Sunday telegraph sunday, june 26, 2016 by Newtelegraphonline

Brexit: We won’t return home -Nigerians in UK }9

AnNkio Briggs: States depending

on Niger Delta oil are lazy }28&29

SUNDAY Sunday, JUNE 26, 2016 Vol. 3 No. 858

Sanctity of Truth

/newtelegraph

N150

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

NIGER DELTA RED SQUAD

We’ll destroy Govt House, oil companies, others }3&4

lCome feel our pains, Avengers urge Buhari lIPOB demands ‘Biafraexit’, asks president to emulate Cameron MOJI ADEDEJI

Members of the Niger Delta Red Squad

Militants invade LAGOS community, kill 30 in fresh attack }3&5

lPrisons admit jailbreak, say Okah still in custody

I’ll do }42 anything for love NEWS egwu: FG should embrace made in Nigeria goods }25

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 26.06.16 BODY & SOUL

Passionate filmmaker Teco Benson, the popular creative director, is a force to be reckoned with in Nollywood. He recounts his adventures in filmmaking

}20&21

POLITICS

Bello and the law Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defiance of court order and disregard for directives of the House of Representatives are putting the state in a political quagmire

}23

BUSINESS

Not yet uhuru Though the Nigerian Stock Exchange all share index reached 9-months high on Thursday, foreign investors are still waiting to see how the Central Bank of Nigeria will stabilise the currency market

}43

FAITH

Beyond governance The solutions to Nigeria's social politician and economics problems is beyond guns and weapons

}31

SPORT

Lesbianism jibes Two Nigerian female football legends, Patience Avre and Maureen Mmadu, lambast the Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation over his lesbianism jibes

}54

Magazine

Gbaramatu people's woes As the reality of losing the right to host the Nigerian Maritime University, stares them in the face, Gbaramatu people cry out "Our children want to attend the university on our soil"

}8&9

SUNDAY

Editorial

Algeria, Cameron, Zambia again!

ough times await the Super Eagles in their bid to qualify for their sixth World Cup. The road to the 2018 Mundial in Russia became even rougher following the draw Friday which put them in the same group as the Desert Warriors of Algeria, Indomitable Lions of Cameroun and Chipolopolo of Zambia respectively. On a good day, these fellow African teams do not come easy and have each given Nigerians fans more heartbreak than they could handle. At the moment the Eagles are not a team to admire having failed to qualify for the Africa Nations Cup for the second time consecutively. It therefore becomes worrisome that these perennial foes are coming once again. There is every reason to fear the Algerians who are ranked as Africa's best today. The North Africans have rediscovered their form and are climbing higher and faster. Memories of 1981 are still with the Eagles and their supporters. On the way to the Espana World Cup, the Desert Warriors humiliated Nigeria home and away. The first leg in Lagos ended 2-0. Nigeria had beaten the same team 3-0 in Lagos to win the Nations Cup a year earlier. To guarantee victory in the World Cup qualifiers, Captain Christian Chukwu was recalled from retirement. The American duo of Thompson Usiyen and Andrew Atuegbu was also invited alongside Christian Nwokocha and Tunji Banjo from Europe. Algeria had no respect for big names as Lakhdar Beloumi and Rabah Madjer ran rings around the defence of the hosts. The second leg away was even more dramatic. Para-psychologist Gabriel Okonzua urged the technical crew to hand over the captain's band to overlapping defender Okey Isima. It did not happen. Skipper Segun Odegbami lost leadership in the air to Shooting Stars team mate Muda Lawal. Leyton Orient star John Chiedozie and Aloysius Atuegbu regained their positions and Okey Isima scored a goal. That was not enough. Algeria won 2-1 to advance 4-1 aggregate. That scar has not left Nigerians and their national team even after the Eagles gave the Desert Warriors a 4-1 drubbing on the road in a 2006 World Cup qualifier. It is still not as painful as an All Africa Games grande finale loss in 1978 and a Nations Cup pounding in 1990. Cameroun is one nightmare of a name. The Indomitable Lions were preys in the 1970s. Nigeria began playing in the World World Cup qualifiers before the Central Africans. The Eagles debuted on the way to

Chile '62. When the Camerounians joined en route Mexico '70, they were trounced 3-2 in Yaounde by Nigeria after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.And that was the last time Cameroun was stopped from making further moves in the World Cup by the Eagles. The next confrontation was painful. Dutchman Clemens Westerhof had taken over from 'Wonderboy' Paul Hamilton and barely knew his players. He dropped Peter Rufai at the airport and overlooked Sunday Eboigbe. David Ngodigha took Rufai's place in goal. During the game, he was injured. Reserve goalie Aloysius Agu was not prepared for a debut. He borrowed kits from Tajudeen Oyekanmi. The Eagles lost at away to FranĂ§ois Oman Biyik's header and missed Italia'90. And that was the next match after Sam Okwaraji died at the National Stadium, Surulere-Lagos playing against Angola. His team mates had promised to beat Cameroun to relieve compatriots the sorrow that followed that unfortunate incident. However, the worst news about the Indomitable Lions is that they are Eagles' Nations Cup Waterloo. Three times in the grand finale, three losses. In the sub--region, in the North and at home. Nigeria lost to Cameroun at the Cote d'Ivoire '84 Nations Cup, at Maroc '88 and again at Nigeria/ Ghana 2000. Zambia forced General Yakubu Gowon to disband the Eagles in 1973. This was a team that had won the All Africa Games soccer gold earlier in the year and was renamed Golden Eagles. The Chipolopolo (then known as KK Eleven ) thrashed Nigeria 5-1 in Lusaka with Joe Eric in goal on the way to Egypt for the Nations Cup in 1974. History should embolden the Super Eagles who have now been put in a tough World Cup qualifying group. The tough must get going so the national team just must be tough to grab the sole ticket. In the recent past, they could not perform against minnows. In the midst of African football giants, let them fight like elephants. If the grass must suffer that must be the lot of Algeria, Cameroun and Zambia. The NFF must wake up from deep sleep. Playing these big names demands maximum concentration. The team must not be distanced by those who should be administering the game. Nigerians are tired of crises and excuses. If the government fails to act decisively by causing the NFF to appoint a coach in the next couple of days then the Sports Minister should tender his letter of resignation should the Eagles fail to fly.

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

Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

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

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

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

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

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016

Niger Delta Red Squad: We’ll destroy Imo Govt House, ground oil companies Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

new militant group believed to be operating from the Ohaji Egbema axis of Imo State has threatened to destroy all government assets in the state built with ‘oil money’ from their community. Citing neglect and gross marginalisation of their oil bearing communities, the group, Niger Delta Red Squad, listed the Imo Government House, Imo State Secretariat, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) buildings among others as assets they have marked for destruction. In a post signed by one General Don Wannie, the

group vowed to cripple the activities of Agip, Shell and Waltersmith oil companies operating in their area for allegedly exploiting the community without living up to their responsibilities to their hosts. The statement read in part: “Oil companies started operations in our community since 1957 but till date, we have nothing to show as benefit and for the Imo State Government, we will make sure you make no further gains from Ohaji Egbema.” Continuing, he said: “Since God’s creation, neither Imo State Government nor oil companies have remembered us, we have been neglected and abandoned. No electricity, no tarred roads, no drinking water, no hospital, no youth employment or empowerment. We shall

destroy everything in Imo State that was built with our oil money.” The group alleged that Imo State Government and the oil companies are marginalising and denying their community of the derivable benefits from their land. Following recent upsurge in militant activities in some of the oil producing communities in Imo State, social and economic activities have been drastically affected. In the Awarra area,

homes and villages have had to be abandoned for safety. Presently, schools, markets, small businesses, farms, churches and social activities have effectively been shut down in the area as lawlessness and anarchy looms. There is also the potent danger of famine and hunger in the next season as the farming season was largely spent on the run by indigenous farmers, which make up the bulk of the Awarra and Assa communities.

In an earlier post on their Facebook page, the group, which had claimed responsibility for blowing up two Shell pipelines, promised to inflict ‘maximum damage’ if Ohaji Egbema communities are not given their due benefits from their oil resource. The group, in a post, further warned Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited of their imminent attack. In its words, “Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited should get ready to observe our witch play. We

will let them know that the security they claim to have is insufficient so they should go and hire more because we are coming to ‘launch’ them any moment from now.” The group, however, asked the Federal Government to immediately redress the situation and not make the mistake of taking them for granted. “If Imo State Government and Nigeria think we are joking, to God, we will ‘shock’ them well,” the post read.

Militants invade Lagos community, kill 30 in fresh attack Camillus Nnaji

bout 30 residents of Igbolomu, Elepete and Ishawo area of Ikorodu were said to have been killed yesterday when gunmen suspected to be militants invaded the area in a fresh attack. The gunmen, who were said to be organising candlelight service for their lost gang members, were said to have suddenly opened fire on residents after sighting local vigilante volunteers on duty. It was learnt that the gunmen combined the procession with reprisal attacks on their targeted persons, while stray bullets killed several residents scrambling for safety. A resident of the area who simply identified himself as David, said the gunmen were on a reprisal mission, but opened fire on innocent residents running helter scatter for safety. He said the gunmen came through the water and could be militants. He said : “They invaded the community because they believed residents to have, reported them as armed robbers to the police. When the police raided the place, they killed two of the militants who were lodging in a particular hotel in the town. Since then, the area and environs

like Imushin, Ereko, Elepete, Ita-Olowu, Ishawo and ogijo have been under attack.” David said after last Friday’s attack on the community which left about 15 people dead, soldiers and police had provided security at the area, but when the militants saw that the soldiers had left, they came for yesterday’s attack which left about 30 people dead. Another resident who craved anonymity for security reasons said the communities have been deserted, people who survived stray bullets ran away for safety, abandoning their properties. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Dolapo Badmus (SP), denied any further attack on the community, adding that there is heavy presence of Police and military in the area. “There is heavy presence of police operatives and personnel of Nigerian Army on ground, nothing of such occurred there again”. It would be recalled that militants had, a week ago, invaded part of Imushin and Elepete communities and killed about 15 residents, which attracted heavy presence and surveillance of police and military operatives.

L-R: APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun; former Vice President and chieftain of the APC, Atiku Abubakar and President Muhammadu Buhari at the Ramadan (Itfar) breaking of fast with chieftains of APC at the State House, Abuja...on Friday

Avengers ‘invite’ Buhari to Niger Delta

he Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has extended an ‘invitation’ to President Muhammadu Buhari to visit the region to physically experience the pains of the community “in the hands of the Nigerian government and the multinationals”. The invitation, which was delivered in a statement by the new militant group in the Niger Delta region on Saturday, comes barely three weeks after the group warned the president to “sign his death warrant” before visiting Ogoniland when he was supposed to launch the much publicised clear up of the region.

“Buhari is trying to visit Ogoniland, but he should sign his death warrant before coming to Port Harcourt or try to visit any state of the Niger Delta community, Biafra land,” a suspected NDA member had told IBT. “We are starting a dance he cannot finish. We shall dance like vultures. He [Buhari] has dared to wake a sleeping lion, but I promise him this time around if he tries to step his foot in any community of the Niger Delta, in Biafraland, he will not go back alive. “Any Niger Deltan who will try to walk with Buhari shall also go to his grave that day. This is our

assurance.” Buhari eventually decided against the trip to Ogoniland, although the presidency did not state whether the avengers’ threat influenced the cancellation. Instead, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the trip and launched the multi-billion clear up, which is scheduled to last about 30 years. However, Saturday’s statement, signed by Moduch Agbinibo, was softer in tone. “The Nigeria President Buhari should visit Ugborodo host to Chevron crude oil Export terminal/ EGTL gas plant, Ogulagha host to Shell Forcados

Crude Oil Export terminal/tank farm, Bonny Island host to Shell Bonny Crude Oil Export terminal/NLNG gas terminal, Brass host to Agip/ENI export terminal, Ibeno host to ExxonMobil Qua Iboe crude export terminal,” the statement read. “These are just the export terminals not talking about the numerous oil and gas flow stations and the oil wells that crisscross the length and breadth of the Niger delta. “Mr President come and see for yourself what the host communities are going through in the hands of Nigeria government and the multinationals.”

SUNDAY 26 JUNE, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NEWS

Brexit: IPOB seeks referendum

•Asks Buhari to emulate Cameron •Demands ‘Biafraexit’ Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

igerian government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has been called upon to take a cue from Britain and organise a referendum for Biafra’s liberation, in line with the just concluded Brexit. The call, which came from a pro-Biafra group, Indigenous of Biafra,(IPOB), wants Buhari, to as a matter of urgency and importance, organise a referendum to see if Biafra really wants to exit from Nigeria or not. A release from the or-

ganisation, signed by its spokesmen, Mr. Emma Mmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya, stated that since Britain is the closest ally to Nigeria, Nigeria should borrow a leaf from it and organise a plebiscite. “The British government, which is the closest ally of the Nigerian government must, as a mark of exemplary leadership, guide Muhammadu Buhari and his colleagues to organise a BIAFREXIT akin to the recently organised BREXIT,” the statement said. The organisation congratulated Britain for organising the Brexit but lambasted Prime Minister David

Sheriff’s PDP replaces Edo exco with caretaker committee

Cameron for supporting Buhari against Biafra in its struggle for self rule. “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) congratulates the government and people of Britain for organising the BREXIT vote and applaud the British government for respecting the wish of her citizens. However, it smacks of hypocrisy that the same David Cameron that initiated the BREXIT vote has been propping up the Buhari‘s government in its murderous acts of suppressing the quest by Biafrans to exit from Nigeria. This leaves Biafrans to ask if David Cameron’s hypocrisy is because Biafrans are blacks and if black Africans are inferior to white British people.

“Why does David Cameron think that what is good for the white British people is not good for the black people of Africa especially Biafrans? Mr. David Cameron, in organising BREXIT, is taking advantage of the rights of people to make their choice. But in denying Biafrans the right to choose their own nation, David Cameron is telling Biafrans that they are inferior because of the colour of their skin. “David Cameron is directly telling Biafrans that because they come from supposed inferior race, they do not deserve to exist as a nation of their own choice. “There are indications that Scotland will restart their agitation for separation from Britain and both

David Cameron and his would-be successor will not stop them nor will they roll out tanks and other lethal weapons to mow down the Scots like the Britishsupported Nigeria has been doing to Biafrans. “We have to re-emphasise here that self-determination is a right that must be exercised by all free people. Even Donald Trump, the presidential candidate of the Republican Party in the USA, tweeted on the 24th of June, 2016 that ‘Selfdetermination is the sacred right of all free peoples’. By blocking the self-determination efforts of Biafrans through overt and covert supports to Buhari, is David Cameron telling the world that Biafrans are still in slavery despite the aboli-

tion of slavery in 1833? “We also note the faulty argument by David Cameron and the British government that they do not want to alter the pre-independence territorial integrity of Nigeria. But this same territorial integrity of Nigeria was tampered with by the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun. “We recall that in 1982, Britain went to war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands but this same Britain never supported Nigeria to prevent the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon and this distortion of the pre-independence territorial integrity of Nigeria is the same excuse used by Britain to continue to keep Biafra under Nigeria,” the group said.

•He is deluding himself –Orbih Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is getting messier with the purported suspension of the Edo chapter executive by the faction led by the former PDP National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. The Edo State chapter led by Chief Dan Orbih had warned the former National Chairman to steer clear of the state in his planned parallel gubernatorial primaries. But in a statement jointly signed by Sheriff and Professor Wale Oladipo, former National Secretary on Saturday, the faction noted that based on the provisions of Section 31 (2) (e) of the PDP constitution, the Edo State executive committee of the party has been suspended. The statement read: “The suspension, which is part of the decision taken at the National Working Committee meeting of June 21, 2016, is sequel to various petitions deriving from allegations of irregularities arising from the last state congresses that sought to elect state executive committee for the chapter.” Chief Orbih in a statement said Sheriff should stop arrogating himself the powers he doesn’t possess, noting that he lacks the power to suspend him from office. The former National Chairman had stated that the suspension was to enable the NWC investigate the allegations and come out with a fair and just decision. He further announced the appointment of a caretaker

committee to run the affairs of the state chapter for three months. The committee is headed by Chief Ebenezer Alabi with Barr. Zealiwe Edmund as Secretary. Chief Orbih, however, observed that, “a hundred Sheriffs cannot dissolve the Edo exco as he is no longer the acting chairman of the party. “The only body that is constitutionally empowered by the party to carry out the functions of the National Executives of the party today is that of the Makarfi-led National Executive, which by law is the National Executive in place.” According to him, the National Convention, which appointed Makarfi caretaker committee is the highest decision, making organ of the PDP, noting that Sheriff was never been elected PDP Chairman. “I advise him to steer clear from Edo PDP and face his political integration in Borno where since he left office as governor has been a hotbed of political crisis,” he added. The Edo Chairman said those buying governorship nomination forms from Sheriff are “only engaging themselves in an exercise of Sheriff’s make believe political-relevance game. “For us in Edo State, we will ignore the rantings of Sheriff and face the business of defeating Adams Oshiomhole and his surrogate, that is, their APC candidate. “Sheriff as far as the national chairmanship of the PDP is concerned is now a history.”

L-R: Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and Executive Director, Tiger Brand Consumer Goods (TBCG), Halima Dangote, during the Vice President’s visit to the Dangote Projects at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos...on Saturday

Fred Amata manhandled by armed robbers at gun point Dapo Sotuminu

eteran Nollywood actor and Director, Fred Amata, was in the early hours of Saturday, manhandled by a group of armed robbers who snatched his car after they failed to collect money from him. A shocked Amata said hours after the robbery that he was in front of a gate in the Aguda area of Surulere at about 2.30 am while coming from the Lagos Island when the robbers swooped on him and ordered him to come out of the car. “I had to obey them when I saw the guns the robbers were carrying and I never wanted to take any chances. The robbery was in Aguda and not in front

of my house as earlier reported in the news. I was rough handled by the robbers who wanted me to give them money. But for strange reasons, I had left my wallet in my house off Adeniran Ogunsanya, in Surulere. When I couldn’t give them money they asked for my ATM card which incidentally was also not with me. The robbers doubted if I was telling them the truth with the erroneous general knowledge that Nollywood actors have lots of money. But at that point I had nothing on me.” Amata added that: “They asked me to come down and I was ordered to sit at the back seat and one of them took over the steering wheel and they drove me out of Aguda headed

towards the National Stadium and joined the Western Avenue moving outwards Fadeyi Area. They decided to drop me on Ikorodu Road between Fadeyi and Onipanu.” Fred Amata’s metallic grey Lexus 470 SUV, with number plate AGL 414 CU, was, however, taken away by the robbers. The President Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), who escaped without any injuries, has filed a report to the police following the robbery attack and the police who have started a search for his car assured the Nollywood star that the stolen vehicle would be recovered. As if this was not enough, hours after Fred Amata was robbed at gun point, veter-

an music producer, Laolu Akintobi, was also robbed. He took to Facebook to share his own experience with the robbers saying: “Alert! My phone plus some amount of money were stolen this afternoon at gun point by the bad boys about 5 of them at Mile 2 between Festac 2nd gate and Mile 2 bus stop. Please be on the lookout and not fall victim of fraudsters claiming to be me or using the information on the phones for dubious intentions. I was really shocked but am fine now.” Attempts by Sunday Telegraph to confirm the two incidents from the police was not successful as phone calls to the police was not picked.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 26 JUNE, 2016

NEWS

Buratai bought Dubai properties with own savings - Army

he Nigerian Army has confirmed that two properties in Dubai did actually belong to Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, but stressed that they were acquired by him and his two wives in 2013 with personal savings. In a statement released on Saturday, the Army denied reports that the properties were acquired and paid for in a single transaction. The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, confirmed that the Buratai family had two properties in Dubai. Usman said that the Army chief had consistently declared the properties along with other properties in his assets declaration form as Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force and the Chief of Army Staff. He described the report as a smear campaign which was designed to malign the image of the Chief of Army Staff. He said that similar moves to smear the image of the COAS in March 2016 did not fly because the allegations by the ‘Concerned Citizens’ were untrue. “Concerned Soldiers and

Officers from the North East” who raised the allegation in a petition obtained by an online news agency was obviously nonexistent, he stated. Usman also described as untrue the claim that the huge lodgements were being made into an account owned by the COAS at Skye Bank. “It is pertinent to state that the Chief of Army Staff does not have any account with Skye Bank as alleged, let alone making deposits in the imaginary bank account to the tune of the amount stated in the write-up. “Similarly, he has not been involved in any form of shady or dishonest transaction, not to talk of a ‘contract scam’. “In addition, General Buratai was never near either Defence Headquarters or Army Headquarters in 2013. It is pertinent to also note that he was never a Director of Procurement in the Army Headquarters as alleged. “As a matter of fact, the Nigerian Army never had a Directorate of Procurement till when he established one last year when he became Chief of Army Staff,” he stated.

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (left) and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, during Gowon’s visit to the governor, in Birnin Kebbi…at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

Okah still in custody -Prisons Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) yesterday dismissed the allegation of the escape of Charles Okah from Kuje Prisons. Charles Okah, facing trial over their alleged involvement in the Abuja 2010 Independence Day bombing that killed 27 people, was alleged to have escaped from the prison after a jailbreak. But the spokesperson of the Prisons Service, Francis Enobore stated that Charles

Okah, younger brother of Henry Okah of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), has not escaped from prisons, though he admiited there was a jailbreak at the prison. Enobore, dismissing the rumour about Okah’s escape in a press statement, insisted that he is still safely in their custody. Confirming that there was a jailbreak incident at the prison on Friday night, the Image Maker of the service said: “Yes there was an incident on Friday at our

Kuje Medium Prison, but Okah was not involved.” “It is not true that Okah has escaped from our custody, Charles Okah is still in custody. I have been in touch with our men in the prison facility and I can confirm to you that there is nothing like Okah escaping”. Also, Enobore revealed that the newly decorated Comptoller General of Prison has immediately ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the alleged escape of certain

inmates. According to him: “The Comptoller of prisons has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and I can confirm to you that they have swung into action to unravel what actually transpired. “We want to know if any inmate actually escaped and if yes, what their identities are? I can assure Nigerians that we are not going to sweep anything under the carpet. The Service will release a statement once the preliminary investigations are concluded.”

Okojie heads Nigeria’s economy‘ll get better -Osinbajo, Dangote Operation Delta Safe Muritala Ayinla

Paulin Onyibe

he former Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta has been scrapped and replaced with Operation Delta Safe with Rear Admiral Joseph Osa Okojie as commander. Rear Admiral Okojie, until his appointment was the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Apapa in Lagos. He took over from Major General Alani Okunlola who has been transferred to the Defense Headquarters, Abuja, to man the operations department. Handing over to the new commander yesterday at the Operation Delta Safe Headquarters, Igbogene, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Okunlola thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for giving the command a level playing ground to operate. He also commended the Chief of Defense Staff and the officers of the Operation Delta Safe for cooperating with him while at

the helm of affairs at the command, adding that without them he would not have achieved anything. Describing the terrain as a difficult one, the outgoing commander said that there were lots of threats to security which they have to contend with, adding that the government did a lot to support them. One of his biggest achievements, Okunlola disclosed, was the impounding of a number of vessels which he said were used for illegal oil bunkering, adding that they destroyed a lot of illegal oil refineries and busted some kidnap hideouts. He said they were able to an extent curtail illegal oil bunkering and oil refineries. He advised Okojie to utilise his wealth of experience so that the command would move forward, even as he promised to build on his predecessor’s achievements so that the command could move forward.

ice President Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote yesterday expressed optimism in the nation’s economy, saying things would soon get better with the current efforts being put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. The trio expressed confidence in the current economy situation, stating that the government is presently harnessing the potentials of the private sector to accelerate the growth of its economy. They spoke while fielding questions from journalists shortly after undertaking working visit to the on-going construction of Dangote Refinery, Petro-chemical, Fertilizer Plants and Pipeline producing plant at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos. Speaking on the efforts to quickly revamp the economy, Prof. Osinbajo said the government would not relent in the effort to put

Nigeria on the right track. “This is the largest industrial undertaking in Nigeria. There we have seen the refinery which is meant to refine 650, 000 barrels of oil per day which by all projection is the largest in the world. There is also the, petro-chemical, fertilizer plant which is also projected to be the largest in the world. “There is also a pipeline production plant here. I think it is an incredible industrial undertaking in the country and most ambitious in the continent today. It is really inspiring. On his part, Lagos State Governor Mr. Ambode noted that the Dangote Group’s decision to embark on four significant projects that will have great multiplier effects on growth and economy of Nigeria is aimed at boosting economic prosperity of the country. He said, “Firstly, there is a refinery project that is ongoing, second there is a petrochemical project that is also ongoing. There is pipeline transfer project that brings gas from Bonny down to Olokonla and down to Lekki and then the fourth one is the fertilizer

project all in one location.” According Ambode, the projects would also be critical to the economic growth of the Lagos East and West Senatorial Districts which he said, will be opened to massive investment opportunities on completion. Governor Ambode said the decision of the Vice President to lead the inspection visit to the projects was a signpost to the benefits inherent not just for the state but to the nation. “What this tells us is that Lagos is on an expansive growth both on the east and west sides of Lagos. There is nothing we can do as a government than to commend Alhaji Aliko Dangote and thoroughly support him. “We are going to have a petrochemical project that is coming up in 2017 ,n a refinery that will come upstream on the first quarter of 2019, then a the gas project that is coming upstream 2018. You can just visualize what that means to the economy of Lagos. Direct job created here is 135,000 people and indirect jobs 100,000 people. The income that will be generated to the Federal Government

in the next three years is over $500 million. This is from a single individual.” Also speaking Alhaji Dangote the investorfriendly policy of Lagos State informed his massive investments in the state. Dangote said: “This investment that we have by the time that we finish, especially the gas pipeline, a state like Lagos can run without any interruption of electricity supply. It will be as good as living in London where you don’t see power outage. That is because we can supply power from here to anywhere.That means tripling the Gross Domestic Product of Lagos State and it will create a lot of economic activities.” Dangote said he is optimistic that his huge investment will attract other investors to the zone. Other eminent Nigerians present include The Chairman Forte Oil Femi Otedola, Minister Of Power Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Solid Minerals Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Finance Mrs. Kemi Adeosun , Minister Industry and Investment Okechukwu Enelamah, among others.

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

news

Mojeed Alabi

he duo of the former Minister of Information and National Orientation and the Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State and General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Prof. Jerry Gana and Dr. David Oyedepo respectively, have advised President Muhammadu Buhari to consider fixing the education sector if truly he is committed to rewriting the nation’s history for good. They said no nation can ever develop beyond the quality of her education, citing the examples of many nations including Singapore,

You can’t fix Nigeria without education – Gana, Oyedepo tell Buhari

l As Punch editor’s son emerges Covenant Varsity’s best grad Israel, South Korea, as countries that have achieved significant socio-economic development through massive investments in education. The duo spoke at the weekend during the 11th convocation ceremony of the Covenant University, where Gana delivered a keynote address on the topic: ‘Improving Graduate Employability and Global Competitiveness: A review of Nigerian Higher Education Delivery’.

According to the former Minister and Chairman of Governing Council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, the multifaceted challenges confronting the education sector such as poor access, poor quality control mechanisms, and poor linkages between academic programmes and the national economic needs, if adequately addressed will translate to national rebirth. In a similar development,

Oyedepo, who titled his speech: ‘Towards the Rescue of a Nation on the Brink of Intellectual Bankruptcy’, also linked development to education. He said: “The massive investment in education is the foundation of great countries especially Singapore which was also a very poor country about 140 years ago. “Is it not noteworthy that the great scientist, Albert Einstein, was from Israel?

And within the last five years alone, Israel has produced about 180 Nobel Prize winners. This implies that for us to overcome our challenges as a nation, politics cannot do it but education,” Oyedepo said. Meanwhile, the son of the Saturday Editor of Punch Newspapers, Mrs Olabisi Deji-Folutile, Winner, has emerged the overall best student of the university. The 21-year-old, who scored a total of 4.97 Cumulative Gradient Point Average (CGPA) to beat a total of 156 other graduates with First Class degree cer-

tificates, thanked God for the feat, and commended his parents for providing him what he described as quality upbringing and support. Winner, who also doubled as the head of the university’s students’ union, otherwise known as Students’ Council, described his feat as the Lord’s doing, thanking Oyedepo for his passion to rewrite Nigeria’s history through his investments in education. A total of 1,549 students including 154 postgraduate candidates and 1,495 undergraduates bagged certificates in various categories.

Kumuyi warns against negative tendencies Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

L-R: Member Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Angela Nwaka; Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Marshal Umukoro; Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro; Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and President Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin when the state government received Women Arise Document of Policy Guidelines on Anti-Gender Based Violent Actions on Friday

Governor cries out over frozen accounts Nankpah Bwakan Bauchi

ollowing the freezing of Bauchi State Government’s account by the National Industrial Court, Governor Mohammed Abubakar yesterday said the garnishee order has prevented him from paying civil servants’ salaries for the month of April. It would be recalled that NIC, sitting in Jos froze the account of the state government over debts of N900million owed immediate past councilors who served in former governors Isa Yuguda and Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu administrations. CORRECTION OF NAMES

OSENI

That my name was mistakenly written as Hussein Opeyemi Ibrahim on my BVN now wish to be known and addressed as Oseni Opeyemi Ibrahim. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

The governor, while briefing newsmen at Government House, said they had started paying the April salary but they had to stop in obedience to the court order. He said: “We had commenced payment of April salaries when the garnishee order was slapped on all the accounts of the state government by an industrial court in Jos over the claim of some councilors of local governments who served during the regime

of Isa Yuguda and also Ahmed Ma’azu.” Abubakar said but for the garnishee order Bauchi State would been owing civil servants only May 2016 salary saying, “this is contrary to what the enemies of Bauchi State claim. Therefore only May, 2016 salary is outstanding.” He said the state has been rated the best in payment of workers’ salaries as some states are owing their workers up to eight months salaries while some are paying

half salaries after due consultation with the labour leaders in those states. The governor disclosed that over 640 ghost workers were discovered on the payroll of state government at the conclusion of the civil servants verification exercise in the state. He said workers verification exercise was part of the criteria of accessing Federal Government’s salary intervention to state governments saying the exercise would continue in the state.

Kwankwaso frees 170 inmates in Kano Muhammad Kabir Kano

enator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has, in the spirit of Ramadan secured the release of 170 inmates who were facing various prison charges buy paying their fines. The ex-convicts who trooped to Kano Lugard House Kwankwaso Cam-

piagn office to thank him were adorned in the senator’s white caftan and red cap showing solidarity to his franchise Kwankwasiyya movements. Similarly each of the freed prisoners was given N5,000 as both transport fare and something for them to start a fresh life Speaking while addressing the former inmates at

Lugard House Kano the former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the state Mr. Maliki Kuliya said the gesture was done under the Kwankwasiyya Foundation. Kuliya noted that Kwankwaso in his sympathetic manner decided to use the holy month of Ramadan to make others, who are less privileged to enjoy freedom.

eneral Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Folarunso Kumuyi yesterday advised political leaders of Benue State to abstain from negative tendencies to achieve total transformation at the end of four years of the Governor Samuel Ortom’s administration. Kumuyi, who was in Makurdi, the state capital, for a Deeper Life Bible Church retreat, commended the governor for dedicating the state to God on May 30. He said during a courtesy call on Governor Ortom that the dedication of the state to God means that the governor and those in positions of lead-

ership must show the people the direction to follow. He said dedicating a state to God is like dedicating a child to God and explained that when a child is shown the direction, he would not depart from that way and urged Benue people to follow the way the governor has shown to them. According to him, Benue State would have food in abundance if they follow the way of The Lord. Earlier, Governor Ortom had said he had the opportunity of hosting Pastor Kumuyi in his house when he visited Benue some years ago and that he was privileged to host him this time the at the People’s House as governor of the state.

Don laments exorbitant prices of nomination forms Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

Professor of Economics at the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), Ademola Oyejide, has cautioned the political class against imposing humongous prices on nomination forms for aspirants, noting that such has been discouraging many decent but average Nigerians from vying, while several corrupt individuals win elections. Oyejide, a retired lecturer at the Department of the Economics, University of Ibadan, and Managing Editor of the African Journal of Economic Policy, said this in Ibadan on Friday during a lecture he delivered at a Think Tank seminar organised by the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP) initiated by Professor Akin Mabogunje and Dr. Tunji Olaopa as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively.

The don said the culture of imposing very high prices for nomination forms on aspirants to the extent that it is the highest bidders that rush and grab the forms at the expense of many average and decent ones, is unwholesome. Upping the prices of the forms to contest is excluding those who cannot afford it. Unlike in the past when teachers and Principals were voted in as lawmakers at the state and federal levels, many of them can no longer venture into electoral positions because they cannot afford to pay for the nomination forms. “Those who can afford the prices are the deep pockets, many of whose sources of income are suspect. They are ready to spend their fortunes to get to office and immediately they get there, the first rational thing they do is to recoup what they have spent and that is why many of them do fail in their promise of delivering dividends of democracy,” he said.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

News

Juliana Francis he Chairman/ Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd.), has said that as Nigeria joins the world in marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking,today, concerted efforts are needed against the threat posed by narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Abdallah, who spoke on the state of drug control in Nigeria, said the threat of narcotics is real as the estimated street value of seized narcotic drugs in 2015 is over N22 billion. He said, “The threat of illicit drugs is real and concerted efforts are required to halt the activities of drug trafficking cartels. The Agency in 2015 seized drugs weighing 903,624.56kg with an estimated street value of over N22 billion. “Drug control is an important campaign that affects national security and public health. We must collectively rise up against drug traffick-

2015: NDLEA seizes drugs worth N22bn ing organisations. The effects of drugs on children, youths, families and communities are unimaginable. There is the need for a greater understanding of the effects of drugs by members of the public.” It should be noted that NDLEA arrested 8,778 suspected drug traffickers comprising 8,143 males and 635 females in 2015. A total of 903,624.56kg of narcotic drugs were seized from drug trafficking cartels in 2015. The drugs include cannabis 871,480.32kg, psychotropic substances 30,652.93kg; ephedrine is 785.10kg, methamphetamine 410.82kg, cocaine 260.47kg, heroin 30.09kg and amphetamine 4.83kg. The Agency also won 1,690 cases prosecuted in 2015. The Chairman continued: “Nigeria is in the vanguard of the global crusade against illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse. We are

committed to our obligations under the United Nations drug control Conventions and we are playing a lead role in regional counter narcotics programmes. Nigeria is making significant effort in addressing the problem of drug trafficking and abuse. The NDLEA will continue to give drug control all the attention required for total victory,”he said. Abdallah identified training and effective collaboration with stakeholders as some of the reasons for the giant strides recorded by the Agency. In his words, “We have made significant progress through training, strict law enforcement and effective collaboration with international and local partners. While consolidating on the gains recorded, efforts are ongoing to improve staff welfare, provide more logistics support and increase funding.”

The theme for the commemoration of the 2016 World Drug Day, is ‘Listen First.’ The agency on Tuesday, held a press briefing, to set the ball rolling for a weeklong programme of event. A sensitisation walk against drug abuse took place on Wednesday in Lagos. The campaign, which commenced from Ikoyi office of the NDLEA, through Falomo and Obalende bus terminal, drew participants from the Nigeria Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Others are Lagos State Ministry of Information, Civil Society Groups, Unity Bank and Skye Bank.

MASSOB, BIM petition Enugu AG over intimidation, delayed trial Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

he 13 suspected members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafran Independent Movement (BIM) arrested on May 30, 2016 and arraigned before an Enugu Magistrate’s court on May 31, 2016, have petitioned the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State over alleged police intimidation and delay tactics in their trial. The 13 accused persons were granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 each on their arraignment, following which they were released from prison custody after the fulfillment of the bail condition. But on the last date of adjournment, on Thursday, the Magistrate, E.N Alukwu told the suspects and their lawyer that advice was not received by the court from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). The matter was therefore further adjourned to June 28, 2016. Angered by the development, the accused persons, through their legal counsel, C. O. Z. Obiekwe, Esq, petitioned the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State. A copy of the petition was made avail-

able to Sunday Telegraph at the weekend. In the petition entitled, “Petition against the Intimidation of 13 Members of MASSOB Arraigned on 31st May, 2016 in Chief Magistrate’s Court 6 Enugu in Charge No. ME/245/2016 (COP Vs Eze Eugene & 12 Ors)”, the counsel to MASSOB members deplored the delay in the trial and requested for the speeding up of the process. He said: “It is true that accused persons have been granted bail but do not forget that they are private business men or self employed men who have families to fend for. Therefore, this kind of case is supposed to receive quickest attention because of its explosive nature. “Note that these people were in the past framed with treason because according to police, MASSOB was a proscribed organisation. In all the cases we handled for MASSOB, police never tendered any law proscribing MASSOB. Over five cases we defended them were either dismissed or struck out. “Therefore, what the police are doing is to dispirit and frustrate them. The MASSOB members are victimised with the intention to stop them from agitating for Biafra.”

Taraba APC reacts on secretary’s defection to PDP Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

T L-R: Founder of Living Hope Ministry, Dr. Sunny Acho; House of Reps member representing Isukwuato/Umunochi Fed. Constituency, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejiocha; Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and Commissioner for Health, Dr. John Chikezie, during Acho and the Ministry’s’ medical team’s visit to the governor in Umuahia at the weekend

Two aspirants to lock horns at gov parallel primaries Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems set to face fresh setbacks as one of the governorship aspirants in last Monday’s primaries of the party, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, has rejected the outcome of the exercise, which produced Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as its candidate. Iduoriyekemwen, who stated this during a press conference in Benin, the state capital, yesterday, described the entire processes of the primary election as a comedy, which was “clinically manipulated” by the leadership of the party in favour of the preferred candidate. He also pledged his loyal-

ty to the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s leadership of the party at the national level, insisting that he would participate in another primary of the party scheduled for Tuesday. Already, there is tension and anxiety among the leadership and members of the party, following the endless tussles between embattled former national chairman of PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Alhaji Markafi over who controls the PDP machinery at the Wadata Secretariat Complex in Abuja. Alhaji Sheriff is said to be determined to conduct a fresh and parallel governorship primaries to elect another candidate of the party for the September 10 election in the state. Sunday Telegraph gath-

ered that Iduoriyekemwen, who polled 91 votes during the recent primaries held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Indoor Sports Complex in the state, has expressed determination to contest for a fresh primary election under the Sheriff leadership. Also seeking for the PDP governorship ticket under Senator Sheriff’s watch is the lawmaker, representing Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonahinma. According to the former Majority Leader in the State House of Assembly, “having looked at all the processes, starting from the clinical manipulation and rigging of the primary, he dissociate himself from every process that led to the

so-called primary, which ended on June 20.” There is the fear that the rescheduled primary poll might be bloody as forces loyal to the PDP candidate in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and those of Iduoriyekemwen are to clash.

.S. first lady Michelle Obama will travel to Africa on Sunday with daughters Sasha and Malia and her mother as part of an effort to promote girls’ education, her office said. The upcoming, six-day trip will include visits to Morocco and Liberia. She will also visit Spain. The trip will highlight the work of Let Girls Learn, a U.S. government initiative launched by U.S. President Barack Obama and the first lady in 2015.

he Taraba State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hassan Ardo, has reacted on the recent defection of the state secretary of the party, Tony Suleiman and its Sardauna Local Government chairman, Yusuf Tanimu to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying they were lured with money. The APC chairman accused the decamping politicians for being money desperate for money. Recall that on their joint defection statement last week, the duo said they dumped the APC because the party in Taraba resorted to ‘the petty politics of side-

lining, lack of inclusiveness and abandonment of the few supporters that gave the party life. ‘ Reacting on this accusation by his former exco members, the Taraba State APC chairman debunked the secretary’s and Sardauna chairman’s claims, saying they only decided to defect because they are moneyminded politicians and APC has no money to give them. “I’m asking this question. When somebody said that you are not carrying him along, have you assigned anybody to take over his job, for what?’ He stressed that the two decamping exco members have had series of meetings with the PDP to negotiate so that they could defect to PDP,” he said.

Michelle Obama to visit Africa to highlight girls’ education That project is part of “a U.S. government effort to address the barriers that keep over 62 million girls around the world out of school, particularly adolescent girls,” the first lady’s chief of staff, Tina Tchen, told reporters on a conference call. Michelle Obama will be joined by actresses Meryl Streep and Freida Pinto in

Morocco, where they will talk to adolescent girls on the challenges they face in getting an education, her office said. In Liberia, she will visit a U.S. Peace Corps training facility and a school along with Liberian President Ellen Johansson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female elected head of state and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, reports Reuters.

The Sunday Magazine

Our children want to attend Maritime University -Gbaramatu people As the fate of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, hangs on a balance, PAUL OGBUOKIRI reports that the pronouncement of the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, cancelling the university, has stoked so much anger that the Federal Government needs to take urgent steps to douse

n May 10, 2014, when the then President Goodluck Jonathan performed the ground breaking of the now controversial Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko, SouthWest Warri, Delta State, little did the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom know that their joy of having a tertiary institution was going to face stiff challenges. To underscore the seriousness the previous government attached to the project, Jonathan, 12 days after the much publicised ground breaking, appointed for the institution, Prof. (Mrs.) Ongoebi Maureen Etebu and Mr. Anho Nathaniel Esoghene Lucky as Vice Chancellor and Registrar respectively through a government publication dated May 22, 2015 and signed by the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala. The letter of appointment issued to the Registrar with reference number HME/ FME/41/X/139 and signed by the then education minister, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, was dated May 26, 2015. The university is number 41 on the list of approved universities released by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in May 2015. Also, through the Banking and Payments System Department, the Central Bank of Nigeria, in a letter dated August 19, 2015 with reference number BPS/CSO/OAGF/ CON/01/86 signed by the Director of Banking and Payments System, Dipo Fatokun, formally opened an account for the university to be domiciled with its (CBN) Asaba branch with the following details: Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, 0240522742016. The directive conveying the opening of the account was contained in a letter dated August 25, 2015 with reference number FD/ LP2008/72A/C/I/DF signed by the Director of Funds in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), M.K. Dikwa. The said letter was addressed to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Etebu. But all these accomplished bureaucracies appeared inadequate for the university to sail smoothly. On January 19, when the Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, appeared before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, headed by Senator Ahmed Sani, to brief the Senate panel on the activities of the agencies under his supervision, he repudiated all these by a mere pronouncement. His words: “We are not going ahead with the university project (referring to NMU,

Okerenkoko), proposed by NIMASA because we have an institution in Oron, we have Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria and we have the Nigerian College of Aviation in Zaria, which we could upgrade to a university status and NIMASA is proposing to build a new one. “Who will attend the university? How many parents will allow their children to go to such a place where it proposes to site the university? I do not think we are proceeding with the university proposed by NIMASA because it is a waste of resources, and, unfortunately, a lot of money has already been released for the university project, hence there is no structure on ground but just the feasibility study. Whoever that is holding on to the money should better return it. The Chinese company contracted, confirmed that only the feasibility study was in place.” But Amaechi had hardly left the Senate panel when some Nigerians criticized him over the statement. A former Federal Commissioner for Information and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, threw the first punch. He refuted the statement credited to the transport minister that the project "is a waste of resources, and unfortunately, a lot of money had already been released for the university project, hence there is no structure on ground" and that Chinese company contracted, confirmed that only the feasibility study was in place. “Mr. Amaechi carefully avoided mentioning the take-off campus of the University at Kurutie, which boasts of competitive and acceptable standard facilities that meet the NUC standard for university campus, as part of the property of NMU, Okerenkoko and for which NIMASA paid the sum of about N13 billion," he said. Also, a former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Power Ziakede Aginighan, called on Amaechi to retrace his step, describing the statement as an error of judgment. He said: “Setting the records straight, the idea of citing a tertiary institution in the crude oil and gas-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State was first proposed and adopted under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo as a critical component in the roadmap to peace and sustainable development of the Niger Delta. “For the Niger Delta and the Nation in gen-

Also, there are two hostel blocks of a storey building each meant to accommodate about 300 students and are both furnished; Library building with two archives; Librarian’s office and two reading areas that can accommodate about 60 students at peak time as well as a fully furnished storey building with offices that can accommodate about 45 lecturers eral, the advantages of having the University far outweigh every argument to the contrary. Apart from capacity building for Nigerians in the maritime industry, bringing in direct foreign investment and arresting capital flight, the Nigeria Maritime University will play a key role in the re-integration phase of the Amnesty Programme,” he said. The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, the umbrella body of Ijaw youths in the Niger Delta, considers the move provocative. In a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari protesting the Minister’s pronouncement, it said: “Mr. President, the reasons advanced by your Minister of Transportation are not only weak, mischievous and misleading, but also highly provocative and inciting; IYC, in the letter signed by its President and spokesperson, Messrs. Udengs Eradiri and Eric Omare, respectively, said. Also, Hon Reyenieju, Member representing Warri in the House of Representatives, an Itsekiri, while addressing Ijaw and Itsekiri youths, who confronted him in Warri over the action of the minister, said the statement credited to Amaechi regarding the cancellation of the university was “provocative, vexing, insensitive and, consequently, unacceptable.” The lawmaker further explained that the Minister’s outburst does not possess the force of finality, saying the House of Representatives would not allow such “brazen

arbitrariness without subjecting it to parliamentary scrutiny.” He wondered why the university, one of those established by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, “is being singled out for cancellation.” Another Itsekiri scholar, Prof. Tosan Harriman, who also expressed shock over the cancellation, said; ''The only way out of the present looming violence is for the maritime university to take off. It will reduce criminally, stem agitation and create jobs for the people of the region.'' Meanwhile, a trip to both the temporary and permanent sites at Kurutie and Okerenkoko communities, both in Gbaramatu Kingdom creates an alluring elixir. The journey of 45 minutes on Yamaha 200-horses powered engine speed boat first berthed at the permanent site, Okerenkoko, where construction work had already commenced before the Minister’s pronouncement. Getting to the permanent site itself by foot was hectic as it a means trekking the three kilometers distance from the town which is just about 15 minutes boat ride to Escravos. The area covers about 100 hectares land donated by the community of which it was reported that compensation was paid only for economic trees and crops owned by the people of the community. At the site, although foundation of about 12 buildings was seen to have been done prior to the minister's pronouncement, construction work at the main gate and two other structures are already at an advanced stage. About 20 make shift buildings, which used to house site workers are now unoccupied with heavy duty construction equipment all over the vicinity of the permanent site. Speaking on the development, SecretaryGeneral of the Federated Okerenkoko Community, Comrade Ernest Bebenimibo, expressed surprise at the fate of the maritime university, saying the situation is at variance with the aspirations of the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom. ‘‘Our position has already been stated and we'll make it known to the world. As a community, we wrote several letters to the Minister of Transport on the need for the university to take off. As far as we are concerned, there is no fraud on the issue of land against speculation,” he said. He added that the acquisition of the land followed due process with a valid issued to the community was issued a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) by the then governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016

Sunday Magazine

We won’t return, UK can’t be worse than Nigeria – Nigerians in UK Tunde Sulaiman and Dapo Shotiminu

Mr. Bebenimbo further said; ''What we need is the reversal of the cancellation because our children are ready to be educated and are prepared to acquire technical knowledge concerning the maritime industry. This is a clarion call and the government has a duty to show that it has the people of the Niger Delta at heart. Again, we are prepared to protect the workers of the university against any form of criminality,'' he said. At the Mieka International Diving Institute, Kurutie, which serves as the temporary site of the Maritime University, the architect who designed the project, Architect Piniki Azaiye, who conducted reporters round the facility, said he conceptualized the project and built it to its present status. According to him, the Institute, which was originally owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo, (aka Tompolo) before it was taken over by the Federal Government, had planned to train divers of international standard. ''At the inception, Mieka Dives Limited had a plan to train world class divers who will be useful to both the maritime and oil sectors. But when the idea of the Maritime University came up, and the Federal Government approached us to take over the school, we entered into all necessary deeds and we handed over to the government. ''You people have seen the structures on ground and it is left for you to judge whether the N13 billion the transportation minister is talking about is just for land. How possible is it for anybody to build these high rise buildings on this swampy area without first reclaiming the land? ''That is where the issue of reclamation comes in because this place you are seeing used to be swamp of about 12 hectares that was reclaimed with over N6 billion. The NDDC did a similar job in a smaller expanse of land at the cost of N9 billion somewhere in Gbaramatu Kingdom. Again, the reclamation is about 1.5 meters high on the surface, meaning that we went really deep in excavation works,” he said. Beside the reclamation work, Mr. Azaiye disclosed that the cost of transporting building materials to the area is three times the actual cost. ''If, for instance,100 bags of cement cost N150,000, you will need an additional N270,000 to transport that quantity. It means you are spending N370,000 on a hundred based of cement. So for those who know

what it costs to build a house, while a three bedroom bungalow costs N15 million to build in Warri metropolis, a similar one here costs N45 million. Also speaking on the fate of the university, the Managing Director of Mieka Dives Limited, Mr. Keston Pondicherry said the company had a partnership with the Nigerian Navy to set up an international diving outfit. According to him, NIMASA, Ministry of Transport, Mieka Dives did their valuations separately before the Federal Government agreed to pay N13 billion. He dismissed the argument that the place is too far for institution like that, saying, “but the area is not far in terms of oil exploitation, this is disheartening and the earlier the Federal Government listens to the voice of reason, the better for all of us in this country. University has a natural tendency to bring development so why is ours now different?” he said rhetorically. The buildings in the expansive complex include a storey building that houses the VC's office and its supporting staff. Others include offices for the Registrar, Bursar, HoDs, Deans, Account departments, Boardroom, Conference room, General offices and other ancillary offices that are all furnished. Other structures include the 1,200 capacity Ceremonial pavilion, a 9-bed medical centre with a digital laboratory. The laboratory is yet to be furnished all the same, a workshop block, Classroom block which is a storey building with 12 classrooms, two canteens, an e-learning centre and a lecture auditorium of 200 students fully furnished. Also, there are two hostel blocks of a storey building each meant to accommodate about 300 students and are both furnished, Library building with two archives, Librarian’s office and two reading areas that can accommodate about 60 students at peak time as well as a fully furnished storey building with offices that can accommodate about 45 lecturers. There is also a well furnished University Guest house, a three floor building of nine rooms for the University senior staff aside two blocks for middle level and junior staff. But there is a separate three bed room duplex for the VC. Apart from an Olympic size Swimming Pool that is11m wide and 45m in length, there are also two separate diving tanks , one is an open air diving tank of 8m in depth and the other one is enclosed in a building which is of 10 meters depth and both are ready for use.

espite the uncertainty brought about by the earth-shaking result of the British referendum on the European Union Friday, which saw the national currency, the pound slump to a 31-year low, many Nigerians living in the country will not be returning home any time soon. According to a number of them Sunday Telegraph spoke to yesterday, despite the uncertainty in the wake of the pull-out, the United Kingdom will never be worse their fatherland – which is more than enough to make them stay in the UK. Funsho (surname withheld at the behest of the responder), stays in the London Borough of Lewisham and said even though he voted to remain in the European Union the fact that the majority voted otherwise is a thing he will have to live with and make the best out off. “Yes, I know the value of the pound has dropped, which means things are likely to cost more here; but the truth is that money is not everything. “First, I believe that the uncertainty will not last for ever and things will still stabilise. But even if the cost of goods and services do go up, are you saying that I will be better off returning to Nigeria where light (public power supply) is still very epileptic, where there are no good roads and the security situation is frightening? Come on! No matter how tough it gets here (London), there is no way it will ever be as bad as Nigeria,” he said. Others Sunday Telegraph spoke to on the latest development include Sanjo Jones, Tebe Larry Ojukonsin and Engineer Samuel Jackson. Sanjo Jones, a Communication Consultant based in Littlehampton, said, “On Nigerians living in the UK, I don’t think there would be any direct negative impact because they are none EU members. We are Africans and everything we do in the UK is still going to be the same, the only thing that might happen is that a lot of Africans from non-EU member states who in the past used the EU laws to get away with a lot of things that ordinarily would had sent them to jail, would now have to buckle up and stay out of trouble or face the wrath of the British law courts. There are people in the UK who exploit some portions of the EU immigration laws to get their immigration papers approved speedily, this won’t happen again. The EU laws have been used easily to get papers in the past. “Job wise, Nigerians in the UK won’t be affected in anyway because, they have been working as African citizens and not as people from EU states. They will continue with their jobs either as Africans or British citizens, this time around with better pay packages. The new development will restrict movement of people, now British citizens would have to get visas to travel to EU countries. This is going to add some money to holiday’s expenses for British citizens, as they have to pay for visas, and do the rigours of going to different embassies to file and follow up applications.” Jones stated that some of the advantages of UK staying out of the EU for Nigerians here, is that: “The EU citizens in the United Kingdom who summarily took all the small jobs to the detriment of Nigerians would have to leave the country to the advantage of our people. The labour market in the UK would come back to what it was years ago when Nigerians had greater opportunities to do real jobs. Some 10 years ago, if Nigerians get into the UK, they get a job in a matter of two days, but the EU citizens spoilt the market, making it very difficult to get lucrative jobs.” He noted that, the UK leaving the EU would also affect sports drastically, as it would now be very difficult for sportsmen

and women to move around Europe freely the way they used to do to participate in competitions and training programmes which have been beneficial to the United Kingdom in the past. In this new regime athletes have to wait for visas, it is going to be stressful for the athletes and their managers. He stressed that at the moment, “the UK economy is going to suffer for some time, but it will regain its firm footing soon. If you look at the trade market 24 hours after the decision, the value of the pound sterling dropped drastically by 6.2% and it is going to continue to drop until anybody knows the certainty, which is not too sure to attain. The businessmen and women in the UK now believe they can trade freely without paying the heavy European tax. For instance in the past, UK manufacturers taking their goods to France pay as much as 35% tax, this won’t be so anymore but really we don’t know what would replace this. So, it is still uncertain.” For Mr. Tebe Larry Ojukonsin, a Nigerian scientist based in Glasgow, Scotland, he said: “In terms of the current shock associated with the UK leaving the EU, this would to a great extent strengthen the Nigerian currency, the naira, against the British pound. And in terms of Nigeria’s prospect, as our country is not a part of the European Union, because of the influx of migrants from other parts of the European Union, who did not need a visa to come into the UK, this over time affected the non-EU members in terms of the UK efforts in giving welfare packages such as scholarship and funding for it, which was narrowed down only to members of the European Union. “Most of the Nigerians in Scotland, voted for the UK to leave the EU, so that the United Kingdom could assess Nigerians based on the country being part of the Commonwealth of Nations and also based on the rare talents of the people. On the long run, it is going to be to the advantage of Nigerians and other non-EU members living in the United Kingdom. It is going to be a big advantage for our citizens.” For Engineer Samuel Jackson, a BritishNigerian working as expatriate in Lagos, Nigeria: “The UK decision to leave the EU would not have any negative impact on Nigerians living in the United Kingdom, but it is going to be a big deal for EU citizens in the UK. In the past, the EU citizens run to the European Court of Appeal whenever they were not satisfied with rulings at the British courts, and in most cases they had their way, but with this latest decision, all matters would have to be decided by British courts.” He noted that: “In the area of economy, a lot of EU companies operating in the UK would be forced to take their headquarters away from the UK down to Europe. This would affect jobs in the United Kingdom as there would be loss of jobs for both Nigerians and other people from other parts of the world. London may also lose the status of the economic centre of the world.”

David Cameron

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NEWS

Brexit: Ireland, Scotland may leave Britain, says Amb. Keshi

Biyi Adegoroye

ormer Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joe Keshi, said that though the outcome of Brexit referendum portends uncertainties for the future of Britain, he urged Nigerian leaders to learn from it by taking various ethnic agitations in the country very seriously. Keshi said the referendum which is taking Britain out of the European Union has also spurred Scotland and Ireland to renew moves to gain independence from the United Kingdom, especially the former which has gathered over one million signatures to that effect. He said as the world looks at the immediate future, the signs are ominous and observable from the global market and it would change structure the United the Kingdom, and indeed the entire Europe. He added though that the people have spoken and

their wishes should be obeyed. Keshi said: “What is currently known as the UK might not remain so in the next five or 10 years. So we just have to keep our fingers crossed. These are some of the uncertainties. You can see the political fallout, such that the political career of the Prime Minister has been brought to an abrupt end. “You can also see that already, there are some recriminations even in Britain as the younger elements feel betrayed by the older generation who voted to leave, but just see their future being jeopardised. Because before now, they had a wider space to operate as youths, now they have been forced into a smaller country, which may become smaller with time because Scotland is saying they want another referendum. Northern Island is beginning to think that way and I won’t be surprised if Wales goes the same way,” he said. According to Keshi, just as the British gov-

ernment listened to the wishes of the people, Nigerian leaders should take cognizance of the agitations of various ethnic groups like the South-West for fiscal federalism and complaints of the South-East about marginalisation. He said right from the commencement of the debate, he had hoped that Nigerians leaders have followed the trend. “Watching the global networks helps one to look at how world leaders treat issues and react to them. You will recall that members of the conservative party and the cabinet of the Prime Minister campaigned against remaining in EU. If it was happening in Nigeria here, party leaders would have keyed into the President’s mantra even when they do not know what it is. So you could see democracy at work because the people were given the power to express their choice over issue of national interest,” he said. “The implication is that we in Nigeria need

to watch some of these developments outside our shores because they might have a way of reverberating around the world, ”he said, adding that “right from the beginning, there had been a lot of Eurocentric people in Britain though the referendum before the last was won by a simple majority.” Even after that, Britain was never part of the monetary system, the Euro, rather they remained on their own, noting that the latest development was fueled by failure of bureaucrats in Brussels to listen to complaints .that the leaders there were making decision that were not in tandem with the needs of the member states, especially as it affects immigrations. Keshi said for the same reason, Nigerian leaders should not call the bluff of various agitations from all sections of the country, like the Niger Delta, South-East and South-West because failure to listen to them could plunge the nation into greater trouble.

L-R: Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; Director-General, Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu and his wife, Tina; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyema and former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme during a reception for Okechukwu and Onyema in Enugu…yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

IGP to officers: Respect human life Adeolu Adeyemo

T OSOGBO.

he Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, yesterday, warned mobile police officers and regular police against taking human lives all in the name of policing and banned police from embarking on all illegal duties. The IGP, who noted that there would be a total restructuring in the Nigeria Police Force under his leadership, warned officers to shun tribalism, nepotism, segregation and sectionalism, saying there is no dichotomy in the force. Idris dropped the warning at the passing out parade of Mobile Police squadron commanders, who have been on Semi-

nar/Combatant Operations Course at Police Mobile Force Training School, Ila-Orangun, Osun State since March 2016. He charged them to be well behaved and avoid terminating the lives of innocent people, saying that every human’s life is sacred and nobody has the right to take it. He said, “Whosoever takes innocent lives will be dealt with accordingly. Police officers should not dress and behave like thugs. You should be good ambassador of the country by setting excellent pace for others to follow. “The protection of human lives and property remains one of the cardinal duties of the Nigeria Police Force and while discharging this duty, special attention must be given to our

actions and their potential consequences. You should see yourself as worthy ambassador of our great nation. It’s criminal to take human’s life.” Speaking to the commanders, he said, “It is important to note that every action or inaction of the men under your respective command will have direct bearing on someone’s life, which may make or mar your career as the case may be. “I charge you to take supervision and control of your men very seriously as this is the hallmark of a discipline and responsible officer. As commanders of the operational arm of the force, it is of utmost importance that you display a high sense of professionalism by ensuring that your personnel are appropriately deployed to authorised per-

sons only. Speaking at the occasion, the commandant of the training College, ACP Mohammed Dankwara, stated that the course participants have exhibited a high sense of discipline and commitment in all ramifications while the course lasted. In his own speech, the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said he is the first IG to come from NUPE, a major group and charged him to use his good offices to tackle the cases of kidnapping, insurgency and others. He, however, assured that his administration would do its best to work hand in hand with the police to combat crime in the society and advised the police force to also work with the members of the public for information gathering.

Capital inflow to Nigeria may drop – Analysts Paul Ogbuokiri

ow that the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union, the Nigerian economy which is already struggling from slowing demand from China and flat commodity prices, may have been thrown into confusion along with the rest of the world, analysts have said. “Many emerging markets and frontier asset markets will come under pressure,” Razia Khan, chief economist for Africa for Standard Chartered Bank, tells Quartz. “Much will depend on how quickly some sort of financial market stability can be restored.” According to Yvonne Mhango, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Economist, Renaissance Capital; Nigeria will be most affected by the Brexit via the financial channel. She said Nigeria may not be much affected by low demand that would be the result of a slow British economy, as only four per cent of Nigeria’s export ends up in the United Kingdom. Mhango, however, said that capital inflows may slow as investor confidence has been severely undermined by the uncertainty created by Britain’s vote to leave the EU. “We think this may result in a slowdown in capital flowing into frontier markets, as investors hide in safe haven assets. Increased risk aversion may temper the appetite for SSA Eurobond issuances planned for 2H16. Nigeria, in particular was unfortunately hit on Wednesday by a double whammy – a credit rating downgrade by Fitch (to B+, from BB-), which will make it more expensive for Ni-

geria to borrow externally in 3Q16 when it issues its planned Eurobond, and Brexit, which may temper appetite for Nigerian assets. A further slowdown of capital inflows into SSA, will result in a further deterioration of external balances that are already reeling from depressed commodity prices.” She further said that currencies will come under pressure – the most tradable currencies will depreciate the most and Rencap thinks that the implication of this on Nigeria, is that investors that were encouraged by the liberalisation of the country’s FX regime and were considering dipping their toes into the country, may now pause given the rise in global risk aversion, following the Brexit vote. This further delays a recovery in Nigeria’s capital inflows, which is negative for the naira, she stressed. Nigeria: Bad timing Britain’s exit from the EU couldn’t have come at a worse time for Nigeria. At a time when the government is trying to fix an economy on the brink of a recession by removing strict currency controls and also liberalising oil prices, the immediate effect of Brexit will test the nerves of Nigeria’s economic managers as global markets plummet. Bilateral trade between Nigeria and the UK, currently valued at £6 billion (about $8.3 billion) and projected to reach £20 billion by 2020, will be disrupted as trade agreements made under the auspices of the EU have to be renegotiated. “For Nigeria, global risk aversion as well as softer oil price is likely to mean that new portfolio inflows are slow to materialize,” says Khan.

Resident doctors suspend strike nationwide Appolonia Adeyemi

he National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide indefinite strike, which commenced on June 20. President of the association, Dr. Mohammad Askira, who disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, said the suspension was the outcome of the association’s National Executive Council meeting held on Friday. He said that the strike was suspended to enable the Federal Government implement the agreement reached with the association on or before July 14, adding that the doctors would resume work on July 27. NARD had commenced strike on July 20 to press

home its demands which included, non-payment of salaries, non-availability of residency training guidelines, among others. According to Askira, the meeting also resolved to review the progress of government intervention at the next NEC meeting of the association scheduled for July 25 to 30 in Keffi for appropriation action. He also expressed gratitude to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) among others for their interventions to resolve the crisis. Askira urged members of the association to remain calm as they resume their normal duties and promised that none of them would be victimised for participating in the strike.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

OPINION 11

The Niger Delta: Walking the talk Akin Makanjuola

he Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was announced by President Umaru Yar Adua on 10 September, 2008. The ministry has a Minister in charge of development of the Niger Delta area, and a Minister of State in charge of youth empowerment. It was formed primarily to coordinate efforts to tackle the challenges of infrastructural development, environment protection and youth empowerment in the Niger Delta. The area known as the Niger Delta originally was confined to the mangrove creeks around the River Niger tributaries towards the Atlantic Ocean coast line. Today, however, owing to the discovery of oil, the Niger Delta somewhat loosely refers to the oil producing states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Ondo now compares, if not competes with the Federal Republic of Nigeria in strategic economic importance. According to a Federal Government statement, the establishment of the ministry is a direct response to the myriad of environmental and infrastructural neglects in the area. Essentially, the ministry is being established to drive a new pace of developments in the Niger Delta. In addition, it has been generally suggested that the ministry would specifically deliver on the promises of the Niger Delta Master Plan. The Niger Delta Master Plan has never been greeted with a lot of fanfare since its scripting in 2006, however, not much was done by the previous administration to deliver on expectations. The Niger Delta territory is presently in a volatile state. Dedicated violence is spinning off from amorphous militant groups with the most recent being the repeated blow up of oil facilities by Niger Delta Avengers. There are equally dreadful cult groups that have sucked up the youths, making strife, bloodletting and crime the major industry particularly in three of the states of the Niger Delta, namely, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States. General economic activities are stifled. Anger and distraught are ruling over the land. Drawing from the promise and expectations attached to the Niger Delta Master Plan, not much has been accomplished. Although pre-

vious administrations started the Amnesty and disarmament process on the militants particularly of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, fold, not much in respect of infrastructure and environmental milestones have fully been addressed. In effect, not much is on ground to assuage the anger, hunger, unemployment and the desperation in the land. Today, the Federal Government has flagged off the clean-up of Ogoni, for instance, but even at a rather more dramatic pace the militants are creating worse environmental health disasters by the level of blow up of elaborate oil facilities in the troubled territory. But the new Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani has however, assured that efforts were in place under the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to renew the “Covenant” between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the people of Niger Delta region in order to create a solid and enduring Partnership for the socio-economic and industrial development of the region. The minister has reiterated that the Ministry has not and will not abandon any of its on-going projects in the nine oil producing states of the Niger Delta. Pastor Usani said this when the community leaders of the nine oil producing states paid a courtesy visit on him recently. He said that “the ministry was eager to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta Region and would not abandon any of its projects.” Similarly at a Technical Workshop titled “Niger Delta Way Forward: From Stabilisation to Sustainable Development,” co-organised by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Presidential Amnesty Programme Office, Federal Ministry of Environment and other development partners in Abuja,he said: “We have gathered here today to forge a clear path for the development of the Niger Delta region and to renew our commitment to an existing covenant between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the men, women and children of the Niger Delta region” “It is a covenant that was written after years of tears and pain. It took years of trauma and unbearable birth pangs for it to finally come

to fruition. Out of that covenant, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was created, out of that covenant, the NDDC was established, out of that covenant, the Amnesty Programme was born; it was also from within the womb of that covenant that today an Action Plan has been born. We have come here today not only to endorse this Action Plan, but also to take it to another level.” The minister however, noted that while “previous efforts highlighted projects; the new approach will emphasise holistic programmes under which the projects fall. Previous efforts made a few individuals rich; the new approach will bring wealth to the communities. Previous efforts created monsters that were bigger than the communities; the new efforts will cut down these monsters and cause them to submit to their communities. Previous efforts were characterised by corruption and bribery of government officials, the new approach will bring all Stakeholders into a transparent commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region. Previous efforts paid more attention to mega projects like roads and huge buildings-which were celebrated but half-heartedly implemented, the new approach will pay considerable attention to projects that will truly empower the people-training, skill acquisition and ethical re orientation,” he said. Only last week the Hon. Minister revealed the plans of his ministry to send for training abroad 100 Niger Delta youths. He said that his ministry has entered into many training agreements with various European and United Kingdom Institutions to train the youths in strategic areas that will be of interest to the Niger Deltans and the nation at large. Specifically he mentioned that the Ministry of Niger Delta is into partnership with S.T Georges, Ministry of Youth and Sports to train Niger Delta youths on a programme tagged:”Train and Engage.”He said the trainees will readily be absorbed and constructively engaged in existing Oil and Gas industries as soon as they finished their studies abroad. In addition, the Minister said the Local Content Office of the Africa House in UK,Africa Business Forum and the Ministry of Niger Delta have entered into a collaboration to

engage Niger Delta youths on a special programme along the NVQ model design. The NVQ model he said is designed to train the youths in Oil and Gas based on industry need basis. The minister has a word for the restive youths of Niger Delta; to put an end to the destruction of national assets and embrace peace, saying,”we can achieve much more under an atmosphere of peace and tranquility than in an environment of confusion and chaos.’ He also warned that the era of free money is gone, that “those who take up jobs as contractors must deliver quality jobs to justify the tax payers money paid for such jobs. The minister said: “Contractors who appear to have abandoned their projects are advised to go back to site to complete them. If they have found themselves incompetent to deliver, government should be made to know on time in order to re-award the contract to a more competent company”, he stressed. The Minister also urged the people of Niger Delta not to complicate the current environmental challenge of the region by engaging in vandalism of oil and gas pipelines which cause oil spillage and pollution. On oil companies that cause spillage, the Minister warned: “The government will compel oil spilling organisations to do the necessary clean up because the government is on the side of the people to checking oil spillage”. Already the Federal Government has taken a lead in this direction as it has flagged off the clean-up of Ogoni-land. In conclusion with the passing of the budget and accent by Mr President; the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is set to hit the ground running. The ministry has rolled out an array of programmes and capital projects that will change the face and fortunes of Niger Delta. But all these lofty plans and goals can only be possible or feasible in an atmosphere of peace. It is therefore necessary for all parties to maintain the peace and work together for the rapid development of the Niger Delta. The people need to heed the advice of the former Prime Minister of Britain when he said “It is better to jaw,jaw than to war,war.” The author is an Editor with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), Abuja

Trade Unions Should Apologise To Discos Bisiriyu Akewusola

he saying that you cannot eat your cake and still have it can be used very correctly to describe the relationship between Nigerian trade unions and power distribution companies called discos. This is because the trade unions have always accused the discos of exploiting the Nigerian consumers by not supplying them electricity when in fact the unions know that these discos have serious problems not of their own making in not being able to distribute electricity in their various areas of power distribution all over the nation. Which again is like giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. But that is quite unfortunate as it is unfair and that is why many Nigerians in the know of this sad state of affairs, have called on some of the union leaders, both privately and in public to apologise to the discos or at least refrain from whipping public and consumer hostility against them for an offence they have not committed in any way. Aside from the well known fact of pipeline vandalisation which has crippled gas

supplies turbines fuelled by gas nationally , the number of such sources of power have been dwindling drastically since the so called terrorist group called the Avengers have stepped up their attacks in the Niger Delta creeks. The number of gas powered turbines decreased from 140 last year to 78 by April this year and is now 50 according to Ministry of Power sources . In addition the power sector was reported to be losing N2billion naira daily to gas shortage. Thus electricity generation has taken a negative nose dive in terms of availability of power and electricity nation wide. If electricity is not available what then are the discos supposed to distribute to Nigerian consumers? Yet in spite of this apparent road block against the route of regular electricity supply the Nigerian trade unions mounted a road block of its own against fellow Nigerians who have put their money and energy into the discos to distribute electricity to Nigerians. Of course the discos and their management could not have foreseen the pipelines vandalisation in the Niger Delta. Neither could they have imagined a situation when they would have literally

nothing to distribute in virtually all the 11 designated spheres of their capacities all over the nation. I do not think any of the disco management teams especially the highly qualified expatriates would have come to work in the power distribution sector in Nigeria if they knew that electricity generation would simply dry up right before our eyes as it has done so painfully in the last few months. This is made more embarrassing by the fact that the discos in Nigeria have adopted global best practices in their strategy for distribution of electricity in Nigeria . They have recruited the best hands and brains globally in technology , engineering , and human capital. In terms of distribution capacities these discos have brought in the best in the world and have remunerated them highly to motivate them for excellent performance in terms of electricity service delivery in Nigeria. Now they have run against a stonewall of a dry well in power generation and transmission and they deservethe sympathy and understanding of all Nigerians who expect them to be the ultimate panacea and cure for our black history of poor and irregular electricity as

a nation. Most importantly they deserve the cooperation of the average Nigerian especially workers and their leaders in the trade unions That is why educated and enlightened Nigerians were furious that the Unions were inciting Nigerian electricity consumers against these discos and were asking that workers should strike against the new tariffs of the discos approved for them by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission which itself is run by equally patriotic Nigerians like the discos, their Nigerian workers and staff who earn their living in the discos’ all over Nigeria. It is imperative therefore after the failed strike that the unions should mend fences with the discos management and apologise to them to gain their trust. This is the only way the unions can save their honor and face. At least to show that they are not trying to destroy the discos for nothing as the terrorists are doing to our pipelines and throwing a whole nation into utter and avoidable darkness. Akewusola, an engineer, writes from Sokoto

Sunday Mail

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

thesundayletters@gmail. com and sundayletters@ newtelegraphonline.com

MAIL BAG

* Letters to the Editor

The Sunday Telegraph

The sexual harassment bill

Michael Ogunjobi, Lagos.

SMS

08037613380 Normal message fees apply

We must learn again to fly

Dear Editor, A situation where some students are graded for their proficiency in ‘totorial’ at the expense of those consistent at ‘tutorials’ is to say the least depressing. In as much as ‘honour killing’ as prevalent in Pakistan is alien to our culture, all practices that debase females must not be condoned. Succinctly, where students are giving in their best, it behoves on the teachers or lecturers as the case may be to appreciate such students by according them with grades commensurate with their level of hard work. The Bill Prohibiting Sexual Harassment of Students by educators in Nigerian tertiary educational Institutions, which was sponsored by Ovie Omo-Agege of Delta Central Senatorial District is commendable. Admittedly, sexual harassment is rife in many higher institutions in Nigeria, and there’s need for a law to eradicate it. This Bill stipulates a maximum of five years jail term without an option of fine for offenders. It is established that students are always at the mercy of their lecturers in ivory towers. The roles of lecturers therein cannot be over-stated since they have the key to the exit gate of these students. This leaves students most especially females at the whims and caprices of some randy lecturers having neither sense of dignity nor regard for the self-esteem of their students. There have been recurrent incidents of female students being turned into sex toys of their lecturers. Students that have the guts to decline this sex slavery have to endure graduating with poor grades or never making a headway in the courses taken by these lecturers, some of whom go the extra-mile to influence the uncompromising students’ results in other courses. In part, this discourages hardwork, while the society takes in the half-baked graduates with excellent grades, but excellently good for nothing. It is important to note that sexual harassment in our ivory towers is not an isolated case, since same is prevalent in primary schools, secondary schools, work places, places of worship, and our individual homes where incest, marital rape are now the order of the day. Mediocrity has sub planted meritocracy, and has become an acclaimed catwalking impudence.

(

Dear Editor,

I must not get to the office late despite the rain.

Labour: Divided you fail Dear Editor, Many Nigerians believe that the main reason why the nationwide strike over petrol price hike called out by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was not effective is that Nigerians are not interested in the strike. That might be true. But we have overlooked the role a divided labour union has played. Nigerians will recall that last year during its rescheduled 11th National Delegates Conference at the Eagle Square, Abuja to elect national officers, the NLC split into two factions. That election saw Dr. Ayuba Wabba of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria defeating Comrade Joseph Ajaero of the National Union of Electricity Employees to become the new President. But, Ajaero, together with Issa Aremu and Igwe Achese rejected the result, finding fault with the whole electoral process, and going on to form another faction. That singular act which labour as a whole has pretended to have forgotten is what has come back to haunt it. Labour has lost its unity. For the groups under labour it is now, “To your tents, oh Israel.” Labour does not understand one another’s language within it anymore. It is now come hither, don’t come hither. Go hither, don’t go hither. When you don’t get a clear direction better to stay put. That is what Nigerians are doing. There is nothing much a group or organisation or people can achieve

if they are not united. A broom is more effective than a number of separate straws. Good thing for the Wabba-led NLC that it has saved face by calling off its three-day strike. Even on television as they announced the call off they looked like tired men, only after three days! But this is a wake-up call to labour to put its house in order. As it is, it is doing harm to itself. If there was injustice then justice must be allowed to prevail. Nigerians should not think the way labour is today it can fight effectively for them. That is why Nigerians should pray for labour. A viable, vibrant and united labour remains a critical component of any democracy. Cosmas Odoemena,

A case for grazing reserves Dear Editor, For the Audit Year 1999, I was posted to the North Eastern states to audit the branches of the first generation bank I was working for at that time. My personal secondary assignment was to find out all I could about the cattle trade and how cows get down south. While auditing our Maiduguri Main Branch I noticed a huge number of Drafts (Bills Payable) with very heavy amounts being sent for Clearing from our Branch in Gamboru Ngala to Maiduguri which is where the Central Bank was located. Shortly before the close of audit, I was instructed to audit Gamboru Ngala next. The road to that town was full of herdsmen following their cows

on foot en route to Maiduguri. The town shares a common border with Cameroun. It was while in that town that I learnt that ever since the Veterinary Organisation of Nigeria (VON) had ceased functioning, cattle merchants have been going to other African countries especially Niger Republic, and Central African Republic to purchase cows for sale in Nigeria. Since Gamboru Ngala is a border town it was safer for them to draw their drafts on the only branch of a bank in town where they could simply cash it and cross over to Cameroonian to start their journey. Once they had purchased their herd they would transport it to the Cameroonian border and from there to Gamboru Ngala from where herdsmen would shepherd them to Maiduguri. From Maiduguri they would be transported by road to two destinations in the SouthAgege and Awka for the West, and the East. The establishment of grazing reserves in all states of the Federation and FCT would throw open the door of the cattle trade to all Nigerians, at least in their respective states. Since the governors of the states control the land, citizens of the states cannot be deprived of the use of grazing reserves. The point being made here is that since the cattle are not being bred in the North, any Nigerian with his or her money can go anywhere to purchase them and bring them to the grazing reserve in his or her state for fattening. This would permanently break the monopoly of the trade and before long, investors could get into the breeding trade involving artificial insemination. More jobs would be created and Nigeria could become an

PHOTO: QUADRI IKUDAISI

exporter of cows. The bloody clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and other Nigerians would be laid to rest for ever. Farmlands would be safer and produce would increase. The fallacy that cows could accumulate excessive fat if bred in the South may have been laid to rest by PMB himself when he explained recently to a news media that once the harvest season was over in the North the herds must be moved down South for grazing. In effect the South is just as good as the North for cattle fattening. Allow grazing reserves in all states of the federation for our collective benefit. Dr. R. F. Akinyooye, Ibadan, Oyo State

We need strong moral reform Dear Editor, It seems emphasis has been only on the recovery of loots and ‘prosecution’ of defaulters. No one is considering character and content development through education. Corruption has become a deep-rooted culture in Nigeria. It will take a strong moral reform to purge the nation of the evil and rekindle the spirit of patriotism. Nigerians should be united against corruption. It’s high time we stopped these pejoratives and vilifications from pale-faced hypocrites. We need to kick off the old scoundrel (bribery). The police and security agents should be front-runners in this course. Ebere Uzoamaka, Lagos.

This time last year, it was wild jubilation, triumph and historic as Nigerians witnessed the triumphant ascension of Muhammadu Buhari to the presidency. Everyone celebrated him, local and international media beamed their searchlight on every of his appearance, he became a beacon of hope. His coming to power restored the confidence and patronage of other nations. To many, he was the Moses of our time who had been sent by God to come lead us to the promise land. His inauguration speech was inspiring and convincing. Nigerians rejoiced, tears of joy poured down in torrents. One year after, the present realities have eroded hope, the burden of expectations is becoming gloomy, mixed reactions have taken over the polity. Nigerians are becoming disenchanted and the mood of the country is largely becoming crest fallen and despondent. The economy has been biting hard; foodstuff is becoming scarce and ostentatious commodity, even the rich also cry. The struggle to survive has never been this tough. The mood of the country after one a year of the APC led-government is aptly described in a poem written by a Nigerian poet, John Godwill Osward titled, We Must Learn Again To Fly: Some wound cuts so deep we forget where the pain comes from; We itch to run from congealed blood, from lakes in rivers deltas into brimless sea —we forget how to flow. The first stanza of the poem is an exposition of the current situation we are facing as a nation. Nigeria in a deep wound with an unbearable pain. The mess of the past administration(s), which led to the near-comatose state of our economy has worsened, one year after the pain is becoming unbearable. Our nation has been hemorrhaging on all fronts, “from lakes into rivers, and deltas into brimless sea.” Things are biting so hard that the Faustian deal upon which this government rode to power is gradually fading away. Joe Onwukeme 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

NEW TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

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EFCC, APC godfathers at war over me –Omisore P eoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, on Saturday, said the lies fabricated against him have divided the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its All Progressives Congress godfathers. In his statement made available to Sunday Telegraph , Omisore said: “EFCC operatives are in disagreement with their political APC godfathers. That is one of the reasons for them, dodging court’s summons as I exposed on

AIT last Thursday. “Nigerians are hereby, alerted by the killer democracy, abuse of human rights and utter disrespect for the rule of Buhari administration on illegal arrests, backdoor detention warrants and tyranny. “I assure Nigerians, especially suffering Osun masses that I won’t abandon them even in the face of persecution. I didn’t take money from Sambo Dasuki. Let my peace be. Go search for crooks, election riggers and government money embezzlers in your party.”

Niger LG workers begin 3-day warning strike Dan Atori MINNA

usiness activities in the 25 local government areas of Niger State were paralysed during the week, following a-three-day warning strike embarked upon by local government workers. The Niger State branch of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), had on Thursday, June 16, directed that the entire workforce of the local government areas commence the three-day warning, disregarding the state government’s bargain with the union. This directive was contained in a statement issued and signed in Minna, by the NULGE State Secretary, Sa’ad Muhammed, a copy of which was made available to Sunday Telegraph. The statement reads in part: “Arising from the meeting held today (yesterday) between the state government and organised labour at government house on local government work-

ers’ salaries, which ended in a deadlock, I have been directed to inform you that all workers across the 25 LGAs will embark on a three-days warning strike, should government fail to pay the workers’ salaries in full within the specified period.” The NLC Chairman, Comrade Yahaya Idris Ndako, who also confirmed that the meeting with the state government ended in deadlock, said Labour would give the state up to the end of the month to pay workers full salaries for the month of June before a full scale strike would be considered. He said: “We will not attend any meeting with them again, all we want to hear is alert for the payment of full month salary for our members.” When contacted, the NULGE President, Niger State chapter, Comrade Sa’adu Aliyu Kala, said they decided to embark on the three-day warning strike following alleged refusal of the state government to pay May salary.

Arewa youths warn Kwankwaso Temitope Ogunbanke

rewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has cautioned former Kano State Governor and Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Rabiu Kwankwaso, not to play politics with issues affecting Northern people, especially Northerners in Lagos State to launch his 2019 political ambition. AYCF in a statement issued by its National President, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, noted that Senator Kwankwaso’s blind jump into the issue of Mile 12 was a desperate attempt to score cheap publicity by pretending to be the only superman for Northerners in Lagos. The statement reads in part: “It has become very

clear that Senator Kwankwaso’s politics is the politics of showmanship and crass opportunism. Surely, Kwankwaso has been an opportunist in his political games of open deception against the people. Those of us, who know the kind of legacy he left behind in the political history of Kano State, a heavily indebted state treasury and thuggery, find the Senator latest moves as nothing new. “A case in point is the Mile 12 issue. Senator Kwankwaso came out as usual, pretending to be the superman for the affected Northerners in Lagos. The fact that he hired media cameramen to claim he had spent money to help people from his own state is a clear indication that he was desperately seeking attention.”

Army prepares troops for North-East, tasks retirees

Flora Onwudiwe he Nigerian Army has embarked on a four-day shooting exercise, preparing the officers and soldiers for the on-going insurgency in the North East. The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Isidore Edet said the exercise was aimed at improving the proficiency of personnel in the military. While speaking with defence correspondents at 243 Battalion, Badagry, he said, ‘’It is a routine training exercise. This really relates to what the Nigerian army and military are doing in the North east. We have to teach our troops the basics. The training was to ensure soldiers are mentally fit and alert. The military continues

to train and retrain troops whether there is problem or not.” He added that the training was also to improve on the competence of personnel, which were aimed at maintaining a professional force, saying that the officers and men undergoing the training would come out better equipped. The four-day exercise that commenced on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 and ended on June 24, took place at Ibereko, Badagry in Lagos. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has urged retired military officers to work closely with their serving colleagues in the fight against insurgency in the North-East. The Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Mohammed DanAli (rtd.) made the statement at the passing out ceremony

of the military retirees at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos. General Dan-Ali, who was represented by the Director Army, Ministry of Defence, Mrs. Iro Ikenga, told the retirees to work with members of the military, even in retirement, to tackle insurgency in the North-east. “You all know that the issue of security of our country in recent times is at its critical stage, as the military is now contending with insurgents in the North-east. As retiring members of the armed forces, a lot is still required of you wherever you find yourselves in the aspect of collaborations with serving members of the Armed Forces. “You might also be required to collaborate with other security agencies of our fatherland to complete-

ly eradicate this threat and other criminal activities in our society,’’ Dan-Ali said. Ali also noted that President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to ensuring that service personnel were properly resettled after years of meritorious service to the nation. “The government has continued to vigorously pursue a policy of due process, aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and rule of law. This, in no doubt, will culminate in the transformation of all spheres of our national life.” The minister advised the retirees to be prudent in the management of their retirement benefits, especially in the face of scarce human and material resources. He, however, urged them to always exhibit exemplary character and to be good ambassadors of the military.

Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano (middle), Igwe Gregory Nwokeora of Mbosi in Ihiala Local Government Area (3rd right) and other traditional rulers, at the certification of Igwe Nwokeora, in Awka…at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

Clem Khena-Ogbena Abuja

he Federal Government has urged maritime operators in the country to ensure speedy clearance of vessels and cargoes, insisting that clearance should be done within 48 hours to eliminate overcrowding of the port. The operators were also directed to make Nigerian ports efficient, cost effective and competitive, with a view to making the country a regional trade hub. The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, gave the charge yesterday, at the launch of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)/ Port Service Support Portal (PSSP), organised by the Ministry of Transportation, in Abuja, where he further directed that on the Joint Boarding of Vessels and Examination of Cargoes, chief executive officers (CEOs) of

FG tells operators: Ensure speedy clearance of vessels, cargoes

government agencies, must, henceforth, ensure that competent and experienced officers were deployed. He added that such officers should be able to demonstrate high level of integrity and professionalism as well as consciousness of national interests in the course of discharging their duties. The vice president also charged the operators to do all that is required to achieve 48-hour clearance of vessels and cargoes and make Nigerian Ports efficient and cost effective. He said: “We must encourage the return of Nigerianbound cargoes to Nigerian ports and support the Minister of Transportation in his efforts to provide the infrastructure and enabling environment necessary to sus-

tain the required economic growth.” Speaking further on how appreciable success could be achieved on the implementation of the SOP and the PSSP, he continued: “Chief executive officers are hereby directed to send their Letters of Commitment on the Implementation of the SOP and the PSSP to the Minister of Transportation. The CEOs will be held accountable for any lapses and of course, will be commended for the success and quality of services rendered by the personnel of their agencies.” Earlier, the Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, had noted that the initiative of drafting, adoption and harmonisation of SOPs of port operations in Nigeria had sought to enhance transparency and accountability to

ensure Nigeria achieved a user friendly business environment in the country’s ports for greater economic performance. The minister, who said this initiative would curb corruption to a greater extent in the maritime administration, noted that the SOP was generally considered as work reference-guide, meant to inform the general public on the process map of each port agency and operator, adding that it would guide customers on what to expect at the ports and what they need to do in order to receive good quality services. He pointed out that the SOP would help to put operational standards in place to foster accountability and serve as a corruption accountability tool.

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NEWS

Residents fear reprisals as police, army beef up security in Ikorodu Kunle Olayeni

ABEOKUTA

esidents of Ogijo area in Ogun State, who had fled their communities due to violent attacks from suspected Niger Delta militants, are not ready to return in a hurry, Sunday Telegraph has learnt. Indications to this emerged as Lagos and Ogun State Police commands as well as the army have beefed up security in the affected areas which spread across the two states. The two commands and the 81 Division Nigerian Army have deployed over 5,000 security personnel to restore normalcy in Igbolomu, Ikorodu where suspected militants slaughtered dozens residents in the area.

Army spokesman in Lagos, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel said the army has cordoned off the area and restored residents confidence. According to him, patrol by men of the OP Messa has increased and more personnel are on the ground to avert any repeat The police in Ogun State yesterday said it has deployed the Area Commander, Sagamu and more than four teams of policemen to beef up security in the troubled area. No fewer than 50 people were reportedly killed on Thursday night when suspected militants invaded some borderline communities situated in Ogijo between Ogun and Lagos states. Many of the victims were said to be landlords and vigilante operatives

in the area, who had kept watch over the neighbourhoods to check incessant criminal activities. The wanton killings, which have caused residents to flee their homes, occurred barely a week after 15 residents were also shot dead by militants in Imushin community, in Ogijo area. Some residents of the affected communities, who spoke with our correspondent from their hideouts, said they were not ready to go back now. One of the residents, who simply identified herself as Adeola, said in a telephone interview that she feared the militants could return to carry out more attacks. Adeola explained that the militant attacks were a result of the recent arrest

and alleged killing of two of their members by operatives of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), at a hotel in Ogijo. She said the militants were angry that some landlords and residents actually gave information to the police concerning the activities of the deceased militants. But the state police spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, asked the fleeing residents to go back to their respective communities, saying normalcy has returned to the areas. In a statement made available to Sunday Telegraph, Adejobi disclosed that the command had deployed the Area Commander, Sagamu, Ali Janga, and more than four teams of policemen in a bid to fortify security arrangement in the affected communities.

‘EFCC is acting like an appendage offictional APC’ character created Emmanuel Masha PORT HARCOURT

ivers State Government has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of acting like an arm of the ruling All Progressives Congress, stressing that the anti graft agency was not fighting corruption professionally and dispassionately. The State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Austin Tam-George, who said this while reacting to a newspaper publication that a top state official was under EFCC probe, on the orders of the Attorney General of the Federation, for making excessive withdrawals, dismissed the report, saying such official does not exist. Tam-George noted that the publication of June 24, 2016 alleged that one Mr. Kinsgsely Fubara, a Director of Finance and Administration, in the Rivers State Government House, made repeated financial withdrawals from the Central Bank of Nigeria and Zenith Bank to the tune of N11 billion. He stated that the report was fabricated as there was no time such transaction was conducted. He said in a statement: “The Rivers State Government has no record of any staff known as Kingsely Fubara. This must be a

by the APC and the newspaper to embarrass the state government and deceive the public. The report also indicated that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe these so-called withdrawals. Such a directive, if true, would be a manifestly illegal and ridiculous proposition. “By law, the Rivers State Government is accountable to the Rivers State House of Assembly and the people of Rivers State, not to the Attorney General of the Federation. This is a totally fictitious report typically orchestrated by the APC and its media allies. But the story raises fundamental questions about the moral horror of an antigraft agency that is now openly partisan in all its intentions and actions. “There is universal concern that the EFCC is playing an extremely corrosive role in the current political dispensation. Rather than fight corruption in a professional and dispassionate manner, the EFCC behaves shamelessly like an integral organ of the APC. An anti-graft commission that targets only opposition politicians and critics of the failed policies of the APC government is a national embarrassment.”

Idoma appeals to Buhari to restore Otukpo varsity Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

The Chairman of the School of Management and Security Lagos, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, receiving a plaque from the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), Major General Adekunle Shodunke during a courtesy visit in Makurdi Benue State...recently

Zamfara: Lawmaker distributes food items, gives N56m to constituency IDRIS SALISUGUSAU

N EWS I N BRIEF

Senator, representing Zamfara Central Senatorial Zone in Zamfara State, Kabiru Garba Marafa, has distributed food items and cash of over N56 Million to the less privileged in a bid to cushioning the effects of economic hardship among the people within his constituency. Briefing newsmen after the distribution of the items at Yandoton Daji town, the country home of the Senator on Friday, the Chairman of the distribution committee, Abubakar Abdullahi, said the gesture by the Senator was to assist the teaming populace of the four local government areas in the Month of Ramadan. According to Abubakar, the food items distributed across the four local government areas of the Senatorial zone, consisting of Gusau, Tsafe, Bungudu and Maru includes 1,509 bags of rice, 1,525 bags of Maize and 231 cartons of milk. He maintained that the food items purchased for distribution amounted to over N40m. He listed the beneficiaries of the food items to include, orphans, less privileged and ulamas, preaching centers/Islamic centers consisting of males and female only respectively, and other special allocations consisting of groups and associations,

KanoDiscodecriespoorpowerallocation Arik offers to help conjoined twins MUHAMMAD KABIR for treatment in New York KANO Kano Electricity Distribution Plc (KEDCO) has lamented the continuous poor power allocation to its network from the National Control Center (NCC), Oshogbo, as well as the meagre load allocation for customers in its franchise area by the Area Control Center (ACC) Kumbotso in Kano. The company’s spokesperson, Mohammed Kandi, said in a statement made available to Sunday Telegraph in Kano on Wednesday, “The abysmal energy allocation to Kano DiSco in recent times is impacting negatively not only on our revenue generation but our desire to maintain customer intimacy in business.” Kandi, who insisted that the company could no longer understand why it is always asked to maintain the lowermost energy from the scanty allocation given to it, however, noted that such was not in the best interest of the company to have its customers experience days of constant power outages. He said: “The past few months have been very challenging for our company, especially in terms of the total blackout that our customers have been facing, as well as the difficulty our staff encounter during collections.” “Power allocation to Kano these past few weeks has been horrible with an average of 40MW, while the company received insignificant power supply of 48MW as at 8:55am, 45MW at 7:16am and 4:50am from the ACC yesterday, the allocation from the NCC was 50MW as at 8:55, 114MW and 80MW at 7:16am and 4:50am respectively,” Kandi explained.

Wole Shadare Nigeria’s flag carrier airline, Arik Air as part of its corporate social responsibility has offered to sponsor the return tickets to New York for conjoined twins, Miracle and Testimony Ayeni in order for the twins to have immediate access to medical care and surgery that they require. The carrier said it is offering this support in partnership with Linking Hands Foundation, a non-governmental organisation which has secured free medical treatment for the twins at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Arik Air will be sponsoring the twins as the airline’s own little way of not only ensuring that the Ayeni twins get needed medical treatment speedily but also to assist the family in reducing some of the financial burden associated with this trip. The Founder of Linking Hands Foundation, Efe Farinre while thanking Arik Air for accepting to fly the twins and their family said Miracle and Testimony Ayeni were born on 16th November, 2015, at St. Patrick Hospital Enugu, to Mr Samuel Olusegun Ayeni and Mrs Mary Abiodun Ayeni, both of Kogi State, Nigeria. The twin girls who are conjoined in the pelvic region were taken to The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu immediately after delivery. They were moved to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on 22nd April and have been under medical supervision.

he Idoma people of Benue State yesterday appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari to prevail on the relevant authorities to actualize the immediate take-off of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State. Besides, the people also called for the immediate take-off of the College of Health Sciences /Teaching Hospital, Otukpo as the campus of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. The appeal for the restoration of the two institutions was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary-General of Opiatoha K’ Idoma, a pan-Idoma group, Mr. Adoka Adaji. The people said the appeal became imperative in view of the educational disadvantaged position,

the Idoma people are, adding that the university if allowed to stay, would greatly address the educational needs of the people in particular and the catchment areas of the surrounding states as a whole. They said though the university was established alongside four other universities by the federal government on May 20, 2015, the decision was reverted to the status of the College of Health Sciences following the suspension of what they called, ‘the nearly established universities by the present administration in September 2015’. They commended the efforts of former Senate President, Senator David Mark in seeing to the establishment of the suspended University and the College of Health Science /Teaching Hospital as a Campus of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi among other projects.

Police warn on abandoned vehicles

he Lagos State Police Command has urged owners of recovered or abandoned vehicles parked at Badagry Police Station, to come forward

to claim them within two weeks or forfeit them. The vehicles are Mazda car, marked KRD 606CM, Mazda CZ421MUS and Nissan Primira, FST 879BZ.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

Body Soul S U N D AY, J U N E 2 6 , 2 0 1 6

Jazzy matching separates 22 Patra’s dilemma 9 18,39

I can do anything for love –Moji Adedeji 42

I don’t believe in impossibilities –Teco Benson

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

SUND AY

GRAP

Contents 26.06.2016

COVER

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MY PASSION

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BED, WORK & LIFE

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te o n s ’ r o t Edi

T h e Te a m Vanessa Okwara (Editor) Wole Adepoju (Snr. Correspondent) Biwom Iklaki (Correspondent) Abiola Alaba Peters Edwin Usoboh (Graphics) Isma’il Akintunde (Graphics) +234 (0) 818 0515840, +234 (0) 701 110 1014 vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com, julietbumah@gmail.com

Associates

Helen Paul

Eyitayo Aloh

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY 26 JUNE 2016

Body&Soul

Rhoda Michaels Fashion Academy, one of the foremost fashion academies in the country will be graduated 50 students from the academy today. The founder of the fashion school, Rhoda Micheals, speaks with VANESSA OKWARA on the journey so far Brief background Rhoda Michaels is an academy focused on building fashionpreneurs. These are people interested in fashion design as a form of business. Nigeria is at a stage where people are now looking inwards. There is a high rate of unemployment, underpaid jobs, job dissatisfaction and job retention. Most people are now considering entrepreneurship as an option and quite a percentage are interested in fashion designing. With the increase in foreign currencies, it has become difficult to import clothing items and fashion accessories due to the increase in prices. Most prospective students understand that this is an untapped opportunity. What inspired you start a fashion school? The idea for Rhoda Michaels started when I was actively designing; it was hard to leave my work place. I could not find people to do things for me expertly; there would always be some error if I was not there to supervise. I had to train and retrain my tailors to get desired results. It was hard travelling for business trips especially because I could not find a skilled pattern maker. I had to do a lot of pattern drafting by myself and also coordinate my tailors to sew. After getting so frustrated, I decided it was time to train people like me, it was time to populate the Nigerian fashion Industry with pattern makers who would be like me, more like cloning myself. Then, I had people making enquiries, asking to be taught. This inspired me to start a fashion school that was going to meet the needs of an entrepreneur. I decided to start an MBA with specialisation in marketing, so as to learn how to properly run a business and as I was taking my modules, I was directly applying it to my business. Who is a Rhoda Michaels student? A Rhoda Michaels student is an all-round student based on the courses offered. We have flexible progamme duration from 3 months, 6 months, 9months and one year with flexible classes The RMFA student learns pattern drafting, clothing construction, fashion illustration, textiles, colour analysis, fashion styling, fashion and the internet, free bead making and embellishment classes, make-up and business management. We make sure our students are conversant with every facet of fashion design, so they don’t get stuck, they should be able to sew, so they can direct their tailors, they should be able to embellish outfits, just in case they can’t find a beader. We believe you make a better leader when you have served. They should be able to create a budget, handle customer care, draft a marketing and business plan, craft and execute strategies. We encourage our students to be employers of labour. For how long have you been in the fashion business? Personally, I have been in the fashion industry for close to 10 years but Rhoda Michaels started officially January 2013. The wonderful thing about Rhoda Michaels is that students are empowered with a free sewing machine that they take home. Also as the founder, I am hands on; I know what it means to be in the industry. I understand what it means to crave fame and fortune within the industry.

Rhoda Michaels Fashion Academy ...Building ‘fashionpreneurs’

Cross section of Rhoda Michaels Fashion Academy students

What is Fashion to you? Fashion is everything. Fashion influences style, I see Fashion in everything. Fashion is an expression of individual style, individual character. You can tell a person by what they wear, how they wear it, how they look, the way they view life. Fashion for me is everything. The fashion industry is a billion dollar industry globally. On the Forbes list of richest people in the world, some of them have fashion businesses for example ZARA. How did you get into fashion designing? My mum is a veteran fashion designer, so I have been around fashion designing since I was very young. Growing up, before the rise in importation, my mum used to produce children wears on a large scale. She is more of a bridal and children wear designer and she made sure all her kids learnt fashion designing because she is an advocate of learning a vocation, do something with your hands. My sister and I have taken to fashion designing and we owe our joint and individual successes to our mum because our mum is all about detailing and she is a master pattern maker. So we learnt at her feet, such as cutting, sewing, draping, finishing at a very young age. Every holiday, I was at the factory; she made sure I went through every aspect of running a fashion business. In her fashion school, I was not given preferential treatment, I went through every process. Then I took classes from a fashion school in London. I am constantly learning, enrolling in different classes worldwide. Aside from my BSc, Masters programme, I am constantly searching for knowledge, reading textbooks, dissecting the books, practice and this culture is also embedded in our students to constantly desire knowledge. I learnt from my mum that fame is not everything; I learnt early that there are some fashion designers that you don’t even know who are making so much money. For example, look at the women in Alade Market, making embroidered kaftans, you never see them on the runway, or the boys at the back of Alade, Lagos island, Aba making shirts and suits. For me, the focus has always been on fashion as a business. How many students have you trained so far? We have trained over 180 students, in the space of three years. Most students are graduates; in fact, about 98% with different degree levels. Education is an added advan-

Founder, Rhoda Michaels

tage and it is also not a barrier. We require a minimum of Junior Secondary School Level. We take lower, because we have kids too but they are in special classes. Your name ‘Rhoda Michaels,’ how did you build the brand? The name Rhoda Michaels is a fusion of my name and my husband’s. The Rhoda Michaels brand is for that young individual that wants to stand out, and wants to make a difference in the world, through entrepreneurship. Most young people don’t start out with so much, so Rhoda Michaels helps you to harness your potentials, turn your ideas into a profitable business with as little start up as possible. If you have a lot to start with, Rhoda Michaels teaches you to have a plan, create a budget with a timeline and stick to it. We bridge that gap, we teach you the skills, learn how to cut and sew, then we go a step further to guide the students in the rudiments of starting a fashion business, inspiring confidence. Students launch their businesses before they leave and our graduations serve as launch pads for their businesses.

Today, you are graduating more than 50 students. How do you feel? Our students are graduating today and we are so proud of them. It is one thing to impart knowledge and it’s another thing to see the knowledge flourish. Most of them knew nothing about fashion when they came. It is amazing to see the evolution; the Rhoda Michaels curriculum is intense. It is amazing to see how they pulled through under immense pressure. We expose our students to photo shoots, fashion shows; we have so much to learn in so little time, so the pressure is intense to the point that students are toughened to face any situation. We are grateful for the opportunity to change lives, influence destinies and to empower small businesses. A nation’s success can be attributed to the rate of positive growth of small businesses. We are proud to be a part of changing Nigeria positively.

Outfits by Rhoda Michaels Student, Sunday Olaitan...... Model: Kennera

Outfit by Ruth Jacobs

Body&Soul

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE

Jazzy matc separate Biwom Iklaki

hen we were kids, we often had some matchy-matchy outfits that we didn’t care for much, especially if they were made with Ankara fabric. Lucky for most kids, they also had “ready-made” clothes to support the matching ones. Those were often a hit among little girls because they had all the beautiful and rich fabrics like satin, silk, chiffon, organza, laces etc. As adults however, who have more control over

their wardrobe choices, we still make matching clothes and wear them together. The style is quite cool and can be rocked to the hilt with the right attitude and accessories. Matching separates are the same pattern and colour of fabric made into a skirt, pants or shorts with a matching top. They are separate and yet they are worn together. This style works on many levels for several reasons, not least of which are the fact that they are uni-patterned and create a lean silhouette as well as the slimming effect of a top and bottom piece of cloth-

Editor’s current obsession

in m tre m w th a yo da m tu co

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

Wine & Dine

How Sparkling wine is made (2) Ibukunoluwa Kayode

e are still learning about how Sparkling wines are made. The base wine grapes are picked a bit younger to preserve acidity and fermented into a dry wine. The winemaker then takes the various base wines and blends them together into what the French call a ‘cuvée’, which is the final sparkling wine blend. Tirage yeast and sugars are added to the cuvée to start the second fermentation and the wines are bottled and topped with crown caps. The second fermentation takes place inside the bottle, which adds about 1.3% more alcohol and the process creates CO2 which is trapped inside the bottle thus carbonating the wine. The yeast dies in a process called autolysis and remain in the bottle.

For the aging, Sparkling wines are aged on their lees (the autolytic yeast particles) for a period of time to develop texture in the wine. Champagne requires a minimum of 15 months of aging (36 months for vintage Champagne). The Cava requires a minimum of 9 months of aging but requires up to 30 months for Gran Reserva Cava. Most believe the longer the wine ages on its lees, the better. Riddling clarification occurs by settling the bottle upside down and the dead yeast cells collect in the neck of the bottle while the disgorging removes sediment from bottle. The bottles are placed upside down into freezing liquid which causes the yeast bits to freeze in the neck of the bottle. The crown cap is then popped off momentarily which allows the frozen chunk of lees to shoot out of the pressurized bottle.

Steamy waffles breakfast Biwom Iklaki

1 tablespoon white sugar

n these days where more often than not we experience very cold and rainy nights that stretch into the morning, nothing is more appealing than getting something warm into your system. For some people who swear by their morning java or teas (and the occasional soup eater), this goes without saying. Others, maybe not so much, they would need something to encourage them. In this edition, I think a slice or two of fresh, steaming waffles with fruit or cream or syrup drizzled generously over it all, sounds yum. If you agree with me, here is the recipe to try it out yourself.

4 teaspoons baking powder

Ingredients 2 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1¾ cups milk ½ cup vegetable oil

¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Preparation The first thing to do is to preheat your waffle iron since the prep time is very short. Beat your eggs in a large bowl with a whisk until the eggs are fluffy. Beat in your flour, milk, vegetable oil, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla, gently and one at a time until you get a smooth consistency. Spray the preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Pour your egg mix onto hot waffle iron. Cover and leave to cook until golden brown. Serve hot with some fruit and cream or drizzled with maple syrup, fruit and whipped cream. Now you will get enough ginger to eat the most important meal of the day.

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

I don’t believe in Teco Benson is a passionate filmmaker and an ace director. He’s a trusted hand in action filmmaking and directing. His prowess on the job has earned him national and international awards, including Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). He was also recognised by the then President of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Teejan Kabbah, for making the first Sierra Leonean movie. In this interview with VANESSA OKWARA, he recounts his foray in Nollywood, family and other issues Brief background I am from Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. I’m the fifth child and the third son in a family of nine. I had my early education in the South East and later obtained a Master’s degree in Communications Studies from the Lagos State University. Is Teco Benson your real name? Yes, Teco is an embodiment of all my names while Benson is my surname. My father is Benson Okoli, who is now late. What was growing up like? I had a very interesting childhood. My father was a civil servant and a disciplinarian, while my mum was into business. There was discipline and strict instructions in the house, but we were not barred from strolling or visiting neighbours like the imprisoned and over-guarded children of today. My childhood was in the present Enugu State, precisely GRA, Mile 2, Oji River. It is a unique terrain with dispersed government settlements, big yard with various kinds of fruits. We had neighbours with kids in my age bracket both male and female, a forest reserve, big hills, several valleys and canyons, streams, springs, volcanic rocks, then a very big and deep River (Oji River). These unique features within my environment automatically influenced me greatly and helped to define the man I eventually became. I swam in the deep river, got involved in various expeditions with my kid gang like mountain climbing, hunting, fishing, tree climbing, observance of nature and so many other escapades. When did you go into Nollywood? I came into Nollywood in 1994. That was 22 years ago. What were you doing before then? I was a civil servant. I worked with the Health Department of Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency, before I was appointed the Personal Assistant to the Sole Administrator. You are known for your directing prowess. How did it all begin? And did you have any form of training in this regard? I came into the industry strategically as an actor to help me study the industry before deciding where to pitch my tent because there was no formal training then, but while in the industry, I was

able to get various degrees of training both locally and internationally. In 1996, I produced my first work, but my foray into directing started in 1997 when it became obvious that my calling was there. To help me concentrate in directing, I sacrificed my acting career in 1998. You are mostly known to direct action movies. How were you able to achieve this especially during an era it was not so popular? It was basically the determination to be different. I made and excelled in other genre, but my love for challenges pushed me into action movies. The first trial was ‘Eye for Eye’, followed by ‘Executive Crime’, and they became instant hits, people loved them. Then in year 2000, I did ‘State of Emergency’. That movie broke boundaries and rewrote the history of the industry. All the other action movies that followed up were all commercial successes. ‘Terror’, ‘Broad daylight’, ‘War Front’, ‘Formidable force’, ‘Blood Diamonds’ etc. I have successfully cut across almost all genres. ‘Stupid’ was comedy, ‘Two Brides and a Baby’ was romantic drama, ‘Accident’, ‘Mission to nowhere’, ‘High Blood Pressure’, ‘The Senator ’ were all thrillers, ‘Six Demon’ was mystery/Horror, ‘The Price’, ‘Wasted Years’, ‘Highway to the Grave’ were all Christian Drama and then ‘End of the Wicked’ was Witchcraft. You have produced quite a lot of movies. Which one do you think brought you to limelight? I have really produced several movies in my short life. In terms of limelight, acting gave me a name before I launched into producing and directing. Many of my titles are hits and people always have something to remember them for. ‘State of Emergency’ was one movie that broke record during that period. What inspired you to produce it and how was this feat achieved? I have always dreamt big right from my childhood. I always like to push boundaries. I hate the word impossible. The script of ‘State of Emergency’ looked undoable when it came, but with God on my side, I braved it up and it paid off. Right from childhood, people accused me of building castles in the air, but I refused to be discouraged. I’ve since realised that thoughts are things and as a man thinks in his heart, so he is. How do you see the new crop of directors we have in Nollywood today. Do you think the industry is improving? Definitely, there is appreciable growth in the Industry. We have young lads who are quite ambitious and passionate and you could see that in their jobs. There are still some who are just there for a meal of porridge, but the bad news is

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

Body&Soul

impossibilities –Teco Benson that they will get the porridge, but certainly they will lose their birthright at the end of the day. So many lazy directors also abound; people who are bereft of the required creative knowledge and the leadership quality directing demands. A director directs the activities of the cast and crew through pre-production, production proper and post-production. He is the major creative force behind a production, and if the film fails, he should be held responsible. As Nollywood grew, we hardly heard about the movies you directed as we used to. What happened? Fortunes nosedived at a point in the industry as a result of activities of pirates, fraudulent distributors, emergence of pay TV, prevalence of substandard movies and so on. All these indices changed the investment climate at a point. In my early days, I was doing commissioned works, where I was hired by investors to make good movies for them, so the frequency was higher, because my concern was basically to deliver a good job. But a time came, I established my own production outfit. From then, I began to see production from a more mature prism of art, business, and social relevance. You plough, reap, take stock and stay in business by re-investing and then maintain a decent living with your profit. Statistically, I stopped looking at how many, but how well. Mention some of the movies you’ve done in recent times. I’ve done quite a lot of movies which are also hits in the cinemas. They include Two Brides and a Baby, Mr. and Mrs. Revolution, Mission to Nowhere, High blood Pressure, War Front, Accident, Fast-lane, Centrifugal Force, Blood in the Lagoon etc. Should we expect more blockbuster movies from the Teco stables in future? Definitely! There are so many in the works. You have won several awards. Can you mention some? Yes, I won several awards in the course of my work. I can’t even mention all of them but some of them include being given special recognition in 2003 by Alhaji Teejan Kabbah, the then President of Sierra Leone, for my efforts in the movie, ‘Blood Diamonds’. It was the first Sierra Leonean-made movie. Also in 2012, I was honoured with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR); others include special recognition by California Legislature Assembly for promotion of Arts and Culture in 2014; Best Nollywood Director, Universal Achievement Awards, Columbus, Ohio, USA, 2014; Winner, Best Nigerian Film (AMAA); Best Director, (Best of Nollywood) BON in 2011, Director of the year, City People Awards in 2002. In fact, there are so many of them too numerous to mention and I thank God for His grace in winning all these awards. When and for how long have you been married? Do you Kids? I got married in 2001, exactly 15 years ago to Uju Teco-Benson, formerly Molokwu. I have five Boys. Miracle, Chisom, Tochukwu, Kenechukwu and Kosi. What qualities does she have that made her different from the women you

knew before? I noticed she had my missing rib upon forensic examination. How have you been able to sustain your marriage, especially with the kind of industry you work in? I make God my source, apply wisdom and try not to be greedy. A greedy man will not be satisfied even with 10-dozen beautiful ladies. In conclusion, I make do with what I have, and what I have was a well-made choice, chosen in broad day light with the right pre-marital specifications. How do you handle advances from female actresses even as a married man? I handle them with love and maturity. I sympathise with them for admiring someone else’s property. Describe your fashion style... My style is simple, modest and not outlandish. What is your passion? My passion is to make a positive change always, and conclude every day excellently. What’s your inspiration? I’m inspired by God and good situations. What is your favourite perfume? Nice smells attract me. I’m not stuck with a brand each time, I make a purchase decision and I’m influenced by availability and good smell. I have allergy for bad smells and I’ve come to know that ‘good smell’ is subjective. How do you relax? By watching movies and navigating through the World Wide Web. Where do you see Nollywood in future? I see Nollywood as a gold mine! I see it becoming a major sector in Nigeria’s economy. I see it as a tool that will shape the future of Nigeria and take it to the moon. Where do you see Teco Benson in five years’ time? Exactly in the next phase of my purpose. Describe Teco Benson in three words? God fearing, determined and patient.

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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Patra’s dilemma 9 Juliet Bumah

etty’s mouth was agape. She just couldn’t believe what Patra was saying. It sounded like a fantasy, but her BFF (Best Friend Forever), Patra, was telling her story exactly the way it happened. She didn’t know which was more incredible -that Richie had a love family outside, that he was infertile, or that a Prince Charming put an end to her BFF’s agony by impregnating her.

“Babe, please tell me you made up this story,” she said, disbelief in her voice. “How can I joke with such a serious issue, Betty dear? I’m telling you exactly what happened. This pregnancy belongs to another man. My dear Richie is all wind no rain,” Patra replied. “But you just said he had two children with another woman. How come he could impregnate a woman outside but couldn’t perform the same feat at home?” Patra sighed and said slowly, “A woman took my dear husband for a very long ride and he fell for it. I was beside myself with anger. I travelled to Abuja to let off steam and ran into an Adonis whose six pack proved to be no fluke. We fell for each other and the result is this joy in my womb.” “How are you so sure he is responsible? It could be a coincidence,” Betty said. Patra shook her head and said, “I thought it was at first, but happenings afterward proved otherwise. I could trek to Sambisa and back with the energy I had expended on mulling over this matter. Sister moi, someone is sitting on a very long thing and I’m afraid.” “So what is the next step?” Betty asked, worried. Tear welled up in Patra’s eyes and dropped on to her cheeks and immediately, Betty’s shoulder heaved and the two friends sobbed. In a tear-filled voice, Patra said, “I prayed for a happy marriage. I did everything humanly possible to make my husband happy, everything to make my home peaceful. I was faithful to Richie... until the day I stumbled on his closely guarded secret -his secret family- and that led to another secret. He was certified ‘infertile’ by a medical doctor. “I never wanted to be unfaithful to him. I walked into another man’s arms because I was broken and needed warmth. I felt so rejected. It was as if my world had come to an end. I thought I could never have a child. I could have committed suicide if it occurred to me then. Then, I met this wonderful but equally sad man, Pius. We were like soul-siblings, united in grief. He lost his young wife in an accident, years ago and I lost my marital joy to another woman. We groped in the dark together until it turned into this sunshine in my womb.” Betty was dumbfounded. There was something strangely familiar with Patra’s story but she just couldn’t place her finger on it. She dried her tears and faced Patra, “Babe, this is very serious. You shouldn’t have allowed the devil to use you. Accepted, Richie behaved like a bum but as a virtuous woman, you

should have bent your knees in prayers. Is there anything our God cannot do? Your husband needs to know the truth. This is a big disgrace to our families. Have you told ‘Big Sis Tonia’?” Patra shook her head and said, “I told no one this. I told them am pregnant and everyone is happy. Of course, no one would wonder who impregnated a woman living with her husband.” “So how do you hope to solve this problem? A baby cannot have two biological fathers,” Betty said. Patra said, “I know Betty, but right now, I have decided to do nothing. I accept I behaved badly. I don’t expect anyone to clap for me, not even you. I have worried myself stiff, thinking of what people would say if they hear this. I got no solution. Right now, I want to keep myself healthy so I can carry this pregnancy to full term and have a healthy baby. The doctor has warned that my blood pressure is on the rise. More worries on my part will amount to suicide. If Heavens allowed an agonyfilled fling to bring joy to me, who am I to reject this gift in my womb? “The truth is that I love both men. You can say it’s impossible for a woman to love two men at the same time. I had thought so too but now I know it is very possible. If a man can love more than

one woman at a time, then a woman can. I will wait until my husband decides what he wants. He knows he cannot father a child. If he sends me out of his house, I won’t fuss over it. By the way, Pius, the father of my unborn baby is in town. He came in yesterday from the US. I’ve told him about you. He’s expecting us today.” Hmmmmmmmmm! Betty sighed. It was Saturday morning and Betty was in Patra’s house. Richie had gone to the gym. It was a Saturday routine for him and his friend, Dr. KC. *** Richie had finished his workout session with the gym instructor. He really wasn’t in the mood for exercise, so, it was a short session. KC also cut short his session. They moved to the poolside and sat down. They ordered freshly juiced orange and silently watched three shapely ladies in bikinis splashing around in the pool. KC thawed the ice, “How’s the home front?” “Tense,” Richie replied, adding, “I’m hoping that this whole thing will turn out to be one long, bad dream and I’ll wake up to my pre-Ruth life with my dear wife.” KC looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Wake up buddy, this is no

dream. It’s real and you can’t solve a real problem in dreamland. You thought you impregnated your girlfriend twice and another man actually impregnated your wife. That’s a shitty situation you found yourself in. Your problem now should be how to get outta it.” That was vintage KC; brunt to a fault. That was what endeared him to KC when they met at the orientation camp of the NYSC. They became friends and have remained so. “I love Patra. I love her, warts et al. She turned me to the success I am today with the right push and support from her now late father. It’s a pity I fell into the hands of opportunist Ruth who ruined my joy. By the way, I found out I couldn’t have fathered her children. I want Patra, but I also want to know how she came about that pregnancy. The thought of her in the arms of another man is driving me bonkers. She looks more beautiful by the day, that pregnancy makes her blossom. Is it possible that that pregnancy could be the result of a fling gone awry?” Richie asked. “Ol’ boy, you know I can’t have an answer to that question. Only you can get the answers to all questions bothering your mind. Have a ‘soul’ talk with your wife and decide on your next move. My golden advice is that you don’t invite a third party to this first talk, at least,” KC told his friend. They sipped their orange juice silently and watched the ladies in the pool who were obviously trying to get their attention. “Daughters of Jezebel, you can never get me again,” Richie swore silently and the two men laughed. ********** Pius checked his timepiece again and again. Patra was on her way with her friend. He was excited. For the first time, he would be meeting her friend, Betty. Patra had chosen a hotel in GRA, Ikeja. “Patra!” He smiled. Mere thought of her usually flooded his system with ‘sweet hormone’. He loved her so much. “I will do everything to have her and my son. The gods have certainly cracked my nuts,” he mused. The intercom beeped. He picked it and said, “I’m expecting them.” He was at the door, waiting, when the soft knock came. He opened it and scooped Patra into his arms, kissing and telling her how much he loved and missed her. Suddenly, they remembered they weren’t alone and pulled apart. “Em...er...sweetheart, meet my best friend...” Patra stopped suddenly. Her BFF and her lover were staring at each other! “Betty!” Pius said in a soft voice. “Pius,” Betty replied and they hugged. “Can someone tell me what is happening here?” Patra looked from one to the other. ********* Indeed, what is the relationship between Pius and Betty? Join me on Sunday as we burrow into the lives of these characters. •Send your observations to: julietbumah@gmail.com

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

Egwu: Local industries must be rescued to grow our economy p.25

Why APC hasn’t taken firm roots in South-East, says Kalu p.27

The Sunday Interview

Kio-Briggs: Any state depending on Niger Delta oil for survival is lazy p28-29

Politics

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

Bello, lawmakers and the law In this analysis, BIYI ADEGOROYE and MUHAMMAD BASHIR write that Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello of Kogi State’s flouting of court order and directives of the House of Representatives represent an anathema in the nation’s democracy

ince his inauguration on January 27 this year, Governor Yahaya Bello has been fighting many battles. The first was with the running mate to the late Abubakar Audu in the November 21, 2015 election, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, who is still in court while the other is with the leadership of the party in the state. Things have fallen apart because virtually all party leaders in the state have allegedly parted ways with the governor, because of apparent discomfort with his style of governance. Twenty-nine out of 36 members of the state APC working committee, led by the state Chairman, Haddy Ametuo, passed a vote of no confidence on the governor. They accused him of turning the APC in the state into an opposition party. Besides the afore-mentioned issue is the governor’s apparent worrisome disregard for rule of law and the Constitution. For instance, the crisis in the state House of Assembly reached a climax when five legislators ‘impeached’ the Speaker, Hon. Momoh Lawal. But Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court reinstated the ‘impeached’ Speaker Lawal and he equally restored the Deputy Speaker, Aliyu Akuh and seven other principal officers of the House of Assembly, stating that the process that led to their purported impeachment on February 16, 2016, was unconstitutional and illegal. He said their removal was not in line with provisions of Sections 90, 91, 92 (2) (c), 95 (1) & (2) and 96(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Consequently, the court voided the purported election of Umar Imam as the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, as well as the emergence of four others; Friday Sani; Lawal A.T. Ahmed; Bello Abdullahi and John Abah as principal officers of the House. In the melee, the House of Representatives on March 9, 2016, took over legislative duties in the state pursuant to the provision of Section 11 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which says the National Assembly could perform the functions of any state assembly that is enmeshed in crisis. By this action, all executive bills from the state must be forwarded to the House un-

Bello

til the leadership crisis was resolved. The action followed outcome of investigations into a petition to the lower house by 17 lawmakers. But since the resolution, Governor Bello has failed to comply; rather he has been dealing with the five-man legislature. To him, the minority legislators have greater power over the majority. Consequently, the House of Representatives had summoned Governor Bello on June 6, over allegations that he flouted National Assembly resolutions and an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The decision was taken at plenary following the consideration of the report of anad hoc committee set up to investigate Bello’s compliance with the resolution of the House. He was directed to seal the House of Assembly. House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who chaired the session when the recommendations of the ad hoc committee were reviewed and adopted, was not happy with the development in the state. One of the ad hoc committee’srecommendations adopted at the session directed Bello to forward the state’s executive bills to the House for immediate consideration. However, the decision to summon the governor was taken after a member, Chukwuemeka Ujam, raised a motion of urgent public importance, drawing attention to the looming crisis in the state. Hon. Ujam had noted that Bello had begun implementing a budget not approved by the House and hadalso failed to honour the court’s ruling nullifying the impeachment of the embattled Speaker, Mommoh Jimoh, by the minority five lawmakers

Justice Mohammed

Hon. Ali Isa Jesse expressed displeasure at the governor’s disregard for the resolutions of the National Assembly, and urged the House to initiate an impeachment process against the governor. While describing the disregard of the resolution of the National Assembly and ruling of the court as an act of impunity, Hon. Gbajabiamila said the governorhad no immunity against being investigated on such constitutional matters. He added that Bello had no right to deploy the military in the state. The House, however, adopted the motion on a voice vote when the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, put the question to the members. It also resolved to summon the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to explain why troops were deployed to the state. But since then, the lower house has failed to take further action. Bello and Kogi crises The leadership crisis was said to have been orchestrated by Governor Bello, who has been fingered by the G15 legislators led by the reinstated former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Momoh Jimoh Lawal. The governor was said to have sponsored five members of the Assembly to impeach Speaker Lawal, and install his surrogate, Hon. Ahmed Umar Alfa from Lokoja 1 Constituency as Speaker. Some politicians have argued that the governor was only trying to be compassionate and fair to replace Lawal (his Ebira in Okene kinsman) with someone from another senatorial district, owing to the

moral fact that the governor and speaker should not come from the same senatorial district talk more of same local government. But the process which was generally condemned by political observers further compromised the entire action, as five members cannot be said to be greater than 15. As the crises lingered, the governor was said to have been hiding behind the thick smoke in funding the Hon. Alfa-led G5 members against the G15. Sunday Telegraph equally learnt that the G5 members are being spoon-fed by the state government. The alleged involvement of the governor came to the fore when some soldiers loaded in three Hilux pick-up vans, on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 allegedly led by one Captain Usman, were said to have taken off from the state Government House along with the G5 legislators also in a 30 seater Toyota Coaster bus to the Assembly Complex to go ahead with the Assembly proceedings. The heavily armed police detachment detailed at the Assembly Complex prevented any group of the legislators from sitting, could not stop the G5 members from gaining access into the hallow chamber, as the unknown military escorts went into confrontation with police. Eventually, the police were said to have unwillingly left the complex on the orders of the police commissioner. As a way of intimidating the G15, some masked gunmen had the previous day inCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

SUNDAY 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

politics

Buhari should implement confab report, says Golu Hon. Timothy Sunday Golu represents Pankshin/ Kanam/Kanke Federal Constituency of Plateau State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. The chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Budget, in this interview with PHILIP NYAM, speaks on a wide range of issues including the first year of this administration, the National Conference report, the militancy in the Niger Delta and crisis in the PDP Golu

President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the nation on May 29 to mark the first anniversary of his administration. Were you satisfied with his speech? President Buhari is the father of the nation and every Nigerian wants to hear from him. So, everybody had wanted to hear the President talk about the challenges confronting the nation and when they hear from the horses’ mouth it douses the tension in the country. But if the people did not hear from the President, the tension is sustained. Of course, people wanted to hear about diversification; about the conflicts between farmers and herdsmen and of course, the issue of corruption. Many Nigerians were expecting to hear the names of looters from the President. Before that day, I had asked the Minister of Finance (Mrs. Kemi Adeosun), how much the government had recovered. The nation is looking for money to fund the budget and there are plans to borrow so we wanted to hear from the President himself. For me as a member of the House of Representatives, I had wanted the President to talk about the National Assembly and the other arms of government; how he is collaborating with the other arms to strengthen democracy and good governance. I think he touched on most of these areas and it was gladdening that the President talked about his stewardship in the first year. How would you assess the president’s performance in the first year? I would say we are yet to get to the Promised Land but the president has started well. I want people who are close to him to make him understand that Nigerians are expecting a lot from him and he must deliver the promises he made to them. I would therefore say, although we have left Egypt, we are still in the middle of the sea and until we cross over, Nigerians will not be satisfied. The level of poverty is still high. The introduction of the TSA has caused a lot of people to lose their jobs; many people are still jobless and the purchasing power of many Nigerians has dwindled because of inflation, but I think it is not a hopeless situation and once there is synergy between the Executive and the Legislature, things will be straightened out. And talking about synergy, the two arms of government need to work together. There is no need for confrontation but that doesn’t mean the principle of checks and balances will be relegated to the background. So, we need to engage ourselves in

a more robustly and place national interest ahead of personal preferences. How would you assess the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives in the last one year? The National Assembly has done very well. The democratic space is good enough for democracy to thrive and this is made possible by the activities of the National Assembly. And I want people to understand that you need to compare what is obtained in the states assemblies as against the National Assembly. At the state assembly, there is nothing like independence of the legislature. But you can see what the present National Assembly in both chambers has done right from the day of its inauguration. First of all, we elected our presiding and principal officers without recourse to any external influence; at least everyone can attest to that. In both chambers, the legislators voted for the leaders of their choice irrespective of the fact that the majority party had preference for some candidates. This is a major plus for the 8th National Assembly. The 8th House of Representatives has passed more bills in one legislative year that some past assemblies in four years. In the history of this country for the first time, the national budget was accorded very strict scrutiny. Even though the passage of the budget was delayed, you could see that we have passed one of the best budgets ever. Again, the sectoral debate that was initiated by this House under the leadership of the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara is novel in the history of this Assembly. For the first time, ministers appeared before the House and addressed it on the policies of government especially as it regards diversification of the economy, which is a key priority of the President Buhari administration. Most importantly, this assembly has in the last one year not been found of indulging in any form of corruption. These are no mean achievements. But it looks like your party, PDP is losing members to the ruling APC? Two members of the House have defected to the APC. Are you worried? Defecting to another party is an individual decision and every politics is local. So, I do not know what informed their decision to leave our great party but I believe that with time they will return to the fold because the umbrella offers better options for politicians and Nigerians. We are more democratic and in fact development oriented. Of course, no-

body is happy with the crisis because PDP has always been a disciplined party. But the PDP is said to have factions…. If any crisis is termed faction, then there will be more than a million factions in one marriage because each time you quarrel with your wife, it will be classified as faction. PDP has no faction. It is true we had some disagreements but that has been settled and the caretaker committee led by former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has resumed work. The APC is also having its own crisis. So do we call that faction?

islative budgetary process and adequate legislative interventions to add value to the budgeting process in Nigeria. Many parliaments in the world have functional budget offices, and it is a pity that after 17 years of sustained legislative democracy, we are still battling to create one. To me, this is the most important bill passed by the House this session. I would call on our colleagues in the senate not to waste time but immediately concur so that it can be forwarded to the President for assent. If we have this office, most of the challenges we have concerning budget would have been taken care of.

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) are still blowing up oil facilities in spite of the fact that the Federal Government has commenced the clean up Ogoni land. What is your take? I would like the President to first of all call the stakeholders and hold a town hall meeting in the Niger Delta. Let the President take away the political aspect of this agitation and engage the people at different levels to find a common ground. Let the President not allow this militancy to get out of hand like it happened to Boko Haram. Late President Umar Yar’Adua employed dialogue and it worked so I do not think if the Buhari government applies a similar approach it will not succeed. What we need in Nigeria today is peace and development and without peace development cannot thrive. So, we should avoid the military option and pursue dialogue. Let’s talk and resolve our differences.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently called for restructuring but President Buhari has said the 2014 National Conference report is a document for the archives. What is your take? I would advise the President to look at the report and implement the aspects that are most desirable. There is no way the entire report will be totally bad. Remember that Nigerians from all walks of life were part of that report and to say that it is completely bad is not fair. I urge President Buhari to select those areas that are implementable and do it. This is not about party but about Nigeria as a nation and Nigerians as a people. After all, most of the members of the confab were not even politicians. You had artisans, architectures, lawyers, journalists, market women, teachers and what have you. So, let us not throw away the baby with the bath water. It is a Goodluck Jonathan initiative but it is also a Nigerian project.

You are chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Budget and the NABRO Bill has just been passed. What do we stand to gain from this bill when signed into law? I will first of all congratulate Rt. Hon. Dogara and indeed all members of the House for living up to their promises. Remember when we came in, we promised to pass this bills in the first year and that has been achieved. The National Budget and Research Office (NABRO) Bill is one of the most important bill passed by this House. You will recall that the previous assembly had also passed this bill but it was not signed into law before the last administration left. Now, we have passed it early and it is our belief that President Buhari would do justice to it and append his signature. Once the National Assembly Budget and Research Office is established, it will provide objective, timely and non-partisan analysis needed for economic and budget decisions. NABRO would also scale up leg-

When you talk about implementation of the Confab report, there is a recommendation for a unicameral legislature. Do you think this will be good for our democracy? One chamber legislature is dangerous for our democracy. As it is today, the level of our political enlightenment is not too high and in a developing democracy like ours, it may be injurious to the system. The parliament is the last hope of democracy and if it is only one chamber without checks from another chamber, it will not augur for our democracy. The numerical strength of the two chambers in the National Assembly today is a major advantage to the growth of democracy because it will be difficult for a president to pocket the entire members. If a President is able to get the Senate on an issue, he may have to bend backwards to pass through the House and this is the beauty of a bicameral legislature. So, I do not believe we are ripe for unicameral legislature.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

politics Former Governor of Ebonyi State and senator representing Ebonyi North at the Senate, Dr. Sam Egwu, is the Chairman Senate Committee on Industry. In this interview with CHUKWU DAVID, he speaks about the recent amendment of the Public Procurement Act and possible benefits to the economy

The bill you sponsored to amend the Public Procurement Act of 2007 was passed in the Senate last week. What are the issues that motivated you to propose the amendment? I was majorly motivated by the fact that I came to the realisation that each year a lot of money is appropriated for capital projects and must of these funds end up in the hands of foreign companies; in the economies of other countries that produce the goods and services that we need. This is because once a budget is passed it simply goes for procurement basically. Then you start asking yourself, what is the fate of this huge amount of money that has been appropriated in a local economy? And you will find out that more often than not it just ends up as capital flight because the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will end up with the procurement of foreign goods and services, leaving our local manufacturers who produce such things to be running helter-skelter. In such circumstance, employment is not created because it is not going to manufacturers to help them produce and sell and be able to expand their companies and operations, and by expansion, more people are employed. We have a lot of graduates that are roaming the streets. Also the drains in the foreign reserve will reduce. You know that importation is not done with the local currency, importation is done with foreign currency, and this causes a lot of pressure on the foreign reserve and it keeps depleting every day. But when we now patronise our made in Nigeria goods, there will be no need for such pressure on our forex. You also know that countries of the world that have made it started this way; I wonder why we have not thought about it all this while. United States of America did it; Russia did it, Germany did it; Britain did it. In fact, I was discussing with a member of the European Union and this thing came up, when he visited the Ministry of Industries and he said that that is the only way to go, and that they did it many years ago. We need to grow our local economy; we need to support our local manufacturers so that our goods which we produce here will be used locally here. We can’t be producing something and then we go out as a government to buy something produced by foreign nations and use it in our country; I personally think that it is not fare. So, that is basically the principal purpose why I proposed the amendment so that we now look inwards. This will make it possible for the huge sums of money we appropriate on yearly basis to be used to procure materials locally. How are you going to get Nigerians to patronise the local manufacturers? Is there any section of the new legislation that compels Nigerians to buy made in Nigeria products, which imposes punishment in case of any default? The Act made it mandatory that as a government you must as a matter of law, patronise the goods produced in Nigeria. When you fail to do so, there is somebody that is ready to take you up on the issue. The ministry or agency involved will be very liable because the law has made it mandatory that

Egwu: We must rescue local industries to grow our economy for monitoring implementation of contracts? Of course, my committee, which is the Committee in Industry, has a duty to ensure that implementation is carried on to the later; that is part of our oversight function because we want to make sure that the MDAs complies strictly with the letters of the bill. Most of the nation’s industries are in comatose state. As the Chairman of the Committee on Industry, have you taken a tour of the industries, and what is your take on what you saw? Apparently, my committee and other two committees were asked to look into the causes of failed industries in Nigeria and then proffer solutions to it. As a committee, we are doing the needful to make sure that the situation is properly addressed. To that effect, we have written to all the ministries and to all the state governors, to compile list of all the failed industries in their states. We are in the process of compiling it, after which we shall visit some specific areas and see the state of the industries. For instance, we will visit the textile industries in Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Aba; after which we will now have public hearing where the operators of those industries and the public will have opportunity to interact so that we will be able to come up with a document that will clearly specify the problems and the solutions.

Egwu

you will first of all patronise the made in Nigeria goods, unless if we don’t produce such goods before you go for foreign products. The bill removed the power of approving contracts from the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Why did you take such decision in articulating the bill? It is not basically the job of FEC to approve contracts. If you look at the law, you see that there is a body that has that responsibility, the National Council on Public Procurement (NCPP), and the Bureau for Public Enterprises is still there. So, the Federal Executive Council will be more concerned with articulating government policies and implementation of government policies and programmes, and other issues that will guarantee the smooth running of government, and not awarding of contracts. That job is purely for the council. Remember that some members of the Federal Executive Council are also members of the Procurement Council. If you look at the composition of the council, you find out that the Chairman is Minister of Finance. Then you have Attorney-General, you have Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and then some statutory bodies like the Institutes of Architects and Quantity Surveyors. The details are really spelt out; and these are people that are relevant to ensure that whatever is done is done properly. Don’t you think that the heads of government bureaucracies such as the Minister of Finance and the Attorney-General, who are members of the council, will exert undue influences on the operations of the council? Well, in any case, Mr. President who makes the appointments knows that they are doing it on behalf of the Executive Council, so that the council will not be involved in the day to day running of affairs of government pertaining to procurement. These are men of integrity who are so appointed to that position. They should be able to do some-

thing that is going to be to advantage of the country, which the President himself will be proud of because at the end of the day the credit of the executive arm of government or any other arm will go to Mr. President. So, am sure that he will be very careful with the people he appoints to the Council apart from the statutory members that are nominated. The current contract mobilisation fee is 15 per cent but in the amended Act, it is jerked up to 25 per cent. Don’t you think that this will result in more incidences of abandoned projects in the country because when contractors collect such money, they might be tempted to disappear from the site? Well, I think the reason the committee came up with that recommendation is to make sure that contractors are encouraged to stay at the project sites and do the work. So, I want to look at it from the other side rather than the way you a seeing it. What I mean is that projects are abandoned due to insufficient funding. So, if government gives a job and they are able to mobilise the contractor with 25 per cent, for the execution, it means that they are determined and very willing to do that job. And if a contractor that collects 25 per cent of the contract sum abandons it, it means that he doesn’t want to do that job. If you give him 15 per cent, it can just barely mobilise him to site and that is all but doing the job, he won’t be able because it is not sufficient to reasonable start the job. If you mobilise him well, the level of achievement will be commensurate with the amount you gave him, and any job executed up to 15 per cent is almost like getting the job half done; you know that there is hope at the end of the day. Most of the contractors, when they collect 15 per cent of their contract sum, they can hardly do anything and you won’t even see the effect. So, I believe that the wisdom in making it 25 per cent is to make sure that the job is done. Does the bill provide stringent mechanism

Have you started the oversight tour of these industries? No, we have not started because we have problem of finance which we are battling with to see whether money can be given for the oversight function. But we have been receiving correspondences and replies from state governments. What is your suggestion for revamping some of the virtually dead industries in the country? There are many factors that led to the present pathetic state of our industries. For example, the issue of power. A lot of industries have folded up because they don’t have power to operate. Again, I have always said that if we want to encourage manufacturers, we have to create some tax savings for them; give them some concessions in terms of payment of tax. They have to survive first before they can pay tax. And there is what I call the direct and indirect. By the time you produce a project that gives you N500, 000 gains at the end of the month, and then NEPA bill comes and takes N600, 000, you find out that you had better stop working because you are just working for the government. This is indirect; it is not a tax per se but you are paying a bill but in a bill where the cost of production is higher than the gain you make, that is why you find people not producing. Something like the hospitality industry, the hotels, they are usually given bills, and sometimes they find out that the bills given to them are higher than the profit made; they have no option than to close the hotels because there is nothing they can do. So, apart from the taxation they are given to pay by the government, they pay other bills which make it difficult for them to break even. In this kind of situation, employment is not created; even the employees will be laid off. So, as governments we need to find a way to encourage people by making sure that you allow them to survive before you start clamping taxes on them. This is one of the problems. We have problem of NEPA and problem of taxation. Another area we have to look at is the area of incentives. Government has to encourage people to go into CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

politics

Economic downturn and VP Osinbajo’s recipe Villa Notes emmyanule@yahoo.com

Anule Emmanuel

n today’s Nigeria, times are indeed really hard. Like the popular saying that ‘there is no free meal even in Freetown,’ everyone is currently struggling to make ends meet. To critics of the All Progressives Congress-led government, nothing seems to be working. Government at both the state and national levels is also not finding it easy. The reforms that have greeted the economic space with the change mantra sting like the bee. Most state governments are currently unable to pay workers’ salaries even with some bailout packages that have come from the government at the center twice. For President Muhammadu Buhari, this unfortunately is a national embarrassment which immediate alternative must be to diversify the economy and focus on agriculture and the mining sector. Since the country depends heavily on oil as her major revenue earner, the downturn in the price of the commodity at the international market coupled with a sharp fall in production output as a result of increased attacks on oil and gas installations by militants in the Niger Delta continuous to present a worrisome condition. While ordinary Nigerians have remained at the receiving end of the dwindling economy yet oblivious of when the

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

vaded the legislative quarters, where the Speaker Momoh Jimoh Lawal and other G15 members reside. The gunmen were said to have stormed the quarters in seven Toyota Hilux vans and shot sporadically for almost an hour. The action, it was learnt, was to send a warning signal to the G15 members, who were scheduled to resume sitting on the following day. Confirming the incident, the G15 members alleged that the unknown assassins were sent from the Government House. Speaking on behalf of the legislators, the Majority Leader of the State Assembly, Hon. Mathew Kolawole, alleged that the vehicles used by the invaders, were from the State Government House. “One of the vehicle’s plate number was identified as KGGH 094. As if that was not enough the same group invaded our quarters on May 31, 2016, and the same vehicle with same plate number was identified, they shot severally on the air for over 30 minutes, all in an attempt to scare us.” “We called on the police and State Security Services to attention on the situation and also sought for their advice. If it is okay for us to go to the House and conduct proceedings, we were later advised not to go, and we were assured that security would be beefed up to secure the Assembly and disallow any one from sitting until situation was calm.” But Bello, in its quick reaction through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kingley Fanwo, denied involvement, insisted that only the Presidency has the power to order the Nigeria Army for any action and not the governor. While reaffirming the state government’s loyalty to the rule of law, he said that the governor can never go against the law of the land that he swore to protect. But that was at variance to the reality.

situation will get better, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo believes that the difficulty presented by the economic hardship has rather compelled the citizens to begin to act rightly. For the misdeeds of the elite who looted the nation’s treasury near dry over the years, the poor masses today are passing through thick and thin. Prices of commodities especially consumables like rice which used to cost N9, 000 per bag have now skyrocketed to about N22, 000. It is interesting that the Vice President himself understands too that times are hard. When he met recently with the Australian Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary, African Branch Mr. Mathew Neuhaus at the Presidential Villa, he did not mince words on this. “It is a difficult time, but we think it is an excellent opportunity to do right by the people so that our people are able to get the benefit of the nation’s resources,” he told the Australian delegation. Agreed that the citizens have been beaten into line with the administration’s current reforms such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA), helping to block revenue leakages in the system, what the Vice President fails to address is whether this translates into real money in the pockets of Nigerians who must pay for bills, rents, school fees for the children and funds to buy farm inputs at least as it affects civil servants in states where salaries have not been paid for months. Vice President Osinbajo must not fail to realise that for those who participated in the looting spray, there is yet anything to

force them into behaving rightly. Aside corruption, the country’s problem has to do with attitudes, blatant disregard for rules and regulations and lack of enforcement on the part of relevant authorities. What should be of concern to government as it sustains the war against corruption is re-orientation of Nigerians at all levels about change in attitude as well. Corruption is not limited to just stealing public funds. Obviously, it is more than that. It is breach of trust, bribery, bribing, crime, crookedness, exploitation, extortion, fiddling, fraud, fraudulency, graft, jobbery, malfeasance, misrepresentation, nepotism, profiteering, shadiness, shady deal, skimming and unscrupulousness among others. Corruption is both a major cause and a result of poverty in Nigeria and around the world. It occurs at all levels of society, from local and at the national level, civil society, judiciary functions, large and small businesses, military and other services and so on and affects the poorest the most. Sadly, all elements of the Nigerian society have been affected by corruption which has undermined the nation’s political and economic development, the environment and even the people’s health. This is why, the comments coming from the Vice President at a time government has not taken any step to deliberately influence the psyche of Nigerians about change of attitude is not necessary. It is rather seemingly a mockery in poverty. What is happening presently is that for the body language of the President, the high leveled corruption and impunity

which pervaded the country unabated is gradually reducing. Government has focused on dealing with alleged corrupt public officers and their cronies in attempt to recover stolen funds. Indeed, there is no free money anywhere for now. But these reforms must be institutionalised, giving relevant agencies the needed autonomy they deserve to function efficiently. Vice President Osinbajo must also know that for the poor especially those at the grass root, corruption at the top level had always denied them opportunities. The current economic hardship which they face today was also not created by them but their selfish leaders. Yet, they remain on the receiving end. The opulent with their corruption proceeds are enjoying their loot while the masses face the real hardship. I’m afraid for Nigerians.

Osinbajo

Bello, lawmaker and the law Like the case of an owl hooting at night and a child died the next morning, the governor amidst the crises on June 14, 2016, sent laborers to the Assembly Complex to commence renovation of the legislative chamber and other offices. The action, though it was said to be well intended received several interpretations by observers.

Reactions Informed sources said the current action of Governor Bello runs foul of the Constitution and it makes a mockery of his vow to defend the law of the land at his inauguration. They also blame the court and legislature for not taking appropriate action even after passing resolutions. “When Governor Bello flouted the court order and resolution of the House of Representatives, the court should have taken action. Also the House should have commenced impeachment proceedings against him as stated. Besides, the House Committee on Legislative Compliance should have also liaised with the executive to ensure its resolutions were complied with but it has failed in this regard,” a member of the House of Representatives said. Responding the impasse in Kogi State, Constitutional Lawyer, Mr. Kayode Ajulo said that the issue of Kogi like any other political issue in the country depends on who is giving the narrative. He was however, quick to add that it “is a constitutional provision and injunction to all office holders to conduct themselves in accordance with the Constitution of the country. That is why the first section of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria says no Nigerian shall be governed outside this grand norm.” He said “A situation where a sitting gov-

ernor does otherwise, the only way out is through discipline - through his impeachment, because as it is now, even if he kills anyone, he cannot be prosecuted. That is why as the situation is now, he must be impeached because he has violated the provisions of the Constitution and the House of Representatives should commence the process against him, because he must be disciplined because the Constitution does not create room for misconduct.” On the issue of Bello violating a court order, Ajulo said the onus is on the court through its registrar which gave the original ruling that action of the five-man lawmakers was null and void, to take action against the governor. Asked whether the House was likely to take such action giving the fact that it is dominated by the APC, he said: “We have to insulate politics from policy and insulate politics from constitutionality. Irrespective

of the party you are today, what the Constitution expects you to do is to govern your people according to the laws of the land. Any time any political office holder goes the other way will be uncharitable for anyone to think of party alliance or affiliation. That is what I expect all legislatures in all parts of the world to follow.” On the implication of a do nothing approach, Ajulo said: “Though no action can be taken against the House, but such inaction will promote miss-governance and culture of impunity and impudence will continue in the state.” Though the 15 lawmakers may have made a surprising u-turn last Thursday by succumbing to pressures to respect the leadership of the new Speaker, observers say that Bello cannot deny the fact that he defied a court order and violated the Constitution, setting a bad precedence in the process.

‘We must rescue local industries’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

business. Sometimes the reason why Nigerians prefer foreign products to locally made goods is because Nigerian manufacturers are said to make their products inferior. Does the new Act take care of this? As Chairman of Industries, I also have Standard Organisation of Nigeria under my supervision. It is one of the parastatals we oversee. We are also talking with them to be able to create the necessary standards and ensure compliance with the standards

so that as you are producing, you produce quality products and buyers will be sure that they are buying quality materials. We may not get one hundred percent now but when we start improving, over time we will get there. Remember that Japan, Taiwan and other countries started that way. There was a time people were running away from made in Taiwan and even China goods but today they are world producers and they now produce quality materials because over time they have improved on their goods. So, I believe that Nigeria will get to that level if we patronise and encourage Made in Nigeria goods.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 26 JUNE 2016

politics Mascot Uzor Kalu is a rising political leader and a younger brother of the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. He was the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Chief Theodore Orji, the immediate past governor of the state. In this interview with ONWUKA NZESHI, this businessman and politician, who joined the All Progressives Congress last year, gives reasons why the party still has challenges in the South-East APC raised the a lot of expectations when it was campaigning and based on these promises, the people voted for the party. Now, from the benefit of hindsight would you say that the electorate were right in their choice? During elections, everybody makes campaign promises. Barrack Obama had the ‘Audacity of Hope.’ He delivered speeches that talked about change and hope. President Muhammadu Buhari also had a dream and the message of change. It is too early to judge whether he has passed or failed. There is a lot that needs to be done. I am sure that he remembers his campaign promises. But in Nigeria, we have this quick expectation from our leaders and anything that comes quick does not last. I think that there is need for us to give the government a chance. Let us give the government the opportunity and see what it can do for the Nigerian people. We are very much in a hurry. We want the changes to happen immediately. We want everything to be done immediately and it cannot work that way. Which sector would you say that this government has actually performed creditably? I think that to a large extent, they’ve done well on the issue of fighting corruption. On the other issues, I think it is too soon to assess. In economics, there is what we call the lag effect and that begins to manifest between one and half to two years. What am I saying? The policies of this government that have been made in the last one year, we will start feeling the effect some time towards the end of the year and early part of next year. What you are still feeling are the effect of policies made by the last administration; the consequences of those things they’ve done in the last administration. The effects of economic policies are not felt immediately in the system. They have a lag effect which usually manifests from one and a half to three years depending on the type of policy. On that note, the effect of whatever this government has done will not start manifesting until towards the end of this year and early part of next year. The only policy or programme we can see right now because we read about it in the newspapers, we watch it on television, is the fight against corruption. The government has been accused of being selective in this fight. Do you agree with this position? I have heard people say it is selective but I don’t think it is selective because the Peoples Democratic Party was in charge. How is it selective? Most of the people that have been in government are members of the PDP because the party has been in power in the last 16 years. Now, most of the people being prosecuted for corruption today are from the PDP too. So how could it be selective? Name one ACN member that was minister in the last 16 years. Name any one ANPP or CPC person who was a minister or had a top federal appointment during the last 16 years, except you are talking about taking the battle to the state level. It can go both ways. There are some former PDP governors who have not been touched. Just as you might have some former ACN governors who have not been touched. But if you talk about the former ministers and other political office holders who have been touched, you cannot say it is selective because PDP was in charge all these years. You cannot say they are selecting only PDP people. So, don’t say it’s selective. They are going after the people who have been in government and whom they believe took the money. Some Nigerians have also described the anti-graft war as persecution launched by APC against political opponents and they are quick to show you those who were corrupt but have not been prosecuted because they have crossed over to the APC. What do you think of this analogy? This is an issue that the President has to deal with. If there are proofs, let them be provided. I remember there was a time the President held a media chat and such an issue was brought up and he challenged Nigerians to show proof that

Why APC hasn’t taken firm roots in South-East, by Kalu

Kalu

any member of his cabinet was corrupt and nobody came forward to prove it. I am not saying that everybody in APC is good, but there are people who just blatantly destroyed the economy for personal gains and they happen to belong to the former ruling party. You are a member of the APC in Abia State but the party has continued to struggle for survival in the state while the PDP remains on the driving seat. Don’t you think it is a miscalculation for you to have joined a party that appears weak in your state? You see, I went into APC with my mother and my elder brother and it is not a political mistake. Part of the reason the APC has not gotten firm roots in Abia and the SouthEast is because the party is quite new to the people in that region. Since we were not in APC at the formation of the party, there is a way we will bulldoze our way in, people will start crying that we have come to takeover the party. So it is important that we make haste slowly, become party people, play along ad help grow the party. The question is: If given the opportunity, what would APC do in 2019 in Abia and the entire South-East? I can promise you that by 2019, the fortunes of the party will be different in the South-East, especially in Abia State. What exactly do you mean? What should people expect? We expect that by 2019 APC will grab a good portion of the government in Abia State. I can’t say all because I am not God, but even if we miss the governorship seat, at least we will not miss some of the senatorial seats, House of Representatives seats and even State House of Assembly seats will be ours. We also believe that by 2023, the governorship seat of that state will most likely be in the kitty of the APC. What are you doing at the moment to achieve this dream? We are busy at the grassroots, holding local meetings. I do go back home from time to time to meet with our party people, talk with them, re-organising certain things in such a way that everybody feels a sense of belonging. We are doing it in a harmonious way such that everybody feels they belong to the fold. I come from a home of politicians and politics is a game we understand and understand very well. I don’t think there is any doubt about it. We understand the principles of how to grow a party and APC needs to be grown but more importantly, what APC needs in the South East is Orji Kalu. With a name like Orji Kalu in APC, there will be a change in the fortunes of the party not just in Abia but in the entire South East region. Some Nigerians believe that the people of the South East have not embraced APC because the party itself has continued to alienate the region in its programmes and appointments. Do you agree? A party will only alienate a zone when the party doesn’t have a spokesperson, a strong character in that zone. When

the top people from the zone go into a party and they only talk about personal interests and not the zonal interests, the party will be alienated in such a zone. If Orji Kalu is a member of the APC, there is no position that is meant for the South East in the party that he cannot bring back home. Politics is about lobbying and the ability of the leaders of the people in the party getting what is meant for their people. When this is not done, it is shared somewhere else. It is simple. So the ability of the South East getting what is due to them is not by the people sitting down and making noise, it is about us having leaders who have the capacity to bring back what is due for us. Are you saying that President Buhari shunned South East in terms of appointments because you didn’t have a strong voice from the region within the party? Buhari did not shun the South East. We were given appointments. Now, if we are saying that we were not given proportional appointments, that is another thing. The Constitution was followed; it says there must be a minister from each state and every state got ministers. I don’t know about the board appointments; I don’t know if there is a constitutional requirement but when you talk of board of parastatals, it is at the discretion of the President. Nobody empowers their enemies and nobody empowers people they don’t know. Somebody must be able to vouch for other people for some of these appointments can be made. Somebody must introduce you. So if you don’t have leaders from the South East introducing capable hands from the region, how does the President give them appointments? There is this school of thought that the South East is making a mistake by jumping on the APC bandwagon when it could have built its own political party and used it as a bargaining platform like the South West did with ACN. Do you agree with this? Anybody saying that today is a joker because we had the opportunity in 2007 to grow the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) as a regional party. What happened? The governors of the South East states who were elected on the PPA platform reneged on the plan. So anybody saying that today is a joker. That was the principle and foundation upon which the PPA was built. We had the same opportunity the South-West had with their Alliance for Democracy (AD) which later metamorphosed into Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) but our leaders blew it. So if they are coming now to talk about it, young men like us will stone them because they blew the opportunity we had to build a regional power block. Is it too late to make amends in that direction? No. It’s not too late. Hopefully, we will get back to that dream because you cannot negotiate when you do not have power. How do you build a regional power when CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

The Sunday

Niger Delta activist, Ankio Briggs needs little or no introduction when it comes to issues concerning the Niger Delta region where new armed groups have emerged, with some of them carrying out attacks on oil installations due to alleged marginalization by the government in the centre. In this interview with EMMANUEL MASHA, the Niger Delta activist speaks on some salient issues

In less than two months, more than three militant groups have emerged! What would you attribute to that, considering that Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), which was the only one before now no longer carry out attacks? More armed agitating groups have emerged because the issues that threw up the Willinks report of 1958, the Civil or Biafran War, the Adaka Boro 12 Days War, the Ken Saro Wiwa-led non- violent agitation for the environmental rights of the Ogoni people, the Ijaw Youth Council, MEND etc is yet to be addressed by the Federal Government. Politicians are yet to recognise that they are the servants of the people, rather they see you and I the electorate as their servants. MEND may have been the only group in the past, but today we are told there are more than one group in the Niger Delta. MEND may have stopped their own form of attacks, but the frustrations and issues that led to the attacks of MEND in the past has not gone away, nor resolved. Some Nigerians have heaved a sigh of relief over the decision of MEND and Niger Delta Avengers to dialogue with the Federal Government. Do you see anything tangible coming out of this dialogue? If you are searching for answers to issues, any issues of course, you will want to believe that you will come away from the dialogue table satisfied. But what each side gets out of it depends on what each side brings to the table and who represents you; but more importantly, what you want out of the dialogue. For a long time now, the Niger Delta people, particularly the Ijaw people have had dialogues, but we have failed to manage positively whatever gains we have made at the dialogue table or at the battle field. We win but we have lacked the leadership to utilise our wins or gains effectively. The River Basin Development Authority, Oil and Mineral Producing Area Development Commission, Niger Delta Development Commission, Amnesty, Ministry of Niger Delta even the five years our son had on the number one job in the country was mismanaged by a few and the rest of us are paying the price of had I known. Even at that, let no one think we can’t or shouldn’t rise again. It is not how many times you get it wrong, it is the time you eventually get it right. As a people we know it is not everyone who speaks on our behalf is doing so for the collective equity and justice of our people and region, some do it for political or whatever gains they choose, some do it for our collective present, future and our unborn grand children. Therefore, whatever we get out of it depends on who is speaking for us, and if the people were picked by we the people, or by politicians. Under these circumstances what we have today is NDA and l don’t know the Avengers nor do I know of anyone who knows them. Therefore, I say the outcome of any dialogue is dependent on who we accept to represent and speak for us. What are those things that should be done by the Federal Government to put real smiles on the faces of Niger Deltans and end militancy in the region? The Federal Government is not God and therefore it is not the one to put smiles on

Ankio Briggs: Niger Delta oi

the faces of Niger Deltans. If we have true equity and justice, we will have smiles on our own faces; it is our responsibility. Nigeria is a federation, therefore Nigeria at the very minimum must be governed on the platform of fiscal federalism, or internal self-determination, where all states will be free to choose their political leaders and we won’t be victims of political mafia who punish us for not voting for them and yet use our resources to reward those who voted for them. Each state should cater for its internal needs by funding those needs itself. Any state that waits for oil and gas money from the Niger Delta is lazy. The price of crude oil has fallen o low that Nigeria can’t fund its budget, is that the fault of Niger Delta? Let no one think that the Niger Delta will stop agitating for justice and equity, if we fail today we will agitate again tomorrow. The United States of America is a federal country with 52 states. Do all the 52 states run to Washington every month to collect funds for the states and different counties? No, so Nigeria should go back to what worked in the past. The Niger Delta people want to explore and utilize all their human and natural resources, create their own investments in their region, and develop at their own rapid or slow pace. Look at the years and money it took to develop Abuja, where did the money come from? Niger Delta! Is that fair? It is blackmail and an insult for Nigeria to take 87 per cent of our revenue and ask us to account to Nigeria for the 13 per cent they grudgingly give back to us. We want 100 per cent of our resources and pay taxes to FG. It is not as if other states are poor, all states are blessed, it’s just that we have greedy and lazy people in governance, who use our military to oppress us. You were among the delegates at the last Constitutional Conference, organised by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Today, the report of that conference is gathering dust. If President Buhari decides to implement the confab report, can the country’s problem of restructuring, true federalism be solved? Yes, the 2014 National Conference addressed a lot of the issues plaguing Nigeria today, which can no longer be wished away. We have to restructure this country where the 36 states must be responsible for themselves, and Abuja the center will no longer hold. It is lazy for a country like Nigeria to turn itself into a beggarly country, and come begging in the Niger Delta and take our resources by force. If we are a country of our own, will Nigeria do that? Some people in Nigeria have turned themselves into political cabal, they keep reinventing themselves through their wives, children and political devil children into government, and keep people they consider outsiders out, like the people of the South-South or South-East from becoming Presidents, or decision makers. In the National Conference, we discussed herdsmen and grazing land, the conference voted against states being forced to give up their land for herdsmen whether they be Fulani or as we are been told today that the herdsmen killing their way across Nigeria are from Libya. We discussed the Land Use Act, Revenue Allocations, and the Local Government. Why should the local governments be funded from the FG allocation? This is

Ankio Briggs

why Kano that contributes nothing can get allocation for 44 LGA’s, and Bayelsa State that contributes to the Federation Account can get only get for eight LGAs. The North has 19 states at the National Assembly while the South has 17, where is the equality? Who says the North has more people than the South? All of these calcula-

tions are why the political cabal keeps the Niger Delta people down. The resources in the Niger Delta belongs to Niger Delta, and the resources in the rest of the zones belong to the states in those zones, that is justice and equity, anything outside of that calculations remains unacceptable to us, if we fail to get justice {God forbid} our children will

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 26 JUNE 2016

y Interview

: Any state depending on il for survival is lazy

get justice. The present structure of sharing, where available data shows that the three Southern zones of Nigeria, the South-South contributes 91.54%, South-East contributes 2.7% and South-West contributes 3.97% to thee Federation Accounts and gets through LGA in total only 45.1% of a 100% of what they contribute, while the three Northern zones North Central, North East, and North-West

of Nigeria that contributes 0.00% to the Federation Accounts gets 54.9%. By state government allocation, the three Southern zones of South-South, South-East and South-West get 43.0% of what they contribute, while the three Northern zones of North Central, North East and North West get 57.0% of where it contributes 0.00%, this is no longer acceptable. Nigeria has to be restructured very quickly, we can’t and will no longer carry on like this. This is not done anywhere else in the world. Federalism means every state or region gets to keep what it generates and pay tax to the FG, it is wrong, unjust, and unfair for the North to turn the South into slaves and it is a downright shame for the South to accept the status of slavery by allowing the regions to be turned into the milk and honey producing cows, while not tasting the milk or honey. What qualifies a group of people to tell millions of people how to utilize what is on their land while taking much more than the owners? This is not politics, governance, or democracy this is daylight robbery and oppression, while deceiving Nigerians that Nigeria is one Nigeria. Any state that can’t internally generate enough money to pay its salaries and waits on revenue from oil and gas from the Niger Delta to be shared in Abuja has no business being a state. It is like a homeless and jobless man getting married, having children and hoping that he will find a job and a flat to go with the job.

by now we would have resolved this matter of ownership, equity and justice, but we can still shut our oil in, the suffering and sacrifice we make for Nigeria is too much. Corruption remains a serious issue in our country. Is the current fight against corruption selective as alleged in some quarters, or a real campaign to move the country forward? Yes, I am against corruption, and corruption takes many forms, the very creation of Nigeria in 1914 is an act of corruption, when the colonial government packaged, created and gave a name Nigeria to millions of black people, that have nothing in common, in religion, culture, language, and aspirations. That was the beginning of corruption in Nigeria as the British knew without a doubt that it will fail within 100 years. The fight against corruption today is welcome, but it must not be restricted to a particular region, political party, or ethnic group. The fight against corruption should not be restricted to particular dates. Accusation of committing a crime is not conviction of that crime. People should not be accused, judged, convicted and sentenced on the pages of the papers, in radio and television stations.

Some have praised Buhari for flagging up the UNEP Report in Ogoni, while some have described it as a fraud. Now, other parts of the Niger Delta are looking up to the FG for clean-up. Is there anything you don’t like about the Ogoni clean up? The oil pollution in the Niger Delta is a devastation that will remain not only in the history of the Niger Delta region and people, but in the history of the world and in the oil business. Ogoni was used as the entry point to access the level of devastation, but sadly our great grand children will come and find other things wrong from this abuse of the environment and people of the Niger Delta that is yet to be known. We should not praise the Federal Government whether it is headed by Buhari or Briggs, the Federal Government is a 60 per cent partner in the oil and gas profits and shares 60 per cent of the devastation and destruction of the Niger Delta people and our environment. The FG failed to protect us from these criminal actions against us and our environment, and is therefore guilty of passing a death sentence on us. I am a stakeholder and a victim of this abuse of our people. The cleanup of the Niger Delta while it remains what we have always wanted has been politicized and the funds is not in the budget. Where will the money for the cleanup come from, and who are the world recognised environmental cleanup companies that will do the clean up? And where have they cleaned up in the past? We will just have to wait and see, as some people have accused me of meddling in the Ogoni people’s clean up. But Ogoni remains one of the areas of devastation in the Niger Delta, as Bayelsa is even far more devastated than Ogoni. I wish that all oil and gas producing communities had shut their oil down as the Ogonis did

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 7

What do you think the Muhammadu Buhariled government should do to strengthen the fight against corruption? The Federal Government is not above the law and should fight corruption with the provisions of the law. If the government fights corruption outside of the provisions of the law, it will create sympathy that will run along the lines of rights and justice. Yes fight corruption but not by abusing the rights of the accused persons. Some wonder where you get the energy that you put into your activism, having meetings, interviews and others. What really keeps you going? God keeps me going. I believe in God with all of my heart; l believe. He created me and positioned me to be of a British mother and of an Ijaw father, and that He directs what I do in His name. God is of truth and justice. As long as God continue to bless me with passion and grace, I will do what he has called me to do. I hate lies, injustice and evil, l love truth and justice. God has blessed me with fearlessness, and all of the glories of what l do go to God.

‘Why APC hasn’t taken firm roots in South-East’ in the whole of the region, you have only one APGA governor who most likely will associate more with the PDP? As always, the governors of APGA in Anambra State are associated with PDP. How do you now talk about building a regional party? Somebody has to start it, but we missed it in 2007. Any of our leaders who brings up this issue today, especially those ones who made the mistake, should be ignored because it was their mistake that kept us in the position we are today. If we had our own regional party, we would have negotiated our political future just like the South West did with their Alliance Congress of Nigeria( ACN) which merged with other parties to form the APC in 2014.

guzzler of foreign exchange and now you want to remove the peg and allow it to float. What CBN should have done is to bring up policies on how to encourage big players in the oil industry to build refineries to enable us increase our local refining capacity, reduce the huge request for foreign exchange. It is after this that you can now open up the market and allow a free flow. This is a supply and demand issue. Even with the peg on the dollar, you don’t even have enough. We are going to see worse times on the exchange rate before it starts going down again. So like I said earlier, the number one consumer of foreign exchange should have been stabilized first by making sure that we establish more local refineries no matter how small they may be. I think the CBN goofed on this policy of flexible exchange rate at this time.

What is your view on CBN’s recent introduction of a policy to allow some flexibility on the exchange rate of the naira? It seems the authorities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are confused. The reason why I think they are confused is because nobody in normal circumstances would make a policy and change the same policy at the same time. A free market policy on the Naira against the dollar is one of the best things to do but you need to build the foundation for it. Now importation of petroleum products is one of the greatest guzzlers of our foreign exchange. The government has removed fuel subsidy and that means that anybody is free to import fuel and we had, before now, set the exchange at N194 to the dollar. It means that we pegged the exchange rate and soon after we are making it flexible. You have not solved the problem of the greatest

There are indications that the government has approved new licenses for those wishing to go into building refineries. Don’t you think that could solve the problem of fuel scarcity in Nigeria? Yes. But building a refinery might take up to one or two years. So what happens within that period? You see, we make policies without thinking of the consequences of those policies on the citizens because Nigerians are used to suffering and smiling. Sometimes these policies are just pulled out from somewhere and forced down our throats. We saw CBN remove import licensees for importation of rice. They did not think of the consequences that it would have, today rice is selling for between N17,000 to N20,000 per bag. The thoughts or intentions may be right but you need to lay the right foundations for you to achieve the desired goals.

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Crossword puzzle

Parable of the pencil

he pencil maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. “There are 5 things you need to know,” he told the pencil, “Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.” One: “You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.” Two: “You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.” Three: “You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.” Four: “The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.” And Five: “On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.” The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart. Now replace the place of the pencil with you. Always remember them and never forget, and you will

become the best person you can be. One: “You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.” Two: “You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person.” Three: “You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.” Four: “The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.” And Five: “On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.” Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change

Celebration

Another set of excited children during the Children’s Day celebration. There was so much fun and merriment in an unforgettable experience

Gags: When do you stop at green and go at red? Ans: When you’re eating a watermelon! How did the farmer mend his pants? Ans: With cabbage patches! Why did the man lose his job at the orange juice factory? Ans: He couldn’t concentrate!

How do you repair a broken tomato? Ans: Tomato Paste! Why did the baby strawberry cry? Ans: Because his parents were in a jam! What was the Cat in the Hat looking for in the toilet? Ans: For thing one and thing two.

Celebration

Hurrah for Claire Ushie is 3! Happy birthday to this little fiery princess who loves eating chips and nuggets and watching Shimmer and Shine! God bless you!

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016

NEWS Deluge of invites for T B Joshau

INTERVIEW The worst is yet to come – Rev. Akinola

p.32

SERMON

The purpose of nations p.50

FAITH

TAI ANYANWU HEAD, RELIGOUS DESK titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph © Daily Telegraph Publishing

‘Beyond guns, weapons’ T T

New EU President vows to Protect Christianity

Tai Anyanwu

hat Nigerians are passing through unprecedented turbulent times is not an understatement. To borrow from the words of celebrated novelist, Chinua Achebe, ours is like a state where everything has falling apart and the centre appears unable to hold, anymore. Whichever direction one looks, despondency pervades. Despite its confused approach to handling the challenges of the moment, a seemly mindless government rather relishes in clamping down any voice of opposition; and some have described this as an invitation to anarchy. Many innocent Nigerians have been cut down in cold blood by terror groups such as Boko Haram and the rampaging Fulani herdsmen. Not even strong voice of condemnation came from the government of the day in the case of herdsmen violence. Then comes the Niger Delta Militants; in blind rage against many years of exploitation by subsequent corrupt leadership in Nigeria; the groups have almost brought the nation’s economy to its knees. Both sympathizers and those who are disenchanted with the plight of the militants agree that resumed restiveness in the Niger Delta is the latest treat to Nigeria’s corporate existence. Responding to all of these during an exclusive interview with Sunday Telegraph, the Senior Apostle of the Apostolic Mandate International Ministries Incorporated, Michael Alabi, lamented that solutions to the challenge go beyond governance. He, however, pointed out that the situation should not cause hopelessness among the citizenry adding: “What is needed at a time like this are men of God who carry the grace of revelation and capable of bringing about elevation through insights in the society. Not people that go to the government and claim to be men of God but are men of ambition, not men of revelation. “They are people that are propelled by ambition. Men of revelation are few,” he said. Giving insight into the cause of the nation’s woes, Apostle Alabi said: “The socio political economic problem that we find ourselves in today is fundamental. It is beyond guns and weapons. As we speak, there are altars raised by politicians just to occupy leadership positions. “Those altars are crying for blood because they were raised with blood. Some of the people that raised these altars have gone back to their villages; some are dead now. But these altars must be serviced with blood. That is why people are dying; that is why there are killings in the North, killings in the South, in the West and in the East.” Asked to substantiate his claims, the cleric added: “What I am trying to tell you is that some of the people got to position of authority by evil covenants. Before giving them the position, Satan will make covenant with the politicians not be give the citizens light, water or comfort because everything that Satan gives is darkness, difficulty, hardship. Satan cannot give comfort.” Invariably, Alabi traced the present difficulties Nigerians are experiencing is traceable to year of maladministration irresponsibility on the part of wicked leaders who

made evil covenant to acquire political geria on the older generation and the elites saying: “The elders and the elites are not power from evil altars. “The consequence of those covenants speaking the truth because of mundane with evil altars is what we are seeing now. things.” He also recalled that when government Those altars require blood. If you watch the trend, you will see some kind of evil that led by late President Umaru Yar’Adua, first we have not been hearing before now muted the issue of Amnesty, he had spohappening. These are evidence ken against it. The of the evil spirit of the cov“I said that if government enants at work. gave amnesty to the milisocio political “Life is either driven tants it would have creand economic problem by ambition or by a ated bad precedent. revelation. If life is That is what is hapthat we find ourselves in today driven by ambition, is fundamental. It is beyond guns pening now. Go and a person can comcheck the mansion and weapons. As we speak, there Tompolo built in his promise. But when a person’s life is driven village. Seeing that are altars raised by politicians by revelation he will property, somebody just to occupy leadership be able to distinguish that did not want to be between falsehood, dea militant before, would positions ception and truth,” he added. like to become one. And Alabi blamed the woes of Ni-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 51

he next EU Council President, Robert Fico, has said that “Islam has no place” in his Eastern European nation of Slovakia Fico is in his third term as Slovakia’s prime minister. He warned in May that “migrants change the character of our country” and vowed he would not allow such change to affect his nation. “Multiculturalism is a fiction,” Fico said. “Once you let migrants in, you can face such problems” referring to the sex attacks by Muslim migrants on German women in Cologne on New Year’s Eve. Fico has argued that Slovakia has no obligation to house Muslim refugees and the nation has refused to participate in the EU’s refugee relocation program. “Since Slovakia is a Christian country, we cannot tolerate an influx of 300,000 to 400,000 Muslim immigrants who would like to start building mosques all over our land and trying to change the nature, culture and values of the state,” he said. Fico declared in January that he would “never make a voluntary decision that would lead to the formation of a unified Muslim community in Slovakia.” Slovakia takes over the six-month EU presidency on July 1.

Pope Francis begins his 14th journey

Alabi

ope Francis arrived in Armenia’s capital Yerevan on Friday 24th June to begin his 14th apostolic journey abroad. Armenia is a landlocked mountainous nation which borders with to the west Turkey, to the East Azerbaijan, to the north Georgia and to the South Iran. He was warmly welcomed by the President of the nation’s Republic Serzh Sargsyn and the Catholics of All Armenia Karekin II. Also present were the Armenian Catholic Patriarch of Armenia Grégoire Pierre XX and other religious and civil authorities. This visit, to the first country ever to adopt Christianity as a state religion sports a logo which highlighted this historic factor along with the dates of the journey which are the 24th to the 26th of June. Pope Francis follows in the footsteps of John Paul II who visited Armenia in 2001. But this papal visit will take place in a very different context. Pope Francis has made sure that this meeting between churches has a popular element to it. As always during his journeys he has come to be with the people of the nation unusually for Armenia in the public Square.

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

FAITH

Apostle Suleman to clerics: Do more than preaching

Edwin Usoboh

Foreign worshippers jubilating at the 53rd birthday of Prophet T B Joshua held at the Synagogue Church of All Nations recently

Deluge of invites for T B Joshau

Tai Anyanwu long stretch of traffic gridlock persisted on Ikotun Road, on Sunday, June 12 as many faithful thronged the precinct of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). A stone throw from the entrance of the huge worship centre, a colony of special (diminutive) persons waited inside two buses obviously enjoying the joyous atmosphere within the church community. Right inside the cavernous auditorium, the congregation held up banners of different foreign nations, an indication that over 80 percent of the worshiper that Sunday actually came from outside Nigeria. It was a miracle service and the climax of activities marking the 53rd birthday of the SCOAN’s founder, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua. As usual, an atmosphere of wonder pervaded and expectations from the congregation was high. And as the celebrant, attired in his characteristic simple shirt and trousers stepped into the altar area, a creative trumpeter roused the cheerful crowd with the familiar tune, ‘Happy birthday to you,” and the worshippers responded, wishing the man of God a memorable happy birthday. Ample time had been given to many people, who God healed or delivered at the just re-

stored prayer line of the SCOAN, to testify during the service. There was indeed miracle galore and overwhelmed by what God is doing through the man of God, worshippers from different countries could hide their desire to have Prophet T b Joshua minister in their respective countries. The Argentine worshippers, led by a group of pastors, opened the flood-gate of invitations: “We came all the way from Argentina to invite him to our country because the country is in dire need of miracles,” they announced before the congregation. Others from Brazil, Cuba, Greece, Paraguay and Russia also pleaded passionately with TB Joshua to come to their countries and bring the touch of God to their people and homeland. As for the delegate from the Republic of Paraguay, a member of the country’s parliament asked the man of God to come and hold a crusade in the country without further delay. The Cubans specifically said that their mission in Nigeria was to extend an invitation to Joshua to visit their land with signs and wonders. Though, the man of God did not give an immediate reply to the flurry of invitations, he thanked members of the church and his fans all over the world. He expressed optimism that breakthrough and divine intervention would locate the lives of the worshipper, adding

that there expectations at the service would be fully met. His words: “You are here to celebrate a kind of birthday; the celebration of this birthday is to see to your physical and spiritual wellbeing. You need breakthrough and good health to celebrate better. There is poverty and sickness everywhere; I know the people that I am dealing with. I am not comfortable with what is happening. God said that my people need good health and breakthrough to celebrate better.” TB Joshua also devoted a period of intercessory prayers to his followers. He plunged the congregation into series of prayer points and asked them to command infirmities, diseases and ancestral curses to go out of their lives and bodies. There was also a section of prayers for the respective nations represented at the miracle service: “Pray for your nation for God’s intervention, raise your flag and ask God to intervene in the affairs of your nation that he will redeem your nation as well as your leaders. You came for birthday; you cannot escape the blessings,” he told the worshippers. Chains of miracles trailed the marathon service. The atmosphere in the church was over-charge as TB Joshua went to different corners of the expansive auditorium, commanding and casting out evil powers from afflicted

and oppressed people. One of the high points of the miracle explosion came when a Brazilian Pastor identified as Ely Blunck, who has had a pacemaker for his heart for 12 years because his heart could function properly, testified that his heart began working instantaneously as Prophet TB Joshua touched him in the course of his ministration. “Immediately the man of God prayed for me, I noticed that heart started working and my the machine which I have been carrying for 12 years stopped. Prophet TB Joshua, you are a real man of God,” the Brazilian Pastor was overjoyed feeling that his heart could work again without the help of a machine. Another beneficiary of miraculous healing was a policeman, who for eight years suffered cervical cirrhosis but was set free during the service. One Naval personnel also walked again and a lady with peeling skin also received restorations at the SCOAN. Mrs. Ugo from Imo State said that she had travelled to places in search of solution as a result of her inability to walk but was healed during the prayer line. Amaka said that her fractured bones were restored and that she can now do what she couldn’t do before. The service, which commenced around at 8am, drew to a close around 8.20 pm and there was great joy among the participants.

he General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International (OFM), Apostle Johnson Suleman, has said that it is high time ministers of God did more than preaching; but come up with innovations that would solve the socio, economic and political challenges of Nigeria. He said: “It is part of the job of men of God to be very concerned on behalf of the nation in search of total peace, social and economic progress, not only by preaching sermons but to also generate ideas, in divine transformation, excellence, and every other way that is conformed with modernity and national growth, but which must be within the ambit of God’s commandments. Suleman threw the challenge to his fellow men in the collars during the 12th Holy Ghost Convention which ended recently in Auchi, Edo State. He stressed that in the face of prevailing harsh economic climate in the nation, poor infrastructures, men of God should rise up with holy anger and intercedes for the nation and also show more care for the needy. He challenged them to come up with creative ideas that have the capacity to make Nigeria great again. Commenting on the just concluded convention, Suleman said that the programme is “a replica of the acts of the Apostles as there were manifold deluge of unending blessings conspicuously endowed on the people through the God of all flesh. God brought people from length and breadth of the globe as participator in the blessings. We saw unusual door of utterances opened as the word came in a special and mind blowing dimensions. Healing on every side, spe-

cial miracles for the people was not left out. In nutshell, we have not recovered from the move of the Spirit of God.” He added: “This last convention is soul-stirring crusade because experiences abounded from the wonderful gathering and they will remain memorable for a long time to come. It was the 12th version, with free flow of anointing for favour, speed and accuracy. God brought drastic changes to lives Spiritual barriers of delay, stagnancy, demotion and backwardness, all were speedily demolished, while spirits were lifted and normal lives restored,” The fiery Apostle also commented on his characteristic bold style of ministering the word of God. “There are things you cannot learn in your old age about life. Life is all about what you are made of, from the original dictate of God’s will. The source of my inspiration is God. From the Holy Scripture, it is God who works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure. Whatever we are seeing today is God. A person cannot hold petrol in his hand and at the same time holds fire in his hand. These are two contrary matters. Whoever wants to shoot at issues must avoid issues,” he explained. On the state of the nation, Suleman urged Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari: “Every situation on earth needs prayers good or bad. If it is bad when pray, it can be made good and if the situation is already good, it can be made better. Nigeria should pray for him. Jesus is the way out. When God speaks, the wise listens and obeys the voice of God. Nigeria happens to be a fortunate Nation where God has raised prophets for Himself. And this is as result of the love He has for the people. But people hardly listen. Are these calamities too hard for God to handle or avert? The answer is no! The problem with most Nigerians is pride; pride of I-have-arrived, pride of nobody can talk to me, pride of I-havemoney. But I’m saying that, outside God, money is totally useless. Nigerians and our leaders should shed the toga of pride if the nation must move forward in truth,” Suleman counseled.

Suleman

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016

FAITH INTERVIEW

The worst is yet to come – Rev. Akinola How has ministry been over the years? Ministry has been challenging. But in all, God has been faithful. When God gives you a mandate, He backs it up with signs; it does not matter where you are. What is important is that you are in the right place and you are connected to the Source, which is the Almighty. Then testimonies will follow your ministry. Whatever vision God gives, He makes the provision; challenges would surely arise but in all, we’re more than conquerors. Could you comment on the state of the nation? We had had a fore-knowledge that hardship and famine is looming. Hence, we are not caught unawares. Be that as it may, the present state of the nation is a far cry from what God desires for Nigeria. As a country, we have soiled our hands with all sorts of things which are abominable to God but for the prayers of the saints in the land. What we are currently experiencing is a mess which only the Messiah can sort. Our intellectuals have failed us, even our technocrats have mostly not lived up to expectation, our gods and idols have taken us nowhere, it is very obvious that despite the presence of God-fearing people in the country, it has continued to go seemingly from bad to worse. This is the reason I said earlier that there is tension in the country. By tension, I mean gradual famine and hardship like we’ve never had before in the history of this nation. This is exactly what happens the moment a people begin to feel they don’t need the Sovereign and Almighty God in their affairs. We must return to God bearing in mind that all the current happenings are tell-tale signs that the end of time is very much with us. What is your assessment of president Buhari’s administration after one year in office? Have you ever considered that the spectator is always a better footballer? How do I mean? He is outside the pitch watching the match and seeing all the ‘mistakes’ and ‘blunders’ of the player. Little does he know that if he is left or put in the shoes of the player himself, he might even record a worse performance? In the same vein, it is very easy to criticize ‘a player’ or ‘an actor’ because as the critic, you are oblivious of the realities inherent in the office. Let me also say at this point that President Buhari is human, he is not the messiah as many have been made to believe. This means that as stakeholders in the nation, we should not expect much from him because he is no magician. He is a man and as such he can only do his possible best in steering the affairs of the nation. The best we can do is pray for him because we all have the brunt to bear for all decisions being made on our behalf concerning issues of national interest. What are your thoughts about the violence by rampaging Fulani herdsmen for which government has been accused of doing little or nothing to stop? If the government is being accused of doing nothing, then it is because the government has actually done little or nothing to check it. In matters of this magnitude or importance, the buck stops at the leadership, in this case, the presidency. What are the steps being taken to address the menace? The picture being painted here is that the presidency is taking sides, hence, slow or reluctant to promptly address the situation, especially when innocent lives are being lost in hundreds, continuously in various parts of the country. The take home here is that the onus still lies in the government of the day to step in, take charge and take control of the situation. But when it seems to everyone as if there is

The Senior Pastor, Sanctuary of Wonders Int’l Ministries, Ikotun and President, The Hebrews Int’l Outreach, Lagos, Rev. Femi Akinola, takes a look at some current national discus in this interview with TAI ANYANWU a particular interest of the government in the rampage, then you know that trouble is looming. Let me cite a very recent instance, Governor Fayose (of Ekiti) felt he could not cope with such in his own state, since he had a statutory duty and responsibility not only to steer the affairs of the State but also to protect the lives and property of all those therein. What did he do? He issued a directive to Ekiti hunters saying, ‘Bring any herdsmen down, and terminate their lives’. Now whether this is the right thing or not for the Governor to say or do is not the issue or question now. But the fact remains that the herdsmen themselves, seeing that the government frowns at it, have themselves curbed the attacks and killings of innocent people. All such unruly and dastardly acts in the state have come to a halt. As we speak, I am yet to hear of any of such killings in Ekiti State. In fact, the last report we read was that the herdsmen actually came cap-in-hand begging to be allowed to graze in the State. Taking a look at the bigger picture, the same thing should apply to the nation. The PMB-led administration should register its displeasure over this matter and take the right steps, call the miscreants to order and put them where they belong. Eight years ago the Save Nigeria group led a huge protest against removal of fuel. Today fuel price is 145. What is your comment on the development? When I said famine is looming, what do you think I mean? I said hardship is imminent, you think it’s a joke? How would you feel if I tell you that the worst is yet to come? The current price (of N145) is not even the last ‘bus stop’. I don’t think I have much to say concerning this, very soon you will understand what I am talking about. What do you have to say about the imminent devaluation of the naira? I don’t know why you are asking this question, if it’s for political reasons or just for the sake of it. The reason I am saying this is that the truth is always a bitter pill to swallow. Nigeria as a nation is not a producing nation but a consuming one. Aside capital goods, virtually every consumable being used in Nigeria is imported. Are you bold to consider

that even as little as toothpick, we import. Economic experts have made us to understand that given the prevailing circumstances, expecting the value of the Naira to appreciate will only be a mirage and a dream in the next world. Every economy that continues or subsists as a consuming economy will always be at the mercy of the international community because there will always be adverse Balance of Payments (Trade DEFICIT), which will ultimately and eventually result into currency devaluation no matter how much it’s being managed. I am not an economist, but at least I can say that if the Naira will ever appreciate or begin to have any sustainable strength or value, then we must begin to think of how we can increase our exports as compared to imports. We have to think of greater and more worthwhile investments on capital projects that will yield significant and lasting returns to the benefit of all rather than expending unneces-

sarily on recurrent projects. There are renewed attacks on petroleum pipelines in the Niger Delta; how do you assess this and what is the best way to check the restiveness in the region? Two wrongs, they say, can never make a right. Irrespective of whatever request or grievance or scores to settle with the government, there is no moral or social justification for such destructive actions. What you have erected or built that has cost you a fortune, if you decide to bring it down today, it will cost you next to nothing to actualize the feat. So if for whatever reason, a group has some grievances and thus, begins to pull down national infrastructure and common heritage, so what now happens when the grievances become addressed? Can these damages be undone? Asides huge costs involved in setting up all those, have you considered the time frame involved or required to rebuild them or bring them to status quo? The government, on the other hand, should find ways to look into the matter and address these once and for all. Like I earlier said, no group, movement, coalition or whatever they call themselves have any moral justification to begin to vandalize pipelines or whatsoever. How do you react to Governor El-Rufai’s preaching bill in Kaduna State? Needless to say that the preaching bill, as it stands, seems to be targeted at Christians until we are convinced otherwise. No one has any constitutional or religious right to restrict the freedom of worship of another. God Himself does not impinge on the rights or will of a man so why should a political leader now restrict people from worship. Don’t misunderstand me, the Bible admonishes that we should obey all authority because all authorities on earth are ordained by God, the exception to this, however, is when it directly infringes on man’s devotion to His Maker.

Akinola

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

FAITH

he 52nd Founder’s Day Anniversary of Motailatu Organisation Worldwide has come and gone but activities marking the epoch-making event still reverberate in Ondo City, Ondo State where the headquarters of Motailatu Church of God is situated. The three-day event was well attended by members and elders of the church from various parishes. The organisation was founded by His Most Eminence, Archbishop Isaiah M. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu) on June 14, 1964. He died on December 26, 2014. The celebration of this year’s anniversary, presided over by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the church, Senior Superintendent Gabriel F. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu II), was unique in many ways. Many spiritual/historical sites were visited starting from Friday, June 10 when the event commenced. A convoy of vehicles from Ondo City went to Bolorunduro town, a distance of 15

At 52nd Founder’s Day, Motailatu Organisation shakes Ondo City minutes, to worship in Oke Igbala Olu C&S Church founded in 1936 by the late Chairman, Spiritual Workers’ Union in the defunct Western Region, Saint Benjamin A. Adekahunsi. Archbishop Akinadewo was ordained in this church by his father, Saint Adekahunsi, as ‘the Lion of the tribe of Judah’ in 1976. The parishioners were happy that 80 years after the church was founded and 40 years after the ordination of Archbishop Akinadewo, they visited the premises. From there, the close to 20 vehicles in the convoy moved to Mount Ararat in the same vicinity where Special Apostle David Akinadewo preached on the essence of ‘the powerful effect of prayer on the mountain’, as illustrated by the Biblical Prophet Elijah and Jesus Christ. As he was preach-

ing, heavens sent ‘showers of blessing’ on those in attendance. The convoy immediately moved to the Cathedral of Oke Igbala Olu C&S Church in Sabo area of Ondo City, also founded by Saint Adekahunsi, for a revival and later prayed at the tombs of Adekahunsi and Holy Mother Emily O. Akinadewo. After returning to the Mission House of Motailatu Church of God on Brigadier Ademulegun Road, special prayers were also held at the tombs of the Patriarch and Matriarch of the church, Archbishop Akinadewo and Superintendent General Apostolic Mother Mary A. Akinadewo. After the prayers, series of bible lessons were conducted which dovetailed into vigil at St. Adekahunsi Motailatu Cathedral, Oke

Iwosan, Ondo. The vigil, conducted by Special Apostle Babajide Akinadewo, started at 10 pm and lasted till 6:05 on Saturday morning. At 2pm, a procession was held round the town and hundreds of residents joined the parishioners. Shouts of ‘Motailatu’, ‘Omo Jesu’ and ‘Baba Oluso’ were heard from the joyous crowd as the convoy moved through popular streets, such as Oke-Isegun, Lafenwa, Olorunsola, Yaba, Idi-Isin, Surulere, Ope Oluwa, Gani Fawehinmi and Mokola. The choir, supported by trumpeters and drummers, rendered melodious songs. Many old men and women, who could not join the convoy, prayed for the growth of the church and the Akinadewo children. The thanksgiving service

on Sunday was held with Special Recognition Awards given to 56 families in the city. According to Senior Superintendent Akinadewo, the award was given to the families “to appreciate the support given to our father when he started the missionary work”. Before the service started at 10am, the church was filled to the brim. The Choristers, in their white garment and blue cape, rendered beautiful songs to mark the 52nd anniversary and annual conference. In his sermon, Akinadewo, who quoted relevant verses in the Bible, said there was ‘a big stone’ hindering the progress of the country and ‘only God can roll away the stone’. He urged political and religious leaders to fear God because “according to Psalm 62:11, power belongeth unto God”. Some of the families honoured were Adekolurejo (the late Osemawe of Ondoland); Osunwe (the late Akogbe of Ajueland); Akinjagunla (a high chief); Adetowubo and Oshodi (lawyers); Akinnuoye, Adegboyega, Adenekan, Akinwumiju, Akinfe, Aje-

tunmobi, Adeuga, Akinselure, Hamzat, Fasehun, Adegoke, Akinduro, Fadayomi, Olajide, Osunwe and Fawehinmi. Superintendent James Akinadewo, Special Apostle Victor Adelalure and Special Apostle Abayomi Daramola supervised the award event. The four Head Teachers of Motailatu Primary Schools in the city, founded by Archbishop Akinadewo in the early 80s, were also honoured. After receiving their awards, representatives of the families thanked God for the life of the founder “and we also want to appreciate the children for their efforts in projecting the image of their father and ensuring that the church continues to carry on the good works of Baba Omo Jesu”. The ‘seven prayers in seven minutes’ session was spiritually magnifying and soul lifting as members prayed for the world, Africa, Nigeria, Ondo State, Ondo City, families and individuals. The anniversary cake was later cut by some of the elders with prayers by everybody “for God to keep us alive” to attend the 53rd anniversary next year.

Cleric puts smiles on faces of loyal members, ordains two Tai Anyanwu

Senior Superintendent Akinadewo (middle) with some elders cutting the anniversary cake.

‘Beyond guns, weapons’ CON T I N U E D FR O M PAG E 31

recently, they found in his bank account about three billion naira. Somebody may have looked at his fortunes and decided that if this guy can loot and amass these properties let me too carry gun. And elders are there.” The cleric also frowned at attacks on oil pipe lines pointing out that the militants are not only causing harm to Nigeria but also to themselves because when the blow up the pipe lines, they also pollute the environment and destroy the investment that will make their lives better. What then will best solve the Niger Delta militancy he said: “We don’t need political restructuring; we don’t need physical federalism or regionalism, what we need is mentality restructuring. If I don’t see you as an Igbo man, and I see you as my brother; I

won’t kill you and you will not kill me. Immediately I become the president of this country the first thing I will remove from personal documents is state of origin; and if I allow state of origin, I will remove individual’s local government. These are the things that marginalize us. “But let government and the militants call leaders in the region to account for all the money they got from 2007 till date. Where did they use it? I was in Port Harcourt when they had OMPADEC. What did OMPADEC do for them? They were empowering individuals. As I speak with you, the money in the hands of the militants is more than the money in the hands of government in the Niger Delta. Niger Delta could be turned to Paris, with the money they collected then.” Some, however, have questioned why govern-

ment should give monies to individuals instead of utilizing to provide development projects in the area. To this, Alabi replied: “That smirks of ignorance. Oil revenue is shared between the Federal Government, the state governments and the local governments. Federal government used its share to develop Abuja and execute other federal projects and programmes. The federal allocation to Kogi State for three months is less than N8 billion while Bayelsa has about N36 billion. What did their governors do with it? The same time, they have NDCC and Niger Delta Ministry. What did they do for them? Where did they keep the money? Total number of civil servants in Bayelsa State is not up to 4000 yet the state still owes the workers. “Come Saturday, July 2nd, we will be having a

prayer investment summit, at Excellence Hotel, Ikeja Lagos. This programme was given to me by the spirit of God to organise. All that we are facing now in Nigeria is error investment, satanic investment. Some of our forefathers invested in the things that are affecting our destinies today. The consequence is what we are reaping because everything we do is an investment. Every good investor expects returns from his investment. “Now we have to prayer for our children yet unborn. That is why the programme is a prayer revolution that compels immediate and generational positive change. As I speak to you many people are not praying revelation prayer. Only one revelation prayer can solve problems that have persisted for one thousand years.”

he presiding minister of The Spoken Word Endtime Ministries, Prophet Christopher Chijike, recently celebrated another year of God’s faithfulness upon his life and ministry at the Ojo Military Cantonment, Lagos, and headquarters of the church. The elaborate ceremony was also an opportunity for the servant of God show appreciation to loyal members, widows and the needy, who went home with bags of rice and cash gifts courtesy of Prophet Chijike. Speaking at the thanksgiving service celebrated on June 5th, the cleric said he was full of thanks to God for adding another year to his age: “God has added another glorious year to my age and I wished to celebrate among the brethren who have remained faithful to the actualization of our ministry’s mandate.” Hence, two disciplines in the ministry were ordained into the offices of pastors during the event. They are Pastors Anthony Guinea and Pastor God-

win Igweonu. Conferring the mantle of office to the newly ordained, prophet Chijike said: “The work you are about to begin is the work you must handle spiritually, your loyalty to the Head Pastor, and to the church must be of a good report. Pastoral work is not all about what you will get but what you will give. It is not by duration but by donation”. Citing the example of Joshua and Caleb in the Bible, visiting Pastor Volke advised the two younger ministers that it is not foolishness or stupid to stay under a man of God for an appointed period of time in the service of the Lord. “God led you in; don’t allow your flesh to lead you out. A decision you take out of the flesh can lead you out”, he said. Also counseling, another visiting man of God, Samuel okeaye, added: “. The manual of success is not what people are saying somewhere but it’s the word of God you study”. The newly ordained were later given certificates of ordination by Prophet Chijiki.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

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Bankole on philanthropic spree G oing by the background which he came from, son of influential Egba businessman, Chief Alani Bankole, Dimeji, was privileged to have had a very good upbringing which equally afforded him the opportunity to be equipped with the best of education and all these became handy as he took over his father’s business. Dimeji would later ride on his father’s back to become a member of the lower chamber of the National Assembly where he eventually emerged the number four person in the country when he was the Speaker of the hallowed chamber. He was involved in a controversial issue before he was eventually sent out of the House via his re-election bid a few years back, after which he went underground.

It will be recalled the white attire loving former Speaker towards the last general elections, made effort to return to the stage by trying to fly the governorship flag of PDP but lost, and like before, he withdrew into his shell. The brilliant dude, Celeb Lounge can tell you is presently back in the news for a very laudable reason even though some are beginning to brand it as a way to rejig his political brand. Dimeji recently embarked on a philanthropic spree where he donated to Islamic and Christian organisations in Ogun State. Information has it that he just contributed generously to the proposed building of a mosque, Zairab ltramodern mosque as well as construction project of Living Stone Church of Christ all in the Sagamu part of the state.

Stella Okoli son’s memory comes alive

Rose Obi, proud teacher honoured

hief Executive Officer of frontline pharmaceutical company, Emzor, Stella Okoli and her man, Emeka, knowing the worth of a child spared none of all it requires to raise their son, Chike, to be a man who would not only be useful to himself but also to the society and the world at large. On that note, young Chike Edward Obiorah was enrolled at Corona school, Lagos, before he moved on to study law at Hertfordshire University after which he moved to wrap it up with a master’s degree at Exeter. The young man upon completion of his studies returned home to found his own business outfit but the unfortunate would happen as he died five days after his 25th birthday in 2005. His death arose from an undetected coronary artery disease. However, rather than dwelling in the agony of the unfortunate incident and wear a gloomy look forever, the deceased mother decided to bring alive and sustain what the young man lived for. In memory of his short but remarkable life and to pursue the ideal that he lived for, what is today known as Chike Okoli Foundation and its brainchild, the Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies were founded. It recently became a decade since the Foundation was founded and drums of celebration were rolled out to celebrate their achievements. It has catered for and impacted millions of people through its medical assistance and other initiatives. Guests from various shades were in attendance to identify with the Emzor boss, who was full of praises to God in her speech, while Yinka Davies was on hand to spice up the event.

Dapo Adelegan sets tongues wagging

nglish graduate of University of Lagos, Dapo Adelegan has a story that readily brings him to the minds of those who have been following him. The fifty something year old Ondo State born dude, many will agree belongs to the group of self-made individuals in the country even as he has been made to remain very relevant in the scheme of what he does many years after he made his break. Dark skinned, eloquent and articulate Dapo, it will be recalled, as a young university graduate ventured into music promotion during which he staged one of the best ever musical shows in the country, Lekki Sunsplash, for a couple of years before moving to other grounds where he has also done marvellously well. Having broken new grounds as the chairman of Celtron Group, Dapo has since ventured in the political arena in his homestead, Ondo, where he’s been working underground to make a lasting impression. In the same vein, it has been like an open secret among people in certain quarters that the dude is interested in becoming the governor of his state and has since set up the machinery a couple of years ago. What has, however, set tongues wagging about the ‘Lagos-based big boy’ is that it appears he has given up on his governorship ambition as little or nothing is being heard from the camp of the man at the centre stage even as the race regarding who succeeds the out-going governor, Segun Mimiko, is getting hotter and interesting as the day goes by.

aking up teaching job through the scheme of Parents Teachers Association (PTA), at the Federal Girls Secondary School, Onitsha, for a meagre salary of N17, 000, Rose Obi only wanted to survive and hoped for a better day not knowing her diligence and commitment to work was going to be rewarded through Nigerian Breweries/ Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust. Thirty-seven years old Rose, who teaches mathematics and chemistry, from 19 other finalists in 2005, won the Maltina Teacher of the Year award that comes with a N5 million prize at the Ballroom, Oriental Hotel, Lagos, and her life has since turned out to be better for it as she became a celebrity teacher who now addresses crowds of teachers and relays her method of teaching to enlighten them about classroom management. Rose said she never knew it would happen that way but that the interesting part of it is the opportunities and the doors it has opened for her. Continuing with the laudable project of rewarding diligence and commitment to duty by exceptional teachers across the country, entry has since April started going in while expiration of entry is pegged at 30th June. Meanwhile, the scope of the contest which comes with prizes worth N50 million annually has been expanded to accommodate both private and public schools.

Nkem Okeke lays father to rest

xpectedly, it was a painful one for the entire dynasty of the deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, recently when death struck in the family. But the consolation which made members of the family chorus glory be to God is the fact that the patriarch of the family was taken away at a very ripe age; just as he lived a good life that made him bequeath a commendable legacy not only to the family but to his community, state and everywhere he was. Leaving behind illustrious children among

whom is Nkem, one can only be assured of a befitting burial for the demised soul and it was nothing short of expectations when the deceased was committed to mother earth as he was accorded a super befitting burial. All roads recently led to Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State to bid the octogenarian, Richard Nwachukwu Okeke, farewell. Final journey began for the Ozuo of Enugwu Ukwu, Pa Okeke, with a service in his honour at Emmanuel Anglican Church, where his virtues were extolled

by the presiding priest who admonished the congregation to emulate the deeds of the deceased who was said to have lived a selfless life. At the well-attended funeral which later saw guests move to the reception where there was much to chew as well as surplus to drink, among those who were there were the governor of Anambra State, Willy Obiano; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, to mention a few. The deceased, an engineer, who passed on at age 88, was instrumental to the springing up of many Anglican churches where he was a devout member.

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Here Beyond Rock mono-sleeves like star Biwom Iklaki

ono sleeved outfits are beautiful to behold as they can create an asymmetry that makes very broad shoulders look less daunting. It is a style trick that besides showing off sexy shoulders also has to play the very efficient role of slimming the shoulders. Many celebrities have perfected the art of covering up their bodies to the best flattering way possible and one of these ways is the mono sleeve. Have you noticed also how many people love to dress their bumps to events with mono sleeves Grecian inspired dresses? This is no accident as we all know that it gives them quite the pleasing silhouette. This applies to stars in Nigeria and the international community as fashion and style doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t discriminate, rather is rules by personalities, body types and in some cases, the bank statement. Trust your instincts when it comes to choosing the right style, but be sure that the mono sleeves are very forgiving to stars and regular people alike, here and beyond.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

Modern kitchen windows Biwom Iklaki

ust like in a crime scene, the detective divides the area into three; the floor, the walls and the roof from which they gather information to point them in the direction to follow. In the kitchen, the floors, walls and ceilings are also important. In this episode, we are all about the windows in the kitchen and tge kind of dressing we give to them. Some people decide to put up

different kinds of curtains like checkered, lace, etc which are very pretty and offer variety in terms of style of sewing, hanging and fabrics. Some others who do not care much for fabrics on their windows tend to go with venetian blinds. They are low maintenance and more structured. These window treatments do must shade the window and have high aesthetic value. All these elements add up to create a comfortable kitchen that is also pleasing to the eye.

GET A

I wish I hadn’t lost my virginity

I am an 18 year old female and I went into the university as a virgin and having the mindset I was going to wait until I get married to lose my virginity. Everything went downhill until I actually entered college and started seeing everyone, and I mean guys, and having a roommate who told me to just lose my virginity and get it over with because it is going to hurt no matter what. It was difficult because I starting liking someone a lot but he just wanted to be friends and it broke my heart and I wanted to lose my virginity to him. Ever since then, guys have been coming to my dorm and have been trying to sleep with me but I knew I couldn’t because I wasn’t in love with them. Finally, one night I had this guy friend back at home who knew I was still a virgin come down to visit me at my dorms in the university and treated me like a queen. He bought a lot of things for me. He was my best friend and I basically told him everything about my life in the university and even the guy I liked. Then things started to get a little heated and he finally said he came to visit me to have sex. The fact that he was so honest is what surprised me but I didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t the guy I wanted to lose to my virginity to, he is just my friend and I trust him, and

SOULMATE

Send SMS only to 07057201814 or vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

might as well get the pain over with it now. So I did.... Now, I wish I could take it back. I want my moment back. Losing my virginity to my best friend made me distant. You think it will bring you closer, and he thought that too, but I woke up next to him and I didn’t want to be alive. I cried my eyes out wishing I had just waited for the love of my life or a guy I dated. If you are reading this, please let me tell you to just wait, there is no rush. Sex is not a game, sex is painful when you first lose it and painful when you are not in love. Janet, University of Lagos Viewing naked pictures of girls ruined my relationship

I am a 22 years old boy and I love someone dearly. She is a very decent and Godly lady and I’m glad she loves me too very much. I bought a new laptop for my school work and got connected to the internet and one

night I viewed some naked pictures of girls. I did not know how to delete the browser history and next day my girlfriend came to my room and asked to use my laptop to do an assignment. She is very Hi-tech and knows her way round the computer. Before I knew it, she viewed the browser history and I was caught. The shock on her face as she faced me with the laptop said it all. She stormed out of my room and has refused to pick my calls since then. I’ve said sorry to her for more than 100 times as I really love her. I knew that I have made a very big mistake. I did accept my mistake in front of her many times but now she is ignoring me, not talking to me and she also turned off her phone. I’m going mad without her as I can’t live without her. We’ve been in a relationship for more than two years. Now she has become a most essential part in my life. Help me friends and tell me how I can console her or say sorry to her or else my life will be ruined. Kola, Ibadan

I am Ayo from Ekiti State, 48 years old, a business man. I live and work in Lagos. I am 5.9ft tall. I need a lady between 38 and 42 years old as wife08020889521 I am Adejuwon, 45 years old from Oyo State. I work and live in Lagos. I need a lady between 35 and 40 years as wife08159679314 My name is Jenny, 23 years old, pretty and busty. I need a caring guy of 30-45 years old for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage soon08138648297 I am Chigozie from Imo State but living in Lagos and a business man. I am fair in complexion, needs a serious lady for a relationship that will lead to marriage. She must be fair in complexion, slim tall and god looking between 22- 28 years old.-07031189914 I am Adeniyi, 55 years old business man and widower based in Ajah, Lagos. I need a single Mum or divorcee not less than 45 years old, pretty plump and busty and with a good profession as a companion-07081453461 My name is Rakia, a Muslim and mother of two. I need a responsible man for marriage-08063350174 I am Gbolahan, 35 years old single father, 5.8ft tall from Osun State. I need a God fearing working class woman between 29 and 33 years old08050689431 I am Adeolu from Ogun State. I am a graduate and I need a responsible lady for a serious relationship between the ages of 22 and 28 years-08096475665 My name is Kunle; I need a lady between 27 and 35 years old for a relationship-08187366911

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Leave that relationship before it breaks you!

f you woke up one day and it clearly dawns on you that the person you have been in a relationship with for a while now has done more damage to your life than add to it; then it becomes imperative that you quickly locate the nearest exit door and run for your life. As human beings, we are meant to add value to one another. As we live symbiotically, there is always transference of traits that go on, both the good and the bad. That is why it is very important you know the kind of person you allow into your life to avoid transference of nasty traits. Having said that, you can see why it is even more important, to be careful who you allow into your life as an intimate partner. Intimate relationships leave you in a vulnerable state where you let down your guard and allow the person you love to have free access to your innermost being. Your heart is left unguarded for this person to either fill it with loving or hateful words. Words are like arrows that pierce deep into our souls and capable of breaking or building our lives. If you keep allowing such abusive words to rain on you from a partner you are in a serious relationship with; what happens when you finally get married? I’m sure the cartoon charactersTom and Jerry-will have an even better relationship than yours. So if you have found yourself in a relationship where you are being abused both physically and verbally, I think you deserve a lot better than you are being dished out. Find that exist door now before that person turns you into an emotional wreck! We are all too familiar with this saying that ‘love is blind’. It’s a pity that most

people go all the way to make this saying a reality in their lives by being blind and also completely deaf to obvious signs that they are in a terrible relationship. Sometimes they allow the deep emotion of love which they feel to control and make them remain in a bad relationship. Even when their partner is exhibiting some characters which are hurtful to the point of cruelty, they still cling to that relationship tenaciously. Why I wonder? Is it that they relish the idea of playing the victim, a case of having a low self-esteem or they just don’t know what to do to get out of the unpalatable situation they find themselves in? It does not matter whose fault it is that

made the relationship to hit the rocks; the bottom line is that both of you are not happy in the relationship and it has lingered for a long time and you are not even sure it will yield any fruition in the near future. Like I always tell anybody I’m privileged to counsel, ‘when in doubt, delete or press the backspace button’. You can never take a wrong step if you take a few steps backward. This will help you to pause and review where that relationship is heading. After careful self-examination and you realise that the relationship is heading nowhere, the best thing to do in such a situation is to find the exit before more damage is done to your emotional psyche.

Like I always tell anybody I’m privileged to counsel, ‘when in doubt, delete or press the backspace button’. You can never take a wrong step if you take a few steps backward. This will help you to pause and review where that relationship is heading

It’s a sad story in life that the people we fall in love with do not necessarily have to love us back. Someone aptly said the biggest problem of love is that a good guy falls in love with the wrong girl who cheats on him, so when he finally meets a good girl who loves him to pieces, he goes ahead to cheat and hurt her because he is on a rebound from the hurt he got from his previous relationship and this has become a vicious circle of life. It’s such a sad story, isn’t it? But it is silly to go on a pity party or hang around someone who obviously does not care about you but tramples on your love repeatedly. Get a grip on your emotions and think of yourself for once. Stop dancing to the whims and caprices of someonewho does not even bend the smallest finger to meet your needs. It is important to note that being in love does not mean you should allow yourself to be held captive in a relationship that you need so desperately to escape from. Also know that being alone and uncommitted, is not the worst possible place you can be. You have the capability of surviving in the world without being attached to someone who brings you constant emotional turmoil. Somebody else who will love and respect you for who you are is out there waiting for you; if you can only take your eyes off this destructive person long enough to embrace love with the right person. Say NO to that revolving door of misery without looking back. If you are in a failing or unhappy relationship and you are looking for an exit out of it, just convince yourself with every fibre of your being that this is not where you should be. And then start executing the actions towards your ESCAPE!

Is Robert Mugabe the funniest African President?

other did say that there will be days like this, you know, days when amongst so many issues happening all around the world, I will still struggle for what to write on. After writing about death in the arts and sports world these past weeks, I promised myself, last week, that I will write something positive this week. I needed to be versatile before I am branded a sad writer or the one whose only writing inspiration comes from the sadness of others. I wanted to make people laugh, wanted so badly to change course from the sad and somber narrative of our national existence and write something uplifting. You know, struggle is really putting it lightly as it seems the world has just gone mad. 50 dead and scores wounded in Orlando, Tornado in China and death toll still rising as at when I write this and the refugee crisis in the world is still ongoing. What is more mind blowing, is the fact that an unstable retard fortunate to be born into a rich family is about to be handed the keys of the white house by an equally dubious group of people. Hopefully, the Americans know what is good for them and their children. Just as I decided to give up and write on some tragedy, thus adding to your gloom, I received a text message of some jocular philosophies credited to Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe. This is not new as such writings and jokes, credited to Mugabe have been surfacing in recent times and there has been no confirmation that the Zimbabwean president is the author of the jokes as widely claimed. However, he

has not come out to deny them and so I don’t know whether to praise him or condemn him. The man divides opinion in equal measures. He has stood in the face of opposition both home and abroad and he is still standing. Love him or hate him, the man is strong. He was the only African leader given the standing ovation at Nelson Mandela’s funeral. He was the black man brave enough to tell the white oppressor where to shove their proud nose and it seems that has made him popular, at least in South Africa as I doubt if that sentiment is shared in Zimbabwe. Anyway, back to his jokes making the round on social media. The first one I

came across is a subtle condemnation of the endemic case of child marriage on the continent. Robert Mugabe is credited with the saying, “If you like sleeping with school girls, please go and buy your wife a uniform.” I laughed my head off. It was the strongest rebuke from a world leader of a very disturbing global issue. I recall seeing a Nigerian politician brandishing a ravishing young teenage bride on social media with pride. This man does have something good to share after all. Then, while the whole world was breaking their necks on the issue of gay marriages in America, Mugabe reportedly did only one thing, invite Barack

It will be nice if there can be something official to confirm that this are the actual thoughts of Mugabe. It will give a different slant to the perception of African leaders as sit tight dictators. At least, we can add funny sit tight dictators. Leaders with a human side that connect with their people

Obama to Zimbabwe to be married to him. “If Obama believes in homosexuality, let him come and we will both be married.” Alright, I thought I missed the punchline in this until he followed it up with “homosexuality is so wrong that even Satan hates it. He chose to approach naked eve and not naked Adam.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Is comedy the new way of distracting Zimbabweans or is this guy just gifted with the muse of humour? You tell me. It will be nice if there can be something official to confirm that this are the actual thoughts of Mugabe. It will give a different slant to the perception of African leaders as sit tight dictators. At least, we can add funny sit tight dictators. Leaders with a human side that connect with their people. It may not be what the people want, but in a society where good news is in short supply and happiness and fun are in shorter supply, then anything that makes one laugh must be appreciated. It will come as no wonder that this desire for joy and happiness is responsible for the proliferation of short comedy sketches on the Internet from Nigeria. The gloom is just so much that we need a break. The President must come out and crack a joke, show us a human side that shows he is at least one of us. I think that is what Governor Ayo Fayose is doing. Providing comic relief to a highly strung polity and to take him too serious will be to miss the point of all his antics. He wants to alleviate our problem by making us laugh. Nothing wrong with that. He already has Robert Mugabe for a mentor.

E 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

ching es

ng. Styling of matching separates has been made easy with the current trend of mixing ends like athletic and glam, casual and formal, etc. so you can wear a pair of sneakers with a patterned skater skirt and crop top in he same pattern. This look could work for causal Friday at work outfit (make sure our midriff isn’t exposed) or a late evening ate for drinks and even the movies. Just remember to style the matching separates in une with your personality and what you are omfortable in.

At-home acne treatment Ifeoluwa Adeyemo e all love to look beautiful but it is important to know what works and what doesn’t for the health of our skin. You could use Google skin care recipes and acne treatment for hours but keep in mind the internet can be deceiving at times. Keep these seven things in mind when treating acne at home. Beware of lemons It is understood that lemons contains citric acid and destroys bacteria. But lemons are the most common irritation-causing ingredient due to the fact with sun exposure it makes your skin sensitive, the oil can react to the sun giving you blisters. Honey Is Legit Honey, has a high concentration of anti-inflammatory properties. The calming effect of this honey on acne makes it a popular ingredient for use. It’s sticky but at the same time soothing. You can use the honey on its own or mix it with mask beauty products. Get Relief Keep an open a mind don’t put too much concentration on the acne. Avoid pinching the part of the blemish. Cover the blemish if the itch persists with plaster to avoid secondary infection. Don’t fall for every gimmick The internet is a crazy place; so is social media. Don’t believe everything you see and read. Some

things are rather left alone and untouched. Essential oils are legit We know is not everyone that has essential oils hidden somewhere at home, but if you are in a pinch, there are oils that can help shrink a zit. Add a few drops of rose oil or jojoba oil to your cleanser. They have anti- inflammatory benefits. Try a dermatologist- approved mask recipe If you’re feeling extra domestic and wants to cook up all-natural mask recipe, all you need is: pawpaw, lemon, and honey. The acid and enzymes in papaya help cells turn over and keep pores empty, a small squeeze of lemon juice reduces excess oil. The honey has a calming effect on skin. Beauty comes from within It’s advisable to think about things from the inside out. Drink tons of lemon water, helps cut the amount of acid that foods with sugar and dairy contain. Put on a smile always and have that confidence that we are all beautiful.

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Kunle Afolayan

Creative director Ifeoluwa Adeyemo

unle Afolayan is a popular Nigerian actor, producer and film director. He can be said to be one of Nigeria’s most hard working and successful movie producers. He is the CEO/MD of Goldene Effects Service Ltd. Kunle Afolayan became active in the Nigerian film industry in 2005 after he left the banking sector to pursue his passion. He studied Economics while in school but left for New York Film Academy to study more about his passion. Kunle is the son of famous theater, film director and producer Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan popularly known as Ade Love. Kunle has three other siblings. He has made several extremely popular titles some of which are: ‘The Figurine’; which won five major awards in the African Film Academy and was a huge success in the Nigerian movie the-

Corporate natives Vanessa Okwara

raditional clothing for men is becoming the popular thing to go for in terms of outfit especially when it comes to weddings in Nigeria and other important occasions. In fact, for some non-conformists, modern traditional clothes have become their work attires as they ditch suits or the regular shirts and trousers. Nigerian designers are making fantastic clothes from different fabrics especially the guinea brocade into corporate attires complete with colourful pocket squares for that man that prefers to go traditional than the English corporate clothes.

If you’re an African man, particularly Nigerian, it is important to have native attire in your wardrobe. Traditional attires help you to reflect your roots and you’d always have one occasion or the other that would require you wear such attires. More so, it is essential you have at least one trendy piece which can be made by an array of Nigerian fashion designers that abound everywhere. In Nigeria today, we have creative designers who are making fantastic styles virtually out of any fabricGuinea brocade Ankara, lace, cotton, jacquard and so many others. They transform these fabrics into exclusive styles that will make you

stand out from the crowd. Be it Ankara style or the plain suit material that is in vogue, these corporate traditional attires help you to appreciate the Nigerian culture and promotes the economy as well in terms of supporting our home grown fashion designers. They make fantastic styles that will make you look unique at any occasion. For corporate natives, it’s best you wear minimal traditional accessories like the hand or neck beads and sandals. Rather compliment your attire with a good wristwatch and corporate shoe such as brogue or oxford or suede shoes to give you that corporate feeling that can fit into any office environment.

aters. ‘Araromire’ which w a s in the Y o ruba a n d English languages; ‘Phone Swap’ which featured Wale Ojo, Joke Silver, Nse Ikpe Etim and legendary Chika

Okpala. Kunle has shown great tenacity and refusal to fit into the usual way of ‘Nollywood’ film making by paying great attention to details and giving creative interpretations to life issues. His movies are arguably the best in Nigeria. Kunle has won many awards amongst which are: Afro Hollywood Awards UK, Nigeria Entertainment Awards NY, City People Awards for Excellence, and Heart of Africa. He premiered ‘Phone Swap’ in France, Paris and won Public Choice Awards in 2013. Kunle Afolayan has signed many endorsements; he signed to be the brand ambassador to Peugeot in 2015. He signed a deal with France’s national carrier, Air France also in 2015, and signed a huge deal with Globacom Nigeria in 2014. His style of dressing is also very creative. Kunle likes to go a lot on corporate suits but during movie shoots, he wears casuals especially shorts and just about a nice polo shirt to go with it and a nice pair of sandals to match. Once in a while, he also dresses in the Yoruba attire popularly known as ‘Agbada’. Kunle has a really good eye when it comes to style and loves to wear his hair in Afro and his face covered up in bears; giving him that Afrocentric look that depicts the artist in him.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

RazzleDazzle

Body&Soul Abiola Alaba Peters

with

08062622328 abiolaalabapeters@rockmail.com

Ibinabo Fiberesima can never be cowed –NEC, Actors Guild of Nigeira

Juliet Ibrahim dazzles in the world of cosmetics

ward-winning actress Juliet Ibrahim is in to something new. Known for her head-turning red carpet looks, the gorgeous and business savvy actress is set to launch her own lashes and lipstick line. While this is her first makeup line, it is not the first beauty venture for the entrepreneur who already runs a fashion house, House of Glamour. In an exclusive chat with RazzleDazzle, the Ghanaian queen, stated her readiness to take a place in the cosmetics world. She also revealed the likely products her fans should expect from her. “It’s my pleasure to present to my fans two of my brand new products; the Juliet Ibrahim’s Moda Lipstick line and Shades by Juliet Ibrahim lashes line. The fabulous eyelash extensions feature three different versions; mink fur, 3D lashes and Horse hair lashes. It’s reusable, very comfortable even with extended wear and feels 100% natural. While the hotly anticipated lashes line is already selling, the lipsticks which will be in different exciting shades will hit the shelves soon and you will get to experience all the beautiful hues I love wearing and more,” she revealed. She further stated that these products, which are designed to bring out beauty to the fore, are wallet friendly.

Stop hating my success – Kcee warns Presh

ive star artiste, Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo, better known as Kcee, has called out former music business partner, Presh, for beefing him. Kcee revealed that as a result of Presh’s hatred of him and people around him, it has made him remain stagnant. “Presh’s story is deep and emotional. It is long and I might not want to go too deep into it. I would just say that whatever is happening to him is where he wants to be; he can’t get out of where he is. There is no way you can eat your cake and have it. It’s a proverb. I think he needs to see everybody around him as his brother. If you hate and beef, you are wasting your time. Invest that time into something positive, that is just the message,” he said. Kcee, however, dished out words of advice to his former band mate on attaining pop stardom and to retrace his steps, pray to God, only then will he see success. Efforts to reach Presh for comment proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.

‘Breathless’ is a well-made movie – Jenkins Alumona Edwin Usoboh

he on-going saga between the embattled president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and some factions of the body, especially, the executives led by Emeka Ike, seems to becoming messier as the National Executive Committee of AGN has reacted to the report making rounds that a new leadership has emerged. According to the National Executive Committee, it received the said report with shock. The statement reads: “The National Executive Committee received the news of a group purported to have set up a Caretaker Committee to take over the Guild as a shock because no group or stakeholders approached the National Executive Committee on the said meeting. Also, our State Executive Committees were not aware of the alleged meeting. Much as we would not like to respond to the resolution of the said stakeholders meeting which looks like child’s play to us, however, we need to set the records straight for avoidance of doubt by our teeming members and the general public. The fact is that Ibinabo Fiberesima remains the only elected President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN. The matter between St. Maradona Mclive Johnson and AGN which judgment was pronounced by Justice T.S Tshoho of the Federal High Court Lagos on March 16, 2015 is a subject of appeal at the Federal Court of Appeal Lagos. Until final judgment is given by the Supreme Court, if it takes us there, it will ever remain like that. Our State Executive Committees were not aware of the meeting including over 85% of State Chairmen across the country, so the Chairmen that attended the said meeting did on their individual capacity and not on behalf of their State AGN Chapters. The National President is not moved by all these distractions as she remains focused and committed to the welfare and wellbeing of our members. She cannot be cowed out of office. We have respect for the rule of law and shall abide by the legal and constitutional process in order to entrench a lasting peace in our noble Guild. We urge our members to equally disregard the so called resolution which is aimed at satisfying the inordinate ambitions of disgruntled few in the Guild”.

Yemi Alade, Phyno, others billed to thrill at Pencil Unbroken

ast rising comic, Pencil D Comedian, will host the maiden edition of his comedy show titled ‘Pencil Unbroken - The First Assignment’. The show will feature an evening of comedy and Broadway Musical with the biggest performers in the entertainment industry. Comedians billed to thrill the fans include: Alibaba, AY, Gordons, Ushbebe, Shakara, Teju Babyface, Romeo, Kenny Blaq, Okey Bakkassi, Ajebo Dan d Humorous, Senator, MC Shakara, Wofai Fada, Funnybone and Seyi Law. Music by Dj Jimmy Jatt on the turntables and musical performances from Iyanya, Phyno, Ice Prince, Kcee, Seyi Shay, Harrysong, Praiz, Oritsefemi, Yemi Sax, Reekado Banks, Yemi Alade, YCEE, Orezi, Vector, Mr. 2kay, Humblesmith, Sean Tizzle, Tjan, Rayce, Reminisce and Bracket. The show will be going down today at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. Red carpet starts 5pm.

reathless,’ a recent Nollywood movie produced by a marketing and strategy expert, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Flykite Productions, Jenkins Alumona, has been described as a well-made movie. Breathless is a story, superbly written and interpreted on bitter sibling rivalry, intense love, wanton lust, murder, revenge and justice. It’s also a story with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster ride. It features great and memorable characters. The former editor of TheNEWS, talks about his movie production debut, which has delivered ‘Breathless’, a flick scheduled to premiere today. According to him, “it is a well-made movie and Doris Ariole, the scriptwriter, is an accomplished hand. The shots are terrific, the locations brilliant and the performances outstanding. You wouldn’t expect anything less from a combination of Mike Ezuruonye, Uti Nwachukwu and Bimbo Manuel. The three men are thoroughbreds”. Speaking on the reason behind his joining movie making in Nigeria, Jenkins said, “I’m in it to make my little contribution to movie making in Nigeria. Our output has been applauded globally. But we can still go many notches. This is what is driving me and I believe that some others are being driven by the same aspiration. “My professional life has been devoted to communications. First as a magazine reporter and editor, and later, marketing communications. The point is that I am in the same field. Flykite Productions makes documentaries and television programmes. This, I believe, sufficiently explains the fact that I had some foundational knowledge of movie making. So, I am not jumping in like a prospector attracted by gold rush. “What we aim to do with ‘Breathless’ is to further encourage improvement in movie making. When you see the movie, you will agree that we have done that. The cast and crew of the movie consist of some of the best in the industry. The equipment deployed is the best you’d find around here; it was shot at superb locations and the performances terrifically outstanding. On the choice of Ezuruonye, Nwachukwu and Manuel as the lead characters in the movie, he continued: “These gentlemen have impressive resumes having been around for some time, during which they have consistently proved to be of top standards. “We considered how suitable each person is for the character we wanted to depict. It was a long process because of the need to get it right. At the end, we realised that felt they were the most suitable for the roles assigned. That was the most important factor and the soundness of our judgment has been proved to by the nominations the film received. However, such a high movie of Nollywood standard cannot be produced without gulping appreciable sum of money. To this regard, though Jenkins cannot provide the exact amount he spent on the production of the movie, he noted that the movie cost him some fortunes. He said, “We spent a lot of money because movie making can hardly be done on a cheap budget; especially when you want a movie to set a certain standard. When you see Breathless, it’d be obvious that money, time, efforts and attention to details had been invested. The film will debut at the cinemas on July 1, 2016. Is this going to be one-off for him or are there plans to make more movies by him: “Why not? This experience, even with its physical and mental energy-sapping demands, yielded the quality we hoped for. As a matter of fact, we have one lined up already. It is called Just Drive. But first, watch Breathless take your breath away.

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

I can do anything for love –Moji Adedeji Fast rising Nigerian actress, Moji Adedeji, is good at what she does. The light in complexion make-believe star came into the scene a few years back, with her outstanding performance in popular Yoruba movie, ‘Abaniworan’. Ever since, she has not relented in showing movie lovers how best to interpret a role. ABIOLA ALABA PETERS met with the movie actress who also has her feet in the world of buying and selling

Your journey into the film industry, how did it start? I actually started as a makeup artist in 2008 with minor appearances in some movies, though I have always loved acting. I decided to take the opportunity of a make-up artist as an entry format so as to find my feet. I entered full time acting later in 2010. I had understudied Mr. Latin for acting and film production. Where are you from? I am from Osun State and yes, I am more prominent with Abeokuta caucus. If you are not acting and producing movies, what would you have been doing? That will be business of course. At the moment, I am into several private businesses. Do you consider your beauty as one of your selling points and attraction for casting directors? I don’t know that one oh! Is it by beauty? What is the title of your first movie and how many movies have you acted and produced lately? I need to be honest here; with all humility, I have lost count of how many movies I’ve featured in but I have personally produced five movies, namely: ‘Abaniworan’, ‘Etan Ni’,’ Omo Alashe’, ’ Ayo Aiye Mi’ and ‘Pansa O Fura’. Which movies would you consider as your ‘break out movie’ and which will you consider as your ‘break through movie’? I will regard ‘Lagos to Benin’ by Mr. Latin as my break out movie because the movie kept me on the spot and became a source of attraction and honestly, a lot o f

people saw the movie and loved it. Then my break through movie is ‘Etan Mi’. It has a vast public appeal and it brought a new spotlight on me. I can say the same thing about ‘Osuwon’, produced by Owolabi Ajasa. As an actress, what were the challenges you faced coming up? There were lots of challenges. I cannot say much but all I can say is that my success is a product of my challenges. Raw gold must pass through fire in order to come out well. I am grateful I faced and overcame. It was not a smooth journey, to be candid. There has been an age long belief that budding actresses are sexually harassed. Why is this so rampant and what can stop it? I have never fallen victim of any harassment and I couldn’t report any. I say this because the ones that tried did so within the confines of their fundamental human right. If it had gone criminal, I would have reacted and made a scapegoat out of the person. The funny part these days is that the harassment comes equally from both men and women. It can only stop if green horns avoid cutting corners; they want to get casted without meeting up. People should reduce their desperation. Most of these men will not come to you first, when you ask them for unholy favour, they definitely will reply with sexual harassment. And what you call sexual harassment is what some see as an avenue to climb up, in fact majority do. So no one has ever been punished for sexually harassing a colleague or budding talent? Have you reported any, or heard about any before? See, this thing exists but it is not regarded as criminal. I only know that things like this will cease if the Nigerian system and policing improve. Even married women cannot report sexual harassment at work especially from their superior. It is either she accepts or leaves the work. Some are frustrated till they are transferred or sacked. The economy itself will not encourage honesty in most relationships. This thing is everywhere. If a role required you to pose nude, would you? You won’t expect me to wear a cardigan in a swimming pool scene, right? I think nudity is over flogged in this part of the world and it is hurting interpretations, thereby making directors around here look half baked. Though, I won’t support abuse of nudity in some unnecessary cases. What would you not do for a man? If you are in love, there is nothing you cannot do. You won’t even know when you are doing it, so there’s absolutely, nothing. Your best and favourite perfume? I don’t run cheap advert. I know I wear good ones. Describe your instinct when it comes to fashion? I would say moderate. Your favourite designer bag? I go for good bags. How would you rate yourself in bed? Is there any known medical, scientific barometer that can detect that? My fiancée alone can tell that. I will ask him after this interview. Where do you see yourself in the next five years? I can only allow much hard work because hard work brings unexpected success. I don’t want a projection. When are you getting married? Very soon. How soon and can we meet the lucky guy? You don’t get to meet him yet. When we get to that stage, you all will know. Any word or message for your fans? When you have my kind of fans, don’t look elsewhere for the definition of pure love. They are simply the best.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016

NEWS

NPA partners Dangote, Flour Mills on roads rehabilitation p.44

INTERVIEW

AUTO BEAT

Government should ban food importation - Nwaogu

Mercedes-Benz boasts worldwide double-digit growth in May p.47

p.45

BUSINESS

PAUL OGBUOKIRI HEAD, BUSINESS

paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph

Nigeria distributable revenues rose to N305bn in May

L-R: Deputy Managing Director, Eco Bank Group, Mr. Anthony Okpanachi; Acting Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Waheed Olagunju and Group Head, Micro Finance/Financial Inclusion, Mr. Rotimi Nihinlola, during a visit by ECO Bank Management to BOI head office, in Lagos

Flexible forex: Not yet uhuru for the naira

Emefiele

Paul Ogbuokiri

he Nigerian Stock Exchange’s share index approached a nine-month high on Thursday, after rising for a third straight day as investors poured cash into banking and consumer goods stocks, a development flexible exchange policy introduced on Monday by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Sunday Telegraph learnt that the stock market, which has the second-biggest weighting after Kuwait on the MSCI frontier market index, climbed 2.9 per cent to 30,999 points by 1234 GMT, a level last seen on Oct. 2, 2015.

Stocks are up 5.2 per cent so far this year, wiping out earlier losses since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) floated the naira this week and eased trading restrictions on the currency that caused foreign investors to flee. This coming as indications emerged that the new policy currency has been welcomed by foreign investors but most nonetheless would stay away until Africa’s biggest economy shows signs of recovering from damage inflicted by the 16-month-old exchange rate peg. The Central Bank this week finally ditched the peg that had throttled foreign exchange markets, led to widespread capital flight and caused its first quarterly economic contraction since the 1990s. But while investors welcomed the float as the right first step, most plan to watch Nigeria from the sidelines anticipating more pain in store. “It is positive, it is a more credible and flexible exchange rate regime in the long-run, you will see an external rebalancing of the economy, a fiscal adjustment and so on,” said Jonas David, emerging market specialist at UBS Wealth Management in Zurich. “But in the near term, things will get worse before they get better.” A slide into recession after

the economy shrank in the first quarter of the year and a fresh spike in inflation are among issues investors will want to wait out, said David, together with confirmation that the new regime is functioning properly. Once that happens, focus will shift to fundamentals such as returning the economy to growth - key for a country of 180 million where some 46 per cent live in poverty. Inflation too is running at the highest in more than six years - it hit 15.6 percent in May - already above CBN’s 12 per cent interest rate. The currency devaluation is also expected to further push inflation higher to 20 per cent in the second half of the year,

It is positive, it is a more credible and flexible exchange rate regime in the long-run, you will see an external rebalancing of the economy, a fiscal adjustment and so on

meaning authorities will need to ramp up interest rates if they want to lure back foreign money to bond markets. “Right now you have negative real interest rates, so investors will not be enamoured with buying Nigerian bonds given where inflation is or where it is headed,” said Kevin Daly at Aberdeen Asset Management. “You need (a yield) somewhere between 15-20 per cent to make this attractive.” Foreigners held $5.4 billion of Nigerian bonds in September 2013 but dumped most of them after the country was ejected last year from JPMorgan’s GBI-EM index - the most widely used emerging debt benchmark. A country cut from the index needs to wait at least 12 months before re-inclusion. But the bond market’s size, liquidity and turnover all made it attractive to foreign investors, said Samir Gadio, Head of Africa Strategy FICC Research at Standard Chartered Bank, noting that Lagos’ $150 million daily turnover was next only to South Africa’s on the continent. Nigeria’s bourse has avoided the same fate, as index provider MSCI has retained it in its frontier equity indexes with a sizeCO N T I N U ED O N PAGE 44

igeria’s distributable revenues to the three tiers of government rose in May to N305 billion, up from N281.5 billion in April, boosted by higher oil prices and tax revenues, the finance minister said this week. Nigeria, an OPEC member with Africa’s biggest economy which relies on crude sales for about 70 per cent of national income, has been hit hard by the fall in global crude prices since mid-2014. Militants have carried out a series of attacks on oil and gas facilities in the southern Niger Delta energy hub in the last few months, pushing crude production to 30-year lows. But the output disruption has helped to push up global crude prices. “Companies Income Tax recorded marginal increase, even as the time for companies to file their returns is yet to fall due,” Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun said in a statement. “There is exchange gain of N2.546 billion, which is proposed for distribution. The total revenue distributable for the current month, including VAT is N305.128 billion,” she said.

NSE stocks end three-day rally

igerian stocks ended a threeday rally on Friday, falling 1.4 percent as worries over Britain’s shock vote to exit the European Union spread across emerging markets. The main stock index, which crossed 31,000 psychological level in its previous session, fell to 30,624 points as investors dumped shares in the relatively liquid banking sector. Nigerian stocks had rallied 8.5 per cent between Tuesday to Thursday this week, after the central bank on Monday ditched its 16-month old peg on the currency to allow for a freely traded interbank market in a bid to attract foreign investors. Investors have welcomed the currency float but many are still steering clear until Africa’s biggest economy shows signs of recovering from damage inflicted by the exchange rate peg. On Friday some investors were booking profits from recent gains following renewed risk aversion, traders said. “(The) market is down this morning, negative sentiment from Brexit and some profit taking,” one trader said. Quitting the EU could cost Britain access to the EU’s trade barrier-free single market and means it must seek new trade accords with countries around the world. Top decliners on the Lagos bourse was FCMB group down 5.08 per cent while Fidelity Bank and Zenith Bank each down more than 4 per cent.

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS

Magna Carta wins African PR Consultancy of the Year

L-R: Manager, Nigeria Operations Procurement, Judith Mbonu; Assistant Secretary, Bonny Chiefs’ Council, Chief Justine Jim-Halliday; Manager, Field P & GA, Adeyemi Fakayejo, and Supervisor. Corporate Services Procurement, Pauline Ekong, at the MPN Bonny Contractors Forum in Akwa Ibom State.

NPA partners Dangote, Flour Mills on roads rehabilitation

frica PR Consultancy of the year category at the SABRE Awards in Berlin, Germany. A statement by the agency said the awards were hosted by the Holmes Report, with their editors having reviewed the performance of 400 agencies based on their Report Card research process. The judging process was extensive, involving hundreds of submissions from the best public relations and strategic communications firms from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Five African PR agencies were in the running for the prestigious Africa PR Agency of the Year award: Epic MSGLROUP, Atmosphere, BursonMarsteller, Djembe Communications and Magna Carta. The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Vincent Magwenya , said: “We were delighted to be amongst top agencies as finalists for Africa PR Agency of the Year and we are thrilled to be recognised by the industry and our peers”. With an ever-growing pan-African network of 19 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Angola, Mozambique and, most recently, Zimbabwe, Magna Carta’s philosophy of continuous evolution remains a key driver in integrating global best practice, while keeping a finger on the pulse of local services and offerings.

lRegisters 11, 000 trucks to operate in Nigerian ports

Paul Ogbuokiri he Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has shed light on the disturbing rumour that the rehabilitation of the Apapa-Ijora wharf road was stalemated due to corporate differences between Dangote Group of Companies and APM Terminals over which the two companies, were reportedly jostling to bankroll the rehabilitation of the two kilometer road as part of their corporate social responsibility. The Authority explained that whereas it is true that Dangote was the first to respond to its plea for help and the first to mobilize to site for commencement of the repairs work, APM Terminals Apapa Limited and Apapa Bulk Terminals Limited, operator of Flour Mills later identified with the project and are all working towards the same goal of the port access road is built to international standard. General Manager, Western Ports, Chief Michael Ajayi made the clarifications in his office this week when the leaders of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) paid him a courtesy visit.

He applauded the corporate social investment of the three key port operators, even as he singled out Dangote Group (operators of Greenview Terminal) for its pioneering efforts at giving the ports access road a facelift. Mr. Ajayi also said that contract for the rehabilitation of the Tin Can Port road has also been awarded, hinting that both projects will be completed as soon as the rain abates. He said, “At the point the ports access roads became an eyesore and official bureaucracy heavily weighed down necessary efforts to appropriately respond, our Managing Director and some of us became very worried. We tried to look inwards and we mooted the idea for industry intervention. We appealed to stakeholders to help out. “Luckily, Greenview Ltd responded positively by offering to repair one side of the wharf-Flour Mills-Ijora bridge axis. But like Oliver Twist, we again called another stakeholders meeting, many operators didn’t even attend, but again, when the chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote was briefed, again, he directed that Dangote

Construction Company should rehabilitate both lanes of the road. He did not stop there, he directed his construction company to accede to our request to lay it with asphalt concrete. Concrete pavement wouldn’t take them time once they begin because Dangote Construction has the latest modern asphalt laying equipment. Because of the rains, they have decided to carry out palliative repairs, as soon as the rains stop, they will commence. The equipment can lay 850m per hour. So we have Dangote to thank,” he said. He disclosed that the three companies are now working to have a memorandum of understanding (MoU)…”with regards to the cost, roles, contributions etc. My intention is to also get the Lagos State Government onboard. It is because the port access road is bad that road users suffer all kinds of exploitations,” he said. Mr. Ajayi further said that despite the initial opposition the Ports Authority’s decision to conduct and audit of the roadworthy trucks that haul cargo from the Nigerian seaports, about 11,000 of them have been certified and regis-

tered. This is even as the process is ongoing. When the automation gets in full swing, it will engender public safety, encourage and improve the culture of roadworthiness compliance and also eliminate criminality within the logistics value chain, he said. Mr. Ajayi also explained that the regime of unmonitored trucking activities was over, together with the criminalities that went with it. “We are committed to having a proper data in place to identify truck owners. This is in the spirit of public safety and operational efficiency. Mr. Ajayi said, “In an automated trucking system, a truck approaching the port already has its particulars on the radar, and the roadworthiness of the truck is also easily ascertained. At any point it loses its road worthiness, we insist on the required standard. From the clearing agents’ angle, some of their members have been arrested and taken to police stations when drivers disappear with importers goods loaded out of the port. It has been discovered that some of the trucks are fitted with commercial motorcycle number plate to commit theft.”

Not yet uhuru for the naira CONTINUED F R O M PAGE 43

able 12.4 per cent weight. But local stock exchange data shows foreigners’ share dealings are down 66 per cent from a year earlier. While the market has surged about 8 per cent this month in anticipation

of foreigners’ return, Reuters reported that fund managers, eyeing an ominous combination of rampant inflation and slowing growth, may not rush back. The Nigerian economy shrinks by 0.36 per cent in the second quarter- its worst performance in a

quarter of a century - and economists predict the contraction deepened in the second quarter due to fuel and forex shortages. “It will be at least 12 months before we see any green shoots,” said Yvonne Mhango, Sub-Saharan Africa Economist at Renais-

sance Capital in Johannesburg. “The pain has to cut in full through the economy.” An average naira rate of 270 per dollar this year implies a fall in Nigeria’s dollar GDP to $400 billion from $481 billion in 2015, Renaissance Capital estimates.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Old Mutual Life Nigeria Assurance Company, Mr. Keith Alford; Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari; Chief Executive Officer, Old Mutual General Insurance Company, Mrs. Rachel Emenike; and President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Kayode Okunoren, during the 2016 CEO’s Retreat of NCRIB in Ilesa, Osun State

Imo State: COREN to investigate alleged substandard flyover T

he Council for the Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN) has directed its organ, the Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM), Inspectorate in Owerri, Imo state to investigate the quality of work at the on-going construction of Ama Wire Okigwe Road and Akwakuma Orlu road Flyovers by the Imo state government and report back to her for appropriate action.

This is sequel to a letter to the Council by a Prodemocracy Civil Society watchdog in the state, Imo Bilie Initiate for Good Governance (IBIN), dated May 17, 2016. The group in the letter raised the alarm over what it termed ‘shabby job’ being carried out at the flyovers site by the Rochas Okrocha administration It alleged that there were noticeable terrifying cracks on the walls of the flyover which according to them were hurriedly covered by the contractor when the cracks became so glaring to the public, and an alarm was subsequently raised. It therefore called on COREN to ascertain, the quality of job; quality of materials and also the qualification of engineering firm on the job, among others. In an acknowledgment letter to IBIN signed by Engineer Mathias Adoyi, on behalf of the Registrar of the Council, welcomed the concerned raised by IBIN over the safety of lives of the using the public facilities, assuring that COREN will take necessary action. The flyover bridges are said to have been started by the administration of Chief Ikedi Ohakim, though the current administration in the state was initially reported to have been apathetic to completing the project, but later reversed itself and mobilized new contractors to the site to complete the project.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

Government should ban food importation – Nwaogu What is the community-based natural resource management programme all about? Actually the prorgamme was designed to remove poverty from those who are in the rural communities in the Niger Delta region, especially women and youths. We build capacity for them, let them have the knowledge of global best practices because we believe that technology drives productivity and productivity drives income, and income drives enhanced living standard. So we build capacity for these youths and women in the area of production, processing and marketing to enable them abreast of best practice in record keeping. This will increase productivity more than what it used to be. This also enables them to properly draw up a business plan and with the business plan, we look at it to know if it is a fundable business plan, or a project that can be funded. When it is funded, they are also given technical skills and a follow up to ensure that they apply the best practices they have been taught. At the end of the day, we ensure that they have the market. We link them up to output and input markets. The input market is that market where they get most of their input like people in fish farm; they have fingerlings and get it from accredited dealers. So, that the farmers will not run into the hands of people who don’t have what it takes in growing productivity fingerlings. We also linked them up to output market where they sell their produces. We don’t want a situation where they produce and yet do not have any market to sell their products, which will be a colossal loss. We have gone further to ensure that they have links to banks because we may not give them all the loans needed. But because we guarantee them, the banks honour their proposals and fund their projects. A lot of the youths have been empowered through our training and supported to get out of poverty. Many of them are employers of labour and people go to them to acquire skills. It is across the nine states in the Niger Delta and we have partnership with government agencies - federal, state and local governments; and other institutions that are agriculture-friendly. Looking at the mindset of people concerning farming, how do you get them to buy into the programme? The strategy we adopted was that we realized that youths in the rural communities seem to be sidelined in the scheme of things by the leaders and they don’t have voice. They don’t have the freedom to exercise their God given potentials, so what we have done in essence is to put the youths together and establish them. We have a platform where they can come together and share knowledge among themselves. And we have also registered them as a legal body with the Corporate Affairs Commission, that they have a board of trustees and by so doing, they have taken their destiny into their own hands. It has been inaugurated in all the states in the Niger Delta region, involving government officials and local governments. Also they were part of the commissioning and launching of the scheme in the various states and local governments. In the rural communities, the Traditional Rulers, opinion leaders, women leaders are part of the catalyst for the activities of this scheme. And the youths are very optimistic because of the high level of agriculture entrepreneurship we introduced to them. When they see achievements of other

Senior Technical Director to IFAD, FGN, NDDC Community-based Natural Resource Management Programme in the Niger Delta states, Ernest Nwaogu, in this interview with STANLEY IHEDIGBO explains how the scheme has impacted on the lives of youths and women in the Niger-Delta region, he also tasks government to ensure that agriculture funds are made available to youths in the rural communities to enable them go into farming. Excerpts:

youths, the success story of other youths, we use that as a medium to inform other youths of the importance of the scheme. What are the challenges? Actually the challenges we faced at the beginning was the issue of funding because our partners were not really coming up as and when due to bring their agreed funds. The partners are local, state, Federal Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFDA). But the major challenge was the local governments, although they have the highest percentage of funding contribution. As result, we were not able to draw funds from IFAD because their funds were attached to the counterpart funds. When we have the counterpart funds, we then draw the IFAD funds that are already there. But through some strategies we were able to navigated and still make progress. NDDC has been so wonderful meeting up their obligation and that has helped us to do the much we have been able to do with the IFAD funds. What advice do you have for the present government looking at several inconsistencies in policies in the country?

The present administration seems to be agriculture-friendly because they are talking about diversifying into agriculture. They don’t want to continue with the mono-economy that has failed the nation, so they want to diversify the economy and agriculture is one of the areas the administration is getting into. Meanwhile, I will advise that this shouldn’t be in theory; concerted effort should be put up to ensure that funds are made available and these funds will not just end midway but reach the farmers in the rural areas. If government will support the youths financially, encourage mechanized agriculture and also ensure that most of the foods imported into the country is banned it will go a long way in helping. The country does not have any reason wasting the nation’s scarce funds importing food into the country. We need to grow food enough to export rather than importing. What is the role of Bank of Agriculture in this agricultural scheme, looking at its statutory roll of making funds available to farmers in the country? We have partnered with the Bank of Agriculture and they have different packages for youths and women. Some of our youths access funds from the bank and a lot have enlisted for loans. Our partnership with the Bank of Agriculture is to

Nwaogu

ensure that the programme is sustained when IFAD is no more funding us. What is the interest rate of commercial banks the scheme has linked up the youths with? You cannot hold the financial institutions on the area of interest, but for the Bank of Agriculture they have farmerfriendly interest rate, presently we were told about 12 per cent for our farmers. This is fair enough compared to the commercial banks’ interest rate, but we are also requesting that the interest rate should still go lower. I believe, if it comes down to 10 per cent, it will be very good for the youth farmers. How long is the scheme going to last, looking at the IFAD involvement? The community-based natural resources management programme operating in Niger Delta region has ended. It was a 10-year programme after the eight years it was originally slated to be but because of the success achieved in the programme, the partners agreed to give it a two-year extension which made it 10 years and this ended on March 31 this year. Looking at the achievements recorded so far, do you hope for renewal of the scheme by the partners? That is the desire of the Federal Government, NDDC, our youths and the farmers in the region. And if all of these agencies have the desire and we are hopeful that there will be another programme that will take over where the former ended

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS NEWS

Viable automotive industry will boost Nigeria’s economy – Aromlaran In his appraisal of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Mr. Tokunbo Aromlaran, Chairman National Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), the umbrella body of Original Equipment Manufacturers; in this interview with PAUL OGBUOKIRI, said government’s input in the automotive industry may have been unnoticeably calm, but stakeholders are optimistic the Federal Government would not renege on its pledge to implement the needed policies for a robust automotive industry. Excerpts: How will you assess the incumbent administration’s temperament to the quest for a feasible automotive industry since their inception about 365 days ago? The administration of President Mohammadu Buhari came in barely three years after the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) was approved by government and no sooner the policy document was launched than the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) swung into action with a rush of investments into the sector. The policy seeks to revive domestic production of automobile, using local human and natural resources with a view to enhancing the industry’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The impact of the policy on the automotive segment has in fact been tremendous. In fact, it is short of spectacular. As at the last count, more than 12 entrepreneurs have taken up the challenge and commenced operations, with fresh investment running to billions of naira. There is still a long way to go in getting us to the Promised Land. We are looking to this administration to take it to the next level and really own it. There has, however, been very little interaction or activity with this government on the policy. We understand the Honourable Minister is accessible but haven’t been able as a segment to interact with him. But being from the private sector we believe he is positively disposed to the policy. We are aware that the government is taking a critical look at the policy with a view to tweaking it to achieve their own idea of development and hope they will engage the authentic stakeholders who have already invested so much in the take-off of the sector shortly. What do you suggest the government should do especially at this time to reawaken the sector for renewed growth? If the government is serious about developing our industries, it should determine the strategic industries going by the National Industrial Revolution plan and determine the incentive package it would put in place to accelerate their take-off. The incentive package would take into account the peculiar disadvantages investors face in Nigeria because of failure to develop our infrastructure and put them in a position to compete. The auto industry falls into this category. Without mincing words, a viable vehicle manufacturing industry is capable of creating huge multiplier effects for the Nigerian economy and society. Other nations with developed auto industries towed the same path. There is so much for the government to do in this respect. The previous governments merely scratched the surface of the issue by putting in place the auto policy. The government can take the credit for giving it a bite by actually putting out a strong incentive package to attract major OEMs and seeing it through. This is the way to reawaken our productive capacity and create a future for the children of the poor and down-trodden. Does that imply the government is unacquainted of the potential of the automotive industry? Recently I read an excerpt of a speech from the Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry outlining the path of growth

for the industry. His thoughts were in line with the Auto Policy initiatives so the government is well acquainted with the potentials of the sector and what should be done. It is a question of overcoming the inertia. Statistics compiled by various government agencies including the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) confirmed that in that a total of about 400,000 vehicles (100,000 new and 300,000 used) valued at over N550billion were imported into the country. Now imagine if one fifth of that quantum of imports were assembled locally using available local resources; won’t the country be much better off?

Aromlaran

What then is your conviction? It is my conviction that the government is well aware of the positive and multiplier effects a vibrant auto sector can have on the economy. I believe they are figuring out how to assume ownership of the programme started by the previ-

ous administration and how to improve on it. This has taken the better part of one year without a formal engagement of the association of automotive manufacturers. We are forced to believe that the government is being distracted by many naysayers and interested parties who wish to slow down progress in the sector. The way forward is clear, very easy to decipher if you are objective and desirous of moving this country forward. Many people have benefited from trading and are feeding government with negative reports and holding back the pace of development of the industry. The investors in the Nigerian Auto Manufacturing segment are indeed hopeful and that’s why there is still tremendous activity in the automotive sector in spite of very difficult operating environment of policy uncertainty, dearth of skilled labour, poor infrastructure and scarce foreign exchange. Government needs to demonstrate in double quick time its conviction that support of the auto policy is good for this country. This will assure investors that government is a continuum and policies will not be dumped for the sake of ‘change’. Investors will only respond when they perceive a stable and supportive industrial environment.

African assets slump as Brexit vote triggers commodity decline

urrencies, stocks and bonds plunged across Africa after the U.K.’s vote to leave the European Union triggered a slump in oil and other commodities and sent investors scurrying for safe assets. South Africa’s benchmark share index fell the most since May 2010 to a third weekly decline, led by stocks with listings in London and by diversified mining companies. The rand dropped to a record against the yen and by the most since 2008 against the dollar before paring the decline, while yields on dollar bonds from Ghana to Kenya rose. Gold miners rallied by the most since 2008 before trimming gains as the precious metal, seen as a haven in times of turmoil, soared. “We’re going into a very difficult, very volatile time with prices moving in all sorts of directions; lots and lots of uncertainty,” Ron Kiplin, a money manager at Cratos Capital in Johannesburg, told Bloomberg. “And we still need to see what impact really, from a South African perspective, it has on emerging markets.” The victory for the “Leave” campaign may weigh on African economies as prices of raw materials fall, with the Bloomberg Commodity Index dropping 1.5 per cent on Friday as crude oil fell 4.5 per cent to below $50 per barrel. Gold rose 4.6 per cent to $1,314.20 an ounce, the most on

a closing basis since January 2009. The debate over the U.K.’s EU membership has dominated investor sentiment throughout June, with appetite for riskier assets having built up over the past week as bookmakers’ odds suggested the chance of a so-called Brexit was less than one in four. The rand slumped 8 per cent against the greenback before paring the decline to trade 3.3 per cent weaker at 14.9010 by 5:16 p.m. in Johannesburg. It fell 6.6 per cent to 6.8647 yen after plunging as much as 13 per cent. It gained 4.4 per cent against the pound to 20.5404. Most Volatile South Africa’s currency is the most volatile among 24 emerging-market peers, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, suggesting it often trades as a proxy for risk sentiment. A British exit from the EU could shave about 0.1 percentage point off South Africa’s economic growth, according to researchers from North-West University. The U.K. is the fourth-biggest destination of South African exports, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “We’re just caught up in the bloodbath,” said Phillip Pearce, a dealer at Treasuryone in Pretoria, the South African capital. “The rand always overshoots everyone. It’s such a liquid currency that it becomes a proxy for

all the other emerging markets and for risk assets in general.” South African government bonds fell the most since March, with yields on benchmark rand bonds due December 2026 climbing 21 basis points to 9.09 per cent. African Eurobonds plunged, with yields on Nigeria’s dollar bond due in 2023 rising 24 basis points, the most since Feb. 8, to 7.32 per cent. Ethiopia’s 2024 Eurobond yields climbed 10 basis points to 7.98 per cent, the highest since June 14. Investors also sold Rwanda’s dollar debt due in 2023, with

the yields jumping 27 basis points to 7.59 per cent. Kenya’s benchmark equity index ended 1.8 per cent lower, the biggest drop since Oct. 15. The East African country’s finance minister said the vote may slow inflows to Africa, while the central bank said it would intervene in the money and foreign-exchange markets to reduce volatility. “The kind of volatility being witnessed is crazy,” Faith Atiti, a research analyst at Nairobibased CBA Capital, said by phone. “Equities are coming down like crazy.”

G7 vows to boost global growth

he Group of Seven industrial powers pledged on Friday to seek strong global growth, while papering over differences on currencies and stimulus policies and expressing concern over North Korea, Russia and maritime disputes involving China. G7 leaders wrapped up a summit in central Japan vowing to use “all policy tools” to boost demand and ease supply constraints. “Global growth remains moderate and below potential, while risks of weak growth persist,” they said in a declaration. “Global growth is our

urgent priority.” Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, talking up what he calls parallels to the global financial crisis that followed the 2008 Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, said the G7 “shares a strong sense of crisis” about the global outlook. “The most worrisome risk is a contraction of the global economy,” led by a slowdown in emerging economies, Abe told a news conference after chairing the two-day summit. “There is a risk of the global economy falling into crisis if appropriate policy responses are not made.”

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016

AUTO BEAT Motoring briefs

Luxury cars take back seat to Kia in JD Power quality study

Mercedes-Benz boasts worldwide double-digit growth in May

Paul Ogbuokiri ercedes-Benz has reported a remarkable increase in sales in May with unit sales increasing by 12.9 per cent to 170,625 vehicles. In the period of January through May, 818,175 vehicles with the three-pointed star were delivered to customers (+12.3 per cent), more than ever before in the first five months of a year. This Stuttgart-based company achieved record unit sales in each of Europe and Asia-Pacific last month. Mercedes-Benz was the market leader in the USA, Japan, Canada, Australia

and Taiwan in May. “Our double-digit growth in Europe and Asia-Pacific made a major contribution to the strong unit sales of Mercedes-Benz in May,” said Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for MercedesBenz Cars Marketing & Sales. According to him, sales in Europe increased by a strong 14.2 per cent yielding a sale of 74,268 units in May while there was a 24.2 per cent increase in the Asia-Pacific region with a total of 57,438 vehicles handed over to customers in May. This increase was primarily due to double-digit growth in the major

markets of Great Britain, Italy, Spain and Belgium. In Germany, the domestic market, 23,343 vehicles were delivered to customers (+4.9 per cent). Also, in China, the biggest market, Mercedes-Benz achieved a new record of more than 38,000 vehicles sold (+38.9 per cent) while the company’s leadership was continued in Australia, Japan and Taiwan. In the NAFTA region, 34,323 units of Mercedes-Benz models were sold in May of which 29,299 of those automobiles were delivered to customers in the USA thus maintaining the market leader status among the premium manufacturers in May.

or the first time in 27 years, a non-luxury brand, Kia Motors, scored tops in the annual initial quality study of new vehicles sold in the United States by J.D. Power, the business consultancy said. For only the second time in the study’s 30-year history, American brands got better marks collectively than their non-domestic counterparts. And in another surprising result, the 2016 J.D. Power study showed that for the first time in a decade, owners of vehicles from nonpremium brands reported fewer problems than those who own the more expensive cars, SUVs and pickup trucks. “Expected reliability remains the most important consideration purchasing a new vehicle,” said J.D. Power. Kia was first among 33 car brands in the study, moving up from second place a year ago. Porsche, a sports luxury brand owned by Volkswagen AG, was second after finishing first a year earlier. At the bottom was Daimler AG’s (DAIGn.DE) Smart minicars, which scored well below next-tolast Fiat, and third-to-last Volvo. J.D. Power received more than 80,000 surveys from owners of 2016 model year new vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership. In a 233-question survey, the owners reported problems encountered with their purchases. Rounding out the top 10 highestranked vehicle brands, in order, were Hyundai Motor Co, Toyota Motor Corp, BMW, General Motors Co’s biggest brand Chevrolet, and three in a tie, GM’s Buick, Toyota’s Lexus, and Ford Motor Co’s Lincoln luxury brand. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ brands Jeep and Chrysler were the most improved in the study, J.D. Power said.

NAMA hails annual training for Nigerian Auto Journalists

he Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) has commended Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) for instituting an annual training for its members, saying it will help the implementation of the nation’s auto policy. Chairman of NAMA, who is also the Managing Director of VON Automobiles Limited, Mr. Tokunbo Aromolaran made the commendation, this week, when members of organizing Committee for the training paid him a visit in his office at Victoria Island, Lagos. Intimating the NAMA chairman about the training, which has been rescheduled to hold July 29 and 30, 2016, NAJA Training Committee Chairman, Mr. Femi Owoeye said NAJA

instituted the training at a time like this to ensure that journalists are well prepared towards contributing their own professional roles to the development of the nation’s auto industry. “As a stakeholder also,” he said, “we motoring journalists are aware of the importance of our role in the area of developmental journalism, a vital ingredient the industry needs to succeed.” Responding, the NMA chairman commended the initiative, saying capacity building for motoring journalists will go a long way at complementing the efforts of investors and the Federal Government towards successful implementation of the nation’s auto policy. “Instituting this kind of training at a time like this is commendable,” he said. “It will no doubt translate to

“Lots are happening now at various auto assemblies and manufacturing plants in the country,” he pointed out. “I know you have toured some of the plants. But if you would spare time to pay follow-up visits to the assembly and manufacturing plants, you would be able to see our latest products and so report them to Nigerians. This will go a long way at encouraging local consumption of our locally made automobiles and at the long run, accelerate the Nigerian Industrial Development Plan (NIDP). Already, some auto compaL-R: Vice President of Nigeria Automotive Journalist Association (NAJA), Mr. Mike Ochoma; Spe- nies and related government cial Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Transport, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi; President agencies have keyed into the of NAJA, Mr. Frank Kintum and the Lagos State Commissioner of transport, Mr. Dayo Mobereola, training, just as others are beduring a recent courtesy visit by Members of NAJA to the Commissioner in his office at Alausa, ing expected to also support Ikeja, Lagos the training. long term benefit for the semination.” space and time to report- The training retreat, which auto industry, in terms Mr. Aromolaran, howev- age of activities, products was earlier schedule to hold on of information flow and er, appealed to motoring and services of local auto June 24 and 25 has now been quality of information dis- journalists to give more manufacturers. shifted to July 29 and 30 2016.

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS

Why is salt added to processed foods? Clinical Consultant pharmacist EMMANUEL A.NWANKWO agmerendis@yahoo.com

08148877648 (SMS only)

ea salt is very good but more expensive. Sea salt also has traces of other minerals called trace minerals because it is not heavily processed, unlike table salt. Sea salt is a natural source of iodine which is good for the body. Patient has the right to know that Iodized table salt can also contain additional ingredient like fluoride and folic acid. For better health of the people. The Board of health in New York early this month (September 9th 2015) requires every chain eateries, restaurants (mama put) sub sandwiches, Movie Theater, pretzel milk shakes, and salads to have salt warning on them. This is a national push for healthier eating habits. Emblems to be on foods that contain more than the daily recommended salt intake of 2,400mg, so that people will know the amount of salt they are taking each time

they use those products (food) According to Board of Health in New York they hope that this decision will help all the communities force eating places to cut down on too much salt in the food they sell to the public. People have the right to know that there is a heightened alert to reduce too much salt in food. This will reduce the increasing cases of high blood pressure, heart attacks, kidney failure and gastric, stomach cancer cases world wide. WHAT STEP CAN YOU TAKE TO REDUCE YOUR SALT INTAKE?

You need to eat more fresh fruits and vegetable. The best way to reduce salt intake is to buy fresh produce such as fresh vegetable, fruits, raw grains and fresh meat. Fresh food items are more flavorful and they contain potassium which is good for the body. Remember that cooking your own meals from scratch is a good way to control the amount of salt in your food It is better to use spices when cooking, use vinegars, paprika, Herbs, flavored oil instead of salt. If you want to buy packaged or processed foods it is very impor-

tant to look for low salt or very low salt product. Read the label or ask the store person to explain to you about the amount of salt in the food item. PATIENT RIGHT TO KNOW

Salt Guideline. According to various health organizations 2300mg is equal to 1 teaspoonful of salt daily but for people who already have salt-induced health problems they can use 1,2001,500mg which is less than (1/2 ) teaspoon of salt daily. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that bread makers (Bakers) should reduce the amount of salt in bread especially in white bread because bread is blamed for American high salt intake, and the same thing may be applicable here in Nigeria. In January, 2015 the American heart association concluded that excess salt leads to high blood pressure and that excessive slat must be reduced in our meals (diet) WHAT IS THE ROLE OF NAFDAC IN REGULATING SALT IN NIGERIA?

Answer: NAFDAC is playing a role in monitoring of salt iodization in Nigeria

MY COUNSEL: Setting your priorities Right Success Nuggets

appear that your football career has not reached the point of yielding returns. It is understandable. Life is in phases. In view of the immediately preceding paragraph, it follows that your Victor Okwudiri job ought to be foremost in your scale of preference, unless you have 08037674300 (SMS only) a sponsor. Having said that, we are left with your studies and your Question: football career to consider. Sir, please how can I set my prioriIn considering between your studties right? I’m a footballer, I’m into part ies and your football career which time studies and I’m also working. I’m is more important, it is necessary to confused. ask the following questions: 1. What is your intended career My Response: path in life? In other words, what do Thank you for seeking my opinion. It you aspire to become? shows you trust my judgment and believe 2. Following due process, how in what I have been doing in this column long (in estimates) will it take to bein the past two years. I do not take your come that which you aspire to be? confidence for granted. 3. Is there any age limitation asPermit me to start by saying that there is sociated with your intended career no need to be confused. You have what it path, such that at a certain age the takes. All you need is to set your priorities doors will be closed to you? right, like you have asked, and to manage 4. Is your course of study such all your interests well. The ‘how’ is what I that can be pursued in a way that am set to tell you. is not so regimented? For example, Priorities simply speak of the order of in your choice course, does the posimportance of your schedules or interests. sibility exist for distance learning, In Accounting lexicon, it is called ‘scale of online studies, a spread-out study preference’. schedule, etc? Being a footballer, obtaining a degree Please carefully consider these or some other form of certification, and questions. The answers will be your working to earn a living are all worthy guide. causes. However, you need to ask yourself Furthermore, you may need to how important each of them is to you. The consider some schools of thought answer to that question forms your scale on the matter. The first school of of preference. thought sees football as a dicey career path; that is to say, a career If, however, I am to assist in the task of path that is not too sure; a career drawing up your scale of reference, I will path that is dependent on luck. advise you as follows: People of this school, most of whom From your question, I perceive that you are of the older generation, like parneed to be on a job to fund your studies ents, uncles and aunties, will readily and sustain yourself while you build your discourage you from opting for football career. In other words, it does football as a career. They will advice

you to focus your studies. The second school of thought says that, whereas schooling is something that can be done at any time, pursuing a career in football is time-bound. As such, people of this school of thought will advice you to pursue your football career, their argument being that you can acquire education even while pursuing your football career or after retirement from football. People of this school are mostly of the younger generation. Yet another school of thought posits that education must not be formal, and is unending; that anyone who is literate (who can read and right) will continuously educate himself without going to any school or partaking in any formal educational programme. Whatever school of thought appeals to you the most, my take is that the most important parameter for drawing up your scale of preference is your intended career path. Once you get that right, the challenge before you is about 70% solved. The rest if about your ability and commitment to managing the situation. Whatever your decision is, I want you to know that you can effectively handle all three demands if you set your priorities right using the guide I have just given you. The only limitation before you, if there is any at all, is the one in your mind, if you allow it to exist. The truth is, what the mind can CONCEIVE, one can ACHIEVE. You will succeed. Please follow me on Twitter @ VictorOkwudiri.

SEME Customs intercepts illicit drugs

eme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested and handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 106 parcels of illicit substances suspected to be cannabis (Indian hemp). A statement signed by Customs Public Relations Officers, Mr. Taupyen Selchang, indicate that the suspected cannabis concealed in a Toyota SEQUOIA vehicle with Lagos State registration No. EKY 407 CA was arrested at Gbaji Custom’s checkpoint along the busy Lagos – Badagry express way on the June 17, 2016. The suspect Mr. Sylvester Gbenga and the 106 parcel of the suspected cannabis was handed over to the Commander NDLEA Seme Badagry who was represented by the PSO Admin/Logistic of NDLEA Seme, Musa Khalil on the June 22, 2016 at Seme Border Command. Commenting on the arrest, the Ag Customs Area Controller Deputy Comptroller Sabo, disclosed that attempt by the suspect to bribe officers on duty with the sum of N47, 500.00 in order to compromise his arrest was resisted. He said that on examining the suspect and the means of conveyance, it reveals that the suspect was in possession of four International passports belonging to four different people, three handsets, one ipad, the sum of N199, 500.00 and CFA 72,000. Handing over the suspects to the officials of the NDLEA, the Ag Customs Area Controller D/C Sabo, said that the handing over showcase the synergy that exist between Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant sisters agencies at the International Border. The handing over of the 106 parcels of suspected India Hemp weighing 48.9kg with a value of Four Million Four Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand Naira N4, 452,000.00 was witnessed by the Officer in-Charge of Legal Seat CSC Ali-Sheriff and the Customs Public Relation Officer SC Taupyen , S.K. The representative of the NDLEA Commander acknowledged the receipt of the suspect; the drugs and the original case file for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Nigerian Breweries to host third beer symposium

gainst the background of its commitment to increasing basic knowledge that will correct wrong perceptions about beer, Nigerian Breweries Plc is set to host the third Nigerian Beer Symposium in Lagos. The one-day symposium which comes up on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos has as its theme: “Beer and Culture”. It will focus on beer as a beverage that lubricates culture and enhances social bonding across the ages. This year’s edition will be chaired by Mr. Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State who was praised for his contributions to the fields of agriculture, urban development, environment, and tourism during his tenure in office. The symposium also has a rich line up of experts and scholars in health, food and nutrition sciences who will deliver keynote lectures. They include: Professor Innocent Ujah, a Fellow of the Medical College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and current Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba-Lagos; Professor Bartholomew Okolo, OFR, a professor of Applied Microbiology and former Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Others are Mr. Ted Mukoro, a veteran advertising guru and Ms. Stephanie Coker, an On Air Personality and Television Presenter. According to the organisers, the symposium promises to be knowledge-packed and would provide an exciting insight into the global brewing industry, especially as it relates to beer, health and culture. Not a few historians agree that beer is one of the world’s oldest recorded alcoholic beverages, with many positive qualities and benefits. However, these benefits are little appreciated or understood by audiences who are daily overwhelmed by many unsubstantiated misconceptions about beer. To address these wrong perceptions, Nigerian Breweries, two years ago, launched a programme – The Positive Story of Beer (PSoB) – to change the conversation and improve the reputation of the beer category by sharing what is wonderful about beer.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

Positive Momentum Sustained

…as NSEASI records +7.01% Year-to-Date return

he Nigerian equities market sustained the positive momentum from the previous week, recording gains on three (3) out of the five (5) trading days in the week. Consequently, the Nigeria Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSEASI) appreciated by 4.79% week-on-week (WoW), bringing the year-to-date (YtD) return of the index to 7.01%. Volume and value of transactions also advanced by 10.58% and 29.36% respectively. Forty four (44) counters recorded gains in the week ended, while thirty two (32) stocks recorded price declines. GLAXOSMITH, CHAMPION, NEWGOLD, TRANSCORP, and NEIMETH advanced by 55.56%, 44.35%, 35.28%, 31.58% and 26.67% respectively, thus featuring as the top gainers for the week. Conversely, NEM, TRANSEXPR, DNMEYER, CCNN, and VITAFOAM led the week’s laggards with declines of 13.76%, 10.19%, 9.09%, 6.88%, and 6.32% in that order. During the week, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, ETI approved a dividend of USD48.2mn (USD0.02 per share) for FY2015. The company also informed the market of its decision to consolidate every 20 ordinary shares held into one new ordinary share. Wapic Insurance Plc. (WAPIC) also announced its establishment of a Non-Capital Raising Global Depository Receipt Program. The program provides the Company with exposure to the North American and European capital markets. Also, in the course of the week, the Federal Ministry of Agiculture and Rural Development (FMARD) agreed that Union Dicon Salt Plc UNIONDICON will replace Cargill as the core investor in the USD100mn Alape Staple Crop Processing Zone in Kogi State, where UNIONDICON is expected to cultivate cassava on 30,000 hectares of land. We opine that the sustained positive sentiment in the equities market is triggered by investors’ anticipation of increased foreign participation in the market, following the liberalization of the nation’s FX system. In the coming week, we anticipate pockets of profit taking on counters that recorded significant in this week, hence we advise investors to trade cautiously. This report reviews events in the current week, with emphasis on different segments of the financial market, while presenting our expectations for the coming week. Fixed Income: Naira closes at NGN281.14/ USD at the Spot market The new Foreign Exchange trading system opened on Monday, the Naira depreciated by 29.95% during the day’s trading session to close at NGN281.85/USD at the Spot market. The Central Bank of Nigeria on Monday sold USD4.02bn to clear the existing backlog through the new Special Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS), settling USD0.532bn at the Spot market and USD3.487bn forwards. Overall, the Naira closed at NGN281.14/USD in the week, representing a year-to-date return of -41.78%. Similarly the average closing rate at the Forwards market pegged at NGN297.62/USD, implying a 44.13% depreciation WoW. The Naira however sustained prior week closing price, exchanging at NGN345/USD as at 23rd of June, 2016. Tempered financial system liquidity pressured the Nigerian Interbank Offered Rates and Money Market rates northward at the beginning of the week. However, the release of FAAC allocation and maturity of some instruments improved the liquidity level, thus NIBOR pegged at an average of 22.75% (+13.64% WoW) on Thursday, while the OBB and OVN closed the week at 19.17% (+17.54% WoW) and 21.17% (+18.96% WoW) accordingly. The Central Bank of Nigeria was scheduled to auction Treasury bills worth

trend in the coming week, as speculative investors may take accumulated profits. Hence, we advise value seeking investors to trade cautiously, while also considering fundamentally justified stocks.

NGN167.46bn on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, as NGN107.56bn worth of instruments matured, however NGN75.45bn worth was sold. The 91-day, 182-day and 364-day instruments closed at stop rates of 9.99%, 12.30% and 15.00% accordingly. At the secondary market, the average yield across the Nigerian Treasury Bills opened the week’s trading session at 10.01%, however due to low demand, average yield pegged at 13.13%. Demand was seemingly low for the FGN Bond instruments as average offer yield advanced marginally by 0.64% weekon-week to close the week at 13.88%. We opine that the reduced system liquidity and weak demand for fixed income instruments is related to resumption of activities at the interbank foreign exchange market. In the coming week, we expect demand to remain weak for fixed income instruments as system liquidity remains pressured amidst the apex bank’s intervention and OMO auctions. Agric. Sector: Records No Decliner for the Week Measuring the sector’s performance by our MERI-AGRI Index, the Agric sector advanced by 3.45% WoW, resulting in a yearto-date return of +7.48% for the sector. Three (3) of the sector stocks recorded WoW gains, while the other two (2) counters in the sector traded flat week-on-week. The sector’s gainers were LIVESTOCK, OKOMUOIL and PRESCO recorded respective gains of 1.79%, 5.00%, and 2.24% to settle at NGN1.14, NGN31.50 and NGN36.50 at the close of the week. ELLAHLAKES and FTNCOCOA closed at their previous week prices of NGN4.26 and NGN0.50 in that order. We believe the sector portends attractive opportunities across the different segments of its value chain. However, we advise that investor participation within the sector should be based on analysis of company strategy and other fundamentals. Banking Sector: Advances again, as Sentiments Fully Shift

The banking sector closed in the positive region for the 2nd consecutive week, as the positivity surrounding the new FX trading system and the possible impact on the banking system has seemingly shifted sentiments fully. Consequently, the MERI-BNK index advanced by 5.52% to peg the YtD return at 18.47%. There were seven (7) gainers and eight (8) decliners to peg the sector breadth at 0.88x. GUARANTY led the gainers after the ticker advanced by 11.75% WoW. The ticker was followed by STANBIC, STERLNBANK, ZENITHBANK, and UBA after the respective tickers advanced by 4.81%, 4.64%, 2.10%, and 2.08%. On the other side, the decliners list was populated by FBNH (-5.69%), WEMABANK (-4.82%), SKYEBANK (-3.51%), FCMB (-3.45%), and UNITYBNK (-3.39%). The market has rallied strongly in this week on the back of gains on the sector heavyweights. We are expectant of profit taking on a few of the major gainers this week, thus we advise investors to trade cautiously in the coming week. Consumer Goods: Sector Breadth Pegs at 2.75x The Consumer Goods sector advanced by 3.05% week-on-week (WoW) to return 1.47% year-to-date (YtD). We credit the sector’s peromance in the week to the positive sentiments that ruled the overall equities market during the week. There were eleven (11) advancers against four (4) decliners to peg the sector breadth at 2.75x. The highest advancers for the week were CHAMPION, HONYFLOUR, AGLEVENT, NESTLE and GUINNESS, with respective week-on-week (WoW) gains of 44.35%, 15.56%, 14.29%, 12.94% and 7.50%. On the flip side, the decliners were VITAFOAM, PZ, NB and DANGSUGAR, with -6.32%, -2.79%, -2.59% and -1.57% WoW returns in that order. CADBURY, NNFM and PREMBREW however retained the previous week’s close prices. We do not anticipate a continuation of this

Health Sector: MERI-HLTH Index gains 52.75% WtD The sector closed the week up (after several weeks of decline), advancing by 52.75% to drive the YtD return to -34.66%, as measured by our MERI-HLTH index. Four (4) stocks recorded substantial price appreciations, with no decline recorded in the week. GLAXOSMITH topped the gainers league, after appreciating by 55.56% to close at NGN22.12. NEIMETH, FIDSON and MAYBAKER trailed with respective price increases of 26.67%, 16.84% and 3.42% to settle at NGN1.14, NGN2.22, and NGN1.21, while other counters closed flat in the week. During the week, Fidson Healthcare PLC (FIDSON) informed the investing public that a new bio-tech factory, which is three times the company’s current capacity, will commence production operations in Q3:2016.The new factory will enable the company to add a new product line (Intravenous infusion) to its already vast product portfolio. The whooping gains witnessed by sector companies in the week was as a result of the low levels the stock prices were trading, coupled with the positive news from FIDSON which trickled into the market in the week. We do expect this optimism to subsist in the coming week, as we expect some investors to take profit on stocks that have recorded substantial price appreciations. Industrial Goods: Sector Records Strong Performance The Industrial goods sector closed positive for the 2nd consecutive week after recording a 7.91% gain WoW, as measured by our MeriIndustrial Goods Index. Although the sector closed positive overall, the market breadth (0.29x) for the week, showed a prevalence of negative sentiments as seven (7) stocks declined in value versus two (2) gainers. DANGCEM led the gainers for the second consecutive week, with an 8.92% WoW change in price to close at NGN200.20. CUTIX, with a 4.43% gain in share price, was the only other advancer. On the other hand, DNMEYER, CCNN, CAP, BERGER, WAPCO, PORTPAINT and ASHAKACEM recorded respective declines of 9.09%, 6.88%, 3.99%, 3.82%, 1.99%, 1.54% and 0.14%. As highlighted above, the gains recorded this week were largely on the back of DANGCEM’s performance while most of the sector players witnessed sell sentiments. We believe investors are favoring good stocks with the potential of attracting foreign investors. Going forward, we expect fluctuations in sector sentiments as investors take positions and profits intermittently. Insurance Sector: WAPIC Establishes a Non-Capital Raising GDR The sector recorded gains for the second consecutive week, as the NSEINS10 Index advanced by 2.80% WoW, bringing the sector’s YtD return to -1.77%. The sector’s breadth was at equilibrium, after equal number (3) of counters appreciated and declined in value. MANSARD topped the gainers chart, having appreciated by 16.36% WoW to close at NGN2.56. The counter was closely followed by LAWUNION and CUSTODYINS, after the respective counters appreciated by 16.00% and 13.61% WoW. NEM (-13.61% WoW) recorded the worst performance within the sector to settle at NGN0.94, after profit taking activities were triggered on the stock. The counter was trailed by AIICO (-3.57% WoW) and CONTINSURE (-1.75% WoW), while all other counters traded flat.

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

FAITH

The weapon the enemies don’t have

ne day, I swallowed my pride and did what I never expected I would ever do. I had some disagreement with some people. Something was about to happen. I was lying down before God pleading that he should intervene and save the situation. This I was doing at about 1.00am in my house. Suddenly, the Lord told me “why are you crying to me. If I ask you to go and lie down to beg those members in their different houses will you go?” I said I will. He said to me, go to them and do what you are doing here. I stopped praying and that same evening, I took someone with me, dressed in my Bishop’s purple cassock and went to their houses one by one. I laid down on the floor and asked for forgiveness. Some of them were my students in Secondary School. What was the result? The news went round that I have gone to beg for forgiveness. Why did I beg them if I was not guilty? I was satisfied that I obeyed the Lord. The thing I feared still occurred; but I had peace. I did not pray against or curse anybody. But I learnt some lessons. • Forgiveness is the greatest weapon you have that all your opponents do not have.

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

0808 770 7486

• The Children of those you forgive will line up behind your children tomorrow. • I resolve that coals of fire should not be heaped on my head – that determines who wins and loses the battle. So, first to forgive is first to win. “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head”. (Rom. 12:20) • If I must win, I must forgive. • Forgiveness implies reversing all the decisions you took when you were offended. • I forgive for my own good, not necessarily for the sake of others. I am the one, not necessarily them that benefit more from the forgiveness I offer them. • You might look foolish or weak in their eyes, but for your own good, forgive. • When you forgive and reverse every decision or curse, if anything still happens, it is not because you desire it or prayed

• •

for it but the scripture has to be fulfilled. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” - (Galatians 6:7). It is not your duty to implement the word of God, or to help anybody reap what he has sown. It is your duty to forgive completely, and not to monitor what happens to those who hurt you. Un-forgiveness takes you backward. “Let me face them” means you turning back ward to meet them. Eventually, you will settle and move forward in group together. You will not be ahead of them again. Forgive to maintain the lead and be ahead of them. Fighting or “facing them” stops your progress. When Saul was anointed King (1 Samuel 10) Eight chapters were devoted to his rule and development. He because envious of David (chapter 18), and pursued him to

kill. Fourteen chapters were devoted to this backward trend (1 Samuel chapter 18 to chapter 31). Saul was dead in backward trend – to kill David. David on his part simply refused to kill Saul his enemy when he had the opportunity twice (1 Samuel 20:20). David forgave and moved forward, Saul refused to forgive and moved backward until he died. • Some persons are prepared to die provided the enemies die. I am not a suicide bomber. Some persons are prepared to remain stagnant provided the enemy also remains stagnant, but I am prepared to move up even if the enemy moves up with me. We are on the same lift, may be. • The Lord asked me this question one day. “For me to promote you and bless you and for me to punish and deal with your enemy, take one. Don’t take the two. Choose one”… I resolved to be promoted and be blessed, and He did it for me. My business is my promotion, not what happens to the enemy and so I am obliged to forgive. I forgive because I want to move forward and upward. So forgive to move forward and upward.

Shouting at your children

n average Nigerian home, all the parents are interested in doing when the children do wrong is flog, scold, shout, slap and carry out every form of disciplinary measure in order to correct their children. While I am not eliminating this style, I feel it is imperative for parents to understand that discipline goes far beyond punishments and correction. It is a lot deeper than we practice in our homes. For example a parent might beat a child for lying and at the end of the day; all that is left in the child’s mind is the beating. The unresolved question is, “why shouldn’t I lie?” As I said earlier, discipline is more than beating and correcting your child. It is about instilling life values in your children. A child can be flogged for lying but at the end of the day, the value of HONESTY might not have been put in him; because the parents most likely will focus on punishing that child for the lie, not teaching him the right alternative which is TRUTH. So, this same child ends up doing the usual, because no real

Marriage & Family Intimacy

Bishop Charles Ighele holyspiritmissioninc@yahoo.com

07066579379/09098845521 alternative was introduced after the punishment. A teenage girl once told a friend that all her mother did was yell: “I don’t want to see you with this boy again. Boy friends are bad…..you will get pregnant and be a disgrace.” Confiding in her friend, the teenager admitted that she was still with the boy because she had no genuine reason to leave him. About pregnancy she said; “I can avoid it if I’m careful.” As long as she was concerned, she had not been given a tangible point in the form of a value that will appeal to her conscience and make her take the decision to drop the boy on her own. So, all she saw coming from her mother were not strong points to make her refrain from being with the boy especially if she had a way of avoiding those points from coming to pass. She felt she could manipulate

her way and get what she wanted out from the boy. This girl did not grasp the concept that immorality is sin that destroys the soul; because her mother only focused on issuing the order, but never pointed out the reason for to order. If all you do as a parent is discipline, flog and scold, you would be like the one who tries to remove an unclean spirit from your child, but does not put anything in the child’s mind, leaving it open to worse spirits, Luke 11:24-26. Instill life values. Another dimension to this is seen in a story of a thirteen year old girl who vowed to her parents, on her thirteenth birthday, that she would remain sexually pure. This came as a result of the values instilled into her by her parents from a tender age. Her parents did not just resolve to scolding and correcting her, they made some steps further. They knew that just telling

her to do so and so would not make much meaning to her; so they made her understand life’s values and the advantages of imbibing them. They simply made her to understand them and left her to make choices on her own. She made the decision not out of fear for her parents but because she knew it was right and pleasing to God and to her destiny. If as a parent, when you uproot the Adamic pillar of sin from your child’s life by only scolding and flogging, it is important you erect a pillar of values so the building does not fall. This is why many parents wonder why, after they have flogged and shouted at their children for many years, upon becoming young men and women the children go on to do exactly what their parents do not want them to do. They only saw punishment and nothing to hold onto, to live as expected. Life values include honesty, generosity, care and compassion, integrity, purity and some other factors that make a total person. Teach your children these values by constantly telling them in a loving way.

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

No mid-way position about it

he direction to which a man looks at in the face of adversity matters; because it determines his failure or success and defeat or victory. You must look up and lift your head in compliance of the provisions of the word of God which states: “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help; my help cometh from the Lord –Psalm 121:1-2. In life, one either looks up or looks down at a point in time. There is no mid-way position about it, the choice is yours. When you look up, you will see the sun, the cloud and other positive things. The sun stands for brightness and the light. But if you are looking down, you will see shadows which mean instability; and you will see dust which means nothing. Spiritually, we are to look up to the Lord Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith –Hebrew 12:2. Jesus Christ is the son of the living God and also the sun of righteousness. He is the son and also the sun thus the Bible says: “But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings – Malachi 4:2. Literally speaking, looking up means to raise one’s head and look up facing the sky. In that state, you are not bound to be conscious of the things around you, you may not see an oncoming vehicle, and you cannot be distracted easily. But when you are looking down, you shall be conscious of many things; then distractions and awareness of the presence of fearful things becomes possible. It is incumbent on the believer to look up. Figuratively or better put, spiritually, when you look up, you shall see the glory of God and the joy of the Lord shall strengthen you such that you shall become oblivious of the oppositions, fears and problems around you. The grace from above will enable you to forget the pains of this life and move forward with our Lord Jesus Christ. You look up by accepting Jesus Christ as the sun of righteousness and as your Lord and personal savior. Make the Lord Jesus Christ your focus. Stand on his promises, his word and it shall be well with you. As

you cannot look up and down at the same time, you must choose go along one direction. I therefore urge you today: chose Jesus Christ and make him your focus and every fear shall vanish away from you. Since the fall of man, fear has been the catalyst to many calamities, afflictions and sickness. Fear is the greatest weapon of destruction in the hand in the devil. This is why our Lord Jesus Christ summarized the ministry of the devil and likened him to the thief: “The thief commeth not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy –John 10:10a. Satan either introduces fear or fear introduces Satan. When they come into any situation, they steal your joy, kill your peace and destroy your confidence in God; and destroy your relationship with God. Thank God that our Lord Jesus Christ comes in right on time, to save our situation. He said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly” –John 10:10b. In stealing your joy, the devil may minister lies to you about a situation that has an obvious solution. He may exaggerate or blow it out of proportion persistently emphatically and continuously until you become terrified, frightened and overwhelmed with fear. The moment fear conquers you, job loss or some calamity may befall you, and when you lose your job, you become spiritually weak to fight any battle in prayer. At that point in time, any little attack by the tiniest demon can floor and subdue you. This is because fear has already cleared the grounds for the enemy to harass you. This is the reason for this Shakespearian adage: “Cowards die many times before their death.” A believer in Christ is said to have spiritual strength or be spiritual strong, when he or she is watchful and prayerful. The type of Christian can never be defeated in any spiritual battle. But the Bible says: “The joy of the Lord is our strength,” –Nehemiah 8:10. It naturally follows that the moment this joy, which is the nucleus or substratum of our strength is stolen, the believer becomes weak, looses strength and consequently prone to cheap defeat.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016

FAITH

Insight

Rev. Femi Akinola www.thehebrewsng.com

01-790 3163; 0808 584 5864

You will hit it big

o hit it big is to be blessed and in so much as to take care of your children even to many generations. It means to come out from all forms of limitation. “…How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? …Because the LORD thy God brought it to me.” Genesis 27:20 Except you are given you cannot receive. Isaac asked Jacob this question because of His experience with the Philistines who closed up many of the wells he dug. David confronted and brought Goliath down; and that became the victory that lifted him in life. Whatever is standing before you and your family as a Goliath, you shall bring them down and be celebrated in Jesus name. When you hit it big you create a space for yourself in your family, society and in life. One who has nothing to offer cannot at any point be of help to himself or immediate family. It is necessary to succeed in life, not just so that one can be relevant but so that one’s destiny can rejoice. How can you hit it big? 1. You must know you purpose; find out your assignment. When you are in your purpose doing your assignment, the presence of God and His hand will be with you, hence, you cannot fail. Life becomes a struggle for any man who rebels against God’s divine path for his life. 2. Work Hard (John 9:4) Hard work is only hard for those who hardly work. When you work hard, you won’t do for too long before your rest will come. Many have settled for a life of mediocrity because they are not willing to work hard and smart. Only those who work hard have the chance of making it big. The night of everyone will come someday; and no man can work when it is night. 3. Use your mouth (I Sam 17:46) There are giants you must bring down in life before your family name can be known. That one victory was what lifted David to the throne. Learn to use your mouth to command your victory. 4. Begin to Evangelize (Proverbs 11:30) When God’s heartbeat becomes your priority, He becomes involved

in your business too. When you publicize the gospel to save souls, God makes big publicity for your business too. 5. Carry the Kingdom with total commitment When the business of God’s Kingdom becomes your drive, God cannot overlook your business. 6. Be a man after God’s heart If God blesses you now, will you still do His will? God knows the heart of every man. Men may be concerned with outward appearance, but God looks at the intent of a man’s heart. 7. Ask For Mercy. “…I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy…” Romans 9:15 The mercy of God is unmerited favor. He chooses whom to have mercy on depending on the dispositions of the heart of men. Until you humble yourself before God and seek for mercy He cannot lift you. 8. Be faithful in small things (Luke 19:17) God cannot put something big in your hands if you cannot take care of something small. 9. Obey His Instructions (Isaiah 1:19) It’s one thing to be willing and it is another entirely to be obedient. If you will make it big working with God then you must be willing to obey His instructions. Don’t ask for instructions if you are unwilling to obey it completely. 10. Serve God (Job 36:1112) Those who refuse to serve the Creator always end up serving creatures – things that God Himself created. Serve Him with all; your time and resources. 11. Give to God than you give to people (Luke 6:38) God is a jealous God. Many give so much to their loved ones but when it’s time to give to their Maker, they become conservative. Don’t put people before Him so as not to invite His wrath. 12. Find your location. If you are wrongly located in life, you can miss your allocation. You might get everything right, but if you are in the wrong location in life, everything might go wrong.

The purpose of nations

ELEG… This is a word that might be unknown to even some of the most ardent students of the Bible. Graduates of schools of theology, seminaries and Bible schools might not have a clue into the meaning and significance of this word. If we however wish to understand the mind of God concerning nations and continents, there is no way we can bypass Peleg. This five-letter word might hold the key to understanding the structure of our world. It could be a major key in understanding the makeup of the geographical map of the world. But even more important is the fact that Peleg could give us insight into the future of nations and continents as we know them today. I wish to deviate meanwhile into a more detailed analysis of the centrality of our topic today - THE PURPOSE OF NATIONS. I would definitely come back to a full and detailed discussion about the supposedly mysterious word, Peleg. It is expedient for every man and woman in our world today to know that he and she is not a product of accident. What I am trying to say is that your origin matters, your nation matters, your culture matters, your ancestry matters and your country matters. Sometimes the idea

The Purpose of Nations

Pastor Sunday Adelaja xxxx@yahoo.com

that we are living in a global village could create a sense of loss and confusion. In the sense that, you don’t think any more in terms of where you are coming from? What your origin is? What your roots are? Most of the time especially as believers, we tend to think that these things don’t matter anymore especially to God. We hear people say that if you are in Christ it doesn’t really matter who you are or where you are from. Yet, we cannot close our eyes to the fact that people are different. People have different skin colors, pigmentations, different shape and color of the eyes, different cultures and different traditions. Even though we might all be in Christ, we speak different languages and relate to different cultures better, we belong to different races etc. What that tells me is that being in Christ does not obliterate diversity in cultures, traditions and even races. A glaring proof to this hypothesis is seen in the New Testament, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples, in Acts chapter two. God in his infinite wisdom had

made arrangement for all people groups under the sun to be present at this historic and monumental event. When the Spirit was eventually poured out on the disciples, the standbys from different nations of the earth testified to have heard the disciples speak in the various languages represented. “And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Acts 2:6-12.

What that tells me is that even God recognizes every single tribe, nation and ethnic group he has created. That is why he had to make that statement clear and loud, even in the New Testament. Meaning the new thing God is doing in the New Testament belongs to all nations, tribes, people groups and all nationalities, no matter the differences. Notice that there were no conditions for these people to become witnesses and participants to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They didn’t need to become Jews, they didn’t need to be circumcised, they didn’t need to be baptized, etc. God just poured out his Spirit upon all flesh,signifying the fact that all flesh were made by him for his purposes. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” Col. 1:16 Hence, God has his own agenda, ideas and purpose for the creation of every single nation, country, ethnic group, tribe, nationality, color, island, etc. Each one of these diversities are meant to serve their individual purposes as only God sees best. I hope what we have observed so far has begun to awaken your interest in the importance of nations in Gods purposes. •To be continued

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Onojaefe during their wedding ceremony which took place at the Assemblies of God Church, Alagbole recently

NEWS EXTRA

rofessor Maduike Ezeibe, a renowned Nigerian scientist and Head, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria has found what could be a novel treatment for Human immunedeficiency virus (HIV) infections infection that may slash the current cost of treatment. Ezeibe, after 19years of intensive research has been able to show that synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate (AMS) has antiretroviral effects that could lay a perfect track for affordable and effective therapy for HIV. Results of his work titled ‘Assessment of Antiretroviral Effects of a Synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate’ published in the British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research (BJMMR 4(8): 1672-1679, 2014) and featured on SCIENCEDOMAIN international (www.sciencedomain.org), shows a significant reduction in the titres of the virus when HIV positive plasma was incubated with AMS.

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Finally HIV demystified As Nigerian University don discovers cure

Since 1981 when the Human Immunodeficency Virus (HIV) was first clinically observed in the United States, the world has, ever since then, been held down by the belief that the Virus has conferred on humans, the most incurable pandemic ever recorded in human history. In the worst affected regions notably Sub-Saharan Africa, million of lives have been affected and this steadily progressing catastrophe threatens to become a calamity of cataclysmic proportions. However, the good news now is that, with the recent development of Antiretroviral Drug- Aluminium Magnesium Silicate (AMS), by Maduike Ezeibe, Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) Abia State, People living with HIVAIDs will now have the cause to smile again. Science Editor, STANLEY CHIBUIHEM AMALAHA, in an interview with the don in the university, reports

Chemistry of the action Ezeibe said this could provide an ultimate cure for the virus that has defiled so many scientific efforts to curtail it in the past. He reacted Aluminium Silicate with Magnesium Silicate to obtain the synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate devoid of impurities as show in the chemical equation below

Prof Ezeibe displaying samples of AMS inside drug sachets

A14 (SiO4)3+3Mg2SiO4. – –2Al2 Mg3(SiO4)3 Giving further details on AMS, the distinguished don said, “Molecules of Aluminum–Magnesium Silicate have platelets that possess both negative and positive electrical charges on their surfaces and their edges. HIV on the other hand is negatively charged. So the simple scientific understanding that opposite charges attracts ensures that the HIV virus binds to the AMS and is discharged from the body alongside.” An existing medicine “AMS is normally used as a stabilizing medicine that does not really have toxic effect on the patient, so it makes it a suitable agent for mopping up HIV virus from the body,” he said. Writing in the journal, he stated that “possession of both negative and positive electrical charges makes AMS a broad spectrum antiviral medicine. AMS, if used in combination of selected antibiotics and immune stimulant may achieve a ‘cure’ for HIV,” says the researcher. He further highlighted that, “When a significant number of particles of invading viruses adsorb onto its (AMS) molecules instead of onto their hosts cells, viral infections are terminated. Similarly, platelets of AMS molecules are only 0.96 nm thick. So, it is made of Nanoparticles, which makes it possible for them to pass physiological barriers. Therefore, AMS may get to and adsorb to HIV particles in any organ of infected persons.” The author also noted that “Adsorbing out HIV means that millions of new virions usually released from each infected cell would be inhibited from establishing new infections in more cells,” adding, “Thus, HIV would be prevented from overwhelming the body immune systems and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) stage may be prevented. When the AIDS stage is prevented, the immune systems have advantage over HIV infections and clear viral particles that escape the AMS molecules,” in which case Ezeibe said a cure could be achieved. Not one of those claims This may be another HIV cure claim, but Ezeibe said this is quite unlike in previous cases. “We have tested the medicine on Bird flu virus, Measles virus, Peste des petit virus of sheep and goats, Canine parvovirus of dogs, Newcastle disease virus, Infectious bursal disease virus, Fowl pox

With the recent development of Antiretroviral Drug- Aluminium Magnesium Silicate (AMS), by Maduike Ezeibe, Professor of Veterinary Medicine, (MOUAU) Abia State, People living with HIVAIDs will now have the cause to smile again

Having been investigated by the Presidential Standing Committee on Inventions and Innovations set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria, he has been making frantic, but futile efforts to take this finding to the next stage that could ensure human clinical trials.

Prof Ezeibe

virus and Eggs drop syndrome virus of chicken, a process that was missing in previous claims,” he disclosed. He further stated “the animals were experimentally infected and treated with AMS in a students’ project that were examined at the Department and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture before the university’s senate considered and approved them. The problem those who made claims of cure for HIV earlier had is that, there were no routine in vitro (laboratory) tests for HIV titre. So they could not measure effects of their medicines. This is a problem all over the world.” In a description of the methodology used, Ezeibe commented “Plasma that tested positive to HIV and the AMS were mixed, on equal volume to weight basis, incubated one hour at room temperature and centrifuged for ten minutes at 3,000 revolutions per minute. These procedures were repeated on each supernatant. HIV titres of the two sets of supernatants and the titres in portions of the plasma, not incubated with the AMS were assessed by direct passive hemagglutination test.” A reason to believe Results of this, as published in the journal shows that initial incubating with it caused an increase in their viral titres, but

a repeat incubation with the AMS reduced HIV titres in all the samples. The 99.60 per cent reduction of HIV titre in the specimen that had its HIV titre increased more than 4096, following the repeat incubation, is significant. “It has been reported that when antimicrobial drugs achieve 95 per cent reduction of infection rate or above, the patient would be cured of the infection. So, the reduction of the virus titre by as much as 99.60 per cent suggests that the AMS may lead to effective treatment of HIV infections,” the researchers noted. Professor Ezeibe has earlier disclosed that Aluminium-Magnesium Silicate could be used to cure chickens of Bird flu when there was an out-break of the disease in Nigeria in 2008. On why it took this long to ascertain the same effect with HIV, he said, “Testing the AMS on HIV delayed till now because electrical charges on HIV (not HIV antibodies) were not known until 2012. We could not until recently, when we developed Direct Passive Hemagglutination test for HIV, which was published by the journal, Health 5(9) at www.scrirp.org.” Verification and validity of his claim On the validity of his claim, Ezeibe said: “he has sent a request for further verification to the Nigerian Academy of Sciencethe highest scientific body in Nigeria.

Cost effectiveness It was concluded that the AMS has antiretroviral effects and could be an inexpensive antiretroviral therapy for regular treatment to reduce high rate of HIV infection among low income groups because the two essential minerals – Aluminum Silicate (kaolin) and Magnesium Silicate, used in the production of the therapy, have large deposits in Umuahia and other parts of Abia State. This, he said, would make the therapy cheaper and more affordable than the old anti-retroviral drug. He added that the therapy would take an average of two to three months or more to cure HIV/AIDS patient depending on the viral load in the patient. Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) Following directives from the Vice Chancellor of MOUAU, to the Medical Director of the University to verify Ezeibe’s claim, a team from the University went into collaboration with the Basic Health Clinic Abuja for an Independent Clinical trial of AMS. It was discovered that after Eight months of administration of AMS to HIV patients, three out of the 10 HIV patients, are now HIV negative. Two more would recover this month (June) after nine months of treatment with regard to reduction in their viral load; while the remaining five patients are expected to be cured next month July.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

Messi primed to end Argentina’s drought

Eagles stars positive on ‘Group of Death’

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Oke, Osazuwa increase Team Nigeria’s medal haul

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SPORTS

Avre, Mmadu blast NFF boss over lesbianism jibes Dapo Sotuminu

wo Nigerian women’s football legends and former Super Falcons stars, Patience Avre and Maureen Mmadu, both based abroad have lambasted the vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF),Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, over his lesbianism jibes in Nigerian women’s football. Avre, who played in three FIFA World Cup finals Sweden 95, USA 99 and USA 2003, told Sunday Telegraph from her base in the United States that, the statement made by the NFF Vice President that women’s football in Nigeria failed to attract sponsorship from top corporate bodies due to the scourge of lesbianism, was nothing but derogatory. She said: “You don’t have to disrespect or insult people to want to communicate or point out a problem. And the truth is that, in as much as lesbianism is an anti-societal norm and exists within the team, l will want to say that, that is not one of the pressing problems or challenges of the female national team the Super Falcons and the women’s soccer league in Nigeria.” Avre stated that: “The claim made by the NFF Vice President is so bogus and untrue, as I played in the Nigerian women’s league for so many years and also played actively in the national team. What the NFF Vice President just exhibited is lack of inadequate exposure on his own side. When you have administrators with modern day ideology and what it takes to administer women’s football administratively, financially, psychologically, mentally and educationally, l am sure the game would take a new and better dimension. A lot is needed to bring the team to readiness point of competing against top opponents in the world. But unfortunately, Akinwunmi just showed that he doesn’t have all these, which was the main reason behind his unguarded statements. The best bet for him now is to resign honourably as he has openly declared his hatred for women’s football which an integral part of football not only in Nigeria but at the international level. “For women’s football to be successful in Nigeria the way it was years back, we need people that are not just sound in the game administratively, but those who knows how to practically ex-

•Want him to quit as vice president

Akinwunmi

ecute what the game needs so as to achieve the desire results. Bad enough the current NFF president does not have any of these.” The former Ufoma Babes of Warri and Princess Jegede Babes of Lagos striker, noted that, the other major killing factor that is fighting the mentality of the football administrators is gender, this a stranglehold on Seyi Akinwunmi. “You can’t be doing same thing over and over and expect a different result, that’s insanity, sorry to say. We need in the NFF people that have experienced this game both on the field and outside the field. People that got exposure and the experience with an understanding of modern day soccer management strategy at the world level. “The lesbianism issue Akinwunmi is pointing at is really not the major problem of women’s football in Nigeria. Lesbianism has a very easy and simple control measure that can be used to eliminate it from being a distraction to women’s football in Nigeria. We should deal with the real problems. It’s important you put in what is required so as to get your desired result. The right action produces the right result. Let’s all come out of our comfort zone and take responsibility. We need to start thinking on how to introduce education alongside women’s soccer, both at the club and the national team levels. It is a lot, we just don’t wait to sincerely pay attention to what the problem really is, so sad though. We have female soccer players home and abroad who are administratively sound, well educated, exposed and well-skilled to move with the pace of the world on how modern soccer is administered. We got to tell ourselves some hard truth. “In my playing days, Pepsi was the saving grace for Nigerian women’s football sponsorship. This went along way, but today it is unfortunate the NFF Vice President who couldn’t get any sponsorship for the sport is the one making flimsy excuses. Akinwunmi should go to developed countries and see what the countries Football Federations are doing for women’s football, they are well treated and in some cases treated even better than the male players. Patience Avre, agreed to the fact that in Nigeria some coaches take advantage of female players to the detriment of the game as alleged by the NFF bigwing. “Some of these coaches need to go to jail for what they did to some players. I knew what they did to some of my colleagues, such coaches should pay for their crime. The players were scared to expose the culprits for fear of being dropped from the team. “The way forward for the development of women’s football in the country is for the Nigeria Football Federation irrespective of sponsorship or not, to make a budget for women’s football. The country should solicit supports from the various multi-national companies in the country and they should be made to know the truth about the poor financial state of the country’s football federation. With this, a consortium of companies can come together to sponsor Continued on page 54

Nigeria premier football league update

Sport

SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Jong’s arrival at Ikorodu Utd increases number of European coaches in NPFL Dapo Sotuminu

he appointment of Dutchman Theodorus Jacob de Jong as Head Coach of Ikorodu United has increased the number of European coaches handling the affairs of clubsides in the Nigeria Professional Football League to four, a record number in the Nigeria league since inception in 1992. The Dutchman joined Belgian Maurice Cooreman who is the coach of Akwa United, Bulgarian Mitko Dobrev coach of FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Briton Ard Sluis of Warri Wolves handling clubs on the domestic scene. The presence of four European coaches in the 20-team Nigeria top league would definitely improve the standard of the league as players have no option than to play good football. New arrival Theodorus Jacob de Jong, who earlier joined Ikorodu United Football Club as team’s Technical Adviser two months ago has promised to change the fortunes of the club who are deep in relegation waters. Jong, a former Dutch international replaced former Nigerian international Sam Okpodu who was relieved of his job before the team’s ill-fated trip to Makurdi to play against Lobi Stars. He earned 15 caps and scored three goals for the Netherlands national football team, and played for them in the 1974 FIFA World Cup Final.De Jong was a member of the Feyenoord team that won the UEFA Cup in 1974, beating Tottenham Hotspur in the then twolegged final. He later played three seasons in Hong Kong for Seiko.

NPFL Fixtures June 24, 2016 Shooting Stars

IfeanyiUbah

Sunshine Stars

MFM FC

Ikorodu United

Enyimba

El-Kanemi

Lobi Stars

Heartland FC

Akwa United

Kano Pillars

Abia Warriors

Plateau United

Wikki Tourists

Rangers

Warri Wolves

Avre, Mmadu blast NFF boss over lesbianism jibes C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 3

women’s football in the country,” Patience Avre said. Maureen Mmadu, who played in four FIFA Women’s World Cup finals for Nigeria now a Norway-based soccer coach, told Sunday Telegraph, in an interview that, she found it unbelievable that the NFF Vice President could say that lesbianism has been the bane of women’s football development in Nigeria. “But, if it is true he actually said so, that is rather unfortunate. This is not good to women’s football in the country and it will militate against the development. This would not attract sponsors to come into the game.” The former Princess Jegede Babes of Lagos FC mid-fielder, noted that, the claim by the NFF vice president that women’s football is expensive to run and yields little or no profit at all, is wrong. It was unwise for the vice president to say this because the players in the female clubs are not paid by the NFF, so what does he mean by that statement. Every state government backs the clubs in their states without the involvement of the NFF. A club like Enugu Rangers last won the Nigerian league some 33 years ago, yet the Enugu State government still sponsors them. The same thing with Shooting Stars of Ibadan who last won any title decades ago. I read in the newspapers that some Nigerian male players are paid as much as N600,000 monthly salary in the clubs. The female players don’t get

anything close to this, yet they are passionate about the game. That is even if they are not owed months of unpaid salaries.” Mmadu, disagrees with Seyi Akinwunmi on the claim that coaches in the women’s clubs take advantage of the players sexually. “I don’t believe that, I don’t see the reason why any coach would do that. Even if the coaches have intentions, it is only those who want the coaches to take advantage of them that falls into such traps. If a coach want to do that, he will do that with all the players in the club and this ofcourse is not possible. “The only thing we need in Nigeria now is to find a sponsor for the women’s league and that is the only way the country’s football can be moved forward. What the NFF Vice President is doing is counterproductive as sponsors could only be attracted to commit their money if the leadership of the football federation portrays the woman’s league in good light. No sponsor will want to be associated with anything negative. Every sponsor wants to come into something that is positive, it is sad that such negative comment is coming from the NFF official, even if something negative is happening in women’s football in Nigeria, it is the duty of the NFF to protect our own. Today Nigeria has gone global, media reports are read all over the world in the internet, so the report on lesbianism on Nigerian women’s football was grossly negative and this is not good for the image of Nigeria.”

Theo’s son, Dave de Jong, is also a footballer. The coach admitted that the task before Ikorodu United is a difficult one but with the cooperation and support of the players and the management, the club will remain in the top flight. “We all together with the staff, everybody involved in the team working at same pace will surely get out of relegation in the ongoing league season. The task is right there before our eyes we all need to work very hard and do it assiduously till the end of the race. We will go about it with 100% commitment to serve and I’m sure we will succeed at the end of the day. I feel good to be handed the responsibility of the team, I recognise the kind of position the team is at the moment.” Jong advised the fans to remain calm and keep supporting the club. The supporters should not engage in retrogressive argument and should desist from fighting anyone but respect the rules of the game.

Jong, new Ikorodu United coach

Ezenwa happy to join FC Ifeanyi Ubah S

uper Eagles goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, delighted with his new move to FC Ifeanyi Ubah characterized by a clean sheet on his debut, has said that he believes strongly that his team mates have all it takes to become a great team in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Ezenwa

Ezenwa added that he didn’t think twice before signing for the Anambra Warriors because every player of his caliber wants to play for an ambitious club like FC Ifeanyi Ubah The goaltender noted that, it was a great feeling to join the club, as he has been dreaming to play in an organised clubside like the Nnewi team. He expressed happiness that his debut game for the club was a success as he kept a clean sheet. “I give God all the glory and honour.” The experienced goalkeeper stated that helping FC Ifeanyi Ubah to achieve set objectives is a gradual process. “Before I made the decision to join the club, I knew this was a club with ambition and with the quality of the players in the team, the sky is the limit. Ahead of today’s away fixture against Shooting Stars of Ibadan, which has been scheduled for the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ezenwa believes that FC Ifeanyi Ubah would shock the host. “By the special grace of God, we shall come out with something positive in Ibadan. The former Flying Eagles keeper advised FC Ifeanyi Ubah supporters to keep praying for the club as the players would do their best to make them happy at the end of the season. “By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our fans.”

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016

Sport

Eagles stars positive on ‘Group of Death’ Dapo Sotuminu

uper Eagles stars have reacted positively to the tagged ‘Group of Death’ which Nigeria falls into in the FIFA 2018 World Cup African qualifiers series following the draw in Cairo, Egypt on Friday. Stars like Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun, Elderson Echejile and Odion Ighalo have expressed optimism that despite the tough draw, the Super Eagles will scale the hurdle to pick the desired ticket to play in the Mundial which has been slated for Russia. For the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw which pitched Nigeria in Group B alongside Africa’s number one ranked team Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia, Omeruo said the draw which put three

former African champions in one group is definitely going to be a tough one. “The table has been made and it’s an interesting group. There is no small team now. We just have to prepare very well as every game is vital.” Mainz FC of Germany defender, Leon Balogun, Monaco defender Elderson Echiejile and Watford striker Odion Ighalo all expressed confidence that the Eagles have what it takes to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup despite being drawn in a very tough group. Balogun, noted that the group is not an easy one, but it’s the hard road that leads to success. Let’s take this opportunity and earn our spot,” Balogun wrote on his Twitter handle. Elderson Echiejile and Odion Ighalo remained confident despite

the tough draw. Echiejile left a short note beneath the picture of the draw saying “Yes, we can.” While Ighalo who will face two of his club teammates in Adlene Guedioura from Algeria and Allan Nyom from Cameroon wrote: “Impossible is nothing.” Nigeria’s Super Eagles will open their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in Zambia on October 3. The country’s second game will be at home on November 7, when they host Algeria. Third match day will be at home against Cameroon on August 28, 2017, while the rever fixture in Cameroon five days later. The Eagles then welcome Zambia to Nigeria on October 2, 2017, with their final qualifier away in Algeria on November 6, 2017.

Messi primed to end Argentina’s drought

Rio 2016: Arsenal to do without Iwobi for season opener

nglish Premier League giants, Arsenal FC, may have to do without Alex Iwobi for the start of the new Premier League season after the midfielder was included in the provisional Nigeria squad for the Olympic Games. The 20-year-old is one of 35 players called up by the Under-23 coach Samson Siasia for the games, which are taking place in Rio between August 5 and August 21. Iwobi’s inclusion puts paid to suggestions The Gunners were considering not releasing the starlet for the competition - claims which the club had denied. Nigeria will fly out to the Unit-

ed States for a training camp in Atlanta before travelling on to the games. While here, they will take on Mexico U-23s, Charleston Battery and Honduras U23s in friendly matches. Also named alongside Iwobi, who has three senior caps to his name, in the squad are Britishbased Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City and Chelsea’s Erhun Obanor. Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi and Watford’s Odion Ighalo, for now, make up two of the three over-aged players permitted by FIFA for the games. The squad, however, must be trimmed back to 18 by the start of the competition.

Solution to Cross Word Puzzle

C EURO 2016: Wales reach last eight

n own goal by the unfortunate Gareth McAuley sent Wales into their first UEFA European Championship quarter-final, ending Northern Ireland’s hugely entertaining stay in France. It was never going to be easy putting out Will Grigg’s fire. In the end, though, a little bit of quality from Gareth Bale on the left did the trick after 75 minutes, the Real Madrid talisman’s teasing cross going in off the outstretched leg of McAuley. Bale spoke during the week about matching, then surpassing, that distant Welsh achievement of reaching the quarter-finals at the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden and leaving a legacy for the game in his home country. Now they have a new reference point: Lille 2016, with Wales facing the winners of Hungary v Belgium. For Northern Ireland, 34 years to the day since they defeated Spain at the World Cup, the journey has come to a close.

hile faces Argentina in today’s Copa America final for the right to call itself South America’s dominant team, but perhaps an even bigger question for football fans the world over is whether Lionel Messi can finally win a major international title. The Barcelona forward has won every trophy possible with the Spanish club but he has lost three finals with Argentina, including the 2014 World Cup final and the Copa America last year. The game here gives Messi a chance to end both his personal hoodoo and that of Argentina, which has not won a major title since lifting the Copa America in Ecuador in 1993. “Getting to three finals in a row is impressive,” said Messi, whose first decider was a 3-0 loss to Brazil in the 2007 Copa America. “I hope we can win the cup that we so desire.” Argentina lost to Chile on penalties in the final last year and Messi said the squad was better prepared this time around. “You learn all the time,” said Messi, who turned 29 on Friday. “We have been working together for another year, we are stronger as a group and we’ve really grown in

a lot of ways.” The five-time World Player-ofthe-year has been outstanding at the Centenary Copa America, even though he played the first three games as a substitute after injuring his back in a warm-up game. The Chileans have improved since, beating Bolivia and Panama before hammering Mexico 7-0 in what was undoubtedly the performance of the tournament. Coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has Chile playing the high-paced pressing game and super-fast counterattacks that make it such an exciting team to watch. “This team has created an identity,” the Argentina-born Pizzi said after the semifinal.

CAA 20th African Senior Championship:

Oke, Osazuwa increase Team Nigeria’s medal haul Charles Ogundiya Durban

T xxxxx

riple jumper, Tosin Oke, was over the moon after winning the men’s triple jump at the CAA 20th African Senior Championships in Durban, South Africa. He defeated defending champion, Khotso Mokoena, to reclaim the title he won at the 2010 and 2012 African Championships. An elated Oke, who won with a

jump of 17.13metres, said he was happy defeating Mokoena on his home soil after losing to him in Morocco. “I was twice champions and I lost the title to him in Morocco in 2014, so I decided to come here and beat him, it is good for me achieving that feat. The big target now for me is the Rio Olympics, I have to change my training at the beginning of the season, and with what I achieved here, it shows that the

plans are working well. “I want to get to the Rio Olympics in great shape because I am 35 years now, I have to also focus well on my event and finish as strong as possible.” Also, the country’s national record holder in Heptathlon, Uhunoma Osazuwa, broke her Personal Best (PB) of 6106 points to win the gold with another PB, a national record and championship record of 6153 points.

business

Flexible forex: Not yet uhuru for the naira }43

FAITH

Sanctity of Truth

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SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016

Apostle Suleman to clerics: Do more than preaching }32

The “Original Sin” of Saraki and Ekweremadu: Politics at its Nadir THE BACKGROUND I would ordinarily not have written on a subject that is subjudice, the “trial” of Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, being before a court of law. However, Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, having come out trenchantly to defend his initiation of these criminal proceedings, citing section 174(1) of the 1999 Constitution, I feel duty bound, in the interest of the public, to do this write up. He argued forcefully that as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, it was his prerogative to institute, undertake or discontinue criminal proceedings against any person or authority in Nigeria. He is dead right on this. No one can question this authority. But, what the Attorney General did not tell us is that section 174(1) did not give a blank cheque to him. His powers to do the above are greatly circumscribed by the provisions of subsection (3) of the same section 174. It states that “in exercising his powers, shall have regard to the “public interest, the interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process”. In charging Saraki and Ekweremadu to court for being on the wrong side of his APC ruling party regarding the way and manner they emerged in June, 2015, against the preferred candidates of their party, Lawan and Ndume, which “public interest” was being protected? What is the “interest of justice” in charging the duo simultaneously when a civil case instituted by the same “Unity Forum”. Complainants, Senators Kabiru Marafa, Abu Ibrahim, Olugnbenga Ashafa, Ajayi Boroffice and Suleiman Hunkuyi, are still pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja? What is the justice in obviously overreaching the beleaguered numbers three and five men in the country over partisan political in-house matters, when the leadership of the House of Representatives who used Standing Rules that emerged through the same process has never been touched, since they are regarded as party-complaint? How has abuse of court process been prevented when simultaneous criminal charges are being proffered against the duo in favour of other aggrieved members of the same party who are in the good books of the powers that be in the party? What happens to the doctrine of separation of powers ably espoused by Baron de Moutesque, a great French political theoretician, to the effect that there must be separation of powers between the three arms of government – the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary in such a way that no one arm is so powerful as to act as a terror on another weaker arm? How come the weighty office of the Attorney General of the Federation has suddenly taken interest (one year later), in an internal matter over which some Senators earlier petitioned and also voluntarily submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of a civil court? Why Saraki again, the same man being traduced at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over alleged false declaration of assets by the same executive. NOW THIS POLITICS GONE HAYWIRE WHAT IS THE PUBLIC INTEREST When Nigeria is literally on her kneels – Agatu, Shiites, NDA, IPOD, Boko Haram,

The

Nigerian Project

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08094777755 (sms only) Nimbo, Aghahewe, Fulani Herdsmen, hunger, squalor, insecurity, free fall of naira, receding human rights, freedoms, and democratic principles, simulated fear, no light, costly fuel, no infrastructure, etc? The entire brouhaha is hinged high wired politics. Pure and simple. It is a calculated attempt to effect a leadership change of the upper chambers through a non-violent coup that seeks to supplant the independence of the Legislature by a more powerful executive arm. It is nothing but what the Supreme Court in Ojukwu vs. Governor of Lagos State once termed “executive lawlessness”. I will prefer the term “executive rascality”, or “tyranny of a vocal minority”, (Executive), over an “intimidated, hapless majority” (109 members of the Senate). To be sure, the present crisis has its genesis in the emergence of Saraki of APC and Ekweremadu of PDP, as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively, on 9th June, 2015. On that day, 57 Senators converged on the floor of the red chambers to elect their leadership, sequel to an official proclamation by then newly elected President Mahammadu Buhari, who acted under section 64(3) of the 1999 Constitution. Whilst the 39 PDP Senators and 51 other APC Senators preferred to obey their party directives to congregate at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, purportedly to “hold a reconciliation meeting” with APC leadership, and the same President Buhari who had already proclaimed the NASS for 10am the same day. There was no counter directive to Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwe, the Clerk of the NASS’s notice for the convocation based on PMB’s dire. AND THIS THE “ORIGINAL SIN” The APC has never forgiven Saraki and Ekweremadu, even though components that founded the party had, only four years earlier, hailed the emergence, in similar circumstances, of Aminu Tambuwal and Emeka Ihedioha, as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. This was clearly against the then preferred candidates of the PDP. Mulikat Akande was preferred as Speaker. Talk about Karma, the law of nature that works immutably, inexorably. What goes around, comes around! Had the PDP wanted the Senate Presidency, they would have obtained it on a platter of gold since they outnumbered APC Senators at the session. They would have had succor in section 50(1) of the 1999 Constitution which states that members of the Senate and House of Representatives shall elect their leaders from amongst themselves. It did not specify

that the ruling or opposition party must produce a particular head. There are other issues. Looking at the Senate Standing Orders allegedly “forged”, it is clear that only the 1999 one comes without the phrase, “as amended”, a phrase that runs through those of 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. People who understand the inner workings of parliament know that effecting amendments which are later subjected to scrutiny by the yet inchoate and incoming Senators – elect is normally carried out by the NASS Bureaucracy, not its leadership. This is done during the period of interregnum, between explication of the old House by effluxion of time after 4 years (section 64(3), and inauguration of the incoming one. It is inconceivable that people who did not know they will win their elections, let alone contesting for leadership positions, will peer into the future like Nostradamus, to amend the Rules ahead, with a view to having a secret ballot election, rather than an open one, where party Chieftains breath down their necks to control proceedings. This is the “original sin” of Saraki and Ekweremadu. Indeed, section 3 of the Legislative

House (Powers and Privileges) Act, LFN, makes it clear that Senators or House of Representative members enjoy absolute immunity for anything said or written in a report, Petition, Bill, Resolution or Motion before the House or any of its Committees. Thus, if this particular case were devoid of politics and bare-faced witch hunting, the aggrieved Senators would have used the inbuilt conflict – resolution mechanism within the House to the complain to the Ethics and Privileges Committee and get the Rules amended back to what they desired. From what is emanating from the media, Saraki and Ekweremadu complain that the police never even took their statements. Thus, we are having a case charged to court without the accused’s statements contrary to the provisions of section 36 of the 1999 Constitution and section 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which stipulate such a written statement in the presence of an accused’s legal practitioner. Those spearheading this crisis forget that it was these same “forged” Rules that were used to clear all the ministers, including the Attorney–General himself, to accommodated a scandalously padded budget, to convoke a Joint sitting of NASS, to welcome South African President Zuma, clear heads of FIR, etc. EFCC’s Chairman is before the Senate now. Do we then consign to the vehicle of historical oblivion and annul (pardon me, IBB), these acts that emanated from the Executive? Tell me, readers. LAST LINE Hope all Nigerians are reading and digesting this Sunday sermon in the Mount of the Nigerian Project by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, OFR. • 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

Former Lagos State MILAD, (7). A small piece, (3). Of the highest quality, (3). Indicating 'life', (3). Arabian loose garment, (3). Group of persons, (4). World's longest river, (4). River in Western Siberia, (2). Holmium symbol, (2). Former US President, (4). Anxious feeling, (4). 'King' in Igbo land, (3). Asst. Insp. General, abbr. (3). Lagos suburb, (3). Petroleum products, (3). Nigerian newspaper, (7).

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

Former Lagos State Governor, (7). Be in charge of, (6). Most important performer, (4). Ex House of Reps.' Speaker, (6). Circular segment of a curve, (4). Member of Ghanaian tribe, (3). Ex Ondo state MILAD, (7). Passage to the lungs, (6). Type of American salon car, (6). Morally bad, (4). 2nd Republic Kano State Gov., (4). Tribe in Eastern Nigeria, (3). Turn to page 55 for solution

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotlines: (Lagos 0902 928 1425), (Abuja 0805 5118488), Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: JULIET BUMAH.