Leadership epaper 1st April 2018

No. 634

N300

01.04.18

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

NIGERIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPER NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES (AS AT FEBRUARY 24) DOLLAR

POUNDS

Leadership Newspapers

OPEC DAILY CRUDE OIL PRICE

EURO

ABUJA

305.7

LAGOS

305.7

362 430.23

507 377.50

445

KANO

305.7

362

430.23

507 377.50

444

“Nigeria is consistently regarded as one of the most admired and respected members of OPEC, particularly in the realm of consensusbuilding. Our President has made a momentous contribution to making this the case.”

Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, OPEC Secretary General, at the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit, Abuja, Nigeria.

P/HARCOURT 305.7

362

430.23

507 377.50

445

29/03/2018

US$66.05 PER BARREL

28/03/2018

US$66.80 PER BARREL

STATES

INTERBANK – BLACK MARKET INTERBANK – BLACK MARKET INTERBANK – BLACK MARKET 362

430.23

507 377.50

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APC CONVENTION: INTENSE LOBBY AS GROUPS SHOP FOR NEW CHAIRMAN Page > 6

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BISHOP KUKAH WRITES PMB OVER CAMPAIGN PROMISES Page > 4

28.5m Nigerians Agonise Over 6 Suspension Of Nat’l ID Card Issuance Majoritydeniedcivicobligations NIMCblamesbrokenmachines

L-R: Former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; President Muhammad Buhari; executive chairman, South Energyx Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ronald Chagoury; Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and his deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, during the president’s visit to Eko Atantic City in Lagos, at the weekend.

PHOTO BY KOLAWOLE ALIU

Saraki, Sultan, Others Storm Bauchi 8 For Emir Of Ningi’s 40th Anniversary

Easter: Govs, APC, PDP, Others 7 Task Nigerians On Tolerance

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our stand

E

aster, the celebration that marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after his crucifixion on the Cross of Calvary and death on Good Friday, is the most important event in Christendom, the principal and greatest feast of the ecclesiastical year. It is the belief of adherents to the Faith that if Jesus had not resurrected on the third day as he promised, may be Christianity itself would have faced a tremendous challenge of credibility.

Easter strengthens the average Christian’s belief in life everlasting.

Its importance can be gleaned from the fact that Christmas, an event that is the first step in the salvation journey, is celebrated only in preparation for Easter.

As the centre of the greater part of the ecclesiastical year, the order of other feasts depend upon the Easter date. It is the commemoration of the slaying of the true Lamb of God and the Resurrection of Christ, the corner-stone upon which faith is built, the oldest feast of the Christian Church and the connecting link between the Old and New Testaments.

The connection between the Jewish Passover and the Christian feast of Easter is real and ideal.

Real, since Christ died on the first Jewish Easter Day; ideal, like the relation between type and reality, because Christ’s death and Resurrection had their figures and types in the Old Law, particularly in the paschal lamb.

Preparation for Easter,

3

He Is Risen

for a section of the Christian world, begins on Ash Wednesday and goes through 40 days of praying, fasting, abstinence and almsgiving that ends on Good Friday. Within this Easter season is the Holy Week, part of which is the Triduum, three days before Easter, Thursday,

Friday and Saturday, the apogee of the whole spiritual exercise during which Jesus instituted the Priestly Order, the Last Supper also known as the Holy Communion or Holy Eucharist and brought to an end His earthly life when He pronounced on the Cross of Calvary that ‘it is finished’

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!

and the beginning of man’s effort to be like the Master.

Easter offers believers an opportunity to appreciate the enormity of the contradiction embedded in St Paul’s assertion that ‘to die is to gain’. That Jesus died and is glorified within the Easter period offers believers a unique time to reflect on the immensity of the mystery of life everlasting.

For us as Nigerians, however, it is instructive that we, as a people, are entering a fresh phase of politicking as part of efforts on our part to consolidate on the gains of democracy so far achieved. As in the events that culminated in the resurrection: the fear, the anxiety and expectations that the disciples of Jesus went through, Nigerians are beginning to wonder, with apprehension and immeasurable trepidation, about the outcome of the forthcoming campaigns and the subsequent election. As the apostles of Jesus celebrated His defeat of death as exemplified in the resurrection, so also are Nigerians hoping to rise above the years of despondency to those of excitement and a new lease of life in the hope that the promises by the politicians will exit the sphere of rhetoric into reality. Easter gives the faithful hope in the second coming of the Messiah so also are Nigerians hoping with bated breath for the actualisation of the promises of electioneering and the joy that comes with good governance.

Happy Easter.

4 NEWS ACROSS THE STATES

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Cleric Counsels PMB On 2019

Catholic faithful venerating the cross during the activities to mark Good Friday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gwagwalada, Abuja on Friday.

Bishop Kukah Writes PMB Over Campaign Promises

BY EMAMEH GABRIEL, Abuja The Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Mathew Hassan Kukah, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take deeper reflection on the state of the nation, given the campaign promises he made to the people before he was voted into power.

In an Easter message written to President Muhammadu Buhari, Bishop Kukah said there is no better time than now for the president to address the ugly situations that have metamorphosed into a monster under his watch.

He said with the goodwill the President had enjoyed from Nigerians before he was elected, the people deserve

better than what they have today, pointing at how the country has, over the last few years under Buhari’s watch, been so polarised even with the rising security challenges that have led scores of Nigerians to their untimely graves.

He said while he appreciates Mr President’s goodwill message to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, admonishing Christians to continue to practice the true virtues of Christ, the leadership of the country has more role to play by leading an exemplary life to save the country from imminent disaster.

He further called on politicians, political parties and religion leaders to

take up the responsibility of leadership to which they have been mandated for to save the country from looming calamity.

The letter reads in part: To President Muhammadu Buhari, he said: “You know Sir, that you rode into town like a knight in shining armour, carrying the joys, pains, anxieties and fears of a people whose broken dreams had littered and turned the landscape into a kaleidoscopic scenery of desolation and despair. In your campaigns, you promised to restore a sense of national pride in us by slaying the dragon of corruption, banishing the retrogressive scourge of Boko

Haram, bringing back our daughters from Chibok and making our country and citizens truly safe.

“We waited in hope right to the end of the first year, but somehow, amidst some hazy weather, all we heard was the sound of screeching tyres with the plane carrying our hopes seemingly unable to take off.

“It finally did but we had barely gained altitude when sickness struck and you spent the better part of a year seeking healing. The nation prayed for you and miraculously, you recovered. Evidently, you had been saved for a purpose. Our prayer is that this realisation will help you understand that you have a date with history and divine judgment.

Looters’ List: Secondus Demands Retraction, N1.5bn Damages

BY CHIBUZO UKAIBE, Abuja The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has asked the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to withdraw his name from the list of those who looted public funds within 48 hours or face legal action.

Secondus, who described the statement as libelous, also demanded a N1.5billion damage plus a public apology from the minister within 48 hours.

The demand for apology and threat

of legal action was contained in a letter written by Secondus’ lawyer, Emeka Etiaba SAN, and addressed to the minister.

The letter is ref no.

EESE&C/1/31/03/18 dated March 31st 2018, titled ‘Re: Publication of false and defamatory statement against Prince Uche Secondus, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party: Demand for retraction, Apology and Payment of damages’.

Mohammed had included Secondus’ name in a published list of PDP members who allegedly looted public funds.

But Secondus’ lawyer said that the said publication has damaged the image of Prince Secondus as he has been “humiliated, castigated and vilified by many as a result of the falsehood published by the minister”.

The letter further demanded “a retraction of the said publication and rendering of a public apology by you within 48 hours from today, 31st day of March, 2018 in all the News and social media where the publications were made (this will ensure that you give the retraction and apology the same prominence you gave the falsehood you

contrived and published against him).

“Payment of the sum of N1, 500,000,000.00 to our client by you within 48 hours from today for the damages caused him by the falsehood you contrived and published against him.”

The letter further told Mohammad to note that if he fails to meet their demand after 48 hours, “We shall, within 72 hours from today, proceed to a court of competent jurisdiction to ventilate our client’s right under the law and shall further seek the protection of the court against you.”

Atiku Blames Poor Education For Declining Youth Participation In Politics

Police Kill 5 As Herdsmen Injure 2 In Taraba

BY CHIBUZO UKAIBE, ABUJA

The Taraba State Police Command has said that men of the Command, attached to Bali division, on Friday, killed five suspected kidnappers/armed robbers in an exchange of gun fire in Garba Chede town, Bali LGA of the state.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP David Misal, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday in Jalingo.

According to the statement, the suspected kidnappers had invaded the house of one Alhaji Yakubu Atiku of Garba Chede town in an attempt to kidnap him when operatives of the command, attached to Bali, acting on a distress call, engaged them.

“The report of the attack on Alhaji Atiku was received with swift action which led to the exchange of fire from both sides, but with the superior gun power from our officers, five of the kidnap gang were shot dead while others escaped with bullets wounds.

“One AK 47 rifle, one English pump action, two single barrel guns, 16 cartridges, three expanded 7.62mm ammunition and assorted charms were recovered from them,” the statement read.

Former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, said the decline in quality of education has hampered youths’ participation in high quality politics in Nigeria.

Abubakar, who made the observation while delivering a speech as a special guest of honour at a symposium tagged “The Man Atiku’’, organised by Turaki Youth Ambassadors (TURAYA) in Abuja, said in developed countries, future politicians were being identified from schools and exposed to political activities along with their academic programmes.

The former vice president, who was represented by Mr Oladimeji Fabiyi, the Chairman, All Atiku Support Group, at the Symposium with the topic “Politics qua politic: Atiku Abubakar, the Youths and the Nigerian State,” lamented that a large chunk of youths in Nigeria get involved in politics by accident. He stressed that they ventured into politics because it is seen as a quick way to make money.

He said, “By the time they graduate from school, they have mastered the

political terrains of their countries. They also try to empower themselves before going full blast into politics.’’

He said that a lot of them crash in and crash out of politics because they failed to achieve their targets within a short period.

“I have come to realise the damage that poor quality of education has done to Nigerian youths.

“This is a matter that has to be addressed to raise high number of intellectually sound youths to play high quality politics.

“They also need exposure and financial empowerment in their quest to wrestle power from the older generation who have mastered the game over time.

“Remember, the older generation of Nigerian politicians ventured into politics when they were young and since politics is addictive, it is not usually easy to quit.

“The reality is that young persons must work hard and should device superior arguments and strategies to send the older generation into retirement and to achieve their political targets,’’ Abubakar said.

BY ANDREW OJIH, Jalingo

Meanwhile, two women sustained various degrees of injuries when gunmen, said to be Fulani militia, attacked Ayu in Donga local government area of the state on Friday night.

This is even as the chairman of Takum Local Government, Hon Shiban Tikari, said armed Fulani men, terrorising Takum and its environs on Friday, attacked and injured one person at Fawe village in Takum LGA. An eyewitness, Mr Henry Ianna, told our correspondent on phone that armed Fulani militia, numbering six, attacked Ayu village during a Christian wake, injuring two women.

According to him, the attackers emerged from the bush while the service of songs was ongoing and started killing.

“Some of the people ran into the bush, but the two women were not lucky and were badly caught by bullets. They are currently receiving treatment at the Donga General Hospital,” he said.

Police PPRO told our correspondent that he was yet to receive briefing from the DPO of Donga when he was contacted for confirmation.

Mr Shiban Tikari, the council chairman of Takum, told our correspondent that the victim was attacked when he went to fetch some foodstuff in the farm.

A clergyman and founder, Garden of Love Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Sunday Balogun, has counseled President Muhammadu Buhari on the 2019 elections.

He called on President Buhari to drop his plans to contest the 2019 presidential election and focus on transforming the country and make it a pride of all Nigerians.

Prophet Balogun, who had variously counseled the president against representing himself for re-election, on Saturday, said that President Muhammadu Buhari could become a great hero of democracy if he chooses to sacrifice his ambition for the sake of peace.

The cleric, who spoke while answering questions from journalists at an event to mark this year’s Easter celebration, said, “I had a revelation that there will be blood bath if the president does not shelve his ambition’.

According to Prophet Balogun, history would judge the president right if he ensures the return of peace and unity in the country, noting that it would be difficult for the president to be mobilising Nigerians for peace and security and at the same time be mobilising them for his rumoured second term bid.

He said, “I am advising him to please, try and be a hero and a statesman and forget 2019, that the day he announces to Nigerians that he is not going to stand for election in 2019, he will become an instant hero.

You cannot combine two things at the same time.

Prophet Balogun said, “Aside the revelation, I believe that national transformation cannot be combined with contesting election. The two are so different, because once you get involved in the election campaigns; you undermine your authority to lead the nation. If I were the President of Nigeria, I would restrict myself to serving the nation, transforming this country, creating a new Nigeria, creating a new society. That would be my concern, and I would go down in history as a hero.

By Christiana Nwaogu, Abuja

Sunday, April 1, 2018

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28.5m Nigerians Agonise Over Suspension Of Nat’l ID Card Issuance

BY CHRISTIANA NWAOGU and PATIENCE IHEJIRIKA, Abuja

About 28.5 million Nigerians who registered for the national identity card are yet to get the cards from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Most of them have expressed worry that, while the development is hindering them from carrying out their civic responsibilities, it may even frustrate their financial transactions, following recent SMS sent by banks in Nigeria to their customers urging them to get their national ID cards.

The banks recently indicated that they will soon commence the enforcement of the National Identity Number (NIN) issued

by NIMC as the only acceptable means of identification and verification for all financial transactions in the country.

This development has raised mixed reactions, with some bank customers faulting the imposition of the National Identification Number (NIN) as single identifier for banking transactions.

According to them, this could undermine achievement of the nation’s financial inclusion goal.

LEADERSHIP Sunday’s findings revealed that some banks have started using the NIN as criteria for banking transactions. A recent text message from one of the banks to its customers stated: “Dear customer, please be informed that the use of the NIN has been made mandatory by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and you will be required to present your NIMC card or slip to enjoy certain financial services”.

The House of Representatives, had on Tuesday, March 6, urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other commercial banks to accept the national identification number as a statutory document for carrying out legitimate transactions in the country.

It also mandated its committee on banking and currency to interact with the CBN and other stakeholders on the need to recognize and accept the NIN Slip as a means of Identification and report within four weeks for further legislative action.

The Green Chamber argued that the National

Aziz

Identity Management Commission, NIMC, was established to manage the identity of Nigerian citizens by birth and naturalization.

Although NIMC has been in operation for six years, it has only succeeded in printing 1.5 million cards despite having captured the data of over 30 million Nigerians.

This is equivalent to less than one per cent of the country’s population, given the recent population data released by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which placed the nation’s population at 180 million.

LEADERSHIP Sunday recalls that former President Goodluck Jonathan, on 28th August, 2014, received his National Electronic (e-ID) card, heralding the official launch of the e-ID pilot program in the country, in which NIMC was expected to issue cards to 13 million Nigerian.

Receiving the card then, the former president described it as a window to a social security benefit system, saying it is therefore a card every Nigerian should get.

NIMC, however, told our correspondents that the emphasis is actually shifting to digital identity and not the card.

The commission’s head of media, Mr Loveday Ogbonna, said, “No doubt, the card is one of our mandates according to our Act but we want to get everyone into the national identity database for now and issue the card

later. Like in the US and England where you have social security or insurance number, it is not the card but the number that identifies you.

“The card is an additional token issued for payment and other applications requiring you to present it but even when lost, it does not mean your identity is lost. That is why we emphasise the number which uniquely identifies an individual”.

He also said that the commission was exploring options of expanding its card personalisation and production bureau to be able to cater for the number in the database already.

Speaking further, Ogbonnaya revealed that the NIMC had recently released some gazettes to guide participants into the business of partnering with it at the front end to bring out the cards faster.

LEADERSHIP Sunday reliably gathered that the NIMC card printing machine had broken down, which is the reason the commission is not meeting up with its mandate.

But Ogbonnaya explained that there was more to it than the faulty machine.

“It goes beyond just ID card machine being bad, which can always be fixed. Card bureau services is a lot more complicated than just the machine as there are other dependable and processes involved,”he On why ID issuance is not as fast and easy as ATM cards issued by banks, Mr. Chika said the National ID card is not comparable to ATM card in quality, size and functionalities.

According to him, the ID card is amongst the best in the world with the potential to accommodate 13 applets, adding that the card is a token with chip containing individual data and cannot be compromised easily.

He also identified funding as a major challenge confronting the commission while revealing its plan to look beyond just regular budgetary allocations and explore other partnership options.

“We have captured over 30 million Nigerians but about 1.5 million cards have been printed and a great number is in the hands of Nigerians already, but with the anticipated opening of the landscape for private participation, it can only be better and faster”, he said.

Insisting that the major problem is the

printing machine, a reliable source at NIMC who confided in LEADERSHIP Sunday revealed that the machines used in printing the cards are bad and may not be fixed in the next five years.

He advised Nigerians to go for drivers license as an alternative since the commission was not showing the will to repair the machines which are badly damaged.

“I can say that those calling in on our offices and websites to ascertain when to collect their cards, should just forget about it because i don’t see it being ready in the next five years.

The machine is badly damaged and nothing can be done about it”, the source who did not want his name in print stated.

A civil servant, Ikechukwu Onuoha, who was seen ranting at one of the registration centers in Abuja told our correspondents that the situation “is very frustrating and demoralising.

“In fact, I can’t count the number of times i have been embarrassed by my bank for not having national identity card. I have had to lose cash gifts presented to me as cheques.”

Onuoha regretted that his inability to collect his national identity card has left him without permanent voters card (PVC). He explained that he was frustrated after queuing for hours at voters card registration at Area 1, but was deprived of completing the process when he couldn’t provide his identity card as requested by the INEC official who refused to honour the slip temporal slip with NIN number.

Another complainant, Mr. Olusola Demola, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that he was treated like a fraudster after he opened an account with one of the commercial banks to enable his master whom he served for six years settle him.

He said, “I was subjected to hell when I attempted to withdraw money to start up my business, I presented my slip with NIN number but they turned it down because it had no date of birth and other vitals. As I speak, I have sworn an affidavit which has been published in some national newspapers. These were among others procedures that I have been made to undertake.”

He appealed to the commission to channel part of its allocation to fixing the damaged machines or purchase new ones.

APC Convention: Intense Lobby As Groups Shop For New Chairman

… As groups launch search for a new national chairman

There is growing apprehension in the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the forthcoming elective national convention in June this year where a new national chairman and other members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) will emerge.

The planned convention is coming on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari’s rejection of the decision by the NEC, at its last meeting in Abuja, to extend its tenure till June 2019.

Buhari had argued that the decision was contrary to the provisions of the APC’s constitution and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The president’s position has thrown those who would have benefited from the illegality, especially the embattled national chair, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and those seeking elective public offices, into a quandary.

According to the president, members of the NEC who are interested in contesting elective and public offices are expected to resign first before participating in the process in order to create a level playing ground.

The president has been praised by many as a tough but necessary step for the party going forward.

National coordinator, APC Grassroots Youths for Change, Mr. Orlu Henry Manuchimso,

commended President Buhari for his critical intervention.

Mr. Manuchimso said, “While I am concerned at the timing of the forthcoming national convention whose outcome can polarise the party rather than unite it ahead of 2019 general elections, I am, however, on the same page with the president on the illegality of the tenure extension by the NEC. “I want to appeal to APC leaders and members to apply themselves to the process as one big family and not approach it with a do-or-die attitude. The president is interested in a party that is built on the foundation of law and due process as that will strengthen internal democracy.”

But some groups in the APC have launched a search for a new national chairman that will replace Chief Oyegun, whom they say is a party to the leadership crisis in the party.

Critical stakeholders in the party are said to be searching for someone whose candidature will serve as a rallying point for the vast majority of the party leaders and members.

However, while former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is being pressured to throw his hat in the ring, his candidature, as feared, could be imperiled on two flanks.

The first, as learnt, is the fact that he is from the same state with the incumbent, Oyegun, and an attempt to seek the office may be interpreted as a manifestation of treachery that had underlined relationship between them even

while Oshiomhole was in the saddle.

The second, according to a source, is the perceived stubbornness, independentmindedness and temperamental nature of Oshiomhole that could pitch him against the establishment and those that enthrone him.

There are, however, further indications that a search was ongoing for a consensus candidate in the south-south zone to which the nationalmchairmanship position had been zoned.

One of those being considered by some stakeholders is the former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Clement Ebri.

Ebri was governor of Cross River State on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) from 1992 to 1993. In 1999, he contested the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) primaries for the state governorship ticket and came second in the exercise. He left the ANPP in 2006.

He joined the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and became the national chairman from 2008 to 2009 when he resigned after the former PPA governor in Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ebri is a chieftain of the APC in Cross River State.

It was learnt that some few individuals are also being considered, but that at the end of the day, what would determine who gets the nod would be a combination of his political antecedents

and the final say of President Buhari who, it was learnt, wants to install his own national chairman that would give him complete loyalty.

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”

April 1, 2018

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NEWS 7

Easter: Govs, APC, PDP, Others Task Nigerians On Tolerance

BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS

The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) has enjoined Christians in Nigeria and the world over to emulate the virtues of love and sacrifice which characterised the life of Jesus Christ.

In a message signed by the party’s national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party stressed that these qualities are essential to the unity that Nigeria earnestly needs at this time.

The party also gave assurance that the APC-led administration was determined to ensure the safe release of all persons still in captivity and the return of peace especially to the North East.

“In line with the true essence of Easter, the party urges Christians to take cognizance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Cavalry for our sins.

PDP Urges Prayers, Hope The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Easter to pray for the nation and rededicate themselves to the ideals of national unity, cohesion and peaceful coexistence.

PDP national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement msde available to journalists yesterday in Abuja, said the nation had witnessed a lot of anguish including the economic recession and gruesome bloodletting of the last three years, but noted that with the right leadership, coupled with unity and dedication by the citizens, the nation will surely come out of the present problems.

It said, “Indeed, Easter which marks the resurrection Jesus Christ from the dead offers us a unique lesson in the ultimate triumph of life over death, good over evil, love over hatred, truth over falsehood, hope over despair and unity over strife.

“The PDP therefore urges Nigerians to, in the spirit of the season, eschew all divisiveness, forgive and show love to one another as exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

“In the same vein, we urge all elected and appointed leaders at all levels across the country to also reflect on the season and rededicate themselves to service for the good of all.”

The PDP urged Nerians not to despair as the party was gearing up to rescue the nation from the current misrule.

The party, therefore, wished all Nigerians happy Easter celebration.

Ohanaeze Asks Nigerians To Intensify Prayers The president-general of the umbrella Igbo organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo has urged Nigerians, particularly Ndigbo, to use this period of Easter to intensify their prayers for peace

in the country Nwodo, in an Easter message, urged Nigerians not to allow the prevailing hardship in the country to affect their spirit of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence.

The Ohanaeze remarked that the country was under siege from all sides and said that the period of Easter provides a good opportunity for Nigerians to pray more to God to send succour to alleviate their sufferings.

Nwodo urged Nigerians to use this year’s Easter festivities to engender the spirit of oneness and also re-dedicate themselves to the virtues of love, patriotism and unity for the desired national development.

“Nigerian Christians must allow the solemnness of the last 40 days of fasting and prayers to influence their thoughts and actions in relating with one another,” he said.

Mark Preaches Peace, Forgiveness The immediate past president of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has again called on Nigerians to live in peace and harmony with each other in order to create an enabling environment for development.

He craved for a harmonious relationship between and among adherents of various religions saying, “We have more to gain staying together as a people with a common destiny.”

Senator Mark , in a goodwill message to Nigerians to commemorate this year’s Easter celebration yesterday, expressed worry that the unabating upheavals and violent crimes across the country portend a threat to the future of the country.

Senator Mark, in apparent reference to cases of kidnaping, abduction and killings by criminal elements in parts of the country, said the issues raise serious concern to every right thinking member of the society.

To this end, Senator Mark urged the federal government to take a critical look at the clarion calls by Nigerians for the review of the security apparatuses as well as the restructuring of the polity.

Such a review or restructuring, he submitted, should however be anchored on fairness, equity and justice, and done in a manner that will give every section of the nation a sense of belonging.

Secondus Calls For Prayer For The Nation’s Democracy The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has urged Nigerians to use the period of Easter to reflect on the situation in the country and pray specially for the survival of her democracy.

Prince Secondus said in an Easter message to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead that the nation’s

democracy was, more than ever before since 1999, under heavy stress that needs all hands to be on deck for its survival.

The PDP boss said in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Ike Abonyi, that the nation’s democracy was under pressure and required only truth and sincerity of purpose from critical stakeholders to survive.

Prince Secondus urged the nation’s leaders to stand up for the truth and save the country from deteriorating.

The PDP boss specifically commended some of the nation’s elder statesmen like former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, and former defence minister, General Theophilus Danjuma, for speaking the truth about the state of the nation, saying that truth and nothing else can set the nation free.

“Indicators are apparent that the country is under siege and Nigerians should use this solemn period of Easter to pray for God to intervene and raise good leaders for the country”, he said.

Prince Secondus advised the APC-led federal government to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and shun all undemocratic tendencies that heighten tension in the land.

Pray For Leah Sharibu, CAN Urges Christians The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) , Borno State chapter, has urged Christians all over the country and the world to use this season of Easter to pray for the quick release of the only Christian Dapchi schoolgirl still in the custody of Boko Haram terrorists.

The body also appealed to the federal government to hasten the process leading to the possibie release of the girl, even as it urged the president to apply the same strategy it used in securing the release of the 104 returned Dapchi schoolgirls for the release of Miss Sharibu.

This was contained in an Easter message made available to LEADERSHIP Sunday by the chairman of CAN, Borno State chapter and the general overseer of the Pentecost Believers Covenant Church (PBCC), Maiduguri, Bishop Mohammed Naga yesterday in Maiduguri, the state capital.

LEADERSHIP SUNDAY recalls that Boko Haram had released 104 schoolgirls out of the 110 girls it had abducted from the Government Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, while holding Sharibu back reportedly for refusing to convert to Islam.

The fate of the other five is unclear, but there are reports they may have died.

“We urge government, both federal and Yobe State, to hasten the possibility of

releasing the young girl who truly knows who Christ is .Since they said we are one and that there is freedom of religion, let her also be considered and be released like her school mates,” Bishop Naga said.

Female Presidential Aspirant Asks FG To Negotiate Leah Sharibu’s Release A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Prof. Mercy Adesanya-Davies, has appealed to the federal government to negotiate the release of the Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu.

Adesanys-Davies made the appeal in her Easter message to Nigerians.

The presidential hopeful quoted Khadija Grema, one of the freed girls, who said that “Leah was not released because she is a Christian and she refused to put on hijab or convert,” and called for her release.

Senator Uchendu Urges Christians To Emulate Christ’s Selfless Service To Humanity The senator representing Rivers East in the National Assembly, Senator Andrew Igbonule Uchendu, has urged Christians to emulate Jesus Christ’s selfless service to humanity as portrayed by his life on earth Uchendu, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by his media aide, Solomon Nnam Okocha, said the current challenges facing the country would be tackled when citizens strive to render Christ-like service to the nation.

The senator said, “In this season that represents love, sacrifice and charity to mankind, it is my sincere wish that Christians would begin to show greater commitment of selfless service to our fatherland and to each other.

“Let us draw inspiration from Christ, who even though he is divine, chose to live an ordinary life just to serve humanity, even unto death. In the same vein, our traditional, religious and political leaders must set aside earthly desires and inordinate ambitions for the greater good of the people.”

Let Us Promote Harmony In Communities- el-Rufai Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, has called on the people of the state to do their best to promote peace and harmony in communities and to reject strife in the land.

In his Easter message to the Christian community in Kaduna State, the governor said for more than 2,000 years, Easter has symbolised the triumph of hope over despair and an affirmation that darkness cannot trump the plans and wishes of Almighty God. El-Rufai said:” On behalf of

myself and all the good people of Kaduna State, we seize this opportunity to felicitate with our brothers and sisters of the Christian community for a peaceful observance of the season of Lent ending with the great feast of Easter which celebrates the victory of Jesus Christ over death.

“This festival of triumph follows the holy season of Lent, during which the Christian community engaged in fasting, prayers and works of charity. As people of faith, let us continue to practise in our daily lives the lessons of sacrifice, care for the poor, deep spiritual reflection and love for all humankind, irrespective of tribe or religion, observed during the fasting”.

Be Law Abiding, Gov Ugwuanyi Urges Nigerians As Christians celebrate Easter to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has felicitated with the people of the state, Christian faithful and indeed all Nigerians for their abiding faith in God and commitment to peace, unity and progress of the country, in line with the spirit of the occasion.

In his Easter message, Governor Ugwuanyi noted that “the 40 days of fasting, praying and charity, which reinvigorated the spiritual strength of Christians to gain salvation and receive the amazing grace of God, call for celebration and sustained faith in God”.

While wishing the people of Enugu State and Nigerians a happy Easter celebration, the goVernon urged them to remain committed to virtues that promote peace, unity and progress, reiterating his resolve to continue to serve with the fear of God, in keeping with his firm belief that “Enugu State is in the hands of God”.

Easter, A Period Of Renewal, Hope – Gbenga Daniel Former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has urged Christians to use the Easter period as that of reflection and renewed sense of hope and possibilities.

In his Easter message to Nigerians, Otunba Daniel stated that Easter is a period when people reflect and renew their covenant with God because Jesus Christ rose from the dead to give mankind hope, courage, confidence, renewal and new life.

“After the 40-day Lenten period, we must all be renewed and transformed and, in turn, renew and transform others.

“As a nation with renewed hope, the relevance of Easter is that it gives us the assurance that we can overcome the challenges that we face, put an end to the destruction of lives and property and turn our backs to all moral ills,” he said.

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Ambode Preaches Tolerance, Sacrifice At Easter

BY GEORGE OKOJIE, LAGOS

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, peaceful coexistence and sacrifice for one another, saying development and growth can only occur in the nation when there is unity.

Ambode, in his Easter message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said such fundamental values would go a long way in promoting and strengthening the foundation of love, peace and harmony in the country.

He added that the season should serve as a reminder to the selflessness, love, sacrifice and tolerance of Jesus Christ throughout his earthly sojourn, his death and his resurrection.

Stressing the essence of the season, the Governor said Jesus exemplified the virtues of selflessness, love and tolerance during his period on earth, and thereby urged Christians to use the season as a period to reflect on their individual and collective roles towards promoting and sustaining that foundation of love, peace and harmony in the nation.

“We must therefore see this period as a time that presents us the viable opportunity to think about how we can help to steer our nation back on

the road to peace, stability and prosperity, by working in the spirit of togetherness,” the Governor said.

He said there was no better time for the country to unite together and eschew bitterness along ethnic and religious lines, adding that no challenge is insurmountable where unity of purpose thrives.

“No doubt, Nigeria will surely make faster progress towards the achievement of the peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country that we all desire if, as a nation, we eschew all divisive, parochial, ethnic and religious sentiments and rivalries, and begin to live more harmoniously with one another, as Jesus Christ enjoined us to,” he said.

Ambode commended Lagosians for their continued demonstration and promotion of mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence in spite of existing ethnic, cultural and religious diversities, saying that the cooperation of residents for government programmes and policies was responsible for the massive development across the State in the last 34 months.

While wishing all Lagosians a happy Easter celebration, Ambode enjoined them to continue to support his administration to deliver more developmental projects that would make life more comfortable for them.

Lord’s Chosen Begins Easter Revival Programme In Lagos

BY HANNAH ONI, LAGOS

The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries has commenced this year’s annual two - day power packed Easter programme, tagged ‘God’s Covenant Of Peace and Blessings’ in Lagos.

The church’s director, public relations, Pastor Louis Chidi, who disclosed this in a press statement made available to journalists, said the programme, which commenced on Saturday, will end today at the Chosen Revival Ground, in Lagos.

He said, “This special programme is divinely inspired to help bring to mind the significant of Easter which symbolises the victory of Jesus Christ over death and which, by extension, is the victory

over hopelessness and misery.

“It is at Easter that we are reminded of how God sent His son to die as a sacrifice for all our sins in order to rescue us from the impending destruction that has been earmarked for us as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. “Thus, by His death and resurrection, the covenant of peace and blessing, which mankind originally had with God at creation was restored.

Christ thus became the great sacrifice.”

He further explained that the concept of Easter is inextricably tied to peace, hope and blessing, saying they are the intangible chords that help people to get beyond the sad and sordid situations that might bog them down and give them a sense of hopelessness.

Medical officials attending to people during a Free Medical Service initiated by Surulere Community Development Association in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO BY NAN

Saraki, Sultan Others Storm Bauchi For Emir Of Ningi 40th Anniversary

BY BEATRICE GONDYI, Bauchi

All roads led to Ningi town in Bauchi State yesterday, as the Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Dr Yunusa Muhammadu Danyaya celebrated his 40th anniversary on the throne.

The 40th anniversary celebration, which held at the Danyaya Square, Ningi, attracted people from all walks of life and several dignitaries including the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was in company of Senators Nazif Gamawa (Bauchi North) and Senator Hamman Misau (Bauchi Central) among other senators and members of the House of Representatives.

Speaker Yakubu Dogara was conspicuously absent at

the occasion. The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu at the occasion, represented President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Senate President Bukola Saraki, said they were in Ningi to celebrate with the emir on his 40th anniversary on the throne, saying that Ningi and Ilorin emirates share similarities that date back to the Jihad of Sheik Usman Dan Fodio.

Saraki prayed God to grant the emir long life and prosperity.

The State governor, Mohammed Abubakar was represented by the Speaker of State House of Assembly, Honourable Kawuwa Shehu Damina, with the Secretary to the State government, Muhammad Nadada, and

Metuh Replies FG, Says It’s Executive Rascality

BY CHIBUZO UKAIBE, ABUJA

Former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has described the listing of his name by the information minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, among those who looted government funds as an unprecedented executive rascality and lawlessness.

The former spokesman of the opposition party, who is being tried for allegedly receiving N400 million from

A cross section of political activists, civil society groups, professional and youth associations, under the aegis of the Civil Society Forum (CSF) have expressed utmost satisfaction with the sterling

performance of Hon Albert Abiodun Adeogun, describing his tenure as ‘dynamic, focused, people-oriented, inclusive, free from sectional or primordial inclinations and geared towards the political liberation and socioeconomic emancipation of the

subjects are also known for being industrious and brave and prayed God to give the traditional ruler longer life.

Governor Abubakar praised the Emir for bringing unity and progress amongst the people of the Ningi emirate which comprised of Ningi and Warji communities.

Abubakar pledged to bring development to the people of Ningi emirate.

Also speaking, the Emir of Kano traced the historical ties between Ningi and Kano emirates to hundreds of years before the former migrated from Kano, saying the relationship has blossomed over the years as a result of intermarriages and trade between the two.

the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col Sambo Dasuki, said the prosecution has not established an illegal collusion on his part over the alleged charge, either in law or in fact.

The Minister of information, Lai Mohammed had included Metuh’s name among those who looted state funds.

Metuh said by this publication the federal government has breached our constitution by seeking to burden me with two criminal

trials on the same charge, one before Justice Okon Abang and the other before the media.

The former spokesman of PDP, who noted that the case against him is weak, added that the APC-led federal government has resorted to all kinds of tactics to dehumanise and intimidate him.

In response to the publication which he called scandalous, Metuh said “since my arrest on the 5th day of January 2016 and

subsequent arraignment, I have refrained from publicly discussing my persecution and travails by the government because as a lawyer, trained in the finest traditions of the Bar, I know that it is wrong to discuss a matter that is subjudice.

“However, the present action of the government leaves me no option than to defend my name and integrity. I have therefore decided to avail the public of the true state of the contrived case against me.

him he will not need votes from Southern Kaduna to win his reelection bid in 2019.

Tokwak, a former appointee of Governor el-Rufai, said any Southern Kaduna person that votes the governor from the party level and beyond, come

2019 at the general elections, will be “cursed.”

The former commissioner spoke to a group of Southern Kaduna youth and women in Jaba local government area of the State, at a symposium tagged Ham project with a theme, “Mobilising Women and Youths in Politics Now”.

According to him, “go and tell the present governor that I, Mikaiah Tokwak said any Southern Kaduna person that votes for him, either during primary elections or general elections, is a curse to his people.”

Tokwak, was quoted saying, “el-Rufai is a governor today

because of Southern Kaduna.

His people did not vote him during the primary elections.”

He disclosed that, “Southern Kaduna gave him 75 per cent of their vote. I am not lying, see my brother Husseini Dembo.

“When things started going astray, Senator Hunkuyi called us for a meeting with him, we got talking and what the man said was that we are 30 per cent in Kaduna State but we dominated the civil service 100 per cent, adding that the Northern part has never asked.” “el-Rufai further said that he does not need one vote from Southern Kaduna, Zones I and II will vote for him.

el-Rufai Doesn’t Need Southern Kaduna Vote Come 2019 – Tokwak

BY MIDAT JOSEPH, Kaduna

A former commissioner for local government and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr Mikaiah Tokwak, has alleged that governor Nasir el-Rufai told

CSOs Laud Lawmaker’s Achievements

BY GABRIEL EMAMEH, ABUJA

members of the cabinet, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Alhaji Uba Ahmed Nana and other APC leaders in attendance.

The occasion attracted several prominent traditional rulers across northen Nigeria including His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi.

Speaking at the event, President Buhari congratulated the Emir for being the longest serving emir of the emirate, adding that the Emir is known for excellent values of integrity, honesty and justice.

The President said that his

hardworking people of Ife Central/ Ife East/Ife North/Ife South Federal Constituency of Osun State.

This was made known in a communiqué signed by the CSF protem chairman, Barrister Femi Ademola and made available to newsmen recently. The group

further observed that the ‘youthful, energetic, purposeful and articulate Hon Albert Abiodun Adeogun, has been of high moral standing, very vibrant and productive on the floor of the House all through this democratic dispensation.

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Inside Nigerian Stock Exchange

Highlighting The Eradication Of Unclaimed Dividends

In this report, OLUSHOLA BELLO examines the causes of the low participation of investors in e-dividend platform. This in turn has led to continuous extension of deadline for free registration of electronic dividends and the need for more enlightenment for the exercise to succeed.

O

ne of the major challenges investors have been facing in the nation’s stock market over the years is the issue of unclaimed dividends. The unclaimed dividends once rose to over N80 billion. Worried by the situation, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) decided to find a solution. It decided to introduce electronic dividend (e-dividend) for investors to get their dividends directly credited to their bank accounts.

As part of efforts to reduce unclaimed dividends in the market, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in 2015 collaborated with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian InterBank Settlement System (NIBSS) to launch Electronic Mandate Management System (E-DMMS) platform. The platform allows shareholders to receive dividends directly into their bank accounts.

What Is Dividend?

Since the introduction of the platform, SEC has been encouraging investors to register for e-dividend instead of waiting for dividend warrants. Dividend is a payment made by a corporation to its shareholders, usually as a

distribution of profits. It is allocated as a fixed amount per share, with shareholders receiving a dividend in proportion to their shareholdings.

While e-Dividend, otherwise known as electronic dividend is a secure online means of paying dividends directly to the shareholder’s account instead of printing and mailing dividend warrants, as currently practiced.

It entails a shareholder who has a bank account (Savings or Current Account) with any bank, to give his/her accurate account details, including Biometric Verification Number (BVN), to the company and his or her dividend would be paid directly into that account.

Unending Extensions SEC launched the e-dividend platform in July 2015 and set December 2015 as a deadline.

After protests by shareholders, the deadline was shifted to December 2016. With the low compliance, SEC, extended the deadline to June 30, 2017, then moved it to December 31, 2017, with strong words that ‘‘there is no going back on the Commission’s decision to stop dividend warrant at the end of December.’’ Going into 2018, SEC has moved the deadline twice this year, first put the deadline in

February 2018 and later moved it to March 31, 2018.

Meanwhile, the e-dividend registration exercise would continue seamlessly despite the expiration of the free registration deadline but will attract a fee of N150. Already, SEC has stopped Registrars from issuing dividend warrants, while shareholders who bought shares and registered with multiple names have been given till March 31, 2018 to consolidate their accounts.

According to the provision of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), unclaimed dividends refer to dividends that are not claimed within six months after declaration, and are returned to the public companies, from where the investors can make claims within 12 years after that, it is been forfeited by the shareholders and become statute-barred and are returned to the companies that paid them. But the new rule seeks to change the return of the unclaimed dividends to companies that issued the dividends.

A New Use For N102bn Unclaimed Dividends SEC is now proposing a change to the rule. Companies and registrars in custody of dividends which remain unclaimed by shareholders

12 years after the date of declaration or subsequently attain the 12 years threshold shall upon the coming into effect of this rule transfer such monies into the Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund (NCMDF).

Over the years, the quantum of unclaimed dividends, within the Nigerian clime, has witnessed tremendous growth. Before registration for e-dividend started, over N90 billion was said to be unclaimed dividends. But since the commencement, over N30 billion unclaimed dividend has been credited to investors’ bank accounts.

But as at January, 2017, the total amount was confirmed to be over N103 billion. Noting that companies would continue to declare dividends, this figure is expected to further grow.

The huge figure and continuous growth of unclaimed dividends clearly suggest an urgent need to stem the trend. It has been said that prior to the move, unclaimed dividends running into billions of naira, were largely abandoned by shareholders. This also created a large source of revenue for registrars who typically warehouse such funds.

Apart from e-dividend initiatives to ➔ CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

The huge figure and continuous growth of unclaimed dividends clearly suggest an urgent need to stem the trend

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Highlighting The Eradication Of Unclaimed Dividends ➔ FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

boost investment in the Nigerian capital market, SEC have also rolled out other initiatives like stoppage of issuance of paper dividend warrants, forbearance on multiple accounts consolidation and Direct Cash Settlement (DCS).

The acting director-general of SEC, Dr. Abdul Zubair recently said that the deadline for the free registration, that has been paid for by the commission since the introduction of the e-dividend would continue till February 28, 2018. According to the commission, in reviewing the progress of the e-dividend registration exercise after the December 31, 2017 deadline, it was noted that there was still a great influx of shareholders desirous of mandating their bank accounts for payment of dividends electronically.

“In light of the foregoing, the SEC, as part of its developmental role, has extended the period for the free e-Dividend registration exercise till February 28, 2018, to encourage more shareholders mandate their Bank Accounts.

“Accordingly, shareholders that are yet to register should continue to approach their banks or Registrars to mandate their bank accounts for the collection of their Dividends electronically, including unclaimed dividends, not exceeding 12 years of issue” SEC said.

The result we have got so far is not commensurate with the effort that we have put into it

Investors Call For More Enlightenment While the extension of the free registration has been seen as a welcome development, investors have urged the regulator to embark on more enlightenment before the end of the new deadline. On the benefits of e-dividend platform, the suspended director-general of SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo had explained that the platform would address the lingering problem of unclaimed dividend, which the market had sought solution for the past 20 years.

“The era of stale dividends and huge unclaimed dividends in the market will be a thing of the past with the launch of e-dividend payment platform. We are determined to see the full implementation of the system to facilitate effective payment of dividends to investors.

Also speaking on the benefits, head, Business Process, NIBSS, Samuel Oluyemi, said that the e-dividend portal was developed under the auspices of zero tolerance on unclaimed dividends being pursued by SEC, explaining that the platform would allow direct payment of dividends into investors’ accounts once the mandate form was completed appropriately.

Oluyemi said investors would supply bank account number; registrars’ shareholders account number, clearing house account number and bank verification number in the mandate form to facilitate payment. According to him, the portal would also accept payment of dividends into dormant accounts, adding that an investor could only withdraw the money after revalidating the account.

“The registrars have been mandated to provide online access of the mandate forms to investors in Diaspora for efficient implementation of the e-dividend payment platform,” he said.

In a presentation titled, ‘Market Initiatives Being Led By Sec Towards Curbing Unclaimed Dividends In The Nigerian Capital Market’ by the director, External Relations of SEC, Mr. Henry Rowlands said continuous retention of dividends by companies has a great potential of distorting the true financial position of companies and misleading investors and other members of the public.

According to him, the huge amount of unclaimed dividends could discourage foreign investment as well as discourage members of the public from staking their funds in the market. He added that nonreceipt of dividends discourages investors in stock market and encourages them to search for alternative investment outlets such as the real sector and money market.

Consequently, public companies are denied the opportunity of cheaper source of finance.

Causes Of Unclaimed Dividend On the causes of unclaimed dividend, Rowland pointed out that a careful assessment of the current practice of printing and mailing dividend warrants as means of paying dividends revealed incomplete or wrong mailing address when completing application forms, thus making it difficult to deliver dividend warrants.

He also said, non or late communication to the Registrars, when change of address occurs, thus making the dividends warrant returned when posted, provision of an address in a place that cannot be accessed, where the shareholder is unaware of such declaration of dividends, deceased shareholder without a Will and his or her family did not contact the company’s Registrar to supply information that will assist withhold his or her dividends, among others.

A registrar that spoke under anonymity said that despite the efforts of SEC and other stakeholders, the response from shareholders has not been encouraging. She said, “Though SEC has taken it very serious and is doing everything possible to encourage investors to embrace e-dividend payment, the shareholders response to the call has not been encouraging. If this persists, the issue of unclaimed dividend will remain a problem.

“Right now, it has been decided that we should go e-dividend so that there is no more cases of wrong address or that this or that person does not have his dividend. Even the calls to the shareholders to fill bank mandate form that will enable us pay into their bank accounts has not been yielding encouraging response.

“The response has been very poor. The result we have got so far is not commensurate with the effort that we have put into it. But SEC is unrelenting and it is still going about doing road shows all over the place encouraging people to see the need for them to come out and embrace

the e-dividend payment option.

The e-dividend is the way to go to solve the unclaimed dividend issue.

Meanwhile, a cheery may have come the way of those having difficulties claiming the share certificates and dividends that belong to their dead relations,” said the registrar.

Shareholders And The Way Forward Capital market stakeholders said that SEC needs to improve on its sensitization and awareness programmes beyond the cities to cover the nooks and crannies of the country. According to them, there is the need to deepen the mobilization and awareness function of SEC as a core driver to encourage Nigerians to embrace the capital market. Less than seven per cent of Nigerian population is participating in the capital market.

President, Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), Dr Faruk Umar said the e-dividend initiative is a commendable initiative that should be embraced by all shareholders, noting that direct payment of dividends will be beneficial to all stakeholders.

He however called for extension of the deadline till the end of this year to ensure that more shareholders are captured under the scheme, saying “the e-dividend project has been very successful as all one needs to do is to walk into a bank and complete the form. With regard to the deadline, I think SEC should extend it to December 31, 2018, but shareholders may be asked to bear the cost.”

He noted that the cessation of dividend warrants and full commencement of e-dividend will help to address many issues that had bedeviled the dividend payment in the past including stealing of dividend warrants, delayed payment, problem of revalidation of warrants and the huge costs being paid by companies to process and post dividend warrants.

President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr. Boniface Okezie, faulted the directive of SEC to stop the warrant dividend, saying this is unacceptable unless given a legal backing. He noted that at a meeting SEC had with shareholders agreed on deadline for free registration but not that of stoppage of warrant dividend.

“We didn’t agree that after deadline, the dividend warrant will stop, we agreed that the dividend warrant will continue until full compliance is achieved. For SEC to stop dividend warrants is unacceptable, what they need to do is to increase the level of awareness to ensure 100 per cent compliance.

“What the law of CAMA stipulates is that dividend warrants must be sent to investors and that law has not been amended,” he said.

“SEC needs to continue to lobby the National Assembly to expunge the issue of dividend warrants certificates in CAMA. SEC first of all needs to do the needful by increasing awareness for e-dividend and seek the amendment of in the law” he said.

Emefiele

The chairman of Ibadan Zone Shareholders Association, Mr. Eric Akinduro, said the proactive steps taking by SEC to eradicate unclaimed dividend through e-dividend platform is a welcome development that is going to help to reduce the incidence of unclaimed dividend. According to him, SEC has also done well by creating a platform where investors can check their non-mandate account with registrars and which many of them have embraced.

“However the dead line is what I fault due to the level of illiteracy of both investors and even the banks. SEC needs to do a lot of enlightment at grassroot level for the small investors that are the major owners of these unclaimed dividends to know how to do about it. Also the issue of signature irregular has to be addressed.

Many investors are still facing a lot of difficulties when it comes to signature problem either irregular signature or no specimen signature.

What I believe is that this new development in the banking sector should be aligned to do that.

“So far the BVN and bank has endorsed the form and you can link the name to other shares owned by the investor there should be a way where they can amalgamate the accounts as this will help indeed. So SEC should not close the platform because unclaimed dividend is a continuous issue that cannot stop over a period of time. How many small Investors have access to internet and computer to check this but with time information will go round and more people will get it done,” Akinduro said.

In the opinion of Mrs. Bisi Bakare, stopping issuance of dividend warrants would not solve the problem. According to her, while it is good to embrace e-dividend, there is still a lot of work to be done to resolve back-log of complaints. She noted that many investors still have issues with registrars pertaining to creation of multiple accounts for bonus issues by some registrars among others.

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Nigerian Pilot Lists Attractions For Joining Emirates Airlines

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR, Lagos

A Nigerian trained pilot, Mr. Ambrose Ojobo has said that, his considerations for joining Emirates Airlines are due to the carrier’s safety culture, job security, reliability, self-improvement opportunity, career progression, span of route network, quality of training, and remuneration benefits amongst others.

Ojobo, a First Officer is a Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) trained pilot flying Boeing 777 aircraft with Dubai based and world-class Emirates Airlines.

Speaking at a media chat with journalists in Dubai recently, the pilot pointed out that all these qualities and others which he found with Emirates Airline, made the carrier his Ideal place of work.

According to him Emirates which has been named ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2018 Air Transport Awards had also given him multicultural exposure, rewarding and positively challenging

opportunities. Although, Ojobo is trained and certified to fly Boeing 777, he maintained that discipline is the bedrock of every successful pilot, which branches off to sound knowledge, good skills and resilient attitude.

“I am currently certified on the Boeing 777 aircraft. Factors to consider prior to each flight are summarized into the preflight preparation briefings; a constant review of the aircraft manual, continuous recap of the aircraft procedures. We are also provided rigorous training on flight simulators to handle any possible scenario that might arise during a flight so we are mentally prepared”, Ojobo said.

On what inspired him to join the flying career, the pilot said “It was fired by my toy ‘Bullet train’, vehicles and how they move; cars, trucks, the fighter jets, and the big mighty Jumbo jet (Boeing 747). My uncle who was an air force pilot, fate and my parents Mr. & Mrs. I.B. Ojobo for investing in me”.

Global Electricity Demand Up 3.1% In 2017 – IEA L-R: Santosh Kumar, Regional Sales Manager Southwest Region; Utkarsh Tyagi, Brand Manager; Swatanter Saraswat, Head of Sales & Marketing; Akpororo, Celebrity Comedian; Kumar Venkataraman, Managing Director Sweet

FG Infrastructure Policy Stimulating Economic Growth – Fashola

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has disclosed that federal government infrastructure renewal policy is attaining the set target of stimulating socio-economic development in the country.

He stated this in Abuja at the inspection tour of National Housing Programme (NHP) site in Dukpai, Gwagwalada Area Council.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the inspection, Fashola said that the proof of the impact of the policy on the populace could be seen and experienced by people

working at various project sites.

The minister noted that the actual beneficiaries of the much touted huge budgetary allocation of the ministry were workers at the project sites, suppliers of construction materials, food vendors and among others.

According to him, “From the workers, the money will get to the markets where they will buy food, household and other needs thereby passing the money to traders and business men who will also use the money to meet their diverse needs both at home and in their other commitments”.

He enjoined business men and women to be prepared to supply the

market with household accessories such as curtains, carpets, bedding and household furniture to prospective home owners.

Reiterating that the programme is currently on-going in 33 states of the country, he described the NHP as the full ecosystem of the national economy.

The minister challenged journalists on the need to disseminate the news of the housing programme to Nigerians that would be the ultimate beneficiaries of the project.

One of the workers at the site, Ibrahim Haruna informed the minister that he started working at the site last month in order to acquire more experience and make money.

Minister Reiterates FG’s Readiness To Boost Fish Production

BY KINGSLEY OPURUM, Abuja

Worried by the low level of development in aquaculture in Nigeria, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has reiterated the readiness of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to increase the level of fish production and aquaculture in the country.

According to the press statement made available to Leadership, the Minister made the disclosure when he received in audience a 4-man delegation of World Fish officials led by the Country Representative Director, Dr. Harrison Chris Karisa in his office recently.

Senator Lokpobiri, who was happy to receive the delegation,

stated that “Nigeria is poised to change the narrative in fish and aquaculture. We need to maximize the limited time to achieve world fish initiative”.

The Minister noted that Nigeria’s investment in Agriculture increased to 100 Billion Naira increase in 2017 from 15 billion Naira it was in 2015 and expressed optimism that sustainable fish production will also boost national revenue as well as serve as remedies of malnutrition and protein deficiency intake in Nigeria.

He assured the delegation that the country will partner the World Fish which is a highly reputable and respected organization as expert in the production of Tilapia which is more affordable for the poor masses.

Earlier, one of the delegates, Professor Yusuf Abubakar has expressed the desire of his organization to establish a Nigerian country office with more emphasis on boosting Tilapia fish industry in Nigeria, saying the country has lesson to learn from Egypt which today is the 3rd world producer of Tilapia fish Professor Abubakar also said the Fish Research Organization would also build capacities of the Research Institutes which would in turn enhance the capacity of small holder farmers for a new programme in Tilapia fish production.

He assured that Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation is ready to fund the proposed Word Fish Centre Nigeria fishing programme.

BY CHIKA IZUORA, Lagos

Global electricity demand witnessed a 3.1 per cent jump in 2017 with major contribution coming from China and India. The two nations together accounted for 70 per cent of the rise, International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a report.

With a third of the world’s population currently residing in India and China, the two countries accounted for a total of 540 Terra Watt Hour (TWh) of electricity demand growth in 2017, out of the global increase of 780 TWh. This global rise in electricity was significantly higher than the overall increase in the energy demand.

The Paris-based agency also said in its Global Energy and CO2 status report 2017 that India has made significant strides in improving access to electricity, with half a billion people having gained

electricity since 2000 and a neardoubling of the access rate, to 82 per cent of the population now, up from 43 per cent in 2000.

“Electricity demand growth in emerging economies remains strongly linked to rising economic output. In China, the robust economic growth of nearly seven per cent and a warm summer drove electricity demand up by six per cent (or 360 TWh). In India, demand growth of over 12 per cent (or 180 TWh) outpaced the seven per cent growth in economic activity,” IEA said.

Apart from these two nations, another 10 per cent global electricity demand was registered by other emerging economies in Asia. The report further stated that output from nuclear plants rose by 26 TWh in 2017, as a notable amount of new nuclear capacity saw its first full year of operation.

Lekoil Goes To Court Over OPL 310

BY CHIMA AKWAJA, Lagos

Lekoil Limited has commenced legal proceedings against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources over government’s failure to grant consent for Lekoil’s investment in Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 310 block offshore Nigeria following its acquisition of previous stake holding by Afren Plc. According to the plaintiff, “Despite progressing exploration and appraisal activities on OPL 310 as previously announced, Lekoil has, to date, not received Ministerial Consent for its acquisition of the additional 22.86 per cent interest in OPL 310 or a satisfactory explanation of why such consent has not been forthcoming. As a result, the Company has taken the decision to apply to the Federal High Court for a declaration that is expected to expedite the consent process, and preserve the unex-

pired tenure in the licence.”

Lekoil said “on 1 February 2013, Mayfair Assets and Trust Limited, a subsidiary of Lekoil, farmed into Afren Investments Oil and Gas (Nigeria) Limited’s (AIOGNL) interest in OPL 310 for a 17.14 per cent participating interest and 30 per cent economic interest, subject to Ministerial Consent from Nigeria’s Minister for Petroleum Resources. Ministerial Consent was granted for the interest on 9 June 2017.

On 31 July 2015, Afren plc, the parent company of Afren Oil & Gas that held interests in the OPL 310 licence, was put into administration and its assets put up for sale. On 1 December 2015, Lekoil announced an agreement with the administrator of Afren and Afren Nigeria Holding Limited to acquire the shares of AIOGNL, which held a 22.86 per cent participating interest in OPL 310.

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BUSINESS NEWS 15

Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project Runs Into Hitch Shell Sues Ex- Senior Employee to culminate in a gigantic pipeline and the association “No to the gas Over $390m Nigerian Bribe that will run about 5,000 kilometres pipeline Fos Dunkerque” (France).

BY CHIKA IZUORA, Lagos

The proposed gas pipeline that would stretch along the West African coast from Nigeria to Morocco may run into a hitch as over 30 global organisations have signed a petition against the project.

The project was first announced following a meeting between King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President Muhammad Buhari, on the side line of the UN Climate Summit COP22 in Marrakech in November 2016. This was further examined by the two heads of state during the Monarch’s visit to Abuja in December 2016.

The project which is the continuation of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), linking Nigeria to Ghana through Benin and Togo aims

from Nigeria to Morocco, with a possible extension to Europe.

A statement released by the royal cabinet, said: “This strategic gas pipeline, which may stretch up towards Europe, will promote the emergence of an integrated North West African zone and enable the region to achieve energy independence, accelerate the implementation of electrification projects, and develop important economic and industrial activities.”

The organisations who have signed the petition include ATTAC Morocco, the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF-Nigeria), the Association Pierre Domachal (France), Climáximo (Portugal), Friends of the Earth (United States),

Furthermore, the organisations pointed out that “the section already constructed WAGP was done without consulting the populations who rejected the environmental impact study.”

The petitioners argue that the project would “increase the extraction and consumption of fossil resource, the main cause of global warming”, adding that the project will lead to a financial sinkhole. “It is likely that the forecasted cost of $20 billion will likely be doubled and will lead to an exponential increase in the debt burden of our countries,” the petition read.

“It is a top-down project that does not consider the needs of the populations and the environment.

L-R Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Bukar Hassan; Managing Director Designate, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman and Executive Governor, Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, during the technical workshop on the transformation of the agriculture value chain powered by Sterling Bank in Abuja...Friday

Wema Gets SME Finance From AfDB, ICD

BY BUKOLA IDOWU, Lagos

Wema Bank Plc has signed a line of credit agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) to grow financial support to small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria.

The bank in a statement said AfDB had already disbursed the $15 million agreed with the multilateral development finance institution, while it also secured a $20 million LOC from the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

The agreement was signed at the 3rd Africa Islamic Finance Forum held on Tuesday this week. The line of credit will be channelled towards

funding small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) operating in Nigeria.

According to Segun Oloketuyi, the Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc., the funds will help bolster the Bank’s vision of building a sustainable retail sector by supporting micro, small and medium scale enterprises.

“SMEs are one of the greatest contributors to Nigeria’s economic growth. Research has shown that the sector has a similar effect worldwide, contributing to over 55 per cent of GDP and over 65 per cent of total employment in highincome countries,” he said.

“Also, SMEs account for over 60 per cent of GDP and over 70 per cent of total employment in low-income countries, while they

contribute over 95 per cent of total employment and about 70 per cent of GDP in middle-income countries. We believe efforts like this, ultimately helps to create jobs, accelerate industrialization, redistribute wealth and fight poverty” the Wema Bank boss said.

Mohammed Al Ammari, the Acting CEO and general manager of ICD, confirmed his excitement about the partnership, adding that it will further deepen its footprint in Africa, where a significant portion of its investment portfolio is domiciled. “ICD’s line of investment portfolio has been heavily concentrated in Africa over the years, seeking opportunities to grow funding for SMEs and provide economic-stimulating investments within the region,” he said.

BY CHIKA IZUORA,Agency Report

Royal Dutch Shell has filed a criminal complaint against a former senior employee over suspected bribes in the $390 million sale of an oilfield in Nigeria, where the company is already under investigation over a separate deal.

Dutch prosecutors confirmed they had received the complaint against Peter Robinson, a former vice president for subSaharan Africa. They said it would be included in an ongoing investigation into Shell and Italy’s Eni over the acquisition of a different Nigerian oilfield, known as OPL 245.

Shell and Eni deny any wrongdoing related to OPL 245. A spokesman for Anglo-Dutch Shell said the two cases were unrelated.

Shell said an internal investigation had found that Robinson may have committed a crime during the sale of an onshore oilfield, Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42, to local company Neconde Energy Ltd in February 2011.

“We suspect a crime may have been committed by our former employee, Peter Robinson, against Shell in relation to the sale process for Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42 in Nigeria in 2011,” a Shell spokesman said in a statement.

“We have filed a criminal complaint with the Dutch authorities and are considering other steps we could take” he said.

Chiara Padovani, a lawyer representing Robinson, did

not respond to a request for comment. Neconde Energy was not immediately available to comment. Robinson is one of a number of Shell employees being prosecuted in Milan over OPL 245, a case spanning several countries that involves Nigerian government officials and oil executives in a $1.3 billion sale of the offshore field.

The new evidence was uncovered after investigators looking into OPL 245 raided a house in Perth, Australia owned by Robinson, according to a source close to the process. The evidence included documents showing Robinson had set up a Seychelles-based company, which was later linked to two Swiss bank accounts set up in 2011 also under Robinson’s name, the source said. Shell suspects that the company and the accounts may have been used to process kickbacks, the source said.

Shell, the largest international oil producer in Nigeria, was looking methodically at other transactions in which Robinson was involved, the source said.

The spokesman said Shell had informed the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission about the offshore company and the accounts.

Swiss federal prosecutors have supplied information to authorities in Italy and the Netherlands probing alleged corruption related to oil contracts in Nigeria, the Office of the Attorney General said on Wednesday.

12.5m Nigerians Access Oral B’s Free Dental Care In 6 Years

BY GODDIE OFOSE

Over 12.5 million Nigerians have accessed Oral-B’s free dental care in the last six years, said Tolulope Pogoson, Brand Manager Oral B. She stated this at the Oral B Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC) activation at Iyana Ipaja Lagos to commemorate the 2018 World Oral Health Day (WOHD).

The World Oral Health Day is celebrated every year, March 20, to bring to the fore the benefits of a healthy mouth and to promote worldwide awareness of oral health and the importance to both old and young. This year’s theme “Say ahh; Think Mouth, Think Health’ aims at drawing attention to the fact that a healthy mouth is crucial to maintaining overall health and quality of life.

The brand manager Oral B said

“healthy teeth and gums are fundamental to overall health and well-being of all; because we understand this, we are committed to making Nigerians fully aware of the benefits of having good oral hygiene.”

She added, “Oral-B is dedicated to improving the oral health of all Nigerians through our programs, most especially our mobile dental clinic. We are pleased that Nigerian consumers trust Oral-B when it comes to the dental health of their families. At Procter & Gamble it is our purpose to improve the lives of consumers with our brands and programs like the Mobile Dental Clinic Programme which is specifically designed to provide free oral care education and dental health checks to Nigerians in a bid to achieve significantly healthier lives starting from oral care”

NB Restates Commitment In Ensuring Corporate Governance Standards

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

Nigerian Breweries Plc has reaffirmed its commitment in ensuring good corporate governance standards. New managing director of Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel made this known on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos.

Also, the chief executive officer of NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema commended Nigerian Breweries for its commitment to corporate governance standards. Onyema who was represented by executive director, regulation, NSE, Ms Tinuade Awe described Nigerian Breweries as an exemplary corporate citizen.

Awe explained that part of the Exchange’s core mandate is to ensure that it continues to provide a robust platform that will attract the confidence of local and foreign investors. In his remark, Mr. Borrut Bel acknowledged the pivotal role the Exchange has been playing in the sustained growth and development of the capital market and

the Nigerian economy in general, over the years.

While restating the commitment of Nigerian Breweries to sustaining its relationship with the Exchange, Bel added that the company has over the years excelled in compliance and corporate governance matters.

According to him, we have over

the years received awards and recognition from the NSE including the NSE President’s Merit Award in the Brewery Sector, the NSE Quoted Company of the Year Award and the NSE CEO’s Distinguished Award for Compliance, and the NSE CEO’s award as the Most Compliant Listed Company on The Nigerian Stock Exchange.

16 BUSINESS INTERVIEW

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Federal Government Deemed Us Qualified To Be Flag Carrier – Onyema The chairman of Air Peace, the airline with the largest fleet in the country and recipient of the LEADERSHIP Company of the Year Award, Barrister Allen Onyema spoke with BUKOLA IDOWU on the expansion of the airline and the challenges facing the Nigerian airline industry. Excerpts.

Air Peace has recently acquired new fleets of aircraft, making it the airline with the largest fleet in the country. What is the present state of the Air Peace fleet?

You are aware we started operations in 2014 October 24 with four Boeing 727 and three Dornier 328.

So, we started operations with seven aircraft and by the end of 2015, we sold two of our Dornier jets which are 32 seater capacity because they are smaller planes. We sold two of them to British airways subsidiary in Denmark because we felt we didn’t need those two leaving us with four Boeing 737 and one Dornier executive jet.

Down the line within the last three years of operations, we have acquired 17 more planes.

We brought into this country 14 Boeing 737s six emerald jets and two Boeing 777s. Nigerians have just seen only one but the other one will be here in a few weeks or thereabout. We have about 24 planes making Air Peace the largest carrier fleet-wise not only in Nigeria but the entire sub-Saharan Africa.

There has been talks of Air Peace expanding routes to London, US and some other destinations, how far have these plans gone?

We went to Cote d’Ivoire and they slammed us with about $9,000 per landing on a plane with how many people and when they come into Nigeria, how much do they pay, nothing

The federal government deemed us qualified to be a flag carrier and gave us those routes.

London, Mumbai in India, Dubai in UAE, Guangzhou in China, Atlanta and Houston in America, and London. We have gotten the approval of the federal government to go into those routes. We have made applications to those countries for us to come in, hence our acquisition of the 777 which are the aircraft meant to do those routes. We intend to fly from here to China nonstop with our 777 planes we intend to do Dubai too.

Instead of Nigerians having to go to other countries before they get to China, we wat to give our people the opportunity to go directly to China and London and we are going to be consistent. We are not going to go in there and run out, we are going to maintain steady progress. If anybody thinks it is one of those things Nigerian airlines do, just go in and come out, no. This has come to stay and

by God’s grace, Air Peace shall outlive even four generations to come.

It is not about us, it is about provision of jobs to humanity.

When do we expect to see the commencement of these routes?

We are ready on Air Peace side, we have already procured the planes and we are also going for more planes, more 777s. We want to make sure Nigerians enjoy top quality services at afford-

fore us, the foreign airlines have business class lounges. We applied for business class lounge since last year, we have not been given. Nigerian airlines are working under the harshest condition; they deserve to be praised because we are the ones providing jobs.

Considering the challenges, what is your opinion of the Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM)?

Onyema

able rates. The foreign airlines have been killing us, charging arms and legs for Nigerians to travel. What the South Africans pay from Johannesburg to London which is nine hours flight is cheaper than what Nigerians pay from Lagos to London which is about six hours flight.

We want to change all these and we know it is not easy. When you asked about when we are going to start, we are ready. What we need is the cooperation of government to make it happen. It is one thing to give you destination from your country, another thing is for the country to accept you. We are ready and I know the foreign airlines are not comfortable with the emergence of Air Peace because they know we are actually going to do things differently for Nigeria. We are ready if we get approval from London tomorrow.

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) say we should wait, we are waiting to get the nod to apply to London. We have applied to Dubai and they have given us approval, so, we think we will start Dubai sometime in July. China will follow sometime in August hopefully. We want to do London around the first week of the last quarter of the year 2018. Of course, we want to do USA next year January and we need government’s support.

In the West African region, we have started flying Senegal, we are going to Dakar, Banjul in Gambia, and we fly to Freetown in Sierra Leone and Ghana. In the coming weeks, Air Peace will start doing Monrovia and Duala. Of course, we are going to start going to Jo-

hannesburg in South Africa. We have applied to the South African Civil Aviation Authority since last year and up to this moment we have not heard anything from them and yet they are coming to Nigeria. Those are the things that we complain about that we need support.

Cote d’Ivoire is coming into this country with Air Cote d’Ivoire about four times a day, did their government give me permission to go to Cote d’Ivoire? They didn’t want us to get there, the foreign airlines do not want Nigerian airlines to survive. Our government should also stand by us. Nigerian airlines are becoming very strong.

If others are not, I can tell you that Air Peace is very strong and can compete with anybody under the sun to the level of our capacity.

This government will do us a lot of good if they step in to curtail the ravaging of our economy by foreign airlines. The government must begin to support Nigerian airlines. Over 150 airlines have passed through his country and only about six are remaining.

The owners of these 150 airlines were not stupid people for them to have failed and that means something is fundamentally wrong. The thing that is fundamentally wrong is not totally with the owners, so there are other prevailing factors that are making it hard for these people.

We went to Cote d’Ivoire and they slammed us with about $9,000 per landing on a plane with how many people and when they come into Nigeria, how much do they pay, nothing. They get spaces in our international airport be-

I thank the president for not signing that document. That was the best thing that has happened; they would have signed us into slavery to foreign machinations.

I commend the president for tarrying a while to say let me look at this properly. All Nigerian airlines are so grateful to the president for listening to our cry. The Single Africa air transport regime would not have favoured this country at this time. The Nigerian airlines are not against SAATM. What we are saying is let us have a level playing field before we sign this.

To start with, these countries have nothing to offer Nigeria.

They hurriedly did SAATM to favour themselves, Nigeria is the target. There is a grand plan to pull down the Nigerian airline industry over the years and some of these foreign airlines are involved in it. For example, you are doing SAATM, for everybody to go everywhere, what has Ethiopia got to offer Nigeria? No Nigerian airline even with a 10 seater aircraft could go into Ethiopia, nobody goes there from here. All the Nigerians you see go there are going to other countries. Nothing is happening there. When you want to sign some of these things it has to be reciprocal, let us not sell our country for cheap.

Ethiopia Airlines flies five times into five cities in Nigeria. What should be done is to give them two cities and let them liaise with local airlines for other cities, not the free ride we are giving foreign airlines in Nigeria. Air Cote d’Ivoire comes into Nigeria about five times and they don’t want Air Peace to come into their country just because they don’t want Nigerian airline to succeed. They know that when Nigerian airlines come in nobody will want to use theirs, so they want to strangulate us and these are what we are saying that we don’t want this signed until these things are ironed out.

We are not against it. We should protect our economy that is what the airlines are crying for. It is not about what anybody tells you out there, the Nigerian airlines are not against SAATM, we are against the unlevelled playing field. It will help conserve our foreign exchange.

The foreign airlines are fleecing our foreign reserves through careless signing of documents.

Sunday, April 1, 2018

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zonal watch

17

NIGERSTATEKWARASTATEKOGISTATEBENUESTATENASARAWASTATEPLATEAUSTATEFCTABUJA

Opposition Parties Threaten To Boycott Nasarawa Council Poll

BY DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia

HEADS FROM THE ZONE

L-R Director complaint, monitoring and enforcement, Nigrian communication Commission (NCC) Mr Efosa Idehen; director policy, competition and economic analysis, NCC, Ms Josephin Amuwa; Executive commissioner stakeholders management NCC Mr Sunday Dare; Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki and director licensing and authorization NCC Ms Funlola Akiode when the governor paid a courtesy visit to NCC in Abuja recently

Benue State Governor Samue Ortom Local government employees in Benue state whose names were expunged from the local government payment vouchers have protested to the State House of Assembly, demanding for reinstatement and payment of their salaries.

LG Employees Protest Non Payment Of Salaries

BY HEMBADOON ORSAR, MAKURDI

Local government employees in Benue state whose names were expunged from the local government payment vouchers have protested to the State House of Assembly, demanding for reinstatement and payment of their salaries.

The protesters who were in their numbers carried placards some of which read, ‘we are not ghost workers, ‘we were genuinely employed, ‘pay us our due’.

The leader of the protesters, Emmanuel Iorlumum said they were duly employed by various local governments following approval given by the Benue State Government in 2011, adding that appointment letters were issued to them and they signed acceptance forms and submitted same to the Director General,

Service and Administration of their respective councils.

According to Iorlumum, the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affair staff verification also, captured them in its biometric verification in 2014.

“We have gone through series of screening throughout our stay in the local governments; therefore nobody should tag us as ghost workers.

“We started receiving our monthly salaries from 2011.

Even this present administration has continued with the payment right from its inception without complaints. Our bank statement and local government vouchers can attest to that. The Benson Abounu Emergency Committee on Salary Issues even captured the staff employed in 2011, “he explained.

He decried the manner the

Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Titus Zam on the 13th March, 2018 issued directives to the 23 local government chairmen to expunge their names on the various payment vouchers without stating their offence.

The protesters appealed to the Speaker to prevaiedl on the state government to rescind its decision and reinstate them.

Responding, the Speaker, Hon. Terkimbir Ikyange frowned at the ambiguity that has shrouded payment of salary in the state, averring that the House is carrying out verification to ascertain the true position of the issue with a view to correcting the anomalies. It would be recalled that local government staff in the state are owed over 11 salaries.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Labour Party (LP) and Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), have threatened to boycott the coming council poll in Nasarawa state.

It will be recalled that the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASEIC), has scheduled the council poll for May 26, 2018. At a stakeholders meeting in Lafia, the state capital, the PDP stated that it would not participate in the scheduled election, if the APC proceeds with the process that it described as suspicious.

The state chairman of the party, Francis Orogu, said preparations for the election had already shown signs of fraud. He alleged that the newly appointed chairman and members of the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) are card carrying members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The PDP also kicked against the proposed fee to be paid by candidates of the various political parties aspiring for chairmanship and councillorship positions. NASIEC had fixed the fees at N500, 000 for chairmanship candidates and N200, 000 for councillors.

APGA on its part faulted the APC’s decision to commence the election, while the state assembly is still in the process of amending the tenure of chairmen and councillors and other provision of the local government Electoral Act. The state chairman of APGA,Alh Musa Saidu, said the state assembly was yet to invite people for the public hearing of the amendment, given its sensitive nature. He argued that the election cannot hold while the electoral law is still undergoing amendment.

He expressed concern about the secrecy surrounding the amendment, which might put the entire process in jeopardy.

“It is widely feared that the secret amendment was designed to upturn the provisions for free and fair election in the state.

“Worst of all, while we are struggling with the illegalities and the uncertainties surrounding the entire process, the state government announced the appointment of an APC chieftain, as chairman of the electoral commission,” he said.

The chairman of the IPAC, Haruna Iliyasu, urged the commission to restart the process if it is serious about conducting free and fair poll.

He maintained that IPAC members would only keep faith with the election, if the state Assembly comes out with comprehensive guidelines on the tenure of council chairmen and councillors in the state.

Gov Bello Becomes Grand Patron Of Oldest Club In Nigeria Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bell0 Kogi state governor, Alh Yahaya Bello has been installed as the grand patron of the prestigious Lokoja club 1901, the oldest club in the country.

BY SAM EGWU, Lokoja

Kogi state governor, Alh Yahaya Bello has been installed as the grand patron of the prestigious Lokoja club 1901, the oldest club in the country.

The investiture of the governor was performed in Lokoja, the state capital during the inauguration of the new executive council of the club. Bello was represented by his chief of staff, Hon. Edward Onoja.

In his remarks, Governor Bello

promised to, within the limited resources at the disposal of the state to continue to make life more meaningful for the citizens and as well look into some of the requests made by the club President, Com Tom Abutu.

Earlier, while decorating the governor as the patron of the club, the president of the club, Comrade Tom Abutu described Governor Bello as a game -changer, a humane and amiable personality who has impacted

on the people of Kogi State in all forms.

He said his team would leave no stone unturned in supporting Governor Bello’s administration to succeed. Abutu reiterated the readiness of the members of the executive of the club to support the administration of Governor Bello in its vision to take the state to a greater height.

He appealed to the governor to assist the club, the oldest club in the country which is 117

years in the area of providing a new generator set, upgrading the facilities and construction of guest chalets.

Other members of the executive council of the club include, Rt Hon Kolawole Mathew, Vice President, Lawrence Williams Gen Sec, Ade Ikupeleye Grill Sec, Dr Jeremiah Ayok, Treasurer, Abu Sule, Home sec, and Alhaji Zakari Hassan, Pub Sec, who enthused that the club will wear a new look to attract tourism.

18 ZONAL WATCH (NORTH-CENTRAL)

Sunday, April 1, 2018

NEWS BEHIND THE NEWS

Odu Festival: Symbol Of Unity In Nasarawa Community

BY ABDULLAHI OLESIN, ILORIN

The Odu cultural festival is celebrated annually in March, by the Alago people, one of the major aborigine groups in Nigeria that “totally” looks to or trust God (Owuso) for its existence, sustenance, and history

The distinctive symbolic festival and the heart of traditionalism in Doma, Nasarawa State, the Odu cultural play is a symbol of unity for the Alago people.

The Odu cultural festival is the major festival celebrated by the Alago people of Doma to celebrate victory over enemies and also usher in the rainy season.

Although, Odu cultural festival is also celebrated in Assakio, another Alago settlement, that of Doma remains unique as it is characterised with fanfare.

The Odu annual cultural festival attracts spectators from far and near, and other Alago neighbouring towns, who come out in their numbers to celebrate culture.

The annual cultural festival normally takes place in March, specifically on Mondays and Tuesdays. The first day, Monday, is usually for the subjects, while the second day, Tuesday, is for the traditional ruler, the Andoma of Doma, to show up, well dressed in Alago traditional regalia, where he will sit and admire his subjects exhibiting their different dancing steps.

The climax of the annual Odu cultural festival is when the Ekwu (masquerade), will also exhibit some dancing steps and somersault in the presence of the Andoma of Doma, then the Ekwu and the Andoma, will retire to the palace and that marks the end the annual cultural festival.

An indigene of Alago who could not hide his excitement had this to say. “I am very proud of this great culture passed on to us by our ancestors. Though, I am a christian, but I think that does not stop me from partaking in my cultural dance” Those were the words of John Adanu Ari, a 14- year old student, who was beautifuly dressed in a traditional wear called ‘Opa’ and beats called ‘Ekkye’ in Alago language, to add colour to the Odu festival.

Another indigene, Zuwauira Ozotu Adams, 15, who expressed satisfaction with the inherited culture and constantly shouted “ may the gods bless our land” danced to the admiration of spectatirs She said, “I am very happy to be part of Odu festival, that’s why you see me in this mood dancing and sweating.”

Thousands of people, young old, male and female, dance in groups to celebrate the annual Odu cultural festival of the Alago people of Doma, in Nasarawa state.

Like I noted earlier, the Odu cultural festival is celebrated annually in March, by the Alago people, one of the major aborigine groups in Nigeria that “totally” looks to or trust God (Owuso) for its existence, sustenance, and history.

The 2018 edition of the festival witnessed unprecedented performances by the various

Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Ogah, during 2018 Odu cultural festival in Doma

Young Alago ladies during the Odu cultural festival 2018 in Doma

Some children in cultural attire to celebrate the Odu cultural festival 2018

cultural groups that lighted up the occasion which witnessed a mammoth crowd in Doma town, the headquarters of Doma local government area of Nasarawa state.

During the festival, guests were thrilled with ancestral dance and other cultural displays, to admiration of thousands of spectators.

The custodian of the Alago culture and chairman, Doma local government traditional council,

Alh Ahmadu Aliyu Ogah, during the festival poured out passion in calling on the sons and daughters of Alago nation, to join hands to sustain their culture.

The monarch advised Alago people and their friends, to key into his efforts and that of other Alago traditional rulers, to ensure that peace and unity reign among them and their neighbours.

The Andoma said, “the Odu annual cultural festival was passed on to us by our ancestors and in our

little way, we are doing everything humanly possible to preserve it for the generation yet unborn.

“Every tribe and comumminity is striving to preserve its cultural values, so ours cannot be an exception, we would continue to do our best not to allow our culture to go extinct”.

The royal father encouraged his subjects to revert to farming, crafts, fishing and petty trading which are the mainstay of the economy of the Alago people.

Also speaking, the chairman, organising committee of Odu festival 2018, Mr John Ogah (Ogbole gi Doma), advised Alago people not to allow politics and religion to divide them.

The retired educationist said,”let me thank the Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Ogah, for his foresight in sustaining our cultural heritage and bringing our people together to celebrate it.

He said, “I want use this medium to appeal to Alago nation that we must not allow politics and religion to divide us. All our traditional rulers must keep out of politics and religion, and help bring our people together to preserve our cultural values.

“On behalf of my family and the entire people of Doma, I wish to felicitate with His Royal Highness, the Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Ogah and the entire Alago nation as we celebrate this year’s Odu annual cultural festival”. He added.

Ogah, called on the people to prioritise the education of their children in order to move Alago nation, Nasarawa state and the country forward.

The Chairman of Doma local government area, Rabo Sani, on his part said that he wished and prayed that the celebration will bring more unity, love, peace, friendship, togetherness and progress to the Alago nation.

He said, “Odu festival no doubt epitomises the resolute commitment and determination of the Alago people, to sustain this cultural celebration because of the value it has on generations.

The Odu cultural festival is celebrated annually and the 2018 edition of the festival was unique, and it was more attractive than the previous ones as it witnessed an unprecedented crowd performances by the various cultural groups that lighted up the occasion.

Guests at the event were thrilled with ancestral dance and other cultural displays by both young and old, who came out in their thousand to showcase their dancing prowess.

There was display of uncanny aspects of the Alago culture, where participants showcased series of beautiful traditional attires, some locally made drums, flutes and dane guns, to entertain spectators at the event.

The 2018 edition of Odu cultural festival has come and goneh, but its memory will linger on for dome times.

Sunday, April 1, 2018

ZONAL WATCH (NORTH-CENTRAL) 19

PROJECT REPORT

NEWS BEHIND THE NEWS

Saraki, Ahmed,Olofa, Others Honoured At National Moonlight’s Fourth Anniversary

BY ABDULLAHI OLESIN, Ilorin

From right, Engineer Adeniyi Aremu, Alhaji Iddeh and others during the inspection visit

Dredging of Yashikira dam in progress

FG Upscaling Economic Diversification Through Dam Projects

BY ABDULLAHI OLESIN, ILORIN

I am delighted with the level of work done on the ongoing projects. In fact, this is laudable

The federal government has expressed the optimism that its current investment in dam projects across the country will help to diversify the nation’s economy through agriculture.

Chairman of the newly constituted Board of Directors for the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Alhaji Zakari Idde, said this during an inspection tour on some of the projects initiated by the Authority in the north senatorial district of Kwara state.

Idde, who led other members of the board to inspect the projects, expressed delight at the level of work carried out , describing it as laudable.

He said the projects would help to boost youth empowerment programme of president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, most especially in the diversification of the economy through agriculture.

He explained that the visit afforded the board members the opportunity of familiarising themselves with the activities of the Authority and identify areas where their intervention is needed to fast track the completion of the on going projects.

According to him, “I am delighted with the level of work done on the ongoing projects.

In fact, this is laudable. The projects will help to boost the youth empowerment programme of the present administration and most importantly, the diversification of the economy through Agriculture” He said, “This visit afforded the board members of the Authority, the opportunity of familiarising themselves with the activities of the Lower Niger River Basin Authority and see where our intervention is needed to fast track the completion of the projects”, Alhaji Idde said.

Tking the board members round the site of the Yashikira dam project , the Managing Director of the Authority, Engineer Adeniyi Saheed Aremu said the dam, has one million cubic metre of water capacity and on completion it is expected to irrigate twenty five hectares of farm land.

Saheed-Aremu noted that the Dam is also expected to supply water to the host community and its environs.

At Gure Dam, the Managing Director said the Dam, which is at 49 percent completion stage also has one million cubic metre of water capacity and on completion it is expected to irrigate 200 hectares of farm land which can be reviewed to 500 hectares in the nearest future.

Other members of the Board that visited the site include, Hyacinth Okpara Dike, Augustine Muomaife, Sidi Aliyu Lamido, Abdullahi A. Baba and Adeniyi Bodunrin Kunle.

Twenty- five eminent personalities and corporate organisations within and outside Kwara state that excelled and touched lives at various capacity were honoured for their contributions to the society at the fourth year’s anniversary and award night of National Moonlight Newspaper.

The Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state were amongst eminent Nigerians who received meritorious awards at the colourful event that took place at the Government Banquet Hall, Ahmadu Bello Way, GRA, Ilorin.

National Moonlight has blazed the trail as the first private owned newspaper to organise such awards/ gala night in Kwara state.

Other eminent personalities that were honoured at the event included the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamasi Esiwoye 11, former Nigerian Ambassador to Netherland, Dr Nimota Nihinlola Akanbi and the publisher of the pioneer community newspapers in Nigeria, Oriwu Sun, Alhaji Monzor Olowosago, and Executive Chairman of Kwara Internal Revenue Service, Dr Murtala Awodun and the Revenue House. The Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kwara) won the responsive organization award.

Others are Tuyil Pharmaceutical Company, LUBCON, Tajudeen Olesin Foundation, Kamwire Industrie, Kwara State University, Malete, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Sulyman AbdulKareem among others.

In his keynote address, the publisher of Oriwu Sun, Ikorodu, Lagos state, Alhaji Monzor Olowosago , lauded the mode of production and presentation of the Moonlight newspapers, saying that a newspaper must be attractive and embedded with human interest stories to boost readership level in the immediate community.

Olowosago called for the establishment of more community newspapers in Nigeria, adding that the country needs more community based tabloids that would mirror the immediate environment and reflect the happenings in the society.

According to him, he established his newspaper 30 years ago with the initial capital of N40,000 but that today, the tabloid had been turned to multi million naira business venture.

Also speaking, the Publisher of the Moonlight Newspaper, Alh Sulyman Toyin Olokoba, said the tabloid was established four years ago to bring businesses in contact with businesses and create a mobile marketing space where sellers could meet buyers easily.

Olokoba, noted that the event was aimed to sensitize the target audience on the richness and diversity of the state’s economy and projecting the cultural heritage and richness of using the media. He promised to strive towards ensuring a free press and be a respected player in the print media industry.

Briefing journalists at the event, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Alh Abdullateef Adebowale Adedeji, said the personalities and corporate organisations were honoured for their contributions to the growth and development of Kwara state and the media industry.

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki was represented at the event by a former Secretary to Kwara State Government, Alhaji Saka Onimago, while Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed was represented by the incumbent Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold.

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11-year-old Jamila Needs N5m For Stem Cell Transplant

A

t 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

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CEOConfidential April 1, 2018

Nze Chidi Duru, Chairman Grand Tower Limited

EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

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CEOConfidential

Sunday, April 1, 2018

THE CEOCONFIDENTIAL INTERVIEW

Exploring Opportunities In The Hospitality Industry Nze Chidi Duru, Chairman Grand Tower Limited in this interview with BLESSING BATURE discusses the contributions of hospitality industry to National Development.

About the Organisation...

Grand Tower Limited is a holding company with interest in hospitality, IT, Retail, Agric , and also in asset management. We essentially invest in areas that we think represent opportunity in the needs market. We identify profitable potential businesses and viable market opportunities using our flexible approach, we are able to invest in established businesses as well as emerging and fast growing businesses, taking them from conception through to maturity. Our first flagship hotel project is here in Abuja, the Grand Tower Hotel which is managed by a reputable International brand called BON hotel and we are about to open our second hotel project in Ado Ekiti in the next two months which is on a 10,000 square metres of land. And so we are happy with this development hoping that it will influence the way people live and interact in Ado Ekiti when we open the hotel.

The third property is in Owerri. It is a 32 bed hotel at various levels of development and will be open to the public in the next 18months and all in all bring our properties in the hospitality space into 3 properties of which we are very pleased with that.

DURU IN SHORT Nze Chidi Duru is a law graduate of the Bendel State University, (now Ambrose Ali University), Ekpoma, Edo State. He was called to the Bar in 1989 & has attended several management courses including the Chief Executive Programme at the Lagos Business School, Competitive strategy and value creation at the University of Navarra, Barcelona, Spain, Privatisation, Regulatory Reform, Corporate governance and management of Political economic reforms at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard. He was nominated by the British Government as one of 14 outstanding leaders in Africa and attended Africa Future Leadership Pilot Programme in Manchester, UK. Nze Duru was elected into the Federal House of Representatives in 1999 and played a key role in establishing the Pension Reform Act, 2004. He has served in various capacities as the Chairman, House Special Committee on Pension Reform Bill, Public Petitions, Privatisation and Commercialisation of public parastatals as well as the Committee on Housing and Urban Development. He Chairs several other companies such as Aptics Limited, Correspondence Limited and Grand Towers Plc and is a board member of several others.

We also involved in the pension industry, we funded and promoted first guarantee pension limited and hold our major interest there. And also into e commerce, we own the Rights to the air-peng which is the e-commerce platform plus other value added services like DSTV, Electricity in that space and also invested as the Largest distributor to MTN, 9mobile, Glo and of course recently Ntel so this is the kind of business we are involved using our flagship holding.

We thrive to widen our competitive advantage through diversifying our current portfolio of holdings and resources across a strategically selected industry’s. This is supported by a trusted brand name, uncompromising integrity, and unconventional means of communication. Grand Towers employs superior risk management tools to assess the downside risk of a potential investments and leveraging risk to minimal level.

Grand Towers will formulate funding and shareholding models to suit each individual project and investor. We are a small driven team, strengthened with a focus on excellence, innovation and performance.

We are passionate about development within the African continent, ever aware of the change to lifestyles and philosophies. Our personal commitment in what we do is evident through our projects as we not only believe in what we do, but we do what we believe in, doing the right thing for the investors we work with. As such, we at Grand Towers continual seek Institutional and Venture Capital partners to accelerate the Group’s expansion aspirations and utilization of our strategic land holdings and to identify diverse portfolios across industry sectors.

Motivation behind the establishment of Grand Tower Limited...

Well the construction of the Grand Towers Mall in Abuja which is the second internationally styled shopping centre in the country was envisaged to bring shopping convenience and associated leisure and lifestyle opportunities to Nigeria’s growing and affluent urban population.

The Grand Towers Abuja Mall is situated in fastgrowing Abuja, which is designed with the community and their needs in mind and will contribute to the positive upliftment of the area. Planned as a city for middle and upper income residents, Abuja benefits from good infrastructure and accessibility.

With Shoprite as the anchor tenant and other major tenants like Woolworth ,Mango touch, Wrangler, Nike, Levi, Swatch etc , the mall is set to change the landscape of Nigerian retail. The mall has a convenience aspect: a space, pleasant, comfortable, year round shopping environment with protection from the elements. The tenant mix includes Fashion, Fashion accessories, Speciality, Restaurants, White goods, Electronics, Health and beauty, Furniture, Home improvement, Telecommunication, Entertainment, Food and Bars.

In addition to the Abuja Mall, five sites have been secured in Lagos and offers for land are also available in four other cities around Nigeria.

Grand Towers PLC has partnered with Novare in South Africa, a leading specialist emerging markets financial services company. Novare is managing the Grand Towers Africa Fund.

All these initiatives were to roll out best in class Boutique Hotels, Shopping Malls and other developments and investment opportunities throughout Nigeria, built on our core values of excellence, delivery and integrity.

Service, innovation and technology so we can achieve superior returns and grow earnings for shareholders and linked unit holders, by identifying opportunities and investing in them to create employment opportunities for people and consequently received values for the opportunities we created and contribute our quota to the environment we operate.

Our interest is diverse and multi faceted and hence becomes imperative that we need to have a structured organisation that intervenes in areas of interest that we involved. So that led to setting up of the holding company which the Grand Tower Limited represents.

How can you describe the hospitality industry in the Nigeria...

Well, I believe that it is still at the early stage but lots of progress has also been made making recourse to the historical trajectories of the hospitality industry in the country. Like early 60s, 70s and 80s in comparison with what we have now, I can say that a lots of improvement had also been made though lots still needs to be done.

In the last two years it was beginning to look like a destination, a place for tourism, conferences, and businesses. Of course for tourism people were coming from outside the country to attain various events, so I think that it’s really beginning to improve especially now that we have lots of international brand coming in to Nigeria and holding management agreement with local owners of properties

CEOConfidential

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51

GRAND TOWER LIMITED

and offering their services to the Nigerian public. But in spite of this improvement, a lot more needs to be done. I believe that if we really invest our experiences and be a lot more focused to further developing the industry like what is happening in Calabar, Lagos, and even Port Harcourt Nigeria a place of destination for people to go and generally relax and contribute to

the GDP of the country.

Challenges in the industry...

The challenges that one can find in setting up business in an environment like Nigeria would be access to Capital. This has considerably hindered people exploiting opportunities in Nigeria.

Unlike other African countries that understand that there is a link

between the ease of doing business and access to capital, to have more of these opportunities in Nigeria is not the case. Here, interest is very high hitting 24, 25 and even 30 percent sometimes making it impossible for people to find the money and make meaningful investment. Therefore Nigeria should make access to capital readily available and channel

it towards commodity trading, buying and selling as it were because people cannot sustain an investment in the real sector because of the over bearing costs involved.

The other challenge would be the high cost of electricity and its availability in Nigeria. So when you are starting a business you will from day one provide the basic

Taking away business from the hands of government so that government can focus on what they know how to do best by providing Legislations, rules of law and security to lives and properties while the private sector becomes the champions of business in Nigeria and that is what I think will ultimately be in the best interest of Nigeria as a country necessity that the government and other companies would have provided you.

So in Nigeria starting up a business you have to take care of virtually everything that should be provided by the government such as water, power supply, security etc . And all these are given by government of other countries like Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast and others steadily. So the barrier of starting up business here is very high and so exorbitant since there is no incentive to encourage investors.

Also starting a business, you also need to consider the uncertainty of our legal system, rules of law and government policies. Because what encourage people to invest is when they are certain of the cost of establishing the business. And there are a lot of uncertainties in this environment. If there is a challenge between partners the recourse in legal system is also uncertain as it is always very unpredictable because agreement could be interpreted differently resulting in margination of the partners when the recourse is taking to the legal system.

In addition to the fact that it could possibly take forever for any adjudication to be reached and then resort to self help. For those who are not minded to take those hits, would not consider investing in Nigeria but taking their money to invest elsewhere. And this is one of the challenges that one will normally see doing businesses here in Nigeria.

How were you able to surmount all these challenges...

Well, I will say that it was the passion that keep me going and we have no other place or country that we can do our business other than Nigeria. We believe that at the right time if we are well positioned to survive all the challenges that has been facing us, that confront every business man in Nigeria we will be successful. And we are successful the barrier would be reduced. But having said that, government should lay down a comfortable environment for the ease of doing business on Nigeria and remove the intricacies that hinder business opportunities in the country. This is so that the youths in Nigeria

can get something doing and keep the economy of the country going. Taking away business from the hands of government so that government can focus on what they know how to do best by providing Legislations, rules of law and security to lives and properties while the private sector becomes the champions of business in Nigeria and that is what I think will ultimately be in the best interest of Nigeria as a country.

Managing Faith, family and business...

My view remains ultimately that for talents or abilities that one has is a gift from God. And it is my understanding that there must be a balance in everything that one does, so regarding work and family, one must balance it, for me I will say that family comes first because it is the platform through which the business thrive so I do set out time to be with my family and I also make sure that my business is not jeopardize by family activities, and I thank God that I have a very interesting and lovely who understand the kind of work that I do and they very supporting, I am a believer so I also crave time for God and don’t undermine either of the three.

Advice to young entrepreneurs...

Well, to the young entrepreneurs, they must keep striving and not give up that was what guided.

All they need is to take that bold step. You will never know if you will succeed. And unless you take the step you will not succeed. But when once you take a positive step, the possibility of succeeding is always there. So I will advise them to take that step keeping in their minds the goals they will like to achieve and pursue it relentlessly. And my fervent believe is that help will be on the way and you will be more likely to succeed and to also understand that nothing good comes easy, particularly from the environment that we are operating from. It is hardest to start anything here than to start elsewhere, but once you break the starting successfully, you will appreciate the journey you took towards that success.

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updates FINANCE

Stock Market Investors Lose N235b In Three Trading Days

Onyema

Equity transactions on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) continued on a downward trend, following price losses suffered by some blue chip stocks, as investors lose N235 billion in three trading days.

Specifically, at the close of transactions, market capitalisation dropped by N235 billion or 1.6 per cent from N14.975 trillion recorded on Monday to N14.740 trillion posted on Wednesday while the All-share index dropped by 652.22 points from 41,454.30 to 40,802.08.

Yesterday, WAPCO topped the losers’ chart with N2.30 kobo to close at N46.40 per share while Dangote Cement followed with N2.00 kobo to close at N253.00 per share. Total declined by N1.70 kobo to close N238.30 per share.

Guaranty Trust Bank lost N0.85 kobo to close at N42.75 per share. Ecobank Transnational Incorporated depreciated by N0.75 kobo to close at N16.35 per share.

GlaxoSmithKline topped the gainers’ chart with N3.10 kobo to close at N34.00 per share while Unilever followed with N2.55 kobo to close at N55.00 per share.

Stanbic IBTC appreciated by N1.70 kobo to close at N48.00 per share. Nestle garnered N1340.30 per share. PZ Cussons also gained N1.00 kobo to close at N23.00 per share.

Unified Database Uncovers Over 80,000 Ghost Workers After integrating the payroll of the Nigerian Police into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Federal Government of Nigeria has discovered 80,115 ghost officers on the Force’s payroll.

According to the report, before the integration, members of the Nigerian Police on the payroll stood at 371,800. But a subsequent audit from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, showed it to be actually 291,685 with a gross salary of about ₦22.3 billion.

The report says protests had earlier followed the planned integration of the police payroll with IPPIS as protesters said they feared hiccups, but the government insisted.

IPPIS was announced in November 2016 to automate the payroll of civil servants and weed out ghost workers, and it seems to be doing exactly that.

According to its website, IPPIS is a ” Department under the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation responsible for payment of salaries and wages directly to Government employee’s bank account with appropriate deductions and remittances of 3rd party payments.”

Nigeria has always had a problem of duplicated databases that end up defeating their true purposes. In an article on Techpoint, the writer suggested creating a single unified view of existing records and fixing data collection methods as solutions to this problem.

For the payments and remittance of civil servants’ wages, IPPIS is the solution to the database problem in this category. And it is also saving lots of money in the process

TECH

Paystack Partners Truecaller To Boost Verification Process Nigerian fintech startup Paystack has partnered with Truecaller to ensure seamless and secure online payments for African merchants using Truecaller’s Software Development Kit (SDK).

Launched in Nigeria last year, the Truecaller SDK is a mobile identity product that enables 3rd party app developers, businesses and startups to easily verify end users by using their Truecaller profiles.

Through the partnership, Truecaller’s SDK will be integrated as a verification system to strengthen Paystack’s merchant verification process. This will make it possible for unregistered local businesses to receive online payments after being verified through the company’s in-house process, which now includes phone number identity verification.

Verification option for local developers In addition to using Truecaller as part of the merchant verification process, startups and developers receiving payment via Paystack can now leverage on the Paystack-Truecaller phone number verification API to build customer verification tools.

Speaking on the partnership, Shola Akinlade, CEO of Paystack said “ the partnership with Truecaller allows Paystack to deliver on our promise of trust as well as a frictionless experience. We want to be able to guarantee that all businesses paid via Paystack are thoroughly checked for legitimacy and credibility.

He said in a low-trust environment like Nigeria where many people are paying online for the first time, it’s important to deliver a safe, fraud-free experience, and this is a responsibility that Paystack takes extremely seriously.

CEOConfidential

23

OIL & GAS

The New Nigerian Economy: Abuja Turns To Agriculture And Minerals For decades, Nigeria’s economy has been based on oil. The government is now moving away from its black gold dependence to open its economy up to diversification.

The country’s economic recovery plan identifies six priority sectors: agriculture, manufacturing, and solid minerals, including iron, gold and coal.

Tonye Cole, co-founder and CEO of the Sahara Group, told the New Nigerian Economy panel that there are three major elements for successful diversification. “We must free the potential, free the diaspora, and allow the free flow of ideas. Nigeria should allow its states to be autonomous. We have a growing young population with huge talents but who are leaving. They have to come back and invest in the country,” he said.

Bayelsa State Governor Sériake Henry Dickson shared his policy of integrating young people into agriculture, saying the sector is the best provider of jobs. “We have trained our people in aquaculture, created an eco-industrial park, set up an investment agency, and facilitated the acquisition of land titles. The federal authorities have given us their support so that now our state has nothing to envy Abuja and Lagos for,” he said.

Nigeria will continue to invest in hydrocarbons but will shift the focus to refining and the production of gas and electricity.

“Diversifying the economy also means improving government benefits and the fight against corruption and hunger. The government has also launched an industrialisation process in Nigeria in which it encourages the involvement of the private sector, in order to reduce the oil sector share of GDP,” said Yewande Sadiku, Chief Executive Director of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.

Nigeria is expected to achieve 3.5 percent growth this year and reduce its inflation level to 12.5 percent from 15 percent in 2017.

This performance would consolidate the ECOWAS zone’s biggest economy which contributes about 75 percent of its GDP.

SPORT

FIFA Investigate Russia Over Racist Chants Against Pogba World football governing body the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) are investigating 2018 World Cup hosts Russia, after their fans were accused of aiming monkey chants at black French players, including Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, according to the Daily Mail.

Russia lost the friendly 3-1 to France at the Krestovsty Stadium in St Petersburg with Pogba scoring one of the goals, while another black player Kylian Mbappe scored twice.The Mail reported on Thursday that FIFA are gathering reports and contacting Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) after Pogba and Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele were targeted at the Krestovsky Stadium.

The same venue will host seven World Cup matches this summer, including Nigeria versus Argentina on 26 June and a semi-final. French Minister for Sport Laura Flessel has called for action.

“Racism has no place on football pitches,” Flessel said on Wednesday. “We should act together at a European and international level in order to stop this intolerable behaviour.”

A spokesperson for world football’s governing body confirmed: “FIFA is collecting the different match reports and potential evidence in regards to the discriminatory incident reported in the media, including the one from the FARE observer who was present at the game. Please understand, until we have evaluated all information available, we cannot comment further.”

Several eye witnesses have claimed that they heard racist chants aimed at France’s black players, a situation that has become a regular occurrence in Russia.

In October, UEFA charged Spartak Moscow after fans made racist chants during a UEFA Youth League fixture against Liverpool and Zenit were charged over accusations that their fans threw objects and engaged in racist behaviour during their Europa League clash with RB Leipzig.

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Politics Editor Sunday: CHIBUZO UKAIBE

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President Muhammadu Buhari (3rd left); Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (2nd left); his wife, Dolapo (left); Celebrant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (middle); his wife, Senator Oluremi (3rdright); Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right) and his wife, Bolanle (right) during the 10th Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Colloquium in Lagos,

Tinubu’s 66th Birthday Colloquium, An Intellectual Affair Although the tradition of highlighting important national issues that touch on common existence and development was retained in the 10th Bola Ahmed Tinubu colloquium, the fact remains that this year‘s edition had political underpinnings and projections that border largely on the 2019 general election, GEORGE OKOJIE writes.

B

I call on Nigerians to join me to celebrate Asiwaju, a man who is widely known as a political strategist

oth in their utterances and conduct the crème de la crème that converged on Lagos from all walks of life for the 66th birthday Colloquium of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu held recently in Lagos showed that the celebrator is indeed a man of the people.

The colloquium, 10th in its series held at a time that Nigeria is in serious search for good and credible leadership was attended by both friends and foes, as encapsulated in the intimidating roll call that cuts across political party delineation and ethnic cleavages.

A development that made observers to believe that the national leader of the APC may have been tacitly removed from the league of Nigeria leaders said to have been more interested in pursuing their own narrow and selfish interest than in promoting the welfare and generality of the people.

Having succeeded in assembling a good team of brilliant minds, advisers and self

-assured people to redefine the political equation in the country, the colloquium conceived to trigger discourse and broaden solution pool for the nation’s common national issues, had overtime continued to attract and bring together professionals, eggheads to celebrate on annual basis a man who strongly believes competence counts above other primordial considerations.

In 2009 the theme of the colloquium was ,’ Every vote must count’ ensuring credibility in the 2011 election. In 2010 the theme was,’ This House Must Stand’ polling Nigeria back from the brink. In 2011 its theme was ‘Nigeria: ‘Why isn’t it working?

How will it work?’ focusing on the economy, measuring the nation’s growth as against like countries. In 2012 its was time to ‘ Look Back Thinking Ahead’ thereby reviewing successes and failures and finding a new direction. In 2013 Asiwaju political Apostles christened the colloquium ‘Beyond Mergers: A National Movement for change a New Generation of Speakers’ creating a platform for broad based political movement and

2019: Atiku Declaration And The Wike Influence

national transformation.

By 2014 the theme changed to, ‘Summit Of The Common Man ‘ to tackle the challenges of the everyday Nigerian with security , unemployment and health. In 2015 it was,’ Change How will it work?’ In 2016 the theme was Agriculture: Action, Work, Revolution,’ redefining the value chain in Nigeria and repositioning the agriculture sector to be a key economic growth driver. In 2017 the theme was, ‘Make It In Nigeria: Use what we make.

Make what we use,’ to achieve self -sufficiency and promote Made-In Nigeria goods and services.

As expected, in 2018 edition the colloquium planning committee after a cerebral engagement came up with an apt theme which is, “Investing in people”, deftly using the opportunity provided by the ceremony to market the All Progressives Congress and President Muhammadu Buhari by showcasing achievements of the administration.

In full glare of the audience, some beneficiaries of the Federal CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

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Tinubu’s 66th Birthday Colloquium, An Intellectual Affair ➔ FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

We came as APC leaders with a lot of hope.

We were discussing.

We believe in ourselves and Nigeria, that we can change Nigeria

Government’s social investment and school feeding programmes shared their experiences, stressing how the programmes had impacted their lives.

There were also multimedia presentations on the theme, expositions on “Social Investment and Governance-The example of NSIP” by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme by its National Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Abimbola Adesanmi and N-Power Programme and job creation by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and Youth Employment, Afolabi Imoukhuede.

There were also the Northeast Makeathon by the Special Assistant to the Vice President on Internally Displaced Persons, Brimah Mohammed and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme by a presidential adviser, Maryam Uwais.

President Muhammadu Buhari drew the rain of encomium when he said, “I call on Nigerians to join me to celebrate Asiwaju, a man who is widely known as a political strategist and I have come to see him as a man who cares about people and is a fountain of ideas for the economy and for the common man and woman. He is a true democrat and we appreciate his contribution for Nigeria’s capital progress.

“Asiwaju has invested in people because he believes that tomorrow will be better than today and good will one day triumph over evil.”

Dwelling on the concept of the Colloquium and its theme, ‘Investing In People’ the President said the Federal Government over the last two years had initiated programmes and policies that have made direct impact on the people, adding that the nation can only grow when government invests in its people.

Also speaking, Professor Osinbajo said he was proud to have garnered experience in public service under the tutelage of Tinubu when he was Governor of Lagos State, noting that it was during that period the foundation of development currently ongoing in Lagos was laid.

He particular alluded to the concept of the Land Use Charge which Tinubu’s administration initiated, saying that despite the challenges and dissenting voices, he (Tinubu) successfully defended, a move which, according to him made Lagos better for it.

“When we introduced the Land Use Charge, which was the foundation of the development we see in Lagos today, some of us believed that it should not be introduced at all, others believed it should be introduced.

I remembered we were having a meeting in a small room, Asiwaju, myself, Yemi Cardoso, Wale Edun and some others and the argument got so heated that

Asiwaju asked us if we were the ones the people elected.

“He stormed out of the room and we did not leave, we stayed there. After some minutes, he came back into the room and asked us why we were still there. Then we continued the discussion. In the end, we developed that law and it has become part of the success story in Lagos. This showed that Asiwaju is one leader who allows people to develop ideas,” Osinbajo explained.

The Vice President who also presented a discourse on the topic, ‘Linking the Philosophy To Governance and Commitment’, also described Tinubu as a “fighter and a champion of peopleoriented courses.

In his submission Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said Tinubu’s era as Governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2007 showed the depth of his governance capacity, adding that he has over the years sustained his relevance in the nation’s polity.

“After his gubernatorial years, he has continued to show pivotal leadership, particularly on the national stage. It is not for nothing that he is acknowledged for his defining role in the emergence of a progressive political party in Nigeria,” he said.

Ambode said there was no better birthday present that his friends and well -wishers could give to him as befitting as what the theme of this year’s colloquium epitomized, saying that Tinubu’s legacy was built around his capacity to invest in people.

According to him, The theme of the colloquium whether it is called human capital development or people-centric investment, the meaning is clear enough and its importance is undeniable. ‘’For us on the political landscape, it may well be the greatest governance challenge. Creating highly impactful programs and policies for our people is my simple understanding of good governance. At the end of the day, the level of investment on our people will determine our future sustenance as a Nation always.

“Look around you, there are only a few people that can match his (Tinubu) unquestionable thirst to invest in people. It goes without any gainsaying that, I join numerous others seated here or outside, that have gained in the investment Asiwaju has made on people. I am grateful for that,” Ambode said.

Obviously putting on the toga of a master planner, a practical thinker, excellent communicator and good political sales man, the celebrator Asiwaju Bola Tinubu traced the genesis of the Buhari administration to the epic battle to effect a change in the polity, stressing that Nigeria has reaped the dividends.

Tinubu said, “We came as APC leaders with a lot of hope. We were discussing. We believe in ourselves and Nigeria, that we can change Nigeria. And we are still going to do it again. It came with challenges. Our logo is not

Tinubu

honey or sugar, but broom; a united Nigeria against terrorism, corruption, insecurity and for the revival of the economy.”

He disagreed with people who said the APC should stop reminding Nigerians about the corrupt activities of the Jonathan administration, saying a great lesson could be learnt from the perfidy of the former ruling party.

“They say we should not talk about corruption. What should we talk about? If we don’t talk about it, what is the lesson to all Nigerians?” he fumed.

The former Lagos State Governor, who thanked Nigerians for their patience and support for the APC government, said the PDP should not return to power to continue what he called the looting of the economy.

He added: “Forget those parties.

They won’t come back. We did not envisage that there would be no such challenges. So, we report back to Nigerians about what we found on ground. We did not say that there would be no challenges because, even America is facing challenges.

“PDP looted and wasted our resources. They misused our resources. There is a clear understanding here. There is a difference between us and them,

a difference between night and day.”

Harping on the importance of a re-invigorated pension scheme, Tinubu promised to prepare a technical paper for the President on the crucial matter.

“The challenge of the economy is on. We should consider microcredit. We should return to the mortgage culture to reduce corruption. We need to rework the pension. I will submit a proposal on how we can stimulate the economy. We don’t have to pay for a house of N10 million in one day and with cash. We need mortgage. This would discourage corruption.

“Hope is back. We have the audacity of it. We will bring back Nigeria to the path of progress and banish poverty forever,” Tinubu said.

According to him, the colloquium was not just a talk shop, but a real platform for the generation of ideas by all stakeholders on the need to invest in people, adding that the ultimate objective and expectation is for the forum to avail policy makers at all levels of government new ideas and perspectives and to enrich the process of policy formulation, design and implementation.

52 POLITICS ANALYSIS www.leadership.ng

Atiku

Leadership Newspapers

@leadershipNGA Sunday, April 1, 2018

Wike

Lamido

2019: Atiku Declaration And The Wike Influence

CHIBUZO UKAIBE and ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, write on the intrigues arising from the recent declaration of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar last week to vie for the presidential ticket of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State while meeting with the State governor, Nyesom Wike.

O

With the growing influence of the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, in the affairs of the party, it was strategic for the former Vice President to inform the governor and lobby his support

n March 27, 2018, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital for a meeting with stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

But this was more than the regular party meeting. After the fanfare and glamour that trailed his arrival, Atiku, who last December, left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP, declared his ambition to run for President on the platform of the leading opposition political party, during the 2019 general election.

His declaration was planned. The former vice president was accompanied on the visit by some party chieftains including, former PDP National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aaondoka and former Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi.

Although this might not pass for a grand declaration but, it was his first significant public statement on his ambition, even though it had been commonplace talk that he would contest the presidency in 2019.

Still, the choice of Port Harcourt was significant, according to party watchers. With the growing influence of the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, in the affairs of the party, it was strategic for the former Vice President to inform the governor and lobby his support. Many PDP watchers believe that Atiku’s decision to declare in Port Harcourt, reinforces, Wike’s influence in the party.

The former vice president is not the first to declare his intent to become the PDP presidential candidate, which is zoned to the North

by the party. Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido; former Kano State governor; Ibrahim Shekarau; governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo.

Others are former minister of special duties, Ibrahim Turaki; immediate past chairman of the PDP national caretaker committee, Sen Ahmed Makarfi. There is also the governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, from the south, who is running against the tide.

Lamido is perhaps the most visible on the list of aspirants so far.

He has staged two major rallies in Jigawa State. Like Atiku, he has also made visits to Port Harcourt, perhaps to reinforce his lobby for the ticket from Wike. While Fayose has repeatedly maintained that he will contest for the presidential ticket, other aspirants have not been as aggressive in their pursuit for the presidential ticket of the party.

Nevertheless, findings within the PDP reveal that the overbearing influence of Wike is becoming a concern in certain quarters of the party. It was learnt that some governors have not been comfortable with the way Wike’s posture has been sending off some major interests within the party.

While last December’s national convention created some acrimony among those who lost, it was gathered that the dismissive posture of the governor played a major part in the eventual defection of founding fathers of the party, like former ministers, Prof Jerry Gana and Prof Tunde Adeniran.

However, addressing the gathering in Port Harcourt, Atiku, who was vice president between 1999 and 2007 on the platform of the PDP, said he was on a mission to put Nigeria on the path of growth and set if free from the path of “serial failure”

foisted on it by the ruling party.

The former Vice President, who boasted that he will easily defeat President Muhammadu Buhari if he gets PDP’s ticket in 2019, said the President has become politically weak after squandering the goodwill of Nigerians accorded him during the 2015 elections.

Atiku, who was deputy to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said, “I will definitely beat him this time.

He has wasted a lot of his massive goodwill.”

Atiku said, “There is nothing wrong with it. Ours is a fledgling democracy. What it means is that political parties are yet to mature and are going through constant transformations and changes.

“That is why even President Buhari has been able to move from party to party, including ANPP, CPC and now APC. And for those who read about world history and political books like I do, they will know that Abraham Lincoln, Sir Winston Churchill and others went through so much before achieving their dreams.

“After Buhari won the election, he was no longer interested in the party that made him president. Every activity stopped and even the party chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, could not take any decision.

“I called Chief Odigie-Oyegun to tell him that our party was dying slowly, but he told me he could not do anything unless he got clearance from the president.

“The party became a one-man property. Everyone grumbles behind the president but they are too timid to raise a voice against the illegalities being perpetrated. I should be bold enough to know what I want, and can do so at my age. So, I decided to leave.”

Making the declaration to run

for President while addressing PDP stakeholders at the party’s secretariat, Atiku noted that he is offering himself to set the country on the path of growth.

The former Vice President stated that since 2015, the APC-led Federal Government has destroyed the education, health and infrastructural sectors through poor budgetary allocations and releases.

Atiku said, “Since 2015, we have not seen a 100kilometres constructed by the APC Federal Government anywhere in the country.”

The presidential hopeful, who called for the unity of the country, saying that no component part of the country to progress alone, further called on Rivers PDP stakeholders to support his ambition to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.

Lending his voice to Atiku’s appeal for support from the PDP stakeholders, former PDP National Chairman, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo said that Atiku Abubakar is a detribalised Nigerian, with the capacity to rescue the country.

In his own speech, former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described the former Vice President as a true Nigerian, with business and political links across the country, adding that Nigeria needs Atiku Abubakar to revive the country.

To Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, there is the need for all PDP members irrespective of their status to ensure that the march to the Presidential Villa is not truncated by disunity.

The governor said, “Every Presidential Aspirant must see himself as a member of the larger PDP family. We must do everything to ensure that PDP returns to the Presidential Villa in 2019.

POLITICS ANALYSIS 53

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Okorocha And The Gentleman’s Rotational Politics In Imo

EMMANUEL MGBEAHURUIKE writes on the evolving clamour for adherence to a charter of equity deal which stipulates a rotation of power among the three geo-political zones in the state, namely Okigwe, Owerri and Orlu.

A

With buses, painted, embellished and decorated with imposing posters of the Ugwumba movementthe political campaign outfit of Uche Nwosu, Okorocha has gone the extra mile to secure the support and cooperation of the APC bigwigs

s the countdown to 2019 governorship election in Imo State continues, a charter of equity, agreed upon by the stakeholders from the three geo political zones, has become a focal point of engagement.

With the plans ahead of the polls becoming rather feisty, the debate is largely over whether the charter, which was designed to guarantee the rotation of governorship of the state across the political zones, would be adhered to in the light of evolving political realities.

Zoning or rotational of elective offices has its roots in the political architecture of Nigeria, usually implemented by political parties in the mould of a gentleman’s agreement.

The six geo political zones in the country have at various points protested to preside over the country based on zoning. Currently, the South-east appears to be more ferocious in its demand to produce president either in 2023.

The argument is that without this political gentleman’s agreement, a zone would continue to rule the country, shutting out prospects of the minority zones.

Imo State is no different.

In lights of its political complexity, a group of some major stakeholders in the state, came up with the Imo Charter of Equity.

The vision of the proponents is to allay fears of domination and segregation to the detriment of other zones.

Consequently, it was this arrangement that produced exgovernor Achike Udenwa (Imo West) who ruled the state from 1999 to 2007 under the platform of the PDP. Udenwa reportedly secured the gubernatorial ticket of the party from Chief Humphrey Anumudu (Imo East) who was said to have won the party’s primary but was prevailed upon to relinquish the mandate to Udenwa whose zone at that time had not tested the governorship seat in the annals of the history of the state since its creation in 1976.

Okigwe and Owerri zone had before then, had their turns through the late Chief Sam Mbakwe and Chief Evan

Okorocha

Enwerem respectively. While the former completed 4 years (1979-1983) with a truncated second tenure–no thanks to 1983 military intervention in politics, the latter only called the shot from the government house Owerri for a brief period of 18 months (1992 – 1993) consequent upon the late General Sani Abacha coup which interrupted the civil administration and dismantled all political structures in the country.

The charter of equity which had enjoyed commendable credibility and relevance in the political equation of the state was to suffer a major setback in 2011 when the hope of a second tenure for Imo North through ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim was dashed and power was returned to the Imo West through the incumbent Governor – Rochas Okorocha who will be completing his second term in office next year.

However, the Owerri senatorial zone has shown their determination to legally ensure that the 2019 governorship slot does not elude them, come 2019.

But that prospect seems dif-

ficult at the moment. As it stands, the incumbent governor is bent on producing a successor from Orlu zone in the person of his son In-law, Hon. Uche Nwosu. This scenarios has raised the tempo of the inter zonal politics within the state.

But the Owerri zone does not seem deterred. This position was taken at the formal launch of ‘Imo Equity Movement’ held at the country home of Dr. Uzoma Obiyo Ugirike, in the Ikeduru Local Government Area (LGA) of the state recently.

He emphasised that; “Imo Governor 2019 for equity and Justice (Ofo na Ogu), noted that since the creation of Imo State in 1976, Owerri zone only occupied the Douglas House” one year and ten months; Okigwe zone, eight years and three months and Orlu zone sixteen years, through Chief Achike Udenwa and the incumbent governor, Rochas Okorocha.

“The obvious disparity and inequality in the power shifts therefore births the need for an Owerri son to arise and break the trend by producing the

next Governor for Imo State come 2019.

“As firm believers in democratic ideals and the plurality of views, the importance of zone cannot be overemphasized as it not only ensures equitable transfer of power but equal political participation leaving no room for disenfranchisement” he noted.

Obiyo maintained that the nexus of election in the State is keeping faith with sacred agreement reached by leaders that power shall rotate among the three zones of Olru, Okgiwe and Owerri.

“We, Ndi Owerri will be consistent, persevere and persist in spite of all obstacles, discouragements and impossibilities in 2019 because it is these that in all things distinguishes the strong from the weak. Ndi Owerri Umu Nnemu, Unuekwe-kwala,” he stated.

Speaking to journalists earlier, Obiyo boasted that his zone has people with the capacity and everything it takes to assume the position of governor of Imo State, adding that Orlu and Okigwe people are not greater than them.

He explained that Owerri zone must rise today while orlu and Okigwe zones must go behind, stressing that people from other zones can no longer buy them again.

In his comments, one of the facilitators, Barr. Kingsley Ononugu commended Governor Rochas Okorocha for working very well with one of their sons and leader, Prince Eze Madumere, the Deputy Governor of Imo State.

He however added that it is only proper for Okorocha to hand over to an Owerri person in 2019 and having described Prince Madumere as his son in whom he is well pleased, he should look no further but to hand over to him.

Ononuju stressed that Imo Equity Movement is a body that will not disappoint the people of the zone just as he called on other groups to join their struggle.

On the other hand, a socio-cultural group known as Okigwe for Okigwe 2019 has emerged.

The aims and objectives of the campaign group LEADERSHIP learned is to agitate for ➔ CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

54 POLITICS ANALYSIS

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Okorocha And The Gentleman’s Rotational Politics In Imo

Madumere ➔ FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

the completion of Okigwe tenure in the Douglas House Owerri as a Governor of the State in 2019, to support any political party which gives its governorship mandate to an Okigwe son for the remaining one tenure. For this group, their political leaning is without bias to party but for a candidate from their zone.

The group made up of mainly middle aged people in their large number met at the Town primary school Umuelemai in Isiala Mbano local government area during which they carried placards like “Okigwe mandate 2019” a chance for Okigwe zone to complete their one term, No Okigwe zone equals No Owerri zone, “He who comes to Equity must come with clean hands”.

The gathering of the group was a fanfare, as they enjoyed large following from commercial motorcycle riders, popularly called ‘Okada riders’. Market women matched throughout the Umuelemai roads shortly after their inaugural meeting, chanting slogans like “Okigwe for Okigwe-“2019”- Okigwe zone”.

Speaking to Journalists, the chairman of the forum, Barr.

Ralp Nwanebu, a Human Rights Activist and the immediate past Chairman of the LGA, said the forum’s aim is to claim what is due for the people of Okigwe zone.

Nwosu

He contended that until Okigwe zone is allowed to complete their remaining one tenure in the Douglas House, the agitation would continue, stressing that “Owerri zone must wait and support Okigwe zone to complete their one term before they could talk of equity”.

He added that “Owerri zone cannot talk about equity now because they rejected the offer in 2011 as declared by the Governor Ohakim in his campaign for 2nd term, when they would have allowed an Okigwe son to complete the tenure and handover to them in 2015.

“But rather than taking the offer, some big leaders in Owerri zone openly rejected it and said that they don’t want Government House, they negotiated their right for Deputy Governor, resuscitation of the Owerri town water scheme, political appointments and money, thereby supporting Governor Okorocha to get power, it is not possible for them to talk about equity now.

“While highlighting that there is nothing equitable and fairness about their call for equity because they sold their right again in 2015 when PDP gave their son, former deputy speaker, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the party ticket and they could not even vote for their son. In our opinion, their call for equity provides that he would come to equity must come with clean

hands.

“We are calling on all the leaders from Okigwe zone to rise up to the challenge and defend what is due for Ndi Okigwe.

Okigwe had many leaders who had what it takes to get the ticket and we are going to support them irrespective of their political parties.

“We have leaders with full capacities like His Excellency, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Senator, Athan Nneji Achonu, Hon. Emeka Nwajuba, Prof. Maurice Iwu, Sen. Ben Uwajumogu, Rt. Hon. Acho Ihim, Hon. Chike Okafor, Hon. Patrick Ndubueze, Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri, Engr. Ebere Udeagu, and Chief Tony Chukwu. According to him, we believe that a combined workforce will take Ndi Okigwe back to the Douglas House come _2019.

“We are only demanding for the completion of the remaining four years that was denied from Ndi Okigwe by the Owerri Zone in 2011 and if that issue is addressed, that is when you will say that justice has been done.

“We are demanding four years only and in this regard, Owerri Zone is at liberty to enter into agreement with any of their sons of Okigwe of their choice who will stay for just one term of four years. There is nothing wrong with that and “we will not renege on it;’ but for the benefit of doubt, by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Ni-

geria, Chief Dr. Ikedi Ohakim is the only person that can stay for one term, therefore it is better for Ndi Owerri to go for him for certainty of one term,” he said.

Commenting in respect of Okigwe stakeholders who have joined forces with Owerri Zone, for the 2019, Nwanebu explained, “I want to tell you clearly that there is no right thinking son of Okigwe who will do that as at now because charity they say begins at home. This is a call for all Ndi Okigwe to rise up and possess their possession because a house that is divided against itself will fall.

“Some people will say this is politics and therefore you have right or freedom of choice but I want to tell you dear, when you go and exchange Okigwe’s chance of producing governor for a party Chairman or other political appointments, by tomorrow it will be too late to cry, just the way the Owerri Zone are crying now.”

As the drum continues to beat for across the state for adherence to the gentleman’s agreement, the zones will continue to debate and struggle to get an edge ahead of the election.

Still, the die is cast as the incumbent governor is bent on producing a successor from Orlu zone in the person of his son in law, Hon Uche Nwosu.

Yet, electorates in the state will largely decide the outcome of the polls in 2019.

As the drum continues to beat for across the state for adherence to the gentleman’s agreement, the zones will continue to debate and struggle to get an edge ahead of the election

POLITICS INTERVIEW 55

Sunday, April 1, 2018

There Should Be Zero Tolerance For Tampering With Elections – Chukwuani

Prince Chudi Chukwuani is the national chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP). In this interview with CHIBUZO UKAIBE, he speaks about the debate over election sequence and the state of security across the country.

The debate over the National Assembly’s attempt to alter the election sequence has been raging. What is your party’s position to the issue? Do you think the uproar is worth it?

My party’s position is that we agree with the President’s veto and INEC’s opposition on the basis that changing the sequence now will greatly disturb and possibly terminate the upcoming general elections. It is clear that there are evil forces working with our National Assembly to instigate the disintegration of Nigeria. Certainly the uproar is not worth it. There are so many issues begging for urgent attention such as creating massive employment opportunities for our graduates and fighting corruption and recovery of the monies stolen from public treasury.

You just made a weighty allegation of instigations to disintegrate the country. Could you elaborate on it?

The question that should worry all of us is how can a group of people that swore an oath to protect, preserve and defend the indivisibility and unity of Nigeria, be the ones agitating for restructuring and possible breakup of the country? There’s no provision in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for restructuring or division of Nigeria along regional lines, so why are they toying with the idea? That constitution gave them power and without it they are nothing and cannot be drawing N13 million monthly allowance to the detriment of the rest of the citizenry so why are they not defending the constitution?

The APC is the party in majority in the National Assembly yet we are having this situation. Some have said it is good for democracy such that it projects a vibrant legislature. Others however say the issue is too distracting for effective governance and also projects a party leadership in disarray. What’s your impression?

If INEC can handle it I am all for it.

But what we don’t want is chaos and confusion at the polling stations

There are forces within the National Assembly who were part and parcel of the previous government who looted the country dry and who are out to pull the government of President Buhari down. If President Buhari should wake up tomorrow and make an announcement that he is no longer fighting corruption and recovering the looted monies all this bickering will come to an immediate end. We have very senior leadership members of the National Assembly that are facing serious charges of corruption and now you see why corruption is fighting back tooth and nail but in the end good shall prevail for the good of the country. It is not distracting, at least now the

public knows who the enemies of state are.

The spate of killings by herdsmen appears to be increasing rather than decreasing. Do you agree with those who think this administration has become overwhelmed by the security situation?

No I do not agree. The security forces are doing their best within the limited resources available to them. What we have in our hands is that political opponents of the ruling party are sometimes sponsoring some of these acts for political gains. Clearly the state governors who claim to be the chief security officers of their states have failed in their responsibility of maintaining law and order in their states.

We demand that the governors immediately return their over N500 million they collect as security vote monthly. These sums of money should be turned over to our security forces for use in securing the state and maintaining law and order.

Enough of the looting of public treasury in the name of security vote.

There have been lots of narratives as to the war against Boko Haram, culminating in the declarations that that terror group has been defeated. But they were able to pull off a brazen repeat of the 2014 Chibok girls Kidnap in Dapchi. Does government’s pronouncement that Boko Haram has been defeated allign with the current realities?

The declaration made by the government is in order as the terrorist group is no longer in control of any territory in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

What we are dealing with now is a gorilla warfare partly being sponsored by enemies within.

In the shortest possible time the security forces will arrest the situation. Mr. President’s recent visit to Dapchi is a clear pointer that the government will deal with the situation.

Mind you this is a stark contrast to what is obtained during the last administration when Mr Jonathan never visited Chibok!

You had openly called for the weeding out of opposition elements in this administration.

Have you seen any move in that direction?

Certainly yes there have been some movement in that regard and Mr President is fully in control of the situation.

Can you mention some names of those weeded out so far?

Some of them are already in the public domain some are being recalled while there are serious

Chukwuani

petitions on corruption pending against some and some are to be extradited to foreign countries so they are in the public space.

In an earlier interview you said your party is open to forming an alliance with any political party that shares same ideology as yours. Is your party part of the Obasanjo-led coalition?

Absolutely not. Our party is not part of a non registered political association or movement. The movement in the words of the convener is just a pressure group without any political inclination so it remains so.

What impact do you think the coalition can make ahead of 2019 general election?

I believe that before the election new alliances will emerge and peace and stability will be restored.

What is your impression of INEC’s preparedness ahead of 2019, considering the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) and issuance of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC)?

It has been shrouded in secrecy.

INEC should inform the public where they can go to obtain their voters card!

What’s your impression of the electoral commission’s investigation on the contentious underage registration and the cleanup of the voters register?

I believe it is high time that officers of INEC should be held

to account. Underage voting and manipulation of the voters register cannot take place without the active participation of the INEC officials in charge?

We should call a spade a spade.

There’s nothing to investigate here, once a crime is detected, those in charge must be punished by dismissal and sent to prison.

We should have zero tolerance for tampering with our electoral systems. All those INEC officials in charge of the areas where there is underage voting and manipulation of voters register must immediately be publicly exposed and sacked. If INEC fails to do this then the entire leadership of INEC must be relieved of their appointments immediately. We must protect our democracy and country at all cost.

Do you support simultaneous accreditation and voting in the 2019 general elections as we have seen in some smaller elections?

If INEC can handle it I am all for it. But what we don’t want is chaos and confusion at the polling stations.

Lots of registered political parties will be participating in 2019, how do you think the commission will deal with the logistics involved?

They registered them so they should be in a better position to know how to deal with the logistics. You cannot go about registering what you cannot handle, so it is no excuse.

56 POLITICS INTERVIEW

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Why Passage Of 2018 Budget Is Delaying – Sen Bwacha Sen Emmanuel Bwacha, who represents Taraba South Senatorial zone, is also Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate. In this interview with RUTH CHOJI, the Senator gives an insight into why there is a delay to pass the 2018 budget. He also spoke on the security situation in the country.

Barely 24 hours after Mr. President visited Taraba State to condole with the people, there were fresh killings.

What is your take on this?

I have personally thanked the President for the visit because we were becoming discouraged about his government. When he visited, it calmed nerves and gave the people hope. It showed that he is interested in our welfare and that he cares about what is happening in the state. I have personally conveyed my appreciation over the visit.

What is really the cause of the killings in Taraba State?

The killings are not peculiar to Taraba State alone. It has become a phenomenon in the country. It is happening In Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Ebonyi and other places. It is like a cankerworm. It has become an epidemic that is spreading round the country. It is a systemic problem that we have to deal with. I have always said that as a country, it is time we suspend everything and face the insecurity challenge. We have to shelve the politics of 2019 and face this insecurity crisis squarely, else there might not be a 2019 general election. Otherwise, we will wake up one day and realise that there is no country called Nigeria.

Is Nigeria’s unity negotiable?

Yes, our unity is negotiable, that is why we are calling for a dialogue.

Let us define the no-go areas and the general areas. That is what is popularly called restructuring.

Some people are still interested in expansionism while others are still interested in dominating others, and so on. We need to sit down and begin to appreciate our strengths and weaknesses. We need to take a look at our federalism…

So you don’t think this federalism is working?

The purpose of sitting together is to make it work, otherwise what we have now is not a true federal structure. It is more of a unitary structure. We need to achieve a 100 percent federalism.

There are many ways we can go about these things. It shouldn’t be a situation where people are being lackadaisical; where you fly in jets and bomb the place, the insurgents scatter, go somewhere and regroup again

Is the Buhari administration doing enough to stop the carnage that is spreading throughout the country?

That is an interesting question and that is what we want the government to do. If the government must be seen to be doing enough, they must suspend the politics of re-election. They must address the insecurity facing us. We need to come up with an agenda by getting the traditional rulers, opinion leaders and key players together so that we can find out people residing in their domains. We need to know if they are truly working to protect the lives of Nigerians. These are some of the questions we need to start asking some people in Nigeria.

The killer herdsmen have been described as the third dangerous terrorist group in the world by the global terrorism index, yet the federal government has refused to acknowledge this fact, do you see the

herdsmen as terrorists?

Yes, they are terrorists. The government came to terms with Boko Haram as terrorists and so the herdsmen that kill Nigerians are also terrorists. I have said it several times that the Boko Haram members that are being released into the society are the same people that turn around and call themselves herdsmen otherwise, how can you have 20 people following seven or 10 cows. Is that the new model of herdsmen now? Some of us grew up with herdsmen; we used to go to their ‘Ruga’ (colony) and drink their ‘nono’ (milk), and we exchange pleasantries with them. So why this sudden surge in attacks and killings of innocent people in Nigeria? These are not herdsmen. When you pay them or compensate them for killing Nigerians, it means you are robbing Peter to pay Paul.

We have been fighting terrorism and those members that were disseminated melted into the crowd and are now calling themselves herdsmen. These boko haram members are also intelligent. Some of them went to school before they said it was haram. They have people who are well schooled in technology and are in specialised fields. If they say they are herdsmen, their elites in government will protect them.

We must address these challenges.

Federal government must suspend everything and move across the states and talk to Nigerians.

Traditional rulers must be carried on board. But because they are not carried along and included in the scheme of things by the government, they just fold their hands and watch.

So there are deliberate saboteurs in the system, from the military, police and other apparatus of government who are sympathetic to the insurgency. They have come out to say it times without number.

We need to re-examine the terrorists in Nigeria and examine every public office holder. There are many ways we can go about these things. It shouldn’t be a situation where people are being lackadaisical; where you fly in jets and bomb the place, the insurgents scatter, go somewhere and regroup again. They go to communities and kidnap people, after they are paid, they release them.

Some have blamed the killings on the anti-grazing law passed by the states, do you think this is true?

Those were desperate measures that you adopt to protect the lives of your people. Like I said, if those were the herdsmen we used to know, there wouldn’t be any need for the laws. If somebody decides that he wants to be a herdsmen so that he can garner support from some elites, kill and be compensated, then you have to ensure a blanket ban on open grazing so that you don’t give them an opportunity until the problem is addressed. Those who are kicking against the law have something to hide. They know that these are not the herdsmen we used to know in Nigeria. Who are these herdsmen that suddenly go about killing

people? I didn’t mention Kogi State yet, they have gone there and killed innocent people despite the fact that the state government has given them free atmosphere to operate. Who told you they are herdsmen? They are not herdsmen. Beneath the facade of this killing is an underground scheme that will soon unfold.

Some Nigerians have advised the federal government to declare a state of emergency in those states, what is your take on this?

That is an elitist approach to the issue. We need to bring the traditional rulers, leaders and other stakeholders and make them understand the need to start asking questions. They need to know the people living in their midst and report suspicious movements to government.

Looking at the Senate, since the Electoral Amendment Bill was passed by the National Assembly, with particular reference to the reordering of election sequence, there has been mixed reactions and the president has refused to accent to it. Does the state of things bother you?

It is normal. Even though the president has refused to accent to it, I am sure that very soon the Senate will come out with a position on it.

The two chambers of the National Assembly have come up with a date that the 2018 budget will be released but what is causing the delay?

Some of the President’s appointees are largely responsible for the delay. Some have not even submitted their budget. They behave as if the National Assembly is not an arm of government. They describe legislators as ‘those boys’ when some of the senators can be their fathers. But simply because they sign cheques and award contracts, so they feel they are above the laws of the land. It is a systemic challenge. The system has made everybody serving in the executive as an overlord. They don’t know that this is a tripartite arrangement. Each Governance arms must respect the other. No arm of government is more important than the other, except if you are operating from the point of ignorance. But what happens is that when we send for a minister to come and defend the budget, he will reply that he has gone to Europe, and yet Nigerians blame the legislature for the delay in passing the budget? Because he/ she feels the National Assembly is not important, they respect only the executive. Some head of agencies don’t even come here to defend their budget.

The Senate recently came under heavy criticism after Sen Shehu Sani revealed how much senators collect as running cost, are you worried about this?

There is nothing wrong about that. I am happy because many Nigerians thought we were taking home N35million monthly. I don’t see anything wrong with that revelation. But have Nigerians asked what the security vote of the President and governors is?

Bwacha

Even in states that are financially disadvantaged, the governors get N500million as security vote in a month. Have Nigerians asked how these monies are spent? So if you say N13.5million in a month, that is four weeks is much, do Nigerians really know the things we face in a month? Do they know the number of people that come to us and the kind of poverty that is in the land? If you know how the money is broken down and what goes to the people, you will be amazed. But because the National Assembly has been looked down

by Nigerians, they just sit in their homes and believe anything they hear. I am not happy that Sani did not reveal it sooner because it would have helped us in some of our activities. I don’t owe anybody any explanations on how we spent funds given to us because we don’t have anything to hide. I am a Christian and I don’t hide anything.

My life is an open book because God sees my heart. The monies are not slush funds. We don’t throw it away. I am happy that Nigerians now know that we are under paid.

Go to parliamentarians all over the world, they are always criticised.

People don’t care about what their governors and ministers receive.

But because we are legislators, they just focus on us and believe anything they hear or read. We have so many governors in the chambers now who didn’t know the truth, but because they are here now, they have come to understand what we have been going through.

Even Sani that was an activist came and saw but did he conquer? I am sure he is also overwhelmed by some of the problems we face here and the negative things we hear every day. I agree that there are some legislators that have abused their constituency projects but anti-corruption agencies should check these facts and prosecute those found guilty.

01.04.2018

E-TRAIN LOCAL

IN THE NEWS Easter Celebration: Promasidor Felicitates With Nigerians As Christians celebrate the end of the lent (fasting),Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, Onga, Top Tea and other quality products is urging Christians to always imbibe the lessons of sacrifice as demonstrated by Jesus Christ as Nigeria join the world in celebrating the Easter festival.

Speaking on the celebration, Head, Legal/Public relations of the company, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, said the celebration offered Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on the principles of love, denials and giving and how these could be leveraged to make the society a better place. He recalled that Promasidor’s highly nutritious and fortified Cowbell and Loya milk, served as the main source of nutrition and refreshment for the Christian faithful during the Lenten season.

This, according to him, has validated Promasidor’s commitment to quality and standard in its service to Nigerians.

Enahoro further said that the Easter celebration offered Nigerian Christians and their counterparts in other parts of the world an opportunity to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ, what He stood for, and the significance of His crucifixion and resurrection.

“It is an opportunity to review the principles of love, humanity and sacrifice. We should imbibe these principles and practise them in our day-to-day relationship with others. We should be ready to love and sacrifice for our neighbours and the country.

HEAD: Anthony Ada Abraham REPORTERS: Samuel Abulude Stellamaries Amuwa DESIGN/LAYOUT: Xtanlee Uche Echidi E-MAIL: tkmmedia2012@gmail.com SMS ONLY: 08092721737

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Popular Gospel Singer Opelope Anointing To Thrill Fans On Easter Sunday

BY SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos

Popular gospel musician, Dunni Olanrewaju, (a.k.a Opelope Anointing) is set to host her fans as part of her appreciation during the Easter season.

The event tagged: Easter Couple/Family get together, will hold on April 1 at the premises of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Opelope Anointing Praise Centre, 66 Liasu Road, Ikotun, Egbeda Lagos State.

According to her, the event, which is in collaboration with the Opelope Anointing Fans Club, is designed to connect with her fans at Easter, as well as give back to the society.

She said: “It is a great

Dunni Olanrewaju

privilege to witness another Easter and I am delighted to celebrate the season with my fans the world over. It is indeed an occasion that is worthy to be celebrated, and this is why I have decided to host my fans to the fullest.

I want to use this medium to officially thank and appreciate everyone that has contributed to the success of my career over the years.

I love and wish you all happy Easter.”

She added that the event would be graced by dignitaries. Pastor D D Adeleke, would be the speaker of the event, while gospel ministers such as Kemi Oshin, Alayo Gospel Singers, among others will also feature.

18years After, Maidunama Lives On ...as daughter marks birthday

BY SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos

As the bell of music and celebrations rings for the founder, CEO, Maidunama Sickle Cell Foundation, Rabi Maidunama who celebrates her birthday today, she also remembers her late father, Alh. Mohammed Maidunama (OFR), the Turakin Lafia who died 18 years ago on her birthday.

Rabi who has been fighting the scourge of sickle cell and has helped thousands of people around the country living with the disorder through her foundation , Maidunama Sickle Cell Foundation said she celebrate her birthday with mixed feelings and still mourn him everyday thanking him for leaving great legacy for the family.

She said :"Inna lillahi wa inna illaihi Rajiun.Good name they say is better than silver

Late Mohammed Maidunama

and gold and I couldn’t have asked for a better father. I will choose him over and over again, Alhamdulillah. It has been 18years now since he left us but the vacuum is always fresh in our memories. As God said, he is the father of the fatherless and this has been the case. I want to thank him for leaving us with an awesome name and legacy. The only thing we can do is to keep praying for Allah's’s continuous Rahma on his soul and may He grant him Jannat Firdaus. We, the family will continue to remember him for his goodness, love and guidance," Rabi Maidunama explained.

LEADERSHIP e-Train wishes Rabi a happy birthday and pray that God continue to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

58 FEATURE

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Tributes, Accolades As Father O'Connell's Legacies Live On

The death of Reverend father Jeremiah Dermobyt O’Connell Wednesday, March 14, 2018 came as a rude shock to his friends, admirers, colleagues and the good people of Niger state, and particularly, old students of government secondary school (GSS), Minna known for academic excellence and discipline. ABU NMODU writes.

R

He has left footprints on the sand of time. Father O’Connell knew no bound in impacting knowledge to those he came across.

The state cannot pay back what he did to it, but we will continue to pray for the repose of his soul

everend father O’ Connell was an Irish Priest who spent well over fifty five years (55) in Niger state, serving as principal of the famous GSS Minna Father as he was fondly addressed arrived Nigeria along side other missionaries through Calabar, Cross River state in 1962 and in 1963 moved to Niger State where he joined Fatima College (the only co-education college then in the state) in 1967 .

The school was later renamed Government Secondary School, Minna school in 1976.

Born in Castletownroche, Cork, on September september 1, 1935 , he was ordained a catholic priest on Easter Sunday 1961.

The priest was then posted to Calabar on his first posting after his ordination to the Catholic Diocese of Calabar, where he took up his primary assignment at St. Columbanus Secondary School, Ikwen in 1962.

He was later transferred to the prefecture of Minna in 1963 and he spent over fifty years as Principal of government secondary school.

The late reverend father returned to his country home in Kiltegan, Cork, Ireland following his retirement in April , 2017 .Until his death, father was a committed member of St. Patrick Society (SPS) of Catholic Church Mission in Nigeria.

History has it that aside him, no principal has served upto fifty years in any Nigerian school. He diligently nurtured and mentored some prominent Nigerians who are now in different sectors of the economy with a rare distinction in the educational system.

As if he had the premonition that he was going to die, reverend O Connell left Nigeria after writing his name on the sands of time55 year that earned him both national and state recognitions.

In appreciation of his selfless contributions to the nurturing of government secondary school Minna, governor Sani-Bello renamed the school after him to immortalise him .

The late father O’ Connell in 1992 and 2008 was honoured with the ‘Most Outstanding Performance and Productivity’ awards by the state and the federal government conferred on him the national honour of the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) respectively.

He was turbaned the Jagaban Ilimi Minna by the Emir of Minna

O’Connell

in appreciation to his numerous contributions to the development of education in the emirate.

His efforts were not left unnoticed, early , in 1974 he was awarded the best Principal of the secondary schools in the defunct North Western state and the best Principal in Niger State in 1999 again..

In 2012 former ANA president now late , Alhaji Abubakar Gimba in honour of Father Conell presented three books and the events was witnessed by the two former Nigeria leaders; former military president general Ibrahim Babangida and former head of state, general Abdulsalami Abubakar showing how he was held with respect in Niger state At a farewell reception organised in his honour by old students of the school last year, while retiring to his home country, Ire-land, the president of the old boys Mr Godwin Ashituabe noted that for the best of their Knowledge no Principal has stayed in a school for 50 years.

He paid tribute to the great priest and teacher whose legacies will live on in the patriotic work he did. He prayed that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn him and grant his soul eternal rest.

He recalled with Nostalgia the commitment of the Iris priest who spent 50 years of his 55 years in Nigeria at the college instilling in them high moral education with discipline that has distinguished the products of the school in all sphere of life, Ashituabe stated that the reverend father always kept them busy and taught in the classes most times including Islamic Religious Knowledge that could be considered a no go area for a catholic priest. He added that father was a committed teacher and superlative school principal who has broken a record of being a principal for 50 years.

Also speaking, an old student of the school and chairman organising committee of the reception Malam Mohammed Datti Usman said that “he taught all his classes in addition to his 15 hour daily schedule . “For Father , all classes must be taught and where a teacher is unavailable Father will attend to those classes ensuring that students are not left idle. In some instances Father taught Islamic Religious Knowledge IRK” Minister of state Mines and solid Minerals Hon Abu Bawa Bwari described him as a man of honour who contributed a lot to the development of mankind and education When he was leaving Niger

State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello while receiving him on farewell announced renaming of Government Secondary School (GSS) Minna, to O’Connell Secondary School as a mark of honor to the Late Reverend Father He assured that his enduring legacies left in the school would be sustained long after he was gone saying “We would try our best to see that what you have built remains, that I can assure you”,.

“Father (O’Connell) you would surely be missed. I wish we could all fly to Ireland to escort you and make sure you get home safe, but I believe you are in God’s hand and you’ll be well by His grace. On behalf of Niger State and Nigeria at large, let me thank you for your effort. There is nothing more we can do than to pray for you, at this age I don’t think you need anything else, but prayers. I wish you well” the Governor stated.

It did not therefore come as a surprise that the Governor was quick to mourn the late Iris reverend Father as he stated that He lived an impact filled and selfless life of service to humanity considering his contribution to Nigeria..

Condoling the people of Niger state on the demise of the Irish Clergy in Minna , the governor in a statement by the chief Press secretary Jibrin baba Ndace said the late educationist was an accomplished man, whose products of human development efforts are currently found in various leadership positions and other human endeavours in the state in particular and the country in general.

The gvernor eulogised the exemplary life style of the Catholic missionary who invested 55 years of his productive span in the service of the state. “Father O’Connell’s contributions, especially in education, religion and peace building are legendary and are written with indelible ink on the minds of many generations of Nigerlites.

He said, “he has left footprints on the sand of time. Father O’Connell knew no bound in impacting knowledge to those he came across.

The state cannot pay back what he did to it, but we will continue to pray for the repose of his soul” he added.

The governor enjoined all to pray that the departed O’Connell, soul a peaceful rest and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Aside the Niger state governor, other members of the old students association took to different social media handle to mourn this patriot called “Father”. The Iris Priest though died at the age of 83 years ,no time such enigma of educational development and distinction will die that it will not be too early considering his legacies.

Sunday, April 1, 2018

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FAITH 59

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

The Study Of God’s Word info@deeperlifeonline.org

The Glory Of God And The Glorification Of Christ ➔ FROM LAST WEEK

You will always make for things that bring peace, tell the truth that brings peace, do things that make for peace, build up, encourage and edify one another, make somebody wants to do better than he did yesterday

When people think of that, they think about suffering and sacrifice but He was thinking of our salvation and sanctification. If you suffer in a redemptive way, you will not think negatively but you will think of the glory that suffering brings to others – redemption, salvation and ticket to heaven, and you think of what God is doing through that suffering.

Hebrews 12:2.

The hour of crucifixion was very near, and our Lord Jesus Christ eagerly looked forward and saw the glory that will follow.

Not just the Cross or Crucifixion, or the whipping on the Tree, or the jesting of the people; there is a Glory that will follow (1 Peter 1:11). That was what the Lord was looking forward to.

He saw our Salvation through His SufferingHe saw the Conversion of the world through His CrucifixionHe saw our Blessings in His BetrayalHe saw our Holiness and Eternal Happiness in His HumiliationHe saw our Sanctification through His SacrificeHe saw our Deliverance through His DeathHe saw our Paradise through His Pain Paul the Apostle said that he gloried in the Cross of Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14).

Pray that this Crucifixion will bring glory into your life POINT 2. THE GREATEST OF OUR SANCTIFIER’S COMMANDMENT John 13:34,35; 15:12,13; 1 Thessalonians 3:12,13; 4:9,10 He gave us a New Commandment, and it is the greatest by our Sanctifier. When He

sanctifies us, takes out the Adamic nature and cleanses us from the original sin, then He enables us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind, and to love one another as He Himself has loved us. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). This commandment had been given in the Old Testament, but nobody could demonstrate that love like Jesus Christ demonstrated it, and now He has passed that love to you. This is new because the old man is going to be crushed, the Adamic nature is going to be removed, everything that will pull and set you back not to love as He wants us to love is going to be removed.

It is going to be New because of Calvary, that nature of sin is going to be eradicated, and so now with a cleansed, purified, purged, sanctified heart and Christ-like mind, you can now love one another as He had loved us. “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12,13). This is peculiar, and coming from the Master, Saviour, Sanctifier, King of kings and Lord of lord, our Redeemer Who has demonstrated that love. “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:10).

You will do this more and more, and will not say that I have done enough.

As we talk about this love (John 13:34,35), there are two sides to this love we need to understand; What this kind of love will never do to anyone – Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 4:6,7; Galatians 5:26; Colossians 3:9; James 4:11; 5:9; Ephesians 4:25,29-32 No judging of one another. Where there is judgment of one another, there is no freedom. When there is love, there will be no judging of one another. There will be no pride, not belittling your brother to lift yourself up, no puffing up or pride against one another. You are always looking for areas where others are better than you are.

No provocation of one another to act or behave foolishly. No lying to one another as couples, a family or members of the church. When you lie to somebody you are deceiving that person, and you do not respect, honour nor love that person. No evil speaking. You will not speak evil of one another even in their absence or in their presence to hurt them. When you do something negative to your brother or sister, you don’t have the kind of love that Christ is talking about. No grudging.

You will not bear grudge, animosity and bitterness in your heart against one another, if you do; you are not in the centre of the Will of God. You will speak, act and demonstrate the truth every time. No insulting and using derogating language against one another; you will avoid this if you have this love. Something that is not of love grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). You cannot hurt your brother or sister and still go to pray unto God. That grieves the Holy Spirit.No bitterness,

no malice. There is the quiet and loud bitterness. Malice is when you don’t greet one another, because of bitterness and something unresolved in the hearts. If there is something to settle, settle it and let it go in the love of God. You will be kind to one another. I pray that God will give us the grace.

2. What this kind of love will always do – Mark 9:50; Romans 12:10,16; 14:19; 15:5,6; 1 Corinthians 12:25; Galatians 6:1,2; 1 Peter 3:8-12; Hebrews 10:25 Don’t carry any kind of sword in your mind, on your shoulder, or in your hands but we are to love one another and let there be peace among yourselves. The feeling of your heart should be of kind, affection; you cannot hurt somebody feeling good about it. And we are to prefer one another in honour. We don’t compete against one another, but we give one another the opportunity to shine and be their best for the Lord. I pray that this will happen through you, and that you will begin the practice of what this love will never do, and what it will always do.

Have the same mindone toward another, to make one another happy, and make progress. You will always make for things that bring peace, tell the truth that brings peace, do things that make for peace, build up, encourage and edify one another, make somebody wants to do better than he did yesterday. Be like-minded – One mind, ministry, motivation, direction and caring for one another. There should be same care one of another – no division and no schism in the body. That’s practical and that is what the Lord wants us to demonstrate.

Rev Dennis Nwode

Back To The Bible

revdonwode@yahooo.com

sms

Jesus Christ Is Alive Jesus Christ rose from death as He said. His audience, disciples, the Jewish authorities, Roman authorities, Satan himself and demons heard He promised to rise from the dead after three days in the grave. Matthew’s Gospel reveals they recognized the seriousness of the promise.

His enemies did everything they possibly could to prevent the fulfillment. Matthew wrote, “… the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” (Mat. 27:62-67).

Mark wrote: “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall

roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them

with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned,” (Mark 16:1-16).

Knowing that some would doubt Jesus ensured there were many infallible proofs of His resurrection. The disciples were eclipsed by incredulity, uncertainty and fear. Luke recorded: “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). This state of skepticism, doubt and fear took from the disciples the mind to steal or the courage to seize their Master’s body. To them their three years of following the Master was all over. They felt they had been under a great deception.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth, our Lord and Saviour, the Founder of Christianity IS ALIVE is an established fact in history, the great truth of Christianity which no other religion can claim for their founders and the capstone upon which Christianity stands. The resurrection is God’s approval of Jesus as “… the way, the truth and the

life: no man cometh unto the Father…” except by Him (John 14:6). That He actually died on the rugged Cross and actually resurrected cannot be successfully denied. According to the Scripture He “died for our sin” (1 Cor. 15:3); by giving Himself (Gal. 1:4); “to be a propitiation for our sins” (1 John 2:2; 4:10). The empty tomb, the broken Roman seal over the grave, the rolled away stone, the guards’ testimony, the missing body, the empty grave clothes, the transformed disciples and the growing Christian Church are clear and infallible proofs of the resurrection of the Lord. The resurrection means that death has been defeated for man; that we serve the living Lord, not a dead master; and because He lives, true believers or disciples shall also live.

Hallelujah, Jesus Christ is no longer in the grave. His enemies and skeptics cannot produce His body. Therefore, He has risen as He said (Mat. 28:6; Mark 16:7). Let His true disciples now “go quickly and tell” all men everywhere that He is alive to save and bless all that come to Him (Mat. 28:710). The stone preventing the women from seeing the Lord was rolled away by the angel of the Lord signifying that all hindrances and problems of true believer have been taken away. Amen. Happy Easter.

The resurrection means that death has been defeated for man; that we serve the living Lord, not a dead master; and because

60

FEATURE

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Bodies of slain soldiers

As Nigerians Rise In Outrage Over Slain Soldiers

In this report, GEORGE AGBA captures the mood and mindset of Nigerians when the Nigerian Army buried the 11 fallen soldiers who were the victims of the brutal attack by bandits in Kaduna.

I No military rules out casualties as part of its war plans.

However, when confirmations are made, they are accompanied by celebratory burials, primed to fire troop zeal and as well as build fresh confidence in them

n combat, the military as an institution has a reputation for extreme secrecy over its casualty figure. It is a global practice, not peculiar to Nigeria. They do not publicly announce such statistics in their operations for strategic reasons. It is ammunition to the enemy and, more importantly, it is to minimise and mitigate the impact on the psyche of the troops and families of the fallen.

Yet, no military rules out casualties as part of its war plans.

However, when confirmations are made, they are accompanied by celebratory burials, primed to fire troop zeal and as well as build fresh confidence in them.

It was little wonder that when on March 21, 2018 news filtered that armed bandits on motor bikes ambushed and attacked soldiers attached to Operation Cat Race in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna, killing about 11 of them, official military confirmation of the casualties was, at best, measured.

Unconfirmed media reports, quoting sources who allegedly witnessed the bloody attack said that scores of the bandits invaded the soldiers’ camp at a village called Kampanin Doka in the local council area between 8:00pm and 9:00pm on that fateful day killing three soldiers in a hole and nine soldiers in the camp.

They were said to have been

repelled when they attacked Maganda District a day earlier on a revenge mission over the killing of their leader, Buhari Tsoho (popularly called Buharin Daji), who was allegedly killed in a shootout with security men in Zamfara about two weeks ago.

And so it emerged that on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at the Commonwealth Cemetery in Kaduna, the Nigerian Army buried the 11 fallen soldiers who were the victims of the brutal attack by the bandits for whom the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has declared an immediate manhunt.

Represented by the GOC 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major Gen. Muhammad Muhammad, the army boss said frantic efforts were on to apprehend the bandits and bring them to appropriate justice, stressing that the fallen soldiers were between the ages of 19 and 25 who joined the army barely a year ago, ’’full of life and ready to serve the country’’.

He told the tearful crowd at the solemn ceremony that the fallen soldiers who had recently gone through a special training were cut down in their prime while they were yet to meet their families to show their military uniforms. ‘’They told their relations that they had joined the Nigerian Army.

Most of them were yet to go back

to their relations to show them the uniforms they were given in the Army. That is the sad thing about this occasion. Now they have paid the supreme sacrifice to defend the territorial integrity of this country. They shed their blood in the community of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State.

The slain soldiers who were accorded full military honours before their final interment included Privates Ahmed Olabode, Bamidele Adekunle, Christian Ogochukwu, Adamu Mohammed and Lamara Ahmed. Others were Suleiman Mubarak, Bashir Sani, Usman Abubakar, Nafiu Iliyasu, Safiyanu Ahmed and Alhassan Ibrahim.

Reacting to the incident, Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir elRufai expressed regrets, describing the killings as tragic and sad. He donated N500,000 each to the families of the deceased during the burial. Presenting a cheque of N5.5 million to the GOC, the governor who was represented by the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government (SSG), Balarabe Abbas, said that the government and people of the state were pained by the incident. ‘’It is with heavy heart and regrets that I stand in your midst to express our heart-felt condolences to the families of 11 soldiers who lost their lives in action at Kompani Doka in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State’’, he said.

Also reacting to the development, a civil advocacy group, Concerned Professionals’ Congress (CPC) expressed

condolences to the families of the slain soldiers, noting that it had confidence in the ability of the Nigerian military to effectively combat criminal gangs and nonstate actors against threats to the security and stability in any part of the country. It added that the military has sufficient will, ability and capacity to protect law-abiding citizens against harassment or molestation in any part of the country.

The group, in a statement released in Abuja by its Chief Media Strategist, Mr. Emeka Nwankpa, and the Regional Rapporteur (North), Mallam Baba Al-Kasim said that the soldiers did not die in vain as Nigerians of many generations ahead will remember their supreme sacrifice to keep the country safe, secure and stable.

Expressing satisfaction with the moves so far taken by President Muhammadu Buhari and the nation’s high military command in rescuing the people in the affected communities from criminality and banditry, the group maintained that the peace and order would soon return fully in the areas. The group called on all Nigerians to support and promote the ongoing synergy among the military, the Directorate of States Services, the Ministry of the Interior and the Inspector-General of Police towards redressing the situation aimed at checkmating further escalation of crimes and criminality in the troubled areas.

Nwankpa further urged lovers of the unity, peace and stability ➔ CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

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FEATURE 61

As Nigerians Rise In Outrage Over Slain Soldiers ➔ FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Lt. Gen. Danjuma had, at the maiden convocation of Taraba State University, Jalingo urged Nigerians to adopt self-defence measures against their attackers, accusing the armed forces of aiding militia men in an alleged ethnic cleansing agenda

of the nation to exercise restraint in their comments and rise above primordial sentiments capable of jeopardising ongoing efforts aimed at redressing the situation.

Expressing confidence in the ability of the Nigerian troops to arrest the situation, the group noted that the thinking in informed circles is that President Muhammadu Buhari has what it takes in the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin and the service chiefs to bring the criminality in the troubled areas to a decisive end.

The group maintained that the president deserves praise for carefully selecting a crop of focused, highly committed and hardcore service chiefs whose sacrifice, focus, courage, commitment and patriotism anchored on discipline, probity, fresh tactical and strategic approach have added immense value to nation-building..

The group described the present armed forces as a citizen-oriented military whose excellent global rating is attributable to its highly successful fight against insurgency and terrorism in the North East, oil robbery in the Niger Delta, cattle rustling in the North West, kidnapping in the South West and other forms of crime and criminality across the country.

At the site of the Cemetery where the slain soldiers were buried, Lt. Gen. Buratai noted that the 11 deceased were part of the Operation Ayem Akpatuma which commenced on February 5, 2018 to combat the security situation in Kamuku forest and its environs as well as curtail the activities of kidnappers and other criminal elements on major highways in Kaduna State.

Apparently miffed by the circumstances of their death, he wondered why some commentators could make generalised accusations against the Nigerian Army in what many perceived as an indirect reference to allegations by a former COAS and Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma portraying the Armed Forces as a biased and sectional institution providing cover for killers in the country.

Lt. Gen. Danjuma had, at the maiden convocation of Taraba State University, Jalingo urged Nigerians to adopt self-defence measures against their attackers, accusing the armed forces of aiding militia men in an alleged ethnic cleansing agenda.

He said, ‘’There is an attempt at ethnic cleansing in the state and of course, some rural states in Nigeria.

We must resist it. We must stop it. Every one of us must rise up.

Our Armed Forces are not neutral.

They collude with the bandits to kill people, kill Nigerians. The Armed Forces guide their movements, they cover them. ‘’If you are depending on the Armed Forces to stop the killings, you will all die one by one…I ask every one of you to be alert and

Olonisakin

defend your country, defend your territory and defend your state.

Defend yourselves because you have no other place to go’’.

But Lt. Gen. Buratai who did not directly refer to Lt. Gen. Danjuma at the burial of the slain soldiers cautioned members of the public against making ‘’general’’ statements that could set Nigerians against themselves, wondering why troops, many of whom had paid the supreme price, would collude with bandits to kill fellow soldiers, comrades-at-arms or any innocent Nigerians for that matter.

He said, “Can they have sacrificed their lives to aid those who killed them? How then can we tell them that they are aiding those who killed them, that today they have paid with their lives to aid those who killed them? If we are responsible enough to make a statement, we should not generalize.

We shall bring the soldiers’ killers to deserved justice. The soldiers were trained for about six months and were taken for further training to add value to them, only to cut short the dreams they have for this country, to defend with their blood. ‘’We assure Nigerians that we will continue to do our duties regardless of this. We assure that every part of this country, every part under 1 Division will be secured. We are assuring all those who are behind the killings, that we will not relent in our efforts to ensure that we mete out whatever they deserve.

If any other member of the family wants to join the army, do not discourage them. Their blood will not shed in vain, we their colleagues who are still alive will continue to where they stopped: their memory will still be with us ’’.

A political pressure group, National Action for Political Advancement (NAPA) introduced a fresh political angle to the development, alleging that the crises and controversy surrounding the herdsmen killings

Buratai

were contrived political plots by unnamed interests to scuttle the forth-coming 2019 general elections.

The interim National Coordinator of the group, Malam Musa Ahmed asked the nation’s intelligence community to dig further to fish out those behind the alleged plots.

He said that time had come for all Nigerians to rally round the present Federal Government to fulfill its promise to conduct a free, fair, credible, transparent and rancorfree general election next year.

He condemned the killing of the 11 soldiers, describing it as a dangerous trend in the ongoing quest by governments at different levels to rid the nation of crime and criminality. ‘’Those who live by the sword will sure die by the sword. The spirit of the fallen marksmen will continue to haunt their assailants for instant vengeance and judgment.

Our hearts go to their immediate families as we pray God Almighty to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss as well as grant the souls of the dead eternal repose because they died so that the rest of us could live,’’ Ahmed said.

In his own submission, a public affairs commentator, Mr. Gbenga Dimeji cautioned against undue politicization of purely security issues in the country as was the case with Boko Haram, which its early stage was criminal before it expanded and rose to heinous activities because politics was allowed to creep into it. ‘’I sincerely appeal to Nigerians not to allow us fall into such a trap again. It will be dangerous. Security issues should be left to security people to handle otherwise it will escalate and before you know it , the entire nation is in flames especially as we have elections next year. God forbid that we do not fall into the evil hands of enemies of this nation. We have to be very careful,’’ he said.

Curiously, Mr. Dimeji’s comment

coincides with a revelation on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu. Shehu noted in a statement that heads of the nation’s security agencies are worried over alleged ongoing attempts by some groups to disrupt the processes leading to the 2019 general election.

He said that the security agencies expressed the worry while interacting with media owners and top journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday. Present at the session were the CDS, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, the DSS DG, Lawal Daura and the National Intelligence Agency, NIA DG, Amb. Ahmed Abubakar.

Garba Shehu quoted them as saying that the unnamed groups were out to create a stalemate in the polity. ‘’The security chieftains expressed worry that there are groups in the country with evil designs to disrupt the processes leading to the 2000 general elections in the hope of creating a stalemate’’, he said.

The presidential spokesman added: ‘’The security heads also called for closer cooperation from the media to prevent terrorists and radical ideologies directed from abroad from undermining the ongoing efforts to restore security in parts of the country facing the challenges of terrorism, economic sabotage, criminality, farmersherdsmen’s clashes and the spread of illegal weapons’’.

Perhaps, giving credence to Garba Shehu’s statement, CPC’s Nwankpa said, ‘’Our group suspects a sinister move by certain interests to undermine the unity, peace and stability of the country through senseless killings and reprisal killings and to pit a section of the country against the other to cause disaffection, distrust and disharmony thereby jeopardising government’s ability to forge unity, harmony among Nigerians. We stand to be corrected’’.

62 FEATURE

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Cross section of the brides looking happy

Inside Kebbi’s First Mass Wedding

The excitement in Kebbi State over the recent mass wedding involving 100 couples in Argungu local government area will not go away in a hurry. YAHYA SARKI (Birnin Kebbi) reports on the pageantry of Kebbi’s first mass wedding.

H In one of the hadith of our holy prophet Muhammad, it says if you marry you have completed half of your religion, so endeavour to complete the rest with good deeds

istory was made in the ancient town of Argungu local government area of Kebbi State as it became the first local government and emirate council in Kebbi State to stage a mass wedding of one hundred couples. An interesting dimension to the historic wedding is the reality that a bulk of the couples wedded on that day, were less privileged involving widows, divorcees and the physically challenged.

The event, which attracted an unprecedented crowd took place at the palace of the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammadu Samaila Mera, on Saturday, 17th March, 2018 and attended by Kebbi State governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, top government functionaries, politicians and hundreds of well wishers and families of the

couples.

The ceremony and the entire mass wedding was sponsored by Kebbi State government in collaboration with Argungu local government area, a phenomena rare to the people of the state. Stories of mass wedding are only told to the people as it took place in faraway areas such as Kano, North Africa and in Asia.

The reality of having a mass wedding on the soil of Kebbi state in which 100 couples are involved, no doubt was unbelievable to many as history was made to unite families and friends in the state.

In his short remarks before performing the Islamic wedding rites between the representatives of both parties, Alhaji Giro Argungu, an Islamic scholar who was one of the members of the screening committee said their committee undertook

medical screening of all grooms and brides out of which only one (1) case of HIV was detected while 30 have been diagnosed with hepatitis.

He said the 100 couples screened were certified to be medically fit for marriage. According to him, the government paid N20, 000 as dowry to each of the 100 grooms, while all the bride/grooms will be given N30, 000 each to start a business.

This is apart from the N150, 000 spent to buy furniture, household utensils and beddings to each of the 100 brides for their rooms.

The emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammadu Samaila Mera, while congratulating the couples also appreciated the government for sponsoring the mass wedding.

As the royal father and father of the Emirate, he advised the couples to entrench a blissful life full

of love, peace and respect for each other and to accept their marriage as a new way of life in accordance with Islamic tenants.

The Emir quoted a hadith of the Holy Prophet which enjoined people to marry “In one of the hadith of our holy prophet Muhammad, it says if you marry you have completed half of your religion, so endeavour to complete the rest with good deeds”, he said.

The royal father noted that such an event will go a long way in reducing societal ills such as prostitution and other vices in the society. He also advised the couples to shun violence or any act capable of causing disharmony between them while calling on the men to give their women opportunities as partners in progress.

He further called on his subjects to respect their parents and hoped that ➔ CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

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FEATURE 63

Inside Kebbi’s First Mass Wedding

One of groom , Muntari Mairuwa (30) FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

other local government areas will emulate Argungu in organising mass weddings in order to promote togetherness in the society.

On his part, the Kebbi governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who was elated by the event being the first in the state and during his tenure commended Argungu local government for joining hands with the state for the success of the mass wedding.

He called on other local government areas and districts and the well to do in the society to emulate Argungu local government in organising mass weddings for the less privileged.

“It’s a thing of joy that today in Argungu local government, 100 couples are united in marriage as husband and wive. More interestingly, the couples had to undergo medical test and only one case of HIV was recorded.

“This is really good development, because in some places where such

is done, you will see that many cases involving people with such ailment is detected. I thanked all the committee members for their sacrifice and all those who contributed in one way or the other for the success of the mass wedding like Senator Dr Yahya Abdullahi.

“Let me assure you that because of the importance and benefit of this programme, the state government will continue to support this kind of event and will encourage other local government to follow suit.

“We are always ready to support any district that can organise this kind of mass event. I urge the couples to live in peace and engage in small businesses to sustain yourselves,” the governor said.

On their part, the excited couples expressed happiness, gratitude to God and thanked the government for making their dream to come true.

Baraka Musa, 30 who came from Gwazange village in Argungu local government area expressed

Shafa Sanusi (16) ,one of the youngest amongst

her delight, “I feel very happy, I give thanks to God the Almighty and pray that God as he joined us together in marriage, will equally bless our marriage.

I thank the government for making our day, our life happier,” she said with a charming smile on her face.

Sharifa Sanusi who is 16 years old from Tungar Rairai village, could not control her happiness as she became a bride and wife for the first time. The visibly excited woman simply said, “Allah yabamu zaman lafiya”, (May God bless our marriage and may we live in peace with my husband).

Muntari Mairuwa Argungu, 30 is one of the groom and a resident of Argungu said the occasion has taken a huge burden off his shoulder. “I feel happy today because of this thing of joy that happened to us. We are less privileged in the society. If not for government assistance, I really don’t know when and how I will marry.”

The elated groom narrated to LEADERSHIP

how he met his beautiful bride, “It’s a long story of love, all I can say here is that I am happy that the girl expressed her love for me even before her parents when many young guys came looking for her in marriage”, he said.

Safiyanu Maitsaga who is 25 years old expressed joy, he explains that he has been longing for marriage over four years until this time when his dream with the support of the Kebbi State government saw the light of day.

“I am happy I met this girl, I started dating her since her father died and before our marriage which is today her mother died.

So you see the girl is less privileged how could I have married her if not for this assistance, I thanked God for this day,” he said.

The mass wedding in Kebbi has received praises in and outside the state with calls on state government to sustain the programme as a panacea to assisting the less privileged in the society and as a way of reducing societal vices like prostitution.

Let me assure you that because of the importance and benefit of this programme, the state government will continue to support this kind of event and will encourage other local government to follow suit

64 OPINION

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Fruitful Achievements Of Ten Major China-Africa Cooperation Plans

BY ZHAO LINXIANG

FOCAC Beijing Summit is coming in September this year, which marks the 18th anniversary of FOCAC. The past 18 years have achieved fruitfully in China-Africa practical cooperation across the board, especially after FOCAC Johannesburg Summit in December 2015 when President Xi Jinping proposed the implementation of the “10 major ChinaAfrica cooperation plans” which planned a grand blueprint for the economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa.

The “10 major ChinaAfrica cooperation plans” covers various key areas of ChinaAfrica economic and trade cooperation such as industrialisation, infrastructure, agriculture, health and trade, and provide a total amount of 60 billion U.S. dollars funds of various kinds such as development aid, concessional loans, SME development loans, export credits and investment funds, giving full support to the realization of inclusive and sustainable development in Africa’s economy and society. So far, all economic and trade initiatives have been steadily implemented, which effectively

bring about new developments in practical cooperation between China and Africa.

Under the industrialisation cooperation plan, the cooperation in construction of the economic and trade cooperation area between China and African countries has been speeded up. The leveraging and spill over effects of various kinds of industrial park platforms such as processing and manufacturing parks on the development of the host country have gradually emerged.

China has signed the inter gover nmental documents on construction cooperation on economic and trade cooperation area with Egypt, Morocco, Mozambique and South Africa. The first phase of the extension of the Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Egypt was completed and a number of enterprises have been settled. China has also trained about 150000 professional and technical personnel of various kinds for African countries.

Under the infrastructure cooperation plan, China promotes enterprises to actively participate in the

construction and operation of largescale railways, ports, and electric power and communications projects in Africa.

So far, a number of major projects such as the Ethio-Djibouti Railway in Ethiopia, the MombasaNairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya, phase I of Nigeria Railway Modernization Project(Abuja-Kaduna section) in Nigeria and the new Terminal of Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport in Togo’s capital city Lomé have been constructed and effectively promoted the level of intercity transport services, facilitated the public travel and improved the efficiency of logistics in Africa, driving the economic development of the local and surrounding inland countries.

Significant progress has also been made in cooperation programs in areas such as agriculture modernization, public health, facilitation of trade and investment, people’s livelihood and so on. China has played an active role in enhancing the selfdevelopment capacity and reducing poverty in African countries.

Under the cooperation under areas mentioned above, China provided

food aid to 18 droughtaffected countries in Africa. China signed a cooperation document with the Africa Union in supporting the construction of Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of Africa. China has formally launched the FTA negotiation with Mauritius, opening a new chapter of China-Africa trade.

In general, most of the tasks have been completed or even outperformed.

We are accelerating our efforts to complete the implementation of all economic and trade measures as scheduled.

In has been two years since the implementation of “10 major China-Africa cooperation plans”. It has not only promoted the improvement of the economic and social development in Africa and the level of people’s living standards, but also led the stable and healthy development of ChinaAfrica economic and trade cooperation. In 2017, China-Africa trade reached 170 billion U.S dollars, with a 14 percent growth over 2016.

China maintains its position as Africa’s largest trading partner for 9 consecutive years. China’s direct investment flow in Africa reached 3.1 billion U.S. dollars.

Investment structure has been continuously optimized and the quality of investment has been steadily promoted. At the 12th Senior Officials Meeting of the FOCAC held in November last year, the African side spoke highly of the effectiveness of the implementation of the “10 major China-Africa cooperation plans”.

This year marks the final year for the implementation of the “10 major ChinaAfrica cooperation plans”.

The new FOCAC Summit will be held in September in Beijing. This will have a historic significance in advancing the development of ChinaAfrica relations in the new era. We will uphold the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith and strengthen the strategic docking and exchange of ideas between China and Africa. China will plan the cooperation with Africa for a period in the future and enrich the connotation of China-Africa all-round strategic partnership and continuously push forward the ChinaAfrica cooperation to a new level.

– Linxiang is the Economic & Commercial Counsellor Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

State Sponsored Poisoning In The UK: Why It Affects Us All

BY PAUL ARKWRIGHT

Four weeks ago, on a quiet Sunday in one of Britain’s most beautiful cathedral cities, home to people of many different nationalities, including Nigerians, a father and daughter were struck down by the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War. Sergei and Yulia Skripal are still lying stricken in hospital. A police officer who went to their aid was also critically injured.

Over 100 citizens were forced to seek medical treatment simply because they were nearby when the nerve agent was released.

What happened in Salisbury on March 4 was a brazen attempt to murder civilians on British soil, endangering anyone – of any nationality – who chanced to be in the vicinity. If this could happen in Salisbury, the blunt truth is that an incident of this kind could happen anywhere.

British scientists have

identified the substance used against the Skripals as a Russian military-grade nerve agent known as “Novichok”. Today, only Russia combines a record of state-sponsored assassinations with an avowed motive for targeting Sergei Skripal – and stockpiles of “Novichok” agents.

After the attack, the British Government gave the Kremlin an opportunity to explain if any of this substance had gone missing. But this request was contemptuously ignored, leaving the Government with no choice except to conclude that the Russian state was guilty of attempted murder in a British city, using a lethal nerve agent banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The incident in Salisbury falls into a pattern of the Kremlin’s lawless and reckless behaviour.

Since 2014, Russia has annexed Crimea, ignited the flames of conflict in eastern Ukraine, hacked the German Bundestag and the Danish government and

interfered in European elections.

Now they have gone so far as to use a banned nerve agent on European soil. The fact that more people are not in hospital in Salisbury is only down to luck; the perpetrators obviously did not care how many innocents they endangered.

Britain has responded by expelling 23 undeclared intelligence officers from the Russian Embassy in London.

And, in an unprecedented display of international unity and condemnation, twenty seven other countries around the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada, France and Germany, have expelled or announced plans to expel Russian diplomats. This sends a clear message that there are costs and consequences for the Kremlin’s lawless behaviour.

This is a time for allies and friends to stand together to uphold the rules on which the safety of every nation depends.

No country should see

what happened in Salisbury as something far away from its shores. If we do not call out against such deplorable conduct, then the Russian state will continue its pattern of dangerous and destructive behaviour.

Our quarrel is not with the Russian people, whose cultural and literary achievements shine down the centuries. We will never forget the fortitude shown by the Russian nation during the Second World War, nor our common alliance against Nazism. But we all share an obligation to oppose the Kremlin’s ambition to divide and weaken the international community. This outrage took place in a peaceful provincial city in Britain; next time it could be anywhere. All the more reason for peace-loving democracies everywhere to stand united in voice and action, condemning this deplorable incident.

– Arkwright, British High

NEWS ACROSS THE STATES 65

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Osun Assembly Felicitates With Christians At Easter Osun State House of Assembly, under the leadership of the Speaker, Hon Najeem Salam, has felicitated with all Christians in the state over this year’s Easter celebration.

The House, in a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, says the Assembly acknowledges that Easter season is a sacred one filled with God’s love, blessings and redemptive power.

It congratulates all Christians in the state, urging them to celebrate moderately and never forget the lessons as well as the reasons for the season, which is the sacrificial death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

TY Danjuma’s Self Defense Comments Shocking – Presidency

BY JONATHAN NDA- ISAIAH, ABUJA The Presidency has described comments by former minister of defence, Gen Theophilus Danjuma that Nigerians should defend themselves against killer bandits as shocking and scary.

Recall that former minister of defence, Gen Danjuma had recently, at the maiden convocation of the Taraba State University, told Nigerians to defend themselves against killers, saying the Nigerian Armed Forces were

not ready to defend them.

In a statement by the senior special assistant media to the president, Garba Shehu, he said criminal gangs will misinterpret the statement to wreak havoc on innocent citizens.

While commending the military for maintaining law and order in the country, the presidential spokesman pointed out that no country will survive if its citizens right up against the military.

He said, “The Presidency wishes to appeal to prominent Nigerians, who

have national influence, to use their influence wisely and not continue to engage in public declarations that are likely to inflame emotional passions and threaten National Security.

“The Presidency is very worried that criminal gangs will feel justified in defying legal governing and democratic institutions, and authority of legitimately elected democratic government if unrestrained pronouncements are made.

“Silence can be dignified, but sometimes it can be misinterpreted

and exploited. It is both shocking and scary to hear the recent comments by a senior citizen calling for Nigerians to defend themselves.

“The Presidency commends the Nigerian military’s efforts to maintain peace and stability, despite being pulled in various directions by elements determined to destabilise the country and government for their selfish reasons.

What country would survive if its citizens rise against the country’s organised, trained and equipped military?

By Joshua Dada, Osogbo

WHARC Partner Edo Community To Curb Mother, Infant Mortality

Women Health Action Research Centre (WHARC), says it is in partnership with Okpekpe Community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo to check mother and infant mortality in the area.

The leader of the centre, Prof Friday Okonofua, stated this during the 10th Okpekpe kingdom day on Saturday.

He said the partnership would see the strengthening of the primary health centre in the community.

He said through the partnership, doctors, drugs, as well as health facilities would be deployed to the area.

Okonofua regretted that lack of functional primary health centres, have been largely responsible for the death of many pregnant women and children before the age of five.

The professor of Gynecology said women and children in rural communities were mostly affected with this phenomenon.

He said this was not acceptable and thus, WHARC would work assiduously to see to the end of this in Okpekpe community.

“Our aim is to ensure that this community reaches it potential in terms of development.

“We will do all that is necessary to see to the end of death of pregnant women and children before they reach the age of five.

“We want to be able to use our partnership with Okpekpe kingdom as a launch pad to reach other communities, not only in Edo but the country in general,” he said.

The clan head of the kingdom, Peter Osigbemeh, who expressed excitement over the partnership, said the community has already committed N2 million into the project.

He said his excitement over the partnership was his desire to stop the incident of death of pregnant women and that of children before they attain the age of five.

According to him, “Just before they came up with this idea of partnership, I lost a woman who delivered a quadruplet. The woman and the four children died within just two hours.

By Patrick Ochoga, Benin City

People making last minutes Esther shopping at the popular Ogbete Main Market in Enugu, yesterday . PHOTO BY NAN

Police Rescue Kidnapped Religious Leader In Kebbi

BY YAHYA SARKI, KEBBI

The Police in Kebbi, have rescued the Chief Imam of Sanchi, Mohammad Mande, who was kidnapped on the 18th March in his village, Sanchi in Danko Wasagu local government area of Kebbi State from suspected kidnappers.

The Kebbi State Police Commissioner, CP Umar Kabir, made the disclosure to journalist

at the state police headquarters in Birnin during a brief ceremony to decorate 10 police officers out of the 766 promoted by the IGP in the state.

According to CP Kabir, the religious leader was rescued by the police without paying any ransom to the suspected kidnappers and the victim, chief Imam of Sanchi, has since been reunited with his family.

He recalled that the same person was abducted in 2015 and a ransom

of 13 million was paid by the family, until the police successful rescued him and recovered the ransom.

The CP also announced that as part of efforts by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to improve the welfare of the police, 766 police personnel in Kebbi have been promoted.

“I am happy to say that the IGP has approved the promotion of 766 police personnel from Kebbi.

181 promoted from the rank of Sergeant to Inspector while 585 were promoted to the rank of Sergeant from Corporal,” he said.

CP Kabir also said the 30 days ultimatum given by IGP to members of public to return all licensed and unlicensed firearms to the police for renewal, has expired.

He warned that anybody who failed to do so would be culpable of arrest.

Why I Am Vying For Adamawa North Senatorial District – Walin Mubi

BY HUSSAINI HAMMANGABDO, Yola

An All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Alhaji Hamid Mahmud, has vowed to ameliorate the suffering of people of Adamawa Central Senatorial District, from high rate of poverty, unemployment and drug abuse.

Mahmud, who is also Walin Mubi, alleged that Sen Binta Massi and others from the constituency, have not attracted the enabling dividend of democracy to the plight of the

people ravaged by insurgency.

He stated this at a press conference at the end of his tour and meeting with party executives in northern zone of the state and the present occupant of the senatorial seat.

“We have about four major federal roads in terrible condition, but our elected representatives are yet to tell us what is happening to those roads.

“I am challenged by the lacklustre kind of approach to representation by our members of National Assembly. This is why

I feel I should go there and make a difference,” Mahmud said.

“These are challenges we ought to face otherwise we will be sorry for our inactivity. This is why I feel I should go to National Assembly and make a difference,” Mahmud said.

On herders/farmers’ crisis in the state, he called for security summit by stakeholders to check the problem.

“Adamawa Government just recently held a successful anti corruption summit, graced by Mr President. I feel a security summit

should follow immediately.

“We saw what happened in Rwanda, Northern Ireland; they had to come back to a round table conference.

“Those are all lessons we need to derive experience from. God created us all; our differences should not lead us to be killing ourselves! Where is our humanity?

“Let’s us come to a round table to discuss and proffer solutions on how we can live together as brothers and sisters,” Mahmud said.

Easter: FRSC Cautions Motorists Against Reckless Driving

BY TOPE FAYEHUN, AKURE

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised passengers to caution drivers against reckless driving to avert carnages during and after Easter festival.

The Deputy Sector Commander and Head of Operation in Ondo

State, Olusegun Ogungbemide, stated this while speaking with journalists on Saturday in Akure, the state capital.

Ogungbemide said it has become imperative for FRSC to advise members of the public on the necessity of cautioning drivers against reckless driving

in view of the spate of carnage on the road.

He said that the command had always admoanished and encouraged passengers not to keep quiet in the face of reckless driving.

According to him, “It is not just about drivers alone, members of

public also have responsibilities as passengers in any vehicle they are in.

“Passengers need to admonish drivers tactfully anytime they are going reckless without distracting them. It is their responsibilities to advise drivers to keep to safety rules.

66 NEWS ACROSS THE STATES

Sunday, April 1, 2018

PDP’s Apology: You’re Not Ready For Repentance, Says APC

Nasarawa Dep Gov Bags Traditional Title Nasarawa State deputy governor, Silas Ali Agara, was yesterday conferred with a traditional title in Akwanga local government area of the state.

Agara was conferred with the title of Garkuwan Mada by the Chun Mada, Pastor Samson Gamu Yare, in his palace in Akwanga.

Also confered with a traditional title was the former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Chief Mike Abdul, as the new Baraden Mada.

Both Silas Agara and Mike Abdul, who is also of Mada extraction from Akwanga local government area of the state. Also inaugurated yesterday by the paramount ruler of Mada, was the elders council of Mada nation known as ‘Lunku Mada’ Conferring the title on the beneficiaries at his palace Pastor Yare, said that the recipients were honoured with the titles for their contributions to the development of Mada nation.

He urged them to continue in the same spirit to sustain the pace of development in his domain.

Pastor Yare, urged them to uphold the virtues of truth and discipline in the discharge of their responsibilities to Mada nation, Nasarawa State and the country at large.

The deputy governor, Silas Ali Agara, while responding, thanked the traditional council for the honour, confidence and trust bestowed upon him and others.

By Danjuma Joseph, Lafia

Pro Bono Lawyers Clamour For Justice In Rural Areas Pro bono service lawyers under the aegis of the Public Defenders Office, PDO, has appealed to Kano State government to provide access to justice, for people residing in the hinterland by establishing legal aid offices in rural communities across the state..

The administrator, Public Defenders Office, PDO, Kano, Barrister (Mrs) Rotkang Kyunni yesterday, during a public sensitization campaign, on human rights, held at Tsohon Kasuwa in Wudil LG, described the level of access to justice in rural areas in the state, as disturbing and in need for immediate government engagement and intervention.

According to her, access to justice within rural communities in the state is still a challenge, noting that, majority of those residing in the rural areas are indigent persons and are in need of legal first aid and pro bono services, Kyunni said.

She explained that, free legal service providers are concentrated within Kano metropolis, the indigent persons do not have the means to travel to Kano metropolis to seek redress, complicating their cases by denying them access to justice, this scenario makes it mandatory for the state government to act swiftly by establishing legal aid offices in local communities in the state, Rotkang pleaded.

By Abdulgafar Oladimeji, Kano

Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Dr Abdullahi Bichi Baffa (middle); chairperson of the Governing Council, Hajia Aisha Tahir and the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Bali, Dr Saidu Umaru during the commissioning of TETFUND projects in Taraba State, recently.

2019: INEC Seeks 1m Ad-hoc Staff

BY ANDY ASEMOTA, KATSINA

No fewer than one million adhoc staff are to be deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for 2019 general elections nationwide, the resident electoral commissioner (REC), of the commission in Katsina State, Ibrahim Zarewa, has said.

Speaking during his visit to the Al Qalam University Katsina, he noted that INEC alone cannot handle all the processes of the elections hence the need for the support of critical stakeholders to boost its success.

Zarewa, who expressed confidence that with the commission’s preparations the next year’s polls

would be better than the previous general elections in the country, confirmed that the ICT department of the university has been of huge support during elections.

“Now, this collaboration and cooperation will be deepened because elections in Nigeria have become something that requires deep participation and commitment of everyone for us to have very credible, free, fair and transparent results that will stand the test of time so that we can produce good leaders,” he said.

He continued: “We need collaboration with universities and other sister agencies of government in sourcing for people who will man

the elections. The involvement of people in universities is giving further credence and credibility to the electoral process.”

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Al Qalam University, Prof.

Sheu Garki Ado, assured that the institution would continue to contribute its quota to the successful elections and the development of the country in all its ramifications.

“Any of our staff engaged will be offered approval to participate.

Indeed, we are out to provide manpower for the development of the country and at all times, we are willing to support and contribute to the success of whatever will be of benefit to Nigeria and Nigerians.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), has again lashed out at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the party has not shown remorse for its misrule when it was in government despite the recent apology it offered to Nigerians.

The APC however advised the PDP to “follow the example of one of its leaders and former deputy Senate president, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu, and confess their sins against the country instead of indulging in name calling”.

In a release signed by the APC national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party further tasked the opposition to toe the path of Senator Mantu rather than engage in “fruitless “you too” accusations” The statement reads in part: “Apparently burdened by guilty conscience, the PDP National Chairman had last week apologised to the nation for the years of misrule that his party has brought to the country. The APC noted this apology but asked the PDP to go a step further and confess to their sins before restitution could be considered.

“Instead of taking this path to redemption, PDP has engaged in fruitless “you too” accusations and name calling. This is further evidence that PDP is not ready for repentance and only offered the apology with the hope that Nigerians will grant them amnesty and a short-cut back to power.

“However, now that Senator Mantu has belled the cat, by confessing to how he has helped the PDP to rig elections in the past, we hope that PDP will follow the bold example of the former Senator and confess to their other sins against Nigeria”.

By Andrew Essien, Abuja

Katsina Acting CJ Tasks Appeal Court On New Division

BY ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina

The acting chief judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, has implored the president of the Court of Appeal to establish of a new division of the court in Katsina State for quick dispensation of appeals from Katsina and some of the states within the North West geo-political zone.

Abubakar, who made the request at a special session of the court of Appeal, Kaduna Division, held in Katsina, regretted that the geo-political zone with the highest number of states with largest geo-political spread in the country had only two divisions of the Court of Appeal leading to high accumulation of appeals.

He however appreciated the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division, for

setting aside some few weeks every Legal Year to go round the states within its territorial jurisdiction to hear appeals emanating from the states.

“This special sitting of the Court of Appeal is aimed at achieving not only quick disposal of appeal cases but also building public confidence on the workings of the courts. I would like to urge My Lords to increase the routine of the special sessions and to assure you that as always, that Katsina State judiciary and the state government shall continue to provide the necessary support,” he added.

In her remarks, the Presiding Justice, Kaduna Division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji, disclosed that the special session of the court holding in Katsina would

entertain no fewer than 189 appeals and motions which emanated from Katsina State.

Aji, accompanied by members of the panel of the Court of Appeal special session including Justice I.S. Bdliya, Justice O.O. Daniel-Kalio, Justice O.A, Adefope-Okojie and Justice A.A. Wambai, who were in Katsina for the 5-day special session, noted that the special sitting was designed by the President of the Court of Appeal to decongest appeals and reduce the financial burden of indigent litigants.

She urged lawyers to give the court maximum cooperation by handling their cases diligently and professionally devoid of frivolous applications that could derail the smooth administration of justice.

“We were in Jigawa and Kano States

last two weeks for similar purpose. It is our hope that lawyers representing cases that are before us are equally fully prepared to give us maximum cooperation,” said Aji. This is as the state Commissioner for Justice, Bar. Ahmad Usman ElMarzuq, had commended the great improvement in the judiciary and administration of justice at the Court of Appeal and other courts.

El-Marzuq said the judiciary is not only taking the lead in delivering what the common man yearns but also in restoring the confidence of the average citizen in the country’s judiciary.

He assured the cooperation of both the public and official bar for the successful special session of the Court of Appeal for the benefit of relevant stakeholders in the state.

Easter: Peterside Urges Rivers People To Exhibit Courage

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt

Director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, has urged the people of Rivers State, to use the period of the Easter celebration to exhibit courage, selflessness, generosity and good neighbourliness.

Peterside, who gave the advice in an Easter message to the people of the state, which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, stated that displaying such virtues will bring about

a better society.

The NIMASA boss said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ exemplify courage, perseverance, pain and triumph over even the most difficult challenges.

He said, “Jesus Christ as the only Son of God could have used his position and powers to avert his betrayal and eventual crucifixion despite being aware but chose to lay down his life to prove triumph over death and the redemption of mankind.”

Peterside, who is also a chieftain of

the All Progressives Congress (APC), commended Christians in the state for their steadfastness, prayers and cooperation for making sure that governments at various levels keep to their promises and make the society a better place.

He praised Rivers people for uniting to fight against societal ills that negate the reason for the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, adding that Christians must continue to be prayerful and look unto God to raise leaders that will bring good to all parts of the state.

The NIMASA boss said, “The

period of Easter is also a season for friendship, forgiveness, love and rededication to the ideals of Christianity. As Christians, the significance of the season must not be lost on us, we must do things that promote peace, progress and development of humanity.”

Peterside used the opportunity to thank Nigerians for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, which he said has been working painstakingly to right the wrongs of the past and put the country on a sure footing.

NEWS ACROSS THE STATES 67

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Troops Kill 4 Boko Haram Terrorists In Ambush

The Nigerian Army has said that its troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, on fighting patrol, yesterday, killed four Boko Haram terrorists in an ambush at Malumti in Borno State.

The Army also said that troops deployed at a checkpoint ahead of Muna-garage on the outskirts of Maiduguri, yesterday, neutralised four suicide bombers, comprising a male and three females.

In a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre Command, Col Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army said the gallant troops recovered a Land Cruiser and several ammunition.

“Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on a fighting patrol, have killed four Boko Haram insurgents in an ambush yesterday in Malumti. The insurgents, who had been routed out of the Sambisa by troops in Operation Deep Punch II, were rummaging for food and logistics when they met their waterloo. The gallant troops recovered a Toyota Land Cruiser, one AK 47 Rifle, 15 Rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and one Magazine.

Troops also recovered 47 Jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit from the insurgents.

“In another development, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed at a checkpoint ahead of Muna Garage in the outskirts of Maiduguri yesterday, neutralised four suicide bombers comprising a male and three females.

By Francis Okoye, Maiduguri

UDUS Matriculates Over 5000 Students The management of Usman Dandfodiyo University, Sokoto yesterday matriculated no fewer than 5325 students for the 2017/2018 academic year.

While admonishing the newly matriculated students to be good ambassadors of their respective families, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdullahi Zuru, urged them to be law abiding.

Prof Zuru, who noted that, the students are very fortunate to have been admitted in UDUS, insisted that, the institution remains the most peaceful in the federation.

The 5325 matriculating students, were admitted in 12 faculties. Faculty of Science led with 1495, while Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Design matriculated only 40 students.

To the matriculating students, the VC said, “UDUS is one of the most highly disciplined and peaceful universities in Nigeria. Hence, you should consider yourselves highly lucky to have been given admission to study here.

“Remember, we offer our students results, not only in academics but also character. Therefore, you should be able to prove that you are of good character.

“Embrace the value of hard work. Take advantage of the serene environment and make yourselves better citizens of Nigeria. I want to remind you that one of the cardinal purposes of university education is for nation building and development.

“Therefore, avoid socially negative activities such as sexual harassment, cultism, theft, drug abuse amongst others. You must also shun extremism, bigotry, violence, ethnicity, political intolerance and religious prejudice.”

By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

L-R: IGP Ibrahim Kpotun-Idris decorating his Chief Security Officer (CSO) Adamu Shaba-Gboyako with his new rank of DSP at the force headquarters in Abuja on Monday

There Is No Alternative To APC – Niger Gov

BY ABU NMODU, MINNA

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, has asserted that there is no alternative to APC-led administration in Nigeria in view of pragmatic approach to fight against corruption, revamping of Agricultural, Health Roads, Water and Health sectors by both the federal and state governments.

The Governor made the assertion through his deputy, Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, at the commissioning ceremony of a joint

campaign office donated by members representing Chanchaga federal constituency in Minna at the weekend.

Bello stressed that the APCled administration at both federal and state levels, has successfully transformed the social and economic fortunes of the country within three years in line with the change mantra that brought it to power.

He added that even opposition parties now feel the impact of sincerity of the APC, having won in free and fair elections and adhering to rule of law as nurtured, encouraged, and promoted

by the party.

While urging youths to participate actively in politics in order to inject new ideas and concepts into political activities of the country, he outlined opportunities given to farmers, encouragement to indigenous companies by his administration to enhance productivity via changing of narratives of government and provision of level playing ground to conform with global best practices as a key that factored in the youths.

The Governor reiterated that his administration would continue to

focus on empowerment, creation of employment, restoring the glory of the state and wooing of investors within and outside the country as a deliberate policy to boost the economy.

Speaking at the occasion, the State APC Chairman, Engineer Mohammed Jibril Imam, appreciated the federal legislator’s vision of donating such an edifice for the president and therefore urged other political office holders to emulate the legislator, whose singular act was aimed at creating unity among members of the party holding elective offices.

SIECOM Gets Multi-Million Naira Office Complex From Jema’a A multi-million-naira office complex has been handed over by the Jema’a Local Government Council to the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM), to enhance its efficiency.

Speaking while handing over the office complex on Thursday in Kafanchan to the Commission, the Administrator of the local government, Alhaji Yusuf Muazu Usman, said that in one of the visits to the SIECOM office in the area, he noticed that it was facing the challenge of office accommodation and decided to tackle it headlong, in view of the fourth coming Local Government Council polls

fixed for May. According to a Press Release made available to our Kafanchan correspondent, the Administrator thanked God for the grace granted him to complete the re-construction work on schedule, assuring that his administration will always appreciate Governor el-Rufai for giving approval on any initiative that would benefit people of the area.

Alhaji Yusuf Muaz Usman, also assured that his administration will support and partner with government and private sector on any project/

programme that will fast-track peace and the development of the area.

The Press Statement also quoted the Administrator as using the brief handing over ceremony of the office complex to felicitate with Christians all over the world, particularly those in Kaduna State, southern Kaduna and Jema’a local government for a successful lent and Easter celebration.

He called on Nigerians, especially Christians, to put proper use of the lessons learnt and the exemplary good life style exhibited by Jesus Christ by living in love, tolerance, forgiveness,

faith, hard work, hope and peacefully “with those with whom we interact so as to fast-track development, aside inheritance of eternal life.”

Receiving the office complex key on behalf of SIECOM, the Commissioner, Zone II, Barrister Bitrus Gwada, expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator, describing the gesture as “a laudable initiative, which is a proof of good governance /stewardship that is worthy of emulation, assuring that the structure will be put to proper use and the state government will be duly informed.

Kaduna Peace Parley Conveners Call For Justice Conveners of the Southern Kaduna peace parley, have called on the leadership in all strata of society, especially those at community, local government, state and federal government levels, to exercise justice which guarantees peace, unity and advancement.

Welcoming participants to the second Southern Kaduna Peace Gathering held at the grand multipurpose hall, Katsit Kafanchan on Saturday, Rev Gideon Para- Mallam, convener said, “injustice

disorganises normal human and societal relationship and justice creates space for its normalisation. There can never be peace without justice and we need to embrace this fact to make real progress, which is what we are doing”.

Rev Gideon Para Mallam said “for this reason, I want to appeal to President Mohammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir el- Rufai to listen to the outcry of people against injustice. Injustice creates the environment which generates this kind

of conflict around the country”.

He added, “to live in denial or to look at it as nothing implies that we are killing our selves by shooting ourselves in the foot. Justice is the key to justifiable peace building.”

He said the maiden July 22, 2017 parley, in which over 540 stake holders met, focusing on promoting peaceful co-existence, conflict prevention and building structures for sustainable peace in Southern Kaduna, yielded

positive results until the unfortunate, unprovoked attack in some communities in December, 2017 and the eve of 2018.

According to him, the maiden edition of the peace parley stakeholders, which cut across the tribes and ethnic divide, including civil societies and the August, 26, 2017 meeting; identified nine challenges that inhibit peace which conveners categorised into communities, religious, youth, traditional rulership and security agencies related issues.

APC Youths Endorse el-Rufai For Second Term

BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN, KADUNA

Ahead of the 2019 gubernatorial race, youths in Kaduna State, under the auspice of All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Leaders Forum, have endorsed governor Nasir el-Rufai for second term.

The youths noted that since coming to power in 2015, governor el-rufai had worked hard to move the State to the next level of socio-economic development.

“And as the future leaders, we intend

to inherit a strong, virile, progressive and developed state, worthy of emulation by other states in Nigeria”, the youths said.

This was contained in a communiqué jointly issued and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the youth Forum, Malam Aminu Lawal Anty and Mr Mark Mamman respectively after a meeting of the leaders where 2019 general election issues dominated.

The communiqué read in part, “Judging from the style of government and various achievements recorded so

far despite serious challenges, we have unanimously resolved to endorse His Excellency, Governor Nasir Ahmad elRufai for 2019 general elections.

“This resolution is in good faith based on deep sincere moral feelings for the good people of Kaduna State to continue to enjoy good governance.

“The various achievements of Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s government are vast because of its diverse nature.

First, it has created spirit of patriotism, transparency and hard work in the running of government businesses, then

to physical projects such as construction of standard healthcare facility in all the 255 wards in Kaduna State. Many of them are completed, while others are ongoing.

“Governor el-Rufai’s investment and economic drive policies have attracted many investors resulting to establishments of Olam farm, Vicampo potato farm.

“The State Government’s policies have also led to expansion of job opportunities for the youth with proper empowerment.

68 VOX POP

What Easter Means To Us KANO “We thank God, Easter is a festive period for the remembrance, the suffering and death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. People do celebrate Easter in a big way, but the economy of the country has turned the celebration, somehow upside down.

Though, personally, as a mother, I will be a (Dorcas)- I will use my talent no matter how small it is to put a smile on some else face. It is a time to replicate the spiritual lessons of open heart and generosity.

It is a period of reflection and supplications for the good of our home front, the nation and our leaders. And I noted that the church has now keyed into this perspective.

- Chief (Mrs) Gloria Nwanji, Teacher and Community Mobilizer

“Easter brings us together to think about our lives, our deeds and our intent and mission on earth. The economy is harsh, but as things stand out within this 2018 Easter celebration , we are all joined as one, we ourselves as one, Easter messages from our leaders irrespective of religious or tribal differences, the messages been churned our preach love, forgiveness and unity. In Easter, I find out that, we are championing the course of national unity, as our leaders speak in same tune.

To be honest with you, business is dull, people don’t have the purchasing power. The markets are not bursting like with Easter shoppers. But we must appreciate the gift of live, which is the paramount essence of celebrating Easter. I must add, in recent past, three years ago, we were celebrating under tense atmosphere, due to activities of insurgents, this time the atmosphere is charge free, but no cash to top up the celebration mood.

-Chief Sydney Emeafu, Chairman, National Union of Lottery Agents and Employers, Kano state chapter.

“I want to state here that, we should not lose focus on what the celebration of Easter stand to portray. Easter is afar differing from other Christian spiritual celebrations, Easter is different, because we as Christians are not under biblical directives to throw parties, and rather we are expected to reflect and be in a sober mood. The celebration is low key compared to some years back, now people are more spiritually conscious, I observed that all prayers said during Lenten and Good Friday in 2018 is centred in asking God for a better Nigeria and benedictions for our leaders the gif t of wisdom to steer and anchor the nation at the right moor.

- Moses Shuaib, CEO M and M, Cyber café ABUJA I see Easter as a holy period requiring forgiveness and prayerfulness. I plan to spend my Easter by going to my church which is ECWA at Utako where I am a chorister, after which I will go home to cook a delicious fried rice and chicken.

Then I will take the day off to visit friends and relatives since I am not married. But along my movements I also intend to visit Shoprite in Jabi to amuse myself.

-Peace Thomas, from Nassarawa eggon, in Nassarawa state.

I think Easter is a season of celebration and love. Although I am not a Christian but I have made arrangement with some of my friends who are Christians. So on that day

Sunday, April 1, 2018

As the world celebrates the resurrection of Christ today, ANKELI EMMANUEL, TYOHENBA HENRI, ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI, ANDREW OJIH and GABRIEL ATUMEYI sampled opinions of Christians across the nation on the significance of His death and resurrection.

I see Easter as a festive period where you get to meet friends and relatives you have not seen in a while.

I will begin my day by cooking and preparing the meal we would consume for the day, I am sure it will be fried rice and chicken stew, and then I will go for mass in Wuse. After church I have series of visits to catch up on. I will visit my school friends and some church members.

Dorothy Ekpe, from Benue state I see Easter as a time to renew our vow and dedication to our faith. It calls for connection with our essence which is Christ Jesus. I will start the day by going to church and after church I will go and have fun with my friends, we have planned a swimming trip. So I think it will be nice because it is the only time for such we will have in a long time.

Saint Godwin, from Cross River

Emeafu

JALINGO The current economic hardship is affecting everybody. The hardship has gone to the extent that to feed family is a problem. In past when the economy of Nigeria was in good condition, businessmen do pray for festive season to come because people could settle their bills.

Prince Philip King , businessman

Nwanji

“We believe that all the difficulty at the moment is just temporary, we continue to pray for our leaders to govern us with the fear of God. If the APC led administration don’t wake up to live up to its responsibilities, Nigerians in two to three years’ time would all die hunger.

Ms Blessing Birani, resident of Nyamussala

Shuaib

Michael

King

Timothy

after they return from church we would visit the millennium park in Garki and subsequently in the day we will go on a visit to one of our friends in Nyanya who invited us to mark the Occasion with her family.

Maryam from Osun state We need to understand the meaning of Easter. It is not just a normal occasion, you need to be in Christ Jesus to truly understand what it signifies. It is a time to dwell in God’s presence and give an account of your life. It is a time to reflect on the input you have made for the kingdom of heaven and your generation as well. On that day I will begin by going to church and after that I will go out to spend some time with friends and visit some relatives as well.

Gabriel Adole Simon, from benue state.

Easter to me signifies the salvation of Jesus Christ. It symbolises his death and resurrection for our sins.

But many people celebrate it today in a selfish way and not in the many God will like. Jesus Christ will like us to celebrate it in spirit, to let people know that Jesus was born and died because of our sin. So let us let Jesus resurrect in our life. I will begin the day by going to church, from there I will spend it with my family at home where we will cook, eat, drink and show love as Christ instructed us.

David Audu, I am from Olamaboro local government of Kogi State

It is a time of meditation where we celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. But due to the economic downturn people are not willing to celebrate because you cannot hold a celebration without rice, meat, music and so on. My intention for the celebration of Easter is to glorify the name of the Lord, through the convocation in the Christendom but it is not how I normally celebrate Easter, there usually is a pleasant atmosphere whereby friends and well wishers, brothers and sisters and in laws celebrate with us because it is something big, for someone to lay his life for the salvation of the world.

Prince Iyke, Abuja

SOKOTO “ The essence of celebrating this day by Christians is because, it’s the day our Lord Jesus Christ resurrected from death on the third day after he was killed on the cross of Calvary for the sake of our sins. Without the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day, Christianity would have had no meaning. Jesus was born like every other human, took on human flesh and came into the world only to die for our salvation.

The resurrection of Christ on the third day is the reason why Christians continue to have faith, knowing fully well that, Jesus died and raised again and they as believers will equally rose with him on the last day. For me, Easter must remain a daily celebration in our lives. As Christians because Jesus died and rose for our sake. Jesus gave us assurance of His resurrection.

Rev. Akubu Timothy, Pastor, Christian Evangelical Fellowship of Nigeria (CEFN) Sokoto Branch.

For me, Easter should mean everything for Christians because it gives us the hope of being with Christ on the last day. I believe all Christians should remember that, Jesus suffered for our sake. We should try to forsake our sins to enable us share in His glory.

Biola Oyowole from Sokoto “Easter is the basis for Christianity.

Jesus gave us life and we must appreciate that by celebrating his sacrifices for us.

Owolabi Afolabi Micheal, member of Cherubin and Seraphin Saint Micheal Sacred Church, old airport, Sokoto

Sunday, April 1, 2018

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VOX POP 69

What Easter Means To Us To me I think Leah Sharibu is the ultimate reason for my celebration this season. She portrayed what Christianity is all about by refusing to denounce her faith amidst threat to her life. I want to celebrate her and pray for safety. I wish you all happy Easter celebration, may you feel the love of this season.

– Martha Vande.

We recall the suffering of our Lord, the torment and grief she endured. Usually this period is regarded as a joyful celebration of the ressurection of Christ in Christianity and this is reflected in the symbolism and greeting usually used - Happy Easter. Therefore, I want to say happy Easter celebration to all my friends and family. May all your dreams and wishes come true.

– Cletus Sesugh, St Martins, Lugbe.

Stephen Waters

Cletus Sesugh

Chinyere Blessing

Bem. K. Abraham

Martha Vande

Agatha Haruna

As we celebrate Easter which is primarily about celebrating the death, burial and resuretion of Christ, I want to urge Christians faithfuls all over the world to imbibe the virtues of faith and desist from sinful acts. Happy Easter.

– Chinyere Blessing, Pentecostal Church, Lugbe.

For me I’m spending some quality time with my family here in Abuja to reflect on the precious life God has given us. I want to encourage families all over the world to use this opportunity and reflect on their lives and learn how to forgive one another. Happy Easter to all.

– Stephen Waters, St Joseph Catholic Church, Lugbe.

Therefore, the death of Christ has given us the confidence that our enemy has been defeated

To me Easter is a period of forgiveness and sacrifice.

This is where Christ died on the cross for our sins.

My message therefore, is that we should emulate Christ virtues and apply them on our day to day with one another. Helping those who can’t help themselves, forgiving those who offend us and seeing others ourselves.

– Bem. K. Abraham, Our Lady Queen Of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Garki.

Easter is a period people must sacrifice for one another. It was through

Jesus selfless sacrifice that he was able to cleanse us of our sins. Therefore, the death of Christ has given us the confidence that our enemy has been defeated.

Let us therefore, approach His throne of grace to have our own share of this victory. I wish everyone a happy Easter celebration.

On my part I’m here

celebrating with my family and I pray for God’s mercy us this period.

Agatha Haruna, St Kizito Catholic Church, Kuje.

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Sunday, April 1, 2018

Mikel Join Football Legends To Rally Round Wilkins Nigeria captain Mikel Obi has joined the football community in wishing Ray Wilkins well following disturbing news on the health condition of the former Chelsea assistant manager, Wilkins, 61, has been placed in an induced coma after suffering a heart attack and a fall on Friday night.

The former Chelsea legend and former England international was taken to St George’s Hospital in

South London on Friday night with his son Ross saying it would be “touch and go whether my father will get through this”.

Wilkins was given the all-clear after a double-heart bypass last summer and also revealed in 2014 that he was battling ulcerative colitis but he has worked regularly as a media pundit, appearing on Alan Brazil’s breakfast show on Talksport

as recently as Tuesday morning.

“Saddened to hear the news about my good friend Ray Wilkins. All my thoughts and prayers are with you for a full recovery ,” Mikel wrote on Twitter on Saturday.

Salah

Strikes As Palace Sink Further Into Relegation Trouble

Mohamed Salah scored his 37th goal of the season as Liverpool sealed a 2-1 comeback win at Selhurst Park to leave Crystal Palace in real danger of being relegated from the Premier League.

L u k a

Milivovevic scored a first-half penalty after Wilfried Zaha would fouled by Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius to send Palace into the break with a valuable lead, but Sadio Mane struck soon after the interval to set up a tense finish.

Christian Benteke missed two gilt-edged chances within a minute of each other as both sides went in search of the three points, and

Joshua Beats Parker, Adds Third Title World Cup: Rohr Tips Eagles Star To Make The Difference

BY WALE AYENI, ABUJA

Super Eagles gaffer Gernot Rohr has tipped Chelsea’s Victor Moses to be Nigeria’s star man at the 2018 World Cup, also revealed that he can make the difference in Russia.

Moses impressive performance for Nigeria in the World Cup qualifying campaign saw him finishing as the top goal scorer with three goals, also at his best form during the international friendly games against Poland and Serbia respectively The German coach also believes in the influence and leadership qualities of Tianjin Teda’s Obi Mikel but expressed that Victor Moses is Eagles most dangerous player as he

scored Nigeria’s only goal in the March friendlies, from the penalty spot in the Eagles 1-0 win over Poland. ‘’We are a collective unit, we have a style of playing which is based on teamwork but in every team, you have individuals who can make the difference and in this case we have Victor Moses, we are very happy to have him, we have other players as well, who can make the difference,’’ Rohr told Omasports. ‘’John Obi Mikel, our captain was not around against Poland but we know that with his passes and influence, he can be very interesting and important for the team, he is also our leader, we won a game without him for the first time and we are happy about this.

ANTHONY JOSHUA added the WBO heavyweight title to his WBA and IBF straps by beating Joseph Parker by unanimous points decision in Cardiff.

For the first time in his professional career, Joshua was taken to the judges’ scorecards and in truth 118-110, 118-110, 119-109 looked a little kindly on his performance.

And it was unlikely to send a strong message across the Atlantic to Deontay Wilder. But if his boxing didn’t, his voice most certainly did.

“Just like Dillian said: Wilder let’s go baby.

Let’s go!” Joshua told the 78,000 people in the Principality Stadium.

Joshua fighting has become a global event, and that was no clearer than when four separate flags could be seen around the ring. Joshua flew his green-and-white Nigerian colours as well as those of the United Kingdom while Parker had both the New Zealand flag and the Samoan one.

Both men are fiercely proud of their familial heritage as well as the countries of their birth: Joshua bears a tattoo of Africa on his right shoulder while Parker was led out by his two uncles in traditional Samoan dress.

That the Welsh crowd seemed to tolerate, but the two national anthems wore on the patience of a crowd who had been riled up by a spectacular knockout of David Price, who himself had knocked down Alexander Povetkin before the WBA’s No 1 challenger showed his true class in the fifth round.

Liverpool star Salah predictably grabbed the winner with a low volley seven minutes from time.

Salah’s 29th Premier League goal of the 2017-18 campaign leaves Palace just two points off the relegation zone before the rest of the weekend’s action, and Roy Hodgson will once again rue an impressive performance which resulted in no points.

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Romelu Lukaku scored the 100th Premier League goal of his career as Alexis Sanchez starred in Manchester United’s routine 2-0 victory over Swansea City at Old Trafford.

Big-money summer signing Lukaku became the 28th player to net a century of goals in the division as his strike went in via a deflection off Alfie Mawson just five minutes into Saturday’s clash.

January signing Sanchez teed up Lukaku for the opener, and then netted himself after a fine pass from Jesse Lingard to put United in full control after 20 minutes.

United didn’t have it all their own way after the break as David De Gea was finally forced into action with two smart stops by Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham, but the Red Devils saw off the danger to secure the win.

Sanchez’s bright performance will come as a relief to both the player and his manager Jose Mourinho, with the Chilean having struggled to impress since his move from Arsenal.

The victory sends United back above Liverpool in the race for second place, while Swansea remain locked in a relegation battle.

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Lukaku Scores 100 PL Goal

SPORTS 71

As Sanchez Kickstarts Old Trafford Career

CAFCC: Plateau Utd To Battle USM Alger At Agege Stadium Nigerian champions Plateau United will play their CAF Confederation Cup play-off round, first leg fixture against Algeria’s USM Alger next Saturday at the Agege Stadium, The Jos club were prevented from using the New Jos Stadium for their Champions League game against Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia early this month by the Confederation of African Football as the venue is still under construction.

Instead, the game was staged at the Sani Abacha Stadium, home of fourtime Nigeria Professional Football League champions Kano Pillars.

“CAF gave us the option of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo and the Agege Stadium and we picked the latter,” Plateau United media

officer, Albert Yakup, revealed to newsmen yesterday “We picked the Agege Stadium because the playing surface is artificial as against the Uyo Stadium which has natural grass.

“Our players are used to playing on synthetic pitch and we don’t want to risk anything by exposing them to a playing surface they are not familiar with.

“So, we will arrive in Lagos on Wednesday for the game and we expect the fans to come out in large numbers to give us their support.”

Kennedy Boboye’s men will hope to make it to the group stages of the competition after they were knocked out of the CAF Champions League 4-3 on aggregate by Etoile du Sahel

Junior Lokosa has been a revelation this season in the NPFL after netting 12 league goals in as many as 14 matches played but the striker says he’s not bothered about reports of a likely national team call up.

Lokosa leads the scorer’s chart this season and his goals are ensuring Pillars can dream of a silverware or continental ticket, but the player also knows this purple patch in a world cup year could be crucial.

Super Eagles technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has declared he will scout the NPFL in the coming weeks as the build up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup gathers momentum and the Pillars striker could get a shot.

However, in a chat with Brila. net, Lokosa stated he remains ‘fully focused on delivering the goals for Pillars’ but maintains very modest expectations over a possible national team invite.

Lokosa Fully Focused On Pillars Eyes Eagles Call Up

Tennis: Zverev Rolls Into Miami Final, Will Battle Isner German fourth seed Alexander Zverev beat Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6(4) 6-2 on Friday to set up a Miami Open final showdown against big-serving American John Isner, who earlier overwhelmed Juan Martin del Potro.

Carreno Busta gave as good as he got in the opening set but Zverev took over the rest of the way, sprinting through a second set in which he dominated on serve and broke his 16thseeded opponent twice.

“I didn’t feel I was playing my best in the beginning of the first set, a lot of errors.”

Zverev said in an on-court interview.

“I was down in the tiebreak and I was like, I’m losing anyway I might as well be aggressive. So that’s what I did, I hit a few winners, very fortunate to win the first set and then found my game in the second.”

In the opening set tiebreak, Zverev sent a crushing backhand winner up the line to earn a set point. And at 6-4, with Carreno Busta serving, Zverev forced his opponent into a forehand error.

Zverev used a stinging crosscourt backhand for a break in the third game of

the second set and broke his opponent again in the seventh before going on to serve out a match that took 88 minutes at Crandon Park.

The 20-year-old German will now set his sights on collecting his seventh career ATP Tour title and third Masters 1000 crown when he faces 14th-seed Isner in Sunday’s final.

Zverev is 3-0 in head-tohead meetings with Isner, his most recent victory coming in last year’s Italian Open semi-final.

Earlier, Isner ended Indian Wells champion del Potro’s 15-match winning streak with a 6-1 7-6(2) victory over the fifthseeded Argentine to reach his first Miami final.

Punishing a tired del ​​ Potro with his serve and groundstrokes, the lanky American breezed through the first set in 27 minutes after securing an early break.

The players held serve in a much-tighter second set until Isner claimed the tiebreak.

Isner, who will become the top-ranked American on Monday, brought up match point with a backhand winner down the line and then clinched with a sublime dropshot.

AMUSEMENT PARK

DISTANT RELATIVES ARE THE BEST KIND AND THE FURTHER AWAY THE BETTER

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

— KIN HUBBARD

01.04.18 No. 634 N300

Guest Empowering Youths With Columnist Hands-on Skills EMEKA NWOSU

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s i l e n t technolo g ical and innovative revolution is quietly going on in Ogun State today. This path-charting development which has the potential of repositioning the economy of the State as a pacesetter in the country is coming courtesy of a partnership between Foreign Trade And Investments Services Africa (FTAISA), an international consulting group, and Ogun State Government under the watch of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

The initiative which is known as Ogun StateFTAISA City & Guilds TECHBAC Skills and Entrepreneurship Development Program is designed to equip the youths in Ogun State with useful technological and entrepreneurship skills with a view to ultimately make them employers of labour and wealth creators. Under this arrangement, foremost training institutions in Germany and other parts of Europe and the world acclaimed City and Guilds of London are working in close collaboration with FTAISA to empower the youths of

Ogun State with practical skills which would help to take them off the streets and make them drivers of economic growth in the State.

The Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is certainly a man with his eyes on the future who sees in the FTAISA programme a life-giving opportunity to prepare his people for leadership roles in various facets of the nation`s economy in the coming years. This is why he quickly grabbed the opportunity when it came his way to partner with FTAISA and their European collaborators to empower the youths of Ogun State with creative and innovative skills that would help to bring good values to the State.

Data coming out of the country point to a growing deficiency in vocational and entrepreneurship skills; to the extent that the nation now relies on artisans from neighboring countries like Togo, Benin Republic and Ghana to fill the gaps. But through the FTAISA Skills Acquisition Programme, Ogun State and indeed Nigeria have the opportunity to strengthen

Ogun State governor Ibukunle Amosun (middle); German Ambassador to Nigeria, Bernhardt Schlagheck (right) and the deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Yetunde Onanuga at the flag-off ceremony of FTAISA Skills training programme in Abeokuta.

their workforce and in turn, the economy. Stakeholders are of the view that if Ogun State Government can sustain this programme, it would see a noticeable return on its investment.

The good news is that outstanding trainees in the on-going FTAISA Skills Development programme would have the opportunity to serve as expatriate workers in different parts of Europe and other parts of the developed world where their services are highly needed.

In a globalized economy, the ability and capacity to compete depends on building a skilled, competent and confident workforce.

According to the Project Coordinator of FTAISA in Nigeria, Dr. Cliff Ogbede, the intention of his organization is to continue to work with Ogun State Government and other Governments and agencies around the globe to drive employment by helping people develop the skills they need to progress into a job, on the job, and onto the next job.

He further reiterated that the on-going programme in Ogun State would enable outstanding trainees undergo further skills internship training in their partner institutions abroad.

He noted that FTAISA has

received several requests from some European Union Companies seeking to hire successful trainees from the Ogun programme.

The FTAISA initiative in Ogun State is a complete programme of study which offers technical knowledge alongside practical skills and work attributes that employers feel are missing among new labour recruits.

The FTAISA programme in Ogun State covers a variety of fields including Automotive Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Refrigeration/ Air-conditioning, Plumbing, Building Services, Land and Animal Husbandry, Hospitality/Tourism and Catering, Beauty and Health Care, and Digital Technology/ICT. The trainees who are about 1500 in number are drawn from the three Senatorial Zones of the State, covering Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode and Yewa land. This was after a selection process that was preceded by a very competitive examination which was carried out in several centres across the State on the 20th of January, 2018.

The FTAISA has rolled out a lot of incentives to encourage the trainees and ensure that they do

not suffer any distraction.

Such incentives include free enrolment process, free feeding at the training centres, medical insurance, free uniforms and workshop materials and free examination enrolment and evaluation. These measure have guaranteed maximum attendance and participation by the trainees.

The flag-off ceremony which featured all the successful candidates was done by Governor Amosun in Abeokuta on January 22, 2018 with the German Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Bernhardt Schlagheck as the Special Guest of Honour. The Governor takes pride in the programme which is one of its kind in this clime.

He promised to give total support to the initiative which he believed would give the economy of the State a very strong boost.

The presence of the German Ambassador further demonstrated the importance which the European partners attached to the programme. In his speech on the occasion, he commended the Ogun State Government for embracing the initiative and pledged the support of the German Government to ensure the success of the exercise.

Following the pledge of the Ambassador, the German International Corporation GIZ, is supporting the programme to ensure full compliance with German skills Development model.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun deserves all the accolades for recognizing that the future belongs to those who possess skills and are ready to deploy their creative energies to serve the cause of mankind.

The future does not lie in the possession of theoretical certificates that do not bear any relevance to the needs of the society. Those Governors elsewhere in the Federation who give out wheel barrows and tricycles as their youth empowerment programmes should do a rethink on their skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development agenda.

The FTAISA-Ogun State Skills and Entrepreneurship Development Programme is a very innovative model in skills acquisition and job creation in the country.

– Nwosu is a journalist and public affairs analyst

GHANA MUST GO We'll stop oil flow if FG doesn't take right steps — Ijaw Youth

This is what happens when you negotiate with criminals!

• LEADERSHIP (ISSN 0331-328X) is published in Abuja by LEADERSHIP GROUP LIMITED, 27 Ibrahim Tahir Lane, Off Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Way, Utako District, Abuja. Advert: 08184934934 (Abuja), 08033257681 (Lagos) News: 08034722406 P. O. Box 9514, Garki II, Abuja. Lagos Office: 34/36 Adegbola Street, Anifowose, Off Oba Akran, Ikeja. E-mail: info@leadership.ng, advert@leadership.ng, newsroom@leadership.ng

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VOL. 1, NO. 17, SUNDAY MARCH 1, 2018

content Entertainment:

Heidi Klum, Jaden Smith, Zendaya Others Stun At The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2018

| Page 23

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Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Fashion: SUNSSENTIALS |Page 21

5 Best Foods for Diabetics |Page 7

Style Star Profile | Page 13

Cover| Page 1

The Team

Editor LEADERSHIP STYLE Ruth Tene NATSA 08065083417 Style Consultants/ Contributor: Oluwatoyin AGUDA Milicent Arebun ONUOHA editor LEADERSHIP SUNDAY Bukola ogunsina

5 Foods for A Better Sex Life! | Page 8

group chairman Sam Nda-Isaiah gMD, LEADERSHIP GROUP Abdul Gombe MANAGING DIRECTOR Obi Azuru executive vice president Christian Ochiama You can write us via: Styleleadership@gmail.com Follow us on

Arewa Corner: 5 Most Influential Kannywood Stars | Pages 6 @leadershipstyle

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@leadershipstyle

Compliments of the season and wish you all, a happy Easter.

Today’s edition, promises rich content of fashion and entertainment as is usual.

For our cover personality we feature one of Nigeria’s best, who assures that r’s o t i d today’s man is making his mark in the world of fashion. His unique colE rner lection of men’s pieces are acclaimed, both locally and internationally.

Co The MD/CEO of Baldon’s Clothiers, Adedoyin Balogun has assured that besides providing quality and aesthetic collection of pieces for his clients, the brand is committed to, creating a national brand, to promote quality fashion pieces for men in Nigeria and globally.

His one stop shop in Abuja, has a display of high quality men’s wears and accessories that can compete with any other globally.

Our Arewa page features an interesting read, as we present 5 top entertainers from the Kannywood film industry, while our celebrity and star pages are exciting equally exciting as we feature a great celebrity and star profile who are great delights to lovers and followers of the Nigeria’s fashion and entertainment scene.

For the health watchers, our health, wellness and foodie pages takes you a step closer to a healthier lifestyle.

Whatever you chose to do, remember, this week is an exciting collation for the fashion and entertainment enthusiast,so grab your copy and settle into the holidays.

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Fashion News

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Beyoncé Partners Gucci Unicef For Burundi Water Campaign Beyoncé has marked World Water Day by unveiling a new partnership with Gucci to provide clean water to more than 120 000 people in Burundi The superstar and humanitarian has secured a $1 million (R12 million) donation from fashion executives for her BeyGood4Burundi initiative,

which she launched with officials at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) last summer.

The money will help with the construction of 80 wells in the poverty-stricken African nation, giving 120 000 residents regular access to non-contaminated water.

Elizabeth Ayodele Is The New Face Of Zara

L’oreal Comes Under Fire For Dropping Beauty Blogger Beauty blogger, Khadeeja Khan, who struggles with acne, was left ‘humiliated’ after being dropped by L’Oréal because of her skin problems.

Beauty blogger, Khadeeja Khan, who has won tons of fans for her honest posts about her struggles with acne was left ‘humiliated’ after being

dropped by L’Oréal because of her skin problems.

Khadeeja Khan, 21, from Birmingham was approached to be involved with a trip to Paris for the launch of a new vegan hair dye range, but then received an email saying: ‘L’Oréal can’t be working with people with skin issues.’

Nigerian model, Elizabeth Ayodele, who joined the modeling industry less than two years ago has accomplished great feats worldwide within

that short period. She recently joined the Zara crew as one of the faces of the brand.

Elizabeth first became popular when she became the first Nigerian

to be signed to IMG Worldwide and to work the runway for major international brands such as Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent, Miu Miu (twice) and Brognano amongst

Agbani Darego Launches New Clothing Line The ex-beauty queen and model turned fashion entrepreneur is officially launching her new ready-towear clothing. She took to Instagram to share a sneak peek of the launch and shopping event.

Her new venture is coming years after her successful denim line, AD by Agbani Darego, Agbani. The new line will now launch a full ready-to-wear womenswear collection of chic, trendy and refreshingly feminine pieces which focus on wardrobe building through good quality basics.

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society gist

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Adidas Originals Launch SA Adicolor Campaign STORIES BY MILLICENT AREBUN ONUOHA In the spirit of the new craze for the athleisure trend, prestigious sport brand Adidas Originals revives adicolor, one of its most iconic apparel franchise in the 70’s. A mesh of sports and street culture the adicolor range is revamped for the present-day sport and athleisure lover with more infusion of colours and Functional style.

Consisting of clothing and footwear, adidas’s SS18

Agbani Darego Debuts ReadyTo-Wear Capsule Collection!

adicolor collection features a foursome of primary colors (Bluebird, Fairway Green, Scarlett Red and Sun Yellow) in classic Adidas styles steeped in modern trends.

Adidas SA partnered with influencers actress and influencer,Amanda du-Pont lensed by photographer and creative director, Trevor Stuurman. The campaign featured fashion designer Rich Mnisi as co-creative director, make up by Princess Ndlovu and intricated, braided hair art created by Benazir Akbar.

Former Miss World and ex supermodel Agbani Derego is back on the fashion scene with the debut of her new ready to wear line. Following the success denim line AD by Agbani Derego, the Agbani Darego brand has decided to include a full ready to wear womenswear collection consisting of all things chic, on-trend and comfortable epitomizing the fashion creed of the ex-supermodel herself.

Agbani took to her Instagram page to announce the newsin a post which stated ‘We’re rebranding! Watch this space for the unveiling of the new Agbani Darego collection - a capsule collection of refined wardrobe staples every woman should own. #agbanidarego #March25th #savethedate’.

Cardi B Debut Album “Invasion of Privacy” Release Set for April!

Virgil Abloh becomes the first Black Menswear Artistic Director at Louis Vuitton!

Ghanaian American designer and the founder of the Milan-based fashion label OffWhite Virgil Abloh has joined the ranks of people of African decent making history with his new appointment as been the new artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear.

Virgil Aboh joins the short list of black designers to head respected fashion houses, including Olivier Rousteing currently at Balmain, and Ozwald Boateng, who designed Givenchy menswear from 2003 to 2007.

Luxury fashion is undergoing a major shift. Logo tees, hoodies, and other streetwear are no longer separate from high fashion—in fact, they have become some of its main ingredients.

The prestigious luxury brand took to their social media to announce Virgil’s appointment in a post on their Instagram page ‘@VirgilAbloh joins

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#LouisVuitton.

Louis Vuitton is delighted to welcome Virgil Abloh as its new Men’s Artistic Director. His first show will take place in June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris’.

Virgil Abloh fashion label Off-White is famed their unconventional streetwear and and was Kanye West’s creative director. In response to his appointment, the designer cum DJ has this to say ‘ I think of it as kind of the ultimate collaboration.

I feel elated, this opportunity to think through what the next chapter of design and luxury will mean at a brand that represents the pinnacle of luxury was always a goal in my wildest dreams. And to show a younger generation that there is no one way anyone in this kind of position has to look is a fantastically modern spirit in which to start’.

Banking on her success last year, American rap star Cardi B is set to drop her debut album on the 6th of April.

She took to her Instagram page to share the stunning visuals for the album cover, in which she was dressed in a futuristic monochrome checkered suit, retro fashion shades and a canary retro pixie waves.

She wrote on her Instagram page; ‘My album cover !!! LADIES AND GENTS ! My album INVASION OF PRIVACY will be out next week April 6!!!!!!!’.

Cardi B has already dropped several mixed tapes in the past but the album titled Invasion of Privacy is her first album since she came into limelight.

leadership style

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

editor’s fab weekly picks

Must Read: Night Dancer by Chika Unigwe The Night dancer tells the story of Mma who after her mother’s death wants to restore the bonds with her family. First she visits her grandfather, then her father Mike.

In 2002, during Mma’s stay with her father, clashes break out between Christians and Muslims as a consequence of the Miss Universe contest.

These are emblematic of the great contrast that is the basis of the structure of this novel: strict tradition as opposed to contemporary ways of life, or ultimately hiding in the old ways of life or being willing and daring to develop in the wake of social progress.

In telling this story, the author reconstructs the events from the past and gives all those involved a chance to justify themselves. Relying on tradition, Mike places the entire blame for all that has gone wrong on Mma’s mother. Who is right? Who is responsible for all that Mma has missed?

Must Listen: Soco by WizkidStar Boy’s ‘ Soco ‘ featuring Wizkid, Ceeza Milli , Spotless, & Terri On this freshly released tune, Wizkid decides to show off the talented addition of Terri to his much-cherished Starboy Entertainment; while affiliates to the label like Ceeza Milli and Spotless, got an invitation to deliver their goodies. Soco is a song full of vibes and abundant with melodies from the Starboy himself, the debutant, Terri, and contributions from the son of Aristokrat record, Ceeza Milli and the not-properly-introduced Spotless. The new Starboy song is styled after his recently released song, Manya, which bears soft teasing lines and rhyming slang as its pop elements. Its a song that probably has been in your face for a while, with the updates on Weezy’s social media accounts and now that it has been made available, it sounds very much worth the wait and deserving of every atom of the hype.

Must Visit: Kainji National Park Located in Niger State. The Kainji National Park was established in 1978 and has three different parts, the Borgu Game Reserve, the Zugurma Game Reserve and the Kainji Lake where fishing is prohibited. It is situated in Kwara and Niger State, respectively

Must Watch: A Quiet Place, directed by John Krasinski’s

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A quite place is a terrifying thriller with a surprisingly warm heart. It tells the story of Hungry monsters which eat anything that makes a sound.

It tells the story of a couple with kids in real life, Krasinski and Emily Blunt who play parents in a world where even the slightest noise can lead to sudden, violent death: Training their children to be self-sufficient without making a sound is as unique a challenge as, well, let’s not waste the time explaining what in 2018 America might feel like a plague of revolting, apocalypse-creating monsters, because even moviegoers who don’t accept the metaphor are going to have the pants scared off them. Third time’s the charm for Krasinski in the director’s chair, as commercial success is all but guaranteed.

The director, John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place is a monster-movie allegory for parenting in a world gone very, very wrong.

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arewa star

5 Most Influential Kannywood Stars Kannywood which represents the Nigerian northern version of Nollywood has a caliber of persons drawn for their versatility and multi talents.

For many of the award winning stars, they are not just known for their acting, but as well their singing talents.

Today, we bring you top 5 Kannywood most influential stars.

Bello Mohammed Bello: Popularly known as General Bello in the industry, Bello operates from Jos, Plateau State.

He is known in Kannywood as the actor who can speak the highest number of languages, including Spanish, French, Arabic, Jamaican Patois, Hindu, Telegu, Urdu and Kannada.

Bello is an international translator of languages, and has won several awards.

He is a movie producer, a cameraman, sound engineer, music composer and a movie non-linear editor and a singer.

Aliyu Nuhu: Nuhu is among Kannywood’s best known actors and has also made a mark for himself in the Nollywood industry.

The multi-talented, multi award winning actor is the owner and CEO of “FKD records”, a film producing company.

He is a director, trainer, dancer and a script writer. Ali Nuhu speaks Hausa, Indian, Arabic and English.

Adam Zango: The Kaduna-born actor, popularly called Usher by his fans stays top for his unique dancing and singing skills. In his early days, Zango had a dance group in Kaduna (Adazango” He is also a movie producer and director. Zango edits most of his films, composes songs, handles the camera and is good at postproduction processes.

Adam Zango who is the co-owner of White House Musical Records and sole owner of Prince Zango productions was the producer of Kannywood’s big budget movie series, “Basaja” and most sold

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

musical album in the Kannywood history “Sabon Salo” and “Mailaya”, according to a market research

by Dalhat.

Adam understands and speaks Hausa and English. He is currently a student of

French and also attends Arabic classes.

Sani Danja: is a movie producer and a singer.

The popular artiste and businessman, in partnership with his friend Yakubu Mohammed, jointly own the 2effect Records, which is a film and music production company.

Sani a popular Actor, is known for his stylish dressing and unique dance steps He understand and speaks Hausa and English and is also a student of Arabic.

Apart from acting, Sani served in the board of the National film Institutes, Jos, during the last administration.

Rahama Sadau: Rahama the only female celebrity to cut the list, though relatively new in the industry has left her mark.

The owns a dancing group in Kaduna and is rated by many followers of the Kannywood ,movie industry as the best female dancer.

She is also a make-up artist, and owns one of the best make-up shops in Kaduna.

Rahama is a fashion designer and a modelling star. She is an ambassador for designers’ companies’ like pinkfluer and many others, and also acts in Nollywood films.

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foodie

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

5 Best Foods for Diabetics

Fatty fish

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re you a diabetic and wondering what kind of food you must have for managing it more effectively? Then wonder know more as diabetics daily help bring you 5 delicious and health diets

of vitamin C helps in reducing fasting blood sugar levels and inflammation in patients suffering from Type 2.

Leafy greens have also been found to contain high quantity of antioxidants. These antioxidants prevent occurrence of eye disorders in diabetics.

Cinnamon

1. Fatty fish: Any list of food for diabetics would include fatty fish. Fatty fish such as herring, sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and salmon are rich sources of omega 3 fatty acids. These nutrients are known for improving heart health. A study conducted recently showed that older individuals, who ate fatty fish for five to seven days every week for eight weeks, experienced significant reduction in their triglyceride level. People suffering from Type 2 remain at increased risk of developing heart disorders; as a result, it is extremely important for them to consume food items rich in omega 3 fatty acids. In addition, each of the above mentioned fatty fish contains healthy proteins, consumption of which increases our metabolic rate.

4. Eggs Diabetics looking for foods that can keep them full for a long period of time should include eggs in their daily diet.

Leafy greens Staying full without consuming too much carbohydrate is extremely important for diabetics. In addition, eggs are also known for reducing inflammation and increasing the level of good cholesterol.

A study conducted on diabetics showed that consuming a high protein diet that requires them Chia seeds to eat two eggs per day helped in reducing the blood sugar and 2 cholesterol levels of the patients.

2. Cinnamon; Other than being a flavorsome and delicious spice, cinnamon is also known for being a Eggs great source of powerful antioxidants. During a recent study, people suffering from type 2 Type were made to consume cinnamon regularly for a period of 90 days. After 90 days, they were found to experience more than 100 percent reduction in their hemoglobin A1c (it reflects the average blood sugar level of an individual over a period of two to three months) count.

3. Leafy greens Although extremely low in their calorie content, leafy greens are highly nutritious.

The quantity of digestible carbs present in them is extremely low, which make them an integral part of a diabetic’s diet. Leafy greens like kale and spinach are known for being rich sources of multiple essential minerals and vitamins, which include vitamin C. According to findings of a new study, increased intake

5. Chia seeds This is another highly beneficial food for diabetics. They are rich sources of fiber and contain digestible carbs in extremely low quantity. It has been found that a 1 oz (28 g) serving of these seeds contain 12 g of carbohydrate, out of which 11 grams are fiber, a nutrient that would not increase your blood sugar levels. In fact, viscous fiber sourced from chia seeds is capable of reducing your blood sugar level reducing the speed at which food moves in our gut and gets absorbed.

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leadership style

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

health

5 Foods for A Better Sex Life!

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Oluwatoyin Aguda

ike it is mostly said we are what we eat, the importance of food to the human body cannot be overemphasized.as it can either be beneficial or detrimental to our health.

Fruits, spices and vegetables are food mostly known to boost our immune system, flush out possible illness and get rid of toxins in the body. Some of these foods affect our health and sex life.

Here are foods to help boost your sex life Watermelon Research shows that water melon may help men moderate erectile dysfunction, as it serves as a natural viagra. Its libido-boosting powers come from the amino acid citrulline, which is the fruit is composed of. The L-citrulline supplements in thus fruit can improve erections without many of the potential side effects associated with viagra According to a research carried out in Texas in 2008 and published in an American health magazine, findings show that watermelon has ingredients that delivered Viagra-like effects to the human body’s blood vessels and could even aid in increasing libido.

Ginger Whether in tea, ginger ale or eaten with food, ginger has been used to treat nausea, indigestion and diarrhea for thousands of years. In addition to its traditional use as a digestive aid, ginger is a good source of some vitamins and minerals that are essential to men’s health. Potentially helping to prevent colorectal cancer, heart disease and diabetes, ginger can play a vital role in ensuring that men live long, healthy lives.

Garlic The smell of garlic can be quite annoying if you are not used to it. But when it comes to being medicinal, garlic ranks high among other herbs. It normalizes the blood flow especially towards the penis. The anticoagulants properties in garlic is said to help ensure plenty of blood flow to your lower regions.

Oyster Oyster has aphrodisiac properties. Studies have shown that the zinc in oyster does not only help maintain a healthy sperm count, it also enhances the flow of blood to sexual organs in both genders as well as maintain hormone testosterone.

Red wine A glass of red wine has been observed to help ladies get in the mood as it contains quercetin which is believed to account for the positive response. Sex therapists are of the view that one to two glasses of red wine a day increased sexual desire and lubrication in women.

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leadership style

hygiene

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Clothing Hygiene

BY CECILIA OGEZI

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ccording to recent research dirty clothes can harbor microorganisms, and wearing clothes with these microorganisms on them can lead to skin infections. Body odor can also occur wearing clothes with the bacteria and fungi found on them.

Important to note that in order to clean clothing completely, clothes must be dried immediately upon washing. Mold can occur on clothing left wet for a prolonged period of time, which can cause odor and skin infections.

Since everyone has bacteria inside and outside the body. Clothes capture the bacteria, making them risky to wear again without washing. Dirty underwear has more traces of germs from body fluids and traces of defecation, which makes infection more likely if worn again without washing. The only way to prevent the spread of germs found on clothes from normal wear is to wash them, and it is important to wash hands after contact with dirty laundry.

While doing laundry it is good to also choose a quality laundry detergent to remove general soils and stains. There are many varieties of laundry detergent to choose from: powders and liquids; for top-loader or front-loader washing machines; for whites, colours or dark clothing; with added enzymes; with added fabric softener; with a variety of fragrances or fragrance-free; for sensitive skin; and with low phosphorus or no added phosphorus.

Dirty clothes are items containing vomit, bodily fluids from injury, sweat or contaminated foods or clothes that were in contact with animals and are often described as high-risk dirty clothing and will need to be washed at 140 degrees Fahrenheit with a bleach-based product after removing any soil from the items. Washing these clothes separately from unsoiled items prevents contaminating other articles.

Bacteria such as E. coli is considered normal flora, or normal bacteria that serves a purpose in the digestive system. However, when this particular bacteria is found in other areas of the body, illness can and does often occur. Dirty underwear affects men’s health by exposing the individual to this strain of bacteria and others that can be potentially harmful outside of the digestive and urinary tract. Cross-contamination can easily occur while digging through the hamper for underwear and the majority of individuals do not wash hands after dressing.

1, some people run out of washing machine immediately after washing clothes, hooded with a plastic sleeve, it is easy to breed bacteria or fungi.

2, the clothing should not be a long time (such as a full day) or soaking in the washing machine to dry clothes on the washing machine drum in the accumulation of stacked, so that is also easy to breed mold, the summer is more appropriate to do so.

Experts suggest the correct method of washing underwear: Serious secondary pollution washing, disinfection, anti-bacteria is necessary. Washing machine drum, wall, incorporating a small hair ball bag, connected cracks at the internal parts are all filth of the place. So it is best to wash before the first check whether there is smell washing machine, a mold material and so, if

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there should be with water, or the amount of disinfectant such as 84 to the washing machine “baths”, and then start laundry.

Also, regular cleaning of the hair bulb incorporating a small bag. Laundry will be the best bedding washed separately from other clothes, underwear, socks, etc. is best to use hand wash. If there are infectious diseases at home and also be sure to wash their clothes separately, washed with a disinfectant after soaking or cleaning of the inner core. Washing machine after use, do not immediately cover the lid, let it be the best ventilated, dry and then cover. Washing machine not a long time (like a month or two), first with detergent or disinfectant and then clean it again.

Care For Women Underwear To prevent infection it is important for women underpants to be dried in the sun, sunning is the healthy way to take care of underpants to avoid any moisture or residual bacteria from discharge causing infection.

Gynecologist have advised that women sleep in the nude to allow airing in the private area and to wearing tight-fitting polyester briefs that can cause odour or infections.

How Dirty Underwear Affects Men’s Health Dirty underwear can and often is a breeding ground for all sorts of microbes. The groin area is a particularly warm and moist area, this allows an environment for microorganisms to thrive and grow. Dirty underwear affects men’s health using this mechanism because the individual is exposed to an even greater amount of bacteria. This can result in an embarrassing infection that could have been avoided. Men that are uncircumcised, don’t wash the pubic region often or well, and those that already have an infection are even more at risk for a fungal or bacterial infection.

Dirty underwear affects men’s health in various ways. Those who fail to wear clean underwear may also be skimping on other forms of hygiene as well, making them more susceptible to illness in general.

Guildlines To Doing Laundry 1. Pass the Smell Test Despite the allure of “mountain fresh” socks, think twice before you use scented detergents and dryer sheets. Federal laws don’t require

manufacturers to list fragrance ingredients, so some brands use chemicals that are classified as hazardous and can cause health problems including skin allergies, headaches and breathing problems. If you live for that scented-laundry smell, stick with brands like Seventh Generation or Mrs. Meyer’s that use natural oils instead of synthetic fragrances. Tip: For a quick, all-natural odor removal fix, add ½ cup of vinegar at the beginning of the wash cycle.

2. Don’t Overload While cramming clothes into the washing machine to minimize loads may seem clever, the plan can backfire. Overcrowded washers can’t distribute detergent evenly, so bacteria and fungi stay in the mix. Two sterile loads are a safer bet than one with signs of life.

3. Let it Breathe When you wash your clothes, your laundry room can get seriously steamy. Unfortunately, both your washing machine and the entire laundry room are vulnerable to mold, which can flourish in a humid environment. When not in use, leave the washing machine lid open and crack a window to prevent spore-related allergies from plaguing your family.

4. Play Hard Ball With Bedding Your bed is likely seeing more action than you realize – millions of dust mites feast on your dead skin cells every night! And the fun doesn’t stop there: these microscopic pests are a leading cause of year-round allergy symptoms.

Fight back by washing your bedding weekly in a hot water cycle. For added protection, we recommend a dust mite control pillowcase.

5. Separate Your Skivvies Here’s a fun cocktail party icebreaker: 25 percent of washing machines contain traces of fecal bacteria! Discuss! Or, don’t. And simply consider the, ahem, exposure of that particular garment and wash it in a hot water cycle.

6. Keep Things Moving When the wash cycle is complete, remove wet laundry within 30 minutes. Otherwise, the damp goods ­– confined to a small, dark space no less – will become a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. Note: This is especially crucial for loads washed in cold water!

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leadership style

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Baldon’s Clothiers is Looking to Create a National Brand - Balogun The Chief Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Baldon Clothiers, a men’s tailoring accessory and lifestyle store, Adedoyin Balogun has opened up on the opportunities, challenges and prospects they have as a business in this exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Style Editor, Ruth Tene Natsa...Excerpts.

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What inspired your career in tailoring? t is a long story, back in 1993, while in the University, we had this endless ASUU strike where the then President, Ibrahim Babangida threatened to sack all lecturers and import new ones, so we did not even have an end in sight. And you know how you are at home and become a nuisance to your parents and the environment and they just want you out. Ant to go out you either have to psyche, scope or beg for money from your parents and when that finishes they are like you are not working and do not understand the value of money and I didn’t like that idea.

So then a friend of mine (Dupe) then whose mum had just returned from the United states brought tee shirts and gave me a dozen to sell and I did, I then noticed there was a demand, so I asked Dupe for more tee shirts and she said, they were finished. So I thought there

must be a way, so I went to the local market (Tejuosho market), got fabrics, got a tailor and sketched, he produced and I sold them. From there people started asking me about shirts, so I delved into shirts. Then we resumed school after 5 months and people were asking if I had left over from Lagos, but I dared not go back to Lagos, what would I tell my father I was doing? So I went to Terminus market (Jos), sourced fabric got a tailor who could and told him how I wanted it, gave him a few patterns and that was how it kicked off.

From there, how did that build into the business you have today?

Every holiday I meet my uncles and of course people who I had sold to before. In fact there is a market in Lagos, they do not even know my name, they call me ‘student’ up till now. Infact one of them joked that ‘e no bi

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leadership style

cover

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018 student again o, dis one na big man now o’, so there is a history. It did not just land, there is a journey of where one is coming from and it is traceable. So over time as we served, we try to reason what we can do better and where are the gaps in the system. I have learnt also that money naturally gravitates towards value. So we have tried to see that beyond looking for money, how do we add value and how do we give people a sense of value under one roof? So you walk into Baldon’s clothing and you can literarily do everything. And that is what we try to project more than any other thing.

What makes your work different from other tailors/designers out there?

One of the major things I would say is we have very strong relationships with most of our clients, they have moved from client, clientele, to relations to family and that is critical. There is also a personal touch to every work. I like picking the mind of every client, so if somebody comes in and says I want this, I like to engage the person to fell the person, because a lot of times a lot of customers do not even know what they really want, they may want what Mr A is wearing and that may not really suit them. So in the process of prodding, you find out their temperament and so we offer them style advice. A lot of time, people do not know that what they actually need is style advisory, so we advise them on what works for them.

So it is not just the regular shop, where we sell to you, we also give you our own input. Then as much as possible we try to keep to our delivery rules, which is pretty difficult, especially when it comes to artisanship, tailors are among the worse culprits to not be able to deliver as at when due, but we try as much as it is possible to work within the confine of what we have agreed and when we can’t due to logistic issues, we try to explain. And this is not habitual, so the customer knows.

Would you tell us some of the popular icons you have styled for?

As much as possible do not divulge names because some of them are very high profiled people and I am not sure they would like it and part of the patronage we enjoy is also because of our confidentiality. You may notice that in terms of publicity we might not be there, but we do a very healthy data base from former Presidents to Ministers, but we would rather not go public with it, so as to also respect their own privacy.

How affordable would you say your outfits are?

I would say affordable is relative. I am sure we are average because we are passionate about creating a national brand, not just a clothing line for the rich.

That is nice, but there is a whole lot more. We are working on a major project which seeks to address that. For now, the logistics of production, such as power, making things work makes things pricey. We have the exchange rate to deal with, so there are bench marks, a lot of people may call us pricey, but we are looking at a whole lot of things.

of Nigeria is behind in terms of fashion, but I think the narrative is changing , it is slow and gradual, but I think it is changing. We also have the FADAN fashion week which we participated, so there are fashion shows we have been part of both locally and international.

What inspires your designs?

Functionality, what is the shirt for? Is it for work or for play? The temperament of the person wearing it, whether he is conservative or adventurous.

How and where do you source for your materials?

I source for materials everywhere both internationally and locally. Locally we do have fantastic fabrics in the market.

Sometimes you do not even need to travel, between Lagos, Abuja and Aba, you can get quite a lot.

Sometimes for the unique things when you travel, you get them.

But really and truly the fabrics are not unique to the Nigerian market, what happens in the global scale is that the textile mills makes large rolls of these materials and when they go to these textile factories the left overs are what are sold back. So we have had issues of people wearing our shirts and people wearing the international brand, same patterns, same shirts. So the fact that you buy it from us does not mean it is unique to Nigeria, because the world has become a global space, that there is so much movements of goods and services across the world.

Why should I come to you and not to the tailor /designer on the street who may be cheaper?

Well I often ask, what is cheaper?, have you factored in the time of going back and forth when it is not ready as at the time you need it, the emotional trauma? Also if you are not satisfied, it could be replaced or refunded. The streets would only apologies, but for us, beyond the money is the relationship.

And we have had to refund in some instances or have it redone on our own bill. Then there is the cost of time. So it may sound cheaper on the linear value but Baldon has factored in a lot of other things, so when the tailor gets stuck and cant now deliver, he needs Mr B’s money to complete Mr A’s work.

How much is the cheapest shirt you sell?

About ten thousand naira (N10,000), while the most expensive varies, because we have shirts targeted at different markets such as those for product launches, campaigns, so the level of labor and artisanship that goes into it also accounts for the costing.

What has been some of the challenges running an enterprise like Baldon?

There are myriads, there is the human resource, getting skilled, well trained human resource. It is a shame that we had to start sourcing artisan workmen from Ghana, Togo. Unfortunately we do not have proper vocational schools. A lot of them could not complete their education and had to learn their skills from the man on the street and it is a vicious cycle because the man on the street has a character flaw, he lies, he disappoints an this people are also seeing that and imbibing that, because it is a spirit and they take that into the work. We do not have vocational schools able to teach them.

What are some of the fashion events you have participated in?

Internationally, we have attended the African fashion week, Geneva, we also had a stint in Brazil, locally we have done the Runway that holds in Abuja. We have not done anything in Lagos, because part of the challenge, we have so much local market and Lagos is also a huge market to a large extent, they have lots of options. So I would rather like to see more exposure for the Middle-belt and the North. Often times the clients that I have coming from Lagos, think that apart from the Lagos/Ibadan axis, every other part

Do you see yourself going into vocational training?

It is something we will have to do if we want to help ourselves, me as a business and Nigeria as a whole. And I am not talking about fashion designing but about basic skill set, it is critical. It is a passion I have, I love to address it in my own little space. We are working out a model, which is also not cheap, especially when it comes to training people, who cannot pay you. You are training people who you do not know if they are going to stay or leave. You are training people not just in the rudiments of tailoring

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for fashion, but also trying to give them what would give them a livelihood and sustenance. It is a huge project. If the 6-3-3-4 had functioned, it would have addressed this because the whole idea was after the primary and the Junior secondary, for the ones that are not academically inclined could go to vocation. So the 3 years would have churned out enlightened skilled men who understand integrity, straight lines. So human resources is a huge problem. We also have the cost of finance, equipment are imported and you are expected to pay double digits on everything you import, so how do you expand. You hardly get moratorium on loans and facilities, A designer is not the tailor so there such and even if the designer is isa huge a tailor meaning you can market, you sew, you can’t sew for five but need a vehicle hundred people to access that market. So the funding is a challenge aside irregular power diesel, but these could be factored into production if the human resource cost of loans is right. So at the point you are able to produce volumes, you can lower prices. There are intervention funds by the CBN and the BOI, but how accessible are they?

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What should Nigerians expect from you going forward?

We want to maintain and if possible increase our value proposition to customers, we want to ensure that we keep that ‘wow’ factor in terms of service delivery, provision of accessory in the one stop shop.

But on a bigger and grander scale we want to see how we can create a national brand that would cut across. It is still on the drawing table.

Is that in line with the present administration’s call for promotion of local content?

It is far more than that, if we say, buy Nigeria, go Nigeria, let us start from the raw materials, the fabrics, the cotton, the cotton farmers, do they have incentive for the farmer to grow cotton, then the ginneries, our ginneries are moribund, so all of that.

And not until we get that right. We are just jumping in at the tail end of the value chain, the value chain starts from the farm, we cannot do everything, we can only advise and propose and say of these value chain, this is where we have comparative advantage and we jump in. We hope at some point in time, we would be able to get to such a time and be able to do some form of backward integration, though these do not come cheap, but what gives me hope is there is a market and Nigeria would buy. I know this because I am a living witness. I can tell you that business has been good, can it be better? Certainly.

Tell us about yourself.

I am Adedoyin from Ogun state, I had part of my primary education at Kingsgate infant school, United Kingdom, American International school, Victoria Island Lagos, Command Secondary School Jos and of course the University of Jos where I studied and Pure and applied chemistry, I am married with 4 children.

Who is you fashion Icon?

I have so many, locally I have the likes of Deola Segoe, Dakova who has been able to put Nigeria on the world map, Odi, Internationally the list is endless, we have Versace, Giorgio Armani and so on.

leadership style

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Baldon’s Collections

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cover

relationship

LEADERSHIP style

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Things Your Partner Does Not Need To Know About You

OLUWATOYIN AGUDA

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here is need to be open in a relationship, however, there is need to be cautious as not every detail needs to be shared.

Here are certain details you may not have to share with your partner: Your crazy sex history As much as you need to be open to each other, playfully bragging about past sexual endeavors may harm your relationship. The truth is that your partner does not really want a mental image of you and your ex doing those crazy things. It may make him jealous and create some sense of insecurity.

Petty family issues It’s okay if you open up about emotional issues you or family members have faced, this can even bring you two closer together and it can let you know that he is a solid, empathetic guy. However, telling him about trivial issues such as food sharing isn’t needed. Do not bore him with petty family issues.

Past treated STIs Some of us pick up a bug here or there in our journey through our sex lives. Human beings have an annoying tendency to give each other

germs! As long as you’re not currently carrying something that your partner could get infected with, you don’t have to tell them about past STIs. If you are still currently nursing one, it is more than important you let your partner know.

A random guy you kissed You do not have to tell him about that cute guy from your office you made out last year. Telling him about that one drunken make out session will leave your partner paranoid that you have real feelings for the other guy.

You don’t like his family The fact that he complains about his family doesn’t mean you have to, you joining in on the issue might make him shift gears and feel protective of them, not to mention that you might hurt him because you don’t the people he loves.

Your cheating past Telling him that you’ve cheated on a previous boyfriend will trigger his insecurities. He won’t ever forget, and will be secretly wondering whether you are going to do the same thing to him.

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leadership style

entreprenueur’s Zone

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Cleaning Service Is A Goldmine – Ibanga Patience Ibanga is a budding Entrepreneur and CEO, P-Cibaa Cleaning Services. The beautiful lady, who is determined to make her mark in the cleaning business in this exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP STYLE Editor, Ruth Tene Natsa, says, the profession is a gold mine which many Nigerians have chosen to look down on---Excerpts What inspired your choice of industrial cleaning?.

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wo years ago, I realized, I had a deep passion for cleaning, because of my love for cleanliness. I also have a very good understanding of the social economic factors which influence environmental issues. Also, the need to be financially independent, rather than waiting for a 5-9 job among several issues inspired me to choose my path, and so far there have been no regrets.

So what has been the narrative since you started?

I am a growing entrepreneur, I own a company called P-Cibaa Cleaning Services. We are into industrial cleaning. Our services include office and residential cleanings, housekeeping and guest house management. Post construction cleaning, floor maintenance/ restoration, fumigation and pest control. We provide cleaning services for both small, medium and large size apartments, private and public offices, including Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) among several others What have been your challenges?

The bureaucracies of getting a job, especially in government establishment is cumbersome. It is difficult to get people to listen to you and when you are able to, it takes a lot of educating to make them understand that cleaning goes beyond just sweeping and dusting,into polishing and surface repairs and maintenance.

Nigerians also do not appreciate cleaners,because they consider it a cheap job whereas it is a ‘goldmine’. Most people love cleanliness but never consider cleaning by themselves, so that is where we come in.

Considering the efforts, how do you source for your human capital?

Sadly, this is another challenge as getting qualified, trained cleaners to work for you is another issue, sometimes we are lucky to get trained cleaners,but often times we employ and train our workers on the job, that can really be a challenge.

We also have the issue of ‘big men’ spending huge sums of money to build houses but refuse to pay for cleaning services, they tend to see it as a waste; These among several other reasons is why I say Nigerians do not appreciate, quality cleaning services.

Giving the efforts, you are putting in, what would you like to achieve in the next few years?

I want the company to be a bench mark in the industry, my desire is to make it become a brand in no distant time. l am also desiring to expand the business and create more jobs as well as help in training individuals to become self-reliant. These

aside providing the services needed would be a means to tackling the high rate of unemployment and job insecurity in Nigeria.

What inspires you?

My biggest inspiration comes from multi-tasking. It challenges me to think fast, organize and execute my job faster than if u had to focus on only one thing.

What is your advice to other young people seeking jobs?

Considering the scarcity of jobs, I advice young people to be committed to setting the pace in whatever they do. There are several opportunities and they must be willing to take them up without looking down on any opportunity.

What can the government do to create a more enabling environment for people in your field?

Government can create an enabling environment by ensuring that professional cleaners are called to clean and

maintain public offices, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) and others. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or Bank of Industry(BOI) can support starts up businesses with small funds/ grants among others Going forward what is your greatest desire?

That someday professional cleaning will become a popular profession that will have full corporate recognition with full government intervention.

On the personal side, what is your best food?

Any healthy food will serve

What are your five most essential fashion pieces?

My handbag, a fashionable dress, quality wristwatch, jewellery and shoes What do you do for leisure?

I hang out with friends

What is your beauty routine?

I wake up to simple stretches, sometimes go for jogging and dancing. Of course, I also love simple makeup, everyday.

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leadership style

wellness

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

5 ways to boost your self-confidence!

BY MILLICENT AREBUN ONUOHA

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f wishes were horses, self-confidence would be a drug that anyone could take to either boost or create confidence in self. Unfortunately, wishes aren’t horses and everyone can’t ride. Incredible self confidence is a trait that no one is born with but grows into. Alas, self-confidence isn’t a one-shot deal but an on-going life activity that we daily engage in and build up until we get to a point when our self-confidence is innate.

There are basic steps and principles that if adhered to, would produce self-confidence in anyone. Below is listed the five first steps to engage in daily in other to drive or build self-confidence.

1. Visualisation: According to Napoleon Hill, “What the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve.” What you see in your mind’s eye is what you believe. Deliberately create or visualise an image of yourself you can be proud of and strive to become that deliberately, believing that you can. Visualisation is the technique of seeing an image of yourself that you are proud of, in your own mind. When we struggle with low self-confidence, we have a poor perception of ourselves that is often inaccurate. Practice visualising a fantastic version of yourself, achieving your goals.

2. Affirmations: According to Nikki Carnevale, “Affirmations are a powerful tool to deliberately install desired beliefs about yourself.” Talk yourself up instead of down daily to boost your confidence and esteem to an all-time high.

We tend to believe what we hear repeated often and confessions becomes reality when we believe, so confess (speak aloud) to yourself that which you wish to become. The trick to making lasting change is to change how you view yourself. Affirmations are positive and uplifting statements that we say to ourselves. These are normally more effective if said out loud so that you can hear yourself say it.

3. Confront Your Fear! Often times the basis of low self-esteem and self-confidence is rooted in the fear of ‘what ifs ‘Ask yourself this question, ‘what’s the worse thing that can happen?’ Then face the probability that it will happen and deal with it wisely in your mind.

The best way to overcome fear is to face it head-on. Confront the fear of failure and success is sure to come with ease.

4. Stop Doubting And Second Guessing Yourself: Instead of listing to yourself all the reason you are wrong and about to make a mistake on a decision or step you’ve either taken or about to take, tell yourself all the reasons you could be right. Our greatest critic and cynic is most often our own selves. Find occasions to pat yourself on the back and reward yourself, even for the smallest successes.

5. Core Principles, Identity and Personal boundaries. Harvey Fierstein once said “Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life but define yourself.” Identifying your personal core principles helps you to know who you are. Knowing your identity in turns helps you define self and everything in between. Knowing who you are makes it easy to say know to anything that contradicts your core. Confident people are assertive because they know when to say NO! This makes it easy for them to have control over their own life and the direction it flows , which in turn makes them more attractive and viewed as confident.

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leadership style

style star profile

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

JENNIFER OSEH

BY MILLICENT AREBUN ONUOHA

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ur style star of the week is none other than the edgy queen of layering and print mix Jennifer Oseh. Jennifer came to limelight as a fierce video vixen, model and PR consultant but retained our interest through her inspirational style.

Blurring the lines between the between functionality, style and outright quirkiness, Jennifer’s style according to her is a mix of the androgynous, edgy, versatile and chic. The self-proclaimed menswear lover style is influenced to an extent by her mom’s old photos and her personal style muses Lisa Folawiyo, Kanye west, and Solange. The ex-video vixen has finally yielded to the call of the fashion siren by becoming a professional stylist to the delight of many.

The journey to style freedom and creativity wasn’t an easy ride for the once unsure fashionista, who got mocked for wearing ‘rubbish’ often times. This obviously prompted her style advice to budding fashionistas globally in an interview with fashion blogger Cassie Daves to always ‘Wear what you like, how you like’.

Followed by over fifty thousand people on Instagram, Jennifer dynamic and unconservative style has earned her the title of ‘style influencer’.

Above are pictorials of Jennifer Oseh for your stylespiration

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leadership style

celebrity profile

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

By MILLICENT AREBUN ONUOHA

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endorsement deal with them • She joined Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records in 2012 after the label she co-owns teamed up with the executive producer.

• Established her own label imprint, 323 Entertainment, with her then-manager and husband Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun whom she got engaged to on 5 February 2013.

• Her Album Once Upon A Time was released on 3 July 2013 • In July 2013, Savage signed an endorsement deal with MTN Nigeria reportedly worth ₦30 million. She also has signed endorsement deals with Forte Oil, and Maggi.

Armed with a degree in Business Administration, a diploma in professional music, a savvy manager and a wealth of experience, Tiwa broke into the Nigerian music scene just shy of 30yrs of age in 2010 and in on time made herself the queen of the roost through sheer grit, hard work and a fierce determination to succeed. Since then she has secured her rights to the throne with ever increasing creativity, pushing music boundaries and showcasing African musical eccentricities and ingenuity to her ever increasing international fanbase.

Social Responsibility Savage has been involved in many youth empowerment and breast cancer screening projects across Nigeria and has helped raise money for an organisation that build schools in her hometown.

ur celebrity profile for the week is none other than popular dark-skinned songstress and record breaker Tiwatope SavageBalogun aka Tiwa savage. Dynamic and multi-talented, Tiwa has triumphed musically in the face of daunting challenges and social and personal dramas with numerous feats, awards, ambassadorships and music deals under her belt.

Early Days & Musical Beginnings Tiwatope Savage was born to a family of three in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria but relocated with her family by age eleven to United Kingdom and later to United states of America. She discovered her love for all things music at a young age playing the trombone for her school’s orchestra band. Yielding to the urgings of her parents, Tiwa enrolled, studied and graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Keats and started work at The Royal Bank of Scotland.

While in High school and in between work and school, Tiwa indulged her huge love for music by doing backup vocals for George Michael at the age of 16, and lent vocals to other musicians such as Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell, Emma Bunton, Kelly Clarkson, Andrea Bocelli, and Ms. Dynamite, amongst others. Furthermore, she has performed on stage with Sting, 50 Cent, The Black Eyed Peas, Eminem, Robbie Williams and Destiny’s Child, to name a few.

Savage enrolled and graduated with a degree in professional music at the age of 27. The transition from backup to lead was not easy for young shy Tiwa who in 2006, participated in the UK edition of The X Factor and made it to the final 24 while attending the aforementioned music school while studying for her diploma in professional Music at Berkeley College of Music at age twenty-seven.

In 2009, Sony/ATV Music Publishing signed Savage to a music deal. The deal solidified her to write for Babyface, Kat Deluna, Fantasia Barrino, Monica and Mýa. She has received songwriting credits for her contribution to Monica’s soul-tinged ballad “Catch Me”.

Moreover, her collaboration with Fantasia on the song “Collard Greens & Cornbread” earned the American recording artist a Grammy nomination in 2010. Savage wrote Jaicko’s “Oh Yeah” featuring Snoop Dogg, and Kat Deluna’s “Push Push” featuring Akon and David

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TIWA SAVAGE Guetta.

Feats/Achievements & Awards According to the Songwriter, actress and artist official Wikipedia page, Tiwa • Has a song writing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing • Signed a recording contract with Mavin Records in 2012.

• Signed a management and publishing deal with Roc Nation in June 2016, which she later confirmed via Instagram.

• Co-wrote the track “Collard Greens & Cornbread” off Fantasia Barrino’s Grammynominated album, Back to Me. • Featured on Solar Plexus, a compilation album released by Mavin Records.

• Her debut studio album, Once Upon a Time, was released on 3 July 2013. It was supported by the singles “Kele Kele Love”, “Love Me (3x)”, “Without My Heart”, “Ife Wa Gbona”, “Folarin”, “Olorun Mi” and “Eminado”.

• Savage’s second studio album, R.E.D, was released on 19 December 2015. It produced the singles “My Darlin’”, “African Waist” and “If I Start To Talk”. Savage sings in English and Yoruba.[ • Her Awards so far includes One MTV Africa Music Award, two The Headies Awards, one Channel O Music Video Award, one Nigeria Music Video Award, two City People Entertainment Awards and more o • Co-hosted the second season of Nigerian Idol alongside IllRymz in December 2011 • Made her film debut with Joke Silva and Ireti Doyle in the stage adaptation of For Coloured Girls.

• Became the first African female artist to be associated with the Pepsi brand after signing an

Love, Heartbreak and Scandals Tiwa’s journey to stardom has been fraught with the major cupid inspired events, eventual heartbreaks and scandals. In February 2013, during her 33rd birthday party, Tiwa’s boyfriend and manager Tunji Balogun aka Tee Billz proposed to the star’s ultimate delight spotting a tasteful yellow/white diamond engagement ring rumoured to be worth around $3,000. An engagement ceremony followed shortly after at The Ark in Lekki Nigeria attended by the crème de la crème of the entertainment set. Tiwa’s wedding both the traditional and white was almost very girls dream of the perfect fairy-tale wedding and more than a year later, the sexy songstress was happily pregnant for her man. On 22 July 2015, Tiwa Savage gave birth to her son Jamil Balogun and took some time off to indulge in the joy of being a mother but alas her bliss was rudely broken when heartache came calling.

On 28 April 2016,her husband Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun, in a series of wild social media posts, accused the songstress of alleged infidelity as well as her mother of witchcraft before attempting suicide a few days later in a public well accessed area. In a major diva clapback, Tiwa savage in a 45-minute Video interview conducted by Thisday newspaper and Pulse Nigeria, extensively addressed her husband’s wild claims regarding their marriage and spilled the beans on how her fairy-tale has long since turned into a nightmare. Debunking her husband’s infidelity claims, Tiwa painted a tragic picture with words, photo evidence and tears of her husband’s financial recklessness, drug addiction, cheating and emotional/ mental abuse. In the same interview she announced that her marriage to him was likely over. The societal and social media backlash of her interview has two ponged effects with many rallying to her complete with hastags and others crucifying her for not keeping her mouth shut and taking the high way. Social media wars were held while media practitioners had a feast at her expense. Fortunately, major brands rallied to her aid and her Pepsi deal held firm to the disappointment of some.

After a short haitus from social media and the music scene, Tiwa returned with a bang armed with her ROC Nation deal and new music/videos Fashion Tiwa exploded on the fashion scene with her contrasting dynamic style tantalising style lovers nationwide. From her sometimes risqué, raunchy and daring musical videos and live performances outfits to the quiet sophistication and class of her everyday outfits, Tiwas till date has captured and held the hearts of fashionistas globally.

2018 We can’t wait to see and experience all that the ingenious songstress has in store for us this new year.

leadership style

fashion essentials

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Bonang Matheba: 5 Fashion Essentials Oluwatoyin Aguda

3. Jeans

The always stylish and fabulous Bonang Matheba is a style inspiration any day, both on and off the red carpet. We cant but appreciate her choice of fashion which is simple and elegant while highlighting her favourite fashion items.

A jean is an essential for not only women but men.

It is a go for casual occasions and even corporate looks when styled suitably. Bonang preaches style and comfort in ultra-trendy jeans.

1. Shoes and bags Bonang is a lover of bags and shoes, especially pumps and designer shoes to be precise. She recently added a Gucci bag which cots a whopping 3500 dollars to her collection of luxury, designer bags.

2. Sunglasses She has a sunglasses collection that will make every girl jealous. The media personality has such an enviable collection of statement eye wears.

4. Jackets We know jackets are cool pieces when we are trying to look stylish and simple.

We love how she pulls off great skinny jeans, a cool gilet and a killer pair of heels.

5. Dresses Being a TV girl and celebrated media personality, Bonang who is a regular face on the red carpet does not seem to dazzle whenever she steps out either as a guest or host. Her style favours long flowing dresses which are always stunning on her.

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leadership style

beauty

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Hairstyle Fashion Essential

BY CECILIA OGEZI

K

nowing the right hairstyle to rock to bring out the chic in you no matter the age remains the first step to beauty in women, how you choose to wear your hair do can be regarded as one of the essential things to look out for in fashion and style,whether cornrow, braids, weavon or natural afro hair,it is important to know which hair hair style to rock with the outfit to suit the occasion.

This week we are bringing to you one of Nollywood’s finest Kate Henshaw who even though close to 50 years has aged so gracefully such that she can still be mistaken for a young woman in her late 20’s. We can easily take inspiration from these 5 hairstyles she rocked so effortlessly.

How she has graced our screne in the Nigerian movie industry over the years with such charm and finesse in her trade has registered her in our minds as a darling to watch any day but that is a topic for another day the ever charming veteran Kate shows here how she combines style and grace to achieve alluring looks in various iconic hairstyles.

Kate rocking Afro kinky hair.

Kate rocking braids

Kate rocking Afro curled

Kate rocking the a fringe hairdo

Kate rocking bold curly weavon.

Kate rocking Afro curls

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men’s corner

leadership style

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

How To Match Shoes With Suits

BY CECILIA OGEZI

O

wning a suit is an essential part of being a man – whether you wear one for work every day or only pull it out for special occasions, you need to know how to wear it right.

Choosing the right colour shoes to match your suit is key to pulling off your outfit.

When you want to match suits and shoes, there are a couple of things to consider of which the “Shoe Color” is one of them. This may very way make or mar the look depending on the occasion if not well chosen.

Navy suits are highly versatile. The most popular choice is brown but almost any shoe color will also match this suit. Gray suits pair well with a variety of colors including black, lighter brown or camel.

Charcoal suits look best with black or dark burgundy shoes.

Here are a few shoes to match with suits.

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leadership style

fashion

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

SUN-SSENTIALS

By MILLICENT AREBUN ONUOHA

T

he heat wave currently bathing our country, has made even the most dedicated style lover, wish that being nude was trendy, but alas it isn’t so. The trick to come out looking fabulous and heat free all the day long is simple. Tunics, sheer garments, linen pants, chiffon blouses, cotton dress, hats and sun shades are the style solutions to keeping cool, even when you have to work outdoors. For the office executive, whose work dress code is rigid, simply wearing chiffon suit instead of wool or silk /chiffon camisole under your suits, can go a long way to staying cool when out and about.

Simply put, to look effortlessly stylish and stay cool in this weather, accessorizing your ensembles with sunshades and hats is a must. It serves the dual purpose of protecting your skin and face from the direct pressure/damage of the sun and also ensure you look chic and trendy all day long.

Tip: your sunscreen is your best friend this season, especially if your business and social activities, warrant you to be out in the glorious sunshine daily.

Below are some pictorial guide to help you in pairing and wearing the trend.

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leadership style

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

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fashion

leadership style

entertainment

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Heidi Klum, Jaden Smith, Zendaya Others Stun At The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2018 Oluwatoyin Aguda The Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards is one of the biggest awards ceremonies. The 31st annual edition of the event took place at The Forum in Inglewood, California last weekend with John Cena hosting for the second year in a row, and Taylor Swift taking the lead with the most nominations.

Here are red carpet photos from the event:

Caleb McLaughlin

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John Cena

Chloe Kim

Heidi Klum

Hailee Steinfeld

Kat Graham

Jaden Smith

Kristen Bell

leadership style

entertainment

Vol. 1, No. 17, Sunday 1, 2018

Heidi Klum, Jaden Smith, Zendaya Others Stun At The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2018

Storm Reid

Millie Bobby Brown

Tiffani Thiessen

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Sadie Sink

Yara Shahidi

Mariah Carey and Monroe Cannon