buhari ran against then President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003, one of his prominent campaign posters had the promise and I quote, “What we will not do - spend 110 days in a year globetrotting.” As I write this and as you read it, the globetrotting President Muhammadu Buhari has travelled all the way to London. In fact, by his first anniversary as President on May 29, 2016, President Buhari had made 30 foreign trips with very little by way of returns to the country from them. So much for his promises. Would the President be man enough to apologise to former President Obasanjo who was the subject of his particular criticism in 2003? Your guess is as good as mine! So my advice to the President is that he should spend less time blaming past administrations especially as he is now more guilty than them of the things he accused them of. I give this advice because I am aware that each time President

The funniest thing is that when President Buhari ran against then President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003, one of his prominent campaign posters had the promise and I quote, “What we will not do - spend 110 days in a year globetrotting.” As I write this and as you read it, the globetrotting President Muhammadu Buhari has travelled all the way to London. In fact, by his first anniversary as President on May 29, 2016, President Buhari had made 30 foreign trips with very little by way of returns to the country from them. So much for his promises. Would the President be man enough to apologise to former President Obasanjo who was the subject of his particular criticism in 2003? Your guess is as good as mine!

Muhammadu Buhari blames previous administrations, what foreign and domestic investors see is a leader who loves the perks and privileges of his office but hates the responsibility attached to it. They see a ruler who likes to bask in the glory of his predecessors’ achievements like the Abuja-Kaduna rail and the Treasury Single Account, yet refuses to give them any credit. And they will not invest their money in a country whose leader focuses on blaming instead of leading. Blame is the cause of the Naira losing value not falling oil price. An economy can survive a price crash but it cannot survive a crash in leadership. Now, on to other matters. Two weeks ago, I commended the President for fulfilling at least one of his campaign promises. By this I meant the promise to pay N5,000 to the poorest Nigerians. Again I commend the President. However, since I gave my commendation, I have got some feedback. It would seem that many Nigerians are not impressed by the N5,000 handout from the APC-led Federal Government because they are already on their own fulfilling President Buhari’s campaign promise of one meal per day because food is too costly and kerosene to cook it is too expensive! If you are still talking of gas, then you must be superelite because the price of gas has skyrocketed beyond belief! From a price of N1,800 for a 12.5kg cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) under former President Jonathan, the price is now N4,200 under President Buhari and rising. Under former President Jonathan, Nigeria had many fast-rising political, business, musical and acting stars but under President Buhari, the only thing that is fast rising is the price of food, electricity, gas, petrol, kerosene and dollars! What a fast-rising government! And it seems Nigerians also misunderstood the President’s promise to make N1 equal to $1. It was perhaps a typo. The printer probably forgot three zeros. He might have meant, make 1000 equal to $1! And the President’s promise to be fair to all Nigerians is now sounding hollow although the fault is not entirely his. State governments have their own fair share in the blame although one could argue that they took their cue from the President’s body language especially after his famous ‘97% versus 5%’ speech at the United States Institute for Peace in July of 2015. Today (Wednesday 18th of January, 2017), the police brought Joachim, the man who named his dog Buhari, to court for prosecution. This is the same police that have not yet prosecuted any of the killers of hundreds of Southern Kaduna people. This is the same police that last week released the suspected killers of Mrs. Elisha, the RCCG pastor killed in Kubwa. We are not even talking of the suspected beheaders of evangelist Bridget Agbahime who were acquitted in Kano two months ago. As I always say, welcome to the new and improved Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari! In the new and improved Nigeria, you are more likely to be prosecuted if you misname a dog and if you steal or kill cattle than if you kill or behead a Christian Evangelist or pastor. This is even as a governor admits to paying self-admitted ‘foreign’ killers of Nigerian citizens with taxpayers’ funds to induce them not to kill again. Again I say, welcome to the new and improved Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari!

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS MEMOIRS AUTO WRITERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; WOLRD FASHION FILE PEOPLE

pg. 20 pg. 22 pg. 26 pg. 35 pg. 41 pg. 44

Ned Munir Nwoko

My Life Revolves Around Tourism

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2017

PLUS

I Want to Spearhead a Revolution in Tourism Sector From the road that leads from Edo to Delta, at Udumuje Ugboko in particular, is an incredible view in geography and architecture. Situated at about 1000 feet above sea level, rich in wildlife with traditional settings infused with modernity, you only approach the entrance through a 9-hole golf course. Listed as Mount Delta by the state tourism board among 21 accredited sites, it is aptly described as a haven of peace. With mild climate, during both harmattan and rainy seasons, the 100-feet tower and the tropical jungle, the tunnel, zoo that boasts of crocodiles, ostriches, horses, sea eagles, porcupines, monkeys, rabbits and other animals and the Olympic-size swimming pool all make it a place to visit. The mansion has over 20 rooms fit for kings with a combination of Arabian and Western designs. Passionate about tourism and deep in culture, the man behind all this comes from the Nwoko family that has produced the protean designer, architect and master builder, Prof. Demas Nwoko. Ned Munir Nwoko is embarking on a cultural revolution. No wonder the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, appointed him Chairman of Project Tourism, a committee saddled with the task of revolutionising the sector. He takes Stanley Nkwazema down the rich cultural heritage and the quest to redirect the minds of government on tourism N

woko says his life generally has been influenced by traditions, coming from his background as a member of a royal family. According to him, while growing up all you saw around you were traditional activities. “I have always been fascinated with by the history of arts and over time, I have come to realise that individually and collectively, we can help to sustain and promote our culture. More important, I have also come to appreciate the fact that in most countries of the world, if not in all, people do appreciate the arts and cultures of others. As a matter of fact, there is no country in the world today even in Nigeria, where tourism is not principally linked to arts and culture of a people. It has become the hub and most important source of earning for most countries. From Britain to France, Thailand, Brazil and the US tourism has suddenly become the number one source of revenue.” Nwoko explains. To Nwoko, it has reached a point when Nigeria needs to harness all that she has. “We are blessed with so many resources. I believe that I can in my own little way help to spearhead this inevitable revolution. It will happen. It has happened in other countries. We have all that it takes to make it a reality. We just need to organise ourselves and sustain the tempo when it eventually becomes a reality.” Spearheading Project Tourism… Nwoko says he wants to make success of his assignment of the chairmanship of Project Tourism. He says the journey has just begun and it is going to be a very long journey and not a one stop affair or event. “I foresee a lot of difficulties ahead of us but I want to see how we can overcome them and make a success out of it. To start with, we need support like the platform we have gotten from the

Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC. With the partnership, the private sector will be fully involved. There will be a lot of awareness which needs to be created. All we can do now is to have the ideas and drive it to that point where every Nigeria will appreciate what we are doing.” He added, “What we intend doing for the global road show is to highlight the tourism assets of the country where manufacturers, businessmen hoteliers, airlines, transporters and entrepreneurs will showcase their tourism related products. We will elicit the support of notable Nollywood stars and sports’ celebrities from Nigeria and agencies of government will be offered the opportunity to showcase their products. It will be rotated among states in Nigeria, countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia.” “The centre will build on already established/existing monuments, arts and sites as one culture village in every state across the country. The village or city to be selected for the project must currently have natural and acknowledged monuments and historical sites. It must also be safe and accessible to encourage growth using cultural contents.” The Passion and the Urge… “We need the media to publicise what we are doing. We need to develop domestic tourism first. We need Nigerians to know what we have and what they have and be able to appreciate it. For instance, in my place, how many people are aware of its existence? So we need to help government and government also needs to help the private sector in a symbiotic relationship. It has to work. There must be well thought out government policy or policies that could drive these projects. For example, in every state, we expect the Ministry of Education to look at the possibility of including tourism in theory curriculum and then ensuring that apart from the theoretical aspect of it, there are practical visits and demonstration of

Nwoko

JANUARY 21, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS

Only Nigerians Shop during Holidays; Other People Go on Sightseeing what tourism is all about. This will entail schools visiting tourism sites, location. There must be education of how Nigerians should be able to appreciate what we have. We can begin to do this from the primary schools; inculcating it into our kids the idea that it is not only in France that they have to go and see Eiffel tower, London Bridge in London, Mausoleum in Italy or Disney World in Florida or the Taj Mahal in India or the Pyramids in Egypt. Through the development of curriculum of what we desire, school kids will travel from place to place within and outside the states. The schools will have to provide vehicles and make adequate security arrangements for such visits.” ‘We Have to Pay for Tourism’ Nwoko says people come here every day and Nigerians still do not understand that they have to pay for such things. “We are still experimenting, encouraging people and trying to create the awareness. Sometimes we even have to give people money to come here, but we cannot do that forever. By the time the government makes it a policy that school kids must go to particular sites as part their curriculum and pay for the upkeep of those places and help to develop other locations, or encourage private sectors to develop their own, you will see things happen. It is not every time they go to locations that they must go back same time. The transporters must be involved, hotels, cooks and all of that. It is a dynamic process that once it starts, it will keep going on.” It Starts from the Family My children, when they come to Nigeria, do not want to be in Abuja or in Lagos because they love our tradition, culture and what they see here. They

spend more time in the village when they come from the UK. Even my children who are in Abuja prefer to be in Udumuje Ugboko than the Federal Capital Territory. We have a responsibility as adults to let and encourage our children to appreciate our culture and traditions.” Who is Prince Ned Munir Nwoko? “I am a prince of Udumuje in Delta State. I am a lawyer, businessman and was a member of the House of Representatives for four years. Honestly, my being abroad in no way affected my appreciation of our rich culture and tradition; it will also not negatively affect my children. I think that it has enhanced my appreciation of our deep cultural heritage. It has also increased my appreciation of my culture because I have seen how they have promoted and preserved theirs.” Only Nigerians Shop during Holidays “Over the years, I have seen how their high sense of adventure to go to places like Peru, Brazil, Thailand, India etc. In the United Kingdom, for instance every year, peoples’ lives revolve around holidays. They do not go on holidays to shop like we do. They go with their slippers and shorts. They fly economy class booked well ahead that sometimes you begin to wonder if the seats were over-discounted. They plan ahead. Nobody or very few fly business class. They want to discover places; they have a very high sense of adventure and they want to climb mountains, valleys, diving, abseiling and go into caves and discover monuments. They have other things but they want something different. Every year they go to such places, they spend foreign currencies and that is what makes those countries thick.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 21, 2017 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Lai Mohammed

Lai Mohammed : That Uniform! My egbon, where did you get that uniform and which tailor sewed it? I am wondering if I was the only one that saw the uniform o. It was a cross between Civil Defence - the people we used to call guguru defence, Air Force, Boys Brigade and the security man’s uniform at the National Stadium. The cap was also very fitting, reminding you of Fidel Castro and then there were badges on his chest. I am sure badges of honour following meritorious battles fought from the trenches of the opposition battles. I am sure when the idea to visit the forest which I think is the most brilliant strategy so far came up, he must have immediately consulted Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Sports, who immediately sent in his tailors numbers and this wonderful creation was made. My bet is that it would soon be mass produced in preparation for the next election in Osun. By the way, is it only me seeing the resemblance between Chief Mohammed and my Lord in Osun, Aregbesola? Finally, the trouser ended up short in the ankle, the type we call ‘sofe’ and made popular by the late American iconic singer, Michael Jackson. Well, me I liked the idea of looking smart and ready for a trip into the Sambisa Forest unlike my Aunty Ezekwezili who wore long skirt for such a risky trip. If anything had happened, how would she have escaped on foot through the forest? You see the sense in uncle Lai’s athletic and smart outfit? One can never be too careful o with these Boko boys. Tonye Cole: Well Done! OK, we are not that close, I agree. But at least, we have sat down beside each other before. We had shaken hands and had smiled at each other so that should be enough to get an invite to his 50th birthday which I hear happened recently. The most painful thing is that I had placed a call to him a day before, to beg for sponsorship of my play –‘Isale Eko’. You know that is now my new pastime. We spoke for some minutes and he promised to ‘do something’ but in that talk he never mentioned his party and so you can imagine my shock when I saw it in the news the next day. Well, if Mandela can forgive those who jailed him for 27 years, why won’t I forgive Tonye especially since I am expecting support for my play? So my brother, I forgive you o, may you live long and may all your enemies end up in Sambisa a Forest looking for food to eat. May God continue to bless you and your family and give you the grace to make you remember to invite me not only to your 51st but subsequent parties in His Almighty name. Congratulations my brother. The Ripples Nigeria Square Off On the back of sensationalism that

Tonye Cole

Atiku Abubakar

Gov. Ajimobi, the ‘Constituted Authority’ I am sure we all have watched the video where the only ‘constituted authority’ in the whole of Oyo State came out to address protesting students from one kind university. You see, people just like talking without carefully looking at both sides of the story. I have read all the attacks and jibes at my friend, His Excellency who even had to come out of a very important ‘Exco meeting’ to address these people who we are not even sure were students. Look, let me tell you guys, Chief Ajimobi is a statesman, a ‘constituted authority’ and a great son of Oduduwa so you guys can continue talking your rubbish, we don’t care. In fact, go and do your worst, we are ready. What is it, why are people so ungrateful? Nigerians, you can never satisfy them, imagine the kind of words used on this great son simply because he came out to try to listen to these rebels from the Ogunpa flood plains. After all, the so-called university is owned by two states, what about the other state Governor? Who did not even bother to come out of his bathroom. Look, what are the facts? Me I like facts o. His Excellency was in an Executive meeting properly constituted by the ‘constituted authority’ and so did not have to come out and when he did, the protesters did not all prostrate. Imagine, that was the first mistake. The second mistake

was that we were not even sure they had all taken their baths and this riled us. Thirdly, they did not come to the protest with their admission letters duly signed by an authority recognised by the ‘constituted authority’ so for all we knew we were talking to Boko Haram terrorists? Despite all of these, we still showed uncommon bravery to come out without bulletproof vests in our flowing white agbada to address the motley crowd and one of the ‘students’ had the guts to talk back at His Excellency who despite asking the Police to get the boy, still showed a Mandela-type restraint by granting him amnesty instantly. Look, Nigerians should be hailing Gov. Ajimobi for this new type of leadership instead of running around and saying all sorts of rubbish about him and the way he handled an explosive situation which could have descended into chaos, and the falling of his government. I am sure it is these Biafran people who disguised as students that came to try His Excellency and me I like the way he repelled them. I have called my Baba to express my support, he did not take my calls. Maybe he was still vexing at the level of rudeness those people showed him. Never mind Jo, Baba you remain my ‘constituted authority’ and nobody should try him o otherwise, we will all go and wait for you. Kilode.

pervades the online news media terrain, Ripples Nigeria, a leading online news outlet with over one million daily readers has decided to bring back legitimacy and credibility to the arena. They are mulling

a platform that would bring political gladiators to square off and face each other with facts instead of engaging in funny pugilistic jingoism on the pages of newspapers. So you can imagine OBJ and the Awujale squaring off or

Chuka Onwuchekwa

El-Rufai and Senator Sani, or Ajimobi and the Students’ Union President of Lautech, debating over who or what makes a constituted authority. I am already salivating at the prospect. According to the Editor-in-Chief, Sam Ibemere, a veteran journalist, the Ripples Square Off would take place once a year and would give political and economic gladiators the opportunity to engage in public debate on issues of public concern. Each debater would be allowed to choose his team of co-debaters and there would be a chairman and a moderator. However, in the series, there would be no winner, the select audience would be allowed to go home with the conviction of who emerged with a stronger argument in their minds. Or, can you imagine if in a debate between OBj and Atiku, you announce Atiku the winner, me I will not wait for that kind of announcement o. These Ripples people are you sure they are not looking for trouble like this o. Chuka Onwuchekwa : A Shout-out This is my oga, my mentor and someone I have some of the biggest respect for. I feel I should write something for and about him today because I think he has been using style to ask for it. Since I wrote about his brother and partner, Nnamdi Nwankwo – that one promised me Gucci bag, since Chibok girls were captured, some have been released and the rest will soon regain their freedom, I never see bag o. Chuka has been using style to ask me to write about him. If I come late for work, he will say, ‘you know you are a journalist,’ if I no bring money, he will say, ‘you know you can write,’ if I offend client and client report me, he will say, ‘you know you bloggers’ so I finally got the message when he called me in and said, ‘you see, if you write anything about me, nobody will believe’. So here goes my Lord. I love this man to pieces. He may not know it but it is the gospel truth. When he pretends to be angry with me and bangs his table in fake anger threatening to circumcise me, I will just be laughing. Chuka is a legend in the finance industry going by all the people that have passed through him and his pedigree. I accord him the highest respect and find myself privileged to work with him. I have learnt a lot from him and will continue to learn from him especially on Fridays when I walk into his office and he immediately stands up to show me his Gucci loafers, Gucci trousers and Gucci shirts and adds it with the quip that always cracks me, ‘Edgar, people don’t know me o, simply because I am a simple man they don’t know that I have taste.’ My oga pass on the baton we remain your boys. God will bless you. You have a good heart. But still talk to Nnamdi about the bag sha. Na Gucci.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 21, 2017

SPY GLASS

with Bayo Adeoye ....08054680651 edly confined him to the wheelchair. Abimbola, owner of Her Majesty Skin Care Products, is a niece to Senator Buruji Kashamu. Her mother is one of the daughters of the late Ijebu-Ode multimillionaire, Prince Bode Oshinusi.

Hajia Fatima Tukur’s Headache

Yomi Folawiyo, Wife’s Fight gets Messier

Once upon a time, Yomi Folawiyo and Abimbola Kashamu had been an item. They were a delight on the social scene. Before our eyes, they soon took their love story to another enviable height, as their wedding, which held in December, 2011, was the talk of town for a long time. It became more interesting when the marriage was blessed with a baby. Sadly, however, there was a crack in the wall of their marriage. But many had hoped that the couple would do the best within their power to resolve the issue threatening the foundation of their marriage. But the couple seemed to have made up their minds to go their separate ways. The last is yet to be heard about the lingering feud between Folawiyo and his estranged wife, many months after going their separate ways. Spyglass gathered that months after the wife left their former Apapa GRA, Lagos home with her daughter, Mosunmola, the estranged husband is said to be fighting for the custody of his daughter. A source disclosed that the feud reached its crescendo last week when the daughter marked her birthday. Quite expectedly, Abimbola posted the pictures of her daughter on her Instagram page, but it was accompanied with vitriolic attack on her estranged husband. In her IG post, she wrote: “Us right now laughing our ass out .U denied my child, u tarnished my name, u paid mi evil for being good to u , u left , u tarnished my father’s name , u tried to sell out my uncle, u claimed my child was dead to get sympathy from public , u taught u were bringing mi down but ur lies lifted mi up cos I was true to u. Now u want custody of a child u denied??????I will rather die than watch that happen . You claim am not responsible. oh u r the responsible one ????? You destroyed my father’s name Kashaam with lies yet u want to protect urs???? No way!!!” (sic) It will be recalled that the once happy couple had been living like a cat and mouse and efforts by their families to mend the cracked wall were rebuffed several times before the wife was reportedly sent packing by her husband last year. Though it was widely reported that Bimbo was very cantankerous and disrespectful to Folawiyo, a source close to the couple hinted that Folawiyo did not just feel secured with her presence around him, since he was hit by an ailment that has report-

If a soothsayer had told Hajia Fatima Tukur that she would someday be abandoned by those she had helped, she would have dismissed the prediction with a wave of the hand. But today, beautiful Hajia Tukur, who wielded a lot of power and influence when her husband, Bamanga Tukur, was the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, knows better. Until recently, the youngest wife of the former old Gongola State governor was a cynosure of eyes at social gatherings. However, as soon power changed hands and her husband’s relevance in the political scene waned, most of her friends and beneficiaries who once turned her home into a Mecca of sorts have reportedly abandoned her, leaving her to her own fate. Apart from the fact that she rarely attends public functions nowadays, she is also said to have abandoned her “The Crying Child”, a non-governmental organisation, which was launched with pomp and pageantry in 2013. But this may not be her only headache, as she is said to be nursing some other pains in her heart.

Oyinlola Plans Star-studded Wedding For Daughter

Come March, 2017, there will be another celebration in the household of a former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as he will be giving the hand of his daughter in marriage in South Africa, after the engagement ceremony scheduled to hold in Lagos. Those who should know reliably informed us that the society was about to witness yet another star-studded wedding ceremony, as the former governor is leaving no stone unturned to play a perfect host on the occasion. It will be recalled that one of his daughters, Oyindamola, wedded her heartthrob, Eyintayo Temitope, in a star-studded affair two years ago, precisely September, 2015 in Lagos.

Supo Wahab Dosunmu Dies

Barely three years after the death of Sen. Wahab Dosunmu, a Minister

of Housing in the Second Republic, death once again, visited the family, as his US-based son, Supo Dosunmu, passed on last Monday. The late CEO of Unique Promotions, it was gathered, had been earlier involved in a terrible car crash that left him bedridden for two years. It was revealed that he underwent several surgeries after the accident, a situation that made him keep a low profile for some time. The deceased, who was said to be nursing back his career before the incident, was one of Nigeria’s major promoters in America and had taken several top music stars, including singer D’banj and Mavin’s boss, Don Jazzy, on tour. His late father, a chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), died at 74 in a US hospital in June, 2013, after a brief illness. The late politician was one of those who fought for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola through NADECO. In 1999, he aspired to govern Lagos, but lost the ticket to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He, however, won a seat into the Senate on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) before he later defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Amb. Oluwole Coker Buries mother in style

Live a good life and you will be celebrated even in death! Such was the scenario that played out recently when Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Ivory Coast, Amb. Oluwole Coker, and his elder brother, Col. Oladipo Coker(retd.), held a befitting burial for their late mother, Christiana Modupe Coker, who passed on at 92. It was gathered that the Christian community also played an active role during the week-long event in Kaduna and Lagos States, respectively. The ceremony, it was gathered, kicked off in Kaduna, where the deceased, who was the wife of the first Baba Aladura of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement in Nigeria and Overseas, lived until two years ago. Among the dignitaries who graced the burial ceremony in Lagos were African’s richest man and business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State chapter, Otunba Henry Ajomale; Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, former Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Commission, NITD; Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (retd.); the first Military Administrator of Osun State, Col. Leo Ajiborisa (rtd.); top businessmen and women, top government

officials and members of diplomatic corps.

Wale Tinubu Bounces Back

Looking at the king’s mouth, one may be tempted to believe that he never sucked at his mother’s breast. This popular African proverb captures the rise of the Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu. From a relatively small and unknown company, Ocean and Oil Service, Tinubu has grown into perhaps one of the biggest players in world oil business. To those with discerning minds, his success, which ranks him as not one of your run-off-the-mill businessmen, is rooted in his uncommon brilliance and business acumen. Wale Tinubu’s emergence as the King of African Oil did not come as a surprise to those who knew him early in life. “As a highly intelligent man, Wale Tinubu began to exhibit a high level of skills and attitude very early in life,” a source said, adding, “When he dabbled into business many years ago, his clear vision was to lead the company as a leading indigenous exploration and production player on the African continent, and today he has achieved that dream. Typical of all successful men in history, Tinubu is not insulated against challenges. As part of his own trying times, the past two years was not particularly fantastic as oil business has suffered decline around the globe. In spite of this though, the businessman referred to as ‘King of African Oil’ has been able to keep his head above water. But it is now obvious that the brilliant businessman is starting 2017 on a very good note as he has bounced back like the hero that he is, especially with the new contract he won recently, it was gathered that the Lagos state born oil and Gas wizard is among other oil gurus that won crude oil term contract, for the purchase and lifting of Nigeria’s crude oil. It was said the contract will run for one year effective 1st January 2017 for consecutive twelve circles of crude oil allocation. Tinubu’s success may not come as a surprise to those close to him because he has over the years, shown evidence that he’s well versed in oil and gas business; and like a deep thinking businessman , he knows when to invent and even more importantly when to reinvent in a shaky business climate.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •

JANUARY 21,2017

MEMOIRS Pa Agboola Kuye

At Almost 76, I Have No Regrets in Life Pa Agboola Kuye

His mien contradicts the antecedents of his heyday as a show promoter. Humble, jovial and firm, shy of his 76thbirthday. And with children who are making waves in their professions, one could count him among the lucky ones. But for Pa Agboola Ayodele Kuye few months shy of clocking 76, born on August 8, 1941 in Ode-Irele, Ondo State, where he grew up under the tutelage of his maternal grandfather, a traditional ruler, having lost his father at age four. Though he grew up in the palace, Kuye could only acquire Standard Six before he began to fend for himself at a relatively young age. But if you ask him his memorable moment, he would tell you it was his ability to organise and take the afro juju crooner, Sir Shina Peters, on his first ever overseas tour of the United States of America in 1990 where they traversed the country’s big cities. He has since retired and counting his blessings. He tells Funke Olaode about his early days, his foray into entertainment and how hardwork, perseverance and determination paved way for his breakthroughs From Losing Father at Age 4 to Being a Palace Boy, I Have Reasons to Thank Providence On My First Visit in 1958, Lagos Practically Wowed Me

ow I became a Palace Boy! Losing one’s father at the age of four could be traumatic for any young child; especially later in life when he starts feeling the absence of the patriarch of the family. But for Ayodele Kuye, losing his father nearly turned a blessing disguise as this pushed him to a life of privilege and abundance as a palace boy. “I was born at Ode-Irele in Ondo State on August 8, 1941. By the time I was born my parents were farmers. Ironically, I didn’t have a faint recollection of my father because he died when I was just four. I was raised by my maternal grandfather who happened to be the king, the Olofin of Irele, Oba Adetunbokanwa, who trained me. I remember I was bearing his name throughout my primary school

and only changed it when I got to Lagos. My mother had two boys; myself and my younger brother who had been living abroad for ages. I moved to the palace at age six where I began to enjoy a fantastic life. I enjoyed all the privileges of being a king’s son. There was love and I was hobnobbing with all the affluent people, especially the high chiefs that thronged the palace daily. This made me popular among my peers.” Kuye says Ode-Irele then was a primitive setting. There was no light or pipe borne water. Though he knew other big cities such as Abeokuta, Ibadan and Lagos existed but there was nothing he could do even if he desired to go there. So village life was all he knew as he was growing up. However, he was grateful for one thing: farming was never part of his life. “Farming wasn’t part of my daily routine. The king was always in the palace

and I was the one serving him and in turn he was training me. In my case, I had to be at his mercy but it was still a privileged beginning for me because I had enough food to eat and even had money. I enjoyed my youthful days because people loved me and my grandfather also trusted me. I was the only one allowed to enter his inner chamber out of the children. Around 6 pm, I would go into his room to light the lamp and when the gas lamp came, we switched over. So I would ever be grateful to this man who came to my aid when all hope was lost. Honestly, if he hadn’t volunteered to train me I didn’t know what would have happened to me.” The Memories of My Childhood are Forever? Kuye started formal education when he was nine. And this was because it was the policy of colonial masters in those that

your right hand must be able to reach your left ear before you could start school. Even at that, he enjoyed the experience. “I eventually enrolled at CMS Primary School at age nine in 1950 because my grandfather was a member of the church. But when my mother remarried, I was transferred to the Methodist School where I eventually finished my primary education. We were the last set of Standard Six in 1955/56 before the free primary education was introduced by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. After my primary education, I was living in my hometown doing nothing. I desired to go further but my benefactor (my grandfather) didn’t have the capacity. In 1958, a relation came from Lagos and asked me what my next move was. I said there is no secondary school in my town and I don’t have anybody that would send me to all the popular secondary schools in Ondo, Akure, Abeokuta and so on. Moreover, I didn’t take common entrance. This God sent man suggested if I could follow him to Lagos I gladly accepted his offer and followed him to Lagos. My mother was apprehensive and I remember she came to my room on the day of my departure and I stood my ground. But the day I told her that I got a job and I had further my

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 21,2017

MEMOIRS I Took Shina Peters on His First Ever Oversea Tour...

Cont’d from Pg. 22

Looking at my life, it can only be God. I started my early life in a primitive setting where farming was only available vocation on ground but I never wanted to be a farmer... Although if I could turn back the hands of clock there were things I would have loved to do differently but it is not possible now. All in all, I thank God that one is not consumed. I have a supportive wife who has supported me all the way. My children also responded to training and didn’t give me any problem

with wife during his father-in-law’s chieftancy title ceremony in Ijebu in the 80s

around 1990, my brother-in-law, Sanya Ogunfowora, who was based in the United States, contacted me and sent a letter to me that he would like to promote Shina Peters. He said music is a good business and if I can run the expenses in Nigeria, we would all smile. That was when my interest to follow Shina’s music trajectory grew. I found my way to Shina’s place, we entered into an agreement and the papers were signed. It was his first ever trip outside the country. It was tagged ‘Sir Shina Peters Ace USA Tour ‘90’. In September 1990, the crew headed to the United States where we entertained in many states. Our first play was in Kilimanjaro Club in Manhattan in New York. From there, we had another one at New Jersey, then to Chicago, Houston in Texas and back to Washington. We had the last show in Brooklyn. We spent four months in the USA and came back on December 15th, 1990. On personal ground I lost interest in entertainment and withdrew myself.”

L-R: Shina Peter, his relation and Muse Gbadebo during a tour in America

education she was delighted.” Facing the Crucible in Lagos When Kuye came to Lagos in1958, he was blown away by its modernity. He saw electricity for the first time and all the basic social amenities. But he wasn’t carried away by this but rather immersed himself into what the city had to offer. His first job was as a bus conductor at Ahmaddiya Girls’ High School at Surulere where he was able to save some money for his education. “My salary then was four pounds. It was a private bus arrangement to take the student to and fro. I would join the bus in the morning in front of the house of the proprietor of the school, Alhaji Jubril Martins. In the afternoon, we would go and take the food vendors for the students. These food vendors would give me food and life was a bit comfortable for me. The turning point in my life that propelled me to see my life beyond being a bus conductor was the day the school went on excursion to Ibadan. We had a good outing but on our way back to Lagos my spirit mind was awakened and I said I must go further in my education. These girls were singing, relating their experiences and I made up my mind that I must go back to school. I went to a relation that I would like to go back to any secondary in Lagos. But this man advised me to go to Modern School. I didn’t like it because I considered it a waste of time but who would pay for my secondary education?” Swallowing his pride, he enrolled in a secondary modern school in 1959. He spent two years and in 1961, he left his brother and moved to Chief Otedola’s house at Idi-Oro. “With my modern school certificate, he got a job for

me as a junior clerk at the Nigerian Textile Company in Ikeja. I was being paid 11 pounds per month. I spent a year at the textile company. There was this urge to further my education but there was no money. I went back to Eko Boys High School and by the grace of God after one year I was able to acquire Class Four Certificate. That was how I began another phase of my life. I got a job at Oceanic and Coastal Marine Limited in 1974 as a store keeper. I was sent on training and this was when I began to enjoy God’s blessing. I worked with this company for 10 years. In 1984, I quit as a Senior Store Keeper and floated my own enterprise, Agboola Ayodele Kuye and Sons. I was into supply of goods to many companies in Lagos: like the Nigerian Airways, the Nigeria Police Force and used to get contracts from the ministries. This is what I did until I retired.” Journey into the Entertainment World While he was living at Idi-Oro, many musicians used to converge there. These included Ebenezer Obey, the late Fatai Rolling Dollar. Then Obey was a complete singer and Fatai Rolling Dollar would be playing the guitar. This was in the early 70s. Reminiscing, Kuye says there was one woman selling food and they would all sit and eat there. “Obey was fond of me. I had a friend then, one Mr. Balogun from Irele, who was good in local music. He would say: ‘Agbo, let us join Ebenezer Obey’. But I was reluctant because my people believed then that it was only lazy people that were doing music. I didn’t join Obey but I became his fan. I had all the records and wherever Obey was playing I must register my presence. This was what influenced my interest in music. But

Marriage and Fatherhood Kuye got married when he was about 38. This was on March 30, 1979 when he married Olubunmi, a native of Ijebu in Ogun State. The marriage is blessed with five children including a set of twins who he says makes him proud. “Sincerely, I have played my role well as a father over my children. I did not acquire a university education but they have compensated me. My first child went to a polytechnic, another went to Babcock University, another set went to Federal University of Technology, Akure, Obafemi Awolowo University and my last child is in Caleb University.” No Regrets Considering his journey through life, in spite of the ups and downs Kuye says he does not have any regrets. “Looking at my life, it can only be God. I started my early life in a primitive setting where farming was only available vocation on ground but I never wanted to be a farmer. I remember when I arrived Lagos in 1958 my intention was to go abroad. I had a friend who went to London and even encouraged me to save enough money. I was aiming towards that but unfortunately this friend of mine, Femi, only spent two years and came back that was how the idea of going abroad was jettisoned. But God was with me all the way directing my path. Although if I could turn back the hands of clock there were things I would have loved to do differently but it is not possible now. All in all, I thank God that one is not consumed. I have a supportive wife who has supported me all the way. My children also responded to training and didn’t give me any problem. I got born again under the tutelage of Tunde Joda before I moved to the Redeemed Christian Church of God where I currently worship. Mind you, God can only work for you if you are sincere and have a clear mind. For me, God has been good to me all the way. What else can a man ask for? I am fulfilled.” From losing his father at age four and then becoming a palace ‘courtier’ to promoting a leading juju music star on tour of the United States, Elder Agboola Ayodele Kuye has seen a lot. And that is what memories are made of…

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 21, 2017

INTERVIEW YUSSUFF

Strong Opposition Necessary in a Democracy

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Olasunkanmi Sulaimon Yussuff, discusses the state of the nation in this interview with select journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State. Hammed Shittu was there

ow will you react to moves by some politicians both within and outside your party, APC, to form a mega party ahead of next election? Do you not feel threatened? I’m going to answer it this way; Mega party or whatever party you call it, the best thing in a democracy is that there is opportunity in opposition, and when you don’t have strong opposition then bad governance continues. As APC government, we are doing our best, and I think as of now, our best is sufficient for Nigerians to know that we mean business. For instance, so many things have been revealed in the last one and a half years and Nigerians are more aware about what government does today than they did in the past. Most government in the past were shrouded in secrecy but today we talk about NNPC; people now know what goes on there. It is the same for FIRS, EFCC. People now know more of government than what they used to in the past. So, as a party, we have opened up government, people know what National Assembly does as one arm of government; from budget, to making bills to representation. So, whether it is mega party or minor party or majority party, we are not threatened at all, and don’t forget that in politics it takes time before you take root. If anybody is aggrieved about what is going on in the party, they should follow what they used to preach to us, that is, explore the internal mechanism of the party to get solutions to such grievances. People should come back to the party, if they are planning to leave the party. Anyway, I’m just guessing now, they should not forget what they’ve always been telling us that if there’s a problem they should stay within the party and sort it out and fight but if anybody feels cheated and he feels the best for him is to leave and go and form a mega party, then since all of us are politicians, we are going to face ourselves. We have done it in the recent past in Edo; we knew what we did in Ondo and Ekiti and, Osun election is coming in 2018. So, all of us have come of age, no politician can threaten anybody again in Nigeria. We are all politicians whether it is mega party, or minor party. Mega party is not a threat; democracy is for everybody and political party is like an open market with open entry, free exit. If you are dissatisfied with the political party then you can go and form your own party. As far as I’m concerned, APC has done well in taking care of Nigerians. Political party don’t belong to some sort of people alone, it belongs to everybody and if your interests are not being taken care of, then you opt out and if you think that your interest can still be taken care of then you stay. People are talking about mega party and we are waiting for them. Nigerians went through tough times last year, what should their expectation be this year? We are all aware that the Nigerian economy has gone down because of so many factors, not only human factors, but also some natural occurrences and because for a long time, Nigeria did not plan for certain things to happen. 2016 was tough; we were not able to implement the 2016 budget, particularly the practical part of the budget. The new government has been talking about the diversification of the economy and, of course, it’s not something that can happen overnight. When you consider all these factors that means going into 2017, we have to do a follow-up to what we have been doing. Things have been difficult in the economy and I don’t want to talk too much about oil. As I always tell people, our economy can do well at the productive stage, because it is when you are able to do well at the productive stage that you will have something to build on to the manufacturing stage. So, when you are able to do well at the manufacturing and productive stages, then you can now talk of the service sector of the economy. In Nigeria

Yussuff today, we talk about service and telecommunication, internet, foreign exchange, all these belong to developed economy. What we should concern ourselves with as Nigerians is the productive sector of the economy vis-à-vis the manufacturing sector and, what is the productive sector, we talk about raw materials, exploitation and exploration of mineral resources, and not oil alone. Definitely, we are still going to follow slightly the same pattern of 2017 because if you talk about diversification, it doesn’t happen overnight. If you go into agriculture, for instance, there are two broad based of crops, we have the arable crops, we have the cash crops. For cash crops, it takes from 4 – 5 years before you begin to harvest; so you don’t diversify and expect quick result, it takes a reasonable length of time. There is not going to be market difference in 2017 from what we had in 2016. The government should also block all the loopholes, make sure that the level of ghost workers are minimised to be able to save more money and invest. Again, when we talk about investing in infrastructures, the way they do it in other countries is different from the way we do it in Nigeria. Most of our roads in Nigeria are supposed to be constructed and toned, it’s painful. It is true that we have the highest rate of capital flight, whereas in developed countries, construction is done to stimulate the economy by giving jobs to local contractors, but in Nigeria when we talk about road construction, we are talking about giving contracts to foreign companies and, as such, we have capital flight. I wish local contractors are encouraged. As of today, Nigeria is doing N2 trillion local contracts. If you want to go into construction of roads and houses, you have to patronise local contractors to stimulate the economy. These are areas I think the government should look into in 2017 and, of course, as a deputy speaker, we have always being telling the executive that the most important thing in an economy is to be able to retain whatever money you have in the system; at least minimally, 80% of whatever money you have. That is the only way the economy can be stimulated. There’s not likely going to be market different in 2017 from what we have in 2016. Other than administratively,

government is becoming tighter, cleaner and neater. So, the era of government as usual is gradually coming to an end in Nigeria because the executive is bringing sanity into the system, and that is part of development too. When business is not being done as usual again that means government can focus largely on development. The poverty rate in Nigeria is growing, particularly under this administration. What can be done? Poverty is a natural phenomenon; no matter how you try, some people will be poor and no matter how stringent the condition is, some people will be rich. But, what the government tries to do at every point in time is to improve the lives of the people called the masses by providing security for them. The present poverty that is permeating the length and breadth of Nigeria is self-induced. People don’t want to create wealth before they earn a living and this is important. I am not saying that government has been doing what it ought to be doing; government has a lot to do. But like I said, people should be fully engaged. If you talk about education, there is no country anywhere in the world that can employ 10% of the workforce. I want to clarify that; no country all over the world can employ 10% of the workforce. What that means is that almost 80% of people who go to work on daily basis are employed in the private sector and these private sector employees are your drivers, your cook, your gardeners, and in overseas countries, those are what they call jobs. These are the things we must look at, create such environment and provide jobs that we are talking about. You may think that they are menial but they are not. In oversea countries, if they say that they have two or three jobs, its either they go to the airport to be luggage pusher, security guard elsewhere, and so on. You have to be fully engaged in something. So in Nigeria, the idea of employment is of somebody who has gone to school and is now employed in an office space; that is not what is called employment. So, my appeal to people is that while government is trying to alleviate poverty, they must be conscious

of the fact that they must find a way to horn their own skills, to be skillful in certain things. I have seen a lot as an Engineer, those who enjoy the economy are the artisans, welders, bricklayers, carpenters and the rest of them, because these are the people who are always fully engaged at all times. So, nobody is praying that anybody should be poor, nobody likes a poor environment but the fact still remains that people should understand that the so called jobs we are talking about is not with government, it’s with all of us. We must be able to use our hands to do certain things. Government alone cannot eradicate poverty- it’s difficult for any government to do that- what any government can do is to provide the enabling environment, which is even difficult to provide now. If the government wants to award contract, let it be given to local contractors, so that it can retain the money within the economy. What is your message for the people of Osun State, as the election year approaches? Yes, first and foremost they have my sympathy, I know workers there have not been earning their salaries regularly and, when they do, it’s only in Osun that I hear people are earning half salaries. I’m not so familiar with it now. I have been out of that system for about one and a half years now, I cannot specifically say some things, but I know that people have not been earning their full salaries, and when such salaries come, it comes in trickles, in half or something. My message first and foremost is to workers, that they should know that things are going to get better, and that it’s a lesson for all of us that when an economy is struggling, paid employees suffer most. Those who have to change the face of the economy are likely to use the money that is supposed to be used in paying salaries and so, they have my sympathy. I want to again generally touch on the people of Osun, I know that they are resilient; I know they are hardworking, but they should have hope that things are going to get better. And some of us in our own little ways are making frantic efforts to go back home to invest and empower people to make sure that things get better.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 21,2017

EXPRESSION

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This Time Round or Around?

HE NATION ON SUNDAY of January 15 welcomes us this week with just three gaffes: “Mixed reaction greets sackings” This is no news: mixed reactions greet sackings “DIG commends army, police over (for) Yobe attacks” Lastly from Fatai Atere Way: “Onitsha is better now, say Obi” What’s going on here? Let us continue with a visit to Champion House, Ilasamaja, Mushin, Lagos: “Soldiers take over troubled spots” Let peace reign: trouble spots. “Post election violence spreads in The Gambia” (Vanguard Front Page Bold Headline, January 10) Towards a better life for the people: Post-election violence…. Yet another headline solecism from Vanguard of the next day: “Post poll violence continues” Solution as above. Somebody should inform editors at Kirikiri Canal of this recurring lapse. “President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, expressed sadness over the sporadic violent protest (protests)….” (Vanguard, January 17) The next headline blunder is from last week’s edition of this medium: “Police arrest four over Maiduguri explosion” Do we arrest the entire editorial team for (not over) lexical recklessness? “This time around we want change through the power of….” Edifying God: This time round, preferably. The wrong-footed extract is sheer Americanism! “Bribery enthrones mediocrity and crucify merit.” (Source: as above) The Tabernacle of bribery crucifies merit. “Gang up against Buhari will fail” (NIGERIAN Tribune Headline, 15 January) Phrasal

verb: gang up; noun: gang-up (which applies here). “We were treated to another similar incidence.…” All newspapers should know the difference between ‘incidence’ and ‘incident’ (which applies here). “Although the governor’s last minute romance with the main opposition party is held against him.…” Saturday People: lastminute (take note of the hyphen) romance “Thus, a core investor…with regards to optimal use of the machinery.…” (THE GUARDIAN, January 12) Either: as regards or with regard to…. “In the heydays of the goggled General when fuel was often unavailable…” (THE GUARDIAN, January 17) Stranglehold of oil workers: heyday (uncountable). “Last year, many houses of the Igbo in Ajegunle, a suburb of Lagos, were razed down.…” (THISDAY, January 17) No word abuse: simply razed (not razed down). Discard the contrary views by some registers! Yet another headline gaffe: “Restrictions on inter-bank foreign exchange trading is (are) killing the market.” “Armed robbers now have good company–street thugs and unofficial vigilante groups.” (THE GUARDIAN, January 16) Democracy as a disincentive: vigilance group. “PDP candidate points accusing fingers at INEC….” (DAILY SUN, January 17) People in the news: PDP candidate points the finger. No obtuse addition. “Nigeria is at a crossroad” (VANGUARD, January 17) Fixed expression: at a/the crossroads “Stationeries badly needed by.…” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, January 17) ‘Stationery’ is non-count. “But what appears criminal is the desire of these off-springs of.…” ‘Offspring’ does not

take any inflection. The next three goofs are from Vanguard of January 13: ”…the process of economic integration from which will emerge an economic block (bloc).…” “There is a tussle going on between these two (would it have been three?) arms of government.” “Nigerian leaders and politicians have continued to adopt and acquiesce to (in).…” “Globacom sets (set) to rule domestic market” (Nigerian Tribune, January 17) “I have been briefed that the wrangling among the leaders of PDP are (is) over.” (SUNDAY VANGUARD, January 15) BusinessDay of January 16 disseminated a recurring impropriety: “Now that the Police has (have) taken over the supervision of the….” “…and ensure it does not reoccur again.” (THE GUARDIAN, January 17) ‘Reoccur again’? Run for cover, my dear reader! Just recur. Recur, recurrence, recurrent. Occur, occurred, occurrence. “Lack of incentives anger (angers) local manufacturers” (THE GUARDIAN, January 16) “They provide temporary relief.” (Source: as above) ‘Temporary relief? I strongly object to that clumsy expression because there is no permanence in ‘relief’. Blueprint of January 17 circulated three solecisms: “The patients pay for each act of ‘healing’ through their noses.” Get it right: they pay through the nose. “At the launching programme (launch) in Abuja.…” “A cursory look at the figures show (shows) that.…” Daily Sun of January 17 circulated copious shibboleths: “The end point is that people wait for between three to five hours to pay in their drafts.” English without tears: between

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three and five. “With the attainment of the highest office at any strata of government….” Singular: stratum; plural: strata. “It may be difficult for Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu to resurrect again politically after his disastrous outing in the just-concluded presidential elections.” Please, yank off ‘again’ in the interest of lexical sanity and our democracy. “They better not rely on INEC.” This way: They had better not rely on INEC. “Like (As) we had said at various forums. …” “So, the government cannot ask the Supreme Court to interprete the law.” Spellcheck: interpret. (Source: as above) “…the reduction in the number of road accidents and causalities.” This way: casualties. “...to that extent, we shall congratulate its authors for (on/upon) hearing the deafening cry of Nigerians for an effective legislature.” (Nigerian Tribune, January 17) “…were simultaneously a continuation of the power-bloc struggle in Nigeria and unanticipated fallouts from that struggle.” ‘Fallout’ is uncountable. “…appeal to the discredited tactics of past times also wreak havoc on the procedural sanctity of the democratic path.” (Vanguard, January 17) Notes of disquiet: pastime. “Out-of-control trailer crushes 15 persons to death” When people are crushed by a trailer, they cannot be alive except there is divine intervention. So, ‘crushed to death’, to me, smacks of lexical insensitivity. This is my own perception of ‘crush’, especially in vehicular circumstances. You are at liberty to accept or not. After all, some dictionaries question my journalistic and communicative licence on this!

Ajimobi and the Failure of Constituted Authority

enator Abiola Ajimobi, the burly but tactless governor of Oyo State has been in the news for the wrong reasons. That does not bother him apparently. And ordinarily it should not bother this writer, who not being from Oyo, could be rightly accused of being a meddlesome interloper. The purpose of this piece however is not whether this self-assigned wailing wailer has the locus to interrogate the governor’s stewardship or not. There are many eminently qualified indigenes and residents of Oyo State who are better qualified to undertake that task. The intention here is simply to extrapolate the isolated case of Mr. Ajimobi’s recent gaffe as a template for discussing leadership failure in Nigeria and most of its constituent parts. The phrase ‘constituted authority’ was recently foisted on the lexicon of public discourse by the garrulous governor. In fact, thanks to social media and the ubiquity of its eternal imprints, no one can reasonably deny the governor credit for the notorious connotation the phrase now commands. That is surely a remarkable achievement for a governor whose critics say his tenure in office so far has brought nothing more than disrepute to governance and disgrace to the rich heritage of the Oyo people he leads (or misleads, as it were). But as stated earlier, let us leave the full story of Ajimobi’s governance in Oyo for another day and for those better qualified to discharge that responsibility. Suffice for this piece to celebrate his sterling contribution to the vocabulary of public discourse in Nigeria. That inglorious intervention has made the governor popular albeit a butt of jokes in conversations everywhere- in students’ hostels, beer parlours, business boardrooms, corridors of power and conclaves of constituted authorities. For those who missed the story of ‘constituted authority’ a quick reference to YouTube to view the pathetic video of Mr. Ajimobi’s bellicose interaction with protesting undergraduates of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) may be worth the while. In the clip, you find a governor debasing his otherwise esteemed office by trying too hard to assert himself over students who ironically were enjoying the humour of subtly undressing the arrogance of a magisterial overlord. It was bad enough that the governor was not perceptive to the irony of his vain attempt at empty glory; it was even worse that he would choose an inopportune highlight of governance failure involving vulnerable students to advertise his disdain for the very citizens he solemnly swore to serve as stipulated in his oath of office. Worst of all, he spoke in vernacular almost throughout the recorded encounter and found it convenient to murder the English language by asking a student “what course are you doing?” Mr. Ajimobi told rightfully agitated students whose school had been shut for eight months that he was doing them a big favour by coming out of an executive council meeting to dress them down. “This is the constituted authority for Oyo State. Even if I don’t pay salary or I don’t pay this, the fact is that I am the constituted authority. It does not remove that authority,” he thundered. Determined to enforce the rule

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Ajimobi

of engagement in Agodi Government House on the alutachanting students, he fired on: “You should have little respect for constituted authority, no matter what. And if somebody of my caliber meets with you... You complain that your school is shut for eight months. Am I the person who closed your school? If this is how you want to talk to me, then go and do your worst. If you want to be troublesome, I dare you. I’m ready for you, let’s see what happens then. This is not the first time schools are getting shut. So what? It’s not to come here and sing ‘it will be rough this time.’ To be rough for who... is it for me?” It is hard not to notice that throughout the recorded encounter the students were neither bullied nor bowed as the governor intended them to be; rather they gleefully poked fun at him in a typical display of the aluta spirit. Mr. Ajimobi was made to look very ordinary even in the raw display of power he tried futilely to enforce. A governor who has not been embarrassed enough to defuse the huge public outcry which greeted his shameful gaffe by as much as an attenuating statement thereafter surely has a deep disdain for those who elected him. An attempt could have been

made to explain the incident as an ‘accidental discharge’ from a constituted authority consumed by momentary fits of anger; but no, it was a deliberately orchestrated lash out at ungrateful citizens who fail to appreciate the sacrifices being made on their behalf by constituted authorities. Here was a man so enamoured of the aura of fleeting power of his office that he is more concerned about respect for constituted authority than the telling indictment an eight-month closure of a school under his jurisdiction confers on his stewardship. How ironic! But do we not have countless ironies assaulting sensibilities of citizens on a regular basis in this country? There are several other constituted authorities that have failed to live up to the billing of their offices. The sad situation in Southern Kaduna where hundreds of lives have been lost to the menace of rampaging Fulani herdsmen points to a case of failure of constituted authorities. It is same failure of constituted authorities that have enabled and emboldened same ubiquitous and iniquitous herdsmen to run amok in killing and maiming spree in Benue, Delta, Enugu and other states of the south. The grinding poverty, acute lack of good governance and age long environmental degradation in the Niger delta where trillions of naira have been diverted into private pockets at the expense of the suffering masses is a classic case of failure of constituted authorities. It is an annoying instance of failure of constituted authorities that millions of harangued citizens displaced by boko haram terrorism can be further exploited by greedy government officials and denied of resources voted to ameliorate their pitiable plight. Indeed what more can count as a failure of constituted authorities when Nigeria in spite of her abundant human and material resources is allowed to slip into economic recession with no clear-cut clues of exit? What else can define failure of constituted authorities when citizens demonstrate loss of confidence in government by embracing the odds and risks of investing their lean and hard-pressed resources in MMM against warnings from government? It is evidence of failure of constituted authorities when citizens ignore the police and other law enforcement agencies in preference to instantaneous mob killings and lynching on the streets. Is it not a failure of constituted authorities that our roads and highways have become death traps? Is it not a failure of constituted authorities that for many years now our public hospitals and maternity centres are no more than mere consulting theatres and mortality enhancers? What about the failure of constituted authorities in the fact that despite the billions of dollars that have been sunk into provision of power in Nigeria we remain blessed with darkness and frequent power cuts at best? The list of examples of failed constituted authorities is endless and it is hard for any aspect of leadership in the public sector to escape it. What I can say for now is that these are sobering days for Nigeria. It is even more sobering because there is little or no silver lining visible in the sky. ––Epia, Publisher of OrderPaper.ng is on Twitter @ resourceme.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JANUARY 21, 2017

AUto

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 interior

Next-Gen Mercedes GLA Caught Testing Stories by Bennett Oghifo

t’s barely been a week since the refreshed Mercedes-Benz GLA crossover debuted and already the automaker has begun initial testing for the next-generation model. The updated GLA bowed at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show last week, with refinements and enhancements to hold it over until the next-generation model arrives. Mercedes-Benz isn’t

wasting anytime on developing the new GLA, as spy photographers have caught a Mercedes A-Class prototype serving as a mule for testing purposes. Considering the new A-Class and GLA models will share the same platform, it’s no surprise the German automaker is using the A-Class for early testing. The mule has a higher ride height, larger wheels and tires and what appears to be a slightly wider track, all evidence that this is being used to test the new

GLA. The next-generation model isn’t set to arrive until late 2019 or early 2020, so there will still be plenty of time before spy photographers will manage to catch Mercedes-Benz testing the actual body. Like the existing model, expect to see a range of gasoline engines available, as well as a high-performance AMG variant. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if the company adds an electrified variant to the lineup.

2018 BMW 6 series redesign

Next-Gen BMW 6 Series Surfaces

he successor to the BMW 6 Series has been spied while undergoing winter testing. It’s still unclear if BMW plans on changing the nameplate to 8 Series when this particular model arrives, or if it will retain the 6 Series moniker. It’s more likely that it will stay the BMW 6 Series given that its proportions and styling are similar to the

existing model despite the heavy camouflage concealing all the details. Still, rumors persist that BMW plans on marketing a 6 Series model as a Porsche 911 fighter, but we have yet to see evidence of that. Spy photographers caught both the coupe and convertible models testing in the snow and regardless of which nameplate BMW chooses to attach to the models, they will both ride on the

German automaker’s CLAR platform, so expect it to shed quite a bit of weight compared to the current 6 Series. The company previously trademarked the 850, 860, M850 and M8 nameplates, suggesting it is moving forward with an 8 Series model. It’s just unclear whether these prototypes spy photographers have caught testing in recent months will be the 8 Series.

New Ford SYNC AppLink Smartphone-toDash Projection for Navigation Apps Introduced

ith most smartphone owners saying they use navigation apps while driving, Ford Motor Company is introducing new SYNC® AppLink™ capability that will project navigation apps directly from a smartphone to the vehicle touch screen. Sygic Car Navigation is first to take advantage of the new capability. “Ford understands how customers are using their smartphones, so it’s important we offer them more choice in how they connect and control their capabilities in the car,” said Don Butler, executive director, Ford Connected Vehicle and Services. “Our new SYNC AppLink mobile navigation capability will help keep drivers’ eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel while using the apps that they love.” According to a 2015 study by Pew Research Center, two-thirds of Americans are now smartphone users. Of more than 1,600 who participated in the study, 67 percent said they use their smartphones at least occasionally for turn-by-turn navigation when driving, while 31 percent frequently use navigation apps via their smartphones. When a smartphone is paired to the vehicle via USB cable, control of the Sygic app is removed from the device. The app is automatically projected to the vehicle touch screen making the navigation app more convenient to manage. The technology aims to reduce a driver’s urge to pick up and look at a mobile device. Sygic is the first mobile navigation app to take advantage of Ford AppLink capability to move mobile navigation from the phone screen to the in-vehicle touch screen. Available in more than 200 countries and about 40 languages, Sygic technology is used by 150 million smartphone owners across the globe. The Sygic Car Navigation app is optimized to work seamlessly with Ford SYNC 3 – giving drivers more choice in how they navigate. “Sygic is committed to exploring the boundaries of navigation, a philosophy that directly contributes to our enduring reputation as the leader in navigation for connected cars,” said Sygic CEO Michal Štencl. “We look forward to unveiling premium new cutting-edge features and further developments as part of our global relationship with Ford.” The new SYNC AppLink mobile navigation capability will launch on 2018 Ford vehicles. SYNC AppLink provides drivers with the ability to control compatible smartphone apps using their voice.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JANUARY 21, 2017

AUto

Soole: An Indigenous Concept in UrbanTransportation Stories by Bennett Oghifo

ommuting in an urban space as Lagos’ should not be stressful as it is presently. Besides the urge to travel anonymous and safe in a taxi, people should also have a choice to determine their means of movement at their own convenience. This is what Soole is bringing to the roads of Lagos. Soole is a mobile transport apps/application coined from the word, ‘drop’ in Yoruba. Soole

dates back a long time ago, as a fast and cheap means of transportation. The major attribute of Soole is that it is affordable and easy to get. Soole has a place in the history of commuting in Lagos, and it is wholly indigenous. In the good old days, ‘Soole’, meaning drop him/her, was a fast and cheap way to travel and it is preferred by commuters who cannot stand the stress of using the costlier traditional motor parks. It was a battle ‘cry’ between freelance drivers and motor park operators.

Although Soole had a rogue element in the past, but it has now been adopted and reworked to be a safe brand-name by its promoter, Iworld Transit Solutions Limited. Some of the services under this application includes: Taxi Services; Ride Sharing Services; Charter Services; Shuttle Services; and Ladies Only Ride but there are two major flagship services, Taxi Services and Ride Sharing. According to Mr. Charles Ojo, the Chief Executive Officer of Iworld Financial Services, parent

Soole ride

company of Iworld Transit Solutions Limited, “the two major flagships we are pushing now is the ride sharing and taxi services.” The underpinning features of our services, he said are: stringent registration and verification process that ensures the safety of both drivers and passengers, affordable pricing model beneficial to both drivers and passengers, efficient feedback and review feature to ensure premium customer experience enabled by our mobile and web application, a dedicated call centre, as well as a full-fledged, back-end office for all-round support, no cash intervention; thereby supporting the cashless policy and ensuring efficient reconciliation and safety of funds. Full support of the local content drive, using fully indigenous human resources.” Describing the process, Ojo said, after downloading this app on their phones, as drivers, they expect passengers to contact them. A prospective passenger, who has downloaded the app, would impute their destination and the price s/he is willing to pay- there are price options- and if it is alright by the taxi driver closest to the point where the journey begins, then he accepts and seeks his passenger. Ojo, who had with him the Chief Marketing Officer of Iworld Transit Solutions Limited, Itiola Ikudinakin said, “The beauty about this app is that it is that the prices are stated to give room for negotiable, i.e. choice of bargaining. The whole process, Ojo said is monitored from their office in Victoria Island, and that the drive is followed by means of their special GPS. There are different categories under the taxis- the Standard, Deluxe, and the Executives. The Standard taxis are cars without air conditioner but with road worthiness and MOT, just like the regular yellow cabs. The Deluxe are with air conditioners and are car model year of between 2000 and 2009, and the Executives are more of the extreme and recent types of cars.

Kia Motors, Rafael Nadal back again at Australian Open 2017

s the major sponsor ofAustralian Open 2017, Kia Motors handed over a fleet of 110 official tournament vehicles to TennisAustralia during a ceremony in Melbourne attended by executives from Kia MotorsAustralia and TennisAustralia, as well as Kia’s global brand ambassador and former Australian Open champion, Rafael Nadal. This year celebrates Kia’s 16th consecutive sponsorship of the Australian Open, and Kia will roll out various on- and off-line programs for tennis fans around the world. “We are delighted once again to accept the fleet of Kia vehicles to help keep theAustralian Open moving

smoothly over the next few weeks, connecting visiting fans from around the world to the biggest annual sporting event in January,”Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley, said. “It’s a huge logistical exercise to move all our players, officials, media and staff around Melbourne during the tournament and every year this is achieved thanks to Kia’s reliability and support.” This year’s fleet of vehicles, including 50 Carnival MPVs, 40 Sorento CUVs and 20 Optima mid-size sedans, will ensure smooth and safe transportation forAustralian Open 2017 by transporting players, officials and VIPs to and from matches and other activities throughout the year’s first Grand Slam tournament.

Kia Motors supplies 110 official fleet vehicles for Australian Open 2017

Driving Offences and Penalty Fines

ometimes last year, I had the rare privilege as the Zonal Commanding Commanding Officer Zone 7, comprising the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and Niger State to be conscripted by my boss,Dr Boboye Oyeyemi,the Corps Marshal to the Federal Road Safety team to a Public Hearing seating at the National Assembly presided over by the House of Representatives Committee on Road Safety. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola was also invited to the hearing. During his presentation, the Minister who as Governor of Lagos State demonstrated his disdain for traffic infractions proposed communal service as punishment for traffic infractions. His concern was that traffic fines are yet to drive home the needed change required. He therefore reasoned that communal or community service where traffic offenders are compelled to undertake community service such as cleaning drainages or sweeping public places will go a long way in deterring people from irresponsible driving. His proposal sounded different from the usual position people like me canvass which is always on increased fines. This position is the similar to what countries like the United Kingdom tow always. Just last December, the Transport Minister, Andrew Jones during a gathering of

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amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa (Corps Commander) Corps Public Education Officer Federal Road Safety Corps. + 2348033026491

Parliamentarians on road safety in London said a new fine regime was being introduced to curb driving and phoning violation. While I still hold rigidly to my views that increased fines will do the magic just like Lagos has done, I have however had cause to do a rethink on his stand pondering on the novelty of such punishments. Will it bring about the needed change or should it be targeted at which driving offences; the trivial to severe or to all? For the records, I must state here that in other climes, everything from driving without a seatbelt to drunk driving can result in penalty points on your license, a hefty fine or even jail time. Whether it’s a speeding ticket through the letterbox or a court summons for something more serious and this explains why I am still marveling at the Lagos State novelty especially the jail term angle. The reason for my excitement is very simple-human

beings are almost the same world over. The same applies to drivers irrespective of the color of the skin or the sex or even age. What deters the average driver in developed climes is the fact that infractions are not treated with kid gloves as you can end up in jail or lose your right to drive based on what is regarded as cumulative penalty points. It is therefore key to understand the penalties for driving offences to promote safer driving. The National Road Traffic Regulations contains all these traffic violations meant to deter drivers from committing offences.This write is therefore a must read for every licensed driver. Although the penalty point system is not fully implemented as is obtainable in countries such as the United Kingdom, I will no doubt start with the definition of what some basic terms are. First is the penalty point which refers to Points allotted to traffic offences accumulated in the driver’s record? If a driver receives a statutorily maximum number of points, the driver shall be warned and or have his licence suspended or withdrawn. FINE: Is payment of a sum of money made to satisfy a claim of an offence committed as penalty. WARNING: Is notification issued to a traffic offender who has accumulated 10 – 14 penalty points. SUSPENSION: Is the temporal removal or interruption of authority or right to drive a vehicle or ride a motorcycle/tricycle, as a punishment for a period

of time, having accumulated 15 to 20 penalty points. WITHDRAWAL: The act or condition of taking away the authority or the denial of the right to drive a motor vehicle or ride a motorcycle/ tricycle on Nigeria roads, having accumulated 21 and above penalty points. The second definition is on the USE OF NOTICE OF OFFENCE SHEET The Notice of Offence sheet is issued by a Road Marshal to a traffic offender who has violated any of the Road Traffic Laws and Regulations. It is a legal document and as such should be properly understood and filled, as it may be tendered in the law court for prosecution purposes. Having defined these terms as a guide let me now focus on the Notice of offences which contains thirty-seven specific traffic offences. These numbers are not restrictive as they can either increase or decrease depending on that the traffic regulations provide at a time. It is your responsibility to know and understand these offences and to daily strive not to run foul of any .In dealing with the offences, you will get to know the offences, their categories, definitions, penalties and penalty points: Since specific infractions have become the norm, I think it will be appropriate to look at offences such as speeding, use of phone while driving, seat belt related offences, drivers license and vehicle paper offences, in addition to assaulting marshals on duty among others.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • January 21, 2017

FAMILY HEALTH with

Dangers of Embolism

he human body is made up of very complex structures all interlocking and working in perfect harmony as God ordained it to be. But there are instances when things could go wrong, and bearing in mind that , we are all delicately made, any error in the body process would cause serious consequences for the body. And one of the things that can go wrong is embolism. An embolism is a condition where the blood flow in an artery is blocked by a foreign body, such as a blood clot or an air bubble. To function properly, the body’s tissues and organs need oxygen, which is transported around the body in the bloodstream. If the blood supply to a major organ – such as the brain, heart or lungs – is blocked, the organ will lose some or all of its function. We can have ARTERIALAND PULMONARY embolism. An arterial embolism is a blood clot that has travelled through your arteries and become stuck. This can block or restrict blood flow. Clots generally affect the arms, legs, or feet. An embolism is anything that obstructs blood flow. A single clot can cause more than one embolism. Pieces may break free and get stuck in other parts of the body. Some emboli travel to the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys. When an artery is blocked, it can cause tissue damage or death in the affected area. Because of this, an arterial embolism is a medical emergency. It requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent injury. A number of things may cause an arterial embolism. Damage to the arteries by disease or other health conditions is one major cause. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of an embolism. Having high blood pressure weakens the arterial walls, making it easier for blood to accumulate in the weakened artery and form clots. Other common causes of blood clots include smoking hardening of the arteries from high cholesterol surgery that affects blood circulation injuries to the arteries heart disease atrial fibrillation — a type of rapid and irregular heartbeat Symptoms : The symptoms of this condition depend on the location of the embolism. If you have any of the following symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. You may notice some of the following symptoms in an arm or leg after an embolism has formed: Coldness lack of pulse lack of movement tingling or numbness pain or spasms in the muscles pale skin a feeling of weakness. These symptoms will likely be asymmetrical, appearing only on the side of your body with the embolism. If left untreated or worsen,, there may be the following appearing , ulcers (open sores), an appearance of shedding skin, tissue death. Risk Factors • smoke tobacco products • have high blood pressure • have had recent surgery • have heart disease • eat a diet high in cholesterol • have an abnormally fast heart rate • are obese • live a sedentary lifestyle • advanced age.

The risks factors include your medical history and cancers, surgery, heart disease and any activity that immobilizes you in any way for long period of time. Complications can occur . Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. About one-third of people with undiagnosed and untreated pulmonary embolism don’t survive. When the condition is diagnosed and treated promptly, however, that number drops dramatically

Diagnosis Your doctor may check for a decrease in your pulse or heart rate, as the lack of a local pulse may indicate tissue death. Your doctor may also use diagnostic and imaging tests to locate any emboli present in your body. Common tests include: • angiogram — examines the blood vessels for abnormalities • Doppler ultrasound — watches blood flow • MRI — takes images of the body to locate blood clots. The treatment and prevention of embolism are important. Treatment include the use of medication and surgery. A quick intervention is important to save lives. These include : • avoid smoking • refrain from eating foods high in fats and cholesterol • exercise several times a week. Your recovery will depend on how long you’ve had the embolism, the location of the clot, and the severity. Many people recover successfully from emboli. However, an embolism can recur after treatment, so it’s important to be aware of your symptoms and talk to your doctor if you may have an arterial embolism. Quick treatment is key to preventing permanent damage to the affected area. Pulmonary Embolism Pulmonary embolism symptoms can vary greatly, depending on how much of your lung is involved, the size of the clots, and whether you have underlying lung or heart disease. Common signs and symptoms Shortness of breath. This symptom typically appears suddenly and always gets worse with exertion. Chest pain. You may feel like you’re having a heart attack. The pain may becssome worse when you breathe deeply (pleurisy), cough, eat, bend or stoop. The pain will get worse with exertion but won’t go away when you rest.

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, 08053372356

Cough. The cough may produce bloody or blood-streaked sputum. Other signs and symptoms that can occur with pulmonary embolism include: Leg pain or swelling, or both, usually in the calf ,Clammy or discolored skin (cyanosis), Fever Excessive sweating, Rapid or irregular heartbeat, Lightheadedness or dizziness. Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain or a cough that produces bloody sputum. Causes: Pulmonary embolism occurs when a clump of material, most often a blood clot, gets wedged into an artery in your lungs. These blood clots most commonly come from the deep veins of your legs. This condition is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In most cases, multiple clots are involved but not necessarily all at once. The portions of lung served by each blocked artery are robbed of blood and may die. This is known as pulmonary infarction. This makes it more difficult for your lungs to provide oxygen to the rest of your body. Occasionally, blockages in the blood vessels are caused by substances other than blood clots, such as: Fat from the marrow of a broken long bone, Collagen or other tissue, Part of a tumor , Air bubbles. Risk Factor The risks factors include your medical history and cancers, surgery, heart disease and any activity that immobilizes you in any way for long period of time. Complications can occur . Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. About one-third of people with undiagnosed and untreated pulmonary embolism don’t survive. When the condition is diagnosed and treated promptly, however, that number drops dramatically. The diagnosis and treatment is similar to that of arterial embolism. It is important that you see a good doctor or visit a good medical facility for timely intervention.

GLOBAL SOCCER

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

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

21.01.2017

Ademola Lookman

A New Star for Super Eagles?

CRUNCHY BATTLE PAGE. 29

Pre-

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 21, 2017

GLOBAL SOCCER

From Playing on the Streets to Everton Wonderkid Pep Guardiola is regarded as one of the best coaches in world football, especially with the successes he recorded with FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich not only in terms of trophies but the way he transformed the clubs. But last Sunday, against Everton, the Spaniard was handed his worst defeat in his coaching career. One of the players that orchestrated Everton’s victory was Nigerian-born England Under-21, Ademola Lookman. His performance has been enjoying media attention since then. Kunle Adewale, in this report, writes about Lookman’s spectacular performance and the lad's possibility of earning a call to the Super Eagles squad or choose to play for the Three Lions

ith the attention Ademola Lookman is enjoying, it may not be too long before the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) starts making move for the England Under21 player to play for Nigeria as against the country of his birth, like the federation had done in the case of many English players with Nigerian descents. Victor Moses and recently, Alex Iwobi are good examples. Lookman came on in stoppage time of Everton’s 4-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday to score the fourth goal after capitalising on a mistake from John Stones despite being on the pitch for just for minutes. The £7.5m signing from Charlton was delighted with his performance and said afterward: “The gaffer just said 'play behind Rom. I was lucky to anticipate the ball and put it in the back of the net. My first premier league goal, this is my chance to score it - and I took it well.” With his goal-scoring debut for Everton, 19-year-old Lookman is already dreaming beyond the Toffees. “One day I want to win trophies. Of course I want to play at the highest level – whether in England or Spain, I want to be at the top. You have teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid. As a kid, I dreamt of playing for one of those teams," he said. When Everton poached Leicester's head of recruitment Steve Walsh in the summer, it was easy to understand the logic. The 52-year-old's reputation had hit new heights after he unearthed Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N'Golo Kante to inspire Leicester's title triumph, and Everton were eager to apply the same expertise at Goodison Park. Idrissa Gueye, Yannick Bolasie and Ashley Williams were the headline arrivals in Walsh's first transfer window as Everton's director of football. Penultimate week, they began their January spending with a less familiar addition, when Lookman arrived from Charlton as a little-known teenager with no Premier League experience. At £10m, he is the most expensive ever signing from League One. The fee reflects just how highly he is regarded by Everton. A rapid rise into Charlton's first team convinced Walsh that the speedy, skillful little forward could be the next breakout star from the lower leagues, and Ronald Koeman has already described him as an important part of his long-term vision for the club. Like many of Walsh's best signings, Lookman has had an unconventional route to the top. The jump from League One to Premier League has drawn parallels with Dele Alli's move to Tottenham, but while Alli was on MK Dons' books from the age of 11, Lookman did not set foot in a professional academy until he was 16. Charlton U21 coach and former Wimbledon striker, Jason Euell remembers how Lookman came to the club's attention. "It was right at the end of the U-16 year in 2014," he tells Sky Sports. "The majority of scholarship decisions had already been made, but every year our U-16s play a game against Inner London, an FA side for the best players in South London." Charlton had received a tip-off about Lookman. The youngster was playing what Euell describes as "innocent Sunday football" for an amateur team called Waterloo FC in the London borough of Lambeth, but

he produced a dazzling performance for the county side in front of Charlton's watching coaching staff. "He had no academy background at all," says Euell. "Sometimes it can happen that a player slips through the net, but we were lucky to already have a relationship with the county and with Waterloo FC. We signed him on a scholarship straight away." Lookman was drafted into Charlton's U18 side during his first season at the club, scoring 17 goals in 29 appearances as they clinched both regional and national titles. It wasn't long before Premier League clubs started to take note, but Charlton are experts in youth coaching and understood the need to be cautious with his development. "We knew the talent he had but sometimes it's about taking your time with someone like him," says Euell. "He had been training once or twice a week but he had to get used to every day, professional football while doing his school work. He had growing to do and he had to start a full-time weight programme, so we had to be careful with how we used him." Lookman was eventually promoted to Euell's U21s, and in November 2015 he made his senior debut in a 1-0 defeat to MK Dons. Charlton's season would end in relegation to League One, but a little over a year on from playing Sunday league football, Lookman took the step up in his stride, scoring five goals in 24 appearances and landing the 2015/16 Championship Apprentice of the Year award. Lookman's breakthrough was recognised with his first England U19 call-up last May. His outstanding attributes are his pace, dribbling and powerful finishing ability with both feet, but without any professional coaching before he joined Charlton, there were areas of his game which required extra attention. "There were a lot of things he missed out on, and that was the learning and understanding of the game," says Euell. "Young lads always say they can play football, but then comes the tactical side of it, the game understanding and the decision-making process. "We didn't want to stop Ademola from doing what he does because that's what makes him special, it was just about getting him to understand when and where to do certain things. At every level, every game is different. He had to learn what was needed from him in and out of possession." Charlton rejected an offer from Crystal Palace in the summer, but Lookman never lost focus and added seven goals in 25 appearances for Charlton in the first-half of this season. Euell chuckles as he recalls having to drag him off the training pitch at Charlton's Sparrow's Lane headquarters. That determination to improve should serve him well at Everton. "He's a great character and everyone else at the training ground would say exactly the same thing,"

JANUARY 21, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

says Euell. "He is just a humble boy who loves his football. He hates being injured and he always wants to do extra work. He just wants the ball at his feet and wants to improve. He's one of those guys who absolutely hate losing." Charlton manager Karl Robinson only coached Lookman for a few weeks having taken over at The Valley in November, but he described the teenager as an "incredible talent" and a "joy to work with" when the deal was confirmed. Lookman has made a positive impression on just about everyone who has known him, and he heads to Everton hoping for more of the same. "He called me up to say goodbye," says Euell. "I said: 'Goodbye? It's only a see you later; you're only going up north!' We had a nice chat. I gave him a bit of advice and wished him well." Lookman is still learning, but he has the talent and he has the temperament too. In his new Merseyside surroundings, he might just become Walsh's latest success story. Former Nigerian international, Paul Okoku, is of the opinion that it would be a right decision in the right direction if the NFF should make a move to convince Lookman to don the colours of the Super Eagles. In a telephone chat with Okoku from his base in the United States, the St. Finbarrs College of Lagos graduate, who claims he has been watching the progress of Lookman from his days at Charlton Athletic, said it would not be a bad idea if the NFF starts monitoring the progress of the 19-year old from now on and try to woo him to play for Nigeria.

“I think he is the kind of player that will fit into the style of the Super Eagles. I’m not saying he should just be drafted into the Super Eagles just like that. Of course, he would have to earn the national team’s shirt to justify his inclusion when the time comes. However, the federation should first try to convince him on the need to play for his fatherland and not another country,” Okuku said. The 1988 Africa Cup of Nations silver medalist is of the opinion that with the performance of Nigeria in the World Cup qualifier, it won’t be too difficult to convince Lookman as the Super Eagles is in a good stead to hoist its flag at the 2018 Mundial in Russia. “Unpalatable experiences of some Nigerians that had tried to play for England in the past are enough for any Nigerian player to think twice in their choice of country to play for. Moreover, Eagles' dominance of their group in the World Cup qualifying rounds is enough to lure any player of Nigeria extraction to play for the country. “Also, at this time, we need young players that would play for the country for 10 or more years and dominate the world stage like what we witnessed during Clemence Westerhof’s era. That is why players such as Lookman is important to the Super Eagles’ project,” the defunct Union Bank of Lagos player said. Born as Ademola Olajade Lookman October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, London to Nigerian parents, he attended St. Thomas the Apostle College in Peckham where he achieved three As asteriks and five As at GCSE. Lookman signed for Everton on January 5, 2017 for a fee of £7.5m rising to £11m on a four-and-a-half year contract and made his debut for the club 10 days later. He scored on his debut. He received his first international call up on May 16, 2016 being named in the England U19 squad for a double header against Mexico. He was subsequently named in the England squad for the European U19 Championships the same summer.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE 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 • JANUARY 21, 2017

GLOBAL SOCCER

Crunchy tackle... Jan Vertonghen and Sergio Aguero

In-form Spurs Set to Compound Guardiola’s Woes Regarded as one of the best managers in world football after his exploits with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola had never had it this bad in his coaching career since joining Manchester City. Last weekend, he was handed his worst defeat by Everton. Against in-form Tottenham Hotspurs today, the Spaniard may be in for another rough patch

While Manchester City have been boosted by the arrival of 19-yearold Brazilian Gabriel Jesus, Tottenham Hotspur will need to cope without the services of Jan Vertonghen when the Citizens host Spur at the Etihad Stadium today The Belgian is sidelined with an ankle ligament injury. Scan results revealed that the influential defender will be ruled out for up to two months. The 29-year-old has been Spurs’ backbone in defence since arriving at the club from Ajax in 2012. It’s no easy feat to adapt the intensity of the Premier League but the towering defender habitually seized a spot at the core of defence and never looked back. He was rock-solid when Spurs put on a surprise and strong competition for the title last campaign.

Putting aside the disappointment of losing the race to Leicester City last season, Vertonghen has pulled up his sleeves and performed pretty well this term too. He has racked up 20 league appearances out of 21 and helped his side conced only 14 goals so far, the lowest in the division. Mauricio Pochettino will be upset as his side will be facing Manchester City next and Liverpool in coming weeks, two teams who are gifted with a plethora of attacking power to unravel opponents. However, second-placed Tottenham will provide a major test to City, having won seven matches in a row and having beaten Guardiola's men at White Hart Lane earlier in the season. Jesus will certainly provide another option for the Citizens though, having had Brazilian legend Pele dub him as being better than Barcelona star Neymar after he fired Palmeiras to the league title, scoring 12 goals and laying on five others in 27 appearances. Jesus has also proved to be a star in the

national side, after having helped the U23s to Olympic glory. He reportedly had the choice of joining Barcelona or Real Madrid and Guardiola could be thanking his lucky stars that the youngster chose City while Spurs boss could be ruing the timing of his arrival ahead of their Premier League clash. Besides a well-oiled first team, another thing the Argentine has achieved is healthy squad depth. There is no need of sourcing for a stopgap in the winter window, as either Ben Davies or Kevin Wimmer will be picking up the centre-back’s duty. The former came on for the Belgian against the Baggies and looked comfortable till the final whistle. However, Guardiola’s men will be looking to bounce back after the humiliating 4-0 defeat at Goodison Park. The result was never seen coming as the Manchester club hammered West Ham 5-0 in the FA Cup a few days before.

Sitting right outside the top four, nothing less than three points against Spurs this weekend will further derail their chances of combating Chelsea. On the other hand, Tottenham are equipped with prodigious firepower, spearheaded by Kane and Dele Alli, who will look to keep City’s defence busy and troubled. At the moment, no team look more capable of stopping the Blues than the Lilywhites. Apart from being on the coattails of the table-toppers, their stock even raised when they ended Chelsea’s 13-match winning streak with a 2-0 triumph. No doubt, Vertonghen will be missed but Spurs no longer look like a team heavily reliant on a single star. Meanwhile, former tottenham midfielder, Peter Taylor is of the opinion that the White Hart Lane side have an excellent chance to lift the title this season, because they have such a strong squad. Spurs are in a rich vein of form, win-

JANUARY21, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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

21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21

30 29 25 26 15 12 9 0 -6 -8 -7 -9 -7 -13 -10 -5 -10 -25 -20 -26

52 45 45 44 42 40 33 29 27 26 25 25 24 23 21 20 16 16 15 15

Premiership v v v v v v v

Swansea Watford Everton West Ham Man Utd Sunderland Tottenham

12:30 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 17:30

SUNDAY Southampton Arsenal

v v

Leicester Burnley

12:00 14:15

ning their past six league games on the trot, scoring 19 goals in the process. Although the north London outfit trail table toppers Chelsea by seven points in second spot, Taylor, who made 123 appearances for Spurs, reckons Pochettino's men have learned the lessons of last season and are equipped this time round to sustain a challenge. "I think Harry Kane is very important again. He's such a good player - physically fit too. He runs all day and that's what he does so well. Tottenham have a great chance of winning the title - they seem to be improving.," Taylor told Express Sport. "They seem to have learned from last season. Mauricio Pochettino has a brilliant squad - you can change the full-backs and it doesn't make too

much difference to the team. That's an important position. The midfield has also been improved - Eric Dier was fantastic last year, but Pochettino has brought someone in who keeps him out of the team and now he is playing in another position. "Pochettino has been incredibly clever and good. He's got a great squad and if they keep on with the same confidence, they could do very well and have a strong chance." And Taylor thinks Spurs might just edge out Pep Guardiola's men. He added: "I think it will be a close game. They are two very good teams and so it should be a very good football match. It's whoever plays well on the day. At the minute you would fancy Tottenham as they are probably a bit more confident."

Match Facts Tottenham have won their last six Premier League matches There have been over 2.5 goals scored in eight of Man City's last 10 Premier League games. Man City have seen over 2.5 goals in their last three home matches against Tottenham in all competitions. Tottenham have scored at least two goals in their last six Premier League matches. Tottenham have been winning at both half time and full time in their last three Premier League matches. Man City have won their last three home matches Premier League. Tottenham have won their last three matches against Man City in all competitions. There have been over 2.5 goals scored in five of Tottenham's last six Premier League games. Man City have scored at least two goals in their last three home Premier League matches. Tottenham have scored at least two goals in their last three matches against Man City in all competitions.

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

19 20 20 20 19 20 20 19 20 20 20 20 20 19 20 20 20 20 19 19

Head to Head 16-02-14 15-09-26 15-05-03 14-10-18 14-01-29 13-11-24 13-04-21 12-11-11 12-01-21 11-08-27 11-05-09 10-08-13 10-05-04

Man City Tottenham Tottenham Man City Tottenham Man City Tottenham Man City Man City Tottenham Man City Tottenham Man City

Hot Shots

Diego Costa Zlatan Ibrahimovic Alexis Sánchez Harry Kane Jermain Defoe Romelu Lukaku Sergio Agüero Dele Alli Eden Hazard Sadio Mane Christian Benteke Michail Antonio Theo Walcott

Madrid Sevilla Barcelona Atletico Sociedad Villarreal Bilbao Celta Vigo Eibar Las Palmas Espanyol Alavés Malaga Betis Deportivo Leganés Valencia Sporting Granada Osasuna

17 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 17 18 18 18

30 16 30 18 5 14 3 -3 1 -2 -3 -3 -5 -10 -5 -16 -7 -18 -24 -21

40 39 38 34 32 31 28 27 26 24 23 22 21 21 18 17 16 12 10 9

Spanish La Liga Fixtures

TODAY Liverpool Bournemouth Crystal Palace Middlesbrough Stoke City West Brom Man City

Seria A

La Liga

24 23 22 13 8 10 8 5 9 -13 -2 -6 -4 -7 -5 -6 -15 -23 -20 -21

1-2 4-1 0-1 4-1 1-5 6-0 3-1 2-1 3-2 1-5 1-0 0-0 0-1

45 44 41 40 37 36 35 30 30 26 25 25 24 23 23 21 18 10 9 9

Tottenham Man City Man City Tottenham Man City Tottenham Man City Tottenham Tottenham Man City Tottenham Man City Tottenham

Chelsea Man Utd Arsenal Tottenham Sunderland Everton Man City Tottenham Chelsea Liverpool Palace West Ham Arsenal

14 14 14 13 12 12 11 10 9 9 8 8 8

TODAY Espanyol Madrid Alavés Villarreal SUNDAY Osasuna Bilbao Betis Sociedad Eibar

v v v v

Granada Malaga Leganés Valencia

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

v v v v v

Sevilla Atlético Sporting Celta Vigo Barcelona

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

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

16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16

29 16 8 10 11 16 6 -6 -1 -4 1 -4 -9 -10 -14 -17 -13 -19

39 36 30 29 28 27 25 23 21 20 18 18 16 16 16 13 12 8

Bundesliga Fixtures TODAY

Augsburg

Hoffenheim