Saturday, october 29, 2016 binder1

Showbiz

PATIENCE OZOKWOR

City&Crime Update

I weep when I watch my wicked roles in movies Pg. 19

NANNY FROM HELL

US-based Nigerian force-fed eight months old baby to death

Pg. 11

SATURDAY Saturday, October 29, 2016

Vol. 3 No. 983

Sanctity of Truth

/newtelegraph

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

ONDO BOILS AS PDP CRISIS DEEPENS

l How Mimiko, Jegede lost to Jimoh Ibrahim He is not our candidate –PDP l PAGE 5 Buhari, gov in crucial meeting l Burning of tyres won't work –Ibrahim l

N150

MEET POWERFUL NIGERIANS MARRIED TO JUDGES

Pg. 19

Pgs. 50, 51

JUDGES' ALLEGATION

Why Presidency won't sack Amaechi, Onu Pg. 6

BOKO HARAM

Nigerian Army frees 876 children

Pg. 8

Scenes of violence in Akure, Ondo State, yesterday.

photos: babatope okeowo

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

STATEMENT TO THE NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE AND SHAREHOLDERS ON THE UNAUDITED RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2016 The Board of Sterling Bank Plc presents the Bank's unaudited results for the period ended 30 September 2016.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

September 2016 N ‘000

December 2015 N ‘000

110,514,335 24,557,044 125,771,250 8,994 495,284,278

115,924,016 68,798,839 69,338,406 338,726,271

2,034,847

4,692,636

- Available-for-Sale

64,503,474

119,478,644

- Held to Maturity

27,186,838

45,360,372

TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES Due to Banks Deposits from Banks Deposits from Customers Derivative financial liabilities Current income tax liabilities Other borrowed funds Debt securities issue Other liabilities TOTAL LIABILITIES

16,475,141 15,106,910 1,881,929 6,971,145 890,296,189

13,902,609 15,258,217 1,000,262 6,971,145 799,451,417

20,404,124 50,571,902 595,085,468 8,816 638,934 72,509,424 9,306,719 59,518,453 808,043,840

590,889,216 780,232 60,285,736 4,563,568 47,366,918 703,885,670

CAPITAL AND RESERVES Ordinary share capital Reserves Attributable to equity holders TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

14,395,209 67,857,140 82,252,349 890,296,189

14,395,209 81,170,538 95,565,747 799,451,417

ASSETS

Cash and balances with Central Bank of Nigeria Due from banks Pledged financial assets Derivative financial assets Loans and advances to Customers

Investment in securities: - Held for Trading

Other assets Property, plant and equipment Intangible assets Deferred tax assets

September 2016 N ‘000

September 2015 N ‘000

79,652,087 68,893,213 (27,374,728) 41,518,485 8,228,785 1,391,444 1,138,645

81,811,576 61,293,771 (31,124,069) 30,169,702 12,782,290 5,154,690 2,580,825

110,193,835 80,908,705 (41,367,022) 39,541,683 15,522,299 10,649,973 3,112,858

52,277,359 (7,198,590) (8,693,930) (3,096,447) (10,441,818) (12,931,325) (3,844,163) 6,071,086 (534,383) 5,536,703

50,687,507 (5,237,873) (8,722,390) (2,861,417) (8,939,116) (12,393,396) (4,229,181) 8,304,134 (756,542) 7,547,592

68,826,813 (8,151,338) (12,101,326) (3,864,667) (11,675,436) (16,427,336) (5,590,409) 11,016,301 (723,724) 10,292,577

September 2016 N ‘000

September 2015 N ‘000

5,536,703

7,547,592

(1,153,571)

1,131,739

1,153,571

Fair value (loss)/gain on available for sale investments

(15,105,393)

(3,464,786)

1,131,739

Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the period net of tax Total comprehensive (loss)/profit

(16,258,964)

(2,333,047)

2,285,310

(10,722,261)

5,214,545

12,577,887

STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS

Gross Earnings Interest income Interest expense Net interest income Fee and commission Trading income Other operating income Operating income Net impairment charges Personnel expenses Depreciation and amortisation Other operating expenses General and administrative expenses Other property, plant and equipment cost Profit before income tax

Income tax expense Profit after tax

STATEMENT OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Profit for the period Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: Fair value (loss)/gain on available for sale securities sold included in profit or loss

KEY RATIOS

Earnings per share-basic (in kobo) Earnings per share -diluted (in kobo) NPL Ratio

19k 19k 2.6%

26k 26k 4.9%

The Board of Directors is confident that barring unforeseen circumstances, this trend would be improved upon considerably in the remaining period of the financial year.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD Justina Lewa Company Secretary

FRC/2013/NBA/00000001255

Dated : 20 October 2016

December 2015 N ‘000

December 2015 N ‘000

10,292,577

36k 36k 4.8%

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

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News

Akeem Nafiu ome senior members of the Bar have condemned the amendment carried out on the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Act by the National Assembly.

According to them, despite the fact that the powers to make laws for the country resides in the legislative arm of government, the amendment was ill timed as it is coming at a time the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is facing trial at the CCT for alleged nondeclaration of assets.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Seyi Sowemimo, in a telephone interview with Saturday Telegraph faulted the action of the legislators saying it is in bad taste.

He said: “Well, I think the amendment is in bad taste. This is because there are fears that it is being done to confer some immunity on the members of the National Assembly.

“There is nothing wrong with the way we have so far being operating the Act. I mean it's been effective. Why is it being amended now?"

His view was echoed by the Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Monday Ubani, who also described the lawmakers' action as self serving.

He said: “This is my first time of seeing a law that

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

Lawyers divided over amendment of CCT, CCB Act by N’Assembly l SERAP Condemns Senate’s Amendment of CCB Act was specifically meant to serve the interests of an individual.

“The so-called amendment came about due to the fact that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is being tried and his colleagues felt that they needed to do something to remove the CCT and CCB from under the jurisdiction of the presidency."

A lawyer and the National President of the Campaign for the Defence of Human rights (CDHR), Malachi Ugwumadu, was also of the view that the National Assembly was wrong in its decision to carry out the amendment while Saraki's case is on-going at the CCT. He said: “In a constitutional democracy, the business of legislation of laws is although restricted to the parliament, it also needs the concurrence of the Executive by way of consent.

“If there is an amendment to an existing legislation, the fact that there is a concurrence between both chambers of the National Assembly does not foreclose the overriding need to have that concurrence con-

sented to by the president.

At the conclusion of work on the CCB and CCT Amendment Bill on Wednesday, the National Assembly altered Section 18 (2) to enable the National Assembly do the conferment of additional powers on the CCB instead of the president as provided for in the extant Act. The Bill has stopped the president from enjoying the powers of exempting public officers from investigation and trial. Instead, it gave that power to the National Assembly.

Section 18 (1) of the existing Act reads: “The president may, by order, exempt any cadre of public officers from the provisions of this Act if it appears to him that their position in the public service is below the rank which he considers appropriate for the application of those provisions.”

Also, Section 18(2) of the existing Act provided that: “The president may, by order, confer on the Bureau such additional powers as may appear to him to be necessary to enable it to discharge more effectively the

functions conferred upon it under this act.”

Another SAN, Norrison Quakers, said there should not be any cause for concern because the current Senate President, Bukola Saraki, will not benefit from the amendment.

He said: “It's not as if the current Senate President, Bukola Saraki, will benefit from the amendment. That is my own honest opinion.

“Perhaps, laws are amended based on observation bases on the effect Instances where human conducts stand on the way of the law, the law can then be amended to address the challenges.

“I don't think the lawmakers action was induced by an intention to benefit or confer benefit on the current senate president who is standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. So, I don't think there should be any cause for worry on the amendment to the Act.” In his own view, lawyer and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, said that the timing of the amendment has taken away the beauty

and value attached to it.

He said: “Well, generally I believe that the Constitution has imposed on us an executive dictator as president. The powers granted to the president under the Constitution are too enormous and it is subject to abuse. This can raise the morale of the office holder to be contemplating dictatorship and overbearing attitude.

“To this extent, I think, little by little, I support the Senate to begin to whittle down the powers of the president which are too humongous.

“In that regard, I support removing the CCB and Tribunal away from the executive. The CCB and CCT are judicial organs and should not be under the Executive.

Any Tribunal that had the powers to sentence should not be taken orders from the Executive.

“But, other than that, I think that the timing of the proposed amendment has taken away the beauty and value attached to it.

“If at all, the amendment will be made, it should take effect after the trial of the Senate President. It should not affect any ongoing trial with

regards to asset declaration.

This is because it is not right for the legislature to pass a law that will benefit it.”

Human rights group, the Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has questioned the rationale behind the amendment of the act establishing the Code of Conduct Bureau and Code of Conduct Tribunal by the Senate.

The upper legislative chamber on Thursday altered the law, transferring the controlling power over the CCB and CCT to the legislature, away from the President.

But in a statement, SERAP condemned the action, which it insists does not serve the interest of Nigerians but that of the lawmakers.

The statement adds: “This is in fact a blatant case of conflict of interest and betrayal of trust. The clear victims of this betrayal of trust are the economically and socially vulnerable sectors of the population who have been terribly let down by their own lawmakers.”

The group called on Nigerians to reject the move and pledged to work with other members of the civil society to vigorously fight what it describes as a perversion of the rule of law.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

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Ondo guber: Residents protest INEC's recognition of Ibrahim Babatope Okeowo, Wale Elegbede, Anule Emmanuel, Onyekachi Eze and Sulaiman Salawudeen

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Violence in Akure, other towns

here was a violent protest simultaneously in major towns in Ondo State yesterday following the substitution of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede’s name with that of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the November 26 election.

INEC had on Thursday listed Ibrahim of the Senator Modu-Sheriff’s faction as the party’s candidate, thereby dropping Jegede, who is a protégée of the outgoing governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

How the protest started…

However, as early as 7am, many residents of Akure, Ondo, Ore, Owo and Ikare had trooped out to register their displeasure against the action of INEC and promised to make sure no election is conducted in the state without the name of Jegede on the ballot.

The protests which happened in different parts of Akure, the state capital paralysed social and economic activities for several hours as the protesters marched through the popular Adesida/ Oyemekun streets and moved to several parts of the metropolis such as Old Garage, Isinkan, Arakale Road in the town.

As a result of the violent protests, banks, supermarkets, shops and cafeteria were hurriedly shut in order not to be caught in the melee between security agencies and the protesters.

Movements of vehicles were restricted across the metropolis while bon tyres were made on the major roads in the town.

Travellers stranded

Some travellers were forced to disembark and made to adjourn their journey to another day. Civil servants could not go their offices as the roads linking to the offices were blocked with bon fires by the protesters.

In fact, the protesters refused to leave when security agencies including Police and National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) shot several live bullets and tear gas canisters into the air to scare away the protesters.

Similar protests were also recorded in Ondo, Irele, Owo, Ilaje, Okitipupa among others, where the protesters insisted that unless the INEC

include the name of their candidate, there would be no peace in the state.

REC speaks on Ibrahim’s emergence

Addressing the protesters who gathered at the INEC office at the Alagbaka the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, said the commission accepted the name of Ibrahim based on a court order.

Agbaje said: “We received a court order from the High Court in Akure, but there was a subsisting one by Justice Abang today (Thursday), that is what happened.”

Ondo PDP chair reacts

In his reaction, the Chairman of the PDP in the state, Mr. Clement Faboyede, described the development as a mockery of democracy and an indication that the nation’s democracy was dying in the hands of the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led Federal government.

“The event culminating in replacing Jegede is a crude and handiwork of some moles in PDP and some high placed of government officials of APC at the federal level.

“Is INEC succumbing to Ibrahim’s intimidation or accepted that the allegation is true or is it because of that allegation that INEC went ahead and agreed to his bidding by removing Jegede’s name and replaced it with Ibrahim? he added.

Jegede calm supporters, heads to Appeal Court

But Jegede appealed to the people of the state to embrace peace while protesting the list released by INEC for the election.

In a statement he personally signed following protests that rocked the state after the INEC substituted his name with that of Ibrahim, Jegede said he shared in their pains of having to contend with a miscarriage of justice which he described as a temporary setback.

He said: “I passionately appeal to the people of the state to embrace peace at this period which is one of the trying times for our democratic process which will soon pass away. Let's keep our eyes on the big day ahead as we continue our campaigns.”

Buhari, gov in crucial meeting

President Mohammadu Buhari yesterday met with Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko at the presidential villa to discuss issues bothering on the planned governorship election in the state.

The meeting which held behind closed-doors is Ge-

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina (left) and Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, during the governor’s visit to the State House, Abuja…yesterday.

rard towards addressing the lingering controversy trailing the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Jimoh Ibrahim as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election.

Our correspondent reports that the two different factions in the party have presented different candidates for the election.

Mimiko kicks against decision

Speaking to State House Correspondents shortly after meeting Buhari, Mimiko faulted INEC for the decision.

He warned that if the situation was not adequately addressed in order to avert the crisis, it could degenerate in the state.

While explaining that there was no justification for INEC's decision, Mimiko described Ibrahim's declaration as injustice that must not be allowed to stand.

He said: “Mr. President has promised to look into it and that if there is any injustice, we should be rest assured that it will be rectified. I am shocked. In logic, in law, in politics, there is no basis for it whatsoever.

The whole day from 5am, I have been on phone with stakeholders to ensure they keep the peace in the state.

“The extent of the protest you have seen has been reduced by our intervention to ensure that there is no breach of peace. For the people of the state, it is just from the blues. I have assured them that this injustice will not stay. We will continue to explore all avenues to make INEC see reasons why this impunity must not stand.

“We don't want to take

chances because somebody in INEC told us that they obey the last order in the commission. Some went to court and obtained two different orders mandating INEC not to substitute Jegede."

PDP rejects Ibrahim as candidate

The national leadership of PDP has rejected the recognition by INEC of Ibrahim as its candidate for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.

In a statement issued yesterday, the party said INEC disregarded an order

by Justice Olamide of the Ondo State High Court restraining it from substituting the name of Jegede with Ibrahim as PDP candidate.

The statement, which was signed by National Publicity Secretary of Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, accused the commission of bowing to external influence.

“These actions have resulted in massive protests in many parts of Ondo State as the Ondo people have taken to the streets to show displeasure at the schemes to deny them of the candidate of their choice for the gubernatorial elections,” PDP observed.

Tyre burning won’t work –Ibrahim

In the same vein, Ibrahim in a statement said: “My attention has been drawn to the ongoing burning of tyres under the pretense of disruption of activities orchestrated by Governor Segun Mimiko.”

The statement added: “Regrettably, this tyre burning for sympathy will not work as Ondo State remains peaceful. This is how

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Governor Mimiko schemed himself into power and became the Governor of Ondo State, but when the late President Umaru Musa Yar’dua realised that the forgery story was true, Mimiko was already enjoying constitutional protection as governor.

INEC is ‘biased’ –Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has accused INEC of showing bias as well as justifying the “advance rigging” by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

Fayose said recognising someone who did not emerge through any known electoral process as the candidate of the PDP was, “APC-led Federal Government's gimmick to rig of an election in advance.”

The governor in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti, noted that: “The APC has decided to rig the Ondo State election even before it is conducted and this is sad commentary for our democratic process that was near perfection before the advent of this APC government.

How Mimiko, Jegede lost out to Ibrahim

Facts are beginning to emerge on how a purported political solution to the nomination crisis trailing the PDP for the November 26governorship election in Ondo State crashed like a pack of card.

According to a source privy to the undercurrent moves in both Makarfi and Modu-Sherrif's camp, the issue over who will be the standard bearer between both factions shouldn't

have degenerated to the level it got yesterday, whereby INEC had to resort to a court ruling before listing a candidate for the party ahead of the poll.

According to the source, “Mimiko's camp underrated Jimoh and one is amused that a political general like Mimiko will watch and see his house come down easily like this. There were several effort made by some stakeholders with the intention of reaching a feasible truce where Bohr interests will be satisfied but ego, over confidence and misplaced priority didn't allow the Mimiko Camp to bend.

“I can tell you for free that Mimiko and Ibrahim used to be friends, in fact, the was an pact between them both in 2012 when Mimiko was about to seek re-election as governor but after the election, things didn't work out between them especially on the 'agreement' on bringing Jimoh on board as a consultant on economic issues.

“A legal trap was set for them by the Sherrif's faction of the Ondo PDP who waited for two weeks to end of INEC's nomination window before approaching the Court to validate Jimoh based on a ruling last June. Interestingly, they didn't join Jegede in the suit but only INEC, who they knew won't appeal the judgement.”

Another reliable source told Saturday Telegraph that the Mimiko camp refused to seize the advantage of a political solution dangled before them but rather chose to ignore and call the acclaimed billionaire names.

“Instead for them to seek peace with Jimoh Ibrahim, they rather chose to be begging Modu-Sheriff, who incidentally unknown to them was using them as pun. What he (Sheriff) said that he won't pressurise the INEC on which candidate to pick between both factions, was as a result of intense heat on me to step down on the candidature of Jimoh. Everyone knows that Jimoh cannot ordinarily win election but ignoring him completely is also suicidal, politically.

“Jimoh Ibrahim was expecting them to approach him for a political truce but they felt they should rather appease Sheriff. For Jimoh, it's not a do-or-die affair but he always insists that the candidate of the PDP must come the South. He was ready to step down but not for Jegede. He wanted to step down for Mimiko's former Commissioner, Sola Ebiseni, who defected to the APC. But they wouldn't want to listen to anything other than Jegede who is from the Central."

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News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

Odigie-Oyegun: God sent Buhari to save Nigeria from collapse l Abba Kyari: I was not suspended l Army Taskforce gets new spokesman

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Ndubuisi Ugah ational Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said God sent President Muhammadu Buhari to save Nigeria from an imminent collapse.

Speaking in Sokoto State yesterday, when he declared open a three-day retreat organised by the Kano State chapter of the party for its officials and stakeholders on political party management, Odigie-Oyegun said Buhari’s emergence as president was a welcomed relief for the nation.

He said: “God sent at the most crucial time in Nigeria's history to fix the country and lift it from the brink. The President inherited a comatose economy and he has been strenuously working to deliver on his campaign promises centred around the economy, se-

curity and fighting corruption.

“Insurgency has been tamed, while the issues of militancy and other related security challenges are being diligently attended to by our party and the President.”

Odigie-Oyegun also said the president was being frugal with every kobo that accrues to the nation, saying that, the economy would soon bounce back.

He further noted that no sane and patriotic Nigerian was pessimistic about the way Buhari was uniquely tackling corruption.

“Buhari is working tirelessly to make Nigeria a better place for all Nigerians,” he averred.

The APC national chairman further stressed the need for internal democracy, as well as ensuring the supremacy of the party.

In his remarks, Kano Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, said the retreat was organised for stocktaking on the achieve-

Arrested judges: Court refuses to stop Buhari, others from taking action

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Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday refused to grant an application filed by a Lagosbased lawyer, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, seeking an order restraining President Muhammadu Buhari, the Department of State Service and others from re-arresting or taking any “untoward action” against five of the eight judges’ whose houses were recently raided by DSS’ operatives.

Delivering a bench ruling after Ogungbeje’s counsel, Mr. Ayo Ogundele, moved the ex parte application yesterday, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that he needed to resolve a number of issues including the locus standi of the plaintiff in an inter-party hearing before he could make a pronouncement on the prayer.

The plaintiff had sought, “An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents, their agents, servants, privies, men, officers or anybody deriving authority from them by whatever name called from further arresting, intimidating, arresting, inviting, seizing or taking any untoward action against the arrested and affected honourable judges and judicial officers pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

The plaintiff had filed the ex parte application following his apprehension that the judges arrested in various parts of the country between October 7 and 8 could be charged and arraigned in court any time soon.

But rather than grant the prayer sought by Ogungbeje, the judge directed that the motion on notice seeking similar prayer be served on the respondents.

$2.6bn Badagry deep sea port to boost Lagos economy –Ambode

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agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday expressed optimism that the $2.6 billion Badagry Deep Sea Port Project would be a major turning point that would go a long way to bring about global growth to Nigerian waters and by extension the nation’s economy.

The governor, who spoke shortly after another successful meeting with the executive management of APM Terminals (Maersk Group), represented by Mr. Morten Engelstoft, CEO designate

of APM Terminals in Copenhagen, Denmark, on the advancement of the Badagry Deep Sea Port, said the project would also complement the emergence of Lagos as the fifth largest economy in Africa.

He said the meeting, held alongside Chairman, APM Terminal, Apapa, Chief Ernest Shonekan, was the culmination of a process which begun as far back as 2012 and which has been taken on with renewed vigour by his administration and has thus resulted in this significant foreign investment estimated at over US $2.6billion into Lagos.

ments and problems confronting the party in the state, and to chart the way forward.

He said despite insinuations in some quarters, APC in Kano is still united and indivisible.

On his part, Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, said gatherings like this would help keep the party on the right track.

Tambuwal said: “This is to ensure that government is properly adjusted in the interest of the common people.'”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Alhaji Kawu Sumaila, restated that the governors of the party were its due leaders in the states.

The Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Alhassan Doguwa and a chieftain of the party in the state, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, commended the wisdom of organising the retreat.

The Zonal Vice Chairman

of the party, North West, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, said the retreat was the first of its kind organised by any of the state chapters of the party.

In another development, the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abbah Kyari, has dismissed reports that he was suspended.

Kyari told State House journalists yesterday that he just resumed from his leave.

He asked the journalists: “Are you going to tweet that I am back? Can’t I go on leave?”

Asked to comment on the reports of his purported suspension, he responded: “I don’t talk to the press. You know my job doesn’t allow me talking.”

Meanwhile, the 8 Task Force Division of Nigerian Army has yesterday appointed Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, as the new spokesman of Division in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.

The Army Public Relations Headquarters, Kinnasara Cantonment Monguno, disclosed this yesterday in a statement issued by Col. Nwachukwu to journalists in Maiduguri.

Gunmen kill 80-year-old man, 6 others in Kaduna Ibraheem Musa , Kaduna

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uspected gunmen yesterday attacked Unguwan Misisi village, a Kaninkon community in Jemaa Local Government Area of southern Kaduna, killing seven people, including an 80-year-old village head, Mr. John Zogo, on Thursday night.

The Kaninkon Development Association (KADA), which made this known yesterday, alleged that some unknown people Who wore army uniforms, had gone to Zogo’s residence and summoned the village elders “for what they claimed to be security briefing on the situation of the area.”

KADA alleged that: “As soon as the soldiers came and started discussing with the Village Head and elders, our people heard gunshots in the outskirts of the village and these same soldiers shot and killed the village head and fled.”

Speaking at a press conference, the association also alleged that seven people were killed as a result of the attack, stressing that: “The whole village was burnt down and those who managed to escape were now internally displaced persons.”

Apart from Zogo, KADA

alleged that Yakubu Abuja, Adamu Bulus and Majhe Audu, also lost their lives in the attack, while others who were killed were Karu Amos, Confidence Kibadu and Kurma Amos.

One of KADA’s leaders, Mr Waje Goska Williams, who is the national caretaker chairman of the group, alleged that the attack was pre planned “and there seems to be a clear conspiracy on the part of the government and security agents to look the other way while killings and destructions are going on.”

“These attacks have gone on for more than a week and the security men are either not there or they are aiding and abetting the attackers to annihilate our people and destroy their hard earned properties,” he said.

The group, however, pleaded with Nigerians to not just condemn the attack but to also come to the aid of Kaninkon people “in whatever way at this most trying moment of our lives.”

When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), one ASPAliyu, directed our correspondent to the scene of the attack in order to ascertain whether or not the attack happened, before he could confirm or not the extent of damage and casualty figures.

L-R: Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; National Chairman of the ll Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John OdigieOyegun and Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, at the opening of a retreat for Kano APC leaders in Sokoto...

PHOTO: SOKOTO STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Onwuka Nzeshi, ABUJA

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n spite of recent allegations linking some serving ministers with acts of bribery and corruption, indications have emerged that President Muhammadu Buhari might not yield to the demand in some quarters that these ministers be relieved of their appointments.

In the wake of the clamp down on the judiciary, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court had accused the Minister of Transport, Mr. Chibuike Anaechi, of seeking to influence him in an election matter pending before him in 2013.

Ngwuta also alleged that a former Governor of Abia State and now Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, also attempted to bribe him in order to influence judicial outcome in the 2015 governorship election dispute in Ebonyi State.

Similarly, Justice Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court also accused Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress ( APC) of attempting to bribe him to influence judicial decision in the 2015 governorship

Bribery Scandal: Why Presidency won't sack Amaechi, Onu elections in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abia states.

Based on these allegations, some Nigerians have been demanding the resignation of these judges while others have clamoured that both the judges and the serving ministers must step aside to pave way for thorough investigations into the matter.

There were speculations that the Presidency had been considering asking Amaechi and Onu to step aside so as not to taint the anti- corruption posture of the Buhari administration.

However, a source in the Presidency confided in Saturday Telegraph that much as President Muhamnadu Buhari would want to protect his personal integrity by dealing with corrupt

persons within his cabinet, he does not subscribe to sacking people on mere allegations.

According to our source, the federal government was not about to sack the “indicted” ministers yet because doing so will be succumbing to the mob mentality.

“If every person who is accused of corruption through an allegation is suspended, sacked or dismissed from government, we will not have a President in office today. I am sure that if you open your newspaper today, there must be one person naming an allegation against the President, the Senate President or the Speaker of the House. You know that kind of a thing; that's the culture we have in this country. So, logically, it

doesn't follow that way.

“Now let us look at the allegation made by the judges against some of these ministers whom they claimed wanted to compromise them. Why didn't they call the police and arrest them at that time? Why did they have to keep it up till now?

It doesn't make sense. Why didn't they report if there was any incident of that nature?

“They are bringing it out now because they have to defend themselves. What were they doing with all that huge amount if dollars in their houses? Now that the thing has been exposed, you now open your mouth to say another person offered mr bribe before. Why didn't they say so earlier."

Stop attacking Emefiele, Shettima tells critics information and calculated

Temitope Ogunbanke

T

he President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Yerima Shettima, has condemned calls for removal and resignation of the Governor of Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, saying the attacks on the governor of the apex bank is unpatriotic.

Shettima in a statement issued in Lagos, said the smear campaign against the CBN governor is a deliberate mis-

plan designed to set the people against the hardworking staff and management of the CBN. He also called on all patriotic Nigerians to disregard the ongoing distraction by ‘shadow organisations’ and contribute their own quota.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

Charles Onyekwere,

T ENUGU

he leadership of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused three serving ministers - Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (Science and Technology), Dr. Chris Ngige (Labour and Productivity) and Mr. Chibuike Amaechi (Transportation) of working against the progress and actualisation of Biafra.

A statement signed by IPOB spokesman, Mr. Emma Powerful, alleged that the three ministers were being used by the Federal Government to quench the agitation for Biafra actualisation, stressing that their mission would not succeed.

The statement reads: “We are also aware that those serving ministers making moves to sabotage the efforts for the restoration of God's nation Biafra, will never succeed in all their evil doings to quench Biafra independence which is around the corner. The leader of the indigenous people of Biafra IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu,

Onu, Ngige, Amaechi are anti-Igbo, IPOB alleges ...ministers decline comment

was appointed and ordained

by God Almighty to come and liberate his people so, no man can change God's decision towards the restoration of ancient nation Biafra.

“The IPOB members worldwide are aware that some unscrupulous individuals from Biafraland, who were serving the federal government of Nigeria under General Muhammadu Buhari are sabotaging the efforts of the old eastern region of Nigeria.

“Those politicians against the people of Biafra are Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Dr. Christ Ngige, Chief Chibuike Amaechi and others whom the Federal Government uses to draw back the development of the region.

“The indigenous people of Biafra IPOB worldwide will soon sanction them from coming back into Bafraland if they fail to realise that they are dragging us back.”

The group further claimed that: “It is sacrilegious that

Police arrest OPC leader, 22 others for robbery

…recover 28 guns Kunle Olayeni, Abeokuta

T

he police in Ogun State have arrested a coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Segun Olaojo, for alleged armed robbery and illegal possession of firearm.

The state Police Commissioner, Ahmed Iliyasu, paraded the suspect and 22 others yesterday at the police headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

Iliyasu also displayed 28 assorted guns, including pump action, double barrel, single barrel, locally-made and pistols, recovered from suspected bandits.

He said Olaojo, who is the OPC coordinator in Ita Oluwo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, was specifically nabbed with one pump action gun, a Barreta pistol and nine live cartridges.

The commissioner explained that operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery

Squad (FSARS) stormed the hideout of suspected armed robbers terrorising Ogijo and its environs in Sagamu and arrested Olaojo in the process.

But speaking with Saturday Telegraph, Olaojo claimed that the pump action gun was given to him by the community to enhance vigilance service and security in the area.

The suspect, 54, added that he retrieved the Barreta pistol from a thief allegedly shot dead by the police over 10 years ago during a joint operation between vigilance men and the police.

He, however, regretted that he failed to hand over the seized pistol to the police.

Olaojo, who stated that the licence of the pump action gun expired five years ago, denied involvement in robbery and other crimes.

Also, Iliyasu paraded three suspects for allegedly dispossessing a woman, Damilola Rafiu, of the sum of N2million in Agbara area of the state.

never to do well in their respective communities like Ngige, Onu and Amaechi will be working against the interest of the indigenous people of Biafra because they are serving federal government of Nigeria and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Go to their respective villages, you will find out that they are nobody.

Those that regard them are those they give little crumbs stolen from the public funds.

“We know whom Ngige is.

This is a man who does not allow his people or those following him to excel. Amaechi is good in confiscating peoples properties in his community and Onu does not allow the people in his community to progress and never in his life allow the younger ones to pursue their destiny.

“They are corrupt people who siphoned their state own funds when they were state governors because the Federal Government of Nigeria led by APC is corrupt, that was why

they appointed them as Ministers to cover their evil deeds when they were in office as state governors. If not, why didn't the government probe them more especially Amaechi who went to influence the high court judges in order to subvert the justice in Nigeria?"

Meanwhile, the three ministers declined to make comments as efforts to get their reactions were unsuccessful. Special Adviser Media to Onu Sunny Onyeukwu told Saturday Telegraph that he needed to get in touch with his principal and that he would call back, but he didn’t as at the time of going to press.

Similarly, Amaechi’s media aide, David Iyofor, did not answer repeated calls but sent a text message that our correspondent should also send a text message but he also did not respond to the text as at the time of filing this report. On his part, Nwachukwu Ngige who is the Special Adviser Media to Ngige neither picked calls to his telephone nor responded to text messages.

Let W’Bank, ADB, TI involve in corruption war – A’Ibom speaker

T

Isioma Madike

he Federal Government has been asked to involve non-governmental private sector and international donor agencies like World Bank, Africa Development Bank, UNDP, USAID and Transparency International in the ongoing fight against corruption.

Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Onofiok Luke, who made the suggestion in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, during the week while delivering the Third Emmah Isong Annual Lecture, entitled: “Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption War and Economic Recovery: The Connect”, said this was because such agencies have been active participants in creating transparent and accountable governments in the past decades.

Luke, who recommended a multi-sectoral strategy to fighting corruption in the country, said the EFCC, ICPC and other

agencies established to tackle corruption should be made more effective while they on their own should establish mechanisms for accountability through specifically defined functions.

He said that agencies like Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), and Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) should be strengthened for effective stimulation of economic growth.

The speaker said graftprone agencies like Nigeria Customs, NNPC, Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency should be put on the watch list and audited quarterly to promote transparency, accountability and stimulation of revenue base of government.

He called for reduction of executive interference in these agencies, introduction of reforms aimed at preventing acts of corruption and reducing opportunities for corrupt activities.

Amnesty: Rivers issues ultimatum to two cult leaders Emmanuel Masha, Port Harcourt

T

he Rivers State government has issued a 48hours ultimatum to two leaders of Deegbam cult group, who refused to surrender their weapons despite the fact that their fellow cult members have embraced the amnesty and surrendered their weapons.

The chairman of the state Amnesty Committee, Mr. Kenneth Chinda, who issued the ultimatum in Isiokpo at the secretariat of Ikwerre Local Government Area, when a cult leader, Justice Amadi (aka Italian), surrendered his weapons, said the two cultists, Thankgod Nwamdikom and one Friday, have turned themselves to the enemies of the state.

The amnesty coordinator said that the state government resolved to rehabilitate cultists and other criminal elements so that they can become useful to themselves and society, just as he said that the government wants improved security in

7

the state.

It will be recalled that some cult leaders surrendered their weapons last Saturday, at the council secretariat, but Justice Amadi, Thank god Nwandikom and Friday did not turn up, forcing the amnesty com-

mittee to give them extra one week to embrace the offer or face arrest and prosecution.

Chinda said:"For refusing to turn up for today's amnesty programme, Thankgod Nwamdikom and Friday have been declared enemies of the

state. They have 48 hours to surrender their weapons or face arrest. We are going to Etchie right now, and will be back. But if they refuse to embrace the amnesty and surrender their weapons, then the state will get them arrested.”

40MW Kashimbila dam will boost electricity, agric–Fashola

M

inister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Thursday visited the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam Project in Taraba State, where he assured Nigerians that when completed, the dam would serve the multiple purpose of protecting parts of the country from a predicted ecological disaster, provide electricity and support agricultural ventures in surrounding States of the Northeast.

The dam, located on River Katsina-Ala in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, aside serving as buffer

dam, will provide, through its hydro power component 40 Megawatts of electricity to be evacuated from Kashimbila by 132KV Double Circuit through Takum(65km), Wukari (75km) to Yandev (105 km) existing 132/33KV substations.

Fielding questions from journalists after the inspection, Fashola, who said the project was conceived about 2007, said the purpose was a proactive step by Nigeria to prevent an ecological disaster that Science predicted would happen in future when the structurally weak volcanic Lake Nyos inevitably collapses, which would likely affect six states in the country.

The minister, who named the states to include Taraba,

Benue, Cross River, Delta and Kogi on the route of the tributaries of the Katsina-Ala River, added that the project was also conceived to provide electricity and support agricultural ventures in the surrounding communities.

He said: “Nigeria has decided since 2007 or thereabouts to intervene and prevent the disaster by building a dam and from the dam you have water which is a force of energy, we decided to build a 40 MW plant to generate electricity to feed communities like Doga, Wukari, Takum, Kashimbila and many other communities in the Northeast and Yandev in Benue State who are not yet connected to the Grid.”

CHANGE AND CONFIRMATION OF NAME

rayson

OKEKE

I, formerly known and addressed as ONWUASOEZE OLUCHI now wish to be known and addressed as OKEKE ONWUASOEZE OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IKIENIMI ALAMENE now wish to be known and addressed as IKIENIMI YABIBIMI RAYSON. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHIKA

OKWUDIRI

I formerly known and addressed as GIDEON DAVID now wish to be known and addressed as GIDEON DAVID OKWUDIRI. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I formerly known as MISS OKORAFOR COMFORT now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHIKA COMFORT JAMES. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

ADEYI

I, formerly known and addressed as NATHANIEL ADEYI AJADI now wish to be known and addressed simply as NATHANIEL ADEYI. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and authorities concerned, note.

lucy

gaga

This is to confirm that the name FRANCIS STEPHEN and OGU FRANCIS is the same person as OGU GAGA which appears on my Unity bank account. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OGU GAGA. All former documents remain valid.

Unity bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

oluwagbemi

I formerly known as JUICHIT LISA LAMDA now wish to be known and addressed as JUICHIT LUCY LAMDA. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADENLE ADEJARE OLUWAGEMI now wish to be known and addressed as ADENLE ADEJARE OLUWAGBEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

adamu

amaechi

I formerly known as ISHAKU USMAN from Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi, but now wish to be name and call as ISHAKU ADAMU USMAN and that all former document remain valid.

My bank, the Access Bank, general public should take note, please

I formerly known and addressed as ABANIME CYPRIAN now wish to be known and addressed as ABANIME AMAECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

vincent

alexander

I formerly known and addressed as MISS THERESA ODIJI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. THERESA ALEXANDER. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MR. OBINALI EMEKA CHINEDU, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. OBINALI VINCENT CHINEDU. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. First Bank and the general public please take note

charles

emmanuel

I, formerly known and addressed as OTOMOR IKENEGHE FRANK, now wish to be known and addressed as IKENEGHE CHARLES. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OYEDE ADETUNJI ADEYEMI now wish to be known and addressed as OYEDE EMMANUEL ADETUNJI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ezonbuodor

dickson

I, formerly known and addressed as EBIKORO DICK BOLOUBELEMO, now wish to be known and addressed as EBIKORO DICKSON. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

Formerly known, called and addressed as MISS EBIMBO MAUREEN PAUL now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. EBIMBO MAUREEN EZONBUODOR ASANGUA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, GTBank Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, Rivers State and the general public should please take note.

christian

I, formerly known and addressed as JAPHET CHRISTIAN IYALANFA, now wish to be known and addressed as JAPHET CHRISTIAN. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

EDENE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ERINMA PEACE IFENYINWA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EDENE PEACE IFENYINWA. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. Skye Bank and First Bank Nigeria Plc and the general public should take note.

airnneess

This is to confirm that the names IDAHOSA SAMUEL AIRNNEESS, IDAHOSA SAMUEL A. and IDAHOSA SAMUEL with which my BVN was registered in GTB refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as IDAHOSA SAMUEL AIRNNEESS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

AKINSANYA

I, formerly known and addressed as GOODLUCK FUNMILAYO MODUPE, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINSANYAFUNMILAYO MODUPE. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

SEAT OF AMAZING GRACE MINISTRY ORGANIZING FOR INTERNATIONAL KWARA INITIATIVE The general public is hereby inform that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part c of the company and allied matter acts no. 1 Of 1990.

NAMES OF THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Bar. Ajibade Yinka Yakub 2. Ajia Monsurat Adeola AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Creating a community of interest.

2. Creating a mutually supportive community.

3. Organizing members towards increased participation in community service.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED:

Bar. Yaqub Ajibade

8

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

Prison congestion: 15 inmates‘mentally’sick Uchenna Inya, ABAKALIKI

T

he National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday gave shocking revelations in the Abakaliki Federal Prisons, stressing that the facility needed urgent attention.

The commission said more than 15 of the inmates awaiting trials in the prisons have gone mad and require urgent medical attention.

It also said many children and their mothers have been languishing in the prisons for years for common offence which ordinarily shouldn’t have warranted their being taken to the prisons.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Ben Angwe, made the revelations yesterday at Government House, Abakaliki during a courtesy call on Governor Dave Umahi.

He said the commission was in Abakaliki to probe the attempted jailbreak of August 18 this year in which many inmates reportedly lost their

lives.

“Some two weeks back when I led a team of the commission on – the - spot assessment of the situation there in the Abakaliki prisons and found very pathetic situations.

A situation where the inmates awaiting trial are more than 80 per cent and that has been the situation for years.

“Sadly, if you enter any of the prison cells, you find that the inmates have nowhere to sit, lay or squat. In the nights, they take turn to sleep; some of them sleep for two hours and they are woken-up for other inmates to sleep.

“So many cases there are very sympathetic. We saw a woman with two children in the prisons. She was accused of stealing cocoa yam of N400. They refused to grant her bail. They made difficult bail condition for her that require two sureties who are on level 16 in civil service.

You can imagine somebody who was accused of stealing N400 worth of cocoa yam, what access will she has to a grade level 16 officials of government?"

Salary arrears: Ohanaeze youths give South-East govs Nov deadline Igbeaku Orji, UMUAHIA

T

he youth wing of the apex-Igbo socicultural organisation, Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), has given governors of the South-East region till November 30 to clear up the backlog of workers’ salaries and pensions in their respective states or face mass youths protest.

Speaking at an award ceremony in Umuahia, Abia State, the national president of OYC, Mr. Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who was one of the recipients of award of excellence to worthy sons and daughters of Igbo land by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women Wing, said such governors would be tagged enemies of Ndigbo.

The OYC president said: “Enough is enough”, warned

that any governor who fails to comply would have himself to blame.

While also stating that the huge amount owed workers in the South-East was worrisome, Isiguzoro wondered how they would raise money to celebrate the yuletide if nothing was done.

“Looking at what is happening in Abia and Imo states for instance, workers are dying every day, pensioners are also dying in their hundreds daily and we have governors elected by same workers but were now neglected. It is evil, it is unacceptable, I’m going to mobilise youth in Igbo land after November 23, 2016,” he declared.

Isiguzoro said: “This is time for us to wake up from our slumbers, era of watching leaders spreading poverty in the name of recession is over and we have to start from somewhere.”

Boko Haram: Nigerian Army frees 876 children

T

he United Nations has negotiated the release of nearly 900 children detained by Nigerian Army and security forces after they recaptured some lands from Boko Haram militants, a senior official said.

The 876 children had been held in the barracks in Maiduguri, UNICEF's Manuel Fontaine said after visiting the northeastern city.

It was not immediately clear how long they had been held, but the Army routinely detains civilians who have been living in areas that had been ruled by the insurgents on suspicion that they too might be linked to militant activities.

However, rights groups say there is no proper legal process for such civilians, including the children, since they do not get formally charged and some end up in so-called rehabilitation

centres, which the groups say are like prisons.

The United Nations says children should not be detained.

“We fear that there are still kids who are being at least temporarily detained because they are being released from Boko Haram areas by the army but then kept for a while,” Fontaine, UNICEF'S regional director for Western and Central Africa, told reporters by telephone.

He give no details of the ages of the children or how long they had been at the barracks - but after President Muhammadu Buhari came to power in May 2015, security forces began an offensive, backed by neighbouring countries, to retake territory from Boko Haram, meaning at least some of the children could have been held for a year or more.

Nigeria’s ‘stolen’ $200bn stashed in foreign banks, says ex-CBN chief

lUnavailability of witness stalls trial of Tompolo, others

Ndubuisi Ugah with agency reports

A

former deputy governor of the Central of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, has said about $200 billion out of $700-$800 billion of stolen wealth stashed in foreign banks, is suspected to be from Nigeria.

He said the amount of illegal monies taken out of developing countries could resolve most developmental challenges bugging these countries.

Mailafia’s revelation, however, came on a day a Federal High Court in Lagos fixed December 13 and 14 for the continuation of trial of an ex-Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), over N47 million fraud.

But Mailafia advocated for amnesty for corrupt Nigerians to repatriate money kept in foreign lands back to the country, saying such can trigger economic boom now that the country is in recession.

The former CBN chief, who

is an economist, also hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s resolve to fight corruption, lamenting that the government does not have a cogent economic blueprint, a development he described as disturbing.

He said the government needs to take urgent measures to address hardship being experienced by Nigerians, adding that Nigerians: “Are hungry and getting impatient.”

Mailafia noted that if corruption were brought under control, Africa would have all the capital needed to finance its own development.

According to him: “The picture is even more unsettling for Nigeria. It is estimated that since the 1970s, we earned a staggering US$1 trillion from oil exports. However, due to corruption, over US$400 billion has been frittered away.

The 1994 Okigbo Panel on the Reorganisation and Reform of the CBN revealed that a whopping US$12 billion could not be properly accounted for by the erstwhile military administra-

tion of General Ibrahim Babangida. I can tell you that US$12 billion was a lot of money then.

It is a lot of money now.

“And according to the London-based Royal Institute of International Affairs — Chatham House – Nigerians, in collusion with foreign shadowy characters, have engaged in the plundering of our oil resources at a monthly average of US1 billion during the years 2007-2014. It is no surprise why Nigerians today are poorer than they were in the 1970s when the country was emerging from a tragic civil war.

“Corruption and poverty are Siamese twins. Corruption is a curse and blight to any nation.

Corruption has given Nigerians a bad name all the world. It has given the enemies of our people the right to malign us as the most renegade people on earth.

It has robbed us of all honour and all dignity in the councils of the family of nations.”

In the same vein, the court fixed the date following a letter from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, who sought for an adjournment.

Keyamo had stated in the letter that the key prosecution witness was unavailable, and prayed that a new date be given to enable the witness to attend court.

Meanwhile, some members of staff of Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, a company linked with Tompolo, stormed the court’s premises, protesting non-payment of their salaries.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions indicating that their salaries have not been paid for months due to the prosecution of the company and the freezing of its accounts.

The EFCC had arraigned Tompolo in absentia on April 18, on a 22-count charge of fraud.

Also arraigned in absentia in connection with the alleged fraud are six brothers of a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi.

The bothers are: Igo, Julius, Victor, Norbert, Emmanuel and Clement Akpobolokemi.

Daughter of the President, Fatima Buhari (middle) with friends and relations during her wedding fatiha to Alhaji Yau Gimba Kumo in Daura, Katsina State …yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Katsina agog as Buhari’s daughter becomes fourth wife of ex-FMBN MD

T

Adedayo Odulaja he widely reported marriage between Fatima, the daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, and Yau Gimba Kumo witnessed the presence ofdignitaries and guests as it held in the President’s hometown of Daura, Katsina State.

Amidst pomp, the wedding ceremony held at the

president’s residence on Mai’adua Road, Daura Friday afternoon, culminating in the payment of a dowry of N100,000 by the groom, a former Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

As expected, the marriage, which was contracted in strict accordance with Islamic traditions, witnessed the presence of top government functionaries from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and some states. Among those on hand

FCT

Buhari hails Izunaso at 50

NEWS IN BRIEF

ST

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated the National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Party (APC), Senator Osita Izunaso, on the occasion of his 50th birthday today.

The President in a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, joined family, friends and well-wishers in celebrating the life of the accomplished journalist, politician and philanthropist, who has used his God-given abilities and resources for the benefit of humanity.

He saluted the exemplary lifestyle and conduct of Sen. Izunaso who at the golden age of 50 has creditably demonstrated great leadership skills with towering records as a former distinguished lawmaker and current APC chieftain.

at the high profile wedding were governors of Bauchi and Gombe States, Muhammad Abubakar and Ibrahim Dankwambo as well as Senators Mustapha Bukar (Katsina North), Ahmed Sani from Zamfara State and Danjuma Goje from Gombe State.

Also in attendance include Minister of Interior, Abdurrahman Dambazau; Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Con-

FCT

Buhari hails Gaya’s election as IPU vice-president

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Senator Kabiru Gaya on his election as vice-president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for Africa.

Gayawaselectedatthejustconcluded135thgeneralassemblyoftheunioninGeneva,Switzerland.

President Buhari in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, yesterday said he believes that Gaya possessed the experience, credentials and vision to serve in the international body and contribute to the goal of making the world a better place through people-oriented legislations in a democratic society.

“The President is confident that the distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will serve the IPU with dedication and integrity, in addition to representing the collective voice of African parliamentarians on priority issues that promotes peace, security, development and prosperity in the continent.”

troller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede and DirectorGeneral of Department of State Service, Lawal Musa Daura.

With traders and residents of the town seizing the opportunity of the large crowd of important guests to make quick sales, residents reported that traffic quickly became an issue on major roads in Katsina State. The formal process ensured Fatima is now Gimba’s fourth wife.

FCT

AWLO launches national youth council, mentorship summit

The African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) has launched its national youth council in a resolve to transit beyond mere advocacy, and activism.

The councils, which are organised globally and headed by country presidents, are to embark on the critical interventions appropriate to each stage in its epic Leadership Developmental Continuum–from infancy to Adolescence and to adulthood, with the Youth Councils members as the core of the Next Generation Female Leaders.

In her presentation, the AWLO Youth Council Global Matron, Dr. Violet Arene, said: “The youth councils globally organised, will provide the structure and the global machine for the developmental interventions and programs based on the tripod of Education, Entrepreneurship and Excellence as catalyst for the imperative character standard-for the Next Generation Female Leaders.”

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

Ndubuisi Ugah with agency reports

E

minent personalities from the South-East geo-political zone on Thursday converged on Gregory University Uturu (GUU), Abia State to chart a path for the zone, in order to advance the fortunes of Ndigbo.

The personalities also expected during the threeday conference produce a blue print for the economic growth and prosperity of the zone and other Igbo-speaking states of Nigeria.

The conference was organised by the World Igbo Summit Group (WISG) in collaboration with the Igbo Renaissance Centre of the Gregory University Uturu (GUU), according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Among those who participated at the first day session were a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maj - Gen. Ike Nwachukwu; Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano; a former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe; elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; a former Secretary-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Col. Joe Achuzie and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to United States, Prof. George Obiozor.

Others were the former Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih; former Minister of Health, Prof. Ihechukwu Maduike; who is the Director, Igbo Renaissance of GUU; former President, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof. Joe Irukwu; the Chancellor of GUU, Dr Gregory Ibe; the Director-General, WISG, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, and Chief Francis Orji, among others.

In his remarks, Nwachukwu, who is the chairman and co-convener of the 2016 World Igbo Summit (WISG), advocated an honest effort by patri-

Nwachukwu, Obiano, Ezeife, Obi of Onitsha, others seek road map for Igbo prosperity lUrge FG to restructure Nigeria lSeek Kanu’s release from detention otic sons and daughters of Igboland to advance the fortunes of Ndigbo.

Nwachukwu said the objectives of the conference included to start “a 50-year visioning for Ndigbo, captured in short term, mid-term and long term strategic perspectives.

“This will deal comprehensively with the development of Igboland, the wellbeing of our people in politics, business, education, technology and industry.’’

Iwuanyanwu charged the participants to take a holistic look at factors that stunted economic and political growth in Igboland. He also urged participants to lend their voices to the call by various groups and individuals for the restructuring of Nigeria in line with the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference.

Furthermore, he spoke on the activities of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The business mogul said the agitations by the two groups were not for the cessation of Ndigbo from Nigeria but for fairness and equity in Nigeria as well as an end to the marginalisation of Ndigbo.

Iwuanyanwu said the agitators were exercising their fundamental rights in a democracy “without resort to violence or use of arms.”

He appealed to the Federal Government to release the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from incarceration or charge

Niger gov's wife wants health sector budget released on time Dan Atori, MINNA

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ife of the Niger State Governor, Dr. Amina Abubakar Sani Bello, has called for the timely release of state health funds as budgeted in the 2016 appropriation for the sector, adding that the budget for this year is grossly inadequate.

She said yesterday when the Federation of Muslim Women's Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), with the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) project paid her a visit in Minna.

“We are seriously constrained by funds and if the recommended minimum budgetary allocation is not enough we may not be able to achieve anything. I hope the proposal scales through otherwise we may not lead through the right direction,” she said.

She added that she will continue to give her support and preach the message of budget increase on the health sector especially in the area of Primary Health Care.

In a similar vein, the State Commissioner for Health and Hospital Services, Dr. Mustapha Jubril, has disclosed that the ministry has proposed a budget of N20 billion for the health sector in 2017.

The commissioner made

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this disclosure while speaking at a day stakeholders meeting on "Adequate Funding for the Health Sector in the 2017" organised by a group, Civil Society Scaling -Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) in Minna yesterday.

The commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Tiffin, advocated for increased budgetary allocation to the ministry to meet with the health challenges in the state lamenting that allocation to the sector had dropped from N5.49billion in 2011 to N3.85billion in 2015.

Earlier, the team leader, FOMWAN PACFaH, Dr. Halima Shehu, solicited for government's intervention to resolve the four major child and family health issues that confront Nigerians daily by prevailing on the government to fulfill its health policy, budgetary and administrative commitments.

him to court without further delay.

He also called on the Federal Government to pay reparation to the Enugu community, which was attacked by suspected herdsmen, leading to the loss of lives and property.

Speaking also, Ezeife, advocated “a think-home” philosophy among the Igbo entrepreneurs as well as an enabling environment that could attract foreign and indigenous investors to Igboland.

Obiano, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, called for collaboration among the governors toward the development of the area.

The governor, who was the only governor in attendance, specifically called for agricultural revolution in the zone and construction of a railway to link the zone with other parts of the country through collaborative efforts.

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe, in his remarks, said “our destiny is in our hands”, adding that Ndigbo were “directly responsible for our problem in Nigeria.”

Achebe, who described the conference as “a wake - up call for all Ndigbo,” said that the task ahead was a harduous one.

He, however, said the onus was on the present generation to rise to the occasion, “for our-

selves and future generation.”

Obiozor charged Ndigbo to put on “our ‘thinking cap and start looking for solutions to our collective challenges in an orchestrated and well-articulated way among ourselves.

“No more lamentations and grieving, sorrow or sadness because of the monuments of

disappointments, neglect or marginalisation,” Obiozor said.

Obiozor called on Igbo leaders to “build a strong base in Nigeria,” where safety and peace would be guaranteed for the people.

A former Secretary-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Col. Joe Achuzie, described the con-

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right) and the CEO-designate of APM Terminals in Copenhagen, Denmark, Mr. Morten Engelstoft, during a visit to discuss the Badagry Deep Sea Port, at the A.P Moller –Maersk Head Office, Copenhagen…on Thursday

Ugwuanyi hails retiring police chief Charles Onyekwere,

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ference as timely and urged participants to examine and proffer solutions to issues that hindered the development of Igboland.

The guest lecturer, Prof.

Epiphany Azinge, spoke on the theme of the conference, “Igboka-Visioning the Igbo nation in 2016,” in his keynote lecture.

ENUGU

overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has described the retiring Police Commissioner of Enugu State, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, as a disciplined officer whose commitment to his job should be emulated by every public servant.

The governor paid the eulogy during the passing out parade organised for the retiring police chief held at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, yesterday.

The governor noted that Ojukwu assumed duties in the state

during the unfortunate herdsmen attack at Ukpabi Nimbo in UzoUwani Local Government Area, stating that he assisted in quelling the tension that ensued from that incident.

“As we congratulate him for successfully reaching the end of his career in the Force, we are assured that we can always call upon his wealth of experience and competence whenever the need arises,” the governor said.

In his farewell speech, Ojukwu thanked the Police Force for helping him imbibe the virtues of patience and perseverance, adding that the training he received in his 32 years of service enabled him to overcome all the challenges he encountered.

ISOLO Hollandia Yogurt rewards winners

NEWS IN BRIEF

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Winners of the Hollandia Yoghurt ‘Colours of Goodness’ social media contest, have been handsomely rewarded with different prizes.

The campaign, which ran for weeks and elicited overwhelming responses, was part of efforts by Chi Limited, makers of the diary product to entrench the product.

Prizes given out included smart phones, tablets and packs of refreshing and nourishing Hollandia Yoghurt.

One of the lucky winners who smiled home with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, Victoria Damilola Thomas, said: “I am excited to know that I am now a proud owner of a Samsung Galaxy Smartphone courtesy of Chi Limited.

‘349 LG staff omitted from September salary payment’ Abubakar Abdul, Birnin Kebbi

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ollowing the ongoing local government staff verification screening exercise, the Sole Administrator of Bagudo Local GovernmentArea of Kebbi State, Hassan Adamu Lolo, has confirmed that only 349 names

out of the over 2,000 staff strength were omitted from being paid their September salaries.

Speaking while confirming the figure to journalists in his office yesterday, Lolo said the omitted names was due to the computer error and assured them that very soon that those affected would be paid.

He said the aim of the

screening was to ascertain the actual number of staff and the unscheduled ones whereby government would find lasting solution to the problem facing the local government.

He expressed dismay over some perceived enemies of the government who were going round the local government area and state at spreading falsehood that the chairman and his coun-

cil’s members have connived with the account clerk to divert staff salaries.

“I can't do that, and how can I eat people’s salaries, that allegation was not truth, the problem was from the original list that was given by the state government for the payment but for that they are sorting it out and very soon they would receive their salaries,” he added.

Purveyors hijacking, distorting journalism ethics –Mohammed Dominic Adewole, ASABA

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he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, yesterday lamented the challenge posed by the democratisation of the technology of information dis-

semination in Nigeria.

The minister, who joined the host, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State in Asaba, to declare open the 46th Summit of the National Council on Information (NCI), regretted that the platforms of information dissemination have become all comers' affairs.

He urged the traditional

media, which he said "now regurgitates whatever is put out by these emergency purveyors of information," to act fast to uphold the ethics of the profession.

Delivering his address during the opening session of the summit, tagged, "Leveraging on Information and Digital Technology to Sustain the Change Agenda of Govern-

ment," Mohammed said the rigours of accuracy, objectivity and fairness imposed by the traditional media has long been eroded.

He wondered why people dabble into the profession, distort the information they put out because of the paradox of technology they have unfettered access to.

He said: “Anyone can

wake up this morning and decide to become an online newspaper publisher, an online television station owner, an online radio station operator, a purveyor of news, photographs and videos, using the numerous social media platforms like Facebook, Whatsapp, Skype, Twitter, Instagram and Imo, just to mention a few.

City & crime update

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SATURDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2016

Drama as kidnappers abduct brothers bearing ransom

Juliana Francis

ine suspected kidnappers have been arrested after they pulled a fast one on the families of their

victims.

The suspects were alleged to have demanded N50million ransom after they abducted Reverend Mrs. Louise Ubah and Engineer Chika Ezenwa.

After a series of phone calls with families of the victims, the kidnappers grudgingly agreed to accept N2.5m ransom.

Two brothers-in-law of Louise accepted to go and drop off the money at the designated venue given by the kidnappers. The brothers were however kidnapped and another ransom demanded before they were released.

The gang’s downfall started after one of their gang members, Daniel Gabriel, 33, a taxi driver, was arrested.

According to the police, Gabriel’s arrest was made possible because of credible intelligence gathering.

He was arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police, (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris’s Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT), led by a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Mr. Abba Kyari.

Gabriel was later used as bait to catch other members of the gang. They were picked up at different areas in Port Harcourt within five hours.

Those presently in IRT custody are; Daniel Gabriel, Alaso Igodo 25, Akodi Aselemi 34, Ayibinmotei Livinus 25, Anikuroka Marshal 33, Biebele Elijah, 34, Efiye Anda, 34, Daniel Lessor, 31 and Isaac Reuben, 27. The leader of the gang, Blackie, is still at large.

The kidnappers are alleged to be responsible for most of the abductions recorded within GRA Phase 2, PortHarcourt main town, Borokiri General Area and YKC axis of Woji. During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to having participated in 15 kidnappings in Rivers State.

Exhibits recovered from them include one AK47 rifle with bridge number 0731, four AK47 magazines with 42 live ammunition, four face masks and a green Mazda Salon operational car.

The police source said: “On August 10, 2016, the gang kidnapped one Reverend Louise and Engineer Ezenwa.

They were both abducted in Louise’s shop and taken away to Indoki Estate Waterfront. But on their way, they had encounter with a team of policemen.

The kidnappers injured Inspector David Ijosi and Corporal Dike Ledee.

Bullets hit the policemen on their legs and necks. The kidnappers escaped with their victims into the Isaka creeks in Okrika, from where they demanded a ransom of N50m from families of the victims.”

The police said that the woman’s husband, Bishop Prince Ubah, begged the kidnappers to reduce the ransom.

After much pleading, it was reduced to N2.8m. On August, 25, 2016, Prince sent two of his brothers, Onyeka Ani

…demand another payoff

and Pastor Okezie Akara, to take the ransom to the kidnappers.

The police said: “When the two brothers got to the drop-off point, they were abducted. The kidnappers thereafter released Louise and Ezenwa.

They demanded another N1m ransom from Prince so as to release his brothers. N750, 000 was eventually paid to them. Sometimes in the same August, the gang went to YKC Junction in Woji Town, Port Harcourt, and kidnapped one Nkechi. They took the woman to Kula community in Akukotoru Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

The police said that the woman was kept for two weeks in the kidnappers’ den, and later released after a ransom of N2m was paid.

In the month of September 2016, the gang also went to Niger Street and kidnapped a man known as Coachie.

He was taken to Idoki Estate Waterfront, where they boarded a speed boat, which took them to their Isaka camp. The man was kept in their den for two weeks until his family came up with N2.5m for his release.

The gang’s last operation, before IRT operatives swooped on them was in October, after they abducted one Mrs. Okotie, opposite Royal House of Grace Church.

The woman told them she had just gave birth and was not feeling too good. But they didn’t listen to her.

Unfortunately for the kidnappers, their car broke down and their gang leader, Blackie, phoned for another car.

They were heading to Ornage Waterside, when police intercepted them.

They fled at the sight of the policemen.

They abandoned the woman in the

The Suspects

I was formerly into oil bunkering, but the military destroyed where we used to cook our oil

car. They also left one of their rifles.

“A few days after the botched kidnap of Mrs. Okotie, IRT operatives trailed Daniel, the taxi driver and arrested him,” said the police source.

The source continued: “When we got to his house, we arrested five of the gang members. From there, the operatives headed to Enugu Waterfront, where we arrested Anikuroka Marshal, their armorer. They also identified Diobele Elijah and Akodi Aselemi as the gang’s spies. These men used to go round towns, scouting for victims. The suspects confessed to have three AK47 rifles and two English pistols.”

Gabriel, married with two children, said that he was a cab driver in Port Harcourt, but turned to kidnapping when his income couldn’t sustain him, his wife and kids. He moved his wife and kids to his village, returned to PH and went full time into kidnapping.

Recalling how he got involved with the kidnappers, Gabriel said: “I met my gang members in March 2016. I was plying the Aba Road, looking for passengers when they stopped me. They asked me to take them to Borikiri area of Port-Harcourt Town. They paid me more than I demanded. I told them I wanted to know more about them. The leader, who sat with me in the front, gave me his phone number. He said he would like me to work with them.

“A few days later, they invited me to a hotel in Borikiri. They opened up to me on what they were into. In April, Blackie called; he said I should meet him in his hotel. When I got

there, he was with his men. They were preparing for an operation.

They brought out two bags containing rifles, dumped them into my car and we moved to GRA in Port Harcourt.”

They were heading to the location, when they got a call from their informant that their target had left the place.

They were going back to their base, when they spotted a man; he was driving an expensive looking car. They kidnapped and took him to Indoki Estate Waterfront; later transported him via a speed boat to their camp, which is across the river.

Gabriel stated: “We did several kidnappings after I joined the gang, but in August, our second in command called me. He said that our informant had a job for us. We went and kidnapped a woman, but on our way, my car developed a fault.

Blackie called for another taxi. We transferred the woman into it. But on the waterside, police intercepted us and rescued the woman. One of our rifles was recovered by the police, but we all escaped. I was later arrested.”

Another suspect, Anda, a speed boat operator, said he used to be paid N200, 000 for ferrying the kidnappers and their victims to their camp across the river.

His words: “I was formerly into oil bunkering, but the military destroyed where we used to cook our oil. I was not doing anything, so my friends invited me to Port Harcourt to join them in kidnapping.”

On his part, Elijah confessed that he had just joined the gang. He stated that it was his boss, whom he identified as Elvis that lured him into kidnapping.

City&crime update

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

US-based Nigerian nanny forced-fed eight-month-old girl to death

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Maryland nanny has been charged in the asphyxiation death of a baby girl in her care. According to the charging documents filed in Prince George's County, 66-year-old Oluremi Oyindasola allegedly force-fed two bottles to the baby and the child choked to death.

A Maryland nanny has been charged in the death of a baby girl after she was allegedly caught on surveillance camera forcefully feeding her two bottles, police said.

Eight-month-old Enita Salubi of Glenarden died Monday afternoon after she was rushed to a hospital, Prince George's County Police said. Authorities said video camera footage shows the events that led

Onyindasola

O

rita Ijebu, where the palace of Olukoyi of Ikoyi Osun town, in Isokan South Local Government of Osun State, is located was a beehive of activities for nine days during this year's Osun Festival in Ikoyi Osun.

Each day saw vehicles of various sizes and models glide into the town and converge on the sprawling palace and its immediate sorroundings; with horns and sirens blaring intermittently; while commercial motorcyclists snake up and down the streets bringing in people who came to grace the occasion.

For many at home and abroad who, decked in various traditional outfits, danced and observed prescribed rites and rituals, the festival provided the opportunity for the devotees to communicate with their gods.

Traditional groups and devotees of several traditional religions, especially those linked to Osun, a river goddess, had come from across Yorubaland and possibly beyond, not only to pay obeisance to the monarch, but worship at the shrine marked for the purpose.

Among this was the Apena Ola, a branch of the Ogboni Confraternity, of Ikoyi Osun town, led by Chief Ahmed Akanle, who was on hand to also pay obeisance to the monarch and offer prayers. He was accompanied by a legion of Ogboni votaries.

Atoke Elesa Cultural Troupe, led

by Mrs. Atoke Adeniyi, an Osogbo indigene based in Ila Orangun, was also part of the festivities.

Also, Theartre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) led by Chief Saeed Taiwo Fatoki, also entertained the monarch and his chiefs in his palace.

High point of the festival was the nonarch's walking to the Osun Ikoyi Shrine, accompanied by a horde of his subjects and indigenes to the Osun River, a distance of about one/half kilometres, the bank of which hundreds of the indigenes converged to worship,

to the little girl's death.

The nanny, was asleep on a couch inside the house Monday when the baby, who was in a walker, began crying and woke the nanny, police said. Police said a video surveillance camera shows the nanny tried to feed the baby, but without success.

Oyindasola then pulled the baby from her walker, removed the nipple from her bottle and forcefully fed her, police said.

"She forcefully poured the two bottles of what looks to be milk down the baby's mouth, causing her to not be able to breathe, suffocating her, and eventually she died at the hospital," said Col. Harry Bond of Prince George's County Police.

Charging documents say that the

nanny appeared "to pour a large amount of white liquid directly inside the victim's mouth." The baby appeared to squirm and resist while being fed the first bottle, and then Oyindasola forced the contents of a second bottle into her mouth, the documents said. The baby became unresponsive, and Oyindasola called the baby's father, who dialed 911 as he raced home. Clifton Wanzer, a neighbour, said he saw the little girl's father carry her to an ambulance. She was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

More than one neighbour told News4 they'd been concerned about the baby for some time. "That baby just cried [and] cried," said neighbour Walker. "Every time I came outside, I'd hear that baby cry." Police said an autopsy revealed Salubi's cause of death was asphyxiation, and the manner of death was homicide.

Oyindasola, of Glenarden, is in custody, police said. She is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, and related charges.

Ikoyi Osun indigenes celebrate Osun Festival

L-R: Oba Yisau, his wife, Olori Folasayo and Chief Yekeen Oyewumif

sacrificing a ram to appease the Osun goddess, offering prayers and seeking protection from afflictions.

Oba Yissau and the procession had stopped at places and points on the way traditionally marked to offer prayers to the ancestors.

The monarch, who, wore a massive Agbada with beaded crown to match, was accompanied by his wife, Olori Folasayo, traditional chiefs and other indigenes.

After almost one hour at the bank of Osun, a ram was used as sacrifice to appease Osun River goddess, a session conducted by a man popularly called Baba Ogundele.

The ram tied at the hind legs was hurled upon the bridge where Ogundele engaged in chants for nearly 20

minutes, after which the ram, raised three times as if showing the goddess the animal about to be offered, before being hurled down into the river at exactly 5pm.

Not long after, as if acting on instruction, the rains came, beating down upon the votaries, forcing them into quicker retreat with a ferocity they all reckoned was not unusual: "It must rain like that after the (ram's) sacrifice", one of the returnees noted.

The monarch, in an earlier interaction with journalists, had traced the town's origin to the 17th Century, acknowledging the festival was as old as the town itself.

According to him, Ikoyi was founded by a man called Olufunmi who was instructed by Ifa to move to the bank of a river.

Suswam’s wife’s pet project graduates 75 students Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

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he pet project floated by wife of former governor of Benue State, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, Mrs. Yemisi Dooshima Suswam, known as Sev-Av Foundation (New Dawn) which is committed to saving lives of HIV/AIDS ravaged people and empowering youths and women for self-reliance, yesterday graduated about 75 students from its skills acquisition centre in Makurdi.

The event which marked the 10th graduation ceremony of the foundation, saw

students graduate from areas like tailoring, computer, catering and knitting from Makurdi and Gboko Local Government Areas of the state.

Suswam also reiterated the resolve of the foundation to take its activities to the grassroots level despite the challenges confronting it.

She stated that at the inception of this session, over 100 students registered but only 75 were successful while others dropped due to lack of transport money and sheer laziness.

The former governor's wife admonished

the graduands to take the training they acquired seriously, and put it to good use in order to become self reliant.

She advised the people of the state in particular and Nigeria at large to look inwards and patronise home-made products to further promote the unity and boost the local economy of the country.

“It is our passionate appeal that you sustain your kind support to this noble cause of building our nation from the micro level of individual economic development of youth and young widows in this free-for-all training,” she stated.

Olukoyi prayed for the success of Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration in steering the ship of the state.

He also commended the governor for promoting traditional festivals, a situation he noted would help preserve the cultural heritage of the Yoruba.

The monarch however appealed to the state government to lend supports to the town to popularise the festival like the Osun Osogbo and other major festivals across the country.

His words: "We want government to support us in announcing the festival and to make the bank of the river accessible for larger number of worshipers.

We want government to build an Osun house for us".

The second in line of command to Oba Yisau (Oosa Ilu Ikoyi), Chief Yekeen Oyewumi, said: “I have been celebrating this festival since I was born and I was born in 1939. This is almost 78 years.”

Like many others, Oyewumi said worshipping Osun is not idolatry, arguing “I am a Muslim. Islam does not oppose this. We must do it together, whatever your religion. All our children and their friends from across the world return home to celebrate with us.”

Other chiefs in attendance were the Aro of Ikoyiland, Chief Oladimeji Oladapo; and Chief Sakariyah Aderemi, Chairman, Baale in Council; Mr. Tairu Oyewumi; Chief Baraoti of Ikoyi, Rasheed Abiyo; Iyalaje Ikoyi, Alhaja Oluwatobiloba Makinde and Chief Akinola, Gbasaleke Oodua.

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Feature

By Clement James, Calabar.

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or two neighouring communities in Cross River, New Netim and Odukpani Quo clan both in Odukpani Local Government Area, the cord of brotherhood and good neighourliness that once existed between them for ages have been thawed while unease calm pervade the two communities as they count their losses both in terms of lives and properties arising from two recent incidents.

The first sign of trouble was in December last year when two young men from New Netim were alleged killed by yet to be identified assailants. The incident, which occurred few days to the Christmas celebration, threw the community into mourning and black Christmas.

Accusing fingers were pointed at their neighours in Odukpani Qua clan, who they said instigated and sponsored the invading of their once peaceful community, pillaging properties and murdering their two sons.

While still smarting from this attack, tragedy again struck between September 18 and 19 this year with New Netim attacked and houses razed down while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

Just like in the first attack, no suspect identified or arrested but rather both communities have continued to trade accusations with threatens of reappraisals attack hanging in the air while New Netim, which is worse hit by this crisis is almost a ghost town and listless, deserted by the people.

There are two sides to this unending story as to what triggered the crisis. The first, according to a highly placed source in New Netim, who did not want his name in print for security reason, is that his community was decimated their neighour over land tussle as they claim that their land belongs to them.

According to this source, the people of Odukpani Qua allegedly told them that they have no right to the land as they are mere settlers even though they have lived in the community for over 100 years. He said their neighbor took them to court over the issue but the court decided in their favour in January.

He explained that the rancor between the two communities started as companies began to come into New Netim. “Noticing that some companies were coming into New Netim and compensation was being paid to our people, the Odukpani Qua people became interested in the land and began to raise the issue of aborigines, notwithstanding the fact that we have been in this present location for more than hundred years, claiming that they are our landlords,” the source lamented.

However, Odukpani Qua has denied this story, insisting that the allegation is not only baseless but completely falsehood. According to the clan of Odukpani Qua clan, Ntoe Cyril Omin Okima, in a situation report he sent to the Paramount ruler of Odukpani, dated September 28, the present crisis was precipitated by a chieftaincy tussle within New Netim and that this has nothing to do with his people who are being accused falsely.

“Since last year,” he wrote, “there has been a running chieftaincy tussle between Ntufam Raphael Okpa Ita and Ntufam Bassey Ndifon Ejen as to who is the village head of New Netim village. This dispute created two factions in New Netim. The villagers’ loyalty is also divided along lines of support. This has created tension, disharmony and hostilities amongst the brethren of two factions.”

Investigation by our reporter revealed that

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

C’River communities trade blames as lives, properties are destroyed the crisis started in February 2015, few months after the demise of the former village head of New Netim, Ntufam Felix Okon Ita. While Okon Ita was alive, Ntufam Raphael Okpa Ita was said to be the deputy village head, a position he held for eight years prior to the demise of the village head.

On the other hand, Bassey Ndifon Ejen, who is a contender to the throne of the village head was said to be the youth leader of the community “but was democratically removed by youths of the community.”

Following the death of Okon Ita, his deputy, Okpa Ita was naturally expected to assume the headship of the community as the serving deputy but his was not to be as there was a twist to the ascension arrangement occasion by some people in New Netim led by one Ntufam Paul Okorn Eyu, who was said to have convened a meeting at the community palace on Saturday February 28, 2015 to select a new village head in the person of Bassey Ndifon Ejen.

But this whole process sparked heavy dissent among the community with a number siding with Okpa as the new head and others with Ndifon Ejen. With tension beginning to mount, it was revealed that the office of the State Security Adviser engaged the two parties so as to seek amicable resolution to the matter.

This engaged resulted in the signing of an undertaking on Thursday March 19, 2015 by the two parties. The first and second parts of the undertaking read as follows: “We shall not only observe but maintain the peace and to see to it that there is no breach of law and order whatsoever within our communities over the choice of a village head for New Netim. We shall not do or embark on anything related to the above which shall result into breach of peace whether presently while government is making intervention efforts to resolve whatsoever discord or disagreement that may be existing among the chiefs and indigenes of New Netim in Odukpani Local Government Area.”

But this agreement was believed to have been observed in the breach without government wielding its big stick. As tension continued to mount in the community, the former governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, was said to have reportedly gave Okpa Ita a certificate of recognition dated May 20, 2015 as the new village head.

This action it was believed did not go down well with the supporters of Ndifon Ejen, who were hell bent on seeing their man sit on the throne. This is believed to have given birth to a stalemate and perhaps the harbinger of the crisis that has bedeviled the community as a result of distraught between the two camps.

While New Netim was still railing from this stalemate, the clan head of Odukpani Qua, Ntoe Cyril Omin Okima was said to have allegedly thrown spanners to the works by refusing to recognise Ntufam Okpa Ita as stated earlier in his report.

In another development, the Odukpani Qua Clan Council, in a letter addressed to the Paramount ruler of Odukpani and titled; “Presentation of village head elect of New Netim village, Odukpani Qua Clan, Odukpani Local Government Area,” and dated October 13, 2015, the council wrote in the first paragraph as follows; “I have directive of the Ntoe-in-Council

to intimate you that by the letter dated 6th April, 2015, New Netim village council informed the clan head of the selection of Ntufam Bassey Ejen as the new village head elect in accordance with their custom and tradition. The Ntoe-in Council considered the said letter and in response issued letter dated 2rd June, 2015.

Coming immediately after this opening paragraph is the following; “Surprisingly, the Ntoe-in-Council received another letter dated 13th July, 2015 said to be issued by New Netim Community Council. The letter was titled ‘Re-presentation of traditional ruler/village head for recognition.’ The letter also stated clearly that ‘on 1st of July 2015, the New Netim Community Council headed by the village head elect, Ntufam Raphael O. Ita and resolved as follows; (1) That Ntufam Raphael O. Ita is found fit and having satisfied all the conditions as stipulated by law, qualifies him to ascend to the throne of the village headship. (2) That his credible performance for eight years as an acting village head of New Netim community is a clear attestation and prerequisite for the noble task. (3) That as a matter of fact, Ntufam Raphael O. Ita is an heir apparent of the late Ntufam Okpa Ita Royal House and therefore he deserves the right to ascend the throne and a lot more to be mentioned.’’

This letter was signed by Chief Joseph Edet Bassey, Secretary of Odukpani Qua Clan Council.

While the people now live under fear with the state government, elders, concerned interest groups and security agencies, seem helpless in resolving this issue, New Netim Community Council sent a letter to the commissioner of police, asking for protection for its community.

The letter titled ‘Save our soul,’ and dated August 23, 2016, reads in part; “We write to inform you that the information reaching us reveals that the people of Odukpani Qua in Odukpani Local Government Area are purchasing guns in preparation to fight against our people, the New Netim Community.”

This letter was signed by both Ntufam Raphael O. Ita and Ntufam Augustine B. Eyo. A few weeks after this letter, precisely on September 19, all hell was let loose as New

Netim was set on fire, with properties destroyed in a scale that is akin to a war situation and this has left the town decimated and the people fleeing their land.

However, there were reports that some youths later attacked Odukpani Qua and burnt down few houses but the scale of damages done to Odukpani Qua is not in comparison to what has been visited on New Netim as this reporter on visit was greeted with almost a hollow and lifeless community with burnt houses and properties, all now abandoned littering the once vibrant and thriving landscape.

Few houses are left standing and they are far in between, while infrastructure have been damaged beyond imagination. It is actually difficult to believe that such large scale destruction was committed by any faction in the tussle.

There is also an allegation by some people in New Netim that its neighbour has been giving tacit support to the former youth leader, Bassey Ejen in order to prolong the crisis. This allegation has been denied again

by Odukpani Qua. But many indigenes of New Netim spoken to by our reporter are baffled that both the clan head of Odukpani Qua and the paramount ruler of Odukpani Local Government Council do not recognise the certificate of recognition given to Ntufam Raphael Ita by Senator Liyel Imoke.

They believe that for lasting peace to return to New Netim in particular and the surrounding villages in general, impartiality must be observed. After all, there has been more serious chieftaincy tussle in the state before now, but none has claimed the number of lives and properties of the scale of New Netim or generated such angst.

For instance, for more than three years, the current Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, was locked in a tussle with the former minister of finance, Chief Anthony Ani, but rather they both headed to the court instead of calling their loyalists to the streets. Similarly, until recently when the court gave a verdict on the tussle for the Muri Munene of Efut, the two contestants, Muri Effiong Mbukpa and Muri Itam Hogan, took the judicial option too.

Pictures of destruction in New Netim, Cross River State

WeekendBliss

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N O P U E S CLO ISIEN ELOHOR A

Delectable entrepreneur and socialite, Elohor Eisien, is the president of the top notch, BETH Modelling Agency, the organiser of one of Nigeria’s most glamorous pageants, Elite Model Look.

The affable fashion enthusiast shares her success story in business and marriage with LANRE ODUKOYA. What exactly motivated you into the modelling business?

I wanted to take the Nigerian Modelling industry internationally and also work with a brand that’s well recognised, so I got the franchise for Elite Model Look in 2007. We did our first show in 2008. For us, Elite Model Look is recognised around the world as one of the most glamorous events ever. And it’s also an opportunity for me to discover our own super models which we didn’t have. Today Elite produces all the super models in Nigeria currently.

What’s the story of Nigeria’s first ever male and female pageant (which you pioneered) and the Beth Modelling Agency?

MARRIAGES

DON’T CHANGE MEN Instyle

The skin peeks through sheer © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

p.15

We did the first one two years ago just to see how it would feel and we realised that it was really nice.

From the year when we started our campaign, we got the men always asking, ‘what are you going to do for the guys?’ And my agency works with both male and female models, so, this year, when we concluded that the guys can go for the finals, we were really excited. And we honestly found out that guys here are awesome and I actually didn’t know that we had these good looking guys in Nigeria that would fit into the international pageants. Already we’ve been getting phone calls and emails that the guys on the show are marvellous and they would like to see them more on the international scene.

How easy was it sourcing sponsorship in economic recession?

Since I started Elite Model Look, it’s been very difficult to get sponsorship and brands that actually believe in us. Well, we’ve actually had brands that have been with us since 2008 till now, but it was just a miracle that we got some more this year. And this is because people look at modelling as something really different; they don’t really know what it is about. We have a brand, Aquafina which came on board and we showcase the purity in water and encouraged all our models to drink. They came on board and we did our first mixed pageant and this is the second year we’re working together. So,

The Arts

Hospitality

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Village Headmaster inspired me to study Theatre Arts – Ibekwe

Encore Hotel and Suites: A promise of a homely, comfortable haven

continued on page 14

TV & Radio

Wellbeing: Infertility in marriages

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Close Up

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29 OCTOBER 2016

'I've never had an issue with Nike Oshinowo' C o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 1 3

hopefully, we would be working together in the next few years.

And you got Moet & Chandon as partners?

Yes, Moet & Chandon has been our partner since 2007. We all know everybody loves Moet & Chandon, so it speaks so much for the show itself because obviously some of our contestants are under-aged, so we really keep this brand for the responsible adult that are part of the show.

for. So, I said, okay, when I move back home I would start my own modelling agency.

What was your first career fantasy?

Actually, I wanted to be a wedding planner. I remember I had bought so many books in 1999, I even bought so many wedding videos and I said to myself, this is what I want to be. But when I went to the university everything changed and I said I was going to study Computer Science. When I graduated, I had already forgotten about the ‘wedding planner’ obsession but in 2013, I decided to be a wedding planner which I’d always wanted to be. I’m actually a wedding and event planner today.

How do you joggle roles as an event planner, President of Beth Modelling Agency and mother of two?

It’s very easy. I have a good team on our modelling shows and for my wedding and event planning; I have a separate team as well. When we have project like the Elite, we all put heads together, my whole team comes together and we deliver something exquisite. This is the 10th year since I founded my agency, ‘Beth’ and we’re changing and rebranding. We’ve learnt from our mistakes in the last decade and we’re trying to make it bigger with more international visibility. For my events company, at the end of the day, it’s going to be like a one-stop shop where you approach us and we do everything for you.

How would you assess yourself after quitting the headship of Miss Nigeria?

Quitting Miss Nigeria pageant which I headed at a point hasn’t actually set me back as a matter of fact. It was something I did for a year when I just wanted to know what it feels like working in the beauty industry, but it’s totally different from what you find in allied industries. I realised that it wasn’t really my calling, that was the reason I did it for one year and I’m more than happy that I did. It was an experience I will never forget but I decided to concentrate more on my own. And I was also launching my own luxury events company as well.

Many thought taking Miss Nigeria job at a time pitched you against Nike Osinowo, your predecessor. What really happened?

No, I never had any issue with Nike Oshinowo who was the director of Miss Nigeria before I got the job. As a matter fact, we’re still friends as we speak.

I’ve never had any issue whatsoever with her.

How exactly did you start modelling?

It’s funny because it wasn’t something I wanted to go into when I was much younger. But my mom loves fashion; you go to her house and she was always watching fashion TV and she still does till now. It was something I grew up to know and she would always tell me; ‘I want you to be like Naomi Campbell’. So, sometimes when I went out, people would complement me with statements like; ‘Oh, you look like Naomi Campbell’ and I remembered that was what mom wanted me to be and she encouraged me. I found that very strange because with a lot of parents, it’s the opposite. I did a few modelling jobs when I was in school and that was also when I enrolled for Miss Nigeria in London and I won. And I realised that it wasn’t really what I wanted to do and most of the agencies on the international scene would tell me that I didn’t have the look they were looking Aisien

What are you doing to stand out of the crowd?

What I’m bringing new to the table in wedding and events planning are luxury and simplicity. And this is because I realise that not everyone wants the colourful weddings and events. I’m British and keeping things very simple and unique is the way I think and I’ve had events where I had to tell people that you really don’t need to have all the flowers to stage a good wedding. There are times so much flowers at an event makes it look like a floral centre. I love flowers; you can work with flowers but at the minimal degree. See what we did with the just concluded Elite show, how many people will believe that we actually built that in five days? The plan we had previously was totally different, we changed everything at the last minute.

You’ve graced the cover of many magazines, is that the life you envision?

I’ve truly lost count of how many newspaper or magazine covers I’ve graced. But, I’m truly opposite what people think I am. They think I love the covers, that’s not who I am, I just realise that it’s my job and career, so I have nowhere to hide. I’d rather push my brand than my face. Even for this interview, I’d said my models need it more, so it was tough for me to finally agree to have it.

Is your girl taking after you already?

I have a daughter and I’ve started seeing most of my traits in her. She understands nearly everything that I do. It shocks me sometimes to see that this girl would really protect my legacy more than I would do. I have a feeling that she would be a wedding planner because she loves everything that has to do with weddings. She’s being a little bride for about six different weddings in one year and she’s always wearing all her little bride’s dresses at home. And she’s also in love with flowers. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday last year and she said, ‘mummy, I want flowers. I want a pink rose’. The greatest moment of my life will be when I see my daughter taking charge of my business. Immediately after finishing her course in the university, if it’s what she wants to do, I’ll like to see her take over my business. She’s the reason I’m doing everything after all.

How has life been in marriage?

I’ve known my husband for nine years and we’ve been married for four of those years. And the good thing about him is that he believes in what I’m doing and he supports me all the way. He understands and also helps me to get sponsorship for my shows. But he’s not the same man I met 8 years ago and I’m not the same woman either.

The most important thing is to understand your spouse. I say this a lot of times, people never change. The way you meet them is the way they’d always be. It’s either you cope with them or you leave.

...with husband

What’s your definition of style?

I’m a simple person, but I’m becoming boring nowadays.

I love fashion a lot and for me style is everything, style is the way you dress, the way you carry yourself, the way you speak to people and the way people see you. It has a million and one definitions.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

s k e e p n i k s e h T through sheer A

Deborah Ocheni

idated by sheer tops lot of people are intim y feel like they show the se and dresses becau too difficult to wear. off too much skin or are er is that it shows she th Part of the fun wi uld re versatile than you wo off some skin and is mo nding on the red carpet in sce think. Celebrities are de p but tfits and they cannot hel ires. jaw-dropping sheer ou att se the in n ski e som ying steal the show by displa work-appropriate when it is Sheer can be totally er an otherwise conservative ov used as a layering piece ensure the sheer piece you are st mu u yo h ug ho alt , kward top h that it doesn't create aw layering is loose enoug g underneath. bunching and wrinklinws the wearer's body or underSheer material allo rough ough its fabric. See-th ion ash garments to be seen thr h-f hig on ily av he tured fabrics have been fea s and the trend is still huge in runways since the ‘80 modern designs. and spicy and Sheer can be both sweet g elegant din ad in p hel s tile these tex to the eveand sophisticated touch ning dresses. t adding Many people find tha e can be ob rdr wa ir the o sheer int seductive difficult because of how s on how it can be, but there are tip trend withyou can adapt the sheer ch. mu too ng wi out sho

TIPS zz Wearing one colour head-to-toe helps all the elements blend together so the sheerness of any one piece is less noticeable zz Embellishments create visual interest which tricks the eye and gives the illusion of greater coverage. zz A little sheer mesh or lace is great if you want to indulge in the crop-top trend, but don't feel like going for the full-on belly bare. zz The busier the print the harder it is to see through, so you don't have to think so much about what you're wearing underneath. zz If you are going out, go for a bolder look, wear a white sheer top over a black bra and adding a blazer and statement accessories will keep the look a bit more polished.

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Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

ACCESSORIES TO LIVE FOR

Gorgeous aquamarine shoes TIPS

Deborah Ocheni

A

quamarine is a very delicate and sweet shade, created with the combination of a lighter tone of blue and pearl green.

Its name originated from the name of the jewel that has the same shade. Talking about the stylish value of this shade, it is useful to first of all associate it with the feeling of freshness and weightlessness, which definitely has it positive impact on your looks.

Aquamarine can be described neither as a bright nor as a pale shade, which makes it quite a versatile hue to be matched with other colour shades.

It radiates a high dose of relaxing energy.

There is no limit to what accessories can do in transforming an ordinary look into a statement one. The ideal self-sufficiency of this shade of shoes makes it a perfect alternative for forming your flawless evening looks, or the ones for a date.

zz As far as accessorising with aquamarine shoes goes, try to think as subtle and sophisticated as possible. zz It’s important to find the right elements or hues in outfits that will look harmonious with aquamarine shoes zz Keep jewellery modest such as silver bracelets, earrings, a metallic clutch having aquamarine details on. zz In case you feel bold and want to instantly catch the attention, get inspired from nature and create outfits full of eyepopping colours. Sunset can be a breath-taking source of inspiration in this case, which can lead you to choosing shades from the opposite side of the colour wheel, including orange, pink or yellow and pair it with your aquamarine shoes.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

MY STYLE

I'm a man of style –Jacket king

neither slim nor fat and whatever I wear tends to flatter.

Which accessories do you live for?

Lapel pins. They give fresh light to clothes and steal attention to your upper part where the beauty of jacket lies.

How do you love your shoes?

I like to wear different kind of shoes, I move from sneakers to very corporate shoes but I like the oxford shoes more because it makes suits look sharp.

What is your ready to go outfits?

Blazers and blue shirts

Nnamdi Daniel popularly known as Jacket king is the creative director of CnDanielsCouture, an Abuja-based fashion outlet that caters for a number of politicians and celebrities. The multi-talented designer tells Deborah Ocheni that tunic shirt will be huge in 2017; he also talks about his fashion philosophy, why he clothes celebrities and sundry issues.

What determines what you wear?

The event Is there anything you will never be caught wearing?

I cannot be caught wearing a blouse While shopping, would you go for quality or colour?

I will go for quality because most colourful fabrics fade with time but quality ones remain so.

Which fabric catches your fancy?

Kashmir

For ladies, kimono is flooding the streets right now. What is trending in men’s fashion?

Double breasted is back in the market and it has come to stay.

Which celebrity style do you admire most?

Mercy Aigbe and Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD)

What do we expect in 2017?

I think the accessories are going to make a comeback. As a brand, we are trying to do more of tunic shirts, and that is what we are going to float in the first quarter of 2017.

Are you a labels freak?

Anything good goes; I am modest and tend to look out for style.

How do you feel clothing celebrities?

I feel comfortable. The truth is clothing celebrities is like advertisement for what you do, and if you think advertising is expensive, try not advertising.

What is your sense of style?

My sense of fashion is conservative, calm and contemporary African designs.

Do you conform to trends?

I am a man of style; I believe that style lives forever.

Trends are just for a time, so I like to work with style.

When I meet an individual, the first thing I try to find out is what his/her style is and I look for a way to prove their style and make it stand the test of time. I don’t go for trends because they have a way of going off the market and when that happens, where does that leave you?

What do you think of women fashion trends?

I don’t feel jealous, incidentally I own a label that cater for male and female. Ladies are fashion freaks, they want everything new and trendy but trust me ladies don’t spend as much as men on clothes.

What makes a man well dressed?

The way he wears the clothes; you can wear very expensive clothes and they don’t fit; so the cut, fit and finishing are the things that make a man well dressed.

What informed the decision of going into fashion designing?

I was trained as a journalist; my journey into fashion was more of an accident but there is absolutely no regrets because I have found joy in what I do. I realise I am excited when I see people in my designs.

Would you say your physique works to your advantage in terms of fashion?

I think it does because I have got a good height, I am

Jacket King

What inspires your various creations?

Things I see around inspire me but I am basically inspired by fabric, once I see fabrics what to with them naturally comes to mind.

Who are your popular clients?

Most of my popular clients may not be people I want to mention in the media now, but I do have a lot of them. I design for diplomats, most of them foreigners; a lot of them have accepted and prefer to wear our suit and loose of politicians that I would love to leave out.

Are you satisfied with places fashion has taken you?

Yes; I have been in fashion for eight years. I have a long way to go but I am happy where I am now.

How do you source for fabrics?

It’s very easy to source for fabrics in Nigeria even though most times I find it difficult to source them here in Abuja.

What do you think of modern designers?

Classical designers made way for modern designers, they endured to ensure people were dressed and today with the aid of technology we have been able to modernise and recreate.

Would you say government has done enough for the creative industry?

No, the truth is that the government doesn’t have an idea of what is happening in the creative industry, so how can you do something when you don’t know what is happening there? The general norm in Nigeria is that everything is imported, nobody believes that anything is done here but funny as it sounds, most of our politicians wear made in Nigeria clothes but they don’t pay attention to the fact that those clothes are made in Nigeria.

What is the major challenge designers face in Nigeria?

Poor power supply. I spend 5000 naira on diesel daily and that carries for about seven hours.

You are not doing badly with your clientele base but how do you intend to remain afloat?

Fashion business just like any other businesses, the edge you have in your business is your creative ability to stay afloat. What we’ve done is separate ourselves from the regular thing Nigerians do, we have a lot of people who do regular clothing, we tend to take it a notch further ensuring that we don’t just make clothes but we make clothes for beauty and glory.

Your service is expensive. Does that encourage patronage?

Price for me is relative, it depends on who is buying, and the truth is we cannot satisfy everybody.

Who is your role model?

The first person I always look up to is Tunde Marcusl; he trained me on the job. He is quiet but amazing.

Advice to up-and-coming designers Dream big but start small, it doesn’t matter how small but start. I started with my younger brother’s money (5000) but here I am now; I have got machines valued over N2m.

What is the highest amount you have spent on sewing machine?

N600,000.

Fight dark spot with lime juice

BEAUTY

Deborah Ocheni

B

lack facial spots are caused by excess production of melanin in the skin; it can be produced in excess depending on the condition which the skin is exposed to. Too much production of melanin can also lead to uneven skin. Although many cosmetic treatments are available, unless it is an extreme case, it is be advisable to go for equally effective home

remedies.

These natural home remedies can safely and easily lighten and eliminate the dark patches.

Lime is a citrus fruit and citrus fruits are known to have a lot of good properties that can benefit the skin greatly.

Lime juice can also be beneficial in fighting dark spots if done correctly.

Ingredients Lime Juice

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Yogurt

Procedure Mix in the lime juice and the yogurt thoroughly.

Place the mixture on the dark spots of the skin.

This can also be used as a mask if placed on the face.

Leave it on the affected area for about half an hour before rinsing it off with clean water Towel to dry, repeat the process until you achieve the desired result.

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Interiors

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

Shimmering gold décor TIPS zz Since gold naturally casts a warm glow, consider pairing it with hottemp colours that neighbour it on the colour wheel. zz Metallic gold makes a fantastic partner for all shades of reds, rusty oranges and red-tone yellows, especially in rooms with formal features or global leanings. zz Think of golden silk pillows popping off a ruby red bedspread or metallic gold shelves advancing into view when placed against terracotta walls. zz Pay attention to the gold's tonal quality when using metallic shades in white-walled rooms or with pastel palettes as light gold accents may fade into the background.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

I

t is time to organise your rooms into eye-catching and good looking spaces. Metallic gold accessories, gilded fur nis hin gs, gol d-t hre ade d fabrics and shiny brass acc ents introduce a sense of luxury and shimmer to room designs.

Gold colour work especia well when set against deep-tolly backdrops and when partne ne with saturated sunset hue red s, rich jewel tones, and shadowy neu that allow their sparkle to trals really shine.

A lot of people don’t like to gold colour for decorating use interiors. Some think it’s tootheir tentious while others thin prek that it isn’t appropriate to the cho style, whereas there are also sen of people who are not afraid a lot to use gold for their interiors.

Gold is timeless, rich, adv turous and priceless. It symbolienwealth and power. It was alw ses the preference of celebrities ays and royalty.

You can make some small gold accents that will have a great imp on your interior without bein act g pretentious at all.

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29 October 2016

Former child stars young fans do not recognise p.21

ShowBiz

19 I can act nude if it’s relevant to the project – Yvonnes Hays p.34 Would you say there’s anything in particular that led you into acting?

It just came naturally, you know; it’s not like I was planning to start acting, but I knew that already I was acting. I did a lot of stage acting when I was younger, so you know whatever you like doing, you’ll always find yourself where it is done, isn’t it?

What was your earliest influence in acting?

I was always find myself in the midst of the people who do what I love to do. When I was on radio, I was employed as an announcer, but I was always acting. But I found the radio as a normal job, that if you do something else you will be paid for it. I enjoyed acting, there were other things I could do, but I preferred acting. Then I started acting in English, Pidgin English and Igbo language.

So, after my normal work as an announcer, I would just go over and do the other one and then get paid. At the end of the month, you thank God for everything, making more money than even your salary.

Men and women of your time said that there were certain jobs that were considered noble; law, medicine, engineering and or accountancy. Did your parents give you express permission to choose a career in acting?

My parents didn’t have any bad thoughts about what I chose to do because everybody knew I was inclined towards arts. Whenever we were together, it’s a very big family, I try to make everybody laugh, I try to create fun for everybody and you know I also cook. They know if there was an occasion for the family, I would always be found in the kitchen, if there was a burial I would always be found at the helm of affairs. They’d say, let Patience (my first name is Patience) do this, let Patience do that, because they know that if it’s left in my care, I would do it to the best of my knowledge. They couldn’t tell me to go and do medicine when they knew I was not very good in science. My parents felt anything you find yourself doing that is good, then it’s always good to do it well.

They were not very educated but they were not unexposed anyway.

y m h c t a w I n e h w p e e w I wicked roles in movie – Patience Ozokwor known as ‘Mama Gee’ married at 19 and Veteran actor, Patience Ozokwor, better d ailment became nightmarish. She live enjoyed matrimony until her husband’s ily, fam ut Abo 2. man passed on in 200 with the grim tale for 15 years before the n speaks with LANRE ODUKOYA. spia career and legacy, the Enugu-born the

What is the size of your family, I know you have a son who owns a record label?

Well, they are all outside the country, apart from my first son. My first son is in Nigeria, he is into politics; my last child is playing football and he is in training currently. My daughter lives in the UK with her family, the one you said is into music lives in London. He is in London doing his business and combining it with the one he’s doing in Nigeria. My adopted child is a pastor and the other ones are fine.

How many adopted kids do you have?

I have four, one died in March, he had blood infection and he couldn’t make it.

You didn’t say anything about your husband…

Oh, he was a mechanical engineer, he was a civil servant in Enugu, he was sick for a long time, for more than 15 years and he died, he passed on in 2002.

Oh, sorry about that. But aside preaching the word of God, what other things are you dedicated to?

So many things, those are the things that as Christians we don’t mention because the bible says that when you let out what you are doing, your reward will be here on earth, but if you leave it for God, he will pay you in Heaven. There are some things I’m doing CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

20 Showbiz

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29 October 2016

'How I've coped as a single mother for 14 years' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

here but when I pass on maybe today or tomorrow or next year or even years to come, I want people to remember me for being a peace maker because I hate bickering because the bible says that you should be at peace with your brother. Don’t end up in court because you don’t even know whether the judge is a Christian or not. So the best thing is try to settle everything with your neighbour. And the bible also says that “blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God”, at least to make peace between people who are having differences. I also love to help the poor in any way that I can and it’s also in the bible. I am better than a lot of widows and there is an adage in Igbo that says, if you are able to solve your problems alone you have not really done anything, begin to think of what you are able to do for people. That way you have affected their lives and it’s not giving them one naira, two naira today, give them food today and tomorrow, you employ them, you help them get something doing. Those are things I will be remembered for and also in the industry, I try to teach the younger ones. Sometimes when they want to shoot videos and they come on set, and they fidget because they’re working with someone a lot more experienced. I tell them to calm down, I try to encourage them, you know we are all after all still leraning at some point in our lives too. So, I try to help everybody that comes my way, impact their lives, I also

love to listen to people, you know if you don’t listen to people, you hardly get to know how you can start to help them. So, listening to people is one very big thing.

What’s been your experience as a single mother?

I cannot complain because God has been faithful. You know what it means to be married to a man who would later take ill for 15 years? He was in and out of coma and when you get out of coma, there’s no way you would be as strong as you were. So, I got quite used to doing things alone by the help of Al-

Ozokwor

mighty God, when my husband was even alive, his health didn’t allow him to do much.

How do you relax when you’re not on set?

I don’t think it’s time for me to rest yet.

The only rest that I’m getting is that if I’m not shooting, I’d just be in the house. Fortunately for me, I was not raised believing I have to go to Amaka’s house, Chinelo’s house and so on. I stay at home. I’m a food person too. I cook a lot. And I watch a lot of my movies, mine and others’. It’s just lately that I slowed down on reading novels. I loved to read novels.

Are there any of your movies you’ve watched that moved you to tears?

You want to know the one that moved me to tears about my characters? There are characters I’d played in movies and after watching them back at home, I just thanked God it wasn’t me- it was a character. Nearly all the movies where I played wicked roles made me cry because I remember what that character had done to somebody. I do these jobs to the best of my knowledge because I want to sit down at home, watch and cry over what I’m doing to people. There was a movie I did many years ago, it was titled Prophecy- what moved me to tears in that movie was that I was so wicked that I seized feeding bottle from the mouth of a new-born baby who lost his mother and I was supposed to be taking care of the baby. The baby was cry-

ing, I seized his feeding bottle and threw it away. I wept profusely, the director stopped shooting until I was able to control myself.

Then I summoned courage to continue. If someone had done it in real life, I would have exposed the fellow to the world to see. There was another one where I went to take my sister’s daughter from the village, what I did to the girl, if any human being can do it to a fellow human being, I don’t know what God would do to that person in turn. I met her in the kitchen, beat her so much that she fell down the stairs, rolled down and died from broken head and pains all over. I’d been playing wicked roles but those two movies are exceptionally horrible. I doubt that any human being would do that to anyone.

Do you have anybody who is your very close friend, the one you can 't go a day without talking to?

Like I earlier told you, I’m always on my own. But I have very good friends, it doesn’t mean I can't go a day or two without them. What if the person doesn’t want to talk to you at a particular point in time?

Chinyere Winfred and Ngozi Ezeonu are my very good friends. I have some who are not superstars but who are my friends too, as I’m in London now, I can call them and ask about what is happening in the industry and they’d just tell me. I have Andy Ike and Uche Nancy who are also my friends, they call me their mother.

When you were a young woman, what kind of spinster were you? Were you a happy-go lucky-girl who had the liberty to wear trousers and socialise like most girls?

I’m from a very strict Christian home.

We were not allowed to wear trousers and I was a member of the Christian Union. I did things boys could do because I was naturally a very energetic person. I could break firewood, and do other things but I wasn’t dressing like boys.

I had to quit acting to be well educated –Samuel Ajibola Do you remember that Samuel Ajibola, popularly known as an imbecile in ‘The Johnsons’ television series, was a highly celebrated kid actor, who featured in films like 'Tears for Love’, ‘Onome’ and ‘Conspiracy’? You don’t? Well, we’d just say go and sin no more because he’s grown so big now. In this interview with LANRE ODUKOYA, he speaks on his role in ‘The Johnsons’, why he took a breather from acting, and future plans.

How did you earn a role in ‘The Johnsons,’ the popular sitcom?

When I went for ‘Tinsel’ audition in 2010, I did what I was supposed to do and went home.Later, when they were in need of young people for a television series, they called me. I did not know anybody; I was chosen based on my performance at the audition ground, my talent. When they interviewed me, they were impressed. The truth is that many people do not know I started acting at a young boy in primary four. So, it is something that has been part of my entire life. If you remember movies like ‘Onome’ Part 2, ‘Conspiracy,’ ‘Day of Reckoning’ and the likes, those were the films that got me my award as the best kid actor at a time.

You started acting as a kid; haven’t you ever thought you have a stunted growth?

Yes, I was a very popular kid actor; everyone knew me. But at some point, acting began to clash with my education and my father asked me to take a break. In 2003, Benita Okojie and I went to Abuja for a polio programme because it was a disease afflicting to people of our age. I had the privilege to meet with the then Vice President, Abubakar Atiku as a young boy. I was always busy, leaving my parents with no choice than to stop me from acting. I loved it, so I could not control it. Though my parents were supportive at the beginning, they wanted me to concentrate on my education. They wanted me to face my studies, insisting I could come back when I was done with schooling. By 2009, when I was in the University of Lagos, the department of Political Science, I had changed from a kid actor to a young man and people did not know me anymore. That meant I had to start all over. But if something is in you, nobody can take it away from you. I returned

to the industry, gave my best and my best has brought me to where I am today.

In what ways has starring in ‘The Johnsons’ affected your life?

It has affected my life positively. We all know that we are going through difficult times in Nigeria. People are going through a lot of stress; there is no money and there are no jobs. When I meet people, they tell me I am the only reason they watch television. Whenever they have a stressful day, they watch the series. It makes them feel relaxed and it takes away the stress of the day.

Whenever people tell me I make them or their loved ones happy, I am happy, satisfied and fulfilled. Even though I am going through a bad day, I have no choice than to be happy.

What are your concerns for the industry?

Over the years, the industry has developed, though we have the bad and good influences. In the past, when a film comes out, everyone knows it. But today, we have so many producers. When you use N500, 000 to make a movie, another producer could make a movie for N5million. So, the industry has evolved and it is more challenging for actors as well. We work these days because we want to build a face that would take us to our goals. When you are not popular, it becomes hard to get roles.

It does not give opportunities to young good actors. Also, piracy has crippled the industry so much so that you can do your work with N10 million, someone else would make N100m off it. The

new Nollywood is thriving; we have discovered new ways. We are collaborating with Hollywood too, which can be seen in the kind of films we do.

How have you been able to cope with the demanding, competitive nature of Nollywood?

I am very hardworking. I am an ambitious person too; I do not like to settle for the second position or third. I want to do something that nobody has ever done before.

Who are your mentors?

We have good actors that I admire. But more often Nigerian actors tend to portray themselves instead of their characters, which is wrong. You would see the same person doing the same thing in different movies. We have a lot of A-list actors who do that and it does not mean they are not making money or not appreciated by their colleagues. But I like to do things that make me extremely different.

If I have to get a low cut to look different, I do. I change my voice for films.

How was growing up like?

I grew up in Surulere, Lagos. I have been living in Surulere since 1994. I am proud of the place and all my friends there. I also stay on the Island, but Surulere is always my home.

Are you into other things?

I am a model, a face model. I also anchor events.

Do you have a romantic tie with anyone?

I am currently not dating because I want to focus more on my work.

I want to be a better person; dating right now might be a distraction. As an actor or entertainer, you hardly have time for yourself.

When did you get your first kiss?

I cannot really remember.

But it was when I was about leaving secondary school. We were just having a discussion, then we kissed. It was an amazing experience.

Ajibola

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29 October 2016

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Former child stars young fans do not recognise The years are different depending on who you are focusing on but a decade or two ago, there were some popular young stars in the Nigerian entertainment scene. Famous for their movies or songs back then, Temitope Abiodun writes that young followers of the industry find it hard to recognise them today.

Ezeamaka

Adinma

Oguejiofor

Bunor Jnr

Okojie

Jegede

Uchembah

Mercy-Idowu

Sharon Ezeamaka Sharon was the little girl known for participation in Dear Mother having come into limelight at the tender age of two when she featured in a commercial for Peak. She was also the face of beverage drink, Bournvita, at a time and went on to feature in a number of movies including Narrow Escape.

She left the industry in pursuit of education abroad and later worked with FAB Magazine.

Now seeking a way back into the make-believe industry, she is currently acting in Shuga, the soap opera dedicated to the awareness of HIV/Aids playing the character known as Princess. Of course, she is now bigger and prettier, not many would be able to match her with the little girl of those days.

Somadina Adinma Somadina first appeared in the age-long movie, Blood Sisters in which he played the role of Omotola Jalade Ekeinde’s son alongside a girl-child facing the scourge of maltreatment from their stepmother, a role played by the still very relevant Genevieve Nnaji.

So good and emotional was his part in the movie, especially at the point where he and the girl hadto cry. It was gripping for many Nollywood followers who marked him out as one for the future. The young boy went on to study Theatre Arts at UNIZIK and he is back to featuring in Nollywood productions at the moment.

Now much older, handsome and ready to stake a claim for fame and fortune as an adult, we can only wish him well.

Chinenye Oguejiofor Like Somadina, Chinenye appeared in the movie, Blood Sisters, featuring Nollywood’s two leading ladies, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji. She went on to pursue a degree in the Department of Dental Surgery at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and should

be concluding her studies about now.

On the Nollywood front, she is back and trying to reclaim the glory days that defined her life as a child. But an unsavoury incident was registered in her name not long ago as she reportedly fought with another lady on the set of a movie.

Peter Bunor Jnr With the luck of bearing his popular father’s name, Peter Bunor Jnr is easy to pick out from the list of child actors. One of those who dazzled on the screens back in the 90s, he stopped acting around the age of 12, an action many linked to the death of his father.

However, while acknowledging the impact the sad incident had on him as a person, Junior made it known his belief that formal education should come before any other thing led him into leaving Nollywood for the ivory tower although he was quick to assure his fans he would come back when the time was right.

Benita Okojie Her song, ‘Osemudiame’ remains one of the most popular songs of the mid '90s and it still lives in the hearts of many Nigerians. That is Benita Okojie’s greatest claim to fame. Today, she is a graduate of English Language from the Reedeemer’s University and she is still involved in music. Her latest single is titled ‘Kabieyesi’ and it features Kenny Kore, one of the notable gospel acts and the song was released in February 2016.

According to many of her fans as a child music star, she hasn’t changed much, she maintains her slim frame but look far more mature and of course, much more beautiful.

Azeez Ijaduade Azeez, better known as Ola of the Jensinmi fame, notched his first movie role at just seven when he acted alongside his father, Waheed Ijaduade and his father’s partner and friend, Ebun Oloyede popularly known as Olaiya Igwe, in the Yoruba section of Nollywood.

That was way back, 1994 precisely and the movie turned out a classic. Ola went on to replicate the same in other movies as fantastic young acting talent and everyone made it a point of duty to predict he had a bright future ahead of him. Now an adult in his own right, it has not turned out as widely thought in his case. He is in the mix now as an actor and producer, but he is no way near the huge influence he commanded in those days. Fans keep wondering what happened to him and they keep hoping he can reproduce the charm once more.

Williams Uchembah Williams was an actor as a child but unlike others, he grew up and doesn’t seem to remember anything about it. His baby-face look remains a distinct feature but he is now a man who calls himself the CEO of Prothesis Entertainment. Not much of entertainment is known about him though, beyond making it known he is involved in philanthropy by giving out scholarships to about 20 people not long ago.

Tosin Jegede Along with Azeez Ijaduade and Benita Okojie, Tosin Jegede is easily among the most popular on this list. The 1980s child music prodigy was popular for the line: “Parents, listen to your children, they are the leaders of tomorrow” among others having started at just four years old.

Managed by her father then, Tosin achieved real success and released three well-received albums but took a break later to focus on education. She bagged a Business Decisions and Analysis degree from Bristol University in England.

The contract she signed back then with a recording label lapsed not long after but years after, Tosin is now into charity as she now owns a foundation and many wonder if she left music or the music left her.

Isosiyar Dokubo The son of veteran actor, Hilda Dokubo, Isosiyar is one of the kid actors in those days.

Call him one who broke into the limelight without meaning to or better still, planning to and you would not be wrong. While explaining how he got into the industry, he said he had followed his still active actor mother, Hilda Dokubo, to a location one day when the director asked him to read some lines which he did perfectly and that was how it started for him.

He was later to disappear from the screens about the same time as his mother which left many people wondering if it was deliberate.

While the reason for his mother’s break is well known, the same, however, cannot be said of Isosiyar. Today, he is a graduate of Information Technology and Business Information Systems from Middlesex University in England. Movies to his credit include Without Love, Angel, Dead End, Abandon, Burden and The Widow.

Chibuzom Mercy-Idowu (Chi Chi of Africa) About the biggest of them all in terms of the strength of her brand name, Chi chi of Africa started her musical career at the age of seven. Believed to have been well managed by her handlers, she is credited with releasing six albums as she became known in Nigeria and beyond. Fast forward to over 18 years later, Chichi is now an adult and leading a simple but focused life.

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Social Media Craze TravelTourism

29 October 2016

Trending

Gist

Photos Controversies

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Adedayo Odulaja

How Bobrisky forced Buhari’s aide, Alder Consulting staff to boycott Abuja conference

I Miss Anambra 2015 insists video is fake, says her life is in danger

P

erhaps what has been the most trending topic this week is the viral lesbian sex video featuring Miss Anambra 2015, Chidinma Okeke.

Following the viral video, Chidinma has continued to insist she is not the one in the video, accusing her detractors of having gone to a great length to doctor the visual content and make sure she is one of the two young women in it. With the lesbian sex tape scandal spinning out of control, Chidinma indicated her readiness to finally unmask the truth behind the sordid matter.

Vowing to expose the complicity of some top politicians and government officials believed to be behind her travails, she called a press conference billed for Awka, the Anambra State capital on Wednesday.

Scheduled to kick-off at 10am at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the briefing ended in confusion after information filtered in that some gunmen have been mobilised to attack the secretariat, leading assembled journalists to flee for their lives.

Taking to Facebook later, Chidinma wrote: “The moment I made public this intention to speak with journalists, I have been under threats by my blackmailers and

traducers.

“They are seriously threatening to shoot me at the press conference if I ever open my mouth to say the real truth about the ugly episode.

“Since I have no protection, and if I die now, the truth will be buried forever, it’s my intention to save not just myself but other girls and other upcoming pageant by letting the world know the truth and what we go through.”

According to her, those working against her have gone so far she would not be surprised if they release more videos anytime from now.

Speaking in the same vein, her counsel, Ikenna Obidiegwu, said the press briefing could not hold after he failed to provide security from police for the beauty queen.

Meanwhile, the Anambra Broadcasting Service, which organises the Miss Anambra Beauty Pageant, has released a statement about Chidinma and the controversial video.

“We wish to make the following clarifications – the said Miss Chidinma Okeke who is allegedly linked to the lurid content in circulation has served-out her term as Miss Anambra 2015 and handed over the crown in line with the terms and conditions of The Miss Anambra pageant."

Osas Ighodaro marks first birthday as a mother

W

ednesday was the birthday of stunning Nollywood star, Osas Ighodaro-Ajibade. The former beauty queen and TV star took to Instagram to wish herself a happy birthday, posting a childhood photo of herself to mark the day. According to her, what made the birthday extra special this year is the fact that it is her first as a mother.

”Happy Birthday to me for real! First bday as a mama and it’s beautiful! Gosh, thanks for all the love ya’ll… I am completely overwhelmed overwhelmed overwhelmed by all the love thus far!!! Chai, God bless you all so much!!

XoxoxoxoxO#HappyBirthdaytoMe #October26#GodisGreat,” she captioned the photo.

t has been been an interesting week on the social media circuit in Nigeria and most of the attention has been focused on a certain young man known as Bobrisky.

Born Idris Okuneye, Bobrisky claims to be Nigeria’s ‘male Barbie’.

It all began with the withdrawal of Bashir Ahmad, Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media and Subomi Plumptre of Alder Consulting from a New Media Citizens and Governance Conference billed to hold in Abuja on Thursday.

Apart from Ahmad, others slated to be part of the event included Femi Falodun of ID Africa and Plumptre of Alder Consulting.

However, Bashir was the first to pull out and although he didn’t state the reasons for pulling out, many feel it is as a result of Bobrisky’s perception as a gay Nigerian.

This is not entirely difficult to know as the said Bobrisky has often boasted about a certain ‘rich bae’ on social media believed to be his gay partner although he has openly denied being gay because it is a crime in Nigeria and Nigerians seem intolerant of gays.

Following Bahir’s decision to boycott the event, Plumptre of Alder Consulting, the consulting Firm led by popular motivational speaker, Leke Alder, who was also scheduled to speak at the conference put together by EIE Nigeria.

Subomi, who declined to attend the conference via a press release from Alder Consulting also took to Twitter to apologise to the organisers over her inability to attend the conference, writing: “@EiENigeria @BashirAhmaad @Hephef Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend the @EIENigeria New Media Conference as this is not the panel I was originally invited to.”

Also a press conference from the firm reads: “From time to time members of staff of Alder Consulting get invited to speak at events or moderate panels. The Enough is Enough Nigeria New Media Conference inviting Subomi Plumptre to moderate a panel was therefore nothing out of the ordinary.

“Subomi Plumptre’s agreement to participate was vetted within the organisation alongside Alder’s corporate risk assessment parameters. Our parameters include the quality which fit with the organisation’s vision, mission, values & ethos and the quality of the panel. Our parameters also include the seriousness of the event, the credibility of the organisers and the effect on our brand and employees.

“Subomi agreed to participate based on these parameters and the panel originally sent to her did not include Idris Okuneye (Bobrisky). Subomi only learnt of the change to the panel like everyone else on Twitter at which she called EIE Nigeria about the change in panel composition.

Bobrisky

“Such a change disqualifies Subomi Plumptre from participating and she has formally withdrawn from the event. The inclusion of Bobrisky unfortunately sensationalises & radicalises what should otherwise be a serious discourse on new approaches to media. Subomi Plumptre has asked EIE Nigeria to make a statement on their social media platforms. We do hope such will be made.

“As an Executive Member of Alder, Subomi Plumptre cannot participate in this event as it violates the brand values she’s a custodian of. This is without prejudice to individual rights or the right of EIE Nigeria to compose seminar panels as the organisation deems fit. Neither does it take away from the laudable objectives of EIE Nigeria which Alder has demonstrably supported over the years.”

The trending issue, which drew over 12,000 tweets on Wednesday, has forced Bobrisky to hit out while making it clear he cares less about their absence as the conference will go on with or without them.

“I’m not bothered about it one bit. the event organisers actually called me, they sent me an email inviting me, so that tells me that they want me so If anybody says they don’t want me there, I’m not bothered.

The organisers actually called me and told me that they would do what they did and they said that I shouldn’t listen to anybody because they want me there,” he said.

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Feature

29 OCTOBER 2016

Molete Basic Health Centre.

Inset: Akure MCH

Folake

Agbebiye

Safely stepping into motherhood For most women, especially married ones, pregnancy comes with a sense of fulfilment. Yet, it sometimes presents with some medical challenges resulting in certain circumstances that may lead to the death of either mother or child or both. But, the situation is changing, as ISIOMA MADIKE, who visited some communities in Ondo State recently, tells the story of how Agbebiye initiative has made pregnancy less precarious

F Philomena

Isioma madike

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

olake Bamidele, a heavily pregnant mother of two, was waiting to go through a caesarean section for her third child. She is an indigene of Osun State but resides in Ondo town, Ondo State. The two previous experiences were horrible. According to her, “God brought me back from the land of the dead.”

Folake had the two earlier births in the home of a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA). The first was without problems. But, the second was a narrow escape from death. “I had a little complication which the attendant could not handle, and was rushed at the point of death to a primary health centre around my neighbourhood. The matron thereafter referred me to the Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) when she could

not handle the case.

“Doctors at the government hospital battled for hours to save my life and that of the baby. I was literally dead for days. My husband, a poor farmer, almost ran mad. He was happy that his son and I were saved, but he agonised over how to pay the expected medical bill,” recounted Bamidele with a charming smile to Saturday Telegraph while she waited to undergo her caesarean section in the midst of other patients.

The husband did not have to worry however as the hospital authorities told him there was no bill to be afraid of.

“Care for pregnant mothers is free here.

Our duty is to make sure lives are not lost. To us here, pregnancy should not be a death sentence,” said one of the doctors that attended to Bamidele.

What her husband heard was too good to be true. Yet, her case is not an isolated one. Many other women had benefitted from this gesture, even from outside the state. Philomena Akpenegbeowo, an indigene of Edo State, is one of such women. Her story was equally interesting.

“I put to bed yesterday (October 14) and I gave birth to a baby girl. This is my second child. I had my first child here in this hospital two and half years ago. I came back to have my second child because the services rendered here are of standard. I am more comfortable here because there are capable hands. The person who introduced this place to me almost lost her life continued on page 24

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29 OCTOBER 2016

c o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 2 3

while giving birth to her third child at a TBA’s house; she however lost the child.

“From beginning to the end, we were attended to like a family. Much care was shown both by doctors and nurses. From the antenatal period, they appeared like counsellors with words of encouragements. The environment is friendly and their uniforms, fascinating. There is distinction in uniforms for proper recognition and identification so as not to confuse them. It is more than a hospital here,” Akpenegbeowo said, cuddling her bundle of joy at the MCH in the Ondo State capital, Akure.

A Lagos resident, Ifeanyi Nwoba, has her story as well. She heard of the MCHs and decided to take advantage of the services the hospitals render. When it became obvious that there were complications with her pregnancy, which were revealed in the scan she did, she moved to Akure where her sister-in-law resides.

“I had to temporarily relocate because we are poor and could not afford the exorbitant fee charged for undergoing a caesarean section. My sisterin-law then convinced my husband to allow me leave for Akure before it was too late. I thank God everything went well and you can’t believe we paid a paltry sum for everything. It was a wonderful experience,” she said.

Indeed, it was all testimonies across the state communities and that is the intention of Agbebiye initiative, to put smiles on the faces of mothers. But the women are not the only ones testifying; the health personnel are also not left out. For instance, an obstetric gynaecologist at the MCH, Akure, Dr. Giwa Adeniyi, said his hospital recorded less than five deaths all through 2015 from over 5,000 deliveries. “I believe this to be a tremendous improvement on what has been on ground in the past,” he stated.

A senior nurse, who has been with the hospital since inception, Mrs Toba Ladi, also told Saturday Telegraph, that the initiative had achieved a lot because of its penetration in the local areas. For Mrs Adunola Olorunshola, also a nurse with the state hospital, “the programme has been a blessing not only to Ondo women but to Nigeria as a whole.”

While another nurse, who works at the antenatal section of the Ondo MCH, Ijatunye Elizabeth, said Agbebiye revolution had succeeded in wiping out the tears of many Nigerian mothers.

Agbebiye initiative, according to the state government that introduced it, was conceptualised to partner with the TBAs and Mission House Birth Attendants (MHBAs) in the race to completely reduce maternal mortality to zero. The expression was coined from Agbebi, a Yoruba word for traditional home birth attendants.

The initiative is a rider on the successful Abiye project. It was launched on September 4, 2014, and instantly became a component of the Safe Motherhood programme of the state government. It is aimed at further reducing the maternal mortality rate drastically in the state. It is a primary health care model principally driven by community, using both carrot and stick principle in ensuring adherence and compliance.

However, it is not all about the indigent in the community alone as patronage of traditional birth attendants cut across educational and socio-economic strata in the society.

It is, indeed, a socio-cultural belief.

The appeal of the initiative made the traditional birth attendants to refer all their pregnant clients to the health facilities where skilled birth attendants are available. This was done in exchange for a token of N2,000 per

Olorunsola

‘To women, it is a wish, a heart cry’ delivery of the pregnant women in the facility. To sustain this, the government ensured that the TBAs and MHBAs are not completely wiped out of the system without giving them a replacement job and an exit package.

They were promised vocational skill acquisition training on soap and disinfectant (Izal) making, hat and bead making, catering services, tie and dye (Adire) making. After the training, they are subsequently given micro-credit soft loans of N100,000 at no interest to establish new businesses. Those that complied, some of who spoke to Saturday Telegraph, confirmed that they had already benefited from the incentive.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, explained the concept of carrot and stick concept. Carrot, he said, involves cash reward, vocational skills acquisition training and micro-credit soft loan. Stick strategy on the other hand is about sealing illegal facilities and detention of TBAs and MHBAs at the police station and prosecution for non-compliance.

“Carrot and stick emanates mainly from the fact that it takes advantage of two of the most basic human emotions – desire and fear. To be more explicit, carrot scores a direct hit on desires and stick does the same on fear,” Adeyanju added.

The initiative recorded over 362 referrals within six months. Within the same period, four set of twins, a set of triplet and a set of quadruplet were delivered. Among those referred by the TBAs and MHBAs, there was no single maternal death with 99 per cent neonatal survival. Facility utilisation was said to have increased by 20.4 per cent in the primary health centres and there was a reduction in the facility utilisation of the apex tertiary hospital.

This, Adeyanju, said was achieved because of the early and prompt referral of the pregnant women to the primary health care facilities and General Hospitals were safe deliveries were carried out without complications.

Most cases recorded in the MCHs before the emergence of Agbebiye initiative, the health commissioner added,

were mainly due to complications during labour and delivery owing to delays from the TBAs and MHBAs. This, he said, had been able to reduce facility maternal mortality ratio from 223 per 100,000 live births to 187 per 100,000 live births. The situation before then showed an unacceptable maternal mortality ratio of 742 per 100,000 live births, according to facility based statistics. This, according to the 2008 Demographic Health Survey, was worse than then national average of 545 per 100,000 live births.

At present, the initiative, the health commissioner said, had been able to reduce maternal mortality by a conservative estimate of over 50 per cent.

Dr. Olawale Oyeneyin, Consultant Gynaecologist/Obstetrician and pioneer Chief Medical Director of MCH, Akure, noted that talking about these situations would not effectively drive home the point to the people, but watching them happen makes better sense. This may be the reason he flashed the data that came up in one of the documentaries to show that 114 maternal deaths out of 4, 500 were traced to the TBAs/MHBAs. He thereafter stated that the MCH had become a learning centre for Obstetricians beyond the shores of Nigeria.

In the beginning

This revolution started with Abiye, a Yoruba literal translation of safe motherhood. But, among the Ondo women, it is much more. To them, it is a wish, a concept, heart cry, and a prayer answered. It is born out of the determination, according to Adeyanju, to ensure that “when we say Abiye to our mothers on their way to the labour room, they actually come back alive with the babies. It is a guarantee that our women and mothers who are the source of life and the spine of any economy are not wasted in the course of bringing forth life.”

Findings have shown that before Abiye, only 16 per cent of the women who go for antenatal return for facility delivery. That means that the other 84 per cent of these have no means of being tracked. The danger was that the health authorities could not ascertain the level of skills of the people that attended to such women or safety of the equipment used.

This may be the reason the first target was to keep track of the women by creating a register for pregnant women and assigning them to individual community health workers. The pregnant women were given prepaid mobile phones to help them access their health care providers. The authorities then

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

Interview

Oshonaike: Nigerian sport in state of emergency p.27

Sport Splash

Global

25

London boils as Tottenham welcome Leicester p.28

Super Eagles' captain Mikel (right)

Agali raises the alarm over Algeria …says North Africans dangerous, tricky •Wants early goals

F

Charles Ogundiya

Agali

The Team Ajibade Olusesan l Co-ordinator

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

ormer Super Eagles striker, Victor Agali, has raised the alarm ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against the Fennec Foxes of Algeria on November 12, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. The former Hansa Rostock of Germany striker expressed fear over the pattern of play of the North Africans.

“It is going to be a tough game, the North Africans love to keep possession as long as possible and catch their opponents unawares,” he said.

“They are also good defensively, it is a game we need to be very careful about, everybody must be patient including the fans because it is going to be a tough match for the Super Eagles.

“If we can get an early goal, that will be good for us because as long as it stay goalless, it will become difficult for the Super Eagles which is what I am really scared about.”

He added that the coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, had brought unity back to the team while also applauding the coach’s belief in youths.

Agali expressed optimism on the future of the national team un-

der the German coach who he described as an experienced tactician.

He said: “We have been able to see what the coach can do; the players are beginning to get their confidence back which is what the players need now.

“Apart from the fact that he is a German coach, I played under him when I joined Nice in France; he has the mentality of keeping the team together.

“If you look at the team now, there is unity which is unprecedented in recent times; I just pray the victory continues so that the fear factor surrounding the Super Eagles can return.”

The former Schalke 04 of Germany striker added that Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and other young players currently making wave in the Super Eagles were what the team need to get back to the top.

He advised the older players struggling to make it to the national team to give way to the younger ones and allow them grow to become stars.

“The current players in the team have shown that they can do it for us. The older ones should be able to know when to leave the stage and allow these youngsters get into the team; when I was not feeling good playing for the national team again, I opted out and that’s the way others should take it.

“It should not be about them but about the country as a whole.

By giving the younger players opportunities, they build on their confidence and gradually experience sets in.”

Sport

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

Nigerian League Rendezvous

BY CHARLES OGUNDIYA

How feasible is Dec resumption date

T

he League Management Company is looking at starting the 2016/2017 league season in December but how feasible the date is remains the question.

LMC chairman, Shehu Dikko, has said that the new Nigeria league season will commence in December, citing the country’s clubs playing on the continent as a major reason.

"We need to start the league on time so as

S

to put our teams participating on the continent in competition mood,” Dikko said.

Rangers International of Enugu emerged champions of the just concluded season after 32 years, Rivers United and Wikki Tourists came second and third respectively.

Rangers and Rivers United qualified for CAF Champions League, while Wikki and winners of Nigeria's domestic cup competition, Federation Cup, will play in Confederations Cup.

But there are so many cases still unattended to which might delay the start of the new season especially clubs owing their players.

The recession in the country has really affected the clubs and it will take great planning for them to be ready in two months’ time.

Some of the clubs lost their coaches at the end of the season while some players will be looking for greener pasture ahead of the new one.

Scouts, coaches storm NLO Super 8 for talents

couts and coaches of some of the top clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League and the Nigeria National League have turned the Agege Stadium, venue of the Bet9ja Nationwide League One Super 8, to home as they search for players to beef up their team ahead of the new season.

Coach of Lagos-based MFM FC, Fidelis Ilechukwu, was seen at the venue while scouts of clubs like IfeanyiUbah, Kano Pillars, Prime FC, newly promoted Remo Stars

and others have been talking to players who they have discovered as potential future talent.

The secretary of the NLO, Olusola Ogunnowo, told League Rendezvous that the essence of the Super 8 was to expose some of the players to top clubs.

“People are not aware of the level of talents in the Nationwide League, but the Super 8 is an opportunity to expose them,” Ogunnowo said.

“Even before the start of the competition, we have received letters from some clubs that they are coming to see potential talents.

“Hopefully, the players can take full advantage of the opportunity given to them through this tournament.”

He added that the level of play in the nationwide had improved and expects the eight teams that qualified to play in the NNL next season will be good ambassador of the NLO.

Abdullahi wants more from LMC

C

oach of relegated Nigeria Professional Football League side, Warri Wolves, Mansur Abdullahi, has called on the League Management Company to do more for the league ahead of the new season.

The coach applauded the LMC for a wonderful job during the concluded season but said there is room for improvement.

“The league has improved but unfortunately some people are trying to reverse the success, but God will not let them,” he said.

“It is not easy for La Liga to identify with Nigeria if they didn’t see something good in our league; last year we didn’t have such but now we have it, the LMC has done theirs and hopefully this will further improve the league.

If we also look at the concluded season, there was a lot of drama, we didn’t even know who would be relegated and also who would win the league until the final day of the season. So many things have changed. I pray things continue to change and that we get more results.

“We cannot relent and I have to give kudos to the Shehu Dikko led LMC for a wonderful job, but they can do more.”

On his next destination after the relegation of Warri Wolves, Abdullahi said he was waiting for the management of the Seasiders for their plans.

According to him, there was assurance before the end of the season for him to continue as the coach of the team, but everything is yet to be sorted out.

Ezeji

League action between Ikorodu United and MFM FC

Adepoju, Amapakabo, Osunwa to play in Ezeji testimonial

E

x-internationals, Mutui Adepoju, Imama Amapakabo and Kelechi Osunwa, have given their word that they will play in Victor Ezeji’s Testimonial in December.

Adepoju played in three World Cup finals for Nigeria, 1994, 1998 and 2002 as well as the AFCON in 1992, 1994 and 2000.

Adepoju, who is now a LaLiga Ambassador in Nigeria said over the weekend that he has been invited and will play in the testimonial.

“I heard about the testimonial and I must say I am impressed with what Ezeji achieved as a footballer,” he said.

“Twenty years in the topflight is not easy anywhere in the world and I will support him by playing in the game.”

Amapakabo who was captain of Sharks when Ezeji joined the team in 1996 and now coach of Enugu Rangers, also said he would play in the game on December 10.

Another ex-international who has given his word that he will play in the testimonial is Sudan-based goal king, Osunwa.

Osunwa was Ezeji’s strike partner at Dolphins in 2004 and 2005 and will be in Port Harcourt holidaying at the time.

Osunwa was a member of Nigeria’s 2001 U-17 team and was top scorer in the Africa Championships but did not make it to the World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago.

Osunwa went on to play for Bright Stars Academy, Dolphins, EL Hilal and El Merreikh in Sudan.

Gusau tasks corporate bodies to invest in NLO C hairman of the Nationwide League, Musa Gusau, has called on corporate bodies to invest in the league so as to develop football at the grassroots.

While expressing his happiness at the successful end to the Nationwide League One season, the Nigeria football Federation board member told League Rendezvous in Lagos that the market is there for the companies to explore.

According to him, with a club in virtually all the local government in

the country, they can easily tap into the available market.

“I am satisfied with the successful end to the season. Throughout we only had about three or four cases of disciplinary issues which were thrashed out,” he said.

“We are calling on corporate organisations to come to the aid of the Nationwide League because that is where the market is.

“It is the only league that is scattered everywhere in the country and available

in every locality, so if you invest in the league, you rest assured of visibility in every part of the country.

“We are doing our best to get sponsors and I am happy that we finished the league successfully.”

The NFF Chairman of Chairmen applauded the title sponsor of the NLO Super 8, Bet9ja and all the other partners of the competition.

He called on them to extend the sponsorship to the league as a whole and not stop at the Super 8 level alone.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

Tell us about the standard at the ongoing African table Tennis Championship taking place in Morocco. Are things getting better in Africa?

The game is developing better every day in Africa and so I am not surprised with the skills exhibited by players here. All the players have improved tremendously and they are ready to beat the best. Other countries are now giving Nigeria and Egypt a good fight both in the singles and team events. However, Table Tennis is not so popular in Morocco and that is evident because the hall is virtually empty almost every day including the final day for the team events. No crowd presence to energize the players You are in the competition as the only female, how does it feel when South Africa walked over Nigeria?

I was very shocked! It was like a nightmare and I felt so angry and devastated. I never expected that to happen. That will go down as one of the most disappointing moments for me in my career. The frustrating aspect is the fact that those who walked us over are players I could have beaten easily even if one of my hands was tied to my back.

You went on social media to let out your frustration. Why did you do so this time because the comments you made were unusual ‌ I just got tired of what's happening in sports in Nigeria and I want some of my fans and the lovers of Table Tennis to know how they are killing the sport I love so much in Nigeria. It's unusual of me though but I have a lot on my mind and I think Nigeria has pushed me now to the wall and I can't just continue with this situation anymore. The young ones are looking up to me to help salvage their future and save the situation. I

Oshonaike

Sport

t r o p s n a i r e g i N Oshonaike: y c n e g r e m e f o in state MI on the e with ADEKUNLE SALA ok sp , ike na ho Os e nk Fu n, cided to stand up African Table Tennis quee untry and why she has de co e th in me ga e th of ils prospects and trava for the young ones this is not the first time of expe-

have no choice than to stand up for the younger ones and for the game.

The issue of money is fast becoming a constant threat to the development of the game. How can the country get over this?

I really don't know how difficult it is but it used to be good and if they don't understand, they should ask the people that did it well before. Nigeria is very rich and I think the government should put the right people that know how the job is done to take over, and the issue of sponsorship should be handled with seriousness. If the government cannot give us money, they can help the federation to get the commitment of corporate organisations. If we continue to say no money almost every time, the game will die In your comment after the walk over you said you had lost hope in Nigerian sports. Really?

Yes, because

We have a lot of quality and talented players in Nigeria but they are not given the opportunity to showcase their talents

riencing this no money situation and those in authority are not ready to learn or change things.

They just don't care but the game is suffering. Looking at the future one will pity Nigeria and the younger ones because our competitors are more serious.

They are developing everyday with modern techniques and good planning. What we have as advantage are the talents. Sad enough, the talents are not been exposed and catered for. We are in a very difficult situation and there is need for emergency in sports, that is the situation we find ourselves. Athletes generally need encouragement that that is lacking from the top.

Look at how footballers are being pampered. Some people administered the game better before; those there now should go and ask questions on how to get it right. I pity the younger ones because their future is being mortgaged. I look ahead and I see nothing for the game. You have to invest in the sport to get results.

What is your role in Morocco especially during the team event since Nigeria did not take part?

Were you all out to support the men’s team or you stayed back in the hotel?

My first role here before Segun Toriola joined us was to coach the entire

27

team. I was the one telling them what to do before Toriola took over and I went to cheer from the stands to support the boys. They gave their all in the team event.

It was a tough match but we narrowly lost in the final 3-2 to Egypt. I am so proud of the players because they put in their best against a more coordinated and organised side. The difference between both countries was not much at all but they were luckier.

What is the way forward for female table tennis in Nigeria?

Are there quality players coming up?

We have a lot of quality and talented players in Nigeria but they are not given the opportunity to showcase their talents.

NTTF President, Enitan Oshodi, is doing a lot about that but we need the government to do their own part too by getting involved in concrete terms. Because there are no competitions at junior level, it is difficult to see and evaluate those coming behind.

We don’t get to see them often.

Tell us about the prospects of Table tennis in Nigeria especially with the emergence of Aruna Quadri as one of the best players in the world.

As I said earlier, the game has improved in Nigeria but the players do not have enough competition to further boost their talent and help them to gain more competitive exposure. In our time, we played many junior competitions when I was in secondary school but now nothing like that. At senior level, we played between eight and 10 national competitions every year and we were also certain to travel for at least four competitions outside Nigeria. With such template, you are bound to improve. That time we sweep the seven medals at stake in Africa.

Other countries fight for silver including Egypt because two Nigerians may even be in final to fought for the gold medal.

It happened that way in both the male and female categories. I am very optimistic we can get back to that level if the current president has the support of government to get sponsors and raise money to help the young ones and the sport in general. Let me add that the emergence of Aruna is a positive signal that could motivate many of the young players to w o r k hard because it is clear that despite all the problems we face one can forge ahead to win an Olympic medal. Aruna proved that to us all at the Rio Games.

B

eal Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is under pressure to break up his misfiring attacking trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale when he takes the La Liga leaders to Alaves on Saturday.

Zidane's first choice forwards have managed a combined nine goals this term, with Ronaldo making his worst ever start to a season in a Real shirt, netting twice in six league games.

The trio sat out the thumping 7-1 win over Cultural Leonesa in the King's Cup on Wednesday as Alvaro Morata and Marco Asensio each scored twice to become Real's top scorers with six goals in all competitions while Lucas Vazquez also impressed.

Morata scored a late winner against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday to put Real top of La Liga and Zidane has repeatedly been questioned as to why the young forwards have only been given nine starts in total this term.

Last month the Frenchman angered his critics by declaring that Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo, nicknamed the 'BBC', would always start when fit.

This week he again admitted his preference for the trio, who cost Real a combined 239 million euros ($260.96 million).

"I have three phenomenal players who are going to be very important for me," Zidane said on Tuesday.

"The rest may play

R

Madrid's misfiring 'BBC' under pressure

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were piling up. ch Roger To make matters worse coa ch on ben the on be t no ll wi Schmidt a two-match Saturday as he sits out attack on his bal ver a for n suspensio in last week's rt rpa Hoffenheim counte .

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erate for success Crisis-hit Leverkusend, WVfolLfsbtorurRugdideVospeller admitting mistakes

F

ollowing three draws and a defeat in their last four matches in all competitions, Tottenham welcome the Premier League champions to White Hart Lane on Saturday afternoon.

Failure to beat Leicester would confirm the north Londoners' longest winless streak under Mauricio Pochettino, and while his side are still well placed domestically and in Europe, there is the chance of some pressure building on the Argentine coach.

The Foxes, meanwhile, have begun the defence of their remarkable title in underwhelming fashion with 11 points from a possible 27, although in the Champions League they are flying with three wins from three.

Another victory in Copenhagen on Wednesday would confirm their place in the knockout stages, and as he did before their last European game, manager Claudio Ranieri might be tempted to rest players domestically.

Of course Tottenham too have Champions League commitments on Wednesday at home to Bayer Leverkusen, a game which could go a long to deciding their fate in the competition, so it is logical to suggest that both teams have other concerns apart from this game.

Spurs have by far the tightest defence in the Premier League, having conceded just four goals, only one of which has come from open play.

The capital club however are clearly missing their top scorer from last season Harry Kane, with the side having scored just one goal in their last three matches. The England international is back in training but hadn't been in sparkling form in the early stages of the season before being sidelined.

Kickoff: 3:00pm

as Tottenham welcome Leicester

London boils

Moyes

S

Moyes' men no match for the Gunners

H

aving bounced back from their humiliating 4-0 defeat

by Chelsea with an EFL Cup derby win in midweek, Manchester United will look to get their Premier League campaign back on track

Man United look to get campaign back on track

Mata

underland's search for their first Premier League win of the season continues when the Black Cats play host to in-form Arsenal.

David Moyes' men have picked up a paltry two points from their opening nine league fixtures thus far this term; the Wearsiders already find themselves rooted to the foot of the table, five points from safety, while Sunderland's latest defeat - a 1-0 loss against Southampton in the EFL Cup - will have done nothing to lift morale in the camp.

As such, it is imperative that Sunderland start to pick up points sooner rather than later and the Moyes would love to see his charges kickstart their campaign with a win against Arsene Wenger's men.

Arsenal, though, come into this clash on the back of a 13-match unbeaten run and, despite being forced to settle for a share of the spoils against Middlesbrough last weekend, the Gunners will be confident of moving to the Premier League summit - for a few hours, at least - with a victory.

Global Football Special www.newtelegraphonline.com

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28

Sport SATURDAY

29 OCTOB

No Clubs 1 Juventus 2 Roma 3 SSC Napoli 4 AC Milan 5 Lazio 6 Atalanta 7 Torino 8 Genoa 9 Chievo 10 Inter 11 Fiorentina 12 Bologna 13 Sassuolo 14 Cagliari 15 Sampdoria 16 Udinese 17 Pescara 18 Palermo 19 Empoli 20 Crotone

SERIE A

TABLE

No Clubs 1 Man City 2 Arsenal 3 Liverpool 4 Chelsea 5 Tottenham 6 Everton 7 Man United 8 Southampton 9 Watford 10 B’mouth 11 Palace 12 Leicester 13 West Brom 14 Burnley 15 West Ham 16 Stoke City 17 Boro 18 Hull City 19 Swansea 20 Sunderland

Pts 20 20 20 19 19 15 14 13 12 12 11 11 10 10 10 9 7 7 5 2

P Pts 10 24 10 22 10 20 10 19 10 18 10 16 10 15 9 15 10 15 10 14 9 13 10 13 10 13 10 13 10 11 9 10 10 7 9 6 10 6 10 2

P 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

Premier league

LA LIGA

Clubs

P 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

Pts 20 18 17 16 15 14 14 12 11 11 10 8 8 7 7 6 2 2

21 20 19 19 18 15 13 13 12 12 12 11 10 10 9 8 8 8 6 3

P Pts

Rory McIlroy took encouragement from how quickly he adjusted to using new clubs during an up-and-down start at the WGC-HSBC Champions.

The world No 3 was using a TaylorMade driver and 3-wood in Shanghai as part of his search for new equipment, following Nike's announcement in August they would limit their golf production to clothing and shoes.

Rory McIlroy

SPORT BRIEFLY

out the best in Higuain last season, gave a lighthearted answer when asked about the meeting with his former marksman, who has scored six league goals for Juventus so far.

"Higuain did well with me and was always hard working in training. How will I greet him on Saturday? In the same way that a father would with a son who made him angry," he said after Wednesday's 2-0 win over Empoli.

Napoli fans, however, have been less forgiving; clearly feeling betrayed by a player who in May said how much he enjoyed playing for their club.

"This season I have felt the love. I feel loved here more than I did at any other club I've been," Higuain said.

EPL Saturday

FIXTURES

SATURDAY

Bundesliga

SATURDAY

La Liga

8:45pm Palmas v Celta Vigo

6:30pm Betis v Espanyol

4:15pm Bilbao v Osasuna

12pm Eibar v Villarreal

SUNDAY

7:45pm Barcelona vGranada

5:30pm Atletico v Malaga

3:15pm Alaves v Madrid

12pm Gijon v Sevilla

James DeGale says he will beat Badou Jack to prove he is the best super-middleweight on the planet.

"This is the best fighting the best and this fight will prove who's the best in the division - and I believe I am the number one super-middleweight on the planet," he told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview.

James DeGale

8:45pm Sampdoria v Inter

3pm Lazio v Sassuolo

3pm Empoli v Roma

3pm Crotone v Chievo

3pm Milan v Pescara

12:30pm Atalanta v Genoa

SUNDAY

7:45pm Juventus v Napoli

5pm Bologna v Fiorentina

SATURDAY

Serie A

2:30pm Augsburg v Bayern 12:30pm Sunderland v Arsenal 2:30pm Darmstadt v Leipzig 3pm Man United vBurnley 2:30pm Mainz v Ingolstadt 3pm M’brough v Bournemouth 2:30pm Bremen v Freiburg 3pm Tottenham v Leicester 2:30pm Wolfsburg v Leverkusen 3pm Watford v Hull City 5:30pm Dortmund v Schalke 04 3pm West Brom v Man City 3:30pm 5:30pm Palace v Liverpool Frankfurt v Mainz 5:30pm SUNDAY SUNDAY 3:30pm Hoffenheim v Berlin 2:30pm Everton v West Ham 5:30pm Cologne v Hamburger 5pm Southampton v Chelsea

Aguero

when Burnley visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho’s men have won just one of their last six league fixtures but are 1/5 (1.20) favourites with Betway to return to form by coming out on top here.

The Clarets scored a last-minute winner to see off Everton last time out and can also be looking forward to recording back-to-back EPL victories for the first time since November 2014.

While it may only have come in a competition usually held in fairly low regard by many of the bigger clubs, Wednesday’s win over Manchester City could not have been more welcome for the Red Devils.

After the shambles of their last league match against Chelsea, victory against their local rivals will have done plenty to boost morale and gone some way to making the four-goal defeat look like more of a mere blip.

BER 2016

Motorport journalists agree that Fernando Alonso is still the best driver in F1.

That is the claim of Manuel Franco, the correspondent for the Spanish sports daily AS. He says he consulted nine fellow correspondents who cover Formula 1 full-time from seven different countries - Britain, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Spain and France.

Higuain

onzalo Higuain will face former club Napoli for the first time on Saturday since his acrimonious departure for Juventus, adding even more spice to the fierce rivalry between the two sides.

The brooding Argentine scored a record 36 league goals for Napoli last season as he led them to the runners-up spot behind Juventus who won a fifth successive Serie A title.

But instead of staying on to lead another attempt by Napoli to end Juve's recent domination, he triggered a 90 million euro ($98.31 million) buyout clause in his contract, which had two years still to run, and moved to the Turin club.

Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri, who brought

G

aving made a sensational start to the season that saw Manchester City win each of their opening 10 games in all competitions, Pep Guardiola's side have now gone six matches without a win following Wednesday's EFL Cup defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Despite their disappointing dip in form, the men from Manchester come into this weekend's round of matches on top of the Premier League table by virtue of their superior goal difference, but having picked up just two points from their last three topflight fixtures, Guardiola and his charges will be acutely aware of the importance of taking maximum points from the trip to the Hawthorns.

The men from Manchester have been utterly dominant in this fixture in recent years, winning all but one of the last 12 meetings between the teams, while the Baggies have failed to record a Premier League win against City since 2008.

City were in free-scoring form at the start of the season, but the goals have dried up recently, with Guardiola's side scoring just two goals in their last five fixtures and the Baggies could prove to be tough to break down.

Pulis' side have conceded just 10 goals so far this season - the best defensive record of any side in the bottom half of the Premier League table - but City will have fond memories of this fixture, having scored three times in five of the last six meetings between t h e sides.

H

Man City seek redemption at Hawthorns

Higuain at the centre of Juve-Napoli war

Ronaldo

Fernando Alonso

BUNDESLIGA

No Clubs 1 Bayern 2 Leipzig 3 Hertha 4 Hoffenheim 5 Cologne 6 Dortmund 7 Frankfurt 8 Freiburg 9 Mainz 05 10 M’gladbach 11 Leverkusen 12 Augsburg 13 Darmstadt 14 Schalke 15 Bremen 16 Wolfsburg 17 Ingolstadt 18 Hamburger

1 Real Madrid 2 Sevilla 3 Barcelona 4 Villarreal 5 Atletico 6 Bilbao 7 Sociedad 8 Celta Vigo 9 Las Palmas 10 Malaga 11 Eibar 12 Real Betis 13 Alaves 14 Leganes 15 Valencia 16 Espanyol 17 Deportivo 18 Gijon 19 Osasuna 20 Granada

No

TABLE

less but they are equally important to me. It will always be like this, some will play more minutes than others."

Vazquez, who has made just one league start, signed a new contract with Real on Thursday, and said there was a strong harmony in the squad.

Y TELEGRAPH

Sport 29

30

Lifestyle of Sportsmen

Sport

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29 OCTOBER 2016

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Jeneke

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

r been training fo t. Michelle has or le sp ab r as he w at e l Sh ce ing to ex years old. since she was 10 the 100 meter hurdles hurdling events r fo 10 20 in ry e victo to get a first plac pionships. am Ch or ni Ju n at the Australia

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Sharapova

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

Eagles beware of these Foxes

Mahrez

Algeria’ Fennec Foxes are regarded as the toughest opponents for Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the Group B of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. The two teams had contrasting fortunes in the opening day of the qualifying series with Nigeria winning 2-1 away against Zambia while Algeria drew 1-1 at home with Cameroon. While Nigeria will be looking to consolidate, Algeria will be searching for redemption. Following are the players that could hurt Nigeria when Algeria arrive in Uyo on November 12.

A

Yacine Brahimi (Porto)

lgeria team has quite a number of creative players and one of them is Yacine Brahimi.

Described as technically gifted player, Brahimi is known for his great dribbling skills and ability to take on players. He is a versatile winger that is unpredictable, he has earned himself the name as a great dribbler and a winger with pace and skill and no wonder he was named the 2014 BBC African player of the year.

Free of any defensive constraints, he excels in what has been coined the ‘free electron’ role, which permits unrestricted movement, and opens up space necessary for the wonderful moments of footballing magic he now regularly produces.

Coach Rohr is yet to fix the problem in Eagles’ full backs and whoever mans that right back position will have his hands full because of the rampaging winger. The Nigerian must keep his eyes on the Algerian dazzler throughout the encounter; a slip up could spell doom for the hosts.

H

Islam Slimani (Leicester City)

e is called the Dragon Slayer and with the way Slimani is going, he could become one of the greatest Algerian strikers of all time having scored whopping 23 goals in just 44 international appearances.

The Leicester City man only became an international, four years ago and he is now an important part of Fennec Foxes machine.

He is one of the reasons Algeria were ranked Africa’s number in FIFA rankings; tough, skilful, gritty with incredible eye for goals. He is also capable of delivering passes that can lead to goals, he has impressive nine assists to Slimani his credit and the Foxes have lost only 11 matches he was involved in.

S u p e r Eagles back four will have a tough job on their hands, because the lad

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Sofiane Feghouli (West Ham)

Brahimi

H

Faouzi Ghoulam (Napoli)

e is a defender with special talent; he is so good that he has become one of the first names on Napoli start list on match days. Top European clubs have been alerted to his ability and it was not surprising to know that Arsenal hotly chased the 25-year-old last summer.

He does not dive into tackles, likes short passes and mostly wins his aerial duels.

He can also hold on to ball when necessary to deliver key passes.

In just 11 matches for Napoli, the youngster has provided four assists. He also know how to hit

the target on his own with five goals to his name for the Fennec Foxes in just 23 matches even as a defender.

However, Ghoulam’s tackling is not out of this world and that is a weakness Nigerian strikers Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi can exploit.

Ghoulam

lthough he has found English football difficult to adapt to since he moved from Valencia to West Ham last summer, he is still a force to reckon with in the Algerian side.

Erstwhile coach, Milovan Rajevac, bit more than he could chew when he dropped the Fennec Foxes playmaker in their last game against Cameroon and the player showed he was such an influential figure in the dressing room as he led a revolt against the tactician which led to his sacking shortly after the game.

For Valencia, he’s mainly notable for his great energy, but at international level he’s more of a playmaker. He’s a good counter-attacking playmaker, capable of playing intelligent passes having run with the ball. He’ll connect midfield and attack, and if he fails to influence the game, the side could fall down without him.

They could not do much against Cameroon without him in the starting line-up and the caretaker coach will be more than willing to start the West Ham man against the Eagles. He is struggling for form at the moment and Nigerians will hope it stays like that.

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Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)

ahrez is regarded as the best North African country’s best export to Europe following stellar performance for his EPL side Leicester City last season where he scored 14 goals to lead the modest side to the title, winning PFA Player of the Year Award in the process.

Things have not always been easy in Algeria for former Le Havre player Mahrez, who had caught the eye of Bosnian coach Vahid Halihodzic before the Brazil World Cup. Dropped after the opening defeat to Belgium, Mahrez did not play again in the 2014 tournament as Algeria bowed out to eventual winners Germany in the last 16. It was even alleged that Mahrez paid Halihodzic to take him to the World Cup. But those days are in stark contrast to his current situation, as Mahrez's stunning form in England has helped him settle into the Algerian side.

And more than anyone in that Algerian squad, Nigerians fear Mahrez. Week-in week-out football fans in this country watch him destroy defenders in England with his lightening pace, sublime skills and super goals.

He can operate from either of the flanks and Nigeria’s full backs will certainly be busy all day when the two sides meet. He has struck an understanding with Slimani who joined him at Leicester last summer and the pair has 29 goals to their name in international football, out of 69 games.

is a hawk in the dangerous area. Slimani’s reputation as a bruiser is another reason why Eagles’ centre-backs will be apprehensive about crossing swords with him. He can push, shoves, pulls and even sparingly use his elbow in duels with opposing defenders. In fact he is capable of making life miserable for opponents. He can work his socks off; he can press and press all-round the pitch.

After scoring 48 goals in 82 Portuguese league appearances, Slimani sealed his dream move to England to join champions Leicester but after a blistering debut in a league game against Burnley where he scored a brace, which was followed by good showing in two more matches, the former CR Belouizdad Algeria’s forward seems to have slowed down.

He hasn’t scored since September 27 when he netted Leicester’s only goal in a UEFA Champions League tie against Porto and he seems to be battling for a starting shirt at the King Stadium now.

He badly struggled against Cameroon as Algeria drew 1-1 at home, he was so isolated in front and he could not correctly connect with his Leicester partner Riyad Mahrez as everything went bad for the Foxes.

Nigeria’s coach Gernot will hope the striker extends his run of poor form when the two sides meet in Uyo but he must get the right blend to stop this striker in case he stumbles on good form.

Feghouli

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Don’t compare yourselves with Eagles, Mmadu tells Falcons

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Charles Ogundiya x-international, Maureen Mmadu, has told the Super Falcons not to expect the same treatment as the Super Eagles.

The ex-Falcons star said there was no way anyone could compare men’s football to the women’s game.

“The issue of putting more money in men football than the women's football to me is the same all over the world,” she said.

“You can’t compare female football to that of the male in terms of publicity, the way crowd throng the stadiums to watch the men’s game and so on always put them ahead of the women.

“I don’t know why people don’t want to watch women's football but I believe in the future by the special grace of God they will come because the future is feminine.”

She further advised the players to look beyond money as they prepare to defend their African Women Champion-

ships title in Cameroon later in the year.

There was rumour of the team boycotting the competition due to lack of money but the former Pelicans Queens player said they should not allow money to derail their career.

Mmadu said: “They don’t have to put money first, we all know that if the results start coming, Nigerians will not be that mean not to give them what they deserve.

“They should go out there forgetting about money and give their all in honour of their fatherland. Although the Nigeria Football Federation still needs to give the players the right motivation, I believe the players know what is at stake in Cameroon.

“I played with some of the current coaches of the team and I believe in them to motivate the players whether there is money or not.”

She expressed confidence in the team's ability to return with the trophy and extend the country’s dominance in women's football on the continent.

Mmadu

Lagos await NFF on Federation Cup date Ajibade Olusesan

Kwese, ESPN sign agreement on Africa sports L E conet Media’s Kwesé and ESPN on Thursday announced a ground-breaking media collaboration in Africa which will deliver the most comprehensive sports coverage in Africa, offering a wide range of sports and thousands of hours of programming.

The deal comes into effect in early 2017 with the launch of an ESPN channel in 19 countries, which is exclusive to Kwesé. ESPN will also produce

daily SportsCenter updates for Africa, bringing the iconic sports news and highlights brand to the channel.

Speaking about the significance of the agreement, Joseph Hundah, Chief Executive Officer of Econet Media said, “Ultimately our goals are the same, to bring fans the best in global sports. The synergies between Kwesé and ESPN allow us to achieve that goal by leveraging our collective ability to deliver premium African and global

sports programming to sports fans across Africa.”

According to Russell Wolff, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, ESPN International, “ESPN’s focus around the world is simple: to serve sports fans. This long-term collaboration across television and digital media will do just that -- serve millions of sports fans across Africa with exceptional products, content and coverage.“

agos State has said the Nigeria Football Federation is yet to reach it with plans for the 2016 Federation Cup final.

Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission and Special Adviser to Governor Akin Ambode Deji Tinubu said the government was ready to stage the final.

He said that it was the duty of the NFF to set the date for the final and the commission was ready to carry out its own part.

He said it was the desire of the state to stage a successful Federation Cup final, insisting that there won’t be problems with logistics from their own end.

“It is not our responsibility to announce the date for the final, I think the NFF will do that and I can assure you that anytime they get back to us, we are ready to host the final,” he said.

‘A+A Wrestling tourney to enhance Ambode’s sports policy’ Ajibade Olusesan

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hairman of the Local Organising Committee, of the A+A Intercontinental Wrestle Force Championship Otunba Dengel Anifowoshe has said that the tournament is in tandem with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode's policy.

Anifowoshe who said when he led the LOC to Lagos Television (LTV) to solicit for the support of the broadcast station that the championship would help keep youths off the street.

“The A+A Intercontinental Wrestle Force Championship is born out of the policy of Governor Ambode to use sports as a vehicle to keep our teeming youths busy and expose the tourism potential of Lagos to outside world.

“This is an international tour-

Oba Adeoye, Director of Programmes, Lagos Television (left) receiving a brochure from the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of A+A Intercontinental Wrestle Force Championship, Otunba Dengel Anifowoshe

Federer leads Forbes list in athlete brand value

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oger Federer has been named the top athlete brand in the Forbes Fab 40, the world’s most valuable sports brands.

The Swiss superstar has a brand value of $37 million a year, the amount by which endorsement income exceeds the average endorsement income earned by the Top 10 earning athletes in the same sport during the past year.

Federer’s brand value is greater than NBA basketball player LeBron James ($34 million), golfer Phil Mickelson

nament which will feature about 49 wrestlers across the world. Lagos will be the focus of the world for the duration of two weeks we are staging this tournament and we believe we need a broadcast station such as LTV to support our efforts in reaching out to Lagosians and our prospective sponsors,” said Anifowoshe, who is also the Chairman of Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the 57 local governments in Lagos.

Coordinator of the competition, Prince Hammed Olanrewaju Mohammed, paid glowing tribute to Governor Ambode for giving his backing to the competition, adding that apart from wrestling contest, the event will also see the staging of beauty contest tagged Miss Bolanle Patience Ambode Beauty Pageant Lagos 2016.

($28 million), sprinter Usain Bolt ($25 million), golfer Tiger Woods ($23 million) and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo ($19 million).

Last month, the 35-year-old Federer was ranked No. 4 with $67.8 million in the The World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2016 list compiled by Forbes. The Basel native's commercial partners include Nike, Wilson, Rolex, Mercedes-Benz, Credit Suisse and Moët & Chandon.

Federer will return to the ATP World Tour at the start of the 2017 season.

Federer

Feature 33

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

LGAs. Four Basic Health Centres, two Comprehensive Health Centres and the General Specialist Hospitals were later designed as the Abiye facilities, totalling 116 across the 18 LGAs. Three years into the commencement of the programme in 2012, three independent evaluations, notable among them, the Initiative of Public Health, IleIfe, Osun State, was conducted to reveal that the maternal mortality ratio had reduced to 317 per 100,000 live births.

Initiative as global best practice

Giwa attending to a patient at the MCH, Akure

Akure MCH ward

Another ward in Ondo MCH photos: isioma madike

ensured that they were directed to the nearest health care provider so that they will know the shortest distance to go when they need help.

The government did not stop there.

It signed into law a bill of Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Death (CEMDOS) in other to effectively track the number of maternal deaths. The law made it mandatory to report maternal deaths. However, it is not punitive in purpose but to ensure that such information is valuable in determining the cause of such preventable deaths. The information provided are standardised to include cause of death, causal framework of non-clinical chain of events leading to the death to enable the authorities to address maternal deaths.

Statistics was “cold-blooded” before this initiative. It only stated, for instance, that one in 15 women died. But, to the family of that one person, the loss is 100 per cent. The challenge then was how to look beyond statistics and see every pregnant woman as “mother of a nation” and not just a statistic. This resulted in the mantra: “That pregnancy will no longer be a death sentence.”

Around the time of its introduction, over 1,500 women were said to be losing their lives every day, from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. 2005 alone had an estimated maternal death of

536,000 worldwide. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 5 target was a reduction of maternal mortality. And the four major killers which were to be tackled in order to accelerate the realisation of this goal are: severe bleeding, infections, hypertensive disorders and obstructed labour.

This daunting task was aggravated by the fact that, for every woman who dies at childbirth, about 30 other human lives are directly or indirectly affected.

Of course, the social and economic implications were far reaching, beyond description and immeasurable.

It was established that a total of 99 per cent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries of which Nigeria is one. Being the world’s most populous black nation, Nigeria, by implication has a worrisome share of this alarming maternal mortality rate. And despite being two per cent of the world population, she contributes, according to available statistics, about 10 per cent of global maternal deaths. The state had it worse with its ratio of 742 per 100,000 live births, which was said to be worse than then national average of 545 per 100,000 live births.

At that time, many people in the rural areas, like most other parts of the country, did not have access to reliable medical services. Thus, women were left at the mercy of TBAs and quacks. The devastating effect of this situation was not only in terms of huge loss of lives, but also, in its debilitating grip on economic growth. The grim reality was worsened by the fact that most of the women who were victims of this ugly development lived in the rural areas where adequate figures were not available.

Since its take off in October 2009, Abiye initiative, according to many, has proved to be one of the most effective projects aimed at permanently wiping out tears from the faces of mothers. Specifically, Abiye was strategically designed to counter the four phases of delay in child bearing, reaching out to the targeted people and removing all barriers and hindrances to the pursuit of safe motherhood.

Pregnant women were educated on the dangers of giving birth at home.

Community health extension workers, otherwise known as Health Rangers, reached them where they lived, worked and played, individualising care. Each ranger attends to an average of 20 patients, regularly communicating with the patients, knowing where they live and solving their problems. They use customised checklist to determine women who are at risk in pregnancy and ensure close monitoring.

The rangers also do birth plan for pregnant women and involved in explaining health promotional information such as mother’s nutrition, hygiene, breastfeeding and family planning before and after delivery. They also pos-

sess the Abiye phones like the pregnant women with caller user groups free of charge to facilitate tracking and reduce immunisation defaulters.

Government provides transportation such as motorbikes/tricycles, speed boats, ambulances for the rangers to enhance evacuation of distressed pregnant women to access care promptly. It equally upgraded and renovated peripheral facilities in all localities, ensuring they are well equipped and with adequately manned personnel, trained on safe delivery practices, emergency obstetrics and new-born care. There is also provision of drugs and necessary consumables to ensure that patients are attended to promptly and properly.

To improve referring care, it established tertiary-like MCHs in Ondo and Akure, to take care of emergencies in obstetrics and gynaecological care in which the major target is the expectant mother. She is armed with her “kaadi Igbe Ayo”, a smart card containing biographical data. With the card, it becomes easy for the Health Rangers to access the medical history of each pregnant woman and attend to her appropriately during emergencies or loss of consciousness.

This card also helps in effective planning and provision for the mothers.

One very unique feature about the Abiye initiative, according to women and mothers, is the fact that all maternal and child health services, including caesarean sections are offered to residents of the state free of charge. This way, it has assisted in bridging the gap between the rich and the poor.

After a successful pilot in Ifedore Local Government Area with reduction of maternal mortality by 70 per cent in three years between 2009 and 2012, and significant increase in facility utilisation, it was extended to the other 17

Adeyanju

The Abiye initiative was acknowledged by the World Bank as a global best practice for addressing MDGs 5 and a strategy for maternal mortality reduction, especially in developing countries.

Little wonder the world body sought adoption of Abiye project as model for Africa on July 19, 2011. Then African Region Vice President, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, remarked that the “initiative had provided a role model and benchmark for the African continent in tackling infant and maternal mortality rate.”

She went on to urge other states of the federation to adopt the Abiye strategy and the Federal Government in particular to replicate same throughout Nigeria as “a sure and fast means of combating infant and maternal mortality challenge.”

Also, Prof. Niyi Akinnaso, a lecturer of Anthropology and Linguistics at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA, summed up the Abiye programme as essentially focusing on four major factors which predispose pregnant mothers and infants to death. “These include the three delays in seeking care when complications arise, reaching care when decisions are taken to seek care, accessing care on arrival at a healthcare facility, and in referring care from where it is initiated to where it can be completed.”

They were not alone. The Country Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Jean Gough, has also said that Abiye needs to be promoted in all sectors so that the Federal Government and other states can learn from it.

She applauded the Abiye and Agbebiye initiatives saying, they had become global benchmarks in healthcare delivery system.

Not oblivious of the gains inherent in the implementation of the initiative, a nine-man Committee on Health from the Sokoto House of Assembly recently visited Akure, the Ondo State capital, on a two-day working visit. Alhaji Abubakar Magaji, who led the delegation, said the purpose of the visit was to understudy the Abiye and Agbebiye initiatives with a view to adopting them as lasting solutions to the high maternal death rate in Sokoto State.

About 12 other states are also said to have done same in recent time.

Ladi

Sportsplash 34 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

I can act nude if it’s relevant to the project – Yvonnes Hays Nigerian actor based in London, Yvonne Hays tells ADEDAYO ODULAJA she is looking to get into Nollywood and if anything, her part in the new TV series from the stable of EbonyLife TV should speak hugely for her.

happen since it is not something many Nigerians find easy?

I can switch between accents. It is not something that is so difficult to do. The way you should be able to switch between languages is the way people should be able to switch between accents, I can even go pidgin or Yoruba and you won’t notice a trace of the previous accent or language. I grew up here and I have been going back and forth before I moved there finally.

Hays

Is it true that working with EbonyLife TV is the first project you’d be involved in Nigeria?

It is very true and that is why I worked hard to get on this project because being on a platform like EbonyLife TV is huge and there is no way I was going to turn it down.

That is even more so after I’d contacted Dimbo Atiya, the director a while back asking for a chance to work with him. So, when the chance came, I didn’t allow the distance to affect me, I just sent him my audition tape and here I am today.

Sending your own tape meant you had to get your own crew, costumes, props and all that. How did you achieve all that in the same day?

The thing is when I saw the character breakdown, I wanted to embody that in the audition because I told myself ‘I’m not in Nigeria, they can’t see me, that’s a disadvantage so let me get my director friend to come and direct it and then get a camera and record it properly.’ I also thought about the character because the character is a photographer and you see I have a camera around my neck. Luckily for me, the director’s place is not far from my house and it was easy to get him to come down.

So, how did it feel at the time you realised you had got the role?

I felt very happy but also very relieved because I put in a lot of work into the audition.

When you finally got the role, how

did the very part you played during the audition come out when you had to do it actually?

It was very similar, obviously.

That’s because I read the script and had to choose one scene upon which the audition would be based.

So, when we got filming, the day I was to act that very part, I told the director ‘I’m having to do my audition scene today’ and we all laughed over it. So, it was very similar because the character had to neglect his style, the way she dresses her own way and I’m also very similar to that character. She is not just a woman, she is a very independent woman who has a job and makes her own money, I like that. She is not just the typical girlfriend or wife depending on her man for money; she makes her own money as a photographer and lives the way she wants.

How did you ensure your British accent was absent in the character?

I’m glad you noticed that because they kept telling me to tone it down, that it is a Nigerian TV series and I do believe in versatility, as an actor you have to be versatile and I can do Igbo, Yoruba and even French so at a point, I made a conscious effort to stay with the Nigerian accent but in the process of filming, they would say ‘Yvonne, your accent’ so I had to really make that effort and I think it paid off.

But how exactly did you make that

What acting have you been involved in before now?

All my acting has been in London and this is the first thing I have done in Nigeria. I’ve worked with Ruke Amata, he directed one of the movies I featured in titled Shameful Deceit in 2013. I’ve also been in a movie by Rita Nzelu, she released a short film in 2012. I have also been in a short film with OC Ukeje, it’s called Pray. In all, I’ve been in about 10 or 12 productions in total through which I won an award for Best Actress at BAFTA awards in London.

Apart from the Nigerians, have you had to work with British filmmakers or others in the United Kingdom?

I’ve done a few short films with British filmmakers and actors as well.

Why are you just getting involved in Nollywood?

The thing is I’ve been looking for an opportunity with which to make myself known and when this came up, I gave it everything.

How has it been so far?

I would say onething: I don’t regret it at all.

When you say that, are you only talking about your career or it includes the financial aspect also?

I am talking about everything.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and as an actor, you have to build the foundation and your brand and because I am still not known in Nigeria as such yet , I think working with EbonyLife TV is an open door for me so it is up to me now to build it further and start working on good projects so as to expose my craft.

What is your educational background like?

I studied Psychology but I have always wanted to be an actor.

How did your parents deal with your choice of acting?

They had a little problem with it at the beginning but because I started with modeling, I model and

do commercial model as well, I got comfortable in front of the camera and they saw what I was doing. So, when acting came, my mum said to me ‘you know what, do what you want but do not disrespect the family’ and that is what I bear in mind when I am working.

What elements would be lacking in a script that would make you reject it?

When I look at scripts, I’m looking at creativity, the relevance, production values. If there is anything outside of these three things, I would most likely turn it down.

Talking about relevance, does it mean nothing about it turns you off even if you have to go to the extreme?

When I say relevance, I mean you see a film and there is a naked woman in it. If it’s relevant to the story I can act the part because to me that comes first, versatility in adversity comes second. So, if done in a very tasteful manner and its artsy, yes but if it’s just there because somebody just wants to see a naked woman and it’s not relevant, then I have to question it.

How does that feel putting it sideby-side with what your mum said?

There is a way it has to be done.

Like I said, if done in a tasteful manner.

You are saying that because you are based in the UK, I think sometimes you won’t even know how that will turn out here?

No, you would know. You have to talk with the director and producer and like I said, the scrip has to have the production values.

Looking forward, what are you looking at?

I am looking at a situation where I am in Nigeria more often and I am doing more work and hopefully the work I do is of good quality and high standards and it will add to my standing. I want to be seen as a serious actor, I want to be versatile, I want my craft to grow and to be better at what I do.

Having said you are similar to the character in Sons of the Caliphate, what would you say are the eccentricities of your personality?

When I asked for the character breakdown, the director told me she is an eclectic person and he said he wants to reflect in the way she dresses so I did that with the audition and when I got the part, I asked about her clothes and he sent me photographs so I went shopping. I bought all the costumes and brought them to Abuja.

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29 October 2016

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Kaffy bickers with Davido over ill-treatment of dancers

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ollowing Nigerian dance queen, Kaffy’s displeasure over Davido’s disrespect to dancers at the just concluded 3Thrones concert; there has been a series of revelations and more accusations.

Davido has maintained he has no problem with Kaffy, but has again been accused of meting out same treatment to his backup dancers during the One Africa Music Fest in New York in July.

Sarah Olaniran, a dancer based in Chicago, United States, stated in support of Kaffy on October 27 that she paid dancers from her money after Davido refused to pay for their performance.

According to Sarah, Davido initially dismissed his dancers, only for him to call them back upon realisation he’d still have to pay, but

never fulfilled his part of the deal.

“This entire situation about Nigerian artists disrespecting dancers is far beyond ‘DavidO’. @kaffydance used the reoccurring events of David’s disrespect as an example of how a lot of Nigerian musicians (not all) do not appreciate dancers and our contributions to their crafts ( stage, music Videos or even promo social media videos). Being that I was part of the first incident at the One Africa Music Fest (NewYork) I know how I felt when David decided right as we were walking on stage that he no longer wanted dancers. I personally felt disrespected and felt like he had no regards for my artistry as a dancer.

At this point we all were upset and had to change right in the stadium, in front of all these people.”

DJ 2unny set to revive souls on the wheels

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ke Babatunde Emmanuel, a disc jockey fondly called DJ 2unny is carving a niche for himself in the music industry with his unique blend of music.

He is making waves with DJ sets at popular joints and gigs in venues across Lagos mainland.

Shy but bubbly and always ready to set any party aglow with an upbeat mixture of Afro beat, hip-hop, raps and R&B tunes to the ecstasy of his fans. He is unstoppable when on the wheel of steel and committed to reviving a ‘dead-soul’ through non-conventional mixes.

He started his music career about 10 years ago and has risen rapidly over the years. He is respected for being among the few DJs in Lagos with the dexterity of separating the 'good music' from 'noise'. His style of play makes him a delight any day.

According to him, defining a career in DJ, has been terrific, this is because people don’t want to believe you would make it, because of the way DJs are treated in Nigeria. To the greatest surprise after years of sticking to the game, the respect and offer started trickling in from friends and families, who hitherto were not convinced about a career DJ. "The act has transformed from hobby to career and I am convinced that I will spend all my life doing this.

It is fun making people happy, putting smiles on faces and transforming a dulling mood into fun fair. I like playing in gigs where the listeners have so much energy.

There is this enthusiasm that grips you when you make people dance. It is much more fun to play when the people listening to your mix throw it all open by filling the dance-hall.”

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, flanked by participants at the AIFF masterclass

Abuja stands still for AIFF 2016

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nlike the previous editions, this year's Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) was planned to be one of the biggest events that ever took place at the Federal Capital Territory in recent times.

The festival which ran from October 4 to October 7 at the Silverbird Cinemas, Abuja, witnessed the screening of 65 films from over 37 countries across Africa and beyond.

The organisers revealed that about 700 entries were received from 57 countries.

While the festival lasted, it also had in attendance about 30 exhibitors who came to exhibit their product and services during the four day event.

Speaking on the festival, which ended last Friday amid glamour, founder and CEO, AIFF, Mr. Fedlis Duker described the festival as "being on course", saying "this year was very much different from previous years as it had unprecedented 3221 visitors at the festival in four days.

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DJ 2unny

y turning point in the industry was when I featured in a movie titled the ‘Assassins’ in 2010. After that movie, I knew that I was in the right place. I played a computer guru; it was not even a lead role but it came out well.

I want to be remembered as an actor who was different in all her movies and one who challenged herself. I want to make movies that inspire people; the truth is most people do not know the power of movies. I am glad that things are changing, cinemas are

This is probably the largest number of visitors at any film festival in Nigeria. We also created some programmes that made the Abuja international film festival different from previous editions. You know we are the premier and longest running independent film festival in Nigeria and West Africa. Uninterrupted for 13 years, this years’ had a master class in acting facilitated by Richard Mofe Damijo, Lancelot Imasuen, Segun Arinze and Francis Duru where over 150 actors were trained in the basics of screen acting. We also collaborated with Canon UK and Middle East to train 60 young aspiring Nigerians in cinematography and Photography, where skills and knowledge was transferred which I know the results will manifest in the coming years as most of them will be very successful entrepreneurs in the creative sector.”

He further boasted, “this is not the first time we are having a minister at the festival.

we have had over three ministers in the person of Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu, Mr. Frank Nweke jnr both Ministers of Information and Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide the former Minister of State FCT. So ministers attending the Festival is not new but what is unique is that we had three ministers in attendance namely Alhaji Lai Mohammed the Minister of Information, Alhaji Muhammed Bello of the FCT and Engr.

Suleiman Adamu the Minister of water resources. We also had nine ambassadors from Iran, US, Argentina, Mexico, France, Ghana, China amongst others.”

Also in attendance were Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, present and former DG’s, former ministers and many major stakeholders. We had a large delegation from Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Togo, Benin, Cote d’voire among others for the FEPACI meeting. It had more exhibitors as they had a lot to offer the sector.

TURNING P INT Nazo Ekezie coming up and people are investing more in movies. I would like to contribute my bit too.

But acting is not a beauty pageantry like most ladies think. Being beautiful is not a problem as human beings but it is in movie sometimes.

You can lose a job because you are too beautiful.

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TV&Radio

29 october 2016

with Deborah Ocheni

Wellbeing: Infertility in marriages

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nfertility is the biological inability to conceive after regular unprotected sexual intercourse; it has posed a lot of problems in many marriages. This edition of Wellbeing focused on infertility, the different types and causes. Wellbeing is aired every Friday on NTA International at 8pm.

The programme is anchored by Dr Ayo David and had Akinola Johnson, Chief Medical Officer, department of OBS and GYNAE, Asokoro District Hospital Abuja, as the guest speaker.

Johnson defined infertility as: “Infertility is inability to achieve conception for a period of one year in a patient of less than 35 years after having unprotected and adequate sexual intercourse; when I say adequate it means not having unprotected sexual intercourse once or twice in a month, for you to say an intercourse is adequate, you need to have at least three to four sexual intercourse in a week that is, between 12 and 16 times a month.

Speaking about some women who cannot carry a pregnancy to term who are still referred to as infertile in the common parlance Johnson said: “The definition of infertility is inability to achieve conception, but in such people they have been able to achieve conception but are unable to carry the pregnancy to term so they are not infertile. It may be that they are having problems with their cervix but if you are able to achieve pregnancy even if it’s for one month that means you are no longer infertile. Also bear in mind that some people after delivering two children may be unable to achieve conception later and such situation is known as secondary infertility.”

He further defines primary fertility and secondary fertility as: “Primary infertility is when a woman has not been able to achieve pregnancy in her life, that is after having unprotected sexual intercourse without achieving conception at least once. If you’ve had termination of pregnancy you no longer fall under primary infertility category but secondary infer-

tility because you have been able to achieve pregnancy. In secondary infertility, you have been able to achieve conception at some point in life but now you can no longer achieve it; if you have babies in the house or have terminated pregnancies or have had miscarriage you are at this point under secondary infertility.”

Speaking on the causes of miscarriages, Johnson noted the major causes as: “The most common causes of miscarriage are genetic abnormality, certain uterine abnormalities but often the causes of miscarriage can’t be determined at all. In our environment, our belief is that when a woman cannot achieve pregnancy, the problem is with the woman but when you look at it, the percentage is ‘nearly the same’, the percentage of male infertility is about 30 percent, female infertility is 30 percent, both male and female factor is also 30 percent and other unexplained factors account for 10 percent. So, the woman cannot be solely responsible for infertility”.

He highlighted some of the causes of infertility as follows: “There are various causes of infertility for example in men, if there is problem with your sperm, there may be low sperm count or no production of sperm or producing dead sperm. No production of sperm could be caused by early surgery, it may be due to working in deep coal mines where the temperature is high. Some people are long distance drivers who sit on engines for a long time (three to four days) and these are very hot engines. There are also congenital abnormalities that may lead to non-production of sperm.

In females, infection may be a major cause, that is you may be ovulating but not able to have the eggs fertilised or there may be congenital abnormality whereby you are not producing at all, or there is problem too with your uterus where the baby is carried such that the sperm will be on one side of the uterus while the egg is in the other part of the uterus; these are all factors that contribute to infertility”.

This weekend

Programme summary

Nollywood premiere

AIT (253) Daily @7:30 pm It is a showbiz programme that exclusively screens the latest Nollywood blockbusters on AIT.

Latest bulletin EuroN TV (414) Daily @ 7:00 am It is a current affairs programme that presents international and world news from European perspectives.

TELEVISION

AIT

TVc

2:30 Best of Sports 3:30 Activating Success 4:00 World News 5:00 Fashion Video 5:30 School Hunters 6:00 Trends 6:30 True Nigerian 8:00 News Hour 9:30 Secrets and Scandals 10:00 Taste of Love 10:30 Beautiful Liars Sunday 7:00 Hour of Salvation 8:00 Catholic Mass 10:00 At thy Word 10 30 Gospel Rhyme 11:00 700 Club 12:00 Week in Review 12:30 Bold Faces 1:00 Impact 360 1:30 The Gender Agenda 3:00 Mini Jojo 4:00 World News 4:30 Turning Point 5:00 Documentary 6:00 Hitlist and Cruising 6:30 Personality, Places and Event 7:00 The Lovely Clair Show 7:30 Jenifer’s Diary 8:00 News Hour 9:00 Tales of Eve 9:30 Nectar

7:30 Hour of Salvation 8:00 Local Movies

Saturday 7:30 Business Africa 8:30 Destiny Encounter 9:00 Cartoon 10:00 Super Book 10:30 Sports File 11:30 700 Club International 12:00 AIT Reports 12:30 Security Watch

Saturday 8:00 Necledeon 9:00 Brights 10:00 Smallvile 11:00 Crack in the Wall 11:30 UAC Soccer Lafflines 12:00 Music Video and More 12:30 Voices 1:00 Indomitable 1:30MBGN Diary 2:00 Adams Apple 3:00 Unspoken 3:30 Boom Town 4:00 Local Movies 5:30 Two Sides of a Coin 7:00 News 7:30 Secrets and Scandal 8:00 My Wedding Story 8:30 Fans Championship 9:00 Local Movies 9:30 Events Diary 10:00 News Sunday 8:30 Brights 9:30 Gospel Rhythms 10:00 St Dominics 11:00 Gospel Symphony 12:00 Walking with God 12:30 Revival in the Land 1:00 The Advantage 1:30 Love Dating and Marriage 2:00 Mountain Top Life 2:30 Impact Today 3:30 Singles and Married 4:00 Chapel of Uncommon Grace 4:30 Elevation Church 5:00 Reel Infotainment 5:30 Gospel Rhythms 6:00 WWTBAM

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

Ehidiana

Wazobia FM’s Ehidiana

O

hiowele Rachael popularly known as Ehidiana is a graduate of Lagos State University. She studied history and international relations, but because of her love for the arts she went into acting. She later found herself as an on air personality in Wazobia FM. She hails from Ekpoma in Edo State. Ehidiana as she is popularly known loves meeting with people and making new friends.

She is adventurous and a team player.

RADIO

Rainbow FM 94.1 Saturday 7:30 You and your Marriage 8:00 Whispers 9:00 Sports Tackle 10:00 Family Life 11:00 Kids and Radio 12:00 Hot Gist and the Sport 4:00 Wazobia Flavor 6:00 Request And Shouts 11:30 Icon Saturday

Sunday 8:00 The World with Interaction 9:00 God Bless Nigeria 10:00 Rainbow Gospel Gig 11:00 Talk your Own 11:30 Story Story 12:00 Classic Music 5:00 180 Degrees 5:30 House Party Mix 9:00 Akamara 10:30 Afro Classic

Radio Continental FM 102.3

Guest speaker, Johnson and programme host, David

Saturday 7:30 Papers Today 9:30 Good Living 10:00 Saturday Sports 12:45 Replay Africa 1:00 Fan Zone 4:00 Me and You 6:00 Entertainment Unscripted 7:30 Afrobeat Tonight 9:00 Single Life 10:30 Old School Groove

Sunday 7:30 Press Report 8:00 Church without Barriers 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 Connects 8:00 Sunday Evening Groove 10:00 Music

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

37

The Arts

Village Headmaster inspired me to study Theatre Arts – Ibekwe Mr. Bigger Ibekwe, a theatre arts graduate, song writer and composer talks about his debut album set for launch on November 5, his foray in the theatre among other issues, writes TONY OKUYEME

T

hat Mr. Bigger Ibekwe has a passion for theatre arts, is no doubt palpable as he picks his words recalling how the journey started. In his account, he recalled why it took him this long to decide to come out with an album now, his voice resonate with charisma and character. His decision to study theatre art ahead of law was not a mistake.

“I began to answer Bigger in my primary school, specifically, Primary 3; and that was as a result of an incident. A teacher looked at what I did and said look, ‘this boy you are bigger’. Definitely, it is not about size but about contents of the head. So the name stuck and I have been answering that name ever since. And it so appeared that the name has been carrying a lot of good luck for me. So, I strongly believe that there is much in a name,” he says.

Ibekwe who hails from Umunze in Anambra State, speaks, apart from his native language Igbo, Yoruba and English, Chinese language fluently.

“I am a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Benin. Then I also read Chinese language and Culture at Jujen Catholic University, Hsinchuang Taipei, Taiwan. Then of course I did a PGD at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos. Also, I did a masters’ programme in International Relations and Politics at a university in Australia,” he explains.

So what really prompted me into reading theatre? You ask.

It was as a result of my desire to go into the university with the hope that after that I will go and read law that really spurred me. But by the time graduated in theatre arts, I so much became in love with it so much that I didn’t want to study law again.

For Chinese language and culture, circumstance took me to Taiwan, and you needed to learn their language to be able to communicate with them. And if you communicate with the Chinese, they become very friendly with you. So, I had no option than to study their language, study their culture. And we used then to really facilitate our visa, and the course of that, when I rounded up my programme, I went to study for my masters’ programme in Australia. I was then shuttling between Taiwan and Australia.

Then what prompted my going to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos, was really the fact that I like writing, and I felt I should have to up my writing career.

Also, you see, we were always watching ‘Village Headmaster’ that time; there was Boniface, there was the Headmaster, Chief Eleyimi, Garuba, Oloja, Councilor Balogun and so on. Then, once it is time for Village Headmaster, everybody runs home to watch it. The streets will be literally empty. So, that was how fell in love with acting. Village Headmaster really inspired me to study theatre arts. Then, I was living with a lady who was working

at NTA then as a news caster. We looked at her as a star; when she was coming back from work or going in the evening we always admire her. So the desire to work on television started developing.

On his your opinion about the arts, he adds that it’s been wonderful.

“I think the truth of the matter is that the Nigerian society only recently began to appreciate the arts. Outside here, which everybody knows, theatre artistes are the stars that everybody wants to associate with.

According to him, prior to his going to study theatre arts in the university, he has featured in some stage play.

“I began acting when I was still in secondary school in Benin. I remember playing a role which later became popular, Idikoko, a man who was actually feigning blindness. I have acted major plays such as Kurunmi and Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again by Ola Rotimi. I also acted in The gods are not to blame.

Speaking about his debut album scheduled to be launched on November 5, at Park Lane Hotels, Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos, he says: “This is actually my debut. Theatre and music, you can say, they are like husband and wife. They so much interrelate. Since my days in secondary school I compose songs, it is something I took over from my mother, who is a very good composer. She used to sing for local women, composing songs. Of course, out of the eight kids she has, there are only two of us that inherited that talent from her.

“And those days if there some songs they want us to use in the acting, I of course compose them. And when we were in the university, I was a member of the university choir, headed by Dr. (Mrs.)

Ibekwe

Mokwenye. She requested that we compose traditional songs. I remember I came up with one that she liked."

The album, as you know, is titled Rapture. Most of these songs, I compose them and kept them, and at a time it began to bother that what if one dies without really producing them? What do you tell God. He gave the creative talent and you don’t use it. So, I felt guilty, and I said from now onwards, at least every year, God willing I should be coming out with an album.

As you can see from the album, it is Mr. Bigger Ibekwe and the Music Evangelist; it is a collection of gospel songs. Our purpose is to disseminate the coming of Christ. It is evangelism.

Hence I cannot carry microphone and go around preaching, I decided to do my own through music.

It is a four-track album. The fourth one is about three songs together, and it is four children. The track titled Rapture is actually to tell the people about rapture.

Are you prepared for it? So it is a kind of warning for everybody to be prepared to meet their maker. The second track is

titled Uwa Awala, which is about the evils in the society. The third track is Kamzuru Ime gi (a prayerful note asking God to allow me to hide inside Him. It is a very prayerful song. The fourth track is very danceable medley suitable for celebration, birthday and so on.

I want the society to recognise that there is judgment; I want people to realise that evil does not pay. There is reward for everything that man does.

The unique thing about this album is that apart from songs, I speak direct to the people. Whoever listens to it will know that this person is serious about what he is saying.

Culture Culture is very important, because if you look at the old society, you will discover that the people were more upright than this present society. We need to hold and preserve those aspects of our culture that are good.

Ibekwe believes in the saying: Once an artiste, always an artiste. He enthused that given the opportunity, he feature in a stage production.

Night at the Kazbah: A'rese, Butler thrill fans T

A’rese performing at the event

he atmosphere was one of excitement as guests and music lovers from every walk of life came out in droves to experience what was going to be a night of electrifying performances. The event was the second edition of Smooth FM’s flagship showcase of has been dubbed the best of African live music, ‘A Night At The Kazbah’ which took place on Saturday night at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

Rising star and opening act, A’rese was in her element in what was in fact her very first live performance as a solo artist. She thrilled the full capacity crowd, opening the show with a beautiful rendition of Fela Kuti’s Palavar. She then went on to perform original songs from her repertoire with the crowd cheering and dancing along. Her highlight was a soulful rendition of Alexandra Burke’s Hallelujah, a performance that showed just how talented and versatile A’rese is as an artist.

Soulful house trio, Mi Casa, lived up to their reputation belting out song after song on stage. Their performance of the hit ‘Jika’ was one of the highlights of the night as it got guests on their feet. According to Mi Casa ‘Saturday night was absolute magic, it honestly felt like not only the first time performing in Lagos but it [performing] felt so new to us, the energy was real. It was really a dream for us to be here and finally get to show Lagos, Nigeria what Mi Casa is all about…a huge thank you to Smooth FM and everybody that was there.’

South African guitarist, singer-songwriter, Jonathan Butler, who was the headliner of the show, thrilled guests with hits ‘Lies’ and ‘Fire’. According to him ‘‘I had an awesome time in Lagos at Smooth 98.1FM’s ‘A Night at The Kazbah’. It was amazing, I can’t wait for another opportunity to come back and do it all over again’.

38

FRED NWAOZOR

I

ShortStory

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

frednwaozor@gmail.com +2348028608056 Follow: @mediambassador

Unfortunate wedding ring

t was obviously a beautiful Friday. But, to Oge, the day could not be more beautiful than the awaited following day being Saturday that was expected to usher in the long awaited wedding ceremony between the lady in question and a widely celebrated bachelor in the person of Chima. The 34-year-old Oge, reckoned to be a humble and marriageable spinster, had waited patiently for the D-day she was meant to join hands with her husband-tobe, Chima right before the golden altar of Saint Mathew Catholic Church, Rumuokwoso in Rivers State, which was the designated venue for the scheduled epochal outing. She couldn’t wait for the next 24 hours as she lied in her bed in her parental home, filled with fathomless ecstasy. As she anxiously lied, she couldn’t keep her sight off the wedding gown hung in her wardrobe that was kept widely open; the unending observation brought endless smiles to her roundish face, thereby showcasing her real angelic outlook.

Few minutes later, her mother - Mrs. Alo majestically walked into the room; it was about 7:30am. “Oge.” the elegantly looking woman called, standing closely to her.

“Yes mum.” Oge answered, still lying in the bed.

“You are still in the bed..?”

Mrs. Alo queried, couldn’t afford to sit. “Have you forgotten we have a lot to do today?”

“Sorry mum,” Oge said. “Just that…”

The 61-year-old mother of four gushed out huge smile. “I understand how you feel my daughter.” She interrupted, walked to the bed and sat down. “During my time, I was more elated than you are right now.”

Oge happened to be her first child and only daughter.

“Really..?”

“Yes dear.” Mrs. Alo responded, nodding. Hastily recollected the past.

“Tell me about it.” She curiously demanded elatedly.

“Your daddy was my dream man.” quoth Mrs. Alo. “So, I couldn’t wait for the D-day.”

Oge was very attentive.

“And,” she rode on. “Being the first daughter to my parents just as you are, the heat was really felt by everybody.”

Oge dished out a dazzling smile.

“My dear,” Mrs. Alo called.

“We can’t finish everything now.” She asserted. “We have a lot to do today.”

“Mummy nah…” Oge murmured, wanting her to continue.

“Please, get up, get up!” Mrs. Alo urged, stood up.

Oge equally stood up immediately, grabbed her mum. Both of them walked out of the room holding each other by the waist.

On his part, the 36-year-old Chima who happened to be a very successful entrepreneur was as well perturbed; in fact, his was greater. But, as a young man who had tasted life so much, he knew how best to handle it.

As he stepped out of his room on that Friday morning having taken his precious time to admire the white suit meant for the occasion, the moment of anxiety was conspicuously written all over his face, just exactly like Oge’s; hence, his father Mr. Agbo who was seated at the (Chima’s) house’s front balcony asked him to come over and join him. He complied accordingly, thus sat very closely with him on one of the vacant coloured plastic seats sited at the arena.

“Son.” Mr. Agbo called tenderly.

“Dad.” “Tomorrow is your day.” The octogenarian enthused.

Chima happened to be his last child.

“You are right, dad.”

“By tomorrow, you would be a complete man.” The old man asserted. “And definitely, your identity would change.”

Chima nodded calmly.

“I and your mum can’t wait,” quoth Mr. Agbo. “Likewise you.”

He added in a jiffy, paused. “In fact, the entire family and of course the whole world, would be celebrating you tomorrow.”

He proudly exaggerated.

Chima smiled, remained quiet.

Before he could finish the statement, a young woman holding about 2-yearold female kid in her left hand, dashed into the magnificent church building “Mind you,” he proceeded.

“Don’t over labour yourself today so that you would be very fit tomorrow.”

Chima nodded.

“Have a good rest after today’s finishing touches.” He emphatically advised.

The bachelor nodded as usual.

“Thank you, dad.” He appreciated, stood up.

“Good luck, son.” Mr. Agbo landed, still seated.

Chima calmly took his leave, felt very excited, though the innermost feeling he was nurturing could best be expressed by him.

Behold, the D-day being the following day eventually unfolded. By 10am of that fateful day, the incoming couple found them-

selves at the venue of the event, St. Mathew Catholic Church precisely. They were like newly and specially created creatures meant for each other; the joy on their respective faces could be observed by all and sundry, even the virtually impaired.

At 10:30am, which was the actual time for the ceremony, the priest-in-charge, Reverend Father Ebo graciously commenced the wedding mass. In his sermon, he reminded the congregants that ‘What God has joined together, let no man put asunder’. He equally took time to expatiate the essence of the biblical citation to everyone’s understanding.

Approximately at 11:10am, tying of the nuptial knots, which was the real reason for the mass, began in a grand style. At this point, all the photographers in the church, including paparazzi and quacks, surrounded the about to be wedded couple comprising Mr. Chima Agbo and Miss Oge Alo. Fascinatingly, they were incidentally the only couple to be wedded in the church on that very day.

“If there’s anyone here who is against this union,” Rev. Fr. Ebo announced as tradition demanded. “He or she should say something now, or forever remain silent.”

Before he could finish the statement, a young woman holding about 2-year-old female kid in her left hand, dashed into the magnificent church building.

“Yes, this wedding will not go on.” She fiercely hinted aloud from afar.

It wasn’t even a ‘man’ as the cleric earlier cited in the biblical quote; a woman was the person wanting to put the forbidden asunder. One may wonder: where had she been all those while when the marriage banns were being announced in the church?

Everyone present looked at her in silent awe, whilst Chima bent his head, felt ashamed and mesmerized.

“This man here is my husband.” The intruder claimed, pointing at Chima. “And, this is his daughter.” She added, pointing at the kid with her right hand.

The teeming congregants were in disarray whilst the supposed incoming bride passed out.

The officiating priest, Rev. Ebo therein called Chima as well as the ‘august visitor’ into an inner chamber for further enquiries, whereas others concentrated on the fainted Oge towards resuscitating her.

What transpired consequently ought to be a story for another day. Or, what do you think?

Think about it!

• Nwaozor novelist, playwright and poet, is Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research & Career Development - Owerri

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

Travel & Tourism

39

CHEF'S CORNER

Beer and Scallop Kebabs Ingredients • Eight skewers • 500 g scallops • One cup beer • Four garlic cloves • Quarter teaspoon ground black pepper • Quarter teaspoon chili flakes • One small onion (chopped) Preparation: Mix all ingredients in a small bowl, refrigerate for one hour or more. Place a few scallops on each skewer. Grill on BBQ over medium heat for between five and 10 minutes, turning occasionally and pouring over reserved marinade.

Serve with remaining beer. *Akinbode Toluleke

Oven baked moin-moin

TRAVEL BEATS

Ethiopian Airways marks 70, commits to Nigeria aviation

NANTA lauds aviation minister, CBN

As activities marking the 70th anniversary of Ethiopian Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Lagos, has held different activities Airlines (ET) continues to unfold, the airline, which is in the four locations as part of the anniversary celebration. regarded as Africa’s largest, fastest growing and most It is offering a number of gifts, incentives and promotional profitable airline, has declared its continuous commititems to the travelling public, including 50 free return ment to the development of the Nigeria’s aviation and tickets with 10 of them to travel and aviation journalists, economy as the country grapples with recession. as part of the celebration.

Speaking at an event organised to mark this milestone ET started its operation in 1945 with Trans World Airline in Lagos during the week, the airline’s general manager, (TWA) as its partner and has since then grown as a govSolomon Begashaw, said the airline remains committed ernment owned airline into a world class airline recording to Nigeria even in the face of the present economic uncer- milestones at every point. These include having about 82 tainties, revealing that Ethiopian Airline as a Pan-Africa crafts in its fleet with an average age of 5.0 years and 52 airline is devoted to the growth and development of the orders awaiting delivery; a member of Star Alliance in 2011; continent, including Nigeria. acquiring the dream liner – B787 in 2012.

According to him, Nigeria is one of the strongest business Over 9, 000 employees; recording 1, 621 weekly flights points of the airline and a partner as the airline first flight and 232 departures across its 120 international and 26 to Nigeria was in October 1960, and that 56 years on. ET domestic destinations; manned entirely by its national; remains committed to the country, insisting that the airline with its core business spanning international and regional is not about shutting down its operations or reducing its services, cargo with the largest cargo operations in Africa number of flights and points of operations in the country as and covering 34 destinations across the world; and maindone by some airlines operating in the country. tenance and human resources with its aviation academy Allaying the fears of the government and the travelling as the oldest and largest aviation training institute in public, he said the economic recession and the problems Africa with a capacity for over 1, 000 students. facing aviation, especially that of aviation fuel and nonremittance of earning, are temporary even as he expressed faith in the various steps being undertaken by both the government and aviation authorities to solve the problems.

According to Begashaw, ET is more than ready and willing to assist Nigeria in developing its aviation industry in any way possible, especially in partnering with the domestic airlines to improve on their operations. To drive home this point, the general manager informed that the airline is offering jobs to Nigerian pilots to work in its employ.

Also, he assured the travelling public and their numerous clients of improved services and wide selection of destinations, adding that the airline is customer’ driven and would continue to offer the best product and services within the group on the Nigerian route because of the importance it attaches to the route.

The celebration of the airline’s 70th anniversary started Begashaw (fourth from left) with some of his staff, travel and since June and it is expected to come to an end soon. During aviation journalists cutting the anniversary cake this time, the airline, which operates from four airports,

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) decision to grant concession to foreign airlines on access to foreign exchange in the face of difficulties being faced by the airlines in repatriating their funds out of Nigeria just as it has also praised the effort of the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, for his push for aviation.

In a press statement by both the president of NANTA, Bankole Bernard and its publicity secretary, Olumuyiwa Salami Adebayo, the minister was commended for heeding the persist advocacy of the association to the effect that capital controls placed by government were stifling development in the aviation sector, making business difficult for airlines and reducing the capacity of Nigerians to embark on their legitimate travel business due to escalating air fares.

“We want to commend the Minister of Aviation and authorities at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the foreign currency concession that were recently granted to airlines. We are happy that our advocacy on the importance of government implementing favourable policies in the aviation sector is beginning to pay off.”

The statement noted that this decision

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA Editor, TRAVEL&TOURISM iroandy@ymail.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Travel Personality

Nkereuwem Onung: Nigeria tourism is on backward trend with nobody promoting it

p.40

was bound to strengthen the confidence level of airlines in Nigeria's economy and reverse all the drawbacks that the industry has suffered in the past couple of months.

It noted that this would give room for the airlines to clear the backlog of unremitted funds in various banks in Nigeria which would invariably create opportunities for Nigerians to enjoy affordable travel since.

“Travel agencies will no longer be compelled to sell in dollars as we have seen in the earlier part of the year. This would invariably reduce the cost of tickets,” it stated.

The association however advised that government should go further to take a few more steps that would ease doing business in the sector and give investors more confidence to travel to and invest in Nigeria.

“Government should focus on the domestic carriers by creating an aviation intervention fund to help them stabilise and compete with their peers in other markets. Government should also consider granting licences to companies that intend to set up Maintenance, Repairs and Overhauling (MRO) facilities in the country as this would help in areas of developing manpower, by offering training simulations to our personnel within the industry.”

Ghana appoints broadcaster as tourism board head Ghana has also named a new chief executive officer for its tourism board. He is Gideon Aryeequaye, a top broadcaster in the country, who was formally the deputy managing director of the Ghana Tourist Development Company (GTDC)

and former TV3 news anchor. He takes over from the former head, Charles Osei Bonsu, who ended his tenure in September.

Aryeequaye worked many years as a broadcast journalist before going into politics.

Hospitality Hospitality

Destination

p.41 p.41

p.42

Encore Westown HotelHotels: and Suites: A promise Entices with of a homely, bumper comfortable Ramadan offerings haven

Ofala Feastival: Nigeria Tourism: Stakeholders point pathway Pomp, enthralling to growth p.42 cultural feast

40 Travel&Tourism Is seamless travel in West Africa possible?

Yes, it is. Of course, seamless travel is not a new phenomenon. It has worked in Southern and East Africa with the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA) and the East African Tourism Platform (EATP) respectively. In these two regions, Kenya and South Africa are leading the smaller countries. Nigeria needs to rise up as a country to pilot and engineer the one for West Africa else it is not going to work because every other country in the region looks up to Nigeria to pioneer the seamless travel campaign and the time to do that is now.

If it is by numbers, East Africa as a region has 160 million people, and Nigeria as a country has 180 million people. So, if it works, it benefits the country more. But all the stakeholders in Nigerian tourism and travel industry need to collaborate for it to work.

Its success in the country will determine how far it will work across the West Africa region.

We need to drop our pride if we are going to do a West African seamless thing. You have to approach them from a point of collaboration and not a point where we want to dominate them, because if you do that, they will stay off from you. Like Carmen Nibigira who is coordinating the East African platform is not even from Kenya. But she is writing to the Kenyan tourism board and telling them to show her figures, that if this happens, that is going to happen, because these guys really have domestic tourism.

How much will seamless travel impact on inbound tourism?

It will impact greatly, especially now that outbound destinations are very expensive. In response to the current economic reality in the country, Nigerians should begin to travel within the country and that is the way forward. That is why we need to have this balance. We do not need a country where things are heating up, we do

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

NKEREUWEM ONUNG

Nigeria tourism is on backward trend with nobody promoting it Nkereuwem Onung is the chairman of Remlords Car Hire and Tour Services and president, Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), he speaks on West Africa and Nigeria tourism as well as positioning NATOP as a reference point for the industry

TRAVEL PERSONALITY not need to heat up the polity, it is not necessary.

How do we resolve the problems of Nigerian airlines?

The problems with the airlines have to be solved.

It is not even necessary if things were

Onung

TRAVEL BEAT Global tourism would be on focus next week as the World Travel Market (WTM), a yearly travel and tourism trade exhibition organised by Reeds Exhibition, opens in ExCel, London on November 7 spanning November 9 with over 50, 000 international travel professionals in more than 38 sectors of the travel industry expected in attendance, including over 5, 000 international exhibitors.

With ‘Incredible India’ as the official partner of this year’s event, over -are expected to attend the travel exhibition and conference, which is regarded as one of the leading global event in the travel calendar and it is seen as must attend event by countries and travel operators as it affords the industry

done on time and in order. Beyond that, we have visa issue, and it has to be solved. You heard what is said here about our airports. We are congratulating Ghana on their airport; we need to sit up so that Ghana does not become the hub in West Africa else Nigerians will start moving from Lagos to Accra before they fly out of the country.

For me, let the stakeholders in the industry sit up and reverse all the things that have gone wrong because we are going backward as a nation. For us as private sector, is time to sit up, because from what we heard here today, tourism is driven by private sector, there has to be collaborations.

We need to factor in the economics because travel is not just an adventure, it is serious business. There is an economics attached to it, there is Gross Domestic Product (GDP), what is the effect of every action today on tourism?

Nigeria has not been in any travel expo in the last three years and that means nobody is promoting Nigeria. Yet, we have issues, the Niger Delta problems and all that. So, you cannot manage the image like this. We are actually on a backward trend. Tourism is one area I think that government should rise up and make it work.

Tourism policies need to be strengthened. I keep saying that people who are knowledgeable should be put in positions to run things in tourism.

World Travel Market 2016 opens on November 7 l Nigeria missing from the stand professionals, suppliers, buyers, destination, national tourism boards, government officials and experts platform to exhibition their destinations, products and services, network and exchange ideas as well as gain insight to commissioned reports and researches and trendy issues that are expected to shape the direction of the industry in days ahead.

As preparations for the event by various countries gather momentum, Nigeria is most likely to be absent from the world event and if this happens it would be about the second year in a roll that Nigeria would be missing

from the World Travel Market. This also applies to other traditional travel exhibitions such as ITB Berlin, FITUR in Madrid and Arabian Travel Market (ATM), where Nigeria before now used to show strong appearance.

The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) is supposed to spear head the official representation of the country at the event but sources revealed that uncertainties surround its attendance at the event.

Meanwhile, pockets of Nigerian private operators from around the country and the world, especially those who are members of the Meridian Club, are

What are your recommendations for reversing the current backward trend in Nigeria tourism?

The solution lies with the government. It is leadership and the president does not understand the business. So, he should get people that understand the business and listen to them. We are talking about the economy, did the economy just failed as it is shrinking from different ends?

If the airlines are pulling out, is it not the economy that is shrinking?

The economy is shrinking from everywhere; we keep talking and talking but when these airlines leave people will lose jobs. For withholding 40 percent of the foreign airline money, they are going to take it back from us as Nigerians. I am talking about the business I am doing now. Fuel has increased, but I have not increased my fees, but I am still doing it. Nigeria is declining and it needs to be saved.

National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies projected loss of 300,000 jobs if the foreign airlines leave, how real is this fear?

Yes, this is what will happen until Nigeria becomes a leisure destination, you are not going to feel the impact.

It still affects travel agencies because they are outbound, because they are buying tickets, they are going to lose.

It will affect the outbound because less people are going to travel.

I went to South Africa recently and they are complaining that by now Nigerians used to be everywhere there, but they cannot find them anywhere there. That means there is something happening. So, it does not just affect travel agencies, it also affects tour operators too. Even though they are not doing inbound, travel agencies do outbound and the outbound people who go on tours use tickets. So, both travel agencies and tour operators are affected if airlines leave the country and many jobs will be lost.

How can we forge collaboration among the various travel trade associations in the country?

If we get the Nigeria Association of Tour operators (NATOP) and National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) together and probably get the hotel people, Hotel Owners Forum of Abuja (HOFA) together, we begin from there, once the meeting has major stakeholders, we can go somewhere with it. If we are talking about private sector, you cannot even imagine the amount of work the East Africans did. I have the RETOSA agreement, the stage by stage agreement, what they did in six years to put them together as RETOSA, now they are harmonising.

attending the travel event to further shore up their businesses and linkages.

Over 80 events are to hold across the various segments of the travel industry in the course of the three day gathering, which offers different options for the attendees to engage in different business deals, attend conferences and seminars, display by various countries and exhibitors. One of the high profile events is the ministerial conference organised by both the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and WTM. The topic for the ministerial conference, which would attract ministers of tourism and experts from across the world, is ‘tourism and security: promoting safe and seamless travel,’

with focus on: What are the major safety and security challenges facing the tourism sector and how to address them; How to foster the dialogue between the tourism and security to strengthen effective coordination, information sharing, and communication in crisis preparedness, management and recovery; How to advance the integration of tourism and security and develop a resilient tourism sector through adequate mechanisms, resources and technical skills; How can destinations and source markets work closer together through their public and private sector to promote safe and seamless travel; and How to maximize the use of technology to enhance national and economic security.

It is billed to hold on November 9, the last day of the exhibition.

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

HOSPITALITY BIT

ENCORE HOTEL AND SUITES

A promise of a homely, comfortable haven Encore Hotel and Suites, Lagos, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, offers luxury facilities and services with homely and comfortable feel

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jao Estate axis of Lagos comes with a mixed blend of business and residential outfits with hospitality business gradually filling the landscape. One of such hospitality outfits that you are sure to have homely warmth and serene ambience laced with luxuriating facilities, is Encore Hotel and Suites, which is located on 1, Ahanor Drive.

Once within the hotel’s enclosure, you get a sense of being in a very secured and fortified haven as you instantly feel a certain calmness pervading the atmosphere, a serenity that is quite opposite from the heat and distraction that you just stepped away from.

What is even more interesting and mind blowing is the fact of the air and breezy feel swirling the mood and the sophisticated and appealing nature of the facilities as you make your way through the unfolding scenery.

For the hotel management, this strong attraction and homely affinity that a guest feels once closeted in the hotel, is part of the mission of offering a guest the best quality service in the hospitality industry where you are guaranteed a warm and welcoming environment with your comfort and satisfaction paramount.

With the array of plush and wellapportioned facilities complimented by doting personnel who have been trained in the finest service culture rendering, your discovery is that the guest is well looked after. There appear to be no letting off steam as they go the extra mile to make the guest happy because they see the guest as a family and partner in the business.

With less than 10 minutes’ drive from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, the hotel panders to the needs of business travellers, corporate bodies, leisure seekers, residents and regular travellers, seeking the best of hospitality options available in the city.

HOSPITALITY Rooms The hotel’s rooms are well polished, decorated and fitted to taste with some of the best amenities for the comfort and satisfaction of the guests. Some of these amenities include flat screen TV, fitted private bathroom, tea/coffee-making machine, comfy king size bed, mini-bar, work desk and table.

The categories of rooms are: Piccolo room; Diplomatic room; Ambassadorial room and Monarchical room, each with displaying its own appeal and attraction beside the common amenities.

Dining/wining Dining and wining at the hotel are top notch affairs as they really look after you well in a way that you may not have imagined. The restaurant is quite cozy and beautifully crafted offering African and continental dishes with special Nigerian local delicacies that are well presented.

Breakfast here is complimentary for all the rooms.

The indoor bar/lounge offers you a peaceful mood with relaxing ambience as well as stocking a wide a selection of drinks for different occasions.

Wellness/leisure A large size outdoor swimming

Exterior view of the pool with luxuriating scenery and amhotel

ple sit-out area for people to relax and unwind after a savoury dip or swim in the cool and inviting pool while the pool bar beckons with its amazing setting and offerings.

You could as well as explore the well-fitted gymnasium with different facilities for bodily exercises, all dedicated to helping you maintain that trendy look or healthy regime that you so much long after.

Other facilities/services Free Wi - Fi/internet service, parking space, laundry/dry cleaning, airport shuttle, complimentary newspapers, 24 hour power supply and guaranteed security, babysitting and travel advice as well as tours.

One of the plush rooms

Cheery Bay Hotels opens Cheery Bay Hotel has opened for business in Lagos with resolve to leverage on international models, exposure and knowledge of hospitality style, flavour and taste, which the management said it is anchoring its services on.

Dedicated to business and leisure travellers, the new hotel is a small service accommodation with its cozy ambience and setting as well as pocket friendly offering setting its apart from the crowd.

According to the Chairman of the hotel, Dr. Celestine Izunobi, the hotel was inspired by his international exposure and desire to give ultimate satisfaction to leisure lovers as well as creating an opportunity for employment for Nigerians.

“Nigeria is a mono-product economy and for us out there who think and want to make a difference in terms of diversification, we feel the hotel business is a sector that will not only create jobs but also build capacity in the service industry and that is one the major aims of Cheery Bay. “At Cheery Bay, security is paramount in our daily routine and we work by all standards to keep a close circuit on all our customers’ valuables without interrupting with their privacy,” he said.

Awkaaba 2016: Liberia, Uganda, Zimbabwe join the party As Awkaaba 2016 otherwise known as Africa Travel Market, a yearly travel and tourism trade exhibition and conference session, which will be held at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, opens tomorrow. Liberia, Uganda and Zimbabwe are among the debuting countries that will jostle for the attention of the buyers, suppliers and visitors to the three days event.

According to the organisers of the event, Liberia will officially be attending the travel event for the first with West Tourism Management (WTM), a local tour operating firm headed by Chiquita Afuluenu Johnson with the support of the Liberian National Tourism Association (LINTA) poise to introduce Destination Liberia at the gathering.

While the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) will both be heading the effort of the two countries to promote and market their respective destinations at the event, which spans November 1. It opens tomorrow with a formal opening ceremony followed by a wine tasting session and Africa Travel Awards dinner where a number of individuals, organisations and countries across Africa will be recognised and honoured for their various achievements and contributions to the development of the industry in Africa.

Over 10,000 visitors from 20 countries and numerous exhibitors are expected to attend the event with October 31 and November 1 dedicated as aviation and hospitality days respectively as different speakers in the fields of aviation and hospitality are scheduled to speak on different topics and issues affecting these two sectors.

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS B E N E F I TS There are lots of benefits to derive as one of our partner hotels. For enquiries and details on how to join the programme, please contact Andrew Iro Okungbowa: 08023152195, e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com

FESTAC, LAGOS

LAGOS

SEASON 7 RESTAURANT 29, OROLEYE CRESCENT, OFF ABEL ORENIYI, OFF SALAVATION RD, OPEBI, LAGOS

CAPITOL HOTEL, AGEGE

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REE DANIELS HOTEL AND SUITES

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Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

Ofala Festival: Pomp, enthralling

Ofala Festival is celebrated annually by the Obi of Onitsha and his people, a colourful and rich display of the enduring culture and tradition of the people. KENECHUKWU OKEGWO writes on the staging of the festival this year

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t was all colours, celebration and turbo charged excitement as the people of Onitsha, Anambra State, one of the south eastern states of Nigeria, rolled out the red carpet and drums to celebrate Ofala Festival, which is one of the aged long and most reverred religious and cultural festivals celebrated by the people annually.

Traditionally, Ofala Festival in the eastern region is an occasion that commemorates the harvest season, a celebration of the new yam (Iriji) and for the people of Onitsha this celebration is very significant in the sense that beyond marking the triumph over the new yam, it is also in honour of their traditional ruler, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi), who yearly celebrates the festival to mark his ascension to the throne of his ancestors.

This year’s festival marked the 15th in the series by the Obi and one of the highpoints of the activities leading to the celebration is the period of isolation from the people by the Obi with his emergency days after climaxing in the celebration with him appearing in the public with a message for his people.

It is one of the rare occasions where he interacts freely with his subjects and visitors from across the country and outside who attend the grand celebration in their thousands to pay homage to their traditional ruler who they hold in high esteem. For the indigenes, particularly the traditionalists, the festival holds a lot of spiritual signification but over the years it has also grown to be a suffusing socio- cultural celebration laced with heavy feasting.

This year’s celebration was no exception as its attracted thousands of people to Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of the south east, with inland Onitsha and its environs wearing new look and the people displaying the essence of their cultural affinity as the occasion was marked with pomp and feasting of various types.

Dominating the joyous and outlandish sceneries most times was the colour of Globacom, one of Nigeria’s leading telecommunication outfits, which was the major sponsor of the yearly event.

DESTINATION This year made it the sixth in a roll that the company is putting its name to the festival and it did it in a grand style as its spiced the celebration with different activities and offerings for the people.

Some of the activities that heralded the festival included an art exhibition, which has become a major aspect of the yearly feast. Entitled Ora Eze (the king’s crowd), the exhibition featured the works of over 40 visual artists drawn from Ghana, Togo, Republic of Benin and the Diaspora. The art pieces were displayed at the Ime Obi Palace, which was the centre of attraction for the festival while the renowned artist, George Edozie, was the curator.

The week-long festival also witnessed a musical concert, which was held at the Justice Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium. It had in performance a mixed list of Nigerian leading and upcoming artistes, which included Ikem Mazeli, Reekado Banks and Flavour while comic acts like ATM, 2CanTalk and Okey Bakassi enthralled the audience.

Different cultural performances, including youth carnival headlined by dance and music were held by the people with different groups taking to the stage to celebrate and entertain the people with their enduring, rich and colorful cultural form of entertainment.

All of these festivities and colourful entertainment bouquet climaxed with the Ofala Day proper celebration. Held at the Ime Obi Palace, it featured the various hierarchies of the society and palace chiefs, all gaily dressed in different traditional attires befitting their statuses and titles.

It was both enthralling and revealing to behold as the various groups took turns to dance and pay homage with the red cap chiefs also taking their turns but the major attraction for the people was the appearance on the scene by the chief host, Obi Igwe Achebe.

On the day, he appeared at two different occasions, each with each appearance having its meaning for the day. Dressed in his majestic ceremonial attire, his

Achebe during the festival

sight is both beautiful and appealing to behold with all the glitz. His strides and dance steps were like no any other.

Quite distinct and well- choreographed, he danced round the arena with the people standing in awe of him and paying obeisance as he moved on.

Besides all the colours of the day, the obi offered prayers for the people and the community and made pronouncements, which were widely acknowledged by the people while the various

groups and individuals, including visitors took turn to pay homage and presented gifts to the Obi in his palace.

The entire celebration culminated in a banquet celebration hosted by Globacom for the monarch with various personalities from the private and public sectors as well as the community in attendance.

The Ofala Royal Banquet held at the Dolly Hills Hotels was a well organised and attended event with a lot to eat and drink and of course top notched entertainment

IATA promises ease of business for NANTA members I

NANTA's president (fifth from left) and his team with Kostic and his team during the visit

nternational Air Transport Association (IATA), the global body regulating aviation operation, has agreed to review and sustain guidelines that will enhance and promote the growth of travel trade business in Nigeria.

At a recent strategic meeting with the executive of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) led by its national President, Bankole Bernard, IATA promised to review the interest rates charged defaulting travel agents who delayed remittal of funds to IATA and a faster updating of exchange rate on its Billing Settlement Plan (BSP) link to help discourage speculation and confusion among travel agents.

The regional director of IATA, Dusan Kostic, who received the NANTA delegation in Amman, Jordan, the regional headquarters of IATA for Africa and Middle East, also said that the global aviation regulatory body would henceforth play more proactive role in the training and retraining of NANTA’s members, adding that IATA would back a possible presence of a

second DIP provider in Nigeria.

Kostic, who commended the leadership of the travel agents for its commitment to improving on the business environment and relationship with IATA, used the opportunity to introduce the Gen ISS Programme, a global management process for travel agents meant to ease compliance with local trade laws.

In his presentation, Bernard lauded IATA for its progressive oversight of aviation business in Nigeria even as he called for more pragmatic approach to issues concerning Nigeria travel agents, who he said are key players in the downstream sector of the industry, particularly with challenges posed by the Nigerian economy.

Bernard said that NANTA would deepen the relationship with IATA through strategic interface and visits whenever the need arises in future.

The visit by Bernard and his team is said to be IATA regional by any NANTA leadership since its foundation and this is part of the move by the team to reposition their organisation.

Travel&Tourism 43

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

cultural feast

Pound your way to fitness Flora Onwudiwe

E

Gov Willie Obiano with some of the celebrants

Women group in their ceremonial outfit

as Miss Ofala 2016 Beauty Pageant was staged.

The festival also provided a veritable platform as it has done over the years for people to conduct brisk business. Onitsha, which is known for its high level commercial flavour, came alive with vendors of all sorts taking advantage to display their wares at the various corners of the town and venues of the different activities.

Leisure and entertainment spots in the town were not left out of the business mix as they also got into the fray with different packages, especially night musical entertainment with a number of the clubs and bars attracting huge following.

Speeches were made at the different segments of the festival but two of the major speeches were those by the chairman of Globacom, Mike Adenuga Jnr. and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe.

In his goodwill message, Adenuga Jnr. paid homage to the Igwe and his people, describing the traditional festival as a vehicle for forging peace and unity among the people.

“Ofala Festival, for us in Globacom, is an important vehicle which has been used to drive social integration, promote peace and community development. But more importantly, the festival immortalises a lofty heirloom of the Onitsha people,” he said.

He stated that the company’s continuous support for the festival is because of its great import on the brand vision of the company.

“The company’s support for Ofala is also in line with our vision to identify

with initiatives that empower us as a nation and raise future leaders who will not only be exceptional in their professional endeavours but will also be worthy ambassadors of our cultures and traditions.

This was why we instituted the Glo Heritage Series to support festivals that help the realisation of this noble cause.”

Igwe Achebe acknowledged the contribution of the telecommunication company to the enduring success of the festival in the last couple of years: “We are particularly thankful for the personal commitment of the Executive Chairman of Globacom, Otunba Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr., GCON, towards the success of Ofala Onitsha for the past six years. We pray that God continues to bless him to enable him to continue to serve humanity.”

The obi enjoined the federal government to take the necessary strides and decisions that would elevate the country economy from its present recessed to a prosperous state while he called on the people to give support to the government in its effort at making things right in the country. In the same vein, he also spoke glowingly of the achievements of the Anambra State Governor, Willy Obiano.

“In the past week during my usual seclusion and retreat preparatory to this occasion, I had ample opportunity to reflect on the awesome majesty of the Most High God, and to supplicate and make atonement for all our communal transgressions, as I also prayed for good fortunes ahead. Our gratitude must be boundless because His love is infinite,” declared Igwe Achebe.

veryone easily associates the word ‘pound’ with the United Kingdom currency, but in Yugo Sutra Gymnasium on the Victoria Island, Lagos, pound is a different ball game. It is actually a word for fitness.

A new trend of fitness that is aerobic in nature.

At this specially designed gymnasium on this faithful Saturday morning, women, predominantly foreigners, were engaged in one hour pound exercise as part of their fitness routine.

They all had their drumming sticks drumming on the floor, in the air and sideways giving it a sound that blend with the music that was blaring underground in synch with their body movement.

With legs widely spread out, they all engaged in different exercises led by their instructor, Mrs. Alice Mbadiwe.

Pound exercise combines strength that works a lot on the curves, the legs and the whole body. The trainer, Mbadiwe, invented another form of training that will help those on the heavy body mass to lose weight.

According to the instructor, the newly introduced pound exercise “it will help you to lose weight, it will help you to strengthen your curves, strengthen your legs, it will distress you, the whole idea of drumming is something that helps you to release stress.

“People who drum find out that it is one of those things that will help to release stress. I will recommend this for everybody.”

The excited mother of six children, married to Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, who relocated to Nigeria to introduce this new trend of fitness said, “It is something I am really happy to talk about, it is one of the new trends in fitness and the word pound basically comes from the idea of drumming.”

She, however, gave the story behind pound exercise:“ It was developed by two ladies, Custine and Christine in America, who happened to be drummers, they were originally drummers but one day they went out for a party and they did not have any stool to sit on to drum and they have to find out that they have to drum by squatting and standing.

“In that standing position they were happy to launch and do all sort of things and they realised that this could work out perhaps they have to turn this into a fitness programme, they were already fitness enthu-

siastic. So, they started to work on this and that was how pound was borne.

They now had to run courses for people who are interested in teaching pound.”

She further disclosed that: “They started to hit the drums and they find out that it was a brilliant work out. So, what they now did was to turn it into a fitness programme, so I had to go to America to actually study the course.”

Mbadiwe, who has put in 12 years in wellness, takes classes on varieties of other fitness exercises. “The pound is new as we are just launching pound for the very first time, this is the very first class, so we are trying to see what the feedback will be. I think that people will like doing it both men and women,” she said.

The pound exercise, she said is good for trendy looks: “You can burn between 400 and 700 calories in our pound class, everything depends on how much efforts one puts into it. You would have noticed that there were modifications.

“While the class was going on I asked people to do what they could, if squatting all the way down to the floor is too hard for you, you can squat halfway and you will still get the feeling. You may not burn as much calories as somebody who is squatting deeper, but you will get the benefit because the more you do it the more your body adapts and the more natural the movement becomes and then the more fun it becomes.”

Emphasising on pound, she said it was a different kind of trend, “there is something rocks star about the pound.

So, it appeals to people who want to try their hands on drumming and feel cool while they are training, so it has its own attraction and it works on the specific part of the body, it is just like some other fitness programmes.

“I find out people are very enthusiastic about fitness, there is a growing trend now, people now understand that it is important to look after themselves, it is not about what you are wearing, but it is also about what you are wearing inside. You have to look after your internal body, you have to keep yourself fit and you have to eat well.”

According to her, “another thing is people are not very committed, they want that body and yet they want good health but you must make good effort by going to the classes, go to the gymnasium and may be you got a trainer and it doesn’t have to cause money you can do simple things at home that will also amount to physical activities.”

Some of the enthusiasts trying pound's routine.

Inset: Mbadiwe

Sportsplash 44 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

Celebrity RÈsume STAGE NAME Seyi Shay Full Name Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua Occupation Singer, songwriter and performer Date of Birth December 21, 1985 Place of Birth London, United Kingdom State of Origin Osun State Genres Afrobeat, Hip Hop, Pop Active Years (2001–present) First Label Fly Time Music Current Label Island Records Marital Status Single First Single Irawo Biggest Hit Murda (2014) First Album Seyi or Shay (2015) Biggest Achievement In 2008, she became the lead singer for now-defunct pop girl group, From Above which had a recording deal with Sony/Columbia Records and was managed by Beyonce’s father, Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment company. Among other feats, she also wrote a successful hit titled 'White Lies' for international rapper/artist, Chipmunk which featured Coleena of Diddy's Dirty Money.

On June 23, 2015, Seyi Shay announced a deal with UK label, Island Records. At the time, Island Records UK boasts of record deals with artistes like Jessie J, Nicki Minaj, Enrique Iglesias, Leona Lewis, Ariana Grande, and Calvin Harris.

PHOTO: Eleanor Goodey

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

29 OCTOBER 2016

When you were making those revelations did it occur to you that you would be suspended?

I actually didn't think about suspension then because in my thinking, it would be ridiculous. I never thought that some members of the House would choose to act in a very reckless manner. I have never seen such impunity in my life because while I was dishing out the allegations, I thought by the time we resumed from our recess, my colleagues will do the right thing which is insisting that the House investigates the allegations and collaborate with the anti-graft agencies, the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security (DSS) which had already commenced their investigation into the matter.

This was what I anticipated, but to my surprise, when we resumed, a motion was raised and it was referred to the Ethics Committee and my first impression was that it was referring the issue in its entirety to the Ethics Committee so that one could go there and discuss the allegations that were raised, only for me to read the Order Paper and the motion properly and I discovered that the only item they were talking about is that I breached the privileges of the House and it's members.

That was why I declined participation because it made no sense to me.

Let me give you an analogy, it was like a case of someone shouting ‘thief, thief’ in the market square. Rather than the people following the track where the thief was running towards, they went and apprehended the person who raised the alarm and started beating him up. I find that very ridiculous and extremely rare. Obviously, the aim was to silence the man who blew the whistle. Personally, I have never seen where that has happened anywhere else in the world.

You have been part of that ‘cult’ and you were going to expose them. Do you think they were really going to allow you get away with it?

A couple of persons have asked me that question which also relates to the question: Didn't you see this coming?

Well, as an insider, I was so sure that the facts were out in a way that it has never happened in this country, so I would never have thought that they would decide to turn the other way rather than focus on the issues.

The difference from the case in the past is that you could have issues coming up like speculations, like somebody from outside the system alleging that the running costs are being mismanaged or there was budget padding. In that kind of instance, you could quickly look at a case if connivance or a gang up by the House to defend itself. But in a case where I said that four principal officers did this and I clarified the issues one after the other.

There was no way I could think that there was going to be a gang up except under one condition.

OLALEKAN OSIADE Assistant Editor 08033076969 lekanosiade@gmail.com lekanosiade@yahoo.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

45 We must review our federal structure – CAC leader

p.48

Each Rep takes N900m in 4 years –Jibrin

Deposed chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumuni Jibrin, who is currently serving 180 days suspension for allegedly breaching privileges spoke with ONWUKA NZESHI on his ordeal. Excerpts.

Jibrin

While you were making the allegations, there were some groups in the House that appeared to be supporting your cause but all of a sudden we no longer hear from them, even after your suspension. What happened?

I am going to open up because this question gives me a leeway to do it. Nigerians are surprised about what has happened and some are asking: Is it that there is only one person that has conscience in the House of Representatives? At least during the recess, you heard the Transparency Group and you heard the Integrity Group talking. Soon after resuming, they continued to talk but immediately after the suspension, they fizzled away. They went quiet. There is one issue, and I have said it repeatedly, that unites the House and that is the issue the running cost. But even me, myself, when you talk about the cabal, I underestimated the extent that the cabal can go to in protecting their interest.

I have never thought in my life that the Speaker, number four citizen of this country can go into a meeting and blackmail his colleagues.

I have never seen that happen all these years. It is only Dogara that I have seen coming in to use the abundance of systemic corruption to blackmail the whole members into silence. I am not going to speak in tongues. What happened was simple. Many members are still angry about the issue of budget fraud and other issues of corruption in the House, like how the Speaker managed the funds; how he has kept the budget of the House

day of sitting after resumption.

Everybody was ready for a showdown, but that night, he He put the fear of running The running cost struck. cost in the hearts of the lawmakhas become the ers because the running cost issue will send hundreds of members root of systemic to jail directly. You don't need to investigate it. It's a fraud. It's a corruption in the huge and massive fraud and I House. Very few have never pretended or avoided it. I wonder, why Nigerimembers are not saying ans are just looking. I have said it involved in that repeatedly; it's a massive fraud.

Since I mentioned it; called scam figures and everything, nobody has come out to refute it. Out of 259 members, has anyone come out to say Jibrin is lying? It is 100 days today, nobody has cone up to say Jibrin is lying.

So he used that (running cost) to blackmail members. Though I have had members who have come to me to say; ‘look, can you go ahead with this issue without including running cost?’ If it is about interest of just taking down Dogara, I will not even talk about running cost, I will not, because I am smart enough to understand that but I said that I am going all out even if I am alone. in secrecy; how he had been taking money with the Deputy Speaker from multiple sources, taking millions of naira for rent of houses and guest houses where all sorts of parties are being held; how he diverted projects to his farm and so many other issues of corruption. I can tell you that till date, members are still very angry about these issues.

But the night before our resumption, that was a Monday, the Speaker arranged caucus meetings, which looked normal to members because we used to have caucus meetings to discuss how we were going to proceed after every recess. I went to the caucus meeting and when the Speaker came in, the first thing he said sent everybody into shock. He said: "Look, the issue that Jibrin is talking about, is not going to bring down Dogara, Yusu Lasun, Leo Ogor and Alhassan Dogowa. It is going to involve the whole House because if they start this investigation, it will get to the issue of running cost". The running cost has become the root of systemic corruption in the House. Very few members are not involved in that scam.

Is there really anyone not involved?

Oh, well, that is why I just wanted to be on a safe side. So Dogara just said it straight; "I won't go down alone. If you allow these issues to be investigated, of course we have to open up the running cost issue". From that meeting, people started back tracking. That was why you even had a peaceful session on the first

How far do you think you can go alone on this matter?

When I say alone, it doesn't mean, I am actually alone. It actually means that from the direction of the House, of course I am alone. You can see what is happening everyday in the media and the social media, the Nigerian public commentators and everybody are concerned about it.

So when I say I am alone, I mean in the context of the House. It means that even if every member of the National Assembly will drop this issue, I will continue with this matter. I have said it repeatedly that I will never apologise. Rapprochements have been made to say whatever you have, and I said look, it doesn't make sense to me to apologise when I know that the People I am faced with are corrupt.

Why should I apologise? Maybe, they feel that the three years that is left for us is like 50 years. But because I have been in the system over and over again, I know that it is just like today and tomorrow. Even if they will succeed in ensuring that I remain suspended, the maximum that they can go is three years.

If you were not removed as Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, would you have fought Dogara whom you worked so hard to install?

The issue is that my removal is just a trigger. It was just an immediate cause but there had been remote crisis. I have reported severally in the media that I protested when I saw 2000 projects worth N284 bilCONTINUed on PAGE46

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lion in the budget. I confronted the Speaker with it and I said; ‘I cannot allow this to happen’. We fought internally when the Speaker wanted me to put projects worth N30 billion in the budget. I said it is ridiculous. It has never happened and I was not going to do it. I gathered all these evidence and I have given them to the anti- graft agencies.

I have said that we had a crisis inside the House because I said I couldn’t accommodate a N20 billion introduction of a new line item in the Service Wide Vote.

I declined doing it and it created tension all over the place. So it hasn't been rosy.

While you were making your allegations, some documents were also flying showing that you also diverted some projects to your constituency. Aren’t those allegations against you true?

Excellent. Now that takes us to the issue of what is a budget offence? Let me say this very clearly, the National Assembly has the power to appropriate. It has powers to add projects, remove projects and increase whatever that is in the budget and the rest. But the point I have been trying to make and enlighten Nigerians about is that over the years, that power has been used to commit fraud in the budget. It is a thin line and that is why they confuse people. When you are talking, all the response they give you from the spokesman of the House or the leadership of the House is that: Oh, you can't challenge us. We have powers to appropriate. I see some people, learned people who go on television to say that this matter is a bit difficult because the National Assembly has the power to appropriate.

What I am saying is that while it is true that the National Assembly has power to appropriate, you have good and bad appropriation. What has happened in the last 16 years is that more often than not, the power had been misused to commit fraud.

So you could see projects in Speaker Dogara's constituency, so long as it is the appropriate one. I would not have been complaining. Similarly, you might go and see projects in my constituency, Kiru/ Bebeji for instance but that does not make it wrong. For instance, the people in Kiru/ Bebeji need light and water was voted and the chairman of the committee in his wisdom felt that it should be replaced with electricity, which is understandable. Bu the point that we are making is that for instance, if you are going to buy a transformer and everybody understands that the transformer should not cost more than N2 million, then the chairman of a committee, because he has the power to appropriate decides to add N3 million on top of it to make N5 million. That is where the fraud comes in.

The second thing you could also do is that when everybody understands that the transformer should cost about N2 million, then you reduce it to N1 million, knowing that N1 million cannot buy the transformer. It is sabotage against the country. The third scenario is when he decides to lift the whole N2 million, delete that item and that transformer is needed in the village. He takes the money; create another item called purchase of wall sockets. Wall sockets to put where? It's just to steal the money.

Now these are the issues. If for instance, you have a situation where a town needs irrigation and when the budget comes, they put solar boreholes and the equivalent of that money for the solar boreholes can provide the irrigation.

If the committee chairman decides to use the money meant for the solar boreholes for irrigation, he has used the power of appropriation correctly.

But I have challenged the people that I accused: Show me how you have used

Jibrin

'I will never apologise, I’ll rather remain suspended' the powers of appropriation correctly?

They couldn’t, but I have given out a lot of documents to the anti- graft agencies on how year after year, the House has continued to use the power of appropriation to commit fraud. In 2016, I am saying it without mincing words that almost all the insertions made into the budget were fraudulent.

Was it the same in the last session when you were the Chairman, House Committee on Finance?

Well, as chairman of finance, I dealt essentially with the revenue aspect of the budget not the expenditure aspect of the budget. So, I am more competent to talk about what happened to the budget during my time as Chairman of the Appropriation Committee.

Did you also take this running cost you talked about?

Of course, I took running cost and that is why I asked; why should I say I took money if I didn't. I have said it before that I received running cost.

What has happened to all the petitions you submitted to the anti- graft agencies?

In fairness to the anti- graft agencies, I am the one who submitted the petitions and I have been following up on the petitions. I submitted petitions to the Nigeria Police, EFCC and ICPC and contrary to the thinking of some Nigerians, they have been carrying out the investigations, you might be surprised to know that. Like the DSS; how long have they been following up with judges before they eventually burst into their homes. So, I believe that we will get to that point. I am very optimistic that we will get to a point where there will be a strike. They are doing their work; they have invited me several times, I have gone there and presented my case.

They have interacted with me countless times and I know that investigations are on at the various stages. There have been massive discoveries. All the teams at the EFCC, ICPC and the AIG in charge of the investigations at the police, I know they are doing their work and I have had a lot of assurances that we will get to the point where every Nigerian wants to see, where of course, Speaker Dogara and the remaining crooks in the House of Representatives will be arrested and pros-

ecuted. I have no element of doubt that at the end of this, Dogara will go to jail.

The 2017 budget is around the corner, do you think that your colleagues have learnt any lesson from your campaign and may do something different with the coming budget process?

Well, I do not believe that any lesson had been learnt. With what I have seen happening, the whole process of forming a small group, inviting the Minister of Budget and Minister of Finance has started and that is where the whole problem on the process of appropriation starts. You form a small team, you agree on certain fundamentals, then you come back and try to impose it on the chairman of appropriations or finance. When he declines, he becomes an enemy and you start blackmailing him. I can see that they are taking the same steps; I know that the MTEF has been to the National Assembly and the simple and straightforward thing to do is to follow the rules. Take it through the first and second readings in a very transparent manner so that if you have any misgiving or objection, if you have any observation or anything you want to say on the content of the MTEF, it is during the second reading of the MTEF that you can do it publicly.

After the second reading, it is referred to the Joint Committee on Finance, Appropriation, Budget and National Panning. When it goes to that committee, they have taken note of all the debates and observations on the floor of the House in addition to their own knowledge of the issues, they will now invite all the key actors; Minister of Finance, DG Budget, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and others. They will ask them the hard questions based on all the observations from the members of the House. They will get all the necessary clarifications and based on that, they will make their recommendations. These recommendations will be taken back to the floor where again it would be passed.

But I do not think that that is going to happen because already they have started these small, small meetings. Now, I have heard that the Minister of Fiancé had been invited to brief one leadership; Minister of Budget and National Planning had been invited to brief another leadership. That is where the whole budget fraud and

padding issue is negotiated. When they go there, there is nothing that is being discussed apart from personal interests.

Oh, I have this contractor; I want you to pay him his money. Oh, put my project in the budget. They go there and commit the House at such meetings and when they commit the House, they come back, they try to impose it on the Chairman of Appropriations Committee who has to take the whole load on his head and his colleagues are not aware that this is what is going on.

With what I have seen so far, I don't think that the National Assembly has learnt its lessons. That is the pattern that Dogara has adopted. I haven't seen that happen in the House before and that is where I started having problems with Speaker Dogara because rather than concentrate on his job as the Speaker, he enjoys much more to go and sit down eating jollof rice with ministers, heads of agencies and parastatals and before you know it, you start having issues.

Are you saying the executive arm is an accomplice in the budget fraud? If they are invited to negotiate ways of manipulating the budget, can't they refuse?

Well, I have avoided talking about anything about the executive arm of government; I have avoided talking about the Senate through out my interviews. I want to talk about the institution that I belong to and an institution I know that when I say somebody has stolen, he has stolen.

How can we avoid budget padding and budget fraud in the future?

Follow the rules. When the MTEF comes take it straight to the first reading.

Don't start going here and there pretending to be consulting stakeholders because it is usually a tool of blackmail by the Speaker on the executive. After the first reading, take it through to the second reading and after the debate you refer it to the committee. Allow the committee to do its job. Allow the chairmen of finance and appropriation committees to do their job. After that, they will engage the relevant ministers who are their own ranks.

It is not you the Speaker; you can't leave your own job and start doing committee work with the Minister of Budget. I have never seen that happen in the parliament in the past. It is only in the 8th Assembly and under Dogara that I see a speaker holding a session with a minister. What business have you got with the minister?

Where you have issues is with the president. When you dabble into issues with all these ministers, you will get the issues messed up and in the process you mess up the entire House.

When the budget comes, you follow the same rule. The only thing that will be added to remove all these confusion is that after the second reading, the budget is referred to the Committee on Appropriation, which in turn will refer it to the various committees. They now engage the MDAs after which they bring back their reports to the appropriations committee, where these reports are collated.

After this exercise, then you go into the delicate period.

Why do you call it a delicate period?

The tradition is that when the appropriation committee finishes its work, they will take it to the Clerk of the House. But before that happens, there had been a tradition that is faulty; the estimates go back to the floor without the details. This is where the problem comes because it is these estimates without details that the House passes. Then, the appropriation committee takes its time to work out the details. When this is done, you as Chairman of Appropriation Committee will take it directly to the clerk and that is the CONTINUed on PAGE47

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budget.

Now, the delicate period is from that period where the committee finishes its work and when the budget goes to the clerk. That was the period in the 2016 budget process that Dogara took over my secretariat twice and that was where the whole padding was done. That was where the whole budget fraud was committed in the name of harmonization of the budget. Remember that the Deputy Speaker, Lasun, headed the harmonisation committee, they frustrated the budget process because they wanted harmonization. They took over the secretariat from me and all the insertions they made, I have taken the evidence and given it to the antigraft agencies. I was not lying when I said the speaker and three others inserted N20 billion worth of wasteful projects. When I said that they wanted to force me to put in N30 billion worth of projects, I wasn't lying. The whole evidence is there. All the mess they put inside the budget, how they removed N40 billion out of the N100 billion Zonal Intervention Fund for the entire National Assembly. They took it and shared it among themselves. The records are there. But we will get to that point where arrests and prosecution will start because this is a very huge crime against the country.

What do we need to do to stop these corrupt activities?

It's simple. No budget should be passed in isolation of estimates or details. By the time the appropriation committee finishes its job, it has to finish it with the details.

Both the estimates and the details should go to the floor of the House at the same time, so there will be no wuruwuru and even if you as the Speaker go and pad the budget, members of the House will see it by the time the document gets to the floor.

So this is one fundamental adjustment that needs to be done. But if you notice now, they are saying they gave set up a reform committee to do this and do that. What do you want to reform? It is a lie! There is nothing to reform in the budget process.

It is simple. Everybody knows where the problem is but we are not ready to address it.

Let me ask you again; is it possible for padding to take place without the connivance of executive?

I don't want to talk about the executive.

Is it the executive that inserts the projects?

Over time, the House has deceived and blackmailed Nigerians psychologically with this issue of powers over appropriations. So because people don't still understand it, you have a responsibility to understand the issue and enlighten the people. The National Assembly has the powers to appropriate but what we are saying is that you have been misusing this power or you have been using the powers to commit fraud. When you now go into the budget and the Minister of Health brings his budget and you, the Chairman of the Committee on Health decide to alter the budget the way you like, what do you expect?

About 10 committee chairmen committed the fraud that I have been talking about and they are all fighting me now.

They are those of power, health, water resources, education and so on. I have given the evidence to the anti-graft agencies. For instance, education committee has 181 new projects insertions; water resources has 310; health has 300 and Niger Delta, 79. Where do you see that happening in any part of the world where you put in 2000 projects in a budget in which you are not the author?

Now those 2000 projects might be appropriate projects but it is almost practically impossible for the executive to bring a budget where the errors are so much that it warrants the inclusion of 2000 additional projects. It is enough to tell you that this is fraud.

the only thing about me is, if someone has an issue with me just like the way I submitted petition, then sign a petition saying Jibrin padded the budget, 259 members sign it and take your evidence to the EFCC. I have taken 13 people to the anti-graft agencies. If you look at it logically, do not invest your enin that. I think you should If what you take is ergy be fair to me. from N20 million On the executive arm, I am fearless when it comes to all per month that those issues and the rest. The point I am making is that, I am brings it to about not taking on the whole counN900 million for try. People should also come and assist in doing this. One person four years. There cannot take on the whole of Niis a fraudulent gerians, but I am tackling the institution I know very well, the arrangement that House of Representatives, where ensures you could I have evidence. If you take the case of inviting the ministers to a get even up to half meeting, you might be unfair to them because if a House leader of that money or principal leaders of the House instantly invite a minister, they have to go.

If this fraud was entirely that of the House, what about the fact that the president has signed it into law?

Yes, I know you were trying to get there but you did not seem to know how to get there.

Some people have said that it is no longer a fraud because it has been signed into law. But on the contrary, it dies not become an offence until it has been signed into law. It is not an offence until it is signed into law. You haven't padded or committed budget fraud if for instance you have inserted projects and the budget is yet to be signed into law by the President. When people say that it is no longer an offence because the budget has been signed into law, I ask them that why is it that sometimes a firm will give out a contract and come back later to say the contract was inflated and that it should be investigated? The only point in this instance is that the person who signed the budget into law is not liable because by the law, the National Assembly or the House of Representatives has the power to put in projects into budget.

Why do you call your colleagues crooks and want to exonerate the executive from what you call systemic corruption? Isn’t this a ploy to shield the executive so that you could be a prosecution witness?

If you have anything against me, go and report me. After 100 days, isn’t it weird that if I say they are not crooks or fraudulent nobody has gone to submit a petition against me? If you place so much importance on me, it is irrelevant because

You said the master stroke that Dogara used to blackmail was running cost, just how massive is this running cost, what does it amount to?

As far as I am concerned, it is the biggest scam I have ever known in the history of this country. It is embarrassing and disgraceful and by the time the investigation gets to a particular level, Nigerians would know how shocking it looks and what such monies are being used for and that is why members cannot talk. Everyone is keeping quiet because Dogara has used it to blackmail them. Even after the issue came out, I heard from good authority that they had an executive session where he said he would live and die to protect the running cost.

It is because people have not heard a public officer in this way, it looks like a joke but this is the fact of what is going on and he said they would all live and die together with the issue of the running cost, that’s why everyone is following him. The implication is that as a speaker, you have already become a lame dog, nobody respects you, and all the members know that you have a lot of allegations tied to your neck. Even to the executives, you cannot assert your authority because every day, you will be following the authority and begging them to do their biddings because you are afraid that anything you do, you would be arrested because the allegations raised against you are facts.

On a lighter note, it appears you would not be able to attend the sitting before the end of the session? Aren’t you missing the House?

I miss working for my people, I miss serving my constituency, I miss serving Nigeria but I would never miss the individual and systemic corruption that I know is in abundance in the House of Representatives.

If they give you the option again to apologise and return, would you say sorry?

Mark it or quote me, I will never apologise. I prefer to remain consistently suspended until the end of the next three years. After the next three years, I will pick it up with them.

Jibrin

You said you are not going to talk about the senate, but there is an allegation that you sideline Senator Danjuma Goje and did everything about the budget yourself?

That is why I said there is no reason involving the executive because when it comes to appropriation matter, the House

has the power over appropriation and that is why when some people raised the issue that how can the leadership of the House distribute N40 billion, what about the senate? I said to them maybe one or two people would have benefitted from that 40 billion in the Senate but distribution and decision was made in the House by four principal officers because the House has power over appropriation and as at today of course the appropriation secretariat of the House is sealed because that is where the action takes place, that is the secretariat that hosts the appropriation activities. In the Senate, there is nothing there; it is empty and so even when you have reports of same committee from the Senate and the House, if there is any difference, that of the House supersedes. The house has more powers over appropriation and naturally, it has more influence than the Senate over appropriation matters.

Some of your colleagues have said you have no respect for them, that you are not accessible and very arrogant. Is that who you are?

I have tried my best, I came into the House at a young age and I was saddled with very huge responsibilities. I tried to study the parliament and how it operates; I tried to do my job and mind my business but unfortunately as much as I tried to do that, somebody from outside might view you in a way that he doesn’t understand you. But as a person, I know that I am a people’s person. I relate well with my colleagues. The problem with the job of appropriation is that your colleagues will think you can do magic because the chairman of appropriations is assumed to have larger than life powers but it is just a myth. There is no reality in it. It is a kind of job that the moment you pick it, you get more people against you than for you but I think with every sense of modesty I have never been accused of being someone who has not been able to manage his relationship in life.

Even in the House, I still continue to have a lot of friends that call me now and then. The only line between us is the running cost issue, otherwise, most of them, I can have a bet with you, would have been lining up with me today.

For instance, if Nigerians could come around today and say, we have forgiven the House of Representatives on the running cost issue, nobody would be prosecuted, believe me, within 24 hours, they will impeach Dogara because of this budget crime and other corruption issues. But the running cost issue is a huge problem and none of them want the matter to be touched.

How much is the running cost?

Members collect about N10 million every month. In the past from when I came into the National Assembly till date, there had been a situation where N10 million has been collected, sometimes between N10 to about N20 million monthly. There is this joke that everybody knows me with in the National Assembly, I used to tell them in the House that only footballers and basket ballers are known to collect such allowances. To make matters worse, there is a kind of an arrangement, that ensures that the cumulative of that amount is paid to you upfront. That is why you see someone comes into the National Assembly with nothing, after swearing-in, he is already buying a car of N20 million. There is a fraudulent arrangement. For instance, if what you take is from N20 million per month that brings it to about N900 million for four years. There is a fraudulent arrangement that ensures you could get even up to half of that money instantly. It is such a mess.

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Politics

One sometimes get confused as to the leadership structure of the CAC. In other churches only the General Overseer is usually known. But in CAC we know several leaders. Why is this so?

There is no problem at all about that. The Christ Apostolic Church was built on the foundation of the Apostles.

You know in the early Church after the Pentecost, we heard about the activities of Apostle Peter, Apostles John, James, Phillips and even Barnabas Prophet Agabus and Paul. The work of evangelism does not know rivalry since everyone is working towards the same goal. But to answer your question, the CAC has a unique structure. Christ is the spiritual head, but administratively, the president is the overall head of the Church. The General Superintendent is next in rank to him followed by the General Evangelist. The General Superintendent oversees all issues affecting our Pastors and our Churches. The General Evangelist is the head of all Evangelists and Prophets in the Church. He takes care of evangelism from grassroots level to the global level. What you are trying to say is that some of our officers are well known than others. Yes, this is due to the assignment God gave them. You know nobody can occupy the office of the General Evangelist except he is a Prophet by calling. In our setting, prophets, especially our General Evangelists have very high profile because from time to time, they are involved in evangelism within and outside the Church and even outside the country.

Our first General Evangelist, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola was more popular than even the first President. Except for the fact that the first President, Oba I. B. Akinyele was a first class Oba, many people even think Apostle Babalola was the founder of the Church because of his popularity. He was popular, but he put himself under the leadership of both the first president and the first General Superintendent, Pastor David Odubanjo, and they worked harmoniously together. So also is our present General Evangelist, Prophet S. K. Abiara. He is under the leadership of the authorities of the Church. He has never presented himself in any forum as the overall head of the Church. It is the media that are always confusing the issue. Prophet Abiara would have been with me in Abuja now but for the fact that he is bereaved. You know he lost his wife recently and we pray that God would give him the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. So also the General Superintendent is in another conference centre presiding over the affairs of the Pastors Conference there.

As I am talking to you, our Pastors in five different conference centres are holding their conferences. So, there is no confusion in the leadership of our Church. We are one.

What is your take on the release of the 21 Chibok girls?

We are very happy at the release of the girls. This is a big plus for President Muhammadu Buhari. Some people were saying Boko Haram prisoners were exchanged for the girls, some said they were freely released, whatever the method used, the end seems to justify the means. But the President should not rest on his oars until all the girls are finally released. The release of the 21 girls has raised our hope that the rest, would sooner or later, be released to join their families. But we wish that day would come sooner. The government has fought the battle against the insurgents to some extent and the Internally Displaced Persons are already going back to their homes. But this

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To remain one, we must review our federal structure –CAC leader The President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Olukunle Akinosun, fielded questions from newsmen, after a Pastors’ Conference that recently held in Abuja. Excerpts. should not make the government and our armed forces, which I commend highly for their heroic roles, to think that they have to rest. No. The battle is not yet won until the Boko Haram is completely routed or they surrendered their arms and ammunition to our troops and pledge their loyalty to the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While we are having some relief concerning the battle against the Boko Haram insurgents, the problem of militants is escalating in the Niger Delta and the economy is sinking deeper into recession. What do you think the government can do to get out of this mess?

Some of the problems you pointed out are politically motivated, some are due to the vagaries in the world oil market and some others need just diplomacy to solve. For instance the issue with the militants is a political issue. I wouldn’t apportion blame here. But it was obvious that the fight against corruption embarked upon by the present government gave rise to the new set of militants who are bombing oil installations with a view to compound the economic recession the nation is facing right now. While I am not saying the militants do not have their points, I only want to plead with them to go on the negotiation table with government. They may think they want to bring the government down. But in the long run, the environment of Niger Delta is being destroyed gradually with the crude oil spill that follows each bombing exercise. Besides, their own people who are in employment in these oil companies are being sent out of job.

Another issue is the agitation for a state of Biafra. I am of the opinion that God designed Nigeria to be one.

We often blame the British colonialists that they cobbled us together as strange bedfellows. This is wrong. If it were not the will of God for us to remain as one united country, the first civil war in the country would have succeeded. That would have given other ethnic units the guts to ask for their own country. Also look at other nations that have been balkanised in Europe and Africa, they never went through some of the conditions we are going through before they broke into pieces. So, it is God’s design to keep us together.

But be that as it may, we have to listen to the reasons for the separatists’ agitation too. One way we can still remain as one nation is to review our federal structure. Too much power has been concentrated into the hands of the Federal Government. The states themselves have seized all the powers that should go to the local governments. What we have is a unitary federal government. In this wise, I want to urge President Muhammadu Buhari not to ignore the work of the National Confab whether the one held during President Jonathan’s regime or the one held under President Obasanjo.

He should look into their report and begin to devolve power to the regions.

The battle is not yet won until the Boko Haram is completely routed

Akinosun

Luckily we now have six geo-political zones. These could be developed to regional standard. The federal Government would take care of defence, external affairs, the economy and national institutions while the regions would take care of education, local policing and other items on the concurrent list.

So, my suggestion is that we don’t need so much power at the centre as we have now. That is why the competition to be in the centre is very keen. We can solve this agitation if we are very sincere with our selves.

Any suggestion to get out of the recession?

The simple way to get out of recession is to take steps immediately to diversify the economy. By my own understanding, we are in recession because we are not earning enough from crude oil sale. We don’t export our locally manufactured goods because they cannot compete in the international market. Also our people are importing more foreign goods than normal and our manufacturing base is under-producing. We shall get out of recession if we take steps to reverse the trends I enumerated above.

The easiest way to diversify the economy is to take unusual step. If the government means business, let them acquire vast lands all over the country and drag unemployed youths into those lands as farmers. Let them farm

cassava, potato, vegetables, cash crops, yam maize, millet and what have you.

The government should pay them salary until their farm products began to yield fruition. Thereafter, they can be left to take care of themselves. This way unemployment will be reduced and food security will be achieved as well. Then government can close the borders against rice and other food importation.

Government should also discourage importation of non-essential goods to control foreign exchange outflow.

Besides local manufacturing should be encouraged and protected. Let us be contented with what we have here.

It is unfortunate that Government has not displayed the stark reality that we are in a recessed economy. What I mean by this is that our government, both in the executive and the legislative arms at the federal and state levels are over bloated. I call on the Federal Government to trim the cabinet size to about 19. Since retrenchment of staff would create more tension and unwanted consequences, I advise that genuine workers should be kept on their jobs but efforts at removing ghost workers should be intensified.

But both the senior and junior cadres should make sacrifices of reducing their salaries by one third. Government’s political appointees should get two thirds of their entitlements too.

As for our legislators, I am in support of the suggestion by former Head of State, General Babangida that they should be serving on part-time basis. They should be working through committees. The money being spent on salary, perks and foreign trips by legislators and government officials could mend some dilapidated infrastructures in the land.

What is still preventing peace and reunification in the Church?

Let me correct you; there is no division in CAC. What we have is a section, which refused to abide by the law. The Federal High Court in Lagos in 2011 stated clearly that the only authentic ruling body in the affairs of CAC is the General Executive Council. The GEC. The appeal they filed is legally dead because the only litigant who took the case to the Appeal Court has died. They tried to replace the litigants, but the court ruled that they should have applied to do that at the High Court. The Court therefore described them as meddlesome interlopers. So, as it stands now, they have no appeal against that judgement.

When the judgment was first given, we appealed to them to return to the fold without fear of losing their position or ranking. We even proposed to appoint five persons from each side to see to smooth reunion. We appointed from our own side, but they refused to do same. Only last month, God instructed us to pray together because as individuals, we didn’t have any quarrel with ourselves, it was the devil that was waging war against the Church.

Their leader bluntly refused to pray with us. They were hell-bent on having officers of the Church shared with their side having the lion share. But we are still praying to God to touch their heart. There is no way a Christian who is truly a Christian would be flagrantly disobeying the ruling of a competent court in the land.

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One sometimes get confused as to the leadership structure of the CAC. In other churches only the General Overseer is usually known. But in CAC we know several leaders. Why is this so?

There is no problem at all about that. The Christ Apostolic Church was built on the foundation of the Apostles.

You know in the early Church after the Pentecost, we heard about the activities of Apostle Peter, Apostles John, James, Phillips and even Barnabas Prophet Agabus and Paul. The work of evangelism does not know rivalry since everyone is working towards the same goal. But to answer your question, the CAC has a unique structure. Christ is the spiritual head, but administratively, the president is the overall head of the Church. The General Superintendent is next in rank to him followed by the General Evangelist. The General Superintendent oversees all issues affecting our Pastors and our Churches. The General Evangelist is the head of all Evangelists and Prophets in the Church. He takes care of evangelism from grassroots level to the global level. What you are trying to say is that some of our officers are well known than others. Yes, this is due to the assignment God gave them. You know nobody can occupy the office of the General Evangelist except he is a Prophet by calling. In our setting, prophets, especially our General Evangelists have very high profile because from time to time, they are involved in evangelism within and outside the Church and even outside the country.

Our first General Evangelist, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola was more popular than even the first President. Except for the fact that the first President, Oba I. B. Akinyele was a first class Oba, many people even think Apostle Babalola was the founder of the Church because of his popularity. He was popular, but he put himself under the leadership of both the first president and the first General Superintendent, Pastor David Odubanjo, and they worked harmoniously together. So also is our present General Evangelist, Prophet S. K. Abiara. He is under the leadership of the authorities of the Church. He has never presented himself in any forum as the overall head of the Church. It is the media that are always confusing the issue. Prophet Abiara would have been with me in Abuja now but for the fact that he is bereaved. You know he lost his wife recently and we pray that God would give him the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. So also the General Superintendent is in another conference centre presiding over the affairs of the Pastors Conference there.

As I am talking to you, our Pastors in five different conference centres are holding their conferences. So, there is no confusion in the leadership of our Church. We are one.

What is your take on the release of the 21 Chibok girls?

We are very happy at the release of the girls. This is a big plus for President Muhammadu Buhari. Some people were saying Boko Haram prisoners were exchanged for the girls, some said they were freely released, whatever the method used, the end seems to justify the means. But the President should not rest on his oars until all the girls are finally released. The release of the 21 girls has raised our hope that the rest, would sooner or later, be released to join their families. But we wish that day would come sooner. The government has fought the battle against the insurgents to some extent and the Internally Displaced Persons are already going back to their homes. But this

To remain one, we must review our federal structure –CAC leader The President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Olukunle Akinosun, fielded questions from newsmen, after a Pastors’ Conference that recently held in Abuja. Excerpts. should not make the government and our armed forces, which I commend highly for their heroic roles, to think that they have to rest. No. The battle is not yet won until the Boko Haram is completely routed or they surrendered their arms and ammunition to our troops and pledge their loyalty to the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While we are having some relief concerning the battle against the Boko Haram insurgents, the problem of militants is escalating in the Niger Delta and the economy is sinking deeper into recession. What do you think the government can do to get out of this mess?

Some of the problems you pointed out are politically motivated, some are due to the vagaries in the world oil market and some others need just diplomacy to solve. For instance the issue with the militants is a political issue. I wouldn’t apportion blame here. But it was obvious that the fight against corruption embarked upon by the present government gave rise to the new set of militants who are bombing oil installations with a view to compound the economic recession the nation is facing right now. While I am not saying the militants do not have their points, I only want to plead with them to go on the negotiation table with government. They may think they want to bring the government down. But in the long run, the environment of Niger Delta is being destroyed gradually with the crude oil spill that follows each bombing exercise. Besides, their own people who are in employment in these oil companies are being sent out of job.

Another issue is the agitation for a state of Biafra. I am of the opinion that God designed Nigeria to be one.

We often blame the British colonialists that they cobbled us together as strange bedfellows. This is wrong. If it were not the will of God for us to remain as one united country, the first civil war in the country would have succeeded. That would have given other ethnic units the guts to ask for their own country. Also look at other nations that have been balkanised in Europe and Africa, they never went through some of the conditions we are going through before they broke into pieces. So, it is God’s design to keep us together.

But be that as it may, we have to listen to the reasons for the separatists’ agitation too. One way we can still remain as one nation is to review our federal structure. Too much power has been concentrated into the hands of the Federal Government. The states themselves have seized all the powers that should go to the local governments. What we have is a unitary federal government. In this wise, I want to urge President Muhammadu Buhari not to ignore the work of the National Confab whether the one held during President Jonathan’s regime or the one held under President Obasanjo.

He should look into their report and begin to devolve power to the regions.

The battle is not yet won until the Boko Haram is completely routed

Akinosun

Luckily we now have six geo-political zones. These could be developed to regional standard. The federal Government would take care of defence, external affairs, the economy and national institutions while the regions would take care of education, local policing and other items on the concurrent list.

So, my suggestion is that we don’t need so much power at the centre as we have now. That is why the competition to be in the centre is very keen. We can solve this agitation if we are very sincere with our selves.

Any suggestion to get out of the recession?

The simple way to get out of recession is to take steps immediately to diversify the economy. By my own understanding, we are in recession because we are not earning enough from crude oil sale. We don’t export our locally manufactured goods because they cannot compete in the international market. Also our people are importing more foreign goods than normal and our manufacturing base is under-producing. We shall get out of recession if we take steps to reverse the trends I enumerated above.

The easiest way to diversify the economy is to take unusual step. If the government means business, let them acquire vast lands all over the country and drag unemployed youths into those lands as farmers. Let them farm

cassava, potato, vegetables, cash crops, yam maize, millet and what have you.

The government should pay them salary until their farm products began to yield fruition. Thereafter, they can be left to take care of themselves. This way unemployment will be reduced and food security will be achieved as well. Then government can close the borders against rice and other food importation.

Government should also discourage importation of non-essential goods to control foreign exchange outflow.

Besides local manufacturing should be encouraged and protected. Let us be contented with what we have here.

It is unfortunate that Government has not displayed the stark reality that we are in a recessed economy. What I mean by this is that our government, both in the executive and the legislative arms at the federal and state levels are over bloated. I call on the Federal Government to trim the cabinet size to about 19. Since retrenchment of staff would create more tension and unwanted consequences, I advise that genuine workers should be kept on their jobs but efforts at removing ghost workers should be intensified.

But both the senior and junior cadres should make sacrifices of reducing their salaries by one third. Government’s political appointees should get two thirds of their entitlements too.

As for our legislators, I am in support of the suggestion by former Head of State, General Babangida that they should be serving on part-time basis. They should be working through committees. The money being spent on salary, perks and foreign trips by legislators and government officials could mend some dilapidated infrastructures in the land.

What is still preventing peace and reunification in the Church?

Let me correct you; there is no division in CAC. What we have is a section, which refused to abide by the law. The Federal High Court in Lagos in 2011 stated clearly that the only authentic ruling body in the affairs of CAC is the General Executive Council. The GEC. The appeal they filed is legally dead because the only litigant who took the case to the Appeal Court has died. They tried to replace the litigants, but the court ruled that they should have applied to do that at the High Court. The Court therefore described them as meddlesome interlopers. So, as it stands now, they have no appeal against that judgement.

When the judgment was first given, we appealed to them to return to the fold without fear of losing their position or ranking. We even proposed to appoint five persons from each side to see to smooth reunion. We appointed from our own side, but they refused to do same. Only last month, God instructed us to pray together because as individuals, we didn’t have any quarrel with ourselves, it was the devil that was waging war against the Church.

Their leader bluntly refused to pray with us. They were hell-bent on having officers of the Church shared with their side having the lion share. But we are still praying to God to touch their heart. There is no way a Christian who is truly a Christian would be flagrantly disobeying the ruling of a competent court in the land.

50

Feature

They are described as the women of the bench in their circles but everyday Nigerians know them as judges. However, not many are aware that they are married to some of the movers and shakers of the Nigerian society.

ISIOMA MADIKE, in this report, profiles these powerful women of honour whose husbands control the economy in some ways.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

Powerful Nigerians

Justice Mary Ukaego Odili (née Nzenwa) CFR

Born on May 12, 1952, Mary Ukaego, is a judge and wife of Peter Odili, who served as Governor of Rivers State from 1999 to 2007.

She was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria by former President Goodluck Jonathan and was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Katsina-Alu on June 23, 2011.

Prior to becoming SCN justice, she held numerous important offices, including Judge, High Court of Rivers State (1992–2004), Justice, Court of Appeal, Abuja Division (2004–2010), and Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division (2010–2011). She commenced her career in the judiciary as a Magistrate grade III in November 1978.

Justice Eberechi Wike

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun

Justice Mary Odili

Justice Bosede Haastrup

Bosede rose through the ranks as a Senior Registrar I, to become a Chief Registrar in 2009, till she was appointed a judge. She started her legal career with the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja in 2002. She is married to Osun State-born medical practitioner Chief (Dr.) Adetayo Haastrup.

Justice Binta Nyako

Binta is one of the four wives of former Adamawa State governor, Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd). One of the most remarkable things that brought her to the consciousness of many Nigerians was her battle on the home from where she and the other wives of Nyako fought one another to occupy the office of the governor's wife. The office of the Adamawa first lady was vacant for over 100 days as each of the four wives claimed to be the legal occupant of the controversial office.

Not too long ago, she was appointed as the new trial judge of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, which the group expressed total rejection. They claimed that Binta, who was born on May 14, 1959, is a sister to the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari. She became a judge on July 28, 2000.

Justice Fati Abubakar

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo

Justice (DR.) Chioma Nwosu-Iheme

A judge of the Federal Court of Appeal, Justice (Dr.) Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, is the first female judge in Nigeria to read Law up to Ph.D level in the field of 'Law of Intellectual Property'. She is married to Chief Uzoma Nwosu-Iheme, a former Commissioner for Public Utilities and Rural Development, and Commissioner for Education in Imo State. They are in-laws to Sir and Hon. Justice Peter Odili as one of their twin sons, Uzoma, is married to Njideka Odili.

Justice Oluwafunmilayo Olajumoke Atilade

Oluwafunmilayo is a Jurist and incumbent Chief Judge of Lagos State. The former judge at the High Court of Lagos State, is married to Arch. Bishop Magnus Atilade, a gregarious socialite and president of the Gospel Baptist Conference of Nigeria.

She was born in London, England, on September 24, 1952.

Oluwafunmilayo started her law career in 1977 at the Federal Ministry of Justice as a State Counsel.

Anenih

Nyako

Akintola

Justice Binta Nyako

She later joined the services of the Nigerian Ports Authority as a senior legal officer in 1979. Having worked for three years, she was deployed to the Lagos State Judiciary as Senior Magistrate before she later became Chief Magistrate Admin at Apapa Magistrate court. In July 1996, she was appointed Judge of the High Court of Lagos under the administration of the military administrator, Mohammed Buba Marwa. And, on August 20, 2015, Oluwafunmilayo made history when she was appointed Chief Judge by Babatunde Fashola, then governor of Lagos State, to succeed her sister Ayotunde Phillips. She is the 5th Lagos female Chief Judge.

Justice Eberechi Suzzette Wike (née Obuzor)

Eberechi, First Lady of Rivers State, is married to Governor Nyesom Wike. She is a judge of the Rivers State High Court of Justice and was born in Odiokwu, Ahoada, on May 24, 1972. She attended Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where she received her LL.B. (Hons.) in 1996.

Following her graduation, Eberechi enrolled in

Odili

Feature

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

whose wives are judges 29 OCTOBER 2016

51

statement of Ladoja.

Justice Adedayo Oyebanji

The Lagos State High Court judge is married to Tunji Oyebanji, the Chairman/Managing Director of Mobil Oil Nigeria.

xxxx

Justice Adedayo Oyebanji

Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade

Justice Harriba Dagogo-Jacks

Justice Jumoke Pedro

A judge of the Lagos State High Court, Justice Jumoke Pedro, is the wife of bankerturned-politician, Femi Pedro, former Lagos State Deputy Governor. Prior to his election alongside Bola Tinubu, Pedro was a partowner and the chief executive officer of First Atlantic Bank, which later metamorphosed to FinBank. He was said to have been drafted into politics due to his Economic background, and was widely regarded as one of the bedrocks of the economic revolution which Lagos enjoys today.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo

Also a judge of the Lagos State High Court, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, is married to a foremost legal practitioner, Taiwo Taiwo.

She was Chief Registrar before her elevation to the bench as a high court judge in 2004.

The couple has the privilege of being the first husband-wife sitting judges as the husband was one of the 30 judges of the Federal High Court sworn on December 2, 2015. An erudite legal practitioner, he was until his appointment to the Bench, the 2nd Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association and who had once chaired the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association as well.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun Justice Bosede Haastrup

Justice (DR.) Chioma Nwosu-Iheme

Law School where she earned her Barristerat-Law degree (B.L.) in 1997. She also holds a master's degree in law (LL.M.) from the University of Sussex. Eberechi joined Efe Chambers as Legal Counsel in charge of litigation.

She was later selected to serve as Magistrate Grade I. While in the service, she rose to Chief Magistrate Grade II, and from there became High Court judge in February 2012.

Justice Fati Lami Abubakar (Rtd)

Fati, CON, was a former chief judge of Niger State, and founder, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA). She is married to former head of state, Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar, and retired recently from the services of Niger State government, at the age of 65. A legal luminary and trail blazer, she was the first female solicitorgeneral and permanent secretary in Niger State, and the first female attorney-general and commissioner for justice.

The University of Ife (now Obafemi

Atilade

Justice Jumoke Pedro

Awolowo University)-trained graduate was the first female Chief Judge of Niger State. She also has the honour of being the first female high court judge. She has worked as chief inspector of Area Courts with the defunct North Western State government and as private attorney and state counsel with Federal Ministry of Justice, Lagos. She worked also at the Kaduna Sate Ministry of Justice, Kano State Ministry of Justice, and Niger State Ministry of Justice. Fati became CJ in June 2013.

Justice Maryann Anenih

Maryann is the youngest of the three wives of Chief Anthony Anenih, former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees (BOT), who is better known in political circles as Mr. Fix-It. She is a judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja and daughter of a local government chairman in Edo State.

Justice Harriba Dagogo-Jack

A judge of the Rivers State High Court, Jus-

Wike

tice Harriba Judith Dagogo-Jack, is the wife of Engr. Reynolds Beks Dagogo-Jack, the former chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP) as well as former Commissioner for Works and Transport in Rivers State.

Justice Boyede Rachael Akintola

Boyede, wife of the Ibadan-based lawyer, Adeniyi Akintola, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has been described in legal circles as humble, amiable, beautiful, dutiful, and hardworking. She is a Judge of the High Court of Oyo State. Not much is known about this woman of the bench, but her legal luminary husband was counsel and legal consultant to various state governments of the federation, federal government and some local government councils at one time or the other. Akintola was also a lead counsel in the celebrated case of then Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja impeachment saga (Inakoju V. Adeleke) in which he was said to have done something very novel in the history of Nigerian legal jurisprudence that led to the rein-

Pedro

Kudirat is a justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The University of Lagos and London School of Economic and Political Science-trained graduate is married to Akin Kekere-Ekun, a distinguished retired banker and onetime Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of now defunct Habib Nigeria Bank Limited. Kekere-Ekun was also former National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Nigeria’s privatisation regulatory authority.

Kudirat is said to be the youngest female jurist at the Supreme Court. She was born on May 7, 1958.

She rose from the post of Senior Magistrate Grade II with Lagos State Judiciary to her present position as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. As a High Court Judge, Kudirat served as Chairman, Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja from 1996 to 1999, where she was said to have delivered so many landmark judgements. She was appointed to the bench of the Nigerian Courts of Appeal in 2004 where she served as a member of the Court of Appeal ICT Committee between 2011 and 2013. Some people have dubbed her another 'Margret Thatcher', but her colleagues see her as a firm believer of substantial justice and someone who would not substitute the substance of the law for technicalities.

Abdulsalam

52

Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

Jonathan and his uncouth endorsement of corruption

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hen the then president Goodluck Jonathan called candidate Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), to congratulate him as the president-elect before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), made the official pronouncement, the unprecedented gesture boosted Jonathan's image as a true democrat and lover of peace. It was not difficult to juxtapose Jonathan's unique and matured concession of defeat with Buhari's irascible remarks and its attendant consequences when he lost the presidential election in 2011.

Jonathan's concession was a needed relief to douse the tension created by Chief Godsday Orubebe's histrionic behaviour when the then Minister of Niger Delta Affairs attempted to stop INEC from announcing the result of the 2015 presidential election in Abuja.

Jonathan no doubt became an instant hero even beyond the shores of Nigeria for that singular act on a continent where sit-tight and despotic rulers are never in short supply. In the estimation of some Jonathanians, a coinage for the die-hard supporters of the ex-president, the gesture was enough to garland him with a medal as the hero of democracy in Africa. A few others even suggested that his name should be forwarded to the Nobel prize committee for consideration for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. Left for this category of people, there is no point raising issues on the downside of the Jonathan regime even if his reign was characterised by obvious negativitives that set the country back.

Jonathan's supporters are not alone in this dangerous game of delusion, the former president is also part of the conspiratorial gang-up to pull the wool over our eyes going by his recent pronouncement that he fought corruption without making a noise.

But if there is a false belief that is in confrontation with actual facts, it is incumbent to set the record straight.

The former president had on Monday while speaking at the Oxford Union of the famous University of Oxford in the United Kingdom claimed that his administration fought corruption without making a noise about it. While responding to inquiries by some of the students on how his government fought against corruption, the former president said he would not like to interfere since "several matters are pending in courts." I do not have problem with his position on this since the president administration has obviously demonstrated its

Waheed Bakare on Saturday

09056089320 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com penchant for media trial in its fight against corruption.

I do not also have issues with him when he argued that corruption is not the exclusive property of his administration and that the problem is global. "I am not saying there is no corruption in Nigeria, there is corruption. If you look at corruption there is almost no country that is free, the degree varies, the perception varies.

Transparency International talks about the way corruption is perceived in different economies. Why do we talk about the way corruption is being perceived?

It depends on the issue raised in the media every day," Jonathan reportedly said.

Again, no issue with this.

However, I cannot fathom what the ex-president meant when he said: "We reformed the institutions and introduced various mechanisms to stop the corruption problems in our country without publicity." I think there is need for Jonathan to explain to the home audience what mechanisms he introduced and how efficacious they were to checkmate the sleaze and mendacity which characterised the Jonathan years of the locusts.

On the $2.2 billion arms deal scam, the ex-president said : "They said the National Security Adviser stole $2.2 billion. I don't

think somebody can just steal $2.2 billion.

We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army and so on and so forth and you are still saying 2.2 billion, so, where did we get the money to buy all those things?" To the best of my knowledge, nobody had accused Sambo Dasuki of stealing the said sum.

The allegations bordered on whether the $2.2 billion earmarked for procurement of arms and ammunition was actually used for that purpose and whether or not part of it was diverted for other uses as being claimed by the present administration.

Of course arms and ammunition were bought, but Nigerians need to know if contract sums awarded for that purpose were inflated or not. We also deserve to know if refurbished equipment were bought and presented as new. We need to know if some people corruptly enriched themselves using part of the money or they only engaged in mere stealing part of the money. After all, the ex-president once told a bewildered nation during one of his presidential media chats that what most Nigerians categorised as corruption is mere stealing.

That Jonathan was a president of Nigeria was a misnomer going by some of his 'unpresidential' narratives while in office.

One can easily recall what the former president said in Kenya when he was reminded of how poor Nigerians were back at home. The Jonathan best he could tell his audience was that the number of private jets some Nigerians acquired during his reign was a sign of how prosperous we are as a nation.

Perhaps, the former president has forgotten so soon some of his disappointing remarks, which exposed him as a man whose body language convey the impression that corruption is a way of life.

How can we forget so soon when the ex-president told bemused Nigerians on national television that: "Over 70 per cent of what are

called corruption cases even by the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies are not corruption but common stealing." It seems in the understanding of Jonathan, there is difference between six and half of a dozen.

Why should we not believe that the expresident fought corruption without making a noise when the same man once said during his electioneering that: "How much did Jim Nwobodo steal? Money not up to the price of a Peugeot (car) and Buhari sent him to jail. Is that good? " Despite the mechanisms put in place by the Jonathan administration, Stella Oduah, a former minister of aviation, still bought two BMW bullet proof cars at the rate of N255 million. Is this stealing or corruption or both or none of the above? How potent were his mechanisms that they could not detect the millions of naira used in hiring private jet and maintaining the ostentatious and luxurious lifestyle of the former minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke? It is not in doubt that Jonathan's administration fought corruption except that it was blind to how young job seekers were allegedly duped of N676 million by Abba Moro's ministry of interior during the infamous job recruitment of the Nigeria Immigration.

Irrespective of whatever the former president wants the outside world to believe, the truth is that Nigeria was like a buffet under him and gluttons ate the country as if there will be no tomorrow.

Even Chief Edwin Clark admitted that his 'son', Jonathan, was too weak to fight corruption to the extent that even drivers, gardeners and other domestic servants under him became overnight millionaires not for winning lotteries but through corruption.

But the former president must have been emboldened by the lethargic performance of the Buhari-led administration to twist the fact about his fight against corruption and claiming to be a hero. The state of the economy is grinding us down and there is genuine fear that unless the state of things is remedied on time, it might get worse.

The growing despodency in the land should be a cause for concern as more and more Nigerians are yearning for the past because the present administration has not met their expectation. And this is why the inert Jonathan regime is now parading itself as a better alternative. In the eyes of some Nigerians, it is right to say so because they were not as hungry as they are now under the immediate past administration.

News Extra

Over 50 cultists denounce cultism in Abia Victor Mba

O Aba

ver 50 members of various cult groups yesterday openly denounced cultism at the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State when the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Leye Oyebade, prayed and sang during an outreach organised by the police force.

The occasion tagged the mega campus outreach against cultism, which was organised by the area command of the force in Aba attracted many religious leaders.

One of the religions leaders, Rev. Kelechi Anyanwu of the Catholic Church, in a sermon, said cultism had eaten

deep into the foundation of our schools.

Anyanwu said one of the causes of cultism especially in our tertiary institution was lack of parental care and removal of moral education from the curriculum.

He also blamed parent for neglect and not keeping close watch on their children and wards.

He also noted that the fall in standard of education is another major reason why students join cults groups said he “it is just to show off and pass their examinations”.

“The only way to bring our young ones from cultism is to take to back to God, we must bring Jesus back into the lives of students at all levels of our education,” he

said.

When Oyebade mounted the rostrum, he preached, sang and encouraged the students, where about 50 students surrendered their lives to God and denounced cultism.

He assured the students that the police will ensure that they will not be harassed or intimidated by members of the cult groups for abandoning their evil ways.

The state police boss noted the need to organise the campus outreach was to nip crime in the bud and save the lives of our youths who are leaders of tomorrow.

The command, he said, would embark on such campus security watch to save our students from the evil of cultism.

L-R: Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osogbo Command, Osun State, Mr. Philip Ayodele; Head, Crisis/Disaster Management, Mrs. Mosunmola Babayemi; VicePresident, FASTMED, Mrs. Florence Olujimi and Chaplain, Dr. Stephen Olujimi, during a free medical service rendered by the FASTMED to officials of NSCDC at Osogbo…recently

Photonews 53

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 OCTOBER 2016

Some personalities at the wedding ceremony between Adetoun Egbemode and Temitayo Salami in Oregun, Lagos, last Saturday

Pastor Godspower Opara; the couple, Adetoun and Temitope; Pastor Joshua Afolabi; Pastor Niyi Olunubi,

L-R: Mrs. Funmilayo Omotosho; Mrs. Yemisi Adeniran; Miss Temi and Timileyin

L-R: Former General Manager, Channels TV, Kayode Akintemi; GM, Vanguard Newspaper, Gbenga Adefaye; former Senate President, Ayim Pius Ayim and Lagos State CP, Fatai Owoseni

L-R: Mr. Boniface Opute, Mr. Steve Osuji and Mr. Toye Olori

L-R: Mrs. Lara Ofou, Mrs. Oyin Onime and Mrs. Funso Oshunkeye

L-R: Ken Ugbechue, Provost NIJ, Gbemiga Ogunleye; Mr. Oma Djebah, MD, ThisDay Newspaper, Eniola Bello and SA to Minister of Works, Hakeem Bello

Mr. Ray Echebiri and wife, Folake

L-R: Aliu Erojie, Ayodele Ojo, Yemi Ajayi, Bolaji Tunji, Juliet Bumah, Waheed Bakare, Kunle Salami, Goeffery Ekenna and Robinson Eze

54

Sport Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Be focused, beat Algeria •Amunike tells Eagles A Adekunle Salami

former national U-17 coach, Emmanuel Amunike, has charged the Super Eagles to remain focused as the crucial World Cup qualifying match against Algeria draws near.

The former international on Friday said the forthcoming match against Algeria could be the most crucial for the team and Nigeria.

He said: “The momentum is with us and all we have to do is to consolidate.

Algeria failed to win at home and will be all out against us here. They are also aware that a defeat is going to create five-point gap between us which is going to be massive after second round of matches.

“There should be total focus to get the three points anyway. We don’t

W

have to play beautiful football but to get what we needed, a win.

“The players should not assume the game will be easy because we are up against one of the best teams on the continent for now. It will be tough but we get that victory.”

A win against Algeria will give Eagles six points from two games while the Foxes will remain with one point.

Cameroon and Zambia will also clash but none of them can be above four points.

Amunike commended the Eagles for the 2-1 away win recorded against Zambia in Ndola and urged the players to maintain the momentum.

“We have a big advantage on our side now. The good start in Zambia was great but that is history, focus is

on consolidating with another win,” he added.

The Nigeria, Algeria 2018 World Cup qualifier is billed to take place in Uyo on November 12.

Success out of Algeria clash

atford have announced that Nigeria striker Isaac Success will miss next month’s World Cup qualifier against Algeria due to injury.

The Watford star suffered a thigh injury in Watford's match against Middlesbrough and was flown out to Barcelona alongside one of the medical staff for treatment early this week.

He has been ruled out of Watford tie against Hull City this weekend

and will also not be fit until after the international break.

Walter Masari the manager of Watford took to Twitter Thursday evening to express his disappointment about the unavailability of his star striker.

According to Masari, "Isaac Success being out for Hull game is the biggest disappointment since I re-

Algeria appoint former coach Leekens

Success in Watford colours

A

lgeria have appointed Georges Leekens for a second spell as their national coach.

The Belgian, who previously led the team in 2003, replaces Milovan Rajevac, who was ousted by reported player power earlier this month.

Thursday's appointment came just 16 days before Algeria play Nigeria in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

"This choice was unanimously approved by members of the federal bureau," said the Algerian federation in a statement.

"The commission, having consulted several coaches, had decided on a shortlist of five trainers."

Leekens is the third Algeria coach this year after Serbia's Rajevac replaced Frenchman Christian Gourcuff, who surprisingly stepped down in April with two years left on his contract.

The 67-year-old takes charge just two days after losing his job at Belgian side Lokeren, who have lost eight out of 12 games this season.

The bespectacled coach led Algeria for four months in 2003 before leaving for 'family reasons' just days after qualifying the team for the 2004 Nations Cup. After the November 12 qualifier in Nigeria, the former Belgium coach will concentrate his efforts on January's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

egendary Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has said Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi will be one of the reasons Arsenal will be title contenders this season.

“I’m impressed with the young boy Alex Iwobi. You shouldn’t forget Arsenal [in the title race],” Ferguson told Kicker.

“The team is more sturdy. They’ve got

alised it isn't Christmas today.”

Masari, who is unable to give timescale as Success is ruled out, further said, "We'll be able to be more precise after the international break.”

This shows that Success, who has yet to be capped at full international level, will not be part of Super Eagles squad against Algeria in Uyo on November 12.

Injury also kept him out of another World Cup clash in Zambia earlier this month.

NCC Tennis League: Lead Way will shock Team Tombim, says Imeh

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Ferguson rates Arsenal, Iwobi high

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Amunike

better and more aggressive.

Sir Alex said Manchester City are favourites to be champions again.

“I think there’s five potential candidates: Manchester City as favourites, Tottenham and Liverpool, but also Man United are still there if we get some consistency soon," he predicted.

oseph Imeh, the No. 1 men's singles player of Team Lead Way said the defending champions, Team Tombim from Abuja, are in for "a shocker" in this weekend's decisive tie taking place at the National Stadium Surulere on Saturday and Sunday.

Imeh said: "We know that the winner of this tie will most likely emerge winner of the Blue Group and play the runner-up from the White Group in the semifinals. It is therefore important for us to win.

"Tombim has Moses Michael, the national champion, Christian Paul and Sarah Adegoke who are top players but we also have Monday Igbinovia who can beat anyone on his day and Ronke Akingbade. We are stronger in the doubles and if we win the two doubles matches - men's and mixed - we should win the tie."

Besides the interesting matches lined up, the sponsors supported by soft drink giants, Coca Cola, are providing snacks and refreshments for all spectators. There will also be raffle draws for state-of-the-art phones, tee shirts and other gift items between the matches.

The Director of the International Tennis Academy, organisers of the League, Godwin Kienka, said: "It is going to be an ideal picnic event for sports loving families and we are looking forward to a great atmosphere with very interesting matches.

We expect the same atmosphere in Ilorin where Team Goshen is hosting Team Offikwu ."

The matches in Lagos for Saturday have been rescheduled to start at 11am.

29 OCTOBER 2016

Sport Slaming Adekunle Salami adekunles@yahoo.com 08050498539 (sms only)

Before recession kills Nigerian sport…

S

hortly before the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, the U-23 national football team was stranded in Atlanta, USA, for about five days. The team eventually arrived Brazil for its first match five hours to the game against Japan. The major issue that affected the team was money.

The U-17 and U-20 team crashed out of their respective Africa and global events earlier in the year and it was due to poor motivation and inadequate funding of these teams.

Followers of the game will be subjected to the disappointment of watching these tournaments on television despite the pedigree of the country in global age-grade football.

Only recently, the Nigeria Football Federation cried out that there was no money to prosecute the Zambia, Nigeria match that took place in Ndola. President Muhammadu Buhari had to dole out N100m to the team so that there would be no excuse for failure.

Currently, Super Falcons players preparing for the African Women Nations Cup are not happy in camp with just a few days to the kick-off of the continental event. They are being owed outstanding bonus and allowances. Falcons are expected to travel to Cameroon and defend the trophy they won two years ago but their morale is down.

While football administrators are crying, people in other sports have almost given up hope on how to sustain their respective federations. The Athletic Federation has been complaining over the years. Its President Solomon Ogba has sponsored athletes to many tournaments especially the junior events on his own. In some cases, he gets his money back from government but the athletes will be barely comfortable at such events.

Aruna Quadri who did very well for Nigeria and Africa at the Olympic Games had to sponsor himself to the Table Tennis World Cup in Germany just a few weeks after the games. That was very embarrassing and so discouraging to someone who emerged the first African to play in the last eight of the Olympics table tennis event.

At the ongoing Africa Table Tennis Championship in Morocco, the current recession again reared its ugly head as there were no funds to sponsor the ping pongers to the North African country. The players based abroad bought tickets on their own to honour the competition while two players based in Nigeria also raised part of their ticket money while the federation boss, Enitan Oshodi, completed the balance. Sadly, Funke Oshonaike travelled for the event only to find out that she was the only lady in the team. So, Nigeria was walked over by South Africa in the women’s team event and thus the country failed to qualify for the next two global events in 2017 and 2018.

My heart bleeds for sports in the country as funding is now an issue that determines the future of our youths. There are no regular national competitions for them to keep fit and be evaluated for higher challenges. Exposing them is another big issue as the sports ministry has a ready answer for all matters concerning funding - “No Money.”

The ministry is already struggling due to the scrapping of the National Sports Commission because there seems to be no senior person talking to the minister, Solomon Dalung, on the implication of the poor funding of sports and the absence of Nigeria from major competitions due to financial handicap of the federations. The sponsors are currently not doing enough in sports and there should be a deliberate effort by government to woo them back because sport is practically facing extinction. The Godwin Kienka-led reform committee set up by Dalung recently submitted its report and noted that sports had the capacity to create between 480 and 620 billion dollar global industry in Nigeria if the right things were done. The body advised that big business organisations should be encouraged to embrace sports and see it as a corporate social responsibility. It is not certain if the good recommendations of this committee will be implemented soon but there should be alternative sources to fund sports since it is obvious government cannot do it alone.

Somehow, despite the recession, football is enjoying huge government support and I think it is only fair to extend this to other federations before administrators finally kill the only unifying factor in the country, sport.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

29 October 2016

News 55

SATURDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2016

Sanctity of Truth

SATURDAY

N150

DESTINATION Ofala Festival: Pomp, enthralling cultural feast

PERSPECTIVE Jonathan and his uncouth endorsement of corruption

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a l o i d r Gua seeks n o i t p m rede W

Ajibade Olusesan

SPORTS WORD SEARCH SUNSHINE STARS FOOTBALL CLUB PLAYERS

Olorundare Okunowo Odunlami Ezenwa Seun Kwambe Udoh Akinsola Oboabona Azuka Ojo

Emmanuel Ariyo Mine Dimgba Michael Okiki Abe Adegbite Sunday Kadiri

hat will be on Pep Guardiola’s mind and that of his teeming Manchester City faithful is redemption song as the Citizens visit the Hawthorns for an English Premier League clash with West Brom today (Saturday).

Guardiola’s fortunes switched from enjoying his most brilliant start to a managerial career to enduring his worst moment as a coach all within the space of 10 weeks, and the Spaniard will be keen this weekend to halt the bad spell.

The former Barcelona manager put paid to insinuations that he would struggle in England compared to the rollercoaster ride he enjoyed in Spain and Germany by winning his first 10 matches in all competitions but the momentum has stalled in recent weeks, and Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Manchester United marked Man City’s sixth straight game without a victory.

It was a dubious record for the coach, one he does not want to remember. Guardiola had endured five match winless streak before but going six games without a victory is something he does not want to experience again.

"We will improve. Sometimes it happens in football that the managers don't win," Guardiola told British media, adding that he had never been through such a run as a manager. "It is the first time and hopefully it does not happen again.

"But it is part of our profession; sometimes you win and sometimes lose. I have learned in all the 16 games. Every team has streaks of good results and bad results. The strange thing is after seven years as a manager, it happens now."

City, who have seen their lead evaporate and are ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool only on goal difference, travel to face West Brom and the manager will hope things will get better again.

He has to inspire his lackluster players that are lacking in motivation, they need to rediscover their form for the team to progress.

Striker Sergio Aguero is struggling for form so also is Kevin De Bruyne who was the most in form EPL player at the start of this campaign.

Guardiola has not found a lasting solution to his back line, having used six different combinations in the centre back in just 16 matches.

The coach once confessed that midfielder Fernadinho’s form was key in their good run earlier in the season but the Brazilian has become a shadow of himself in recent time.

It is a big task for the coach to galvanize his team to move out of this bad patch but it is something he can do and he will be keen to halt the bad spell when they visit the Hawthorns today.

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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.