Why I visited Buhari - Dein of Agbor by Vanguard Media Limited

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Court blasts FG over Dasuki •Insists he is free to travel abroad for medical attention •Summons AGF, says siege to Dasuki’s home an act of lawlessness •Dasuki suffering cancer, says his life is under threat •DSS still at Dasuki residence as at 8pm yesterday By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

USTICE Ademola Ad eniyi of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, berated the Federal Government for disobeying his order to allow former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd, to travel abroad for medication. Consequently, he summoned the new AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to appear before him on Monday, to explain why Dasuki has remained under house arrest for the past nine days. Justice Adeniyi maintained that the AGF should be ready to explain why an order the court made on November 3, permitting Dasuki to travel abroad for medical attention was violated. The summon on the AGF was sequel to complaint by Dasuki’s lawyers, led by Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN, that armed operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, barred their client from stepping out of his house. Daudu told the court that the operatives have continued to lay siege to Dasuki’s residence at No 13 John Kadiya Street, Asokoro District, Abuja , with a view to preventing him from travelling abroad for medical treatment. Operatives of the Directorate of State Security were still at the house of former National Security Adviser as at 8 pm last night, many hours after Justice Adeniyi described their action as lawlessness. A statement on the imbroglio yesterday night said, “In response to media enquiry after the court judgement, the armed operatives of DSS are still by the Residence of ExNSA Sambo Dasuki at No 13 John Kadiya Street Asokoro as at 8pm today”. Meanwhile, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, who declined to confirm or deny the presence of security operatives at Dasuki’s house in breach of the court order, yesterday, insisted that the ex-NSA was being investigated over his alleged complicity in a fresh money laundering case. His response drew the irk of Justice Adeniyi, who lambasted the DSS for not respecting a valid court order. “I have made an order which has to be obeyed and the order is to the effect that the accused be allowed to go abroad as from November 4 to treat his ailment within three weeks and return to the court on November 26 for his trial in the charges brought against him. I stand by my order, nobody is saying that the man should not be investigated but the order must be obeyed and I am not ready to bend on the order.

“I even varied the bail conditions to accommodate a surety to ensure that the accused comes back to answer the charges against him. No big deal in any new investigation, it is even a small matter to the earlier charge. I do not want this issue to escalate because it is attracting global attention and I know what that means, so my order must not be flouted. “If you have any further issue with him, let him go for his medical check-up and come back. It is the duty of all Nigerians to ensure that court orders are obeyed. I am not too happy with what is happening. It is an act of lawlessness and I believe it is not too early for the AGF to look into this mess. “The AGF has to come to my court immediately. It is in the best interest of the nation, so that the scenario will not continue. It is important that the AGF, being the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, be present in this court on Monday,” the Judge said. Justice Adeniyi had in a ruling on November 3, okayed Dasuki to travel to the United Kingdom over his “deteriorating health condition.” My life under threat – Dasuki The former NSA who is being prosecuted on a fivecount charge bordering on money laundering and alleged possession of illegal firearms, told the court that he was suffering from cancer. Meanwhile, in a fundamental right enforcement application he filed pursuant to section 36(5) 37 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as, sections 1(1) and (2) and 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Dasuki alleged that his life is currently under threat. He is praying the court to uphold his rights to dignity and security of life. He is also seeking a mandatory order compelling the Federal Government and its agents, especially operatives of the DSS, to vacate his house. Femi Fani Kayode, others in court to support Dasuki Though Dasuki was not in court when his application was heard yesterday, among his well wishers who attended the proceedings included the former Minister of Aviation and Director Media and Publicity of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organization during the 2015 general elections, Mr. Femi Fani Kayode. Fani-Kayode said he was in court to show solidarity to Dasuki, even as he berated the DSS for not respecting a valid order of the court. He said: “I have come here to express solidarity with the former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, and I am outraged about the way in which he has been treated. All of us

worked together particularly during the presidential campaign even though we lost the election. “It is most important that we stand by our own. I think that it is a little bit disconcerting when security agents camp at somebody’s gate and court orders are breached. “I am happy that in this country, we have the rule of law and people can come to court when their rights are being violated. I am here to stand in complete solidarity with him. “It is very important for him and all these people who are being marginalised, criminalised or intimidated in this country today to know that they are not alone. “Some of us have been through this over a period of time. We have been through persecutions in this country. It is at a time like this that you know who your real friends are. Dasuki is a good man, he is a man we have absolute faith in. He is a man of the future and we stand strong with him. That is why I am here today,” he said. Former governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Boni Haruna, who stood surety for Dasuki, was invited for questioning by the DSS immediately he left the court on November 3. The Federal Government had insisted that the National Hospital in Abuja is well equipped to handle whatever ailment from which Dasuki is suffering. Nevertheless, in dismissing Federal Government’s objections against Dasuki, Justice Adeniyi held that, “every citizen has a right to choose the medical facility in which he wants to be treated, in Nigeria or abroad.” Placing reliance on decided case in Abacha vs State, 2002, 5-NWLR, the court further held that ill-health constituted a special circumstance that a court should take notice of to exercise its discretion in favour of an accused person. Justice Adeniyi said that the Federal Government failed to persuade it with the argument that Dasuki is currently a sub-

President Muhammadu Buhari flanked by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Prof. Tijjani Bande (3r) in a group photograph after a parley between the President, Management and Course 37 Participants of the Institute at the State House, Abuja yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. ject of a fresh criminal investigation. On Dasuki’s application for the release of his international passport and Federal Government’s opposition on the ground that it was the only document he surrendered to secure bail on self recognition, the court dismissed the argument as “misconceived and not tenable in law.” The court stressed that the fact that the accused was on September 1, granted bail on self recognition, meant that there was no condition attached to his release. Maintaining that every accused person, in line with section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, ought to be presumed innocent until proved guilty, the trial judge said his decision to grant Dasuki’s request was also fortified by a decided case law in Ibori vs FRN which he said was on all fours with the instant case before him. “Accordingly, the application of the defendant succeeds and I hereby make the following orders; “An order is hereby made by this court releasing the applicant’s international passport to enable him to travel abroad for three weeks for medical treatment owing to his deteriorating health condition. “The Deputy Registrar of the Federal High Court is hereby directed to release the

international passport to the defendant. “It is also ordered that the defendant, upon his return to the country, should surrender his international passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar Litigation, within 72 hours upon his return,” the court ruled. Justice Adeniyi relied on section 1 75 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and varied the bail it earlier granted the former NSA to include that he should provide a surety. The court directed that the surety must sign a written undertaking to guarantee that the accused person will return to Nigeria after his medical treatment, to face his trial, “failing which the surety will take the place of the defendant pending when he makes himself available for trial.” “Alternatively, any of the lawyers to the defendant can enter an undertaking to produce him on the trial date”, Justice Adeniyi added. Dasuki was in the substantive charge before the court, alleged to have kept in his possession, funds that were proceeds of an unlawful act, an offence the Federal Governmentsaid was contrary to section 15 (2)(d) of Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011. The Federal Government alleged that he was on

July 17, 2015, at his house situated at No. 13, John Khadiya Street, Asokoro, Abuja, found to be in possession of various range of firearms without requisite license, an offence punishable under section 27 (1)(a) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004. He was further accused of retaining the sums of $40,000, N5millon and another $20,000 in the same house and same date, contrary to section 15 (2)(d) of Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011. FG told the trial court that the ex-NSA had on July 16, 2015, at his residence at Sultan Abubakar Road and Sabon Birni Road, Sokoto State, retained another $150,000 and N37.6m being part of proceedings of unlawful act, contrary to Section 15 (3) of the Money Laundering Act 2011. It listed the alleged illegal arms it found at Dasuki’s residence in Abuja as five Tavor Assault Rifles, 1 Macro Uzi with serial No 60244(Rifle), 20 magazines (Ammunition), 1 packet of MOD (Ministry of Defence) APG calibre gun, Luger No 033375 ( gun), small magazine containing 16 rounds of ammunition, and bigger magazine containing live rounds of ammunition. The former NSA had since pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

Hold Buhari responsible, if anything happens to Dasuki—Fayose Clifford Ndujihe

OVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said that President Muhammadu Buhari should be held responsible should anything untoward happen to the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), saying; “The Department of State Services (DSS) placement of the former NSA under house arrest, despite a court order that his international passport be re-

leased so that he can travel abroad for medical treatment, is wicked, inhuman, dictatorial and a clear attempt to deny him of his rights to life as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria.” The governor, who hailed the Abuja Federal High Court ruling, ordering the DSS to allow Dasuki travel abroad for medical treatment, added: “Nigerians, especially men of the judiciary, must join hands to shake dictatorship off the body of President Buhari

and his hatchet man, Alhaji Lawal Daura.” According to Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said he was particularly happy that Justice Ademola Adeniyi insisted that the court order must be obeyed and that his own orders will not be flouted, pointing out that “Nigerians, who fought late General Sani Abacha to a standstill will fight this emerging Buhari’s ‘militocracy’, which is

a clear threat to our hardearned democracy.” The governor said he was already vindicated on his earlier position that the Director-General of DSS, Lawal Daura, who is President Buhari’s kinsman, was an instrument of political persecution. He likened the DirectorGeneral of DSS to Mohammed Lawal Rafindadi of the defunct Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO) that was also used by Buhari as instrument of political persecution between 1984 and 1985.

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African Leadership University to take off in Lagos 2016 — Ambode ••Machel Mandela pledges to suppor t out-of-school

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday restated the commitment of his administration to enhance the educational sector, just as he assured that he would do everything possible to ensure the commencement of operation of the African Leadership University in Lagos in 2016. Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja while receiving a delegation of the African Leadership Foundation led by Mrs. Graça Machel, wife of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, vowed that he would support the foundation to ensure commencement of full operation of the university in Lagos next year. The Governor stated that the key agenda of the foundation which is to offer help and share experiences in education, financial inclusion and enterprise development for women, was in tandem with the cardinal objectives of his administration. The Governor disclosed that he had already set up an Employment Trust Fund, which will basically address such issues. “This is more about financial inclusion, especially for women who have been left behind and have never had that voice that we have always wanted them to have.” “We also believe strongly that what the out-of schoolchildren initiative is talking about is something that is

children very important to us and that is why I have also created an Employment Trust Fund here that will actually fit into everything you have offered.” “I’m committed to creating that enabling environment to allow this partnership blossom and to let you know that this is for real, we would engage immediately with your foundation to take this up to the next level immediately from next year and I give you that commitment also that we will create that enabling environment for the African

Leadership University to commence operation in Lagos next year,” Governor Ambode said. Earlier, Machel, who is also the founder of Graça Machel Foundation, explained that the main purpose of the visit was to offer experiences, which the foundation had acquired over the years in education, financial inclusion and enterprise development for women, and to identify and mobilise Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in helping with the initiative to massively reduce the number of

children that are out of school. She said the foundation specifically chose to partner with Lagos because the State had proven to be the driver of change. Machel was accompanied on the visit by former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law, Gbenga Oyebode; Founder of African Leadership Group, Fred Swaniker; Chief Executive Officer of Graça Machel Foundation, Nomsa Daniels; and Chief Executive Officer of Murtala Mohammed Foundation, Aisha Oyebode.

Rampaging hoodlums loot, destroy property in Oke-Afa By Esther Onyegbula

ROPERTIES worth millions have been destroyed at Oke-Afa Ilamoshe Estate area of Ejigbo as hoodlums went on a rampage on Thursday morning. It was gathered that over a thousand hoodlums accompanied by policemen who came to effect a court order, reportedly laid siege to Oke-Afa Ilamoshe Estate on Thursday morning attacking residents and destroying properties worth millions of naira. When Saturday Vanguard visited the community yesterday, the community was a shadow of itself as pebbles of destroyed houses and shops, damaged buildings, pebbles of broken glass littered different streets. All the shops were under lock and key as business owners

had fled the area. Among the properties and houses affected were Green Dale School located along Adejumo street, Redeem Christian church, shopping mall along Alade Apatira street, Gold Medal School was also destroyed, Grace events along Kudirat Adenekan street, Slon Pharmacy stores. Saturday Vanguard gathered that pupils were in their various classes when the hoodlums attacked Green Dale School and Gold Medal School where they pulled down part of the school building. According to one of the shop owners whose shop was affected, said the area was like a battlefield. ‘’At about 10 am 11 patrol vans carrying over 30 policemen filled the community. The policemen were here before the thugs stormed the area. The hoodlums were carrying different weapons and arms.

What really shocked me was that the police were here watching while these hoodlums were busy destroying our source of livelihood? Another resident said that the hoodlums claimed they had a court order to destroy shops and houses. ‘’They said residents and shop owners should park out of the estate immediately saying that the landed property belong to them, beginning from Iyana Ejigbo to OkeAfa, to NNPC. Police officers from the Lagos State Police command were at the scene watching these hoodlums unleash terror on residents. They eventually went on looting spree. We were all afraid because they were armed with dangerous weapons. If they have issues with the Adejumo’s family at least the tenants should not be made to suffer for what they know nothing about,’’ he cried.

Lagos rewards retired teachers By Kelechukwu Iruoma

O fewer than 500 retired teachers were rewarded by the Lagos State government, for their immense contributions to the development of the state during their year of active service. Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, SUBEB, Mrs. Abosede Adelaja said: “The programme is a mark of government showing unreserved commitment, care, love and compassion for the aged above 70 years. ‘’It is an avenue for government to celebrate the retired septuagenarians who had served the state meritoriously.’’ She said that the Board cherishes the invaluable contributions they have made to teaching profession in the state, adding that it was an event to appreciate and support them in their old age to

cherish their immense contributions to the development of the state. Meanwhile, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, who was represented by Mrs. Bisola Agagu, commended SUBEB for deeming it fit to organize this kind of programme for Lagos septuagenarians. She urged those still in service to emulate the sense of responsibility and dedication the retirees exhibited while in service. The Chairman, National Union of Pensioners, NUP, Lagos State, Mr. Joseph Sanya, on his part commended the state government for being consistent in paying pensions. He, however, lamented the Federal Government indebtedness to teachersstatingthatitstillowe retired primary school teachers and local government retired workers N5.7 billion.

E-track Hajj visa: Group commends NAHCON over successful implementation By AGAJU MADUGBA

HE Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has commended the National Hajj C o m m i s s i o n (HAHCON) for a s u c c e s s f u l implementation of the Etrack processing policy for pilgrims during the just concluded Hajj operations in Saudi Arabia. Introduced by the Saudi authorities, the Etrack interface links the Hajj visa of every pilgrim to a package of services consisting of

specific elements, such as housing, transporta-tion, and food service, so that the pilgrim can identify these elements in advance before his arrival in the Saudi Arabia Kingdom. Acknowledging that the online process had what it described as serious challenges, the IHR said in a statement that NAHCON was able to handle the matter and urged the Commission to direct state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards to establish ICT units and upgrade their operations in compliance with the new trends.

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Pro-Biafra protests may destabilize Nigeria, Defence Minister warns BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

INISTER of D e f e n c e , Mohammed Dan Ali, has warned that the current wave of pro-Biafra agitations in parts of the South-East of the country may escalate and constitute threat to national unity. “Nigeria is currently facing many indices of destabilization,” the Minister said yesterday when he resumed duties at the Ship House, headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja. According to him, the Federal Government in collaboration with what he described as stakeholders should brainstorm and come up with a roadmap in order to abort any processes that may destabilize the nation. He re-affirmed Federal G o v e r n m e n t ’ s commitment towards

Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I (left); Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left) of Lagos congratulating the Chairman, Akogo-Alara Ikorodu North CDC, Mr. Laja Martins as the Best CDA in the State; Commissioner for Local Government & Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Folami and Chair man, Local Gover nment Ser vice Commission, Mr. Babatunde Rotinwa during the Year 2015 Community Day Celebration held at the Police College Parade Ground, Ikeja, Lagos recently.

routing the Boko Haram insurgency in parts of the North-East of the country. According to him, “the APC had promised even before the coming of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration that it would fight the insurgency. The terrorists

are on their way out, even before the December deadline and the President has shown openly that he is ready to fight the insurgency. The Minister said that henceforth, all procurement for the military would be guided

Aviation, transport workers react with trepidation to see how we can exist BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

VIATION and transport workers have reacted to the merger of the Federal Ministry of Aviation with that of Transport with trepidation. The Chairman of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), Comrade Benjamin Okewu told stakeholders at a Joint Consultative and Negotiating Council retreat in Abuja, yesterday that the merger would make the administration too cumbersome. Okewu, therefore, expressed fears that effective service delivery in the aviation industry could suffer due to b u r e a u c r a t i c bottlenecks. Speaking on the theme: “Managing

Industry Challenges in an Emerging Economy: The Aviation Sector in Focus,” Com. Okewu said that in the light of the current developments, there was need to optimise the operations of the two ministries. Aviation sector, he further argued, was a sector which should not be experimented with because of its global nature. According to him, “We are all aware the world economy is going through challenges; the aviation industry is not left out so we are trying

with management even with this economic crunch.” “Government should rather invest in modern equipment and put in technically sound personnel in both agencies and also strengthen the regulations to make them more effective.” He however believed that the only constant thing was change, “When there are changes the union leaders are built with the capacity to absorb the change and work in line with the change mantra for the benefit of all members.”

Protest in Abeokuta over alleged exclusion from JAMB online registration BY DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

EADERSHIP of Small and Mediun Scale Computer Entrepreneurs and Artisans Association of N i g e r i a ( S C E AA N ) , Ogun State chapter , yesterday, protested the alleged exclusion from online registration for Joint Matriculation Examination Board (JAMB). President of the group, Deji Babajide, who was flanked by other members of the executive, including

Murphy Azeez, Rev. Wole Falusi, and Mrs Temitayo Adrienne, disclosed that over 20,000 business centres, computer cafe have been excluded from the online registration. Babajide while addressing newsmen in Abeokuta, noted that centralising online registration of the unified examinations would deprive a number of candidates the opportunity to get registered for the examinations.

by due process, as, according to him, “arms and ammunition, stock verification and accountability will be key and joint operation is also very important for the Army, the Air Force and the Navy. Also, jointness in operation is very important. If the army operates on its own, the Navy, the Air force must work together to achieve a common goal. “Leadership is all about integrity, honesty and transparency. There cannot be a good leader without these three things. You cannot be a good leader if you don’t have integrity, you cannot be a good leader if you don’t have honesty, so also, transparency. Forget about corruption. Corruption can never come near you if you have these qualities. So gentlemen, we should imbibe these three qualities. “Where is your integrity when your own Chief of Army Staff stood up and said his Commander- inChief of the Armed Forces has no WAEC, How? Please let us be sincere with ourselves. Because that day, you should have stood up and said no. If you leave the job, is that the end of your life? If you leave the job there are other ways, better ways that God can use to bless your life,”Ali said. He described his appointment as ordained by God, as he noted that, “we are all selected here by the grace of the Almighty God. It is not because you are better than any other person in your locality or in your course. It is not because you are the best. So, you should be answerable to the Almighty God who has honoured us and given us these leadership positions.

Obasanjo bags TASUED’s doctorate degree in political science as VC commends Amosun BY DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

HE Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University ofEducation,Ijagun,Ijebu-Ode, Prof.OluyemisiObilade has said that the university would confer honourary doctorate degree in political science on former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as part of its 10th Anniversary and 2015 Convocation ceremony. The Vice Chancellor while disclosing it said that the award was a thank you gesture to the former President under whose tenure the university was licensed on November 28, 2005. Obasanjoandothernotablepersonalitieswouldbagtheaward asoveronethousandstudentswouldgraduateatthecombined 6th and 7th convocation . th While addressing newsmen on the 10 Anniversary and 2015 Convocation ceremonies of the university , Obilade said “ten years is a very important milestone in the annals of a university”. Shealso,commendedOgunStateGovernor, SenatorIbikunle Amosun for his roles in sustaining the institution. While speaking on the challenges facing the university since she assumed the office two yeas ago, she said the institution needed fund to operate successfully. She however said in a bid to sustain the institution, the management had resolved to generate extra revenue.

Osun commences fresh round of ‘Opon Imo’ distribution BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, Osogbo

FTER initial suspension, Osun State government yesterday commenced another round of distribution of tablets of Knowledge, popularly called ‘Opon Imo’ to students in public high schools across the state. At the Adventist High School ,Ede, Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Titilaoye Tomori, said despite all odds, the government embarked on the exercise to fulfill its promise to improve education standard in the state. Represented by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Lawrence Oyeniran, Laoye-Tomori warned students against mishandling the tablets, saying if the gadget got spoilt, whoever involved would pay 50,000 fine. She added that the previous gadgets given to students were recalled last year to upgrade them and repair those that were faulty.

We won’t fail Buhari, says new State House Perm Sec BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

EWLY appointed Permanent Secretary for the State House, Abuja, Mr. Jalal Arabi has promised to help president Mohammadu Buhari to succeed in his mission to salvage Nigeria, urging all hands to be on deck. Arabi spoke shortly after the Director of Information Communication Technology in the State House, Mr. Gabriel Afu, made available to him former permanent secretary, Mr. Nebolisa Emordi’s handover note on Friday. It will be recalled that the president on Tuesday announced a shake up in the civil service that affected several permanent secretaries. Arabi who was hitherto the State House Counsel stated that he could not afford to fail either the president or the nation, stressing that as someone in the same working environment with the president p, he would be more careful.

Banire urges youths to embrace ICT BY TONY NWANKWO

HE National Legal Adviser, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Muiz Adeyemi Banire (SAN) has urged the youths in Mushin Local Government Area to prepare themselves for future challenges in the area of Information Technology. The country, he said, is tilting towards ICT, so anyone without the necessary ICT knowledge could be unemployed for a long time. Banire was speaking during the official commissioning of Mushin Project Alert, an on-line communication and interactive website. He stated that: “The task of developing Mushin LGA rests squarely on the .youths. I want to ensure that Mushin is no longer ascribed to hooliganism, being a product of this LGA myself, I am proud to be associated with Mushin, but my appeal here is to de-emphasise your demands on the local government.

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Okorocha turning Imo into a Banana State, group laments •Tells Buhari to call him to order

OR forcefully executing his privatization programme in Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha has incurred the wrath of former lawmakers and council chairmen from the State who described his actions as “barbaric and incredible”, just as they called on President Muhammed Buhari to call the governor to order. In a statement at the weekend by the former lawmakers and council chairmen, popularly known as Forum of Former Imo House Members and Council Chairman (FIHOC), they said it was shocking to learn that in spite of public outcry against the concessioning of Imo public enterprises by Governor Okorocha, the governor has taken a step further into the abyss of dictatorship by using his Imo Security Network to forcefully eject workers from health Centres and hospitals, to enforce his privatization programme. The workers were said to be resisting his privatization of these public institutions. The statement signed by the group’s Director of Public Communications, Hon. Ray Emeana, said it was sad that in spite of good counsel from concerned members of the public, including FIHOC, members of the clergy and notable public figures, against the privatization exercise, the Governor did not relent but instead went ahead to force his way through without due process. FIHOC’s statement regretted that although it had earlier advised the governor to subject the matter of privatization to the decision of the Imo public and if approved by them to follow due process in the exercise, the governor ignored their call and went ahead with a privatization process that is clearly illegal and self-serving. The statement added: “It is becoming increasingly clear to us that Imo people are up against a stone age government that believes in barbaric tactics and totalitarianism. What Governor Okorocha is doing in Imo State is clearly barbaric and incredible. We find it difficult to believe that Imo is still part of a democratic Nigeria where the rule of law reigns. Imo State government does not believe in the rule of law. It does not believe in due process. Its approach to

everything is barbaric and totalitarian and we call on President Mohammed Buhari to call him to order before it is too late” “Nothing moves the governor again. Even calls from highly placed clergymen for him to give account of the N26b bail out funds, which in spite of it

he still owes huge salary arrears and pensions, has fallen on deaf ears. So too are pleas for him to constitute a cabinet as provided for in the constitution” the statement added. It warned that Okorocha was plunging Imo State into darkness, noting that instead of a cabinet,

Okorocha now rules with a laughable task force committees arrangement, numbering over 100 task forces, including a task force on traffic light and siren, adding that even more regrettable is the fact that House of Assembly members have abandoned lawmaking for appointments as task force chairmen.

Pro-Biafra campaign: Nnamdi Kanu’s parents demand his release BY ANAYO OKOLI.

ARENTS of detained promoter of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu have urged the Federal Government to order the release their son from detention. His father, the monarch of Isiama Afaraukwu in Umuahia North Council Area of Abia State said he was surprised at the prolonged detention of his son. Addressing journalists at his Ome Udo Palace, Eze Israel Kanu, flanked by his wife, Ugoeze Nnenne Kanu, said that they were worried at the ordeal their first son has been passing through. “I am pleading with the Federal Government to release my son. Let his freedom be restored. I am aware that in Nigeria the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of expression. “I am surprised that my son is being detained. I have been asking why he is being held without getting an answer”, Eze Kanu lamented. The monarch further lamented that the agony of the family has been compounded due to their inability to have access to the detained activist, noting that they are not sure that he is alive. “I was confused because my son was coming to see me when he was arrested. When I asked where he was arrested they said Abuja. I sent to confirm his state of health and the report I got is that he is alive, that is why I am able to talk now”.

Ritualists abandon baby in Abia BY UGOCHUKWU ALARIBE

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi flanked by the Deputy Gov, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Chief of Staff, Sir Victor Atuonwu (right) and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Ikeje Asogwa (left) as he cuts the tape to flag off the construction of Enugu Road junction, Nsukka-Umuezebi-Nru junction-University gate road at Nsukka, yesterday.

Ugwuanyi flags-off construction of five additional roads in Enugu BY CHINEYE CHINWE

N continuation of his mass road construction in Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has flagged-off construction of five additional roads in the state amidst jubilation from the benefitting people of

Enugu North senatorial zone. The roads are OpiNsukka dual carriage way, Obechara road junction – Umuakashi Mechanic Village – Ikenga Hotels Junction and the Post Office round about – Odenigbo round about – Ogurugu road – Ikenga

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi cuts a tape to flag-off the construction of Abakpa Nike-Nike Lake road, yesterday.

Hotels junction and the Enugu road Nsukka junction – Umezebi – Nru junction – University gate, all within the university town of Nsukka. The others include Ohom Orba junction – Imilike Ani – Ezimo Uno – Ezimo Agu – Imilike Ogbodu Aba – Obollo Afor Roads , all designated as Udenu ring roads as they are located within Udenu council area and are linked one to the other. In a speech before the flag-off in each area, Ugwuanyi recalled his inauguration speech of 29th May 2015 when he said that the principle trust of his administration was the creation of more urban areas in the state, adding that the flag-off of the roads was in keeping with the promise. In his words, “I wish to thank God for the opportunity given to us to serve you in the capacity we found our selves. You may recall that I made it clear in my inauguration speech that one of the principle thrusts of this administration would be creation of more urban areas in the state.”

baby boy who was allegedly sold to ritualists by his grandmother has been abandoned in a local community in Abia state. Recall that the Abia Police Command, on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of a woman, who allegedly sold her three-year-old grandson to a ritualist. The suspect allegedly confessed to the police that she sold the boy for N100, 000 to a native doctor in Akwa Ibom and wanted to use the money to buy a motorcycle before end of the year. Eyewitnesses told Saturday Vanguard that the baby boy was abandoned at Okpuamaukwu Village in Obingwa local government area at about 11pm. “We had already retired for the day when we heard the cries of baby immediately after a motorcycle rode past our residence. When we summoned courage to observe what was happening, we saw the baby crawling close to our residence, only to discover that it was the missing baby boy. We started shouting and praising God for the return of the baby and people began to gather. Within few minutes, we heard the sound of motorcycle which took off again.” Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Command, DSP Ezekiel Onyeke who confirmed the incident told Vanguard that the baby has been reunited with his family while the grandmother is still being detained at the Eastern Police Division, Umuobiakwa.

Ford allots US$50 000 environmental grants to Sub-Saharan Africa

ORD Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants has announced the release of a new grant for projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) which forms part of its Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. The programme is designed to assist research and conservation projects as well as those focusing on energy efficiency, waste and water management as well as environmental education and awareness. Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants said in a statement that it allocated US$50 000 for projects in the SSA region, with the main focus on environmental sustainability. “This unique and innovative global program gives university and college students as well as non-profit organisations a chance to develop sustainable projects that will improve their communities. Proposals are submitted to Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa for review and the funds will be dispersed to the projects selected by the judging panel in order to further develop these initiatives.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 — 9

Amaechi plans for rail transport, Kachikwu out for leakages By Favour Nnabugwu & Michael Eboh

OME of the ministers inaugurated Wednesday have spoken of their mission.

Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment responded accordingly. We’ll increase the revenue base We are here to open up the nation to economic diversification through increase in the revenue base and provide a veritable substitute to oil as the main foreign exchange earner for Nigeria. This administration inherited enormous challenges and unless we all work together to change our present outlook speedily, the trust and confidence placed in us by the electorate would be a mandate misplaced. Rotimi Amaechi: Minister of Transport and Aviation Mass transportation through rail, our priority. We are going to work towards completing abandoned rail projects. They will help create employment and ease mass transportation of people. Our mandate is to deliver quality service to the people in accordance with the change agenda. It is important that we realize that we have a mandate and to also have it at the back of our minds that there is huge competition among the MDAs on which will deliver first. If you come to me to gossip about anyone, you can be sure that l will tell the person concerned that this is what you said and you will be there to defend yourself. I am not as bad as they say. A lot of names have been given to me but I believe in principles. I

MANDELA'S WIDOW IN LAGOS: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), discussing with Founder, Graca Machel Trust & Inaugural Chancellor, African Leadership University, Mrs. Graca Machel Mandela (left) and Managing Partner, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode (middle), during a courtesy visit to the Governor yesterday.

don’t like protocols. When I say I hate corruption, I mean it. I don’t give bribe and I don’t take either. If you want to relate with me don’t give me money and don’t ask me for money.” “Just do your job creditably. Don’t see me on the road and run away. I am not as bad as they make

it seem. I don’t steal and l don’t befriend thieves and don’t put me in a position that l will not be able to call a thief, a thief. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources said We’ll cut costs, check leakages. The work environment

and the perception about this ministry must change. We are working hard to do that at the NNPC and the ministry that has supervisory powers of the NNPC must even do more. We have dwindling resources and yet the whole nation depends on funding.

Delta Guber election: Ogboru files notice of appeal in Benin By Gab Ejuwa

HIEF Great Ovedje Ogboru, governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the April 11 gubernatorial election has filed a notice of appeal against the October 26 judgement of the Governorship Election Tribunal which upheld the election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. The notice was filed on November 12, 2015 at 5:06pm in the Court of Appeal, Benin with petition number EPT/DT/

GOV/23/2015 seeking to set aside the judgement. The notice stated that their Lordships at the lower tribunal erred in law and came to perverse decision in determining the preliminary injections of 1st respondent, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, 2nd respondent, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 3rd respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which were dated 5th, 23rd and 24 June respectively. Ground 4 of the appeal stated that the lower tribunal erred in law and came to wrong decision when it struck out the further written statement of

Mr. Turner Ogboru on the oath filed along with the appellant’s reply to the 3rd respondent’s reply to the petition. It added on ground 5 of the appeal that the lower tribunal misdirected themselves on the case of the appellant in relation to ‘exhibit P2A’, the Delta State polling unit by unit report of total number of accredited voters, perverse decision that documentary evidence must be evaluated along with other evidence before the tribunal before a conclusion can be reached as to the question of whether over-voting was proved.

Pessu market, Warri burns again By Egufe Yafugborhi

ESSU Market in Warri, Delta state where fire claimed one life earlier in January was again up in flames yesterday. Though no life was lost in latest incident, affected traders valued goods lost to the raging fire in millions of Naira. Traders who spoke to Saturday Vanguard speculated that the inferno could have been sparked by faulty electricity and escalated fast on contact with black market petroleum products and illicit gin (Ogogoro) commonly sold in the market.

Stephen Pessu, former Chairman of the environmental sanitation committee of the market, said trade wares destroyed in the fire included thousands of bags of cement, auto spare parts, assorted drinks, several cartons of fish among food items. “We plead with the state government to help rebuild the stores for traders that have lost everything in the fire”, he said. Jane Okimigi, chairperson, Ilaje Women Association lamented, “Everything was burnt to ashes and right now I feel very bad, confused. We will appreciate if government can help us get back on our feet.”

Edwin Clark varsity opens, grants scholarship to 100

By Egufe Yafugborhi

NE hundred foundation students are set to bene fit from scholarships of N250,000 each as the much anticipated Edwin Clark University opens today (Saturday) in Kiagbodo, Burutu local government area, Delta state with maiden matriculation. Briefing the press yesterday ahead of the event, Vice Chancellor, VC, of the university, Prof. Timothy Alagbemiro said the occasion will also feature investiture of the founder, Chief Edwin Clark as Chancellor with keynote address by former Kano state governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau. The VC noted, “The education support scheme under the Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Tuition-free Scholarship is in furtherance of the the school founder’s passion for education and strong belief that brilliant indigent students should not be denied the right to education due to financial challenges. “From conception to this takeoff point, Chief Clark has committed over N4B into this project. With 24 structures including a 1000seater auditorium, we stand to be challenged as the university with the most readiness structures at takeoff in the annals of Nigerian universities.” In his remarks, Chief Clark said he was motivated to set up the institution mainly to leave a lasting legacy for the benefit of humanity after he has served his time on earth. “The project has taught me that setting up a university is far less challenging than sustaining it. Going to 89 years of age, I could not have thought of any better legacy to live behind. I was a teacher for many years and I am passionate about promoting education for as many willing people”, Clark stated.

One missing as passenger boat capsizes on PH-Okrika river By Jimitota Onoyume

NE person was missing when a boat capsized on the Port Harcourt-Okrika route on thursday night. Some boat drivers who spoke to the Vanguard at the Okrika jetty in Marine base, Port Harcourt said the boat was carrying 20 passengers when it suddenly capsized. They said 19 passengers swam out while one person was still missing as at yesterday. They pleaded with the state and Federal Government to clear the waterways of wreckages, saying they were responsible for boat mishap on the route. One of them, Mr Opus Onari said the government should also provide enough safety jackets for the routes. He said the ones they have were not enough for the volume of travellers on the route, adding that most of those plying the route work in Port Harcourt but reside in Okrika. He said divers were still searching for the missing person.

Nigeria’s first consumer review platform launched By Oghene Omonisa

IGERIA’S first consumer review platform has been launched. The web platform, have-your-say.ng, which was launched in Abuja during the week will provide a forum for users of services and products in Nigeria to review and share their experiences online. According to Mr. Julius Ogunro, the CEO of Peach Communications, operators of the platform, the idea behind it was to give Nigerian consumers power by having their voices heard on the quality of goods and services offered in the country. “We want consumers to exercise more powers over their shopping experiences, believing that that will make providers of services take them more seriously if they know that the consumer can easily share his or her experience online, which may affect how other potential consumers perceive that outfit”, he said.

Ogulagha chief congratulates monarch

HIEF Prefugha Karawei, the senior palace adminis trative chief of Ogulagha kingdom, Burutu local government, Delta State; has congratulated the paramount ruler of Ogulagha kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Joseph Timiyan, on his 10th coronation anniversary. Karawei, the Public Relations Officer of Ogulagha Traditional Council Chiefs, in a statement yesterday in Warri, also commended the monarch for the sustainable peace and unity in the kingdom. “ We have been enjoying relative peace and unity among Ogulagha people under the leadership of our respected traditional ruler. It has been ten years of fruitfulness and peace”.

10 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 OPINION

Bayelsa poll: Southern Ijaw communities defy downpour to receive Dickson By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa & Ikechukwu Nnochiri

•As HDP asks court to abort election

HE people of Southern Ijaw communities have thrown their weight behind the re-election bid of the incumbent governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, describing his visit to all the communities in the area as historic. The Governor during his three-day community to community campaign, visited Koluama I and II, Foropa, Ukubie, Ogboinbiri, Olugbobiri and Korokorosei, Igbomotoru, Peremabiri and Azuzuama. Meanwhile, Hope Democratic Party (HDP) has approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, asking it to abort the governorship election. In the suit marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/904/2015, the party urged the court to nullify the election guidelines and timetable released by INEC on July 10, 2015, on the ground that they offended section 153 and 159 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Aside HDP, the suit which was equally endorsed by Chief Bulus Wombu and Hon. King George as coplaintiffs , has INEC as the sole defendant. In all the communities visited, the people came out in their numbers to give the campaign train a rousing reception with drumming, singing and dancing to solidarity songs. Commending the Governor for his developmental strides, especially the ongoing Yenagoa-Oporoma Road, the affected communities said when completed the road would attract local and foreign investors to the area. The Tovernor, according to them, has been able to impact on all the communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area adding that his achievement in the area of security is unequalled. “The Restoration government has been able to curtail the activities of sea pirates on our waterways, while the issue of illegal oil

R-L: Secretary General of the Alumni Association of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies(AANI), Comrade Issa Aremu; member, Alh. Isa Funtua; President, Maj. Gen. Lawrence Onoja and Vice President, Dr. Garba Usman Tetengi, during the Presidential Dinner for Graduating Senior Executive Course 37 Participants of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies held yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

bunkering in the area is gradually becoming a thing of the past,” the Governor said. The communities which make up ward 16 assured the Governor of their determination to give their votes’ en block to the PDP, adding, “we had held tenaciously to the PDP in rain and shine in times past and no amount of flattery, deceit or bait can sway our concrete resolve. History will vindicate you and the Tubo people. We are for the PDP and nothing else.” They, however, appealed to the Governor to construct the Toru-Ebeni –Ukubie-Lobia Road, reconstruct the abandoned Ukubie General

Hospital and canalize the Azuzuama River linking Ikebiri 1 community. At Koluama, a onetime Commissioner for Housing Development under the Dickson-led administration eulogized the Governor for giving the communities a sense of belonging. Responding, Governor Seriake Dickson expressed delight over their show of support and promised to look into their request. HDP in its prayer filed through their lawyer, Mr. Tony Esiegbe, they prayed the court to, among other things, “determine whether by virtue of section 153 and 159 of the 1999 Constitution, INEC, operating with two

out of nine National Electoral Commissioners, could be said to have formed a quorum to issue a valid time table and guidelines for the conduct of governorship election in Bayelsa State to warrant excluding the plaintiffs to participate in the said elections scheduled to hold on December 5, 2015, or thereafter.” They applied for an order setting aside INEC’s guideline dated June 19, 2015, issue and direct that a new date be set for the Bayelsa governorship election through a validly initiated and scheduled programme and guideline. Meantime, no date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

Urhobo denounces inclusion in map of Biafra Perez Brisibe

HE Urhobo nation yesterday denounced its membership in the proposed map of Biafra by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. Making the position known yesterday in a statement, National Publicity Secretary of the Urhobo Progress

Union, UPU, Alhaji Mumakai-Unagha, warned that Urhobo and its territories should be counted out from any IPOB plan. “IPOB have their rights of agitation for freedom of self determination as enshrined in the united nation declaration stressing that other ethnic

groups should not be dragged along to avoid the mistake that led to the civil war. “The magnanimity of Urhobos in allowing Igbos celebrate the Igbo Cultural Day should not be taken for granted as we urge IPOB to delist Urhobo from its proposed map.”

Torch Taire’s funeral starts November 19, 2015

HE family of popular Lagos businessman Torch Taire, who passed on in Lagos mid-October, at 82 after a brief illness, has announced the dates for the funeral. According to the family, the funeral starts on Thursday November 19, with service of songs at Yaba Baptist Church Sabo Yaba from 5pm to 7pm. This will be followed on Tuesday November 24, with lying in state at 5pm at his residence, The Grey Stones, 5 Kunle Adebowale Street, Anthony Village. There will be commendation service at Yaba Baptist Church from 8am to 8:45am on Wednesday November

25. The program then moves to Warri, where funeral service will be held on Thursday November 26, from 10am to 12 noon at First Baptist Church, Effurun, Uvwie L.G.A, Delta State. This will be followed by interment at the family compound in Effurun. Then back to Lagos where there will be Thanksgiving Service on Sunday November 29, at Yaba Baptist Church, Lagos from 8am to 10am. The programme ends with a thanksgiving party the same afternoon from 1pm at Anthony Village Sports Field, Adebayo Mokuolu Street, Anthony Village.

The re-emergence of Dr. Olajide Idris, as Lagos State Commissioner for Health By Roy Gregory

furore of a frightening dimension made it’s way over a year ago into the Subconscious of the nation health care landscape, as a result of a deadly Epidemic virus called Ebola, which made it’s way into the state through the first reported index case of one Amos Sawyer, who was to be the first victim. And also infected and claimed the lives of an unsuspecting medical personnel of a private hospital in Lagos, led by the irreplaceable Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, who attended to him in the first instance. The entire episode and experience, remains fresh and still resides in the psyche of the residents in the state. Dr. Olajide Idris, then commissioner for health of the state, rose up to the deadly challenge and mobilized and remained an example to the end, encouraged a deft and robust advocacy management drive for a troubled sttate, and by extension the nation, as the Ebola epidemic raged, leaping onto the front pages and headlines, since the deadly virus was unknown in our clime and history. In his unflinching resolve to bring to an end to the menacing scourge of the Ebola virus, he was able to inspire hope, where panic was evident in all the nooks and crannies of the state, since Lagos State stood out in all ramifications as the epicentre of the first reported case of the Ebola saga. He made the State Ministry of Health support staff, stay proactive and showed direction right from the outbreak of the virus, which was key among other factors for the overall success and routing of the scourge from becoming a crisis in the state. We owe Dr. Olajide Idris a debt of gratitude for the very able way he and his colleagues shut the door against the Ebola virus from the state. We salute the various CMDS of the state hospitals, LASUTH etc who showed true professionalism during the aforementioned state of anomaly. I did not make a dance or sound of it, but watching Dr. Jide Idris from the sidelines,I was encouraged to see him display a rare pedigree of an unassuming but faithfully commitied public servant that means well for the state he serves. Finally, I salute the wisdom and courage that assailed the direction of mind of His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, for bringing back a good brand into his administration.

B-R-I-E-F-S

VVF: Patients get free surgery from Niger First Lady By Wole Mosadomi IFE of the Niger state Governor, Dr. Amina W Sani Bello, has embarked on a free surgical operation for women with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) in the state just as plans are on the way to establish a VVF Centre in Minna, the state capital. The project which took off in Kontagora local government area of the state yesterday saw 20 persons receiving free surgey operation.

The project is also expected to be implemented in the two other Zones of the state soon in order to spread the gesture to all the nook and cranny of the state. Speaking to newsmen at the General Hospital, Kontagora, Dr. Bello said the aim was to sensitize women with the ailment as she described VVF as an ailment which usually affects poor women and that majority of those infected do not have the resources for its treatment.

Petroleum engineers take safety campaign to Warri tankers drivers By Akpokona Omafuaire

•Torch Taire

HE Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Warri Chap ter, during the week, took its campaign for safety driving to the Independent Marketers Branch of NUPENG (IMB) and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) at the Petroleum Products Marketing Company depot, Ekpan with a view to enjoying accident-free ember months. Its Chairman, Engr. Ignatus Anyanwu, who led the team to the depot said that the society places so much value on the human life, hence they embarked on the sensitization programme. Anyanwu in his opening remarks urged drivers, mostly the tankers drivers to ensure that they comply with all safety and road safety regulations. “We may not have good roads but in using these roads, we need to be careful so that we can get home safely. Our mission is to teach people on professional competence, and to consider other road users while driving”, he stated.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—11

Why I visited

Buhari —Dein of Agbor

• Speaks on Obasanjo, Jonathan, Ooni of Ife, Olu of Warri, new ministers By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South and Theresa Ugbobu

IS Royal Majesty, Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi 1, Dein of Agbor Kingdom, Anioma, Delta State, recently met with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Villa, Abuja has opened up exclusively to Saturday Vanguard at his palace in Agbor. He spoke on burning issues in the country, including Niger-Delta and Buhari’s ministers. Excerpts: We learned that you had an accident on Benin-Ore road recently; former President Olusegun Obasanjo was also involved in one along LagosIbadan expressway, what do you say about Nigerian roads? First and foremost we thank you for pointing that out. When you heard somebody had an accident, the next thing you do is to pray and thank God nobody is hurt. The state of the road for the record had nothing to do with the accident. It was simply unfortunate loss of control because of heavy rain. And of course, when you are running in a convoy, if one is not careful, once the first escort C M Y K

has lost control, it is very difficult for the other cars to keep up the same pace. Therefore, please the state of the road for the record had nothing to do with this accident per se. However, in Nigeria as a whole, yes, the state of the road is quite deplorable. I know that when I went to Warri to see Tompolo (High Chief Government Ekpemupolo) and others to discuss some issues concerning national security and appeal to those in the Niger Delta to be patient this moment in time in our history , I saw that the roads in Warri were absolutely deplorable. I went to suggest to them that they should not go back to their agitations and give Mr. President some time to sort out issues. Actually, I went to pay a courtesy call to my brother, Olu of Warri and I found out that he had passed on. The roads were very bad indeed, but as you know, we have a new President; we have a new Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. His Excellency had on several occasions, told me specifically that the roads, whether at Delta South, Central and North senatorial districts are something of great

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12—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

Speaks on Obasanjo, Jonathan, Ooni of Ife, Olu of Warri Continues from page 11 concern to him. In addition, I am sure everybody in the country understands that this raining season has been something that we have never seen before. We are in November now; the rains are still quite heavy, so both at the federal and state levels, the governments are asking for some patience. Mr. President is very keen; I understand that the Senate and House of Representatives recently visited some of states in the eastern part of the country to assure them that as soon as the rain stops and some funds made available, certainly, the appropriate agencies will address the problem. The state of Nigerian roads is generally bad and unfortunately we lose many lives through them every year and it is certainly the responsibility of our governments. We are hoping that within the next few months, we shall see upsurge in the construction of the roads. You visited President Buhari recently; we want to know what took you to Aso Villa? First, he is my President. I had visited him in January 2014 to give my support and I will continue to visit him as my president throughout his tenure. He has always been somebody that I wanted to meet in the past because of his sterling qualities. I had not seen him since he won the election and since he became president. I sent him a national congratulatory message via the newspapers and I thought it was necessary I paid him a courtesy call. There were also a number of issues that are quite pressing to me concerning national security, concerning the youths in particular. These were some of the issues I felt that I should bring up to him. As a responsible Nigerian, I believe that if I see anything that is irregular, if I hear anything that is irregular or there is anything that I am not comfortable with, and I feel that it is very important, then, I will make my opinion and feelings known to Mr. President. It is the same thing that I do with my governor, just like when he came back from India with the President, I called Dr. Okowa and we discussed the trip and what to do to move the state and country forward. Therefore, I am just being a responsible Nigerian. I cannot recall that during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s six-year tenure that you want to see him? That is very correct, it was not for sake of not trying. I tried several times to visit Jonathan, unfortunately and I will say categorically, those people that were around Jonathan, who caused him his problem, stopped many good people trying to see Jonathan. I know that Jonathan wanted to see me at a time. However, I will continue to say, you can C M Y K

have a very good leader with a good heart and good intentions but if people who do not share his vision surround him, if people who do not share his goals surround him, they will hamper those good intentions severely. They were a number of people that were around Jonathan that did what hampered many good leaders, they block, they stop the right people from seeing him and it becomes quite frustrating. Jonathan was the only president of this country that I was not able to see freely. I was able to see President Obasanjo very freely, Yar’Adua was not there for long but our correspondences were quite good. Unfortunately, I felt that those around Jonathan at a time choked him and distanced him from the Nigerian people. It was quite sad. Nigerians want to know what you told President Buhari and what he said in response to the issues? The issues that were quite pressing to me as I mentioned to you. Some few months ago, I went to see Niger Delta young man (referring to Tompolo)…I was worried by the problem we are having with Boko Haram. I knew that the Niger Delta situation was a very sensitive one and I felt it was very important to see some of the boys in the Niger Delta, and after discussing with them, as a monarch, I felt I should go and let the President know exactly what I discussed with them and how I felt about the discussion with them . I did just that, some of the issues I am sure you will understand, are sensitive national security issues and I will not discuss openly. We all understand that there is much sensitivity around the nation; I believe he is an honest man and he has good intentions for the country. Once again, I will like to appeal to those around him not to choke him, they should not hide the truth from him, do not hide facts from him because at the end of the day… I believe Jonathan was a good man, I believe he wanted to do many good things but once the failures come, they will hang them around the President’s neck. Therefore, I think it is very important that those who wish to help Mr. President should see him. Before you met with Buhari, what were your impression about him and your current impression after meeting him? Like I mentioned, I had met Buhari as far back as January 2014 and to be very fair, I do not want to make people think I am making this up. In my first meeting with the man, I was quite shocked by his humility. Eh, when you are or you have been in a position of power and you are still humble, that is quite a great thing for me. The president is a very humble man, he is very meek and a well-mannered person. He knows how to control his emotions and he is a very intelligent man. One

pray that he is able to meet other people of like minds to help him move the country forward the way he wishes.

Like I mentioned, I had met Buhari as far back as January 2014 and to be very fair, I do not want to make people think I am making this up. In my first meeting with the man, I was quite shocked by his humility

thing I do know about Mr. President is that he listens to what people are saying; he thinks about his answers and he deliberates. Humility is very important to me. I will still always refer to President Obasanjo. I remember very clearly one time that I was on a Virgin flight back to London and I watched Obasanjo walk down the economy class, sitting down and talking with Nigerians. But I dont think he is portrayed that way. The Obasanjo that people talk about is different. There is one thing I dislike about some Nigerians. When a Nigerian cannot get something from you, all of a sudden, you become the worst person in the world. It is not a good thing. Because you did not get your way with somebody does not mean that you should now go on to castigate that person or to run that person down. Your relationship with people is always going to be different; there will be times our relationship, as we know each other, will be cordial. May be a time in future, I might do something that could offend you or you may do something that could upset me, that should not lead me to start telling people that Emma Amaize is a horrible person or is not a good person because I know better. So, we as Nigerians, we need to realize that the state of the nation is in a very sensitive place right now, one of things that is destroying us as a people is actually our mouth. We really do a lot of destruction to our brothers and sisters and to the nation as a whole with the way we discuss and talk so negatively about ourselves and is something that need to change. Mr. President is a good man and he certainly has good intentions for the nation. I only

You said before you met Buhari you met with Tompolo, what was his impression of Buhari, which you conveyed to Mr. President and what is their attitude now after your visit? We have spoken on the phone. I spoke with Tompolo and few others after my visit to Buhari and it was simply a matter of telling them, look, I have seen Mr. President, he understands your views, he understands where you are coming from. Unfortunately, it is he, who wears the shoe that knows where it hurts, and unless you are living in the Niger Delta with these boys and going through what they are going through, you will never understand the struggle and the pains that they have. I know that certainly Tompolo has been a good leader to his people, he is certainly not happy with a number of situations. One of the sad situations is about the Maritime University, the fact that it has not taken off by now, the fact that funds were approved in the past but have not been released up till now is unfortunate and a sore point in the Amnesty programme. So many of them are still abroad, there were some few situations where they did not release money recently, it caused some embarrassment and some of them were sent home before the end of their courses. Certainly, we are not living in a perfect world and there are many more issues that I believe the Niger Delta people need to discuss with the presidency in other for them to move forward and in order for us to have some form of peace. Just as I wish that Boko Haram and some of these people on killing spree will choose dialogue. Why would anybody opt for violence to make any point? It is very embarrassing and sad that some Nigerians are willing to spend millions of naira to humiliate human beings instead of developing Nigeria. Do you think Buhari can change this country with his ministers? I would have personally liked to see new faces. Eh, I cannot talk about majority of these people because I do not really know them and I refuse to join

Nigerians to castigate people that they have never met and interacted with. It shows a very low level of intellect to talk badly about somebody you do not know and interacted with. In time, I will certainly have the opportunity to interact with some of these ministers because I am not shy of approaching government officials and telling them what I feel. Government officials are here to serve the citizens and people of Nigeria. Maybe so many people do not understand what the word representative mean, they represent us, they are not lord over us, they work for us, and they are civil servants and representatives of the people. It is when you treat people in a derogatory manner that I’ll have issues with that. Certainly, I believe that this is a huge country, we have so many bright minds. I would hope that Buhari does not waste too much time with ministers who are not ready to work. I will certainly encourage him to drop any minister who is not working. Some of them had the opportunity to show us what they could do in the past. Those like Babatunde Fashola, he did an amazing job in Lagos state even if some people disagree. I personally have seen some of his handiwork. He is a very

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SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—13

Continues from page 12 intelligent man, I wish him the best. I am not trying to be tribalistic, I have to be very proud of my own - Dr. Ibe Kachikwu (laughter), and I think we already have one of the best ministers that we can possibly put forward. I have interacted with him myself and to my complete and pleasant shock, he is one of the most intelligent people that I have come across. In addition to his intelligence, the humility is there, the eagerness to do more for the nation is there. I do not know many of the ministers. I think I met one of them. My appeal to them is to serve Nigeria well. Together with Mr. President let’s all move Nigeria forward and take it to the next level and stop suffering the way we are suffering now. It has become increasingly clear that ex governors, ministers and others that had served their states and country are being picked up for one fraud or the other, where is this problem from , with the country or the individuals? I think the problem is twofold; certainly with both the country and individual. The country because we continue to make laws every year but are we actually executing the laws, that is the problem of the country. This problem of the country encourages the individuals to continue to flout these laws. If we are able to ascertain that somebody is involved in some type of criminal activity, be it fraud, rape, theft, grievous bodily harm to another individual, etc, there should be a punishment. It should not take so long in the court, they should deal with it as expeditiously as possible. This swill serve as a deterrent to others. I promised Vanguard readers that I would ask your opinion about the public spat between the governor of Edo state and the former Minister of Niger Delta whenever I meet you again because they descended to the market square after you warned about it in our previous interview, what do you say? I will like to urge Mr. President on this matter, if people in government decides to embarrass themselves in public, they are not just embarrassing themselves; they are embarrassing the entire nation. The moment you decide to take public office, you are no longer just representing yourself, you are no longer just representing the members of your household, you are now representing your country, state and local government. If you do not know how to control yourself, please remove yourself from the public eye. Therefore, I appeal to Mr. President not to take it likely with any public official that decides to go on a rant in public. As a public official, you should not be ranting in public, have your point and make your point. If you know as a public official that you are so upset that you might not be

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Speaks on Ibori, Uduaghan, fights for his people able to talk right there and then, there is nothing wrong in saying that you do not want to talk about the issue right now and give another date and time that you will be able to discuss the issue. So far, how do you see the performance of Governor Okowa and your reaction to his tribunal victory? I congratulated the governor as soon as I heard his victory at the tribunal. Delta state has always been clearly a PDP state. Okowa has always been a popular candidate, so it did not completely shock me that he was successful at the tribunal. He performed well as a senator. So as much as I congratulate him on his victory, now is the time for him to start his honest work within the state. I look forward to him doing what I believe he can do for the state, which is making it one of the visible states in the country and a state that will work and move forward. Certainly he needs the help of all Deltans, certainly at some point, one has to be a good sportsman. When you have lost at some point, you join to make what is on ground better. Am sure the opposition might have grievances, I am aware that Okowa has made overtures to the opposition to try and bury the hatchet. I hope that they are able to do that so that the state can concentrate on development and we can move forward as a people. People said you were blunt with the immediate past former governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, I hope you will also be blunt with Okowa or are you going to give him pat on the back because he is from Anioma? I do not give anybody a pat on the back even if you are my brother, sister, mother,

If you are a good person, you will get along with me, if you are not a good person, you will not get along with me related to me or because you come from any particular place, I give people a pat on the back depending on their performance and upon what you put forward as a human being. If you are a good person, you will get along with me, if you are not a good person, you will not get along with me. Uduaghan, a misunderstood leader People are different. Chief James Ibori is different from Dr Uduaghan. Ibori is currently in jail but he has friends more than many top Nigerians who are enjoying great freedom. That’s simply because of his type of person. Ibori was very open to friends and many others. I know Uduaghan. He is a very misunderstood person. He is a nice person but who keeps to himself. It is just that he keeps to his own company alone. He is a very difficult man to read, he is a very intelligent man, therefore, when you say I was blunt with him, it depends on

what the issue was. I have a people that I am responsible for and if at a point I believe my people deserve something, I will speak out for their needs. I do not have a choice. I speak out for my people for I know I know my ancestor’s responsibility to the entire Delta North. I am still trying to understand the country ,I just finished a nine- year tenure as chancellor of the University of Ilorin and all of a sudden, very unexpectedly, I have just been made a chancellor in a completely different country. When I get there, I have to be very quiet, observant, I speak no word of French whatsoever, so I am going to be very patient and take time to understand both the students, staff and the country of Republic of Benin. Trust is very important, I remember again, I always call on Obasanjo. We sat one day having breakfast and he said to me, ‘do you know what people do not like about me?’ I said what daddy? He said , ‘I am too blunt for them, I tell them the truth and often, human beings do not want to be told the truth. I enjoy hearing the truth, whether it favors me or not, I enjoy hearing the truth. I enjoy criticism, but criticism can be in a negative way, criticism can be in a positive way. I am not perfect myself, so we all strive to learn from each other and that is why God said do unto others as you want others to do unto you. Because truly, you do not know whom the man or woman standing next to you is, He could be truly God right there in disguise and you tell that poor person, my friend, get out, you do not know that is Christ testing you; you just lost your chance to enter heaven. Therefore, the best thing you do is to respect others, as you want others respect you in life You are becoming a veteran chancellor at your age,

yesterday; it was University of Ilorin, today, a university outside Nigeria, it appears there is something in you that some of us do not know yet? I believe that President Obasanjo saw that a young man as a chancellor would do a lot to invigorate the students of the University of Ilorin and that was why he took me there. I had an amazing time in Ilorin; the students are very disciplined and were hardworking. Their lecturers were dedicated to their job. One thing that impressed me was the judicious spending they made of government funds. Every year I went there to commission one project. This new university in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, of course it is a new university, they have been very smart to have a new president of the university, Bishop Adeyemi, this young man will be able to grow with this university. Am 38 years old now, the president and founder is 43, so if we are able to work together, there will be many amazing things that we are going to do for the university. You just talked about God; the Bible says the heart of the king is in the hands of God, in your tenure so far as king, have you really been felt God controlling your heart and how? In my every breath. I will not join people who find easy ways to make wealth in this nation and damn their reputation. I have a responsibility to my people, it shows that the Almighty God gave this throne to me and it passes from me to my next generation, I do not want it damaged. I do not have the right to destroy this throne, so in everything that I do, I try to be straightforward, I try to be honest, I try not to feel myself above others and I try to be as clear as I am about how I feel. I do not hide my feelings from people, as a king, I sort matters out. As a king, I have a responsibility to judge issues and depending on how I judge such issues, so will my Father in heaven judge me and I fear that judgment. I love but I also fear the Almighty God. These are two different things and we must have both when we are dealing with people. In Ife kingdom, we now have an Ooni -elect, in Warri kingdom, we also have an Olu-elect, what does this signify to you? Once again, I want to say my condolences to the people of Warri and Ife kingdoms for the demise of two great and wonderful men. In fact, just last night, I was on YouTube and I was watching a not so clear procession of the installation of the former Olu of Warri and it almost brought tears to my eyes. To see my friend again and to see him whole and hearty, he was dear to me but with age comes change. He has had his time on the throne, he has moved on to a new person. The former Ooni, who was a very good friend and was like a father figure to me had a very blessed time on the throne. So these great kingdoms now have elects, who will very soon ascend the thrones, it is a glimmer of hope for the future.

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

IBADAN:

NIGERIA’S HOME OF MANY FIRSTS •Continues from last week

D.O FAGUNWA he writings of D.O Fagunwa in Ibadan, encouraged the writings of Amos Tutuola, a barely literate man, who was born in 1920 in Abeokuta, but lived his life in Ibadan, until his death at the age of 77 in 1997. Amos Tutuola, was a Store keeper, with the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation in 1956. Despite his short formal education, he joined the Ibadan Writers Elite- the Mbari Mbayo Club of Ulli Beier and Wole Soyinka. He was the author of the popular book “The Palm-wine Drunkard” in 1952. The University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, founded in 1962, started from the present North Campus of the Ibadan Polytechnic, then known as the Nigerian College of Arts and Science. It took it’s first set of 244 students on the 22nd of September 1962, with five faculties; - Agriculture, Arts, Economics, Social Studies (now Social Sciences), and Law. The university resided in Ibadan until January 1968, when it finally relocated to its new permanent Campus in IleIfe. It’s first Vice Chancellor was Professor Oladele Ajose, succeeded in 1966 by Professor Hezekiah Oluwasanmi, a University of Ibadan Agricultural Economist. ADEKUNLE FAJUYI In recognition of Governor Adekunle Fajuyi’s efforts, in the early relocation of the University to Ile-Ife, (when he was the then governor of the Western region), the first male hostel- Fajuyi Hall, was named after him. Ibadan in its early life, had served as the Administrative centre and capital of the Western Region since 1949. In fact, the first General Conference, to fashion out a new constitution for Nigeria, was held in Ibadan between January 9th and 30th of 1950. IBADAN, NIGERIA’S HOME OF MANY FIRSTS

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D.O FAGUNWA Ibadan became the home of many firsts, due to the progressive governance, political wizardry and economic sagacity of the Awolowo led Action Group- the first television station in Africa on the 31st of October 1959, the first stadium-the liberty stadium, patterned after the popular Wembley Stadium in London. This 25,000 capacity seat football stadium and the first stadium to be built in

ADEKUNLE FAJUYI Africa, was officially opened in 1960, and also built during Awolowo’s tenure as the Premier of the Western Region. It was officially renamed the Obafemi Awolowo stadium on the 12th November 2010 by the then President Goodluck Jonathan, during a courtesy visit to the late sage widow; Mama HID Awolowo. Amongst the firsts also, is the popular 24 storey sky scraperthe Cocoa House, the first dualised road in Nigerianamed The Queen Elizabeth road, from Mokola to Agodi

OLUSEGUN OBASANJO Secretariat, officially declared open, by the visiting Queen Elizabeth II in 1956 and also the popular University College Hospital (U.C.H) , the first teaching hospital in Nigeria, patterned after the University of London Teaching Hospital (ULTH), was also officially commissioned by the Queen, during this historic visit to Nigeria in 1956. It is equally important to remember the first Re-diffusion in Nigeria; the one channel Radio Station, the Agodi

Government Secretariat being, the first in Nigeria and the first Modern Parliament that housed the Regional House of Assembly and the House of Chiefs. The first Housing Estate in Nigeria- the Bodija Housing Estate was also built and developed in 1958. Ibadan also had the first highly organized and structured Civil Service in Nigeria, with the Simon Adebos, Saburi Biobakus, as its founding lights. The free education programme of the Awolowo government, the first in Nigeria, was launched in Ibadan, in 1954. As a honeypot, Ibadan became the home of the first set of Research and Training institutes in Nigeria; The Forestry Research Institute (1930), the Idi-Ayunre Cocoa Research Institute (CRIN), The Nigerian Cereal Research Institute Moor Plantation (NCRI), the NIHORT (Nigerian Institute of Horticultural Research), the NISER (Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research), IAR&T (Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training), amongst several others. OLUSEGUN OBASANJO

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The Ibadan business landscape

UKPABI ASIKA

CHIEF GABRIEL IGBINEDION

Continues from page 14 Ibadan made people and moulded characters. Olusegun Obasanjo, from his teaching desk at the African Church Modern School, Ago Tailor, Odo-Ona Ibadan in 1957, where he taught General Science and Religious knowledge from Modern 1-3, he took the Cadetship examination into the Nigerian Army and passed, and enlisted formalities concluded in March 1958. Obasanjo came back to Ibadan almost 10 years thereafter, as the Commander of the Second Area command of the Nigerian Army Ibadan and an automatic member of the State Executive Council of the then Brigadier Robert Adeyinka Adebayo’s government in the Western Region. Obasanjo in Ibadan, began to interact with the Ibadan elites, lecturers and administrators, most especially from the University of Ibadan through the Town and Gown forum- a forum of interaction between the University of Ibadan and the community. He also interacted with other sectors of the community, like the Political, Business and Cultural sectors of the community. UKPABI ASIKA It was from these interactions, that he consummated the friendships of many Ibadan intellectuals. It was Professor J.F Ade Ajayi, on the request of Olusegun Obasanjo, that scouted for Anthony Ukpabi Asika, a 31 year old radical teacher of Political Science at the University of Ibadan, to be made the Civilian Administrator of East Central State of Nigeria on the 29th of October 1967. CHIEF GABRIEL IGBINEDION Chief Gabriel Osawarun Igbinedion, now the Esama of Benin, was once a young Police Officer in Ibadan in the 1950s.

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Obasanjo in Ibadan, began to interact with the Ibadan elites, lecturers and administrators, most especially from the University of Ibadan through the Town and Gown forum- a forum of interaction between the University of Ibadan and the community

MKO ABIOLA Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, in 1956, started his working life as a Bank clerk with the Barclays Bank Plc. Dugbe, Ibadan. After two years as a Bank Clerk, he joined Western Region Finance Corporation, as an Executive Account Officer, before leaving for Glasgow University Scotland, to pursue his higher education, on the Western Region of Nigeria scholarship .He received a first class degree in Accounting and also had a distinction from the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Scotland. He was at a later time in his life, conferred with the Chieftaincy title of Bashorun of Ibadan land. SPOUSAL RELATIONSHIPS In Ibadan, future spousal relationships strived, most especially within the University Community; Laide and Wole

AGUIYI IRONSI MKO ABIOLA Soyinka, Ayo and Adetoun Ogunseye, Ojetunji and Bimpe Aboyede, Chinua and Christy Achebe, Olumuyiwa and Bolanle Awe, Yetunde Oyebode, daughter of Late Bishop Oyebode and Okunade Sijuwade, later Ooni of Ife, Christopher Okigbo and Judith Safinat Attah, Adepoju and Aderenle Taiwo, Olusegun and Funke Agagu, amongst several others. GENERAL YAKUBU GOWON Interestingly, Major General Yakubu Gowon succeeded General Agunyi Ironsi as Head of State of Nigeria, on the 1st of August 1966 as a result of the Coup d’état of July 29 1966, when he was just 32 years old and a bachelor. To change from the status of a bachelor Head of State, he got his legal spouse in Ibadan,- A University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan trained nurse; Miss Victoria Zakari, whom he married in April 1969, with Navy Commodore Akinwale Wey, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Military Council as his best man at the marriage. Ibadan University Town and Gown relationship blossomed with the Mbari Mbayo club founded by Professor Ulli Beier, a German, who came to Ibadan as a lecturer in 1956, Wole Soyinka, Christopher Okigbo, Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, Amos Tutuola, and so many others. Also, the Players of the Ibadan Dawn Group of Olusegun Olusola and Christopher Kolade was also formed in 1958-1959, when the first Television station in Africa, W.N.T.V was being opened. DEATH OF AGUIYI IRONSI AND ADEKUNLE FAJUYI On July 28th 1966, General Aguiyi Ironsi as Head of State, addressed a meeting of Traditional rulers from all over the country in Ibadan. He planned to return to Lagos after his address, but choose to pass the night at the Government

GEN YAKUBU GOWON House with his host- Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, the Governor of the Western Region. There was a post conference dinner held in honour of the Traditional rulers who attended the conference. The conference was held principally to rally support for the Ironsi Unification Decree number 24 of May 1966, which merged the country into a unitary entity. It was his last official assignment as the Supreme Military Commander and Head of State. In the midnight, Captain Yakubu Danjuma, the officer detailed to provide protection for the Supreme Military Commander in Ibadan, turned out to be the officer who led the Mutineers to kill his bossIronsi and his host- Adekunle Fajuyi. After their arrest, Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, being a good host and a thorough bred Yoruba man, insisted that he should be picked alongside the visiting Head of State. They were moved to Lalupon, a community in Ibadan, on Iwo road, where they were killed and buried in shallow graves. Lieutenant colonel Hillary Njoku, ADC to the Supreme commander, however managed to escape. The leaders of the July 29 1966 putsch, included Major Muritala Mohammed, Major Abba Kyari, Captain Yakubu Danjuma, Major

Martin Adamu, and Major Joe Akahan. THE CONTRADICTIONS Ibadan also has its contradictions. It was the home of the Agbekoyas who resented the new tax regime of Brigadier Adeyinka Adebayo in November 1968. The Governor increased taxable adult tax from E1pound, 17 shillings, 6pence to E8pounds. The Agbekoyas, resented and protested against this arbitrary increase, and on the 11th of November 1968, the Agbekoya crisis came out full blown, when thousands of agitators marched from the Mapo hall, armed with sticks, cudgels and weapons, to express their rejection of the new tax, as announced by the Governor. A combined team of Policemen and Soldiers opened fire on the demonstrators in Mapo, killing about 20 people. The agitators soon spread to other parts of the Western Region. The Agbekoya group was led by Mr. Tafa Adeoye, renowned farmer/hunter from Akanran, in Ibadan. The government effort to arrest Tafa Adeoye, the strongman leader of the Agbekoya, who was reputed to be all charms, was only made possible through a pretty police detective, who was detailed to carry out intelligence surveillance on Tafa Adeoye. The lady, approached the leader of the Agbekoya group for a relationship. Tafa fell in love with her and “Married” her. The trap was successful. After a few weeks of the relationship of Tafa and his” wife”, plain clothes policemen, entered his residence and arrested him for the offence of organizing tax agitators against the Government. The Ibadan business landscape, in the early days was also nurtured by the pioneering efforts of two ijebu brothers, who were business titans, of the same parentsAdeola Odutola (1902-1995) and his brother Jimoh (19052010). Adeola was literate and a Christian, and Jimoh, though not literate was a self-made man, and till his death spoke impeccable English and spoke like a professor. He was a Muslim. Their father was also a Muslim, while their Mother, Sabina was a Christian. The duo went into a partnershipthe Odutola Brothers. Jimoh started the first tyre factory and also the first Foam factory in West Africa, in Ibadan. Jimoh’s tyre factory in Ibadan was so successful, that he was invited by the Government of Kenya and Ghana to set up similar companies over there. He lived to a ripe age of 105 years and remained throughout his life an epitome of modesty. Interestingly, Adeola was the father of Professor Mrs. Oyin Olurin, a doyen of Ophthalmology in Nigeria and resident in Ibadan, whilst Jimoh was also the father of Professor Mrs. Ebun Clark, a pioneer of Theater Arts in Nigeria and wife of J.P Clark who wrote the popular poem”Ibadan”.

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16—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

Continues from page 15 It will still not be easy to forget the pioneering efforts of Chief Theophilus Adediran Oni, popularly known as T.A Oni and Sons (adulterated as Oni o Suwon) in the building and construction industry in Nigeria. He was born in OkeMesi, Ekiti State in 1913 and died in February 1975. His company was the first indigenous construction company in Nigeria. Chief Oni’s most notable act of kindness, was willing his family estate to charity, as a clear demonstration of his high level degree of philanthropy and love for the city of Ibadan. He willed his residenceGoodwill house, to the Oyo/ Western state government, to be used as a Paediatric Hospital, which is now known as T.A Oni Memorial Children Hospital, Ring Road Ibadan. This sprawling family Estate and residence was cited on a 15acre piece of land, 65 rooms, with modern conveniences, Olympic Swimming Pool, and stable for Horses etc. Alhaja Humoani Alaga, Alhaja Humoani Alade and Madam Janet Alatede Aboderin (mother of Olu Aboderin and Ajibola Ogunsola), Alhaja Rabiatu Adedigba Akindele (mother of Chief Bode Akindele) and the first Woman to go on Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca, were also Ibadan women of great business acumen in the early days. Mama Chief HID Awolowo, was also prominent in the textile business and her textile store in Gbagi Ibadan, known as Awolowo corner, was very prominent. As resentment to non-admission of Christian girls to a girls mission school in Ibadan, Alhaja Humoani Alaga, single handedly established Isabatudeen Girls’ Grammar School Ibadan in 1964. Humoani established her textile trading business in 1928 and in 1933, she had become a successful merchant with properties in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom. The succeeding generations of the early Ibadan business titans, were the likes of Chief Bode Akindele, who single handedly, established so many factories in Ibadan-Standard Breweries, Standard Packaging, Standard Plastics, Doctor Pepper Soft Drink factory, all in Alomaja Ibadan, and also a Matches Production factory in Eleyele Ibadan. Chief Bode Amoo also established Bode Foams and Atlantic Carpets in Ajoda and Olodo Ibadan respectively. Jimoh Ibrahim Inaolaji of Ikire, Adekambi Amoo; a.k.a Ti Oluwa ni yo se A. Amao of Ibadan, Chief S.O Bakare (Oluwalogbon Motors) were also astute businessmen. Alhaji Arisekola Alao, born on the 14th of February 1945, started as a trader of insecticides (Gamalin 20), in Agodi Ibadan in 1961, and soon became a foremost Ibadan Industrialist and Philanthropist. He established a fleet of business outfits under the Lister Conglomerate, which had cut across; Food Production, Real Estate,

REX LAWSON

Fela

I.K DAIRO

IBADAN: Lebanese connection Ibadan, the sprawling megacity on Seven Hills, with a strong admixture of the ancient and the modern, with its entrenched values and rich history of quick firsts in Nigeria, needs to be rejigged, sustained and be celebrated

Insurance, Transport, and Publishing. He became the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land in 1980, amongst several others. LEBANESE CONNECTION Perhaps the history of Ibadan early business titans would not be complete, without mentioning the impact of the Lebanese community in Ibadan’s early business growth and development. A leading trailblazer among the Lebanese community was the Zard family, who settled in the early 1930’s and has grown and prospered in Ibadan. The current leading lights of the Zard Family were Maurice, Wadji, and Raymond, who was born at the Jericho Nursing home Ibadan on the 27th of May 1938 and became a Naturalized Nigerian and the holder of a National award of OFR. He is the Balogun Babalaje of Ibadan land. The Zard business empire includes; Zartech, Kopek Construction limited, Interpac limited, Energy foods, Livestock, Poultry, and fish farming, and they were believed to hold a sensible portion of the landed property of Iyaganku, Dugbe,

the commercial nerve centre of Ibadan, and Oluyole amongst several other investments in Ibadan. Their Parents, Kalil and Latife Zard were one of the early pioneers of cocoa business in Ibadan land. IBADAN PEOPLE’S PARTY, IPP In the city of Ibadan, in the early 50’s, was the rising importance of the Ibadan People’s Party (IPP) which was established in June 1951, with Chief Augustus Meridith Adisa Akinloye as the founding chairman and other members were;- Chief S.A Akinyemi, Chief Samuel Lana, currently the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Chief Daniel Tayo Akinbiyi, also former Olubadan, Chief S. Ajuwon, Chief S.A Aderounmu, Chief R.S Biobaku, Chief Akin Allen, Chief Akiniyi Olunloyo, Chief Owoade Lanlehin, Moyosore Aboderin, Richard Osuolale Akinjide, and Adeoye Adisa. Akinjide, who qualified as a lawyer on the 4th of March 1956, came back home to join the grass root politics of Adelabu, who found Akinjide’s legal prowess amazing, in the celebrated case of Slapping a (Customary Court) Judge- D.T Akinbiyi (later Olubadan) , Akinjide was the younger counsel, to Dingle Foot QCthe British Lawyer, hired by Adelabu for his defense. As a payback, Akinjide was elected into the Federal Parliament at the age of 27, in 1959, with an official emolument of E840 pounds per annum, i.e. almost E70 pounds a month. He however, became a Minister in 1965 at the age of 34. Ibadan’s politics by the 50’s was thick, emerging, and interesting. When Adegoke Adelabu, the flamboyant politician, as Chairman of Ibadan District council, was accused of corruption, the Ibadan people quickly retorted“Adelabu ma ko wo wa je, igunnu lo ni tapa, tapa lo ni igunnu” (Adelabu, steal our money the more, Igunnu owns Tapa, Tapa owns Igunnu). In the growth of Ibadan, one would not also forget the early legal luminaries who practiced then, mostly in Ibadan. Mojeed, Gani and Yekinni

Agbaje, Ayo Rosiji, Chief S.L Durosaro, Obafemi Awolowo, Chief S.L Akintola, Abiodun Akerele, Olajide Olatawura, Busari Obisesan, Layi Ogunsola, Adeoye Adisa, Chief FRA Williams, who also practiced in Ibadan, before relocating his practice to Lagos, Kayode Eso, who also relocated his practice from Jos to Ibadan, Samuel Agbaje Williams, Emmanuel Fekayode, Olufemi Ayoola and his brother Olayinka Ayoola, Alhaji Bolarinwa Oyegoke Babalakin, later retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Folake Solanke, who practiced in Rotimi Williams chambers in Ibadan in 1963, Akin Aguda, and S.O Ighodaro. Others were Chief SPA Ajibade, Gboyege Ademola, the Greek Cypriot Lawyer, E.H Lembron, Afe Babalola, and Victor Esan, the husband of the first Ibadan woman senator, and later Iyalode of Ibadanland- Chief Mrs Wuraola Esan, Kola Daisi, amongst several others. Ibadan of course was the home of Veteran Journalists and Broadcasters;- Lateef Jakande, Akintunde Emiola (now Professor of Law), Olaniran Ogunyemi Ogungbemi, Akin Otiko, Dokun Famubode, Mrs Anike Agbaje Williams, Julie Coker, Adebayo Sanda, Yemi Farounbi, Adebayo Faleti, Peter Ajayi, Labanji Bolaji, Areoye Oyebola, Felix Adenaike, Banji Kuroloja, Agboola Sanni, Adebayo Williams (now Professor) , Folu Olamiti, Peter Apesin, Biodun Oduwole and several others. The first oldest and surviving Newspaper in Ibadan and Nigeria- the Nigerian Tribune, established by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Agbadagbudu, Yemetu Ibadan in 1948 and the Daily Sketch, the WNTV, WNBS, the Radio Nigeria, Ibadan were breeding grounds for journalists and broadcasters. I.K DAIRO, FELA AND REX LAWSON In the entertainment world of the early 50’s and 60’s, Ibadan was a beautiful city to behold. It was the home of highlife at Easy Life Hotel of Bola Johnson in Mokola, Paradise Hotel and African club Mokola,

where Eddy Okonta played, Central Hotel where Orlando Julius and Roy Chicago played, JMJ Night club and bar of J.M Johnson in Mokola, were prominent city hangouts. Fela and Rex Lawson played in Ibadan in 1967, before relocating to Lagos. Mokola was the soul of Ibadan city life, with its Highlife clubs, its brothels, and its nightclubs and bars. Chrisbo Hotel Odo-ona Ibadan, was also an important hang out. I.K Dairo started the Morning Star Orchestra in Ibadan in 1957. Daniel Ojoge pioneered Juju music in Ibadan. In Apala and Awurebe – Tatalo Alamu and Dauda Epo Akara, dominated the scene. Idowu Animasaun, the Juju Apola King and the Juju maestro, King Sunny-Ade, Commander Ebenezer Obey and Prince Adekunle were also regular faces in Ibadan. Moses Olaiya Adejumo, who trained King Sunny Ade, started as a Highlife Musician, before he diversified into Travelling Theatre in Yemetu Ibadan, with his Alawada Group. Sigma Club of University of Ibadan’s Havanah Nights was also an outstanding event in Ibadan. Ekotedo was Ibadan’s red-light district, whilst Mokola was the soul of Ibadan highlife and night life. LANDSCAPES Ibadan presents fascinating landscape of tradition and modern features. Prominent in it’s old, indigenous core areas are the Iba’s market (Oja’aba), Beere and the Aafin Olubadan (King’s Palace). From the popular Mapo Hill and Hall, one can easily see, the sea of rusted brown roofs, described as “Running splash of rust: and gold flung and scattered:” by J.P Clark, in his “Ibadan” poem, in places like: Agugu, Ayeye, Aremo, Ode-Aje, Aperin, Gbelekale, Idi-Arere, Oopo Yeosa, Odinjo, Foko, Gege, Isale Ijebu, Kudeti, Oke-Are, Shepherds Hill (corrupted as Oke-Sapati), to mention but a few. These are interspersed by neighborhoods, of new and modern buildings, which are linked and crisscrossed by winding roads Benjamin Cardozo has said it all, when he said, “History in illuminating the past, illuminates the present and in illuminating the present, illuminates the future” Ibadan, the sprawling megacity on Seven Hills, with a strong admixture of the ancient and the modern, with its entrenched values and rich history of quick firsts in Nigeria, needs to be rejigged, sustained and be celebrated. As the Yoruba Nation’s melting point and political capital, its glory and preeminence, must be sung, always, even at the rooftop- Ibadan!

Hon (Barr) Femi Kehinde Former Member, House of Representatives National Assembly Abuja, representing Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-

Oluwa Federal Constituency of Osun State, (1999-2003) & Principal Partner Femi Kehinde & Co (Solicitors) 84, Iwo Road, Ibadan. C M Y K

SATURDAY

Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—17

What makes Fashola the new face of Buhari govt

•Idik alu, other •Idikaa KKalu, otherss speak on the super minis ministter BY ISHOLA BALOGUN, FAVOUR NNABUGWU & OGHENE OMONISA

he applause came a few number of times, but it was understood, deserving and acceptable. The historic inauguration of the Ministers and assignment of portfolios elicited some excitements, hope and heavy burden as it were. It was not only because the President announced himself as the Petroleum Minister, but also because he made an uncommon decision. The cheers and ovation were louder, when the President announced Babatunde C M Y K

Fashola as Minster of Power, Works and Housing. Even after the event, the shout of ‘Fash’ was with compliments from co-ministers. Entrusting such enormous responsibilities in one man speaks volumes of his capacity and the confidence reposed in him. No one can over emphasize the challenges of housing, infrastructure that the works ministry supervises and power that appears the major problem of development in Nigeria with regard to the poor electricity supply. And so, what do you say of the man that mans these ministries in one government? He is arguably, the face of that government. And that’s what Fashola has

The deteriorating condition of our roads and other existing infrastructure speaks volume of the task ahead of the new Babatunde Raji Fashola

become. It certainly takes more than a regular administrator to be entrusted with such enormous responsibilities, considering the enormity of the energy and intellect required. The President however reiterated that the capacities of the new ministers were considered before they were assigned portfolios. And this was to chosen to fast-track development. Power, especially, has come under intense criticisms, as energy supply has been epileptic nationwide, causing untold hardship to the people and having adverse effects on businesses. It is on record that Nigeria’s failure in this sector chased some investors

out of the country. The deteriorating condition of our roads and other existing infrastructure speaks volume of the task ahead of the new Babatunde Raji Fashola. Some of those who commented on the development expressed confidence in the ability of Babatunde Fashola to deliver, while others, however, opined that it would over-burden the minister from Lagos as each of the ministries is loaded with enormous challenges. Chief Ms Temitope Ajayi, aka Mama Diaspora hinged the president’s decision to bring three major ministries under the control of one

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18—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

What makes Fashola the new face of Buhari govt Continued from page 17 Minister on trust and capabilities. “I believe the president as well as many Nigerians have so much confidence in Fashola and this is the time to really put square pegs in square holes. The President has done well.” Remember that during the Presidential primaries, Fashola was initially tipped as the running mate, but the religious issue crept in and the party managed the issue with wisdom. So, it is not out of place to give Fashola so much because he is one of our brilliant politicians from the South West. So, it is a pride for us and we should all support him to succeed. It is a big challenge.” “It is a wake up call for other serving governors to do their best while in office so that they will be remembered for what they have done.” Also, speaking to Saturday Vanguard, former Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu stated that it is a challenge with possibilities. “It is a challenge and it is do-able.” He explained that the power sector is key and people should not forget that there is a Minister of State for Power. “So, it is not as heavy as people like to paint it. I understand it is a challenge but it is do-able. Again, we have to review what we have done in the past in order to appreciate and proffer permanent solution to the problems of the sector.” He explained: We have to go back to the drawing board to review the privatisation of the power sector and shortlist the final bidder under four considerations. We have to consider the financial capacity of the bidding companies, the technical knowledge to turn around the sector; experience in management and how efficient is the business plan the companies present. “If there are deficiencies, this is the time to go back and correct these deficiencies because power sector is key to economic development. The government can review Disco and kick out those who cannot do the job.” “People should note that it is not the weight of the job but the ability to manage the job. Remember that there is a Minister of State for power. So, he (Fashola) is the main minister who will drive the ministry. What is required is astute management of the sector and not the heaviness of the job. I am happy that it is Fashola, it is not about

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•Fashola inspecting a project as Lagos State governor chop and chop attitude; it is about efficiency.” Dr Kalu stated that the president must have considered Fashola’s achievements in Lagos. “The Housing sector is also critical. We need to release land to owners so as to create capital,” he said. Hon. Halima Hassan Tukur, a member of the 7th National Assembly, representing Yauri-ShangaNgaski Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, in the House of Representatives also commended President Buhari for taking that decision. “This is the first time we will have a minister in charge of three ministries. And this is based on the achievements of the former governor. If Fashola can have all achievements credited to him during his eight-year as governor in Lagos, then he deserves it. Besides, the President must have been convinced on some aspects of Fashola’s capacities that can help to bring about change in these three ministries. So, for somebody that is competent, it is not a heavy burden but very deserving,” she said. No doubt, what is working for Fashola is not his political sagacity nor his legal profundity, but his sterling achievements during his eight-year rule in Lagos. Throughout his administration, Fashola impacted significantly in most areas that affect the life of people in the state, especially these three areas for which he has been chosen for higher responsibilities – power generation, road construction and general infrastructure and housing schemes.

This is the first time we will have a minister in charge of three ministries. And this is based on the achievements of the former governor. If Fashola can have all achievements credited to him during his eight-year as governor in Lagos, then he deserves it

His achievements on power Fashola’s landmark achievements in the power sector during his tenure in Lagos, and which must have caught the attention of the President were numerous. In February 2008, he unveiled the master plan for the private initiative multibillion-dollar Lagos Energy City Project which is expected to generate 130 megawatts of electricity. Located on 170-hectare land

•Dr Kalu Idika Kalu in Badagry, the project is nearing its completion stage and will serve as a business and tourism facility where people can work and actualize their visions. Designed to incorporate alternative power sources and specifically designed to preserve the ecosystem of Badagry, with its serene beaches, ancient historical monuments and rich cultural traditions, the project guarantees uninterrupted power to the energy city on record time and will enhance investments in Nigeria and increase the country’s ability to attract critical revenue from the energy sector. Other major achievements included the 2.45 MW capacity Independent Power Plant (IPP) that has been facilitating the pumping of an additional 130 million gallon of water from the Iju and Adiyan waterworks to the supply stock of Lagos State. It was handed over by the former governor in March 2010. The commissioning of the first transformer manufacturing industry in West Africa by the exgovernor in October 2010 was an achievement which

•Hon. Halima Hassan Tukur greatly endeared him to Lagosians and indeed all Nigerians. Located at TogaZanmi in Badagry, the transformer factory, El Sewedy Electrical Nigeria Limited, a joint venture between the Lagos State Government and the EL Sewedy Group of Cairo, Egypt, has not only enhanced regular and steady electricity, but has encouraged similar investors to invest in Nigeria. In October 2010, after two years of intensive negotiations, the Lagos State Government under Fashola, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) finally signed a Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) for the setting up of a Greefield Refinery and Hydrocarbon Industrial Park to be located at the Lekki Energy City within the Lekki Free Zone, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos. The 10 Megawatts Island Power Project commissioned in May 2011 by Fashola was a clear response to the implementation of the nation’s Power Sector Programme, just as the 8.8MW Mainland Independent Power Project (

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SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—19

Continued from page 18 IPP) commissioned in October last year. The Mainland IPP has been providing uninterrupted 24hour power supply to the state’s public institutions within the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ikeja. The institutions include Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Old Secretariat Complex, High Court Complex, Lagos Water Corporation and over 20 kilometres of existing public lighting. The 8.4 Mega Watts Peninsula Integrated Power Project, commissioned in March this year, and which is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the Lagos State Government and Peninsula Integrated Power Limited, has been providing power for public infrastructures in the Lekki, Ikoyi and Victoria Island axis such as the Lekki Phase 1 Waterworks, Ligali Ayorinde Waterworks and Saka Tinubu Waterworks.The power project is also expected to provide 25km public lighting within Lekki phase 1, Victoria Island and Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge amongst others. The state government carried out and completed 165 rural electrification projects under its rural intervention scheme. 200 transformers and 100 solarpowered water projects were distributed to various communities. More than 38 communities benefited from the integrated rural development (IRD) programme through the provision of “alternative energy/power” and provision of solar. ... On roads Memories of Fashola will for a long time linger on in the minds of Lagosians for various reasons. One of such, no doubt, will be for his landmark legacies on road construction. Notable among them were the construction of high quality roads with good drainage systems, most times with street lights; access roads to link up villages like Imude Road, Shibiri-Etegbin Road, Ajangbandi-Illogbo Road, Agboroko-Igbo Road, Elerin Road, Ariyo-Muyo-Tedi Oshun Road; the list, not surprisingly, is endless, with the road projects spread across the whole state. However, the most remarkable of these projects were that many of them, especially the bridges, required huge funding that are not frequently associated with state government projects. But Fashola initiated many and completed most, while others are still ongoing. Among many others, there

revenue of Lagos state increased more than 100%. He also came up with the Lagos state security trust fund, which assisted in reducing crime in the state. The restructuring of the once notorious Oshodi under bridge during his first term as governor is what a good number of Lagosians will never forget in a hurry. Oshodi used to be a haven for all forms of crime, illegal human abode and large traffic jams before Fashola cleaned up the place. A team player The former governor of Lagos state never did things without making wide consultations and joining hands with people of like minds to bring progress to Lagos. He ensured that he implemented his predecessor’s idea for a Bus Rapid Transport System which eased the transportation problems of Lagosians. This is one of the things Fashola will bring to bear in his new assignment.

•Fashola inspecting another project

What makes Fashola the new face of Buhari govt were notably the Cele Link Bridge, the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Ejigbo-Ajao Estate Link Bridge, the Maidan-Aina-Agiliti network of roads and Bridge. The most outstanding, no doubt, is the unforgettable massive seven-rail road network, the Red Line from Agbado to Marina and the Blue Line from Okokomaiko to Marina. Work has since slowed down. Fashola was one governor who knew the state of Lagos roads like he knew the back of his hands, though he might not have proffered all solutions but he showed he was alive to his responsibilities as the Governor. ... On housing Fashola also distinguished himself with his performance on housing. A major housing policy which revolutionised the housing needs of Lagosians was the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS), a government initiative to encourage and support home ownership of First-Time Buyer (FTB) residents of Lagos State to purchase decent and affordable homes through the provision of accessible mortgage finance. Under the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme was ‘rent-to-own housing

scheme’, a special home ownership project which targeted people who could not afford a mortgage now but who could with time. The scheme has enabled Lagos residents to own their homes. The policy allows traders, transport operators, bricklayers and fashion designers, among others in the informal sector to seek and conveniently pay for the homes across the state. Quite a number of people have benefited from that scheme. Other strides in the housing sector included the 256 units of twin two and one bedroom flats in Igbogbo as well as across the state, whose abiding and commendable feature was that only those who intend to live in the homes benefit from the scheme by preventing profiteers and speculators from abusing the scheme by buying and reselling. Fashola’s traits A workaholic and team player The new minister of power, works and housing is a person who never gets tired of whatever he sets his eyes to achieve. When he came in as governor of Lagos state in 2007, his hair was black. However, after eight years in which he turned Lagos

into the state to beat in Nigeria, his hair had all become grey. Likewise, Fashola executed many projects that Lagosians will ever be grateful to him for. He never gets tired of working to get positive results. Highly innovative Fashola is someone who brings new things on board. He contributed in fashioning out ways in which the internally generated

The former governor of Lagos state never did things without making wide consultations and joining hands with people of like minds to bring progress to Lagos

Buhari’s trust in Fashola Before the president selected Fashola as a ministerial nominee, there was a lot of talk from some quarters that Buhari might drop him due to some powerful forces within the ruling All Progressives Congress working against his nomination. However, the president had other ideas. He had so much faith in Fashola. He believed he achieved so much when he governed Lagos state. Moreover, Buhari saw Fashola as a disciplined man just like himself who was ready to work assiduously Tasks ahead Nobody is in doubt that the choice of Babatunde Fashola was informed by his brilliant performance in his eight years as Governor of Lagos State. The general consensus, however, is that Nigeria is much larger than Lagos, and with 35 more States and Abuja FCT, each with its own peculiarities, Nigerians crave the maximum brilliance and energy the go-getter lawyer from Lagos could muster to bring about the desired change in his new assignment. Overseeing three ministries, with two permanent secretaries reporting to him, Fashola may become not only a super Minister but also the face of the Buhari administration just like some super stars are become faces of their countries at the Olympic Games, the greatest world gathering.

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20—SA TURD AY Vanguard , NOVEMBER 14, 2015 20—SATURD TURDA

riters, like teeth,” according to Walter Bagehot, “are divided into incisors and grinders.” He should know. He was the editor of the time-honoured journal, The Economist, for more than a decade until his death in 1877. I wonder in what category he would have put the writer of the recent article on Lagos—indeed, on the new Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode—which appeared in the news magazine which occupied so much of his earthly life. The “grinder”, tooth which belongs to the class of molars, would normally do a thorough job reducing the subject to a fine result through an intelligent and detached effort. That would evince a comprehensive grasp of the entire situation surrounding the issue at hand, whether it be in praise or to show disapproval. It might even proffer some suggestions towards a possible amelioration to areas where a defect might appear. Bagehot was that kind of writer, and his generation provided a legacy of merit on which the journal has prospered for over a century. He wrote on all subjects, from politics and politicians to justice and judges. The “incisor” writer, however, cuts and tears as the flat, sharp tooth after which is named. He remains afloat on top of the subject, holding firmly to a subjective point in disdain of other aspects that are not •Ambode on the job... only germane, but of interest to the issue. It is not a case of expertise, mark you, but one of a set purpose—to cut, and tear island with the creation of and, if you like, hack. It is suburban units like “New not a character associated Lagos” in Surulere, but it with writers for The was only the first organized Economist, but there you satellite community of Lagos. have it. The first Lagos State It is an open record that government did the sensible Ambode has been in office thing in citing the seat of for less than six months. operations some fourteen The indictment of his miles away in Alausa, Ikeja, inability to create a rapid but it came a little bit too late. change to a situation that A host of establishments had has been building up for been created by the private more than a decade is sector in commercial houses obviously unfair. The which still made a daily problem of Lagos traffic is movement of people to the basically that of the major island a daily function. Even cities of the world—traffic when the Federal control. It is a predicament Government eventually rethat has been known in San located the national capital to Francisco, London, New Abuja, the effect on the traffic Delhi, New York and was minimal because a host elsewhere. Each of civil servants who lived on metropolitan area has had to the island still had to deal with it in its own way, commute from the island and so has Lagos. every day. Traffic is generated by In the criss-cross chaos of population on the move, the traffic situation rumbled and as the influx into the in the oil tankers and heavy population of Lagos trailers conveying increased over the years, so merchandise from the Apapa hands. As far back as the did the movement of the port to the rest of the country. early forties, the idea of people. The genesis of the There are so many of them the “one-way” street had problem was from the time and their numbers increased been adopted on roads like Lagos was made the capital with every season. The King George V and of Nigeria. The drivers are a lawless breed Victoria Roads on the opportunities that were whose wealthy owners are Mainland, and Bambose opened up for jobs grew equipped with the tools for Street and Igbosere Road from year to year, attracting engineering impunity – hard on the Island. It was quite people from all over the cash and widespread effective in its time. But country. The island was the influence. They obey only the the traffic kept mounting. headquarters for every rules that are comfortable to The police had a special endeavour. The them, and those are few. division for traffic control Secretariat—that is the They come from all over whose elements were centre of government Nigeria through the main supposed to be specially business—was established artery of the traffic between trained to handle matters there. So were the head Lagos and the rest of the of their specialization. offices of all the commercial country. They are at the core That too worked for some houses and their centres of of the city’s traffic quandary. time. The most senior operations. The island was To the undeniable dismay of officers, like Joseph soon filled and the the authorities, it grows Adeola, who was the State expansion to the mainland worse every day. Commissioner of Police, grew apace. Efforts were But it is not as though they were personally involved. made to decongest the have been sitting on their Under the slogan of “

*ambode is working

The only solution is to get other functional ports. And that is patently beyond Ambode’s position and powers

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“KEEP MOVING1”; he saw that vehicular movement was considerably smooth, especially during the rush hours in the morning as well as the evening’. And then when the Lagos State administration was relocated to Alausa, Ikeja, a further move was made to ease traffic congestion by restricting vehicles with the first figures of their license plates as even, to alternate days of operation on the roads with those which had odd figures as their first numbers. That too worked in its time but had to be discarded due to the unabated flood of vehicles on the road; thanks to the availability of cars from the importation of secondhand cars, many people merely equipped themselves with second cars and gave them vehicle numbers for use on alternate days. The report of the British news magazine deposes that Ambode’s big error was in relaxing traffic enforcement laws, like the impounding of cars by the traffic officials. Any Lagos road user would simply laugh at that. It is well known that such actions created traffic problems of their own and contributed to traffic jams when the owners of impounded cars stay in traffic to

negotiate the release of their vehicles with the LASTMA officials, whom The Economist reporter himself describes as “bribe hungry”. But, in truth, the new head of LASTMA has just affirmed that vehicles that need to be impounded would still be impounded. All that the Governor has attempted to create is indeed a more “civil society”, in keeping with the traditions of the sophisticated citizenry of Lagos. Governor Ambode is characterised as a man “full of excuses but few solutions” for the traffic situation which is a headache for every Lagosian who has witnessed the futility of the various efforts to combat it in the past. An example of the excuses the Governor is chided over is the statement that, “traffic is always bad during the rains”. And is that not true? But he has been working on the challenge of the traffic since he got into office. Like his illustrious predecessor, Babatunde Fashola— now the Federal Minister in the position of a hydra-headed responsibility—Ambode has been known to be personally involved in traffic direction within the city of Lagos. He also recently urged the Federal Government to step up to its responsibility of employing contractors to resume their work at the Apapa Link Road. And that brings us to the point that the foreign reporter missed completely: this is all about a problem that hardly belongs to the Lagos State government. The highway that feeds into the Apapa port is really a Federal Government road. The State government has borne the responsibility to the tune of some fifty-one billion naira already, just for the sake of its citizens’ welfare. If there is anyone out to cudgel somebody’s head for the horror of the traffic in Lagos, he would be in a better position to look towards Abuja. But would they not know a fact like that at The Economist? Walter Bagehot must be fuming in his grave. The genesis of the problems of Lagos was with the inception of the Island as the centre of every official and social endeavour. But, more telling still, Apapa remained the sole port for the country for decades. It still is. Almost all the petrol tankers that feed the entire nation fill up from there. Almost all the goods for industrial and domestic purposes are imported through there to be distributed all over the country. And so thousands of tankers and container carriers congregate there every week, driven by all sorts of characters whose mentality is guided by a common disregard for the law. The only solution is to get other functional ports. And that is patently beyond Ambode’s position and powers. But Governor Ambode is working, as every Lagosian will testify. Time out.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—21

he pro-Biafra protests have entered the second week. What started as unco ordinated voices of dissent reached a crescendo last week when the arrested director of radio Biafra was not released by the DSS. Many reports claimed that major cities in the SouthEast were shut down by the protesters although at least one Governor has come out to say the phrase ‘shut down’ was overstretching things a bit. Should Nnamidi Kanu and his colleagues in the Radio Biafra be allowed to continue with the kind of broadcast they were dishing out to impressionable minds? And what would be the long term effects to the Nation of broadcasts that are not exactly grounded on truth and facts? Did DSS disregard court instructions and if it did, was it right to do so? In other words, have either sides flouted the laws of the country one way or another? I looked at the faces of some of the agitators on TV and I was worried. The gravity of their actions seems to be lost on some of them. Theirs were youthful, carefree faces. None of them could have witnessed the 30 month old Biafran War politely called the Nigerian Civil War. Even the fall out of the war—the psychological, spiritual and material set back—must have escaped many of them. Also many of them from their diction and grammar are not particularly lettered. So they might not have thought the whole thing through. They might not have realised that they stand to lose the most when law and order break down. They may not have realised that the road to sovereignty is a long, winding road that is not paved with gold but with land mines in the form of betrayals, intrigues and deaths. Or that sovereignty is not an end by itself. It is not an Eldorado. They might also not be alive to the possibility that they could be used by more calculating, more discerning but more selfish minds.

The Biafra protests The young people I saw on TV also did not seem to have the wherewithal for the massive protests as witnessed by the country. Feeding, transportation, accommodation and general mobilisation which includes printed materials and flags must have been thought of and financed by deeper pockets. Probably by the same people who used some of them as thugs during the elections and discarded them. Unfortunately, many of the youths live for the moment. They have no work or schools to return to. They are in dire need of hope which the idea of Biafra seems to proffer. The Police, the DSS and the Nation’s other security agencies don’t seem to be too sure of how to handle the situation either. This is a pity because Nigeria has had too many sectional upheavals not to learn from history. In the past ten years, only the western zones of the country have been free from sectional upheavals. We have the Niger-Delta upheaval

have been better handled. All these upheavals have cost the Nation trillions of Naira in direct and indirect costs. We have also lost many lives and have done incalculable damage to our psyche as Nigerians. We cannot afford a repeat of history in the South-East. The security agencies must be swift and firm with fairness as their watch word in containing the upheaval in the SouthEast before it becomes another theatre of attrition. Meanwhile, it cannot escape any discerning mind that a sectional upheaval has occurred whenever a section feels disconnected from the Federal Government. Sharia came up when a Southern Christian became the President. But Obasanjo was too wily to take the bait. Soon resource control reared its head when certain SouthSouth leaders fell out with the centre. This metamorphosed into Niger-Delta militancy where kidnaps, terror with wanton vandalisation and looting reigned. A South-South President calmed things somewhat only to find that the Sharia in the North-East has metamorphosed into something else. Now we have agitations in the South-East. It seems to me that in many of these upheavals the puppeteers are politicians and big time government contractors who feel they might be left

One of the solutions to all of these sectional upheavals is to find jobs for our youths

which is still simmering as we speak because there was no firm response from the Federal Government when discontent broke out. We have the upheaval in the North-Central zone which again is still simmering because response has not been swift, firm and fair. We have the Boko Haram in the North-East which we all agree could

ast week, we advised governments at all levels to come up with programmes to stem the increasing youths’ unemployment. But youths also need to help themselves because “private victories must precede public victories.” Many youths do not live purposefully and are ill-prepared and illequipped to take advantage of available opportunities. Over the next few weeks, I want us to dwell on purposeful living. I have been handling youths on this topic since 2008 and it has been quite impactful. Purpose is why you do something, or why something exists. Before you engage in any activity, there should be a good reason for doing it, which should form part of a There is no other like you with your larger picture of your purpose in life. deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, not even Purpose comes from the paradigm your parents whose combination that the individual is uniquely supplied the genes where your DNA is designed for a special destiny. You housed. There is none with your finger have a destiny for which you were prints. God created you specially and created and to which you are called. specifically; therefore do not diminish, Purposeful living can, therefore, be or allow anybody to diminish, God’s summarized as showing that you special creation. know what you want to do with your In addition, even if your parents did life by the way you live. not plan to give birth to you, that still How do you find your purpose? First, does not make you an accident, because you must acknowledge and the God who created you is a master internalize the fact that you are the planner. There is no accident in his greatest miracle on earth. This is not dictionary. He knew about you long about pride, it is self-worth. Many before your birth. Consequently, he youths have no self-esteem; created you on purpose for a purpose. consequently, they fall or go for Christiano Ronaldo’s mother never anything and sell themselves cheap wanted to have him; she wanted to abort for all the stupid reasons in this world. him. Today, Ronaldo is one of the five They are insecure because of their greatest footballers of all time. heights, complexion, looks and size of You must express your genius. Now their bums, breasts and penis, the list who/what is a genius? “A person of goes on. As important as all the extraordinary intellect and talents.” “A aforementioned might seem, a human strong natural talent, aptitude or being succeeds with what he has got inclination.” “An innate capability.” between the two temples of his head Happily, geniuses are not only born, (brain) and what he does with it. you can develop and become a genius. Youths must be very conscious of “Expressing your genius is knowing their individuality. There is no one what you want to do with your life and like you on earth, not even your doing it because it expresses who you identical twin brother/sister, because really are”. you are only identical, not the same. Mark V. Hansen and Robert G. Allen

Purposeful living

C M Y K

(One Minute Millionaire) list four characteristics of people who are expressing their genius. One, passion: They love what they do. If they were not getting paid, they would do it for free. Two, talent: they are good at what they do. Call it ability or genius, they have got it. Three, values: doing what they do is extremely important to them. Four, destiny: They have a sense that they are doing what they were born to do— making their own unique contribution. There is a genius in each of us waiting to be discovered. Richard Hall (Success) says it is a tragedy not to discover what you are good at? How do we tap into this genius? One very effective way is to do a self SWOT analysis. When we talk about the SWOT matrix, what occurs to many people is a company or project. But I consider it more important to individuals than companies and projects; there will be no projects and companies without people. For those who might be unaware, SWOT is an acronym of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. These variables are both within and external. To do the analysis, draw a vertical line, then a horizontal line across the middle of the vertical line to create four boxes. Label the top left box

out of the change of guard. It seems to me that the losers are the youths who are used as cannon fodders and the nation at large which bears the brunt of the human and material losses. The Niger-Delta is not that much better today despite the trillions of oil resources that have been lost to the Nation. What has emerged are a few fat cats who have enriched themselves tremendously during the years of militancy and amnesty. How many of them have invested in Niger-Delta? Yet lives have been lost and families dislocated. A few fat cats will also most likely emerge from the North-East when all these are over and reconstruction work begins. Will they bring the lost lives back? Will memories of rape, hunger and fear be obliterated from the consciousness of the survivors? Those who are egging the youths in the South-East on either through IPOB or MASSOB should have a rethink. Even the Arab Spring, as justified as it is, has not achieved much. Most Arab leaders would probably wish the Spring never happened. One of the solutions to all of these sectional upheavals is to find jobs for our youths and stop the abuses of our future generation. There are too many idle hands among our youths. Another solution is to stop forthwith, the winner takes all attitude of whoever gets into power. Already, some of the Northern leaders are behaving as if they have gotten their trophy back and whoever is not satisfied should go and jump from the mountain top (apologies ElRufai). What every section of this country wants is to be part of governance and to feel the effect of governance. This turn by turn attitude is disruptive and destructive. Protests will be seriously curtailed when our leaders across board stop being greedy and selfish; when the wealth of the nation flows into every nook and cranny of the country; when the poor can genuinely feel that they are not forsaken.

“S” for strength, that is, your abilities, talents, potentials and passions. Then label the box below it “O” for opportunities: situations or factors you can exploit as a result of your strengths. Label the top right box “W” for weaknesses: those things you are ignorant of, not good at doing, or you hate doing but which are critical to your success or place you at a relative disadvantage. Then label the box below it “T” for threats: these are risks you face because of your weaknesses, they slow you down or stop you from achieving your goals Experts say every person has a minimum of 50 talents or passions that he can explore to live a fulfilling life, but the truth is that nobody explores all these talents in a life time. For a start, write two or three, your strongest, in the “S” box. These are your strengths. With these strengths, what opportunities are available to you? Do research, go online and find out the opportunities that are available to people with your kind of strengths and list them. Then move to the “W” box; what weaknesses can hinder you from taking advantage of your opportunities? List them. These weaknesses determine the threats you face which is the last column. By the time you successfully complete this analysis; your purpose here on earth will become obvious. Subsequently, take action: First, you need to develop yourself and enhance your capabilities. Then, ideas need to germinate from your talents and abilities (opportunities box). Third, you need to build a plan around your ideas. Four, you need a team and mentor(s), and finally, you need systems and processes to drive your dream.

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

The ‘big man’ and the kwashiorkor child

am a big man, so I bark orders, talk at people, put them in their places. When I froth , they fawn . I get attention and give back indifference and insolence. That locks them into servility. I dish arbitrariness, it feels godlike. Reckless unpredictability leaves those around me nursing my moods, makes them live lives guessing my moves. Mortals must be kept in permanent submission, however possible . When I condescend and throw a few jokes, I receive the big laughter big men get for whom they are rather than for what they have said. Flattery without end, it’s the Lord’s doing! My money and position make me wise and fit to be courted. The big man is on top of his world. Fate is fickle. The kwashiorkor child , another cruel work of capricious fate, is hungry and dejected, wasting and wasted. He has been pushed by neglect , chronic malnutrition and deprivation to the valley of the shadow of death. War , famine, natural disaster or genocide complicated by a government sponsored starvation have decimated many childhoods with that syndrome. The ‘big man’ and the kwashiorkor child are supposed to be at opposite extremes of the spectrum of life. But wait a minute. Women insist all men are children not because they are mothers and men were once babies. But because they see men as tough on the outside and weak on the inside and given to impulsivity and tantrums. And a particular incontinence, that near general deficit in the mastery of libido, has many women feeling that men are handicapped, require continuing ‘toilet training’. When the Nigerian man becomes afflicted by imagined or real success, he becomes a ‘big man’ . And becomes overly indulgent in all pleasures sensual , and discards self restraint. He becomes thoroughly incontinent. Leaking vile words, bad manners, arrogance , contempt and lecherousness from all orifices and pores. The ‘big man’ may be the successful but he is definitely intoxicated by little achievements. The ‘big man’, unable to contain success, real or apparent , diminishes inside and becomes bloated outside. The spirit and the flesh are at perpetual war , Christianity says . The big man enthrones the flesh and becomes a child pretending to adulthood. Only a child should suffer from the sort of naivety and vainglory that permit generous personal gratification to be derived from bogus, toy-like titles . A big man’s honorary doctoral degree, is forgotten and a hapless announcer must do penance. The kwashiorkor child paints the pathetic picture of the pathology of the ‘big man’ syndrome. In the kwashiorkor child , the signs and symptoms of malnutrition, protein deficiency, are superimposed on the features of childhood neglect. So the child with haunted eyes and lean, withering muscles, manages yet a pot belly, a feature of many big men. And swellings can mask tragedies . Don’t even these men refer to their protruding bellies as evidence of good living? The big man’s humility , patience , tolerance and manners are lean. But he has other offensive protrusions. Despite the success which he flaunts , he retains some oversized appetite for material acquisition and accumulation that borders on compulsive obsessive disorder. Neither rodents nor ants can match their greedy tenacity. That mindless grabbing that sticks out like a kwashiorkor abdomen and that is made more grotesque by the backdrop of millions in abject poverty , the wasted limbs and disappearing buttocks of a prostrate kwashiorkor nation. The kwashiorkor child retains fluid because he lacks proteins and the big man lacks character molding blocks of contentment and self discipline and he retains volumes of greed. The liver of the kwashiorkor child is enlarged because it is infiltrated by fat. The big man typically manifests what in colloquial usage is called liver ( large liver) because he has scant regard for rules and propriety. He relishes in the impunity which the weakness of the criminal justice system permits and which his C M Y K

church feeds on poor doctrine and is swollen, like the kwashiorkor child , only in its abdomen , in watery numbers. With a flabby liver and soul , infiltrated by fatty materialism, the church catastrophically swallows many insolences of the big man, excuses his conspicuous shortcomings and exhibits him as a living example of God’s overwhelming blessings. Because without power all that is left in church is motivational talk and social welfare, the despised kwashiorkor child perhaps has more to gain from a church deficient in spirituality than the ‘rich fool’. The big man has ‘liver ’ but lacks courage. His perversion, the audacity to trample on values , is pleasure driven. So the big man may be loud, tempestuous and disdainful of proprieties, he is as cowardly as the kwashiorkor child is weak. He is fickle and flimsy and given to superficiality. The life he craves is that that is bereft of pain, deep thought , disquiet and sobriety. So he holds onto no principles except hedonism. Morality must be self serving because, for him, sacrifice is too abstract. And perhaps , like the kwashiorkor child, he lacks tough skin. Kwashiorkor comes with a desquamative rash. When the big man encounters a little resistance , the sort that money can’t easily handle, he changes colour , blends in like a chameleon. Or he sheds his skin snakelike and slithers away. No cause is worth dying for , it would appear. That is why they can switch camps with the ease with which eels dart around. And camps aren’t just political parties and and friends and wives but even faiths. They can switch from the front pews of a pentecostal church to the front squatting positions in a babalawo’s shed . They seek that coverage every where they go. Many times they belong no where by belonging everywhere. Life is better if God doesn’t exist because there will be no further consequences . Taking a stand is often considered too risky , so he flirts with all known gods but believes in none of them. Many in Ogboni confraternity are ordained Bishops. All risk comprehensive insurance in that sort of ecumenism. A grave problem for the big man is that like the kwashiorkor child he regresses in development and

When Nigerians rejected Jonathan at the polls, they rejected that government perceived as weak on corruption which Abati was an integral part of

unscrupulousness appropriates. He has no regard for the consequences of his actions because the hands of the law stunted by corruption like that of the kwashiorkor child is too weak, too frail. In any case when the law becomes petulant and tries to claw at him, the nuisance is swatted off with some wads of naira. The ‘big man’ walks into the church, feeling smug. Carrying on his head , his superciliousness from the world . He is malnourished , spiritually , but will get the front pews and prime attention not because the pastor recognizes that he is spiritually sick and needs the close watch the kwashiorkor child will get in a hospital. And the pastor perhaps suffers from spiritual marasmus, common amongst pastors. He reads the sickly protrusion of wealth as divine blessing. So the big man sits in church peacocking but drowning. The sermons are tailored to save him embarrassment, so the pastor will dwell more on God’s mercies and the idea that “ all have sinned” rather than the blessedness of righteousness and the vanity of earthly glory. Unscathed , not convicted, and perhaps soothed by the balm of tame sermons that glamourize wealth, the big man is effectively laundered by the church. He is the envy of the congregation. He becomes the head of an important committee for money reasons. Contrition is redundant. Repentance is secondary , too rigorous. The

loses milestones that had been observed. Many who may have never parted company with folly but who had understood that parents must be respected, acquire the large heads typical of kwashiorkor and their parents become too small ,too outdated. The kwashiorkor child suffers an arrest of physical and mental development while the big man suffers an arrest of moral and spiritual development. Wives hang around in fine dresses for photo ops and soak in contempt, insults and diverse forms of physical and psychological abuses. They will deny they are not house girls perhaps because of the contract and or the children. But neither “suffering and smiling” nor endless moaning about the mean childishness of the man nor a resigned “siddon look” attests to the dignity a spousal status bestows. For the ‘big man’, women are objects of pleasure and variety is the thrill . And because perception is everything, the anguish of these wives are known only to close confidantes. Loud opulence, cars , noise and general diffusion of ‘effizzy’ can mask such internal wretchedness. If the traumatised wife gets infected , and becomes a ‘big woman’, an epidemic of woe is triggered. Someone once asked why Africa has many mean first ladies. The big man is preoccupied with frivolities. His soul is lost to vanity. Whims become reasons, and he , blind from materialism, becomes a visionary. The community languishes. Rigour is abhorred . Crude exhibitionism becomes a culture and philanthropy exists for self aggrandizement. He will misuse “ to God be the glory” and misuse “giving back to the society”. He will not read because it’s too much concentration , for nothing. The kwashiorkor child lacks concentration too. Jokes for simpletons and lighthearted banter will be preferred by both. The malnourished kwashiorkor child deserves attention , the society gives none. The big man is suffused with obsequious attention of a materialistic society and is made mad . Last one. Both syndromes are common in underdeveloped countries where millions live in abject poverty. Like Nigeria.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—23

eautiful and sexy EdoState born Nollywood actress, Christabel Egbenya, has done so many films since she came into the movie industry. She has talent and she has brought it on in many of her films but like every actor, there are some roles that still haunt or define their careers. For Christabel, her role in Room 202, where she got rather too cosy with Frank Artus hasn’t left the tongues of some people who believed the actress really turned on the fire. Besides acting, what other business do you do? I’m planning to open my own cosmetic shop and to produce my personal movie soon. You don’t seem to hang out with your friends and colleagues? Yes, because in the industry, when you start having a lot of friends, it brings you down, your name will get damaged and gossips will be flying. So I like staying on my own, when it’s time to work, we go and work. When I don’t have a job, I go back to my house and think of other things to do. If I have money and want to chill somewhere, I do that. I don’t really have time for all those coming together with other actors, sit down and gossip, because I have a future outside the industry. I plan to get married one day and have children. So, I like to protect my image, I don’t want all those dirty things, so I just have to avoid a lot of things. Don’t you think that would affect your career, not mixing up with your colleagues? No, I talk with them, we chat on BBM and all, but when it comes to hanging out together, I am not cut out for that. If for instance, I’m invited to an event, I go and we all laugh and talk together. But if it’s being very close to them, I don’t. It exposes everything about you and nobody will value you again, you won’t have personal secrets. When we go to events or while we are on set, we are friends, we do things together. But visiting our individual homes or travelling to places together is out of it. Are you saying that actresses gossip a lot? No, that’s not what I mean, though some of them do. Is it true that Nollywood has been turned to a harem of prostitutes where girls come to showcase themselves for rich men? I don’t know. The industry is very big, so some people can come in because they have the C M Y K

My unforgettable sensual role —Chrisabel Egbenya talent for acting, while others can come in because they want to show their bodies to men, it’s up to them. Personally, I came into Nollywood because I have the passion for acting. So far, in the movies I’ve done you’ll discover that I’m real. I act like myself, I don’t want to be like anybody. I don’t want to show my boobs and all. I just do my thing well the little way I can. And so far, if I get a job, I do it and when I don’t, I don’t go about bearing gifts and looking for favours from people to get roles. All I do is pray and fast everyday. When I get a job, I do it well the way I can. You refer to God a lot; are you now a born-again Chrsitian? (Laughs) I’m a born again o, I want to be close to God. A lot of things are happening these days and without God, you’re going nowhere. How did you feel playing a raunchy role in ‘Room 202’? When they brought the script, I read it and they told me the people I would sleep with in the movie. I just had to get into the character and I started acting it out. It was fun and those people are my friends. How does it feel getting into character that involves a lot of kissing and smooching, don’t you get turned on? I don’t get turned on because there are people there; the director and other crew members, so why will I get turned on, so I just act that part. How real is the kissing? It’s real. The kisses are real. In ‘Kingdom of Pleasure’, ‘Kingship’, Frank Artus and I kissed and touched very well because he’s my friend. We were always on set together and we talk once in a while, so we had to make it real. What role did you and Frank Artus play in that movie? In ‘Kingdom of Pleasure’, Frank Artus came back from America and he was asked to marry his late father’s wife, Ngozi Ezeonu who was much older as tradition demands. He refused because he wanted me. So, he used to come to town to visit me and we make love. In the movie, ‘King’s Throne’, I also did a raunchy role with

Frank Artus where it looked as if we had real sex, like he was really inside me and I was enjoying it. Most people believed it was real, but the people who were in there know that we didn’t do anything. Does it mean that being friends with the person you’re paired with makes it easier to interpret some roles? Yes, it could; though, I don’t know about others. But for me, when you’re used to somebody it helps. There are some guys they’ll bring, you’ll do it (kisses and all). If they bring someone who is not attractive, you might not find it easy. But when they bring the likes of Yul Edochie, Mike Ezuruonye, Majid Michel, Joseph Benjamin, all these fine guys (Laughs), you’ll play it well, even when the director is cutting it, you wouldn’t want it to end. But there are some other people you’ll be reluctant to do such roles with. How many movies have you done so far? I’ve done about 60 movies. What’s your biggest asset as an actress? Before I used to say my boobs,

By AYO ONIKOYI, Entertainment Editor

When they brought the script, I read it and they told me the people I would sleep with in the movie. I just had to get into the character and I started acting it out. It was fun and those people are my friends

but not anymore. Now, I would say it’s my bum. About two years ago, I noticed my bum just popped out from nowhere. Special note: As regards mixing up with my colleagues, why I don’t associate with them is first of all due to the fact that outside the whole movie thing, I love being alone. I don’t live with my parents or anybody, I like staying alone. In Nollywood, when we have somewhere to go, I

go with them and when there is no movie business, I stay alone. So, it’s not as if I don’t associate with them, I have a lot of them as friends. The mature ones like Mr. Ibu, Chinwe Owoh, Chinwetalu Agu, Joy Kalu, Francis Duru and others. I’m not very close with the young ones except during locations or on social network.

VEMBER 14, 2015 24 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NO NOVEMBER

By KEHINDE AJOSE 08054680266

Who is Nigeria’s king of collabos?

OLLABOS are means by which artistes bring their unique ingenuity on a song and leverage on each other ’s creativity and fans base. Juacali, a Kenyan hip -hop rapper puts it this way: “Artistes should be ready for collaborations. And the concept is ever-changing as new faces as well as sounds come. This has changed the way fans consume music. Collaborating gives one high chances of opening up new markets.” Onyeka Onwenu’s Wait for me duet with King Sunny Ade was one of the collabos that changed the face of the Nigerian music scene in the early 90’s. Ever since, artistes have teamed up with one another to create a seamless artistic chemistry. In no particular order, we chronicle Nigerian artistes who bring

Phyno

Oritsefemi Don Jazzy collabos, but whenever he collaborates on a song, you can be sure he will deliver.

Banky W

their own brilliant magic on collabos and are often sought after by other artistes. Don Jazzy The Mavin records emperor has suddenly become a collabo magnet. Before now, he was just satisfied with being behind the scenes; suddenly artistes started recruiting him for their songs. He was featured on Psquare’s Collabo, Olamide’s Skelemba, Iyanya’s Gift, Timaya’s Concur and other songs. The highlife flavour he brings to collabos seems to be his selling point. Don Jazzy fans are gladly waiting for him to release his own album. Will that happen anytime soon? Only time will tell Phyno Ghost Mode hit maker, Phyno is another talented artiste who gets featured on songs. His unique delivery,

Olamide

versatility and punch lines are things to watch out for whenever he is being featured on a song. He was featured on Humble Smith’s Osinachi, Flavour’s Wiser, Olamide’s In my circle, Jaywon’s Madantin, Falz’s Karishaka and others. Though he hasn’t come out to declare that he charges for

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Wizkid Recall that Wizkid once revealed that he is responsible for making Saeon’s Boogie Down a hit song. Like a medicine man that is confident of his remedy, Wizkid is confident of the magic he brings on collabos. He has been featured on Seyi Shay’s Crazy, Terry G’s Knack Am, Runtown’s Bend down pause, DJ Jimmy Jatt’s Feeling the beat, Praiz’s Sisi and others. When the starboy melody fills a song, it’s bound to get people showing off their steps on the dance floor. Olamide These days everyone wants a piece of Olamide. The YBNL boss versatility always comes to the fore whenever he collaborates on a song. Though some music pundits believe too many collabos might affect his brand, but the hit maker isn’t ready to slow down yet. He has been featured on Phyno’s Aju, Davido’s The Money, Harry Song’s Reggae blues, Sound Sultan’s Monsura , Sunkanmi’s For body and others

woman based in the U.S is a bonafide collabo king. His freestyles and seamless delivery makes him a candidate for collabos. He has been featured on Patoranking’s Alubarika, Kcee’s Alkayida, Solid Star’s My body,DJ Exclusive’s Pangolo and others. Though the talented artiste still remains a controversy magnet, but that hasn’t affected his star power. Patoranking Girlie O singer, Patoranking who recently had a successful concert in Johannesburg, South Africa is one artiste who possesses that rare ability to add flavour to a collabo. His dancehall style has made him a toast to other artistes. He has

Wizkid

Timaya DM Records boss who was allegedly accused of rape by a

. Rima featuring Tekno - Feeling you RIMA drops the video for his groovy club song titled Feeling you. He teams up with Tekno for this song. The video is directed by Adasa Cookey.

. Michel – Baba Michell is a Nigerian fast rising pop artiste who believes he has what it takes to make it in the industry. The video for his song Baba was shot in Lagos and directed by Dede Oji.

. Davido featuring Olamide-Money What happens when the duo of Davido and Olamide collaborate on a song? What you get is an irresistible sound. The video was shot in London and directed by Sesan.

. DY featuring Solidstar - Accapella DY fetes his fans with this new song titled Accapella.He collaborates with the talented Solid Star in this song. It is produced by Kizzy Beat.

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ail Supa h s J D n a i r e Top Nig arole’ P e n ‘O n o z Ryme

•Timaya

Terry G

by, Yung6ix’s Blessings, 2kriss Jogede,Dayo Amusa’s Aiye Mi and lot’s more. One distinct trait he possesses is that high pitch that serenades you whenever you need to add spice to your day.

featured on Lil Kesh’s Is it because, Wizzy Pro’s Emergency, Ycee’s Condo, Waje’s Left for good, Dija’s Falling for you and lot’s more. He was recently unveiled as Malivelihood brand ambassador. Davido Everyone knows Davido is the son of a billionaire businessman, but not everyone knows he shines when it comes to collaborating with other artistes. Armed with a croaky voice, the Afropop star still shows his adaptability on collabos. He has been featured on DJ Exclusive’s Wole, MC Galaxy’s Nek Unek, Runtown’s Gallardo, R2bees’s Gboza and lot’s more. He recently shocked his fans when he announced that he won’t be releasing his anticipated album this year again. Oritsefemi The self styled musical taliban Oritsefemi whose Double Wahala song made him a sought after artiste, cannot be ignored when it comes to collabos. The Ajegunle bred has a voice that can calm frayed nerves. He has been featured on Black Magic’s Pass you

Banky W Fans of Nigerian music never get enough of Banky W whenever he is being featured on a song. The E.M.E boss has an exceptional voice that ladies cannot resist. He has featured on Black Magic’s Body, DJ Exclusive’s Tonight, Sarkodie’s Pon di ting, Seyi Shay’s Right now and lot’s more. The award winning singer once said he will get married once God gives him the right lady. “‘I don’t know when I’ll get married, I guess it’s when God gives me the right lady because getting married is the most important decision a man can make. I’m simply looking for a special woman that will complement me” Terry G In case you don’t know, Terry G is still on top of his game. The House of Gingah boss is still sought after in the game of collabos. Years back, he had issues with A.Y.com over the hit song Pass me your love. The versatile music producer has been featured on Joel’s Person pikin, Maleek Rahym, Jawo, Abdulala Paro, Timaya’s Lai lai and lot’s more. He has been b r a n d e d unconventional by some and seen as strange by others. Patoranking

. Tyson Noir – Folashade Talented Tyson Noir unveils his new song titled Folashade.He renders this song in a passionate manner. The song is produced by Tay

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10 Klu- Be Careful

Rising artiste, Klu returns with the video of his song Be Careful.The song is produced by Rickbeatz, while the video is directed by Archery.

11 Omawumi- Hello (Adele cover)

Self acclaimed wonder woman, Omawunmi returns with the cover of Adele’s hit song titled Hello.In her usual fashion, she shows off her vocal dexterity in this Reggae tune.

opular Disc Jockeys and mix tape artistes, DJ Moni, DJ Samba, and DJ T Flash have commended the quality of production and rich lyrical content of the rave making song, ‘One Parole’. One parole is a single track by new kid on the bloc, Ahmed Adeola popularly known as Supa Rymez. According to DJ Moni, when a song has the right kicks, it becomes the delight of any Deejay because you can mix it with any genre of song. “For me. I flow with One Parole because it combines all rhythmic strings that can go with any other song I want to mix with it. What happens in the industry today is that the rush to drop songs has made many artistes come up with half baked songs. Some of them could be rhythmically good with very bad lyrical composition, while some that may have perfect lyrical cords may spot bad rhythms. Again, the mixing and mastering of a song matters a lot. But ‘One Parole’ will pass any test anywhere in the world.” DJs Samba and T Flash also expressed similar views, adding that this was the reason all the new mix tapes from them have the song featuring prominently. On how he feels with the rave review his song has received within few weeks of release, Supa Rymez said “ I think it’s God’s work. Otherwise who am I to attract the attention of these top music players, when bigger artistes are paying heavily to get Supa Rymez their attention. When God asks you to go towards a direction, he will always make that journey easy for you. I can only thank God” The 18-year-old rising Hip hop act was mainly known for his break dancing skills before he delved into music. He has performed in so many shows both as a dancer and as a musician. He danced in the Maltina Dance Hall competition and received accolades amid rave reviews from the show’s judges. Rymez has won The Hottest Stepper Award, Next Rated Artiste in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos; Rookie of the Year Award amongst others, between 2012 and 2014. He is a regular feature at Industry Night shows and has performed alongside other stars. His own version cover of Wizkid’s single, Ole, is a banging tune. He is currently signed on to Big Star Records, a fast rising music record label that grooms young and talented musicians. His new single, One Parole, produced by MicOn Studios and mixed by Suka Sounds is the rave of the moment.

12 Wizkid- Good Times (Jamie and Refix)

With the high anticipation towards Wizkid album, he whets the appetite of his fans by unveiling the cover of Jamie and Refix’s Good Times. The star boy once again shows his versatility in this song.

13. Uchman -Ese

Alternative rock artiste Uchman is out with a brand new song titled: Ese (Your Love is Enough) The song is produced by Atta Lenell.The song has a blend of pop and rock.

14.

Gasha – Champion Champion is the lead song from the #WomenWillChangeAfrica Season 1 soundtrack. The song is done by Gasha and produced by Dijay Pazzo.

15.Sojay- Say Something

The man with the smooth voice texture, Sojay returns with this new song titled Say Something. Sojay shows off his vocal strength and versatility in this song

26 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

AFRIFF 2015: Movie stars take over Lagos

housands of African filmmakers and stars stormed Lagos last Sunday for the opening ceremony of this year ’s edition of the prestigious Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, which ends tomorrow with an award night. The 7-day event witnessed series of screening of movies, workshops, seminars and networking. While feature films, documentary and short films were all screened at Genesis Deluxe cinemas, Lekki, workshop and seminars were held at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island and City Mall, in Onikan. Eko Hotel lobby was a bevy of activities as movie stars were all over the place, networking and partying allnight. Screening of the opening film, Jonas Carpignano’s “Mediterranean” at Genesis cinema,The Palms, Lekki set the tone for this year’s

festival. Joining their counterparts, the stars looked ravishing as they walked the red carpet at The Palms, posing for shots, and granting interviews. Some of them dressed to kill, from Rita Dominic to Ini Edo, Uru Eke, Toni Tones, it was a night of fashion and style. In attendance were Mahmoud Ali-Balogun, Mildred Okwo, Rita Dominic, Ure Eke, Grace Oboba Edwin-Okon, O. C. Ukeje, Ramsey Nouah, Ugeze J. Ugeze, Ini Edo, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Dakore Egbuson Akande and Kunle Afolayan. According to the organizers, filmmakers from 35 African countries and 25 non-African countries attended this year ’s festival. The festival continued on Monday, with the industry sessions, workshops and screenings which held at different venues. Also, one of the highpoint of the festival criticism workshop The Entertainment Writers

*Panelists at BoI intertactive session

Series, which had film critic, Muritala Sule and former Sunday Editor of The Guardian, Jahman Ankulapo as resource persons. Meanwhile, speaking during the week, AFRIFF founder, Chioma Ude, described the festival as the next big thing to happen to African film sector. “There is a film festival right now and it’s growing. But I see beyond that. I see a film market, I see a content production. I see development. We train a lot of young

adults and we’re trying to bridge the gap already. I see advancement.” Five years after, AFRIFF has become a hub for African film practitioners. This year is a huge year for us. We have

attained a lot of credibility. We’re set to be the most vibrant film festival,”,” Ude said. countries and 25 nonAfrican countries.

*Nollywood stars on the red carpet

...as Filmmakers gather for B oI’s NollyFund O

*AFRIFF founder, Chioma Ude, mahmood Ali-Balogun and Andy Amenechi at the event C M Y K

ne of the most populated was the Bank of Indus sessions at the festival try (BOI)’s interacti se ssi on on the No lly Fu nd sc he me , an ini ve Program Limit of N1 bil tia l limit of N50 million for lion and a single obligor ind The forum which held ividual loans. Victoria. Island, Lago at the Silverbird Galleria, s on Tuesday, provided platform between filmma a of the bank to interact be kers and members of staff tter on the much publicis BoI NollyFund. ed The special product en movie producers receive ables Nigeria’s leading international quality filmfinancial support to produce various platforms of movies and screen them through in Nigeria and internati distribution available both on Du rin g an int era cti ve ally. Industry ’s Divisional He se ssi on wi th Ba nk of Babatunde Joseph, he reiad, Large Enterprises, Mr. was created to give an terated that the NollyFund stars and fillmakers to opportunity to Nollywood and also make their promake films, tell their stories fit, while helping them with

various distribution pla tforms in Nigeria and Afr at large. ica Notable filmmaker, Ku nle Afo layan, is one of filmmakers who have accessed the fund for the different projects. Afolay their which the loan was obtai an’s movie, The CEO, for of the best pan-African moned, is predicted to be one Afolayan was on the vie to come out of Nigeria. actress Joke Silva and panel alongside veteran film critic, Shaibu Husse joined Mr. Babatunde an ini, Head, Creative Desk d Mrs Uche Nwuka, Group at Bo I to shed light on the workability of the Nolly filmmakers see as a we wood fund, which several lcome development. Filmmakers from other Afr ican countries who noted that such scheme does not exist in their countrie wanted to know if they are s Although Mr. Babatun eligible to access the fund. de sai d it is a scheme me to develop just the Ni gerian creative sector, ant visiting filmmakers praise the Nigerian filmmakers d the initiative, saying that developmental agency are lucky to have such a interested in film busin ess.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 — 27

‘How I embarrassed myself in the name of hugging a friend’ I

•Amaka Iruobe

nnumerable actresses have had to share stories of their most embarrassing moments as celebrities, but none has come out to tell what they did to earn such embarrassments. Rising actress, Amaka Iruobe, is taking the first shot. The Tinsel star recently revealed how she mistakingly hugged a stranger whom she thought was a close friend of hers, ending up embarrassing herself in the process. “It’s actually a funny one. It was when I saw a guy that looked like my friend whom I

At last, Lancelot to release ‘Invasion 1897’ on DVD ..says 2015 has been a fulfilling year for him

s the year is coming to an end, many people are busy taking stock of their achievements for the expiring year. For the popular producer cum director, Lancelot Imasuen, 2015 has been a very fulfilling year which has seen him harvest many awards and toured the world with his epochmaking epic film, Invasion 1897.” In fact, since the film premiered in the cinemas across the world last December, the popular director would confess that it has brought more honours to him than shame. Just last week, at the ZAFAA award which was organized in conjunction with N T A , “Invasion 1897” won six awards

including the Best Director and the Best Film awards. Also, the film is one of the films to watch out for, at the forthcoming Best of Nollywood awards,BON, as it got 10 nominations for the award. In all of these, Lancelot said “It has been a very fulfilling year for me. As expected, we toured all the major cities in the United States with “Invasion 1897”. I thank God for the impact the film has made on the global film market. We are planning to wrap up the year by setting up a company in the United States called Houston Nollywood-USA. This is to give Africans in diaspora the opportunity to be part of what we are doing in Nollywood.”

According to him, from next year, they will kick-start the company with the production of a film titled, “Inheritance”, starring many Nollywood-US •Lancelot notable actors. In addition, Lancelot disclosed that he has concluded plans to establish a film institute in Benin, Edo State, next year, where aspiring actors and actresses will be given to horn their talents. However, the big news is that “Invasion 1897” which initially was scheduled to hit the DVD market early last month, but had to be postponed owing to the activities of pirates who were on its trail, will finally be released on DVD, next month.

Nollywood diva, Queen Adakole launches fashion show By Juliet Ebirim

ollywood actress and model, Queen Adakole is set to launch the first African design and runway event – Styles and Couture. The event is scheduled to hold on Friday, 27th of November, 2015 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin and is being organised by QAmedia. She disclosed that the event is all about showcasing and celebrating African fashion. “The styles and couture fashion designers showcase is a one-night African fashion and runway event aimed at bringing professional designers, style icons and traders in African fashion and accessories together in the Republic of Benin to connect, sell and expand

their reach across the continent. It’s also geared towards making African fashion a globally accepted fashion in Africa and the world at large.” Continuing, the actress, who’s also the CEO and Founder of QAmedia said “We have identified the huge potential in African fashion. That’s why we are organising this all African fashion design show that celebrates African talent and ethical fashion”. The event promises to be an exciting one, spiced with glitz and glamour and non-stop entertainment from across the continent on a massively publicized stage. It will be followed by an all white after party. The show also hopes to bring top and growing fashion design talents to the spotlight, as they become the next voice and style icons of African fashion.

haven’t seen for many years. I was so excited that I ran to hug him, but when he turned and faced me, it dawn on me that I had embarrassed myself because he wasn’t the person. Then it was too late. I have already hugged him,” she reminisced. The rising actress who recently starred in a wavemaking TV series “ Lies and Secrets" claimed being ignorant of the prevailing sexual harassment in the industry, insisting that “as I speak with you, I haven’t experienced it.” Talking about her ideal man, Iruobe said, “he must be a guy with a clean cut beards, sweet body, excellent style and one that possesses a sense of humor.

Oxford Gardens unites Obi Emelonye and AfricaMagic B

asking in the success of great films including “The Mirror Boy”, "Last Flight to Abuja," "Onye Ozi" and "Thy Will Be Done," award-winning director cum producer, Obi Emelonye, is at it again. He is getting ready to hit the screen with his latest film, “Oxford Gardens”. The film, starring US-based Nigeria’s boxing legend, Ngoli Okafor, Ngozi Thompson Igwebike, Savannah Roy, Ify Chukwu, Princess Abiye, Frank Ani, Nnenna Ani, and D’Richy Emelonye will officially be premiered on December 18. According to him, “I dig deep to explore stories that our young industry has ignored for some reason or another. In 2011, it was The Mirror Boy which attempted to see Africa through the eyes of a 12 year old London-born African boy. Last Flight to Abuja, a year later dealt with the glamorous world of aviation with its excitement, glitz and unfortunately, crashes. In all of these projects, I am seeking a new vista from which to see our common existence. In Oxford Gardens, I have attempted to tell a moving love story wrapped in boxing gloves. Nigeria has produced great boxers, old and new. However, for some reason, Nollywood has ignored stories around boxing in spite of boxing’s gritty nature that would lend itself easily to cinematography. Boxing films over the years have been hugely successful globally because they stir potent emotions in audiences, as the Rocky series and more recently Cinderalla Man and Southpaw have proved. Oxford Gardens is a film about boxing and not a boxing film. It takes some of the elements that make boxing films successful; sympathy for the underdog, blood, sweat, tears; and weaves them into a narrative that is an allegory for our broader fight for love, life and our place in the world.” C M Y K

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

Don Jazzy ex

I don't have a he confesses

•Says he's not releasing his o By KEHINDE AJOSE Leader of Nigeria’s high flying music crew, MAVINS, Don Jazzy, is one individual who has contributed in no small measure to the growth of the music industry in Nigeria. Over a year ago, the likes of Korede Bello, Reekado Banks and Dija were greenhorns in the industry until Don Dorobucci gave them the track to run their own races. Today, they have grown to become stars in their own right, thanks to Don Jazzy’s masterstroke. In this interview, head of the Supreme Mavins Dynasty reveals the reason behind the forthcoming Mavins Access Concert, possibility of working with D'banj again, why he won’t release his own album anytime soon and other issues. Why did it take you this long to put together a concert of this magnitude? I have been planning things in my head but then, it’s now that we are going live. There is no point doing something when you don’t have content. I am a perfectionist, so, until I know that I have what it takes to do one, I won’t do it. I would have come out to say let’s organize a concert, but if you don’t have good content there is no point doing one. Will D'banj be performing at this concert? Right now I cannot categorically tell you whether he will call me to say: “Oh you are organizing a concert too? I will come o.” But right now, he is not billed to perform at the concert. Do you have plans to have international artistes at the concert? No. Will other artistes be performing aside from the Mavins? It’s a Mavins concert .Obviously you will see other artistes perform. I have done collaborations with a lot of people. I have done collaborations C M Y K

with Psquare, Timaya, Olamide and many more. It’s a Mavins and friends concert but more emphasis will be placed on the Mavins. You are known to be generous; don’t you think you need to work with a foundation to make it official? I don’t trust some of these foundations. I think it’s just people looking for an opportunity to collect money. I don’t think I need to set up a foundation before I help people. I help people regardless of that. A lot of people have been telling me to set up a foundation. I might do that at a point to satisfy people. For now, it’s not a priority. What does it take to work with you? It is important you have the talent and the next thing is for you to locate me. Social media is the best place to find me. Follow me and I will follow you too. I won’t listen to the person’s song if I think that the person looks like a trouble maker. Some people might tell you they sent you a song and you now made it your own. Another issue is creating time for it. Your label mates have been recording songs back to back, what is responsible for that? We always record, we never stop recording. When are we getting an album from Reekado Banks, Dija and Korede Bello? If you ask them now, they will tell you they don’t want to do. People drop albums and decline, it’s not good. What is the secret of your success? There is no secret, I just work hard. When are you going to release your own album? I am not going to release an album. Right now, I know that I won’t be releasing an album. I might consider it, may be if I am given money but right now, I don’t see myself doing

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 — 29

xposed

girlfriend,

have gotten to certain level where they can be on their own, then I can sign on new artistes.

Don Jazzy, Mavin crew set for first ever all-Mavins concert

What happened to the signature

Mavins concert

own single or album soon that. Do you charge for collabos? I have never charged for collabos. I am honored to actually be asked to do a collabo with an artiste. I think I have actually done collaborations with almost everyone that had asked for it Does Don Jazzy have a girlfriend? I don’t have a girlfriend. When last were you in a relationship? A year ago. I am on break now when it comes to a relationship.

When do you think the time will be right to tie the knots? I might not even announce that I will be getting married. I don’t understand why people think I will just come and announce that I will be getting married. I am not really that kind of person. Why do you avoid the media? It’s because I don’t know how to talk to people. Would you be collaborating with Dbanj any time soon ? It is possible. We will do it when we both settle down and agree we want to do it. He is busy doing his own thing and I am also busy with my Korede , Reekado and Dija.We live in the same vicinity. By the time we sit down and plan it, we would create something. We would probably work again. As long as there is life, there is nothing impossible. You interact with a lot of people on social media, how do you sieve the people you interact with? Why should I sieve them? If they come correct, we will talk. If they don’t come correct, I move on. I have met a lot of people via the social media.

Right now I cannot categorically tell you whether he will call me to say: “Oh you are organizing a concert too? I will come o.”Bur right now, he is not billed to perform at the concert

Would you be signing a rapper anytime soon? Yes, I have signed a couple of them, but you are yet to meet them. Would you be releasing your own single anytime soon? I am not thinking of that now. I have people that need to succeed. I am happy developing people for now till death do me part. Already, I feel that I am singing too much. Would you be signing more artistes? Well, it depends on the ones that I see, but I need to push my present artistes to a certain level before signing new ones. I think they are really growing very fast. If I feel that they

Don Jazzy stick? It’s at home. Change is constant. I hardly use it because one has to rebrand. You can't be doing the same thing over and over again. You will see it at the concert.

Don Jazzy, Mavin crew set forfirst everall-

They have set the record for the most views by a Nigerian label on YouTube. They have set the record for the most hits released by a label in a single year. Now, leading Nigerian record label, Mavin Records, will set another record on December 23 this year with a marathon yearend concert holding in Lagos, the country’s commercial capital. Planned in partnership with Access Bank, the one day concert will feature a string of Mavin acts, led by multiple award winning singer/producer Don Jazzy, MAMA winning singer Tiwa Savage and Bestselling pop acts Dr. SID and D’Prince. Other headliners will include Mavin super trio, Korede Bello, D’iJa and Reekado Banks. Known as the Supreme Mavin Dynasty, the crew will be joined by other superstar musicians for an electrifying concert that will last for hours and will be broadcast live. Mavin Records founder, Don Jazzy, says the event is ‘a loyalty reward’ for the millions of Mavins fans across the world for their support and passion. According to the spokesperson for the label, the tickets will cost next to nothing. ‘This is our way of saying thank you to our many fans around the world for supporting us from our launch three years ago to where we are now. We have achieved so many records and the only reason we have done all this in such a short space of time is because of our amazing fan base. The tickets are super affordable and can be purchased on PayWithCapture. This is the first time the three yearold label is presenting a concert of its own, and expectations are high from the music and business community. Concert partners, Access Bank, will make a big entry into music sponsorship with the title sponsorship of the concert. The Bank’s Executive Director, Personal Banking, Mr Victor Etuokwu, told journalists that the sponsorship is part of the Access Bank’s commitment to providing a meeting platform like the Access Mavin Concert and Accelerate, amongst others, to engage youths. “Access Bank will continue to seek opportunities for young Nigerians to celebrate and learn as we challenge them to take tomorrow, we shall be their friend and dependable partner all the way. The Access Mavin Concert will hold at Eko Atlantic in Lagos, on December 23, 2015.

C M Y K

30—SATURDAY

Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 IYABO AINA 08184172548

Why my relationship with Lil W ayne w ent sour Wa went - Christina Milan

t is no-longer news that on and off controversial star Lil Wayne and his sweetheart have called it quits after a long time relationship without disclosing reason behind their split. But recently the screen diva Christina Milian, finally gave us an answer to that burning question. Christina Milan opened up on her show on E! entertainment on why she dumped the Young Money rapper, Lil Wayne. Christina said it all started with a photo. The singer asked Wayne if he’s dating the lady she saw wearing booty shorts and a sports bra and posing in the rapper’s house , but the rapper denied it. And as a result of Wayne’s refusal to come out clean, she dumped him. The singer disclosed that “I’ve never loved anyone the way that I love Wayne, not even my ex-husband” she says through her tears. “I’ve never loved anyone the way that I love him. I’ve never had anyone understand me the way that he has.”

•Christina Milan

My emotional journey as a transgender woman — Caitlyn Jenner

Men come and go in my life - Jennifer Lopez

ennifer Lopez who covers the latest edition of Marie Claire magazine has finally opened up about her divorce issues with Marc Anthony. Jlo said men come and go but her girlfriends are always there for her. According to the 46-year-old

singer, “I think I realised they were as important if not more important when I divorced Marc. ‘I just realised that I had been through that a couple of times and there they still were. Like they say, men come and go, but my girlfriends are always there for me.”

n Monday, the 2015 Glamour Women of the Year Awards honored the 66year-old Olympian for her work in transgender awareness and advocacy. During her acceptance speech, she opened up about her emotional journey since coming out as a transgender woman in April. “Over this last six months, it has been the most eyeopening experience of my life,” Caitlyn said, looking glamorous in a royal blue Moschino gown and elegant updo. “For years and years I never felt like I fit in anywhere. I always felt as an outsider. I never felt good in the male side, and I wasn’t obviously in the female side. I was kind of stuck in the middle.” “But all of a sudden after

making this decision and coming out, it was by far the best thing I ever did,” she continued. “Because for so many years I lost my enthusiasm for life, literally staying in my house for almost six years. Because I never really wanted to come out, just to go work, that was about it. Now, actually, I like going out, and I like being myself. “ Caitlyn revealed that her lifetime struggle with her identity came to a turning point a few years ago. “My transition was very, very long,” Caitlyn said. “I had many years of isolation from the world, of lying to the world, of not being myself. I got to a point a few years ago, I was back out in Malibu in my home, all alone, had raised wonderful children — and I thought, what am I

•Caitlyn Jenner

going to do with my life? I’ve isolated and lied to myself and lied to the world for so long, what am I going to do with my life?” The former Keeping Up With the Kardashians stars said her journey has given her a new purpose in life.

I see life differently after my accident — racy Morgan

•Jennifer Lopez

C M Y K

RACY Morgan has come a long way since the deadly car crash that left him in critical condition and suffering from a brain injury. Battling through his recovery and defying the odds, the 47year-old comedian has returned in a big way, as he recently disclosed that he has a new outlook on life since the accident. Recall that in October, Morgan made his return to the stage when he hosted Saturday Night Live, and now he’s starring in a national commercial for Footlocker. Also when media caught up with Morgan and his wife, Megan Wollover, on the set of his new ad, the comedian opened up about his journey,

and what helped him during his healing process. “I remember this time last year I was in a wheelchair wondering if I was going to walk again,” Morgan shared. “Now I’m doing a Footlocker commercial.” According to the former 30 Rock star, a critical part of his recovery was his 2year- old daughter, Maven, who he shares with Wollover. “She made me laugh a lot during my therapy,” Morgan recounted, smiling. “She loved daddy, and she made daddy laugh a lot.”

•Morgan

As for the SNL alum, the entire experience has lead him to have a new perspective on life, and to realize what is truly important.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—31

or those who love the avant-garde style, brace up for a time of super elegance, with the new Damaris Solaris bags. Designed by DolapoOtunla, who is famous for her statement three heeled and Aluminum heeled OYSBY Shoes; the Damaris Solaris bag is a perfect fusion of Technology and Fashion, which gives the user a room to look professional whilst being in tune with fashion. The bag, built using high quality materials according to Dolapo, is properly handcrafted using fine stitching and a solid construction which enables the bag to endure high levels of daily use while maintaining its good looks. “The clipping mechanism which is made from a solid and durable metal enables the bag to withstand constant opening and closing.” She says.

Go stylish with Damaris Solaris

Bags The Damaris Solaris, which is the next piece you will see on every It Girl next season, measures up at 28cm high, 50cm wide and 10cm deep. “It’s the perfect size that suits many needs with two large zip pockets and three internal compartments, the bag provides ample space for individual use.” She informs. Every Solaris bag comes with a built in charger unit, which can be fully charged beforehand via a mains-socket

•Damaris Solaris bag back

in under 3hrs; hence, providing a full charge for up to two handheld devices. The charger unit can also be topped up by the integrated 13x12cm Solar Panel which can charge up to 2 phones (and a tablet) at once that allows the user to get the most out of their devices. Inspired by the need to combine her skills as an Engineer with her flair for fashion, Dolapo designed the leather solar bags to provide added functionality in bags, initiating a lifestyle concept in which people make purchase decisions based on both style and function.

Polo Avenue Fashion Series Presents Florian London

Top fashion designer Alero Fafowora opens Shopping Mall

Top Fashion designer behind Hallero and Heych- Alero fafowora , recently opened an ultra modern shopping mall in Lekki, Lagos.Called. Park Place, the mall which sits delicately on Admiralty way, houses over 20 foremost fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, including Hallero, Woodlands Nails lounge & spa, Tammy ’ s hairs, Diva accessories,Dabota cosmetics, Aso Asiko fabric, Sari Signature, Bismid, Studio 24 and many more . Alero, who has been in the fashion industry for over a decade with flagship stores in Ikeja and Victoria island respectively, has joined the league of designers who own their own lifestyle edifices in other to aid and promote Nigerian brands. •Alero Fafowora C M Y K

•Classy look

•Da mar is S olar is b ag

olo Avenue, Nigeria’s number one fashion destination is proud to present a pop –up shop in collaboration with Florian London, a London based ladies accessories brand dedicated to creating luxury leather goods at an attainable price point. It hosted customers to a pop up shop sales event recently in its fashion series, at the Polo Towers on Victoria Island Lagos. The event gave customers of both Polo Avenue and Florian London the opportunity to purchase exclusive pieces of Florian London’s existing collection in its entirety, including the very latest additions, unique one-off pieces, whilst previews of next seasons were in exhibition. The hand painted bags, were an especially instant hit. According to Polo

Avenue’s Executive Director, MS. Jennifer Obayuwana ‘’ the aim of our ‘fashion series’ is to show our support for young upcoming brands and we are pleased to have collaborated with the British lifestyle brand as the collection combine great craftsmanship with the timeless elegance of and a distinct iconic style. Polo Avenue is Nigeria’s sole official retailer for Gucci, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo and Jimmy Choo in Nigeria, The brand is shaping and defining the luxury industry by setting the highest standard of premium quality and competence in the areas of craftsmanship, product delivery and customer experience. Florian is the winner of the 2014 Independent handbag designer award

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 he image of a young girl running naked and screaming in agony came to define the suffering of the Vietnam War. Nine-year-old Kim Phuc had ripped off her burning clothes following a napalm attack, but her skin continued to burn. Phuc survived, but sustained burns over a third of her body. Now living in Canada, she has been in pain ever since the traumatic event. The burns damaged her nerve endings, and affected her range of motion. It’s meant she’s not able to carry out simple tasks like extending her right arm or carry her purse on her left side. More than 40 years later, Phuc finally has a chance to physically heal. Jill Waibel, from the Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, began a series of laser treatments last month, free of charge. The treatment will hopefully smooth and soften the thick scar tissue that surrounds her left arm, her neck up to her hairline and down almost her entire back. If successful, the laser treatment will also ease

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For ty yyear ear tnam W ar Forty earss af aftter the Vie Vietnam War ended, the “napalm girl’s” pain endures

the pain Phuc experiences on a daily basis. Phuc told the Associated Press that she had thought the pain would only end when she died and reached heaven. The laser surgery is “heaven on earth.” Napalm is a jelly like substance that sticks to its victims and can burn more than 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius) once ignited. Since its controversial use in the Vietnam War, UN members signed a treaty to protect civilians from the use of “cruel and inhumane weapons” such as Napalm against civilians. Associated Press photojournalist Nick Ut, who took the famous photo that went on to win him the Pulitzer Prize, was also there as Phuc started treatment. The pair have remained close over the years—Phuc calls him “Uncle Nick.” She told the AP: “He’s the beginning and the end,” adding, “He took my picture and now he’ll be here with me with on this new journey, new chapter.”

Her oic bo or his par aly sed ffather ather Heroic boyy, 7, cares ffor paraly alysed H

eroic boy, 7, cares for his paralysed father around the clock after he fell out of a building and his mother abandoned them This touching story of a young boy who has nursed his paralysed father since his mother walked out on them is guaranteed to make your heart sink. Ou Tongming, a 37-year-old laborer from Wangpu village in southwest China's Guizhou province, plunged from the second story of construction property in 2013, suffering a spinal cord injury that paralysed him from the waist down. After the poverty-stricken family sapped their life savings on medical treatments, Tongming's wife fled with their three-year-old daughter, never to be heard from again, leaving sevenyear-old Ou Yanglin to be the sole caretaker of his bedridden father. For over a year, Yanglin has woken at 6am every morning to feed his dad before going to school, teaching himself to cook rice and buy vegetables from a local market. At lunchtime he rushes home to feed his father again. Yanglin, who only just started attending the first grade, scours the streets after school to collect scraps which can make up to up to 20 yuan (A$4) a day. Outside of this, the pair are surviving on a 300 RMB ($AU66)-a-month disabled persons handout. The shocking circumstances C M Y K

of the mother's departure are known to the family's neighbours, who have endeavoured to offer help wherever possible, but who are also just as impoverished. 'My father needs medicine, but I don't have any money,'

Yanglin told local media. After returning home each day, the schoolboy helps to turn his father on his side and applies medicine to his body, which is plagued by bedsores from lying down for so long, one of which has ulcerated

and spread and become an infection on his pelvis. Yanglin said more than anything else he that he hopes to 'grow up soon' in order to

earn money to cure his father's afflictions. 'I can't live without my father,' he said. Yanglin's story has spread like wildfire, with sympathisers calling for a charity fund to be set up in his name to offer financial aid to the family.

Viagra pills for night of passion with a 27-year-old woman

74-year-old retired hair dresser had to be treated by paramedics after taking two Viagra tablets for a night of passion with a 27-year-old. Ray Boddington had picked up the pills from a friend in his local pub after meeting the younger woman. But as he left her apartment, Mr Boddington began having major heart palpitations and feared he was going into cardiac arrest. After calling 999, tests taken by paramedics showed Mr

Boddington had a high blood pressure reading of 157/88. A normal reading should not be above 140/90. His heart was also beating at a high rate of 102 beats per minute - above the regular 60-100 beats. The pensioner, from Salford, Greater Manchester and a former contestant on The X Factor, was allowed to stay in the vehicle until his heart rate went back to normal. Speaking out after the incident, he said: 'I only took them because I was going to a bird's flat and a

bloke told me to give them a go. 'It was for a laugh. She's a lot younger than me so I wanted to be able to keep up. I'll not be doing it again, that's for sure.' He added: 'In the ambulance the paramedic said "it’s coming down". I said "it doesn’t feel like it’s coming down" and she said: "No, I’m talking about your blood pressure". 'I had to keep my arm over it otherwise it would have been up in the air.' Mr Boddington said he did not start feeling unwell until about two hours after he had

taken them. He said: 'I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and the blood rushing from my head. I thought I was having a heart attack and I was going to die.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 — 33

Zabaleta:

Sterling

I’m almost set to return

•Sterling

tips City to win trophies for years to come R

aheem Sterling claims Manchester City have a squad capable of winning trophies for ‘many years’ to come. But the England international is refusing to get carried away with Premier League leaders’ impressive start to the season - insisting the ‘real tests’ lie ahead. Manuel Pellegrini’s side lead Arsenal on goal difference at the top of the table and have already booked their place in the knock out stages of the Champions League. Sterling, who completed a £44m move from Liverpool in the summer believes players like Sergio Aguero and David Silva can help City dominate.“It’s good to go training every day and see players of that calibre,” he said. “With players like Vinny (Kompany), Sergio (Aguero), David (Silva) and Joe (Hart), we can achieve for many years. “I’m just happy to be in a squad like that. I want to continue my development and win trophies. We’ve got a good bunch of lads there who’ve helped me settle in really well. I’m doing alright for my club. I’m happy to be top of the league and I’ve scored in some important games. But the real test comes in May.”

•Zabaleta

ablo Zabaleta has provided Manchester City fans with more good news this week. Sergio Aguero has already spoken about stepping up his rehabilitation back from injury as he targets the Liverpool game on November 21 for his return. And his Argentine compatriot could also feature in that game after revealing that he should be back working with the rest of the team next week. “I am doing OK, progressing well and trying to be fit for the visit of Liverpool after the international break,” he said. “We’ll see how it goes in the next week or so,” said Pablo.“At the moment the plan is to re-join the rest of the team next Monday so hopefully, everything will go well and I’ll be available for our next game.” It has been a frustrating season so far for Zabaleta. Sidelined for six weeks at the start of the season, he only started four games for the Blues before being forced back onto the treatment table with a similar problem.

Dunga: Neymar’s the best B

Romero: I’m tired of bench role

ergio Romero is still fighting to be the No.1 goalkeeper at Manchester United and is happy to have improved at the club. The shotstopper joined the Reds in summer and was in goal for the opening fixtures. The collapse of David de Gea’s move to Real Madrid has seen the Argentine demoted since deadline day. While it is no easy task to reclaim his position, 28-year-old Romero is feeling positive about his current situation. “I knew from the first minute that it wasn’t going to be easy,” he told ESPN , “as there are guys in the team that have a great quality and that I was going to have to win my place. “In football you never know what could happen. Today you play, tomorrow you don’t. “What I know is that you always have to be ready for when the chance comes. Nobody is the owner of any position in football.“I am happy at Manchester United. I am at one of the most important English teams and one of the most important teams in the world.” Romero’s lack of club football has not hindered his international opportunities, and he believes Louis van Gaal has helped improve his game.“[Gerardo] Martino trusts in my conditions,” he added. “He asks me to do the same thing that I do at Manchester United.“Van Gaal always wants me to play with my feet and to be an option for the defenders and that is very useful for me when I have to come to play for Argentina.” C M Y K

•Romero •Neymar

razil coach Dunga believes his captain Neymar is the best player in the world at the moment. Neymar has played a starring role at Barcelona over recent weeks in the ongoing injury absence of Lionel Messi. The 23-yearold has scored 10 goals in his last seven games for Barca, and crowned last Sunday’s 3-0 win over Villarreal by completing a brace with a stunning individual strike. “On the numbers and statistics, Neymar is superior right now. Messi was injured recently, Cristiano Ronaldo has to repeat what he did last year, and Neymar has been constantly growing since he went to Barcelona [in 2013]. He has responded as expected to the absence of Messi at Barcelona and is in a good moment.”

36—SA TURD AY 36—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, NO VEMBER 14, 2015 NOVEMBER

(Text Only)

The Locust

Yoga and Ageing:

Doctor's perspective The Twist Over Technique:

ying flat on your back with feet to gether and arms spread out at shoulder level, place your right foot on top of your left thigh. Now, bring your left hand to hold your right knee and gently press the left leg down. In all of this, try to keep your back flat down on the floor. Hold the position for some 10 to 15 seconds and repeat on the other side.

The Locust

he Locust, the next exercise effectively deals with excess weight, firms, streamlines and develops the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs. To perform the Locus, lie face down with the chin on the floor and place the fists on the floor beside the thighs. Breathe in deeply, regaining the breathe, push legs as high as you can. Remain a while like this, then bring down both legs and exhale. Take a short rest and repeat. If it is too difficult raising both legs in one go, take the described position, but raise one leg for a while, lower it, and then repeat with the other leg.

Benefits:

he Twist Over endows the spine with supplyness and the digestive organs and kidneys get gentle but effective massage.

Yoga Classes

Started @

The Twist Over C M Y K

32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos. 9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

SATURDAY

Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—37

Father of 5 cries out:

How doctor’s negligence made me impotent ·Petitions Osun State Governor ·Seeks redress from LAUTECH

HIRTY nine-year-old Sodiq Momoh is not a happy man. The father of five is upset for two reasons. First, he is unable to urinate through his male sex organ like a normal male, rather, he is only able to pass water with the aid of a catheter (rubber tube) that he carries around. Second, and perhaps more agonising for Sodiq is his inability to initiate or sustain an erection. “I used to be quite virile, but now, my male sex organ is lifeless and unable to function. As a result, I cannot engage in sexual intercourse. What is really paining me is that my wife is also not happy and is even threatening to leave me because I can no longer satisfy her sexually,” he disclosed to Saturday Vanguard in an interview. A butcher by profession, Sodiq, who hails from Oyo, in Oyo State, is blaming his woes on complications he suffered as a result of what he described as a medical doctor ’s misconduct and professional negligence. Appendectomy Recounting his travails, Sodiq said it all began around February this year shortly after he approached the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, in Oyo State, with a complaint of an inflamed appendix. Following diagnosis of appendicitis, he recalled how he was promptly booked for an appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix) at the hospital and how the procedure was successfully carried out. In his narration, Sodiq related how he got more than he bargained for shortly after the surgical procedure. “My appendix was removed without incident, the operation was successfully completed at about 6.30pm, and around 11pm that same night, I was already up and moving around. Shortly aftewards, the doctor (name withheld) who carried out the appendectomy approached me for payment. “I was surprised because I had already settled my bills at the pay point of the hospital before the procedure, but the doctor insisted I had to give him ‘something’, so I asked if I would get a receipt. He answered in the negative

•Sodiq Momoh Ibrahim

and, in turn, I refused to give in and an argument ensued.” Abandoned catheter Sodiq noted that for several hours after he was taken to the ward to recuperate, the catheter that was affixed to his private part to aid passage of urine post surgery was yet to be removed. “From information I gathered, the catheter ought to have been removed within 24-48 hours of the operation, but when I was in pains in my private part, I called the doctor ’s attention to the development, but I was shocked when he told me point blank that I would only be attended to when I was ready to accede to his request. “His unwillingness to attend to me resulted to the catheter remaining in my body for as long as 144 hours. It was only after my private part had become swollen, bleeding and fluid coming out that the catheter was removed. Now, I urinate with great discomfort. I am always feeling a peppery sensation in my urethra,

His unwillingness to attend to me resulted to the catheter remaining in my body for as long as 144 hours. It was only after my private part had become swollen, bleeding and fluid coming out that the catheter was removed worse still, I am unable to have an erection. These were not complications of the surgery, but consequences of negligence. Sodiq told Saturday Vanguard that he

immediately took up the matter officially with authorities of the hospital, but several complaints yielded nothing as the response was not encouraging because all effort to compel those in charge to take responsibility and make amends for the misdemeanour amounted to nought. Petition Left with no other option, Sadiq consulted his solicitors who petitioned the hospital authorities . Copies of the petition, addressed to the Chief Medical Director, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, were sent to the institution’s Director of Administration, Chairman Medical Advisory Committee and President, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of

Nigeria, MDCAN, Oyo State branch in Ibadan, as well as the President of the Association’s national body in Abuja. In the letter, Sodiq’s lawyers pointed out the hospital’s responsibility to normalize his urethral stream and also to foot the cost of medical treatment that would regularise the damage. The letter, dated 24 June, 2015, was also copied to the office of the Oyo State Commissioner of Health and office of the Oyo State Governor, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi, demanding full investigation and appropriate sanctions meted out to those found culpable and indicating readiness of the aggrieved party to go to court to seek legal redress should the hospital fail to heed the request. However, none of those copied had so far responded and when Saturday Vanguard phoned the office of the Director of Administration, LAUTECH, there was no response. No corrective surgery Sodiq said he was told that if he really wanted to have an operation to correct the problem, he would have to pay from his own pocket. “Even after I made it clear that the doctor in question had admitted fault, an official advised me to forget the matter because, as he claimed, the hospital was not receiving Continues on Page 38

38—SATURDAY

Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2015 —41

HCPAN honours NHIS zonal coordinator

he Health Care Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), Lagos state chapter has honoured the General Manager/Lagos Zonal

Continues from Page 37 and was under instruction by the Governor to generate funds internally to run its own services.” “I tried to seek the cooperation of all concerned at a roundtable, but to avail. I was informed that the hospital had nothing to answer for, but that is unacceptable to me. When I was told that there was no waiver to be offered me in this respect, I got really angry. “I was angry because I have been short-changed. The doctor had earlier admitted fault and said he was ready to facilitate corrective surgery, but has been avoiding me.” Marital strain “I am 39, married with five children, but since this incident happened, it has caused a strain between me and my wife. I can neither urinate nor have sexual intercourse. My wife is complaining that I am not

satisfying her sexually and she is threatening to leave me. My children are aged between 13 and a half and two years old. I wish to have more children if God wills it, and even if I cannot have more children, should I not be complete as a man? Should not have a completely healthy body as God created me? “I am a sportsman. Before this problem, I used to be very active and played games such as table tennis as recreation. I used to jog every morning, but since the incident, I can hardly walk for 15-20 minutes without resting. I did not go to the hospital with these disabilities, so I am totally disillusioned and challenging the doctor and hospital to come out and talk about this matter. Ruined business As a butcher, Sodiq lamented his plight. “Now I beg to survive, I beg to feed my family. As a butcher, I know how much I used to

SEXUAL ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

HE symptoms of yeast infection in men called “candidal balanitis’ include - Redness , Swelling, Itching and irritation, Thick lumpy discharge under the foreskin, Unpleasant smell Pain during urination, Problems pulling back the foreskin to mention but a few and this infection can be prevented by; -if you have a penis or groin rash make sure you treat it for at least 3 months (ninety days) continuously. It is common for a man to treat a yeast infection, eliminate the symptoms temporarily, and then have the condition come back with a vengeance several weeks later. -Antibiotics are one of the biggest causes of yeast infections; avoid them as much as possible. And if you absolutely must take them, be sure you take a course of a probiotics to follow-up with. I ordered Rhino 7 from you, but I discovered that it didn’t really give me that VERY strong erection that I want, cos I wanted it really hard. A friend gave me just 2 pills of Plant Vigra and I had my erection very hard. Can I get it from you? Bonniface Hello Bonniface, Rhino 7 is very effective for a lot of things, just that it is body-type sensitive i.e it chooses the body to work in, so don’t be discouraged as there are numerous people who have gotten used to Rhino 7 because of its efficiency, not to worry; Plant vigra gives very hard erection also and helps premature ejaculation in men, maybe that’s why most men prefer it.Yes, you can take Plant Vigra cos its very safe

Coordinator of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prince Nasiru Ikharo with an award in recognition for the

Coordinator ’s giant strides in the advancement of health Insurance in Lagos state and Nigeria at large.

make on the average weekly. My business has been completely paralysed since February because I am just at home unable to function normally. My health is now suboptimal. I just want the hospital do the right thing.” When he consulted another health institution, he was given a huge bill for the corrective treatment. “ I went to Skyline Hospital, Ibadan, where I was examined by an urologist after which I was told that I would need to make a deposit of N190,000 before the corrective surgery. I went to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, and it was a similar story. “Where am I going to get that kind of money? I paid a lot of money for the appendectomy, but I am not demanding a refund. I have lost confidence in the hospital. I am ready to go elsewhere. What I am demanding is to be compensated.”

Presenting the award, on the occasion of the association’s Annual General Meeting held at the Lagos Chambers of commerce and industry, Alausa–Ikeja, the Chairman of HCPAN Lagos chapter, Dr. Shehu Tunji Akintade described Prince Ikharo as a patriotic Nigerian, an achiever, and a selfless public Servant whose doggedness and perseverance has led to the verifiable awareness and advancement of Health Insurance in Lagos State. In his keynote address titled “ Health Insurance— The NHIS story so far ” Prince Ikharo stated that, “ this noble gathering of HCPAN members is auspicious because the Association is the other most important stakeholder in the NHIS ecosystem, the first arguably being the enrollee”. Going Further, Ikharo pointed out that, “National social health insurance is an import financing mechanism that protects people against the high cost of care by their

making affordable prepayments prior to falling ill. It involves pooling of resources from persons of different income groups and different health-risk profiles. It also involves costburden sharing between those who are ill and those who are healthy. Social health insurance, therefore, has three characteristics: prepayment, resource pooling, and cost-burden sharing”. Ikharo noted finally that the recent signing into law of the compulsory Lagos state health bill by the State Assembly was a welcome development and greatly commendable as it was a positive step toward universal health coverage.

INFECTIONS AND SEX: YEAST INFECTION IN MEN (II) Hello Viewden, thank you so very much for helping people like me with diabetes and very weak erection; but thanks to Vimax and the Gingko tea which I took alongside sexvoltz that I got from you two weeks back, my erection is stronger and better even at 65 years of age. Thank you so very much. My wife’s Vagina is always dry and she complains of pains during sex, what can she use? Biyi Vimax is an amazing product when it comes to correcting weak erection especially for the diabetic. Vimax is a herbal supplement and as such very safe for every man to use including men with any health issue. The Gingko tea is herbal tea that help reduce diabetes,hypertension and blood lipids,while Sexvoltz gives strong erection on demand. To prevent dryness of vagina and pain during sex, your wife can take lubricants like Mood, Liquid sex, Moist, System Jo to lubricate the vagina and once this is done, the pains shouldn’t be witnessed unless there is an infection. She can also get Germany sex drops with any arousal gels like Mood, Crazygirl, Horny-honey gel, 69 lick meetc. to arouse her. If she’s properly aroused, her vagina will be naturally wet. I have been trying to get pregnant for about 6 years after my marriage all to no avail. I don’t have fertility problem as confirmed by the doctor and anytime I have sexual intercourse with my husband, the sperm flows out and I also have menstrual disorder. What can I use? Boluwatife It is normal for sperm to flow out of the vagina after intercourse, but since

you are trying to get pregnant, it is advised that after sexual intercourse, you raise your legs and put it against the wall immediately your husband ejaculates and be in that position for about 10 to 15 minutes before dropping your leg. And to your menstrual disorder, Cleanshield liquid with the Ganoderma tea will stabilize your period and when the stability is achieved its easy to get the ovulation period , which is the best time to have intercourse so as to get pregnant. Im in the 2nd month of using Vigrx plus with plump creamand I can notice reasonable increase in the size of my penis, can I use Volume pills alongside with these products to increase my semen quantity? Do you have any product my wife can use to increase her butt and hips? Clarence Volume pills help to increase the quantity and quality of semen produced in men and yes its safe and herbal without side effect. You can use it alongside Vigrx plus and plump cream,just leave four hours in between usage. Your wife can make use of the Isosensual butt Curve cream and pill to increase the butt and hips. It works over a period of two to three months and they are safe as they are herbal products. These are all we can take for this week. Adults who needs these aphrodisiacs can call 08034666358, 07059294782 or place your order at www.viewden.com. For further enquiries, send an email to us at: vieweden@yahoo.com, viewden@ymail.com. Kemi Fawole (MD Viewden)

SA TURD AY Vanguard, NO VEMBER 14, 2015—39 SATURD TURDA NOVEMBER

Dame Ehanire’s retirement thanksgiving The Okafors knighted

ame Benedicta Ehanire had a special thanksgiving service recently at the All Saints Anglican Church, Etete, Benin City to mark her retirement from the N.T.A after thirty-five years of meritorious service.

L-R: Sir Andy Ehanire and his wife, Dame Benedicta Ehanire

ir and Lady Dr. Innocent Okafor received the honour of Knighthood of the Good Shepherd (KGS). The investiture was done by His Grace, The Most Reverend Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma (OON) Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Enugu/Bishop of Diocese of Enugu on the 7th November 2015.

L-R:Prof. Moses Momoh, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benin and Dr. Nat Bunuju, South-South Regional Advert Manager of Vanguard .

Cadbur Cadburyy injects 250 sales vans into the market CADBURY recently acquired 250 sales vans which were handed over to its key distributors as part of her Route-To-Market initiative to boost operational efficiency. The brand new Mitsubishi vans were handed over to the distributors by the Managing Director, Mr. Roy Naaman at a colourful ceremony at the Cadbury Corporate office.

Sir and Lady Dr. Innocent Okafor

Honour for Best school administrator MRS Abiodun Ogunniyi, Principal, Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, Lagos was honoured as the best school administrator in Nigeria 2015 Presidential Award (Abuja) during the 15th Memorial Lecture in Honour of Prof. Anthony Afolabi Adegbola

Dame Benedicta Ehanire centre with N.T.A. Staff.

Chioma and Nkem SOLEMNISATION of Holy matrimony between Chioma Precious Onyia and Nkem Nzemeke Ovia at St Bridge’s Catholic Church Asaba, Delta State Photos by Nath Onojake

L-R: Mr. Roy Naaman, Managing Director, Cadbury Nigeria and Madam Ajoke Okusanya of Ajoke Stores

L-R: Mr. Nkem Ovia, groom, HRM Keagborekuzi 1, Dein of Agbor Kingdom and Chioma Onyia, bride.

L-R: Igwe Emma Chima Onyia, the Okakwu of Odepke, Anambra State, bride's father, Mrs Grace Ovia groom's mother, Nkem Ovia , groom, HRM Keagborekuzi 1,Dien of Agbor Kingdom, Delta State and Chioma Onyia, bride

From left ; Sen. (Dr.) Adeseye Ogunlewe, Prof. (Chief) Kunle Ade Wahab, OON, OFR Chairman IDHRDB, Mrs Abiodun Sherri Ogunniyi Best School Administrator in Nigeria 2015 Presidential Award(Abuja) holding An Award of Excellence presented to her by Ikorodu Division Human Resource Development Board (IDHRDB) and Prof Adebayo Ninalowo, Ph.D Chairman IDRDG.

Representatives from CFAO

(2nd Left) Mr. Tope-Phillips Aikhuemelo, HR Business Lead, (6th Left) Mr. Roy Naaman, MD and (3rd Right) Mr. Atif Meraj, Category Planning & Activation Director, Cadbury Nigeria with distributors

L-R: Hon. Sunny Akinsunnya Ajuse, OON, former Head of Service, Lagos State and member, Lagos State University Governing Council Presenting an Award for the of 1ST Position in National Schools debate (2013) and Best secondary School in Lagos State to Miss Udeze Glory (Oriwu College Student), Mrs Titilayo Margaret Solarin , Tutor General and permanent Secretary for Education District 2. Mrs Abiodun Sherri Ogunniyi Best School Administrator in Nigeria 2015 Presidential Award(Abuja) and Mrs Osunbor Viceprincipal Academics Oriwu College.

40—SA TURD AY 40—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, NO VEMBER 14 NOVEMBER 14,, 2015

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

’

When last did you ‘fine-tune your wife?!

HOULD the romance in a marriage stop after the birth of a few kids? Forget slaving to put food on the table, pay the rent and put a substantial sum of money aside for the kids education. The question is: When last did you give your wife a complete ‘MOT’, just as often as you do that priced car(s) of yours? What brought on this thought-provoking poser is the recent experience Linda confessed she was elated she had. She just turned 40, but said sadly,she couldn’t remember the last time her husband made proper love to her. “After almost 14 years of marriage” she continued, “I’d put on some weight especially when I had our fourth child. Dare, my husband, had gone bald and the most exciting thing we did was share the occasional take-away treats with the kids. Sex was virtually non-existent, just a quickie every other week. “I was at a classmate’s 40th birthday party when a friend I hadn’t seen for years looked shocked to see me. ‘Why have you put on so much weight?’ She squealed, ‘you used to be a stunner. What happened to you?’ I felt a bit embarrassed. I fun. But he really looked had put on quite a lot of startled when he saw my weight alright, what with the outfit. I quickly left to join huge meals I shared with my friend who was Dare, and scoffing the kids’ impatiently hooting the often left-overs so food car horn and I had wouldn’t be wasted. But did conveniently forgot to put she have to be that blunt? Her on my wedding ring. A criticism stayed with me for wedding ring is always a days. Friends I saw regularly dampener if you want to couldn’t be as outspoken as she have fun. Men would just was for fear of hurting my assume you’re either feelings. Thanks to her, I took a single, divorced or good look at myself in the widowed! mirror and didn’t like what I “The party was a lively saw. I vowed to give myself a one and in my group was health over-haul before my this cocky television birthday. So, I ditched all the journalist happily stodgy food and cut down on controlling the flow of the the portions I eat. I also started conversation. I challenged taking the staircase to my fourth his views from time to floor office. At first it was hard time and he took notice of but by the time my birthday me, with his eyes roaming loomed, the improvement was all over my body. I flirted awesome. My critic of a friend right back—it felt great to had even visited, bringing me have a man’s attention some cosmetic stuffs to ‘tone’ after all these years of my skin and I’d bought lots grumpy Dare. When he more. Thanks to her, I now asked me to dance, I looked a million-dollars! jumped at the offer. We ‘Only whenever I asked Dare swayed slowly to the how I looked, he’d just haunting music, our hips glowered and muttered ‘nice’ locked together with my without even taking a proper body pressing into his firm look at me. I knew I looked chest. He was tall and in and felt fantastic. If he didn’t his 30s, and I was loving appreciate the way I looked, every minute with this maybe someone else would. A hunk. My friend was few days after my wellwatching with a big smile attended 40th birthday party, a on her face—as if she was friend invited me to a party. Her elder brother just had a son after two girls and he was throwing the bash to ‘ wet’ the head of the baby. His wife was still abroad and I reckoned it would be a ‘let it all hang out’ As you male party now the cat was away. I readers didn’t let on to Dare that the wife was still expected or he read this, might want to come to keep me take a in check. As it was, he was super-glued to Super Sports, on second look the telly, drooling at the games. at your wife When I was dressed and ready to go, he was too relieved to be left alone to get on with his C M Y K

taking the credit for who I’d now turned out to be. I was now slightly tipsy and as my hand rested on his tight bum, he pulled me closer to him and an electric shock went through me. His name was Ade and after we finished dancing, he got a bottle of wine and we talked some more. He told me about a project he was into and offered to show me the progress he’d made if I could come with him to his car. Clinging onto what

looked like my conquest, I let him lead me out of the party and smiled defiantly at the shocked look on my friend’s face. “The car was a bit of a claptrap. Not the most glamorous setting for betrayal but I was far too wound up to care. As soon as we got to the back seat where the supposed ‘project’ was we were all over each other. He pulled up my long kaftan and was on top of me, the car seats rough against my bare bum. Unfortunately, his prowess didn’t actually match his big mouth. He wasn’t the gentlest of lovers and he pawed at my boobs like a bush man. But none of that mattered. This was purely about proving to myself I was desirable and I felt deliciously wanton and sexy! When we returned to the party, nobody seemed to notice anything—except for my nosey-parker friend who just kept on giving me curious glances. Ade and I merely sat together afterwards but had very little to say to each other. We’d both got what we wanted and there was nothing else to say. “On our way back home, my friend asked me what happened when we went out, and I told her. She wasn’t a

prude but wanted to know if what I’d just done made me feel guilty. I told her it did, but not in the way she meant. I felt bad for not feeling guilty enough not to want to try it again. For the first time in my marriage, I’d just cheated on my husband, had a wild romp with a complete stranger in a crummy car, yet I felt great! The only time I felt slightly guilty was when I let myself in and discovered Dare was already in the bedroom. I quickly had a rinse in the guest toilet before going to meet Dare. “ He didn’t even bother to ask if I’d had an enjoyable evening. Instead, he was boring me with details of the highlights of the games. I was furious and I’ve since resolved that the next time I’m invited to a party and I’m propositioned, there will be a good chance I’ll say yes, especially if Dare wouldn’t be coming. I’m definitely not over the hill at 40 and I owe it to myself to find my own excitement anywhere and any time I can get it...” As you male readers read this, take a second look at your wife. When was the last time you rang her bell in spite of all the hints she gave you? A word is sufficient for the wise!

Why It’s hurtful to criticise fat people

t may be meant as a friendly advice, but telling someone they are piling on the pounds just makes them delve further into the biscuit tin. Those who are made to feel ashamed about their size are six times as likely to become obese, a study has found. Experts say that being criticised for their weight drives those who are already sensitive about it to comfort eat. Fear of ridicule may also mean they avoid exercise. Researchers from University College London said that the obesity crisis could be eased by teaching people—including doctors—that it is counterproductive to discriminate against others because they are overweight. They said that public health campaigns should also avoid making people feel bad about their weight. The study involved almost 3,000 English men and women aged 50-plus who were weighed twice, four years apart. They were also asked if they had been discriminated against because of their weight. Examples of this included being treated with disrespect— including being the butt of jokes— receiving poorer service in shops, restaurants, hospitals and doctors’ surgeries, being threatened and being assumed to be stupid. Some 5 per cent said they had been treated differently because of their weight—with the figure rising to 36 per cent among those who were the most overweight. The study, published in the journal Obesity, found that those who were victims of ‘fat shaming’ put on just over 2lb on average over the course of the study. They were also six times as likely to become obese. In contrast, those who were not criticised for their weight actually

became slimmer, albeit by a small amount. Dr. Jackson said: ‘Our results show that weight discrimination does not encourage weight loss and suggest that it may even exacerbate weight gain. ‘Previous studies have shown that people who experience discrimination report comfort, eating. Stress responses to discrimination can increase appetite, particularly for unhealthy, energy-dense food. Weight discrimination has also been shown to make people feel less confident about taking part in physical activity, so they tend to avoid it. People may not feel comfortable going to the gym if they think they are being judged because of their weight.’ Previous research has shown that it is not just the general public who are guilty of making the overweight feel ashamed of their size. Dr. Jackson said: ‘Studies have shown that quite a wide range of health professionals hold negative attitudes about obese people and patients pick up on that bias. Doctors tend to spend less time with obese patients. They feel that treating obesity is a futile task and many avoid doing it. We need to find a way of addressing this during training, highlighting that blaming and shaming isn’t going to help resolve the problem.’ University College London Professor Jane Wardle said: ‘Our study clearly shows that weight discrimination is part of the obesity problem and not the solution.’ If you are aggressive with the way you put the message across and denigrate and tease, you are not going to get anywhere at all. What you need is tough love.’

SATURDAY

Vanguard , NOVEMBER 14, 2015—41 YETUNDE AREBI Yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk tweeterhandle@yetundearebi 08054700825

Parents, children and voyeurism!

ake it or leave it, many parents are they are not watching, have already laid the guilty of introducing their young foundation in their little minds for whatever they children to sex! Indeed, many parents will be learning or doing in later years. are their children’s first contact with sex Many years back, I saw a mother allowing her son and sexual activities. In fact, directly or of about four to five years, cling to her neck for indirectly, the sexuality and sexual relationship of several seconds giving her a French kiss at the many parents often determine the sexuality of their International Airport. The child was travelling with children and the sexual relationships they might his father who surprisingly saw nothing wrong with cultivate in their adult lives. Many of us parents what his woman was doing with their child. As I erroneously believe that our children learn more watched with a big frown on my face, the man from what they are taught formally, rather than stepped forward and took over with his own very what they see and watch us do. This is because we nasty version of French kiss in the open glare of already have a mindset that our way of life and onlookers. The way some people do this kissing brand of parenting being offered to our children is business can be really disgusting sometimes! Kissing near perfect, if not perfect, and is best suited for our is an art; it can be learnt and perfected. Just as there family. So, when our child is caught doing are many types of kisses, there are rules guiding something wrong, the child must have picked it kissing too and not all kisses are meant to be from contacts outside of the nucleus, and not as a exchanged in public places. More importantly, a result of the things they are exposed to at home. French kiss is not meant for mother and son, no For example, we tell the children never to tell lies matter the bond or emotional attachment between and that it is Satan’s children who do so. Yet, we them, lest it is an incestuous relationship! Last sometimes use them to lie to others, as well as tell Monday, my jaw almost hit the table while reading a blatant lies to people right in story I saw on the internet. A their presence, leaving them wife was caught on CCTV wondering if there are different giving her husband ‘head’ at There is no doubt rules about telling lies for adults a mall while their two that parenting is a and children, why it is so and children looked on! The what the punishment for adults couple, Akeela Ali and her great responsibility that has who tell lies will be from the husband, Fahad Billal from even been made more difficult Almighty, if at all telling lies is a Newport in South Wales had sin for adults in the first given the Nigerian society and come all the way to the instance. To avoid harsh Centre in West her numerous challenges. But shopping punishments, some parents for a family day trip there is no doubt that parents, London encourage their children to tell along with their two children lies or half-truths even to their cited as aged three and five. especially mothers, can still spouses, believing that they are The duo claimed they got get it right if they saving them from pain and are carried away by the want to the more loving of the two. Yet, romantic situation and just when it comes to formal decided to have a quickie. teaching of morals, we tell them According to the report, that telling lies is bad. It is in this same vein that “They let the children run off and play while they got children pick up on other things, including busy on a sofa next to the lifts – but even when they sexuality, sex and sexual orientation. kids interrupted, they still carried on.” CCTV Many of us parents are always eager to ask footage captured the pregnant Ali moving her head questions such as “At what age can I begin to teach up and down and also masturbating Billal with her my child sex education”? They ask with the belief right hand. “When she finished, she spat into a tissue that their child, who has lived for two, three, four or and threw it behind a plant pot in the shopping even five years on earth remains a fool and has centre’s lift lobby lounge.” In their defence at learnt nothing about sex simply because we have Hammersmith Magistrates Court, they admitted not yet sat the child down to give him a formal that it did cross their mind to stop when their training on the issue. We forget that all the kissing, children came but decided to carry on. pinching, necking, and even downright sex we According to Ali, her hormones were ‘everywhere’ engage in, either in their presence or when we think because of her pregnancy and she suddenly felt C M Y K

horny, so decided to start things up even though she knew it was wrong to do so in a public place. She acknowledged being aware that one of the children was sitting beside her husband for a portion of their adventure, and said she was ashamed and regretted the incidence. Ali on his part described the incidence as a human mistake and said they just started kissing and one thing led to another. He said though the lobby was not that busy at the time, he knew it was a public area. In sentencing the randy couple, the judge explained that the seriousness of the action was that it took place in a public place and in the presence of their children, and the possibility of other people’s children watching. The couple were banned from coming into London for two months! I was worried that if this couple could do such a thing in a public place with their children sitting next to them, one can only imagine what they will be doing in the privacy of their home in the presence of the children! As I said earlier, it is a fact that many of us parents do engage in sexual acts in the presence of the children believing that they are too young to know or understand what we are doing or building up to doing. A lot of parents have sex with their little children in the same room and sometimes on the same bed, with the belief that ‘they are fast asleep and will not wake up to catch us at it.’ A close friend once told me that she and her husband have resolved to having sex on the floor of their bedroom. Why? Their fourth and last child, has turned out to be a leach, stays glued to her once he sets eyes on her and has refused to share a room with his two older brothers. Their third room is occupied by her mother-in-law, the house help and their only daughter, so they have nowhere to hide to do their stuff and movement on the bed will wake mummy’s boy. Perhaps, some of the blame can be heaped on our circumstances and those who handle or are responsible for birthing and caring for mother and child right from delivery. Right from the hospital, mothers are told that the place of the baby is beside its mother, so they are encouraged to sleep with the baby beside them right from the hospital. Two reasons account for this: it makes things easier for the lazy nurses, and it is comfortable for the weak mother as well as reassuring that her baby is safe within reach. The nurses call it the week of bonding to make mothers feel cool. Unfortunately, most mothers become attached to this arrangement long after the dubious ‘bonding’ period has passed. Back home, while many of us buy fancy baby cots and cribs, the babies hardly ever get to sleep in them. Thus, many Nigeria children tend to grow up in their parents’ bed, which also happens to serve the same purpose as ‘wrestling ring’. Though one might argue that living in a two- or three-bedroom apartment allows for much needed space, the truth is that the issues involved are sometimes more complex and tricky. Then, imagine the plight of families who live in a room. Two funny stories come to my mind. The first is that of a young chap who was caught by his father while peeping at them ‘fighting’ through holes he’d carved out in his cover cloth for that purpose. The other is about the angry retort of a boy to his father when he got tired of being asked the same question almost every night. According to the story, the father shortly before mounting his podium would ask their young son who sleeps on the floor, “John, you don sleep?” On hearing no response, he concludes that John has slept, so the show begins. However, on a particular day, John decided he’d had enough. As soon as his father asked the question, John replied, “Why you de always call John? I beg, make una do wetin una wan do jare”! Though this may sound rather extreme, it still does not erode the facts of the situation. In an era where children are birthed with their eyes wide open – it is called the computer age in local parlance – most children now seem to be born with some micro chips of sort in their heads. Many of them would decode instantly what you mean even by a blink of an eye. Give a six-year-old boy a smart phone and you’ll be surprised that he knows more of the functions than you the adult owner. A couple of years back, my then five-year-old nephew crept up to his mother while she had her bath, took a picture of her and fortunately for everyone, announced that he was going to post it on the internet! He finally confessed that his class mate’s older brother had promised to help them execute this hideous plan. That’s another story entirely. There is no doubt that parenting is a great responsibility that has even been made more difficult given the Nigerian society and her numerous challenges. But there is no doubt that parents, especially mothers, can still get it right if they want to. The Qur’an says that a child’s road to paradise and success is at the foot of its mother, thus a mother ’s role in child upbringing is very vital. Please let’s try to do things with moderate measures, especially in the presence of our children. Do have a wonderful weekend!

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

PDP shivers as Dokpesi opens Pandora’s box BY HENRY UMORU

OME eight months after it lost out at the April 2015 presidential polls, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may have finished licking its political wounds when last Tuesday, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of DAAR Communications (AIT) apparently ruffled some feathers as he gave a graphic account of what he described as several years of his party’s undemocratic conduct in the running of affairs of the country. Dokpesi’s damming revelations may well be compared to the Pandora phenomenon in Greek mythology. According to the account, the gods handed Pandora a large jar or box with clear instructions never to open it for whatever reasons. But overwhelmed by her curiosity, Pandora opened the box and inadvertently released into the world, all manner of evils which still plague mankind till date. There are indications that Dokpesi’s account of internal workings of the PDP especially before the April general elections will continue to dominate discussions from within and outside the party for some time. But ordinarily, Nigerians would have concluded that Dokpesi’s proclamation at a press conference in Abuja was official since he spoke in his capacity as Chairman of the organising committee for the PDP national conference which is expected to draw a road map for re-strategizing the party, ostensibly for a better performance during the next round of general elections in 2019. But the PDP has since disowned Dokpesi’s statement describing it as his personnel opinion which should not be misconstrued as the party’s official position. In his briefing tagged, “PDP and the Sustenance of Democratic Ideals in Nigeria,” Dokpesi affirmed that the PDP committed blunders in the past as he contended further that that the first fundamental mistake was the party’s jettisoning of the 2011 and 2015 presidential power zoning arrangement. For such glaring case of misdeed, according to him, Dokpesi virtually went on his knees, on behalf of the party, C M Y K

begging Nigerians to forgive the PDP, “as it stepped on toes while in government for 16 years.” Incidentally, Dokpesi who was in the vanguard of campaigns for the failed reelection bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan said that contrary to expectations that it would field a candidate from the north, Dokpesi lamented that party leaders adopted Jonathan as the sole Presidential candidate, a development which he noted led to the party’s defeat at the polls. Moreover, as Dokpesi said, the PDP, in the build up to the last general elections, lacked internal democracy, stressing that there was impunity, imposition of candidates and breach of the zoning arrangement as well as lack of a level playing field for members. According to Dokpesi, “the PDP is aware that there were errors made along the way. We admit that at certain times in our past, mistakes were made but we did not meet the expectations of Nigerians. We tender an apology. The PDP had in 2010/2011 made the first fundamental mistake by not allowing the north to complete its term. PDP leaders in 2015 also did not return the ticket to the north. “But the past is exactly what it is. We call on all party faithful, supporters and sympathisers to partner with us as we move forward. You asked about the mistakes the party made. The Ekweremadu’s report is very explicit on that. It acknowledged the fact that the party made a lot of strides during the last 16 years but that there was no internal democracy and that there was impunity within the party. The report also said that there was no level playing ground for members of the party. And, for all these and for the people who have been offended, for the people whose toes were stepped upon, we tender unreserved apology. While we should not forget the past and its errors, we must look forward and begin to show true leadership within and outside our party.” Dokpesi not competent to speak for PDP Hours after his press conference, the PDP

•Chief Raymond Dokpesi

According to Dokpesi, “the PDP is aware that there were errors made along the way. We admit that at certain times in our past, mistakes were made but we did not meet the expectations of Nigerians. We tender an apology

screamed foul, warning that Dokpesi was not competent to speak for the party. According to the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, “that statement made by Chief Raymond Dokpesi is his personal opinion and does not represent in any way the official position of the PDP. In the first place Dokpesi is not a member of the National Executive Committee of the PDP and he can only speak in his personal capacity and his opinion remains personal and does not represent that of the party. “The decision to field

former President Jonathan in the 2015 presidential race was approved by the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Council (NEC) and the party’s national caucus. In addition, the Constitution of the party allows a sitting president the chance to exercise his personal right to run for a second term if he so desires.” Metuh described as impossible, Dokpesi’s claim that the PDP regrets its decision to field Jonathan. He argued that, “how can you regret a decision taken when everyone was there, the NWC, NEC and the national caucus. What are we talking about? Everybody was aware of the decision, nobody was coerced into supporting the position.” Also supporting the party, the PDP BoT acting Chairman, Bello Haliru Mohammed, said the party had no reasons to be apologetic after its 16 years leadership. He argued that the PDP has been vindicated alleging that the APC has failed in its promises to Nigerians. As Mohammed put it, “ we must remember also that the fact that we lost an election does not mean that all our policies were wrong. The PDP has achieved a lot and it stabilized democracy in Nigeria for the past 16 years, through the promotion of free press. Democracy has

significantly flourished in the country under our party. We fully expanded the democratic space by promoting radical electoral reforms under a truly Independent National Electoral Commission. We registered more political parties including the APC. We recorded sucessful civilian transfer of power, PDP to PDP, and after we lost the last electionS, we handed over power in good faith to the opposition, without any acrinomy whatsover. Some of our achievements are the standards by which our contributions to nation building should be measured.”

Don’t drag Jonathan into your discussions Also commenting on the issue, another PDP BoT member, Alhaji Shauibu Oyedokun, described Dokpesi’s statement as “too general,” saying that he should have left Jonathan out of his discussions. He said, “people are looking at the disagreement from two perspectives. Dokpesi’s statement is too general and broad. We might have made some mistakes but the government then did well. I believe that the older ones should leave the stage for the younger ones but there must be consultations before statements are made. Dokpesi made a statement, the party corrected him.”

SATURDAY

Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—43

ENUGU: Politicians

behind the furore

over SUVs

—Labour leader BY FRANCIS IGATA

nrelenting political opponents of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State who were waiting in the wings,lashed on to the allocation of Prado Jeeps to Enugu State House of Assembly members from Government House pool vehicle,to wipe up undue sentiments which threatened to tip the peace prevailing in the state off the cliffhanger. In this interview with Chairman,Trade Union Congress,TUC,Enugu State Chapter,Mr. Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, he raises alarm that political opponents are making mountain out of mull hill. Excerpts. Sir, how would you assess Governor Ugwuanyi’s relationship with Labour Unions in the state over the period he has held sway? I think it will be better to assess the governor in two folds. An assessment if he is labour friendly and you can also look at whether he is workers friendly too. Workers friendly has to do with ensuring that what ever that is due to them is given to them at when due. I will say in the last five months of the governor’s administration,the wheel of governance has faired well because from the time he came in, he sustained the payment of salaries on or before 25th of every month even when federal allocation has thinned out. We have had scenarios in this country where a governor comes in only for him to dismiss workers citing various reasons for their actions. But Governor Ugwuanyi did not do so. Within the first 100 days in office,the governor gave us 100 units of houses and promised to do more. He quickly took over the payment of salaries of some parastatal staff that were having issues for them to be paid directly from office of the Accountant General. I think for the first time,we are having a governor that will invite labour and sit down to discuss any time we have issues. The houses he gave to workers were subsidized to the tune of thirty percent. The beneficiaries are now owners of houses at Elim Estate. He also assured that 300 units of houses for workers estate will be built in Ibagwa-Nike. I can say that the relationship between labour and Ugwuanyi is cordial. We have been on invited four times in less than six months. In one of the occasions,he left whatever he

was doing when he learnt we came because he was not properly informed,to see meet with us. On the third invitation,he explained to us about bail-out funds for Enugu State and we agreed to set up a joint committee that will comprise of government representative and labour to oversee the disbursement of the bail-out when it comes. If you are to do a brief comparism with Governor Ugwuanyi’s leadership style and previous administrations,how would you rate him? Well,if you do a comparism, the first administration from 1999 had issues of none payment of salaries and workers were not sure of allowances. Over 5,000 workers were disengaged from service. For workers,it was a disaster. Then the immediate past administration ensured that workers were paid on or before 25th of every month. Payment of leave allowance were denied. Pensioners were not paid either. The relationship between labour and that administration was frosty. In fact, I can’t recall labour seeing the governor more than three times within eight years. Even if you write letters,he

When we now got information that the governor purchased Jeeps for the House of Assembly members,we felt that since the governor could afford such vehicles for political office holders, he should re-visit the increment of workers salary so that we all will be on the same page

• Igbokwe...I think it will be better to assess the governor in two folds will not reply or invite you to any discussion with him. But Ugwuanyi’s administration is a different one. Not just that he will invite you, he will sit with you and take time to greet everybody in the hall and chat with people. This gives a sense of belonging that you have a governor who respects you and who values human dignity. So,if you compare his administration under the time frame,it is absolutely labour friendly. Let’s talk about the new workers secretariat,when the governor took over, facilities at the secretariat such as electricity were not functional. What is labour’s position now that the governor has waded into the matter? I think we now have electricity because the governor has ensured so. In one of our visits to the governor,we made a request about it. You will recall that the immediate past administration bequeathed the secretariat which was not completed before the expiration of its tenure. We even at that visit to the governor,requested for additional toilets outside the building for visitors. I can tell you that the governor has fixed electricity at the secretariat now which made the place habitable for workers. When you work in a place and the place is conducive,you will do your best. What is the truth about the said free Prado Jeeps to House of Assembly members? What

really happened that caused the media stir? Let me first of all make this known. The issue of Prado Jeeps was raised based on what we heard. In one of our visits to his Excellency,we made a series of requests and the governor pleaded with us to allow him time,that for now the state was not very buoyant and that was it. When we now got information that the governor purchased Jeeps for the House of Assembly members,we felt that since the governor could afford such vehicles for political office holders, he should re-visit the increment of workers salary so that we all will be on the same page. That is just the issue and we put it in our letter. In our letter,we did not make any reference or use any uncharitable words against the governor. We only requested that he should look at our own plight. But we are surprised that a lot of people,apparently politicians cashed in on this and began to make mountain out of mull hill. We never in any way quarreled with the governor. When we saw that the issue dominated the airwaves,we met with the governor and he made clarifications on how the vehicles were to be used and at the end of the day we were satisfied. He equally promised to look into our matter and that resolved the issue. The governor is running a government, he decides what to do and what not to do. We merely reminded him of our plight. We are surprised that

people that could be described as political jobbers hijacked the issue and began to amplify it. The newspapers were awash which gave the impression that labour is not in good terms with the governor. There is nothing like that. His Excellency remains our governor and with the way he is going,workers will have cause to smile in the next one year. By the time he finishes four years tenure,workers will look back and say we had a governor that is committed to their welfare. Following the clarification made by the governor,are you of the view that allocation of vehicles from government pool,will save cost in line with the economic realities in the country Well,from the clarification by the governor,he made us to know and understand that the vehicles were allocated to the House members from government house pool vehicle and that they will be returned at the end of their tenure. If it is operated very well the way it is designed,it will surely save cost. It is left for those who are beneficiaries to adhere to the dictates of the design. The governor has a good intention of reducing cost to have embarked on the scheme. He should insist that the scheme runs the way he designed it so that people do not vandalize the vehicles. We are urging him to put relevant machinery in place to ensure that the scheme runs the way he conceived it.

44—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

Oshiomhole, Igbinedion in verbal war •He allocated Edo land to his father, alleges Oshiomhole, •You’re a sinking man - Igbinedion

By SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN-CITY

HE current war between Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and former governor Lucky Igbinedion has taken fresh dimensions with the two leaders trading allegations. The development has tended to heighten tension in the area two groups of residents took to the streets last Monday and Wednesday protesting government’s recent introduction of the land charge policy. The anti-land charge protestors who marched through major streets in Benin-City were allegedly sponsored by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. But in a counter protest, a multitude of youths said to comprise students and civil society organizations backed the land use charge policy and commended government over what they described as its efforts to collect such taxes from the rich to assist the poor. The group of solidarity protesters marched to the House of Assembly complex and Government House where Oshiomhole addressed them and described Igbinedion’s alleged unlawful withdrawal of $31 million from the government coffers as clear abuse of power. Oshiomhole also said that the Igbinedion family had thrown caution to the winds, using every available means to wage war against him because he recovered over 200,000 hectares of land illegally by Chief Gabriel Igbinedion during the tenure of his son as governor. According to the Governor, “let me thank all of you for coming out in huge numbers to express your solidarity, your support and your endorsement of my stewardship here at Osadebey Avenue. Let me assure you, I will continue without fear of man,

but with the fear of God to provide leadership that will deliver prosperity to the great people of this great state. To be able to do that, everybody, everybody born of a woman who lives in this state must be subjected to the rule of law. “In the interest of Edo people, even the ones yet unborn, I want to be remembered after my stewardship not only for roads, hospitals, for schools and much more importantly, I want to be remembered as the man who brought an end to exemption. There is no more exemption in Edo State. I want to be remembered as the man who took from those who have bastardized, raped and privatized the resources of Edo State, used our money to build their private universities and they walk around our streets when they are supposed to be in prison.” Alleged land deals According to Oshiomhole, “let me share with you some of the things that are going on and why they are angry. I

Former Governor Igbinedion in an advertorial carpeted Oshiomhole describing him as a sinking man Igbinedion said that allegation of illegal deduction of money had no basis even as he accused Oshiomhole of a deliberate policy of grounding the industries he established when he was governor

Oshiomhole

•Igbinedion did not promise to make everybody happy, what I promised was to make the majority happy. I will publish records in black and white and Edo people will be shocked how they have been raped. You are here looking for a small parcel of land and Lucky Igbinedion, former Governor here gave out to his own father, Gabriel Igbinedion over 200,000 acres of government land. They took that land on the ground that they will use it for mechanized farming. That is what is in the books but what is on ground is that, Igbinedion takes this land and gives this land to cocoa farmers, some of them from Edo, some from Yoruba land. These cocoa farmers will farm and sweat to grow their cocoa on government land, Igbinedion will sit in his house on which he is not paying ground rent and is collecting royalties. Is Igbinedion the Oba of Benin? The great Oba of the great Benin Kingdom never subjected his people to that level of exploitation. Can you accept that one chief collects royalties as if he is a traditional ruler.Based on the powers vested in me, as the

elected Governor of Edo State, I used those privileges to revoke the over 200,000 hectares of land that the Igbinedion, the son gave to Igbinedion the father. I revoked it and I returned it to government. “You need to hear as students of AAU how Igbinedion raided Edo State resources. You know that in AAU, we have College of Medicine where we are training doctors. In 2000, when Lucky was in government, AAU was producing Medical students. These medical students are supposed to be attached to a hospital for their clinical. The Igbinedion family decided that AAU will not use the state-owned hospital. They decided on record that our Central Hospital will be reserved for Igbinedion University. Some of you will remember that AAU medical students had to go to University of Jos Teaching Hospital for their clinical at their own expense. When UniJos could no longer take them, they made arrangement to take them to Uniben. When the authorities found out the capacity of Uniben could not accommodate them, AAU

students were stranded. In the end, they ended up with Irrua Specialist Hospital. Now, what did they do with the Edo state-owned Central Hospital? Igbinedion the son, entered into agreement with Igbinedion the father that the Central Hospital shall be reserved for medical students of Igbinedion University, Okada. So, whereas Edo State Government owns a university, their own students were denied the use of Edo State-owned hospital. Edo State hospital was obliged to teach students of Igbinedion University, Okada. They agreed that Igbinedion University will pay some fees to the Central Hospital. The amount to be paid was not stated. Every year, the taxes that you pay were being used to provide facilities for the Central Hospital to teach the students of Igbinedion University and they paid zero cost. Edo State Government paid the lecturers, the doctors and provides all the consumables in the hospital. “So I revoked it and directed the Commissioner to write to terminate the MoU and to demand that Igbinedion pays about N30 million per year for those periods and I directed he should be charged to court. That is the fight. “I fight with clean conscience to secure the collective future of our people. My motives are not personal. My mission in government is not to bring hardship to anyone. I just want to correct what is wrong and get going. I am not here to look at yesterday but if you over do it and you continue, we need to put an end to it.” Oshiomhole’s allegations baseless But former Governor Igbinedion in an advertorial carpeted Oshiomhole describing him as a sinking man Igbinedion said that allegation of illegal deduction of money had no basis even as he accused Oshiomhole of a deliberate policy of grounding the industries he established when he was governor. However, Oshiomhole in his 7th anniversary as governor on Thursday responded to the allegation that he failed to build industries arguing that the industries the Igbinedion administration built were never meant to function, rather to siphon money. “The previous government is quick to tell us that they built a factory in Ehor, Casavita at Uromi, Fertilizer at Auchi and Ikpesi Fruit Juice Factory. The intention of that government was simply to use these outfits to siphon public funds to private pockets. They were never intended to function and they never functioned one day even under their government,” Oshiomhole said.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 — 45

Stop panic buying, fuel not scarce; NNPC insists By Michael Eboh & Grace Udofia

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday stated that it has enough stock of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, to serve the needs of Nigerians across the country for about 17 days and urged Nigerians to desist from panic buying of the product. Speaking in Abuja on the fuel supply situation across the country, Executive Director, Commercial, Pipelines and Product Marketing Company, PPMC, Mr.

C M Y K

•656m litres of PMS in stock, expecting 757m litres •Releases hotlines to help check sharp practices •Commences daily publication of products supply Justin Ezeala, stated that the country currently has 656.376 million litres of PMS in its various storage platform, while it is expecting additional 756.99 million litres of the product before the end of November. Giving a breakdown of the figures, Ezeala explained that 66.81 million litres are in PPMC depots; 117.48 million litres in PPMC throughputs depots;

427.971 million litres of marine stock and 44.112 million litres are in the depots of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN. In addition, he stated that 380.99 million litres are expected to be brought in by the PPMC through import, between now and the end of the November, while other marketers are expecting 376 million litres. 17 days products supply in stock, 35-days supply expected He maintained that the current stock available in its depots and reserves are enough to serve the country for 16 days, while the products that are being awaited in the next couple of days would serve the country for 35 days minimum. Ezeala disclosed that the NNPC and the PPMC have increased fuel supply to Abuja and environs and also across the country and would lift about 180 truckloads of PMS to Abuja from about 135 trucks daily. To this end, he encour-

aged Nigerians to avoid queuing for fuel if they have no urgent need to buy the product. He further encouraged the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, to go out to the field and carry out enforcement activities and ensure that stakeholders adhere strictly to the laws of the country. Report sharp practices to PPMC hotlines He also encouraged Nigerians to explore the opportunities presented by the social media to check sharp practices of oil marketers, stating that Nigerians can study its daily dispatch reports to filling stations, take photographs of stations engaged in sharp practices and send same or complaints to the PPMC hotlines — 08057008021, 08052195801 and 08100941174. He said: “It is unacceptable for marketers to sell above the stipulated selling price and to hoard the product. We need to take back this country. The cul-

ture of Nigerians queuing and struggling to buy fuel when Christmas approaches or in time of holidays is unacceptable and should stop. The country belongs to us all.” Commences publication of products lifting, supply He said the NNPC has entered into a number of strategic alliances and introduced a number of initiatives to ensure the smooth supply of petroleum products across the country. Some of the initiatives, according to him, include publishing the details of PPMC Depot Managers and key officials, while also publicizing details of products lifting and deliveries, giving the quantity and names of the various petrol stations involved across the country. He stated that the NNPC has met with oil marketers on ways to address the fuel crisis situation and has also met with officials of the Nigerian Navy to explore the possibilities of moving large vessels of PMS to Warri and Port Harcourt ports due to the traffic challenges experienced in loading in Apapa. He added that the NNPC is working with State Governments to ensure increased

monitoring of PMS supply across the states, while stating that its staff are working round the clock to ensure adequate supply of PMS nationwide, especially during the Yuletide season. He also stated that the NNPC has met with the Inspector-General of Police over the persistent gridlock at Apapa, noting that the Inspector-General has promised to set up a permanent team to deal with the situation once and for all. Apapa gridlock, vandalism, challenges to fuel supply He identified some of the factors responsible for the scarcity and poor products supply to include the menace of pipeline vandalism, the perennial gridlock in Apapa, Lagos; hoarding and diversion of petroleum products and the challenges brought about in the interface with other government agencies in the discharge of petroleum products at the ports and at depots. Ezeala lamented that the NNPC had not been able to transport petroleum products through the country’s pipeline over the last 6 months due to persistent vandalisation of the pipelines, stating that this was in spite of the fact that the country has one of the best pipeline network in Africa.

46 — SATURDAY

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VEMBER 14, 2015 NOVEMBER Vanguard, NO

SATURDAY

Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—47

By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja

s the Kogi governorship election draws closer, supporters of the two leading parties, APC and PDP, are already locked in a war of words over their flagbearers. On November 21, 2015 the people of Kogi State will make an important decision about who to elect as their governor as fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Two weeks later, on December 5, it will be the turn of Bayelsa people to go to the polls. In both cases, the people will be faced with choices they have been familiar with in the past as both races are between the incumbent governors and former governors. The frontline candidates in Kogi are the incumbent Governor, Capt Idris Wada, and ex-Governor Abubakar Audu, while in Bayelsa, the race is between ex-Governor Timipre Sylva and incumbent Seriake Dickson. In both cases, the electorate have the rare opportunity of making an informed choice based on the verifiable scorecards of the candidates’ stints in office. Battle of wits In Kogi, Audu’s handlers are mindful of that fact and have had a head start of campaigning based on what they describe as ‘unparalleled achievements’ during his sixyear reign as Governor of Kogi State between 1991-1993 and 1999-2003. Many people have also ascribed to Audu the title of ‘Father of Modern Kogi’. The achievements they list out includes the establishment of the Kogi State University, Kogi State Polytechnic, NTA Kogi, Confluence Beach Hotels, Graphics Newspapers and some housing estates. They go further to attribute the legwork that led to the establishment of Dangote Cement Company, Obajana to the efforts of Audu. Audu’s opponents however are quick to point out that the ‘achievements’ were more of cosmetic achievements. One case they always refer to is the conversion of the buildings of a world bank agricultural project to a university that could not offer one accredited course and renaming same after the former governor; and that It later took the PDP administrations for the university to change its name from Prince Abubakar University (PAU) to Kogi State University (KSU) as well as the achievement of the category A accreditation it presently enjoys. They go further to assert that even the Graphics newspapers that Audu claims to have established was just a newspaper house in name as all their publications were printed by Tribune Publishing House, and that it was the present administration of Capt.

AUDU AND WADA:

Between character and performance

Idris Wada that established a printing press for the newspaper in Lokoja, thus making the state paper a true Kogi newspaper. They also wonder why Audu should lay claim to the establishment of Obajana Cement when the state had no public private partnership law in place until the advent of the Wada administration. They go further to challenge Audu to mention the direct stake he negotiated for the state in Obajana cement, a full privately-owned institution. Wada’s handlers are quick to state that in a little over three years, Wada has built a foundation for a truly modern Kogi despite the fact that he has had access to less than half of the resources at the disposal of Audu during his time. This is a fact that even Audu has attested to at different fora! Wada’s canvassers have pointed at the unprecedented 200 percent leap in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as one of the achievements of the incumbent. They also point at the great improvement in peace and security as opposed to the climate of thuggery and violence that reigned during

Other political analysts are of the opinion that beyond performance, Wada and Audu are going to compete on the basis of character

Audu’s time. They often point to the establishment of a modern transport plan that includes government subsidised transport system, the first of its kind in the state; the establishment of a modern mega transport terminal as well as the establishment of inter- and intra-city land and

water transport schemes. Other achievements the Wada camp promote are the attraction of foreign investments like Allo Cement Company, Cargill USA and Nigeria-Korea Vocational Centre via an aggressive drive to attract investments. They posit that if Wada could be given same six years that Audu had, Kogi would be massively transformed as all the ongoing projects like 250-bed teaching hospital, the Phase II Lokoja Project which is being heralded with the 16km Otokiti Ganaja Bypass Road, the Lokoja Water Reticulation, the 11 storey Kogi House among others would have been completed. Between character and performance However, political analysts are of the opinion that beyond performance, Wada and Audu are going to compete on the basis of character. Audu’s supporters acknowledge their candidate’s weakness on this front but are quick to point that his ‘arrogant’ tendencies are nothing close to his penchant for sterling performance. People of the state, especially the civil

servants, have the nostalgic feeling that during Audu’s previous adventures in power, he ruled like an emperor and saw the state as an extension of his fiefdom. He was said to be notorious for his pomposity and outright disdain for others. “As governor, lesser human beings including his commissioners and other top functionaries of government cringed in his presence”, said Husseini Alhassan, a retired civil servant. “They dared not sit whenever the ‘emperor’ was on the throne. People were just expected to crawl before him and obey him without objection. Salaries and allowances were regularly withheld without explanation. Civil servants, especially from the Yoruba West and Ebira Central were routinely laid off without regard to extant rules.” Elder Eneojo Samson, a resident of Ofu Local Government Area, still views the choice between Audu and Wada as one between democracy and the forces of oligarchy. “In addition to development, Wada has brought freedom. Today nobody is scared of airing their opinion. We even have people who are being sponsored to protest against the government and they still walk the streets freely. In Audu’s time, people with genuine grievances could not air them freely without reprimand from the powers that be then.” Aside the fear of past poor human relationship, the exgovernor is also still in the public glare over his case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on N11 billion charges. Audu supporters are however singing a new song about him. They claim their principal has learnt his lessons, a song his opponents consider croaky. Those opponents point out to the recent incident at the Eid prayer where Muslim faithful had to delay their prayer for some hours to wait for him. They also refer to two weeks ago, when the former governor, while returning from a trip abroad, had a large number of supporters ‘mobilized’ to Jamaata Bridge where they waited several hours to receive him. The long wait was said to have taken a toll on the health of an aged man who collapsed and was rushed to a near by hospital for revival. Who wears the crown Now that Kogites have experiences about the two leading candidates, the question political pundits are asking is whom will Kogites hand the political green card, and who will receive the red card between Audu and Wada? Will the November guber election go the same way like the three previous occasions where Audu received the red card? Or will Audu receive the same blessing like President Muhammedu Buhari who got lucky on the fourth try?

48—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

Dickson deserves second term – Koroye By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

head of the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State, a group, Society Watch Group (SWAG), has thrown its weight behind the second term bid of Governor Seriake Dickson, citing his numerous achievements. The Coordinator of SWAG, Douglas Koroye who spoke in Yenagoa called on the people of the state to come out en masse to ensure the Governor’s return to

Creek Haven to enable him consolidate on the gains of his first term in office. According to him, it was necessary for all Bayelsans to remain committed in their support for Dickson’s Restoration Government. He said, “We have seen what he has done and his resolve towards the key interest of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation, which no one can wish away.” The youth activist cautioned the people against politics of greed and self-centeredness which, according to him, were

the bane of the state. He noted that true development could only be made possible when publicspirited leaders were at the helm of affairs, as exemplified by Dickson who has made transparency and accountability the mantra of his administration. This, according to him, should be the concern of the people rather than cultivating cut-throat politics and blackmailing his administration. He insisted that the group endorsed Governor Seriake

Dickson for a second term based on his record of performance in the last fortyseven months, adding that the Governor’s track record in terms of provision of infrastructure, education, health, urban renewal, economic diversification and general restructuring of the government to deliver on the welfare of the people were clear indications that he meant well for the state. He said aside the massive infrastructural development embarked upon by the administration across the state in spite of the dwindling revenue which had affected all the states, Dickson was still paying salaries of workers. “We have seen his performance in terms of infrastructural development and it is important that we don’t lose sight of the accountability and transparency policy which the government is running in the state. “Bayelsa State is not only paying workers’ salaries

promptly but is also not listed among high profile debtor states,” he said. “We believe that time and only time will vindicate the efforts made by the Governor in bringing the dividends of democracy to Bayelsans,” he declared. Dickson, he noted, has ensured even spread of projects in the state, citing the completion of the long abandoned Ebeni Bridge, the ongoing YenagoaOporoma Road in the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District and the Sagbama-Ekeremor road in the Bayelsa West Senatorial District among several other projects. “After a thorough and unbiased assessment of a wide spectrum of the people-friendly policies, programmes and massive infrastructural projects that are evident in Bayelsa State, we at SWAG have resolved that Governor Seriake Dickson deserves our support for a second term in office to consolidate on his restoration agenda,” he said.

PDP faults Sylva’s claim on pension By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has slammed the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Timipre Sylva’s claim that the state government deliberately owed pensioners and that if he becomes governor he would immediately pay their arrears. Sylva, a former governor of the state had during a meeting with the pensioners at Obogoro Community, Yenagoa Local Government Area ahead of the December 5 governorship election, claimed that his (Sylva’s) administration only owed the pensioners N3 billion as against the N20 billion he said was being owed by the present administration. Sylva had then solicited the support of the pensioners, promising to pay all arrears owed them if elected governor. But the PDP Restoration Campaign Organisation of Governor Seriake Dickson dismissed the allegation, insisting that Sylva did not tell the truth. The Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organisation, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite in a statement issued in Yenagoa assured the pensioners of better days ahead. According to him, the financial challenge facing the state and the nation was responsible for the delay. …Dickson met paltry N4000 in state coffers, inherited N430 billion debts” The Restoration Campaign Organisation Publicity Director noted that the Dickson administration inherited huge debts from the Sylva administration C M Y K

totalling N434 billion incurred from various loans and bonds, adding that the government only met a paltry four thousand naira in the state coffers. Hon. Obuebite accused the Sylva administration of pillaging the state, making it one of the most heavily indebted states in the federation but which Governor Seriake Dickson and his team have now reduced to N90 billion. He reminded the pensioners that Dickson had consistently paid their allowances since he became governor until recently when the financial situation in the state like those of other states dropped. “Every month he was setting aside N250 million to pay pensioners until two months ago when the allocation to the state dropped to a terrible level that it became difficult to pay. But the Governor has promised that the pensioners will be paid this

month,” he stated. He said that state workers were already receiving their October salaries in spite of the low allocation from the Federation Account last month, adding that pensioners will also begin to get theirs soon. While commending the pensioners for their understand-

ing, Obuebite called on Baylesans, especially the state civil servants not to be swayed by Sylva’s lies, saying he was known for reneging on promises. He queried that if, in spite of the huge allocations then, Sylva could go ahead to obtain

loans and bonds without much to show for it, whether it was in the present situation when there was paucity of resources that he would serve the state better? “We want to implore Bayelsans, particularly the civil servants, not to fall for Sylva’s lies. If they do they will have themselves to blame because Sylva will owe them ten months’ salaries. Their suffering will be unimaginable under Sylva”, he said and urged them (civil servants) to continue to support the re-election of Dickson who was known to be a prudent administrator and good manager of resources. “At least they (civil servants) can testify that Governor Dickson is not owing them salaries even for one month when other states are owing their workers up to five months salaries,” he further stated.

APC flays Dickson’s stringent policies By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa The Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organisation (SICO) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized the policies and programmes of the incumbent Governor, Seriake Dickson, describing it as anti-people, wicked and painful. The campaign organisation while expressing regrets that Governor Dickson, in the last three years, introduced unpopular initiatives that have turned out to be pain to the people assured Bayelsans that Sylva change was coming to consolidate his programmes and would create prosperity and wealth for the people to ensure quality living.

The APC governorship candidate, through Chief Nathan Egba, Director of Media and Publicity of SICO, yesterday in Yenagoa recalled that Governor Dickson had boasted that none of his appointees, particularly the commissioners and special advisers would become millionaires under his government. Sylva alleged that the PDP-led government introduced policies that have crippled businesses of Bayelsans in private enterprises so as to ensure that there would be nobody financially strong enough to challenge him in the coming election. According to him, the civil servants are worst hit through multiple taxation. .”The government has also in-

flicted pains on the pensioners in the state by not paying their entitlements for months. The SylvaIgiri Campaign Organization identifies with the pains of the pensioners and promise to clear all outstanding payments as soon as the APC takes over the affairs of government. “Apart from abandoning the students who are on foreign scholarships in different countries, the Dickson-led administration till date has failed to pay bursary to Bayelsa students in tertiary institutions,” he added. The Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organisation also accused the Dickson government of abandoning inherited projects including the five star hotel, the state library and 500-bed hospital, in which pre-

vious governments of late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Timipre Sylva had committed huge state funds. The Sylva camp wondered why the PDP-led government that laments drop in allocation and high wage bill has continued to make series of political appointments to gain goodwill. “The time for change is here and the Sylva-Igiri ticket of the APC is to rescue and truly restore the pride of the civil service, elder statesmen, the youths, market women and students”, the APC candidate’s campaign organisation declared, assuring Bayelsans that Sylva was coming to consolidate his programmes and create prosperity and wealth for the people to ensure quality living.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—49

•Segun Mimiko By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

ast Thursday’s special conference of the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was a much needed tonic after the bitter defeat in the last general election It was just about 11.35 a.m as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr. Segun Mimiko was about to start his speech that the ‘spirit’ seemingly returned to the seemingly dispirited Peoples Democratic Party, PDP faithful gathered at the Thisday Dome last Thursday. One of the conference organisers on the stage had whispered to Mimiko, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum to invite all the serving and former governors present at the venue to join him on the stage as he gave a speech. As they climbed up the stage as many of those men of power of yesterday mounted the stage Dr. Peter Odili, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Godswill Akpabio, Udom Emmanuel, Ahmed Makarfi, Sule Lamido and many, many more up to 30, the crowd cheered and cheered. The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC surely could not mobilise such an assemblage of men of power, even if the majority of them were men of yesterday! But the sight of C M Y K

PDP: •Haliru Bello Mohammed

•Godswill Akpabio

•Ike Ekweremadu

Visions of the new life the men was reassuring to the gathering and so the crowd cheered and cheered on. So when Dr. Mimiko eventually spoke it was with a sense of confidence that his party was only temporarily out of power and admonition to the present ruling party that yes, the PDP would soon be back. For Mimiko, one major concern was that the APC

Akpabio, noting that the APC only had a small edge over the PDP in the number of senators cautioned the APC and President Buhari that they could not in any way despise the opposition

was now falling into the trap of reckless impunity, the accusation that the party had in the past so much used to harangue the PDP when the latter was in power. “APC seems to be putting up the garb of this word that they love so much – impunity,” he said as challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to do away with the “Hitlers” he

claimed were now caging the president. Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate Minority Leader who spoke after Mimiko, also beckoned on serving and former senators to join him on the platform and they came out in droves. The digital and analogue species came out to be identified. Ibrahim Mantu, James Manager, Roland Owie, Uche Ekwunife, Biodun Olujimi, Stella Omu and many more almost fifty of them came out. Akpabio, noting that the APC only had a small edge over the PDP in the number of senators cautioned the APC and President Buhari that they could not in any way despise the opposition. Before he stepped down, Akpabio also reaffirmed the seeming determination of the PDP to return to power as he led the crowd to sing a special song. “When PDP come to rule, Nigeria go better, when PDP come to rule When PDP come to rule, O Nigeria go better, when PDP come to rule Bisi Olatilo, who was one of the masters of ceremony, then invited Senator Olujimi to invite PDP women to the stage and they flocked on to the stage in their different sizes and style as they danced to the music of Korede Bello –God win. Mrs. Olujimi fittingly rounded up saying that their Continues on page 50

50—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

PDP: Visions of the new life Continued from page 49 rendition of the song was indicative of the fact that the party was again set to rediscover its winning ways! Even before Mimiko and the former and serving governors came on stage, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy president of the Senate and the party’s highest elected person in government had roused the crowd with his pointed assertions of the failures of the Buhari administration. Ekweremadu had started on the note that that the Senate was united irrespective of party differences and that all senators were united in support of Senator Bukola Saraki of the APC as Senate President. Following that he also teased that all senators were united in support of him as the deputy president of the Senate. He nevertheless asserted that he was at the conference as a PDP senator and as such did not owe apologies to anybody for his partisan political posture at the conference. It was in that light that he now upbraided the APC administration for failing to fulfil any one of its campaign promises. “As could be seen from the events of the past few months, it is evident that while a party may ride to power on the wings of propaganda, it takes more than propaganda to govern well and retain goodwill,” Senator Ekweremadu said. Giving specific details of the promises and failures of the administration, Ekweremadu said: “The APC won by promising much more than they could deliver. They promised to scale up the exchange rate of our currency to a Naira to one US Dollar. Have they kept this promise? They promised to bring back the Chibok girls in less than three months. Have they brought back the Chibok Girls? They promised to pay N5,000 to unemployed youths. Have they paid a kobo to any youth? They promised free meals to our children in the schools. Have they given any? They recently promised to end the Boko Haram insurgency in December 2015. We earnestly hope and pray that this particular promise is kept in the overall interest of our nation. C M Y K

•Ifeanyi Okowa

•Uche Ekwunife

The APC won by promising much more than they could deliver. They promised to scale up the exchange rate of our currency to a Naira to one US Dollar

The PDP acting national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus in his speech also taunted the ruling APC with the assertion that the party had become the first minority party to impose a presiding officer in the person of Ekweremadu over a majority party. Noting that the inability of the APC to fulfil its promises has led it to destroy the PDP, Secondus said: “We need to use this medium to call on the APC

•Ibrahim Mantu

•Roland Owie government to put a stop to these indiscretions in the interest of the survival of our hard-won democracy. Enough is Enough! Let it be clear that the people of Nigeria and PDP members would stand resolutely against any attempt to constrain our cherished freedoms under the rule of law.” Secondus urged party members to rise above the failure of the party in the last general election and unite to the purpose of winning back power in the next general election. His point was also reiterated by the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT, Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed, who said he seriously quarrelled with the alleged apology said to have been offered for the party’s mistakes in the last 16 years. Bello was forthright in saying that the party had nothing to apologise for even as he blasted President Buhari, who he said has failed to realise his promises and was laying blames on the PDP for his inability to

•James Manager

•Stella Omu achieve his goals. “They should not use PDP to deny their promises,” Bello said noting that “they claim they met an empty treasury, but where did they get the money they used for the bailout? We promised to offer constructive opposition but this government is not reciprocating because what we see is that they are trying to kill the opposition.” Noting that even the Boko Haram insurgency which he said the APC promised to end within months of assuming office has not abated. Just before leaving the stage, he asked for a one minute silence in honour of those he said died “through terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of violence which this government has failed to address.” The PDP conference may have come and gone and the party officials may have reawakened the spirit of party members, but how successful the party would be in achieving its goal of providing a viable opposition and forming the next government would be

another issue. The doubt was manifest in the fact that the indirect theme of finding reasons for the party’s failure in the last election and wooing back some of the party’s founding fathers and pillars was not wholly realised. Indeed, only a few of the featured guests were present. The special guest of honour, General Ibrahim Babangida a day to the conference asked to be counted out of the programme. General Samuel Ogbemudia, who was to be a guest, was absent and reportedly did not even receive an invitation. Also absent were Senator David Mark, former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan. Even one of those reported to be part of the organisers, Senator Joy Emodi was also conspicuously absent. Nevertheless, the camaraderie exhibited at the conference at least was beneficial in one aspect, that is that the opposition would not give the ruling APC a free reign.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 14, 2015—51

ollowing the low performance of employees in the work place that has resulted in low production output, a HR consulting firm, Rising Light Global Company Limited, experts in training, performance management, SME package and outsourcing, aimed to solve the challenges of recruitment process and as well enhance employees performance ability in modern day organisations. Chief Executive Officer of the company, Leo Ebegbuna, said that having discovered gaps in some of our competitors’ approach to training which creates loopholes in employees’ ability to perform on their jobs, so we have come with a different approach to ensure that these employees after going through our trainings will be able to improve on their performance anywhere they are working. You talked about training, performance management, SME package and outsourcing. Why specialising in these areas? The issue here is that these are support functions in which companies can exist without them being directly involved in carrying out their responsibilities. They are support functions in the sense that they can be given out to a trusted and qualified third party that can do excellent job for them. For instance, instead of an MD of a processes, procedures that will help company, thinking on how to recruit a staff, we capture the essence of that business, so can relieve him of routinized chores to enable that any employee who is working in that him focus on strategic and marketing company will be able to do the work very well. responsibilities. Because of our experience, we Again, most business owners have not been have developed policies, process and procedures able to articulate very well their mission that will guide such activities in his company statement and vision for the company. Now without him being involved. These are not mission and vision statements are critical packages that directly grow the business, but it components of the company’s strategy. If these will support and stabilize the growth of the are not well articulated there is no way they can business. It is like a tyre of a vehicle, its cost is excellently cascade the job role to the individual insignificant but it supports the vehicle to move. staff. That means there are gaps in small-scale The key aspect of a vehicle is the engine. So, businesses. The individual cleaner doesn’t know everything in the car gives assistance for the car how his or her job contributes to the overall to move from one location to another. That is corporate objective. That is opposite of what is what we are offering to businesses and our fresh obtainable in advanced countries. For instance, graduates who are not easily employable due a cleaner was asked in NASA, the American mainly to the poor curriculum of our Space Agency, what are you doing? She said universities. I was amazed that the curriculum I’m contributing to flying a space shuttle in the used during my time in late 80s, are still largely space. She is a cleaner, ask a typical Nigerian the same curriculum for graduating students in working in small-scale business, or any business 2015. So, that gives them little knowledge about for that matter, what is your function or what work life outside the university. We are taking that role is contributing to the corporate these functions in order to fill the gap, especially objective? Or ask him, why does this company with respect to performance management. exist? He will not be able to tell you because Performance management has not been properly there is a disconnect between the vision utilised to improve businesses in this part of the statement and the job they are doing. We have world. This is because, a small scale owner will identified these four functions because of their like to employ his wife, children and when they critical contribution to every business success. are not performing, he can’t sack them. So he We have the skills, and what it takes to get the lives with such poor performance. Probably he job done. I’m a trained professional Balanced doesn’t trust outsiders, either because he doesn’t Scorecard Professional (BSP). know them or he doesn’t have the resources or Your company is into SME package, what the know-how to train them in order to do the does that entail? work very well. So, if we come in as an outsourced Our own SME package works this way; party in business, we will be able to develop remember that we are offering a support role.

‘Why recruitment process is major challenge of employers’ For instance, a business owner establishes a business for profit. He probably knows little about the role Human Resources could play in making his business successful. Our role is to provide support. How does it work? The owner of the business may not have adequate experience to handle HR services. We can help them recruit and do induction/orientation, even though induction is taken for granted in this part of the world. For instance, there are two ladies working in my client’s office. One started in 2014 while the other one started in 2015. I was privileged to induct the one that started in 2015. Now the output of the two ladies are different. The one of 2015 is doing her work superbly well, and the Managing Director and other officers like her output. But this is not so with the lady who joined in 2014 who is still being managed as we speak. One of the top officers told me that, it appears they made a mistake during her induction because they did not go through same process we went through with the other lady. So, you can see the difference. The induction we neglect in this part of the world influences on-the-job performance. How affordable are these packages? Business owners need to engage our services for optimal performance. There are no two ways about it. In terms of costing, we are flexible. If you can’t pay us our fee, you can convert it into equity. We are ready to accept equity then as you start producing and is comfortable enough, you can

pay us out. While you hold our money, you will be giving us profit sharing option. We recognise that some people don’t have money but we don’t want them to die in silence, we come to assist them. Retraining our graduates for suitable employment, what does that entail? Yes! These are gaps we have identified and our response is that we have service we call, ‘graduate employability training programme’. It is a continual training programme that we offer to individual graduates, and for organisations that are employing fresh graduates. If they want us to train them, we are available to train. The programme is scheduled for five days and after that we enroll into our database. The reason for this gap is that university education in Nigeria is not done in such a way that graduates are prepared for work and to start contributing immediately. Again, the curriculum is also outdated and the operating environment has not sufficiently exposed these graduates in that when they are graduating, they don’t know what life is all about. Some of them don’t know what departments exist in companies to tell you how bad it is.

Travelex moves to ease forex transactions in Nigeria

ravelex, a global leader in foreign T currency (Forex) operations, has recorded yet another milestone in its efforts

L-R: Speaker, Life Coach, Mr. Lanre Olusola; MD/CEO Novo Health Africa, Dr. Dorothy Jeff-Nnamani; Director, Novo Health Africa, Dr. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie and Speaker, The Celebrity Shrink, Dr. Maymunah Kadiri, at the health awareness programme organised by Novo Health Africa, recently in Lagos.

to provide customers in Nigeria and worldwide, quality currency services all the time. With the success of the on-going business arrangement between the company and UAE Exchange Group (a global, technologydriven money transfer firm spread across over 30 countries in the world), Travelex is promising its Nigerian customers a more robust and seamless foreign exchange. To underscore the importance the two companies attach to smooth financial operations in the country and general

Glo empowers subscribers with Twin Bash promo or subscribers of the Indigenous network F giant, Globacom, more benefits have been attached to data subscription as it offered

them four times the value of data they subscribed to free and also gave them free double airtime to call any network. The new offer, called Twin Bash, was announced in Lagos by the company ’s Executive Director, Legal Services, Mrs Gladys Talabi, who said that any subscriber “who recharges N200 data will get 200 MB of data worth N800, another N200 airtime to call or send sms to any network and N200 airtime to call 10 friends and family. The subscriber will therefore get N1,200 value for data recharge of N200. The recharge is valid for four days.” According to her, “a subscriber who recharges with N500 data plan will get 500

MB of data, N500 airtime to call or send sms to any network and N500 airtime to call 10 friends and family and this is valid for 10 days,” she said. She explained further that every subscriber that recharges with N1,000 for data will get 1 GB of data with additional N1,000 free airtime to call or send sms to any network and N1000 free airtime to call 10 friends and family, and this offer would be valid for 15 days. “Also, for a N2,000 data plan, the subscriber will enjoy 2 GB of data with N2,000 airtime bonus to call or send sms to any network and another N2,000 free airtime to call 10 friends and family. This package is valid for 30 days”. Mrs Talabi disclosed that all the subscriber needs to do to enjoy the benefits

of Twin Bash is to recharge using *223*PIN#. “This is an unbeatable offer in the Nigeria telecommunication industry. Imagine paying N200 for a service and getting a value worth N1,200,” Talabi exclaimed. With the Twin Bash promo, Globacom has taken subscriber’s data enjoyment on the company’s network to a new height by adding bonus airtime for voice calls to every new data recharge. “It is the novel and quintessential mobile package. You pay for data and get voice and sms free,” Talabi said. She explained that the company has invested enormously on network upgrade in the last one year, adding that this has led to significant improvement in the quality of voice and data service.

economic growth, Anthony Wagerman and Promoth Monghat, CEO of Travelex Worldwide and UAE Exchange Group respectively, are billed to arrive the country next week to further strengthen Travelex’s operations, and open new investment windows in Nigeria. Travelex has maintained strong commitment to the economic growth of Nigeria, playing a leading role in forex services and management in the over 35 years of its operation in the country, formerly as Thomas Cook. UAE Exchange Group on the other hand has enormous investment in compliance technology solutions that help provide real-time alerts for financial transactions including money laundering and fraud detection. The Group’s turnover as at 2014 stood at $53 billion. Travelex Nigeria working with UAE Exchange promises customers in the country much more innovative products and services in the years ahead. This Monghat disclosed, is already in operation in some markets such as the US and Canada where businesses are mainly online, and considering the increasing growth of online business in the country, the phone apps solution will thrive. Also expected is the ‘Flash Remit’, a product that provides instant real time credit to bank accounts (including on Sundays) as currently being done with the State Bank of India, the largest bank in the country with over 25, 000 branches. “We are able to credit the account of any customer in real time, online, even on Sundays at 8pm when the banks are closed”, Monghat reiterated.

52 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 — 53

Swaziland frustrate Eagles Continues from Backpage inspired by the fact that they were playing against one of Africa’s top teams in the qualification series, held firm to nick a famous draw. It was the first time that both teams were playing at the senior level and with the parade of Euro-based in the Eagles team, the fans came out in their thousands to see the likes of John Mikel Obi, Carl Ikeme, captain Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Ogenyi Onazi, Kelechi Iheanacho and returnee striker Obafemi Martins strut their stuff. The atmosphere in the 20, 000 capacity stadium was electrifying as the Nigerian attack, spearheaded by inform Watford striker, Odion Ighalo prodded for the opening goal. But the hosts defenders stood firm, cutting out Ighalo and Simon from making the telling shots that will rock the back of the net although they were lucky when Eagles hit the post. Swaziland also created their own chances., Captain Tony Tsabedze and Ndzinisa were the major threats to Ikeme, with Ndzinisa making two attempts at goal in the first half which were off the mark to the relief of the travelling Nigerians fans. Mthunzi Mkhontfohad hit a speculative shot that went wide off the mark on seven minutes. Swaziland enjoyed some good passing spell

seven minutes later, with Sabelo Ndzinisa and Muzi Dlamini combining well to trouble the Eagles defence line but Godfrey Oboanona and Efe Ambrose were equal to the demands. Sensing that the Eagles were mere mortals after all, Sandile Hlatjwako made a solo run before passing to Tony Tsabedze, who sent a shot into the box that was saved by 29 year-old goalkeeper Carl Ikeme.. With the Eagles struggling to get into their rhythm, the hosts grew in confidence, as Mxolisi Lukhele struck a tame shot that was easily stopped by Ikeme on 22 minutes. Eagles went on a counter, with Simon forcing a corner from goalkeeper Gwebu. The highlight of the match came six minutes later as Swaziland’s goalkeeper made a double save to deny Nigeria the opener. Eagles continued to have plenty of ball possession but found Swaziland not easy to break down. It continued to be a frustrating night for the Nigerians, whose coach, Sunday Oliseh, in the second half, took out Sylvester Igboun in the midfield for Rabiu Ibrahim. But Ibrahim did not add anything to the Eagles game as the hosts took control of the midfield. On 55 minutes, Eagles almost took the lead but the woodwork stopped the Simon’s free kick

Senegal force Madagascar to draw

as Swaziland’s breathed a sigh of relief. Worried with the pace of the th game, Oliseh, in the 65 minute, introduced Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho for the misfiring Ibrahim, himself a substitute. He also replaced Mikel with Obafemi Martins but these additions did little to alter the direction and scoreline of the game as Swaziland earned a famous draw against their illustrious foes. The second leg holds on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, with the winners progressing to the 20-team mini league to determine Africa’s five qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

•Ayew

•Mane

enegal fought back to draw 2-2 with Madagascar in the first leg of their 2018 World Cup qualifier. Hosts Madagascar, ranked 118th in the world, 79 places lower than their opponents, had opened up a twogoal. Faneva Andriatsima struck the first on 27 minutes and Njiva Rakotoharimalala hit the second half an hour later. Moussa Konate halved the deficit on 70 minutes and with only 10 minutes left Southampton forward Sadio Mane levelled to rescue his side. The second leg of the tie will take place in Dakar on Tuesday.

Comoros hold Ghana T

here was another surprising result in Comoros, where Ghana were held to a goalless draw. It could have been worse for the Black Stars as Comoros forward Chamed had a goal controversially ruled out for offside Chamed. However, Comoros had luck on their side when efforts from Ghana’s Emmanuel Agyemang Badu and Andre Ayew came back off the post. The sides will meet again on Tuesday in Kumasi.

Bafana end Angola’s 22-year unbeaten home run S

outh Africa condemned Angola to their first World Cup qualifying defeat on home soil for 22 years yesterday. Goals from Tokelo Rantie, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Andile Jali guided Bafana Bafana to a memorable 3-1 first-leg FIFA World Cup second round win at the Estadio Nacional de Ombaka in Benguela. South Africa got off to the worst possible start, falling a goal behind after less than two minutes. Having denied Bafana at the other end,

Hayatou Continues from Backpage “In the coming days, I will be in regular contact with him and I’m glad to know that in future, he will be back on our side,” The 69-year-old Hayatou became Fifa’s interim president when Sepp Blatter was suspended last month while under investigation by the ruling body ’s ethics committee. C M Y K

Palancas Negras raced up field through Gerson, with the teenage striker stepping his way past the entire South African back four before rifling a shot past captain Jackson Mabokgwane. Shakes Mashaba’s men didn’t have to wait too long for the equaliser, with Rantie restoring parity in the 14th minute. The Bournemouth striker used the pace of Thabo Matlaba’s pass to create a pocket of space inside the area before directing a precise shot into the corner of the net. Gabuza handed South Africa the lead six minutes later. The striker has risen from relative obscurity to establish himself as one top marksman for club and country and provided the finish of a man in form following a precise ball from Mandla Masango.

•Rantie

54—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

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Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 — 55

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

Hayatou survives kidney transplant A

cting Fifa president Issa Hayatou has undergone a successful kidney transplant and will continue leading soccer’s world governing body for the foreseeable future, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said yesterday. CAF president Hayatou, who has suffered with

Road to 2018 FIFA World Cup:

Swaziland frustrate Eagles

•Hayatou kidney problems for some time, plans to rest for few days. “I am pleased with the positive news given by the medical personnel,” CAF secretary general Hicham El Amrani said in a statement. Continues on page 53

More Sports stories on pages 33, 34 & 35

By JOHN EGBOKHAN

hree-time African champions, Nigeria w e r e yesterday held to a frustrating barren draw by Swaziland in a second round 2018 FIIFA World Cup first leg game at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba. It was supposed

to be a David versus Goliath affair, with Eagles, tipped to come out tops of the tussle. Parading 11 foreign-based players, the Coach Sunday Oliseh-tinkered side found the Swaziland defence difficult to break. For 95 minutes, S w a z i l a n d , obviously

Continues on page 53

CROSS WORD PUZZLE

2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING RESULTS Swaziland Comoros Madagascar Kenya Libya Angola Niger Liberia Mauritania

0 0 2 1 1 1 0 0 1

Nigeria Ghana Senegal Cape Verde Rwanda South Africa Cameroon Ivory Coast Tunisia

0 0 2 0 0 3 3 1 2

TODAY’S FIXTURES Ethiopia Tanzania Botswana Chad Gabon

v v v v v

Congo 2pm Algeria 2:30pm Mali 3pm Egypt 3:30pm Mozambique 6pm

ACROSS 1)Accountant-General of Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed — (5) 4)Former Cross-River State Governor, Mr. Donald — (7) 8)Record — (3) 9)L.G.A. in Bayelsa State — (5) 10)Former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde — (7) 11)Japanese Currency Unit — (3) 12)Ebonyi State Governor, Dave — (5) 13)Cameroun Capital City — (7) 17) French Word for ‘’Black’’ ? — (4) 19) L.G.A. in Benue State — (6) 22) L.G.A. in Imo State — (6) 26) Assistant — (4) 28) Belgium Foreign Minister, Mr. Didier — (7) 31) Adult Male Duck — (5) 32) Farm Tool — (3) 33)Technical Director, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Navy Commodore Omatseye — (7) 34) Musical Instrument — (5) 35) African Waterbuck — (3) 36) L.G,A. In Lagos State — (7) 37) Super Eagles Midfielder, Feghor —(5) DOWN 1)|L.G.A. in Katsina State — (7)

2)Ugandan Capital City — (7) 3) Chairman, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi — (7) 4) State in Nigeria known as ‘’The Salt of the Nation”? — (6) 5) African Deciduous Tree — (5) 6) Colour — (5) 7) Transaction — (5) 14) Parched — (4) 15) Employ — (3) 16) Spot — (3) 18) President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed — (4) 20) Venomous Snake — (3) 21) Father — (3) 23) Flamingoes (U-17) Coach, Peter — (7) 24) Enyimba FC Striker, Andrew — (7) 25) Traditional Ruler of Ondo — (7) 27) Taraba State Governor, Mr. Darius — (6) 28) Italian Prime Minister, Matteo — (5) 29) Former Niger State Governor, Mr. Gado — (5) 30) Former Super Eagles Striker, Friday — (5)

Solution on page 45

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