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LEPA SHANDY

PRISONERS' RIOT

Death toll hits 19, 16 in critical condition

A fan slapped me in public

Pg. 4

Pg. 19

SATURDAY Saturday, August 20, 2016

Ebonyi Prison Photo: Daily post

Sanctity of Truth

Vol. 3 No. 913

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N150

NIGERIAN PILGRIMS' COCAINE SCANDAL

BUHARI ANGRY WITH NDLEA

...orders probe of officials

l Mass transfer of officers imminent l Agency introduces stringent screening l Panic, anxiety in Kwara PAGE 3

CHILD LABOUR AT ABU ZARIA?

IPOB

Kanu's lawyer petitions EU ...rejects secret trial Pg. 21

Pg. 5

Why EFCC I'm satisfied with moved against Buhari's leadership SANs, judges style –Obasanjo –Magu l Dogara meets president again Pg. 5

Pg. 6

One of the young boys registered to work at Ahmadu Bello University

Man who named dog 'Buhari' rearrested, appears in court Monday

Pg. 6

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20 august 2016

Comment

Contents | 20.08.16

Lagos and street hawking

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he mayhem caused by the killing of a female hawker who was trying to evade arrest by officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) on June 29, in Lagos, must have forced the state government to start the enforcement of the law against street hawking and trading as well as illegal markets enacted since 2003.

Hell was let loose at the Maryland area of the popular Ikorodu road, Lagos that day, when a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus crushed a hawker who ran into an on-coming BRT bus while fleeing from KAI officials. Hoodlums used the confusion to rob motorists and unsuspecting public, dispossessing them of their valuables, as well as destroying 49 BRT buses in the process. According to Governor Akinwumi Ambode, it will cost the Lagos State Government N139 million to put the buses, which serve Lagosians daily, back on the road.

And with that, the state government decided to wield the big stick on hawkers from Friday, July 1. According to the street trading law, anyone found selling or buying in the traffic would be liable to six months jail term or a fine of N90,000.

Ambode warned: “We will be watching out for buyers and sellers and all we need is just scapegoats.”

Casualties are recorded daily from street hawkers getting knocked down by private vehicles and commercial buses when these hawkers dash across busy highways trying to sell their wares. One can imagine the trauma such drivers go through.

It has also been established that robbers mingle with hawkers to rob motorists in traffic. Aside this, hawkers are alleged to be responsible for destruction of public assets.

Recently rehabilitated roads, especially in high density areas, are known to have mysteriously developed fresh potholes due to suspected hawkers digging fresh potholes in the night to create traffic just for them to sell sausage rolls, satchet water etc.

Rising in the defence of hawkers, a body, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders argued that the state government should have provided a sensible alternative for street hawkers before enforcing the ban on street hawking, adding that the state does not have any moral right to ban them as it would amount to an oppression of poor people. Speaking through its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, the body suggested that government should provide spots off the highways with barri-

ers where street traders can be patronised.

The body said that available markets built by government in Lagos are not within the reach of the poor hawkers. It said the markets are also not situated in convenient places for people. Adeniran argued that government should have provided employment opportunities for its teeming population instead of the threat of six months jail or a fine of N90, 000. “If those involved in street trading could afford to pay N90, 000, they will not be on the road to sell their wares.”

In all these, we believe residents are entitled to earn a living in Lagos, but within the ambit of the law. We also believe nobody sets out to be a nuisance, which the street hawkers have turned out to be in Lagos mega city.

A pro-active government like Governor Ambode’s owes residents a duty to protect their lives and property, even if some residents would want to stare death in the face in the course of searching for their daily bread. As the chief security officer of the state, it is the duty of the governor to make sure new or existing laws are enforced.

Because Nigerians like to shop on the go, the state government should also look into modifying trading in traffic like the example of the ultra-modern park it built at the Oworonsoki end of the Third Mainland Bridge where commuters, hawkers and motorists can interact with one another. More of this park can be built all over the state to curb street hawking.

Also, the Federal Government cannot afford to abandon Lagos as a former federal capital as it has done since the seat of government moved to Abuja in 1991. Lagos still remains the commercial and economic capital of Nigeria and deserves a special status from the Federal Government.

The Federal Government should complement the efforts of the state government by encouraging industrialisation in the state thereby providing employment opportunities for the state’s population, which keeps increasing every day.

Lagos is a choice destination for all as it provides opportunities but if all these measures are put in place, we believe street hawking will be reduced tremendously; pressure on and destruction of public utilities as well as insecurity would have been addressed simultaneously. Also, the teeming population of would-be prisoners that are expected to be convicted of hawking or patronising hawkers and fed free by the state daily would also have been reduced.

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Mystyle

Diva Descushiel Mercy Isoyip popularly known as Descushiel is a Nollywood actress and the face of Orange Drugs. The actress who has featured both in Nigeria and in the United States provides some insight into her style, beauty routine and the rigour up and coming artistes face in Nigeria

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Lepa Shandy’s style

SHOWBIZ

Sade Omoniyi-Adewale started her career in the movie industry as a make-up artiste, then she was simply called Sade make-up before she veered into acting after training. The 45-year-old actress speaks her career, love life taking a break from the industry and more

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SPORT

Oshodi’s drive President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Enitan Oshodi, continues to make giant strides in his effort to ensure that the game attains its rightful place. Following the exploits of Aruna Quadri at the Rio Games, Oshodi insists there are talents in the country who can go a step further with proper guidance

}27

THE ARTS

The importance of languages The Head of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) State Office, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr. Kenneth Odum, says languages are carriers of a people’s identities and history and a means through which their worldviews are communicated and transmitted from one generation to the next

}37

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

Pictures that tell stories

First mass produced TV set sold in 1946-47

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elevision has come a long way since the three-inch screens of the early 20th-century.

The television counts among a handful of designs that most dramatically changed 20th-century society. The design has evolved mightily since the boxy retro contraptions of yesteryear, like the Emyvisor and the Marconi. With flat-screens and high-definition displays that can seem crisper and more colorful than reality itself, 21st-century viewers are

News Ndubuisi Ugah and Wole Shadare

S

trong indications emerged last night that President Muhammadu Buhari may have ordered a “thorough” probe into the circumstances that led to the arrest of three Nigerian pilgrims, who were alleged to have trafficked cocaine to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The probe, it was gathered, emerged on a day the Federal Government in a bid to “redeem” its image begun an enhanced screening of pilgrims to the holy land, following the arrest of the pilgrims.

It will be recalled that three pilgrims from Kawara State were recently arrested for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia and the Presidency has issued a threat to punish some agencies for negligence.

An impeccable source at the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), who confided in this newspaper, stated that the “embarrassment” caused the President as a result of the arrest had contributed in making the president “sad”, hence the probe of the drug agency to unravel the circumstances which led to the arrest of the Nigerians in foreign land.

According to the source, who pleaded not to be mentioned, the president “was hugely embarrassed and as such felt those who allowed the unholy incident leave the shore of the nation’s borders must be made to explain what happened.”

The source, who also hinted that a woman pilgrim was among those were arrested, noted that the president also felt that “travelling standards” were compromised by the NDLEA officials, which negated the Federal Gov-

The evolution of television

comparatively spoiled.

The modern television’s earliest ancestor was the Octagon, made by General Electric in 1928. It used a mechanical, rotating disc technology to display images on its three-inch screen. While it was never mass-produced, it played what is widely considered the world’s first television drama: "The Queen’s Messenger."

Soon, this primitive technology

evolved into commercially available home TV sets, accessible, at first, only as fancy toys for the wealthy. Designers knew how revolutionary television would be, and advertisers milked the technology's novelty in ways that may now seem kitschy and dated as the 1936 Cossor Television was advertised in a brochure: "Radio—its thrills, its interests, increased one hundred fold by Television. . . . Radio is blind no longer.”

One of the latest TV sets

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Nigerian pilgrims’ cocaine scandal: Buhari orders probe of NDLEA officials l FG heightens security at Hajj camps for pilgrims ernment’s stance on corruption.

To underscore this fact, the source stated that: “The president is very angry because he believed that standards were compromised.

In fact, the Federal Government is already considering a total overhaul and restructuring of the NDLEA. In the past, for instance, the culture had been that any pilgrim travelling is allowed to come in with his relatives and luggage.

“But since this occurred, relatives are not allowed again including helping their relatives who are going on the pilgrimage. This is a sharp contrast and a departure of the past. Here every pilgrim carries his or

her luggage and awaits officials to screen them individually.”

In another vein, Saturday Telegraph gathered that government has commenced full scale investigation to unravel how the drug was not detected by the Nigerian security operatives at the Hajj camps across the nation.

There were indications that heads are likely to roll over the incident as a high powered investigative team had been set up to determine if there was a compromise or just security laxity at the camps.

Spokesman for the NDLEA, Ofoyeju Mitchell, who confirmed this, said the Chairman/Chief

Biodun Oyeleye

Anxiety as drug agency queries officials at Kwara Airport

Ilorin

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any residents of Ilorin, Kwara State, are still in anxiety, following their inability to know the true identities of the three pilgrims allegedly from the state who were nabbed for ingesting hard drugs in Saudi Arabia, about 10 days after the incident.

The anxiety has been further compounded by the fact that officials of the state’s pilgrims board have not been speaking on the matter since the news broke.

But the state’s Amiru Hajj, Justice Idris Haroon (rtd), who spoke with journalists said it was yet to be ascertain whether those arrested were from Kwara,

Ekiti or Ondo states but confirmed that they were part of the pilgrims that left from Kwara State.

He said the state’s Pilgrim’s Welfare Board was still working to unravel the true indentify of the culprits.

Haroon also expressed dissatisfaction with the facilities used by security agencies at the Ilorin International Airport which were unable to detect the culprits.

The retired jurist who spoke from Saudi Arabia said the performance of the security agencies was source for worry because from his perspective they did not perform up to stan-

Executive of the agency, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.), had ordered investigation into the arrest of the trio in Saudi Arabia, in connection with substances suspected to be cocaine.

Abdallah who expressed disappointment over the unfortunate incident constituted a panel of inquiry headed by the Director of Operations and General Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo, to immediately investigate the incident.

He stated that the agency would address the situation with every sense of seriousness and urgency, while also stressing that the agency had also deployed more investigators to all the screening camps

NDLEA boss, "narcotic smuggling is criminal and the involvement of pilgrims is utterly reprehensible. This is unfortunate and we are working very hard to get to the root of it. The agency is handling this case with every sense of seriousness and urgency because this action has negatively affected the image of Nigeria. We have also taken measures to intensify the on-going screening of pilgrims who are yet to depart to Saudi Arabia to prevent a reccurrence of the sad incident.”

Meanwhile, the NDLEA boss also called on pilgrims to uphold the principle of probity, patriotism and eschew any act capable of bringing the image of the country to disrepute.

dards.

In another development, fresh facts have revealed that the culprits merely exploited their knowledge of the fact that officials of the NDLEA at the Ilorin International Airport only screen intending pilgrims manually, because they don’t have the sophisticated equipment that can perform the task.

The culprits were part of the 505-member Batch Three of pilgrims airlifted from Ilorin International Airport on August 8.

A scanner at Saudi Arabia airport reportedly discovered the hard drugs allegedly ingested by the culprits during clearance

nationwide.

Although, Mitchell could not speak further on how far the investigation would go, but sources said the problem might lead to the reshuffle of operations heads in most of the states and heightening of screening and searches of all remaining intending pilgrims.

The sources further stated that there is no full proof security anywhere in the world, stressing that even in the United States, there is tendency to miss some details.

Most times, security at the camps is relaxed because of the belief that pilgrims are going to perform holy rites.

According to the

on August 9 and 12.

Some officials of the NDLEA in Ilorin are already being queried over the incident but spokesman for the Kwara State command of the anti-drug agency, Emmanuel Dande, said the matter was still being investigated.

The fear among residents is compounded by the fact that of the three states-Kwara, Ekiti and Ondo, that make up the Kwara Zone of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Kwara, and Ilorin, the state capital in particular, usually has the highest number of pilgrims annually.

But many residents who

spoke with our reporter yesterday said they were yet to be informed about the identities of those caught, even as a statement from NAHCON claimed that only two people were arrested for the offence which under Saudi Arabian laws attracts the death penalty.

Some people who spoke with our reported expressed concern that they were sure some people already know those who were effected but they have not let it out and even family members would not want to publicise such negative news as they would still be looking for ways and means to handle it. c o n ti n u e d o n pa g e 7

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News

Uchenna Inya

D ABAKALIKI

etails have emerged on the attempted jailbreak that occurred at the Federal Prisons, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Thursday, which left many inmates dead with 16 of them critically injured and three officials sustaining minor injuries.

Similarly, it was gathered that the death toll had hit 19 although the Comptroller General of Prisons, Jafaru Ahmed, officially confirmed six during the attempted jailbreak which caused pandemonium in the prisons.

Some of the prison officials were seen with bandages when our correspondent visited the prisons headquarters yesterday, following injuries they sustained during the botched jailbreak while inmates who were supposed to be taken to courts were not as a result of the incident.

The inmates last night reportedly raped the female ones. The attempted jailbreak forced the Comptroller General of Prisons, Ahmed, to visit the prisons.

He met with the inmates and the officials for hours.

Ahmed, who also met with Governor Dave Umahi at Government House, Abakaliki, told journalists that six inmates died during the attempted jailbreak

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

Ebonyi attempted jailbreak: Death toll hits 19, 16 in critical condition l Comptroller General meets gov, inmates, officials l Oputa: We can’t allow inmates overpower us

while 10 of them were receiving treatment at the Federal Prisons, Abakaliki.

He said three officials of the prisons were also treated and discharged.

Ahmed said the federal prisons was supposed to accommodate 378 inmates but had over 900 inmates.

Earlier, the state Comp-

troller of Prisons, Mrs. Emilia Oputa, told journalists that the inmates were seeking for freedom.

She noted that the officials were on their routine search of the inmates in the two cells at the federal prisons to check for harmful objects in their midst when inmates in one of the cells refused to

be searched which triggered violence by the inmates.

“One cell was searched but the imates in the other cell refused to be searched.

Be that as it may, we tried to calm them but criminals who joined in the jail break of last year are still here and want to go by all means.

“So, those ringleaders al-

ready made up their minds.

We succeeded because the other inmates are fed well.

Last week, I was on familiarisation visit with the inmates and they confirmed to me that food was not their problem; their problem is making sure that they go to court.

“It is what they com-

10,000 jobs: PSC shortlists 110,469 for aptitude test Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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he processes leading to the recruitment of 10, 000 police officers and men may soon be completed, as the Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday, said it had short-listed a total of 110,469 applicants for aptitude tests across the thirty-six states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This was as the Commission noted that at least 40,000

personnel of the Nigeria Police, had been lost to retirements and other causes.

The disclosures were made in Abuja by the PSC's Chairman, Sir Mike Okiro, who further disclosed that the applicants invited for aptitude tests, which commence on August 22, were selected from a total of 338, 250, after screening exercises.

He added that the aptitude tests would be held simultaneously across the country, even as he stated that the Commission adhered

strictly to the requirements spelt out for the exercise.

A breakdown of the list showed, that 22, 454 Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), 24, 456 Cadet Inspectors, as well as 63, 559 Constables, will be sitting for the aptitude tests.

“The commission has shortlisted all the successful applicants for the next stage of the recruitment. This stage will subject the applicants to tests in the 36 states and the FCT. “A total of 110, 469 applicants have been shortlisted

for the tests commencing from August 22 in all the States of the Federation and FCT simultaneously.

“The commission is desirous to sustain the integrity of this exercise and has decided that questions for the aptitude tests will be known to the state coordinators in the morning of each examination date," Okiro said.

Meanwhile, the commission has denied that it was under pressure to do the bidding of any group, individual or interest.

plained about to me last week. So, that was their only problem and we must not allow the inmates to overpower us, we must give them instructions and they must obey.

“No time did any inmate overpower the staff; they wounded some staff because we were trying to appeal to them and you must give room for appeal in this type of thing.

“Some bad inmates attacked us, pulled the outer and inner gates and were rushing in large numbers for escape. All they want is freedom and I don’t think we, the officials, have done anything wrong. The courts send these people and we are just keeping them because of the courts, ours is to reform them, keep them busy with recreational activities, with prayers.

“We don’t have enough staff but we have collapsed shift. We used to have three shifts; we have morning, afternoon and night but we have made it two.

“They climbed the gate, held it strongly and it came down on some of them. The walls were built a very long time ago and it is like when you keep a cloth and sun and rain beat it, is it going to remain the same way?"

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

5

Too early to judge Buhari’s govt, Bakare tells Nigerians ...Dogara meets president again

Anule Emmanuel, ABUJA

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resident Buhari Muhammadu yesterday met with Pastor Tunde Bakare, his vice -presidential candidate in the 2011 presidential election, at the Presidential Vila, Abuja.

Bakare who spoke to State House Correspondents after the meeting which lasted for about 45 minutes, urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the present government, saying it meant well for them.

The cleric, who is also the General Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, said he came to see the President and also pay respect to him.

He said: “I came to see the president and he is doing very

well health wise. That’s all I came to do.

Speaking on the prospects of the present administration to deliver the change it promised Nigerians, Bakare said: “When you are driving on a wrong direction, for example, you are going to Ibadan and you face Badagry and you get to Cotonou, Benin Republic and you realise you have gone in the wrong direction for too long a time, then you turn back and make a U-turn, there will be some suffering you have to go through.

“Pain is part of gain. No pain no gain. The years of wastage and all that we have done wrong has finally caught up with us. All we are praying for is wisdom for this government to do the right things so that gradually, we can begin to come out of the woods.”

On the administration's per-

formance, Bakare noted that it was too early and too soon to begin to judge.

“If there is anything I know about Mr. President, it is that he has a good heart.

He loves this country and he wants the country to run well. But it takes time.

I know we are all impatient and in a hurry and I trust we will come out of the woods,” Bakare said.

On calls by some Nigerians for the reshuffling of cabinet by President Buhari, Bakare said: “It is your opinion not mine. And it is Mr. President's. He can do what he likes when he likes it.

He knows what he has given them. For example, I have not given any appointment to anyone so I can't judge their performance. But if there are yardsticks and standards given to them and if they have per-

formed below par, definitely, the president would not mind at the right time to do those things.

“I will like to appeal to all Nigerians that we should just excise a bit of patience. This change will not become chain that will tie all of us down.

Change for good takes time and we should just exercise a little bit more of patience.

We trust that government is listening and the leaders are listening too and they will respond to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.”

Asked to comment on the budget padding crisis in the National Assembly, Bakare said: “I just returned to the country last Friday. I am reading about it. I will make my decision when I have checked both sides. And I will definitely speak on that.”

Meanwhile, President Buhari also met with the Speak-

Kuwaiti Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdulaziz Al-Sharrah (left), with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during the ambassador's courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Biafra: Kanu’s lawyer petitions EU over his detention

n Abuja based-legal practitioner, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has petitioned the European Union (EU) over the continuous detention of his client and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government over allegation of treasonable felony.

He said the petition, which was channelled through the EU representative in Nigeria had became imperative given the series of court orders ordering Kanu to be released.

In the petition with charge no. FCT/ABJ/CR\383\15, dated August 18, 2016, a copy of which was obtained by Saturday Telegraph via email, Ejiofor accused the Federal Government of thwarting the course of justice in the above criminal charge vide ostensible manipulations of judicial pro-

cess at all levels, fragrant disobedience to positive orders of the court.

According to him, despite manifest frustrations of his client's defence team, the rulings and orders made by the court in the course of the proceedings, were once again faced with the worst intrigue, carefully orchestrated by the state to hamstrung Kanu’s constitutionally guaranteed rights to fair hearing in the matter.

The petition further stated that following the denial of Kanu's bail on the 29th January 2016,the matter was adjourned to February 9,10,11 and 12 this year.

Ejiofor explained further that on February 9, the trial on the trump up charges preferred against his client (Kanu) was scheduled to commence, but the Federal Government through the Director of the Public Prosecution (DPP) and in clear move to truncate the

Foluso Ogunmodede and Akeem Nafiu

Magu: Why EFCC moved against SANs, judges

Charles Onyekwere and Yekeen Nurudeen

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he chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, yesterday offered explanations why the commission moved against some Senior Advocates of Nigeria, judges and other judicial officers in the ongoing war against graft.

He said the commission took the corruption war to the senior lawyers and the judicial officers because they were caught in the web of perverting the course of justice while allegedly aiding corrupt practices in the discharge of their professional duties.

Magu, who said notwithstanding the hue and cry in some circle that the graft war was selective, the commis-

hearing, filed an application that very morning, wherein they sought the orders of the court to allow their witnesses testify by the aid of facial mask and behind screen.

The petition reads: “We are solicitors to Nnamdi Kanu,the 1st defendant in the above caption, criminal charge, here in after refers to as ‘our client’ and on whose definite instruction we write to the European Union on the ugly direction the politically orchestrated trial of Kanu (a British citizen),premised on a most concocted charges of treasonable felony, is gradually assuming.

“We refer to our previous correspondence in relation to the above subject, reservation, worries and well informed fears expressed there in. In keeping with promises made in the aforesaid letter,we find it obligatory to keep the EU abreast of the happening, the petition read.

“The application was heard on February 19 along with

sion would continue in its quest to push the corruption war within the confine of the rule of law and due process.

He said this yesterday in Lagos at a symposium organised by the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADL), vowing to ensure that the EFCC will bring to book anyone found to have looted the nation’s treasury while wielding its powers within the ambit of

our counter Affidavit filed in its opposition. In a well considered ruling delivered by the court on the same day, the court refused the prosecution's prayers that sought for secret trial, among other reliefs, consequently ordered that the trial will be conducted in the open.

“In effect, the court granted an application for secret trial of our client, a British citizen, obviously sitting on appeal against his order made on February 19. In the face of this deliberate plot to perverse the course of justice, we promptly appealed to the court of Appeal Abuja Division, to set aside the later order for secret trial made by the court.

"The defence team was once again faced with the worst intrigue, carefully orchestrated by the state to hamstring our client's constitutionally guaranteed rights to fair hearing/trial in the matter.

“We shall object in a very strong term, any form of secret trial in the case."

the rule of law.

According to him, the EFCC which had the backings of President Muhammadu Buhari to move against corrupt public office holders would not shirk its obligations to stamp out corrupt practices in the country.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has not only said it, he is acting it and has charged the EFCC to embody and live it.

er of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, for the second time in two weeks.

Dogara was at the villa penultimate week where he vowed not resign his position as Speaker over the crisis of 2016 budget padding rocking the lower chamber.

The Speaker, however, declined comments when he was asked by State House Correspondents on the pur-

pose of his visit to the villa.

He was accompanied by some lawmakers representing Bauchi State in the senate.

Dogara had also told reporters during his last visit that he was not aware of anything called budget padding and would not resign amidst allegations of budget padding against him and other principal officers of the House.

Riot: Court remands 50 FUNAAB students in prison

l'Black Maria-bound' student faints Kunle Olayeni,

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ABEOKUTA

he police in Ogun State yesterday charged to court 50 students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in connection with Thursday’s riot which resulted in wanton destruction of property.

The students, who were arraigned before a Magistrate's Court I sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, were slammed with six counts, ranging from arson, taking part in unlawful assembly, riot and malicious damage of properties, including a Toyota Camry saloon car belonging to an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Ariyo Adejuwon.

They were also alleged to have “wilfully and unlawfully set fire to Osiele Police Station, property of the Nigeria Police Force and wilfully and unlawfully destroyed or damaged louvres property of Divine Heights Bible Church, Kotopo, Abeokuta.”

After pleading not guilty to the charges, the students were later remanded in prison custody pending when they would perfect their bail conditions.

Hundreds of FUNAAB students had on Thursday gone on the rampage after a robbery attack on one of their off-campus hostels in Abeokuta, disrupting vehicular movements and commercial activities for several hours.

Four vehicles were reportedly burnt while several vehicles and a church allegedly belonging to the univer-

sity's Vice Chancellor, Divine Heights Bible Church, were vandalised during the protest.

An 100-Level student of Forestry and Wildlife Department, Taiwo Abisoye, a police officer and an operative of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were also injured.

The school authorities immediately shut the varsity indefinitely and asked students to vacate the premises to allow for normalcy.

But less than 24 hours after the riot, the students arrested by the police over the incident were hauled to court.

While 43 of the accused persons were charged in a case with suit number MA/429c/2016, seven other students were charged separately in suit number MA/430c/2016.

All the students, who were brought in several police vehicles, were arraigned on the same offences.

Police prosecutors, Sunday Eigbejiale and Emmanuel Kayode, told the court that the offences were committed at Camp area of Abeokuta in the Abeokuta Magisterial District.

According to the prosecutors, the offences are punishable under sections 516 (a), 443 (a), 70, 71 and 451 of Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

All the accused persons, who were represented by nine counsel, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

While moving bail application before Magistrate Oriyomi Sofowora, one of the counsel, Bunmi Adelabu, argued that the accused persons are presumed innocent until otherwise proven by the court.

Army begins clearing of Boko Haram forests in Bauchi Nankpah Bwakan, BAUCH

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he Nigerian Army said it had commenced aggressive clearance and search of forest to flush out suspected criminal elements out of Bauchi State.

The Commandant of 33 Artillery Brigade Bauchi, Brigade, Brg.-General Abraham Dusu, said this while addressing journalists in Lame Forest.

According to him, the clearing of forest is in line with Chief of Army staff directive to get rid of all criminal elements in the surrounding forest in the state.

He said: “Following the information we received that people carrying guns have been sighted in the forest or

migrated to state from Sambisa Forest by the ongoing operations. We are going to entered all the forest in the state with adequate troops. There are reports of bandits, kidnappers and Cattle rustlers.”

Dusu said the operations would be conducted in various forest across the state including lame, Yankari, Balmore and Burra forests, which are so thick, adding that they would be thoroughly cleared by troops of the Brigade.

He appealed to the local community and vigilance groups to remain calm and report any suspected case or movement of criminal elements to the authorities.

The commandant said the operation was a continuous one that would be extended to other forests in the state.

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News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

I’m satisfied with Buhari's leadership style, says Obasanjo Sabiu Mustapha

L-R: Speaker, House of the Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara; representive of Bauchi North, Senator Suleiman Nazif and Senator Yusuf Tugga, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja… yesterday.

JALINGO

F

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

FG okays release of N400bn for capital projects Tony Chukwunyem and Abdulwahab Isa

T Abuja

he Federal Government yesterday said capital allocation released so far for this year stood at N400 billion while another N60 billion was due for release in a matter of days.

Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who disclosed this said despite the fact that the amount was to boost the nation’s economy, government’s capital spending so far had exceeded the N400 billion this year.

Adeosun said despite the budget being held up for months by wrangling between President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly, “We are going for another capital allocation meeting where we are going to allocate another N60 billion.

We are pumping money into the economy at a very rapid rate.

“So far, what we have spent on capital is over N400 billion between May when the budget was signed and now. As we leave here now, we are going to another capital allocation meeting where we are going to allocate another N60 billion. We are pumping money to the economy on a rather rapid rate,” Adeosun told journalists.

A capital allocation meeting to ratify the release of N60 billion capital tranche was billed to hold yesterday according to the minister.

However, with oil prices dropping, the government has struggled to fund the budget. It is now seeking advisers to manage a $1-billion Eurobond it intends to offer this year.

Buhari on Thursday

…another N60bn underway said the country needed to balance monetary and fiscal policies in order to return to growth.

Adeosun said apart from infrastructure investments, the government was reviewing its tax policies to improve collection and widen the net, make its import tariffs more competitive and cut costs to boost the economy.

Fielding questions on various economic issues, Adeosun accompanied by top officers of the ministry, said Nigeria generated N200 billion from independent sources this year which includes revenues from government departments that would have otherwise not been captured in the budget.

She added: “Some contractors have not been paid

since 2012, and they are owed significant amount of money. They owe them over N81 billion and we gave them N20 billion in the last release. That N20 billion is like a drop of water in ocean.

“We explained to them to understand our constraint. We said, you have been owed this money since 2013 and you didn't die, with this N20 billion you get please use it to work and as you work we begin to address the arrears. Please get people to work and in fairness to the contractors, majority of them have gotten back to work. That debt overhang we inherited really slow things back.”

The Federal Government had said it would tap partnerships with the

private sector to boost investment.

According to Adeosun, government was in discussion with General Electric to develop and operate rail services to improve transport for goods across the country.

It will be recalled that the national assembly had unanimously approved the 2016 budget estimates of N6.06 trillion in March.

However, owing to the lawmakers’ failure to highlight details of the appropriation bill, President Buhari did not asset to it until early May. In June the Federal Government announced that it had so far released N280billion from the N350billion set aside for capital projects as contained in the budget.

Man who named dog 'Buhari' to appear in court Monday Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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here appears to be more troubles for a 30-year-old trader, who named his pet (dog) 'Buhari,' as the Ogun State Police Command yesterday vowed to arraign him in court on Monday.

The embattled trader, Joe Fortemose Chinakwe, has been rearrested and is now under detention at the state police headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

The state acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, said in an interview with journalists yesterday that Chinakwe’s action was capable of fuelling ethnic crisis if not well-managed.

Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the suspect would be charged for conduct likely

to cause breach of peace.

It will be recalled that the trader was arrested last Saturday after one of his neighbours of northern extraction complained that he named his dog 'Buhari.'

The suspect was later let off the hook after spending three days in police custody at Sango-Ota. But the police spokesman said the suspect had confessed in his statement that he named his pet ‘Buhari’ and had the name written on the body of both sides of the animal.

Oyeyemi said: “The man is here with us, he is at the Criminal Investigation Department. The charge will be prepared here and he will be arraigned at Sango Magistrate Court on Monday.

“He is going to court on Monday because what he did was highly provocative. It can cause ethnic and religious crisis.

“We have to be proactive; we cannot fold our arms and allow the state to be plunged into crisis.”

Saturday Telegraph learnt that the efforts by the police to recover the pet dog proved abortive as the suspect had allegedly asked his friends to kill the dog.

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo has rated the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari high, saying the administration was on the right track though more works are needed to be done in the economic sector.

Obasanjo, who was answering questions from journalists in Jalingo, Taraba State yesterday said he was aware of what Buhari was doing and therefore, satisfied with his performance.

“I know what Buhari is capable of doing and l also know what he is not capable of doing,” he declared.

Obasanjo also denied media reports that he expressed disappointment over the performance of Buhari, stating that: “Who ever reported that I was disappointed with the administration of President Buhari is a murderer.”

He also expressed satisfaction over the commitment being shown by the present administration towards executing the Mambilla hydropower project.

The former president said the Mambilla power project was very vital to the nation quest for economic transformation, urging President Buhari to ensure its actualisation.

Obasanjo stated that he did his best to ensure the take off of the project lamenting that his successors did not accord the project serious attention.

“The Mambilla hydropower project is capable of generating 50 per cent of electricity need of the country, therefore, there is the need to do,” the former president further stated.

Meanwhile, Obasanjo has said the country has no option than to shift emphasis on agriculture as a panacea for the unreliable oil based revenue.

He stressed that with current economic realities which came as a result of fallen oil price, emphasis should be shifted to agricultural sector as the only solution to the problem.

Obasanjo maintained that all Nigerians must put hands on deck to develop agricultural economy based Nigeria.

Boko Haram attacks causing hunger in Nigeria – UN Ndubuisi Ugah

with agency reports

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he United Nations yesterday warned that Nigeria’s economic slowdown, compounded by the Boko Haram attacks, could mean 5.5 million people needing food aid in the North-East by September.

The group noted that the implication of this was that the current number could be doubled.

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, stated that as government troops advance against the militants, the somewhat better access for aid workers under military escort to Borno and Yobe states had exposed “catastrophic levels” of suffering and a “vast regional crisis.”

Inflation and soaring food prices come at a time when people have little left from the last harvest, the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) said.

WFP spokeswoman, Bettina Luescher, told journalists yesterday that: “Because of Nigeria's economic downturn, the number of hungry people could double in the northeastern states that are already so heavily afflicted by the conflict.

“Our experts are warning it could go as high as 5.5 million people by next month. The drop in oil prices and sharp rise in the cost of imported staples has compounded the years of violence that these poor people had to suffer.”

Navy hands over suspects, vessel to NIMASA for investigation Flora Onwudiwe

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he Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday handed over two suspects and a vessel, Marine Tank (MT) Redeemer to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for investigation and prosecution.

Handing over the suspects and the vessel was the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Abraham

Adaji, at Kirikiri, Lagos.

While speaking with journalists onboard the arrested vessel, he said: “The ship was arrested in Kirikiri on August 28, 2015 on suspicion of illegal activities bordering on economic sabotage and other crimes.

“At the initial stage, it was discovered that the vessel was not containing petroleum products illegally refined as was suspected.

“But in the course of the

investigation, it was discovered that the vessel do not have a valid registration for being in the Nigerian waters.

This is in contrary to the laws of Nigeria and all efforts to get to the owner to complete the registration formalities and to take possession of the vessel has proved abortive.

“The owner has been evading the Navy, instead of bringing the valid documents to be in Nigerian waters, he kept away."

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

INEC conducted 137 inconclusive polls in 10 months –Investigation

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Ndubuisi Ugah he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has so far conducted 137 elections under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as chairman since he assumed office on October 20, 2015, Saturday Telegraph has learnt.

Under the current dispensation, it was gathered that 70 of the elections were end of tenure polls, while 56 were court ordered reruns with 11

l56 court ordered reruns, 11 bye-elections lWe want to be fair to all –Zakari bye-elections.

It was also gathered that under the current spate of inconclusive elections, about 13 have been recorded since November 2015, a development which the commission claims may not be unconnected with the build-up to the conduct of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States later this year.

Similarly, a source close to the commission confided

Anxiety as NDLEA probes officials C O N T ' D F R O M PA G E 3

It was gathered that the culprits were able to escape detection at Ilorin because the airport lacks appropriate equipment for the needed screening.

A source at the airport told reporters that, “We have been screening intending pilgrims for years manually despite repeated request for the installation of scanning gadgets that can detect what each pilgrim is carrying both physically and ingested.”

It was also gathered that in the wake of the arrests at Saudi Arabia, NDLEA officials at Ilorin Airport became more thorough in their manual screening and in the process even foodstuffs such as garri, yam flour, and rice were seized from intending pilgrims.

Meanwhile, officials of the state government who spoke with our reporter on the issue yesterday argued that it would be presumptuous to assume that the culprits were indigenes of the state, given emerging facts about the case.

One of them, who asked not to be named, said the thinking in government circles is that the culprits might be indigenes of Lagos State who used the fact that the state had a large population of indigenes in Lagos and came to exploit the lax screening at the Ilorin International Airport to ply their trade.

He said: “We can’t really say specifically if they are Kwarans.

We can’t also say they are indi-

genes of Lagos who used our population in Lagos to advantage because that will be putting us against Lagos because we also know that there are Kwarans living in Lagos.

“All that is very clear so far is that they came from Lagos and the suspicion is that they came to Ilorin because they know that NDLEA here uses manual screening. So, there is actually nothing any of us can say until we have truly identified their genuine state of origin.”

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of NAHCON, Mousa Ubandawaki, described the incident as unfortunate saying it came despite series of warnings by officials and stakeholders to intending pilgrims.

He said: “This unfortunate incident is coming despite warnings and exhortation through enlightenment programmes carried out by the commission, the states pilgrims’ board and various leaders before departure.

“The commission hereby reiterates that the penalty from trafficking in hard drugs and narcotics into Saudi Arabia is death. Carriage of control drugs such as Tramadol and Nipemethine attract prison sentences whole carriage of kolanuts, ‘goro’ attract heavy fines.

“Investigations into the matter continue, the commission, state pilgrims board and other federal agencies shall continue to play their roles in ensuring such unfortunate incidence does not re-occur.”

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AMAEBI

ADEBAYO

I formerly known and addressed as OLESUWODO DEJI ALFA SODIQ now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBAYO ADEDEJI. All former documents remain valid. The General public should please take note.

SIMON

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWACHUKWU CHINONSO PRISCILLA,now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHINONSO LUCKY SIMON. All documents bearing my former name remain valid.

The general public please take note.

SUNDAY

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AUSTIN

I formerly known and addressed as ASEMOTA OSAS MATTHEW now wish to be known and addressed as ASEMOTA OSAS AUSTIN. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

ADEBAYO

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in Saturday Telegraph that the high figure notwithstanding, “the numbers and percentage of inconclusive elections seem relatively not too high, but they are by no means desirable for any election management body to contend with.”

It will be recalled that Yakubu, who was appointed

by President Muhammadu Buhari, is a professor of political history and international studies, while also serving as the executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. He is an expert in guerrilla warfare, terrorism and counter-terrorism.

Speaking against the background of the frequent inconclusive elections across the country, INEC’s National Commissioner, Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari, said the option remained the only viable alternative as it will ensure commission is fair to all.

Zakari who spoke in Abuja at a roundtable on “Trends of Inconclusive elections and

challenges of strengthening the electoral process in Nigeria,” said it was unfortunate that politicians have adopted new “electoral strategies” to intimidate fellow politicians, thereby enthroning violence and despair in the polity.

She said the commission was left with no other choice than to declare elections inconclusive rather than just announce results at any cost and allow the parties slug it out in the court, which use to be the norm before now.

“From the INEC perspective, I would say inconclusive elections are as a result of a strengthened electoral process which is robust and has progressed steadily,” she said.

At the forum organsied by The Electoral Institute in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), the INEC commissioner and chairman of the occasion said: “Politicians and their followers are changing tactics as it is becoming obvious

that elections are not business as usual.

“So they embark on direct intimidation of voters and INEC staff not to use the Card Reader to force over voting, violence through use of weapons including guns to scare away voters in an attempt to influence outcome of elections among others.

“Faced with these circumstances and armed with the legal provision, INEC in an attempt to be fair to all and to move away from an established syndrome of “announcing results at any cost and leave it to the courts”, usually invokes the relevant sections to declare elections inconclusive pending determination of the winner through a rerun.”

On how to address inconclusive elections, Zakari said attention should not be directed to the electoral body alone but “we must find avenues of dealing with the issues from all perspectives, we must arrive at

7

a solution that includes and involves the key players, that is, politicians, National Assembly, executive, security agencies, the youth, communities through advocacy and voter outreach programmes.”

Zakari further revealed that the commission would not rule out exploring possible solutions to minimise or reduce inconclusive elections, noting: “We need to embark on research, discussions, dialogue and other means to find lasting solutions to this challenge. It has become a necessity.”

In his presentation titled, “Politics as war, elections as combat: interrogating the fundamentals of inconclusive elections in Nigeria”, Prof. Willaim Fawole, one of the lead speakers, said: “In Nigeria, electoral contests have taken on the nature and character of warfare.

This is because capturing the political power of the state is the ultimate objective being fought for.

“It is in this context that electoral contests are regarded as mortal combat activities for which the opposing gladiators are willing to fight, kill or be kille," he said.

L-R: Ebonyi State Comptroller of Prisons, Mrs. Emilia Oputa; Governor Dave Umahi and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ben Odoh, during the governor's visit to Federal Prisons, Abakaliki, over the attempted jail break…yesterday

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wo children were feared dead in a building collapse, sequel to torrential rain in Kirikasamma Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the incident occurred on Thursday at Karigidi village in the local council of the state.

An eye witness, Muhammad Umar, said the deceased were

PHOTO: EBONYI STATE GOVERNMENT

Two feared dead in building collapse in Jigawa sleeping together with other members of their family when the room collapsed due to the intensity of the rain.

Umar said corpses of the children were recovered under the rubbles, while their father, mother and one other child escaped unhurt.

He added that the rain accompanied by windstorm

‘FG needs to cushion effect of economic hardship’ Yekeen Nurudeen,

I

ABUJA

mmediate past Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, Dr. Samson Parker, has called on all tiers of government in the nation to rise to the challenge of growing poverty and hunger in the country by ensuring people have access to food and water.

Parker told participants at his induction as member of African Institute of Public Health Professionals in Abuja that hunger crisis had got to its peak, that what government should urgently be working on is ensuring that people in the country have access to food and water.

He also opined that pro-

ceeds from anti-corruption war which the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration prides itself on have in no way benefitted the citizenry and that government should re-strategise and provide palliatives that would alleviate sufferings in the country.

Speaking on Ebola which he helped to eliminate as a commissioner in the state, Parker said government should engage experts as it did during the Ebola days to help proffer ways to boost the nation’s economy and consequently improve living conditions of people in the nation.

According to him, if urgent measures are not taken to redress the situation, the nation may cease to exist as a result of hunger.

destroyed houses and farmlands in the area.

Also commenting, the council’s Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Kani, who sympathised with the bereaved family, described the death as a ‘great loss’.

Kani donated N10, 000 and roofing sheets to the family to alleviate their sufferings.

He also called on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assist the victims to enable them to rehabilitate houses damaged by the storm in the area.

NAN further reports that dozens of people including the council chairman attended the funeral prayer for the deceased children.

IBB: How govts can succeed Dan Atori,

F MINNA

ormer Military President Ibrahim Babangida has stated that for any government to succeed there must be a synergy between the executive and the legislature.

Babangida while calling on lawmakers to do all that is within their constitutional powers to ensure that the dividends of democracy do not elude Nigerians, said checks and balances was one of the rudiments of democracy that would guarantee service delivery across both urban and rural areas.

The former military president gave the advice when he granted audience to members of

the state House of Assembly led by its Speaker, Ahmed Marafa, during a visit to felicitate with him on his 75th birthday on Wednesday.

Babangida said: “With strict compliance to democratic principles of checks and balance by the relevant arms of government; the executive, legislative and the judiciary, I am convinced that the people will have no cause to fear.”

While advising Marafa on how to succeed, he said: “It is one of the rudiments of democracy that will guarantee service delivery across both urban and rural parts of the state, and I urge you to make laws that will give Governor Sanni Bello the necessary push to fulfill campaign promises."

News Polio: WHO immunises 1,685 children in Adamawa

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Ibrahim Abdul YOLA

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damawa State Government yesterday confirmed that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has immunised a total of 1,685 children against polio in motor parks and markets in all local government areas bordering Borno State.

The state government said this followed the discovery of two wild polio cases in neighbouring Borno State which led to the fencing of the state and Borno State borders.

The Information Officer in the Yola office, Mr. Abubakar Muhammad, said the exercise started from August 10 to 15.

“The WHO has immunised about 1,685 children in motor parks, markets in all local government areas bordering Borno State and other busy markets in Adamawa as

part of effort to fence the border and tame the disease from spreading over,” Muhammad said.

Meanwhile, the state government has summoned an emergency meeting on how to avert fresh outbreak.

Muhammad told journalists in Yola, that the purpose of the meeting was to strategise and perfect emergency containment plans against polio and other children killer diseases.

Muhammad said during the meeting vital strategic plans were discussed, which include five successful rounds of immunisation exercises to be conducted from August 27 to November 22.

“The state Task Force on Immunization summons an emergency meeting following a report of polio resurgence in neighbouring Borno State. The meeting was to strategize and perfect emergency containment plans,” Muhammad said.

Navy arrests one, destroys six barges with 70,000 litres of stolen diesel

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he Nigerian Navy yesterday impounded and destroyed six large wooden barges laden with estimated 70,000 litres of diesel suspected to have been stolen from pipelines in Rivers State.

The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Commodore Kennedy Egbuchulam, stated this when he paraded one suspect before journalists at the destruction site in Isaka, Okirika Local Government Area of the state.

Egbuchulam, who spoke through NNS Pathfinder’s Base Operation’s Officer, Cammander Raphael Ekuma, said the barges were seized during a routine patrol of waterways and creeks in Isaka general area.

“In-line with strategic directives from naval authorities, troops of NNS Pathfinder on routine patrol, impounded

six large wooden boats carrying suspected illegally refined diesel of about 70,000 litres.

“The barges were abandoned apparently because the hoodlums on sighting advancing naval gunboats fled the area to avoid arrest.

“However, one person was arrested and would provide useful information about operators of the barges and locations of illegal refineries in the area. The six barges were immediately set ablaze while investigation is currently ongoing,” he said.

Egbuchulam said the formation destroyed five active illegal refineries in the area between July and August.

He said the formation had noticed that whenever it burned down illegal refineries equipped with metallic tanks, the day after troops leave the scene; the operators would return and revive the refineries.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

L-R: Jimmy Amu (aka Dj Jimmy Jatt); Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia (aka 2Baba) and Nigerian Flurist, Dr. Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli, during a courtesy visit by officials of the African Union, International Committee of AFRIMA Executives and its 2014 and 2015 Award Winners, at the Lagos House, Ikeja…recently. PHOTO: STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Lalong constitutes panel to probe Jang Musa Pam, JOS

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lateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, has established and constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the financial spending of former Governor Jonah Jang.

But in a swift reaction, Jang described the development as a good step for the interest of peace and stability in the state.

Lalong in a statement signed yesterday by his Director of Press and Public affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Nanle, in Jos said the commission of inquiry would be headed by a Justice of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Stephen Adah.

While other members of the

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he Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has called on the Federal Government to totally remove all discriminatory policies against holders of Higher National Diploma (HND).

The National Secretary of ASUP, Mr. Anderson Ezeibe, made the call in an interview with journalists yesterday in Owerri.

Ezeibe said although the Federal Government had recently announced the removal of entry dichotomy between HND and First Degree holders as well as the entry qualifications for polytechnic and university admission, discriminations still abound.

"We appreciate the recent removal of entry dichotomy between holders of HND and university degree in employment

as well as for the entry qualifications for both categories.

"But we are still calling on Federal Government to look again at other forms of discriminations like the requirement that HND holders seeking to do his Master's degree programme must first obtain Post Graduate Diploma.

"The bias which also places HND holders as middle class manpower is wrong because HND holders are not middle class manpower. Middle class manpower is for those with Ordinary National Diploma, this is what exists in other countries,’’ he said.

Ezeibe who lectures at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede also called on the National Assembly to amend the act establishing polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria.

He said that amendment of the Act which was last done in 1993 would address most issues threatening smooth administration and academic standard of polytechnics and colleges of education.

judicial inquiry include Prof.

(Mrs.) Bibiana Bawa, Mr. Aliyu Sangei Prof. Ekoja B. Ekoja, Mr. Samuel Onu Agamah and Alhaji Sani Yahaya Mavo as secretary of the team.

The commission’s terms of reference is to ascertain all financial transactions, done or entered into by the state government or through any of its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), or official acting in its name from May 29, 2007 to May 29, 2015.

According to the statement, the commission is to also ascertain and establish all financial allocations, funds, grants or monetary interventions and revenues which accrued to or in the name of the state government, MDAs, officials or agents from the Federal Gov-

IKEJA Tax evasion: LIRS begins sealing of firms NEWS IN BRIE F

ST

Stop discriminations against HND holders, ASUP tells FG

Steve Uzoechi, OWERRI

lEx-gov: It's a good omen for lasting peace

Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) yesterday appealed to operators of firms to perform their civic responsibility by paying taxes to avoid their firms being sealed.

Executive Chairman of the service, Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the agency’s tax law teams had begun the sealing of defaulting firms.

Ogunsanwo said the service suspended the exercise sometime ago to enable corporate organisations comply willingly but that some were yet to comply in spite of several notices.

“The service has resumed the sealing of corporate firms and it is committed to continue the exercise until full compliance to tax payment and remittance is achieved."

ernment or any international institutions or donor agencies from May 29, 2007 to May 29, 2015 among other issues.

Meanwhile, Jang in statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr. Clinton Garuba, said he had grown weary of the inconsequential ranting, outbursts, threats, and sensational media trial of his time as governor of the state.

The statement said the former governor, who is representing Plateau North Senatorial District in the national assembly, had reiterated his stand on the issue, as it relates to his stewardship in the state that without equivocation he has nothing to hide.

“To all thoughts and intents, Jang is ever ready to give an account of his time as governor

of Plateau State even though his good works, legacies, and good intention would surely outlive him, as long as the process is without bias and predetermined outcomes. We are studying the composition and terms of reference of the Judicial Commission as constituted by the Governor, so we can take an informed decision which shall be our position on the matter.

“Ordinarily, Lalong, who may never be able to measure up to the developmental strides, records, and achievements of Senator Jonah Jang, lacks the credibility to be taken seriously judging by his abysmal show of inertia to the forces of progress and development.”

BENIN CITY KATSINA Obaseki not sincere over missing Child mortality: UNICEF urges certificates -Edo PDP support from two govts Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih, yesterday described as a ‘big lie’ the claims in an affidavit by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, that he spent only three years from 1973 to 1976 to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Classics from the University of Ibadan.

Orbih said the information contained in the affidavit which Obaseki swore to at the Federal High Court, Abuja on June 7, amounted to lying under oath because Obaseki did not say he did the Advanced Levels before he gained admission to the university.

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has advised Kano and Katsina State Governments to intensify collaboration with UNICEF to reduce the high rate of child mortality in the two states.

The UNICEF Chief Field Officer in charge of the two states, Madam Padmavathi Yelda, gave the advice yesterday during an interface with journalists.

She said: “It is disheartening to note that children under five years are dying daily to diseases that are preventable.

“It is our duty to join hands with governments and other stakeholders to improve the quality of life of children and protect them from all forms of abuse.”

Budget padding: I’m ready for probe, says Gbajabiamila Philip Nyam, ABUJA

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arely 24 hours after the body of principal officers in the House of Representatives stated its resolve to defend all allegations of budget padding against it by former chairman of appropriation committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin, the majority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, has declared that he will present himself for investigation by the security agencies.

He has consequently, submitted himself to the police for investigation, even without prior invitation by the police.

It will be recall that Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, had about a fortnight stated that members of the legislature cannot be prosecuted for carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

But in a statement yesterday, the House leader explained that circumstances under which he signed the release by the body of principal officers.

He said: “I returned from the United States just yesterday after a three week break.

I called the Speaker a day before my return to urgently fix a Principal Officers meeting so we could address the several allegations made by Jibrin.

“At the meeting Speaker Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Lasun, Chief Whip, Ado Dogwa

and Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, passionately and vigorously clearly stated their innocence. A prepared text was read and we all agreed to sign.

“For me as the Leader of the House I felt it was important to give them the benefit of doubt which in any case is what our constitution says.

The decision to relieve Hon Jibrin was indeed a collective decision of which I was a part of.”

He explained that: “I gave a caveat before the press release was signed, I made it clear to my colleagues in the leadership that because somehow my name had been sullied in all of this and fake documents and publications had been put out there in traditional and so-

cial media which stated I was also involved in the so called padding of the budget, that I would need to clear my name and that even though no petition was filed against me by Jibrin and no invitation was extended to me by the police.”

Gbajabiamila, in maintaining his innocence declared that: “I would be submitting myself on my own volition to the police for investigation.

This is important to me as insinuations have been made from many quarters that I along with others were sponsoring Jibrin.

“I have just this afternoon met with the police authorities for a proper and thorough investigation of my role if any in this whole bizzare episode.”

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

9

CAN leadership crisis: Northern Christian NIOMCO deal will revive group moves against Ayokunle Ajaokuta, Delta steel firms –Stakeholders

Musa Pam, JOS

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group under the aegis of Concern Christians of Nigeria and Northern Nigerian Christians (CCNNNC) yesterday said it would not accept or recognise Rev. Supo Ayokunle as the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Addressing a joint press conference in Jos, Plateau State yesterday, Rev. Luka Shehu and Mr. Peter Doka, who spoke on behalf of the groups, said: “What happened on July 20, this year at the Christian Centre where the former president of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, handed over to Ayokunle was contrary to the constitution of the body.

They described the move as the “greatest travesty of justice,

lies, manipulation and imposition by men in white collar and cassocks.”

The duo said: “In the spirit of freedom of choice and liberty to choose, we hereby state emphatically that those who wished to continue membership of CAN in the North are free to do so however, considering our common shared values and peculiarities as Christians from the North and in the absence of any understanding or compassion from CAN and after wide consultations among Christian leaders, traditional rulers, youths and women, we under this auspices from the North have unanimously decided to revert to the pre independence Northern Nigeria Christian Association.”

The group, therefore, stated that: “We reject every process of the June 14 election of the president of CAN as it was a process where CAN constitution and Christian leaders were correctly

manipulated with impunity.

“In Oritsejafor’s desperation to hand over to his cronies, puppets and allies, they hurriedly ratified the stage managed elections of June 14 and the former CAN president with mockery to due process and integrity handed over to his choice.

“When other eligible contestants were unconstitutionally denied participation in the contest, the total votes at the election for the two anointed contestants were less than 90 delegates in an assembly requiring over 300 delegates.

Also at the general assembly of July 20, the catholic bloc CSN, ECWA and other state chairmen refused to participate due to matters bothering on irregularities, manipulations, corruption and lack of accountability.

“We need not remind those leaders who betrayed their people at the moment of needs that they can no longer

be trusted nor be given any Christian leadership position outside their churches in the North. Some outgoing executive members of CAN need to account for the five 2015 model Prado land cruiser jeeps given to CAN,” they said.

The group argued that it had also started a movement that would redeem the name of Christians in the North and in Nigeria in general through the promotion of equity and social justice in order to fight corruption and promote evangelism.

“Also we have commenced plans for networking and visits to all flashpoint victims of terrorism and refugees’ centres, this is aimed at being proactive in safeguarding Christians in the North and rendering aids, counselling and comfort to our brothers and sisters in the North.’’

Doka, however, called for the probe of CAN by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

L-R: Brand Building Director Foods, Unilever, Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe; winner of Knorr Taste Quest Season 4, Nahvi Ifode; Brand Manager Knorr, Unilever, Jennifer Okpoyo and Category Manager Savoury, Unilever, Nnenna Osi- Anugwa, at the grand finale of Knorr Taste Quest Season IV…recently

M

Ndubuisi Ugah

embers of the Association of Artisans and Small Scale Steel Fabricators of Nigeria (AASSSFN) have commended the new agreement entered into by the Federal Government and Global Steel Holdings Limited (GSHL), on the development of the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, Kogi State.

The stakeholders argued that the agreement would lead to the resuscitation and operation of Ajaokuta, Delta and other smaller steel companies in the country.

Addressing journalists after its meeting in Abuja yesterday, the National President of the association, Mr. Gilbert Udenkwo, expressed regret that the termination of the concession by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Ádua’s administration which was granted Global Steel by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration was a setback for the sector.

He explained that the termination was responsible for the huge financial loss incurred by the country in its quest to become one of the leading steel making nations in the world.

“All the steel companies in Nigeria were completely down for many years before Obasanjo decided to give them

Tributes as Ikpeazu, others receive Maduekwe’ s remains the level of disagreement with Igbeaku Orji,

I

UMUAHIA

Ugwuanyi appeals to traders over sewage spillover Charles Onyekwere, ENUGU

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nugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has appealed to traders at Ogbete main market to be calm over the unfortunate incident of the overflow of sewage from Federal Prisons, Enugu to the market, which poses health hazard to the traders and the public in general.

Ugwuanyi, who made the appeal when he visited the sites at Enugu Prisons and the market to assess the level of damage caused by the incident, promised to intervene to provide a lasting solution to the spillover menace.

He frowned at the development and sympathised with the traders and the public, informing them that what affects the people of the state also affects him.

Ugwuanyi wondered why the incident was not brought to his notice for timely intervention, stressing that the visit was necessitated by the need for him to personally assess the situation and feel the pains the traders were experiencing. He assured them that he would collaborate with the federal prisons authorities in proffering permanent solution to the problem.

The governor, who also

out to Global Steel to operate.

Ajaokuta was prostrate and without any meaningful activities from June 1993, same with Delta Steel and NIOMCO. After Obasanjo visited Ajaokuta and saw how terrible the situation was, he decided that the steel companies are better managed by private investors.

“He first gave Ajaokuta to Solgas Energies Limited but the company could not even rehabilitate the site before Global was brought in to salvage the situation.

“But when the government of YarÁdua took over in 2007, people who were sponsored by enemies of Nigeria began to write petitions, making unsubstantiated allegations that Global Steel was slow, that they were taking consumables to Delta and all that, which misled President Yar’Adua into terminating the concessions on Ajaokuta and others,” he said.

Speaking further, Udenkwo said Nigerian artisans and small scale dealers in steel and allied products were in effective in the business while Global Steel operated the Ajaokuta and Delta steel companies.

He lamented that since Global Steel was chased out of the companies, their members have equally being dormant as nothing meaningful had been happening on the sites of the steel plants while Federal Government “bore the burden of payment of salaries.”

walked through the market to appeal to the traders, said: “May I sincerely apologise for this ugly incident. What affects you, also affects me as your governor. The greatest objective of the government is to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

“I have come and I have seen what you people are passing through. You are the true heroes of democracy. Actions will start immediately to address this issue.”

Earlier, the Controller of Prisons in the state, Mr. Ifeanyi Amariri, had thanked the governor for the prompt visit, saying that the incident was as a result of over population of inmates in the prisons.

He expressed regret over the inconveniences caused by the incident, noting that the issue requires a holistic approach to tackle.

In his reaction, the traders through the chairman of Ogbete Market Association, Tempo Udeh, thanked the governor for showing concern and promised to co-operate with the appropriate authorities to address the problem.

Similarly, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sam Ngwu, described the incident as a disaster, which could cause the disease epidemic.

Nigerian wins American education award

Onyekachi Eze,

A ABUJA

Nigerian, Professor David Iornem, has won this year’s edition of the United States Presidential Council Award.

He was also granted a licence by the government of Benin Republic to operate a private university in that country.

The award, which is also known as Lifetime Achievement Award was instituted by former US President, George W. Bush, in 2003 to recognise extraordinary voluntary ser-

vices in sports, industry, food and nutrition, economic development, education, medicine, tourism and youth development.

Iornem's award is in the education category. It was presented to him in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by Professor George Reiff on behalf of President Barack Obama.

Iornem, who presented the award in Abuja to his friends and associates, described the honour done him by the US government as work of God, and said he was dedicating it to his friends who have been supportive of his voluntary service.

t was rain of tributes yesterday as the remains of the late former Minister of Transport and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Canada, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, arrived Umuahia, Abia State, en route Asaga Ohafia, his final resting place.

Valedictory session was held for the consummate politician at the state High Court complex and the Michael Okpara Auditorium.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu led scores of Nigerians to pay tribute to the former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who died at the age of 71.

According to him, today is a day set aside by the state to look at the life and times of the late Ojo. He was a man of ideas in politics, at all times no matter

LEKKI

Olusesi family warns land speculators NEWS IN BRIE F

ST

Members of the Olusesi Royal Family have returned to Olugborogan village at Lekki in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State after 10 years in exile.

The family also warned land speculators to stop encroaching on their land.

The family’s return was on the heels of a landmark judgement delivered by Justice Alagba of the Lagos High Court in suit No: ID/178/2007 on April 27, confirming the family as the rightful owner of the said land.

“In all, I am satisfied that the claimants have satisfactorily proved that they through their ancestor, Adogun/Oluge down to their grandfather, Sule Olusesi,

were in long and undisturbed exclusive possession and control of Olugborogan land as claimed,” Alagba had ruled.

But the family said in a statement that those who lawfully purchased land from the family should immediately take possession of their land to avoid unlawful trespass from external invaders and land grabbers.

“As a family eager to ensure that our community is developed, we are appealing to all those that purchased land lawfully from us to immediately take possession of their land to avoid losing it to land speculators and other external forces,” the statement added.

him there was no bitterness in his mind.

“The last time I saw him he never looked like a man who today is confined inside a box.

He is a warrior a man who will stick to the truth even if heaven want to fall. He was a political colossus, public administrator par excellence and uncommon patriot who gave his best to the fatherland,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman Board of Trustee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Walid Jibril, who spoke on behalf of members of the trustee said the late Maduekwe following the exit of Obasanjo from power, served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada during the Umar Yar‘adua presidency.

“He was an unwavering associate of former President Obasanjo in the period between 1999 and 2007 and was pivotal to the development of some of the most cardinal political and policy programmes of that administration,"he said.

LOKOJA ‘We’ll work with SON, NAFDAC for safe product’

The Association of Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP) Kogi State chapter, has vowed to partner with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to crack down on its members producing substandard products.

Chairman of the association, Mr. Salami Mohammed, who said this in Lokoja, yesterday said he would equally key into the various loan facilities and empowerment programmes of the present administration to boost their productivity.

“We are going to work hand in hand with the SON and NAFDAC to fish out some of the producers who are not complying with their specifications. Water is life and we cannot afford to push products that will endanger th e lives of people.

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Voices What could make you call off your wedding one week to the ceremony? p.12

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Juliana Francis esidents of Sapata village, Lekki, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, were shocked to see 25 mobile policemen, armed with AK47 rifles, storming into the community on June 27, to aid in the demolition of the shanties.

The mobile policemen were led by two civilians, simply identified as Gbenga and Tokunbo. The policemen and civilians were accompanied by bulldozers.

When it dawned on the residents that their homes were about to be destroyed right before their eyes, they rushed, attempting to salvage some valuables from their shanty homes, but the policemen allegedly ordered them, “not to take a pin” out.

Faced with the bulldozers and armed policemen, the residents couldn’t do anything, other than watch as their homes were levelled to the ground. Tears streamed down the cheeks of many of them.

Madam Florence Oriyomi Oja-Okomo, 97, who happened to be one of the oldest people in the community, said her forefathers got to the swampy Sapata village some 200 years ago. They settled there and took to fishing and farming to survive. She said she was stunned that after almost 200 years of residing there, someone could brazenly appear from nowhere, to lay claim to the community.

According to her, mobile policemen and two civilians were behind her being homeless as well as of over 250 families.

She wondered why policemen always treat issues of court, law and order with disdain.

Florence said that strangers had been struggling over the possession of the land with the Oja-Okomo’s family. The fight was so fierce, that they had to resort to court. She said that the matter was currently at Appeal Court. She said she didn’t expect anyone, let alone policemen, to take laws into their hands over an issue that was still pending in court.

The displacement of the residents come to light, just as Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday, signed into law, the recently passed bill, which prescribed 10 years jail term for anyone convicted of land grabbing.

Policemen had also been warned by their bosses, never to dabble into land matters, especially those pending in courts.

Florence urged Ambode and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to probe their cruel eviction.

According to her, those carrying out the demolition are unknown to her and community members. She said the bulldozers had visited the community three times, leaving sorrow and tears.

She added: “About 250 families had been displaced by some powerful and wealthy people who came into our community with bulldozers. They demolished our makeshift homes.”

She said that the place was not accessible to vehicles 200 years ago, but with development different people started struggling with them to take over possession of the community.

Florence said that the only family she knew struggling with them over possession of the land was one Ojomu family.

The Oja-Okomo and Ojomu families had already taken the matter to court, where the Ojomu got favourable verdict, but Oja-Okomo’s family had gone to Appeal Court over the matter. The Appeal Court was yet to give its verdict when the policemen descended on the community.

The Oja-Okomos said they were fur-

City & crime update

SATURDAY, 20 AUGUST 2016

97-year-old woman laments demolition of 200-year-old shanties •Policemen, land grabbers render 250 families homeless

The Sapata shanties

ther shocked to discover that those demolishing their homes didn’t even come from Ojomu’s family.

Florence said that Gbenga and Tokunbo, who led the bulldozers and policemen, claimed to have come from one Oniru family. Florence said they had never heard of the Oniru family before. The Oniru family claimed to be the authentic owners of the land.

Florence said: “I was shocked when a group of policemen, led by one Gbenga and Tokunbo, all said to be members of one Oniru family, came with bulldozers to demolish our homes. We were told that the Oniru family has bought the land, even as we are in Appeal Court with the Ojomu family and Lagos State Government. It is possible for a family to flagrantly encroach on a land that is in the court? Who sold the land to them?”

While bemoaning the action of the policemen, Florence said that not only were many members of the family displaced, but their property and valuables were destroyed. She said that most of them were now wandering around, sleeping wherever night meets them.

She further said: “Gbenga boasted that the policemen were ordered to silence anyone who resisted the demolition.”

A family member, Mr. Felix Oja-Okomo, a retired police officer, said that his late father was born in Sapata village. He said that when his grandfather got to that land, it was a thick forest, adding that development has now turned it into a hot cake for many land grabbers.

Felix said: “The people demolishing our homes have not specifically told us who they are working for.

This shows that those claiming to have bought this place are not honest! They are just land grabbers, assisted by a few powerful men in La-

gos. Men, who believe that they can suppress the truth and take over other people’s property.”

Another family member, Miss. Ibidun Oja-Okomo, a granddaughter of Pa OjaOkomo, said she was away in Delta State when the bulldozers came and levelled their only homes to the ground.

She wondered why a case, which was still in court, could be so violated.

An in-law to the Oja-Okomo, Mrs. Ibidun, said she got married to one of the family members 15 years ago and has lived well with them.

She asked: “Where do they expect us to go after our homes have been destroyed?

We were not even given quit notice!”

Two clergy men, Abiodun Akinbami and Ayode Emmanuel, whose churches were destroyed and their church instruments damaged, said the instruments were worth thousands of naira.

They appealed to Governor Ambode and Idris to save them by checking the impunity of the policemen.

Appealing to Idris, Olomo Olomoshadare of the Light of God

Some of the residence

Church, said: “The policemen warned us not take a pin out of our houses. My attempt to take some valuables was resisted by some of the policemen. They damaged my church instruments. I want the IGP, as a matter of urgency, to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.”

A widow, Mrs Juliana Omosuyi, who also lost her home in the demolition, said that life had become meaningless to her. She said those that destroyed her home had no fear of God. She said: “We beg Governor Ambode and IGP to ensure that justice is done.”

Mr. Kunle Omoeni, another pastor, said they had earlier written a petition to the IGP over the activities of land grabbers, who had been threatening their lives and property. He said the IGP directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), in charge of the IGP’s Monitoring Unit, Kam Salem, Obalende, Lagos, Mr. Johnson Ademola, to stop anyone from attempting to demolish the shanties.

Omoeni said: “Following IGP’s instruction, Ademola warned the parties to stay away from the land until final determination of the case in court. So, we were shocked to see bulldozers and armed policemen.”

However, in petition written to the IGP,

by Oja-Okomo’s lawyer, dated May 11, it was apparent that the Oja-Okomos had to start battling to retain their homes and save the community after a member of their family, identified as Banjo, claiming to be legal practitioner, allegedly tampered with the family record at Lands Department of the Lagos State Ministry of Lands, to the extent, that no member of the Oja-Okomo’s family could have access to the land documents without Banjo’s permission.

It was further alleged that Banjo fraudulently sold the land, leading to the current crisis and homelessness of many residents.

When the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Don Awunah, was asked why policemen invaded a property over which a case was pending in court, to carry out demolition, he said the correspondent should meet him in person for full details on the matter.

City&crime update

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

11

Millions risk Yellow Fever scourge

S

Appolonia Adeyemi cientists under the auspices of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) have raised the alarm over a large number of Nigerian population that is at risk of contacting Yellow Fever disease, saying the country would need over 101 million doses of vaccines to tackle the problem.

President of NAS, Oyewale Tomori, who said this in Lagos on Thursday, also confirmed that the global shortage of the Yellow Fever vaccines had made it compelling for the Federal Government to do something urgently about protecting the vulnerable population the bulk of which include children and

pregnant mothers.

“A total of 101,298,992 million Nigerians are currently estimated to be at risk of Yellow Fever,” he said.

The NAS alert is coming on the heels of two outbreaks of the wild polio virus in Borno State, two years after the last report of polio outbreak in the country.

‘Yellow Fever’ is caused by a flavivirus. It is transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes; and is usually, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which had become infected by biting an infected human or animal (a monkey). Yellow fever virus is found in tropical and subtropical areas in South America and Africa.

According to Tomori, the figure of the vulnerable group was got

from previous studies conducted in communities that experienced outbreaks in the past.

“There were over 377 local government areas in Nigeria that are presently at risk of Yellow Fever in the country,” he said.

Although ad hoc vaccinations took place during previous outbreak of Yellow Fever in the country, Tomori said: “There has not been a mass immunisation to prevent further outbreaks in the vulnerable population.”

He said the Yellow Fever outbreaks was currently rocking Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo with an estimated 953 cases reported in those two countries.

Yellow Fever vaccines that are

L-R: Abubakar Dahiru Muhammed, Bello Anoze Musa, Folorunso Agbeja Head, Information Technology Unit, Jane Oliseowe, Olatunji Jamiu (CWG Trainer), John Chinwendu Chukwu, Adelaja Cornelius, who are personnel from the Supreme Court, during a training on CISCO UCS at the CWG Academy... recently

CMD to FETHI doctors: Don't feed public with falsehood Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

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he new Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD), Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI), Dr. Raymond Okere, has challenged the hospital's members of Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria (MDCAN) to disclose the truth on all issues rather than lie to curry needless public sympathy.

Okere, who spoke with journalists in his office at the weekend, said what the doctors were seeking was 'skipping' allowance which he said was a nationwide agitation by medical doctors across federal hospital establishments.

While insisting the hospital had not slashed salary as alleged

by MDCAN members, Okere said all doctors in the hospital had been taking their due salary since January of the current year.

Okere spoke in reaction to the allegation by members of the Association, led by Dr. Timothy Olajide, that FETHI authorities since May last year during the last administration had slashed their salaries by 30 per cent.

MDCAN members consequently gave the hospital a 14day ultimatum after which it said embarking on strike would be the

next move.

He said: “No one has slashed the salary of any staff of this hospital and whatever any medical staff of this hospital has been earning since January this year is still what he or she still earns. The doctors are not calling the cause of their agitation the proper name with which the general public identifies it. It is actually called 'skipping'.

“This is creating a wrong impression that their (the doctors') salaries have been cut. Skipping is a situation whereby I'm promoting some members of staff and allowing them to skip a level, say from grade level 9 to 11.

“It is not a local problem, it cuts across all the MDAs in the federation. Two weeks ago, we were with the honourable Speaker of

the House over the matter and the government is trying to work out a template for the full salary as the NMA has called it.

Government is saying that it is not good for someone to skip two three levels and move up like that because where would those on the other levels go? Government doesn't want them to skip all the levels again but only just one level.

“I spoke to some CMDs in other hospitals and it was the same problem there, but where ours is worse is because over 70 percent of the consultants in this hospital derive their salaries directly from the accounts of this hospital as full time consultants unlike in some other teaching hospitals where majority of the consultants are primaruily members of staff of the Universities from where they get their full salaries and from where they were being seconded to the teaching hospitals,” Okere said.

available all over the world are being mopped up and deployed to the affected areas so as to prevent further outbreaks in those regions.

Besides, the global community is already experiencing the spread of Yello fever to China, Kenya, among others.

Tomore reasoned that vaccinating the balance of the Nigerian population is our business.

He, however, said Nigeria does not have to wait until there was an epidemic before moving in to vaccinate the huge number of its population that were at risk.

“Having a single dose of the vaccine, he said would provide enough immunity for a lifetime,” he stated.

When all these came to light in

Lassa Fever: NAUTH confirms death of doctor

T

he management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State yesterday confirmed the death of a medical doctor who died of Lassa Fever.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, that it was the first recorded case of Lassa fever handled by the hospital.

Igwebe said the doctor was brought in from Asaba, Delta.

He said: “Yes, I can confirm to you that a medical doctor who was brought in here from Asaba, Delta State died from suspected Lassa Fever case. When he was brought as a suspected case, we took the samples to test and it turned out to be positive of Lassa Fever.

Onitsha

T

he leadership crisis presently rocking the Anambra State chapter of the Wheel Barrow Owners and Pushers Association (AWBOPA) took a new dimension as the union has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over what it tagged

as victimisation by the police from Zone 9 in Umuahia, Abia State.

In a petition titled: “Case of Stealing, Malicious Damage, Assault, Impersonation and Acts Likely To Cause Breach of Peace”, the union through its counsel, Mr. Hipo Onwuegbuke, noted with dismay that the President of the union, Mr. Nicolas Orogwu, the Vice-President, Mr.

“All stakeholders that attended to him did so under the universal precaution as recommended by WHO when you have such cases.”

Igwegbe said it was the only case of Lassa Fever being handled in the hospital and assured of continued precautionary measures.

“We are continuing our surveillance and taking necessary precaution, when the body was in the morgue it was kept in a safe place and it was handled in isolation,” he said.

NAN recalls that officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Health at a one-day workshop for Local Government Health officers revealed that four deaths arising from Lassa fever, including a medical doctor, had been recorded in the state recently.

NSCDC arrests two pipeline vandals in Enugu Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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fficials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday arrested two persons alleged that specialised in pipeline vandalism in Enugu State.

Addressing journalists at the agency's headquarters in Enugu, the state Commandant, Mr. Steve Amoga, said the command had re-emphasised her commitment in bringing the nefarious activities of vandals to a half in the state.

The commandant, who expressed dismay that despite all efforts of the command to discourage the citizens from engaging in

Police intervene as wheelbarrow union crisis deepens Okegwo Kenechukwu

the past, president of NAS said the country should have started vaccinating those at risk in 2012, but did not do so.

“Nigeria is the only country in west Africa that have not done the mass vaccination of its vulnerable population,” he said.

According to him, many west African countries including Togo, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, others have all done a mass immunisation of their at risk population He called for a quick Federal Government intervention to prevent the vaccination being late, saying we do not have to wait for an epidemic to break before taking the initiative to do mass vaccination.

Alphonsus Ofomba and the treasurer were allegedly victimised by the police team from Zone, through the directive of the O/c monitoring unit.

Some leaders of the union said they were arrested and whisked from Onitsha to Umuahia in the back of an open pick up van under heavy down pour describing the act as man’s inhumanity to man.

the act of economic sabotage, some unscrupulous elements have refused to desist.

According to Amoga, since the vandals are not ready to desist from their evil acts,the corps would continue to mark them one on one until they are all cramped into prison, insisting that the activities of vandal have contributed significant to the economic downturn the country is facing now, promising harder measures to frustrate them out of the state.

The suspects are Clement Atuma Njoku (37) and Jude Njoku (21). Both hail from Ikwo Local Government Area of the state, where arrested along the NNPC pipeline between kilometres 196 and kilometres 196.5 all in Ogboshinne community in Akpugo, Nkanu West Local Area of Enugu State.

Items recovered from the suspects include 650 litres of Automated Gasoline oil (AGO) known as gas concealed in 24 jerry cans, loaded in a yellow Mitsubishi L300 bus with registration number Enugu XW 353 ENU. Other items recovered from the suspects also include 14 empty jerry cans,one bucket,one funnel and one big bowl.

12

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Voices

20 AUGUST 2016

What could make you call off your wedding one week to the ceremony?

On account of adulterous act

If God directs me

I will call off the wedding if I discover that my partner is already married, if I suddenly discover that he has a secret character, habit or record I never knew of or if God directs me to do so for any reason.

—Mrs. Augusta Osamor, secondary school principal

The only thing that will make me walk out of my wedding is simply infidelity. It is not cool and it is really going to rip my heart if I find out such a thing.

—Tobi Alabi, journalist

Pretentious love

It'll be inappropriate to call it off

If our genotypes are not compatible, it is enough reason for me to put an end to the relationship to save our children from having to bear the consequences.

Moreover, if I find out that he is an armed robber or drug peddler, the marriage is automatically called off even if it's just an hour to the wedding and guests are already seated.

If I realise my fiancé does not love me but pretends she do. Because there is no point going into a journey that I am not certain of reaching my destination.

—Bolawole Seun, teacher

This is a very challenging situation. It is expected that in the period of courtship, one would have done all the checks, health, past relationships, family background, religion, etc. It would be inappropriate to call off the wedding within a week, it reveals that the union was not founded on true love and advisably should not be allowed to hold, it is said that love heals it all.

—Valentine Otiono, company executive

nfidelity, lies and insincerity. Those are the factors that count. If he tested positive to HIV I may still go ahead with the relationship.

—Ifeyinwa Maduike,

What will make me walk out is if I catch him sleeping with my best friend or any friend I know.

—Titi Deko, journalist

I can call it off one week to the wedding if my fiancé has been untruthful about herself or her immediate family.

—Misan Ogisi, clergy

businesswoman

If she's HIV positive If I mistakenly find her with another man, it's over.

I wouldn't take a cheating woman for a wife not even if I have already paid her bride price. If my pastor advised me not to go ahead with the wedding, it's easy for me to ignore. But I won't look away if I catch her in a compromising situation. Being HIV positive is also a factor that could make me walk out of an already planned wedding.

If he's a ritualist If I find out he is a ritualist I wouldn't hesitate to walk back out.

—Adeola Elizabeth, laboratory scientist

Only on the grounds of infidelity The only reason that I will call off a marriage one week to the wedding is only due to infidelity.

On grounds of disloyalty

When I found out that the girl is a cheat and not loyal to me.

—Samuel Obi,

—Charles Obiekwugo, CEO of a printing company

sound engineer

If my spouse is a closet homosexual The ultimate betrayal is finding out that your wouldbe husband is a closet homosexual. That will render the marriage irreconcilable.

Pregnant with another man’s baby

—Uche Ibuakah Noel, council official

I will walk out if I find out that she is pregnant for another guy. That is the only thing that will stop my wedding. Any other thing can be sorted out.

—Kelvin Okojie

—Bolanle Badmos , businesswoman

On grounds of infidelity, lies, insincerity

If he cheats on me

Deception on the part of my fiancé

Incompatible genotypes

—Chikodi Igwe, businessman

Being diabolical There are so many things that could make me quit my marriage. If I discover that she is diabolical or into some kind of fetish behaviour, the marriage won't hold.

For a girl who has proven to be unhygienic and lackadaisical about the cleanliness of the home, she is not someone who I would get married to eventually. Basically, if she exhibits certain characters that I won't be able to cope with in the long run and I decide to go ahead, then I'm preparing myself for danger.

compiled by: OGE NDUBUNMA, ESTHER SODEKE AND OLANIYI ADERUKU

—Emmanuel Okoh, businessman

13

WeekendBliss GETTING MARRIED IS TOUGHER NOW

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

Ace broadcaster, Olisa Adibua’s latest programme on TV is the food adventure show, ‘Bukas and Joints’. But he spent a considerable part of his adult life on radio. Adibua’s staggering influence in showbiz endears him to the high and mighty in the industry so much so that no show, literally, is complete without his input. In this chat with LANRE ODUKOYA, he talks about his profession, new show and sundry issues.

You are on Bukas and Joints for season 2, what makes the show different from the previous edition?

It is a much better show in terms of exploration, content and look and feel. We went to other places across the country; we even went to London to see how Nigerians have exported our food.

We show how different generations of Nigerians have repackaged Nigerian food and dish them in remarkable ways. We took the show up another notch. I have been eating Nigerian food all my life, but on this journey, I learnt a lot more. We showcased not only the food but Nigerian people and Nigeria culture.

If there was any food that stood out for you, which one would that be?

It was not re-

ally about any particular dish, it is how you can go to different places and see the same food prepared in different ways yet they all taste good.

You go to a place and you see that their ‘amala’ is prepared very soft and in some places not so soft.

Some have even gone further by reengineering Nigerian food by making them healthier. Some even make them into packs where you only need to microwave them.

Was there any dish you could not eat?

Everywhere we went had a specialty and unique quality. The surprising fact is that, even the owners do not know how well they have done and how unique they are. They are just humble people who just want to cook food. Their humility was disarming. I can tell you one thing, everywhere I went I was never disappointed with the food. I enjoyed the food everywhere I went to.

You have been on TV and in broadcasting for a long time, how does this show stand up to others you have hosted?

This is different. Every show has its own niche.

We take food for granted, so getting to do a show around it gives us new perspectives. We have a new appreciation of the food we eat. We may just sit down at a restaurant and eat but we do not know about what is going on in the kitchen, the people who cook these foods, their backgrounds and the time it takes to evolve the food. I look at food differently now. When I sit down to eat, there is a sense of appreciation. I even know the history of the food. All these I learnt during my journey with Bukas and Joints.

I even have more knowledge now. When someone mentions a particular dish I will say, ‘oh I know it, it is from this particular state and it is prepared with X Y Z ingredient.’ I can even tell you where you can get one.

N O P U E S O L C DIBUA

You seem to be doing a lot these days. You also have this Olisa.tv online, what is it about?

It is what I call a Blogazine. It is an online platform that is different. I look at the internet and I find a lot of garbage. I am not trying to

OLISA A

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

continued on page 14

Instyle

The Arts

Hospitality

TV & Radio

p.15

p.37

p.41

p.36

Look impeccable in ankara trousers

Languages, carriers of our identities, history –Odum

Downtown Royal Hotel: A piece of royalty

Fireworks: Lingering tussle for senate leadership

14

Close Up

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20 AUGUST 2016

'I’m going back to music properly' C o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 1 3

‘diss’ anybody or throw jibes at anyone.

I think I have got to a stage where I am now part of a popular culture. I am on television, I work on radio, I work in the music industry. I feel that my brain is of a certain calibre with experience that I need to be fed with more than just a popular culture.

I don’t want to just go to a blog which has heavy readership only. I want to go to be entertained but also to be educated and informed. So I thought, if I couldn’t find what I was looking for, why don’t I create it myself and that is what I did.

When you go to the site, part of it is about popular culture and all that, but there is also the serious side, with serious news and articles written by the best writers you will come across. They write about politics, sports, business, crime, fashion and all that stuff, and they write from a professional point of view.

Some people think you set up the site because you know a lot of people in the corporate world and it will be easy for you to get adverts on the site…

No. It has nothing to do with that.

We have to let people know that we are not frivolous people and we have some gravitas. When people from outside search about Nigeria through the internet, they should not be met with sites that only promote popular culture.

It should be rounded. They should have a place where they can read serious stuff as well. Those who visit the site keep coming back and we are just over a year old. In the next 10 years it will still be there.

What’s next for Olisa?

I am going back to music properly. I want to do music on a whole different level. I have new TV platforms coming

Adibua in an interview session with Olamide PHOTO: WWW.OLISA.TV

soon, I have new radio shows coming up. I have shows that will be syndicated all across Nigeria, all across Africa. I am building platforms. I have been in the industry for so long, I can’t complain of lack of infrastructure. People like me need to rise up and build those infrastructure.

Apart from Olisa.tv, I also have an online platform for fashion; I have a platform for digital music distribution.

It is called mymusic.tv and we have signed up some of the best music talents

across the country. We also have the catalogues of classic Nigerian songs.

We sell the music online so people can’t complain about piracy anymore and we share revenue with networks and the owners of the contents.

Your name re-echoes on the list of eligible bachelors in the entertainment industry…

Don’t mind them. That was then, now it is even harder. With this economy, getting married is even harder. It’s tougher now. But let’s just see.

A lot of people look up to you in the profession, who are the people that you look up to?

I look up to God, my brother. That’s what I do. I look up to God. And obviously, a lot of people who came before me, a lot of brothers who I met before private radio came along, in government-owned radio stations. I look up to numerous guys who helped me along the way. Working with FRCN, I met a lot of brothers, who were really, really fantastic- the likes of my Brother JAJ (Jacob Akinyemi Johnson), Mani Onumonu who have been friends of mine for long. We see, we hang out together sometimes when we meet.

There are a lot of people too who I used to listen to on radio when I was a kid.

So, you learn from people that came before you, but what you want to do is to be better than them. Sometimes they

...taste-sampling the Nigerian cuisine

When I go on radio, you don’t know what problems I’ve got back at home.

Oh, I have them. I have issues. I have problems

will come to you and say that thing you were doing, it wasn’t good o! And you are like, sorry bros, next time I will try and do it better. So, that’s how it is. You must always learn. It’s that constant desire for knowledge and improvement that makes you good.

What don’t you like about being a broadcaster?

I don’t like people who don’t do their research, who don’t get information, who misinform. If you are going to say something, make sure it’s correct, make sure you checked it out and also, I don’t like people who are lazy.

If you are giving me the name of an artiste and a song, make it clear, work hard. When you are on air, work hard.

If you don’t want to be on air, then don’t come on the radio. When I go on radio, you don’t know what problems I’ve got back at home. Oh, I have them.

I have issues. I have problems. But do you know what, if that microphone goes on, I forget them. And when the microphone goes off, I still have my realities to deal with. But I’m clear that people who listen to me have their own problems too.

So, they are listening to me for escapism, for relief from their own issues.

So, I don’t want to burden them with my own problems. So, you must come there with an empty slate and a happy soul, happy spirit, ready to make people happy because that’s what we are selling. We are selling happiness, we are selling joy. That’s what the radio is all about.

You’re on radio and also on the television, which of the two do you prefer?

The funny thing is that most people come from radio to television. Mine was the other way. I went from television to radio. But I love radio because it’s instant Karma. You can pick up a phone call and the person is there, and it’s either way and you get instant results. Television, most of it, is recorded.

But it’s still good. It’s great because what I like about it is that everybody has their own point of view. I think my love for both is equal.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

Look impeccable in ankara trousers

Deborah Ocheni

A

nkara fashion statement attires are looking better than ever in 2016! If you want to try your hand on one of this season's more daring trends, consider rocking it in trousers and matching it with solid tops or blazers.

Ankara clothing is loved by Nigerian women as aso-ebi fabric, sewn into different styles and worn at weddings, naming, burial and other family events.

It’s common to see ankara combined with lace, chiffon or other materials

even when it is used to sew casual and other traditional wears.

The fact that ankara can blend with almost all materials is one of the major reasons why it can’t go out of vogue. It is one of the ‘must have material’ in Nigeria because of its uniqueness, as it comes many colours and patterns thereby giving the wearer an impeccable look when sewn as trousers and combined with different tops.

Apart from trousers, there are thousands of latest ankara styles and designs stylish women are wearing to parties, work, weddings and other gathering.

TIPS zzAnkara trousers can be worn to weddings or to any occasions depending on personal style sense. z zThe more colourful the prints are, the more vibrant they look. z zYou can pair matching ankara top with ankara trousers. z zFor that eclectic and chic look, pair Ankara trousers with matching crop top and large brim hat.

z zYou can go a step further by rocking contrasting solid camisole and layer ankara trousers with black blazers. z zWearing white on ankara trousers is an effortless way to slay the outfits. z zKeep makeup subtle and accessorise with over-sized sun glasses.

Instyle

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Instyle

ACCESSORIES TO LIVE FOR

Flat sandals: Balancing comfort and style Deborah Ocheni

Y

ou can hardly find any woman that do not have flat sandals in their closet. The flat sandals are more polished than flip-flops and requires less high maintenance than heels; flat sandals offer a balance between comfort and style.

Although it is true that shoes with heels are often a bit more elegant and can be flattering to your overall appearance, flat sandals can be very elegant and hip too if rightly paired.

Style setters wear this sensible-yetchic footwear for a variety of occasions because they are comfortable and will allow you to walk for long stretches of time.

However, it’s important that you buy the right kind of flat sandals as there are some that can look frumpy.

Also note that more is in when it comes to shoes; invest in high quality flat sandals and stick to good quality leather whenever possible. It’s worth investing in flats as you will usually wear them much more often than your heels.

TIPS zzDepending on the statement you want to make, it can be paired with almost all outfits. zz Make sure you buy flat sandals that are in the right size. zz Colourful flat sandals are fun and chic, opt for colourful ones instead of classic black. zzThey are casual wears and as such don’t wear them for business meetings, limit them to casual events. zz When your outfit is very basic and simple, opt for trendier flat sandals to give the outfit a bit more of a young and hip vibe, when your outfit is very hip already you may want to tone it down with simple and elegant sandals. zz Ankle straps will shorten your legs, so be careful with this look when your legs are short. zz Note that multi-coloured flat sandals are more versatile and can match many outfits in your wardrobe.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

Mercy Isoyip popularly known as Descushiel is a Nollywood actress and the face of Orange Drugs. In this interview with DEBORAH OCHENI, the actress who has featured both in Nigeria and America speaks about her style, beauty routine and the rigour up and coming artistes face in Nigeria.

Personally, what will you say is your style sense?

I think fashion is in the mind; with fashion there is really no right or wrong because when a certain style emerge, it is started by someone who is known as the pacesetter. At times it might not make any sense but after sometime it becomes the trend.

I wear anything but what is important is that I am looking good at the end of the day.

MY STYLE

I don’t compromise my look –Isoyip How much was it? $5000

How do feel as the face of Orange Drug and how were you able to achieve that?

The experience is cool. I was able to attain that position because I met the requirements, and they needed a light skinned, chubby person with cute face.

I met the criteria they were looking for and I applied for it, and by God grace I What determines what you wear? won after the screening. That was how The occasion; it is important you look I got the job and since then, they have stunningly appropriate for any occasion. been renewing my contract yearly.

The ankara jumpsuit

T

his week’s fashion face-off is between two Nollywood actresses Monalisa Chinda and Funke Akindele. The outfit in question is the ankara jumpsuit.

Jumpsuits are a one piece apparel that have refused to go out of vogue; they are easy to throw on and can be worn to any occasion. They come in variety of fabrics, colours and designs. Creative designers have taken these outfits a step further by designing them using ankara fabrics. This has given them a unique African touch, and fashionable celebrities are killing them with apology.

Though Funke and Monalisa wore the outfits to different occasions, they look sophisticated and colourful in these beautiful ankara jumpsuits.

Their makeup is subtle and sleek.

Monalisa paired her ankara jumpsuit with a green cross bag. She also matched it with big round earrings, simple chain wrist watch, statement metallic tummy belt and matching stiletto shoes.

Funke Akindele on the other hand paired the ankara jumpsuit with golden colour cross bag, black and gold stiletto shoes and red leather watch.

They both look simple yet elegant in the outfits but who do you think wore the ankara jumpsuits better?

Is there any fashion item that you can’t do without?

My clutch; I can’t do without it for the fact that I need it to keep my extra items and it is one of the simple things that make up the final touches as far as your look is concerned.

Having acted in and outside Nigeria, what will you say is the major different?

Acting in Nigeria and America is quite different because in America all the departments are working, everything is done in keeping with perFashion wise, would you say your fect timing; there is a time physique works for you? to be on set, eat, rest and Yes it does because whatever I put on all that. The makeup artlook nice. ist is always on set and on point with everyIs there anything you will not be caught thing needed to get wearing? the job well done; Depending on where I am but I don’t their system is like men’s clothing. more orWhat is your ready to go outfit?

Jeans and T-shirt

ganised than ours. One needs to be very understanding to be able to work in Nigeria because sometimes there is a whole lot of stuff going on. They might give you call time for 8am and they don’t start until 3pm and it doesn’t make any sense because in America, they know that time is money and if they waste seven hours of your day doing nothing it will be on their bill and they will pay you for that.

Especially for the up and coming artiste here, they don’t usually pay attention to their welfare as they focus on the major stars; sometimes we work all day under stress and we don’t get food in time.

There are a few things that do not work properly here but I don’t blame anybody because I know that with time we will get there.

How elegant do you look in them?

I look smart, simple and ready to go in it.

Which fashion item takes up most space in your closet?

Jeans; it is just like every day outfit but I think I do more of long breezy dresses lately.

You skin is so clean, do you have any beauty routine?

I eat well and I don’t play with my spa appointments. Also, I work out a lot to keep myself fit.

How do you love your makeup?

Ordinarily I don’t wear makeup every day except I am on set. I could be on set for weeks; at such times I go for facials so I don’t react to the products used on me.

I keep it simple because all I need is little enhancement, so my makeup is very light.

How easily do you get your fashion items in Nigeria?

I shop for them abroad.

Who is your best designer?

I don’t have anyone in particular. I just create my own styles.

How do you love your shoes?

Nothing too much, just simple and comfortable What is your advice to those who want to attain the height you have?

They should be consistent so as to get result.

What is the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought?

Shoes

I eat well and I don’t play with my spa appointments.

Also, I work out a lot to keep myself fit

Isoyip

17

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Interiors

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

Cosy dining for homes that lack space Deborah Ocheni Don’t allow small space deprive you of giving your dining space astonishing look; you can turn a small dining room into a focal point of your house with creative tips and tricks.

Simple style and design elements will make small dining rooms look larger, help the free-flow of traffic and make your dining area a

beautiful centre of attraction.

When it comes to decorating a dining that lacks space, there is more that dressing up small dining with an interesting wall treatment, such as board and batten, can do in making the room look big, bright and spacious. But in doing this, there is need to unify the dining area with the surrounding spaces by employing similar design characteristics for a wow appeal.

TIPS zz Round table is the best bet for a dining room that lacks space; it is cosy and can beautifully fit in any little space. zz Choose a table that follows the lines of your banquette bench for optimal seating and movement. zz Window blinds that cover half the windows allow the room to main-

tain its soft, natural brightness while providing privacy and adding character with a unique pattern. zz Employ pops of colour to enliven petite dining quarters. Bright hues bring vibrancy and energy to the space. zz A corner banquette saves space and makes the dining area cosy.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

Rita Dominic preps for Toronto Film Festival p.20

ShowBiz

The Voice Nigeria How Africa Magic deceived Nigerians p.35

19

A fan slapped me in public –Lepa Shandy Sade Omoniyi-Adewale started her career in the movie industry as a make-up artiste, then she was simply called Sade make-up before she veered into acting after her training. Her claim to fame is Gbenga Adewusi’s movie titled ‘Lepa Shandy.’ The 45-year-old actress speaks to LANRE ODUKOYA about career and love life.

You’ve not been acting as frequently as you once did and a lot of your fans are complaining. What took you off the set?

When they stopped seeing me, I was not staying in Nigeria then. In my last trip to Nigeria before I left for the UK, I realised that new actresses were coming into the industry and should be given opportunities to prove themselves and showcase their talent. Before we became stars, we were given the opportunity to prove ourselves and today, we are movie stars. It’s a normal thing that happens in life. You do your best and give room for other people to shine. People have been looking for me in the industry; it gives me joy that I’m still relevant.

Apart from movie productions, are you into other business?

Yes, I do buying and selling once in a while.

Could you share your marriage experience with us?

I’ve stopped talking about my marriage but I’ll give God the glory.

You celebrated your 45 birthday in April, what is the significance of tha age?

As you grow older, you are learning more.

Despite the fact that people will say you’re not looking

your age, but I know that I am growing old. I give God the glory for being with me till now. That’s why I want people to celebrate my life with me.

The Bible says we should count our days, so that it could lead our path into wisdom. Since my fans have been missing me in movies, it prompted me to celebrate my birthday coupled with the premiere of my new movie.

When was the high point of your career?

The high point of my career was when I wanted to go and see somebody and I didn’t really recognise her, but to God be the glory, I met her and the door was opened. Anywhere I go, God always opens doors for me.

What about the low points?

They are many. First is the press, you guys can’t be avoided. I used to feel bad when they wrote bad stories about me but someone told me that I have to develop a thick skin or else I won’t grow. And that has really helped me.

Since you can’t avoid journalists, you can’t also avoid your fans. It’s either they embarrass you or they hug you; there is nothing you can do about it.

The fact that you can’t do whatever you like in public is another headache.

Also, people will want to see you looking good every time, that’s not natural because at times, your mood might determine your looks. One can’t be in sorrowful mood and you expect him/her to be gorgeously dressed.

How passionate are you about fashion?

I’m a very simple person. I’m a denim person, but if it’s necessary, I can dress g o r g e o u s l y.

Fashion to me is simplicity.

How about jewelery?

I have to go with the trend.

It depends on the kind of attire I wear that will determine my kind of jewelery. I don’t wear jewelery but I have a simple necklace I use when it’s necessary.

Lepa Shandy

What has been your most embarrassing moment on the job?

There was a day I was driving from Family Ties location in Ikorodu and when I got to Ketu, I was held up in a traffic

jam and I was the only one in the car.

I didn’t know where these ‘area boys’ came from, and they were threatening to collect money from me. I had some money on me but I was scared based on the fact that I might be robbed. I was embarrassed and confused.

How many were they?

They were six and it was in the morning. One mobile police officer that was behind my car came to my rescue. He shot into the air to scare them away from me. I was so scared that I had to drive roughly. The mobile police man even led me to Anthony before we departed. Also because of the role of a prostitute I played in “Lepa Shandy”, the movie that shot me into limelight, some guys reacted negatively to it. I didn’t have a car then and I was moving towards a destination when a guy approached me and said: “hello Lepa, I tried to ignore him, he was just raining abuses on me, that he was calling me and I didn’t answer him. He said: “are you not the prostitute that a lot of guys slept with in “Lepa Shandy” movie. In trying to avoid him, he slapped me.

Which beauty items do you cherish most?

My lips gloss and powder.

What’s your driving force?

When I see Toyin Asewo-to-re-Mecca, Sola Sobowale, and others, I still feel I have some big sisters in the industry.

But truly, my driving force is God and my father instilled some principles in me when I was much younger.

Which clothing item would you never be caught wearing?

Bikini or wearing panties and bra in public Do you engage in any physical exercise?

I don’t do it except when I’m driving.

Driving on its own is an exercise because you use every part of your body to drive.

How romantic are you?

Only my husband can tell you, you may have to ask him.

Could you do crazy things with your man just to create an excitement?

I could do crazy things with my man.

That’s not romance, do you want other ladies to snatch him from me?

I could do crazy things with my man. That’s not romance, do you want other ladies to snatch him from me?

20 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

L-R: Nollywood actors, Bimbo Akintola; Keppy Ekpenyong Bassey, Divisional Head, Marketing and Corporate Relations, UBA Plc, Mr. Charles Aigbe; American actor, Tim Reid; Somkhele Iyamah Idhalama and Legendary Hollywood actor, Danny Glover

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By Adedayo Odulaja here is a reason it is hard to impress with a movie adapted from a popular book, and so is it never easy to produce a true life story many people are already familiar with for the big screen. For many true life stories, only a small segment of the society is usually privy to them. How about a story in which almost everyone in Lagos or even Nigeria was a participant of sorts?

This is the hallmark of 93 Days, a movie produced

by Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions. A Nigerian docu-drama film directed and co-produced by Steve Gukas, it parades a stellar cast including Danny Glover, Bimbo Manuel, Bimbo Akintola, Charles Okafor, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Alastair Mackenzie, Gideon Okeke and many others.

But despite the fact that everyone is aware of the bravery exhibited by a few people when Ebola came calling in Nigeria, the movie comes good with an output that is sure to leave cinema goers on the edge of their s e a t s throughout a screening session.

As Gukas, the movie director acclaimed for A place in the Stars, said: “93 days movie celebrates the act of doing what is right, selfless service and making a difference in the world.”

With a theme bothering on the sacrifices made by men and women who risked their lives to save

Nigeria and West Africa from the epidemic of the Ebola virus, 93 Days is also partly dedicated to the memory of Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, a Nigerian physician, who played a key role in the eradication of Ebola in Nigeria and made the ultimate sacrifice in the process.

Shot in different parts of Nigeria, the movie begins with the arrival of Patrick Sawyer (Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey) in Nigeria from Liberia. Making a necessary stop at First Consultants Hospital in Obalende on health grounds, the danger he poses to everyone in Nigeria and West Africa soon comes to the fore.

Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh (Bimbo Akintola), leading the team attending to Sawyer, knows there is something wrong having applied the usual treatment f o r what they perceive

93

Fascinating view of how Nigeria rose when Ebola called

DAYS

as Malaria symptoms without a corresponding improvement in his health although they can’t put their fingers on it. With pressure from Sawyer and the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), Adadevoh is forced into further research as her own superiors are also breathing down her neck.

Despite opposition from several quarters, her decision to stand her ground and insist on further testing from a facility able to appropriately diagnose Sawyer ’s ailment is the saving grace for at least 21mill i o n people in Lagos and millions of others

in the West African subregion.

Featuring Danny Glover as Dr Benjamin Ohiaeri, Tina Mba as Dr Yetunde, Francis Onwuchei as Dr Abaniwo, Seun Kentebbe as Godwin Igonoh, Adebola Williams as Jatto, Somkele Idhalama as Dr Ada Igonoh, Bimbo Manuel as Dr Wasiu Gbadamosi, Alastair Mackenzie as Dr David, Patrick Diabuah as Dr Adejoro Ige, Kayode Olaiya (Aderupoko) as a taxi driver among others, 93 Days is a compelling account of how Nigeria won the battle against the highly dreaded Ebola Virus in 2014.

While the movie gives a detailed account of the roles played by doctors at First Consultants Hospital, the government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in containing the disease which was eradicated after 93 days of

gripping fear and anxiety, it also portrays the limit of faith in humans as well as how people react when faced with acute danger.

A combination of great picture quality, impressive cinematography and absorbing acting make the movie a must watch for everyone, a necessary

act for those who appreciate the sacrifice made by Adadevoh and her team.

Also starring Somkhele Idhalama, Tim Reid, Sola Oyebade, Charles Etubiebi, the movie is set to start showing in Nigerian cinemas on September 16, and it is strongly recommended for everyone.

Rita Dominic preps for Toronto Film Festival

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Rita Dominic

ollywood star actress, Rita Dominic, is set to take part in the exclusive premiere of the historic Nigerian movie, ‘76’, at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival in Canada from September 8 to 18.

Apart from ‘76’ directed by Izu

Ojukwu, other selected films are ‘93 Days’ directed by Steve Gukas, ‘The Wedding Party’

by Kemi Adetiba, ‘The Arbitration’ by Niyi Akinmolayan, ‘Taxi Driver ’ by Daniel T. Oriahi, Okafor ’s Law by Omoni Oboli, ‘Just Not Married’ by Uduak-Obong Patrick and Green White Green by Abbah T. Makama.

In a story inspired by true events, Rita Dominic plays a heavily pregnant woman

whose life crumbles when the news of her husband’s involvement in a botched military coup makes the headlines.

The movie, which is produced

by Prince Tonye Princewill, also stars Ramsey Nouah and Chidi Mokeme in the gripping drama against the backdrop of the attempted 1976 military coup that led to the death of former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed.

Showbiz

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20 AUGUST 2016

Davido

Sophie

Wizkid

Dammy Krane

Lolo

Princess

Major celebrity fights

that got everyone talking this year

The showbiz industry is incredibly melodramatic (a predilection brazenly displayed) and it partly explains why it attracts such a staggering followership the world over. Sex stories sell, and so do celebrity rows. OGECHI NDUBUNMA recounts some of the celebrity beefs that got everyone talking this year.

Davido and the Momodus The fight started on December 31, 2015 and ran into the New Year. Davido accused his baby mama, Sophie Momodu, of being irresponsible because of the traces of marijuana that he found in his daughter. The Momodus, including Sophie’s uncle Dele, did not help reduce the drama as they accused Davido’s family of kidnapping. They claimed that Davido’s family abducted the baby from her mother, Sophie. Davido would later sing about the scandal in a song entitled, “Osinachi”, where he was featured

by Humble Smith.

Wizkid and Dammy Krane Dammy Krane accused Wizkid of stealing his concept and this was not the first time. The whole saga happened in the month of beefs. The issue went from Twitter to a physical confrontation from Wizkid. Wizkid allegedly assaulted Krane at Quilox Nightclub. He allegedly broke a bottle on the head of the latter in the nightclub. The two later settled in the house of the footballer, Obafemi Martins.

The Olumofins and Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegbi The celeb war seemed to get more interesting as BEAT FM on-air-personality, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, tweeted about the Olomofin twins’ gate-crashing of weddings. And that signalled the start of the whirlwind rain of curses and abuses on the radio presenter. This beef ruffled a lot of feathers and stirred diverse reactions.

Blackface and Wizkid/2face Idibia Apparently Wizkid was not accused by just one person for theft of intellectual properties. Plantashun Bboiz member, Blackface, also accused him and 2face of stealing his songs and this came just after the beef between Dammy Krane and Wizkid. As usual, this fight happened on Twitter. 2face reposted that that he was disappointed in Blackface.

Lolo and Princess Lolo, Wazobia on-air personality, and Princess, a popular comedienne, also rose more than eyebrows. Lolo 1 dissed Princess on social media. Lolo called Princess “unprofessional and a disgrace”. Linda Ikeji reached out to Princess to get her to reply to Lolo’s comment and her reply was “I don’t want to join issues with anyone, I dodnt wanto to comment because I don’t want to generate something else”. It was such a nasty thing for Lolo to say to her fellow comedienne.

Chioma Akpotha and Uche Jombo, Blessing Egbe, Ufuoma McDermott, Omoni Oboli This could have been a major beef. Chioma Akpotha made a comment about a picture of Uche Jombo, Omoni Oboli, Blessing Egbe and Ufoma McDermott and the ladies quickly responded saying that, "it was too early in the year for that kind of thing."

They made up and averted a major Nollywood brawl.

Wizkid and Binta Blue Diialo Wizkid seemed to have been in a fight with everyone and himself. And his baby-mama, Binta Blue Diallo, was not an exception. It was revealed that Wizkid had a child with a Guinean woman named Binta Diamond Diallo who resides in America.

Wizkid denied the allegation and the woman replied by describing Wizkid as a “dead beat dad” that had not seen his son.

Wizkid however has not replied ever since.

Chioma Akpotha

Uche Jombo

Wizkid and Davido He never gets tired, you may conclude. Davido and Wizkid have an obvious reason to fight, they are both young Nigerian hip-hop stars who are constantly at loggerhead for the number one position even on top 10 charts. However, their major social media fight started when Wizkid posted a picture of himself in front of a venue for one of his shows in New York on Instagram with the caption, “just landed NYC! Let’s turn up! We do proper shows and proper venues.” Davido took this as an affront because of his New York show which flopped and he replied calling Wizkid a “fake ass nigga”. They’ve however had petty fights on Twitter before this.

Yvonne Nelson and Linda Ikeji The brawl started when Linda Ikeji claimed that Yvonne Nelson and her team sent her information saying that Nelson was on set with Iyanya for a movie which Linda said was probably not true. Nelson took to Twitter to tell Linda to take down the post she put on her blog about her being on set with Iyanya but Ikeji claimed that it was Nelson who sent her the information to pull some publicity stunt. Yvonne Nelson replied telling Ikeji to be credible and professional and not to just post anything she sees.

Olamide and Linda Ikeji This beef started when Linda Ikeji put up a post about Olamide expecting another child. With the liberty Twitter gives Olamide, the King of Afro-rap, did not hesitate to deny the post and call Ikeji, ‘Oloshi’ (a wretched one) also on Twitter. Somehow Wizkid came into the picture as he also tweeted, “Awon oloshi united! O ma baje fun gbogbo won” which both Ikeji and Olamide retweeted.

Paul

Peter

Yvonne Nelson

Linda Ikeji

Tiwa Savage

Tee Blitz

Don Jazzy

Olamide

The Psquare split This had happened in 2014 but it got more furious this year.

This beef started when Peter Okoye, half of the singing duo, said he wanted to leave the group because of their manager, Jude Okoye’s alleged high-handedness. Jude Okoye was allegedly swindling the twins. This led to a month of fighting between the brothers on social media with fans begging them not to split. Peter made a public apology about the messy fight and announced a re-union but Paul is yet to validate this.

Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz On April 28, Tiwa Savage’s husband, Tee Billz, took to Instagram to accuse her of sleeping with her label mates Dr. Sid, Don Jazzy and iconic singer, 2baba. Savage however spoke about her damaged marriage in an interview with Pulse. This fight made headlines and still lingers in the minds of people. She had fired Tee Billz as her manager and replaced him with his acolyte a few months before the scandal. This was only just the beginning of accusations and counter-accusations between the estranged husband and wife.

Olamide and Don Jazzy This is one of the biggest fights so far in 2016 as it was on the lips of fans and industry buffs for weeks. This face-off started at the 2016 Headies award and continued on Twitter. Don Jazzy fired the first salvo, a hard shot at aggrieved Olamide with the words, “Egbon Olamide, if you want the car come and collect it.” And Olamide fired the rest of the shots in one of the noisiest Twitter rants in recent times. They were however reconciled by the billionaire industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Social Media Craze TravelTourism

20 AUGUST 2016

Trending

Gist

Photos Controversies

Mercy Aigbe launches website and mobile app

N

ollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe, announced the launch of her website along with a mobile application a few days ago, sending the online community in Nigeria into a frenzy.

Twitter and Instagram were especially agog as fans and followers of the beautiful actress started reacting upon receiving the news.

The star announced this earlier in the week, intimating her followers of an accompanying mobile application she believes will help bring her fans closer.

Aigbe made the announcement on Instagram,

writing: "Yippee!!!! My app is now up for download and it's FREE! Go to Google Play Store or click on the link in my BIO! I am so excited sharing this with my FANS. Guess what? ......my fans will be able to chat with one another and I will also be able to chat with them one on one, on my website. Be the first to know what mercy is up to!

Carry mercy everywhere u go. Go download Mercy Aigbe-Gentry app!"

While some fans seemed happy for the actress, noting it was coming less than a month after she was signed up by a technology company, others wondered aloud about the usefulness of the mobile

application.

Due to the popularity of Aigbe, who is also a producer, it soon became one of the day’s trending topics especially after a number of fans who logged into the website, www.mercyaigbegentry.com wondered what the app was about.

The trend is fast catching on among popular global entertainers, and Aigbe may just be the first Nigerian actress to launch her own mobile application but she is not the first Nigerian entertainer to blaze the trail. That honour belongs to accomplished singer, Yemi Alade, who launched her personal mobile app in December 2015.

Social media aglow after Nigerian sprinter finished behind Bolt in heat

W

Mercy Aigbe

Pastor Adeboye responds to criticisms over marriage injunction

Y

ou must have heard about the marriage injunction issued to members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God by their General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.

It is already two weeks since the revered man of God made the statement that went so viral it led to a storm on social media and even the BBC feasted on it.

During one of his many

Pastor Adeboye

sermons at the recently held annual convention of the RCCG, the former university don advised young men in his church not to marry a woman who cannot cook while especially urging them to desist from marrying a woman who cannot pray for a minimum of an hour at a stretch.

Pastor Adeboye also urged spinsters not to marry a man who had no job or couldn’t show concrete evidence of his means of livelihood.

There were also messages concerning other areas from the man widely referred to as Daddy G.O including the one that warns RCCG pastors across the country to refrain from match-making couples.

In reacting, many Nigeria celebs who have made their intentions known about the matter disagreed with the pastor, some mildly but a few others like Kemi Olunloyo did that in very strong terms.

The likes of Lola Rae, Sean Tizzle, Freeze, Noble Igwe and many others said

wives are to be regarded as companions and helpers instead of cooks. It led to a social media hash tag #Wifenotcook which many young Nigerians freely employed while the camp of those defending Pastor Adeboye was also very large.

In support of Pastor Adeboye, recently divorced Rhythm FM OAP, Toke Makinwa tweeted: “Pastor Adeboye did not say anything bad, if anything I would hope the women take the advice on men seriously.”

For Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, host of Rubbin’ Minds on Channels TV, he is lucky because his wife prays for him for one hour every day.

As recent as August 17, Cool FM OAP, Freeze, shared a picture of himself and his girlfriend eating at a restaurant with the caption: “Today, we eat out! #Wifenotcook remember!”

Pastor Adeboye has reacted through a message posted on his Facebook page on August 16, the renowned preacher said his message was not for everybody.

Oduduru

ith the 2016 Rio Olympic Games ongoing, it would be difficult for events from Brazil, no matter how far away, not to dominate social media discourse once in a while. And it doesn’t matter if Team Nigeria is doing well or not.

The name of Divine Oduduru may not ring a bell outside of the ath-

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

The brazen bride

letic community but Tuesday through Wednesday, it was one of the trending topics on social media platforms across Nigeria. He did not win a medal for Nigeria, but his achievement was huge nonetheless given that the 19-year- old only finished behind the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, to qualify for the semifinal. It was a Men’s 200m heat race and Oduduru finished in a time of 20.34 seconds behind Bolt who won the heat in a time of 20.28 seconds.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

Investigations

23

NIGHTLIFE

LAGOS STAYS AWAKE TILL COCK CROWS Lagosians seem to have caught the night fever as nightlife wakes up again in the mega city. Though, everyone sings the ‘times are hard’ mantra, ISIOMA MADIKE in this report, discovers that a good number of people still troop out to enjoy till the cock crows at dawn

Isioma madike

Editor, INVESTIGATIONS isiomamadike69@gmail.com 08090896879 © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

T

ime was when terror ruled the night in Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria. Armed robbery and all manner of crimes were at an all-time high. They brought a fear that ensured that by 9pm, most people were safely behind the iron gates of their homes.

But, not anymore!

Nightlife in this “Centre of Excellence” has returned in full gear. Evidence abounds. Today, as early as 6pm, just a few hours after offices close for the day, guests begin to take their seats at different corners of the mega city. Every evening, the proceedings are the same; idle talk, drinks, dance and dining.

Fridays are especially intense. Live bands, particularly the juju genre, usually perform by not so popular artistes in town, dish out tunes that toast the patrons of the bars. The groove streams up until about 4pm the next day.

At the new Afikan Shrine, Ikeja, Friday nights are special as party faithful throng there. Femi Kuti plays a fasterpaced Afrobeat than his legendary father, Fela. The music moves furiously between a slow, steady rhythm and aggressive ranging sound of gun-fighting.

With this kind of music, Femi has not only created an audience but has invented a horde of followers with loyal herd instinct who cannot but be at his night shows to bang, bang and bang.

Other notable acts also frequent

there; the internationally acclaimed musicians too. A good number of them had taken their turns to delight their Nigerian fans in recent times. The venue, a unique arena, created out of a splendid architecture, sets the stage for an event that is usually more like a carnival than a concert.

The key elements of the Shrine’s appeal are the stage theatricals and Femi’s recall of the village square, with traditional worship outings. “Show business is a serious one and you must have your identity to maintain your clientele,” said one of his fans.

Pretty much the same scenario plays out in Igbogbo, Ikorodu axis of the state. The appeal of the joints here are unmistakably the food, the chatty atmosphere too holds out as much allure.

Food, for the most part, dictates where the crowds converge. For those who love snails, “Igbinedion” is the “indomitable place for peppered snails”, as one patron puts it.

The name comes from the Yoruba word for snail, “Igbin”. The fleshy snails, seasoned and fried in a tangy tomato sauce, are culinary delights. The delicacy attracts a throng of consumers, who have turned the place to a Shrine of sorts.

Mushin is not left out as the “senator” offers something unique on its menu in this neighbourhood. Iya Mumuni is the head chef in this busy joint

Afrika Shrine at night.

Photo: Pulse.ng

at night. Her specialty is snake and alligator soup. Both are favourites but by far most popular choice is snake pepper soup, which costs between N700 and N1,000 depending on the size. The chef said her customers have a choice of two types. These are cobra and python.

These creeping animals called “senator” by those who relish them are supplied by hunters from Badagry and Epe. It is not just because snakes excite their palates that people eat them.

“They fortify us against evil spell,” one regular client told Saturday Telegraph.

However, body and soul must be kept together, and as food is to the body, so is music to the soul. Fuelled by food and music, from Obalende to Victoria Island, Mushin to Agege and Ojuelegba, life bubbles to the fullest all through the night; but there is something else that drives nightlife in Lagos – sex. All these, they say, give pleasure like nothing else.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the Obalende area of the city. Najeem Maiyegun Road is the main place for fun, food and sex. Females of different ages, loiter the road beginning from Fat-Roxcon Hotel to Keffi Road junction, by Dodan Barracks, in search of ‘clients’ for “short time”, as casual sex is called in the local parlance. Shame continued on page 24

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Investigations

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

'Relaxation unburdens c o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 2 3

has no place here. They accost men using the same worn out pick-up lines and disappear into the night with them.

There is plenty of room for haggling. For those who are schooled in the act of bargaining, N1,000 is good for “short time”. Rates for chalets are fixed. Even the public toilets converted to chalets accept N200 for “short time”. But, more decent places accept much higher than that for “short time” occupant of their facilities.

Also in Obalende, suya – the spicy meat is grilled over open fire. Indian hemp and other hard drugs complement the pack of ‘fun’. Weed, as marijuana is called here, is freely sold for just N100 a wrap. Other narcotics are not openly sold but can be procured with the help of the right contact. Inhabitants of this locale said Obalende is a haven for night business.

Small Kuramo too, in the AjahJakande axis, which hardly goes to sleep, is another hot spot. It is party time every night in the breezy open air. In the neck of sand where the jungle waters meet with the Atlantic Ocean, a boisterous feast occurs, thrown up by a queue of the makeshift beer shacks lining the edge of the waters and supported by a crowd of fun seekers who savour the night breeze and lounge on the expansive sand. There is barbecued fish and all kinds of food for patrons to pick from.

Almost every house in this community is a beer parlour and brothel.

The houses are offering haven for prostitution. It is somewhat a dangerous trend that flourishes, but enjoys a unique explosion with new styles being constantly introduced to remould the old trade. Nightfall often presents a gamut of club activities. A walk around the community reveals a lot.

Besides call girls who hang around, some with only pants and bra and other provocative dresses to get men hooked to their game, a long queue of bar shops permeates the vicinity.

The community plays host to all manner of people; the good, the bad and the ugly. Doctors, lawyers, bankers, business people, police, soldiers, students, drug addicts, urchins, orphans, destitute, prostitutes, bus conductors as well as criminals are common faces here. In fact, just about every kind of person comes here to relax.

All there is to savour is mixed freely with drinks and marijuana, which are sold without any inhibition.

While stick meats, kebab (suya), peppered chicken and assorted pepper soup add to the delicacies consumed with beer, Ogogoro and other strong spirits.

There are open bars overlooking the Atlantic Ocean too. Live bands and stand-up comedians are common place at the ubiquitous bar joints. The bars play host to strip dancers who entertain fun seekers to all genres of music. The cool breeze from the ocean waves, the cacophony of assorted music - rock, reggae and calypso that waft from the beach side also garnishes the whole fun.

While some indulge in wide and crazy pastimes such as musical gyrations, others bath themselves in bottles of liquor in an orgy of ecstasy. At

PHOTOS: CYBERSPACE ANDTIME.COM/ WWW.FASCINATINGNIGERIAMAGAZINE.COM

such moments, exotic meals, suya barbecue and choice brandy flow endlessly.

In this community, old men and women are not left out of the fray. At the entrance of the adjoining Lekki Beach are some of them displaying breads, detergents, soaps, herbs and all kinds of dry gin. “We make brisk business here,” one of them who identified herself simply as Toyin Agba proudly stated. Narrating further, she said: “My child takes some of the wares and hawks around the bars and the beach. Sales are good.

Sometimes, we sleep here.”

It is easily noticeable that the sex market within the community is highly competitive. Beckon on one of the girls to come and you might get like three or four briskly walking towards you, asking that you check them out. When they dashed towards this reporter, the girls mistook his surprise for a difficulty in making a choice; a fair, slim young one said: “I’ll treat you well.” The prices for services rendered also vary.

As you traverse the streets, what

Relaxation is therapeutic and nightlife seems to be a good time for such therapy

PHOTO: TRAVEL.JUMIA.COM

seems to be prevalent is nothing but love songs, which fill the air. Lovers either locked together romantically or seated with each other only waiting for passionate moments. The fear of the dreaded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is not, however, enough to deter them.

Every night, these young girls shamelessly parade the neighbourhood hawking their bodies to any willing buyer. The ubiquitous bars that adorn the vicinity boast of huge population of these child whores engrossed in theatrical advertisement of their flesh.

Clad in hot pants and brief tops that leave nothing for imagination, the little “angels” bombard the eardrums with

pleasing mantra of, “I have all the styles and I’m small but mighty in bed.” Going by the way they chant the refrain like bats of the night, one would think there is a honey depot in the area. They fall over one another to secure patronage, shouting, “na me first come,” the same way groundnut hawkers do in traffic jams.

Rich patrons that come from outside pays a bit higher, about a thousand naira after a steamy session on back seat of their cars. The deal could also be consummated in any of the secluded areas of the ‘ghetto’.

Apart from prostitution, the sprawling neighbourhood is also a retreat for daredevil robbers, according to residents. Robbers, they said, bare their

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 august 2016

Interview Table tennis made a bold statement in Rio – Oshodi p.27

Sport Splash

25 News Rio 2016: Brazil seek revenge, redemption against Germany p.32

FG begins probe of Atlanta show of shame

Adekunle Salami

T Rio

he presidency has begun probe into immediate and remote causes of the disgrace the country faced when the U-23 team were stranded in Atlanta, USA, shortly before the beginning of the ongoing Olympic Games in Rio. Authoritative sources told Saturday Telegraph that from the office of the Vice President questions are now being asked on why the country would face such embarrassment.

It was also learnt that the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, had stated his side of the story but the chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation and officials will also be involved in the probe.

The U-23 team led by Samson Siasia was stranded for close to one week and the players could not train for two days due to expectation surrounding their travelling.

The team arrived match venue just four hours to the opening Group B encounter which Nigeria surprisingly won 5-4.

“All the principal actors are to answer

U-23 Eagles gun for 'golden' bronze The Team Ajibade Olusesan l Co-ordinator

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

questions. The presidency is not happy and immediately after the games NFF President and even coach Siasia will state all they know.

“There are many underlining factors to be ironed out. There is the angle of the delay caused by the ministry of sports and there is also the angle of a sponsor the federation had but did not declare to the ministry. There are so many hidden areas which led to the sad situation and the investigation has started already,” our source revealed.

Dalung

I

t is certainly going to be a ‘golden bronze’ if the national U-23 team wins their third place match against Honduras today in the men's football event in the ongoing Rio Olympics.

Samson Siasia’s side offers the country the chance to come back from the 31st Olympiad with at least a medal and they are expected to give more than they did against Germany in their semifinal clash on Wednesday.

The team went down 2-0 against Germany in the semi-final with Lukas Klostermann's ninth minute goal and Nils Petersen's 89th minute strike putting the Europeans into the gold medal match, where they will face hosts Brazil.

It means Captain Mikel Obi's side won't emulate the 1996 team that won gold at the Atlanta Games.

After impressing in their opening two games and the quarter-final win over Denmark, Nigeria never really got going in the semifinal but they still have a chance of winning something.

Nigeria still have one game left as they will take on Honduras in the bronze medal match on Saturday, and Mikel says the team are determined to give the West African country their first medal of the 2016 Olympics.

"I wanted to win the gold medal , but for the fact that we did not play well today . The Germans played well," Chelsea midfielder Mikel said.

"We are professionals, we can now claim third place. We want to give a medal to Nigeria."

Considering the manner of Honduras' defeat at the Maracanã, Nigeria will be confident of leaving Brazil with a medal although Mikel is likely to be keeping his teammates fully focused for another 90 minutes of football.

Mikel

Sport

26

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 august 2016

Nigerian League Rendezvous

BY CHARLES OGUNDIYA

NPFL LEAGUE TABLE Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1 Rangers

30

14

9

7

40

33

7

51

2 Wikki

29

14

8

7

40

20

20

50

3 Rivers Utd

30

16

2

12

32

23

9

50

4 Lobi Stars

30

14

6

10

36

27

9

48

5 Sunshine

30

12

10

8

37

27

10

46

6 Nasarawa Utd

30

15

1

14

38

35

3

46

7 IfeanyiUbah

30

13

7

10

31

29

2

46

8 Enyimba

28

13

6

9

30

24

6

45

9 Akwa Utd

31

12

7

12

40

37

3

43

10 Kano Pillars

30

12

6

12

41

32

9

42

11 Plateau Utd

30

11

9

10

31

30

1

42

43

-8

41

36

-2

40

39

12 Shooting

30

12

5

13

35

13 Tornadoes

30

12

4

14

34

14 El-Kanemi

30

12

3

15

30

35

-5

15 Abia Warriors

31

10

9

12

28

35

-7

39

16 Warri Wolves

30

10

8

12

27

33

-6

38

17 MFM FC

28

10

7

11

29

30

-1

37

18 Heartland

30

9

9

12

21

26

-5

36

19 Ikorodu Utd

29

3

10

16

22

49

-27

19

20 Giwa FC

18

4

2

12

11

29

-18

14

Players scared of talking – Lordson

N

asarawa United midfielder, Ichull Lordson, has said his reason for going into players’ unionism is due to players’ inability to speak out for fear of victimization.

The former Warri Wolves player was in recent time at the forefront of fighting for his team mates and players in the league in area of welfare.

He stated that when you look at the life of retired footballers, it is a great cause for concern and there is need to address the situation.

“These players can't come straight to give you concrete information so how can you help them?” he asked.

“Most of the so called big names are the most fearful, they find it difficult to fight for their rights because they don’t want to lose their jobs.

“I decided to start fighting for the rights of players because I often talk to exfootballers and I see what they are going through after their career.

“They are the products of maltreatment by our football administrators in terms of failing to fulfill their contract terms.”

On his season with Nasarawa United, Lordson said it was a difficult start for him but since the second round, he had been enjoying his game.

“My coming back has helped the team to where they belong; Nasarawa United’s position on the table speaks for itself.”

He however appreciated his parent club ABS of Ilorin for giving him the breakthrough in football while wishing them promotion back to the top flight.

MATCHDAY 32 El-Kanemi vs Sunshine Heartland vs Shooting Kano Pillars vs Rivers Utd Plateau Utd vs Nasarawa Utd Warri Wolves vs IfeanyiUbah Wikki vs MFM FC Abia Warriors vs Enyimba Akwa Utd vs Lobi Ikorodu Utd vs Tornadoes

T

Survival battle for Heartland, Shooting

he bottom of the table continue to be a dingdong affair as clubs continue to exchange position weekly, and this weekend will not be an exception as Heartland welcome Shooting Stars to Owerri.

In the past, the game between these two sides always elicited serious concern among the fans as it sometimes determined who won the league, but reverse has been the case in recent years as they both continue to battle to escape relegation.

Heartland lost their last game 1-0 away to Rivers United while Shooting failed to make their home advantage count, drawing 0-0 to El-Kanemi Warriors in Ibadan.

In some of the other matches scheduled for the weekend, Ikorodu United will welcome Niger Tornadoes to Lagos while IfeanyiUbah will be the guest of Warri Wolves.

Wikki Tourists will continue their quest towards winning their first league title with a home game against MFM as Enyimba take on Abia Warriors in an oriental battle.

Shooting Stars' Cletus Itodo vying for the ball with Heartland's Kingsley Ajaero

T

We will stick with Ilechukwu – MFM

he management of MFM FC of Lagos has said they are going to stick with their coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, despite the current position of the team on the Nigeria Professional Football League table.

Making this declaration was the chairman of the club, Godwin Enakhena, who said the management is contended with the performance of the coach this season.

“Our target was not to win the league,” he said. “The plan was to remain in the league at the end of the sea-

son, and currently we are on the verge of achieving that.

“If you look at all the clubs that gained promotion, MFM remain the only team still holding on to their coach and we are going to continue with that.

“If you look at some of the teams beneath us, despite having experienced coaches, you will see that MFM have done well this season, you should give credit to the team for getting to this level. We have no reason to let go of the coach.”

MFM are yet to get a victory in their

last three matches and will be playing against title chaser, Wikki Tourists, in Bauchi this weekend.

The chairman said they would be working hard to achieve the needed result.

Enakhena added: “We are going to continue to work very hard because the good book made it clear that we should work and pray; everybody prays and the result is often that of hardwork.

“We hope our hard work will be rewarded when we play against Wikki Tourists this weekend in Bauchi.”

Ezenwa, Abdulrahman set for Spain deal

L

eague Rendezvous can exclusively reveal that some of the players that were part of the NPFL All-Star team to Spain, will be joining some top Spanish clubs before the end of the transfer window.

Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Bashir Abdulrahman are reported to have distinguished themselves and are being sought after in Spain.

IfeanyiUbah goalkeeper, Ezenwa, is on the

It’s been difficult for us, says Giwa’s Opitoke

A

fter the reinstatement of Giwa FC to the Nigeria Professional Football League by the League Management Company, pending the outcome of the court judgment, a player of the club, Moses Opitoke, has expressed his happiness on the new development.

Opitoke said staying at home and not knowing what laid ahead could be frustrating and hope the last has been heard about the whole crisis.

“It has been very difficult for most of us as

players, staying at home not doing anything has its effects on us and I am happy that they have recalled the team,” he said.

“When you play, you will get your salary, match bonuses and so on, but when you are not playing then it will be very difficult to take care of yourself and your family.

“When I got the news, I was glad, and I want to appreciate the LMC for such decision.

It has not been an easy journey for us; we have gone through a very difficult path, a very bad experience for us as players and team.”

verge of joining Cadiz FC, a second division side in Spain, after the Mayor of the Spanish province, Jose Maria Gonzalez, developed interest in him.

The former Sunshine Stars of Akure goaltender was in impressive form in the matches he played for the All Stars.

Malaga might be the destination of Nasarawa United striker, Abdulrahman, and he might be leaving the country very soon.

The All-Star played three matches in Spain, losing all. The team lost 2-1 to Valencia and Athletico Madrid with a 4-1 loss to Valencia in between.

“The Mayor personally started the negotiation with Ezenwa and some of their scout will be coming to Nigeria to finalise the deal,” our source revealed.

“Some people believe the trip was a waste of time and resources, but when the clubs start reaping from the transfer of their players, people will see one of the gains.”

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 august 2016

Table tennis made a bold statement in Rio – Oshodi A

Adekunle Salami t the 31st Olympiad, Table Tennis did not win any medal but the sport gave Nigeria the biggest mileage.

The sport placed Nigeria’s name on the lips of many people from all parts of the world. There are many reasons for this.

Top of the reasons was the exploits of Aruna Quadri who defeated number seven player in the world, Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih Yuan 4-0 and world number 13, Timo Boll 4-2, to feature in the quarterfinals of the singles event. He is the first African to achieve this feat and he has shown the world the potential of Nigeria in the game.

Second, Segun Toriola was at the games as an athlete participating for a record seventh time. He was globally applauded for his commitment and dedication to the game. The International Table Tennis Federation honoured him here in Rio for his exemplary feat in the sport. When he was called to come out for the award given to him by the world body, his colleague, Funke Oshonaike, was very emotional. It was indeed tears of joy in appreciation of the great achievement of Toriola.

Oshonaike herself is at the games for the sixth time. Aside being the flag bearer of Nigeria at the opening ceremony of the

games on August 5, Oshonaike is the vice captain of the entire Nigerian athletes in Rio. Mikel Obi, the captain is in the football team and had no time to play his captaincy role, hence it was done by Oshonaike who has been in the sport for over 25 years.

Enitan Oshodi, the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, expressed delight over the performance of all the ping pongers at the Olympic Games.

But the table tennis boss noted that the country was not yet where it should be at the moment despite the abundant talents in Nigeria.

“I am pleased that the sport was in global limelight from in many ways. There was the feat of Aruna. It was so very amazing but for the bad luck of the draw which pitted him against the top player in the world, Ma Long, he could have won at least bronze.

Toriola

“Toriola’s case was something very emotional. During the ITTF’s award, he was called to step in and the whole hall gave him a standing ovation as if it was pre-arranged. We were all proud to be Nigerians and I was so happy for him but when I looked back, I saw Funke crying in total excitement and I also became emotional. It has been a very good Olympic Games for us in the table tennis family.

“You can imagine Egyptians shouting and urging Aruna to win for Africa. We used to be bitter rivals but we are friends now. It was very good for Nigeria, “the former Lagos State Commissioner for Sports said.

The way forward is always most crucial in sports and in many other human endeavours. There is need for Nigeria to get another Toriola and Oshonaike.

There is also need to support Quadri to be a better player since he can no longer hide anymore.

At the Games Village in Rio, the table tennis family, players and their federation boss, are always together. Not many will know the difference as they eat together move round the village and relate as one family.

The Public Relation Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tony Ubani, who was also at the Games Village said he was impressed with the unity in table tennis.

“You will always see them together.

There is a great bond and that is a very good team spirit,” Ubani said.

The federation president however said the sport was not yet where it should be in the world.

“We planned at some point to ensure Aruna made it to the top 50, he did, later Top 30 and now the Top 20 target we set for this year is likely to happen but truth is we can do much more. We have the players all over the place, we have good coaches at grassroots level and now we need facilities and the enabling environment to excel. We need the support of corporate organisations to take some of our top players to the circuits. We need more money to honour all the competitions we should take part in rather than rationalising. If we rationalise, we cannot get the best results.

“For example, Egypt has over 500 table tennis clubs. They have about 18 coaches.

For us in table tennis, we did our best. I am proud that despite not winning a medal, we made a very big statement at the games Quadri

27

They have top coaches including Chinese technical men working on all aspects of their game.

They also have facilities that are modern all over their country. We have shown the world what table tennis can give Nigeria, I hope we will be able to develop from the success of the Rio Games,” he said.

Oshodi, a man with great passion and dedication to the game, said there had never been a time when there was no plan Oshodi during his tenure.

He noted that the federation had ideas but the execution would involve money.

Sad enough such funds are not easy to come by in Nigeria of today as it has become increasingly difficult for federations to honour their programmes including crucial qualifiers.

“Interestingly, what we look at to boost the exposure of our players is not huge, we only need to have funds regularly so that we can channel accordingly, and with good planning results will come.

“Let me emphasise that we have plenty of young ones who are ready to face the world. We staged a national U-16 competition recently and the talents we discovered were remarkable. We can continue from there to develop these players at zonal levels. That is a big project on its own but as I said earlier we don’t really require big money to get things done; what we need is to plan and be consistent with our programme.”

Oshodi however urged the authorities to learn from all that happened in Rio. He said the kits issue that was treated with levity was a serious one for the athletes.

He noted: “I was in London when the kits for Team Great Britain were launched, it was a massive event. It was like a big party. The sponsors were there, officials were present as well as the athletes. At the Games Village, all these athletes move together with same kits all the time. We can do the same because the kits were not even paid for.

“For us in table tennis, we did our best. I am proud that despite not winning a medal, we made a very big statement at the games. We have shown the world we have talents, we have shown the world we have players who have seen it all” On coaching, a very sensitive issue in the game, Oshodi stressed that it was not possible to effect a drastic change.

“It has to be gradual. I went to Germany in search of a coach but all those I saw were just average and some people out there were telling me that Toriola even had better knowledge than those I was looking at to coach Nigeria. For example, the Chinese make use of their top players as national coaches. Ma Long who won the gold medal at the Rio Games is the next national coach in keeping with their approach.

“We also have to look at the logistics of engaging Toriola. We won’t rush him, we are already discussing with him to see the best way to go about it. He has a job in France and to bring him back home we must be ready. Funke too has a job and family, these are not easy matters to deal with,” Oshodi noted.

The performance of Nigeria generally at the Olympic Games is a clear indication that the country can be back as the super power on the continent.

“That is attainable. The Egyptians are always angry that we do not have anything in terms of facilities and yet we beat them. Looking at our facilities and the exposure of players, we should not even be competing with them but we still do effectively,” he added.

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hen the English Premier League champions take on the runners-up, the stage should be set for a clash between two teams bursting with confidence.

That won't be the case when Leicester hosts Arsenal on Saturday.

Not after both teams slumped to embarrassing defeats on the opening weekend of the new season. Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri even talked about his team's target of avoiding relegation after a 2-1 loss to newly-promoted Hull, while Arsene Wenger conceded that his Arsenal side just wasn't ready for an opening match that ended in a 4-3 home defeat by Liverpool.

Along with the final score, a worrying aspect of Leicester's game was just how much Ranieri's defense lacked the protection of combative midfielder N'Golo Kante, who has joined Chelsea.

Having built last season's success largely on a counter-attacking game, Leicester also found it harder to change roles and take

the game to its opponent.

"We need to put things right early, look forward to the next game and get a result there," captain Wes Morgan said.

"We're at our home ground and we want to put on a good display."

There was better news off the pitch, though, with Leicester's announcement on Wednesday that Algeria playmaker Riyad Mahrez, a key figure alongside 24-goal Jamie Vardy in last season's title triumph, had signed a new contract through to 2020.

The King Power Stadium is already sold out for a game that will set Vardy, who squandered a series of chances at Hull, against the team he rejected following a transfer offer soon after the end of last season.

For their part, traveling Arsenal fans will be hoping that some of the first-team regulars who were rested against Liverpool — including center-half Laurent Koscielny — will be back in the side but there will be no expectations of a repeat of their team's remarkable 5-2 victory in the Midlands last season.

Kickoff: 5:30pm

Leicester, Arsenal clash after false start to season

he team sheet for Manchester City before Saturday's game at Stoke will reveal if there has been yet more heartbreak for England's struggling goalkeeper, Joe Hart.

Dropped in favor of Willy Caballero for the win over Sunderland and then the midweek victory over Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League playoffs, Hart's future is already the subject of intense speculation.

New manager Pep Guardiola, who has also dropped City regulars Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri, wants a 'sweeper-keeper' who can play a supporting role outside the penalty area.

It's the latest setback for Hart, who was criticized during England's lackluster campaign at Euro 2016.

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r e h t o n a r o f t e s t r Ha heartbreak

Hart

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Sociedad test for Real

Conte

amiliar foes will renew their rivalry when Walter Mazzarri’s Watford play host to Antonio Conte’s Chelsea at Vicarage Road.

Both bosses have made a solid start to their debut seasons in the English Premier League, with the former’s 10-man side securing a draw against Southampton at St Mary’s on the opening day of the campaign, while the latter enjoyed home victory against West Ham United.

The two managers have crossed paths before – in Italy’s Serie A – and it is the Blues boss who holds the advantage, winning four and drawing three of the nine meetings between the two men.

Conte’s charges are favourites to further extend their manager’s fine head-to-head record against his 54-year-old adversary by taking all three points from Saturday’s showdown.

Mazzarri, Conte contest high-scoring tie

Global Football Special www.newtelegraphonline.com

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Sport SATURDAY

20 AUGU

Coutinho

Marin Cilic

an Liverpool put together back-to-back away victories? After thumping Arsenal in their opener, (4-3 was flattering to the home side) a trip to Burnley is easier on paper.

But last season Liverpool were too inconsistent and it was their downfall. If they click like they did at Arsenal on a regular basis, they will be title contenders. This match will be a good sign of how far they can go.

They are likely going to be without injured Saido Mane but Jurgen Klopp might hand David Origi his first start of the season.

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Liverpool in search of backto-back win

rather difficult.”

It’s not the first time the winger has been warned by his club this season with new manager Carlo Ancelotti reprimanding Ribery over similar conduct during a preseason friendly against Inter Milan.

Ribery

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SUNDAY AC Milan vs Torino 5:00pm Atalanta vs Lazio 7:45pm Bologna vs Crotone 7:45pm Chievo vs Inter 7:45pm Empoli vs Sampdoria 7:45pm Genoa vs Cagliari 7:45pm Palermo vs Sassuolo 7:45pm Pescara vs Napoli 7:45pm

AS Roma vs Udinese 5:00pm Juventus vs Fiorentina 7:45pm

SIRIE A Saturday

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SUNDAY Sunderland vs Middlesbrough 1:30pm West Ham vs Bournemouth 4:00pm

Ronaldo

Floyd Mayweather has been in Rio for this year’s Olympic boxing action supporting team USA but with his promoter’s hat on now, has revealed his main reason for being in attendance.

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that Mayweather was interested in talented US pugilist Shakur Stevenson, after the two were standing next to one another in one of Stevenson’s post-fight interviews at the games.

Floyd Mayweather

SPORT BRIEFLY

SUNDAY Gijon vs Bilbao 5:15pm Sociedad vs Real 7:15pm Atletico vs Alaves 9:15pm

Malaga vs Osasuna 7:45pm Deportivo vs Eiber 9:00pm Barcelona vs Betis 5:15pm Granada vs Villarreal 7:15pm Sevilla vs Espanyol 9:15pm

LA LIGA Saturday

Stoke City vs Man City 12:30pm Burnley vs Liverpool 3:00pm Swansea vs Hull City 3:00pm Tottenham vs Palace 3:00pm Watford vs Chelsea 3:00pm West Brom vs Everton 3:00pm Leicester vs Arsenal 5:30pm

EPL Saturday

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"at least" Sept. 5.

In a statement Thursday, Kontonis said that police officials suggested the postponement, arguing that a festering squabble involving the Greek soccer federation, league organizers and clubs posed serious security concerns if matches went ahead.

FIXTURES

reece's sports minister has postponed the start of top-tier soccer matches for more than two weeks due to fears of violence.

The Greek championship had been due to start Saturday but Stavros Kontonis says it will be delayed until

World number 14 and 2014 US Open champion, Marin Cilic, announced that his new coach will be Swedish Jonas Bjorkman.

In July, Cilic ended his cooperation with compatriot Goran Ivanisevic, after almost 3 years, and less than a month later he added the new coach to his staff.

ayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has warned Franck Ribery over his conduct after the winger lashed out an opponent.

Ribery was spared a sending off after appearing to elbow Borussia Dortmund defender Felix Passlack during this weekend’s Super Cup but Lahm hopes nothing like this happens again.

The veteran captain revealed that he, alongside others, had appealed to the Frenchman in the hope that he improves his on-field antics.

Speaking at a news conference following the 2-0 win over their rivals, Lahm said: “I have told him that he should keep his hands off his opponents.

“I think he understands what I mean, but you cannot just change his character altogether, that is

Lahm warns Ribery B

Greek soccer league matches delayed for fear of violence

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on a free transfer, Miralem Pjanic from Roma and last season’s topscorer Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli, Juve will be a force on the domestic and European front.

With UEFA Champions League success set to be their priority this term, there will be teams hoping to capitalize on a potential shift in focus, not to mention the absence of Pogba.

But Roma and Napoli both face substantial challenges of their own.

After all, not only have Juve strengthened their own XI this summer, they’ve taken the most talented player both their rivals have to offer.

Veteran Glamorgan spinner Dean Cosker has announced his retirement after two decades in first-class cricket.

The 38-year-old is the last remaining active player from the Welsh county's 1997 County Championship success and calls time on his career having taken 957 wickets for Glamorgan and England A.

Dean Cosker

erie A champions Juventus begin the defence of their title when they host Fiorentina today in Turin.

Although Juventus have lost the most expensive player of all time this summer in Paul Pogba, on the cusp of a brand new Serie A season it’s almost impossible to the see the Italian champions for the last five terms in a row letting their crown slip.

Under the guidance of manager Massimiliano Allegri, the Bianconeri have been so dominant over the last two campaigns, continuing the trend set by Antonio Conte in the three previous years. Having landed Dani Alves

Juve begin Serie A dominance with trip to Fiorentina

s pleasing as it can be on the eye to watch Barcelona or Real Madrid thrash teams at home, the Spanish league is at its best when one of its big guns has a tricky test on the road. Think Sevilla, Valencia or Villarreal away and Sociedad is a similar game.

There’s a major chance of a Madrid slip-up here although you wouldn’t be surprised if they turned up and won 4-0, such is the quality they possess. Throw in the Basques v the capital dynamic and this will be a feisty encounter.

Last season, Madrid started slowly and it proved fatal in a tight three-way title race. Later in the season their put together a sensational winning run under Zinedine Zidane, which highlighted that they had the quality to win the title. The problem is they are without injured Cristiano Ronaldo while Gareth Bale might not be match fit after his Euro 2016 campaign. So Madrid travel take on a tricky trip to Real Sociedad without their two star men.

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Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

Sex scandal rocks swimming team

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Brazilian synchronised diving team has split up amidst a sex scandal.

Ingrid Oliveira, 20, banished team-mate Giovanna Pedroso, 17, from her room in Olympic Village to have sex with canoeist and compatriot Pedro Goncalves the night before they were due to dive.

Pedroso was furious about being kicked out of her own dorm and blasted Oliveira for losing focus so close to competition time.

She ranted: “I have been waiting for four years to be present at the Olympics and for her it was better to have fun and therefore threw me out of the room.”

The duo finished last in the women’s 10m synchronised diving on Wednesday and have now announced their separation.

A number of niggling arguments had caused a rift between the pair and Oliveira’s late-night romp turned out to be the final straw.

Speaking to O Globo, Pedroso said:

STUNNING GIRLFRIEND TO CONSOLE LOCHTE O

Angel Di Maria soaks up the sun in Spain with wife

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he summer is over for most footballers but Angel Di Maria still managed to fit in a cheeky break – despite his season starting for Paris Saint-Germain over 12 days ago.

Argentine ace Di Maria soaked up the Spanish sun in Formentera alongside his beautiful wife Jorgelina Cardoso and their two-year-old daughter Mia. Manchester United’s £60million flop stripped down to a pair of red, white and blue swim shorts to frolic around in the clear blue ocean.

Di Maria – who played for Argentina in the Copa America this summer – appeared to be having a whale of a time as he wore a huge smile on his face while having some fun in the sun with his family.

The star was spotted embracing

“The fight started in training because I wanted to make a jump and she wanted to do another.

“Me and my coach have talked and after the Olympics I will focus on my individual. It’s good because I will not need to depend on anyone. Then I will be able to improve and evolve more.”

Oliveira added: “We had a fight and were not talking. But at the time of competition we joined because it is a unique moment, [to compete in the] Olympics at home.''

lympic swimmer Ryan Lochte may have been robbed at gunpoint in Rio but at least he has stunning Kayla Rae Reid to comfort him.

The American sportstar’s girlfriend is a former Playboy Playmate and a fan of posing in tiny bikinis for her large 60,000 Instagram followers.

She has been in Brazil to support the gold medallist, 32, who fell foul of Rio’s armed robbers when he and his teammates had their wallets stolen.

After the incident, Lochte said: “I was with a couple swimmers, we got pulled over in our taxi and these guys came out with a badge, a police badge.

“No lights, no nothing, just a police badge. They pulled us over. They pulled out their guns.''

Angel Di Maria

his stunning wife, who opted for a black and white polka dot bikini for the day which didn’t leave much to the imagination.

Martial’s wife blames Man United star for split

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Martial

amantha Helena, the former partner of Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, has blamed the lifestyle in England for their break-up.

The pair, who have a child together, reportedly split after the French international cheated on her, and since then, details and further reports have been published in the British media regarding their relationship.

In an interview with The Sun, Helena opened up and discussed the impact that life in England had on her relationship with Martial, and talked about a lack of support from the club towards the couple in adapting to receiving all the new attention.

From ‘girls throwing themselves at him’ to a lack of support on managing his social media and no disciplinary action from the club after the reports of his cheating were picked up by the papers, it’s clear that Helena has a lot of anger towards the club over their lack of dealing with the matter.

M Mel Kelly

Stories courtesy : Dailymail

Reid

Models predict EPL season

odels Kelly, Mel, Lucy, Jo and India have cast their expert eye over the teams with new campaign already underway Kelly, from Daventry, has placed her bets on West Ham, who have moved into their new stadium in the Olympic Park.

"We can fit loads more fans in to support our boys, and I've got a good vibe."

Meanwhile, Lucy hopes Leicester City will repeat their incredible 2016 and defend the title - since her local team, Coventry, is still in League 1.

"Hopefully? Maybe? In the next 20 years might get there, who knows?" she said.

Jo, from Kent, chose Arsenal as her pick, who came so close to victory last year.

"I reckon they might just pull it out the bag".

India, from Reading, also plumped for West Ham, while successful Kentish DJ Mel is rooting for Manchester United.

The Premiership enters the second week this weekend. Paul Pogba, the biggest star of the most recent transfer window, was sensationally banned from playing the Jo opening match.

Lucy

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Nigerians competing for E other countries at Rio Games At the Rio Olympics, there are about 11,550 athletes participating, from 207 nations.

It is clear that some countries have athletes competing for them who are from other nations originally. Nigeria is especially affected, as the treatment of athletes by the country needs to be greatly improved. Here are Nigerians competing for other countries at the Rio Games.

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1. Femi Ogunode – Qatar emi Seun Ogunode was born on May 15, 1991, in Ondo state, western Nigeria.

He ran for University of Ibadan and qualified for the 2007 All-Africa Games and the 2008 Summer Olympics.

However, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria left him off of the final rosters for both events for undisclosed reasons. Following these, Ogunode accepted an offer to compete internationally for Qatar. His personal best of 9.91 at 100 m makes him the current holder of the Asian 100m record. He has been running for Qatar since 2010 and has won awards in 2011 and 2014.

3. Ezinne Okparaebo – Norway zinne Okparaebo was born on March 3, 1988 in Imo state, Nigeria. She is a Norwegian track and field sprint athlete.

She has been living in Norway since the age of nine, and identified as Norwegian. She has been representing Norway since 2008. At the 2016 Olympics she won no medals, completing the women 100m event in 11.43s.

4. Keturah Orji – USA eturah Orji was born on March 5, 1996. Apart from the name Orji, which is commonly used by Igbo people in Abia State, Nigeria, there is no other connections linking her to Nigeria. She is an American track and field athlete specialising in the triple jump.

Orji grew up in Mount Olive Township, New Jersey and graduated from Mount Olive High School in 2014.

She placed fourth in the triple jump at this year’s Olympics.

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2. Oluwakemi Adekoya –Bahrain luwakemi Adekoya was born on January 16, 1993. She originally ran for Nigerian since 2011, but due to dissatisfaction with how the country treated athletes Kemi defected to Bahrain. Adekoya’s first race in 2014 for her new country was a surprise to everyone. She defeated the entire elite 400 m hurdles field in a surprise win. Her time of 54.59 seconds was a world-leading one, and also displayed a banner saying “I am Bahrain” after her victory.

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5. Ayomide Folorunso –Italy yomide Folorunso was born October 17, 1996.

She is from Abeokuta, in Ogun state, Nigeria.

She now has Italian nationality and runs in the 400 metres hurdles race for Italy. She competed in the 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing has made it to the Semi finals at this year’s Rio Olympics after coming 9th.

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9. Cindy Ofili - Britain indy Ofili was born on August 5, 1994. A native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA and the younger sister of fellow hurdler Tiffany Porter (née Ofili); as her mother is British, she was born with both American and British citizenship.

Ofili could have chosen to internationally represent either the United States, Great Britain or Nigeria (her father's country of origin); in June 2015 it was announced that she had selected Britain, following her older sister Tiffany Porter.

The move caused some controversy in Britain, with detractors labeling Ofili a "plastic Brit"; Ofili stated she felt British.

N 7. Morolake Akinosun – USA orolake Akinosun, born May 17, 1994 in Lagos, Nigeria is no small athlete.

She is an American track runner who is currently participating in the Olympics. She won gold at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto in 4 x 100 meter with team mates Barbara Pierre, LaKeisha Lawson, Kaylin Whitney. She is only the second woman ever to score in four events at an NCAA Outdoor Championships in consecutive seasons. She is a four time NCAA 4 x 400 champion.

She will be running a Relay race on Thursday, August 18.

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6. Barbara Nwaba – United States waba was born January 18, 1989, in Los Angeles, California, to Nigerian parents Theodore and Blessing Nwaba. The family is from Mbaitoli local government area of Imo State, Nigeria. Her grandfather is the king of their home village; Eziama Obiato. She is the oldest of six children and a 2007 graduate of University High School. Nwaba is an American track and field athlete, known for multi-event participation, she participates in the hepthalon, which includes javelin throw, long jump and five other events. She is yet to win any medal in 2016.

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8. Paola Ogechi Egonu – Italy aola Ogechi Egonu was born on December 18, 1998, in Veneto, Italy, to Nigerian parents. She is an Italian female volleyball player. She is part of the Italy women’s national volleyball team and she was awarded ‘best outside Spiker’ at the 2016 Europe Olympic Qualification Tournament .

Her team beat Puerto Rico 3- 0 in their last match.

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Rio 2016: Brazil seek revenge, redemption against Germany

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razil will get a shot at redemption when they host Germany in the Rio 2016 gold medal match as they bid to avenge a humiliating defeat inflicted by the same opponents two years ago.

The last time the two countries met was in 2014 in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Belo Horizonte when the Germans dismantled and humiliated the Brazilians 7-1. That win was the largest ever international loss for a Brazilian national team and could hardly have come at a worse time as Brazilian football was plunged into despair, self doubt and recrimination.

The Maracana and the Olympic final is a different occasion entirely; for a start it is an U-23 tournament. But for Brazil it offers the opportunity of football redemption. It could also be a win that ultimately puts the shine on a sometimes faltering Olympics for Brazilians.

Neymar has been the face of the Rio Olympics for Brazilians and in the semi-final was the talisman that re-lit the fire of Brazilian football. At the centre of so much of Brazil’s

almost constant movement he masterminded the destruction of Honduras.

The boos that the Brazilian team had faced from their fans in the early group stages when they played two goalless draws against South Africa and Iraq now seem a long way away. They are now realistically chasing their first Olympic Games men’s football gold medal after losing in the finals in 1984, 1988 and 2012.

After a similarly slow start to the tournament as Brazil – two draw against Mexico and South Korea – Germany have found their feet and the goal with a 10-1 thrashing of Fiji and 2-0 wins over Portugal in the quarter final and now Nigeria.

This will be Germany’s best ever finish at a Men’s Olympic football tournament.

More importantly it promises a rematch of Europe versus South America, German tactical awareness and technical efficiency against Brazil’s fluid movement and individual flair.

The Maracana is set to host another epic.

Musa faces Arsenal’s wrath

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Musa

Hawking in style

he Maracana Stadium has been massive since the beginning of the games. It is more centre and it is closer to the people and so there is always a huge crowd going for different games especially volleyball where Brazil was doing great in both the male and female cadres. It was however a shock when one guy approached me with a bag and was asking if I needed ‘aqua’ which is water. I could not decode it until my colleague told me that the guy was hawking. When he came back the second time, he was shouting “aqua, cola, aqua, cola’ and after close observation I realised the bag he was carrying was soaked. He was actually hawking water and drinks at the stadium. His style was a deliberate ploy to escape from the authorities because hawking is not allowed in the streets.

Ogu vows to win Rohr’s heart

Merit key in promoting U-23 players – Adepoju

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he city of Rio is the most expensive place in Brazil. What you buy at a certain price in Sao Paulo and other cities in Brazil is double the price in Rio. It was at the Games Village on Wednesday when two athletes of Team Nigeria were complaining that they were unable to buy anything because the prices were outrageously high. Rio, because of its tourism potential, is an expensive city but the ongoing Olympic Games has further made shopping a herculean task for participants of the games. With the forex situation in Nigeria, everyone is maintaining a low key style here...

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ormer Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has urged the new Super Eagles coach Gernot Rhor to select players from the U 23 level based on merit and not sentiments.

Adepoju who said this in an interview with Saturday Telegraph insisted that there were some quality players in the Samson Siasia-led side that would be useful for the new coach as he looks to qualify the country for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. ''Whoever is deemed worthy for the senior side should be given

Expensive Rio

he security situation in Rio is something else.

Anywhere you go as a participant, there will be an intensive search and scanning of all your belongings. This is also the case for journalists. And so at the media centre, the search was on and one of the Nigerian journalists who thought he was okay was not passed by the scanning machine.

He went back and was asked to pull off his belt.

He did but behold, the trousers came down to the amazement of all as the guy hurriedly went down to salvage the situation. Yet, the security men insisted he should pass the scanner without belt as he held his trousers with his hands. It was not funny.

hmed Musa’s English Premier League debut did not go as expected after his Leicester City fell to a 2-1 defeat at Hull City and it remains to be seen how he is going to influence the defending champions’ comeback when they face Arsenal today (Saturday) in their second match of the season.

Musa combined well with Jamie Vardy and Mahrez in the three-prong attack but they did not make their dominance count as they wasted several chances to allow the new EPL comers Hull run away with three points.

The Nigerian is likely going to start in today’s game against Arsenal and Foxes faithful will be keen to see how the team will perform against the Gunners. His national teammate Alex Iwobi will not travel with Arsenal to Leicester after he suffered an injury in their 4-3 defeat in the hands of Liverpool last Sunday.

Similarly, Odion Ighalo is expected to be in action when Watford host Chelsea at the Vicarage.

Ighalo formed a telepathic partnership with Troy Deeney last season as the pair scored an impressive 28 league goals between them and they will fancy their chances of getting off the mark for this campaign against the Blues.

a look but I believe there are some good players in that team and such individuals should be encouraged,'' Adepoju said.

The U-23 team has been impressive in Rio, with the likes of Ogenekaro Etebo, Okechukwu Azubuike, Imoh Ezekiel, Troost-Ekong among a few warming the hearts of the world in Rio with their impressive individual performance.

The team lost to the Germans 2-0 in the semifinal of football event of the Olympics and will be looking to fight for a bronze medal against Honduras, who got thrashed by Brazil 6-0 in the other half semifinal match.

CRUMBS

...and the trousers goes down

Ajibade Olusesan

Ikenna Amadi

Rio 2016

Ajibade Olusessan

H

Ogu

apoel Be'er-Sheva’s midfielder John Ogu is optimistic his performance for his side will be enough to earn him a recall into the national team as new coach Gernot Rohr begins his reign.

Ogu has been out of the team since late coach Stephen Keshi left the role as he had no stint under Sunday Oliseh, Samson Siasia and Salisu Yusuf, but the midfielder is keen to warm himself into the heart of the German tactician.

"I wish to work with the new coach but I am hoping that my

present form will attract his interest. Going back to Super Eagles especially at the World Cup qualifiers is one of my top priorities and I am working towards it on a daily basis,” he said.

He is one of those players not afraid of being in the same group as Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia, saying the Eagles will pick the sole ticket from that pool to the Russia 2018 World Cup. “I am very optimistic Super Eagles will qualify for the World Cup. It’s a big task for the coach and all the players, and we need the support of the fans for us to scale through,” he added.

Investigations 33

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

the mind of worries'

PHOTO: WWW.VIRTUALTOURIST.COM

PHOTO: INTERNET

fangs every night unchallenged, especially in the wee hours of the morning. They usually leave their victims in emotional trauma, with some sent to early graves.

Yet, Oluwole Tarmac, opposite the Ogba Retail Market, paints a different picture at night; large spaced and fully concrete in the centre of the popular Oluwole Estate, and situated at the heart of Ogba, the outskirts of Lagos.

It is a special kind of joint. For the first timer, it is likely going to be a tasteless impression about this quarter and its occupants. It is also possible for a few to conclude that this neighbourhood is just about hustlers and fun seekers.

Barrack-like, with obvious grimy environs that could scare the faint-hearted; the smoke from ganja-smoking guys frightens while its surrounding exhibits a calm serenity. Even at that, moving around the area offers the sight of comfort, especially at night. The tarmac is unique and quite popular among its guests.

It exhibits an extremely tired appearance but swims in the mannerism of a well-managed neighbourhood. It has a commercial flair, and can well be described as one of the last relics of age.

Yell in the middle of the night, out of fear or excitement, and you will be sure to get a response. It is all part of the fun.

This is the harmonious attitude of the natives as the tarmac gestures around the willing. Enjoyment in this estate is endless. For the ladies, every night presents a convenient shovel that digs them up from the monotony of brothel life. One could read the shock and surprise on their faces as the callers show familiarity with some of their

antics. This trend of acquaintance with crimson sisters, no doubt, leaves a big impression on the minds of the visiting wolves.

Chris Idemudia is a frequent crawler at the tarmac. He confirmed that tarmac is the place to be at night. "Just go there with your friends and have the fun of your life," he said. It is a place that accommodates all kinds of people who come not for the fun alone but also to discuss business.

“If you are the fast type, those big boys can connect you.

You don’t have to know anybody.

Just walk into the tarmac and you won’t have any problem,” Idemudia said.

The main attracPHOTO: RAVEL.COM tion, according to him, is the air of freedom. He said that everything is done in the open with cool breeze that soothes nerves. “So, all manner of people find the place convenient to relax; the main thing really is the cat fish pepper soup. They will show you a live one to select from (point and kill) and in 10 minutes the soup is ready. The aroma alone is something that many would find difficult to resist.”

There are also girls aplenty and those who fancy them and want to have fun with them usually call them

aside to negotiate the price for either “short time”, which is a quick stand at a nearby block or behind a parked car. “When the night is well spent, they lure you into taking them for whole sale”, another guest who identified himself simply as Ojo, said.

Mama Akin, Old School, Hunters and White House are some of the popular bars that operate at the tarmac. The beer manufacturing companies seem to be at war at Oluwole tarmac as they compete for patronage.

But the most popular, according to these sellers, are the Guinness and Star brands. To the oc-

cupants of the estate, this seeming invasion of their domain is welcome and satisfying. The human and vehicular traffic in their vicinity does not betray the mammoth crowd that gathers here on a daily basis.

Other attractions include big screen television sets where English Premier League matches and pornographic films are served. The pornographic films are deliberately played to arouse lustful feelings and interest in the girls that flock around. There are also the big “mamas”. They come in flashy cars and try some old tricks to entice the young men. They are wealthy and most likely unmarried.

The owners of the bars told this reporter that there could be occasional squabbles among the guys but that such has never degenerated to something unusual. They also reveal that the police do not come to harass anybody except to have fun as well, insisting their domain is usually very peaceful in spite of the human surge every night.

The comedy business is increasingly taking up the pm hours in Lagos also. For instance, every last Friday of the month, hosts all-comers’ comedy shows in places like Allen Avenue.

The following night, that is, the last Saturday of the month, the shows move to Ikoyi, Ojuelegba and AbuleEgba neighbourhoods as guests of the comedians, both up and coming and established ones, depending on the locality. Alongside other entertainers, they supply rib-cracking jokes that leave many sprawling on their chairs for a fee of between N500 and N2,000.

Significantly, Lagosians seem to have caught the night fever yet again.

Just about everyone chant the “times are hard” song but a good number still find reason to celebrate and throw elaborate parties in spite of the seeming hard times.

The harsh economic situation in the nation does not seem to be a hindrance to nightlife in this part of the country. “People must relax and listen to music. Relaxation itself unburdens the mind of a lot of worries. And do not forget that partying is a way of making friends who may be useful in future,” one-time president, Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Charles Oputa, also known as Charley Boy, noted.

For Joseph Odobeatu, the founder of O’Jez Nite Club, Iwaya, “relaxation is therapeutic and nightlife seems to be a good time for such therapy.”

Lagos nightlife in pixs.

PHOTO: GOURNMETIFINESSE.COM

Sportsplash 34 Showbiz Lecturer-turned gospel exponent, Buchi Atuonwu, is by far a role model to many. in this interview with JOHN CHIKEZIE, he speaks about his career and sundry issues.

How would you describe your background?

I have a parental background traceable in Umuahia in Abia State, but was born in Kaduna State. My early education began in Enugu and later sprouted through Methodist College, Uzuakoli and Federal Government College, Enugu. In 1983, I came to Lagos to study English Language and Literary Studies at the University of Lagos, obtained a BA in 1986, MA in 1988 and later same year took up an appointment to lecture at the same institution alongside a PhD programme in 1990 (though I left while writing my seminars and dissertations). I gave my heart to Jesus Christ on the December 30, 1992 at Christ Embassy Church.

However, I am a husband and proud father of a son and three daughters.

How did you delve into music despite your academic qualifications?

Before I became a lecturer, I was already a resident DJ in a Reggae Nightclub, assisting The Reggae artiste, ‘Ras Kimono’. So, when I became born again in 1992, I had to move from the club to join a choir group in the church and that was how the music took off. I performed and recorded up until 1999, when the first album was released.

How many songs and albums do you have to your credit?

I have 55 songs and six albums which were released within an interim of three years. The albums include; “These Days” 1999; “So Beautiful” 2002; “What a Life” 2005, “Sound of life” 2008; “Sound of Judah” 2011, “I

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

People thought I was stupid when I quit secular music –Buchi See”. Hence, the next three years from the last release, I would be coming up with another album, specifically in 2017. No title has been giving to it yet, it’s still being worked upon.

Are there awards you’ve got to show for the years of hard work?

I would react to this question by stating that the value of a musician or an artiste and his contributions cannot be determined by the numerous awards and trophies received from organisations; it’s not a yardstick or landmark. All the awards depends strictly on individual reckoning, to some I was the best in 1999, others might acclaim 2005, 2008 and so on. I place a limit to the value of awards; despite I

have received 29 awards including an international award in 2007. When my house got burnt in 2014 alongside most of the awards and other things except the Holy Bible, then I realised that those (awards) were of little value. But that which endures is the word of God. But there are so many organisations; I say this with respect to all those who have recognised me with awards, who do this for personal reasons.

Therefore, it makes the credibility of awards to dwindle drastically.

I am grateful for all of them, but that can neither define me nor my contribution to

Buchi

God’s kingdom and the social life.

What inspires your lyrics?

I want to see the whole world come to Jesus Christ; to see the gospel of Jesus becoming the tenet by which society lives. I sing, basically, to preach the gospel, to minister the word of God. As I would put it; the word became songs. However, it’s to bring the love of God to the knowledge of all men.

How would you describe the challenges you faced at your early stage as a gospel artiste?

At first, people thought I was stupid, having moved from circular reggae in the club to gospel in the church. They also found it alarming for me to have dropped a lecturing job for music. However, I left my lecturing job because my passion for the gospel and nation -building which pulled me out; it was beyond artistry but a move of transforming lives through the word of God in music. The major challenge was, basically, the acceptance of the genre of my music and a question mark on the authenticity of my new birth expression or experience in Christ. But, it is pertinent to note that these challenges were visible in order to enhance growth and promotion. I encountered these challenges and I dealt with them, and I grew.

Challenges are everywhere and in every career not just in music.

More so, when I started as a gospel artiste, o n e of my friends

laughed and told me that I wouldn’t have much song to write in this new venture, aside “Glory!

Halleluiah! Praise the Lord! He asked me if there was anything to sing in the gospel; which has no lyrics and probably end up repeating songs. Right after, I told him there is much message in the word of God, yet to be professed to the people.

How do you strike the balance between your ministerial office as a deacon, music career and family life?

My life as a music artiste, a deacon and as a husband and father, are not different or separate entities. They are what I do and who I am. I am a deacon because my services in the Kingdom have been found worthy in assisting the leadership of the church, to run church. There is something I am contributing and since there is a criteria for becoming one, my pastor found me to have met those criteria and ordained me a deacon. It’s not a post but a lifestyle. Therefore, all these simply define who I am and also aid direct my daily activities.

In one of your hit songs, Cultural Festival, you said Christianity may not be part of our ancient history but it’s certainly our culture. What explains that?

Christianity may not be a part of our ancient history in the sense that if you trace back to our African origin, Christianity visited us and wasn’t with us from the beginning. But if culture is a people’s way of life and thinking, then Christianity has become our culture because it has been with us long enough to be called ours.

We dream and live Christian; it is not an act that we put up. Our great parents and grandparents lived as one. Most of us have never seen a juju priest yet we have been induced, especially by home videos, as being a reality. But I see that as a dead culture.

Celebrity Fan Date features Ali Baba, Bimbo Akintola

I

Adedayo Odulaja t was all dance, fun and joy as the maiden edition of Celebrity Fan Date held in Lagos, on August 11.

Put together by Kemi Otegbade through Heartlink Group, the event held at Orinetal Hotel in Lagos, featured foremost comedian, Ali Baba and star actress, Bimbo Akintola. The two celebs were chosen from a long list of celebs nominated for the event after thousands of votes by their fans in Nigeria as well as the United Kingdom and United States.

Told to ask any three questions each from their favourite celebs, both fans were happy with the atmosphere which afforded them the opportunity to interact, dance and joke with the stars at close quarters.

A young man named Jolayemi Peters was the date of Ali Baba and like the notable comedian, he reads a lot collects art works. He voted a total of 632 times to meet Ali baba just as Bimbo’s date, a dashing young woman named Precious Chinenye voted 134 times for 93 Days star.

While congratulating everyone involved with the project, former Lagos State deputy governor, Princess Sarah Sosan, said the entertainment sector was thriving while noting

that the most wonderful part was that most people involved in the sector today were very educated and teaching the public in various ways.

According to the train behind the initiative, Kemi Otegbade, Celebrity Fan Date is a novel idea that is meant to establish a real relationship between stars chosen for each edition and a few of their teeming fans.

“Celebrity Fan Date was conceived during the time of elections because I am a very restless person. The aim is to bring fans closer to the stars they admire and I thought we could inspire a lot of people by providing the platform for people to go to meet their stars anytime. That is why we have created an app, CFD is an app, you can download it, it is free and you can upload your picture and details as well as signify your interest in being a part of Celebrity Fan Date, she said.”

According to her, bigger plans including flying celebs chosen to the UK and US to meet their fans for subsequent editions are on the way. The event, anchored by ace comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, was well attended.

Notable among those present were Keppy Ekpeyong, Faith Eboigbe, Oyin Onime, Muyiwa Majekodunmi, female talking drummer, Ara among others.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Heartlink Group, Kemi Otegbade; Jolayemi Peter; Comedian, Alibaba; Bimbo Akintola and singer/actress, Chinenye Precious, during the Celebrity Fan Date series 1, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos…recently. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Interview 35

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

SHOWBIZ TODAY

LANRE ODUKOYA 08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Green White Green, a tale of rebellion, to premiere in Toronto Film Festival

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reen White Green is a kaleidoscopic exploration of Nigeria’s history and evolution of violence, art and film told through the coming-of-age tale of aspiring artists in Lagos. Three young men from different classes bonded to escape the monotony of their parents’ generational demands and pursue their creative dreams. In a satirical stab at the old straight to video Nollywood, Green White Green is a modern dramatic comedy that comes with a poser, ‘what does it mean to be Nigerian?’

“I fought to make this film come to fruition despite many limitations. With this film, I wanted to express the experience of many young Nigerians who are lost inside a culture and history they are coming to grips with,” says rising filmmaker, Abba T. Makama. Green White Green is led by a powerhouse team of creative minds including, executive producer, Rimini Haraya Makama, listed in Forbes 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa (2014), Abba T. Makama, director of African Movie Academy nominated documentary Nollywood, commissioned by Al Jazeera, award-winning actor Ifeanyi Dike Jr. has been named a Top 30 Nigerian Under 30, Top 21 Young Achiever Under 21, among other accolades and veteran actor, Bimbo Manuel.

Green White Green will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14 at 7:15pm at the Isabel Bader Theatre.

Issi on love search with ‘Tease Mi’

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nown for her niche in music and enchantment, Delta State born singer, Isioma Charles, better known as Issi, is not a run-off-themill of musician. Issy has been able to put a touch of class and elegance to her craft and this has endeared her to a cult-like fan base.

She went off the radar for a moment, shortly after dropping the playful tune, ‘Jangolova’, this time, Issi’s return is with yet another fine dance-hall jams titled, ‘Tease Mi’.

The musical video employs the use of over thirty-two dancers and a cameo appearance by Papijeh.

With Tease Mi, Issi is sure one of the fastest rising female musicians to change the face of music in the entertainment industry. Directed

by Mattmax, Tease Mi, encompasses all musical components to make the song worth of every listener’s time. It’s currently enjoying massive airplay. Meanwhile, Issi, a live band performer who has shared the stage with some of the best acts in town, will be performing her new song today at Shadez Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 9pm. The occasion would also double as her musical video premiere.

The Voice Nigeria

How Africa Magic deceived Nigerians

T

hat The Voice Nigeria is one of the most engaging and cheery reality TV shows we’ve seen in recent time remains incontrovertible- for a simple reason: it was its debut and aired with about the same grandiose of its UK and US counterparts. You may recall that it premiered on Africa Magic television channels Showcase and Urban on DStv in Nigeria on April 10. The talented contestants were screened from 32 to eight that qualified for the finalswhere the winner was later decided by public votes.

The concept is not originally Nigeria’s, just like Glo X-Factor, Etisalat’s Nigerian Idol, Airtel’s Nigeria’s Got Talent among other riveting show. But not many realised how much these shows have been taken for granted until The Voice Nigeria ran its fine episodes and glued Nigerians to their seats for the love of music and the budding talents for weeks.

But sadly, for the same number of weeks, Africa Magic, the producer of the show deceived Nigerians.

If America’s Got Talent holds in America and UK’s X-Factor holds in the UK, it naturally stirs the curiosity to enquire, ‘why did the producer of The Voice Nigeria stage its debut in South Africa?’ Yes, the show didn’t hold in Nigeria and the public didn’t know. It only became an experience for the media to behold when the winner, A’rese, returned to Nigeria.

It beats logic that the pro-

ducer considered South Africa as the host of a 100 percent Nigerian show. We gathered reliably that the contestants, their relatives, Waje, Timi Dakolo, Patoranking and Tuface, the mentors, and every Nigerian on the show were flown abroad to produce The Voice Nigeria.

At last, the winner earned a recording contract with Universal Music Group, an SUV car worth N7 million and a

trip to Abu Dhabi, not a trip to Ibeno beach, Akwa Ibom State, Obudu Moutain Resort, Cross River, Yankari National Park in Bauchi State among many other tourist havens where the lady could have a swell time while the money is kept in Nigeria.

If the producer thought Nigeria and/or her commercial hub, Lagos, lacks the infrastructure and the manpower to prosecute the project, why didn’t it rather stage The Voice

South Africa? It’s cruelly incredible that a show like The Voice Nigeria couldn't be staged in Nigeria, and if it were not possible to do so, why didn’t Africa Magic bring the experts and ultramodern equipment to Nigeria? That way Nigerians would learn and master the techniques in a season or two before the expatriates return to wherever they come from.

Top blogger, Alosholuyi, dazzles wife with surprise birthday party at 40

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t the age of 20, we don’t care what the world thinks of us; at 30, we worry about what it is thinking of us; at 40, we discover that it wasn’t thinking of us at all”, the quote is attributed to an anonymous author. But while the world won’t spare time to think about you at 40, but the same can’t be said of your husband, wife and kids.

This axiom aptly captures a surprise birthday party staged

by Charles Kehinde Alasholuyi to celebrate his wife, Olufunmilayo, at 40. The top blogger had led his wife to Mayfair Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, where they booked her grand celebration.

But they agreed to post-date the party till sometime in September and that was the date the couple took to the management of the events centre. While Olufunmilayo looked forward to the September party, Kehinde tacitly asked her to come with him and the kids for a small

treat on August 6- her birthday.

That was how his wife was led into a lavish surprise birthday party in the same venue they’d booked the show postdated to hold in September. Mesmerised, bewildered and humbled on her day, Olufunmilayo was cel-

ebrated by her husband’s high octane guests who swarmed the venue from far and near. Tears streamed down her face in excitement and shock, but all soon gave way to melodious music, vintage wines and sumptuous meals.

The Alosholuyis

36

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

TV&Radio

20 AUGUST 2016

with Deborah Ocheni

This weekend TELEVISION

ONTV

TVC

Saturday 7:30 Crocadoo 8:00 The Indomitables 8:30 Pocahontas

Hostess and senator Sani (right)

Fireworks: Lingering tussle for senate leadership F ireworks is a current affairs programme that conducts critical interviews with top politicians and personalities in Nigeria.

It is aired every Monday on TVC at 12pm.

Shehu Sani, senator Kaduna Central, in this edition of the programme spoke about his support for the Senate President Bukola Saraki who has been fighting for his political life. “In keeping with what President Muhammadu Buhari said, that he had no preferred candidates for the senate leadership position and that he is prepared to work with anybody that wins. The senators on the side of the senate president are those who elected him, I was not there and the option for me is to stop coming to the senate if I don’t like him but I accepted him and he swore me in as a senator.

“I accept Saraki as my senate president and I believe everybody accepts him too. If you have been in that senate receiving payments and presenting motions and bills before the senate president it means you are for him,”Sani said.

He also spoke on the trial of the senate president, insisting that is not the most important issue for now. “My own personal view about arrest, trial and prison will differ from an ordinary person’s because I have several times been arrested and jailed; if you have been to prison whether it is violence that took you there or fraud, you will know what prison is like. Saraki’s case has been taken to court and they have the right to express their opinion about what they feel about the case before the court. I do not see the senate president’s trial as the most important issue before Nigeria at this time because we have tried it about three to four times with internal peace and reconciliation board, had it been they succeeded we wouldn’t have got to this. A committee was set up internally to reconcile those who are opposing Saraki with those supporting him and a certain level of agreement was reached which is to reshuffle the committees and suspend the petition which some people have written and to look at the possibility of ending problems that exist within us because it looks like an All Progressives Congress affair.

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

D

Beat FM’s Caise

erin Phillips, popularly known as Dj Caise, is one of the most innovative young Nigerian entertainers. He is a multi-award winning DJ that has not only performed in the UK's and Nigeria's most prestigious nightclubs but has also entertained a variety of audiences from around the world. Dj Caise is also a producer; he has a unique style and has performed alongside many of the music industry's leading artists such as Donaeo, Dbanj, the Mo hits All stars, P-Square, Styl-Plus, Olu Maintain, Ikechukwu, Sasha among others.

Driven by his natural talent and great passion for music, Dj Caise showcases his incredible skills and knowledge of the music every step of the way. He is the official DJ of the Beat 99.9 FM. His style and popularity are like no other.

It pains me deeply when I see united Peoples Democratic Party senators and divided APC senators.

Sani said he represents Kaduna Central irrespective of party affiliation. “An election took place and we were told to accept Saraki as senate president, I am not a senator to represent Unity Forum, I am a senator representing Kaduna Central so I don’t belong to any group.

My understanding of leadership is not to favour only APC supporters, I am a senator representing Kaduna Central and my constituency office is open seven days in a week. People come in there from different party affiliations and I talk to everybody that comes around, that is how to win them over,” he said.

Sani vowed that he would not join the PDP. “I do not in any way have the interest of joining PDP and I will not do that. I have seen our President hosting PDP governors in the Villa and I have seen our governors hosting PDP members of House of Representatives. So, as far as I am concerned, my office is open to anybody irrespective of political affiliations. It is natural, one cannot get the truth from a one’s friends or enemies.

You only get the truth from people on ground who have no emotions or about whether they are friends or enemies. In the last one year, people are not decamping to APC in Kaduna due to the crisis in Kaduna State APC, and it is because of this we need to resolve the internal crisis in Kaduna State.

Programme summary

Star Gist African Magic (154) Daily@ 1:30 am

It beams the spotlight on African and international celebritie;, it features the latest news and take you behind the scene music, magazine and video shoots.

The Jonhsons

African Magic Urban (153)

Saturday@10am Caise

It is a comedy programme that portrays the life of an average family in Lagos and the challenges they face.

Saturday 9:00 The Big Issue 10:00 News 10:30 Indomitables 11:00 On the Town 11:30 Sports Week 12:00 News 12:30 Video Fashion 1:00 Nollywood Yoruba 2:30 Firewors 3:30 Golden Chance Lotto 4:00 News 4:30 Sports Week 9:05 Arambara 5:00 Fanz Champioship 9:30 Village Square 5:30 Jendo 11:05 Snakes and Lizards 6:30 Project Poise Show 12:00 Souncity Top Choice Videos 7:00 The Teju Baby Face Show 1:00 Hitz 8:00 Boom Box 1:30 Pavitra Rishta 8:30 Sports Week 2:35 Village Square 9:00 Silent Noise 4:10 Movie 9:30 Events Diary 5:35 Los Rey 10:00 New 6:20 Spice Most 11:00 Play on Repeat 7:00 News Headline Sunday 7:10 Footprints 7:00 Hosanna Hour 8:00 Pulse 234 8:00 Nollywood English 8:30 Spider 10:00 News 9:00 Spice Specials 10:10 Nollywood Yoruba 9:30 Soundcity Party Mix 11:30 Sports Week 10:30 Omnisport 12:00 News Sunday 12:30 Warning Bell 8:00 Hutos 2:00 Relentless 2.0 9:05 Arambara 2:30 Hour Salvation 9:35 Village Square 3:00 Chapel of Grace 11:05 Snakes and Lizards 3:30 Golden Chance Lotto 12:00 Soundcity’s Global Countdown 4:30 Excellent Leadership 1:00 Hitz 5:00 Hitlist N Cruzin 1:30 Pavitra Rishta 5:30 Vivid View 2:40 Village Square 6:00 Stand Point 4:10 Movie 7:00 The Ungrateful Soul 5:35 Los Rey 8:00 WAEC Infobox 6:30 Glam Mamas 8:30 The Valley Between 7:05 Before 30 9:00 Pastor Chris Teaching 7:30 Saints 9:30 Ogun State 8:00 Sunday Paparazzi Show 10:00 News 8:30 Spider 9:00 On the Couch 10:25 Omnisports

RADIO

Smooth fm 98.1 Saturday 6:00 Breakfast In Bed 7:30 Venus Raising 8:30 Soul Food 9:00 Bite Size 9:30 Entertainment News 10:00 Smooth Book Review 11:00 Total Football 12:00 Metro Life 5:00 Luxury Soul 9:00 Late Night Blues

Sunday 7:00 Smooth Motivation 10:00 Music Mix 12:00 Sunday Brunch 4:00 Music Mix 5:00 Luxury Soul 6:00 Soulfully Yours 9: 00 Late Night Blues 10:00 Music Mix

Radio continental 102.3 fm Saturday 7:30 Papers Today 8:00 Good Living 10:00 Saturday Sports 12:45 Replay Africa 1:00 Fan Zone 4:00 Me & You 6:00 Entertainment Unscripted 7:30 Afrobeat Tonight 9:00 Single Life 10:30 Old School Groove Sunday

7:00 Press Report 8:00 Church without Barrier 10:30 Think You Know the Bible 11:00 Country Music 1:00 Chart Busters 2:30 Palaver 5:00 World News 6:00 Youth Connect 8:00 Sunday Evening Groove 10:00 Music

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

The Arts

Languages, carriers of our identities, history –Odum

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he Head of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) State Office, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr. Kenneth Odum, has said that languages are carriers of our identities and history and a means through which our worldviews are communicated and transmitted from one generation to the next.

He stated this at the opening ceremony of the 4th edition of the institute’s Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), held at NDE Hall, Federal Secretariat Complex, Ikolaba-Ibadan, recently which he declared open on behalf of the Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma.

The Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme was conceived as a cardinal tool of the Institute, and is aimed at instilling in Nigerians a desire to learn and discover the uniqueness of other languages and to appreciate the beauty in our diverse cultural heritage.

He welcomed the partici-

Odum

pants to the 2016 edition of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), stating that this year’s programme is the 4th edition of the State Office and the 10th of the Institute in the series, where different languages, including Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Izon, Efik, Fulfulde, Nupe, etc. have been taught.

He further explained that a remarkable number of partici-

pants was drawn from all strata of the society: children, students, members of para-military institutions, media houses, house wives and diplomats.

According to him, with the increased awareness and patronage of the language programme, many of our indigenous languages will be revived and as such serve as veritable vehicles for the transmission of our rich cultural heritage.

Concluding, Mr. Odum thanked all the participants for gracing the occasion, which, he said, will go a long way to benefit all.

The Head of Orientation and Cultural Affairs, NICO Ibadan State Office, Mr. Ikona Ubi, in a vote of thanks, also underscored the significance of language to the development of a society.

“Every language is important in the sense that it helps us as a people to communicate and express our belief systems in our everyday life and activities, all in keeping with the desire to be in tune with our entire existence,” Ubi said.

Bata drummers

REVIEW Book title: Blessed Body: The Secret Lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Nigerians Editor: Unoma Azuah Pages: 267 Publisher: Cooking Pot Books Reviewer: Steve Aborisade

Secret lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender Nigerians

B

lessed Body: The Secret Lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Nigerians, edited by Unoma Azuah, produced and published in collaboration with Queer Alliance, is a collection of 38 personal narratives by 36 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Nigerians who laid bare their struggles of contemplating, discovering, accepting and living their identities as sexual beings in their families, immediate communities, in their country, and within the contexts of their faiths and culture.

This book provides a context to better understand and appreciate the notion of homosexuality through individual stories about discovering the meaning of their sexuality as human beings.”

On offer are testimonials of 19 gay men, 12 lesbians, four transgender persons, and two bisexuals, who are based here in Nigeria and abroad, some having fled in search of refuge as a result of the harsh realities which a mere suspicion (rightly or wrongly) of being LGBT portends to individuals, and now made worse with a 2014 anti-LGBT law that has brought about increased targeted persecutions and abuse

PGC wins IbomFest Heritage Festival media account

P

eekaboo Global Consulting Limited has won the media account for the maiden edition of the IbomFest Heritage Festival scheduled to take place from December 15 to 17 in Akwa Ibom State.

The festival is aimed at diverting investment and tourism traffic to Akwa Ibom State through the provision of artistic, cultural and tourism platforms to add value to the state’s economy.

Speaking at the formal signing of the SLA which had the lead consultant of PGC, Mr. Darlington Abuda, and the IbomFest Project Manager, Mr. Apeh Harrison Iwodi, in attendance, the Special Assis-

37

tant to the Governor on Tourism, Ms. Ini Edo, stated that the IbomFest Heritage festival, which has as its theme “Our Culture Beyond Borders”, would simultaneously showcase the tourism potential of the state to visitors while giving residents of the state a renewed appreciation of their state.

Ms. Edo, who is the Project Manager for the Festival, explained that IbomFest would also showcase the wealth of the state in terms of historic sites, sculptural landscapes, topography, cuisines, arts and crafts that abound in the state. This showcase she further explained would

attract foreign direct investment to the state as well as create opportunity for stakeholders in the tourism industry to showcase their potential.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Abuda said: “Yes, we won the Ibomfest Heritage Festival 2016 media account and we thank God and the client for believing in us”.

He however refused to describe the agency’s media strategy in moving the IbomFest brand forward on the media front, saying, “We are keeping our game plans close to our chest but they are bold and geared towards

of rights of LGBT persons by both state and none state actors alike.

This collection of stories is particularly outstanding when considered against the intrigues, passions, fears, shame and shaming, the grip of pretences, barriers and boundaries, and the uncertainties in the quest to be true to self and the triumphs of narrators, which captures the pain and joys and the sufferings in an effort to discover the self and of exploring the meaning of those identities in a geographical space with a linear and rigid construction of what sexual identity entails.

Azuah presents the themes of the anthology under eight compartmentalisation of, Discovery: Coming of Age; Blurring Lines; Facebook Fantasies; Homo-sexing; Unwanted Marriage; Secret Lives; The Church and Unapologetic, Blessed Bodies offer Nigerians an opportunity to renegotiate understanding of sexuality within a cultural context heavily influenced by imposed religions.

Blessed Body (267 pp), is published by Cooking Pot Books, and is available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats and on Barnes and Noble in eBook Nook format.

L-R: Mr. Darlington AbudaPGC Lead Consultant, Ms Ini Edo-Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism and Development, Mr. Apeh Harrison Iwodi-Project Consultant

making IbomFest a byword in the shortest time”.

He emphasised his agency’s determination to support the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration strategy to provide

a robust programme that would fast track the development of the tourism industry in the state for wealth creation, employment generation, self-actualisation and sustainability.

38

FRED NWAOZOR

“S

eun, my son.” Mrs. Funmi called.

“Yes mum.”

“I must say,” quoth the 52-year-old Funmi. “I am really proud of you.”

“Thank you, mum.” appreciated the 18-year-old Seun.

Seun was the only child of Mrs. Funmi Akande who was a widow. Since her beloved husband kicked the bucket untimely nine years back, she had vowed not to remarry; hence, she had been trying unrelentingly to make it up to her only pride (Seun) who she regarded as her pet, with the help of the trading business she was into. Seun wasn’t just loved but adored by his industrious mother who could best be described as a virtuous woman, owing to his ostensibly brilliant idiosyncrasy; he was no doubt trying his very best to do well academically, particularly in order to please his poor mother who he saw as his messiah.

Having concluded his secondary education previous year in a grand style and thereafter successfully secured admission in the university of his choice to study his dream discipline, Business Management, precisely few weeks back, in the aforementioned gathering which was taking place in their parlour at about 7:35am, his loving and lovely mother – ‘Madam Funmi’ as she was fondly called by her friends and foes was painstakingly taking her precious time to administer the required and consequential counsel.

“I am glad you have been coming out with flying colours in all your exams.” Funmi rode on as she was seated in the parlour.

Seun who was seated directly adjacent to her, smiled. “Thank you, mum.” He said.

“Even in the grave,” quoth Funmi. “Your father would be very proud of you.” She enthused, paused. “He wanted the best for you.”

Seun was calm.

“I pray you will continue like this throughout your university period.”

Seun adjusted himself, remained calm and speechless.

“Please my son,” she proceeded. “Always try your best to make me a happy woman.”

She asked, paused. “You know you are the only one I have.” She added.

“I want to assure you one thing, mum…” Seun interrupted.

Funmi was quiet and attentive.

“I will never disappoint you,” he landed. “I mean, always.”

“That’s my boy.” Mrs. Funmi elatedly applauded. “Please, come and sit here.” She urged, tapping the space on her seat.

Seun left his seat for hers immediately, leaned on it and folded his hands.

Funmi looked into his eyes.

“My son,” she called passionately. “As you are about leaving for your school…”

Seun appeared more attentive.

“When you get there,” she

ShortStory Smart cheat

continued. “Never forget where you are coming from.” She enjoined soberly, wept.

“Mum, why are you crying?”

She quickly wiped her tears, gasped for air. “Never mind.”

She trivialized.

“Mummy is okay,” he urged.

“Don’t worry, everything would be alright, okay?”

Funmi nodded emphatically.

“Thank you.” She told him.

The discussion lasted till 8.40am before they left for their respective daily household chores.

The following week, Seun departed home for the university where he got admission. His first day on the campus wasn’t just indelible but a moment he wished he would live to celebrate all through his lifetime.

As a fresher, he had on him all the needed materials cum cash that would cater for him throughout the first semester.

This was due to the fact that his mother never wanted him to be

distracted or lack anything whatsoever because the institution in question was a no-nonsense one that believed in excellence through hard work; to say the least, any student caught indulging in any form of examination malpractice outrightly faced expulsion and such legacy spoke volumes whenever the university name was mentioned anywhere across the country.

To Seun’s mum, her only child was equal to the task when it called for hard work or devotion, thus she was strongly of the view that the chap would leave no stone unturned towards ensuring that he came out with flying colours after each semester exams. As a result of this notion, she was so determined to shower him with every needed love regarding finances like never before, in order to spur him to put in his very best in all matters concerning his academics which were his primary aim of

going to the university. On his part, toward making it up to his mother, Seun was equally prepared to metamorphose into a better being.

Ceteris paribus, three months down the line, the university exams, as usual, were around the corner. To this end, all the undergraduates including Seun, were variously doing the required finishing touching to ensure that the awaited test of ability became an absolute success. Seun was really nervous as regards the fast approaching exams that were expected to commence the following week; he needn’t any iota of excuse that would make his person not to boast of a distinction in virtually all his courses that were eleven in number if the results eventually came out, just as the case was during his primary as well as secondary school time.

There and behold, the long awaited D-day being the next

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20 AUGUST 2016

frednwaozor@gmail.com +2348028608056 Follow: @mediambassador

Monday, finally arrived, to the glory of God. On that fateful day, Seun was meant to sit for ‘Introduction to Commerce’ which was a general subject for every first year (100 Level) undergraduate of the Management faculty.

“Hey boy,” one of the exam invigilators called Seun as he sighted him in the distance displaying some antics amid the exam. “Stand up!” He urged him.

“You mean me?” Seun enquired while still seated, his exam papers facing him.

“Yes you,” the invigilator, Mr. Funsho clarified, gesticulating.

“Stand up!!” He reiterated.

The exam hall, which comprised about thirty candidates, was marveled over the invigilator’s mode of approach. As freshers, coupled with the fact that they had been duly briefed in regard to the university’s intolerant modus operandi, each of them became jitterier.

Seun hesitantly stood up as instructed.

Mr. Funsho majestically walked closer to him. “What’s your name?” he inquired, glanced at his answer script.

“Akande Seun.”

Mr. Funsho nodded unfriendly. “What were you doing awhile ago?” He said.

“Doing what, sir?” Seun confronted. “I was writing my exam, of course.” He added with alacrity.

“So you weren’t guilty, right?”

Mr. Funsho insisted.

“Guilty of what, sir?”

“I can see you are stubborn.”

Mr. Funsho frayed, quickly dipped his right hand into one of Seun’s trousers’ pockets and brought out a manuscript.

He had earlier caught Seun making use of the manuscript but the culprit was claiming to be clever.

Everyone stared at the scene in utmost awe.

Seun who stood still was totally embarrassed, didn’t know what next to do.

The fact was that, Seun was so talented when it called for cheating in the exam hall right from his childhood; that was how he scaled through all his examinations in the past without his mother’s knowledge.

Mrs. Funmi presumed she had a brilliant child unknowingly to her that the chap in question was nothing but a smart cheat. Now, luck had run out of him.

Therein, Seun Akande was dragged out of the exam hall

by Mr. Funsho alongside his coinvigilators, and was taken to the university’s Senate building.

Consequently, few days on, he was expelled from the university.

His poor mother, Mrs. Funmi Akande instantly slumped and passed away on hearing the sad news.

• Nwaozor novelist, playwright and poet, is Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research & Career Development - Owerri

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

Travel & Tourism Assorted sauce

CHEF'S CORNER

C

Mariam Abdullahi

hef Damilola Alhameen, is a trained chef and her entry to the culinary profession goes a long way. She reveals that she learnt the trade from her late mother who was a caterer for years and ran an eatery from where Alhameen imbibed the flair for cooking before formally honing her skill and talent.

On completion of her training, she had worked at different eateries as a caterer before establishing her eatery, Step Restaurant in Ajegunle area, Apapa, Lagos. She says she is in it for the long haul as she is

Assorted sauce.

Inset: Chef Alhameen

TRAVEL BEATS

State, between August 24 and 28 and then at Akwa, Anambra State between August 31 and September 4.

She said that the training would be of immense benefit to those already in the business and others who are aspiring to earn a living in the sector as they would be exposed to the different aspect of cake design and production as well as the business side of it as Esperanza Cakes.

According to her, Esperanza, which is based in the Sururlere area of Lagos, is devoted to assisting the people in meaningful and profitable engagement.

Certificate and two training modules would be given to participants at the end of the training.

Esperanza Cakes hosts training in Nigeria, Accra Esperanza Cakes has commenced intensive training programmes across some of the cities in Nigeria and Accra, Ghana, in the hospitality sector for people specialising in the various aspect of cake business.

According to the Managing Director of Esperanza Cakes, Mrs. Chika Ani, the training, which started last week in Accra, Ghana, for four days, is expected to berth at Enugu, Enugu

Outgoing CEO of MHR to Take the Helm at Expanding Hospitality and Leisure Leader Kerzner International Holdings (KIH), the leading international developer and operator of destination resorts, ultraluxury hotels and residences, across the world, has named Jean-Gabriel Peres as its new president and chief executive officer.

Peres is the outgoing chief executive officer of Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts and was responsible for the daily operations of the 16,000 staffed hotel management company for 17 years.

His role was instrumental in driving

Editor, TRAVEL&TOURISM iroandy@ymail.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Travel Personality

Ilamina Agada: I want to make Eatrite The Chipotle of Nigeria

p.40

Ingredients: • Ponmo • Plantain • Snail • Shaki • Pepper • Carrot • Green pea • Onion • Spices Preparation: Cook the shaki and ponmo together, then cook the snail separately and slice the carrot, green pea and onions then fry the plantain and also give the shaki a little frying. Then put the pot on fire with vegetable oil, after three minutes, add onions and let it fry a little then add pepper with the spices and allow to steam for five minutes, then add shaki, ponmo, snail and plantain with carrot and cook to steam for eight minutes and then it is ready to be served and spin the green pea into it.

the global expansion of the company into Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

According to the executive director and CEO of Investment Corporation of Dubai and Chairman of Kerzner International, said Peres is joining the company at a most opportune moment: “Jean-Gabriel joins us at a very opportune moment in our journey as we embark on an accelerated growth and expansion plan to take Kerzner to new places around the world, from China to Mexico and beyond.”

Peres international exposure spans more than 30 years in the upscale

hospitality and luxury retail industries, with deep knowledge of the Middle East and Asia. Prior to joining Mövenpick, he spent 11 years with Le Méridien Hotels and Resorts, following his tenure with engineering firm Matra/Lagardere Group, now known as EADS, where he led strategic partnerships in the United States and the Middle East.

Born and raised in France, Jean-Gabriel holds a Master in Business Administration from the prestigious ESSEC Business School in Paris. He serves on the Boards of Directors of several corporations and has been an active member of the World Travel and Tourism Council.

UNWTO scheduled events for Sept - Oct

1st UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism (Kakheti Region, Georgia, 7-9 September 2016) Conference on Happiness and the Integration of Tourism and Culture (13-14 September 2016, Oranjestad, Aruba) The Tourism sector and the Sustainable Development Goals. Responsible tourism, a global commitment (19 September 2016, Madrid, Spain) World Tourism Day Official Celebrations (26-27 September 2016, Bangkok, Thailand) UNWTO International Conference on Tourism and Sports (23-25 September 2016, Da Nang, Vietnam) 38th UNWTO Affiliate Members Plenary Session (1-4 October 2016, Yerevan, Armenia) Conference on Religious Heritage and Tourism: How to increase religious heritage tourism in a changing society (5-7 October 2016, Utrecht, The Netherlands) International Silk Road Conference on Nomadic Tourism and Sustainable Cities (13-15 October 2016, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) World Tourism Conference 2016 "Tourism Delights: Delivering the Unexpected" (17-19 October 2016, Penang, Malaysia)

monitors with a higher selection of movies, television series and audio channels.

It is also said to feature wider seats and windows, lowest twin engine noise level, advanced air conditioning technology and full LED mood lighting, which enhance comfort and reduce jet-lag after a long flight time.

The airlines’ fleet is now 80 while it is expected to take delivery of additional A350 XWB before the end of the year. It last week launched its first delivered A350 XWB on the London A350XWB on air (Heathrow) – Addis Ababa route.

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA

not thinking of quitting soon because “I found it very simple and easy to do.”

She delights our weekend with one of her specialties, assorted sauce.

Kerzner International gets new president, CEO

Ethiopian Airlines takes delivery of second Airbus 350 XWB Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of its second Airbus 350 XWB. It arrived Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, on Tuesday even as it flagged off its London route operation with A350 XWB. The first A350 XWB was delivered on June 30 and was named Simien Mountains and deployed to destinations in Africa, Middle East and now Europe (London).

The new aircraft offers passengers comfort and luxurious in-flight entertainment with such features as amazing cabin interior, high definition touch screen, personal

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Hospitality Hospitality

DownTown Westown Hotels: Royal Entices Hotel: with bumper A piece Ramadan of royalty offerings

p.41 p.41

Destination

Nigeria Tourism: Nigeria: A blend Stakeholders point pathway to growth of nature’s haven

p.42

40 Travel&Tourism

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20 AUGUST 2016

ILAMINA AGADA

I want to make Eatrite The Chipotle of Nigeria Ilamina Agada is a lawyer and former banker turned restaurateur as he recently opened Eatrite. He speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on his journey to setting up the restaurant and his dream to transform the culinary business in Nigeria and make Eatrite the ‘Chipotle’ of Nigeria

TRAVEL PERSONALITY into other things but I still do it.”

Agada

I

Growing up in Port Harcourt lamina Agada describes Port Harcourt, which is fondly called ‘the garden city,’ of his days as a beautiful, loving and peaceful city. He relives with mixed feelings what the city was like then and now, lamenting the fact that it has since lost its innocence: “Growing up in those days was not what we are seeing today. Then Port Harcourt was a very quiet place, there was no violence. We all came from very humble backgrounds and never knew anything called violence.

“We grew up as normal children and after my secondary school, I worked for a longer time, for six years in an audit firm before I went to the university because in those days you have to work to save money to send yourself to the university.”

Now a bastardised city The garden city, he says, has not only lost its innocence but its allure and fascination as well, as he adds that the only thing that he misses about the city that gave him life, is the childhood friends that he grew up with. “I missed my friends, the friends I grew up with.

“That is what I missed because there is really nothing to miss in Port Harcourt anymore because Port Harcourt has been bastardised. There is no more night life, Port Harcourt has completely changed.

There is no fun in Port Harcourt anymore".

Sadly, he says the city may never reclaim its glorious past no matter how hard the government of the day may try because of the political atmosphere, which he says, turned the city into a jungle and a soulless enclave.

“The political atmosphere will not allow that to be recreated. It is gone and it is the same way in this country. Politics has taken over the system. There are no jobs, people have no jobs in Port Harcourt and the people depend on the government.

“Everybody’s vocation now is politics, so there is fierce struggle, competition to be somewhere. The reason being that the compensation is very high. Nobody does any job, the local government chairman does nothing and so everybody wants to be somewhere as a political personality.

“So, there is competition and that breeds violence. Even the oil companies are not there anymore; only few that are operating. When we were in Port Harcourt then there were so many oil service companies but I don’t think that they are there anymore.

“There is nothing attractive in Port Harcourt except politics and as much as the politics is money based everybody is scrambling to just take from the treasury.”

A fated life One of the facts that stands out clearly in Agada’s life sojourn is perhaps that fate has always played its hand in his affairs, trusting him along the path that he had never wished for himself. “I didn’t want to study law, what I wanted to study initially was chemical engineering,” he discloses with some nostalgic feelings.”

His ambitious was to become a chemical engineer and to study abroad as well. But he couldn’t achieve any of these and has to study law instead at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. But looking back, he says, “there is no regret because when I came out of the Law School I got a job. So, I said maybe that is where God wanted me to be.”

Besides, he tells you that “I really enjoyed my time in Allstates.” However, nine years after, he gave up the good life and affluence that his exalted position at the bank, as the secretary to the board and legal adviser, afforded.

“But I resigned on my own and left. I felt that it was enough but Chief Ebitime Banigo asked me to stay on but I told him that I was going.

“I was at my best then but sometimes when I looked back maybe I couldn’t have left at the time I left because I was still very young then.”

He may have left to set up private practice as a lawyer but reflecting on the path that he has trod since then he says that “I have not be fully engaged since I left the bank. I do it but I also do other things. I practice with some of my friends but after a while I vied

From Law to the culinary world Now a new vista is on the horizon for him as he once again has ventured into a new business, which is restaurant business where he is trying to set a new bar and define the finest dining out culture for the people.

Last month, he took the first tentative step by formally opening Eatrite, a restaurant on Opebi Road, Lagos, and has since been making waves with the new business, which is totally devoted to offering healthy meals and catering for specialised health need of people when it comes to meals.

Again, he tells you that this is one business that he had all along dreamt of going into but he held back because he felt it could conflict with his law practice or not complimentary to his status as a lawyer. But he has finally put all that consideration apart and plunge headlong into it.

“I started dreaming of this long time ago and I was just wondering how can I leave my profession and set up a business like this. I want to focus on this for now because it has been a lifelong dream but first of all I didn’t have the motivation because I felt that it was not going to compliment my profession,’’ he informs.

PROFILE Born in Abissa, Ilamina Agada, he spent his childhood days in Abonima before moving over to Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State. As a science student during his secondary school, his dream was not only to become a chemical engineer but also to study abroad.

Fascinated with this dream, he decided to work after the completion of his secondary school education so as to save some money to actualise his dream. But six years after he was far from meeting his target and thereafter settled for Rivers State University of Science and Technology where as fate would have it he was admitted to read Law instead of the Chemical Engineering that he applied for.

Undaunted by this change of course, he entered for the programme in 1984 and graduated top of the class in 1987 and completed his Law School in Lagos in 1988. The same year, Agada who in his working days had worked with an audit firm, was employed by the defunct Allstates Bank to work in the legal department.

Again, fate played out it hands as under one year of employment he was appointed the secretary of the board and legal adviser of the bank above his seniors.

He served in that capacity meritoriously for nine years and then voluntarily resigned his appointment and left the banking profession for private practice where he has made his mark over the years and until last month veered into a new chapter of life by setting up a restaurant, Eatrite, on Opebi end of Lagos.

Although not a trained chef or businessman, the Kalabari man is consumed by this new found passion as the closet that he could be associated with the culinary world is the fact that he cooks and a connoisseur of good meals. But venturing into restaurant business, he says, goes beyond all that as his eye is set on taking Eatrite to the number one spot.

What he calls the Chipotle of Nigeria’s restaurant business given its unique offerings, which among others specialises on good and healthy meals and promotion of dining out culture in a perfectly set up restaurant with an inviting and luxuriating ambience.

I love cooking For him, the motivation remains the fact that he loves cooking and also enjoys good meals, something that he imbibed from his growing up days.

“I love cooking, I love good food and when I travel abroad I like to go to restaurants. I go to sample what they cook, what people are eating and it is because I have a passion for it.

“I cook and people even get surprised how I do it because I do it with so much ease. Because something that you can stay in the kitchen for two hours, I do it in 30 minutes,” as he recalls with excitement that he learnt to cook from his foster mother, who then was a caterer.

“I enjoy cooking fried rice and jollof rice. In Nigeria actually we don’t have too much variety but I like to cook rice meals.

I like to also properly garnish them in a way that they will be healthy. I don’t just cook fried rice but I cook it and put some vegetables, cucumbers, steam cabbage.

“I also like to cook Nigerian soups. I like my native soup and I cook it a lot, the one with seafoods. But the one I eat most now is okro soup and wheat because I am diabetic and that is what actually pushed me to call the restaurant Eatrite,” he tells you.

Branding Eatrite as The Chipotle of Nigeria On the mission and operation of the restaurant, he says: “This restaurant is about healthy eating, you come to a place where you have a very good ambience, you have good food that is healthy and even when you have a special health need you are catered for.

“I want to open another one on Victoria Island and then I want to move on to Port Harcourt and Abuja but I want to make a statement with the restaurant that we can do it differently from others.

I want it to be The Chipotle of Nigeria.

“Chipotle is a Mexican restaurant but when they started people didn’t know what the man’s ambition was but they are almost the number one restaurant in America today. If you see their turnover and their profit it runs into millions of dollars.

“They have it in about 20 countries now and that is what I want to turn this restaurant into. I want to make it the best restaurant in this country. It is something that will outlive me. I am growing older and I expect that it will outlive me and other people may even come and be shareholders later.

“I am not just doing it because of the money but I want to make a statement with it and make it unique. That is why I made this office in such a way that I can even sit down here and carry on with my law practice. So, I want to really drive this business to the top.”

I feel fulfilled Seeing Eatrite up and running after so many years of planning and the huge fund invested into it, Agada submits thus: “I feel fulfilled. I feel happy.

I find some happiness in my heart that at least I have achieved something because it was difficult.”

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

DOWNTOWN ROYAL HOTEL

HOSPITALITY BITS NANTA seeks NIHOTOUR’s partnership in training

A piece of royalty ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA who was at Downtown Royal Hotel writes on its facilities and services

The facade of the hotel

D

o w n To w n Royal Hotel is one of the array of hotels in the ever busy Ikeja, the business district of Lagos State.

Located on Dipeolu Street, off Awolowo Way, it comes with a distinct facade and inviting ambience that a first time visitor would easily find appealing.

Right inside the hotel’s cocoon you feel secured and far removed from the maddening crowd with the warmth and peaceful ambience pervading as if you are enwrapped in a closeted parlance.

The depth of the richness of this hospitality home easily comes to the fore as you try to soak in the serenity of its indoor and as explained by the hotel’s manager, soothing and calming effect that the hotel’s indoor has on the guest is a deliberate attempt by its management to make the visitor feel welcomed and relaxed.

Its focus is on giving the best of hospitality treats to both business travellers and leisure seekers as well as the corporate client desiring a serene, safe and well catered environment to relax and conduct business. Every guest is treated like a royalty.

This fact is amply demonstrated by the high standard and sophisticated nature of its different facilities and the services offered, which is tempered by a tinge of professional excellence and personal touch as well attention to details, which the manager testifies as being one of the distinct qualities of the hotel and the reason why many guests keep making repeat visit to the hospitality home as they see it as very homely.

Here are samples of its facilities:

Vegas room

The bar section

HOSPITALITY Rooms It has different classes of rooms, all tastefully set and furnished as well as promising guest different levels of comfort and satisfaction depending on the taste of the guests. These are: Royal room, which offers en suite and spacious ambience, king sized bed for two, flat screen TV, branded toiletries, wardrobe and dressing table among others and it is ideal for long staying guest.

York room, comes with a double bed, suitable for two persons, flat screen TV, shower/Jacuzzi, branded toiletries, wardrobe and dressing table; Fab room is also as spacious as the others and offers a luxury feel with comfy bed for two persons, flat screen TV, tea/coffee making machine and branded toiletries while Vegas room exudes discerning luxury and inviting feel with well laid bed, flat screen TV, dressing table and wardrobe as well as a shower/jacuzzi.

41

Restaurant/bar Both the restaurant and bar are luxuriously fitted and idea for relaxation and lounging at any hour of the day with the restaurant offering delicious African and continental dishes especially Nigerian rare delicacies while its two well-appointed bars serve a rich and wide selections of drinks ranging from wine, cocktails to beverages.

The VIP bar is a serene and ideal spot for ample relaxation and comfort as well as affords business guests the opportunity to hold business talks unhindered.

Complimentary breakfast is offered guest.

Other facilities/services Other listed facilities and services include free Wifi access, airport shuttle, laundry service, complimentary newspaper and travel advisory as well as tour packages.

In a move to enhance professionalism in travel agency business, the President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) Mr. Bankole Bernard, has called on the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to partner with it in the training of travel agents across the country, insisting that it is only through sustained training that professionalism and prosperity can be achieved.

Bernard said this during a courtesy visit to the Director General of NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Chika Balogun, lamenting that lack of regulation and legislation are responsible for the poor premium placed on travel agents.

“We are tired of being seen and addressed as travel agents, particularly in the most derogatory manner, hence as well trained professionals, we need be seen in our output and service to the travelling public and government as travel consultants,” he said.

He noted that the focal point of his administration is to change the wrong perception and the unethical practice in the industry through advocacy and bring to bear professionalism in the aviation and tourism sectors in order for the contributions of travel agents to be valued and reckoned with in the scheme of thing.

Bernard revealed that the purpose of the visit is to seek the partnership of NIHOTOUR in the training and certification of NANTA members: “We are here to seek your help to train and retrain our members without which we are doomed and cannot spread expected prosperity across board.”

In her remark, Balogun, applauded the move of NANTA, describing it as progressive and exemplary while pledging the cooperation of NIIHOTOUR in the training of travel a gents across the country.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority moves carnival to Oct 6 The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has announced a shift of Harare International Carnival 2016, which was earlier scheduled to be held between September 14 and 17 to October 4 and 9 with Harare still the host city of the annual event, which is part of activities by ZTA to boost its tourism.

According to ZTA, the shift in date was necessitated “by responses from both the local and foreign participants who cited prior commitments during the previously set dates but formally expressed their interest to participate at the festival.

“ZTA considered it prudent to take heed of the concerns so as to provide a platform that benefits both parties. We are still looking forward to welcome you to the Harare International Carnival 2016 as we celebrate our cultural diversity.”

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42

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

DESTINATION

Ikogosi Warm Spring

T

he mission to travel across the 36 states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja with a landmass of over 92, 000 square kilometres, visiting and documenting it tourist sites, started in 2014.

The self-motivated and sponsored trips have taken me across 18 states, namely: Abia, Imo, Anambra, Rivers, Kwara, Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Osun, Ogun, Zamfara, Lagos, Enugu and Taraba including Abuja.

ABIA: I visited the site of the Long Juju of Arochukwu, a cave with endless tunnels. It was through here that many of the slaves left for other settlements around the world.

I was at the Azumini Blue River with a fascinating beach front. The blueness of the river is unique. Amakama Wooden Cave was another enchanting attraction where you have a large tree that has a hollow that is said to accommodate about 20 people and it was believed to have been served as a safe haven for people during the slave era and inter-tribal wars.

I was also at the National War Museum situated at Ebite Amafor in Isingwu in Umuahia. There are three galleries in the museum that would give you insights to what really happened during the Nigerian Civil War era.

IMO: I visited Oguta Blue Lake said to be the largest natural lake in the state. It is of value to the people of Oguta, Orsu, Nkwesi and Awo. During the colonial era, the lake served as a port for the evacuation of palm products with the relics of the jetties used by the United African Company (UAC) still existing.

I was at Amadioha Shrine, the mysterious shrine, then at the Ada Palm Plantation Complex, established in 1974, spanning about 4,310 hectares of land, with a housing estate and was one of the nation’s major sources of foreign exchange

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove

Olumo Rock

Nigeria: A blend of nature’s haven RAPHAEL JAMES chronicles his sojourn across 18 states of Nigeria as part of his avowed commitment to traverse the 36 states of the country including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja before the discovery of crude oil.

Mbari Cultural and Art Centre, located at Ikenegbu in Central Owerri, which also houses the state council for arts and culture, is one of the most enduring and historical cultural attractions of the people.

It is an outdoor museum that houses monumental arts pieces depicting peace, prosperity and social life in Igboland. From there, I went to Nekede Zoo, a rich zoological and botanic enclave playing host to diverse flora and fauna resources such as lions, pythons, monkey, ostrich, crocodile, cattle egret, gorilla and different birds.

ANAMBRA: Some of the notable attractions visited included: Ikenga Virgin Forest; Okpu Ana Natural Spring, Ukpor; and Obu Ofo-Nri Museum with great art works and relics.

RIVERS: I visited the 'Upper Orashi Forest Reserve' close to Ikodi Village in Ahoada Local Government Area. This forest reserve is a freshwater swamp forest located on 25,165 hectares of land with various wildlife. I was also at the Zoological Garden at Trans Amadi.

KWARA: I visited St. Stephen Angli-

can Middle School, Ora Igbomina. The school was established in 1912, two years before the Amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria. This is the first primary school in Igbominaland.

St. Stephen Anglican Church in Ora Igbomina was established in 1895, making the town the very first town to accept Christianity through the C.M.S. missionaries.

I was also at Odo-Owa site where the founder of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Apostle Ayo Joseph Babalola, started his mission in 1928.

EKITI: My second home. I schooled and did my national youth service (NYSC) in the state, so it was like home coming for me. I was at the Ikogosi Warm Springs in Ikogosi, a confluence of hot and cold springs meeting at a point and then flowing down as a single stream. I also visited the Fajuyi Memorial Park in Ado Ekiti.

OYO: I was at the Bower’s Tower, a historic monument in honour of Captain Robert Lister Bower built in 1936. He was the first British resident in Ibadan and was appointed by the British government to administer the ancient city.

The Tower was designed by Taffy Jones.

It is 60 feet high and 11 feet square metres with two entrances and a spiral staircase that leads to the top of the tower. The peak of the tower gives an aerial view of Ibadan.

The Agodi Botanical Gardens harbours a botanical garden, plant nursery, a mini zoo and animal park. I was also at the University of Ibadan Zoo, Cocoa House, Mapo Hall, the Railway Station, Ibadan National Museum and Oje Market.

ONDO: I was at the Idanre hills at the ancient town of Idanre, with very beautiful natural landscapes.

KOGI: I visited the confluence point of River Niger and River Benue. I was also at the National Museum of Colonial History, The Iron of Liberty, which is also said to be the final resting place of Bishop Ajayi Crowther.

I visited the spot where the colonial flag was first hoisted and also Mount Patti the 1,349-foot (411 metres) mountain, where the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Lokoja and The Confluence Cable Network (TV and Radio) are located.

EDO: Igun-Eronmwon Quarters, the bronze casting section of the ancient city

Travel&Tourism 43

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20 AUGUST 2016

was a fascinating place to visit. The Benin National Museum also beckoned and then a visit to the Oba palace where I paid a courtesy call to the monarch.

Other sites visited included Ogba Zoo and Nature Park; Jehovah Witness complex in Igieduma; Ibillo, part of the greater Akokoland. Ibillo was said to have been founded by a man called Ibillo who migrated from Ife. I spent a night at Ososo, a scenic town of streams and rocks nestled against the undulating Somorika (Kukuruku) hills.

DELTA: One of the appealing places in the state was River Ethiope that flows through seven local government areas in the state and has crystal clear water. I was at the Lander Brothers Anchorage in Asaba and was hosted by the former commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Richard Mofe Damijo.

OSUN: Osogbo art came alive in Osogbo with visit to such places as I visited Nike Art Gallery, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh place - The African Heritage Art Centre and Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove now a World Heritage Site.

I also visited the Olumirin Waterfalls (Erin-Ijesha) in Oriade Local Government. I enjoyed the greenery, airy and breeze landscape of the waterfalls with its cool and refreshing water cascading from its lofty height.

OGUN: Olumo Rock in Abeokuta with several caves and shrines was a fascinating site. The National Gallery of Art (NGA) Abeokuta, also offered a window to the rich cultural and artistic elements of the people.

The National Museum building is said to be about 105 years old, within the premises of the Baptist Girls' College (Mission), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.

I was also at Mayflower School Ikenne where I donated some books.

The historic school was founded by one of Nigeria’s foremost educationist and social crusader, late Dr. Tai Solarin, in January 27, 1956. The school is now being managed by his wife, Sheila.

My visit to Ikenna was during the burial of Mama HID Awolowo (Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s wife).

ZAMFARA: Located on the premises of J.B Yakubu Secretariat, Gusau, the museum is maintained by Zamfara State History Bureau and it houses a significant collection of artifacts and relics of Zamfara Kingdom.

LAGOS: I am based in Lagos but it amazed me that it was during my tours that I visited the Mosaic House on Tinubu Street - designed by the late Herbert Macaulay, which served as the residence of Henry Carr and the finance ministers, beginning with the late Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, Chief

Obafemi Awolowo, Yakubu Gowon.

The old Cabinet Office three-storey structure served as offices to the Prime Minister, the late Alhaji Tafawa Balewa and his cabinet members, in the early 60s. The Independence House on old Defence Street, former Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL) headquarters, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Race Course, Old Federal Secretariat Complex (Ikoyi), Ebun House, first three-story building built in Lagos, constructed in 1914 and located at 85, Odunfa Street, The famous Agia Tree, where Christianity was first preached in September 1842

by Rev. Thomas Birch Freeman.

I was also at the Railway Museum, where I saw the train that Queen Elizabeth II rode in during her 1956 visit to Nigeria. The old steam locomotive and railway cars are in ruins in its Ebute Meta complex.

Nike Art Gallery at Lekki Phase 1 where I met with the founder, Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, was a revealing encounter.

Other locations visited included: CMS Grammar School, Bariga, founded on June 6, 1859, by Reverend Thomas Babington Macaulay, father of Herbert Macaulay with the support of the Church Missionary Society.

ENUGU: National Unity Museum, Ngwo Pine Forest and Consecration Monastery Awhum for monks (Mount Calvary Monastery) were some of the interesting attractions explored.

TARABA: The Mambila Plateau remains one of the luscious and enchanting sites to visit for a blissful encounter with nature.

The plateau which stands at over 1,830 metres above sea level is one of the highest peaks in Nigeria. While Gashaka Gumti National Park, the largest of the seven national parks, with a landmass spanning 6,411 square kilometres offers rich fauna and flora features to explore. I was at the Nigerian-Cameroonian border Road in Kashimbila; I visited Government College Katisna Ala. During my visit to the school, I donated 200 books to the school. I was at 'Bate Village', near River Kastina-Ala, in Kashimbila and at the Kashimbila multipurpose dam, a dam with the ability to prevent any disaster if the Lake Nyos in Cameroon collapses.

ABUJA: While in Abuja, I visited Aso Rock Presidential Villa, which is the official residence of the President of Nigeria. The NNPC Towers, headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, ECOWAS Secretariat, National Christian Centre, Abuja International Conference Centre, CBN headquarters, Millennium Park, National Library, Nation-

al Mosque, Arts and Craft Village, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Jabi Lake, Abuja Wonderland and Park, Abuja Zoological Park, Zuma Rock, in Suleja, IBB International Golf Course and Üshafa were some of the other attractions that I visited.

Other sites included Obmi Yakwo (a large cave that can conveniently accommodate over 1000 people), the famous Lower Usuma Dam, which is the major source of water supply for the FCT Abuja. There is also the 'Bill Clinton' Village.

On June 11, I paid a courtesy visit to Kwali, a town under the FCT, Abuja. My mission to Kwali was to present a complimentary copy of my book to the family of Lady Dr. Ladi Kwali, the Nigerian potter, whose image is on our N20 note.

Lady Kwali learned to make pottery as a child through tutelage by her aunt using the traditional method of coiling. Kwali who had no formal education grew up doing her pot, she became so popular that in 1962, she was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire); in 1977, she was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria; In 1980, the Federal Government honoured her with the Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA), the highest national honour for academic achievement.

I also took advantage of my tours to visit some important personalities, mostly Obas and chiefs. The endless list include: His Royal Majesty the Oba of Odogbolu, Alaiyeluwa Oba Adedeji O. Onagoruwa JP, Elesi 1, The Alaiye of Odogbolu; His Royal Highness, Oba Anselm Adedoro Obaitan, ICHAMA II. JP, the Onyan Ososo, in Ososo Akoko-Edo, Prof. J.B. Longe, formally of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and former Head of Department, Economics at Adekunle Ajasin University, Pastor Dr. Alfred Olabisi Tofade, a senior pastor of Jubilee Christian Church International - Chapel of Victory, Dunham, North Caroline, USA, Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro then Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TET FUND), Prince Abiodun Opanubi Chairman/ CEO of Ereke Paints Limited.

Others are: Professor Anezionwu Nwankwo Okoro, (aka Anezi Okoro), Dr. Pat U. Okoye, veteran language teacher of English, French and Latin, an author of about 70 books; Professor Ukwu I. Ukwu, (OFR), Chairman of Ohanaeze Ad Hoc Committee on National Conference.

• James is an author, librarian, publisher and biographer as well as a widely travelled journalist

SEE THE

WORLD World’s greatest 17 waterfalls (2) Dettifoss (13) Ranked as Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss is best known for the volume of water that shoots out over its edge in every season. Located in the Vatnajökull National Park in Northeast Iceland, Dettifoss can be viewed on either side of the River Jökulsá á Fjöllum that feeds the falls and plunges into the canyon below. The east bank of the river boasts the best views and is equipped with facilities, including a car park, but the slippery paths can get crowded during the tourist season.

Yosemite Falls (12) The tallest waterfall in the United States, Yosemite Falls pours down a cliff side in three cascades and provides picturesque views from multiple locations within Yosemite National Park in California. A challenging all-day hike takes visitors to the summit for panoramic vistas of the majestic park and the towering Sierra Mountains beyond. The falls vary in water flow, however, and sometimes disappear entirely during drought conditions. The best time to enjoy the splashing water and thunderous roar of the falls is in the spring after the winter thaw.

Plitvice Waterfalls (11) The series of waterfalls that link the 16 lakes of the Plitvice Lakes National Park are what makes this scenic piece of landscape the most popular natural attraction in Croatia. Situated among forested hills near the Bosnian border, the small streams, lakes and waterfalls form an appealing water garden that invites exploration. A series of plank walks, bridges and platforms make it easy to wander the park by foot. Free boat rides take passengers from the upper to the lower lakes where visitors can view Veliki Slap, the country’s tallest waterfall.

Plitvice Waterfalls Jog Falls (10) Jog Falls, created by the River Sharavathi, falling from a height of 253 metres (829 feet), is the highest waterfalls in India. Before the rainy season Jog Falls is nearly unrecognisable with only a pair of thin streams of water trickling down the cliff. But during the monsoon season the waterfall comes to life and exceeds even Kaieteur Falls in Guyana in terms of height and volume.

Huangguoshu (9) Measuring 77.8 metres (255 feet) high and 101 metres (330 feet) wide, Huangguoshu is one of the largest waterfalls in Asia and part of a group of 18 waterfalls in the surrounding area. A 134-metre (440 feet) long naturally formed cave in the back of the Huangguoshu allows visitors to view the waterfall from a very close range and one can even touch the water.

Gullfoss (8) Gullfoss (“Golden Falls”) is a magnificent 32 metre high double waterfall on the White River (Hvítá). It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. The flow of the river from the regular rains and the glacial runoff, particularly in summer, makes it the largest volume falls in Europe.

Detian Falls (7) The Detian Falls is situated on the border between China and Vietnam. It is, in fact, the fourth largest cross-border falls in the world after Niagara, Victoria and Iguazu. Due to the various border conflicts between the two countries the area has only recently been opened to tourism.

Mambila Plateau

Culled from www.touropia.com

Sportsplash 44 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

CELEBRITY RÈSUME

FULL NAME Yemi Eberechi Alade DATE OF BIRTH March 13, 1989 PLACE OF BIRTH Lagos OCCUPATION Singer, songwriter MUSIC GENRE Hip Hop, Pop, Afrobeat FIRST ALBUM Kings of Queens ALBUMS Kings of Queens, Mama Africa MARITAL STATUS Single AWARDS Best Female (MTV Africa Music Awards 2015) BIGGEST HIT Johnny ACTIVE YEARS 2005 till date FIRST RECORD LABEL Jus' Kiddin' RECORD LABEL Effyzzie Music Group BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT Sharing the stage with Mary J Blige, Sir Shina Peters, MI among others.

Her “Johnny” video had garnered 32 million views on YouTube as at Dec. 2015.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

20 August 2016

FaceOff Dogara must go.

No, he stays

p.46, 47

45 I never said Kanu was negotiating with FG –Lawyer

p.48

PDP: Still dogged by many challenges The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still facing many challenges more than a year after losing the 2015 presidential election. ONYEKACHI EZE writes that the abortion of its two successive national conventions is taking a toll on efforts at rebuilding the party.

T

hese are more than trying times for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Former Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, had recently noted that the party had "witnessed challenging times after our disappointing loss in the last elections.

“We moved from pain, despair, soul-searching and now by the grace of the Almighty God, we have started the process of rebuilding confidence in ourselves for a brighter future for the party.”

How wrong he was! More than one year after losing the election, the challenges are still there, if not bigger than before.

For the second time in three months, PDP was unable to elect its national leadership. This is the first time since its formation in 1998 that the party is unable to elect a new set of leaders after the expiration of the tenure of its national officers.

PDP's last elective national convention was in March 2012. Since the amendment of its constitution in 2002, the party's National Working Committee (NWC) has a lifespan of four years.

This means that the tenure of the last national officers elected in March 2012 ought to have expired in March 2016.

But some former NWC members said their tenure still subsists.

Those who claim that they still enjoy tenure extension are Senator Ali Modu Sheriff (National Chairman), Professor Wale Oladipo, (National Secretary) and Alhaji Fatai Adeyenju (National Auditor), as well as a handful of deputy national officers.

Sheriff and others had obtained a court order against the planned election into their offices at the May 21 national convention.

Oladipo and Adeyenju were elected at the 2013 mid-term convention to serve out the tenure of previous NWC members from their zone, while Sheriff

OLALEKAN OSIADE Assistant Editor 08033076969 lekanosiade@gmail.com lekanosiade@yahoo.com

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Makarfi

Sheriff

nullified the 2014 amendment of PDP became acting National Chairman in constitution that ratified Mu'azu election February to serve out the North East as PDP chairman. tenure, which ought to have expired Justice Ashi on June 26 declared that in March. "the purported amendment of article 47(6) He was however, granted threeof the PDP Constitution of 2012 at a spemonth tenure extension to enable him cial National Convention of the Party held and other former NWC members organise a national convention and on Wednesday, 10th and Thursday 11th of December, 2014 is unconstitutional, null, handover. void and of no effect, for non-compliance The three-month tenure extension with mandatory due process as provided was ratified at the PDP National Execuin Article 66(2) and (3) of the said tive Committee (NEC) meetConstitution. ing in March.

"By reason of the above, the The deputy national ofAnything done purported amendment introficers were re-elected at the duced in article 47 on the aforesaid same 2013 mid-term convencontrary to the dates are hereby set aside. tion, alongside some other judgement of "All persons or individuals, NWC members following the officers, servants and agents of annulment of the 2012 convenJustice Ashi the PDP parading themselves tion by a court of law. delivered on June as national officers of the PDP Chairman of the PDP Govpurportedly pursuant to the said ernors' Forum, Dr. Olusegun 26 is null and void amendment which has now been Mimiko had told journalists on nullified are hereby restrained February 23 that Sheriff was and of no effect. from further parading themselves expected to lead the party for The judgement of around in those capacities and three months, make preparations for a national convention Justice Ashi, having claiming the rights and privileges attached or appurtenant thereto." where new leaders would not been appealed Last Wednesday, Justice Ogemerge, and then handover. bonna on her part noted that "there But Sheriff has turned out against, subsists is no evidence that the judgement to be a 'problem' to the PDP. of Justice Ashi has been appealed The former Borno State Govand is binding against, therefore, the judgement, ernor said his tenure ends in which is declarative one must be 2018, instead of three months obeyed. given to him by PDP leaders.

"Anything done contrary to the judgeAccording to him, he replaced Alment of Justice Ashi delivered on June haji Adamu Mu'azu who was elected in 2014.

26 is null and void and of no effect. The judgement of Justice Ashi, having not “Ahmed Mu’azu got his elected been appealed against, subsists and is when former President Goodluck Jonathan was elected as the party’s presibinding."

Sheriff, through his deputy, Dr. Cairo dential candidate in 2015. I replaced Ojougbo, in the same breath, said the him. So, my tenure would expire after four years in office,” he added. judgement did not affect him but said he would appeal against it.

Two judges, Justice Valentine Ashi of "When you are too much in a hurry Court 29 Apo and Nwamaka Ogbonna to kill your enemy, sometimes you kill of Kubwa High Court, all in Abuja, the yourself. Some persons went to Justice Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have

Valentine Ashi and Sheriff was not party to the case. Justice Ashi gave judgement based on what was placed before him.

"Sheriff was not a party to it and we have appealed it and asked for stay of execution.

"In that ruling, Justice Ashi annulled the amendment of the 2014 PDP Constitution. In annulling it, we go back to 2012 Constitution.

"In that constitution, it is stated that when an NWC member leaves his office by virtue of death or anything, somebody from that particular zone will be nominated and appointed to complete his tenure and continue in office until the next convention. That is what happened.

"The court annulled the 2014 Constitution as amended, it does not affect Sheriff in any way. He will now stand on the 2012 Constitution. We have taken it back to the court in an appeal."

The tenure of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur from Adamawa State (North East) who was elected PDP National Chairman in 2012 expired in March 2016.

PDP had opted for non-elective national convention on May 21 in Port Harcourt due to court order that stopped it from conducting elections into the positions of the National Chairman, National Secretary and National Auditor, as well as deputy national offices.

Instead, party leaders at the convention adopted a middle course approach: the appointment of a seven-man National Caretaker Committee to pilot the affairs of the party for 90 days.

Chairman of the caretaker committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said the May 21 national convention of the party was backed by law.

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt presided over by Justice Abdullahi Liman, on June 4, ruled that the convention and the appointment of the caretaker committee members were in order.

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 7

46 FaceOff

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20 august 2016

Dogara should reconvene the House, step aside –Faruk Hon. Muhammadu Bala Faruk represents Gbako/Kachak Federal Constituency of Niger State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives and is a member of the Transparency Group. In this interview with PHILIP NYAM, he explains why he thinks that the speaker, Yakubu Dogara, should reconvene the House and step aside. Excerpts: Nigerians are worried about the allegations of budget padding against the speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and some members of the House. How concerned are you?

I am very worried. It is a pity that this abnormality had been on for 12 years, and different individuals with good intentions have fought this padding thing without success. This time around, we thank God for exposing this issue of budget padding in the National Assembly.

I want to tell you that budget padding is illegal, criminal and unparliamentary because these are insertions or alterations that are being made by a few individuals to satisfy their selfish interests and grace their pockets and not for any meaningful project.

But the speaker was recently quoted as saying that there was nothing like budget padding. Do you think he was wrong?

There is no padding when legislators sit down and pass a bill after due deliberations, with inputs from members of the public. But when there is insertion or alteration to suit the greed or personal interest of a few members without the knowledge, consent, and approval of the legislative institution, it is padding. And what has happened to the 2016 budget is padding because a few members sat together without the knowledge of the majority of members of the House to perpetrate this act. So it is padding.

You are a member of the Transparency Group, which is calling on the speaker to step aside for independent investigation. Don’t you think you are unfair to him, since he has not been given fair hearing?

You may be correct but that is why we are calling on him to reconvene the House so that we can hear from him and deliberate on it for the electorate to know the true state of things. So, we want to give him fair hearing but he cannot get that outside the House. Therefore, let him reconvene the House and explain to us what he knows about Hon. Jibrin’s allegations of budget padding.

But the leadership of the House has dismissed Jibrin’s allegations on the pretext that he is accusing the speaker because he was relieved of his committee chairmanship position. Don’t you share this position?

The issue of Jibrin losing chairmanship of appropriation committee is a different one entirely. All the allegations Jibrin had levelled against them are 100 per cent correct. We have all the facts; we have evidence before us. We are part of the system and we know what has been happening.

What does the Transparency Group intends to do in the event that the speaker refuses to reconvene the House or step aside?

We in the Transparency Group have been playing our part and we still need the support of Nigerians to consolidate on the progress we have made so far. We are calling on the electorate, the civil so-

FaceOff The Transparency Group has been alleged of being sponsored by the majority leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, because he is still nursing the ambition to be speaker. Is it true?

I want to confirm to you that to the best of my knowledge, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is not behind the Transparency Group because what we are saying is that anyone from Speaker Dogara down or anybody in National Assembly found wanting in the budget padding allegations should be made to face the law. Let the law take its course. So, we are saying anyone mentioned in the padding allegations should go and face an independent panel.

It was also alleged that your members are mostly Muslims who are after Dogara because he is a Christian.

Those coming up with this allegation only want to divert people’s attention from the issue on ground. When they want to steal or siphon money, they do not talk about religion, but when there is a problem, they whip religious sentiments to mobilise Nigerians to start fighting so that the main issue would be forgotten. That allegation about religion is untrue and I am telling you that we in the Transparency Group are ready to have any Christian speaker from the minority stock anytime. Anyone that is prepared to sanitise the system and bring radical reforms to the budget process is welcomed. So, we are not doing this for religious reasons.

Are you saying nobody has paid you to work against Dogara?

Not at all; I have not received money from anybody and we are not fighting against Dogara. We are for transparency in the system. We are not after individuals.

Faruk

ciety groups and human right groups to call for town hall meetings and take a common position on the budget if they believe in transparency, anti-corruption and if they are neither for Dogara nor Jibrin but for the budget process to be made public and those found wanting be prosecuted and punished. They should insist that these allegations be investigated by an independent body. We are saying an independent committee because the ethics and privileges committee members are appointees of the speaker. So, we need a committee set up by the entire House.

The House leadership has dismissed the 206 membership list of the Transparency Group. Do you have up to 206 members? And is it true that the speaker has 262 members backing him?

As at when I checked our membership, we were 125. But from that time to now, we should even have more than that because more members are identifying with us every day. We have the number but if they are saying we do not have the number, let them reconvene and we will know who is saying the truth. On the issue of the 262 members signing the confidence vote register for Dogara, it may be true because some people are being bought over but I must tell you that most members are just playing along with them. So, they can even have more than 300 on the list but I can assure you that when the chips are down you will see the result.

Are you in support of Jibrin?

No, I am neither in support of Jibrin nor Dogara. I am in support of anti-corruption and anti-padding.

We want to give him fair hearing but he cannot get that outside the House.

Therefore, let him reconvene the House and explain to us what he knows

The promoters of Transparency Group are mainly APC members; and you people are still talking when the party has barred both Dogara and Jibrin from making further comments. Are you not disobeying the party?

No, the party spoke to Dogara and Jibrin but none of them desisted from making comments. But we in Transparency Group have not been approached by the party. We have not been invited.

How would you assess the leadership style of Yakubu Dogara?

For the past one year, I do not have problem with his leadership’s style. He is accommodating and most times, he tries to carry members along. But if not for this issue of padding, I do not have problem with him. So, our worry is the budget padding and corruption allegations because we told him before hand that we do not want padding again.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has accused the National Assembly members of corruption. Do you agree with him?

It is true. I have said it earlier. That is why we are lamenting and blowing the trumpet that there is corruption in the National Assembly. The beginning and end of corruption is the National Assembly especially with the budget. The preparation and passage of the budget is the peak of corruption in Nigeria. Unless we get it right with the budget process, we are yet to start anti-corruption war.

FaceOff 47

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20 august 2016

Provide evidence of wrongdoing against Dogara if you have –Oghene Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin believes there was padding in the 2016 budget, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and some other members argue that there is nothing like that. What is your take?

What surprises me is that some people are supposed to be learned, including lawyers and journalists; they ought to understand this term padding as it is prescribed in the Act of National Assembly. To me, padding is a legislative process; it is the dream of every legislator to be able to pad the budget. For instance, if I am able to pad the budget, it means that in FESTAC Sixth Avenue, fully developed but no road is tarred, I will be able to put the road in the budget. It means in the Satellite town, I can put water projects in areas we don’t have water.

So, padding is a legislative function, but it is the leadership of the House and the very old members that understands how to pad. But new members like us who are neither committee chairmen nor deputy chairmen will not be able to do it. Every legislator prays to have a second term so that he will be able to pad the budget because it is through padding that you can satisfy the yearnings of your constituents that voted for you. Everybody do padding, we all do padding, even Mr. President does padding. If the president asks for a road to be put in his area it is padding; if a minister comes from a particular area and there is a project in his area that the people have been fighting for and the budget is on his table, he will put the project. It may not even be his area, but other areas where people are fighting for a particular project.

But what Jibrin is talking about is the insertions into the budget.

No, when you say insertion into the budget, at what stage were such insertions made? If for instance, you are in the committee on FERMA and FERMA is in charge of maintenance of roads and the federal roads in your constituency are not good, you will appeal to the chairman of the committee or the Managing Director of FERMA to include the roads in the budget. And when these roads are fixed, your people will be happy that government has done something in their area. There are some federal roads that have been bad for over 40 years; you may approach the chairman of appropriation committee to insert it in the budget. The most important thing is that when these insertions are made

Hon. Emma Egoh Oghene represents Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency of Lagos State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives. In this interview with PHILIP NYAM, he speaks on the controversial budget padding and other issues. Excerpts: and the budget is brought to the plenary and nobody complains about the figures and it is passed, that is the end. Where you will complain that there is illegal insertion is when the budget has been passed by the House and in the course of transmitting it to the president, something is inserted- that is illegal. But the normal padding is not a crime.

The issue of signature between pro and anti-Dogara is trending. Have you

signed any register and is it true that the speaker has 262 members linedup behind him?

If padding is legal and somebody is casting aspersions on Dogara’s image, it is natural that some people will rise to his defence. You don’t expect that somebody who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the number four citizen of the country cannot put a federal road in his area; that he cannot put a project in his area. Is there any governor both

It is through padding that you can satisfy the yearnings of your constituents that voted for you.

Everybody do padding, we all do padding, even Mr. President does padding

Oghene

PDP's unending controversies C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

The judge noted that the May 21 convention was legal and not in contravention of any law.

He also said that the dissolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) and the NWC was in order, adding that Sheriff as acting national chairman has no power to unanimously postpone the convention.

The sack of the NWC and constitution of caretaker committee have polarised the PDP between the Makarfi-led caretaker committee and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction Almost everybody that mattered in the PDP has pitched tent with the caretaker com-

mittee. Sheriff's supporters represent less than one per cent of PDP members.

The party is faced with barrage of court cases. Senator Walid Jibrin, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), said there were a total of 15 court cases instituted against the party in various courts.

Until last Wednesday's seal off of Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, venue of PDP convention, the involvement of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in PDP crisis remained only on the realm of speculation.

There were two conflicting court orders regarding the convention. The Port Harcourt order, which was given by Justice Ibrahim

Watila, was obtained on Monday, two days to the convention.

It was an interlocutory order, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the convention, and the police and other security agencies to provide security.

The second order was secured by Sheriff a day to the convention from Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice Okon Abang. Abang had given an interim order on Monday before the last one on Tuesday.

Justice Watila had ruled that "the July 4, 2016 judgement of the Federal High Court C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 8

serving and former that did not put a project in his area? If you don’t do any project for your people, you can’t come home because people will hate you. I have not seen a clean copy of the budget, so I do not know what is there but what I am saying is that if legislators are able to fight for projects for their constituents, there is no crime. It is done in America and everywhere; that is the art of lawmaking. Don’t forget that the entire 365 federal constituencies in the country are being represented in the House and if lawmakers lobby to get projects for their people, I do not see any wrong there.

So, at what stage were such projects inserted?

If they were inserted when the budget was brought to the House, there is no problem because the executive that brought it recognises the powers of the legislature to scrutinise the document.

The executive is aware that every constituency is represented by this House.

So, if the project is brought and you are representing an area, you lobby those who are in charge to include projects for your people. Don’t forget that this budget went to the Presidency the first time and the president saw a lot of insertions and rejected it and the presidency sent it to the ministry to remove it and they did. The whole hullabaloo or cacophony of noises about the number of signatures Dogara has gotten, I do not know. But what I can assure you is that Dogara has the popular mandate of the House.

Members have still not been convinced that he committed a crime. We need to be convinced that Dogara committed a crime. A lot of us are yet to be convinced that Dogara is guilty.

Some members like the Transparency Group are calling on the speaker to resign to pave the way for investigation. Do you agree?

Those calling on the speaker to resign should know that Dogara was elected by his people and he was elected by the House as speaker. It is not just for one to sit and say speaker should resign.

You need to provide evidence enough to prove and convince those of us who elected him that he has committed an impeachable offence. If it is based on unnecessary sentiments then we will not yield to that. People believe that when contracts are awarded for projects in our constituencies, we go and collect the money. It is not so. These projects are executed by the executives and with Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade and with the Bureau of Public Procurement too working hard, such things will not take place. We are not businessmen; our job is oversight. If they put a project in your area and the contractor is not doing well, you raise the alarm. I listen to some lawyers on television saying we go behind and collect the money; it is not possible.

As a PDP lawmaker, are you comfortable with the position the APC has taken on this budget padding allegations as ‘domestic affair’?

Well, I’m not a member of APC, but every party has the right to intervene when its members are involved in an issue and do what it wants. The speaker is an APC member, but in the House we don’t talk about party, we talk about constituencies.

48

Interview

Last Friday, you addressed a press conference where you told the world that Mr. Nnamdi Kanu was ready for negotiation and that he does not have ties with Movement for the Emancipation New Delta (MEND). That same day, there was a twist to the story that the lawyers misrepresented him and he fired members of the legal team. What exactly are the issues?

Okay, let me make this clarification now because it appears from the reports I read online and in the media that there was a kind of a misinterpretation or misunderstanding of my speech delivered on that day. I'm making reference to the speech I read on that day.

There was no part I made reference to the issue of negotiation. If you can carefully go over my speech, you would understand I didn't make reference to the issue of negotiation in that speech. I only made reference to the issue of political resolution.

Now, it was my colleague that went into discussing extensively about the issue of negotiation and there was no formal instruction to go into that. I was very emphatic as to the fact that Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice A.F.A Ademola made an order in December 2015, wherein he directed the Department of Security Service to release Mr. Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally.

Now, this order has not been obeyed by the Federal Government. ‎It is important to stress at this juncture that at the point his Lordship made that order, he was fully aware of the fact that there was information filed against Nnamdi Kanu before Chief Magistrate Court. The court granted him bail based on those information and also directed the DSS to release him on bail.

We perfected the bail conditions as prescribed by the court, they still refused to release him in line with the directive of the court. Instead of obeying the court order, they went to the Federal High Court to file an application to obtain an order from the High Court before his Lordship, Honourable Justice A.F.A Ademola, to further detain him under Section 292 ACJ Act. The court granted that order because at that point the order was obtained, it was based on the facts they presented to the court. And these facts they presented to the court border on issues of terrorism and treasonable felony.

The court now granted the application

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 august 2016

I never said Kanu was negotiating with FG –Lawyer Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor is the lawyer to the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu. In this interview with YEKEEN NURUDEEN, he says the IPOB leader will not trade his ideology for his freedom. to further detain him for 30 days. It was at that juncture that the defence lawyer filed an application before that court to vacate that order granted by this court. And it was when that application was filed before this court that it was fully abreast of the fact of what was going on in the case.

The fact that Nnamdi Kanu has been arraigned before the magistrate court once and the court granted him bail based on certain information; management of unlawful society, importation of certain goods and all what not. The court now unequivocally directed the DSS to release him unconditionally on that day.

Now, it is important to note that at the point the court made this order, the court didn't ask the DSS to release him pending further charges against him or pending taking further actions in the matter. The Court directed them to release the man unconditionally. By virtue of that order, it has not been obeyed up till this moment.

That order was served on them on December 18, 2015.

Instead of obeying that order, they went back to the Federal High Court on December 23, and filed frivolous and concocted charges against him. As it stands today, the hearing on those charges has not commenced. The prosecution has been doing everything humanly possible to frustrate the hearing of the charge because they know that they have no case against him.

Even mere looking at the evidence before the court shows you that the evidence attached to the file cannot establish a Prima Facie case against Kanu when proper hearing is conducted. That was the area I dwelt on extensively during the press briefing; that until that order is obeyed, we cannot do anything, we cannot do anything with anybody.

The Federal Government is in contempt of court and they cannot be in

the misinterpretation of what I said in the papers.

Ejiofor

contempt of court and at the same time approaching the same court for anything.

I made reference to the ruling by His Lordship, Honourable Justice Bimba, last week when he directed the DSS to remand somebody in prison custody and instead of complying with that order, they didn't.

They went back to him to seek order to detain him, the Justice said: "I can't grant this application, I must be satisfied that the order that I made has been complied with before I make a further pronouncement on this case.”

So, the Federal Government is standing in contempt of that order. I was never part of the people that made reference to negotiation because we cannot negotiate when someone who is in contempt of court order. That should be most likely

PDP's unending controversies C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 7

recognised the May 21, National Convention which produced the National Caretaker Committee has not been appealed against or set aside, hence it behoved the court to protect that judgement."

Makarfi whose tenure was extended at the convention for by 12 months said some members of the ruling APC were out to ensure that PDP dies.

"Our democracy is under huge threat," he said. I urge the APC-led government to concentrate on governance and delivering of good service to the nation.

"The country already has enough problems facing it; politicians should not add to the country's problems by pursuing their selfish intentions."

Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, said "the APC is desperate to kill opposition and silence others, because they are afraid that their inability to properly govern the country and tackle the challenges facing us as a nation would be exposed by a virile PDP." Fayose, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, accused President Muhammadu Buhari of dictatorship. He wondered about the business of APC in internal affairs of PDP.

"If they said they wanted to act on court orders, why didn't they act on more than four orders that were in favour of the Markafi group?

"They don't have answers to the terrible situations in the country but they know that an organised PDP will be emboldened to challenge them," the statement added.

A member of APC, Senator Shehu Sani, was said to have condemned seal off of the stadium by the police.

Senator Sani who represents Kaduna State in the Senate said, "the Nigerian Police has made a strong statement that Nigeria is in dire need of restructuring "I have always said no to State Police because of how former governor, Rotimi Amaechi, used Commissioners of Police to harass and intimidate his perceived political enemies and opponents.

"I have consistently said no to state police, because I believe some mischievous state governors will use the police to subvert the will of the people and rig elections.

"But we saw in 2015 where state governors who were of the then ruling party PDP lost elections in their states. We also saw in Bayelsa State where the people said enough is enough to federal might.

"Indeed, recent activities have allayed my fears on state police. And with what the police did today at the PDP convention, I'm 100

percent for state police" "How do you explain, that President Muhammadu Buhari, will order the police that you trained, the police that you equipped with over 200 vehicles, to deploy the same vehicles to block you from entering the Civic Centre that you renovated, to perform a legitimate function, backed-up by a court of competent jurisdiction? What can be more anarchical than that?

"I must commend the opposition PDP and especially the doggedness of Governor (Nyesom) Wike. He is indeed, the political Lionel Messi of modern democracy."

A former deputy national publicity secretary of PDP, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, said there was evidence of federal might in the action of the police.

"Ali Modu Sheriff cannot order police with guns and armoured tanks to go and seal the place without the federal might," he said.

Jalo said despite the abortion of the convention, "PDP will be more popular, stronger than before because there is no doubt of what they are trying to do: they don't want PDP to be in peace."

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Francis Odesanya, said his men were deployed to provide security following a court order. The CP added that he was only obeying a court order.

You talked about political solution, could you be more specific about it?

What informed that is the fact that MEND went on air to announce to the whole world that they had a truce with Federal Government, that Kanu should renounce his Biafra agitation. That's the condition upon which he can be granted bail. And I had Kanu's instruction to tell the whole world that at no point did he engage in any discussions with or have ties with MEND. They don't have his authorisation to go into that discussion with Federal Government. That's why I said if Federal Government is desirous of resolving this matter, it should go to Kanu not MEND. He has no links with MEND. And going to Kanu means they must obey the court order which means they must release him unconditionally as directed by the court. I also made reference to several times the matter was adjourned for hearing. Having denied him bail in December, 2015, it was adjourned to 9th, 10th and 11th February, 2016.

On February 9, they came up with application to conduct a secret hearing which was rejected. It was for the court to shield it witnesses at the point of giving evidences. And they were in court when ‎took that matter for hearing for four days.

Does Kanu have ties with or sympathy for Niger Delta Avengers?

Yes, that's confirmed.

As far as the legal team is concerned, after that Friday press conference, who and who remain in the team as counsel to Mr. Kanu?

If you look at the press release thereafter, you would understand what defence counsel is. These are internal issues that may not be convenient to discuss. It is an internal issue that has been resolved. If Kanu want people to leave he would have informed the whole world. The person that was sacked has been notified. In the course of time, people will also know the new people that are part of the team.

You said Mr. Kanu wants to be released unconditionally, does that mean if he is released, he will continue with his ideology?

At this stage, the point is that it is obvious to the whole world that Kanu has committed no offence. Right to self-determination is well enshrined in our Nigerian law: the Constitution. It is a constitutional right. This is a right that cannot be taken away from anybody. The point is that let them comply with order of court; that right of self-determination cannot be taken from them. That's very simple. I would not go beyond this.

So, no negotiation?

Yes, no negotiation. Let the Federal Government go and comply with the order of court. That's also evident in their delay tactics in pursuing the case. They brought the case to the court and the court ordered that he should be released unconditionally, they ran away from that court, went to another court. He has been in detention since then, October last year, and the trial hasn't commenced. It is now sufficient to show that Kanu is a political prisoner.

Feature 49

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 august 2016

Isawo neighbours told ISIOMA MADIKE who visited the area that the hotel has been a refuge for vandals and strip dancers for quite a while before the bubble bust

Western Lodge Hotel

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he seal up of Western Lodge Hotel located in the heart of Isawo in the Agric area of Ikorodu, on August 14, threw the hotel and the rustic community into spotlight. Though for a reason many would not have liked to be associated with. Since then, members of the joint military task force, which cordoned off the leisure home, have taken possession it.

Lagos State government, which took the action, said it suspected that some oil pipeline vandals cum militants were having a nice time in the relaxation spot.

It was further revealed that a girlfriend of one of the militant’s leaders was having her birthday bash at the time. The rebels have been terrorising the neighbourhood for a long while now.

Isawo is a small community in Ikorodu. That may be why it is not difficult to identify a stranger in this neighbourhood.

It was not surprising then when Saturday Telegraph visited this locale on Tuesday and Thursday this week. The residents were unusually suspicious and quiet. It was understandable since lots of negative stories have emanated from the community lately. This may be why a first time visitor to the area has the problem of being mistaken for a security agent or a spy.

The atmosphere partly explained why most inhabitants of the place shy away from questions they consider probing and by extension implicating. Ironically, the neigbours also appear to be under some kind of oath to nurse their pains secretly.

But, some courageous ones admitted, that the presence of the military men in the hotel on that fateful day signified that something terrible was going on. Many of the bad boys in the community and its environs, they said, have been using the facility as their hideout. They told Saturday Telegraph that some displaced leaders of the militants usually disguised as women for them not to be easily identified and sneaked into the hotel.

“The hotel has for long been a bad news in the vicinity. But we can now sleep with our eyes closed and hope the security personnel stationed there would deal decisively with the situation,” another who craved anonymity, said.

However, Saturday Telegraph’s investigation has revealed that much more than people know happens in the guesthouse.

This reporter who combed and sniffed

Inside Western Lodge Hotel around both the hotel and the community within the week discovered that the hotel had been a refuge of sort to the vandals and militants long before the officials of the state bust into it.

“The militants would lodge in some young girls in the facility who entertains them with nude dance. Nude party is a regular feature here every Fridays and Saturdays. After their operations they would sneak in one after the other for an all-night bash. At such times, they would order the management of the relaxation

spot to vacate whoever that lodges there so as not to be spied on,” said one Igbo man that had used the leisure home, who identified himself simply as John.

The man has an electronics shop within a stone throw from the hotel. He is not alone in this revelation. An elderly woman, who did not want to be identified, also told Saturday Telegraph that before the military invasion, the militants were using the hotel as their resting place. “We see them and knew this but were so afraid to raise the alarm for fear of being hurt. They hide their partners in crime; and would move them into the creeks afterwards.

“Some of us who have buildings close to the hotel hardly allow our children to go outside at night because of the indecent dressing of some of the underage prostitutes who the militants used to ‘nice up’ after their nefarious activities. Unfortunately, the owner lives abroad and the people he puts in charge to manage the hotel never Nigerian Army (OPMESA), Pick up van outside Western Lodge Hotel, Isawo cared about us.

Road, Agric, Ikorodu “They are only inter-

Nude party is a regular feature here every Fridays and Saturdays

Members of Operation Awaste on ground at Owutu, Isawo PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE/www.simonateba.com/encomium.ng

ested in making dubious, blood money from these murderers. If you ask me, the government should demolish the facility and take ownership of the land. If it fails to do that some of us would have no option than to relocate away from this area because we would be in serious trouble if the hotel is reopened,” the woman said.

There are those who are worried that the invasion of some Lagos riverside communities by suspected oil vandals and militants has dislocated the local economy of the affected areas. One of them is Ademola, who said aside the immediate impact on livelihood and the fear which forced some people to flee their homes in recent times, many dwellers of the localities were slaughtered while others shot by the militants in the many attacks of late.

The militants’ creek has been likened to a depot where crude oil from vandalised pipelines is stored. Many believe they resorted to terrorising the residents because their business has now been affected. They often alleged sabotage from the locals who they claimed had been in concert with them.

Since vandals, who graduated to militants’ started operating in these area some years ago, and unleashing terror in the locality, the lives of the inhabitants of this neighbourhood have not remained the same. They had also swooped on the neighbouring Arepo area of Ogun State.

Others are Oke Muti, Ajegunle and Ola Imam, Ereko junction, Imushin, Ita-Oluwo along Ogijo, Elepete, Igbo-Olomu, Pakisa and Magbon and other border communities of Lagos and Ogun states, turning the environs into a bloodbath.

All commercial activities in these areas are presently grounded. Schools, churches and mosques were once locked, including shops and markets. The 18 villages making up Imushin are currently deserted. A source in one of the communities, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a large number of the victims were landlords.

“They have also scared away others who have come to help us develop these places. As you can see, a few of us who have the courage to hang around now live in fear. And those that ran away are refusing to return for fear of being attacked the second time. In fact, people have fled their homes,” one of the elders of the neighbourhood, said.

Extra Sportsplash 50 News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 AUGUST 2016

Varsities groaning under unstable foreign exchange –LASU VC

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Mojeed Alabi

Intending Muslim pilgrims from Bauchi State boarding the passenger aircraft during the airlift of the first batch of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia…on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

Senate moves to avert indefinite strike in ABUTH

…as resident doctors decry rot in tertiary healthcare Chukwu David, ABUJA

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he Senate Committee on Health yesterday moved to avert a looming indefinite strike by the resident doctors at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) over alleged poor funding and working condition of doctors in the institution.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, who addressed a delegation of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), ABUTH, in Abuja, urged the body to submit a comprehensive report of its grievances to the committee, with a view to proffering a lasting solution to the matter.

NARD had paid a courtesy visit on the committee to bring to its attention the high level of rot in the tertiary healthcare institution, resulting from the poor funding of the establishment by the government.

The doctors told the committee that they had held a one-week protest to draw the attention of government to their plights, alerting that they would embark on a three-day warning strike on Monday.

The medical practitioners, however, said that if nothing

was done after the warning strike by the management of the hospital to address their demands that they would not hesitate to embark on an indefinite strike.

In his submission to the committee, the Chairman of the NARD, ABUTH, Dr. Waziri Aliyu, lamented that the sanitary condition of the hospital was deplorable while there was no fund to provide basic medical facilities in the place.

He said: “There are a lot of issues that affect the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and we feel that by interaction with the people here (in the Senate), most of our grievances would be sorted out.

“First of all our grievances is the issue of environmental sanitation as well as facilities in the hospital. There was an incident that happened in the hospital when one of our members was bitten by a snake. It was really sad because up to 36 hours after the incident, the management could not do anything.

“The association felt very bad about it and it is something that we've been complaining about in the hospital. The sewage system in the hospital is something that is really terrible.

“As simple as cotton wool and (mentholated) spirit, we ask patients to provide. I think this is the height of it.”

He also lamented alleged

illegal sacking of doctors by the management, poor remuneration, and non availability of accommodation for staff that should be resident, insecurity and poor working environment in the hospital.

Aliyu warned that if samples in the laboratories were to be contaminated, the results of tests would be erroneous and this would pose a great danger to the patients, doctors and the hospital authorities.

He also decried the poor condition and non-availability of equipment in the hospital, saying the Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine in the facility had been faulty for 46 months, while patients were being referred to other hospitals.

“As little as X-ray is, we've been having problems with it. There is only one machine and whenever it breaks down, it becomes a problem,” he lamented.

A member of the committee, Senator Shehu Sani, who represents Kaduna Central where ABUTH is situated, in his remark, said the condition of ABUTH was a reflection of the true state of the country's health care system.

He stated that with the current economic downturn, there was the need for Nigeria to have a functional public health sector to check capital flight.

Coup: Turkish govt grants Nigerian students free education

Yekeen Nurudeen, ABUJA

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ollowing the coup attempt in Turkey which led to the closure of many private universities in the country, Nigeria students studying across Turkish private universities which have been closed down have now been moved by the Turkish government to public schools in that country where they will pay very little or no tuition fees at all.

Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hakan Cakil, disclosed this yesterday when he visited the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, in his office, in Abuja.

He said all the students

affected by the closure have been moved to public universities nearest to them.

Cakil told the minister that no Nigerian student would be allowed to suffer due to the closure, adding that any student electing to return to Nigeria would be doing so as a matter of choice.

Responding, Adamu expressed profound gratitude to the Turkish government for paying special attention to the wellbeing and safety of Nigerian students in Turkey.

The minister assured Ambassador Cakil that the government of Nigeria will continue to work hard to deepen educational cooperation with Turkey as well as boost the overall bilateral relationship between the two countries.

It would be recalled that the Turkish Ambassador had called on the Federal Govern-

ment to close down all the 17 Turkish schools and hospitals in Nigeria alleging that the owners of the schools were behind the failed coup in Turkey.

He berated public officials who travel abroad for medical treatment, saying: “It is unfortunate, ironical and contradictory, for public officials to rate themselves high in the development of the healthcare sector but refuse to patronise the sector when they need medical services.”

Sani said further: “It is quite unfortunate that when Gen. Sani Abacha took office, he referred to our hospitals as mere consulting clinics. I wish they were ‘mere consulting clinics’ now. Things have gone really bad. And I don't see the possibility of getting our public healthcare system back on track if public office holders don't patronise public hospitals.”

In his response, Tejuoso said ABUTH's problems were not different from what was obtainable in other public health care institutions across the country.

He urged the doctors to pay more attention to how monies allocated to ABUTH were spent than strike action, while asking them to file a comprehensive report to the Senate on their grievances.

Tejuoso said: “The main problem we are having is the mismanagement of funds allocated, which I think you should give more attention as an association. When they (ABUTH management) came to defend their (2016) budget, I am sure they did not have your inputs.”

The legislator urged the doctors to have a discussion with management of the hospital on the implementation of the budget, to ensure that there was no misapplication or mismanagement of funds.

FCT Solar eclipse: NARSDA cautions Nigerians

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has warned the public not to watch eclipse of the moon that will appear on September 1 with naked eyes to avoid damage to NEWS IN their sights.

BRIEF A statement signed yesterday by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications of the agency, Dr. Felix Ale and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said observing the solar eclipse with naked eyes could lead to permanent damage to the eyes “as the eclipse of the moon does not reduce the luminosity of the sun.”

He said the warning became necessary because solar eclipse was expected to be experienced in the country on September 1.

According to him, the highest degree of obscurity in Nigeria during this natural occurrence will be in the southern part of the country particularly in Lagos, while Sokoto is expected to have the lowest obscurity.

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he Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Prof.

Olanrewaju Fagbohun, has lamented that like every other sector of the national economy, the universities are not exempted from the biting consequences of the nation’s economic challenges, particularly the rising foreign exchange rates.

The VC, who spoke at a lecture organised by the university’s Directorate of Advancement, which held at the institution’s auditorium, said unless drastic steps are taken to address the economic problems, academic institutions will continue to suffer in the discharge of their trio responsibilities of teaching, research and community services.

“Universities like other institutions are not also immune from the biting effects of foreign exchange and I am going to cite an example; we wanted to purchase a patrol van for our security and we got an invoice of about N10 million on Friday, but by Monday when

we were to deliberate on it, the price had jumped to more than N12 million. We had no choice than to suspend it.”

He said that is the way purchasing other necessary facilities for the institution has been jettisoned due to economic challenges.

Meanwhile, an economist and public analyst, Mr. Henry Olujimi Boyo, who was the guest lecturer at the event, blamed the challenge on the misplacement of priorities by the country’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria, saying the financial institution that should be guarding the nation’s currency is busy protecting foreign currencies.

He demanded for redirection of Nigeria’s economic policies, saying sound policies focus more on grassroots and commoners, and urged the Federal Government to carry market men and women along in policy formulations and implementations.

Earlier, the Director of the Advancement Directorate, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said the lecture was part of the directorate’s strategies to impact the larger society and effect changes through enlightenment and education.

Okebukola, others for UNIMED financial mgt workshop

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Amosu Oluwafemi former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, the Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye and a former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof O.A Bamiro, are among the resource persons at a short course on Master Grant Proposal Writing and Management Educational Institutions commencing on Monday in Ondo.

The three-day course, which is geared towards engendering financial sustainability for universities and other tertiary institutions, is being organised by the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Ondo State, for academic and non-academic staff of higher institutions in the country.

A statement by the Director of Public Relations of UNIMED, Prince Ademola Babalola, said participants would

be taken through modern methods of fund-raising, grant proposal writing and financial management in the university system in consonance with global best practices.

“Okebukola and others will also show participants examples of successful fund-raising strategies and financial management strategies used by high-performing universities worldwide; and bring participants in contact with donor agencies in order to respond to the specific funding needs of participating institutions,” the statement added.

The Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof. A G Daramola, will deliver the keynote address at the opening of the programme.

Daramola will be talking on “Leveraging Financial Resources for Achieving Research and Training Excellence in Nigerian Universities.”

The University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, is a pioneer medical university in West Africa and its mission is to foster excellence in teaching, research service delivery in all health sciences disciplines.

Kwara courts record 38 divorce petitions in eight months

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bout 38 divorce petitions were filed in courts in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State between January and August this year.

Some of the reasons adduced by the petitioners included lack of love, desertion, uncaring attitudes and assaults.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 28 petitions were filed at the Area Court while the remaining 10 were at the Upper Area Court and High Court.

Similarly, 15 marriages were dis-

solved, 11 amicably resolved while 12 others are still pending.

NAN checks revealed that incidence of petition for divorce in the area was on the decline compared to the 46 of such petitions filed within same period in 2015.

It also learnt that incessant irreconcilable marriage differences had become a source of worry to magistrates and judges in the area.

An Area Court judge in OmuAran, Mr. Abolade Banigbe, said the menace had continued to pose serious challenges to the judiciary in the community.

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FG okays N47bn to tackle erosion, watershed management Cheke Emmanuel, LAFIA

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he Federal Government yesterday said it had earmarked the sum of N47 billion to tackle erosion and watershed management in the country.

The government said the money was in line with its plan to launch clean and green campaign to tackle the threat of open defecation and indiscriminate disposal of waste across the nation.

Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed, disclosed this in Lafia, Nasarawa State, in her address at the 10th National Council on Environment. She said

the Federal Government’s initiatives on waste to wealth were to protect the environment from pollution and to create entrepreneurs in waste management and alternative cleaner energy sources.

She stated that the funds ($135 million) being disbursed under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Programme was being done in partnership with the World Bank.

The minister explained that her ministry was set to contribute to the agenda with its new vision of empowering people, tackling climate action and protecting the environment.

She said: “So far, work has reached 75 per cent completion in 21 sites of the

Ogunlewe: I’ve not been invited by EFCC

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former Minister of Works and former Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, has said he was not involved in financial transactions at the institution while he was the pro-chancellor.

Ogunlewe, who was reacting to reports in the media that he might be invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over allegations of financial mismanagement in the university during his tenure, told Saturday Telegraph on the telephone that he was hurt and embarrassed by the reports.

l Twitter suspends Boko Haram, NDA, 360,000 other accounts

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sub-grants to the tune of N200 million, identified and compensated 984 people affected by the project,” she said.

According to her, the

programme had been extended from seven to 19 states to enable the government to address problems of land use and watershed management.

The stakeholders are expected to issue a joint communiqué at the end of deliberations.

Local community sources confirmed the development, saying about two pipelines operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company were affected in the incident which occurred at about 2am.

A new militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, sources said, was behind the attack.

A technical team of NPDC and security officials have been deployed to the area to prevent the spread of crude to other communities.

Meanwhile, there are indications that Twitter may have suspended accounts of Boko Haram,and the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), ostensibly owing to the groups' nefarious tendencies in Nigeria.

The said suspension comes on the heels of reports that a total of 360, 000 other accounts have been blocked since 2015.

Reports also say eighty per cent twitter handles are being suspended, even as Twitter may have attributed the development partly to "spam-fighting" platforms.

The minister added that the 14 additional states had met all conditions needed for the beginning of the full implementation of the project.

FCT ABEOKUTA KANO Amosun's wife teaches students Graft: Minister tasks religious KERDCO worker electrocuted ‘green education’ leaders on sensitisation in Kano Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso The Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello, has

An official of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KERDCO), Usaini Usman, has been electrocuted while disconnecting an NEWS IN electricity cable in Kano.

BRIE F The deceased, aged 37, died on Thursday afternoon when his head got in contact a high tension power line at the Federal ST with College of Education, Kano.

The state’s Director, Fire Service, Alhaji Mustapha Rilwan, confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano yesterday.

He said a Good Samaritan called the fire service and one was dispatched to the scene, about 2.33 pm.

Rilwan said the deceased was conveyed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

Amosun, has advised children to live a healthy lifestyle by embracing the culture and attitude of re-using, reducing and recycling waste to help save the environment from further degradation.

The governor's wife, who was the Guest Lecturer at the ongoing Ogun State Summer School Camp at the state Model College, Awowo in Ewekoro Local Government area of the State, said environmental issues have become a serious issue, considering the environmental challenges confronting the present generation.

According to her, “The earth is experiencing global warming as a result of our individual lifestyle.

The use of non-recycling plastics, indiscriminate waste disposal and cutting down of trees without replacing them has been a major challenge to our health and the environment. "

tasked religious leaders in the country to sensitise their followers on the evils of corruption.

Bello made the call yesterday during a symposium with the theme, “The role of religious preachers in the fight against Corruption,” in Abuja.

The symposium was convened by the FCT Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Abuja National Mosque Management Board at the African Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Bello, who was represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, stressed that corruption had left negative consequences on the nation’s march to development.

“Doing this would send a clear message to corrupt people that they are not wanted in the society,” the minister said.

He said as the pro-chancellor, he had nothing to do with the alleged sleaze in the school. He said that it would have been right to ask the registrar of the school, who was secretary of the council about the activities of the council, since the registrar had a record of all activities of the council.

Ogunlewe said: “The registrar of the university is the secretary of the council.

He has all the minutes and conclusions of the council.

He is in the best position to give information about the running of the council.

“The registrar has a notebook signed by all members of council for all allowances paid. I will take legal action against the petitioners for defamation of my character.”

Militants attack oil facility during stakeholders’ meeting

unmen suspected to be Niger Delta militants have blown up oil facilities at Owhrode community, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

The scene of the incident is about 20 kilometres from the venue of the one-day stakeholders’ meeting of the six coastal states of the Niger Delta, which was convened to proffer solutions to the ongoing militancy in the region.

The meeting, being held at the PTI, was convened at the instance of Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark; and it has in attendance Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, traditional rulers and leaders of the various ethnic nationalities in the region.

Clark said the meeting would discuss the recent activities of militant groups and proffer solutions to the challenge.

As at the time of filing this report, only Governor Okowa (Delta) is present, while others, including Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Ben Ayade (Cross River) and Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) were still being expected.

initial seven states of the programme and we are looking at the inauguration by December.

“We have commenced payment of livelihood of

Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (left), and the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredric Obateru Akinruntan, during Jegede’s governorship campaign visit to the monarch at Ikokoda…recently

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Olaniyi Aderuku n what can be described as 13 weeks of spectacular and creative moments, Nahvi Ifode, finally emerged winner, “seasoned one”, on the premium cooking show, Knorr Taste Quest Season IV. At the finale of the yearly cooking competition, six contestants were whittled down to three, who later battled it out in the final task which produced Ifode as the winner, Emmanuel Ehimen as the first runner-up and Oluwaseun Akomolafe as the second runner-up.

Announcing the ‘Sea-

Ifode emerges winner of Knorr Taste Quest Season 4 soned One’- the Winner, the Brand Building Director Foods, Unilever, Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe, expressed delight at the dedication, persistence and creativity employed by the contestants during the competition.

She shared her satisfaction on how the cooking competition had grown the brand awareness over the years.

The Brand Manager, Knorr, Jennifer Okpoyo,

commended the participants for their commitments.

She said: “It was an amazing journey, and seeing all the individual tasks the contestants went through, I am very proud of all of them and I will like to say congratulations.”

The judges, Dr Robert and Chef Fregs, also expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the competition, especially the doggedness of the contestants during

Don’t mortgage Anambra future, ex-APGA chieftain tells Obiano

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Temitope Ogunbanke former chieftain of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Bonaventure Mokwe, has advised the governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, not to mortgage the future of the state by entering into any financial agreement with the former governor, Peter Obi. Addressing a press con-

ference in Lagos, Mokwe, alleged that the dispute between Governor Obiano and Obi had nothing to do with continuity in governance but the governor’s refusal to pay the money his predecessor spent during the 2013 governorship election in the state.

It would be recalled that Obiano recently publicly reconciled with Obi at the funeral mass of the former Principal of Christ The King College, Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Tagbo. Obiano pleaded with the former

governor, who he described as his friend and brother, to forgive him whatever he might have done to him.

But in a swift reaction to the reconciliation, Mokwe said: “The projected reconciliation can only turn out to be detrimental to the people of the state because the reconciliation has nothing to do with moving Anambra forward. The only reason that the two of them decided to reconcile is to deplete the state’s treasury.

“The reconciliation may

trainings and tasks.

“It was great meeting all the contestants from the audition till the end of the show,” Chef Fregs said.

Ifode was rewarded with N5 million from Unilever and N100, 000 worth of shopping voucher from Shoprite.

Ehimen and Akomolafe got N1.5 million and N750, 000 from Unilever respectively, while Shoprite rewarded each of them with N50, 000 worth of shopping vouchers.

also be associated to Governor Obiano’s quest to seek for second term in 2018 but the summation of the whole thing is that it will still comes down to the treasury of the state considering what the Director-General of Peter Obi’s senatorial campaign organisation, Joe Martins, said during a radio programme that there cannot be reconciliation without restitution.

He said: ‘‘There cannot be reconciliation without restitution, let Obiano start implementing the agreement by paying monthly to Obi.’’ He however, didn’t disclose the amount involved.

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Team Nigeria returns from ‘uneventful’ trip to Brazil

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n 24 hours’ time, curtain will fall on a very impressive Rio Olympic Games with the United States dominating the medals’ table in their usual tradition since the very first one way back in 1896 an achievement that has given them over a thousand gold medals.

When the achievement of the Americans in the Olympics is compared with that of the Team Nigeria, one wonders if the Americans are from a different planet.

Of course we all know the answer to this - and we are patiently expecting the same age-long statements from our sports officials promising that they have learnt their lessons and will do everything possible to ensure that this will not repeat its self at the next games in Tokyo in 2020! The traditional coinage of Team Nigeria after such underperformance is to go back to the ‘drawing board.’

However, even before the Rio 2016 Olympics kicked off, I warned Nigerians that the country’s Olympic team would most likely be going to the Rio 2016 Olympics for a ‘sightseeing’ trip because of the Team’s poor build-up (the worse ever that I can recall) three weeks to the start of the Games: “In exactly 20 days’ time national teams from over 200 countries around the world will be in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro to take part in the 31st Summer Olympic Games, with Team Nigeria one of those scheduled to participate.

“Sadly, from every indications Team Nigeria will be in the largest nation in South America just to make up the number - for this is definitely the worst ever build-up by a Nigerian team for a major competition of this magnitude!

TS from the Sidelines 08050498544 (sms only) tunsul2@gmail.com “If I had my way I would not even bother to send our athletes to Rio so as to save the nation from embarrassment; for as things stand only a miracle will see any Nigerian athlete or team mounting the podium to receive medals.

Despondently, it appears that the general malaise pervading the land from a very sick economy to rising cases of insecurity has also afflicted the one thing that usually unifies the country - sports.

“Is it the failure of the national football team, the Super Eagles to qualify for their second successive Nations Cup, or the ‘titanic’ battle the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is going through just to appoint a new coach for the Eagles to the shambolic preparations (or lack off) of Team Nigeria for Rio 2016?

“After our dismal outing at the last Olympics in London four years ago, as usual government and sports officials vowed that things would be different the next time around.

‘Yes the government in power then, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is no longer calling the shorts, but what has the new government done to avert a

most likely disastrous outing at another Olympics - nothing!

‘A further pointer to the possibility of another below par performance in South America is the fact that the athletes themselves are not showing any form to get the heart racing that they will as individuals make us smile.

‘The times returned at the recent All Nigeria Athletics Trials in Sapele, Delta state, left a very sour taste in the mouth.

For instance, the nation’s brightest athlete (male or female) Blessing Okagbare could only muster a 11.02 seconds (which incidentally is her Season’s Best) in retaining the 100 m crown for the seventh straight time.

‘Even when she ran a then new Personal Best of 10.92 seconds in her semi-final heats at the London 2012 Olympics, she still failed to win a medal of any colour in the final, where she placed a disappointing eighth in the final with a run of 11.01secs.

‘The situation of her male counterpart is even more disheartening; with Seye Ogunlewe’s 10.12secs returned in the 100m unlikely to even see him making the semifinals let alone reaching the final in Rio de-

spite his fighting talk after the Sapele win.

‘One can recall with nostalgia when the ‘Giant of Africa’, might not have been a giant in terms of economy, infrastructural development or military might; but were true giants when it comes to the prowess of our athletes in sports.

‘Chidi Imoh, the Ezenwa twins, Davidson and Osmond, and Olapade Adeniken might not have won individual Olympic honours but they still did enough to get our blood racing by at least reaching the finals - ensuring that they were rated as the top eight male athletes in the 100m sprint.

‘At the Barcelona 92 Olympics, they even ensured that Team Nigeria made the podium by placing second in the relay event matching the ‘big boys’ from the United Stated, Canada and others stride by stride in the blue-ribbon event.

‘Before then the quartet of Sunday Uti, Moses Ugbusien, Rotimi Peters and Innocent Egbunike had landed the nation her first sprint medal when they won bronze medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.

‘Even our so called ‘Dream Team’, once the pride of the African continent and Nigeria, following their Atlanta 96 gold medal outing and Beijing 2008 silver medal finish, is now a shadow of itself with Samson Siasia and his boys struggling to get themselves ready for the Olympics with no money or kits!

‘As things stand, only a miracle will see Team Nigeria return from Brazil with a medal of any colour - talk much less of the five medals the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, has tasked them to deliver!”

Sadly my prediction has come to pass.

Will we learn from this - only time will tell.

First official meeting with future in-laws

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our very first meeting with relatives of your fiancee or fiancé, who have influence over his or her life can make or mar the relationship. Such meeting usually features more anxiety when it is officially scheduled than when it is unexpected, unplanned or somehow, informal.

Meeting your spouse-to-be’s family for the first time could make you very anxious because you can't tell if they'll love you or not at the end of the day. Since you are going to be their future daughter/ son-in-law, it is expected that you start on a good note with your future spouse's family. If you succeed in impressing them, you'll just be surprised at how well things will work in your relationship.

Before I proceed, it is important to emphasize the fact that you cannot give what you don’t have. Character is like a perfume. Wherever you go, the smell follows you. There are things you can hardly control such as the orientation and reasoning pattern of your wouldbe in-laws that you are meeting for the first time. However, there are things you can control. They include your thoughts, emotions, words and actions. To a large extent, your success depends on the things you can control such as what you see, hear, understand and do. When you spend most of your efforts on the things you cannot control, you have signed an agreement with frustration. When you control the things you can control, God will control the things you cannot control. Now, most things you can control are inside of you. Most things you cannot control are outside of you. So, it is not what happens to you but what happens in you that matters. These are issues of the heart and mindset. (Matthew 13:13-17, Proverbs 4:23, 23:19, 23:7, Romans 12:2).

The summary here is that relation-

Marriage Clinic with Albinus Chiedu 08038117704 (sms only) marriagecanwork@yahoo.com ships have spiritual undertones, which are functions of who and where the heart and life is connected to. You cannot succeed by your own power, strength and wisdom alone. Jesus said “...for without me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Allow the owner of the marital institution to rule over your affairs. You did not create yourself. Someone created you (Psalm 100:3). “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1st Corinthians 3:11). Don’t operate like you created yourself.

So, if you have not done so, allow Jesus Christ to take over your life. Then, a good spirit takes over you (2nd Corinthians 5:17, Acts 1:8). When you receive this, you can now be able to bear the fruits of the holy spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23). This is what I mean when I say you can only give what you have. If you do not involve God in your relationship, you may even fight in public when you meet your would-be in-laws for the first time. You know what that means.

Having done this, what can you achieve when you meet your future inlaws for the first time? First, do not be late for the scheduled appointment. It is inexcusable. For a guy particularly, it

tends to suggest you are not eager enough about the marriage.

Dress responsibly. Your dressing can form a negative or positive long-lasting impression. For a lady, your make up should be as minimal as possible while your dressing should not portray you as a potential adulterer. Remember, they might not have known you from Adam.

It's good to be knowledgeable but trying to impress your in-laws over irrelevancies might just sound as too desperate and turn them off. So, do not try to show that you are Mr. Know-All. In the process, you could lie. Try not to talk too much.

In a place like Africa where there are cultural restraints in romance, it is still okay to show affection. But when you can't get your hands or mouth off your partner, it begins to raise eyebrows.

‘Inappropriate’ romantic display in the presence of your future in-laws is a total no-no.

Make adequate enquiries from your partner about the character, beliefs and orientations of your would-be in-laws before such visit to avoid grave mistakes.

As for you who knows that the parents or relatives of your potential spouse have shouted it to the roof tops that they do not support the relationship, you need godly counsel because there are several scenarios that could play out. There are cases

where the man has to stand his ground if he truly means his plans of living with you forever as life partner. Standing his ground can take various shapes depending on a number of factors. With divine wisdom, prayers, diplomacy and persuasion, a lot can be achieved. However, solution to many of such conflicts is beyond mere physical efforts.

In matters of your faith and life principles, stand your ground and refuse to compromise. For instance, your potential father in-law believes and tries to impress it on you that any man that is not an alcoholic drink consumer, is not a man. You have never consumed alcoholic drinks on grounds of principles and your Christian faith. Now, you decide to impress him because you have shown interest in marrying her daughter. Just get ready to keep buying cartons of alcoholic drinks whenever he visits your house in future. Whatever you will not continue in relationship, do not start. Compromise in faith matters is dangerous. Declare your Christian beliefs to your would-be in-laws so that they know how to relate with you tomorrow in such matters.

Above all, seek knowledge. You could register for our Marriage Preparatory Programme holding in Lagos, Nigeria from November 10 to 12, 2016. It will help you.

Your marriage shall be a blessing and testimony in Jesus name. Amen.

For questions, prayers, personal counselling, seminars, wedding ministration, etc, CONTACT: The Coordinator, MARRIAGE CAN WORK MINISTRY Mobile: +234-8038117704 E-mail: marriagecanwork@yahoo.com; marriagethings@gmail.com P. O. Box, 13188, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Perspectives

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Mo Farah and Nigeria's understanding of sports

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f there are two events I don't want to miss during the Olympics, they are the lighting of the Olympics flame, which signals the beginning of the games and the men's 100 metres -the highlight of the world's biggest sport events. Unfortunately, I missed the two events. While I had watched the repeat broadcast of the historic 100 metres where the legendary Usain Bolt won the race for the third consecutive time, I am yet to see how the flame was lit in Rio. However, the historic victory of the British distance runner, Mohammed Muktar Jama Farah, better known in sport circles as Mo Farah, in the 10,000 metres was one of the high points in Rio. The Somali-born Briton, who is one of the most decorated British athletes, used his "bouncy" 'and quick finish similar to that of a sprinter to ward off the Kenyan conspiracy and retained his Olympics title.

Farah, a devout Muslim, who moved to the UK at the age of eight, talked about his preparations for any competition: "I normally pray before a race, I read dua (Islamic prayers), think about how HARD I've WORKED and just go for it," adding that "the Quran says that you must WORK HARD in whatever you do, so I WORK HARD in training and that got a lot to do with being successful. It doesn't just come overnight, you've got to TRAIN for it and believe in yourself; that is the most important thing. " Olympic medals or any laurel arising from any competition is not whimsical.

Believing that such can be determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by HARD WORK as espoused by Farah is to assume that manna can fall from heaven through prayers.

But ours is a country that believe so much in miracle not back up with hard work and this is the joke we took to Rio. While I do not have any aversion to prayers before any competition, I often wonder why countries which do not pray on the field of play are often more successful than the praying nations. Perhaps, the only difference is in the preparations. Athletes who mounted the podiums are those who prepared for the competition and their countries must have played a pivotal role. It is even impious to rely on prayers and luck alone.

Olympic champions don't emerge by luck. It takes years of preparations and if there are cases of luck, they are quite infinitesimal. Luck has little role to play especially if preparations are largely shambolic as in the case of Nigeria. There are potential medallists in our raw talents but if those potential are not harnessed and the raw talents honed and

News Extra Igbeaku Orji

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Umuahia

he new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Abia State, Hosea Karma, has said the new police outlook built on integrity as directed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) would check the excesses of

Waheed Bakare on Saturday

09056089320 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com given the required support, it is nonsensical to expect positive result. For instance, the Jamaican speed sensation, Bolt, had focused on cricket as a pupil at William Knibb Memorial High School in his native, Jamaica.

But his coach who had a third eye had observed Bolt's speed would be more useful in track and field and advised him to switch to the sport that has brought fame and fortune to the Jamaican.

The chances are high that Farah's raw talent would have wasted away in Mogadishu if he has remained in Somalia due to egregious sport policies and maladministration that have also brought Nigeria's sports to this sorry state.

At the 2003 World Athletics, Saif Saaeed Shaheen, won the 3,000 steeplechase for Qatar. It was the country's first medal at the global stage in athletics. And the oilrich country was enveloped in celebratory ecstasy. For his effort, Shaheen, who had represented Kenya, his country of birth, as Stephen Chorono, before switching allegiance to Qatar, got $1 million aside the monthly $1,000 he was getting immediately he agreed to represent the Gulf state. This provided the impetus for other athletes to

Dalung

switch allegiance to Qatar leading to a debate on the BBC's Africa Live Programme as to whether patrotism matters in sports or not. Listeners of the radio programme were asked to respond through emails with their telephone numbers.

Of interest was the position canvassed by a Nigerian residing in the UK. The man identified simply as UE said: "What patrotism? Who can blame these young men and women for deserting Africa, given that in virtually all cases, these are kids from very poor families who have struggled to achieve success, in spite of the obstacles placed in their way by those who liked to be called our leaders! Just imagine yourselves in this situation: you were born into a family without the necessary 'connections.' You went to a school where the teachers were not properly trained. You probably never had books of your own. At home food was not to be taken for granted. You relocated to the city in search of an elusive job, only to end up in a much worse situation than before. Within the same city, you are tormented daily by the children of government ministers who shamelessly exhibited their parents' stolen wealth -your own wealth. Sports become the only way out. Would you be happy representing a country that denied you so much in life. This, in my view, is stretching the meaning of patrotism too far".

It is not exoteric that Nigeria lacks well defined and consistent sport policies. And where policies are formulated, we either pay lip services to them or allow them to gather dust on the shelf. For instance, how well did we implement the recommendations of the Sam Ogbemudia-led sports committee of the Vision 2010 Committee and that of the Emeka Omeruah panel that probed Nigeria's dismal outing at the Athens 2004 Olympics Games? Given the success Ogbemudia achieved in old Bendel State with his school for sports programme, it was unreasonable to jettison his recommendations even if there was a change of leadership given the impression that government is a continuum?

Police to check officers' excesses on highways, offices the police both in the office and on the highway.

Addressing journalists yesterday in his office in Umuahia, AIG Karma charged officers and men of the command to ensure that members of the public trust them in the discharge of their

duties, saying that when the public have confidence in the police they would cooperate and assist them to fight crime.

He promised to replicate the security networking deployed in Anambra State where he served as Com-

missioner in the zone and also set up a committee to handle herdsmen and farmers clashes, which he said was a national challenge.

He also disclosed that “When we settle down we will sell the idea of vigilante in the communities to the

Drug trafficking: We only scan documents –NIS Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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igeria Immigration Service (NIS) has distanced itself from the “escape” of three Muslim pilgrims, from the Nigerian airports.

According to the Pub-

Although government can not single handedly fund sports, it can engender policies that will encourage big private companies to invest in sports as being done in other climes.

We cannot get the best out of our sport men and women when past sport heroes are allowed to die in vain without getting what they were promised by the government for past stellar performances that put the country on the world map. What could be more nauseating than the government not represented at the burial of Stephen Kesh, former Super Eagles captain and coach, who brought honour and fame to the country through football? How does that encourage the upcoming ones that there is reward for patrotism? Is it then surprising that no fewer than nine Nigerians represented other countries at the Rio Games?

Whatever little success we achieved in Beijing 2008 was by luck and since luck has its limitations, this explains our failure in London 2012 and we are where we are in Rio because we failed to do things differently from Athens 2004.

It was luck that pushed the Dream Team to the semis. I salute their courage for pushing themselves so hard even when they have more than enough reasons to be inert. They were abandoned, negleted, stranded and were treated like orphans. If they had won gold, the Minister for Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, who said he was not aware of their suffering while in the US, would have shamelessly lead the same team to Aso Rock.

I saw Dalung, wearing a T.Shirt on television in Rio with the inscription:'Just do it Nigeria.' The message is to say the least uninspiring, impetuous and says a lot about the country's penchant for banking on prayers and luck without the corresponding hard work needed to do well in any competition.

If we must do it, we must do it well rather than just doing it. If the minister drew his inspiration from Nike, the sport company, with the signature: 'Just do it', he needs to find out the efforts put in place to make the company a world class sport outfit.

Dalung, seems not to know the difference between populism and sound policies. Sport remains the only genuine unifying factor that put aside our diverse tendencies and mutual suspicion particularly when we are doing well. What we need are good policies devoid of corruption, nepotism, archaic bureaucracy, state-of-the-art and more importantly maintenance of those facilities so that they don't become derelict. Otherwise, Tokyo 2020 will be another Olympic year full of lamentation for the country.

lic Relations of the Service, Deputy Comptroller, King Ekpedeme, the Service is only concerned with travel documents.

Speaking on the incident, Ekpedeme said: “We are not concerned with contrabands. We are concerned with travel documents of

the people. It is the NDLEA that would answer that.

“Our machines are designed to scan travelling documents and not to xray human body to find out what is inside them. That is for the NDLEA if at all they have such machine. Ours is to look at the travelling

documents and make sure that the photograph is the person on the data page.

“We don't want to know whether the person is carrying contraband or not but if we have any suspicion, we will draw the attention of the appropriate agency.''

various state governments in the zone.”

Karma explained that the Eminent Persons Forum (EPF), a brainchild of the IG, is primarily for dialogue and communication channel with the police for effective policing and sustained check on crime to make the society safe for all.

“The primary aim of the Eminent Peoples Forum is to bring policing closer to the people. It is not completely a new idea, we have the PCRC, they are doing a wonderful job and that is part of Eminent Peoples Forum.”

He vowed to fight the common crimes in the zone including kidnapping, child trafficking and cultism to a

stand still, just as he did in Anambra State, adding that Abia as the headquarters of the command should be peacefu. Crime will not be tolerated in the state.

“We are going to work closely with chief executive officers of the states to ensure that all the states in the zone enjoy peace.

“We are going to police the zone with integrity, that is when the people will have confidence in what the police are doing; the idea of police locking people in the cell will not be tolerated. The rights of everyone will be guaranteed,” he said.

He added that all crimes would be investigated on merit.

54

World News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Trump campaign chairman quits

T

he campaign chairman for US Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, has resigned just two months after taking the job.

Trump confirmed Manafort's departure in a statement.

He first took control of Trump's campaign after former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski was fired in June.

The 67-year-old veteran political strategist has come under fire for his ties to Russian interests and former Ukrainian President Viktor

P

Yanukovych.

But it is not yet clear why he left the team, which was overhauled earlier this week with the addition of a new campaign chief executive and a new campaign manager.

Trump has come under pressure in recent weeks after a series of controversial remarks and falling poll numbers.

"This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign," Trump said in a statement.

"I am very appreciative

gating business deals worth millions of dollar that are linked to Manafort.

He has vehemently dismissed the claims and denied any wrongdoing.

Manafort, a former adviser to George HW Bush and Bob Dole, only joined the Trump campaign in March, to help the New Yorker secure the party's nomination.

The announcement of new campaign chief, Kellyanne Conway, and campaign CEO, Stephen Bannon, earlier this week raised questions about whether it would diminish Manafort's role.

Putin visits Crimea amid tension

resident Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday flew into annexed Crimea, a day after staging war games there, and said he hoped Ukraine would see "common sense" when it came to resolving a diplomatic crisis over the peninsula.

Two years after Russian troops seized the peninsula, it is again the focus of international tension, after the Russian president accused Kiev last week of sending saboteurs who clashed with Russian troops.

Kiev, which has also fought a two-year war against pro-Russian separatists in two eastern provinces, denies the border incident ever took place and calls it a fabrication that could be used as a pretext for a new Russian invasion.

The Russian leader has used threatening rhetoric, promising unspecified "counter-measures", and has built up troops ahead of a big

Putin (L) listens to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev during their meeting in Crimea, yesterday.

military exercise next month.

He addressed the crisis again on Friday, opening a meeting of his Security Council at an air base near

John Kerry to visit Nigeria

T

he U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, is expected to be in Nigeria on Tuesday to discuss issues bordering on Boko Haram, economy and human rights abuses.

A statement issued by the embassy of the U.S. in Abuja yesterday, said Kerry would hold meetings with President Muhammadu Buhari and some northern governors.

“Kerry will meet with President Muhammadu

Buhari to discuss counter terrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption and human rights issues.

“In Sokoto, he will deliver a speech on the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism.

“In Abuja, the Secretary will meet with a group of adolescent girls working to change community perceptions that devalue the role of girls in society.''

Campaigners kick as Mauritania jails anti-slavery activists

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for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process."

Manafort has faced public scrutiny in recent weeks after the New York Times reported that the Ukrainian government had uncovered ledgers pledging more than $12m (£9.2m) in undisclosed cash payments for his work with Yanukovych, who fled after an uprising in November 2013.

Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Bureau is also investi-

he decision to jail activists has been condemned by international campaigners as a "devastating blow to the Mauritanian anti-slavery movement".

On Thursday, 13 antislavery activists in Mauritania were sentenced up to 15 years

in prison for their alleged role in a riot in June.

A tribunal found the members of the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) guilty of counts including attacks against the government, armed assembly and membership of an unrecognised organisation.

the naval port of Sevastopol on his first visit to Crimea since he made the initial accusations.

"It is clear that we have gathered for a well known reason after the infamous incident, after we thwarted attempts by groups of Ukrainian army saboteurs to break

into (our) territory," he said.

"Judging by all accounts, our partners in Kiev have decided to escalate the situation. We are all familiar with this method of escalation. It goes back a long way and has sometimes been used successfully but not always.''

I used private email on Colin Powell's advice, says Clinton

D

emocratic U.S. presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, has told federal investigators that former Secretary of State Colin Powell suggested she use a personal email account, the New York Times has reported.

Clinton has for over a year been dogged by questions about her use of a private email account while she was the nation's top diplomat.

The newspaper said the information came from notes the Federal Bureau of Investigation delivered to Congress on Tuesday, which contained details from a more than three hour interview the agency conducted with Clinton over her private email use.

The Times also cited an

upcoming book that described a dinner conversation where Powell told Clinton to use her own email except for classified information. The newspaper also reported that Clinton asked Powell in a 2009 email exchange about his use of email while serving under former president George W. Bush.

Reuters could not independently verify the report.

Representatives for Clinton could not be immediately reached late on Thursday.

Colin Powell's office in a statement said he could not recall the dinner conversation.

He did recall describing the system he used to her, but the statement did not say he suggested Clinton do the same.

20 august 2016

Who’s the bloodied Aleppo boy?

T

he little boy in Aleppo, whose photograph had been trending on the Internet, is a vivid reminder of war's horror.

His name is Omran Daqneesh. The image of him, bloodied and covered with dust, sitting silently in an ambulance awaiting help, is another stark reminder of the toll of the war in Syria.

He is young -- one witness puts him at five years old, as old as the Syrian war itself. But his chubby arms and legs and the way he clings to the man who pulled him from the rubble of his bombed-out home suggest he is younger, maybe still a toddler.

He lived with his mother, father, brother and sister in the Syrian city of Aleppo, a contact on the ground told CNN. He and his family were injured when their house was destroyed by an airstrike Wednesday. Miraculously, everyone in his immediate family survived.

Activists blame the Syrian regime and Russia for the bombings.

Aleppo, in northern Syria, has been besieged for years during that country's civil war. Thousands of people have been killed there, including 4,500 children, and many lives have been upended.

Omran's family is among them.

The haunting, heartbreaking video of Omran, posted by the Aleppo Media Center, has been circulating on social media.

It shows a civil defense worker carrying the little boy to an ambulance. His cartoon character T-shirt is covered in dust, the left side of his face is bloody. He is silent despite the cacophony around him.

He was not crying at any point during the rescue.

"He was in extreme shock," according to a spokesman for the Aleppo Media Center, an activist group.

He looks dazed as he sits on the vehicle's orange seat, his hands on his lap, as he

waits to be treated, as he waits for somebody to help him.

He raises his left hand to his eye and feels the area around his temple as if he has been hit there. He wipes his face and looks down at the blood.

But Omran has had a lucky escape -- he appears to have been one of the first pulled out of the rubble before his parents, the Aleppo Media Center says.

"The truth is that the image you see today is repeated every day in Aleppo," said Mustafa al Sarouq, a cameraman with the Aleppo Media Center, who filmed the video. He spoke to CNN's Nima Elbagir via Skype.

"Every day we cover these massacres and these war crimes in Aleppo.

When we go to the places that have been bombed, regime planes circle around and bomb it again to kill rescue workers that are helping civilians. They kill these people who are trying to rescue people."

It took nearly an hour to dig Omran out from underneath the rubble, an activist tells CNN. He and other rescuers used flashlights to bring out several people trapped beneath the bombed-out building.

Video from the night scene shows another little boy, even younger than Omran, being placed on a stretcher on the same ambulance. A third shell-shocked man stumbles out of the collapsed building and walks into the ambulance.

Omran has now been released from the hospital.

The doctor who treated him said his injury was light compared to the others wounded in the bombing.

He was discharged after two hours.

"Omran was in the same daze and shock you saw he had when he was in the ambulance," said Dr. Mohammedd, a surgeon in Aleppo, who doesn't want to use his last name for security reasons. "He was in the same situation, he did not cry at all."

Omran

Sport Extra 55

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

20 august 2016

Japanese businessman to watch Nigeria, Honduras game •To reward Siasia with $200,000, Mikel $120,000 •Each player to receive $10,000 for bronze Adekunle Salami

J

Rio de Janerio

apanese Businessman, Dr. Katsuya Takasu, has expressed his desire to watch and reward Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles in their quest to win the football bronze medal at the expense of Honduras on Saturday.

Takasu who made public his intention to donate the money a few days ago has

Mikel

been granted permission to donate the sum of US$390,000 to the team, as a reward for their performance at the ongoing Rio 2016 Olympics.

According to a document Saturday Telegraph got in Brazil, Dr. Takasu will be in Belo Horizonte, where Nigeria will take on Honduras in the Bronze medal match and will give head coach of the team Samson Siasia the sum of US$ 200,000 while captain of the team Mikel Obi will take home the

Rohr picks Mikel, Osimhen, 21 others for Tanzania •Invites five U-23 players

Emmanuel Tobi

N

ewly appointed Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has invited Captain John Obi Mikel, Flying Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, and five members of the current U-23 team participating at the Rio Olympics in his 23-man list for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania.

The match is a dead rubber, as both teams have been eliminated, but Rohr and the Super Eagles are using the game as rehearsal for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series Matchday 1 clash with

Zambia in Ndola in October.

The Franco-German, named Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles by the NFF two weeks ago, has called up three goalkeepers, eight defenders, four midfielders and eight forwards for the game scheduled for the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, on September 3.

Goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel, who has done his reputation no harm with some breathtaking reflex saves at the Olympics, joins fellow U-23 Eagles players William Troost-Ekong, Abdullahi Shehuu, Kingsley Madu and Imoh Ezekiel.

All the players have been directed to report in Uyo on August 28.

FULL LIST Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah) Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Troost-Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia) Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Nosa Igiebor (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Imoh Ezekiel (Al-Arabi Sporting Club, Qatar), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg FC, Germany).

Igali considers getting 'high' after exit of female wrestlers Adekunle Salami Rio de Janerio

P

resident and Technical Director of Wrestling, Dr Daniel Igali, was thinking of getting high to wipe away the devastating effect of the defeat of his female wrestlers at the ongoing Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“How I wish there is “ogogoro” local gin for me to drink to steady myself, he said at the Games Village after the defeats.

How I wish they allow alcohol into the Village, even though, I don’t drink. I feel so sorry for these wrestlers because they have put in a lot of hardwork to get these poor results. They do not deserve these defeats,’’ Igali said.

“We’re all heartbroken,’’ Igali added on Thursday after the loss of the wrestlers.

It became embarrassment of sorts

when Blessing Oborududu and Odunayo Adekuoroye who many placed their hopes on were dispatched in dramatic circumstances. “I’d have placed a million Naira bets on these girls winning medals,’’ Igali said.

Oborududu lost on technical points to Mongolia’s Soronzonbold Battsetseg after tying 1-1 on the result sheet. That was heart-wrenching. But Adekuoroye who was known for her after victory celebratory dance was completely annihilated 5-0 by Sweden’s Mattsson Sofia Magdalena.

And Igali, a former Olympic gold medallist said; ‘’Look at me. I am an absentee lawmaker. Out of 87 sittings in the House, I was only present for 13 times.

Imagine that! All because of this national work,” a crestfallen Igali, a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, said.

sum of US$120,000.

Similarly, the millionaire promised to give each member of the team a cash reward of $10,000 if they win the bronze medal.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the final after losing 2-0 to Germany in the semi-finals but the businessman who is a strong supporter of the Nigerian Olympic team has promised to reward the team financially even if they don’t win anything.

Bolt relishes 200m win •After eighth Olympic gold

U Osimhen

Saraki renovates Yekini’s house Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

A

few months after Saturday Telegraph on Saturday published the pathetic story of late Rashidi Yekini’s aged mother, Sikirat Olobi, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has stepped in to alleviate her plight.

Saraki who sent a high-powered team including all the players of his football club, ABS and their officials and the Under 13 feeder team, paid glowing tributes to Yekini and described the late footballer as a glorious soccer ambassador for Nigerian youths.

Before the visit, Saraki had carried out renovation of the private mosque, shops and apartments built by Yekini for his mother. The Senate President also gave her undisclosed amount of money to boost her petty trading.

Represented by Alloy Chukwuemeka, the General Manager of ABS, the Senate President said it was time Nigeria created an institution where her sports heroes and heroines would be honoured before their demise.

He used the occasion to announce his sponsorship of an annual soccer tourney among Under 13 boys at Oyun LGA especially Ira, Yekini’s village, expressing hope that it would become an opportunity to discover another Yekini in not too distant future.

In her response, Mama Sikirat expressed happiness with the way the good deeds of her late son were rewarded by Saraki, and prayed for the under 13 players of the ABS, with a prophesy that "many Rasheed Yekinis would rise among them."

sain Bolt early Friday morning won the men's 200m to claim his second Rio 2016 gold, his eighth at an Olympics, and keep alive his hopes of an unprecedented 'treble treble'.

The Jamaican ran 19.78 seconds to come home ahead of Canada's Andre de Grasse and France's Christophe Lemaitre.

Britain's Adam Gemili clocked the same time as Lemaitre, but was denied his first Olympic medal in a photo finish.

Bolt, 29, has already won the 100m in Rio and will run in the 4x100m relay final today.

Bolt is aiming to match his achievement of claiming gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

The Jamaican, who said in February he would retire after the 2017 World Championships, has won all eight Olympic finals in which he has appeared.

"The fact I came here and executed what I wanted to is a brilliant feeling," he told BBC Sport.

"I wasn't happy with the time when I crossed the line but I'm excited I got the gold medal that's the key thing."

"What else can I do to prove I am the greatest?

I'm trying to be one of the greatest, to be among Ali and Pele," added Bolt.

"I have made the sport exciting, I have made people want to see the sport. I have put the sport on a different level."

Bolt

SATURDAY, 20 august 2016

SATURDAY

Sanctity of Truth

N150

TOURISM Nigeria: Ablend of nature's haven

PERSPECTIVE Mo Farah and Nigeria's understanding of sports

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p.42

SPORTS WORD SEARCH

BARCELONA STAR PLAYERS (2)

Pedro Hagi Xavi Marquez Fabregas Enrique Schuster Mascherano Larsson Alcantara

Valdes Roberto Ramirez Simonsen Deco Eugen Kranki Pinto Munoz

Vardy

Vardy, Mahrez set to punish Arsenal J

Mahrez

Ajibade Olusesan

ust like his teammate Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez on Wednesday ended his rumoured move to Arsenal by signing a four-year contract at Leicester City and the two players will collude to inflict further woes on their suitors when they visit

in today’s EPL clash.

As fate would have it Leicester City's first home game of the season is against Arsenal, the side who did the double over the Foxes last season, finished second to them and perhaps most pertinently, spent the summer hotly pursuing Vardy and Mahrez.

Vardy mulled joining Arsenal before Euro 2016 but soon signed a new deal. Mahrez was seemingly less sure whether to stay. The uncertainly over his future had cast a significant cloud over preseason, but it is fitting that the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year penned a new deal with the Foxes until 2020, just days before a meeting with Arsene Wenger's side.

Wenger will come in for even more criticism if Mahrez or Vardy can lead Leicester to victory, but his lack of summer transfer activity clearly isn't the Foxes' concern. They have kept their two stars and although N'Golo Kante's departure to Chelsea is a blow, City's squad is stronger than 12 months ago.

Vardy and Mahrez will get an electric reception on their first game back since lifting the EPL trophy, but must both improve on lacklustre opening weekend displays in the surprise 2-1 loss at Hull City last Saturday.

Mahrez got on the score sheet courtesy of a fortunate penalty but didn't do much else, while Vardy missed a couple of chances he would have buried last season.

Leicester lost just three games last term and will be acutely aware that back-to-back defeats to start the season may lead some to conclude the fairytale is quickly turning into a nightmare. Getting points on the board early and beating a big team is really important. That said, there will be absolutely no shame in losing to Arsenal -- a bogey side City still haven't beaten in the Premier League since Wenger took charge in 1996.

It will be fitting if both star men alongside their new partner Ahmed Musa can ensure their first win over the Gunners in their last four encounters, doing that in front of their home fans will be more of a delight.

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by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: WAHEED BAKARE.