No. 631
N300
11.03.18
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY
NIGERIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPER NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES (AS AT FEBRUARY 17) DOLLAR
POUNDS
Leadership Newspapers
OPEC DAILY CRUDE OIL PRICE
EURO
422
497
305.8
362 422
502
376
422
305.8
364
495
376
430
“Improved market stability and strength is apparent, which is underpinning more broadly an improving global economy as well as resulting in a return of investment flows into future supply, crucial for not only meeting growth in oil demand but also offsetting natural declines in several producing regions.” Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources; and Chairman of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC).
P/HARCOURT 305.8
363
376
435
07/03/2018
US$62.68 PER BARREL
06/03/2018
US$63.24 PER BARREL
STATES
INTERBANK – BLACK MARKET INTERBANK – BLACK MARKET INTERBANK – BLACK MARKET
ABUJA
305.8
LAGOS KANO
365
422 422
498
376
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Page > 7 NIGERIA SAVES N500BN FROM COMBATING FIRE OUTBREAKS IN 2017
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SURRENDER ILLEGAL ARMS IN 21 DAYS, POLICE TELL BORNO RESIDENTS Page > 11
Environmental Issues Trigger Farmers/Herders Clash – FG 6
L-R: Deputy Head of Mission, Nigerian Embassy in Germany, Ambassador Mobolaji Ogundero; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Ambassador of Nigeria to Germany, Yusuf Tuggar, during a town hall meeting at the Embassy in Berlin, at the weekend.
Oyegun Receives 350,000 PDP Defectors In Katsina
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Jealous Wife Sets Husband’s 8 House Ablaze Over Rival
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Ajaokuta: Hope Betrayed
ith capacity to serve as stimulus to national development and industrial growth, the steel industry is believed to be the backbone of any nation. Thus, the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State was envisaged to serve as the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialisation. The idea of having a steel industry was rightly conceived in 1958 by the Federal Government and preliminary market studies were carried out. The studies were initially directed towards the feasibility of establishing Rolling Mills. However, because of the growing awareness of the availability of iron ore in Agbaja, Udi and other areas of the country, emphasis later shifted to establishing an integrated steel plant. However, the Federal Government signed a contract in 1970 with TYAZHPROMEXPORT (TPE), a Russian company, under which they agreed to provide specialised equipment to carry out further geological survey to determine the quantity of the deposits of iron ore, coal resources in the country that could be used for the proposed iron and steel industry. The TPE was contracted to prepare the Preliminary Project Report (PPR) for the proposed Iron and Steel Industry in Nigeria. In 1975, during the regime of the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed, the preliminary project report, specifying the raw materials base at Itakpe, in Kogi , plant site location (Ajaokuta), first phase production volume (1.3 mmt), process route (Blast Furnace -Basic Oxygen Furnace), Product form (Long products) submitted by TPE was reviewed, discussed and accepted. TPE was subsequently commissioned to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) on Ajaokuta which was completed and submitted in 1977. In 1980, former President Shehu Shagari laid the Foundation Stone of an integrated steel plant in Ajaokuta on 24,000 hectares of sprawling greenfield landmass, built on 800-hectares. The steel company has four different types of rolling mills inside the plant, such as the Billet Mill which produces billets; the Light Section Mill which produces round, square, strip and angles metals. The Wire Rod Mill, which produces wire rods and rebars used in construction companies and production of nails, fencing wire, rope mesh, bolts and nut and netting and
the Medium Section and Structural Mill produces parallel flange channels, equal angles, unequal angles and standard channels. The four rolling mills are bigger than Aladja, Osogbo, Katsina and Jos rolling mills put together while the coke oven and bye products plant is bigger than all the four refineries in Nigeria put together. From 1980 to 1983, the administration achieved 84 per cent of Ajaokuta steel plant as the
Light Section Mill of the plant was inaugurated earlier than the scheduled date, while the Wire Rod Mill was also inaugurated in April 1984, earlier than the scheduled month of December. In 1994, equipment erection work at Ajaokuta Steel Plant reached 98 per cent completion. With all these achievements, it is however, sad that the gigantic steel plant idea conceived and executed by past leaders have failed to contribute to the nation’s development. The
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY
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CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Dele Fanimo
POLITICAL DIRECTOR/ STATE HOUSE Jonathan Nda-Isaiah Ag EDITOR Bukola Ogunsina DEPUTY EDITOR Victoria Omuya Usman ASSOCIATE EDITOR Christiana Nwaogu GENERAL EDITOR Silas Ezeugwu
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Christian Ochiama
ASS. MANAGING EDITOR George Agba COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD Suleiman Abdullahi
GROUP LTD CHAIRMAN Sam Nda-Isaiah GMD, LEADERSHIP GROUP Abdul Gombe GMD, LEADERSHIP HOLDINGS David Chinda GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Felicia Ogbonlaiye Geoffrey Essien HR DIRECTOR Solomon Nda-Isaiah CHIEF PROCUREMENT & ASSETS OFFICER Mrs Zipporah Tanko DIRECTOR, HAUSA PUBLICATIONS Mubarak Umar GENERAL MANAGERS Ibrahim Halilu Femi Adekunle Ebriku John
LEADERSHIP is a national paper symbolically embedded in the nation’s capital. We shall stand up for good governance. We shall defend the interest of Nigerian people even against their rulers, and we shall raise our pen at all times in defence of what is right. These are the values by which we intend to be assessed. We shall never, ever for any reason forget the noble reason of our coming into being:
For God
and
Country!
Ajaokuta steel that had reached 98 per cent completion as far back as 1994 is yet to produce a single steel till date. This situation, in our opinion, is unfortunate. Nigeria that is blessed with raw materials, such as iron ore, coal, natural gas and limestones needed for the manufacture of steel is still struggling with what to do with the dormant plant. In June 2003, former President Olusegun Obasanjo concessined Ajaokuta steel to Messrs SOLGAS ENERGY of USA on a 10-year tenure; in August 2004, the Federal Government terminated the SOLGAS Agreement due to non-performance. Between 2004 and 2005, the Obasanjo administration, again, granted another concession to Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (GINL) an Indian company for the operation of Ajaokuta steel and the Nigeria Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) at Itakpe in Kogi. However, the Indian company did not live up to the government’s expectation in managing the two companies. Consequently, the administration of former President Umaru Yar’Adua, was compelled to revoke the contract in April 2008 without meeting the requirements of the clauses built into the agreement. The Indian company thereafter took the federal government to arbitration court in London, which also crippled the two firms. In 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari fulfilled his campaign promise on Ajaokuta steel by settling the legal bottleneck surrounding the companies out of court. However, the federal government signed modified concession agreement with GINL to enable the firm to retain the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe. The modified seven-year concession agreement was signed on August 1, 2016, while the federal government took over the Ajaokuta steel. While the federal government is planning to reconcession Ajaokuta steel again, stakeholders in the Nigerian Metallurgical Society urged it to complete the remaining two per cent and operate the plant for few years before concessioning it. We urge the Government to provide clear and articulated plan for the development and growth of metal production sector as the struggle for functional steel company in Nigeria continues.
4 NEWS ACROSS THE STATES
Sunday, March 11 , 2018
Society Of Engineers Laud PMB On Executive Order 5 BY ANDREW ESSIEN, ABUJA
The Nigerian Society of Engineers has praised the political will of President Muhamadu Buhari insigning the executive order promoting local expertise also known as Executive Order 5. The commendation was given at the 7th induction and public lecture of the Nigerian Society Of Engineers, Maitama Branch in Abuja where over 200 engineers were inducted into the society. Guest Speaker, Engr. Chukwurah Christopher, stated this while speaking to journalists even as the charged the federal government to implement same and not merely playing to the gallery Engr. Christopher said: “Recently our President, Muhammdu Buhari demonstrated strong political power when he signed the Executive Order Number 5. So, the Ministry of Science and technology, Society of Engineers and COREN, were at the fore front of the push and for the government to sign it into law, it now gives preference to indigenous engineers to be taken as first choice.
Former LEADERSHIP Political Editor Passes On A former Political Editor with LEADERSHIP Newspapers, Prince Saidu Usman Sarki is dead. Sarki, a son to the 10th Etsu Nupe, Late Alhaji Usman Sarki died at the Federal Medical Centre Bida after a brief illness. The Giyan Nupe, who is also the District Head of Edozhigi, Prince Muhammad Saba Usman Sarki, said the former LEADERSHIP Political Editor has since been buried according to Islamic rite. The district head said, “It Is sad to announce the death of one of our brother, Prince Saidu Usman Sarki, former Political Editor, LEADERSHIP Newspapers and author of Masaba Dynasty.” “He died today (yesterday) Saturday 10th March 2018, at FMC, Bida after brief illness. He was buried round 5pm at Etsu Usman Sarki Palace, Bida,” a family member, HAbdulrahman Husaini said. He added.”
R-L: Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Muazu Abdulkadir and Acting Director of Human Resources, Zubairu Abdullahi, during a press briefing on the Ajaokuta Steel Complex in Abuja.
Coalition Mobilises Youths For Action On #Not Too Young To Run Bill BY ADEBIYI ADEDAPO, ABUJA
The #NotTooYoungToRun Movement, a coalition of youth organisation committed to ensuring participation of youths in politics is mobilising Nigerian youths to lobby President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the age reduction bill. The movement also remind President Buhari of his promises to Nigeria as regard the quest for a true people’s constitution anchored on the principles of inclusion, equality and
justice. #NotTooYoungToRun in a press statement jointly signed by leaders of the youth organisations however called on President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the constitutional amendment bill especially the Age Reduction bill as soon as the bills are transmitted to him for assent. “We therefore, also urge the National Assembly to without further delay transmit the Constitutional amendment Bills to
the President for assent.” The movement also clarified that the National Day of Action is not a protest, but an action designed to demonstrate that the large youth population is in support of the age reduction bill being considered as part of the constitution amendment process. “The National Day of Action is NOT a protest, but is a peaceful citizen engagement with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We hope to use the National
Day of Action to emphasise the need for the Constitution review process to be concluded speedily,” the statement reads. According to the statement, President Buhari also used the International Youth Day to assure Nigeria youth of his commitment to improving the quality of our lives and to create opportunities for us to achieve our dreams and ambitions. The statement was mindful of the fact that Nigeria has one of the youngest populations in the world.
CSOs Tasks FG, States On Standard Education BY OMONU NELSON, ABUJA
A Coalition of Civil Society, CSACEFA, has tasked the federal and state governments on the dwindling fortune of Education in Nigeria. The group, specifically called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the minister of Education, Mal Adamu Adamu to demonstrate their commitment to the revival of education in the country, by coming up with a blueprint for the sector. The group, which is the amalgamation of ‘One Campaign’ and the ‘MALALA FUND’ , made this
call, Friday, in Abuja, during a press briefing. According to the group, “Education that is supposed to be Nigeria’s compass in her drive to be among the world’s largest economies has received lowest attention from both federal and state governments over the years.” The group explained that the current crisis rocking the nation cannot be divorced from the decay in education sector. The policy adviser of CSACEFA, Chioma Osuji identified among other things, the challenges bedeviled the education sector as politicisation
of teachers’ recruitment process, poor remuneration and decayed infrastructures. She pointed out that, the deplorable security situation in our schools has led to the incessant abduction of girls from their schools. She cited the fading fate of the Chibok girls, and most recently, the Dapchi abduction. Shedding more light on the funding challenges confronting the sector, the country director of ‘One Campaign’, Sarah Marka Ugbena, said, the current budgetary allocation to education sector in Nigeria, is a far-cry from that, which it should be. “Nigeria is spending
one third of what is required on education. This is grossly in adequate, if we are serious with revamping the fortune of the sector.” The group cautioned that, by treating issues of education with levity, we are endangering our future and the future of our children. They specifically tasked the National Assembly to take education-related legislation seriously. The National Moderator of the group, Mal Kairi Aliyu urged the state governors to muster the needed political will to access their state’s funds with UBEC, by striving to meeting up with their counter obligations.
No Arrest Warrant Issued Against Me – Senator Uba BY AHURAKA ISA, ABUJA
The Senator representing Anambra South, Senator Andy Uba has debunked the news that a Federal High Court in FCT Abuja issued an order of arrest against him. A statement by his media team described the news as mischievous and malicious propaganda sponsored by Victor Uwajeh with the selfish aim of tarnishing the reputable image of
Senator Uba. Senator Uba’s media office described the news of his arrest as misleading, stating that the court under Justice Binta Nyako decline jurisdiction of the case but instead ordered that the Attorney General of the Federation be served. According to the court proceeding, Justice Nyako requested that the AntiCorruption and Integrity Forum (ACIF) serve the Attorney General first before
presenting the case in her court. It is important to note that ACIF is a group used several times by Uwajeh in perpetrating his blackmail and extortion of money from his victims. According to investigation, Uwajeh has no certificate or document to back-up his claim as a UK private investigator or anywhere in the World as claimed by him. He is currently standing trial on a four count charge bothering on fraud, impersonation
and forgery. Uwajeh who lives and survives on blackmailing, also attempted to swindle Senator Uba and so many others. He is currently into hiding after being investigated by the police over forgery, theft, documentsfalsification and was eventually charged to court. “ We read with much dismay the fake malicious news that a court of law had issued an arrest warrant for Senator Andy Uba, our principal.
Police Parade Kidnappers, Robbers In Sokoto BY ONUMINYA YUSUF, SOKOTO
Sarki
Nigeria police Sokoto state command on Thursday arrested kidnappers robber and impersonator suspects. The public Relation Officer of the command ASP Cordelia Nwawe confirmed that on 5/3/2018 one Mr Nasiru Muhammad a clearing agent at Sultan Abubakar International Airport stole 120 techno handsets from one mr Earnest at the airport and sold it to people at the rate of #4000 each.
The buyers of the handsets are also in the custody of police for buying stolen properties. The suspects confessed to the crime when been interviewed by journalists. In another development police also arrested one Mr Usman Danmaliki who impersonated police and used his house as a mini police station to extort money from his victims. Also police paraded Mr Awaisu Isah and Kabiru Lawali both of Gada LGA in the state who called Mrs
Maryiam Shehu demanded the sum of #2000000.if not they will kidnap her children . At the course of investigation it was discovered that the said people are menial labourers with the woman. The PPRO quoting the commissioner of police saying that no police will come for an arrest and demand for money from the suspects warning that if any is in doubt of any police identity should call police help line or report at any nearest police station.
He added that Nigeria police will not tolerate unprofessionalism from it officer, CP Mani also advised that, people should be careful about the kind of people they employ saying that the photo graph of employees should be kept with the employers for security purposes and proper identification. Mani advised that the people of the state should go about their lawful businesses as police are ready to stamped out criminals from the state.
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Environmental Issues Trigger Farmers/Herders Clash – FG BY TUNDE OGUNTOLA, Abuja
The incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen are the result of environmental degradation rather than ethnic or religious reasons, the federal government has explained. The minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made this clarification at a mini-town hall meeting organised for the staff of the Nigerian Embassy in Berlin, Germany. He, however, gave assurance that the federal government was committed to finding a lasting solution to the clashes. A cross-section of Nigerians residing in the European country on Friday noted that contrary to the narrative in certain quarters giving ethnic and religious coloration to the clashes, they were caused by purely environmental issues. In a statement signed by a senior assistant to the minister, Segun Adeyemi, and made available to LEADERSHIP Sunday yesterday, Alhaji Mohammed noted that whereas Nigeria’s population in 1963 was about 48 million, it is now about 180 million, with the country’s land mass remaining the same. This, he said, means there are more people per square kilometre, which raises the chances of clashes over dwindling resources. He added that Lake Chad that used to
Buhari
provide water and other resources to more than 30 million people in four countries, including Nigeria, in the early 1960s, had shrunk by about 90 percent from 25,000 square kilometres to 2,500 square kilometres, thus forcing those affected to move south in search of resources. ‘’These and other reasons, like desertification, have altered the resource landscape, heightened competition for dwindling resources and raised the possibility of clashes between farmers and herders,’’ the minister said. According to him, the establishment of
ranches is one sure way of reducing such clashes. He, however, said that in resolving the crisis, both the farmers and the herders must be willing to slightly shift their grounds from their positions, which, he said, were as result of their ways of life over the centuries. Alhaji Mohammed, who is in Berlin to attend a meeting of African Tourism Ministers on the sidelines of the International Travel Trade Fair in the German capital, said contrary to the false reports being peddled in the social media by critics, President Muhammadu Buhari was putting Nigeria back on its feet. ‘’The naysayers have taken to the social media to distort the situation in Nigeria. They are spending huge amounts of money to spread fake news about Nigeria, hoping it will override the string of achievements by the administration. That is why Nigerians at home and abroad must ensure they have access to authentic information. One way is to download the FGNiAPP on their handheld devices. It is free!” The minister reeled out figures to show that Nigeria was on an upward curve. ‘’The economy is on a steady growth, as attested to by the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics. The economy attracted $12.2 billion in foreign investments in 2017, up from $5.38 billion in 2016. That represents 138
percent increase. The economy further consolidated its recovery from recession with GDP growing by 1.92 percent in Q4 2017, compared to 1.40 percent in Q3 2017 and a contraction of -1.73 percent in Q4 2016. This means the economy ended 2017 with a growth of 0.82 percent compared to a contraction of -1.58 percent in 2016. ‘’GDP Growth in Q4 2017 was driven by growth in crop production, crude production and natural gas, metal ores, construction, transportation and storage, trade, electricity and gas production, indicating that the administration’s diversification effort is working,’’ he said. On his part, Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, commended the patriotism and dedication of the Nigerians in Diaspora, especially those in Germany. ‘’There is a burgeoning Nigerian community (in Germany) committed to the prosperity of Nigeria. They are well in tune with the policies of (the Nigerian) government and they are accomplished men and women and worthy ambassadors,’’ he said. In their comments, some leaders of the Nigerian Diaspora commended the government for the progress being made in lifting up the country and stressed the need to step up efforts to ensure the security of life and property in order to attract more foreign investors to the country.
Oyegun Receives 350,000 PDP Defectors In Katsina
BY ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina
The national chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John OdigieOyegun, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari, yesterday received over 350,000 defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties in Katsina State. LEADERSHIP Sunday checks revealed that among the top politicians that formally declared for the ruling party at the Katsina APC Grand Mega Rally 2018 are no fewer than four former governorship aspirants of the PDP, APGA and ANPP. They are Senator Ibrahim Ida, Col. Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, Engr. Nura Khalil and Ibrahim Umaru Tsauri, popularly called
Tata in the state. Others include two-time speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Umar Ya’um Gwajo-Gwajo; his onetime deputy, Bikyaminu Abdulkadir Rimi; former director-general of SMEDAN and director general of 2015 Katsina PDP governorship campaign, Bature Umar Masari; and the Katsina chairman of Peoples Democratic Movement (PMD), Dr. Yusha’u Armaya’u. Speaking at the event held at Muhammad Lawal Kaita Polo Ground, Katsina, the APC national chairman, Oyegun, remarked that the quality and number of the defectors joining the party showed that PDP and other opposition parties in the state had virtually fizzled out. “Let me take pride in welcoming the hundreds of thousands of people who
are joining the APC. It shows PDP is dead and buried in Katsina State,” said Oyegun. Justifying the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari for 2019 by the mammoth crowd, Oyegun stated: “I have received a lot of decampees; this one (event) today is special. Congratulations, the people of Katsina State. What I am seeing today is a sign that you approve of your governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and that this is the state of the president. “It is a sign that you also approve of what President Muhammadu Buhari is doing. I am going back to Abuja with the message that the people of this state and country are behind the president.” He assured the defectors that they would have a place of honour in APC and urged the Katsina electorate to
cast all their votes for the party in next year’s polls. In his address, the state governor, Masari, described the defectors as distinguished Nigerians who had succeeded in different fields of endeavours and who left their former parties to join the APC, motivated by the successes of the party. The governor thanked Oyegun and the APC NWC for honouring the state with their presence, and said Katsina people would do whatever is necessary to ensure the success of APC next year. “We are working hard to ensure that between 80 to 90 per cent of registered voters cast their votes for Buhari and APC. We are determined to ensure that no part of the state will be left behind in the task to deliver Nigerians from darkness,” he said.
CHOOSE YOUR TIMES WISELY It can be tempting, when we are winding down after a busy day, to want to discuss everything with our partner in bed, or perhaps with friends via an online chat or the phone. Discussing your worries is a great idea, but it is best done earlier in the evening. Choosing to start a serious conversation about a topic of concern, such as health or finance, shortly before your planned time to go to sleep, will keep the subject fresh in your mind and may interfere with your ability to fall asleep and enjoy restful sleep. Instead, make a mental note to talk about it the next day, when you are feeling awake and refreshed. – Culled from “50 Tips To Help You Sleep Well”
March 11, 2018
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NEWS 7
Nigeria Saves N500bn From Combating Fire Outbreaks In 2017 BY CHRISTIANA NWAOGU, ABUJA AND ZAKA KHALIQ, Lagos
Nigeria has saved over N500billion worth of goods and property from over 265 fire outbreaks in 10 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), between January and December 2017, LEADERSHIP Sunday findings have revealed. The affected states are Lagos, Delta, Adamawa, Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Osun, Enugu and the FCT. It was also gathered that N20billion was lost to fire disasters within the period under review. The efforts of the Nigeria’s fire fighting authorities may have saved the country over N500billion worth of goods and property from over 265 fire outbreaks in 10 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), between January and December 2017, LEADERSHIPSunday findings have revealed. The affected states are Lagos, Delta, Adamawa, Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Osun, Enugu and the FCT. It was also gathered that N20billion was lost to fire disasters within the period under review in the 10 states. The chairman, Senate Committee of Interior, Senator Andy Uba, revealed in November last year that Nigeria had lost over N6trillion to fire outbreaks in five years. Alarming as these numbers are, they could be significantly higher if all the fire incidents in the 36 states were recorded in an efficient operational fire statistics database. In the last two years, insurance companies have paid a sum of N14 billion insurance claims to fire victims across the country, LEADERSHIP Sunday can exclusively reveal. The Federal Fire Service (FFS) said it responded and saved properties worth N426.5 billion from 400 fire incidents which ravaged parts of Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja between January to December 2017. Statistics exclusively obtained from the National Fire Collation Centre Abuja by LEADERSHIP SUNDAY indicate that estimated properties valued at N5.18 billion were lost to the fire incidents during the period under review. The statistics show that 39 out of the 400 fire incidents recorded in 2017 were false calls and that while 10 lives were lost, two were saved and nine rescued. The document obtained from the Data Collation Centre of the Federal Fire Service showed that private dwellings recorded the highest number of fire incidents of 160 within the stated period. The statistics gave a breakdown of types of other premises affected to include public buildings/ government quarters (99), educational establishments (2), shops (9), clubs, hotels and restaurants (4) and markets only three incidences. The statistics further revealed that while petrol stations and open grounds recorded 33 outbreaks with five deaths, oil and gas installations recorded just three.
National public relations officer of the Service, Ugo Huan Sandra, pledged the agency’s readiness to step up efforts to reduce fire outbreaks in the country through public awareness campaigns in schools, markets, and other places. While fielding questions from LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, the FFS PRO expressed optimism that the National Fire Code would help in reducing fire outbreaks in the country if strictly adhered to. ...Delta Saved N65Bn, Says Commissioner In Delta, property worth N65 billion was saved from various fire outbreaks across the state between January and October 2017. The Delta Commissioner in charge of Bureau for Special Duties, Mr Ernest Ogwezzy, disclosed this during a budget defence meeting with the State House of Assembly Committee on Special Duties. He, however, noted that during the period under review, property worth N11 billion were also lost to various fire disasters in the state. He said his office responded promptly to 175 distress calls, 12 of which were false. The commissioner also said that in the course of responding to the distress calls, the office rescued six persons alive while three died. He said the Bureau embarked on a number of projects in 2017, including water hydrant and borehole at the headquarters of the state fire service command, at the cost of N11.6 million. He said the project, when completed, would enhance effective service adding that the office presently depended on private borehole for water supply. N2.9bn Saved In Kano The Kano State Fire Service said goods worth N2.9 billion were saved while N880 million estimated property were destroyed by fire during the period under review. It noted that no fewer than 123 lives were lost and 1, 721 lives saved from the 660 fire outbreaks recorded across the state from January to December this year. The Director of the State Fire Service, Alhaji Sagir Madaki, disclosed this in Kano. “We received 1, 148 rescue calls and 249 false alarms from members of the public during the period under review,” he said. Sokoto State, N2.25bn The Sokoto State Fire Service Department said properties worth over N2.25bn were saved from over 480 cases of fire outbreaks recorded in the state in 2017. Director-General of the service, Murtala Muhammad disclosed that properties worth over N2.6bn were lost in the fire outbreaks, which also claimed 11 lives. He attributed the causes of fire outbreaks to negligence, mishandling of electrical appliances and careless attitude by individuals. Muhammed said, “From January to July, the state fire service recorded 480 outbreaks at different locations, the most harrowing of them were those of old market, Mannuri and Maiturare roads as well as Lambar
stakeholders forum on effective disaster management with the theme “Emergency Preparedness and Response: Key to Effective Disaster Risk Management” held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.
Anebi
Tureta and some remote areas in the state. “The properties destroyed were estimated at N1.7bn while the department was able to save properties worth over N2.25bn.” Adamawa State, N441.43m Property worth N441.43 million was saved and 15 persons rescued in 60 major fire outbreaks in Adamawa last year. The State Chief Fire Officer, Adamu Abdullahi, gave the figure in an interview in Yola, the state capital. Mr Abdullahi said that no life was lost in all the fire incidents which he described as domestic. “In 2017, we recorded 60 fire outbreaks and thanked God no life was lost. Property worth N441.43 million was saved while N126 million worth of property was lost in the fire outbreaks,” Mr Abdullahi said. He, however, confirmed that after several investigations, it was discovered that most of the fire incidents occurred as a result of negligence and improper installation of electrical appliances. Mr Abdullahi said that compared to the 2016 records, fire outbreaks declined considerably in 2017. He said that the state government, in a bid to protect the lives and property of its citizens, had purchased three new firefighting equipment and refurbished five others with sophisticated equipment. Mr Abdullahi said, however, that lack of adequate staff was among the major challenges facing the services. Nasarawa State, N5m The chief fire officer of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Dogara Dalhatu, revealed that property worth N5 million was saved in the fires that broke out in the state last year. Dalhatu, who disclosed this to newsmen in Lafia, noted that six persons lost their lives, while property worth N82 million was lost during the incidents. According to Dalhatu, the service received 89 distress calls, 78 of which were for fire outbreaks while 10 were for rescue from wells and open water. 187 Fire Incidents Recorded In Enugu in 2017 Enugu State recorded 187 fire incidents within the period under review. The executive secretary, Enugu State Emergency Agency {SEMA}, Mrs Nkechi Eneh, revealed the startling figures at a two-day
Osun Records 121 Fire Outbreaks Osun State Fire Service yesterday said it recorded 121 fire outbreaks in the state between January and November 2017. The Staff Officer of the Service, Mr Adekunle Ibrahim, disclosed this in Osogbo, the state capital, while speaking on fire outbreaks, prevention and control. Ibrahim noted that the figure was lower than in 2016 (152 cases) and attributed the drop to the intensive, continuous campaign and sensitisation by the service and the state government’s Special Fire Safety Committee. He attributed the fire incidents recorded to human errors, carelessness and flammable objects (especially electrical equipment). Kebbi Records 16 Deaths from 140 House Fires in 2017 A total of 16 deaths were recorded in infernos that razed 140 residential houses in 2017 in Kebbi State, according to the State Emergency Management Agency. Executive director of the agency, Alhaji Abbas Kamba, who made this known in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, said the figures, obtained from the state Fire Service Department, resulted in the loss of property worth billions of Naira. .. Insurance firms pay 14bn fire claims Meanwhile, in the last two years, insurance companies have paid a sum of N14 billion insurance claims to fire victims across the country, LEADERSHIP Sunday can exclusively reveal. While majority of the claimants are corporate organisations who had insured their office premises against fire outbreaks, investigation revealed that pockets of individuals who had insured their houses, offices or shops against fire disasters are getting claims as well. With incessant increase in fire incidents across the country, especially in factories and market places, there has been a continuous surge in the volume of fire claims in the last five years. Data sourced from Insurers’ Digest, a publication of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), shows that insurance companies paid N5.7 billion fire claims in their 2016 financial year, while market analysts expect the figure to be higher in the 2017 financial year, quoting the figure to be in the region of N8 billion. For the 2016 financial year, 260 companies and individuals got N5.7 billion claims from 20 insurance companies across the country. Of the figure, AXA Mansard paid the highest claims of N345 million to Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd for a fire damage, followed by Linkage Assurance Plc who paid Grand Products Company Ltd N312 million claims on a fire incident in the company, while Ranona Ltd got N300 million compensation on a fire incident from NEM Insurance
Plc. Custodian and Allied Insurance Ltd paid N280.9 million fire claims to Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd and another N162 million to Grand Products Company Ltd. Most of the claims, it was learnt, came from urban centres such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. With this trend, the insurance industry has improved over time in the area of paying genuine claims as more people are now aware of the need to make claims whenever an insured risk occurs. Already, the Federal Fire Services (FFS) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have signed an agreement to use the Fire Brigade in each state of the federation to increase insurance subscription of buildings, including fire insurance. This is to ensure that insurance sector generates more premium from fire insurance in the current year, which would also increase the claims profile of underwriting firms in the country. LEADERSHIP investigation shows that NAICOM is already in discussion with four states, Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna and Gombe, to use their respective state Fire Service agencies to drive the enforcement of building insurance. It was gathered that while the Fire Service is empowered by law to enforce building insurance, there is also a plan to meet the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to get the buy-in of the 36 state governors on this initiative. On his part, the chairman of NIA, Mr. Eddie Efekoha, said insurance operators had improved in the area of prompt payment of genuine claims, noting that the association has persuaded its members on the need to honour claims obligations, as, according to him, that is the reason why underwriting firms exist. He said the best form of insurance advocacy that operators can do is to pay claims as the beneficiaries would spread the message and thus persuade more people to pick up insurance policies, even as he . gave the assurance that insurance operators would continue to live up to their claims responsibilities. He further asserted that insurance should be considered first in decision making, especially now that it is difficult to replace lost items due to high replacement value. He, therefore, advised his colleagues to publicise the claims they pay as this would increase insurance awareness and acceptance. Another industry player and executive director, Leadway Assurance Company Ltd, Adetola Adegbayi, urged insured Nigerians to always demand claims from their insurers whenever an insured risk occurs. Adegbayi, who stated this during a media training organised by Leadway Assurance for insurance correspondents in Lagos, noted that some Nigerians who purchased insurance policies were ignorant on when and how to make claims. He remarked that instead of going to their insurers to make claims, they decide to bear the financial burden themselves.
8 NEWS ACROSS THE STATES
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Obaseki Pledges To Sustain Ogbemudia’s Legacies Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration will continue to build on the sterling legacies of former governor of the defunct Mid-West and Bendel State, late Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia. Obaseki made the submission at the weekend during a visit to the family of late Ogbemudia, as part of the activities to mark theyear anniversary of the former governor’s death. Late Samuel Ogbemudia was born on September 17, 1932. He served as an officer in the Nigerian Army and was the military administrator of the defunct Mid-West State L-R: The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II chatting with the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, between 1967 and 1975. Ogbemudia also served as a during the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th convocation ceremony of Gombe State University at the weekend civilian governor in the old Bendel State in 1983. His tenure was cut short by the December 1983 military coup. He died on March 9, 2017, aged 84 years. The husband, whose name the man’s intention to take a According to Obaseki, who was FROM YAHYA SARKI, Kebbi represented by his Chief of Staff, A bizarre drama unfolded was given as Yunusa, had second wife. He said, “We were shocked Chief Taiwo Akerele, “We would in Birnin Kebbi , the Kebbi planned to marry a lady called Aisha at the weekend to see the house in inflames not forget in a hurry, the fond State capital, when a housememories of the late ex-governor, wife set her husband’s house when he heard that his first and she was responsible whose outstanding achievements on fire for planning to marry wife, Zainab, burnt down for it because of the second and contributions in all sectors another woman as his second their residential apartment wedding her husband was located at Badariya area of planning for the weekend”. of the state’s economy are still wife. Birnin Kebbi. When LEADERSHIP Sunday standing today.” LEADERSHIP Sunday learnt A source close to the contacted the Police Public The governor assured family of that the woman whose name husband said Relations Officer, DSP the late Ogbemudia of the state was given as Zainab, could Zainab’s nobody thought she could Mustapha Suleiman, he said government’s continued support. not control her anger when resort to burning down her the matter was yet to be she got wind of her husband’s house because reported at any of the Police Ekiti 2018: Ojudu Declares plan to marry a second wife. husband’s she was informed about the stations in Kebbi.
Jealous Wife Sets Husband’s House Ablaze Over Rival
For Governorship, Preaches Party Unity
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has been urged to form a formidable alliance that would present a virile front to oust the current administration and consequently deliver the state from lingering hardship. Leading APC governorship aspirant in the state, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, SBO, made the plea at the weekend as he offered letters of partnership to party leaders at the event to mark his declaration to run as governor under the party’s platform at the APC state secretariat in Ado Ekiti, on Friday. Ojudu who promised a regime of fair dealing, promised the leaders that he would run an inclusive government that would recognise party leaders and members and apportion them their due rights. According to him, the contribution of all members is sacrosanct at this point of palpable leadership ineptitude and failure that have left the people in acute poverty, despondency and hopelessness. He however noted that even as the people are tired of the existing government and clamour for change, the need for cohesion among the people would be necessary to midwife a break from the present terror regime. “Over the past one year, I have intensified efforts by going round our dear but battered state, in my capacity as the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, as a chieftain of the APC, and as a son of Ekiti. I have met with all stakeholders in every local government, from Efon to Ekiti East, from Ikere to Moba. One thing that became crystal clear to me after engaging with our members across the State is that the challenges of the past three and a half years have prepared and galvanized our people for action. By Onyeanuna Onyedikachi, Abuja
First Batch Students Resume Lectures In Maritime University Next Month – Presidency In furtherance of the Buhari administration’s commitment to develop the Niger Delta in line with its New Vision for the region, the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, is now set to commence the admission of students into the university for the 2017/2018 academic year, and start lectures next month. According to a statement by the spokesman of the Vice President, Laolu Akande ,this was one of the highlights of the meeting of the Niger Delta Inter-Ministerial Committee on Friday, called to assess progress on the implementation of the Buhari administration’s New Vision for Niger Delta. The meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja which was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, also received reports of ongoing development projects being implemented in the region. He said a total of 196 students have so far been accepted into the University to commence their academic programmes, while 76 applications still pending. Lectures are expected to fully commence later in April. He further explained that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved an increase in the take-off grant allocated to the University from the N2bn earlier announced to N5bn. This sum was included in the 2018 budget presented to the National Assembly in November 2017. He said “Similarly, an additional N1B was approved by the President to support essential infrastructure works and staff recruitment in the University in November 2017. By Jonathan Nda- Isaiah, Abuja
Dickson’s Investment In Health Sector Commendable – Ekweremadu BY OSA OKHOMINA, Yenagoa
Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu on Saturday commissioned the interns and house officers quarters at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Bayelsa State built by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson’s administration, declaring that an investment in the health sector is not a waste. Ekweremadu, who said he was delighted to be given the honour to commission the health related roject stated that every investment in the health sector is not a waste as it borders on the wellbeing of the people. Ikeremadu thanked Governor Dickson for using the resources of the state for the benefit of the people, saying
with such landmark project in a federal institution, the governor is making a strong statement for democracy. The deputy senate preaident asked visitors to the state, especially those who are attending the 74th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Africa Region) Executive Committee meeting, to take the message to the world that democracy is indeed working in Bayelsa State. He said “ Today I feel happy and satisfied and let me say here that I am happy to be associated with Governor Dickson because he represents the hope for a New Nigeria. When I listened to the governor earlier and the health commissioner as well as the CMD I was close to shedding tears of joy. “Investments like this will reduce
cases of infant and maternal mortality. God has raised Governor Dickson at this time to serve his people which he is doing and I congratulate you for this. You are changing the narrative of this state. “No matter how disadvantaged Bayelsa is, geographical wise, you are not relenting to put it on the global map. Some of us are convinced that when we come here for any purpose and have any health challenge, we will be properly attended to”. While congratulating the beneficiaries of the magnificent structure, Ekweremadu said the place of Dickson in history is already assured and urged him to continue in the current trajectory. Earlier in his speech, Governor
Dickson stated that he saw the need to build the quarters despite its location in a federal establishment as it will on the long run serve the generality of Bayelsans which according to him is paramount. Dickson used the opportunity to restate the commitment of his government to offer quality service to the people and stressed that the investment in the health sector has made it a prime destination for medical tourism. In their separate remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu and the Chief Medical Director of the FMC, Dr. Dennis Alagoa described the building of the quarters as a dream come true and expressed appreciation to the governor.
Education, Development Panacea To Boko Haram Insurgency – OBJ BY FRANCIS OKOYE, Maiduguri
Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that education and develpment is the only remedy to Boko Haram insurgency that have ravaged the Northeast for some years now. Obasanjo noted that if the education and development in the southwest have been matched with education and development in the Northeast there might not have been anything like Boko Haram. The former Nigerian leader stated this on Friday, while rounding up the 2-day third meeting of Nigera Zero Hunger Forum, held by select states in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. “It is unfortunate that the Boko Haram crisis happened, but one thing
which is absolutely clear is that if the level of education and development in the southwest have been matched with the level of education and development in the Northeast, there might not have been anything like Boko Haram insurgency. “So education and development is the panacea to Boko Haram insurgency. If Governor Kashim Shettima did not get education , he wouldn’t have the mindset of being a leader of the state. So my emphasy is that with education, development and values , there will be no room for Boko Haram,” Obasanjo said. While acknowledging the free education policy of the Borno state government which is free from primary to secondary, Obasanjo called
for the free education to be made compulsory , saying that in education is the future. “So Governor, I thank you. We came came for Zero Hunger , but you took us beyond Zero Hunger, you took us to maximum development , eradication of poverty and massive investment on education. What you are doing in education is great. You have made education free from primary to secondary , but inaddition to this education should be made compulsory in the state,” the Chairman Nigeria Zero Hunger Forum said. In his remarks, Governor Kashim Shettima thanked Obasanjo for his patriotic stance for the unity of the nation, noting that while others are afraid to step their toes on Borno, the
former president has visited the state the sixth time. He added that at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency when the state was hot , Obasanjo flew in to Yola from where helicopter brought him to Maiduguri for a security meeting. The Governor noted that one of the impending crisis created by the Boko Haram terroriststs is the making of orphans and widows , adding that if these set of people are not taken care of, in the next 15 years , they will turn out another monster that might be worst than Boko Haram. “If we don’t take care of these orphans widows, in the next 15 years, believe me , we will be having another of Boko Haram terroriststs against us,” Shettima said.
NEWS ACROSS THE STATES 9
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Dickson Felicitates With Niger Gov Reiterates Commitment To People-oriented Programmes, Projects BY ABU NMODU, MINNA Technology Centre initiated by and foresight of Senator of the project disclosed that the Osinbajo At 61 the Senator representing Niger Mustapha Sani adding that it project is part of the 3 ICT centre Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, has felicitated with the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on his 61st birthday anniversary. The governor, in a press statement signed by his chief press secretary, Francis Ottah-Agbo, described Osinbajo as a great stabiliser and prayed God to grant the VP long life and good health. While thanking Osinbajo for service to fatherland, Dickson said, clocking 61 years calls for celebration. He said: “On behalf of the Government and the good people of Bayelsa State, I warmly felicitate with you on your 61st Birthday Anniversary. You are a great stabiliser in the system and I thank you for your service to fatherland. As you celebrate your new age, I join your family, friends and associates to wish you many happy returns! May God grant you many more years of good health.”
Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello, has reitrated his administration’s commitment to support projects geared towards improving the socio-economic life of the people. Governor Sani-Bello stated this yesterday in Bida during the foundation laying ceremony of an Information Communication
South, Senator Mustapha Sani Mohammed. The governor, who said his administration would not relent in its effort to improve the standard of living of the people, especially at the grassroots level, also said the ICT centre will assist in acquiring modern skills in information management. He commended the initiative
will also bring about job creation in the district. Etsu Nupe and chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar also commended the Senator for the giant stride addig that the centre will make the younger generation ICT compliant. In his remarks, Senator Mohammed who is the initiator
to be establish in the 3 federal constituencies in the state in order to meet the technological desire of the people. Senator Mustapha promised to compliment government’s effort to meet the needs and aspirations of the people by embarking on projects and programme that will affect the lives of the people positively.
By Orjime Moses, Abuja
CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme: Women Group Canvasses For Concession An Abuja-based women agricultural group, Every Woman Agricultural Initiative (EWAI), has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to soften its demands for its Anchor Borrower’s Scheme, so as to make it easier for more women to partake in the scheme. Agric-economist and convener of the Group, Queen EchoBabalola, told LEADERSHIP Sunday on International Women’s Day, that the move would not only be in the interest of women, but the nation, as a whole. “Given the role of women in the scheme of things, it is unfortunate that many of us cannot afford to meet the condition of owning 250,000 hectares of land to qualify to partake in the scheme. “As a result, we are appealing to the CBN to reduce the land requirement to 250 hectares for women. Many women have tried to form cooperatives, so as to get up to 250,000 hectares, before they can approach the CBN, but they cannot. It would be great for the CBN to look into this, for the sake of women.” Echo-Babalola, who said the group has entered some form of partnership with the Nigeria Cassava Growers’ Association (NCGA), Federation of Rural Agricultural Commodities of Nigeria (FRACAN), insisted that women should get softer requirement because they contribute over 70 percent to the nation’s agricultural sector. “Our women need to be empowered, so as to help them to be more independent. So, what we do is train the women in agricultural skills (farming, harvesting, processing of agroproducts etc), fashion designing, processing organic creams and household liquids, detergents etc. We know that empowering the woman makes a lot of difference in the home and that is why we are doing what we are doing so that they can meet their needs. By Pembi David-Stephen, Abuja
The chairman, House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Hon Timothy Golu, (left) receiving an award as the Most Inspirational Rep Member by House of Representatives Press Corps at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja, yesterday.
Era Of Imposition, Impunity Over, Says PDP BY EMMANUEL MGBEAHURUIKE, Owerri
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has emphasised that the era of imposition of candidates, pre-election selection, writing of lists, are over in the party. According to them, these vices orchestrated the problems they had in the past. These positions were made known by Imo State chairman of PDP, Barr. Charles Babatunde Ezekwem while addressing a press conference at the secretariat of the party, in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.
He revealed that they cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past having learnt lessons from past misadventure. While assuring all aspirants to whatever elective positions that they are free to approach the party for forms and other necessary requirements as the party belongs to all. According to him, the party is committed to enthroning laudable legacies which posterity will entirely applaud and stated that the target of the party is to return PDP to Douglass House and win majority of National and
State Assemblies Seats come 2019. His words: “As state party chairman in Imo State, I am committed to enthroning laudable legacies which posterity will eternally applaud. I will not be intimidated or coerced into indulging in any act that will breed acrimony or disaffection within the party, my target is to return PDP to Douglass house and win majority of National and State Assemblies seats come 2019. Anything short of this is not success.” “I wish to also disabuse our minds from wicked rumour been circulated
by enemies of the PDP, that the party belongs to one man. As laughable and petty as this erroneous rumour sounds, it is still imperative to clarify that the PDP is too large to be owned by one man or for one man to dictate what happens within the party. PDP is a broad based party with its membership spanning across the various linguistic, religious or ethnic divides in the country. Our membership is not discriminatory. How then can only one man own or monopolize the party?
UNICEF Commends Aisha Buhari On Child Education BY JONATHAN NDA - ISAIAH, ABUJA Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari was yesterday presented with UNICEF Special commendation and award of excellence for humanitarian service in recognition of her selfless service to humanity, especially children’s education. Mrs. Buhari’s Future Assured Programme received special mention at the event.
In a statement by the director information to the Mrs Buhari, Suleiman Haruna, The event, which was part of the Legends for Children campaign, initiated by Blaugrana Sports International in collaboration with the National Center for Women Development to promote children’s Education in Nigeria, held at the International Conference Center, Abuja on Friday 9th March, 2018. Speaking during the award
ceremony Mr. Muhammad Malick Fall, the Country Representative of UNICEF, while honouring the awardee, appreciated Mrs. Buhari for her “unending amiable support to the cause of children in Nigeria” and for the important initiatives she has evolved for children, with the most recent one launched during International Women’s Day 2018, “Leave Our Daughters Alone”. Speaking on the huge burden of
out-of-school children, Mr. Fall said Nigeria has a record 10 million of these children and that if Nigeria doesn’t succeed in reversing the trend, subSaharan African won’t; he therefore called for leadership from Nigeria, saying that this leadership has been exemplified by wife of the President as well as her compassion and wisdom. He said a combination of Mrs. Buhari and football is sure to draw attention to the problem of children’s education.
Ban Single Stick Sale Of Cigarette – ERA/FoEN BY ONYEANUNA ONYEDIKACHI, ABUJA The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN) has called on the federal government to immediately commence enforcement on the ban of sale of cigarettes in single sticks. This followed a new Africa-wide report which shows that sale in single sticks is a tactics by tobacco corporations to reach kids because of their ready availability
and cheapness. The report, Sale of Single Sticks of Cigarettes in Africa, released in Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday (March 7, 2018) by the Africa Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA), identified the British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris International (PMI), and Imperial Brands as the main perpetrators of the practice in 10 African countries surveyed. The 10 surveyed countries are Nigeria, Togo, Uganda, Niger, Kenya,
Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Chad, Cameroun, and Burkina Faso. According to the ATCA, the data for the new report was collected around locations where young people meet such as malls, shopping centres, movie theatres, and game shops in the capital cities of the countries under study. Three questionnaires were used for three different target groups to provide different perspectives on single stick availability in the respective countries. At the public presentation of the
report in Cape Town, Deowan Mohee, the Executive Secretary of ATCA, said although many African countries have legislation banning the sale of cigarettes in single sticks, tobacco companies have continued to “openly flout” the laws. In a statement issued in Lagos, ERA/ FoEN said that the mention of Nigeria in the list of countries deliberately targeted by the tobacco corporations has further reaffirmed how desperate the tobacco industry wants to grab the lungs of kids in Nigeria and across the continent.
10 NEWS ACROSS THE STATES Trailer/Motorcycle Crash: FRSC Confirms Death Of Youth Corps member BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN, Kaduna
The Kaduna sector command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of a Youth Corps member, Oyeleke Ajani, as one of the two people killed on Thursday in an accident involving a Trailer and motorcycle in Kaduna. The FRSC Sector Commander, Umar Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Kaduna. Ibrahim said the accident happened around 2 pm by Lagos Garage Road, Mando, along Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Kaduna.
“Our findings revealed that the corps member, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the motorcycle rider, were riding against traffic heading to Mando from Kawo bridge. “The rider lost control and jammed into a trailer coming from the opposite direction, killing the two instantly, “he said. He added that the victims’ bodies had been deposited at the morgue of Barrau Dikko Hospital, Kaduna. “The accident caused serious traffic gridlock; it took the intervention of Kaduna State government and Mando FRSC rescue teams to clear the road, “he said.
Installation Commences At Nasarawa Fertilizer Blending Plant BY DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia
Nasarawa State governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has disclosed that installation work of the four modern fertilizer blending plants imported last year from China to boost agricultural development of the State has commenced. The Governor, made this known in Lafia, yesterday when he received the technical staff of Bendou and Tongyi automated control equipment, who were in the state to kick off the installation work at the three senatorial zones of Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi respectively. A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Musa Elayo, noted that the procurement and installation of the fertilizer blending plants across the three senatorial zones of the state, were part of his administration’s deliberate policy to boost agricultural related ventures in the state, in line with the Federal
Government revolutionary policies in the agriculture subsector. He further explained that the plants would produce customised fertilizer that would be suitable to the soil chemical compositions and types in the state. He said four of the blending plants comprise the big, medium and the modular types. LEADERSHIP Sunday, gathered that the technical staff of Bendou and Tongyi automated equipment, arrived the state sequel to the coming of their chairman, who was in the state last year to survey the terrain, topography and soil chemical composition in order to ascertain type of fertilizer that is suitable for each zone. Earlier, the spokesman of the company said they were in the state for the installation, test running and training of the operation staff for the state who would take over from them when completed.
NGO Tasks Lawmakers On Gender Equality In Governance BY RICHARD NDOMA, CALABAR
A Canadian Government (not-forprofit) organisation, operating under the aegis of CUSO International Nigeria, has called on the nation’s legislative arm of government and traditional institution to formulate laws that will create room for the full participation of women in government. Team Leader for Youth Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Access and Development (YouLead) project being implemented by CUSO International, Jerry Nwigwe, urged the men not to relegate the women to the background adding that women can do well just like their male counterparts if given the privilege. The organisation, which advocates for gender equality, and green economy in Nigeria’s agriculture value chain, said that if women were given equal opportunity to have their pride of place in politics, health, education, the country would be a better place for both genders to co-exist. The Canadian development organisation stated that if both genders were allowed to
Sunday, March 11, 2018
participate in the making of policy decisions that shape the government of the day, the society would have been a better place to live. Nwigwe stated that the time has come when women are to be given equal opportunity to take full responsibilities on matters that affect them politically, economically, and otherwise as it affects them in their places of work and at family levels. The team leader, who spoke on the theme; Pressing for Progress, stressed that a lot still needs to be done by kingmakers to ensure that equal opportunity is given to people with capacity to make decisions that govern the society irrespective of gender. ”Today, if you go to our houses of assembly, you can count the number of women representing their constituencies”. The NGO charged the kingmakers to provide opportunity for a woman with requisite capacity to occupy the seat of the president of senate in Nigeria come 2019, stressing that the men have, over the years, dominated the women in the area of making policy decisions that affect the people.
L-R: CEO of NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo; vice president, Information and Communication Technology (ICT)/Provost of Business Entrepreneurial Skills and Technology (BEST) Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Adesoji Adesugba and director of BEST, Victoria Akai, during a visit to the NEPC boss to felicitate with him for his re-appointment, in Abuja, yesterday.
Emir Sanusi Tasks Northerners On Poverty BY CHUWANG DUNGS, GOMBE
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has implored Northern leaders to initiate and bring changes that will address the high level of ignorance and poverty bedeviling the region. The Emir, who spoke as guest speaker, during the Convocation Lecture for the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th combined Convocation ceremony of the Gombe State University (GSU), noted that ignorance and poverty ravaging the region must be addressed before making any headway. Speaking on the topic, “The Social Reform Project In
Kano And The Imperative Of Change In Northern Nigeria”, the outspoken Emir pointed out that one attitude the North needs to change is its perception or poor attitude towards education. After giving statistical data based on UN agencies and the National Bureau of Statistics on the North’s backwardness, especially the North-East and North-West, where the largest population of the country resides and where there is also the largest concentration of Muslims, the Emir stated that the region was backward in the areas of having the highest maternal, infant mortality rate, under-five deaths, lack
of access to modern education employment among many others. He regretted however that it is the system that has kept the region from attaining its full potential despite having large land mass, highest number of people and having abundant resources especially in Agric. “What led to the start of the project in Kano is that, we cannot have economic growth until we move into the grassroots and deal with the issues. Take the Northern Nigeria, 70 per cent of Nigeria’s landmass, highest number of people, grossly endowed with abundant natural resources, most diverse in many aspects
but the poorest part of the world”. The Emir also said, “In terms of lack of having access to modern education, employment, access to road networks, the region is lagging behind. These are numbers that we have and we can go on and on. Concerning the number of adolescent girls given into early marriage, you will discover that the North-East and the North-West have the highest negative indices, and we are far, far behind than the rest of the world. One, out of six out-of-school children in the world, is in Nigeria and 70 per cent could be from the north.
Ekweremadu: PDP Asks Military To Steer Clear Of Politics BY CHIBUZO UKAIBE, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday urged the Nigerian military not to allow itself to be dragged into partisan politics arising from the call by deputy president of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on the All Progressives Congress (APC)led Federal Government and some of its state governors, to desist from endangering the nation’s democracy. The PDP, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan,
said it had watched the full video of Senator Ekweremadu’s contribution on the floor of the Senate severally and saw nothing that could have warranted the statement issued by the Defence Headquarters on the matter. The party faulted the Defence Headquarter’s claim that Ekweremadu’s “statement may appear cautionary and sincere in the atmosphere of discourse, it is however derogatory to the army used in the expression and by extension to the armed
forces of Nigeria”. The party said: “The PDP holds the institution of the Nigerian military in high esteem and we advise that it should not allow itself to be dragged into desperate attempts by the failed APC administration to criminalise every contrary view or attempt to call it to order. “Every student of Nigeria’s history knows that executive excesses such as sponsored political violence, intimidation of opposition and dissent voices, human rights abuses, disrespect for court orders and
disregard for the separation of powers and rule of law, as we have today in Nigeria, have always been the bane of the nation’s democracy. “Nigerians are aware of the numerous flagrant disobedience to court orders by the APC-led administration as well as the harassment, arrest, detention and media trial of perceived political opponents of the government on the flimsiest trumped up charges, while established cases of corruption by the Presidency cabal are swept under the carpet.
2019: Yobe Youths Endorse Dankwambo For Presidency BY HUSSAINI JIRGI DAMATURU
As the 2019 general election inches closer, a group known as Yobe Youths Initiative has endorsed the Gombe State governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a statement signed by the chairman of the Yobe Youths Initiative for Gombe State governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Muhammad Arabi Bello, which was made available to Newsmen in Damaturu, Yobe State, noted that the group, formally called on Gombe State governor, to run for the number one political
office in the country. According to the statement said that, Dankwambo loyalists and Yobe Youths Initiative for Ibrahim Dankwambo supporters who expressed optimism that Dankwambo was the right man the job, after expire of his two team tenure as a governor of Gombe state. He added that, “Let me say that, for Nigeria to make meaningful and sustainable progress, and to become great among others in the world, she needs a Dankwambo.” The statement also stressed that, Dankwambo built a reputation for women
empowerment, providing funds for many small scale business entrepreneurs, creating jobs for youths, construction township in the state etc. He said, “If we must succeed, what should we do, we must bury the hatchet, we should come together as a family, we should see ourselves as our brothers’ keeper, we should also know what can make us win because it is in the character you sell to the people” said Arabi. The chairman of the group called on the people of Nigerian, especially the Northeast region, to continue to give their support and cooperation
to the Gombe State governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo to contest presidency for 2019. The group described that; “we are really in support of everyone from the party that is contesting, but that Dankwambo is the most accountable, honest and dedicated. We need to realise ourselves and know that Dankwambo deserves to be the Presidential candidate for 2019 under the PDP.” He added that, “In the area of fighting corruption, insecurity, job creation, he (Dankwambo) did well and is still working for betterment of our country.”
NEWS ACROSS THE STATES 11
Sunday, March 11, 2018
DPR Surveillance Team Seals Erring Filling Stations In Zaria
Michika Main Market, Adamawa State, engulfed by fire yesterday. Photo: Pembi DavidStephen.
Surrender Illegal Arms In 21-Days, Police Tell Borno Residents The Police has given a 21-day ultimatum to members of the public in Borno State to surrender illegal arms in their possession. This is in line with a recent directive by the InspectorGeneral of Police, Ibrahim Idris. The state Police Commissioner, Damian Chukwu, announced the ultimatum when he addressed senior Police officers under his Command. Chukwu listed the illegal arms to include, pump action guns, ak-47 rifles and other automatic guns. “While dane guns may be
possessed without approval of any authority, single barrel and double barreled short guns require licensing by the Police.” Chukwu also noted that the proliferation of illegal arms in the society is responsible for violent crimes in various parts of the country. The Federal Government, he said, is aware of the circumstances, and that is why unlicensed arms, must be retrieved. Commissioner Chukwu also said that the recent abduction of 110 Dapchi schoolgirls by insurgents is an eye-opener that
the insurgents are out to take advantage of soft targets. He asked his colleagues to brace up so that the abductions do not happen again. Obasanjo Urges Collaboration To End Farmers/herdsmen Clashes Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on leaders to work closely together to tackle the incessant violent clashes between farmers and herdsmen across the country. Obasanjo made the call in Makurdi on Saturday when he visited the graves and laid wreath at the graveyard of the 73 victims
of herdsmen attack. He said the continued violence and insurgency required collaboration and collective urgent attention, stressing that tackling security challenges must begin from the roots to secure permanently solution. According to him, until the issue is addressed from the roots more and more people will be buried as victims. ”If the issue is tackled right from the roots, there will be no room for assumptions. We must collectively find solutions,” he said.
PDP Tasks Presidency, APC Over Illegal Importation Of Military Equipment BY CHIBUZO UKAIBE, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the alleged linking of exposed illegal importation of military equipment to All Progressives Congress (APC) interests, particularly in Kogi State, is revealing and places a heavy
question on the doorsteps of the Presidency and the ruling party. The PDP claimed that Nigerians are wondering how weapons and other military equipment get into the hands of marauders, who have been ravaging the nation, adding that this discovery could be
an unfolding clue for which an open investigation must be conducted. The party also alleged that the development could be part of the alleged plot by the APC to compromise the nation’s security system and set the stage for the intimidation of Nigerians during the 2019
general election to push their re-election bid. The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, however tasked the Presidency and military high command to immediately come out with explanations to Nigerians on how APC’s Governor Yayaha
UTME 2018: Security Agents Arrest Identical Twins For Exam Malpractice In Borno Two identical twins have been arrested for alleged examination malpractice in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), at the University of Maiduguri centre, Borno. Mr Babagana Gutti, Chief Examiner Officer in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the twins
were apprehended by the security operatives on Saturday in Maiduguri. Gutti said that the look-alike brothers tricked invigilators and security personnel to gain entrance to the centre. He said one of them tried to sit for the examination on behalf of his brother. The JAMB official
explained that one, Hussain Andulhammeed, was captured in the biometric registration for the Compute Base Test (CBT), adding that the second person, Hassan, took advantage of their semblance and sat for the examination in place of his brother. “We do not suspect foul play until one of the invigilators
noticed the other identical twin outside the examination hall. “The invigilator became curious and asked him few questions; but not satisfied with answers, he put them together for verification. “It is unfortunate our findings showed that he was in the examination hall in place of his brother,” he said.
Corruption Responsible For High Level Of Poverty BY MAKINDE OLUWAROTIMI, Abuja A group, under the aegis of Concerned Association for Transparency and Advancement (CATNA), has said that poverty is the resultant effect of corruption in the country. The group stated this in a statement signed by Hon Tukur Idris Aminu and made available to LEADERSHIP Sunday. Tukur said poverty is the most devastative disease that is ravaging every part of the county irrespective of gender, religious, ethnicity, languages or educational
status. While calling on all and sundry to support the present administration in the fight against corruption, he noted that poverty is a disease that is only curable through eradication of corruption. He reiterated that Nigeria will not be able to generate sufficient income to feed its populace if corruption is allowed to thrive. The group further noted that half of the estimated 180 million population of the country, live in the rural areas with subsistence agriculture as a major source of income.
The statement said that corruption has hindered the introduction of relevant modern technology in agriculture leading to untold negative impact on farm yields leaving the rural dweller pauperised. They urged all Nigerians to key into President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption to make the resources of the state accessible to all. “As long as there is corruption, we can never be able to generate sufficient income to combat the absolute lack of materials, thus acute poverty.
“Poverty is a disease curable only by eradication of corruption in order to have access to income, sufficient to combat the plague. “The afflicted eat not what they want but what they can get. “The resources meant for educational sector are being mismanaged or stolen, hence the monetisation of educational services. This has made children from economically vulnerable homes, to drop out of school leading to increase in illiteracy, disease, unhealthy socio cultural practices, environmental degradation and increase in crimes,” he said.
In response to information received from patriotic Nigerians regarding sales of Petroleum Motor Spirit ( PMS) above the Government approved pump price of N145/ litre in Zaria town and some remote locations around Zaria, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) deployed some staff on surveillance exercise around those areas. According to the PRO of DPR, Rabiu A Bello, in a statement issued and made available to newsmen on Kaduna, some Petrol stations were caught red handed in Zaria and surrounding areas selling at N190/ litre, and they were instantly put under seal. He said, the Zonal Operations Controller, Alhaji Isah Tafida, led the team, accompanied by Civil Defence operatives to the sealed stations in Zaria and Hunkuyi, where he directed a reversal to the Government approved price of N145 litre, and monitored sales. “As penalty, the companies were charged N100, 000 per pump to be paid directly into Government TSA account. The stations were also suspended from lifting products for six months. By Isaiah Benjamin, Kaduna
2019: Varsity Don Declares For President Ahead of the 2019 election, Professor Jide Jisos, a senior lecturer with Freedom University, has declared his intention to contest the race on the platform of the Freedom and Justice party. He made this known to newsmen on Friday in Abuja. Professor Jisos, a distinguished peace advocate for the United Nations and the President of UNC Institute of Peace, said that his decision to join the race for 2019 was informed by the fact that the country has been drifting rudderless for too long. “I am interested in the cry of my people, when I sleep, I hear the cry of my people on a daily basis and I see on social media, the gory stories and pictures of murders in our nation. With due respect, that is what prompted me to come out”, he said. “I am a peacemaker, people know me, my community knows me, Nigerians know me as a man of peace and that is what we need. You cannot bring peace through guns and fighting. I want to give what I can to this nation and if Nigerians will trust me and vote in a visionary man, I can change this nation”, he added He further urged the youths to come out en masse and fight for what belongs to them. He said that the kind of government Nigerians desire can only be achieved if the youths can work towards the enthronement of a leadership that not only talks the talk, but will be willing to see to their implementation. It will be recalled that Professor Jide Jisos contested the 2017 Anambra State gubernatorial election on the platform of the Young Democratic Party (YDP).
By Makinde Oluwarotimi, Abuja
12 ISSUES
Sunday, January 11, 2018
11-year-old Jamila Needs N5m For Stem Cell Transplant At the tender age of 11, pretty Jamila Umar Mohammed is battling with sickle cell anaemia and more than ever before needs the assistance of kind hearted members of the public. Born with sickle cell anemia and her parents getting to know about it when she was about six months old, Jamila suffers severe body pains and organs disorder anytime the ailment begins. This entails that she has to be admitted to the hospital a couple of times in a year to be treated for hand-foot syndrome occasioned by swollen hands and feet. Miss Jamila who is currently undergoing treatment at Celltek Healtcare Limited in Benin City, needs N5 million as hospital bills for transplantation and one year drugs post transplantation. According to her father, Umar Mohammed, while Jamila needs N10 million to be treated, he has been able to raise the sum of N5 million through the benevolence of some members of the public, with which she has successfully undergone stem cell transplant
at Celltek Healtcare Limited in Benin City while the results are awaited from Basel University, technical partners to Celltek Healthcare. “We are seeking the help of public spirited individuals to help us raise the balance of N5 million to cover for the cost of transplantation and one year drugs post transplantation”, Mohammed noted in a letter he sent to LEADERSHIP. He further noted that the family has expended all its funds; hence, the appeal to the public to further assist. He said willing donors could support by contributing their widow’s mite. Donations could be sent to the following bank account: Account name: Umar Mohammed. Bank: Zenith Account number: 1003926359 For further enquiries, please contact Mohammed on: 08035888894
State Of Emergency And Drivers Of Adamawa’s Education Sector BY TOM GARBA, YOLA
Since the declaration of a state of emergency in education by the Adamawa State governor, Sen Muhammed Umar Bindow, there seems to be more seriousness on the part of the people driving the sector. The Adamawa State College of Education (COE) is situated in Hong, Central Senatorial zone of Adamawa State and since its creation in the earlier 80s, had a poor development in terms of infrastructure, numerical strength of both staff and students when compared with other colleges that were created at about the same time. From the date of creation to 2010, COE Hong was believed not to have achieved any significant success as it was rarely not on the news for academic excellence. As a result of this, not much of what the school has done or achieved as an institution of higher learning, has been
known. This supposedly great College of Education, failed to adequately meet up with its mission to provide full-time programmes in teaching, instructions and training in arts, Education, Languages, Sciences, Vocation and Teaching Education, and other fields of learning, relevant to the needs of the development of the state in particular, and Nigeria in general. But the coming of Dr Johnson Pongri on board to take charge of the affairs of the institution in 2010, is regarded as an answered prayer which will help remove burdens off the shoulders of many people experiencing the effects of under development. The experience of Pongri, whose inept gift of teaching has become a source of admiration, combined with his knowledge of higher institution management, is a blessing indeed. Having been a Rector of Adamawa State Polytechnic (ASP) which he left with
historic and indelible records of achievements, his absence is still being felt. The experience of this man in teaching, has made him very wealthy, not in goals and diamonds, but in training great Nigerians, who are of international repute and whose names have become households in the country. Some of the prominent people that passed through the experienced teaching hands of Dr Pongri, are the former governor of Adamawa State, Mr Boni Haruna, former EFFC Boss, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the first speaker in the Adamawa House of Assembly and a one-time adviser to former president Goodluck Jonathan on political matters, Barr Ahmed Ali Gulak. Pongri, who grew through the rank and file of the teaching profession, one whose academic papers are ready for vetting to be a professor in the near future, is seen to be a father and mentor to many people out there who are currently
adding value to the society and improving the economy growth of the nation. Some of them have retired or still serving as permanent secretaries in various federal government ministries or state government agencies, directors, professors in many higher institutions of learning and many notable Nigerians. Few years ago, COE Hong had the most dilapidated physical infrastructures. The learning environment was in a state of neglect and lacked enough buildings. The teaching environment was more of a community college with round huts and thatched houses which replaced the mordern hostels that ought to have been built in the premises for students to live comfortably in. The school was known to have been harbouring all forms of miscreants and armed bandits which on several occasions, were reported to be attacking people, and exhorting money from them. Now, the story is different
as new hostels have been built. Hostels that were abandoned for decades are under going rehabilitation and repairs to be able to house thousands of students seeking for admission in the school annually. The institution is now the pride of the Multi Media Micro Teaching Laboratory, Guidance and Counselling, School of languages, Child development Centre, School of Vocational and Technical Education, Science Laboratories; comprising Physics, Chemistry and Biology and twin lecture theatres of 600 seating capacity. Also, an 800 seating capacity lecture theatre was constructed through the intervention funds of Tetfund. With the effort of Dr Pongri, the school is now connected with the national grid for the purpose of constant electricity, academic and exam offices were also constructed. -Garba, wrote in from Yola, Adamawa State.
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Oil & Gas rig
FG’s Midstream Projects To Monetise Huge Gas Reserves
Nigeria’s push to unlock huge potentials in the midstream sector of the oil and gas industry dominated discussions at the 18th edition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Oloibiri Lecture and Energy Forum series and the country’s readiness to key into global energy transition which focuses on promoting renewable energy and cleaner fuel, CHIKA IZUORA writes.
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ood Mackenzie, the UK energy research group in its report in 2008 asserted that Nigeria is actually a gas province which has some “oil” and this is still correct according to other credible authorities. With 180-182 trillion cubic feet, (TCF) of natural gas, Nigeria boasts Africa’s biggest reserves and the ninth largest worldwide and at current production levels, reserves should last 155 years compared to 42 years for oil, according to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Huge Gas Potentials Nigeria sits on huge quantities of ‘stranded gas’ because of physical or economic factors and thus Nigeria is only in 22nd spot among dry natural gas producers with 2014 output reported by BP at 38.6 billion cubic meters (BCF), while reserves have not been exploited fast enough to keep pace with domestic demand. The bulk of gas produced by Nigeria is exported as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), mainly to AsiaPacific, which in 2014 totalled 25.3bcm. This represented 7.6 per cent of globally traded LNG, making Nigeria the world’s fourth-largest LNG exporter. The country’s only LNG producer is Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, (NLNG), on Bonny
Island. Low investment in gas projects, along with most oilfields lacking infrastructure to produce and market gas, has led to flaring, costing $3 billion in revenues annually. But Nigeria is no longer the world’s biggest gas-flarer. Companies are fined $0.60 per mcf of gas flared, but the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) proposes raising penalties to $3.5 per mcf. PIB was drafted in 2008 and is not yet law. Despite slow progress, Nigeria still aims to appeal to investors. Current volumes of natural gas supplies, 8.25 billion cubic feet per day bcf/day and generational capacity are insufficient to meet the country’s energy needs. Thus, Nigeria is shifting the emphasis on monetising untapped gas as part of an overhaul of electricity sector. Gas in Nigeria is high grade, sweet and rich in liquids, ideal for supplying power stations and government aims to double electricity generating capacity within a decade. After the Nigerian electricity privatisation in 2013, the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN) was created to act as an intermediary between gas producers and independent power producers (IPPs), with a view to harmonising the price nationwide and ensuring that supplies are adequate to meet gas demand from power plants,
which is forecast to reach 3.5bcf/d by 2016, up from 1.7bcf/day in 2013, according to GACN. To incentivise new production, the domestic gas price was raised from $1 in 2013 to $2.50 per mcf by end2014. Producers after fulfilling their domestic power supply obligations can sell excess gas at market prices. Based on NNPC estimations, domestic demand should hit more than 10bcf/day by 2020 with about 75 per cent of demand expected to come from the power sector. Nigeria plans to expand generating capacity to more than 20,000MW by 2020. The National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) proposes increasing production capacity to 11bcf/day, 15bcf/day and 30bcf/day, by 2018, 2023 and 2043 respectively. This is to keep power stations supplied and develop energy-intensive industries such ascement, steel, and petrochemicals. FG Policy Direction The 2018 SPE conference with the theme: ‘The Nigerian Oil Industry in a world of Changing Energy Supply: Are we prepared?’ provided stakeholders the unique opportunity to articulate views and learn new things about ongoing projects by key operators in the industry spearheaded by the NNPC. Country chairman of the SPE, Chikezie Nwosu at a pre-lecture
interactive session with the media raised concern about the Nigeria’s readiness to key into ongoing global shift to renewable energy sources and cleaner fuel making use of its huge gas deposits. He said that from the first edition of the lecture, the expansion into deep water, marginal fields policy, local content policy, the Gas Master Plan, fiscal policy, cost effectiveness challenges in the Nigerian business environment, gas flaring policy, regulations and transparency, energising the full gas value chain (from producers to end users), amongst other critical topical issues, have helped to shape current and emerging policy directions in Nigeria. Of note is the Ministry of Petroleum Resources consolidation of a lot of these issues into the ‘7 Big Wins’ policy document that is being driven with such energy and passion by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, with the support of the group managing director of the NNPC, Dr. Kachalla Maikanti Baru and the heads of parastatals within the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. But reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness in that regard, Baru who addressed stakeholders during the lecture asserted that the thought behind ➔ CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE
Nigeria is shifting the emphasis on monetising untapped gas as part of an overhaul of electricity sector
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FG’s Midstream Projects To Monetise Huge Gas Reserves
Kachikwu ➔ FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE
the theme is firmly in consonance with the current Administration’s energy economic agenda and was further strengthened by the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the National Petroleum Policy in September 2017. Baru said that the changes in the industry have not gone unnoticed and that energy transition and the seeming changes to occur in the global energy markets over the next couple of years; energy diversification as well as technological advancements such as the growth of renewables, the evolution of shale gas in the United States, changes in energy for transportation with the advent of electric cars and calls to reduce global warming, shrink carbon foot imprints and provide cleaner environment and these and many more stare at us in the face. He said “generally, energy demand also continues to expand with increasing prosperity and high living standards in fast- growing emerging economies of China and India. Interestingly, the current forecast is that growth in energy demand will come from the developing countries and is expected to be curbed by improvements in Energy Efficiency leading to a turning point between economic growth and carbon emissions.” According to the BP Energy Outlook for 2017, while oil, gas and coal remain the dominant sources of energy, renewables, nuclear and hydroelectric power will provide over 50 per cent of the additional energy required by 2035. Renewables are the fastest growing fuel source up to 10 per cent in 2035, Gas being a cleaner source of energy, has a potential for a higher growth than oil and coal. This can be seen in the impact of US Shale gas as well as the expansion of LNG business. Gas Deposit And Nigeria’s
Baru
Readiness According to Baru whose calculations aligns close to Wood Mackenzie, Nigeria is Africa’s oil giant with reserves in the region of 37 billion barrels and gas reserves roughly 192 TCF with potential upsides up to 600Tcf and also Africa’s largest oil producer and the sixth largest oil producing country in the world with an average 2.2 million barrels of oil per day 2.2 mmbbl/d in 2017. Nigeria’s average production dipped to an average of 1.99mmbbl/d coming 13th position with Russia (10.5mmbbl/d), Saudi Arabia (10.4mmbbl/d) and United States (8.8mmbbl/d) occupying 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. Despite the dip and impending growth, Nigeria appears to have a great potential for gas than oil. From modest production of 5,000 barrels of oil per day from Oloibiri, grew production to over two million barrels per day and over eight billion standard cubic feet of gas in about 60 years of oil exploration and production. Nigeria’s Renewable Energy The GMD of NNPC observed that Nigeria is not only blessed with non-renewable fossil fuels, it has abundance of renewables which are yet to be fully harnessed into her energy mix and these include wind, solar, hydropower and geothermal as well as biomass and waste energy. Biomass Energy make up about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s energy mix and this high share represents the use of biomass to meet off-grid heating and cooking needs, mainly in rural areas. Natural gas accounts for 9.43 per cent oil products make up 5.71 per cent crude oil accounts for 3.61 per cent while hydro and coal account for the balance. However, the new road map by NLNG to make liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) available, assessable at a reduced price will reverse the trend. In the last few years, Baru said Nigeria started laying the foundation for a sustainable energy
future because it is aware of the effect the US shale oil boom has had on Nigeria’s exports to North America and even its attendant effect on the world supply and oil prices. The country is also aware of the effect of collapsed oil prices on its monolithic economy and that change is bound to come.
The country is also aware of the effect of collapsed oil prices on its monolithic economy and that change is bound to come
New Gas Infrastructure Projects Baru revealed that Nigeria’s new strategy is quite simple and it includes the diversification from oil using her enormous gas resources for in-country industrialisation viz- Gas-to-Power, Gas-to-Urea, Methanol, and Fertilizers, etc. This has the potential to accelerate growth of our economy and mitigate the impacts of future oil price drops. “We have embarked on one of the most aggressive gas reforms and implementation. Accelerated implementation of gas pipeline infrastructure development, with specific focus on critical pipeline infrastructure to power plants being put in place. Between 2010 and today, almost 500km of pipelines have been completed, commissioned and now delivering gas” said Baru. LEADERSHIP reports that some of the completed pipelines include the Oben-Geregu (196km), Escravos-Warri-Oben (110km), Emuren-Itoki (50km), ItokiOlorunshogo (31km), Imo RiverAlaoji (24km) and UkanafunCalabar (128km). With these, all available power plants in the country today are connected to permanent gas supply pipelines. In addition, there is ongoing construction of the very strategic East-West OB3 pipeline (127km) scheduled for completion by Q3 2018, the expansion of the Escravos-Lagos Gas Pipeline System scheduled for completion by Q1 2018. Most recently, the Federal Executive Council approved the contract award of the 40-inch by 614Km Ajaokuta-Kaduna- Kano pipeline and associated facilities.
This pipeline is expected to supply natural gas to power plants and industries in the northern part of the country. Once completed, the nationwide backbone gas infrastructure will be in place. With the effort in infrastructure development, Nigeria would have expanded supply capacity, establishing an integrated gas pipeline infrastructure grid across the entire country. With the growth in infrastructure, gas which was hitherto inaccessible and flared, is now being utilised. Nigeria has seen the most aggressive drop in gas flaring from a peak of 2500mmcf/d few years ago to about 700mmcf/d currently and reducing, and in the next few years we would have stopped routine flaring. i.e. Zero flares from all the gas producers. Meeting Domestic Gas Demands However, Baru observed that the pace of domestic gas demand outpaces the country’s gas supply development growth significantly as there is huge shortfall of about 3.4bcfd by 2020 as demand increases to 7bscfd which led to the need for NNPC to identify short, medium and long term gas resources to bridge the huge supply gap. To bridge this huge supply gap, government has identified 7 Critical Gas Development Projects (7CGDP) to deliver about 3.4bscfd to bridge the foreseen medium term supply gap by 2020 which will be aggressively implemented on an accelerated basis. These projects when fully implemented will enable the nation meet its aspiration of delivering gas to support 15,000MW power generation and position Nigeria as a regional hub for gas based industries petrochemicals, chemicals, methanol, and fertilizer among others. In terms of renewable energy, Nigeria sees the potential to increase the energy capacity and availability with the abundance as the country has a large hydropower potential of 11,250MW, 11million hectares of forest and woodland, 30 million tonnes per year of municipal waste, 3.5- 7.0 kW h/m2/day of solar radiation, wind speeds from a low 1.4 to 3.0m/s in the southern areas, except for coastal line and 4.0 to 5.1m/s in the north and with all these resources, the country still lags behind in the renewable energy development and usage possibly due to high costs of developing them when compared to fossil-based fuels. Total Upgrade of Refineries Government is also looking at the total revamp and comprehensive rehabilitation of the refineries to ensure that it refines all in-country requirements and also in the process of reversing the trend of massive importation of finished products as this is unsustainable, therefore, upgrades of refineries from the current name plate capacity of 445,000bbls of crude oil per day to at least one millions barrels of crude oil per day is the focus. Discussions with relevant investors and financiers are ongoing while the expectation is that the refineries will be fully back on stream by December 2019.
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L-R: Brand Manager, Airwick, Kingsley Ehimika; Marketing Manager Home Care, Reckitt Benckiser, Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi and Sales Director, Reckitt Benckiser, Oladele Adeyole, at the prize presentation for the winners of just concluded, Airwick Scent Moves Us Campaign in Lagos. PHOTO BY KOLAWOLE ALIU
FAO Calls For More Efforts To End Hunger By 2025 In Africa BY KINGSLEY OPURUM, Abuja
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has called for more concerted efforts in order to achieve the Malabo Declaration to end hunger by 2025 on the African continent. FAO Director-General, José Graziano da Silva made the call during the 30th FAO Regional Conference for Africa. “The Malabo Declaration to end hunger by 2025 can only be achieved if we redouble our efforts and translate our strong political commitment into effective action. This was the
clear message that arose from the special event on Zero Hunger,” Silva, said. African national leaderships will play a critical role in advancing food security and nutrition in the region and providing African people with a high standard of living, quality of life, and freedom from hunger and malnutrition. This was the declaration that came out from the 30th FAO Regional Conference for Africa. During the closing session of the Conference, 48 ministers and deputy ministers from African member States emphasized that sustainable
food and agriculture systems in Africa have direct dividends in curbing the current negative influences on public health, decent youth employment, education, economic and social development. Member States welcomed the opportunity of sharing experiences and identifying challenges in the sector, and FAO Director-General said, “This Regional Conference has provided us with a unique platform to debate critical issues affecting the future of Africa’s rural and agriculture sector, and solutions to overcome critical challenges for the next generation.”
Herdsmen/Farmers Crisis Worse This Year Than Previous Years—NVMA BY KINGSLEY OPURUM, Abuja
Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has said that the farmers/herdsmen crisis has hit its nadir this year (2018) vis-a-vis the previous years, reiterating its call on the need for the President Buhari-led administration and other relevant stakeholders to accelerate the transition from nomadism to ranching as the only sure-fire way to end farmers/ herdsmen crisis in the country. The National President of NVMA, Dr. Godwin Abonyi, made the disclosure during the 2018 Annual Summit of NVMA in Abuja recently, where he stressed that cattle ranching would also go a long way to improve the quality of animal husbandry.
Dr. Abonyi commended the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje and his Sokoto counterpart, Aminu Tambuwal for their concerted efforts towards addressing the challenges facing livestock industry by putting visible infrastructure in place for livestock production. “You can agree with me that the fatal herdsmen/farmers clashes nationwide have become much more worrisome and problematic this year than the previous years. “I therefore, wish to reiterate our resolution at the Kano congress on the need for government at all levels and all stakeholders to facilitate the transition from nomadism to ranching as a way to not only improve the quality of animal husbandry and yield but more
importantly, to put an end to this incessant blood-letting that these clashes bring. “I wish at this juncture, salute the Governors of Kano and Sokoto States, Abdullahi Ganduje and Aminu Tambuwal for their bold steps in addressing the crisis in the livestock industry by setting up visible infrastructure in place for livestock production. We are calling on Federal Government and State Governments to as a matter of urgency, set up necessary machineries and intervention in the livestock industry for modern husbandry methods in other to safeguard lives and properties arising from herdsmen/farmers clashes and also for improved livestock yield.”
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Danbatta Reveals Policy To Attract Investment, Innovation BY CHIMA AKWAJA, Lagos
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, said that the strategic vision plan he unveiled two years ago in form of 8-Point Agenda has so far made a significant impact on the growth of telecom, sector, attracting investments and innovation in Nigeria. Speaking at a panel session of the just concluded 2018 World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain, he charged global telecommunications regulators and policymakers to develop robust policy framework to promote innovation and investment of the industry. Danbatta said, “In Nigeria, we are trying to digitally transform and the process is on-going as I am talking to you. Hence we’ve been paying attention to five interdependent elements of the digital transformation processes: enabling policies and institutions, human capital, applied ICT industry, communications infrastructure ICT applications and institutional change.” Speaking further, Danbatta observed that broadband penetration in the country merely stood at about eight
per cent when he took over the mantle of the leadership of the industry, but it is now 22 per cent, according to the ITU-UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. “We also decided to look at how we can improve Quality of Service (QoS) consistent with key performances indicators that characterize the quality of service. The information we are getting from the consumers as well what we source from network operators is that QoS has improved. The experience by consumers through their accounts also indicate significant improvement,” he noted. He also told the gathering about successful auctioning of the spectrum, 2.6 GHZ band, which he said has already been assigned, which contributes to broadband penetration in the country. To empower the consumers of the industry in the country, the EVC noted that, the year 2017 was dedicated as the year of the consumer. “When we started the campaign, we were inundated with a deluge of complaints, especially on unsolicited text messages sent to consumers, and in many cases, they were surcharged. We have put behind this menace in Nigeria through the campaign.
Why Youths Must Embrace Agribusiness –Lokpobiri BY KINGSLEY OPURUM, Abuja
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has advised Nigerians especially the young people to venture into farming business as in the next few decades, agriculture would supplant oil to become the mainstay of the country’s economy. He gave the advice during the Public Presentation of the 2017 National Agricultural Performance Survey Report conducted by the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in conjunction with Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) and the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension of FMARD. However, the minister noted that for young people to feel encouraged to go into agriculture, farming business has to be made attractive. Also, Lokpobiri decried the ab-
sence of agriculture data in the country, describing it as one of the problems that was militating against optimum performance of the sector. The minister stressed the need for research institutes to not only publicize their works, but also commercialise their research findings, for Nigeria and the global community to have access to such research and data generated. According to him, “Nigeria is the new investment destination for agriculture and achievements in the sector cannot be sustained on our traditional agricultural practices. Agriculture should be seen and practiced as a business.” The minister assured that henceforth, the public presentation of the national agricultural performance survey report would be done publicly for the public and other end users to have access to them and more importantly for the report to serve as a knowledge base for research and policy decisions.
Local Content Act Opening Opportunities For Nigerian Companies – Firm BY CHIKA IZUORA, Lagos
An Indigenous oil logistics firm has called for quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, PIGB, to support local capacity building in the oil and gas sector. Speaking on the benefits of the Nigerian Local Content Act, while briefing the media in Lagos on Monday, chief executive officer of Fortune Global Shipping and Logistics, Mr. Eric Opah, said the Nigerian Act is a law targeted at promoting local participation in the oil and gas industry providing exclusive consideration for Nigerian
indigenous service companies which demonstrate ownership of equipment, Nigerian personnel and capacity to execute jobs in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Opah, observed that the implementation of the law has significantly offered Indigenous companies the opportunities to break even in the sector, but stressed that PIGB if passed into law with further support investment and increase activities in the industry. He said the company played crucial role in the Egina floating production storage and offloading facility (FPSO), developed by the French group Total.
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BUSINESS NEWS
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@leadershipNGA Sunday, March 11, 2018
NAPTIN BeginsTraining Of 300TCN Engineers Ecobank Partners Kada BY CHIKA IZUORA, Lagos
The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) has commenced training of 300 engineers of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) under the international collaboration with the Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA). NAPTIN flagged-off the first batch of two weeks training in Lagos recently with the six geo-political zones of the TCN regional workers represented. Mr. Ahmed Nagode, acting director-general of NAPTIN in his welcome speech, urged the trainees to take advantage of the training to develop their capacities. Nagode said that the programme will make the participants better industry players in their operational activities and also guarantee safety
on the network. He commended the participants for their understanding and their readiness to learn; adding that the training would facilitates better knowledge and technical skilled for the participants. According to Nagode, under the collaboration NAPTIN will train about 545 staff of power utilities in Nigeria and Ghana while TCN alone constitutes 300 and the distribution companies will be 203, VRA/Gridco Ghana 42. “We are privileged to be the only APUA centre of excellence in the whole of English speaking West Africa. “This feat was achieved as a result of NAPTIN meeting the requirements of APUA for admission into the African Network of Centre of Excellence in Electricity (ANCEE) culminating in an MoU with APUA whose dividend we are witnessing
today” he said. The NAPTIN boss said that initiative will not only lead to enhancement of the capacity and competency of the manpower of these utilities, but also transform into improvement in the delivery of electricity to the countries. He said that the initiative will also serve as a mean of generating foreign exchange to the nation because this contract with APUA is in Euro currency and being paid to our TSA account. He said that the training programme was being implemented in batches in order not to unsettle the smooth and scheduled operations of the Utilities. “The first batch of 106 which we have started this week is of two trades namely Transformer and Switch gears Maintenance with 60 trainees and this is taking place here in Lagos.
Cinemas on Masterpass QR BY BUKOLA IDOWU, Lagos
Ecobank Nigeria has partnered with Kada Cinemas, a movie destination in Benin City, Edo State to offer Masterpass QR customers access to exclusive movie ticket discounts offers. This is targeted by the Bank to boost the entertainment industry in the ancient City. Under the arrangement, customers, who purchase movie tickets using Ecobank Masterpass QR every day of the week gets a 20 per cent discount off their Movie ticket. The offer which is open to all bank customers runs between March 1st and April 15th. Speaking on the partnership, group head, transaction Services Group, Mr. Emile Sagna said it is one of the several initiatives by the pan African Bank to boost the entertainment and tourism industry. He stressed that that the partnership would re-ignite and engender peoples’ interest in watching movies. Mr. Sagna added that apart from enhanced products and service delivery, the Bank recently invested massively in digital and mobile banking, noting that it was targeted at creating ease of transaction for all types of customers. In his words Mr. Sagna said “this partnership with Kada
Cinemas is part of our ongoing commitment to giving our MasterCard customers benefits based on their lifestyles and needs. With Ecobank Masterpass, Merchants can now receive payments from their customers using the QR Scan and Pay, receive real-time notifications for sales report to help with their daily reconciliation. He reiterated that the bank had taken significant steps which include the launch of Ecobank Mobile App in 2017. The Mobile app allows citizens the ease to open an Ecobank Xpress account within minutes on the go. Also, it enables customers do instant payments. To address the needs of businesses, Ecobank has released its Dynamic QR codes Application Program Interface (APIs) for integration into merchant’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. With this integration, merchants will be able to generate dynamic QR codes which will contain the specific purchase details for each customer and it includes the following, amount to be paid, what is being paid for, and any other information that the merchant may want to collect. The consumer would just insert his pin once verification has been done.
CIBN Commences CBT Exams For Students BY BUKOLA IDOWU, Lagos
Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd), Briefing on the Amnesty Programme, at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN
Stockbrokers Await Trading In Commodity, Futures BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos
As the spate of Commodity and Futures Exchange gains momentum in Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) has confirmed that stockbrokers have the skills and competencies required to trade in commodity and futures contracts. Besides, the Institute whose members are less than 5000 nationwide has renewed its advice for the candidates set to write this month’s professional examinations to take advantage of the newly introduced specialised window to obtain certification. Responding to media enquiries on the readiness of stockbrokers to trade in commodity and futures contracts in
view of the proposed commencement of trading by some commodity and futures exchanges in Nigeria, the registrar and chief executive of Institute, Mr Adedeji Ajadi explained that CIS’ curriculum contains trading in commodity and futures. Corroborating him, the president and chairman of the Council of the CIS, Mr Oluwaseyi Abe noted that it has become a deliberate policy to expose stockbrokers to sophisticated products as global investment experts. “We have been preparing our stockbrokers since last year for this development because the kind of the kind of stability we had in our market. We need to take it to the next level by introducing more sophisticated products such as derivatives and allied
products. “We have capacity to enhance the existing knowledge of our practising members. That is what we have been doing. We have been investing in knowledge through continued training in manpower and human development. With this, we believe that stockbrokers will cope with the sophistication of the products,” said Abe. In his own comments, the first vice chairman of the Insitite, Mr. Adedapo Adekoje stated that stockbrokers training had positioned them to operate as professionals on a commodity and futures exchange. He expressed the pivotal role of such a specialised exchange in the overall economic growth and development.
The Chartered Institute of Bankers Professional (CIBN) examinations has been upgraded from traditional paper-based to Computer Based Testing (CBT) platform for its students. The institute in a statement said the pilot phase of the CBT, which takes effect from April 2018, was carried out in October 2017 with the Certified Risk Managers (CRM) Certification Examinations in Lagos and Abuja centres. CIBN said the exercise was adjudged successful as the students described the platform as simple, easy to learn and user-friendly. “Students are assured that the transition to CBT platform will not affect their mode of study as they are expected to use the same materials to prepare for the examinations as they currently do. “The only difference would be that the structure of questions would change to Multiple Choice
Questions (MCQ) and Short Answer Questions (SAQ),” the Institute said. It said that courses like the international trade & finance, banking law, ethics & corporate governance, bank lending & credit administration and practice of banking , would have the hybrid of theory of MCQs and SAQs. It stated that an online tutorial platform for practice questions would be made available in advance of the real examinations to enable students to practice and get acquainted with the application to aid their preparation. Meanwhile, the examination has been scheduled to hold from Tuesday, April 10 to Thursday, April 12, 2018 in 29 locations across the country and in areas where examinations are conducted. The Institute said specific test centers would be communicated to the students in due course even as registration for the examinations would be done online and manual.
Firm Launches Printers For High-Volume Home Users BY ONYEANUNA ONYEDIKACHI
HP Inc. has unveiled the new HP DeskJet GT 5820/10 Allin-One series targeted at highvolume home users looking for a wireless ink tank printer that never stops. “High volume home users are focused on efficiency and are constantly on the look out for innovation that can reduce cost and minimise disruption
to their work,” said Kevin Van Wyk, HPS Category Manager for South Africa. “The new HP DeskJet GT series makes highquality, reliable printing more affordable and wireless printing and ink refill easy and fussfree.” The HP DeskJet GT series prints up to 8,000 pages with a set of three HP colour bottles or up to 5,000 pages with a HP black ink bottle out of the box.1
Original HP inks are specially formulated to deliver sharp text, vibrant graphics and photos that resist water and fading 4 and professional quality, borderless printing. Replenishing ink is also clean and easy with HP’s innovative spill-free refill system5. The bottles can simply be plugged into the tank without any squeezing required. Users can also easily monitor ink levels
with the transparent ink tanks. The working environment today needs to be connected and wireless. The new HP DeskJet GT 5820 All-in-One printer makes it easy for users working remotely to connect via smartphones and tablets. The printer can be set up out of the box using just a mobile device. Even without a wireless network, Wi-Fi direct enables users to directly connect their printer to
the mobile device at home.6 In addition, with the HP Allin-One Printer Remote app, users can quickly send scans to email or cloud storage through their mobile device.7 They can easily print from a variety of devices including iPhone® and iPad® using AirPrint™, or smartphones and tablets running Android™, Windows® 8, Windows® 10, and Google™ Chrome™ operating systems.8.
CEOConfidential March 11, 2018
Onah Owojoku Dough is the Co-founder, Impact Foundation for Youth Development
‘EDUCATION KEY TO STABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH’
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CEOConfidential
Sunday, March 11, 2018
THE CEOCONFIDENTIAL INTERVIEW
'Education Key To Stable Economic Growth'
Onah, Owojoku Dough is the Co-founder, Impact Foundation for Youth Development. In this interview with JULIANA AGBO, he speaks on the need to improve educational standard in Nigeria, by initiating entrepreneurship programmes that will contribute to the nation’s growth. About Impact Foundation for Youth Development... Impact Foundation for Youth Development is a community service development with the drive to identify and solve
DOUGH IN SHORT ONAH, Owojoku Dough ONAH, Owojoku Dough, is a native of Yala, Cross River State He is a budding social entrepreneur, a data analyst, and a professional Forensics expert He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Botany and Biotechnology and a P. M.Sc. in Forensics Science, both from the University of Ibadan He writes SEO articles for individuals, busineses, brands, religious outfits and other organisations who want their google searches ranking higher with top notch content to engage the social communities he manages. He serves as a communication, programme and community manager for various organisations and foundations to include, Impact Foundation for Youth Development, Forensic Team University of Ibadan, The West Africa Golf Tour Foundation, Golden Footprint LTD and Eagloid Security Solutions He also consults for non profit organisations that have education and healthcare as their core.
communal problems in a bid to make the world a better place. Impact world is saddled with the responsibility to create an enabling atmosphere for self-discovery; a level playing field for the actualisation of dreams, fulfilling purpose. Our core interests and values lies in Educational development; Entrepreneurship and empowerment; Value orientation and reorientation; Social welfare and Prison Reforms. Inspiration behind setting up Impact Foundation for Youth Development... When I realised that the youth has been facing what is called sheer negligence, I said to my self something must be done to correct it. I believe that if you give a man a sense of purpose, you have empowered an entire nation, this is our driving force at the impact foundation, taking on exciting projects to give the next man a hand in finding and living purposefully. We came into existence to create an avenue where people can harness and utilise their God given skills and improve their talents, improve reading culture, help youths set their priorities right, disseminate useful and authentic information by means of ; announcement in churches, mosques, the town crier and monthly bulletin publications. How we operate... Impact Foundation for Youth Development is a team work that need the collective wisdom of the elderly and young people’s
energy. We are expert in guidance and counseling, basic ICT training, motivational accounts/ exultations. Impact world is saddled with the responsibility to create an enabling atmosphere for self-discovery; a level playing field for the actualisation of dreams, fulfilling purpose. We also engage in Skills Acquisition and Empowerment; Public speaking via debates and class sessions engagements; ICT training; Negotiation skill; Art of persuasion; Content development and Sales training; Human right awareness; Report on the community written in an abstract but fun way. Our core objectives of existence... Our core objectives are to improve the educational standard of the L.G.A, State and the Nation at large, initiate entrepreneurship programs (skills acquisition and empowerment), initiate community projects, partner with relevant bodies, institutions, businesses, thereby contributing to nation’s growth, to continually touch lives positively on the go. Also to carry out value orientation and reorientation schemes, raise youth of good morals, organise seminars to help sharpen the mindset of individuals, look into prison reforms, orientation and reorientation of convicts and ex-convicts; to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit and the tremendous untapped potentials in our prisons. if we don’t, they are not going to learn any new thing and before you know it, there are right back inside. Humanisation is the key to prison reforms, and to introduce a social welfare scheme which would look to attend to the orphans , aged and the less privilege in general How we have created impact in the society...
In the past years, we have taken on some pretty remarkable projects in different communities in Nigeria. A worthy mention is the ongoing Education and Civic centre building project in Okuku - Yala, Cross River State and a replica soon to commence in Uburu community of Ebonyi State where we will be holing trainings for the youths in the respective communities. Another exciting measureable impact is the increase in amount of students in Cross River State who now pass the cutoff marks for the UTME and WAEC since the launch of our preparatory classes for examinations with volunteers’ teachers from within the team and some of the participants. We have our core in education as we seek to make the education sector of Nigeria attractive for participants and stakeholders. We do this by promoting education via exciting competitions and events like the Spelling Bee Championship, science fairs, book and art fairs, quiz competitions, public speaking classes and then debate competitions, thus creating reward for academic excellence. We also recognise the roles of teachers and the need to strengthen and encourage those who bare the bulk task of raising the leaders we have today and thus creating the present as we have it. For this we hold an annual teachers award ceremony in our state, where we remind teachers of their sacred duties and responsibilities in the class room as they are the tools to shaping the future we hope for. We do this to compensate governments’ efforts and making sure the minds of the teachers are renewed, nurtured and groomed as they continually impact our children. At the event, we award and reward excellence, diligence, hard work, smart work, innovation, discipline, dexterity, long term selfless service, and the youth teacher with exciting gift packages and a promise to continually hold their hands in support via small scale loans as they continue to serve our country. We have also trained over 2,935 secondary school students on the use of computer in preparing them for the computer based test for JAMB and other examinations.
CEOConfidential
March 11, 2018
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OBIORA PICTURES
This was done in response to the first wave of students who failed the JAMB examination in 2016 as 70 percent of the students from YALA in Cross River State, were seeing and using a computer for the first time in their lives. Why our keen interest is on the Spelling Bee Championship... The Spelling Bee Championship which is scheduled for March 15 and 16 at federal government college, Ikom, Cross River State is to enhance the
aptitude of school children in spelling, entrench the culture of learning and correct pronunciation of words, for the sake of vocabulary development. The championship themed “Cross River State King/ Queen of Words” will see 90 students from 90 schools from the 18 local government areas of the state, spell their way, one word at a time to be crowned Queen/ King of words. Frequent spelling competitions will not only build vocabulary but will build students with
effective communication skills for effective representation of themselves and further breach the gap between what children learn from the classroom and how it applies in the outside world. Such competitions will encourage the young generations to learn how to read and write more. The social media is a major contributing factor to the decline in reading culture and students’ performance in examinations because the youths no longer have interest in reading. We want
to enlighten and awaken their consciousness to the damage that is being done to English language through wrong spellings. How our current project, Spelling Bee Championship will create impact... The Spelling Bee Championship will promote education to its right level by ensuring it remains relevant by making the learning process attractive for students, teachers and all the stakeholders.
We have our core in education as we seek to make the education sector of Nigeria attractive for participants and stakeholders. We do this by promoting education via exciting competitions and events like the Spelling Bee Championship, science fairs, book and art fairs, quiz competitions, public speaking classes and then debate competitions, thus creating reward for academic excellence. All sectors in Nigeria look forward to a retreat, an upgrade training session, conferences, symposiums, a gala / dinner night of some sort, even professional careers and have regular strategy meetings and fun fairs, but what does the education sector of the country look forward to? Thus, the spelling bee championship will provide an avenue for education to make the headline for teachers to network with other teachers from across boards, and students to interact, get sharpen, aspire and make life long friends from the 2days event. We hope to improve WAEC performance in English Language and breach the gap between what children learn from the classroom and how it applies in the outside world. Other intending projects... We are currently drawing our map to work on other project that will include, Nigeria Science Exhibition; South South book and art fair; Unity school road trip; Symposium for social entrepreneurs and creative ; Old meet New- a platform where professional urban adults share experiences and life lessons with the professional urban youth in a mentoring sync. We seek to ensure that students remain inspired, positive, continue to dream, and work out their faith in achieving maximum potentials, merry in academic excellence, feeding their minds with positivity in keeping hope alive and save our dear country’s values, by equipping them with a sense of strong faith, belief and patriotism. Our target partners... Our target partners are media houses, private individuals, developmental enthusiasts, societal enthusiasts,social entrepreneurs, organisations who have education as their core value (UNICEF), government, other well
meaning Nigerians who seek to advance mankind and everyone looking to make an impact on society in pushing society forward. Major challenges faced... We have executed several exciting projects in over 20 local communities we have visited and lived in. Yet, we have not replicated the successes of these projects on a large scale which will of course have more impact in general. We have had over 600 volunteers with an average of 40 repeating volunteers per project, which says we have our model right, given the very adroit ways they carry out their tasks, the foundation has not been able to match these services with rewards for selfless service, and zeal for the advancement of the next man and I hope this changes soon as we keep seeking new ways to earn support from societal enthusiasts. Message to youths out there... Put aside everything the society has told you, undress yourself of all the learned habits, bizarre cultures and focus on how life is for you, focus on self, develop your ideas around all your priorities and responsibilities. You owe it to yourself to better the best of yourself; and that is the only person you should ever compete with. Every day is a new life, live like it and make it count. If nothing else inspires you, the distance between where you are and where you hope to be should get you into action. In getting into action, first, prioritise your task, proceed to setting a goals / aims for each of it. “You don’t stop when you are tired, you stop when you are done, what you do in your spare time matters almost as much as what you do in your work time. It contributes and shapes you. “I guarantee you, if we let the world set expectations for our children, they will start low and stay there.”
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@leadershipNGA
updates FINANCE
FG To Generate $25b From Proposed Economic Labs In 2018
Udoma Udo Udoma
The Federal Government plans to generate about $25 billion in foreign and domestic investments from the launch of its economic “Focused Laboratories” next month. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, gave the indication yesterday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Minister who said he briefed the Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on the activities of his ministry in the past two years, disclosed that much work had gone into meeting up with the scheduled date for the labs to work, explaining that the policy had received the support of stakeholders. He said the Focused labs were part of measures to drive the Economic Recovery and Growth Programme (ERGP) of the administration designed to bring together private and public sector officials necessary to achieve the specific policy or project objectives and meet over seven per cent growth plus exponential job creation by 2020. He said the initiative was designed to include 100 relevant stakeholders drawn from the public and private sectors, who would sit for many weeks and brainstorm on the practical steps to get the ERGP active and working for the good of the country.
BANKING
Diamond Bank Rewards NYSC Members Diamond Bank Plc has shown its commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs and SME operators through the National Youth Service Corps Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (NYSC-SAED) initiative, as it recently rewarded a set of youth corps members for the fifth consecutive edition in a row. Speaking on behalf of the bank, the Head, Sales, Diamond Bank, Mrs. Ogechi Altraide, said the bank understands that youths constitute about 60 per cent of the nation’s population and are the driving force of the economy. She further stated that the NYSC-SAED initiative was born out of the bank’s love for the youth and passion for grooming young entrepreneurs who would become employers of labour and business leaders of tomorrow. A statement from the bank quoted her to have also stressed that Diamond Bank was doing a lot to ease the pains of the young graduates as job search which was why it created the first ever Curriculum Vitae (CV) bank which allows young graduate to upload their CVs to a digital bank where employers can easily asses the documents for employment purposes. She also encouraged the corps members to take advantage of all the Diamond Bank entrepreneurship grooming platforms which included SAED and BET, so as to acquire all the necessary skills to build a formidable business career.
Sport FIFA Ranking: Nigeria Slips As Germany Stays Top Nigeria went down one notch in the latest FIFA Coca Cola World ranking of national teams announced today. The Super Eagles who will be playing in the Russian World Cup, were ranked 52nd, one place down from their position last month. Cameroon slid six points to displace Nigeria at 51st. Tunisia were the first African team, in 23rd, followed by Senegal in the 27th. Congo DR climbed four places to attain the 39th position, while Egypt, defending Nations Cup winners slipped 13 places to 43rd. Morocco are 42nd, in the new ranking. The Super Eagles, however, remain seventh in Africa, where Tunisia, Senegal, DR Congo, CHAN champions Morocco, Egypt and Cameroon make up Africa’s top six countries. Ghana, Burkina Faso and Algeria are eighth, ninth and 10th in Africa. Iceland climbed to an all-time high position of 18th in the ranking. The rise of the FIFA World Cup bound Icelanders (18th, up 2) is one of the more notable changes in a February table left largely unaltered by a quiet period of international action. Just 34 international friendlies, 28 of which were in Africa, came into the equation, resulting in a static top 15 that is still headed by Germany, Brazil and Portugal (1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively, all unchanged). There was some significant movement further down the order, though, with Venezuela (48th, up 4), Hungary (49th, up 5) and Jamaica (50th, up 5) all entering the top 50 at the expense of Cameroon (51st, down 6), Ghana (54th, down 4), and Burkina Faso (57th, down 13).
CEOConfidential
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TECH
Samsung Introduces Galaxy A8 Samsung Electronics Africa has announced the introduction of its latest addition to the Galaxy A series: the 2018 Galaxy A8+ onto the Ghanaian market. The Galaxy A8+ feature a Dual Front Camera, a large Infinity Display and stunning ergonomic design that draws on Samsung’s flagship design heritage and experience. With additional everyday features, the Galaxy A series is more stylish, practical and convenient than ever before. “With the release of the Galaxy A8+ (2018), we’re bringing our customers’ favorite features from our flagship smartphones, such as the Infinity Display and our first Dual Front Camera with Live Focus, to our Galaxy A series, which is already known for its premium design,” said Eugene Nahm, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics Ghana. “The Galaxy A8+ (2018) exemplify our continued dedication to meeting the needs of our consumers by providing them with greater choice and convenience.” Snap bright, clear selfies with the 16MP F1.7 rear camera and 16MP+8MP F1.9 Dual Front Camera, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. From day to night, the advanced camera makes sure you capture sharp images, even in low-light conditions. The new devices also allow you to customize your photos with fun options, from adding stickers to your selfie or highlighting a culinary extravaganza with Food Mode. When watching movies or playing games, the latest Galaxy A devices set a new standard for uninterrupted, immersive viewing experiences. The device will continually keep users informed with the Always On Display, meaning you can get information at a glance without unlocking your phone. With Samsung Pay, there’s no need to bring your wallet with you every time you go out. Supporting Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) and Near Field Communication (NFC), the Galaxy A8+(2018) can be used virtually anywhere you can tap or swipe your card.
BUSSINESS
FG Raised N176 bn In T-Bills On Lower Yields The federal government has raised N176 billion worth of treasury bills at an auction on Wednesday, traders said. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) offered N6 billion of threemonth paper, N30 billion of six-month bills and N140 billion of one-year notes. The bank issues treasury bills twice a month to help the government to finance its budget deficit, curb money supply growth and provide an avenue for lenders to manage liquidity. Total demand for the notes stood at N229.9 billion as investors were demanding as high as 20 per cent yields for the one-year paper, which sold for 13.7 per cent. It sold the oneyear paper at 14.3 per cent in January. The bank auctioned the three-month bill at 11.95 per cent from 12.55 per cent last month and the six-month note at 13.65 per cent from 13.92 per cent. The government has been working to lower its borrowing costs, particularly as inflation fell for the 12th time in a row on Wednesday. The government also plans to refinance $2.5 billion worth of treasury bills from the proceeds of a planned eurobond sale this first quarter.
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FEATURE
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Scavengers at work at Mararaba
Thievery Thrives Among Scavengers In Abuja Waste scavenging in the shores of the federal capital territory has transformed into a source of livelihood of most urban poor. However, as the demand to survive becomes tougher, cases of waste scavengers invading homes and catering away items grows rampant in the city. HENRY TYOHEMBA writes.
T Waste picking existed long time ago but our investigations into the act demonstrated that the activities of waste scavenging is rapidly growing in the FCT
he seemingly innocent scavengers recycling used bottles, plastics, electronics and other materials may not be as innocent as they appear. In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, significant numbers of people are now making their living through recovery and recycling of materials. Night and day, hundreds of waste scavenging individuals gather, sort, reuse and sell the materials others throw away just to earn a leaving. However, the usual recycling business is gradually taking new dimensions as some of these scavengers resorted to waste picking, are now using the act to steal. Millions of people around the world are making a living by waste scavenging, however, LEADERSHIP Sunday learned that the situation has greatly increased in the nation’s capital city with numerous numbers of people, especially youths seen working on the city streets, pushing their carts along the pavement, carrying 30 kg bags across their shoulders while others are drawn to open dump where there is an abundance of concentrated supply of such materials. LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the main reason driving most underprivileged people to engage in
these activities is destitution. Musa Bello, a young boy of fourteen, unkempt with curled black hair, worn out cloths torn in places, who does not appear to have taken his bath in weeks, was seen by our reporter patrolling the gutters around the Zone 7 axis of Lugbe area of Abuja. When questioned on why he chose to engage in scavenging waste, he responded, “I joined waste picking because I have no other choice. This has become my only means of survival.” As reported by Musa, waste recycling in some countries is driven by poverty. The situation is not different in Nigeria. Waste picking existed long time ago but our investigations into the act demonstrated that the activities of waste scavenging is rapidly growing in the FCT. The act of picking, gathering wastes, consist of itinerant pickers who go from house to house picking useful items from bins and the background of these group of people involved are not much known as they operate on individual basis without any association. The other aspect consists of groups that operate solely at the dump site, picking recyclable materials as they are dumped from disposal vehicles.
Both groups usually consist of uneducated young men who, left without much choice decided to embark on this job to earn a living. However, the former group which has been of general concern has resorted into waste recycling, to stealing thereby establishing elements of distrust as the communities now get suspicious each time they are seen going about their duties. Recently, two waste scavengers received six strokes of cane for stealing Church properties worth N40,000 at Living Faith Church, Life Camp, Abuja. The two scavengers, Kamalu Wade and Nazifia of no fixed address were arraigned on a three count charge of joint act, criminal trespass and theft. The Judge, Abubakar sadiq sentenced the two men after they pleaded guilty and begged for mercy. Most affected are the Abuja village communities. A tour of the village communities situated in Abuja in the morning is a sight that usually catches one’s attention. While people are preparing for the day, the scavengers in a similar manner are seen with 30 kg size of bags, big enough to contain several items. The bags are also a guise, and as LEADERSHIP learned, is not only for picking waste, but anything in sight. And usually, in communities dominated by Christians, Sundays become the unique days for their vices, as communities are usually empty with inhabitants already at their various places of worship. On a cool Sunday morning, along the Zone 7 axis of Lugbe, Abuja, a young scavenger of 12 embarked on his mission when majority of the people were seen rushing to attend their usual 8 am Sermon. Yusuf was with a bag, big enough to accommodate anything. He was scavenging as well as picking valuable items including clothes washed in the early morning and left out to dry. Unknown to him, a fellow was inside watching. He raised the alarm and the community surrounded him. Searching the bag shoes, cloths, bed spread and brand new wet shirts were found squeezed and folded inside the bag.
Mr Syvanus Waters, a watch guard at Lugbe Village in a similar vein narrated his experience to LEADERSHIP. “I lay down in my room, barely few hours off on duty. I was not feeling fine. Suddenly I saw someone looking through my neighbours house. I then noticed he was a scavenger and was not picking anything at all, he had a target, his bag was kept on the ground motionless. His plan was to go inside the house and cart away some items. I kept calm. He gently raised the outside net-door, tried to unlock the main entrance. At that point I could not contain myself. In trying to open my door, he heard the sound and disappeared, leaving the empty scavenging bag with some few rusty irons.” Of course, recycling of waste is just picking up in the country as a new business model and it is surely offering opportunities to youths. Some of these unidentified scavengers pick used materials that include glass, paper, metals, plastic, electronic and take them to collection centres where they are cleaned and reprocessed into materials bound for manufacturing. Recycling of such materials however, gives opportunity to fresh supply of the new material of that same nature. An English actor and painter, David Morris once said “The case for recycling is strong. The bottom line is clear. Recycling requires a trivial amount of our time. Recycling saves money and reduces pollution. Recycling creates more jobs than landfilling or incineration. And a largely ignored but very important consideration, recycling reduces our need to dump our garbage in someone else’s backyard.” It is true waste recycling is feeding families and creating jobs but the fact that some of these unidentified ‘supposed,’ scavengers of waste are hiding under its cover to steal and cause discomfort in some communities as they can sometimes come across as hostile is a matter of concern that ought to be addressed by the federal government and relevant authorities.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
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NIGERSTATEKWARASTATEKOGISTATEBENUESTATENASARAWASTATEPLATEAUSTATEFCTABUJA Media Group Excited Over Passage Of Insurgency: VC, Don Harp On Military Intellectualism
Human Part Prohibition Bill BY ABDULLAHI OLESIN, Ilorin
A non governmental organisation, Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWGN), has hailed the recent passage of the bill prohibiting sales and possession of human parts by the Kwara State House of Assembly. The bill , which was passed into law during the week awaits the assent of the governor. A statement, by its National Coordinator, Alh Ibrahim Abdullahi said, the legislation is necessary in view of criminal activities by some irresponsible elements who trade in human parts and often exhume human bodies from grave for
purpose of rituals. The statement further pointed out that these criminal acts have not been diligently prosecuted because the law in the Penal Code provides minor purnishment for such crime. The statement reads partly, “with the new law by the state House of Assembly, several offenders will serve ten years jail sentence without option of fine and this will reduce the crime in the Society.” It added that, “Kwara state legislature needs to be commended as they have taken laudable steps to pass laws that are of high significance on the lives and welfare of its people”.
O this effect, MMWG, called on the state governor Alh. Abdulfatah Ahmed to urgently sign the bill into law so that those awaiting trial this heinous crime would be tried without further delay. The media group added that ,”Similarly, this legislation ought to emerge in other states in the federation, especially in the South West, South East and South-South where such crime are rampant. They said, “We call on security agencies, especially the Police and the State Security Services to be diligent, dedicated and committed by rising to the challenge posed by this ignoble act by arresting and prosecuting offenders.
HEADS FROM THE ZONE
Speaker, Kwara state House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria has hailed the passage of the bill prohibiting sales, and possession of human parts by the Kwara state House of Assembly.
Kwara state governor The umbrella body of the all socio- cultural groups in Ilorin, Kwara state, the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressives Union(IEDPU) has expressed delight over Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s giant strides in infrastructural development.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo laying a wreath at the grave site of the 73 victims of the Fulani herdsman terrorist attack on New Year day in Benue yesterday
BY ABDULLAHI OLESIN, Ilorin
The vice chancellor, Kwara State University, Malete( KWASU), Prof AbdulRasheed Na’Allah and Director , Institute of Advanced Military Studies, Dr Ademola Araoye, has traced insurgency and other security challenges bedevilling the country on neglect of military intellectualism. Na’Allah and Araoye made this observation during the launch of KWASU Institute of Advanced Military Studies (IAMS) in Malete, Kwara state. The maintained that crime can only be eliminated in the society through intellectualism and not by sheer force or purchasing more guns and other war weapons. Na’ Allah noted that, “We have neglected high level of intellectualism and critical thinking in the elimination of crimes in the society. Nigeria should develop enough intellectual power to resolve security challenges in Nigeria,”. He stated that poverty is a threat to world peace, adding that no amount of money expended to stamp out poverty is misplaced. According to “Na’ Allah Malete and military tradition are not new to us as Africans. But we inherited a post colonial institute from the British government and embraced different experience. Unfortunately, in the 21stcentury it has become outdated thus making Nigeria not to catch up militarily. He said, “We aim at moblising the entire African continent to begin to rethink and develop things of our own. Something that is local but global, something that is African but also universal. This not a technical military school, but an academic, intellectual and interdisciplinary institute. He said the newly introduced Institute of Advanced Military Studies has been mandated to “award doctor of philosophy (Ph.D) degree in advanced military studies. The doctoral degree programme, according to him is to groom students through immersion in advanced history and multi-disciplinary theories of war as a fundamental human challenge.
Anti- open Grazing Law:
Dapchi Abduction: Be Vigilant, Saraki’s Wife Police Nab 44 Suspects BY ABDULLAHI OLESIN,Ilorin Wife of Senate president, Mrs Toyin Saraki, has appealed to parents of the abducted 110 Dapchi schoolgirls and Nigerians at large to be security conscious and report suspicious movements to security agencies. She said vigilance remains a vital tool in tackling insurgency in the country. Mrs Saraki made the call while speaking to newsmen in Illorin, after an advocacy visit by the managers of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBA) to the Kwara state House of Assembly. Founder of WBA who lamented
the abduction of Dapchi schoolgirls said, Nigerians never believed another abduction could happen again in the country. She enjoined Nigerians to be extremely vigilant and security conscious to further nip insecurity, crime and criminality in the bud. Her words, “No one believed that we will see another forcible abduction after all the sufferings, tears, lamentations and efforts taken to rescue some of the Chibok girls. It’s very hard to describe how I feel as a woman and mother about the development. She said, “I want to reiterate what my husband said about every head being counted and accounted for.
And having registered some success by the release of some Chibok girls, it gave me the hope that we will get back the Dapchi girls and reunite them with their family. According to her, “I want to ask every Nigerian to be vigilant. If you notice that there are strange faces in your community or somebody buying more food than usual, please contact security authorities. The sooner we can find them, get them back, the better for humanity”. Mrs. Saraki, who discouraged young Nigerians from embarking on illegal migration said, there are no greener grasses anywhere outside Nigeria.
IEDPU Commends Gov Ahmed On Infrastructural Development
BY ABDULLAHI OLESIN, Ilorin
The umbrella body of the all SocioCultural groups in Ilorin, Kwara state, the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressives Union(IEDPU) has expressed satisfaction at the giant strides recorded by governor Abdulfatah Ahmed The body acknowledged that the governor embarked on massive infrastructural projects geared towards delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state. Its National president, ( IEDPU)
Ambassador Sheikh AbdulAziz gave the commendation when he led the newly elected national executives of the union on a courtesy call on the governor AbdulAziz commended the governor’s courage on embarking on various road projects such as the Light up Kwara despite meagre resources allocated to the state. He disclosed that the union had been monitoring the administration’s approach and has concluded that he, governor Ahmed has lived up to the expectation of the people.
He requested that vital information be availed the union being a critical stakeholder and link between the masses and government. Responding, governor Abdulfatah promised that his administration will not relent in developmental projects especially in the area of roads, water supply, education and health. He said, his administration sees IEDPU as a strong partner in developments that provides constructive criticism and suggestions.
BY HEMBADOON ORSAR, Makurdi
No fewer than forty four ( 44 ) persons who contravened the anti-open grazing law have been arrested by the Benue State Police Command. Those arrested are currently facing trial in various courts in the state. Police commissioner in the state, Fatai Owoseni revealed this in Makurdi while updating newsmen about the fight against recalcitrant herdsmen and criminality in the state. Owoseni who vowed not to spare anyone caught in any act said, in Katsina-Ala, some herdsmen led their cattle into a block moulding industry during which an altercation ensued , which left a block moulder dead and another one critically injured. He however revealed that the herdsman who caused the mayhem had since been arrested. Speaking on the Monday attack in Omusu, Okpokwu local government area of the state, the police boss disclosed that they have apprehended were currently interrogating four persons. His words, “The police is also involved in confidence building patrol in Chille, Mbalagh, Makurdi local government area where over 5000 person were recently displaced by herdsmen. He said, “As a preventive measure, we are engaging council chairmen of the affected areas, relevant state government agencies and heads of the herdsmen to find a lasting solution to the crisis. According to him, “We want to urge the residents to alert security operatives of any strange movement and activities”, Owoseni said. The police commissioner intimated that in another development, 12 suspects were arrested for armed robbery and cultism and weapons including, 1 locally fabricated pistol, 1English pistol, 1 AK47 rifle, 2 AK47 magazines, 29 rounds of live ammunition, 2 live cartridges, 2 motorbikes and 1 motorcycle were recovered from them.
22 ZONAL WATCH (NORTH-CENTRAL)
Sunday, March 11, 2018
PROJECT REPORT
Kwara: Using Education As Catalyst Of Development, Wealth Creation
School children boarding ‘Maigida Soludero bus’ to enjoy Governor Ahmed’s approved free bus ride to schools in Ilorin, the state capital.
BY ABDULLAHI OLESIN, Ilorin The administration of governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state is not leaving any stone unturned in its determination to accord education a pride of place in the scheme of things. The government’s decision is in recognition of the important role education plays in the lives of individuals and society at large. Governor Ahmed’s administration is implementing free education at both the basic and secondary schools level and has been meeting it’s obligations to teachers in its employment. As part of efforts to make Kwara youths wealth creators and employers of labour as against being job seekers,the state government has established a World class International Vocational and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC), Ajase-Ipo. The school which is set to commence academic programme anytime from now was officially commissioned late last year by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. During the commissioning ceremony, Osinbajo hailed Governor Ahmed’s foresightedness and recommended IVTEC model to other states of the federation. The state has also commenced construction works on the other two campuses of Kwara state University (KWASU) in IleshaBaruba and Osi, Baruten and Ekiti local government areas of the state. The governor laid the foundation of the IVTEC in September 2012 in line with his commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development. The establishment of Malete main campus and other KWASU campuses is aimed at making the institution produces highly skilled graduates that will become top players in the competitive global economy of the 21st century.
All these capital projects in spite of the lean resources of the state government are being executed through the state Infrastructure Development Fund (IFK) established in 2016. The governor said “when I inaugurated the Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund (IFK) in 2016, I made a commitment to initiate and complete new and ongoing infrastructure projects. According to him, “Our government has since made good on that commitment with the commencement of new projects such as the Geri Alimi Diamond Underpass and a new campus for the Kwara State University at Ilesha Baruba. He said, “As we flag off construction of Kwara State University, Ekiti Campus, this project provides an eloquent testimony to the fact that IFK has strengthened our government’s capacity to meet its obligations despite the current economic challenges. He buttressed that, “ this event validates our commitment to the three-campus model for KWASU, as enshrined in its blueprint, following the ongoing work at the Ilesha Baruba site of the university. The governor explained that “It similarly underlines our determination to expand access to quality higher education while providing cutting edge skills and research for industry. He maintained that, “In keeping with current local realities and global trends, the three campuses of KWASU are designed to eventually run on a sustainable platform without subvention from the state government. “This means they must run on a model that guarantees efficiency by offering courses that are market relevant and are in demand by the growing number of applicants
within and outside the country. He added.” The governor maintained that, “We are building on the legacy of the previous administration, which established the university, and bringing the KWASU multi-campus model to reality, among others, our administration has demonstrated, in concrete terms, the value and importance of continuity in governance. He said, “Only a government of continuity like ours could have believed in and up-scaled the vision of the university’s founders.” Ahmed, said, In this regard, the Kwara state government designed the curriculum at IVTEC in partnership with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to guarantee that the education received at the center meets the mid-level manpower needs of today’s employers. He noted that “Similarly, the KWASU campus in Ilesha Baruba is strategically located in the agrarian belt of the state to provide students with the opportunity of hands-on experience and boost the region. Ahmed stressed that In addition, the KWASU School for Business and Governance, Ilorin is poised to provide middle level professionals with access to quality post graduate education that will enhance their leadership and professional skills. “On its part, the KWASU Ekiti campus will groom scientists and thinkers that will proffer practical solutions to the various problems that plague the country.” The governor therefore, solicited for closer links between tertiary education and the country’s economic and technological aspirations to ensure that education is more relevant to our national objectives. On IVTEC, he said his administration needs a sum of N13 billion in the next five years, to expand the college.
Our government has since made good on that commitment with the commencement of new projects such as the Geri Alimi Diamond Underpass and a new campus for the Kwara State University at Ilesha Baruba
NEWS BEHIND THE NEWS
NELMAC Have Boosted Youth Devt BY ACHOR ABIMAJE, Jos
A Jos - based industrialist and Managing Director NELMAC Global Resources, an indigenous drilling and borehole pipes producing company, Ambassador Uba Nelson Nkparu has disclosed that his company has employed over 200 youths. He also restated his determination to partner with youths irrespective of political and religious affiliations to promote peaceful co existence in Plateau state. Nkparu made this known while speaking with newsmen after receiving an award of Jarman Matasan/Icon of societal transformation from Northern Youth Council of Nigeria in Jos, the state capital. He said, “The youths are the leaders of tomorrow, youths constitute a greater percentage of the population and should be engaged in gainful employment, stressing that government should create an enabling environment for jobs creation According to Nkparu , “I am calling on the Plateau State governor Simon Lalong to continue to provide an enabling environment for business to grow in the state.” He expressed his readiness to partner with the state government to develop the state through job creation in order to reduce youth restiveness and poverty in the state. He added that he recently paid the school fees of over 50 less privileged students in some secondary schools and commended the state government for its efforts at restoring peace to Plateau, especially Jos metropolis. He said, “Before now, business men and industrialists were scared of coming to invest in Jos but we thank God for the peace being enjoyed in the state which has made people like us to invest inPlateau. He said, “To me Plateau is home and remains the safest place to stay and do business in the country .i am calling on state government to continue to provide the enabling environment for companies to thrive in the State”. “We carry out our corporate social responsibilities to our host community in new Abuja layout behind building materials market without hesitation and as I speak to you I have over 200 indigenous citizens of Plateau working in my company. He added. He said, Many people also come from far and near to buy our products. I have people who come all the way from Cameroon, Ghana and other parts of northern Nigeria to buy our products. On what motivated him to go into business in Plateau , h said he ventured in due to the friendly nature of the people and the weather. He said, “Before I went into this business, I carried out a research and discovered that Nigeria does not have a single indigenous pipe making company as most are being run and owned by Indians and other foreigners, so I took the bold step to venture into it and so far I have no regrets”. According to him, “Over the last two years we have undertaken high profile business relationship with state government, corporate organisations, religious bodies as well as with professionals in various fields related to our line of business He said, “it is our credit that we have never failed any client or faulted in our commitment to deliver quality products, this particular behavior is what sets our company apart. Nkparu appealed to the people of Plateau to continue to stay peacefully with one another so that business would continue to flourish in the state,” he stated.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
ZONAL WATCH (NORTH-CENTRAL) 23
NEWS BEHIND THE NEWS
Travail As Family Awaits Return of Missing Journalist BY HEMBADOON ORSAR , Makurdi The number of people who have gone missing without trace appears to be on the rise in the recent past. It is as if they simply fall off the face of the earth, never to be seen again, dead or alive. The result is that their families and friends live in both anguish and hope every day, engaged in painful and often unrewarding journeys in searching of their missing loved ones, expecting that the dawn will come when they will be re-united. 65 year - old veteran journalist, Mr. Inalegwu Odeh who mysteriously disappeared January this year have been missing for two months, and with no clues whatsoever on which his family and friends can rely to trace him. Today, LEADERSHIP Sunday brings you the heart-rending story of Odeh’s family. Odeh, who hails from Ohimini local government area of Benue state retired as Director. News at the Nigerian Television Authority( NTA) . He also served as Chief Press Secretary to the former military governor of Benue state, Group Captain Jonah Jang. The veteran journalist was said to have left his house, in the early morning of January 6th, 2018 at about 6:30am for his usual road walk and did not return. Narrating the story to newsmen when they paid a Save our Soul visit to Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom to intimidate him about the development, elder brother and head of the missing journalist, Okpachu Odeh said his brother left home at about 6:30am on January 6, and told his children he was going out for his usual morning walk but did not return. This is almost two months nobody has heard about him. Okpachu told news men that his younger brother Inalegwu, whose sudden disappearance has remained a mystery left his phone behind after intimating his children of his readiness to embark on his routine exercise. He stressed” that under normal circumstances, he usually return home between 8am -9 am.” Okpachu Odeh lamented that the family was yet to ascertain whether their son was kidnapped, killed or even committed suicide. According to him, “We have searched for him all round but to no avail, even if he was knocked down by a vehicle in Makurdi, by now we would have been contacted but since then, nobody has contacted us, we have not received any message from anybody about his whereabout”. He said, “We have gone round all the mortuaries in Makurdi. There is even a search group comprising of the police and Civil Defence, some of his friends are also involved in the search. We have also conducted
a search along the river Benue hoping that if he even committed suicide or something, his corpse would have been found floating, the search party is still on. Okpachu added that “we have even gone to suburbs of Makurdi and spoken with vigilantee and given them money for logistics, picture of the missing Inalegu and phone number in case anyone come across him whether dead or alive.” Elder brother of the veteran journalist expressed dismay at the failure of the police to come to the house and conduct further investigation on the issue. He said,c”At the initial stage, I reported the matter to the police, but the irony of it is that they have never been to the house. “They don’t even know the location of the house even though I gave them the house address. “I expected them to have come to the house to do more investigation to find out whether they could get a clue of possible instances which could have led to his disappearance.” he stated. When asked whether his missing brother had a problem with anybody, Okpachu disclosed that” “he had some issues with his wife, but this is family problem. You know he was sick and had a major operation for prostate enlargement and was yet to fully recover. He explained that , “He complained that his wife was becoming too demanding, and was maltreating him. He came home between late November and early December 2017 with the complaint but we settled the matter traditionally. On returning to Makurdi, two weeks after the traditional reconciliation, he called again to complain that the problem resurfaced but I advised him to deal with it through the children. He text me two days after, he had settle the problem with his family, only to disappear that weekend.” Okpachu appealed to the Benue state government to assist the family in the search of Inalegwu. Responding, governor Samuel Ortom who described Inalegwu as a man of integrity urged security agencies to intensify their efforts in the search to ensure that Inalegwu is brought back alive. When LEADERSHIP Sunday visited the missing journalist’s home ( Inalegwu Odeh , his daughter, Alexandra and Wife, Esther who described the development as shocking appealed passionately to members of the public with useful information to contact the family or nearest police station. Alexandra explained that ,”It was around 7.00 am, myself, my immediate younger brother, my cousin and my father were all at home, my mother was not around, I was still in bed, it was even my dad who woke me just to alert me that
The missing Inalegwu Odeh
he was going for his routine road walk. This walk usually dosen’t exceed 3 minutes. She explained that , “ on that faithful Saturday , we did not see him till around 9.00 am when my mother came back I told her that daddy went for road walk since 7.00 but wasn’t back yet. that was when my mother tried calling him and discovered that all his phones were in the house. She went out to the road, where sometimes he will hang with some friends before coming home she did not see him and up till this moment no one has heard from him,” she narrated. Alexandra , 28, is a graduate of Food Technology from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi and currently a staff of Primary Health Centre, Makurdi and the first child of the family, still perplexed as to what what might have happened to her father. Wife of the missing journalist, Mrs Esther Inalegwu Odeh, revealed that her husband does not have any psychiatric problem and she left him at home in good condition to visit one of their daughter who put to birth, only to return home that fateful Saturday to hear the devastating news. She revealed that that , “We have been married for 32 years, this is the first time i am experiencing this kind of trauma, because my husband who has retired from active service does adopted the culture of road walk which last between 30-45 minutes, he will be back if you don’t see him for an hour sometimes we will go to the road side and meet him chatting with friends and at times if we did
not see him there he will come back and say, he went to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral to pray at the grotto, all these places we have searched for him to no avail. She said, “since January I been running two homes, because my daughter gave birth here in Makurdi around new GRA axis at the peak of that harmattan shortly before my husband disappearance, I used to go to my daughter’s house to pass the night after assisting her and come back in the morning. On return home, I waited for sometime he did not return and when I called, I discovered that he did not go with any of his phones, which was unusual. I quickly went to the road I did not see him, I asked some of his friends around they said they did not see him. Till today, nobody has contacted us with any information Madam Esther said, “We reported the incidence to the police that very day but they asked us to wait till 24 hours, this is almost two months no information either from the police or any quarter. We have given his pictures round and our phone numbers so that anyone who come in contact with him can contact the family, police or the media; yet we have not received any information. We have check in hospitals even in the mortuary to see if he was knocked down by a hit and run vehicle but to no avail,” she explained. Mrs Odeh who burst into tears said she did not quarrel or have a problem with her husband that will warrant him to abandon the family to an unknown destination,adding that “I don’t know what to say everything is in God’s hands”.
Mrs Odeh who burst into tears said she did not quarrel or have a problem with her husband that will warrant him to abandon the family to an unknown destination
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Sunday, March 11, 2018
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Trouble States: How PMB’s Visits Doused Tension, Bolstered Rescue Operations
sunday politics
Politics Editor Sunday: CHIBUZO UKAIBE
The ongoing tour of volatile states in the country embarked by President Muhammadu Buhari recently may have doused tensions to an extent and reinforced rescue operations by the military, GEORGE AGBA reports
Buhari
I Having received and studied the reports, the President has decided to undertake an on the spot assessment of the various occurrences and to meet and console the communities affected
t was clear to close observers that the government, coming under intense public pressure over almost simultaneous killings in Rivers, Benue, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna and Zamfara States as well as other isolated skirmishes across the country, will adjust its response strategy. Even while President Muhammadu Buhari kept assuring the nation that appropriate measures were being taken to redress the situation, including despatching top functionaries of his government to the flashpoints and taking turns to meet with strategic leaders and stakeholders from the affected places, culminating in a meeting of Council of State, the need to embark on shuttle diplomacy to the crisis areas became even more compelling. A top Aso Rock source who preferred to be anonymous said that President Buhari had long decided to embark on the visits but that he needed to get first-hand facts from those he had despatched to the scenes.
The source added that after series of meetings with the top military command and heads of other security agencies, the idea of effecting possible adjustments in the nation’s security architecture was exhaustively discussed and adopted. So, when on February 19, 2018 the an abduction of over 100 girls of the Government Girls Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State took place, it became crystal clear that all machinery of the State should be immediately deployed to respond appropriately to the development. The widespread outrage, which greeted the abduction, did not spare the government from criticisms that were openly and brazenly partisan than patriotic. Opposition interests took to the social media to cry blue murder, calling on the president to act speedily. Even as much of such critical commentary was done to score political points, the government preferred to keep its calm, opting instead to rise above the fray.
State Of Ajaokuta Steel, A Collective Shame – Dogara
It emerged on Monday that the president, after analysing the security reports with him, had concluded arrangements to tour Taraba, Benue, Yobe, Zamfara and Rivers States over killings arising from terrorist attacks, criminal activities and communal clashes that were reported to have occurred there. The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina said that the president decided to visit after reviewing security reports on the incidents. He deplored the unfortunate incidents in the affected states, which led to loss of lives and kidnapping of innocent Nigerians, including the 110 Dapchi schoolgirls. Recalling that the president had earlier directed the Armed Forces and other security agencies to compile comprehensive reports on the various incidents and having been receiving daily briefings, coupled with being in constant touch with the governors for update on the situations, Adesina said, “Having received and studied the reports, the President has decided to undertake an on the spot assessment of the various occurrences and to meet and console the communities affected’’. The presidential spokesman quoted the president as calling on all Nigerians, especially those in the affected areas to cooperate fully with security agencies to enable them curb the spate of crimes, prevent further occurrence, arrest perpetrators and bring them to justice. Reacting to the development in Abuja, a civil advocacy group known as Concerned Professionals’ Congress (CPC) praised the president for taking such measures before venturing out to conduct an on-the-spot assessment in the violence-hit areas. CPC said that the approach was necessary to give him a clear, impartial and balanced perspective on the incidents in order to determine the way forward. Chief media strategist of the group, Mr Emeka Nwamkpa, in a joint press statement, he issued with the Northern Rapporteur, Malam Baba Al-Kasim, described the President’s approach as a departure from the past government’s response to the abduction of the Chibok school girls. According to him, the swift deployment of the machinery of state to the series of incidents has CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE
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Sunday, March 11, 2018
Trouble States: How PMB’s Visits Doused Tension, Bolstered Rescue Operations ➔ FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE
Let me express the Federal Government’s commitment to support and assist the Peace Building Agency in its effort to arrest the vicious cycle of violence and lay the foundation for sustainable peace in our country
elevated the art of governance in the country, expressing confidence in the ability and capacity of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to find the abducted Dapchi school girls. The advocacy group maintained that the abduction of the 110 girls in one fell swoop was not only to test the will, capacity and resilience of the Nigerian military but to test the sovereignty of the entire nation. Nwamkpa said, “We must not allow the Dapchi episode to dampen the morale of many Nigerians, especially our gallant forces. It is not enough to erode our confidence in our Armed Forces to turn the tide against the criminal abductors who went after our girls as bargaining chip. Our faith in the unity, peace and stability of this country is unshaken. ‘’We commend the federal government for the ongoing efforts to change the narrative. We also urge fellow Nigerians to interrogate and introspect. Why are these issues becoming dominant now that we had started seeing the back of Boko Haram, courtesy of our gallant and courageous military?’’ Nwamkpa said that owing to the global outrage, which the incident had received, all well-meaning Nigerians should rally round the armed forces to mount more pressure against Boko Haram’s activities in the Northeast. He particularly urged the media in their reportage of the incident to be sensitive so that do not give the sect cheap publicity. He explained that insensitive media reports on the abduction and the on-going military rescue efforts could boost pro-enemy narrative, thereby endanger the safety of the abducted girls and jeopardise the strategy being adopted by the defence forces. The group urged Nigerians from all walks of life irrespective of race, region, religion or political leaning to close ranks and fully support the military and other security forces to confront Boko Haram in the interest of the peace, unity, stability, health and sovereignty of the nation. “We commend the swift actions of the President and the military forces in the ongoing efforts at rescuing the girls. We also endorse an appeal by the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin in Maiduguri recently to the effect that the media should exercise restraint in their reports. It could jeopardise the lives of the abducted girls and undermine the ongoing rescue operations of the military’’, he said. It will be recalled that the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen John Agim, quoting the CDS while briefing reporters in Maiduguri shortly after a security meeting, said that the security chiefs resolved not to discuss their operational strategy in the public except communicating only the successes recorded. The CDS, in company of the three service chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force as well as the DirectorGeneral of the Department of State Security Services, Lawan Daura,
Lalong made the plea shortly after the meeting, which was held at the Military and Command Control Center, Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri. The CPC further endorsed the appeal by the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin to the media to exercise restraint in their reportage of ongoing operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria to rescue the 110 abducted school girls to fulfil President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to the nation especially the parents and families. It said that the appeal to the media to exercise caution and restraint in their reports of ongoing military search and rescue efforts became necessary to prevent operational sabotage and collateral damage to the safety of the lives of the girls. Nwanpa emphasized that the real challenge before all Nigerians is to join in the current national quest for lasting answers to some of the nation’s endemic problems especially insecurity, terrorism and violent extremism. On the killer herdsmen challenge, the group expressed hope that President Muhammadu Buhari’s directives to the Armed Forces and other security agencies to deal with the menace will bring lasting solution to the security problem but it cautioned Nigerians against unduly politicising it. It maintained that the degraded and fleeing Boko Haram remnants now lack the capacity to hold territories due to the superior ground and aerial fire power of the Nigerian troops, pointing out that they now resort to attacking soft targets such as markets, mosques, girls’ schools, etc to get cheap publicity. This was the highpoint of President Buhari’s speech when he flagged off the series of tour with a visit to Taraba State where he
Ishaku declared that even the opposition are aware that the scourge of insurgency and terrorism had been defeated by his government in fulfilment of his pledge to Nigerians. On Thursday, the President emphasized while kicking off a twoday official visit to Plateau State told indigenes of the state who trooped out to receive him in Jos that he will arrest the cycle of violence and blood-letting that has engulfed some parts of the country. He told his hosts at a Town Hall meeting that he was impressed by the high level of peace, harmony and unity currently existing in the state. ‘’I wish to encourage Your Excellency (Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong) to continue with the good work you are doing, and I wholeheartedly congratulate you for uniting the people of Plateau State. ‘’ I am indeed impressed with the gains and successes recorded in the area of conflict management and peace-building which has returned this state to the path of relative peace. ‘’Let me express the Federal Government’s commitment to support and assist the Peace Building Agency in its effort to arrest the vicious cycle of violence and lay the foundation for sustainable peace in our country’’, the President said. As things stand now, the rescue operations by the military and other security forces are reportedly in top gear and has moved beyond the locations bordering the Republics of Niger, Chad and even beyond, according to a statement by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed last Tuesday who reiterated government’s readiness to leave no stone unturned in freeing the abducted Dapchi school girls from captivity. Not a few believe that the nation’s defence forces are getting close to finding the abducted girls, especially now that the President’s nation-
wide shuttles may have helped to put on-going rescue missions in the shadow to stabilize and increase the morale of the troops. This appears to be part of the real motives behind the decision of the CDS and the service chiefs in Maiduguri to keep all strategic information about the rescue mission out of the public domain, except when absolutely necessary. Across all the states of the federation, military personnel are involved in various security Joint Task Forces under OPERATION MESA to assist the civil police in dealing with violent crimes. General Olonishakin and the service chiefs have worked to turn the tide against insecurity. In the North East, captured territories and an entire Emirate of Bama whose Emir was chased away by Boko Haram in 2014 had been completely rescued including about 27 local government councils in Borno State and 4 LGAs in Yobe State. Troops’ morale, which was hitherto down, is now at an alltime high. Nigerians and the entire global community have continued to applaud the military for the successful battle against terror, which has brought a steady decimation of the Boko Haram terrorists such that they now lack the capacity to directly confront our troops or hold territories at will. Today, they are fleeing in different directions. Over 20,000 hostages comprising men, women and children were freed from Boko Haram, with over 10,000 territories and communities liberated. About 10,000 battletired ex-Boko Haram members have surrendered and had been profiled for rehabilitation under the Operation Safe Corridor programme of the federal government. The operations may not be over yet but certainly these are key indicators that the nation is not far from Uhuru.
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Sunday, March 11, 2018
State Of Ajaokuta Steel A Collective Shame – Dogara Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, recently led members of the House on an oversight tour to Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, in Kogi State. After the visit, Dogara who spoke about the current state of the company, gave the assurance that the National Assembly will oppose moves to concession its completion. He also expressed other concerns during a chat with journalists, ADEBIYI ADEDAPO bring excerpts What was your mission to Ajaokuta Steel Company? What I can tell you is that we are here because of our desire to see that we kickstart the process of economy recovery and the bedrock of the recovery of any nation is industrialisation. Without developing your steel sector, you cannot develop. And as you can see, we have seen the potentials, as a matter of fact, anyone who comes here might say, “I have come to a fertilizer plant”, and he is right. He can say, “I have come to a power generating plant,” and because they have the power to generate 100 megawatts of electricity, enough to power the entire Kogi and Edo States, you can say he is right. He can now say, “I have come to see a workshop,” and because it is the biggest workshop in Africa, with provision for a jet that can take delivery of shipment, he will be very correct.
We understand that all we need is about 500 million dollars but as legislators, we cannot pass legislation compelling the executive to devote that kind of money. That is not what we intend to do. We intend to collaborate with the executive to see what sources available to government can be utilised to complete this plant
Ajaokuta Steel company has eluded successive governments’ what will this administration do differently? Our priority as leaders is to agree, first, that we want to immediately develop this place and put it into operation because of the humongous economic benefit that will arise from here; 10,000 jobs that will give automatic employment to engineers, thousands of other jobs for technicians and other staff, and other lines that will open, engaging a lot of people that will bring prosperity to the country. Then you start to talk about plenty of economic activities with people coming here to establish industries because of the availability of cheap sources of energy due to power generated here, as well as access to gas links to the south- south. So all the incentives are there, all the infrastructures you need to develop this place are there. Once we have come to that stage, it is upon us as leaders to start the process, the due process of Nigeria’s industrialisation. Then the next question should be, how do we fund it, how much is required? The argument has been made that it may require about a billion dollars to put this plant into operation, but that has been
Dogara
faulted by our visit here. We understand that all we need is about 500 million dollars but as legislators, we cannot pass legislation compelling the executive to devote that kind of money. That is not what we intend to do. We intend to collaborate with the executive to see what sources available to government can be utilised to complete this plant. They can come through loots as suggested by his excellency (Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello), what are we doing with the money, is the money yielding any interest for the country? If it is not, why can’t we use this money to complete this place? If the money is not enough, we can move to excess crude account, it belongs to all tiers of the federation, and when completed, the complex will generate income. Even if it means borrowing to complete this project, it would serve as a national pride, not only for
the power plant in the Northeast, it is going to consume hundreds and thousands tonnes of steel. We are talking about Second Niger Bridge, do you know how many hundreds of thousands tonnes of steel it would consume? So, are we going to send all this money abroad in other to buy steel when we know that with a fraction of that amount, we can complete this plant supply the entirety of the steel that we need to complete this power plant in Ajaokuta and build the Second Niger Bridge? So this is the dilemma we are faced with as a nation and our own resolve is that it must be completed, no matter where we are going to get this money from, as legislators, we are compelled to give the executive the legislative backing to get it to complete this plant. Once it is completed, we can now begin to talk about how to run it and for me, I don’t care even if it is outsourced, the point is the sustenance over a long period of time so that the job does not dry up. What we are doing does not end at the middle of the road that it is completed but sustaining it for the economic prosperity of this great nation. I want to restate that in view of the major promise as I said that this sector holds for Nigeria, I have been briefed that as soon as we put this plant into operation, immediately, there will be ten thousand jobs for engineers and technical staff, immediately. That is even at the level of the first phase, not talking about non core engineering staff, thousands of jobs again and because of splinter economic activities on account of the plant coming Nigerians, but even blacks into operation, there will be all over the world in foreign a projected two million jobs nations would be proud to that will be out there. In these say this is Nigerian steel we days when we can’t provide are using, and you know the employment for our citizens prestige that can bring to us. and we are struggling for Even if it means borrowing foreign exchange conservation, the money from excess crude I believe that the responsibility account, they would need some of our government should be form of legislative intervention that we pay attention to this as well, which we will be prepaid potential that is on the ground to give. here.
The executive seems to be favourably disposed to concessioning the company, do you intend to use legislative powers against this move? We are talking about collaboration. It is not about controlling anybody but bringing stakeholders on a table to agree on the project which most be executed in the general interest and well being. Like I said earlier, I believe the money is there. Right now, we are taking about building
Did you consider the concern that there is no fund to complete the plant? Those in the executive are always bothered about money. I heard the minister of state, who was once our colleague, talk about the fact that government does not have the resources to put in there to finish it. We have to look elsewhere, I beg to disagree with him, we don’t need ➔ CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE
52 POLITICS INTERVIEW
Sunday, March 11, 2018
State Of Ajaokuta Steel A Collective Shame – Dogara ➔ FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
money, all we need is leadership. Wherever you see development, wherever in the world, it is not money that brought it, some may say it is money, but it is leadership. As a matter of fact, it is even leadership that brings the money. Talking about leadership, we are not putting the blame on the door step of the executive, no. All of us are leaders and as a matter of fact, it is our collective shame that up till now, we have not able to finish and put in operation, this factory that is said to be started long ago in view of the major promises that it holds for the development of this nation but we want to thank God that we are now not short of leadership in this country. As a matter of fact, I was told that for some years, the plant was dogged by a court action or some arbitration instituted somewhere in a foreign jurisdiction and it has taken leadership to end this thing, to exit from such arbitration that had been on since 2016 and it is just this leadership that we need to be able to complete this plant that is almost completed. For me, I had heard so much stories of Ajaokuta, seen resolutions but I had never been there and that was why I thought that it was important for us as legislators to come and have a feel, see what is going on here so that we can build a partnership with the executive to see that we complete this plant in time by the grace of God. I said it before that the issue is not money that the problem is just leadership and I assure you that we have the money. Whether we take it from the EFCC that is keeping some monies that they have recovered from some people, I don’t know how much it is that they have recovered, I am not in the position to say so because I haven’t seen it anywhere. Maybe we will begin to ask the question now that we need some money to complete this project. Even if it is not enough, we still have money, the Sovereign Wealth Fund is there, what are we doing with money? So the money is there, if we don’t do it, it means we have leaders and politicians who have decided that we don’t want give a future to our people.
To be candid, we have no reason not to have completed this plant, no reason and that is why when we were discussing among few of us, the option of concessioning
Are you confident that the current administration is committed to reviving the industrial complex?
Yes, and that is why I specially thank the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at least, for giving us the basis for this visit. That is because, for some of us, Ajaokuta has always been on our minds but practically nothing could be done before now because there were some misunderstandings that stalled the operation and concession of this plant and that was before arbitration, not even in Nigeria, but in London. With the leadership demonstrated
by the president, we have been exited from that arbitration. And that is why we are calling on him to show the same kind of leadership, that just exiting from the arbitration is not enough, this plant must be up and running. With what you have seen in this industrial complex, will you say that the vision of those who conceived this project has been defeated?
We are eternally indebted to those who conceived the vision of this plant that was proposed to serve as the bedrock of our social economic development in Nigeria. Imagine if this plant had been completed in 1986, where would Nigeria have been at the moment? Imagine that from thirty something years ago, we had provided job for ten thousand engineers, thousands of other technical staff , utilised all the potentials here; the power generating capabilities, the gas pipeline, all the basic infrastructure that an investor need to be able to set up a manufacturing plant around this area, by now Kogi State would have been a model state because we have everything; the raw materials, the power, the gas that will link this place for industries to be set up and flourish here Danbatta but why haven’t we done it? Any patriotic Nigerian that visits this we can do better, we can make place will shed tears, it doesn’t Nigeria better, we can make matter which side of the country Nigeria proud and every black he is coming from, and any man in the world can actually foreigner who comes here, by the beat his chest and say, yes, time he leaves, even if he doesn’t Nigeria is providing the kind of say it, he will go with the wrong leadership that we are supposed impression about us as a people. to provide. So anyone who plans To be candid, we have no to outsource the completion of reason not to have completed this plant will definitely run into this plant, no reason and that problem with us. is why when we were discussing among few of us, the option Federal government owned of concessioning, I did say companies were privatised due to no, you can’t concession your poor management, why should the future, it is never done. I am case with Ajaokuta be different? yet to see a nation that ever If it is concessioning the concessioned the bedrock of its management, we agree that industrialisation and succeeded. government cannot be a good If you find one single nation, runner of business. But talking just tell me. That is why past about completing the plant, we attempts to concession this plant must do it. or company have not succeeded and if we keep repeating the In your own view, what is the way forward? same thing and thinking we will arrive at a different outcome, The resolve on my own part is then we will just be foolish. As by very soon, there will be more a matter of fact, that is the very activities by the legislature in definition of stupidity and we order to kick start activities that are not stupid, we will not repeat will lead to the completion of this that mistake. project. We have what we call in Again, our global players will the House, sectoral debate. We always want to hold us down so want to use that medium to call that we can keep importing some on the governor of Kogi State, of these needed materials from representative of the community, them and what they sell to us, the ministry as well as virtually all are sometimes not the genuine stakeholders, we will bring them things. We were talking with the to the floor of the House during head of the company and some of live debate and we can even bring the engineers, very experienced the chairman of EFCC to tell us engineers, we went to one of the how much they will give us and workshops and they said when we will bring the management you have problems with spare of Sovereign Wealth Fund, even parts, they can even bring it to those who are managing our excess the workshop here and make it crude account, if we can’t find any better than the original that you money, the money is there. Truly actually brought, so that means speaking, with just 500 million
dollars we need to complete this place, we have the money. Certainly, I am over convinced that we have the money. This is what we can do and what we must do and honestly speaking, we are not doing this for Kogi State at all, if we are doing it for Kogi State, perhaps I would not have even been here. I am not from Kogi State, I am not from Northcentral. We are here because we believe that if we complete this plant, Nigeria will be better for it. You can imagine if we have recruited 10,000 engineers, how can Kogi State fill all these vacancies? It is impossible; they will come from south, from north, north east, south west, from all parts of the country, so we are here for Nigeria. And to be candid, because of the splinter economic activities that will spring up on the account of the completion of his plant, there is no investment in this that could be wasted, so no more concessioning. We are tired of concessioning our various process of economic progress to asset strippers, people who just concession for the sake of concessioning and then stripe the asset and sell them elsewhere and I must commend the ingenuity of the people of this local government because we heard that there was a time some concessioners from here were trying to walk away with some equipment and even though they were not technical equipment, they were just like spare parts, but the brave people of this community stood against them and ensured these things were not taken away. I thank you for that.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
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The Lingering Debate On Restructuring ISAIAH BENJAMIN writes on the reverberating debate for restructuring of the country.
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There was an overwhelming popular demand that there should be devolution of power to the states and the committee recommended same. We have recommended that the first schedule, part one and two be amended to transfer some powers to the states
he debate over restructuring the Nigerian state has generated several versions, for and against it, particularly among the political class. Political parties, either driven by ideology or scramble for votes ahead of 2019, have been split over the issue. The leading opposition party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had, while cashing in on the seeming popularity of the demand for restructuring, accused the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) of not following through with it despite having it as one of its manifestos. But the opposition party however pulled out from participating in the processes initiated by the APC to restructure the country. Indeed, the APC had at different times supported restructuring in disguise and at other times looked at it from different perspectives. But when the heat of the discussion and calls in support became intense, the party was left with no option but to set up a committee to look into several issues calling for attention. The party set up a committee on restructuring under the chairmanship of Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai. At the end of their assignment, the chairman of the committee in their report submitted to the party and said they recommended that local councils be scrapped while the nation should run a two-tier system of government. According to el-Rufai, their report was premised on views of Nigerians who sent memoranda and spoke with his team across the country. His team also recommended State Police. Giving further insight into the report, Mallam elRufai said the predominant position of Nigerians on resource control was that states should be vested with rights to issue a prospecting license for mining of mineral resources, oil and gas. He said: “Local government autonomy is a very interesting subject in which we were surprised at the outcome. There were divergent opinions on this issue. “We recommend that
El-Rufai
the current system of local government administration provided for by the constitution should be amended and that states should be allowed to develop and enact laws to have local government administration system that is peculiar to each of them. “What we heard from Nigerians is that as far as local government is concerned, there is no one size fits all. We all come from different histories, different cultures, different administrative systems and we believe that the constitution should ensure that there is a democratic local government system in every state but the details of, and the nature of that local government system, the number of local governments should be left to the states and states houses of assembly. “We proposed amendments to Sections 7, 8, 162, the first schedule, part one and the first schedule of the constitution to give effect to our recommendations. The section that lists the local governments and their headquarters should be removed, so local
governments are no longer named in the constitution. States can create their local governments and determine the structure of their local governments. “We are by this, recognising that in a federal system, you cannot have more than two tiers of government. Having three tiers of government is an aberration. There is nowhere in the world where our research has shown us that you have more than two federating units. “We have proposed that mining, minerals, oil should go to the states. Then there will be certain constitutional amendments. The Petroleum Act will be amended to show that states can now issue oil mining licences; the Land Use Act, Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act, the Petroleum Profit Tax Act 2007 would all need to be amended. So, we have proposed an amendment that will ensure that minerals, mining and oil are vested in the states except for offshore minerals.’’ On the derivation principle, they recommended that the revenue mobilisation and fiscal commission act be amended to vest it with the
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power to periodically review the derivation formular and make a recommendation to the president who shall table the same before the National Assembly for necessary action. “Fiscal federalism and revenue allocation. We propose an amendment to subsection two of the constitution to give more revenue to the states and reduce the federal government share. “There was an overwhelming popular demand that there should be devolution of power to the states and the committee recommended same. We have recommended that the first schedule, part one and two be amended to transfer some powers to the states. “The first item that we felt needed legislative action is the merger of states. It is pertinent to note that only 36% of Nigerians wants more states created while the majority of Nigerians don’t want more states. For us, since the creation of states is already in the constitution, there is no action needed than to implement that. “So, the first recommendation for which we have proposed a draft bill for a constitutional amendment is the merger of states. Though there was no consensus’ from stakeholder on the merger of states, we felt that we should propose a bill that allows states to merge and it is left for the National Assembly, the party and the people of Nigeria to decide on that.” The Kaduna governor equally revealed that his team ‘’proposed an amendment to create the State Judicial Council that will appoint and discipline judges within a state while the National Judicial Council will exercise control over the appointment, the discipline of judges of the federal government only. “We have proposed the creation of the state court of appeal so that from the High Court, you can first appeal to the state court of appeal before it goes to the Supreme Court of the federation. Again, this is consistent with federal practice all over the world. “We also propose a constitutional amendment to allow for a referendum to be conducted on burning national or state issues before decisions are taken. Right now, the constitution has no room for a referendum, but only in the creation of states.’’ The APC national chairman, Chief Oyegun, expressed delight over the report and assured the Committee that its recommendations would be given the needed attention by all the statutory organs of the party. He said: ‘’From the ➔ CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE
54 POLITICS
Sunday, March 11, 2018
The Lingering Debate On Restructuring
Adebanjo FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Nigeria must survive and exist on unity. It should be a place for all to be proud of
presentation of the chairman of this committee, everybody now has an idea of what the APC stands for with regards to true federalism and restructuring. This is the totality of our views, but it is still going to go through the mill”. On their part, the apex northern socio-cultural organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) declared that the region will only support a restructuring that is genuine and must be just, fair and equitable to all Nigerians. ACF spokesman, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, in a statement observed with regret that in most cases, the discussions are taking place without regard to the present democratic structure. The apex socio-political Northern body, stressed that it should be clear to all the agitators, that restructuring is complex, big, and for a diverse country as Nigeria it is a serious business that must take account of the views of all its citizens, and not just of those that shout the loudest. The statement explained further that the forum will back restructuring discussions that are free of threats, intimidation or blackmail from any group or individual. “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) wish to lend its voice to the debate as to whether or not to restructure the Federation of Nigeria. However, ACF has observed with regret that in most cases, the discussions are taking place without regard to our present democratic structure, as the issues are in some cases presented as “demands” by one group or the other. “Unfortunately, in most cases they are followed up
Nwodo
by some ultimatum to the government to accept or face deadly consequences. It should be clear to all the agitators, that restructuring a complex, big and diverse country as Nigeria is a serious business that must take account of the views of all its citizens, and not just of those that shout the loudest. “More so, such discussions must be free of threats, intimidation or blackmail from any group or individual. A genuine restructuring must therefore be just, fair and equitable to all. “Furthermore, it must strengthen our democracy, unity, peace and development of the Nigerian components. ACF therefore calls for a due process through our present democratic structures rather than just crass agitation, if we are to achieve ‘true’ federalism.” The call for restructuring of Nigeria’s current political structure also re-echoed at the meeting attended by elder statesmen from the SouthEast, South-West, SouthSouth and the Middle-Belt. The meeting tagged “Handshake across The Niger,” organized in Enugu by Nzuko Umunna and the apex Igbo socio-cultural association, OhanaezeNdigbo in alliance with the South-West, South-South and Middle-Belt zones was to further enhance the mutual relationships that had existed among the people of the zones in order to strengthen the nation’s unity. All those who spoke at the meeting emphasized the urgent need for the country’s present political structure to be re-structured to ensure proper growth and development of all her various segments, the speakers restated that except the current lopsided shape of the country was restructured it would be risky and deceptive for the
country to continue as a true federation or even to talk of holding the next general elections. The meeting was attended by prominent Nigerians such as Chief Olu Falae who was a co-chairman of the meeting, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who led the Yoruba delegation, Olusegun Mimiko, Prof Banji Akintoye, Senator Femi Okorenu, Chief Kofo Buknor-Akerele, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Prof Pat Utomi, the families of MajorGeneral Aguiyi Ironsi, and Col Adekunle Fajuyi who were killed in the military coup of July 1966. Others were Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Prof. Anya O. Anya, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, Ikedi Ohakim, Senators Chris Anyanwu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, lady Onyeka Onwenu, Prof. Joe Irukwu, former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, Air Commodore Idong Eket, who represented Chief Edwin Clark, among others. Leader of the Yourba delegation, Chief Ayo Adebanjo who addressed the meeting, said the meeting was a catalyst for the unity of Nigeria. “The peace of Yoruba land, the peace of Igboland is the peace of Nigeria which is symbolized in the handshake,” he said. He added that the West and the East were not ganging up against anybody but were only saying that the nation should operate on the agreed terms as spelt out by the founding fathers of the country who established a true federal structure that was scuttled by the military rulers. “Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello all agreed on the federal structure upon which the country was built. Chief Awolowo was emphatic
on the condition of creating equal regions upon which the nation would operate. President Muhammadu Buhari cannot claim to be more northerner than the Sarduana, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello.” He added “We should consolidate the unity by which all Nigerians should come together… The southeast, southwest, southsouth and middle belt unity is vital to Nigeria’s unity.” Air Commodore Idong Eket (rtd) who represented leader of the Niger Delta people, Chief Edwin Clark, said Nigerians must return to the same political structure the nation’s founding fathers established before the military intervention. He said “When General Yakubu Gowon created 12 states, we had six states in the north and six states in the south,” he said, pointing out that the south-south zone was “very, very clear about restructuring and true federalism.” Former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, who led the middle Belt delegation said: “I salute Nigerians today because of this occasion. This is what we have been waiting for…It’s the style of the enemies of Nigeria’s unity to say Yorubas should not trust Igbos and Igbos should not trust Yorubas. “This handshake should be extended across Niger Benue; it should be extended to the Riverrine areas; it’s a handshake for all Nigerians. My speech is on behalf of the middle belt.” Another leader from the Middle Belt, Timothy Gwande said the question of restructuring Nigeria “is not debatable,” adding that “It’s not a question in the hand of one individual. That Nigeria should be restructured is a task that must be done.” He added: “Nigeria must survive and exist on unity. It should be a place for all to be proud of.” Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu who was represented by his deputy told the gathering that “This is the time for us to conclude that this country should be restructured. All hands must be on deck to ensure that Nigeria will be truly restructured. Let our resolution after this meeting today be how to restructure Nigeria.” Only very recently also, the Northern Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly (NLSA) inaugurated five standing committees to strategise on a peaceful conduct of the 2019 elections, restructuring and security in the North.
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Sunday, March 11, 2018
‘Gov Abubakar’s Inclusive Politics Worthy Of Emulation’
Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Sade is the new Bauchi State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism. In this interview with BEATRICE GONDI, he maintains that the openness, probity, high sense of justice, equity and political inclusiveness of Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar is the reason why development in the state has been more rapid. Let me congratulate you on your appointment. How would you describe the general state of affairs in Bauchi State as you formally assume office in terms of the situation you are meeting on ground now?
We thank God for everything but do you know that I would rather that you wish me that my road be rough in the words of Late thinker and sage, Tai Solarin? The summary of his widely read historical article titled: May Your Road Be Rough was written many years ago. It is a radical deviation from the popular feel-good wishes, which many of us do at the beginning of a new year. He argued that such Happy New Year greetings become illusive because you don’t know what’s in the New Year. He reasoned that instead of wishing people Happy New Year, you should actually be wishing them that may their road be rough. That way, they get prepared for the challenges ahead. I find this revelation very deep and profound. So, thank you for congratulating and wishing me well but I wouldn’t call you a witch if you say may my road be rough because I know that public service is not a bed of roses especially where you have a boss like my governor who expects so much from you. ...(cuts in) But wishing one well is part of our culture. Isn’t it?
Service to the people is the necessary democratic safeguard against maladministration and non-performance, which every leader must avoid
Yes, it is our culture to always wish people well? You are quite right. After all I am also Commissioner in charge of Culture, i.e to promote the culture that our fore fathers handed over to us. Permit me to submit however that it is high time we did away with those parts of our culture that push people to steal public funds and hold us down while people of other climes are moving and embracing change. Let me give explain and make myself clear. There is a culture among many Nigerians that as soon as you are given political appointment, the motives behind the congratulatory messages that you get are as different as the people that bring them. Ninety five per cent of them are saying this is now your turn, so don’t forget us because Nigeria is turn-by-turn plc. What are they saying? What they are saying is that you can take your own share as much as you can but also remember us. This is how people want public office holders to loot. Now tell me, how can we continue like this? The public service was not like this. The great Sardauna
eagerness. Governor Abubakar has displayed that he has a good vision for Bauchi State particularly in the way he has shown that he is a very good manager of resources at a time when many states in the country are owe their workers for many months. He has continued to maintain industrial peace and harmony by putting smiles on the faces of workers and the common man in the state. Talking about the new cabinet, how do you rate the aggregate credential, capacity and readiness of your colleague-commissioners to translate your governor’s vision into reality for the state?
Sade
lived a very modest life. Such looting was an aberration during their time. Now let us come back home. The greatest attraction, which Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar has, is his high-scale modest lifestyle which is a radical departure from the system he met on ground. His prudence, probity, accountability and openness are the reasons we accepted to serve in his cabinet. We support him because we believe it is the best way to go. The culture of probity, accountability and transparency is anathema to many people. It is a culture that frowns at free doling of government money to people. Such a system cannot take people anywhere. Even Freetown has no free meal. This is a policy and mindset that, Insha Allah, I will ensure that we get the people to understand and appreciate about the governor. That way, money meant for the general development of the state to raise the people’s living standards, will not go into people’s pockets. I am happy that I am in this cabinet at this material time to serve our people. We are confident that Bauchi State is now in safe hands as far as prudent management of scarce resources is concerned. Things are playing out excellently. For example, the provision of social amenities is in
top gear. There can be no better time to serve the good people of this state than now. From the radical transformation, which is responsible for the remarkable development index in the state, nothing else should convince you that we have never had it so good in Bauchi State. But the governor does not sound as radical as you have portrayed this policy of probity?
Okay, let me ask you. What do you make of a posture where a leader comes round with a policy that stops frivolous spending of government’s money in favour of pro-people programmes and projects that only benefit the lives of the people? Look around the state, it is a huge construction site cutting across all the three senatorial districts. Is that not a radical touch of a radical leader? Today, there is a radical transformation of the state because of the radical posture of the man in the driving seat. I am a student of history and political science. Radicalism is in content not in camouflage. Our governor has re-defined the art and science of governance by employing the politics of inclusiveness to engender justice, equity, fairness and openness. I promise you that Bauchi State will not be the same as we approach 2019 with
First let me, on behalf of my colleague-commissioners, express our deepest appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor for bringing us on board of his vision-driven administration, which has, in less than three years of his first tenure has brought phenomenal growth and progress to the state. As for the aggregate profile of the members of the cabinet, I can conveniently vouch for their capacity to deliver especially where you have the high calibre of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, the well-respected technocrat and manager of men, Alhaji Mohammed Nadada Umar whose involvement at this critical stage of the administration many of us consider as a big asset. That also goes to show that the governor is a focussed leader who know what he wants at any point in time. He has tapped into the vast pool of human resources in the state to package a new Cabinet made up of superb, ever ready, re-charged and ready-to-serve lieutenants working towards consolidating democratic dividends to Bauchi State citizens. At your swearing-in ceremony recently, the governor declared that your team was appointed primarily to serve the people of Bauchi State. How do you interpret this charge?
That is exactly what I’ve just told you. The governor gave us a marching order to work primarily for the people of the state. The mandate belongs to the people in a democracy. Service to the people is the necessary democratic safeguard against maladministration and nonperformance, which every leader must avoid. As a student of public administration, I am aware that good governance and service delivery are the critical building blocks of decent societies. We must work to achieve excellent living standards for our people ant that is exactly what the governor wants us to do.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
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President Muhammadu Buhari launching Plateau State Tractor Ownership Scheme in Jos, yesterday.
PHOTO STATE HOUSE
Intrigues Arising From Buhari’s Plateau Visit President Mohammadu Buhari was in Jos on a two day state working visit last week. In this piece ACHOR ABIMAJE captures the glamour and political intrigues during the visit.
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The president said he is very impressed by the remarkable achievements recorded by the state government in key sectors of the economy in the last three years despite limited resources
resident Mohammadu Buhari arrived Jos, the Plateau State capital amid tight security as ensured by fierce-looking armed operatives stationed in areas considered as security flash points. Eagle one, the presidential jet touched down at exactly 11:50am, and Buhari, clad in the Goemai traditional attire, a royal blue ‘adire’, was received by the Plateau State governor, Simon Bako Lalung, who led delegation of the state executive to the airport. Others dignitaries present to receive the President at Heipang Airport were Governor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State, Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Solomon Dalung, Senator Joshua Dariye, Speaker of the State Assembly and members of House of Reps from the State, State Executive Council as well as former Governors, Traditional Rulers and Elders amongst others. At the airport, he inspected a guard of honour before proceeding to the business of the day. The president was on a two day working visit in the state, where he served during his military days. The President inaugurated the Secretariat Junction flyover bridge started by the immediate past administration but completed under the
current administration. He also commissioned the Mararaba Jamma to British America Junction road and the Federal low cost -Rafiki road, and inspected the Unguwar Rogo – Alikazaure bridge under construction. As a boast to the state’s agricultural sector, the President launched 400 tractors purchased for distribution. This initiative was under the tractor ownership and Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme between the Plateau State Government and the Plateau All Farmers multipurpose cooperative society. A high point of the visit Was The launch of Plateau State road map to peace and development by the President. The program is designed to put an end to the cycle of violence in Plateau and other states of the federation. The President however paid a courtesy visit to the chairman of the state’s Traditional Rulers Council, the Gbong Gwom Jos Da Gyang Buba. However, speaking at the town hall meeting with Plateau stakeholders at the Government House in Jos, Buhari said the Plateau road map to peace as packaged by the state peace development agency was a welcome development that should be copied by other states of the federation. He pledged his
administration’s support for the agency. He however praised the development strides in the state under the Lalong administration. Buhari said, “This visit has indeed enabled me to see things for myself, especially the developmental strides recorded by the State Government in the last three years under the able leadership of Governor Simon Bako Lalong.” He described the visit as a home-coming for him having served part of his military career in the state when he was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3rd Armoured Division Jos. The president said he is very impressed by the remarkable achievements recorded by the state government in key sectors of the economy in the last three years despite limited resources. He noted the judicious use of funds by the state government. He also noted how the government has improved infrastructure, been up-todate in the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, and above all how it has restored peace in the State. “The achievements of the Plateau State Government in agriculture are quite laudable. I am glad that the state government has fully keyed into the All Green Initiative and the
Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme of the Federal Government considering the strategic importance of agriculture to our national development. “Equally commendable is Plateau State’s commitment to the African Development Bank-funded Potato Value Chain Support Project, which is targeted at wealth creation, employment generation and food security. The Federal Government is also committed to the success of this project in Plateau state”, he said. The President also commended the principle of continuity adopted by the Governor of Plateau State whereby he has continued with execution of projects abandoned by the previous administration. “This approach has saved the state from waste and white elephant projects. I have noted the request for refund of funds expended on the rehabilitation of the Jos-Bukuru-Mararaba Jema’a Road which is a Federal road project and other interventions. The Federal Government will expedite action towards the refund of verified claims by the Plateau State Government. The President further stressed “Federal Government’s intervention in the construction of the Pankshin-Tapshin➔ CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE
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POLITICS
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Intrigues Arising From Buhari’s Plateau Visit
Buhari ➔ FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
While pointing out that Plateau is the gateway to the North-east, the governor requested for dualization and construction of the road from Abuja to Jos, noting it’s economic viability and conveniences
Gambrar-Sara-Kai-Gindiri Road to Metropolitan Construction Company Ltd; Execution of TETFUND Projects; Bail-Out Funds; Paris Club Refunds and N-Power Scheme are part of Federal Government’s commitment towards improving the lot of people in Plateau state and in the country at large.” Buhari also noted that Lalong request for more slots for the state in federal appointments will be looked into so as to reflect federal character in line with the federal government’s determination to address issues of marginalization in the spread of appointments and other privileges. “Similarly, the genuine concern and request for dualization and construction of the road from Abuja to Jos and as gateway extending to the North East, given the economic viability and conveniences will be put into consideration,” he said. The President however said he is impressed with gains and successes recorded in the area of conflict management and peacebuilding, which has returned this state to the path of relative peace. The governor, Lalong, in an earlier remark commended the President for rising up to the challenge by setting up the Vice President Osinbajo 10-Member Working Committee on Farmers/ Herdsmen Conflicts, saying “it is our sincere hope and prayer that this hydra-headed monster would be nipped in the bud.” While pointing out that Plateau is the gateway to the North-east, the governor requested for dualization and construction of the road from Abuja to Jos, noting it’s economic viability and conveniences. “In fact, being a gateway to the Federal Capital from both the North-West axis of Kano
Lalong
and Jigawa as well as the entire North-East, which even extends to the South-East and SouthSouth, the traffic density is high adding that executing this project will massively ease the movement of goods and compliment the presence and vast potential of the dry Inland Container Depot at Heipang. “A very critical area of request for synergy and intervention is the imperative for a major Trauma Services and Centre along the Hawan Kibo area being envisaged by my administration. It is our desire to upgrade the Riyom General Hospital to Trauma Center. Hawan Kibo, so named with reference to the steep hills is an axis of Federal Road but a black spot that has unenviable reputation for frequent road accidents, claiming the lives of many citizens. “The casualties are due to lack of facilities and untimely intervention in handling critical injuries, which are lifethreatening. Such major Trauma Centres are usually set up to provide specialized trauma care and rehabilitation. Presently, there is only one major centre in Nigeria located at the National Hospital”, he said. The governor, also said his administration inherited several abandoned and uncompleted projects adding that in order to make a difference, they embraced the principle of continuity in governance and made a clean break from the usual tradition of ignoring projects initiated by previous administration. “ Mr. President, you may wish to know that most projects abandoned at great cost are today, either nearing completion or have been completed. A case in point is the Interchange flyover or overhead bridge at the State Secretariat Junction, with slip roads and underpass awarded at a cost of about N4.7 billion, which we inherited at about 30%
Jang
work stage but made it motorable within the first 100 days of the administration and it is now completed.’ Lalong further said the road construction from Jos Wildlife Park to Rafiki Junction and rehabilitation of the Miango junction road project, covering 19.5 kilometers at total sum of about N2.8bn have brought ease of life to the people; just as the on-going construction of Angwan Rogo Road network with a spur and bridge linking Hawan Idi and Ali Kazaure covering 6 kilometers at about N1.5bn is expected to bring succour to the citizenry.” Without a doubt the visit is a political mileage for not just for the APC but the governor ahead of 2019, a situation which sparked a reaction from the opposition. For one, the visit has affored the ruling party an opportunity to embark on subtle campaign of its activities in the state. Nonetheless, the leading opposition party in the state PDP faulted the visit, pointing out that projects celebrated in the state was their initiative. They also picked holes in the peace roadmap. According to a statement signed by Mr John Akans, PDP state publicity secretary, as welcoming as this visit is, the party noted that Mr President was long-expected to have come to condole the people on what they call the daredevil attacks visited on very peaceful communities since the inauguration of the current administration. The party said the Plateau people are still mourning the killing of dozens of peaceful and hospitable people of Irigwe people in Miango chiefdom of Bassa Local Government (and the attacks are continuing!) and the murder and displacement of more communities in Riyom, Barkin Ladi as well as Bokkos
Local Government Areas. “So, while the president unveils the Road Map to peace, we remind him that as at the last count, over 44 villages were under forceful occupation by Fulani herdsmen in some LGAs in some parts of Plateau, and we have not seen any federal efforts to either recover them or reconstruct communities destroyed by the herdsmen”, the party said. The statement added that any serious attainment of peace as is being claimed by the Lalong administration should naturally have led to the conduct of our long-awaited Local Government elections which is the rightful yearning of all Plateau people. The statement added “So, any road map to peace that does not take cognisance of and commit to justice and equitable treatment of the Internally Displaced People of Plateau as well as uplifting of democracy will only be a roadmap that is short-sighted, empty and pretentious. “ The party also said the attention Mr President has paid to the environment and displaced persons in the North East should be rightly extended to the displaced people of Plateau adding that it is heart-warming that he is commissioning projects that were initiated and being executed by the PDP administration in Plateau. He further pointed out that PDP is also rather both amazed and amused that the road projects slated for commissioning could be tagged as abandoned noting that the party left no abandoned projects – they were on-going projects right up to the Handing Over of the reigns of government. The party spokesman added, “take away these projects from the President’s schedule, then we can ask ourselves: what has Governor Simon Lalong really achieved for Plateau State in his 33 months in office?”
Sunday, March 11, 2018
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Nigeria Needs Radical Change In Political Leadership – Moghalu Prof Kingsley Moghalu was a former deputy director in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He has however declared his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election. In this interview with RUTH CHOJI, Moghalu, who is also the president of Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation speaks on the economy, insecurity and other national issues You recently declared intentions to contest the 2019 presidential election, what informed that decision?
I feel depressed about the poverty in Nigeria, the level of suffering of the Nigerian people. Nearly 100m Nigerians live on N300 per day. While a few individuals are extremely wealthy, the masses, the generality of people, are poor. This is not an inclusive society. That is the primary motivation I have to contest the presidency, to work with a team. I consider Nigeria a broken country and it is approaching the level of a failed state. This country is insecure and there is too much ethnic and religious issues that separate us instead of uniting us. Nigeria has 180m people. We have educated people who do very well abroad meanwhile, here at home, we do badly because we have the wrong kinds of leaders, because our leadership selection system is wrong. So it generates people who perpetuate a cycle of poverty. I think Nigeria needs a radically different political leadership if we are to secure the future of our youths and children. Based on the trajectory that is being followed, it’s not a country to where anyone would want for their children. Many aspirants have raised similar concerns and made promises in the past and we expect to hear more in the run up to the general elections. What will make your promises different?
The reason I will be different from others is because, many people don’t understand what leadership means in Nigeria. Leadership is about the ability to have a vision and to mobilize citizens to follow that vision or any organization that one is the leader, to achieve greater outcome. Leadership is not just about the vision but to inspire and mobilize. We have a lot of politicians in this country, but few leaders. So, a leader must understand that you cannot take it for granted that everybody wants the progress of Nigeria. We confuse politics for leadership. Politics and leadership are not the same thing. We have taken politics as a means to an end, whereby politics has become an end in itself. Religion and ethnicity play a big role in our politics, and the two major parties have zoned the presidency to the North, how do you hope to overcome that, being an aspirant from the South?
Let me give you an example, if you are a shareholder in a company, how will you vote for the selection of chairman in that company,
you will look for the person who can make profit, the person that can make the company to grow. Why should this be different for a country like Nigeria? Why is it that if you want to select a leader for Nigeria, you will be looking at religion or ethnicity which has often thrown up people that are not so competent? That is the reason why we are poor. We should be looking for competence. Nigeria needs a competent leader. It’s the turn of a competent leader who has a vision to turn Nigeria around to lead us. That way, every Nigerian benefits irrespective of religion. So, it’s a win–win situation for Nigerians to select their president based on competence, not ethnicity or religion.
in. State police is important because when you centralise the command of the police in a large country, they cannot be effective. The police should be decentralised with commands under state authorities but constitutionally, we must create an overriding clause in case any state decides to use state police to challenge the sovereignty of Nigeria, that should never be allowed. All we need is clever lawyers putting in the necessary clauses together that will give the states and regions the opportunity to defend their people. I support restructuring for national and economic stability. The economy has failed because everybody is depending on crude oil receipts. All the states go to Abuja monthly to collect allocation. Only six states are fiscally viable.
Other factors that play a big role in our election include money and godfathers, do you have such?
Money is necessary and I don’t have a godfather. God is my father. When people are selected by godfathers, immediately they get Moghalu to office, paying back the godfather becomes their number one priority. I want to address this with another example. In the normal Nigerian investment plan, the politician invests money to buy votes and once they get into power, their number priority is their return on investment, and that is money that belongs to you and I. To start with, the money they invest is mostly public money which they got corruptly. I am asking Nigerians to invest in me to become that president whom, if every Nigeria invests in, they will own the result of the investment which is my government… Is Nigeria ready for that?
Do they want to remain slaves to the corrupt and unscrupulous politicians that have held Nigeria in hostage for decade or they want to be free and have good jobs for their children and education for their children? The choice is for the Nigeria citizen to make. The model that I am proposing is a different one from the ones Nigerians are used to. Politicians require money, even if its for logistics. So it is because of those logistics that I am asking the people to invest by supporting this movement. I am not your average daily politicians. I have a Ghana must go bag that is full of ideas, not money. And it is targeted at how Nigeria can be a better place for all of us. But whatever decisions our people make, they should take responsibility for their actions. If they don’t elect people like me into position, it means they don’t want
When people are selected by godfathers, immediately they get to office, paying back the godfather becomes their number one priority
What do you think are your chances of winning the presidency?
progress. You mentioned Dapchi, are you contented with the way the federal government is handling the issue?
The government is very weak in terms of its ability to assert authority. There are many reasons to this, one is that the government’s definition of security is very narrow. They think national security is about fighting boko haram, but it is more than that, it is all encompassing. People should be able to go to sleep with their eyes closed. We don’t need to live in guarded cages and behind metal barriers. It makes life suffocating. Parents don’t let their kids go outside and play. The first thing my government will do is to take a comprehensive review of the security threat that face Nigeria. We will meet it with a number of solutions. We need to talk about the nature of the Nigeria police. They need to be equipped, strengthened and trained. There are about 150 police men in a country of 180m. How can the country be secure? We need about a million and five minimum policemen and they should be well trained so that they can effectively meet up the security challenges. What is happening because of the failure of our police force is the militarization of Nigeria. You see guns everywhere and so everybody is afraid. We will work with international partners and alliance to tackle security threat that comes from outside Nigeria and that is where my connection in the world of economy comes
My chances are very high because many Nigerians today are deeply dissatisfied with the condition of the country and they are looking for something new and different. The vision I share with the members of my movement is one that answers the need of Nigerians. That is why my chances are brighter than most others. Most people would have thought that you would start off your elective political career from the governorship or senatorial levels before seeking the presidency. What informed your decision to take on the contest for the presidency?
Because that is the level of my vision and experience, I believe I can deliver on that vision. My vision covers from Adamawa to Kano, from Calabar to Nnewi. Whey should I have that vision and limit it to state governor or senatorial district? I am concern about Nigeria. If you look at my track record, I have vast experience at senior leadership level whether in Nigeria or outside. There is no law that says, we must start politics from the local government or councilorship level. In the United States, Donald Trump, became president without being a counselor or governor. Going back to the CBN, the apex bank seems to be having problems with monetary policy issue, where is this government missing it?
This government has not been able to put the right people in place to manage the monetary policies. The CBN is also not independent unlike other developed countries. You can appoint members of your party to head other parastatals or boards but the CBN needs a professional.
60 OPINION
Sunday, March 11, 2018
John Odigie Oyegun: Best Man On The Chair! BY ALAN U. BOYD
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he civility with which the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Odigie-John Oyegun conducts party business, marks him out as a gentleman and the best man to bring honesty, civility and good conduct to Nigerian party politics! Chief John Odigie Oyegun is an embodiment of the qualities needed to run a large political party like the APC. HE IS ERUDITE, experienced and is of the Awolowo and Azikiwe school of politics that believes that politics is intellectual activity that requires the use of brain rather than a street fight that requires the deployment of muscle and betrayals! His style of party administration has minimised rancour in the APC while promoting true democracy, a democracy which accommodates all shades of opinion within the party and finds despite differences, a meeting ground and a consensus. That indeed, is what democracy should be! Chief Oyegun is a man of peace. This quality was not lost to the vast majority of the members of the party, including President Muhammadu Buhari and the governors, elected under the platform of the party when they all without exception showed appreciation of the Chairman’s leadership of the party by elongating his tenure for one year. They confirmed Chief Oyegun as the Best Man of The Moment, the democratically acceptable Chairman of the party, the man best suited for the job when his tenure and that of the NWC was extended by a landslide of 103 to 4 votes! A near unanimous vote of confidence that confirmed that the vast majority of party leaders and members consider him as the best man for the job of the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari and all others
who will fly the flag of the party at the 2019 elections! Indeed, the month of February 2018 has been significant on the Dr. Odigie-John Oyegun leadership of the APC following alleged threats to his position by his detractors as reported in the media. An indication that the plot against Oyegun would not stand emerged on Thursday February 22, when the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, announced that the governors of APC, were backing the party’s national chairman, John OdigieOyegun in the rift being engineered by one of the chieftains of the party. “The governors and majority of APC members, have confidence in our national chairman, Chief John Oyegun,” Bello was quoted as saying. A few days later, the media was also awash with the story of the extension of the tenure of the national chairman of APC, John Odigie-Oyegun. This is how the Guardian reported it on its cover; “Odigie-Oyegun Survives Sack Plot, Gets Tenure Extension”. Similarly Leadership reported it thus; “Oyegun Survives APC Power Play, Gets Tenure Extension”. That there were threats to the Oyegun led NWC leadership was not in doubt. Nevertheless, the extension of his tenure, means that the NEC believes that he has done well for the party all things considered. That is the confirmation that the Edo born politician will lead the charge for the victory of the APC once again in 2019 general election. Oyegun’s victory at the last NEC meeting of APC has however, not stopped his traducers from plotting yet again, as some of them have embarked on media campaigns to castigate and demonize his leadership. They are bound to fail again. The President, who is the leader of the party is happy with him, the
governors who are the leaders of the party in the states are happy with him, therefore the campaign of calumny by a few will not diminish the good works he has been doing in the past three and a half years as National Chairman of the ruling party! It is those who are surreptitiously working against President Muhammadu Buhari that are most angry with Oyegun and this is basically because of his unflinching loyalty to the president and the party’s ideals. He has also been accused of being too close and cozy to the governors as if the chairman of a ruling party should be at loggerheads with his state governors. Perhaps those who are angry over the cordial relationship between the national chairman and state governors want him to be at war with them so that they can have good reasons to oust him, hijack the party and use it for their pecuniary agenda! According to a leadership expert, Hsin-Yi Cohen, a good political leader is: “Someone who serves as an example of integrity and loyalty to the people they represent; someone who can resist the various temptations and lures of the political arena; someone of strong character, with both conscience and charisma; someone willing to listen to the needs of the common people; someone with the courage to stand up and say what needs to be said; someone who is willing to make difficult decisions for the greater good; an effective political leader will have a leadership style that focuses on coalition and building”. Those who have worked closely with the APC national chairman can attest that he possesses the aforementioned qualities and more. Cohen also noted that an ineffective leadership is a leader who is a “hustler” – i.e. who uses manipulation to get what he
wants, instead of inspiration and motivation. It was such hustlers that the NEC of APC rejected when it extended the leadership of Oyegun. Let us examine the antecedents of Dr. Oyegun, which put him in good position to once again lead the APC to victory in the next round of elections. Oyegun attended the University of Ibadan(UI), where he graduated in 1963 with a B.Sc. in Economics. On graduation, he worked as a federal civil servant. He served the nation as a development planner. He was later appointed Permanent Secretary after putting 13 years in the service. In 1985, he retired voluntarily from civil service and went into business. However, he had a rather short sojourn in the business world. Even while in business, he was nominated the national chairman of the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association, a position in which he displayed his usual magic as a quiet achiever and team player. Subsequently, John Odigie Oyegun ran for the gubernatorial election in Edo State and won in 1991. He was elected the first Executive Governor of Edo State under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). This was during the transition to democracy of General Ibrahim Babangida. Dr Oyegun served from January 1992 to November 1993 until General Sani Abacha swept into power and dissolved the budding democratic structures of that period. Though his tenure as governor was short-lived, Dr Oyegun as an economist and development planner produced the roadmap and laid the foundation for the future transformation of Edo State. As providence would have it, John Odigie-Oyegun was elected as the national chairman of the APC on June 13, 2014 when the party was searching for a level headed
gentleman to guide it through its tumultuous early days. His emergence as APC national chairman was not without its challenges, however Dr Oyegun was favoured by a majority because of his maturity, stability and sagacity. A man of great vision and determination against the vicissitudes of life, his avowed determination to succeed were not deterred by any obstacle on his way. Before venturing into politics, Dr Oyegun held several important positions of responsibility and authority, in all of which he distinguished himself as a man of excellence. The huge successes he recorded in the civil service and the business world were the foreshadow of his foray into politics. A man of courage with impeccable democratic credentials. It will be recalled that at the collapse of the ill-fated Third Republic, he went into the trenches. As a patriot, he sacrificed his all to fight the military government in Nigeria on the platform of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, where he was the secretary in the Diaspora. He was in the vanguard fighting relentlessly to save the nation from the shackles of military oligarchy and dictatorship of the ruinous Abacha years. He kept vigil so that Nigerians could regain their democratic rights. An uncompromising advocate of the total emancipation of man, he has always refused to be intimidated by the aggressive media campaign of his opponents. Dr Oyegun has brought his urbane civilised nature into the running of the APC. Despite what a selfish few think, the majority of APC leaders and membership has spoken. Chief John Oyegun is the best man for the job! Alan U. Boyd wrote from Abuja
since it started its assignment. Kawu, has already succeeded in endearing himself to the leadership of other critical stakeholders in the broadcast industry as could be seen from the way customers are now relating with the commission. The new NBC management has started the process of deepening the confidence of its customers as well as the media in general according to informed sources in Abuja. This writer is of the view that this is a good omen. The appointment of Modibo Kawu, as the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) did not come as a surprise to those who have worked very close to him. The new Director General is a veteran journalist and a competent, as well as efficient administrator who has paid his dues. He is a very simple person and an unassuming individual who is easily accessible and usually listens to the views of his associates and even those of his subordinates on sensitive issues before he takes final decisions, as an articulate leader. Immediately he assumed duties, Kawu, took a hard look at what he met on the ground and produced his own work plan which he is now carefully implementing. Today, one can say that
already the morale of the one thousand plus staff at the NBC, is at its peak. He has also put in place a work ethics and a deliberate training programme for all categories of his staff to meet the challenges of modern broadcasting. Another factor which might have worked in favour of Kawu is the fact that apart from being a trained journalist he could be referred to as an insider of the NBC, having not only successfully administered radio Kwara many many years ago, but has been a member of the institution for a very long time now. Kawu, has since he took over the mantle of leadership at the commission introduced certain far reaching measures which enabled him to effectively addressed some of the problems he met on ground which has endeared him to the staff and even outsiders like me. The appointment of Kawu should therefore be seen as a big challenge to his career as well as the future of the commission. For one, Kawu, is already doing everything possible to prove to the whole world that President Muhammadu Buhari has made the right decision in entrusting him with the leadership of the commission at this difficult time in the history of our nation.
Modibo Kawu And The Digital Revolution BY IBRAHIM BIU
With the commissioning of the Osun state digital system NBC has now almost conclusively proved to almost all Nigerians that the commission is up to the task of achieving the expected much needed digital revolution in the country as assigned to its Director General, Modibo Ishaq Kawu. Kawu who has been charged with the responsibility of changing the face of the country’s digital system, has since he assumed office also made use of his huge journalistic experience to bring on board to work with him many intelligent technocrats just like the way former FCTA Minister Ahmed El-Rufai did to achieve commendable result at the FCT. When in 2015 Kawu was assigned to this sensitive position there were skepticisms from some people that he might not be able to deliver the goods because he met the sector almost in tatters but one year later, he has weathered the storm and revived it almost to its fullest capacity. He has now succeeded in laying positive footprints in the communication industry. Kawu has now restored the confidence of stakeholders apart from improving
the quality of broadcasting in Nigeria. But much more than any other thing Kawu has succeeded in generating a lot of revenue unlike what other DG’s before him were unable to do before he took over the mantle of leadership. Many people are actually envious of how this young man is making waves at the commission especially in the way and manner he is tackling his job by carrying almost everybody including his former bosses’ and directors along in whatever he is doing. And he is receiving the expected cooperation from not only the stakeholders but almost all round which has enabled him to achieve a lot within such a short time in the broadcast industry. This is an area where it was previously regarded as a no-go area to even some professionals. Charged with revamping the broadcasting face in Nigeria, Kawu is actually proving skeptics wrong through his dodged determination to achieve the best through the use of his vast experience as the former General Manager of the powerful Radio Kwara stationed in Ilorin. Unknown to many people NBC has been quietly installing the new digital switch over system all over the country to replace the old analogue
model through the cooperation he is receiving from people like Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, the director general of the NTA, Mr. John Momoh of the Channels Television, and many more others like them in the broadcast industry who have all paid their dues. As at last week, the commission has installed the new digital system in Kaduna, Kwara, Enugu, Jos, Abuja, FCT and in Osun. Preparations are being made for other areas to have their own digital switch over system. Kawu said, by the end of 2018, 18 states across the country will have been successfully connected to the switch over. Speaking at the event which brought about communication experts from all over the country, the DG who is he facilitator of the ceremony held in Enugu not too long ago, explained that the new system installed will enhance the quality and clarity of radio and television broadcast by making them much more clearer and brighter from any part of the country the viewer or listener is stationed. With experienced hands like John Momoh, chairman of BON, the DG of FRCN, the DG of VON, Chief Ikechukwu and others like them the digitalization team has been recording huge success
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FEATURE 61
Glamourous Marriage Traditions Of The Borno People
Marriage traditions in Nigeria cuts across the various states qnd differs. In Borno, GABRIEL ATUMEYI examines the culture of marriages as it relates to the Babur’s, Shuwa’s among others.
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On the other hand, the Shuwa Arabs of the same State have a much more different wedding culture from the Babur’s but akin to that of the Kanuri people
orno state is home to a rich variety of culture and wedding traditions that span hundreds of years. Inspite of modernisation, these people have clung to their cultural traditions, notable amongst them are the Babur’s, the Shuwa Arabs and the Kanuri’s. Investigations carried out by LEADERSHIP Sunday reveals that although these three tribes have shown similar characteristics in terms of the process and ways by which they conduct marriages, the Babur’s showed a marked difference while both the Shuwa Arabs and the Kanuri’s display a certain similarity. While the Barbur are a mixture of Christians and Muslims, the Shuwa’s and the Kanuri’s are exclusively Muslims. Speaking to LEADERSHIP Sunday about the Babur’s marriage process, one Yusuf Sunday, a civil servant who works with the National Population Commission and hails from Biu, explains that in Babur’s traditional wedding culture, when you see a girl you are interested in, you begin a friendship with the said girl and in the process begin to inquire about her, without letting her know. You inquire about her from her friends and neighbours. Again, the eligible young man could send an elderly man from among his kinsmen to inquire about the girl’s background. Whether they are bedevilled by any curse or whether they are notoriously troublesome in their family. If the inquiry proves to be satisfactory, the prospective young man will then select a group of about three men and two women to pay a courtesy visit to the damsel’s parents. Then they will intimate her parents or relatives of their son’s intention. The man is then asked if he has been having an affair or friendship with their daughter. If the reply is in the affirmative. They will then send for the girl to see whether she will corroborate the man’s statement. Usually the girl will reply that ‘he told me he wanted to meet my parents.’ They will ask her if she loves him and if the answer is in the affirmative, then comes the exchange of pleasantries. Subsequently, the man will select three or four of his friends including himself, a date is fixed for the visit of the prospective groom with these selected friends, it is called “Yuyma”. On the date of the visit, the girl’s parents and family will prepare to meet the august visitors. And subsequently the prospective groom with his friends will engage in a series of pleasant conversations with the household. Before leaving they are expected to propose to the girl’s family, a date for their people, (relatives) to visit and acquaint themselves with the girl’s relatives, this is usually
A Shuwa Arab wedding.
called “Dlu Kusar”. This follow up activity of the boy’s relatives, will be composed of elderly people, male and female. At this gathering the visitors will be warmly entertained with soft drinks, biscuits and kolanuts. Then the engagement is announced if the meeting of both families is satisfactory. This is called “Mbwa Nyika”. In terms of wedding gifts, there is usually no specific dowry to be paid. One can pay anything depending on his means and the offer of the girl’s parents. Out of the dowry he is expected to pay, the girl’s parents would remove a fraction and return the rest to the groom. If for example he pays the sum of ten thousand naira, the parent may remove one thousand and return the rest to the intending groom. Sometimes the bride’s parents may choose not to collect anything at all as dowry. Afterwards, a list is given to the groom but it is not compulsory that he must buy every item on the list. He is given the option of buying only what is within his means in the proposed list. It is said that if the bride to be, if the girl is truly in love with the person, she will beat down the price that is expected to be disbursed. The husband to be will then proceed to buy the items in the wish list, which includes wrappers, jewelleries, and several pairs of shoes. After buying the aforementioned luggage, it is transported to the bride’s family compound by the groom’s cousins and female relatives usually in several boxes filled with possession and paraphernalia. Depending on the list, then a date for the wedding will be fixed,
PHOTO SOURCED FROM BLOGSPOT.COM
both parties will then hold a send forth for their own usually in their family compound. Before the date of the wedding, both couples will have to go for HIV/AIDS Test as well as pregnancy test. However these are considered as modern practices. Since the Babur people are both Christians and Muslims, the final wedding rites will take place according to the dictates of their respective religion. In the Muslim case it involves events like Walima and Fatiha while for Christians, it involves a church wedding and a reception aftermath. On the other hand, the Shuwa Arabs of the same State have a much more different wedding culture from the Babur’s but akin to that of the Kanuri people. Marriages among the Shuwa Arab nomads could be very interesting because the parents usually choose spouses for their children. Parents start searching for a companion to their sons before they attain the age of maturity. The same applies to the females. Matches are made between relatives, particularly between cousins and social equals. Speaking to LEADERSHIP Sunday, Mahmud Jiddah a Shuwa Arab, who resides in Mabuchi area of Abuja and works at one of the LEA schools gave an inside account into the Shuwa Arab marriage process, saying, the path to marriage hood usually starts with the groom identifying the girl he wants to marry. He will then send representatives to come and talk with the father of the girl. If the father agrees, he will then confront her and if she consents to the idea, a dowry is set between the representatives of both
parties. If the girl is pretty, the dowry is usually twelve pieces of gold coins and if she is average, just four pieces of gold coin. And because gold has a universal value and its exchange rate is stable and harmonised throughout the world and for most times, the bride price dowry of a Shuwa woman is therefore tied to gold and thus she is always justly valued. However the prospective groom may choose to meet up if he is financially capable or decide to renegotiate until an agreement is reached. If an agreement is reached a date for the wedding is fixed and usually takes a period of about six months, more or less. In the interim, the parent of the prospective bride will keep reiterating on the fulfillment of the pledge. Then preparation is put in full gear, money is usually demanded from the husband to be, to get the bride ready and for the occasion. Before the wedding there is what is called “Wushewushe” which is usually a visit by the groom and his friends to the bride’s family. There they are hosted with drinks, food and other forms of entertainment including dancing. On the wedding morning a time is fixed for prayers, to solemnised the wedding, which is called “Fatiha”, which is an Islamic wedding rite. After the “Fatiha” the groom with his family members and well wishers will go to the bride’s family house to appreciate and celebrate with them. Then a time is fixed for the groom to come and take his bride. When he goes to collect his bride at the appointed time he is ➔ CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE
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FEATURE
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Glamourous Marriage Traditions Of The Borno People ➔ FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
usually prevented from doing so by the bride’s relatives. So the groom will have to induce them financially in order to be able to leave with his wife, this payment is called “Sadaki”. The bride’s relatives will then follow the new couples to their home and stay with them for a period of seven days before departing. Also speaking to LEADERSHIP newspaper, one Yusuf Adamu an Engineer with a construction firm in Maiduguri, said, when you see a girl you like, you go over to her and make a formal introduction, then you go over to her father and tell him you are interested in his daughter. It’s easy if he knows your family and likes them and if he doesn’t know them, he does a background check about you, nobody wants to give his daughter to someone without a background. He should at least have a job and a house, if he can maintain her. If everything is well he tells you to go and call your people so that we can discuss on issues. So you inform your people and fix a date for both families to meet and deliberate on the bride prize or dowry payment and payment of “Kayan toshi”. The normal price for any Shuwa girl is twelve golden coins, but if you are not buoyant enough you negotiate, and ask to pay a lesser amount of gold coins and once it is agreed, the man will have to provide it. Each gold coin is about 35,000 naira or more depending on the international market price. Then you discuss the “Kayan toshi”. The “Kayan toshi” is like a box or bag of clothes, wears and cosmetics that an intending groom gives the damsel he intends to marry after a declaration of interest. It is somewhat similar to the “Kayan lefe” but is a smaller version. Usually just to show commitment. When you bring the gold coins and the “Kayan toshe”. Then you fix a date for the wedding. Which is usually after some weeks or months, whatever the two families are comfortable with. Then the man embarks on getting all the necessary things for the bride to be, which includes what is known as ‘Kayan mama,’ that is things for the bride’s mum. Then there is ‘Kayan huwa,’ which is for the brides stepmom, then there is ‘Kayan takwara’, , then there is ‘Kayan mutanen baya’, which in English means things for back people, which is usually for the bride’s aunties and grandmother. In most cases they demand twenty wrappers for the Kayan mutanen baya. Each of this kaya’s “things” have a bag or is delivered in a bag. Also, the groom will have to provide what is called ‘Kayan lele de chinchin’. This is another amount to be paid, it is usually fixed by the bridal party. The groom to be, will also have to provide ‘Kayan kenshi’ which is known as ‘Tularen wuta’, which is a kind of stick burning perfume, used in smoking up bride’s to be family house to provide a pleasant scent. Usually the price is about fourthy or fifthy thousand naira or what the groom can negotiate to afford. Subsequently, on the day of the
Beautiful Shuwa Arab brides.
wedding after the wedding “Fatiha” has been concluded, after about six or seven hours the groom will go to collect his wife at her family house, but he will not be allowed to carry her until he pays a certain sum of money to the women who will escort the newly wedded bride home. This is called “Sadaki”, this party of escort is usually composed of the bride’s friends and relatives. The Kanuri in the marriage culture bears the closest resemblance with the Shuwa Arabs particularly giving their historical entanglement in the karnen borno empire According to one Alhaji modu sule, a clothe dealer in Maiduguri, Marriage in the kanuri culture is considered a sacred union between a man and a woman, so for the Kanuri’s it is done at an early age. The men marry in their twenties and the girls in their teens. As For men, their first contact with marriage usually takes place at age of about 20, when according to tradition his parents would marry a young maiden to him; the bride is often between the age of 10 to 14 years. Among the Kanuris, it is preferred for a young man marrying for the very first time to marry a young virgin. So that they can grow old gracefully together, but it is a very expensive form of marriage. The girls of this age have very little, if any, to say in their choice of marital partners, for the suitor to be acceptable to her parents, he must either be a relative, or have been known by her family, or has established some kind of relationship with one member of her extended family or has taken the trouble to create one between his own family and hers, especially her “Luwali” i.e. guardian, the man who dispenses her marriage rights. After the groom-to-be has established trust and acceptance between him and her family, the next step would be for him to intimate his parents so that arrangements would be made by them to formalize his interest in the bride, thus officially declaring his intention. Here, an elderly man or men from the groom’s side would go and seek for an appointment for a meeting between the two families. Subsequent to which
PHOTO SOURCED FROM BLOGSPOT.COM
the wedding procedures are planned. This again involves presenting another set of candy, chewing gum and kola-nuts to break the engagement news. And it is worthy to note that at most times the Ra’aki is a half of the Kususuram which is the main gifts presented to the bride by the groom after the marriage. Thus if the Ra’aki is two boxes then the Kususuram will be four or more boxes. Ra’aki meaning “Declaration of Interest” is a phase where luggage full of clothes, shoes, bags and cosmetics are presented on behalf of the groom to the bride. This task is usually executed by the groom’s sisters, female cousins and other relatives.The third coming by the groom’s relatives is to discuss and agree on the dowry which in Kanuri society is also paid in gold coins. The fourth coming is to fix the date for the wedding, even though in recent times the dowry and the date fixing are merged as one event. In Kanuri marriages dowry is mandatory, which is given by the groom with the help of his paternal relatives to the girl through her Luwali or guardian, usually a senior male paternal relative of the bride. If the union is between a non-cousin and a maiden bride, a preliminary payment the Kwororam (literally meaning payment for asking the bride’s hand in marriage), is given to the luwali by an intermediary from the groom. This payment is passed on to the bride’s mother or her mother’s senior female relatives living close by. The bride might also get a gift for herself. In the case of a marriage between cousins, this payment is not applicable. The reason being that for such a marriage to be conducted within a family, it has since been established and is only waiting for the time of its execution. During courtship, money and gifts could be given to the proposed bride, if marriage takes place such presents are considered as part of good will from the groom to his bride. Such presents are not returned whether the marriage takes or not, most especially in a marriage to a virgin. If all goes well with the above mentioned steps, the dowry can
There is a lot of traditional music and dance especially the gangakuraa which is performed by everybody, including the aged. The groom to be is accompanied by his friends and relatives
either be paid immediately during the third coming or it could be paid one to three months later to the bride’s Luwali. Due to the fact that son-in-law has a shame-avoidance relationship with his bride’ luwali, intermediaries are used and haggling is permitted in the situation. It is not always easy to assess the exact point at which either party to an engagement has legal claims upon the marriage intentions of the other. Most times it is agreed that any initiatory payments given prior to the big payment to the girl’s parents or guardian are not returnable if arrangements break down at this stage. The luwaliram is returnable if the girl or her family back out of the agreement. As regards the wedding, the main activities start on Thursday with Lalle. Lalle is used by the bride and other females in attendance to decorate their hands and legs. This signifies the opening of the wedding events. Here, sack or sacks of henna leaves, boxes full of cloth, money, kolanut, candy, chewing gum and a large basin full of items which include soaps, slippers, perfumes, and incense popularly known asTuraren wuta and Humra will be given to the brides aunties from her father’s side [bawaa] where they will sort it out and exchange it with the grooms family, thereafter they will share the remaining items among themselves. Friday evening (at 7pm prompt) is the Wushe-wushe night, which means welcome to everyone. This is a very colorful and exciting event that takes place on the eve of the wedding day at the bride’s family compound and has in attendance the fathers, mothers, aunties, uncles, friends and well wishers. Here the groom will be accompanied in by his friends and relatives where he sits on a make shift throne along side with his bride after she is also accompanied in with her friends and relatives. There is a lot of traditional music and dance especially the gangakuraa which is performed by everybody, including the aged. The groom to be is accompanied by his friends and relatives. Wushe-wushe is the second most entertaining event after the entire wedding. It is the gala night of the celebrations and last through night till dawn. Saturday is the D-Day. Usually in the morning between 7-11am the groom with his friends, relatives and well-wishers converge at a meeting point, from where they go to the bride’s residence for the Wedding Fatiha. Here an Imam (Islamic scholar) will preside and conduct the rites of marriage involving offer and acceptance of the bride’s hand in marriage by her Luwalis, which means groom to be, followed by the announcement of the dowry paid, witnesses to the nuptial union, offers prayers/supplications and finally declaring them as husband and wife in front of all as witnesses. Immediately after the Wedding Fatiha, the bride’s family tends to reciprocate the grooms effort by also presenting him with gift of cloth, shoes, perfumes, wrist watches, the holy book, kettle and lots more. It is this gift the groom shares among his friends, sort of a thank you for being there for me.
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POLITICS INTERVIEW 63
Chibok Girls Kidnap New Frontier Of Terrorism – Iwuanyanwu
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is an elder statesman, former presidential aspirant and member of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with CHIBUZO UKAIBE, he speaks on insecurity, fuel scarcity, 2019 presidential election and other issues What do you make of the defections of Professors Jerry Gana and Tunde Adeniran (who were founding members of PDP), to the SDP?
I must say that Prof Jerry Gana and Prof Tunde Adeniran are highly respected people in the party. They didn’t tell me, I didn’t know they were going away. If they had told me, I would have probably offered my own advice. In all the parties today, you will notice that there is general disaffection. Even in APC you can see that there are a lot of problems. My philosophy of democracy is that before you join a political party, you must know the philosophy of that party and you must strive to protect it at all times. I don’t think this idea of people jumping from one party to the other shows actual democratic conduct because if democracy must be preserved, you have to stay back in your party and fight to ensure that things are done right, even if you have not got what you want at particular time. But defections is very common in Nigeria today. What this means, to be honest, is that most political parties in Nigeria are not ideologically driven. When you talk of APC and PDP, they are the same people. APC says PDP is corrupt but the truth is that virtually all the leadership of APC today is from PDP and they are all moving from one place to the other. Some of them are even moving back to PDP. There is that forward and backward movement in Nigeria politics today which I think is not very good. I think people should not keep changing parties. It is even worse for people who are elected. For example, somebody is elected to be a governor or a legislature on the platform of a party and then he moved to another party. Why are you changing? Didn’t you know that there is a programme of your party before you joined? Why do they do this? The electorate voted for them because they were in a particular party where there they had a manifesto and program. These are some of the things we have to rectify in the future otherwise our politics will still be chaotic and confused. The SDP are already planning to work with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s coalition, What does that portend for the PDP?
I can tell you that PDP is stronger today than ever before. PDP is the strongest party today; the reason is because we have scaled all the hurdles. Every party have elements that make it to have crisis. Some of them are at the national convention, wards, local governments and states congresses. But PDP have gone through all that. I know there are still one or two states where we have not done congress. But other parties have not done their own. I am not aware that the APC has done national convention up till now. The suitability and stability of a party is tested after a national convention, whether it will emerge stronger and united. PDP has fulfilled all those constitutional requirements but these other parties have not. I have seen some of them say that they are extending the life of the executive.
It is very unconstitutional because the constitution of a party says elections should be held at certain number of years and somebody just put a meeting and say you should extended it. I think it is very illegal, they can’t extend it. You can dissolve it and then appoint a caretaker committee, but elections must be conducted. I am sure some of those decisions will be challenged in the court. It is just like somebody saying he wants to extend the four year tenure of a governor by one or two years; you cant do that. You have to hold elections according to the constitution and this constitution is kept by INEC. The commission should be able to advice those people who say that they are extending it. It is very wrong. They should have elections, it is part of the processes to make sure that people are still democratic. If you just come and say that there is no election, it means that you are not democratic and that is not right. So, I can tell you now that the strongest of all the parties today is PDP because it has done its national convention, ward and state congresses and we went through all these successfully. We had our crisis and a very serious one at that. It was a very terrible period for us but we have gone through it successfully. So I think SDP which is new, will do their own convention. They will start a process of knowing who is going to be the national chairman, secretary, and other positions. They will also have that at the state and local government levels and these are the elements that create crisis as we see in every party in Nigeria. So they should not say everything is okay at the moment. The case of APC is very embarrassing because a party that has been in power for about three years or so, has never conducted a national convention. A national convention is an annual general meeting. I don’t know what their constitution says but the law says that a party must have an annual convention and it is in the annual convention that the stakeholders will review situations and so on therefore every party must have an annual convention and APC has not had a convention to the best of my knowledge and we are surprised that INEC is keeping quiet over this. At the state, local government and ward levels, they have not held elections. Some leaders like governors and so on, have put their cronies in many of those positions, this is not democratic. I don’t think INEC should allow it. We in PDP, we have had our ward, local, state congresses and national convention and they were witnessed by INEC, SSS, the Police. Actually, we have done more national conventions than any other party because the constitution says once every year. I am advising all these people who move up and down that the thing Obasanjo started is very late, election is coming very soon. Obasanjo’s advise to Buhari on 2019 coming too late. Obasanjo made some points
Iwuanyanwu
obviously, but I don’t agree with all the points he made. For example, his telling the president not to contest the 2019 presidential election. I don’t think anybody has any right to tell any Nigerian not to contest. I don’t think Obasanjo is right to say Buhari should not contest. No Nigeria has the right. Buhari has the right to contest election. He is a Nigerian citizen. There is no age limit. In some countries I have seen 93 year olds contesting for an election and Buhari is only 73 years old. Just as Obasanjo has asked him not to run, there have been many people asking the president to contest. What do you think sir?
I feel very sad about the behaviour of political sycophants. Buhari should beware of sycophants asking him to run again. Some people go around saying that the only person who can rule Nigeria is Buhari. They say they are calling on him to contest, that if he doesn’t contest there will be no Nigeria. I even have heard somebody say that if Buhari doesn’t contest, they will go to court to get an injunction to make him; these are cronies. And I would advice Buhari not to listen to them. Buhari is a friend. I have appreciated his efforts especially in fighting corruption. I know his efforts during his first time as Head of State, he fought indiscipline, I appreciate all those things but there is no doubt about it that things are hard. Anybody who comes to deceive him that things are normal is not telling him the truth. I believe Buhari can run for election if he wants to but he should not be deceived by these people, he has to make the decision himself, he has to look at his health because he has been challenged. In fact, he should give thanks to God that he survived and for those of us who love him, we are grateful that he survived. Anybody who loves him should be more
interested in his life than being in office after all, he has been President twice and it is there in history. Obviously, Buhari is liked by people. What I think he should do, if he makes up his mind to run, is to address a world press conference and talk to Nigerians. He should tell the people that when I came I promised this and that. In corruption I have done this, in security I have done this and that but it is unfortunate today that we have unemployment at a large scale, we have these problems most of our people are suffering; the salary workers today they are not enough to feed them. He should then tell Nigerians, if he intends to contest, the things he is going to do to restore the situation. I am not telling him to run, it is his business whether to contest or not. I am saying that no human being can tell another person to run or not. The decision to run for an election is a personal decision by anybody. The constitution allows him to do two terms. Only he, his family and his doctors know his condition of his health. He knows the enormity of the problem he is faced with already. So, he knows whether he can or not contest, because it is clear to most of us that these people who are making him to run they want to ride on his popularity to power. Do you think the National Assembly is right on its plans to change the sequence of the election timetable?
The National Assembly has given a programme of election and they have the right to make laws. They are the people representing this country, that is the Senate and the House of Representatives. They have said this is the way to run the elections and whatever they say should supersede whatever INEC has said and I don’t see anything about it. I want to commend the National Assembly so far because I have seen that they are not partisan most of
Obviously, Buhari is liked by people. What I think he should do, if he makes up his mind to run, is to address a world press conference and talk to Nigerians
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Sunday, March 11, 2018
Chibok Girls Kidnap New Frontier Of Terrorism – Iwuanyanwu ➔ FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
government should change its strategy. They cannot succeed anywhere without the cooperation of the people. As for the kidnapping in Yobe State, I am sure some people from that community must be part of the whole plan. There is no way the government can guard every school in Nigeria and even if you do, these people have acquired very suffocated weapons. I am disturbed that this so called group has infiltrated most of our systems. I have a feeling that they are in Customs, immigrations, the Police, Army. But how do you know, they are Nigerians? So the government should be able to fight this thing from there. Part of the economic problem we have today is caused by the boko haram because we have spent so much money on military weapons that have just been wasted in fighting the worthless war. I suggest that Buhari should summon a meeting of leaders against Boko Haram . I think the government must call all the people to a meeting in Abuja. It should be a meeting of all Nigerian leaders from the 36 states, including traditional rulers. Let us ask what actually is the problem because it has gone beyond what we are seeing. There was a time we were told that a member of the National Assembly was part of Boko Haram; so we don’t understand what their problem is and what they want. So I think that the strategy must change, the government should at this point not continue talking about decimating them. You cannot decimate them, it is not possible because they will come together. They now know that it is very attractive to get money like those girls they kidnapped, they are expecting millions of dollars.
the time. I have seen them drop their party clothes and confront issues based purely on national interest. What kind of candidate should the PDP produce to defeat the APC in presidency in 2019?
The truth about it is that in PDP, we are telling people to express their interest. We don’t know who is going to be our candidate but in PDP we have many candidates who if they run will defeat APC and will defeat other parties. What we require first of all is that we have learnt lessons from our experience of the past. So we want a President who will be in firm control of his ministers so that we don’t have a situation we had where some corruption was quite there. We want such a leader so that everybody is transparent. For instance, I can tell you that I haven’t seen any proven case of corruption against Jonathan as a person. But people around him were corrupt. So a leader must be able to take swift action against his people who are corrupt and it appear that many people around him were corrupt and that was a big embarrassment to not only him but the party. We want a leader who has political experience and not someone who is a learner because Nigeria is so complex. We want a leader who actually has understood every part of this country, who knows the problems of all the various parts of the country. We want a leader who is not tribal, we want a leader who will love every part of the country. We want a leader who knows that once he is in power, he is no more a member of PDP, but the President of Nigeria. Yes he has a party but every Nigerian is in his constituency. He will not cling too fast to party but knows that his success and the success of the party depend on how generously he addresses the problem of the country everywhere. APC government said that it has technically defeated Boko Haram, but we can see that the insurgents keep causing lost of havoc. While the remaining Chibok girls are yet to be rescued, over 100 Dapchi girls were abducted in Yobe State. Do you think the federal government has succeeded in defeating Boko haram?
The government has done very well; before the government came Boko Haram was expanding, they bombed Abuja but the government has been able to contain them in the North-east; so it is not fair for anybody to say the government has not done well. The way they were moving, I believe they could have gone up to Lagos or to other places by now, that is my own feeling. So I join those who say that Buhari has done well there. Having said this, I want to tell you that a battle such as this cannot be easily won and the government must find a new strategy of winning this battle. For example, on the kidnap of the Chibok girls and lecturers, although I haven’t got any fact yet, the information we get is that this people were released after ransom was paid in foreign currencies. This is very attractive to terrorists. So, when they are broke they will look for soft targets. I am telling you now that we are entering a big problem in this country. Have we forgotten that
Iwuanyanwu
kidnappers went to a school in Lagos State and kidnapped school girls; so what has happened in Yobe is not different. The kidnap of the Chibok girls opened up a new frontier of terrorism, where people can now make money by kidnapping a whole school and that of girls is more attraction because they marry some of them. So I think the matter is more serious than how we see it. Up till date I don’t know what the battle of Boko Haram is all about. One thing that is clear to me is that in those places affected by the activities of the sect, we have local administrative councils, we have members of the House of Assembly, National Assembly, traditional rulers and governors. These people don’t seem to be playing sufficient part in arresting the situation because if this type of thing comes to some part, leaders there will arise and find out. Some of them have said it is lack of education. When Jonathan was the President he opened up a lot of almajiri schools but I heard that people don’t even attend those schools now. They said it is unemployment and so on, but there is unemployment everywhere in the country; so up till now we don’t know why they are fighting. Remember when they started they were putting up their flags, so I think they are people looking for secession. I still remember the statement made by the late Libyan leader, Col Moumar Ghadaffi at a point, when he said Nigeria should be split into two countries, north and south. I believe that most of the arms used by the insurgents are coming from that direction. So, I believe there maybe a long term plan to convert northern Nigeria to an Islamic republic and so on. So I started thinking that this is like secession and if it is a secession to be honest such wars are not easy to win. The Biafran war was won because Zik came out, stood firm, called some African countries and they negotiated. The Biafrans made it very clear that it was secession and so on. But we don’t know what Boko Haram is all about. You cannot say it is a religious war because the people they are killing are mainly Muslims. The government cannot fight this war without the people, so I think the
In the 2015 elections, Nigerians voted against Jonathan mainly because of the kidnapped Chibok girls abduction which happened one year to that election. Now we are seeing a repeat of that with the Yobe incident which has also happened one year to another election; do you think this will work against the sitting president should he decide to seek reelection?
You know I am in PDP, I am a leader in PDP and PDP is going to win. I am not in APC and there is no doubt about it. I told you APC are not organised, there is no way if there is a free and fair elections we are not going to defeat them and Nigerians should be careful not to talk of using the police or INEC or so on to derail the mandate of the people. Nigerians are primed to face any consequences, Nigerians have suffered a lot. So frankly speaking I think they have done their best but I think PDP will do better.
If anybody loves this country and wants her to survive, you must have this restructuring. If we restructure, it may even help to solve Boko Haram crisis
As an elder and leader in the South-east, what advice will you give to the Southeast people as they engage in the 2019 general elections?
I would tell them clearly that we have suffered a lot in the present situation. At least every Nigerian knows that the South-east has been completely neglected. Can you imagine a people who help to found this country, our leaders helped to get independence for this country. At every stage in the history of Nigeria, Igbos have played a major role in shaping the destiny of Nigeria, educationally, economically, even in sports, everywhere. But if you look at
the structure of government today, it is clear that we are not quite involved, it is true somebody will say that every state should have a minister, Igbo’s are not fools not to know. We have seen the whole ministerial positions given, Igbo’s are sensible enough. And above all, in the security council, there is no single Igbo man and the claim they make is that Igbos didn’t vote for the government; yes Igbos didn’t vote for the government but if Igbos are well treated, they have nothing against Buhari or anybody. Buhari is a friend to many Igbos like myself. I like him and I have always talked good of him in most of my interviews. But the truth is that Igbos feel very sad because if you look at every appointment, it is not that we don’t have people, we have people who can be taken and because of this now, Igbos don’t have confidence in this government. They cannot come to Abuja with confidence because they believe that they don’t have anybody. And the truth about this country today is even the level of unemployment in Igbo land is horrible, the only thing that is saving us is that our people are very hard working, so they go and do lots of things. Some of the graduates do menial jobs to feed. When you come to Abuja today nothing is done on merit. If they say there is employment, if nobody recommends you, if you don’t have a big man talking for you, you cannot get the job. Why Nigeria must restructure
In our own days when we came out, you don’t need anybody to talk for you or recommend you. In the first republic, when there is a vacancy, you go to the office and if you are qualified they take you. That is the type of government where Igbos can thrive and that is why we are looking for restructuring very badly, we want it and we don’t want anybody to pay lip service to it. If anybody loves this country and wants her to survive, you must have this restructuring. If we restructure, it may even help to solve Boko Haram crisis. Once you get these people there, they should have their own vigilante who can monitor these people. In fact, the natives have more work to do than even the Army. As an renowned business mogul who has served on the boards of several federal parastatals in Nigerian, what do you think is the solution to recurrent fuel crisis in Nigeria?
I find it very hard to know why Naira which was 160 within a short time fell to nearly 400. Then we started coming down to N350 and I heard two windows were created, some people buy dollar at N200 while others buy at N300. And these are some of the reasons why we have problems. Fuel crisis is controlled by the value of Naira. As long as you don’t refine your products here such that you sell your crude oil aboard and the customers buy in dollars and when they refine, they sell to us in dollars then we will have the situation we have today. When the price of Naira falls, of course, it will fall. Price of Naira at a time was 160 to a dollar but you cannot compare the price of fuel today with the price when it is 350 or so. There is a difference.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
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POLITICS 65
Battle For Guber Seat Hots Up In Abia
The battle for the 2019 governorship election has began in Abia State as the governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu got a second term endorsement from nine local governments, CHIBUZO UKAIBE writes on the intrigues arising therefrom
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It will be recalled that Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja High Court had ordered Ikpeazu to vacate the seat for a PDP guber aspirant, Uche Ogah, on grounds of alleged tax offenses
bia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, last week secured the endorsement of the majority of Abia electorate as nine local government areas in the state endorsed him to run for a second term as governor of Abia in 2019. The Ukwa/Ngwa people, who make up nine out of the 17 local government areas of the state; Aba North, Aba South, Isialangwa North, Isialangwa South, Osisioma, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa West and Ukwa East, declared that on the basis of his performance in office, Ikpeazu deserves to be re-elected for a second term in office. They called on all sons and daughters of the area to work towards a landslide victory for the governor in 2019. The endorsement came at Okpuala Ngwa, the ancestral headquarters of Ngwa people, during the Great Ukwa Ngwa Declaration event last weekend. It will be recalled that in 2014, ahead of the 2015 governorship election, the people of Ukwa-Ngwa led by Sen Adolph Wabara, Elder Emma Adaelu among others, led a one million man match to Government House in Umuahia, and presented Ikpeazu to the then Governor of the state, Chief Theodore Orji. They did not only endorse him then, they also presented him as their sole candidate for the election, despite the fact that the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the election, Chief Anyim Nyerere is an Ngwa man. They backed up their adoption with mass support during the campaigns and massive votes at the election from the 9 LGAs of Ukwa-Ngwa axis that ensured Ikpeazu’s emergence as Governor in 2015. By this endorsement, the political tempo in the state has taken a notch. Beyond the elections itself, the governor had fought series of legal battles to secure his mandate. It will be recalled that the governor’s 2015 victory had, like the most governors, stretched into the Supreme Court, where his victory was certified. Although he contested against a former Banker, Dr Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Dr Nyerere Anyim of the APC, his fiercest tussle was within his party, the PDP. It will be recalled that Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja High Court had ordered Ikpeazu to vacate the seat for a PDP guber aspirant, Uche Ogah, on grounds of alleged tax offenses. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in a move that sparked protests, hurriedly issued certificate of return to Ogah, despite a pending appeal filed against the judgment. In its judgement however, the Appeal Court in affirming Ikpeazu’s mandate, described Justice Abang’s judgment as a rape of democracy and ordered Ikpeazu to retain his office. But the Supreme Court put a final seal on Ikpeazu’s governorship when it struck out the appeal filed by Ogah against the judgement of the appeal court, saying it lacked merit. So far, one of the main contenders for the seat is Otti. He is said to be
Ikpeazu
interested in taking another shot at the seat. It remains hazy whether he is going to recontest under his party or not. It was gathered that he has started making consultations and revamping his political machinery for the contest. What’s more, other opposition forces in the state like former governor, Orji Uzor Kalu of the APC, have been trying to market for opposition party in the state. Still, with 2019 in view, moving the motion for Ikpeazu’s second term ambition, on behalf of Ukwa/Ngwa people, former Senate President, Senator Adolf Wabara said: “Our son and our brother, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is a silent achiever and performer. He has performed creditably and that confers on him the right to lead once more. Our people today speak with one voice to make a proclamation in support of the governor, asking him to contest again as Governor in 2019.” Seconding the motion, Chief Chukwu Wachukwu, former DirectorGeneral of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), said: “Abia North was governor for eight years with Orji Uzo Kalu, Abia Central governed for eight years with Senator Theodore Orji. Abia South is completing four years with Governor Ikpeazu, therefore, we as a people unanimously, through a voice vote, declare our support for the re-election of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu as Governor of Abia State in 2019, because he has done well and also because he must complete the eight year tenure of Abia South people.” Also speaking, eminent statesman, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu, explained that the governor has the constitutional right to seek reelection in 2019, and as such deserves the support of his people and the generality of Abians. “We have seen Governors in Abia State and I will boldly state that there has not been any like Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. He has done so well and the evidence of his great work are everywhere in Abia State for the world to see. So we are boldly and eloquently declaring our support for him to recontest in 2019”, Elder Adaelu said. Former Governorship candidate of APGA in Abia State, Chief Reagan Ufomba, stressed that re-electing Governor Ikpeazu in 2019 is a task
Otti
for all Abians because Ikpeazu has performed beyond expectations across the three geopolitical zones of the state. “In the spirit of equity, inclusiveness, fairness and justice, re-electing Governor Ikpeazu in 2019 is task for all Abians, from Ukwa through Umuahia to Arochukwu, because he has done well, and there is no alternative than to allow him to continue with his good work till 2023.” Chief Ufomba however called on the Governor to sustain the tempo of his achievements and goodrecords in the state. “As a great Ukwa Ngwa son, know it today that your people are behind you. What this means is that the majority of Abia have asked you to contest again in 2019. It is no longer about you and you don’t have a choice again, we, the people of Ukwa Ngwa, we are asking you to contest again in 2019 to complete your tenure, and also to sustain the tempo of your outstanding performance. “Our unanimous adoption today is to let other Abians and the world know that we are solidly behind our son, to remain governor of Abia State. We also call on our Old Bende brothers to demonstrate love and oneness, as we have always done to them in the past, by ensuring that the Ukwa-Ngwa people enjoy two terms as exercised by other zones in the state.” Ufomba said. Declaring the support of UkwaNgwa traditional rulers for Governor Ikpeazu to re-contest in 2019, His Eminence, Eze Bernard Enweremadu, the Eze Ukwu of Ngwa Ukwu, told Governor Ikpeazu that God in Heaven and the ancestors of Ukwa Ngwa are backing him to contest again in 2019. “Where we are gathered today is Okpuala Ngwa, the ancestral home of Ngwa people. God of heaven and our ancestors who gave us this land will bear witness that what we are asking for is our right. “If it is not just, if it is not fair, if it is not equitable for an Ngwa man to govern Abia eight years, as others did, may we never succeed. But if it is just, if it is fair and equitable for Okezie Ikpeazu, an Ngwa man, to complete his eight year tenure as those before him did, God and our ancestors will grant us victory. As it was in 2015, so shall it be in 2019.” Eze Enweremadu said.
In his response, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu described the adoption as a show of love and demonstration of the unflinching support of Ukwa/ Ngwa people for him. He used the occasion to call on the people to go and get their Permanent Voters Card, as a sign of seriousness, if they want him to re-contest in 2019. “As an Ukwa Ngwa son, I understand the significant of what my people have done today. I am happy that my people have made this great and historical declaration. This has demonstrated our resolve and unity as a people. I thank everyone that is here today to make this historic declaration. I will respond to your call, but before I do that, let me use this opportunity to call on our people and all Abians to go and get their voters card as that is the only way I will be assured that you want me again in 2019. You shouldn’t be here asking me to contest again in 2019, if you don’t have your voters card.” Governor Ikpeazu said. Ikpeazu also assured Abians that his administration will continue to focus on spreading prosperity in the state through the actualization of all the promises he made during the 2015 election campaign, as encapsulated in the 5 point agenda of his administration. “I will not let our people down. We will not rest until all parts of Abia State are developed for us and our children. Every day we will wake up and do the work of Abia and even when we find time to sleep we will do so knowing that the work of Abia has been done and continues to be done. That is my solemn promise to the people of Abia State, in appreciation of the confidence reposed on me through the ballot box.” Meanwhile, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Abia, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, has said that the opposition elements in the State are frustrated over Ikpeazu’s achievements. Responding to the allegations by the opposition that most of the projects executed by the Abia State government under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu are either undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission, or the Federal Government, Appolos listed the 38 completed road projects of the governor and called on media practitioners in the country to visit and verify all of them.
➔ CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE
11.03.2018
E-TRAIN LOCAL
IN THE NEWS
Fidelis Duker's Fad Fm Up The Ante With Quality Broadcasting BY SAMUEL ABULUDE, LAGOS If you are looking for a radio station that gives quality entertainment and engaged both the young and upwardly mobile as well as the oldies who are young at heart, look no far as FAD FM 93.1. The interactive and social media friendly radio station is the brainchild of erudite film maker, Fidelis Duker. Since the radio station which is located at the home of tourism, Calabar opened transmission sometime last year, the management has left no stone unturned to make sure it delivers quality programming and make its presence felt not only in Calabar but in the Niger-delta region and beyond. According to Mr Duker who's also the founder of Abuja Int'l Film Festival, the radio station is unique in its own way and strategically located at State Housing Estate in Calabar to deliver its mandate and reach more people through the Fad FM App. With creative OAPs like Idemita aka Double Eye, Barbara Umo Young, Faith Imanyi, Issac Joseph aka Koboko and Omorusi Adesuwa aka DJ MPD to name a few, the radio station is making giant strides and recently opened its doors to recruit more young and enterprising persons and goal-getters that will up the ante in the highly competition radio broadcasting sector.
HEAD: Anthony Ada Abraham REPORTERS: Samuel Abulude Stellamaries Amuwa DESIGN/LAYOUT: Xtanlee Uche Echidi E-MAIL: tkmmedia2012@gmail.com SMS ONLY: 08092721737
P66
Over 100 Women Benefitted From Former MBGN Free Cancer Screening BY ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM, ABUJA
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t was a day of joy and happiness for the women of Ushafa community in Bwari Area Council, Abuja when former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), Isabella Ayuk, on Thursday rolled out free cervical cancer screening for them. Speaking with LEADERSHIP Etrain, she disclosed that the gesture was part of activities to mark the 2018 International Women’s Day by her foundation known as Isabella Ayuk Foundation. According to her, Over 100
women attended the free cervical cancer screening which held at the Primary Health Care Centre in Ushafa. The participants received free cervical cancer screening and vaccination, as well as blood pressure and sugar level tests.
Isabella Ayuk,
DMW Act Dremo Ready For A Fulfilling 2018
.... Ready To Drop Back-to-back hits
BY SAMUEL ABULUDE, LAGOS
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side Mayokun, another music artiste from Davido Music Worldwide that will shine in 2018 if he keeps the momentum is Dremo, the rap artiste. Dremo has told fans to expect a stellar 2018 and it seems he’s keeping to his promises with sensational deliveries on the viral Pen Game Challenge freestyle
titled Back To School and DMW’s latest charttopping single, MIND. The rapper whose new release; IZZOKAY featuring Mayorkun produced by Young Jon is gaining rave reviews stated that he was ready to drop back to back hits. He said, “Firstly I want to appreciate all my fans and I’m Loving the response since I dropped IZZOKAY. Shout out to
Mayorkun for coming through on the song. This year I’m ready than ever before to drop back to back hits. In addition, I have a big announcement that I will soon share once my management and I sort everything out. I also want to use this opportunity to tell my fans to rest assured that I am not going to disappoint them. My team and I have big plans for 2018, wait for it.”
LEADERSHIP SUNDAY
E-TRAIN / LOCAL 67
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Cee-C and Lolu up for eviction
Anto and Miracle up for eviction this week
BBNaija: Lolu, Cee-C, Anton, Miracle, 4 Others for Possible Eviction Today BY SAMUEL ABULUDE, LAGOS
As the on-going Big Brother Naija tagged Double Wahala continues to attract the ire of viewers and has received thumbs up and condemnation on account of the coupling method (free sex) in this year’s edition, eight housemates (four pairs) are currently up for
possible eviction. Who will join the six others already evicted, today (Sunday) is what voters will determine According to records, Leo and Ifu (Lifu), Miracle and Anto (Mito), Tobi and Alex (Tolex) and Teddy A and Nina (Tena) had the highest nominations. As Head of House, Bambam saved
the pair of Teddy A and Nina and replaced them with CeeC and Lolu. Which Brother Naija housemate will be evicted this weekend play The housemates currently up for possible eviction this week are Leo
and Ifu (Lifu), Miracle and Anto (Mito), Tobi and Alex (Tolex) and CeeC and Lolu (Ceelo). The upcoming eviction will be the third one for the season. The first saw the exit of Pritto (Bitto and
Princess) and Van-Dee (Vandora and Dee-One), and the second saw the exit of Angel and Ahneeka. K Bule and the out-spoken and brash Chloe were disqualified on account of verbal assault they gave to one another.
Wonderkid Out With ‘Chineke Mereya’ BY SAMUEL ABULUDE, LAGOS
Wonder kid, Ozzy Bosco is out with a fresh song titled CHINEKE MEREYA. The song is one of the songs of his body of work that listeners will love as it featured Fiokee who’s regarded as Africa’s Number 1 guitarist. The song which brought the passion of a growing kid who just gets better with time, is available on all platforms inclluding his website, ozzybee com.
11-year old, Ozzy Bosco who is tagged the best kid entertainer in Africa has songs like Tinini ft Olamide, Smile Again, Sweet Mama Ft Flavour and others that featured top acts like Vector, Lamborghini and others. The young lad with real name, Members of the Tourism Transportation summit and exhibition 2018 organising committe with the Minister Ozioma Mojekwu who got the of State Aviation ((fifth left) Hidi Serika during a courtesy to him Nigeria Teen Choice Award for Most Promising Young Act, has opened his foundation which condemns Child Cruelty and domestic abuse of a child.
National Tourism Transport Summit & Expo 2018 Holds In May BY SAMUEL ABULUDE, LAGOS
Ozzy Bosco
Arrangement is on top gear for the staging of the first ever national tourism transport summit and exhibition, which has been scheduled to hold at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja with the theme: Tourism and transportation, the key sectors for sustainable growth and development. The summit, which is being powered by the Institute of Tourism Professionals (ITP), is coming on the heels of the 15th National Council on Transportation meeting held in Sokoto in August 2017, where the need to have collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Transportation and other government and non-government agencies together with the private stakeholders across the transportation modes, tourism and hospitality value chain for sustainable economic growth and development. To this, Nigeria ministers of tourism and transport are expected for the first to form a synergy in exploring the benefits that are derived from this mutual link so as to create the environment for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The event offers a unique opportunity for policy makers, regulators, entrepreneurs, key players in both the tourism and transport sectors of the economy, investors and the general public to engage in an all-participatory discourse aimed at charting the desired synergy, collaboration and connective inter-play between the two sectors for maximum economic benefits of the country. It will also deliberate on the complex relationship between transport provision and tourism, and will adopt global perspective in forging a mutual relationship between the two sectors; It will make regulatory and enforcement agencies, national, state and local government to reappraise and have a better understanding of the importance of tourism and transportation to local, state and national economies, and their impact on employment regeneration. The sub themes are: Tourism and Transportation Interdependencies for mutual growth and sustainable development; Potentialities of developing regional inter-connectivity in transportation; Inter-modal connectivity, traveler safety and
security; Licensing regulations and oversight – meeting the international standards for sustainable development of the Transportation and Tourism industries; Marketing Destination Nigeria- what role for the transportation and tourism sectors; Public private partnership and investment in the tourism and transportation sectorsprospects and challenges; Development of critical infrastructure and the ease of doing business in Nigeria- the case of tourism and transportation industries; as well as Building capacity for global best practices in the tourism and transportation sectors. Therefore, participants at the two day event will be drawn from major key players and stakeholders in the transportation and tourism sectors such as air transportation, airlines, tour and travel operators, administrators of the aviation industry, maritime industry - sea transport, boats and sea cruising operators, road transportation - major transport owners, car hire services, uber, NURTW, RTEAN, road traffic and safety agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), motor insurance companies.
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FOREIGN ANALYSIS
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Gun Control Debate And US Dilemma Gun ownership by individuals has the backing of the US Constitution, with reference to Second Amendment. However, with gun violence threatening education in the US to its foundation, opinions are leaning heavily against the continuous desirability of the Second Amendment. OMONU NELSON, examines the issues involved.
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he debate on the propriety or otherwise of individuals in the United States bearing firearms has been a raging one. Despite the divided opinion, the US Constitution backs the right of individuals to own guns. Specifically, the Second Amendment which was ratified on 15 December, 1791. The amendment had 27 simple words. “A well regulated militia, being necessary for the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” However, instead of a national consensus on the right of individuals to bear firearms, the development has become one of the most divisive issues in American Society. Analysts have explained that the Second Amendment was a necessity of the time that has become today’s nightmare. This is because, at the time of enacting the Second Amendment, the territory was still battling to sustain it’s declaration of independence from Great Britain, hence, the militia that was mentioned in the Second Amendment. Recent developments in the ‘God’ s Own Country’, United States, has once again, brought to the fore, the continuous desirability or otherwise of gun ownership. On 14 February, Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland, Florida, an incidence became a true turning point in the debate about individual ownership of gun in the US. The school lost 17 students to gun violence, while several others were wounded. Though gun attacks and school shooting is a frequent occurrence in the US, the latest Florida shooting is one of the largest of such carnage in US schools. The national outrage that followed this dastardly act and the unprecedented protest and courage of the young lads, who survived the assault are now helping to galvanise a new gun control movement. The students has resolved to march on Washington on March 24. Their pleas have encouraged President Trump to propose some new measures, including new age limits and a ban on “bump stocks”, modifications that enable semiautomatic rifles to shoot more rounds per minute. In Trump’s proposals also, is the idea of arming Teacher, incase of such attacks. In response to the mood of the time, and the raging debate, the Florida Senate, passed a law, increasing eligibility age for gun purchase from 18 to 21 years. The development has pitched the Republican against their Democrat counterpart. Congressional Republicans are looking for the narrowest possible action on gun violence prevention. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting in a Parkland, Florida, high school that killed 17 people and injured more than a dozen others, pressure mounted for Congress to actually do something on guns —
Trump
and Trump seemed enthusiastic about the idea. But after a confusing meeting in the White House in which Trump sided with Democrats and censured Republicans for being “scared of the NRA,” a fast-paced news cycle, and a concerted effort by conservatives and pro-gun organizations to reorient the conversation away from guns, the GOP is now coalescing around the narrowest possible violence prevention proposals — many of which don’t even address guns at all. “As I see it, any movement will be focused on school security — not gun control per se,” one GOP congressional aide said. In the House, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced a vote on the STOP School Violence Act, a bill that doesn’t address guns but provides an annual $50 million grant to schools for training programs and revamped reporting systems. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he won’t hold a vote on guns this week and Majority Whip John Cornyn said lawmakers shouldn’t raise their expectations about what can pass the Senate and instead focus on the realistic. And the White House, which was expected to release its gun control proposal, has instead been focused on trade policy — specifically steel and aluminum tariffs. On the other hand, the National Riffle Association (NRA) has said it does not back a ban of any kind, further entrenching its position. The group says errors by local law enforcement agencies and a lack of action by politicians were to blame for the shooting. After the killing of 26 people in Sandy Hook Elementary School in
Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012, some states enforced better background checks (the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, however, said more states loosened gun restrictions in the year after the attack). When 58 people were shot dead in Las Vegas in October last year the worst mass shooting in modern US history - Massachusetts banned bump stocks. NRA, the very powerful group that is resisting the new attempts at gun control in the US is today, the most powerful pro-gun lobbying group, which claimed, it has five million members. The organisation was co-founded by a former New York Times reporter, William C Church, in 1871 to “promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis”. It was set up by former Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War who had been shocked at the poor level of marksmanship of their fellow Union fighters compared with their Confederate rivals (its first president was Gen Ambrose Burnside, whose facial hair inspired the term “sideburns”). Much of its activity before the late 1970s involved hunting and organising shooting competitions. But a shift began to happen in the 1960s and 70s due in part to rising crime rates and a growing conservative movement, at the time the NRA was keen to move away from lobbying. “An increasing proportion of members were buying guns for selfprotection,” The Battle Over The Right To Bear Arms In America. “The leadership of the NRA didn’t understand the importance of
One of the most significant recent developments in recent US gun law came thanks to a security guard in Washington DC
this shift and decided that the organization should recommit itself to hunting and recreational shooting.” The result was that during the NRA’s annual meeting in Ohio, more conservative elements of the group staged a surprise coup in what’s become known as The Revolt in Cincinnati. They were led by Harlon Carter, the head of the NRA’s lobbying arm who had once been jailed for shooting dead a Mexican teenager. After a fraught meeting that lasted until 04:00, the NRA’s leadership was voted out and the group’s new direction as a fierce opponent to gun control was set. One of the most significant recent developments in recent US gun law came thanks to a security guard in Washington DC The district had some of the strictest gun control laws in the US, barring individuals from keeping a gun in the home. But Dick Heller wanted to be able to take his work gun home to the high-crime area in which he lived. His case - backed not by the NRA but by a group of libertarian lawyers - went all the way up to the US Supreme Court. The debate focused closely on what those 27 words in the Second Amendment meant in a 21st Century context. Is it OK for an individual to own a gun if he’s not technically in a militia? Five of the justices thought the DC law should be struck down, and four dissented. A whole new interpretation of the Second Amendment was drawn. In his majority opinion, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote : “There seems to us no doubt, on the basis of both text and history, that the Second Amendment conferred an individual right to keep and bear arms.” “This is a great moment in American history,” NRA chief Wayne LaPierre said after the ruling on 26 June 2008. “Our founding fathers wrote and intended the Second Amendment to be an individual right. The Supreme Court has now acknowledged it.” While gun sales had already been on the rise in the US for some time, they started to increase significantly in the wake of the DC vs Heller case - in the month the ruling was made, almost 820,000 FBI background checks were conducted; in the same month a year later, there were almost 970,000. It’s worth noting though that the Supreme Court added some caveats. Justice Scalia wrote: “Like most rights, the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.” The court’s opinion, he said, did not mean “longstanding prohibitions”, such as “the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings”.
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69
Rangers, Enyimba Clash In Oriental Derby; MFM Host Heartland
T
he Cathedral’ Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu, will be the main centre of attraction on Sunday as oriental rivals, Enugu Rangers and
R
oger Federer will be looking for payback when he opens the defence of his ATP Indian Wells title with a second round match against Argentina’s Federico Delbonis on Saturday. There aren’t many players who can say they have a winning record over 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer but Delbonis is one of them. In their only other ATP meeting in 2013, Delbonis won on clay in Hamburg 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/4). Delbonis, who is ranked 67th in the world, is no stranger to upsets in Indian Wells. In 2016 he shocked world No 2 Andy Murray to reach the fourth round. He reached the second
Federer Hopes To Avenge Loss To Delbonis round here this week by saving two match points to defeat another American, Ryan Harrison, in three sets. Federer, who regained the world No 1 ranking last month, is on a quest to make history in the California desert by winning an unprecedented sixth Indian Wells title. The 36-year-old Swiss marvel continues to defy the ageing process, claiming his 20th Grand Slam title and sixth Australian Open crown
in January.
He has enjoyed a perfect Enyimba clashbyinwinning a Nigeria start to 2018 bothProfessional Football League(NPFL) events he has competed in matchday-12 encounter, and taking his career singles Both teams title tally to have 97. won the most titlesFederer in the history the NPFLon (sevtold ofreporters en each) and will be all out to Thursday that he won’t bewin this gameanyone and claim taking forbragging grantedrights. in Enyimba head into the game in this draw. fine“Iform fromtotheir didn’tcoming come here lose2-0 away win against Benin’s Energie in the first round two and FC in the League two,” heCAF said.Champions “I care about the moment. I care about the results.”
Iheanacho Scores First EPL Goal For Leicester
S
uper Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho scored his first Premier League goal for Leicester City as they beat West Bromwich Albion 4 -1 at the Hawthorns. Kelechi who is now Nigeria’s record goal scorer in the English Football Association Challenge Cup (FA Cup), had not yet found the back of the net in the Premier League since he moved from Manchester City. The Nigerian was on the bench for the match, while compatriot Wilfred Ndidi was again a top per-
former as Leicester had to come from a goal down to win. Iheanacho was introduced in the 60th minute for Shinji Okazaki and almost immediately provided an assist for Riyad Mahrez to put the Foxes in front. Kelechi made sure of the three points in the 76th minute when he converted Ben Chilwell’s cross, before Vincete Iborra completed the scoring. The 21-year-old will hope to continue his goal scoring exploits with Leicester City when they host Chelsea in the FA Cup round of 16.
on Wednesday and are unbeaten in their last eight NPFL games. It will be the first time Enugu Rangers coach Gbenga Ogunbote who was in charge of Enyimba last season will be facing his former club in the league this season. His team picked a point against one of his former clubs, Sunshine Stars in Akure last Sunday and he will be gunning for maximum points in this game. Nnewi is the venue of another oriental derby with FC Ifeanyiubah and Abia Warriors up against each other. Matches between the two teams have always been a keenly contested affair and this may not be an exception. The two league games between the two sides last season ended in a 0-0 and 2-2 draw. In Damaturu, league leaders Kano Pillars will seek to consolidate their hold on top of the table when they face Yobe Desert Stars. The Sai Masu Gida are unbeaten in their last eight games and will bank on the resourcefulness of league top scorer, Junior Lokosa, who has scored 10 goals in 11 NPFL games this season to deliver the goods once again. Champions, Plateau United, will return to league action with an away game against Niger Tornadoes at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna. The Jos club lost 1-0 to Enyimba in their last league game and also went down to a 4-2 defeat against Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in the CAF Champions League on Tuesday. Second placed Lobi Stars will welcome last season’s top scorer,
Anthony Okpotu, back to their fold when they host Katsina United at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi. Okpotu who was away on international duty at the start of the season return to training this week and is now expected to share goal scoring responsibilities with Samad Kadiri who has notched five goals so far for the Makurdi club. In Ilorin, the attention will be on Kwara United head coach, John Obuh when his team take on ElKanemi Warriors. Obuh was handed a three-match ultimatum two weeks ago by the management of the club to turn things around following a 1-0 home defeat to River United and lost the first of the three games to Abia Warriors last weekend. The Harmony Boys occupy last position in the NPFL table. The ‘Soccer Temple,’ Agege Stadium Lagos, will host the encounter between MFM FC and Heartland, while Go Round will entertain Sunshine Stars at the Krisdera Stadium in Omoku. In another matchday 12 fixture, struggling Wikki Tourists will file out against fifth placed Rivers United at the new Jos Stadium. On Monday, Akwa United who are without a win in their last two NPFL games will host Nasarawa United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. The game was shifted to Monday by the League Management Company after the Promise Keepers arrived the country on Saturday from Tunisia where they played against Al Ittihad of Tunisia in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Messi Announces Arrival Of Child After Withdrawing From Barca Squad
T
he Argentine has confirmed fans’ suspicions after he had withdrawn from the squad to face Malaga for ‘personal reasons’ Lionel Messi has announced the arrival of his third child after Barcelona had announced earlier in the day that he had withdrawn from the squad to face Malaga. The Blaugrana alerted the public early in the day on Saturday that their star player would not make the trip to La Rosaleda with the rest of the squad, stating only that the Argentine would not feature in the Liga clash due to ‘personal reasons’, with centreback Yerry Mina taking his
place in the squad. Messi announced in October of 2017 that his wife, Antonella, was pregnant again, leading fans to suspect that the birth of his third child was the reason for his exclusion from the squad.
70 SPORTS
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Ronaldo Fires Real Madrid Past Eibar
Challenges Of Baseball In Nigeria BY KEHINDE LANIYAN
C
ristiano Ronaldo proved his class once again as he bagged a brace in Real Madrid’s 2-1 away win against Eibar in their Spanish LaLiga clash at the Estadio Municipal de Ipurua on Saturday. The Portugal star has now scored 14 goals in his last eight outings in Spain’s top flight this season. Zinedine Zidane’s men remain in the third position with 54 points with the win, 15 points behind runaway leaders Barcelona. The visitors as expected dominated proceedings but Eibar also created a number of half chances in the game. Ronaldo put the European champions ahead in the 34th minute following a beautiful pass from Luka Modric. Croatian playmaker Modric who had not kicked a ball since February 14 due to injury played a sublime pass to Ronaldo who fired the ball into the net from 12 yards. Eibar equalised five minutes after the break through Ivan Ramis following a corner-kick. Ramos nodded the ball into the bottom corner after meeting Pedro Leon’s corner. Ronaldo nearly scored his second of the game in the 62nd minute from a delightful Gareth Bale cross but his effort was saved by the Eibar goalkeeper. Real looked rattled afterwards with the hosts coming close to scoring the winning goal a couple of times. Ronaldo however team’s rescue with the from time. Eibar conceded they did in the buildand the Portuguese goal off a Dani
came to the home winner five minutes possession in manner like up to Real’s first goal nodded home the crucial Carvajal cross.
Rashford Double Downs Liverpool At Old Trafford
Marcus R a s h fo rd w a s Manchester United’s hero as they beat fierce rivals Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford to take control of second place in the Premier League table Rashford - who had not started a Premier League game since last year - stunned Liverpool with two early goals as Jurgen Klopp’s defence h a d no answer for R o m e l u Lukaku as Jose
Sunday March 11, 2018
Mourinho’s side played longball football to perfection. Eric Bailly’s own goal with 24 minutes remaining set up a potential grandstand finish, but for all their pressure, Liverpool created few real chances as David De Gea went relatively untroubled. The result leaves United five points ahead of thirdplaced Liverpool, and boosts both Tottenham and Chelsea’s chances of a topfour finish. While United have little to no chance of preventing Manchester City from winning the title, this win along with recent comeback victories over Chelsea and Crystal Palace - will help Mourinho’s side build momentum as they seek silverware in the Champions League and FA Cup.
I was about putting pen to paper to write story on baseball and its challenges in Nigeria when I got a mail from the president of Berlin Flamingos, a baseball club based in Germany. I did not know the club because that was my first time of hearing about it. As the Secretary General of the Nigerian Baseball and Softball Association, I was asked to sign release form for a Nigerian player, who plays semi-professional baseball in Italy but now seeking transfer to Berlin, Germany. His name is Kolawole Jimmy Walex. I have written about him before in an article titled, Baseball in His Heart. The article was published in Ibaf online magazine. While we face challenges that hinder us from moving forward in life we also harvest some opportunities. Entry of Walex into semi professionalism, if I may call it that way, is part of opportunities that come with sports development initiatives. Walex is still the only known living success story of a Nigerian playing active baseball in Europe today. He is one out of hundreds of players, who represented Nigeria and their states playing baseball and softball at the national and continental championships. He has been playing in Europe for over 10 years. Before Walex, two other players were invited to minor league in the U.S. Augustine Gabriel and Gbenga Olayemi. Augustine Gabriel was a pitcher, who stared for Minna Royals baseball club of Minna, Nigeria and made the national team during all Africa Games of 1995 and 1999. He got visa to leave the country but had his life cut short in a motor accident. His other mate, Gbenga Olayemi, made it to the US but very little is known today about his exploits to survive as a ball player. That Walex has been unable to play in the US, and in the Major League Baseball must be disappointing to him and obviously to us who has been promoting baseball in Nigeria in the past 25 years. To many of us in Nigeria, Major League Baseball is the height of professionalism. Every Nigerian baseball player wants to get there. The love of baseball is pervasive among our players both old and young. The minute they know how to put on the glove, the information is passed on that this can get them to play in the biggest league in the world and in the God's own country, America. An American friend that I met during a recent visit to the US told me that playing in the Major League is a tough ambition to realise, even for a child born in the US where baseball is well rooted. I believed him. I also know my Nigerian players are not deterred or discouraged by this in their determination to realise their dream of playing in the Major League. Nigerians are adventurous people, gifted with spirit that keeps them searching, experimenting and trying new ideas, not only in sports but in every aspect of life. This is part of the reason why Nigerians are found in every part of the world trying to make a living. Just few weeks ago, Nigerian ladies took part for the first time in the Winter Olympics. In Nigeria we don't even know what
winter looks Nigerians are among the most dispersed people on earth. The Nigerian spirit gives me the assurance that one day a Nigerian will make it to the big league in baseball. "Naija no dey carry last". Given Nigeria's huge population, the day that happens, will be the day the gateway to Africa will open for baseball. I could remember a case of Baba Sunday Lawole, an old man that we appointed the administrator of baseball in Oyo State, way back in 1996. He was a business man and he loved young people greatly. With this combination one would think his involvement would push the game far. He invested on provision of equipment using local contents. He appointed a coach, accommodated him and put him on salary. Our young people were ready to try the new game but equipment proved the obstacle. He told me in confidence that getting to play baseball was a risky road to travel because one may even lose a tooth or an eye playing the game. Lack of baseball equipment frustrated Lawole's leadership. The good side is that some of the young people he trained are still in the game, some now taking to coaching little ones in the game. Equipment is a knotty issue to developing baseball in Nigeria. We have received some assistance from well-meaning people across the globe, particularly the US. Some coaches and players have gone into equipment drive, talking to friends and organisations. I believe the problem with equipment will reduce when we begin to have it in retail shops where those who need them can buy. To get to that level is a challenge. Getting to that level means that our business people would have seen reasonable opportunities for profit in importing baseball equipment. One Reebok manager told me what I did not know about sales of sports equipment many years ago. I was given the address of this manager who was based in South Africa. I was so simple about it at the time and felt with just a phone call Rawlings Sports and Reebok would run to Nigeria to sell baseball equipment to my players or set up a small manufacturing outfit using local materials. After all we have very huge population. The man told me it was not that simple. He said coming to Nigeria would be a business decision. That was another word for the fact that they have to go to where they would be making profit. Last year November and December was very important for Little League baseball and softball in Nigeria. We had our annual camping for players. Coach Henrica Dirks came from the Netherlands to train Softball coaches and players. Coaches Raymond Thomas and Gerard Hall came from US to train baseball coaches and players. Lack of equipment reared up its ugly head. We had gloves, bats, helmets and all kinds of protectors for legs and chests, but not one single baseball. It was that bad.
--Kehinde Laniyan is the District Administrator, Little League Nigeria District (01), Secretary General Nigeria Baseball & Softball Association and School of Officer, SADPT, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
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SPORTS 71
‘Joshua, Wilder Can Make $250m If They Fight’
E
vander Holyfield, former world heavyweight boxing champion, says Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder stand to make as much as $250m if they face each other. But for that to happen, Joshua will have to beat Joseph Parker in a heavyweight unification bout on March 31 at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Holyfield said if Joshua overcomes Parker, the mega bout against Wilder must take place as soon as possible. The boxing legend said the British boxer should fight the American while the money is there. “I don’t know if Joshua is going to beat Parker,” Holyfield told BBC Sport. “All three of them have got the mindset and all three [Joshua, Wilder and Parker] are youngish too. “If Joshua wins [against Parker], I think he and Wilder can both make about $250million so why not make the money while the money’s there? “In being a great fighter you make money because you have proven to the people you are the best out there.” Wilder, the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, and Joshua have been involved in a war of words but are yet to agree on a date for the unification fight.
Nigerian Defender Switches Allegiance Back To Hungary After Latest Snub Former Super Eagles hopeful, Kenneth Otigba has switched allegiance back to Hungary after Gernot Rohr failed to name him in his latest squad for upcoming friendly games. It appears Otigba who now plays for Hungarian side Ferencvaros was hoping to be a part of Nigeria’s squad for
preparations for the World Cup, but Rohr appears not to have a spot for the 25 year old in his squad. Rohr reportedly sounded out his desire to have the former Heerenven defender in his squad one year ago, while he was on loan at Turkish side Kasimpasa, but nothing came out of the interest of the Nigerian coach in regards
to a call up to the team. Otigba who turned down an invitation from Hungary in 2013 in favour of a call up from Nigeria has now agreed to be included in the Hungarian squad ahead of their upcoming friendly games in March according to coach Georges Leekens. Leekens said Otigba has agreed
to play for the country he captained at youth level once again, hence his inclusion in the squad for the games against Kazakhstan and Scotland. “I think the biggest surprise in the list is Otigba Kenneth’s name”, Leekens said while speaking on the list of players for the games against Kazakhstan and Scotland respectively.
“ I contacted him and we talked for a long time because I wanted to know if you would like to play in the Hungarian national team with the whole heart to help the national team.” “As he replied yes, I invited him to the frame as well because I think I can benefit the team, but I also think of all the other players in the frame.”.
Zenit Saint Petersburg Tables Guardiola Warns Man City Against Complacency £5m Bid For Omeruo Pep Guardiola has told his Manches- body thought we could lose against 16 clear of second-placed Manches-
Kenneth Omeruo is set for a permanent departure from English Premier League side Chelsea in the summer at the end of his current loan deal with Turkish top flight side Kasimpasa . Zenit St. Petersburg were close to signing the 24 year old in February, but their proposal to have him on an initial loan deal was knocked back by Chelsea, who were only keen on an outright transfer. Omeruo has endured six different loan spells since moving to Chelsea in 2013, and with no first
team appearance to his team, the club have decided to let go of him for a fee in the region of £5m. With 20 appearances to his name in the Turkish top flight for Kasimpasa and a goal as well, his form has helped him put himself in the shop window as well as a spot in the Nigeria national team ahead of the World Cup in Russia later this year. Spartak Moscow were also close to signing him in February, but there’s no report of them returning back for him in the summer unlike Zenit who are hoping to snare him in the summer on a permanent basis. Omeruo signed for Chelsea from Standard Liege in January 2012 and upon signing went on loan to Dutch top-flight side ADO Den Haag. Then only 19, he impressed enough in the Eredivisie to earn a call up to the Nigerian national team. Now a regular international, Omeruo has represented Nigeria at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. Omeruo cemented a place in the starting line-up at the Africa Cup of Nations as it turned into a wonderful tournament for the Super Eagles and they emerged from the tournament victorious.
ter City players to use their Champions League defeat by Basle as a wake-up call to ensure standards do not slip with two more trophies still up for grabs. City, with the League Cup already in the bag, are virtually certain to win the Premier League title and are among the favourites to lift the Champions League for the first time in their history. City were beaten 2-1 by Swiss champions Basle in midweek, as Guardiola made six changes, with the likes of David Silva and Vincent Kompany left out. It was only the manager’s second home defeat since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium in July 2016 but it was not a costly one as City still progressed to the quarterfinals with a 5-2 aggregate victory. He was not happy with the display, though, saying his players “forgot to attack” and is hoping for better when they travel to relegation-threatened Stoke on Monday. Guardiola’s side need a maximum of 12 points from their final nine matches to win the Premier League title but the manager has warned that easing off will lead to problems. “I know everyone wants to anticipate the situation and what will happen,” he said. “Everyone is thinking about when we will win the title. “The best example (of that being dangerous) was two days ago. No-
Basle and we lost against Basle. “You have to be focused because Stoke away is always complicated. They are fighting to be in the Premier League.”a Guardiola described the points gap at this stage of the season – City are
ter United ahead of the weekend’s fixtures – as “exceptional” but said they could not afford to let down their guard. “What happens in the (Champions League) quarterfinals depends on our level in the Premier League,” he said.
Man city players return to training ahead of trip to Stoke on Monday
AMUSEMENT PARK
DISTANT RELATIVES ARE THE BEST KIND AND THE FURTHER AWAY THE BETTER
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY
— KIN HUBBARD
11.03.18
SPAACE FOR SALE
No. 631 N300
Guest Our Colo-mentality Too Columnist Much With African Standard FAROUK MARTINS ARESA
A
fricans are advancing, no doubt, but still at a point in 2018 where we value standards such as “civilized world, saner climes”; preference for foreign workers with less qualifications, foreign miseducation repackaged to us to avoid the label of “expired education” and, most important, the Gold Standard used to influence fair and free trade. Education that does not foster foreign standard is an uphill battle. It is no secret that African employers prefer foreign graduates to our local university graduates. We have to be fair; some employers have good reasons like: it takes them too long to graduate because of strikes or students lack certain skills employers want. The one that ticked this writer off is that they don’t have time to train locals. Usually they look for readymade graduates that are foreign trained, the same way we patronize foreign hospitals despite highly trained staff and equipped wards at our teaching hospitals, love foreign rice and hate local cassava bread.
If one had joked that he preferred foreign graduates locally, he might get away but certainly not outside the Continent. Most of us cannot imagine an American, German, Irish or British saying he cannot hire an American and prefer foreign graduates in America without losing his job or an election today when antiimmigrant sentiment is high. While it is appalling that after first year at local university, some lecturers jump to new universities to become professors; it is not an excuse by another foreign loser elevating himself to get recruits to say local education expired. However, the most disqualifying requirement for most well qualified African graduates in the job market abroad is lack of Canadian, American or British experience. So many foreign talents are wasted abroad. But those African graduates that could slip through the bureaucracy always come out with flying colours proving to be more competent. Most of the blacks in American universities as graduate students are Africans, West Indians or their second
generation. Actually, some of the distinguished African professors in many universities abroad got first or second degrees from African universities. If these sons and daughters of Africa can excel in their chosen fields of study anywhere, one has to wonder what they could do if our African employers spent some quality time to train them at home instead of looking for less qualified expatriates. No one wants global multinationals to discriminate against either foreign or local graduates. The same expired education trained new generation of graduates in arts and natural sciences recognized as pioneers in vitro surgeries, automobile engineering, social sciences, arts and literature. Boston childhood lead paint poisoning prevention that led in United States through the eighties and nineties until high levels of lead in children was almost wiped out, had an African manager. Though Nollywood is highly praised and successful outside, our scholars ridiculed it instead of contributing to make it better. Ogunde, the pioneer, said if he had studied abroad, it could have killed his ingenuity. As some African scholars claim Africans do not speak good English, others do recognize that we can import English into our language and export out philosophies, idioms and thoughts into English by writing many best sellers such as “Things Fall Apart”. As soon as foreign recognition is given, the tunes change. The scholars that once see American English as inferior, now point to even the British copying them today. In order to ameliorate this blatant assertion by this Nigerian, the facilitating professor tried to set him
Mohammed
right by saying he meant preference for African foreign graduates not the foreigners. It certainly was not enough because most African local graduates know that foreign graduates are paid more except in the governments where there are salary levels graded by degrees. But in the private sector, the foreigners without university degreesnot only earn much more than local and foreign African graduates, the socalled expatriates supervise them. It’s all colo-mentality. Coming back to the training part; for sixty years or after independence from colonial powers, African countries have not insisted that every major contract or project must include training of Africans! It is only lately in some African countries, including Lesotho, that we see such contracts included in their projects. Some West African countries including Nigeria and Ghana would rather accept bribes and give foreign contractors a pass as in South Africa Zuma/ Gupta/gate. Frivolous excuse that they have no time to train local graduates prevent local production of pins and pencils. Our universities cry for imported equipment instead of designing and making theirs after so many years. Imagine how many engineers, ironworkers,
plumbers could have come out of Eko Bridge, Eko Atlantic or diamond and gold mines that were exported from countries with so much, one was named Gold Coast. Colo-mentality pride on English gold and expatriates. This brings us to the meaning of standard. Whenever you hear an African talk about “standard”, please ask him whose standard he was referring to. Most of the standards Africans talk about have no relevance, input or consideration for and from Africans. They are American, British or western standards, mostly. In some cases, such as World Health Organization bodies, African experts are consulted or actually have inputs before the “standards” are developed. When China started their barefoot doctors and finally got to the point where their scientists are awarded Nobel Prize, nobody would even think of meeting “world standard”. If the Russians have to wait until they could meet “world standard”, they would still be trying to figure out how nuclear bomb design could be stolen and developed. Nobody outside America doubts that the Cubans produce some of the world best doctors, yet they did not wait to meet “world standard”. Those of us old enough know the history of the “Gold Standard” that was abandoned when it could not be supported by their natural resources and services. It is still used to control world financial system by printing papers instead as: I Owe You. If you have been following this train of thought, the meaning of “standard” is so jaundiced to favour those that developed it. Yet, the Africans that are not invited for input or contribution are the ones insisting on rigid standard. When United States CDC
rushed to Nigeria during Ebola, diagnosis had already been made from homemade machines in one of the new universities: Redeem in a village at Ede. The slogan was if Nigeria could kick Ebola, so could USA! Schools of health technologies training community health officers, Nurses and other health grassroots workers were established by giants in the field in Nigeria hoping at least one African country would catch up with our needs and spread it across the continent. When was the last time you heard Community Health Officer deserted? Our educational standard has not expired, just to be renewed by foreign equipment. We have not developed ours as China, Germany, Cuba or North Korea according to our languages/cultures. We are still training doctors, nurses, engineers and social scientists for alien countries. We then wonder why most of our doctors desert our countries for greener pasture. – Aresa wrote from Abuja. Culled from The WILL online
GHANA MUST GO Tillerson, US Secretary of State warns Nigeria against China loans — News
See me see trouble!
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Happy International Women’s Day in Arrears, to all women around the globe The International Women’s day (IWD) celebrated March 8 every year, was celebrated this year with the theme “Press For Progress To Help Accelerate s ’ r o Gender Parity”. t Edirner For those who question why there should be a day dedicated to the Co celebration of women, there is no point arguing that, but to everyone who has experienced the love of a mother, sister, friend, wife or even daughter, you know there aren’t enough ways to celebrate these gorgeous beings. This is aside the fact that behind, every successful man is a woman, praying, pushing, encouraging or nagging you to the top, so which ever one you find yourself, learn to thank God for the many blessings they portend in your lives. For our cover personality these week, we celebrate women by featuring President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, a journalist and passionate gender activist, who tells us the position of the Nigerian woman. We also feature a two page special International Women’s Day package, featuring top 10 Most Influential Women in Nigeria in Celebration of IWD. Our regular pages remain as exciting as ever as we feature our Arewa star, celebrity profiles, star star, foodies, health and wellness fashion and entertainment among several others As usual, this edition promises rich, entertaining and stylish content for your reading pleasure, so relax and read till we catch up with you again next week.
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leadership style
Fashion News
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
Victoria Kimani Lauches Own Fashion Line
Rihanna To Launch Lingerie Line STORIES BY Oluwatoyin Aguda Following the success of her Fenty beauty collection which reportedly raked in a whopping 78 Million Dollars within its first month, Rihanna is expanding her brand into other entrepreneurial routes. She is reportedly set to launch her own line of intimates wears. Although, the singer is yet to give full details as to what her fans
should expect from her new venture but TechStyle Fashion Group, the company behind Kate Hudson’s activewear collection, Fabletics, has reportedly struck a deal with her for an exclusive collection of undergarments. Rihanna is no doubt making rave as a fashion entrepreneur, following the rapid successes of Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty line and Fenty x Puma collaboration.
American-born Kenyan singer, songwriter and actress, Victoria Kimani is adding to her resume as the singer has joined the list of artistes who own a fashion line. She recently launched her own line of jackets which are African inspired. For lovers of bomber jackets, the pieces come in unique prints and are exclusively African. The artist who is scheduled for a Kenyan tour starting next month with shows in Mombasa, Kisii, Eldoret and Nairobi is already taking orders for her new collections despite having several events lined up for her musical career.
Chimamanda Adichie Dazzles In Dior For The Golden Curvy Models Celebrate International Vanity Fair Oscar After Party Women’s Day with ‘#Metoo’ Campaign Golden curvy models of JPKingdom have joined the rest of the world to mark the 2018 International Women’s Day using the hashtag “#Metoo’’ which beams the spotlight on sexual harassment and abuse of women in different forms. The plus size models had a photo-shoot to support the women-driven campaign to fight against any form of harassment in style as part of their programmes of this year’s women’s day celebration. Over the
years women have been marginalized in many forms, body shaming is one of the many harassments they face, especially the plus size in many parts of the world and Nigeria is no exceptions. The #MeToo campaign sheds light on the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment, especially in the workplaces, followed soon after the public revelations of sexual misconduct allegations against Harvey Weinstein.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie made a stunning appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in a gorgeous Dior dress. The writer chose a gorgeous Dior dress from the brand’s 2018 Resort Collection which drew its visual inspiration from the wall paintings in the Lascaux cave in South West France She completed the look with a mini crystal Zashadu bag, and teardrop earring from FF Fine Jewellery, Nigeria.
Tecno Mobile Holds Master Class for Photography Lovers TECNO Mobile has taken its enviable feat to a whole new level as it hosted Nigeria’s biggest smartphone photography master class at this years’ edition of the Social Media Week Lagos, which took place at the Landmark Towers, Victoria Island Lagos. The annual event brought together top executives and experts from different works of life to educate and empower photography lovers, service providers and mobile phone users. At the Masterclass, Speakers such as popular freelance journalist, celebrity YouTuber and Founder of DIY Dose Torera Idowu along with seasoned Tourist,
Documentary and Lifestyle photographer – Abdusalam Hamza and Lead Photographer at Wakafire Smartphone Photography – Obasa Olorunfemi were on hand to spearhead the training sessions along with senior executives from the smartphone brand.
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leadership style
society gist
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
‘Imposters’ Star Parker Young Engaged, Expecting First Child with Fiancee Stephanie Weber Surprise! Imposters star Parker Young proposed to longtime girlfriend Stephanie Weber and the duo are expecting their first child together, a baby girl. “I’m thrilled to start a family,” Young, 29, exclusively reveals to Us Weekly. “As a man who has been raised by an incredible mother, I have so much love and respect for women. It’s amazing
knowing I’m about to have a daughter. We are so grateful #thefutureisfemale.” The Arrow actor and the creative director of the woman’s apparel company Satao’s Keeper met in high school 12 years ago and had an on-again, off-again longdistance relationship while Young moved from Arizona to L.A. to pursue acting US Weekly reports
Wizkid Adopts Goat As Pet and Brags About It On Twitter
Wizkid took to his instagram page to announce his new pet which happens to be a goat. Egunfe! in my own dialect. Well Baba sabi wetin him dey
do sha! I hope so.. Guess this is the addition to the Starboy FC, Incase you are also signed there, welcome your new team mate.
Meghan Markle To Be Baptized In Church Of England: Report CELEBRITY MOMs:Kris Jenner Says Kylie Jenner ‘Was Born to Have Kids’ Gushing grandma! Kris Jenner was all smiles when discussing new grandbaby Stormi and daughter Kylie Jenner while at the grand opening of Nassif MD & Associates in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, March 7. “She’s doing really, really great!” the Keeping Up With the Kardashians matriarch, 62, told reporters of 20-year-old Kylie, who gave birth to Stormi a month ago. “The baby’s happy and healthy!” Though the Lip Kit maven is a young mom, Kris thinks her daughter is doing a fantastic job as a first-time parent. “I think she was just born to have kids,” Kris said. “I felt like I was the same way. I wanted to have a baby when I was 16 years old. I thought about how many kids I would have. So I think that some people are just … when you know, you know.” While Kylie is adjusting to becoming a mother, the momager has been by her daughter’s side to help. “Kris has been spending a lot of
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time at Kylie’s house since she came home with Stormi,” a source told Us Weekly exclusively in February. “Kylie has been a natural at being a mother. However, it has been overwhelming, and Kylie has relied on Kris during these first few days.”
Meghan Markle, who was raised Protestant, will reportedly be baptized in the Church of England before her wedding to Prince Harry, The Sunday Times reports. The royal-to-be, 36, will be joined at the baptism by mom Doria Ragland and father Thomas Markle later this month at Kensington Palace, according to the British outlet.
This will reportedly mark the first time Markle’s dad will meet his future son-in-law as his daughter is confirmed as an Anglican. The traditional ceremony will be performed by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who will also officiate the royal wedding on May 19 at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
leadership style
editor’s fab weekly picks
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
Must Read: The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi When eight-year-old Jessamy Harrison moves to her mother’s Nigerian compound, she befriends a mysterious girl, Titiola, and it seems that Jess has found someone who will finally understand her. But Titiola, who Jess calls TillyTilly, knows secrets both big and small. Suffused with Nigerian mythology, along with a dose of psychological suspense, THE ICARUS GIRL is a powerful novel readers of magical realism will enjoy.
Must Listen: Ire by Adekunle Ire is another song by Adekunle Gold is an inspirational with clear-cut meaningful lyrics content. The song which was released about a week ago won the hearts of many Nigerians. Proving that beyond reasonable doubt that you don’t need to sing about women, sex and drugs to make mark in Nigeria’s music industry. Sometimes, fans want inspirational songs capable giving them the morale needed to keep going in life.Ire is a well-thought out song fully packed with lessons of life. Although delivered on a slow tempo beat, Adekunle Gold still maintains his usual Must Visit: The Mambilla Plateau style of music delivery. Meanwhile, his ability to balance his native language, Yoruba with English helped a great deal to The Mambilla Plateau is a plateau in the Taraba State of Nigeria. It is Nigeria’s northern ensure the important lesson in the song is understood my many. continuation of the Bamenda Highlands of Cameroon. According to the singer, the song “Ire” is more of a summary of his experiences and Journey in life The Mambilla Plateau has an average elevation of about 1,600 metres (5,249 ft) above before he becomes the Adekunle Gold that he is today. sea level, making it the highest plateau in Nigeria. Some of its villages are situated on hills that must be at least 1,828 metres (5,997 ft) high above sea level. The plateau has its south and eastern escarpments standing along the Cameroonian Must Watch: border, while the remainder of its giant northern escarpment and its western slope are in Nigeria. The Figurine This is the story of two friends and a girl who are all down on their luck, but their lives are completely changed when one of them discovers Arorimire, a mysterious figurine in an abandoned shrine which according to legend bestows seven years of good luck, but no one told them about the seven years of badluck that would follow…For Nigerian movie lovers, the figurine, is a must watch. The Movie directed by Kunle Afolayan features popular actors including Ramsey Nouah, Omoni Oboli, Tosin Sido, and Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi among others.
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leadership style
arewa star
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
Halima Yusuf Atete Beautiful Kannywood star, Halima Yusuf Atete was born 26th November, 1988 in Maiduguri, Borno State. She attended Maiganari Primary School and Yerwa Government Day Secondary School respectively. And thereafter proceeded to Mohammed Goni College for Legal Studies where she obtained a national diploma in Shari’a and Civil Law. She joined the Hausa Film Industry (Kannywood) in the year 2012 when she featured in Asalina (My Origin) which she produced herself. Halima Atete is a well-known face in the Hausa film industry. Often plays mischievous and jealous-filled roles and has become an authority in the industry. On her entry into the Kannywood movie industry, she said she became more notable perhaps after appearing as ‘Tantiriya’ in Aminu Saira’s KONA GARI. Atete is very passionate about acting. Recalling her sojourn in the industry, she said “I was in a drama club in my secondary school and I realized then acting is the only thing I want to do in my life. I want it so bad that I didn’t want to go to college after my secondary school. I did that diploma because there’s nothing I could do and I had no idea how to tell my father! After a while my brother had an accident and started writing a story I reasoned this was the break I was looking for and colluded with my brother that we should start producing films because that was the only way out. I told him we should invite the actors to Maiduguri since we’ve never been to Kano. So we made enquiries and had someone talk to some of the artiste like Shu’aibu Lawan (Kumurci), Saratu Gidado (Daso), Bashir Nayay, Kabiru Nakwango etc. The shoot started, and because everything was provided from our house I had to tell my father that we were just helping them but the movie wasn’t ours. We even took some of my father’s bags which Kabiru Nakwango used during the shoot. But at last I told my father that it was our film, I felt I must tell him because I had to go to Kano for editing and eventually he would know. Luckily, he agreed and I left for Kano. At Kano if my father called and asked me why did I stay that long I always told him that they were still editing the movie. After sometime, I told
him that the movie was in the market and I still had to stay and collect my money. That’s the time I did KONA GARI and MAZA DA MATA. They (home) had no idea that I was acting until WATA HUTU was released because my father in particular doesn’t watch movies. You know they won’t just agree with it at first, but after we
talked about it with my father, he understood, blessed me and wished me all the best. That’s how I found myself in acting. Of all the films she has acted , she says she likes WATA HUDU the most because everything is perfect and she knows that she was outstanding and lots of people acknowledge that fact. The popular actress has appeared in over 150 films including Dakin Amarya, Wata Hudu , Hannu da Hannu, Maza
da Mata… She has also won several awards, these include the best upcoming actress award organized by City People Entertainment, Lagos in 2013. Nollywood Voxafrica recognized me as best
actress 2016 in the UK. Arewa Music and Movies Award crowned me as best charismatic actress 2016. She runs a foundation, Atete Foundation, which provides assistance to IDPs in Borno, Adamawa, and Gombe State Others include Alkalin Kauya, Ashabul Kahfi, Ba’asi , Bani Bake, Bikin Yar Gata, Dakin Amarya, Kona Gari Kurman Allo, Mai Dalilin Aure (Match Maker) and Matar Jami’a among others She has won a number of awards. She received the best upcoming actress award organized by City People Entertainment, Lagos in 2013. Nollywood Voxafrica recognized her as best actress 2016 in the UK. Arewa Music and Movies Award crowned me as best charismatic actress 2016. She runs a foundation, Atete Foundation, which provides assistance to IDPs in Borno, Adamawa, and Gombe States. The popular actor in an interview with Premium times said Kannywood is indeed improving by the day. The quality of movies being produced now from the stable of the Kannywood can be compared with international films we watch on satellite. There is great development in the industry now especially in terms of equipment. Aside being an actor, the petite film maker is a producer and assures she is currently recording a film of her own, titled “Uwar Gulma” meaning “mother of gossips”. Halima Atete is one of the best up-coming female actors in Kannywood right now. She became more notable perhaps after appearing as ‘Tantiriya’ in Aminu Saira’s KONA GARI. Atete is very passionate about acting. In a chat with Kannywoodscene recently, the beautiful actress spoke to Nura Abubakar about her career and many other topics
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foodie
leadership style
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
Tuwon Shinkafa Da Miyan Kuka and debone. Grind the crayfish and ogiri/okpei with a spice/coffee grinder. Grind or pound the pepper. Cut the onion into big chunks. I use chunks of onion when I want the flavour of onion but not pieces of onion in what I am cooking. Boil some water and set aside, you may need it.
Foodie Tuwon Shinkafa Da Miyan Kuka By MILLICENT AREBUN ONUOHA Tuwo in Hausa parlance refers to all swallows, it could be tuwon shinkafa (Rice pudding), Tuwon masara(Maize pudding) or Tuwon Dawa among others. However, Miyan kuka is best eaten with tuwon masara or tuwon shinkafa. Never mind the look of this soup, it tastes so good. If you love Ogbono Soup, you will love Miya Kuka even more. Ingredients for Miyan Kuka The quantity of Miyan Kuka soup that the following quantities of ingredients will give you depends on the consistency you like for your soups. As you cook the soup, add water to bring it to the consistency you like. Some people like is quite watery, I like it moderately thick. 3 tablespoons kuka powder (dry baobab leaves powder) 1kg cow ribs (cut into pieces) 2 dry cat fish 2 cooking spoons red palm oil 2 handfuls crayfish (2 tablespoons ground crayfish) 1 flat round dawa dawa (ogiri okpei, iru, locust beans) Habanero pepper (atarugu, ose oyibo, atarodo) 1 onion 2 big seasoning cubes Salt (to your taste) For grinding the crayfish and dawa dawa, you will need: A spice/coffer grinder: Buy it in USA | in UK With most Nigerian recipes, especially Nigerian soups recipes, we go freestyle when it comes to the quantities of ingredients. The quantities of all the ingredients listed above can be adjusted to your taste. Palm oil is essential to this soup. Once you add palm oil, you will notice a delicious change in the aroma of this soup. Kuka powder is dark so you will only notice a slight change in the colour of the soup when you add palm oil. You can use cayenne pepper (fresh or dry) or Scotch bonnet peppers instead of habanero peppers. Before you cook Miyan Kuka Soak the dry cat fish in some cool or lukewarm water. When soft, clean thoroughly
Preparations for Miyan Kuka Cook the cow ribs with the seasoning cubes and onion. When the meat is done, turn off the heat, remove the chunks of onion then take out the meat from the beef stock. Add the kuka powder, spreading over the meat stock as you add. Then stir very well with a slotted spoon to ensure that you get a smooth mix without lumps. Add the pepper, crayfish and dawa dawa blend and palm oil. Stir very well. Cover and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring it from time to time. Kuka is very much like ogbono hence sticks to the bottom of the pot if not stirred often. After 5 minutes, add the cooked beef and some salt if necessary. Stir very well. Cover and once it boils again, it is done! If you have any questions about this recipe, click here to ask me. Miyan Kuka is best served with Tuwo Shinkafa. In the absence of that, serve with any other Nigerian Fufu meal. Preparations for Tuwon Shinkafa Tuwon shinkafa is a northern Nigerian fufu recipe that is prepared with the soft rice variety. It is usually served with Northern Nigerian soups, Miyan Kuka, Miyan Taushe etc. It also goes well with other Nigerian soups. How to make Tuwon Shinkafa The rice used for Tuwo Shinkafa should be the soft rice variety that becomes sticky when cooked. This is so that the grains can be easily mashed to make a mass of fufu (tuwo). Ingredients Short/Medium grain soft rice Water (enough quantity to cook the rice till very soft and sticky) Before you make the Tuwon Shinkafa Rinse the rice in cold water and put in a sizeable pot. Directions Pour just enough water to cover the rice and start cooking at medium heat. When the first dose of water dries up, check the rice by mashing it between your fingers. If the rice grains have even a tiny resistance when you press them, then it needs to be cooked some more. Reduce the heat to low, add a little bit more water and continue cooking till the water dries. Repeat the process till the rice is so soft that it melts when you press on it. Once you’re happy, mash the rice with a wooden spatula by moving the rice in small quantities from the far end of the pot to your side of the pot. Fold the mound of tuwo and repeat till all the rice grains have turned into a mass of tuwo. Cover and leave it to steam for about 2 minutes. Mix thoroughly and dish serving quantities onto a thin plastic film and wrap them up. This wrapping prevents the tuwo from drying up. You can also serve them in smaller balls as shown in the image above.
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leadership style
special edition
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
10 Most Influential Women In Nigeria In Celebration Of IWD
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Amina J. Mohammed Amina J. Mohammed
The International Women’s day (IWD)is celebrated every March 8 every year, was celebrated this year with the theme ““Press For Progress To Help Accelerate Gender Parity” The International Women’s day (IWD)is celebrated every March 8 every year, was celebrated this year with the theme “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives”. The first international Women’s day was celebrated back in 1908 when a group of 15,000 women marched on the streets of New York, demanding their rights. Since then every year on 8th March the world joins hands together to support, raise, inspire and motivate women across all fields of work. The purpose of this day is to focus on various themes such as innovation, the portrayal of women in the media, or the importance of education and career opportunities. March 8th is a holiday in many countries, while others celebrate it by holding street marches, debates discussions and through a variety of other programmes. This is not forgetting the role of social media as the celebration is used to celebrate women greatly
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Ngozi OkonjoIwealaAmina J.
As Nigeria on Wednesday joined the rest of the world to celebrate the International Women’s Day, LEADERSHIP STYLE has chosen to bring to present our readers with the 10 most influential women in Nigeria as captured by My State News. 1. Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie 2. Amina J. Mohammed 3. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala 4. Folorunso Alakija 5. Bilikiss Adebiyi Abiola 6. Ainehi Edoro 7. Kemi Adeosun 8. Obiageli Ezekwesili 9. Linda Ikeji 10. Funke Akindele 1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie born 15 September 1977) is a Nigerian novelist, nonfiction writer and short story writer. A MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, James Copnall wrote in the Times Literary Supplement that she was “the most prominent” of a “procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors that is succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature. She was selected by fellow Nigerian Bibi Bakare-Yusuf
Folorunsho Alakija
for the way “she has taken African literature further into the Western mainstream and made it a must-have fashion accessory, to be sampled by the likes of Beyoncé and loved by Dior and Vogue.” The author of bestsellers such as Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, also became the new face of British pharmaceutical chain Boots’ cosmetic range No. 7, and has helped build an empowering image for African women 2. Amina J. Mohammed Amina J. Mohammed (born 27 June 1961) is the current Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and former Minister of Environment of Nigeria. Nigeria’s Environment Minister Amina Mohammed is leading the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiative and has mobilised global civil society to engage in the SDG framework. Having served on the task force for gender and education for UN’s Millennium Project and as the Special Adviser on Post2015 Development. 3. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala She served two terms as Finance Minister of Nigeria (2003-2006, 2011-2015)
Bilikiss Adebiyi Abiola
and was previously Managing Director of the World Bank (2007-2011). She currently chairs the Board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the African Risk Capacity (ARC). She is also a Senior Adviser at Lazard. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is renowned as the first female and black candidate to contest for the presidency of the World Bank Group in 2012. 4. Folorunsho Alakija Folorunsho Alakija is a Nigerian businesswoman, one of the richest African women and also one of the richest black women in the world. In 2014 she unseated Oprah Winfrey as the richest woman of African descent in the world. She is a business tycoon involved in the fashion, oil and printing industries. She is the group managing director of The Rose of Sharon Group which consists of The Rose of Sharon Prints & Promotions Limited and Digital Reality Prints Limited and the executive vicechairman of Famfa Oil Limited. Alakija is ranked by Forbes as the richest woman in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of $2.1 billion. As of 2015, she is listed as the second most powerful
leadership style
special edition
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
10 Most Influential Women In Nigeria In Celebration Of IWD
Ainehi Edoro
Kemi Adeosun
woman in Africa after Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the 87th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. 5. Bilikiss Adebiyi Abiola Bilikiss Adebiyi Abiola is a Nigerian CEO of a recycling company, Wecyclers, in Lagos. She was educated at MIT and came to notice due to a novel approach to recycling based on tricycles and SMS. The brains behind the Lagosbased recycling company Wecyclers, Bilikiss AdebiyiAbiola is one of the pioneers of the change in attitudes towards recycling and waste management in Nigeria. Subscribers to her service earn points per kilo of recycling, which can be redeemed for cash, electronic and household goods. In four years, Wecyclers has signed on more than 11,000 households and collected almost 1,000 tons of household waste. 6. Ainehi Edoro Another name selected by Bakare-Yusuf is Ainehi Edoro, the brains behind The Brittle Paper, a carefully curated online space that not only focuses on highbrow literature, but also active-
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Obiageli Ezekwesili
ly promotes genre literature. With her website, Edoro aims to engage with readers who enjoy African writing and shape their taste. 7. Kemi Adeosun Kemi was born in 1967 in London, United Kingdom to Nigerian parents from Ogun State She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of East London and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Financial Management from the University of London. She qualified as a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales in 1994. She was appointed the Commissioner of Finance in Ogun State, from 2011 till 2015. She is currently the minister of finance of federal republic of Nigeria, from 2015 till date. 8. Obiageli Ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili is a Nigerian chartered accountant. She was a co-founder of Transparency International, serving as one of the pioneer directors of the global anti-corruption body based in Berlin, Germany. She served as Federal Minister of Solid Minerals and then as Feder-
Linda Ikeji
al Minister of Education during the second-term presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. Since then, she served as the Vice-President of the World Bank’s Africa division from May 2007 to May 2012 Oby Ezekwesili is as fiery as she is intelligent. A major voice in the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, Oby shows strength of character, vision and decisive leadership.
Funke Akindele vealed that through the project, she assists young girls aged 16–25 who have great business ideas and are willing to venture into entrepreneurship. Most popular blogger in Nigeria, Linda Ikeji is best known for her controversial publications
10. Funke Akindele Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde is a Nigerian actress. She came to limelight af9. Linda Ikeji ter featuring in popular UnitIkeji was born and raised in ed Nations Population Fund a Catholic family from Nkwerre, Imo State. She is the sponsored sitcom; I Need to second child. Linda began Know, which ran from 1998 her hobby in writing at the to 2002 age of 10. She finished secFunke Akindele has done ondary school at the age of several Nollywood movies 17 and, at 18, enrolled at the that are unforgettable, inUniversity of Lagos, where cluding her self- produced she studied English Lanmovie with the Character tiguage. To assist her family tle Jennifer. Funke worked and support herself through in television before switchschool, she had part-time ing to cinema, she studjobs as a waitress, model ied Mass Communication in and writer. Ikeji graduated Ogun State Polytechnic, and from the University in 2004. later bagged a law degree In 2006, she started blogfrom the University of Lagos. ging as a hobby. At that time, In 2009, she won the Afrithe internet was not as proca Movie Academy Award nounced in Nigeria and she for Best Actress in a Leadhad to make her posts at a ing Role, and in 2015. She cybercafe won best actress in comedy Ikeji runs a non-profit projin 2016 and just concluded ect themed I’d rather be Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice self-made; No thanks. In her Awards 2017. interview with HipTV, she re-
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Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
Nigerian Women Have Fared Very Well Nigerian Women Have Fared Very Well Ifeyinwa Omowole is the National President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and an Assistant Editor, with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN). In this is exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP STYLE Editor, Ruth Tene Natsa, the media practitioner who spoke on how Nigerian women have fared despite its many challenges gave an insight into her life, work responsibilities and career‌ Excepts Who is Ifeyinwa Omowole? I am a simple down to earth, hardworking and dedicated woman. A mother, wife and a journalist. I read Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Benin, Edo state and hold a Masters’ degree in Media Culture and Technology from the University of Luton, Bedfordshire in the UK. I have also attended many workshops and courses on Health and Gender reporting, including train the train-
ers workshops. I love to teach and I have been teaching gender and health reporting for some years now. I started my journalism career in 1992 with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Where I still work till date as an Assistant Editor in chief. How have you been able to combine being a mother a wife a civil servant and President of the NAWOJ?
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Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018 Being a mother, wife and civil servant and NAWOJ President has just been grace. Women are naturally endowed to multi task. But one gets perfect as one gets older in the roles. Combining ones job with being president of a gender based association is not the easiest of tasks but thank God for understanding family, colleagues and bosses.
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As the World celebrates the International Women’s Day, how would you rate the advancement of Nigerian women? Nigerian women have fared well so far. There is hardly any sector that women are not found doing excellently well. Before now women were either in nursing or teaching. NAWOJ has been at the forefront front of campaigns for gender parity, the passage of the health Bill and VAPP law from the start to finish. Presently, NAWOJ is also part of the pressure group to ensure the passage of the Gender Equal Opportunities bill. We are also part of the peace move initiatives across the country. What would you say are some of the challenges limiting Nigerian women? The major challenge women have is culture and tradition. These factors inhibit women from pressing for progress. Our culture tends to keep the woman subjugated and even education has not helped much. However, with women pressure groups and activists, including NAWOJ, the lot of the Nigerian woman has improved over the years. What are some of the advocacies you have championed? NAWOJ has been advocating for the rights of the girl-child. For two years now it has engaged secondary school girls in the ‘Speak Out and Speak Right’ campaign. This initiative is to encourage young girls to be bold, speak out but speak right and stand up for their rights. For me, every challenge has been a learning curve to build me up for the future. I don’t see challenges; I see experience of life and lessons learnt for future endeavour. 2019 elections is fast approaching, what strategies is your association targeting to ensure more women participation? NAWOJ has started it’s voter education sensitization in some communities to ensure that women, who are incidentally the largest number of voters, do it right and understand why they are doing it. We are also encouraging women to participate in politics by being part of the party structures. What is the Nigerian government not doing right towards women development? Nigerian government needs to ensure that the other half of its population is not left behind. For us to develop as a country we need to ensure that women fully participate in governance. Tell us about some of your achievements/ awards/commendations etc. I have received numerous awards but one of the most cherished ones is the one I got from mass communication students of Ibadan polytechnic, as youth mentor and trainer. I love to encourage young people and that is why I volunteer in some undergraduate schools to lecture. Most women are known for their fashion sense(s), tell us your beauty routine? Simplicity is the word for me when it comes to fashion. I just make sure I look trendy. What do you do for leisure? I love fruits and vegetables, it’s good for the skin and I use coconut oil as body cream.
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Nigerian government needs to ensure that the other half of its population is not left behind. For us to develop as a country we need to ensure that women fully participate in governance
Tell us about your family? I have three grown up women and a man and God iced my cake with a young man, many years after. Would you say your family supports your career efforts? My family and friends have been very supportive and I give God all glory for that. Given the next 10 years, what should Nigerians expect from you? The next 10 years, wow. God is certainly taking me to help women especially battered women. Women and girls, who have suffered violence of any form. What motivates you?
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have been privileged to speak with women and girls who are going through trauma. Who have suffered different forms of violence, from rape to incest, to physical and emotional abuse. There is a huge counselling gap for victims of violence in the system, this gap needs to be bridged. I am also interested in community radio, the best way to serve the society, speaking health and peaceful coexistence. And what are the Changes you hope to see going forward? Nigeria is certainly on the path; far from the goal post but on the path to empowerment of women and ensuring that the rights of women and girls especially their reproductive health rights are upheld.
relationship
leadership style
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
How to Balance Work and Family Oluwatoyin Aguda
W
omen now make up close to 40 percent of the workforce, with nearly 4 in 10 homes having a working mother. Being a full-time working mother can lead to feelings of guilt and stress because of divided attention between work and family. The key is to focus on a plan, get organized, and find the right balance between profession and parenthood. To balance work and family means to give yourself equally to both areas of your life and not neglect one over the other. Creating this balance does not always come naturally and needs organization and discipline. The benefits of a happy family and a successful career are worth the effort, however. If you are looking for ways to balance work and family, then consider the following ideas. Establish your priorities Even if you feel that both your work and family are important, you have to decide what takes precedence when both areas of your life need nurturing at one time, thus creating a conflict. You should not have to neglect one to take care of the other, so determine which one is the most pressing at the time. For example, if your child is sick but you have to go to work, you should choose to stay with your child because the sickness is more pressing than a regular day at work. In contrast, preparing for a scheduled meeting should take precedence over a fun time out with the children. Only you can decide what is needed to nurture your work and family. Don’t beat yourself up if you find that a work obligation conflicts with a family commitment. Decide which should take precedence by determining the significance of each, and then learn from the experience.
Create a list of family goals and establish a deadline This parallels your efforts at work to prioritize your objectives. You have to fulfill your responsibilities at work, but you may not always do the same at home. Families grow so fast that oftentimes we make plans to do things with and for the family, but they never come into fruition. Examples include a trip somewhere or a home improvement project. By writing these goals down and scheduling them, you are committing yourself to doing them. Just make sure that you follow through to aid in achieving work-family balance. Revise your calendar Revise your calendar to benefit your family as your work obligations change If you can get more time with your family because work allows it, then take advantage of that. There may be times when work is consuming and you feel as if you are neglecting your family. Just make sure that these moments of imbalance are compensated accordingly and that you regain your family and career balance as soon as possible. Develop your time-management You have to develop your time-management abilities so that you are able to give your family their due time. If you organize yourself well, there should be no reason why you cannot give time to your family. Time-management skills also means learning how end your day at work and begin your day at home. This may also mean learning how to say “no” when a work colleague asks you to help on a project that you just cannot fit into your schedule. Keep the communication lines open with your spouse, and don’t be afraid to voice your concerns about the lack of imbalance between home and work. Accordingly, don’t be afraid to listen when your spouse accuses you of the same. Work and home balance should be respected by both parties in order to be successful.
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leadership style
men’s corner
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
4 Steps To Proper Beard Grooming
T
he beard trend doesn’t seem like it is going away any time soon. Due to this trend’s growing popularity, it is a great topic for this month’s post. When you see a man with a beard, the first thing that comes to mind is how well or illgroomed it is Though not everyone is a fan of a beard, people are easily impressed when they see a man with facial hair that shows he puts as much effort into his beard as he does styling his hair. It is therefore no wonder that professionals such as Paul Mitchell educate men on the proper grooming and care steps for their beard. The professionals say a beard that’s groomed correctly reflects a sense of style and confidence. A beard that’s done wrong, may well pass for an extra on Lord of the Rings or some 1800s villain. Listed below are 4 steps for the bearded clientele:
a beard with a purpose and someone who has avoided shaving for a month or more. Beards require consistent grooming: To achieve that tech look for today’s man, the professionals insist the bearded man should do the following: Use a razor daily for clean lines around the neck and top. Go along the grain using warm water only and only one pass of the razor per area. Clean the razor and dry it after every use, and discard after five uses.
Step 1 : Consistent Grooming There is a huge difference between
Step 3 : Tools
Step 2 : Shampoo/ Moisturize Facial hair and skin under the beard requires regular washing and moisturizing. If sensitive skin is an issue, opt for a gentle cleansing shampoo and conditioner. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to prevent the beard from becoming dry or flakey.
Do you have clippers at home? If you do not, you can learn how to properly keep your beard trimmed at home. Otherwise, regular visits to the salon are recommended. A fine-tooth comb and scissors can be used to clean up and detail flyaway hairs. Step 4 : Styling Just like hair on the head, a beard should be styled for neatness. Start out using a few drops of oil and comb it into the beard, then thoroughly brush the beard with a boar bristle brush. Use Tea Tree Shaping Cream™ to style the beard for long-lasting, flexible hold and definition. Did you know women rated the perfect beard as 10 days growth? Beards come in all shapes and sizes, so properly educate guests to give them the correct steps to keep their beard looking well-groomed. Share your comments below.
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leadership style
fashion essentials
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
7 Essential Accessories Every Woman Should Have By Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja
For a woman to look her best, she needs a few essential accessories that complement most things she wears. These accessories are timeless classics that have been around for a while. They remain popular because they are flattering, feminine and in some cases add a new dimension to an otherwise simple outfit. So without much further ado, here are the 7 essential accessories every woman should have
4. BLACK WRAP
1. AN OVERSIZED HANDBAG There is something about an oversized handbag that makes our arms and waist look tiny. This trend appears to be here to stay and offers a number of benefits apart from looking stylish. They can carry literally everything. So whenever you need to step out with your laptop, a spare diaper or 2 or even a meaty novel, you know where to stash it – in your oversized handbag.
A black wrap finds itself into this list of 7 essential accessories for one important reason – to offer an alternative to hiding your fantastic cocktail dress under a thick jacket. Yes, you need to keep warm so the versatile black wrap does the job and after a few drinks, can be neatly folded up into your purse. 5. COLORED SCARF A scarf, particularly a colorful one, can provide a new dimension to a regular outfit. Say for example, you are wearing a white fitted shirt with a pair of jeans; add a purple scarf and suddenly you go from ordinary to striking. Keep a few in your closet and make it seem like you have literally hundreds of outfits.
2. HIGH HEELED CLOSED PUMPS A pair of black pumps has to find a place in any woman’s wardrobe. A well-designed closed toe pair goes a long way towards making you look fabulous in whatever you wear. Whether it is combined with a cocktail dress or to jazz up a pair of jeans, these little wonders convert any outfit into a totally fabulous ensemble.
7. A COUPLE OF BELTS
3. A PAIR OF DANGLING SILVER EARRINGS Dangling silver earrings go with practically everything and make you look more feminine and girly. If you pick a pair of hoops, you will probably find yourself wearing them every other day. They suit every face cut, hairstyle and clothing choice. Plus more than anything, guys love them.
6. BALLET FLATS Ballet flats hit the scene sometime this decade and definitely find a place in this list of essential accessories. They are comfortable, cute and girly, complementing almost every outfit. At the end of the day, we can’t spend all our time in sexy painful shoes but we still want to look our best. Ballet flats offer the perfect solution.
One thin and one broad belt should find a place in every woman’s wardrobe. They are sexy, stylish and most importantly accentuate the waist. They can add some personality to a more ordinary outfit, if you feel the need to make your dress more you. One must never undermine the power of a well-accessorized outfit. These 7 essential accessories are definite musthave as they can literally transform your otherwise monotonous closet into a stylish and enviable one.
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leadership style
wellness
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
Fruits for A Glowing Skin BY Oluwatoyin Aguda
I
t has been emphasized over time that you are what you eat. Staying beautiful does not only have to do with the cream and other skin care products you use. No matter how expensive the cream, soap and facial treatments you use, if you do not eat healthy foods, your skin will still be dull and dry. Your skin is a reflection of your eating habits and you should make effort at eating beneficial foods. Here are fruits that will aid your beauty: Apples Apples are the richest source of malic acid. This type of fruit acids is also known in the health world as alpha hydroxyl acid. Malic acid is gentler than other acids used in beauty treatments, such as glycolic and salicylic acid. Malic acid promotes healthier, firmer and youthful looking skin by renewing skin cells without damaging the skin layer. If that’s not enough to convince you that an apple a day leads to glowing skin from within, consider the high fibre content in apples. Fibre helps to clean out the colon and promotes regular bowel movements, hence promoting clear pimple-free skin. Avocados Avocados are a highly nutritious fruit, hyped in the health world as a superfood and often used to make vegan mayonnaise. Not only do they taste great, but they also offer amazing benefits for skin when consumed, as well as when applied topically. Avocados contain biotin, also known as vitamin B7. Biotin promotes cell regeneration and growth, resulting in faster growing hair and nails. Avocados also contain Vitamin E, known as “the Protector of Skin”. The fatty acids in this naturally fatty fruit help to provide skin with essential lubrications, which promotes youthful, glowing skin. Bananas Bananas contain high levels of potassium, which helps moisturizes and hydrates the skin, making it look fuller, more supple, and youthful. They contain various skin-healthy nutrients such as Vitamin A, B, and E. The nutrients in bananas work to maintain
the elasticity of skin, moisturise, prevent premature aging and wrinkles, soften and rejuvenate, and fade dark spots and blemishes. Lemon Speaking of citrus fruits, lemons are a great addition to your beauty regimen, as they are known to be “Nature’s Bleach.” Lemons safely whiten and lighten skin and promote an even tone by reducing acne marks and blemishes. They also deep cleanse the skin by breaking down any grime clogging the pores. For beautiful skin, drink a warm glass of honey and lemon water in the morning on an empty stomach. This miracle drink is purported to have many health benefits, including reducing the darkness of blemishes and cleaning out acne. Papaya Papaya extracts are widely used in the skin care industry in the form of facial peels, soaps, cleansers, and lotions. But why go after chemical treatments when you can enjoy the goodness of papaya, fresh and cheap! Eat papaya regularly. You can also mash it and apply to skin for a youthful bright glow. Papaya contains a large amount of Vitamin A/ Beta Carotene and an important enzyme, Papain. Papain is not only an important digestive aid that breaks down inactive proteins, it also a powerful antioxidant. It counters free radical damage on skin and also helps heal damaged skin by speeding up cell regeneration. Plum It is a well-known fact that constipation causes acne. When you are not having regular bowel movements, at least once daily, then the toxins which were supposed to get out of your body will be reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Your body then looks for other ways to dispose of the toxins, most often through the skin, the largest organ in the body. Furthermore, acne and pimples often leave behind unsightly blemishes and dents, which can all be avoided by simply eating fiber rich foods like plums. One plum contains 8g of fiber, which is four times as much fiber as a small apple.
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leadership style
hygiene
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
How to Make White Towels White Again If you have white towels, you may notice that they are not as white as they used to be. Wouldn’t you love to have towels or sheets as white as in a hotel? In order to get your towels back to sparkling white, try the following solutions presented by Interior Design Info
Chlorine Bleach If the wash label on your towels allows it, wash your towels in hot water with chlorine bleach and your regular detergent. In order to make sure the water in your washer is hot, run water in a nearby sink until it turns hot before starting the washer. You can even boil water in a kettle on your stove and add the boiling water to your washer to get the water extra hot. Once the wash has started agitating for about 5 minutes, you may want to stop the washer for about an hour or two and let everything soak. Run an extra rinse cycle when using bleach to ensure the bleach is rinsed out of the towels thoroughly. You may want to wash the towels in just bleach, then wash them again immediately after using your normal detergent to ensure all of the bleach has been removed and they smell fresh. Borax Borax is a detergent booster that has been used for over 100 years. You can add 1/2 cup of borax to your laundry to increase its cleaning capabilities and
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odor removal (both whites and colors). Consider using borax with the bleach method above. Powdered Dishwasher Soap In addition to the bleach, regular detergent, and borax, consider adding 1 cup of powdered dishwasher detergent to the mix. All 4 cleaners working together should get your towels ultra white. Hang Outside A traditional method for keeping towels white is to hang them in the sun. The sun bleaches the towels a bit and keeps them white, not to mention smell great. Lemon Juice or Vinegar You can use lemon juice or vinegar to whiten linens. Bring 2 gallons of water to a boil on your stove. Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice or vinegar and your white linens. Stir the mixture, then remove from heat. Let the linens soak for an hour or so. Wash the linens as usual, preferably in hot water. Make sure to only soak similar fabrics - do not mix some cotton and some linen.
Bluing After using the bleach, regular detergent, borax, and dishwasher soap method, you can use bluing if your towels are not as white as you want. Bluing has been around for over 100 years (a brand name is Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing). Bluing adds a tiny bit of blue to your whites to make them appear whiter. Most fabrics are a gray color instead of plain white. Adding the blue to the dull white makes it seem bright white. Bluing is added to the final rinse of a laundry cycle. No Cheap Detergent Cheap laundry detergent can make your white towels look dingy after just a few washes. Now that you have made your white towels white again, keep them white by using high quality detergent.Tide Ultra is not the cheapest laundry detergent, but it currently ranks best by independent tests. Make sure to not use too much laundry detergent, else you may not be able to rinse all of the soap away and your towels will remain dingy.
style star profile
leadership style
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye: AKA Simi BY ruth tene natsa, Abuja
S
imisola Bolatito Ogunleye is one of Nigerian raves for the moment with her currently trending music Born April 19, 1988 ,the afro pop singer came into spotlight in 2014 after she released “Tiff”, a song which was nominated in two categories at the Headies 2015 and further brought her to mainstream recognition Professionally known and referred to as Simi, the young star is a singer and songwriter who started her career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album in 2008 titled Ogaju. Simi is currently signed to X3M Music under which she released her second studio album Simisola. Simi was born in Ojuelegba, a suburb of Surulere, she is the last of 4 children and an alumna of Covenant University where she studied Mass Communication. From 2014 to present, Simi has released several albums includinf Restless, Chemistry and Simisola In January 2014, Simi released an EP titled Restless which gained her new grounds and further earned her a record deal with X3M Music. The EP contains a 5-track cover of popular songs by international acts like Rihanna’s “Man Down” and Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain”. On January 9, 2014, Simi released two singles titled “Tiff” and “E No Go Funny”, with the former receiving massive airplay and accepted generally among music critics. The video for “Tiff” was released on August 30, 2015 and directed by Josh Clarke. The song went on to be nominated in the “Best Alternative Song” category at the 2015 edition of The Headies. In 2015, Simi won the “Most Promising Act to Watch” category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. In an interview with Leadership Newspaper, Simi said she is working on her sophomore album scheduled to be released in 2016.Upon the release of a single titled “Jamb Question” which later featured Falz in the remix, Simi was listed as one of the artistes to watch out for in 2016 by NotJustOk On 14 February 2016, she released “Love Don’t Care”, an Oscar Heman-Ackah-produced ballad which was received to positive critical reviews and massive airplay. The song condemns the discrimination of love because of tribal and social prejudices.The music video of the song was directed by Clarence Peters. In October 2016, she was nominated in the Best Breakthrough Act category at the 2016 edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards.On 27 October, Simi collaborated with Falz to release Chemistry, a project Oghene Michael of 360Nobs described as an “experiment of the word art”. In December 2016, Simi was nominated in three categories at The Headies 2016 award ceremony, winning one category.[19] In anticipation of her second studio album Simisola, a 12-track album which features only Adekunle Gold as guest artiste, Simi released two singles “Smile for Me” and “Joromi” backed with music videos which were directed by Clarence Peters and Aje Films respectively. She unveiled the album’s tracklist via Instagram on September 1, 2017 before it was released on September 8 to relatively positive reviews and went on to debut at number five on the Billboard World Albums chart.
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leadership style
celebrity profile
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018 By Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja
including, Best Actress by AfroNolly Group in 2008 in London, England; The City People Entertainment awards for Best Actress 2010; Life Changers award, (Nollywood Personality of the Year) United Kingdom; Humanitarian Award for Haiti in New York, USA; Abriba Youth Honour of Pride Award 2010, Abriba, Abia State as well as the Abia State Honours Award 2010. Uche Jombo has won millions of fans worldwide and continues to blaze trails and inspire others around her. She has evolved and come into her own as a versatile actress, able to hold her own anywhere and on any stage. She’s a believer in the new Nollywood and is committed to seeing a quantum leap in the quality of the industry’s output through her efforts via her production house. The versatile actress has become a well-known face as she glazes the movie screens of many home video movie lovers. Among the many films she has acted in include Girls Hostel (2002), Fire love (2002), Scout in (2004) Endless Lies (2005) Darkest Night, Black Bra, Secret Fantasy, Price of Fame and My Sister My Love Others include Hope, Love, Corporate Runs, World of Commotion, Rush Hour, Price of Peace, Most Wanted Bachelor, Keep My Will, House of Doom Greatest Harvest and Final Hour among several others. The Actress had an endorsement deal alongside other actresses as ambassador of the New Nation project at the Dukwe headquarters in Port Harcourt in 2014 and a multimillion naira endorsement deal with the telecom giant GLO in 2013
U
che Jombo is an Actress, Film Producer and Script Writer, born December 28, 1979 in Abiriba, Abia State The Screen diva, started her career at a tender age, when she used to dress up and tell her stories to family and friends in her hometown of Abiriba in Abia State. Jombo ventured into the Nigerian movie industry in 1999 in the movie Visa to hell. The beautiful actress was said to be a Tom boy in her early years, as she was not an easy child. She did everything teenagers do but probably more. Her mother was so scared that she had to enroll her in a church drama group because she was always either trying to play ball with boys or climbing trees . It is on record that the Church quarterly gave the best drama student scholarship so three years of the Diva’s secondary education was paid for by the church. The Creative actor who got married May 16, 2012 married her boyfriend Kenney Rodriguez at a private beach wedding on the Island of Puerto Rico. Her wedding which took many by surprise was quite the talk of the town for several weeks. The high profile and formerly rosy marriage is rumoured to have crashed on a quiet note after 4 years. She is blessed with a child after several rumoured miscarriages A graduate of Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Calabar, and Computer Programming from the Federal University of Technology Minna had earlier bagged a diploma in Computer programming at the Federal university of Technology in Minna, Niger state Nigeria. She joined Nollywood in 1999 with her role in Visa to hell movie and has since then, featured in over 60 interesting Nollywood movies. BIOGRAPHY Actress UCHE JOMBO Full Biography, LIfe And News . Jombo ventured into the Nigerian movie industry in 1999 in the movie Visa to hell and since then has over sixty movies to her credit and still counting. She is one of those people who would be right to say she started from a very humble beginning in her career. She played lots of supporting roles and behind the scenes. She think to be consistent at what you do, at a point you should work on yourself more. She is in love with the art. It was never about money or fame with for her. According to her she can’t count how many movies she did without payment. So when you pursue whatever you do with a passion and the love you have for it, it might not be that lucrative at the beginning but at the end of the day, every other thing follows. As a screenwriter she has written and co-written several movies some of which include: The Celebrity, Games Men Play, Girls in the Hood & A Time to Love. Jombo went on to produce films such as Nollywood Hustlers, Holding Hope and her latest work Damage which deals with the issue of domestic violence. Jombo is an ambassador for Globacom. Following years of working as a Nollywood actress, she ventured into script writing where she co-wrote
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Uche Jombo
movies like Girls in the hood, a time to love, games men play and the celebrity. She later ventured into movie production phase with her business named Uche Jombo Studio in 2012. Uche Jumbo’s Studio has since produced close to five movies which include damage, misplaced and many others. The beautiful actress has several awards to her credits
leadership style
special mother’s day
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
Gift Ideas For Your Mom On Mother’s Day Oluwatoyin Aguda
Mothers are very special and perhaps the most important person in our lives. We are constantly looking for ways to appreciate and celebrate them. From their birthdays to wedding anniversaries, we search for that perfect gift just to let them know how precious they are. Mother’s Day is another special day to give your mom memorable moments. You don’t necessarily have to buy chocolates or flowers, you can think of something unique that will linger in her heart for a long time to come. Here are gift ideas to make the day special: Take her to a Spa Mothers always have their hands full. They get so busy with work and the home front that they hardly get time to look after themselves. Let your mother have some real pampering today, take her to a beauty salon or a spa where she can unwind and rejuvenate herself. Let her get a refreshing makeover or a relaxing massage. After all, everyone needs a little pampering once in a while. Upgrade her kitchen Almost every mother loves to cook and spend a lot of time cooking for the family, for which she needs best kitchen cookware accessories to make cooking more delightful. To make her cooking activity easier and manageable, you can gift her beautiful kitchen accessories on Mother’s Day. You can even get decor items for the kitchen to make it look more attractive which makes your mom feel like working in a beautiful and healthy environment. Take her on a trip If you and your mother haven’t had some mother-daughter or motherson outing in a while or she hasn’t gone for a vacation with her friends in a long while, then Mother’s Day is perfect to make it up to her. Taking her out on a trip will definitely be a welcoming change. Chose a suitable destination, book tickets and hotel rooms if you have the financial resources to do so. If not, there are a lot of interesting places in the country you can take her without having to break the bank. You can take her on a boat cruise or take her on a visit to her favorite spot.
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Take her shopping Do not just give her money for shopping, take time out to take her. On a special day like this, give her the best shopping experience she could possibly have. Take her to her favorite stores, give suggestions when she asks for them, help her select the right dress, footwear, handbag and other things you can afford or within your budget, and carry her shopping bags for her. Do not be in a haste, let her
check as many stores as she wants, do not complain and do not ask her to hurry up. Surprise her with an in-house musical performance Who says your mom can still not have a fantastic Mother’s Day while staying indoors all through the day. You might save her the hustle and bustle of the city by bringing the day’s show right into her house. If your mom loves music so much
then a musical performance will be a good idea for the day. You can get an artiste to play her favorite song or get a CD or DVD collection of the classical songs she loves. Write her a nice poem Mothers are selfless and will go any length for their family. Our mothers at one point or the other have made big sacrifices to ensure we go through life successfully. You may not tell her everyday how precious she is but you can pen it down in words. Take it further, frame the poem and hang it somewhere she can always see it.
leadership style
entertainment
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
Fab Red Carpet Looks From Oscars 2018 Oluwatoyin Aguda
T Armie Hammer
he 90th annual Academy Awards 2018 also known as the Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, March 4 and it was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the host and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a popular late-night talk show. The key trends on the red carpet this year were stunning red gowns, modern linear tailored cuts and floor-length metallic dresses. We bring to you fabulous red carpet looks as well as a full list of winners: Best Picture: The Shape of Water Best Director: Guillermo del Toro, The Shape Of Water Best Actress: Frances McDormand, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri Best Actor: Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour Best Supporting Actress: Allison Janney, I, Tonya Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri Best Original Screenplay: Get Out Best Adapted Screenplay: Call Me by Your Name Best Animated Feature Film: Coco Best Foreign Language Film: A Fantastic Woman, Chile Best Original Score: The Shape of Water Best Original Song: Remember Me, Coco Best Documentary Feature: Icarus Best Documentary Short: Heaven Is A Traffic Jam On The 405 Best Live Action Short: The Silent Child Best Animation Short: Dear Basketball Best Sound Editing: Dunkirk Best Sound Mixing: Dunkirk Best Production Design: The Shape Of Water Best Cinematography: Blade Runner 2049 Best Makeup And Hair: Darkest Hour Best Costume Design: Phantom Thread Best Film Editing: Dunkirk Best Visual Effects: Blade Runner 2049
Ashley Judd
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Betty Gabriel
Elisabeth Moss
Danai Gurira
Chadwick Boseman
Common
Daniel Kaluuya
Emma Stone
leadership style
entertainment
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
Fab Red Carpet Looks From Oscars 2018
Haley Bennett Jennifer Garner
Keala Settle
Leslie Bibb
Gal Gadot
Helen Mirren
Greta Gerwig
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Janet Mock
Jennifer Lawrence
Jordan Peele
Lakeith Stanfield
Laura Dern
Leslie Mann
Lin-Manuel Miranda
leadership style
entertainment
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
Fab Red Carpet Looks From Oscars 2018
Margot Robbie Octavia Spencer
Molly Sims
Samara Weaving
Lupita Nyong’o
Mahershala Ali
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Maya Rudolph
Natalia Lafourcade
Meryl Streep
Nicole Kidman
Rita Moreno
Sally Hawkins
Sandra Bullock
Sofia Carson
Sandy Martin
Saoirse Ronan
fashion
leadership style
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
The Best-Dressed Stars On The Red Carpet And Beyond
PHOTO CREDIT: Culled from US Weekly
The stars certainly know how to turn heads! Scroll to see the best of their looks, from the red carpet to the street, from fashion week to huge premieres, and so much more! 1. Lupita Nyong’o : In a black ensemble featuring a laceup corset and pleated tulle skirt at the premiere of Gringo in L.A. on March 6, 2018. 2. Amanda Seyfried: In a black high-neck, semi-mesh gown at the premiere of Gringo in L.A. on March 6, 2018. 3. Krysten Ritter: In a black dress, leather jacket and thigh-high boots at Build Studios in NYC on March 6, 2018. 4. Kate Bosworth: In a floral blazer dress and jewel embellished boots at Grand Marnier’s new campaign launch in NYC on March 6, 2018. 5. Lupita N’Yongo: In a multipattern purple and black plunging neckline minidress at the Essence 11th Annual Black Women In Hollywood Awards Gala in Beverly Hills on March 1, 2018. 6. Danai Gurira: In a white dress with a black belt at the Essence 11th Annual Black Women In Hollywood Awards Gala in Beverly Hills on March 1, 2018. 7. Sarah Silverman: In a black long-sleeve dress with beaded details at the Cadillac Oscar Week Celebration in L.A. on March 1, 2018. 8. 9.Janelle Monae: In a black minidress with beaded details at the Essence 11th Annual Black Women In Hollywood Awards Gala in Beverly Hills on March 1, 2018. 9. Tiffany Haddish: In a multicolored sequin and tassel embellished dress at the Essence 11th Annual Black Women In Hollywood Awards Gala in Beverly Hills on March 1, 2018. 10. 11.Selena Gomez: In a white buttondown, jeans, black loafers and a navy coat while out in Studio City, California on February 28, 2018. 11. Ashley Tisdale: In a silver dress at the 15th annual Global Green pre-Oscar gala in L.A. on February 28, 2018. 12. Garcelle Beauvais: In a satin lime dress at the 15th annual Global Green pre-Oscar gala in L.A. on February 28, 2018. 13. Hannah Zeile: In a red ruffled gown at the 15th annual Global Green pre-Oscar gala in L.A. on February 28, 2018. 14. Olivia Cooke: In a sky-blue dress and Alison Lou earrings at the Thoroughbreds premiere in L.A. on February 28, 2018. 15. 16.Sofia Vergara: In a strapless black floral dress at The Women’s Cancer Research Fund event in
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leadership style
fashion
Vol. 1, No. 18, Sunday 11, 2018
The Best-Dressed Stars On The Red Carpet And Beyond
PHOTO CREDIT: Culled from US Weekly
Beverly Hills on February 27, 2018 16. Jennifer Hudson:In an offthe-shoulder black mididress at The Women’s Cancer Research Fund event in Beverly Hills on February 27, 2018.
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