Sunday, august 14, 2016

Hajj: Saudi decrees death penalty for pilgrims with kolanut, contraband

}10

Illegal oil wells: Lagos evicts residents, seals off }3 houses Sanctity of Truth

Sunday, AUGUST 14, 2016 Vol. 3 No. 907

OIL FACILITIES PROTECTION:

AIR STRIKES IN NIGER DELTA IMMiNENT lNAF set for operation lWe're no longer worried about N'East –CAS lNavy arrests brains behind Chevron attacks lShell Nigeria declares force majeure }5,31 on Bonny Light crude lifting }3, 10

N150

NEWS Rio 2016: Nigeria to face Germany in semis, beat Denmark 2-0 }6

Stop going to Buhari for selfish reasons –Theologians warn clerics }4

Budget padding: I’m not above the law –Dogara }5

FAB SISTERS: WE’RE BIG, BOLD & confident

}20,21

2

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 14.08.16 BODY & SOUL

Bold sisterhood Amazing story of plus-size women who came together to make bold statements about their lives

}20&21

POLITICS

Thorny convention The opposition Peoples Democratic Party battles for survival, even as godfather, Bode George, squares up against his godson, Jimmy Agbaje, a make-or-mar convention

}23

BUSINESS

Threatened!

The September 1 date for the commencement of National Home Grown School Feeding Programme for school children may not be realized as the main government suppliers are not fully ready

}43

FAITH

Leadership training The platform chosen by the BSN to contribute to youth development is one of the best avenues to help them inculcate leadership values

}31

SPORT

Unstopable The Team Nigeria's Table Tennis coach, Nosiru Bello, has declared that the Rio 2016 Olympics quarterfinalist, Aruna Quadri, will be good enough to win gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

}53

Magazine

Inheritance Igbo leaders insist that there is no right of inheritance for female children under the Igbo law and tradition

}8&9

SUNDAY

Editorial

T

Hard times in Rio

he 31st Olympic Olympiad opened in Rio Brazil is 10 days old today with over 10,500 athletes from206 National Olympic Committees competing for honours in 28 sports. A total of 85 Team Nigeria athletes are part of the participating athletes looking forward to excel at this event which is the biggest in sports.

Nigeria won her very first medal at the games at Tokyo’64 courtesy of Nojim Maiyegun in the men's light middleweight boxing event. But between then and now, only 23 medals have been won by the country at the games. Three of the medals were gold, eight silver and 12 were bronze. However, on seven occasions, Nigeria failed to win a medal at the Olympics. This happened at Helsinki ’52, Melbourne ’56, Rome ’60, Mexico ’68, Moscow ’80, Seoul ’88 and London 2012. We believe Nigeria should have done better generally based on the abundant talents the country is blessed with.

For example, after the misadventure at the Olympic Games in London four years ago, the then Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi, assured that the preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympics would start immediately. We recall that not long after, he was changed and the new minister, Tammy Danagogo, practically struggled to understand the template Abdulahi was trying to create for planning for the next Games.

We make bold to say inconsistency in administration is a major bane in sports. Today, Nigeria has yet another Sports Minister in Solomon Dalung and sad enough, the preparation for the games had been very bad for Team Nigeria.

Dalung, we believe does not understand how sports is being administered or how the civil service system works. It was sad that rather than look for money to prepare athletes for the games, Dalung was waiting for government money which as usual went through several bureaucratic stages.

The money, which was said to be small, was not released at once.

It is also disturbing that a country of over 160million people could not provide a chattered flight for its athletes to the games.

Reports showed most delegates of every country arrived together.

Nigeria with only 85 athletes travelled in batches to the games. Some of the athletes arrived Sao Paulo before taking yet another flight to Rio. The poor planning also affected the country’s U-23 team that was stranded for about one week in Atlanta. It was so bad that the team was unable to train for about three days as they were always going to the airport only to

be disappointed.

We believe Nigeria as a country can do better. The competition comes up every four years and it is disturbing that the preparation of athletes was not adequate while the travelling arrangements were also very bad both in Nigeria and in the United States.

Foreign news organisations reported the new of Nigeria’s stranded team prominently. This we believe is a shame to Nigeria and all those involved in this big embarrassment should be investigated and punished accordingly. Dalung himself was in the United States when the airline expected to lift the U-23 team refused to do so until money is credited to the company’s accounts.

There was also the issue of the ‘missing’ N2.9billion which was released for the All Africa Games and Olympic Games preparation. We learnt that the President demanded a probe and because of that the training tour of the team was cancelled while all other preparatory plans were on hold. The sad tale of the wrestling team is another indication that the officials in the Sports Ministry are bereft of ideas. Federation President, Daniel Igali suggested that the wrestlers should stay for more time in Nigeria because sparring partners were not allowed to travel. The ministry declined and so the wrestlers were not able to train well in Rio. Officials also failed to provide money to engage training partners in Brazil. Wrestling is one of the country’s areas of strength but the overall preparation has been poor.

We believe strongly that the scrapping of the National Sports Commission is a big setback for sports as there is no director, who is a sports technocrat with knowledge of what to do at crucial time like this. Again, Dalung is not ready to seek opinion of those who are knowledgeable about sports administration; rather he has been taking crude decisions which has affected many Nigerian youths negatively.

The Olympic Games is for serious people who have what it takes to plan well. This edition is most likely going to be like London 2012 except an athlete picks a medal by luck coupled with personal efforts. Nigeria has not prepared her athletes well to excel, the country barely managed to participate.

It is so bad and we hope this trend will stop.

There could be a deliberate plan for the next games scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan in 2020. We pray those in authorities will again learn from these poor arrangements for the Rio 2016 Games.

Nigerian athletes are very talented, they deserve better.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

Managing Editor, South n Emeka Madunagu Managing Editor, North & Abuja n Laurence Ani

Editor n Ayodele Ojo Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare Deputy Editor n Tunde Sulaiman

Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam Asst. Editor, News & Politics n Biyi Adegoroye

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun Head, Arts & Creative n Ugochukwu Nnakwe Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

3

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

Emmanuel Onani Abuja

T

he Federal Government’s determination to end bombing of pipelines by Niger Delta agitators, will soon enter a new phase, as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to launch an exercise in the oil-rich region.

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, dropped the hint yesterday in Abuja, during the 10-kilometre quarterly march, by officers and airmen.

The Air Chief, who said the quarterly exercise affords the Force the oppor-

We’ll soon launch air strikes against militants - CAS tunity to assess its personnel’s health condition and physical fitness, further disclosed that the counterterrorism operation in the North East, was almost over.

Abubakar said it was against this backdrop, that the NAF had begun preparation for an air exercise against vandalism of oil installations in the Niger

Delta region.

“The challenges in the North East have been substantially addressed, so we are not so worried now with the north east.

“Our main focus would now be to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria in the South-South and to ensure that oil and gas infrastructure is not destroyed by any group or

groups of individuals.

“Very soon, we will launch an exercise in the South South also, and the aim of the exercise is to protect our people and the infrastructure of Nigeria,” the CAS stated.

On the importance of the route march, he noted: “For us in the Air Force, this exercise is a quarterly activity, and

it is intended to serve a number of purposes.

First, it gives the leadership the opportunity to understand what it feels when we task younger officers and air men to undertake a task.

“We are all aware of the challenges the Nigerian state is facing so we must therefore be in the best of forms in terms of our

health and physical wellbeing, to be able to address these challenges.

“It is very gratifying to note that the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force from the Chief of Staff, to the branch chiefs to directors, are all here to participate in this important exercise; the challenges of today, require a sound mind in a sound body.”

Navy arrests brains behind Avenger attacks Ola James Warri

T

wo active members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), believed to be the masterminds of recent attacks by the group, have been arrested by the Nigerian Navy Warri, Delta State.

Parading the suspects before newsmen yesterday, the Commander, NNS Delta, Warri Naval Base Commodore Joseph Dzunye, said the suspects were apprehended, Thursday, around Sapele area in Warri North Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the Avenger members, whose names were given as Felix Miyenminiya, 53, and Stanley Jongha, 35, are the brains behind the attacks on Chevron facilities between May and July this year.

“Besides, the hoodlums are also involved in pipeline vandalism and sea robbery. However, nemesis caught up with them when a team of Nigerian Navy, sister services and other security agencies, under Operation Polo Shield, swooped on the criminals,” said the Navy chief.

“Besides, it is worthy to note that the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies have been doing their best to curtail attacks on oil facilities as well as reducing to the barest min-

imum, act of criminalities in the Niger Delta Area,” Commodore Dzunve further said.

He warned that the Nigerian Navy will not fold her hands and watch unscrupulous elements destroying the nation’s economy.

“Let me also assure members of the public that the Nigerian Navy is poised to curbing criminal activities in the nation’s maritime environment. Above all, we will continue to maintain the Chief of Naval Staff’s zero tolerance on oil theft and to also provide safe atmosphere for legitimate business to thrive,” the Base Commander said.

However, fielding questions from newsmen, one of the suspects, Felix Miyenminiya, denied knowledge of the allegation while the other suspect, Stanley Tongha, insisted that Felix, who is his uncle, is neck deep in the illegal business.

“My Uncle (Felix) always sends us to the river with dynamite and bomb to do the damage to oil facilities and perpetrate other nefarious acts,” said Stanley.

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to curtail the activities of militants in the Niger Delta in an effort to boost the nation’s main foreign exchange earner – crude oil, which output has severely been affected by the actions.

Abeokuta and Ibadan streets in Illasamaja after the Lagos State Government sealed off houses harbouring illegal oil wells...yesterday Chijioke Iremeka

Chijioke Iremeka

I

t was like a war-torn zone, yesterday, at densely populated Ilasamaja community in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State as some residents of Ibadan and Abeokuta streets in the area were given 24 hours by the state government to evacuate their homes or risk arrest, following discovery of illegal oil wells in the community.

Sunday Telegraph’s visit to the community revealed that the evictees were in a rowdy mood moving their belongings to and fro, scampering for shelter. The occupants of about seven buildings on the Ibadan Street and five others on Abeokuta

Kalu mourns Presidential aide, Adu

F

ormer Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu has sympathized with President Muhammadu Buhari over the demise of his Senior Special Assistant on Economic Matters, Mr. Ayodele Adu. According to Kalu, the late financial analyst was a thorough bred professional who committed his intellectual capacity to the cause of the Nigeria

project.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to President Buhari and his team over the passing of Mr Ayodele Adu, who was until his death, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Economic Matters.

“Mr Adu was a gentleman and an accomplished

expert who gave his best to the nation in different capacities.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the deceased family and loved ones at this mournful period.”

The former governor, while commiserating with the government and people of Ekiti State, prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and also give his family the fortitude to bear the sad loss.

Illegal oil wells: Lagos evicts residents, seals off houses

Street were seen yelling and packing their belongings, following government’s 24-hour ultimatum.

Though the fate of the cordoned off houses is unknown, the affected residents, who were confused and lamenting, appealed to the state government to provide them with alternative shelter - especially the innocent evictees.

As at the time of our visit we saw victims with their belongings lying on the ground, while bargaining with truck pushers, tricycles and other vehicles drivers, who came to assist in conveying their luggage away.

Some were seen packing into neighbours’ compounds while praying that rain does not fall, which would further compound their woes as electrical appliances, mattresses, chairs, books and other delicate property were among the belongings exposed to the elements.

Five police vans were seen on the spot with armed personnel to ensure that the evictees complied with the order and at the same time,

ensure that more oil is not scooped from already cordoned off houses.

Reacting to the ugly development, Ayandare Ibrahim, a son to one of the landlords, whose house was sealed on Ibadan Street, said he was apprehensive about the development as his father’s house was not among the houses mentioned on Friday, wondering why the house was included yesterday.

“Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) came in this morning (yesterday) and sealed up our house. They said drops of oil were found in our well. They did the same to other three houses and sealed them up. It’s not fair because we are being punished along with the perpetrators,” he said.

When contacted to react on the 24 hours deadline, given to the residents to vacate their homes, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said, “There was no matching order to that effect. Government didn’t issue any deadline for them

to move but it was advisable that they move to allow the Police, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and LASEMA to conduct their investigations to determine whether the pipeline was leaking or a case of vandalism.

Speaking on the possible relocation and compensation of evictees, he said, “We haven’t got to the point of compiling list or trying to known the number of people to be relocated or compensated. We don’t want anybody to be displaced.

Once the investigations are concluded by the authorities in charge and the environment is declared safe by the Ministry of Environment, the affected residents will return to their respective homes.

“What we said was that LASG will be working with those people affected to ensure that no one is displaced. May they are moving out of the environment on their own because they have alternative arrangements or think it’s no more conducive for them to remain in the area.”

4

SUNDAY 14 AUGUST, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NEWS

Uwazuruike is a scam, says Prophet Nwoko •You are a hireling - Nwazurike

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

A

cleric, Prophet Anthony Nwoko has called on Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, founder of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) to immediately quit the Biafran struggle alleging that Uwazuruike is more of a problem than the solution to the Biafran agitation.

Making the statement recently shortly after a solidarity visit to the Uchenna Madu-led MASSOB, Nwoko, who is popularly known as the ‘Prophet of Prophets’ alleged that Uwazuruike has compromised the struggle deceiving all the core stakeholders in the Igbo project.

“Uwazuruike has deceived the world, deceived Ikemba Ojukwu, deceived Bianca Ojukwu and deceived all politicians from the region. Countless Igbo youths have died in this struggle yet Uwazuruike has succeeded in duping the Biafran nation using the massive youth population across the old Biafran enclave to amass wealth.”

While endorsing the alliance between the Comrade Uchenna Madu-led MASSOB, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other pro-Biafra groups, Prophet Nwoko warned Uwazuruike that heaven was displeased with him and that the anger of God was already kindled against him.

While speaking on the present situation in the country, the cleric noted that though former President Goodluck Jonathan, who he said he had anointing for greatness did not exactly fulfil his mandate

as the forerunner who will usher in the glorious era, that God’s verdict for 2016 is that, “The ruling APC government in Nigeria is not God’s plan for Nigeria and has been rejected in heaven.”

He also warned Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka to retrace his steps and desist from misleading the public.

Said he: “During the elections, Mbaka told Nigerians that Buhari was the Messiah while demonising Jonathan.

Heaven is angry with Mbaka for his ungodly roles in that election. Mbaka has done a grievous evil against the spirit and should by this warning restrain himself.

“In 2010, I went to his church to warn him from misdirecting the public. In 2011 and 2015, I was also in his church to warn him all to no avail. I, therefore, warn him to thread with caution and be spiritually guided in his utterances and actions. “ However, reacting, Mr Chris Mocha, the spokesman for Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, described the assertions of the Prophet as unfortunate saying no true Igbo man will seek to undermine the Biafran struggle in this manner.

“The said prophet cannot be a true Igbo man. He may have been hired to do what he is doing. Uwazuruike is presently the only leader whose voice has been loud and consistent in the agitation for self-determination.

He is the only leader with a structure and strategy to the realization of Biafra.

Some of these men like this so called prophet are not full blooded Igbo men. The man in question was fathered by a northerner so his actions are unpredictable.”

A cross section of members of the Federal Nigerian Society for the Blind during their White Cane Day Walk tagged, “Fitness Walk for Sight” in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTOS: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

A

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yusuf Ali has examined the current allegations of padding of the 2016 budget to the tune of N280billion against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, stating that budget padding is not a crime.

He, however, added that padding can only amount to an offence if the appropriation bill as passed by the National Assembly is signed into law by the President.

“Padding means ‘adding to’.

A budget is incomplete until it is passed and assented to by the president or governor.

“For now, it’s a bill, that’s why it’s called budget proposal. It’s not an act or law yet. The budget proposal is like any other bill to be passed into an act.

If, for instance, the executive sends the Petroleum Industry Bill to the National Assembly, must it be passed the same way it was sent? Can they not alter some sections, as is done during public hearings? Will that be padding?

“The legislature is not

Padding not a crime - Ali, Raji, Ajulo bound under the constitution to pass a bill the way it is presented, either by a member or by the executive. You can’t say a budget has been padded except people inserted new things after the president assented to it, in which case they’re changing the texture of the law.

“What will amount to an illegality is when a bill has been passed into law and anybody now adds to it after it has been assented to. It’s like changing the sections of a law that has already been passed. That’ll be an offence.

“A budget proposal can be deducted from or added to.

The total figure of a budget proposal may increase or decrease. More than any other thing, there’s nothing like the offence of padding under our law. For me, we should leave

Theologians to Christian clerics: Stop going to Buhari for selfish reasons

M

embers of the Association of Christian Theologians (ACTS) Friday rose from an emergency meeting in Lagos, to condemn the attitude of some Christian clerics in the country who have been paying visits to Aso Rock “for personal interest rather than the overall interest of Nigerian Christians.”

Speaking after a meeting of ‘Concerned Theologians’ convened to address the problems of Nigeria, the ACTS National President, Professor Kunle Macaulay, lambasted some clerics who have been frequenting Aso Rock to confer with President Muhammadu

Buhari, using different associations that do not represent the interest of Nigerian Christians.

Macaulay, who spoke in company with other eminent theologians like Prof. Augustus Edet Mkpong from Akwa Ibom State; Prof. Ezeoma James from Anambra State; Rev. Dr. Oluchukwu Patricia Iroele also from Anambra State; Prof. Aniefiok Akpabio from Cross River State and Prof. Moses Ajayi from Lagos State, said the theologians were concerned about the human and spiritual situations in Nigeria.

“We are really concerned about the drift in human and spiritual situation in

Nigeria and appalled more about how some Christian leaders have been cashing in on the situation for selfish purposes “Some have been paying visits to the President claiming to be representing the interest of the Christians, but we are feeling that they are actually going there for personal interests,” Macaulay complained.

In a communiqué issued afterwards, however, the concerned theologians stated that Nigeria could retain her unity if things were properly done with the fear of God. “We are also concerned about the unity of Christian leadership and advise

Christian leaders to maintain godly standards in all they do and avoid self-centredness and selfishness,” the statement read.

They added that Bible colleges in Nigeria should maintain professional and academic standards acceptable worldwide and also observed that in some northern states in the country, religion influences government policies, “therefore, Nigeria should imbibe spiritual cultures if we would survive.”

The theologians also advised the Osun State government to steer clear issues provoking religious sentiments in respect of the hijab-wearing saga in public schools in the state.

politics and sentiments and deal with the law,” he stated.

Holding a similar view is another Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Constitutional lawyer, Sebastine Hon. Hon in his reaction noted that the House of Representatives leadership did no wrong by adding to the budget.

“Section 81 (1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that the President shall lay before the National Assembly the estimate of expenditure and income, that it, the budget for the following financial year.

“Laying the estimate before the National Assembly does not contemplate that the estimate must be passed as laid.

It contemplates that the National Assembly can deliberate on it, and in doing so can easily add or subtract from the estimate. Indeed if the National Assembly adds to, it can’t amount to padding of the budget or a crime. There’s no crime known to law as budget padding. “Sections 36 (8) and (12) of the Constitution are to the effect that no person shall be punished for a crime not known to law. So, there’s never a crime known as budget padding.

“And the National Assembly is not a rubber-stamp assembly as to swallow hook, line and sinker what the President has sent to them. They deliberate on it and make input. That is why they’re part of the Federal Government of Nigeria. “We should be very wary of bringing down persons and institutions in this country,” he added.

Also reacting, Ahmed Raji (SAN) also stated that padding as an act is not known to the law of the country.

He further stated that it can lead to crime when figures are inserted into the budget without executing the project it is meant for. “Padding as an act

is not known to law but it can lead to crime when you pad the budget without executing the project for which it is meant for.”

A lawyer and public affairs analyst, Dr. Abdul Mahmud, in his own reaction, said he did not subscribe to Dogara’s resignation because all the allegations by Jubrin have not been substantiated by any credible evidence or facts on the ground.

“Let us be honest here, he has claimed that certain amount of money has been stolen. We all know that the Federal Government is even struggling with the implementation of the budget. So when in real sense has any money been stolen? I have heard of N20 billion, N40 billion. I think they are just mere allegations.

“If Jubrin brings credible evidence on the table, then we can take him seriously. I do not think Dogara should resign. If you look at the House Privileges and Power Act, it allows them to say or write anything within the precinct of the National Assembly. If the write here could mean amendment, adjustment, indentation of the bill that has not become an act, then no offense has been committed, whether moral or legal,” he stated. But holding a contrary opinion is another lawyer and rights activist, Kayode Ajulo.

Ajulo opined that it is in the best interest of our nascent democracy for the Speaker to resign.

He added that the accusation is a heavy one and the Speaker and all those fingered have the duty to purge themselves of such accusations.

“Members of the House of Representatives owe Nigeria a moral obligation to remove the Speaker if he refused to resign,” he argued.

5

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 14, AUGUST, 2016

NEWS

Bleaching cream causes kidney failure

•Doctors should be punished for medical lapses -Consultant Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

C

ases of negligence and other medical lapses caused by doctors and other healthcare providers resulting in avoidable deaths or permanent injuries have been described as actionable offences by a Londonbased consultant physician on Family Health, Dr. Chukwudi Ukpaka.

Ukpaka, the founder of Crystalife Care, a healthbased Non-Governmental Organisation, which trains healthcare providers and engages in medical outreaches to communities, called for strict sanctions against erring health practitioners to serve as deterrent to others.

Lapses, negligence and other unethical medical practices leading to avoidable deaths or deformities,

Ukpaka argued, negates the dictates of clinical governance, which encourages professionalism among health professionals. Clinical governance also mandates them to do the right thing when taking care of their patients and to take responsibility of the consequences of their actions, if they pose any health risk.

While hinting that the Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, will on

Tuesday, August 19, preside over the Clinical Governance Summit in Abuja, he regretted that in many cases it seems: “Patients pay to be killed through misdiagnosis, wrong medications and other careless mistakes during treatment.”

Speaking on the rising cases of kidney failures, Ukpaka warned against use of bleaching creams saying: “It contains mercury and other heavy metals that enter the

body through the skin, seep into the bloodstream and travels to the kidney and does not go out through urine. After a period of time, they accumulate and break down the kidney. A lot of people who require dialysis were caused by their use of bleaching creams.”

He also noted that prolonged use of gentamycin causes deafness and kidney failure for people whose kidneys are not very strong, saying the symptoms may take up to one or two year to show.

Ukpaka averred that fibroid cases no longer require surgery due to the risk of bleeding and infections. Rather he said there is a new drug that shrinks it till it becomes small and falls off, but he was quick to add that it costs about N200, 000 and doctors know the drug.

He warned against the use of Chloroquine, which according to him has been banned and criminalised in some countries, because it causes blindness which may take up to five years after use before manifestation.

Police hunt kidnappers of 14 passengers in Rivers Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

T

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, and his wife, Monica, arriving Michael Okpara Square,Enugu, for a monthly prayer meeting being organized by the state’s Women Prayer Network recently

Budget padding: I’m not above the law - Dogara Philip Nyam Abuja

•Insists House didn’t pad budget

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has said that contrary to reports he is not above the laws of the land and can be investigated if he is found wanting.

He also insisted that the House, under his leadership, did not indulge in any infraction of corrupt activities in the consideration and passage of the 2016 Budget.

Dogara’s clarification, which was conveyed in a statement issued by his special adviser on media and public affairs, Turaki Hassan, explained that the speaker has been “grossly misrepresented in his statements to the press.”

Addressing the issue of investigation, the statement said: “While responding to questions at the Civil Society Dialogue at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja on Thursday 12th August, Rt. Hon Dogara made reference to Sections 3, 24 and 30 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act to buttress the point that the legislature while carrying out its constitutional responsibilities is protected by law.

“He did not say or mean that he is above the laws of the land or that he is shielded by the law or has immunity for any infractions of the law.

“This clear restatement of the law has been twisted by sections of the media to mean that neither security agencies nor the courts could investigate or prosecute or try him! This is most uncharitable and a deliberate and calculated attempt to pitch the Speaker against the Nigerian public and paint him as lawless” The statement further averred that: “As an Officer in the Temple of Justice, Dogara not only owes unalloyed allegiance to the Judiciary but also to the institutions of law enforcement. He indeed swore to an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” It cautioned that: “Dogara should not be portrayed as insensitive or arrogant as this is contrary to his true nature of humility and humaneness that has endeared him to his colleagues and Nigerians” Clarifying reports credited

S

to him that “padding is not a crime”, Dogara insisted that his position was misrepresented. “The first was at the State House after his meeting with Mr President where he informed the press that “padding” was unknown to the lexicon of the legislature and Nigerian law.

“By this, the Speaker clearly asserted that nothing undertaken by the legislature in the ordinary course of the budget process could be alluded to either as padding or an infraction of any law in Nigeria.

“Unfortunately the media reported him as saying that ‘padding’ was not a crime.

This tended to insinuate that the Hon Speaker admitted there was budget padding but that this did not constitute a crime.

“There could be nothing further from the truth.

The Hon Speaker’s assertion was and remains that nothing untoward had been done by the House and indeed the National Assembly with respect to the 2016 budget.”

Turaki explained that: “Dogara had initially adopted silence as his response,

but having observed the grievous damage Hon Jibrin’s extensive misrepresentations and lies was inflicting on the country and distracting our common and urgent resolve to tackle our distressed economy and security challenges, he opted to offer some explanations on the issues as continuous silence may have amounted to insensitivity, admission or arrogance.”

He assured that no kobo belonging to Nigerians has been “misappropriated, stolen or lost” in this budget saga. There was no act of corruption by him during and after the preparation of the 2016 budget.

“Mr Speaker urges all Nigerians to be vigilant with respect to execution of 2016 budget to ensure that Nigerians are not short changed.

The statement stated that: “Mr Speaker Yakubu Dogara further wishes to deny all other allegations of a personal nature heaped on him by Hon. Jibrin as they are fictional and scandalous untruth and falsehoods which will be dealt with at the appropriate fora and time”

he Rivers State Police Command has embarked on a manhunt of kidnappers who hijacked a bus conveying 14 passengers who were travelling from Port Harcourt to Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area from Port Harcourt.

The kidnappers had blocked a 14-seater commercial bus on Elele-IkiriOmoku Road and abducted all 14 passengers on board at about 4pm on Friday.

Reports say that the hoodlums diverted the bus to Amah community in ONELGA before setting it on fire, and one of the kidnappers escaped with a gunshot injury

during a shootout with the police.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, said that bushes along the road where the hoodlums carried out the operation were being combed by policemen in order to rescue the abducted passengers and arrest their abductors.

Omoni noted that the police were working on a tip to arrest the hoodlums that intercepted the commercial bus, ONELGA Link, ordered the passengers out before setting it ablaze.

He said: “Our men have being in the bush. They have been combing the bush to locate the whereabouts of the victims. We are also working towards tracking down the kidnappers.”

Imo govt condemns Ideato killings

T

he Imo State Government has, in strong terms, condemned the act of homicide, which occurred in Akokwa in Ideato North Local Government area of Imo State, which led to loss of lives.

Prince Madumere representing Governor Rochas Okorocha made this remark when he paid a visit to the bereaved families and people of Akokwa.

His words; “I am here on behalf my leader, our Governor, His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to confer with the people of Akokwa and its residents over the unfortunate incidents that took human lives yesterday.

“We totally condemn the unfortunate and avoidable incidents. We want to call on all and sundry to be calm and law abiding.

We assure you that measures have been taken to ensure that the situation

has been brought under control. Security agencies have deployed their men to beef up security and to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.”

Speaking further, he said that any loss of human life is detested by the people of Imo State and that every responsible government always stands on the side of justice any time such incident occurs.

He emphasised the need for every Nigerian to embrace one another in brotherhood and to shun any act of violence attributable to hate, tribalism, race or religion. “Violence is barbaric and unacceptable means of settling disputes and is condemned by the civilized world. It is equally regarded as evil when violence is carried out in a manner that shows hatred of our neighbours,” he said.

6

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NEWS

PDP votes gave Buhari victory in 2015 elections, says Bello

Onyekachi Eze,

F ABUJA

ormer Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bello Haliru Muhammed, on Saturday said the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari, would not have won the 2015 presidential election if not for protest votes from aggrieved PDP members.

This is even as Northern caucus of the party is stoking crisis as it plans to shut out some aspirants from the contest for the national offices in this week’s national convention.

The caucus, which met in Abuja on Saturday, set up a

Crisis looms as Northern caucus sets up screening committee

16-member screening committee to choose a consensus candidates for all the 10 positions reserved for the region in the convention, which is holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday.

Positions reserved for the North by the zoning committee include Deputy National Chairman (2), National Financial Secretary, National Publicity Secretary, National Auditor, National Woman Leader, Deputy National Treasurer, Deputy National Organising Secretary, Deputy National Youth Leader, Deputy National Legal Adviser and Deputy National Secretary.

Bello, who was also for-

mer Acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, said he was in support of the view previously expressed by former Minister of Finance, Mallam Adamu Ciroma that PDP did not lose and APC did not win the 2015 presidential elections.

“I want to support the view by our elder statesman and my mentor, Adamu Ciroma that APC did not win the election. Why? It is the PDP votes that propelled Mohammed Buhari to victory.

“Even the APC knows that without the five governors who moved with their people and state structures of the party, the APC will not be anywhere near win-

ning the 2015 general elections.

“Now that we have seen the mistakes made by the leadership and the followership, we know that two wrongs did make a right.

“The followership was angry and they voted for the APC out of anger. Now that we have realized the mistakes we made, we are now calling on our members to come back to rebuild the party so that come 2019 the PDP can regain power and move Nigeria forward,” he added.

Chairman of the PDP Northern Caucus, Professor Jerry Gana, while inaugurating the screening committee who were selected from each of the

Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule(2nd right);Wife of the governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode(2nd left);Tutor General/Permanent Secretary District II, Mrs. Margaret Solarin(left) and Mrs. Chioma Agada during a visit to Mrs. Agada,a teacher in the employ of the Lagos State Government, who gave birth to quadruplet at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos

Withdraw all cases in court, PDP BoT tells Sheriff, Makarfi

Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

T

he reconciliation committee put in place by the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recommended the withdrawal of all cases from court.

The committee also said it has made enough provisions to accommodate the factional chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and his supporters to actively participate in this week’s national convention, which is holding in Port Harcourt.

Chairman of the reconciliation committee, Professor Jerry Gana who submitted the recommendations of the committee to the Chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid

Jibrin on Saturday, assured that the convention will hold as scheduled.

“We consulted and interacted with relevant bodies and individuals; we interacted with governors, the National Caretaker Committee, National Assembly caucus, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and some of his supporters.

“They were frank, they were open and they gave us what they considered is a way forward.

“We believe if the BoT considers the recommendations and implement them, we believe it will bring genuine reconciliation in our party,” Gana said.

He disclosed that one of the major highlights in the committee’s recommendation was the withdrawal of all cases from the courts.

“We believe that it is not good for democracy that every little thing is sent to the law court. The people’s mandate is no longer regarded as sacred. Therefore we have a number of court cases all over the place.

“This is the largest problem facing the party. We need to take all cases from the court. If we don’t do that this democracy will be truncated.

“This is not good for survival of our democracy.

Political matters should provide political solutions” he stated.

The BoT Chairman, Senator Jibrin promised that the report will be presented to other organs of the party for study and presentation.

“I am sure when studied, we will find a way forward

for the party. The party has been yearning for a comprehensive report from the conscience of the party,” he said and thanked the committee members for investing their time to serve the party.

Meanwhile, the struggle for the control of the Peoples Democratic Party between the Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi factions is taking its toll on the party in Ondo State ahead of its governorship primary scheduled for August 22.

Both factions are selling nomination and expression of interest forms to the aspirants, each claiming to be the authentic leadership of the party.

Six aspirants have so far expressed their interest to seek the governorship ticket.

Sheriff absent at meeting

three geopolitical zones in the north, charged them to screen and recommend aspirants who will be voted for by northern delegates at the Port Harcourt convention.

But former Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, who was initially included in the screening committee but later removed protested the composition of the committee membership.

A stakeholder from Kaduna State, also said that the two nominees from his state came from Southern Kaduna, stating that such positions should be shared between northern and southern Kaduna.

The committee, which is headed by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, is expected to submit its report to the caucus on Tuesday in Port-Harcourt.

Kano: Flood kills 18, destroys property worth N700m

T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said no fewer than 18 persons lost their lives and property worth over N700 million destroyed by flood in Kano state in the past two weeks.

This is contained in a statement by the NorthWest Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Alhaji Musa Ilallah in Kano on Saturday.

According to the statement, the massive flood ravaged the 22 local government areas of the state.

It said that properties, including houses and farmlands were lost to the floods by no fewer than 1000 persons.“The worst affected local government areas are Shanono, Bagwai, Kiru with 749 victims and N347million worth of properties damaged.

“The other areas affected

are Rano, Kibiya, Bunkure, Gabasawa, Dawakin Tofa, Kano Municipal, Danbatta and Takai.``Others are Dawakin Kudu, Karaye, Rogo, Kura, Wudil, Bichi, Sumaila, Garun Mallam, Ungoggo, Bebeji and Warawa,” it said.

The agency said that it collaborated with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in the assessment of damages in the areas.

“NEMA commiserates with the government and people of Kano over the loss of lives and also sympathises with victims who lost their properties in the flood.

“NEMA assures that it will continue to partner the Kano State Government to alleviate the sufferings of victims of all disasters in the state,” the statement said.

Rio 2016: Dream Team to face Germany in semis, beat Denmark 2-0

N

Nigeria’s Dream Team has booked a place in the semifinals of the football event of the on-going Rio 2016 Olympics courtesy of a 2-0 win over Denmark Saturday night.

Skipper John Obi Mikel got the first goal in the 19th minute finishing sleek move by the African U23 champions, while Aminu Umar made it safe with the second strike on 59 minutes.

However, despite the score line, the Nigerians have their goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel to thank for denying the team that hammered Nigeria 4-1 at France’98 World Cup a way back into the match, pulling off a string of breath-taking saves.

Nigeria will now meet Germany, 4-0 victors over Portugal, in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a benefactor has promised a bonus of $30,000 to each Nigerian player should they win gold at the Rio 2016 men’s Olympic football tournament in Brazil.

Celebrated Japanese plastic surgeon, Katsuya Takasu, announced his desire to reward the 1996 Olympic football champions, along with $20,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze after hearing about their financial woes.

“I read about the financial problems affecting the team and I felt the need to make a big contribution,” Takasu told BBC Sport.

7

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

Stay away from upland, ex militant leader warns new group

N

Paul Ogbuokiri

otable Urhobo ex-militant leader, General Emma Shobor, has condemned the recent attack on the NNPC trunk line that conveys crude from Isoko to the Eriemu manifold Urhobo in Isoko area of Delta State by the latest militant group in the region that calls itself, Niger-Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM).

In a strongly worded statement exclusively obtained by the Sunday Telegraph on Friday General Shobor said the threat to carry out similar attack on the Otorogun Gas Plant and Eleme Refinery Port Harcourt is in bad taste and will not be tolerated by him and other people of like mind.

He advised the aggrieved group to desist from carrying out further attacks, cautioning it to consider the adverse effect such actions have caused on the people of the region and their immediate environment in the past and is still causing them now.

General Shobor, who was the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Actualization Force, now a promoter of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Niger Delta Initiative for Actualisation of Peace and Development, further warned the group threatening to destroy the gas plant and refinery to stay clear of the facility and the entire upland area.

He advised them to embrace dialogue and the peace talks currently been championed by the Federal Government so that the

speedy development of the region which everyone is yearning for can be carried out by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, as the president has assured.

The new militant group, NDGJM on Tuesday threatened to bring down the Refinery in Eleme, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Warri Refinery and the Utorogun Gas Plant in Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State in few days should the Federal Government fail to listen to them.

It asked multinationals still in the upland parts of the region, especially in the Ogba/Egi axis of Rivers State, Urhobo/Isoko/ Ndokwa axis of Delta State and other upland oil producing communities to evacuate their personnel.

They claimed that all the people of the upland Niger Delta, where the largest and most critical oil assets are located, have been ignored over the years as government and the oil companies pander to every whim and cough of those who have violently engaged the state.

The group in a statement by its Spokesman, selfstyled Gen. Aldo Agbalaja said: “We have keenly watched developments in the country in recent times, developments that are most depressing, very much depicting the marginalisation and subjugation of the hapless people of our region.

We have thought very deeply about the ongoing shenanigan and play-acting going on between the Federal Government and some self-styled ‘Niger Delta agitators’ and thought if we

L-R: Prelate/Moderator of General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Prof. Emele Mba Uka; Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, during the 22nd General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Nigeria at Yaba Parish in Lagos… yesterday

Peaceful co-existence vital for sustainable growth –Sultan

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

T

he Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has identified peaceful coexistence as an essential ingredient that drives sustainable development.

Abubakar made this known at the General Assembly/Executive National Council meeting of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Benin on Saturday.

He advocated peaceful coexistence among the various religious bodies in the country, saying that it was necessary to foster sustainable development in the country.

“Nigeria is a multi-reli-

gious state. We must allow the various religions to go on. We must not trample on each other ’s rights. People must be allowed to go anywhere in the country to do what they want to do freely, whether they are Muslims, Christians, Yoruba, Igbo or Fulani,” he said.

On challenges confronting Muslims in the country, the monarch said, ‘We want to be treated equally, we are not asking for special treatment. Issues of hijab and other issues peculiar to Islam is our right and our demands must be given to us.”

Abubakar decried the attribution of negative vices to Islamic religion, and pointed out that there were bad and good people in any soci-

ety.

“Anything bad is attributed to the Muslims, this is wrong. There are bad and good people in any society, but bad people should be picked out and taught what is right.

“People do many terrible things elsewhere, but they are not termed terrorists,” we are peaceful people and must contribute to the peace in the country.

At the same event, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said that religious gathering is important to building a peaceful and virile nation, adding that such gatherings were important in building a peaceful, just society, whose citizens and leaders would be guided by the fear of God.

The governor said that this would ensure that policy choices were guided by how they impact on the people. Oshiomhole said that people should be judged by their actions and not their religious persuasion.

He called on the media to always draw a distinction between religion and criminality.

According to him, ethnicity and prejudice should also not be a basis for identification of criminals, as such leads to unnecessary suspicion which also leads to heightened crisis. `` We must re-emphasise the teaching of religion at all levels of education so that people can be worthy in both learning and character,’’ he said.

fail to make our own statement now, then there will be no future for the larger Niger Delta region”.

Agbalaja explained that the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate is a coalition of forces across the Niger Delta region, fighting for the interest of the region. “The Federal Government and the oil multinational companies have been making a very grave mistake by equating the

NEWS

interest of the Ijaw people as that of all the tribes of the region. Indeed, this is a mistake that is about to take a more devastating toll than has ever been seen or experienced in the history of Nigeria.

“Any moment from now, we shall be making a loud statement which we believe should be loud enough for all to see and taken seriously and then afterwards state our demands.”

Achebe, women want supreme court verdict enforced Okegwo kenechukwu

ONITSHA.

T

he Obi of Onitsha, Prof. Alfred Achebe, has said that it is a misnomer to say that the native Igbo customs and tradition discriminate and disinherit female children of the same family.

He was reacting to the Supreme Court judgment which voided the said customs and tradition, was also in line with the tradition of some Igbo tradition. He said “I am not aware of the judgment, you are just telling me about the judgment. I have to see it and look at it and know what it said.

“However, it is a misnomer, I know about Onitsha tradition because all Igbo traditions are not the same when it comes to practice.

However, the Constitution of Nigeria is supreme over other laws and customs and the Supreme Court also is the Apex Court in Nigeria. I must see it to give my opinion,” Prof.

Achebe said.

In a related development Anambra Women Association , Lagos Branch, has also hailed the recent Su-

preme Court judgment upholding the rights of women to inherit part of their demise husband’s or father’s properties in Igbo land.

The association applauded the Apex Court as part during a visit to the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly Rt . Hon Rita Maduagwu pointing out that the decision of the case filed by Mrs. Lois Chituru Ukeje (wife of late Lazarus Ogbonna Ukeje) and their son, Enyinnaya Lazarus Ukeje against Mrs. Cladys Ada Ukeje (the deceased’s daughter), voided the Igbo law and custom, which forbid a female from inheriting her late father’s estate, on the grounds that it is discriminatory and conflicts with the provision of Section 42 (a) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The association recalled that Justice Bode RhodesVivour of the Supreme Court, who read the lead judgment amidst his colleagues held that “no matter the circumstances of the birth of a female child, such a child is entitled to an inheritance from her late father’s estate.

Step aside – Group urges Ikpeazu

A

coalition of civil society groups, under the aegis of Peace Ambassadors Initiative of Nigeria (PAIN) has asked the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu to step aside in order to save the people of the state from growing tension and anxiety.

The group in statement in Abuja yesterday, said that there was no doubt that the continued stay of Ikpeazu in office, after the judgment setting aside his election, had needlessly inflicted immeasurable tension and anxiety on the people of the

state. The statement signed

by Joshua Okechukwu and Barrister Blessing Asezuwa, National Coordinator and Director of Publicity of PAIN respectively, noted that Ikpeazu knew that in the eye of the law of the land, he stood disqualified as governor of the state.

The group posited that Ikpeazu was desperate to hang on to State House as governor, spending the budget of Abia State, in the full knowledge that every day he spent in office was a bonus awaiting his final day.

8

The Sunday Magazine

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Igbo leaders defy Supreme disinherit women

Years after Supreme Court verdict on the right of female children to their fathers’ estates, Charles Onyekwere (Enugu), Igbeaku Orji (Abia), Kenechukwu Okegwo (Onitsha) and Damian Duruiheoma (Nnewi) report that some paramount Igbo leaders still defy the ruling in preference for the custom

F

or many centuries, female children in Igboland were treated more like sub-humans, and denied the right to inherit their late parents’ estates.

In many cases, these women weep in vain as they watched their traditional rulers, uncles and leaders uphold the tradition. To the former, only male children can exercise that right.

But in 2014, the Supreme Court, in a landmark decision in suit number SC.224/2004, filed by one Mrs. Lois Chituru Ukeje, (wife of late Mr. Lazarus Ogbonna Ukeje) and her son, Mr. Enyinnaya Lazarus Ukeje, read

by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, voided the tradition.

He said, “No matter the circumstances of the birth of a female child, such a child is entitled to an inheritance from her later father’s estate…Any culture that disinherits a daughter from her father’s estate or wife from her husband’s property by reason of God instituted gender differential should be punitively dealt with.”

The Supreme Court ruled that the tradition is discriminatory and conflicts with the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The ruling also reiterated that Igbo customary law, which disentitles a female child from partaking in the sharing of her deceased father’s estate, is in breach of Section 42(1) and (2) of the Constitution, a fundamental rights provision guaranteed to every Nigerian.

Other justices of the court that also concurred to the verdict were Justices Walter Samuel Onnoghen, Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs and John Inyang Okoro.

In another verdict, a Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu, (1997, Western Nigeria Law Report on page 283), voided what it described as discriminatory pattern of property inheritance under customary law in Nigeria. In the case of Mojekwu versus Mojekwu, the court ruled that such practice is alien to natural justice and upheld what is now referred to as Equal Rights Trust.

While these verdicts have been hailed by many Igbo men and women all over the country, there is no denying that it has not gone down well with others and the culture is still in practice.

There are limitations - Orizu The Crown Prince of Nnewi Town, His Royal Highness, Obi Orizu, hailed the decision of the Supreme Court voiding the Igbo law and custom, which forbid a female from inheriting her late father’s estate, on the grounds that it is discriminatory and conflicts with the provision of the constitution, describing it as apt.

He, however, said that much as he believed that female children could inherit properties of their late father, there were still limitations for it.

Speaking with Sunday Telegraph, Orizu said, “I don’t see anything wrong in the female children inheriting their father’s property. The Supreme Court decision in Mojekwu versus Mojekwu and Ukeje on the status of female children is apt. I believe it is high time. But, I believe it must be applied with caution because it is not everything that the female children can inherit”.

According to him, female children could inherit the personal property of the man and not the traditional land where “it will

be difficult to allow the female children to inherit.”

“I presuppose that the decision of the Supreme Court dwelt more on the personal property of the deceased and not family property. A female child cannot leave her husband’s house to come back to her father’s house and begin to make request for the family land to be given to her.

“In our system in Nnewi, property follows the blood and what we refer to as the blood or family is the male children. But if a man is from Nnewi and has a house or other properties in Onitsha for instance, then his female children can inherit those properties.

“Also there is a culture in Nnewi that is called Ori Ekpe, where a man who dies without a male child will have his property inherited by his brother, uncle or anybody close to him. That aspect of the culture was ruled against by the Appeal Court in Mojekwu versus Mojekwu.

“But if you look at the decision of the Supreme Court, it condemned the decision of the Appeal Court and pointed out that the Appeal Court does not have any right to condemn the custom of 'Ori Ekpe' because you cannot just throw away the culture of the people without engaging the people whose culture you are throwing away.

“In Igboland, you cannot tell us today that a female will enter the Obi of her late father.

You know that is not possible. So, much as that judgment has been given, there are certain things that are not practically possible.

Just because a man’s first child is a female, we cannot just say she should inherit such traditional positions as royal stools and all that.”

Eze Ibezim: Our culture has been changed For Eze John Onyebuchi Ibezim of Amuzukwu Ibeku, in Umuahia North Council Area of Abia State, what is really supreme is the view of the owner of the property to be inherited.

He said, “If the owner of a property is

alive, he decides how the property should that when she finally marries, the property be shared among his children in his absence, goes to some other person. In fact, we have then nobody can change it; custom, tradi- not seen the details of the judgment. There tion doesn’t change that. As I am here now, must be something special about it; mayI can will my property to anybody, it su- be the man must have said something. If persedes tradition. But naturally, normally the man said something then nobody can when there is no such interception then the change it, otherwise that tradition is there culture, the tradition has a laid down proce- from the beginning. Even in the North, the dure for sharing someone’s property. culture there is streamlined even though You ask me whether a woman has right, not written, it’s there. The court cannot just I say no, not of right. But there are certain change it. It doesn’t have to be, because the situations where a woman can; we don’t just courts should take inputs from the culture. throw away women in our own tradition The court ruling should be based on tradihere. If a woman does not get married, if tion and culture. The court doesn’t descend she is not married no tradition can throw from up and change culture and tradition, it her away from the father’s compound. She doesn’t work. The culture and tradition was has right to retain which ever place she has there before the constitution. That one also is been staying until the father leaves. a constitution, though not written. How do As for the father’s property, the sons do you give property to a woman then when not have the right to throw her away. Now, she marries, she comes back to inherit her if a woman marries and the marriage didn’t father’s property from her husband’s home. survive, she comes back to her father’s What happens to her husband’s property? house, the sons do not have the right to Everybody has a place to inherit. My own throw her away, she has a place; they must mother has a husband and she doesn’t have give her a place to stay, but if you are sharing to go back to her home to inherit property something like land, other property else- there. If everybody starts going back, it will where, the woman doesn’t have to come in; be complete confusion. Where do you start, it’s just a matter for the sons and you don’t have to share the man’s property without the consent of the man’s wife. The right to inherit, as the court said, I don’t know what that means. I have told you that if the girl or the woman is not married, she has right to stay in her father’s house, if she is married she doesn’t come back there. What about your own mother or my own wife? Will my wife go back to her place and then start claiming property there?

The wife has right to her husband’s property, not his maiden family, she doesn’t have any right to go there. And whatever is shared before they get married is always clearly stated and is maintained by the lady until she gets married. At that point, the property goes to another person as earlier agreed. That is how it is distributed, it is specified. It is given to her on the condition Prince Orizu

9

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

Court, still

Sunday Magazine

We can’t live with wives raped by herdsmen - Nimbo men

•No divorce case in Nimbo community-Enugu government Paul Ogbuokiri, Charles Onyekwere

M

Prof. Achebe

Onowu (Dr.) Mike Okoye

where do you end. It has to be streamlined; there must be a starting point and end point.

So that ruling must be studied and screened for clarity. The woman always has an inheritance, the inheritance a woman has is her husband’s property because the wife of the man has right over the property of the man irrespective of the sons. The sons can’t just throw the woman away from her matrimonial home. The house belongs to you when the woman is dead. So long as she is alive she has to be there, it’s her right by tradition, and maybe that is what the judge means.

not have this place unless his younger ones have places he has given them where they will build. Otherwise, he will share the place with them. It’s our custom, if it changes tomorrow it’s not bad but generally, we assume that once a woman is married, where she has gone to is her home. And that is her inheritance.

“However, if she gets a child outside marriage, we will not drive him away, but a woman cannot stay in her husband’s home and be thinking of her father’s property. On personal consideration, nobody will watch his daughter or sisters suffer and do nothing because of tradition.”

Constitution of Nigeria is Supreme, says Achebe The Obi of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Achebe has said that it is a misnomer to say that the native Igbo customs and tradition discriminate and disinherit female children of the same family.

Reacting to the Supreme Court judgment which voided the said customs and tradition, Obi Achebe said, “I am not aware of the judgment. You are just telling me about the judgment. I have to see it and look at it and know what it said. I know about Onitsha tradition because all Igbo traditions are not the same when it comes to application.

“Meanwhile, the Constitution of Nigeria is supreme over other laws and customs and the Supreme Court is the Apex Court in Nigeria. I need to see the judgment to give my opinion. This is what I can say for now.

A share, but not the lion share -Onowu Ndigbo On his part, Onowu Ndigbo, Dr. Mike Ozua Okoye, applauded the Supreme Court judgment. He said, “Female children should be allowed to inherit their father property but they cannot get the lion share”.

“It is a welcome development and would also puts to rest various family disputes in most Igbo families arising from property inheritance, especially the extended families.

“I told my children that when I pass on, my daughters will also inherit my property along with the men, to give them a sense of belonging. It is a right step in a right direction”, the Prime Minister stated.

Ibeabuchi: No inheritance for daughters Eze Edward Ibeabuchi of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Abia State, the immediate past Chairman of Umuahia Council of Traditional Rulers had this to say: “Generally, we don’t share property to women, especially when they are married.

We believe that their share is where they are married. But if she is not married, definitely, when you are sharing your property, you can’t abandon your child. That’s our custom, we don’t give inheritance to our daughters.

“Like this house now, my male children have it and if I am no more, my first son definitely will have this place but he can-

It’s strange to our culture – Igwe Ojukwu Igwe Anthony Ojukwu, the traditional ruler of Enugu Urban, Ogui-Nike in Enugu North Local Government Area of the state has declared that by tradition and customs, a female child has no right to the property of her late father.

According to him, the only time a female child may have some rights to the property of her father is when the late father had no male child to oversee his estates at death.

In his own contribution, Igwe Joseph Ogbodo of Amechi Autonomous community in Enugu South of Enugu State noted that in Igbo tradition and customs, it has never happened that a female child was given any right to inherit her fathers' properties.

According to Igwe Ogbodo, where the female child has right over the father's property is when the man, before he died, either by written or oral declaration, bequeathed property to his daughter.

It is, therefore, strange to our culture to leave inheritance to a female child.

A lady from Enugu State, Chinasa Uzodimma, recounted that despite the verdict, the custom has not changed. “When our parents died, our uncles disinherited us from our parents property. In fact, they chased us away, because we are all female children. They argued that there is a difference between culture and law.”

She said the practice till remains and nothing has changed since them “The custodians of our culture and traditions have no regard for law and are not subject to change. This is indeed very disturbing. Perhaps, what is required is for aggrieved female children to approach the law when disinherited,” she said.

Besides that, another respondent, Uchenna Chidozie, said it will be very difficult to obey the Supreme Court verdict because of the republican nature of the Igbo people.

According to him, many traditional rulers or Igwes cannot dictate to families on any such issue, rather the onus lies on the eldest person in the family.

With the posture of these traditional rulers, it appears the battle for equal rights for women on property inheritance has moved from the courts to the realms of enforcement in the nooks and crannies of Igbo land.

en in Nimbo and other adjoining communities that had been attacked in recent times by alleged Fulani herdsmen have insisted on divorcing their wives allegedly raped by the herdsmen. The claimed that the sexually abused women were infected with diseases by their rapists.

The President-General of Eke Town Union in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mr. Anthony Edu, made this disclosure while testifying at the Commission of Inquiry into the killing of people of Nimbo community by alleged Fulani herdsmen recently.

He stated that there is increasing rate of divorce in the community occasioned by alleged rape of their wives and daughters by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Enu said that the situation had become scandalous because no man would take in a woman who had been ‘messed up’ by the herdsmen.

“The herdsmen are consistently raping our women and daughters, infecting them with serious diseases, thereby causing divorce in our communities.

“If my wife is messed up by the herdsmen, why should I take her in again? This will mean that what is holding her will hold me if l continue to live with her,” he said.

According to him, communities in the area have had their fair share of attacks by the cattle breeders, adding that no fewer than 10 people had died as a result.

Enu recounted how three residents of Ogui village, Messes Iloafonsi Ofokansi, Aniago Egbo and Josephat Maduweke, were killed in cold blood by suspected herdsmen in 2002.

He said, “Mr. Isreal Eneje was working on his farm with his daughter when the cattle breeders took their animals to his farm. He protested and told them to go away and they ended up killing him."

Meanwhile, the Agu Umabor Town Union in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, has said that it is opposed to the creation of grazing reserves in their area.

The secretary of the union, Mr. Livinus Odo, said this when he testified at the tribunal on the activities of the suspected herdsmen in the area.

Odoh appealed to the South-East caucus in the National Assembly to give a block opposition to the legislation of any form of grazing reserves bill.

“They should vacate our communities because we don’t have enough farmland not to talk of the one for grazing. The herdsmen have committed atrocities in our communities and have been a pain in the neck of our people and we appeal to the government to save us from this menace,” he said.

He narrated the experience of one Nnabuike Odo, a commercial motorcyclist, who on May 10, 2016, was almost killed because he made a comment, which some herdsmen found offensive.

“They shot at him but he was so fortunate to escape their bullets,” Odo said.

“We have abandoned a particular road leading to our community because of them. My people have abandoned farming because of the herdsmen and we are helpless.”

The chairman of the panel, Justice Chukwuma Eneh, assured that the commission would accommodate all complaints and forward same to the state government.

“We will accommodate your story in our report and see if the government will do something to help,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has denied reports of increased divorce cases in the community.

Th state commissioner for information, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele, stated this in a telephone interview with Sunday Telegraph.

According to him, the suspected Fulani herdsmen at Nimbo are stay far from the community, adding that there was no such case of rape or divorce there.

He explained that after the April incident at Nimbo, the state government set up local vigilante groups in the area to monitor and ensure that such ugly incident didn't repeat itself.

During the commission of inquiry set up by the Enugu State Government, women from the communities reported cases of rape incidents which they blamed on Fulani herdsmen.

Mother and son fight to stay in sexual relationship

A

mum and son who say they are ‘madly in love’ and that nothing can tear them apart have been ordered to stay away from each other.

Monica Mares, 36, and her 19-year-old son Caleb Peterson will have to stand trial on incest charges later this year in the US state of New Mexico.

If found guilty, they could be sent to prison for up to 18 months.

However the mother and son couple have decided to go public with their affair in order to raise awareness of Genetic Sexual Attraction (GSA) and make it legal for them to have a sexual relationship.

Mares gave birth to Caleb, who was born Carlos, when she was 16 years old and gave him up for adoption soon afterwards.

She met him for the first time since then last Christmas, after the pair got in touch over Facebook.

Caleb moved in with her and says he fell in love with her in part because she looked after him.

‘I never had anyone cook me meals or give me anything,’ he disclosed. ‘I never got anything my entire life and she went out of her

way to make me happy. After about a week or so I started having feelings for her, and I guess I fell in love.’

The mother-of-nine reciprocated, and now says she would readily give up the right to see her other children if she was asked to choose between them and Caleb.

‘The first time we were physical we ended up holding hands, and then we ended up kissing - and the kissing led to other things,’ she said.

‘I felt comfortable with him and we fell even more deeply in love.’

GSA is defined as sexual attraction between close relatives who first meet as adults.

For example, if the couple are siblings or half-siblings, a parent or offspring, or first or second cousins. However, incest is a crime in all 50 US states, as well as in the UK. But Mares says she’s afraid to go out because people in her town know about the relationship, and threaten her and call her names.

Caleb’s personal life has suffered too. Since the affair became public, his dad walked out on him.

10

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

news

Import kolanut, get death sentence, Saudi govt tells pilgrims

T

Muritala Ayinla

he Saudi Arabia authority has slammed a death penalty for any pilgrim who travels to the holy land with kolanuts, hard drugs and other contraband.

Hence, the Lagos State government yesterday warned intending pilgrims for the 2016 hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia to stay out of trouble and likely death sentence by not traveling to the holy land with contraband items.

The state government described kola nuts as a caffeine-based edible seed, otherwise known as “goro” and “obi” and often used

ceremonially by Nigerians to show a gesture of friendship and warmth and also used in the production of beverages and energy drinks.

But the Saudi Arabia authority prohibits Kola nuts and other hard drugs items identified as harmful to their citizens.

In guidelines for Hajj 2016, the Saudi Kingdom has notified the Nigerian authorities to ban kola nuts carriage by pilgrims during the annual pilgrimage.

Sunday Telegraph also gathered that some criminals during hajj pilgrimage smuggle cocaine usually hidden in the kolanuts while traveling to the holy land.

Reacting to this at the Murtala Mohamed International Airport, Lagos State Amir Hajj, Dr Abdulhakeem Abdullateef, noted that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has confirmed the directive. The implored Nigerian pilgrims to desist from including contraband such as Kola nuts in their luggages to the holyland.

To stay out of trouble in the holyland, Dr. Abdullateef, who is also the Lagos state Commissioner for Home Affairs, said complying with the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia is the best for the intending pilgrims.

He said: “The Saudi authorities have prohibited

the importation of kola nuts and other hard drugs into the Kingdom, noting that it is a criminal offence that attracts death penalty.

“My appeal to those who are going to Hajj with Lagos State and other pilgrims across the country is to follow rules and regulations guiding the Hajj exercise. We shall continue to educate our pilgrims to have a hitch-free Hajj operations” “Necessary arrangements have been concluded for their airlift between Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 of August, 2016. Pilgrims are, therefore, advised to contact their coordinators to know their flight schedule.”

Shell Nigeria declares force majeure on Bonny Light crude lifting

S

hell’s Nigerian unit has declared force majeure for Bonny Light crude oil lifting due to a shutdown of a Niger Delta pipeline following a leak, a statement has said.

The declaration comes just over a month after the company ended its most recent new force majeure on Bonny Light after repairing another leakage on the same pipeline “SPDC declared force majeure on Bonny Light lifting effective 1000 hrs (Nigerian Time), due to shutdown of the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) by the pipeline operator, Aiteo, following a leakage,” Shell said in a statement.

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) is Shell’s local unit.

A spokeswoman said Bonny Light exports were continuing via the Trans Niger Pipeline, which had reopened after being closed since early June. Sources

told Reuters the pipeline resumed pumping oil last week. Exports of 211,000 bpd were initially planned for August.

Bonny Light is the fourth Nigerian oil grade under force majeure as the country grapples with militant attacks that have hobbled its oil production and exports.

Already, the country’s largest export stream, Qua Iboe, is under force majeure as well as Forcados and Brass River.

Attacks throughout the Niger Delta have continued despite a resumption of cash payments to militants and government efforts at peace talks.

As a result, the country is missing more than 700,000 bpd of oil production. In addition to the grades under force majeure, a trader and port source said others, such as Escravos, were flowing at reduced rates due to attacks on pipelines and other infrastructure.

Police recover 142 rustled cattle, arrest four rapists Sabiu Mustapha JAlingo

T

L-R, Director Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Yusuf Alhassan Adamu; Acting Director General, Dr. Vincent Onome Skpotaire and Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, during the inaugural meeting of the steering committee on the concession of the East/ West Rail line by the Vice president, at the Presidential villa, Abuja…at the weekend.

Amosun Congratulates Oyegun at 77

N EWS I N BRIEF

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has congratulated the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun on the occasion of his 77th birthday on Friday.

While felicitating with Chief Oyegun, the governor said, “Your life has been an eventful one with innumerable achievements in many spheres, especially, in the public sector, where you have made significant impact.”

He added, “In addition to this, the nation’s political landscape has benefitted immensely from your active participation, especially, when you served as the first Executive Governor of Edo State, and in the build-up to the formation of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Governor Amosun said, “On this occasion of your birthday, we join you in celebrating the abundant grace of God on you and your family.

“It is my prayer that the Almighty God will preserve you for many more years, in good health and sound mind, so that you can continue to make significant contributions to the overall development of our party, in particular and Nigeria in general.”

Nembe people seek unconditional release of monarch The people of Nembe in Bayelsa state have condemned the continuous detention of their king, Walter Agri, and have, therefore, called for his immediate and unconditional release from detention.

The Department of State Security, (DSS) arrested the traditional ruler of Agrissaba in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State at the weekend over his alleged involvement in a protest against the Nigeria Agip Oil Company.

They, however, called on the DSS to arrest those bandits that used dangerous weapons to unleash violence on the community.

It was learnt that angry youths and elders of the community had staged a protest against the multinational oil company last Friday over alleged nonpayment of compensation for oil spill in the community.

They were also said to have demonstrated over non- payment of contract done for remediation of creeks and canal since three years as well as Agip’s alleged refusal to award surveillance contract and clearing of pipeline routes to indigenes.

The elders of the community, in a statement signed by Chief Tobin Esau, alleged that the arrest of their traditional ruler was preceded by armed invasion of the community by youths and attacks on some indigenes with various degrees of injuries.

Esau said: “The community is a symbolism of peace and tranquility based on the ancient and historic antecedents of our progenitors. The serene nature of the community was distorted after a peaceful protest by the community over the unwholesome activities of Agip and its total neglect of the community in its developmental agenda on August 6, 2016.

“We wish to condemn the barbaric manner and treatment that was visited on our revered King. It is a fact that the DSS has no regard and respect for traditional institution in Ijaw land.

VP’s wife seeks support for needy, children The wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, has appealed to organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the needy and malnourished children in the country.

Osinbajo made the appeal at the launch of the “Get Involved” Initiative to prevent annual death of thousands of malnourished Nigerian children in the internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Lagos on Saturday.

According to her, the gesture can be in form of material items.

The wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, launched the ‘Get Involved’ initiative at the State House, Abuja on July 21.

The programme is a major component of her “Future Assured”, pet project to tackle malnutrition.

Osinbajo said that women and children were the most vulnerable, and stressed the need to invest in providing succour to the IDPs in the country.

“We are appealing to all Nigerians to get involved in providing humanitarian support for these needy and malnourished children in the country, especially those in the IDP camps.

“These children need our support in every way to make them healthy and build their future,” she said.

Also, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, expressed the state government’s support for the initiative to save the lives of the needy children.

Adebule also called on the people in the state to get involved in the programme to put smile on the faces of the needy children.

Religion, key to building a peaceful nation, says Oshiomhole.

he new Commissioner of Police in Taraba State, Mr. Yakubu Babas, has said that the command has recovered 142 cattle and 26 sheep from suspected rustlers in Serti, Gashaka Local Government Area of the state.

Babas made this known at the weekend while parading some crime suspects and exhibits before newsmen at the state command in Jalingo.

The commissioner also paraded four suspects namely; Dickson Zadin, (20), Mohammed Musa, (21), Yahuza Ahmed, (20), and Abdulwahab Ahmed, (19), who were

alleged to have kidnapped and severally raped a minor in Jalingo.

Babas explained that the rustlers were tracked by the police through an intelligence report by an informant from the area ‘that a number of people were seen with cattle and sheep reasonably suspected to be stolen.

“On getting of the information, a team of policemen along with some private securitymen were drafted to the area. On sighting them, the rustlers engaged them in a shootout but due to superior fire power of my men, they took to their heels abandoning 142 herds of cattle and 26 sheep,” he said.

Yobe suspends Amir Hajj team Hassan Jirgi DAMATURU

T

he Yobe State government has suspended the traditional Amir Hajj team for this year hajj operations to Saudi Arabia for economic considerations.

Revealing this to newsmen in Damaturu, the state capital, the Chairman of the Yobe state Muslim Pilgrim Commission, Alhaji Ibrahim Al’arab, said that the state government took the measure due to paucity of funds and the need to save costs.

According to him, 1,800 intending pilgrims had paid their fares fully out of 2,231 seats allocated to the state government for this year hajj, adding that the commission could not exhaust its allocation like other states due to the

economic crunch facing the state and country in general.

Al’arab said that the first flight from the state which was initially scheduled for last Friday was delayed due to non availability of Basic Traveling Allowance (BTA) for the intending pilgrims from the Central Bank of Nigeria, which is very crucial to the pilgrims at all times.

He said the state government has provided enough accommodation and the commission has acquired hotel close to the holy mosque for pilgrims for daily prayers at the grand mosque.

He appealed to the 1,800 intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and country in general, urging them to respect the Saudi Arabia rules in the holy land, during and after the hajj.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

OPINION 11

Ambode’s Quest To Secure Future of Lagos Niyi Anibaba

T

hat Nigeria’s economy is not healthy is no longer news, however, the effects of the dwindling economic situation is fast manifesting across the country.

While some states can no longer cope with the obligations of paying workers’ salaries regularly, some are hanging in the balance, forcing them to visit Abuja with cap in hand, hoping for some bail out from the government at the centre.

Observers had even argued that without the bailouts, many of the states would by now be insolvent. But despite the economic challenges, Lagos State seems to be daring the odds and breaking new grounds.

Economic experts readily attribute the state’s ability to remain buoyant in the midst of the economic uncertainties to the dexterity of the man at the helm of affairs, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Since assuming office on May 29, 2015, Governor Ambode has proved his financial acumen in many ways than one, which has among other things, led to the growth of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Governor Ambode is not oblivious of the fact that Lagosians expect nothing less from him, but to build on the legacies of his predecessors, hence his economic policy is focused on exploring new ventures to shove up its IGR to N30billion by 2017 and N50billion by 2018.

At every given opportunity, Governor Ambode does not hesitate to tell anyone who cares to listen about the potentials of Lagos emerging as Africa’s biggest economic hub in no distant future.

To achieve this, the governor is already mapping out strategies to complete some landmark projects already under construction, while plans are also in top gear to embark on new ones.This was the focus when he recently embarked on an extensive tour of the Eko Atlantic City (EAC) Project.

The Eko Atlantic City Project is a multi-billion dollar project sitting on over 10million

square metres and is expected to accommodate over 150,000 people who would reside there and another 250,000 who would work and commute within the city on a daily basis.

So far, out of the over 10 million square meters of the project, about six million square meters have been reclaimed, while there are 15 bridges and two tunnels designed with the project.

For Ambode, the EAC Project, on completion would go a long way, to not only boost the economy of the State, but also increase its IGR. Accompanied on the tour by members of the State Executive Council, the governor pledged the total commitment of his administration towards the success of the project, saying that it would go a long way to facilitate the quest to grow potentials of the states economy.

In his words: “I would like to express the total support of this government to this project because at the end of the day we need to grow the economy of Lagos and this obviously is going to have a multiplier effect on our IGR. We promise that we are going to grow our IGR to N30bn by 2017 and N50bn by 2018 and this project is a sure outlet in achieving that goal.”

Satisfied with the infrastructure already in place at the EAC, the governor said it now behooves on investors to take advantage of the massive opportunities, while commending the promoters of the EAC Project for their confidence in committing huge resources to the Nigerian economy, which according to him, was a positive sign that Nigeria remains the investment hub in Africa.

Chairman of Eko Atlantic City, Mr. Ronald Chagoury said one of the first two residential buildings in the new city will be completed by the end of August, while the second will be ready before the end of the year, adding that the first office block will be ready between September and October, 2016.

Chagoury described the project as an impressive financial district which upon completion, would compare with the financial district in Paris, France and the 5th Avenue in New York, United States.

He added that the Great Wall of Lagos

was scientifically designed to withstand any ocean surge and that it was built to last for 1,000 years.

Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, whose bank is the major partner with the promoters of the EAC project and the Lagos State Government, said aside the fact that adequate arrangement had been made to protect the City, the project was all about saving the state and creating a new tomorrow for people to live in Lagos.

In similar corollary, Governor Ambode has set his eyes on seeing the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) take flight.

Prior to Governor Ambode’s visit to the EAC, the Governor had accompanied the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to the LFTZ to inspect the level of work on the projects being carried out by the Dangote Group.

The Zone which has the capacity to shoot the state to global economic reckoning, among other budding industries and multinational companies is host to Dangote Group, developers of an $11 billion world-class refinery with a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels of oil per day.

Aside the refinery, the Dangote Group is also embarking on a fertilizer plant and a gas plant, all in one location. Speaking to journalists after a tour of the projects which lasted about two hours, Ambode said projects being undertaken

by Dangote at the Zone would significantly boost the economy of Lagos and have great multiplier effects on the nation’s economy.

Governor Ambode said the decision of the Vice President to lead the inspection visit to the projects was a signpost to the benefits inherent not just for the state but to the nation, while pledging to provide the necessary support to ensure that the projects are completed within schedule.

Governor Ambode is also excited that apart from the 135,000 direct jobs that will be created from the projects, another 100,000 indirect jobs would be generated while income accruable to the Federal Government would be in the region of over $500millionin three years.

Only last week, the President of Togo, Mr Faure Gnassingbe was the latest visitor to the Zone. His interest as expected was the Dangote Projects.

Governor Ambode seized the occasion to inform the August visitor that the Dangote project was another confirmation that Lagos is a prime investment destination, expressing optimism that the project, one of the biggest in the African region, will positively change the face of oil and gas business in the West African region.

The governor said aside the fact that the project confirmed the positive investment climate in Lagos which has resulted in massive investor confidence, he also strongly believes that the future prosperity of West Africa is in collaboration between government and investors, which was why his administration has been working hard to encourage investment in the state.

He manintained that Lagos is home to all nations, races and creeds, including substantial Togolese population, adding: “I’m positive that we are providing them with the opportunities to get ahead in their endeavors.”

Governor Ambode said as a prominent Head of State in the West African region, he was not oblivious of the interest of President Gnassingbe in the Dangote Refinery, adding that the project was one of the emerging opportunities in Lagos State.

Aside the Eko Atlantic City Project and the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Badagry Deep Sea Port, Oshodi Regeneration Project and the historic 4th Mainland Bridge are other landmark projects the Ambode administration looks poised to bring to fruition.

For sure, with the above multi-billion dollars projects coming into fruition within the next two to three years, it is not too difficult to discern that the projected N50b IGR would be achievable. And as the governor has severally said, despite the uncertain economic climate, the future of Lagos is secured.

Anibaba, an economist, lives in Gbagada

Ojo Maduekwe: Farewell to the Philosopher King Andrew Iro Okungbowa

T

he news of the death of Chief Ojo Maduekwe came like a thunderbolt to many considering the fact that he has of recent been in the public domain as one of the key actors in the unfolding drama of his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

One had followed closely his political career and service to the nation but one’s close interaction with him dates back to 1999 when he was the pioneer Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He was salutatory welcomed to the ministry as an outsider and nobody really gave him the chance to succeed regardless of his antecedents as an astute politician with a discernible sagacity and suave, very brilliant, cultured and a man of letters with some level of philosophical and literary bent.

The fact remained that he was saddled with a difficult task, which was to bring together a most diverse elements of the nation’s intangible and tangible cultural and tourism properties. But did he achieved success for the about one year or so that he was in charge of the ministry?

Yes, I should say and quite creditably as well. For any critical followers of our ministry before it became defunct, you would agree with me that he laid a solid foundation for the ministry. In fact, he was cerebral and very

analytical in the way he handled the affairs of the ministry.

He laid a roadmap for the ministry, which beside Chief Franklin Ogbuewu, who came some years after him tried to run with the vision of Maduekwe and even expanded on it, other ministers after them, about six, only chased shadows. In doing so, he was guided by his intellectualism and displayed to the amazement of many who encountered him in those earlier days, an understanding of the issues at stake.

He set up the tourism master plan committee, which comprised people of diverse backgrounds with assistance from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to produce a blue print for the industry.

Sadly, that document never saw the light of day light till 2008 while its implementation has suffered a stillbirth and no wonder today that our tourism industry remains a beggarly one and rudderless because there is no roadmap guiding our engagements.

Among his many strides was the celebration of the national creativity day with the late literary icon and Iroko, Professor Chinue Achebe as the first recipient. He also gave vent to so many international treaties and ensured that the ministry, which was barely two months old then, celebrated the World Tourism Day. He was quite humble, humane and just in his ways, thorough and detailed in his dealing with people and issues and ensured that his

actions or words were not misconstrued. I recalled when we, the travel journalists (ANJET), had some differences with him over his sponsoring one of our colleagues to Addis Ababa for an official event.

Then I was the head of the group and when he learnt of our grouse on his return he put a call to me in the office to explain what informed his decision and gave assurances that he would always seek our inputs in such matters. That was unbelievable that a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would condescend to such a level to explain his action to a ‘common’ reporter.

But that was Ojo Maduekwe, who rightly fitted the description of a ‘Philosopher King’ for you. There was also a day the secretary of our association and I went to Abuja to see him.

We took the night bus from Lagos and arrived the next morning and were among the early birds in his office.

We were kept in his waiting room all day.

Tired, hungry and unkempt! We felt totally abandoned, frustrated and annoyed with ourselves for undertaking the journey. But to our surprise, at about 4pm or thereabout, the minister showed up at the crowded waiting room and said: “where are my two young travel journalist friends from Lagos?”

We were dumbfounded and struggled to get on our feet. Then he apologised for keeping us waiting all day and instructed one of his aides to take us to his car and then announced to the

audience that he was going for lunch as he had not eaten all day and was tired and could not attend to anyone again till much later.

At his residence then in Ministers’ Hill was a crowd of people waiting too to see him. He exchanged pleasantries and banters with a number of them and invited everyone to the table to have brunch with him. Later he took us to his private room for discussion and in the middle of our talk a call came from the presidency and he excused himself with the promise to meet with us the next and then gave us some money for our hotel and ordered one of his aides, Kola Idonije, to look after us.

In his calm and affable manners, he gave assurances that no one would witch hunt my friend if he was innocent. Truly, months after my friend was acquitted and recalled but posted to another office.

Perhaps one of the most important lessons in the seemingly sudden death of Maduekwe is that life is transient and we don’t have any control over it. As the Holy Bible admonished that ‘our times are in God’s hand.’ Therefore, his feuding party men who are all threatening fire and brimstone should take note of this and perhaps the greatest honour and respect that they can pay to his memory is to sheath their swords and quickly resolve their differences.

Goodnight!

Andrew Iro Okungbowa is on the staff of New Telegraph

12

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

FEATURE

Wike’s Impressive Performance: The Editors’ Endorsement ited six local government areas in Rivers State inspecting projects alongside the Rivers State Governor and top government officials were appreciative of the governor’s efforts. They never minced words. They celebrated his development efforts.

President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs Funke Egbemode praised the governor for working to revive Rivers State through the execution of high quality projects. Other leading editors like Mr Lawal Ado, Editor-in-Chief of News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Steve Nwosu, Deputy Managing Director of Sun Newspapers and Juliet Njiohwor, Director of Publication of Tide Newspapers commended Governor Wike for his judicious application of resources to promote development in the state.

Simeon Nwakaudu

A

s Nigeria’s best performing governor in the current dispensation, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has never shied away from any opportunity to expose the sponsored false propaganda of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The governor’s pro-people projects spread across the state are testimonies of deliberate planning and judicious application of scarce resources.

Those who are transparent and accountable to their people are always ready to showcase their accomplishments to encourage other leaders to deliver good governance to their respective states. Governor Wike’s 14 months in office have been a turning point in the recent history of Rivers State, making the state a destination of interest to all lovers of development.

This explains why the state has witnessed an influx of thousands of professionals and guests from across the country. The leadership and members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors were in the state for the for the 12th edition of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) that held from August 3 to 7.

The President and other executives of the guild had visited the state in the course of the last week of July. The National Standing Committee of the Guild led by its President, Mrs Funke Egbemode met with the governor during a breakfast meeting on July 30, 2016.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors joined a long list of groups that have witnessed first hand the superlative performance of Governor Nyesom Wike in transforming the lives of the people of the state. In the last few weeks, the outgoing President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), Former Senate President David Mark, PDP National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu have been impressed by Governor Wike’s delivery of projects and good governance.

Impressive performance The 12th All Nigeria Editors Conference afforded the ultimate gate-keepers the opportunity to see the reality of the creation of a new Rivers State. They saw for themselves the unfolding development of an amazing Rivers State where the resources of the people work for them.

Governor Wike’s tour of projects with the members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors on Saturday, August 6, 2016 signalled a paradigm shift in the perception of the development process in Rivers State. The editors were pleasantly surprised at the level of projects delivery in the state and the quality of work done so far by the Rivers State government under the leadership of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

The editors were happy with the governor for his impressive performance which most of them declared must be sustained to further advance the living condition of the people of the state. The tour of projects led the editors to 24 projects sites spread across seven local government areas of the state namely Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Eleme, Khana, Gokana and Etche local government areas.

To achieve maximum exposure of the selected projects, the tour was divided into two teams; Governor Wike led a team, while the Commissioner for Housing, Mr Emma Okah led the second team.

The list of the projects visited include: Law Centre, Civic Centre, Federal High

Gov. Wike

Court being constructed by the Rivers State Government, Garrison-Akpajo-East West Road, Second Nkpogu Bridge, Dr Peter Odili Road, Abuluoma-Woji Road, Woji-Akpajo Road, Elelenwo-Akpajo Road, Sakpenwa-Bori Road, Rumukwurusi-Eneka Road, Igwuruta-Okehi Road, Rukpokwu-Eneka and Oroigwe Road.

Other projects visited are: Industry Road, Njamanze Road (Diobu), Eagle Island Bridge –Agip, Rumuepirikom-Rumuolumeni Road, Rumuolumeni-ElioparanwoOgbogoro-Ozuoba Road, Ozuoba-Rumoosi Road, Alakahia-Rumualogu Road, Nkpolu-Rumuigbo-Rumuaholu- Obiri Ikwere Road and Aluu-Rukpokwu Road.

Wike’s popularity/acceptance on the streets of Rivers State Nigerian editors experienced in reality, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike’s street credibility. Everywhere the governor and the editors went to inspect projects, the people trooped out in their numbers to sing the praises of the Governor.

The popularity and acceptance of Governor Wike by the people of Rivers State played out before the editors. They understood the political strength of the governor and why it would be impossible for the APC to win an election in the state.

From the Civic Centre, to the Law Centre, through to Elelenwo-Akpajo road down to Igwuruta-Okehi road, the people in one accord through their loud voices passed a vote of confidence on Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

The governor led his editorial guests on long walks on the streets of Rivers State in carnival-like processions. Beyond the acceptance and popularity of Governor Wike, the editors also experienced the unending energy of the Chief Executive of Rivers State to work for the people of the state.

For three days running, he was at their beck and call to account for his developmental

projects.

Security Flowing from the street credibility of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike exhibited during the tour of projects with the editors is the issue of security and safety of Rivers State.

The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors of other leaders of the guild were in the state for days without security details before they had a breakfast meeting with Governor Wike on Saturday, July 30, 2016.

They saw for themselves the security architecture being funded and organized by the Rivers State Government for the people of the state.

Between August 3 and 7, 2016, over 300 frontline editors from all mainstream and online media organisations across Nigeria stayed in several hostels in Port Harcourt without experiencing the false reports of insecurity being circulated by the opposition party in the state. These editors enjoyed the revived night-life in Port Harcourt, the warmth of the people, the friendship and humanity of Rivers people, the beauty of the garden city and the serenity of the treasure base of the nation.

Throughout their stay, there was no untoward incident. Nigerian editors had the privilege of appreciating the security that oil companies, schools, expatriate staff and other professionals enjoy in Rivers State that make them to want to return to the state at every opportunity. As they say, seeing is believing.

Through critical security initiatives, Governor Wike was able to resolve the security challenges that affected a few local government areas far away from Port Harcourt, restored the confidence of the people and set the entire state for greater development.

Celebration of Wike By Nigerian Editors Of course, the Nigerian editors who vis-

Successful 12Th All Nigerian Editors Conference By every definition, the 12th All Nigeria Editors Conference in Port Harcourt was a resounding success. The theme of the conference ”Economic Diversification: Agriculture as Option for a Prosperous Nigeria,” was exhaustively discussed by Nigerian editors, a collection of mainstream farmers, agribusiness financiers, policymakers and captains of industry.

Prominent participants at the conference include Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Representatives of the governors of Bayelsa, Niger, Plateau and Bauchi States, Veteran Editor, Ray Ekpu, Former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba, President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr Waheed Odusile and the representative of Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, Comfort Obi. All the stakeholders agreed that developing the agricultural sector was the best way to rebuild the Nigerian economy and empower the people. This also formed the premise of the communique at the end of the conference.

Politics The All Nigeria Editors Conference provided stakeholders the opportunity to discuss aspects of the nation’s political development as they relate to Rivers State.

Governor Wike explained that contrary to the views being circulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the Rivers APC, the state remains safe for the conclusion of the rerun elections in constituencies cancelled by INEC. The governor also warned against the declaration of results in constituencies outrightly cancelled by INEC on March 19, 2016.

Fundamental take-away from the 12Th All Nigeria Editors Conference There is a limit to which falsehood can be deployed against a people. No matter how well scripted, falsehood will fail in the presence of the truth. That is the situation of Rivers State. The impressive performance of Governor Wike has led to a nationwide appreciation of his adherence to the tenets of good governance. People from all walks of life are now gravitating towards Rivers State, one of the few oasis of development in the present-day desert of stagnation.

Rivers is the state with a new life, a community that serves as a tonic to others as they seek ways to escape from today’s reality. It is obvious that Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is ever ready to share experiences with other leaders as a means of setting the country on the path of growth.

13

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

Sunday Mail

@

EMAIL

thesundayletters@gmail. com and sundayletters@ newtelegraphonline.com

MAIL BAG

* Letters to the Editor

The Sunday Telegraph

Nigeria’s road to economic salvation

Bayo Ogunmupe, Lagos

SMS

08037613380 Normal message fees apply

Managing the IDPs better Dear Editor,

Dear Editor, As Nigeria’s economy contracts owing to low oil prices, domestic challenges of being unable to meet previous oil production levels, the country of Champaigne drinkers has been overtaken by recession.

The profligacy of the past that attracted luxury goods salesmen and investors has disappeared with the naira being exchanged at N390 per dollar and a pound sterling selling for N500. Everyone now knows we are riding out the worst economic downturn in recent memory. Prices of domestic goods rocketed with increases inching up to 100 per cent. Foreign exchange shortages and a lack of investor confidence have triggered capital flight. When President Muhammadu Buhari deregulated the oil market a couple of months ago, ending decades of wasteful expenditure on subsidies that benefited the corrupt elite the nation heaved a sigh of relief.

This culminated in many workers leaving their gasoline guzzling cars at home in favour of pool vehicles and public transport as an open testimony to the changing times. Now manufacturers are battling to get foreign exchange to import components and input with many seeing dwindling incomes due to hyper inflation. Indeed, energy supply is more erratic than ever, forcing greater reliance on other expensive sources of power. Traffic to the ports is reducing in the wake of a raft of import restrictions, leading to a decline in customs revenue. Job losses are mounting.

Layoffs have spread to the automobile industry as well as the newspaper and the printing industry. Inflation is ravaging at 17 per cent now.

Which is why Buhari has continued to come under attack for his perceived lack of focus, lack of a team of economists to energise the economy?

The lackluster performance of the Buhari cabinet and delay in signing the budget has eroded confidence in his competence. The President’s laudable anti-corruption drive has lost its impetus. Upon the storm came the Niger Delta militants wreaking havoc in the oil fields. Attacks on oil installations have cut oil production by half, significantly reducing power supply via cuts in gas pipelines to urban centres. Undoubtedly, Nigerians have a long road to walk to salvage the nation from the ruins of profligacy, mediocrity and incompetence of its past leaders.

(

WHAT MANNER OF POLICE…A Policewomen holding on to a bus at Orile bustop, Lagos. .

From Obama to Clinton: Racial bias and gender inequality Dear Editor, I would like more than anything to see more women in power in Nigeria; but I do not believe that it is the solution to gender inequality. Many will say it is a step in the right direction, but the true step is in understanding that women are unique in their own way and that does not make them less in anyway. There are good women and bad women as there are men. Just the way you shouldn’t be judged by the colour of your skin, is the same way you shouldn’t be judged by your hormones or secondary sexual characteristics. It is my position that voting for a candidate because she is a woman is as much a case of gender inequality as not voting for her because she is.

Anyone with the competency to do something should be allowed to do it irrespective of tribe, ethnicity, gender or creed; that is the spirit of a true democracy. This to me should be the centre position, not racial bias or gender inequality, which are just symptoms of a poor understanding of who we are as a people. The African Americans thought a black President would end their racial struggle, but how wrong they were! Women and feminist activist in Nigeria should not think the same of a female President in the USA. If Hilary Clinton wins, it will be awesome that she won because there is no man or woman better qualified for the job at the moment like her, and not just because she’s a woman.

So the struggle continues, but

Hilary Clinton may just be giving to women what many believe Obama gave to blacks, the audacity of hope.

Dr. Samuel Alufohai, National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna

Christianity and Islam hamper Nigeria’s progress Dear Editor, Nigeria has four principal enemies: egocentricism, Christianity, Islam, and ethnicism. Those are the obstacles blocking Nigeria’s way to progress. The Fulani used Islam to gain territories and thrones through jihad wars, initiated by Usman Danfodio in 1804 in northern Nigeria.

In the process, Muslims tried to prevent Christians from gaining a foothold in the north, and planting Christianity therein became a herculean task for Christian purveyors whose interest, like that of the Muslims, is not social development, but triumph of religious predators.

The more Christianity and Islam gain ground, the more the purveyors gain power and influence. They now control human life in Nigeria from cradle to grave, using the name of God, Bible, Jesus, Qur’an, Prophet Mohammed, salvation, miracle, deliverance, exorcism, and so on. Thus, there is minimal attention accorded social welfare, except the welfare of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and Israel. The foregoing explains the issue of mass abject poverty in Nigeria.

Politicians try to satisfy Christian and Muslim clerics who “own” the land, and

then, they satisfy themselves through embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds. If a politician tries to differ, Christian and Muslim clerics show him or her the red card. That was what happened in Cross Rivers State when Governor Ben Ayade tried to stop prayer in public schools attended by children from diverse faiths. The Catholic bishop who is the chairman of the local Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) ordered him to retract the order. He obeyed, trembling. Who says Nigeria is not in chains? In Osun State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola uses his political power as a Muslim to advance Islam.

In Akwa Ibom, Anambra, and some other states, schools were returned to the churches that used to own them. Nigeria does not enjoy the allegiance of its rulers. Christianity and Islam do. Does the foregoing mean that Nigeria is a property of Christianity and Islam? That is general impression. Nigerians are milked by Muslim and Christian clerics, in churches daily and weekly, without any tax. As if that were not enough, government at all levels spend millions on Christian and Muslim pilgrimages. Politicians do whatever they like once they satisfy Christian and Muslim clerics. Hence in Nasarawa State, some protesting workers were gunned down; in Kwara State, they were tear-gassed. Who will redeem Nigeria from Christianity and Islam? Nigerian rulers have dollars to provide comfort for pilgrims but not for infrastructure. Yes, it’s lamentable.

Prof. Oyeniran Abioje, PhD, University of Ilorin.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Federalism is not resource control Dear Editor, Federalism is NOT Resource Control. It is way more than that. It is simply a system of governance that seeks and enables the just and peaceful accommodation of various nation-states within a larger entity – country. It empowers the nation-states, the federating units of a country, with enough powers to determine their economic and political destinies within a united federation. Thus eliminating fears of marginalisation or discrimination on the basis of ethnicity or religion. Furthermore, it encourages the federating units to be productive partners via the efficient maximising of their natural competitive advantages for the betterment of their lives and the concomitant overall improvement of the national economy.

Thus, Federalism eliminates the possibility of suffering the affliction of a mono-product economy and it also enhances social cohesion. Hence for a diverse society like Nigeria, there is ALL to gain and nothing to lose from a phased and gradual implementation of political and Fiscal Federalism.

Winston Churchill, the war-time Prime Minister of Great Britain once joked that “you can trust the Americans to always do the right thing…AFTER they have tried everything else.” Let us not waste precious time (and perhaps lives) trying “everything else” before turning around to do the right thing nay the just and equitable thing. May God bless the Republic of Nigeria and make us the truly Federal Republic, Amen.

Ugochukwu Amasike, Lagos State

Some people in government take every criticism as opposition. They fail to realise that not everybody is opposed to government policies. There are lots of people who are nonpartisan and yet feel compelled to be critics when things associated with the public good go awry. For instance, for long, the public has been irked by the way internally displaced people are treated. And those involved in managing the IDPs brushed aside every complaint, protest or suggestion as partisan.

It was only the recent cry by international NGOs – ICRC; Medicine Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders); Rescue SUNDAY TELEGRAPH International and others that made the issue to attract attention from the local and international communities. Incredible pictures of emaciated adults, infants with kwashiorkor and mothers whose lactation functions are stymied, as they themselves fed little or not at all appeared viral and since then criticisms poured in. While one must appreciate the daunting task of feeding and taking care of over two million people rendered destitute overnight; it is the duty of government to streamline activities and make sure chaos is avoided.

While one appreciates the organisational difficulties involved in making food available for an average of 10,000 refugees per camp three times a day, it is the duty of stakeholders to devise means of effective distribution and making sure pilfering is disallowed. Even the efforts of the international organisations are hinged on local staff who, cannot be entirely exonerated from the shortcomings of their counterparts working for the government.

Along with the somewhat deliberate dishonesty in fair distribution of relief materials is the accusation of rape across the camps. This amounts to taking advantage of the weak.

As things are, life in the camps can be made better. What will enhance that goal is the willingness of governments concerned and their personnel to display honesty and commitment.

Usman Bulama, Mairi Village, Maiduguri, Borno State YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HEARD! SEND YOUR LETTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHS TO THESUNDAYLETTERS@ GMAIL.COM. LETTERS SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 200 WORDS AND MUST HAVE THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE SENDER

14

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NEWS

Enugu sacks 16 LG secretaries, others

E

nugu State Executive Council at the weekend approved the sack of 16 out of the 17 local governments education secretaries in the state as well as the general manager of the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, over poor performances that have constituted a drawback to good governance in the state.

The state has also set machinery in motion for the recruitment of 2, 000 primary school teachers to shore up standards in the state’s primary school system.

These were some of the highlights of a briefing by the state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele, yesterday following a meeting of the State Executive Council.

The council took far reaching decisions including the ratification of the recommendation of a probe carried out by the

lTo recruit 2000 primary school teachers

State Universal Basic Education Board that had recommended the sack of all education secretaries of the 17 local council areas in the state, except that of Awgu LG who was appointed just last June.

The commissioner explained that the termination of the appointments became necessary to inject fresh ideas and impetus into the administration’s resolve of enhancing basic education in the state, a drive that was no longer found in the operations of the sacked secretaries: “The termination of appointment of the local government education secretaries with the exception of that of Awgu is to enhance and strengthen development of basic education in the state,” he said.

The council accused the officers of practices inimi-

cal to the desired growth in the basic education system of the state, adding that they connived with the past local government chairmen to bring the system down, especially in effecting some illegalities.

To strengthen the sector, the commissioner said that the council also approved the recruitment of 2000 primary school teachers in the state to enhance teaching and learning.

On the move to employ some 2000 primary school teachers, he stated that “those to be employed must have a minimum qualification of National Certificate of Education (NCE) from recognised institutions.

“This recruitment must reflect at least 100 persons each from the 17 local government areas of the state and should be

evenly spread across the 260 electoral wards in the state,” adding that the process has already begun and would be completed before the next academic session kicks off.

Besides moves to reinvigorate the basic education sector, the state government has also taken steps to salvage untoward situations in other sectors and has just ordered immediate withdrawal of the recently reinstated traffic regulations enforcement team of the State Ministry of Transport following public complaints against their activities.

The council also approved the dissolution of the board of the State Water Corporation and removal of the managing director of Enugu state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency over poor performance.

No going back on August 17 National Convention - PDP Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

T

he Imo State chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Charles Babatunde Ezekwem has said that despite the seeming controversies trailing the party’s activities in recent times, there would be no going back in the party’s national convention slated for August 17, 2016 at PortHarcourt, Rivers state.

Ezekwem who spoke to newsmen in Owerri shortly after returning from a meeting of all the state chairmen of the party, held in PortHarcourt on Thursday preparatory for the convention, said arrangements have reached advanced stage and cannot be stopped by any propaganda.

The new state party chairman urged party loyalists in

APGA lauds FG over release of detained IPOB members

T

L-R: Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai; Chairman, Board of Water Corporation, Mr. Charles Bonat and Chairman, Board of Water Service Regulatory Commission, Dr. Dogara Bashir, at the inuaguration of Chairmen of the Board of Parastatals, in Kaduna…at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

Enugu govt, police deny report on herdsmen invasion Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

T

he people of Opi Communities in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have denied a media report, credited to its Town Union President General, Dr. Samuel Ugwuoti, the association’s Secretary General, Mr. Uche Agama and the traditional rulers, alleging that Fulani herdsmen have sacked communities in the state.

Reacting to the publication, the President General of Federated Opi Town Union, Dr. Ugwuoti, the as-

sociation’s Secretary General, Mr.Agama, the traditional ruler of Ogbozalla Opi Community, Igwe Fabian Ogbuabor and other traditional rulers from the adjoining communities, said that they did not speak to the press on the issue or make such allegation in any public forum, as was alleged.

The community leaders stated that they were embarrassed that their names were mentioned in the said publication that borders on security without their consent. They said that they never traveled to Anambra State to address any group or association, contrary to

the publication.

They also said that even though Fulani herdsmen are present in their communities, the cattle rearers did not unleash mayhem on the people of the area.

The community leaders added that they were not unaware of the appropriate channels of communication with the security agencies and other authorities in the event of any invasion of their communities by the herdsmen.

Similarly, the Enugu State Police Command also denied the report, stating that the two communities Ohom Orba and Opi Agu are au-

tonomous and are located at Udenu and Nsukka Local Government areas of Enugu state respectively.

It stated that the two communities are calm and are peaceful and with people moving about their normal lawful business without molestations by any individual or group of persons.

The command added that the two communities have Divisional Police officers and police personnel and that within the period under review, no adverse report dwelling on any alleged pastoralist issue has been recorded against the two communities.

the state to keep their eyes on the bigger picture which is reclaiming Imo from the brink of collapse, by sacking the APC administration in 2019.

He said, “Party leadership is not a one-man show, as the era of impunity and marginalisation is over. We cannot go back to the mistakes of 2015 that brought us to where we are; we are therefore committed to returning the party to the people.

We are leaving no stone unturned, immediately after the convention we shall begin to reach out to reconcile of all our aggrieved members. Disagreement is natural in every family and PDP is a big and diverse family. I can assure you that we shall put our house back in order so that we can sack the oppressors of our people,” he said.

he National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Victor Oye, has commended the Federal Government for granting freedom to some detained supporters of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group.

Oye described the government’s gesture as bold, patriotic and surest way to peace and unity of Nigeria, which he said, was nonnegotiable.

In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Saturday, he thanked everyone who was instrumental in ensuring freedom for the persons.

He, however, called on the government to release the acclaimed leader of IPOB, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, to enable him to go home and ``take care of his young family’’.

“I commend the Federal Government for the bold and patriotic step taken in the release of some of the

members and supporters IPOB detained in Aba. “I thank all the men and women of goodwill who facilitated the release and urge them not to relent until absolute peace and harmony is achieved in Nigeria.

“This magnanimity shown by the government is one of the shortest and surest ways to peace and unity of Nigeria, which is non-negotiable.

“The government should also extend this gesture to Kanu, who has been in detention for a while,” Oye said.

He urged the Federal Government to open more avenues and channels of discussion with all agitating groups, who were protesting the political and economic structure of Nigeria for amicable resolution of issues.

He also urged Nigerians to remain law-abiding and show unfettered respect for constituted authority and loyalty to Nigeria.

Benue launches campaign to end violence against children Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

M

iffed by the growing cases of child abuse in the state, the Benue State government will tomorrow launch campaign to douse Violence Against Children, VAC. The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is to lead the campaign with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the 23 local government areas,

civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, the media and the private sector among other groups participating.

As a prelude to the event, the ministry in conjunction with the VAC coordinators yesterday carried out a procession made up of school children including boys and girls as well as parents all dressed in colourful T-shirts to herald the launching.

15

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

SUNDAY

Body Soul S U N D AY, A U G U S T 1 4 , 2 0 1 6

Kathryn goes hubby-shopping (1) 22 Bold face statements 18,39 I was never replacement for Peter of P-Square –Muno 42

Fab Sisters: Big, Bold and Proud

16

Body&Soul

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Here Beyond

Green on red carpet Biwom Iklaki

G

reen has been the metaphoric colour for many situations which are not always good; green snake in green grass, green with envy, green eyed monster, green at the gills, to mention a few. Notice these are all negative, however, this is far from the case when a woman takes her wardrobe and commits to the colour green because it is a very flattering colour for many skin tones. When you see a well dolled up lady on the red carpet, she radiates so much grace and beauty that all you can think of is that green also stands for growth, rebirth, nature, money and fertility. Now what would stand in the way of rocking a green piece now? You do not have to be on the red carpet to

wear green you know. A piece here and there will catch on to the idea of all these fabulous attributes of green. It should be an added bonus that our national flag is green, white and again, green!

Need more reasons? This colour is absolutely rich and gorgeous with most shades of jewellery including gold, silver, rose gold, etc. So the accessories to wear with this near daunting colour should not be a problem anymore. You are sure to have all eyes on you when you wear this colour proudly and with your head held high to any event or outing you so choose. A lovely blouse, turban, bag, shoes or jewellery will get you in this mood too. And perhaps an eye or two would turn green with envy at the sight of you!

Brighten your day.

17

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha Classic chic Judith Onyebuchi

C

hioma Chukwuka Akpotha is an award-winning Nigerian actress. She gained a degree in Banking and Finance from the Lagos State University. Her career fully began in 2000 when she played a role in her first movie, ‘The Apple’. The movie was a huge success and Chioma has continued in that stride with an unstoppable pace and has over 80 Nollywood movies to her credit.

Chioma’s acting prowess has been recognised locally and internationally. She coproduced and starred in the award nominated blockbuster ‘on bended knees’ In 2011, Chioma Akpotha was signed up as Glo ambassador in a deal that is worth over 100 million naira and has also endorsed several products from numerous industries.

There are many beautiful ladies in the movie industry and Chioma Chukwuka cannot be left out of the list; her astonishing looks would make you want to know more about her.

She is one celebrity that always looks reserved but keeps it real when it comes to fashion. The classic actress keeps it sheen and decent when she steps out for any event, she is indeed a fashion plate.

The Omo detergent ambassador got an alluring make-over section with makeup artist Obehi Evore, of ‘Evore Signature’ last year and she looked absolutely stunning! She has also joined team natural as she’s seen spotting her natural hair on red carpet.

It seems Chioma’s favourite colour is black.

She is always seen on major red carpet events on black ensemble with pops of bright colour. She rocked an outfit to an award event and we did love the sheer elements on her outfit and her choice of silky yellow skirt to compliment the sheer black top and her wild natural hair- do with mild make up. She looked simple and classic!

Body&Soul

Body&Soul

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14

18

Bold fac statements

Vanessa Okwara

T

he face dress is usually a simple shiftlike dress or trapeze, with a large presentation of a human face printed, woven or occasionally appliqued on it. Wearers of face dresses know that human beings, even newborns prefer to look at things that resemble faces and huge colourful faces are even better.

Face dress have a compelling effect and a terrific attention grabbing device. Face dresses are huge attention getters; doubly so if the face is a famous one like Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, and Elvis Presley or if the eyes and mouth of the face are strategically placed

to be provocative.

The bold face print material looks like satin, but its silkier, smoother, shinier and more colourful than your average satin, and oh yes, it has a beautiful bold face print. The good thing about this trend is that it doesn’t necessarily come ready made, so if you can get your hands on this beautiful material then you can decide what to make with it.

This easy day dress can be cinched in at the waist with the drawstring or worn very loose.

Simply make them the statement piece in a neutral outfit. When you wear a face dress, you have to keep everything else simpleshoes, hair and your face too. Otherwise, you start to look like a two-headed monster. For

Editor’s current obsession

accessories, mini most, an armful o The face dress it does have one wearing it, you g constantly looki out first looking dress you are w lebrities and int seen in face dres another fabulous with their own.

International de these dresses on Saint Laurent, St and Franco Mosc

19

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

Wine & Dine

Perfect Carignan Ibukunoluwa Kayode

W

ines have long been known for value. However as the world’s vineyards age, Carignan has become known for quality. It’s red fruit and baking spice flavours, along with subtle notes of umami, make it the perfect food wine.

If you are a lover of lighter-styled wines of Zinfandel and Merlot blend, then Carignan should be on your radar. This vine is naturally productive and the best of it comes from old vines where the productivity grape is low. On the palate it bursts with fruity, rich and smooth lighter tannins than Cabernet.

Though, Carignan can smell oddly meaty upon first opening, it is better to decant for at least an hour.

Carignan holds undertone red fruit flavour of raspberry and cranberry sauce with added flavour of cinnamon and star-anise. It also offers umami flavours of smoked and cured meats; aged with a touch of oak; adding flavours of sandal wood and baking spices.

This vintage wine holds an exceptional stance when paired with food. With it’s balance of flavour without bitter tannin, acts more like an ingredient when paired with food. Due to its medium-bodied style, it will go with big bold dishes as well as lighter ones.

With its bold red fruit and earthy-meaty notes, Carignan is ideal with richer poultry dishes like, turkey, duck, roasted pork, or even a meaty beef brisket and vegetables, like; pumpkin, tomato, eggplant, roasted red pepper, garlic, shallots, grilled onion and roasted leek. The thing to keep in mind with this wine is to expand on its natural spice flavouring of cinnamon, cumin, spice powder, star anise and dried herbs by also adding them to the dish. If you do this, the wine will bring out the spices and sweeten the flavour of the pairings magically.

​Scrumptious potato salad Biwom Iklaki

A

s carbohydrates go, potatoes could be much fun especially because they are used for fries among others. Here is another fun thing you could do with potatoes which could also pass as a prep meal.

You may decide to eat it as a warm or cold salad and the added benefit is that you can prepare it ahead to save time and take with you as a side dish for those holiday parties.

Ingredients 5 medium potatoes (Irish or sweet) 1 cup shredded chicken 1 medium shallot 2 celery sticks ½ cup mayonnaise (or more) 3 tbsp. rice wine vinegar 3 boiled eggs (optional) 4 cloves of garlic (or to your tastes) Salt and black pepper to taste Preparation Cut potatoes into bite sizes, boil potatoes (peeling is optional) in salted water until done. Set aside to cool.

In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, rice wine vinegar, garlic,

celery and chicken. Stir in eggs, add celery, onions. Add to potatoes, sprinkle pepper and salt and mix well.

Do not overcook the potatoes or they will become mushy.

Tips:

Gently fold in the ingredients rather than stirring vigorously to avoid crushing the potatoes.

20

Body&Soul The media was recently a wash with a pre-wedding photo of a plus-size bride and her beau. Some thought it was a comedy skit, while others thought it’s super funny to have a plus-size bride and her average size partner. For those who have lost hope of showing the world how perfect they could be in their plus -size, don’t give up yet because a group of big, bold and proud ladies known as the Fab Sisters have got your back. ABIOLA ALABA PETERS had an interesting chat with three representatives of the group here in Lagos where they explored various topics affecting the plus-size ladies and how they can overcome body shaming Let’s meet you individually?

I am Kenechi Okafor. I’m a teacher and I live and work in Lagos, I’m a plus size advocate.

I am Ijeoma Obasi, a caterer and I’m also a plus size advocate.

I am Okunowo Oluwayemisi, I am just a simple lady, and you can see by my size that I am in between; not too fat and not slim. I am an entrepreneur and I’m also a marketer, I’m an advocate for Fab Sisters.

Kenechi, tell us in brief, what the Fab Sisters’ Corner is all about.

Kenechi: Fab Sisters is basically about plus size women and

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Fab Sisters:

bringing them together to build their confidence; especially in the society we find ourselves today. We realised that a lot of plus size women are so ashamed of their body, they don’t want to go out. You see them with maxi skirts and all, simply because they are not confident. In order to encourage these plus size women, Fab Sisters was established to give corrective measures so that plus size women will have their confidence, their rightful place and voice in the society. The Fab Sisters movement is saying, ‘enough is enough and a capital NO to the humiliation’. You are fat, chubby or big doesn’t mean you are not the person you are supposed to be, the key word about the Fab Sisters is confidence.

Where, when and how did it all start?

Ijeoma: It was started by just three members and I am among them. We were very good friends, and before I met Kenechi, I was a very shy person and because of my size, I couldn’t confidently walk on the streets. When I did, people looked at and made fun of me. Because of that, I always took bikes, but when I met Kenechi, I was amazed! She is big, she is not thinking of buying any slimming pills or tea; she wears clothes that are her size and she feels confident. So I started imitating her. In fact, I will say, she built my confidence. Today, I can walk on the streets and I am proud of my body. Unlike before when I used to disturb myself with thoughts of what to buy or take just to slim down, knowing and being close to Kenechi really helped to build my confidence. Because of that, I informed her of the need to start a group for plus size women, so that we can bring ourselves under one umbrella and teach others. That way, we you let them realise that they can be big, bold, and beautiful, still be confident, and also be able to achieve whatever they want to achieve.

How old is the Fab Sisters group?

It will be one year by November this year.

What’s the membership like in numbers?

Presently, we are over two thousand members.

How do you gather yourselves, do you have meeting days, where and when?

Yemisi: Well for now, we don’t have specific days or place where we meet one on one, but when we first started, we kicked off by talking to ourselves and spreading the word about Fab Sisters. For now, we have our meetings online.

Due to our wide range of membership network, we have members from different parts of the world: Ghana, United States of America, South Africa, Mexico and the UK. In fact, loads of plus size women from various parts of the world are joining us because they love what we do. So we create a day for meeting online, where we talk about our plans among other things. Just to buttress what my other team members have said, Fab Sisters is a force, we are on a mission to give plus size women a voice globally. For instance, once in a while, we go for photo-shoots, just to showcase the beautiful side of these women. You can’t sit in the comfort of your house and say you are proud of what you do, you have to go out and reach out to the world to say, ‘this is who I am and this is what I am made of’. That’s what we stand for.

Does Fab Sisters have executives?

Yes we do. We have our team of executives, they are very much active and on ground running.

Kenechi, do you mind taking us through the executives, their names and positions?

Kenechi: OK! We have three executives which includes myself, Kenechi Okafor, Ijeoma Obasi and Chibuike Maduka. For now, it is just three of us, and we are all on the same level, we are partners. Then we have Oluwayemisi Okunnowo as the secretary, Abasiono Michael Okon Onu as the Public Relations Officer, Lucy Joseph as our Financial Secretary.

If you are meeting a plus size lady for the first time, three things you’d tell her in order to convince her to join Fab Sisters?

Yemisi: The first three things I’d tell a plus size lady are, look at the way the Fab Sisters positioned themselves, because one thing about life is positioning, confidence and acceptance, if you have these three things, you have it all.

Do the Fab Sisters encourage skills, entrepreneurship and talent?

Ijeoma: Yes of course we do, we are launching into all those, because we are trying to bridge the gap between the society and the plus size ladies. We are aware they have hidden talents, and most of them are too shy to express their God given talents and skills. So we are not just teaching confidence, positioning and acceptance. We are also going to be training them on various skills, giving them the right orientation towards their craft, be it music, movies or what have you. So we have provisions for that.

Yemisi: That being said, you can also visit our page www. fabsisterscorner.com. You will see something on different skills. Whatever it is you are doing photography, catering, event planning, whatever skills you know you have, just come forward while we interact, celebrate and encourage it, because this is not only about modelling or sizes, this is also about helping each and everybody to develop. I may be opportuned today to have a business, and you are in my plus size family, I can give you the contract to execute it. So Fab Sisters is also about spreading our wings and helping each other grow.

Do you think plus size women have really been accepted into the present day society?

Ijeoma: No, they are not and that is what we are out to do.

They see us as ‘Orobo’, you people eat a lot, you are gluttons, you are shapeless, you can’t even find love; yes, a guy can’t date you openly, they would rather do it secretly; they do love it but they are being disturbed by what the society will say.

Kenechi

What do you think are the challenges facing plus size women in the fashion world?

Yemisi: What I will say about that is that when you look at the selection of clothing lines today, I am talking Nigeria now, you tend to see more of the smaller sizes than the plus sizes.

The funniest thing about those selling these clothes is that most of them are not slim people but plus size people, but

21

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

Body&Soul

Big, Bold and Proud because of the kind of people we have in the society that believe that if you are big, you are unfit and unhealthy. They believe if you are on the slim side, you are OK and good to go.

As a plus size woman, can you share with us your personal experience when you go out shopping for clothes?

Kenechi: It is stressful; I have to be honest with you. Imagine visiting four, five to six boutiques before you can get what you really want. Most times, when I travel outside Nigeria, I try as much as possible to get as much as I could get, such that can last up to six months or a whole year for me. It is quite difficult to get plus size clothes in Nigeria, sometimes, when you see it, it is expensive, while some are just boring.

If you had the power to change anything about plus size women, what will that be?

Ijeoma: I think that will be having a clothing line, especially for plus size women. Not the cast-offs, let there be designers for the plus size body, special clothes for us, such that will fit and suit us, not oversize clothes.

If you guys were to recall your personal experiences before the Fab Sisters movement, how would you describe it?

Ijeoma: For me, it was horror using public bus and then the conductor and the driver start to abuse you, indirectly making jest of your size, asking you to pay for two. Things like, ‘Madam, you have to pay for two, or shift, you are occupying the space of two passengers’.

At that point, how do you feel?

I always felt bad, as if I have to apologise for my size.

Kenechi: It is sad, walking down the street and you see your male counterparts making jokes of your size, and giving you some funny names.

Unknown to many of them, that it is a

form of stigmatisation, and it’s too bad.

Yemisi: Mine was way back in secondary school, it wasn’t like I was extremely big but you know, when you are like a shining armour in different bushes, I had some bullying from fellow students and you know how bullies in secondary school can be: funny, dramatic and very annoying. Even though, at times, I tried fighting them off, deep down inside of me, I always felt this pain, rejection and depression, while these guys believed they were just having fun. Eventually, I got over it, and realised I can’t kill myself.

Ijeoma

If one of the Fab Sisters got married, what are the benefits she will get; will she still be a valid member?

Yemisi: Sure, like that of Miss Maki and her husband, we went there with a washing machine as a gift to her, the reason is that we want to share in her joy, it was like a triangle for us, we just wanted to identify with her. In Fab Sisters group, we have married women and single ladies, we are concerned about the size; it’s not just for single ladies, we are particular about the size and sex, we are just advocates of the size.

How do you manage yourselves without conflicts?

Ijeoma: That’s why I said, people are wiser now. We don’t encourage malice, we don’t sleep with grudges, we always encourage ourselves to speak out our pains when there’s one. Once you start harbouring evil thoughts or words against anyone, we just yank you off, we don’t want it, this is a sisterhood, it’s an open organisation, I don’t even think one can keep anything in mind because we make everything public and we relate our plans and ideas to one another.

We have two things coming up very soon, and everybody is interested.

Mind you, it started on Facebook, are you aware of that?

Everything started on Facebook, I met one of us o n

Facebook and we are wonderful friends now, we have a group, a page and a website, Instagram and Twitter, and you know what, Fab Sisters is registered under CAC, and we know that a lot of people are coming from different backgrounds and religion.

Is it Ok to say that the Fab Sisters is a nonprofitable organisation?

Yemisi: Financially yes, for now, although we are working towards having our clothing line later and we also have a charity organisation attached to it that is where we do our skill acquisition training.

My question is for Kenechi, are you in a relationship?

Kenechi: Yes I am, for about two years now and I am happy with it.

Ijeoma?

Ijeoma: No, I am not.

Why, you just want to be single?

Ijeoma: Yea, I just want to be single.

So what are the qualities you look out for in a man?

Ijeoma: He should be a God fearing, loving and hard-working man. He must be honest and must be employed. You know, they see fat ladies as sugar-mummies.

Are you crushing on any Nigerian celebrity?

Ijeoma: Yes, Flavour, I want Flavour, if he proposes, I will accept. I will even propose to him.

To you Yemisi, are you in a relationship?

Yemisi: I don’t want to talk about my relationship.

Yemisi

Is there any celeb you are crushing on?

Yemisi: That will be Banky-W; I will love to meet him. I also love Phyno, not like dating them, but just to meet them because they are very nice people, D’banj and Tuface aren’t excluded. I’m not crushing on Tuface because he is married, I just like his personality.

How far do you see Fab Sisters going?

Yemisi: I see them doing great.

Five years from now, where do you see the Fab Sisters?

Ijeoma: That’s a tough question, because I don’t want it to be up to five years. I can’t wait for it to start going global. In fact, it’s above what we expected; we didn’t know it was going to be this big.

If the Fab Sisters should win an award, who would it be dedicated to?

Kenechi: I will dedicate it to Ijeoma.

Are there words you guys don’t like the society using on you?

Ijeoma: No, it’s not that we don’t like it, you can call us anything you like, it doesn’t change who we are. We are bringing glam to the word ‘Fat’. Fab Sisters are here to change the orientation of the society about plus-size women.

What are your social media handles?

Kenechi: We have our Facebook page called Fab Sisters Corner. We have a website www. fabsisterscornner.com, on Instagram @Fabsisterscornner, on Twitter is, @Fabsisterscornner. We have a group on Facebook called Fab Sisters Lounge for ladies. And we wish to tell the guys that, there’s nothing wrong in dating a fat lady. We are normal, we don’t have health challenges, whatever your slim lady will give you sexually, we will give you more, you can try us in bed and a trial will definitely convince you.

22

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

with

Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770

julietbumah@gmail.com

Kathryn goes hubby-shopping (1) Juliet Bumah

K

athryn walks back to the divan and sits, curling her legs under her. It is going to be another long, lonely weekend. It’s been like that the last two months. She still doesn’t understand why she has not netted a serious man.

She uncurls herself from the divan, walks into her room and is back at the verandah, moments later, with a slim book. Since she bought the book, she had not read a word from it. However, this Friday night, she will read a relationship expert’s take on how to net a man for marriage.

She has detoxed herself of the numerous men that have crowded her world. At age 36, none of them has shown any sign of taking the relationship to the next level. And does she want to move to the next level?

Yeah…like yesterday!

Kathryn, like some women, feels that a man falls for a woman with a pretty face, great legs, nice butt and…the right wardrobe.

It has worked for her for years, but they have not helped in tying a man down for a lifetime relationship. She makes herself more comfortable on the divan and turns the first few pages of the book, ‘How to net and keep the man of your dream for ever.’

She scans through the pages, looking for a particular chapter –the one recommended by her friend, Vixen.

“You need to read that book, especially the chapter that teaches you how to think like a man. After reading it, Kathy, you’ll beat the man to his game,” Vixen had said with a giggle.

Vixen is presently in Germany with her husband. She claims the book helped her to hook the man for good.

Hmmmmmmmm!

Kathryn turns to that chapter and leans back on the divan.

‘While it is true that some men are turned on by women who look available, act like a puppy and wiggle a bit, women should realise that men are biologically programmed to seek out women and devote themselves to winning their approval and affection. Approachability is the key quality,’ the author says...

Kathryn picks an apple from a fruit bowl on a side table and bites into it absentmindedly.

So men can be intimidated by women? Do I intimidate men? Kathryn wonders as she turns to the next page.

‘Men love real women: We like it when women fuss over us a little, it has something to do with mummy, I guess,’ the author says.

Is that so? Is that why Ayo refuses to see me again? Kathryn sighs.

According to the book, men may admire but do not really enjoy the company of ladies who have attitude.

“I know I have class and I attach premium to it,” Kathryn mutters.

‘Dress well and be clean,’ the author adds.

“Now, that’s not new. I have always known that,” she tells herself but reads on anyway.

The author continues, ‘Watch your words.

‘Never say, ‘F--K!’ or tell downright dirty jokes even if accepted because deep down, we don’t like hearing women say it.

Mummy didn’t say it and there’s a lot of a ‘mummy’ in what we like about women.

Don’t talk about other guys.

‘Maintain the appearance of popularity: Never try to be the centre of attention, but don’t let men see others ignore you either.

‘Watch your breath: When talking to men, don’t blow your breath towards them unless you know what it smells like.

‘Don’t act dumb: Intelligent women are interesting, fun to talk to and sexy as hell.

We all want one.

‘Hard but true: We’re instinctively attracted to women, in general, for purely mating reasons. After we get to know them, as individuals, it’s a different story but keep in mind that this is the basic reason we are attracted to you. Never trust a guy that tells you that it’s not true.

‘Keep your legs together: Don’t sleep around, or rather, don’t let it be known if you do. Each and every one of us wants to nail you and think it’s fine if you sleep with us but terrible if you sleep with someone else. It’s an illusion we don’t even understand ourselves.

‘Show interest: When you meet men, follow up. Go out of your way to be attentive the next time you see them...’

By the time Kathryn gets to the end of that

chapter, her body is shaking uncontrollably with laughter.

“So, men are not different from women?

So they feast on attention the way we women do?” Kathryn nevertheless reads the last nugget.

‘We like girls with hair – mostly long but short also, as long as it is only on their heads - and their... well... you know. So ladies, you don’t have to be a beauty to attract your dream man, you just need these secrets and the willingness to use them.’

Kathryn folds the last page of that chapter and drops the book on the side table. She looks long and hard at the traffic snaking round the road in the distance, throws her head back and lets out the most unfeminine laughter she has ever come up with.

She says to herself, “If these are the only things I need to tie a man forever, then, why haven’t I done that? I didn’t read a single thing that I didn’t know in that book!”

On a second thought, she wonders if truly she has put all to practice and concludes that she hasn’t.

She stands up, crosses her heart and mutters, “On my honour, I promise to have a

man walk me down the altar in the next few weeks or I walk one down there myself.”

She rushes into her room, picks one of her best dresses and her killer heels. An hour later, she looks into the mirror and is happy with her looks. She then picks her car keys and sashays out of her flat.

Where’s she off to?

Kathryn’s mind dances around different issues as she cruises towards the Third Mainland Bridge. She wonders if she should revive a dormant relationship or seek a fresh one. By the time she drives into the parking lot of a building, her mind is made up.

Too many vehicles there and along the road. She scans the area for a parking space.

“The devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know,” her mind tells her.

“Really?” A little voice asks.

She noses the car to a stop and walks to the entrance of the building.

The bouncers at the door give her more than a perfunctory check. People are taking more precautionary measures these days.

The security challenge in Nigeria has assumed a nationwide dimension.

The big metal door swings open and as she walks in, heavy music hits her.

The club is in full swing!

It seems as if every space on the dance floor is occupied. She weaves through the dancers to the VIP section.

The catcalls help boost her confidence.

Really, her appearance is a ‘killer’ tonight.

She finds a space in a corner and sits, hoping no one will come to claim the seat later.

There are three other empty seats beside her.

The barman comes to take her order and leaves.

A man dancing with a little girl in a corner winks at her and she gives him a cold look.

He even has a wedding band on his finger.

He definitely is a player. More like the proverbial man that is carrying an elephant on his head and trying to pinch a grasshopper with his toes.

The barman pours her drink -Cognac on the rocks.

“Thanks,” she mutters and sips.

She opens her wallet, pulls out a few bills and pays the barman.

A man seated a few tables away is looking at her with interest. She sizes him up with the corner of her eyes and creates a folder in her mind for him. He doesn’t look like he belongs in such environment. Well-dressed, cool, passably handsome, but there’s something ‘quiet’ about his mien.

She names him, ‘Amobi’ (one whose mind is not easily known).

She steals a glance at the dude sitting at a table opposite hers.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm! Cool, calm and looks like he sleeps on beds laid with dollar notes.

The only problem is that too many babes are looking his way. The man looks her way again and looks away. It’s obvious he’s interested.

She shifts to have a better view of him.

“Hi, mind if I share this table with you?” ***** You are right! By popular demand, the Kathryn series is back. Fasten your seat belt as we go on this passion-inducing ride with the actors in this love game. ***************** •Send your observations to: julietbumah@gmail.com

23

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

Ondo has no reason to be poor, says Oke p.26

Eyitayo Jegede and the new face of Ondo politics p.27

The Sunday Interview

Zaria Massacre: The Commission lied against us -Shiites p28-29

Politics

Biyi Adegoroye Assistant Editor biyi.fire@yahoo.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Thorny path to PDP's convention With few days to its National Convention, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is making frantic efforts to patch its torn umbrella. In this report, WALE ELEGBEDE writes on the battle for the party's National Chairmanship seat and the growing tide of factionalisation eating deep into the fabric of the former ruling party at both the national and state levels

W

hen the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was formed some 18 years ago, the founding fathers may not have anticipated the myriad of crisis currently threatening the existence of the party. Perhaps, one of the former chairmen of the party, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, must have read and digested the constitution of the party, and that knowledge buoyed his confidence when he said the party will rule Nigeria for 60 years. Interestingly, the party could only muster a paltry 16 years from the predicted three scores at the helm of affairs.

Grace to grass When a group of nine prominent Nigerians from opposite political divides decided to sit together and form a political party in the face of the despotic rule of late Gen. Sani Abacha, they knew they were daring the lion in his den and as such, they must get their equations right.

The PDP was eventually formed during the transitional administration of General Abdulsalami Abubakar on August 31, 1998.

Although the formation of the party was championed by the G9, as it was called then, the group later gave birth to the G18 which eventually produced the G34 that eventually transformed into the PDP. The G9 members were late Chief Bola Ige, Prof. Jerry Gana, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Senator Francis Ellah, late Chief Solomon Lar, Prof. Iyorcha Ayu and late Abubakar Rimi.

Since its formation, the party has had both sweet and bitter experiences. Dr. Ekwueme, a former vice-president, was the first chairman of the party and he held the position for three months before he stepped down to pursue his presidential ambition. At the last count, the party, which some political analysts believe has a tradition of dumping its chairpersons before the end of their tenure, has had 13 chairmen, both in substantive and act-

George

ing capacities. Former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is the last chairman of the party going into its forthcoming make-or-break convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday.

With an image that looms large, the PDP was on top of all political discourse in the country. It virtually produced leaders in all sphere, its umbrella signature became wide and it made opposition parties scamper for safety. However, the merger that produced the All Progressives Congress (APC), became the albatross of the ‘largest party in Africa’ and in the process, the party lost its first president and his vice, lost five governors and other key members due to unresolved infractions.

Like a pack of cards, the PDP lost its grip on the country when the APC and its candidate, now President, Muhammadu Buhari, defeated the then sitting president Dr. Goodluck Jonathan (a PDP member), at the March 29, 2015, election. Buhari got 54 per cent of the 29 million votes cast.

Although the outcome of the poll did not go down well with many of the PDP members, it was, however, clear from the general outcome that the electorate appeared to have made their statement of having enough of the PDP and its style of leadership.

From then on, the party’s downward slide began. The first casualty of the party’s misfortune was its former National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, who threw in the towel on May 20,2015, after attacks on him to take the responsibility of the party’s defeat and resign. His deputy, Prince Uche Secondus took over as chairman in acting capacity.

Agbaje

Whilst it was expected that Mu’azu’s exit will usher in a new lease of life for the party, it was, however, not to be as the crisis within the party deteriorate especially over the zoning issue of whether the North East should continue with Mu’azu’s tenure or not. It took a pronouncement of the court before stakeholders in the party decided to concede the remainder of the former chairman’s tenure to the North-East, and that ushered in Sheriff last February.

According to some political analysts, the path to impunity and gradual descent for the PDP started during Obasanjo’s administration when the party was taken over by some individuals who alienated the people who are supposed to be the real owners of the party. The analysts averred that the supremacy of the party was sacrificed and the president was made the leader of the party and this replicated itself in all states with governors seeing themselves above the party structures.

The Sheriff’s ambition From all shades of assessments, former Borno Governor, Sheriff, is not a greenhorn when it comes to party politics especially with his records in the now defunct All Progressives Party (APP). When Sheriff joined the PDP in the wake of the 2015 elections after ditching the APC, the party he helped formed, he became a instant hit in the then ruling party.

Although Sheriff couldn’t replicate the magic wand that made him the leader in the ANPP at the 2015 elections for the PDP, his political clouts, especially in the North-East, was still a reference

point. Hence, when the vigorous search for a replacement to Mu'azu came on the wheel, the stakeholders, especially the governors, found him fit to lead the party.

Despite the opposition against his (Sheriff) emergence in some quarters, the governors, especially the Ekiti State helmsman, Mr., Ayodele Fayose and his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, had their way and foisted him on the party, claiming that he will only administered the party for three months after which he will put together a National Convention to usher in a new chairman.

With the May 21 convention already fixed, intrigues set in and the self-succession agreement mooted by Sheriff and the governors collapsed. In a move to save his face and retain his position, Sheriff, who his former allies, the governors, alleged was plotting to turn himself into the party’s presidential candidate in 2019, swiftly approached the court to stop the conduct of election into his position and that of the National Secretary and the Auditor because they still had a running tenure that will lapse till 2018, the court ruled in his favour.

But while Sheriff claimed the convention had been postponed to avoid contempt of the court, the party’s governors reconvened the convention, dissolved the Sheriff-led National Working Committee and constitute a National Caretaker Committee headed by former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

Afterwards, the PDP crisis continues to fester with different High Courts making CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

24

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

politics

Thorny path to PDP's convention CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

different rulings on the same issue and that has put both Sheriff and Makarfi’s faction in the run for who leads the party.

Interestingly, none of the faction had appealed rulings from the High Courts, but they rather preferred to initiate their own version of suit at the High Court.

Speaking on why the governors dumped Sheriff, Fayose said though he was one of those who supported the former chairman, he noted that he had no option than to support his removal so as to forestall disintegration of the party.

Fayose said: “I supported Senator Ali Modu Sheriff in good conscience. But when it became obvious that his continuous stay in office as the National Chairman will jeopardise the collective interest of the party, I had no option than to support his removal.

“To me, the general interest of the party overrides that of any individual and there is no how I can stand in support of any plan to sacrifice the party for any individual. Anyone whose ambition threatens the collective interest of the party should be removed to save the party and that’s exactly what we have done."

With the Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee fixing its National Convention for Wednesday, August 17, to elect the party’s new executive members and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who still sees himself as the PDP National Chairman, claiming that by the virtue of the party’s constitution, he must remain in office till 2018; alongside the Justice Okon Abang’s ruling, which described the Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the party as illegal, the next 48-hours is set to produce another intriguing round of drama.

Hatching for political solution In a move to ensure that a lasting solution is put in place to keep the heartbeat of the party on, an 18-member reconciliation committee led by Prof. Gana, met behind closed-door with Sheriff last week.

It was gathered that though the meeting was not able to reach an amicable end, Sheriff was said to have placed his terms and condition for peace on the table, vowing that anything outside these conditions amounts to flogging a dead horse.

Sheriff was said to have called for the postponement of the planned August 17 national convention, reconstitution of the convention planning committee and that a new venue other than Port Harcourt, Rivers State, be chosen.

He accused some leaders of the party of being part of the lingering crisis. The embittered former chairman agreed during the BoT intervention to make concessions and possibly end his struggle to hold on to office, but only if the process of easing him out of office is done in accordance with the PDP constitution.

Sheriff also demanded that the governor of Rivers State, Wike, must not be allowed to chair the Convention Planning Committee, just as he called for the disbandment of the Makarfi-led caretaker committee.

“I say no to the convention in Port Harcourt on the 17th. The date and venue must be set by all stakeholders and approved by INEC. All forms of impunity and lawlessness must stop. The ward, local government and state congresses already concluded and approved by NEC must stand,” he said.

The godfather, godson tango in S’West Whilst the moves to calm frayed nerves in the party continues, the jostle for national chairmanship position is already tearing a godfather and his once beloved godson apart, just over one year that they consummated their political alliance.

Dokpesi

According to the supporters of the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, who were also the foot soldiers of the governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos State, if anybody should banter position with their principal, it should not be Agbaje. They believed that George defied all the odds to make Agbaje the party’s standard bearer in the face of a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

Although many of George’s supporters discarded the initial report that Agbaje has thrown his hat into the ring for the PDP’s plum job, they started taking the news serious when Agbaje was conspicuously absent at George’s formal declaration for the event in Lagos.

Already, Agbaje has purchased his nomination form for the election and alongside George, and others, he is expected to undergo screening at the party’s temporary office tomorrow (Monday).

Agbaje also made a public appearance of his intention when he visited Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu in Owerri to solicit for his support. It was learnt that Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and a silent support from Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State are those keeping Agbaje on his feet against his former political benefactor.

Speaking shortly after he collected his nomination papers in Abuja last Tuesday, Agbaje said: “I will not be contesting if I know I will not win. We are going to get back the power we lost at the centre and all the states we lost come 2019. Of course we made mistakes in the past and the time has come for us to correct the mistakes.”

While ruling out consensus arrangement in the contest, since the position has been zoned to Lagos and Ogun states, the pharmacist turned politician said: “I believe the field should be open for all interested aspirants to contest. You can even decide to run against the tide if the position is not zoned to your area. You have the right to test your popularity at the convention ground.”

However, a chieftain of the party in Lagos State told Sunday Telegraph that, “We knew Agbaje will turn out this way when under one week after he emerged as governorship candidate he told journalists that he has no godfather, by saying that, he tactically sent a message to George.

Can you imagine what would have hap-

Daniel

and father figure like personality will resuscitate the party.

“The contending issue that is shaping who heads the PDP is the battle for 2019.

Aside the interests of those who are in the PDP now, there are unseen hands manipulating the clock in PDP. They are presently in APC but looking at the PDP as a platform to actualise their 2019 ambition, they are the once working behind the scene to unsettle the party to their favor.

“Some of the PDP governors and senators in the South are also eyeing the vice presidential seat of the party in 2019 because the PDP has zoned its presidency for the next election to the North. So, the issue is one but the interests are myriad,” a chieftain of the party said.

Mimiko

pened if Agbaje had become the governor of Lagos State, he would have ensured that all of us who worked for him go into extinction? We are Yoruba and its tragic to bite the finger that feeds one.

“Regardless of who is pushing him, his decision to contest against George who helped him checkmate Obanikoro less than few months after he joined the PDP defies all sense of credibility, be it morally, politically, culturally and even spiritually.”

Where will the pendulum swing?

As it stands, the battle for the soul of the PDP at the convention on Wednesday, if it eventually holds, is between the governors of the party on the one side and the elders of the party on another side. While the governors are said to be rooting for Agbaje to emerge as the chairman of the party, the elders of the party including some Board of Trustees (BoT) members, are in support of George’s aspiration.

The governors are said to be comfortable with the fact that Agbaje has no baggage with the anti-graft agency, his gentleman posture and the ability to relate with their positions on party issues.

However, the elders of the party, led by Chief Ebenezer Babatope, a BoT member, believe that the present state of the party can only be manouvered by an experienced captain like George who has had over 10 years of party leadership experience. They also believe that his calmness

The aspirants Although the chairmanship seat has been zoned to the Lagos/Ogun axis of the South West, the party also gave room for other contestants to give a shot at the election. Aside George and Agbaje, other aspirants are the Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi; a former Minister of Education, Tunde Adeniran​and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Professor Taoheed Adedoja.

Already, it is being speculated in some quarters that a former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel​,​and a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus​,​would join the chairmanship race.

A source said: “Those canvassing for an open zoning of the chairmanship position are working on the theory that Agbaje and George may cancel each other out, and with that, they may reap from the fallout of the crisis between them. I can tell you that Secondus may likely emerge as the party’s chairman.”

As the PDP, which is the leading opposition party in Nigeria gears up for its epic leadership battle, it is important that they have it at the back of their mind that they have a responsibility as opposition party to ensure that the democratic role of opposition parties of holding the ruling party and government accountable to policies and functions beneficial to the citizens are executed. Will the convention bring the PDP back to its feet or will it spell the end of the party with mass resignation? The next 72 hours will surely proffer the answer.

25

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

politics

Ondo has no reason to be poor, says Oke Olushola Oke is one of the leading aspirants for the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket in Ondo State. In this interview, Oke speaks on his capacity and capability to govern Ondo State next year, stating that inconclusive elections are a matter of concern to the country. JOHNCHUKS ONUANYIM was there and reports Why do you think it is apt for you to lead Ondo State at this particular time?

Undoubtedly, our party is very lucky in Ondo State to have many aspirants. At the last count, I think 18 had already collected nomination forms and I am aware that others are coming. That is a lot of blessings for our party. It shows that the people desiring change in Ondo State are very many and the voices are very loud. What I parade above others is my experience and my capacity.

Twenty-four years ago, I was a member of National Assembly. I have been a party administrator at the highest level in Nigeria, ruling party at that and I have occupied many positions where I can be described as a grounded man. So I’ve acquired experience that has spanned over 30 years in politics and I am very familiar with Ondo State.

One thing I also have in addition is that, I have not left Ondo State for six months all my life and I can tell you I am running my 63rd year in life, I have been in Ondo State all my life only stepping out once in a while to do one or two things.

Ondo State has no reason to be where it is today; we have the longest coast line, the richest forestry in Nigeria, the richest mineral resources; our bitumen is just second to the largest in the world; we are an oil producing state; we have all mineral resources.

And of course the human resources are very much in abundance. Ondo State, therefore, has no reason to be poor. Unfortunately, in the past seven years, we have been misruled; we have been misgoverned by leadership without vision, without direction and without mission. The consequence of this is that our people have lost great values of dignity, of integrity and of pride. Years back when you told people that you are from Ondo State, they would accord you, credibility, because they knew that in Ondo State, we are never liars, we are honest people, we are proud of who we are. We have lost all of these to poverty orchestrated by a visionless governor in Ondo State. My mission, is to arrest such misdeed and to turnaround our economy. Our economy used to be civil service economy, even the civil service has no capacity anymore to service the economy, and about six months salaries unpaid translate to an economy that is totally castrated. My belief is that there are many projects, which have been abandoned in Ondo State if brought to life would turnaround our economy. I have in mind the Onikola projects, which has been abandoned. I have in mind the cassava processing factory in Ukere, which has been abandoned, the company in Ikare which supposed to be a building material producing company with the capacity of more than 1,200 workers that project abandoned; the Owena Multipurpose Bank, which was to provide water for people in six local governments at the central senatorial district has been abandoned, the Ondo modern stadium was also abandoned. Of course, the tourism projects in Idanre all abandoned.

So what is your mission?

My mission, is to really revive and complete these projects so that we can buoyant our economy, we can diversify our economy. Of course, we have the desire to also diversify our economy by venturing to agriculture Ondo State is very blessed in agricultural resources. We will do this, to ensure that we can have the basic things of life. I am not a new comer at the terrain of governance in Ondo State; I have occupied positions which are meant to intervene, they are interventional agencies. I was a pioneer

people are frustrated; they are looking forward to no other party than APC. APC is the only hope in Ondo State, because they cannot trust the leadership of a party that has held them hostage for eight years running.

It is in the light of this and having regard to my experience would put me over and above other aspirants that presented myself.

I have gone round the length and breadth of the state; the delegates are waiting for 27th of August to cast their votes for the man they think can liberate Ondo State from the shackles at the strangulate ultra-reactional forces that are holding sway in the state. I believe that by the grace of the Almighty, nothing is impossible and I believe that God that heard the voice of the Israelites in the wilderness has heard the voices of the people of Ondo State, he wants to use me as David of our time to go and kill that Goliath.

Oke

NDDC Commissioner in Ondo State; I was second to the first Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission. I have been around the state, and I believed that I know their problems are lack of good leadership. The roadmaps initiated by the previous administration beginning from Chief Adekunle Ajasin, to Adebayo Adefarati and of course to the sage, Dr. Olusegun Agagu have all been abandoned. I intend to revive this, roadmap, to ensure that education, which used to be our pride is revived. Today, by the last result Ondo State has lost its name in education. And we have no particular sector we can point at and say this is our pride I am trying to bring this about. It is doable notwithstanding the huge debt profile.

In 2009 when Dr. Agagu was leaving office, he left in the coffers of Ondo State N38 billion, unprecedented anywhere in Nigeria.

Today, we are left with N108billion indebtedness. It takes the man of vision, the man that has the grace of God, the man that has the fear of God to be able to pilot the affairs of our people. The people of Ondo State are like people bitten by snake. If they see common rope they would want to escape. They need a man they can trust I have contested six times before in my life before the present adventure. During the SDP days, I was part of the people that went round before the creation of Ekiti State and we won the entire state. In the UNCP days I was there, in 1999 during Dr. Agagu and Adefarati’s contest, I was there, I went round. In 2003, I was the chairman of the campaign committee of the party and I went round the entire state. In 2007 and 2012, I was a governorship candidate in Ondo State I am very familiar with the terrain. I believe that all that is needed is

Ondo State has no reason to be where it is today; we have the longest coast line, the richest forestry in Nigeria, the richest mineral resources; our bitumen is just second to the largest in the world; we are an oil producing state; we have all mineral resources to provide the enabling environment where private investors can be attracted to the state and you cannot do this without providing the basic infrastructure. That was what our government was doing some seven years ago when Onikola project came on stream, when the cassava processing projects came on stream, when the Apa Mill in Ikare came on stream and all these visions abandoned for cosmetics projects. Projects that cannot create wealth, cannot enhance the welfare of the people. My mission is to ensure that engender a policy that would create wealth for our people and once again, we can regain those values that we have lost; the value of integrity, the value of dignity, the value of pride, which used to be the hallmark of our existence in Ondo State as a people. I am Ondo State in and out; I know the people, I know their value; I know what they cherish; all we need is to demonstrate transparency and accountability in governance and the people would move with you. Today, the

You contested in 2012 and you did not win what makes you think that you have can win this time around?

Yes I didn’t win in 2012, I came second.

The man who came first whether by hook or crook, is no longer there, I have moved to the first position like that, the man is going out. Whether we like him or we hate him, by February next year he is going. But if we go by the records of last election, I am number one - that is the fact. Secondly, contesting and not winning election is not something noble in Nigeria. There are many people in the past who have contested once or twice. If we don’t have any good example our President is one. I didn’t intend to do it four times before I win. I pray I win this time around. The people have come to appreciate what they lost in 2012 and they are angling to have it in 2016 I believing the Almighty God. I have acquired more experience, the people are better for it and you know that in 2012, my head was bowed but not broken at all. When 26 illegal registrants were imported into the voter register were admitted at the Supreme Court. So the election was characterised by a lot of unfairness and like I said, the people of Ondo State are the wiser for it. I believe and I assure you what is standing between me and government house is the ticket of APC and the moment I have it I am governor of Ondo State.

Are you not worried about the trend of inconclusive elections and what is your fate in INEC that they would be able to conduct the Ondo election conclusively?

I am aware of the provisions of the Electoral Act that say that where election has been conducted, and there remains units where voting did not take place, and the number of registered voters in those units are such that would affect the outcome of the election if they have voted, that the election should be inconclusive. And that is what is guiding INEC in their decisions.

I believe that we haven’t had such experience in Ondo State Governorship election and I am not expecting that we will have it. But if it happens, the law would prevail.

Like it has been done elsewhere, whatever inconclusiveness characterises it, it would be concluded at a given date by INEC and we would be there to be part of it, and I am believing that, if we do it 10 times the people of Ondo State are very discernible, they are enlightened people, they are educated, they know what they want, they prefer the APC now, they prefer me on the platform of APC, whether we do it conclusively or inconclusive ten times they would stick to their preference, I am not praying for any inconclusive election.

26

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

politics

Why Buhari must move beyond rhetoric on Ajaokuta O ne bitter truth today is that the nation's economy is in dire need of assistance for a rebound. As recently confirmed by President Muhammadu Buhari himself, millions of Nigerians are suffering with majority struggling to put food on their table.

The country has even lost its prime position as Africa's largest economy to South Africa with the newly released figures, largely due to the continuous slide of the Naira in the foreign exchange market.

The general thinking is that deliberate efforts must be made to diversify the economy away from heavy dependence on oil whose price in the international market has been on the decline in the last few years.

Aside agriculture which is the major focus of the present administration, analysts are optimistic that one sector that could readily provide an alternative window for speedy economic revival is the steel sector that is yet to be fully harnessed.

Unfortunately, the story of the steel sector in Nigeria presents the metaphoric picture of the failure of government's numerous attempts to industrialise and grow the nation's dwindling economy now officially confirmed to have plummeted into recession.

Although the need to produce steel in the country was first conceived as far back at independence in 1960, the idea only came to reality in 1979 when the then military government of Olusegun Obasanjo signed a contract with Ukrainians for the construction of the Ajaokuta Steel plant.

The project's actual implementation commenced in 1980 under the civilian administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari with the optimal target to provide a basis for industrial revolution in the country.

Since then, virtually every successive ad-

Femi Fani Kayode

"T

heir HATE for President Goodluck Jonathan justifies the suffering in the land. Recession matters not.

Hunger matters not. Loss of jobs matter not. Polio matters not. Making a mess of the naira matters not. Fulani Herdsmen matter not. High cost of foodstuffs matter not. Chibok matters not. We have men consumed by their hate for Goodluck Jonathan and it matters not if Nigeria burns" - PRINCE HENRY NWAZURUAHU SHIELD, FACEBOOK, AUGUST 11th 2016.

How right Prince Shield is. His contribution is not only courageous but also insightful and profound. The Buharists and the "lying liars" are blinded by their hate for Jonathan and for those of us that have chosen to stand by him.

It is so bad that if their wives were made pregnant by another man they would say that it was Jonathan that was responsible.

Yet their record of governance is clear and there for all to see.

In one year and two months of President Buhari and his APC's "Mai Chanji", Nigeria has become a very different place to what it was before. Our nation has, so to speak, really been ''transformed".

A few examples will suffice. One year two months ago, we were the largest producer of oil in Africa but thanks to "Mai Changi" that is no longer the case. One year and two months ago we were the number one destination for foreign investment in Africa but thanks to "Mai Chanji" that is no longer the case.

One year and two months ago we were the largest economy in Africa but thanks to "Mai Chanji" that is no longer the case.

Sadly it gets worse. In the space of one year

ministration has cashed in on Ajaokuta to play politics, leaving the project forlorn, not minding its capacity to change the fortunes of many Nigerians through thousands of direct and indirect jobs that would have been created if completed.

Ajaokuta steel complex is located on a 24,000 hectares green field land mass, with the steel plant is built on 800 hectares of land on three platforms dovetailing into the bank of the River Niger. Vast land is provided for expansion into the second and third phases of the plant. Ambitiously, the first Phase of the company was planned to produce 1.3million tonnes of steel per year and expected to move to 2.6million tonnes of steel per year at the second phase while in the third phase, it was expected to produce about 5.2million tonnes of steel annually.

Like previous governments, both former President Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari used the Ajaokuta Steel project to campaign in 2011 and 2015, as they gave citizens high hopes of what awaited them in its completion.

Although these promises of getting the company back on stream have never seen the light of the day, the sign of attention from the present administration only offers a new hope for a project acclaimed to having the capacity to create jobs for the nation's teaming youth and wealth for Kogi State, the host community.

This is the reason why the final take-over of the company and reversal of its ownership to the Federal Government has been greeted with some sort of excitement from many Nigerians. As it stands presently, government's plan is to engage a new competent operator to run the firm.

After an extensive meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo recently at the presiden-

Villa Notes emmyanule@yahoo.com

Anule Emmanuel

tial villa Abuja, a renegotiated management concession agreement was signed between the Federal Government and management agreement and Global Steel Holding Limited (GSHL) for the Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe.

While the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, signed on behalf of the government, Chairman of GSHL, Prammod Mittal signed for his company.

The picture which has been painted before Nigerians is that before the re-signing, a successful mediation process went on, leading to the resolution of the numerous problems that have made it impossible for these two national assets to be functional for years.

Indeed, like Vice President Osinbajo aptly captured it, the long abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex project is one of the cases of failures in the country in the past. "It is a tragedy of immense proportion that we have both Ajaokuta Steel Complex and NIOMCO and couldn’t get anything out of them for years," he noted while presiding over the signing ceremony in Aso Rock Villa.

What about local labour issues and allegations of international conspiracy that appear to have deliberately frustrated the take-off of this firm? One cannot underestimate the fact that the control of technology constitutes the cornerstone of international power structure up to the present time.

A few expects strongly believe that the issue of transfer or access to advanced technology is a matter which has become central to contemporary international politics and promises to remain critical as steel technologies become the centre piece of advanced civilization in increasing competitive international system.

Welcome to Mai Chanji and two months the naira has depreciated from N160 Naira to $1 United States Dollar to N410 Naira to $1 .

If there is no change in fiscal and monetary policy very quickly there is a consensus amongst economic and fiscal experts that

by Christmas the Naira would have depreciated to, at best, N500 Naira to $1.

One year and two months ago Nigerians could buy a bag of rice for N8000, but today they are paying N20,000 or that same bag of rice. As Pastor Reno Omokri said, if the minimum wage is N18,000. Where are the people meant to get the money to buy rice and other basic food commodities for their families from?

In one year and two months unemployment has soared, banks and companies are retrenching, manufacturers are closing, industries are collapsing, farmers are complaining and businessmen and traders are crying.

One year and two months ago we were generating 5000 megawatts of power for the electrical grid but today we are generating less than 2000 megawatts.

One year and two months ago we were making large sums of money from the export of our crude oil but today oil production has been reduced by one third and we are importing crude oil and refined products from our neighbouring nations of Niger and the Republic of Chad.

In one year and two months our Air Force has been reduced to nothing but a cow and sheep recovery agency.

In one year our army has been unleashed on the very people that they are meant to be protecting by slaughtering 1000 innocent Shiite Muslims in the streets of Zaria simply because they are different and they are not Sunnis.

In one year Boko Haram has redefined itself, resurrected, established two equally ruthless factions and come back bigger and stronger than ever before.

In one year and two months well-armed government-sponsored and governmentprotected Fulani militias, who pose as herdsmen, are raping and killing innocent and defenseless Nigerians in the farms and towns of the Middle Belt and the south.

Four years ago our sports men and women went to the London Olympics with their heads held up high and with all the kit and resources that they needed but today our sports men and women at the Rio Olympics have been begging foreigners for transport, food, clothes and their allowances.

Just how low can we go and how bad can it get? Is this not a curse? Is it not God's judgement? Is this not a change from light to darkness? Is this not what we warned Nigerians about? Is this not what we told them would happen if they gave the Haramites power?

Did we not tell them that the APC broom was nothing but a symbol witchcraft and that their fanatical supporters had been put under a terrible sorcerer's spell?

Many of those that once supported President Buhari and his party are now lamenting and publicly recanting in bitter pain and they are asking the nation to forgive them for their ignorance and short-sightedness.

Some of them have even been locked up simply for having the courage to criticise the government that they once worked for and swore by. Yet the suffering has only just begun.

Things will get far worse before they get better. The darkest part of the night always comes just before the morning. The truth is

Unfortunately, we continue to lag behind even in terms of the needed technological capacity of workers. What is likely to still happen in the new arrangement is that, the would-be operator may have to import technicians and other skilled staff from outside the country. Where then would be the place of local content?

The recently launched Abuja-Kaduna railway project where about 80 percent of workers are said to be of Chinese origin is a ready example to compare to what may come out at the Ajaokuta Steel complex when it finally takes off.

The insincerity of public officials who are more disposed to their personal interest other than that of the public is another challenge which government must strive to confront headlong especially now that corruption which has become a cankerworm in the Nigerian system is being tackled under the change mantra initiative.

What is most exciting in this renewed move by the Federal Government to revive the Ajaokuta steel complex is that the country is fast seeking alternative avenues to reflate the economy. It is really the new bride.

The political will that was not in near sight must now be provided by President Buhari and his team for any meaningful progress to be made. Also, there is no reason why Nigeria again, should succumb to propaganda of western financial institutions who believe that the country should perpetually remain a dumping ground for their steel products.

The power status of any nation and the living standard of its people are totally dependent on its level of technological growth, which will obviously come with the revival of these national assets. Of course, one is sure, that the government itself understands that these are no times for rhetoric.

that this government is a plague. They have brought nothing but sickness, poverty and hardship.

They are an affliction that thrive on the suffering of the people. They are the incubus and succubus spirits that feed on the nations glory and that suck the life out of the people.

Their motivation is pure and unadulterated hate and their objective is to impoverish Nigeria, to silence the opposition, to intimidate and enslave the people, to satisfy their insatiable lust for power and to impose a hideous and ungodly ethnic and religious agenda.

Wickedness is their forte, the abuse of power is their modus, brute force is their language and lies, deceit and propaganda are their weapons of warfare. They are nothing but bullies and fascists and like all bullies and fascists their time will soon come to an end.

Permit me to conclude this contribution with a profound question. Does anyone remember the following submissions and have they not proved to be prophetic?

The first came from the embattled IPOB leader Mr. Nnamdi Kanu who has been in illegal detention for the better part of the last one year. He said the following on Radio Biafra on the 6th of February 2014: "They campaign vigorously for elections, you would think, they are coming to grow the economy, enthrone justice, breed unity and tolerance, love for one another.

"The choice before Nigerians in the coming elections is simple: A choice between going forward or going backwards, between the old ways and the new ways; between freedom and repression; between a record of visible achievements and beneficial reforms and desperate power-seekers with empty promises�.

27

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

Eyitayo Jegede and the new face of Ondo politics

A

s the race for the November gubernatorial elections hots up in Ondo State, political analysts and keen observers have noticed the emergence of a new crop of “new breed” politicians who have become forces to reckon with in the unfolding scenario. These are successful professionals who have had chequered careers both in the private and public sectors.

Leading the pack of these new kids on the block is Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), an aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state.

Despite the ethnic agenda and the arguments for rotational politics being advanced by a minority section of the political class in the state, feelers across the state indicate that the indigenes of the sunshine state are more interested in the competence and integrity of the man who will be their next governor, rather than where he comes from. Majority of Ondo State indigenes at home and abroad have rejected the ethnic card being played by some politicians, saying good governance and economic development are what matter to them, and not the repulsive issue of ethnic balancing that some politicians are striving to achieve in order to cause division and affection among the populace.

It is against this background of a level playing field and an issue-based politics that Jegede has indicated his willingness to be the next governor of the state. He is clear headed and very focused on why he wants to occupy that position. While picking up the expression of interest and nomination form, he hinted that his major goal is economic rejuvenation of the state. Asked what his focus will be if elected, Jegede, who had a successful legal practice before joining the administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in 2009, said: "Our number one agenda is economy; our number two agenda is the economy and number three agenda is also the economy". He reiterated his position that he is contesting to become the next governor of the state in order to harness the state’s enormous natural resources to buoy its economic fortunes and enhance the living standards of the people.

Jegede said he was overwhelmed with the massive show of love and support by the people of the state which transcend religious, ethnic and party affiliations. He promised to justify the confidence reposed in him by offering good governance which will consolidate and improve upon the achievements of the Mimiko administration. He disclosed that that he has intensified preparations for the party primaries holding on August 22, by consulting and mobilising the delegates. “We are in this race to win and we will give it all it takes using the best possible legal and moral means. We will continue to seek the support of the young and the old, men and women from the nooks and crannies of the state”.

He affirmed his commitment to democratic ideals, especially the need for the candidate of the PDP in the election to emerge through a primary election in line with the country’s electoral guidelines. He stressed that he has inalienable rights like any other Ondo State indigene to contest for the gubernatorial election. He dismissed insinuations that he was being sponsored to represent the interest of certain individuals, saying he is old and mature enough to take his decisions. “I did not become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by sponsorship.

I have paid my dues as a legal practitioner in this country, and I have worked hard to rise to the pinnacle of my profession. I had a successful legal practice before I was

Barrister Jegede

invited in 2009 to serve the good people of Ondo State as the number one legal officer.

To the best of my ability, I have served diligently,” he said.

Jegede said nobody could query his right to aspire to be the governor of the state because he is eminently qualified by all standards “I am a bona fide indigene of Ondo State and a law abiding citizen. Having served my state as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for seven years, I think it is legitimate for me to aspire to a higher office so as to continue serving the good people of Ondo State. However, my ambition to become the governor will be subjected to all legal and constitutional procedures, especially the primaries scheduled for August 22. I believe in due process and I am a committed party man. Therefore, I am ready and willing to abide with the outcome of the primary elections,” he added.

Jegede is hopeful that the current crisis in the party will not affect his chances in the elections, stressing that the issue will soon be resolved. He said he was in the race to win. “We are coming into this race with tested and trusted years of service with integrity. Our chances are exceedingly bright and we are sure to win this race. We are in this business for service and our priority is the economy. We will partner those who will bring in their money and skills. We will have a friendly business environment that will help create jobs for our teeming youths as well as facilitate needed money in the economy,” he added.

He was accompanied to submit the forms by the three members in the House of Representatives from the Southern Senatorial District of Ondo State, Hon Kolade Akinjo (Ilaje|Ese Odo), Right Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin (Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/ OkeIgbo), and Hon Mike Omogbehin (Irele|Okitipupa) as well as party leaders and top government functionaries.

Jegede was born on April 26, 1961, to Chief Johnson Jegede, the Odopetu of Isinkan, Akure, and Mrs. Caroline Oluwatola Jegede (nee Asokeji) from Ipele town, in Owo Local Government Area. His late father retired from the public service of Ondo State in 1982 having joined the service of the Old Western Region in 1948. He was the Supervisory Councillor for Health in Akure Local Government and Treasurer of the Anglican Diocese of Akure. Eyitayo Jegede's grandfather was Chief Gabriel Jegede, a prominent trader and merchant dealing in heavy equipment, chains, machines etc.

Eyitayo’s family pedigree is of high repute. He is the fifth of the seven children of his parents. He attended St. Stephen's Primary School, Modakeke, Ife and was at Aquinas College Akure from 1973 to 1978 for his secondary education. He was one of the prefects at Aquinas College and took active part in sports in the best traditions of the family. He had his Higher School Certificate education at Christ School, Ado Ekiti.

He was the school volleyball captain both at Aquinas College, Akure and Christ School, Ado Ekiti. He also captained the university volleyball team at the University of Lagos where he studied Law from 1980 to 1983.

Jegede qualified as a lawyer in 1984 after the one-year mandatory programme at the Nigeria Law School. For his NYSC, he was posted to the then Gongola State (now Adamawa) where he eventually started his law practice. He was a counsel with the law firm of Murtala Aminu & Co., Yola for 12 years and practised extensively in the northern part of Nigeria where he built an enviable legal practice with special interest in litigation, Commercial and Corporate law. In 1996, he established the Law firm Tayo Jegede & Co. with offices in Yola and Abuja.

Eyitayo Jegede has made many friends and built enduring relationships across the country. He was appointed a Notary Public by the Chief Justice of Nigeria in 1992 and was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on December 16, 2008.

He had been actively involved in political cases and election petition matters, an area of law where his industry and practice is well noted and respected.

In 2009, he was appointed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the state, where he served in the first four years of the administration. Following the

We are coming into this race with tested and trusted years of service with integrity.

Our chances are exceedingly bright and we are sure to win this race

politics

re-election of Governor Mimiko in 2013, he was re-appointed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, a position he held till July 22, 2016 when he resigned to contest for the gubernatorial seat.

He has achieved many milestones. He ensured the review of the Laws of Ondo state for the first time since the creation of the State in 1976, and actively supported the provision of facilities for the establishment of the Court of Appeal, the National Industrial Court and the Zonal Offices of the Federal Ministry of Justice, all in Ondo State.

Realising also that there was need to improve on the administration of criminal justice in the state, he worked closely with the office of the Chief Judge of the State to establish the first High Court within the precincts of the prison to fast track prosecution of criminal cases especially those that have to do with capital offences, the first in the country. Recently, with the cooperation of some NGOs and other prominent legal practitioners and judges, the new Criminal Justice Administration Law was enacted and signed into law. The whole idea is to improve the Criminal Justice System.

Jegede has since 2010 been entrusted by his colleagues, the Attorneys General of the 36 states, with the responsibility of coordinating the activities of the Body of Attorneys General as the Chairman. He is a member of the Council of Legal Education in Nigeria, the body responsible for setting standards for legal education in Nigeria.

Besides, by the virtue of his office as Attorney General of Ondo State, he had been a member of the Body of Benchers for seven years. This body is responsible for the call to bar of successful law students. He served twice as the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association in Yola before coming to Akure to serve.

He has a deep interest in the education sector. He was a member of the five-man implementation committee that was saddled with the responsibility of establishing the American University of Nigeria based in Yola, Adamawa State. He served as the pioneer Secretary of the Board of Trustees working with prominent Nigerians and foreigners alike in the Governing Board of the university, and providing the policy guidelines and regulations for the university. He was a member of the Governing Board of ABTI Academy and subsequently became the Chairman of the same Governing Board. The Academy, is a British style secondary School, located in Yola, Adamawa State which has created a niche and standard for itself.

A keen sports man, Jegede represented Ondo State as a member of the volleyball team during the National Sports Festivals at Kaduna in 1977 and Ibadan in 1979 where he won laurels for the state. As an active sportsman himself, Jegede (SAN) has consistently sponsored sporting events in Ondo State; the latest of which is the National Interclub Volleyball competition that held in Akure, Ondo State in December 2015.

He is a passionate philanthropist and community friendly public officer that identifies with all members of the society.

Many acknowledge that he is accessible and affable. Jegede is of the Anglican Communion. He had served as the Chancellor of two Dioceses in the North, the Diocese of Jalingo, Taraba State and the Diocese of Yola, Adamawa State. His record of community service is both commendable and enduring. Jegede (SAN) had periodically sponsored Moot Court trials amongst universities in the South West, and those from Edo and Kogi state. This modest support in the legal education sector has become a yearly event. He has assisted various communities in the state in provision of water and electricity. His support for the less privilege, physically challenged, widows and the elderly had been consistent and impactful. He is a family man with strong family values. He is married to Eno Jegede and both are blessed with children.

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 20

The Sunday

Zaria Massacre: Commission

Penultimate week, Kaduna State Government released the report of the Commission of Inquiry earlier submitted to Governor Nasir El Ruf official reaction to the report, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria's (IMN) spokesman, Malam Ibrahim Musa, in this interview with IBRAHEE Kaduna State government has released the entire report of Justice Muhammad Lawal Garba Commission of Inquiry which probed the clash between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and soldiers last December, on the internet. Have you read it?

We read the executive summary and the full report which was released by Kaduna State government on its official website on Sunday 31, July, 2016. Our lawyers are still studying it; should there be the need for us to take any legal action on it, we will do so.

The report indicted your leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakzaky for not calling IMN members who mounted a road block around Hussainiyya to order, thereby preventing Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai from passing through to attend a function at the Nigerian Army Depot , Zaria. Why should a religious leader like him encourage lawlessness?

In the first place, it is wrong to say that our leader did not call members of IMN to order on that day, because the so-called road block did not last long enough for it to come to the notice of Sheikh Zakzaky. Even from the narration of the Army at the Commission, it said after talking to members of the IMN on that fateful day, they opened fire on those who they claimed blocked the road for safe passage. However, I will like to use this opportunity to clear the notion that we blocked that Sokoto Road. We don’t block that road whenever we have any programme in our Husainiyya Centre, because we have traffic corps that ensure that there is no unnecessary hold ups, even though we normally assemble there in our thousands. It is not as if whenever we have any programme, then commuters must follow another road, by passing the Husainiyya Centre. Any resident of Zaria knows that that has been the case for the past five years that we have been there, unlike instances where some Friday mosques block entire busy highways until the Friday prayers finishes.

So, what happened that day was that even before the Army Chief arrived Zaria, some soldiers who were stationed just opposite the Husainiyya by noon, fired on our members, killing at least five. We have pictures to prove what I’m saying. It was during this commotion that the Army Chief arrived at the scene, and that was what the Army videotaped in order to portray that we just blocked the road trying to prevent the Army Chief from passing or to assassinate him as they claimed afterwards. We believe from what happened after the shootings that cleared the road for the Army Chief, the shooting was a meticulous plan by our enemies to use the incident as an excuse to wipe out the Islamic Movement.

But at no time was our leader given time to address what happened.

The Commission was told that Governor Nasir El Rufai even telephoned Sheikh Zakzaky to prevail on him to ask your members to give the COAS access but he refused to do so.

Does it mean that he does not recognise El Rufai as the Chief Security Officer of Kaduna State?

I don’t believe this narrative by the Secretary to Kaduna State Government. El Rufai had a good rapport with the Sheikh before he became the governor of the state. Remember he even went to condole him in his house in 2014 during Jonathan’s administration, when some soldiers killed three of his sons and 30 followers, including a Christian sympathiser during the annual Quds day rally that year.

When did he call the Sheikh? Was it when the Army Chief’s convoy killed seven people before they passed or was it after they have started bombing the Husainiyya? These are questions which the Commission should have asked the SSG to clarify. The Commission should have also asked our Sheikh to confirm whether or not the governor called him, and what he told the governor, but they didn’t do that. Instead, they chose to admit that he flatly refused to prevail on the members of IMN. Islam values human life above any other thing, that is why there were many instances in the past when the Sheikh even stopped some of his preaching sessions just to save innocent lives. There was a time when he stopped going to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria Friday mosque to pray, when it became evidently clear that the authorities wanted to shed the blood of innocent people there.

Why did your guards, the Hurrars, force Alhaji Muktar Yero, as sitting governor of Kaduna State, to come down from his official car and trek a few distance when he went to pay condolence at Gyellesu, the area where Zakzaky lives?

We didn’t force him. You know Governor Yaro was a humble person, so when he found out that his security details were arguing with those at check point, he opted to go to the house on foot since it was not far from there.

Remember, at that time, many attempts on the Sheikh’s life were made, presumably by the Army, and the Boko Haram bombings were at the peak. That was what prompted the setting up of the check points. And with the coming of the new government which saw the disappearing of the threats to the Sheikh’s life, the check points were dismantled. It is our detractors that usually rush to point to this particular incident that was not even newsworthy when it happened, in order to crucify us; whereas it just demonstrated the humility in Governor Yero, unlike the one that came after him.

In an earlier interview that we had, you claimed that the mounting of roadblocks at Gyallesu by IMN members has brought peace in the area. But residents of the area complained to the Justice Garba Commission of various harassments that your members have put them through.

There is no group with the name ‘’Gyallesu Residents.’’ It was the Wahabis, popularly known as Izala/Salafis that went before the Commission claiming that IMN terrorised them. But ask students, Christians and followers of Tariqa in the neighborhood, they will tell you IMN brought peace and rapid development to the area. It is on record that when Sheikh Zakzaky first settled at Gyallesu 18 years ago, the area was known for the ‘’sara-suka’’ fights among miscreants of the area. Thieves also had a field day. However, the Hurras of IMN took it upon themselves to patrol the area day and night, a step that brought to an end such nuisance. During the sectarian riots of 2011, it was only in Gyallesu that Christians found solace. The Hurras prevented the looters and killers from reaching the area. That was what prompted the Igbos to even come and express their gratitude to the Sheikh after the crisis. If what the so-called Gyallesu residents said was true, the Sheikh would not have lasted that long in the area.

Did you obtain permission from either the police or Kaduna State government before mounting the road blocks at Gyallesu?

If you can remember during that period in question, the bombings by so-called Boko Haram were almost on a weekly basis, if not daily here in Kaduna State. Even the police and other security agencies mounted check points and in some cases barricaded their compounds and offices to prevent themselves from being attacked. More so, our roads were full of similar check points. So, it was normal in such circumstances, to take any necessary measure to defend yourself; and that was what we did. We did it to protect not only the Sheikh, but also the whole of Gyallesu neighborhood. And it worked.

Is it true that Zakzaky has his own court at Gyallesu, where he tried offenders and met out punishments, including death sentences?

It is not true. Sheikh Zakzaky did not establish a fiefdom. Close to his house, there are Christians and many Muslims that are not his followers. In fact, he does not own the mosque

close to his house. There was not a single case that a court operated in his name. Look, in Islam, before a court can be established, there must be an Islamic government, and we all know there is none. Sheikh Zakzaky has never killed a single person; rather the Nigerian government has killed his six children.

So, you don’t recognise the Sharia courts that have been created all over the North?

The issue of recognizing it does not arise because we don’t expect any member of IMN to commit any criminal offence that will make him appear before the courts. Our goal is for everybody to follow Islamic teachings in his individual life and social life. That is why you rarely find a member of IMN accused before any police station or criminal courts. But let me correct you on the Sharia courts in the North.

Their proper name is penal courts because they use the penal code not the Shari’a code as it is

016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

28, 29

y Interview

n lied against us -Shiites

fai on July 15, 2016, by Justice Muhammad Lawal Garba. In its first EM MUSA, says the commission lied against the group

Remember, the Nigerian Army killed a thousand in two days. If you have ever seen the traditional Sallah parades of Emirs in the North, among them are people called ‘’Yan tauri, ‘’ who carry knives, cutlasses and swords, does that mean the Emirs have stockpiles of weapons? We don’t carry firearms, and that was why up to now no gun has been associated to any member of the IMN or found in any of our property. Even the passing out parades of our Hurras, an outfit like the security guards found in any religious gathering, we don’t carry mockguns, like the Izalas do. Visit any of their passing out parades, you will see them carrying mock-guns, but we don’t do that because we are peace loving people.

Is it true that IMN does not respect the constitution of Nigeria?

If we don’t, how can we be living peacefully within the society? We pay taxes and bills, we carry on with our lives like anybody. So, where is the disrespect to the constitution?

We carry our National ID cards, international passports and even voter’s card.

So, you even vote in a political system that is not anchored on Islamic principles?

Many of us voted Goodluck Jonathan out and ushered in the present government. But people like me did not, to be frank with you, because I don’t believe the votes of the masses do count in the present circumstances. But when the system is refined and transparent, I might vote.

The Commission of Inquiry found out that IMN used to hoist the Iranian flag at Hussainiyya. Why should you fly another country’s flag instead of Nigeria’s?

I believe whosoever told the Commission this has either never been to the Husainiyya or he just passes by it since it is by the main road, or he has never seen an Iranian flag.

The flags at Husainiyya were those of the mosques of Imam Husain and Imam Ridha (AS), grandsons of our Prophet Muhammad (SAW). On that fateful Saturday, we were even preparing to hoist the one from the mosque of Imam Ridha after removing the one from Imam Husain when the soldiers attacked us. Imam Husain’s flag is associated with mourning his death, while the other one signifies anniversary celebration. And I don’t know when hoisting another country’s flag has become a crime. I have seen many groups putting American, British flags on their buildings, why are they not accused of flying another country’s flag?

in the Islamic law books.

The picture that emerged from the report about IMN activities is like you operated a parallel government. Why did you carry on as if you are above the law? From where did you derive such legitimacy?

Exactly that was what the report painted of us. However, the Commission relied on the half-truths dished out to it by our detractors. We are law-abiding citizens. We lead a normal life in the society. We interact with everybody. We carry out humanitarian activities. Among us are people practising legally acceptable professions to earn a living. Which law do we disrespect? There is none. If there is any confrontation between IMN and the authorities or any group among Muslims, if you follow the case, you will find out that we were attacked or prevented from preaching our own understanding of Islam.

Does your understanding of Islam include the non-recognition of the government of Nigeria?

It does not include non-recognition of governments. We do recognise them, for nonrecognition entails taking up arms against them; which even our sworn enemies know we haven’t. I know we differ on how the government should be run, and that is part of our rights as citizens. We can choose to agree with it or not to. In fact, there are a lot of members of IMN working in government agencies diligently.

The report states that your members openly brandish weapons like firearms. How did you acquire such weapons and who issued your members with gun permits or licenses?

If we truly carry weapons, we would not have been killed in large numbers in Zaria.

A breakaway faction of the Islamic Movement, the JamaatuTajdid al Islam(JTI) alleged that your group is funded by Iranian government and some Lebanese. It said that Hussaiyya was built by Iranian funding . For the records, how was your headquarters built?

The fact that you call them breakaway faction disqualifies them from saying who we are, because they will always paint us black to discredit us. But the truth is, which I believe they know, we normally make donations to the Movement just like any other religious group. The only thing why probably ours is different is because of the Movement’s large followership. Supposing we are just a million in number, and we donate averagely N100 monthly. You can estimate what the returns may be. So, for somebody to say we are being bank rolled by Iran, is just trying to be mischievous by half. We challenge anybody to point to any property we own which we cannot build with our meager donations. We don’t even accept the money which various governments in the country give to religious organisations. But

we know the Izala led by Sheikh Bala Lau was given half a billion Naira from the arms procurement funds and the Buhari administration has turned its eye to the other side, simply because they share the same religious creed. And don’t forget, most religious organisations in the country are affiliated to some foreign countries or show close relationship to them, mostly due to historical corelations. We really have close ties to Iran, but it is not financial, it is religious and there is nothing wrong with that.

Kaduna State government also said that IMN has no valid Certificate of Occupancy for the land on which Hussaiyya was built and that the structure has no building plan.

How correct is this statement?

Kaduna State government should have followed due process if its allegation is true, but it didn’t. It just quickly demolished the place, and later made the claim. In Islam, if you occupy a property illegally, whatever worship you conduct on it is not acceptable to Allah. That’s why we can’t build an Islamic centre on false papers because we know the implication here and in the hereafter before Allah. They are just envious of the fact that no any building in Zaria attracts a large number of people like Husainiyya. Were we asked to provide the papers and we couldn’t before our properties were destroyed?

The state government has already set up a White Paper Drafting Committee on the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry. Will you challenge the report in court?

Currently, our lawyers are studying the entire report to see if there is the need for any legal action against it. I think time will tell whether or not we will challenge the many half-truths in the report of the Commission.

Recently, you cried out that your leader is going blind and he now walks with a limb.

How did you know that, when you claim that you have no access to him?

Initially the DSS who are holding him hostage refused access to him. However, after the first four months, they allowed his family members and lawyers to meet him.

I think to date they have visited him four times in the last four months. The last visit was a month ago. You know he is now in detention for over eight months without any charge against him. And since his health is deteriorating after the gunshots he sustained, we believe it is high time the government release him so that he can seek medical attention somewhere. It is dangerous to allow an innocent man to die in detention.

In spite of what happened, your members are still protesting and calling for El Zakzaky’s release . Are you not afraid that this may lead to another bloody confrontation with security forces?

Remember, any citizen has the right to protest and that is what we are doing. Our protest has always been peaceful; if it turns out violent, it was attacked by the authorities, like the one that was attacked in Kaduna in the aftermath of the Zaria attack. In that peaceful procession the mobile police drafted to the scene of the procession killed 32 people. But since then our peaceful protests, even in Kaduna do end peacefully. We can’t be afraid when we know we are not contravening any law. However, if the authorities choose to attack our peaceful protests, then they will account for that before Allah. We will keep on demanding for the release of our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and many others in detention. We just want justice to be done to the victims of Zaria massacre who were killed by the Army.

30

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Crossword puzzle

The town mouse and the country mouse

A

town-mouse paid a visit to his friend who lived in the countryside. The countrymouse was happy to see his friend. So he prepared a fine feast for him. The town-mouse looked at the fruit and the cub of corn with hatred “Is this how you live?” he asked, “Life in the country does not offer much. The town-mouse arriving at the city, he persuaded the countrymouse to accompany him to the town and see all the good things there.

So, the country-mouse packed all his belongings and off they went to the city. The country-mouse was really surprised to see the things there. But

as soon as they settled down to enjoy a fine meal of cheese and fruit, a big cat leapt in through the window. As the cat entered through the window, on seeing the cat, both the mice ran into their hole to save themselves. So the cat ate up all the cheese and fruit.

When the cat had gone away, the mice came out of their hole.

“I am going,” cried the country-mouse, “I like my simple fare in safety than this grand feast in such danger.”

MORAL: Safety is the first importance.

Colour by number

Gags What do you call a guy who never farts in public?

Ans: A private tutor.

string to the game?

What do you call a bear with no socks on?

Ans: Bare-foot.

Have you heard the joke about the butter?

Ans: I better not tell you, it might spread.

What can you serve but never eat?

Ans: A volley ball.

What kind of shoes do all spies wear?

Ans: Sneakers.

Why did the soccer player bring

Ans: So he could tie the score.

How do baseball players stay cool?

Ans: They sit next to their fans.

Why was the math book sad?

Ans: Because it had too many problems.

Celebration

Trumpets, drums, cymbals and harps made a beautiful harmony when Audrey turned 5! She loves watching Shimmer and Shine, eating golden morn and the colour pink! Happy birthday and God bless you darling!

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

NEWS Legalising gay right amounts to sin –Fr. Okafor p.34

INTERVIEW Enterprise’ll take Nigeria out of the woods – Ven. Adesina p.33

31

SERMON

The consequences of ignorance p.51

FAITH

Bible society of Nigeria gets a pat on the back

L-R; Assistant General Secretary, Publishing of The Bible Society of Nigeria, Pastor Victor Oluwadamilare; winner of the competition, Mr. Stephen Angulu, a Corps member serving at Government Science Technical College, Kumo, Gombe State; Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni who represented the Lagos State Deputy Governor, and Chairman of the occasion, Pastor Charles Iko-Abasi at the 5th annual national essay competition for National Youth Corps Members at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos

T

Tai Anyanwu he Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Adebisi Adegbule, has commended the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) for its commitment to promoting leadership values among Nigerian youth through its National Youth Service Corps Annual Essay Competition/National Symposium.

Dr. Adegbule, gave the commendation at the 5th edition of the NYSC Essay Competition held at the Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking through her Senior Special Adviser on Education, Mrs. Abiola SerikiAyeni, the Deputy Governor said that it will not just give the youths a sense of belonging in the Nigerian state, but also make them aware of their rights as the future leaders of the country.

She said: “Today’s event, which is the fifth in the series, is another testimony of your commitment. We all know that the objectives for which the National Youth Service Corps was established are fundamentally to help promote unity among all.”

Adegbule added that the competition is also good because the youths are aware of many of the challenges the nation faced pointing out that such awareness will enable the young ones prepare to offer solutions to the problem.

According to the Deputy Governor: “The platform chosen by the BSN to contribute to youth development is one of the best avenues to help them inculcate leadership values and traits that will make

the responsible leaders.” identified as militating against the utilizaShe added: “I am happy to know that tion of the younger generation in leaderall the entities were sought from corps ship positions by the discussants, is what members in all the 36 states of the federa- could be described as perpetuation of old tion and the FCT; even their contributions hands in the positions of power. Others in the competition could give insight into include unemployment, non-recognition, some of our challenges with solutions on corruption and favouritism. how we can solve them.”

One of the contestants lamented that But she stressed that leadership entailed recycling of the same old people in leadresponsibility, adding that for the youths ership position is actually responsible for to become effective leaders, deliver the acute youth unemployment. desired changes and impact on the soAlso a contributor from the crowd incio-economic development in our nation, sisted that it is absolutely wrong to dethey must imbibe certain positive values scribe the youths as leaders of tomorrow namely honesty, integrity, hard work and saying: “Youths should indeed be leaders diligence. of today. It is something that should be She therefore called on the future lead- said to the children, because if you youths ers to rise up to the challenge and prove rob of today’s leadership, that means a their worth. The deputy governor used procrastination of our rights.” the opportunity to reiterate the state govAccording to another contributor, the ernment had recently established the Of- same reason hinders injection of fresh fice of Wealth Creation and Employment ideas and taking of proactive step to deas part of its efforts to better the lot of velop a strategic necessary for actualizthe youths. ing the required socio-economic progress Six corps members, who exin the Nigerians state. celled in the qualifying A female contributor stressed that essay writing, paryouths are obviously not showing Today’s ticipated in the enough interest in taking over event, which is symposium leadership and challenged the the fifth in the series, is titled ‘Recyyoungsters to rise up and go another testimony of your cling Leadfor their rights. commitment. We all know that ership: An At the end of the day, a Antithetical quantity Surveyor graduate the objectives for which the Approach of Ahmadu Bellow UniversiNational Youth Service Corps was to Youth dety, Stephen Angbulu, emerged established are fundamentally velopment winner of the competition. to help promote unity and Nigeria’s Joshua Tamunosiki came seconds, among all Future.’ while Ogaga Erutaye took the third A constant factor position.

TAI ANYANWU HEAD, RELIGOUS DESK titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph © Daily Telegraph Publishing

Clergy reveals plans to ‘brainwash’ children with ‘Gender Unicorn’

E

vangelist Franklin Graham has warned Christian parents in North Carolina have been warned that the public school system in the state is attempting to “brainwash” their children into embracing the pro-LGBT transgender agenda using a seemingly innocent “Gender Unicorn”.

The warning was giving by the president of the Billy Graham Evangelist Association in his recent posting on Facebook to alert parents about the recent use of a “Gender Unicorn” inside classrooms across North Carolina’s largest school districts.

According to the posting, the brightlycolored animated character is being used to teach children that transgender behavior and homosexuality is acceptable.

“The Gender Unicorn?” “CharlotteMecklenburg Schools in North Carolina wants to try to brainwash our children into accepting that homosexuality and transgender behavior is okay - and they’re using an innocent looking Gender Unicorn to do it,” Graham wrote.

“Parents, watch out. They are using this unicorn to grab the imagination of children and make this seem acceptable.

Their new school policy, set to go into effect August 29, includes very concerning gender neutral bathroom/locker room policies and more,” he continued.

The new policy says that staff should no longer use the terms “girls” and “boys” anymore, as the terms “scholars” or “students” do not specify gender.

Teachers are also required to work with students to help them determine their sexual orientation.

In addition, students are permitted to choose a bathroom and locker room of their choice, as well as their genderbased activities such as dress codes, classes, ceremonies, extracurricular activities, and many other things.

“Parents should be enraged and so should we,” Graham charged. “The Communists used brainwashing in Eastern Europe and Russia, and they took the parents out of the decisionmaking process and the state began to make decisions about morality. This is a dangerous path.”

All Christians concerned about such policies should take action, the evangelist said: “Check out the link below - everyone should be aware of what’s going on,” he wrote. “You can be sure that these battles are being fought in your community as well, and if not, they’re just around the corner.”

He added, “Be praying for the August 9 Charlotte school board meeting, and if you live in Mecklenburg County, make it a priority to attend. Every school board members’ email address is in the link - you need to contact them and let them know how outrageous this is.”

Graham provided a link for his followers directing them to the “Keep NCSafe” campaign, which also provides insight into the disturbing training that was presented to school district personnel on its new brand of homosexual teachings.

32

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

FAITH

A

s a staff physician at the University of Texas Health Center, Dr. Gerry Landry, 55, was well acquainted with the symptoms of a heart attack. But this time, the M.D. wasn’t examining someone else – he was grappling with troubling signs of his own.

At home, he felt overwhelming fatigue and crushing pain in his chest for more than an hour.

“Denise! This is serious!

Please pray!” he called out to his wife.

His wife began to pray after she called an ambulance. She also called Christian friends to pray. “We committed the situation to Almighty God and asked Him to heal me,” he says.

In spite of the excruciating pain, a wave of peace washed over the doctor and his wife after they prayed, a peace that defies understanding. (Phil. 4:7) “All I remember during the ride to the hospital was calling out the name of Jesus, over and over again,” the doctor recalled.

A few years earlier, praying for God’s help would have been last on his todo list. He was a nominal Christian, devoted to his church, but praying for his patients was not part of his life.

But that changed one day. “I witnessed a young couple praying for a pa-

My TURNING P

INT

My testimony of heaven is about God’s love – Dr. Gerry

tient of mine, I actually felt God’s presence in the room and was strangely moved. They prayed as though God was their closest friend. I envied them.

It started me on a journey, a search for a true, deep, personal relationship with God,” he said.

“Before long, I met Christians who taught and prayed for me to receive the Holy Spirit. After that, Jesus became real to me, and the words of the Bible suddenly came to life.”

Dr. Landry entered the same Emergency Room where he had treated hundreds of patients. The doctor in charge showed him his EKG: His inferior coronary artery was completely knocked out.

“The cold clamminess of my hands warned me of collapsing veins,” he noted. “Yet, the sweet presence of Jesus continued to enfold me with His peace.

But as his wife prayed quietly by his side, his heart suddenly stopped beating. “I became acutely aware of my spirit separating from my body and I

Gerry

died – pronounced ‘clinically dead’ at 4:13pm.”

Immediately he found himself transported to heaven — a place of dazzling beauty!

“A multitude of radiantly beautiful people surrounded me. In spite of the crowd, I looked around and actually recognized

some of my late relatives, as well as some historical figures who had preceded me a long time ago. We were in the Eternal Now, without past or future and I was perfectly at ease, full of joy.

He felt like he belonged there and it was more real than being on earth.

PHOTO SPEAK

Somehow, he spoke telepathically to the people around him. “Who are you?

What are you doing here?”

“We are those who went on before you, and we welcome you here.”

He soon was overcome by their rapturous adoration of God and was touched by their inexpressible joy, welcoming him into the heavenly realm.

Suddenly, a shaft of light pierced the crowd. In the center of the light, a vision of Jesus appeared to him, alive on the cross of Calvary, with the nails through His hands and feet and the wound in His side. His face was bloody from the crown of thorns.

This perplexed him, because he knew positively that Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2) With eyes full of love and compassion, Jesus looked at him and said, “Gerry, My peace be with you.”

Dr. Landry was overwhelmed by the thought that out of the billions God

created, He still knew him by name!

“In that moment, for the first time, I understood the essence, the completeness, the fullness of the love of God!” he said.

Then the Lord impressed on his heart, Gerry, you are healed. You will have no more pain, no anxiety, no shame, no guilt. I want you to go back. You’ll be home from the hospital in one week. I want you to tell your family, your friends, your fellowships, everyone I will put you in contact with, about My love.

Then Jesus instructed him to study the Gospel of John, the first two letters of John and all of Revelation.

John is My friend. He knows all about My love, He said.

Dr. Landry did not want to leave His presence. “But even as I protested that I did not want to go back to earth, I sensed my spirit return to my body.” His heart had stopped beating a total of four minutes.

• culled from Breaking Christian News

Scenes from the all-embracing Young People’s Harvest of Abundance unto over-flow of Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Memorial Anglican Church held recently at the church premises in Ajao Estate, Lagos.

A cross-section of Children during the young People’s Harvest at the Archibishop Abiodun Adetiloye Memorial Anglican Church, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

L-R: Mrs. Dola Animashaun; Vicar, Ven. Adelowo Adesina; Miss Nonye Egenti; Chairman, Zone 2, Mr. Chinedu Ezeigweneme and Chairman, Harvest Committee, Mr. Emeka Nwangwu, during the presentation of trophy to Zone 2, the winner of the female football competitition during the young People’s Harvest at the Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Memorial Anglican Church, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

A cross-section of youths during thanksgiving at the young People’s Harvest of the Archibishop Abiodun Adetiloye Memorial Anglican Church, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

L-R: Church Warden, Ugo Amadi; Curate, Revd N.P. Nwosu; Vicar, Ven. Adelowo Adesina; Revd A.O. Imaekhai and Church Warden, Olumide Agboola, at the Young People’s Harvest of the Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Memorial Anglican Church, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

PHOTOS: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

33

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

FAITH

INTERVIEW

Enterprise’ll take Nigeria out of the woods – Ven. Adesina It was an all-inclusive celebration of young people as the Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Memorial Anglican Church, Ajao Estate, Lagos, marked a bountiful harvest recently. Counselling Nigerian youths, the outgoing Vicar, Venerable Adelowo Adesina, warned that the days of pen pushing jobs might as well be over in Nigeria in this interview with TAI ANYANWU How would you described the Young Peoples’ Harvest?

It is glorious. The presence of God is with us. His presence was made manifest in the service. The children rejoiced, the youths celebrated, even the adults took part in the celebration of the day. God’s name is glorified eternally in Jesus name, Amen.

Young people are facing terrifying high levels of unemployment. What is your counsel to them?

Coincidentally, I focused the best part of my ministration here to the children and the youths. We had different trainings, career talks, character building sessions and I had made the youth in this parish to realise that the trend now is entrepreneurship. They have to learn a trade regardless of whatever qualification they have. The earlier we go back to cottage industries, the better for us.

The environment is harsh but what I say to them is not to despise the days of small beginning. Start small but think big and work hard; your sweat will yield your gain for you. The days of pen pushing employment may be over forever. Personally, I believe that it is enterprise and the cottage industry that will take Nigeria out of the woods.

Government has not been able to even pay those that are in employment, talk of employing more. The organised private sector is in comatose, so the earlier people begin to do little things in their own little ways, the better for all of us.

Talking about harsh environment, both Christian and Muslim clerics seem to be embroiled in altercations against each other’s faith. Is this proper at a time like this?

Peace and nothing but peace; peace and perfect peace should be our focus now. No nation has gone through a religious war and come out of it great. We need to emphasise those things that unite us as against preaching those things that divide us. I can say our religious leaders have failed and are failing us. If the embers of conflict have not been fanned even by the religious bodies, maybe we would have had a better nation than we have today. If the churches have been true to its calling, if we have preached righteousness, if we have preach, holiness as against the gospel of instant blessing and prosperity and things; if character had been preached, if integrity had been preached, if honesty had been preached, if the value of hard work had been preached may be we won’t be in the mess we are in today. The earlier we go to that old time religion, the better for all of us today.

There is agitation here and there and people are asking for restructuring, what is your take on that?

There will always be agitation where people feel they are not getting what rightfully belongs to them whether in reality or

perception. That is why the Bible says: ‘Move away from all that is unjust’ and even seemly evil. We must move away from it. Until we begin to have egalitarian society where the basic needs of human beings are provided, and Nigeria is so blessed that if the basics are provided there will still be disgruntled elements in any society - but it won’t be a wholesale agitation. What are people agitating for? A share of the national cake, but if the social systems are working well, if the economy is flourishing, if people are able to get decent accommodations, they are sure of good health service, they are sure of transport service, they are able to send their children to school, I make bold to say that the level of agitation will be very minimal. Look at the countries where they have welfare benefits, there are still disgruntled elements; but people are provided for. There is a poverty line below which people are not allowed to fall. Basic needs are met and fulfilled and there is relative peace in such societies.

What do think about accusations that the present dispensation has put too much emphasis on fighting corruption at the expense of taking concrete steps to address economic realities on ground?

Well, the situation in this country begs for serious thoughts and pragmatic strategies.

People are complaining about the probes, yes. But it didn’t take one day to get us in this mess. In a situation where the Chief of Air Staff is able to collect from the Budget of the Air Force about N5, 800m on a monthly basis, you will have a systemic collapse. Such money should be taken by whatever means.

But at the same time, there has to be balanced development. I am for the probe as a means of deterrent and as means of recovery of what has been stolen. Mind you we are even just talking of the Air Force. We have not gone to the Army; we have not gone to the Navy; we have not gone to the Central Bank; we have not gone to the Police, we have not gone to the Civil Service and we have not gone to the banks. You can imagine the level of roguery that has gone on in this nation. People should be probed; but due attention should also be given to socio economic development.

I learnt that you have been transferred and will soon leave this parish. How would you

Adesina

capture your days here?

Well, I have done my bit. The Bible says, ‘Paul planted, Apollo watered and God gives the increase’. I have done my bit; the next man will take it up from where I will be stopping. It’s a popular parlance; ‘soldier go soldier come, the barracks remains the same’. Priest go priest come; the church of God will keep matching forward. My wish for the parish is for its spiritual vibrancy and a prosperous people; that God shall bless His people in health and provide their needs in the name of Jesus.

Are there some families or people who closely worked with you that you will particularly miss?

I will miss the church as a whole. I will miss my children, I am friendlier with the children, I am friendlier with the youths.

My ministry has not been attached to any particular family. I am friend to all and foe to none, but I will miss the church. I mean, it’s been two years of adventure or near two years of adventure. I have been transferred to St. Augustine Anglican Church in Anthony Village, Lagos.

Can you tell us a little about the football competition, which is part of the activities marking the young peoples’ harvest?

One of the things we did in our time is to make sports a vehicle for evangelism – a healthy mind in a healthy body. We started an aerobics class. So on Saturdays from 7am to 10 am, there is a functional aerobics class in the parish that is open to all - we have a lot of people coming from outside, for exercises and we have taken not just for our members, but to Ajao Estate as a community. We had a Female Football League; the final was decided on Saturday, July 30. The church is divided into four zones, and there were zonal competitions that ended the final. Zone Two emerged the winner. The trophy has been presented to them. The trophy will be kept in the church in perpetuity. It was redeemed by

the winning team, with N100,000.00 that will go to the zone for development of their zone.

A member of the church, Sir Goodluck Obi, denoted the trophy and he also redeemed the trophy for the parish.

In the course of your ministration, you said that the fire of evangelism has been enkindled in the parish. How do you mean?

What we have done since we came is to encourage the people to be prayerful. On a monthly basis, we have a prayer revival which usually holds on the last three days of the month and finishes with a vigil on the last Friday of the month. We also have what we called ‘The Morning Dew’. It is a three-hour impartation service which holds every first day of the month from 6am to 9 am. This church is a praying Bible believing church where you pray and when you put the word of God to test signs and wonders are bound to happen. That is why we say that the seed of revival has been sowed. The man who is coming will fan it and the embers will glow even brighter, in the name of Jesus.

What are your thoughts about the recent aerial bombardment in some communities in Lagos and Ogun states and Operation Crocodile Smile which is currently taking its toll on the civil populace in Ijawland?

It is rather unfortunate the situation we have found ourselves in. We need first to identify who are these agitators? What interest do they represent and what really are their demands? We need to know exactly who we are dealing with.

The war you can’t easily win is guerrilla warfare, because you don’t know where they are going to strike next. And every war has ended on a conference table; so why not start from the conference table and avoid conflict or resolve conflict rather than let it escalate to the level of a war? We are a nation that cannot cope with a war at this time. The government, therefore, should do all that is necessary to avert bloodshed and war.

34

FAITH

P

Stanley Ihedigbo

r i e s t - i n - C h a rg e of St. Catherine Catholic Church, Alakuko, Lagos, Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Ify-God Okafor, has warned that signing gay rights, currently sponsored by some foreign nations, into law amounts to sin.

The cleric, who was speaking at his 15th priestly anniversary recently, also noted that there is poverty in Nigeria and Africa. He however, stressed that it is not good for leaders of our nation to allow poverty lead the people to sin.

He therefore advised Nigerians to be patience: “I believe there is a reason for everything that happens.

And I know that God will really do something to better our situation. We need to be patience and pray to God every day.”

Though he noted that leadership is not easy, Fr. Thaddeus urged the leaders to show exemplary leadership saying: “As leaders, you are meant to serve the people and show the people the way out of numerous problems facing the people.

Commenting on his 15th priestly anniversary, the man of God said he has no regrets for being a minister and gave all the glory to God for the opportunity given to him to be a minister of the gospel.

Although Fr. Okafor acknowledged that there had been challenges on the way, he added that God has always been on his side and leads him through. He commended his church members, and attributed any achievement recorded under his priestly supervision to the

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Legalising gay right amounts to sin –Fr. Okafor love and support that he has enjoyed from his parishioners.

“With their support, it has been so wonderful and I am praying for them that God will continue to bless them. I urge them to remain committed and always do their best in the house of God. With God all things are possible and without God, we can do nothing,” he said.

He continued: “I believe that God created us to be one, despite the fact we came from different tribe and regions.

I believe that if we look upon God, region or tribe should not in any way be a problem to us as a nation.”

Fr. Okafor also advised Nigerian leaders at all levels not to fan the embers of religious, tribal or ethnic difference since doing that will only be a barrier to the unity of the Nigerian nation.

“So, I will urge every Nigerian to imbibe by the spirit of love because if I love you as an Igbo man, or Hausa man or Yoruba man and other tribes. I think, there will be peace in Nigeria if we show love to one another,” the clergy said.

Fr. Okafor enjoined also enjoined younger minister to draw strength from God, and try to maintain integrity in their conducts because that is what really matter in the ministry of God.

The parish priest, Fr. Thaddeus Okafor (middle) in group photograph with Fanty Group from Lafiaji, Lagos at the 15th priestly anniversary held in Lagos.

Fr. Okafor with colleagues: Fr. Princewill okeke, Fr. Henry Obi, Fr. Bonaventure Akwarandu, Fr. Fredrick Akaajime, Fr. Francis Anozie, Fr. Innocent Chukwunyere and Fr. Elias Nwodu at the event.

Prayer paves way to Olympic Gold for Gabby Douglas

L

Like all Olympic athletes, Gabby Douglas’ road to the Olympics was paved with determination, hard work and sacrifice.

But it was more than that.

Gabby’s journey was laid on a foundation of God’s Word and prayer, Christian Breaking news reports.

“If you go back on the footage on any competition, you’ll see my lips moving and I’m praying,” smiled Gabby.

“And I remember when I fell and I said, ‘oh, it’s because I didn’t pray,’ I fell because I didn’t pray!” she laughed. “I would take it very seriously” She learned how to pray from her mother, Natalie. In fact, when Gabby was born, she was sickly and couldn’t keep food down. Natalie, a mother of four, couldn’t afford a doctor or medicine and had only one option.

Natalie said, “I remember

literally staying up at night praying for her and saying Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” Then Gabby started gaining weight and became a healthy, happy baby.

“I mean, there’s no other explanation as to how she miraculously recovered,” Natalie said with a gleam in her eyes. “And she just grew into the amazing, strong child that she is” As Gabby found her passion in gymnastics she spent hours in training. But it was expensive and Natalie couldn’t afford all of her children’s pursuits. Then, Gabby’s two older sisters decided to give up their activities so their sister could pursue her Olympic dreams. At first, Natalie wouldn’t have it.

“How, as a parent, am I going to allow my other children to give up their dreams and their passions just to help

support the dreams and passion of one? And I struggled with that for a long time,” revealed Natalie.

“And it was my kids really that set me free” Natalie continued, “And they said, ‘You know, Mom, we want to do this. We want to see her achieve her goals. And we feel like we’ll get there too, but right now, this is her time.’”

“I remember at 2011 Visa Championships and before that I had hurt my hamstring.

Well my mom said, ‘when you’re hurt, meditate.’ So I did, kept quoting, ‘by His stripes I am healed.’ And then I went to the competition and I did really bad. I remember walking back to the hotel room and I was like, ‘Where was God?’ Like ‘why?’ I thought He failed me. I’m like, “Where was He? He wasn’t out for me. He wasn’t there.’”

Fr. Okafor cutting the anniversary cake with Winner of the beauty contest, Miss Success.

35

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

Body&Soul with

Wole Adepoju 07037763410

Nnamdi Ezeigbo relishes great times

woleadepoju@yahoo.com

Ita Giwa, others honour late Hamed Onibudo T

U

pon completion of his tertiary education where he had studied Electrical Engineering, Umuahia, Abia State born Nnamdi Ezeigbo had set his gaze on the oil industry but that was not to be when he fiddled with sales and repairs of computers. With the advent of mobile telecommunication companies, Ezeigbo tagged along and the rest is now history as the dude presently rates very high in the ICT and telecoms industry.

The entrepreneur, who sits atop flourishing mobile phones and accessories dealing outfit, Slot, has been basking in euphoria of great moments in recent times and congratulatory messages have been pouring in for him.

The light skinned successful business man recently hit the golden jubilee age, 50 and for that reason, he threw an all-white bash which was well attended by well-meaning Nigerians. While still relishing that great feat, he was again recognised as an award recipient for his great contributions to the ICT world at an ICT awards and gala night hosted

by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI.

Gbenga Adeyinka over the moon Segun Oni rekindles hope

he name Hamed Onibudo is certainly not a strange one as far as the entity called Nigeria is concerned because his influence as well as his interests cut across the strata of society which automatically makes him a man of many parts.

With mixed feelings from his family, the death of Asipa of Lagos at the age of 77 was announced penultimate week and the movers and shakers of the society have not ceased to sympathise with the family of the deceased. Although, late Onibudo had been off the public space for a few years due to ill health but until he had his last breath, he was a devout Muslim, top socialite and high ranking successful business man. He was the owner of popular multi billion naira hospitality business concern, Peninsular Hotel and Peninsular Resort at Lekki among chains of other flourishing businesses.

A Fidau prayer was held for him and expectedly, the event turned out to be a massive and successful one as all roads led to his Ajah home where the event took place.

Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Abbah Folawiyo, Chief Olu Okeowo, publisher of Vanguard newspaper , Sam Amuka and industrialist, Chief Tunde Badmus were among those on hand to honour Onibudo.

F

or his nature which is largely considered to be soft, many would have naturally considered him not fit to play partisan politics but as it is on record, Ifaki born engineer turn politician, Segun Oni, on the platform of the PDP found his way to the governorship position of Ekiti State. Engineer Oni was believed to have come to the end of his political career when the court sacked him from the office to pave way for the now Minister of Solid Mineral of then ACN, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to take over the seat but the man seems to have had his calculations right to clinch unto APC which eventually became the party in power.

The race for the governorship of Ekiti State may have started in earnest as 2018 draws nearer and interested gladiators are beginning to commence their underground work.

The information reaching us mainly is that the hope of this APC chieftain to return to power may have been yielding as against others in the party who are also interested.

I

t is without doubt that bulky rib cracker, Gbenga Adeyinka will sit comfortably in the frontline among other high ranking comedians in the country. Aside the comic act that brought him to the spotlight, the University of Lagos English graduate is also the rave as far as event compering is concerned as it has also become a tradition for him to handle high profile events like high caliber government functions as well as top corporate events among others.

Celeb Lounge can inform you that the amiable dude has been in a great mood in recent times. The reason is no other than the fact that he has not only maintained a clean image which was the condition he agreed to when he decided to dump his certificate to follow his passion but that he’s been able to keep the flag of the family name going as well as making his people proud. Gbenga is happy that he was listed among 100 Most Influential Ogun State Indigenes in an elaborate event recently held in Abeokuta.

Bola Tinubu sets rare pace T

he engagement rights to usher Seyi, son of political big wig, Asiwaju Tinubu, out of bachelorhood was held in Lagos days ago. It was meant to be a low key affair which it actually was but the caliber of guests in attendance gave it so much glamour, class and of course the noise it generated.

Meanwhile, the father of the groom did make it clear that he would have loved to roll out drums because it was his day of joy but he had to make it low because of the economic situation of the country; thereby leading by example that a leader worth his salt doesn’t go on jamboree when followers are uneasy. He has since been commended for the rare pace by those who found the gesture laudable. Meanwhile, Seyi and his sweetheart, Laya Holm, had a wedding reception party in Lake Como, Italy.

36

Body&Soul

POTPOURRI

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

With Biwom Iklaki

Weight watchers community

​Trend du jour

thing, which is when the snack comes in. you could also prep these. A few sticks of carrots, celery and almond nuts should handle this just fine. You need to remember that you are not hungry.

3. Avoid fizzy drinks The empty calories in these drinks will not help your waistline in the least.

While we are on this, you should also watch the sugars in your coffee or teas too.

Weight gain on the job

M

any people will identify with this problem if they work at desk jobs.

Not only does our society bear the brunt of large numbers of obese people, especially children, they also have even more desk jobs in existence. The problem with this is that a sedentary lifestyle such as we enjoy today doesn’t bode well for the fate of these people suffering from obesity. It would seem that no help is in sight. Bleak right, it does not have to be the case. Here

are a few tips to avoid gaining weight on the job.

1. Always pack your lunch This helps you eat healthier as you may not always have food nearby or have the time when you are hungry. The problem here is that when you do finally get to eat, you are more likely to make poor choices in terms of fast foods, portion sizes, etc 2. Pack a snack This may seem unnecessary until you actually need it. You know those times when you have had lunch but a few hours later, you feel like you need to nibble on some-

4. Move!

We can all agree that there is a tendency to just sit at your desk all day without moving due to “work pressure” and other reasons. However, if you want to stay healthy and work at a desk job, you need to move around. If you work with a computer, you even need more breaks than others. Take a walk every 15 minutes to clear your head, rest your eyes from the glare of the monitor and stretch your limbs. This practice could ultimately save you from back aches too. Those walks will re-energize you and get your blood flowing again. It helps to improve your metabolism too and most likely prevent weight gain (in addition to your regular exercises of course).

Money talks 10 money saving laws part 2

L

ast week, we tackled five of the 10 money saving laws on Money Talks.

I hope many of you have already begun to put these laws into practice. Because they are easy to follow, hopefully, they will be of great impact to your lives. Here are the last of the 10 money saving laws: Record your expenses If you didn’t know this before, this may actually be one of the most important of the laws because it will show you where your money is going so that you can not only plan, but also plug leaky holes from where your money is draining out.

Start saving today After you have recorded your expenses and seen where your money goes, it is good to begin the saving plot. When you successfully plug money loopholes, you are already on your way to saving. Next thing to do is to set aside a huge amount of money and then spend whatever is left out.

Start a retirement account Some people are lucky to work in establishments where they are paid a certain amount for your retirement. However, you too can add a little extra to that account every month to boost it beyond what the office pays. Also, for those who are selfemployed, you can also save for your retirement.

Invest cautiously in stocks If you didn’t know it before, stocks are very volatile. So while they are a good way to save up a tidy sum, you should also be

weary in your investment to avoid wasting your hard earned money on p ​ oorly performing​stocks.

Encourage yourself always you must not be too hard on yourself.

Give yourself a break every once in a while.

Saving is a gradual process and you will definitely get there.

Box bags Biwom Iklaki

F

ew people have the singular pleasure of talking about and bringing to you some of the most talked about and trendy things in fashion. I am so excited to bring to you one of the new favourites in fashion today, the mini bag. If you do not own one yet, in the words of D’Banj, “you are on a long tin”. If however you do not have one yet, take your time and look around you before you make a choice of this stylish, chic and fabulously vintage accessory. Their appeal is quaint and is perfect for those 80s styles and for playful outings. They look absolutely perfect when you wear little summery dresses, Bardot styled blouses, etc. A bigger version can give you room for your files and what not for days when you need extra room for official documents and paraphernalia to keep your #girlboss game strong.

37

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

Fascinating table coasters Biwom Iklaki

T

able coasters are those lovely little pads that you place on your table before you place a glass, mug or place. They protect the surface of the table from either the heat, cool or water marks from your food or beverages.

Having put what they are out of the way, their function does not necessarily determine how they look. They have evolved from the boring old bamboo or patchwork squares and circles that our grandparents used to have from way back. These days, they are much more fabulous with a wide range of materi-

als being used to design these things.

Such materials as marble, collections of smooth stones, buttons, tooth picks, twines, etc, made into various shapes and sizes. You could benefit from these eccentric little décor pieces by tying them into your kitchen theme. This should not be limited only to your kitchen tables as your dinning tables and even coffee tables too can have a few clusters of table coasters. Since they are made from such fun materials and into the most quirky shapes and designs, they may not necessarily be only functional pieces in your home, they could also play less serious roles like for aesthetic values.

GET A

I fought for my marriage against all odds

I got married immediately I finished from the University. I and my Husband did not date because he was living in Abuja and I was with my parents in Owerri. A few months into the marriage, we started quarreling on daily basis. My husband is very stubborn, assertive and always wants to have his own way in everything and I got tired of always given in to him. One day, I challenged him and he beat the living day lights out of me! I wanted to leave the marriage then, but my mother cautioned and begged me not to because I was already pregnant. After I gave birth and was nursing my baby, I discovered that my husband was cheating on me with his former girlfriend.

That was when it dawned on me that I need to fight for my marriage.

I made up my mind to control my sharp tongue which he always complained about. I stopped answering him back anytime he shouts and screams at me. It was a difficult one to control but I also did not confront him about his adultery.

I only cried to God about it when I’m praying instead of accusing him.

Finally, I went on a strict diet and tried to lose weight.

In all, three months after, my husband became a different person. He came home one day and knelt down and confessed his extra marital affairs

SOULMATE

Send SMS only to 07057201814 or vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

and asked me to forgive him. We both cried together that night as he promised to be a better husband to me. The next month was my birthday and my husband surprised me with a jeep! I’m so glad and I’ve learnt a big lesson in this ordeal that sometimes you need to loose in order to win.

Chinwe Abuja My husband’s lack of romance is killing our marriage

My husband is an Engineer by profession, I love him for his steady nature, and I love the warm feeling when I lean against his broad shoulders.

Three years of courtship and now, two years into marriage, I would have to admit, that I am getting tired of it. The reasons of my loving him before has now transformed into the cause of all my restlessness.

I am a sentimental woman and extremely sensitive when it comes to

relationship and my feelings, I yearn for the romantic moments, like a little girl yearning for candy. My husband is my complete opposite, his lack of sensitivity, and the inability of bringing romantic moments into our marriage has disheartened me about love.

I’ve tried to tell him about my feelings and misgivings a thousand times but he brushes me aside like I’m asking for too much. Right now, I’m having serious problems in my marriage.

I don’t like my husband touching me again like before and he seems to have noticed the way I rebuff him at times. Now, he’s even accusing me of loving someone else and that makes me very angry. Why can’t he understand that all I want is for him to show me a little affection, be romantic, engage in foreplay before sex and fulfill all the romantic dreams I’ve always had? Please, am I asking for too much?

Bimbo Lagos

My name is Chymez 30 years old.

I live and work in Lagos. I need a God fearing young girl between 1825 years for a relationship that will lead to marriage-07042351211 I am Faizal, 30 years old, fair and tall working class masters’ degree holder. I am in need of a tall, plump curvy, pretty and fair Muslim lady who is God fearing and a working class graduate for marriage-08056388461 I am Richard, 28 years old based in Delta. I need a mature beautiful lady between 20 and 28 years old for a relationship-08069796112 I am Segun, 25 a student tall, dark and would like to meet a lady above 20 years old.-07036045944 I am David, 35 years old. I need a God fearing, caring and appreciating lady for a relationship that will lead to marriage. She must be a gradate and a working class lady-07031572196 I am Patrick, 49 years old. I need a lover but not for marriage, please.

I will financially care for her needs if she is genuine and interested07035534820 My name is Ngozi, a divorcee from Imo State. I am 34 years old lady and I need a man who is a truthful Christian that is between 38-50 years for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage-08032750307 I am Seun, 58 years old, a graduate and teacher based in Ekiti State. I am healthy and presentable. I need a working class Yoruba woman of bearing age as wife-09036362027

38

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Best ways to crack hard knots in relationships D

o you know there are thorns even in bed of roses? No matter how loving a relationship is, there comes a time when it experiences cracks in the wall.

Naturally, you guys will have one major fight that will be as if all hell has been let loose. When such fights proceed and is not handled well, it may even lead to divorce.

The truth of the matter is that there is really no perfect relationship. Every relationship goes through its characteristic ups and downs. These relationship problems can affect our overall well being, stability and personal growth.

People erroneously believe that once you fall in love, every other thing automatically falls in place. Then the billows of life such as finances, distrust and overall human nature hits the relationship and everything comes tumbling down. It’s only those who were determined right from the beginning of the relationship make it through the rough weather.

If you ask those who are divorced, they will tell you they wish they had certain relationship skills that would have stopped their marriage from heading to the divorce court.

So get real and arm yourself with some skills to solve hard knot issues as they come in your relationship. Here are some tips to help you recognise and repair relationship problems: Communication Relationships may endure problems for a number of reasons but poor communication tops the ladder. Poor communication skills are often the reason why some people have a hard time solving their relationship issues. Effec-

D

CONNECT NG vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com tive communication is paramount in helping to understand and extinguish problems in your relationships. Many times, both men and women tend to suffer in silence, allowing time to heal all wounds. Unfortunately, time doesn’t heal in these cases. When you have issues in your relationship, make sure you guys talk about it and resolve it as quickly as possible.

Schedule time to just talk When you have a problem with your partner, the first thing you notice is breakdown in communication. So for married couples, it’s important you set aside a special time to talk things out.

For some couple, the best time is early hours of the morning, when the ebbs of anger must have cooled and you can reason things out as matured adults.

For those not married, you could seek out your partner during lunch break or at the specific time you know that your partner have cooled down and will be reasonable enough to listen to your own side of the issue.

Work on active listening skills When we listen attentively without interrupting and probing, we are showing that we accept the responsibility

of taking the time to hear what our mates’ concerns are. Allow your mate to openly and honestly speak to you about anything and everything that may be on their mind.

Think before you speak There are times, when you feel hurt by your partner and you lash back with hateful words that will probably kill the soul of your partner. Hurtful words when spoken out can never be taken back, so it’s best to watch your tongue when angry to avoid saying things you will probably regret later. Women are usually guilty of this problem. Instead of looking for hurtful, emotional words to say to your partner that may heat up the argument, why don’t you keep quiet or rather pause and think of the right words that will lead to resolving the issue rather than aggravate it. Instead of calling each other names, identify what solution you rather desire and hit the nail on the head rather than moving around in circles.

Apologise if you are at fault One of the greatest vices killing relationships today is pride. Nobody likes to admit that they are at fault. You need to apologise to your partner if you’re

at fault. It takes a humble person to accept when the fault is coming from their side. Swallow your pride and try to be honest with yourself if you are the one at fault. If you apologise, make sure it is sincere and coming from your heart and express what you want to do to make it better; that way you quickly salvage the situation rather than prolonging the dispute.

Appreciate personal values Everyone has an unwritten set of rules that govern their lifestyles and the decisions they make. What makes up your personal values? Misunderstandings and conflicts arise when our values, conflict with those of others and when expectations are not met. One way to help alleviate this issue is by letting potential mates know what your values are, and talking about your standards.

Show Your Love Acknowledge your mate’s dreams, talents and achievements. Give praise and appreciate their efforts inside and outside of the relationship.

Make plans with your partner Once you have discovered what the problems are and made efforts to make sure these issues do not repeat themselves again in the relationship, you and your partner need to come up with a plan to cut down the frequency of disagreements and amount of time spent arguing. Try to compromise with your partner so that both of you will feel that your needs are being met instead of only one partner always giving in to the other.

Between executive and domestic plagiarism

id you hear the uproar that greeted the speech of Melanie Trump’s speech at the Republican Convention? I did too. I mean, the convention must be really boring that we devoted so much time to the plagiarism of a speech by Donald Trump’s wife. As a writer, I think plagiarism is a big deal. As a journalist, I consider it the most unethical practice in the trade and one that should lead to dismissal for any culprit. But, for a political rally to now be defined by plagiarism, then there has to be some really big issues at stake.

The political analysts have gone to town to analyse the interesting and not so interesting aspects of the conventions of both parties, but for me, I think the event that concerns me the most is the issue of Melanie Trump’s copyright infringement of Michelle Obama’s speech of four years ago. Now, what is disturbing is the fact that Mrs. Trump said it was her father who told her what she said. Now, did her father also speak to Mrs. Obama? Or, is there some form of deception going on here? Now, if there is deception, can the family be trusted in any way with the destiny of the most powerful nation in the world? I leave that to the Americans to decide. However, I have a different take on the incident.

For me, Mrs. Trump is using the speech to pay homage to Mrs. Obama. It is an acknowledgement of the class that they can only hope to attain but will never attain.

A class performance that they wished was for sale but sadly would remind them that money cannot buy everything. It was plagiarism, but not one that smells of malice, but respect for a superior being in the intellectual and class department.

Now, that speech was also maligned in the Nigerian media. Almost every newspaper condemned the action of Melanie Trump.

Unprofessional, misconduct, appalling were some of the words I read describing the plagiarised segment of the speech. I think a certain Linda Ikeji even rejoiced that her name is no longer the only one synonymous with plagiarism and stealing of intellectual property and content. But, I laughed in pidgin English when I saw the condemnation. Has anyone picked up a weekend edition of any newspaper in Nigeria to see the flagrant disregard for intellectual property aka plagiarism? Let

us start from the Sports pages. Virtually all the stories on the English premiership are lifted from British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) or the website of British newspapers and you will scratch your head if you find any credit given to the source of the information. The stories is one aspect, but then you find pictures that are foreign also used in the sports sections without credit and you wonder if they realised that the photographer who owns the right to the pictures is a professional colleague? As journalists, I expect that they know the hours that go into putting together a story and as such respect that effort by acknowl-

It also calls the activities of the media watchdogs to question. Where is the Nigerian Press Council in all of this? Are they saying that they have not noticed that Nigeria’s newspapers are fast turning into illegal news recycling outlets?

edging the source of the story.

The sports segment is not the only guilty one even though they share the bulk of the blame. The Fashion pages are also guilty with a capital G. I have seen pictures of models, runway events and styles making it into the fashion pages and not so much a credit for the website talk less of the photographer. I am not talking of the odd picture here and there but a full blown pull out that is made up of nothing but stolen pictures from the web.

It also calls the activities of the media watchdogs to question. Where is the Nigerian Press Council in all of this? Are they saying that they have not noticed that Nigeria’s newspapers are fast turning into illegal news recycling outlets? I remember 2003 when a noted entertainment journalist who did not attend an event stole my story of the event. I lodged a formal complain but nothing came out as he was seen as an authority and couldn’t possibly steal from an upstart like me. The watchdogs need to wake up or, is plagiarism now allowed and part of the media industry?

If so, why condemn Melanie Trump for plagiarism?

I know for a certainty that Nigeria has a super abundance of talented journalists and writers. I am talking about walking encyclopaedias of sporting and fashion facts that all we need do is invest in their training and give them enough motivation to do well. The people writing the stories I see being recycled do not have two heads.

I mean, they fall into all the same errors as everyone of us and what happens is that we end up recycling their errors. It has to stop.

4, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

ce

imalism is the key word; at of bangle bracelets. is young and playful, but e downside. While you’re give up the option of people ing at your own face withg at the face printed on the wearing. Little wonder ceternational stars are rarely sses; they prefer not to have s face competing so closely

designers that have paraded n the runway include: Yves tephen Sprouse, Lisa Perry chino.

39

DIY sunscreen moisturiser Biwom Iklaki

D

IY beauty products are getting more and more popular. There is awareness that too many store bought products put in unnecessary chemicals into their products thereby making them even more harmful in the long run. If you decide to take this power into your hands and make your own moisturiser with sunscreen, this way, you will know exactly what is in your beauty product. You will have the added benefit of introducing beneficial moisturising oils as well as getting the medicinal benefit of each product.

1 cup raw Shea butter SPF 5 2/3 cup coconut oil SPF 6 20 drops Myrrh essential oil SPF 15 30 drops carrot seed essential oil SPF 28 Make sure your Shea butter is softened and add the coconut oil. Whip it up to a fluffy consistency (you can use a blender or mixer) much like butter icing. Add the essential oils and whip again to incorporate properly. Get your jar and scoop your healthy smoothing, healing SPF moisturiser.

40

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Simple remedies: smelly feet, stinking shoes Vanessa Okwara

W

henever there is a room with some shoe racks present, it is likely that there is a certain smell that cannot be avoided which is the smell of stinking shoes.

Of course, shoes will not become smelly if the feet that wore them were not stinking.

Smelly feet and shoes can be annoying and embarrassing as well.

The smell of stinking shoes can be overwhelming and make you want to throw them away.

Feet often sweat when they are locked inside a shoe for hours at a time. Due to excessive sweating, it becomes an ideal place for bacteria to reside that cause the shoes to emit an unpleasant odour. Another reason behind smelly shoes is the materials used for making shoes.

Shoes are usually made from synthetic material and have rubber soles and plastic innersoles. These plastic innersoles are the main culprits behind unpleasant stinking shoes.

There are a number of good ways to remove and prevent the odours.

The key is to fight the source of the smell. Follow these steps for easy cure to smelly feet and stinking shoes.

Smelly Feet Cure • Wash your feet with an antibacterial soap.

• Wear leather shoes and cotton socks.

• Change shoes every day and put replaceable insoles in your

shoes.

• Use a quality antiperspirant foot spray at night.

• Use foot powder or zinc cream before putting on your socks.

• Powder your shoes.

Ways to get rid of unpleasant shoe odour • The most obvious way to get rid of smelly shoes would be to wash them thoroughly. Using a soapy detergent and bleach, wash the shoes inside out. Thereafter, keep them under the sun, to let dry them well. Don’t wear them until they are completely dry.

• You can stuff the shoes with newspaper. Do this at night and next morning you will find ‘stink-free’ shoes.

• If your shoes are not washable, wipe out the interior with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol to kill bacteria.

• Baking soda has proven to be an effective odour removing agent. Sprinkle some baking soda in your shoes and let it stay there overnight. The next day, just shake off the soda from the shoes, before wearing them. If this is a recurring problem, you may need to repeat this process every time you wear them.

• Another effective way to get rid of foul smelling shoes would be to use orange peel. Put one or two orange peels in the shoes and leave them overnight.

Next morning your shoes will smell great.

Naeto C

Ten over ten stunner Judith Onyebuchi

N

aetochukwu Chikwe best known as Naeto C is a Nigerian rapper, Afro beat and record producer. He earned a degree in Economics, a certificate in Business Accounting and an MSc in finance. Naeto C spent his early years in a household very influenced by music. His fondness for music grew fast and was articulated into other creative art forms most specifically, poetry.

Naetochukwu’s quick rise to fame can be attributed to the release of his debut single ‘You know my P’ in 2007. Working as a household producer, he successfully recorded over 60 songs, a bulk of which he Co-produced with ET-Quake. He received numerous prestigious awards for his

music including the 2008 MTV Award, the 2009 Channel O Awards, 2012 The Headies- artiste of the year and the 2012 best album of the year.

Naeto C is someone who likes to keep a bit of African swag. His looks are forever kept simple but far from been predictable, sometimes he turns up laid-back and other times he’s all suited up in a tuxedo or business suit and his looks are never complete without a trip to the accessory box. On a normal day, he loves to rock a graphic tee on a pair of Jeans and sneakers with his signature hula and sunglasses. The allure of the look is usually his mix of a seemingly relaxed attitude towards fashion with stylish accessories in an expressive ten over ten look.

41

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

RazzleDazzle

Body&Soul Abiola Alaba Peters

with

08062622328 abiolaalabapeters@rockmail.com

Christian romance Movie, ‘Benevolence’ warms up for Hollywood Edwin Usoboh

N

Hard times for Davido?

A

bout this time last year, self-styled Omo Baba Olowo, David Adeleke, better referred to as Davido, was basking in numerous hit songs that got his fans wanting for more, but the question that has been on the lips of many in recent times is, where is Davido? From his success story last year, numerous awards to international collaborations and signing of new artiste into his HKN label, many have wished he continues in that pace, but its seems his one-time rival, Wizkid has taken the lead. Davido, who recently announced his father’s university had offered to give scholarships to some lucky individuals, has however been quiet about releasing his sophomore album, although, the singer had picked September this year to release the album.

Davido was recently signed to Sony Music Entertainment/ RCA Record that houses some big international artistes hasn’t really dropped a hit song this year. Some believe he is lying low to see what Star Boy Wizkid is bringing to the table before he drops his; but from the look of things, they are both watching each other’s lanes. Davido rarely talks about his album on social media as he is busy attending concerts, gigs, and probably performing his fatherly duties to his precious daughter.

ollywood filmmaker, Doris Ariole’s ‘Benevolence’, took centre stage in Orlando Florida, USA, last week as she unveiled her first Christian movie to Hollywood fans.

‘Benevolence’ earned a place in Hollywood after it was selected and nominated for ‘Most Inspirational Feature Film’ at the International Christian Film Festival in Orlando, April 2016.

Speaking to the press after the screening, Doris Ariole said ‘Benevolence’, a genre of Christian Romance, is about a young woman called Ruth, her tenacity to hold on to her faith in God despite hard times. Benevolence is partly inspired by Ruth and Boaz’s story in the bible, but spiced up in a thought-provoking and incredible storytelling manner.

The movie features top acts in Nollywood which include: Kalu Ikeagwu, Ijeoma Peters, Emeka Smith, the comedian, Tim Godfrey, an award winning gospel artist;veteran actor, Patrick Doyle, Chioma Nwosu and model singer Fragrance Kayoh.

Doris Ariole is known for her remarkable scriptwriting and her works include: ‘Breathless’ which has gotten top three movie nominations and ‘41Love’ which debuts in cinemas nationwide on August 19.

On why she ventured into Christian movies, Doris said, “I make Christian movies because God called me to do so.

Christian movies weren’t my initial plan; I just wanted to make ‘morally correct movies’. But over time in my relationship with God, I realised how He wanted me to use the creative talent He blessed me with. My film production company is called Hadassah Studios, that’s the Jewish name of Queen Esther of the Bible,” she said.

My husband’s female fans don’t bother me –Anita Okoye A

nita Okoye, Lawyer and wife of Paul Okoye, the other half of the award winning P-square twins has revealed she is not bothered about the huge number of female fans that rove around her superstar husband, Paul better known as Rudeboy. In an interview she granted recently, the business development executive revealed how she has been able to handle all the challenges that come with being the wife of a celebrity; especially the huge female fan base. “I think because I have been with him for a long time, I’m over that.

It’s a constant, so I don’t get bothered. I take the phone and take pictures of him and whoever, it’s not a problem, but if you become a thorn in my flesh, I would check you. We have to embrace fans all the time, they made them, so of course we appreciate the love, as far as it’s not beyond friendship” She said. The beautiful mother of one also speaks on motherhood experience, “I’m more relaxed, reserved, and into family now. I was career oriented before but now, I’m trying to balance both career and family. Before motherhood, I was straight on into my career, you know, wanting to advance to only God knows where, but now, I am relaxed. I am not taking life too seriously because I have a toddler to play with all the time” She stated.

Sister Favour Imafidon releases album

Why I introduced Ventriloquism comedy to Nigeria –Nev Harrison

ast rising gospel singer, Sister Favour Imafidon has finally released her much awaited album, with hit track ‘Do It for Me’. The light skinned beautiful Edo state singer says she gets her writing and singing inspirations from the Holy Ghost. She has earned a lot of respect attending local and international musical concerts for ministrations, a landmark achievement that still stuns her till date. “With the way I started, I never imagined that this album could take me outside Nigeria for ministration. God is really faithful! Presently, I am in Ghana, shooting the video for this spectacular album. It is something my fans must watch out for; I promise to give them nothing but the best” she quipped. Favour, who chose to express her songs in Igbo language, described Chinyere Udoma as her mentor and role model.

The album was pr o duc e d by Dickson Whyte and is bound for greater success if it continues with its current trend.

Edwin Usoboh

F

U I can’t leave music for comedy –Survival NSC S

urvival NSC, Enugu born rapper and comedian who has been making waves in the Entertainment industry recently, released another track ‘OBIOMA’ and plans to host a comedy show tagged ‘Survival Goes to Church’.

In a chat with RazzleDazzle, the maverick entertainer confirmed he will never leave music for comedy as both industries are currently paying his bills, “Comedy is what I love doing most. I started comedy back in school; I’m popularly known as MC Survival because I used to do MC in my school during our end of year parties. I put in so much effort in both crafts because I have confidence in the industry and today, I can boldly say, that music and comedy have made way for me. By the special grace of God, I have my own studio and record label, ‘Phobia Kingdom’ which is owned by Wally Phobia, Crown Star and I. I’m dropping a new track sooner than later titled ‘Son of Jubilation Mountain’ which I am dedicating to my church and God. I’m so good at what I do, so there’s no way I can leave music or comedy for the other” He confirmed.

pwardly mobile stand-up comedian, Nev Harrison has revealed that he introduced ventriloquist comedy to the Nigerian scene in order to immortalise his late younger brother, Ejiro, who initially had the plans of becoming a ventriloquist.

Nev delivers his comedy through the art of ventriloquism with the aid of his sidekick ‘Kporkior the Puppet.’ Kporkior is a 38inch tall professional ventriloquist puppet, a handmade wooden puppet and first of its kind in Nigeria.

Nev’s comedy style is largely determined by the audience. If it’s a performance in front of children, the puppet is made to appear unintelligent while Nev acts as the wise one. However, when performing before adult audience, Nev plays the foolish one while the puppet plays the wise and crafty one.

Ventriloquism is an art of comedy that is very popular abroad, and Nev believes it was a risk worth taking when he introduced it in Nigeria.

According to Nev, “My journey into ventriloquism was triggered by the death of my younger brother Ejiro, who initially had plans of becoming a ventriloquist. While Ejiro was getting ready to start a career in ventriloquism, he never lived to see that dream come true. It was in a bid to keep the memory of my late brother alive that I learned the art over a one year period, without the aid of a tutor or school of ventriloquism.”

Nev has some comedy television dramas to his credit as creator and writer. Among them are ‘Half A Dozen Plus’ featuring Chika Okpala (Zebrudaya), and ‘Living Together,’ a production of Kisil Entertainment Network.

As a comedy actor, the graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, plays a major role in a soon to be released situational comedy titled ‘Living Together.’

42

Brief background.

I’m from Delta State and first of four children. My dad is an architect and my mum is a business woman. I went to Covenant University, a graduate of Building Technology and I do music for a living.

Why did you adopt ‘Muno’ as your stage name?

Muno is actually part of my name, my full name is Oviemuno. Ovie means king, Muno means faith, capable or up to a task. So fully it means you are fit to be king. My friends started calling me Muno from my secondary school days, so the name stuck till date.

What made you decide to take music as a career?

I didn’t decide on music as a career, music choose me.

How did that happen?

I’ve been singing since I was four years old. I’ve always known what good music sounds like, always interpreted good music; just that from this part of the world, it’s really hard and rare to harness young talent.

Music has always been a calling for me. It’s my lifestyle; it’s like the air I breathe.

Where do you get your inspiration and lyrics from?

My inspiration and lyrics come from my everyday life. Sometimes the sound of the beat, from meditating or basically anything.

Your sojourn into the music industry started many years ago when you signed to MC Galaxy’s label and suddenly, you signed onto Paul Okoye’s label. What exactly happened?

I was signed to MCG Entertainment last year June and since then, it’s been a real experience for me musically. I’ve been singing over the years but I started professionally in 2010, but when I met MC Galaxy, it was a different experience. I just want to say that we have a good relationship and my separation was mutual because at that time I was looking for something different.

He is like a brother to me, he supports my music, he has spoken with Paul Okoye and everything is good.

You got signed to Paul Okoye’s record at the time the media was awash with the supposed crisis between the brothers and there were rumours that you were signed, as a replacement for Peter. How true is this?

We all know social media is way more active than we ever imagine. I will never see myself as a replacement for Peter because, Peter is Peter and I am Muno; I don’t think anything of such came to my notice.

Although I heard things around, I am just doing my thing as an artiste.

Who inspires you in the Nigerian music industry?

In the Nigerian music industry, there is Wande Coal, Wizkid, P-Square, 2face, Don Jazzy, just to mention a few. I get inspired by lots of sounds. That is what has defined my own sound today. I also try my best not to sound like anyone.

If you weren’t a musician, what would you have done otherwise?

I don’t see anything right now as music has always been it for me. I studied Building Technology like I said earlier but I didn’t study to practice. I also know how to play football very well but I didn’t look at myself as a footballer, I always saw music. Music is what I know how to do best and I want to see myself owning different entertainment companies.

What genre of music do you perform?

I do R&B and hip-hop like we call it; Naija Pop Do you compose your songs?

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

I was never replacement for Peter of P-Square –Muno Sensational music act and Nigerian pop artiste, Orero Oviemuno, popularly called Muno, who has recently been in the centre of controversy surrounding the wonder twins in Nigerian music, P-Square, and has released soul rending songs almost concurrently, has finally spoken to clear the air on ‘replacing Peter’, signing to Rude Boy Records and trivia. BIWOM IKLAKI and EDWIN USOBOH chatted with him.

Yes, I compose my songs, but I’m a very flexible artiste, people come with ideas every day and if it sounds good to me, I go with it. In recent times, if you have heard my first single under Rude Boy Records, he wrote ‘Never Regret’, we cowrote ‘Slow Slow’ and ‘Her Yo’ those are the three singles. Rude Boy writes like 50 per cent of what I do, he oversees everything.

You said you left one record label to join Rude Boy. What exactly were you offered to leave?

I was not offered anything to leave. I didn’t leave one label to join another. After leaving my former label, I wasn’t with any label when I joined Rude Boy Records.

How did you meet Paul and how did you convince him to sign you as his first artiste?

I didn’t convince Paul to sign me as one of his artistes. I met Paul through one of his employees, Stanley, and he heard a couple of my songs.

He reached out to Paul and we had a meeting outside Rude Boy Records and he was

quite interested in my songs. He has been working with P-square for over 10 years.

He already knew the kind of sound Paul wanted to affiliate with and he brought me to meet the in-house producer. Fortunately, the producer wasn’t home and I was playing my music by the poolside when Paul walked in and asked who this guy is. After introductions, he listened to my songs and by the fourth song, he looked at me and said. “You are the artiste I have been looking for all these years”.

What has changed about you since then, generally and personally?

A lot has changed; how I see myself first of all, joining Rude Boy Records made me understand that there are different levels of doi n g

things. I’ve been doing music over the years but at this level, my work ethic has improved because Paul is a perfectionist.

I see myself as one too because I strive to meet up, I’ve improved in my writing skills, my confidence, basically everything about me has changed.

How about the flock of ladies who come around you?

The ladies come with the job. It is normal; yes they have increased in number.

When did you have your first kiss, who was the lady, and how was the experience?

I can’t remember my first kiss because as a young boy growing up, I had a lot of attention from girls so I don’t remember but, I remember my first crush, her name was Ngozi.

What is your greatest wish and what are your greatest regrets?

My greatest wish is to become that person I imagine in my head every day to become. There is this person I see in my head when I sit down to think and because I’m a great thinker, my greatest wish is to be fulfilled.

What would you say are the pains and gains of being a celebrity?

The pains? Hard work! Yeah it’s good but you have to break yourself- in the studio, to be responsible, to be patient; there is a lot that comes with it. And then the confines of stardom; having to be indoors, not to be seen in public, not doing what you are used to doing normally like eating roadside food, standing in public places where you used to. Those things take the real life out of you. The gain is the mouthpiece that you become with all eyes on you, and you have this power that you know you can affect a particular set of people that you want to affect.

What is style to you?

My style is simple, sometimes you are expected to look sophisticated but I like my Jeans and fancy singlet. Most people close to me know that I love casuals.

Celebrities all over the world are synonymous with controversy, how do you intend to stay out of it?

I think controversies are inevitable I don’t have anything planned because the media is very strong. I love controversy by the way. Bring it on!

What is the secret that the world doesn’t know about you?

I have so many secrets! But the secret I want to say is what I want you guys to hear. Except you want me to lie, the day it comes out, let it be out.

If you were to be stuck on an Island for a week and only allowed to take three things, what would you not do without?

Water, food and blanket.

43

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

NEWS

INTERVIEW

Union Bank wins ITF award for human capital development p.44

MFB rate is high, but it’s reaching the unbanked –Whensu

AUTO BEAT All new Mercedes-Benz GLE available now in Nigeria p.47

p.45

BUSINESS

PAUL OGBUOKIRI HEAD, BUSINESS

paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

New NPA’ll be populated by young professionals – Hadiza Bala Usman

T

L-R: Medical Representatives, Fidson Healthcare Plc; Mr Anthony Agwoko; Mr Azubuike Nnamdi; Astymin Get Alert Promo June Star Winner, Dr. Ekpe Obioma and Regional Sales Manager, East 2, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr Adekoya Kolawole, during the Cheque presentation to the June Star Winner in Umuahia, Abia State.

Fears over take-off of school feeding programme in Sept

I

Paul Ogbuokiri ndications are rife that the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) slated to commence next month, may be delayed as the key suppliers are not ready.

The Federal Government had said that it will commence the programme that will feed 5.5 million school children on September 1 across the country.

The National Programme Manager (NHGSFP), Mrs. Abimbola Adesanmi said at the opening of the recent twoday stakeholders’ workshop on the programme in Abeokuta, Ogun State, that the Federal Government resolved to start the programme next month, saying it would accommodate pupils in Primary 1 to 3 at the outset, and will move to other classes as the nation’s resources improved.

But Sunday Telegraph investigation reveals that Tuns Farm Limited, the lead farmer in the programme, which is also the coordinator of the rest of the farmers in the programme, is unable to meet government target because it has not yet secured the loans it needs from the Bank of Industry (BoI) to boost its production.

Tuns Farms signed a N25 billion memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government to produce 50 million eggs a day by 2018.

Government had stated that

the BoI has a role to play in the programme in providing finance for the take-off of the scheme an initiative aimed at increasing egg production in the country to about 50 million table eggs daily by 2018.

Senior Special Adviser to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Kayode Oyeleye, in a telephone interview with Sunday Telegraph, said on Wednesday evening that he does not know the level of readiness of Tuns Farms and the other farmers in the scheme. He also could not say if the farmers would be able to meet the deadline which is just about two weeks from today.

He said: “I don’t know the level of preparedness, but I can tell you that the farmers are working hard towards the project.”

It will be recalled that the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande had said in a statement two months ago, that in the final round of preparation for the commencement of the free school feeding programme for primary school pupils, the federal and state governments will review the strategic plan for the rollout of the scheme which is part of the N500 billion social investment plans of the Buhari administration.

According to Akande, the strategic plans will run until 2020 and is aimed at providing a nutritious hot meal a day to over 24 million primary school

children.

He said the food for the programme will be sourced from local farmers, adding: “These programmes offer a ‘win-winwin’ for children, farmers and communities alike.”

According to the Vice President’s spokesman: “Not only will the Home Grown School Feeding programme help our pupils become better students, it will also boost the local economies, and create new jobs along the way.”

Meanwhile, NASACO Foods Limited, the Jos based confectionary firm, which signed a MoU with the Federal Government to produce a high nutrition density biscuits for school pupils is said to be facing challenges meeting the deadline as its alleged earlier request for foreign exchange at the concessionary rate of 197/ dollar to import implements to service its machines were not granted.

Sunday Telegraph learnt that the company is battling to get

Tuns Farm Limited, the lead farmer in the programme, which is also the coordinator of the rest of the farmers in the programme, is unable to meet government target because it has not yet secured the loans it needs from the Bank of Industry (BoI) to boost its production

its act together to commence production, even as it was said to be looking at importing more machines to enable it gain the required capacity to meet the needs of the government of the Public Private Programme (PPP) arrangement that will produce biscuits that feed the school children.

Sources close to the company said the take-off date definitely must be shifted to enable the company meet the required capacity.

“You know that the company has not been handling such big volumes in recent years, due to low demand on one hand and competition from other manufacturers from Lagos and elsewhere in the country, including dumping of confectionaries in the country. You will also recall that the company had to diversify into real estate and other sectors to remain in business in the country. But now that it has this project, it will bring to bear on the task, its over 50 years experience in this sector, in Nigeria,” the source stated.

He, however, said that the company can produce the required volume of biscuits for the school children when it finally commences production.

The signing of MoU signifies the technical commencement of strategic partnership with NASCO Foods to fully commercialise the biscuits production technology.

he Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, on Friday said the authority would soon commence the recruitment of younger professionals into the service in view of its ageing workforce.

Ms. Usman disclosed this at a news conference to round off her ongoing tour of Calabar port, which ended on Friday.

According to her, “there is a lot of skills and knowledge that need to be transferred and we should be able to transfer knowledge and skills.”

Ms. Usman said the authority would embark on recruitment drive and look at the organisational structure to determine how the recruitment would be carried out.

She said that the management was looking at succession planning and recruitment of people.

“We met an arrangement on ground concerning the decision to recruit as the present workforce is ageing.

“We want to recruit specialists, mariners, critical operational staff. These are those positions that we will be targeting.

“We encourage every member of the public to be on the look-out for the advertisement of vacancies and to apply,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Ms. Usman as saying.

L-R: Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FBN Merchant Bank, Lolade Balogun; Head, Media and Publicity, EYDI, Razaq Ivori; Executive Director, FBN Merchant Bank Gboyega Fatoki; and President, EYDI; Deji Laurent, during the FBN Merchant Bank sponsored Eti-Osa Youth Development Initiative ‘ Pick-A-Litter’ Campaign

FG elevates maritime academy to Varsity

I

ndications were rife this week that the Federal Government has conferred university status on the Maritime Academy (MAN), Oron.

Sources close to Academy told Sunday Telegraph that the Minister of Transport has secured the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari to elevate the Academy to a degree awarding institution.

The source, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the issue, said that the minister has gotten the endorsement of the president but the process of upgrading the institution has not yet started.

It will be recalled that two former Rector of the Academy died within a period of six months is yet to get a new Rector even as the country’s premier maritime training institution has failed to meet international standards because of lack requisite training facilities.

44

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS

Nigeria saves N1.4trn by ending fuel subsidy –Osinbajo

V

L-R: Head of Human Resources Union Bank, Miyen Swomen;Executive Director, Funmi Coker; Chief Risk Officer, Union Bank, Kandolo Kasongo; Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Union Bank, Oyinkansade Adewale; and Deputy Director and Area Manager, Lagos Island, Industrial Training Fund, Mrs. Dorothy Aroloye, during the presentation of the ‘Overall Best Contributing Employer in Human Resources’ to the bank recently

Union Bank wins ITF award for human capital development

T

Adenekan Tobiloba

he Industrial Training Fund of Nigeria (ITF) has announced Union Bank of Nigeria Plc as the “Overall Best Contributing Employer in Human Resources” for the year 2015.

The innovative financial institution was presented with the award by the Deputy Director, ITF early this week.

Union Bank spends an average of N200 million yearly to train its employees in addition to consistent intake of interns and students on industrial training. The financial institution also carries out regular safety training for its people in accordance with the ITF training standards.

“Union Bank started its transformation drive three years ago and an integral part of that transformation

is looking after our people.

“Training is definitely a critical part of the wellbeing of the employees of any organisation and therefore, we invest a lot in the development of our people so that it is great to be recognised for the effort we put in.” said Kandolo Kasongo, Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer of Union Bank.

Congratulating Union Bank on its effort, Mrs. Dorothy Aroloye, Deputy Director and Area Manager, Lagos Island, Industrial Training Fund, said, “For about three years of being the Lagos Island Area Manager, Union Bank, the bank has shown consistent interest in the development of its workers,” she said. “The bank has contributed six solid training programmes that generated over N6 million to the Industrial Training

Fund alone.

I salute the training arm of the bank for their dedication and ITF remains committed to helping Union Bank in the most positive way to further develop their Human Resource.”

“We appreciate ITF immensely for this honour, this is indeed evidence that the bank’s transformation is working. Usually, when the economy gets tough, employers are quick to discontinue training, but that is not what we do here at Union Bank because we believe that the human capital of the bank is the backbone of our success.” said Oyinkansade Adewale, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Union Bank. “We promise to continue to partner with Industrial Training Fund to take both Nigeria and the Bank to greater heights

through the development of its people.”

Also commenting on Union Bank’s human development strategy, Miyen Swomen, Head of Human Resources Union Bank, said: “Continuous Learning and Career Management are the two key elements of our employee value proposition.

We are passionate to work with ITF to continue to train our employees because we believe that what makes an organisation successful is what its people know and how it is developed to enable growth.”

Established in 1971, ITF is responsible for raising training consciousness in the economy. It has generated a corps of skilled indigenous manpower which is responsible for managing various sectors of the economy.

Interbank rates hits 23% as CBN moves to lure foreign flows

N

igeria’s interbank overnight lending rate jumped to 23 per cent on Friday from 10 per cent its previous close, after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold treasury bills at higher yields to lure foreign investors, traders said.

Commercial banks on Friday were paying for treasury bill purchases and a foreign currency intervention, traders said, thereby reducing the amount of naira in the banking system.

The CBN has been offering treasury bills at high rates to

attract offshore flows into Nigeria, which has been hit by the fall in oil prices, prompting foreign players to flee bond and equities markets.

It has also been selling hard currency almost daily.

“The central bank is trying to drive the economy with bills and bonds that is they are offering securities at such high yields,” one trader said.

Nigeria is in the middle of its worst crisis in decades as a slump in oil revenues hammers public finances, causing chronic dollar shortages and triggering a contraction

in the economy. The central bank governor has said a recession is likely.

The regulator raised N256 billion in six-month bill on Friday, N206 billion more than it had planned to issue, and at a higher yield of 18 per cent to soak up naira liquidity and attract foreign investors back to the country.

It also intervened on the currency markets after the naira hit an all-time low of 353.75 on the interbank market on Friday. By close, the naira was trading back at 310. The currency has been

hitting new lows since this week.

Traders say banking system liquidity has been in debit for more than a week as the central bank continues to drain cash to support the currency. But it opened with a credit of N84 billion on Friday due to treasury bill maturities, they said.

Nigeria plans to raise N110 billion in local currency denominated bonds on August 17. It is also seeking advisers and bookrunners to manage a planned $1 billion eurobond it intends to offer this year.

ice President Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed that Nigeria has saved a whopping sum of N1.4 trillion by ending fuel subsidies and increasing fuel prices in May. Osinbajo who made this disclosure in an interview with Reuters on Thursday, also said that sequel to the increase in the pump price of the product, the number of trucks Nigerians consume in day has come down by about 50 per cent, 800 trucks per day from 1,600 trucks per day before the price increase.

After several months of the pump price of fuel oscillated between N150 and N250, the Federal Government on May 1 this year announced an increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N89 to N145 per liter.

According to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, the increase was to stabilise the supply of the product.

The Vice President also said that government will release N100 billion capital projects appropriation in the coming days as part of the 2016 budget, as it struggle to stimulate the economy which is in a ‘technical recession’.

“Another N100 billion will be released in the next few days to fund power, housing, transport, agricultural and defence projects. “We have pledged to keep capital spending at a minimum of 30 per cent (of the N6.06 trillion budgets),” he told a business forum in Lagos,” he said.

But Osinbajo also a float of the naira and more flexible foreign currency regime in June had eased pressure on foreign reserves, without giving details. The naira has lost some 40 per cent since then.

“I believe ... there will be an increase in supply of foreign exchange,” he said.

L-R: Winners of Emirates Competition, Busayo Ogunshina; Adetula Abiodun and Regional Manager, West Africa, Emirates, Mr Manoj Nair, at the Emirates Grand Finale session in Lagos

NSIA, Old Mutual to invest N160bn in Nigeria Adenekan Tobiloba

N

igeria’s Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority (NSIA) and Anglo-South African financial services firm Old Mutual on Friday signed agreements to set up two funds to invest in real estate and agriculture in Africa’s most populous nation.

NSIA and Old Mutual said they would jointly raise a $500 million (about N160 billion) fund to invest in real estate and another $200 million (about N64 billion) to spend on agriculture projects in Nigeria.

Nigeria is in the middle of its worst crisis in decades as a slump in oil revenues hammers public finances and the naira.

Gross domestic product shrank in the first quarter and the central bank governor has said a recession is likely.

Chief Executive Officer of NSIA, Uche Orji, said both parties will each commit $100 million (about NN32 billion) as initial commitment for the real estate fund and $50 million (about N16 billion) for the agriculture fund.

“We are looking at office towers, commercial real estate,” Orji said. “We are investing equity in agriculture. We are looking at farming with emphasis on export.”

Poor infrastructure and access to capital is a major bottleneck to growth in Nigeria, which has made diversifying its revenue base and reducing a huge import bill its top priority.

“The most important thing is infrastructure. The problem is that it is cheaper to move goods from China to Lagos, than move it from Kano to Lagos and that’s because we don’t have the infrastructure,” Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun said.

Nigeria established the Sovereign Investment Authority (SIA) in 2011 with $1 billion of seed capital in an effort to manage oil export revenues.

The new funds, which will stay invested for up to 12-years, will target returns of around 20 per cent, Hywel George, chief investment officer at Old Mutual said.

45

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

MFB rate is high, but it’s reaching the unbanked –Whensu

Mr. Valentine Whensu is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Global Initiative Microfinance Bank and President, National Association of Microfinance Banks. In this interview with EDWIN USOBOH, he speaks on the Nigerian economy, microfinance banking and sundry issues. Excerpts: been tapped into, Nigeria is rated third largest in the world.

Even in my own sub sector, microfinance bank, Nigeria is number one in the world.

Then why are we not getting it right? That tells you that there is nothing wrong with the Nigerian economy. Once we have good leadership, we are going to get a good economy. And for us to tap into the other sectors to boost our economy we need to be sincere with ourselves, we need to work on corruption that has eaten deep into us. We need to make scapegoats of a few people; we need to get one or two corrupt persons behind bars. Then it tells us that we indeed are ready for greatness again.

In what ways is microfinance bank important to the economy of Nigeria?

The role of microfinance bank in the development of an economy cannot be underestimated because what is important in any economy is, one, how to improve economic activities. And the economic activity is down at the grassroots level.

There was a study that was conducted in this country which revealed that Nigeria has over 19 million micro small and medium enterprises that need about nine trillion naira to jump start the economy. And we are talking about 968 microfinance banks, having only about six million customers. We are not even there. The study also shows that those people who are underbanked are about 40-something per cent, we are coming from about 80-something per cent. So, as we speak, there is a gap; there is a need in this economy and the only structure that can fill in that gap is microfinance.

The primary role of the microfinance bank is to improve access to finance and access to market, if you can sort out the problem of access to finance at the grassroots level, you are sure you are going to have a robust economy, your GDP is going to improve, and that is what microfinance is even there for.

Again, we are having a challenge in the access to market. When farmers produce foods they have nowhere to store them, when fishermen get their fish they have nowhere to store them, so they begin to sell under duress because they have nowhere to store their harvests. So the moment the Federal Government can use the structure of microfinance banks to take care of these two major problems, the economy will be back on its feet and we will be out of this recession that we are in.

Majority of people still do not embrace the microfinance concept due to high charges. What do you think is the problem?

This issue of high rates was at the beginning, the microfinance sub sector is celebrating 10 years of its existence now; they are reformed, so many things have changed, and the Federal Government intervention has come in to dilute the interest rates that we have currently reduced.

Initially, people used to charge as high as 10 per cent. Now, what is important to Nigerian businessmen, especially the micro, small and medium, is it the interest rate or access to finance to do business. However, microfinance banks came into the space; what they were charging initially was higher but because there have been interventions, donor funds, and grants, so more people are coming in, and it is as well further reducing. It is a gradual process. We are only celebrating 10 years. Before we get to celebrating 50 years, we are going to get it right.

What are the strategies being employed in this regard?

When you work on capacity building, when you work on the infrastructure of this economy, when you work on the financial infrastructure where people would not collect money and run away, you will see the interest rate coming down on its own.

What we have now is not too high; it’s still on the average, and then the CBN has also intervened with funds, N220 billion

Whensu

of which you must lend at not more than nine per cent per annum. Even commercial banks in the country today are lending at that rate. Then government needs to do a lot, especially the CBN, in terms of image laundering. And that is why we are extending a hand of fellowship to the press so that you can see what we are doing in that sub sector. The moment we begin to have a good projection in that sector, we are going to have a more robust micro finance sector in this country.

Small and medium scale business owners are complaining that some microfinance banks charge very high interest rates that kill their businesses. Are there rules to check defaulting members of your association?

There is the saying that, if education is expensive try ignorance. The man that is collecting esusu (daily contribution) on the road is giving out money at 10-15 per cent flat and people are collecting it, even when we hear that some of them will collect people’s money and disappear. Yet, the average rate in microfinance bank is 5 per cent.

What is the prime lending rate in commercial banks that have 25 to 100 billion naira share capital? 24 per cent, which is 2 per cent aside other charges. One thing that we need to get is that, how do you determine the interest rate that you charge on loan?

It’s a function of so many things. The cost of funds is a major determinant of what you will charge. If I access money for me

Government needs to do a lot, especially the CBN, in terms of image laundering. And that is why we are extending a hand of fellowship to the press so that you can see what we are doing in that sub sector and you, you give me money and I’m giving you 15 per cent, I must make a spread in order to take care of my infrastructure.

So, that is what informs the interest rate.

Interest rate is dependent on so many factors and except you work on those factors.

Factors like government’s involvement in terms of infrastructure. Do you have roads?

Who is willing to go to rural areas? Do you have power? So, government needs to do its own bit and operators too need to do their own bit and then we shall all smile at the end of the day.

You’ve been in the financial sector for over 20 years, how will you describe the present state of the nation’s economy?

Nigeria’s economy is an one that can beat any economy in the world but corruption is a setback. The major product that aids great economies in the world today is oil, and Nigeria is rated the sixth among oil producing countries. In gas which has not

You have been re-elected President of the National Association of Microfinance Banks. What are going to be your new reform policies?

The issue of second term can be explained in various ways. One, the constitution was amended; the original constitution states that you can only go once for the same position. But because of the constitution that was amended, it gives room to everybody, both the past government, the current government and whoever is interested.

And there are projects; we believe that one of the major problems we have in this country today is lack of continuity in everything we do. So, the basis of us going back is for continuity of policy, continuity of advocacy, continuity of capacity building and continuity of networking with organisations to bring the national association of microfinance banks to where it is supposed to be in knowing fully well that Nigeria is the only country that has 968 microfinance banks in the world. So, we need to get it right.

Our vision has been crafted to ensure that we take advantage of becoming one of the first 10 in the world in 2020. That is what informed our coming back. And, of course, it is the constitutional provision that permits every one of us to re-contest for our respective position.

As for the new reforms we are introducing in this second tenure, we have started with re-engineering, restructuring and re-branding the association. We want to continue with the works we have started.

We are working on a project we call NAMB Unified IT platform (NAMBUIT), such that for us to reduce IT cost, so that we can also reduce the interest rate at which we are lending money to people, we need to have a shared platform. We have started; in a situation where there would be clearing house for microfinance banks so that the 968 MFBs can link up with one another and can network together. The project has started though initiated by CBN. It is going to reduce IT cost, it is going to reduce infrastructure and encourage banks’ verification number within our members. It is a project we intend to complete sooner than later.

Again, it is a project that will take care of proper identity management because of some challenges such as the issue of serial borrowers who collect loan and run away.

So, it is a project which we are very much committed to and we intend to complete.

We also want to work on people’s capacity. Micro financing is a specialised type of banking so we intend to provide adequate capacity for people, organise various trainings and ensure that we have good grade of people who understand micro financing.

46

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS NEWS

Air Peace eyes Atlanta, China, other Int’l routes

T

Paul Ogbuokiri he Chief Operating Officer (COO), Air Peace Limited, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide has assured that the airline is ready to operate flights from Nigeria to US, China, Dubai, Ghana, Niger, Dakar, among other destinations, as part of its expansive drive.

This coming as the civil aviation authorities of Ghana and Niger Republic have endorsed Air Peace’s plan to spread its wings in their countries, saying the airline gives priority to safety and global best practice in its operations.

Speaking during a twoday foreign air operator base inspection visit to Air Peace’s facilities in Lagos,

Glo partners Channels TV on mobile news service subscribers.

Kunle Azeez

N

igeria’s indigenous telecom network, Globacom and Channels Television have launched a special video breaking news service that will allow telecoms subscribers to watch news on their phones as it breaks.

This was contained in a statement made available to Sunday Telegraph by Globacom this week.

According to the statement, the service will offer Globacom subscribers unlimited access to breaking news around the world from Channels TV on their smart phones, thereby keeping them abreast of happenings in the global arena.

The news, it said, will be delivered through video as it is broadcast on conventional television.

Explaining how the service works, the Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Globacom, Mr. Ashok Israni, said Channels TV breaking News is a 24 hour news service packaged by Globacom in conjunction with Channels TV to keep Nigerians informed all the time.

He added that the introduction of the service further demonstrated the company’s commitment to giving more value to all its

He stated that Globacom had consistently brought innovation, unequalled service delivery and numerous benefits to its subscribers since 2003 when the company commenced operations.

Noting that information is power, Israni enjoined Nigerians to make utmost use of the new service to stay ahead, assuring them of high-resolution images and videos.

“To enjoy the Channels TV breaking news service from Globacom, all a subscriber requires simply a request in SMT to a dedicated short code. Customers will also be charged weekly to enjoy this great video service,” Israni said.

Once subscribed, customers will get at least two breaking news headline daily with a Universal Resource Locator (URL) link that opens the video once clicked.

This service will make Globacom subscribers the “first to know” about breaking news of major events happening within and outside the country.

According to Israni, the launch of Channels TV breaking News service by Globacom has reinforced Globacom’s reputation as the leading solutions provider in the Nigerian telecommunications market.

Head of Operations Department of Niger Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Bala Sani said the airline’s safety standards, state-of-the-art equipment and structure qualified it for international flight operations.

Air Peace’s aircraft, he said, are well maintained. Sani commended the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Chief Allen Onyema and his team for not com-

O

since December.

Brent crude futures were 56 cents higher at $46.60 at barrel by 1:16 p.m. after touching a more than threeweek high of $46.99 earlier.

U.S. crude rose 66 cents to $44.15 after touching its highest level since July 22 at $44.57 per barrel.

Brent crude is up about 5 per cent on the week, on track for its biggest weekly gain since May while U.S. crude is 5.5 percent higher, on track for its biggest week since April.

Crude soared nearly 5 per cent on Thursday af-

Meanwhile, speaking on the assessment of Air Peace, Mrs. Olajide confirmed that the airline is eager to operate international flights soon.

She assured that the chairman and management of Air Peace will continuously strive for excellence in all its operations and distinguish the reputable airline through quality service delivery. She stressed that Air Peace will not relent in its expansion

plan, adding that the airline will strengthen the quality of its operations and facilities in keeping with its promise of assuring high level passenger safety.

The airline, she pledged, would continue to provide services that create superior value to its esteemed customers while ensuring that the comfort and safety of passengers are accorded top priority in Air Peace.

Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement,,Mr.. Ahmed Abdu (left), with the Chairman, All African Ambassadors / Egypt Ambassador to Togo, Ambassador Sheriff Mohammed presenting West African Leadership Icon Award to Abdu in Togo

Global LNG prices fall on Pacific supply, muted Nigeria impact

A

sian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices fell for a second week as Pacific producers added supply and curbs on Nigerian output were to be lifted by the end of the month, amid thin demand.

Oil extends rally on possible producer action il prices were up about 1 per cent on Friday, on track for their biggest weekly gains since May, after a short covering rally was triggered by comments from Saudi Arabia’s oil minister in the previous session about possible action to help stabilize the market.

The market, however, pared some gains after data showed U.S. oil drillers added rigs for a seventh straight week, the longest recovery in the rig count in over two years. They added 17 rigs, the biggest increase

promising standards in the company’s operations.

In its own assessment report, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said it was satisfied with the operations of Air Peace.

The report signed by Mr. Samuel Benson, Capt. E. C. Dargbe and Dorothy Tackie, who inspected Air Peace’s facilities, said GCAA’s assessment of the airline was positive.

ter Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said that oil producers would discuss potential action to stabilize oil prices during a meeting next month in Algeria.

The news spurred short covering, traders and brokers said, even though the likelihood of any deal being agreed upon remained slim.

“Although we regard such an agreement, let alone its implementation, as unrealistic, it is dampening fears of a continuation of the OPEC price war,” Commerzbank said in a note.

Prices for September delivery fell to around $5.60 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), 20 cents below last week’s levels, with October trading five to 10 cents below September, sources said.

Two of four cargoes recently sold by Russia’s Sakhalin II plant fetched a price in the high $5 per mmBtu range - reflecting end-user demand, one trader source said, citing it as above-market.

Multiple cargoes were offered by Malaysia’s state-run Petronas across September and October, coinciding with the start of its new floating LNG production facility, one trader said.

Cargo numbers could not be immediately confirmed.

Indonesia is also reportedly offering cargoes.

In Nigeria, Shell declared force majeure on gas supplies to the Nigeria LNG export plant this week, raising the possibility of

shipment delays or even cancellations owing to inadequate feedstock.

A source said that up to seven cargoes could be delayed as a result of the force majeure, with some long-term buyers potentially already notified of postponements.

“The plan is to lift the force majeure by the end of the month,” the source said.

Elaborating on how Nigeria LNG may apportion cargo postponements, he said: “I think different (offtake) contracts will be treated differently. NLNG will take a view on which cargoes it cancels depending on the underlying prices in each contract.”

Indian Oil Corp. is seeking two cargoes for October delivery in a tender valid until August 23, while peer Petronet closed a tender to buy a September cargo on Thursday, sources said.

Steady output from the Chevron-operated Gorgon

plant in Australia has led project partner Exxon Mobil to plan to market more supply via tenders.

Various sources say stakeholders in Gorgon reported production at 70 per cent of capacity. Winter is shaping up to be bearish as supply gets back on track from Gorgon - assuming Angola LNG resumes operations as planned in September, a trade source said.

A full four-week September shutdown also looms for Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Pass project in Louisiana - including both the first and second production lines - as Cheniere corrects a design issue with a process flare, market intelligence firm Genscape said, citing comments by Cheniere management.

As short-covering demand by trading firms lessens, supplies have to fall back on relatively thin end-user demand, helping explain price declines, another trader said.

47

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

All new Mercedes-Benz GLE available now in Nigeria

M

Paul Ogbuokiri ercedes-Benz has thoroughly revised its best-seller in the SUV segment. Formerly known as the M-Class, the GLE has been redesigned with impressive new elements. Some of its highlights include a considerably more appealing front fascia that comes with new headlights, bumpers and grilles while the rear features redesigned LED stripes for an improved look.

Depending on the trim levels, the SUV can have two different engine grilles and three different bumpers with one each reserved for its AMG versions. Across the available engine range, fuel consumption and CO_2 emissions are reduced by 17 per cent on average compared with the predecessor model series.

The powerful GLE 500 4MATIC with direct-injection twin-turbo V8 engine produces an output of 320 kW (435 hp) and a peak torque of 700 Newton meters, and combines appealing performance with the high level of refinement of these engines.

The GLE 400 4MATIC is powered by a direct-injection twin-turbo V6 engine with spray-guided combustion, new piezo injectors and MSI multi-spark ignition. This engine produces an output of 245kW (333 hp) and 480 Nm of torque from 1400 rpm and makes do on 8.8l/100 km or 209 g CO2/km (NEDC combined).

The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 4MATIC is now stronger and more appealing than ever with an expanded model lineup and even more power. The AMG 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine is even more powerful than before: in addition to the basic variant developing 410 kW (557 hp), there is also the highly sporty S-Model to choose from which is rated at 430 kW (585 hp). The chassis was completely revised to deliver even better driving dynamics and agility.

The throttle response of the engine and the shift times of the transmission are now on a new, even sportier level and thereby underscore the hallmark AMG Driving Performance. With the characteristic AMG family face featuring “A-wing” and twin-blade radiator grille, the power SUV also has a more dynamic appearance than before.

The GLE-Class also gets two new steering wheel designs, one of which is reserved for the AMG versions, while, new material colours and trims are available options to contribute to a more upscale atmosphere.

Other stylish features include an 8-inch

higher resolution colour screen, COMAND hard-drive navigation, hands-free Bluetooth interface, Harman/Kardon Logic7 sound system and a new touchpad controller that can be used in connection with the regular controller for the COMAND infotainment system.

The best strategy for efficient driving has always been anticipatory driving without unnecessary braking and accelerating. The GLE-Class can be trusted for best on-road and off-road handling, outstanding spaciousness and high levels of active and passive safety. The extensive safety functions range from collision prevention assist to blind spot systems, attention assist, lane keeping assist, adaptive brake technology, electronic stability programs, rain sensing wipers amongst others.

The intelligent drive system management aids the driver with specific control strategies in adopting the most efficient

driving style. The GLE exclusively impresses with ground-breaking assistance systems, the nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission and the innovative DYNAMIC SELECT dynamic handling control system, which offers a variety of drive and off-road programs already in basic specification.

The unmistakable design with the hallmark C-pillar and the variable interior with the wellness factor of a luxurious saloon model enrich the Mercedes-Benz GLE experience additionally. Often copied, rarely equalled - the M-Class established the segment of premium SUVs in 1997 and since then has been one of the most successful models in the world.

Available options at Weststar Associates include the GLE 400 4MATIC and the GLE Coupe with remarkable after sales and maintenance services at all authorized workshops.

Ford instills safe driving practice in Nigerians

F

ord is making this significant contribution to checkmate the incessant loss of lives on the Nigerian roads by promoting safe driving which is in line with its introduction of global Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme, expertise training for vehicle drivers launched in South Africa in 2014 and introduced into Angola last year, 2015.

The life saving DSFL programme is bringing Ford’s sensibility to the importance of human lives in Sub-Saharan Africa, where most drivers are either too careless with their passengers and even self, or completely ignorant about rudimental techniques required in driving a vehicle.

According to Mr. Derek Kirkvy, Ford’s DSFL Training Director, South Africa, an estimated 40 to 45 deaths happen in South Africa daily through road accidents, which makes vehicles the most claimer of lives in that country; and perhaps in most part of Sub-Sahara Africa, Nigeria, of course not an exception.

The Driving Skill for Life training offers vehicle drivers rudimental knowledge about their vehicles before hitting the racetrack, starting from proper positioning of their car seats to adjust to chest level with the steering, to being foot flat on the clutch in a knee bent posture. Trainees at the knowledge imparting DSFL also got tutorials concerning the role of car seats in preventing serious

injuries during any misadventure.

Mr. Derek did not dabble with words, when he said categorically that the car seat headrest is the only thing that helps in preventing severe neck injury in an accident, advising that headrest should be raised to protect the head and unnecessary to be over stretched backward, referring to the situation where some frolic drivers experiment with their car seats, to almost making for themselves a relaxation bed.

The Ford’s DSFL Training Director was also particular about the seat belts teaching specifically about how to wear it correctly.

“The seat belt should be worn within the upper shoulder and never to the neck; and putting it behind the back is not necessary.”

He said.

The German born auto trainer who later displayed superb driving dexterity in the recently launched stylish, but cute Figo Hatchback also educated participants about the Airbag, which he defined as a Supplementary Restrained System (SRS) device, mentioning that most Ford Cars are different from others, because they come with six Airbags, that guarantees more driver-passenger safety in the occasion of mishap.

Other critical areas in a car which Derek also discussed; includes the Mirror, which he noted is the eye and vision which propels the driver’s smooth ride blind of it that can be very costly.

AUTO BEAT Motoring briefs Follow these driving safety tips to help avoid accidents Whether you’re driving alone or with passengers, safety should always be your top concern. With more distractions than ever, it’s crucial that drivers know the basics of safe driving and practice them every time they’re behind the wheel. Here are some auto safety tips to follow on the road.

Driving safety tips Don’t allow children to fight or climb around in your car (they should be buckled in their seats at all times). One accidental bump or too much noise can easily distract you from concentrating on driving safely.

Cell phones can also take your focus away from the task at hand: arriving safely at your destination. Learn more about the under-reporting of cell phone involvement in fatal car crashes.

Avoid driving when you’re tired. Be aware that some medications can cause drowsiness and make operating a vehicle very dangerous. Get the full scoop on drowsy driving.

Always use caution when changing lanes. Cutting in front of someone, changing lanes too fast or not using your signals may cause an accident or upset other drivers.

What should I do after a car accident?

If you’re involved in an accident, first make sure no one in the car is injured.

Next, check on the passengers in the other vehicle; or, if necessary, make certain that no pedestrians are hurt.

Then, take these five things into account: Stay at the scene. Leaving can result in additional violations or fines.

Call 911 or the police as soon as possible. They’ll dispatch medical personnel and a police officer immediately to the scene of the accident. Wait for the police to complete an accident report.

If you’re on a busy highway, stay inside the car and wait for the police or an ambulance. It’s dangerous if passengers stand along a busy street.

Don’t get into an argument or a fight with the other driver. Simply exchange contact and insurance information. If possible, also get the name and phone numbers of witnesses.

Call your insurance provider to report the claim. Your agent will ask you to send any paperwork you receive regarding the accident and will give you instructions as to where you can get your car fixed.

What to do when pulled over If you notice that a police car is following you with its emergency lights flashing, pull over to the side of the road safely and quickly. Wait inside your car for the officer to approach and talk with you and be prepared to: Turn on your interior light at night and keep your hands where the officer can see them, preferably on the steering wheel.

Seven ways you may be ruining your car’s paint without even knowing it Dirty washing accessories

Regardless of how many times you wash your car, if you are working with dirty cloths, you can cause permanent damage to the paint. Even if you’re cleaning with the softest and finest microfiber cloth or sponge, the moment it drops on the ground, it will pick up microscopic bits of grit, sand and dirt, which can’t be entirely rinsed off. If you continue to wash your car with dirty accessories, you might be left with wiry swirls and scratches on your car.

48

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS What is the mood of the academy community in respect of the recent death of your predecessor?

I was shocked and I believe all others were. He was not just our Rector; he was a colleague and friend. We worked closely, very closely. Forget the rumour the media spread about the Academy, we have been unfortunate to be on the wrong side of the Nigeria media. Since his coming in 2000 we have had a cordial work relationship and enjoyed robust personal friendship. Not just with me but with many other people around.

The Ishiodu we saw in Lagos during the ministerial workshop on transport wasn’t looking healthy; at what point did his condition started getting bad?

On February 25, 20l6, we were expecting members of the House of Reps Committee on Maritime Education. On arrival at the office I was told he was seriously ill. I rushed to his house to see him. I met our doctor attending to him. I said no, I don’t like home treatment, I suggested that he should be taken to the hospital for proper diagnosis. I met Engineer Ijeoma there, Engineer Wale was also there, there was also Udoka, a junior staff with him, and Kayode. It was at that point he was rushed to Uyo Teaching Hospital. It was on that particular day he said I should stand in for him to brief the House committee people.

How did he fair thereafter?

He recuperated a little, came back but wasn’t really doing fine. So he often returns to the house. We were the ones that even suggested to him to seek permission and go for treatment overseas. In fact the house committee chairman and his members…we went to see him at the hospital and they advised him to go and treat himself overseas.

So sought for permission and it was granted to him in May I think, and he left around the middle of June.

Could the delay have been associated with lack of funds?

It wasn’t the issue of funds as at that time… funds to save life, no. It was maybe bureaucracy of approval. From the Presidency to the Ministry of Transportation, back and forth, and if a particular case cannot be handled in Nigeria…so I think that was what caused the delay.

Is it true that the Academy could not pay for his medical trip abroad?

The Academy is autonomous and so, if the

FG hasn’t appointed new Rector for MAN, says Registrar The acting Rector of the Maritime Academy Nigeria (MAN) Oron, Mr. Ante Mkpandiok, in this interview with PAUL OGBUOKIRI, said contrary to reports making the rounds, there is no acrimony between the management staff of the Academy and their host community, the Oro youths. Excerpts: leader of the academy is sick and has to be treated, the Ministry of Transport cannot foot our bill for us. The Academy has its own subvention from government, in this case funding from NIMASA. I am speaking as the Registrar because to some extent, I do not have the details and information on his medical trip to London, so don’t ask me how much was spent or the hospital he was taken too. I don’t know. But to say it was the Ministry of Transportation that paid his medical bills, no. I am not aware of that.

It is the duty of the Academy to pay the medical expenses of its Rector, because ordinarily, we have National Health Insurance Scheme. If any staff is sick, you go to your health provider. You pay l0 per

cent and the scheme pays 90 per cent counterpart contribution which is deducted from your salary every month. So, if you are sick and you don’t go to hospital, you are losing.

The late Rector was a cadet of this Academy?

Yes. He was a Batch 1 cadet, indeed, he was number 001 on the list.

Given all the rumblings, rumours of war and mutual suspicions and the tense atmosphere media reports about the academy, how will you cope as acting rector?

Number one let me quickly correct the impression, I am not a substantive acting Rector, Abuja has not given me any letter to that effect.

So be patient sir, if I get an appointment letter, I will not hide it. I am the Registrar of the Academy; I am only standing in for the late Rector. I was already doing that at the point he was unable to cope with the stress of office owing to his deteriorated health. We are mourning and all I wanted to do was to correct rumours that you the media have helped

Mkpandiok

The unused talent 2 Success Nuggets Victor Okwudiri 08037674300 (SMS only)

E

meka is a young lawyer resident in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. By virtue of his profession, he puts on suits to work, from Monday to Thursday. It is only on Fridays that he and his colleagues have the opportunity to wear clothes other than suits. Even at that, they go to work in suit any Friday that a court session is to hold. The effect? Their native wears were always looking new as they were hardly worn.

One Friday, Emeka was excited about the idea of putting on his unique native wear to work. However, something happened that almost punctured his joy. When he brought out the clothe, he noticed that it had white spots all over. He was familiar with that phenomenon. He knew it was because he had not used the clothe in a while.

He sighed as he began to clean his clothes.

LESSON There is always a curse on the unused resource or potential.

Emeka had that experience with his clothe because he did not use the clothe for a long time. His suits and native attires were in the same room, yet the suits did not attract any mold, the reason being that they were in consistent use.

One day, Jesus stumbled upon a fig tree while walking with His disciples. He expected to eat from the tree. However, when He got close, He saw that the tree did not bear any fruit. He got angry and cursed that tree to the effect that the tree was not to bear fruit any more. That was the end of the tree’s life. It died. It is possible some people think that Jesus cursed the tree in anger. Whether or not that is true, one thing is certain: He cursed the tree because it failed to utilise its fruit-bearing potential.

What about the parable of the talents? A rich man, when he was set to travel, called three servants of his and gave them talents - five, two and one, respectively. The one with five talents used it for business and made five more. The one with two talents used it for business and made two more.

The one with one talent refused to use his talent. He saved it. What happened? When the rich man returned, he commended the servants with five and two talents, respectively, for using their talents for business and for the 100% return on investment. He, however, chided and punished the servant

with one talent and instructed that the one talent the lazy servant refused to trade with be given to the servant with five talents, who made more five.

It is a natural principle that anything not used diminishes in value. Even medical science tells us that any muscle not exercised for a long time becomes weak. In some cases, this is the reason people have one of their limbs thinner than the other. The same thing applies to the mind. Any mind not exercised becomes dull. Any potential not UTILISED cannot CRYSTALLIZE into a great destiny. Any potential not USED is ABUSED. I ask you today: what is that potential in you that you are letting to lie fallow? What is that TALENT that is LATENT in you? I charge you today to begin to put it to use, and be consistent in using it. By so doing, you would have set out on a journey of greatness and fulfilment.

You will succeed.

References: Matthew 21:18-19; 25:15-30 AND THIS ... FEEDBACK “Hello barrister. I’m glad that others are equally enjoying your write-ups. more wisdom from the throne of grace. thanks for publishing my commendation today (24th July, 2016). blessed. -Thaddeus Anyam.”

Have a blessed week.

Please follow me on Twitter @VictorOkwudiri

to spread about the academy, otherwise I would not have spoken with you.

But like I said before, as the Registrar, the mantle of leadership has fallen on you, how are you holding forth?

Holding forth is not a challenge. I have passed through the career ladder and can confidently say I have what it takes to run the Academy on a stop gap capacity, and also in acting and substantive capacity. Upon my assumption of duty in 1993 in the Planning Department then, I was able to take it through to the Directorate Department. I was in charge of admission and records, and I was involved in placement of cadets for SIWES. After sometime, I was transferred to Research and Statistics, and then redeployed to Personnel Department where I was in the past four years before becoming the Registrar. So, if you talk about the running of the Academy, I know what to emphasise. I have the experience and I can mobilise and deploy resources, human and material. Please don’t misquote me, I am standing in for the late Rector, it is government business to appoint whoever they wish to run the Academy.

How true is the report that the youths in your host community, Oro youths are hostile to staff of the Academy?

Oro youths are stakeholders in the affairs of the Academy; they have responsibility to protect the Academy. So if rather than promote healthy relationship with the Academy, the community chose to become hostile, it will not do them any good. I don’t have the reports you are talking about, what is important is that every stakeholder must come together to ensure that there is conducive atmosphere for the academic, private and social life here.

Osinbajo inaugurates railway concession committee

D

etermined to spur a transformation of railway infrastructure in the country, the Federal Government on Friday inaugurated a steering committee to midwife the concession of the eastern and western lines of the Nigerian Railways.

Speaking at the inauguration of the committee, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, stated that the purpose of the committee is to create a one-stop shop for the concession, fast-track the process and beat the redtep and bureaucratic bottleneck in the public sector.

He said the committee headed by the Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, should be innovative, and further called on the members to remove the obstacles that stand in the way of a smooth concessioning process, hoping that the committee will meet its deadlines and end up “ to be an example of how it should be done.”

He added, “I think this steering committee is extremely important, because we have tried together everybody that should be involved in the project in order to see to it that we deliver quickly and efficiently in a manner that justifies the Federal Government in the project,”

49

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

NSEASI sheds 0.65% Week-on-Week … as YTD return settles at -4.87%

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSEASI) declined by 0.65% WoW, after recording losses on four (4) out of five (5) trading days in the week, to settle YTD return at -4.87%. Volume of transactions advanced by 14.82%, while value of transactions declined by 17.81%. Also, market breadth pegged at 0.46x, signifying eighteen (18) gainers and thirtynine (39) losers in the week.

NPFMCRFBK led the weeks’ gainers, after appreciating by 12.22% WoW to NGN1.01. Other counters on the gainers’ list were; INTBREW (+5.26%), GUARANTY (+4.93%), UAC-PROP (+4.84%) and AGLEVENT (+4.30%).

Conversely, CAP, STERLNBANK, DIAMONDBNK, HONYFLOUR and MRS declined the most in value, with respective price depreciations of 22.43%, 18.75%, 13.87%, 10.69% and 9.74% WoW. Zenith Bank PLC. (ZENITHBANK) released its audited H1:2016 result during the week, which showed that the bank recorded declines in Gross earnings, Profit-Before-Tax and Profit-After-Tax of 6.23%, 12.35%, and 15.68% YoY accordingly. Also, the bank proposed an interim dividend of NGN0.25/share, which based on the closing price for Friday 12th August 2016, (NGN15.30), represents a dividend yield of 1.63%.

We anticipate sustenance of the current market mood given the absence of positive news flow. However, we note the possibility of bargain hunting on depressed stocks.

This report reviews events in the current week, with emphasis on different segments of the financial market, while presenting our expectations for the coming week.

Fixed Income: Activities Signify Strong Sentiments for Bond Instruments The Naira depreciated against the US dollar by 3.96% WoW, at the interbank segment of the market, as the spot rate settled at NGN332.07/USD. However, at the parallel market, the exchange rate was fairly stable around c.NGN395/USD during the week.

Average forward quotes closed at NGN327.94/USD for the week.

In spite of the OMO repayment of NGN113.67bn, which increased financial system liquidity, the average money market rate settled higher at 23.67%, as OBB and OVN rates advanced by 1.92% and 5.36% WoW to settle at 22.50% and 24.84% accordingly.

Investors’ demand for Treasury bond instruments was strong during the week, with a noticeable bias for shorter-termed instruments. Consequently, the average bond yield trended southward to settle at 15.76% for the week, reflecting a 2.84% WoW decline.

In the same vein, the average NIBOR rate contracted by 0.04% WtD to peg at 17.70% on Thursday. We anticipate a rebound in average yield level across instruments, albeit marginally, in the coming week, given the auctions scheduled (OMO, Treasury bills and bond) for next week.

Agric. Sector: OKOMUOIL Steers Sector Performance Bullish sentiments toward Agric. sector stocks was sustained in the week as the MERI-AGRIC index advanced by 1.29% WoW to peg YTD return at 18.10%. Market breadth was at equilibrium, after equal number (1) of stock

the sector.

appreciated and declined in value.

OKOMUOIL emerged as the lone gainer in the week, having appreciated by 2.86% WoW to settle at NGN36.00.

Conversely, LIVESTOCK emerged as the worst performed sector stock, after a 6.25% WoW loss to close share value at NGN0.90.

We maintain a positive outlook for the sector, considering the potential benefits that may accrue to the sector on the back of the government’s economic diversification drive and renewed interest in the Agricultural sector.

Banking sector: ZENITHBANK’s Proposes NGN0.25/share Interim Dividend The banking sector recorded a positive week, gaining 0.47% WoW to peg the YtD return at +8.52%. The sector breadth pegged at 0.33x, as there were three (3) gainers against nine (9) laggards.

GUARANTY (+4.93%) WEMABANK (+4.29%) and ACCESS (+1.64%) populated the gainers list this week, while STERLNBNK (-18.75%), DIAMONDBNK (-13.87%) and SKYEBANK (-8.57%) were the top laggards Zenith Bank PLC. (ZENITHBANK) released its audited H1:2016 result in the week. The result shows Gross earnings, Profit-Before-Tax and Profit-After-Tax all declined by 6.23%, 12.35%, and 15.68% YoY respectively. While the bank made efficiency gains that should have aided growth in PAT, the growth in Loan Loss Expenses (+97.64% YoY), and the decline in non-interest income (-37.05% YoY), resulted in the decline in Earnings-Before-Tax and EarningsAfter-Tax in H1:2016.

Also, Zenith Bank PLC proposed an interim dividend of NGN0.25/share, which based on the closing price on the 12th of August, 2016 (NGN15.30), represents a dividend yield of 1.63%.

Also, the closure date was scheduled for the 23rd of August, while the payment dates for ordinary shareholders and GDR holders are 26th of September and 2nd of October, 2016.

In line with the optimism surrounding yet-to-be released H1:2016 results, given the anticipation of interim dividends, we expect investors to continue to take positions in the coming week, thus pushing the sector further into the positive region.

Consumer Goods Sector: Market Breadth closes at 0.38x Negative sentiments pervaded the consumer goods space in the week, as sector breadth peged at 0.38x, implying eight (8) decliner and three (3) advancers in the week. The sector performance, as measured by the MERI-CMG index, returned -1.51% WoW, pressur-

ing the Year-to-Date performance to -7.77% at the close of the week.

INTERBREW (+5.26%) led the advancers, followed by NASCON (+0.50%) and DANGSUGAR (+0.30%) while HONYFLOUR (-10.69%) led the laggards chart with 7UP (-9.29%), FLOURMILL (-9.01%), PZ (-7.67%) and CHAMPION (-4.99%) trailing closely behind.

Given the dearth of positive news flow in the week, the mood in the sector reflected the overall market sentiments, as investors continued to take profit on counters that raliied in prior weeks. We expect the general market sentiment to continue to dictate the mood on the sector counters.

Insurance Sector: Market favours LAWUNION The insurance sector, as measured by the NGSEINS10, showed a 0.54% WoW decline, thereby, dragging the YtD return to -10.87%. Sector breadth was at equilibrium, as equal (3) number of stocks appreciated and declined in value.

LAWUNION topped the gainers chart, after the counter appreciated by 3.51% WoW to close at NGN0.59.

The counter was followed by AIICO (+2.94%) and MANSARD (+0.48%).

Conversely, NEM emerged as the sector ’s worst performer, paring by 5.88% WoW to close at NGN0.80. The counter was trailed by CONTINSURE (-0.97%) and CUSTODYINS (-2.26%), which closed at NGN0.97 and NGN3.90 respectively. All other counters traded flat.

We expect speculative and bargain hunting activities to dictate sector performance in the coming week.

Healthcare Sector: GLAXOSMITH gains 2.70% to close at NGN19.00 Measured by our MERI-HLTH index, the Healthcare sector recorded a 2.53% week on week gain to peg the sector ’s YtD return at -43.62%. Market breath for the week settled at 0.33x, reflecting one (1) advancer and three (3) decliners.

GLAXOSMITH emerged as the lone gainer in the week, advancing by 2.70% WoW to close at NGN19.00.

PHARMADEKO (-8.43%), FIDSON (-7.69%) and MAYBAKER (-4.39%) on the other hand, were the drags to sector performance in the week. All other counters traded flat.

We attribute the sector ’s performance in the week to the general bearish mood which permeated the equities market. Also, in the absence of sector specific positive news inflows, we anticipate that the bearish sentiments might subsist in the coming week.

Oil & Gas Sector: Year to Date Return settles at -18.75%.

In the absence of positive news flow to sway market movement, bearish sentiments prevailed in the sector as the NSEOILG5 index plunged by 1.27% WoW to drag the YtD return to -18.75%. There were six (6) decliners as against one (1) advancer, pegging the sector ’s breadth at 0.17x.

MRS led the laggards chart for the week after declining by 9.74% WoW to close share price at NGN42.73, while OANDO (-6.46% WoW), MOBIL (-5.00% WoW), ETERNA (-4.46% WoW), TOTAL (-1.25% WoW) and SEPLAT (-0.25%WoW) trailed behind. FO (1.64%) was the only advancer.

Based on OPEC’s newly released oil market report, oil production in Nigeria declined by 2.65% to 1.51MMb/d in July from 1.55MMb/d in June.

Brent crude prices appreciated in the course of the week by 4.96% to USD45.90pb as at Friday, 12th of August 2016. The rally was driven by speculations regarding resumed talks on the possibility of a collective production freeze by OPEC members, following the futile efforts in April.

We expect investors to take advantage of the attractive pricing on some of the growth companies in the sector, in the coming week.

Industrial Goods: WAPCO advances by 4.16% WoW The Industrial goods sector finished the week positive, climbing marginally by 0.02% to drive the YtD return up to 1.34%. Sector breadth (0.67x) for the week, showed that negative sentiments persisted in the week as three (3) stocks declined in value versus two (2) gainers.

WAPCO, after an extended period of bearish trading, led the gainers list with a 4.16% WoW change in price.

DANGCEM also closed marginally up, after advancing in share value by 0.01% WoW. On the other hand, CAP, BERGER and CCNN recorded losses of 22.43%, 9.70%, and 0.75% respectively.

In line with the not so impressive H1:2016 results released by some sector counters, and the consequent ‘sell off’ on some of these stocks, we anticipate bargain hunting activities in the sector, in the coming weeks, as investors begin to take position. Also we expect government spending towards infrastructural development to shape

Services Sector: ACADEMY sheds 4.55%, closes at NGN0.63 The sector ’s performance as measured by the MERISER Index, showed a 0.03% WoW decline, pegging the YtD return at 0.91%. Sector breadth pegged at 0.50x, reflecting two (2) decliners and a lone advancer.

AIRSERVICE continued its gaining streak during the week ended, advancing by 1.91% to close at NGN2.13. It was the only WoW advancer in the sector, for the second consecutive week.

On the flip side, ACADEMY and REDSATREX declined by 4.55% and 0.50% respectively.

In the course of the week, Academy Press Plc released its H1:2016 scorecard revealing a YoY decline in revenue of 2.32% to NGN585.05m. Profit after Tax (PAT), however, rose from the loss position recorded in H1:2015 to NGN14.17m representing a 159.74% YoY growth.

We expect the general market performance to dictate the sector ’s performance in the coming week.

50

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

FAITH

Not a matter of doctrine

O

ne of the happiest moments of my life took place in 1975.

You might think what was special about it. I said “one of”, and not necessarily the happiest day of my life.

I attended Mater Dei High School, Imiringi, Ogbia, now in Bayelsa State in 1970, class 1. I accompanied my elder brother, now Anglican Archbishop to the school where he was posted as secondary school teacher.

At the end of the school session (January – December in those days), he had a job at a Port Harcourt, High Court, so I changed to another school, Okrika Grammar School to read class 2. I took some books from the School library in the former school. I can remember, Dictionary of Geography; Geometry

by Durell and one or two other books I cannot recollect now. I used those books throughout the rest of my Secondary School career in my new school.

In 1971 I gave my life to Christ in my class 2.

Along the line, I was convicted to make restitution. I finally made up my mind to replace them as soon as I had a job. I had a teaching appointment in a Secondary School in 1974,

A

Word of Life Archbishop. Moses Kattey moseskatteyabp@yahoo.co.uk

0808 770 7486

and by 1975, I bought the new books, parceled and posted them to the school with a covering letter. I was very happy. I heard that the Principal talked about nemesis that had caught up with me and all that but it mattered little to me as long as I obeyed the voice of God. And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Sam. 15:22) This also reminds me of one incidence that occurred in 1960s. In those days as a teenager, I set traps of all kinds to kill animals; I went to the bush to haunt animals with catapult. I went to different types of water, streams and lakes to fish both with hooks, basket, and hands especially during dry seasons. I went to the bush and far into forests miles from home to pick snails, to get mushrooms, to pick

fruits like mangoes and apples. I even climbed palm trees to cut palm fruits. I tried to do all that my mates them were supposed to do.

One day, I went to the bush to check my traps and my neighbours trap caught an animal. I took it to give him but it was raining so much that I decided to reach home before going to give him.

As soon as I reached home under the heavy rain, my people rushed to me praising me and by the time I knew it, they had roasted and slaughtered it. I did not have the gut to stop them. That was before the Nigerian – Biafra War, far back 1966/67. I was not born again then.

After the War, and in 1975 when I had money, the Lord convinced me to restore the animal back to the old man, the owner. I went to him and told him the entire story and gave him the money. I apologized. He was surprise, thanked me and blessed me. He gave me back

the money. I had peace – real peace, just because I obeyed His voice, and made restitution.

It was not a matter of doctrine but of obedience.

In the Bible most restitution verses talked about replacing it four-fold or five-fold.

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him four-fold. (Luke 19:8) That period, almost all the tracts I read or books I came across was talking about restitution and it was only when I regarded it as the voice of the Lord and obeyed that I moved forward and had peace. If the Lord had impressed me to restore 4-fold or 5-fold, I could have obeyed. I did it because He asked me to do it, not that it has anything to do with my salvation.

A friend wanted to go to the husband of his former girlfriend to confess / restitute, but I stopped him. It would have caused problem for the wife of the man. He was fornicating with the girl when the man betrothing her was abroad. That is not restitution.

Darling, can we do it later?

family once mentioned how they missed out on acquiring a piece of land in the location they moved into because the wife did not believe that the area was going to develop in the nearest future. She simply told her husband that they should wait for some time before deciding on whether to buy any land there or not.

Her decision was based on her assumption that the area was not developing fast. In a short space of time, and before she knew what was happening; the price of land in that particular place skyrocketed to an unbelievable amount and they could not afford it. This development was not well received by the couple but for the sake of peace, the husband decided to accept the situation. This woman kept blaming herself for what happened.

The blame was heightened when they realized that their friends living in the same location took the advantage they failed to use and became land owners. They had even started building their houses little by little. She realized that she allowed procrastination to rule and direct her mind. She undermined

Marriage & Family Intimacy

Bishop Charles Ighele holyspiritmissioninc@yahoo.com

07066579379/09098845521 what was going to happen and miscalculated the trend in her environment.

This type of situation is capable of causing strife or quarrel between husband and wife if any one of them is not matured enough. And in this case, the husband; being that he wanted to carry on with the purchase. Procrastination is not good to be allowed in our various homes and in whatsoever we are involved in. There are decisions that require urgency. Such issues should be given prompt attention to avoid regrets or blame. There are issues that need to be considered and deliberated upon before arriving at a concluding point. Taking a decision that requires time does not mean such decision should be left to linger for a long time. There is a difference between considering an issue and postponing an issue.

A procrastinator likes delaying an action to a later time or put off what had

been planned to be done to a future date. Someone who postpones work when trace d well has element of laziness and/or carelessness, Proverbs 21:25 says “The desire of the slothful killeth him, for his hands refused to labour.” Each time you delay taking a decision, it depicts procrastination. Success does not have pact with procrastination and laziness. They are anti-success in nature; purely against success and do not in any way leads to success. So many people have lost out of big projects due to procrastination. Their lives have been battered due to this plague existing by reason of being invited and attracted into their lives.

Procrastination is a monster that destroys destinies and makes anyone who accommodates it to be full of regrets. Watch your language because it carries traces of those who procrastinate. When you are always saying things like, “please leave it till

tomorrow,” “later please”, “tomorrow is there,” “I will do it later,” etc. watch it, you may be a procrastinator by nature without knowing it. Another way of knowing if you are one is checking if you are always pushing what you have to do now to a later date or time. And doing that means putting a clog on your wheel of progress.

Procrastination does not encourage advancement.

What usually matters to a procrastinator is to buy time by moving what should have been done now to a future time.

Most families are full of regrets as a result of procrastination. Whenever you postpone an assignment or a mission, you are helping to destroy your destiny; and cutting off what would have come to you or delaying your lifting. If you notice that you have a spouse that has the tendency to procrastinate, you are to try to lift the person out of that pit in love. Gently let the person see the need of doing that project or assignment now instead of pushing it forward. Remind him/her that you do not need to stack tomorrow with the load meant for today. Also allow God to be the centre of your decision making process by praying before deciding and acting, Proverbs 3:5-6.

Mystery of Anxiety Bishop John Ogbansiegbe 0803 341 6327 (SMS Only)

Stay undaunted

“B

ehold I give unto you powers to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over the powers of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you,” - Luke 10:19. This is wonderful.

Do you know what it means? It means that you have been officially given power over the powers of the enemy, that power has put Satan and his entire host under your feet. By the authority of He that is in you, you shall not only be victorious, you shall reign. In other words, Christ shall reign through you until all enemies are brought under his footstool.

By this spiritual position also, the Bible says you are the temple of God: “know ye not that you are the temple of God and that the spirit of God dwells in you,” -1Corenthians 3: 16. Another verse says: “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is in you, which ye have of God; and ye are not your own,” 1Corenthians 6:19. Just open your heart to God through his word and to the Holy Spirit you shall as well become and a mighty weapon in the hands of God. No wonder why the word of God declares: “Thou art my battle axe ad weapon of warfare for with thee will I break in pieces the nations with thee will I destroy kingdoms,” Jeremiah 51:20.

Of truth, one with God is majority. When you have him in you, you are like a war general with millions of soldiers fully armed with sophisticated weapons. This because the Christ in the inside manifest on the outside from time to time. That is why St. Paul asked: “What shall we say then to these things? If God be for us who can be against us,” Roman 8:3.

It was on these spiritual grounds that Elisha stood undauntedly against adversaries of Syria who surrounded his house, one early morning, in their tens of thousands.

In the book of 2Kings 6:12-18, the Syrians were determined to eliminate Elisha who at that time was residing in Dothan; because he was revealing the secrets of the Syrian army to the King of

Israel through the gift of the word of knowledge.

When these enemies gathered around Elisha’s house, Gehazi the servant of the man of God at once became afraid and intimidated. He was feting, fidgeting and panicking and running from pillar t post like a square peg in a round hole. Gehazi peeped through the window and was emotionally shattered when he saw that armed Syrians soldiers were all over and surrounded the house. He had an emotional outburst and he cried out: “Alas Master, what shall we do? In Gehazi’s eyes the situation spelt doom. To him, they were finished.

Just like Gehazi, many Christians out of fear, panic over little issues.

This is not the expectation as Romans 8:15 says: “You have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba father.”

A Shakespearean adage has it that it takes the eyes of a child to fear a painted devil. When Elisha saw how emotionally shattered his servant was; he was not moved because he knew himself and the God he served.

The first things he said servant was : “Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them,” -2Kings 6:16. Elisha prayed Oh Lord open the eyes of this young boy that he may see. Indeed, spiritual blindness is the problem of many believers in our world today. They fear, panic and take wrong conclusions and are even ready to kill themselves before the time, all because are ignorant and spiritually blind not really knowing who is in them and with them. When Elisha finished praying, the Bible records that his eyes opened and he saw something wonderful.

The young man beheld that the mountains were full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

His fear disappeared and he stopped panicking.

Just open your heart to God through his word and to the Holy Spirit you shall as well become and a mighty weapon in the hands of God

51

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016

FAITH

Insight

Rev. Femi Akinola www.thehebrewsng.com

01-790 3163; 0808 584 5864

You have something extra-ordinary 2

Y

ou must be conscious of the fact that you carry something. It takes you to look inward just as David. In the case of Jephtha, the brothers could do nothing to him while their father was alive; they only had to wait till his demise and then cast Jephtha out. Unlike many other people who would accept defeat and play the victim, Jephtha went into the streets and made an army of destitute and homeless people like himself.

In their distressed time of war, they could only fall back on Jephtha for help who eventually led them to victory. He became relevant because he prepared himself. The skill he developed in adversity became his passport to national recognition and international greatness. He didn’t just train to become a man of war; he was amazingly endowed such that he was able to strike a deal with them to become their king when he eventually gains victory for them. They accepted to become his subjects than become slaves to the enemy. When you develop your gifts you must also develop negotiating power.

Don’t spend your life in regret, rediscover yourself and become a force to reckon with.

Joseph was an exceptional slave; he didn’t spend his days in regret, instead he developed his innate gifts and even as a slave. He became the best of Potiphar’s slaves, he had a remarkable testimony even in the prison, the Bible records that ‘…and God was with him…’ even in prison. Finally, through his gifts he went from prison to the palace and became a solution to the famine in the world at that time.

There is always an opportunity in your story to be great. You have to possess skills to qualify you for championship.

You must learn to develop your gifts and wait for the opportunity for God to bring you into a vantage position of negotiation. You cannot make demands until you are in demand yourself.

You are only in demand when every great team, organisation or king wants you. When you

develop your skill you can negotiate your reward.

“They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin.” I Chronicles 12:2 What men don’t respect in your hands is becoming an effective weapon in the name of Jesus. There is opportunity for everyone to rise to become the best at anything in life.

When Samuel visited the house of Jesse to anoint king for Israel on God’s instructions, he asked if those were all of Jesse’s sons. Jesse almost lied because by family tradition David’s future was limited to being a shepherd boy.

And until he came, they all remained standing and when he appeared, the king was anointed.

One of the strategies of the enemy is to use family traditions to stop you using it as excuse for limitation. But the law of God far supersedes every other law.

Even after being anointed, David was sent back to the wilderness to tend his father’s sheep.

They sent him back believing that not even his anointing would deliver him from the family law.

But while in the wilderness, he killed a lion and bear by the anointing.

When he found out about Goliath’s threats in the battlefield, he made enquiries about what will be the reward for taking Goliath down.

When his brothers heard him asking those questions, they were not only threatened, they also felt he was trying to escape the family tradition of tending sheep and they tried to shut him down.

They felt he was too small to try to change the family precedence, so they asked him under whose care he had left the sheep. Those who heard David talking confidently brought news to the king who eventually sent for him. The king allowed him to fight not because he trusted or believed in his confidence but because you know when you’re left with no choice, you would care less as to where solution could come from.

The consequences of ignorance

Last week, I ended the first installment of the above topic with reference to the moral challenge of the wealthy world. The discourse continues. I will not say that only the rich individuals and wealthy nations have these moral challenges. It is common to all. Even in those countries where millions are dying on daily basis, there are many others who could easily afford to take care of others.

But just like in wealthy nations, they too are busy with getting more comfortable on a daily basis.

It is because of my awareness of this egocentric nature of man that I have come to the conclusion that the best way to resolve the problem of poverty in Africa and other developing countries, is not really through distribution of food or money. My personal journey from a 40-hut village to an international speaker has taught me that the best way out is to empower our people with knowledge. The reason behind my suicide attempt, as I was later to discover, was really not the lack of money or food. The main reason that led to my poverty which almost killed me prematurely was lack of knowledge.

I have since come to discover that even in wealthy nations, this menace of ignorance, especially in the area

The Purpose of Nations

Pastor Sunday Adelaja pastor@godembassy.org

of money, is as deadly as in my 40-hut village of Idomila. Ignorance is indeed the biggest enemy of all. When it comes to poverty, the biggest reason for it is still ignorance. I therefore make bold to say that poverty is not a product of productivity or lack of it, even though that could be its consequence.

The real reason behind poverty is the ignorance of the laws of money. It is that ignorance that later leads to lack of discovery, leads to lack of productivity, leads to lack of sales, leads to lack of opportunities and leads to lack of services, etc.

Where that ignorance is present, poverty is a possibility. That could be both in Africa and Europe. I have since come to the conclusion that to liberate Africa from the grip of poverty, we must first empower Africa with the revolutionary knowledge of the laws of money. Back to my case in the village and my attempt at suicide, the flow of my thought at that time as I can still vividly remember was: why were some people around me so wealthy and yet my family was so

poor? I often wondered why I was so unfortunate to have been born into such a family.

I never could consider that those families who were wealthy were not just lucky or fortunate.

I was never told that anyone who controls real wealth was first wealthy in their minds. Even those who were illiterate in the village nevertheless were very literate in the laws of money. The problem was not in the family where I was born.

My problem was that my family was not exposed to these laws. We were not told of these laws either by our wealthy neighbors or the society I lived in. Neither our school system nor media program gave out any hints on how to make money.

To make things worse, the churches around us were not teaching anything in the area of economic empowerment or laws of money. On the opposite, our family and many other families around were rather constantly embarrassed that we could not give to the church as much as other families. In some cases, churches will

actually be responsible for the feelings of guilt and inadequacy through their constant push for more and more offering.

If Africa is to break the claws of poverty, all our churches, cultural and community centers, must begin to teach and educate the people on the laws of money and the principles of economic empowerment. Our churches must be reoriented. We must begin to tell the people not to just come to church on Sundays to pray to God, but that after Sunday they have a place to come to on Fridays and Saturdays to learn the laws of productivity and other basic skills that will help them put food on the table for their families.

If we could get every church, cultural and community center in Africa to begin to teach skill acquisitions, economic empowerment, process of production, and other laws of money, only then would we be able to liberate our land and continent. It is for this purpose I put in a book form all the laws and principles of making and multiplying money that I have learned over the years in the book called “MONEY WON’T MAKE YOU RICH.” My goal is to liberate 40 million people from the grip of poverty in Africa and beyond. *To be continued next week

‘Without religious liberty, you don’t have liberty” – Trump

R

epublican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, is laying out a plan to protect pastors from the IRS, reports Christian Breaking news.

On Thursday, he addressed hundreds of faith leaders at a Pastors and Pews conference in Orlando, Florida, saying the government has been trying to hinder the influence of Christians in the political system for years.

“Christians have been silenced like a child,” Trump told his audience Thursday afternoon. He says it is particularly a problem with the Obama administration.

His speech encompassed the current trials Christians have been facing in recent weeks and over the past few years in the country when it comes to freedom of speech — limitations he says have come mainly from the White House or connected to it.

His solution? Repeal the Johnson Amendment.

The 1954 legislation created by then Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson limits the free speech of pastors, essentially threatening to take away a church’s or non-profit’s tax-exempt status for endorsing or opposing a political candidate.

“They get absolutely hit with the 501(c)(3), which is the tax exempt status, which is a tremendous hit. It’s a shattering hit, and it really keeps them silent,” Trump told his audi-

ence Thursday afternoon.

“Free speech is being taken away from people who are saying good things, not bad things. And if I can do that, I will have done a great thing for religion as a whole, and it’s so important to me,” he said.

Trump knows it’s a major selling point to get Christians from the pews to the polls.

“The words I said today are so important. I was honored to get the ovation I got, but they understand. I think it will be a tremendous achievement if we can get it done, and I know we can get it done,” Trump told CBN News.

“If we can get elected, that’s why I say on November 8, everyone has to get out and vote because four years ago evangelicals didn’t get out and vote. Christians didn’t vote,” he said.

The business mogul is trying to change that by attending events like Thursday’s Pastors and Pews conference — and by showing a softer, more humble side.

“In your RNC acceptance speech, it was a really endearing moment, you thanked evangelicals for their support but you said, ‘I don’t necessarily always deserve it.’ Why did you say that?” CBN’s Jenna Browder asked.

52

SCIENCE

SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

08035624538

Scientistsdevelop‘DNAfingerprinting’ to identify rapists (2) With an estimated 500,000 rape cases every year in South Africa where a woman is raped every 17 seconds, the country has the highest rate of rape crimes in the world followed by India, USA, and Sweden. The Medical Research Council of South Africa has estimated that only one in nine rapes case in South Africa are reported due to stigmatization and other societal factors. In Nigeria for example, the rape of minors has become a recurring decimal. However, the good news is that with the new technique developed in science - DNA fingerprinting-when applied effectively, the issue of rape in the world will be minimized drastically.

Science Writer, STANLEY CHIBUIHEM AMALAHA, takes a look at this technique and its importance to society

•Electrophoretic analysis of the rape case In most criminal cases, the electrophoresis pattern produced from the evidence collected at the crime scene is compared to the electrophoresis pattern made by DNA obtained from the suspect or suspects. Consider the electrophoretic migration pattern of DNA segments obtained as evidence in the rape case of Miss Linda, who resides in Lagos, which is under investigation.

Each spot indicates how far DNA segments of specific size migrated during the electrophoresis experiment. Rows 1, 5, 8, and 9 are reference markers of DNA exhibiting a known range of molecular masses. Spots at the far left represent the longest, heaviest segments of DNA; spots at the far right represent the lightest, shortest segments. Row 3 is DNA from a semen sample found on the victim’s clothing (Linda), and row 6 is DNAobtained by swabbing her vaginal canal shortly after the attack. Not surprisingly, the positions of the spots in these two rows are identical. To avoid possible mis-identification, it is also

P

Stanley Chibuihem rof. Ukachukwu Ogbonna Oparaku of the Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has emerged the Dean of engineering of the university. He resumed on August 1, 2016.

Born in Nekede in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. Oparaku attended the famous Government Secondary School Afikpo, now in Ebonyi State, and obtained his West African School Certificate in 1975, with a distinction. The same year, he was offered admission into the University of Nigeria , Nsukka, from where he graduated in 1980, with a Second Class (Upper) honours degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering.

Following his one-year mandatory National Youth Service at the West African Examinations Council in Lagos, the young engineer joined the services of the General Electric Company (telecommunications) at Apapa, Lagos, where he first worked as a Maintenance Engineer, and later as a Special Projects Engineer. At G.E.C., Lagos, Oparaku pioneered the utilization of solar panels to power radio transmitters and receivers which the company installed for the Nigeria Police within Ibadan Metropolis.

Driven by the passion for academic excellence, he resigned the job in G.E.C. in September 1983 and joined the National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, as a Graduate Assistant. In 1985 he obtained a British Council Scholarship to embark on Postgraduate Studies at the University of Northumbia at Newcastle, United Kingdom, where he acquired a PhD

important to include a sample of the woman’s own DNA, which gives the pattern in row 7.

•Electrophoretic results of Linda’s rape case Now look at rows 2 and 4. Row 2 is characteristic of the DNA in a blood sample obtained from suspect A; row 4 is from a blood sample from suspect B. B’s genetic fingerprint matches the DNA from the semen samples in rows 3 and 6.

The evidence obtained strongly indicates that the suspect A is innocent and that suspect B is probably guilty, but caution is required. A matching DNA fingerprint does not absolutely prove the guilt of a suspect. It is possible that DNA from two individuals might yield the same electrophoresis patterns, but it is highly unlikely. To increase the odds of accurate identification, comparisons of the sort just described are typically done on DNA from three or more different chromosomes. As the number of determinations increases, so does the improbability of finding any two individuals with identical DNA fingerprints.

•Mechanism To see how this works, suppose that the statistical data base indicates that one person in 100 will exhibit a particular DNA pattern obtained from chromosome number 1. This would mean that there is a 1 in 100 chance that a suspect with that pattern is not the source of the simple. But also assume that the frequency of the observed pattern from another chromosome, say number 8, is 1 in 1000; and that the frequency of the observed pattern from chromosome number 12 is again 1 in 1000. Probabilities are multiplicative, therefore.

Total probability = 1/100 x 1/1000 x 1/1000 = 1/100,000,000 In this example, the odds that any two individuals would have the same genetic fingerprints are 1 in 100 million. Conversely, if the DNAfrom a suspect matches a sample from this crime scene, chances are 99,999,999 out of 100,000,000 that he was the source of the original sample. Such probabilities can be very convincing especially if the suspect has a motive and can be otherwise

placed at the scene of the crime.

•DNA fingerprinting in genetic identification Criminal investigation is not the only use of DNA fingerprinting. It is a powerful tool in genetic identification. For example, it is used routinely to prove or disprove paternity, because it is far more specific than blood typing. DNA can even be extracted from bone, and the base sequence can be used to identify human remains.

Such studies were recently carried out on bones exhumed from a mass grave near Yekaterinburg, Russia, the site of the massacre of Czar Nicholas II and his family in 1918. The DNA was compared with samples from living relatives of the last Russian royal family and found to match sufficiently well to conclude that the remains were indeed those of the Romanovs. Similarly, when Osama Bin-Laden, was killed by the Americans, it was DNA fingerprinting that helped them to prove 99.999% that he was the one because of conflicting reports that Osama Bin-Laden was evolving.

American satellite, launched in May 1987.

Returning to Nigeria in December 1988, then Dr. Ogbonna Oparaku, rose from the rank of Graduate Assistant to the rank of Professor in October 2003.

In October 2004, Prof. Oparaku was found worthy to be appointed Director/CEO of the National Centre for Energy research and Development, a position he held for five years, during which the Research centre experienced phenomenal growth.

An academic to the Core, Prof. Oparaku has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings and co-authored some books. He has more than 70 publications to his credit.

By virtue of his academic prowess and the management/administrative positions which he held at various times, Prof. Oparaku has travelled widely to present papers at local and international scientific meetings.

He has participated as a delegate of the Federal Government of Nigeria in several scientific meetings and bilateral engagements on Energy. He has also pioneered and supervised the design, installation, maintenance and inspection of many renewable energy systems projects in Nigeria.

As an astute university teacher and administrator, he has served as a member of several university committees and the Head of Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Nigeria Nsukka.

Prof. Oparaku has served as a resource person at several scientific and technical meetings, conferences, seminars and workshops.

He has also served as a consultant to many agencies, among which are UNDP and Energy Commission of Nigeria.

Prof. Oparaku emerges Dean of engineering, UNN

Oparaku

in 1988, in Solid State Electronics, with emphasis on the ‘Fabrication, Characterisation and Stability Studies of InP/ITO Solar Cells’.

His pioneer work on this type of solar cell produced the first batch of radiation-resistant InP/ITO Solar Cells tested in space on an

He is a member of several professional bodies, among which are; (i) Nigerian Society of Engineers. (ii) Nigerian Institute of Electrical

and Electronic Engineers (iii) Institute of Electrical and Elec

tronic Engineers. (iv) Solar Energy Society of Nigeria. (v) International Solar Energy Society. (vi) Nigerian Meteorological Society Professor Oparaku is a COREN Registered Engineer.

He was in 2003, honoured with the award of “Fellow of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (FSESN).

He has received other awards from the following organizations/agencies. (i) British Council (ii) British Aerospace Department (iii) Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (iv) International Centre for Theoreti

cal Physics. (v) Global Journal Series (vi) PSR Magazine – The Nigerian

Golden Jubilee Award.

SUNDAY

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

Usain Bolt vows to win third 100m gold at Rio

Okagbare begins quest for gold in spectacular fashion

p.55

53

Mourinho: Man United will not always attack

p.55

p.55

SPORTS

Deputy Sports Editor Dapo Sotuminu daposotu@yahoo.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Aruna Quadri will win gold at Tokyo 2020, says Bello Dapo Sotuminu

T

he chief coach of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Nosiru Bello, has predicted that the Rio 2016 Olympics quarter finalist, Aruna Quadri, will be good to win the gold medal in the men’s singles event at the next edition of the Olympic Games-Tokyo 2020.

Bello declared that the reigning African number one men’s player, would be unstoppable at the world stage in the next two years and come Tokyo 2020, he would be ripe enough to win the gold medal.

“He is a very talented player and very focused in his career that is why he plays professional tennis for two European clubs in France and Portugal. He keep improving his game day in and out. The record he set at the Rio Olympics could not be set by any of Nigeria’s former great players like Atanda Musa, Kasali Lasisi, Francis Williams, Sunday Eboh, Yomi Bankole and not even Segun Toriola who had played in seven Olympic Games. Quadri should be given kudos for setting this record. He is also the number one player in the men’s category in the Commonwealth Games. A lot of people love him and he is a young energetic player who always keeps his head low.”

He noted that, the glorious reign of the world number 27 player, Aruna, has been made possible in the last four years because of a massive financial investment made possible by a number of sponsorships. He stressed that, for a fresh breed of successors to continue the great work of Aruna Quadri, there is the need for the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation to be give an active sponsorship towards achieving this goal.

“What Aruna Quadri did at the Rio Olympics 2016 was a result of massive sponsorship from some great multinational companies who had foresight. For this new project, there is the need for one top company in Nigeria to pick up the bills and I am sure they will not regret putting their money in Nigerian table tennis.”

The coach stated that, Nigeria badly needs quality players who will succeed and continue the good work the Rio Olympics quarter finalist is doing just as Aruna gracefully succeeded Segun Toriola and the seventh time Olympian succeeded legendary Atanda Musa.

Nosiru Bello noted that, the quest for other players to step into Aruna Quadri’s shoes in the future will be pursued vigorously, more so when Nigeria has an array of upcoming players who are already doing great in the various categories. This group of young aspiring players include; Bode Abiodun, Ojo Onaolapo, Azeez Daniel, Kazeem Makanjola, Seun Ajetunmobi, Nurudeen Hassan and Azeez Solanke among others. “With hardwork, I belief strongly that we won’t have any problem raising players who will even be greater than Segun Toriola and Aruna the two current top African table tennis players.

We have a lot of talented youngsters who are coming up, it is a matter of time and with good sponsorship we shall get there. At a point of Nigeria’s history, table tennis was the second most popular sport in Nigeria after football as we had tables for the sport in all corners of the country, in all the local government areas across the country. With good financial support Nigerian table tennis players can rise to be greater than Chinese players who have been dominating the game at the world level for a long time now,” he said.

An excited Quadri said: speaking after his impressive Rio feat an. “I feel so happy playing at the quarter-final of the Olympic Games. It is like a dream come true and I am very happy and satisfied with my performance

Quadri

in Rio and I must say that the achievement belongs to all African federations and players and it is not just a personal feat.”

Narrating his mission in Rio, he said: “Initially, I came here just to enjoy myself because I knew the qualities of players that qualified for the games. Apart from the Chinese, all other participants had 50-50 chances against one another and for that reason I was a bit relaxed and started playing without pressure. Also I had it in my mind that I am not in Rio just to add to the number of participants but to make an impact. I must also say that my qualification to the quarter-final stage is as a result of my hard work and the success just came at the right time of my birthday. I strongly believe I have the potential but I was not expecting to have qualified for quarter-final and I was optimistic but it was not going to be easy.”

Aruna was, however, not happy that the Team Nigeria table tennis team stayed back in Nigeria to train instead of going on a training tour before the Games: “Training in Nigeria did not help my situation in Rio but my 10-month experience in Portugal and France with different coaches helped me a lot. Also, Segun Toriola helped me as well by telling me the weaknesses of every opponent because he is familiar with most of them. In training, Toriola’s advice really helped me to change my tactics positively and he was always there for me. I can say that Toriola is a great legend of the sport.”

On his quarter-final loss to world number one, China’s

Ma Long, the 2014 ITTF Star Player noted that he was not disappointed with his performance against Ma Long because he had nothing to lose against him and he was not really scared of him. “In the first instance, he is a much better player but I did not put that in my mind before the match started. I took on Ma Long the way I confronted my previous opponents. But Ma Long was too strong for me as I could not respond very well but I strongly believed that when next I play against him I will win one set at least.”

Quadri is eagerly looking forward to the new ranking, which he said: “This is a new positive improvement and I am waiting for the next world ranking. When I rose to top 30 two years ago, I was under serious pressure to maintain my ranking because it had never happened to me. After some time, the pressure went away and I am now getting used to playing under pressure. But this time around I am not going to be playing under pressure in order to maintain my new status. I also need more support to play more tournaments so that I can keep my place in the world ranking without dropping down the ladder. I am fully ready to work harder than before and may God continue to crown all my efforts with successes.”

Quadri will be representing Africa at the ITTF World Cup in Germany in October and he is happy that the Rio Olympic Games has helped prepare him for the big challenges at the World Cup.

54

Rio 2016 Olympic update

Sport

Alex Morgan (football). The youngest member of the 2011 U.S. World Cup team, she won gold at the London 2012 Olympics and was named the U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year.

Most Beautiful Female Athletes at Rio Olympics Dapo Sotuminu

Amber Hill (shooting). At just 18, Amber Hill has already won three gold medals ahead of her first Games

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

T

he 2016 Rio Olympics just like other Olympics Games in the past is not all about the sports competitions, aside from anything it also entails culture and education, which go along with other things like beauty, fashion and other facets of the good things about life and people.

Since the Games started a week ago, two marriages have been sealed, one between a male and a female and the other between two females. Two boxers have been detained over sexual assaults.

The crime wave and the water pollu-

tion in Brazil have also not been a good story. Despite all these there has been a massive showcase of beautiful athletes competing for their various countries in the events.

More than any other sport at the Olympics, beach volleyball attracts attention because of the open beauty on display and what female players wear. Many criticise the sport’s apparent objectification of women, arguing that the sculpted athletes in their tiny attire are used to increase popularity.

This story looks at the showcase of the most beautiful female competitions at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Camille Leblanc Bazinet (weightlifting).

Camille Leblanc-Bazinet is a Canadian professional CrossFit Games athlete.

Antonija Sandrić (basketball).The Croatia basketball player also plays for Toulouse Métropole Basket in the Ligue Féminine de Basketball.

Kelsey Robinson (volleyball). At 6’2″, she is a valuable player for the U.S. team. Aged 24, Rio 2016 is her first Olympics.

Australian hurdler Michelle Jenneke hit the headlines during 2012 with her warm-up regime at the Barcelona junior world championships.

Darya Klishina (athletics). Klishina will be representing native Russia in the long jump

Natasha Hastings (Athletics). Will be representing U.S. in the 400m and 4x400m relay.

Deajah Stevens (athletics). The 200m runner is at her first Olympics and has become the first female student athlete from the University of Oregon to qualify for the Games in track and field.

Lauren Sesselman (football).The Canadian is an Olympic medalist silver She plays for the Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League, and also has her own fitness DVD out.

Leryn Franco (athletics). The Paraguay A javelin thrower, is also a model.

Francesca Piccinini (volleyball).

A fifth Games for Italy’s mostcapped and longest-serving volleyball star

Paige Spiranac (golf). The U.S. golfer rose to fame after her Instagram page got millions of followers but now she is solely focused on Rio.

Sania Mirza (tennis).The 29-year-old Indian star has three Grand Slam doubles titles and reached the last eight of the 2012 Games

Michelle Jenneke (athletics). Australian hurdler Michelle Jenneke hit the headlines during 2012 with her warm-up regime at the Barcelona junior world championship

US Basketball star Elena Delle Donne is at her first Games. The 6ft 5in blonde attended the University of Delaware

Zsuzsanna Jakabos (swimming).

A fourth Games for the Hungarian beauty.

55

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

Usain Bolt vows to win third 100m gold at Rio W

orld and Olympic champion, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt entered the Joao Havelange Stadium to a huge roar and he duly delivered, jogging to a time of 10.07 seconds win in Heat 7 ahead of today’s semi-finals and final as he bids for a triple-triple gold.

Unlike recent Games, that wasn’t enough to annihilate the field, as Bolt’s casual striding 10.07 was just enough to finish first in his heat. The quest for the third consecutive Olympic gold 100m

Usain

medal is still on for the Jamaican.

Bolt’s start was not to his liking but he pushed on to pip Bahrain’s Andrew Fisher in the final 10m to win the heat.

Justin Gatlin ran a 10.01 for Team USA to win his heat and pace the field.

Bolt’s time was the fourth-fastest of the preliminaries. Ben Youssef Meite of the Ivory Coast finished second and Andre De Grasse of Canada was second.

Nigeria born Great Britain’s runner, Chijindu Ujah, qualified in heat one as one

M

Mourinho

of the top two places in his heat, though Bahrain’s Kemarley Brown won despite both being handed a time of 10:13seconds.

James Dasaolu came in third in Bolt’s heat with a time of 10:18 seconds and is amongst the fastest losers who will move on to the semi-finals.

Jamaican Yohan Blake moved into the semi-finals with a 10:01 and Beast Mode will be hoping to fulfill his potential tomorrow after a series of mishaps.

One of the brightest prospects in men’s sprinting, Trayvon Bromell, qualified too, though the American came in behind Cote d’Ivorie’s Ben Youssef Meite.

Okagbare begins quest for gold in spectacular fashion

Mourinho: Man United will not always attack

anchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, says his team will not always deploy an attacking style and does not think that represents a change to the club’s identity.

The former Chelsea boss is preparing to take charge of his first Premier League match at his new team when they travel to play Bournemouth today.

Pep Guardiola has insisted he will never sacrifice his style of play in order to achieve results, but ‘The Special One’ says he will do whatever it takes for United to achieve victories.

“I have grown up in football as a manager since 2001 more or less and - especially when I came to England in 2004 - I saw Man United as a winning team, not as always an attacking team,” Mourinho told reporters. ““I played sometimes against Man United and Man United was a defensive team. I played Real Madrid-Manchester United in Madrid and they crossed the midfield line twice and Wayne Rooney played outside left to defend my right back.

“I saw them always as a winning team with an attacking philosophy, yes, but a winning team and the winning team needs to score more goals than they concede.

Sport

N

Hull City stun champions, Leicester, in EPL opener

H

ull City put their abysmal preseason to one side to stun Premier League champions Leicester City on the opening day.

The Tigers came into the contest without a full-time manager following Steve Bruce’s departure - caretaker boss Mike Phelan took charge of the home side on Saturday - and just 13 fit senior professionals but produced a performance full of spirit to see off Claudio Ranieri’s men.

A second-half strike from Robert Snodgrass proved the difference, the Scotland international driving home from inside the area after Kasper Schmeichel had carelessly giving away possession.

Earlier, Riyad Mahrez’s penalty had drawn Leicester level following Adama Diomande’s spectacular opener on the stroke of half-time.

Leicester will look back ruefully on a first-half they dominated without making it count - Jamie Vardy particularly wasteful in front of goal.

Vardy completely missed his kick in the 19th minute after good work down the left from Ahmed Musa, with Mahrez blasting wide seconds later after picking up the loose ball.

Solution to Cross Word Puzzle

Okagbare

Segun Toriola joins ‘7 Club’ in Rio

A

fter being officially inducted into the 7’ Club at the Olympic Games, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has described Nigeria’s Segun Toriola as a global brand that deserved honour by the world table tennis ruling body.

Speaking at the celebration organised to honour the most decorated table

tennis player in Africa, ITTF President, Thomas Wiekert, believes the feat achieved by the Nigerian should be an inspiration to athletes across the world particularly in Africa.

he Sports Ministry has set up a three-man panel to investigate allegations of abuse of Personal Identification Cards known as PVCs or accreditation cards.

This followed a mail dated August 12 and signed by Lenny Abbey, Head of NOC Relations and Services, which read: “It has come to our attention that there has been abuse of accreditation by the Nigerian Football team.

“Rio 2016 Accreditation Department reported that upon arrival in Manaus on the August 4, 2016, the team claimed that they all lost their PVCs and requested accreditation management

EPL Results

Hull City 2 - 1 Leicester Burnley 0 - 1 Swansea Crystal Palace 0 - 1 West Brom Everton 1 - 1 Tottenham Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Stoke City Southampton 1 - 1 Watford Man City 2 - 1 Sunderland

Today fixture

Bournemouth vs Man Utd Arsenal vs Liverpool

Monday

Chelsea vs West Ham

Toriola

Sports Ministry set up panel to investigate U-23 padded list

T

igeria’s top sprinter, Blessing Okagbare, has cruised to the semi-final of the women’s 100m semifinals.

The 27-year-old finished second in Heat 3 behind USA’s Tori Bowie.

Bowie and Okagbare both cruised through heat 3 in a time of 11:13seconds and 11:16seconds respectively as Athletics hots up at the ongoing Olympic Games in Rio. Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare, who won gold in the 100m and 200m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 will also represent Nigeria in the women’s sprint double and 4x100m relay, as well as long jump.

Team Nigeria is featuring athletes in the men/women’s 100m and 200m, men’s 110m hurdles, women’s 100m hurdles, men/women 400m hurdles, women’s long, women’s high jump, women’s discuss and men/women shot put. Others are men’s triple jump, women’s heptathlon and women’s 4x100m.

to re-issue the cards. On August 8, members of the team came to Sao Paolo and claimed they had lost their cards in Brasilia and requested a re-print. The security department has also informed that they had found PVCs that have been laminated with a plain laminator and have been used to access football hotels and venues where there is no electronic access control.

“Using cancelled accreditation or counterfeiting accreditation by laminating PVCs to grant access to unaccredited support staff, family and friends is unacceptable and goes against the Rio 2016 and IOC policies and rules.”

Rio Table Tennis: China dismisses Nigeria 3-0 in Team event

N

ewly crowned Grand Slam Champion, MA Long, (CHN) and his opponent ZHANG Jike (CHN) joined forces together with XU Xin to beat Nigeria 3-0 in the first round of the Men’s Team event which started Saturday at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Riocentro 3.

Long, it was who stopped Nigeria’s shining star in Rio, Aruna Quadri in the quarter-finals and went ahead to beat his team mate Zhang Jike to win the glamorous men’s singles gold medal.

MA stated: “It’s the first Team event, and it’s a good start for us. Jike and I played the Men’s Singles final so we didn’t really have time to prepare for the Team event, so both of us hope to quickly adjust our mindsets and get ready for the Teams. For XU Xin, he has been preparing here for half a month to get ready for the Team event.”

BUSINESS MFB rate is high, but it's reaching the unbanked -Whensu

}45

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

SUNDAY

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

N150

Aruna Quadri will win gold at Tokyo 2020, says Bello }53

Powers, limits, extent of Appropriation in Budget Matters by the NASS vis-a-vis the role of the President (Part 2) ENCORE This week, we continue and conclude our discourse on the powers, limits, extent of appropriation in budget matters by the NASS vis-à-vis the role of the President.

The process of this “padding” is long, tortuous, engaging and could be rancorous.

Where this prevents the budget from emerging timeously, section 82 (1) of the Constitution permits Mr. President to withdraw and use money in any financial year from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for a period of six months, provided the amount so withdrawn does not exceed the sum approved by the NASS in the year immediately preceding the financial year.

Indeed, section 83 permits the NASS to establish Contingencies Funds for the Federation, to enable the President attend to urgent and unforeseen expenditures not covered by either the Appropriation or Supplementary Appropriation Bills.

PADDING BY THE EXECUTIVE If there was any padding at all in the present 2016 budget, it was by the Executive. No one has told me that the alarming figures I had queried in an earlier write up have been removed.

When PMB on 22nd December, 2015, presented his first budget proposal tagged: “The Budget of Change”, to a joint sitting of NASS, he had declared that it was a zero-based rather than envelope-system budget, which would ensure that resources are aligned with government’s priorities and allocated efficiently. But shockingly, the budget was either padded, items overpriced, allocations serially replicated or some damn inanities and frivolities included.

The ministers of health and information had publicly denounced their ministries phoney allocations, pleading “non est factum” (it is not my deed). An elephantine sum of N3.8 billion was earmarked for the State House Medical Centre. Of this, N308 million was to construct a new VIP wing at the clinic. Aside N3.21 billion budgeted for health equipment and supplies for the Medical Centre, another “State House HQTRS” listed a N203, 273 million for drugs and medical supplies.

Comparatively, construction of all hospitals in Nigeria were allocated a paltry N2.6 billion only. A princely sum of N322.4 million was allocated to link a mere cable to the drivers’ restroom at the Presidential Villa.

Another N213.8 million was proposed for linking a cable from Guest House No 9 generator house to the gate. N618.6 million was for the installation of electrical lighting and fittings at the Villa, which equate to spending N1.6 million daily and another N371.7 million for the installation of electrical distribution boards and other cables. Presidential Guest House needed N400 million face-lift, while Aso Rock Guest House face lift was estimated to cost N387.9 million.

The most bizarre of all these was the N22.3 million budgeted for residential rent at the State House, with meals and refreshments costing N436 million, which include canteen/kitchen equipment, foodstuff and catering materials for the President/Vice President. Sporting and games equipment for the State House and Presidential Air Fleet and office of the State Head of Service of the Federation was to cost Nigerians N252.8 million. N904 million was budgeted to acquire brand new exotic automobile fleet and its

The

Nigerian Project

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08094777755 (sms only) maintenance. While N259 million was for the purchase of “tyres, batteries, fuses, Toolboxes, car jacks, tyre changing ‘machines’ and kits”, another N27, 000,000 was to purchase C-caution signs, fire extinguishers, towing ropes and booster cables for the Aso Rock automobile fleet.

The Ministry of Defence even proposed N1.39 billion for the procurement of a houseboat in Abuja, a floating house mostly used for relaxation and a dwelling place by top military officers, when thousands of soldiers were dying in confrontation with Boko Haram. The Ministry of Information and Culture had budgeted N99, 2 million for 1,600 chairs at the National Theatre and N140.9 million for computers for National Troupe of Nigeria. Lai Mohammed, the Minister cried blue murder, saying it was not his budget.

The Ministry of Interior budgeted N6.2 billion for “research and development”, the Nigerian Prison Service, N500 million for “capacity building”. The Nigeria Immigration Service had only N86 million in 2015, but the figure giraffed to N2.12 billion in the 2016 budget.

Scandalous different prices were quoted for the same item by different MDAS and institutions. A unit of Toyota Hilux van was valued at N1,264,941 by the Gashaka Gumti National Park; N5,700,000 by the Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency; N6, 500,000 by Federal Government Girls’ College Owerri; N7, 500,000 by the Ministry of Technology, Akure; and N9,178,142

by Federal Government Girls’ College Umuahia; Federal Government College Ezzamgbo, Abakaliki is N10,000,000; N11,147,675 by the Federal Technical College Lassa; N12,888,016 by the Ministry of Health; N13,500,000 by the Federal Government College, Okigwe; N15,970,515 by the Foreign Service Adviser; N27,273,523 by the Federal Technical College, Ikare; and N27,660,000 by Federal Government Girls’ College Kazaure. Thus, the same Hilux van graduated from N1.2 million to N27 million. This is what you call classical “budget padding”. President Buhari was so shocked that he sacked some officials of the government!

BUDGETING IN OTHER JURISDICTION The US budgetary process was established by the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, brought about by President Harding, which required submission of an annual budget to congress.

Even then, Congress did not have any formal process for establishing a coherent budget before 1974, when newly elected President Richard Nixon began to refuse to spend funds that the Congress had already allocated. Congress frowned at this and adopted a more formal means to chal-

lenge him. The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 thus created the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) which had a firmer control of the budget away from the President's Office. The Act was passed easily, at a time the administration was embroiled in the Watergate scandal and unwilling to further provoke Congress.

The President in US submits a budget request to Congress, after formulating it for months with the assistance of the Office of Management and Budget, (the largest office within the Executive Office of the President). Mr. President's budget proposals are referred to the House and Senate Budget Committees and to the CBO. Other relevant committees at this time also submit requests and estimates to the budget committees.

The House and Senate may even propose separate budgets independent of the President's budget, and at different times.

A conference committee is required to resolve differences between House and Senate appropriation bills. Once a conference bill has passed both chambers of Congress, it is sent to the President, who may sign the bill or veto it. If he signs, the bill becomes law.

Otherwise, Congress must pass another bill to avoid a shutdown of at least part of the

federal government. Where this fails, Congress may enact continuing resolutions that provide for the temporary funding of government operations; otherwise there would be a government shutdown such as happened in October, 2013.

UK’S BUDGETARY SYSTEM Budgets are usually set once every year.

They are announced in the House of Commons by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In the UK, the fiscal year is termed the "financial year", it begins on the 1st of a month and ends on 31 March of the following calendar year.

The Prime Minister's cabinet exerts significant control over Parliament since the Prime Minister must have a majority in the House of Commons to retain power. This means that his budgetary estimates request is generally granted. Departments of government usually submit their funding requests called "Main Supply Estimates" to HM Treasury.

BUDGET IN GHANA There are two major steps involved in the budgetary process in Ghana. Firstly, the closed, non transparent step which has eight stages.

The second Major stage is that Parliament approves the budget, after constituting Finance, Select Committee, to undertake detailed scrutiny of budget proposals, a scrutiny that appears perfunctory, hurried, superficial and partisan for sundry reasons.

LAST LINE Are the Legislators, Executive, Nigerians, et al, reading and digesting this Sunday Sermon on the Mount of the Nigerian Project by Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN, OFR, FCIArb? • Follow me on twitter @ MikeozekhomeSAN

Cross Word Puzzle

with Olulana Kayode 08023183727 Instructions on how to play the game •With reference to the ‘clues across’ and ‘clues down’ below, you shall try to provide answers to the clues, by writing the answer in the puzzle box provided on the left side.

•The number in parenthesis indicates the total number of letters making up the solution or answer you will provide.

•Keep on answering all the questions until all the spaces in the puzzle box are completely filled up.

Good luck!

Clues Across 1 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 16 17 18 22 23 24 25 26

Ex Police IG, Sunday ___, (7).

Place somebody in seat, (3).

Undertake legal proceedings, (3).

'Head' in Igbo, (3).

Very small, (3).

Shout loudly, (4).

Multiply items by itself twice, (4).

Burundi, abbr. (2).

Bovine draft animal, (2).

Lowest singing voice, (4).

Make loud deep sound, (4).

Former INEC Chairman, (3).

Fermented malt alcoholic drink, (3).

Extremity of object, (4).

Religious woman, (3).

City in Lagos state, (7).

Clues Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 13 14 15 19 20 21

LGA in Delta state, (7).

LGA in Osun state, (7).

Nigerian staple vegetable, (4).

Town in Oyo state, (6).

Exchange for money, (4).

Male animal, (3).

LGA in Niger state, (7).

City in Delta state, (6).

Capital of Mali, (6).

Not locked, (4).

'Boy' in Hausa language, (4).

Forbid something, (3).

Turn to page 55 for solution

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotlines: (Lagos 0902 928 1425), (Abuja 0805 5118488), Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: JULIET BUMAH.