Sunday, october 9, 2016 vol 3 no 963 by Newtelegraphonline

AGILITI RESIDENTS LAMENT

We sleep on tables for fear of flood, electrocution }8&9

2015 elections not perfect -Prof. Jega }13

SUNDAY Sunday, OCTOBER 9, 2016 Vol. 3 No. 963

Benita Okojie

Sanctity of Truth

/newtelegraph

N150

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

COUP AGAINST JUDICIARY

‘We’re back to dictatorship’ }3,4

... as DSS raids S’ Court judges’ homes, arrests two

I’ll marry for right reasonS }32

NEWS Recession may lead to revolution - Shehu Sani

l‘Move is to avert choice of CJN from South’ lN93m; $530,087; £25,970; €5,680 recovered; a judge had $2m at home -DSS lThey threatened to shoot me, says Wike lNBA to Buhari: You can’t intimidate judiciary CHIEF JUSTICES OF NIGERIA (1914 TILL DATE) 1. Sir Edwin Speed (British) - 1914-1918 2. Sir Ralph Combe (British) - 1918-1929 3. Donald Kingdon (British) - 1929 - 1946 4. Sir John Verity (British) - 1946 - 1954 5. Stafford Foster Sutton (British) - 1955-1958 6. Hon. Justice Adetokunbo Ademola (South ) - 1958 - 1972 7. Hon. Justice Taslim Olawale Elias (South) -1972 - 1975 8. Hon. Justice Darnley Arthur Alexander -1975 -1979 9. Hon. Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams (South) -1979- 1983 10. Hon. Justice George Sodeinde Sowemimo (South) -1983-1985 11. Hon. Justice Ayo Gabriel lrikefe (South) - 1985 -1987 12. Hon. Justice Muhammed Bello (North) - 1987 -1995 13. Hon. Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais (North) -1995 -2006 14. Hon. Justice Salisu Modibo Alfa Belgore (North) -2006 -2007 15. Hon. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi (North) -2007 -2010 16. Hon. Justice Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu (North) -2010 -2011 17. Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher (North) -2011 - 2012 18. Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar (North) -2012-2014 19. Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed (North) -2014 - date

}23

Kanu’s detention is no defeat to Biafra -MASSOB }10

*Source: Federal Judicial Service Commission

Doors damaged during the raid

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 09.10.16 BODY & SOUL

Movie creator Award winning movie producer, Emem Isong, discloses her success secrets and the joy of being a mother to twins

}17

POLITICS

PDP: Weighing peace option The proposed peace deal by factions of the Peoples Democratic Party might be a first step for the party to re-invent itself after the loss of the 2015 general elections

}21

BUSINESS

Assets sale scam The Obasanjo administration sold Nigeria’s US$3.2 billion Aluminium Smelter Company (ALSCON) to disqualified bidder, Russian RUSAL, at US$130 million

}43

FAITH

Marriage

SPORT

Tactical change failed me at Rio

Many marriages crash not because the guys and girls in the union are bad. Rather few who go into marriage bother to acquire managerial skills that sustain marriages

}53 Nigeria's top elite athlete, Blessing Okagbare, has blamed tactical change for her failure to win at the Rio Olympics

}55

Magazine

Death lurks Residents of the flooded Agiliti community in Mile 12, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Lagos, whose children are at risk of drowning are apprehensive as the heavy flood presents new fear -electrocution

}8&9

SUNDAY

Editorial

Change starts from the top

he change mantra of the new order under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari sounded sweet until the people began to swallow the bitter pills accompanying the promised revolution. However, in the midst of recession as often preached by those in power, governments at all levels in the country fritter away hard earned resources while they expect compatriots to tighten their belts. It indeed appears lame that while the people are forced to live with hardship induced by maladministration, our leaders are living big and doing virtually nothing to salvage the situation. This idea of blaming the immediate past government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan cannot sell anymore. We believe that after spending over 14 months in power, the Buhari administration should provide solution, not excuses. And the way to get rid of the mess is still far away. Nigeria may be copying the American democratic ideals but we are not and cannot claim to be the United States. In other words, the Federal Government cannot because President Barack Obama flies around the world on Air Force One maintain a bogus Presidential Fleet of aircraft. If what the country needs at this time is an austere system of governance, it should start from the top. Government spends millions of scarce dollars and pounds to maintain the Presidential Fleet. In the years of petro dollars, it could. We cannot afford to continue to live like Kings when our economy has been pauperized. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Europe’s strongest economy can afford the luxury of a Presidential jet, she does not. Neither Queen Elizabeth of England nor British Prime Minister Theresa May fly a Presidential jet. Both powerful leaders enjoy the comfort of the British Airways. Unfortunately, Nigeria has no national carrier. Nigeria Airways, our pride in the First and Second Republics, died because some corrupt government officials decided to make money out of our commonwealth. It is a national shame that tiny countries like Rwanda and Cameroun have more presence in the air. It is also more than national disgrace that when Nigerians want to travel, they embark on permutations on how to fly Air Maroc, South Africa Airways, Ethiopian Airlines or Egypt Air. Many of our state governors are burning tax payers money hiring and flying jets. There is the case of a particular governor

who has a jet handy and spends quite some time in the air while workers in the state air their frustrations frequently through work to rule. These flights cost millions of naira. It does not make sense that a state Chief Executive who says there is no money to pay workers doles out cash to junket in the skies. It is no longer news that another governor is so carried away by this executive recklessness, that in one day, while he chartered a jet to Abuja, his wife hired another one to Lagos. The lady does not work for the state but she used state money to fly. On the road, the governors waste more money. A governor’s convoy could include as many as 25 vehicles. These automobiles and the legion that adorn the backyards of Government Houses are fuelled and serviced regularly even if they are not moving. All manner of officials occupy the vehicles. Many of them would be better in the office facing problems confronting the state. As they travel and lunch alfresco with the governors, governance suffers. A governor does not need more than seven vehicles on his convoy. The pilot car, his official car, a back up and maybe, a bus for all the retinue of commissioners and aides, another for the media team, then two others for security especially now that there are threats arising from the under performance of the so called leaders. Some governors have Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Principal Secretary, Chief of Protocol, Private Secretary and all kinds of personal staff. Most of the time some of these aides only look after the numerous Guest Houses allocated to the governors. It is unbelievable that some states keep as many as 15 Guest Houses for the governors’ use. Things are not better in the legislature. From the office of the Senate President down to principal officers, so much money is spent on aides. Some of these so called aides may never be seen or known. And many of them may just be aides in name and on paper. They may not receive what the treasury releases. Government must take a look inwards and begin the change from within. So much money is wasted by the same administration that wants Nigerians to accept the worst. Government is a continuum. If the previous government led us into recession, the new regime must lead us to Paradise as promised. No more excuses.

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 (Leave of Absence)

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

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

News Tunde Oyesina

R Abuja

evelations emerged yesterday on why men of the Department of the State Security (DSS), Friday, engaged in nocturnal invasion of apartments of two justices of the Supreme Court and arrested two high court judges in Abuja and Gombe State. The DSS operatives simultaneously invaded the houses of the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Walter Onnoghen, tipped to be the next Chief Justice of Nigeria, and another Supreme Court Justice, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta. They also swooped on the residents of both Justice Adeniyi Ademola and Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, and arrested the former as part of the probe of some of judges, preparatory to their arraignment over alleged judicial

Coup against judiciary •DSS raids homes of S’ Court judges misconduct. Attempt in Rivers State to nab another serving Justice of a Federal High Court failed because of the intervention of the state governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike. All the judges are suspected to have collected huge cash to pervert the cause of justice before, during and after the 2015 general elections, as well as in other cases. Both Justices Onnoghen and Ngwuta are neighbours at the Judicial Officers’ Quarters in Abuja, while Justices Ademola and Dimgba live next to each other at the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja. It was learnt that the DSS operatives surrounded the judges’ houses for hours be-

• Arrests five judges

fore they eventually broke in at about 1am on Saturday and after a thorough search, the security agents took Justice Ademola away at about 5am. The operatives allegedly beat up Justice Dimgba’s brother during the operation. Sunday Telegraph learnt from a source within the area that prefers anonymity that the security agents presented search warrants ‘of doubtful authenticity with incorrect names’ for the operation. It was also learnt that in Gombe, on Friday, men of the security agency arrested Justice Muazu Pindiga, who was the first chairman of the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal, before he was changed midway into the

hearing of the dispute arising from the 2015 governorship election in the state. However, a source revealed that the raids on both Ademola and Dimgba’s residences were in connection with some of the judgement the judges delivered against the service, adding that the service has not been comfortable with some of the pronouncements of the judges. “The DSS is saddened that after securing arrest and charging suspects to courts, the judges try to frustrate it by making pronouncements that are not favourable. The DSS is not comfortable with their vocal criticism for violating rights of persons detained at its facility and making it

look bad in the face of Nigerians,” the source said. Earlier before yesterday’s invasion and arrest, New Telegraph had reported exclusively that the DSS is probing some of the judges handling some of the cases involving the arms deal scam. A source told Sunday Telegraph that one of the reasons the DSS don’t obey the court orders was because such orders were not genuinely obtained, but rather purchased. The source said, “Some of the judgements are questionable. The DSS has already commenced investigation to establish a link between the judges handling the matter and the defendants as the case may be. That is one reason why the secret service has refused to obey some of the orders, because we know that they are not obtained on the ground of justice”. The source further stated that any judge found guilty will definitely not escape justice. Sunday Telegraph recalls that Justice Nnamdi Dimgba had berated the DSS for flouting an order of the court to remand a defendant in prison.

He had ordered that a retired Air Commodore, Umar Mohammed, arraigned before him, be remanded in Kuje Prison pending the hearing of his bail application. But the DSS failed to produce him in court on the day his counsel argued his bail application. Justice Dimgba said he took strong exception to the service’s disregard for the court’s order by keeping the defendant in its custody, describing it as an embarrassment to democracy. He, however, asked the prosecuting counsel, E.A Orji, to convey the grievances of the court to the AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice. Another source who hinted Sunday Telegraph on the possible cause of Justice Ademola’s arrest said it was connected to the way he handled the Hezbollah matter and how he granted bail to the embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). The Federal Government, through the DSS, had on July 29, 2013, arraigned three Lebanese business men.

Police/DSS attempted to shoot me, says Wike Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

G L-R: Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara; Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah; Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and others at the residence of the judge after the failed attempt by the security agencies to arrest a Federal High Court judge on Saturday

Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Department of State Security (DSS), has said that it raided the homes of some judges in all parts of the country based on allegations of corruption and other acts of professional misconduct leveled against them. It noted that the “sting operations involved justices of the Supreme Court, Appeal Court, as well as judges of the High Courts. Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, Mr. Abdullahi Garba, disclosed that a total of N93.5million was recovered during the operations. Garba also said the following sums of money in foreign currencies: $530,087, 25, 970 Pounds, and 5, 680 Euros were also recovered. He, however, added that in one of the states where one of the operations was conducted, credible intelligence revealed that a judge had $2million stashed in his house.

We arrested judges over alleged corruption –DSS ...says N93m, $530,087, 25,970 pounds, €5,680 recovered

...alleges judge had $2m at home “When he was approached for due search to be conducted, he in concert with the state governor, mobilised thugs against the service team,” Garba said, alleging that the governor and a judge enjoyed the tacit support of a sister security agency. Though, the service did not mention the governor’s name, Sunday Telegraph’s findings showed that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had confronted the Services’ team during the said operation. This came as the DSS insisted that the judges involved were invited, even as it add-

ed that due diligence was carried out. The DSS further denied reports that Justice Walter Onnoghen, was under investigation. The clarification came amid fears in some quarters, that Onnoghen, who is the next most senior justice to the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, might be sidelined in the choice of the next CJN. On Justice Onnoghen, the Service noted thus: “The Service would want to clearly state that it has never invited Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen for investigation, neither is he being investi-

gated by this Service.” It reiterated that “it has tremendous respect for the Judiciary and would not do anything to undermine it or its activities.” The Service pledged to “join hands with this noble institution in its fight to rid it of few corrupt Judges whose actions is undermining not only the Judiciary but the common bond of our national life.” Nevertheless, the Service vowed that “this current operation will be sustained and followed till sanity and sanctity is restored to the esteemed third arm of government and public confidence is regained.”

overnor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State yesterday said that the police and operatives of the Department of State Services attempted to shoot him during Saturday attempt to arrest a Federal High Court judge in Port Harcourt, the state capital. Wike said he was roughhandled by the security agents in the failed arrest led by the Rivers State Director of the DSS, Mr. Tosin Ajayi, and Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Francis Odesanya, assisted by over 100 operatives. A statement issued by Wike’s Chief Press Secretary, Simeon Nwakaudu, said: “The operatives of DSS reportedly rough-handled Governor Wike, pushing him around and injuring his hand. A few of the operatives cocked their rifles and threatened to shoot the governor. “They were irked by Governor Wike’s arrival at the scene shortly after the failed abduction process began. It was learnt that Governor Wike received security information on the illegal moves, minutes after the operation started. “The security operatives blocked the entrance of the residence of the Federal High Court judge at about 1am on Saturday morning, claiming that they were act-

ing on orders from above. As they dragged Governor Wike, they insisted that they must be allowed to leave with the judge,” Nwakandu said. In an interview at the scene, Wike said he intervened because he could not allow security agencies to entrench needless impunity under his watch, adding that whatever the situation, the rule of law must prevail in a democratic setting. He said if the security agencies had a lawful directive to implement, they must follow due process, more so when the judge is neither a criminal nor an armed robber. If the person has committed an offence, invite him. It is only when he refuses to honour the invitation that you can adopt this commando style. “The Commissioner of Police is here, the Director of DSS is here. Their operatives cocked their guns and threatened to shoot me. I have never seen that before. Again, this is to tell you what we are facing. We know that more will come. For us in this state, we shall continue to resist it.” Governor Wike added: “It doesn’t matter what it will cost. When you talk about liberty, sacrifices must be made. We are not trying to stop an arrest. All we are saying is that things must be done decently and in line with the rule of law.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

news

Judges’ arrest: You can’t intimidate judiciary, NBA tells Buhari

Foluso Ogunmodede awyers’ umbrella body-the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday rose from an emergency meeting in Lagos and demanded an unconditional release of seven judges whisked away from their official quarters by the Department of State Services (DSS) on allegations of bribery and corruption. Besides, it asked President Muhammadu Buhari to call the DSS to order as its members were ready for a showdown should the arrested judges remain in detention before 7 am today, insisting that it was time Mr. President stopped intimidating the judiciary under whatever pretence. Seven judges including

two Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal were yesterday arrested by the DSS in what appeared as a crackdown on judicial officers believed to have aided and abetted corruption on the Bench. Of the judges, five were from the Abuja, Rivers, Sokoto, Bauchi and Kano divisions of the Federal High Court while two are of the Supreme Court. They were allegedly hauled into detention by the DSS in a raid carried out between 1 am and 2am. Although there were insinuations that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed’s prospective successor, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghe was one of the arrested judges, DSS has denied this saying the Supreme Court most senior Justice was not

under investigation of any kind. Also, court Registrars were not left out as a few of them were allegedly picked up yesterday by the DSS.All were being accused of bribery and corruption carriedout to ‘pervert the cause of justice before, during and after the 2015 general elections.’ At a briefing addressed yesterday in Lagos by Mahmoud who was surrounded by four past presidents of the association- Chief Wole Olanipekun, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, Mr. Joseph Daudu, Augustine Alegeh, and about seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria, decried DSS’ approach, describing it as bizarre as such would never had happened, in a sane society. He, however, demanded

the immediate release from custody the arrested judges or the agency and the Federal Government would incur the association’s wrath. He said: “W e demand unconditional release of all the affected judges. The DSS must limit itself to statutory and constitutional duties as we are no longer under the military rule. We cannot accept this Gestapo approach as the judiciary must be respected under whatever form. Regardless of any situation, due process must be followed. “We call on President Buhari to call this agency to order. NBA hereby declares a state of emergency on the judiciary and the legal profession. If these demands are not met, it would attract grave consequences,” he said.

L-R: Secretary-General, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mr. Mohammed Barkindo; The Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in charge of Economic Policy, Dr. Sarah Alade, and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, after the G-24 Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors’ meeting in Washington D.C...Saturday

Gestapo invasion threat to democracy – Fayose Biyi Adegoroye

kiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has described the invasion of residences of five judges, including those of two Justices of the Supreme Court – Justice Walter Onnoghe (who is in line to succeed the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria) and Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, by armed men of the Department of State Services (DSS) and reported arrest as a direct assault on the judiciary. Governor Fayose, who addressed the press in AdoEkiti on Saturday, said; “It should now be obvious to all Nigerians and the international community that democracy is under threat

in Nigeria and Nigerians must rise to save it from being truncated.” The governor said; “For all intent and purposes, there is no how the Federal Government can justify the Gestapo and crude action of the DSS against our judiciary, the last hope of the common man and I believe they just want to hide under anti-corruption fight to blackmail and intimidate the judiciary. “If not, have the affected judges been reported to the National Judicial Council (NJC), the body saddled with the responsibility of investigating and sanctioning erring judges? Were the affected judges ever invited by the DSS and they refused

to honour the invitation? “I am particularly worried over the involvement of Justice Walter Onnoghen in the invasion, and I hope this is not a plot to prevent his appointment as the next CJN, just because he is from the South-South region.” He added that, he had raised similar alarm earlier “when this regime of impunity started with the invasion of the Akwa-Ibom State Government House and later the Ekiti State House of Assembly. I did say then that democracy in Nigeria was becoming unsafe in the hands of this APC government and that those keeping silent because of politics might also end up in the belly of the roaring lion that is threatening to

consume our democracy.” He said that by its action, “the DSS has become a threat to democracy in Nigeria, having abandoned its core mandate of providing intelligence for the protection of the internal security of Nigeria as provided in the Security Agencies Act Cap. N74 LFN, 2004. Noting that, discipline of judges falls within the duties of the National Judicial Council. A few days ago, the NJC sacked three judges for breaching the Codes of Conduct for Judicial Officers and went further to recommend that one of them, Justice Kabiru M. Auta, be handed over to the Inspector General of Police for prosecution for alleged corruption.

It’s return of fascism, despotism Biyi Adegoroye and Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

rominent lawyers, Chief Mike Ozekhome, (SAN), Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, Dr. Addul Mahmud, and Chief Fred Agbaje have condemned the clampdown describing the government action as a return to fascism and a sacrilege. Barr. Fred Agbaje, who said he was highly perturbed by the action, noted that: “It is highly sacrilegious by the DSS or any security agent for that matter to raid the house of a sitting judge over any allegation against his official misconduct. That it even occurred against a sitting Justice of the Supreme Court is more condemnable. “It is an attempt to cow the judiciary. It is a deliberate attempt to infuse timidity into the judiciary and that is a bad omen to the nation. If the government or anyone has any complaint against any judge, there are sets of rules and procedures for handling that. “The Code of Conduct for judges is there and where judge runs foul of this in the course of his duties, the National Judicial Council is there to handle disciplinary matters and make recommendations to the President. I am aware that Justice Walter Onnoghe was among the three justices recommended for the office of the CJN. I am miffed that his house was raided in this manner. This is a great embarrassment to the Nigerian judiciary,” he said. On his part, Adegboruwa called on the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to commence a boycott of the courts. “This is full blown dictatorship now in action. It is now a case of anarchists in power. The clampdown on judges has been on for a long time, through agents of government in the various institutions of oppression. We are now back to the 1984 jackboot system of intolerance, where all dissenting views and opinions must be silenced. “It is condemnable for the DSS, which is an arm of the executive, to be breathing down on the judicial arm of government, under the guise of fighting corruption. It is now clear without any shadow of doubts that the so called anti corruption war is a hidden agenda to perpetuate the Buhari regime in office beyond 2019. It is meant to silence the opposition and to cover the inefficiency and cluelessness of this administration. “The 1999 Constitution in Sections 4, 5 and 6 prescribes the system of separation of powers between the three arms of government. But since 2015 when this government was sworn in, the executive arm under Gen Muhammadu Buhari has dominated and brutalized

the other two arms of government. The leadership of the National Assembly is under trial and it is now the turn of the judiciary. “In a democracy, the rule of law prescribes the independence of the judiciary, whereby judges must be allowed the unfettered right of taking decision according to law and their consciences. “It is in this regard that the mindless invasion of the homes of judges by the DSS is totally condemnable. It should never happen that the executive is indirectly threatening and intimidating members of the third estate of the realm. In his own reaction, a Constitutional Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, asked, “Are you surprised? I am not. I am rather surprised that some Nigerians are still surprised. Some of us warned, wrote, preached, talked, but, we were maximally ignored due to political partisanship. “A leopard cannot change its spots. Welcome to full blown dictatorship and fascism that are now here with us. It started with political opponents and opposition. Some of us cried out. Many gloated with éclat and a sense of victory at opponents’ horrific travails. Then, they moved against some very senior and well respected lawyers being rubbished. Some clapped. They said it was anti-corruption. We cried out. It extended quickly to the National Assembly, another different arm of government. “Many hailed the government as tough, no-nonsense and anti-corruption inclined. Some of us warned. Now, the Judiciary, up to the very apex court of the land, the Supreme Court, has been targeted and is now being intimidated, humiliated and annexed. The incoming Chief Justice of Nigeria is said to be profiled. Why? “Your guess is as good as mine. Virtually all the judges are Southerners. My prediction? The media, the Fourth Estate of the realm, will be next. Read my lips. It reminds me of the immortal words of Martin Niemoller, a great German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran, who was convicted and fined 2000 marks for ‘abusing’ the pulpit. He had witnessed the Jewish holocaust and atrocities during World War II, when they horrifically murdered, in their thousands, in gas chambers, Jews. He said something to the following effect: first they came for the Jews. ‘I did nothing because I was not a Jew.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, I did nothing because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, I did nothing because I was not a Catholic.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

News

CBN approves guidelines for granting liquid assets to Sukuk

Chris Ugwu

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has notified issuers and investors that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved “Guidelines for Granting Liquid Asset Status to Sukuk instruments issued by state governments”. This is a major milestone for Nigeria as it will catalyse the development of non-interest capital market

products. According to a statement by the management of SEC, the release of these guidelines follows diligent advocacy efforts from the Capital Market Committee (CMC) on the need to grant liquidity status to Sukuk in order to bolster its appeal as a product for both issuers and investors alike. Sukuk, the non-interest equivalent of bonds, is becoming increasingly attractive as a capital market instrument across the globe. Annual Sukuk issuances

around the world have grown from $15 billion in 2008 to over $150 billion in 2015. As the federal and state governments seek alternative funding sources for infrastructure, these new guidelines will make Sukuk one more available option. In 2013, the SEC issued Rules on Sukuk Issuance in Nigeria which the Osun state government raised N11 billion in Nigeria’s first Sukuk issuance which and oversubscribed. Since then, several state govern-

ments have been issuing Sukuk to raise funds for infrastructure financing and other much needed public interventions. However, the absence of a liquid secondary market had been a key concern for investors like pension funds and other institutional investors. To address this constraint, the Capital Market Master Plan had highlighted the need to push for liquidity status for Sukuk. In implementing the Master plan, the SEC and the capital mar-

James Ibori may appeal UK conviction

he former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who will become a free man in December, after spending half of his jail term in prisons in the United Kingdom, is set to challenge his conviction in an effort to clear his name. Ibori was jailed for money laundering offences by Southwark Crown court in 2012. But Ibori’s lawyers said he is likely to appeal against his conviction in the UK on grounds that the British Police and lawyers involved

in his case were corrupt. The former governor’s lawyer, Ivan Krolick, told the Southwark Crown Court former governor was “95 percent certain” in challenging his conviction in the Court of Appeal, based on documents that have only recently been disclosed to the defence by the prosecution. He added that, the documents showed that there had been widespread police corruption, followed by ongoing cover-up. The main allegation was that a police officer involved in the Ibori probe

took payments for information in 2007, from a firm of private detectives working on Ibori’s behalf. The police, however, debunked the claim, saying that the allegation was thoroughly investigated. They maintained that no one was arrested or charged and no misconduct was identified. However, although Ibori is scheduled to regain his freedom in two months’ time, but it was not clear whether he will immediately return to Nigeria because of a legal proceedings

s n o i t a l Congratu We join thousands of other well-wishers to felicitate with a true achiever, a worthy ambassador in Christ Jesus, Mr. Banjo Oluwole Olusegun, ACCA, CNA, FCIT on your 52nd birthday on earth today. Signed Wife and Children

concerning the confiscation of his assets worth tens of millions of dollars, were unresolved. They were supposed to have been resolved years ago, but have ground to a halt due to the allegations of police corruption and the prospect of Ibori taking his case to the Court of Appeal. Ibori, who as governor of oil-producing Delta State from 1999 to 2007 became one of Nigeria’s richest and most powerful men, is serving a 13-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and moneylaundering. While in office, Ibori acquired luxury property in Britain, the United States, South Africa and Nigeria. He is the most senior Nigerian politician to have been held to account for the corruption that has blighted Africa’s most populous nation. His jailing in Britain, where he had laundered millions of pounds and sent his children to an expensive private school, was hailed as a high point in the international fight against graft and an important signal to other corrupt politicians. But his lawyer, Ivan Krolick told the court that Ibori was certain to challenge his conviction in the Court of Appeal based on documents that have only recently been disclosed to the defence by the prosecution, reports Reuters. At the same hearing, Stephen Kamlish, a lawyer for Ibori associate and convicted money launderer Bhadresh Gohil, said the documents showed there had been widespread police corruption followed by a cover-up that was still going on now. Kamlish said prosecution lawyers had known there was evidence of police corruption but had failed to disclose it to defence lawyers. Krolick told Reuters on the sidelines of Friday’s court hearing that Ibori did not know about the payments at the time.

ket community closely engaged the CBN to develop and release guidelines for this purpose. With these new guidelines, Sukuk instruments issued by state governments can be discounted at CBN discount windows and can be applied by banks in their liquidity ratio computation, similar to conventional state

bonds. This will facilitate the emergence of a vibrant secondary market that will encourage more issuances from state governments. The guidelines will play a key role in broadening and deepening Nigeria’s financial system by catalysing the development of non-interest products and enhancing financial inclusion.

APC, PDP trade words over Ogun LG elections •Amosun: We’ve made history •Ogundele demands poll cancellation •UPN heads for tribunal Kunle Olayeni, Abeokuta

he ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, disagreed over the credibility of the local governments/local council development areas elections held in Ogun State. The disagreement came even as strong indications emerged that the APC will sweep the chairmanship and councillorship seats across the 20 LGAs and 37 newly created LCDAs in the state. Although the elections were peaceful in most parts of the state as policemen and other security agents mounted guard at strategic positions, there were pockets of violence and allegations of ballot box snatching in some areas. Miffed by the reported electoral irregularities, the PDP demanded the cancellation of the exercise and called for constitutional amendment to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct local government elections. While there was large turnout in some areas, others witnessed apathy with youths using the opportunity to play football on the deserted streets. Sunday Telegraph observed that the electoral umpire, Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), employed simultaneous accreditation and voting for the exercise, which lasted between 8am and 3pm. Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who cast his vote at Ajura ward in ObafemiOwode Local Government at about 12:03pm, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the elections. He described the poll as historic, saying it was the first local government elec-

tion held alongside LCDAs in the state. “We are making history. I have said that this election is even more important than the governorship election, not just because it’s the closest to the people but because in the history of our state, this is the first time we would be having LCDAs alongside our local governments,” Amosun added. But reacting, the state PDP Chairman, Hon Sikirulai Ogundele, said the election was allegedly marred with irregularities, including ballot box snatching and stuffing, inadequate supply of electoral materials as well as violence and intimidation. Ogundele, who spoke with reporters in Abeokuta, also claimed that “illegal and unconstitutional polling booths were created to rig” the poll. He alleged that PDP strongholds were deliberately not supplied electoral materials while supporters of the ruling party had a field day. He said: “The reports given to me were not palatable. The election was marred with criminal irregularities; ballot boxes snatched, materials were not supplied. In Ogun Waterside Local Government, up till the time I’m talking to you, materials have not been supplied there. “What we have witnessed today (yesterday) is the height of electoral irregularities. It is the height of insensitivity to the yearning of people of Ogun State. They created illegal and unconstitutional polling booths that were not recognised by INEC. “Unfortunately, one of our guys that resisted was shot by hoodlums. He is currently at the intensive care unit of Babcock University Hospital, Ilishan-Remo. If a level playing ground had been provided, PDP would have won.”

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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Shi’ites vow to contest el Rufai’s ban Yekeen Nurudeen

With agency reports

he Shi’ite Muslim sect that has been declared an unlawful society by the Kaduna State government vowed on Saturday to challenge the ban, even as a group, Advocates of Social Justice for All (ASJA) called on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and other security agencies to clamp down on the sect. The Shi’ite Movement

in Nigeria came to prominence when its members clashed with the army in Zaria, Kaduna State, in December 2015. A judicial inquiry in August concluded that the army killed 348 of the sect’s members. Governor Nasir el-Rufai had on Friday said anyone convicted of being a member of the sect could be imprisoned for seven years, fined or both. The size of the fine was not specified. Diplomats and security analysts say the violence

risked spawning a radical Shi’ite militant wing, just as the Boko Haram uprising began in 2009 after security forces killed hundreds of its members and its leader Mohammed Yusuf died in custody. The Shi’ite sect’s leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, has been held in custody, without charge, since his December arrest following the clashes. The Kaduna State government said the group had “overtly continued with

unlawful processions” and “obstruction of public highways” since the clashes. “These acts, if allowed to go unchecked will constitute danger to the peace, tranquillity, harmonious coexistence and good governance of Kaduna State,” it said, declaring the group unlawful with immediate effect. A spokesman for the sect, Ibraheem Musa, said its members were not going to be intimidated into resorting to violence, reports Reuters.

“Very soon, we shall challenge this ban through legal and peaceful means,” he said. Meanwhile, ASJA has said security agencies should arrest, detain and prosecute anyone that goes out in the name of the Shiites’ Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) or its subsidiaries to take part in protests in any part of the country on Monday. The National President of ASJA, Mr. Torkuma Venatius, who made the call in Abuja yesterday, explained that it

was clear that the protests planned by the Shiites groups were a cover for mischief. The Shiites had announced plans to protest in Abuja and other major cities on Monday citing the expiration of a 14day ultimatum for the release of their detained leader, Sheik Ibraheem Al Zakyzaky as their reason. Venatius said the failure of IMN to call off its protests, even after the ban by the state government, is the height of irresponsibility and a resolve to test the power of the state.

Presidency hails Okah’s conviction in S’Africa Anule Emmanuel

T Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari presenting Sword of Honour to the Best All Round Cadet Officer of 63 Regular Course, AD Mohammed, during the Passing Out Parade and Commissioning Ceremony in honour of the 63 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna ... yesterday

Recession: Embrace locally made products to improve economy –Ooni Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

oni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi yesterday advocated for a law that will compel every Nigerian to use locally made products as a way of helping the country out of its current economic recession. The monarch, who made the call at the Ife Youth Agropreneurship Summit 2016 and presentation of Ojaja II Agricultural Hub with the theme: “Agro-processing: A

significant tool for tackling hunger and unemployment in Nigeria” said the country leaders should not be excluded in making the law workable through practicability in deeds and conduct. He, however, recommended that, there should be penalties for violators of the law to make its implementation effective in the country. Oba Ogunwusi, who said that his beads are being made in Benin, said the crown and gold he was wearing at the function were made in Ile-Ife.

The royal father added that the shoes he wears are made in Lagos and charged leaders in the country to always use locally made products to encourage their followers in promoting indigenous products. “Charity must begin at home and our leaders must lead by example through demonstration. The food they are eating must be local. Their building materials must be local as my tooth paste is locally made. With tilling of ground and going back to farm, the economic

Saraki: Reps’ group urges Buhari to unite leaders

ome members of the House of Representatives under the aegis of Consolidation Group yesterday called on the Presidency to expedite action on measures that will promote unity of purpose between the three arms of government and present an indivisible Federal Government of Nigeria. While reacting to the withdrawal of a case of forgery filed against Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu at the FCT High

Court by the Federal Government and the subsequent discharge of the defendants, the Consolidation Group urges government to extend the same measure to all other cases capable of setting key government functionaries against each other. In a statement signed by the convener of the group, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, the Group said it saw the withdrawal of the case at the FCT High Court as a courageous move by the government and

a sign that it is responding to popular opinions. Zakari said “We have been saying that the forgery case is an infringement on the principle of separation of powers and interference by the executive on what is obviously an internal affairs of the legislature. We believe the Standing Order of the Senate can only be declared forged or genuine by the Senate and by all actions of the Eighth Senate, its members have no grouse against the 2015 Standing Order.

recession will be reversed. “If Nigeria maximizes the potentials in her many agricultural products, especially plantain and cassava, more than half of the current economic crises would be solved. “There should be total shift in the patronage of foreign made products to save the country’s economy from total collapse. “Nigeria is almost the number one in the world in cassava, plantain, cocoa, cashew, ginger and kolanut production; while focusing too much on crude oil. Let us annex all other areas to grow the economy. “If we do this, the pressure on the dollar will come down. The economy will be revived. People should go back to the farm. We should stop momentary lamentation of bad economy when we can be pragmatic to improve our economy by ourselves. I want to assure you that, locally made products will be highly encouraged in Ife as everything will be done within the town to make the community a pacesetting one among others in the next two years.”

he Presidency has written “a measured letter” to the South African government hailing the judicial decision of its Supreme Court of Appeal which convicted Henry Okah to 20 years imprisonment. A competent presidency source, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that the President Muhammadu Buhari government sees Okah’s sentencing as a big step forward towards removing terrorism from Nigeria and the continent. Okah was arrested in Johannesburg on October 2, 2010 by the South African government for master minding the bombings of Warri and Abuja and has since been under detention there. The South African Supreme Court of Appeal on October 3, 2016 convicted Okah to 20 years in prison having found him guilty on two out of the six-count charges relating to the Warri bombings levelled against him. The Court also upheld the 12-year sentence for his role in the Abuja bombing. The convictions that were upheld are those in respect of the Warri bombing, relating

to Okah’s providing finance and equipment without which the bombing would not have been executed. According to the presidency official, who spoke to State House correspondents: “The Nigerian government had written ‘a measured letter’ to the South African government, hailing the judicial decision as a big step forward towards removing terrorism from the continent. “South Africa has projected itself an enduring partner to Nigeria in the war against terrorism. When African countries act jointly against terrorism, they send out clear and unambiguous signals that there is no more a place for terrorism on our continent.” The Court held that Okah provided more than N2 million to three individuals for the purpose of acquiring vehicles and explosives for use in the Warri bombing. On the Abuja bombing, the Court upheld that Okah conspired, planned and instructed people in relation to its execution while he was in South Africa. The Court therefore, held that exemption clause on extra-territorial application could not apply as Okah orchestrated the Abuja bombing while in South African territory.

Bello sets up panel to probe past administration Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

n a bid to cope with the current economic recession, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, has inaugurated a seven-man Commission of Enquiry to investigate the stewardship of past administrations from 2003 to January 27 2016. The commission, which is headed by Justice Wada Umar Rano, was given a charge to probe and recover alleged misappropriated funds belonging

to the people of the state. Other members of the commission include Dr. Mohammed Aboki member; Mr. Ameh Franklin Adejo; Maj Gen H E Aminu; Prof. Angela Okatahi; Chief J O Ajiyele and Mrs Fatima Ojochenemi. The governor stressed that the intention of his administration to open the book of the past was not to witch-hunt or bring down anyone, assuring that the commission will accord respect to whoever deserves it.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

Emmanuel Masha,

Port Harcourt

he Ijaw National Congress, INC, has urged the Federal Government to end the crisis in the Niger Delta region through political settlement and dialogue, stressing that, the use of force and militarization of the region cannot lead to a lasting peace. The factional National President of IYC, Alatubo Charles Harry, who made the appeal at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, said that the crisis in the Niger Delta was as a result of “criminal neglect, deliber-

IYC to FG: End N’ Delta crisis through political settlement ate impoverishment, economic subjugation and political marginalization.” He said: that rather than employ dialogue, the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari, has embarked on a campaign against former President Goodluck Jonathan, and those close to him. He said: there was need

for Buhari to listen to the calls for the restructuring of the country based on “equity, justice, mutual accommodation and the discretion of choice”. He said: “The political elite sowed the wind, through injustice and inequity and the disdain for common-humanity and now we reap the insouciant whirlwind of a tribe of

disowned, disavowed and distrustful malcontents, willing and able to wreak vengeance on a society and polity they bode scant patriotic alliance. “But can the narrative be redeemed? Yes!... But the political will to engage and dialogue without precondition is inevitable…” He added: “The militarization of the zone as per-

ceived in the procurement of sophisticated military hardware and the deployment of fighter jets, helicopters and gunboats represent a present danger and imminent threat of attack. “The saber-rattling words of the President and the unguarded threats of dire reprisals by the military high command effectively disavow peaceful resolution. “The vilification and denigration of the former President Good luck Jonathan is intolerable and unacceptable and a serious reason why militants are intransigent to voices of reason and peace.

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“There is no gain saying that no other President in the annals of Nigerian history, not even Abacha , has been so disgraced by the succeeding regime. “The demeaning of the public image of Dame Patience Jonathan and freezing of her accounts by the EFCC coupled with the insensitive media trial to build public opprobrium and bring her husband, Dr Jonathan into further disrepute is atrocious. “We counsel caution and a complete cessation and restitution of her accounts in the interest of peace in the region.”

Buhari, Sultan, Dangote, 14 others are world’s most influential Muslims

P Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi, surrounded by Ndi Ichie Onitsha during his Ofala festival in Onitsha yesterday PHOTO: Okegwo Kenechukwu

Lagos kidnap: Ashafa to boost school security with tricycles As NAPTAN wants 24-hour surveillance in boarding schools

Muritala Ayinla n a bid to boost internal security of the Government Model College, Igbonla, Epe, where four students, a principal and teacher were abducted by suspected militants, Senator Gbenga Ashafa yesterday visited the school with a promise to donate tricycles to aid internal security in the school. The lawmaker, who represents the Lagos East Senatorial District, where the school is located, also charged the Inspector General of Police and the state Commissioner of Police, to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the kidnapped staff and students were quickly rescued. Sunday Telegraph learnt that the visit came a day after his advance team had visited the school to commiserate with the staff, students and relatives of all those who were abducted. Ashafa was received by the Principal of the Junior School, who simply iden-

tify himself as ‘Mr.O Osideru’ and some teachers of the school, who also gave an account of the incident. Osideru expressed optimism that the captives would be released with prayers. Speaking with the teachers, the Senator reiterated the commitment of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to rescue the victims alive, adding that, the state government remained committed to ensuring that the criminal elements perpetrating such heinous crimes are fished out. Harping on the need to boost security patrols within the school premises, Ashafa said, to aid a 24-hour internal security patrol, he was ready to support in whatever form especially on security, saying the provision of two tricycles would help in improving the security within the school environment at all times. Ashafa reiterated that laws to make kidnap-

ping unattractive was in the pipeline, saying that, when the law is made, kidnappers will bag 30years jail term upon conviction. Meanwhile, the National Parents Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) on Saturday appealed to Ambode to urgently provide 24-hour security surveillance in all boarding

schools in Lagos State. Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, the Deputy President of the association, made the appeal while reacting to the kidnapping of six persons from a school in Epe on Thursday. Ogunbanjo said in Lagos that the spate of kidnapping was becoming “one incident, too many”.

resident Muhammadu Buhari and the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, along with 15 other Nigerians have made the just released list of the top 50 influential Muslims in the world. Incidentally, leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group, Abubakar Shekau, is also on the list of top 500 Muslims in the world. The third Nigerian to make the eighth edition of the top 50 list is Sheikh Ibrahim Saleh, a popular Islamic cleric based in Borno State. In the latest list, Buhari was number 17, up from 20 in 2016 while the Sultan moved up 22 from 24 in 2016. The list with the title: ‘The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims’ 2017 was released at the weekendand indicated that the world has a Muslim population of 1.7 billion. The list also had

the Chief Imam of AnsarUd-Deen Society of Nigeria, Dr. Abdulrahman Olanrewaju Ahmad, Dr Ibrahim Datti Ahmed, Prince Bola Ajibola, Imam Muhammad Ashafa, Sheikh Tahir Usman Bauchi, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Sheikh Yakubu Musa Katsina, Prof Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede, Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and Shiite leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, but they were not among the top 50. The report published in the Muslim 500, said those who made the list had also made impact which could be positive or negative depending on the views of people. It said: “The first two examples also point to the fact that the lists, and especially the Top 50, are dominated by religious scholars and heads of state. “Their dominant and lasting influence cannot be denied, especially the rulers, who in many cases also appoint religious scholars to their respective positions.”

Tinubu hails withdrawal of forgery charges against Saraki, Ekweremadu

national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has described the Federal Government’s withdrawal of forgery charges against presiding officers of the Senate as a welcome development. In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, Mr. Tinubu said the government’s decision would help the APC focus on bringing progressive change it promised Nigerians. “New legislation will be required to help pull the

nation out of the economic mire,” Mr. Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, said in the statement issued by his media aide, Tunde Rahman. “With these forgery charges found not to apply, it is good that they be dismissed so that the national assembly may focus on this important work ahead.” The Federal Government on Thursday filed a motion to withdraw the charge of criminal conspiracy against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

Messrs Saraki and Ekweremadu had promptly issued a statement on Friday saying the decision was a vindication of their positions that they were innocent of the charges. But Tinubu said this was no time for celebration. “While those involved may understandably feel a sense of relief or vindication, this is no time for them to celebrate or to believe all is well with the nation simply because all has turned out well for them on this matter,” said Tinubu. “All is not well. Through-

out the nation, the people stagger and groan under the weight of economic hardship. This government and our party must hear and respond to their plea. We must lead the way.” The former governor also said that a mind unburdened by the specter of possible legal liability is free to devote itself to the pressing matters of state. “Consequently, this action presents a unique window of opportunity for the national assembly to reset its bearings and to focus on the real issues at hand,” he said.

The Sunday Magazine

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

We now sleep on tables to avoid flood, The residents of Agiliti Community in the Mile 12 area of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State are groaning under the heavy flood that has taken over their community. CHIJIOKE IREMEKA reports

t has been one day of agony after the other for residents of Agiliti Community in the Mile 12 area of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State as the rains and ensuing flood hit them hard. Residents are groaning under the heavy flood that has taken over the community allegedly caused by the Ogun and Odugu rivers which overflowed, leading to the disruption of lives and loss of property. Though no life was lost in the disaster, most of the residents have been rendered homeless and some others abandoned the community for fear of uncertainty. The residents are crying on top of their voices appealing to the state and local governments to come to their rescue. They want Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to help them find a lasting solution to the scourge of flood which ravages the community every three to five years, by constructing a drainage system that would properly channel water in the flood susceptible areas. One of the residents, Ms. Jade Balogun, told Sunday Telegraph: “We need government intervention here. We sleep on tables to avoid electrocution. The entire house is flooded and we can’t sleep on our beds again. She said, the only solution so far, when the flood comes is to wait patiently for it to dry up around November. “As usual, we won’t watch television until November as the flood gets to the level of the electric socket and no one would risk electrocution. All the transformers are soaked up in water and malfunctioning,” he added. The community leader, Abdul-Azeez, and the residents have lost hope on possible panacea to the problem as their appeals to the local and state governments since 1999 have all fallen on deaf ears. The residents have been adducing different reasons for the flood. Some were of the opinion that the flood is caused by the Ogun Osun River Basin Dam whose content is released every three years to reduce pressure on the facility, while others said the flooding was caused by the heavy downpour, which caused the Isheri and Odugu rivers to overflow. A young food vendor at the temporary canoe loading point at Agiliti, Ms. Aboderin Ogunsola, who does not live within the Agiliti community but a stonethrow from there said the flood has not reached its peak, it would soon be more than this, adding that, the flood was as a result of a dam not far away whose content was released into the neighbourhood. A boat paddler, Jonathan, popularly called ‘Omo Ijaw,’ told Sunday Telegraph that the cause of the flood is natural from God, arguing that only God can cause such to happen. He added that rainfall increases every five years and causes overflow of the Ogun River. “How can you say that the flood was caused by Ogun Dam? I think it is not possible that the dam is the reason for the flood occurring every five years, the same time of the year and disappears at a particular time of the year?” he queried. ‘Omo Ijaw,’ who corroborated Aboderin’s claim that the flood will get worse in the next two weeks, noted that, the flood has not gotten to the point it used to be each time it comes. The respondents expect the flood to reach its peak by mid-October, after which it would dry up late November. It appeared the residents were ready for the flood in the community, as they comfortably maneuver their way moving

School children on their way home.

Canoe operators waiting for business

around with no hindrance. While visitors to the community are scared of electrocution as the flood covered the electricity transformer at the junction half way, constituting a threat to the entire community should the water get to the point of naked wire; the residents go about their normal lives. School children enthusiastically walk and swim across the flood to their respective destinations with no fear whatsoever. They enter canoes when going to school in the morning and while on their way home, they swim and walk across. Those who cannot afford to pay for services of canoe paddlers are always armed with extra clothes which they change into after entering the flood. “The situation is worse at night when the canoe paddlers have gone home. Those coming back late nights bear the brunt of the flood. They find it difficult coming back when the canoes have all gone. You can also imagine how it would look like at night for residents,” said Ejiro Onuvho.

PHOTOS: Chijioke Iremeka

Residents being paddled along motorway

Sunday Telegraph observed that the flood has almost submerged the power transformer in the community. Residents were seen gathering and waiting to board canoes to their respective destinations. It is amazing, the way the community has adjusted to the new way of life in a place where residents used to walk on dry land. Today, school children are seen swimming in the dirty water. It’s in this same community that canoe operators make quick money transporting residents to and from one point of the community to the other as the streets of Agiliti have turned to a river. There are different routes the canoe plies. At the terminals, the operators shout out to passengers “Straight, straight,” while others “One more person to go.” Each drop costs N50. The biggest canoe in the community is operated by an elderly woman. Commuters fold their trousers and long gowns, remove their shoes to enable them board canoes. Of course, voluntarily,

somebody on board has to scoop water from the canoe to ensure that it doesn’t capsize. Those who couldn’t afford the fares for the canoe, were seen walking in the flood, same with others whose destinations were close by. Residents have been engaging the canoe operators in some arguments on fares for the services, while they insist on paying N30, the operators insist on N50 per drop. For thorough examination of the extent of damage the flood has done to the community, Sunday Telegraph’s reporter hired a canoe for N500 to tour the area. The operator, ‘Omo Ijaw’, a fisherman, disclosed that he came to the community to make money for his family. He resides at Mile 12 area but comes to make daily living at Agiliti. Before the flood crisis, some wooden bridges constructed for easy movements of the people had all collapsed. Flood gets into houses and one could see furniture on top of tables. The people sleep on top

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

Sunday Magazine

electrocution - Agiliti residents lament of their tables at night as their beds have been submerged by flood. The residents are facing horror at night. Many residents of this community, including the leaders, have lost hope for possible panacea to the problem as the residents have been appealing to the local and state governments since 1999 without any success. On the contrary, during Sunday Telegraph’s visit to the community, some construction workers of the Lagos state Ministry of Environment were seen in some areas of Agiliti community, creating waterways and cutting down trees to help channel the flood off the streets. The impact of this was yet to be felt as the flood is still heavy. One of the workers, Mr. Ben Ayeni, told Sunday Telegraph, that they were detailed by the Ministry to clear the road to allow flow of water from Agiliti to Omole Estate. Ayeni also confirmed that the flood used to enter Odugu River before it overflows its banks and merges with the rain water. “If you look at the other end, you will see the big Isheri River where the problem actually comes from.” It was gathered that in the dry season, residents move into the areas for accommodation attracted by cheap house rent

Vanessa Okwara

igeria has the highest prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in the world with an estimated 40million Nigerians carrying the genes, researches have shown. Unfortunately, people living with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria today still face stigmatisation and complications associated with the disease. To create awareness on how to avoid bringing in children living with the sickness into the world and to address many issues affecting people living with the disease, Oluwatimileyin Edwin, a 29 year old lady, also living with Sickle Cell Disease started a Non-governmental Organisation, Crimson Bow Sickle Cell Initiative, to help alleviate the plight of those living with the disease and also to provide succour to the less privileged who suffer from the Sickle Cell anaemia with no money to pay for their medical bills. She says: “I started Crimson Bow Initiative in March 2015. The purpose is to spread awareness about Sickle Cell, issues and stigmatisation faced by people who are living with this sickness. It is so shocking how we are the country with the largest number of people living with Sickle Cell in the world and yet a lot of people don’t know much about Sickle Cell or how to avoid bringing children born with the Sickle Cell gene into the world. So we want to create more awareness about the disease. Another purpose is to help people living with Sickle Cell and all the traumas they face in life. We’re trying to help make their lives better so they can live happier lives. We also want to break the stigmatisation that surrounds sickle cell patients.” Crimson Bow Initiative recently held the Phase 1 of its project to alleviate the plight of children living with Sickle Cell gene tagged, ‘Project Keep a Warrior Warm’, a medical outreach aimed at educating the underprivileged on Sickle Cell prevention and management. The phase 1, which is for the Agege region of Lagos, held at the IHERA Housing Estate football field, Pen Cinema Agege, had a turnout of 230 people out which about 150 children were given sweaters and drugs to help them fare better during cold weather. Recalling her childhood days and growing up with Sickle Cell, Timileyin said it was a tough one. “I knew I had Sickle Cell when I

without knowing what the area looks like in the rainy season. Of course, when the rain comes, they see the reason for paying house rent as low as N8, 000 per year, bordered by an artificial water way.

Lagos State Ministry of Environment intervened Meanwhile, during the last environmental sanitation exercise, the Lagos State Government had charged residents living in flood-prone areas in the state to urgently relocate as heavier downpour is being anticipated. Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Samuel Adejare, said heavier rainfall was being anticipated in the first week of October and that people living in lowland areas susceptible to flood should immediately relocate to avert disaster. The commissioner, who was displeased with the activities of residents of Church Avenue in the area council who converted the major canal in the area to a dumpsite, with several others erecting make-shift structures inside the canal. He said: “Our people need to have change of attitude in the way they handle the environment. People living in floodprone areas should leave. At Church Avenue, the people have blocked the major

canal with refuse. Some of them have even built houses on the drainage channel. “We are the problem to ourselves. People should dispose their waste properly. People living in lowland areas should move immediately. We did not give them permit to build in these areas,” he said. He noted that, the state government would empower the youths of the area to prevent people from dumping refuse on drainage channels and degrading the environment. Earlier in May 20, 2010, the Lagos State Government under Babatunde Raji Fashola, had ordered residents of Agiliti in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Ajegunle in Agboyi-Ketu LCDA to vacate and relocate because of the danger posed by flood. The then, Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, said the vacation order became necessary in view of the expected rainfall which could cause great threat to many communities. The commissioner said: “Warning notices had been sent to all the affected areas in the state considered to be flood-prone because they are sitting on wetland. To avert any likely disaster, it is highly imperative for these residents to vacate and relocate to safer areas because of the level of rainfall expected with its attendant flooding.

“We have warned them that there is no magic to be done to address the situation for them other than vacating the areas. There are other areas which we cannot mention now which have been served quit notices. It behooves on them to heed or face the consequences.” The commissioner said all the landlords in the areas did not have valid title documents to the land and that there was no possibility of any government compensation for the affected people. He said the government did “not issue Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to landlords in slum areas like Ajiliti (Ikosi-Isheri), Ajelogo (Ketu) and Aboru in Iyana-Ipaja.” However, the spokesperson of Lagos Ministry of Environment, Dr. Tunde Awobiyi, said the government is doing its best to arrest the situation. “We have sent Swam Bogie to clear the way and allow water to flow as a palliative measure to the flooding but we will do something more lasting. “We are working round the clock to ensure that everybody lives peaceful lives in Lagos. We need people to stop building on the canals and setbacks. They see it as the only vacant land to build but it’s wrong. These are what cause floods across the state,” he added.

Mother, daughter battling with Sickle Cell Disease bring succour to others

started primary school and it wasn’t easy at all. My appearance let everyone know that I had Sickle Cell - I had big tummy, I was very tiny and I didn’t develop fast. I use to feel left out and always sad. My classmates in secondary school did not make it easy for me either. They use to bully and call me names. I also had to miss school a lot when I fell sick. I knew I would have been an exceptional student if I was always in school but the sickness made me to be just average”. Stigmatisation and bullying is just one of the many humiliation children living with Sickle Cell Disease face among their peers. Timileyin shares how she was able to overcome bullying in school: “I come home crying as usual, and my mum will follow me to school to talk to the teachers to help curtail the bullying. So one day, I came home crying, my mum looked me in the face and said, ‘Timi, you need to learn how to fight your own battles because I will not always be there to do that for you’. That was during my JSS3, but I didn’t start acting on what she said till I was in my SS3. So it dawned on me that I will not always have her to fight for me. The truth is that Sickle Cell is a battle. As a Sickle Cell patient, you have to face some fights all alone. I went out of my way to do that. By the

time I was graduating from school, I became friends with virtually every one; they all became receptive towards me. I studied Mass Communication and graduated over nine years ago. I started working almost immediately I finished from the university,” she said. Interestingly, Timileyin’s mother, Mrs Abimbola Edwin is also living with the Sickle Cell Disease and gave birth to her at the age of 27. When asked how she ended up having a child with the Sickle Cell anaemia when she was also suffering from the same predicament, she had this to say: “I always have to answer this question. I believe I was destined to have at least one. I would say that God kept me alive even as a Sickle Cell patient and when it was time for me to get married, I met my husband not knowing his status. Even though I insisted he should check, he didn’t do that until I got pregnant and of course, events overtook the whole thing and I gave birth to her. It was until I gave birth that I discovered she also had Sickle Cell Disease. When I gave birth to her, I was already 27 years old and I had crises. I was bedridden in the hospital for three months. It was when I was discharged that my mum told me that my baby also had Sickle Cell. I felt very bad but fortunately at

that time, I had become born again and so had a dialogue with God concerning her. Even though she’s ‘SS’, God promised me that she’s going to be a great child and that the sickness was not going to disturb her in anyway. I also told God that if He would give me other children without ‘SS’, that I will serve Him forever and God did it. She’s 29 years old and two of her siblings are boys. The one after her is 26 years old and the baby of the house is 19 years old. Both of them are AS and the last boy has the ‘S’ without the sickle trait. Both mother and daughter now advocate that couples should verify their genotype before venturing into marriage to avoiding experiencing the same predicament. On her plans for marriage, Timileyin says: “I hope to get married soon; right now I’m in a relationship and he has checked his status and it’s Ok for us. Basically, Crimson Bow Initiative aims to end Sickle Cell in Nigeria; even though it is a tall order, but there are still so many people who are not aware or even know their genotype. This love thing is a very serious issue but love is not enough to sustain a marriage. We are still preaching; please don’t bring in Sickle Cell Anaemia babies into the world. Looking ahead into the future, Timileyin Edwin, who works with a large electrical company in Lagos, hopes to take Crimson Bow Initiative internationally. “The truth is that we want to go as far as possible. We want to bring as much funding from abroad to help those living with Sickle Cell. A lot of them are suffering with no help. You will be shocked to know most of them cannot pay medical bills. Some of our beneficiaries are always looking up to us to pay their medical bills. This is what we want to do. We want to put the word out there and empower people living with Sickle Cell. This is because I have age mates who are not doing anything because they feel limited. If they can’t do much, like a 9-5 job that I do, they can also make money for themselves and do something worthwhile. Sickle Cell is not a limitation and they should not see it as such.”

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

Kanu’s detention is no 1985 Coup: Why IBB sacked Buhari’s regime defeat to Biafra –MASSOB Onwuka Nzeshi He won’t make same mistakes again, writes biographer Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

he Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), yesterday told the Federal Government not to see the one year ‘incarceration’ of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and founder of Radio Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a defeat to Biafra agitators. 46 year old Kanu was arrested by DSS at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos in October, 2015, on his way back from the United Kingdom (UK). Since then, he has been in detention and tried foralleged treasonable felony. MASSOB said the continued detention and trial of Kanu has increased the agitation for the creation of Biafra State. In a statement in Abakaliki to mark the one year of the detention of the IPOB leader, MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu said, ‘’Nnamdi Kanu’s one year in detention should not be seen as defeat or morale killer by the Nigerian government, rather it is the leader’s sacrifice and price to pay for freedom because freedom can never be achieved on a platter of gold. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest, detention, political prosecutions, extra judicial killings of non-violent Biafra

agitators engaged in peaceful procession, etc have revived and reawaken the remaining consciousness of Biafra’s existence and reality in the last one year. ‘’In non-violent struggle for self determination, the willpower, consistency and undying spirit of the oppressed always send shivers down the spines of the oppressor, he’s always jittery and afraid of the popularity and public recognition of the platforms of the agitation. ‘’Arrest, incarceration, killings, political prosecutions etc are all ingredients of revolutionary struggle and without these ingredients which are reactions of the oppressors against the freedom fighters, the international communities will not notice our cruel plights or sympathize with us. ‘’ In different times, other leaders have passed through the dungeon cage like Nnamdi Kanu, l spent three years, nine months and two weeks in DSS headquarters cell in Abuja, and Suleja, Lagos, Keffi, Kuje and Abakiliki Prisons excluding some weeks of detention in Onitsha Prison and several police detentions.” ‘’We see these as sacrifices and prices to pay for freedom, we are not deterred, jittery or demoralized, our activities are creating more impacts, we have become a factor to reckon with’’.

S’East APC dismisses islamisation allegation Kenneth Ofoma, Enugu

he South East leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the weekend dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the Federal Government under the party’s leadership is pursuing an islamisation agenda in Nigeria. Rising from its zonal meeting in Enugu on Saturday, chaired by the National Vice Chairman, South East of the APC, Hon. Emma Eneukwu, the party stated that the influx of prominent Igbo sons and daughters into the party contradicts such allegations and rather confirms that the people of the zone have faith in the party and the president. Eneukwu announced that a major political rally was in the offing to formally welcome thousands of members of other political parties decamping to APC in the zone. He urged the people of the zone to discountenance divisive campaigns by opposition elements. It will be recalled that some Igbo leaders under the aegis of Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT) a socio-political pres-

sure group led by renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze, recently declared that the alleged plan by some people to Islamize Nigeria was real. Prof Nwabueze fingered lopsided appointments of heads of security establishments as well as alleged widespread murderous attacks on some sections of the country by suspected Fulani herdsmen as clear evidence of orchestrated plan by the present administration to Islamize the country. But the South East APC leaders reiterated the zone’s implicit confidence in the ability of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to return Nigeria on the path of economic growth soonest. “We know that the current economic recession in the country is a product of years of lack of planning, reckless spending and massive looting of our common resources. We, therefore, appeal for patience to all Nigerians particularly Ndi-Igbo and urged them to support President Muhammadu Buhari as he takes the country to the promise land,” the communiqué

T ABUJA

hirty one years after General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) and his other colleagues- in -arms ousted the military regime of General Muhamnadu Buhari (rtd) in a ‘palace coup’, it has emerged that the real reason behind the incident was Buhari’s hard posture on corruption and the widespread suspicion among his close lieutenants that the regime was not as clean as it wanted the public to believe. The counter- coup which took place on August 27, 1985, followed the compulsory retirement of the then Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) General Aliyu Gusau by the military government of Buhari on alleged complicity in the under the counter sales of import licences. Gusau, who had been the DMI boss during the administration of President Shehu Shagari and was retained by Buhari, was a close friend of Babangida,

who was the then Chief of Defence Staff. In the newly launched biography titled, ‘Muhamnadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria’, the author, Prof. John Paden, reveals that the coup that swept away Buhari was invariably staged to avenge the treatment meted on Gusau by Babangida and some other senior officers of that regime. According to the book, Buhari had, during his brief tenure as military ruler, pursued his anti- corruption crusade so vigorously that it translated into highhandedness to the anger of his colleagues. The book also pointed out that the retention of elements such as Gusau and Babangida, in the regime appeared to have been an error as both officers were veterans of several coups who also had links with some of the influential politicians incarcerated by the regime. “ By the summer of 1985,

splits were beginning to appear within the top military circle. Babangida had been part of every coup in Nigeria since 1967. He was very close to General Aliyu Gusau who was in charge of security. As the summer unfolded, Buhari became aware that Gusau was trading on import licences on the side. Gusau was retired by Buhari, a move that apparently upset Babangida. “Buhari confronted Babangida and asked what he would have done in the matter of Gusau’s retirement. Babangida agreed that Gusau had to have been retired. A few days later however, there was a knock on Buhari’s bedroom door. He opened the door and was met by two soldiers, who told him, General Buhari, sir, you are under arrest. “ The author, however, attempted to exonerate Buhari from the tag of being a high handed dictator when he wrote in one

of the passages that Buhari ran his government in a collegial manner. Paden wrote, “Buhari would suggest steps to take but if outvoted by his colleagues, he was quick to accept the collective decision. “ According to the book, Buhari’s tenure as Head of State was a normal military rule but not a one-man rule. However, it would appear that Buhari never forgot the lessons of 1985 as he has deliberately toned down on the Gestapo traits of his government on this second coming to power. The book recalls that when Buhari came to power ion December 31, 1983, his regime was widely accepted by the generality of the citizens but his massive crackdown on the state governors and other politicians created a backlash for which, he paid dearly. Many of the governors had their fortunes confiscated while they we’re sent to various terms of imprisonment.

Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi(2nd right); his wife, Rachel; Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe (2nd left ) and the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Odefa Obasi Odefa, during the 25th wedding anniversary of a former Minister of State for Health, Engr. Fidelis Nwankwo in Abakaliki on Saturday.

Customs lifts rice import ban from land borders

NEWS IN BRIEF

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has, Wednesday, ordered the immediate lifting of the ban on rice importation from import restriction list and the re-introduction of import duty payment at land borders. The Public Relations Officer of customs, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. He said the restriction was only applied at land border stations before now, adding that the customs boss had lifted restriction on rice at border stations. Mr. Adeniyi said that all rice imports through land borders by rice traders would attract the prevailing import duty of 10 per cent with 60 per cent levy. He also said rice millers (preferential levy) with valid quota allocation would also attract duty rate of 10 per cent with 20 per cent levy on rice importation. “Over the years importation has been restricted to the seaports because border authorities have found it difficult to effectively monitor and control importation of rice. “When the decision to ban it (rice) was taken it was not an effective measure because smuggling of the product thrives with people using different means of conveyance including small trucks, bicycles and even animals – putting them on donkeys and some actually carry it on their heads. “These new measures will be for customs to re-organize their anti-smuggling operations in the border areas and ensure that all those importers through the borders bring their rice through approved routes and pay their extant duty,” he said.

Philips partners WHF on CVD prevention IITA, NRCRI partner to increased seed Royal Philips, one of the leading health technology yam production companies, has partnered World Heart Federation (WHF) in a bid to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other heart-relatedillnesses in Nigeria and beyond. Philips’objectiveis to encouragethepublic to take personal responsibilityfor leadingheart-healthy lives and raiseawareness about CVD andother illnesses. According to Business Leader of Patient Careand Monitoring Solutions of theorganisation,Carla Kriwet,Philips is dedicatedto providingpersonalised,integratedcardiologysolutions witha focus on prevention,diagnosis andtreatment.“Our new partnershipwiththeWHF is animportant element of our commitment to driveprevention of CVD by makingclear,therisk factors associated with cardiovascular diseaseandto helppeople, including Nigerians,makebetter choices and develop healthier habits for life,”hesaid. Kriwet noted that,CVD is theleadingcauseof deathworldwide,resultinginmorethan17.5million deaths in 2015andaccounts for morecosts than any other chronic illness. While stating that thepictureis thesamein Nigeria with sevenper cent of deaths attributedto CVD amongst a populationof over 160 million,he added that awareness levels about thediseaseare low.Over 50 of Nigerians areunawareof CVD and 77 per centarenot concernedabout personallybeing at risk of thedisease.Yet,most cardiovascular diseases can bepreventedbychangingbehaviours andeliminatingrisk factors,”he assured.The Chief Executive Officer (CEO),World Heart Federation, Johanna Ralston,said,“Heart health is at the heart of all health.When you look after your heart it means eating and drinking well,exercising,stopping smoking... all the things that make you not only healthier, but also feel good and able to enjoy your life to the fullest.

Igbaku Orji, UMUAHIA The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, Abia State, have collaborated for the production of seed yam for farmers to retain Nigeria’s status as world’s largest yam producer. The collaborative effort culminated in the training of farmers and yam companies at the NRCRI to acquaint them with the new technology which will help them to raise clean seed yams for increased production of both ware and seed yams to address the declining production of yam and challenges of food security. Declaring open the workshop which attracted yam groups across the country, the Executive Director of the Institute, Dr Julius Okonkwo described yam as an important crop in Nigeria which is why it is celebrated in the South East part of the country.He said that the Bioreactor and Aeroponics system of seed yam production was the outcome of years of painstaking research in roots and tuber crops in the Institute and urged participants to take advantage of the workshop to increase production and improve their income. Okonkwo said that the workshop became necessary against the background of reduction in yield as a result of virus attacks and soil infertility. Speaking at the workshop with the theme Operationalisation of Pre-basic and Basic Seed Yam Planting Materials Using Temporary Immersion Bioreactor and Aeroponics System, the project leader of Yam Improvement for Income and Food Security in West Africa (YIIFSWA) Dr Norbert Maroya, said that the project for increased production of yam “was initiated in September 2011 with more than US$12 million grant from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to IITA to increase yield and output by 40 per cent for 200,000 small holder yam farmers in Ghana and Nigeria.

OPINION 11

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

Agriculture as joker for ending biting recession Idowu Samuel

y a recent projection, Nigeria’s population by year 2015 would have reached about to 500 million. That could mean nothing less than a certificate of disaster for a nation that depends squarely on importation of food items to feed its people. Over the years, Nigeria has been lethargic on efforts and initiatives towards meeting its food demands locally. On the strength of its petrol-dollars, it felt too comfortable to import just about anything including tooth picks which it could produce in huge proportion locally. Nigeria acted carelessly and most unwisely by neglecting agriculture which some 40 years ago, was the main stay of its economy! Today, the huge wastes, mismanagement and inability to plan over the past years have worked in concert to enthrone the regime of economic recession. It is time for agriculture to be promoted as a means of succour and a major avenue for bail out. The flag of agriculture is simply an immediate joker for ending recession. In the pre and post independent Nigeria, agriculture offered employment opportunities to more than 70 percent of the populace. Specialisation by comparative advantage made the Eastern, Western and the Northern regions of the country to earn foreign exchange from rubber plantations, cocoa and ground nuts respectively. Such enhanced competitiveness among the regions on economic development. Succinctly, the resources from agriculture came handy for oil exploration and the subsequent emergence of Nigeria as an oil producing nation. For Nigeria, the sudden oil boom that came its way only produced a modicum of

blessing and a short span era of bliss. Oil resources changed the psyche of leaders and the led. For years, the national economy became monolithic, anchored solely on oil and leaving leaders after leaders to evolve the instincts for plundering and squandering of national resources and wealth. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari, which is barely two years in office, is making frantic efforts to re-invent the structure of the national economy. The need to pull Nigeria quickly away from the brink of economic collapse where it was left by successive past regimes, explains the emphasis by the government on diversification. Agriculture, from available plans, is the pillar on which the will to reinvent the economy is now resting. Weeks ago, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) endorsed an agric master plan developed by the Ministry of Agriculture towards causing an instant revolution in food production in Nigeria. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is an integral part of the agenda. According to available reports, agriculture within the next two years will begin to generate foreign exchange for Nigeria with exports of rice, cassava, wheat, fruits, vegetables and other items already being produced on mechanised levels across the country. On this, the evidence is not far-fetched as the cultivation of rice for exports has reached advanced stage in some states of the federation. Recently, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele assured Nigerians of government’s preparedness to ramp up rice production for export. According to him, the emphasis on rice production alone under the government of President Buhari has generated about 500,000 employment opportunities in some states. He also affirmed that the CBN had registered at least

70,871 farmers in Kebbi for an Anchor Borrowers Programme. Those registered, he added, had begun the cultivation of farmlands for the large scale production of rice and wheat. Already, farmers have been equipped with 500 threshers for harvest in 12 rice-producing states of Ebonyi, Enugu, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, Benue and Taraba. Nigerians are to expect more on the strength of a strong partnership between Lagos and Kebbi states to grow and market rice. Lagos and Kebbi states in March this year, signed a memorandum of understanding on large scale rice production, deploying adequate resources for the laudable venture. The goal of Lagos-Kebbi partnership on food production, according to the Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudi, was to first “produce 60 to 70 per cent of Nigeria’s rice needs, and replicate same in other food items.” With the mileage covered so far, stakeholders are already assuring that the price of rice locally will crash before the end of the year. There are reports that rice is to be sold for less than N10,000 in some northern states. Plateau State recently announced resolve to locate itself in the map of states primed to grow rice for export. More cheering is a report on efforts by the Federal Government to create additional jobs for over 758,500 youth across the country under the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) to boost agricultural productivity. The three-year programme, according to the National programme Coordinator, Mrs Karima Babangida is drawing support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). Babangida said under the YEAP initiative, some 740,000 jobs would be ‘market-

oriented’ for agricultural producers. From the lot, 18,500 jobs, she said, would be reserved for university graduates across the nation. Under the market-oriented, 20,000 youths would be selected from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), she added. Nigerian youths are gaining more as the Ministry of Agriculture some weeks ago launched the First Farmer’s Graduate Scheme at Kampe in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. Also, the Road Map on agriculture by the Federal Government anchored on, “The Green Alternative” is a good narrative on how it intends to position agriculture to take Nigeria to a new realm of economic boom with mass participation by Nigerians. The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh said the Green Alternative is designed to put the private sector in the saddle to create linkages with small and large scale farmers while availing them of better organization methods, technological access, financial services, and linkages to input supply chains and markets, among others. The Green Alternative agenda on agriculture is not unmindful of the conflicts between farmers and herdsmen over arable lands across the country, while fashioning out security measures built on planned construction of ranches in strategic states of the federation. An interim security measure in this regard, involves the deployment of Civil Defence Corps with specially trained officers to be on guard within the communities noted for incessant menace of herdsmen and cattle rustlers. Idowu Samuel, a journalist and public analyst

Etiebet at 72 and ‘poisoned politics’ Nsikak Ekanem

eptuagenarian Chief Don Etiebet, who clocked 72 on September 15, had cause to roll out drums, and blow his trumpet, if no one was ready to do that for him. At the same time, he has more than a reason to think thoroughly on his sojourn on earth so far, especially on areas of his unfulfilled dreams, with a view to fulfilling them and ensures they last even beyond his days in this world. His taking the lead in ICT in Nigeria and huge investment in private entrepreneurship, particularly through his Data Sciences, has not only enrolled his name in billionaires club but has contributed substantially in enlisting others in the list of persons with bounty attainment in either private or public life. Chris Ekpenyong, arguably the most influential deputy governor so far in Akwa Ibom, can hardly omit mentioning Data Sciences in his curriculum vitae; likewise Babachir Lawal, the current Secretary to the Federal Government. Since 1990s, public engagement through his doggedness in politics has taken the shine off his personal business enterprise. He has been a founder and funder of political party at a time such venture was daredevil and uncommon on account of maximum rule under military dictatorship of Sanni Abacha. In the history of contemporary Nigeria it would be a conspicuous error on the part of historians if his name

is not mentioned as the first politician from minority tribe in Southern Nigeria that somewhat independently vied to become the country’s president even amidst harsh oddities occasioned by the entrenched establishment’s firm grip on politics. While other top politicians galvanized forces under a famous forum called G-34 in impressing on Abacha to tread on democratic route even as a military dictator, Etiebet was using sole personal platform with support of his political followers across the country, including those in core northern Nigeria to oust Abacha and succeed him in a contest that Abacha himself was pulling everything through to transmute from military despot to civilian ruler. Etiebet survived by the whiskers. Still, It was under the superintendence of Etiebet as chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) that Muhammadu Buhari converted and had his democratic or civilian baptism and went ahead to fly the party’s flag for second coming into power. Buhari’s political quest for leadership eventually materialized in the last presidential election, 30 years after he was booted out of the same office by his military colleague, Ibrahim Babangida. Politics, indeed, remains the aspect of Etiebet’s life that calls more for a sober reflection. Though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in which he is one of the founding fathers, had landslide victory across the country on return to democracy

in 1999, it is doubtful whether Etiebet could be counted among those that reap from the 16 years reign of the party in the country. In fact, shortly after the inauguration of the civilian government in 1999, beneficiaries of Etiebet’s magnanimity, both in the national level and at his home state of Akwa Ibom, pull all the strings to stifle his business and political empire, resulting in Etiebet quitting the very party he helped build from proceeds of his personal venture. Politicians that have been reaping from his political generosity often treat Etiebet like a caterpillar, which is considered dangerous to access the very tract it bulldozed. Impunity that appears to be running in the DNA of almost all the governors across the country since 1999 has constantly brought to the fore activism that runs in Etiebet’s veins. Following absence of civil society, weakling and compromised opposition parties, sycophantic political class and gullible masses in Akwa Ibom, Etiebet has, time and again, taken the lead in venting grievances and pushing successive governors in the state to embrace democratic ethos. Given the peculiarity of the society, such act is often considered aberration by a chunk of the society, including those that stand to benefit from Etiebet’s activist role and he has not been spared condemnations by minions. Wondering why Etiebet and the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom have had a rift, Ray Ekpu, in his column in The Guard-

ian of December 15, 2015 stated the followings: “Both of them have really nothing to fight each other for because each of them has had his day under the sun. Etiebet has been a successful private sector entrepreneur, minister of Petroleum, chairman of a party, Pro-Chancellor and chairman of council of the University of Jos. “Akpabio was a commissioner, Governor of Akwa Ibom State for two terms, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and now Senator and Minority Leader of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Both of them have done well by helping to put Akwa Ibom State on an imposing place on the map of Nigeria.” In reference to Akpabio’s name being dragged to the pillory by a section of the masses in Akwa Ibom, even amidst infrastructural renaissance that the state attained under Akpabio, the iconic journalist had hailed Akpabio as “a man for whom” the people “should roll out the red carpet anywhere he goes in the state”. On a very serious note Etiebet should spare a moment in reflecting on the APC government led by Buhari. Since May 29, 2015 that the Buhari presidency was inaugurated the fortunes of millions of Nigerians have been fluctuating with hopes of fruitful fortune appearing too far. Nigerians would want him to whisper to the president while celebrating his birthday. Ekanem wrote from Abuja

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sunday Mail

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MAIL BAG

* Letters to the Editor

The Sunday Telegraph

Change begins with FG, not me

Brother who owns the yams

that branding is the more efficient and trendy way to sell their CHANGE, not conventional marketing, not CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME. On this note, the CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME messaging comes across as aloof, arrogant and insensitive on the part of government to the nation’s plights – seems to say: “Nigerians, if you are so desperate about this CHANGE, then, it has to come from you, not me. The point is: Government, start knitting action together with communication. Publicity is done only when there is something to publicise. Kindly acknowledge that your kind of ‘Change’ has become synonymous with failed promises plus recession and do the needful. You promised this CHANGE. Fulfill your promise. Please do! Lest, citizens, based on their lived terrible experiences, rebrand your brand, completely. Queen Eugene, Ikeja, Lagos

The need for a united Nigeria at 56 and beyond Dear Editor, From a Neolithic and Iron Age Civilisation by the Nok in the Present Day Jos in Plateau State as far back as 800 BC, to the 11th Century formation of the Hausa Kingdoms and Borno Dynasty in the North, Oyo and Benin Kingdoms in the South, to the founding of the Sokoto

Caliphate in 1809, to the 1850s establishment of British presence around Lagos, to the 1914 Nigerian Protectorate, to our Independence from British rule in 1960, then the dark 30 months of the brutal Civil War which began in 1967, to Military Rule, then democracy, to the present day, we have managed to present a ‘common front’ as a people. Recently, there have been strident calls from some quarters for a break-up of Nigeria as we know it, based on perceived injustices to some sections of our dear country. But, is Nigeria’s disintegration the solution to our problems? I say NO. This is because any country which desires to be taken seriously in the comity of developed nations, derives its strength from its human and material resources, size and population. We will not stand a chance if we are divided. Remember, united we stand, divided we fall. Government, therefore, needs to move decisively to check the current trend of general insecurity, violence, repression, imbalance and yes, injustice – perceived or real. It is important on this 56th Anniversary of our Independence to remember that most Nigerians are still thriving in peaceful co-existence with their neighbours, regardless of what part of Nigeria they come from or how they worship God. For our sake, therefore, our common Nigerian identity cannot be compromised. Dauda Lawal

Economic Recession: Paradigm shift as a remedial mechanism Dear Editor, Nigeria’s economic downturn is no longer strange with many economic activities grounded and unprecedented job losses in banks, multinationals and other key sectors. To combat the predicament, the Federal Government since inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration prioritized anti-corruption and diversification of the economy to agriculture and mines. No doubt, the actions are long overdue; however, a paradigm shift from export of crude oil to that of its by-products and finished products as preliminary policy against the anomaly is indomitable. The reason is not farfetched; the global crash in the price of crude oil did not affect the prices of its by-products and finished products. From OPEC’s chart on Thursday, September 8, 2016, daily basket price of crude stood at $44.61 a barrel against a benchmark grudgingly proposed by the Nigerian government. Deductively, since the price of crude oil, the nation’s major source of revenue crashed and remains on decline, meanwhile the country is endowed with crude oil in huge magnitude, strategically, the focus should have been to divert to export of its by-products and finished products like petroleum, kerosene,

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The rashness of elders Dear Editor,

Dear Editor, In the public relations sector, you earn good reputation when you deliver what you promised. It is amazing how most people like to tell stories with the intent that others will empathise with them. But they fail to tell the story strategic enough to attract the empathy they seek. Using the Federal Government as a case in point, the challenge, right from Jonathan’s administration, has always been not leveraging all projects via action-matching drumbeat in the media – the only way to curry empathy and buy-in from Nigerians and the global community. For instance, the Goodluck Jonathan government may not be as awful as it is being described but for non-actionable communication. President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has started toeing the same path. This time, artfully. The government is counting the chickens and even nicknaming them before the eggs are hatched. If not, how would you explain the reality of launching the campaign, CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME? How exactly do you want to convince someone who lives in Nigeria, right now that he is actually the CHANGE, he seeks? In this ‘newly improved’ hunger? How? What it simply means is that this beautiful yet unrealistic campaign, called, CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME shall suffer from two things. 1. Timing. 2. Perception. Apparently, CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME is ill-timed, coming at a time Nigerians are disgruntled. We are hungry. A hungry man in the midst of other worshipers completely lacks the mettle to “jump up and shout Halleluyah.” Meanwhile, if we drag this to the branding world, the campaign is as wrongheaded as the boomerang is already looming. One of the principles of branding is that marketing is not a function that can be considered in isolation. No. Branding sells the product to the consumer ahead of marketing through tested and trusted offering. Yes, it is that expedient, so that when marketing comes calling the consumer, he picks up the call with immediate alacrity, not even knowing he is on his way to brand loyalty. The FG must then understand

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PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

naphtha, gasoline, diesel, asphalt base, heating oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by setting up refineries and processingplants which apart from keeping the economy buoyant will overwhelmingly boost employment rather than the insufferable downsizing in all sectors and even absolute winding up of multinationals who couldn’t cope with the adverse condition. Imperatively, the colossal element; imbalance of trade has not been measured. To continue to export crude-oil which the country solely depends on at low prices only to import on high demand, its finished and by-products at exorbitant prices is illogical and naturally will lead to economic depression in any country, even if a developed nation. Interestingly, despite the global crash in crude, all its by-products and finished products have remained vendible with stable rise in prices. This ought to invoke a state of emergency in the oil sector to fix the existing refineries and set up new ones across the nation. The present crisis in the midst of plenty is uncalled for. Admitted, the previous administrations failed woefully in taking sensible actions in the midst of plenty, nevertheless, the change mantra should imply the present administration taking the bull by the horns by doing things rightly and differently for desirable results. Carl Umegboro

There is an element of pettiness in some of the recent actions of the National Christian Elders Forum; a matter of concern given that endless nitpicking can easily morph into bigotry. Evidence of this can be seen in the lengthy commentary issued by the Forum following the Sultan of Sokoto’s announcement of the approved dates for the last Muslim Hajj rituals at Arafat and the feast of Eid el-Kabir that followed it. The Nigerian state has been fair to the main religious groups in the matter of observance of their major feasts right from colonial times; a fact the (NCEF) knows quite well. There are a total of five days of public holidays each for Christian and Muslim religious festivals. Official publications such as government calendars annually list the dates – in the case of Muslim holidays this explanation is added: “subject to the sighting of the moon”, since Muslims operate the lunar calendar. The only authority to confirm sighting of the moon is the Sultan and that is what he did in that instance. It has been so for “the eternity” of Nigeria’s usually existence and has never been a source of contention until the advent of the Forum. It is clear falsehood to suggest that there was a different system prior to the coming into office of the current administration in declaring public holidays for Muslim festivals. It is not religious groups that are being favoured or are the beneficiaries of such extension, but primarily civil servants and workers in the organised private sector whom government courts with such gestures. Elders forums in whatever grouping – political, religious, social or sporting – are supposed to be islands of sobriety, acting as brakes on the impetuousness and rashness of usually less mature followers. Where the forum operates in the realm of religion, it is even more imperative that its actions and pronouncements are so as to foster understanding and tolerance between different religious groups, rather than fan the embers of conflict. The National Christian Elders Forum must be more mindful of this duty in a fractious country like ours. M. T. Usman 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

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

news

2015 elections were not perfect – Jega Wale Elegbede

ormer National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has said that the 2015 general elections were not perfect, noting, however, that the polls represented a remarkable departure from the country’s ignominious history of fraudulent elections. Speaking yesterday in Lagos at the 50th birthday anniversary lecture of the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire, the former electoral body chair, who spoke on the theme ‘Challenges and Prospects of Sustainable Credible Elections in Nigeria’, said there is need to check the excesses and recklessness of politicians for the country to sustain its electoral prospects. “No doubt, it is necessary to institutionalize credible elections in Nigeria, and to not allow a reversal from the gains made in 2015. “The 2015 elections were far from perfect, but they represented a remarkable departure from our ignominious history of fraudulent elections to the path of sustainable elections with credibility and integrity. “Badly or poorly conducted elections had in past damped our enthusiasm for transition to democracy and undermined our capacity to enjoy good democratic governance, with dire negative consequences on the liveli-

hood and aspirations of a majority Nigerians.” Identifying the attitudes of politicians as one of challenges militating against the nation’s electoral process, Jega said: “The unwholesome mind-set of our politicians is one of the challenges of our electoral process. There are some decent politicians but they are very few. There are only few decent politicians. Nigeria has a special breed of politicians, they are militricians because they have imbibed the attitudes of the military over time. “I quite often say that Nigeria has a special breed of politicians (‘militicians’). They generally tend to believe that political power through elections has to be “captured”, and this has to be done by hook or by crook; and by any means necessary! “For many of them, winning election is, literally, ‘a do-or-die’ affair. That is why the Nigerian political/ electoral arena increasingly resembles a bloody battlefield, with maiming, killing, burning, assassinations and unimaginable destruction of lives and property.” Notable among dignitaries present at the gathering include governors of Ogun and Jigawa states, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Badaru Abubakar respectively; Minister of Power, Housing and Works, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and his Solid Minerals counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Chief Razaq Okoya, among others.

Judges arrest: Nigerians should rise against ‘dictatorship’ – Fani-Kayode

former Minister of Aviation, Femi FaniKayode has lambasted the Department of State Services, (DSS), for arresting some judges in the middle of the night. Fani-Kayode in a statement released on Saturday, said the action of the DSS to arrest judges was an indication that Nigeria is under attack by “ravenous” President Muhammadu Buhari and his government. The former campaign spokesman of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan called on Nigerians to “rise and fight back” against the alleged oppression by the current government. The statement reads in part, “Their homes were raided by hundreds of fully armed DSS commandos between 1.00 and 2.00 a.m. this morning. Their streets were surrounded and sealed up. Their gates and front doors were smashed open and they forcefully and violently arrested and detained. “Their families and loved

ones were traumatised and terrorised. Their staff and members of their household were held captive, threatened and sent scampering for cover under their beds. “Yet those that suffered these gross violations of their fundamental human rights, civil liberties and indignities were not wily and desperate politicians or hardened military men that were fighting and conspiring against the government or plotting a military coup d’etat. “Instead they were all senior and respected members of the Nigerian judiciary. They included two Supreme Court judges (one of whom is next in line to be the Chief Justice of the Federation) and three Federal High Court judges,” he said. Fani-Kayode asserted that if judges could be attacked by agents of government then it was time for Nigerians to “rise up” and fight against the current “oppression.”

L-R: Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Mr. Solomon Onah; his wife, Ugochi; and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, shortly after the commissioner’s wedding at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Asata, Enugu, yesterday.

No govt agency said Dame Jonathan stole its $15.5m – Lawyer Paul Ogbuokiri

With Agency report

he lawyer representing Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday told a federal court that no government agency had come forward to claim ownership of the $15.5 million for which his client is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Gboyega Oyewole said the former first lady, Patience Jonathan, had continued to lay claim to the money, even filing a fundamental rights enforcement suit before a court. “Neither the Federal Government nor any of its agencies; neither any state nor its agencies have claimed the fund as their own or that it was stolen from them,” said Mr. Oyewole. The money, which the EFCC had since frozen in four Skye Bank accounts, was

opened in the name of the companies – Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Seagate Property Development & Investment Co. Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited. The companies were arraigned alongside Mr. Dudafa, who served as Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to Mr. Jonathan; Amajuoyi Briggs, a former presidential aide; and Adedamola Bolodeoku, a former Skye Bank official for money laundering, stealing, forgery, and conspiracy before Justice Babs Kuewunmi of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court. In a dramatic twist on the day of arraignment, last month, all the companies pleaded guilty to the 15-count charge. Messrs Dudafa, Briggs, and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty before the judge. The judge had adjourned to

September 27 for the EFCC to review the facts of the case before he would determine the fate of the companies. But on the date, Mr. Oyewole and Tochukwu Onyiuke, counsel to Mr. Briggs, appeared in court with two separate applications, urging the court to change the plea of the four companies from guilty to not guilty. Mr. Oyewole said there was no document before the court to prove that the four people who had pleaded guilty on behalf of the companies were authorised to take the plea, adding that they had in their statement to the EFCC stated that they were neither directors of the companies nor had anything to do with the companies. He also said in the face of Dame Jonathan’s claim over the money, allowing the guilty plea by the four companies and convicting them of money laundering charges would amount to “a gross abuse of the judicial process and an attack on the principle

of fairness and justice.” Mr. Oyewole said his client was afraid that the guilty plea entered by the four companies would adversely affect him since the proceedings were joint proceedings and the first count bordered on conspiracy. On his own part, Mr. Onyiuke challenged the jurisdiction and competence of the judge to even entertain the arraignment of the four companies in the first place. “The condition precedent to this honourable court assuming jurisdiction, to wit: authority to represent the 4th to 7th defendants by their purported representatives further to Section 477(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, was completely lacking,” said Mr. Onyiuke. He said accepting the guilty plea of the companies who admitted that they conspired with his client to launder the money would be a miscarriage of justice against his client.

Erisco Foods accused of not servicing N2bn loan Paul Ogbuokiri and Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

gainst the backdrop of an allegation that the recent operational challenges threatening the survival of Nigeria’s main tomato paste manufacturer, Erisco Foods Limited, was its failure to service a N2 billion facility it obtained from a Nigerian bank, Chairman of the company, Chief Eric Umeofia has said that though he is not servicing the reported loan, the failure to service the loan and the challenges confronting the company were due to his inability to access foreign exchange to import raw materials and implements to keep the factory at optimum production.

• Yes, I need forex to import raw materials –Chief Umeofia Speaking yesterday in a telephone interview with Sunday Telegraph, he blamed the Central Bank (CBN) for his predicament, saying the apex bank has failed to give him forex to enable him put the huge tomato packaging factory at the Oregun area of Lagos State into production. He said: “If we are allowed to import raw materials and implements, we will be in production and servicing of the loan won’t be an issue. “I am in my country to produce and create employment for our teeming youths. That is why I set up this factory complex. It is not only here that I took loan, I took huge loans from abroad and I am in business,

but the situation here is different, the central bank and other government agencies are not encouraging manufacturing rather, they are giving forex to importers of fish and other things, instead of supporting local manufacturing. If the situation remains so suffocating, I will relocate my operation elsewhere. But I am reluctant to do that because this is my country, I want to contribute my own quota to its economic growth” he adds. Chief Umeofia also admitted that he received some intervention funding from the CBN, but was quick to say that the facility was so paltry to booster the mega operations he into in the tomato farming and process-

ing business in the country. Sunday Telegraph investigations revealed that the company had received about N2 billion from the intervention fund of the CBN. This is even as banking sources familiar with the challenges of the firm claimed that it might have stemmed from estranged financial relationships with the company’s bankers due to debt service issues. Speaking further, the source alleged that the company might not have kept to existing rules of engagement by importing tomato paste and repacking the item instead of boosting local tomato paste production in line with the aspirations of government.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

Science

08035624538

ABUAD Teaching Hospital: A unique citadel of excellence in medicine

On January 4, 2010, lectures began tentatively in Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti. On May 7th, 2015 the Institution’s College of Engineering was rated the best in Nigeria by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). Recently, the Council for Legal Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC), rated its College of Law as the best in West Africa. The Medicine and other Health Sciences programmes commenced in 2011. Within three years (2014), they were fully accredited by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the NUC - a feat which takes a minimum of 10 years for other universities to achieve. The Teaching Hospital (ABUADTH) is equipped with the state-of-the-art functional facilities, most of which, not found in any teaching hospital in the country. When commissioned, ABUAD will also be paraded as the best teaching hospital in Nigeria. Science writer, STANLEY CHIBUIHEM AMALAHA, after a tour of facilities at the hospital reports.

Prof. Michael Ajisafe

The teaching hospital under construction ( back/side view)

Prof. Sanya

The Teaching Hospital under construction (front view)

PROLEGOMENON “If I seem to see further than others, it is because i stood on the shoulders of giants.” This coinage was made by Sir Isaac Newton (1642 -1727), English, mathematician, physicist and philosopher after inventing the Infinitesimal Calculus and other discoveries in science. Likewise,If Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital Ado-Ekiti(ABUADTH), seems to see further than others, it is because, it stands on the shoulders of giants. The most impeccable of these giants is Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, one of Africa’s brightest hope for the future, a leader and Mentor and an astute frontline legal luminary. Taking a leaf from America’s Neil Armstrong’s iconic speech on his Lunar Landing (July 1969): “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. The establishment of ABUAD Teaching Hospital is indeed one small step for Afe, one giant leap for Africans. His footprints on the sands of time at the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Federal Medical Centre IdoEkiti, just to mention but a few, are some living testaments that the legal luminary of international repute has been pioneering academic excellence in tertiary institutions in the country more than any Nigerian man or woman, living or dead. ABUADTH The establishment of ABUADTH, built at the speed of light, located contiguously with the university main campus with the

state-of-the-art functional facilities comparable with what is obtainable anywhere in the world, is a novel testament that a Daniel has really come to judgement. The hospital with its arrays of equipment, human resources, collaborations and its imposing magnificent main administrative building, regarded as the single, largest University Teaching Hospital building in Nigeria is envious, that anybody who studied medicine in another university, might be tempted to renounce his Alma-mata. VICE CHANCELLOR Prof Michael O. Ajisafe, Vice Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, who doubles as Nigeria’s first Professor of Sports Science, commended the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), for establishing a world class teaching hospital. When commissioned, will excel over and above any teaching hospital in Nigeria. We have already made collaborations with the best brains in the medical professions in the world which include: John Hopkins University Hospital USA, and four other internationally recognised hospitals in India,” he said. PROVOST, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE In another highlight, Prof Joseph O. Sanya, Provost College of Medicine & Health Sciences ABUADTH, “a teaching hospital is referred to as a tertiary hospital, but ABUADTH, is a quaternary hospital because of its State-of-the-art functional facilities, majority of which, are not found

in any teaching hospital in Nigeria. Some of them include but not limited to: Bone densitometer, for measuring the density of bones; Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan, for diagnosing very minute abnormal structures in the body such as cancer. Other facilities include: a helipad, where patients flown from different parts of the world will land via helicopter for medical attention. A diagnostic centre, where referrals from all over the world will diagnose illnesses; pharmaceutical centre, where drugs will be produced, among others. The hospital is also a Centre of Excellence for the transplants of kidney, liver, heart, bone marrow and other related illnesses”, he said. ACCREDITATION The astute don, Sanya, further highlighted that all medical programmes in ABUADTH are accredited by the Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the National Universities Commission (NUC). Within three years of the establishment of Medicine in the university, it received full accreditation-a feat which usually takes a minimum of 10 years for other universities to achieve. ABUAD AND ABUADTH SYMBIOSIS The hospital and ABUAD, will function in excellent symbiosis. For example, the Undergraduate Medical Programme (based in the College of Health Sciences), ABUAD, and the Teaching Hospital,

Aare Afe Babalola

ABUADTH; will provide facilities for Postgraduate Residency Training Programmes in all specialties of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Community Medicine, General Medicine Practice, Radiology, Radiotherapy, Dentistry among others. TRAINING SCHOOLS When commissioned, ABUADTH, will also provide diploma/professional programmes in the schools of allied health professions. (Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Health Information & Statistics, Peri-Operative Nursing and Occupational Health Nursing). The hospital will also embark on other administrative and managerial training programmes. LAST LINE Since the long years of Methuselah has nothing to do with the wisdom of Solomon, the six-year-old, Africa’s fastest developing University which parades the largest and best functional facilities in the country in her Colleges of Engineering, and Law, will soon incorporate her Teaching Hospital as the best in the country when commissioned on or before the first quarter of next year. This write-up merely nibbles at the edge of the rare achievements of an ‘Octopus’, whose records of achievement will continue to dominate our national discourse for years that lie ahead.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

SUNDAY

Body Soul S U N D AY, O C T O B E R 9 , 2 0 1 6

I’m going hubby-shopping (9) 20 Flatter in flared 18,39 An artiste is as good as his team –Kiss Daniel 42

Writing is my first love –Emem Isong

Body&Soul

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Here Beyond

Elegant maxi glam

StyleSta ker

Dorcas Shola Fapson Hot and Beautiful

Biwom Iklaki

axi dresses have appeal from here to there and they are a favourite for relaxed settings and atmospheres. Besides your lovely little summer dresses, I believe your maxi dresses would also rank high up there as one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing in your wardrobe. Take advantage of these hot days we have been getting lately and garb up in a beautiful flowing and absolutely comfortable maxi dress. Their clean lines and ultra feminine grace would be much appreciated as the days get hotter. If there is a sudden chill in the air, you could fix this with a shawl thrown over your shoulders or a blazer too. Accessorise minimally especially if your dress is floral or very graphic. Throw on a blazer and you have a complete look for work. A cross body bag, clutch or structured bags all do the style justice. Your choice of footwear too is as variant as your personal style is, here and abroad.

Eunice Stephen

his week we are stalking the style of Dorcas Shola Fapson, fondly called DSF by friends. She was born and raised in North London where she made a decision to pursue her passion for acting after graduation which led to a full-time scholarship to the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York. Upon returning to the UK, she was cast as ‘Aunty Funke’ in the ‘Afrobeats Musical’. Dorcas also has a strong background in modelling and is keen to venture into directing in the near future. She became popular when she featured in the third season of the UK MTV Base series Shuga. The graduate of Criminology is passionate about young people which is part of the reason why she played Sophie, the ‘runs babe’ in Shuga. She has worked with Inner-City, At-Risk Youth in London at London Proba-

tion. Her desire in the next ten years is to open a drama centre that caters specifically to the poor youths in the society. Dorcas Fapson is a stunning beauty with a curvy body. She is that actress that keeps her colleagues and friends anticipating how she would appear on any event because she is as passionate with the way she looks as she is with her acting. She is that actress that evolves with the trends and fashion of the day. Dorcas is a lady that would put the fashion police folks out of work because with her, there is no dull moment in fashion. Fapson is one of the hottest and sexiest Nigerian actresses who do justice to whatever they put on. Be it Western or traditional, however it is put together. Here she is at special events showing how she effortlessly makes her fashion statements with gorgeous couture numbers. Her fashion is always synonymous with hotness.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

Body&Soul Why did you start Royal Arts Academy? It was born out of the fact that I saw there was a need to have something like this in the industry at that time. I also know that training is required for the industry. I’ve always been an advocate of some of form of formal training in the industry. Apart from that, I wanted people to have a sort of spring board to come into the industry. A lot of relatives keep calling me to say they want to act and how they could go about it. So I decided to open up a training school and a management company. They can also use this place as their starting point and a place for networking because producers, writers, actors, troop in and out of this place on regular basis. You are known more as a producer. Why did you delve into movie production? I wanted to do movie production because I love it. I think I have a flair for it but I started out as a writer. Writing is my first love and since I wanted to have creative control to what I’ve written to be sure it came out the way I wrote it, I decided to come in as a consultant . As for directing, I just moved into that recently and I have done two jobs as a director. But my forte is writing and producing. I love the arts and I believe that’s what God has for meant me to do. What was your big break as a producer? I think the movie that got me noticed was a movie titled ‘Hit and Run’. I had done like three or four movies before then and it was a struggle. ‘Hit and run’ was a movie I did then with Ann Njemanze and Segun Arinze, and it was a big hit that got me some breakthrough. My major breakthrough was ‘Emotional Crack’ and that took me to some festivals round the world and I would say it has been rewarding thereafter. When you were studying Theatre Arts in school, did you ever envision doing what you do now? My vision had always been to work behind the scenes. When I was studying Theatre Arts, I was thinking of having a theatrical production company that I would take round the world. I was an ardent TV watcher as a child. So I got hooked on those old TV productions like ‘Behind the Clouds’, ‘Cock Crow at Dawn’ and all of that and I knew that I needed to work in entertainment. While in school, acting was not my passion. My passion was to create or to make movies. I didn’t know the exact work area I would be going into but I actually did Dance as a major and Choreography. But I had always had a flair for writing. Did you experience any opposition when you wanted to study Theatre Arts? It wasn’t a very popular course of study at that time but with time, they accepted it when they saw how passionate I was and they decided to let me do it. My parents are the type that knows that whatever you read doesn’t really matter; what you need to have is an education that will help chart your course. So they encouraged me and saw me through to the end after the initial resistance. When I came out, I went into the banking industry and my mum liked that anyway because she wanted that corporate look for her child. She was more comfortable with that. It was the norm then to have your child working as a lawyer or banker. But when I decided to resign from the banking industry, they thought I was crazy yet again but they saw that I could not be deterred, and they were very supportive as well. What was your childhood like generally? It was good. I come from a very strict background. Mum was a principal of a school and very strict. My Dad was the happy-go-lucky kind of person; he was more relaxed. But generally, they both instilled discipline in us which I thank God for because that has helped me a lot in life. We are from a very close knit family, I have two

Writing is my first love – Emem Isong Beginning her career in 1994, award winning producer, Emem Isong, has excelled in writing and movie productions. With provoking and well thought-out plots, she has earned her place in Nollywood as one of the best screenplay writers. She is renowned for writing and producing thrilling suspense movies. Some of her movies have won awards both nationally and internationally. She’s also the CEO of Royal Arts Academy for training thespians. In a chat with VANESSA OKWARA, she shares her career journey and the joy of being a mother to twins siblings and we are quite close. I think that my background shaped me into what I am. I was hardly allowed to play much with other children outside school hours. Because of that, I had to look inwards to invent play for myself. It helped me to have a sharp imagination. I’m always creating imaginative things. My mum particularly encouraged reading. Since I was not into other extra-curricular activities, I was neck deep into novels from an early age. I started reading novels from nine years and I’m still an ardent reader till today. I read a lot of novels while growing up and it really shaped me into what I’m doing now. What movie are you currently working on? It’s called ‘Ayanma’. ‘Ayanma’ means ‘Would you love me?’ It is a movie that I did with the assistance of the Bank of Industry and it’s currently one of my largest projects. It is shot in my state, Akwa Ibom. It’s a musical epic movie and very adventurous. I feel that we should continue to celebrate our culture. Yes, we’re living in a cosmopolitan era, but we should not forget our culture and language. We should continue to promote our culture and that is what ‘Ayanma’ is all about. The cast include: Majid Michel, Wale Ojo, Adesua Etomi, Bishop Imeh and others. People should look forward to watching this blockbuster. It is coming out in the cinemas in December, during the Christmas festivities. What inspires your movie writings? Honestly, I really don’t

know. I believe it comes from God. For me, I like to create the kind of movies that I can watch. My watchword is excellence. I can’t stand mediocrity. Of course we may have one or two flops in our technical production, but I’m working hard to see that it’s corrected as well. I love good stories. Yes, technically, it is important to get it right but for me, my story has to be creative and well written. As for what inspires me, the happenings around me and the environment. Sometimes, I could be reading a book and a phrase strikes me; I could be in church and the pastor says something that strikes me and I can carve out a story out of it. For example, a story I did called ‘A Minute to Midnight’, actually came to me in church. The pastor said something about a minute to midnight and it struck me. I love the title and decided to do a movie with that in mind. Anything can just trigger an idea.

lades; it’s nice and lovely to be rewarded but that is never my primary purpose.

You have a lot of awards in your turf. Do you consider yourself the best in the industry? I don’t think so, there have been a crop of very interesting movie makers emerging now and I’m really proud with what they are doing; they are bold and confident and I thank God for them. They are working in an environment that is a lot better than when we started. We had to carve something out of nothing. Now there is some sort of structure in place and there are statistics for them to follow and adhere to it and so many openings. So I don’t think I’m the best. I’m not really so concerned about acco-

What’s your fashion style? It’s simple. I believe less is more. I’m not fashion crazy. When it comes to clothes, I’m more of a casual person and as for shoes, I wear what’s comfortable. I only wear high heels when I have to go on red carpet.

Your name precedes your face. You’re hardly seen out there. Is it by design? If I have my way, I would probably not do all the razzmatazz that comes with the movies but it comes with our work. I think I’m more conservative. I don’t think I’m the in-front-of–the-camera person. I prefer to be behind the scenes and make things work. I’m not interested in being in front of the camera. What would you attribute to your success story? I believe it is God. I work hard but at the end of the day, I’m not the best or the most hardworking but still enjoy success at this time despite how many years I’ve put into the industry.

What’s the accessory you can’t do without? Well, maybe wristwatch. I love good designer wristwatches. Further than that, I’m not really a jewellery person. You are a mother to beautiful twins. What is motherhood like? Motherhood is good and what is most important is family. There’s nothing as wonderful as going home to beautiful ones who look up to you and adore you. Whether you dress well or not, thin or fat, you are their hero. There’s nothing as beautiful as that. I love being a mother. How did you feel when you first realised you were going to have twins? It came as a shock really. I’ve always had at the back of my mind when I was younger that I won’t mind having twins but it was not something I planned and I’m really grateful to God for them. I believe twins run in most families. Does it run in yours or your husband’s? No, it doesn’t run in mine, but my husband has twins in his family. What’s your secret to keeping a happy home? I pray to God every day for direction and I hand over everything to God to direct my path. What’s your final word to your fans and the industry at large? Keep believing in Nollywood and support our work. Yea, sometimes we may come out with some crazy things, but please keep supporting us because it is an industry that has employed a lot of people. Even in this economic crunch, the entertainment industry is still booming.

Body&Soul

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9

Flatter in fla

Vanessa Okwara

here’s a universal piece that suits all ladies and that is the flared dress. No matter your body size or your body structure, you’ll definitely get one that suits you and your corporate environment perfectly. One of the biggest dress trends of the season definitely goes

to the fit-and-flare style. The flattering silhouette is fitted through the bodice and then flares out into a fuller skirt. They never go out of vogue or stop being trendy. They’re incredibly flattering and very versatile; you can wear things over it and under it, and it’s easily dressed up or dressed down. Fit-and-flare or A-line dresses are the most common ways you’ll see the style worn. Styles that flare out at the hips then slightly narrow toward the knees are perfect for staying stylish at the office. Wear

Editor’s current obsession

dr fla ju th T yo yo ei off fa hi or bu an pu

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

Wine & Dine

Preserving vines from the root 2 Ibukunoluwa Kayode

t’s essential to know how every tasty wine we select are preserved from the roots, since we all love to enjoy the refreshing taste it brings to the palate during those moments we share with friends, colleagues and family at the table. Just like we previously said, grapevines are perennial plants that produce grapes on year-old shoots in which its growing season stretches from month to months. Some viticulturists prune the downward facing shoots to ensure that all the shoots grow upward and to reduce the potential crop size. This strategy involves reducing quantity to increase quality because vines that produce limited numbers of grapes produce more concentrated grapes. In the early summer, majority of the

Beef stroganoff Biwom Iklaki

Dijon mustard

his dish is basically a comfort food and in simpler terms, beef stew and rice/ noodles (the stew is more of sour cream though!). It is a nod to our Russian friends and you can attempt to make it as palatable to the Nigerian palate as possible. However, in order to be a true foodie at heart, where is the joy in taking away the originality and inherent culture of a people in messing with their dishes? My advice, try it as is first and then if you cannot stomach it, you can make adjustments where necessary.

Noodles

Ingredients Beef Salt, pepper, and olive oil Onion, carrots, and mushrooms Brandy, cognac (optional) Beef stock Corn starch Sour cream

Parsley Preparation Season bite-size pieces of beef with salt and pepper and sear off in a pan of hot olive oil. Let it brown for about 3 minutes, remove the meat and set aside. Add some more olive oil and throw in your diced onion, carrots and mushrooms. Cook until the veg is brown, about 3 minutes or so and if you are adding the liquor, do so now. Remember to turn down the heat as a safety precaution. Add the stock, turn up the heat and stir well to add the flavour at the bottom of the pan from the meat. Cook off about a third of the liquid (most of the alcohol). Make a mix of some stock and corn starch and slowly add to the pan. Cook until the sauce thickens then stir in your sour cream and Dijon mustard to give it an edge. Stir the sauce and taste. Adjust taste by adding salt and pepper to your tastes, stir in your beef and leave to simmer for about 2 minutes and serve hot alone or pair with some noodles or rice. Garnish with parsley. Prijatnogo appetita!

leafy growth occurs. The grape berries stay green as they continue to grow in size while in the mid to late summer, the green berries start to change colour and ripen. The changing of colour is a process called ‘verasion’ and it’s when the grapes become sweet. Harvest time is a crucial moment when the grapes reach their perfect ripeness. Viticulturists and harvesters work around the clock to pick the grapes in time. Grapes do not continue to ripen once picked. In the late fall, some producers leave a few bunches on the vine for a late-harvest wine. The grapes dry out and are later pressed to make a very sweet, dessert wine. At this point, the vine has stopped producing carbohydrates from the chlorophyll in the leaves. The leaves then lose their colour and fall to the ground.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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I’m going hubby-shopping (9) Juliet Bumah

athryn is surprised at herself. She is angry, but happy that Dave is back. Dave pulls back. There’s fire in her eyes and a bulge between his legs. Prostitute or not, he wants her. “I regret allowing you to leave. I couldn’t think of anything else then. I came after you when I realised my folly. I saw you er...er er... entering another man’s car,” he says. “Did you expect me to have waited for a woman to pick me? You drove out a prostitute in the dead of night and another man picked her!” Kathryn is past caring. She is hurting so much. Dave feels like a bum. He has patronized professional escorts a number of times in the past. Kathryn is right. She has a right to live. Who is he to judge her? “Kathy, I shouldn’t have made you leave. I regretted my action immediately you left. Professional escorts are human beings; I realised too late. But I never wished that you are one. It hurts so much to know that you’ve given so many men the pleasure you gave me last night. I’m jealous...,” Dave’s heart pounds, his man throbs. He loves her so much! He draws her into his arms, this time gently and hugs her so tight. She smells so sexy. Gawd! To think he almost lost her! He says, “Kathy, I was worried. I turned to alcohol and got myself drunk. I saw you get into a car and got so jealous. I didn’t have your phone number, I would have called. “I didn’t consider coming to your house then. Apart from the fact that I was in no state to drive, I’d have lost it if I met you with a guy. Kathy, I love you so much, I do.” He does! Those words, whispered into Kathryn’s ears are so calming. She relaxes in his arms and allows herself to bask in his warmth. Ben looms in her mind’s eyes and she tries to move him to a corner. She is in love with Dave but there’s the prospect of marriage with Ben, a single man. Her phone rings and she makes to break away from his embrace but he holds her firmer. Their mouths meet in a loving kiss. In a twinkle of an eye, Dave’s T-shirt is on the floor. She tugs at his belt and zipper and his jeans slide to his ankles. He steps out of them. Wow! The man is alert, and there is no boxer to restrain it. She pushes him against the wall, forcing his legs apart to make a wide V. She then goes down on him. He shivers. She wants to pleasure him in a way very few woman can do. Her warm, wet tongue wraps around his man. It licks up, down...the lips suck the tip and the next minute, they are almost eating his balls...all the while, her fingers work round his buns, down the length of his thighs to his ankles. A feathery massage on his toes and the fingers are up the next moment, working beside her tongue on the shaft, from the tip to the base. Dave closes his eyes. The hangover is gone, in its place is an indescribable feeling. Her fingers send needles of fire through his whole body. Then, they move up and converge on his head. He screams. His two hands fly to his head. He needs to hold it in place. But his head expands and expands...until it explodes into fragments of stars. He continues to scream until his knees buckle and he slides to the floor, trembling. He has spurted on Kathryn’s neck, soiling

her beautiful dress. She looks so beautiful and innocent as she kneels in front of him. He looks into her eyes and sees love...and loneliness. He realises that she loves him and needs him. Love fills his heart. He needs her too. With tired arms, he reaches behind her and unhooks her dress, sliding it off her shoulders. She stands up and pulls it down, wriggling a bit to slide it off her ample derrière. She dabs the dress on her neck, cleaning out the slimy mess and tosses the gown into a corner. He beholds that killer figure again. No other man will behold this body in the nude again, he swears to himself and draws her to his chest. Kathryn is in a dilemma. She’s genuinely in love with Dave, a married man. Spending too much time with him will hurt her chances of hooking a single man like Ben. There must be a way to iron out the wrinkles. She decides to limit the time they see each other. She reasoned that that will be easier when Dave’s family returns home. But she must find ways of stoking the fire of friendship with Ben. She wishes she has someone she could learn the wrinkles from. “Kathy, I want you for myself only. I don’t want you to see any other man. I’ll take care of your needs if you allow me,” Dave says and yawns. She sighs and says quietly, “I don’t wanna be anybody’s mistress...” She would have added that she wants a husband but Dave cuts in with a yawn, “I don’t want you as a mistress...” He searches for the right words to continue, he wants to propose marriage to her. Yes, a prostitute is a human being. “Let’s go to the divan. You need to eat something,” she cuts in. Dave misses that auspicious moment. They pick their phones and leave their clothes in a heap at the door and move into the sitting room proper. She dashes into the kitchen and comes out

with chilled mango juice in a tall glass. In her see-through brassiere and panties, she looks like a goddess among mortals. “Here, sip this while I rustle up a meal for you,” she says, giving him a playful peck on his forehead. As her twin mountains caress his face briefly, he remembers a saying, ‘Boobs are proof that men can focus on two things at a time’. His TP wakes up and he smiles. He knows he’ll get well fed from both ends today. One good thing is that he can unleash his fantasies on Kathy without fear of being labelled rotten. Can a man be so lucky? Getting a combo of a drop dead beauty and a fantastic lay as wife! ***** Kathy’s phone rings for the umpteenth time. It’s Ben. Oh no, not now! “Hello,” she coos into the mouthpiece. “Kathryn, you okay? Been trying to reach you. Can’t get you out of my mind. It’s like you’re the woman I’ve been waiting for all my life...can I come and pick you now? I have something to tell you...” Kathryn sighs... ***** Kathryn sighs again. How will she manage this situation? The man she loves so much is in her sitting room, waiting to eat the lunch she is preparing...and herself after. The man that may be interested in marrying her is somewhere in the neighborhood, waiting to take her out. She moves listlessly in her kitchen, waiting for the stew to get hot enough. The rice is cooked. “My wife, what troubles you?” Dave asks. Kathryn turns around. Dave stands at the door. He has a towel around his waist. He observes her calmly but his man is not calm. He stands firmly, pushing at the towel. Kathryn had been so engrossed in her thought and hadn’t notice him. “What is the problem?” He asks again. “Nothing dear,” she says without conviction.

“No, my love. You can’t fool me. You are troubled. Tell me what the problem is,” he says quietly, moving into the kitchen. She moves towards the cooker. “Nothing is wrong with me,” she replies with a sigh. “Do you have any challenge in your business, health...any problem at all,” he insists. “I don’t have any challenge, not finance... and I’m very healthy. I take very good care of myself,” she says a bit sharply. Dave watches her move in and out of the kitchen. She serves the food and they move to the dinette. They eat quietly, the food tastes great. Dave is worried. He knows that something is bothering her. He wishes she’ll be free with him. He’s ready to take over her needs. He tries to get her to confide in him. “My love, is there anything you want me to do for you? Look, don’t hide anything from me. I’ll do everything within my power to make you happy...please tell me what the problem is,” he says. “I want you to marry me,” she says in her mind, but says aloud, “I don’t need anything now. If I do, I’ll surely let you know.” Dave is disappointed but he hides it. They continue to eat in silence. Her mind is in a turmoil. Ben will call in an hour’s time. What will she tell him? She won’t be able to go out with him if Dave is still around. But does she want Dave to leave? They finish their food and wash up everything in the kitchen. The silence becomes unbearable and Dave breaks the ice. “Kathryn, I think I’ll leave. You obviously don’t want me around you. I’ll be at home. You’re welcome anytime you feel like visiting,” he says, moving towards the door to pick his clothes. ******** Oh no! What’s gonna happen next? Let’s find out on Sunday. ********************* •Send your observations to: julietbumah@ gmail.com

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

The coming realignment in Yorubaland p.22

Reduce Nigeria to six regions -Sen. Sani p.23

The Sunday Interview

Amb. Keshi: Buhari should develop Bonny LNG, concession some airports, roads p26&31

Politics The proposed peace deal by factions withing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), if allowed to succeed, will be a first step for the party to re-invent itself after the loss of the 2015 general elections, writes ONYEKACHI EZE

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

PDP: Weighing the peace option

espite some misgivings and reservations in some quarters, the reconciliation process initiated by the two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still in progress. All things being equal, a 24-man reconciliation committee that will work out the details might be inaugurated this week. Each of the factions will nominate 12 members to the committee. The reconciliation process was given a boost on Wednesday when an expanded caucus meeting of the party, which met in Abuja, endorsed the peace moves. The meeting was attended by PDP governors, members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), PDP National Assembly Caucus, PDP Former Ministers' Forum as well as state chairmen. Prince Dayo Adeyeye, PDP National Publicity Secretary who spoke at the end of the meeting said "The peace move has been finally endorsed and supported by members of caucus without any dissent voice." The National Caretaker Committee led by former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, had convened the meeting to formally brief party stakeholders of the peace process. Unfortunately, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose who had objected to the out of court settlement of the nearly five months leadership crisis, was absent at the meeting. Fayose had told State House correspondents last month that PDP governors were not aware of the reconciliation moves. The other faction led by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has maintained that it is still committed to the peace process. It said it was ready with its own list of members that will constitute the reconciliation committee, stating that its conditions for peace to return to the party would be flexible and realisable. Professor Adewale Oladipo, PDP factional National Secretary, who represented Sheriff, stated: "The two leaders (Makarfi and Sheriff) have agreed that a 24-man committee of committed PDP leaders and members from all over the country, will be formed to chart the way forward for our party. "This is with a view to bringing this unnecessary crisis to a stop and making sure that our party comes out of it stronger. "Sheriff is out of the country, as soon as he comes back, himself and Makarfi will put this committee together and this committee will be mandated quickly to come up with a template and make PDP what it used to be and put it back to the vision of the its

Sheriff

founding fathers." Before now, the former Borno State governor had insisted that that he should be allowed to preside over a National Convention where a new National Chairman would emerge, and he will hand over to him not a caretaker committee, which he said, is alien to the PDP constitution. He had also demanded the dissolution of the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee. The journey for the return of peace to the troubled party began shortly after the August 17 botched National Convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The convention was the second within a space of two months, and it failed to hold because of court order. But it was on September 20 that the outcome of the series of secret meetings and consultations was made public. Senator Ben Obi, Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee, and Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Acting factional Deputy National Chairman to Sheriff , at a joint press conference (the first since the crisis started), disclosed that Makarfi and Sheriff met for several hours that day and resolved to pursue a united PDP. In a communiqué issued at the meeting, titled: "Rejuvenating the PDP," which was

Makarfi

read by Dr. Ojougboh, the two factional leaders noted: "This is without prejudice to all outstanding matters in court. At a meeting held this morning between the two of us, a holistic review of the state of affairs of our great party, PDP, was deliberated upon. "In reviewing the crisis that has engulfed our party since the loss of the 2015 general election after 15 years of uninterrupted leadership at the centre, it became obvious to both of us as principal actors that it is time to heal the wounds, and bring about a united, focused and constructive opposition party that can bring sanity to our democratic process; bring relief to the teeming supporters of our great party and to the benefit of our great country. "Based on the above, we have both agreed to: "1. Consult widely with all relevant organs of the party; "2. Set up a joint committee that will carry out a holistic reconciliation of all aggrieved segments of our party across the country and in Diaspora; "3. Pursue the vision of the founding fathers of our great party. "Details of all the above will be made public soonest. "We therefore, call on all party members to remain calm and refrain from any ac-

tions and utterances that could further bring about divisions or dispute the party." PDP members had maintained sealed lips since the time the communiqué was made, perhaps, in obedience to the directive of their leaders. The peace process was threatened twice by Sheriff faction, which went ahead to inaugurate parallel state working committees (SWCs) in Delta and Benue states. The inauguration of Delta State exco, which took place just two days after the joint conference, was performed by Dr. Ojougboh. It has Mr. Austin Ogbabu as chairman, as against the SWC-led Barrister Kingsley Esiso, which was inaugurated on May 10. Similarly, the inauguration of Benue SWC was performed last Tuesday by Chairman of the PDP Elders' Forum in the state, Chief Shuluwa with Mrs. Hannatu Ullam, former Deputy National Woman Leader who is a member of Sheriff faction, in attendance. The faction has Hon. Dan Ale as Chairman, as against the John Ngbede-led exco, which was inaugurated earlier. The two unfortunate incidents have not, however, jeopardise the peace process. Party leaders and members have the belief CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

politics

The coming realignment in Yorubaland Femi Fani-Kayode

here are two events that are of major significance last week. The first was the birthday of a man of immense integrity and a great son of the Yoruba by the name of Olusegun Rahman Mimiko who was 62 years old on October 3. Much has been said about him over the last few years and encomiums have been deservedly showered on him from all quarters for his birthday. I will only add this: ever since I have known Mimiko when he was a senior colleague in President Obasanjo’s cabinet he has been kind, forthright, courageous, honest, consistent, clear-thinking, hard-working and God-fearing. His tenure as Minister of Housing under Obasanjo was successful and he went on, against all odds, to be elected governor of Ondo State where his work and legacy, particularly in the health sector, is simply outstanding. Anyone that doubts that should simply pay a visit to Ondo State and see for themselves. What he has done in the last eight years is simply unprecedented and I am very proud of him. He has proved to be a loyal friend through thick and thin and he possesses an uncanny foresight into matters that only the Holy Spirit can give. A devout and committed evangelical Christian, who like many of us, is not ashamed of proclaiming his faith and carrying it into all that he does, Mimiko undoubtedly still has a major role to play in the affairs of our nation. I am proud to be not just one of his political associates and friends but also his brother and I stand shoulder to shoulder with him in whatever his ambitions or aspirations may be for the future. The other significant event is the rapprochement and blooming friendship that exists between two sons of the Yoruba both of whom I have immense respect and affection for. Like Mimiko I have a special place in my heart for them both and this has been so for many years. The first is my brother Ayo Fayose whose courage is second to none and the second is Rauf Aregbesola who is a Yoruba nationalist to the core and who is, in my view, the brightest and the best within the ranks of the APC. I got to know Fayose well when he was Governor of Ekiti State in his first coming and only a fool will not acknowledge the

fact that his return to power a number of years later after suffering the most terrible and wicked form of persecution from his enemies was clearly prophetic. Fayose was accused of corruption and prosecuted by the EFCC. He was also accused of murder and so many other things by those who wanted him dead and destroyed. Yet in spite of it all he defeated his traducers and adversaries in court, he rose again and he has not only become one of the most potent voices and forces in our politics today but he has also metamorphosised into something of a whirlwind and destructive hurricane against the Buhari administration. He is a man that is destined for greatness despite his humble beginnings and he has broken all the norms and crossed all the red lines and boundaries of Yoruba politics by proudly and openly defying the powers that be in the west, capturing the imagination of the people and bulldozing his way to the top by popular will. That takes guts and it could only have been done by the finger of God. Then comes Rauf Aregbesola who I got to know well in 2013. What I found the most attractive and most extraordinary about him was his loyalty to any cause that he commits himself to couple with his total and complete faithfullness and fidelity to his political associates and friends and particularly to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu under whom he served as Commissioner for Works. Apart from that few know that he is an expert and authority on Yoruba ancient history and this informs and feeds his very rare and distinct sense of Yoruba nationalism. I have written about him on several occasions over the years and despite the fact that I disagree fundamentally with him on a number of issues and we do not belong to the same party my admiration and respect for him remains intact and unshakeable. We may all have our differences in terms of political party affiliation but one thing is clear: as he rightly told Fayose during their recent meeting in Ado Ekiti a few days ago, there will be a realignment of political forces both in and outside of the south west very soon. There is no question about the fact that he is right about that. And when that time comes we all need to wise up, smell the coffee and accept the fact that we must stand together as one in order to defend the interest of our people. When the lion and the tiger stand shoulder

to shoulder in defence of the castle it makes it very difficult for the jackals and the bandits to mount the walls and take the gates. For those that are still asleep and that refuse to recognise the fact that there is a problem in this country kindly consider the following. Thirty per cent of the oil reserves and 40 per cent of the gas reserves in our country are in Bayelsa State. Nigeria has become relatively rich as a consequence of this and up until one year and four months ago our economy was booming. The oil of the people of the Niger Delta appears to be good enough for Nigeria yet the people of the Niger Delta do not appear to be worthy of anything as far as Nigeria is concerned. After railroading the only Niger Deltan President in our history out of power in a rigged election after just one term and then coming after his family, friends and political associates with everything that they have got, the new powers that be refused to stop there. They went further by doing their best to rig the governorship election in his state but they failed as a consequence of the sheer doggedness and fortitude of Seriake Dickson, the Governor of the state and the defiant and gallant fighting spirit of the people. Yet in an attempt to pay them back for their stubborn streak the President decided to prove to the whole world that Bayelsa, the state that lays the golden egg for the whole nation, was not worthy of even one member of the Board of Directors of NNPC or even one out of the 44 Ambassadors that were recently appointed by him. On all counts Bayelsa was left out. Is that fair? Is it justice? Is it equity? I must acknowledge the fact that I was furnished with these interesting facts by the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, His Royal Highness Barrister David Serena-Dokubo Spiff, and having cross-checked them they have proved to be accurate and true. This sort of treatment that has been meted to Bayelsa State goes across the board in all the states of both the South-South and the South-eastern zones of our country. The story is the same in both regions: it is one of marginalisation and humiliation. And for some of my Yoruba kinsmen to believe that it will not eventually be applied to them too is the height of naivety. With the attempted demystification of Ti-

nubu the process has already started and we better sit up and learn fast. When your neighbour’s house is being set on fire by the marauding barbarians and invaders do not gloat because it is only a matter of time before they set their sights on yours as well. Yet let me be clear. I do not talk about a realignment of forces with cowards and quislings and neither am I proposing joining forces or closing ranks with those who have sold their souls to the devil, who have traded their heritage for a mess of pottage and who have decided to be perpetual slaves to the ultra-conservative feudalist hegemonist forces of the core north. I do not refer to those who have decided to sell their erstwhile mentors, elders, betters and political leaders in the south-west down the river in return for being made a “super-Minister”. I do not refer to those that have consistently rejected the idea of restructuring our country or redefining the composition and nature of our union and who believe that all is well with the structure of our so-called federation... The earlier that men like Rauf Aregebesola, Ayo Fayose, Olusegun Mimiko and a number of others put their differences aside and join forces to protect and further the interests of the Yoruba people in a wider Nigeria the better. Given what is slowly unfolding in our respective political parties and our country it is obvious that we have little choice. Whether you are in the PDP or the APC the paramount interest must be how to further the Yoruba interest, how to restore the dignity of our people and how to ensure that our country is redefined or restructured before it is too late. Anything less than that will lead to our collective doom. Whether they like it or not those that betrayed our cause and that stuck the dagger into our hearts will pay a heavy price. A political re-alignment is coming in the South West. At every critical point in our history the North has always realigned in order to protect or further their interests. As a matter of fact that is the secret of their success. It is about time that we in the South West in particular and in the South generally did the same. May God grant us the fortitude and the wisdom to do so. •Fani-Kayode is a former Aviation Minister

PDP: Weighing the peace option CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

that the peace accord will work this time around only if those nominated to midwife it will be sincere. Two previous committees mediated in the leadership crisis but failed. The first was PDP National Reconciliation Committee headed by Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson. This was one of the three committees inaugurated by Sheriff during the run up to the May 21 National Convention. The others were the National Convention Planning Committee, which has Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as Chairman, and the Finance Committee with Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State as Chairman. Dickson and his committee had swung into action immediately the crisis broke out following the dissolution of the former National Working Committee (NWC) and the setting up of the National Caretaker Committee, to run the affairs of the party for three months. The committee embarked on nationwide consultations and visitations of party stakeholders. But unfortunately, Sheriff and his faction who are principal actors in the crisis, refused to accept the olive branch.

The second committee was set up by the PDP BoT, which was an outcome of its own consultations with founding fathers of the party as well as with former President Goodluck Jonathan. The committee was headed by former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana. The Gana committee was mandated to negotiate with the Sheriff group with a view of resolving the crisis before the second National Convention on August 17. Again, the committee failed because the Sheriff camp accused some BoT members of taking sides in the crisis. The ongoing peace process will be the first time the two factions will be constituting a joint committee to negotiate peaceful settlement of the crisis. Already, some of the previous demands by the Sheriff's camp for the resolution of the crisis have been met by the outcome of the BoT meeting late August. For that reason, they argue that the recent inauguration of parallel excos in some of the states puts a spanner in the wheels of peace in the party. The BoT had directed the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee to hold the next National Convention of the party in Abuja. The shifting of the convention from Port Harcourt to Abuja was one

of the conditions given by the Sheriff camp to the Jerry Gana reconciliation committee. The second condition was the re-constitution of the National Convention Planning Committee. Again, the BoT, in its communiqué after the meeting, noted that "To ensure a credible, transparent, free and fair convention, a new convention planning committee should be constituted by the National Caretaker Committee and approved by NEC.” These might have assuaged the feelings of the faction, and evidence of the sincerity of other group to find an end to the crisis. It has become evidence that the legal option will not resolve the crisis. Rather than abating, the crisis continued to mutate, resulting in some members threatening to form and register another political party. As a result of the crisis, PDP has lost two of its members in the National Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Hon. Tony Nwoye, a member representing Anambra State in the House of Representatives defected to the ruling party about two months ago. And just recently, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Joshua Dariye, also joined the APC. The two former party members had cited the factionalisation in PDP as their reasons for jumping boat.

PDP had maintained that there are no factions within its rank but "some ... members who are aggrieved." Adeyeye said: "There is no factionalisation in PDP, INEC recognizes the caretaker committee. All the organs of the party are in one place. We are taking very serious moves to ensure that members who took our seats to APC are recovered." Observers believe that it was the futility of pursuing the court process that made some party elders to wade into the crisis. Evidently, the two factions are tired of the crisis. They have been operating from residential buildings since the PDP National Secretariat was sealed off by the police authorities since June 17. A sign that life might soon return to the secretariat appeared two weeks ago when the surroundings, which has been overgrown by weeds were cleared. Whether will be a prelude to the eventual return of peace to the party depends on the approach of the 24-member reconciliation committee to the task before them, and whose interest the leaders are actually pursuing. Only a resolution of the protracted crises can reposition the party to play its opposition role and garner support for its candidates in the next election.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

politics

Recession may lead to revolution -Sen. Sani Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign and Local Debts, Sen. Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central in the Upper House is one lawmaker and activist who is passionate about Nigeria. In this interview with CHUKWU DAVID speaks about the nation's predicaments and the way out Before, during and after the 2015 general elections, Nigerians expected so much, hoping and believing that positive change was coming. Do you think that this government is meeting these aspirations? The 2015 elections were supposed to have ushered us to a new hope of unity and progress for our country but I think they were a lot of mistakes that are made in the last one year. One of the corrections is the need for us to look forward in terms of bringing our people to the promise land and not look backward through the crisis we faced in the past. In 1999, Nigerians were full of expectations, that this time around we would get things right as a democracy, build a new foundation under freedom and constitutional rules and a new county but 16 years from 1999, we have a history of rape, panic, destruction, violence and hopelessness. The political ruling elite in Nigeria think power is an opportunity to butcher the resources of the state, see power as opportunity to dominate other Nigerians, and to protect their class interest. If we don't succeed this time around, the nation will be heading to revolution because Nigerians who voted for change in 2015 want to see positive change and it must be delivered. If not delivered, revolution cannot be ruled out with Nigerians trooping out en masse on the streets to challenge their leaders and saying no to their sufferings, enough is enough! When we compare our 56 years as a country you can see that we have achieved a lot because there are countries that are still under one man for decades and remain backward in Africa. There are other smaller countries that have established economically and politically but what we should be grateful to God for is that, the Nigerian spirit is strong and alive. Nigeria is currently in economic recession, what is your take on this? We are in recession but the recession must be tackled headlong by the Federal Government and all stakeholders in the polity towards getting out of it very quickly or else, it may lead to revolution. More so, going by what the Nigerian masses have been facing over the decades as far as governance is concerned, the totality of which was bad governance characterized by unbridled greed and massive corruption by over 90 per cent of the administrators whether elected or appointed. What is your view on the type of federalism operated in Nigeria, and do you support the call for restructuring? There are countries that are operating true federalism and their economy is functioning and everything is working. In our own case, we have problem and that problem is that, everybody wants to be a governor, senator, president, occupying public position because, to many of them, it is a place to service themselves. If we are serious about economic reorga-

nization of Nigeria, we must take the bull by the horn and move towards reorganization of the country. I have said it in other interviews I granted in the past that we don’t need 36 states, we need six states. It is too bogus and highly overwhelming to be controlled by one man at the centre. Let the geo-political zones serve as states. We don’t need states that will come to Abuja every month and collect money to go back. We need states that will be able to generate money and be viable to contribute to the central. We also don’t need two parliament, because what is happening now, with the number of senators and member of House of Representatives, when a motion or Bill is raised in the House of Representatives, it is also raised in the Senate. So you will see duplication of functions and then you will have large number of political elites that need to be serviced by the economy of the state. We are 170 million people and if China can have 19 provinces with a population of almost, 1.5bn people, then Nigeria with a population of 170 million people are having 36 states, and the are not sustainable. All persons with political ambition should swallow it. North-western state should have its capital in Kaduna, North-eastern states should have its capital in Maiduguri, and North-Central states should have its capital in Lokoja, Southeastern states should have its capital in Enugu, South-South should have its capital in Port Harcourt. If we work on this, we will be saving a lot of money and we will end this dependency syndrome. We need true federalism, not this cap in hand federalism. We need federalism which states will be empowered, to develop at their pace and also to generate revenue to be able to fund their programs and ambitions. What is your perception of the ongoing fight against corruption in the country by President Muhammadu Buhari? The fight again corruption as it is now is about recovery and arrest. If the government says the money recovered under Goodluck Jonathan is not an enough to service the economy, then we should move to Umaru Musa Yar'dua and Olusegun Obasanjo administrations too; move to Abdulsalami Abubakar, Sani Abacha, Ibrahim Babangida, Buhari himself as a military ruler then, and to Shehu Shagari of the Second Republic. We must go after the old thieves irrespective of the political parties they belonged to now as the government is going after the most recent ones. For example, there was a Senate Committee that probed the independent power project, where it was said that over $16 billion was looted and we have not seen anything done to the revelation made by the former CBN governor, now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, over the alleged $20 billion missing from the NNPC account under Jonathan, etc. We want to know the result of Mr. President’s visit to United Arab Emirates; how many Nigerians own properties there and

Senator Sani

how they came about them. We shouldn't restrict our recovery to western banks. It is unfortunate that we have to wait until a person dies to recover money and we are calling on countries like Switzerland, Arab Emirates, Dubai and others, to return our money. Telling people to go back to the farm is not enough; farming is more of technology in this 21st century. Nigeria is now 56 years after political independence. How would you describe the journey so far? When we are talking of our journey so far through this 56 years and to access 56 years, you don't bring back what started six seven years ago. There were definitely recorded achievements, and there are challenges; and we can categorize them into three or four. There are challenges and achievements on the political side; economy side, cultural and social side. On the political side, we passed through different phases, from first, independence struggles through the period of civil war; military coup, civil starvation and insurgency, to where we have found ourselves today. On the economy side, we have seen opportunities that were missed and challenges that were faced. The opportunities have to do with the very fact that this nation is blessed with all resources, that supposed to provide money for industrial development and a foundation for its future and that very opportunity is wasted on decays of corruption. On the social side, you can see that we have not carefully harnessed our resources for the betterment of our country such as industrially developing countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil and many others. Nigeria was a country that started with full of fun and hope but today we find ourselves at the low state of struggle for breath. Over the last 56 years, Nigeria has earned over a three trillion US dollars from crude oil but there is hardly 25 per cent of that fund issued to show for the achievement of that large scale of money. Again you can see how gradually we are losing out in that passion for our country, in appreciation for the struggles for our independence. And now, we can see that

the problems we are facing today have to do with the lack of foresight and vision on our leaders from the past, and their inability to harness our resources for the socioeconomic development of our country. It is embarrassing and disgraceful that after 56 years of independence, we are still lacking good roads, tap or borehole water; electricity and other infrastructural facilities. If you check the campaign manual of our political party in 2015, it is still the same manual political parties used in the 1960s and in the 1979 elections. 56 years after the independence, we are still talking of provision of light; we are still talking of provisions of basic necessities of life. It is disgraceful and shameful after 56 years of independence, we are still roaming within three thousand megawats and we are still importing fuel, food stuff to feed our people Our roads are still in terrible state of decay. 56 years after independence, almost 90% of our industries are closed down, fertilizer industries are all closed down. 56 year after, public office holders and Nigerian political elite still travel out of the country to seek medical care of their choice. Our people are still living in abject poverty; our industries are still going down, the hope and expectations of younger generations in 1960s, is what we have now. From 1960 to 1980, each time, they say is independence day, you see young men in their thousands and millions trooping out to the street, holding flags appreciating their country with their colour of national flag and it is not the same. The Nigerian political elites by their greed, corruption and lack of foresight and their self- service, have systematically destroyed the patriotism, and nationalistic passion in the hearts of our people and that supposed not to be so after 56 years. By this time, we are suppose to be manufacturing and exporting; by this time, we supposed to have 24 hours electricity, we supposed to have solved the problem of education and health. We have over the years been breeding the new generation of Nigerians that are aggressive, angry, disconnected from any passion about independence, that raise questions about the values which the older generations have for development in this country.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

politics

From the

with Onwuka Nzeshi

ast Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate voted against a bill seeking special status for Lagos State in Nigeria. The bill sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC/ Lagos Central) was marked SB 112 and sought one per cent of federally generated revenue to be allocated as special grant to Lagos, Nigeria’s economic nerve centre. Ordinarily, this is a simple request which every Nigerian with a good sense of judgement should have been supported, particularly giving the historical antecedents of Lagos as Nigeria's former capital. Lagos which served as the nation's capital city during the colonial era grew rapidly over time. By the 1970s, the city had become over- populated and its infrastructure over stretched to the extent that human and vehicular traffic had become very difficult to manage. This congestion gave vent to a steep rise in crime wave and a general discomfort for residents of the sprawling city. It was this situation that compelled the late General Murtala Ramat Muhammed to empower the Justice Akinola Aguda Panel to search for a more suitable location that would serve as Nigeria’s capital city. It was the Aguda Panel that recommended Abuja as the new nation’s capital. Although, Mohammed did not live to see the Promised Land, his successors took over the project and the capital of Nigeria was officially moved

Parliament and challenge of institutional memory

from Lagos to Abuja on December 2, 1991. Even with that historic movement, a number of Federal Government establishments and offices still operate from Lagos. Even after all Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs) were moved to Abuja by military fiat, the city still plays host to public buildings such as the gigantic Federal Secretariat in Ikoyi, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Stock Exchange, State House, Marina and National Assembly, Tafawa Balewa Square and the National Arts Theatre, to mention but a few. All these go to show the importance of Lagos to the socio- political and economic history of Nigeria. If the truth must be told, it was an error for the Federal Government to have moved out everything to Abuja. Some strategic institutions such as the National Assembly and the CBN should have been allowed to remain in Lagos. If some institutions of government were still in Lagos, it would have automatically compelled the government to pay attention to Lagos State. In other climes, we have countries with multiple capitals. South Africa is a very has three capitals - Pretoria is the administrative capital, Cape Town is the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein is the headquarters of its judiciary. In the Republic of Benin, Porto-Novo is the official capital but Cotonou is the

Sen. Tinubu

seat of government. The official capital of Cote d'Ivoire is Yamoussoukro while it old capital, Abidjan still hosts many government offices and diplomatic missions. Such arrangements have helped these countries to keep an eye on these cities and ensure the sustained development of their infrastructure. The various facilities including roads and bridges built in Lagos by the Federal Government during the long years the city served as our capital deserve more attention than it is getting now. These are some of the facts that proponents of the special status for Lagos failed to bring to the fore during their debate. Perhaps one can refer to that as

Jibrin's case and Rep's double standards T wo weeks ago, a former Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, who took the lower chamber by storm for two months was suspended for 180 days and banned for holding any leadership position until after June 2019. Jibrin’s suspension was a unanimous decision of the House, as there was no dissenting voice when the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, who presided over the consideration of the report of the ethics and privileges committee that investigated Jibrin, put to vote the recommendations. Looking back at the events that led to the suspension of Jibrin from the House, one wonders whether the lawmaker turned ‘accidental’ anti-corruption crusader was deceived, betrayed or abandoned by acclaimed co-travelers in the infamous corruption allegations ever in the history of the hallowed chambers. I am talking about the Transparency Group and Integrity Group; both caucuses consisting of lawmakers who claimed they were (are) also advocates and apostles of anti-corruption in the legislature and beyond. Of course, it is widely believed, that Jibrin would not have raised the damaging allegations he made against Speaker Yakubu Dogara and three other principal officers and some committee chairmen if he were not relieved of his appointment as committee chairman. Jibrin may wish to differ. Recall that while Jibrin was preaching the gospel against corruption in the House during the long vacation, these groups were also visible in the media.

Members of both the Transparency Group and Integrity Group had agreed with the declaration of the suspended appropriation chairman that there is “institutional corruption in the House”. These groups were in cahoots with Jibrin, calling on Dogara, his deputy, the chief whip and Minority Leader to step aside for unfettered and independent investigations into all the allegations leveled by Jibrin. However, these two groups became sedate as soon as Jibrin was taken to the gallows of legislative hangman. It was as if members of these caucuses had been fed with ratatouille

Jibrin

lack of institutional memory or failure their legislative assistants and indeed the Senator to do a thorough homework. Rather than persuading the upper chamber to see reasons with the proponents of the bill, the Senate Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye (APC/Osun), drove the debate to the controversial quarters of revenue generation and distribution pattern in Nigeria. Adeyeye who as always applied theatrics to his debates, failed to realise that he was addressing an audience that is so sensitive to issues of revenue ownership and management. These are mostly men and women who would do anything to defend the privileges they enjoy at the moment. Issues like where resources come from and who gets the lion share are offensive to this audience because entertaining debates on such matters could turn the apple cart. Adeyeye should have also known that in one fell swoop, he ruffled economic, religious and ethnic feathers and these are mortal sins in our parliament. I perceive that some of those in the audience would have looked at the bill with a more sympathetic eye if Adeyeye had not touched those sensitive spots. Perhaps, Tinubu would take solace in the fact that she has made a point and that there could be another opportunity to make her case and secure a special status for Lagos.

From the

Green Chamber ternyam@gmail.com

Philip Nyam

by the House leadership. On the day the House reconvened from its annual recess and Chairman of the Rules and Business Committee, Hon. Emmanuel Orker-Jev tabled Jibrin’s alleged breach of lawmakers’ privileges and sundry misconduct against the Speaker and the House, only Hon. Aliyu Garba Madaki summoned courage to raise a point of order in favour of Jibrin. None of the Transparency or Integrity group member raised his voice- they all recoiled into their shells for protective cover. Perhaps, Jibrin would not have taken his allegations of budget padding and corruption against the Speaker and some members of the leadership too far, if these groups had not given him some backing. But they seemingly prodded him to fire more shots. In fact, at a point, Jibrin declared his membership of the Transparency Group. yet, this group was silent when was put on the cross. So, where do we place the Transparency Group and Integrity Group tomorrow when the history of the House of Representatives is written- as groups that came, barked and ran away to fight another day? As groups that do not stand for anything? As people who played on the integrity and intelligence of millions of Nigerians? It is good to call a spade a spade. Both the Transparency and Integrity groups disappointed not a few Nigerians because they fail to act when it mattered most. Did they keep mute because the matter is before a court of law? Have they got adequate explanation on the allegations raised by Jibrin?

They simply fizzled out. The Transparency and Integrity Groups owe Nigerian an explanation. The Ethics and Privileges Committee led by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai that nailed Jibrin had submitted that Jibrin’s statements “taken individually and collectively serve to bring down the image of the generality of members of the House in the estimation of members of the public, thereby subjecting the House to public opprobrium”. According to the committee, it relied on the provisions of Order Six, Rule 1 (4) of the Standing Orders, and Chapter 9(2) of the Code of Conduct for Members of the House, as well as the relevant provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act in drawing out its recommendations. Drawing from the Code of Conduct that Jibrin violated according to the Committee, it is trite to ask why members of the Transparency and Integrity Group have not been charged for similar breaches, at least for vicarious liability. I expect Hon. Orker-Jev to look into the conduct of these two groups as well. Is their conduct (individually and collectively), not tantamount to the breach of House’ Code of Conduct? If Jibrin has fallen foul of the Code of Conduct, his supporters should also be held culpable. Or is supporting a misdemeanor against the House not misconduct? What is sauce for the gander should be sauce for the goose too. Let the ethics and privileges committee investigate these two groups too, after all birds of the same feather flock together.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

politics NEWS

Orubebe: Verdict smacks of vendetta, say lawyers Tunde Oyesina Abuja

awyers have expressed disagreement over the judgement of the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja in the assets declaration suit against a former Minister of Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, stiting that the judgement showed an element of vendetta. The Federal Government had dragged Orubebe before the tribunal on a onecount charge of non declaration of a landed property situate at Plot 2057, Asokoro district while he was leaving office in 2011. At the argument stage, Orubebe through his counsel, S. Larry (SAN), had told the tribunal that the land no longer belonged to the defendant as he had transferred the interest to one Mr. Akinwumi Ajibola, a lawyer, in lieu of his (Orubebe’s) two years

house rent in Mabushi where he stayed as a minister. Orubebe had further told the tribunal that all the documents as it concerns the land, including the Power of Attorney and Deed of Assignment land had been transferred to Ajibola, since June 2013. The Federal Government had, however, insisted that the said land still belonged to Orubebe as same is yet to be registered at the land registry. The prosecution had argued that the allocation paper still bears Orubebe's name. Delivering judgement, chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar held that having analysed the submissions of parties, it was observed that six years after the transfer had been made, the documents of the land are yet to be registered at the Lands' registry. He held that the prosecution had estab-

lished its case beyond reasonable doubt, adding that the defendant is under obligation to register the land in the land registry in Abuja. He said: "Failure to register the document at the land registry renders the transfer null. In the circumstance, the defendant is still the owner of the said plot 2057, Asokoro District, and not Barrister Akinwumi Ajibola who testified as the Defense Witness 1. "Based on the provision of Section 23 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Plot 2057, Asokoro District belonging to the defendant is hereby consfiticated and forfeited to the Federal Government". Reacting to the judgement, counsel to Orubebe described as a travesty of justice. He however vowed that the judgement will be challenged at the Court of Appeal. "It showed in the judgement, that the

L-R: Ondo State Deputy Governor’s wife, Alhaja Fatimat Oluboyo; Wife of Peoples Democratic Party Governorship Candidate, Mrs. Eno Jegede and Woman Leader, Chief (Mrs.) Esther Ebiwonjuni, at Ikare AKoko PDP Senatorial District Women Sensitasation meeting for Eyitayo Jegede...on Friday

Benue Assembly confirms Ortom’s LGs nominees T

he Benue House of Assembly sitting in Makurdi has confirmed the 23 sole administrator nominees sent by Governor Samuel Ortom. The Speaker, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange, who spoke after the screening and confirmation, said paucity of fund was responsible for appointment of sole administrators. He said that the governor sought for the amendment of the Local Government Law, 2007 to enable him appoint sole administrators as the state has no money to conduct local government election. Ikyange charged them to discharge their duties creditably; stressing that if any of them was found wanting, the Assembly would not hesitate to sanction the person accordingly. He also cautioned them to strive to operate within the confines of the law no matter the circumstances and directed those that failed to submit their tax certificates to do so through the Office of the Clerk of the House. In a related development, the Kogi State Government has approved the sum of N156 million for the completion of 22 abandoned water projects across the three senatorial zones of the State. The State’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Salami Ozigi, who disclosed

this in Lokoja said the approval was given by Governor Yahaya Bello, in a memo he presented to the State Executive Council meeting. The commissioner said the fund would be used to re-mobilise contractors handling all abandoned water projects awarded by the previous administration back to sites for completion. According to him, the funds have been approved for Obangede, Magongo, Ekuehi, Egge, Isanlu, Anyigba, Oguma, Kuroko, Ogori, Ajaka, and Adavi-Eba Water Works. Others are Okene-Idoji South and North, Ageva, Imane, Esomi, Ogidi, Geregu, Nagazi, Mopa, and Idah Water Schemes. He added that the process of awarding the contract for the rehabilitation of Old Lokoja Water Works, Pata, to complement the Greater Lokoja Water Works, was being perfected. “This gesture is part of the efforts of our amiable governor to alleviating the suffering of the people by ensuring regular supply of potable water across the state. This government is passionate to providing potable water for the residents hence the need to go into Public Private Partnership (PPP), arrangement to meet people’s expectations," he said.

tribunal had made up its mind to convict the defendant by all means. How can somebody sell a property and you will now punish him for what the buyer of the property left undone? "And mind you, the buyer of the said property was not a party in the suit. We shall appeal the judgement," he said Reacting to the judgement, a Law teacher, Dr. Rasheed Abayomi said the judgment is strange to the country's jurisprudence. "The matter here is very simple, but the judge had turned it the other way round. For instance, if I sell a car to a buyer, I am not expected under the law to be the one that will go and register the car with the VIO. "Going by the evidence before the court as reported, Orubebe had released the property via a Deed of Assignment and Power of Attorney. By that, he had relinquished all the authority and interest he had in the land to another party. "It behooves on that party now to the needful. But the court had vent the sin of the another man on the defendant in that case. It shows that something is wrong somewhere", he added. Another lawyer and counsel to Orubebe, S. Larry, (SAN), said that Federal Government just demonstrated through the tribunal that there is no defense Orubebe can put up that avail him of justice. "Can a person declare what he does not have? All evidence were before the tribunal that the land no longer belonged to him. It is simple reasoning that in as much no longer belonged to him, he (Orubebe) is not in a position to register at the land registry as opined by the tribunal", he stated. Another lawyer and rights activist, Emeka Okereke stated that the judgement is nothing but a travesty of justice. "Orubebe is not the right person to register the property in the land registry as long as the property does not belong to him anymore. "The new owner of the land was not joined in the suit. I think the new owner will have sue the Federal Government to get his land back. You cannot shave a man's head in his absence. In as much that there is evidence on ground that the land has been be transferred. Such judgement if not curtailed, will bring ridicule to our

Paid agents want to destabilise APGA -Oye T he embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Victor Oye, has described the announcement alleging his suspension from the party as mere wishful thinking of few uninformed and greedy individuals within the party. In an interview with Sunday Telegraph, Dr. Oye admitted knowledge of some inordinate scheming by about four members of the party's highest decision making organthe National Working Committee(NWC) before last Thursday meeting. "At the meeting they did not hide their project and mindset. But the meeting was smooth as all issues raised were peacefully resolved as I threw more light on the topics which generally satisfied everyone. "It was, therefore, embarrassing that after rising from the meeting and addressing a well-attended press conference to tell the world the outcome of the meeting, we now started getting calls from people inquiring about whether we have crisis in the party. That some members of the NWC have gone on social media to say that I was suspended. "However, the official position is to ignore them. Because commenting on it would be too dignifying. I only accepted to tell you this much because you may feel dissatisfied...” Oye said.

Chief Johnson Madueke, a top member of the party in Enugu State who spoke to journalists in his Oji River country home brought a new twist into the whole saga. He accused the deputy National Secretary and his co-travelers being greedy and remained a waste of space in the party's hierarchy. They also accused Oye of taking unilateral decisions because he did not allow them to milk the Edo and Ondo governorship candidates of the party which was their stock in trade. "It's on record that our dear humble and transparent National Chairman, Dr. Oye neither imposed nor picked any of the two candidates. I’m aware that members from those respective states chose and presented them to him. He did not ask them for anything, but rather arranged to give them all assistance they need to have a worthy outing. "Dr. Oye has now hoisted APGA’s flag in Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Nassarawa, FCT and has reinforced it in Anambra State. How many councillorship, state or National Assembly seats did they win in their respective states before or now? Chief Victor Umeh laid a solid foundation for the growth of the party nationwide and Oye now watered and keeps watering it and APGA is beginning to blossom," he said.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sunday Interview

Amb. Keshi: Buhari should develop Bonny Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and one time Nigeria’s ConsulGeneral in the United States, Ambassador Joe Keshi in this interview with BIYI ADEGOROYE, speaks about Nigeria’s 56 years of nationhood, the Niger Delta issue as well as the ‘Change Begins with Me’ campaign

How do you view the country's 56 years of nationhood? Against the trajectory of our recent and current experience, there is that temptation to sound negative and see the country as being in a hopeless situation. Yes, we have missed a lot of opportunities and failed to achieve our manifest destiny as a great African country, yes we are in a critical situation with armed conflicts, insurgencies, general insecurity and ethnic distrust threatening the corporate existence of the country, yes, we are in a state of economic recession which is hurting people, mostly as a result of increasing prices of goods and services, yes, we are probably less united than we were in the 1960s. The other side of the story is that over the years, we have also created a foundation, that with credible, sincere and transformational leadership, with good governance, with justice, fairness and equity, we can leap into the future with minimal ease. For example, we had no private sector as we know it today in the 60s and today that is where the hope of the nation lies. We can question the quality of our health and education systems and delivery, but for goodness sake look at the expansions we have made since the 60s and at all levels. Even our roads, some of which are in terrible conditions as a result of poor construction and lack of maintenance, we’ve done reasonably well in teams of road expansion. This is why it is intellectual lazy when our leaders make such outlandish claims that there are no roads in Nigeria. There is wide difference between the roads are bad and there are no roads. Indeed we can go sector by sector and see both the successes and the failures. However where we are today and with our huge endowment we can build a bright future for ourselves and create an economy that is large and works for all Nigerians. We can and indeed have the capacity to create Nigeria’s exceptionalism and become the leading light of the continent. This is why I strongly believe we should invest more energy in the future than in the past. The past is gone and indeed should be an experience that guides us in shaping our future as we try to avoid the mistakes that have brought us to where we are now. It is the future that matters now This is important because contrary to the impression some people are creating today, nobody is innocent in terms of what has gone wrong; neither the past leaders nor the current leaders, not the extremely selfish Nigerian politician nor the religious leaders, not labour which has lost focus, not members of the private sector, not the teachers, the police or military, not the media which suddenly has gone silent, not the civil service and certainly not the

Amb. Keshi

people. Consequently, if any change is to occur, leaders must lead the change, articulate the vision, the roadmap and the end game. Is that not what we are doing today? Frankly, I don’t know but this I do know. First, in this country we love slogans and every regime has had its fair share of slogans. Secondly, in countries that have transformed and changed, leadership made the difference, with the passion, the dynamism and the vision as well as the road map they created to get to their destination. Thirdly, it is not something you consign just to a ministry and wish the minister good luck. It does not work that way or else Christ would not have had 12 apostles. And lastly, believe it or not, the current recession provides us a good opportunity to transform and change the narratives of this country. Indeed, it is moments like this that leaders show the stuff they are made off.

So how do you view the current recession, government efforts, especially plans to sell national assets? We are in recession essentially because over the years successive administrations paid lip service to diversification and led the country's dependency on crude oil. They also failed to properly utilize the oil proceeds to develop the country. Equally, they did not save enough for the rainy day and in cases when they did, they also squandered it. In the process, we became a highly consumptive nation that imported anything and everything under the sun. There was no serious plan to make the country a productive nation. As long as oil money was available all was well but when the price of oil plummeted in the global market, the bubble bust. We saw it coming; we were even warned but like the people of Israel in the days of Noah, we paid no attention until the flood came. After the 2015 elections, we went into euphoria and made no serious effort to put in place any credible policy in response to

the emerging situation. To compound the situation, the production and exportation of oil was drastically reduced to less than a million barrel per day by renewed militancy in the Niger Delta and this affected the revenue accruing to the Federal Government. Also, the new government, showing signs of unpreparedness, flip flopped on some issues, was slow in constituting the cabinet or evolving any policy and some of the pronouncements and initial actions did not help matters. The cumulative effect of all this was that investors decided to wait and see and growth was stalled. For three consecutive quarters, there was no growth in the economy. Today the Federal Government has no money and a number of states can't pay workers. I am not sure the debate about the sale of national assets is the conversation we should be having. It is very limited and does not demonstrate any serious and deep thinking. Understandably, it is driven by desperation and the need for political survival. This notwithstanding,

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

SUNDAY

Potpourri Trend du jour

Weight watchers community

Stretch before great workout

Biwom Iklaki

othing puts a crank in your workout works quite like an injury during workouts. Most of them are actually avoidable as they could be caused by something as trivial as muscles that were not prepped before the workout. Here is how it works; “Warming up is essential to a good workout—it is the cornerstone to staying limber and flexible! Warm-ups prime your nervous system; prepare your muscles; increase the delivery of blood, oxyg e n , and nutrients t o your muscles; and ready your mind for exercise and performance. Cold muscles are more susceptible to injury” – Obi Obadike, bodybuilding.com.

Shape shifting kaftans

So, for those of you who just stroll into the gym or lace up your running shoes and hit the streets running, literally, well, think again. You have to prep those muscles to get maximum perfomance and protect you from injury. A great tip to keep in mind though is this; “Static stretching before exercise can weaken performance, such

as sprint speed, in studies. The most likely reason is that holding the stretch tires out your muscles. You should warm up by doing dynamic stretches, which are like your workout but at a lower intensity” – webmd.com. you should pay attention to such little things because in the long run, you could be setting yourself up for an injury otherwise.

Money talks

Advantages of setting up a budget

eople who make a habit of creating a budget and sticking to it are very smart people and will get the following advantages for their troubles

1. They are able to pinpoint areas where they can make savings in their financial situations.

2. They are less likely to end up in debt because they have a definite list of income and expenditure at a glance and can keep track of their money movement. 3. They are less likely to be caught unawares by unexpected costs like an illness or a sudden job loss or even moving homes. 4. They are more likely to be accepted for mortgages or loans because they have a consistent financial life. Their bank records are clean and up to date as well as the fact that they would not likely be in debt, which moves them high up the loan-worthy list. 5. These category of smart people are in a great position to save up for special vacations, getaways, a new car or other such treat.

Stories by: Biwom Iklaki

aftans have a g a i n found their way into the wardrobe of fashion forward ladies. As a respite from all the figure hugging pieces in our fashion repertoire, this dress comes in handy as a throw-on-the-go kind of outfit. Because it is so simple, you get the choice to dress it up or down, carte blanche. Who wouldn’t love that style? Well, here it is, loved and gaining popularity. If you are yet to partake in this style gorgeousness, in the words of D’banj the Kokomaster, “You are on a looong tin!”. It makes for a lovely look to a party when y o u are feeling bloated, o r you intend to eat to your fill (you must know what I am talking about, surely you have had one of such days?), or a perfect preggy look if you are a bit shy about your bump. As a matter of fact, throw it on on your most confident day and just laze around on a lazy Saturday outing with friends or when going shopping. The options with these new contemporary kaftans are endless!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sportxtr

Wealthy footballers who own helicopter H

Aaron Ramsey

Gareth Bale

Neymar

elicopters are not just for transporting manufactured homes anymore. They can also do other important tasks, like carrying soldiers to war zones, carrying bombs to drop and kill enemy soldiers, and transporting foreign aid to people who will be killed by errant drone strikes weeks later. More importantly, helicopters sometimes transport soccer stars that are wealthy enough to acquire one. Aaron Ramsey decided to acquire a private helicopter following the footsteps of Wales’ teammate Gareth Bale - the most expensive player in the world at a time following his £85million move to Real Madrid last year bought a private helicopter to ease his movement outside the football pitch. Michael Owen, the former England, Liverpool and Newcastle striker, spent a large chunk of his earnings to purchase a helicopter. Having bought himself a £2 million helicopter, he became the first Premiership player to qualify as a pilot. The 36-year-old multi-millionaire was proud to be owner of an eight-seater, twin-engine Eurocopter Dauphin - top speed 166mph – which he today pilots. The ex-player employed a private pilot, to ferry his family to and from games when he was at Newcastle and around England. The aircraft also allowed Owen to slash the commuting time between his home in north Wales and St James’s Park, from four hours to just over one. He got the permission to have a helicopter landing site built in the grounds of Lower Soughton Hall, his £4 million Grade II-listed mansion in Northop Hall. The helicopter ’s military stablemate, known as the Tiger, made its Hollywood debut in the 007 film GoldenEye in 1995. Ronaldinho has recently attracted more

attention from his fans and the media with several shocking decisions. Firstly, the former FIFA World Player of the Year decided to return home playing in the Brazilian championships after failing to win a regular starting place at Milan. R10 then chose Rio-based Flamengo to continue his football career. The 31-year-old also made headline when he amazingly teamed up with Ed Hardy creator Christian Audigier on a clothing line including shirts and a variety of hats. This collection was available to nightclub GHB dealers in Latin America, Japan and the U.S. Another amazing decision Ronaldinho made was his acquisition of a private helicopter. Neymar, after acquiring a private jet he bought an helicopter EC 130 B4 worth an estimated $3.8 million, this incidentally wasn’t included in the list of assets frozen by the Brazilian authorities last February, which did include real estate properties, a yacht and a jet. Gareth Bale also own a private helicopter from the wealth he got from endorsements of several companies in his career and has current deals with Adidas, EA Sports, Lucozade and BT Sport. He receives a yearly salary of £15 million with Real Madrid, while his endorsements earn him an estimated £10 million per year. In March 2014, Bale was the first player to wear the Adidas F50 crazylight football boots. Bale was transferred to Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee. Press at the time reported the transfer value at figures between €91million and €100million. Later on documents pertaining to the transfer were leaked which confirmed a world record transfer fee of €100.8 million, eclipsing the previous record fee of £80 million (€94 million) for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

ravaganza

Famous footballers with influential hairstyles

o proudly rs

Cristiano Ronaldo obviously looks so handsome in this haircut

Bacary Sagna’s soccer hairstyle is flawless

Ermin Bicakcic’s hair goes straight up and defies gravity

Abel Hernandez is sporting a bun in his curly hair

DeAndre Yedlin looks amazing in this blonde curls, but recently he dyed it back to its natural brown color

Wayne Rooney

John Boye bleached the sides of his hair

Raul Meireles has the tiniest little mohawk which is contrary to his huge beard

Lionell Messi

occer haircuts consist of awesome and crazy hairstyles, and often the latest trends in men’s hairstyles. Each of us has our own way of styling and fixing our hair and the same goes for soccer players. Every player has his own unique hairstyle. Some may even look nicer than the others. Soccer players are not only well known for their exceptional athletic ability but also for their hairstyle. All of them may be wearing their uniform but these players also love to show off their individuality with their hair. Soccer players are famous among guys for exceptional skill, but the reason they are famous among most of the girls is because of their looks, styles, and especially hairstyles. They not only spend the time to practice for their game but spend as much time to style their unique hairstyle that later become their signature styles. We can’t deny that soccer haircuts are very

It seems that Asamoah Gyan is not satisfied with the big number ‘3’ on his jersey. He decided to include this number in his haircut

Mario Balotelli’s mohawk lines are so straight!

Really love this awesome hipster cut from Mathieu Debuchy

popular and the most influential among sports leagues. We can get a lot of crazy soccer hairstyles since this particular sport is being participated by different cultures, countries and personalities. Soccer is a very dynamic as well as an exhausting game. This is the reason for which soccer players go for the best haircuts and hairstyles to keep their look intact throughout the 90 minute game. Many famous footballers do a simple haircut and later it becomes a trend for the years to come. Also there are popular soccer players like Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Bale, Beckham and many more who set the hairstyle trend whenever they change the haircut no matter what it is or how it looks! These superstars are the style divas for their fans that follow their each and every move and style. We are going to list some of the most amazing soccer player hairstyles that are still trending and also stylish.

Luxury

Homes

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Palatial home grounds Biwom Iklaki

ome homes have the ability to stun you into silence just by pulling up to the driveway. Those with the means have a way of living like creatures of comfort…which they are in any case. So, you can have a situation where you sit in your car and stare long and hard at the view before you when you do encounter such magnificent homes. Often times, they are a mix of both modern and classic designs to achieve the mind

Virgin-ogram

boggling splendour that they lend. You wonder if their owners just wake up in the mornings and walk around the home with a satisfied look on his face, would you blame them? From the sprawling expanse of well manicured lawns to the fountains and lighting, and entire land/ seascape…sigh! Luxury is necessity to some people. With the right amount of money, there is absolutely nothing you cannot achieve in your home design, always keep that in mind when you decide to design your home grounds.

Weird

Church porn flick

n interesting study recently shows the average age people lose their virginity. It is quite fascinating to note that the Brazilians take the cake here as they indulge in copulation the earliest while the Brits follow closely at 18 years of age. The study tried to be thorough as it analysed 37 countries. “Teenagers in Brazil are apparently the first to enjoy a sexual encounter at an average age of 17.3, according to the report by Durex” – thesun.co.uk Amazingly, they pegged the average age at first sex for Nigerians at 20.6 years. Now, this is amazing stuff….really? I am appalled by this o! I would have thought Nigerians would maybe be 12 0r 13 seeing as most of them in the North especially are married off at about that age? Just thinking out loud here!

n exhibitionist woman was captured moving around the church premises of St Mary’s Church near Bramall Lane, pleasing herself. She wasn’t satisfied with just that, she was filmed performing a strip tease and another lady using sex toys on herself. She kept communicating with the woman behind the camera and expressed her state of mind during the filming. “The outrageous 30 minute video shows a woman with shoulder length brown hair stripping off to perform a sex act on herself in the grounds of St Mary’s Church near Bramall Lane. Another woman – behind the camera –

films her brazen antics and comments on what she is doing. The shocking clip also shows a woman named a ‘Janna’ using a sex toy and flashing at various members of the public. In the video, Janna tells the camera: “We are going to be undressing and doing all sorts of things in public”, while stood close to the Spearmint Rhino lap dancing club. The woman, who actually admits to being nervous, is then filmed in several parts of the city centre in different outfits before either flashing or stripping off completely” – thesun.co.uk. No comment!

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

Sunday Interview

LNG, concession some airports, roads we should be having a more elaborate and comprehensive discussions on how to create a productive and diversified economy of which privatization or sale of some assets critical or not s is a sub text. I believe there is a blueprint somewhere which we have to review in view of our current situation. This should be done with some urgency. It’s time we do away with the refineries, the moribund steel industries (if we have not done that already), complete the privatization of the power sector, sell off all but four of our airports, namely that of Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano We should concession off a number of federal roads. One of the critical national assets that were the subject of recent discussions was the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas. The thought of selling off government’s share should be perished. Instead I will suggest that we deploy the return on investment, our share dividends and taxes from the NLNG which are huge to develop the Bonny NLNG. When you look at what we are making from the NLNG which probably is the most profitable industry in which government has some shares, you can imagine what we will be making if we have two of such industries in this country. Apart from the economic impact especially the large number of jobs it will create, it will be a significant statement about the country’s commitment to developing the Niger Delta. Whatever is saved from spinning off the above entities from government control should be invested in agriculture, education and the culture sector. These have multiplier effects and are the easiest, fastest and cheapest way of diversifying and industrializing the country. The cultural sector can improve the rural areas through creating an impactful rural economy. Let me make the point that these have to be properly articulated into a policy framework and also attention should be paid to improving the Nigerian business climate. It is also important to state that whatever is been done at the federal level should be replicated at the state levels. This is imperative because in so many ways we are also in this mess because our states have not only remained underdeveloped, along with the local governments they have become a burden. Indeed we need to pay attention to the states and help them grow through building their capacity and competences. You spoke earlier of the Niger Delta, a lot has been done but the place remains a flash point with serious implications for the nation. What else can be done for the region? I think somewhere in the Bible, in Proverbs if I am right, it is said that those who fail to listen to the cries of the poor shall also cry. That’s where we are now with the Niger Delta. Since 1958 we have shown or deliberately refused to show any clear and in-depth knowledge of the region or paid any serious attention to the fundamental demands of the people of the Niger Delta. Even to empathize with them is challenging for most Nigerians. Yet, this is the region that produces well over 90 per cent of the country’s wealth. Rather than focus on meeting the legitimate demands of the people of the Niger Delta for development, we have been delivering painkillers to enable us continue to explore and export oil. Indeed, it is the failure to address the issues of endemic poverty and underdevelopment, to understand the difficult terrain and the challenges of developing the region, the national lack of empathy and sympathy

I am not sure the debate about the sale of national assets is the conversation we should be having. It is very limited and does not demonstrate any serious and deep thinking for a region that provides the bulk of the nation’s wealth as well as, the stark failure of successive federal administrations to hold oil companies responsible and accountable for the destruction of the environment that gave rise to anger and agitation in the Niger Delta. These later gave rise to all forms of demands, protestations, criminality and violence, from resources control and resources sharing, youth restiveness militancy and insurgency, ethnic clashes, conflicts between oil producing communities and oil companies to kidnappings, hostage takings, oil-pipeline vandalisation and oil theft. At the state level, the problem is poor leadership, lack of good governance, lack of capacity, corruption and the inability of the people to challenge their headers and hold them accountable. By the way, the situation at the state level is not peculiar to the Niger Delta. It is a common feature of states in Nigeria which is why I reiterate again that it is imperative we focus considerable attention on the states. If the states fail to grow Nigeria will remain largely underdeveloped. Looking at the presidential broad-

cast, how do you see his statement that “no group can unlawfully challenge the authority of the Federal Government and succeed,” which is a veiled allusion to military action against the militants? First I do not think it is a veiled illusion. Military action is already taking place. Somewhere else in the speech, he called the militants thugs. They may well be for all we know, but such a word should not be used on someone you are trying to reach some agreement with. This is important because the militants will read the speech and search for any rapprochement from the President, to see what overtures he is making only to see insults and name calling. The President’s speech writers should be careful about what they put in the President’s speeches so that at all time, the President is not seen to be desperate and lacking any real solution on an issue like the Niger Delta crisis. As I said before, the fact that he is reaching out to the leaders of the region and the militants is not the real solution to the problems of that region. The people of the Niger Delta for over 50 years have been asking for justice; for fairness and equity, fundamentally for development. Why is that so difficult for us all to understand, appreciate and empathize with them? I can almost hear some people ask, what is this man talking about? Look at the resources we have poured into the region. We could also redirect the same question to the rest of Nigeria because from the oil revenue since the 1950s only 14 per cent have gone to the Niger Delta while the bulk of the revenue, 86 per cent have gone to the rest of Nigeria. What did we do with the 86 per cent? This should humble all of us and compel us to take another critical look at ourselves and how we should drive development to meet the aspirations of all Nigerians for justice, fairness, equity and for development. We should listen more to one another and above all appreciate not only the reality on the ground in the Niger Delta. But we should also remember the fact that government no longer has the monopoly for violence. If we genuinely want peace and stability in the region and not oil, then we must focus on development. If we lack the capacity and capability as well as the technical knowhow to address such a difficult terrain, for goodness sake we can get real experts from the Netherlands or go to Louisiana in the United States. They had terrains not too different from that of the Niger Delta but they have over the years conquered their environment. He also said N700 billion has so far been released this budget year to capital projects, and in particular, over N170billion for road rehabilitations and expansion. Giving the bad state of our roads and retrenchment by construction

companies, would you say this has been effectively utilized? Time will tell. You know that there are a number of factual errors of claims that are not true that some people pointed out almost immediately. If it is true, that is some good news, but what I do know from traveling round the country is that the Federal Government lacks the capacity and the resources to build and maintain our roads. This is why I believe most of the roads should be concessioned to local contractors with a foreign partner or a foreign contractor with a local partner. They should manage and maintain the roads for a number of years. Look, the President had said we should think out of the box and no better time than now to do so. If you travel round this country, you will come to appreciate the enormous amount of resources that we need to fix our roads. We do not have it. So spin it off and focus on education and health with the little you have. In line with his claims that abroad, Nigeria’s standing has changed beyond belief in the last 18 months. We are no longer a pariah state. Do you think things have changed such that investors are ready to move their money to grow our economy? The last time Nigeria was regarded as a pariah state was under Sani Abacha and that that were than 17 years ago. This is why I said earlier that the speech writers need to be careful not to showcase the President as been desperate to claim credits for what he is not responsible for. They started this early in the life of this administration with the body language thing and with the trip to the United States. For goodness sake, the President is not due for re-election until 2019 which gives him ample time to make his mark and claim credits for what he has done. In his address the President did not miss words in acknowledging the challenges and asking for time. That trend and assurances with real policies should have continued throughout the speech. What is your view of the ‘Change Begins with Me’ campaign of this current government? As I said earlier and you can go through history to ascertain my claim that where changes have occurred leadership have made the difference - the passion, dynamism, vision, goals and values the leader promotes will determine whether we change or not. In this particular case, the launching of the campaign for attitudinal changes should not have taken place in Aso Rock, but at another location where all sectors and age groups in the nation would be involved. Also, for it to succeed and gain national acceptance all the social ministries should be involved and everything systematized. For now, I have my fears that this campaign will die like others. Some Nigerian students were recently detained in Turkey. What is your reaction to this? It is really sad the way Turkey is treating us on this issue. If the leadership in Turkey is so desperate to eliminate its opponents and become reckless to the extent of jeopardizing the very cordial relations and increasing commercial activities between Nigeria and Turkey, then we should confront them. I want to believe and trust that the Foreign Ministry had invited the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria and protested the bad treatment of our students. If we are not satisfied, we should send a delegation to demand for compensation for the students who were sent back or sent to some sub standard schools. I believe we have some leverage on this matter and we should not haste to utile it.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Features Echoes of Lagos Single and Married Summit p.33

News Christopher Kolade appointed Chairman BoT, Kingdom Men p.33

ERMON

What a gut to challenge God p.50

FAITH

I’ll get married for right reasons –Benita Back in the 90s, Benita Okojie blazed the trail as an astonishing gospel music artiste. Then she was just 12. Now she has grown into a pretty young woman with multiple awards to her credit. She speaks about her upcoming marriage, career and desire to make a big impact on society as an adult in this interview with Tai Anyanwu. Excerpts Some of your fans have been following your growth and want to know what has been keeping you from settling down in marriage. I think when it is the right time, I will definitely settle down. I will soon get married. But the process of getting to that level - you know marriage is not what you rush into - it is something that you have to pray about and be sure that you have the leading of the Holy Spirit before you go into it because it is a life time thing. If you rush into it you will rush out of it, especially if you are not going into it with your right senses. I am taking my time to go into marriage and praying to God to give me the right person; and very soon I will get married. How soon will this be? I have already said I will soon get married. It could be this year; it could be next year; soon. What kind of man do you wish to have as a husband? Oh; I am actually already in a relationship. So I don’t think there is any need to tell you what kind of man anymore because already the man must have the qualities for him to be in the relationship. How did you make the choice? God chose for us. I mean what are the criteria for your choice of man? More importantly, a man that loves God and a man that believes in my ministry, those two are the most important qualities. Your fans have been itching to hear from you, you have not released any album after school. What has been the problem? I realized also that the music industry is a lot different than when I started; a lot of things have changed. The music industry has involved some good and also there some who are not so good entrants that are also involved in the music industry. So, I am not looking at rushing back into full time music, more importantly, I am looking at working on singles and then an album, by the grace of God, next year. Before the end of the year, something will be out and everybody will hear about it. How has it been for you all this while? There have been challenges. But I am thankful, because I still have a lot of people who believe in what I can do even though I started young. And there are still a lot of people who are very interested in me coming back, and doing music full time. So, trust when I say I have not rested on my oars. I have been working and in due time, everybody will hear all the songs. And I three

songs that have been released, all singles, they are not albums and there are no videos to them and they are really nice songs. If you want to check them out, there is Ayo which is a song that I did earlier this year, in the New Year. There is Jesu na Baba and Kabiyesi that I did with Tony Kore. Those are songs that I have done all these while. What are you doing presently? A lot of the time, I get invites to talk to young people about following their passion because I started as a young person. I am also an inspirational and a motivational speaker; I do a lot of motivational speaking. And then, I also have other projects that I am working on that will also help the Nigerian child because I also know that I was a child and I know how I started. And I know how I benefited when I was developing my own talent. So, I am looking at encouraging children, young people to find their talents and put it to use. You graduated three years ago. Could tell us how you started and what the experience was like? I went to Redeemers University, the school of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I studied English Language and the first year was a bit rough because I had a lot of young people like myself – you know for some reasons or the other because I was in the limelight –there were a lot of misconstrued ideas about me. So, I was a bit challenged. But in the second year, I think I gained more friends, mixed with people more and it changed my perspective beCO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 3 4

Tai Anyanwu Head, religous Desk titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph © Daily Telegraph Publishing

Anglican Communion kicks off chorals

s the year gradually grinds to an end, one remarkable experience that many are looking forward to in Christendom is the number of choral festivals that will come up. In this month of October alone, there are several interesting festivals that will be holding all across the globe. Some of these include the International Children’s and Youth Choir Festival holding in Berlin; the UK Choir Festival holding in Hertfordshire; the 10th Barcelona Corearte Festival holding in Barcelona, Spain; the 12th International Warsaw Choir Festival, Poland and the 21st Annual Choir Festival of the Church of Resurrection holding in Lagos, Nigeria. One of such is the 21st Annual Choir Festival of the Church of Resurrection (Anglican Communion) coming up on October 16, 2016. The event will feature special numbers by the choir and band, choir accompanied by the orchestra, guest appearances, scholarship and trust fund appeal, banquet and awards to outstanding choir members. Rightly themed “Praising God with a Faithful Heart”, the festival promises to be a spectacular experience which will draw attendance across the entire city of Lagos. It will highlight a blend of mellifluous voices combining beautifully with wind, stringed and percussion instruments to produce rapturous melodies that will definitely bring healing to the soul. Choral festivals have become a centurieslong tradition, starting out as far back as the 18th century with the Three Choirs Festival. This is an annual event which rotates among the cathedrals of the three counties in England – Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester. It has held continually since the first time in 1719, only observing a break during the First and Second World Wars. Ever since then, so many choral festivals have sprung up across the globe, with some countries having as many as ten or more festivals in a particular year.

OAU agog as TACSFON alumni holds reunion

Okojie

ll is now set for the 2016 Anual Alumni Reunion of The Apostolic Church Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria (TACSFON), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, billed to hold October 14-16, 2016, at the institution. In a statement issued by the fellowship’s Reunion Committee spokesperson, Mr. Ezekiel Ayeni, the gathering is an allencompassing event that would also stimulate mentoring between the alumni and the students on campus. According to the statement, the threeday event, which has the theme, “Back to Bethel”, will also witness a ground breaking ceremony for the fellowship’s permanent site. “The annual Alumni Reunion conference has always been a great rallying point where all the alumni of the fellowship in Nigeria and in Diaspora gather once in a year on campus for spiritual and physical rejuvenation.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

faith

Pope prays that journalists be truthful

n his latest prayer video Pope Francis dedicates the month of October to praying for journalists – specifically that their work would always be motivated by strong ethics and respect for the truth. The video, released October 4 depicts the Pope addressing viewers in his native Spanish saying he often wonders, “How can media be put to the service of a culture of encounter?” “We need information leading to a commitment for the common good of humanity and the planet,” he said, as the faces of different journalists around the Vatican flashed across the screen, asked if viewers would join him in praying for those who work in the field of communication. Specifically, he prayed “that journalists, in carrying out their work, may always be motivated by respect for the truth and a strong sense of ethics.” The video closes with the Pope asking viewers if they can help him with the request, a question to which the journalists featured each respond one by one saying, “yes.” Among the journalists featured in the video is Alvaro de Juana, a Rome correspondent for CNA’s sister-agency ACI Prensa. Originally from Spain, he has been working as a journalist for 12 years. Commenting, de Juana said having strong ethics and a high respect for the truth are always important, but moreover carry special weight in today’s society.

“For years there has been talk of an economic crisis, but the Church and concretely Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have said on many occasions that there is also a crisis of values,” he noted. Within this crisis, “ethics and morality have been forgotten and have been discarded in many environments and in important questions,” de Juana said, explaining that because of this, a journalist “has the duty to respect ethics and morality.” “There is no journalism without ethics,” he said, explaining that if ethics were removed from the equation, “it would be to dirty and undermine this profession that has the truth as its foundation.” Communication also plays a fundamental role in evangelization, he said, noting that “the Church is universal and we could say that communication is, too.” Christ used words and actions to make God’s love known to the people, and in doing so communicated, de Juana said, adding that communication is “a very important instrument” that can be used to reach those far from the Church. When asked how journalists themselves can collaborate with the Pope in helping to ensure his prayer is answered, de Juana said the answer is simply “being faithful to this principle of the truth” and by carrying out one’s work with the conviction that “not everything goes.”

My TURNING P

INT

Porn addict finds hope in Christ F ormer “American Idol” contestant, Jason Castro, has revealed how pornography addiction nearly destroyed his marriage in a candid new “I Am Second” video. Castro placed fourth on season seven of “American Idol,” and his rendition of Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” briefly appeared in the numberone spot on the iTunes chart. Despite his overwhelming success, Castro revealed that he experienced extreme loneliness and depression, and turned to pornography for comfort. Before too long, he found himself addicted. “By the time I was on tour, I was looking at stuff every day, multiple times a day,” Castro said in the video. “This addiction was really bothering me. It was bringing me down. It was keeping me depressed. I wasn’t sleeping at night. I would stay up all night out of shame and then go back to my thing. The addictive cycle ... I couldn’t stop.” His addiction spilled over into his personal life: Despite having a serious girlfriend at the time, he slept with someone else on while on tour. “I found myself doing something I’d never come close to with my girlfriend, my future wife. We had barely kissed and here I had slept with somebody I barely knew,” Castro said. The singer initially decided not to let his then-fiancé, Mandy, know about the affair, but finally confessed, unable to handle the overwhelming guilt. “Having a secret just eats at you like so much. You feel like a liar the whole time,” Castro recalled. The engagement was called off, but the couple eventually reconciled and were married in January 2010. But Castro’s struggles weren’t over. “She told me if I ever looked at porn she would divorce me,” he recalled. Nevertheless, smartphones was pornography all the more available: “I would wake up every morning and my heart would start racing, and I would want to go look at porn. Look at porn and then go start the day. Then be the happy, good husband.” Because of his addiction, the couple began to grow apart - “Mandy thought it was because of her,” Castro said. Eight months after their marriage, some friends invited them to a 12-step support group at church. After listening to similar stories from others, Castro

felt a deep sense of hope, road of living a godly life, realizing he wasn’t alone in living in community and his struggle. A few months being known. It feels good later, he confessed to his wife to be known.” before the group about his Determined to overcome addiction to pornography. his addiction, Castro reOne night, Castro opened moved all temptation that up to his wife about his ad- could possibly weaken him, diction and found healing. a n d “That is when everything started to change, beI always cause I started feelbelieved in God but ing freer. I always believed in God but didn’t really trust Him didn’t really trust with everything. I thought Him with everythis thing was too dirty, thing. I thought this too dark to share with thing was too dirty, too dark to share with anybody anybody. But once I trusted with Him we started the

with the support of his friends and wife, was able to recover. Today, he has two young children with his wife. “This struggle might never go away. It’s part of my flesh, but I’ve been able to overcome it. This is the real miracle - that I’m able to have a family right now, married to my wife and a better relationship than either of us ever imagined,” he said. Castro first discussed his Christian faith on an earlier “I Am Second” video when the website was launched in December 2008. •culled from Christian News

Braking

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

Echoes of Lagos Single and Married Summit

Tai Anyanwu

ave you ever seen a bride on her wedding day? Did you take note of the excitement written all over the face of the newly wed? Or did you ever tried to quantify her joy? Then you will agree with me that there is this immense joy she savours on that day of her glory.

Yes, there is this unprecedented joy, which every woman cannot hide on her wedding day. That is the reason every woman feels on top of the world on her wedding day. The same passion is the reason why every woman looks up to that day and plans specially for it. The groom is also not left out because he is obviously cut in the web of nuptial enthusiasm. So before the officiating priest and many witnesses, he profusely promised to love and cherish his babe for life, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in plenty, in good times and in bad times till death parts them. Like a fragile precious possession, the groom feeds his wife and gives her wine to demonstrate how he would ‘always’ care and cherish his ‘precious’ wife. However, it is puzzling that a few months or is it weeks after that great day; we begin to hear about their marriages swimming in troubled waters. The frustrated partner begins to say: ‘Oh! I don’t know that Joseph is like that; I didn’t know that Tonia is so boring and everything is like that.” Consequently, marriages have crashed

Participants at the summit

and many are still crumbling just as briefly as the glorious wedding day excitement is consummated. This worrisome trend was the focus of this year’s Lagos Single and Married Summit held at the Gymnasium Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere recently. As the convener and President of Family Boosters Ministries, Pastor Bisi Adewale, pointed out; nobody goes into marriage to have a failed marriage. And that is what informed the theme of the just concluded summit ‘Marriage of My dream’.

I ‘ll get married for right reasons – Benita

CON TINUED FR O M PAGE 32

cause before that time, I was living with my parents. I learnt a lot and made friendships that have withstood the test of time even now that I am out of school. And some still hang out with me. School is just like a place where you go and build yourself for the future; and I will say that I did a lot of self-building. What is your advice for the singles? Wait, wait for the right person and wait for the right time. Don’t be in a hurry to get married just because of the pressure from parents, or pressure from society at large. As a young beautiful girl, there is always the tendency for parents and relatives to start asking you why you are not married; and they forget the most important factor about being compatible and sharing the same interest with the person. And immediately they get the couple together they are less concerned about all that. They are more interested in you just getting married because they are getting older. But I think it is important that we don’t just rush those things and that parents should give their children time to go and learn what they should learn, give their children to know the people they want to get married to and give them time to grow together spiritually. Most importantly, don’t let pressure make you marry A lot of people have been pressurised into marriage and their marriage is nowhere today. Young people should get married for all the right reasons and prayerfully choose a partner and then let God do the best for them. You started early as a musician, that time it was sensational. What do you think can be done to encourage the industry either by government or individuals? I think it is funding, it is the most impor-

tant. Funding is a major part; a lot of the time, government parastatals spend more money on secular guys whose messages are not necessarily decent. So, the guys who are doing everything they can to push out possible message that promote morals don’t get as much support as the other guys get. I think government can invest a lot in artistes that are gifted and have a lot of positivity to offer. There will be a balance and the world will be a better place when people who have positive messages to share with the world are given an opportunity and a platform. We will have more young people striving to do positive things and striving to impact the world more positively. Funding is the most important thing. Apart from government parastatals, if we also have the multinational companies endorse artistes that have positive messages, the world will definitely be a better place to live in. And it will be cool and OK for young people to want to be like a gospel artiste or to want to emulate the gospel artiste or to want to emulate an artiste who has been churning out positive messages. Now you are older, do you miss your child years? When you are no longer a child you can’t get away with a lot of things. You walk in certain way someone will say you are walking for him. You do certain things and everybody is trying to judge you. On the contrary, they will give you that benefit of being a child. I don’t miss it, but I appreciate it that people look at me and say oh; that is that little girl even now that I am older. It tells me that there was so much impact that I made as a child; and it also reminds me that now that I am older, I need to make greater impact than I did as a child. So, I don’t miss it but I pray to God to help me make greater impact than I did as a child.

He said: “I discovered that many good people are having bad marriages. Very good people in church, very good people at work and among your colleagues you see fantastic guys and girls in the office but you can just hear about their marriage crashing after two or three years. So, I began to think; I went into a research to find out what it is that is causing marriage problems. “Then my investigation revealed that it is not that the girls are bad or that the guys are bad. But lack of skill, absence of management skill required to nurture matrimonial union is the real cause of broken marriages.” Come to think of it, when you are good at your job or any professional endeavour, it is because you must have received training in that chosen field.

Incidentally, only few people care to pay attention to management of marriages. Based on this realization, Family Boosters Ministries also wrote a book to teach attitude management, time management, character management, bedroom management, health management and all those things couples need to manage well to make their marriages work. The ‘Single and Married Summit,’ which is the fourth, also brought all that up to address all those things which people desire in marriage but often don’t get. “Even the way we manage money in our families is very wrong. The truth is if you don’t manage money well in your marriage or family you will squander government money if you get the chance to public office,” Adewale pointed out. “We are rain spenders. Rain spenders in the sense that when rain is falling heavily, I can use one gallon of water to wash my handkerchief; I won’t remember that I need to prepare against the dry season. In Israel, every drop of water that falls during the rainy season is captured into a place called a cistern. When there is no more rain, the rain already stored in the cistern is put use in dry seasons. “Essentially, every drop of rain that falls is carefully managed. In our own case, we don’t have such considerations here. Few weeks ago, heavy flood was experienced in Adamawa State, but within a short time we are going to be complaining of draught in the state because nobody cared to store the excess rain water. That is the same way we handle money in our families,” he added. “The principal reason why marriages crash is that couples fail to build the foundation of their union on wisdom which is found word of God, the creator of marriage.”

Christopher Kolade appointed Chairman BoT, Kingdom Men Tai Anyanwu

igeria’s former Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, has been appointed to chair the Board of trustees (BoT) of Kingdom Men ministries, a fellowship committed to raising men for God.

The current Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter (CAN), Apostle Alexander Bamgbola; the Presiding Archbishop of Vineyard Christian Ministries, Archbishop John Osa-Oni; were also appointed to the BoT. Other prominent servants of God appointed into the board include the Managing Director of Global Risk Consulting Limited, Pastor Uwem Michael Udonquak, and founding Pastors of Christ Chapel International Churches (CCIC) Rev. Dr Tunde

Kolade

and his wife Rev. (Mrs) Ebun Joda. Renowned lawyer and a serving member of the Church Advisory Council of the CCIC, Rev Raphael Ajibola Oluyede; Rector of the Methodist Theological Institute, The Very Rev Sunday Ola Onadipe; the Regional Coordinating Pastor for Port Harcourt, Owerri and Bayelsa of Christ Chapel International Churches, Rev Dr Phillip Okerentugba; also on the Board while the the Chief Vision Steward, Rev. Remi Akano; becomes an ex-officio member of the Board. Speaking on the behalf of the BoT, Archbishop Osa-Oni noted that the challenges facing men “are obviously enormous in the time we live in.” “But in all of these, God has made a way of escape for everyman who believes in the promises of the Almighty.” “The newly inaugurated Board of Trustees will work in close concert with the Chief Servant Steward of this ministry and his team so as to ensure that the objective for which Kingdom Men was established is accomplished, God willing. And we know that this ministry will go a long way to fulfill the yearnings of men around the world,” he said. A three-man panel of discussants: Pastor Popoola Adams, Rev Dr. Phillip Okerentugba and Pastor Dayo Adeyemi of Catalyst Men’s International x-rayed the topic – ‘Men: Oppressors or Victims, and they emphasised that in His creation process, God never intended any man to be an oppressor or victim’.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

faith

Be truthful, make the world a better place –Prophet Oyeleke

Stanley Ihedigbo

he Senior Prophet of the Church of the Lord (Aladura), Anthony Village, Lagos, Sola Oyeleke, has enjoined Christians to have love for the truth and shun lies in their service to God. The Cleric explained that if the body of Christ heeded to the advice, the world would be a better place for all to live in. He gave the counsel at the church’s cultural day and 89th birthday of a sister; Revered Most Superior Olive Adejobi, who the cleric described as an epitome of truth and one who hates lies. The event actually turned out to be a double celebration with friends, relations, guests and other Christian faithful rejoicing at the all-inclusive celebrations. Speaking with Sunday Telegraph , at the church ground, the Presiding Minister, Senior Prophet Sola Oyeleke, said that the cultural day celebration in his ministry is part of activities to thank God for his goodness towards the church family all these years. According to him, the church is also rejoicing with Mama Adejobi on her 89th birthday, who he said God has used to do many good works in the ministry over the last 56 years. The Senior Prophet added that the work of God has taken Mama Adejobi all over the world pointing out that she has also been rewarded greatly with long life. “If Christians will serve God having great love for truth and hating lies the way and manner Mama Adejobi did, then the world would be a better place for us.” Reacting to government plan to sell assets, the Senior Prophet warned that that would be tantamount to selling one’s birth right. He added: “It is unacceptable and totally wrong. Those agitating for such are thieves and insincere to the nation. They want to sell the glory of generations coming behind to themselves which is totally wrong. “Secondly, if the judiciary can stand

for the truth in this country, I think this nation would be set free from bad leadership. Because, the way things are going in the nation and should the judiciary be able to defend the truth, things will get better in Nigeria.” Commenting on leaders’ insatiable thirst for wealth acquisition, the cleric said: “Nigeria leaders should know that they brought nothing into this world and they will also go without anything when they die. They don’t need to acquire wealth they know very well that they don’t need or would make use of.” He, however, regretted that Christian leaders in Nigeria have joined the pursuit for wealth acquisition, lamenting that it does not glorify God in their lives because they don’t use such resources to help any of the less privilege in their churches. The church’s Senior Minister, Bishop Sunday Adesetemi, noted that in the old days, churches do send people who are from less privilege homes to schools to learn how to read and write; adding that presently many Christians God has bless would rather put their money in their pockets rather than assisting people in the house of God that need help. The Bishop advised that the money recovered from looters should be channeled towards development of the country after been milked for years by bad leadership. On Mama Adejobi, the man of God said that the church is celebrating a great woman of God who has impacted a lot in every member life in the ministry through her giving and love. Expressing her delight at being able to witness her birthday ceremony at her age, Mrs Adejobi said that she is very happy and thank God for the grace and love, He has shown her. She commended the church for their support and love towards her and her family members in the ministry. Mama Adejobi’s daughter, Deaconess Adedoja Ojelabi, said that she is very grateful to God and pray that her mother live more years ahead in good health and happiness.

Church members dancing at the event

Revered Most Superior Olive Adejobi (m) with Church members

Recession: A call for repentance – cleric Esther Bakare

he General Overseer and Senior Pastor of Glory Christian Ministries, along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos Dr. Iruofagha James has enjoined Christians and Nigerians in general not to be troubled by the present economic recession in the country, but should rather see it as a cause associated with repentance with the attendant price to be paid in order to draw closer to God and hope that, it will soon be over. He described recession as a global situation, which God will use to redirect us to His divine economic promises, provisions and assurance for our lives enjoyment. He said:

“The world economy has led us astray with depression and swift reactions, because, things we ought to deal with in our lives, we had over time built affinity with, and therefore failed to do the right thing at the right time, which had seriously led to a situation where instead of enjoying life as God meant it to be, we rather are enduring it.” Speaking during the occasion of this year’s annual gettogether of his Kingdom Partners, Pastor James admonished that, instead of lamenting, complaining and raining accusations; the period of recession should be a revival time of drawing closer to God for direction on how to activate hidden opportunities that are

available much more than enough for our needs. Quoting from the book of Ecclesiastes 9: 1-12, he said: “God’s plan for us is to joyfully enjoy life and be free from any form of depression, oppression or recession, but due to our nonchalant attitudes, mismanagement nature and ingratitude towards His divine provisions for us, He allow some occurrences to checkmate us”. He admonished Nigerians not to complain, regret, get depressed or be intimidated by Satan’s language and false impression on momentarily failure that happens to people in life, but to remain steadfast and look up with absolute trust in God at situations for greater

opportunity, provisions and chances that abound to make life meaningful and enjoyable in Jesus Christ. Turning to the Federal Government, Pastor James advised that, the call for restructuring the country and selling of government assets should be handled with caution and carefully considered, so as not to jeopardize the purpose and add more to our present situation or endanger the future development.He suggested that, going for loans might not be the best option; rather, government should invest hugely to rediscover and develop available natural resources God has abundantly blessed this nation with. Supporting the on-going war

against economic corruption in the country, Pastor James said: “It is a welcome development to sanitize the system, build a better society and expose allegedly treasury looters who defrauded the country to enrich themselves.” However, he said in doing this, the war and prosecution should be fought holistically without bias. “Truth is, we had never had it so bad in this country, but in the midst of it, God is exposing cankerworms that had been eating our commonwealth and preparing us ahead of future challenges. Under any circumstances, Nigeria will be great. We should continue praying and stop speaking negative about the country,” he said.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

faith

Insight

Rev. Femi Akinola www.thehebrewsng.com

01-790 3163; 0808 584 5864

Deliverance from pressure

ressure has been defined as a constant state of worry and/ or urgency. It could also be said to be powerful and stressful demands on somebody’s time, attention and energy or a demand of this sort. Irrespective of your status, person or nationality, pressure is inevitable, more especially, in the face of unending pressing needs and demands. Often times, public opinion and personal conviction tend to push us into taking decisions that have far-reaching effects on our lives and in most cases the consequences are grave. If you do not know how to handle the pressures that come your way, it will make you lose your attention and subsequently put you under tension. When this happens, there might not be a second chance for people to pay attention to you again in life. The pain, anguish and regrets many are experiencing today are results of the fact that they allowed themselves to be unnecessarily influenced by undue pressure yesterday. King Saul was caught in this predicament and took a decision that brought his reign to an abrupt end. He waited seven days… So Saul took charge: “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” …No sooner had he done it than Samuel showed up! “What on earth are you doing?” Saul answered, “When I saw I was losing my army from under me… So I took things into my own hands, and sacrificed the burnt offering.” 1 Sam 13:8-12 (MESSAGE) If you are overdue for a miracle or breakthrough in the area of marriage, childbirth, turnaround in your finances or admission into the university and there seems to be no glimpse of hope, there will be pressure. A need, of any nature, is capable of putting pressure on you either consciously or unconsciously. In those days in Israel, it is a taboo for kings to offer sacrifice but Saul defied this law and broke the protocol because Prophet Samuel somehow delayed his coming and he was also losing grip of his men. He forfeited his throne because of a pressing need – the need

to satisfy his subjects. Anywhere you have ventured into because of any mounting pressure and you are suffering now, the Lord will deliver you today in the name of Jesus. There is always a reason for pressure but what is important to be mindful of is the consequence of the impending action. When you are under pressure, it is better for you to be cautious because any unwise action taken at this point could bring about dire consequences. This is because any area in which you are experiencing or being pressured is the same area in which God wants to celebrate you. In the battle of life, the passcode to victory is patience. It is my prayer for you today that as you pressurize your pressure, the Lord will catapult you to where you ought to be in Jesus name. The woman with the issue of blood waited for twelve years, now can you imagine a woman having to cope with a situation of this nature for so long but thank God she met her Savior and became delivered from her affliction. You too can experience God if you are willing to pay the price of patience. We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair...”(2Cor4:8-9AMP) Where is that problem leading you now? When I was growing up as a young believer I found myself in myriads of challenges and troubles, yet I refused to succumb to pressure from friends and acquaintances. I had to prayerfully work out my salvation in patience. Any prescription that has its source from the devil is a calculated attempt to truncate your destiny but God’s divine prescription assures victory in stormy wind of life. Everyone you see being celebrated today also had the pressures and tough times they had passed through. Interestingly, they still have pressures, even greater than you can imagine, because at the back of every star, there are scars. …to be concluded in the next edition.

salms 7: 11 says, “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. 13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.” For some times now, we have patiently and through exhortation made known why God is angry with the wiched, the unrighteous who have bluntly refused to repent and who have trampled on the grace of God to humanity. Through the Scripture, we have also shown that as soon as you have foolishly committed any kind of sin, you must be ready to welcome in your life the wrath of God. If you neglect the grace of God and remain adamant in sin you cannot escape the judgment of God. Titus. 2: 11- 12 says, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” The grace of God according to the Scripture has appeared to all men, teaching them to forsake sin, to have no more to do with it and to make conscience of that which is good. It teaches that we must look to God in Christ, as the object of our hope and worship. It teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and be holy, notwithstanding all the snares, temptations and corrupt examples in this present world. It teaches us to look for the glories of another world and the glorious appearing of Christ, the

God is angry with the wicked (3) blessed hope of Christians. It teaches us to exercise restraint on our passions and propensities in this world. It is therefore necessary that we examine whether our whole dependence is placed upon that grace which saves the lost, pardons the guilty, and sanctifies the unclean. This is because the further we are removed from the grace of God; the more we are closer to His wrath. So, if you are a wicked person that loves to patronize prostitutes, or you love to steal, smoke Indian hemp and cocaine, you are disregarding the grace of God; thus, God is angry with you. He is angry with you, if you love to keep armed robbers, stolen goods, or you are a lesbian, homosexual etc. He is angry with you if you are a kidnapper, fraudster, or you keep malice, buy contrabands or divorce your spouse. If you are a wicked person, God is following you every day with a sword though expecting you to repent but failing to do so He will whet His sword. If you are a sinner and refuse to repent, the righteous God will bring to bear His wrath upon you. He will hasten, and speedily execute His judgments upon you. It does not matter whether you are a pastor, reverend, rich or poor. There is no respect of person with God and He will not treat men according to their color, country, or outward condition, but according to their character and conduct. Even His own people got their own share of His wrath when they sinned.

Revival Tidings with

Pastor Lazarus Muoka Email: chosenworldwidepublicityltd@

08095139000, 08068465580 (SMS only) Judges 6:1- 3 says, “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them.” In the days of the Bible, the Israelites did evil, and were delivered into the hands of their very despicable enemy the Midianites, who oppressed them for seven years, and brought other different tribes to spoil their harvests, and took away their cattle. The invaders left no food for Israel who hid themselves in dens and caves. We should remember God had promised to increase Israel as the sand on the sea shore but their sin stopped their growth and their enemies, who were in every way inferior to them, overpowered them because they sinned. Sinful Israel, being separated by sin from God, had no more spirit to fight rather they imprisoned themselves, in dens and caves.

Of course, all that sin must expect to suffer. All that will turn to folly must expect to come to misery. God shows Himself to each individual according to his character. With the froward God will show himself froward (Ps 18:26), and will walk contrary to those that walk contrary to Him. God follows all His enemies through all their crooked ways, untwisting them, defeating all their schemes and placing curses upon them for their disobedience. God says in Leviticus. 26: 27- 28, “And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins”. By the above context, it means that one who committed sin attracts seven punishments or chastisements. It means that if you commit fornication, the sin may attract poverty, hatred, and diseases such as HIV, gonorrhea, abortion that may result to death or many years of mysterious affliction. So, if you have gone to a native doctor, God may become angry and decides that you are going to suffer for seven years and you may be crying but nobody can revoke it, except repentance.

How the Holy Ghost empowers for exploits (2)

ast week, we began this teaching with the understanding that every redeemed child of God is ordained for exploits. However, without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we cannot achieve them. In this week’s teaching, let’s first recognise that the Holy Ghost is a multi-faceted Spirit and He multitasks or operates through diverse gifts of the Spirit. It is written: Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all (1 Corinthians 12:4-6; see also Ephesians 4:4-5). Concerning some of the operations of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus, the Bible says: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and

The Voice of Dominion by

Bishop David Oyedepo E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

7747546-8 (SMS only) might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears (Isaiah 11:1-3; see also Isaiah 61:1-7; Luke 4:18-21; Acts 10:38; Revelation 5:6). Subsequently, when Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, He said: …Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost (John 20:2122; see also John 17:18). That means we also have

access to all the operations of the Holy Spirit that was at work in Jesus during His earthly ministry. However, it is important to recognise that there are certain supernatural traits that Christ exhibited on earth that were not listed as spiritual gifts in the scriptures. I believe we can classify them as the Spirits of Christ. Therefore, let’s examine one of the Spirits of Christ that engender exploits on earth. · The Spirit of dedication: Let’s recognise that no one can truly be dedicated without being empowered. This is because an unyielding, untiring, unbending and ever- excited dedication requires

empowerment. “Dedication” in this context literarily means a deadly commitment to God and the interests of His Kingdom as a lifestyle. Jesus said: Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father (John 10:1718; see also 2 Corinthians 8:1-3). That means, without power, we may be dedicated for a while but afterwards, we may stagger, withdraw or give up. However, when we are empowered by the Spirit of dedication, we remain dedicated forever because we are operating by a power that is beyond our natural determination. These are some of the benefits that accompany every born again child of God. Are you born again?

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

Body&Soul

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Wole Adepoju 07037763410

woleadepoju@yahoo.com

Oba Ogunwusi’s anniversary gathers momentum

Hon. Moji Lawal back on board L

ike many other of her colleagues who came into the law making chambers of the Lagos State House Assembly through the last general elections, Honorable Mojisola Lawal, who represents a constituency in Apapa, is a firsttimer in the assembly, having spent about one year. But unlike many of her peers who are relatively unknown beyond the confines of the assembly, Moji attracted attention from everywhere several months back when she quit spinsterhood as the last standing single in the hallowed chambers. Dark skinned and wellbuilt lawmaker, Lawal, in grand style bid single status goodbye to cling to her sweetheart, handsome business man, John Paul, and the rest has since become history. Unknown to many, she had proceeded on a nine month course, nurturing her pregnancy after which she was delivered of a baby boy. However, going by information reaching Celeb Lounge, the beautiful lawmaker may have, after a long break resumed at her duty post where she’s expected to make law, cater for her constituency and do oversight functions.

ollowing the passing away of the immediate past traditional ruler of the ancient town of Ile-Ife, Oba Sijuade Okunade, it was expected that the jostle for who takes over the exalted throne was going to be a tough one and just like envisaged, arriving at the final decision of the successor was not less than what could be called a herculean task as a handful of prosperous well-meaning candidates signified their interest and put so much into the race before youthful and handsome Enitan Adeyeye eventually emerged the winner and the rest has since become history. What has, however, become the most anticipated thing about the monarch recently is his one year coronation anniversary that is just around the corner. By virtue of the throne occupied by Adeyeye, the monarch would ordinarily have gotten patronage as regards whatever event he’s hosting, but the monarch, being a rare and peculiar personality has done so much and has led by example and this has endeared him to all and sundry. This love for him by all is rubbing off on the oncoming event as everyone is not just looking forward to it but lending total support and as such increasing the momentum of the anniversary. To make the first year anniversary a befitting one, a program to unfold in due course has been put in place with the theme of the event expected to be carnival-like tagged, ‘Otiseese’. ‘Otiseese,’ which is billed to have millions of visitors from all over converge on Ile –Ife will feature other activities like a star studded musical concert, tour of the town’s landmarks, colourful fete parade, royal banquet to mention a few. His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogun-

Tom Ikimi’s streak of loses F

or Edo State born former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Onile Ikimi, it may not have been good times for him as the self-styled politician has continued to record loses as far as his activities in the political arena is concerned. The former ANPP Chieftain was among the power brokers who put everything up to support the PDP candidate in the just concluded Edo State governorship election but as it turned out, Pastor Ize Iyamu lost to Godwin Obsaseki of APC. Influential Ikimi, who played a major role in the marriage of a few parties to become APC, it will be recalled, had his gaze on the national chairmanship position of the party but lost to fellow Edo man, John Oyegun, and this paved way for his exit from the party to join PDP and work for former president, Goodluck Jonathan, in the last election. He had hoped to return to the main stage if Jonathan had remained in power but that hope was dashed. Another opportunity to return to relevance, at least in his state, had presented itself in the last governorship election in Edo State with PDP as a major factor. Governor Adams Oshiomole’s ability to install a successor to put paid to Ikimi’s dream and his hope was once again dashed.

Pastor Edokpolo brings back Elton’s memory T he recently celebrated 56th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria has been put to bed but it was an opportunity for city man of God in charge of Chosen Generation Parish of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Joseph Edokpolo, to bring back memories of British missionary, Elton, as it has to do with Nigeria. In the church’s Independence programme in Lagos, Pastor Joseph Noruwa Edokpolo, explained that he received the conviction when he stumbled on the prophesy of a British missionary, Pa S.G. Elton, who prophesied

about Nigeria years back that the country will become a thing of ridicule; for it will stink of corruption and it will be despised by all but after that, all countries of the world will want a relationship with the country for its righteousness. Pastor Edokpolo enjoined all Nigerians to key into the prophesy of Pa Elton by ceaselessly praying for the restoration of the country. He explained that Pa Elton who is regarded as the father of Pentecostal Revival Movement in Nigeria had foreseen the current situation of things in the country and the restoration.

wusi, it will be recalled, has done so much in the area of empowering the youths, building bridges to enhance a peaceful co-existence in the country and preaching peace since he ascended the throne.

Daisy Danjuma hosts high society

oing by the words of respected Taraba born retired Army General who is simply addressed as T.Y Danjuma, sometimes ago that the fortune available to him is far too much for him to deal with, one can only be left in the world of imagination what is likely to go down whenever there is cause for celebration in the home of a man who claims to have more than enough. It was therefore not surprising when wife of this billionaire deployed all the trappings of opulence and class when she played host to the society. It was a reception in honour of Daisy’s son and his lover who got married months back, Osagie Omenai and Halima Maibe. The groom is a product of Daisy Danjuma’s first marriage. Osagie, a law graduate from University College, London and Halima, also a graduate of a University in the United Kingdom, fell in love and signed the dotted lines. Meanwhile, the reception held in their honour recently was nothing short of glorious as the high and mighty of the high society in different shades and form thronged the exquisite Lagos venue of the ceremony where they had joined the celebrants as well as their family members to share in the joy of the day. Vintage drinks and quality items on the menu list were available in surplus. Groom’s mother, Daisy, gorgeously dressed in pink apparel, was all smiles while her husband, T.Y Danjuma, played a supportive role, ensuring all was well with the guests.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul poisoning my parents’ mind even before they meet her. She’s a truly loving person but my parents say they are afraid her age may affect her child bearing. I’m confused as I really love this woman. Austin, Port Harcourt Tribal sentiments separated me from my true love

Today, I live a life of regrets. I look at the loving pictures of my soul mate and his family on Facebook and I shed uncontrollable tears. I wish I’m the woman sitting beside him and that his two lovely kids belong to both of us. I and my boyfriend were so much in love while in the university and promised to get married in future. He’s from the Yoruba tribe while I’m Igbo. Five years down the lane, he fulfilled his promise by asking for my hand in marriage but my parents vehemently refused; siting tribal differences and how I’ll be maltreated by his family. After much pressure which yielded no result, the love of my life went back to his town and few years later, got married to a lady from his hometown. My parents also made sure I married a guy from my tribe. Unfortunately, I’m not enjoying my marriage. My

husband treats me like dirt because I’ve not been able to bear a male child for him. He beats me at every chance he gets and also womanizes. I’ve reconnected with my former boyfriend on Facebook but I can’t turn back the hands of time. Parents should please stop destroying their children’s happiness and future with tribal sentiments. Ngozi, Enugu Family opposes my relationship with older woman

I’m 33 years old and in love with a 40 years old lady I met in my office building. We get along so well and she loves and respects me despite our age difference. we’ve dated for over a year now and I believe she’s someone I can get married to but my family members; especially my younger sister living with me is opposing the relationship. She has even gone as far as

I really like this guy but not sure if he is interested

I’m an undergraduate and met this guy when he came home for the long vacation. He goes to one of the universities abroad and only comes home once a year. I fell in love with him but I’ve this feeling he was only

with me for the fun of it. For the two months he was around, we were virtually inseparable. But towards the time he was about to go back to school, he started avoiding me. It was when he was at the airport about to board his flight that he called to say goodbye. I really feel hurt by his treatment and don’t know how to handle it. Recently, he started chatting me up on Facebook but I’m not sure I should open my heart again to him or should I? Bukky, Lagos

GET A SOULMATE

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Christian. I’m based in Lagos and need a God fearing medical doctor between 30-40 years for marriage-08088974646 I’m Paul, 42 years old and HIV positive from the South East. I need a lady with the same status from any tribe. She should be a Christian and either in business or working class for marriage-09080045755 My name is Michael; I reside in Sango, Ogun State. I need a lady for a steady relationship-08091876648 Akpan is my name, 48 years old teacher and a single father of two sons. I’m based in Uyo. I need a matured single lady that is based in the east for immediate marriage-07081958420 My name is Stephen, 29 years old Christian and living in Enugu State. I need a humble, truthful and rich lady between 20-33 years for a relationship that will lead to marriage-09074721318

Bollywood’s beauty takes an ugly turn

here is power in the arts, power in the cultural heritage that the arts produced and power in the hands of the people who act as the custodians of such power -the artistes. Power can be used positively or negatively and as a product of an oral tradition, I bear witness to the power of culture in the life of an individual. That a country like Nigeria has the ministry of culture is a testimony to the efficacy of the power inherent in the arts and culture of a people. That is why I am always saddened when the power of arts and culture is channelled in the negative direction or manipulated for political purpose as it is currently being done in India and Pakistan. Haa, before you crucify me for casting my spotlight in an area that is not my concern, hear me out. The story of my upbringing will be totally incomplete without the tales of the visits to the cinema to watch some of Bollywood’s classic movies. Central Cinema in Ebute Metta holds the fond memories of me stopping on my way from school to meet with Amitabh Bachan and a host of other Bollywood greats in movies like ‘Coolie’, ‘Sholay’ (One of my all time favourites), ‘Disco Dancer’, ‘The Promise’, etc. Bollywood films were the introduction of most Nigerians to the joys of cinema and film making. Their use of songs and dance routine in most of their films influenced local film makers such as Ade Love to also include love songs in their movies (case in point, ‘Taxi Driver ’). Certain movies at the nascent stage of Nollywood would also show the influence of the love stories and songs of the Bollywood films in their production.

From the moral perspective too, Bollywood movies were seen as acceptable even in religious households as they do not show naked women or scenes of kissing despite the heavy love stories. That is the power of art, the power to be an influence across border. That is why I was really saddened this week when news filtered in that Bollywood has been dragged into a political crisis or to put it more aptly, allowed itself to be dragged into a political crisis. This week, Bollywood’s film regulatory body, India Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) announced that it was banning Pakistani actors and technicians from any movie produced in India. I was shocked. The power of arts should be used to build bridges, point to the value of diplomatic and non-violent approach to solving

global problems and how warring sides can actually be united. Films in particular have the power to bring warring sides to the table via artistic dialogue. Many writers had pointed to this cooperation and seamless interaction between the Indian artistes and their Pakistani counterparts as hope for the political crisis between the countries. The simple reasoning was, “If they can work together on films, then the politicians can work together politically.” Not anymore. It seems that the evil hands of politics has stretched and corrupted the hallowed terrain of culture. This decision does not seem to have the approval of most actors and artistes of Indian descent. To them, the worst that should happen is a stance of neutrality on the part of the artistic body if they can not help bring about a political solution

Films in particular have the power to bring warring sides to the table via artistic dialogue. Many writers had pointed to this cooperation and seamless interaction between the Indian artistes and their Pakistani counterparts as hope for the political crisis between the countries

to the crisis that has been ongoing for over half a decade. It is not too late for the Indian body to reverse its decision and let arts continue to be that facilitator of open conversation amongst cultures. Already, Pakistan is retaliating by banning all India-produced movies from its cinemas. I then see India imposing further sanctions on the film and then it goes on until actors join soldiers in carrying arms and killing each other in the battlefield of Karachi? I hope not. Therefore, IMPPA must heed the voice of reasoning and drop this policy immediately. India is now a global player in economics and culture, with film playing an important role. A global power embraces everyone in the globe and not just a polarised few. It has happened before in Hollywood when a section of artistes were branded Communists (or Commie for short) and excluded from the first political adulteration of the film industry in 1944. Records will show that some of the worst films to come out of Hollywood were produced in that period. Maybe it is time to turn the tables and learn something from their Nigerian contemporary, Nollywood. Actors such as Clarion Chukwurah, Ngozi Nwosu and Ramsay Nouah have conquered the ethnic divide and acted in almost all the language sector of Nollywood. Olu Jacobs, a known Yoruba man, has probably played Igbo King more time than I can recount and he is still a favourite in the movie world. Cultural products, including film, build bridges and set the example for politics. Bollywood needs to take this lesson now before it gets out of hand.

9, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

ared

DIY facial massage

resses with a wider princess-cut are to go out in the evenings or ust look sophisticated and chic on he weekends. They work well on any age so ou can rock one in your 20s or our 80s. Find a style you like ither a higher hemline to show ff your legs, a patterned all-over abric or a flared dress that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ighlight any particular feature, r a lovely V-neck to accent your ust. Choose a modern flare dress nd finish up with high heeled umps.

Biwom Iklaki

ou know how you feel whenever you are on the massage table and getting all that love from the masseuse. The music, low lights, aromatic candles and oils, etc. whenever you go to the spa and are receiving all of this love, you always wonder why you take so long between visits. The feeling is oh so gloriously good, relaxing and you go away feeling pampered like a queen. Well, I am here to give you some good news. You can achieve this by yourself. And then your face can get the goodness of the massage with all those lovely oils. All you need to do is to set up the atmosphere. Lay some warm towels on your ottoman, light some aromatic candles around the ottoman, draw your curtains and be sure there is very little light in the room. Turn on some relaxing music, for me, that would be some soft jazz. Study the directions you need to massage each part of your face and using a little oil on your finger tips, begin massaging your face following the directions as given. This will ensure that your face gets pampered through massage and the essential oils (ylang ylang, lavendar, tea tree, eucalyptus, carrot seed, etc. Be sure to mix with carrier oils like coconut, castor, jojoba or avocado oils) penetrate the skin to give you the much needed boost to elasticity. Now that you have learnt the ropes, you can repeat weekly or bi-weekly if your spa days are much farther apart.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Healthy rules for

‘no hair’ dudes

Vanessa Okwara

he bald or no-hair look is having a moment, and it’s important for men who lose their hair, either naturally or otherwise to know how to care for their shiny heads. Not having hair on your head does not mean you shouldn’t take proper care of your scalp. The bare skin on the head requires just as much attention as hair. A hairless head is exposed to the sun, air, pollutants, chemicals, chlorine and allergens and can therefore develop scalp problems. Acne, rashes and problems like ingrown hair can also create hygiene and health issues. Maintaining a great looking bald head and caring for a shaved head takes a bit of work. Preventing razor burn and ingrown hairs and keeping the sun from wreaking havoc on your scalp are essential. Don’t ditch the shampoo and conditioner Those tiny hairs on your head may be hard to see, but they still need care. Oils and dirt can build up on a bald scalp, so be sure to use a dab of sham-

poo when you shower and follow up with a moisturizing conditioner to keep that head flake-free. Shield your scalp from the sun Even on cloudy days, spending time outdoors can leave you with a scorched scalp, so don’t skimp on the sunscreen for your head, ears, and neck. Keep hydrated and moisturise Especially during the dry season, or if your head gets a little too much sun, your scalp can become dry and rough. Get hydrated by drinking plenty of water and using a sensitiveskin moisturiser on your head. Get scalp massages Scalp massage is beneficial because it helps promote good blood flow to the scalp, helps to keep the scalp flexible, soothes nerves and relaxes muscles. Scalp massage also promotes hair growth and luster. It feels great too. Once each week, massage the scalp with the fingertips using a firm pressure in a circular motion. Place the fingers under the hair to avoid pulling. Perform this exercise for three or four minutes.

Korede Bello Cute pop star Vanessa Okwara

orede Bello is a Nigerian singer and songwriter currently signed to Mavin Records. He is best known for his hit single ‘Godwin’, a semi-gospel and pop song which topped many music charts in Nigeria. Korede Bello’s birthday comes once in four years as the young pop star was born on February 29, 1996. He studied Mass Communication at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and holds a National Diploma certificate. He started performing at the age of 7 and went by the stage name ‘African Prince’. He started music professionally by recording songs in the studio

while in secondary school, and eventually released his first single ‘Forever’. He has won several awards including Headies, Golden Icon Awards, City People Entertainment Awards and so many others. The music star is famous for his sexy wink and charming smile. His school boy good looks have earned him the hearts of his female fans. ‘Godwin’ hit-maker loves to maintain a dapper look with his signature curly hair and he says his love for the vintage look inspired his hairstyle. His especial love for boots also adds to his charm. His versatility of mixing African fabrics with some of his outfits makes him a true African Prince.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

RazzleDazzle My butt is real –Biodun Okeowo

Body&Soul Abiola Alaba Peters

with

I apologise for my actions – banned Hausa Actress, Rahama Sadau

ight skinned, sultry Yoruba actress, Biodun Okeowo known in the industry as Tolani Oshirin, has been trending online for days over accusations of butt enlargement when she posted raunchy pictures on Instagram. The beautiful single mother of two in a recent interview addressed issues concerning her butt, marriage and her cosmetics business. “My butt is real and given to me by God. It is not a crime flaunting what you’ve got! I have never done any butt enlargement or worn butt-pads; for what? I am so endowed naturally,” she boasted. On her love life, Biodun confirmed she’s deeply in love. On the rumours making rounds that she was secretly married, she had this to say, “Okay, I am not. But when I do, it’s going to be very discreet. But I’ll keep you posted. I won’t lie about my love life. I’m deeply in love. But I haven’t tied the knot yet, but very soon and it’s going to be very private” She confirmed. On lessons learnt from her previous marriage and other business plans, “Any marriage that has God and trust lasts long. The major problems actresses face in marriage is that our spouses don’t trust us. We are there in the world and so vulnerable to rumours. It’s just the grace of God that we have been surviving. Regarding my businesses, my beauty shop is a year and half years old. Within this short period, I have gone far and I know what I have achieved also. I’m also launching a spa very soon, and it’s based on popular demand” The actress assured.

M-Real debuts with‘Tush’on EMG

igerian international multiple award winning singer, George Gabriel Mgbe, popularly called M-Real may have perfected the necessaries to make a long lasting impression on the Nigeria’s music scene as he debuts with a single tagged, ‘Tush’, on a newly introduced entertainment company, Expensive Music Gang, EMG. The Cross River born, 27 year old singer who had DJ Coublon produce his first single revealed he’s come to take the music scene by storm with the help of his recording label, EMG, where he signed a five year deal. Meanwhile, founder of EMG, Ekene Jeff Nweke, has backed words of George, saying the label is ready to assist the first artist on the label to greater heights. Jeff started his entertainment and media services years back in South Africa where he had also conceptualised EMG before it was approved to run in Nigeria two years ago.

opular Kannywood actress, Rahama Sadau, who was expelled from Kannywood for ‘hugging and cuddling’ in a music video, says it’s impossible to avoid physical contact while acting. The Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) had banned the actress from Kannywood films for supposedly being too close for comfort with Classiq, a Nigerian musician. In a statement released by the actress, Sadau apologised for any ‘anxiety’ she may have caused by appearing in the video. “Following the events of the last few days and MOPPAN’s unilateral decision to exclude me from the Hausa indigenous film industry, known as Kannywood, I would like to use this medium to address my fans, friends, those who have been affected and all who have shown concern. To those who I have offended in any way, shape or form and who I have caused any anxiety by featuring in the said music video, I sincerely apologise. “It was a job and I was carrying out my role in my profession, as I would in any other production, be it a Hausa language film or a Nollywood production. However, innocuous touching with other people in my line of work is inevitable. I have lines that I would never cross and indeed I live and stand by the tenets. The outcome of the events that have taken place has come as a surprise to us all. I may have fallen short of some people’s expectations, but it was never my intention. I make no excuses for my actions and I take full responsibility. “I thank everyone in general for your unwavering support. Your passion and loyalty hasn’t gone unnoticed and I am privileged to have your support. I implore us all to be more tolerant and forgiving towards one another and to cease all the senseless abuse and name-calling.”

GOtv at 5: Daddy Showkey, Oritsefemi to thrill fans

08062622328 abiolaalabapeters@rockmail.com

n celebration of the fifth anniversary of its operations in Nigeria, GOtv has promised to celebrate its fifth anniversary in Nigeria with funfairs in five cities. The events dubbed ‘GOtv Customer Fair’ will host thousands of subscribers and the first event is slated for the 8th of October in Port Harcourt. The celebration will move to Enugu on the 15th of October, thereafter, it will hold on the 22nd of October in Ibadan and Abuja on the 29th of October. The ‘GOtv Customer Fair’ will end in Lagos on the 5th of November, coinciding with the Lagos International Trade Fair. At the events, GOtv subscribers will be treated to music, dance and comedy by an exciting line-up. GOtv brand ambassador, Daddy Showkey and Nigerian artiste, Oritsefemi will lead artistes at the fairs. Naija FM’s DJ Kentalky will also get fans dancing as he dishes out hit tunes. GOtv brand ambassador, Mr. Ibu supported by comedienne, Helen Paul as well as Nollywood actors Chinedu Ikediezie aka Aki and Osita Iheme aka Pawpaw will also be at the events to entertain guests. Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, said that MultiChoice customers are at the centre of all the organisation does, that is why the company has put together series of activities to say thank you to all subscribers who have stayed with GOtv since its launch in 2011. GOtv was first launched in Nigeria in Ibadan on the 11th of October 2011 and since then, it has enabled hundreds of thousands of households in over 50 cities in 24 states and the FCT join the digital television revolution.

K1 De Ultimate calls off USA tour, urges fans to seek refund

uji music czar, King Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe, fondly called K1 De Ultimate, has cancelled his much-advertised 2016 United States tour scheduled to commence on Thursday 6 October in Minnesota. In a statement made available to ‘RazzleDazzle’ signed by Bayo Olasoju, one of his managers, the two-week tour has to be postponed to a later date due to ‘multiple intricacies’. “To my dear loyal fans in America, I will like to use this medium to tender my sincerest apology. Due to multiple intricacies, my USA tour scheduled to commence this week has been called off. Again, I do apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. I thank you in advance for your understanding. K1 De Ultimate Band and other associates in the making of this tour regret this development and hope to redeem our obligations another time soon. It’s rather good to shift our appearances at various halls of performances than late arrival at some point where a lot of people must have waited and left. Please endeavour to seek refund of tickets already purchased at the point of sales as no money has exchanged hands between us and the organisation in charge. Once again, we regret all inconvenience this cancellation may have caused all our esteem patrons and fans,” K1 De Ultimate said.

Mr. Vyne out with new song

r. Vyne, whose real name is Vyne Precious Avan is a talented Afro Pop and RnB singer who captivates the music industry with his voice, presence and style. In a chat with ‘RazzleDazzle’, the amazing young entertainer gives an insight into his brand new single, ‘Ready or Not’. “The song is not a personal experience; it’s just a regular for the ladies. Let’s just say, it’s a dedication to all the beautiful ladies around the world. If you call it a love story, you’re not wrong; it’s a blend of dancehall, R&B and pop. I bet my fans won’t be disappointed. The response so far is very encouraging, the love is overwhelming and the support is massive. It’s produced by Geo, mixed and mastered by Kunle Akintayo. I also had our very own talented youngest rapper ever liveth, Novakillz on the tune” He said. On the visuals to the song, Mr. Vyne urge fans to enjoy the video as it was given the best in terms of technicality and locations. “Honestly, I don’t want to say much about the video, I will rather urge my fans to see the video and enjoy it; it was meant to whet their appetite. The video was shot by one of the best in the trade, E.A.D Films and shot in various parts of Lagos. Shout out to Ayeesha Music for having my back,” he expressed. Mr. Vyne who sings beautiful ballads, while moving with finesse to hypnotic beats also won an award from the legendary 2face Idibia, for producing and singing the official anthem of his fan base ‘2FACEMANIACS’. He draws his inspiration from 2Face Idibia, Asa, Chris Brown and Usher.

Tell us what fans don’t know about the famous Kiss Daniel. Kiss is simple and easy going; I love playing video games. Most people don’t really know that their very own Kiss Daniel is very shy; while many mistake it for pride, a few understand. Before your hit song, ‘Woju’, you seem to have been around for a while; kindly tell us more. Yeah, I have been around. I dropped ‘Chide’ which was just a test song, then another sample single titled ‘Shoye’, which is more like my official first single. We used both songs to test the market, to prepare us for the main release. We shot a video for ‘Shoye’ which was made by Adasa Cooky. What were the challenges you faced when starting out as a budding artiste? There were a lot hooking up with the right affiliation, recording with the right producers that understand your vibe and the luxury of making sounds on impulse. Working with the right people was an issue for me. But I thank God for bringing G-Worldwide Entertainment. Your brand has made a lot of progress, both in Africa and the diaspora market, how do you feel about that? I feel great, I am grateful to God, G-Worldwide, my fans and supporters and the activation team; shoutout to the Emperor Gezzy! An artiste is as good as his entire team; it doesn’t just stop at content making, plug-ins are very important, brand building, positioning and marketing the song and content. Ever since your entry into the Nigerian music scene, you have remained unique and consistent. How did you and your team do it? First of all, God did it; I wouldn’t have been here if not for His grace. Then as you already know, ‘Woju’ paved the way. It became a big tune in Nigeria and several other neighbouring countries plus the strategic moves from my label G-worldwide Ent. and today, the rest, they say, is history. Let’s just say, we got optimum value for our hard work. What do you think of the Nigeria music Industry so far? Well, the Nigerian music industry is growing at rapid speed. We need to be more structured, respect each other and give more room for new artistes coming up. More private sector participation is also critical. More government support, enabling environment and empowerment is seriously needed. How far do you go with your female fans? I don’t go to the extreme with my female fans because I respect them. Aside being disciplined, there are boundaries. We can be friends, but there’s always a drawn line for everything. Business is business, if you appreciate me as an artiste, I will show you all the deserved love in return without going below the belt. As music acts, we are role models; people look up to us, so we have to have some level of moral values attached to our lifestyle. Your favourite fashion accessories? I like my shades but I don’t have favourites! When you are not working, what do you do? I play a lot of games, mostly PS4; I love gaming. How far do you intend to be here? As far as I can, as far as His grace can or will carry me. Because nobody plans to be here for a moment, we’re going to be here loads of years, we do music with valid content, and we shoot videos that preach nature and sanity. We set trends and encourage self-realisation. So we’re the pillars and movers of the new reign. Is your breakthrough song, ‘Woju’ born out of personal experience? Well, not really. It’s simple, it’s what a regular Nigerian guy will do, it just expresses our inner emotions and character. Like I always say, my music is all about real life issues, and what we do on regular basis. Thanks to Emperor Geezy, CEO of G-Worldwide Entertainment for the music direction and Dj Coublon, for his energy and time.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

An artiste is as good as his team –Kiss Daniel

In 2014, Kiss Daniel took the industry by storm with his ‘Woju’ song. Ever since, the handsome dimpled dude has no doubt become a household name in the entertainment industry and he’s not showing any sign of slowing down anytime soon. From ‘Woju’, ‘Laye’ and ‘Jombul’, Kiss Daniel is waxing stronger in the highly competitive music industry with numerous awards and nominations to his credit. The Ogun State born singer opened up to ABIOLA ALABA PETERS on his music, career and life What was your childhood like? I grew up pretty much in Ogun State but travelled around Nigeria and the diaspora during school breaks. My parents are from Ogun State. I also did all my education in Ogun State and became a Water Engineer graduate. Well for me, growing up was fun. At the same time, my parents paid huge attention to education, so we grew up reading a lot and accomplishing tasks in the house. I really appreciate my parents for opening my eyes to the value of education and how to relate with people irrespective of their background. How do you confront your challenges? I leave everything in the hands of God. I don’t bother myself over anything, I commit everything to Him and allow him to guide my steps; plus, I have a wonderful team as well. Give us insight into your sense of fashion. I like it simple. I also love to explore new stuffs. You will never see me flashy or flamboyant. Let us into your love life When the time is right, I will let you in. Tell us more about your song ‘Laye’? ‘Laye’ has a Makossa feel, unlike ‘Woju’ which was highlife. It’s a good song with content that anybody can relate to. To add to this, ‘Laye’ is produced by Dj Coublon with technical direction from Emperor Geezy. ‘Laye’ basically talks about or shows how much a guy likes or loves his girl and how far he can go for the girl. There’s a video for the song directed by Aje Films, shot at multiple locations in East Africa. Give us names of Nigerian music artistes that inspire you? Good music and the heavens inspire me. I love to listen to good music; it makes me want to be a better music maker. The heavens mean the Almighty in His might and greatness. Everybody doing great inspires me; if you are doing well and you are making songs that have valid content, then you inspire me. If you weren’t doing music, what would you have done? I would probably be a Water Engineer, that’s what I studied in school at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. How did you encounter G-Worldwide Entertainment? I met Emperor Geezy, who is the CEO of G-Worldwide Entertainment, through a mutual friend who pitched me to him. He gave me an opportunity to be heard and the rest is history. Here we are today a formidable team making more than a statement but re-engineering the business of music. What’s your advice to other young artistes out there? Be steady. Believe in the heavens and please work with the right people. Remember you’re as good as your team. Words for your fans? Thank you for believing in me and supporting me all this while. God bless you all.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

News West blocking Nigeria’s coal for electricity programme--Adeosun p.44

Interview

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AfDB will invest $5bn in electricity supply – Adesina

New Kia Forte gets sharp looks, more vroom p.47

p.45

Business

Paul Ogbuokiri Head, Business

paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph

Oil rally to stall at $55pb, says Goldman Sachs

L-R: Head, Information Technology, First Guarantee Pension Ltd, Amasua Essien; Regional Sales Manager, Financial Services Industry, Weco Systems International Ltd, Obioma Obichere; Executive Director, Technology & Operations, Nnamdi Onyebuchi and District Manager, English Speaking Africa & Indian Ocean Island, Veritas, Tosin Odukoya, at Weco- Veritas Data Protection Workshop for the Digital Business in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

National assets sale: $3.2bn aluminum smelter firm sold for $130m, ‘killed’ after As the debate continues to rage on the best way for the government to raise money to reflate the nation’s economy which is officially in recession; is selling key national assets, as the Obasanjo administration did, the solution? PAUL GBUOKIRI takes a look at one of such sales, Nigeria’s Aluminium Smelter Company Ikara-Obasi, Akwa-Ibom State; which was privatised in 2007

n February 2007 RUSAL of Russia, which bidded $205 million for Nigeria’s Aluminium Smelter Company, but was disqualified by the Bureau of Public Enterprises for demanding conditions outside the agreed guidelines; was later announced a the winner for the 77.5 per cent majority stake in the Nigeria $3.2 billion aluminium smelting company. RUSAL’s acquisition was later upped to 85 per cent, where it stands today. Curiously enough, even the $205 million bid price which the company was supposed to pay was, reportedly ordered reduced to $130 million by the presidency. The highest bidder, a U.S. firm, called Bancort Financial Investment Group (BFI’s) $410 million which BPE initially invited to pay was later rejected, allegedly at the behest of the presidency. Sunday Telegraph learnt that according to the terms of the deal, RUSAL purchased a 77.5 per cent block of shares in ALSCON, a 193,000-tonne smelter (reduction, anodeproducing and casthouse areas), a port on the Imo River and a power-generating station. Germany’s Ferrostaal AG and the Federal Government of Nigeria remained minority shareholders with 7.5 per cent and 15 per cent blocks respectively. In 1997, one year before the death of Military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, the

Federal Government commissioned Germany’s Ferrostaal AG, a provider of industrial services, and United States’ Reynolds International to build the aluminium smelter plant for $3.2 billion. Start-up was not until late 1998. But just as operations began, the plant was idled in May 1999 due to inadequate working capital and gas supply. The following year the newly elected government of President Olusegun Obasanjo put up the smelter for sale under its privatisation programme. ALSCON produced its first metal in 1997, but was never fully completed before it suspended production in 1999. Its output during the short period of operations totaled of 40,000 tonnes of aluminum, earning $324 million in exports of aluminium products. It created jobs, satisfied Nigeria’s aluminium needs of less than 20 per cent of its output, and earned income from exporting 80 per cent of its products, according to the BPE. In 2000, the company was brought to a standstill with high production costs, inadequate gas supply, complicated marine access and lack of working capital cited as the main reasons. ALSCON was re-launched after the modernisation completed by UC RUSAL in February 2008. The company was later shut down after its managers, Russian aluminium giant, United Company RUSAL PLC, sacked more than 98

per cent of its workforce, most of them local hires, following crippling protests against poor working conditions, dwindling productivity and spiralling debts. And asset stripping commenced until what was left was the carcass of the giant aluminum smelting complex. Between 2000 and 2004, there were at least two failed attempts to acquire ALSCON. Glencore of Switzerland and BHP Billiton of Australia tried in July 2002, while one of the world’s largest aluminium producers, RUSAL of Russia, had an inconclusive bid in June 2003. But ALSCON’s sale was more complex than a simple bid. It took two Nigerian presidents, their bureaucratic machinery and a willing partner to plan the destitution of one of Nigeria’s top industries. Bancorp Financial Investment Group Divino Corporation (BFIG), consortium of U.S.-based Nigerian investors led by Reuben Jaja, reportedly joined the privatisation bid in response to the Obasanjo administration’s invitation to Nigerians to show interest in the sale. Prior to the bid, scheduled for June 2004, BPE held a technical conference that required RUSAL and BFIG to sign a compliance agreement to fundamental issues. CO N T I N U ED O N PAGE 44

il’s rally will stall at $55 a barrel as U.S. shale drillers get back to work and a “wall of supply” from investments made over the past decade hits the market, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said. Global oil markets are set to remain “very oversupplied” in 2017 amid the return of disrupted output in Nigeria and Libya, resilient U.S. shale production and the start of major projects commissioned over the past 10 years, Goldman’s head of commodities research Jeff Currie said in a Bloomberg television interview. “We’re still seeing a lot of oil enter this market,” Currie said in an interview with Tom Keene and Francine Lacqua. “It’s hard for this market to go above $55.” U.S. oil futures climbed to a three-month high in New York on Wednesday, trading at $49.54 a barrel at 7:09 a.m. local time. “The sweet spot is 2017” for supplies coming from new projects reaching world markets, Currie said. The outlook for an oversupplied market next year drove OPEC’s announcement in Algiers last week that it will cap production at 32.5 million to 33 million barrels a day, he added. Shale producers are hedging their output as soon as prices climb to a range of $50 to $55 a barrel, allowing them to continue drilling, Currie said. The number of rigs targeting crude in the U.S. has risen for a fifth week to the highest since February, Baker Hughes Inc. said Sept. 30. While investment in new oil supply has been cut, any shortage in the market is “years off,” Currie said. A “bull state,” where output shortfalls push prices above $100 a barrel, couldn’t happen before 2019 or 2020, he said. Oil futures haven’t traded above $100 since 2014.

Watty Energy drink storms Nigerian market

he Watty Energy drink with low calorie has stormed the Nigerian market all the way from Norway. The marketing and distribution of the super brand product in the country is being anchored by a Nigerian women’s football legend, Norway-based Maureen Mmadu, a two-time World Cup star of the Nigeria’s national women’s team, the Super Falcons. Mmadu, who won four African Women’s Championship titles for Nigeria, told Sunday Telegraph, that gradually, the Watty Energy drink is spreading across the country following its official launching in PortHarcourt, Onitsha, Benin City and Lagos (Trade Fair complex, Badagry Expressway), with the next stop being Abuja. The former Falcons star noted that, the Watty Energy drink is also being used as a way of giving back to the Nigerian society which gave her the opportunity to blossom as an international soccer star in Norway, using the energy drink as the official sponsors of the Nigerian second tier football league, the Nation-Wide League. “It tastes very good and the name Watty means the maximum power in you. So, it brings out your maximum power when you drink it. Anytime you need maximum power, just take it and you will feel the difference.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Business

West blocking Nigeria’s coal for electricity programme –Adeosun

L-R: Director Legal Services and Corporate Affairs, Umaru Kawu; New Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Anthony Osita Aboloma receiving handing over note, from Acting DG, SON, Dr Paul Angya while Director Operations (SON), Felix Nyado, watches in admiration it Abuja... on Tuesday

National assets sale: $3.2bn aluminum smelter firm sold for $130m, ‘killed’ after CON TINUED F R O M PAGE 43

Among the agreed conditions were: – A non-refundable, unconditional $1 million bidbond deposited in a London bank, duly notarized on or before the June 4 deadline. – The eventual winner would undertake the dredging of Imo River, a dedicated channel for ships that would bring in raw materials and evacuate finished ALSCON products for exports. – Any side seeking additional remedies risked instant disqualification. – Standard payment schedule of 10 percent of the total offer price paid within 15 working days of signing the share purchase agreement (SPA), while the outstanding 90 percent would be paid within 90 calendar days. But two weeks later, on the financial bidding day, the head of NCP Akin KekereEkun, accused RUSAL of submitting a bid of a mere $205 million for the $3.2 billion aluminium smelter without evidence the Russian firm had deposited the $1 million bid-bond in the London bank as agreed. Furthermore, RUSAL’s bid was not only written in Russian language, but also accompanied with three additional conditions in defiance of the pre-bid resolutions. These included: – A revised payment schedule for the $205 million it had originally offered to pay. – To make an initial payment of $5 million within five working days after all legal titles, licenses, permits, land ownerships, and 16 percent of ALSCON’s equity were lodged in a London escrow account by the Nigerian government. – To pay Nigeria $200 million of the balance within 20 years after its nominated contractor had completed the dredging of Imo River. Both the NCP and BPE saw

RUSAL’s conditions a violation of the pre-bid agreements. Consequently, the Russians were disqualified. BFIG, which made an offer of $410 million, was subsequently declared winner, a development reportedly the presidency disapproved off. Shortly afterwards, BPE issued BFIG a letter to demand payment of 10 per cent of the bid offer, or $41 million, within “15 days of the collection of the letter”, rather than “15 working days of signing the share purchase agreement (SPA)” agreed by both bidders. BFIG rejected the letter, insisting on agreed terms. But, BPE held on to its position till the expiration of the deadline before disqualifying the Nigerian firm for failing to meet the payment schedule. Days later, BPE invited RUSAL to take over ALSCON on “willing sellerwilling buyer” terms. BFIG’s Chief Counsel, Thomas Crehan, rejected BPE’s decision and accused it of manipulating the process. Regardless, the Bureau went ahead with its negotiations with RUSAL, during which the Russians raised their offer from the initial $205 million to $250 million. It also restated all its previous conditions, including requests for a revised payment schedule, new ownership structure, fresh terms for gas supply to ALSCON, and an Export Processing Zone status, which freed the company from all tax obligations in its operations. Curiously, all the concessions requested were granted by the Obasanjo presidency in its response to a memo sent to him by BPE on June 5, 2006, two years after the initial bid sale. It also approved that $120 million be deducted from the $250 million for Imo River dredging contract, thus reducing the final price paid by RUSAL for ALSCON to only $130 million.

On gas, the Obasanjo government also approved that irrespective of the prevailing price, RUSAL would receive supplies at 35 cents per 1,000 metric tons, amounting to about an annual subsidy of $200 million. In 2008 the smelter produced only operated at 4.97 percent of capacity. That same year RUSAL reported a loss of $49.9 million, from a loss of $0.87 million the prior year when RUSAL took over. The 2012 income statement showed a loss of $22.97 million. RUSAL’s Director, Public/Government Relations, Tatyana Smirnova, blamed the huge losses to high production costs, which averaged $2,700 per ton and not as a result of alleged massive asset stripping by RUSAL. While the company reported losses, its debt profile in 2012 escalated to over $664.5 million, despite not paying income tax to the government by virtue of its Free Trade Zone status. Nigerian Gas Company, the state-owned gas supplier, said RUSAL had not paid for subsequent allocations after the initial supply of gas used in restarting ALSCON in 2006. The 2008 financial statement showed accumulated debt for gas supplies in 2007 was about $83,000. But part of the reasons ALSCON was shut down in 2014 was a $34.4 million bill for gas supplied, which the gas company said RUSAL refused to pay. The Legal Twists and Turns On July 6, 2012, BFIG’s first lawsuit against RUSAL and the BPE got to Nigeria’s Supreme Court.  In a unanimous ruling, the fiveman panel reversed BPE’s decision to nullify BFIG as the preferred bidder and ordered the immediate sack of RUSAL as owner-manager of ALSCON. But RUSAL rejected the ruling. Its Managing Director Anatoly Polovov opposed the decision, de-

scribing it as lacking any consequence on RUSAL’s interest in ALSCON. Surprisingly, the BPE reacted in support of the Russians. Its spokesperson Chigbo Anichebe, described the ruling as “an error”. RUSAL proceeded to sue the Nigerian government at the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) to procure an award for alleged breach of contract, apparently to stop the execution of the judgment. Seven months later on January 29, 2013, the BPE, ostensibly obeying the order of the Supreme Court sent to BFIG an offer letter to “Purchase 77.5 per cent shares of the Aluminium SHELTER Company of Nigeria, ALSCON”, a non-existent company, instead of Aluminium SMELTER Company of Nigeria, ALSCON. The letter, accompanied by a 16-page SPA, was rejected by BFIG on the ground that it did not have any interest in acquiring the shares of the ‘Aluminium Shelter Company of Nigeria’. BFIG’s refusal to sign the SPA was used by the BPE as reason to, again, disqualify it, forcing a return to the Supreme Court for an order to compel the BPE to fully comply with its 2012 order. By the end of September last year, the Supreme Court again ordered the BPE to sack RUSAL and reinstate BFIG as winner of the bid for ALSCON. Curiously, by mid October, a month after ALSCON shutdown, the London Court of International Arbitration handed RUSAL an award based on legal representations by Nigeria’s Justice Minister, Mohammed Adoke, and his predecessor, Bayo Ojo, as well as the head of the BPE, Benjamin Dikki, that all issues concerning the ownership dispute in ALSCON, including compliance with the Supreme Court order, had been resolved.

inance Minister, Ms Kemi Adeosun has blamed a Western focus on green energy for prohibiting the country from addressing its energy deficit. Adeosun, who spoke at an International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Washington on Wednesday, said that Nigeria was being blocked from exploiting its abundant coal resources. “We want to build a coal power plant because we are a country blessed with coal,” said Adeosun, “However, we are being blocked from doing so, because it is not green. This is not fair because they have an entire Western industrialization that was built on coal-fired energy.” Nigeria has a huge electricity supply problem, with an estimated 93 million people—more than half the population—without access to reliable electricity, according to the International Energy Agency. The West African country is rich in natural resources, including oil and coal, but its oil production has been hampered by a resurgence in militant attacks in the Niger Delta. The country’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2012 were around 475 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, while the U.K.—which has a population almost a third of the size of Nigeria—produced 551 million metric tons, according to the World Resources Institute. “They suggest that we use solar and wind, which is the more expensive. So yes, Africa must invest in its infrastructure, but we must also make sure that the playing field is level,” said Adeosun. The Nigerian government agreed in 2011 to attempt to boost its renewable electricity supply from 13 per cent to 25 per cent of total electricity output by 2025, which would mean that renewable energy accounted for 10 per cent of the country’s overall energy consumption.

L – R: Head, Corporate Communications, Honeywell Group, Mrs. Ebunoluwa Bolodeoku; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright; Chairman, Honeywell Group, Dr. Oba Otudeko and Chief Executive Officer, Power, Oil & Gas, Honeywell Group, Mr. Chris Bale, during the British High Commissioner’s courtesy visit to Honeywell Group, in Lagos Office…Friday

Non-performing loans to total credit rise to 11.7%

ad loans in Nigeria’s banking system soared to more than double the limit set by the regulator as the industry struggles with an economic downturn. The ratio of non-performing loans to total credit rose to 11.7 per cent at the end of June from 5.3 per cent at the end of 2015, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which requires banks to keep the measure below 5 per cent, said in a report on its website. “Credit risk is expected to trend higher into the second half of 2016 owing to increased loan impairments resulting from the depreciation of the naira,” the bank said, adding that the inability of debtors to service foreign currencydenominated loans and bank exposures to the oil and gas sector were also factors. Nigerian lenders are battling severe shortages of foreign exchange, which an almost 40 percent devaluation of the naira against the dollar in June has failed to rectify. Gross domestic product is set to shrink 1.7 per cent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, which would be the first full-year recession since 1991. First Bank of Nigeria Ltd., the country’s biggest lender by assets, has been one of the worst hit. Its non-performing loan ratio increased to 23 per cent at the end of June from 4.1 per cent a year earlier. Capital levels have also decreased. The sector’s capital adequacy ratio fell to 14.7 per cent in June from 16.1 percent in December. For big banks, which the regulator classifies as having more N1 trillion ($3.2 billion) of assets, that fell to 15.65 per cent, still above the requirement of 15 per cent. “The Nigerian financial system remains stable and resilient in spite of prevailing macroeconomic challenges,” Governor Godwin Emefiele said in the report. “The Central Bank will continue to focus on its main objective of maintaining price and financial system stability.”

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

AfDB will invest $5bn in electricity supply – Adesina The African Development Bank President Dr Akinwumi Adesina in this interview with journalists in Lagos said that the Bank will invest $5billion in electricity supply in Africa over the next five years. PAUL OGBUOKIRI brings the excerpts AfDB has taken tremendous interest in electricity since you assumed office about a year and half ago, what is driving the new interest?

The fact that we do not have electricity does not make any sense to me. Without electricity you cannot industrialise, without electricity small and medium enterprises cannot create the muchneeded jobs. Africa today loses five to seven per cent of its GDP because of lack of electricity and Africa cannot compete globally because of lack of electricity. We plan to invest US$12bn over the next five years just on the electricity sector alone and leverage 45 to US$50 billion on the energy sector in Africa over the next five years. In the agriculture space, our model will allow African countries to take agriculture as a business; to focus on not just producing primary commodities but producing value chains that allow them to process and add value to every single thing that they produce. The Bank is rolling out a major investment framework that will focus on helping countries promote agro-allied industrialization. We have an exciting initiative about creating jobs for Africa’s youths. We have 10 to 15 million young people entering the labour market annually but with only three million of them being able to get jobs. With that I think Africa today has an unemployment crisis. So we are going to fast track the provision of jobs for young people. The Bank has developed and will be rolling out ‘Jobs for Africa’s youth initiative’ aiming at creating 25 million jobs in ten years. The initiative will focus on enhancing skills, entrepreneurship development, special financing facilities for young business that are owned by young people but also to help to reduce the skills mismatch between the labour market and the kind of skills that people have. So you can see that we are kind of pragmatic to see things happen fast.

under your leadership?

The AfDB will continue to strongly support Rwanda. I am a great fan of President Paul Kagame and his leadership. Their economy has been growing very well, bouncing back from 3.7 per cent in 2013 to 7 per cent in 2015. This is a country that is doing very well in terms of macroeconomic development. Today, we have around 26 operations in Rwanda, worth US$586 million, and covering different sectors, including energy, agriculture, transport development and higher education where we are supporting Rwanda with the Carnegie Mellon University to train the next generation of ICT experts for Africa. I think Rwanda is at the forefront in developing the next generation of those that will be in computer sciences that will be the breakthrough for Africa so we are supporting a lot of work in that area. We have a country strategy paper that we have just developed, from 2016 to 2018, and the sectors in which we shall further intensify o u r

Your five-point agenda is identical to Rwanda’s own national agenda; there is a close relationship already but what should we expect

Adesina

support will be energy, infrastructure, in particular, but also agriculture and jobs for young people. Let us talk about African integration. Is this something we can achieve, considering all the restrictive visa regimes that countries have in place?

Africa has no choice but to integrate. You cannot prosper as a continent of 54 countries that are all small countries and isolated from each other. The critical way to prosper is for Africa to open up and reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers all across the continent. Some progress has been made but we need to do more considering that the percentage of intra-Africa trade is not more than 11 per cent. It is about 65 per cent in Europe and 45 per cent in Asia. We recently released a visa openness index that found that Africans can only travel to 55 per cent of African countries without needing a visa. It means you cannot do businesses or hire skilled labour from one country to the other. The idea of an African Passport must be fast-tracked. Integration requires connectivity in particular of infrastructure, that is why we’re investing heavily in East Africa’s Northern Corridor projects because it’s very critical integrating landlocked countries to coastal countries. We must also integrate Africa’s financial markets because I firmly believe that African countries should not be going to the international market to raise capital through euro-bonds. Between 2006 and 2015, African countries have raised about US$26.3 billion from Eurobonds, withUS$8 billion raised last year alone. It was good as long as the interest rates were low, but today they are rising meaning African countries will have to pay significantly on a higher cost based on the bonds they have issued. We need to tap into domestic capital markets, its immense the amount of money they have on their hands, you take a look at pension funds we have today, it’s about US$334 billion, sovereign fund has US$164 billion, private equity fund have US$22 billion. We must integrate the financial markets across Africa deep into those financial markets and find instruments that make it easier for

our pension funds to invest in Africa’s development. The AfDB recently launched Africa50 in response to the urgent need of raising more funds for high impact infrastructure development in Africa, any updates?

Africa50 is a great initiative. We expect it to help push the agenda forward on the issue of infrastructure development considering there’s currently a funding gap of about US$70 billion. We just recruited the Africa50 Chief Executive Officer with experience from running the IFC global ventures; he’s well tested to run the fund. Country subscription to Africa50 has increased tremendously, from seven two years ago to over 25 today, raising US$823 million as of January this year. The fund will deploy its instruments to help with the development of bankable infrastructure projects. The global conversation is now on the 4th industrial revolution involving intelligent robots and self-driving cars; is Africa ready for that conversation considering that most of the continent is still dealing with 2nd industrial revolution issues of electricity generation and mass production?

I don’t really care what type of revolution we talk about because everything revolves around elements that are needed for the industrial set-up. For any industries to work, you absolutely need to have energy and so you can not have any industrial revolution without energy and that’s the AfDB’s number one priority. We are launching what we call a ‘new deal on energy for Africa’ to allow Africa to have access to electricity within the next 10 years which will allow Africa to industrialise. The 4th industrial revolution is all about artificial intelligence and smart technologies which rely on computers but computers require electricity, so without electricity you are not even in the game. That’s why electricity is one of our high five points. Even then, for Africa to benefit from these technological advancements, we have to expand our investment in research and development as well as significantly raise scientific investment to match countries such as Denmark and Finland with about 10,000 scientists per one million people. From large to small economies, resources are being lost to corruption; is this something AfDB is concerned about?

Resources for countries don’t belong to individuals. They belong to the people of the country and they should be managed wisely with great transparency and accountability. That is why illicit capital flows out of Africa must end. Through the African Natural Resource Centre established at the Bank, we are also helping the continent manage its tremendous amount of natural resources like the blue economy, huge amount of forest and agriculture, gas and oil resources. Africa is not a poor continent but Africa has many poor people because we have not managed those assets properly. So transparency, accountability and rule of law are fundamental to changing this phenomenon.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Business News

Paul Ogbuokiri

etermined to recover about $4 to $5 billion owed her by various maritime operators, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced the appointment a revenue collection firm, Snecou Financial Services Company. The Agency, in a recent statement by the Deputy Director Public Communication, Hajia Lami Tumaka, said the contract, which also has the company serving as a recovery agent for debts owed the agency, is for a period of two years in the first instance with an option for renewal. She stated that the approval for this contract was recently granted by the Parastatals Tenders Board (PTB) of the Agency at its 55th session which held in NIMASA’s head office in Lagos. “Given the urgent need to recover the agency’s debts, which is in billions of naira, the agency

NIMASA set to recover $5bn debt sought and obtained approval for a ‘Certificate of No Objection’ from the Bureau of Public Procurement in line with the Public Procurement Act (PPA).” Sunday Telegraph learnt that the contractual agreement has already been endorsed by both parties, even as the contract is based on a success rate of 13 per cent using a benchmark of $19,753,012.36 and N239,607,155.52 monthly revenue while a maximum cap of 15 per cent success rate is payable on any new revenue head discovered by the consultants within the contract period. In other words, Snecou Financial Services Company Limited will be paid 13 per cent of only the revenue that is above the threshold of the approved benchmark in the course of the contracting period. Similarly, Messrs Snecou will also be entitled to a maximum of 15 per cent of new revenue

Apapa Customs surpasses monthly target with N33bn collection

or the second time in two months, the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has surpassed its monthly target with the collection of N32, 947,903,912.38 for the month of September 2016. The command achieved this feat even in the face of the harsh economic situation occasioned by high exchange rate, reduced volume of imports and sustained general recession. This is coming after the command collected a total of N34.9billion in August 2016, a feat that has not been made in any Customs’ command nationwide in the last 10 years. Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Willy Egbudin has continually urged all officers and men of the command to step up efforts is ensuring maximum collection of government revenue through appropriate valuation, necessary issuance of debit notices (DN) and strict anti smuggling efforts. Comptroller Egbudin also directed strict application of directives by the Controller General by all officers on outright seizure of any cargo or consignment falsely declared with the intent of duty evasion. Egbudin reminded all officers serving in Apapa to see themselves as good examples for others to emulate as the command is ranked

number one for many good reasons. ‘’Consider yourselves privileged to be serving in a sensitive Area Command that adds value to national income and revenue. We must continue to sustain our maximum revenue collection tempo and not betray the trust reposed on us. ‘’At this period of national economic recession, we must apply intelligence, tact and legitimate enforcement in detecting and plugging all possible areas of revenue leakages. ‘’I commend all my lieutenants and junior officers for this feat and urge them not to relent in ensuring revenue collection to the last dime while swiftly facilitating legitimate trade within the limits of our official capacities. ‘’We are making Apapa Command a no go area for any form of lawless activity and dare say that whoever dares our resolve for on this will be caught by the long arms of the law,” Egbudin said. He added that the command will continue in its drive for higher revenue without compromising national security. The CAC also directed all officers in charge of terminals and their subordinates to maintain increased vigilance against any form of concealments, under declaration and smuggling.

streams discovered during the period. The statement said that the move to recover the debts was in line with the vision of the Director General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside which is in accordance with the Agency’s Medium Term Strategic Growth Plan, part of which is to enhance the agency’s revenue. Meanwhile, although

Peterside was quoted in the statement as saying: “We have awarded a debt recovery contract which is totally different from what Global West was doing for NIMASA. The contract was not awarded to the Chairman of the APC in Rivers State. It was awarded to Snecou Nigeria Limited and we advertised the contract in several

newspapers. So I don’t see what is wrong with awarding a contract to get our money from debtors;” observers believe otherwise. According to Peterside, the debt owed NIMASA by various operators in the maritime industry had grown exponentially over the last five years even necessitating an investigation and convoca-

tion of a Public Hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration in June this year. “This contract is expected to recover these debts and channel the funds into developing critical infrastructure as well as knowledgeable manpower for the industry,” he stressed.

Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Chris Iwarah (l presenting relief materials donated by the airline to internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in Yobe State to the Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Musa Idi Jidawa

Yobe gov commends Air Peace over donation to IDPs

overnor of Yobe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has described Air Peace’s commitment to funding corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects as unmatchable. The governor made the statement when Air Peace presented relief items running into millions of naira to the state government for distribution to internallydisplaced persons (IDPs) in Yobe. Gaidam, who was represented at the presentation ceremony at the Governor’s Office in Damaturu by the Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Musa Idi Jidawa, urged Nigerians to emulate the airline’s example. Yobe, he said, was saddled with caring for a total of 23, 016 IDPs in four camps at Pompomari, Bukar Ibn Ali Elkanemi, Kurareta and Ngabrawa in Damaturu, the state capital. He, however, said the 391 IDPs sheltered at Bukar Ibn Ali Elkanemi Camp had voluntarily returned to their villages - Gambir, Malumti and Mittiri. He assured that the relief items donated by Air Peace would be properly utilised, assuring that there had nev-

er been any reported case of abuse in the distribution of items donated to IDP camps in the state. He expressed gratitude to the management of Air Peace for the donation, urging Nigerians and corporate organisations to emulate the airline’s good example.

Earlier, the Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Chris Iwarah, said the airline donated the relief items because it was concerned about the plight of the IDPs. The donation comprising rice, millet, maize, beans, vegetable oil and salt, he said, was the airline’s con-

tribution to government’s effort to address the challenge of caring for IDPs in the country. Air Peace, he added, had distinguished itself with its focus on corporate social responsibility projects, including the recent donation of a police station in Uli, Anambra State.

FRC gets‘Most Effective Government Agency’award

he Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) has been honoured with the award of Most Effective Government Agency of the year on formulation and enforcement of accounting, auditing, actuarial and valuation standards in the country for 2016. This award was bestowed on the Council by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award at its recent 10th Edition Ceremony for merit and excellence awards. In a statement by the Council’s Media/Communications Consultant, Mr. Mack Ogbamosa, the award was bestowed on the FRC in recognition of its consistent strives towards ensuring the entrenchment

of good corporate governance in the country. The award recognizes and rewards government agency that has been most effective in performing its statutory functions as well as creating the right environment for businesses to thrive. Presenting the award to the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of FRC, Mr. Jim Obazee represented by Alhaji Umaru Sanusi, Head of Administration of the Council, the founder of the award, Mr. Sola Olugbemiro, described the award as a recognition of the Council’s consistent strive to sanitize the country’s financial sector through enforcement of financial regulations. While responding, Oba-

zee dedicated the award to God and members of staff of the Council whom he said have been great partners in attaining this milestone achievement, saying the award is only “a motivation for the Council to do more in entrenching good corporate governance in the country.” Established under the Financial Reporting Council Act No6 of 2011, the FRC is charged with regulating accounting, auditing, actuarial and valuation standards as well as issuance and maintenance of codes of corporate governance to ensure transparency and accountability in both public and private sectors of the country’s economy.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

New Kia Forte gets sharp looks, more vroom

Paul Ogbuokiri hese days, the auto world is awash in compact cars at a time when consumers have switched their allegiance to crossovers and SUVs. And the numbers show it: Overall, sales of smaller cars were down 6.9 per cent so far this year through the end of August, according to Autodata. But one of Kia’s entries, the compact Forte, bucked the trend. Its sales rose 23.2 per cent. That’s impressive in a compact-car field dominated by some of the most famous nameplates in the auto business, starting with Honda’s redesigned Civic and Toyota’s sharp Corolla. So Forte, a name that still doesn’t exactly roll off car-buyers’ tongues, has tried harder to play in the big leagues. Just like those other two models, Forte gets fresh looks. It now appears as modern as any car out there, although it doesn’t particularly stand out. A bad thing? Not really. The looks are likely to stay fresh longer. Also new in the 2017 Forte is a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower that adds two more horses than the outgo-

kia forte

ing 1.8-liter engine and three more miles per gallon in city driving. We found it to be no speedster, but it offered a comfortable amount of power for just about any situation. The S sport version that we drove -- the mid-level trim line -- had what Kia said was a sport-tuned suspension and 16-inch alloy wheels. Had we opted for the fanciest EX model, we would have gotten an engine with 164 horsepower. The Forte EX would have come with standard leather seats, LED taillights and other goodies. With the $1,490 Technology Package, however, the S had some of the nicer touches. Our favorite most involved safety: the automatic braking system for emergencies, forward collision warning

and lane-keeping assist. The 7-inch touchscreen is going to work with smartphones through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Just for fun, there are little lights that illuminate the undersides of the door handles at night. We liked that. So in the end, the Forte is an all-around better car, but it caught in a competitive field where buyers have lots of good choices. Kia knows it, so the brand has taken it traditional route of finding a way of swaying buyers by undercutting the rivals on price. The Forte starts at $17,340, including $850 delivery charges. That’s about $2,000 less than the cheapest Corolla at $19,365, or the Civic at $19,475, both including destination charges.

Ashafa backs Nigeria’s auto policy Muritala Ayinla

hairman of the Senate Committee on Transport, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, on Wednesday said that the legislative arm of the Federal Government would give the necessary support that will boost the Nigeria’s automotive sector, saying good that could be turned into policies were not normally brought to the notice of those could do the needful. Ashafa who spoke at the the two-day National Workshop for Chief Executives of Mass Transit Organisations on the Nigeria Automotive Policy in Abuja, urged the organisers of the workshop to break away from the culture of hoarding communiqués generated from such forums as had been the practice in the past. The lawmaker also called on Nigerian Institute for Transport Technology (NITT) and the National Automotive and Design Development Council (NADDC) to ensure

that the local manufacturing sector remains attractive to both local and foreign investors. “I have observed a critical missing link in how we make use of our body of knowledge after the brilliant ventilation of ideas at such a forum as this. We have the habit of keeping the resolutions to ourselves without forwarding same to relevant arms of government for execution. “Even when we do, we do not follow through to ensure that each arm takes responsibility of his part of the job. “I, therefore, urge that if at the end of this workshop, you come up with any recommendations which you believe the Senate Committee on Land Transport should push in form of legislation or a legislative agenda, kindly forward same to us,” he said. According to the senator, representing Lagos East in the National Assembly, the

nation’s transportation could have been improved if the recommendations of the previous experts were made public and implemented. He tasked the two bodies to ensure that the National Automotive Policy remained a viable document in the country. Senator Ashafa, while commending the Nigerian Institute for Transport Technology (NIIT) and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the organisers, for putting together what he described as a very important National Workshop, said the functionality of the country’s National Automotive Policy side by side its Mass Transit System was very important to the economy. He assured the organisers of the workshop that he would forward any recommendations requiring the action of the Senate Committee on Land Transport without hesitation.

Auto beat

Nissan recognized again as one of world’s top brands

or the fifth straight year, Nissan has been recognized as one of the world’s most valuable brands according to the prestigious Best Global Brands Study by Interbrand, the worldleading brand consultancy. This year, Nissan was ranked as the 43rd most valuable brand in the world – an increase over last year’s ranking of 49th. Nissan now has a brand value of over $11 billion. This year’s ranking puts Nissan as the 4th fastest growing brand in the world. “Brand Power has been a consistent focus across the company for the last five years and it is very encouraging that all our efforts continue to be recognized by this influential brand ranking,” said Roel de Vries, corporate vice president and the global head of marketing and brand strategy for Nissan. “The fact that we remain the fastest growing automotive brand is also further proof that the story around our products and our vision for the future of driving is continuing to resonate.” This recognition reflects Nissan’s continuing efforts to drive solid business results by increasing brand visibility. Nissan has become more proactive in building excitement for the brand in part by telling the story of the company’s Intelligent Mobility blueprint for making driving safer, more exciting, and more sustainable. During the past year, Nissan has also raised brand awareness through several high-profile sponsorships, from the 2016 Rio Olympics to the UEFA Champions League. The report cited several reasons for this year’s jump in brand rankings, including: - Nissan’s long-term vision for increasing brand awareness through strategic use of digital platforms and technologies; - Forging new partnerships such as the recent global agreement with Microsoft, focused on vehicle connectivity and connected services; - Launching innovative new products from the Serena with ProPilot technology to the GT-R NISMO; -Maintaining a strong commitment to customer satisfaction; and -Nissan’s success in creating modern new expressions of the brand, as seen through the recent opening of Nissan Crossing in the Ginza district of Tokyo. The Best Global Brands study is Interbrand’s annual report on the world’s most valuable brands. Interbrand’s method looks at the ongoing investment and management of the brand as a business asset, taking into account financial performance, the role of brand in the purchase decision process and the strength of the brand. About Nissan in Africa: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. supplies innovative and exciting models across the hatchback, SUV, sedan, pickup and electric vehicle segments in Africa. Nissan has three operational hubs and factories on the continent: Egypt in northern Africa, and Nigeria and South Africa in Sub-Sahara Africa. The Nigeria plant is the result of a Nissan and Stallion Group partnership, formed after the government introduced new policies to stimulate local industry. Production of the first Nissan vehicles started at Stallion’s VON plant in Lagos in April 2014.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NASS prescribes N0.5m fine for unapproved utility tariff increase

Business Stanley Ihedigbo espite the long outstanding ban on importation stockfish into Nigeria, the Director, Central and West Africa, Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), Mr. Trond Kostveit, has said his country exported US$1 billion to Nigeria in 2014 alone, adding that his country had been exporting the food item to Nigeria since 1890. Speaking at a stakeholders meeting organised for seafood importers by the Norwegian Seafood Council in Lagos, early this week, Kostveit said the relationship between Nigeria and Norway span over centuries and it includes export of stock fish. He said the country’s stockfish export to Nigeria which hit the $1 billion mark in 2014, declined last year 2015 to half (about US$500 million). He said that the council has opened an office in Nigeria because the country continues to be a very important market for the country’s stock fish. “We are looking into more specify areas in the importation of fish in Nigeria. We are partnering with Department of Fisheries, and seeking more corporations with Nigeria importers,” he said. In his message, the Director, Federal Department of Fisheries, Mr. Mohammed Muazu, represented by Deputy Director of Fisheries, Mrs. Adepegba Olabisi, said that fish being the most highly traded food commodity in the world, has traditionally been a very important component of the Nigeria diet nationwide. He said: “A number of factors notably the relative low prices of fish compared to other sources of animal protein except pork, is recognised as being nutritionally superior to meat; its relative storability when processed into dried and smoked products, and more recently as a consequence of its promotion as being able to mitigate platelet aggregation and various arteriosclerosis conditions in adults. “It is common knowledge that there is a wide gap between the demand and supply of fish in Nigeria hence importation of fish, especially the Mackerels, Sardinella, Hake,

T L-R: Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority [NCAA], Capt. Muktar Usman; Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Dr. Felix Abali, and Representative of the Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria [FAAN], Mr. Ikechi Uko, during an interactive session between major stakeholders in the aviation sector in Lagos

Nigeria imports US$1bn stockfish in 2014 Croakers and Herrings have remained an increasing phenomenon as it is used to bridge the gap. The trade is conspicuously dominated is conservatively estimated at 0.7 million tonnes,” he added. He further explained that the first major frozen fish import into the country was around 1966 by Nigerian enterprises and much earlier salted and dried codfish from Scandinavian countries were imported. Muazu further said that Nigeria has remained a great trading partner of Norway ever since it started exporting fish to Nigeria, especially stock fish and Mackerel. He added that the recent trends and development in fish trade and marketing have prompted the need for a reassessment of investments opportunities, adding that it is heart-warming to note that effort that is being put in place by the Seafood Norwegian Council to demonstrate diverse cu-

linary preparations of Norwegian seafood recipes to ultimately boost importation of seafood products from Norway. Acting Director General of Nigeria Norway Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NNCC), Mr. Wale Johnson, said that the seafood council is an important member of the chamber and their business as a group is to provide opportunities for Nigeria and Norway to relate easily with more trust, and make profit at the end of their businesses. Johnson added that the five months old chamber is acting as the enabler for business growth for companies that want to do business in Nigeria and Norway. He noted that his office is working with the seafood council to bring parties involved in the fisheries sector together for relationship which would enable them grow their business and make profit.

Of vision, talent and purpose (2)

Success Nuggets Victor Okwudiri

08037674300 (SMS only)

n ‘Part 1’ of this series shared in this column last week, I made the following points, amongst others: 1. Your VISION in life is not an INFORMATION that is given to you by someone, but an ASPIRATION that you set for yourself. 2. Your vision in life is not a ‘BUDGET’ someone else has made for you, but a TARGET you have set for yourself. 3. Your PASSION will deliver your PORTION to you, both in life and in eternity. 4. Your IRRITATION can be a source of destiny DIRECTION. In the said discourse of last week on this column, I pointed out the following as keys that may help you discover yourself better and find a bearing in life: l your passion; l your irritation; l your burden; and l your talents.

What is it that you are passionate about? What is that thing concerning which you are on auto pilot (such that you do not need any external factor to motivate you)? I promised to continue this week, but, in doing so, I’d only like to talk about passion. Passion is an inward drive; a compelling obsession. In the light of the foregoing, I ask you, “What is it that you are passionate about? What is that thing concerning which you are on auto pilot (such that you do not need any external factor to motivate you)?” If you have found that thing, I am of the opinion that you should pursue it. Friend, it is possible for someone not to be fulfilled despite receiving fat salaries, and it is possible for someone to be fulfilled though not receiving any salary. In the light of this reality, I ask you, “What is that thing you can do happily, even without being paid?” That thing is your passion. Pursue it. One beauty of pursuing your passion is that you are fulfilled, even if you are not paid, and, if you get paid, fulfilment knows no bounds. Imagine being paid to do what you love to do. The challenge some people have, however, is that they are living in the shadows of others. Some are struggling with what their parents commanded or persuaded them to do, whereas there

is something else they can do with so much ease and yet command amazing results. If you are one of such persons, I want you to know that you have one life to live, and it is incumbent on you to make it a BLAST while it LASTS. Make the most of your life by following your passion and living your dreams. See you at the top. Please: In response to last week’s discourse on this column, I received the following message: “Thanks so much for your Response. I also wish you Happy Independence. I am happy you are there to help us. They say a problem shared is half solved. I am at present in a job(public service) that l know is not my calling, but family pressure not to quit has contributed to my prolonged stay in the job. Consequently, I feel dejected and frustrated about my existence. This is my irritation .However, l have the urge to be an entrepreneur and autonomous. To be my own boss. Please come to my rescue because I feel that l am wasting my time and life.” My immediate response was “Thank you for your compliments, but I want you to understand that only God is there to help you. Best wishes.” However, I hope to respond in details next week. Bye for now. You will succeed. Please follow me on Twitter @VictorOkwudiri

he National Assembly has prescribed a N500, 000 fine on any provider of water, electricity and other utilities who increases tariff without recourse to the Utilities Charges Commission. The fine is contained in the Bill amending the Utilities Charges Act 2004. It is a significant raise from the original fine of N10, 000. With the amendment, any utility service provider must first get approval from the commission before increasing tariffs and bringing hardship on Nigerians. The Senate gave its concurrence to the amendment bill, which had already been passed by the House of Representatives. In his lead debate on the Bill at Thursday, Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, said the amendment was in line with current realities in the country. Provisions in the existing law which are amended include Sections 7 (2), 11 (5), 13 (2), which increased the fine from N10, 000 to N500, 000. Section 7 as amended reads: “As from the commencement of this Act, a scheduled utility intending to vary or increase its charges, tariff or rates shall first seek the commission’s approval for such permissible increase. “A person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section one of this section, commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500, 000.” The Senate also referred the screening of nominees to the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to its Committee on Communications and directed the committee to report back in two weeks. Those to be screened are Olabiyi Durojaiye (Chairman), Sunday Dare (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management), Aliyu Abubakar (Non-Executive Commissioner), Clement Baiye (NonExecutive Commissioner) and Okoi Obia (Non-Executive Commissioner). Others are Ezekiel Yissa (Non-Executive Commissioner) and Ifeanyi Ararume (Non-Executive Commissioner). The Senate also 12 Bills, including Defence Space Agency Bill, Agricultural Credit Scheme Act (Amendment) Bill, University of Abuja (Amendment) Bill, Chattered Institute of Stock Brokers Act (Amendment) Bill. Other bills approved are Advertising Practitioners Act (Amendment) Bill, Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency (Amendment) Bill. They also included Utilities Charges Commission Act (Amendment) Bill.

CBN sells T-bills, pushing up interbank rates

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has sold about N283 billion worth of treasury bills to mop up liquidity, driving up interbank lending rates, traders said on Friday. Overnight lending rates rose to 20 per cent after the bills was sold but later dropped to 16 per cent towards the market close because the banking system was still in credit to the tune of around N17.44 billion. “We expect the market to open in the negative next week, given the volume of Open Market Operation (OMO) bills sold, while the interbank lending rate is seen within the 18-20 per cent range,” one dealer said. The bank had earlier repaid N160.64 billion worth of matured bills but sold a higher amount to drain liquidity, traders said. It sold the one-year bill on Friday at a rate of 18.5 per cent.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

Market Sheds 1.77% Week-on-Week …as all Tier1 Banks Record Losses

he Nigerian Equities Market All Share Index (NSEASI) depreciated on three (3) out of the four (4) trading days of the week, shedding 1.77% Week-on-Week (WoW) to push the YtD return to -2.82%. The market breadth (0.58x) signaled the general mood in the market, as thirty-six (36) stocks depreciated in value as against twenty-one (21) advancers in the week. The volume and value of transactions declined by 27.35% and 31.67% WoW respectively, partly due to reduced number of trading days in the current week (one-day public holiday). The gainers’ chart was led by 7UP, FCMB, CHAMPION, UCAP and FIDELITYBK after the respective tickers recorded gains of 13.67%, 8.41%, 8.37%, 7.26% and 6.82%. Conversely, the underperformers table featured WAPCO, WEMABANK, CAVERTON, PZ and GUINNESS with declines in value of 13.87%, 12.50%, 11.84%, 9.95%, and 9.74% respectively. During the week, United Capital PLC. (UCAP) released its unaudited Q3:2016 financial scorecard, which showed increases in Gross Earnings, PBT and PAT of 39.16%, 65.30% and 65.95% YoY respectively. Similarly, Infinity Trust Mortgage PLC. (INFINITY) released its Q3:2016 results which showed an increase of 4.78% in Gross Earnings, a decline in PBT of 6.78% and an advancement in PAT of 0.80%. Also, PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC. released its Q1:2017 results, recording increase in Revenue of 12.04% and declines in PBT and PAT of -544.62% and -470.63% respectively. Though there was mixed market reaction during the week, the market mood showed more bearish sentiments on the backdrop of profit taking activities on stocks which had previously rallied, as well as loss minimization on the currently pressured 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: Naira closes at NGN475/USD at the Parallel market Save for Monday, OBB and OVN rates trended downward throughout the week to close at 14.33% (+0.83% WoW) and 15.17% (-0.08% WoW) respectively. Thus, the average money market rate at the close of the week settled at 14.75%. The Central Bank of Nigeria has scheduled a Treasury bills auction worth NGN129.68bn for Wednesday, October 5, 2016. Instruments worth NGN28.00bn (91-day), NGN33.49 (182-day) and NGN68.18bn (364-day) will mature and an equal sum will be issued across same tenors. The Treasury bonds space was pervaded with mixed activities during the week, with yields rising and falling intermittently to peg the average yield at 16.23% (+0.41% WoW) at the close of today’s trading. At the Interbank FX market, the Naira closed at NGN311.62/USD after gaining 0.47% in the week, representing a year-to-date return of -36.04%. After recording a new low (NGN490/USD) in the course of the week, the Naira closed at NGN475/USD in the parallel market at end of trading activities today. Agric Sector: OKOMUOIL emerges as the lone gainer The MERI-AGRI index appreciated by 2.60% WoW to peg the YtD return at 26.20%. There was a lone sector gainer, while other counters traded flat. OKOMUOIL emerged as the only gainer, after advancing by 5.55% WoW to close at NGN40.11. On the flip side, LIVESTOCK, PRESCO and FTNCOCOA stayed flat at NGN0.86, NGN40.00 and NGN0.50 accordingly. We attribute the sector’s performance to

ers, while other counters traded flat for the week. WAPCO emerged as the top loser for the week, following the contraction of the counter’s price by 13.87% Week-on-Week to close at NGN47.20. In the same vein, ASHAKACEM, CUTIX and PAINTCOM pared by 7.62%, 4.69% and 4.21 % Week-on-Week to close at NGN15.03, NGN2.03 and NGN0.91 accordingly. The sector’s performance was driven by profit taking activities on some counters, and sell offs on other counters due to the lackluster outlook. In the coming week, we expect some level of bargain hunting on stocks trading below their fundamentally justified prices. buy sentiments towards OKOMUOIL during the week. In the coming week, we expect the general market mood to determine the sector . Banking Sector: Tier 1 Banks record Price Declines The banking sector closed negative for the week, as measured by our MERI-BNK index, declining by -3.26% WoW to peg the YtD return at 5.80%.There were eight (8) gainers, against seven (7) decliners, indicating a sector breadth at 1.14x. FCMB led the advancers for the week, after appreciating by 8.41%, to close at NGN1.16. The ticker was closely followed by FIDELITYBK, DIAMONDBNK, UBN and STERLNBANK which recorded respective price gains of 6.82%, 5.83%, 5.73% and 2.91%. On the flip side, the decliners list was populated by WEMABANK (-12.50%), ZENITHBANK (-6.44%), ETI (-3.48%), ACCESS (-2.70%) and GUARANTY (-2.29%). The week-on-week loss may be attributed to loss recorded on heavy weight stocks in the sector. Though we anticipate mixed reaction in the coming week, we expect a sector uplift on the moderate gains on some of the Tier 1 banking stocks. Consumer Goods Sector: 7UP gains 13.67% WoW The sector witnessed a negative outing this week, as Meri-CMG index declined by -2.12% WoW to settle the YtD return at -1.22%. Sector breadth closed at 0.2x, indicating two (2) gainers against ten (10) decliners. 7UP (+13.67%) and CHAMPION (+8.37%) led the gainers’ chart, closing at NGN158.00 and NGN2.72 accordingly while PZ (-9.95%), GUINNESS (-9.74%), HONYFLOUR (-5.76%), DANGFLOUR (-4.18%) and FLOURMILL (-3.97%) populated the laggards chart. PZ released its Q1:2017 performance scorecard highlighting a 12.04% YoY growth in revenue to NGN16.75bn (vs. Q1:2016: NGN14.95bn), while the bottom line declined by 470.63% YoY. PAT was dragged by

NGN4.70bn foreign exchange loss posted in the period. In addition, Guinness Nigeria (GUINNESS) announced that Diageo (its parent company) will not be proceeding with the potential offer to increase its equity stake in Guinness Nigeria. However, it proposes to focus its resources in supporting Guinness Nigeria. During the week, while profit- taking activities pervaded the sector, the market also reacted to sector related news as seen on the laggards chart. In the coming week, we expect the general market mood to sway sector performance. Healthcare Sector: GLAXOSMITH sheds 3.06%, closes at NGN19.00 MERI-HLTH index pared by 2.96% WoW to settle the YtD return at -43.68%. Three stocks depreciated in value week-on-week while others traded flat. MAYBAKER, NEIMETH and GLAXOSMITH were the only counters that witnessed price movements WoW, declined by 6.12%. 4.44% and 3.06% in that order. Healthcare tickers experienced paltry activity this week save for EVANSMED which recorded an upsurge in volume of transactions WoW (6,840 units vs. 4,020,000 units this week). We attribute the declines in the week to sustained profit-taking activities on the stocks which had recorded minimal gains in prior weeks and to the generally dull market mood. We do not expect the current sentiments to persist however it is imperative to note the potential mark-down in the price of GLAXOSMITH following the payment of its special dividend on October 12th. Industrial Goods: Sector contracts by 0.77% WoW Bearish sentiments permeated the Industrial goods sector this week, as the MERIIND index pared by 0.77% Week-on-Week. Consequently, the sector’s YtD return settled at 2.08%. There were four (4) declin-

Insurance Sector: Market Sentiments Favour AIICO The Insurance sector, as measured by the NSEINS10, closed the week in the negative region, albeit marginally. The sector recorded a 0.08% week on week decline, pushing the YtD return to -9.21%. On the contrary, the sector breadth closed at 2.00x reflecting two (2) advancers against a lone (1) decliner. AIICO rounded off the week as the top outperformer, after the counter appreciated by 6.56% WoW to close at NGN0.65, the counter was trailed by NEM which gained 3.66% in the review period. On the flip side, CONTINSURE emerged as the sector’s worst performer, having pared by 4.76% WoW to close at NGN1.00. All other counters traded flat. We expect the sector’s performance in the coming week to be dictated by the general market performance, in the absence of any positive news inflow. Nonetheless, we do not rule out the possibility of bargain hunting on some of the sector’s stocks. Oil & Gas Sector: Investors begin profit taking on stocks NSEOILG5 index halted two weeks of gains, as investors’ appetite for oil & gas stocks tempers. The sector index declined in two (2) out of four (4) trading days of the week, with a week-on-week return of -1.16%, settling the YtD at -6.85%. The sector breadth at 0.25x indicates one (1) gainer against four (4) losers in the week. SEPLAT emerged as the lone advancer after appreciating by 1.01% WoW to close at NGN350.00. Featuring on the decliners’ chart were FO (-3.62% WoW), TOTAL (-2.71% WoW), ETERNA (-0.65% WoW) and CONOIL (-0.55% WoW), to settle their price at NGN159.90, NGN287.00, NGN3.07 and NGN35.90 accordingly. Following OPEC’s decision to cut crude oil production last week, the price of oil has continued to rally, to record a new high so far in the year. The rally was also buoyed by API’s report of 7.6MMbls drawdown in US inventory during the week. Consequently, Brent crude settled at USD52.45pb as at Friday, October 7 2016. Profit taking activities pervaded the sector as investors reap their gains on most counters that rallied in the previous weeks. We anticipate this mood to continue in the absence of any market moving information that may sway investor sentiments. Services Sector: MERISERV Index trims by 3.15% WoW The MERISERV Index returned -3.15% WoW settling the Year-to-date return at -7.94% at the close of trading activities this week. Sector breadth stood at equilibrium with 4 gainers and decliners apiece. TRANSCOHOT, IKEJAHOTEL, REDSTAREX and TRANSEXPR witnessed price gains of 4.97%, 3.33%, 2.20% and 2.00% respectively. On the flip side, the laggards for the week were CAVERTON (-11.84%), NAHCO (-6.07%), CAPHOTEL (-4.91%) and LEARNAFRCA (-4.55%).

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY October 9, 2016

News extra

What a gut to challenge God

nd the Lord said unto Samuel, How long with thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill thy horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Benjamite, for I have provided him a king among his sons. (1 Samuel 16:1) What gut did a man or Satan have to challenge the work of God in your life? The Lord did not want that man to die before the children were born but he is late now. When the Lord told Jeremiah “see I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant (Jeremiah 1:10) God has already in the life of Jeremiah “root out and pull down; and to destroy and throw out” all those nonsense, those hindrances in the life of Jeremiah; all those things that fight the grace of God in his life, those things that fight unmerited and unconditional successes in Jeremiah’s life. Jeremiah could not be having such problems in his life unattended to and succeed in this assignment given to him by God.

Word of Life Archbishop. Moses Kattey moseskatteyabp@yahoo.co.uk

0808 770 7486

God cannot tell the devil or Satan “you are not my mate”. It is you and I that should rebuke Satan You need to believe that these processes have taken place in your life, and that the Lord has “built and planted” structures and foundations for unmerited and unconditional successes and victories in your life. God cannot tell the devil or Satan “you are not my mate”. It is you and I that should rebuke Satan and tell him that he is not out mate, and so he should keep clear. No wonder the Lord told us that “behold I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you -Luke 10:1a. He also told us in Romans 16:20 that He shall bruise Satan under our feet shortly. God has nothing to do with the devil. Devil is not

His rival. Man is Satan’s rival, not God. One day a lady that was married for some years without missing her period came crying. It might be around the month of October or November that year. She said the husband gave her up to month of March the following year to take in and retain the pregnancy or leave the house for another woman he was about to marry. It was a challenge to God, not to the woman nor to me. I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to tell her to go back and tell the husband that by that month of March the following year she would be about 4-5 months pregnant. She went further to tell the husband that that was what I asked her to say and that she believed it. By the following year August, I was in a Conference when the husband himself called me to announce that the wife had delivered a baby. The following year or so,

the husband called me again to announce the birth of the second baby. I did not even know that the woman had taken the second time. The husband, by calling me, was appreciating God for taking up the challenge he threw to his wife and the man of God. Something happened recently and this man told someone that he fears that man of God for what he said and how God intervened to save his marriage. If you have a similar case, get a bottle of water pray over it, referring to me and to those two incidences and drink with your spouse. The Lord shall make the egg from the woman to accept the sperm or seed from the husband and that great miracle shall occur shortly. Tell someone about it and send feedback. You will call be me the way the man called me when the wife of many years gave birth to children. Then Jesus said unto them, children have ye any meat? They answered NO. And He said unto them, cash the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes (John 21:5,6).

Meal time authority of your home

n a home one day, my wife and I watched the parents of one child of seven argue endlessly with her. The meal was beans but the child wanted to eat a plate of noodles. The parents of this girl tried all they could to see that she complied with them and eat the meal they have available and prepared for her, but she refused to give in. When the situation had heated up considerably, the little girl stomped her feet and declared that she was not eating any meal for the day. Her protest and sulking made the mother dash out and prepared the meal of noodles. Many parents that have growing children are probably familiar with situations like this when the children wish to decide what they want to eat in spite of the meal that has been prepared. As I always say, little moments like this determine who holds the position of authority in the home. Whoever wins that tussle comes out stronger and with greater authority. When your children know that you are weak and easily fall to what they are demanding, they will capitalize on that and take over authority in that area. They will make sure that they exhibit all that

Marriage & Family Intimacy

Bishop Charles Ighele holyspiritmissioninc@yahoo.com

07066579379/09098845521 E s t a b l i sh yo u r authority in the home during mealtimes and decide what your children will eat, once in a while allowing them participate in the decision making

is in them to make you melt and yield to their gimmicks. If that girl’s mother had ignored her tantrums and allowed her to go hungry, she would not think of doing such display again in the nearest future. I will not be surprised if that habit had become a part of her meal time strategy since she knew she could win by sulking and getting angry. A woman once had a son who was fond of declaring all that he wanted as an only child until one day she made up her mind and told the boy that he would only eat what has been prepared for the

family. The boy saw that the parents meant what they said and he had to adjust to the decision. The tactics was to call his attention to the importance of having what everyone in the home is having and enjoying the meal together in love. Your authority comes with the training you give to your children, Proverbs 22:6. “Do I let my child cry and grow hungry when he/she does not like a meal?” you may ask. Authority in a home is never something that should be gambled with or taken with levity. When a child goes hungry because you refuse to allow his/ her will to prevail, it will make the child to understand who is wielding the staff of authority. God knows why He did not make your ten year old the leader of the home but made you the leader. He has a reason for entrusting the authority over your home to you as a mother or father. Except for medical reasons I

advise that if the child insists on having his way or going hungry, let him go hungry. There should be only one authority in the home and that authority should be you the parent. Do not drop that authority or else the children will pick it up and use it to their own advantage. In issues of what to eat in the home, your authority as a parent should be firm but mixed with love. To involve the participation of the children, my wife and I allowed our children when they were growing up to participate in making the meals and sometimes, assisting us to plan the meal. This we did in a fun and light atmosphere. But at other times they were made to eat the meal that has been prepared for them whether it was their favorite meal or not. If we only made the children’s favorite meals, it means we will keep having challenges of whose favorite we would make. And this will create chaos and quarrelling among the children. The whole house will be in total confusion; caused by allowing the authority you have to be misplaced. Establish your authority in the home during mealtimes and decide what your children will eat, once in a while allowing them participate in the decision making

Mystery of Anxiety Bishop John Ogbansiegbe 0803 341 6327 (SMS Only)

Never run from enemies

n the account of David’s conquer over Goliath, the Philistines’ as recorded in 1Samuel chapter 17, it was manifested that David was confrontational in attitude, fearless and positively confessed his victory before Goliath. The Bible records that Goliath the Philistine man of war threatened David saying: “Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.” It is clear that the greatest means of victory which David applied to conquer his enemies was faith in the name of the Lord. The Bible says: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous runneth into it and is saved.” Again

the faith exercised here by David lends credence to the fact which states thus: “Whosoever is born of God, overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” -1John5:4. God does not expect us to run from our enemies. He expects us to stand and face them. That is why St. Paul says; “Having done al to stand; stand therefore, having your lions girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, where with ye shall be able to quench where with ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayers and supplication in the spirit, and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” –Ephesians 6:13-18. These spiritual weapons are carefully laid down and streamlined by God for the militant church of Jesus Christ to ever remain victorious and more than conquerors. We should learn to use these weapons which God has provided for us. This is the only way we can conquer, our Goliath and other visible or invisible enemies. By the use of these ultrapowerful armours of God, “No weapon fashioned against you, shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise up against you in judgment thou shall condemn,” Isaiah 54:17.The words of God beautifully caps up everything by stating thus: “For though we walk in the flesh we do not war after the flesh. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds) of the enemy” -2Corinthians 3:4. In view of the foregoing therefore I urge you to confront your challenges with the appropriate attitude just like the young King David did to Goliath. Fear Not give up! Don’t get bitter, bolder and refused to be defeated or chicken out in fear, frustrated, cowardice and depression. If necessary, pounce on and grab.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

news

Niger: Flood sacks 60 communities, Gov Bello unable to gain access Dan Atori

R MINNA

ampaging flood has sacked about 60 communities in Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State along the plains of River Niger, following a two-day downpour in the state. According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the breakdown of the figure shows that 34 communities were affected by the flood

in Jagi ward 11 at Muregi and 15 in Gbara respectively. The latest incident brings the number of communities reportedly sacked by flood to 83 with 23 earlier affected in Lapai LGA, claiming four lives. It was learnt that communities in Shiroro, Muyan, Gurara and Bida, Lavun, Wushishi, Mokwa and Borgu LGA, were also affected by the flood. Also, because of the unavailability of effective transportation across the

flooded areas, the state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, who was to pay assessment visit to the affected communities on during the week had to terminate the journey at Guza. The governor had to address representatives of the communities at Guza, where he also directed the NSEMA to facilitate relief materials to the people and also to ensure their temporary resettlement. The spokesman of Ketso, one of the communities affected by the flood, Hassan

Umar, assured the governor that people will cooperate with the state government in any effort to ameliorate their suffering. Umar said the communities would have long relocated to avoid the recurring danger posed by the rampaging flood, but were constrained by issues relating to land documentation among others. He said the people would welcome a permanent relocation of the communities to safer locations within the highland.

Bauchi awards 5.321km roads contract for N803m Alhassan Suffuse Bauchi

he Bauchi State Government, yesterday, flagged off the construction and rehabilitation of township roads in Misau Local Government Area of the state, worth N803, 792, 399.51 to NCEC Company Nigeria Limited. The road construction, totaling 5.321 kilometers, was awarded by Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar in line with his campaign promises. The governor added that the road projects will provide access to the rural dwellers, which would boost economic activities and development in the state. He said: “The urban roads revival projects of the state government is our strategic response to filling the infrastructure gaps as a result of

population growth and expansion of our urban towns and cities in addition to the pressing need to rehabilitate the existing ones. “The roads, will, therefore, open up our communities and improve the socio-economic well-being of our people through increased agriculture and trading activities. It will further reduce the level of poverty and unemployment in the society.” The flagged off roads, include Emir’s drive to the Roundabout (0.612km); Galdimari Road (0.40km); Gundari Road (0.40km); Lagori Road (0.40km); Roundabout–Stadium junction (0.70km). Others include Alhaji Ari Junction-Kano/Kari Road (1.50km); Izala Central Mosque-Federal Low Cost Road (0.50km) and Central Mosque-Talba House Read (0.30km).

Kwara commends FG for dropping charges against Saraki, Ekweremadu

Voters at Ogunlowo Akute Polling Unit, during the Local Government Election in Ogun State…yesterday

End workers screening now, NLC tells Kano Govt Muhammad Kabir KANO

ano Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have asked the state government to quickly bring to an end, its months long civil servants biometric data screening, which they said has succeeded in causing suffering to the workers. In the same vein, the NLC urged the government to expedite actions in settling the eight months secondary school teachers’ salaries in order to reduce the stress that the teachers go through in the state. The NLC, while praising the government for its prompt payment of monthly salaries and arrears, said ending the biometric data screening would give the Ganduje’s administration more kudos. Speaking while picketing the State Ministry of Health, Health Management Board, Standard Plastic Company and the ECC Construction company as part of the World Workers Destiny Day, the NLC Chairman in Kano, Kabiru Ado Minjibir, said they would not fold their hands

and allow workers to be enslaved by their employers. He also urged the government to settle the judicial workers salary’s backlog, saying that, the civil servants in the judiciary are facing serious financial challenges. Kabiru Ado Minjibir reminded the governor of his campaign promises to the workers, when he (Ganduje) visited Labour House. According to him, the governor promised that his administration will be worker-friendly by uplifting their standard of living through wage increment and other entitlements. The NLC Chairman also appealed to the government to dialogue with staff of health and tertiary institutions, who were affected by the recent policy of moving out non-professionals from professional working places, but whom have resulted to legal actions against the government. He said dialogue is the best option that would solve whatever misunderstanding between government and the professional workers. While picketing ECC Constrictions Company, the

NLC Chairman expressed dismay at how some Chinese would establish such a company, who sees their workers as nothing but slaves by paying them less than N10,000 monthly.

The same thing went to the Standard Plastic Company, which barred the workers from joining Labour Union and uses every enslavement method in their working places.

We fulfilled our campaign promises –Yayanuwa Alhassan Yusuf Bauchi

he People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday confirmed that all campaign promises made by the party for the last 16 years of PDP administration in the state have been fulfilled. This was disclosed by Alhaji Yayanuwa Maizanabari one of the PDP stalwarts and Public Relation Officer of the Bauchi State chapter of PDP in an interview with Sunday Telegraph in his office at the party secretariat in Bauchi. According to him, the PDP has left a legacy of completed projects in the state in the last sixteen years. He listed such proj-

ects to include; housing and rehabilitation of schools, healthcare centres, roads and enhancement of workers salaries. The PDP state stalwart added that, the party under former Governor Ahmad Adamu Mu’azu and Malam Isa Yuguda lots were done through the youth and women empowerment of which over 10,000 of them were empowered. He also said that PDP constructed a befitting International Airport to immortalize name of the former late Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa,who was from the state. According to him, it is from that airport that intending pilgrims from the state were airlifted to Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem.

wara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, has commended the Federal Government for withdrawing the criminal charges against the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. Governor Ahmed, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, said the withdrawal of the charges was proper, necessary and timely. According to him, the withdrawal provides a vista of opportunity for national

cohesion as distraction in the process of national development could be halted from the widely considered politics induced litigation. Governor Ahmed expressed hope that all other litigations before the respective tribunals or courts will also be withdrawn appropriately so that all hands could be on deck in the task of moving Nigeria forward. He harped on effective legislative and executive arms cordial relationship as a precursor to the delivery of governance to the citizenry.

I’ll build power plant in Ondo, Jegede assures

he governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) has said that he would tackle the erratic power supply in the State by building a power plant. The candidate gave the assurance during his tour of communities in Owo Local Government Area, and the four other local councils that constitute the Akokoland. Jegede, who was received by traditional rulers cutting across 30 communities in Akokoland, said his focus was to transform Ondo State’s economy by creating enabling environment for big industries. “Our youths are in need of job and how do they get the job? We need industries; and how can the industries work? They need regular power supply. That is why we will build a gas plant that will energise our power plant which will provide electricity for the various industries that we

are planning to set up through Private Public Partnership.” He urged the communities in need of various amenities to be rest assured that their needs would be met as he had designed his economic blueprint for the development of all areas in Ondo State At Ikare-Akoko, Jegede who was received by the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh and his subjects, said the deplorable condition of the federal roads in Akoko land would form his priority once he is elected in the November 26 governorship election. Earlier, the Deputy Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Alhaji Fatai Olotu, an indigene of the area, had appealed to the locals to vote for continuity in the coming election, stressing that the Governor Olusegun Mimiko government had completed the Awara Dam scheme, and that what was left was waterpipe extension to the various Akoko communities.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

INTERVIEW

Ogbaa: Nigeria’s health in poor shape the women have never done breast examination in their whole life. They never knew they needed it, so after the talk on check your breast; everybody was rushing to where my daughter was for breast examination. We discovered that some of them had lumps in their breasts. They had it before without knowing and before you know it the cancer can go into the lungs or kidney and destroy these vital organs. You will think it was what they ate or what somebody did to them. It is the education that is coming out now that is making people aware of it.

Connecticut, United States of America-based educationist, Dr. Clara Ogbaa, is an executive member of the Anambra State Association of Women and a three-time cancer survivor. Ogbaa speaks with ONWUKA NZESHI on cancer control and how government can turn around the health sector

What is your mission in Nigeria? I joined a team of volunteers made up of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. I got interested in the programme because I am a cancer survivor. The group actually asked me to come and give a keynote address for them as a cancer survivor some years ago and that was how I found out what they were doing - that they were interested in coming back home to do medical missions. How large was the medical team? We had a fairly large team from the United States. It was team of medical professionals made up of gynecologists, oncologists, optometrist, a pharmacist, a pediatrician and a specialist in internal medicine. We also worked with our local partners here in Nigeria. We also had some volunteers who are not medical personnel but who joined in helping to control the crowd and counseling those who came to seek medical care. On the whole, we were about 50 persons but it was not enough for the type of crowd we met. At Adazi we had up to 1,500 patents; in Amawbia they were over 900; in Amichi, they were about 850 and in Uga, we saw about 500 people. It was a huge crowd and we were kind of overwhelmed because we were not expecting such a large turnout. Everybody brought their sick persons. In every location, it was like the whole village turned up. There was good publicity too. How would you assess the mission? It was a very productive medical outreach to the underprivileged citizens of Anambra State. We went to five towns in the state: On the first day, we went to Adazi Nnukwu, on the second day, we went to Amawbia near Awka and then we went to Ogbunike, Amichi and finally, we were at Uga. It was a huge success. I was shocked on the number of people that came for medical care. The focus of the association was to raise awareness on the issue of cancer in the state. We wanted to create awareness and

How soon will the people of Anambra State see this medical mission again? We came every two years. It’s a biennial medical mission and that is why the Cancer Centre needs to be established so that the services will be there all the time and people can have access. We want to have a place that we can invite people to come and treat them there because it was very difficult having our doctors running from one hospital to another with the patients.

education to the people as well as provide services for those that would be diagnosed of cancer. We were focusing on breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer for the men. The initial focus was on men and women with these basic cancer related ailments, but when we got to the venues, we saw that there were a lot of needs; so many people including children with all kinds of cancer. It was not just cancer patients that we met. What surprised me was the number of people that had eye problems. Fortunately for us, some people in our team had a fair knowledge of what challenges we could encounter based on their previous experience, so when we were coming, we brought some eye glasses and drugs for eye treatment. It was like three quarters of the patients that came with diabetes and other ailments also had eye problems. In Nigeria, cancer is seen as a death sentence. How can we change thus perception and also support those living with the disease? That is one of our goals. We came for awareness because we found out that most people who had cancer, especially down in our area in Anambra State didn’t know it was cancer. Sone of them thought it was something diabolical somebody did to them. Those who had colon cancer thought it was stomach ache or they ate something bad or whatever. They were not aware of the symptoms of cancer. Even for the women, they would have lumps in their breasts and think it’s a boil. It will go and come back; go and cone back again and you will see it eating deep into them. They didn’t even know what it was because they had no money to go the hospital and they were not diagnosed to let them know what ailment they were having in their bodies. It was very pathetic. Even, we had a man who had prostate cancer. How did you survive your own case in the United States? How I survived it was early detection. I was lucky that I was working in the US

where you had opportunity to do your “physical” every year. It was when I went for physical that they saw what they call calcification and ultrasound was done. I was doing my mammogram often and when they saw changes, they notified me. I went for second and third opinion and they confirmed it was cancer. Fortunately for me, my son is a medical doctor and my daughter was a medical student then. They told me clearly what cancer is and that it is not something you will play with but fight aggressively. I listened to them and started my treatment and the process was closely monitored. In addition, I was lucky to have gone to a Cancer Centre, MD Anderson in Texas and I saw the difference between going to a regular hospital and being treated in a cancer centre. It made a big difference for me because in a cancer centre, you have compassionate doctors and nurses, oncology nurses and doctors who are specialists in cancer. You will see all kinds of people with cancer and that’s all they treat. They are experts. So I was lucky because I was in the US and was treated that way. They don’t just treat you as a patient, they watch you closely. Why is this disease so prevalent today in Nigeria? Cancer is so prevalent today in Nigeria because we have had it before and we didn’t know. Do you understand? We did not know because somebody will say suddenly he has stomach ache and he dies and we begin to ask where he ate last. Who did he see? Cancer does not pain initially. It takes years before it begins to hurt and when it gets to the advanced stage, it kills. So when it is happening to people here, they won’t even know its cancer and that’s what we saw on thus mission. So many people with cancer that didn’t even know they had cancer. This means that people must have been dying years ago from thus disease because of ignorance. But it is now open and seems prevalent because we can identify it. That is why in the education and enlightenment part of the medical mission, we are sharing the symptoms with the people. Some of

Having been through this mission twice, could you give us your impression of the health sector in Nigeria? Oh, my God! It is way behind. It is too far behind. It’s sad and scory. All the women that had issues, all their cases were at the advanced stage. A lot of them were in- operate-able and those that were opera-table were too late. In the United States we never see cases up to that level. The health system is very disappointing. A lot of people have never been to the hospital. They don’t even know what is wrong with them and they don’t have money to go to the hospital. At a time we were using our own money to give them so that they could go. We didn’t have enough vehicles to take them to these hospitals. That was how bad it was. It is bad. It is poor. Where we’re we doing some of these operations? On a bench. In some places, no light. Everywhere was dirty, we couldn’t do it in the main hospital. We could not believe it but what was satisfying was that at the end, people were hugging us; people were thanking us. It was like when Jesus came. It was like, people were saying to themselves: you remembered us; you cared. I will be well. What would you want Nigeria to do to reverse this ugly situation? I wish we could have free medical care for underprivileged people. Free medical education and awareness for the people even if it means some Community Health officials going round to talk to people about healthcare. There is so much we can do because what we are seeing is not just money. It’s information; it’s technology. The need is so much that something has to be done. We cannot continue like this and leave majority of our people just dying needless death on this 21st century. We have the money is just where the government is focusing. They need to remember the less privileged. We should target that free medical care is important, especially for certain classes of people. In developed countries, they have free medicare for the poor; the rich have to pay. They are working and they have insurance but those who have nothing should have the opportunity of going to the hospital, get treated and the government will pick it up. We can even have some nurses trained to go to churches, market places and the rural areas. We can even encourage some of our doctors to start going on volunteer health missions to the rural areas. We need to teach our kids and young people how to give back to the society. I believe that they are willing to volunteer if they have the right leadership and orientation.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

Evangelist Vera Udo is the wife of Senior Pastor and founder of Lagosbased Life Transformation International Chapel, Apostle Dickson Udo. She speaks with ESTHER BAKARE on marital issues, challenges of the 10-yearold Ministry with the vision of transforming people from their present position to the next level among other issues

‘God’s Generals’ Jewels’

I don’t support joint accounts for couples –Evang Udo al Cancer Institute and participants were advised on importance of healthy living because a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. We were told that there are three things a person should do to ensure healthy living which are: rest, exercise and diet. People need to have a good and uninterrupted sleep for at least eight hours to allow the brain function properly, but it’s quite unfortunate that the lifestyle in Lagos where people hustle on daily basis does not encourage enough sleep. So we were told that the best exercise for every age is jogging because it helps evacuate some toxins in the body system .

What was your husband doing before he answered his divine calling? He was a business man to the core. He was producing paints for painting houses as well as sachet and bottled water. What attracted you to him the first time you met? I loved his comportment, the way he carried himself with dignity and he is also a smart person when he walks, so those are the things that attracted me to him. How did you meet? We were both attending the same church, Christ Disciple International Ministry, where I was an usher. I think anytime I’m ushering in the church, he used to watch the way I comport myself but he had a girl he wanted to get married to then. So, when he approached me I initially declined that after all, he had someone else in mind but he told me he had fasted for 21 days twice and God revealed me to him so I gave in. Any discouragement about the relationship at the initial stage? Of course there was but not from the two of us, but from relations. For instance, my father did not want me to marry him. He said the family is not known in our town. It was only my mother that welcomed him, the reason for this is because I told them he is a pastor and my family members are not real Christians, so they disliked the idea of me bringing a pastor into the family. They really discouraged me. It was war getting him to be accepted by my family. Even his own younger brother discouraged him too about me. He said I look too tough for him, but today, everyone is thanking God for us. What was your wedding day like? It was wonderful, that was 15 years ago. When the date was fixed, my husband told me he had just N25,000 in his account, but surprisingly, God glorified himself that day because the hall we rented was filled to the brim, despite the fact that we did not distribute the invitation cards printed because we were told by our Senior Pastor then not to distribute the cards after printing about 2,000 copies. My husband was an assistant pastor then. So a lot of the people he had ministered to trooped to the venue. There was a particular one that flew from London, another man was on his sickbed, he boarded a taxi just to have a handshake with my husband on our wedding day and immediately he saw him, he gave him the handshake and went back to the hospital. That day was great. What has been keeping your home the past 15 years of being together? Understanding your partner and seeing each other as human beings that are bound to make mistakes and one should be ready to accommodate the mistakes. Also, couples should be ready to assist each other, espe-

Evang Udo

cially the wives because the Bible describes us as help mates. For instance, I’m a trader and I assist my husband financially in his Ministry. Anytime he is broke, I come in and nobody knows anything. There was also a practical experience someone gave me a week after we got married. Our landlady’s mother sent for me and I went to see her. When I got there, she asked me to open her fridge and bring out a bottle of cold CocaCola. She then gave me some bitter leaves to squeeze out the water and drink. I wanted to throw up but she said I must finish the cup of bitter leaf water and after I finished it, she asked me to drink little of the Coca-Cola, she then told me that marriage is exactly like that the experience really helped me anytime I’m having any bitter experience. Can you tell us some of the bitter experience you are facing in your marriage? Apart from the challenges in our Ministry, we are also facing the issue of the fruit of the womb, which I can describe as trial of our faith because my husband has prayed for a lot of people, even gave them dates that they would carry their babies but the Lord is yet to visit us, we are still very hopeful anyway. Has this ever caused any form of rancour between you both? Never, rather, it has strengthened our love for each other and even our faith in God because we know that He will visit us someday. What is your take on couples having joint accounts? I don’t support that at all because these are some of the things that can tear homes apart. Reason is that it does not give free-

dom to either of the two to spend money as he/she likes. Anytime you need money, no matter how small it is, you have to take permission from your partner. Individual’s account can help strengthen the home, it does not put restriction on anyone. Your advice to married couples on how to keep their marriage? Every couple should understand that our country Nigeria is going through a period of recession and things are tough. Couples should show high level of understanding at this period, especially women, we need to exercise patience with our husbands. What other programmes do you also hold for women in your church? Not only for women but for members generally. We do hold health programmes to talk about all kinds of diseases and how to prevent them. For instance, during our last ordination programme, we held a seminar on cancer. As part of our corporate social responsibility to our immediate environment, we organised a three-day free health talk and medical check-up for members of the community. The health talk is to mark the annual ordination and 10th year anniversary of the church in collaboration with Fortune Careers and Health Awareness company that seeks after good and healthy living of Nigerians with a focus on physical, spiritual and financial prosperity. Can you tell us briefly on the topic you discussed? The company we invited partners with organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nation-

Personally, what is you take on physical exercise and spiritual exercise? Physical exercise constitutes 10 per cent of what the body needs to keep fit and function properly. Rest also contributes another 10 per cent. It is important for people to jog at least twice in a week in order to wash off toxins from the body. But when we talk about spiritual exercise, it has to do with prayer and fasting and this is very important because Jesus told His disciples in the Bible that some things will not be possible except through prayer and fasting. So both are important for Christians. The health expert also told us that diet contributes 80 per cent of the requirements of human body to function properly as she stressed the saying that ‘people are what they eat”. The medical practitioner reminded the people that food with high cholesterol is detrimental to one’s health and can cause infertility especially in women. ‘Women need to protect their body because we have open body system. For instance promiscuous women are living dangerous life and for women who use so much soap to wash their genitals, it is dangerous. It is better to use ordinary water because soap can cause infections such as bacteria or fungal,’ she said. She also told them that too much of alcohol wears the feet while too much of eating leads to obesity as she warned that people’s lifestyle can destroy their immune system such as keeping handsets in men’s pockets which she said can lead to prostate. ‘Even for the young men who like keeping their handsets in pockets and using headsets, this can lead to prostate because of the electromagnetic waves. If absorbed too much into the body can lead to cancer. The electromagnetic waves have detrimental effects to prostate for men, even the headsets, too much of wearing it can lead to damage of the ears, it can affect their hearing,’ she said. But some churches teach healing without medication. What is your view about this? The reason for the medical check up is drawn from the Book of III John chapter 1Verse 2 that says, ‘Beloved, I Pray You May Prosper In All Things and Be In Health, Just As Your Soul Prospers.’ Prosperity is in three folds, which are spiritual, physical and financial. It is not enough for someone to possess material things without having good health because a healthy person is a wealthy person. The kingdom of God is a place for happiness and joy and the church is supposed to replicate this on earth, that is why we are organising this kind of free medical care for people to enjoy their wealth in good health. As children of God, this is our right but because people are ignorant, they die in silence, I therefore urge Christians to take medical check-up seriously to know their health status and go for treatment if need be.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

The stranger in the garden

nce upon a time, there was a man who had a big garden. He had planted many fruit trees and cared for them till they bore fruits. Now he wanted to harvest the fruits and sell them to make money for his family. One fine day, while picking the fruits with his son, the man saw a stranger sitting on the branch of a tree and picking fruits. The man became angry and shouted, “Hey you! What are you doing on my tree? Aren’t you ashamed of stealing?” The stranger sitting on the branch looked at the gardener, but didn’t reply, and continued picking the fruits. The gardener was very angry and shouted again, “For a whole year I have taken care of these trees. You have no right to take the fruits without my permission. So come down at once!” The stranger on the tree answered, “Why should I come down? This is the garden of God and I am the servant of God, so I have the right to pick these fruits. You should not interfere with the work of God and his servant.” The gardener was very surprised at this answer

Word puzzle

and thought of a plan. He told the stranger to come down from the tree. As the stranger climbed down the tree, the gardener tied him to the tree and began beating him with a stick. The stranger began to scream, “Why are you beating me? You have no right to do this.” The gardener paid no attention and continued beating him. The stranger screamed, “Don’t you fear God? You are beating an innocent man. The gardener answered, “Why should I fear? This wood in my hand belongs to God and I am the servant of God. You shouldn’t interfere with the work of God and his servant.” The stranger hesitated and then spoke, “Wait. Don’t beat me, I am sorry for taking the fruits. This is your garden and I should seek your permission before taking the fruits. So, please forgive me and set me free.” The gardener smiled and said, “Don’t use God’s name to justify your illconceived actions.” Then the gardener untied him and let him go free.

Gags What concert costs 45 cents? Ans: 50 Cent featuring Nickleback. Why did the tree go to the dentist? Ans: To get a root canal. What is it called when a cat wins a dog show? Ans: A CAT-HAS-TROPHY!

What can go up a chimney down, but can’t go down a chimney up? Ans: An umbrella. Why was the broom late? Ans: It over swept! Why didn’t the 11 year old go to the pirate movie? Ans: because it was rated arrrrr

Rhyme for Jr T Adenekan Tobiloba My kids are stars My kids are champions They are undefeatable They are untouchable My kids are stars

Math picture

My kids are champions They are dependable They are reliable My kids are stars My kids are champions They are indomitable They are immutable

Celebration

9 hearty gbosas for Jason D. Jedy-Agba as he turns 9 years old. He is fun, athletic and loves colour red, Super Sports, Nickelodeon and chicken and chips. God bless you!

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

Sport

Zambia v Nigeria: We’re ready for war – Eagles declare • Harsh Weather threat for Eagles

Flamingoes crash out of World Cup

igeria Women’s U-17 team, the Flamingoes have crashed out of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup taking place in Jordan. The team came out as the worst ever assembled as they could only get a point from three games and failed to score a goal

in over 270 minutes of football action and finishing bottom of the table. Korea DPR thrashed the Flamingoes 3-0 to confirm their exit on Saturday. The Flamingoes, captained by Rasheedat Ajibade in her second U-17 World Cup, were never really in this contest.

Chukwu: Eagles should not be complacent

F Adekunle Salami Ndola

he Super Eagles have declared readiness for the crucial African qualifiers for the Russia 2018 World Cup. Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr, told our correspondent in Ndola, Zambia that his players were in good shape for the crucial match. “We are aware of the importance of this match and I am happy the players are ready, “he said. First choice goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, also promised that he would ensure a clean sheet in the encounter. “Training has been very tough and with our hard work, I expect a result for us,” he said. Eagles assistant captain, Ahmed Musa, stressed that, Nigeria has the talents to beat Zambia any-

where. Meanwhile, the scorching hot weather in Ndola is a big challenge to the Super Eagles in today’s game against the Chipolopolo of Zambia. At 12.11pm local time the Eagles faced a harsh weather of over 36 degrees. The weather is expected to be same for the match while the altitude is also high here in Ndola. “We knew all of these and we are prepared for the challenge. It will be tough but we are going to get the result despite the weather,” Eagles’ Manager, Gernot Rohr, said on Saturday. Today at 1.30pm Nigerian time, Zambia and Nigeria will get Group B in Africa’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers underway when they meet in Ndola. Zambia’s Chipolopolo is the only

side in the quartet which has never played at the World Cup finals before, while the Super Eagles are targeting a sixth appearance at the global showpiece. The Southern Africans come into the clash with a new coach in charge after Wedson Nyirenda was hired to replace Zesco United manager George Lwandamina. The new man says he is excited by the team spirit he has seen in the squad ahead of their clash with Nigeria. “I am happy with the way the boys are applying themselves in training, the morale in the team and the brotherhood on and off the pitch. We are looking set for better things,” said Nyirenda. The other Group B match this weekend sees Algeria host Cameroon in Blida also today.

Okagbare: Why I failed to win at Rio Dapo Sotuminu

igeria’s foremost elite athlete and reigning Commonwealth Games fastest woman, Blessing Okagbare, has revealed the reasons behind her failure to win medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics. The former African sprint queen told Sunday Telegraph, that, the change in her training regime from 2010 to 2014 following the termination of her former coach’s contract affected her performances negatively at the Rio 2016 Olympics. “The change actually slowed me down as I was used to the regime of my former American coach whose expertise made me win lots of races and jumps. The styles imputed in me during his reign from 2010 to 2014 made me a great athlete. At the London 2012 Olympics, my coach prepared me such that once I stand upright in a sprint, I will just be flying. That was when I ran 100 metres at 10.79 seconds. I was good to win a medal at the London 2012 Olympics, but the pressure was too much on me to help Nigeria at least win a single medal just for the taking. I tried my best but, other determined athletes from other countries of the world put me down with their spectacular races in the 100m and 200 metres finals. I was primed to win but, it didn’t hap-

pen the way I expected.” Okagbare, noted that, before the Rio Olympics, she was not in her best form as she was still trying to adjust to the pattern of the new coach. This works with the entire body chemistry. “With my average pace, some people rumoured that I was pregnant at Rio, but that was never the case. I was simply adjusting to the training regime of my new coach. The hman body is not a machine.” She stressed that, even as she failed to win individual medals in the 100m and 200metres, there was an opportunity to win in the

women’s 4x100m relays. “We failed to win in the relays, because our coach came late for the race and there was no one to coordinate us. The selection of athletes for the different legs of the race was made by the athletes as the coach was nowhere to be found.” The Beijing 2008 Olympic medalist, also stated that, her desire to compete in the long jump event at the Rio Olympics was thwarted by an injury she sustained during the pre-games’ preparations. “I had pains in my knee, so I had to drop the desire to do long jump which my coach believes I would win a medal for my country.” Okagbare, who promised a better outing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, expressed her displeasure on the increased recruitment of ‘spent’ American sprinters who just wear Nigeria’s colours without making any difference. “It is sad that the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, AFN, kept recruiting American athletes who are not good enough to win for America and neither can they beat me in my events. It is total waste of resources. Athletes that should be recruited must be the ones who can win international laurels for Nigeria. The AFN should pay more attention to grooming Nigerian young talents instead of wasting hard earned resources on unproductive American athletes.”

ormer Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has told the Mikel Obi-led team to avoid complacency against the Chipolopolo of Zambia in the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifying match today in Ndola, Zambia. Chukwu, stated that any national team with majority of their players from the domestic sides are usually dangerous and difficult. “Zambia is football-playing nation and a good side both at club and national team level they have always proven themselves in every championship. They are the

least side any opponent will want to treat with levity or underrate without regretting the action at the end of the day.” He added: “The bulk of their players are home-based, they understand themselves quite well and that makes them dangerous. However with the quality of players and coaches on the Nigerian side we should be able to get a decent result from the encounter. We should not fear them but accord the side their due respect I do not think they will pose too much problem.

042 Sports Festival” kicks off in Enugu

ll is now set for the 2016 Enugu Sports Festival designed to develop grassroots sports as well as fish out hidden talents in the localities. The event scheduled for 10th to 21st October 2016 will hold in all the 17 area councils of the state. The state Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Charles Ndukwe, yesterday said the exercise is aimed at discovering hidden and new talents at the grassroots. The event, christened “042

Sports Festival” will formally kick-off on Monday at the main bowl of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. Ndukwe disclosed that the festival would feature 12 events including football. He hinted that the state is collaborating with other partners such as Annjessy Events Nigeria Limited, a private agency, and the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports to ensure a successful outing.

Kano Pillars boss denies financial crisis Muhammad Kabir Kano

he Management of Kano Pillars Football Club under the leadership of Alhaji Kabiru Baita has been accused of mismanaging monies gotten from the transfer of two of the club’s players amounting to $150,000 for Ahmed Musa and another 60,000 Euros for Aziz. The Chairman has stoutly de-

nied the allegations as he said: “What actually we have in our coffers is money meant for Aziz’s transfer and nobody has power to touch that money because it’s government money.” Baita noted that the Ahmed Musa transfer funds they are talking about is yet to be released and if that would be done it would be through the Nigeria Football Federation who also has a share in it.

Solution to Cross Word Puzzle

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Corruption, corruption! Bad governance is worst form of corruption (part 2)

ENCORE This week, we will continue our discourse on the above subject matter. Let us today periscope into other climes and see how national problems were collectively solved under an atmosphere of national cohesion and inclusiveness.

RUSSIA - GLASNOST AND PERESTROIKA Glasnost and Perestroika (Russian words for “restructuring” and “openness”), were key elements of the campaign initiated by Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, to reform and revitalize the Soviet system. He first mentioned it in a speech at a meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party in April 1985. Glasnost literally means “openness”, when Gorbachev decided to open up the Russian state to public knowledge – perestrioita, on the other hand was a political movement for reformation within the communist party itself, in the 80s, also associated with Gorbacks. It referred to the reconstructure of the political and economic system within the ruling Communist Party. Glasnost (coupled with the economic and political reforms of perestroika), summarized Gorbachev’s efforts to allow and stimulate more open discussion and criticism in political and cultural life. The term had both a symbolic and practical significance. Carrying the meaning of “speaking out” or “giving voice to,” glasnost was evident in the more open debate and discussion that existed in the final years of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Many conservatives were initially skeptical about this policy. In the Communist Party and tried to undermine it. However, particularly after the 27th Party Congress in February, 1986, public officials and citizens began to take Gorbachev’s call for more open, critical discussion seriously. Intellectuals in particular made use of the new freedom glasnost offered to criticize the government and to engage in activities that were previously prohibited. Perestroika came to encompass a wide variety of political and economic policies. It was implemented along with glasnost. Perestroika at first mainly referred to efforts to reform the ailing Soviet economy by reducing the power of central authorities and introducing elements of a market-based system. A major part of the reforms involved expanding private ownership, which had long been shunned by the regime for ideological reasons. Perestroika also came to mean changes in other aspects of the Soviet system, including the bureaucracy and political life. The most significant change was the Committee’s decision in 1988 to allow for small private businesses and cooperatives, which could exist either inside state enterprises or separate from them. But disagreement among the Soviet leaders and their economic advisers, and between Russia and the other Soviet republics, prevented the adoption of a realistic reform program for the Soviet economy as a whole. This deadlock, as well as the drift of control away from state planners, led to a severe economic crisis by 1990. The effects of this crisis included declining production, growing inflation, pervasive shortages of consumer goods, labour unrest— and, most importantly, a widespread loss of confidence in Gorbachev’s ability to handle economic issues. Gorbachev did not achieve what he set out to do as Soviet leader—that is, to save the

The

Nigerian Project

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08094777755 (sms only) country’s existing social and political system by reforming it from within. And in some areas, notably economics, he produced few results. Nevertheless, Gorbachev’s political and foreign policies made a tremendous difference to the countries of the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and in some respects the entire world. The cumulative effect of these policies was to loosen the grip of the Soviet Communist dictatorship, thereby allowing leaders throughout the Communist Eastern bloc to search out new ways of governing. On the international scene, Gorbachev’s policies put an end to the Cold War and the post-World War II division of Europe. Gorbachev is thus one of the most influential statesmen of the 20th century. What do we have in Nigeria? Muzzled opinion. Frightened masses. Government repression. Cronyism, nepotism. Exclusion, rather than inclusion. Divisiveness. Recession. Hunger. Thirst Starvation. Decimation of human rights and rule of Law. Rule of the thumb. Contempt for intellectualism, intimidation of the judiciary, emasculation of the legislature, using the coercive, corrosive and awesome apparatchik of state. The Great Leap Forward (China) In 1918, future Chinese leader, Mao Zedong, joined a study group headed by his supervisor, Li Dazhao, Director of the library at Beijing University, to be acquainted with the writings of German political philosopher, Karl Marx. Mao will later revise Marxist ideology in hopes of adapting it to conditions in China. Thus high lights the need for a leader to study. In 1949, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) headed by Mao Zedong came to power and founded the People's Republic of China (PRC). During the first few years of its existence, the PRC focused on rebuilding from the ravages of war and redistributing land to 300 million poor peasants. Nigeria is only 185 million people. China is 1.3 billion people. The first five-year plan, implemented from 1953 to 1958, outlined changes for all economic sectors but particularly emphasized expansion of heavy industry. The government created hundreds of large, state-owned, industrial enterprises, and by 1958, China had a solid industrial base. In the agricultural sector, meanwhile, the state organized workers into large, cooperative farms. Agricultural output increased, but not nearly at the same rate as industry. Initially, the authors of the second five-year plan modeled it on the first. By the beginning of 1958, however, they had revised the plan to address the concern of Chinese leader Mao Zedong that agriculture was not growing as fast as industry. The revised plan was to be accomplished through an economic and social campaign intended to radically

AND THIS The New Deal (USA) The stock market crash in October 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression, a difficult economic period for the United States and other countries. Unemployment increased and the economic security of many people was threatened. Farmers lost their land, homeowners their homes, and workers their jobs. In the years following the stock market crashed. Thousands of banks closed and many Americans lost their savings. The incumbent president, Herbert Hoover, lost the election of 1932 to Democrat, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt campaigned on promises of a “New Deal” for the American people. In his first inaugural address, he declared: “...in the event that Congress shall fail to take these courses and in the event that the national emergency is still critical I shall not evade the clear course or duty that will then confront me. I shall ask the Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis—broad executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact to be invaded by a foreign foe.” Roosevelt's course of action became known as the “New Deal”, the name given to the peacetime domestic program of United States president Franklin D. Roosevelt, and especially to the innovative measures taken between 1933 and 1938 to counteract the effects of the Great Depression.

increase China’s agricultural production while maintaining high industrial growth. The campaign became known as the “Great Leap Forward.” Nigeria? moral platitudes, adjurations. Ineffective liberal disquisition. Lachrymal effusion. Chest-beating and sloganeering. NOW THIS The Great Depression The Great Depression in the United States, was the worst and longest economic collapse in the history of the modern industrial world, lasting from the end of 1929 until the early 1940s. Beginning in the United States, the depression spread to most of the world’s industrial countries, which, in the 20th century, had become economically dependent on one another. The Great Depression saw rapid decline in the production and sale of goods and a sudden, severe rise in unemployment. Businesses and banks closed their doors. People lost their jobs, homes, and savings, and many depended on charity to survive. In 1933, at LAST LINE Hope Nigerians are eagerly awaiting part 3 the worst point in the depression, more than 15 million Americans—one-quarter of the this Sunday Sermon from the Nigerian Project nation’s workforce—became unemployed. by Chief Mike 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

Local gov't. area in Lagos state, (7). School's helper, (3). City in Osun state, (3). Actors' Guild of Nigeria, abbr. (3). Atmosphere we breathe, (3). 9th letter of Greek alphabet, (4). Not irregular, (4). San Marino, abbr. (2). Tool for cutting, (2). Cube-shaped pieces, (4). Feeling of anxiety, (4). Strong anger, (3). Town in Osun state, (3). Bend under weight, (3) Perceive with eyes, (3). LGA in Osun state, (7).

Clues Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 13 14 15 19 20 21

Great courage, (7). Exposure to harm, (6). Fixed transmission setting, (4). Ex Zamfara state Governor, (6). Notable act, (4). Gasoline, (3). LGA in Osun state, (7). Area on Lagos Island, (6). Town in Oyo state, (6). In addition, (4). Just what is specified, (4). Pinch something, (3). Turn to page 55 for solution

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