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Osinbajo: I'm Not Leading Negotiations with ASUU Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Forty-eight hours after an announcement that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had taken over the negotiations with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the former university don yesterday declared

the information as untrue. The union had on August 14 embarked on indefinite strike, citing the federal government's failure to implement its agreement with it in 2009. On August 29, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, had announced that the strike action embarked upon by

the lecturers would be discussed at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of the following day. Indeed, at the end of the meeting on Wednesday, Ngige while briefing State House correspondents said the government was committed to ending the strike embarked upon

by ASUU. Consequently, he said FEC had assigned Osinbajo to take charge of some aspects of the negotiations with the university lecturers, disclosing that relevant government officials would later proceed to the vice-president's office that day for a meeting after which he said government

decision would be communicated to the lecturers. This information looked cheery to the generality of Nigerians who had confidence in the ability of the vice-president to quickly strike a deal with the aggrieved lecturers within a brief period. Those who held this view predicated their optimism on

the vice-president's handling of the state of the nation at two different times when President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on medical treatment of an undisclosed ailment in the United Kindgom. For instance, the vice-president's Continued on page 8

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Army Fails own Deadline for Capture of Boko Haram Leader, Shekau Boko Haram kills 11 IDPs in Banki camp Paul Obi in Abuja The Military yesterday extended the dateline for the capture of

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau following the expiration of the 40 days ultimatum handed down to the troops to capture him dead or alive.

This is coming on the heels of report that the terrorists killed 11 people yesterday in a raid on a camp for civilians displaced by the Islamist group’s violent

insurgency, military and vigilante sources told AFP. According to Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, "the Chief of

Army Staff (COAS), Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General TY Buratai commended the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Ibrahim

Attahiru, his Sector Commanders and all troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for pursuing the Continued on page 8

Kenya’s Supreme Court’s Annulment of Presidential Election Causes Stir in Nigeria We all have to be vigilant and watch carefully, and do what we can so we don’t have a similar situation, says Onyeama Yemi Adebowale and Adedayo Adejobi with agency report For the first time in Africa, a Presidential election has been annulled in Kenya for not complying with the constitution, resulting in palpable shock across political spectrum around the continent. It was a bombshell judgement with far reaching implication that is bound to make African leaders nervous. The country’s Supreme Court yesterday invalidated the result of last month's contentious presidential election and ordered a new vote. It is also the first time in Africa that a court will nullify the vote of a sitting leader. Now, it has suddenly dawn on everyone that if it can happen in Kenya, it can also happen in Nigeria and any other Africa country. Several attempts in the past to get the court to nullify presidential elections in African countries have never succeded. What just happened in Kenya has marked a remarkable turning point that is likely to see more annulments in the future. The supreme court upheld Continued on page 8

BARKA DA SALLAH… L-R: Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar; President Muhammadu Buhari; Magajin Gari of Daura, Alhaji Musa Umar; and SSA to President on Household Affairs, Sarki Abba, at the prayer ground to mark the Eid El Kabir in Daura, Katsina State ...yesterday

At Sallah, Sultan, Sanusi, Ganduje Preach Unity … Page 15

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SWEET SUPER EAGLES‌ Nigerian Super Eagles celebrating one of their goals aganst Cameroon at the Next of Champions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom ‌yesterday

KENYA’S SUPREME COURT’S ANNULMENT OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAUSES STIR IN NIGERIA a petition filed by opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, who claimed the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta on August 8 was fraudulent. "The presidential election was not conducted in accordance with the constitution, rendering the declared results invalid, null and void," Chief Justice David Maraga said, ordering fresh elections within 60 days. In a decision that surprised many observers, including Odinga and his supporters, four out of six justices agreed with opposition arguments that the electoral commission had committed irregularities that invalidated the poll. It also raised questions for international monitors, who had declared the election fair. In Nigeria, Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama who appeared as a guest on Arise TV, a subsidiary of THISDAY media group, remarked that the judgement augur’s well for the justice system in Kenya, and “it sends a message that the courts will uphold the law.� Onyeama added: “I think it’s a good thing that the court and not just the Supreme Court in Kenya can be independent and can deliver a judgement that conforms to the law.� Asked if Nigeria was taking a closer look at the development in Kenya, he said: “Yes, we all have to be vigilant and watch carefully, and do what we can, so that we don’t have a similar situation

during the elections some years to come. Yes, you recall that the last elections or two ago, there was very serious violence and killings so the whole world was watching these elections. We are hoping that the fault lines in Kenya’s elections would not lead to another outbreak of violence." The Spokesman of the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC), Bolaji Abdullahi, described outcome of the Kenyan case as a big step forward for Africa. “It’s a big step forward from the last election which led to violence, and a lot of people lost their lives. The contenders are the same and the violence was along ethnic lines. We are happy that this time, there is no violence and the parties felt confident enough in the institutions of the state to deliver justice. It appears that the institutions have lived up to that billing and have ordered a re-run. We have not seen violence this time, as in the last election. We are happy that this will deepen democracy in Kenya. The lessons for Nigeria are the same, especially now that there are ethnic agitations all over the place. People should trust the institutions of the state to seek redress instead of resorting to violence. It’s a big step for Africa,’’ the APC spokesman said. In a televised address to the nation, Kenyatta said he disagreed with the court's ruling but would respect it.

"I disagree with it because as I've said, millions of Kenyans queued, made their choice, and six people have decided that they will go against the will of the people," he said. Kenyatta said his primary message was for all Kenyans to keep the peace. "Your neighbour will still be your neighbour regardless of whatever has happened," he said. Odinga was jubilant as he welcomed what he called a "precedent-setting ruling" by the court. "For the first time in the history of African democratization, a ruling has been made by a court nullifying the election of a president. This indeed is a very historic day for the people of Kenya and by extension the people of the continent of Africa," he said. As news of the court's decision spread, cheers and celebrations could be heard in parts of the capital, Nairobi. In its Kibera slum, an opposition stronghold where some post-election violence erupted last month, hundreds of supporters danced and sang in the streets, some chanting "Uhuru must go!" "It does mean a lot to me. I am sure Kenya will be at a better place, I am really happy about the decision," Roseyln Aoko told CNN. "I am really happy about today. I have not even had lunch since I heard the results," said 36-year-old

Margaret Akinyi. But it's not yet clear if the ruling will spark public protests. Although Kenya's 2013 election was mainly peaceful, the country plunged into widespread violence in the aftermath of the 2007 vote. More than 1,000 people were killed in months of bloodshed after Odinga - defeated by then - President Mwai Kibaki - claimed the vote was rigged. After Kenyatta was declared the winner last month by 54% to 45% for Odinga, sporadic violence erupted in some areas, claiming the lives of at least 24 people nationwide. Odinga is a longtime challenger for the presidency who has yet to claim the country's top office. Kenyatta, the 55-year-old son of the country's founding President, has already served one five-year term. Kenyatta's lead counsel, Ahmednassir Abdulahi said in court that his client wanted to see the full judgment to understand how the alleged irregularities would "obliterate" his 1.4 million vote winning margin. "My lord it's obvious, and I'm not afraid to say, that this is a very political decision you have made this morning but we will live with the consequences," Abdulahi said. He added that the will of the people would prevail. Four out of six justices agreed with the opposition petition. The Supreme Court has seven members

OSINBAJO: I'M NOT LEADING NEGOTIATIONS WITH ASUU intervention in the unrest in Niger Delta which led to the destruction of various oil installations and drastically brought down the volume of oil production in the country put paid to the activities of the restive youths. Besides, it was also believed that the vice-president being a former lecturer who might have also had his own fair share of the current agitations of members of ASUU would handle the matter with a sense of sincerity in a way that the lecturers could be easily placated. But yesterday, the vice-president pored cold water in that optimism when denied being named as head of the federal government's negotiating team, saying the submission of Ngige might have been misrepresented. A statement by his spokesman,

Mr. Laolu Akande, said the vicepresident only had a discussion with Ngige and his counterpart in the Ministry of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu after last Wednesday's FEC meeting, explaining that both ministers remain the leaders of government's negotiations with the union. "News reports that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, is now leading Federal Government negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU is inaccurate. "Media reports seemed to have misrepresented what Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige meant when he spoke with reporters about the negotiations after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday. "The Vice President had a discussion after FEC with both

the Labour Minister and Education Minister Malam Adamu Adamu around the issues, but has not taken over the negotiations as widely reported. Both Ministers will continue to lead the FG- ASUU talks. "The Federal Government continues to diligently pursue a prompt resolution of this dispute and is confident the matter would be resolved," the statement said. However, this fresh development has been viewed as a setback for the move to quickly end the strike in view of the perception that the vice-president's antecedents as well as his academic background might facilitate moves to end the strike. While announcing ASUU strike on August 13, its National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the strike had become imminent in view of the

frustrations his colleagues were going through which he said had exhausted their patience. He therefore viewed the strike as the last option to press home their demands. "Our members across the country were getting increasingly frustrated, distracted and disenchanted. It became evident that their patience had been tasked beyond reasonable limits and government’s insensitivity imposed severe burden on the leadership of the union “Consequently, based on a nationwide consultation with our members, an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU rose on Saturday, 12th August, 2017 with a resolution to embark on an indefinite strike action starting from Sunday, 13th August 2017."

but can conduct proceedings as long as five judges are present. The court has not yet published its full written ruling explaining why the election was invalid but has 60 days to do so. One of the most contested aspects of the election was the apparent discrepancy between the electronic results as transmitted and the manual count. The head of Kenya's electoral body, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, suggested that discrepancy was the basis for the court's ruling. "The focus of the decision is in the transmission of presidential

results. Therefore there were no aspersions cast on the voting and the counting of the votes," Chairman Wafula Chebukati said. Chebukati said the commission was committed to ensuring that the new election "is done in accordance with the constitution, the relevant laws" and urged the prosecution of any staffer found to have broken the law. He also said he had no plans to step down. "The commission urges all Kenyans to remain calm and restrain themselves from any political rhetoric that may undermine the stability and cohesion of our country," he added.

ARMY FAILS OWN DEADLINE FOR CAPTURE OF BOKO HARAM LEADER, SHEKAU COAS directive of capturing the purported Boko Haram terrorists leader, Abubakar Shekau dead or alive within 40 days beginning from 21st July 2017 which elapsed yesterday 30th August 2017." Usman explained that although the leader had not been captured, the COAS noted with satisfaction the zeal and determination with which the directive was pursued. "He congratulated the Commander for eliminating 5 key leaders of the terrorists group that were the closest associates and right hand men of the terrorists’ group leader. "Within the same period, 82 of the Boko Haram terrorists were eliminated. Therefore, the Commander is very close to achieving the directive.� In a related development, Boko Haram killed 11 people yesterday in a raid on a camp for civilians displaced by the Islamist group’s insurgency. The sources said the Boko Haram fighters penetrated the camp in Banki on Nigeria’s border with Cameroon which houses 45,000 internally displaced people (IDP), using knives to kill their victims silently. “At around 12:30 am this morning, some Boko Haram terrorists broke the barricade securing the IDP camp from the rear towards the Cameroon border and entered to seize food from IDPs,� a senior military officer in the town told AFP. “They killed 11 IDPs and wounded two in the attack,� said the military officer who declined to be named.

Adamu Ahmad, a member of a civilian militia charged with protecting the Banki camp, confirmed the incident. The jihadists used knives to kill their victims instead of firearms to avoiding alerting soldiers at a military base adjacent to the camp, Ahmad said. Soldiers expelled the attackers from the camp after the informal militia raised the alarm. The raiders also stole food aid rations given to those living in the camp, said the military officer. Boko Haram is reported to be running desperately low on supplies after Nigerian security forces successfully cut off supply lines to the group’s bases. “We have reason to believe they most likely acted on a tip-off from insiders,� said the officer who suggested that wives or children of Boko Haram fighters may have infiltrated the camp disguised as displaced people to conduct reconnaissance. Banki, which is 130 kilometres southeast of Maiduguri, was initially an area of relative safety for those fleeing Boko Haram since the camp opened in March 2015. But it has been repeatedly targeted by Boko Haram suicide attacks. In April last year, at least seven people were killed at the camp in a suicide bomb attack carried out by two women. In January, a girl thought to be 10-years-old died in a botched suicide attack after the explosive vest she was wearing detonated outside the camp.

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SEPTEMBER 2 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

Yemi

Adebowale

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Abubakar Malami Vs Ibrahim Magu

I

was stunned and thought that, perhaps, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami would deny a statement, in which he was quoted as saying that the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, “played an ignoble role”, that led to the suspension of Nigeria from the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units. Well, the denial did not come. This means that Malami gave clear orders to his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Salihu Othman, to viciously attack Magu. The AGF alleged that Magu had frustrated efforts to make the National Financial Intelligence Unit independent of the EFCC as required by the global financial intelligence body. The press statement reads: “The threat of expulsion from the Egmont Group, which might follow the suspension, calls for a thorough review of the NFIU. It also calls for the review of the manner in which the EFCC leadership has manipulated and misused intelligence to the detriment of the fight against corruption and financial crimes in Nigeria.” Malami’s aide also claimed that Magu frustrated bills sent by the AGF’s office, aimed at enhancing the anti-corruption fight and making the NFIU independent,

Abubakar Malami

Ibrahim Magu

“and even had to resort to blackmail in some instances, oftentimes, alleging that the AGF and the ministry were all out to impede the government’s anti-corruption drive.” The AGF media aide alleges further: “Magu and other EFCC officials, and at times through ozznline publications, had at one time or the other accused the minister of trying to compromise the war. They have

always perceived the Office of the AGF as a threat instead of addressing the issues related to the best strategy for fighting corruption advocated by the AGF. For instance, during the House of Representatives Committee review session on 18th April, 2017, Magu vehemently rejected the new Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2016) submitted

Skewed Progress Report on Boko Haram Adamu Kamale, representing Michika/ Madagali Federal Constituency of Adamawa State in the House of Representatives, has joined the few patriots punching holes in the lies the military leadership has been propagating about the war against Boko Haram. Kamale, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, is now in the club of few Nigerians courageously telling President Buhari the truth about the war. The reality, which I have been hammering on in the last two years, is that Boko Haram terrorists are still very much potent and occupy territories in Borno State. Hundreds of towns and villages are not safe. This is why over two million IDPs can’t return to their homes. Kamale declared on Monday: “The Nigerian military often fed President Buhari with the wrong information on the capacity of Boko Haram

to carry out deadly strikes in the North-East. The truth remains that the group is still very active. The situation in Madagali had been grossly under-reported in a series of security reports filed by the military to Buhari. “No week passes without one ugly incident or another taking place in the border communities. I am from this place (Madagali) and I can authoritatively tell you that my people are not safe. The military are always feeding Mr. President with the wrong information that things are normalising; it’s not true. We are happy that Mr. President made a reference to the Boko Haram issue in his broadcast to the nation when he returned from his medical vacation to the United Kingdom. However, we advise Mr. President to match the broadcast with actions because the insurgents are truly killing more people than he is even

aware of. The situation here (Madagali) is worse than the reports he gets from the military. Insurgents are still very active, killing people, kidnapping women and children and raping them. As I speak, insurgents live and operate just within two kilometres to the Sambisa Forest from Madagali.” The leadership of the military has indeed been economical with the truth on this war. If our President is desirous of progress, he has to retire those in the top hierarchy of this war and appoint fresh hands. The likes of Gabriel Olonishakin, Tukur Buratai and Sadique Abubakar have done their best, but it is just not good enough for this war. They must make way for new hands in the interest of Nigeria.

British High Commission’s Exploitative ‘Super Priority Visa Service’ The United Kingdom has evidently turned its visa offices in Nigeria into cash cows. Its entry permit fees have always been outrageous, with fees ranging from a minimum of $121 to $1043. What is widely regarded as the highest service fee in any of its outposts in the world will now be charged in Nigeria following the launch of the optional “Super Priority Visa Service”. Nigerians interested in processing their applications within 24 hours will have to cough out £750 as fee for this elective Super Priority Visa Service. At official exchange rate, this would be a monstrous N375,000. This is in addition to the visa fee

indicated earlier. The British High Commissioner, Paul Arkwright said the new service was to particularly meet the needs of those who required urgent service to travel. But must this be done at a cutthroat price? Can’t the British High Commission provide greater processing flexibility and improvements to its visa services in Nigeria without this exploitative addition? Nigerians visiting the UK deserve premium visa services without unfair additions. The Nigerian government needs to look into this exploitative visa service fee by the British Government and retaliate, if need be.

Paul Arkwright

Governor Yari and Zamfara Workers The Nigeria Labour Congress, Zamfara State chapter, looks set for a showdown with Governor Abdulazize Yari. Already, the workers have issued a 21-day ultimatum (effective August 21) to him, to meet their demands or face “total strike action.” They have a long list of grudges against Yari, top of which is the alleged diversion of bailout funds. According to the state chairman of the NLC, Bashir Marafa, aside from failing to meet agreements it reached with labour leaders on welfare of workers and pensioners, Yari also “diverted bailout funds it received

from the federal government.” This is a just battle by Zamfara workers, and the leadership of the NLC/TUC at the national level must back these oppressed workers in this struggle against a governor that pummels workers with impunity. I am particularly pained that Yari has allegedly refused to pay the 1,400 graduates he employed in 2014 into the Zamfara State civil service. It seems this governor is unaware that he would account for his stewardship in less than two years’ time. The people of Zamfara are earnestly waiting.

Governor Yari

by the President, which according to him (as reported by some national dailies) might prejudice President Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda. He even went on his whimsical best by surmising that passing the bill into law now would affect Nigeria’s application for the membership of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). “What parody! In likewise, the EFCC is now in a state of paranoia, as it dreads the effort of the government to have an independent NFIU, which it has stood against stoically since 2006. As it presently stands, the NFIU members of staff are all deployed by the EFCC to serve in the interest of whoever is its current chairman. This has to stop if it must conform to the new thinking and global best practices. Nigeria cannot be an island of its own. The EFCC cannot fight corruption in isolation.” This bitter rivalry between Malami and Magu has been on for almost two years. Just few weeks back, these men fought openly when a request from the office of the AGF, asking Magu to release the case files of high profile suspects and corrupt public office holders was turned down by the EFCC. It is depressing to see a federal ministry and a federal agency dancing naked in public. I am also shocked that the man who appointed the two of them, President Buhari, has not taken any concrete step to curb this quarrel. Is Buhari pretending not to see the feud as a setback to this war against corruption, one of the cardinal points of his administration? Well, let him continue pretending about his skewed war against corruption. However, genuine patriots want to see an end to the embarrassment that Magu and Malami are creating for this country. It is obvious that they can’t work together. Buhari has to sack one of these men. In the interest of the entire country, our President has to make up his mind whether he wants Magu or Malami. For me, Malami should go. Much as I agree with his position that the NFIU be expunged from the EFCC and should operate as an independent body, this AGF has persistently displayed extreme overzealousness on his job. Malami’s specious exuberance is not good for this strategic office and causes discomfiture to this country. A good example here is the recent case in which Malami hired Professor Yemi Akinseye-George to claim $793.2 million allegedly hidden in seven commercial banks in Nigeria by three federal agencies. At the initial stage, many thought that Malami had genuinely discovered stashed money, but it turned out to be a charade. Facts and figures presented by the accused agencies and banks showed that there were no such stashed funds anywhere. The NNPC was the first to punch holes in the phony recovery, describing Malami’s claim as “untrue and misleading.” It said that the corporation had earlier taken steps to inform the Presidency, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, as well as the Central Bank of the existence of the said accounts prior to the creation of the Asset Recovery Account by the government. After embarrassing the banks, with the attendant collateral damages, claims that the funds were hidden and unknown to the government turned out to be dubious. Our implausible AGF went back to the court (after obtaining an interim forfeiture order) to withdraw the suit and was made to pay damages to the banks. This is one issue that the AGF could have resolved with the NNPC, without this unnecessary awkwardness. Malami simply wants to be seen working. Back to the feud with the EFCC; Malami does not want to face the reality that this antigraft agency is an independent body. EFCC’s relationship with his office starts and ends with issue of prosecution alone. This is the fact. Malami’s power of prosecution should not be used as an opportunity to force the EFCC under his control. This country needs a Minister of Justice that understands this. Clearly, Malami can’t live with this and should just go. As for Magu, his exuberance can be positively utilised by a good leader. He is a lesser evil. For now, the most vital ingredient missing in his modus operandi in this war against corruption is the lack of respect for the Rule of Law. Magu can be flogged into line and forced to learn to operate within the ambits of the law. Magu’s idea of media trial and freezing of people’s accounts without court approval should be curtailed.

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TOGETHER AS ONE ... L-R: Executive Director, Ebonytlife TV, Uzor Onwuchekwa; Senior Brand Manager, Johnnie Walker, Maria Zeron; Marketing Director, Spirits and Guinness, Guinness Nigeria Plc. Adenike Adebola; Actor, Zainab Balogun and CSO, Ebonylife TV, Eunice Omole, during a courtesy visit to the Guinness HQ, sponsors of 'The Royal Hibiscus Hotel' yesterday in Lagos PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

Arik Shareholders React to Planned Takeover of Airline Chinedu Eze Shareholders of Nigeria’s largest carrier, Arik Air have described as unfortunate the alleged plan by the federal government to hand over the airline to a foreign operator, Ethiopia Airlines. Reports show that Ethiopia Airlines has indicated interest in signing a contract with the federal government to take over the management of Arik Air, which Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over from the owners in February this year due

to huge debts owed by the later to both the government agency and banks. Speaking on behalf of the shareholders, the former Vice President of the airline, Senator Anietie Okon said the planned takeover by Ethiopia Airlines was not coming as a surprise because the shareholders had been aware that the East African airline had been lobbying to take over the management of the largest airline in the country and had a foothold to exploit the Nigerian domestic air traffic market. “This is not coming as a surprise

since Ethiopia Airlines has a commercial objective of dominating Africa. What is a surprise is the shamelessness and desperation of our aviation authorities to mortgage the future of our country for gold and silver. “Arik Air, a wholly owned Nigerian company operated without hitch for 10 years. It started when naira was 150/$1 and fuel was 97 per litre and managed without any significant increase in fares, it survived for 10 years in a very hostile operations environment, paying loans it obtained in USD and salaries to over

2000 employees. The company ran into heavy clouds as the economy went into recession and next line of action was for AMCON to take it over and now hurrying to hand it over to a foreign company that will sack most of the indigenous staff of the airline,� Senator Okon said. He excoriated the “level of lack of patriotism and shamelessness by some people in government offices� and described it as “appalling and desecration of national decency and honor. “I really will not blame Ethiopian. It is the gullible Nigerians who will

sell his countrymen for peanuts. The aviation industry is losing Nigerian workers every day because the domestic airlines are dying. This is an industry that is projected to employ about 9.7 million Nigerian if well managed but everything is being handed over to foreign companies that will sack our people,� Okon said. He remarked that given a homegrown business that had run consistently well to the pride of country; it would be an aberration for government not to establish the real reasons why the airline went under.

“They should look at why Nigerian airlines don’t survive for a long time. They should look at their policies and operating environment in the country, which to us is an indictment of the country itself. It’s further complicated with the fact that Nigeria generates the traffic that even all regional carriers including the famous Ethiopia Airlines depend on in West and Central Africa. Now you will surrender your own airline to a foreign competing airline that had suggested the liquidation of same entity. This raises more questions than answers,� Okon added.

UK Commends Nigeria for Tackling Militants in N’Delta Kill Soldier, Piracy in Gulf of Guinea Civilian in Ambush Rebecca Ejifoma

The United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary, Mr. Boris Johnson yesterday in Lagos commended the role Nigeria was playing in tackling piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, pointing out that a lot of the UK’s oil came from the Nigerian Waters. The Foreign Secretary said this during his visit to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Unity at Naval Dockyard Limited in Victoria Island, Lagos. Boris said: “I congratulate the Nigerian Navy for what it is doing to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. We in the U.K are very proud to offer assistance to the navy to become even better in tackling piracy. “A lot of our oil in the U.K comes through this water so it is very important that they are tackling this problem of piracy,� he said. The Chief of Trainings and Operation, Naval Headquarters Abuja, Rear Adm. Fergusson

Bobai, representing the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok Ibas, said the visit was to further strengthen the existence bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UK to combat maritime crimes especially at the Gulf of Guinea. “The age-long relationship between Nigeria and the U.K dates back before independence. As a matter of fact we got independence from them,� Ibas noted. He continued that the UK helped them put up the Nigerian Navy and had since they been helping in terms of capacity building. “So today’s visit of the foreign Secretary is a very clear testimony of the long edge bilateral relationship military wise between UK and Nigeria.� The CNS said the British had for many years been giving the navy training assistance, adding that it was not out of place that they see firsthand the military assistance they gave to nations. “We also have the British training assistance team in Nigeria over

some years and they have been training us in so many facets. But today’s visit anchors on what they have been training us to enable us fight piracy and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea in particular. “So for us, I think it’s a good omen and it has indicated that our relation with the UK is going stronger so we encourage them to continue to support us in capacity building,� he said. He noted that the British personnel in Nigeria would stay for three days specifically to conduct trainings onboard NNS Unity that had to do with fire-fighting and damage control. “So the cooperation between the two countries is strong,� he said. The CNS further said that the Navy’s challenges were within the riverine areas, adding that they had keyed with the U.K to getting riverine boats to patrol the creeks in the Niger Delta. Senior officers in the Navy were also present at the visit in Lagos.

EmmanuelAddehinYenagoan The Joint Task (JTF), Operation Delta Safe, a special security outfit fighting criminalities in the Niger Delta yesterday confirmed that a soldier and one civilian lost their lives when they were ambushed by suspected militants in Ekeremor Local Government, Bayelsa State on Monday. However, the military’s clarification was in contrast to earlier reports that four soldiers and one civilian, a member of staff of the JTF, were shot during the incident which resulted in claims and counterclaims by sources in the know of the incident. The Bayelsa government had also in a statement confirmed that three soldiers died while the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) said four soldiers and a non-uniformed man were killed during the attack. But the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) of the outfit in the Niger Delta, Major Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed on Friday that the losses were exaggerated, stressing that one soldier and a civilian were killed

during the ambush. He added that during the attack, the soldiers were able to call for reinforcement which led to the exchange of gunfire between the military and the hoodlums. “This is to put to rest the exaggerated speculations on an incident involving our own troops and suspected militants on Monday 28th August, 2017 around 2000hrs (8 pm) near Letugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. ‘During the firefight, one gallant soldier and a civilian staff attached to the military houseboat paid the supreme price for defending fatherland as against reports of four soldiers killed. “A rescue team supported by gunboats was immediately dispatched to the area and they were able to locate and support two other soldiers who engaged the militants�, Abdullahi said. He also refuted insinuations that the military had deployed men in Letugbene , the village where the incident happened , and surrounding village and had started burning houses and harassing innocent civilians in the area.

“The current operations in the creeks and rivulets around the general area are surgical operations designed to fish out the perpetrators of that dastardly act some of whom fled into neighbouring communities. “ The job of the JTF remains to keep the peace on the waterways, creeks and the Niger Delta in general. Operation Delta Safe and indeed the Nigerian Military does not carry out reprisal attacks on innocent citizens as alleged in some quarters', he added. The JTF advised members of the public, especially those resident in areas where operations are being conducted to go about their normal lawful duties without fear of molestation. But THISDAY gathered yesterday that some houses affected by the military operation included that the Vice Chairman of Letugbene community, Mr. Akpozenebrapagaha Namalate, who is said to be homeless currently. Meanwhile the IYC yesterday condemned the killings, describing the incident as a disgrace and betrayal of the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta in general.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

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Ëœ ÍşËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

FEDERALISM, NOT RESTRUCTURING Nigeria needs to embrace true federalism, writes Nnamdi Ebo

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he politics of self-determination, management of economic resources, redrafting the polity and/or creating a new constitution, sustaining the unitary system (masquerading as federalism) by beneďŹ ciaries and/or derivation and “restructuringâ€? by losers is now de rigueur. These calls/agitations stalled, somewhat, while the oil boom lasted but the oil boom has vamoosed. Oil revenues are dwindling fast. These cacophonous voices are clamouring for restructuring and/or agitations to breakaway by separatist movements, resurgence of ethnic/tribal skirmishes, rivalries and calls by erstwhile power brokers who lost out in politics and the black gold rush, to ‘restructure Nigeria.’ You can only restructure an undertaking/venture such as the Presidency, ministry/parastatal/government agency/department, firm/company/corporation/conglomerate or trading/enterprise - not a federation of 36 states, a nation-state or a country. To restructure means to reorganise with a view to achieving greater efficiency, or to adapt, or organise differently, or strengthen something. Restructuring is not a long lasting undertaking. Restructuring is continuous and always an ongoing enterprise, and at most seasonal. The seasonality of restructuring can be appreciated more when juxtaposed with governance which is serious business. The focus on revenue sharing rather than revenue generation is the root cause of political, economic and social decay. This led to the proliferation of unviable state and local governments. The weak political institutions, lack of effective agencies of restraints to demand transparency and accountability on the part of political office holders, failure to translate oil wealth to sustainable growth and a defective property right structure in relation to mineral resource endowment are the justifications for demanding the restructuring of Nigeria. This mono-cultural economy relying heavily on oil as its major income earnings, which have been largely misapplied and stolen is fuelling this sudden ‘restructuring frenzy.’ You cannot restructure a country. Restructuring a country is a metaphor for good governance. As a multicultural/multi-tribal/ multi-ethnic/multi-linguistic/multi-religious country, Nigeria cannot survive without a federal principle or entrenched system of government, within which exists a group of states, which are smaller divisions/entities encompassing these diverse peoples, within the central governmental structure. These states should have a great degree of internal autonomy and independence in internal affairs with limited centralised control - a federation. Prior to independence in 1960, Nigeria was practicing regionalism. Major Gen. J.T.U. Aguiyi Ironsi took power after the failure of the first coup d’Êtat in 1966. He introduced a unitary government where the powers of the four regions were vested in a central body to be controlled by Ironsi, much to the chagrin of the northern ruling elite. They believed that the Igbo had perfected plans to rule Nigeria forever. Ironsi paid the price of his ‘folly’ with his life when he was assassinated. However, soon after northern officers retook power, they not only continued with Ironsi’s ‘folly’ but they deepened/

A SITUATION WHERE ONE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CONTROLS AND/OR APPROPRIATES APPROXIMATELY 60% OF THE NATIONAL WEALTH/ REVENUE WHILE THE COMBINED 36 STATES AND 774 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS SHARE 40% IS UNACCEPTABLE

strengthened it, and till this day, Nigeria is a unitary state masquerading as a federation. The creation of 12, 19, 21, 30 to 36 states respectively did not change the unitary structure. Now as a routine, state governors send their commissioners of finance to Abuja to collect monthly allocations. A situation where one central government controls and/or appropriates approximately 60% of the national wealth/revenue while the combined 36 states and 774 local government areas (LGAs) share 40% is unacceptable. Suffice it to say that out of all the 36 states, only Lagos State is a state. The rest states are glorified LGAs which cannot generate their own revenues, or pay civil servants’ salaries without a fix from Abuja. Nigeria needs to embed real/true federalism where the power at the centre is greatly diminished, giving the states and LGAs more powers to assume internal control, with responsibility to develop and manage their own resources within their state/local borders, at their own pace. This leaves the federal government to collect federal taxes, adjudicate federal offenses, handle national defense, foreign/external affairs, customs, immigration, border control and mass communication. What this federating structure entails, for example, is that the crude oil in Bayelsa, tin in Plateau, uranium in Cross River, bitumen in Lagos, salt in Katsina, coal in Enugu, bentonite in Adamawa; trading/business, exploration/refining, textile industry/ enterprises, farming/agribusiness, music/entertainment industry, mining/extraction, manufacturing/factories etc., by all intents and purposes, must belong respectively to each state, as appropriate, to the exclusion of the central or federal government. The present structure where there is a deliberate order to ensure that the 36 states are equally rich and to share monetary allocations based on their population and/or number of LGAs is a misnomer. Nigeria must jettison this unitary system masquerading as a federation, which belie the present governance structure where some states reap off other states under the system of revenue sharing formula and allocation. Each state should control its own resources, which are not evenly matched. If God wanted it otherwise, the almighty would have created equality in mineral deposits. Nigeria needs to ward off ethnic/tribal/state rivalries, agitations/discontent/grievances and embrace “federalism� not “restructuring�. It is not rocket science. It requires the will and political sagacity of Nigerian leadership in the executive and legislative branches of government, to actualise federalism and entrench the federation of states in Nigeria. The National Assembly can be taxed to deliberate and pass a “Federation Bill� to be signed by the president, to set a date within which Nigeria must transform into a true “Federal Republic of Nigeria� with the 36 states federating both in de jure and de facto. This presidential system of government must be legislated to guarantee federalism and unity among the 36 federating states of the union, to make Nigeria great - as practiced since 1776 in the United States of America. www.nnamdiebo.com

TAKING REVOLUTION TO THE HEALTH SECTOR Joe Iniodu lauds Governor Udom Emmanuel for investing in the health of his people

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he primary essence of government is to protect lives and property. Apart from the physical protection which connotes well-equipped security apparatuses and personnel, there is also the protection of life through efďŹ cient healthcare system. This is of immense importance as its absence allows diseases to strut innocuously but with the collateral consequence of avoidable population decimation. A trite saying asserts that “health is wealthâ€?. Aside from the various shades of meaning deducible from this expression, it could also be inferred that a population with good health is a gain to the workforce of that society. A contrary is also a deficit and places such society at a disadvantage. A more narrow but pragmatic narrative on the imperative of good healthcare system can be seen in the case of individuals. Of course only a healthy person can achieve set goals. A wise saying parodies this in our local parlance which could be loosely cast as “the sick cannot keep pace with his peersâ€?. There is therefore a relationship between health as a factor and the economy of any society. It is why good leaders invest enormously in the health sector to achieve optimum health for the people in the understanding that it is a critical resource to economic buoyancy of the society. Chief Obafemi Awolowo as Premier of Western Nigeria in the 50s paid priority to education and health. When he declared free education in that region, he guided the people through what they should prioritise in schools as courses of study. They included Law, Medicine, Banking and Finance, etc. Medicine like education was given premium consideration to ensure the maintenance of a healthy workforce. He often noted that it was the absence of education and lack of access to healthcare that bred superstition

that was germane to untimely and premature death of the people. The primacy accorded good healthcare delivery system is very eloquent in the Western world. Apart from ensuring that hospitals are well equipped with efficient medical personnel, the system also ensures that access to facilities is not hindered by bureaucratic obstacles. The health insurance policy makes access to healthcare easy for all. Those societies value and respect the sanctity of life of their citizenry in recognition that only a society of healthy people can produce a healthy workforce. Governor Udom Emmanuel ofAkwa Ibom State, an urbane former banker, has focused intently on the health sector even though it was not part of his five–point agenda. Apart from his zeal that has necessitated the slogan, “working beyond the promise�, it is safe to say that the governor having studied and had reasonable grasp of the fundamentals of good governance, sees the imperative of providing for the health of the citizenry as a non-negotiable given. It was why at the blast of the whistle for the commencement of his tenure, he headed to St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, where he gave the hospital a massive facelift. He also added to the complex a brand new building named after Dr. Ann Ward, an Irish female gynaecologist and Reverend Sister who once worked in that hospital. Today, the hospital which was established in 1937 wears a fascinating look owing to Governor Udom’s magnanimous gesture. It must be stated that the said facility is not owned by government. But for him, it is a facility that Akwa Ibom people use and so must enjoy government’s intervention. The governor’s vision for the health sector seems to align with the postulation of a Swiss writer, Henry Frederic Amiel who noted, “In

health, there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties�. His vision can therefore be said to be that of an unencumbered citizenry that have internalised the cutting edge “Dakkada� creed that is already evolving Akwa Ibom indigenes into global icons. Swarmed by the achievements recorded by Akwa Ibom youngsters everywhere on the globe, the governor understandably seeks to create a liveable environment for the people with access to state-of-art facilities including that of health. Governor Emmanuel’s attention to healthcare sector smacks of a revolution. Containers of medical equipment are arriving the state in droves. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh announced that about seven containers had already arrived the state with nine still awaiting shipment to Uyo fromPort Harcourt. Currently, some of the equipment are being used to equip General Hospital, Etinan. According to the Commissioner, the hitherto dilapidated General Hospital, Etinan, now wears the look of a rehabilitated and completely refurbished state hospital. He said that the governor is planning to replicate the same gesture in all the general hospitals in the state. Just recently, the Secretary to the State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren carried out an on-the-spot exhaustive facility tour of Ikot Ekpene General Hospital obviously with regard to the same intent. Not long ago, Governor Emmanuel flagged off the construction of an Ultra-Modern General Hospital at Ituk Mbang. Elucidating on the project, the information boss of the state stated that the hospital which is strategically located at the site of the existing hospital at Ituk Mbang is meant to service Uyo metropolis and the Ibom International Airport. The governor’s emphasis on healthcare and sensitivity to the health of his people also drew

testimony in his inauguration of an Emergency Response Training Programme comprising 25 doctors and 75 nurses. The body is designed to provide interventions to emergencies like the unfortunate Reigners Church incident. According to Mr. Charles Udoh, the governor through this massive investment in the health sector is taking a bold step to stem the tide of medical tourism abroad as well as reduce congestion on the tertiary and quaternary medical facilities in the state. Government’s huge investment in the health sector is in line with the Udom administration medical reforms which started in May. As the governor once noted, “a healthy population gives rise to a wealthy population�. According to the governor, an investment in the health sector is in the interest of Akwa Ibom people and therefore not an expense. He said that having been exposed to first class medical facilities in the world; he was under obligation to deliver same to Akwa Ibom people. Healthcare services constitute a strong human need that every responsible government must pay attention to. Sadly, the nation’s healthcare delivery system from primary, secondary to tertiary have been in comatose for years with successive governments paying not more than lip serve on its resuscitation. In 1983, in a coup speech, late General Sanni Abacha said that “our hospitals have become mere consulting clinics�. Not much has changed in many parts of the country with frequent loss of lives in minor medical conditions as evidence. Governor Emmanuel’s deliberate reforms in that sector must be seen as a welcome development and an action plan by the administration to make the life of every Akwa Ibom person the state’s priority. Iniodu wrote from Uyo. Akwa Ibom State

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ÍşËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Eid Mubarak

The Houston Flood and Limit of Science

Senator Misau Vs the Nigeria Police

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enator Isah Misau is both a police ofďŹ cer and a senator. If we deny Misau, we also deny the Nigeria Police and the Senate. Equally, if we support Misau, we’re also in support of the police and the senate- that’s where the contradictions begin and end. The police have found themselves in a social order completely alien to their primary role - policing. This situation has clearly proven the age-long belief in the linkage between inept political leadership; dysfunctional economy and policing. Whenever the police of a nation is plagued by poor conditions of service, deplorable work environment, lack of incentives and motivation, corruption, low level of public confidence and serious lack of expertise in some specialised fields, the best option for officers when they find themselves on a tight-rope is- ‘hue, cry and run’. However, three things can save the Nigeria police. These are reform; reform; reform! The Nigeria Police needs reform in three areas leadership, methodology and culture and attitude. Although the Nigeria Police had witnessed quite a number of changes in many of its segments from its inception in 1861 when it began with a 30-member consular guard formed in the then Lagos Colony. Time has come for Nigeria to experiment an entirely different method of choosing who heads the police. After nearly 53 years of having an IGP from the rank and file of the police, let the police be headed by a civilian. Did I hear someone say “this idea must be from the outer spaceâ€?? No doubt, the police have some fine and intelligent officers who persevere with the many challenges of the job. Some of them inspire the trust and confidence of the public, the current IGP Ibrahim Idris is one of such officers. However, in general, The Nigerian Police dearly needs a new direction and different orientation. In addition, it needs modernisation and massive reorganisation similar to what obtains in private corporations. A highly-experienced, private-sector-trained manager is an ideal candidate to drive towards such new direction. This is because he or she will have little or no social mentality of ‘one person is in charge of another’. He will provide junior officers who are always in the field the chances to weigh in with their view. He or she will look at things ‘off-the-police-shelves’ to see what the public expects and needs from the police. A civilian head for the police will not contemplate using imaginative ideas to strike a new resonance within the officers and men of the police. He or she would use his private sector background to bring visible functionality and efficiency in police; in addition, eliminate multiple

layers of bureaucracy. Though, some individuals when given the opportunity to lead government agencies suddenly develop big egos. But most disciplined private-sector-trained person with excellent “BS meter� would have a ‘healthy’ ego to want the responsibilities of the job. Such a person would also understand that, for the reforms to succeed, it cannot be imposed on the police. Thus, all strategies and plans must be communicated and a buy-in created along the way among officers - especially junior officers. In general, a private-sector-trained civilian head for the police will come with a different state of mind. The Nigerian police have some intelligent officers; but at this crucial time of its existence, the police needs someone outside its ranks and file. The public expects the police to prevent crime, and maintain peace and public order. However, Nigerian police job is dangerous, with highest rates of on-the-job injury and death. The police operate without up-to-date and high-tech policing equipment - you cannot fight crime with only guns, bow and arrows and jalopy pickup vans.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State

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ostly through international cable news media, the images of on-going Houston ood disaster are quite scary and heart shattering. A young man in his thirties burst into tears as he claimed he had lost all he had worked for all his life. Many sought for safety on roofs of houses and on top of vehicles for hours as there was no dry place anywhere again. Worst of all is the image of hapless little kids and aged ones, waiting helplessly to be rescued. Perhaps more horriďŹ c is the case of a woman on wheel chair who had just had surgery and still had to cope with her frightened toddler. Homes have been submerged while power has been cut off. Even a heart of steel will melt at the sight of some of these horriďŹ c scenes. It is such a monumental catastrophe that is far beyond the scope of every human and scientiďŹ c capacity. Many have become homeless as thousands of people continue to seek emergency shelter from the wind and rains. Reports say about 30,000 residents are presently in need of shelter while the Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center has already exceeded its bed capacity of 5,000 even as new locations are being sought. A Red Cross source claim that volunteers at the Center had to create space for more evacuees by pushing beds together. Houston authorities believe that in spite of the already jam-packed

T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

situation at the Center, no one would be turned away from taking shelter there. The objective is to give as much succour to as many people as possible. According to unconfirmed source, 14 people have been killed by the raging storm. The most pathetic being a family of six who allegedly got killed when the raging flood viciously swept them away in a van. Unidentified numbers of people are currently stranded in their homes awaiting rescue while rescue workers are using boat to reach out to the trapped. To further intensify rescue efforts, Texas Governor, Greg Abbot, has tripled the number of official personnel involved in rescue mission from 4000 to 12000. All shops and business centres are currently shut down as loss incurred has tentatively been put at above $30 billion. This is aside huge health and economic concerns that might take years to fully address. Since Texas is the energy hub of the USA, the disaster would no doubt have a grave effect on the nation’s energy situation. Already, prices of gas have reportedly shot high in the Houston region. Sadly, respite doesn’t seem to be in sight for Houston and her traumatised residents. With up to 20 inches (51cm) of further rain already predicted for the grieving region, experts are of the view that the worst isn’t yet over. According to experts, the situation is seemingly beyond control because the storm is generating an amount of rain that would normally be seen only once in more than a thousand years. There are fears that the floodwater would spill around a pair of 70year old reservoir dams that protect the city-centre of Houston. This implies that flooding might get worse in the days ahead and the floodwaters will be slow to recede once Harvey finally moves on. To further reinforce the notion that the amount of water being currently experienced in Houston is unparalleled in contemporary age, the National Weather Service had to update the colour charts on its official rainfall maps to indicate heavier totals! According to Tom Dart, an environmental expert, there is no way that Houston or any other city for that matter could have been ready for the current disaster because much of the Houston region’s flood planning is designed for the region for 100 years events, with just a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. He explicates that a flood of the magnitude being experienced in Houston is an 800-year event and it exceeds the design specifications of all the region’s levees as they couldn’t cope with a 59ft river level which threatens to overtop many of the levees put in place in the region to hold back flooding. Tayo Ogunbiyi, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşËœ ͺ͸͚;

NEWSXTRA

In Brief NEMA Deploys Team to Benue

The National Emergency Management Agency on Friday disclosed that it had deployed a humanitarian team to Benue State to support persons aectedbytherecentoodthatdevastatedlargepartsofthestate. NEMA in a statement in Abuja by its Head Media and Public Relations, Sani Datti said that following the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, DG, NEMA, Mr. Mustapha Maihaja sent a reinforcement of another contingent of humanitarian oďŹƒcers headed by Director (Search and Rescue), Air Commodore Paul Ohemu from the Headquarters in Abuja and had been despatched to the State, in addition to the oďŹƒcers of the North Central Zonal OďŹƒce in Jos, to deliver immediate humanitarian assistance to the aected persons in the various locations and assess the situation for further supports, adding, "As an emergency response, seven 30 ton trucks had been dispatched to the state and are due to arrive Makurdi on Friday, 1st September, 2017â€?. He however, sympathised with the aected people and assured that NEMA would work closely with the Benue State Government in providing them with the necessary succour.

Contract to Clear Waterways

MILK OF HUMAN KINDNESS... Managing Director of Dream Cosmetics, Uchenna Harris Okonkwo; presenting Dream Cosmetics Products to the children of SOS Orphanage Villages, Isolo branch, anked by the Area Sales Manager of Dream Cosmetics, Babatunde Ojumola; in Lagos...recently

Nzuko Umunna to FG: S'East Will Plunge into Monumental Crisis if Kanu's Rearrested SenatorIroegbuinAbuja The apex Igbo Think-Tank group, Nzuko Umunna has cautioned the Federal Government as well as Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami (SAN) over planned re-arrest of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Nzuko Umunna in a statement yesterday signed by the General Secretary, Mr. Paschal Mbanefo, and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jude Ndukwe, warned that the South East and parts of South South region could be engulfed in crisis should Kanu be put behind bars. The group expressed concern over potential loss of lives of young people of the region who are ardent

supporters of the self-determination group leader. The Think-Tank group also backed the stand of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo over what it sees as double standard by Malami and the Federal Government in their failure to apprehend the Arewa youths who issued quit notice to Igbo people living in the north. According to the group, such obvious double standard could fracture the fragile security situation in the country. Part of the statement read: "The recent intervention of the President General of the apex Igbo group in the Federal Republic of Nigeria- Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, which rightly cautioned the Federal Attorney General and Minister of

Justice Alhaji Abubakar Malami (SAN) to abide by his oath of office and stop pandering to the whims and caprices of the Northern regional interest as against national security interest of Nigeria, remains one of the most heroic and patriotic commentaries in the recent political annals of Nigeria. "Nzuko Umunna hereby affirm our total support of Chief Nwodo’s position and indeed, wish to add our voice of caution against the ill-advised decision of the AGF to kick-start the process of re-arresting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu." "As an organisation that is deeply concerned about the degenerating fragility of peace and security of the country, we strongly believe that just as the AGF in his wisdom cited security reasons for not ordering the arrest of

Arewa Youths who brazenly issued quit notice to Igbo people living in the North or those who composed genocidal song against Ndigbo, revoking Kanu’s bail and re-arresting him at this inflamed time will not in any way advance the course of peace; it will rather create crisis of monumental proportion, especially in the South East and South-South where he commands fanatical followership. Nzuko Umunna therefore cautions that at this tempestuous period of our national life, the AGF and indeed other officials of government, must exercise utmost discretion in their decisions, especially such that have the potency and capacity to inflame sentiments, aggravate tension, heat up an already fragile polity and ignite crisis in any part of the country."

The Niger Delta Volunteer Forces (NDVF) has called the attention of the federal government to the bidding contract to identify, locate, mark and remove wrecks in the Nigerian waters. In a statement issued yesterday by the President of the group, Mr. JC Godon, NDVF stated that as a matter of urgency, the government should consider those who bid for the job and publish the list of those who scaled through the process for the sake of transparency and fairness “as this will help to reduce the high rate of unemploymentintheNigerDeltaregion.�Thegroupinsistedthatthefederal government make the bidding open as it would boost the anti-corruption driveofPresidentMuhammaduBuhariadministration,“asurgentmeasures will have to be put in place to ensure that the project is a reality and in order not to experience hanky-panky in the allocation of the job.

ATBUTH Probe Death of Journalist’s Child

ThemanagementofAbubakarTafawaBalewaTeachingHospital,Bauchion Thursdaysaidithadsetupaprobepaneltoinvestigateallegedprofessional misconductsthatsurroundedthedeathofMasterYusufAbdulkareem,son to a journalist, who died while on admission in the hospital. Seven years old Master Abdulkareem, was the son of PremiumTimes sta, Abdulkareem Haruna. He was reported dead on Tuesday morning around 3 am after his parents rushed him there in the early hours of Monday morning. The child who was diagnosed of typhoid related intestinal complications was expected to undergo some surgical operations to remedy his condition before he ďŹ nally died. THISDAY checks revealed that the parents had threatened to protest the gross act of negligence on the parts of those who handled his case before he ďŹ nally gave up. According to them, the doctors and nurses literally folded their arms while the boy suered pains that led to his death.

Calabar Environment Outreach Lecture

The8thEnvironmentOutreachMagazinePublicLectureandEnvironmental Awards Ceremony will hold in Calabar, the Cross River State capital on September7,2017.Thelecturewillbedeliveredbytheeminentsustainable development expert, Professor Hilary Inyang. Besides being the former Vice Chancellor, Botswana University of Science andTechnology, Papalye, InyangispresentlythePresidentandchiefexecutiveoďŹƒcer(CEO)ofGlobal Education and Infrastructure Services (GEISE) LLC, as well as the 2013 Winner of the Nigeria National Order of Merit (NNOM). A statement issued by the publisher of the Environment Outreach magazine, Chief NobleAkenge,saidthethemeofthisyear’slecturewas“Nigeria’sDepleting Forests and Its Implication for Forest Resources and Climate Change.â€? According to Akenge, the Conservator-General of the Federation, Mallam Ibrahim Musa Goni is to chair the occasion while the governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade is expected as special guest of honour.

Death and the King’s Horseman

Police Arrest Grandpa, 2 Luxury Bus Owners Seek Buhari’s Others for Car Snatching Intervention on Highway Security David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 64 year-old grandfather and two members of his syndicate who specialise in car snatching in South Eastern States. The suspects were arrested at Nnobi in Idemili South local government area of the state. Mrs. Nkeiruka Nwode, State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) who paraded the suspects before journalist on Thursday said the suspects stole a wine-coloured Toyota Tacoma SUV parked by a worshiper on a Sunday at St. Michael Catholic Church, Amakohia, Owerri, Imo State. She stated that the suspects were tracked by men of the state command to Nnobi where they were arrested through a tip-off. Nwode who gave the names of the suspects as Monday Uche (64), Sunday Ofoekwe (42) and Joseph Chikezie (60) said Uche and Chikezie conspired with two others, Samuel Okowa and Johnson Okowa who were still at large to steal the car

where it was parked in a church. She said the third suspect was only brought into the deal by the duo that planned to sell the car to him, just as he (Chikezie) denied that he had any intention of buying the car. Items recovered from the suspects and displayed before the suspects include; 25 bunches of car keys, One master key, one federal road safety jacket and banner, two number plates (MUS 515 AX Lagos and NSH 109 FM Anambra, one emergency tyre pump, one Toyota ignition key seating, sets of spanners and Anambra State vigilante ID card. She said the suspects had confessed to the crime and had been assisting police with useful information and would be handed over to Imo state police command where the crime was committed for prosecution. "I want to call on the good people of Anambra to be security conscious at all times and report any strange observation or suspicious movements to the security agencies," she said.

Bennett Oghifo The Association of Luxury Bus Owners (ALBON), has appealed to the Federal Government to immediately contain the rising cases of armed robbery on various highways. The association, which was reacting to the killing of the driver of a Jos-bound luxury bus by robbers, at a checkpoint along Ugbokolo road in Benue State, recently, said many of its drivers, conductors and passengers had been murdered in similar circumstances in the past few weeks. ALBON President, Sir Dan Okemuo, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to initiate 24-hour surveillance on the highways in order to make mass transportation safer and more secure for both operators and the travelling public. “These attacks occur at different areas of the country and have increased in both intensity and viciousness, resulting in the death of many of our innocent drivers, bus conductors and passengers. The latest was this morning (last Saturday),� stating that last weekend’s involved a member’s

bus on its way to Jos from Aba. The late victim, Nonso Nweze, was driving the luxury bus belonging to a transport firm, Chi-Boy Express, from Aba to Jos, when he encountered the robbery gang at Ugbokolo. An eye-witnessed disclosed that the incident happened at a checkpoint usually manned by policemen, recounting that angry motorists barricaded both sides of the highway for hours until a top state government official intervened to restore the flow of traffic. A similar incident, he said happened, from early morning till about noon two months ago, at Okada on the Ore-Benin road, following the killing of a luxury bus driver during a robbery operation. According to the association, robbers attack luxury buses on all the busy inter-state routes, across the country, but that “the most notorious roads� in recent times were: LagosOre-Benin expressway, especially the area covering Ofosu, Okada Town and Benin by-pass; Okene-Lokoja; and Jos-Akwanga-Lafia Makurdi, especially at Kadoroko.

Wole Soyinka’s classic, ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’, would be on stage throughout this Eid el Kabir holiday, September 1-4 at the Terra Arena, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Directed by Bisi Adigun, the presentation is produced by Arambe Productions, with support from management ofTerra Kulture, owners of the theatre facility. A statement by the organisers Described it as Soyinka’s “best illustration of the ritual theatre paradigmâ€? by the foremost theatre scholar, Joel Adedeji (2005), the Sallah holiday run of the play, will feature a top-range cast and crew that includes Toyin Oshinaike, Tunji Sotiminrin, Bukky Ogunnote, Tunde Onikoyi, Wale Lampejo and others. Based on a real life tragic event, the play is set in Oyo during the Second World War, when Nigeria was still a British colony. The king had died and as his horseman commences the traditional ritual that will ensure the smooth transition of the dead king to the world beyond, the British colonial oďŹƒcer intervenes.

Hygeia Hosts Healthcare Seminar

Keyissuesofpublicinterestinhealthcaredeliverylikeemergencyservices, HepatitisB,microhealthinsurancescheme,capacitygapsandinadequate fundingforprovidersofprimaryhealthcareservicesinNigeria,willformthe major point of a stakeholders conference scheduled to take place on the 7thofSeptember.Theconferencebeingorganisedbyhealthmaintenance company, Hygeia HMO Limited is aimed at bringing together major players from every stakeholders group with the responsibility to deliver high quality healthcare in Nigeria, to all Nigerians. Also in addition to providing for the market to get a better understanding of developments within the healthcare industry.

Knight of St. Mulumumba

TheorderoftheKnightofSaintMulumbaNigeria,LagosIslandsub-council has announced that it would celebrate their 25th anniversary and fund raising on September 3rd 2017. A statement from the order said the occasion would begin with holy mass at Michael's military Catholic Church, Tamandu, Apapa at 9.00 am and thereafter, with reception at Rockview, Hotel. Chief Diamond Ovueraye would be the Chairman of the occasion while WB ICP Umeh would be the chief host.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşËœ ͺ͸͚;

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NEWSXTRA

Eid-el-Kabir‌ Eid-el-Kabir‌ Eid-el-Kabir‌ Eid-el-Kabir

At Sallah, Sultan, Sanusi, Ganduje Preach Unity Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano As Nigerians celebrate Eid Kabir festival across the nation yesterday, religious and political leaders have appealed for unity and love in the country amid mounting tension. In his Sallah message, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar called on youths to shun hate utterances capable of plunging the country into chaos, saying Nigerians have the right to live anywhere without molestation. He also said despite agitations by some groups in some parts of the country, Nigeria will not break up. In his message to the Muslim ummah in his palace in Sokoto, the monarch said the call became necessary in view of the tension that emanated as a result of such “unguarded utterances.� He emphasised that hate speeches would only create chaos and endanger the lives of all Nigerians. The Sultan stated that no progress and development could be attained in an atmosphere of violence. The monarch maintained that nobody has the right to issue quit notice or compel any Nigerian to vacate any region in the country. He commended the efforts of the federal government and northern elders in dousing the tension in the polity, following the quit notice issued to Igbos by Arewa youths to vacate the north. "I want to draw the attention of our youths across the country on the need to shun hate speech and utterances capable of inciting

SERVING HUMANITY... L-R Past President, Rotn Lanre Fasehun, Rotn Sola Akinsiku, Past Asst. Governor Rotn Akin Olawore And The Immediate Past President Rotn Olaitan Ojuroye At The Rotary Club Of Ikeja Lagos Golden Jubilee Anniversary Celebration Held At The Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State people to violence. We should be patient and respect one another irrespective of culture and religion. "Nobody has the right to issue ultimatum to any Nigerian to vacate his region. God joined us together in one country and nobody can separate us.� He called on Muslims espe-

cially those residing in the north to continue to live in peace with adherents of other faiths and ethnic groups in order for peace to reign in the polity In Kano, the Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Sunusi II led thousands of Muslims for Eid Kabir prayers that took place at Kofar Mata

Reduce Cost of Food Items, Emir of Ilorin Urges FG Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Emir of Ilorin and chairman, Kwara State Traditional Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, yesterday urged the federal government as a matter of urgency to device means of reducing the escalating cost of food items. The Emir lamented that it was becoming very difficult for Nigerian masses to eat three times daily due to exorbitant cost of food stuff. Sulu- Gambari made the appeal in his Sallah message shortly after Eid-el- Kabir prayer at the Ilorin Yidi praying ground. The Emir who prayed for peace,

tranquillity and resuscitation of the nation's troubled economy, said " it's high time that our leaders across the three tiers of government do something about the escalating cost of food stuff. " He asked God to continue to guide the nation's leaders aright so that the task of moving the nation forward would be easier for them. While urging Nigerians to give their leaders necessary support, the monarch said that rejuvenation of the nation's economy was a collective responsibility of all Nigerians. Earlier, in his sermon, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammed Bashir Salihu who led the two- rakah

prayer, urged the affluent to always cater for the needs of the poor masses in their localities. He also enjoined public office holders across the country to make deliberate efforts towards ameliorating the suffering of the Nigerian masses. Salihu asked Muslims to continue to co-habit peacefully with the adherents of other faiths, saying that Islam abhors violence in all ramifications. At Issa Elelu mosque along Murtala Mohammed Way, Ilorin, Imam Abubakar Waliy- Kamal, reminded Nigerian leaders that they are holding offices in trust for the electorate.

Osun APC Party Leaders Commend Kusamotu for Empowering Constituents JonathanEze

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in Osun State has hailed the empowerment and philanthropic gesture of a senior Lawyer and a former aspirant of the Federal House of Representatives, Barrister Ayodele Musibau Kusamotu, who recently feted constituents from Odo-Otin/ Boripe/Ifelodun federal constituency. Using his foundation, the Ayodele Musibau Kusamotu (AMK), the Ikirun-born politician and legal luminary distributed food items and

fabrics to over 5,000 persons both young and old especially women. The distribution was preceded by different traditional dance steps and melodious songs hailing Kusamotu as God-sent and as a man who feels the pulse of the common men in his society. The disabled too were not left behind as they were given special attention towards ensuring that they get their own share of the items. Party leaders present extolled his virtues noting that he had been empowering the people for over

10 years in spite of the fact that he had never held any political office or appointment at any level. A party chieftain of the party, Alhaji Fatal Diekola, a former Commissioner of Information, Honourable Sunday Akere, Hon Fatal Bamidele Araba and Bayo Daoudu took turns to appreciate his empowerment programmes. Diekola described Kusamotu as a unique man with heart of gold and urged him to present himself for future elections assuring him that the people would back his ambition.

Eid Ground. The emir called on Nigerians to stop the habit of spreading rumours in the society, while praying for the sustenance of peace and unity of the country. Sanusi said: "I must stress the need for people of the state to shun rumour mongering and acts capable

of causing misunderstanding and ill feelings especially among the leaders of the state." The Emir prayed for bumper harvest in the state, after charging unemployed youths to engage in useful venture in order to the development of the country. Those that attended the prayer at

the Kofar Mata Central Eid ground included Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Alhaji, and other top government functionaries. Ganduje called Nigerians to be security conscious during and after the festive period.

Ekiti Muslims Peaceful Sallah in Minna Demand for Laleye Dipo in Minna

The ed-el-kabir Muslim festival was held in Minna and environs peacefully on Friday with the faithful praying for the peace and unity of the state and Nigeria. The prayer in Minna was attended by prominent people including the emir Dr. Umar Farouq Bahago, speaker of the state house of assembly Alhaji Ahmed Marafa Guni, former governor of the state Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu was led by the chief imam of Minna central mosque alhaji Abu Fari The state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello traveled to Kontagora his country home for the sallah. Governor Bello joined the Sarkin

Sudan Kontagora Alhaji Saidu Namaska to say the prayers held at the Kontagora township stadium. The two rakkat prayer was led by the chief Imam of Kontagora Sheikh Shehu Rimaye. Speaking after the prayer Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello re-emphasised the need for "all Nigerians to live in peace irrespective of tribe, creed or religion" stressing that "development and progress can only be achieved when there is peace".. "We as a people need to deliberately ensure that peace reigns in our country, whether you are a Christian or a Moslem or whatever is your religion or tribe, we have to live peacefully together in one accord.

Dankwambo Sues for Peace Unity among Nigerians Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State Friday called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the peace and unity of the country. The Governor made the call in a special Sallah message to mark the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah celebration saying, “the Eid-el-Kabir festival connotes sacrifice, selflessness, love and total submission to the will of Allah (SWT)�. “I therefore admonish us to learn from the good lessons of the Eid-el-

Kabir. As Muslims, we are aware that Islam means peace and preaches love, understanding and peaceful co-existence amongst members of every community, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliations. We should strive to imbibe and exhibit the good virtues of Islam by promoting peace and harmony among our diverse people�, he stated. According to the Governor, without peace, there will be no meaningful development in the State and Nigeria as a whole.

Governorship Seat in 2018 Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti As Muslims in Ekiti State celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir, they have used the opportunity to appeal Governor Ayodele Fayose to consider fielding a Muslim governorship aspirant for the 2018 gubernatorial election in the state from his party, Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP). This was just as the governor made a dazzling appearance in a full Muslim regalia with a turban on his head. He also prayed with a huge crowd of Muslims at the Ekiti state headquarters of Muslims' prayer ground along Poly Road in Ado-Ekiti, state capital. Addressing the congregation, the Chief Imam, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere , urged the governor to give Ekiti a Muslim governor from his party in the 2018 governorship poll. Praising Fayose for being a ‘promise keeper’, Kewulere said: " Ekiti is 20 years now and since this its creation, we don't have a Muslim governor yet. We urge you sir, if any Muslim is interested in the governorship from your party, kindly support him to fulfil his ambition.

"We also need your support for a transformer in this area, Odo-Ado, so we can have adequate supply of electricity. We know once you make a promise, you will fulfill it.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

SALLAH IMAGES...SALLAH IMAGES...SALLAH IMAGES...SALLAH IMAGES...

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal paying homage to former Nigerian President, Shehu Shagari, at the Sokoto Central Eid praying ground during Eid-el-kabir prayers in the Seat of the Caliphate

L-R: Speaker of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon Salihu Maidaji, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar offering prayers at the Sokoto Central Eid ground

L-R : FormerVice President andWaziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, Lamido Adamawa Dr Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha and Adamawa State Governor Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow at the Eid Prayer Ground in Yola, Adamawa State

L-R: Former Vice President and Waziri Adamawa Atiku Abubakar and Alh. Bamanga Tukur (Tafida Adamawa) at the Lamido’s Palace, at the Grand Durbar after Eid Prayers in Yola, Adamawa State

L-R: The Oloro of Oro in Kwara State, HRH, Oba AbdulRafiu Oyelaran; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and The Asoni of Oro Kingdom, Alhaji Mohammed Atoyebi Adewole at the Oro Muslim Eid Praying Ground

L-R: Oyo State Governor,Abiola Ajimobi;Secretary to Oyo State Governor,Alh.Olalekan Alii and Deputy Governor of Central Bank,Mr.Adebayo Adelabu at the 2017 Eid-El-Kabir Prayer Grand Yidi Agodi Gate Ibadan

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Alhaja Aramide Giwanson; former Deputy Governors of the State, Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu and Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, during the Eid-el-Kabir prayer, at the Dodan Barracks praying ground, Obalende Lagos...yesterday

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS POLSCOPE AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER PEOPLE FASHION FILE

pg. 20 pg. 24 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 44 pg. 46

Dayo Keshi

My Secret as Sweet Six-three

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMPBER 2, 2017

PLUS

My Husband Was Ladies’ Man Classy and sweet at 63; cosmopolitan and suave as a grandma; intuitive and cultural as a globetrotter, she exudes the charisma of an Amazon. With a life spent in the shadow of a loving father, she grew up to become one of Nigeria’s unsung heroines of the country’s cultural renaissance. Devoted as a wife and doting as a mother, at the age of 63, she finds renewed essence in motherhood as a grandma. Dayo Keshi, a former Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, tells Adedayo Adejobi, about her intriguing romance with a young man she met at the University of Ibadan, her devotion to books and the arts and how she had gone around the world “60 seconds” My Life at a Glance ... ’m married to Ambassador Keshi. We met at University of Ibadan. Long before that, I had known him – he was a sportsman. We dated, got married and now we have three children, four grandchildren and expecting many more. We are happily married. Young ones these days don’t want to have more than two children. In our days, we didn’t count children; we kept having till we can’t (have no more). Professionally, my husband as a diplomat, made me experience the world. Because we were not allowed to work, I refused to be a sit-at-home wife and mom. The first eight years of my marriage, I followed him around to major continents of the world, and it exposed me to different cultures. Even though I wasn’t yet employed in the Culture Ministry, it was clear to me no culture is superior to the other. We started the cultural experience in Togo, two hours by car. But the culture is different. The first time I didn’t remember to do my shopping, I dashed out by 12 o’clock to pick a few things and was shocked to learn they wouldn’t open till 2pm because like most French African countries, they go on break. The system shuts down between 12 to 2 pm so they go home to lunch or do whatever they want, and come back refreshed to take the rest of the day. It was strange to me. It was a small country and diplomatic community where everybody knew themselves and a fantastic place for us to start the diplomatic career. I think it was a good training ground for me as the wife of a diplomat because it helped me when I moved to other countries, I knew what I had to do. One thing I did was to look around for credible associations, integrate and mix with people.

I

Keshi

My 40 Years of Romance... We’ve been married for 40 years. I think it’s even the best part of my life because I’m 63. My husband is a politician and diplomat. He was a strong voice in students’ union politics. He has strong opinions. He calls a spade a spade; doesn’t condemn. He listens a lot to me, and I think those are the basic ingredients of a successful marriage. I know when to keep quiet as a woman. I thank God my children who‘ve been married are following our footsteps in terms of the relationship they have with their spouses and even their children. He’s a sports man, and was a ladies’ man with a strong following –mostly women. So, when he’s playing, you hear ‘Joe Keshi!’ They had a team that followed him, and I wasn’t cut out for that. So, I’d watch for a while and later either read a novel or would quietly leave. From day one, I made it clear when I told him, we were opposites and he said opposites attract.

But when I saw he was persistent that he would want to spend the rest of his life with me, I looked at him and said let’s see how it goes. But I said, ‘What about the person you are dating? He said, ‘Who said I’m dating anyone? I’m a young man. I go to party, meet and dance with girls.’ I don’t like to party; so, he’d see me off and go partying. In my life, growing up, my father was a strong force because my mother died when I was very young and he would constantly say, ‘Remember, whose child you are. You went to the University to get a degree, don’t come home with a husband. Bring the degree first.’ He was very strong in my life and so I could not date anybody until I was done with my degree. To date, my husband doesn’t like me saying we are opposite, yet we found a lot of common grounds between us. He gives his honest advice and I do the same, so we work well as a team. My husband and I grew up together, and whatever we have today, we both built together. I never had it like some women that their husbands were able to do everything, and I’m not envious of that. My husband is not a business person. He’s an 8 am -7 pm person. I support him and that’s how we saw our children through school. They didn’t get scholarship and we made sure they went to one of the best universities in the United States. My Life as a Young Grandma.. It’s feels fantastic being a young grandma. It’s interesting being a grandmother. I don’t know what it is that makes me mellow down. My children look at me and say I didn’t allow them do any of the things I allow my grandchildren do. I say I will spoil them, you go and discipline them. I’m grandma and you are the parents. Unless it’s a very serious offence, then I can discipline. It’s so amazing the way children today know about everything. You can’t tell a lie to a child because they’ll Google it. They are more outspoken now than in our time. I do have a grandma and grandchildren time. We do a special activity where everybody must assemble. In December, we all come together and celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year. So far, I thank God it’s been going on for a long time. We play together; I encourage parents to spend time with each other so that the children will form a bond. I love my grandchildren and look forward to many more. It’s a culture that is well imbibed in Nigeria. Unfortunately, we don’t pay attention to that anymore. In African tradition and culture, everyone who is related to you by blood, is family. A lot of marriages didn’t collapse the way it’s happening now because the family unit was very strong with good orientation. Now, we are imbibing more of foreign western culture.

SEPTEMPBER 2, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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PLUS

The Joe and Dayo Keshi Clan in a Family Portrait

My Dream for Nigeria’s Cultural Revolution A Tale of Foreign Tongue... If you visit China and can’t speak English they’ll bring an interpreter. But the main person in that meeting understands English very well. China makes no apologies for who they are. When in the ministry of culture, one of my portfolios was to increase Nigerian cultural bilateral relations. It was a fantastic job I did for 12 years. I retired as Director, Bilateral Cultural Relations after over 30 years in the ministry. Nigeria’s culture can become its biggest infrastructural gift to its people. It will affect lives of the grass roots and the rich. The truth is that people don’t understand what the creative industry is all about. The language, photographs, food, music are all part of the creative industry. Life, creation and everything around us is creativity. The depth of our various cultures shows that Nigeria is one of the wealthiest nations on earth. But have we really tapped into that wealth? We need to put square pegs in square holes and round pegs in round holes. There must be passion to drive creativity. I believe strongly that the growth of creative industry in Nigeria must be multifaceted. I firmly believe that if we want the creative industry to become the goldmine that Nigeria can tap into, then there will be a general change in attitude towards creativity. I won’t tell you I’m a creative artist because I don’t draw, paint or weave baskets. But my appreciation of the arts is highly infectious, and that is what we need. When I move around, I appreciate good works of arts and I’m so delighted about the passion they bring to the industry. By virtue of my husband’s job and my own personal interest, anywhere I travel to, I go to see what makes their own culture rich and strong. To date, I have found that Nigeria has the strongest culture in the world. Culture should be totally divorced from our politics. Because a person does not belong to the right political party, he or she cannot head that cultural institution. It’s not done. Again, Nigeria belongs to everybody and it must work. I feel there is going to be a big boom in this sector sooner than later, and for me I just wish that we have the structure in place so that the boom will make Nigeria greater. For anything to grow, you need infrastructure in place. The biggest museums and art institutions in America, England, France and Germany are all from the private sector. We Need Cultural Identity .. Most of the time, people misconstrue

what the creative industry is about. They limit it to entertainment. The misconception has stunted the growth in Nigeria, as most people relegate it to the background. I find that when you go to public places including the biggest office in the land, you don’t have the ambience of Nigerian works of art. Now people are beginning to appreciate it. If you walk into the Chinese embassy, you don’t need to be told you are there. We brought in the Nigerian ambience, whilst in the ministry titled, ‘Embellishment of Nigerian Missions Abroad’. We moved a lot of works of art to Nigerian embassies abroad. We didn’t cover all the embassies because of paucity of funds. In Nigeria, important offices should have works, books, and paintings talking about Nigeria. We should appreciate subtle Nigerian diplomacy instead of promoting Chinese diplomacy. It should involve private sectors and government. Once you work into a Nigerian office, you should see Nigerian creativity. Whilst I was in office, we opened two cultural centres in China and Brazil. A lot of work went into it. It was on that premise the Chinese got their cultural centre. Today, they have an existing culture in Abuja but ours is shut down in China – because due to lack of funding, political will, cultural diplomacy has been left out of the equation. But therein lies the future for people who are passionate about Nigeria’s creative industry. Government should create basic infrastructure and encourage public-private partnership. This Industry needs a lot of passion because even those we are working with don’t care much about your feelings. You must be thick-skinned and your eyes must be on the prize. I’ve been called all sorts of names like goat, lion and/or a ‘woman-man’. Some say they feel sorry for my husband. My husband feels I’m the best person on earth for him and I feel same way about him. My children adore the ground I walk on. I find my diplomat and political analyst-husband reading the arts pages, gathering information on creative industry and that gives me fulfillment. Nigeria has the most remarkable cultures in the world. My Secret as Sweet Six-three... The secret is being brought up by a man who was very caring about his looks. He would say that it’s true that the garment doesn’t make a man, but wrong garment gives a wrong impression about the man. Some people might not know me, but they will see the way I look when I walk into a place, look at how I’m dressed and draw conclusions.

The Keshi’s during their wedding anniversary

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

President Buhari

Presidential Rats: Really, No Comment Ever since I started writing this column, I have never run into what they usually call writer’s block. This is when you stare blankly at your computer with the deadline creeping slowly in and with nothing to write. The reason is simple: my readers always throw up suggestions as to what to write about or who to yab. Aregbesola, Fayose, Tony Elumelu and Dino Malaye are the usual targets and me sef no dey waste time. Fayose has suffered for my hand but I thank the democrat in him otherwise, the man for don knock my calabar head. Well, ever since the story of the disrespectful rats hit the media, the responses of my readers have been wild. People have called from as far as Kaduna asking for my own inputs. They wanted me to comment on the topic in my usual way so that they can laugh. Well, I refuse to allow you people to make me expose myself to Presidential mouse traps. For I have a feeling that our dear President is not finding these issues of rats and other rodents funny. You see, it is usually easy to stay at the back and push someone else to enter trouble. All these people asking me to yab Buhari are not normal people o. They too have computer and email address of my editor or even social media o. They will not go o and they will be pushing me because I have two heads to go and start asking the President or his beautiful wife why they could not buy simple rat poison that they can find in Wuse market and put in the office before they embarked on their 104-day journey. You see, as I near my 49th birthday, the feeling of self-censure and self-preservation is enveloping me and I will be carefully choosing those I will be yabbing. People like Buhari, Magu, Buratai are no-go areas o. These ones can maim o if you look for their trouble, but people like Charly Boy, Tuface, Lai Mohammed, Dele Momodu, these ones I can handle. In fact, I will just yab Lai Mohammed now sef just for the fun of it. But Buhari and the rats, I have not heard and even if they have forwarded the story to me, I have refused to read and will not comment. The rats are great Nigerian rats that are performing their own patriotic duties of keeping the President’s Office safe while he was away. So my dear lawyer in Asaba who has been sending me texts to yab Buhari and the rats, God will forgive you for forgetting that I have never professed to be a Gani Fawenhimi or even the fainting Charly Boy. Na food to feed my family na im I dey find o. so I will not yab Buhari or his rats. You yab after all you sef go school and you be lawyer. Write the article, I will beg Shaka to publish and while you are at it send your passport photograph and your address. Rat ke, which rat? There was no rat in the President’s office. It was just, wetin Hilary Clinton call am that other time, a conspiracy of the right wing; to embarrass our President. Just in case sha, I know one Igbo man that sells rat poison near Abiodun bus stop in Shomolu, Femi Adeshina send someone, I will point him out. Only in Nigeria. LoL Tony Elumelu: I Just Love This Guy The whole of last week was Tony week. It started with the front-page news of Tony with all the generals in Nigeria in

Charly Boy

Ita-Giwa

Jamb: 30 School Years Late Command Alumni I am filled with righteous anger as I write this morning. As I read the papers I saw that these JAMB people have announced new cut-off marks. What I have read is that to gain admission into any of our universities, all you need is just 120 marks and for polytechnics, it is 100 marks and one other one, I cannot remember what they call those schools, they said it is 110marks. You see these people, you see why I really get angry with this our country. They are reducing these marks 30 years after I had wasted three years trying to gain admission. You see, I tried to pass JAMB but kept missing the cut-off mark. At some point I resorted to trying prophets and drinking Holy Water before the exams. My first score was 120 and I had chosen University of Lagos and I applied for Law. Coming from Akwa Ibom, I did not bother to go check if my name came out. The second attempt, I hit 139, this time I had respected myself and reduced my ambition from Law to Political Science Education in the same University of Lagos in Akoka. I did not want to go too far from my beloved Shomolu. Finally, I decided to change strategy and approached the University of Ibadan with the same Political Science on my mind and this time I hit the jackpot with 142 and what was Unilag’s loss became the UI’s gain since they had as one of their students, the future Duke of Shomolu and now a distinguished Alumnus. But my anger today is directed at

a photo opportunity on the front page of the papers and then he appeared in Sierra Leone to commiserate with the victims of the mudslide and ended the week in Las vegas at the Floyd Mayweather fight. I envy his energy and zest for life. I have met Tony three times in my life. One on the stairs at his then Standard Trust Bank Limited and we admired each other’s shoes. Yes, o he stared at my shoes and asked where I bought them

these JAMB people who never reduced the marks and allowed me to waste three years of my life writing UME in far-flung places like Makoko, Ajegunle and lastly Iyana Ipaja, waking up very early in the morning, going into my father’s room for a bout of heavy prayers which used to come with a heavy dose of olive oil anointed on my forehead expecting it to seep into my brain and open the dumb thing and then jumping into molue with my biro, HP pencil, eraser and JAMB slip to the centre. Today, these juggernauts have reduced the mark to a point which further confirms the joke that is our education system, officially propagating mediocrity and adding to the confusion that is tertiary education in Nigeria. So my people, let the games continue. I think very seriously that they should further reduce the thing to 50 for universities and 25 for Polytechnics and to help educationally disadvantaged places like the northeastern part of the country and Shomolu, even make it five. Hmmmmm and ASUU is on strike looking for salary under these kinds of circumstances. The government should just take a big broom and sweep the whole structures and its dead beat people into the lagoon. The Minister of education and the leadership of the parastatals should all be swept away in a massive purge, clearing the way for better positioned champions to take over and try to make sense out of the jungle we have found ourselves. Total ineptitude.

from and we laughed. Second, was when I was working with my mentor, Albert Okumagba, at BGL. He had come in to talk to us during our strategy session and he really showed us why he is who he is today. I really admired him, especially his full chest and the all-black outfit he was putting on. That day, I saw at close range the strict discipline with which he operated. He was asked a question during the session and he immediately called

Niyi Saliu

one of his people who was at a director that immediately appeared in track suits to answer the question. Remember this was Saturday. The last time I saw him was at the launching of something UBA was supporting, a documentary at the IMAX cinema and he appeared and shook hands with everybody including me. That I admire him and what he has done for himself cannot be discounted as I continue to watch his every move very closely with the hope that I will one day replicate same in my pursuit of excellence. However, I think the media blitz can be toned down just a little bit as it may distract us a little bit from the very profound things Tony is doing. His foundation and Heirs Holdings remain the signpost of a new Nigeria, nay, Africa. His Africapitalism mantra is beginning to catch on and I am mixing with young professionals who swear by him. Let’s keep the flag flying and let us ignore the social media trolls, they are just not worth it. Senator Ita-Giwa: Mummy Will You Dance? For those of you who do not know, I am a world-acclaimed theatre producer. My last two shows had the legendary Ali Baba, Patrick Doyle, Yemi Shodimu, Yinka Davies, all ply their trades on my stage in an explosion of theatrical extravaganza which left the audience spellbound. To date, people who watched the show are still walking around Lagos with their mouths wide open, amazed at the wonder that unfolded on the stage at the Muson. To beat this, I have approached the only mummy we all know to play a cameo role in my next production, Bakassi, coming February at the Muson. This play as usual is scripted and directed by the versatile William Benson and will be produced by myself and Olisa Adibua. Senator Giwa is expected to grab the stage and for the first time, show what she can do. I have had meaningful discussions with the ever beautiful senator and she asked me in one of those meetings why I wanted her in the production. I told her that it was simply because I felt that no story on Bakassi will be complete without her involvement as the true champion of the Bakassi people. But the truth of the matter is that, as I see school fees, I screamed and fainted. When I woke up, I realised that the only way I can pay these fees is to do what we used to call America wonder’ that will have people come out of their houses to watch, in the process give me money to pay the fees. So Ma Bakassi will you dance? Na beg o. Niyi Saliu: Congratulations, My Boy! Niyi has recently been elected as the Chairman of Eredo LCDA in Epe. Niyi was my boy while at BGL and I have always seen the leadership potential in the guy. I used to encourage him o and tell him that Niyi, one day you would be a great man. Even when he did not meet his targets and was up for sanctions, I would protect him and say Niyi, you are a great guy. Today, Niyi has made me proud and has emerged as a Chairman. This is a shout-out and a call to action. Let’s show your people what true leadership is. God bless.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

SPY GLASS

ANDY UBAH

ANDY UBAH STILL IN THE COLD Are you a good scriptwriter? If yes, you may be interested in knitting a story around the political life of SenatorAndy Ubah, and you can be assured it will make a huge boxoffice success. Over the years, his perpetual failure to clinch the number one job in Anambra State has remained an intrigue to many political observers, particularly as he is regarded as a political heavyweight. But with his series of political losses, many now doubt if he is really a gladiator as thought, but a mere paper tiger. In 2007, Ubah, a former Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo was literally dusted by former Governor Peter Obi when his victory to the Anambra Government House was upturned. Not one to easily give up on his hope, Ubah has jumped from one political party to the other to realise his ambition, all to no avail. It will be recalled that he left his former political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, for the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, to participate in the November governorship election. The billionaire suffered another humiliation of his life when he lost the APC ticket to a young man, Tony Nwoye. His defeat shocked his friends who have since warned him to desist from contesting political post. Though they had advised him to drop the ambition, Ubah didn’t seem to be bothered. With his recent humiliation, he has become a laughing stock in the state, while this has finally confirmed that he is not a gladiator.

EX-OGUN COMMISSIONER’S WIFE, OLUBIMPE, CELEBRATES If there is anything that has given Segun Odubela, a former Commissioner for Education in Ogun State, the greatest joy in recent time, it is the grace to witness the 50th birth-

OY

with .... 08054680651 day of his beautiful wife, Olubimpe. When she turned 50 on April 27, the family had reportedly jetted out to London for a family celebration. But the children, it was gathered, had insisted on organising another birthday celebration in the country. Consequently, as the event drew near, Odubela, a lawyer, made preparations to make the day most memorable for the woman of substance. Against this backdrop, the respected socialite threw open the doors of his expansive mansion located at the upscale Nicon Estate, Lekki, Lagos for the crème de la crème, friends and family to join the family in the celebration of life. At the birthday soiree, the couple gave the few invited guests a wow experience, as they were all treated to local and intercontinental dishes and choice drinks. The celebrant appeared at the venue dressed in a mixture of gold, black and white-fitted flowing gown. She beamed a winsome smile from table to table exchanging pleasantries with guests. She danced her heart out to the admiration of all while the event lasted. One of the highlights of the day was when she was joined by her husband, children and friends to cut the gigantic birthday cake. The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, at the event, which has remained the talk of town.

TUNDE AYENI’S TRAVAILS Today, many of his fans and admirers will thump their chests and declare, almost without any scintilla of regret, that life has not been fair to Tunde Ayeni. If you dare ask them to justify the reason for such a thought, they are quick to remind you of how the once respected banker has fallen from his Olympian heights to a level so detested even by the ordinary mortal. Time there was when he ruled his world as a professional in the nation’s financial sector. At a relatively young age, he had made waves in the banking industry and controlled major shares in many financial institutions as well as other sectors of the economy. In 2011, Ayeni became the Chairman of Skye Bank, following the merger of five banks, including Bond Bank founded by him in 2000. Sadly, he began to experience some kind of antithesis in his flourishing career, following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s order to the management of Skye Bank. The order came as a result of alleged liquidity problems. He was sacked alongside other top

TINUBU AND WIFE

management of the bank. Misfortune, it is said, comes not singly but in myriads. Barely a month after losing control of Skye Bank Plc, he again suffered another headache. Ayeni, who acquired Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) rebranded to become ntel, was made chairman of the company. He, however, lost the position when General TY Danjuma made a significant investment in the company. As a result, he became an executive director of ntel, a post that did not worth his calibre of person. In view of this, the once bubbling man has practically recoiled into his shell, as he only goes to functions that are very important and is picky about this.

BODE OYEDEPO’S AMBITION Bode Oyedepo, aka Bode De Way, comes across as a die-hard optimist. The Kwara State-born socialite once shocked his fans when he contested a seat in the National Assembly to represent the Kwara South Senatorial District. Goaded by ambition, he was said to have committed a lot of money to the project. Though he was not a popular candidate and many of his friends warned him against the idea which he rejected. In the end, he lost in all ways, financially and politically. Against this backdrop, many had thought that he had said bye to politics. But the Canada-based businessman is said to be warming up to try his luck again come 2019. It will be recalled that when he came to Nigeria from his United States base some years back, many had swarmed around him like bees to honey, seeking his presence at their events. The socialite was the toast of music stars. In particular, K1 ‘D’ Ultimate on several occasions sang his praise to high heavens. This, according to sources, was as a result of his generosity. As a successful businessman, he reportedly built and bought many houses in many parts of Lagos State. Also, his garage was said to be filled with exotic cars. Today, one can only wait to see how far he will go in realising his political dream this time around. TINUBU, WIFE CELEBRATE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Some time in 1987, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, was joined in holy matrimony with his beautiful wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

BODE OYEDEPO While young Tinubu, on that occasion, had vowed before man and God to love his wife till eternity, beautiful Oluremi, in return, had given her heart to him for keeps. Thirty years after, both are still passionately in love with each other, and their marital life has been laced with more roses than thorns, thereby making them a model couple to their fans at home and abroad. In celebration of love, the couple, penultimate Tuesday in London, organised a low-key event, where they were joined by friends and family members to give thanks to God. At the event, as gathered by Spyglass, beautiful Oluremi was said to have described her husband as “a lion in politics, but a lamb in marriage; a master of deliberation, but a partner at home; a man of testimony and a faithful servant of God.� Similarly, Tinubu reportedly described his wife as “as a good mother, a loving wife, an excellent listener and a good homemaker.� It seems the Tinubus are in a season of love. First, it was their son, Seyi, who celebrated his first wedding anniversary to his wife, Laya, a few weeks back. MUSA DANJUMA GROOVES AGAIN Again, billionaire businessman, Musa Danjuma, has found his groove; and is gradually partying hard nowadays. However, his sudden romance with social events has been described by many of his admirers as most relieving, particularly for him. This is not unconnected with the fact that the younger brother to a former Minister of Defence and Chairman of SAPETRO, Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (retd.) had avoided the social scenes for a long time, following his celebrated marital problems with his wife, Caroline. However, having put the ugly development behind him, Danjuma, who is the Executive Chairman of Nigeria-America Line Limited and Comet Shipping Agencies Nigeria Limited, is now confidently partying hard whenever is invited.

MUSA DANJUMA

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

SUPER SATURDAY

Being a Royalty Hasn’t Changed My Views JIDE FADAIRO Hardworking, focused and ambitious, Jide Fadairo is the quintessential man. Born into a royal home, but made to live and work like every normal child, he has been able to rise to an enviable height. In this interview with Azuka Ogujiuba, he talks about his political ambition and his enterprise, the INAGBE Grand Resort with the current Oni of Ife My Partnership with Ooni of Ife

H

ow did being born into a royal family affect you while growing up? Growing up in my father’s house was normal. We were not told about being royal. My father and mother lived a modest life. I started noticing traces of royalty in my family when my dad would wear the princely beads on his neck and wrists. So, I asked and he responded that we belong to a ruling family in Owu, Abeokuta in Ogun State. Was your choice of career influenced by your parents in anyway? My father had always wanted me to follow his footsteps in politics and community development because from my young age, he would take me along on political campaigns and community meetings. Ironically, my father was the only man who brought his young son(myself) to meetings of the elders and I would be given a chair to seat behind my father. Do you have plans to go into politics? I never thought I would follow my dad’s footsteps in politics but it turned out so. I am very passionate about politics and governance, most especially to emulate my father’s great legacy. Have you thought of opening a medical facility in Nigeria just like you did while you were abroad? Our health care system has mildly improved in some parts of the country, but it should transcend across the country. My vision for Nigeria in the health care sector is a complete overhauling system of our healthcare coverage. A good HMO system would transform our healthcare delivery system. To answer your question: yes, I do plan on establishing in the near future, a complete rehabilitation centre for physical recovery of patients with cerebrovascular accident (CVA) commonly known as stroke.

Fadairo

Do you have other real estate establishments? Something like the one you did in collaboration with the then Prince but now Oba Adeyeye Adewusi? Just as I partnered Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi on the world class Inagbe Grand Resort, Lagos, His Imperial Majesty is currently replicating the project in Ile-Ife. The present government of Ogun State under the leadership of Senator Ibikumle Amosun has done exceedingly well beyond my imagination. You will recall that the first call of duty of the governor was massive demolition of private homes and structures all across Ogun State. I was first disappointed and upset because it affected my family ancestral homes on Totoro road, Owu, Abeokuta, but looking back in retrospect, I have come to realise that there is a vision to those projects and clearly our visionary Governor Amosun understands the pragmatism and the necessity of continuity in government and governance. The lack of continuity of major development projects when government changes

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ PTEMBER 2, 2017

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SATURDAY GOV. AMOSUN IS REALLY CHANGING OGUN STATE FOR THE GOOD hand has contributed to a setback in our developmental p scheme. Ogun g State is the most industrialised State in Nigeria g and currentlyy with an IGR of N7 billion compared p to last dispensation p IGR of N1.7 billion. The development p beingg witnessed in Ogun g State has increased and p prepared p us for growth in the socio-economic growth. What do yyou have to sayy about the economic recession in the country?

The economic downturn in Nigeria g is peculiar to the rest of the world. We have p listened to financial experts p who tell us how not to get g into recession and invest more on capital projects. Tell us about yyour family. f y I was born in GRA Ikeja j on November 9th 1967 to Late High g Chief Llyod y Afolabi Fadairo and Mama Grace Oladunni Fadairo. I am happily married to Princess Folashade

Ogunwusi g Fadairo with five beautiful children ranging g from 27, 24, 21, 16 and 5 respectively. How do you relax when you are not busy? y When I’m not busy, y I love to stayy at home and enjoy quality time with my family. Where is yyour dream vacation? I would love to visit Marrakesh in Morocco.

My father had always y wanted me to follow his footsteps in politics and community development p because from my young g age, g he would take me along g on political campaigns p g and community meetings. g Ironically, y my father was the only man who brought g his y young g son(myself) y to meetings g of the elders and I would be given a chair to seat behind my father

Fadairo F d i with i h HR HRH Ob Oba O Ogunwusi...Ooni i O i off If Ife

Fdi Fadairo

with i h hi his wife, if

I Want to Revolutionise Nigeria’s Health Care

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

Rivers: Uchendu Laughs Last

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he quaint legal lingo that says, “the wheel of justice grinds slowly but surely”, couldn’t be truer considering the long walk to victory recorded by now Senator Andrew Igbonule Uchendu, who was recently declared the rightful winner of the Rivers East senatorial election held last December, 2016. The three-man Appeal court had dismissed the appeal filed by now ousted Senator George Sekibo who had challenged the ruling of the Election tribunal which had, on June 29, declared Uchendu , the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election. For those who have followed closely the politics of Rivers State, the eventual declaration of Uchendu as the winner of the election would not be a surprise. The PDP, it appeared had merely wangled its way to victory without the electoral endorsement of the voters. Uchendu had been in the House of Representatives Between 2007 and 2011 and had demonstrated exemplary legislative capacity, the reason his people had desired from him, higher service, in the Senate. But, as the pattern had been in recent times, the election was far from being free and fair. The fact that the election had to be shelved from March 2015 to December 2016 was for the same reason of trying to avoid violence which had characterised the electoral contests in Rivers State ever since the sitting governor, Nyesom Wike, often crude in his ways and appearance, got into the political arena as a contestant. Earlier this week, he had predicted that the 2019 election will be violent as he would be ready to die to prevent the APC from winning the state. Quite ungubernatorial utterance! Right from the time he directly got involved in contests, elections have virtually been a matter of life and death, with the state turning literally to rivers of blood. I can’t forget those horrible images of beheaded politicians in Omokwu and its environs during the 2015 polls It had become a contest of brute force, where bullets and not ballots were largely the determinants of winners of electoral contests in Rivers. It is remarkable that after the March contest, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was said to have won two senatorial districts while the APC won only one. The result was challenged by Uchendu, while

Uchendu

the PDP candidate (George Sekibo) got sworn in as the valid senator. Expectedly, Senator Sekibo had done everything to embarrass the All Progressives Congress and the minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi. It is recalled that Sekibo, it was who brought a whistle into the hallowed Senate chamber in the wake of the Osbornegate scandal. Sekibo had suddenly blown the whistle during a debate, with a shrieking loudness, in the chamber claiming that he was blowing the whistle against Amaechi whom he and his master (Wike) had said, owned the $43.4million, N23.3million, and 27,800 British Pounds, found in the Osoborne Towers, adding that the said money actually belong to Rivers State government. Gov Wike had himself given a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government within which it should release the money to Rivers State or face legal action from the state. Till date, Wike has launched no action, five months after, even as the money remains in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It must be stated that the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) led by its suspended DG, Mr Ayo Oke had since owned up to being the one who kept the money in the said flat on behalf of the NIA. Sekibo, ever since that whistleblowing fiasco, had remained a sub-factor in the Senate before he was sacked some ten days ago. That his botched victory was procured by financial fiat is no longer in doubt. It was in that same election that Gov Wike was allegedly caught on tape threatening to kill some INEC officials if they failed to cooperate with how he wants the election conducted. That matter had remained inconclusive because of the immunity clause shielding Gov Wike. It is also on that election that the Police are currently prosecuting some INEC staff who allegedly collected monetary gratification from Wike to compromise the outcome of the said election. Many of the accused INEC officials have long returned their share of the bribe. The police tendered the sum of N111million (which they recovered from the INEC personnel) as part of the N360million allegedly used to bribe the INEC staff by Gov Wike. Well, the said bribe helped to get Sekibo and co in as winners. But the victory badge has become brief and now yanked off with ignominy. Yes, over two years or so of the legislative tenure has been stolen by Sekibo, yet the fact that Uchendu is now in the Senate with all the accolades of propriety and justice, gives him the last laugh on this matter. It is consoling that justice has finally smiled on Uchendu, an act that reinforces confidence in the judiciary. And so with his rich legislative experience, Uchendu, former Managing Director of Risopalm and holder of National productivity award, will walk into the Senate with his shoulder high, to resume legislative duties. I cannot forget the three major Bills he moved and followed through while in the House of Representatives. Uchendu, it was who sponsored three fundamental Bills in the House. They are the Standard Tendering Procedure for the Award of Contracts in the Public Service (otherwise called Due Process), the National Youth Development Programme, and the Amendment to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund Act. No doubt, his rich administrative and parliamentary experience will come to play for the people of Rivers South East senatorial district. I congratulate the Distinguished Senator Andrew Uchendu.

Canticles...

So, What Has Changed?

I

have been waiting and been in search, but it keeps looking elusive. Don’t know when I’d find it. What is it you are looking for? Perhaps I can help you find it. Em, em, it is not an object per se. It is an experience. Not an object? So what is that experience? Is it without name?

I am not in the mood for rapid rounds of questions. I am in a frantic search for the new dawn promised by this government. It has been a very long night.The more the new dawn beckons, the more the dark night envelopes us all. It looks like the waiting will be forever, as if we are waiting for Godot. (bursts out in loud laughter). New dawn! You mean you are still in darkness? You have not seen the new dawn? You don’t need binoculars to see that the misty dawn is already here. You should be able to observe the features of a new dawn, made less clear by the thick mist. Soon, the sun will rise and it will become all very bright and clear. It looks like you are speaking in parables.What do you mean by misty dawn? You must understand that not every break of day comes bright and shiny. This is one of them. But with the rise of the sun, the mist will clear and everything will be bright and fair. I still feel we are in thick darkness.We are still groping for direction in this government. That is what I am saying.We cannot feel the misty dawn you are talking about. All we see and hear is a very long night of Babellian dialogue moderated by confused leaders.The features of the promised dawn are still miles away.We only imagine their reality and hope we touch it while we yet breathe. The things we see are not cheering. Or did you not hear that about N400 billion is paid as bribe every year in Nigeria? This is from a government institution, Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Did you not hear that the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian judiciary are the worst culprits? Does this not worry you? Are these not the things this government said would change? Those are the two organs of dispensing justice—police and judiciary. And if they are deeply imperiled by bribe taking, are we not all doomed? Did you not hear the allegation of Senator Hamman Missau on the corruption of the Police? Have we not been assailed by the mess in the judiciary? With that huge sum offered as bribe every year, where is the misty dawn you are talking about? Is it not the continuation of the status quo ante, in another style and by new characters? So what has changed? Hmmmmm, you have raised a lot of issues. You do not understand the depth from which the present Buhari government is struggling to pull Nigeria from. Look, it was really very bad before this government came for this rescue mission. We probably would have been all doomed. You are struggling to see the misty dawn because of the thick and sticky darkness we were plunged into by the previous government. That is why the sun is taking time to rise to clear the mist so we can experience brightness. But soon, very soon, you will see what I am saying. You are still rambling.What are the signs that the new dawn will be here soon? You are looking for sign? Just this week, did you not hear that the EFCC recovered, within the first eight months of this year alone, the sum of N409 billion, $69,501156.67; 231,118 British Pounds; 610,816.20 Euros; Dirham 443,400 and 70,500.00 Saudi Riyal? And that N329 Billion was also recovered from a group of oil marketers for the NNPC, just as the anti-graft agency has secured 137 convictions within the period? Did you also not hear that the Ministry of Agri… (cuts in) Oh, please, please, spare me those dry and opaque statistics that do not help our course. Of what use are those fabled recoveries when people are dying of hunger and poverty? Where are all the monies they claim to have recovered all these years? We keep hearing of huge recovered loot.Where are they? Have they been re-looted? Why is this government behaving like Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former governor of Anambra State who saved up so much money in the treasury while the state and its people languished in lack and squalor until the military seized power and threw him out of office? And talking about 137 convictions, why have the big thieves of the land not been convicted? Why is the EFCC elated about convicting bread and goat thieves while the mega thieves are left alone? As I said, you will begin to see all the changes on board, just a little patience. You must realise that corruption has been struggling to fight back. It remains mere illusion. As long as Mr President still leads the pack of medical tourists, Babachir Lawal remains unpunished for unholy grass-cutting deal, the big men of the land still send their children to schools abroad, university teachers and medical doctors still embark on indefinite and incessant strikes, appointments sacrifice merit and ethnocentric, terrorists and kidnappers still harass us, I will continue to search for the promised change. Don’t be a pessimist. Rome was not built in a day.

Okorocha’s Merciless March on the Masses

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ast Saturday, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State behaved like a military ruler. While the traders in Ekeukwu market were sleeping in their homes, Okorocha ordered the bulldozers, guarded by heavily armed security men (soldiers and policemen) to not only pull down the ancient market on Douglas road, Owerri, but to also crush the wares of

the traders in an irrecoverable manner. Many traders who rushed to the scene on hearing the news struggled with security men to salvage whatever they could. A young boy of about ten, (the only son of the mother), Somtochukwu Igboanusi, trying to rescue her mother’s wares was allegedly shot dead. The Police have denied shooting anybody even as many others with bullet wounds are being treated in hospitals. So who killed the poor boy? Investigations have

commenced. But from experience, that will be the end of the story. We will likely never hear of the outcome of the findings. The video recording showed the heavy gunshots that characterised the operation. But this was described by the police authority in Imo State command as “minimal force (teargas)”. The traders say no notice was given before the demolition. I do not believe. The state government claims enough notice was given

and an alternative market had been provided. But the traders say not even a shop in the said alternative market has been completed. If that be the case, how did Okorocha expect these traders to resettle in an uncompleted market with no infrastructure? Why was he in such an ungodly haste to demolish the market, even when there is a court order forbidding him from doing so? (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

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EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

S’East Governors Goof

EBERE WABARA

“W

E are excited that you are back on (in) the saddle” (Full-page advertorial by South East Governors’ Forum, DAILY SUN, August 23) “Human activities aggreveted (sic) (aggravate) flood” “Welcome back sir, in (on) one Nigeria we stand” (Full-page advertorial by Erisco Foods Limited, a member of Erisco Bonpet Group, DAILY SUN, August 23) “Odu’a, ABUAD to invest N12bn on (in) Ekiti moribund textile factory” “Ozubulu victim on (in) hospital bed” DAILY Sun Editorial of August 23 offered readers a conspectus of blunders: “…we urge ASUU to be realistic in its demands from (on) the government.” “The poor ranking of our universities on global indexes show (shows) that all is not well with our university system.” Resolving the ASUU/ FG (ASUU-FG) logjam: ranking… shows Explication: an academician is somebody who works in or is a member of an academy—for instance, the Nigerian Defence Academy, the French Academy or the Russian Academy. It does not mean the same thing as a university don/guru/intellectual or scholar—such a person is called an academic. Its plural is ‘academics’. “But the selfsame (same) Britain did rule this country, Nigeria, for “a whole 100 (good 100 or all of 100) years.” Special note: ‘whole’ is used for a SINGULAR NOUN (e.g. a whole year, the whole country, a whole university graduate) and NOT for plural nouns. “How is the programme fairing (faring) in Bauchi State?” Note: How

BY

did you fare (not fair) in your examination? THE GUARDIAN of August 26 continues the race this week with this juvenile infraction: “To be concluded next week Saturday” Short story: next Saturday or Saturday, next week “Out of control (Out-of-control) Boko Haram kills dozens in Kano Mosque” Preferable: uncontrollable “FRSC, plate numbers and drivers’ licence” Get it right: number-plates “A well deserved (well-deserved) honour” “But we should never lose sight of the fact that like every voracious entrepreneur who has invested billions of dollars on (in) cement plants….” “Credit Bureaux records (record) 26 million registered borrowers” “The health workers strike” Conscience, nurtured by truth: workers’ strike “Monetary policy committee at crossroads” This way: at a/the crossroads “Having served under a military regime…he needs to bath in the Yoruba River for forgiveness.” Noun: bath; verb: bathe. “Just before you ponder about this Owerri revelation….” ‘Ponder ’ may take ‘on’ or ‘over ’, not ‘about’. It’s even more economical and elegant to use it without embellishments. “When we hear of people talk about glory….” Get it right: hear of people talking…or hear people talk about glory “Lack of facilities threaten course accreditation at LACOED” The verb here should be singular. “What is good for the goose can equally be said to be good for the gander.” What is sauce (not good)… “Out of 57 years of the nation’s political independence, the military had been on (sic) the leadership saddle for 25 years.” Democracy In the saddle. “CPC to clampdown on illegal microfinance banks” Phrasal verb: clamp down (two words).

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“An acknowledged scholar, a distinguished statesman and a team leader per excellence” Get it right: leader par excellence. “New trends in electioneering campaigns” Politics Today: just electioneering or political campaigns. ‘Electioneering campaign’ is sheer verbiage! ‘Electioneering’ encompasses campaign and other related electoral issues. “INEC chair asks SSS to crackdown on violent politicians” Noun: crackdown; phrasal verb: crack down (which applies here). “Some countries have taken tobacco manufacturers to court for the damages their products cause.” The will to die: ‘damage’ is uncountable, except in reparative applications for indemnity. “With the launching (launch) of the poverty alleviation (a hyphen) programme by the Federal Government, not a few Nigerians desire to see it effectively in place.“ “…what happened was that somebody filed a writ of summon.” This way (singular): a writ of summons; plural: summonses. “It is the Federal Board that is always guilty of that, because it is them who take riff-raffs as welfare officers.” (Nigerian Tribune, August 22) ‘Riff-raff’, just like ‘stuff’, is uncountable. “Modern technology has reduced the world into (to) a hamlet where the inhabitants are their brothers’ keepers.” This way: brother ’s keeper (fixed idiom), irrespective of the number of people involved. “The coincidence in the timing of all those sleazy gossips in soft-sell magazines and the beginning of his fashion parade….” ‘Gossip’, in this context, is uncountable. “More overaged players for youth soccer“(Sunday Tribune, August 20) Get it right: overage players. “Residents of some of the troubled spots in Libya in disarray” (SATURDAY CHAMPION, August 26)

Witness to lexical mayhem: trouble spots. “…rummaging all the bags and ransacking every nook and corner.” (Source: as above) Stock expression: nook and cranny. Leadership of August 21 disseminated seven improprieties: “The police requires (require) a redeemer who can uplift the Force from the battering it (they) suffered during the long years of militarization.” “I inquired (enquired: BrE) from those that appear to know and they said that the president is (was) roaming the country in the name of campaigns.” “There is (are) no electricity, no security, no water, no roads, no health facilities in Nigeria.” “Foreign companies will be falling over themselves (one another) to come and invest here if we get the 2019 elections right.”

FEEDBACK

MOST of the print and electronic media reported that President Muhammadu Buhari ARRIVED in Nigeria on Saturday, August 19, 2017, after spending 103 days in London on medical vacation. I oppose the use of ARRIVED because Buhari is not a non-national. He simply RETURNED to his fatherland. He is, therefore, a returnee and not an arrival, old or new. I submit that candidates do not WRITE examination; they SIT or TAKE it. For instance, Ebere, when are you sitting or taking your final exam? If I am asked to write exam, I will simply pen down EXAM. Second, I had always thought that the word INDISCIPLINED (adjective), as opposed to UNDISCIPLINED, did not exist until the Chambers 20th Century Dictionary and some others proved me wrong. They list INDISCIPLINED and UNDISCIPLINED (not disciplined, not properly trained and exercised) as both perfect adjectives. Good English for us. (KOLA DANISA/07068074257).

INSIGHT

Goodbye, With Our Best Wishes Duke Ogunbor

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t is self-evident that the President’s media handlers have consistently let him down, judging by the third-rate manner they have gone about their task. It started with the special adviser to the President, media and publicity, Femi Adesina’s egregious description of the administration’s political opponents as “the wailing wailers.” - that sweepy characterisation was universally denounced for its pettiness and crassness. Not to be outdone, Garba Shehu, his junior partner, and senior special assistant on media and publicity (why the legendary taciturn Buhari chose to appoint in one fell swoop, two spokespersons, is still a mystery to many), misspoke on one-toomany times, it became increasingly difficult to take him serious. Thrown into the mix, are the headscratching comments by the special assistant on new media, the irrepressible Lauretta Onochie, and lest I forget, the endless stream of head-spinning statements by the granddaddy of them all, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that inherently-duplicitous- purveyorof-mendacious- propaganda; all working together to ensure their principal is always in the news - for the wrong reasons. Now, compare the antics of these slap-stick quartet to the professional manner Laolu Akande, the senior special assistant to Vice President has gone about his business, you can literally see professionalism oozing from all his official statements, and conduct - a clear testament to the fact that not always are two heads or four in this case, better than one. This presidency is floundering, and has clearly lost most of the goodwill with which it rode into power, therefore, it will be incredibly difficult to achieve much of what is left on its agenda before campaign season, unofficially kicks off next May. So if by chance, there are plans to reverse course, and introduce policies and programmes that will alter the

Garba

Adesina

downward trajectory of the economy, and also purge the land from all the bile that has been dredged up in last couple of years; then there has to be a complete overhaul of key components of the executive branch - starting with the media team. That team has consistently let the President and the nation down, and should take a long overdue walk into the sunset, with our best wishes; the mere fact that someone served you very well during the

campaigns is no guarantee that he will do same in government, yes, I am looking straight at you Mr Lie, sorry, Lai Mohammed. After all, politicians are expected to campaign in poetry, but govern in prose - it’s time to take the hard decision, and cut them loose. Nigeria deserves better! “Be resolute in your convictions, but never absolute in your views” -Duke Ogunbor

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS with STEPHEN DIESERUVWE (Director General, Delta State TraďŹƒc Management Authority (DESTMA)

Essential Skills of Driving: Expressway

Rolls Royce Dawn in Fuxia

Rolls-Royce Delivers on Bespoke Colour Challenge Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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olls-Royce Motor Cars heralds a colour palette with more than 44,000 options for the most discerning patrons. However, there is one client for whom the available options are not enough. Recently, at The Quail, an Automotive Experience, in Pebble Beach, California, renowned car collector Michael Fux added another Bespoke colour to this palette with the addition of his eleventh Rolls-Royce Motor Car commission to his personal collection. The Rolls-Royce ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ was unveiled by Torsten MĂźller-Ă–tvĂśs, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, as part of the company’s activities at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the world’s premier celebration of luxury and automobiles.

The ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ is finished in a vibrant color matched to a flower that Mr. Fux found last year during his visit to Pebble Beach. Mr. Fux had just been presented with one of the first highly personalized Dawns in the world in his eponymous colour ‘Fux Blue.’ He then presented fuchsia petals from the Pebble Beach lawns to the Rolls-RoyceBespokeDesignteamwithachallenge to them to create a second Bespoke Dawn. One year later he returns to Pebble Beach to see the end result in a familial ceremony presented by Rolls-Royce. “When I commissioned my first Bespoke RollsRoyce in 2005, I wanted something completely different than any of the other cars commissioned at the time. I knew the designers had a lot of creativity that I wanted to explore,� said Mr. Fux. “I love the heritage of the Rolls-Royce brand and I love these cars. I always challenge my fellow

owners to push the Bespoke envelope.â€? In total, Mr. Fux has commissioned ten other Rolls-Royce vehicles, each highly personalized to his exact specifications. “Michael is a very special patron of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars,â€? stated Mr. MĂźller-Ă–tvĂśs. “RollsRoyce designers love working with him because he constantly challenges them to take their work to an even higher level, delivering a true work of art.â€? In 2016, Mr. Fux took delivery of his first Dawn finished in ‘Fux Blue’ with a stunningArctic White interior. Other colours he has commissioned remain in the Rolls-Royce Colour Collection reserved exclusively for Mr. Fux, which include: Fux Fuxia; Fux Blue; Fux Intense Jade Pearl; Fux Aequus Green Jade Pearl, Cornish White Jade Pearl two-tone; Fux Deep Purple; Fux Candy Red; and Fux Yellow.

Stallion Motors Introduces Affordable Changan CS35 SUV

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tallion Motors Limited has announced price offer of N7.9 million for the new Changan CS35 entry-level sport utility vehicle to cater for a growing demand forvehiclesinthecompactSUVmarket segment. The bargain, according to a statement by the company, is aimed at assuaging disillusioned auto buffs that couldn’t contend with the current price surge of compact SUVs owing to economic downturn and successive Forex fluctuations. While also citing spontaneous paradigm shift from C-segment sedan to B-segment cars, the company said the introduction of its affordably priced Changan CS35 entry level SUV would stem the tide and offer customers sustainable preference.

Stallion Motors Limited (Changan Automobile Division) sales and marketing manager Baimah Dan Miller who made this assertion in Lagos said: “This rare movement wouldn’t have been glaring if customers have had access to functional SUV preferences such as the Changan CS35.� He said the company has amplified its facility at the plant to expedite production of competitively priced CS35 SUV to inspire additional patrons and reposition the vehicle as customers’ preferred compact SUV. ChanganiscurrentlyrankedNo.1amongChinese automobile brands with total sales volume of three million units annually, and has traversed 154 years industrial history with 32 years’ experience in building and selling passenger vehicles. “No fewer than 8,500 new Changan vehicles are

sold daily with 6,000 sales and service facilities in more than 60 countries with 150,000 professional team members globally,� Mr. Miller affirmed. He described Changan as tech-savvy, investing extensively in advanced research and innovative technologies - a commitment that has reinforced its partnership with global R&D organisations. “Changan R&D strength ranks No. 1 in Chinese automobile industry for eight years and has benchmarked world’s leading companies with high standard laboratories averaging 16 fields.� He said the CS35 model is the consequence of advanced research and innovative technologies through the formation of global R&D (research and development) partnership agreements with renowned European, American and Japanese automakers.

FRSC Deploys Personnel, Machinery for Eid Patrol

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s part of activities lined up to improve vehicular movement and to mitigate against crashes during the Eid-El-Kabir celebration, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi has approved the deployment of 33,000 personnel, both regular and special marshals, to address wrong road usage by motorists which results in high number of Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) during festivities and ensure a downward trend in the number of RTCs. The Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, said that the operation would focus on traffic control, excessive speeding, dangerous driving/overtaking, clearance of road obstructions, seatbelt use violation, zero tolerance for use of phone while driving, lane

indisciplineandrouteviolationamongothersasthese have been identified as reoccurring factors of RTCs. In a statement, yesterday, by the Spokesman, Oyeyemi said the 2017 Eid-El-Kabir Sallah Special patrol operation is scheduled to commence from 31August to 6 September, 2017 and that their personnel have been briefed appropriately to perform their duties. These include public enlightenment, traffic calming, traffic control, enforcement and rescue services. For ease of operation and prompt rescue services, 859 patrol vans, 106 ambulances, 267 motorbikes and 22 towtrucks have been deployed to cover critical routes and crash prone areas ThestatementsaidOyeyemiremindedNigeriansthat the holiday is for celebration with family members and loved ones especially for the Muslim faithful.

“In this regard, motorists are advised to bear in mind the need to adhere to stipulated traffic rules and regulations to and fro their travel destinations as over200mobilecourtswillbesetuptoprosecuteerring offenders.� The Corps Marshal urged the motoring public to practice safe road use culture and give their maximum cooperation to FRSC personnel for the desired success. He also called on the general public to notify FRSC in the event of an emergency through itsemergencyline0700-CALL-FRSC(0700-22553772) or toll free number 122 for prompt response as road safety is a shared responsibility. “The Corps Marshal wishes Nigerians happy Eid-El-Kabir celebration and assured them that personnel will be on ground 24hours, while Road Side Clinics and Ambulance points across the country will be open to emergencies.

Expressways, like dual carriageways, are safer than other roads because they don’t have many of the hazards found on ordinary roads and are designed to help traffic travel faster. Expressways can have two, three or even four lanes. Due to the higher speeds and volume of traffic on expressways, things happen very quickly and when accidents occur, they are often serious in nature, involving greater loss of life. To be safe on expressways you must stay alert, have total concentration and look well ahead. When driving on an expressway, you should make full use of your mirrors and give other drivers plenty of time to see and react to your signals before starting any manoeuvre. The normal rule is to use the right-hand lane on the expressway unless when you are changing lanes or overtaking. One of the most common expressway problems is driving too close to the vehicles ahead and to correct this, you should always use the ‘two-second rule’; and in poor weather conditions you should double this. Joining the Expressway More often than not, drivers will join the expressway by using a slip-road and acceleration-lane. Slip-roads and acceleration-lanes are provided for drivers to build up their speed so that they can match their speed with traffic already on the expressway, without causing inconvenience or danger to other drivers. As you drive on the slip road, ensure to make frequent glances across to the expressway to assess the speed and position of traffic in the right-hand lane. Signal early to inform drivers behind you and those already on the expressway of your intentions to join. To join the expressway safely, the main points to remember are: 1. Adjust your speed to match that of the traffic already on the expressway. Signal early to show your intention of joining the expressway. Always give priority or right of way to traffic already on the expressway. Join where there’s a suitable gap in the right-hand lane. Use the MSPSL(Mirror-Signal-Position-Speed-Look) routine to join. Don’t force your way into the traffic stream. Leaving the Expressway When leaving the expressway, drivers will leave by using a slip-road and deceleration lane, in which case drivers will be slowing down as they leave. When leaving the expressway, pay attention to your speed and use your mirrors effectively, as traffic following behind may not be leaving, thereby catching up with you rapidly. As you enter the deceleration lane, start to slow further down. To leave the expressway safely, the main points to remember are: 1. Use the MSPSL routine in good time 2. Get into the correct lane early, unless you’re already in the -hand lane. If you miss your intended exit, do not reverse on the expressway to slip road. Continue to the next exit to leave the expressway and rejoin in the opposite direction then continue to the required exit. Changing Lanes and Overtaking on the Expressway The main points to remember when changing lanes and overtaking on the expressway are: 1. Use the MSPSL routine well before you change lanes 2. If necessary, use your turn signal in good time 3. You have to be aware that vehicles might come up behind you very quickly, so be very careful before your intended manoeuvre. 4. A quick shoulder or sideway glance into the blind spot may be necessary 5. When safe to do so move steadily into the lane. In next week’s article we shall be discussing how to safely deal with pedestrian crossings using the hazard routine. For further explanations or clarification on the articles in the Essential Skills of Driving column, consult the author. Stephen K. Dieseruvwe

Director General, Delta StateTrafďŹ c Management Authority (DESTMA) **Driver Trainer and Road Safety Consultant **Email: sdieseruvwe@gmail.com **Tel: +2348167814928

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Kia Signs New Europa League Deal

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The New BMW i3

BMW i3 Named Best-selling Electric Car in Compact Segment Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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he world is going electric cars, and the new BMW i3 shows the way ahead to a new era of mobility. The automaker said, “It is recognised the world over as a symbol of driving pleasure, sustainability and intelligent connectivity in the urban traffic environment, which is why it has become the best-selling electric car in the premium compact segment.� The BMW i3 shows the way ahead to a new era of mobility. It is recognised the world over as a symbol of driving pleasure, sustainability and intelligent

connectivity in the urban traffic environment, which is why it has become the best-selling electric car in the premium compact segment. The recipe for success of the BMW i3 has now been further improved, thanks not just to refreshing styling accents, cutting-edge equipment features and new digital services, but also to the addition of a new model variant. For making its debut alongside the new edition of the first ever premium car to be conceived from the outset for all-electric mobility is the BMW i3s. With a higher output, model-specific chassis technology, noticeably more dynamic driving qualities and design features all of its own, it generates a particularly intense blend of the unrivalled sporty driving pleasure associated with electric cars from

the BMW Group. By offering a premium-quality, all-electric driving experience, meaning zero local emissions, together with a whole new level of connectivitytechnology,bothmodelsrepresentthefuture of urban mobility. The BMW i3 has reigned as the top-selling premium electric car in its class since 2014, not just in Europe but worldwide too.And in Germany, it has actually been topping the new vehicle registration statistics for the electric car segment as a whole, also since 2014. It’s not just the visionary electric vehicles and inspirational design that help to make BMW i so popular,butalsoitsinnovativemobilitysolutionsand the revolutionary new form of premium character, with sustainability as a key defining element.

ia Motors is today named as a new Official Partner of the UEFA Europa League. The three-year sponsorship agreement commences in time for the 2018/19 season, and runs through to the UEFAEuropa League final in 2021. The UEFAEuropa League is the world’s largest professional club football competition, involving clubs from 54 countries across Europe, and attracting a global cumulative TV audience of 980 million across all programming. As an Official Partner, Kia Motors will supply a fleet of 90 vehicles to UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) for the UEFAEuropa League finals in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The fleet will be used to transport referees, officials, delegates and VIPs. In addition, Kia Motors and UEFAwill carry out the first UEFAEuropa League ‘Trophy Tour’. The tour will give fans from around the world the chance to see the iconic trophy for themselves, and meet some of the legends of the game. Kia will also invite young fans from across Europe to enter competitions to become the Official Match Ball Carrier at matches throughout the season. Tae Hyun (Thomas) Oh, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Kia Motors Corporation, commented: “We are incredibly excited to continue to work with UEFA in sharing the values, commitment and passion for the sport of football. This partnership provides us with an opportunity to increase Kia’s global brand awareness further, while engaging with a huge audience of global football fans. The UEFA Europa League is one of the most competitive global football tournaments and provides the brand with an exciting platform from which to connect with existing Kia customers and prospective buyers around the world.�

Volkswagen Delivers 286,800 Commercial Vehicles in July

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n the first seven months of the year, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 286,800 vehicles from the T, Caddy, Crafter and Amarok series to customers all around the world. This represents an increase of 5.3 per cent compared with the same period last year. Regardless, the markets in Africa and the Middle East recorded declines in vehicle deliveries, according to a statement by the auto company, during the week. The statement quoted Bram Schot, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand responsible for Sales and Marketing: “We are very satisfied with the continued good performance of our

sales situation and we would like to thank our customers for their continued confidence in our products.� According to Schot, the excellent work of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ global dealer network also plays a special role in this. “In Western Europe vehicle deliveries increased by 4.3 per cent to 196,600 vehicles. Of this figure, the German home market accounted for 72,300 vehicles (+1.5 per cent). Also in the European core markets Italy (+11.5 per cent to 7,200 vehicles), France (+10.6 per cent to 12,500 vehicles) and Spain (+7.1 per cent to 8,800 vehicles), more vehicles were delivered. In Great Britain, the figure was 26,700 vehicles (-2.3 per cent).

2018 Volkswagen Amarok

Convoy Driving (2)

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s I close the discussion on convoy driving based on a material sourced on the net , you need to note two warnings that are crucial whether in normal or convoy driving-BEWAREAND NEVER ASSUME. Back to our focus, you need to take note of two of the most important roles in a convoy-LEAD and car2 –The leads job in a convoy is the hardest while car 2 is referred to as the aggressor. I told you the lead is the most important because the Lead maintains the convoy speed and integrity, navigates to the destination, look far enough ahead to anticipate how the group will proceed, watch/listen for the group sequencing and spacing, assess changing conditions, and make decisions for the entire group. Lead like a midfield maestro in a football team, sets the tone of the group: will the convoy be smooth sailing or a roller coaster, will it be slow and steady will depend on the Lead. Unlike the Lead, Car 2 is what I call the aggressor. He’s the one to brake check the left lane hog, clears the way for the convoy, annoys the pedestrians to get out of the way and blocks traffic at a stop sign Since convoy driving is team work you either drive like Arsenal against Leicester or Arsenal against Stoke. Your guess is as good as mine For emphasis, the success of a convoy depends on two things-the driver of the lead vehicle knowing where he is going and the driver of each car staying

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

without fail, with the car behind; not the car in front. Before I dwell deeply on the focus for today, Let me equally state here that even where this two vital conditions prevail, a third and determining variable within the context of the present discourse in our clime depends solely on the principal or what can be referred to as the VIP. the decency or otherwise of a convoy is directly related to the attitude of the Principal, meaning that no matter the anxiety of the convoy drivers to disregard laid down rules, the disposition of the Principal finally counts. Permit me to share this material I sourced on convoy driving. Since success of a convoy depend on the driver of the lead car knowing where he is going and the driver of each car staying, WITHOUT FAIL, with the car BEHIND; NOT the car in front, we need to dwell further on this. What this means is that each driver, starting with the lead car, drives in such a way that they never lose visual contact, for any significant period, with

the car following. The driver should not attempt to stay with the car in front under any circumstance. His responsibility and allegiance is with the car BEHIND. Keep the car behind you in sight, if it is not, then STOP in a safe place as soon as possible. The speed of the convoy is important. If all the cars went real slow, this stretching and shrinking might not be too bad. If they went real fast, things might get out of hand. And, there are always road conditions, traffic lights, stop signs, and other traffic to worry about. So, the first car should adjust speed according to what’s going on. On a 4-lane, speed up. On a dusty road with no wind blowing, slow way down. After a stop sign, or after a traffic light or after a turn, slow way down until “tail-end Charlie� reports being by the point of change. You should drive at a speed and in such a way that the car behind you stays in contact. This is the Fundamental Rule of Convoy driving. You must Drive at a speed that you can comfortably maintain. If all goes to plan, the actual speed of the convoy should be set by the slowest car. If you find you are pulling away from the car behind, slow down slightly to allow them maintain visual contact. Conversely, if the car behind you closes the gap, and you are able and willing to raise the speed slightly, do so until you have re-established a reasonable gap between the cars. You must not close up on the car in front unless the car behind has closed up on you! Try and maintain

a constant speed, try not to keep speeding up and slowing down. The effect is accentuated as you pass down the convoy. There is no set distance between cars in a convoy; it will depend on speed, road conditions and line of sight. On main roads, the distance can be quite large allowing other vehicles to overtake easily; on country routes the gap should be reduced to aid visual contact but still allow space for other traffic to overtake. In town, the gap should be as small as possible. This aids visual contact and maximizes the number of cars that can pass through traffic lights during each sequence. If you’re driving in the convoy, there are some things to pay attention to, also--such as the plate number and color of the car you are behind. Your distance behind the car in front should be as constant as you can make it. For safety reasons, you should observe the “2-second� rule--never be closer than 2 seconds behind (count “one thousand one, one thousand two�). If you see a car behind that isn’t in the convoy and wants to pass, open up your spacing so they won’t feel that they have to pass several cars at once. That way, they probably won’t tailgate you. Do you remember the old saying “Monkey see, monkey do�? That should be you in a convoy. If the car leading you shows brake lights, step on your brakes. If it shows a turn signal, turn on your signal. If it changes lanes, you change lanes. If it speeds up or slows down, you do the same. If it pulls to the shoulder, you do too. Every car in a convoy should travel with headlights on. That we you know who’s part of the convoy, and everyone else knows you’re part of it too.

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FAMILY HEALTH with

Worm Infestation in Man

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here is hardly any activity that you engage in that does not expose you to certain microscopic organism. Some cannot be seen by the naked eye, while some are quite visible for you to see. We contact worms either through their eggs, picked up in toilet, ingesting unhealthy food. Several types of worms can cause problems in humans, including threadworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms and hookworms. Threadworms are the only common worm infestation seen in most places. Signs of an infestation include an itchy bottom, disturbed sleep, irritability, tiredness and a lack of interest in eating. Threadworms are small parasites that live in the intestines of humans. They are particularly common in children under the age of 10. The worms are white, with a blunt head and a pointed tail. They can live for up to 6 weeks. The female worm lays many tiny eggs around the anus. This usually happens at night while the person is asleep since the female worms only come out at night. While laying the eggs, the worm also produces a chemical that creates an itchiness and causes the person to scratch the area. Eggs then stick under the fingernails and on fingertips and can be transferred to the mouth. They may then be swallowed and cause a re-infestation. The swallowed eggs hatch in the intestine. After a couple of weeks, the worms reach adult size and begin to reproduce. Worms in humans are often manifested by parasites that live in both the large and the small intestines of humans. Intestinal parasites live off of blood in the walls of the intestines and stool that is passing through. There are four common varieties such as; the pinworm, tapeworm, hookworm and the roundworm. The article will focus on the symptoms of different worms in humans as well as home remedies and prevention measures to treat those worm infections. Symptoms of Worms in Humans 1. Tapeworm Infection This worm infestation is common in some developing countries. Tapeworms can grow up to 9 metres inside a person, and may be contracted from contaminated food or from coming into contact with traces of an infected person’s stool. Tapeworm symptoms include vomiting and stomach pain. Beef tapeworm that only live in the intestine are easier to treat with tablets than some other tapeworms and their larvae which can spread to organs, including the lungs, liver, eyes or brain. Tapeworms are acquired via water and food that are contaminated with the larvae and eggs of the tapeworm. If you consume the eggs of the tapeworm, they tend to move away from the intestinal area and develop into cysts in the organs and other tissues of the body. This is known as an invasive tapeworm infection. Ingestion of the tapeworm larvae will cause them to grow into mature tapeworms. Symptoms The symptoms of a tapeworm infection depend on the type of infection and whether it is intestinal or invasive. Here are the symptoms of a tapeworm infection according to the location: Intestinal Tapeworms: r "CEPNJOBM QBJO r /BVTFB r %JBSSIFB r .BMBCTPSQUJPO PG OVUSJFOUT GSPN GPPE r 8FJHIUMPTT r 8FBLOFTT BOE GBUJHVF r *OWBTJWF UBQFXPSN r /FVSPMPHJDBM TZNQUPNT TFJ[VSFT r 'FWFS r .BTTFT PS MVNQT DZTUT r #BDUFSJBM JOGFDUJPOT r "MMFSHJD SFBDUJPOT UP UBQFXPSN MBSWBF 2. Thread Worm [Pinworm Infection] .BOZ XPSNT BSF POMZ B SJTL JO DFSUBJO QMBDFT BCSPBE but threadworms are tiny worms that are common especially in children under 10. A symptom of threadworms is an itchy bottom, and the thin, white worms may be seen around the bottom or in poo. Threadworms are passed on from an infected person, and a lack of good handwashing increases the risk. Threadworm infections are treated by taking a single dose of mebendazole medication to destroy the worms. If one family member has threadworms, the whole family should be treated, as worm eggs can take 2 weeks to hatch. These tiny worms that are only around Âź to ½ inch long infect the intestines and often people who are infected do OPU IBWF BOZ TZNQUPNT BU BMM %VSJOH UIF OJHIU UIF female worms move down to the anal opening and lay their eggs. This may cause the inability to sleep due to itching. Pinworms are very common among daycare centers and children in school. The infection is highly contagious and spread very easily due to poor hand hygiene in children. Pinworm infections are treated with oral medications and sanitization of any clothing,

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, ͸΀͸ͽ͝͝Ϳͺ͝ͽ͞

you should consult your doctor. They will work with you to determine the cause of your symptoms. %JBHOPTUJD UFTUT XJMM CF OFDFTTBSZ UP JEFOUJGZ UIF DVMQSJU r " GFDBM UFTU JOWPMWFT DIFDLJOH B TUPPM TBNQMF GPS parasites, larvae, or eggs. r "O FOEPTDPQZ PS DPMPOPTDPQZ DBO CF VTFGVM XIFO stool samples turn up no evidence of parasites. They may also help eliminate other causes for your symptoms. r " CMPPE UFTU DBO CF VTFE UP EFUFDU QBSBTJUFT JO UIF blood. r *NBHJOH UFTUT MJLF .3* $5 TDBO PS 9 SBZT DBO CF used to detect parasites. r " UBQF UFTU JOWPMWFT QMBDJOH DMFBS UBQF BSPVOE UIF anus. The tape can be examined under a microscope for the presence of pinworms or pinworm eggs. But even with the naked eye, you may be able to see evidence of pinworms around a child’s anus first thing in the morning.

Worms in humans are often manifested by parasites that live in both the large and the small intestines of humans. Intestinal parasites live o of blood in the walls of the intestines and stool that is passing through. There are four common varieties such as; the pinworm, tapeworm, hookworm and the roundworm. The article will focus on the symptoms of dierent worms in humans as well as home remedies and prevention measures to treat those worm infections

underclothes, and bedding. When there is a pinworm infection, everyone that has come in contact with the child needs to be treated. Symptoms r "CEPNJOBM QBJO r /BVTFB r *OUFOTF JUDIJOH BU UIF BOBM PQFOJOH PS WBHJOB r *OBCJMJUZ UP TMFFQ 3. Roundworm infection Roundworm infestations begin by swallowing worm eggs in contaminated food. Roundworms can live and thrive inside a person. They don’t often cause any symptoms, but are more likely to in large numbers. There may not be any symptoms other than spotting worms in poo. Roundworm infections are treated with medication, including mebendazole, piperazine and albendazole. Roundworms are a type of parasite that are close to the size of a common earthworm and are also known by their scientific names, Ascariasis and acaris. They infect both the small intestine and the entire digestive system. They invade the digestive system and feed, reproduce and live in the digestive tract of humans. There are usually no symptoms of a roundworm infestation, but people see a doctor because they see the worms in their bowel movements. Roundworm symptoms are a little more prominent than pinworms and include: Symptoms r )JHI GFWFS r %SZ DPVHI r 1PTTJCMF PCTUSVDUJPO JO UIF CPXFM The above symptoms can last for 4 to 16 after eating roundworm larvae and can become quite serious if the infection is from a large amount of eggs. . Round worm in a section of the human bowel. Wikimedia. 4. Hookworms These worms are also rare, but are worth taking precautions against in some places abroad where hookworms live in soil contaminated by human poo. The worms can get into the body by people walking barefoot, or by eating with unwashed contaminated hands. In severe cases, hookworms can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, lost appetite, unexpected weight loss, fatigue and anaemia. Once diagnosed with laboratory tests, anti-worm medication will be given. 5. Schistosomes Schistosomes are small fluke worms which get into the bloodstream of people through skin contact in contaminated water and soil, with children mostly affected. These worms cause a disease called schistosomiasis (bilharzia) that affects around 240 million people worldwide. Treatment involves antiparasitic drugs. 6. Trichinella Trichinosis, or trichinellosis, is a disease caused by the larvae from these worms, usually found in raw or undercooked infected meat, including from pigs. Treatment will involve antiparasitic drugs. 'JMBSJBF These worms are responsible for the disfiguring and painful condition lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, caused by worms nesting in a person’s lymphatic system. The worms are spread by mosquitos. 8. Whipworms These whip-shaped worms and their larvae can live in the intestines once they are infected from coming into contact with the poo of an infected person. Although ringworm is a common search result when looking for worms in human, it isn’t anything to do with worms. It’s a fungal infection causing a red or silver ring shaped rash. Diagnosis of worm infestation If you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms, especially if you’re returning from a trip to another country,

Treatment 'PS JOUFTUJOBM XPSNT ZPV OFFE UP CF FWBMVBUFE CZ B physician in order to diagnose and find which parasite you have. They will run tests and help you obtain the appropriate treatment. In addition to this, you can try certain supplements, herbs and dietary changes to help clear up the infestation. Just understand that certain home treatments have not been widely tested to see if they are effective for riding the body of parasites, but they have been used for quite some time. Treating threadworms To treat threadworms successfully, all household members must be treated, even if they don’t have any symptoms. This is because the risk of the infection spreading is very high. The aim of treatment is to get rid of the threadworms and prevent reinfection. This will usually involve a combination of medication to kill the worms and strict hygiene measures to stop the spread of the eggs. The main medication used to treat threadworms is available from your local pharmacy without a prescription. However, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions as it isn’t suitable for everyone. You need to see your doctor if - you have threadworms and you’re pregnant or breastfeeding - your child has threadworms and they’re under two years old. Hygiene measures Strict hygiene measures can help clear up a threadworm infection and reduce the likelihood of reinfection. r 5IF MJGFTQBO PG UISFBEXPSNT JT BQQSPYJNBUFMZ six weeks, so it’s important that hygiene measures are followed for at least this length of time. Everyone in the household must follow the advice outlined below. r XBTI BMM OJHIU DMPUIFT CFE MJOFO UPXFMT BOE TPGU toys when you’re first diagnosed – this can be done at normal temperatures, but make sure the washing is well rinsed r UIPSPVHIMZ WBDVVN BOE EVTU UIF XIPMF IPVTF paying particular attention to the bedrooms – this should be repeated regularly r DBSFGVMMZ DMFBO UIF CBUISPPN BOE LJUDIFO CZ EBNQ dusting surfaces and washing the cloth frequently in hot water – this should be repeated regularly r BWPJE TIBLJOH BOZ NBUFSJBM UIBU NBZ CF DPOUBNJOBUFE with eggs, such as clothing or bed sheets – this will prevent eggs being transferred to other surfaces r EPO U FBU GPPE JO UIF CFESPPN m ZPV NBZ FOE VQ swallowing eggs that have been shaken off the bedclothes r LFFQ ZPVS à OHFSOBJMT TIPSU m FODPVSBHF PUIFS members of your household to do the same r EJTDPVSBHF OBJM CJUJOH BOE TVDLJOH à OHFST m JO particular, make sure children don’t suck their thumb r XBTI ZPVS IBOET GSFRVFOUMZ BOE TDSVC VOEFS ZPVS fingernails – it’s particularly important to do this before eating, after going to the toilet, and before and after changing your baby’s nappy r XFBS DMPTF à UUJOH VOEFSXFBS BU OJHIU BOE DIBOHF your underwear every morning r CBUIF PS TIPXFS SFHVMBSMZ m JU T QBSUJDVMBSMZ JNportant to bathe or shower first thing in the morning: make sure you clean around your anus and vagina to remove any eggs r FOTVSF FWFSZPOF JO ZPVS IPVTFIPME IBT UIFJS PXO face flannel and towel – don’t share towels r LFFQ UPPUICSVTIFT JO B DMPTFE DVQCPBSE BOE SJOTF them thoroughly before use $IJMESFO DBO FBTJMZ QJDL VQ BOPUIFS UISFBEXPSN infection from friends or at school, so maintaining good hygiene may help prevent reinfection. Pregnant or breastfeeding women .FEJDBUJPO JTO U VTVBMMZ SFDPNNFOEFE GPS QSFHOBOU or breastfeeding women. Instead, you should follow the hygiene measures above. See your doctor if you’re more than three months pregnant, or if you’re breastfeeding and you continue to experience problems after only taking hygiene measures. In certain circumstances, your GP may consider prescribing medication.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2011

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What’s Next for McGregor?

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What’s Next for McGregor?

boxing novice, but he said: "I'm a multiple-weight freestyle world champion and I was a little bit surprised at the disrespect I was shown. The disrespect for my skill took me back a little bit." There was no disrespect between the two combatants at the end, Mayweather admitting he had been given trouble than he anticipated. And McGregor said of the American: "You're a composed individual. You didn't get rattled; you made three game changes during the fight and that's what a true champion does. "I would have liked to see the end of the 10th and where it brought us, but he's one hell of a competitor. "I thought I put him out there and hit him a few times for the fight from which he’s expected to pocket $100 million but then he started reading it and he began parrying a lot. I – his camp did everything to the best of their ability. enjoyed the fight; it was a great contest and I'll take a lot of “Getting to 12 rounds alone in practice was always the stuff with me into my training." challenge in this camp,� he wrote. McGregor however believes that the referee jumped in too “We started slowly getting to the 12 and decreasing the stress in the rounds the closer it got to 12. I think for the time early to stop his fight and he should have been allowed to fight on. we had, 10 weeks in camp, it had to be done this way.� The Notorious produced a valiant performance against The 10 rounds McGregor lasted were the longest he’s ever spent in the cage or ring, being used to five five-minute Money but was ultimately outclass by the boxing great, who, in his final fight, now moves to a record-breaking 50-0. rounds in MMA – but after taking a few days to reflect it McGregor did start the cross-code showdown the better appears he’s ready for the next challenge. of the pair, but as the fight reached its second half the UFC The 29-year-old is widely expected to return to UFC, superstar faded quickly and was stopped on his feet by where he has world titles to defend. But given how he referee Robert Byrd in the 10th. masterminded one of combat sports’ biggest ever fights, Speaking after his stoppage defeat, McGregor admitted who’s to say what’s next? that he was tiring, but he would have liked Byrd to let him at Meanwhile, McGregor said he would take time to least hit the canvas before waving off the contest. consider his "many options" after his excursion into boxing "I would have liked the ref to let me keep going. I was a ended in defeat to Mayweather. little fatigued, but let me go down, let's see how things play McGregor had some success early on against a watchful Mayweather, but the MMA superstar ultimately proved no out," McGregor said. "I've been strangled on live TV before and came back. match in a ring for boxing's self-proclaimed Best Ever. "There's a lot on the line here, let me keep going. He had a A halt was called in the 10th round in Las Vegas, despite the pleas of an exhausted McGregor to see the final bell, but lot more experience and I have to give it to him, that's what 50 the Irishman's performance was enough to earn the praise of pro fights will give you. "Being wobbly and fatigued, that's energy, that's not damage, I'm clear headed. ring royalty such as Lennox Lewis and George Foreman. Asked at the post-fight press conference whether boxing Interestingly, McGregor has suggested Floyd Mayweather on is an option, McGregor said: "I'm not sure what's next. I have multiple world titles in the UFC to think about as well has the skills to transition into MMA. UFC champion McGregor was beaten in the 10th round of as the boxing. his boxing debut by Mayweather last weekend in Las Vegas "I'm a student of the game and I've studied Floyd and it was an honour to share the ring with him. I will get back into and has now paid tribute to his conqueror. "I always told him he was not a fighter but a boxer," my jiu-jitsu and freestyle wrestling training and we will see McGregor posted on Instagram. "But sharing the ring with what's next. I have many options in the sport of MMA." him he is certainly a solid fighter. Many had predicted an early embarrassment for the

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ith the bigger gloves it was more difficult to land that big shot. There were too many things in Mayweather's favour inside a boxing ring. McGregor brought chaos but Mayweather was able to control it. He needs to learn to pace himself better over 12 rounds because it's very, very different to mixed martial arts. For example, Mayweather controls the investment of power in his punches. Every punch McGregor threw in the first two rounds was with power Mayweather would throw four or five punches, then the sixth is a power shot. That's why McGregor's energy expenditure goes. If McGregor throws 200 power punches, Floyd can throw 400 punches in the same time. McGregor has thanked the fans and everyone involved with his recent superfight against Mayweather, while also suggesting the boxing great has the skills to compete in MMA. McGregor also congratulated Mayweather, admitting that as well as being a “heck of a boxer� he’s also “certainly a solid fighter�. Mayweather admitted he was surprised by McGregor in the early rounds, with the Irishman starting quickly. But the Notorious was also full of praise for the 40-year-old. “Congrats to Floyd on a well fought match. Very experienced and methodical in his work. I wish him well in retirement. He is a heck of a boxer. His experience, his patience and his endurance won him this fight hands down,� he wrote. He added: “He has some very strong tools he could bring into an MMA game for sure.� McGregor believes that in the 10 weeks he had to prepare

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

AFRICA PLAYS with KENNETH EZAGA 0807 0530 677, zigi199@yahoo.com

Gov Ambode Here is How a Sport Culture Can Save “Unlivable” Lagos (2)

L I would have liked to see the end of the 10th and where it brought us, but he's one hell of a competitor. "I thought I put him out there and hit him a few times but then he started reading it and he began parrying a lot. I enjoyed the fight; it was a great contest and I'll take a lot of stuff with me into my training "Strong in the clinch. Great understanding of frames and head position. He has some very strong tools he could bring into an MMA game for sure. "Very experienced and methodical in his work. I wish him well in retirement. He is a heck of a boxer. His experience, his patience and his endurance won him this fight hands down." Mayweather insisted his 50th consecutive win will definitely be his last, while McGregor remains the UFC lightweight champion. However, McGregor has overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo in Forbes' latest rich list for athletes after pocketing almost £80m (€86.1m, $103.6m) following his bout with Mayweather. The Irishman was stopped in the 10th round, as his professional boxing debut ended in defeat. However, the UFC star can console himself with his share of the fight's purse, which was reportedly worth £77m. The figure will put the Dubliner ahead of Ronaldo, whose annual earnings stood at £71m this year, making him the world's highest-paid athlete in the world, ahead of Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James and Barcelona icon Lionel Messi. When Ronaldo and McGregor met last year in a gym the Irishman uses for training, the latter told the Real Madrid star he would soon surpass him at the top of the list. "You (Ronaldo) were number one on the Forbes list, I was like number 35 or something," McGregor said. "I'll get up. Maybe next year I'll get you." Ronaldo, however, dismissed the claim and replied: "I don't think so." The list is calculated by adding together salaries, bonuses and endorsements, including revenue from sponsorships and appearance fees, but agent fees are not counted. Furthermore, athletes who are inactive for 12 months are removed from the list. Despite his bumper paycheck, McGregor will not top the list, with Mayweather set to claim the number one spot amid reports his

share of the purse from last Saturday's fight was worth an eye-watering £233m. The American, who walked away from the sport with a 50-0 record, said the fight with McGregor lived up to all expectations and broke the previous pay-per-view record that he shared with Manny Pacquiao. "We broke all the pay-per-view records," he said at the post-fight press conference. "You will never see me in the ring again. I wanted to break records and do different things. And tonight we broke the Mayweather-Pacquiao record for pay-perview buys." However, the Irishman will overtake a number of elite athletes, including Roger Federer, Kevin Durant, Rory McIlroy and Lewis Hamilton. Furthermore, with Mayweather set to retire from boxing, McGregor will fancy securing top spot soon enough, given his high profile in the UFC circuit and the possibility of him stepping back into the boxing ring.

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

ast week, I wrote about how establishing a sports culture in Lagos can help it attract better quality visitors from around the world, both in terms of frequency of visits and length of stay. I was reacting to the recent ranking of as the second least livable city on the planet by The Economist magazine. It was a ranking waved aside by the government, but one I felt provided an opportunity for us to learn through introspection. Of the many reasons Lagos fell short of global standards, I focused on one: that the city was not friendly to sports and health-conscious people who are a growing population around the world. For instance, there are hardly any public spaces designed for people to freely exercise or roads to protect runners and joggers, while there are only a few community sports centers. I suggested that since the problem predated the current administration, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his team may now have to commit state funds to buying private properties and converting them to public sports centers. The most livable cities in the world are very generous in providing for sports and the health conscious. I also suggested that water was a platform for good sport and recreation, and that the lagoon was a goldmine that presented a significant opportunity for the government to capture the minds of the rich and adventurous. There’s plenty to do in the lagoon if the government can invest in cleaning up the waters and the surrounding areas. From deep water swimming challenges to fishing, snorkeling, boat racing and other sports and entertainment events, Lagos could become West Africa’s Monaco. I then ended by suggesting that I had a dangerous idea for a Lagos Central Park. I think a huge park would be great for the city, a bit like Hyde Park in London and Central Park in Manhattan. For some reason successive administrations in Lagos have seemed incapable of saving spaces for real parks and public recreation. Even spaces planned for this purpose have often been converted to homes and offices. We do have a culture of covering every available land space with some building or the other. Every piece of land becomes an opportunity to earn an extra naira for some insatiable men and women with no care for the greater good. The result is a mangled city and one pretty tough to live in especially for foreigners. Giant parks are valued in the world’s top cities. Consider that Hyde Park was founded in 1536 and made public in 1637. For 380 years, it has remained a public space, despite its location in one of the most expensive areas in the world. Central Park was established in 1857 and for 160 years has remained that way. These people are not stupid, these are the most civilized and business savvy societies in the world. Central Park alone attracted 40 million visitors in 2013, while Hyde Park attracted 12.4m in 2014. In both parks sports and recreation are a staple. Hyde Park boasts several sporting facilities, including a number of football pitches and a Tennis centre. People go cycling and horse riding, while at the 2012 London Olympics the park hosted

Gov Ambode the triathlon, and the 10km open water swimming events. Central Park is heavily used by runners, joggers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and inline skaters. The New York City Marathon finishes in the park, while there are also numerous baseball fields as well as courts for volleyball, tennis, croquet and lawn bowling, among others. For years now I have dreamed of a huge Lagos Park, and the best I have managed to come up with in terms of a location is where the Nigerian Police College is currently sited in Ikeja GRA. The idea of the Police College in GRA seems to have long outlived its usefulness. The school itself appears a shadow of what it once was. We have all been witnesses to the news of how rundown it has become. Today it looks quite a sight with a mammy market on the one side and a clash of architectural styles on the other. However, the people that designed it originally ensured they got a huge piece of land and plenty of space. So how about the state government buying it from the police or federal government? I imagine it would cost a good few billions with which the police can then build a brand new world class college somewhere else where land is cheap and distractions are few. That space would be fantastic for a park. Close to the airport, surrounded by decent hotels, a teaching hospital, and a boundary connecting the well-heeled and the rest of society. I would wager that the impact of a park there would be huge enough to fractionally redistribute the population of Lagos and decongest the Ikoyi, V.I, Lekki axis, as some sports and health-conscious rich move its way. All the government needs to do is get celebrated international park designers, developers to come up with something truly worldclass park. While not of the size of parks in the major cities of the world, it would still be a giant space. There can be several football fields and tennis courts, with lots of space for a few other sports as well as other forms of recreation and entertainment. You may even call it the Police Park for heritage reasons. The state can target two to five million visitors every year and that can translate to a lot in economic terms. I am under no illusions about the chances of this ever happening, but let me at least dream. One thing Lagos surely does not need however, is another housing estate in a congested area. That I imagine would be the preference for some politicians and “real estate” mercenaries who buy up every space, build up every space and use the proceeds to live in the US and UK where they and their children can enjoy the benefits of more livable cities.

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Buhari Hails Super Eagles on 4-0 Victory over Cameroon Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Kunle Adewale

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resident Muhammadu Buhari last night congratulated Nigeria’s Super Eagles on their victory over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State yesterday. Buhari, in a statement by his chief spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said he joined millions of football-loving Nigerians at home and abroad to applaud the Eagles for what he described as their disciplined, skillful and entertaining display against the defending African champions who they thrashed 4-0. He said Buhari noted that with the exhilarating victory, Nigeria was on the verge of qualification for the World Cup in Russia 2018 and urged the players to sustain the momentum as they approach the crucial second leg of the tie in Yaounde, Cameroon on Monday. "The President enjoins Nigerians who always see football as a unifying platform, to continue to pray and support the team to guarantee victory next week and make qualification doubly sure. "He also commends the Akwa Ibom State Government for its continued support and provision of excellent hosting facilities," the statement added. The victory takes the Super Eagles to a full haul of nine points at the top of Group B, a comfortable seven clear of the second-placed Indomitable Lions, though the gap could be reduced by either Zambia or Algeria when they meet in Lusaka on today. Cameroon started the stronger of the two teams, settling quickly into a passing rhythm and also pressing high up the pitch to make it difficult for the hosts to play out from the back. However, Nigeria soon went up a couple of gears and began to dominate. Their first hint of a goal arrived in the 24th minute when Victor Moses’ free kick passed through the box and found the back of the net, but was ruled out for offside. Yet it was only five more minutes before the Super Eagles broke the deadlock: striker Odion Ighalo outmuscled defender Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui to win a long ball before cutting inside and scoring with a superb low finish. Cameroon needed goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa to make a terrific save on 36 minutes to keep out a goal-bound effort from Moses Simon, but there was nothing he could do six minutes later when John Obi Mikel made it 2-0, getting ahead of his marker to meet Moses’ corner kick and toe-poke the ball home from close range.

Mikel Obi led Super Eagle to crush Cameroun Nigeria added a third goal just 10 minutes into the second half, with a speedy counter attack seeing Moses exchange passes with fellow wideman Simon before firing home a low shot to effectively end the match as a contest. And Cameroon’s match went from bad to worse when half-time substitute Eric Choupo-Moting pulled up with an injury and had to be replaced just before the hour mark. Nigeria put the cherry on top with a fourth goal, arriving in the 76th minute: Moses and Ogenyi Onazi combined superbly down the right flank to hand substitute Kelechi Iheanacho a simple header into an almost empty net. The teams will meet again for the return game in Yaounde on Monday evening, with the Indomitable Lions seeking redemption for this embarrassing defeat. A win in the second leg would ensure the Super Eagles book their place to the 2018 World Cup. The Gernot Rohr lads will pocket the sum of $40,000 for scoring four goals as promised by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, apart from their $5,000 winning bonus to be paid by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. Meanwhile, Ghana's hopes of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia have suffered

a massive blow following a 1-1 draw against Congo at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Friday. Thievy Bifouma and Thomas Partey found the back of the net for their respective countries as the two nations remain in third and fourth place respectively in Group E. While Congo will take heart from the result, it serves as no real help for either the Black Stars or the Red Devils heading into the reverse fixture in Brazzaville, as Uganda and Egypt continue to lead the way. For Kwesi Appiah's men, who carried a 50year unbeaten record against their counterparts into the clash, they are now in serious danger of seeing their chances of a fourth world showpiece appearance in succession go up in smoke. The Black Stars looked nervous from the onset and almost conceded as early as the fourth minute as a lack of communication between Daniel Amartey and Richard Ofori created a chance for Bifouma who failed at the final hurdle. Partey had the ball in the back of the net for the hosts in the 14th minute, but he looked rather sheepish as he hammered home - his attempt was duly chalked off with the assistant's

flag raised. Congo opened the scoring four minutes later as a mistake by Josef Attamah paved the way for Fabrice Nguessi to tee up Bifouma for an easy finish - the forward building on his impressive international record. Partey - a defensive midfielder by trade continued to provide Ghana's biggest threat with the Atletico Madrid man seeing his rasping shot well saved by Barel Mouko in the 38th minute. Congo were 1-0 up at the break. Appiah introduced Harrison Afful following the interval and the USA-based defender made a visible impact as his rasping effort cannoned into the side-netting in the 70th minute. Jowrdan Ayew was then denied by Moukou who got down well to keep out the forward's shot from close range. The Black Stars continued to surge forward in attack and finally got their reward in the 85th minute as Partey slipped the ball into the back of the net from a Christian Atsu through ball. Ghana, though, were unable to find the winner as their World Cup hopes now hang by a thread.

Premier League, La Liga Keeping Fans Agog on SuperSport

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inally, the boredom is over and the excitement of professional football was back on screens with the start of the English Premier League and La Liga, among other world-class league. The new season, though just three weeks old, has offered fans a glimpse of more excitement to come. Football all over the world has a cultlike following and fans in Nigeria are no different. They have their favourite clubs and managers. Particularly, they have their favourite players and follow every behind-the-scene and live action. It is also a period when betting is taken to another level and huge sums of money are lost and won. Although the La Liga has some of the reigning European champions within the league and currently plays host to the vast majority of the most recent World Cup winners as well as the two most outstanding players of this generation, the English premier league, according to Marketing.Com, remains the most powerful league in the world with a global audience of about 12.3 million per

football match and a cumulative audience of 4.7 billion people in 212 countries and territories per league tournament. This is why its opening is always greeted all over the world with excitement generating the most wealth around the world. It is safe to say Nigerian fans fall within the 4.7 billion people who await football action with excitement and MultiChoice, through its sports company, SuperSport, midwifes the excitement by making available, all the football action live on DStv at affordable rates. With its new value preposition MultiChoice is offering to its customers, all 380 live EPL matches on its Premium, Compact Plus and Compact bouquets. While the Family and Access bouquets will have some of the matches for subscribers. Even GOtv subscribers are not left out of the excitement as they will also enjoy a couple of select live matches on weekends or when more than one match is happening at the same time. In this new season, MultiChoice acquired a number of sporting rights to air various football and wrestling actions to its customers regardless of what bouquet they are subscribed to. The UEFA Euro rights, the IOC Olympic rights that allow them broadcast all the Olympic Games including the winter Olympics and the

Paralympics, as well as the World Wrestling Entertainment rights (WWE) for all the action on Wrestlemania. In particular, for the Family bouquet, which goes for a subscription rate of N3,800, customers can watch the entire 380 live matches of the Spanish league, La Liga. By this, nothing is missed, regardless of the bouquet one is subscribed to. In addition to all the football and wrestling rights, DStv added new channels to the Family and Access bouquets. Exciting channels like Food Network, CBeebees and BBC Lifestyle which air programmes like Celebrity Master Chef, Trust me I’m A Doctor and Obsessed with my body, are available for customers even on the Family bouquet. Reputed for putting customers first in every business decision, MultiChoice has invested so much in innovative services which are customer-friendly and not too pocketheavy, giving them value for money all year round. Aside from the English Premiership and La Liga, DStv has rights to other unbeatable football action that will keep fans on their toes for the rest of the football season. Other soccer action including Copa Del Ray, German Cup, English FA Cup, Champions league, Europa league and the Carabao Cup,

are all available on DStv and GOtv. Speaking on all MultiChoice has to offer, General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Martin Mabutho said: “DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a bumper soccer season this year as SuperSport will showcase live international matches from the Spanish La Liga, English FA cup, Champions League, Europa League, Copa Del Ray, German Cup, Carabao Cup formerly known as the EFL Cup, and not forgetting Nigerian Premier League games and national team football matches. It will be a one stop shop for everything football and there will be no regrets,� Because SuperSport is for everything sports, boxing fans were treated to the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor, a mixed martial art fighter, on the Premium bouquet – a bout which met expectations and delivered spectacularly from an excitement perspective. So far, the fight appears to have broken all gambling records. DStv Premium customers had the opportunity of watching the fight live in HD and in the comfort of their homes. Because of time differentials, the match, which was broadcast by 5am Nigerian time.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Í°Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

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Rafael-Nadal-roger-federer

Tiger Woods

McLaren Holds Renault Talks McLaren appear to be edging towards an engine deal with Renault although the team insists a decision on their 2018 power supply hasn't been made yet. McLaren are believed to be intent on divorcing from Honda but their plans could be dependent on Toro Rosso agreeing a deal with the Japanese manufacturer that would enable Honda to stay in the sport even if they split from McLaren. Renault bosses Jerome Stoll, Cyril Abiteboul and Alain Prost, accompanied by F1 boss Ross Brawn, held talks inside McLaren's motorhome after Friday practice for the Italian GP. "It is very complicated," McLaren team boss Zak Brown said. "There are a variety of pieces to the puzzle - some in our control,

some not. "If everything was done we would have a decision and an announcement to make. There are some challenges ahead of us that we need to navigate." Speaking to Sky Sports News, Brown added: "It can still go either way. It's probably one of the biggest decisions McLaren have ever had to make." The American later added: "We don't have an agreement in place with anybody." Although Toro Rosso have reputedly set a deadline of this weekend for a decision to be made on their own engine deal, Brown says his team have until midSeptember to make their choice. But the McLaren boss was tight-lipped on his ongoing discussions with Honda. "I am

not going to comment on any meetings with Honda," he said. Honda are thought to provide McLaren with funding worth at least ÂŁ50m a year. But after three years at the back of the grid from where they have failed to land a single podium, Brown says the team's only priority for 2018 is being as competitive as possible. "The best thing for McLaren is to make the best sporting decision possible," he said. "We are here to win so we are going to make a sporting decision. "We can't afford not to be on the podium. It's a big decision that has lots of elements to it and economics are one. But fortunately we have extremely committed shareholders which means we can make a sporting decision and deal with the economics."

Woods Resumes Short-game Practice after Returning from Injury Tiger Woods has made progress towards a return to competitive golf after he was cleared to resume short-game practice. The former world number one has not played since January, when he missed the cut in the Farmers Insurance Open at four over par after rounds of 76 and 72. But Woods tweeted on Thurs-

day evening: "Dr. gave me the ok to start pitching", accompanied by a slow-motion video of him hitting a shot from just off the green which finished around two feet from the flag. Woods has won 14 majors, the second-highest total of all time behind Jack Nicklaus on 18, but has failed to add to that tally in

nearly a decade since the 2008 US Open. His most recent win came at the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational, since when he has been plagued by injuries and has had four operations on his back. Having spent 683 weeks as world number one in his career, Woods' current ranking is 1,121.

TECNO Mobile Gives Youngsters Premier League Opportunity TECNO Mobile has launched a new experiential initiative which will see 13 youngsters from across Africa spend a week enjoying the best in coaching with Manchester City Football Club. The Blue Squad scheme, announced at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, will see the youngsters train at City Football Academy for a week. Coaches from City football schools will deliver fun and engaging lessons to the youngsters, using the Manchester City football know-how and methodology. The sessions will focus on specific areas of the City Play curriculum, using the examples of current City players, such as Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, to challenge players to master the ball, play with style and dominate the game. The participants, aged 12-15, are from a wide range of African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Egypt. As one of the top three mobile phone brands in Africa and a major player worldwide, TECNO

Mobile is committed to the African market and community. Having launched in the region more than a decade ago, TECNO has grown rapidly through a deep understanding of the real needs of African consumers, providing several product developments to ensure users get the most out of their phones. Through this depth of knowledge in Africa, TECNO has made an ongoing commitment to provide wider community initiatives, with the Blue Squad the latest example of this. Plans are also in development to repeat the initiative annually and give more African youngsters the opportunity to experience playing at one of the world’s best football clubs. General Manager of TECNO Mobile, Stephen Ha, said, “Sport is a great way to provide new experiences and build communities and we are thrilled to be able to give youngsters from across Africa the chance to enjoy the beautiful game at its very best. “For more than a decade, TECNO Mobile has been commit-

ted to Africa, and we are always looking for new ways to cater for our loyal customer base on the continent. Blue Squad provides the perfect opportunity to give something back.� Also speaking, Head of City Football Schools, Gavin Rhodes, said, “City Football Schools are committed to providing young people with access to cutting edge training and performance expertise both on and off the pitch. “We are delighted to support initiatives like the Blue Squad that are enriching the lives of young people around the world and we’re looking forward to welcoming the youngsters to City Football Academy.� TECNO Mobile is a premium mobile phone brand of Transsion Holdings. The firm has the largest market share in the Sub-Saharan African phone industry and now operates in more than 40 countries globally. Last year the firm announced a global multi-year partnership as Official Tablet and Handset Partner of Manchester City.

US OPEN

Federer, Nadal Battle on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal showed their battling qualities on Thursday to remain on course for a first-ever meeting at the US Open. In a sport full of statistics, one of the more remarkable remains the fact that these two totems of the game have not once met at Flushing Meadows, despite seven titles and 10 finals between them. This year's draw has placed them in the same top half, much to Nadal's annoyance, so a semi-final showdown is their likely meeting place rather than the final. However, both men will have to improve on their second-round showings if they are to encounter each other in the last four. Nadal was in action under the lights against Japan's Taro Daniel, and it looked like being a long evening for the top seed when world no 121 Daniel took the first set and then grabbed an early break in the second set. The Spaniard, champion in New York in 2010 and 2013, battled back to eventually seal a third-round spot with a 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory but he admitted he will need to get better if he is to claim a second Grand Slam title of the year, and a 16th in total. "All the matches are difficult and especially here. Everybody wants to play the best and if you don't play your best, it's very difficult," said Nadal, who will face Leonardo Mayer after his four-set win over Yuichi Sugita. "It's a very important victory. It's true I didn't play very well but I'm through to the next round. "I was a set and a break against but I felt in the first set that I had a lot of opportunities. I was thinking 'let's keep going and hopefully I'm going to convert one of these'. "I need to improve a lot of things but I am here to try to improve every day. I'm going to work tomorrow to find better feelings and I really believe I'm going to do it much better." In the afternoon session, Federer needed a second successive five-set match to record his 80th victory at the US Open, seeing off fellow veteran Mikhail Youzhny. Federer, chasing a record sixth US Open and third major of the year, came through against two-time semi-finalist Youzhny in a clash featuring opponents with a combined age of 71 - the older man winning 6-1 6-7 (3-7) 4-6 6-4 6-2 in three hours and eight minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 36-year-old Swiss improved his perfect record against the former world No 8 from Russia to 17-0, but only after the world No 101 suffered from cramp early in the fifth set. Federer, with a 20th Grand Slam title in his sights, needed five sets to get past US 19-year-old Frances Tiafoe in his opening match on Tuesday. He was not quite himself for much of Thursday's match, committing 68 unforced errors and appearing slowed by a bad back that he tweaked earlier in August, but victory over Youzhny, whom he first played 17 years ago, helped him set up a third-round showdown against Feliciano Lopez of Spain. His record against Lopez is just as solid - 12-0. "It wasn't always like this," said the third seed. "I won in straights or lost in straights. These five-set battles are actually quite a lot of fun. I feel quite warmed up by now." "I haven't played a lot of guys with cramps in the last decade, so it was somewhat new. It was hard to watch. I was feeling for Mikhail. We go back to the '98 juniors here, we played each other in doubles. We've played a bunch of times and this was probably our best match." Meanwhile, Nadal's uncle Toni has revealed that the duo believed the presence of Federer and Novak Djokovic meant the Spaniard would never become world number one. Nadal most recently became world number one again during the Cincinnati Open in August and will be looking to end the year as the top player in tennis for the first time since 2013. However, despite currently holding the top spot for a total of 143 weeks throughout his career, the Spaniard thought he would never reach the pinnacle of tennis. With Federer becoming world number one in 2004 and dominating tennis for the next couple of years, Nadal, despite his many accomplishments, was stuck in second place. Then with Djokovic coming into the fold and cracking the top three in 2007, there were fears that if anyone was going to overtake Federer, it would have been the Serbian. "He (Rafa) became No. 2 in 2005 at only 19 years of age," Toni said, as quoted on Tennis World USA. "It was the breakthrough year as he won 11 ATP titles including Roland Garros, and he was behind only Roger Federer." "Despite [the fact] he won three Grand Slam titles, he was in that position for three more years and at some stage Novak Djokovic, who was at the beginning of his career, made us think that we would never achieve it. "So I joked and told Rafa: 'Probably you will be the best No. 2 in the history'." Eventually, the 31-year-old reached the summit of tennis, defeating the Swiss ace in the 2008 final of Wimbledon and going on to become world number one for the first time in his career. "At the end on 18 August 2008, after winning two other major titles and a gold medal at the Olympics, he made it," Toni added. Nine years on, it is still Nadal and Federer competing for top spot as the long-time rivals are vying to win the US Open. The duo are both in the third round and could face each other for the first time in New York at the semi-final stage.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşËœ ͺ͸͚; by OMOLOLA ITAYEMI omolola.itayemi@thisdaylive.com 08054699602

TRAVEL&LEISURE

Relishing Osun Osogbo Festival Ă’Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’ Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂŁĂ˜Ă™Ă˜ĂŁĂ—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ËÖĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă‘ĂŒĂ™ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă™ ÞÙ Ă‘ĂŒĂ™ Ă•ĂĄĂ&#x; Ă?ĂĄ Ă‹Ă— Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ËÖ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’ ÞËÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– ĂŽĂ“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã˛ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă‘ĂŒĂ™ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă Ă‹Ă–Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ùà Ă?Ăœ ͞͸͸ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă–ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă‘Ă?ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ?ĘľĂ?Ăœ åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ăž ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? ÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? ÞÙÚ Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ËÖ ÞÒËÞ Ă•Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ? ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ?ÒÓÚÚĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă™Ăœ ÞåÙ ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?̋ÙÖÎ ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÚÙ×Ú˛ Omolola Itayemi ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?

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s early as 9pm on Friday 22nd August, when the writer got to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Larooye II and chief celebrant of the festival, the palace was already filled to the rafters. “Ese Yeye Osun� is the common greeting here and it was on everybody’s lips. From worshippers dressed in white to tourists to members of the media there was almost no place to stand. This festival, famed for its pageantry, draws more than disciples. Not everyone who journeys to the city in August is “Olosun�. Most are drawn by the fiesta’s spectacular sights and sounds, many visited for research purposes, on the eve of the great procession, the city is literally bursting at the seams. The grand finale of the 2017 Osun Osogbo Festival, which began with the Iwopopo, the traditional cleansing of the town, followed three days later by the lighting of the 500-year-old 16-point lamp called “Ina Olojumerindinlogun�, and reached its highest point, with the procession to the Osun River for prayers. The palace was a beehive of cultural and traditional activities in the last few weeks. The festival is less about merrymaking and more about the mind, heart and divinity of a people bonded by unique culture and history. For culture enthusiasts, the festival is like a pilgrimage. There were enthusiasts from Brazil and USA. Dancing, singing, praise worshipping, commerce and every other thing was going on at once. The happenings at the palace ground however got to a climax when the Arugba (votary Virgin) emerged from the inner sanctum of the palace. Frenzied scenes greeted her entrance into the groove; thousands participated in the visual spectacle of finger snapping, front to back motions over their heads to ward off bad luck as they prayed, perhaps refusing a curse or merely part of a trend. As the Arugba and her entourage went from one side of the palace grounds to another, the crowd filed after them, pushing and tugging with some screaming for help, as they fell into the shallow gutter lining the sides of the palace walls. At this point, the fear of contacting the Ebola Virus was abated as physical contact could not be avoided. Among the traditional activities that have lit the 2017 festivities was the Arugba’s Berth. Held on Tuesday, August 19, it was a day to celebrate the votary maidens, who have burnt the light of the festival these past five centuries of performance - ladies, who devoted their teenage years to the service of the deity before they were released for marriage. Arugba is the virgin maid who carries the famous calabash, which bears the propitiation materials to the Osun River. To devotees of Osun, the Arugba is not just a virgin maid, but also a goddess on whom they cast all their problems as she carries the calabash to the Osun River. This singular responsibility makes the Arugba the second key individual in the festival after the Kabiyesi. The long walk to the Osun grove wasn’t different as people took to different means to get there, from motorists to commercial motorcyclists (okada). The Grove has numerous attractions. From the custodian of Osun goddess showering blessings on visitors to monkeys reigning free in trees, it’s a life-time experience. Down by the river bank, there is a mass of devotees; filling plastic containers with water, having their fortunes told, washing their heads and faces in the river, or just loitering around.

Devotees and worshippers at Osun Osogbo festival... recently

Arugba... the votary maiden

There was royal reception for sponsors and dignitaries and hordes of traditional rulers, which is preceded by the entrance of the Arugba (something of a virgin Mary figure) who carried the offering to the river. Osunyemi Ataoju, a traditional believer who resides in USA and comes in every year for the festival had this to say. “As a traditional believer, the significance of this festival to the people of Osogbo is that we are doing this in commemoration of the sacred pact we had with the Osun deity in those days. It is to mark the commemoration of events that led to the founding of Osogbo town and the renewal of ancestral bonds between the Osun goddess and the people of Osogbo. We do this every year from Nigeria and all over the world, it’s

like celebrating Christmas and Ileeya. Look at me, I am 80 years old, do I look it? This is the work of Osun in my life,� he revealed To fully understand him, we need to look at the history of Osogbo, a city of religions. Most indigenes have Muslim backgrounds and a bulk of the populace is born from Christian wombs. Just as well, a significant number of natives are purely traditionalists––root, stalk and grains. In the tangled mix of faiths, there is no clash of convictions, however. Insofar as the city remains Osogbo––in name and in being––Osun is the first and the root religion. Osun founded Osogbo. Of the lore of the founding of Osogbo, there is a well-sung ballad of the benevolent spirit that befriended a band of famine-ravage tribe

that arrived at the bank of the Osun River surrounded by lush greenery. The tribe basked in their good fortune, oblivious of a supernatural presence until the day they fell a tree that crashed into the river and triggered an eruption of supernatural outcries. ‘They have destroyed all my dyeing pots’ was the wail of agony that was greeted with a pacifyingly crooning: “Oso Igbo pele o, Oso Igbo rora o� - Spirit of the forest, sorry, take heart. Mr. Ayo Olumoko, Managing Director, INFOGEM Ltd and Marketing Consultant of the Festival spoke about the festival and its impact on the city. “Osun Osogbo is growing domestic tourism in Nigeria, much more than that, it has put Nigeria on the international tourism map with Osun state as one of the biggest beneficiaries.� Is Osun capable of rising above the pedestal of “the aboriginal religion of Africa� to a universal faith? It is a question for the gods. But mortals too can hazard a guess, taking cues from the burgeoning legion of foreign worshippers that besieges Osogbo City and the wind of accelerated loss of faith in the orthodox religion that is blowing across the world. The last few days of the festival is marked by a surge in the number of devotees of traditional religions. Worshippers of Ogun, Sango, Ifa, the Ogbonis and members of OPC pour into the city in large numbers, bringing with them zest and eccentricities, creating a full-spectrum aperture on traditional African religion. Academics, arts zealots and cultural enthusiasts also show up in their numbers on the day of the procession that has become the ultimate showpiece of an African religion. The final day unfurls with spectacular moment - a day of sumptuous photo feast. Long after the festival, the spectacle lingers in the mind. Long after, the songs resonate in the ears.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž S Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

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DISCOURSE

Judicial Recognition of Chief Judges’ Power to Release Prisoners Femi Falana

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couple of days ago, Mr. S.T. Hon SAN questioned the constitutional validity of the administrative power of Chief Judges to order the release of under trial prisoners languishing in dehumanising conditions in Nigerian prisons. I found out, to my utter dismay, that the totality of the learned senior counsel’s submission was anchored on the speculative belief that the Chief Judges have been performing such functions under “the respective high court laws and high court rules�. Although I drew my learned colleague’s attention to the relevant provisions of the Prison Act and the Criminal Justice (Release from custody) Act which have empowered top judicial officers including the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chief Judges to conduct prison visits and order “the release of any prison inmate if satisfied that the detention of that person is manifestly unlawful; or that the person detained has been in custody, whether on remand or otherwise, for a period longer than the maximum period of imprisonment which the person detained could have served had he been convicted of the offence in respect of which he was detained� he did not change his position. In fact, in his curious rejoinder to my intervention in the needless debate Mr. Hon SAN did not pay any attention to both laws as he insisted that his shaky submission on the matter was unassailable. In questioning the administrative release of prison inmates he accused the Chief Judges of usurping the powers of the President and state governors by granting pardon to persons concerned with criminal offences. Thus, I am compelled to reiterate that the prisoners released by Chief Judges have not been pardoned but merely released from illegal prison custody. To that extent, such prisoners may be rearrested and prosecuted by the government. But a convict pardoned by the President or a state governor is said to be a new man (novus homo) having been acquitted of all corporal penalties and forfeitures annexed to the offence. See Falae v Obasanjo (No 2) (1999) 4 NWLR (Pt 599) 476.. Instead of relying on local and foreign authorities on the undisputed constitutional powers of the President and state governors to grant pardon to convicts and criminal suspects, Mr. Hon SAN may wish to have a look at the case of Edwin Iloegbunam & Ors v. Richard Iloegbunam & Ors (2001) 47 WRN 72 wherein the Court of Appeal had upheld the constitutional validity of the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) (Special Provisions) Act. In that case, the Appellants were arraigned on a holding charge of attempted murder before the Magistrate’s Court, Ogidi, Anambra State on July 3, 2000. For want of jurisdiction the Magistrate Court refused the application of the Appellants for bail and ordered that they be remanded in prison custody. However,

In questioning the administrative release of prison inmates he accused the Chief Judges of usurping the powers of the President and state governors by granting pardon to persons concerned with criminal offences. Thus, I am compelled to reiterate that the prisoners released by Chief Judges have not been pardoned but merely released from illegal prison custody.To that extent, such prisoners may be rearrested and prosecuted by the government. But a convict pardoned by the President

Onnoghen before they were properly charged with murder at the High Court the Chief Judge of Anambra State visited the Onitsha Prisons and ordered that the Appellants be released on bail. In making the order the Chief Judge did not pardon the murder suspects but merely released them on bail. As soon as the Appellants regained their freedom the complainants in the murder case filed a motion ex parte at the Lagos judicial division of the Federal High Court and prayed that the Appellants be rearrested and held in prison custody. The application was granted as prayed. Completely dissatisfied with the order the Appellants approached the Court of Appeal for the restoration of their fundamental right to personal liberty. In justifying the decision of the lower court the Respondents’ Counsel, Chief Anah SAN questioned the constitutional validity of the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) (Special Provisions) Act under which the Anambra Chief Judge had released the Appellants on bail. In my submissions on behalf of the Appellants I argued that the validity of the Act could not be challenged since it was made to protect the fundamental right of prison inmates to personal liberty guaranteed by section 35 of the Constitution. In allowing the appeal the Court of Appeal had no hesitation in upholding the validity of the Act. In the leading judgment of the Court, Oguntade J.C.A (as he then was) held that “there is power in the Chief Justice of the Federation or any of the Chief Judges of the States to order the release of persons detained in prison custody in the exercise of their power under section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) (Special Provisions) Act Cap 79 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 is not in doubt. The exercise of that power by the Anambra Chief Judge would definitely constitute a different cause of action for the present respondents if they feel aggrieved by it. And an action founded on the exercise of that power which action is challenging the authority of the Chief Judge is one that should be brought before the High Court of Anambra State by virtue of Section 272 of the 1999 Constitution.� It may interest Mr. Hon SAN to know that heads of court in other jurisdictions in common law countries are applying similar laws to decongest prisons by releasing indigent prison inmates from prison custody during prison visits. In Writ Petition (Civil) No. 406/2013 in which judgment was handed down on September 16, 2014 the Supreme Court of India directed magistrates and session judges to visit prisons in their districts for two months to identify and release under trial prisoners who had already been held in custody for half of the maximum period prescribed by law for the offences for which they

Malami, AGF were charged. The court however pointed out that the order did not apply to under trial prisoners whose offences attract death penalty. Since not less that 66 percent of inmates were awaiting trial in the various courts across the country Chief Justice R. M. Lodha noted that “There are people who cannot take bail. There is nobody for them. They languish in jails because courts are not enabled to take their cases.� The progressive verdict of the Supreme Court of India has reverberated throughout common law countries and has strengthened the campaign for prison decongestion. In March this year the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Ahmed Sheikh visited the Malir district prison. Based on the complaints of several prison inmates the Chief Justice met with the Inspector general of prisons for the district, Mr. Nusrat Manghan. Following the directive of the Chief Justice the prison management announced a remission of 60 days to the entitled jail inmates apart from those convicted for espionage, subversion, terrorism and murder. Just last month, the Principal Judge of the High Courts of Uganda, Justice Yorokamu Bamwine directed all High Court judges and magistrates to release all prisoners who have overstayed on remand without trial. His lordship lamented that on his countrywide tours to prisons, he met many prisoners who have stayed on remand beyond the statutory period. He said Article 23 of the Constitution demands that untried persons remanded on non-capital offences, should be released on mandatory bail after three months in jail. In justifying the directive, Justice Bamwine said that his directive was intended to protect liberties of suspects as provided for in the Constitution and that one way of ensuring compliance is through routine visits to prisons to ascertain the numbers and conditions in prisons and routine meetings with all judicial officers and court staff, among the best practices.� From the foregoing, our Chief Judges are on terra firma in exercising their powers under the Criminal Justice (Release from custody)(Special Provisions) Act in ordering the release of under trial prisoners during prison visits. Apart from the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Iloegbunam v Iloegbunam supra which has upheld the validity of the Act section 8 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 has imposed a duty on Chief Judges to appoint high court judges and magistrates to visit detention centres once a month with a view to ensuring that the indigent under trial prisoners are not detained without legal justification in line with paragraph 55 of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners adopted by Nigeria. ---Femi Falana SAN, writes from Lagos

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FAIRGROUND

Gobal Inventor and Africa’s Premier Brand Strategist

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

G

lobal Innovator and Africa’s Premiere Brand Strategist Turned 46 years this year. But to the surprise of friends, family and stakeholders, he decided to spend the day with exceptionally gifted entrepreneurs. His mandate was amazing. Retooling and adding value through his CharlesO’Tudor’s Brand Master Class. Part of the high point of the event was the introduction of a select panel of discussants who in no small way had excelled in their chosen field of endeavors. Members of this panel were: Olakunle Soriyan, Chukwuka Monye, Ubong King, Mike Ibezim and Ezinne Kufre-Ekanem. They diligently dissected the role of entrepreneurs in the development of economies. These are the pic stories from the life altering event.

The Celebrant, Charles O’Tudor, Virginia Charles O’Tudor and Famil Ubong King

Chukwuka Monye, Mike Ibezim, Steve Harris, Charles O’Tudor, Ubong King, Ezinne Kufre Ekanem and Kunle Soriyan

Chukwuka Monye, Mike Ibezim and Steve Harris

Mike Ibezim

Kunle Soriyan

Steve Harris, Mike Ibezim, Ezinne Kufre Ekanem, Charles O’Tudor, Kunle Soriyan, Chukwuka Monye and Ubong King

Virginia Charles O’Tudor, Ezinne Kufre Ekanem and Dele Chinedu

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CUTLERY AND ROSES with Vanessa Obioha

Inside Casper and Gambini’s restaurant

Grilled Baby Calamari

All in Good Timing

T

he arrival of Casper and Gambini’s in Nigeria in 2015 to some, was bad timing. The economy was experiencing the early pangs of recession. Businesses were not recording huge profits while some companies were reducing their staff strength. It was with wary eyes that people watched the opening of the restaurant. Quite a few knew about the Lebanese franchise at the time they opened shop. Yet, it was difficult to ignore the eye-catchy signage at Agoro Odiyan Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The name itself instigated some kind of curiosity, unless you are very familiar with the brand. The over 20 years brand started off in a small town, Trieste in northern part of Italy in 1948. Sticking to the traditional roots of northern Italy cuisine, it developed a culinary experience that resonated throughout the region until 1996 when it finally established in the biggest city and capital of Lebanon, Beirut. Under the aegis of Ant Ventures Worldwide, the Italian restaurant has spread its wings to other parts of the world and is currently in 10 cities across the Middle East and Africa. By the beginning of 2016, C&G was the go-to restaurant for most individuals and corporate organisations. Like most new hospitality venues in Lagos, it had its moments of rave. Everyone was talking either about its unique setting or continental dishes. Like most restaurant franchises, C&G prides itself in its stylised decor which is same in any of its outlets in Middle East and Africa. The wooden canopied roof is a signature of its dÊcor. However, the Victoria Island setting had its own in-built with a chandelier suspended on it. With an outdoor and indoor setting, the restaurant exudes a certain degree of panache. Although, the parking space collides with what would have been an exceptional outdoor dining area, it however gives the diner a quaint view of the cool environment, enhanced by the greenery surrounding it.

Inside, an aisle dotted with a plant dĂŠcor divides the dining areas. Right ahead is the patisserie, displaying a delectable array of cakes, tarts and bread. At my first visit, I tried the famous chocolate cake that comes with an ice cream and chocolate sauce I have heard so much about and I wasn’t disappointed. It is no secret that the restaurant-cafĂŠ has one of the best pastries in town - a point that was well emphasised by one of the managers of the restaurant, Feraz during a recent visit. While we were chatting on a Monday morning, he got a call from a client requesting for a birthday cake for his date. Feraz with pride asserted that the pastry is a major success for the restaurant. “People love our pastry. We get orders for birthday cakes, anniversaries and other similar celebrations.â€? The dining setting is a wellthought-out mix that has its guests at the core of its operations. Be it a date, a group lunch, family outing, this restaurant has the right seating arrangement for you. However, the ambience is a class of its own. The choice of dark colours and softly-lit interior gives it a sleek and welcoming tone. The friendly disposition of the waiters - a delectable mix of ladies and gentlemen further enhances the warm aura. In true Italian cuisine style, the menu is an extensive array of sandwiches, handcrafted burgers, salads,

pizzas, desserts and many other delicacies that come in good taste. The team of 20 chefs led by a Lebanese expatriate is professionally trained to give the unique signature taste of the restaurant. In my first visit to the restaurant with my sister, we had the grilled baby calamari for starters which was freshly made on request so you don’t have to eat microwaved meal. The downside of our dining experience was the nibble foods; it wasn’t something that was appetising. You can also try the caffe and latte menu, particularly the cappuccinos. Though, while its meals are highly priced, it is very filling. Despite the fears in some quarters over the survival of this franchise, C&G had proved otherwise. In a few days’ time, it will officially open its Ikeja branch. “It is twice the size of this one,� says Feraz. The expansion was a pointer that its clientele has outgrown the 100-seating capacity of its current venue. He revealed that they have had a slow season between July and August but optimistic that things will pick up in the coming months. It’s past nine. The restaurant was empty now. “The rush starts from 11 am,� he added. “The weekends are also very busy.� Before I finally took my leave, a group of men and women had walked in. From the look on their faces, they were ready to dig in to the exciting menus on display.

Dining Etiquettes How to Eat a Cake Dessert

It can be very confusing on what cutlery to use when it comes to cake desserts. The fork or the spoon? Which one is more appropriate? Both are actually appropriate. If you are served a cake with an ice cream, the best option is to use both cutlery. You can use the spoon to scoop the ice cream, while use the fork for eating the cake. But if you are served a dense cake, you use the spoon for pushing and cutting, while use the fork for eating. If it is a layered cake with the slice upright, turn it on its side with a dessert

fork and spoon. You can only use your hands if the cutlery is cleared.

Spices Johnson Dogbey Wins The Barman TV Reality Show Not too long ago, the debut season of The Barman Reality TV show came to a climactic end. After six weeks of intensive training and drilling challenges, Ghanaian Johnson Dogbey emerged the winner of the competition which had over 85 bartenders from West Africa applying for a chance to clinch the coveted prize of diverse trainings in Cape Town, Rome and London Conceived by Caesario deMederios, the competition aimed at recognising the art of bar tending as well as the individuals who dedicate their time and efforts to this skill. It was a first of its kind in the continent and is geared towards revolutionising the African Cocktail industry. Already, the organisers are overwhelmed by an avalanche of applications from interested participants for the second season which is due next year. The Barman TV is produced by HA! HA! Media.

Kenny Saint Best Opens Food Court The musician-cum-politician is now a restaurateur. She recently opened a food court, O’Goodness in Olowu, Ikeja where she brings her culinary experience to her stylish delicacies named after entertainers. You can check out the Keke’s Delight-okro soup with vegetables or Don Jazzy’s sauce. O’Goodness is appropriate for a take-out. The limited space does not allow family dining. However, there is room for individuals who wants to escape the busy environment of the Ikeja commercial area. The food court also offers online delivery services.

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ͺËœ ͺ͸͹Ϳ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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T H I S D AY SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

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dŚĞ DŝŶŝƐƚƌLJ ŽĨ EŝŐĞƌ ĞůƚĂ īĂŝƌƐ ŝŶ ĐŽůůĂďŽƌĂƟŽŶ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ KŶĚŽ ^ƚĂƚĞ ŝŶǀŝƚĞ ƚŚĞ 'ŽǀĞƌŶŽƌƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ^ƚĂƚĞƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ EŝŐĞƌ ĞůƚĂ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ͕ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ &ĞĚĞƌĂů džĞĐƵƟǀĞ ŽƵŶĐŝů͕ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ EĂƟŽŶĂů ƐƐĞŵďůLJ ŽŵŵŝƩĞĞƐ ŽŶ EŝŐĞƌ ĞůƚĂ͕ ŚŝĞĨ džĞĐƵƟǀĞ KĸĐĞƌƐ ŽĨ /ŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂů Kŝů ĂŶĚ 'ĂƐ ŽŵƉĂŶŝĞƐ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ͕ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ WĂƌƚŶĞƌƐ͕ ůĞĂĚĞƌƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ WĂŶ EŝŐĞƌ ĞůƚĂ ůĚĞƌƐ &ŽƌƵŵ ;W E &Ϳ͕ zŽƵƚŚ >ĞĂĚĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ^ƚĂŬĞŚŽůĚĞƌƐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ϮŶĚ ZĞŐƵůĂƌ DĞĞƟŶŐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ EĂƟŽŶĂů ŽƵŶĐŝů ŽŶ EŝŐĞƌ ĞůƚĂ͘ ͞&ĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĐŬŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ WĞĂĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ EŝŐĞƌ ĞůƚĂ ZĞŐŝŽŶ͗ KƉƟŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ WƌŽƐƉĞĐƚƐ͘͟ dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ ϳƚŚ ƚŽ dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ ϭϰƚŚ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ͕ ϮϬϭϳ /ŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ ĞŶƚƌĞ ;dŚĞ ŽŵĞͿ͕ /ŐďĂƚŽƌŽ ZŽĂĚ͕ ŬƵƌĞ͕ KŶĚŽ ^ƚĂƚĞ͕ dŚĞ ^ƵŶƐŚŝŶĞ ^ƚĂƚĞ͘ ϭϬ͗ϬϬĂŵ ĂŝůLJ WĂƐƚŽƌ hƐĂŶŝ hŐƵƌƵ hƐĂŶŝ͕ ,ŽŶŽƵƌĂďůĞ DŝŶŝƐƚĞƌ ŽĨ EŝŐĞƌ ĞůƚĂ īĂŝƌƐ͕ WƌŽĨ͘ ůĂƵĚŝƵƐ KŵŽůĞLJĞ ĂƌĂŵŽůĂ͕ ,ŽŶ͘ DŝŶŝƐƚĞƌ ŽĨ ^ƚĂƚĞ ĨŽƌ EŝŐĞƌ ĞůƚĂ īĂŝƌƐ ƌĂŬƵŶƌŝŶ KůƵǁĂƌŽƟŵŝ ŬĞƌĞĚŽůƵ͕ dŚĞ džĞĐƵƟǀĞ 'ŽǀĞƌŶŽƌ ŽĨ KŶĚŽ ^ƚĂƚĞ ,ŝƐ džĐĞůůĞŶĐLJ͕ WƌŽĨ͘ zĞŵŝ KƐŝŶďĂũŽ͕ ' KE͕ sŝĐĞ WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ &ĞĚĞƌĂů ZĞƉƵďůŝĐ ŽĨ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ͘

KŶůLJ ŝŶǀŝƚĞĚ ĂŶĚ ĂĐĐƌĞĚŝƚĞĚ ŐƵĞƐƚƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĂůůŽǁĞĚ ŝŶƚŽ ƚŚĞ ǀĞŶƵĞ͘

ŝƌĞĐƚŽƌ KǀĞƌƐĞĞŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ KĸĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ WĞƌŵĂŶĞŶƚ ^ĞĐƌĞƚĂƌLJ

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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FASHION FILE

Adey Soile Presents the Dahomey Amazon Collection

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

FASHION FILE

Adey Soile Presents the Dahomey Amazon Collection

T

he Dahomey y Amazon Collection is inspired p by y the only y docu docu-mented all-female, of official fficial front line combat arms military y unit in modern history y from an area known as Dahomey y in Western Africa. These women, albeit their tough g beginnings, g g were known to be fierce, strong g and intense ass kicking g women from Republic p Du Benin. The Creative Director of Adey y Soile was influenced by y these women, and designed g a collection – inspired p by y their qualities. As the Dahomey q y Amazons represents p independence, p strength, g power, devotion and elegancep g these are q qualities that de define fine The Adey y Soile Woman. Each piece p is named after Adey Soile clients because she p personi personifies fies the Adey y Woman – with her strength, confidence and relisience.

Adey y Soile latest collection has all al the p pieces y you need to elevate your y wardrobe – with the use of different fabrics, colors, textures, styles y further furth emphasizes p her need for independence independe p and her wild sense of adventure. This collection caters to the needs of the Power Woman. She is simple p y yet ye sophisticated, p the strong g and edgy gy and a the fashionable and stylish y woman who has the confidence of the Dahomey Warrior. Credits: Creative Direction: The Adey Soile S Team Photography: g y Tosin Akinyemiju @ tosin.akinyemiju y j Models: @adun_osilowo @ ebony_atinuke_bello y Make Up: Adella adella_makeup Brand : @AdeySoile

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşËœ 2017

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fashogbon... ͸΀͸͝͝͞ͺ͚͸͸Î

L-R: General Manager, Air Solution, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Cholyong Park; Matron ,Lagos State Motherless babies home, Lekki, Mrs. Olaore Feyisayo; Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mohammed Fouani and Head ,Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Hari Krishna Elluru, during LG Electronics CSR visit to Lagos State Motherless babies home Lekki in Lagos recently.

From Left: Senior Project OďŹƒcer,Leadership Empowerment and Resource Network[LEARN], Mrs Tonne Saheed ; Group,Public Relations and Event Manager,DuďŹ l Prima Foods Plc,Mr Tope Ashiwaju ; LEARN Student, Miss Oyibo Edisere; Project Manager,LEARN, Mrs Aderonke Oguntoyinbo and a student of LEARN, Master Sulaimon Jamiu at the presentation of Cheque to LEARN Initiative by DuďŹ l Prima Foods Plc in Lagos recently.

Indomie, LEARN to Tackle Youth Unemployment Unemployment figure in the country has maintained a worsening pattern with the youth population worst hit, a survey has revealed. To tackle this, Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Noodles and Leadership Empowerment and Resource Network, LEARN Initiative have committed to partner under various programmes to address it. A recent report by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, NBS, showed that unemployment figure rose to 14.2 per cent in the last quarter of 2016 from 10.4 per cent in previous year with over 100 million Nigerians (representing 67.1 per cent) of the country’s total population of 167 million living below poverty line.

LG Extends Love to Motherless Children As part of its efforts to ensure good life for all, LG Electronics has spread its arms of love to motherless children in Lagos State. The company which visited the Lagos State motherless babies home in Lekki in expression of love to children did not only donate products but also engaged the children in a fun-filled bash. Products presented to the home included two units of Gen Cool Inverter ACs and three units of Jet Cool air conditioners. Elated by the reception given it by the high spirited children, the company explained that the gesture was in fulfillment of its corporate Social Responsibilities, CSR, goals for the year and was happy to see it done. At the function, General Manager, Air Solution, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Cholyong Park, assured the children of the company’s commitment to their welfare and promised to always keep in touch. “We shall continue to be alive to our CSR functions by providing succour to the needy most especially the children who of course are the leaders of tomorrow. The Air Conditioners being donated would help give the children some level of comfort in the home,� he said. Managing Director of Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mohammed Fouani, commended the state’s effort on the children as he considered himself privileged and fortunate to have contributed to their happiness. Appreciating LG’s move, Matron-In-Charge of the Home, Mrs. Olaore Feyisayo, praised the company for counting the home worthy of its goodwill and encouraged them to keep the act up. LG has continued to maintain a track record in the area of caring for the society. The company has become associated with a number of orphanage homes in the country as well as educational institutions as a result of its gestures. Some of them included: presentation of scholarship awards to best Engineering student in University of Lagos; paid visit to Idi-Ayunre community in Ibadan where it donated anti-mosquito air conditioners as well as treated mosquito nets to the health centre, engaged in beach clean-up activity to mark the 2017 World Environment Day in Lagos among other activities.

While poverty amidst other factors is a major problem against development in Nigeria, unemployment has been identified to be a leading cause. Tracing the sources of unemployment to inadequate power supply, poor education and bad economic policies, an expert, Shola Babs -Aro- Lambo stated that getting education right would be the beginning of the end of unemployment in the most populous black nation. To him, the simplest way to address the menace of unemployment was to strengthen investment in skills acquisition and urged the Federal Government to revisit and implement the teaching and learning of entrepreneurial skills in the national curriculum, with the sole

objective of making all graduates prospective entrepreneurs. “The reality on ground is that not all graduates can be gainfully employed. If they are armed with entrepreneurial skills, those that are unemployed can either start their own businesses or form partnerships with the support and assistance from the three tiers of government, instead of begging to apply for non-existent jobs,� he explained. Reasoning along this line, Dufil Prima Foods is not leaving any stone unturned to complement government efforts in this area so as to get privation out of the way of Nigerians. This is evident in the company’s sustained investment in the formal and informal educa-

Sona Agro Conducts Children on Facility Tour Sona Agro Allied Foods Limited, an arm of Sona Group, has shown appreciation to its key customers, children and teenagers as it hosted them on a factory tour in Ota, Ogun State. The company which received the students of Sparkling Minds Educentre, Lagos seized the visit to take the guests on the processes involved in the manufacturing of biscuits as they also have a live experience of the company’s state-of-the-art factory. Speaking on the visit, Human Relations/ Administrative Manager of the company, Alayande Lateef, noted that the move was to further enable the company to interact with its customers, the children, who were the highest consumers of its products. “As our priority, we want to ensure that the upcoming generations get familiar with the production process of their favourite as they consume it. We feel that it is appropriate to see that children are conversant with the factory setting where food products are being produced especially our own biscuits, he said.� Head of Sparkling Minds Educentre, Ilupeju, Lagos, Mrs. Olufunmi Adefuye, hailed the company’s huge investment in maintaining world-class facilities

as well as efforts devoted to hygiene in its operating environment. “What we saw actually surpassed our expectation. We did not know that the factory was this large. We now know why they produce in large quantities and sell as much as 50,000 cartons on daily basis. This is large and impressive,� she said. Also, a junior senior secondary student of the institution, Moyinoluwa Adefuye thanked the company for affording them the privilege to have a practical exposure to what they had been taught in school on biscuit production. “The knowledge I have acquired here, ranging from the movement of raw materials to the mixing section, molding section, oven end, cooling section, packaging section, and store section, all through a mechanised process has further enriched my understanding on manufacturing,� she stated. It is noteworthy that the biscuits market is growing remarkably in the country due to the growing young population, who are the industry’s primary target. The global biscuits market is expected to reach $125 billion by 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% according to market insights

tion of the youth and children as a major thrust of its corporate social responsibilities. Partnering it, is the Leadership Empowerment & Resource Network, LEARN Initiative. LEARN; initiated by former First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola pays attention to youth development through education, vocational skills and recreation. The programme engages youth in summer and after school lessons, career enlightenment and skills acquisition programme. Since the initiative was launched 10 years ago, Dufil Prima Foods has always sought for it advancement through cash and material donations, engagement and feeding of participants amongst others.

Infinix Announces Latest Hot 5, Hot 5 lite Africa’s leading smartphone brand, Infinix Mobility, has stormed the Nigerian market with its newest Hot series smartphone, ‘Infinix Hot 5 and Hot 5 lite. The new products were announced with the company’s retail partners, Jumia and Slot which would exclusively handle the online and offline sales of the phones. The new Infinix Hot 5 & Hot 5 lite is promoted as Nigeria’s first Mobile cinema smartphone, which ensures real time mobile viewing with its 5.5HD display, dual front speakers and 3D Dirac stereo to enable users optimise their mobile experience. Powered by Android 7.0, the new Infinix Hot 5 offers the customised user interface XOS 2.2 on 4000mah battery life, which ensures 35hrs talk time for all users. The well-equipped affordable smartphone also offers internal 16GB ROM and 2GB RAM for speed targeted at Hot series fans and trendsetters. According to Jumia, while Infinix Hot 5’s predecessor was the best seller on its platform in 14 countries, the new product would deliver a bigger success in the African market based on its specifications. The new Infinix Hot 5 is retailing for N37, 500 while Infinix Hot 5 lite sells for N32, 000 on Jumia. com.ng and at slot retail outlets nationwide.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Íş, 2017

PEOPLE PRINCESS LATIFAT LAMOLIATTE

I am Always Happy When Men Tell Me I am Pretty Princess Latifat Lamoliatte exudes conďŹ dence. A fashion designer and singer she holds a ďŹ rst degree in European Language and a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy. Lamdiatte is the promoter of ‘ravissant’, a brand name for her fashion outďŹ t at Victoria Island, Lagos. She tells FEMI OGBONNIKAN, about her debut into the fashion world I love fashion. It was there, I met this French woman and I started learning how to make clothes, lovely designs. From there, I became a French-made designer. I lived in Paris for many years before I returned to Nigeria. And when I came back, I started promoting culture and I became a designer who promotes the Nigerian-African culture. I have a dance troupe and I have a live band. I sing. That is all

Tell us about your background was born on the 23rd of May. I was born in Ibadan. Ibadan, as you know, is a town where people love cultures. Those days, we had the Ibadan zoo, botanical gardens and it was a very lovely place to live in. Ibadan is still a lovely place is still there. My dad was a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, but we moved when he got transferred to Benin. So, I went back to school in Benin, Baptist High School, Benin City. And from Benin City, I moved down to Lagos and I found myself at the University of Lagos. I went there and did my first degree in European Languages. From there, I went to France and attended the Univesite Stendhal Grenobe where I met Madam Le Claire Fashion and I got interested in fashion, because it was my passion. I love fashion. It was there, I met this French woman and I started learning how to make clothes, lovely designs. From there, I became a French-made designer. I lived in Paris for many years before I returned to Nigeria. And when I came back, I started promoting culture and I became a designer who promotes the NigerianAfrican culture. I have a dance troupe and I have a live band. I sing. That is all.

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Your dad was a university lecturer, didn’t he object to your interest in fashion? Well, as I said, I had a master’s degree in International Law and my dad was very happy about that. My dad, of blessed memory, wanted all his children to go to school and even, when I was in school, I chose fashion because I kept telling him what I wanted to do. Initially, my plan was to become a Nigerian Ambassador when I finished school. But I just have passion for fashion and I love what I was doing because I love cloths. When I was young, I loved to do a lot of things, like cutting clothing materials with scissors and designing things. So, I started doing it and I became a designer who promotes culture. When I was in Ibadan, we lived within the same compound with retired Gen David Jemibewon; we were very close and we were family friends. I grew up with his children and we are still friends. We used to dance for him. When we were little, we would come out to do cultural dance. You know, they were promoting cultures culture in those days, and I really loved it and that is why I have a dance troupe and a live band. And my dad got to know, and he was not a difficult person. If he was happy with what you were doing, my dad would let you be, as long as you knew what you were doing. What inspired you? Just as I told you, it all started when I was young; if you like colours, if you like nature, at times, you would just sit down and put designs together and the designs would come together. And it was that vision to see things and the nature outside, and in front of a beach sometimes. When I am in a front of a beach I get more inspirations and I get a lot of things I want to do. Environment really gives me what to do. Do you have any fashion outďŹ t?

Princess Latifat Yes, I do. I have a fashion outfit at Adeleke Adedoyin, Victoria Island, here in Lagos. And that’s my showroom where I have my designs, I do ‘pret a porter’ (ready to wear). So, I have clothes that I make; I used to do my designs and I still make clothes for people, I mean, for brides, Chief bride maids. I make clothes for them and all the bridal trains too. I take care of their traditional weddings because I have a dance troupe and we will practise with the brides and I always tell them what to do. I will make a positive outlook for them when they frown. We take care of the brides and do different kind of things for men and children too. What genre of fashion brand is yours? I love to do red-carpet clothes, and I do that a lot for celebrities. I love doing that because when they come out I want them to look very ‘chick’ and that is why the name of my band is,

‘ravissant’, and it means something very unique. So, you just have to look unique, which is ‘ravissant’. I make for Nollywood actresses too and once they wear it, people would always ask them, when they step on red carpet, “who did this for you�? And they always tell them it’s a designer from Nigeria. So, I am very happy and I love red-carpet clothes, gowns. But how affordable are these clothes? They are affordable because I keep to people’s budget. That is the way I work because if you come to me, I will ask, ‘what is your budget’? I always say that to people because people think that when they see me, they think, I am very expensive. But I ask the question, ‘what is your budget’? Then, I will work within your budget and I will get something nice for you. Some people love very unique things and they will say, I don’t want the one

anybody has worn, that you will have to do something different for me. There are some people like that and they come to me. So, of course, if you want something that only you want to wear, then, it will be very expensive. But other people just don’t ask for too much but I work within what they have. So, I am affordable. How challenging is the fashion world? Well, to me, it is ok, if you know what you are doing. There are challenges in everything you are doing in life but as long as you know how you can handle it and you can do the right thing, there won’t be problems. Some people want to take loans and I always discourage them. Some people want to take loans to build up something, that is, to start a business, but we know that a lot of them divert from the real things they are doing and start buying other things. And before they know it, they can’t pay back the loans. So, I always tell a lot of people when you want to do something, like designing things, start with the little you have. I have heard a number of designers say they don’t

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PEOPLE

Princess Latifat at the Palace of the Oba of Benin have money to start and all that. No matter how little it is, start with it. You will start gradually and build up your business. Rome was not built in a day. So, there are a whole lot of challenges. Like, there is recession in the Nigerian economy, which makes it difficult now for you to raise funds. How committed are you in the promotion of the traditional Nigerian-African fabrics? I have promoted the Nigerian-African fabrics since I have been doing my shows at Eko Hotel. I have been doing my designs with Adire, aso oke and ankara, which I love and I use to promote our culture. I lived there (Paris) for many years and I got back before I decided to promote my own fabrics from Africa because I want things to grow. And our fabrics are very beautiful. That is what I use for the Nollywood stars, Adire. When they wear them, they look beautiful. You know our people and their mentality; they want to wear things they pick from the Western world because they think those are better than what we have here. No! We have very beautiful fabrics. All you just need to do is to get beautiful designers to design them for you and put them on; and you will keep on loving them. Nowadays, foreign cultures, in terms of mode of dressing among Nigerian youths have taken over traditional outfits, where is the society heading? If you look around, you’ll see a lot of people wearing the Nigerian-African fabrics. You can see them wearing ankara and adire. Those wearing ‘spaghetti’ top are those that call themselves ‘yuppy’ gals and guys because they want to feel like they are still young. These are 20, 25, 27 years-olds. But later they will change. They just want to feel like those people in the Western world. It is what they watch on television. They want to compete with them, but you cannot compete with the owners of those things because they have their own ways of doing things. But later they will embrace our own Nigerian-African fabrics. A lot of people have embraced these Nigerian fabrics by wearing ankara. I know because I do designs in ankara and I see a whole

lot of designers are doing the same now. People are wearing it around and they are wearing it to parties now. But for me, I think, we are promoting own our fabrics and it is getting better than it used to be. But I am happy because when I started doing my shows in 2003, I was pleasantly surprised when my designs were being worn on stage and some people were saying, she came from Paris and she is promoting African fabrics, instead of her to bring western things to Nigeria. But today, I am happy because I still remember what it was like when I started promoting African culture in 2003. We are doing well. We are getting there. How are you promoting the Nigerian culture with your dance troupe? We have a dance troupe and I have a live band. We dance at functions. They invite my troupe to dance. I dance myself and I sing. I attend festivals and I wear my regalia at festivals and I really dance as well. I dance so well at festivals and by doing so with my troupe I promote our culture. Some troupes don’t turnout well and this makes some people to say, ‘oh, they are local, but the way I did my own band is different, because I have really beautiful girls and handsome guys and they dance very well. That is the way it is. I love it and I promote my culture. I go to festivals and we do all things. But we are looking forward to the future. There is something I want to do, but I don’t want to say it now and so many people are going to come. So, for now, that is the way I have been promoting the Nigerian-African culture. What is your troupe called? Iwa troupe. You are elegant; what does it entail? Because I am a jolly person; when you are happy inside, you would be lovely outside. I am always happy. I don’t let anything to disturb me. You are married, but how do you feel when other men are try to woo you? Well, you know men for what they are; they never take their eyes off ladies and so, they will always want to try to

L-R: Princess Latifat , Kemi Olunloyo and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa

I lived there (Paris) for many years and I got back before I decided to promote my own fabrics from Africa because I want things to grow. And our fabrics are very beautiful. That is what I use for the Nollywood stars, Adire. When they wear them, they look beautiful. You know our people and their mentality; they want to wear things they pick from the Western world because they think those are better than what we have here. No! We have very beautiful fabrics woo ladies. But I am very diplomatic with men. If a man says he likes me, there is nothing wrong in liking me and I will just get along with him and say, ‘Oh, you are my ‘brother’! Don’t worry, I have found a new ‘brother’. You will be my brother from now.’ And he becomes my ‘brother’. That is just the way I put them off me. I have

been doing that and it works for me. How do you feel when men meet you and compliment you, that you are pretty? I am always happy when men tell me that I am pretty, and I will just thank them, and tell them that they are lovely.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

INTERVIEW Babington-Ashaye

People Against Restructing are Terrorists in Power Mrs. Morenike Babington-Ashaye is the Chairman, Accounting Education Research Services (ACCERS) and the founding member, Chartered Institute of Taxation. She has held key positions in the public and private sectors like being the chairman, Ogun State Internal Revenue Service and principal lecturer at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. She speaks with John Iwori, about the constitutional review, resource control, and other issues

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n many parts of Nigeria, democracy seems to be at war with protests, agitations, terrorism, public distrust, and hate speeches. What could be the reason? The recent utterances and actions of youths and some elders in Nigeria are indications that democracy is at war. We have no doubt that a lot can be done to avoid war in Nigeria again. We are aware that many foreign countries and organizations are studying the situation and already taking sides. Governments around the world must understand that democracy is not tantamount to terrorism, oppression, discrimination, exploitation, dehumanization, and marginalization. These are the vices democracy intends to abolish. The society expects a lot from government but when democracy is turned into democratized dictatorship where government separate itself from the people and make decisions that suit itself, there is bound to be protests, agitations and wars. It is evidenced that there is no transparency and accountability. Government officials flaunt their ill-gotten wealth. They colonized the people who voted them to power and the situation becomes an era of slavery, it is natural for people to agitate, revolt or even goes to war. You cannot ask people to vote you to power only to turn around and squeeze life out of them through policies and behaviours that do not meet the expectations of the society. Many political leaders around the world see politics as a trade where they invest money and expect it to yield profit through the popular vehicle of corruption, which I regard as ‘stealing or armed robbery’ as such act has negative impact on the well-being of the society. More importantly, they use their powers to terrorize the people. They are worse than Boko Haram, yet there is no system to fight them. I call it legalized terrorism. The attitude of many governments around the world has killed so many people, make people poorer. This is what I call ‘democratized dictatorship’. How can democracy be run successfully? The success of democracy depends on the inclusiveness of good people in decision making and running the government. We cannot continue to put our destiny in the hands of politicians. We need to design a new method. In Nigeria, political party system has failed us since independence. Politicians have caused havoc with their attitudes. They are corrupt in character and knowledge. They regard politics as a vehicle for getting powers and enriching themselves illegally. It is very unfortunate. The few good people who are there to serve are overpowered by those I tagged ‘political terrorists’. Democracy can work successfully if we choose the right people and organize our society within our financial means. The present constitution provided the avenue for the alteration or amendment of the constitution and section 9 gave the legislators the power to alter the constitution. That does not give the legislators the power to amend without the people’s intentions well documented in the constitution. We should all challenge the National Assembly instead of bothering the Executives. There is no section in the Constitution that gave the executives the power to alter or sign a new constitution into law. We also need to restructure our systems – the political, social, and economic orders which are elements of the fundamental objectives need to be revisited. Why do you think we need the People’s Constitution? Nigeria requires a new constitution. That is the one that is made by the people themselves. Even though the constitution was reviewed in 2014, the report should not be used in isolation of the results of

Babington-Ashaye

people’s intention on restructuring. The present constitution has a lot of flaws, which amendments cannot resolve. The structure of the country must first be agreed before a constitution can be developed along that structure. The present constitution is flawed and broken because of the following: r *U BTTVNFE UIBU BMM /JHFSJBOT participated in its making and approval. This was a military decision. I expected that the military should have made the constitution a temporary document. r *U GBJMT UP FOTVSF UIBU QPXFS XBT OPU taken away from the people by those elected to serve. r *U GBJMT UP PSHBOJ[F HPWFSONFOU JO such a way that there would be distinct functions for each tier of government to avoid duplication of duties and costs, misinterpretation, and misuse of power. r *U GBJMT UP FOTVSF UIBU UIF SFTPVSDFT of any community are retained and controlled by that community, even if activities would be carried out on its behalf by joint governments (the three tiers of governments). r 5IFSF JT OP PSHBOJ[FE DPOTUJUVUJPOBM institution that can supervise the executive, legislative and judiciary. That gives them the power to intimidate and terrorize the people. r *U GBJMT UP JOUFHSBUF UIF QFPQMF BOE governments. The state creation is causing disintegration among people of the same language, culture, and values. r *U GBJMT UP SFDPHOJ[F UIBU /JHFSJB JT a multi-national society with distinct languages, cultures, and values. The use of our language as lingua franca was ignored and preference was made for a foreign language which has the tendency of disintegrating the people. r *U GBJMT UP QSPUFDU UIF DJUJ[FOT CZ BTsuming that those elected and appointed to serve would be men and women of conscience and will govern selflessly, act transparently, and be accountable to the people. How can Nigerians bring about a new constitution? The bringing about of a new constitution is not an assignment for this present Buhari/Osinbajo administration, but for the people of Nigeria in a democratic process. The present government came into office with the slogan of change in governance by wiping out corruption, making our people prosperous, building infrastructure for education, health, electricity, housing, transportation, roads and providing abundant food to mention a few. To assess the government and those elected/selected to serve we must give the team time to concentrate on election promises. Let the rest of us concentrate on

how to prepare a good ground for a new country in 2019. Let us spend the remaining two years to foster great relationship among the different nations that make up Nigeria, restructure Nigeria and develop a new constitution. That is an assignment for the people and the legislators. Let our youths in every zone of the country concentrate their energy not on hate and agitation but on how to prepare a better nation. Let each youth group or association begin to decide on the type of Nigeria they want for themselves and the next generation and generation unborn. Let the youths take their resolutions to their elders for guidance and then to the Houses of Assembly and get their support and endorsement. Thereafter, let them take their resolutions to the National Assembly where their decisions can be examined and differences resolved. Until we have a national constitution council consisting of eminent and nonpartisan individuals and who can oversee the implementation of the constitution by the three tiers of government, the National and State Houses of Assembly will mediate into conflicts in the implementation of the constitution. They are holding our powers. Even though they belong to different political parties, by the 1999 constitution, section 14.2 says the sovereignty belongs to the people from whom government derives its powers and authority. What is your take on the restructuring of Nigeria and do you think some people are against restructuring? It amazes me when some people speak against restructuring. Restructuring is a reformation or a rearrangement of anything or people. We restructure our families, our businesses, ourselves, and why can’t we restructure our country? Every day or regularly, you examine yourself, your business, your family, and where things are not working the way they should, you restructure. That is the most intelligent way to live peacefully. Presently, the structure laid down in the 1999 constitution for the nation is not working and no one can doubt that. Therefore, let us do a re-arrangement that will make everybody happy. Ex-President Barrack Obama of the United States during his first inaugural speech said, ‘let us have mutual respect’. We gain a lot through this process and we have nothing to lose by respecting each other for who we are and what we are. Those who are against restructuring are the terrorists in power (directly or indirectly) who will like to capitalize on the loopholes in the constitution to continue to have access to power and wealth. They are those who are interested in widening the gap between the rich and the poor and those who feel unsafe when we begin to witness an egalitarian society where justice is not for sale and the people are happy. What do we need to do to achieve democratic success and reduce cost of governance? Let us evolve a new constitution based on presentations from all nations that make up Nigeria as to how they want to be governed. This brings about the restructuring that is inevitable. Let power belong to the people and be retained by them. Taking power from the people and giving it to their representatives, who are political investors and speculators is a political robbery that denies people of their power and rights. Let us resolve the ownership of land and its resources. The land and its resources belong to the community that owns them and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) must be reached before any exploitation of the land. This arrangement will bring a lasting solution to peace in our country. Let us agree on the type of government that will be less costly within the framework of the federation. A government that will integrate the people having the same language, culture and values will stand

the country in good stead. The present system of government is continuously disintegrating the people and making people lose their sense of belonging to one nation. Let us determine how tax laws are to be enacted, and how taxes are administered and expended. Functions of government must be distinct and not duplicated hence let duties be allocated. Exclusive list and concurrent list are not necessary once functions and powers are defined. Let us consider the welfare of Nigerians as paramount and not negotiable. Let us make the Constitution binding on everyone by ensuring that we have less legislative matters. Issues that have been entrenched in the constitution no longer require to be legislated upon. A lot of issues that are now being raised in the National Assembly are constitutional rights of the people. What is your take on resource control? Resources of any community must be recognized to belong to that community and they must be given a say in how their resources are used or exploited. No amount of compensation can resolve this issue. If the people of a zone want to sleep for 24 hours a day, if that is their chosen lifestyle, and it will generate revenue for them, please let them be if they will not disturb the peace of the country or any other zone. Resource control will make governments of the federation to be resourceful and progressive. The present structure of pooling all the resources together and sharing according to hospital beds, land mass, population and the rest is very regressive, and make governments lazy and unproductive. It is not equitable when those who have no resources will share more than those who have. How can we have peace in Nigeria? To create or sustain a harmonious relationship, it must continuously be examined and re-arranged when necessary. To do otherwise is preparing the ground for hatred and war through agitations and protests. We know that democracy is not perfect but one expects to see a better world. In many countries, politicians have turned society against each other. There are too many protests and agitations and people are not happy. We are living in a world of democratised dictatorship. Imagine the amount of money countries spent on weapons of destruction and the amount of money the United Nations (UN) and other organisations spend on maintaining peace in the world. The two put together is enough to eradicate poverty in the world. The root cause of protests, agitations and wars is poverty which is a branch of inequity. This is not good for the world. To make sure that Nigeria is indivisible and indissoluble, we must put structures to cement those key words, ‘indivisible’ and ‘indissoluble’. The cost of governance is too high. The gap between the rich and poor is becoming wider every day. Social order, especially in the welfare of the people is poorly implemented. The economic order is not in congruent with the needs of the people. The political order is in shamble as the implementation of true federalism has been difficult to achieve. The removal of power from the people through section 14.2 of the constitution is not acceptable. Let it be stated that sovereignty belongs to the people and their powers are well stated without ambiguity. The people should not be intimidated through the provisions of the constitution. The people must not wait for the politicians who occupy all these three organs or have the power to appoint or select people to positions of authority before they can take actions that are necessary. Therefore, I suggest the National Constitution Council that can act for the people. We don’t want a democratized dictatorship in the world and not in Nigeria.

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T H I S D AY SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşËœ 2017

MARITIME BITS with John Iwori.... 08057763164

L-R: Minister of Transporation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar; Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Captain Abdulsalami Mohammed; Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello at the 15th National Council on Transporation meeting in Sokoto...recently

L-R: Managing Director and Chief Executive OďŹƒcer of Air Sea Freighters Limited, Sir Enoch Iwueze; former Chairman, Governing Council, Council for Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (CRFFN), Mr. Tony Iju Nwabunike; Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Henry Njoku; and member of BOT, ANLCA, Chief Dayo Azeez at the 2017 ANLCA National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Port Harcourt‌recently

Face Your Primary Functions, Maritime Expert Tells NPA Boss A Lagos base maritime expert, Prince Olusegun Ologbese has enjoined the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman to face her primary functions as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the grade ‘A’ parastatal. Ologbese who is also the chief executive officer (CEO), Ogbese Marine Services Limited and a veteran in the clearing and forwarding business argued that rather than dissipating energy on endless war of attrition with investors in the maritime industry, Usman should concentrate on delivering on her primary roles and responsibilities. He specifically called on the NPA Managing Director to address the key challenges plaguing the nation’s seaports. These include poor port access roads, high cargo dwell time (CDT), the common user

NIMASA Eyes Total Compliance on ISPS Code The ultimatum goal of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is complete compliance to the provisions of the key codes of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has said. The IMO which has its headquarters in London, United Kingdom believes that with the full execution of the ISPS Code by member states, there shall be no security breach to any person, vessel or facilities in any maritime domain across the globe. Apparently not pleased with the present level of compliance on ISPS Code in the country, Peterside said the agency which remains the designated authority (DA) in Nigeria will not rest on its oars until it attain total compliance on the implementation of the code. Peterside who spoke at the opening of the 5 day advanced drills and exercises workshop organised by NIMASA in conjunction with IMO for ISPS Implementation Officers stated that the agency is committed to increasing the compliance level from the present 90 percent to 100 percent. The NIMASA helmsman who was represented at the event by the agency Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Gambo Ahmed said that the agency realizes the importance of capacity building towards the successful implementation of the code hence, the need for frequent training of the enforcement officers in order to acquaint them with the current rudiments of implementing the code. His words: “It is no secret that we have made giant strides in ISPS Code implementation in Nigeria. We do not wish to rest on our laurels as the zeal to acquire 100 percent compliance in all port facilities can only be achieved if the officers are technically equipped and updated on international standards required for ISPS Code Implementation�

services and the dearth of adequate manpower. His words: “My advice to the NPA’s Managing Director is that she should face her primary roles and responsibilities as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority. She should concentrate on her mandate. She should focus on the business of how port users will have good roads inside and outside the ports and other things that would attract good business to Nigeria�. He maintained that his advice to Usman was hinged on the fact that since her appointment last year, it seemed that the NPA Managing Director has been enmeshed in several unnecessary battles at the same time instead of remaing focus on her primary assignment. According to him, Usman is presently facing many challenges in the course of discharging

her duties because it has been one problem or the other virtually every week. The issue of dredging of the Calabar port, the House and Senate Committees on Marine Transport in the National Assembly asking questions on Procurement Unit of NPA, the ordering of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) out of the main exit gate which means that she is drawing problems for herself because it is not possible for Customs to operate from the outside the port gate. Ologbese, a life patron of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo/Ekiti Councils argued that the NCS officers are at the main gate for the purpose of final checking of exiting cargo from the nation’s seaports. The maritime expert maintained that by the time officers and men of the NCS are

Abuja MoU Kicks O Safety of Navigation Campaign The maritime authorities of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African regions (Abuja MoU) have kicked off what it called “Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Safety of Navigation in its areas of jurisdiction. Abuja MoU was signed by maritime authorities in the West and Central African regions on October 22, 1999. It presently has 16 full members with a secretariat provided by the Nigerian Ministry of Transportation in Lagos, Nigeria. One of the cardinal functions of the Abuja MoU is carrying out port state control (PSC) activities in member states. The PSC is a check on visiting foreign ships to verify their compliance with international rules on safety, pollution prevention and seafarers living and working conditions. It is a means of enforcing compliance in cases where the owner and flag State have failed in their responsibility to implement or ensure compliance. The port state can require defects to be put right and detain the ship for this purpose if necessary. It is therefore a port state’s defence against visiting substandard vessels. The Abuja MoU which has the pioneer Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs. Mfon Ekong Usoro as its Secretary General said the aim of the CIC was to check compliance with the applicable requirements of the safety of life at sea (SOLAS) convention, one of the key instruments of the global maritime watchdog, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Others are checking the overall status of vessels navigation safety, as well as the competency of crew involved in navigation operations. Expected to last three months, the campaign which kicked off at the weekend would end on November 30, 2017. “A ship will only be subject to one

inspection in the region under this CIC during the period of the campaign�, it said. Giving an insight into the factors behind the campaign, Abuja MoU in a statement made available to THISDAY said: “Navigation equipment has always been major inspection items for port state control (PSC) inspections. The regulations for navigation equipment have undergone frequent changes in compliance with a series of amendments to SOLAS Chapter V (safety of navigation). Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) have assisted watch keepers to maintain navigation safety and reduce the navigational workload since its application. Deficiencies relating to navigation equipment constitute a major proportion of the total deficiencies�. According to the statement, Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will use a list of 12 questions to assure that navigation equipment carried on board complies with the relevant statutory certificates, the master and navigation officers are qualified and familiar with operation of bridge equipment, especially ECDIS, and that navigation equipment is properly maintained and functioning. It explained that if deficiencies are found, actions by the port state may vary from recording a deficiency and instructing the master to rectify it within a certain period of time to detaining the ship until the serious deficiencies have been rectified. The organisation warned that in the case of detention, the data will be published in the non-performing ships section of its website. Apparently putting member states on notice that its findings would not end up within its doorpost, it revealed that the results of the campaign would be analysed and findings would be presented to the Abuja MoU Port State Control Committee for submission to the maritime watchdog, the IMO headquarters, London.

exempted from the main gate, cargo will automatically exit the port without any opportunity for a last minute check. “There are insinuations in some quarters that Usman’s moves are the handiwork of highly connected smugglers of contraband who had been trying to make sure that the NCS is moved out from the NPA exit gate. This same scenario happened during the time of Mrs. Kema Chikwe as the Minister of Transport. She got to the gate and saw that it was only men that are manning the eight exit points at the port which is the gate way to Nigeria economy. According to her, two men are not enough for each of the exit gate. At the end of the day, port users were witnesses to want eventually happened after that encounter�, he said.

ANLCA Chief Counsels IPOB A chieftain of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Ernest Elochukwu has counselled the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on the on on-going agitation for the actualisation of Biafra. Elochukwu who is the immediate past National President of ANLCA appealed to the leadership of IPOB to stop fanning what he called “the embers of inter-tribal conflicts� as evidenced by its reaction to the withdrawal of the so called quit notice on Igbos in the North by the Arewa youths. The ANLCA chieftain in a statement issued in Lagos and made available to THISDAY said “I agree that the Arewa youths have no constitutional right to issue the quit notice in the first place but so does the IPOB also has no constitutional right to abuse anybody or group or to even call for the Igbos to leave the North. If the truth be told, both sides are guilty of incitements and people should not be selective in assessing the situation�. According to Elochukwu who is also the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nestollo Group, it is noteworthy to observe that there is palpable inequity and marginalization in the country but it is of equal importance to examine if those are the creation of the present Federal Government administration. This analysis is crucial in order to dispel the uncanny feeling by a substantial percentage of people even within Igbo land that the current agitation may have some partisan political undertones. He reminded the IPOB that shifting the focus of the Biafran agitation to the Igbos living in the northern part of Nigeria has negatively and severely impacted on the economic welfare of these people as most have put their business activities on hold due to apprehension which cannot be said to be totally unadvised. “If the previously expressed modus operandi of the IPOB is really to use nonviolent means to get the world to the realization of Biafra, they should let it be at that�, he added.

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TRIBUTE

Pius Okumah (1940—2017): A Trailblazer and Source of Inspiration C. Don Adinuba

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came to admire Pius N. Okumah, Minority Whip in Anambra State House of Assembly from 1992 to 1993 and chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Nnewi Branch from 1991 to 1993, long before I met him in flesh and blood. He was the second lawyer from of Ihiala in Anambra State. He shared the first name with my father. But I didn’t know about Okumah until Boniface Ogochukwu Ezebunanwa, an older cousin, mentioned him shortly after my West African School certificate result was published in the 1970s. Not quite impressed with my explanation that all I wanted to be was a journalist, in the footsteps of my father, Boniface told me, “I just want you to be anything that would bring honour and glory to our Umuemecheta kindred. Pius Okumah, who made a very good result in his school certificate examination like you, has become the second lawyer from our town and the first in our village, has brought honour to his kinsmen and women.� He fell short of asking me to be a lawyer, too. Though called to the Bar in the late 1970s, I did not meet ‘Barrister’, as we fondly called Okumah at home, until years later. It was in the palace of JA Chukwudolue, Ogbuehi of Umuezeawala. He read a goodwill message from Joe Mbaezue, the first engineer from our hometown to earn a doctoral degree, and chief executive of Jimbaz West Africa Ltd, easily the most successful building firm in eastern Nigeria in the late 1970s and 1980s. Okumah not only read but also explained and interpreted the content. I was carried away by his calmness and cultured speech and mannerism. I inquired from someone

near me, “Who is this gentleman?� “You are asking this question because you have not been coming home regularly,�the individual replied, adding “Barrister Pius Okumah.“ I said silently, “No wonder! Finally, I have seen this brilliant man from my place.� One of the things which struck me about him was his decision to live in Ihiala which has limited amenities and business as well as professional opportunities in the 1970s. Yet, he was driving good cars and living well practising law only. I am convinced that he would have been a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) if he had chosen to practise in Onitsha, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri or Aba, to say nothing about Lagos or Abuja. I was touched by his powerful sense of community service. Unknown to many people, Okumah’s acute love of his community was one of the major reasons I was to develop interest in community affairs long ago. He was not just the first lawyer from my village but also the first state legislator from the Ihitte part of Ihiala and later became the first President-General of the Ihiala Progress Union (IPU) from our place. He served on the boards of, among others, the Ihiala Microfinance Bank and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala. A Catholic of finest hue, he was Judge Advocate knight of St John International. Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State captures the essential Okumah in the following words, “Barrister Okumah was, indeed, a personification of the Think Home philosophy which my administration has been espousing. Rather than return to Lagos where he did his university studies or go to such places as Abuja and Kaduna to make fortune and name for himself, Okumah elected to be with his kinsfolk in Anambra State. This was sacrificial. Much of Ihiala then did not have electricity and there were

no tarred roads outside the Onitsha-Owerri Road. In fact, infrastructure was poor. Yet, he chose to live in the village out of deep love for his community. I am told that he rendered most of his professional services to Ihiala people and organizations pro bono, that is, free of charge. I am happy that my administration is solidly building the road which passes in front of his house, his final resting place.� I cannot remember the point at which Barrister Okumah and his family, on the one hand, and myself, on the other, became close. His first son, Nnanna, a brilliant and far-sighted young man with tremendous leadership attributes, was determined to switch from law to English at the University of Benin because of his great interest in literature and writing until the father sought my opinion. My intervention settled the matter. Nnanna continued with law, and while returning from an NBA conference in Abuja he died in a motor accident. No one who knew him has recovered from the incident to this day. Pius Okumah was an exceedingly principled person. Beneath his soft exterior was a tough-minded soul. He had a mind of his own and the courage to swim against the current of popular sentiments once he was convinced of the justness of a cause. Like his wife who is a great mobiliser and leader in her own right, I did not see him drink anything other than water, not even Fanta or Coke or malt drinks. Yet, there were always all kinds of drinks in his home which he generously served guests. All his children were well brought up and are successful professionals in various fields. Okumah was, indeed, a trailblazer and a source of inspiration to many people in my community, including my humble self. As his remains were laid to rest on September

He was not just the ďŹ rst lawyer from my village but also the ďŹ rst state legislator from the Ihitte part of Ihiala and later became the ďŹ rst President-General of the Ihiala Progress Union (IPU) from our place. He served on the boards of, among others, the Ihiala MicroďŹ nance Bank and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala. A Catholic of ďŹ nest hue, he was Judge Advocate knight of St John International 1, we shall always honour his memory. We pray that the Good Lord will grant him eternal rest. C. Don Adinuba is head of Discovery Public Affairs Consulting.

Ogbeha, the Conscientious Politician, Turns 70 Kola Ologbondiyan

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omorrow, Sunday, September 3, 2017, the family and friends of Senator Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha will gather at his parish church in Apo, Abuja, for the birthday thanksgiving service of the retired brigadier-general who turned 70th yesterday, Friday, September 1. For Ogbeha, nicknamed Flying Jones in his school days because of his goalkeeping prowess, September 1st and 3rd are very significant days of his life. He was born on the September 1st, 1947 and admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on September 3rd 1967 to commence academic and military training as a Regular Course 3 Officer and Gentleman. He clocked 70th yesterday and tomorrow, Sunday, September 3rd, will mark his 50th NDA anniversary. Both events are deserving of celebration but in the mood of our nation, Ogbeha chose a private prayer at his residence. This is not unexpected given his quiet lifestyle. But his family and friends have ‘over-ruled’ his decision, insisting they will celebrate these milestones “no matter how little�. Indeed, Ogbeha is very deserving of celebration at 70th given the commitments, contributions and sacrifices he has made in the lives of many who came his way. I met Senator Ogbeha as a civilianized democrat after his retirement from the military through my Uncle (Arc) Yomi Awoniyi, the immediate past deputy governor of Kogi State. This was after the 1999 general election when General Ogbeha (rtd) stood as the candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) for Kogi West Senatorial District and won the election. This electoral feat, which Awoniyi had strongly supported, was against the views and position held by some of us who come from Kogi West. After Ogbeha’s swearing-in in the National Assembly, he emerged as the upper chamber’s Committee on States and Local Government Chairman. This position placed a responsibility of seeking the best operational system for local government administration on his shoulders and he took up the onerous assignment with military dispatch.

Ogbeha As soon as the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration came up with the review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ogbeha rose and demanded the autonomy for the local government tier of our federal government. His argument was predicated on the conviction that the State/Local Government Joint Account as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution was being mismanaged by the state governors. He revealed that rather than adding the constitutionally required contributions to the joint account by the states, the governors were taking advantage of that tier of government and treating it as a ministry, department or agency of the state government. He predicted that if the local government tier is not granted her financial autonomy, in no time, the tier of government would be rendered irrelevant in the scheme of governance and could even become comatose. A prediction that has come to pass. Expectedly, Ogbeha’s proposed amendment could not be swallowed by many state governors and they mobilized against it as the issue degenerated in the media and public discuss. The debate however came up in the then regular ‘review’ of politics at ‘home’ and the nation between Awoniyi and I where we

concluded that Senator Ogbeha needed to take his narratives to Nigerians since he had become the apostle of autonomous local governments. That way, I met Senator Ogbeha in 2001 and had since discovered him to be a retired but not tired officer and gentleman, a devout and devoted Christian of the Anglican Communion, a peacemaker, a conscientious politician, an apostle of good governance, a stickler to family values, a patriotic nationalist, reputable and above all, a true friend. In his days in the military, despite the despotic nature of the military leadership of our country, he carved a niche for himself as a decent and organized soldier among officers and men as well as civilians. He held command positions in the army and had the privilege of serving as the pioneer military governor of Akwa Ibom state laying the infrastructural plans for the future of the state and remaining the darling governor of Ibomites till date. The noble role Ogbeha played as the first military governor of Akwa Ibom was well captured in the 70th birthday congratulatory message issued by Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Udom Emmanuel. It reads: “Thirty years ago, you embodied the collective dreams of the good people of Akwa Abasi Ibom State. You came to a state that was bereft of even the basic infrastructural amenities, but you were undaunted. “You went to work and laid the foundation upon which successive Governors have built on to move the state forward. “Today, Akwa Ibom State has become the destination of choice with world class infrastructural amenities. “The people have arisen and have claimed the faith of their greatness. As you turn 70, on behalf of the grateful people of Akwa Ibom State, I send you our heartfelt felicitations. “May the good Lord continue to bless you with good health and may His grace continue to abide with you. Happy Birthday, Your Excellency and thank you for your service to our State,� Udom submitted. In the old Bendel State, now Edo and Delta states, the story is not different as Ogbeha sterling performances speak in volumes while his management of men and resources still earn him a commendable number of followership in the

two states till date. It might be needful to tell a story that demonstrates his humility as a military governor in Bendel State. He had returned from work and asked the House-keeper for lunch. In shock, the Housekeeper said lunch was not ready. Surprised, this military governor requested the House-keeper to provide him ‘garri’ and ‘epa’ (groundnut). Rather than make the requested lunch of ‘garri and epa’ available, the House-keeper, who was further scared by such a demand from his military governor, bolted and headed in the direction of senior officers of the state government pleading with them to come and save her job. A bewildered Ogbeha, who saw senior officers of the state government trooping into his official residence, demanded to know the reason for their presence. When they told him that the House-keeper invited them to intervene on her behalf, he burst into laughter stressing that the Housekeeper job was never on the line and asked rhetorically; “so the military governor no fit chop garri and groundnut again?� As a Senator, Ogbeha’s constituency projects were built on provision of water, rural electrification and roads. He worked closely with then Deputy Chief of Staff in the Presidency, Chief Olusola Akanmode and then Minister of Police Affairs, Maj-General David Jemibewon to secure the construction of the road from Aiyetoro-Gbedde - Iyah-Gbedde -Aiyegunle-Iluke and Suku. This road, which was designed to open up Bunuland and link Kogi State with Niger and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had since stopped at Suku, in Kabba/Bunu local government. Until the 2017 Budget, nothing was heard of the road again. The electrification and water projects also suffered the same fate with the road construction. The exit of Ogbeha as Senator in 2007 halted their provision while the dwellers of those areas have been left in darkness and inaccessible roads. As a conscientious politician, Senator Ogbeha would handover contracts given to him by Kogi State Government to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) women groups in his local government for execution and distribution of the proceeds. –Ologbondiyan lives in Abuja

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For Kogunan Sakwatt a o, Mallam Nasir Danladi Bako, Life Begins at 60! Collins Edomaruse

allam Nasir Danladi Bako, Kogunan Sakwatto, the radio broadcasting prodigy that had ruled the airwaves of then Rima Radio, Sokoto with his masterly delivery of news and different programmes in both Hausa and English languages, at age 16 in 1973, needs no introduction. There was no doubt that he had come to bestride the nation’s airwaves with his budding skills, but needed to launch out to the world outside the Caliphate of Sokoto, but must first sharpen his tools. So having cut his broadcasting teeth at the radio station, the young Nasir took his budding intellect to the famous Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. He graduated in 1978 and three years after, obtained a master’s degree in Mass Communication from the equally prestigious University of Lagos. His hallmark of ingenuity, creativty and hard-work saw him win, in 1979, the prestigious Best Producer/Presenter award of the NTA Sokoto and Best Overall Staff award of the same station in 1980. Revelling in a harvest of awards, he was transferred to the NTA Headquarters in 1983 as was the tradition at that time, that only the best staff of each station were elevated to the Network Service. In 1988, he developed a programme that is arguably Nigeria’s first live TV

Danladi Bako

talk show, Morning Ride. Looking back at the event that marked the 10th anniversary of Morning Ride in 1998, Bako revealed what inspired the creation of the very popular breakfast show, saying “I realised that there was a hiatus in the one-way information flow of top to bottom direction, devoid of the

citizens’ feedback on policies and issues governing their lives.� Indeed, the programme drew strength from Bako’s desire and thirst for accountability, transparency and rectitude in government and leadership. Bako’s penchant for putting public figures on the spot during the live programme became one of the early precursors to investigative questioning and thematic vibrancy in television journalism in Nigeria�. He also recalled that the programme “Indeed, got halted on two occasions during a diatribe on the government by the then Nigerian Bar Association Chairman, Alao Aka-Bashorun and another edition featuring Sat Guru Maharaji .� A year after, in 1999 to be specific, he was appointed Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). On the new job, Danladi, as he is popularly called, redefined broadcasting regulation under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, but threw resigned voluntarily three years later to pursue other vocations inherent in him. After voluntarily exiting the National Broadcasting Commission, Danladi Bako went straight to play active roles in the political sphere as Chairman, Media and Publicity North West PDP 2007 Presidential campaign, as well as Chairman Media and Publicity 2015 Sokoto State APC Governorship campaign. He also served as Commissioner of Information, Sokoto State 2012 - 2015. The seasoned broadcaster also served as Board member, Cross River Basin De-

velopment Authourity 2004 - 2008 and Governing Council member, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi 2009 -2013. Answering questions on how life has been as he clocks 60, Bako emphasised that he felt fulfilled and privileged to have lived in this world at the same era Mandela fought for 27 years of his life for racial equality, social justice and freedom of his black brothers in South Africa. He thanked the country’s leaders for giving him the rare privilege to impact on the trajectory the broadcast industry pursued in the last 20 years evolving in the democratization of the airwaves and the liberalisation of the communication space. Mallam Bako who is presently a doctoral student at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, reiterated the need for purposeful national integration as well as propagation of social justice and egalitarianism in the country through the pursuit of good governance in the country. My amiable Kogunan Sakwatto, Mallam Danladi Nasir Bako, as you turned 60 September 1, I wish you God’s guidance in all your future endeavours, especially as you start life on a new pedestal giving that you now earnestly await a new feather to your academic laurels following your successful completion of a PhD programme at the great ABU. –Edomaruse, former editor at THISDAY, is publisher of METROWATCH Online: www.metrowatchonline.com

POLITY

How Nigeria Can Best Contribute to Climate Finance Ruth During

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ver time, man has altered nature’s ability to maintain earth’s climate through industrialisation, and over exploration of natural resources. As this continues, the need has arisen for mitigation in order to restore the earth to its original state of clemency. However, this will not be possible without a cost or price, which is described or called climate finance. Climate finance refers to the funding of activities and projects which aim to achieve progress against climate objectives such as mitigation and adaptation. This finance can come from both private and public sources and can flow either domestically or internationally. Last year at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC, developed countries committed to mobilise USD100 billion per year by 2020 for climate finance for developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation action and transparency on implementation. This commitment was reiterated in Decision 1/CP.21 (hereafter referred to as the Paris Decision), which indicates that funding will continue at this level until 2025, by which time a new target figure will be set (OECD: Paper No. 2016(3). According to current estimates, the negative effects of climate change are already reducing Africa’s GDP by about 1.4 per cent, and the costs arising from adaptation to climate change are set to reach an annual three per cent of GDP by 2030(ACCF 2017) Nigeria is faced with the onerous task of stable economic development in pace with its growing population and with huge infrastructure gaps and inadequate finance. It is highly recognised that

climate change presents one of the greatest challenges of the world and Nigeria’s huge infrastructure deficit in power, housing, roads, healthcare, port services, among others, have contributed to a large extent in retarding the growth and development of her economy. According to what Nigeria committed to the Paris agreement, the country has embraced the issuance of green bonds as an innovative means and alternative way of raising and supporting climate finance. This was confirmed last week when the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance offi f cially launched Nigeria’s participation in the climate finance accelerator (CFA) initiative. This is an action plan prepared by Nigeria to implement its commitment under the Paris agreement on climate change. The aim here is for Nigeria to develop initial financing propositions for priority climate change projects, as well as identify the broader measures and human and financial resources required to make the projects happen. After identifying the priority project, the benefits will go beyond climate change into sustainable economic development, including clean energy generation, energy and water security, economic resilience which is in line with the government’s economic growth and recovery plan (EGRP). Thus, Nigeria needs to seek an alternative to finance its climate. That is, all three tiers of government need to meet and strategise ways to secure funds domestically from both public and private sources combined with funds provided by the government. Another strategy to secure climate funds locally is to create an awareness to the public on the shortage of climate funds

from the international climate finance and its implication on the nation, hence sensitising the public (illiterate and literate) in various languages about the consequences of their actions on the climate. For example, the flooding we are experiencing now is partly due to the fact that a lot of people have built houses on waterways, blocking them and causing disaster. Last month for instance, inadequate drainage networks, in Lagos and Niger States in Nigeria contributed to heavy flooding that destroyed lives and property. In Sierra Leone, flooding and mudslide, which are as a result of illegal human settlement and the aforementioned inadequate drainage systems, killed over 600 persons. Therefore, sensitising the public will go a long way in keeping sub-Sahara Africa alive. Also, the government has to be transparent on how donated climate funds are spent and should get the public fully informed. This will help Nigeria not to totally depend on international financing but to see it as support to achieving the climate objective. This will be a great contribution by Nigeria to international financing in combating the threat to our environment due to climate change. The country also planned to reduce emission by 20% by the year 2030, with the intention of raising the target to 45%, with the support of the international community Adams Smith international also recorded that Nigeria has leveraged $63m of multilateral funds for climate change projects (Overseas Development Institute 2015). In the midst of the current uncertainties in the Nigerian economy and the country’s journey towards vision 2020, it is noble to say that the issuance of green bonds by various levels of the Nigerian government or corporate enti-

ties will serve as a boost of the country’s economic deficit for infrastructural development and enhance its reputation for commitment to the environment thereby making it attractive for both local and international finances. Meanwhile, the government is also focusing strongly on institutional policy changes and sector reforms because this is essential towards improving the investment in finance capable of attracting private investors at the level that can meaningfully aim at financing the nation’s infrastructure deficit. This is because such bonds will only be attractive to investors if the underlying projects are viable, properly developed and satisfy the bankability test. (NIAF vol.8, 2015). In the last few years, important advances have been made by Nigeria to contribute to and support climate finance such as, the Clean Technology Fund, which is supporting the development of transformative public transport schemes in Lagos, Kano and Abuja and the Department of Climate Change has also established a pioneering Climate Finance Unit that would enhance knowledge and information on climate finance opportunities and help develop robust project proposals. Furthermore, in 2016, a major effort commenced to better coordinate Nigeria’s climate change response and climate finance prioritisation, and a strategy for accessing resources from the Green Climate Fund was also developed. While much remains to be done, the direction of travel is clear: Nigeria is taking an increasingly pro-active and engaged approach to access climate finance resources, and developing the coordinated response that this needs. – During writes from Abuja

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POLITY

Ekweremadu Salutes Eagles Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

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he Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their comprehensive 4-0 victory over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier, describing it as a befitting Sallah gift to Nigerians. Ekweremadu, who expressed satisfaction with the performance of the national team in all departments of the game, commended the Eagles for their determination, skills, and team spirit. He said: “Once again, we saw the Super in our Eagles. We saw determination and the true Nigerian spirit. We saw individual skills, teamwork, and patriotic zeal. “I congratulate them

on this superlative performance as they take another giant step closer to Russia 2018. But they must also bear in mind that this is football; it is never over until it is over. I urge them to remain focused and approach every game with the high level of positive attitude, determination, and commitment that they exhibited today, taking no team for granted�. The Deputy President of the Senate also commended Nigerians, especially the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, and the good people of Akwa Ibom State for motivating the Super Eagles to one of their best outings in recent times. He urged Nigerians to keep supporting and praying for the team all the way to the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

L-R: Group Managing Director, Rosabel, Ayo Oluwatosin; Executive Director, EMEA, Worldwide Partners, Lisa Kettman-Kervinen; Chairman, Rosabel Group, Senator Akin Odunsi; Managing Director, Bytesize , Nosa Ademola; and Managing Director, Media Seal, H.R.M Ayo Kupoluyi, at the unveiling of Media Seal, Bytesize partnership with worldwide partners in Lagos...recently

L-R Chairman, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Olatunde Okewole, son of the Ogun State Governor, Damilola, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Mukadam of Egbaland, Sheikh Sauban Oladipupo and the Chief Iman of Ijaiye, Sheikh Musa Olomu at the Lantoro Praying Ground, Abeokuta, when the governor joined Muslim faithfuls to mark the the Eid-el-Kabir...yesterday

L-R: NYSC Camp Director, Akowolehin Victoria; Public Relations OďŹƒcer, NAFDAC, Christy Obiazokwor; Head, Business Development – Lagos Region, ARM Pensions, Gbenga Dada;and NAFDAC Schdule OďŹƒcer, Ezinne Uhuru at the ARM Pensions interactive session tagged “the future starts todayâ€? with NYSC 2017 Corpers Batch A – Stream 2 in Lagos...recently

President of Rotary Club Maryland, Mr. George Ikpekhia and inducted Board of Directors in Lagos ...recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ EPTEMBER 2, 2017

THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri How BBC Made President Buhari the Poster Boy of Medical Tourism

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et me ask a question: Is Nigeria not ashamed that when the BBC decided to do a story on why South Africa’s health minister feels that African leaders should be ashamed for going outside the continent for health care, they used the picture of our President? Think about it for a minute. Our President is now (at least in the eyes of the BBC) the poster boy for Presidential medical tourism. This is so sad particularly when you consider the fact (yes, a historical fact) that in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, the Saudi Royal Family use to fly to Nigeria to receive medical care at the University College Hospital Ibadan! And it is not as if Nigeria lacks the manpower to staff a vibrant health sector. If we are really serious about it, we can build our health care system by repatriating our medical personnel abroad. There are 26,000 Nigerian medical doctors practicing in the United States alone. 77% of ALL black doctors in America are of Nigerian origin. Fact. And this fact is replicated in several other Western and Middle Eastern nations like the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia (where another former Nigerian President went for health tourism). And the thing is that our government is not acting smart. We should be working with Nigerian diaspora organisations like NIDO (Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation) to get a database of Nigerian professionals abroad and working with them to provide them the enabling environment that will entice them to return home. But rather than do this, the priority of our government is to order the Nigerian military to monitor the social media accounts of Nigerian citizens for “anti-government” comments. Can you imagine that! A President who accesses his healthcare in the U.K, who schools his children in the U.K, whose wife shops in the U.K, is searching for anti-Nigerian comments on social media? Does he not know that he himself is the epitome of anti-Nigerianness? The shame of a nation is briefly summarised in these bullet points. * a President treated in UK * His kids schooling in UK * His wife shopping in UK * But the country he governs is NIGERIA! But look at me talking about shame when the person who should be ashamed or not even ashamed and instead he was taunting Nigerians living in London for having the audacity to demonstrate against him! That President Buhari asked them to also come home shows that he does not understand the finer points of Presidential etiquette. You are asking your citizens in the U.K. to come home when your own children are, as we speak schooling in that same U.K. How hypocritical, how petty can a President get? First repatriate your own children before you tell other people’s children to return home! And it is quite evident that President Buhari has no shame because only a shameless leader would have declared that he is ‘satisfied with the state of the Nigerian economy’! We are experiencing a third quarter of negative growth and are World renowned to be in recession and the man who should lead us out of it declares to the nation that he is SATISFIED with the state of our economy! That’s just like bringing a report card of failure back home to your dad and he tells you that he is satisfied with your performance! No wonder this All Progressives Congress government of Muhammadu Buhari reduced the cut-off marks for admission into Nigerian universities! They are comfortable with failure. How did we get here? Our population is growing at 2.9%, by far faster than our economy which grew at -1.5% last year and our President is ‘satisfied’ with the economy’? We have an economy that is the largest grower of cassava in the whole world, yet we still spend over a billion dollars importing ethanol and industrial

Buhari

starch, both of which can be made from cassava which is their chief ingredient. We have an economy with 10.5 million out-ofschool children with the majority of them roaming the streets of Northern Nigeria with their begging bowls and the man who is tasked with changing that says he is satisfied with the status quo! Do you now see the reason why the BBC would make him their poster joy for shame! And then we turn on the television and see that the President has gone home to Katsina to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir. Well nothing wrong with that only that if I were President Buhari, with the massive flooding now ravaging Benue State, I would have made a stopover there on my way to Daura! The ongoing flooding in Benue is of epic proportions. Lives have been lost, property damaged and livelihoods disrupted. Can you imagine how encouraged the people of Benue would have been if the President had only made a stopover. I mean Benue is on his way and only 40 minutes by air from Abuja. America is currently experiencing flooding in Texas as a result of the record rainfalls unleashed by Hurricane Harvey and President Trump went there as he should. What am I even talking about? Someone that cannot even visit the hundreds of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons in Maiduguri, is it ordinary flood victims he will visit? And the funny thing is that President Muhammadu Buhari’s supporters would go on social media to express outrage at a man like Trump who has given America the lowest unemployment rate in sixteen years and the best stock market improvement ever. The Dow Jones industrial average crossed the 22,000 mark for the first time on August 2, 2017. The irony of it is that President Trump says he is still not satisfied with the American economy which has just been announced to be enjoying a 3% GDP growth rate in Trump’s second quarter as President. In any case, while he is at Daura, I hope the President would take some time to engage in some sober reflection and soul searching in order to figure out why he is so acutely aware of the failings of others and blind to his own failings. For one, it is an insult for a President Muhammadu Buhari, who addressed the nation in Hausa, a sectional language, to lecture me on unity. President Buhari lacks the moral authority! He is the most divisive leader ever. How can a man who said, “The constituents who gave me 97% cannot in all honesty be treated on some issues with constituencies that

Think about it for a minute. Our President is now (at least in the eyes of the BBC) the poster boy for Presidential medical tourism. This is so sad particularly when you consider the fact (yes, a historical fact) that in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, the Saudi Royal Family use to fly to Nigeria to receive medical care at the University College Hospital Ibadan!... And it is not as if Nigeria lacks the manpower to staff a vibrant health sector. If we are really serious about it, we can build our health care system by repatriating our medical personnel abroad

gave me 5%” be lecturing me on unity? I should be the one lecturing him not vice versa. It is like satan lecturing me on salvation. If every Nigerian is intimidated by President Buhari and cannot speak the truth to his power, Reno Omokri will never ever be intimidated! And finally, based on the above, if I were asked to rate President Buhari’s two years in office, I would say it has been: a. erRATic b. gRATifying c. Full of wRATh d. RATher dull, or e. oveRATed?

Reno’s Nuggets

Jesus fed thousands in the congregation and paid His disciples’ taxes, but today, thousands of the congregation in the modern church feed their pastors and pay their bills. There is a mass hypnosis performed on gullible millions who follow church doctrines rather than scriptural teachings. Somehow these teachings, particularly in the Pentecostal arena, seem to center on prosperity. Let me give you an example: Six days ago, it was Sunday. In your church, did the congregation pray for the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas or the mudslide victims in Sierra Leone, the typhoon victims in Indonesia or IDPs and victims of herdsmen in Nigeria? Probably not. But did they pray for prosperity and against enemies, probably yes. Voila! The modern church for you! Reno Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven-Psalm 85:11.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

MEMOIRS Pa Olusanya

Collapse of our Bottling Company was Lowest Point of My Life If there is anyone that has enjoyed providence in every facet of life, Pa Gabriel Akanni Olajide Olusanya is that person. An indigene of Abeokuta, Ogun State, he was born on August 3, 1937 into a poor family. He experienced abject poverty at an early age. After his modern three certificate in 1954, he desired an elusive degree in law. Undeterred, Olusanya braved the odds, and with help of friends, joined the Kingsway Store as a supermarket attendant. He later went to PZ where he worked for several years and retired as assistant manager with his Modern School Certificate. His breakthrough came in 1981 when he floated Feroselinar International Agencies Limited, a clearing and forwarding agency. He later co-founded defunct Elvan Bottling Company in Abeokuta. Not done yet, in 2012, he went into oil and gas and set up Feroselinar Filling Station. In an emotion-laden voice filled with gratitude, Olusanya tells Funke Olaode through his life odyssey

As a Family We Struggled to Exist Lack of Fund Derailed My Ambition to be a Lawyer I Witnessed the 1947 Women riot Led by Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti Born into a Poor Family

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ooking back at my life’s trajectory it can only be God for me to have become somebody in life because of what I met on the ground when I was born. I was born in Abeokuta in the then Western Region on August 3, 1937 and was named Gabriel Akanni Olajide Olusanya. I was raised in a polygamous home with four wives. Despite the intrigues associated with polygamy, we coped well because both parents were involved in the raising of the children and my mother being the first wife was also capable. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth and as a matter of fact I didn’t meet any spoon on the ground because my family struggled to exist. My father was a blacksmith called and my mother was a petty trader. I am the third born of my mother. I have two elder sisters who are still alive. The first is 88 and the other one is 84. The two younger sisters are dead.

Virtues Learnt from My Father

Many factors shaped my life while growing up. As I said earlier, my father was a blacksmith. I remember after school hours in those days, I used to assist him in his workshop and sometimes I would take his wares such as rings, earrings, bangles and so on to the market to sell. The proceeds really helped to offset part of my school fees. Despite what my family was facing at that time, my father believed in upholding life’s virtues. He used to tell me that ‘Akanni, when you grow up, don’t aspire to take chieftaincy title but focus on your work. That I should live within my means and shouldn’t look for money by force. I should always remember the son of whom I am. I adhered to it. But looking back, I think my involvement helping my father in trading in a way spurred the entrepreneurship spirit in me.

I Witnessed the Abeokuta Women’s Riot

Growing up in Abeokuta an ancient city was fun. I was lucky I didn’t grow up in a rural setting. When I was born there was electricity and a few basic social amenities. I learnt electricity had been in existence even before my father was born. The country was okay and all these social vices that are happening now were totally absent. We were under the Colonial master though. The environment and family also molded me. I was a very calm and quiet child and up till today my friends nicknamed me ‘a woman’ because I don’t like trouble. But once in a while I played football but I am not a rascally person. But I still have old memories of that ancient city that remains with me till today. When I was 10 years in 1947 there was a terrible riot led by the matriarch of Rasome-Kuti, Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. This woman was fighting that women should not pay tax. She led a protest and the then Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oladapo, had to flee his throne for six months and relocated to Osogbo. It was a trying moment for us because children were not allowed to go to school for fear of being kidnapped. Everybody stayed at home because we were afraid. Oba Oladapo only came back after the matter was settled.

I Went to School at Age Nine

I started school at the age of nine because of the laid-down policy of admission then that before you could be admitted, your right hand must touch your left ear. I was elated the first day I was enrolled at Ebenezer Baptist School in Abeokuta in 1944. I finished from this school and proceeded to a Modern School that was affiliated to that Primary school where I spent another three years. When I was growing up my ambition was to study law. When I finished the modern school, there was no money to go further and I moved to Ibadan to join my uncle who was a sales manager with the Motors Department. I stayed with him for three years and in a way I was exposed to business. He would buy fairly used cars and put me in charge. I learnt buying and selling from him.

Foray into Kingsway Store and PZ

Olusanya cutting his 80th birthday cake...recently

After sometime my elder sister invited me to Lagos. I returned to Lagos in 1954 and was looking for job. Some of my friends who had joined Kingsway Stores helped me get a job as a supermarket attendant with a salary of 11 pounds. After three years, one of my friends Kareem Kehinde who was working with PZ on a salary of 12 Pounds also invited me. Of course, I was attracted to PZ because of one pound extra. When my father heard that I had left Kingsway Store he wrote a letter that I should stay there. I used to follow his instruction but I still joined PZ where I worked for many years and rose to the position of assistant manager and quit in 1981. It was from PZ that I learnt clearing and forwarding. I was not sacked I retired on my own as a matter of fact; PZ wouldn’t retire you if you are not up to 50.

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THISDAY, THE SAT A URDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

MEMOIRS Becoming Landlord was Happiest Point of my Life... I aspired to be an industrialist. I established a company p y with my y late friend, Chief Deji j Adebimpe p in Abeokuta in 1983. W We floated a company called Elvan Bottling g Nigeria g Limited. W We acquired q hectares of land. I remember we were so determined to succeed that we went to Vienna in Austria where we g got technical partners who supported us. They y brought g some equipment q p and we thought g we had arrived. But before we could break even, government g policies p didn’t allow us to thrive. We W had started production and the company collapsed

Cont’d from Pg. 54

Pa Olusanya with his wives- Mrs. Ebun Olusanya (left) and Mrs. Taye Olusanya (rignt)

Becoming g my y own boss

After my y exit from PZ, I floated a clearing g and forwarding company, p y Feroselinar International Agencies g Ltd. I am into haulage, g Freight g forwarder, shipping pp g importer p and exporter p and wrote several letters to companies p looking g for services. Ig got a customer from Tower Galvanising g Products, Kaduna who introduced me to Midland Galvanising g Abeokuta. That Tower Company p y still has a branch on Oba Akran Road in Ikeja, j Lagos g here. From there, I got g another offer to come to London. In 1982, I travelled to United Kingdom g for the first fi time to sign g some contracts. I started doing g business with them. The business is still on till today y but not as it used to be due to the state of the economy. y I never went beyond y Modern School but self-development, p exposure p helped. p In those days, y as a sales p person, business man or industrialist, they y used to invite us for seminars overseas on how to do and run business. I learnt from one the seminars that as an industrialist if y you are not ready y to retire, never allow your children or close relations to work in y y your company. p If you y are ready y to retire y you can handover the jjob and don’t go g back there. This is impossible p as an African. If y you are a chairman of a company p y we are advised not to allow our children that it is better for them to work elsewhere. God p prospered p the work of my y hand and my y clearing g and forwarding g business flourished. In 2012, I diversiified into selling g petroleum p products p and established Feroselinar Filling Station in Okota. As I advanced in age I handed it over to somebody to manage.

Providence at work all the way y

Considering g my y life’s trajectory j y it can only y be God in the sense that with little education, it takes providence, p persever p rance, hard work, determination, to be able to excel. The lesson leant really y is that one should trust God Almighty g y in your endeavours. Again, y g there is no shortcut to success. As a human being, g adversity y would come but learn to endure and be p patient. For instance, clearing g and forwarding g is a seasonal business and sometimes we would not g get jjobs for months and I have to pay p y salaries. But I embrace contenttment. The job j is also very y delicate and I always y warn my y apprentices p pp to be satisfi fied with a little commission and with life.

Pa Olusanya y duringg a business meetingg with his expatriate p partner p see a friend in Obalende. She said she was living g in Government Quarters in Ikoyi y with her elder sister. The chemistry y gelled g and I pursued p it further. She later introduced me to her sister. But her sister’s husband was about to retire and he said if I am serious about the relationship p I should bring g my y parents. p I was very y afraid because I wasn’t ready y for marriage g and at the same time I didn’t want to lose her. My y fear was borne out of my y meagre g salary y that how would I feed my y wife and children. But they y told me that as soon as her sister’s husband retires they y would be leaving g Lagos g to Owo in Ondo State where the man hails from. I told my y senior sister and she encouraged g me. She was very happy ppy because my y father too had been p pestering g me. We later visited her parents p in Ibadan to seal the deal. And we g got married and blessed with children. I later got married to my g y second wife Taye y and also blessed with children. I have p played y my y role well as a father over my y children. I tried my y best and today y some live abroad and my young children are not doing badly in education.

My y only y regrets g

Looking g back, I have one or two regrets. g If I could turn back the hand of the clock I aspired p to be an industrialist. I established a company p y with my y late friend, Chief Dejij Adebimpe p in Abeokuta in 1983. We floated a company p y called Elvan Bottling g Nigeria g Limited. We acquired q hectares of land. I remember we were so determined to succeed that we went to Vienna in Austria where we g got technical partners who supported p pp us. They y brought g some equipment q p and we thought g we had arrived. But before we could break even, government g policies p didn’t allow us to thrive. We had started p production and the company p y collapsed. p It was one of my y regrets. g I invested heavily y on this p project. j This affected by y business p partner, Chief Adebimpe. p Money y was valuable and our investment ran into millions of Naira then. Industrial Bank assisted us. The bank stepped in, sold the equipment to recoup their money.

Happy ppy to be 80

Becoming g a landlord was my y best moment

I have had several best moments in my y life: g getting g marrried, having g children and making g a head way y in a turbulent world, also, when I established my yp petro station. But my y happiest pp moment was the day y I became a landlord. This was in 1992. I was living g in a two bedroomed flat before then. My y lowest moment was my y mother’s death. I wept p the day I inaugurated g my y fi first building g because I was p pained that my mother died early and did not eat the fruit of her labour.

Olusanya as a young manager with PZ in the 70 70ss

Being g a family y man

By y the special p g grace of God I am blessed with children from two wives. I got g married to my y first wife, Ebun, an indigene g of Ibadan, who I met in Lagos g in 1965 when I was 28. Our path crossed when I went to

I was happy ppy py to have attained the age g of 80 because of my y experience p in the p past. When I was about 55 years I had an accident that almost ended my y y life but God stepped pp in. I went for a ceremony y in Ibadan and on my y way y back my y car was involved in a g ghastly y accident along g Lagos-Ibadan g expressway. p y The Peugeot g was a write off. And today, y I am alive hale and hearty. One thing g I learnt is that God is the author and finisher of our faith and I have embraced him totally. y I presently p y worship p at Ebenezer Baptist p Church Abeokuta and I am excited when I am in the house of God. If one lives for 1,000 y years it is by y His g grace breathing g and living. g My y only yp prayer y to God is to spare p my life to be able to see my young children through.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

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MISSILE SERAP to Buhari

“Classifying legitimate exercise of freedom of expression as ‘hate speech’ is counter-productive. In the exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and privacy, Nigerians should be allowed to speak truth to power and stand up for their rights.” – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), urging President Muhammadu Buhari to instruct the military to immediately end any monitoring of Nigerians on the social media.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

The Challenges Ahead of Nigerian Youths

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ellow Nigerians, please permit me to discuss the matter of our youths again. I’m truly troubled because of the attitude I see on display today. I wish to state, categorically, that the internet is misleading a lot of our young ones. The internet is a giver of false hopes and confidence. I want to believe that the power of the internet is exaggerated and overrated in our dearly beloved country. Everyone who is able to buy some data sees himself as an omnipotent blogger who can install or bring down any government. This delusion of grandeur is not local to Nigeria but is pervasive all over Africa and it is tragic. Suddenly every blogger is a celebrity. I make it a habit to check the number of followers they command and control. I check their tweets and scrutinise their influence. People with less than 50,000 followers claim to own the heavens and the earth in a country with a population fast approaching 200 million. The sad thing is that those who should know better believe their influence and begin to help the bloggers in peddling what is mostly drivel and sometimes blatant falsehood. What is worse, about 70 percent of the population are largely illiterate or ill-lettered. Ignorance and poverty have also combined to render many of us irrelevant. When some of this illiterate and ignorant population seize upon some of the rubbish peddled by the bloggers, you can imagine the outcome. Distorted and misleading information travels by the jungle express of rumour mongering that Nigerians seem to have perfected into an art form. With the knowledge of the effect that they have, many bloggers have resorted to uncouth language and brazen attacks on whosoever they disagree with. No effort is made to persuade and convince. Let me posit my thesis right away. Unless Nigerian youths purge themselves of the arrogance associated with the social media, the journey of liberation may be much longer than we think or know. We must all pay our dues before we can begin to flex muscles of greatness and apotheosis. There are no short cuts to these things. Our youths must read and learn the history of revolutions. No matter how commonly available internet data has become, thanks to a company like GLOBALCOM, with humongous investments in submarine cables and state of the art technology, every one of us must still go through the rudiments of political science. And it is not as simple as it seems. The good news is that there has been so much hoopla about youth participation in the governance of Nigeria. The mantra is simple and easy to remember: NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN. Very apt and nice. But how are they going to change an age-old habit that has become irremovably sticky? What I see is discomfiting. I see feel-good advocates and crusaders who see their activities as only a means to an end. I see a cockiness that shows me that we think this is a joke or some circus clownery. Nigeria is not going to change overnight just because we have internet and smartphones. Many of our forebears paid the ultimate and supreme price trying to change Nigeria for the better. They were better focussed and ready to suffer the excruciating pains of being non-conformist. Ask Herbert Macaulay. Ask Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikwe, Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Ooni

el-Rufai Adesoji Aderemi, Nzeogwu, Odumegwu Ojukwu. Ask Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Aminu Kano, Balarabe Musa, Moshood Abiola. Ask Wole Soyinka, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Tai Solarin, Gani Fawehinmi, Kenule Saro Wiwa, Femi Falana. And so many others who passed through the trenches of oppression and repression. Someone needs to draw attention to false claims to martyrdom by those without any history or record of sustained struggle. Those who sit in the comfort of their homes and think they can influence decisions and elections are only kidding. A political revolution is never a tea party. They can lie to themselves in their braggadocio but not to those who understand the game of power. Ultimately they are not fooling the Nigerian people. Ask the common man today what he feels about the so-called agitators today and you will truly find your answer,. The people are not stupid. Show me any youth organisation in Nigeria with a membership of up to one million people. Show me any demonstration in Nigeria with a followership of 50,000 followers that lasted one week running. Yet we saw unrelenting crowds in Egypt, Brazil, Venezuela and other far-flung places. They probably had more internet penetration than us but still did not keep their arms akimbo while awaiting a socio-political miracle. If Nigerian youths are going to make any remarkable difference in the foreseeable future, they must prepare for the long-haul and not the opportunistic and psychedelic joke we see all around us today. The Government too needs to be careful not to elevate charlatans and attention seekers into what they are not. There is at present a growing tendency to do so. 2018 is almost knocking and 2019 will soon follow, yet none of us can say with any

degree of certainty the top three youthful and cerebral candidates Nigerian youths would readily support when the time comes. What we are likely to see again is merchandising with smart boys chasing juicy contracts from the highest bidder. Everyone loves money but we must be ready to sacrifice something for our long-suffering country before we can claim the honour and the glory. A man who does not want to get wet should never go near the river. That is why the sacrifice Chief Abiola paid can never be dismissed as little. I’m not sure the “ajebutters” (silver-spoon kids) of today are ready for a “sit-at-home” not to talk of “sleep-in-prison” situation. Where do we go from here? There are certain basic ground rules that we must establish and regulate well ahead of the 2019 general elections. The first criteria that must be sorted and settled as a matter of principle is that of age. We’ve tested the young, the middle-age and the aged and most have wobbled and fumbled. What we need therefore is to insist that no matter the situation, Nigeria needs men and women of strength and stamina henceforth. Our infrastructure deficit makes it imperative for us to search, seek and support our best eleven. We can no longer afford to have musical chairs and seat-warmers for God’s sake. Enough of crawling snail-like at a time the rest of the world is moving at supersonic speed. Anyone above 65 has passed retirement age and should please spare Nigeria the agony and aguish of weak and ineffectual leadership. The priority of Nigeria in 2019 would no longer be the war against corruption since Mr Magu has already declared victory over the malignant cancer that has almost killed our country. That is the main reason many people had no choice but to vote for a man we considered old but strong enough to drive the fear of God into our recalcitrant looters. While it is the right of every Nigerian above forty to contest Presidential election, it is also the right of Nigerian youths to reject any aspirant or candidate above retirement age. This is the reasonable thing to do but if we fail to establish this principle as early as possible, we should stop lamenting like the Biblical Jeremiah. The next principle that must be critically reconsidered is the issue of zoning system. If Nigeria does not kill zoning, zoning will kill Nigeria. I do not care where the President of Nigeria comes from but I care about the age and competence and stamina of my President. Nigeria is well endowed with some of the brightest brains in the world but zoning promotes mediocrity as well as corruption. While the original idea of zoning was to promote a sense of belonging, it has since been bastardised to engender a sense of negative and destructive competition. Zoning is now a formula of rotating thievery and roguery. It is clear that in today’s Nigeria, whichever tribe attains power would always thrive better than the others. And this has generated too much tension in the land. It is one of the reasons many are agitating for restructuring right now which may eventually lead to implosion and explosion. There is no justification for this. Careful national planning is all encompassing. No tribe should feel that it would be neglected if its “person” is not in power. Visionaries do not think like that and they

do not engender such a feeling. Government is not about the sharing of positions but the development of the infrastructure and of the populace. There are practical ways we can tackle the urgent needs of Nigeria. Our present system is too slow and sluggish. In 2010, I approached Mallam Nasir El Rufai to be my running mate which he politely declined. My aim was to have a combination of similar minds from the South and the North. But something positive came out of that attempted synergy. He told me that he and a group of like minds were thinking of assembling a star-studded team and the idea would be to have like a shadow cabinet that can be sold jointly to Nigerians to give a preview of what their government would look like. For me, that remains a brilliant idea. It would be fantastic to be able to visualise what our next government would promise Nigerians in terms of personnel and content. If we had this type of arrangement before the election, it would have given us an idea of the type of leaders to expect. This would also save the political parties of acrimonious primaries. This is the beauty of the British Parliamentary system which we can adopt even in our Presidential system. Let each of our parties showcase their team instead of showing us only one strongman and a weaker Vice. APC would be forced to present a formidable team if they see that PDP has gathered some much brighter and tested team instead of an ill-assorted bunch of politicians foisted on the nation only by godfathers and political expediency. I will be too excited in the next dispensation to see such names as Yemi Osinbajo, Donald Duke, Nasir El Rufai, Babatunde Fashola, Godswill Akpabio, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Akinwumi Adesina, Charles Soludo, Oby Ezekwesili, Fola Adeola, Jimi Agbaje, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, Bukola Saraki, Yakubu Dogara, Nuhu Ribadu, Pat Utomi, Bolaji Abdullahi, Akinwunmi Ambode, Tony Elumelu, Ibe Kachikwu, Awwal Tukur, Kayode Fayemi, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Seidu Mallami, Wale Babalakin, (not in any particular order) and so many other distinguished Nigerians at home and abroad joining hands with our up and coming young Turks to move our economy and society in the right direction. The next President of Nigeria must have substantial and sufficient educational qualifications for the job. Experience in politics is not necessarily a sine qua non. Note that most, if not all, of those I have mentioned have national appeal and are detribalised to a large extent. I do not say that the President or his deputy should come from their number. Only that it would be nice to see them in a future government that has a mix of youth and experience. Divide and distribute them into different political parties and select President and Ministers from them, it won’t matter if any of them is from the North or South. If the youths don’t insist on those principles and do everything possible to enforce them, nothing is going to change. We are going to wake up the day after the election and discover that someone closer to 80 than 60 would have won again, largely assisted by those under 40. Shame!

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