Sunday telegraph sunday, august 21, 2016

Why we won’t stop womanising -Lagos men }8&9

Falling reserves cast doubt ON CBN’s naira defenCe }4&5

lAfrican Central Govs elect Emefiele President

SUNDAY Sunday, AUGUST 21, 2016 Vol. 3 No. 914

Sanctity of Truth

/newtelegraph

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NEEMA

SECESSION THREAT

‘Avengers’ll get biafra treatment’

lWe’ re monitoring NDA closely -Military spokesman lSecession ill-advised , says Ikponmwen lAgitations response to structural defects - Ohaneze lImplement CONFAB report -Afenifere lNigeria dead since 2014 -IPOB lMilitants blow up NPDC’s major trunk, delivery line in Delta }3,4,5&7

Nigeria hostile to Christians -CAN lGovernment’s silence not golden lWe’ll tackle it headlong }3

FG declares polio emergency in borno

}14

No man in my life }42

NEWS Tinubu can endorse any aspirant -apc }6 Boko Haram insurgency: 23,000 killed, 2million displaced }4

2

SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 21.08.16 BODY & SOUL

Mr. Deputy Governor One of the visible deputy governors in the country, Prince Eze Madumere unveils some of his social antics

}20&21

POLITICS

Ondo APC Furore generated by the alleged endorsement of governorship aspirants in Ondo State has become a major concern

}23

BUSINESS

Inflation Prices of bread were recently increased by bakers for the second time this year, bringing the increase to about 30 per cent in less than two months

}43

FAITH

Task before CAN The new CAN executives must show that they can be trusted to represent the views of all the blocs, Osu says

}31

SPORT

Team Nigeria at Rio Nigeria’s six-time Olympian and Team Nigeria assistant captain, Funke Oshonaike, laments Team Nigeria's poor performance at the Rio 2016 Olympics

}53

Magazine

Night life Paucity of funds in the country has not affected night life in Lagos

}8&9

SUNDAY

Editorial

One Nigeria: Matters Arising

“U

nited we stand, divided we fall.” This is a common refrain in Nigeria. But has there ever been proof of unity in diversity?

Outside its myriads of problems, particularly the economic and political challenges, Nigeria is facing real dangers of secession.

After the 1967 to 1970 Civil War, this is probably the first time the threats by some sections of the country to pull out of Nigeria have become more real than ever before.

Although there have been pockets of agitations mainly sponsored by politicians trying desperately to cling to power or those who want to return to mainstream politics.

However, the emergence of Nnamdi Kanu with his Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on the firmament of the agitation gave fillip to the cause of groups seeking separate republics.

It changed the traditional approach employed by groups such as Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and others.

The IPOB agitation, which appeared at the outset as a flash in the pan, has unfortunately become a thorn in the flesh of Nigeria’s unity.

Several people have been killed in the fresh phase of the agitation for the Biafra Republic.

In the last couple of weeks, more daring associations such as the Niger Delta Avengers, Biafra Avengers, etc, have emerged with great consequences on the nation’s fragile economy.

The groups have vowed to ground the nation’s economy unless they are allowed to form the Biafra Republic.

Nigeria has not always being a country.

It became a country through the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914 through the efforts of Frederick John Dealtry Lugard, who became Nigeria’s first Governor General.

Since the people of the geographical entity, which is today called Nigeria, had no choice in the forced marriage which brought about the country, they ought to have the right to determine their continued stay together.

Unfortunately, referendum is not expressly stated as part of the provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

If democracy is borrowed, it ought to have been lifted with all its tenets.

Instead of trying to create a comfort zone for themselves by making fruitless efforts to entrench immunity and pensions for themselves in the constitution, the National Assembly members ought to make provi-

sion for the inclusion of referendum in the nation’s constitution.

Holding a referendum does not suggest an automatic balkanisation of the country.

Pulling out of any region will depend on the outcome of the referendum, which in its own is dependent on several variable factors.

In recent history, a classical example is the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum.

European Union (EU) membership, currency which an independent Scotland would use, public expenditure and North Sea oil were some of the important issues raised during the referendum. It was not only just about independence.

At the end, those who wanted Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom won by 55.3 per cent as against 44.7 per cent who voted for independence. But there were underlining factors which produced the result at the referendum. Compromises were reached as more rights and other fringe benefits were promised the Scots before the referendum was held.

In Nigeria, lessons can be learnt from the Scottish example. Those who want to go should be allowed to go; if it will not hurt the rest of the country, otherwise concessions could be given to the agitators.

It is often said that those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable.

Nigerian political leaders must not wait for the former Yugoslavia experience in the country.

From 1991 to 2001, wars, which sprang up from ethnic skirmishes, were fought inside the territory of the former Yugoslavia.

The wars eventually led to the breakup of the country into different republics. The Yugoslav government attempted to forcibly halt the breakup which led to the Yugoslav wars and the ultimate breakup of Yugoslavia into six countries and later seven republics.

But if there is a break up through referendum, who says the door of reconciliation and reunification will be permanently shut Germany today is a united nation. But at a time there was German Democratic Republic (GDR) otherwise called East Germany and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) or West Germany. Although the Germans did not vote to break up, in fact, they had no say or choice in the split, the two ‘countries’ came later back as a nation.

The world stood in awe when the Berlin Wall came down, then the city became one and the two countries also became one again.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016

‘Avengers’ll get Biafra treatment’ Onwuka Nzeshi, Emmanuel Onani, Ibraheem Musa, Steve Uzoechi and Charles Onyekwere

•We’ re monitoring NDA closely -Military spokesman •Secession ill-advised -Brig. Gen. Ikponmwen •Agitations response to structural defects - Ohaneze Ndigbo

he latest threat by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to secede from Nigeria and declare a separate Republic of Niger Delta on October 1, 2016, may be still born as some elder -statesmen, politicians, military tacticians and opinion leaders in the country have kicked against the adventure, warning that it could lead to an unnecessary war and waste of lives and property.

The NDA, the militant group that as claimed responsibility for the serial bombing of strategic oil and gas facilities across the Niger Delta, had a few days ago, warned that it would declare the Republic of Niger Delta if the Federal Government failed to consider the demand for restructuring of the country.

The group had made a similar threat about a couple of months ago, but was reportedly prevailed upon to shelve the idea and pursue the dialogue option. The new threat is also coming months after the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra renewed their demand for self determination through the re-declaration of the Republic of Biafra.

However, these threats to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been received with mixed feeling in different parts of the country.

A former Provost Marshal of the Nigeria Army, Brigadier General Idada Ikponmwen, told Sunday Telegraph that the idea of declaration of independence by the Niger Delta Avengers was ill- advised and should be shelved. Ikponmwen acknowledged the challenges of under-development facing the people of the Niger Delta, but reminded the agitators that there were also challenges in every other region in the country.

According to him, there has been a divergence of views on the approach to the present crisis of militancy and subsequent military operations in the region, because whereas the federal authorities see the activities of the militants as strictly criminal which must not be condoned, the militants and their sympathisers believe that their actions were based on genuine protest against an unjust system. He disclosed that in the face of the current threat to peace, various stake holders have been working on a larger platform to explore ways of

evolving lasting peace in the oil rich region.

“I am aware that the militants will be enjoined to sheath their swords while the Federal Government is implored to immediately cease fire to enable a favourable environment for meaningful dialogue that will ensure peace in the area and therefore promote the continued corporate existence of this nation. All stakeholders are expected to key into this recent and ongoing effort for lasting peace embarked upon by the broad based representation of the coastal states of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria,” he said.

Sunday Telegraph reliably gathered that a broad- based stakeholders conference convened by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, was held last Friday at the Conference Centre, Petroleum Training Institute in Warri, Delta State.

However, a former Governor of Kaduna State and one time presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, has warned the Niger Delta Avengers not to seceede from Nigeria on October 1, 2016, because if they do so, what happened to the Biafran secessionist in 1967 will happen to them.

Speaking to our correspondent on phone yesterday, Alhaji Musa pointed out that the Biafran secessionists miscalculated in 1967 but the Niger Delta Avengers would do even worse if they try to break away from the country.

According to him, the experience of the Biafran misadventure should have guided the Niger Delta Avengers, “but it seems that they are not learning the right lessons from history’’.

He added, ‘’We have been together for over 100 years and our future has been linked economically, politically and socially. What every segment of the country is experiencing is not what it expects from a united country. We are all expecting more. But it is not easy for a section of the country to ignore all the sacrifices that others have made, simply because of their current advantages; advantages which are not even as a result of their own efforts, but the collective efforts of all of us, including themselves.’’

The elder- statesman noted that if the Niger Delta agitators ignored the fact that others would protect their own interests and go ahead to secede as Biafrans did 49 years ago, ‘’they will suffer

T

more consequences.’’

He maintained that every section of the country has grievances which should be blamed on ‘’the socioeconomic and political system that is presently controlling all development in the country and the leadership produced by the system.’’

In what could be described as a counter- motion, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze

Ndigbo has described the rampant agitations by different ethnic groups through diverse platforms, as a product of existing inadequacies in the political structure of the country.

Secretary General of the group, Dr. Joe Nworgu, noted that though it had no business with the secession call by the Niger Delta Avengers or any other group in sympathy with the group,

he was not surprised that some Igbo groups were rooting for secession and were in sympathy with the Niger Delta group.

Nworgu disclosed that Igbos were largely fed up with the current Nigerian system due to the inbuilt structural defects that channelled the bulk of the country’s commonwealth and benefits to a particular section while ignoring others.

“Since 1966, this has been the story. The story of injustice, marginalisation and brazen emasculation of a people. The young people of today have seen it all. They have seen policies of government made just to favour a section of the country; they have seen lopsided appointments into government offices with absolutely no regard to Federal Character.

Continues on page 4

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano; businessman, Dr. Ben Aghaji; and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, during Abubakar’s visit to the governor at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia at the weekend

CAN President: Nigeria increasingly hostile to Christians •FG’s silence not golden •We’ll tackle it headlong Tai Anyanwu

T

he President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Supo Ayokunle, has vowed that the apex Christian body would not rest on its oars until attacks on Christians by Islamic extremists ceased.

Ayokunle, who was responding to questions on persecution of and other forms of antagonism against Christians, also decried what he described as Federal Government’s ‘silence’ on the growing violence against Christians in Nigeria.

The CAN President said, “There is a siege on Christianity in Nigeria; we can all see what is on ground.

I am not talking about belief; I am talking about facts.

There is a siege on Christianity.”

To buttress his point,

Ayokunle cited the controversial education curriculum which seeks to compel all basic education pupils in Nigeria to learn Christian, Islamic and Traditional religious knowledge as one subject.

According to him, the decision to carry out the reform is deliberately devised to rubbish the very basis of the Christian faith.

“How can somebody say he is doing a reform in the curriculum and change Christian doctrines and think that we will keep quiet? They will be teaching, in that education curriculum, that Jesus is not the son of God, that Jesus did not die on the cross and that He did not rise from the dead,” he said.

According to the CAN President, that is not Christian teaching: “What you are saying is that there is no Christianity.”

Ayokunle also condemned killings of Christian workers by Islamic fanatics in northern part of Nigeria. Invariably, he frowned at the Federal Government’s failure to punish the perpetuators or even reassure Christians that their safety is guaranteed in the Nigerian state saying: “It is becoming increasingly hostile to Christians.”

His words: “You see what is happening. Joseph Zachariah Kura, Pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All, was butchered by Islamic extremists in Nassarawa State. The following week, the woman in Abuja was killed and somebody, who is not a Muslim wanted to eat in his shop in Kaduna, he was stabbed.”

Ayokunle also noted that a woman was killed in Kano because she simply asked some Muslims, who were doing ablution in front

of her shop, not do so there.

“A Catholic Church opened for service in Niger State on Friday and some people said Friday was specifically for them. Who told you that others should not worship God again on Friday except you? Don’t we see other religious adherent do their service on Sunday? Has anybody attacked them? And our authorities keep quiet as if nothing is happening,” the CAN President added.

According to him, the Federal Government’s silence is not golden.

“We will not allow them to rest until they speak out and do something. We are too many in this nation for somebody to think that they can overrun us in a day. As long as we live and as long as God gives us breathe, we will not allow anybody to force any religion on us,” Ayokunle said.

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SUNDAY 21 AUGUST, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NEWS

Boko Haram: Over 23,000 killed, 2m people displaced - Group

Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

T

he Network of Civil Society Organisations (NECSOB), the umbrella body of civil society groups in the North East, has said that since the start of the Boko Haram insurgency in the area seven years ago, it has claimed over 23,000 lives, while about 2.15 million have been internally displaced.

The Chairman/Executive Director of NECSOB in Borno, Ambassador Ahmed Shehu, who stated this at the North East Humanitarian Summit held in Maiduguri yesterday at a ceremony to mark the World Humanitarian Day, said that the day was designated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to celebrate the spirit of those brutally murdered by terrorists who attacked the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq in the afternoon of August 19, 2003 and killed at least 22 people, including the United Nations’ Special Representative in Iraq Sérgio Vieira de Mello, and wounded over 100.

He said the summit was to guide and support comprehensive and coordinated humanitarian efforts and honour those who lost their lives in humanitarian services and those who continued to bring assistances and relief to millions.

“The present security challenges in Borno have left thousands of families without homes and loved ones. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are not well taking care of by both national and international actors, as they are over looked in all interven-

tions and don’t exist in the framework and thematic areas of most interventions,” Ambassador Shehu reiterated.

He said the North-eastern part of Nigeria, and Maiduguri in particular, continues to face severe humanitarian crisis with Boko Haram insurgency and counter insurgency measures, resulting in death and human right violations further exacerbating the plight of vulnerable civilians and triggering waves of forced displacements.

In his remarks, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), Head in Nigeria, Mr Simon Taylor said: “We celebrate fallen heroes who died in offering humanitarian assistance and also offer solutions to humanitarian crisis which causes massive human suffering. Humanitarian workers should be able to access those who need assistance in times of humanitarian crisis.”

The representative of the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Bulama Mali Gubio said, “The crisis in Borno State is different from those in Afghanistan, Somalia and other parts of the world, as the Boko Haram terrorists not only kill people but they also destroy houses, maim, abduct, rape women and commit other heinous crimes beyond human imaginations.”

He appealed to the international community to assist in the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement process, so that the IDPs will return to their various communities to pick up the pieces of their lives.

L-R: Executive Director, The Sun Newspapers, Mr. Bolaji Tunji; Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Steve Nwosu; President Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Managing Director, The Sun Newspapers, Mr. Eric Osagie; Actress, Princess Chineke, at ‘The Walk Against Domestic Violence’ organised by the media house in Lagos...on Saturday

Falling reserves cast doubt over CBN’s naira defence T Tony Chukwunyem

here are growing doubts over Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) ability to defend the naira following the steady decline in the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

CBN data shows that the reserves stood at $25.8 billion on August 16, the lowest since 2005 and down from almost $50 billion in 2013. They now equate to less than six months of imports, which undermines the apex bank’s ability to defend the naira, according to analysts at Rand Merchant Bank.

The naira reached a record low of N365.25 against the dollar on Thursday, its worst decline on the inter-

bank forex market since the new flexible exchange rate policy commenced. Indeed, forex dealers point out that but for the CBN’s interventions almost on a daily basis to boost liquidity in the market via dollar sales, the naira would have fared much worse against the dollar.

Market analysts attribute poor liquidity in the market and the attendant weakness of the naira to the continued reluctance of foreign investors to return to the country despite several measures introduced by the CBN to lure them back.

In addition to liberalising the forex market, the regulator has hiked interest rates from 12 per cent to 14 per cent and it has been offering treasury bills at high rates to attract offshore

flows into the country.

As a forex trader put it: “The Central Bank is trying to drive the economy with bills and bonds; they are offering securities at such high yields.”

Also, in a move it said will help narrow the wide gap between the official and parallel market rates as well as boost dollar liquidity, the CBN last month told international money transfer operators to pay dollar proceeds from customer transfers into local commercial banks in naira, while selling the dollars themselves to Bureaux de Change (BDC) outlets.

A few days ago, the banking watchdog pegged the dollar transactions which banks can carry out with BDCs at $50,000 per week

and set a margin for the banks to sell dollar to currency outlets at not more than 1.5 per cent over the rate at which they bought.

However, a treasurer at a tier one bank, who asked not to be named, argued that unless there was significant accretion to the foreign reserves, the CBN would not be able to sustain its defence of the naira.

He said: “The key to the CBN’s continued defence of the naira depends on the level of the country’s foreign reserves. Given that the price of crude oil, our major export, is still below $50 per barrel, I don’t see the reserves recovering anytime soon. So unless foreign investors agree to return, the naira will continue to depreciate against the dollar.”

Militants blow up NPDC’s major trunk, delivery line in Delta

Dominic Adewole, ASABA

F

ew hours after the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major-General Kasimu Abdulkarim visited Asaba, the Delta State capital, and threw his weight behind the military exercise in the creek, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate has blown up another major oil installation in Urhobo axis.

The facility, a major trunk/delivery line that was blown up on Friday night, is being operated

by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company in Udu Local Government

Area of the state.

The group also warned the oil firm not to embark on any repairs, pending when signals come from them..

The spokesperson of the group, Gen. Aldo Agbalaja, who claimed responsibility for the bombardment in a press statement tagged “Ours is not a Blind Campaign,” few minutes after the explosion, said, peace cannot be realised in an unjust environment.

“Like we said from the onset, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate is not just about causing calamity and delighting in chaos, rather a child of circumstance, born to correct an injustice that has brought upon us, from

the time of our fathers.

“We are in this struggle, not to create any acrimony with our friends and brothers in the riverine axis, who are equal citizens of this over-sapped region, but to call the attention of the world to our peculiar experience; that we, as people of diverse tongues and orientation, have kept faith with both the Nigerian government and oil multinationals over the years, by being peaceful, patient and law abiding all through the years, but have in turn been abused and abandoned by these same supposed partners.

“They have all along taken our quietness and disposition for peace and

choice for orderliness for granted. We have watched and seen that they only encourage lawlessness and violence”, the statement read.

While the group maintained that its “quietness and disposition for peace” have since been used by the Federal Government to shortchange the people of the region, it has rearranged itself and chosen the line of action they (the Federal Government) knows how best to quickly respond to.

“Peace and order are not strangers to us, as a matter of fact, they are the way we have chosen for long and thus its difficult for us to revert to, only that they will not cheap this time;

they have to be bought with mutual faith and doing right to our people and our lands”, the statement further explained.

Listing its demands, the in clear terms urged the Federal Government, to in sincerity and forthrightness, call for an urgent and all encompassing meeting of genuine stakeholders of the core Niger Delta communities, especially those from oil producing communities. “This”, according to the group would truly create a Niger Delta platform, where real issues of injustice will be discussed. The oil multinationals must be part of this and the United Nations should serve as

witness to this along side some very credible international NGOS. “While the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate is not opposed to the on going negotiations between the Federal Government, oil companies and the Ijaw elements of our region, we are not comfortable that this is going on with an impression that it is the whole of Niger Delta that is involved, we demand that the federal government call for a selection of very credible persons from all regions who are who understand the pains of our people and not some political criminals with names who are looking for breast pocket money.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 21, AUGUST, 2016

PDP: INEC recruiting APC members for Edo election T Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he race for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State heightened over the weekend with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state of recruiting loyalists of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as ad-hoc staff for the election.

PDP, in a statement by the spokesperson of its National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye on Saturday, said it has video evidence exposing INEC officials in Edo State of compromising the outcome of the gubernatorial election even before the votes are cast.

The electoral umpire has, however, denied this, saying ad hoc staff do not congregate during recruitment exercise.

PDP said in the statement: “We have once again uncovered another plot by the electoral umpire in Edo State to rig the gubernatorial election in favour of the government in power in the state.

“There is clear evidence available to us showing how INEC officials are recruiting APC members as ad-hoc staff to rig the election for the APC candidate in the Saturday, September 10 governorship election in the state.”

The party warned that it will not tolerate any act of sabotage, and advised INEC to recruit neutral and credible Nigerians without

partisan interest as ad-hoc staff to maintain their neutrality in the process.

“We will not accept anything short of free, fair and credible process leading to the gubernatorial poll in Edo State.

“We wish to assure INEC and the APC of our cooperation for a successful election but will not accept an election that is already compromised before the actual poll,” the statement added.

The party further advised INEC to avoid inconclusive election in Edo State and to put everything together for a hitch free poll.

But Oluwale Osaze-Uzzi, Director, Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) at INEC headquarters in Abuja, faulted the allegation of partisan recruitment of ad hoc staff.

Osaze-Uzzi said in an interview that only members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and staff of federal institutions are used for the conduct of elections.

“Are they APC members?

I don’t know; if they are APC members give us the information.

“We don’t recruit anyhow; people have to apply to indicate interest. It is only in training that they come together in a congregation.

We don’t do recruitment drive where people come in a parade ground.

“How do they know they are APC members? Did they identify anybody?” he asked.

Osaze, however, promised to dig further into the allegation if the video is sent to him.

L-R: MD/CEO, Haven Homes, Mr. Tayo Sonuga; General Secretary, Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State (AREDOLS) Hon. Olumegbon Mutairu; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN; Publisher, City People Magazine, Mr. Seye Kehinde, during the 1st City People Real Estate and Housing Lecture with the theme, ‘Moving the Real Estate Sector Forward: My Thoughts, My Ideas’ at the Planet One Hotel, Maryland, Lagos...on Friday

African Central Govs elect Emefiele President •Harp on diversification of economies, import reduction Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

T

he Association of African Central Bank Governors (AACB) has elected the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, as the president of the association for the 2016-2017 year.

Rising from its 39th Ordinary Meeting in Abuja late Friday, the association harped on the necessity for the governments of African nations to diversify their economies, improve exports and limit imports.

Elected alongside Emefiele, to run the affairs of the association for the

period are the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, as chairman of the West African sub-region; Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania as chairman of the North African subregion; and the Governor of the Bank of Central African States, as chairman of the Central African Subregion.

Also elected were the Governor, Banque de la Republique du Burundi, as chairman of the East African Sub-region and Governor of the Central Bank of the Kingdom of Swaziland, as chairman of the Southern African Sub-region.

Reading the communique at the end of the meet-

ing of CBN chiefs, the new AACB President, Emefiele disclosed that the nomination for the Vice Chairman of AACB, which is zoned to the South African Subregion, would be made known in due course.

The Assembly of Governors also chose: “Prospects for monetary integration in Africa: Lessons learned from the experience of monetary and financial integration of Europe,” as theme for its 2017 symposium.

According to the communique, the meeting noted that the unwinding of unconventional monetary policy measures, adopted during the financial crisis

by the United States Federal Reserve and central banks of developed countries, could have a negative impact on African countries due to the interconnectedness of economies.

However, the Congress noted that the unwinding of unconventional monetary policy could be an opportunity for African countries to develop appropriate measures to strengthen their resilience in the face of exogenous shocks.

The Governors therefore said that it was necessary for African countries to diversify their economies and improve exports, while limiting imports.

NEWS

‘Avengers’ll get Biafra treatment’ Continues from page 3

The agitations you see today are the responses of the young people to the many unjust realities they are being forced to live with. We as the elderly will always urge caution but young people will always call for action.”

Nworgu explained that the Igbo nation had continued to reach out to every section of the country in genuine nationalistic passion to seek ways to make Nigeria right but had always met with antagonism.

“We were at the Oputa Panel pushing for this same position. Before 1994, we have been calling for the restructuring of this country, nothing came of it instead they have become more brazen, tightening the noose around our neck. They are unapologetic about their impunity and lopsided perception of governance and mutual coexistence. They are quick to remind you of the civil war, threatening to fight again. So the growing agitations across geopolitical zones should not be a thing of surprise as the young do not endure like the old. What you see across the regions is the response to the injustices that are being forced on them.

“The core beneficiaries of the present malfunctioning political structure in Nigeria claims to desire one united Nigeria and an end to all secessionist agitations. That has also been the prayer of most of us but sadly, this same people, with every step and every policy, exclude and further push us out. For us, we see it as a deliberate plot to force us to make a rash decision so they can clampdown on us; more like giving a dog a bad name to shoot it. But these young ones care nothing about the plot, they are willing to face anything to redress the status quo and that is why these agitations thrive,” he said.

Nworgu, however, advised that the onus is on the Federal Government to show the rest of the country that it is committed to fair, equitable, just and peaceful coexistence among all component parts of the country.

“Yakubu Gowon, after the civil war, announced the 3R policy that ended a mere slogan. There was no truth in it, and as such nothing came of it.

“Those displaced by the civil war are yet to be effectively reintegrated into the nation’s polity till date. Neither is there any deliberate remedial policy or palliative to sincerely give the injured and marginalised, a sense of belonging,” he said.

Afenifere chieftain and elder statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, does not support the October 1 agitations. He said, “It is unfortunate. I don’t support secession. I believe the authority should

look into their complaints, which is about the restructuring of the country. All the economic problems in the country cannot be solved until we settled political problems. There can be no progress without political stability. There are a lot of agitations in the country and many people have told the president that only the implementation of the National Conference can solve the problem of everybody.

“I don’t support the call for secession by the Avengers. We saw the problems of agitations earlier and that is why some of us campaigned for a National Conference, which we did in 2014 and we listened to complaints of everybody at the conference. We can’t have progress in the country until everybody is satisfied about being in a federation.

“The Niger Delta people felt they are being marginalised; they believe they are being cheated. So, I believe there should be restructuring of the country. While some are talking about leaving the country, those of us who want peace are talking about restructuring.

As at the time of filling this report, the Natonal Publicity Secretary of Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) has not responded to the text message our correspondent sent to him, requesting for the forum’s comment.

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has reiterated its resolve to ensure the indivisibility of the Nigerian State, which has come under threat from different groups, in recent times.

In a swift response to the latest threat to declare a Republic of Niger Delta on October 1, the Nigerian Military yesterday, advised the agitating group to have a rethink, in its own interest.

Acting Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig.Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said the military was closely monitoring the activities of NDA and other associated groups.

He gave assurance that the Nigerian Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, will not relent in its bid to contain security threats staring the nation in the face.

“Nigeria will come out from its security challenges stronger, united and more prosperous, and the military, in liaison with other security agencies, will ensure the indivisibility of this country, and do everything within its rules of engagement to maintain and sustain the oneness of the country.

“Any group threatening to thwart the oneness of this nation should have a rethink, and not to be deceived by the enemy within or outside the country, as we are monitoring their activities closely,” the Defence spokesman said.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

news

Oyegun:Tinubu free to endorse guber aspirant Johnchuks Onuanyim

A Abuja.

midst the controversy that has threaten the endorsement of one of the Ondo State governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress by the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, the party yesterday gave a nod that he has a right to endorse any aspirant of his choice.

The APC National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, who stated this after a meeting with the 25 governorship aspirants from Ondo State, however, stated that individual endorsement or support cannot be taken as party’s endorsement.

The national leadership of APC had summoned the Ondo State governorship aspirants to the national headquarters of the party in Abuja over the crisis that had ensured on the alleged

...without unity you will lose –APC endorsement of Dr. Segun Abraham by the former Lagos state governor, Bola Tinubu.

Dr. Tunji Abayomi, a human right lawyer and one of the aspirants for the APC governorship ticket was the whistle blower of the endorsement of Abraham

by Tinubu.

But yesterday after the meeting with APC national leadership, Abayomi told journalists that he was not against Tinubu endorsing any aspirant as an individual, but that he should not force that on the party by asking the state executive to work for the endorsed aspirant.

He said, “If you had read my position well, you would have seen where I said the party leader can endorse anybody and work for the person but should not ask the state executive to queue behind such person or start campaigning”.

The party chairman stated, “We have all accepted that there is nothing wrong in any member of the party endorsing any of the aspirants”.

To clarify the position that an individual endorsement is not party’s endorsement, the APC national chairman said: “We have also accepted that there is no imposition. So, we have done clarification on endorsement and imposition”.

Addressing them earlier before the meeting went into closed door, the party’s national chairman told the aspirants that without unity on their part they would lose the Ondo State governorship poll slated for November.

He assured them that the party would conduct a free, fair and credible primaries and would expect them to support whoever that emerges as the flag bearer

of the party.

According to him, the national convention of the party that produced President Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential candidate of the party and subsequent primaries of the party should be a good testimony for the party on credible primaries.

He noted, “As far as we are concerned in this party, our objective is to ensure that the next governor of Ondo state will come from among you. So, everything we are going to talk about will be how to ensure that it is our choice that emerges in our primaries.

“We want you to advise us on the things you think we need to do to ensure that each and everyone of you will be happy with the process and will be sure in your heart that there will be free and fair primaries and that thereafter you will find it possible to support

the individual among you that we select as the flagbear of this party. When that happens, the road to the government house in Akure will be cleared.

Some of the aspirants that attended the meeting include: Dr. Olusegun Abrahim, Olusola Oke, Senator Ajayi Borrofice, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose-Ajasin, Prince Foluso Fayowa Adefemi, Hon. Bode Ayorinde, Ademola Adegoroye and Akinwale Akingbade.

Members of the National

Working Committee that include at the meeting were: National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Deputy National Chairman (South), Engr. Segun Oni, Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuiabu, National Vice Chairmen South East and South South.

Olusola Oke, who also spoke to journalists stated that they have accepted what the national leadership of the party said and await for the implementation.

Soyinka: International mediators to resolve Niger Delta crisis

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obel laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka, has disclosed that the services of international mediators will be sought to mediate between the Nigerian government and militants to resolve lingering crisis in the Niger Delta region.

The Niger Delta Avengers and other militants in recent time have been bombing oil installations in the Niger Delta, thus, crippling the economy of the nation.

Soyinka, who spoke at Westminster, London during the launch of two major African literatures told the audience that all hope was not lost in Africa notwithstanding challenges of nation-building and difficult economic situations, some of which led to violence in the continent.

He said the current violence

in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and the blowing up of oil installation by some militants was an example of such economic frustration and a feeling of inequality among people who suffered most from the effect of extractive economies.

The Nobel laureate disclosed that an international observatory post of which he would be involved had held preliminary discussions with President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the militants to resolve the crisis in the region.

He further said consultation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby; some members of the British Parliament, the Asantehene, Osei Tutu II would be pursued as an international mediation effort to help bring peace to the afflicted region.

Maduekwe laid to rest in Abia

T All Progressives Congress (APC ) governorship candidate in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki(right); receiving royal blessings from the Onojie of Uzea, Solomon Iluobe, in Esan North East Local Government Area of the state during Obaseki’s visit to Uzea at the weekend.

PHOTO:NAN

Flood destroys 120 houses, farms in Jigawa

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lood has destroyed 120 houses and washed away farms and other valuables worth million of naira in Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Sai’du Yusif (APC-Jahun/Miga) made the figure known to newsmen after visiting the victims to sympathise with them.

Yusuf said the report received from the victims, indicated that about 120 houses, foodstuffs and other valuables were destroyed by flood.

The lawmaker, accompanied by Chief Whip, Hon. Alasan Doguwa and Nation-

l As govt releases N280m for hajj al Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) official, said he came to sympathise with the victims.

Yusuf said he came in company of Alasan, who represented the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, to assess the level of damages caused by the flood for appropriate action.

The Chief Whip donated N500,000 to the victims to assuage their sufferings.

Yusuf declined comments on his donation, saying ``it is between me and God’’.

But it was learnt that he had donated cash, 50 sacks of maize, 50 bundles of wrappers and 60 bundles of bro-

cade popularly known as “Shadda” to the victims.

He pledged to move a motion of urgent national importance when he returns to the house to find lasting solution to the flood that had been ravaging the council annually.

Meanwhile, Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa, on Saturday, said he had released the sum of N280 million for the 2016 Hajj operation.

Badaru made this disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the departure of some intending pilgrims from the state at Dutse International Airport to Saudi Arabia.

He explained that the money would be used for the feeding of the pilgrims and other contingencies during the Hajj in the holy land.

According to him, the same amount was approved and released for the expenditure of 2015 pilgrimage.

“The state government has done everything possible to take care of our pilgrims and make them comfortable in the holy land,” he said.

The governor said that the pilgrims had been advised to abide by the rules set out by the Hajj Commission, adding that, this was why their screening was thorough.

he remains of a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, were buried at his hometown, Asaga in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia on Saturday.

Maduekwe, who was also Minister of Culture and Tourism as well as Transport, who died at the age of 71, was buried after a service by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.

Some of his friends and associates described him as a man of ideas and one who was greatly interested in nation building.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia said that the people of Abia were proud of the deceased because he lived a life worthy of emulation.

Ikpeazu said that the responsibility of living according to the values Maduekwe represented in life rested ``on our shoulders’’ and added that Nigeria had lost a great patriot.

The governor described Maduekwe as a wonderful family man, worthy ambassador of Nigeria, a warrior of Asaga community and a

hero to the people of Abia.

He said that a lot had been said about the status and personality of the deceased but that the occasion ought to remind everyone about the transient nature of human life.

In his tribute, Mr Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters, lauded Maduekwe for his numerous contributions to the development of Nigeria.

Enang said that the deceased was intelligent, dutiful and hardworking and would be dearly missed for his commitment, especially as he still had a lot to contribute to Nigeria’s development.

Also, the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said that it was gratifying to note that “the late icon, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, lived a life of service to God and his nation.”

Akpabio commiserated with members of the family and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

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News

Ooni: Nigeria’s greatness lies in culture promotion

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Muritala Ayinla oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, yesterday, said Nigeria has every reason to be great like other developed countries, if only the nation could promote her cultural norms and values, like other developing nations.

The royal father, who also traced his life achievements and successes to Lagos, described Lagos as the most accommodating city in the world, urging the state government to do everything possible to uphold Lagos cultural heritage.

Speaking at the 3rd Festival Colloquium held at the Muscon Centre, Onikan, Oba Ogunwusi, called on the Federal Government to use culture and tradition as tools for social development, adding that nations that value their cultural heritage experience rapid development.

...traces success to Lagos

He said: “Indians can never toy with their culture; Chinese will never throw away their heritage. That’s why those nations are great. So, we must work together to ensure that our cultural values are not eroded.”

Oba Ogunwusi, who spoke on the theme of the colloquium entitled:”Tourism Potential in Yorubaland: Landmarks, Culture and History”, said it was wrong to name those who uphold the cultural heritage as idol worshippers, adding that only those who challenge the power of Almighty God should be seen as idol worshippers.

Stressing the importance of culture and tradition, the Ooni, who described them as stronger than religion and what essentially bind a people together and veritable tools in the preservation of a people’s heritage.

The monarch called for

the use of tourism as a tool for economic development and emancipation of the less privileged in the society.

The Ooni of Ife, however, called on the Lagos State Government to uphold the culture accommodating visitors, saying his achievements and successes could be traced to Lagos,saying that has given hope to so many people and including him, saying: “I came to Lagos with nothing but I have achieved so many things in this great state.”

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos on Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola reiterated the determination of the Lagos State government to explore the state’s tourism potential for economic development.

She added that the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos has made many people to think Lagos has no unique culture, assuring that the Lagos @50

celebration would showcase all the cultures, values that different Lagos from other states.

“We are looking forward to world class event showcasing our achievements heritage, our culture and huge potentials that promises a prosperous future. This celebration will be about legacy, prosperity, and good life that we are working to bequeath to our children and generation coming behind. This golden jubilee celebration will show Lagos for it is; a home for all and of opportunities where dream are made and fulfilled,”she said.

On his part, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, said the Federal Government would continue to explore the Nigeria’s cultural values and tourism potential abound in the country to take the nation to her rightful position in the comity of other culturally rich and developed countries.

Bakers, sellers war over bread in Nsukka Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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aster Bread Bakers and sellers are now at loggerheads over the control of sales and supply of bread in the university town of Nsukka, Enugu State.

Sequel to this, the feud has led to the dissolution of the Nsukka Urban Bread Sellers Association by the Nsukka Local Government Council boss, Prof. (Mrs.) Rose Onah.

Aggrieved members of the association through their solicitor, Mr. L.U Eze, petitioned Nsukka Local Government Council over their chairman’s alleged high-handedness, gross misconduct, embezzlement, greed and usurping of office for two terms without conducting an election and running the association like a personal enterprise.

The aggrieved members, in the petition signed by Ugwu George and two others, requested the council boss to dissolve their executives led

by Chikodili Onah for alleged refusal to conduct election and give detailed account of

the association for the past six years he allegedly imposed himself on the association as chairman.

Reacting to the allegations, the embattled chairman, Chikodili Onah, said that he was still in-charge of Nsukka Urban Bread Sellers Association, explaining that all the allegations were false, unfounded and baseless as the petitioners were being used to distabilise the association because of his poor bread quality.

Onah pointed out that the disgruntled members of the association fed Nsukka Local Government Council boss with false information to undermine the exco of the association, pointing out that the council boss has no right to dissolve and constitute a caretaker committee because the association was not an affiliate of the council.

When contacted, the chairman of Nsukka Zonal Master Barkers Mr. Matthew Okwudili said that the bread sellers had on June 1, 2016 approached Master Bakers Association and complained about its activities.

Nigeria dead since 2014 –IPOB Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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L-R: Former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Yekini Adeojo; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, during the 8th-day Fidau prayer for Teslim’s mother, Alhaja Sidikat Folarin, in Ibadan... at the weekend.

PHOTO: OYO STATE GOVERNMENT

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inister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has said that his Ministry has concluded work on a National Hosing Programme that will be sustainable and acceptable to diverse sections of the country.

He also disclosed that not less than N36 billion was appropriated for the sector in the 2016 budget.

Fashola, who was the immediate past governor of Lagos State, made these disclosures in Lagos on Friday, at the 1st City People Real Estate and Housing Lecture.

He said in his lecture titled, “My Thoughts on How to Move the Housing Sector Forward”, that though the amount is not a lot by any measure, however, when compared with N1.8 billion budgeted by the last administration it is a 1900 per cent increase.

He said: “Our first thoughts and actions are to avoid the

Road map on national housing programme ready –Fashola l Says N36bn allocated for sector in 2016 budget limitations of the past initiatives and deliver a sustainable programme of National Housing, which has wide acceptability.

“The Roadmap to this in our view is to evolve nationally acceptable designs that respond to and accommodate our diversity.

“I am happy to announce that we have concluded this, starting from about 21different designs, working down to 12, and concluding on six.

He listed the designs as follows: a).1,2 and 3-bedroom bungalows, with court yards, that respond to the climate situation and cultural leanings of the North, to be built in states in the North East, North West and North Central parts

of Nigeria; b) blocks of 16 and 24 flats of 1,2 and 3 bedrooms and bungalows of 1 and 2 bedrooms to be built in the SouthSouth, South-East and SouthWest of Nigeria and the FCT. According to him, these are broad classifications without details of special adaptations to be made in some states, based on the Ministry’s research and the experience of its diverse team of architects who come from all parts of Nigeria.

Fashola, said that these designs do not contemplate those who want duplexes or bigger houses.

“They contemplate those who we think are in the majority and who are the most vulnerable.

“The first-time home own-

ers, who do not earn large incomes, in the civil service, junior workers in private companies, young families where husband and wife can pool their incomes together to qualify, artisans, drivers, market men and women, whose income bracket falls within grade levels 9 – 15 in the public service.”

The Minister explained that though the figure is uncertain, the country’s housing deficit, what the government’s take is that no matter the size of the deficit, it can be addressed if there is a sustainable plan that is rigorously implemented, while awaiting the conduct of a more credible census.

he Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday declared that Nigeria ceased to be a nation on January 1, 2014 when its centenary was celebrated.

The pro-Biafra group, quoted Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed’s exclamation that “Nigeria is not a nation, but a conglomerate of nationalities,” and asserted that “Nigeria was a 1914 British selfish-motivated formation. The British amalgamation fraud by design as provided by its creator at the point of creation was to end in 100 years.”

In a statement signed by Mazi Uchenna Asiegbu, Head, Directorate of State in IPOB, the group firmly demanded the unconditional

release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, adding that it is either Biafra or death “It then behooves on every sensible and sensitive person to appreciate the hard fact that it is no longer one Nigeria business as it used to be as things are no longer at ease. These indicators and developments speak volume and surely, calls for a different approach in a different time.

“Since the enclave is now in a different mood and the signs are ominous that the real change (not like the APC blue change of the more you look, the less you see), is eminently taking place. It is only a prodigal entity as represented by the movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in this case that will throw caution to the wind for a paltry sum of an amount,” he said.

AIG takes over case of man who named dog ‘Buhari’

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he case file of the man who named his dog ‘Buhari’ has been transferred from Abeokuta, Ogun State, to Lagos at the behest of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for the Zone II Command Headquarters in Lagos, Abdulmajid Ali. Speaking on the development, Ogun State police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said Saturday: “For now, the AIG Zone II has called for a meeting that we want to call the parties involved in the matter to

see how the matter could be resolved.”

Joe Chinakwe, 30, was arrested and confined to a police cell in Sango Otta, Ogun State, for three days last week after a neighbour complained that he named his dog ‘Buhari’.

The neighbour, who police identified as Halilu Umar from Sokoto State, reportedly told the police that Mr Chinakwe’s decision was aimed at spiting and ridiculing his father who also happened to be named ‘Alhaji Buhari.’

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The Sunday Magazine

SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Paucity of cash not affecting womanising in Nigeria •As hotel operators in Lagos cry over double taxation Nite clubbing, womanising as well as other expensive lifestyles are surprisingly not on the decline despite the harsh economic condition in Nigeria of today. This is evident in Lagos, as new hotels, lounges and entertainment centres are springing up in various areas of the state especially in Arowofela area of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government CHIJIOKE IREMEKA reports

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roliferation of hospitality centres, night clubs among others with short-rest services, have been observed around Arowofela area of Lagos State, along Iju-Ishaga Road in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of the state, despite the harsh economic condition sweeping across the country.

This, perhaps, is the manifestation of an earlier position of hospitality experts that the business may not be affected by the wave of this tempest. It was once forecast by economists that while every other sector of the Nigerian economy may be affected, this section will wax stronger in the midst of the dwindling economy for obvious reasons.

The hospitality consultants said, in spite of the rate of hunger in the country, the indulgence of fun-seekers in consumption of alcohol and hot pepper soups would keep them going. This is believed to act as a palliative to cushion the economic situations. Those involved have insisted that these habits would douse their apprehension about life and consequently have positive effects on the profit margin of the operators of the entertainment centres.

Sunday Telegraph visited Arowofela, along Iju-Ishaga Road in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of the State, where cluster of hotels, guesthouses, open bars, lounges and night clubs and adult bars were discovered under different names.

It was also discovered that these outfits are located in the same area but their closeness to one another does not pose any threat as they have their peculiar characteristics, according to the Manager of a two-weeks-old hotel and Lounge in the area, Mr. Sunday Albert.

He noted that the operators and managers of these hospitality centres are in the habit of visiting and patronising themselves. “I have visited some of these clubs. We do not fight, rather we see ourselves as friends in business.”

According to him, each club has its own activities, adding that, each has its certain class of customers that patronise them, which determines services to be rendered. Albert stressed, “There are other hotels on the axis but I can tell you that the competition is not much. It’s okay because each centre has its own peculiar services and programmes. Our

The interior of a club

own activities are different from others.

We have different sets of customers. The environment is okay and the calibre of people here are the types of customers we crave for.

“In my own place, we run Nite Club upstairs, open bar downstairs and lodging accommodation services.

He added: “Wednesdays is our ‘Ladies’ Night. On Thursdays, we have general party, where you can come in with your friends, dance, drink and go. While, Fridays is for live musical band performance till dawn. We have maximum security on board as well as bouncers to protect our customers. The admission is free, provided the person buys drinks.

Others operate Nite Clubs but we still do our business. We cooperate with one another. We are still test-running the hotel.

I can’t really comment on the impact of economy on our business because we just started. But so far, so good, the patronage has been good.”

However, during Sunday Telegraph’s visit to the area, it was gathered that over nine different hotels and Nite Clubs are located in the same area, which makes one wonder at the level of competition.

It was also discovered that most Nigerians defy the harsh economic situation in the country to patronise these hospitality centres basically to relax.

Many of our respondents said they take to occasional drinking and smoking to ease off excessive tension in the country.

To the fun-seekers, this is an alternative happiness. “If I go drinking, I cool off some tension,” said Mr. Anthony Chukwuma.

He believes that going to the club and open bars to drink and dance with friends would ease his challenges and help him achieve momentarily pleasure and forget the situation in the country. “I came to catch some fun and forget everything troubling me for now,” he added.

A supervisor in one of the bars who

Oriarewo

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016

Sunday Magazine

nite clubbing, spoke to Sunday Telegraph on ground of anonymity, said customers still come around to patronise them despite the economic situation.

According to him, people can only stop taking alcoholic drinks and pepper soups when life is no more.

“We open business from 9am to 12 midnight. We give our bar on hire for activities like wedding and other ceremonies.

We make and sell ‘suya’ to our customers and we welcome all customers but those with bags are frisked for security reasons,” he said.

Uvie Oghenevo, one of the customers we spoke to, said, whether there is cash crunch or not, life must go on. “I will stop eating pepper soups and drinking alcohol when I’m dead. These are some of the things that keep both the poor and rich happy. Lack of money does not stop drinking, clubbing and having ladies around you, for these are the things that keep you when you don’t have money,” he said.

Another customer, Jide Akanbi, said drinking and clubbing are part of the things he does to while away time after work. Jide, a factory worker said, after much work in an enclosed factory, he takes solace in relaxing with his friends and associates in clubs.

Of course, the presence of mammoth customers at these entertainment centres, does not in any way, point to the fact that there is cash crunch in the country. Going by this, one would infer that drinking, clubbing and visiting of short-rest kind of accommodations are a lifestyle and habit developed over a long period of time.

In as much as these entertainment centres are making marginal profits, the operators are complaining bitterly of the effect of double taxation from the federal and state governments. The cost of generating electricity and provision of security are some of the overhead cost they are grappling with.

Speaking on the challenges facing hospitality business in the area, and perhaps, in the state, the Managing Director of one of the hotels, Mr. Leonidas Ihonre Oriarewo, said hospitality business is seen by non-operators as lucrative, but it is a different ball game as the cost of running hotels is very high.

He added, “Even before the prices of goods and services sky rocketed, hotel business has been an expensive venture.

Making your customers comfortable

A Lagos night club

takes a lot of sacrifices.

“The provision of uninterrupted power supply in Nigeria is capital intensive for you to keep doing business as hoteliers.

Other facilities to give maximum comfort must be in place. These, on its own eat into your profit margin.

“Tax remission to government, both the federal and state is a thing you must be ready stomach if you must succeed as an hotelier. Five per cent Value Added Tax must be paid to the federal revenue agency. When you secretly include this to value of services provided you will be pricing yourself out of business. So, to avoid this, we charge normal rates for services and this has not been good for business. The same goes for the Lagos state’s Consumption Tax where five per cent is charged. I see this as double taxation when you look at the five percent charged by the federal government it means we are paying 10 per cent tax.

“These charges can’t be conveniently transferred on the customers. What we have been doing to stay in business is to painfully sell at lower prices the same with what obtains in the community.

A lot of hotels are consistently circumventing the tax authorities and are not bothered about the Value Added Tax on services, but those of us that have submitted ourselves as law abiding citizens, are the ones suffering the cut throat double taxation. As a Chartered Accountant, I know what to do with taxes.

“Local government officials come with liquor, television and TV licensing among other mandatory taxes. They also impose their clients on us on fumigation of our environment.

“Whether you like it or not, you are compelled to patronize their recommended agencies when the same services can be rendered better and cheaper by other private outfits. These are some of the challenges we have in this business. Poor road network is another problem here.

Even, when these tax officers and local government officials come to collect revenue, they pack their vehicles far away from here and walk in because the road to the street is riddled with pot holes.

Despite this, patronage by fun seeking Nigerians has not been affected, the bars are always filled to the brim at weekends.

An evidence that Nigerians are thinking more of catching fun than mulling over the biting economic problem in the country," he said.

Your life span depends on how long your parents live T he longer our parents lived, the longer we are likely to live ourselves, and the more likely we are to stay healthy in our sixties and seventies, according to new research.

In fact, having parents who live longer means we have much lower rates of a range of heart conditions and some cancers.

The major study was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) involving almost 190,000 participants in the UK. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, was led by the University of Exeter and involved an international team of academics from the University of Cambridge (UK), UConn Center on Ageing at UConn Connecticut, USA, the French National Institute of Health, and the Indian Institute of Public Health. Health in It found evidence showing for the first time that knowing the age at which your parents died could help predict your risk not only of heart disease, but many aspects of heart and circulatory health.

The researchers used data on the health of 186,000 middle-aged offspring, aged 55 to 73 years, followed over a period of up to eight years. The team found that those with longer lived parents had lower incidence of multiple circulatory conditions including heart disease, heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and atrial fibrillation.

For example, the risk of death from heart disease was 20% lower for each decade that at least one parent lived beyond the age of 70 years. In addition, those with longer lived parents also had reduced risk of cancer; 7% reduced likelihood of cancer in the follow-up per longer-lived parent.

Although factors such as smoking, high alcohol consumption, low physical activity and obesity were important, the lifespan of our parents was still predictive of disease onset after accounting for these risks.

Dr Janice Atkins, a Research Fellow in the Epidemiology and Public Health group at the University of Exeter Medical School and lead author on the paper, said: “To our knowledge, this is the largest study to show that the longer your parents live, the more likely you are to remain healthy in your sixties and seventies. Asking about parents’ longevity could help us predict our likelihood of ageing well and developing conditions such as heart disease, in order to identify

patients at higher or lower risk in time to treat them appropriately.”

The study built on previous findings published by researchers earlier this year, which established a genetic link between parents’ longevity and heart disease risk. That paper, published in the journal Aging, studied 75,000 participants and found that offspring of longer-lived parents were more likely to have protective variants of genes liked to coronary artery disease, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, Type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and Alzheimer's disease.

A lead author of the second study, said: “This work helps us identify genetic variations explaining the better health of people with longer-lived parents.

We prominently found genetic factors linked to blood pressure, cholesterol levels and smoking, which underlines how important these avoidable and treatable risks are. However, we also found novel genetic factors, which could provide new clues to help us understand why having longer-lived parents has health benefits.”

Professor David Melzer, who leads the research programme, said: “It’s been unclear why some older people develop heart conditions in their sixties while others only develop these conditions much later in life or even avoid them completely.

“Our research tells us that, while avoiding the well-known risk factors such as smoking is very important, there are also other factors inherited from parents. As we understand these parental factors better, we should be able to help more people to age well.”

Although factors such as smoking, high alcohol consumption, low physical activity and obesity were important, the lifespan of our parents was still predictive of disease onset after accounting for these risks

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

news Onyekachi Eze

T ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that Nigerians can no longer be hoodwinked by its propaganda, which earned the party victory in the 2015 general elections.

PDP also reminded the APC leaders that the time for honeymoon is over, and therefore, Nigerians expect them to deliver on their campaign promises.

The main opposition party, which is reacting to a statement credited to the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun on Friday, that N33 trillion of oil revenue was not accounted for in five years of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration, said the people are no longer interested in such highsounding figures meant only

PDP to APC: You can’t deceive Nigerians with lies again for entertainment purposes.

In a statement on Saturday by the spokesman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party regretted that such avoidable mischief especially on issues bordering on the nation’s economy, has continued to hunt the image of the country at a time the nation is in desperate need of investment from the international community.

“Without citing any credible sources, Odigie-Oyegun who has no proven economic background or the benefit of any known diligent research, had claimed that the nation earned N56 trillion in five years under Jonathan, even as he admitted that the total budget for those years amounted to only N23 tril-

lion which was less than half of the vaunted figures. ”Since no sources was cited for this ‘important’ piece of information, we are left to guess that he may have been inspired by a recent claim by other opportunist individuals that over N30 trillion may have been lost within the period in question.

“But should this or any other source that is yet to be verified by relevant authorities be relied upon as national information especially, as the purveyors of the halftruth always buckled when challenged for a proof?” PDP asked.

It observed that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, recently claimed that the

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had recovered more than $2 trillion (about N600 trillion at current exchange rate) in 12 years, allegedly looted from the national treasury, but wondered if such could be true at a time the country was seeking to borrow $3 billion to finance the 2016 budget deficit.

“It has since been proven that the nation’s aggregate earnings in the last 12 years from all sources is no where near that figure, yet the nation’s chief law officer is yet to recant the claim.

“We were also told last year by an APC governor that one of the ministers in Jonathan’s government stole $6 billion quoting unnamed United States government source. It

was only when the Americans repudiated that claim, that the falsehood was laid to rest,” the statement added.

PDP told the ruling party that such style of governance is not taking the nation anywhere, adding, “There is no doubt that it is this pattern of bare-faced lying, dishonesty and incompetence that has crippled our economy, utterly weakened our naira and raised unemployment levels to unprecedented proportions in only 15 months.

“The APC government has remained clueless and even confused as our economy plummeted to a level where the nation’s infrastructure has completely collapsed and Nigerians are no longer able to feed their children or send them to school.

“The reality of dwindling oil revenues and an economy forced into a recession by an inept administration is a challenge that requires sincerity, competence and a large dose of honesty to get us out of the woods; not the constant lies and deception that have unfortunately, become the house-style in the 15-month old of APC’s government.

“We wish to therefore advise the APC Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun to concentrate in helping the president and his party with ideas and policies that will revamp our ailing economy, restore our dignity abroad rather than the usual tantrum just to castigate previous PDP administration with a view to score cheap political point.”

Nigeria Internet connectivity to grow by 48 million by 2018-NCC Muhammad Kabir KANO

T

he Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) has said that there is steady growth of broadband spectrum penetration in the country with the Nation having 14 per cent growth from 10 in just one year.

Speaking during the Nigeria Digital Innovations Conference 2016 in Kano, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission Professor Umar Garba Dambatta, said with the speedy growth 48 millions Nigerians will witness penetration of internet broadband services amounting to 38 per cent growth by 2018.

Professor Dambatta said there is a mass movement of global digital society that is aimed at promot-

ing physical environment making it possible for NCC to be in the vanguard of making it Nigeria achieve this drive.

He said that with the growth of broadband spectrum penetration, the nation can be able to scan technology easily, national security surveillance system will be achieve and infrastructural development will be met on an easy ICT means.

The Minister of Communication, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, said in his address that states governments should endeavor to work with new ICT ideologies that tilt towards improving security and economic development.

He said the Federal Government is presently collaborating with government at state level to achieve the growth in broadband spectrum penetrations.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and his wife Folusho, welcoming the first ever summer campers of the Ogun State Model College, Ewekoro to a banquet at the Government House, Oke-Igbehin, Abeokuta...yesterday

Umahi suspends LG commissioner, disbands empowerment committee

Minister receives ICRC framework on airport concession Clem Khena-Ogbena Abuja

M

inister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has received the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) framework on airport concession, saying that this step taken was borne out of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s desire for effective and efficient management of the airports and adequate utilisation of the abundant skilled manpower in the Aviation sector.

The Minister reiterated the government’s resolve in this regard when the management of the Infrastructure

Concession Regulatory Commission led by its DirectorGeneral, Aminu Diko, visited his office to present the ‘Commission’s Framework for Addressing the Development of Public, Private Partnership Projects in Aviation Sector’.

A statement from the Office of the Minister, quoted him as saying, ‘’The best way to go is the Public-Private Partnership and so, we are going that way’’, adding that the concession of the airports will make the system grow faster, against what it would take the sector, owing to the paucity of funds in government, will be made easier by the partnerships to be entered into.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi yesterday suspended the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, Chief Samuel Okoronkwo.

He directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Dr. Ignatus Unah to take charge of the ministry while the most senior officer in the local government ministry should assist him.

Though no reason was given for the suspension, Sunday Telegraph learnt it had to do with the lopsided selection of youths in the state for the Industrial Training Fund programme of the Federal Government.

It was gathered that cabals in the state hijacked the exercise and selected their friends and relatives in Ebonyi North and Central senatorial zones as the beneficiaries and marginalized the south zone where Umahi hails from.

Annoyed, Umahi wielded the big stick and suspended Okoronkwo.

Umahi who announced the suspension while declaring open the ITF programme in Abakaliki, also disbanded the state’s Committee on Employment.

“The Commissioner for Local Government is hereby suspended from office effective from now and the highest officer; a civil servant should take over and be attending Exco until further notice.

Agric workers pass vote of confidence on Oyenubi

Agriculture and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN), Lagos Council, has passed, vote of confidence on the state Chairman, Comrade Obafemi Oyenubi, and dissociated itself from purported expulsion of their leader from the union.

The resolution was the outcome of the emergency state administrative council and state executive meeting held last Thursday in Lagos, as the executive members of the union dissociated their council from the acrimonious emergency National Executive Council meeting which took place on the 13th August, 2016 in Kaduna State from illegal expulsion of Comrade Oyenubi from the union.

The meeting which was attended by the branches executive of the group in the state and coordinated by the council State Secretary, Comrade Tayo Ayejumelo, said they resolved that the allegations leveled against the state chairman is not true and the purported action was as a result of the contest between Comrade Oyenubi and Simon Anchaver for presidency of the union, 2016.

The Lagos State Council dissociated themselves from anything that is not in line with the Federal Government’s law and disregard of the union’s onstitution.

No shortcut to greatness, Amosun counsels students

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday hosted participating students of the state’s model school summer camp and urged them to pursue educational attainment with determination and hard work.

Amosun also restated the commitment of his administration towards investing heavily in education to enhance human capital development and access to quality service delivery.

He spoke at a banquet held at the Government House, Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta shortly after the students concluded a two-kilometre endurance trek, amidst fanfare.

The state government had inaugurated the summer camp for about 250 students at the Model School, Ewekoro to kick-start the commencement of operations of the multibillion naira model schools in September for the 2016/2017 academic session.

Amosun, who was joined by his wife, Olufunso, the state Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga, and top government functionaries, enjoined the students to imbibe the lessons learnt during the camp.

According to him, the young ones are Nigeria’s future leaders and they must be well nurtured to fulfil their aspirations.

The governor stressed that there is no shortcut to greatness in life but through education and hardwork.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

OPINION 11

Senate: So, It was all about “Juicy” Committees?

Garba Abdulrasaq

“W

hen the dust settles, Nigerians will see clearly that this charge (trial) is nothing but a meretricious trash”.

- Sen. Ekweremadu I felt so sad, betrayed, and angry with myself as I read comments by the spokesperson of the Senate Unity Forum, Senator Kabiru Marafa, after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday 21st July 2016. They fooled me and us again, I said to myself.

Asked by State House Correspondents if the charges against Saraki and Ekweremadu could be dropped now that the Senate President has yielded to their demands for “juicy” Standing Committees, Marafa said: “Yes, as long as the party comes in and the will of the party is respected. We are not at loggerhead with anybody.

It is not like we hate somebody. The current Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has been one of my very close friends and senior in the 7th assembly.

What you saw happened is what I will describe as loyalty to the party. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognizes only the party, it doesn’t recognize any individual.

“We didn’t go to court because we didn’t like the faces of those that emerged, but this is the will of our party. During the 7th assembly, we accorded the ruling party at that time the utmost cooperation and we knew the committees that we were given that time. But now, we are in power it is our own time and we should be accorded all the necessary cooperation. We should be seen to respect the party. If the party says withdraw the case, we will go on to withdraw the case”.

I even felt more aggrieved when a former neighbour in Lagos who now lives on the same street with Senator Marafa in Abuja told me that Marafa even threw an in-house party to celebrate his landing of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), considered by the

Unity Forum to be very “juicy”.

Although many Nigerians raised some ordinarily argued, at the inception of Saraki’s trial, that could he have been arraigned if he had allowed the big heads in his party and presidency to have their way in the choice of Presiding Officers and Principal Officers of the Senate, but my attitude was that Nigerians had suffered enough in the hands of their so-called leaders. As such, whatever soul that sinned or whoever ate pour yam, must face the law.

Sadly, the wailers and their ranks, which are now growing by the day, now laugh last. It is not about the ordinary Nigerian or about democracy, after all. I mean, to take the whole nation for a long, noisy, windy circus for 14 out of the 48 months of the first (and I pray the last) term of office by this administration, in the face of excruciating economic pains, merely for power sharing and profiteering, is just too ridiculous and atrocious for a party that soared to power on the wings of “change”.

Regarding the Senate forgery, however, I must admit that I was never really convinced that the invitation/petitioning of the police (an executive agency) by the Senate Unity Forum enjoys the blessing of the constitution because it was just some Senators inviting the police, rather than the Senate as an institution. Justice Gabriel Kolawole’s ruling sometime last year that the issue of Senate Standing Order is purely a domestic legislative affairs was later to reaffirm my opinion.

He went further to say that the option open to members aggrieved by any breach of its Rules or wrong decision was to muster the number to reverse such decision on the floor or cause the Senate to direct its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the matter, after which the Senate as a body would decide whether or not to invite the police and/or discipline any erring members.

But were we not so narrow-minded not to have known before now that we were being

fooled and that the whole shenanigan and grandstanding in the Senate was about Committee? It is now that I recall clearly that members of Unity Forum, the plaintiffs in suit FHC/ ABJ/CS/651/2015 contesting the authenticity of the Senate Standing Rule 2015, approached the Federal High Court with an ex-parte application seeking to restrain the Senate leadership from constituting the Chairman and Deputy Chairmen of Standing and Ad Hoc Committees pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”.

In refusing the application, however, Justice Kolawole, insisted that he did not “notice any substantial infraction on the 1999 Constitution”.

According to him, “The court is not created to supervise the National Assembly in its activities, but can only intervene where there is substantial infraction on the constitution; where the NASS as the legislative arm of government is alleged to have contravened its own rules, the court as the third arm of government should be wary so as not to be seen as hijacking the powers of the NASS in handling its affairs; Members of the NASS should be trusted to be able to mobilise themselves to address issues on the floor”.

Now, relating Senator Marafa’s comments and the recent statement by the APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, that “we all find it very, very difficult to accept the emergence of a PDP person as his Deputy Senate President” (even though the APC enjoyed and praised bi-partisan National Assembly leadership under Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and also produced the current Speakers of Plateau and BenueAssemblies where their party is minority), one begins to understandAPC’s hypocrisy. What is more, only a few days ago, the APC again produced the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly where PDP is the majority.

Along-frustrated and embattled Alhaji MomohJimoh Lawal of the G-15 threw in the towel, while Umar Imam of G-5 was “elected” Speaker.

Much as these serial hypocrisy is condem-

nable, it nevertheless helps Nigerians to see more clearly why the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, a former legal counsel to the Senate Unity Forum, acted in a manner, which Justice Kolawole considered a “gross abuse of legal process”, “in a desperate haste”, and “not in public interests” in arraigning Saraki and Ekweremadu.

According to the Honourable Justice, “the said criminal charge dated 10/6/16 and attached as exhibit “B” to the Plaintiff’s ‘motion ex parte’ dated 23/6/16, given the course of these proceedings as I had in detail, highlighted, can only be seen as one that constitutes an ‘abuse of legal process’ to use the very words in section 174(3) of the constitution”.

He lamented that whereas the AGF, by virtue of the Constitution, is compelled to stop any such abuse of legal process, “The converse situation, which the drafters of the constitution, perhaps never envisaged appears to have occurred in this case as the 2nd defendant (AGF) who is required, by Section 174(3) of the Constitution, to ‘discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or any other authority or person’ where such proceedings constitute ‘abuse of legal process’, is in fact the very person who initiated a criminal proceedings in a matter in which he had, as a private legal practitioner, acted for the one of the ‘interested’ Senators who had petitioned the 1st defendant (Inspector-General of Police) on 30/6/15”.

In summary, it is not about us, after all, but about elites’ selfish interest. This is another hope ruthlessly betrayed. In saner climes, heads would be rolling by now, starting with that of the AGF. Of all people on earth, Nigerians are to be pitied most. What a meretricious trash. Apologies, Ekweremadu.

Abdulrasaq writes from Lagos

The Integrated Produce City Phenomenon Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

N

igeria’s agricultural revolution is on the hop of a historic launch in Benin City, Edo State. The groundbreaking ceremony of the Integrated Produce City calls for national celebration. It is indeed epochal to bear witness to the inauguration of the Integrated Produce City which will serve as a regional wholesale produce market hub for farmers in eight or more Nigerian states. It will contain an agro-allied industrial park, serving about 50 local and international processing factories. There will also be a preservation park with silos and other preservation systems.

The city is crucially positioned as an export hub as well as agricultural equipments, implement, seeds and fertilizer hub. The necessary support infrastructure include: 24-hour electricity through the city’s gas turbine that guarantees embedded 25mw generation; 24-hour water supply of international industrial standard; treatment and conversion plants for effluent, waste water and sundry wastes etc.

The ennobling vision of the promoters of the Integrated Produce City is “to be the preferred African agricultural produce/products hub with a complete and integrated value chain solution for stakeholders with world class infrastructure and operation.”

The mission statement goes to the heart of the agricultural matter thus: “To develop a

sustainable agricultural produce/product hub that provides real value chain solutions for stakeholders using world-class resources: infrastructure/facilities, technology, human capital, and operations and thereby elevating the operations of stakeholders to meet international standards by operating a farmer-growth centered wholesale produce market, processing and preservation park with implement and export centers.”

According to Prof Pat Utomi the Chairman of the project, “Our core business is to invest time and other resources in building value adding relationships amongst agricultural value chain operators using premium human capital, strategy and appropriate technology and infrastructure in accordance with world best standards and practices and consequently create an effective and efficient system that will provide sustainable value for all the Agricultural value chain stakeholders.”

The Integrated Produce City initiative is indeed the pivotal way forward for Nigeria’s agricultural development. This is rooted in the belief that for agriculture to become a business for the farmer, four major opportunities must be present for the farmer, notably: opportunities for complete disposals of all the farmers’ produces or to keep the produce wholesome till sold; opportunities for good margins with profits; opportunity for credit from lenders; and finally, opportunity to increase production and/or reduce production/marketing losses. In its conception, the Integrated Produce City is aimed at making agriculture a

business for the farmers and thus help in reducing cost significantly for other stakeholders in the value chain.

The project has several world class partners and funders who are committed to the project and desire to meet all project objectives.

These partners and funders fully support the strong farmer-development focus of the project which tallies with their declaration that the farmer and the final consumers are the most valuable members of the value chain and they are equally the most vulnerable. There is no gainsaying that without the farmers and consumers there is no agriculture value chain.

Both the farmers and consumers were the focal points in the designing of the Integrated Produce City Concept, a concept that is not in existence in this complete package in any part of the globe. The Integrated Produce City provides unprecedented economy of scale for all stakeholders: farmers, processors, consumers, government, community etc. The city is comprehensive and well-integrated. It drives market structural change laden with value for all stakeholders with the broker operations. It is all capped with efficient power, water, and other physical and soft infrastructure.

Nigeria’s Integrated Produce City towers over its competitors all over the world because while it serves as a regional market the competitors remain as just municipal markets. For instance, the States of New York and California have over 12 such markets between them.

These markets have limited preservation facilities as opposed to Nigeria’s Integrated

Produce City. Most critically, these markets do not have processing facilities/factories that would have increased demand for produce from the farmer in a very fair exchange ensured by the structure and designed operations of the market.

To understand the quantum of business that Nigeria’s Integrated Produce City stands to make, it is important to cite the example of what the Johannesburg Produce Market showcases on an average trading day thusly: 10,000 farmers, 6,000 buyers, 3,500 pedestrians, 2,900 trucks, 5,000 light motor vehicles, and 35,000 people in total and 20,000 sales transactions.

The Integrated Produce City idea is indeed coming alive, and it is a clear case of government living up to the responsibility of providing an enabling environment and support for the private sector as demonstrated by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his economic team. Without them the project would have still been a dream. They were the fifth state approached to locate the project in their state but after five years of no significant result Edo responded in less than six months. The groundbreaking ceremony is slated for August 29, 2016 at the site at Ugbokun Community, Edo State, 27 kilometers from Benin on the BeninOre Expressway.

In a nutshell, the Integrated Produce City is indeed a giant business idea whose time has come.

Uzoatu writes from Lagos

12

Sunday Mail

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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thesundayletters@gmail. com and sundayletters@ newtelegraphonline.com

MAIL BAG

* Letters to the Editor

The Sunday Telegraph

Danger of sweeping generalisations and stereotypes

Eneruvie Enakoko, Lagos

Hillary is it!

Dear Editor, Americans should unite to bring love not hate and divisiveness as traded by other party. According to Michelle Obama: “This, right now, (America) is the greatest country on earth.”

American greatness is not by the power of its military; it’s not by its economic prosperity; its power is the unending vision, and the intensity of its diversity and potent inclusiveness to explore the collective sense of imagination for possibilities. The future of America is bright and assured. Whosoever still doubts the exceptionalism of America is subjective with ulterior motives. A country of immigrants who have imagination, ingenuity and possibility. A country of “we the people.” The inclusiveness of American core values is what makes her great.

Do not stay at home not to vote in November; do not be complacent to allow bully to become your president in November. Republican party’s strength to underrate Barack Obama has now become its encumbrance. A strength taking too far becomes a weakness. President Obama is a vintage individual who understands how to put his

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Re: Paying lip service to made-in-Nigeria products Dear Editor,

Dear Editor, When President Muhammadu Buhari procrastinated for six months after being sworn into office and patriotic Nigerians reacted by constructively criticising his actions, Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina characterised them as “Wailing Wailers” and opposition sympathisers who were bemoaning their electoral loss. In the past few weeks, we have seen attacks on some communities in Lagos and Ogun states by suspected militants, but without due diligence and proper investigations by the police, those attacks have been ascribed to Ijaw militants. At times they even go further by mischaracterising the attackers as Niger Delta militants thus casting the whole Niger Delta region comprising not just Ijaws but over a 100 ethnic nationalities in a crude caricature. What is more painful is the fact that the media that is supposed to be a veritable tool for information and education has been more culpable in the feeding of this injurious narrative.

(

Some cobblers and their customers beneath Ojuelegba bridge in Lagos.

adversaries to shame with his dignity intact. History is stupendously on his side.

A strength taking too far becomes a weakness. As Hillary Clinton begins her journey to the White House as America’s next president, we thank Barack and Michelle Obama for bringing more glamour, respect and dignity to one of the magnificent houses in the world.

Let the party begin!!!

Yahaya Balogun, Arizona, USA.

40th anniversary of FESTAC Dear Editor, Thirty-nine years ago, Nigeria hosted the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC’77) in 1977.

The festival covered dance, drama, exhibition, boat regatta, durbar and colloquium. FESTAC ’77 was a deliberately orchestrated festival organised to showcase the beauty, resilience and vitality of Black and African cultures in its finest traditions. Expectedly, it attracted participants from 59 black and African descent that gathered together for the celebration of their rich cultural heritage in a rare show of solidarity. As an event, FESTAC was a watershed in the history of the black race. Apart from rekindling interest in black and African cultures and asserting its equality with other cultures of the world, more importantly, it brought global attention to the invaluable contribution

of the African race to the pool of universal knowledge. From all conceivable parameters, FESTAC ’77 was an unqualified success story that brought together for the first time in history the entire Black race and provided a platform for cross-cultural exchanges and interaction. It is most gratifying to note that FESTAC’77 was a platform used to debunk the western stereotype that the Blackman has no culture and, therefore, made little or no impact in world civilisation.

As an agency, the centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria via Decree 69 of 79, to keep the spirit of FESTAC ’77 alive.

Today, the centre has become a foremost agency for cultural advocacy both within and outside the continent of Africa. Now, plans are on by the centre to commemorate the 40th anniversary of FESTAC ’77 in the month of February, 2017. There will be an international colloquium, exhibition, drama and dance, documentary and demonstrations of arts and culture. The event which is expected to rekindle interest, in and showcase the contribution of Black and African people’s towards the extension of the frontiers of knowledge, would attract former heads of state and presidents of the 59 Black and African countries and communities that participated in the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture.

Ferdinand Anikwe, Abuja, FCT

Service delivery in Nigeria: A prognosis Dear Editor, Undoubtedly, Nigeria still suffers from abysmal service delivery, despite the numerous resources at her disposal, several reforms and; other policy initiatives formulated to address the issue. This is not unconnected with the abuse of public offices in Nigeria. While the masses are full of hope that the present administration of Buhari will favour all, some are still doubtful even when he is yet to complete his term. What is obvious from the start of his administration is that, while plans are ongoing on how to enhance the delivery of public goods and services to the masses, several government agencies are facing probes and many public officials standing trial for alleged misappropriation of public funds at the same time. From the foregoing, many will say that the appalling service delivery in the country is due to corruption, lack of integrity, transparency and accountability of public officials.

Of course, these are true. But there are certain human resource (HR) woes that have led to the birth of these aforementioned problems. These include election/ recruitment/appointment of unqualified candidate(s), falsification and forgery; nonchalant attitudes of public servants to work, God-fatherism, lack of team work, shallow belief system of officials. Election process in Nigeria has been monetized.

Thus, hungry citizens exchange their votes for financial rewards.

In so doing, there is the likelihood that wrong candidate(s) have been elected. In addition to this, it is the responsibility of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to recruit and select public officials, while in other system within

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

the public service, it may be the function of a special committee appointed for the purpose. I applied to the Nigerian Air force as a recruit some years ago and we were required to go through an aptitude test. After the exercise, an Air force officer told me that the test was mere formality. He added that if I had any one at the National Assembly who could help me, because they (Honorable and Senators) had “slots”. In other words, public seats are now meant for people “who know someone”, and this is done in such a way that it antagonizes the much stressed federal character.

The truth is, few representatives of Public Service Commission believe in merit-based recruitment of public servants, but majority of the members are keen to ensure that their own candidates are selected or appointed.

In a situation like this, there is a very high tendency of putting a square peg in a round hole. There is a chronic habit of falsification of educational qualification and age amongst others. According to a public administrator, out of every twenty public servants in Nigeria, it is almost difficult to find eight of them who presented their true educational qualification and declared their true age.

This is because they want to stay in the public service as long as possible and enjoy the benefits of doing so. However, no one can cheat nature. The result is that, in trying to cope with the physical strain and intellectual demands of a job meant for someone ten years younger and with more educational qualifications for instance, they crack under the strain and become physically wrecked. As such, delivery of public service is greatly affected.

Adewusi Adedeji, a Sociologist, resides in Ibadan.

It amounts to paying lip service to made-in-Nigeria products and industrialisation with its beneficial linkages, lifting the masses from poverty and rapid national development when the Federal Government, one, fails to restrict items procured for government business to what is produced locally in the first instance; two, pretends not to realise that import tariffs are a tool for protecting domestic production and consumption rather than an avenue for amassing public revenue.

That statement above is the key to most of Nigeria’s problems. If you want to develop your economy, you have to first produce what your consumer. This would help with quality improvement, skill development, capacity building and reduction of capital flight.

The Federal Government as the biggest consumer should take the lead in buy made-in-Nigeria products. At this stage, Nigeria is clearly not in the position to compete internationally with any of its products. The low hanging fruit the president could have used to jump start the economy, is mandating that all federal, state and government’s MDA only use made in Nigeria products.

Emmanuel Kalu

Jurassic Park Dear Editor,

The movie Jurassic Park is a very funny film which depicts the savagery of a safari reserve. Various prehistoric animals run about terrorising each other and human tourists. These dinosaurs hated each other more than the tourists as they attack and eat each other.

Nigeria is exactly like the movie.

Nigerian lawmakers behave like cannibal dinosaurs, who devour Nigerians and fellow legislators.

Every month they fight each other in the various assemblies. What a shameless bunch of rogues!

While Nigerian lawmakers engage in fights like animals in Jurassic parks, Nigerians groan in poverty caused by these same greedy lawmakers whose salaries are over inflated. Nigerians are the major victims of these cannibals who insist that all citizens must live in poverty.

Philip Jimba, Abuja, 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

13

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016

NEWS

KEDCO opens new 20 MW feeder line for agribusiness companies Muhammed Kabir KANO

T The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Sani Sidi (left) with Director, Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Salisu Mohammed, during a press conference to mark this year’s World Humanitarian Day, in Abuja…at the wekend.

PHOTO: NAN

Osun monarch escapes death as thugs invade palace Adeolu Adeyemo

A OSOGBO

kinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdulrauf Olayiwola Olawale, Adedeji of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State, escaped being lynched by thugs who invaded his palace with dangerous weapons on Saturday.

Sunday Telegraph gathered that, the thugs numbering about twenty were at the verge of launching a attack on the monarch before

the prompt intervention of security men attached to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who responded to a distress call of the royal father.

Before the arrival of the security men, it was gathered at the palace on Saturday that, one of the wives of the king, Olori Esther Olawale was manhandled and molested by the evil perpetrators.

It was, however, disclosed that the arrival of Governor Aregbesola’s security aides, saw the trouble makers vanishing into the thin air, but

nemesis reportedly caught up with two of them, who were arrested by the police.

Eyewitness account said that, the hoodlums were allegedly working for a certain former senator, who was said to have been on war path with the monarch in the past few months over some political disagreements in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, “the hoodlums launched their attack when “Oba Olawale, Lawal and a businessman, Alhaji Tijani Oladosu popu-

larly called Tilad were holding a peace meeting…”

The hoodlums, also reportedly vandalised the house of a chieftain of APC in Ikirun, who is a commissioner in the Local Government Service Commission.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, Mr. Ajibade Egbedele, did not answer several calls put across to him to react on the issue.

He did not also reply the text message sent to him as at the time of filing this report.

PH convention: APC Pirates kidnap 8 fishermen making PDP popular –Jalo in A’ Ibom Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

D

eputy National Chairmanship aspirant in Wednesday’s botched Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention, Alhaji Adullahi Jalo, has said the abortion of the party’s national convention in Port Harcourt by the police is making the party popular.

Jalo, who is the immediate past Deputy National Publicity Secretary of PDP, recalled how some actions of PDP leaders during the 2015 presidential election made President Muhammadu Buhari to win the election, and said the APC government, by its action, is helping PDP to win the sympathy of Nigerians.

“Now by barricading the venue, PDP will be more popular because when you suppress the party, it will attract the sympathy of Nigerians.

“PDP will be more popular, stronger than before because there is no doubt about what they are trying to do: they don’t want PDP to be in peace,” he added.

He revealed that the party’s former chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff held a meeting with some APC chieftains on Tuesday before the police was deployed to seal off the venue of the convention.

According to him, the meeting was called at Ali Modu Sheriff’s house which four APC government officials were supposed to have been in attendance.

“That meeting was shifted to one of their (APC) governors’ house here in Abuja.

The minutes of the meeting were made known to us.

“Ali Modu Sheriff cannot order police with guns and armoured tanks to go and seal the place without federal might. Even in (Rivers State) Government House where we were held captive, police were chasing us; we had to move to the PDP party secretariat,” he said.

Jalo regretted that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohanmmed is watching while Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is allegedly trying to dent the image of the judiciary.

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ransitional Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, Chief Williams Mkpah, has said that sea pirates kidnapped eight fishermen fishing in Akwa Ibom.

Mkpah confirmed the kidnap in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom on Saturday.

According to him, Ibeno is prone to sea piracy activities.

He said, “Six fishermen were kidnapped on Thursday night, Aug. 18 and two on Friday morning in the creeks of Ibeno and its environs.

“As I am speaking sea pi-

rates are intensifying in the Ibeno community and they want to ensure that they stop fishermen from going to sea for fishing,’’ he said.

Mkpah said the sea pirates were demanding for millions of naira as ransom from the fishermen before releasing them. He explained that the fishermen were made to pay levies by the sea pirates before they go for fishing in the area.

He alleged that ``they have informant in our communities, who will inform them of the take off of a particular fisherman and possible routes where they are going for fishing.

he Federal Government at the weekend opened the Apapa-Ijora Bridge to light traffic as the emergency repair works being carried out on it attained a milestone.

Recall that the bridge had to be shut on Monday, August 8 for emergency repair works on its failed sections and temporary coverage of the failed concrete bridge deck section following an inspection tour and a meeting with stake-

holders by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN. With consistent attention from the contracting firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Limited and supervisory work by officials of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, work on the temporary coverage of the failed concrete bridge deck section was completed Saturday including the approach to the bridge.

he Kano Electricity Distributions Company, (KEDCO) has opened a 20 Mega Watts feeder line for the KanoTamburawa Industrial area.

It is believed that the facility has capacity to accommodate hundreds of industries in the Kumbotso and Challawa industrial areas of the state, including the Dangote Tomato Processing Company at Tamburawa, Kumbotso.

It is also hoped that it would attract the industries, which left the area due to incessant power failure, to return.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, KEDCO, Mr. Jamil Isiyaku Gwamna, said the company is trying to do is to ensure adequate distribution of power so that industries that have fled Kano due to power problems would return and those closed reopen.

He explained that apart from the national grid, the company has gone into agreement with some private power entrepreneurs to source enough energy

from Solar, windmill and other sources that would make them give not only Kano but all their franchise areas of Katsina, Jigawa and some parts of Niger Republic their needed power.

Similarly, Mr. Gwamna, added that the move is aimed at complimenting the Federal Government’s job creation effort by ensuring that the moribund companies in Kano and neighbouring states are revived.

In a similar development KEDCO has commenced the installation of pre-paid meters at the premises of Jigawa State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at Dutse, the state capital and its environs.

This followed an agreement reached during a meeting between Jigawa State government and KEDCO’s management at the office of the Deputy Governor, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.

Mr. Hadejia, who explained that the meter installation was necessary for accurate energy accounting, said the state government would continue to support the company to achieve improved power supply.

Five arrested for beating corps members, students to coma Dominic Adewole, ASABA

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welve suspected armed robbers have been arrested for beating corps members posted to the Delta State Institute of Continuing Education, Agbor, in Ika South Local Government Area of the state to coma.

Before the Zonal Head of the institution could put a call across to the police, the unknown boys who invaded the school, beat up the corps members and

some students and made away with their handsets and other valuables.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the incident in Asaba yesterday, said the victims were beaten to coma with dangerous weapons.

Sunday Telegraph however gathered that the corps members have started receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the locality.

NDE trains 25 youths in Yobe Hassaqn Jirgi, DAMATURU.

FG opens Apapa-Ijora bridge T T

he National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Saturday said it is training 25 youths in Environmental Beautification in Yobe State It also said it has trained many unemployed graduates in various skills in the state since the beginning of the exercise, explaining that, this was to ensure self-reliance, especially at a time like this when the economy is in recession.

State Coordinator of NDE, Mr. Iliyasu Ahmed, made this known in Dama-

turu, Yobe State, while declaring open a three-month intensive training programme for 25 youths in the state in Environmental Training Scheme (EBTS).

He said the emphasis on training in soft landscaping and hard landscaping was a carefully designed initiative to align the youths with the current demands of the general economic activities of our society.

He said that the NDE will continue to revolve the scheme in its various departments to combat the menace of employment in the country.

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NEWS

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Appolonia Adeyemi he Federal Government has declared polio a public health emergency and initiated vaccinations in Borno State, as part of efforts to contain further outbreaks of the crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease.

According to a statement from the Director, Media/Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Mrs Boade Akinola, the polio emergency came as the World Health Organisation (WHO), pledged to support Nigeria in eradicating the disease from the country.

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole announced the Federal Government’s plan to contain polio at the 66th Session of the WHO Regional Committee meeting for Africa which took off in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia yesterday.

After the opening of the meeting, Adewole told newsmen that vaccinations would similarly commence in two additional states

SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

FG declares polio emergency as WHO pledges support from Monday 22, August, 2016, to be followed by 18 other states.

He added, “Eventually the country would implement six rounds of vaccination according to the international best practices.”

In her speech at the opening ceremony, the Director General of the WHO, Margaret Chan pledged that the WHO would support Nigeria to eradicate polio.

She recalled with admiration, the feat recorded

by Nigeria in celebrating two years of no single case of wild polio transmission, while regretting the two new cases of children paralysed by polio in Borno State.

“This set back in no way undermines the tremendous job done by the Nigerian government in getting down to zero case. You will get there again. We will get the job done,” Chan said,

adding that WHO would offer the necessary support to Nigeria in putting an end to polio.

She commended the efforts of the governments of the region in creating improved health access and reducing the disease burden despite the huge challenges the continent is facing.

These results, according to Chan, provides powerful evidence of what can be achieved in resource constrained settings, and an equal powerful incentive for further investment in domestic and foreign resources, she added.

According to her, the progress so far recorded in Africa provides a reason for optimism as the world moves into the era of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She said Africa stands to benefit most from imple-

mentation of the SDG Agenda, especially since the alleviation of poverty is an over-arching SDG objective as nothing holds back health development in the region as much as the full grip of poverty.

Earlier in her statement, the Regional Director, Africa, WHO, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti said there was a tremendous improvement in the way the region responds to emergencies.

She said: “Although Africa faces multiple and complex disease outbreaks, timely detection and improved emergency response will help in tackling the challenge.”

She noted that the two new cases of wild polio virus recorded in Nigeria has prompted the call for more vigilance in the region, especially in the areas which were hitherto rendered inaccessible by security chal-

L-R, Apostle Stephen Nwawolo; Apostle Kenneth Chigbogwu; Apostle Mike Mgbeze and Apostle Ekene, standing before the Founder and President, Jesus Saves Church, Apostle Chukwudi Odum, during the ordination services at church auditorium in Lagos over the weekend

lenges.

She commended the prompt response by the Nigerian government and welcomed the planned commencement of synchronised vaccination of the vulnerable population by the governments of Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic and Nigeria scheduled for August 27, 2016.

The President of Ethio-

4,395 couples register for mass-wedding in Kano

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o fewer than 4,395 prospective couples wishing to participate in the Kano State Government’s mass wedding have so far registered for the programme.

The state government had directed the Hisba Board to register all interested prospective couples in the state.

Dr Abba Sufi, the Director-General of the board, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Saturday.

Sufi said of the number, 3,117 couples were registered by Hisba offices in 41 local government areas of the state, while the remaining 1, 278 couples were registered at the state headquarters of the board in Kano. ``As I am talking to you now, 4,395 prospective couples indicated interest to partici-

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He said the exercise otherwise known as ``Battle Inoculation’’, was good for the cadets as it makes them have war experience, especially what troops were facing in the North-East.

On his participation in the mock war, Buratai described it as great and recalled that he engaged in such exercise more than 33 years ago, while graduating from the Nigeria Defence Academy. ``The standard is still being maintained and I give kudos to the commandant, instructors and administrators of the NDA. ``I am happy that the standard is still being maintained and we will continue to improve on that,’’ he said.

Earlier, when he ad-

dressed the 60 cadets of the 63rd Regular Course of the NDA, Buratai commended them for showing discipline required of soldiers in war situation.``This is the culmination of the totality of the experiences that you have gained from the various military books. ``What you have put into practice here today is fundamental to winning battles.

You are as good as battle tested,’’ he said.

In a welcome address, Brig.-Gen. Okwudili Azinta, the Director of Army Training, said the exercise was for cadets of the Army in their final year at the NDA. ``It is designed to test the cadets understanding of operational, administra-

tive and logistical concepts which they have been taught throughout their stay in the academy. ``It will also enable the commandant to access their suitability for commission into the Nigerian Army,’’ Azinta said.

According to him, at inception, the cadets were 84, consisting of 76 males and eight females. ``However, out of this number, five cadets were at various times sent to military academies in U.S, UK and Brazil to complete their training. ``Currently, they are 60; 24 are either been relegated or withdrawn,’’ he said, adding that all the eight female pioneer cadets admitted to the academy were concluding their course.

pate in the programme.

He said as soon as the remaining three local government areas submitted their list, the board would write a comprehensive report to the government for necessary action.

Sufi, who was giving update on the registration exercise, reaffirmed the commitment of the government toward ensuring the success of the programme. ``The government is committed to the programme hence its decision to continue with the programme. ``The registration is still open to all interested persons as the exercise is still ongoing,” Sufi said.

The registration for the prospective couples began simultaneously across the 44 local government areas of the state on August 8.

Kerry’s visit: Sokoto, US Institute discuss access to education, counter-terrorism

Update your knowledge, Buratai A tells soldiers

he Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has urged officers and men of the Nigerian Army to ensure they update themselves in terms of knowledge apart from military basic training.

Buratai spoke with newsmen at Kachia after he fired some shots in a mock war as one of the concluding exercises for graduating cadets. ``They must be up to date, not necessarily getting the basic military training only, they must be up to date in terms of current affairs and in terms of global trend. ``They must be current in Information Communication Technology and I am sure they will go places,’’ Buratai said.

pia, Dr. MulatuTeshome in declaring the meeting open called on African nations to stay vigilant and prepare to address both the current and emerging health threats. “Let us not lose sight that our present preparedness is a guaranteed investment for tomorrow,” he added.

The regional meeting is expected to round off on Tuesday, August 23, 2016.

head of the visit of US Secretary of State, John Kerry to Nigeria this week, Sokoto State Government said it will collaborate with United States of America to expand access to education with a view to tackling terrorism and promoting small and medium scale industries in the state.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said this after a meeting with Ambassador Johnnie Carson, an expert in African affairs and also a Senior Advisor with the United States Institute for Peace (USIP).

A statement issued Sunday in Sokoto by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the meeting centred on efforts by the Sokoto government to increase enrolment in schools, enhance quality output, and develop a framework that will

inspire young men to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills at a young age.

“Governor Tambuwal briefed Carson and his team of efforts to increase literacy and numeracy among vast majority of children left out of school.

He also spoke extensively on creating opportunities for youth, women and children, and importantly, improving other social sectors like health and provision of water in the state.

“Issues of gender equality and how to enhance the integration of women into decision-making organs were also discussed,” the statement added.

It said government will continue to explore avenues of empowering small and medium scale businesses in order to enhance their potential and increase employment generation in Sokoto State.

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SUNDAY

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

I’m going hubby-shopping (2) 22 Fab asymmetrical styles 18,39 There’s no man in my life – Ann Neema Godwin 42

I’m a moderate socialite –Prince Eze Madumere, Deputy Governor of Imo State

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Body&Soul

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Here Beyond

Hot in denim cutoff shorts Vanessa Okwara

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hether they’re distressed, high waist, low-rise, embellished, baggy or tight, everyone wears jeans shorts. They’re a simple way to look cute and comfortable. Like the great jeans they’re born from, a good pair of cutoffs wields major styling potential.

They holiday season is on and a lot of celebrates are on vacation and wearing cutoffs is the best way to stay comfortable in the heat and at the same time look sexy.

Countless celebs, both national and international have strutted down the sidewalks in a signature pair of cutoffs including Khloe Kardashian’s Jessica Simpson, Rihanna and Yemi Alada, Ebube Nwagbo, Ini Edo can’t seem to live without them.

From casual tank tops and simple tees to flat leather sandals and breezy little tank tops, cutoffs are fuss-free yet

still totally fashionable.

They are so comfortable, stylish and easy to wash. They are also easy to style with tops in your wardrobe and you come out looking breezy and sexy.

Pair them with white T-shirt and statement shoes or tank tops with kimonos and you come out looking trendy and spot-on. Cutoffs exude a laidback nonchalance that perfectly captures the vacation spirit. They’re sexy without trying too hard and perfectly half-finished so you always look intentionally messy and freespirited.

Cutoffs pair with just about everything: cozy hoodies and knit sweaters to sporty tanks and blowy chiffon blouses. From the beach bonfire to a morning brunch with friends, there’s countless occasions this season to sport your favorite shorts.

Grab an old pair of jeans and start cutting! Even the very act of creating cutoffs is fun!

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

Body&Soul

Zainab Balogun Trendsetter

Judith Onyebuchi

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ainab Balogun is a Nigerian actress, model and television presenter. She holds a degree in law from the University of Kent in Medway. she began modelling at the age of 16 after being scouted at Premier Models Management and has been featured in several international campaigns for different brands. Balogun works as a television presenter for EbonyLife TV, an entertainment television station, for which she currently co-hosts and produces ‘The Spot’ the channel’s leading talk show. She also appears as a presenter and associate producer on Jumia TV, a tele-shopping show.

In 2013, she won the Exquisite Lady of the Year Award and also Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Award in 2014.

Zainab Balogun’s fashion formula is pretty simple. When it comes to fashion, she always looks gorgeous as she knows how to dress her enviable figure. Her style is elegant and she enjoys trying out trends without being a fashion victim; she is an epitome of effortless cool.

The low cut wearing beauty is most definitely a sexy woman to behold, hot and easy on the eyes when she is wearing a lovely gown or a knockout bikini. She made a pretty entrance in a halter neck jumpsuit Aso-Ebi style as a wedding guest, stepping out of her comfort zone in an unorthodox butter yellow outfit, sealing her looks with a stripy gele and gold statement jewellery. She is truly the queen of urban-chic aesthetics.

Body&Soul

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21

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asymmetrical Fab Biwom Iklaki

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id you know asymmetrical styling could actually give the illusion of a longer frame? Try it if you wish and mark my words. For our petite stylistas, I have to warn you

not to get addicted to this style. Be it the cut of the style or patterns on the fabric, the choice to wear asymmetrical is always a good one. There are many glamourous asymmetrical cuts to tempt you into favouring this style no matter the even you need it for. Because this style could refer top either the cut or pattern on the fabric, you have

Editor’s current obsession

a limitless variet casual, business c for just a nice day your choice of acc tually knock your Just remember to occasion specific.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

Perfect wine for menu Ibukunoluwa Kayode

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re you longing to host your friends but don’t feel like cooking? No worries. You can order in some takeout and spend most of your time in the wine shop picking the perfect bottles. With this, there’s no mess, no hassle and it allows the wine and conversation to take centre stage.

Here’s how to curate your next ‘catered’ affair with secret of wine pairing on every of your ordered take out.

The Chinese Menu: The flavours used in Chinese cooking are fivespice, powder, Szechuan pepper, duck sauce and ginger. It’s better to go naturally with Syrahs, which hold up to the sweetness and spice, whether you choose restrained versions from the Rhône Valley or the fruit-forward styles of California.

For desserts: Break out the Moscato. The sweet wine goes amazingly well with those otherwise one-dimensional crisps.

The Sushi Menu: Like precut maki rolls, such as spicy tuna, salmon skin and yellowtail, some nigiri and some sashimi. The bright tropical fruit flavours, light floral and spice notes of aromatic whites

Wine & Dine

such as Albariño, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Viognier will do the magic along with seafood. This will hold up to the heat and acidity.

Mexican Menu: The perfect serving wine for guac and salsa are Sauvignon Blanc, Luscious Zinfandels or Malbecs as sure fire bets with tacos, as the smoky notes of chilies will bring out the fruity tones.

Now for the super host secret: After your feast, offer scoops of vanilla ice cream topped with a condensed milk syrup that’s available at most shops. Pair with Tanteo’s tasty chocolate Tequila. Sounds gross, but it’ll wow your guests.

Don’t forget; let the bottle pick your Pizza.

Deciding what pie style to order, start with what’s in your wine rack.

If you have a Pinot Noir: Order the Margherita-style pizza with pepperoni. Pinot’s rich fruit and ample acidity pair well with tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella and cured beef spiced with cayenne, paprika and fennel.

If you have a Cabernet Franc: Order the veggie combo. The red berry flavour, earthy notes and hints of green pepper make it a clear winner with the ‘healthy’ pizza option.

Thai garlic chicken Biwom Iklaki

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he Olympics is live and happening in Rio. While we may not all get the opportunity to go there to be spectators on the sidelines of our favourite track and field events among others, you can still enjoy the spirit of the games from the comfort of your couch.

All you need is a glass of your preferred “poison” (alcohol) and some finger foods. This Thai garlic chicken will be a mouthwatering spicy choice for a balmy evening with the Olympics on y our TV. Ingredients 2 kg chicken wings or thighs 4 garlic cloves (smashed and chopped) 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 lemon (juiced) 2 tbsp. ground black pepper (or to your tastes) 2 tsp. salt

A handful of fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped Red bonnet pepper (to your tastes) Chopped red peppers and coriander for garnish Preparation In a large bowl, mix chicken, garlic, brown sugar, lime juice, salt and pepper. Massage ingredients into chicken to combine. Cover and leave in refrigerator to marinade for at least one hour. Heat a nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, in batches, stirring for 10 minutes or until cooked to your tastes. Set the chicken on a serving dish. Pour the leftover marinade into the pan and cook over low-medium heat until boiling and continue to reduce the sauce until thickens and becomes a glaze.

Transfer the chicken pieces back into the pan together with chopped coriander and sliced chilli. Toss to combine until the chicken pieces are well-coated with the sauce, coriander and chilli.

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Body&Soul

I’m a moderate socialite His Excellency, Prince Eze Madumere (MFR), the Deputy Governor of Imo State is a man of many parts. Prince Eze, formerly the Chief of Staff in the same state, has been lauded as one of the Deputy Governors in the country whose achievements are visible as he assists his leader, Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha in delivering the dividends of democracy to their people. SONY NEME takes him up on his social life and he exposes the wonderful relationship he cultivated with his children Sir, leafing through your profile, an interesting aspect, your social life, was left out, what exactly has kept you going?

Well, this is an aspect of me that most people seem not to understand. I am a moderate socialite. This is not unconnected to my experience as a young boy in the United States. I became paranoid about going to places where others go because the first time I went out for such, I escaped the deadly bullets of a shooter by the whiskers. I nursed that wound to survive. You can imagine the traumatic experience. So, such experiences make up what you are. Again, as a boy on scholarship, I had to remain focused to the extent that I had little or no time to mix in a manner that suggest what people choose to call a social life.

However, nothing could be more sociable than bringing your people together to chart a course of collective interest and to help one another. I championed a lot of this in the United States of America. I sought a platform to bring our people together and to the glory of God, that little effort of mine still binds our people together in faraway America. However, I love being with people. It is true that I sleep at about 2am every day because I ensure I see people and know the reason for their calls and give either my advice or whatever help I can offer. That is what relaxes me. Any day I do not see people around me, I become afraid. I love to attend social programmes that border on people’s life and survival. Again, this may account for one of the reasons I have obstinate love to periodically spend time with the less privileged to encourage and inspire them. What can be more social than these?

A Lagos boy in Imo politics, how have you been able to adapt?

A Lagos boy, true, but partially. I was a Lagos boy but my father insisted that we never lost touch with our culture and traditions. I did not complete my education in St. Finbars because my father relocated me and registered me at my village school for fear of losing track of our cultures and social values.

I thought it was punitive but I appreciate those knock-intoshape efforts because they have made me to be very close to my people and I understand the traditions and way of life of my people. Most importantly, I speak our core dialect; even the Owerri dialect. It may also interest you that because my father was a contractor, I was also on the move with him. This is the reason you could say that I am one of the few Nigerians who understands the way of life of other people.

So coming to Imo politics, you could see that I understand the intricacies of Imo politics and my people appreciate that.

Remember too that I have been around at least for over two decades of Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s political exploits both in Imo and at the national stage. Hence, I am appreciated by people and they know I have been around and the system appreciates my worth. Remember, a man who does not travel is like that person who could hardly see beyond his nose. Understanding other peoples’ way of life other than yours makes you a more realistic and balanced person even in decision making.

Having worked all your life in the US, what have been the challenges of managing work ethics in Imo State?

Well, it is true that one can hardly escape from the appreciation of organised society where most people are committed to their responsibilities especially in the area of the functionality of the institutions. By this I mean people stick to the spirits and ethics of their professional calling. But here, you can also appreciate the fact that we are not really disorganised people who pay lip service to the spirit of our job. Let me say it loud and clear, the problem is leadership. If you get the leadership right, you get everything right. Functionality of institution is it, but the drivers of the institutions remain the key to success. In Nigeria, some institutions both private and public have excelled following the leadership qualities of a particular leader at a particular time. Another thing is the mindset of the leaders. The set goal could be selfish or otherwise. The tradition may be that of continuity of the old ways of doing things. In Imo, where we find things are not working, we make it work. His Excellency, my leader and the Governor

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Body&Soul

–Prince Eze Madumere of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has shown the political will as a leader. This has led to the development we have in Imo State today. So, the reason God puts you in a place is to make it better. What you call challenges are actually the reason you are there.

There is this uncanny seamless rapport existing between you and your boss. Can you let us into the secret, please?

I have had to face this question in the past.

They keep asking. The truth is that you must show gratitude for any favour done to you.

Life of gratitude is a virtue. Two, loyalty is not all but it is the heart of success in any relationship that is focused. You must show devotion to what you believe in. Commitment must be ploughed into what you consider a project. I understand the vision of my boss. I feel his pulse in his passion to render service to humanity. In all these, keep it simple and ensure you make input for your leader to succeed because that is one of the reasons he has me around. Again, my leader, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is gifted. You should also pray that God grants you the grace to be able to understand him at every point in time, interpret his vision and you must be proactive to ensure a smooth sail of work plans. Again, always show deference to your father irrespective of your knowledge, exposure or whatever because such is the heavenly prize you must pay in gratitude. What I have been exposed to by Governor Okorocha in his magnanimity is nothing money can buy.

Before now, the office of Deputy Governor in the heartland state has always been far in the background, what have you done differently that it is now the talk of the town?

My brother I cannot deceive you. My predecessors all did their best and they all did well. I will rather talk about what has happened differently than what I have done differently. The difference may be that I have a lot of opportunities because my leader has given me more assignments than others. In the course of getting me acquainted to other areas of governance, my leader, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has always given me opportunities to handle even sensitive assignments. And by the special grace of God, I enjoy the trust of my ‘Oga’ any day, any time. I am sure that my boss has exposed me to the highest level of any government business transaction. I have been delegated by him to negotiate so much for the state and to the glory of God and by the understanding of the parties involved, we all walked away 50/50 satisfied. I am one of the most visible Deputy Governors in Nigeria not by my making but by the making of Owelle Rochas Okorocha who believes in exposing and giving everyone the opportunity to get better. And I will ever remain grateful for that. If you want to appreciate what I am saying, do your research in the Constitution, and you will discover that Deputy Governor’s statutory responsibilities are quite limited. You have immunity and forget the fact that there is only one captain. We must respect that. So, like I said, I am different because I get more assignments from my Governor.

Looking back at your involvement as a key member of the highest decision making team in Imo State, what would you point to as the team’s staying strength?

Number one strength of the Owelle Rochas Okorocha-led government is the delegation of duties. This sounds simple to the ears but the best way to give your lieutenants a sense of belonging is by allowing them get deeply involved in working out solutions for the betterment of the people. It gives you an innermost fulfilment. This is one aspect of Governor Okorocha most people cannot afford to fault. Another staying strength, going by your words, is the performance of Rescue Mission

Administration.

You will agree with me that if a system is performing, it gives you a whole lot of encouragement and motivation to continue with the team. Another factor why you cannot afford not to be proud to work with Governor Okorocha is his zero tolerance for lobbying.

It is in this government that we produced the youngest Commissioner, Engr. Alex Ogwazuo and others. Appointments are not for sale.

They come based on merit and inputs. Governor Okorocha cares less about your challenges or where you come from. In as much as you know your onions, he will work with you. In my case, I did not have my kinsmen taking bullocks to Governor Okorocha as it used to be. Nobody gave anybody anything to buy the position or even anything in return. Meanwhile I have been Chief of Staff and today, I am a second time Deputy Governor. We must appreciate the man Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

He is neither tribalised nor ethnocentric. This accounts for his successes as a leader and as a role model to what Nigerians should look out for in themselves as Nigerians. True, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is no God neither is he a perfect being but he is a rare leader with a Midas touch.

Outside your very busy schedules, how do you spend time with your family?

At home, it is usually impossible. You never can get appreciable time to be with them because of visitors you cannot always turn back because of the import of their visits. So, what I do periodically is to quietly travel to Abuja or Lagos and just stay and relax with them especially when they are on vacation. That gives me ample opportunity to look into what they do through free association. At times, I could turn off from everything to engage them on the phone for 30 minutes to one hour.

This one is done more often. I am always in constant touch with my children and when I do not call, they must call Daddy to know the reason I have not called. We are friends and in their decisions, they tend to tell me to seek my opinion even though they win at their choices at times. I ensure that I always accompany them during annual school registrations.

Now that my son has gotten scholarship to go to college, I must get involved to ensure he makes the best choices out there according to what he wants. It gives me a sense of fulfilment getting involved with my children and them relating with me not just as a father but as a friend.

Where is your favourite vacation spot?

It’s a function of what I want to achieve. I do not just go on vacation without looking at some of the values I wish to benefit from it at a particular point in time. Like my boss will say, buy one and get one free. Going on vacation means running cost, but beyond that, what other value or benefit beyond vacation. I could go for vacation in Abuja, which I have done severally in Abuja and Lagos. I could also quietly travel to the United States based on other issues that may border on the need to see our people and other personal issues. So, it is a function of the composite needs coupled with relaxation. I can take time off to Abuja, Lagos, United States. It all depends.

Left on an Island alone, what are the two things that you will need?

I need to be environmentally sensitive to opportunities and to be hard working which goes with determination.

Who are your heroes and why?

My first hero is God who has given me life, sustained me and spared me from what ordinarily should have taken my

life. My father is my number two hero because he taught me most of the things I know when I was a child especially enterprise, hard work, consistency, deference, dignity, sincerity and humility. The number three person is my leader and our Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha who bolstered my morale, endeared me back home, and led me into imbibing and appreciating the act of giving and its indefinite benefits.

What informs your style for each day?

Golden rule! Do unto others as you wish others to do unto you. Treat people with dignity, respect their belief and never extricate what they consider their values with disregard. Each day, I take issues and subject to the same way. Always think about tomorrow because our actions and inaction of today have a way of returning to us tomorrow.

What are your favourite food and colours?

I love beans and plantain. My favourite colour is white.

How would you describe your fondest moment as a kid?

It is always nostalgic remembering spending our holidays at my grandma’s place.

T h e re , s h e

would so pamper us but the most interesting thing is going to the farm with grandma.

Other fond moments were the mischief we played in school especially during my secondary school days.

Between mum and dad who was your favourite, and how would you describe your growing up and family setting?

I must say that while my mum showered us with love as a mother, I spent the better part of my time growing up with my father. Like I said earlier, he taught me most things that are seeing me through life till date. My dad was itinerant, which had to do with his work as a contractor. Of course I was always on the move with him. This made me not to finish any stage of my education in one school.

Growing up was interesting especially the aspect of taking part in jobs on site where I saved enough though not to the knowledge of dad.

What turns you off?

Pretences, laziness, impervious to correction, stagnant knowledge and above all when one is not trust worthy because I easily trust.

22

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

with

Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770

julietbumah@gmail.com

I’m going hubby-shopping (2) Juliet Bumah

K

athryn turns and beholds a man sliding into a seat beside her. She has been carried away by the thought of the two gentlemen.

“Can I?” The man repeats.

“Oh, no problem,” she says quietly, looking the newcomer over.

“I’m Dave. May I know you?”

“Kathy,” she says absentmindedly.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful lady. Kathy. Tell me, what is a beautiful lady doing all alone in a club on a Friday night?” he asks.

“I came looking for a husband. I will therefore appreciate if you leave me alone and take your ugly face somewhere else,” she says...in her mind.

“I came with some friends,” she says aloud.

“Ugh. Man or woman?” Dave asks.

“Friends, I said,” she replies cooly.

“Oh ok. No quarrel. Will keep you company till your friends are here then,” he drawls and signals the bartender.

“What do you have in your glass? Women who favour spirit are confident,” he says.

He pays for a full bottle of XO. “Hmmmmmmmm, that’s class,” Kathryn says under her breath and takes a closer look at him. Not bad!

She looks the way of ‘Amobi’ and the dude and catches them looking at her.

The bartender returns with their drinks and she gets more chummy with the man beside her.

They chat and later dance for a while. The man loves music.

Kathryn wonders what else he loves. Good life...maybe.

“Your friends are taking so long,” Dave says.

“Yeah,” she lies, barefaced.

Dave isn’t looking at her face, so doesn’t notice the worry line that flickers across her face.

“Mind if I take you home? That’s if your friends don’t turn up. I can drop you off on my way home,” he offers.

“Thanks, but I have my car,” she says.

“Oh good. So what does a beautiful woman like you do for a living?” He asks.

“I’m a marketer. I’m actually into business. I travel abroad to buy vintage products for sale,” she replies.

“That’s good. I’m into oil and gas business. My family went abroad for summer and home is boring. So, I came out to catch some fun,” he says.

Kathryn feels like a bucket of cold water has been poured on her head.

“Oh no! Married! Why is it that the day I’m looking for a husband is the same day mad people are looking for wives?

Such a cool, loaded guy taken for good?”

She sips her drink and her eyes darts to ‘Amobi’ and cool dude.

Cool dude is no longer there. Amobi is in a deep conversation with a lady.

“But really, do I expect to get a husband in a club? Kathryn, wake up from slumber. Every guy here is here to catch fun and take a loose lady home,” she chides herself.

She checks her time, a few minutes past 3am.

“I’ll be leaving soon,” she tells her companion.

“At past 3am? You must be kidding. You can’t leave at this time. It’s too dangerous,” Dave says.

“I must leave. Can’t stay till morning,” she says.

They argue and agree that Dave will drive behind her until she gets home.

They dance some more and leave for home.

The drive home is short and exciting. Kathryn likes speeding when the road is clear. There are very few other vehicles on the road. Buoyed by the alcohol in her system, she speeds her heart out.

Dave pulls up beside her at a point and signals her to go easy on the throttle. She laughs, pouts her lips at him and reduces her speed anyway.

Ikeja never sleeps. They meet more vehicles on the road and Kathryn slows down some more.

At the gate to her street, she talks briefly with the security and they let her and her visitor in.

“He’s coming back immediately,” she tells them as she drives throught.

Kathryn parks her car inside her compound and Dave drives in after her, parks and alights.

“Are you not going home?” She asks, surprise in her voice.

“I can’t,” Dave replies, adding, “No one will open the gate for me at this time. It’ll be suicidal for me to sit outside my estate gate at 4am.”

As Kathryn mulls over his statement, he asks, “Won’t you invite me in? Anyway, if you don’t feel comfortable, having a gentleman spend some hours in your home, I’ll sit in the car.”

“Oh no, you can come in,” she tells him.

She doesn’t want her neighbour to see a man sleeping in a car -a wonder on wheels.

“Oh thanks. I promise not to eat you up,” he says.

Kathryn leads the way into her tastefully furnished threebedroom apartment.

She had looked forward to sleeping in her birthday suit after a cold shower. With a strange man around, she will find that difficult to achieve. She kicks off her shoes.

“You’ve got great taste,” Dave says, looking around the sitting room approvingly.

“Thanks,” Kathryn replies, longing for her bed. She is weary, no point wasting her time with a married man. She needs male company, but she wants an unattached man.

“Can I have a glass of water?” Dave asks.

Kathryn feels like shouting at him, but says instead, “Oh sure.”

She drags herself into the kitchen and reappears, bearing a glass and a little bottled water in a tray.

“Thanks,” he says, looking into her eyes as she places the tray gently on the centre table.

He downs the water in few gulps and asks for more.

“OMG! Is this what his wife goes through?” Kathryn asks herself.

She tells her visitor, “I’m really tired and will like to sleep.

You can help yourself. That is the kitchen. When you’re sated, the room to your left is the guest room, in case you don’t feel comfortable on the divan. Right now, I’m gonna snatch some sleep. Just tap my door when you’re leaving and I’ll come let you out. I’ll have to call the security gate for you to be allowed to drive out.”

She picks her bag and keys and wobbles to her room on the right.

Inside, she locks herself in, flops on the bed and is asleep the next minute. **** Dave looks around him. Kathryn has two framed pictures on the wall -a personal and a groupie. The groupie looks like a family picture -father, mother, two sons and two daughters.

He moves into the kitchen. Everything is clean and organised. He picks two small bottles of water from the fridge and walks back to the sitting room.

Kathryn is beautiful and mature. She is confident. These are qualities he desires in a woman.

He picks his shoes and car key and moves to the guest room.

Hmmmmmmmm...tastefully furnished.

He moves to the bathroom. This lady must have lodged in very good hotels. Everything a visitor needs is there -clean towels, new toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, shaving kits... you name it.

He picks a toothbrush, bushes his teeth, takes a shower and moves to the bed. Clean, comfortable sheets.

“Who is this lady? Why would such a beautiful, comfortable woman be all alone, go to a club alone? She never made a single call and never behaved like she was expecting someone at the club. So why lie that she was there with friends?

She sounds nice also...” Dave’s mind searches for answer to these questions and more. Suddenly, it dawns on him that he’s developed a soft spot for the strange woman. He has never felt this way about a woman and the feeling is sweet.

It’s a few minutes before 5am. He should leave in the next 30 minutes. He shuts his eyes and relaxes for a while. *** Kathryn wakes with a start. It’s past 7am! She’s still in her club attire. She jumps out of bed and pulls off her dress. As she makes for the bathroom, she remembers that she has a guest.

She shouts and closes the door of the bathroom.

She’s in her room and the door is secured anyway. She wonders why the man hasn’t gone. There’s no way he could have gone. She has the key of the front door with her...unless he broke the door.

What if he’s lurking behind the door, waiting to attack her once she opens her room door? What if he’s a rapist?

Fear clutches her heart.

“Why did I allow him in? I could have left him in his car outside. But why did I allow him to drive home with me?”

She steels herself, whoever he is, she can take care of herself.

In her years of being a professional escort, she had been in grave danger a lot of times. She had travelled many times to different countries with strange men who were only interested in her body and the pleasure she gave them. Very few of them were nice. They paid so much and had to exact their pound of flesh. But that was before she turned a new leaf.

She has left that life and left the name she was known by then. She also left her area of operation and moved into a new locality, all in an effort to obliterate her past.

She is now Kathryn, a new person, seeking a new life, wanting to get married to a loving man.

After her bath, she wears a nice T-shirt over shorts, picks a pen knife from a drawer and moves to the door. There, she stands for some minutes and listens, no sound. She turns the lock noiselessly and gently opens the door, expecting the stranger to rush her... ************ Dear readers, it’s getting exciting once again. Let’s meet here on Sunday!

•Send your observations to: julietbumah@gmail.com

23

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016

Okupe, PDP and futility of compromise p.26

PDP is a giant killer -Mbadinuju p.27

The Sunday Interview

Abayomi: Thrice, Tinubu imposed governorship candidate on Ondo State p28-29

Politics

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

Ondo APC's imposition battle

F

or four consecutive days, the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Akure, the Ondo State capital, became a theater of war between those trying to oust the Chairman of the party, Hon Duerimini Isaac Kekemeke and those trying to retain the status quo. The occupation of the secretariat was sparked by perceived endorsement of one of the aspirants seeking the ticket of the party to contest the November 26 governorship election in the state.

The violent clashes, which started last Tuesday have not been fully brought under control as at weekend, as both pro and anti-Kekemeke groups still laid siege on the party secretariat along Oyemekun Road waiting for possible security lapses in order to dislodge each other.

However, crowds at the party secretariat are not unusual to the people, as different aspirants and their supporters have always converged there in order to declare their ambitions. Such activities as reception of defectors, lecture or presenting gifts to the party also attract the presence of supporters. However, last Tuesday, the crowd at the party secretariat was not borne out of declaration of ambition or presenting gifts to the party. It was informed by some members of the party, mainly youths, who desired to take over the leadership of the party from Hon Kekemeke.

The grouse of the protesters was the purported endorsement given to Dr. Olusegun Abraham, one of the 25 aspirants of the party by the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Irked by this endorsement, the youths under the auspices Movement Against Imposition (MAI) sealed the party secretariat, pronounced Kekemeke sacked and appointed of one of them, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye as the 'acting chairman' of the party.

The protest was led by Messrs Tolu Babaleye, Wale Williams and Gani Mohammed.

A statement signed by the convener, Babaleye, the Secretary, Mr. Adelokiki Francis and Mr. Gbenga Ajayi, the Public Relations Officer, pronounced the sack of Kekemeke.

The group mobilized other sub-groups of the party across the 18 councils, among who were members of the party chieftains at the state level, to kick against imposition of candidate ahead of the August 27 governorship primaries. They barricaded and locked down the main entrance of the party's state secretariat with placards rejecting endorsement, imposition and Kekemeke as the chairman to conduct the primaries.

In the inscriptions were: "Ondo State Minus Kekemeke Equals Victory” “No Impostor, No Imposition, No Endorsement” “Ondo ACCOMORAN Says No to Kekemeke” “Kekemeke Is A Mole in APC” “Kekemeke Is An Unrepentant Sinner” “APC Plus Kekemeke Equals Failure” Babaleye accused Kekemeke of forcing the endorsement of one of the 25 aspirants of the party as the candidate in the primary poll, as being directed by their National Leader, Senator Tinubu. His words: "Since he came back from Lagos, Kekemeke has made serious efforts to enforce the en-

Ahead of the August 27 party primary to select a candidate for the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State governorship election, the endorsement of some aspirants by the leaders of the party, is causing great rift, writes BABATOPE OKEOWO

Oyegun

dorsement. Kekemeke openly informed the state executive committee that Senator Tinubu has endorsed an aspirant, and has instructed him to tell the leaders and delegates. We are not oblivious of the role played by the state chairman who we collectively described as the architect of the current impasse in our party."

“Kekemeke must not be allowed to conduct the primary election since he has compromised his office. The list of delegates submitted by Kekemeke to the National Secretariat is wantonly manipulated; the fraudulent delegate list is a cancer to a free, fair and credible primary election.

"That Kekemeke is hereby suspended to pave way for free, fair and credible primary election; that an officer of the party from the National Secretariat of APC in Abuja be appointed to conduct the primary election since Kekemeke has shown himself to be a biased person who cannot guarantee a free, fair and credible primary election. That as a prelude to the primary election of APC, a genuine delegate list used for the 2014 primary election of the National and State Assembly elections be made available to all the aspirants.”

But last Wednesday, the pro-Kekemeke group stormed the secretariat and dislodged Babaleye’s group who had earlier reconvened to continue with ‘Occupy APC’ secretariat protests. The pro-Kekemeke

Tinubu

group was led by Alhaji Amoda Bello, who with the support of party supporters and members of a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) successfully sent the anti-Kekemeke faction out of the secretariat. The Bello group was assisted by a detachment of police drawn from State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and policemen from Area Commander’s Operation Squad.

The scenario continued on Friday as the two rival groups clashed at the secretariat in an effort to dislodge one another. The Saka Yusuf group which had earlier been dislodged stormed the party secretariat armed with bottles, cutlasses, stones and cudgels in order to dislodge the supporters of Kekemeke who had stationed at the party secretariat since Wednesday. But the supporters of Kekemeke who were also armed expecting the attack repelled them leading to sporadic gun shots between the rival groups that left the people living around Oba Adesida/Oyemekun Road to scamper for safety.

The anti-Kekemeke group led by one Mr. Adebo, popularly called Idajo and the pro-Kekemeke group led by Alhaji Bello hauled dangerous weapons at each other and also engaged in gun duel. In fact, reporters, newspaper vendors and business owners around the scene had to run for cover in order not to be hit by spray bullets

or the various dangerous weapons flying around. The business concerns in the area had to hurriedly close their shops while the ever busy road was deserted for hours.

It took the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations, Mr. Edward Ajogun and the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Charge of Akure Command, Mr. Olatoye Durosimi to dislodge the rival groups and bring normalcy to the area.

Political watchers in the state are of the opinion that the anti-Kekemeke group was being sponsored by those who have lost out in the endorsement war going on among the leadership of the party at the national level. Mohammed, Babaleye, Jimi Adekanle and Williams were ardent supporters of Prof Robert Ajayi Boroffice.

Saka Yusuf Ogunleye is also a staunch supporter of Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN. Leaders of MAI were attached to one aspirant or the other.

Tinubu has pitched his tent with Dr Abraham from Akoko North-East Local Government, while Chief Adebisi Akande has thrown his weight behind the candidature of Prof Boroffice, Interestingly in the camp of Akande is the wife of Tinubu, Senator Remi who is an unrepentant supporter of his colleague at the Red Chamber.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

24

SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

politics

Ugwuanyi’s domestication of Child Rights Act Louis Amoke

T

he recent passage of the Child Rights and Responsibility Bill into law in Enugu State by the State House of Assembly was no doubt a welcome development and a major breakthrough for the children of the state.

The news of the passage of the bill into law brought excitement and relief to the children of the state who had labored tirelessly for so many years to ensure that the bill sees the light of the day. The essence of the bill, which was presented to the State House of Assembly by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration as an Executive Bill was basically to protect, care and preserve the fundamental rights and responsibilities of every child in the state.

The Executive Bill sent to the House says among other things that “A child shall be given such protection and care as is necessary for the wellbeing of the child, taking into account the rights and duties of the child’s parents, legal guardian, or other individuals, institutions, services, agencies, organizations or bodies legally responsible for the child”.

To the children of Enugu State, the passage of the bill was a landmark achievement and a dream come true, which marks the end of the struggle they started a long time ago. They were elated and full of appreciation not just because the long awaited bill was passed into law, but also for the passion and commitment of the governor towards the actualisation of their dream.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Another endorsement is that of Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai.

The group is supporting Akeredolu (SAN).

In the camp of El-Rufai are ministers from the South-West geo-political zone; Mr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Mr. Raji Fashola of Lagos State. Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transport is also in this group.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State is said to be supporting Chief Olusola Oke from Ilaje Local Government in Ondo South Senatorial district of the state.

The Vice Chairman of the APC in the South-West geo-political zone, Chief Pius Akinyelure is allegedly supporting Mr. Boye Oyewumi, a new entrant into the political firmament of the state. He also has in an alternative; Mr. Awodehin Akinsehinwa popularly called Apata from Owo Local Government Area of the State. Chief Segun Oni, erstwhile governor of Ekiti State and the Deputy National Chairman of APC is supporting his godson, Prince Ademola Adegoroye from Akure in Ondo Central Senatorial District while Kekemeke is also supporting Dr Bode Ayorinde, a member of House of Representatives representing Ose/Owo Federal Constituency.

Despite the pockets of endorsement by various leaders, the one generating most furore is that of Asiwaju Tinubu, which tilted toward Dr Abraham, a bosom friend of the National Leader of APC. Despite the endorsement, various leaders of the party in the state have said there would still be primary to elect a candidate for the party.

But many believe that Tinubu’s endorsement translated to veto as many party leaders deferred to him.

The leaders of APC from the four Akoko Local Governments in Ondo North Senatorial district where Abraham comes from asked other aspirants from the zone to continue with their aspirations irrespective of the endorsement. The Chairman of the Akoko Assembly, Chief Felix Ayegbusi, who led the Akoko elders, noted that the endorsement of Dr Abraham by the National Leader of the party, could not be described as an imposition since every

It would be recalled that Ugwuanyi on May 27, 2016, when the Enugu State Children under the auspices of ‘Enugu State Children’s Parliament’ paid him a Children’s Day celebration visit at the Government House, Enugu, told them that his administration had sent the Child Rights Bill as an ‘Executive Bill’ to the State Assembly for legislation. He assured them that he would lend his support and urgently liaise with the members of the House to ensure that the bill was passed into law before long.

The governor also promised to stand by the children at all times, especially on issues concerning their well-being and future, stressing that the passage of the bill into law would be in the best interest of the children and the state at large.

The governor’s promise was sequel to a passionate appeal by the Speaker of the Enugu State Children’s Parliament, Miss Winifred Maduko, who expressed concern over the urgent need for the bill to be passed into law by the House.

While justifying her stance on the request for the passage of the bill, Miss Maduko, noted that “the bill would go a long way towards securing the future of the average child in the state by righting all the wrongs perpetrated against children by adults including some parents.”

She added that the bill would also protect the girl child from the ills of early marriage that comes in the form of diseases such as Cervical Cancer and VVF among others.

While presenting the bill before the

House, the leader of the House and the sponsor of the bill, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, noted that the bill as sent by the state government “meets the global best practice” and “adopts every provision in any other law that secures the protection of a child even if that provision is not specifically contained in the Act.” He appealed to the House to continue with the process of the domestication of the bill, disclosing that its passage into law would guarantee the children’s rights to “survival and development; freedom of thought, conscience and religion; family and private life; freedom from discrimination; dignity of the child; health and health services; parental care, protection and maintenance; free, compulsory and universal primary education, among others.

Hon. Ezeugwu equally pointed out that the above rights as presented by the state government are guided by the provisions in Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, or any successive Constitutional provisions relating to Fundamental Rights of the citizens.

After clause-by-clause consideration of the report presented on the Bill by the Joint Committee Chairman, Hon. (Mrs.) Nkechi Omeje-Ogbu, the House passed the Bill into law.

Announcing the passage of the Bill, the Speaker of the House, Chief Edward Uchenna Ubosi, thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for his passion and bold initiative to protect and preserve the rights and responsibilities of the children of the state.

He noted that the governor, through the state Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development, provided the legal framework and enabling environment for the passage of the Bill to give the children a sense of belonging as future leaders.

The Speaker also thanked the Catholic community in the state, the Anglican Communion, UNICEF, Various NGOs and other stakeholders for their support and contributions.

Reacting to the development, the Speaker of Enugu State Children's Parliament, Miss Winifred Madubuko, described the passage of the Bill into law as a positive development and a dream come true, saying that “the struggle that had started in Enugu for a very long time ago has come to an end.”

Miss Nkemdilichukwu Nnamani, who identified herself as a 12-year-old student of Igbariam Primary School, Achara Layout, Enugu, while appreciating the governor for facilitating the passage of the Bill, said that it would guarantee the fundamental rights of the children of the state, in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federation Republic of Nigeria.

In all, as the echo of the successful passage of the Enugu State Child Rights Bill into law takes the centre stage in the vision of the present administration to guarantee the future of the children of the state and make their lives more meaningful, the onus now rests on the shoulders of all stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the law to the letter.

•Amoke writes from Enugu

Ondo APC's imposition battle

Dr. Abraham

aspirant in the party would still have the opportunity to participate in the primary.

The group also said there was a clear different between "endorsement and imposition" in politics and every aspirant reserve a right to seek the endorsement of APC leaders because it was in tandem with the moves they made earlier to produce a viable candidate from Akokoland. Ayegbusi said "there is a mischievous campaign in circulation to the effect that the advisory decision of our leaders amounts to an imposition. We are here to disabuse the minds of our members, particularly our delegates, of this misgiving."

Ayegbusi exculpated Tinubu from the accusations against him by one of the governorship aspirants from Akoko Land, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, explaining that the endorsement was an intra-communal affair to strengthen the chance of Akoko candidature in the party. According to him, Dr. Abayomi is a lawyer of no mean repute, saying: "We therefore do expect a lawyer of his caliber to know the difference between endorsement and imposition. We believe

that he is just being mischievous in his condemnation of the endorsement."

His words: "What we have on the ground is mere endorsement, which is nothing more than a piece of advice to the delegates.

The final decision rests with the delegates.

In effect, the other aspirants are free to continue to seek the face of the delegates.

Nobody has imposed anybody. No individuals, leaders or group will do so or can even do so. We reject imposition totally but we welcome the advice that comes from the wisdom of our leaders. No imposition has taken place and none will ever take place.

Delegates are free to choose as they may wish. But of course, as an area favoured by the endorsement and in the light of the fact that we too had earlier endorsed the same Dr Abraham, let our delegates be rest assured that nothing has happened to abridge their rights to vote for the aspirant of their choice at the primary election."

Similarly, Kekemeke said the endorsement given to one of the aspirants has not translated to imposition as there would still be free and fair primary to elect a candidate.

His words “as for endorsement, it should be clear to all by now that “Endorsement is not synonymous with imposition”. It has been sufficiently explained that endorsement is consistent and compatible with best democratic practices even in the most advanced democracies and does not in any way impair free, fair and transparent primaries.

“My view is that since all the delegates are known by all, being officials of the Party at various levels, let endorsement contend with endorsement, mobilization with mobilization, propaganda with propaganda, vision with vision, logistics with logistics, influence with influence and let the delegates speak.”

The party chairman also said he was not perturbed by the sponsored demonstration.

He, however, expressed worry that some people were going violent on matters that did not rest on his shoulders as the State Chairman.

His words: “It is, however, sad that the way and manner some protesters are carrying on, is suggestive of the familiar practice of intending decampees from their Party to weaken their Party, demonize their Party leaders, create imaginary division, romance the opposition and cry wolf, when there is none. This is more so when a good numbers of these facebook activities have done so to their previous Parties. I urge Party members whose only goal is winning the November 26 Governorship election to be vigilant.”

Despite the protests and counter-protests, Kekemeke said the party's primary would still hold. His words “I wish to let our party members know that the primaries of August 27, 2016 will be conducted by the National Headquarters of the party. From the sales of forms, through screening, to appointment of officials; from issuance of delegates’ list, through the conduct of the primary election to announcement of results is the exclusive preserve of the National Headquarters. All the State Executive under my leadership has to do is just being a good host to the National Headquarters."

In spite of these assurances, however, several segments of the party warned against the imposition of candidate in the party primary. The chairmen of APC in the 18 local governments areas and ward chairmen in the 203 wards said the party would lose the November 26 governorship election in the state should they impose any candidate on the party. They said the people would prefer the rival People's Democratic Party(PDP)'s ahead of the imposed APC's candidate.

The Dean, Conference of APC Chairmen in the state, Chief Rasheed Badums, also warned against the alteration of the delegate list used for the last year National Assembly primary of the party. They affirmed that only free and credible primary can make the party win the November 26 poll. Alternatively, they said there would be massive migration from the party.

25

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016

politics

What's on your view on the ongoing trial of Senator Bukola Saraki?

Sincerely speaking, it's quite unfortunate, in the sense that I never believed that all this can happen. See, this is the same party we all built. You need to know how much in money, time and every resource you can think of which the Senate President had contributed to the success of the party. Just because he's the Senate President today, all those had been thrown off. They then feel it's an opportunity to deal with him. All I will tell you for now is that God is with the man. He is very innocent of all this. If he was not the Senate President, all this won't have happened. But I can tell you by the grace of God, nothing will happen to the man. I'm the Kure of Offa. I'm in support of the Senate President, not because he's the Senate President, former governor, Turakin of Ilorin, but because of his personality and what he's done for the people.

Do you think the trial can be settled politically?

We are all politicians. And they are making a whole hell of a mistake. The matter can be settled and they all know it can be settled.

It's a very simple case. Imagine a Senate President and somebody that has contributed to the success of the party in the entire North Central zone of the country being dealt with that way. I'm so much surprised a thing like this could be happening. And for the settlement, there's nothing impossible.

If you observe, none of the party executives at the national level is saying anything on this issue. That shows to you that they know what they're doing. Everything centres on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. If Tinubu is not saying anything, I can tell you the secretary or treasurer of the party will not say anything.

Is that a party? We need to have a rethink.

Assuming a party man does a wrong thing somehow, is that the way to address issue?

Don't they know what a party means? It can be settled. Please recall what Senator Marafa, the man who was at loggerhead with the Senate President said a few days ago that immediately the party gives its nod and says they should take it easy, they will take it easy. That's a big statement; meaning that it's the party that is not interested or not ready for settlement.

All this I believe is not expected of our leaders. Issues that can be resolved, I don't think they should be postponed. We should not forget the merger in the old PDP during last election, his facilitated efforts in that of APC was over two million votes. If Senator Saraki had not come with his supporters, would the over two million had been achieved? We should have a rethink before it’s too late. The party leaders should make meaningful moves to get good result.

The man is an approachable person. They should sit down and agree on way forward.

See the way he's been handling matters in the Senate without rancour. The leaders of our party, starting from Senator Tinubu should sit down; think far back of relationship with the father of the present Senate President and his contribution to the party before it’s too late.

Will you subscribe to the idea that aggrieved party members should form another party?

There's no need for that now. In politics, you don't do that. You still give room for possible settlement. My belief is that they resolve it before it gets too late. Remember I said that before. You know, before we left PDP there were political moves made by the senate president, present governor of the state, including notable people in the state.

It's because it was too late and that's why we left. And you can see the result of that.

So, before it’s too late, they should make a move. I'm in love with APC. It's a good party. But we need to sit down and agree on things. Not someone like Bukola Saraki should be treated like an ordinary member of the party. It's scary to see that if number three men could be so treated this way, and then who am I?

'APC must act on Saraki’s case before it’s too late'

Chief Abdulhakeem Kayode Adebiyi from Offa Local government of Kwara State is into oil and gas business and he is actively involved in the politics of Kwara State within the All Progressive Congress (APC). In this chat, he says that the ongoing trial of Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki is all about politics and the permutations for the 2019 presidential ticket.

BIODUN OYELEYE provides an excerpt from the chat Some have argued that his travail is all about 2019, do you agree?

You see, yes it is. They are just scared of him. That's the truth. Yes, we're playing politics. When you say you are scared of him, it's normal in politics to have ambition. But has he told anyone he wants to contest for President in 2019? So, why are you scared of him?

You should be sure of your own capabilities.

And let me be frank with you, if President Buhari has intervened in all these crises in APC at the right time, we would have not got to this level. At that time he was saying he would not intervene. How can a head of a party say he would not intervene when everyone was looking for ways to be Senate President? Instead of him to have called a meeting and agree with notable leaders, he kept quiet. He's won his own election. These are things that created problem from the word go. And he knows all of them have absolute respect for him. He had ample opportunity at that time to call a meeting but he allowed everyone to test their power.

And when you talk of power, please don't underestimate the Senate President. He has his followers all over the country. For me I think we should all be steadfast and united as a party. The success of Senator Saraki is the success of entire Kwara. I’m particularly, very keen in his present travail. Nothing will happen to him. By the good grace of God, we'll all live to smile and rejoice with him. 2019 is coming. My wish for him is to go up. Somebody that has noble intentions should be wished well. So I pray and wish entire Kwara people to rally round him in prayers. He needs it more than ever before.

What's your opinion on discussion's about restructuring of Nigeria?

Merger and acquisitions are good approaches and are moves to ensure progress and progressive move. What we had in Nigeria is that we all came together like we merged together. And these things are better done in good faith. No section of the country should be dissatisfied in any way. As far as I am concerned, the Niger Delta Avengers should be given an avenue to express their feelings. To them, they believe 90 per cent or so of the resources of this country. If this is coming from their region they should have a say, have maximum benefit from it. They could have a point. They should be listened to. Issue of alleged lopsidedness in federal appointments should be addressed. Give them sense of belonging. Not by the size of their community but what they contribute to the economy of the entire country is very key. As far as I am concerned, restructuring could be in different ways. I don't believe in any restructuring that will disintegrate the country. But you can restructure for a better Nigeria. Restructure is all about sitting down and doing the right thing. There are so many wrong things that should be corrected.

What have been your roles as a party man at complementing government’s efforts in Kwara South?

As one formerly in the banking sector before ven-

turing into active politics, I have been a loyal Sarakite like my late father, Alhaji Shuaibu Afolabi Adebiyi, who was one of key friends of late Olusola Saraki. Starting from Offa, I have been involved in all those activities that could promote popularity of our party and the political leader. I constructed Offa streetlight on Olofa Way, two boreholes each in all 12 wards of Offa. In all local governments of Kwara South senatorial zone, I participated in their development projects such as grading of roads, provision of boreholes which had earned me chieftaincy titles in such areas as Ipe, Ira, Oro, Ikotun, Ekiti. We thank God for that. We should contribute to development. People should imbibe spirit of giving and not think they are competing with Saraki. No. We should all complement efforts of government and the political leader in the state. To me, leaving Saraki group is like leaving politics. It's a place to be. My father did it and I’m also doing it.

What is your view on the recent judgment of the Supreme Court on the stool of Olofa of Offa?

I'm one of those who were actively involved in ensuring there was a peaceful and amicable resolution of the chieftaincy tussle when it started. At a point, while we were doing it, some were putting it off.

Things like this that came up could have been saved. The effect of the Supreme Court judgment could have been saved. Because, if we had agreed peacefully, as brothers and sisters, of course when this one finishes, other would continue as the ruling house.

But as God wants, the way it is now, I believe that's the way God wants it. I will just implore every citizen, every notable person in Offa to still support the present Olofa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, Esuwoye, who I believe has started well and by the good grace of God will end well. People should rally round him, and give him the desired support because he's somebody that's so determined to ensure success throughout his reign. I for one will continue to give him the support requested.

And to the Kabiyesi, the ad-

vice that I will give is to continue carrying everybody along, which he's been doing.

Sincerely speaking, he's a lovely person.

So far so good, he should continue and not listen to any distractions.

Would you say with the acceptance of the APC government Offa people have benefitted instead of playing opposition politics in Kwara?

Offa politics as we all are aware is a defined politics. Politics in the ancient city of Offa is centred around mostly ideology. And the good thing I’m happy about is that Offa is now in the mainstream of Kwara politics, after a long time of opposition that had gone on and so on with little or no gain. How has the place faired since it embraced new political approach? That's a pertinent question. The present Senate President, Bukola Saraki never even considered that we were in the opposition when he was the governor.

Then, so many roads in Offa were tarred.

Offa Local Government, when it was in opposition, with all sense of responsibility benefited immensely, especially in road projects not to talk of now that we are in the mainstream. With the present Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, we've gained so much in road construction, hospital rehabilitation and construction. If you get to the hospitals today, you will hardly believe it was the same hospital you used to know, especially with equipment and personnel.

And so many other projects lined up, but for present financial constraints which every state is facing now. I can tell you specifically that so many projects would have been done in Offa. I can sincerely tell you now that our being in the mainstream has been of tremendous gain, importance to the community.

So, we are so happy about that.

26

SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

politics

Okupe, PDP and futility of compromise Femi Fani Kayode

W

hen I warned the Nigerian people about what the All Progressives Congress represented and that, if given power, they would be the most reactionary, repressive, vindictive, insensitive, vicious, thin-skinned, paranoid, divisive and, worse of all, incompetent government in the history of Nigeria no-one listened.

When I told the people that the leaders of the APC were not only unfit to hold power but that they were also Nigeria's local equivalent to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood no one listened. When I warned the people that their initial plan was to field a Muslim/Muslim ticket for the 2015 presidential election (until public outrage killed the idea) no one listened.

When I told the people about the future implications of the dangerous sectarian seed that the APC was planting in our politics by openly encouraging Muslim clerics in the north to preach in the mosques that a vote for Goodluck Jonathan was a vote for an "infidel," and when I pointed out the fact that all those that supported the Peoples Democratic Party from the north would eventually be subjected to violence and persecution and labeled as "traitors," "heretics" and "unbelievers" no one listened.

When I warned our people about the limitations of President Muhammadu Buhari and what he would do if trusted with power no-one listened. When I warned the PDP leadership and particularly our PDP governors and Board of Trustee members about the dangers of making Ali Modu Sheriff National Chairman of our party they would not listen.

When I warned them to remove him immediately and not to let him stay as National Chairman for the three months that he asked for they would not listen.

When I told them that the government would NOT allow the National Convention of the party to hold on August 17, or indeed at any other time, no matter what, because Sheriff is working for them they would not listen.

Now I have been proved right and vindicated on all fronts. Let us consider what took place in Port Harcourt on the day of the convention. In collusion with some questionable judges the Buhari administration set out to destabilise, destroy and silence the opposition.

It was well planned, well-orchestrated and well-executed. Governors were temporarily held. The sooner the leaders of the PDP wake up, smell the coffee and appreciate the kind of monster they are dealing with and the sooner they elect and select leaders that are prepared to risk their lives and liberty to confront this government the better.

If you want democracy and freedom you must be prepared to confront the dictator and fight for it. Where there is no justice, there can be no peace. Where there is no freedom, there can be no development.

Where there is no equity, there can be no progress. Our land has been turned into a barren and poverty-stricken shell of its former-self by President Buhari's administration.

They have stripped away the glory of our nation, ruined the economy, created ethnic and religious divisions, impoverished the people, brought tears to the eyes of the down-trodden, dashed the hopes and dreams of the young and destroyed the destiny of millions.

The only thing that is left for them is to crush the leading opposition party and to attempt to silence, humiliate, discredit, destroy, jail or even kill every single op-

Ali Modu Sherrif

position leader that remains vocal.

That is where Senator Ali Modu Sheriff comes in and that is why his disruptive role and questionable mission in the PDP is of so much interest and so useful to the government. That Sheriff has turned into the proverbial stubborn bone that is stuck in the throat of the PDP is no longer news.

The role and noble efforts of the Senator Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee have been exemplary and commendable and, in my view, they have earned the support and affection of every loyal party leader and member.

I am not surprised by that because I happen to have known Senator Makarfi, Senator Ben Obi (the Secretary of the Committee) and Hon. Minister Dayo Adeyeye (the Publicity Secretary) for many years, and I can attest to the fact that they are all profoundly good men who are very restrained in their manner and approach to complicated issues and who are not only experienced but also rational, reasonable and balanced. Yet despite their efforts, the question that still needs to be answered is how best to handle Sheriff.

Dr. Doyin Okupe, a man for whom I have the greatest respect and affection and one of the most formidable and credible leaders in our party, suggested on his Facebook wall that we should "negotiate" with Sheriff with a view to settling this issue.

He has also said that we should "not blame Buhari and the APC for our woes" but rather we should blame ourselves.

He may be right on the latter point, but I beg to respectfully and humbly differ with him on the former.

There can be no question of any further negotiation with Sheriff. My response to him, which was posted on his Facebook page and on twitter, reads as follows: "My dearest brother, I beg to differ with you on your suggestion that we must negotiate with the former National Chairman of our party Ali Modu Sheriff. If you remember, I warned the governors about Sheriff when they imposed him on

Makarfi

us. The PDP Ministers Forum rejected him, as did the PDP Board of Trustees at the initial stage, but the governors would not listen.

“Now we have been vindicated because everything that we said would happen has come to pass.

The imposition of Sheriff by the Governors Forum was the biggest mistake that we have made since President Jonathan and the then leadership of our party conceded victory to Buhari without at least contesting the matter in court.

“Frankly, as I wrote at the time, I believe that Sheriff bewitched the governors that brought him to us and indeed those in our party that accepted him and agreed to work with him. Now the power of the spell has worn off and their eyes have opened.

“Sadly, though things will get worse because Sheriff is under orders: he is working a script and that script was crafted by those who commissioned him to divide, weaken and kill our party.

When you open your doors to a snake what do you expect? I am not surprised by all that he is doing because he is acting true to type: he is a green snake who has dipped his fangs deeply into our flesh and whose poison is killing us slowly.

“The truth is that there can never be any compromise with Sheriff. You cannot compromise with the devil or a snake.

The imposition of Sheriff by the Governors Forum was the biggest mistake that we have made since President Jonathan and the then leadership of our party conceded victory to Buhari without at least contesting the matter in court

You cannot wine and dine or attempt to cohabit with a creature that the great writer and teacher, Mr. David Icke, describes as a "shape-shifting sociopath and reptilian".

“There can be no fellowship between light and darkness even in politics. You cannot negotiate with a narcissistic megalomaniac who wants your head to be cut off and served to him on a silver platter.

Sheriff is working for Buhari to destroy the PDP and he has almost succeeded in his mission.

“The only solution to this intractable and difficult problem is for us to continue to fight him in the courts and elsewhere and, if push comes to shove, form another political party, get our members and supporters to join that party and leave the desperate old scavenger to feed on the carcass of the old PDP. “Very few people will stay with him because, after some time, carcasses tend to stink and because he is the quintessential plague. After some time even his most diehard supporters will get sick of him, run away and abandon him.

“Permit me to conclude with the following counsel. We must never attempt to appease a bully and a tyrant: it encourages him in his tyranny and it gives him pleasure. To the bully, compromise is seen as nothing more than weakness.

“We must be prepared to stand up, stand firm and speak out against the evil that has gripped our land till the very end knowing that the Lord is with us and that He will never forsake us.

If necessary, we must also be prepared to pay the price for doing so because the future of our nation and our children depends on it. We must not waiver.

“We must hold the line, firm in the knowledge that no matter how dark the night, joy comes in the morning. We must never forget that our God is mighty in battle and that with Him all things are possible. He makes a way where there seems to be no way.

As always, please send my love to my beautiful sister and the children. Fondest thoughts egbon. Shalom".

27

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016

politics

PDP is a giant killer -Mbadinuju

Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju is a former Governor of Anambra State from 1999-2003, and currently a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with CHUKWU DAVID in Abuja, he speaks on the state of the economy, anti-corruption war, President Muhammadu Buhari's appointments, collapse of industries and operations of the judiciary, among others Your Excellency, Nigerians clamoured and voted for change in the last general elections. As a Nigerian, is this the change Nigerians voted for?

As you rightly mentioned, Nigerians demanded for a change in the manner their affairs were being conducted. The need for a change was long overdue because the manner successive governments approached governance was in default and there was this overwhelming consensus for a need for change. In the last administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, there was a lot of maladministration and official recklessness that almost sank the ship of state. The then PDP-led government was a giant killer bent on killing the hopes and genuine aspirations of Nigerians. The fallout of that high-level ineptitude is the dire economic situation we have at hand today. There was that clamour from the great people of this nation for a leadership that would be committed to bringing a change to the prevailing queer situation and the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a ready platform to actualise this desired change.

As for your question if we are getting the change we agitated for, I will answer in unequivocal affirmation. I was one of those who saw the possibility of change in President Muhammadu Buhari and galvanised support to bring this to reality and I have not had cause to regret this decision made in the interest of posterity.

In a World Press Conference I addressed in Abuja with the subject “The Dice is Cast,” I implored Nigerians to give their all into realising our collective aspirations. Now that the objective has been achieved, the process to bring about this change has begun in earnest and the results have also begun to accrue. Consider the reforms at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation to block leakages in our finances, consider the whole-hearted government approach to fighting corruption to a minimum or even President Buhari’s unalloyed commitment to diversify the economy and create wealth for Nigerians. All these are signs that the nearest future of this country is great and we are going to thank President Buhari for this and more. I believe that every well-meaning person would encourage the efforts of President Buhari to bring about the desired change.

What do you think Buhari is missing in bringing about the desired change?

I think President Buhari is well on track to bring about the desired change. He has done it before during the Buhari-Idiagbon regime when War Against Indiscipline and Corruption (WAI) brought considerable sanity to a nation hitherto ravaged by disorder and graft. It is a good thing that the same commitment is seen in Buhari’s second coming.

I like to remind us, change is an elaborate process and so far so good with the way President Buhari has started. If Nigerians are patient enough, and I know that we are a very patient people, the desired results will come and we all will be better for it.

The economy is in recession, what are the long term and short term remedies for the worrisome development?

This economic downturn is not the making of the current dispensation. The mismanagement of resources and graftinfested approach of the recent administration had put us unfortunately on the path to a recession. Even a high-ranking official of that administration, Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, made the revelation about what we are now calling a recession in the twilight of that dispensation. It is assuaging that the current administration which inherited an already battered economy is working round the clock to reverse these ugly circumstances. In the interim, President Buhari’s initiatives in plugging leakages in public finances are needed first-aid measure which has helped to avert further loss to the commonwealth.

The implementation of the Treasure Single Account (TSA), the prudent approach to state resources championed by the President himself and the avowed fight to re-

Change is an elaborate process and so far so good with the way President Buhari has started. If Nigerians are patient enough, the desired results will come and we all will be better for it

cover stolen funds would help in the short run.

In the long run, I believe that the diversification goal of the current administration is commendable because we must avoid a situation where our exclusive reliance on crude oil that is very susceptible to forces beyond our national control determines the wellbeing of our economy. If the potentials of other sectors of the national economy like agriculture and solid minerals are harnessed as being demonstrated

by President Buhari, we’ll come out of the current situation stronger.

Manufacturing industries are collapsing, what would you suggest as panacea?

The collapse of industries is a fallout of the dire economic circumstances. The foreign exchange rate crises and the fall in international price of crude oil all combined to make operation hard for manufacturers.

I think government’s initiatives in this direction in the areas of creating a more conducive environment for manufacturing is encouraging. There has been greater focus on infrastructural development to halt the collapse of the manufacturing sector and this is a step in correct direction.

Recent developments in the judiciary like the conflicting judgements over PDP negate democracy and the rule of law. Do you think the judiciary is still the last hope of the common man as popularly said?

We are in a democracy and the role of the judiciary in safeguarding the process cannot be over-emphasised. It behooves on the judiciary to key into President Buhari’s visions and be a partner in the democratic consolidation of Nigeria.

More ethno-regional militias have emerged worsening the security situation, what is the way out?

There is no easy way out of delicate issues of threats to security. When I was governor in Anambra State, former President Olusegun Obasanjo awarded me a Gold Medal for bringing armed-robbery, kidnapping and all manners of insecurity issues to the barest minimum in the state.

My approach then was people-oriented and it worked in ensuring security for all residents of the state. President Buhari has a robust background in security and defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and this experience would serve us better in dealing with the issues of militias,

insurgency or militancy.

How do you see the constant friction between the Executive and the National Assembly?

Because of the checks and balances structure of our democracy, there might be issues of disagreement between the arms of government. Since 1999, we have never seen a situation where the executive arm gave independence to the other arms like the current Buhari administration. I think this is a good thing for democracy. I would only urge the National Assembly and the Judiciary to give needed support to President Buhari’s visions.

Nigerians say Buhari’s anti-corruption war is selective, what is your take on this?

I think any Nigerian that has a case to answer before the law on corruption grounds should prove his or her innocence in the courts than resort to claims of selective justice. Since President Buhari came on board, we have seen many people across political or regional divides charged for corruption and to me it has been an allencompassing fight.

Buhari is being accused of lopsided appointments; what is your position on this?

I think it is the exclusive discretion of the President to appoint whom he deems competent enough to actualise his visions and blueprint for change. Thus far, the appointments have cut across all regions of the nation and I am yet to see any lopsidedness. We should emphasise more on competence and the need to put square pegs in square holes than put emphasis on regions or other mundane considerations.

Nigerians expect Buhari to have given you appointment based on your support for him, what is the problem?

There is no problem. (Laughter). It is true that I have relentlessly advocated for the support of Nigerians for President Buhari’s visions and I will continue to do so.

Patriotism demands that we ensure that Buhari succeeds in bringing this country to the great promise land. I am very available to serve in actualizing President Buhari’s noble objectives and my experience and exposures in America and Europe, where I studied have prepared me for any role the President deems fit for me or anyone to play. I trust that it shall surely be well with Nigeria under Buhari as it is not over until it is all over.

SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 20

The Sunday

Abayomi: Thrice, Tinubu im governorship candidate on Human rights activist, lawyer and three-time governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, has been in the eye of the storm lately with his altercations with the All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. In this interview with BIYI ADEGOROYE, he gives insight into the issues and explains why he wants to govern Ondo State Why did you join the governorship race in Ondo State?

The true situation is that the hope for which we fought for democracy had remained defeated. What we had hoped was that government would meet the basic aspirations our people.

And if you look at the situation in the country today, especially in Ondo State, a state that had great potential is in actuality one of the worse financed in Nigeria. I understand that as at now, we owe about six months salaries. In addition to that, the leadership in the state lives so well, while the followership merely exists. No human being that has conscience can be still in the face of this tragedy. That is why I feel that as a child of the mekunu, (the poor); I need to intervene in a way that is possible. That is why I am running. No other reason.

Specifically, what development programmes do you have for the people in case you are elected into office?

Everybody ask that question. But If I tell you I will build road bring water and build hospitals, these are common platitudes. I think the most essential contribution that one can make to governance is to inspire the people to develop themselves in all ramifications and all diverse possibilities. Like I was telling some young people, if I have three centres for invention, innovation, design and productivity, and I challenge the people of Ondo State to come up with ideas that will develop their society, and I asked if they come up with these ideas, they are guaranteed financial support. Of course, the reality of the matter is that the mind conceives, dreams and explores possibilities in life.

The problem is that the product of the mind must have a fertile soil, and the fertile soil is a leader that is willing listen to get inspirations from the mind and to support them. There are great ideas that are coming for development.

There is nothing special about the white man who discovered all these things that we now enjoy. They are products of the mind. But the difference is that when they dream these ideas they translate to concrete results, because the environment is conducive. That is often the issue. Is the leadership ready to create the environment that will allow the minds of the people to triumph in terms of development? I do not see that and that is why we are where we are today.

How do you see Ondo politics agitation for zoning to produce the next governor?

First and foremost, who can be comfortable with the level of development in the state? Today, in Ondo State, we can talk of the triumph of poverty. The level of poverty, the level of denials, the level of wants, core denials, is beyond comprehension. You just need to go to the villages. My late mother once told me that what is killing people is the disease of hunger. I am talking about mere hunger. So when you have a situation like that, you need a little beat more than the regular thinking. You‘ve got to expand your mind; you‘ve got to think about innovative ways to bring change. So why is it that we have not been able to have serious change- developmental change? You

have got to do more than that. You need to inspire the people. That means that you need a strong mind, an intelligent mind; you need a disturbed mind, a mind that is coordinated and committed to the needs of the people. Not somebody that you just place there as your business agent. You know, or somebody who is just talking the common talk. You need more than that to develop. I think it was Abraham Lincoln who once said: ‘To make a difference, you cannot walk on beaten part. You have to burn and thirst for distinction.’ So this is what is needed in order to conquer material poverty that is disturbing our people right now all over the country, and particularly in Ondo State.

In terms of the issue of zoning, ideally and constitutionally, every citizen can run, if they meet the constitutional qualifications. But the truth of the matter is that political office holding is very orderly in Ondo State. Usually, the next governor comes from the zone that produced the present deputy governor. And if you trace it from Chief Adekunle Ajasin, it has been an unwritten law. During his tenure, his deputy was Akin Omoboriowo, when Ekiti produced the next governor. After that we had Chief Adebayo Adefarati and his deputy was Afolabi Iyatan from South Senatorial zone. The South produced the next governor in Olusegun Agagu, and Oluwateru from Akure the Central Senatorial zone became his deputy. And when the Central produced the governor in Olusegun Mimiko, he got a deputy from the northern senatorial zone. It is expected under this arrangement that the North will produce the next governor.

But this year now, there are lots of changes.

For example, Mimiko is alleged to be considering picking the Peoples Democratic Party candidate from Akure that is in the Central Zone, although we cannot fully say this until after the primaries. It is when the various political parties pick their candidates that we will then know whether we are going to a new experiment or we are carrying on the old order.

How would you access the process of producing the governorship candidate of the APC so far?

Well, the situation is a little bit more intense now, to be honest with you than I anticipated, considerably more intense. I am running for the third time. In 2007, I think we were about seven and at the end of it all, when the candidate was picked, and in this issue, we must also understand that we had to come to Lagos for that. When he was picked, basically I was the aspirant who was left with him. I went all over the state campaigning with him. There was this crisis about the candidature. In 2011, a candidate was picked, again from Lagos and another disorder set in at that time. Here again we are at. Now, if something had happened to you twice and brought negative or no expected result, it seems to me that the most sensible and intelligent way to attend to it is to do it differently. You can’t continue to do something the same way and expect a different result. Now we have gone through another period where Lagos again has summoned our people and given us a candidate.

What do you mean by Lagos?

I am talking about Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, calling the chairman of the party in Ondo State, the chairmen at the senatorial zones and the head of local government chairmen and those at the ward level, directing them to go and support a particular candidate. The thing is very offensive and greatly unjust. Now, in his letter, he said if he had supported me, I would not have complained. And that I asked for his support. That is totally wrong. I have never, I say never asked for his support. I have written to him to give me any evidence that I ever asked for his support. I ask for the support of people of Ondo State. Honestly, I feel insulted as an indigene of Ondo State that I have to rush to Asiwaju Tinubu each time in Lagos in order to constitute leadership in our state. With due respect, I respect Asiwaju, but we have also met together and have made great contribution to national development. The only thing that may separate us is perhaps his wealth. There is no evidence that he is more endowed than me in terms intelligence, achievement or education. So why should this pattern continue?

And the sentiment of our people clearly resent this whole idea, especially when it has brought us nothing but an imperfect hope and defeat

repeatedly. So why do you want to do it again?

So what are your demands?

The whole thing is actually polluted now, because it has caused crises. The other day in Ondo State I learnt that some youths demonstrated and stormed the party secretariat because of this imposition wahala. So what we expect a leader to do is to respect the constitution of the party that prescribes a primary election, and ensure equal protection for everybody in the system. Look at what is happening; the level of injustice is annoying. I have been building this party since 2004 and nobody has spent more time, energy, intellect and resources more than me. When you look at it all these years- in 2011 when we were heading towards the primaries, you called me and said this is the person we are picking. Then I asked him ‘who is picking who?’ I disagreed with him on that occasion.

Who did he pick then?

He picked a friend of mine, Rotimi Akeredolu and I told Rotimi, and he agreed with me, at least now, that it was wrong to have done so. On this particular occasion, what is even more annoying is that I tried to see Asiwaju Tinubu to ask him, ‘do you have anybody in mind, so that I don’t waste my resources, time

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mposed n Ondo State spent a lot of money- paid over N5million and over N3million to the party. I have toured eight local governments, bought vehicles and procured materials. Some other aspirants have spent five times more than what I have because; maybe they are holding political offices. But how about us who made our money out of stubborn efforts only to achieve imposition? And then you have done this and you are talking to me disrespectfully. For what reason? I am older than Asiwaju, hence he should show some respect. Then he wrote a letter to me because I said we are entitled to a fair contest? And what he said is false. I never went to him.

What are the likely consequences of this imposition?

The consequences of this imposition are that the party is in problem, seriously in problem. Some people have said that maybe it is Mimiko’s medicine that is working on APC, because in 2011, that was the campaign and it became a very successful mantra for any governor in Ondo State.

Mimiko just went around during the campaign and said ’people of Ondo State, how would you allow your governor to be picked from Bourdillon?’ The people resented it; people of Ondo State worldwide, resented it. You see, every state has its own character and the sentiment of the people of Ondo State resents oppression, it resents imposition. Our people may not be rich, but they have honour and that is the point I am making. It is their honour after all that largely that fought for liberty and democracy in this country. I am one of the precursors of democracy in this country. I went to jail three times. Tinubu never did. I was in this country suffering. He came back and became the governor of Lagos State- the very state where I was detained three times, one of them for one years.

Looking at your precedence, are you likely to leave the party?

No. I won’t leave the party. I did not leave the party in 2007, rather, I helped to build it, more than any other person did till 2011. In fact, after the defeat of 2003, I was left with rebuilding the party.

I spent most of my money on it then. If I will leave the party, it means I am leaving politics entirely.

and energy? I must have gone to him several times with the hope of asking these questions.

I couldn’t reach him because he was either away or something. I then went to his protégé, Chief Pius Akinyelure, APC Chairman, SouthWest, the same way I spoke to him in 2011 when I heard about this issue of imposition, because we are both from Ondo State. It was after maybe he told Asiwaju in 2011, and that was how I got to Bourdillon, only to be told that (Aketi) Akeredolu had been imposed on us. On this occasion now, I called him and said I have been trying to get Asiwaju on this issue without result. He invited me to his house in Abuja and I begged him, ‘look you know what happened in 2011; I don’t want to fight the party and we have a chance to win; ‘Please, do you and your team – Asiwaju and co-have anybody in mind? If it is necessary for me to prostrate for you to tell me the truth, I will.’

Because if I knew, there would be no sense of injustice, because what you know, you cannot claim injustice. The man told me there is absolutely no preferred candidate. He said he knew that some people have been going to Asiwaju, but he has told them to go and work. It was after that I made my declaration publicly, along with other aspirants. So now, after we have

Have you taken your grievances to the party’s headquarters?

I have done that through the Chairman of the Screening Committee, Governor Abiola Ajumobi.

I have drawn his attention to the level of injustice.

How can you just, on your own, simply decide?

Okay, what happens if the people of Ondo State don’t like the person you imposed on us? And after you did that you will now provide the money to force the choice on us. What nonsense is that?

What was Gov. Ajumobi’s reaction?

He understood my position. Who will not understand that?

Are you the only one who expressed that concern?

I am not the only one. Other aspirants have done so. In fact, we are planning a meeting. I am going to Ondo State very soon and we are going to meet over this issue.

What if the party prevails on some of you to step down?

The party cannot prevail that some of us should step down in this instance. It has no such constitutional powers. But naturally, in this instance, aspirants will meet one another in a form of reapoachment and some will agree on some issues and disagree on the others. That is the beauty of democracy. What is unacceptable is for one person to impose a candidate on us. That is offensive, highly offensive from the standpoint of justice.

Tinubu: I have a right to back who I want

I

My Dear Tunji Abayomi t is said that to err is human. By your letter to me, it seems that you seek to remind me that I am human. Of this I am constantly reminded. I know I have made my share of mistakes. But my progressive inclination remains firmly rooted.

However, by your pained and inaccurate letter, you have proven that you are human too. You have been a friend and will continue to be. Thus, I can dispense with needless formality so that we can get to the crux of the issue.

Your career is that of a lawyer and activist. I appreciate all that you have done in the pursuit of a more just and democratic Nigeria. However, your letter to me is an impetuous display unbecoming a man of your status and a man seeking the highest leadership position in his state. And as a lawyer, you well know that one cannot seek equity without having done equity.

In writing the letter, you appear to have been bitten by a bug that often blinds the objectivity of a man. You have been bitten by an ambition that you fear you shall not be able to realize. In your pursuit of office, you have sought my support and influence. When you sought that support, you thought it proper and democratic to do so.

If I had signaled my support for you, I am sure that you would never have written this letter alleging that I was undermining the democratic will of the people. You would have been pleased with me, I suppose.

However, because that support has not been forthcoming, you fear that the support you wanted may now go to a rival candidate. In your judgment, my support for you would have been democratic.

Should I support another, then that same support is now to be considered dictatorial and unfair? Frankly, dear friend, I do not see the objectivity in your analysis or the merit in what you claim as your injury.

If you seek a person’s support, you cannot in good conscience turn around and object that such support should never be given to another person. Your position is more undemocratic and unfair than what you accuse me of. Your words attack me for being undemocratic when in reality your heart attacks me for not giving you what you want. I have participated in elections for decades for myself and others.

Some have been won. Some lost. Never, however, have I asked a friend for support than condemn for giving the very support I sought of them to another person.

To do so is not to stand on principle but on bruised pride. You said I seek to deny your democratic right. It is you who seeks to grab mine. If not mistaken, I believe I am a member of the APC. I have a right and duty to support the candidate who I believe will best represent the party. What your letter is really saying is that if I don’t support you, I should keep my mouth shut. You complain of a purported meeting I had to discuss the coming primary in Ondo. Do you deny me and other APC members now the right to assembly and talk. Had you heard that the meeting had anointed you, I doubt you would have written the first word of the letter you sent to me. But here I want to give you and others a clear assurance that you may rest more at ease. I reserve the right to support any candidate I wish because no one has the right to take this away from me.

However, I will also do everything in my power to ensure the primaries are free and fair and that there will be no undue influence on the process. The candidate who can garner the most support and votes will win. Since its inception, the APC has run the cleanest and most transparent pri-

maries in the history of this nation. The just-concluded primary in Edo is further evidence of this. My dear friend, I leave you free to run and win the primary. If you do, I shall congratulate you and support you in the general election. However, you must respect my rights as well and leave me to my own conscience to support who I will support. And to show interest in whom I wish. I also need to correct what appears to be a mistaken impression on your part about the 2015 election. Your letter seems to indicate that it was on your advice that I backed President Buhari. You assume too much credit and should be more guarded in your assertions.

As a veteran in the political arena, I do not make important decisions lightly. I make final political decisions and calculations on my own after deep reflections and consultation with many people from many perspectives. I can assure you, dear friend, that I trust my own political counsel more than yours and that I have numerous other advisors whose advice I weigh more than yours. After all had you so much influence over me in the presidential election, it would mean you surely should have greater influence over me when it comes to the primary in your state. I do appreciate your passion and concern for the welfare of the people. Yet, you are not the only one who feels this.

The love of the people is not exclusive to you, Tunji.

My entire life has been devoted to the betterment of the people and of this nation. Lagos is a much better place because of what we have tried to do, and I pray that it will be better still. Many worked hard and long and sacrificed much, even more than you, to bring in the new Federal Government. We did not do this as a sport but to improve the lives of the people. You need not lecture me about the plight of the people. Their right to a better life is what motivates me. I do not doubt your love for the people and this nation.

Yet, you have no right to doubt mine for you do not love these people and this place more than I do. Of that, I can assure you. I am a democrat. I am ready to for the chips to fall where they may after and open and fair primary in Ondo. Instead of welcoming this, it appears you are afraid of it. Instead of fighting me who is but one man with no vote, you should be fighting for votes and support. Your letter to me was woefully misplaced and inappropriate. Still, I wish you the best and may democracy and the people’s will prevail above all else.

•Being text of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu's letter to Dr. Tunji Abayomi last week

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Body&Soul

Crossword puzzle

A Glass of Milk O

nce, there was a poor boy who made a living by selling various objects from door to door.

This was the way he earned money to pay for his school.

One day, as he was walking from house to house as usual, he felt very hungry and weak. He felt that he couldn’t walk even a few steps. He decided to ask for food at a house. He knocked on the door and was stunned to see a beautiful young girl open the door. With much hesitation, he asked the girl for a glass of water.

The young girl understood his condition and offered him a huge glass of milk. With an astonished look, the boy drank the milk very slowly.

“How much do I owe you for this milk?” he asked her.

The girl replied, “I do not want any money for this.”

The boy thanked the girl from the bottom of his heart and left the place.

Years passed by. The young girl grew up. In her youth, unfortunately, she fell ill and was diagnosed with the rarest kind of nervous disorder. Many ex-

perienced doctors were baffled at her condition, and she was admitted in the city hospital with the most advanced facilities.

Dr. Kevin, a renowned neuro specialist was called in by the hospital to examine her. Even with his extraordinary expertise, Dr. Kevin found the girl’s illness very hard to cure. However, with perseverance and hard work that lasted months, he was finally able to get the disease under control. With careful medication and monitoring, the girl was completely cured in the end.

Everyone praised the doctor, but the girl was quite worried about how much the hospital bill would come to. Her family had just a little money kept away in the bank, which was by no means enough to pay for such a long treatment in that reputed hospital.

The girl was given the hospital bill finally. With trembling hands, she opened it. She was stunned to see that the bill had been crossed out and cancelled, and there was a note underneath signed by Dr. Kevin.

“Bill paid years ago with a glass of milk!”

Moral: One good turn begets another.

Math picture

Gags 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 What did the Super Nintendo say to the Sega Genesis?

Ans: “You know, everyone always tells me that I’m a bit better than you.”

What’s the difference between Ms. and Mrs.?

Ans: Mr.

Celebration

4 great gbosas to Kasemi Obey-GM @ 4! This little firecracker loves pink and purple, eating jollof rice and watching Tom and Jerry cartoon. Happy birthday, grow and amaze your world!

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016

NEWS Be hopeful, Nigeria will become better – Kumuyi p.34

INTERVIEW Christianity’s under siege – CAN President p.33

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SERMON

Spend time with your family p.51

FAITH

Osu tasks CAN leadership on unity I

Tai Anyanwu f the new executives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by Dr. Supo Ayokunle, must achieve the ideals and objectives of the apex Christian body in Nigeria, a lot has to be done to win the trust of all interest groups who are aggrieved with recent activities of CAN. Part of the challenges that needs to be fixed to restore the dignity of CAN is that it must also be seen to promote godly values and speak with one voice on issues affecting the Christian Faith and the welfare of the generality of Nigerians.

The Director of Social Communication, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, gave the counsel while fielding questions from Sunday Telegraph in Lagos.

According to Osu, true unity, as expressed by the Lord Jesus Christ in scripture in the book John 17:6-21, will ensure the new leadership’s success.

“The above desire of Christ forms the bedrock upon which the Christian Association of Nigeria, which came into being in the year 1976, was built. It is an Association of Christian Churches with distinct identities, recognizable church structures and system of worship of one God in the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” Osu said.

He stressed that CAN is supposed to be the umbrella body for all Christian denominations that are desirous of promoting godly values and speaking with one voice on issues affecting the Christian Faith and the welfare of the generality of Nigerians.

“When the founding fathers meted the idea of the association following their initial meeting at Dodan Barracks, Lagos, their intentions were very genuine and laudable. But how well it has performed over the years is a subject for another discourse,” he said.

Osu, however, noted that the association still has a lot to do to achieve its cardinal objective of promoting the interests of Christians across the country, especially judging from the controversy that dogged the immediate past leadership of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

He added that the leadership of CAN has always allowed for flexibility so that the various blocs that constitute its membership can be properly represented in its administration.

Invariably, Osu observed that in the past, CAN was highly respected as standing for truth, integrity, transparency and justice; and the interest of its members remained supreme.

“All these are traits expected to be personified by its leadership. Thus, when it speaks or issues a press release, the government in power and all stakeholders listens and act accordingly,” he added.

He regretted that in recent times, there

Gabriel-Osu

has been some kind of rift regarding the CAN to do everything to assuage all the way the association is been run, its uninterest groups who have not been too due emphasis on materialism and the pleased with its recent activities. perceived ‘closeness’ of its leadership His words: “The new executives must to the presidency, to the detriment of its begin to mend broken fences and return member’s interests. to the founding ideals of the associa“Today, CAN is altion. High level consultation is also immost like a toothperative in order not to repeat the In these trying less dog that mistakes of past administration. cannot bite. It They must show through their times when Christians is now grapdeeds that they can truly be are being persecuted pling to trusted to represent the views maintain of the various blocs that right, left and centre, much its respectup the association.” needs to be done in uniting the make ability He added: “In these trying association so that it can truly times when Christians are amidst its decimated being persecuted right, left speak with one voice and memberand centre, much needs to be defend the interest of all ship,” Osu done in uniting the association further noted. so that it can truly speak with one Christians He advised the voice and defend the interest of all current leadership of Christians.”

TAI ANYANWU HEAD, RELIGOUS DESK titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph © Daily Telegraph Publishing

Fake Pastors on the prowl - Olukoya

C

hristians have been warned to be on their guard because according to the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Church, Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, many fake pastors are out there to deceive people.

Olukoya gave the warning in a recent sermon he titled: ‘Inside the Cage of Lying Prophet.’

In his characteristic scholarly approach, Olukoya revealed the secrets of the impostors to guide unsuspecting people to recognize the mode of operations of the false pastors.

Many of them, he explained are in the street, on the television and on radio today.

He said: “When you see someone from nowhere or someone just appears from nowhere, when you can’t identify the church where he got born again and you cannot even trace his roots to any church, then you should be very, very careful to associate with such a ‘man of God’.

“These men are always in suits and they see visions. They speak strange languages that are very uncommon and they called it speaking in tongues, these people are always seen vibrating, while preaching.

“The same fake prophets are the same sleeping in hotels with the wives of church members.”

The cleric buttressed his points with an illustration of how a woman who had been begging God for a child went to one of the fake prophets for prayers.

According to him: “The man asked her to sleep with him in a cemetery and the lady slept with him on a grave.

“But the woman saw a padlock in his hand when she was having sex with him and the padlock was locked during the expulsion and since then, the woman’s womb was blocked. Her problem multiplied.

“Another fake prophet told someone to come to Nigeria, that he must have sex with her before she could prosper.

“How could a man ask his church members to deposit water in bottles in the church for seven days?” he quizzed, adding that many of these things were now happening in Nigeria, and many signs and wonders we see in Nigeria now are sings of disobedience.

Olukoya

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FAITH

Christianity’s under siege – CAN President

The new President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Supo Ayokunle, came on board at a time persecution of Christians is on the increase. In this no holds-barred interview, with Tai Anyanwu, he lamentes that Christianity in Nigeria is on siege How does it feel like being the President of CAN? By the grace of God, it is a privilege and also a divine mandate. For the Baptist Church, none of our leaders have been given the privilege of serving at this level since 177 years of the church’s existence in Nigeria. Though I have served as the National Vice President of Christian Association of Nigeria, this is a different ball game. I will say that it’s a privilege for all Christians to be able to agree on one person to serve; because I didn’t just plunge into it. The whole thing started in October last year. I was in Houston, USA with my wife to rest; then I saw a vision of CAN election going on. I saw a CAN bloc voting en-masse for me. I asked one of the bloc’s leaders why they were voting for me when I am not from that bloc. I woke up and told my wife about the dream. She told me to just forget about CAN presidency because she doesn’t want trouble for me. It was almost a fight. But I told her that I didn’t know I would have that dream, I was only sharing what I saw. She said that her prayer team will prayed it off. I told her that if it is human desire, the team can pray it off, but if it is God communicating His mind to us ahead of time, it can’t be prayed off.

I told her not to be emotional about it. She was not convinced; but she was convinced that we must pray. So, we set up a prayer team and we really prayed over it but I decided that I will not help the situation that I was just going to see how it will come to pass. When the submission of names was announced, I didn’t take any action.

But there is this ecumenical officer here in the office who insisted that even if I was not going for presidency I was qualified to run for a second term as Vice President.

When he saw that I was using delay tactics and the closing date was around, he wrote the application and put my name. He also showed it to one of my lieutenants. They didn’t tell me they had submitted it because they feared that I may stop them from submitting. It was after the Christian Council accepted the application and forwarded it to CAN that he came to tell me that they had submitted an application in my name.

And the rest is history now.

Should we call you a reluctant CAN President?

I fear failure; it’s better not to start at all than to fail. You know I have a big assignment here. The Nigerian Baptist Convention is a monster organization. We are in several mediums and we have over 15,000 churches which I now pastor. We have 10 seminaries, which I am a Rector; we have a university which I am a Rector. We have a press which is a registered company, and we have a bookstore. When I see the combination of all these, for me to supervise all of that and combine CAN responsibility with it is intimidating. So the reluctance was out of the fear of failure. When you have too many things in your mouth, you will end up spilling everything out. If you go back memory lane, men that God have used were reluctant ministers. Anyone that knows that opportunity calls for responsibility will be afraid of just rushing to take

positions. It is not about occupying positions; it is about functioning properly in that position.

Are you saying that you are not prepared to the job or that you cannot cope considering that you are also serving at the World Council of Churches?

Being in leadership does not mean that you are there alone. Leadership is teamwork. If you see yourself as a four-man, you are going to destroy yourself; you will be living in a fool’s paradise. You can never be a four-man, you are only one man. But you can manage the resources around you.

Here in Nigeria, the Baptist Convention has got a splendid system whereby the President of the convention is not standing alone.

I have three assistants. I have a Vice President (Ministerial), who is an accredited Theologian, a Doctor of Philosophy in theology. There’s nothing I can do that he cannot do. He is there to assist me whenever I’m not available. I have a Vice President (Admin/Human Resources), who is also an accredited Theologian and an accredited Administrator. I have a Vice President (Finance and Investment), also a Doctorate in Theology and a Chartered Accountant. I also have Directors, accredited Theologians with PhD in different fields. God has put me in the midst of abundant resources to be able to harness for effectiveness. In the Baptist setting, we believe in the congregation being active and taking decisions. I am the President here, but what I do here is to carry out what the congregation has resolved to do. We don’t operate like some founder of churches where one person just dictates what you want to do. You have to discuss things; you have to assign people to implement them. You just make sure that all the decisions collectively taken are executed. It makes my work very light. And the same thing goes with CAN; CAN has a Vice President. It has Directors also; and about six directors. So it’s not about me, it’s about me using the abundant resources around me to do what God has called me to do.

CAN is not what it’s supposed to be because challenges particularly from the other religion. But I think the major challenge that the past President faced was from within. How are you going to tackle this?

Before now, I’ve travelled far and wide within the nation, seeing people that mat-

Ayokunle

tered within CAN; and mending fences.

We met with the ex-Presidents of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; the angry people presented their position, Pastor Oritsejafor presented CAN’s position, and when they listened, they were convinced that election passed through due process. CAN is a body of Christ and anyone that is aggrieved is angry maybe because he lost out in one way or the other. We should not allow the sun to go down upon their anger. I may not be able to say much about that because of the court; but we a meeting with the people in court and people outside court. The reconciliation has been on-going even before the inauguration. It was that reconciliation process that made the inauguration possible otherwise it might not have been possible. We need all of them. A house divided against itself cannot stand. We are saying that the enemies we have more enemies to face outside; they are so many that we can’t afford to have enemies within; especially with the attacks coming from other religions in this nation. Just see how, almost on weekly basis, Christians are being slaughtered; and it appears that nobody cares. Our consternation is the attitude of

the authorities to it, no real statement or action to reassure us. As I said in my acceptance speech, the authorities swore to the constitution that they will defend us; they give us freedom to practice our religion. So if it is happening in Abuja, the place we can call the center of civilisation in Nigeria, if somebody doing evangelism can just be killed like that, and I don’t think we have heard much of a statement from the President of the country over it.

If only he cried out and order the Inspector General of police to get the person or people responsible for the killings, it will be reassuring. But for keeping silent, that is very dangerous, that silence is not golden at that time. Speaking out against it, doing something will be reassuring. CAN is not anti-government and government should not be anti-CAN. But seeing that we are threatened, our lives are threatened and those who should defend us are not speaking out, it leaves much to desire. It is a trying time. It’s a very tough time but we are going to confront it headlong in the most lawful way; not confrontational. But we CONTINUED ON PAGE 33

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FAITH CONTINUED F R O M PAGE 32

are not going to sack our responsibilities to make all of you, whether Christian or Muslim, to be able to enjoy your lifetime.

It’s very important.

The issue of hijab, other issues like the intended education system and herdsmen violence and all the rest tend to make many people believe that there is a plot to Islamise this nation. Do you the same opinion, and if yes, what will the Christian community do?

Whether it’s Islamisation or not, there is a siege on Christianity in Nigeria; we can all see what is on ground. I’m not talking about belief, I’m talking about facts.

There is a siege on Christianity. How can somebody say that he is doing a reform in the curriculum and change Christian doctrine and think that we will keep quiet?

They will be teaching, in that new educational curriculum, that Jesus Christ is not the son of God. Is that Christian teaching?

And you call it Christian Religious Knowledge? Where did you bring that one from if you are not just provoking anger in other people? You want to be teaching that Jesus is not the son of God and that He did not die on the cross and that He did not rise from the dead. What are you saying then? You are saying there’s nothing like Christianity. Is that education? Who drew it up? That new education curriculum can never see the light of the day. CAN is already on it, we have our agents. Some time ago, the government was apologizing over that; I need to commend the government for that. The government knew that the curriculum was a bad taste. Government ought to carry out an investigation on the person or persons responsible for such a thing. If still in the national educational reserve council, that person(s) should be queried and sanctioned. What was the intention for bringing that reversed curriculum on board? I think the best thing is to dismiss that individual from service. He or she wants to set the nation on fire. If you see what is happening, Joseph Zechariah Kura, the Evangelical Church Winning All Pastors in Nassarawa State, was butchered

by Islamic extremists. The following week, the woman in Abuja was killed. Somebody who is not a Muslim, wanted to eat in his shop in Kaduna, he was stabbed. In Kano, some Muslims were doing ablution in front of a woman’s shop and she stopped them. Is that even decent? She was killed just like that. A Catholic Church opened for service in Niger State on Friday and some people said Friday was specifically for you. Who told you that others should not worship God again on Friday except you? Don’t we see other religious adherent do their service on Sunday? Has anybody attacked them? And our authorities keep quiet as if nothing is happening. We will not allow them to rest until they speak out and do something. There is a siege. And when we are talking, it is not because we want to set the nation on fire but because we don’t want the nation to be on fire. Let there be mutual respect. We used to exist together mutually, it was not like this.

Let’s return to that time, that’s what we are saying. When we will have Muslims and Christians in the same family and they were eating and dining together. Where has this type of spirit come from? I think it’s the spirit of end time placing a siege over Christianity. We are too many in this nation for somebody to think that they can overrun us in a day. As long as we live and as long as God gives us breathe, we will not allow anybody to force any religion on us.

How prepared is the Christian body for this challenge?

I don’t know how prepared. Some Christians, if not many, are naïve. They cannot see beyond their noses. And it is through interviews like this that we can awaken their consciences that danger is coming and they should stop feeling

INTERVIEW

FG’s silence is not golden – Ayokunle

mouth shut until all the people who are passing through suffering and hard times and victims of insurgency have been properly taken care of either through CAN, the government or non-governmental organisations. I was at the World Council of Churches and I was shouting at the top of my voice that the internally displaced people in Nigeria should be attended to.

And by the grace of God, from February or March 2017, the World Council of Churches is coming to lay the foundation of international inter-faith religious center in Kaduna so that what led to the Boko Haram insurgency might not repeat itself again in our nation. We will build on what Pastor Oritsejafor has done; but the style may be different because the access that we have to resources differs. On the issue of C of O for churches in the north, I think we will still gather lawyers together to make sure that we address that matter.

If any church is denied C of O, we will like to have the records of them and the reasons for that denial and we may legally challenge that in the court of law because whoever is doing that does not have law behind him to cover him or her. Nigerians cannot be treated as aliens in their own motherland.

What will be your major agenda?

Go and get my acceptance speech, you will see my agenda there.

What will be the new relationship between CAN and Islamic community (NAIREC) considering that there has not been any meeting of the two bodies for some time now?

Mine is to look at what happened. I have told the national secretariat to send letter to the Sultan of Sokoto, to inform him that we have a new administration on board, a new CAN President, and I’ll take it up from there.

relaxed. I watched an animal Christians to begin to respect documentary, I saw two our collectivity by respectI don’t know gazelles. The lion was ing the people that we lurking somewhere in have put in position. how prepared. Some the bush, watching Christians, if not many, are as the two gazelles Pastor Oritsejafor’s naïve. They cannot see beyond were fighting themadministration selves. While they was involved in their noses. And it is through were fighting, the rehabilitating vicinterviews like this that we can lion was moving tims of insurgency closer and closer. By in the North East. awaken their consciences that the time they realised What steps will you danger is coming and they their foolishness, he take in this regard; should stop feeling has attacked and got and what will you do one down. Thank God knowing that till now Cerrelaxed they were not two lions; the tificate of Occupancy is not second one would have gone too. issued to churches in the North?

I think that is what we Christians are doing, very naïve. What they do instead is to In terms of what Pastor Oritsejafor has attack their leaders. I told the people when done, God gave that man resources and I was giving my acceptance speech, you he spent it for the church. It is very diffichose me to lead, please pity me because cult to have another Christian leader that leadership is a burden and you didn’t bring can have that advantage and that type of me down here to be ridiculing me in the spirit. I am coming from an established faces of newspaper. You pay no money, organisation. My organisation does not I’m receiving nothing. I’m here to defend allow me to spend half kobo from collecthe welfare of the church. Pity me, love tion unless what they have approved. And me, and don’t show me hatred. I think that before the approval is given, it will pass other religious adherents in this nation through many tables. As an established are teaching us how to respect our lead- organisation, you know that we have ers. Have you seen anybody opening their our own ministries; internally displaced mouths in the newspaper to bring down people, widows and so on that we attend their leader? Are their leaders saints? Are to with several millions. We will do our they angels? But we wash our own dirty best but you better not compare us belinings in the public square with our ho- cause our areas of ministry differ. What I lier than thou attitude. It’s naivety. I beg can assure you is that I will not keep my

What do you think of this proposal for national grazing reserves?

We have shown our opposition to that.

Ranches are better. Let the Fulani men who are professionals in cattle rearing, wherever they want to buy land, let them take money from their pockets and buy it because they sell cows to us. Why should government buying land for them? Will government buy lands for mechanics also?

Are they going to buy lands for Pastors to plant churches? What is good for the goose is good for the gander. They should not take public funds to be buying lands for Fulani herdsmen. They are doing their private businesses. For me, they amputated the leg of my cousin in our village.

When the girl was coming from the river, they met her, they wanted to take her, she was running away, unfortunately she fell and they amputated the leg. Since that time, I will not allow Fulani herdsmen in my backyard. I cannot trust them any longer having done that. So whoever wants to sell land for them in their backyard, if they can pay, let them sell it. But for me, not now, once bitten, twice shy. It was Baptist hospital that helped us on that lady, an unmarried lady. It pains my hearts. What wickedness.

They destroyed her life. The whole leg chopped off. This is not a story. If you want to see her, I will call someone to take you there to see her. I cannot allow such a person in my backyard. This grazing reserve, not when we have seen what they can do.

Any family who wants to sell land to them, I’m not hindering you; you can go ahead and sell; but let them buy it themselves.

That’s the bottom-line.

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FAITH

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Nwagbara Chidinma

he General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministries, Pastor William Kumuyi, has sent a word of consolation to all Nigerian, never to lose hope due to the hard times prevailing in the country.

He said: “First we need hope, once we have hope and we know we are not going to stay where we are forever.”

Kumuyi, who was answering question from journalists during a special service at the Deeper Life Church, Iyobo which had the Governor of Akwa Ibom State in attendance, Udom Emmanuel, noted that every Nigerians the desires a change for the better.

He, however, said that the way to get the desired change is for everyone to begin to take a step and allow change to begin from their own little quarters.

“How do we get there except the change begins with you, begins with me, begins with the people that have that, idea that desire in mind and then we check.

“It may be a baby step, a little step, a single step, another step and I believe

SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Be hopeful, Nigeria will become better – Kumuyi if we’re focused, gradually we’ll get there. We will get to the place we know God wants us to get to.

Nigeria will become better,” Kumuyi assured.

In his message, he explained that the change can only happened when Nigerians begin to shun every form of unrighteousness and embrace godliness, justice and fairness.

He also enjoined Nigerians to pray more for the peace and progress of Nigeria pointing out that God has answers to every problem facing the nation.

Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State governor wished that Nigerians should learn to appreciate the gift of servants of God like the Deeper Life GS, who he said had been offering fervent prayers for the wellbeing of the country.

According to the Udom, Nigerians may have been in deeper hardship if not for the prayers of men of God who have always interceded for the country.

“I want to use this op-

Cleric vows not join CAN Stanley Ihedigbo

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he President of Jesus Saves Church Worldwide, Apostle Chukwudi Odum, has vowed not to have anything to do with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) unless the apex Christian body stopped acting like politicians.

He was speaking with Sunday Telegraph at the church’s just celebrated 40th anniversary and ordination service, held recently in Lagos.

Apostle Odum alleged that members of CAN claim to be clerics adding that inwardly, they are politicians whose interests are purely selfish centred.

He insisted that spiritually minded ministers and churches that are serious about heaven will have no business associating with such a ‘politically minded association’.

Speaking on his apostolic mandate, Odum, said that the Almighty God, the author and the master planner of life, revealed his call to ministry in a dream he had on September 7, 1957.

He explained that due to his education background and poor financial status

in his early days, he could not carry the assignment until God provided him with a job through which he was able to further his education.

“The Church is rapidly growing; and we can gloriously say that we have over 30 parishes spread across Nigeria. The Lord has used this vessel of His also to train numerous ministers of God in various capacities. In this memorable occasion, we shall ordain new ministers and elevate some,” he explained.

Odum also attributed the current suffering in Nigeria to endemic corruption saying” “Nigerians dug their financial grave through corruption.

God bless this country abundance but the politicians are working only for their pockets.”

He lamented the activities of the Fulani herdsmen, pointing out that to their attacks on farmers have contributed to food scarcity in the country.

Odum, however, advised fellow ministers of God to continue to preach about repentance, righteousness, peace and justice so that sinners will make heaven and enjoy life at last.

portunity to really thank God. We in Nigeria we don’t appreciate what we have. Men of God are sacrificing their time, themselves praying for this country and then we still have to go through these challenges.

“If ministers of God are

praying for this country what would have happened to Nigeria?” he asked.

Governor Udom also asked Nigerians to embrace righteousness and pray more for the country to experience a turnaround.

“It is righteousness that can exalt a nation and whether you like it or not the things of God there are no shortcut.

He said if the people that are called by my name shall obey him and that’s the key.

The governor added:

“Since I became a governor. I pray more for my state and this country than I even pray for my children and I know if you have people to pray you’ll always have God to answer and I am sure God will answer our prayers.”

L-R: Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, with General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi during the visit of the governor to Deeper Life Church in Iyobo, Lagos...recently

I rather go to jail than stop sex with my son – mother A woman and her son living in New Mexico are fighting in the courts for what they call a “right” to have a sexual relationship.

Thirty-six-year-old Monica Mares and her son, Caleb Peterson, 19, of Clovis, New Mexico, were separated after Peterson was born when she gave him up for adoption, but say they “fell in love” after they were reunited earlier this year and Peterson moved in with his mother.

They claim they have an orientation called “Genetic Sexual Attraction” (GSA) and want to “raise awareness about it.”

“This whole case is about whether I have the right to love somebody and I sure as hell have the right to love Monica,” Caleb Peterson told Britain’s Daily Mail.

His mother says she’s so committed to their “love” that she’s willing to go to prison to defend it. She even claims she would

give up custody of her other eight children to continue her relationship with Peterson.

“It is every bit worth it,” she told the Mail. “If they lock me up for love, then they lock me up.”

The two were arrested by police in February after angry neighbours reported their illegal relationship.

They were released under a court order to abstain from contact but then arrested again in March after being caught together.

They have been charged with incest, which is a third-degree felony in New Mexico that can be penalized with up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Their case is scheduled for trial in September.

An incest advocate, who goes by the name of “Cristina Shy”, is raising money for the legal defence of the couple. She says attraction to incest is a sexual “orientation” similar to others such as homosexuality, and that “full mar-

riage equality” will not be achieved until parents and children as well as other close family members can “marry” one another.

“It was the same with gay people just a few years ago,” she told the Mail.

“Gay people were also once accused of being mentally ill … and now that has been disproved,” Shy wrote on her blog.

“As we all know, as recently ago in history as the 1950s, homosexuality was illegal, people found to be having gay sex were arrested, put on trial, convicted and imprisoned. Society told gay people that they were perverts, sick, mentally ill, disgusting, and sinners against God. Wait a moment, this tirade of pure nonsense sounds awfully familiar doesn’t it. … OH OF COURSE, these are the very same things that consanguinamorous people have to deal with RIGHT NOW,” Shy wrote.

“Consanguinamory,” is

Shy’s term for incestuous relationships, which she says should be legalized and recognized as “marriage.”

“Relationship and marriage equality have come a long way,” Shy wrote.

“However, we still have a very long way to go to achieve FULL marriage equality for ALL consenting adults. With public awareness, more people reaching out, and people willing to take action, we can achieve more and more to reach our goals and change the oppressive laws that are currently in place.”

Daily Mail readers didn’t see it the same way.

“I threw up in my mouth,” a reader wrote in the comments section.

“IDC when they met, she carried him in her womb!!!

Knowing they were mother and son and still going that route is disgusting.”

“It’s my fault for reading this while I was eating lunch,” another wrote.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

Body&Soul with

Wole Adepoju 07037763410

woleadepoju@yahoo.com

Solomon Arase celebrated T

he immediate past number one police officer in the country who ceremoniously retired from the police force, Solomon Igbe Arase, may have had some high moments that probably got him elated while his career lasted but it may also not be far from the truth to say that the honour which was recently done on the stoutly built retired police chief will forever linger in his memory.

After his retirement, people from his state of origin, Edo, felt he has done them proud as their true son, hence their decision to honour him and blow his trumpet in such a way that the younger generation will be inspired. On that note, a reception where he was celebrated was held in Benin City. Garbed in sky blue Agbada in company of his wife, Agarase, who was beautifully dressed in a deep blue skirt and blouse. Solomon was full of life as he moved round appreciating his kinsmen and others who were around to celebrate him. The retired police boss who was named the Inspector General of the Police in April 2015 by former president, Goodluck Jonathan ceremoniously left office in June 2016. There is no doubt he has left his prints on sands of time as he did his best in making the police force to be more efficient with a better image during his tenure as the 18th Inspector General of Police.

Ataoja lauds Goldberg’s initiative

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ollowing the value which one of Nigerian Breweries products, Goldberg, has added to the on-going annual Osun Osogbo Festival in Osogbo, Osun State by erecting what it called a “Beer village”, the traditional ruler of the ancient city, The Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun has lauded the initiative just as people of the city are of the opinion the move has enhanced trade and commerce.

At the unveiling of the ‘Beer Village’, the monarch, speaking through his representative, Baale Elese of Osogboland, Moshood Adebayo, showered prayers on Goldberg team for setting up the village in the town because the initiative would increase and promote socio-cultural activities during the festival period. He also applauded the brand for championing befitting and cultural causes of the people.

Meanwhile, as visitors at the village had fun with comical, dramatic and musical performances, there were also raffle draws where Goldberg customers won various prizes like plasma TV, generator sets among others. The venue also provided art sculptors opportunity to exhibit their craft to the delight of everyone.

Cecilia Ibru spotted

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ife of successful multibillionaire business man, Olorogun Michael Ibru, Cecilia, might not appear as a social butterfly but the fact remains that her status has made her to be seen at social functions at various times.

However, those who are in tune with happenings on the social scene will have no difficulty in establishing that the woman has switched off from the social scene for a long time now.

She embraced this disposition after her ordeal in the hands of the anti-graft agency when she was found culpable of certain financial offences during her days as the point person of defunct Oceanic Bank. As earlier stated, Cecilia has withdrawn into her shell since she was left off the hook. Meanwhile, what has been noticed is that perhaps she steps out only when it’s unavoidable. It was on such occasion that the light skinned woman was spotted at the funeral of one of her brothers in-law, the first executive governor of Delta State, Olorogun Felix Ibru.

Decked in wine colour attire, the woman kept to herself and loosened up only where there was extreme need for it.

Tunde Fowler retraces step

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Anthony Adefuye rocks low key gig

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or someone of Senator Anthony Adefuye’s status who is of advanced age and has something to write home about as far as his business, family and public life is concerned, he can only be happy and grateful to his creator as each year passes by. Such was the reason behind a gathering in which the former lawmaker hosted friends, family and well-wishers to when he recently clocked age 72, even though it was low key in nature.

He opted for a low key birthday bash to reflect the harsh economic situation of the day but what could not be taken away from the event was that it was indeed successful.

Retired General Oladipupo Diya, Senator Gbenga Ashafa to mention a few were among those who came to identify with the birthday boy. Adefuye did not make the gathering for the merriment of his friends alone as he took the opportunity to render his humanitarian services. Many underprivileged at the Lekki venue of the event smiled home following various forms of empowerment that was given to them by the celebrant.

rilliant and articulate former Executive Chairman of Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue and Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, who is presently Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Babatunde Fowler, as you read this will still be basking in the euphoria of a memorable high moment he had recently. Fowler hit the milestone age of 60.

Many had expected the number one tax officer to roll out the drums to celebrate but that was not the path he toed.

Of course, he did have a swell time with a number of his colleagues from his alma mata, Igbobi College, among who is vice President, Professor Yemi Osibajo, who were on hand to celebrate with him. Meanwhile, it is believed that it will not speak well of him to roll out drums with the post he holds in the country; especially at a time when the economic fortunes of the nation is dwindling. On the same note, it is also believed he learnt from the unpleasant experience he had with the public years back when as Lagos tax master, he lavished a fortune on the wedding of his daughter, Funke to Abiodun Kuku in faraway United Arab Emirates, Dubai.

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POTPOURRI

Body&Soul

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

With Biwom Iklaki

Weight watchers community Overcoming weight loss plateau

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his is a very frustrating pitfall for many a weight watcher out there. And if you haven’t figured out why, read on. When you just start working out and dieting, your body begins to dig into its reserves carbohydrates (glycogen) stored in the liver and muscles.

Glycogen is partly made of water, so when glycogen is

burned for energy, it releases water, resulting in weight loss that’s mostly water. This process doesn’t last however and as your muscles begin to burn fewer calories than you did when you were heavier, you arrive at a plateau eventually where the calories you burn equals the calories you eat.

To combat the plateau, you

have to absolutely find a way to increase your workout or reduce your calories. If you are already eating 1500 calories as a woman and 2400, you may want to stay away from dropping any more. You can try switching up your workouts too. Notice how your workouts get easier after a few reps?

Switch it up to up the difficulty

Money talks

Daily money saving tips

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aving money in our country today is almost as hard as pulling a tooth. But let us look at it this way, what if you had to make concessions on a daily basis? If you stick with this, in a short while it will become a lifestyle and become easy on you. On the plus side, you will be smiling to the bank or whenever you see your bank balance.

for at malls, boutiques, fast foods, parking tickets, etc

1. If you are used to buying your coffees at cafes during your coffee breaks or lunch at restaurants during your lunch breaks, you have a perfect opportunity to save at least N15, 000 – N20, 000 weekly. Rather, invest in a good thermal flask to take your teas and coffees to work with you. Also, pack your lunch every day to save on buying meals from fast foods and restaurants.

4.

Buy items that have long shelf life in bulk. You are likely to get them cheaper than buying per pack. Stuff like detergent, bathing soap, cleaning agents, tooth paste, etc.

2.

Find ways to relax at home too. Create activities within walking distances from your home to avoid spending money you did not budget

3.

Make a list whenever you go grocery shopping. Professionals are often invited to design grocery shops to encourage you to buy impulsively.

To avoid falling for this impulse, take a shopping list with you and stick to it no matter what!

5.

Find a way to cure your stress shopping also known as retail therapy. Take up a sport to distress or an activity like walking, jogging, etc 6. You could consider getting your kids and even yourself to carpool with your neighbours and friends or even colleagues who live close by.

level. Alternate the amount of weight you lift — go heavy one week with fewer reps and lighter the next with more reps. Change the type of exercise you do for each muscle.

One week, do push-ups, then chest flies, then chest presses.

They all work the same part of your body, but in very different ways.

​Trend du jour Turban fascinators

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ny style watcher and trendy person would have noticed a new trend in the fashion space lately. Not only is it a very stylish choice for ladies, it has a very wide appeal and is loved by both the young and not so young women in Nigeria. It was no surprise when the monotonous gele and lace ensemble was broke with the advent of the fascinator lace look. Turbans have always been a loved option but many people didn’t think it was glamourous enough for certain occasions. Recently, stylish ladies have combined these two beautifully fabulous headpieces and come up with the turban fascinator. It is the combination of the extremely gorgeous African turban with the glamorous appeal of a western fascinator; the “Turscinator” (as I like to call it). It would be amazing for you to rock the “turscinator” to an event this weekend and see how you become cynosure of all eyes.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

Body&Soul

Dr. Philips Akinwole is USbased Microbial Ecologist with interdisciplinary background in ecology, biogeochemistry and microbial ecology. In this interview with PAUL OGBUOKIRI, Akinwole shares his research experiences in microbes.

Excerpts:

Only 10% of all bacteria in the body is bad –Akinwole

Who is Dr. Philips Akinwole and why did you choose to become a scientist in the area of microbes?

I was born in Lagos in the 70s to the family of Mr and Mrs Isaiah Akinwole from Osun State. While growing up in Lagos, every year, my mum used to take us to visit our grandpa in a village in Ife. I can recollect wandering in the forest, listening to birds and observing stream organisms with inquisitiveness.

Occasionally, I helped with the farm work but I just loved nature and I was always fascinated by its beauty and diversity. Each time we got back to Lagos from the yearly visits, I often wrote my experiences and observations, either as short stories or poems. I still have some of the anthology till date.

When did you start your academic pursuit?

Well, after my primary school education, I went to Anwar-ul Islam College, Agege in Lagos for my high school education. Biology and geography were my best subjects at school. My future direction was shaped at this college.

From there, I proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife, for my first degree in zoology, where I was mentored by one of the foremost entomologists in Nigeria, Prof. Tola Badejo.

I trained as an ecologist and was so concerned by national and global environmental issues even as a young student and became dedicated to finding the answers to some of these concerns. My research in ecology at OAU produced a publication that has been widely cited (Badejo MA and Akinwole PO (2006) Microenvironmental preferences of oribatid mite species on the floor of a tropical rainforest.

Experimental & Applied Acarology 40:145-156).

In 2003, I was awarded the Netherlands Fellowship Programme competitive scholarship to study Environmental Science for my Masters‘ programme at the UNESO-IHE, the Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands. This international exposure was a springboard for my career. I had a broad training in aquatic ecology and environmental conservation.

As one of the outstanding students at this institute, I was awarded a research grant that took me to Lucerne, Switzerland, where I worked with a top aquatic ecologist, Mark Gessner, to study leaf decomposition by microinvertebrates and microbes in German Black Forest streams.

In this study, we proposed the use of leaf decomposition as an indicator for river assessment to complement the current use of macroinvertebrates. With this broad international and interdisciplinary background in ecology and environmental science that I had acquired in Nigeria and the Netherlands/ Switzerland it was easy for me to get into a doctoral programme in the United States.

I was fascinated by research prospects in microbial ecology and stable carbon isotopes. I wanted to know the important roles of microbes in energy and nutrient recycling in the environment. I trained in Ecosystem and Microbial Ecology at the University of Alabama (USA) under a renowned microbial ecologist, Robert Findlay and was supported by a combination of Graduate Research Assistantships and Graduate Teaching Assistantships in Biology Department.

My research focuses in the highly specialised areas of phospholipid fatty acids and stable carbon isotope analyses of microbial community. My PhD work provided empirical evidence that terrestrial dissolved organic carbon (DOC) plays an important role in stream metabolism, as well as, supporting higher trophic levels in the microbial loop.

Microbes are known to be harmful and cause most known diseases. Do they have any beneficial roles?

It might interest you to know that an average guy weighing 70 kg would be composed of about 40 trillion bacteria and 30 trillion human cells. That’s a ratio of 1.3 bacteria to every one human cell. They are ubiquitous microbes run the world. It’s that simple. Not only do we have beneficial bacteria in our bodies, we also have beneficial bacterial on our bodies.

It has been estimated that only 10 per cent of bacteria are bad or pathogenic (disease-causing), while the other 90 per cent are good, that is, non-pathogenic. In fact, they are necessary components for human life. Unfortunately, most people often think of microorganisms in negative terms.

Commercials abound for soaps and cleaning wipes that

sterilise 99.5 per cent of bacteria on household surfaces and media focus on microbe-caused diseases. Of course, reducing disease transmission is important for personal and public health, we also need to understand the beneficial contributions microbial communities provide.

These little bugs make the essential elements of oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and sulphur available for other life on earth.

Human gut microbes are responsible for aiding digestion and making vitamins. Some individuals suffer from antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, that is, when many of the “good” bacteria are killed by the use of antibiotics, the “bad” bacteria can gain a foothold and cause diarrhoea.

Of course, microbes are essential to making many foods we enjoy, such as bread, cheese, yoghurt, beer and wine.

If you haven’t seen the movie series ‘Intimate Strangers: Unseen Life on Earth’, it is a good start to learn about microbes’ beneficial roles.

As a microbial ecologist, I study these microbes in the environment and their interactions with each other. It is technically challenging to study microbes; generally microbes are omnipresent and invisible without the aid of a microscope.

Microbial ecology studies entail the use of conventional microbiological techniques such as culturing them or enumeration procedures and modern molecular techniques such as sequencing, gene analysis, nuclei or fatty acids probing.

Part of my research focuses on the utilisation of terrestrial dissolved organic matter by bacteria as food. My work has revealed a wealth of information about the roles of these tiny bugs in energy and nutrient recycling.

Another aspect of my research focuses on the biogeography of microbes. Specifically, there has been limited progress in our understanding of how microbial diversity changes across spatial gradients and comparable research on the microbial biogeographical patterns have lagged behind research on plant and animal communities.

I designed a study to determine the spatial pattern of microbial signature biomarkers in stream networks. Findings from this study indicated a non-random distribution of microbial communities and that environmental heterogeneity and geographical distance can influence microbial distribution.

What are the possible world applications of your research?

I’ll talk briefly about two studies that I have investigated as related to their importance. Terrestrial Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) has long been considered recalcitrant; that is refractory, in order words “hard to eat” by bacteria, and thus, terrestrial DOC are considered less important in streams’ ecosystem.

Terrestrial DOC is from tree logs, fallen twigs, dead roots

and leaves that enter streams or rivers. My main focus here was to elucidate and determine the relative importance of heterotrophic microbial community metabolising terrestrial DOC. With my collaborators from the University of Alabama, Stroud Water Research Centre, Avondale (PA) and Michigan State University, we examined the incorporation of terrestrial DOC into microbial biomass by incubating stream sediment in bioreactors with natural stream water to which labelled tree tissues extracts were added.

I will not go into the technicalities of the experiment but the most important information is that microbes that feed on the extracts become labelled. We found out that consistently labelled bacteria are often associated with aerobic or facultative anaerobic metabolism.

Interestingly, we found labelled protozoans, this incorporation into microeukaryotes suggested that protozoans consumed bacteria that utilised labelled dissolved organic carbon. Thus, our findings support the hypothesis that stream water terrestrial DOC is utilised by stream bacteria and substantially contributes to the energy flow in aquatic ecosytems.

For policymakers, this study has important implications for protection of forested streams and rivers. Much of the stream terrestrial DOC are derived from the surrounding trees and shrubs, as such; any human activity, such as deforestation or unregulated logging that disrupts or accelerates the delivery of terrestrial DOC to streams may need regulation.

It becomes very difficult to predict with certainty what is going to happen with too much or little organic matter in streams, which is why an advanced experiment like this is so important. Likewise, my contribution to stream ecology in collaboration with researchers in Switzerland (EAWAG, Limnological Research Centre), particularly in proposing the use of leaf decomposition as a tool to assess streams functional integrity has important implication in river assessment.

A significant contribution to the field of ecology from this outstanding work established that the extent of natural variability in the rate of leaf decomposition observed across all spatial scales tested in that study was insignificant relative to the obvious impact that human activities can have on litter decomposition in various ecosystems.

Thus, leaf-litter decomposition was proposed as an important indicator for assessing functional stream integrity.

This clarion call has inspired other investigators, who have reiterated the call for leaf decomposition in river assessment and conservation.

So far, what problems have you solved during and after your research?

I recently published an article on the unique odd-chain polyenoic phospholipid fatty acids present in chytrid fungi.

These microbes are ubiquitous components of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems yet they remain understudied. While working on the fatty acids of these fungi, the presence of several highly unusual fatty acids was suspected.

Characterising these unique fatty acids present a technical challenge in the laboratory that I was working in at that time. Several known chemical protocols didn’t work for characterising this particular group. Eventually, I have to use a modified mass spectrometry of 3-pyridylcarbinol esters of fatty acids.

For the first time, I reported odd number fatty acids (C17 fatty acids) and in particular, two relatively uncommon polyunsaturated fatty acids in chytrid fungi.

I was awarded an international travel grant to present this discovery at the 2010 International Symposium on Microbial Lipids: From Genomics to Lipidomics in Vienna, Austria.

My research work now underpins the use of these fatty acids as biomarkers for chytrid fungi in ecological studies.

Academic research is time-consuming and energy sapping.

How do you handle pressure and stress?

Largely, pressure is a positive force and a motivating factor for me. For example, when I was presented with the challenge to find a technology to identify and characterise unique odd-chain polyenoic phospholipid fatty acids present in chytrid fungi, several known protocols didn’t work, so I had to twist and modified existing techniques to surmount the challenge.

I used this pressure time experience to channel my energies into accomplishing as much as possible. Apart from working hard and long hours, communication with other researchers or co-workers is also important. I was doing lots of literature reviews and asking questions.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

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You can start all over again CONNECT NG

ou always hear people say things like ‘after the rain comes sun shine’ when you have gone through a harrowing experience or trying to recover from a broken heart. At the time when they are comforting you with these words, it may never look like it will ever happen but trust me, time does heal all wounds.

Wallowing in self pity is never the best way to get over heartbreaks but we do it all the same. Some of us express this in varying ways: some cry buckets of tears in the privacy of their bedrooms; spend sleepless nights staring into darkness and thinking of their lost love while some will call up one of their closest friends and simply pour their sorrows into a listening ear that is willing to hear the tale of a love gone sour.

Broken relationships always leave bitter tastes in our mouth when we remember them and for some people, it takes years before they get over the pain and move on.

All the same, I’ll say making a clean break and creating a fresh start is the best way to forget the past and move on with your life. There’s no need crying over split milk or indulging in vengeful thoughts that will create bitterness in your heart and these things have a way of reflecting in your attitudes to others so avoid them as much as you can.

Make up your mind to start afresh and get determined not to make the same mistakes twice. You do this by making sure you don’t choose the next person just because they happen to look like or act like your ex. This usually has a boomeranging effect in the long run. You’ll end up not being truly satisfied with that person because you’ll keep comparing him/ her with your ex and most of the time,

T

vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com they fall off the high pedestal which you have placed them.

In starting all over again to find love, first of all make sure you are healed of all hurt from the former relationship. There’s no need carrying excess baggage full of complexes and inhibitions to the love zone of a new relationship. No one likes to hear how wonderful your ex was when they are on a date with you. Be sure you are totally healed from a broken heart before jumping into a fresh relationship.

The next thing to do is to build up your friendship data base. Most of us find romance at work or through our network of acquaintances. If this isn’t happening for you, you may need to extend your friendship circle.

Best way to do this is to spend more time on leisure activities that you enjoy

and meet other individuals who like the same things. The more friends you have, the more chances you have of meeting that special someone. Try meeting new friends by changing the circle of friends you had with your ex. That way you will not easily run into your former lover or make the mistake of dating any of their friends. People who do that end up spoiling the friendship that exists between their ex and their new partner and I don’t think that is really the ideal way to create a new relationship. Its best you always create a fresh relationship on a clean slate away from old reminders of your former relationship.

When you have cast your net into the ocean of new friends, I’m sure you’ll definitely catch an interesting fish! So don’t be shy to accept an invitation for a

You never know if that simple date will be the beginning of a budding and lasting relationship. You can be invited to go for a quick drink or a simple lunch date or even a special dinner date. Accept it graciously and prepare your mind to have a lovely time

date no matter how trivial the outing may seem. You never know if that simple date will be the beginning of a budding and lasting relationship. You can be invited to go for a quick drink or a simple lunch date or even a special dinner date. Accept it graciously and prepare your mind to have a lovely time. First dates can be frightening and fraught, so don’t expect too much. All you really need to establish is that you are comfortable with the other person and you don’t feel physically repelled by them.

If you’ve had a good time on the date, there’s no harm in texting or phoning to say how much you enjoyed it. Most ladies are shy to do this for fear of appearing too forward or desperate. All the same, don’t insist on another date if the other person seems less than keen at the end of the first date. A gentle ‘would you like to meet up again some time?’ should be enough to establish if there’s any spark between the two of you. If you don’t want to meet again, it’s good manners to gently let the other person know the truth. Try: ‘I think you are very nice, but I don’t think we could have the kind of relationship I’m looking for.’ That way, you’ll save yourself the trouble of wading off an unwanted fly trying to perch on your love zone and preventing you from creating further room to meet someone else.

New relationships are always sweet and exciting at the beginning. Enjoy the feeling of being in love again and make sure that this time you put in your best and eliminate all the mistakes you made in previous relationships that could cause a break up in the new one. I wish you all the best in your new found love!

When the flames go out on sporting dreams

oday, the attention of the world is focused on one particular spot on the globe; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Yes, today the Olympics, the ancient and greatest of sporting events, come to an end and the post mortem will start. The social media has been awash with different kinds of stories, the human angle story of Simone Biles, who was abandoned by her drug addict mum and then adopted by her grandfather but is today the winner of four gold medals and one bronze. (By the way, that is more than the total of some countries).

She even manages to beat a legend, Oksana Chusovitina, in the process. Oksana won gold medal two years before Simone was born and has a son about the same age as Simone. Then, there was the story of the great dive by Shaunae Miller. The woman who saw she was clearly beaten to the gold but then did the last possible legal thing to win gold, dive across the finish line. She was roundly condemned for being unsportsmanlike, but there is just one question: was it legal? Yes, end of story.

How can I forget the British Brownlee twins, Alistair and Jonny, who took gold and Silver in the Triathlon? What a day for them and their parent. Even the Estonian triplets who competed in the marathon, the first triplets in Olympics history must have been proud.

Now, this may not be the story you wanted.

We all waited for that first Nigerian medal.

Waited and waited. Hoped it would be gold in football, but the Germans scuttled that dream. Hoped it would be Ajagba the boxer, but it was not to be. Then we waited for the relays, waited for Wrestling. And we are still waiting. As I write this, Nigeria’s medal count still reads: Gold 0. Silver 0. Bronze 0.

For the supposed giant of Africa, this is not good enough. I hope when the swan song of the Olympics is sung and the flames go out, that we will at least have a bronze medal against our name.

But that is the Nigerian in me talking. The realist in me is actually asking the hard questions on everybody’s lips that our patriotism is making it impossible for us to ask: Do we really deserve a medal at the Olympics games? Did we as a nation prepare in such a way as to guarantee a medal of any kind?

I recall the sprinter, Divine Oduduru, mak-

ing a loud call for support just a few months before the Olympics started. Plus, has anyone forgotten the embarrassing situation of our Dream Team that made headline news on CNN? Is this really how champions prepare for big events? The answer is an emphatic NO. It takes champions years of practice, hard training and dedication to achieve Olympic standards. Let me just use Simone Biles as an example. She was pulled out of regular school, part home schooled and part schooled on the training ground so that she can focus on her Olympics dream. She works

I recall the sprinter, Divine Oduduru, making a loud call for support just a few months before the Olympics started.

Plus, has anyone forgotten the embarrassing situation of our Dream Team that made headline news on CNN? Is this really how champions prepare for big events? The answer is an emphatic NO. It takes champions years of practice, hard training and dedication to achieve Olympic standards

with the two best gymnastics coach in the world and regularly participates in competitions. All of this fully funded by the American Gymnastic Federation. No, the four Gold medals took six years to build and was preceded by other medals in smaller events. No Nigerian athlete other than the footballers got full four months funding for any event.

Miracles don’t happen on the field. It takes guts and dedication.

I smelt the rat at the Commonwealth games, but we managed to come home with 11 gold medals and no one talked about some embarrassing situations that arose. For instance, what happened at the shooting event when Nigerian shooters, registered for events, failed to show up at the due time for the event and were promptly disqualified. How come someone goes to a tournament and does not even bother to show up at the event, appalling. However, the gold medals made it all go away but sadly, not this time. Our athletes are the laughing stock. Abandoned before, during and after the games. The embarrassing scenario with the minister has been covered in full details but I think I must quickly add that we currently have a square peg in a round hole at the Sports ministry.

Corporate sponsors too should have a plan for athletes for a period of time and not just at the last minute. The package must cover years of practice, access to quality facilities and adequate remuneration for them to focus on doing well. This may be a long shot, but it is worth a try and at least we can realistically hope for a medal rather than “pray for miracles” that never come. And speaking of miracles, the gods of sports are showing that they are not unfair as they reward hard work and not fire brigade preparations.

1, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

39

styles

ty to play with as work wear, casual, red carpet, cocktails or y on the town. It doesn’t limit ccessories either so you can acrself out with your accessories. o keep your accessory choices .

Plump your pout Vanessa Okwara

W

ho doesn’t want luscious lips?

Women spend lots of money on cosmetics and some pay more attention to the face, eyes, hair but what about lips?

Women are often looking for ways to obtain fuller lips that resemble stars like Angelina Jolie and Kylie Jenner. It may seem challenging, but rest assured that there are ways to get that desired look without resorting to drastic measures. Even if you weren’t born with Angelina’s plump pout, you can get the look of her full, luscious lips, no needles required.

Find out how to achieve more luscious and kissable lips in just a few simple steps.

Exfoliation Get a good baby brush or a brush with very soft bristles and exfoliate your lips gently every day in the morning. Remove those dead cells of the extra peeling layer.

Don’t use your regular brush. It is very harsh on the super sensitive skin of your lips. It may injure too. So, get a soft bristled brush and remember to exfoliate regularly. You can use a lip scrub made of honey, sugar and Vaseline.

Exfoliating removes dead skin while stimulating blood flow to the lips. You’ll get a rosy, juicierlooking

mouth that looks great untouched or with a slick of gloss.

Oils for your lips You can use coconut oil, olive oil, Vitamin E, coco butter before sleeping and keep it overnight. This will supple your lips. Also, choose a good lip balm to moisturize your lips. Don’t let them dry at all. See that it has enough SPF protection so that it can protect you from the harmful sun rays and their side effects, that is, pigmentation. Apply after brushing your teeth in the morning and afternoon. Also before going to sleep, don’t forget to moisturize your lips. Always carry a lip balm with you.

Makeup Always choose your products wisely. Get lip liner and lipstick of the same shade. Always get a lipstick which stays long and doesn’t transfer when you eat or drink.

Also, get a foundation, talcum powder, lip brush and a tissue paper. You can use a lip gloss, lip linear, lip balm and a lipstick to make your lips look luscious and fabulous. Lip liner works to help define the lip area. When aiming for a fuller looking lip, apply the liner a little above your natural lip line and then fill it in with your desired color. This will give the effect that your lips are larger and will also help colour from running outside of the lined area. Wear lip-gloss or a lush lipstick to enhance your pout, and reapply frequently.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Classy in bow tie

Vanessa Okwara

A

bow tie is an accessory that can be compared to the traditional tie but it’s totally different from it based on the length and style. A bow tie is a must-have for any white tie or black tie event. It also makes a statement with a suit, blazer, or just a dress shirt.

What’s good about this accessory is that it goes with just about everything. You can wear one traditionally with a dinner jacket for big occasions.

Bow ties come in different shapes and sizes; even the materials used to make them are also different. Most bow ties are made from silk, polyester, cotton or even Ankara materials. Sometimes, a bow tie also comes with a matching pocket square for suits and cufflinks for long sleeve shirts that don’t need buttons.

A bow tie makes a statement about your style and personality, it makes an individual look smart and it obviously makes one looks like the perfect gentleman any lady would love to walk with or probably go on a date with.

It sharpens up your outfit and makes you look even more attrac-

tive and classy depending on the type of colour or design you have chosen to wear.

A bow tie is best worn to special occasions like weddings, dinners, cocktail parties, meetings and to the church. The only rule that you must abide by, is to always wear a shirt with it of course, paying attention to the size of the collar in relation to the bowtie: neither too small, nor too large. And the bigger you are, the bigger the bowtie you’ll be able to pull off.

For suits, go with navy, black or grey, and for shirts, stick to blues and whites. It’s possible to wear a pinstripe suit with a bow tie, but make sure the stripe is subtle.

And make sure the suit and shirt match, since they’ll be more visible than they would be with a regular necktie, which bisects the male torso.

A man who wears a bow tie exudes class and sophistication. He is a man who is not afraid to occasionally step outside his comfort zone and be daring. The right bow tie can transform your outfit from unimaginative to quirky and confident. Use a bow tie for your next special occasion and unleash your inner James Bond.

Noble Igwe Style Icon

Judith Onyebuchi

N

oble Chibuzor Igwe popularly known as Nobs is a Nigerian blogger, founder and chief executive officer of 360 Group. He gained a degree in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship Management from Pan Africa University.

Noble Igwe has always loved events; he is one of those individuals who translated their hobbies into a business. He has worked as the Events and Sponsorship Coordinator for Virgin Nigeria. When he left Virgin Nigeria in 2008, he joined an advertising company, 141World Wide. He later worked

briefly as Public Relations Officer for Mo Hits. He further moved out of Mo Hits to stage his Canopy with M.I and from there to Banky W. Noble Igwe is that one celeb that has fallen in love with 90’s trend, he is a shoe and male fashion bag lover. The fashion enthusiast has made beards a trend, colour blocking a norm and cropped pants the next best thing. For an office look, he sometimes rocks a plain shirt on chinos men’s trousers or vintage suits and other times, he is spotted in his recent choice of ‘Agbadas’, which are just too frenzy because he makes it look effortlessly stylish, classy and easy, with that entranced chieftancy look he slays!

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

RazzleDazzle

Body&Soul Abiola Alaba Peters

with

08062622328 abiolaalabapeters@rockmail.com

I met my husband in church –Sinach

O

sinachi Kalu, popularly known as Sinach, an award winning songwriter, worship leader and recording artiste is a key member of the LoveWorld music team of Christ Embassy. She started singing at a very young age.

The highly spiritual singer had a chat with RazzleDazzle, narrating her journey into the world of music and how music played a major role in her encounter with Christ. “I fell in love with music quite early. My mom told me stories of how I imitated singers on TV. As I grew older, I became an active member of a drama and music group in school. I was also in the church choir. I just love music. However, music took a different turn for me when I gave my life to Jesus and it played a major role on how I came to Christ. During my first year in the university, I was invited to church one Sunday morning, when I got to church, I saw so many young people who looked very happy and lively, unlike what I was used to. I also observed that the music team was so good and that totally impressed me. I wanted what they had, so when the Pastor made a call for salvation, I rushed forward and gave my life to Jesus. I joined the choir after that and as I served in the choir, I discovered that I had the gift of writing music,” she narrated. Recounting how she met her husband, who’s also a pastor, “I met my husband in church during one of our international conferences. I wasn’t immediately attracted to him because I didn’t know him well enough.

We started talking on the phone and it took us another two to three years before we met properly,” she recalled. For over fifteen years, Sinach has been privileged to witness first hand, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and amazing miracles take place in the lives of people while ministering in music. As a song writer, she has written over 200 songs and won several awards.

Ebube Nwagbo plans big for her movie premiere

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fter a rigorous drill at locations and editing at the studio, creative actress, Ebube Nwagbo, plans big to premiere her hilarious movie, ‘Not Enough’. This family oriented movie as informed by our source is produced by screen actress, Ebube Nwagbo and Ogonna Mbonu under PoshWorld Productions. Starring talented and professional acts like Alex Ekubo, Oge Okoye, Nazo Ekezie, Michael Bonny Bassey (Big Brother), Susan Zayat, Tina Amuziam, alongside producer, Ebube Nwagbo. Though hilarious, it has a blend of tragic elements attached to its plot. The story surrounds two young sisters from an affluent family who out of youthful exuberance decided to know what the other side of life looks like, but they ended up endangering their lives in the hands of a young man, Chukwudi, played by Ekubo. Directed by Afe Olumowe,’ Not Enough’ is another of Ebube Nwagbo’s family engaging movies. It’s coming after the successful release of ‘Smile Again’, and its sequel,’ Romantic Rumour’.

Obama’s first daughter, Malia is a fan –Emmanuella

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igeria’s youngest and fastest growing comedienne, Emmanuella, aka ‘Not My Real Face’ is sure having a good time in her career. The eight-year-old cutie in a recent interview talked about her journey to fame and educational experience, “My uncle started uploading our skits on social media in 2014. I’m one of the kids under the Mark Angel Comedy Corporation but I’m the star kid right now.

There are other kids in the company but I was told that I have more public appeal and the other kids are not that mature. We began posting comedy skits online because it was cheaper and we needed a voice” On her source of inspiration and level of acceptance, Emmanuella has this to say, “It is the Holy Spirit that inspires my social media posts. We also draw inspiration from my upbringing and the environment that I live in. In terms of acceptance, well, I give glory to God Almighty, for his faithfulness, and also to my fans, home and abroad; they have been wonderful, ‘Not my real face’ was on Obama’s first daughter, Malia’s page and it had about 11 million views. I was very happy; it made me know that it is not only Africans that love what I do. It made me realise that people from other continents are interested in what I do. Also, someone from America rapper, Lil Wayne’s family also posted the skit on their platform,” she said. On education, managing fame and studies, “After the holiday, I would be in Basic two. They don’t clash. I am still a kid and I am happy that my uncle is not treating me like an adult but a child that I am. I think things can only go wrong when they start treating me like an adult because I cannot become one overnight. Nothing has really changed about me since I became popular” s h e confirmed.

Ara becomes AWIEF Cultural Ambassador

I

nspired by her love for African culture and heritage, Aralola Olumiyiwa popularly known as Ara gave herself early enough to an ageless pillar of traditional African orchestra – The African Drum! Ara is an African Female Entrepreneur, a world-class delight! She is the Cultural Ambassador to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, the 51st Ooni of Ife. The Talking Drum is unique to Yorubas of Nigeria’s SouthWest. This powerful instrument defines Ara’s artistic presence and premium reign in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Of dexterous skill and captivating stage attitude, Ara leads a talented orchestra to create pulses of exceptionally entertaining African symphony that once accentuated pristine Yoruba existence.

Her success at being able to fuse traditional beats with modern rhythms has led her to hold studio and theatre performances with such world acts as Stevie Wonder and Usher Raymond.

Tuface Idibia, King Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti and Yeni Kuti are some A-list Nigerian acts with whom Ara has performed live on stage. Wyclef Jean, Angelie Kidjo and ALL 4 One are part of the large pack of globally famous foreign performers who have worked diligently with Ara. It is on this note that, Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum, AWIEF, is delighted to announce that ARA will be attending the AWIEF2016 as the event’s Cultural Ambassador.

AWIEF is a yearly gathering of African women international business owners and leaders and this is set to take place on 29th -30th September, 2016 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island.

Ara will be at AWIEF event to network with African women leaders from different parts of Africa to accelerate women’s economic empowerment in Africa’s best interest.

Nollywood can be alternative to oil in revenue – Ejike Asiegbu

H

e was once constantly on screen doing what he knows how to do best; highly respected veteran actor, Ejike Asiegbu, speaks with RazzleDazzle on issues confronting Nollywood. He said with proper attention, Nollywood could become alternative to oil as Nigerian’s income earner.

Ejike decried the high level of piracy ravishing Nollywood, saying, it’s disheartening. He called on relevant authorities, especially, the Federal Government, to help combat the crime. Ejike called for stronger legislation to stamp out piracy in Nigeria, describing it as a cankerworm that must be addressed for the industry to experience rapid and positive growth. Recounting his days as the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, he said he was able to raise the bar upon which the guild can leverage, while expressing optimism that the future of Nollywood is very bright.

The ex-special adviser to the Abia State governor on Culture and Tourism applauded the Nigerian actors and actresses for promoting Nigerian culture to the global market. Ejike Asiegbu is a graduate of Dramatic Arts from the University of Port Harcourt. He is happily married with children.

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Brief background I am the first from a family of three. I had a humble beginning and a fabulous time growing up with my family. I am sanguine and extroverted in nature. I had my secondary education at Command Secondary School, Ikeja, Lagos and then studied Sociology at the University of Lagos.

You won the 2014 Miss Fotogenix Nigeria, how did you enter the competition?

I came across the advert online, saw posters about the event and chose to give it a shot. I have always had a passion to be part of a pageant and Miss Fotogenix resonated with me. I went for the audition and I got in.

How did it feel when the crown was handed to you?

It was heaven! It was fulfilment of prophecy.

It was dreams come true. I had always fantasised about this, though I prepared tirelessly, rehearsing, watching videos of international events, asking questions, honing my speaking and presentation skills and it was finally a reality. I couldn’t have been happier.

What has being Miss Fotogenix done for you as a person and your achievements?

For me, it has been an amazing ride with the crown as Miss Fotogenix 2014. It

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

There’s no man in my life – Ann Neema Godwin

Ann Neema Godwin, popularly known as Neema, is a fast rising model, social ambassador and beauty queen as she currently holds the Miss Fotogenix Nigeria 2014 title. Her personal vision is to leverage on her career as a model to create a platform bolstering women employment, significance and independence. Neema is the founder, Pink Woman Project, a social campaign designed to empower indigent women in rural and urban areas. She is also actively pursuing acting and TV presenting as full time careers. Neema had a chat with VANESSA OKWARA, where she opened up on the kind of man she desires. paved the way to higher, befitting social and corporate responsibilities and it also served as a leverage to propel my career in the right direction that has brought me this far.

You describe yourself as a social ambassador. What causes are you currently promoting?

As a social ambassador, I commit my time, energy and money to helping women especially solve personal and family issues. So, I am available for any social causes that border on women development and empowerment.

Do you have an NGO and what does it represent?

The reality is that it is not enough to be a beauty queen without representing the real issues that exist out there and the one way I can extend a hand of fellowship to the various projects that support women growth is to identify with organisations as a social ambassador. I started an initiative last year called Pink Woman which empowered more than 50 women around Makoko, Lagos with clothes, food and micro capital.

The goal of Pink Woman is to make women living in rural or semi urban areas get the kind of lift an average woman in the urban city gets.

Tell us more about the Pink Woman The Pink Woman Project is a social campaign designed to empower indigent women in rural and urban areas. We’re utilising this channel to change the world, one woman at a time. The Pink Woman Project is a platform used to boost the welfare of women through project activities which include philanthropy, empowerment through business development and micro funding to increase family sustainability through women contributions.

You are also a model; mention some of the works or adverts you have featured in?

I have done a couple of very interesting jobs, amongst which are Vita Foam, MTN Magic Voice, Golden Penny, MTN, Nicon Hilton, just to name a few. They were really exciting, learning and changing times for me in my career as a model and I’m grateful for those moments.

What is your vision as

a model?

My vision as a model is to reach the height of my career and becoming a fashion icon that influences fashion style. On top of that, I just want to be a woman making a difference in every facet of life.

Describe your fashion style?

It’s elegant, simple and yet sophisticated. I’m not stuck to a particular brand of fashion style. I have a very keen and versatile sense of fashion, I love to be classy and move with fashion trends a lot. I could have Caribbean and French look today, then African with a touch of Indian savvy the next. I’m a dynamic fashionista kind of person.

What are the fashion accessories you love the most and the ones you can’t be caught in?

For me fashion is trends, class and style mixed with creativity. I love jewellery and gadgets. My phone is one classy ‘compliment gadget’.

It has a way of complementing my fashion style amidst the carefully blended selection of jewellery you will always notice on me. I can never be caught in the same style twice.

If you were not modelling, what would you have been doing?

I would either have been an actress or ventured into events planning.

I love events and I’m very good at organising people and activities. I hope to have one of the best and highly organised events’ firms in future.

Are you in a relationship?

No, I am not - there’s no man in the picture yet.

Why not?

I’m not ready for such a journey now. I am focused on building a brand and a reputable personality, which in a sense has taken the best part of my time and emotions. It takes a lot of commitment, time, resources and emotional energy to achieve such a feat. That is my primary focus at the moment.

You are so beautiful, how do you handle advances from men?

I am a friendly, down to earth person and warm towards advances.

However, I keep it friendly, open and polite and try to be nice to everyone. It’s ‘friend zone’ for me.

What are the qualities you desire in a man and the ones that put you off?

I appreciate sincerity and kindness, a hardworking and God fearing man and of course faithful, understanding and caring. I dislike pride and lies.

Do you believe in love at first sight and have you ever experienced it?

Love is what you build and nurture over time. What most people call love at first sight is basically an attraction. You can’t really tell or know if you are in love with someone by seeing or meeting the person for the first time. It takes time to get into the heart of someone you feel you are able to build a relationship with or spend the rest of your life with.

Can you remember your first kiss?

That was back in secondary school, nothing serious though. Just the young teenage love we see in movies but then we moved on fast. The feeling of having a boyfriend was fun then anyway, but nothing serious.

What is your passion?

Cooking is a passion for me. I cook great meals. I love helping people too, women, children and the helpless. Meeting and impacting people positively is a core passion.

Where do you see Ann Neema in the next five years?

Ann Neema is on a journey to the place where legends live.

Describe yourself in five words?

Sweet and charming, understanding, passionate, honest and God fearing.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016

NEWS

INTERVIEW

A.G Leventis plans fresh capital to boost operations p.44

We’ll review port concession holistically – Hadiza, MD NPA

AUTO BEAT Ford targets fully autonomous vehicle for ride-sharing in 2021 p.47

p.45

BUSINESS

PAUL OGBUOKIRI HEAD, BUSINESS

paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

VW’s key plant hit by parts shortage

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L-R: Executive Director, Systemspecs, Deremi Atanda; Acting Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Vincent Olatunji and Managing Director/CEO, Systemspecs, John Obaro, during NITDA’s management courtesy visit to Systemspecs in Lagos …yesterday

Inflation: Bread prices up 30% in two months

Adeosun

F

Paul Ogbuokiri or the second time in two months this year, the prices of bread have been increased by bakers in Lagos, the first was in June and the second came on Wednesday, as the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) announced another increase in the prices of the staple food by 20 per cent, they earlier increased by 10 per cent.

The Chairman of AMBCN, Lagos chapter, Prince Jacob Adejorin had in June said that the price increase was not authorised by the association, however, the increases were not reverted to the old prices.

The prices were increased from N200 to N250 and N300 respectively, while the unsliced one popularly known as ‘Agege bread’ moved from N100 to N120 and N150 and others from N150 to N200 and N220 depending on the size.

It will be recalled that bakers had earlier threatened in January to increase the prices in protest of the increase in the price of baking flour by the millers nationwide, who had then raised the price per bag of flour by 10 per cent with effect from January 6, 2016.

According to the National Secretary of the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria, Mansur Umar, a bag which sold for about N6, 300 went up to between N6, 800 and N7, 000 depending on the area.

Umar said the association, in its recent meeting in Sagamu, Ogun State expressed surprise at the increase in all flour brands by the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria.

He said the millers did not put into consideration the fact that wheat prices fell “to an all-time low in the international market a few months ago” without the millers adjusting their prices in consonance with the drop.

He noted that rather, it was

engrossed in one sales promo or the other.

Meanwhile defending the Wednesday increase, Prince Jacob Adejorin, said: “After serious consideration with the price of baking ingredients sky rocketing all the time most especially flour, sugar, diesel for generators, salt yeast, kerosene, polythene bags and series of local government levies to mention but a few, have compelled us to increase the bread prices as done to other consumer goods.

“A few months ago, a bag of Flour was sold for N6, 000 while sugar was sold for about N7, 000, but as at this morning (Monday morning), a bag of flour is N11, 000 and sugar N15, 000. The bakers After serious consideration with the price of baking ingredients sky rocketing all the time most especially flour, sugar, diesel for generators, salt yeast, kerosene, polythene bags and series of local government levies to mention but a few, have compelled us to increase the bread prices as done to other consumer goods

will no longer cope with this situation hence the decision to increase the prices by about 20 per cent across board.”

Prince Adejorin called on the Federal Government to give some concessions to the flour millers in foreign exchange allocation and granting them some waivers on taxes and levies in order to stop the incessant increase in flour prices so as to keep bakers in business.

He appealed to consumers to bear with the bakers at this time. Saying members of the association will continue to produce “good quality bread at affordable prices.”

The bakers also called on the Federal Government to give some concession to the flour millers in the country, and grant them waivers on payment of taxes and levies in order to stop the incessant increase of the price of flour The bakers also pleaded that “we urge the flour millers also to have bakers in mind whenever any increase in price is being considered, as we are the end users of their products.”

The Lagos bakers also warned that their members would no longer tolerate any future increase in the price of flour without being properly informed ahead of time, he said.

olkswagen said on Wednesday production at its largest factory had been curtailed in some areas because of a supplies shortage caused by a parts maker refusing to keep to delivery commitments.

“A supplier has suspended the contractually agreed delivery of components,” VW said in an emailed statement. “This is creating a bottleneck in production” at the Wolfsburg plant which builds the top-selling Golf hatchback, the Tiguan SUV and Touran MPV as well as components.

VW declined to specify the impact of disruptions on output and staff. The Wolfsburg plant employs about 60,000 people and churns out as many as 3,800 cars per day during peak times.

Grappling with an emissions-test cheating scandal that is costing VW billions of euros, Europe’s largest automaker is expected by analysts to seek price cuts from its suppliers to mitigate those costs.

VW said the regional court in Braunschweig, near Wolfsburg, last week issued an injunction that forces the supplier to resume deliveries but the company has not yet complied with the ruling.

To contain the costs of the production losses, VW said it is pondering flexible working hours in some parts of the Wolfsburg plant.

L-R: Chief Technical Officer, OLX SSA, Stephen Ballot; Country Manager OLX, Lola Masha, and Product Owner, OLX SSA, Stephen van der Hejiden, during the partnership of OLX and TechCabal product masterclass for developers in Lagos

African currencies to be steady next week–Reuters

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everal major African currencies were expected to hold steady or stay with a tight band in the week ahead, says Thomas Reuters.

KENYA The Kenyan shilling was expected to trade in a tight range against the dollar next week mainly with dollars flowing in from Kenyans abroad and farm exports matching demand.

The shilling was trading at 101.27/47 per dollar on Friday from 101.45/55 a week ago.

UGANDA The Ugandan shilling is expect to hold firm next week, supported by foreign exchange flows from commodity exports and helped by Thursday’s mop-up of excess local currency liquidity worth 516.8 billion shillings ($155 million).

On Friday, commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,365/3,375, unchanged from last week’s close 3,365/3,375.

“Some support may come from inflows from commodity exporters and the liquidity mop-up,” said Faisal Bukenya, head of market making at Barclays Bank, forecasting that the currency would trade around the 3,365-3,380 level.

44

SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS

LG bags EISA best product awards

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L– R: Company Secretary, A. G. Leventis (Nigeria) Plc, Titi Talabi; Executive Director, Capital Markets, NSE, Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Chairman, A. G. Leventis (Nigeria) Plc, Chief Joseph Oke and Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, A. G.Leventis (Nigeria) Plc, Michail Economakis at the ceremonial ringing of bell to close the business on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Lagos recently

A.G Leventis plans fresh capital to boost operations

A

A.G Leventis (Nigeria) Plc is to inject fresh funds into its operations as part of its revival strategies. The Executive Vice Chairman of A.G Leventis, Mr. Michail Economakis stated this recently, while speaking at the ‘Facts behind the figures’ presentation ceremony at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

According to him, with the funds, the company would be turned around and deliver better returns to shareholders, disclosing that the company was already discussing with foreign investors. “We Stanley Ihedigbo

G

rowth and Employment in States - Wholesale and Retail Trade (GEMS4), an economic development project jointly funded by the World Bank and DFID/UKAid, took goods’ handling and packaging campaign for perishable produce to Mile 12 Market, Lagos; saying the effort is to minimize the rotting of perishable goods in the market. A statement by the GEMS4 Media Officer, Mr. Michael Adaji, said their aim is to create 10,000 new jobs and increase the incomes 500,000 people, especially for the poor and women by reducing the wastage of food in the country.

The statement said that the project is also building local capacity, so that the market better meets the long-term needs of the poor, noting that though Nigeria produces not less than 1.5 million tons of tomatoes each year, over 40 per cent is disposed due to depreciation and spoilage caused by several constraints, including poor produce handling and poor

are discussing with foreign investors, hopefully there will be capital inflow very soon. This capital inflow will assist us in having better cash flow, there will be reduction in our cost of fund and we will be able to expand our products portfolio,” he said.

He said the new capital will assist the company to expand its product portfolio in some rich products with a potential long term technical service partnership with Pick n Pay, one of the two retailers in South Africa.

Commenting on strategic priorities of the company, Economakis said fast mov-

ing consumer goods, automobile, agriculture and real estate are major area the company will develop going forward.

He disclosed that on automobile, the company commenced production of vehicles from mid-2015 and would expand its plant to assemble for other distributors in the region.

Economakis added that AG Leventis is looking at the large scale farming in Nigeria that would lead the company to backward integration in agriculture.

Speaking on the half year financial results of the com-

pany, Head of Finance, AG Leventis, Olugbenga Kasomo said cost of materials, foreign exchange crises as major problems that affected the performance of the company.

The company ended the half year with revenue of N6.442 billion in 2016, up from N5.936 billion in the corresponding of 2015.

Cost of sales rose by 24 per cent from N4.266 billion to N5.274 billion, while total operational expenses increased by 12 per cent from N1.269 billion to N1.425 billion in 2016. Consequently, the company ended the period with a loss of N494 million.

GEMS4 takes goods handling campaign to Mile 12 Market

packaging.

“On the average, of each 350 basket truckload (18 metric tonnes), about 144 baskets are lost. This often represents financial losses of about N902, 000 of the N2, 200,000 cost of the whole truckload.

“Over the years, the financial losses due to produce depreciation and spoilage have been borne by actors in the perishable produce value chain as an unavoidable hazard and incomes remain perennially low, despite a burgeoning population presenting significant commercial opportunities.

“Farmers and traders lack the skills, tools and incentive to ensure preservation of produce quality and sales margins. They lack skills, standard packaging materials and infrastructure to incorporate routine goods handling processes - washing, sorting, grading, weighing and packaging tomatoes - in a way that maintains quality and justifies a price premium at the retail point of sale,” it

added. The statement added that poor quality produce is still sold, albeit at heavily reduced prices, and consumers bear the consequences of purchasing poor quality produce – with its attendant short shelf life and health risks associated with nonadherence to hygiene and food safety standards.

The statement further said that the since tomato losses are a perennial problem and research conducted by GEMS4 revealed that Good Handling Practices (GHP) and the use of plastic crates have been demonstrated to be effective in mitigating losses, the opportunity exists for farmers and traders to adopt GHP, the use of plastic crates and supply produce to markets where the demand exists for good quality tomatoes.

It further said: “The GHP initiative is an access to skills intervention, aimed at building the capacity of perishable produce market actors to properly handle, package

and protect produce in a way that ensures quality, extends shelf-life and preserves sales value.”

It added that GEMS4 provided in-depth training for 75 master trainers in three states – Kano, Kaduna and Lagos, saying that master trainers now provide onthe-job training to enable farmers and traders preserve produce quality and increase incomes across the value chain.

It also stated that the initiative partners for the campaign are Fruit and Vegetable Dealers Community Development Association of Nigeria (FVDCDAN), Pampida Chilli Pepper Cluster, Tubali Development Initiative, CBN-NIRSAL, Bank of Agriculture, Skye Bank, Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Ikara Tomato Processing Plant Kaduna, Dangote Farms Kano, Long Cottage Aggregation Ventures Limited Ogun and Tomato Jos Farming and Processing Limited.

G Electronics’ OLED Television for the fifth consecutive time, was once again named the best high-end TV in Europe by the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA).

The EISA awards are decided annually by a panel of experts from 50 multimedia magazines from 20 European countries, who evaluate innovative products for their technological capabilities, design and innovation.

According to the European High-End TV Award winner, LG signature OLED TV was cited as being truly state-of-the-art by the judges, who were impressed by its ability to deliver perfect black for a good picture. The jury also commended the product for its support of both HDR 10 and Dolby Vision.

Speaking on the awards, President of the LG Home Entertainment Company, Brian Kwon, said: “We are honoured to receive EISA’s most prestigious award for the fifth consecutive year. Every award is just as rewarding as the previous one. This recognition confirms our belief that our product is an outstanding feat of engineering with breathtaking picture clarity and revolutionary design.”

He noted that another LG television was recognised with the European Smart TV Award for its impressive picture quality as well as for its intuitive webOS 3.0 user interface, saying that LG’s mobile division also bagged an award for its LG G5 smartphone, which received the European Mobile Innovation Award for its modular type design and full metal uni-body.

LG Signature TV

Court vacates interim order against R.T. Briscoe Plc

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ustice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal Hugh Court sitting in Lagos has vacated an earlier order he granted restraining R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc, an automobile and generator company from withdrawing its funds in any of its bank in any part of the country over an alleged N2.5 billion owed a second generation bank.

The Lagos Federal High Court had on June 13, 2016 following an application by the bank granted the order.

Vacating the order, Justice Buba said: “After hearing A.B. Ogunba (SAN), counsel for the petitioner/applicant and Sulu Gambari, counsel to the respondent/ applicant, it is hereby ordered as follows - that the interim order granted ex-parte dated 13/6/2016 is hereby discharged. Case is adjourned to 27/9/2016.

R.T, Briscoe, urging the court to set aside the interim order of injunction, alleged that the bank suppressed and misrepresented material facts to the court.

The company argued that, the Companies Winding Up Rules require the petitioner to make the application for injunction on notice rather than ex-parte.

“There are third party interests being adversely affected by the interim order of injunction granted by the court against the respondent,’’ R.T. Briscoe said.

The company stated that in May, the alleged N2.5 billion that it owed the bank had largely been s reduced as it had been servicing the loan every month, even as it was awaiting the final approval for the restructuring of the loan.

R.T. Briscoe, which marked its 50 years of doing business in Nigeria few years ago, said that its business has been ‘crippled’ by the order as no member of staff or contractors or suppliers could be paid due to the earlier ruling in favour of the bank. “It is in the interest of justice to set aside and discharge the interim order of injunction,” a company source from R.T. Briscoe stated.

45

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

As a new management what will do with do the concession agreement is now 10 years old?

Since I assumed office, I have looked at the concession agreements and have seen areas that should be reviewed holistically.

We are also looking at our own commitments to the concession agreements.

From my visit Calabar port, the concessionaires themselves have also requested that we look at the terms of the agreement.

So they are also interested in the review.

This review will open up every area of the agreement. Its not going to be limited to tenure extension, its not going to be limited to tariff. It will also take care of the financing model of the concession agreement.

We are now in a different environment, the economic situation has changed and some of the terms are not applicable anymore. Indeed ten years after the agreement, the concessionaires are interested in the review and we as a government wants the review too.

We will put everything in line with stipulated guidelines, we will reach out to ICRC (Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission) and they will be part of the review.

It is true that some of NPA’s clients are heavily indebtedness to the organization?

Yes, we have a huge profile of debt and we hope to aggressively pursue recovery.

Indeed NNPC owes NPA. We will work to recover every debt.

In my interaction with some terminal operators, I had raised the issue of their indebtedness to NPA and I told them we will be aggressive in monitoring compliance, that all terminal operators pays as and when due.

Dredging of the Calabar Port channel has not been realized after several attempts, what are you going to do differently?

We will be having a meeting with Calabar Channel Management this (Friday) evening to determine the state of the job as it relates to capital or maintenance dredging.

We initiated the first meeting and I have informed the management, we are going to have technical sessions next (this) week to determine the level of dredging that may have been done.

We have requested for the hydrographic survey from the onset. Those documents will enable us know the way forward .We believe there is need to resolve this issue so that the draft can be deeper and it can accommodate larger vessels.

Indeed we will look backward to see what went wrong as relates to capital and maintenance dredging and see the work that Calabar Channel Management was said to have embarked on in 2015.

Some of the amount we have spent on capital dredging is not translating in the amount spent on maintenance dredging.

We are going to discuss this issue with the channel management company in our meeting. If you are familiar with the procedure, except its capital dredging, cost of maintenance dredging should not be so high. It’s clear that from the way the Calabar Channel issue is managed we will know how to go about similar joint venture in future.

What is your core mandate?

One of the critical mandates I have is to block revenue leakages. We will look to ensure that whatever financing model was put in place is appropriate. We will not accept any situation where the Federal Government is shortchanged in any lease or concession agreement.

Areas of revenue leakages caused by human interference will be looked into using technology to ensure that data is not altered.

Our main thrust will involve preventing revenue leakages and an effective port community system through the establishment of a single window.

What is your assessment of Calabar Port?

My assessment of the Calabar Port is very interesting because part of the issues raised is in line with our thrust. Whatever capital project the authority will embark upon will

We’ll review port concession holistically – Hadiza, MD NPA After a two-day tour of the Calabar Port Complex, Calabar Free Trade Zone and various terminals within the area, Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman spoke to journalists on her plans to make the Nigeria port industry viable. PAUL OGBUOKIRI brings the excerpts; be project that will increase government revenue. This will mean addressing some of the infrastructure requirements of Calabar Port.

There is an issue on erosion for which we have conducted a survey to know the impact. The report will be sent to us within a month and we will take decisions on that.

I believe the most critical issue with Calabar Port is the issue of dredging to increase the draft and accommodate bigger vessels.

We also identified the need for us to jointly work to bring commercial activity to the area.

We note the position of the port as very strategic as it relates to the Gulf of Guinea where there are lots of trade that can be harnessed.

We have spoken to the Cross River State Government to help generate and improve techniques that will promote trade. We also noted that Calabar Port is one of the ports closest to the North East region of Nigeria.

It is important for us to open that route and revive businesses there.

There are export potentials in the North East part of the country and this could be done through the Calabar Port. We are reaching out to other organs like the Federal Ministry of Works, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to ensure this trade route from Calabar to the North East is revitalised.

How will you relationship with the media?

We believe stakeholders’ interaction across board is essential. The media is a critical partner. We will seek partnership and support with the media and always inform them of what we are doing.

Our work will speak for us. We should do what we are supposed to do, communicate effectively and transparently.

I noted a publication that said we are retrenching people.

It completely contradicts our position. We are looking at recruiting people and we seek the support of the media.

As we take steps in improving the ports we are going to be faced with some form of resistance which will be channeled through the media.

We seek your support as we begin to

implement some policy decisions that might be seen to be tough. We will carry you along and brief you as we take some of the decisions.

What is your take on alleged attempt by some terminal operators to pay their financial obligations to NPA in naira?

As regards dollar payments from APMT, we maintain our position on that. Payment should be made in dollars. We have communicated to APMT and others that all their payments to us should be in dollars The access roads to the seaports are bad, are you also making that a focal point?

We have looked at it and know it is a critical area. Currently we are trying to revitalise the rail sector. We have started discussions with Nigeria Railway Corporation.

We believe there is a need to evacuate cargo from the port through that means.

Having gone round, we’ve seen that the road network is not good enough. We will work at accessing our funds and do something about it.

Once we are able to provide for the road network, we will be allowing for de-congestion of the port.On Apapa Bridge, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is currently carrying out repair work. We held discussion with the ministry last week to ensure work continues on that bridge and see to it that transportation bottleneck is addressed Are you looking at the human capacity of the authority?

We are working on succession programme and mentoring of younger ones.

There are lots of knowledge in NPA that should be transferred.

It is from the staff that knows much about the workings of the authority and its

Hadiza

historic background that newer ones will learn. The information they have and their knowledge should not be allowed to waste.

We will embark upon recruitment. We met an approval to that effect in place. We will look at the organisational structure and determine how we will recruit. We require specialist skills; we require mariners and other critical operations staff within the middle and junior officers’ cadre.

The recruitment will be open and at the time it will be announced we encourage interested persons to apply. Our focus will be on operational staff.

How will like to be remembered as NPA helmsman?

You asked what I will like to be remembered for. I am keen on efficiency, transparency and accountability. I will like to be remembered for being efficient, transparent and accountable.

What will be your attitude to the security of the waterways?

As a country, security is one challenge we are facing. Security agencies are working hand in hand with us. We just commissioned our Command Control Centre. We have CCTV cameras covering all the ports.

Our Command and Control Centre is a huge data base structure. We are collaborating with the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) and NIMASA. We are keen on ensuring that our waterways are safe.

With your new appointment, you definitelywill no longer be in the advocacy group, the Bring Back Girls (BBOG) campaigners?

I am still part of the campaign. So long as the girls have not been found, I will continue to wear my (BBOG) badge.

The BBOG campaign is not only about the Chibok girls alone. The campaign is for all those who were kidnapped and are still held in captivity by Boko Haram.

As the Federal Government is making efforts to free communities in Maiduguri and Yobe, we have seen some victims being rescued. I will continue to advocate for it.

My position (as MD NPA) has nothing to do with a reward for the Bring Back Our Girls Campaign.

Some of you may be familiar with what I have done before. I have worked with the BPE, worked with the FCTA, I was a member of the CPC and later APC. I was the Administrative Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council.

I am not a stranger to politics. There is a line we draw away from politics when it comes to safety of children and empowerment. We should be able to rise above political differences and rally round anybody that is disadvantaged.

BBOG also symbolises that irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences we came together and demanded for the release of the girls. We shall continue to do that until the girls are rescued.

People should not allow themselves to be boxed in a way that denies them the right to express themselves. I am in APC and I will demand for the rescue of the girls. If more people are kidnapped, I will make the demand again.

46

SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS NEWS

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Paul Ogbuokiri

mid speculations that the Federal Government will in the next couple of days declare the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron a degree awarding institution or Maritime University, stakeholders in the maritime industry have called on the Federal Government to tread with caution.

While a marine engineer, Ruben Nanakeme thinks MAN, Oron lacks the requisite academic manpower and other institutional framework required of such a highly specialized institution. Mr. Lucky Amiwero, President of the national Council of Managing Directors of Government Licenced Agents, says it

FG cautioned on upgrading MAN, Oron to varsity would be suicidal to “politicise such a decision”.

According to Engr.

Nanakene, MAN, Oron is not comparable to similar institutions in Ghana, Egypt, and South Africa and sees no justification in such a hurried transition.

“What perhaps we need now is to begin to erect those structures that would prepare MAN, Oron for the envisaged status,” he said.

According to Nanakene: “If we have the right man power, the right environment and the right funds to attract such high profile

lecturers that would meet the International Maritime Organisations (IMO) specifications, the move is okay.

Also if the current 5 per cent funding from NIMASA adequate for such an upgrade, then lets go ahead. But if the answer is no, then we should tarry a while before rushing into such decision.”

Also speaking, Mr. Amimero said: “We are supposed to

be the hub in the maritime education in the West and Central Africa sub-region with more than 70 per cent cargo throughput destined for Nigeria, but is that the case as we speak? We (Nigeria) need at least three maritime universities as a nation but the question is, do have the funds readily available for that?” he asked.

He called of the Buhari

administration to concentrate on putting the right infrastructure in place at MAN, Oron, while taking a second look at the “banned” Maritime University, Okorenkoko, Delta State.

Amiwero cautioned government to look at the present facilities at the Academy as according to him, most of the universities we have in the country today are glori-

fied secondary schools, saying upgrading MAN, Oron should be a gradual process.

Engr. Nanakeme further called on the Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi to draw a lesson from the recent upgrade of Yaba College of Technology and the Kaduna Polytechnic which he said went through a rigorous and assessment process.

Union Bank launches free Stallion WiFi Hotspot for commuters

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nion Bank of Nigeria Plc in conjunction with CBC Netcomms, launched Stallion Hotspot - Nigeria’s first street WiFi network on Wednesday, at Road Chef Drive- Thru, Lekki, Lagos.

Stallion Hotspot is the Bank’s initiative to provide free and fast wireless internet connection for residents, visitors and commuters and is available on and around Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos.

“In this mobile age, we need to stay connected to loved ones, businesses and the world in general. To this end, Union Bank customers can carry out their transactions in real-time via UnionMobile. Stallion Hotspot is another simpler and smarter solution to help our customers and communities

do more of what matters while on the go” said Ogochukwu Ekezie- Ekaidem, Head of Corporate Affairs & Communications at Union Bank while speaking on the launch of the hotspot.

Olu Fadairo, Sales Manager of CBC Netcomms said “Stallion Hotspot is a unique solution as it has been deployed in an uncontrolled, open-air environment and is arguably the first metro WiFi service in West Africa.

With over 700 ATM centres across Nigeria and secure mobile and online banking platforms - UnionMobile and UnionOnline, the Bank continues to adapt to the rapidly changing social economy to better serve its current and prospective customers.

Interbank rate soars as naira shortage bites Adenekan Tobiloba

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igeria’s overnight naira interbank lending rate stayed ultra-high on Friday, quadrupling from 6.26 per cent since Wednesday as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took steps in the debt and currency markets to try to prop up the ailing local currency.

The naira hit all-time low of 353.75 to the dollar on Thursday.

According to traders, CBN sold dollars on Thursday and Friday. It also sold about N236 billion ($776 million) of open market operations (OMO) treasury bills on Thursday, which sent the banking system into a deficit of around N39 billion naira on Friday.

“Liquidity has been tight because of the successful mopping up exercise by

the central bank, which sent the market into repo” one dealer said.

Those combined operations pushed the naira up 5.2 per cent to 308 per dollar, but also sent the overnight interbank rate soaring to 25 per cent on Friday, having hit 22 per cent the previous day.

Traders said CBN also debited commercial lenders accounts for the purchases of bonds and primary market treasury bills auctioned on Wednesday, which added to the shortage of naira in the market.

Traders said interbank rates should ease by next week when part of July’s budget allocation should enter the banking system.

Nigeria distributes revenue from crude exports every month among its 36 states, and local and federal administrations.

L-R: Practice Manager, West Africa, World Bank Trade & Competitiveness, Rashmi Shankar; Financial Secretary Fresh Fruit & Perishable Items Dealers Association, Mile12, Alhaji Shehu Sani; Lead Private Sector Specialist, West Africa, World Bank Trade & Competitiveness, Guilllemette Jaffrin; Intervention Manager, GEMS4, Sherrif Mohammed, during their recent visit to Mile 12 Market, Lagos State, on fruit and perishable items packaging campaign

Erisco Foods launches multi-billion naira farm, factory in Katsina Paul Ogbuokiri

E

risco Foods Limited has announced the groundbreaking ceremony of its multi-billion naira tomatoes, rice, groundnuts, maize farm and tomato processing plant in Katsina State.

A statement by the President of Erisco Foods Limited, Chief Eric Umeofia, said that the idea behind the ceremony is the company’s backward integration scheme for the growth of the much needed food and raw materials for use in the company’s factories in Lagos and other parts of northern Nigeria, including Katsina State.

He said that the efforts of the company are geared towards diversification of the nation’s economy, save the country’s foreign reserves, earn foreign exchange and above all create jobs for teeming youths in the country.

“Our strategy in formally commissioning the farm and tomato processing factory is to reinforce our determined effort to support the government policy

of backward integration by making sure that we attain self sufficiency in tomato production using local produce,” he said.

Chief Umeofia added that his company is the only one in the whole Nigeria that currently produces tomato paste from fresh and dried tomatoes and the production lines were recently commissioned by the wife of the President –Hajia Aisha Muhammadu Buhari on February 18, 2016.

He commended the efforts of the president towards diversifying our economy and advised that it is only Nigerians and genuine foreign investors who can look inwards and do what Erisco Foods Limited is doing to stop the wastage of over 75 per cent of harvested fresh tomatoes in the country.

He further said that with the right support and encouragement, in six to nine months, the effects of the launching of the company will be felt nationwide.

Chief Umeofia further decried the activities of nefarious foreigners who are colluding with some unpa-

triotic Nigerians to import substandard tomato paste into the country, and urged the Federal Government to immediately put a ban on the importation and dumping of fake products in the country.

Erisco Foods Limited operates three different modules of tomato paste production including conversion of tomato concentrate to tomato paste, conversion of fresh tomatoes to tomato paste and conversion of dried tomatoes to tomato paste.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and the President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria witnessed these processes on their recent visit to Erisco Foods Limited Lagos factory on August 1, 2016 and July 15, 2016 respectively.

An elated Chief Umeofia stated clearly that with the discovery of this technology, Erisco Foods Limited and other genuine local tomato paste manufacturers have the capacity to meet the entire tomato needs of the country before De-

cember 2016 and will start exporting by 2017 with a view to earning foreign exchange for the country.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion include, the Governor of Katsina State, Rt Hon. Aminu Bello Maisari, his Sokoto State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Deputy Governors of Katsina and Zamfara states, Director, Essential Services of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Members of the National Assembly, Traditional rulers and top government functionaries.

Umeofia

47

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016

Ford targets fully autonomous vehicle for ride-sharing in 2021

Ford fusion

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ord on Wednesday announced its intent to have a high-volume, fully autonomous SAE level 4-capable vehicle in commercial operation in 2021 in a ride-hailing or ride-sharing service.

To get there, the company is investing in or collaborating with four startups to enhance its autonomous vehicle development, doubling its Silicon Valley team and more than doubling its Palo Alto campus.

“The next decade will be defined by automation of the automobile, and we see autonomous vehicles as having as significant an impact on society as Ford’s moving assembly line did 100 years ago,” said Mark Fields, Ford President and CEO. “We’re dedicated to putting on the road

an autonomous vehicle that can improve safety and solve social and environmental challenges for millions of people - not just those who can afford luxury vehicles.”

Autonomous vehicles in 2021 are part of Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in autonomous vehicles, as well as in connectivity, mobility, the customer experience, and data and analytics.

Building on more than a decade of autonomous vehicle research and development, Ford’s first fully autonomous vehicle will be a Society of Automotive Engineers-rated level 4-capable vehicle without a steering wheel or gas and brake pedals. It is being specifically designed for commercial mobility services, such as ride sharing and ride hailing, and will be available in high volumes.

“Ford has been developing and testing autonomous vehicles for more than 10 years,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive Vice President, Global Product Development, and Chief Technical Officer.

“We have a strategic advantage because of our ability to combine the software and sensing technology with the sophisticated engineering necessary to manufacture high-quality vehicles. That is what it takes to make autonomous vehicles a reality for millions of people around the world.”

This year, Ford will triple its autonomous vehicle test fleet to be the largest test fleet of any automaker - bringing the number to about 30 self-driving Fusion Hybrid sedans on the roads in California, Arizona and Michigan, with plans to triple it again next year.

FRSC directs construction firms to use standard road signage

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he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Monday directed all construction companies in the country to use the Standard Road Signage Code in the nation’s highways and construction sites.

According to Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy in a press release, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, gave the directive while presenting some road signage to Julius Berger Plc and Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) in Abuja. ”We have the responsibility to ensure safety of all roads and in view of the

fact that constructions are going on across the country now, we need to ensure their management and safety. ”If not properly managed, it could lead to fraternity by commuters and therefore, we are here to ensure that our roads are safe, especially construction sites,’’ Oyeyemi said.

Oyeyemi, who was represented by Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM), Operations, Mr. Adei Abu,said that there was no uniformity and standard sizes of road signage in the country, which posed serious danger on the roads.

This, he said, had called for the production of the correct sizes for all construction companies across the country ”We have come to realize that we need to provide the correct size of signage to the construction companies. ”In that wise, we have established a signage plant in Gwagwalada Area Council to produce safe signage for all the construc-

tion companies across the country. ”And from time to time, we are going to carry out auditing of the companies to ensure that they comply with the signage we are providing”.

Boboye said that FRSC had the facilities to produce world standard road signage for interested companies.

He added that it was not compulsory to buy from FRSC, “but as a construction company operating in this country, you must use the correct size and shape”.

The Corps Marshal promised to sanction any company that did not conform with the required standards.

In his remarks, the Assistant Interest Manager, Julius Berger PLC, Mr. Trust Ekaje, expressed appreciation for the gesture and promised that his company would make the best use of the signage.

Ekaje also promised that his company would put more signage on the highways, especially at construction sites, to make the road safer while working.

Also, Mr. Obogucho Phylus, who represented RCC, thanked FRSC for the gesture and urged the commission to continue with the good work.

AUTO BEAT Motoring briefs

Top 10 costsaving tips for motorists

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wning a car brings freedom and mobility! But unfortunately, it also adds to your list of expenses. The good news is that although fuel, maintenance and services are part of car ownership, running costs can be reduced effectively by adopting a few good habits.

The more conservatively you drive, the more you can reduce costs, and have money available for some of the other fun things you would like to do. What is most important is that service schedules should be met as they ensure that oil changes, changing of air and oil filters, amongst other scheduled tasks are essential to keep a car’s engine and other functions moving smoothly throughout a vehicle’s life.

Besides maintaining a vehicle correctly, there are ten tips that you can follow when it comes to saving money on the road.

They include; Keeping tyres at the right pressure: Over-inflated or under-inflated tyres lead to uneven wear, which means that tread life is shortened and tyres have to be replaced sooner than would otherwise be the case. In addition, correctly inflated tyres reduce fuel consumption and bring down the biggest cost of running a car.

When changing tyres, it pays to ensure that all have the same tread pattern. Having ‘odd’ tyres with different treads can influence road holding, safety and running costs.

Driving smoothly and sticking to speed limits: Fast take-offs from traffic lights and weaving through traffic at higher speeds results in increased fuel consumption. In the long run, driving wildly may save you a few minutes but the penalty will be felt in your pocket.

Inter-state transporters plan 70% fare hike

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eighed down by serious economic challenges and poor infrastructure, private transport companies in the country say they may have no choice but to increase fares by as much as 70 per cent to stay in business.

The transporters stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos put together by the Association of Private Transport Companies of Nigeria (APTCON).

They lamented that the high cost of maintaining their fleet and poor state of roads in the country among other challenges have greatly increased their cost of doing business, threatening their ability to stay afloat.

The transporters agreed, that “as a means of survival, to increase transport fares by 70 per cent, beginning end of third quarter 2016, if no immediate help or support comes from government and its agencies”.

Stakeholders at the meeting included the FRSC, LASTMA, NARTO, God Is Good Motors (GIGM), Chisco Transport, Libra Motors, Cross Country, Eagle Transport, GUO Transport, Ekeson, EFEX Executive, First Tarzan Motors and Ecobus.

Others were Jetvan Automobiles, Toyota Nigeria ltd, Goddy Edosa Motors, Fairplus International, Greener Line, Harmony Transport, TRACAS, Okeyson Motors and Ohomba Line, as well as Access and Wema banks, among others.

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SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS

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Paul Ogbuokiri s Nigeria’s ‘technical recession’ bits harder, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc’s full-year profit more than halved, even as indications have shown that Nestle Nigeria Plc, a unit of the world’s biggest food company, will struggle to maintain profit-margin growth in 2016.

PZ is bemoaning its predicament as the soap-maker battled a scarcity of foreignexchange, soaring inflation and weaker consumer demand.

Net income fell 53 per cent in the 12 months ending May 31 to N2.13 billion, the Lagos-based company said in a statement published on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) website. Revenue dropped 4.9 per cent to N69.5 billion.

“The business environment for the fastmoving consumer goods sector was extremely challenging,” Chairman Kolawole Jamodu said in the statement. Operating conditions were tough largely because of the global slump in the price of oil, on which Nigeria’s government depends for about 70 per cent of revenue, and a shortage of dollars to pay for imports, he said.

Nigeria has been battered by the plunge in crude prices which have fallen more than 50 per cent over the past two years, while capital controls imposed to stem the fall of the naira sent foreign investors fleeing. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts the economy will shrink 1.8 per cent this year, the first contraction since at least 1991. The inflation rate rose to 16.5 per cent in June, the highest in almost 11 years.

The shares of PZ Cussons Nigeria, which is majority-owned by the Manchester, U.K.-based soap-maker, have fallen 39 percent in the past year. That compares with an 9 per cent drop for the NSE benchmark index.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer

Recession: PZ Cussons 2016 profit falls, Nestle‘under pressure’

L-R: Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Waziri Tambluwal; Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari; President/Chief Executive Officer of Erisco Foods Limited, Chief Eric Umeofia and the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed during the groundbreaking ceremony of Erisco Foods Farms and Factory in Katsina….recently

of Nestle SA, Dharnesh Gordhon said, “We haven’t seen the bottom” of the downturn, adding that a shortage of dollars has made it difficult to import raw materials.

Nestle Nigeria, about 64 per cent owned

by Switzerland’s Vevey-based Nestle SA, is seeking to use its market-leading position in the country to ride out a forecast contraction of 1.8 per cent in the economy this year. Nigeria, which vies with Angola as Africa’s biggest crude producer, has seen income plunge after the price of oil, which accounts for about 70 per cent of government revenue, fell more than 50

per cent over the past two years. Inflation accelerated to an annual rate of 16.5 per cent in June.

The profit “margin is under pressure” as the company can’t pass all cost increases onto the consumer, Gordhon said.

While the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) seeks to support the naira with currency controls, companies are finding dollar supply unpredictable, according to Gordhon.

His company can go for as long as three weeks without being able to source dollars, he said.

“I wish there was a consistent pattern

The contingency factor Success Nuggets Victor Okwudiri 08037674300 (SMS only)

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s I type this, I am at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, waiting for a booked flight to Lagos, where I am billed to speak at an international youth conference at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, on Saturday, 13th August, 2013. I have been here a while now. The flight was for 5:00pm, but it is already 6:09pm as I type this, and the boarding call is yet to be made. As annoying as it may be, we (other passengers and I) are left with a very few choices or no choice at all at this time, if we really mean to travel today.

As someone ever ready to improve on myself, one thing I do is to draw a lesson from every experience (or virtually every experience). It is the lessons I have drawn from this experience that I intend to share with you.

Here we go.

LESSON ONE: The world does not revolve around you.

It makes so much sense to be so organised, especially with timing. Just imagine knowing that at 6:00pm, you will be in a given place doing a specific thing, and that forty-five minutes afterwards, you will be in another exact

place, performing a specific task. Imagine knowing what every hour of the day will look like as it relates you. That will make so much sense. Right? But, no! It doesn’t always happen that way, if at all it ever happens that way. Sometimes, other people, and factors not within our control, alter our plans.

Other times, our own imperfection steals the show. Whatever the cause, an altered schedule is an altered schedule.

The best we can do at that point is to adjust to it. The truth, however, is that, sometimes, that adjustment comes with so much pain. It is, therefore, wise that we device a way through it, and that is simply by creating rooms for contingencies in our schedule.

Your schedule should not be so watertight that a slight alteration will bring the whole structure crumbling down like a pack of cards. Sometimes, it is wisdom to ask yourself, “What if it doesn’t go the way of my plan?” Some faith-intoxicated persons and ‘professors’ of positive thinking may not subscribe to this idea, but I make bold to say that wisdom is superior to faith.

Even the bible says, “Wisdom is the principal thing ...” (Proverbs 4:7 - KJV).

If wisdom is the ‘Principal,’ it is goes without saying that the highest faith can be is the ‘Vice Principal’. As funny as that may sound, it is true.

How did I accommodate the contingency of today? It is simple. Having opted for a 5pm flight that is now turning to a past 7pm fight, I did not choke my evening with a demanding schedule. All I have to do now are just ‘personals,’ such that if I don’t do them, there is really nothing to worry about. That is not all. I took advantage

of the flight delay to write a portion of this piece you are reading now, which I probably would have done when I settle in at my hotel room in Lagos. You can see that there is really no time lost, for me. All that happened was a mere re-adjustment of the order of events.

Isn’t that smart of me? *Chuckles* LESSON TWO: Patience is a vital virtue in the journey of success.

A sense of urgency is a common thing with most achievers. I feel it a lot of times. It is a good feeling. However, it can be consuming, if not seasoned with patience. Without the virtue of patience, one with a high sense of urgency can become a victim of his own momentum.

Patience is a sign of maturity, and only mature people can sustain success.

Friend, as you pursue success, learn to accommodate people’s weaknesses.

Make excuses for people.

Learn to bear with nature, if it does not go in line with your plan. Come to terms with the fact that things will not always go your way. Learn to let go and let God. Even God Almighty, Himself, does not have it His way all the time. How? I know that because I know that it is God’s will that all men should repent of their wrongs, but the truth is that not all men will. That, however, will not stop God from being God. So, if God does not impose His will on humanity, but allows us a right of choice, you should be tolerant. That way, you stand the chance of a longer and sweeter life. Think about it.

You will succeed.

•Please follow me on Twitter @VictorOkwudiir

that you can plan with,” the CEO said.

Emerging Opportunities Nestle Nigeria, which makes Maggi cube seasoning and Milo cocoa, is counting on an expanding middle class in the country and across Africa to increase and sustain demand for its packaged foods, the CEO said. It exports Maggi cubes to other African countries and to Europe, mainly to Nigerians living in those countries. While revenue grew 22 per cent to N80.4 billion during the six months ending June 30 from the same period a year earlier, costs rose 28 per cent, to N47.7 billion, Nestle Nigeria’s financial statement shows. Its Swiss parent company reports first-half earnings on Thursday.

“The Nigerian business for us is one of the best in Africa and it continues to grow,” Gordhon said. “We’ve had a compound annual growth of over 10 per cent over the last five years. We’ve doubled the business in four years.”

With 92 per cent of what the company sells produced locally, Nestle has an advantage over rivals that rely on imports, the CEO said. Rivals include Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc and imported brands of packaged food.

‘Resilient Economy’ “What I see is that there will be few players and this gives us the opportunity to solidify our market position,” Gordhon said. “The market is shrinking in terms of total size of category, but our share is increasing.”

Nigeria’s economic downturn is likely to bottom out by the end of this year, with a turnaround set to begin in 2017, according to Gordhon. The naira has weakened 38 per cent against the dollar since CBN in June dropped a 16-month peg against the U.S. currency. The naira weakened 0.8 per cent to a record low of 326.75 by 5:33 p.m. in Lagos on Wednesday.

“Nigeria is an extremely resilient economy,” he said. “People have gone through worse things in this country. What you need is constancy of economic policy or monetary policy. If you get those things, businesses can adjust. ” Nestle plans to invest $80 million in Nigeria over the next three years. The country took about 70 per cent of some $300 million the company injected in West and Central Africa in the past four years, according to Gordhon.

Nestle shares rose 0.1 per cent to 825.01 naira at close in Lagos to a market value of 654 billion naira. The stock has declined by 4.1 per cent this year compared with a 4.2 per cent retreat by the 171-member NSE All-Share Index.

49

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

Market closes upbeat …as NSEASI advances by 0.84%

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he Nigerian equities market closed the week on a positive note, after appreciating in four (4) out of five (5) trading days. The market performance as measured by NSEASI advanced by 0.84% WoW to peg the YtD return to -3.46%. The volume and value of transaction trended northward by 1.03% and 20.80% respectively. Market breadth (0.71x) skewed in favour of decliners, as thirty-eight (38) declined while twenty-seven (27) advanced in the week.

NEWGOLD topped the gainers chart after the stock advanced by 16.26% WoW to close at NGN4197.00. Other counters that featured on the gainer’s list were; UNILEVER (+10.23% WoW), NEM (+10.00% WoW), NB (+5.75% WoW), WAPCO (+5.11% WoW) and ETERNA (+5.06% WoW). On the flip side, CHAMPION, WEMABANK, NAHCO, CCNN, FIDSON and AIICO steered the decliners list after depreciating their share prices by 19.53%, 15.07%, 14.00%, 11.97%, 11.67% and 10.00% WoW respectively.

During the week, Union Bank Nigeria (UNION), Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GUARANTY) and Access Bank Plc (ACCESS) released their H1:2016 performance scorecards, while PZ Cussons Plc (PZ) released its FY2016 result. UNION, GUARANTY and ACCESS recorded gains YoY in both Gross earnings and Profit-AfterTax, While PZ recorded YoY declines in Profit-Before-Tax and Profit-After-Tax. GUARANTY and ACCESS both declared an interim dividend of NGN0.25, while PZ proposed a dividend of NGN0.50 during the week.

The mood in the market was largely driven by the activities of bargain hunters following weeks of bearish run. In the coming week, we expect some profit taking on some stocks that witnessed rally this week.

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: Bullish demand for Treasury Bill Instrument Persists Financial system liquidity increased during the week following the NGN118bn OMO repayment and NGN581bn Treasury bond (AUG-2016) maturity in the week.

In spite of the improved system liquidity, OBB and OVN rates advanced by 0.50% and 0.74% to settle at 23.00% and 25.58% respectively.

Naira strengthened against the US dollar at the interbank, appreciating by 4.89% WoW, to peg the spot rate at NGN316.55/ USD. The local currency however stood steady at the parallel market, exchanging at NGN397/USD at the close of the week. Average forward quotes stood at NGN340.61/ USD. The bullish demand for Treasury bill instruments was sustained in the week.

The primary Treasury bill auction worth NGN62.44bn for 91 days and 182 days closed at respective stop rates of 14.99% and 17.48% (vs 15.44% and 18.06%) in the last auction. The auction was oversubscribed with the bid-to-cover ratio of 2.35(91days) and 6.61(182days).

Sell sentiments pervaded the Treasury bond market in the week, as yields trended northwards across most tenors. Average yields advanced by 0.60% to peg at 16.09% at the close of the week.

Agric Sector: PRESCO pared 4.89% WoW Activities ended on a negative note for Agric sector, as MERI-AGRIC index pared by 2.28% WoW to peg the YTD return at 15.41%. Sector breadth (0.5x) represents two (2) advancers against a lone decliner in the week. Other counters traded flat in the week.

declined by -0.57% WtD to drag the YtD return to -43.94%.

FIDSON and GLAXOSMITH were the only stocks that recorded share price depreciations, after declining by 11.67% WoW and 2.63% WoW to close at NGN1.59 and NGN18.50 respectively. All other counters traded flat.

In the coming week, we expect some bargain hunting activities on some stocks that have lost substantial value in the past weeks. However, we advise value seeking investor to balance their optimism with caution.

OKOMUOIL topped the gainers’ chart, after appreciating by 0.69% WoW to close at NGN36.25. The counter was trailed by LIVESTOCK with 3.33% gain to close at NGN0.93. On the other hand, PRESCO’s share value declined by 4.89% WoW to close at NGN36.96.

Barring any positive news inflows capable of spurring upbeat mood on sector stocks, we expect the current mood to persist in the coming week.

Banking Sector: Heavy weight stocks drive gains The banking sector performance as measured by the MERI-BNK INDEX advanced by 3.17% WoW to peg the YtD return at 11.96%, after gaining in three (3) out of five (5) trading days of the week.The sector breadth was at equilibrium, as seven (7) stocks gained and declined apiece.

STANBIC led the advancers, after appreciating by 4.32% WoW. The ticker was closely followed by GUARANTY, FIDELITYBK, and ZENITHBANK with respective price appreciations of 4.12%, 4.04%, and 3.27%. On the other hand, WEMABANK (-15.07%), UNITYBNK (-8.08%), DIAMONDBNK (-2.54%) and UBN (-2.50%) topped the laggards’ chart.

ACCESS and GUARANTY released impressive H1:2016 results. ACCESS, recorded growths in Gross earnings of 3.22%, Profit-Before-Tax of 27.89% and Profit-After-Tax of 26.21%. The bank declared an interim dividend of NGN0.25/share, which represents a dividend yield of 4.46% based on its closing price (NGN5.60).

Similarly, GUARANTY recorded Gross earnings growth of 37.2%. Profit-BeforeTax and Profit-After-Tax also appreciated by 37.2% and 44.8% YoY respectively.

GUARANTY declared an interim dividend of NGN0.25/share, representing dividend yield of 0.99% based on its closing price (NGN25.25) for the week.

We expect profit taking to ensue on some

sector stocks in the coming week.

Consumer Goods Sector: Sector Returns +2.55% WoW The consumer goods sector halts two weeks of bearish run, after advancing by 2.55% WoW to push the year to date to -5.41%, as measured by our MERI-CMG index. The sector breadth pegged at 1.14x, implying seven (7) decliners against eight (8) advancers in the week.

UNILEVER (+10.23%) led the advancers’ list to close at NGN38.50, followed by NB (+5.75%), 7UP (+4.97%), VITAFOAM (+1.03%) and PZ (+0.83%). CHAMPION topped the laggards’ table by 19.53% to settle the share price at NGN2.76. The counter was trailed by INTERBREW (-8.05%), DANGFLOUR (-4.38%), HONYFLOUR (-3.52%) and DANGSUGAR (-2.55%) in that order.

PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc (PZ) released unimpressive FY: 2016 results during the week, as the company recorded a 4.92% YoY decline in revenue to NGN69.53bn.

Similarly, Profit-Before-Tax and Profit-After-Tax declined significantly by 51.99% and 53.41% respectively. The bottom line was dragged further by higher cost lines.

However, PZ proposed a dividend of NGN0.50/share, which implies a dividend yield of 2.75% based on today’s closing price (NGN18.20).

The sector performance in the week was largely driven by overall market sentiments. In the coming week, we expect some investors to take profit on stocks that witnessed rally recently.

Healthcare Sector: FIDSON sheds 11.67%, closes at NGN1.59 The weak correlation between the NSEASI and the Healthcare Sector was displayed further this week as the sector’s most active counters recorded declines amidst the general positive momentum witnessed in the market. The Healthcare sector as measured by MERI-HLTH sector index

Industrial Goods: WAPCO advances by 5.11% WoW The sector witnessed a positive outing, as the Meri-Industrial index gained 1.73% WoW to drive YtD return to 3.09%. During the week, there were two (2) gainers and three (3) decliners as indicated by the market breadth (0.67X) WAPCO topped the gainers’ chart, after appreciating by 5.11% WoW to settle at NGN56.00. DANGCEM followed closely with a price gain of 1.66% WoW. On the flip side, CCNN pared 11.97% to lead the decliners for the week. Similarly, CAP and CUTIX pared by 4.88% and 1.71% accordingly.

Generally, we expect the counters to trade in sync with the general market mood considering the dearth of positive news inflow.

Nonetheless, we anticipate some level of bargain hunting in the coming week, following the persistent WoW losses on some counters.

Insurance Sector: NSEINS10 trims by 1.19% WoW. The insurance sector, as measured by the NGSEINS10, showed a 1.19% week on week decline, dragging the YtD return to -9.97%.

Sector breadth pegged at 0.67x, as two (2) counters appreciated in prices, as against three (3) stocks that recorded declines in value NEM topped the gainers’ chart, after the counter appreciated by 10.00% WoW to close at NGN0.88. The counter was trailed

by CONTINSURE with 1.03% WoW gain to close at NGN0.98. Conversely, AIICO emerged as the sector’s worst performer, paring by 10.00% WoW to close at NGN0.63. The counter was followed by LAWUNION (-6.78%) and MANSARD (-4.76%), both closed at NGN 0.55 and NGN 2.00 respectively. All other counters traded flat.

Universal Insurance Plc released its Q1:2015 results which showed growths in Gross Premium Earned, Profit-Before-Tax and Profit-After-Tax of 46.78%, 180.44% and 171.09% YoY respectively.

We expect bargain hunting activities to dictate the sector performance in the coming week.

Oil & Gas Sector: NSEOILG5 index pares by 3.44% WoW The sector sustained the negative sentiments from the previous week as the NSEOILG5 index pared by 3.44% WoW, settling the YtD return at -21.54%. The sector recorded six (6) decliners against two (2) advancers, pegging the sector’s breadth at 0.33x.

On the gainer’s chart, ETERNA appreciated by 5.06% WoW to close at NGN2.70 just as TOTAL advanced by 2.09% to close at NGN244. We attribute the price rally recorded by TOTAL to the NGN3.00 interim dividend declared by the company.

Contrarily, CONOIL (-9.64% WoW), OANDO (-7.09% WoW), FO (-5.58% WoW), MRS (-4.98% WoW), MOBIL (-4.14% WoW) and SEPLAT (-0.83% WoW) declined during the week.

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FAITH

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SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Always pray for guidance

ne Day, the Vice Principal of my school where I taught was given an appointment.

The Principal invited me and told me I should take over as Vice Principal.

He said the Post Primary School Board asked him to recommend any of his staff and come for the letter of appointment. I refused because a very close person I respected so highly was in that school. Would I be boss to the person? I pleaded with the Principal to appoint the person.

After a very long time, the Principal had no alternative than to appoint the man I recommended instead of me. I was happy, but something happened.

There was vacancy elsewhere shortly after the appointment, and the newly appointed Vice Principal was elevated to Principal, and the Vice Principal in that school was transferred to another school. It took me over 10years to become a Principal. I missed the opportunity which the Lord provided for me. The Lord has His own plan for the man I respected and deferred to. He did not even stay in the service long and he left to an Engineering company where he belonged to because he read Engineering and I read Education.

Another incidence I cannot easily forget was when

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

0808 770 7486

I was transferred from one school where I was the vice Principal (VP) to another school as Vice Principal. I did not like the new school, so the Principal in my school worked for me to be retained. As soon as I was retained, the principal in the new School died, and the Vice Principal was asked to take over as the Principal. It took me almost 4 years to be appointed a Principal. Reflecting back, I discovered that either I did not trust God enough to have a plan for me, or I did not pray about each of the two opportunities presented to me to become a Secondary School Principal almost 10 years before I was finally appointed.

Truly I did not pray about it.

For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thought of peace, and not of evil to give you an expected end.

(Jeremiah 29:11) When the people of Israel gathered to make Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king over them, they asked him a very simple question, and Rehoboam did not pray to God for

wisdom to answer the question. He behaved the way I did and lost the 10 tribe of Israel.

Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, light, and me will serve thee. And we will serve thee. And he said unto them, depart yet for 3 days, then come again to me, and the people departed (I Kings 12:4,5).

Rehoboam did not go to pray about it, and gave a wrong answer which resulted in the popular saying: --- to your tents, O Israel: now see to thy own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents (1 Kings 12:16) When two or more options are presented to you, no matter how easy the answers seem to you, please, pray for guidance and you will not regret your choice.

Why pray? The Lord says For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways

higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8,9).

Saul, the father of Jonathan also lost that Kingdom of Israel to David just because he did not pray when he was panicking before going to sacrifice unto the Lord, disobeying Prophet Samuel.

Trust in thee Lord with all thine heart, and LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall directly paths (Proverbs 3:5,6).

I have never prayed about a matter and made a mistake. Each time I leaned on my own understanding, I regretted.

In marriage, I went to a tailor’s workshop and met a girl who impressed me by her appearance and bold speeches. I immediately proposed to her without a second thought or prayers.

She was not mine but because I did not pray, I proposed. I discovered later that she belonged to another man. The engagement broke down unrepairably within few months.

In one way or the other, if you pray, God will certainly direct your path.

Sometimes, ago, I made a public statement that for about 46 years of being born again, I had no significant problem of immorality.

The challenges I had were those of choices. If I prayed I made a good choice.

Spend time with your family

r. Duke leaves home for work as early as 5.15am and gets back home as late as 10.30pm. By these times, the children were still in bed, either not yet awake or gone to bed for the night. To them, daddy is never around and does not want to see us; its only mummy that is around.

Over time, they got used to mummy alone and could tell you everything mummy likes them to do or not to do but their daddy was like a stranger in the house only to be seen on Sunday.

A neighbour came to their house one Sunday evening with her own children.

And as the children were playing in the children’s living room but to the hearing of their parents, the following conversation ensued; Neighbour’s child: “Oh! Your daddy is around” Lily (one of the man’s daughters): “Yes he is our Sunday Sunday Daddy” Neighbour’s child: “What do you mean by Sunday Sunday Daddy?”

Luke (the man’s son): “Because he only talks and plays with us on Sundays” Neighbour’s child: “My own daddy plays with us every day and we like it”

Marriage & Family Intimacy

Bishop Charles Ighele holyspiritmissioninc@yahoo.com

07066579379/09098845521 Lily: “Our own daddy does not want to play except on Sundays.”

Neighbour’s child: “Maybe I will tell my daddy to come and play with you people within the week.”

Lily and Luke: “Heeeey!

That will be nice.”

After listening to this innocent conversation, their father went into the room and wept. Would he be alive and another man is longed for by his children to replace the fatherly role meant for him? He just realized he did not know his children well and they did not know him at all.

The perception your children have of you was actually created by you; mother or father.

Make them feel the motherly and fatherly love in you as well as the role you are playing in their lives.

Do not say they are too old to be shown parental love and care. They still need to be loved at every level of their lives. The way you

desire to be with your surviving parents even though a parent yourself is the way your grown up children desire to be with you.

It is very important for families to dwell together without having any form of crack in their relationships.

There should not be any strangeness to the family union and togetherness.

Whatever you are doing as a parent should not be allowed to affect the relationship you have with your family members.

How can you make yourself a stranger in your own house?

‘I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders… Isaiah 8:18.’ This is a statement meant for a family that dwells together and does all things in common. Signs indicate and express the existence of something not immediately clearly seen or manifested.

Before you get what you desire to be manifested in

your family, there has to be strong bond and oneness.

You must carry everyone in the family along the course of these great signs and wonders you intend to achieve.

You can never lead your family to that point if you are far away from them.

You can never achieve that if you work in isolation.

You can never achieve that if you do not believe in your spouse and children.

You can never achieve that without the help of God Philippians 4:13.

We cannot desire to be for signs and for wonders with our children if we are far away from them.

Some of us have sold our hearts to our jobs and businesses that our children are longing to be remembered just once in a while. That is not the way it ought to be. God’s plan for us as families is to dwell together in unity, love and peace and to share everything including our time.

Parents and children should learn to share all things including their time with one another. Do not be a stranger in your own home and to your own family.

Do not give more attention to other things at the detriment of the peace of your family.

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

Even in dire time

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hen Elisha finished praying, the Bible records that his servant’s eyes opened and he saw something wonderful.

The young man beheld that the mountains where they abode were full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. His fear disappeared and he stopped panicking.

I pray that the eyes of many believers who are facing one challenging situation or the other shall be opened to see the formidable military squared around them.

I pray that the eyes of many who are afraid to continue in that journey be opened. I pray that the eyes of many who are disgusted with their businesses be opened.

I pray that the eyes of many who are afraid of failing their examinations be opened. I pray that the eyes of those who want to bolt out of their marriages, out of that associations, out of that friendship, out of that company be opened to see that greater is He that is in them than he that is in the world; and that God is fighting for you now in the visible and in the invisible, -Psalm 34:7.

All you need to do is to have Jesus in the ship of your life.

Every person in life is like a ship sailing on the ocean of life. As we sail on the ocean of this life, there is bound to be a time of tempest and boisterous wind. An adage says that life is not a bed of roses. A time came when our Lord Jesus Christ was sailing on the sea with His disciples –Matthew 23:27. There arose a great tempest, so much that the ship was covered with waves and water but He was asleep.

His disciples panicked and cried ‘Our Lord save us lest we perish.’ As far as they (mere mortals) were concerned, fear had putrefied their heart; hence, they felt that they were going to perish. The cried out saying Master; carest thou not that we perish? The may have said in their fear Master why have you waited this long? The Bible says but he was asleep. That Jesus was asleep was at that perilous moment was immaterial and irrelevant

to their miracle. The important thing which should give the disciples solace is the fact that Jesus was still in that ship with them. This is why the question that must challenge everybody in this present world is to ascertain whether Jesus Christ the son of the living God is in the ship of your own life.

Though it may seem as if the Lord is asleep I your situation, the fact remains that any ship with the Lord as a crew member, shall never sink.

He shall rise up, right on time to calm the wave and stormy weather. He shall not be late and will definitely stretch out His hands to the wind and the wave and the thunder: Peace be still!

Immediately, every bad wind and tempest of life confronting you shall bow. Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is above every other name, for at the name of Jesus Christ every knee shall bow – Philippians 2:9, 11.

Indeed, He that is in you is also the Master of the ocean, the earth, the sky, the wind and the waves Halleluiah. In this spirit, St. Paul declared: “For I am crucified with Christ never the less I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I live in the flesh I live by faith of the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” – Galatians 2:20.

The problem with many believers is that they don’t know the personality or force which they carry. He is the beginning of the creation of God, He is the God incarnate, and He is the promised Messiah. He is the word that was made flesh and dwelt among men. He is the prince of peace, He is the rock of ages, He is the ancient of days, he is the Passover Lamb, and He is the star of the astrologers.

Every person in life is like a ship sailing on the ocean of life.

As we sail on the ocean of this life, there is bound to be a time of tempest and boisterous wind

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016

FAITH

Insight

Rev. Femi Akinola www.thehebrewsng.com

01-790 3163; 0808 584 5864

False balance

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false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.”

Proverbs 11:1 Business is the means of exchange of goods & services for money. Many principles regulate the operations of business; one of these principles is that of give and take.

It’s one which is widely understood and accepted by all and sundry. It’s also known as the law of sowing and reaping.

Those who know and practise this principle are aware that its nexus lies in the fact that there is a divine side to it. God blesses what you practise and everyman gets in a multiplied measure what he gives or does. In essence, God has integrated the law into nature such that even nature of its own accord regulates this law and in their attempt to explain this law, men say such things as ‘whatever goes around, comes back around’.

In the scripture above, the Bible expresses God’s disapproval of false balance. What is a false balance? The phrase is self-explanatory; it simply means cheating or using a wrong measure, to put it in a lay man’s language.

God is so humorous; He communicates His instructions through His word in such a way that even a market woman can understand. At the mention of the phrase ‘false balance’, the conscience witnesses to the reader what it is.

God who will bless your business, says He detests false balance. And whatever God hates a true believer must keep away from. If you will sincerely ever make it in business and last, you must stay away from false and wicked balance. No one can be blessed through cheating. Cheating only sets a person up for fatal failure. If you concern the things of God, you must proper with conscience.

Don’t build an empire for yourself via cheating or taking advantage of others.

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Proverbs 14:34 If righteousness is so potent it can exalt a nation, how heavy can your destiny be that righteousness cannot lift? What is the weight of your life? God’s

ways are past understanding by men. If you obey God in His simplicity, you will reap in unquantifiable measure. Don’t you ever believe you are smart in your own eyes because you cannot be smarter than your sin.

“Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.” Deuteronomy 25:13 You cannot cheat to rise and expect to last at the top, God is bringing prosperity. Don’t cheat to be lifted, I see God giving you international connections. Most people in business, Christians and believers inclusive, are in the habit and practice of cheating people, as a result of which their businesses begin to nose dive.

Some engage in trading substandard products and materials which they offer at the price of the original.

Many contractors supply substandard materials and are destroying the lives of many, and before they know it, nemesis begins to catch up with them and they come crying even when they know the source and cause of their predicament.

“Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.” Proverbs 20:17 If you want God to take your business to the next level, stay away from false balance. Many hate to hear messages of this nature but it doesn’t matter. What is important is that you have been told and when you refuse to change, the same word will stand against you afterwards. The truth is; most of the things we don’t like to hear are the things we really need to hear.

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20 Do not make haste to be rich. It is only God who can prosper you and not your false or cunning ways.

PRAYER POINTS

• I receive grace to be honest and faithful to man and God. • I shall abound with blessing.

• I shall rise and never come down.

• Lord, breathe on my business.

• Take my business to the next level …in Jesus name.

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Why money won’t come

his week I shall mention some laws that are responsible for wealth and prosperity. Unfortunately, we have been fed for so long with the wrong food when it comes to money. For example after I newly became a born again Christian, the impression that I had was that I only needed to be good, particularly to be a good Christian, to prosper. The impression in Christianity was that if you could serve God with all your heart, God was going to prosper you.

Unfortunately, too many people are still believing in this theory and are writhing in poverty. It is not until much later in life that I discovered that it is actually the knowledge of the laws of money that is responsible for wealth.

That is to say: 1. You don’t become wealthy because you are a good person. Otherwise, where are all the good people world over?

Are they all wealthy? As a matter of fact, in most societies, most of the wealthy people are not the best people. I have actually heard many people complain that bad people were the only ones having all the money. Some have even alleged that it is counterproductive to be good, because then you will be poor. The truth however is that money doesn’t come to either good or bad people. Money only comes to people

The Purpose of Nations

Pastor Sunday Adelaja pastor@godembassy.org

who know the laws of money whether they are good or bad. In that sense we could say money is neutral.

2. Money doesn’t come to you because you do business. If that were true, how many business men do you know around you? Are they all filthy rich? No! Many people, who do business, are not even aware of these laws of money. To me it is indeed pathetic that many people who have been involved in business for a few decades cannot even boast of a million US dollars.

This is primarily because they are laboring without the necessary knowledge of the vital laws of money.

3. You don’t become rich because you are a Christian. Even though God promises Christians wealth and prosperity, but that is only on the condition that they abide by the laws of money.

The Bible says God gives us power to make wealth. Notice that God doesn’t give wealth; He gives the power to get it. Unfortunately, many Christians are still hoping and waiting that because they are Christians, God is obliged to give them

wealth. No, sir. God gives you the skills that enable you to get wealth. He doesn’t give wealth; he gives you the power to go get wealth.

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Deut. 8:18.

Unfortunately, many teachers have led the body of Christ astray by teaching that if Christians would give, that will bring prosperity to them. Some even go to the extent of saying that the more you give the more prosperous you become. Well, experience and reality have shown that that doctrine is not totally true. Some have given and out-given themselves, leading them to poverty and wretchedness rather than prosperity and abundance.

Regrettably, the scripture upon which this principle has been based is Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into

your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

That scripture was actually talking about judgment. It says we should not judge people, because if we do we get several folds of the judgment we are giving out ourselves.

Many have now made it to look like it is talking about money. Even though there might be some truth in that principle, but when it comes to money, you don’t just give and give hoping to prosper.

Other Christians, sad enough, are still waiting for when the wealth of the wicked will come to them. Yes, even though there is a scripture that talks about that, but the truth is, that is also taking the scripture out of context. The wealth of the world will only come to you if you are good enough in what you do.

The Israelites were good at what they did in Egypt before the wealth of Egypt came to them.

Secondly, the wealth of the world will only come to you if you produce better products than your competitors; that is when you are a good representative of the kingdom of God and God will honor you for that.

Thirdly, for any wealth to come to you, you must be busy producing either goods or rendering services. If you are only claiming promises.

Hillsong’s new worship movie – Let Hope Rise out in September

A

nyone who regularly attends a church knows Hillsong’s music by heart. That’s how influential they’ve become. And yet despite the fame and adulation, they’re still just a humble worship band trying to do what tens of thousands of other worship bands try to do every week—glorify God through their music. How they balance that is a fascinating and surprising story.

From a single church in suburban Sydney, Australia, Hillsong Church now extends to cities on five continents including London, Paris, Sao Paulo, Capetown, Rio de Janeiro, and Phoenix with more than 100,000 weekly attendees, including thriving congregations in New York and Los Angeles, Asisted News Service reports.

In addition to its local church initiatives, Hillsong partners with international organizations committed to ministry – examples include feeding and educating children in the slums of India, building housing for those living with AIDS in Africa and rescuing victims of human trafficking around the globe.

Now Pure Flix is distributing HILLSONG - LET HOPE RISE, the highly anticipated feature film that chronicles the spectacular and miraculous

rise to prominence of the Australiabased band, Hillsong UNITED. “HILLSONG - LET HOPE RISE is so much more than a film about a Christian band or even a church. It is truly a theatrical worship experience,” said Michael Scott, chief production officer and a founding partner of Pure Flix. “It is a dream come true for us, as a studio committed to influencing the global culture, to partner with a church like Hillsong.”

“Anyone who regularly attends a church knows Hillsong’s music by heart. That’s how influential they’ve become,” said producer Jonathan Bock. “And yet despite the fame and adulation, they’re still just a humble worship band trying to do what tens of thousands of other worship bands try to do every week—glorify God through their music. How they balance that is a fascinating and surprising story.”

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SCIENCE

SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

08035624538

ABUAD is a template in Engineering, Science and Medicine – Vice Chancellor In 2009, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, (ABUAD), was established. On January 4, 2010, lectures began tentatively.

In less than seven years of its establishment, its record of achievement stands out like a lighthouse in the dark. ABUAD today, is regarded as a template for science, engineering and medical education in Nigeria. Science Writer, STANLEY CHIBUIHEM AMALAHA, after an interview with the Vice Chancellor of the universityProf. Michael Ajisafe and a tour of the facilities, reports

College 1 building, housing the College of Science

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ABUAD Teaching Hospital complex

ABUAD College of Engineering complex

hen the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon according to Biblical history, what she heard about his splendour was a microcosm when compared with what she saw. Likewise, having heard a lot about Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Science Telegraph decided to visit the school.

What we heard, was actually a microcosm, when compared with what we saw.

In an interview with Professor Michael Ajisafe, Vice Chancellor of the university on the establishment of ABUAD, he said: “ABUAD is a wonder city in Ekiti heartland, established by Aare Afe Babalola, one of Africa’s foremost legal luminaries. It was licensed in 2009 and lectures began on January 4, 2010, tentatively. The President, and Founder of ABUAD was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), (2000 – 2007), where he made a lot of positive contributions and eventually made the university (UNILAG) the best in Nigeria. When his tenure ended, the philanthropist of immeasurable repute replicated what he did in UNILAG by establishing ABUAD as a unique citadel of academic excellence with the zeal to change the landscape of tertiary education in Nigeria”.

The Vice Chancellor, who doubles as the first Nigerian Professor of Sports Science and the first Director of the National Institute for Sports, Lagos, further spoke on the academic achievements of the university: “Afe Babalola University is a template for Science, Engineering and Medical Education in Nigeria.”

In Science for example, all the programmes are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) with consistent predictable and assured academic calendar.

Secondly, ABUAD’S farm, for Agricultural Science, is the largest university farm in Nigeria. It consists of over 1000 hectares of land; with more than 1,000,000 teak trees; over 1,000,000 stands of Melina trees. Others include: more than 110,000 mango trees; 600,000 Moringa trees, complete with a factory where Moringa products (oil, tea, seed, soap, cream, leaf capsule, and leaf powder) are made. The farm also has

more than 600 fish ponds with each containing over 5,000 fish; three huge hatchery buildings consisting of 30 hatcheries each. Sawmills and feed mills are not excluded. Some products produced at the farm include, but are not limited to the following: mango chips, plantain chips, snails, piggery, mushrooms, quails, apiculture (honey making) unit, Guinea fowl, Turkey just to mention but a few.

“To justify the validity of my claims, when Dr, Akinwumi Adesina, the former Minister of Agriculture visited ABUAD, he described the farm as the best he has ever seen in Nigeria or elsewhere”.

On the other aspect of Science, Ajisafe commented: “ABUAD is a Centre for Computer Certification in ICT

by Computer Professionals of Nigeria. Similarly, last year, our students took the first position in the African Regional Competition in the Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition and came fourth in the entire world, held in Seattle, Washington, USA. In the recent (July 2016) Webometric and Cybermetric rankings, ABUAD took second best positions consecutively out of 68 Private Universities in Nigeria.”

In Sports, ABUAD set a pace in the country by hosting the 2015 Nigeria Private University Games, which they placed overall second position on the medals table. The university also came first in the 2016 Edition of Ekiti State Higher Institutions Competition held recently.

In Engineering, the astute don, whose credentials and experience placed Nigeria in the Hall of Fame at the Barcelona (1992) Olympic Games stated: “When the Nigerian Society of Engineers President, Engr. Ademola Olurunfemi, FNSE, visited ABUAD on 7th May Last year (2015), he said: ‘ABUAD is a template for engineering education in Nigeria’.

“Similarly, about 40 per cent of the 100 equipment found

40 per cent of the 100 equipment found in ABUAD’s engineering laboratories are not found in any university in Nigeria

in ABUAD’s engineering laboratories are not found in any university in Nigeria.” “This was another comment Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) made when they visited us last year. Similarly, at the CODET competition for Engineering Universities in Nigeria, held in Abuja two months ago by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), ABUAD came first, beating 36 other private and public universities that competed nationwide.

“One of our engineering students, Mr Olamide Papoola, won the Unilever competition both in South Africa and in London held this year (2016). At present, Civil Engineering students of ABUAD undergo practical work training with Julius Berger Plc. and study in Germany with a view of making them more practical oriented in the profession.

“Similarly, we are the first university in West Africa to run mechatronics programme as a degree course and ours is equipped with FESTO Automation and Mechatronics Laboratory from Germany. While our mechanical workshop is equipped with mechanical laboratory equipment

by CES Industries of America.

“On the other hand, NUC has rated us ‘as a model, reference point and benchmark’ for other universities, while UNESCO has acknowledged us as ‘a world class university’. All the programmes in ABUAD are fully accredited

by NUC”.

In Medicine, the Vice Chancellor, with his soft spoken voice, had this to say: “We are the first to be granted approval for medicine and allied programmes within four years of existence. Our first set of Medical Doctors will be graduated in 2018. The Founder, Afe Babalola after upgrading the Medical Complex at the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, it was renamed Federal Teaching Hospital Ido, Ekiti, making him the first University Chancellor to upgrade a Federal Government Hospital in Nigeria.

An MOU was signed to use the hospital for some years for training of ABUAD students. But because of frequent strikes, the Founder decided to leave all he has spent in the hospital and built ABUAD Teaching Hospital in the university. The magnificent edifice will be commissioned as soon as it is equipped with state-of-the art facilities comparable with any teaching hospital of its kind in the whole world. The structure is the single largest University Teaching Hospital building in Nigeria which will excel over and above any teaching hospital in the country. It will have collaborations with the best brains in medical professions in the world; namely: Harvard University Hospital and John Hopkins University Hospital both in America.”

SUNDAY

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

Nigeria beat Honduras 3-2 to win golden bronze at Rio

Eaglets crash out of U-17 World Cup 2017 Qualifiers

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Nigerian wrestlers in last rush for gold in Rio

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SPORTS

Deputy Sports Editor Dapo Sotuminu daposotu@yahoo.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt, who’s the greater Olympian?

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ith Michael Phelps capping off a historic Olympic career with gold medal No. 23 on Saturday, and Usain Bolt on the chase for his triple-triple Olympic gold victories which would take his gold haul to nine, one is forced to ask the question who is the greater Olympian?

Phelps or Bolt?

In terms of accomplishments, Phelps is in obviously the greater Olympian. His 23 gold medals are more than twice as many as any other Olympian. Phelps has more than three times as many as Bolt.

But the argument is deeper than those simple numbers, even if medal counts are the most apt quantification of Olympic greatness.

Phelps has competed in 30 Olympic events. Bolt has stepped into the blocks seven times at the Olympics. He’s won seven gold medals. Bolt is also 3-for-3 in world records. Phelps, who has competed in and medaled in nine Olympic events, holds world records in six, though three are as part of relay teams.

Bolt has always been the greatest since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing when he won his first triple gold medals. Phelps, on the other hand, has been challenged in some of his events.

He’s only won one gold and one bronze in the 200 freestyle.

He finished fourth in the 400 medley in 2012, and didn’t compete in the event in 2016. He got pipped for the gold in the 200 Butterfly in 2012, and in the 100 Butterfly last week.

Phelps has the longevity and the multifariousness. Bolt has the unquestionable dominance.

While doing this comparism one must value Bolt winning the title of “fastest man alive,” then doing it again, and again? Or do we value Phelps not only being the world’s best swimmer in four Olympiads in a row, but swimming to that title by mastering four different strokes over three different distances?

When one sees swimming as a lesser sport compared to a superior athletics, it can be easily said that Usain Bolt’s title is superior because of the nature of running. Phelps does something that only around half of Americans can do: swim.

The percentage is probably lower in other countries.

The talent pool above which Phelps has to rise is thus significantly smaller.

Bolt, on the other hand, does something that the majority of the world does, or can do: he runs. He runs just like a high school soccer player does in competition, just like middle-aged men and women do to stay fit, just like six-yearolds do on playgrounds. And Bolt does it better than anybody in the world ever has.

But the Jamaican does that one thing in his career so far despite the fact that his coach believes that he would be very good in 400metres.

He’s never stretched himself beyond the 200-meter race at an Olympic level. He’s never done the hurdles or the long jump. His agent even admitted that Bolt has never run a mile in his life. Some of this is out of his control, of course. The 400 and the 100 were run on the same night in Rio; Bolt wouldn’t be able to be at his best for both.

But still, Phelps’ range is wider. He’s won multiple

gold medals in 100s, 200s and 400s. He’s won golds in the freestyle, the butterfly and medleys. And he too must swim multiple races in a night. Most swimmers, like runners, have to specialize to reach the pinnacle of a certain stroke or distance. Phelps hasn’t done that, and he’s still better than those who have.

Although Bolt’s range is limited by the nature of the events, there aren’t that many more swimming events, 17 in total than there are running events which has 13. And while it’s not fair to consider Bolt’s events alongside the 3,000-meter steeplechase or the marathon, it’s similarly unfair to look at Phelps’ events in the same picture as the 100-meter breaststroke or the 10-kilometer open water race.

To bridge the gap between the sports and their various events, a useful tool might be to compare Bolt and Phelps to the other athletes in their respective sports. Bolt is special because he’s won three Olympic 100m gold medals. Only one other sprinter, Carl Lewis, has won even two, and Lewis only crossed the finish line first in one of those. So in a way, Bolt is three times as great as the third-best 100-metres runner in history.

Carl Lewis ran and jumped to nine total Olympic golds.

Medal count-wise, Bolt doesn’t even have the most gold medals in his sport. Lewis topped the world on at least one occasion each in the 100m, 200m, 4×100m and Long Jump.

Here’s where Phelps still stands out. His 23 gold medals are 14 more than Mark Spitz’s 9. His 28 total medals are 16 more than anybody else in the sport.

If Phelps were a country, he’d rank third all-time in Olympic swimming gold, behind the United States and Australia.

Bolt would not rank in the top 20 in athletics. If we break athletics down into solely running events, he would probably crack the top 10. If we break running events down into only sprints, he would be somewhere around fifth or sixth.

Regardless, Phelps stands out more when viewed through this historical lens.

The debate as a whole is incomplete until Bolt’s Olympic career is complete. But even if the Jamaican breaks many of his records, the scope of Phelps’ dominance probably swallowed perceived inevitability of Bolt’s.

Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt are arguably the

most recognizable Olympic athletes, and both have groundbreaking accomplishments, but how does it reflect on their net worth.

Michael Phelps has an estimated net worth of $55 million, while Usain Bolt has a net worth of $60 million. While it is close, Bolt edges Phelps when it comes to commercial value.

Having the honour of being an Olympian and winning a medal does not pay as much as you might think. The U.S. Olympic Committee awards $25,000 for gold medals, $15,000 for silver, and $10,000 for bronze. In the United States, athletes also have to pay taxes on their winnings, which makes the post-tax earnings fairly modest.

Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt make most of their money from endorsement deals that come from their success. Bolt has a lucrative endorsement deal with Hublot, and Phelps has a deal with Omega.

Michael Phelps has made money with deals from Louis Vuitton, Subway, Wheaties and Visa. The greatest Olympic swimmer has recently had endorsement deals with sporting apparel company Under Armour, Master Spas, Sol Republic headphones, and Aqua Sphere.

Despite announcing his retirement, being known as the most awarded Olympic athlete in history will make Phelps appealing to advertisers for many years after he hangs up the swimming goggles.

Usain Bolt has a lucrative eight-figure deal with sports apparel player Puma and has other sponsors such as Gatorade and an advertisement campaign with Virgin Media where he impersonates billionaire Richard Branson.

When it comes to Olympic gold medals, Phelps leads with 28 Olympic medals, while Bolt has seven. However, Bolt made history by becoming the first athlete to win three successive Olympic gold medals in the 100m sprint.

Both Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt will see a big boost to their net worth after the Rio Olympics. According to Forbes, Usain Bolt makes $33 million a year, which is much more than any other track and field athlete.

“In addition to breaking new grounds on the track, Bolt has made history off the track in recent years as the highestpaid athlete in the history of the sport. His $32.5 million in earnings over the last 12 months from appearances, prize money and sponsors is roughly 10 times what other track and field stars like Mo Farah and Ashton Eaton bank. Bolt is in a class by himself both on and off the track.”

The financial publication states that Bolt currently has 10 global deals that range in value of $1 million to $4 million annually.

Bolt also launched his own shaving company and signed deals with Japan’s All Nippon Airways and Australia’s Optus - a telecommunication business.

Michael Phelps has stated that he is retiring. However, he is not done with his career. Phelps has revealed that he wants to be active in helping the younger generation with coaching.

Phelps added that he is happy with the way the Rio Olympics turned out.

He talked about finding his passion again for swimming, and he talked about working hard to achieve his performance: Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps have announced that they plan on retiring after the Rio Olympics. It is likely that their star status will keep their net worths increasing in years to come. The Olympians will have offers for some time to come based on their accomplishments and reputation.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sport

Oshonaike: Poor preparations bane of Team Nigeria at Rio Nigeria’s women table table tennis superstar and six times Olympian, Funke Oshonaike, spoke with ADEKUNLE SALAMI at the Games Village in Rio de Janeiro on her activities as the Vice-Captain of the Team Nigeria to the Games and the overall participation of the country at the 31st Olympiad.

How will you summarise the Games of the 31st Olympiad?

Excellent with so much fun and happiness for me I met new friends while my old friends too were all over the place. There is no competition in the world that one can compare with the Olympics because this is where all the best athletes in the world converge for the biggest competition. Anyone that is not in Rio during the Games cannot be said to be a world-class athlete. Every athlete strives to make it to the Olympics and this is not an exception. The standard was also very high generally.

What are the high points for you and for the country?

The high points were many for me. It was great personally to be the flag bearer. I felt so honoured carrying the flag of Nigeria at the biggest sports fiesta in the world.

Secondly, I was very happy to see one of us, Aruna Quadri make it to the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games and setting the record as the first ever African player to achieve the feat since the Games of the modern Olympics started in 1896. It was so awesome. It was an achievement we thought our children would attain after we must have gone many years after, but it happened in our time before our very eyes. I shouted and shouted in jubilation until I lost my voice. I also was excited when Segun Toriola was honoured as one of the table tennis star in the world to have played in the Olympic Games seven times.

What lessons can Nigeria take away from the 31st Olympiad?

Ofcourse many lessons were learnt. One of the most important of the lessons is that we must learn how to start preparation early. We must learn to prepare better with concrete programmes.

It is clear that only early and adequate preparations can guarantee medals. The welfare of athletes should not be toyed with at any point. All athletes must be happy and happiness is not what you achieve in one day. There must be a consistent plan to take care of the athletes regularly. This is how it is done in other countries that that take sports seriously.

How do you feel as one of the most experienced athletes at the Rio Olympic Games?

I feel great, because looking back, it has not been easy for me.

I have sacrificed in so many ways for Nigeria. Not many will know.

I have a family, my children and my husband look up to me to coordinate things in the family, but I would leave them for many weeks and months to be in the national team while they care of my duties as a mother in the house.

For the Rio Olympics, I had left my family for three months to serve my country. It has not been

easy but the glory to God has kept me going. I am happy and fulfilled.

It is the belief of many Nigerians that for you and Segun Toriola to still be active in the national table tennis team, the country’s sports administrators especially the leadership of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and the coaches have failed in their duties to discover fresh talents.

What is your take on this?

It’s not a failure at all just that the two of us are special with our God’s given talents. We are even good examples for upcoming talented athletes. We train with them and we have been qualifying for continental and global competitions strictly on merit.

Toriola and I did not come to Rio with wild cards, we earned our qualifications outside Nigeria and so people should respect that.

It has nothing to do with the administration of the past because past administrators also helped in our development especially the foundation. I hope that the current generation can learn one or two things from that.

Do we have quality talented Nigerian players who can carry on from the experienced ones in the next few years?

We have talents in Nigeria but we need the right people to groom them and also at the right time. We started playing table tennis very early in life when we were still in school. You cannot be starting the game when you are well above 20 years old, at this stage your priorities would definitely be divided. At this stage the primary focus of a 20-year-old player would be to make money and some other social things, this is not the way to develop in the sport.

How will you describe the performance of Aruna Qudari in Rio? It was perfect and well above my expectations and many others. We always knew he had the potential but we never expected him to explode in Rio. He was the j o k e r in table tennis, only Ma Long could have stopped him and no other player. I am really

proud of him and hope the Nigerian government would assist him and the federation to make him a better player.

Egypt still has overall edge over Nigeria, how do we handle th is?

Egypt deserves what they are enjoying

now. They have invested a lot and they are very serious about the development of table tennis in the country. We must be ready to do more to return to our glory days in sports a period when Team Nigeria Table Tennis players clear all the gold medals in the Table Tennis event of the All Africa Games.

Today, the facilities in Egypt are better, they have quality foreign coaches. They attend top rated competitions regularly across the world. They do all their things in accordance with the global best practices. We are really great to be challenging the Egyptians the way we are doing at the moment, because if we look at what they put in, we should not been any close to them but interestingly, a Nigerian is the current number one player in Africa and that is Aruna Quadri. We just have to keep trying to look into the areas we are not doing well enough to enable us to fight back as number one Table Tennis country on the continent.

How will you evaluate your decades of participation for Nigeria, do you have any regrets?

I hope Nigeria can go back to the way it used to be. I have seen so many ups and downs as I said earlier. I will never forget Abuja 2003 All Africa Games.

I was a nursing mother and I put in so much effort, worked so hard and I ended up winning four gold medals and I also emerged the best Nigerian athlete in the competition. And so, today, I am grateful to God, I have no regrets whatsoever. I would say I am grateful to be given such opportunity to represent Nigeria in sports.

As the Vice-Captain of the Team Nigeria at the Rio Olympic Games, how chal-

lenging was it for you?

The Team Nigeria captain to the Rio Olympics, Mikel Obi, was not around all through as the football team moved from one venue to the other in Brazil and they stayed mostly in hotels, as such the responsibility of the Nigeria Team captain fell on my shoulders. It was not easy, it was challenging but with so much fun. The only problem I had was the situation of seeing the Team Nigeria athletes worried and confused about the camp allowance which was later paid in full.

Another major problem was the failure of the Sports Ministry to the training grants for foreign athletes that are yet to be paid and sad enough, I couldn’t give them a good reason why it was not paid.

The athletes’ equipment that came late was also inexplicable.

The Team Nigeria athletes were angry and frustrated but I still managed to calm them down. The athletes brought lots of documents and complaints to my room. Sometimes, I slept late while attending to issues concerning Team Nigeria athletes as stand-in captain. Early in the morning before my event I will be up for meetings and afterwards attend to other problems.

It was a little challenging for me but as a veteran athlete, I knew my country better than most of the other athletes.

Have you considered playing a technical role for Nigeria. In a nutshell, would you want to become a coach after you eventually retire as an active player?

It takes so much to go into that direction. There are so many hurdles and logistics because I am not based in Nigeria. The federation is aware of all of these.

For example, If I’m given the job and I’m well taken care of, I will be fully available to help take Nigerian table tennis to another level with my vast experience as a coach when the time comes.

55

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

Sport

Bolt says goodbye, ends 9-for-9 Olympic gold legacy

I

n what may have been his final act at an Olympic Games, Usain Bolt took his career medal haul at the showpiece event to nine on Saturday morning – and went on to proclaim that he is now the greatest.

“There’s nothing else I can do really, for me, I’ve proven to the world that I’m the greatest and this is what I came here for,” said the 9-time Olympic gold medalist.

“I’m trying to be one of the greatest. Be among Ali and Pele.”

Bolt, who has won the 100, 200 and 4×100 relay gold medals at Beijing, London and now Rio, crossed in 37.27 seconds. Japan set an Asian record to take the silver in 37.60,

holding off the third-place Americans by 0.02.

Bolt made it clear in February that Rio 2016 would be his final Olympics as he plans to retire from the sport completely after the London World Championship in 2017.

Bolt

Nigerian wrestlers in last rush for gold in Rio Adekunle Salami

N Rio

igeria’s late rush for medals at the 31st Olympiad which ends today in Rio, Brazil will be at the wrestling pavillion.

With five female wrestlers out including promising duo of Blessing Oborududu and Odunayo Adekuoroye, the two remaining male wrestlers would take to the mat today.

The male wrestlers, Amas Daniel and Soso Tamara are to compete just few hours to the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games which started on August 5.

They will be competing in the freestyle 65kg category.

Tamara told our correspondent that he was not feeling any pressure to perform. “We are ready to fight and give our best for Nigeria.

It will be tough out there but we will give a good fight,” Tamara said on

Nigeria beat Honduras 3-2 to win golden bronze

Friday night.

President and Technical Director of the Wrestling Federation, Dr Daniel Igali, was left devastated during the week after all his female wrestlers failed to get among the medals in the Wrestling event of the Olympics Games here in Rio. “It’s a big disappointment,” Igali said after the heartbreaking losses of the wrestlers.

Following the huge expectation from many on the wrestlers after the other athletes failed to hit target to make a podium appearance for Team Nigeria.

“I felt embarrassed when Blessing Oborududu and Odunayo Adekuoroye on whom many placed their hopes were defeated in dramatic circumstances. I was so sure of these girls winning medals at the Rio Games such that I would be comfortable to stake a bet worth N1million each that the two wrestlers would win medals.

Nigeria’s Oborududu (right) during the women’s wrestling 63kg qualifications at the Rio 2016 against Mongolia’s Soronzonbold (red)

Solution to Cross Word Puzzle

N

igeria claimed Olympic bronze and the country’s only medal at the olympics in men’s football event Saturday by holding off Honduras 3-2 in Mineirao in the third place match.

A double from Umar Sadiq in the 34th and 56th minutes sand-

wiched Aminu Umar’s goal in the 49th and put the 1996 winners three up and en route to their third medal in the competition.

Late headers from Anthony Lozano and Marcelo Pereira gave Honduras hope, but there was no equalizer forthcoming.

Nigeria with this victory has

emerged the third country in the history of the Olympics to win gold, silver and bronze in the event.

The team’s coach Samson Siasia remains the only Nigerian handler to win two Olympic medals having earlier won silver at the Beijing 2008 Games.

Saraki celebrates Dream Team VI

S

enate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Saturday celebrated with Nigeria’s Dream Team VI for winning the bronze medal in the men’s football event at the Rio Olympics and called on sports authorities in the country to embark on honest reappraisal.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, also congratulated Nigeria for the feat achieved by the team.

He extolled the doggedness of the Coach Samson Siasia-led boys and their ability to bounce back from defeat to claim a bronze medal for the country.

Saraki said: “I am excited about this last minute redemption of

the nation’s pride by the Dream Team VI. The game against Honduras was no doubt a make or mar cracker. But we are happy to have emerged victorious. Thanks to the team and their technical crew.

“You have made the country proud by winning the third place match against all odds and we are proud of you and your superlative outing. All those who prayed and supported the team to the end also deserve special commendation. We were not disappointed,” he said.

Saraki noted that the fact that the nation’s delegation did not perform as expected in the Rio Olympics Games billed to end on Sunday should not be a reason to engage in a blame game.

Rio 2016 Games end, as Bach tags its ‘iconic Games’

T

he Rio de Janeiro Olympics, which come to an end on Sunday, were an iconic Games despite a long list of problems and a lack of cash, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said on Saturday.

A day before the closing ceremony of the first Olympics on the South American continent, Bach said: “These were and still are iconic Olympic Games in many respects. We have seen iconic athletes across all sports, seen athletes who were icons and even strengthened their positions like Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt.

And others who became icons here.

“We all saw the level of competition over all sports was extremely high, with stunning performances from the athletes. This really is the spirit of the Games,” he told reporters in his closing news conference.

Rio organizers struggled with transportation, security, empty

stands and a shortage of funds as Brazil was gripped by its worst recession since the 1930s, with political turmoil further hampering preparations.

The famous Maracanã has already wowed the world once, as host venue of the spectacular Rio 2016 Olympic Games opening ceremony. Sunday’s closing ceremony promises another unforgettable show - and if it is anything like the curtain-raiser, we’re sure to see a fantastic celebration of Brazil’s culture and its people’s vivacious spirit.

Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Paes at the ceremony will pass the baton of the next host of the Olympics to Japanese counterpart, Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike. The celebration at the Maracanã Stadium will include the traditional section where the next host city, Tokyo in this case, puts on a show before the Olympic flag is handed from Paes to Koike. “I am sure that Toyko 2020, like Rio 2016, will be a great success,” said Ms Koike.

Garba

Eaglets crash out of U-17 World Cup 2017 Qualifiers U-17 World Cup Champions, Nigeria, won’t be defending their title at the next World Youth Championship following a 1-3 loss to Niger Republic, which saw them crashed out of the qualifiers on a 2-3 aggregate score.

Niger took the lead before the Nigerians replied minutes later and hanged on to their score until the half time break.

Few minutes after the restart, the Nigeriens retook the lead via the penalty spot after they were awarded a debatable penalty by the referee.

Manu Garba and his boys failed to recover from going behind and conceded a third goal that saw them crashed out of the qualifiers at the first hurdle.

Next year, Nigeria won’t be at the U-17 and U-20 Africa Youth Championship as well as the Africa Cup of Nations, further compounding the woes of the country’s football at the moment.

EPL Results

Stoke 1 - 4 Man City Burnley 2 - 0 Liverpool Swansea 0 - 2 Hull City Watford 1 - 2 Chelsea West Brom 1 - 2 Everton Tottenham 1 - 0 Crystal Palace Leicester ? - ? Arsenal

BUSINESS

Inflation: Bread prices up 30% in two months }43

FAITH

Sanctity of Truth

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N150

Be hopeful, Nigeria will become better – Kumuyi }34

Powers, limits, extent of Appropriation in Budget Matters by the NASS vis-a-vis the role of the President (Part 3) ENCORE This week, we conclude our discourse on the powers, limits, extent of appropriation in budget matters by the NASS, vis-à-vis the role of the President, looking at two other jurisdictions.

We shall thereafter, continue with our discourse on Nigeria’s dire need for restructuring (Part 5).

UNION BUDGET OF INDIA The Union Budget of India is also referred to as the Annual Financial Statement in Article 112 of the Constitution of India, It is presented each year on the last working day of February by the Finance Minister of India in Parliament. The budget, which is presented by means of the Finance Bill and the Appropriation Bill has to be passed by the Houses before it can come into effect on April 1, the start of India's financial year.

CANADIAN BUDGET PROCESS In Canada, the government presents annual federal budgets which identify planned government spending, expected government revenue, and forecast economic conditions for the upcoming year. Provinces present their budgets after federal’s budget because provincial finances depend on federal government allocation.

The budget is usually announced in the House of Commons by the Minister of Finance, who must traditionally wear new shoes while doing so. The House of Commons, then vote on it. Because budgets serve as confidence measure, if the House votes against it, the government easily can fall, as happened to Prime Minister Joe Clark's government in 1980. Opposition parties almost always vote against a budget.

The governing party enforces strict party discipline, expelling any member of Parliament (MP), who votes against the budget.

Historically the official opposition used to prepare a complete budget and present this alternative to the Canadian people side by side the main budget. However, in recent years, opposition parties only present certain aspects to criticize.

Initially, the budget process was very secretive with little consultation. At a time one Finance Minister famously typed the entire budget himself so that no secretary would read it. This secrecy was needed to protect upcoming government decisions and undermine the opposition’s response.

This later changed, so that most parts of the budget would be released well before its announcement, so as to get feedback from the populace.

THE PROCESS The budget process is a complex one. Each year, various departments of Government submit what are called 'The Main Estimates' to The Treasury Board Secretariat. These documents identify the planned expenditure of each department, linking theses proposed expenses to programs, objectives and priorities of the current ruling government. The Treasury Board Secretariat combines these budget estimates and compiles an initial proposed budget. From there, the Cabinet and Prime Minister's Office adjust the budget based on a series of economic, social and political factors. In reality however, decisions are usually made with the primary object of re-election and so often

The

Nigerian Project

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08094777755 (sms only) include advantages for key regions and lobby groups.

Parliament then passes an Appropriation Act (called the 'Interim Supply') which allows individual departments to spend 3/12th of their annual budget. This partial authority enables Parliament to spend more time in examining the Estimates documents. When Parliament later appropriates full supply in June. The End. NOW THIS NIGERIA’S DIRE NEED FOR RESTRUCTURING (PART 5) This week, we return to the urgent need to restructure Nigeria to prevent its avoidable inexorable implosion and breakup through sustained inherent self-contradictions.

Religious divides have created deep rooted enmity between the Northern and the Southern sections of this country. Voters in this nation are swayed by tribal and religious sentiments, rather than by ideology. The elites are the greatest promoters of this national malaise.

It is difficult for Nigeria to make progress in an environment of hostility, belligerence and mutual distrust. This is what the present flawed structure of Nigeria typifies.

Religious differences have been the chief cause of break ups amongst various groups in the world. The North and South Koreans broke up because they practiced different faiths Pakistan carved out from India due to religious differences. Southern and northern Sudan went their different ways caused by religious undertone. The list is endless the world over.

THE REALITY The reality is that Nigerians are living in a state of despair and as Irish-born British statesman and political philosopher, Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797), puts it, “there is a limit at which forbearance ceases to be a virtue”. The time to discuss Nigeria, the time to restructure Nigeria, is now. Because for Nigerians to have an enduring peace and meaningful progress, there must be a consensus of consciousness amongst our people. Peace cannot be built on exclusion, or marginalization. It will only be peace of the cemetery or grave yard – ethereal, unnatural, eerie.

Nigerians from both sides of the divide are resolute and resilient. Majority of Nigerians wish this country works for the good of all. We all wish we can beat our chest with pride about our dear country, Nigeria: A country that affords everyone an opportunity to grow, irrespective of circumstances of birth, social standing, tribe, religious affiliation, creed, or gender.

Nigerians are interdependent. Each region relies on the other for survival. Recently, the scarcity of tomatoes in the north

affected the quality of stew in the southern parts of Nigeria. Many homes in the South western states of Nigeria have faithfuls from two major religions in Nigeria- Christianity and Islam. Each section relies on the other to strike a semblance. Life is about balance. Opposite attracts. The northerners needs the zest of the southerners while the southerners need the chariness of the northerners, to create a compound synergy. The rain and the sun, though ecologically different and opposing, are both helpful and needful for the life of a plant-both giving out oxygen. Differences can be leveraged if properly managed.

Ghanaian educator James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey (1875 - 1927), captured it synchronically when he said,” You can play a tune of sorts on the white keys, and you can play a tune of sorts on the black keys, but for harmony you must use both the black and the white.”

However, with the present unprecedented spate at which Nigerians are expressing displeasure over the way the country is structured, concerned Nigerians are deeply worried about the future of this country. I am one of them.

If the voices of the generality of the masses

are not heard logically, some elements may be forced to give voice to their agitations illogically. This is what we are guiding against by the call for an urgent need to restructure Nigeria, as presently constituted. IPOB, the Niger Delta Avengers, Boko Haram, MEND, etc, are examples of elements who may have opted to follow what some regard as illogical part to the solution of restructuring Nigeria. Who knows the next group waiting to emanate? Only an inane man would watch, arms folded, while his home is under flames without making some effort to salvage his personals.

Jeremy Bentham (1748 - 1832) British philosopher, economist, jurist, and social reformer, captured it philosophically,” When security and equality are in conflict, it will not do to hesitate a moment equality must yield.”

AND THIS Karl XIV Johan (1763 - 1844), French-born Swedish general and monarch, referring to the death of Napoleon I, said: “Napoleon has not been conquered by men. He was greater than any of us. God punished him because he relied solely on his own intelligence until that incredible instrument was so strained that it broke.” We need the collective intelligence and wisdom of the masses to recreate Nigeria. Anyone playing the awkward role of redemptive Messianism is simply out of tune with reality.

LAST LINE Are Nigerians, PMB, avid readers et al, awaiting the next tranche of Nigeria’s dire need of restructuring, even as you read today’s sermon on the “Mount of Nigerian Project” by Chief Mike A.A. Ozekhome, SAN, OFR, FCIArb? • Follow me on twitter @ MikeozekhomeSAN

Cross Word Puzzle

with Olulana Kayode 08023183727 Instructions on how to play the game •With reference to the ‘clues across’ and ‘clues down’ below, you shall try to provide answers to the clues, by writing the answer in the puzzle box provided on the left side.

•The number in parenthesis indicates the total number of letters making up the solution or answer you will provide.

•Keep on answering all the questions until all the spaces in the puzzle box are completely filled up.

Good luck!

Clues Across 1 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 16 17 18 22 23 24 25 26

City in Anambra state, (7).

Number after nine, (3).

A grassy field, (3).

Jeweled sphere of king, (3).

School, abbr. (3).

LGA in Akwa Ibom state, (4).

Pod used as vegetable, (4).

Lord Justice in UK, abbr. (2).

Advertisement, (2).

River in Osogbo, (4).

Somebody in charge, (4).

Light brown colour, (3).

Large antelope, (3).

Flower necklace, (3).

Signal to act, (3).

Former FRSC Corps Marshal, (7).

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

Locally-brewed strong drink, (7).

Tribe in Benue state, (6).

Fabric belt, (4).

Nigerian Female pilgrim to Mecca, (6).

'Nine' in Hausa language, (4).

Hard fruit, (3).

LGA in Borno state, (4).

A flexible cement, (6).

Osun state capital, (6).

Wicked monster, (4).

Expressing opposing view, (4).

A picture, (3).

Turn to page 55 for solution

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