Saturday 25th June 2016

Buratai Holds Emergency Meeting with High Command on Security Commends exploits of Civilian JTF

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Chief of Army Staff yesterday summoned his principal officers, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), field and commanding officers to an emergency meeting over

the prevailing security situation in the country, especially the rumoured coup threat and Niger Delta militancy.

Buratai after brief introduction on the aim and purpose of the meeting yesterday at the Army Headquarters

(AHQ), Abuja, entered into a closed- door session that lasted for an hour.

"This is an impromptu meeting in view of the security challenges and we have to come together to rob minds on how we can handle the situation,"

he said.

After the meeting, the GOC 1 Division, Nigerian Army Kaduna, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, informed the media about the outcome.

Oyebade who spoke in company with the GOC 82 Division

Enugu, Major-General, Ibrahim Attahiru, and GOC 7 Division, Maiduguri, Brigadier-General Victor Ezugwu, said that one of the issues discussed was the rumoured coup d'tat against the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

He assured that the Nigerian army was completely loyal to the constituted authority and committed to upholding the country's democracy and constitution.

Continued on page 6

Cumbersome Legal Process Delaying Return of Loot, Says US Diplomat, Maria Brewer...Page 6 Saturday 25 June, 2016 Vol 21. No 7731 Price: N250

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Cameron Falls on His Sword as Britain Stuns World, Leaves EU Uncertainty as Nicola Sturgeon considers fresh referendum for Scotland to exit UK $2 trillion wiped off equity bourses globally Labour leader, Corbyn faces no-confidence vote Pounds plunges to 30 year low, BoE Gov. Mark Carney vows to take all neccesary measures to stabilise sterling £120 billion wiped off British equities Merkel calls for calm It’s a great thing, says Trump Buhari hails Cameron's statesmanship Obama: We respect Britain’s decision NSE's all shares index falls 1.36% Yemi Adebowale, Goddy Egene and Tobi Soniyi with agency report British voters took an unprecedented step to defy their leaders and international allies by cutting ties with the European Union in a stunning result

yesterday that threw financial markets around the world into chaos, forced Britain’s prime minister to resign and unleashed a new independence quest by Scotland.

As Britain absorbed the earth-shaking news, the political fallout reached to

… Brexit May Boost Forex Inflow to Nigeria, Says CBN

the highest level with Prime Minister David Cameron saying he would step down after championing the campaign to remain in the European Union.

Just hours later, the leader in heavily pro-E.U. Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, said she would push for their own refer-

endum to break with England and the other two partners in the United Kingdom, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A second independence referendum, following a defeated vote in 2014, is “highly likely,” said Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister. Calls to break away

were echoed by nationalists in Northern Ireland.

In an emotional address outside 10 Downing Street yesterday, Cameron said the country now deserved “fresh leadership” in the face of the rejection in Thursday’s referendum. Cameron, who

enjoys a close relationship with President Obama, said he hoped a new prime minister could be in place by October.

The decision effectively delays the start of divorce proceedings with Britain’s 27

Obinna Chima with agency report The Deputy Governor (Economic Policy), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Sarah Alade has said Nigeria expects Britain's vote to exit the European Union to be good for its forex policy as interest rates are likely to stay low in the United States, channeling foreign investors to Nigeria.

Alade said this in an interview with Reuters.

"We only need to take advantage of this opportunity to grow the economy," she said.

Also commenting on the likely effect of the developContinued on page 6

END OF AN ERA

British Prime Minister, David Cameron announced his resignation after the Leave Campaign won the referendum on In or Out of Europe

Continued on page 6

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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R •SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2016

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Cumbersome Legal Process Delaying Return of Loot, Says US Diplomat Ahamefula Ogbu

United States Deputy Head of Mission, Maria Brewer has blamed cumbersome legal process and depth of investigations that have to be carried out to ensure equity and fairness to all parties for delays experienced in the repatriation of looted funds for developing countries, especially Nigeria.

She also listed “smartness” of looters and criminals who create all manner of hurdles and hide their loots in ways not too straight to deal with for the delays but assured that

with legislations targeted at recovering such funds and the partnership of other bodies and countries, there would be no hiding place for looted funds.

On solution to the Niger Delta problem, she observed that nearly 20 years ago, the issue was on the front burner and had recently witnessed an upsurge. She regretted that there appeared no readymade answer or solution but advocated dialogue and engagement to restore peace to the region.

Brewer who spoke exclusively to THISDAY in Lagos

denied official complicity for the protection of looted funds, pointing out that the USA had passed some legislations which ensured return of looted funds even when they were not hosted by the US but for the funds just passing through their territory According to her, contrary to the notion that the looted funds were in a tagged bag that could be transported back to their countries of origin, most of the funds had even been invested in properties and into some legitimate businesses while some beneficiaries had

what they felt were legitimate claims to keeping their part of the funds.

“It is a very cumbersome legal process; I know it is not necessarily exciting to think about the entire legal process that that it takes to return money. This is not a safe with a big bag with a dollar tag Abacha loot sitting somewhere but is not because some of that money may have been turned into property. It has been laundered and turned into businesses, turned into goods so it is not just a simple matter of reaching into a safe and saying

okay, here is the money back.

It is in the hands of individuals some of who have legal claims that they came by it legally or again some have several layers removed and removing that cannot be done automatically, some legal process have to be followed as the rights of those individuals, their rights are respected as well.

“It is difficult and not exciting to think about, involves a lot of lawyers and a lot of companies and law enforcement to go through a lot of documents and I know they are doing that work as we speak to

determine where those monies came from, how do we remove it and how do we answer the claims of individual holdings and determine if they came by it honestly “It is an incredible amount of work and I know it has been going on for years and unfortunately it has to go on, into sometime into the future but our desire is true, we intend to do all we can to return those monies and most of those monies are not in the US.” Read full interview on pages 59-61

the White House said, and was expected to speak to Cameron in the next day.

Obama reacts...

In his reaction, US President Barack Obama declared: “The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision. The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom’s membership in NATO remains a vital cornerstone of U.S. foreign, security, and economic policy. So too is our relationship with the European Union, which has done so much to promote stability, stimulate economic growth, and foster the spread of democratic values and ideals across the continent and beyond.

“The United Kingdom and the European Union will remain indispensable partners of the United States even as they begin negotiating their ongoing relationship to ensure continued stability, security, and prosperity for Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the world.”

Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, who was in Scotland yesterday to open a golf course, backed Brexit.

Asked by reporters about the vote as he toured his course to the tune of bag pipes, Trump called it “a great thing.”

“They took back their country,” said Trump, who sported a white “Make America Great Again” cap. “That’s a great thing.”

For months, Britain’s political and economic elite had looked on with growing apprehension as the country flirted with a choice that experts had warned could lead to global recession and a rip in the Western alliance.

But most predicted this pragmatically minded country would ultimately side with keeping Britain in an organization regarded as a pillar of the global economic and political order.

Instead, a majority of British

voters heeded the call of proBrexit campaigners to liberate the nation from what many here regard as an oppressive Brussels bureaucracy that enables mass migration into the country.

“Leave” won by more than a million votes — out of some 33 million cast, or nearly three-quarters of eligible voters. In percentage terms, the 52-48 pro-Brexit split was the inverse of what final opinion polls had predicted.

The outcome revealed vast divides – with massive victory margins for “remain” in thriving metropolitan centers such as London and equally resounding victories for “leave” in small towns, rural areas and struggling, post-industrial cities.

The vote split the country along essential lines: Old versus young. Provincial versus metropolitan. Scotland versus England. Native-born Britons versus immigrants.

Those divisions may only be hardened by Thursday’s result and could be heightened further if an avowed Euroskeptic comes to office at 10 Downing Street.

During months of campaigning, pro-Brexit leaders unleashed fevered attacks on Brussels, but they offered no common, detailed vision of how the country could succeed outside the bloc.

But Johnson said that whatever the outcome, Britain would not turn inward.

“We cannot turn our backs on Europe. Britain will continue to be a great European power.

We are part of Europe,” he said.

Dow briefly drops 500 points, S&P worst open since 1986…

U.S. stocks traded sharply lower yesterday, reversing recent gains in a global risk-off trade after Britain surprised markets by voting to leave the European Union.

The Dow Jones industrial average briefly fell more than 500 points in morning trade, with Goldman Sachs contributing the most to declines as nearly all constituents traded lower.

Verizon was the only positive component.

The S&P 500 extended opening losses to decline more than 2.5 percent lower in morning trade. Financials fell more than 4 percent to lead all 10 sectors lower.

The S&P 500 opened 1.88 percent lower in 1986, according to Howard Silverblatt of S&P Dow Jones Indices.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 2.57 percent, at 17,547.44, while the S&P 500 lost 2.7 per cent just as the Nasdaq Composite went down by 3.12 per cent. The MSCI's all-country world stock index MIWD00000PUS fell 3.8 per cent. $2 trillion wiped off equity bourses globally….

The shock waves of Britain's decision to leave the European Union, sent global stocks markets tumbling. An estimated $2 trillion was wiped off equity bourses globally, just the Sterling plunged to a 31-year low.

From developed to emerging markets in Europe, United States, Asia to the emerging markets and frontier markets in Africa, stocks closed yesterday lower as investors reacted negatively to the Brexit.

In Asia, China stocks fell more than one per cent with the Shanghai Composite Index and Blue Chip CS1300 shedding 1.3 per cent apiece. But the reaction from Chinese investors was relatively subdued, with some investors apparently taking advantage of the panic for bargain hunting.

Shenzhen's start-up board ChiNext slumped over 3 per cent but ended the session roughly flat.

"The mainland market is less sensitive (to Brexit)," said Charles Wang, chairman of Appleridge Capital Management Co. But he added the Chinese market could still suffer from high volatility over the next few weeks.

CAMERON FALLS ON HIS SWORD AS BRITAIN STUNS WORLD, LEAVES EU other E.U. partners. Cameron said that only after the transition in leadership would the country begin the formal process of withdrawing from the European Union – popularly known as Brexit – which is supposed to take two years once it officially begins.

But even as the steps for a British departure were put on hold, immediate shock waves resonated in all directions.

The British pound plummeted to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985, and stock markets dropped sharply around the world.

The market gyrations prompted Bank of England Governor Mark Carney to try to calm investors with a statement asserting that the bank was “well prepared” for the referendum’s outcome. The central bank, Carney said, was ready to intervene to prop up the economy In his comments, Cameron also sought to offer reassurances to jittery markets, calling Britain’s economy “fundamentally sound” and saying there would be no immediate changes in the status of immigrants in the country.

“I will do everything I can as prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months. But I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our

country to its next destination,” he said with his wife, Samantha, standing at his side.

After his announcement, Cameron was driven to Buckingham Palace for an audience with the queen.

Cameron’s decision to step down injects immediate internal political tormoil into a moment that was already riddled with uncertainties and upheaval.

It set off an instant contest to replace him, with former London Mayor Boris Johnson – a leading campaigner in the anti-E.U. campaign – considered the odds-on favourite.

An uncharacteristically serious and even somber Johnson told reporters he was “sad” about Cameron’s resignation. He described Cameron, a longtime friend and rival, as “one of the most extraordinary politicians of our age.”

The mop-haired Johnson did not say whether he would seek Cameron’s job. He did praise voters for rejecting the European Union, which he described as “a noble idea for its time” but one that “is no longer right for this country.”

Cameron’s successor will not be picked by the general public, but instead in an internal process by his Conservative Party.

It is highly likely that whoever is picked will be further to the political right than Cameron.

VOTING PATTERN AT A GLANCE IN UK REFERENDUM/YOUGOV

Since coming to office in 2010, Cameron had sought to move his party toward the political center, championing gay marriage and taking a softer line on immigration than some in the party had sought.

But his repudiation over the European Union – fueled by an anti-immigration backlash – will likely leave the party’s right-wing ascendant.

Jeremy Corbyn faces leadership challenge as Labour MPs call for resignation 'Our main striker often wasn’t on the pitch, and when he was, he failed to put the ball into the net,' Chuka Umunna says of leader Jeremy Corbyn will face his most serious leadership challenge to date next week, as Labour MPs consider a motion of no confidence amid a growing backlash over his handling of party’s EU campaign. Dame Margaret Hodge, who along with MP Ann Coffey has submitted the motion to Parliamentary Labour Party chairman, John Cryer, said that Mr Corbyn had “failed” a “test of leadership”.

A former Labour minister told The Independent that Labour needed a new leader to “steer a path between market ideology on the one hand and fantasy on the other”, while senior MP Chuka Umunna criticised Mr Corbyn’s leadership during the EU campaign, telling the i newspaper: “Our main striker often wasn’t on the pitch, and when he was, he failed to put the ball into the net.”

The vote result will rattle officials in Washington. Obama had made a high-profile plea for Britain to stay. He was briefed on the results of the referendum,

… BREXIT MAY BOOST FOREX INFLOW TO NIGERIA, SAYS CBN ment on Nigeria, analysts at Lagos-based CSL Stockbrokers Limited, in a note to THISDAY, listed key areas to be considered as capital flows, trade, immigration, and London as a financial centre.

In terms of capital flows, they stated that any large political dislocation increases risk. A good indicator of this, according to them is the option volatility index (VIX Index), which has moved up from 19.37 points to 24.21 points in a week.

"A rise in risk means risk aversion, so we expect global investors to move a portion of their money to safe havens, notably the US dollar. Not only do emerging market currencies suffer, but interest rates on US dollar emerging market debt are likely to rise. Funding Nigeria’s government deficit in US dollars, re-financing the US dollar debt of Nigerian banks and financing the US dollar debt of Nigerian companies all become more expensive," the report added.

In terms of trade, the report pointed out that Britain’s trade deals with the world are governed by agreements at the European Union level.

Therefore, outside the EU

Britain will be able to negotiate its own trade deals on a bi-lateral basis.

"This opens up interesting possibilities in trade between Britain and Nigeria. However, because the EU will remain a significant trading partner for both Britain and Nigeria, we would expect the EU to exert pressure on Britain and Nigeria when they negotiate bi-lateral trade deals. Progress in making new trade treaties, therefore, is likely to be slow," it further stated.

In the area of immigration, it noted that "undeniably, a significant factor in the Brexit vote was large-scale net immigration into the UK. While a large part of this came from the EU, much of it came from nonEU countries. It is very unlikely that recent immigrants to the UK will be encouraged, still less required, to leave. However, it is probable the UK will tighten its entry requirements. This could include work visas, student visas, and asylum. Countries affected by these changes are likely to reciprocate.

“London is an important financial centre for Nigeria.

Though financiers in Frankfurt and Paris are doubtless thinking of ways to increase their market

share at London’s expense, we do not expect London’s imminent demise. Nor, however, would one expect London to change its rules and regulations on accepting money from foreigners. Light-touch regulation went out of fashion with the global financial crisis, and stringent anti money laundering (AML) rules originate in UK, not EU, law."

Research Analyst at ForexTime (FXTM), Lukman Otunuga, revealed that gold surged ferociously with prices conquering near two year highs at $1358 following the shocking Brexit victory which triggered a wave of risk aversion and soured investor risk appetite.

Meanwhile, the naira continued it upswing yesterday as it rise slightly to close at N281.14 to a dollar, stronger than the N281.67 to a dollar it closed on Thursday. A total of $58 million volumes exchanged hands just before market close which traders attributed to central bank's intervention. The central bank sold an undisclosed amount on Friday. It auctioned a total of $4 billion on Monday, in both spot and forward trades, to clear a backlog of dollar demand.

Continued on page 10

BURATAI HOLDS EMERGENCY MEETING WITH HIGH COMMAND ON SECURITY He said: "The Chief of Army Staff summoned his top commanders across the Army for a quick meeting this morning (yesterday). Essentially, the meeting was to review the security situation in the country and to also let us know some of the reorganisation that had taken place over the last few days.

"You must have also heard in the last few days the rumours of coup or no coup. We want to assure all our citizens that the Army remains apolitical, our loyalty, allegiance to the constitutional authority of this land, the three branches of government, Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief, our loyalty is unquestionable.

"We have decided long before now, since the beginning of the fourth Republic, to abide by our code of conduct and to remain subordinate to the civil authority,

that has not changed and it will not change."

Speaking further, Oyebade said that the military was not taking the threat lightly and would ensure that the truth about the rumoured overthrow of government is unraveled.

"We want to assure our people that they should be assured that the issue of coup will not happen within the ranks of the Army and so also within the ranks of members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

"But of course, it is not something that we will just take lightly; we are putting all resources, assets and efforts to find out where this very dastardly speculation emanated from. But most importantly, we want to assure our people that the Nigerian Army remains steadfast and our loyalty is unquestionable to Mr. President and Commander-in-

Chief and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," he remarked.

The GOC said the Nigerian Army authority also discussed how to respond to the security situation in the Niger Delta, including the restructuring of operational formations.

He said that Operation Pulo Shield was changed to Operation Delta Safe and restructured to ensure strong response against militancy, criminality and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.

The GOC said that the Army top Command "also did a review of the operation in the North East", adding that "it is going reasonably well".

He noted: “There are challenges here and there but we want to assure the nation that in no distant future, we will bring the operation to a close; we are working very hard on that."

T H I S D AY SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • June 25, 2016

Brexit… Brexit… Brexit… Brexit… Brexit… Brexit…Brexit…

Reactions of World Leaders to Britain’s Exit from the EU There were various reactions from world leaders shortly after the referendum favoured Britain’s leaving the European Union European Union President Donald Tusk, European Union President, said the bloc will meet without Britain at summit next week to assess its future. “We are determined to keep our unity as 27 ... I will propose that we start a period of wider reflection on the future of our union,” he said, adding: “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.”

United States The special relationship between the UK and the US is “enduring”, President Barack Obama said in his first response to Britain’s vote to leave the EU. “The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision,” the US president said.

“The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom’s membership in Nato remains a vital cornerstone of US foreign, security, and economic policy. So too is our relationship with the European Union, which has done so much to promote stability, stimulate economic growth, and foster the spread of democratic values and ideals across the continent and beyond.”

He added that the UK and the EU would remain “indispensable partners of the United States even as they begin negotiating their ongoing relationship to ensure continued stability, security, and prosperity for Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the world”.

Australia The Australian prime minister was the first world leader to comment on the outcome of the British referendum.

Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull said he was “confident” that his country’s negotiations towards a free trade agreement with the EU will continue.

“The impact on Australia immediately, directly, from a legal point of view, will be very limited because it will take some years for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, to negotiate an exit. However, we’ve seen already large falls on stock markets and there will be a degree of uncertainty for some time.”

France Laurence Fabius, the French foreign minister, said: “I am sad for the United Kingdom. Europe continues, but she must react and rediscover the confidence of the people. It is urgent.”

Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin, currently on an official visit to China, did not make any comment Friday morning. His spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Brexit is the internal affair of Great Britain and a question of the relationship between Great Britain and the EU,” RIA Novosti reported.

But Russian officials said that the Brexit vote will likely weaken EU’s resolve on sanctions imposed on Russia over the 2014 Ukraine crisis. Britain was one of the strongest backers of the sanctions, which were seen in London as an important measure to curb Moscow’s imperial ambitions.

“Without Britain in the European Union there is no-one to so eagerly defend sanctions against us,” tweeted

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

Czech Republic Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said the European Union must change quickly not just because Britain has voted to leave the bloc but to strengthen support for its citizens.

Sobotka said the British vote did not mean the end of the EU and the bloc should agree Britain’s leaving “quickly and rationally”.

“The European Union must change quickly,” he said on his Facebook page. “Not because Britain has left, but because the European project needs much stronger support of its citizens. Europe must be more ready to act, be flexible, less bureaucratic and much more sensible to the diversity that the 27 member states represent.”

Germany Germany’s Foreign Ministry has tweeted that this is “a sad day for Europe” and that the news from Britain was “very sobering:” FM #Steinmeier: The early morning news from #GreatBritain are truly sobering. It looks like a sad day for #Europe+the #UnitedKingdom. #UK — GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) 24 June 2016 Manfred Weber, a senior German conservative MEP and a close ally of Angela Merkel, has warned Britain will receive “no special treatment” and must leave the EU within two years.

He writes in four tweets: “We respect and regret the decision of the British voters. It causes major damage to both sides.

This was a British vote, not a European vote. Co-operation within Europe is a question of self-assertion of the continent.

“We want a better and smarter Europe.

We have to convince the people and bring Europe back to them.

“Exit negotiations should be concluded within two years at max. There cannot be any special treatment. Leave means leave.”

Wir respektieren und bedauern die Entscheidung der britischen Wähler. Sie verursacht großen Schaden für beide Seiten. #Brexit 1/4 — Manfred Weber (@ManfredWeber) 24 June 2016 Denmark Danish PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen said in a statement “We must respect the choice that a majority of the British people have made. At the same time, I won’t hide the fact that I think it is a very sad result for Europe and for Denmark.”

He said, “It is now up to the British government to determine the next steps for Britain. I hope that Britain still wants to maintain close relations with the EU. “The last three referendums in the UK, the Netherlands and Denmark should give pause for thought and action. In the population, there is a scepticism towards the EU. We must as decision-makers in the EU take this very seriously.”

Poland Poland’s foreign minister said the Brit-

The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom’s membership in Nato remains a vital cornerstone of US foreign, security, and economic policy. So too is our relationship with the European Union, which has done so much to promote stability, stimulate economic growth, and foster the spread of democratic values and ideals across the continent and beyond ish leave vote “is bad news for Europe and bad news for Poland.”

Britain leaving the EU would deprive Poland’s euro-sceptic of a key alley in Brussels, casts a huge cloud of uncertainty over the status of hundreds of thousands of Poles working in the UK. “First it means destabilisation for the UK. There is a great dilemma for the euro-crats: we all want to keep the EU, but in what shape.”

Hungary Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister, said Brussels must now listen to the voice of the people and that is “the biggest lesson” of the referendum.

Norway “The British voters have spoken and that’s the way it is,” Norwegian Prime

Minister Erna Solberg told the NRK broadcaster.

“I think this will create a more introverted Europe, which will be concerned with finding solutions to organisational problems, instead of providing solutions to the issues voters really want addressed. How do we secure enough growth? How do we create jobs?”

Slovakia Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia said, “Let’s realise that a great part of people living in Europe reject the EU’s migration policy, there is great dissatisfaction with the EU’s economic policy.

“It is up to us, the remaining 27 union member states, whether we find enough strength to say that fundamental policies of the EU must go through fundamental changes.”

Slovakia will take on the six-month presidency of the EU from next month.

Czech Bohuslav Sobotka, Czech Prime Minister, “Britain’s decision is serious and irreversible.

“The EU has to change. Not because Britain left, but because the European project needs much stronger support from citizens.

“The EU is for us, the Czech Republic, the best possible guarantee of stability, peace and prosperity.”

Estonia Tavi Roivas, Prime Minister of Estonia said, “Deeply sad for the EU referendum result. We will go on and stay strong with 27, but EU will not be the same without Great Britain.”

AUSTRIA Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Foreign Minister said, “A domino effect on other countries cannot be ruled out.”

He told Austrian radio that the EU as a whole would survive.

Spain Mariano Rajoy, Prime Minister of Spain said, “Spain will remain committed to the EU. “The EU is the area of greatest prosperity and wellbeing; we will continue building a better future between us.

“We need stability. Above all we will continue defending Spaniards’ interests and greater European integration.

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JUNE 25, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

BREXIT… BREXIT… BREXIT… BREXIT… BREXIT… BREXIT…BREXIT…

Boris Johnson… Leader of the Leave Campaign

“Spain now has a solid economic base in order to weather the financial turbulence which Brexit could cause. We are prepared.”

Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar said, “We have surpassed greater challenges. It is time for unity, for calm & for rational thinking. Together & united we will continue to prosper.”

Belgium Charles Michel, Belgian Prime Minister said, EU members should meet to “define priorities and set out a new future for Europe”.

Ireland The Irish government said, “This result clearly has very significant implications for Ireland, as well as for Britain and for the European Union. The government will meet later this morning to reflect on the result. Following that meeting, the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) will make a public statement.”

Holland Mark Rutte, Dutch Prime Minister said, “The dissatisfaction you see in Britain is also present in other countries, including my own. This has to be a stimulus for more reform, more welfare.”

He said the withdrawal process would be lengthy. “First the British have to decide when they want to start the

Michael Gove… co-leader of Leave Campaign

process of leaving.”

Nato Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo, NATO Secretary General said, “The UK will remain a strong and committed NATO ally, and will continue to play its leading role in our Alliance.

“Today, as we face more instability and uncertainty, Nato is more important than ever as a platform for co-operation among European allies, and between Europe and North America. A strong, united and determined Nato remains an essential pillar of stability in a turbulent world, and a key contributor to international peace and security.

“The alliance remains committed to closer cooperation with the European Union.”

Greece Dora Bakoyannis, Greek centre-right MP for the opposition New Democracy party said, “The cost of populism emerged today in all its glory. Mr Cameron is bearing great responsibility.

“It’s a hard day for Europe and an even harder day for the UK.” Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine said, “It’s a pity, but we will have to mind our own business. I believe that regardless of the result of the referendum, Britain will stay in a united Europe to defend common European

values.

“I think that today the most urgent challenge the European Union is facing is finding a way to the hearts and minds of Eurosceptics in order not to leave a single chance to opponents of the European integration project and their generous sponsors. I do hope that the sanctions again Russia as an aggressor state will be extended.”

European Parliament Gianni Pittella, leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament said, “This is a sad day for us, but we will respect the will of the British people. This is not a funeral for Europe. This can be a new start for Europe, and we will regain the confidence of the citizens.”

Finland Timo Soini, leader of the eurosceptic Finns Party in Finland said, “The nation has had its say.”

Speaking of the negotiations that must come between the UK and the EU following this vote, he said: “Any retaliation and whinge is out of the question.”

China Hua Chunying, Spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said, “A prosperous Europe is in the interests of all parties and China is willing to keep co-operating with Britain and is fully confident in China-EU ties.”

She said the foreign ministry respects

the choice of the British people.

India Arun Jaitley, Indian Finance Minister said, “In this globalized world, volatility and uncertainty are the new norms. This verdict will obviously further contribute to such volatility not least because its full implications for the UK, Europe and the rest of the world are still uncertain.

“All countries around the world will have to brace themselves for a period of possible turbulence while being watchful about, and alert to, the referendum’s medium term impacts.”

Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore said, “The UK vote to leave the EU is a turning point.

“Other developed countries also face similar challenges as Britain. We all live in a globalised, interdependent world. The desire to disengage, to be less constrained by one’s partners, to be free to do things entirely as one chooses, is entirely understandable. And yet in reality for many countries, disengaging and turning inwards will likely lead to less security, less prosperity, and a dimmer future.

“Singapore will continue to cultivate our ties with Britain, which is a long standing friend and partner. We hope in time the uncertainty will diminish, and we will make the best of the new reality.”

Leaving EU May Hurt UK Aviation Chinedu Eze

I

t is estimated that the number of United Kingdom (UK) air passengers could be 3-5percent lower by 2020, driven by the expected downturn in economic activity and the fall in the sterling exchange rate, which value has already crashed to a three-year low.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its preliminary analysis of the financial and economic impact of the Brexit decision on the air transport industry noted that the near-term impact on the UK airfreight market is less certain, but freight would be affected by lower international trade in the longer term.

IATA observed that a big issue is with aviation regulation as the UK faces a trade-off between accessing the European Single Aviation Market and having the policy freedom to set its own regulations.

“The Brexit vote has triggered much

uncertainty—financial and otherwise.

As leaders in the UK and the EU work to establish a new framework for their relationship, one certainty to guide them is the need and desire of people on both sides of that relationship to travel and trade. Air transport plays a major role in making that possible. There were 117 million air passenger journeys between the UK and the EU in 2015. Air links facilitate business, support jobs and build prosperity. It is critical that whatever form the new UK-EU relationship takes, it must continue to ensure the common interests of safe, secure, efficient and sustainable air connectivity,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and chief executive officer,” IATA said.

The world body observed that the main points of the report include the fact that the UK has voted to leave the EU – the so-called ‘Brexit’ scenario, noting that considerable uncertainty remains regarding the precise detail of the exit and it could be two years or more before

the issues are fully resolved; adding that prolonged uncertainty would influence both the magnitude and persistence of the economic impacts.

According to IATA, the immediate impact on air traffic would be governed by the effect of Brexit on two key variables: economic activity and the sterling (GBP) exchange rate.

IATA said the referendum result is widely expected to present a significant negative shock to the UK economy.

It stated that the most pronounced near-term impacts derive from heightened uncertainty, causing businesses and households to delay spending and investment decisions, as well as transmission via financial channels.

The International Air Transport Association maintained that the impact of Brexit is expected to be a permanent downward shift in the level of GDP, not a temporary impact that is recovered after a period of time.

IATA pointed out that income elas-

ticities between income (proxied by GDP) and air travel demand vary – for example, between developed and emerging markets – but are consistently positive and greater than one while developed markets are estimated to have an income elasticity of 1.3 at a national level.

“It may be that a simple income elasticity approach picks up other factors that affect demand for air travel over the long run, such as trade openness among others. Consequently, a conservative approach would be to use a unit elasticity between GDP and air travel in the near term”, the report said.

The preliminary estimates also suggested that the UK is dominated by outbound traffic , The UK air market is dominated by outbound traffic, with such traffic accounting for just over twothirds of total flows (in 2015 there were 53.9 million visits overseas by air by UK residents, compared to 26.2m visits to the UK by overseas residents).

10

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

NEWS

News Editor Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (sms only) Email ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

Militants Using High Technology to Bomb Oil Facilities, Laments Buhari Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented that Niger Delta militants were deploying high-tech technology to destroy oil installations.

Speaking after breaking fast with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock, Buhari appealed to members of his party who had friends among the militants to talk to them.

Buhari said: "I honestly don't know how many factions the militants are in the Niger Delta compared to the north east where you have the Boko Haram "The technology being deployed by the militants to destroy oil installations is high tech, the way they can go on high sea and international waters and target oil installations is a national problem. It is affecting development.

"No insurance company will want to insure installations that will end up being blown up and no banks will want to finance such installations.

"Those of you who have friends among the leadership or even the militants themselves should plead

with them in the name of God Almighty to take it easy.

"We need to stabilise to create employment, we need to stabilise the economy etc.

I agonise over these things.

"We are in a very difficult time, so we have to organise ourselves. Anybody that says he has any other country than Nigeria should go out and see."

The president also said that the successful conduct of the APC primaries in Edo State had given him a new hope.

He said that Ondo State was being watched very closely in order to ensure that the vote of the people counted.

Earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun had told the president that the party was pleased with what he had accomplished so far and the strong leadership he had given the country.

While admitting that the nation was going through L – R: GMD/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Michel Puchercos; Chairman, Mobolaji Balogun ; Company Secretary, Uzoma Uja; Chief Finance Officer, tough and difficult time with Anders Kristiansson and CEO, Cement, Adepeju Adebajo during 2016 Shareholders Forum of the company yesterday in Lagos multitude of challenges, Odigie-Oyegun said change would not come cheap or don't come easily. Nigeria event included former Vice- man (South), Segun Oni; The Secretary to the Goveasily. is clearly a difficult nation President Atiku Abubakar, a and former Bayelsa State ernment of the Federation, "Any meaningful develop- to govern," he said. former Speaker of the House Governor, Timipre Sylva Babachir David Lawal and ment requires strong and former Minister of Labour, Apart from the party of Representatives, Alhaji among others. determined leader. Things chairman, other party Ghali Naaba; the party's Also present were Chief Hassan Lawal were also in must change. Those things leaders who attended the Deputy National Chair- Tony Momoh, Osita Izunaso. attendance.

TRADING IDEAS...

Cameron Falls on His Sword as Britain Stuns World, Leaves EU ANZ said in a research note that although the Brexit result is unlikely to affect China's immediate economic outlook, the event "reminds us that we are still pencilling in one more additional RRR cut," referring to banks' reserve requirement ratio.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 Index dipped 7.9 per cent, closing below 15,000 for the first time in more than four months. That’s the steepest drop in more than 16 years.

Meanwhile, the yen surged, briefly trading below 100 yen to the dollar for the first time since November 2013. That represents another setback for “Abenomics,” which depends in part on a weak yen to boost exports and encourage domestic consumption.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would take steps to stabilize the markets and scheduled a meeting of his Cabinet for late Friday.

Finance Minister Taro Aso said Japan would consider “currency swaps” as a way to stabilize the yen, and Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda said he would work with overseas central banks, as well, according to Japan’s Kyodo News service.

The JSE of South Africa, which is the largest market in Africa suffered its biggest daily fall this year as a result of the Brexit vote. The JSE All-Share Index fell 3.56 per cent. Similarly, the JSE blue-chip top 40 index lost 3.97 per ccent. Financials dropped 4.78 per cent and banks were

3.72 per cent lower. General retailers dropped 3.63 per cent and industrials shed 3.41 per cent.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian Stock Exchange All-Share Index fell 1.36 per cent to halt a bullish run as investors took profit following the Brexit victory.

The Nigerian equities market has enjoyed an unprecedented rally on hew back of the new forex policy before the Brexit vote.

Speaking on the Brexit victory, Dominick Chirichella, senior partner at the Energy Management Institute in New York, said: "This is an historic event and will not be swept under the rug very quickly. That said, markets will not remain in turmoil as they are at the moment for an extended period of time. There is no indication that the global financial markets are anywhere near a meltdown as we saw in 2008. The UK will not collapse and the EU will not collapse anytime soon.

Merkel warns EU against kneejerk reaction to Brexit Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday warned EU member states against drawing hasty conclusions about Britain's decision to quit the bloc, as that risked further splitting Europe. We take note of the British people's decision with regret. There is no doubt that this is a blow to Europe and to the European unification process.

“But what the consequences of this would be... would depend on whether we -- the other 27

Cont’d from Pg. 6

member states of the EU -- prove to be willing and able to not draw quick and simple conclusions from the referendum in Great Britain, which would only further divide Europe," said Merkel.

Member states should "calmly and prudently analyse and evaluate the situation, before making the right decisions together," said Merkel, who will host talks with French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and European Council president Donald Tusk in Berlin on Monday.

Buhari commends Cameron's statesmanship…

In a related development, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed regret at the resignation of British Prime Minister David Cameron.

The president said Nigeria had enjoyed remarkable goodwill, support and understanding under the capable leadership of the outgoing Prime Minister over the years.

The president said Cameron’s resignation in response to the outcome of a referendum that supported Britain to leave the European Union “was a demonstration of courage by a democratic leader who respects the will of the people, even if he didn’t agree with their decision.”

Buhari noted that by ‘‘putting the will of the people before his political future, the Prime Minister proved himself to be a selfless leader with respect for democracy and voters' sovereignty.’’

'Coup Rumour, Ploy to Pitch Military against President' Adedayo AkinwaleinAbuja

The Niger Delta Youths Solidarity Movement (NDYSM) Friday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to disregard rumour about impending coup by alleged militant groups, describing the story as a deliberate ploy by mischief makers to pitch the president against the military for the selfish motives.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, NDYSM President, Comrade Prince Kpokpogri noted that such stories were mere rumours being concocted by oil thieves and miscreants who detest the presence of navy and army in the region.

According to him, "in view of the bad light in which the militants with the active backing

of the ex-military officers sought to cast the entire Niger Delta region, we deem it imperative to warn them to stop blackmailing the institution of the military.

"If the Nigerian state is still in doubt, we only need to take a look at the change in the strategy being used to ruffle feathers in the land. The stolen public funds seem to have found its way into the hands of groups that are now staging strong media attacks on not just key institutions in the military but also the management of its services and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

"We believe these characters now dread the presence of the Nigerian military particularly the Navy and the Army who protect oil facilities from crude

oil thieves and their agents and therefore resort to sow the seed of discord by peddling the coup story around.

"While we are mostly focusing on our region, we have observed that the same pattern of catalysing instability by questioning the credibility of President Buhari, tarnishing the standing and loyalty of the military and questioning its loyalty to the President and the nation has been on the rise.

"We do not wish that their bluff snowballs into something else. These ex-military officers must know that there are other ways of seeking redemption in the aftermath of the disgraceful and unbefitting end to what should have been their illustrious careers".

Appeal Court Upholds Judgment on Okada Restriction Akinwale Akintunde The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has affirmed the judgment of a Lagos High Court, which had upheld the lagality of the Lagos traffic law, saying it did not violate anybody’s rights.

Some commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada Riders, under the aegis of All Nigeria Auto Bike Commercial Owners and Workers Association (ANACOWA), had challenged the restriction of their operations to 475 routes by the traffic law, saying that it violated their right to freedom of movement.

The Lagos State Road Traffic Law

which came into effect on August 2, 2012 restricts the operations of commercial motorcycle on about 475 out of the over 9,000 roads in the State.

The Law also prohibits other activities considered inimical to road traffic including hawking, drunk driving, and sale of alcoholic drinks within 100 metres of bus stops, and motor parks within the State, amongst others.

Justice Aishat Opesanwo sitting at the Ikeja Divison of Lagos High Court held in her judgment delivered on December 13, 2012 that the Road Traffic Law regulates other forms of vehicles and as such the right of

the claimants to their constitutional right to freedom from discrimination had not been violated.

The court held that the Law did not violate the right of the claimants to move freely across the State as “the objective of the Road Traffic Law is not the movement of person but the mode, means or tools of movement.”

The judge therefore dismissed the suit filed by ANACOWA through their counsel, Mr. Bamidele Aturu.

Dissatisfied with that judgment, the Okada riders filed an appeal on December 27, 2012 contesting the judgment at the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal.

11

JUNE 25, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

EFCC, Please, Reflect on Justice Kolawole’s Upbraiding

J

ustice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja copiously presented the position of Nigerians bothered about the consistent abuse of the rule of law by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), when he faulted the procedures adopted by the anti-graft agency in arresting and detaining suspects. The judge, who was delivering a judgment on Tuesday, said it was wrong for the EFCC to arrest suspects before or during investigation. He also said the practice where the EFCC procured remand orders from magistrate courts, in cases on which they lacked jurisdiction, was unlawful. Justice Kolawole also declared unlawful and a violation of the provisions of the law establishing it, a situation in which the EFCC freezes a suspect’s account without a court order.

The Federal High Court judge in a judgment delivered in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Senator Abdulazeez Nyako, son of former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, declared: “The practice of arrest before trial is not only absurd; it is a corruption of the due process of law and Constitution. The earlier the magistrate courts and other lower courts realise that they are being used to subvert the Constitution, the better. It is as a result of incidents such as this, that make the Judiciary to be opened to public ridicule and opprobrium of issuing black market orders or remand by courts, who ex-facie (on the face of it), lack the jurisdiction to try the offences being investigated.

“And these are, in my view quite unfortunate. The statutory agencies seem to sidetrack the obligations and rights created by the Constitution to protect citizens’ fundamental rights from being abused and violated.”

It is very sad to note that the points raised

by Justice Kolawole have been the stock in trade of the EFCC for almost a year now. I commend this judge for asserting his authority and the independence of the Judiciary. The EFCC has simply been abusing the provisions of Section 293 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which allows magistrates to

remand suspects on a holding charge for a maximum of two weeks in a situation where the prosecution required time to tidy up its case. The constitutionality or otherwise of ACJA 2015 is still a subject of controversy. For me, it is glaringly unconstitutional. I am shocked that our so-called human rights activists have refused to challenge this Act. Just as Justice Kolawole noted, hiding under ACJA 2015 was a “jaundiced interpretation” of the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Lufadeju vs. Johnson in SC/247/2001, where the Supreme Court upheld the powers of the magistrates courts to issue remand warrants, even where they lacked jurisdiction to try the offences charged.

It should also be noted that the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Justice Ishaq Bello had on January 12, this year, questioned the practice where magistrates grant remand warrants in relation to cases on which they lacked the jurisdiction to entertain. Justice Ishaq Bello subsequently directed magistrates in the FCT Judiciary to desist immediately from granting remand orders to probing agencies in such instances.

I sincerely hope that the EFCC will ponder on all the points raised by Justice Kolawole and make amends. Detaining suspects for weeks, in some cases for months, without being taken before any court is a clear violation of their right to personal liberty as guaranteed under Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution. Using administrative powers to freeze suspects’ bank accounts without obtaining a court order to that effect, is also a violation of the provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act. This war against corruption must be fought within the ambits of our laws. The EFCC must conform to global standards.

For me, the issue is not whether Senator Abdulazeez and his father are corrupt or not. While the EFCC is going about this patriotic war against corruption, it must ensure that suspects’ personal liberty as guaranteed by our Constitution is not violated. Our anti-graft agency must also put an end to impunity and ensure fairness to

Rauf Aregbesola and the Politics of Hijab The Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola has to take proactive steps to end the Hijab crisis in his state instead of making inflammatory statements. Few days ago, I heard him accusing the media of celebrating idiocy “by focusing on the decision of some misguided students of Baptist High School to wear church garments to school.” He also said it was wrong for any religious body to claim the ownership of any public school in the state as “government took over the schools about 41 years ago.” I don’t think he should be making statements like this amidst high tension in the state. This has been fueling insinuations that he is behind the hijab crisis rocking the education sector in this prostrate state. A state that is experiencing calamitous economic crisis can’t afford to add a religious crisis. Christians and Muslims have been living in peace in this state for years before Aregbesola’s birth. I am not sorry to say that the Hijab crisis is another diversionary tactic by the governor to shift attention away from his gross ineptitude. His tenure has brought unprecedented pain to the people of Osun State. Civil servants are permanently on strike. Here, people struggle to get a meal in a day because of the abject poverty in Osun.

Workers have not been paid for months, while infrastructure in critical sectors like health, education and road are in an abysmal state.

Moving forward, the status quo should be maintained while the governor should take

I sincerely hope that the EFCC will ponder on all the points raised

by Justice Kolawole and make amends. Detaining suspects for weeks, in some cases for months, without being taken before any court is a clear violation of their right to personal liberty as guaranteed under Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution. Using administrative powers to freeze suspects’ bank accounts without obtaining a court order to that effect, is also a violation of the provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act. This war against corruption must be fought within the ambits of our laws. The EFCC must conform to global standards all suspects. Justice Kolawole concurred that the EFCC had a justifiable reason to arrest Senator Abdulazeez; but to keep him without arraigning him is unconstitutional. He also ruled that the EFCC has no right to freeze suspects’ accounts without court’s approval. The EFCC must stop the practice of detaining suspects while they go about investigation. They must have established a prima facie case against a suspect before arresting him; thereafter, the suspect should be arraigned within 48 hours or allowed to go home on bail. It was heart-warming that Justice Kolawole awarded N12.5million in exemplary damages against the EFCC and in favour of Senator Abdulazeez.

The case of Senator Abdulazeez’s op-

pression by the EFCC is even mild compared to that of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode who has been in EFCC’s detention for 46 days without being charged to court. The agency had earlier obtained a 14-day remand warrant at an Abuja court. When it expired, the agency knew that it would be difficult to obtain an extension from the same court. So, it whisked Fani-Kayode to Lagos and obtained another warrant from an Ikeja Magistrate court to keep him for another 21 days. Fani-Kayode’s lawyers had earlier served the EFCC notices from a Federal High Court in Abuja on May 20 for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights. But the EFCC ignored this. He has also met all his bail conditions, yet, they refused to release him. This is another case of gross abuse of court processes and a denial of his fundamental human rights.

It is pertinent to note that this former minister was invited by the EFCC and he promptly honoured the invitation. He has no history of attempting to evade arrest. I don’t know what our anti-graft agency stands to gain by this indecent tactic. I hope the EFCC is not confirming insinuations that they have been directed to keep Fani-Kayode out of circulation. He should not have been invited in the first place if the agency had not established a prima facie case against him. This idea of detaining people while continuing investigation has no place in a democracy. I am shocked that our human rights lawyers are not speaking up against this impunity.

There are already insinuations that the failure to arraign the former Peoples Democratic Party’s campaign spokesman is a bid to continue using underhand tactics to keep him in detention ad infinitum. It is even more disturbing that this is happening after Fani-Kayode had met all bail conditions set for him by the EFCC. Furthermore, virtually all those charged alongside this former minister are out on bail and attending court sessions from home while he (Femi) is still being detained illegally. This is the same man that submitted himself for trial and has cooperated fully with the anti-graft agency so far.

To continue keeping him in detention under any guise is dictatorial and unconstitutional.

Another fear being expressed in this case is that the judge to whom the case has been assigned may be used by the EFCC to achieve their set goal of keeping Fani-Kayode in detention perpetually. This judge is known to have very close affinity with EFCC where he was once the Acting Head, Legal Unit.

This morning, I urge the EFCC to please place a premium on propriety and professionalism in its conduct. There must be utmost respect for the rule of law.

Alleged Forgery of Senate Rules: Questions for Abubakar Malami

Aregbesola

swift political steps to end this Hijab logjam.

For the clerics that went to St. Charles’ High School and Ife Oluwa Middle School, both in Osogbo to enforce the use of Hijab, they should note that Islam is a religion of peace.

And for those clerics who encouraged our kids to forcefully enter schools wearing Christian garments, they should note that Jesus Christ is the prince of peace and love.

Our children must be encouraged to study and live together in peace, whether Christians or Muslims. We must all work against misled folks and terrorists who in the name of religion cause mayhem and disturb the peaceful co-existence of societies.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami needs to respond to the legion of questions about his role in the case of alleged forgery of Senate rules preferred against the leadership of the Nigerian Senate and the National Assembly bureaucracy by the federal government. For example, did you in 2015 act as one of the lawyers to the key actors in the suit against the leadership of the Senate as revealed by some court papers in circulation? Is it true that you Abubakar Malami lost this same matter in court in 2015 while in private legal practice and acting for some of the complainants? If so, why did you not indicate your interest in this present case, to avoid a case of conflict of interest? My dear Abubakar, you need to respond to these questions to douse the tension about your complicity in this case.

For me, this resurrected case of forgery of Senate rules is an unnecessary digression.

In that similar case in August last year, the presiding judge, Justice Ademola Adeniyi struck out the case, ruling that the judiciary could not interfere in what took place at the hallowed chambers of the Senate. He re-

Malami

ferred to the case of Senator Abraham Adesanya vs the Federal Government of Nigeria at the Supreme Court, where the apex court upheld the concept of separation of powers.

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JUNE 25 , 2016• THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

THE FUTILITY OF BANDAGING SEPTIC WOUNDS

D

Impunity will continue to reign unless offenders are appropriately sanctioned, argues Chuks Iloegbunam

ecember 1994 and June 2016 are two epochs, separated by 22 years, which send an unambiguous and implacable message – the impracticality of the most mouthed of Nigeria’s platitudes.

Dig this: In December 1994, a hysterical crowd forced itself into a Police station in Kano and bundled out a detained Gideon Akaluka, a young Igbo trader and Christian, who had been falsely accused of using pages of the Koran like toilet paper. The mob decapitated Gideon, spiked his severed head and carried it around town like a trophy.

On June 2, 2016, Mrs. Bridget Agbahime (74), an Igbo housewife and Christian, was seized in Kano and lynched – on a false charge of blaspheming Islam. Naturally, there has been the anticipated outrage and uproar from the afflicted camp. It could be treated just like another statistic: an old woman murdered because she was of an unwanted ethnic group, and because she professed a religion that, in the eyes of her killers, automatically made her an infidel.

There are screams for the culprits’ apprehension and punishment.

But, that does not address the problem; it merely scratches at the surface of a malignant tumour. Of course, it is natural for some Nigerians to blow hot air in the face of difficult challenges. Still a fundamental clarification is imperative because anyone unaware of the sources of their pummelling stands little chance of activating a defence mechanism.

The crucial point is the politically contrived dispensability of the Igbo life. It started in 1943 in Jos, when the first massacre of Ndigbo took place. There is a documented history to it all, which the volume entitled Massacre of Ndigbo in 1966: Report of the Justice G. C. M. Onyiuke Tribunal [Tollbrook Limited, Ikeja, Lagos], will help to ventilate.

First, some background information. Following the pogrom of 1966, the Supreme Military Council of General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi set up a judicial tribunal of inquiry to investigate the grotesquery. But, days before the tribunal was to start sitting, Ironsi was assassinated and his regime toppled. Lieutenant-Colonel Yakubu Gowon, who succeeded Ironsi, promised that the tribunal would carry on with its assignment.

When this promise was negated, Lieutenant-Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria, had no option but to establish the Onyiuke Tribunal via an instrument called the Tribunal of Inquiry (Atrocities Against Persons of Eastern Nigeria Origin: Perpetuation of Testimony) Edict 1966.

Thanks to Professor Ben Obumselu, the tribunal’s report got published in book form. It is a 279-page volume worth reading by anyone intent on understanding Nigeria’s general debility. Unless this knowledge is attained and used to equitable advantage, there can be no chance on the front row of addressing the county’s compounded crisis points.

This is from Page 15 of the Onyiuke Tribunal Report: “As far back as 1953 the Eastern community in Kano, capital of Kano Emirate and a

THE CALL TO CATCH AND PUNISH KILLERS MEANS LITTLE WHEN THE CONDITIONS ARE CONDUCIVE FOR THE BREEDING OF MORE MURDERERS, ESPECIALLY MURDERERS ARMED WITH THE ASSURANCE THAT THEIR WILD EXCESSES CAN HARDLY EARN THEM AS MUCH AS A RAP ON THE WRIST

famous trade centre, was subjected to ruthless attack by the Northerners. This incident was later to be known as the Kano Riots of 1953. It was so vicious and bloody that the then British administration set up an official inquiry.”

Since that Igbo massacre of 1953, there has hardly been any year without stories of the gruesome massacre of Ndigbo in one part of Northern Nigeria or another. A central cord tying all the killings that have made Ndigbo the most massacred ethnic group on the African continent is that the perpetrators of the atrocities invariably went scot free, even got praises and promotions for their vile actions.

The climax came in 1966. This is Page 200 of the Onyiuke Report: “In conclusion the Tribunal hereby makes its finding that between 45,000 and 50,000 civilians of former Eastern Nigeria were killed in Northern Nigeria and other parts of Nigeria from 29th May 1966 to December 1967 and although it is not strictly within its terms of reference the Tribunal estimates that not less than 1,627,743 Easterners fled back to Eastern Nigeria as a result of the 1966 pogrom.”

To this day, no one was punished for the atrocities; their actions were not even acknowledged as criminal and inhuman. Rather the perpetrators rapidly rode up the rungs of portfolio and importance in the national scheme of things. When the massacres assumed more religious than political dimensions, the doom of Ndigbo, their utter vulnerability inside Nigeria, was sealed. Any husband and wife in Kano or elsewhere in the north could engage in a fisticuff and before anyone knew it, the fight would shift into the streets and end up in the form of the lynching of an Igbo blasphemer! Ndigbo had become a repugnant underclass to be mowed down at the slightest provocation or, indeed, for no provocation at all.

This is pivotal: If you seized an arsonist and imprisoned him, how does it halt the further torching of buildings when they remain in the thousands those already indoctrinated into accepting as gospel truth the fairytale that their existential imperatives and, indeed, their paradise are tied to incendiary activism? It is a whole week since Mrs. Agbahime’s brutal murder. Bear in mind that, even in Saudi Arabia, which is the headquarters of global Islam, no one is ever punished for blasphemy without being put to trial under shari’a, the Islamic canonical law. So, what has the Emir of Kano, the head of Kano Muslims, whose palace is a few kilometres from the scene of the dastardly murder, said on the matter? What has the Sultan of Sokoto, the Sarkin Musulumi or Commander of the Faithful, said? What was the Number One Citizen doing, valourising wantonness and aspersing its victim?

Tylenol and Paracetamol can, of course, knock out searing pain. But none of them, and no other analgesic, can prevent the manifestation or recurrence of a splitting headache or a throbbing earache.

Iloegbunam, a Lagos-based journalist, wrote via iloegbunam@ hotmail.com

WHY NIGERIA STINKS

T

he propensity of every country to not only gain respect but also enjoy influence amongst its peers is determined by its local state of affairs and international bargaining power. Potency of the latter depends on condition of the former.

The natural resources of a country empower and sustain her international bargaining power. By natural resources I do not just denote minerals but also geography, landscape, climate of such country and more pertinently, her indigenes and overall citizenry. The nature of mentality and manner of dexterity her citizenry commit to the discovery, allocation, organisation, application and management of her mineral deposits; taking full advantage of the peculiarity of her environment, majorly ascertain her buoyancy. It is this ‘buoyancy’ that informs her bargaining power which in turn feeds her influence.

Zooming in on the Nigerian dimension, an overview of her peculiarity of citizenry comportment and resource administration provides much justification for deep worry. The reality of Nigeria’s wealth of raw materials is a fact locally shared and internationally acknowledged so much that it now makes for nothing more than boring chitchat.

Measuring this attribute alongside our accomplishments thus far and comparatively relating it to the achievements of our counterparts who are not near endowed as us arouses gross disappointment, dissatisfaction and begs the question, why? Why does the mathematics of the Nigerian situation of [plenty people + plenty mineral resources = little development]? What could be wrong?

We are wrong. Our attitude and behaviour towards our mineral resources and country at large is in paralysis – stung by corruption leaving Nigeria to stink with its constantly worsening consequences.

Nigeria has been variously labelled a corrupt nation because of its several dysfunctionalities and illogical realities. She has undergone an apparently unending series of system fluctuations for ages to the extent that our developmental agenda has remained in unpalatable flux.

There is discontinuity in government policy. The

Amaechi Josakweker argues there is still a lot to worry about corruption end of tenure of one administration and inception of another always introduces brand new ideology collisions instead of continuity of policy, project and resource allocation fuelled by unity of purpose. This conflict is brought on by clash of interest dictated by greed, nepotism and categorical bias in areas of family, religion, tribe and ethnicity.

The “on and off” fever and “back and forth” movement of decision between governments depicts lack of a sustainable development plan by government front liners. This is evidenced in the manner positions in government are allocated to individuals without appropriate certification, prior or current experience or exposure in the area of society selected. Elections in the first place are not nearly free and fair but a distraction to the unsuspecting public and triumphs are at best a disguise to cover tracks of corrupt predecessors.

Theft of government funds and their illegal transfers to foreign economies translates to destructive corruption that reduces our national wealth while increasing that of developed societies who already exercise unrivalled international bargaining power over us. Unimaginable crimes of embezzlement, forgery and falsification of project contracts by “pen-on-paper” government apologists go unaccounted for, while the law is favourable to the powerful but effective to the powerless. Prisons are overpopulated by petty criminals while the rich are handed perpetual injunctions to prevent their trials.

‘God fatherism’ hampers novelty and suffocates nobility in leadership candidacy within party politics and all units of organised supervision in corporate, social and communal society throughout the nation.

Politics is not practiced by intellectual interaction granting power to the hand of superior ability, vision, ambition and proposition. The side you are on is what verifies the kind of attention your ambition attracts. Administrations change but our situation stays the same; bad roads, absence of water supply, dilapidating government infrastructure and epileptic power supply.

Laws have a role to play in the general ambi-

ence of a country. Breaking such laws instilled to introduce and maintain order distorts the peace and progress they stand to ensure and protect. In the event that laws are broken, strict and irreversible punishment should be meted out to defaulters no matter their ranking in society. Punishment in question should be commensurate with crime orchestrated. In Nigeria, laws are only effective on paper; only acknowledged by pen and only applied in chamber cabinets. People commit crime with impunity since nothing will happen and when justice ‘threatens’ to happen, it is reversible by bribery since law enforcement officials are easily bought. Law enforcement agents are even those driving one way, beating traffic lights, and driving recklessly. How then can development truly be ours for the making? Do we even have a developmental agenda? Current trends continue to teach just as history has taught us that almost every facet of Nigerian society can be bought over. Once you have money to spare you do not have to play by the rules because those who enforce the rules can be manipulated by it. Some N200 is enough to skip queues at airports and familiarity is enough to jump lines in banking halls. Add some more and you can get the promotion another merits.

Learning and recurrently ascertaining level of knowledge imparted is a vital aspect of human development, continuance, improvement and accomplishment. Letting a child think cheating at school to pass exams is okay or even encouraging him to - is corruption. When good grades are false, how does one truly measure the quality of a child’s mind?

Undergraduates at our tertiary institutions are repetitively subjected to the same academic curricula their ancestors endured without update of lecture materials and renewal of academic equipment.

Theory lacking modern discovery and contemporary trend is rendered without consideration to empirical evidence, and then we term them unemployable upon graduation. Sexual harassment and bribery in our universities in order to derive deserving or

desired scores or to graduate entirely has overly deteriorated. That desired confidence in locally produced graduates is shaky and lacking. How does one ascertain the originality of degrees got given our present decline in education standards?

Getting employed is nonsensically tedious and to worsen matters, who you know is what authenticates your qualification for employment instead of valid certification, skills and experience. There is no wonder national output in volume and quality mismatches expectation.

There is uniform system failure. Mediocrity thrives over professionalism and result orientation in Nigerian corporate service where servicemen and women linger stagnantly in the practice of offering empty apologies as solutions to service failure that are otherwise needless if commitment to duty and stringency to professionalism were priority. People want applause for doing their jobs while others want ‘tips’ to do their jobs. Service failure proves inevitable for individuals who resist this mediocrity.

Greed laced by poverty of the mind overshadows attention to detail and respect for bureaucracy. We perform our work shabbily yet when termination of job opportunity is imminent we blame someone else. There is always an excuse for indiscipline or poor performance – feigned poor health, sick relative, sick child, private life tragedies, traffic jam in my area, boss is unnecessarily difficult, senior colleague hates me, rainy day, car broke down, not being paid enough, no transport money…the list stacks on. General maintenance culture is poor even when funds are periodically allocated for the maintenance of infrastructure, upgrade of service and welfare of staff.

Corruption is not a tangible entity that can be summoned by name or identified by form. It is a psychological impediment in the philosophy of man visibly represented in his actions and output. We credit our disunity and stagnancy to tribalism and religiosity whereas corruption has proven to be the big brother of all. amah.josa@gmail.com

13

JUNE 25, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

In need...

Agenda for the New Police Boss

W

ithout prejudice to my opinion on the consistent violations of the constitutionally enshrined principle of federal character relating to high profile appointments made so far by President Muhammadu Buhari and without further prejudice to my belief that Nigeria is long overdue for the establishment of state and local policing institutions as obtained in developed clime, this piece will attempt to proffer a common assignment for Nigeria’s new police chief.

The Niger State -born police officer Alhaji Ibrahim Kpotum Idris has just resumed office as the acting Inspector General of Police. Although he has supposedly resumed in acting capacity, he has indeed read out his comprehensive blueprints as if he has already bagged the presidential and police council’s blessing and confirmation.

There’s no antecedent to show that an officer picked in acting capacity in that position has ever been overlooked in terms of confirmation after about six months. It is therefore safe to assume that he is the substantive Inspector General of Police.

As is common amongst newly appointed police IGs who are usually overwhelmed by the joyful atmospherics that beclouds their choice, Alhaji Idris has uploaded and off-loaded a trailer load of promises as some of his underlying objectives.

The summary of his pledges is that the police under him shall carry out policing duties as it is done in civilised democratic nations. Tall dream you may say, given our perennially notorious policing styles in over 50 years and if the saying that “old behaviours die hard” is to be considered, then we can as well say that this aspiration is difficult but not impossible to achieve.

For now suffice it to inform our new Inspector General of Police that most patriotic Nigerians have only but a single agenda for which if well implemented will restore people’s confidence in the police. The one point agenda is to restore DISCIPLINE amongst the ranks and file of the police.

Luckily, the new IG was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari who as the then military head of state in the early 1980’s gained reputation for introducing the war against indiscipline (WAI).

Let the police chief go back to the archives and read up how General Buhari (as he then was) and General Tunde Idiagbon (as he then was before his demise) jointly enforced strict disciplinary measures that effectively impacted on most Nigerians the disciplinary virtues of promptness to duty and the attitude of first come, first serve. The demon that has led to the generational degenera-

tion of the Nigeria Police Force is gross indiscipline.

Corruption and inefficiency are the inevitable offspring of indiscipline. The police operatives and officers in Nigeria are phenomenally indiscipline.

Indiscipline amongst and within the policing institution in Nigeria was responsible for the growth of impunity, corruption, inefficiency, tribalism, nepotism, and other societal ills. All the ethical crimes bedevilling the Nigeria Police Force branched off from the systematic and systemic indiscipline in the police over the last five decades.

From the simple to the complex, it is apparent that indiscipline steers us in the face whenever a citizen encounters the police operatives in almost all cases. A simple observation of the level of sanitation of the various police stations and barracks will show any observer how dirty the Nigeria Police Force has become. Then to the complex issue of typical middle level officers offering bribes to their superiors to gain appointment and posting to juicy positions.

Top level police officers lobby with material and financial inducements to staff of Nigeria Police Service Commission for promotions.

Emmanuel Onwubiko, Human rights Writers Association of Nigeria

I

Hillary Clinton and Gender Equality

t is no longer news that former American Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, on June 4 became the first woman in American history to become a presumptive presidential nominee for a political party. Mrs. Clinton clinched the Democratic Party nomination for the forthcoming United States presidential election after getting the required number of delegates - 2,383 - the number needed to make her the presumed nominee. Mrs. Clinton reached the threshold with a super big win in Puerto Rico over fellow Democratic hopeful, Mr. Bernie Sanders.

It has taken a long 227 years to get even this far since George Washington was elected president of a newly independent America in 1789. The journey of Mrs. Clinton’s White House aspiration did not just begin. It started precisely on January 20, 2007. That was the first time she declared her candidacy for the White House only to be surprisingly trounced by a relatively unknown Barack Obama who dazzled Americans and, indeed, the whole world with his extra-ordinary oratory prowess and unrivalled political networking.

With the unlikely prospect of outfoxing Obama for the coveted seat, Mrs. Clinton had to wait for another eight years to actualise her dream. That

T H E S AT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R

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T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D

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her exhilaration knows no bound at achieving such unprecedented feat should be understandable.

Shortly after attaining the historic feat, a visibly excited Mrs. Clinton, while addressing an equally elated crowd of supporters, said: “We are on the brink of a historic and unprecedented moment”.

Mrs. Clinton, a former Secretary of State, former New York Senator and former First Lady, scored a significantly greater lead over fellow Democratic contender, Mr. Sanders than Barack Obama had over her in 2008. It will be recalled that Mr. Obama led Mrs. Clinton by 131 pledged delegates and 105 super delegates at the point he clinched the nomination in 2008.

The icing for Mrs. Clinton is her recent endorsement by American President, Mr. Obama. According to Obama, having worked with Mrs. Clinton for some time, there is no better candidate to succeed him order than the former First Lady. Many had referred to Mr. Obama’s backing as a boost for Mrs. Clinton presidential aspirations while others simply see it as an albatross considering what they termed “Obama’s un-impressive presidency”.

This, of course, is just by the way. The way things currently stand; Mrs. Clinton had, no doubt, made history in the political annals of her country and her political antecedent as a former First Lady, former Senator and former Secretary of State are by no means intimidating. She has shown herself as a woman who has the will to tread where others tremble. The strength of her political conviction, resolve and will power know no bounds. She is a daring and focused woman who only pays attention to her destination.

Characteristically, advocates of gender equality across the world and, especially in Nigeria, have been celebrating Mrs. Clinton’s victory which they see as a victory for the womenfolk. The mainstay of their argument is that there is no better way to draw global attention to their course than a Mrs. Clinton presidency. To them, when and if it eventually happens, a Mrs. Clinton presidency would undoubtedly help to further their course. Expectedly, in Nigeria, many gender equality promoters are rooting for Mrs. Clinton to make it to the White House. This is based on the conviction that Mrs. Clinton’s rising political profile will further boost their drive for gender equality campaign in the land.

Understandably, as a result of limited opportunities and the resultant stiff competition for space across almost every sector, drive for gender equality seemingly has some merits in our clime.

Tayo Ogunbiyi, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

14

JUNE 25, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

Letter to Mr President

M

y dear President Buhari, Let me start by welcoming you back from the United Kingdom. I am happy that contrary to the wish and postulation of some persons, you really returned. But more importantly, you are not only back and better, you are now in a perfect state to hear all the grumblings and groaning of Nigerians, some of which I shall relate to you shortly.

Mr President, some of us who have always believed in your person and supported your election are constantly in a battle with a motley crowd of opposition, many of whom never believed in you. The ever-raging battle is in defending your actions and inactions in the best way possible.

But sir, I must confess that it’s been such a Herculean task in recent times.

Sir, your critics have been laughing at us, calling us unprintable names for still believing in you, when according to them, you have lost control of the economy. The point to the ever-contracting economy. They point to the growing army of unemployed persons. They point to the incredible inflation margin that has befallen Nigerians. They point to how more and more parents are having huge difficulty feeding their children. They point to the desolate state of even those who work, especially in state government establishments, many of who have been owed for upward of six or more months.

They even whispered that your ministers are also “shuffering and shmiling” because every artery of usual comfort is blocked.

Mr. President, I tried to caution them and to explain that some of these problems, true as they may be, were overflow of the reckless past.

But they almost mobbed me. One very noisy antagonist asked me pointedly: “Is it not because of the so-called reckless past that we voted for change?”, adding very sarcastically, “so are we experiencing change now or chain?”

No amount of argument will persuade or convince many of these pessimists that you are indeed doing your best to reposition and recast the economy.

I must further confess that the temptation to agree with them is very strong, but for the implicit confidence we have that you really mean well for this country. I pointed out that, for once, we have an ascetic and hedonistic president, one who is so austere and frugal. But they countered that they would rather have an epicurean president who will allow the good things of life to flow among the people. They claim that your ascetic disposition seems to be poised in democratising poverty in the land.

They say things are so hard that not only are the rich also crying, the poor are indeed groaning and gasping.

I can confirm sir that I can relate with many of the things the critics are saying. It’s just that they say it with so much mischief and bitterness; after all, we all go to the same market, buy the same fuel, suffer the same collapsed electricity supply, witness the companies sacking their workers or even shutting down operation altogether. Mr President, if the truth be told, there is drought in the land. Economists call it recession. And we are all feeling the steely clamp.

I have been making a good projection of your epic fight against corruption, which, I insist, is bound to relaunch Nigeria as a land of plenty and bliss. But again, they say the monies and assets so far recovered are likely to be re-looted as it was in the past. But I swore to them, that such a mega crime can never happen under your watch. Having defeated them on that, they opened another disenchanting chapter on the war against corruption: why are all the people being haunted and clamped into detention for corruption are persons associated with the opposition party or people who had supported the previous government.

I told them it is not true, citing the case of Jafaru Isa, a former Kaduna military governor, a prominent APC chieftain and ally of President Buhari, who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for

Buhari partaking in the Dasukigate mess. And that the EFCC so squeezed the man and he refunded N100 million out of the N170million he was said to have collected from Dasuki. In their usual mischief, they dismissed it as an exception, asking if the remaining N70million has been refunded by Isa. Even when I added that the trial of the number three citizen, Senate President Bukola Saraki , an APC chieftain, for wrongful asset declaration, as an example of how non-selective the fight against corruption is, they merely pouted their lips. One other short one among them threw in a snide remark, ”…as if we don’t know why he is being prosecuted”. They challenged you to clamp some persons they named, which I can’t repeat here, (unless you grant me audience) who smell of corruption all over, but are the grand monsieurs of the APC. When I challenged them to provide evidence of their suspicion and accusation, they merely rabbled round like drunken urchins.

My dear President, I am taking advantage of the fact that you are just back and that your ears are smarting from the great expert treatment they got, to gallon you full with the narratives on the streets of Nigeria. You are on the other side, while we are on this other side. This letter is thus to acquaint you with the goings-on sir.

Mr. President, whether you were a soldier or not, you are now a politician. You should be able to build a balance between your personal value system and the national/political demands of governance.

In case you don’t quite understand me, let me put it this way: If you have your eye on 2019, as I suspect, you must begin to relax your peremptory hold on issues and give room for some political consideration. I have heard even some of your avowed supporters and funders grumble that they have been left in the lurch whilst you trans-loaded hitherto unknown persons to prized offices and positions. I say these so that the acts ( I actually mean hardship) of today will not stand against you at the 2019 polls.

One year after assuming office, Nigerians expect a significant change in their social narratives. They voted for change. Let them begin to experience positive change.

Yes, the past has been odious and disenabling, but we cannot continue to dwell on that point.

We must be able to move on and change the rhythm of the people’s lives.

The sound bites from your Goebbel, sorry Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, are no

longer as inspiring. Give him cause to flaunt his skills.

I am not an economist sir, but I think, there is too much trial and error among the economic managers. It is unfortunate that you came into office when the price of crude fell from an average of $100 per barrel to $30 or so today. The fate that has befallen our Naira especially against other stronger currencies is befuddling. In this same country, a dollar was equal to 86k… that was in 1981, while a British pound exchanged for N1.

Many Nigerian are withdrawing their children from universities abroad now because of scarcity of Forex. Not even the floating of the Naira seems redeeming enough. It has even stifled international business. Sir, we cannot apply a medicine that will kill both the disease and the patient.

Yes, you inherited a decrepit economy, but that was why almost 16 million (15,424,921) Nigerians voted for you against the nearly 13 million (12,853,162) who voted for your closest rival. They believed in you. They shunned all the terrible things said about you during the elections and hung their fate on you. Sir, you cannot afford to fail. If nothing else, so we will not lose face in the society. Many are waiting to have a good laugh at us. May you not let them have any such occasion sir.

Certainly, there are many saboteurs who are plotting and planting several studs on the way so you can stumble… but our God and heroes past will not allow them.

Sir, you must wake up and kit up. The next one year will be very telling for your government.

Let it be that very soon, Nigerians will begin to heave a sigh of relief, and tell the nay Sayers that their (your supporters’) trust, vote and confidence in you is not in vain. Reinforce their belief in you capacity to take Nigeria out of the woods.

This is why I talked about employing wisdom enough to achieve a balance between your legendary disciplinary streak and political expediency.

You see those boys called Niger Delta Avengers, they are ossified rascals. They don’t care about anything. Not even their lives. They are almost like those Boko Haram terrorists. Sir, you need all the wisdom and tact to rein them in. To insist on military solution will take us nowhere. That strategy will only enable you cut your nose to spite your face. Those boys are like the tsetse fly perching on a man’s scrotum. An

attempt to smash it against the scrotum could make you spend many unconscious days in the hospital.

Unless you deal with them with tact, they have the capacity to behave like lepers: spill the milk they could not gather.

Sir, don’t forget to deal dispassionately and decisively with the menace of the Fulani herdsmen. They have been killing innocent people anyhow. Please ensure innocent blood are not spilled unduly anywhere in the country.

Before I round off this letter sir, remember that Nigeria is such a big country. Everybody is watching you anya-anya. They want to see the spread of your appointees. They want to interpret how nationalistic you are on such matters.

Mr. President, all that you promised during the elections: creation of three million jobs per year, feeding of school children, paying stipends to unemployed persons, making agriculture the mainstay of the economy, harnessing the solid mineral potential of the country, Killing corruption before it kills us, etc etc. have become the many areas in which you will be assessed and judged. You cannot but be conscious of the expectations of the people in these areas.

This letter has become lengthier than I planned sir. Sir, if you are tired of reading, please hand it over to your Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, to summarise it all and reduce it to actionable bullet points, and possibly hang it on one corner of your workstation.

Finally sir, let me chip in that the disquiet in the National Assembly over the proposed arraignment of the Senate president and his deputy over alleged forgery of senate rules, over a year ago, is another tsetse fly in the scrotum. Sir, discretion is a better part of valour. I am sure you know what I mean.

The president cannot be seen to be struggling and wrestling with a legislature that is controlled by his political party. The temptation to act with the mindset of a deja vous conquistador must be shelved. The president should maximally reap from APC’s control of the legislature. This can be only if the president synchronises the political benefits of controlling the two chambers of the legislature. A good politician, like a sportsman, must operate with the disposition to win some and lose some.

I must thank you sir for reading through my letter believing that you will not dismiss it as the puerile rantings of a bloody civilian.

Once again, welcome back sir.

15

June 25, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

TUNDERAHMAN

tunderahmanu@yahoo.com 08055069548 (Text only)

The Forgery Case, Pension for Assembly Leaders and ‘Cascade of Change’

T

he National Assembly should stop the ongoing remonstration in Abuja and stop viewing every attempt to get the parliament to open its books for scrutiny or get its principal officers to account for alleged infraction as an attempt to infringe on its sovereignty or a move to assault the principle of separation of powers. I refrain from restating here the sing-song in APC circles that this is a season of change and that theirs is a government of change. Many reckon that the country is yet to see much of the change being touted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) cheer-leaders. But I dare say that with all its imperfections, the war against corruption being waged at present by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration remains the boldest attempt in the last one decade or so or even since the resurgence of democracy in the country in 1999 to directly confront the monster that is corruption.

Corruption and outright stealing (apologies to former President Jonathan) have robbed the nation of valuable money for development and have almost brought the nation to her knees. A staggering sum has been lost to corruption since independence. In 2015 alone, about $174 billion was said to have been lost to corruption, according to a report. And unless the country reforms its public and private sector administration, Nigeria may lose as much as 37 percent of its total GDP by 2030, says Pricewater Cooper (PwC), a leading audit, assurance rating company, while presenting a report entitled ‘Impact of Corruption on Nigeria’s Economy’ to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in January this year at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

So, all officers whether in the Executive, Legislative or Judicial arms of government must gear up for the task, turn a new leaf and put all hands on deck to battle corruption so we kill corruption, before it kills the country, as they say.

This leads me to the alleged forgery case against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, ex-Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, and Deputy Clerk, Bernard Efeturi.

It was alleged that Senate Order 2011 on modality for election in the upper legislative chamber was forged in the election of its principal officers on June 9, 2016. The police had launched into an investigation of the alleged forgery shortly after Saraki’s election. The investigation was said to have been concluded and a prima facie case allegedly established. The seeming inaction on the matter on the part of the government and a sudden wake-up on the part of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to now begin the prosecution of the case seems suspicious. It seems an after-thought and the move laden with political motive. But the point for me is that the issue in question remains an allegation and those accused remain innocent until the prosecution is able to prove otherwise. Why are the assembly officers against an inquisition into the matter? AGF Malami said he had not offended any known law by delving into the matter and by starting the prosecution. He said he is within his powers under the constitution to initiate criminal proceedings against anybody where any of the investigating agencies has established a prima facie case against such suspect and many lawyers verily

Saraki

believe so, so I say let the legal fireworks begin.

That is just one issue. This week, I like to crave the indulgence of readers to engage in small takes and I like to offer some comments quickly on three more issues, one concerning, again, the National Assembly, and the last two about two governors, one hugging the headlines for his characteristic wrong reasons and the other for the ‘change’ happening under his watch.

Some prominent Nigerians have already spoken to condemn the proposed amendment of the constitution to grant immunity and life pension to National Assembly leaders. The proposed legislation particularly the one seeking life pension for the Senate President, his deputy, House of Representatives Speaker and his deputy is insensitive and unconscionable. It is inconceivable that our lawmakers would be thinking of how to add additional perks at a time that the nation’s economy is in dire strait. If our lawmakers do not experience what a majority of Nigerians pass through at present, don’t they hear stories of untold hardship and sufferings from their constituencies? Why for the life of me would anybody be thinking of adding to the country’s woes at this point in time? Why? The second rather discomforting issue is about Governor Ayodele Fayose who sensationally claimed that Zenith Bank funded his election and that funds for prosecuting his victory in that June 21, 2014 Ekiti governorship poll did not come from the proceeds of arms procurement deal by the Office of the National Security Adviser under Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). Zenith Bank has denied Fayose’s claim. The bank says Governor Fayose was irked to make wild allegation against it because it allowed the EFCC access to his bank account. There have been claims and counter claims from both sides. But there seems to be more than meets the eye about the issue. Indeed, for all you may say about Governor Fayose, he is no doubt a ‘smart’ politician. He would not move the state accounts from the Skye Bank under former Governor Kayode Fayemi to Zenith without any motive. But there is no law forbidding a governor’s account or the governor’s

Ambode

activities from being investigated as Fayose is claiming. What Section 308 of the constitution forbids is prosecution, criminal prosecution. Even President Buhari has been dragged to court over his certificates.

Now to ‘Cascade of Change,’ a book written by Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Steve Ayorinde, which was launched in Lagos last Thursday, though the book was a compilation of some of Ayorinde’s articles and the occasion was clearly his crowning day, but expectedly, the person, style of governance and performance in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, his principal, carried the day. The achievement of Governor Ambode, thus far, is a testimony to the beauty of the politics of continuity in Lagos State, as encapsulated by some speakers at the launch. Former Ogun State governor and APC chieftain, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who chaired the event, put the issue of continuity in clearer focus when he said not only at the governorship seat was continuity manifested in Lagos but also in other levels of governance in the state. For instance, he pointed to the case of Commissioner for Works in the state, Engineer Ganiyu Johnson, who at various times before now was the Permanent Secretary for Works and Special Adviser to the Governor on Works. According to Osoba, this tutelage would make him understand the issues in works better, be able to formulate and implement policies and take meaningful decisions in that area better. Such was the kind of governance issues thrown up at the event. Speakers after speakers, from Osoba, Dr. (Mrs) Doyin Abiola and Mr. Femi Pedro, who represented Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof. Anthony Kila and to my brother Dipo Famakinwa, all commended Governor Ambode for his humility and performance in office so far. Most of those gathered at the event went away with that conclusion that Ambode has done noble and that continuity has worked well for the state. But the accolade is also a wake-up call for Ambode to continue to tighten his belt and do more for the people in Lagos.

• Please follow me on Twitter @tunderahmanu

The investigation was said to have been concluded and a prima facie case allegedly established. The seeming inaction on the matter on the part of the government and a sudden wake-up on the part of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to now begin the prosecution of the case seems suspicious. It seems an after-thought and the move laden with political motive.

But the point for me is that the issue in question remains an allegation and those accused remain innocent until the prosecution is able to prove otherwise. Why are the assembly officers against an inquisition into the matter?

AGF Malami said he had not offended any known law by delving into the matter and by starting the prosecution. He said he is within his powers under the constitution to initiate criminal proceedings against anybody where any of the investigating agencies has established a prima facie case against such suspect and many lawyers verily believe so, so I say let the legal fireworks begin

16

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

NEWS

In Brief

Kaduna Removes 13,336 from Payroll

TheKadunaStategovernmenthasannouncedthewithdrawalof salariesof 13,336workersfromitspayroll. TheHeadofService,Mrs.Alisabethan Onazi disclosedthisatapressconferenceinKaduna.Shesaidthedecisionfollowed series of verification exercises embarked upon by the state government which found the workers wanting. According to her, the affected workers would haveto undergo are-verificationto provethat theywere genuine. On assumptionofofficelastyear,thestategovernmentembarkedonseriesof Biometricverificationstoidentifyghostworkersandreducedthehugewage bill. Onazisaidtheaffectedworkerswouldbepersonallyverifiedby Governor Nasir El-Rufai. She said the state's 88,000 workforce had been reduced to 75,000workersfollowingtheverificationofexercise.Onaziaddedthat outof the75,000workersdulyscreenedbyaspecialcommitteewhichwasheadedby her, the13,336workers removedfromthepayroll still hadquestions toanswer.

Appeal Court Reverses N2bn Judgment

PUTTING HEADS TOGETHER...

R-L: Entrepreneur Organiation (EO) global representative Tamarin Morrell, ; newly elected President of EO Nigeria, Funmi BabingtonAshaye; outgoing president, Mr. Vincent Molokwu and Mr. Shamit Khemka of EO South Asia during the organisation's meeting in Lagos...recently

The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division has reversed the decision of a Federal HighCourt,Lagos,whichin2006awarded $5,707,297.90(N1,598,043,160 )againsttheLagosStateGovernment.JusticeS.COsejiinitsjudgmentupheld the arguments of the state as canvassed by Lagos State Attorney General, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, in arriving at the decision reversing the judgment of the FederalHighCourt.TheAppellatecourtheldthatthecontentionoftheLagos StateGovernmentthatZanenVerstoep(the1stRespondent)failedtostrictly prove the special damages it claimed. It held that this was fatal to the 1st Respondent’scase.ZanenVerstoephaddraggedtheLagosStateGovernment tocourt,claimingthesumof$5,707,297.90(USDollars),generaldamagesin thesumofN200,000,000,exemplarydamagesinthesumofN300,000,000 forallegedillegalentrybytheLagosStateSpecialTaskForceonEnvironment into adisputed propertysituated at No.1AOzumbaMbadiwe Street.

Infuse Trafficking Issues in School Curricula

UNICEF Identifies 3,000 Children Separated from Parents in Bama IDP Camp Seeing an average of 140 outpatients daily KasimSumainain Abuja

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that it had 3000 children separated from their families at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Bama, Borno State.

UNICEF, in a statement made available to Journalists on Friday in Abuja revealed that it had started to register the children with the aim of trying to trace their families.

According to the statement signed by its Chief of Communication, Doune Porter, "We have

provided health and nutrition support for approximately 19,000 people and since May, UNICEF and Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency have had a permanent primary health care presence in Bama.

"Primarily, in the IDP camp in the town that houses 25,000 people who have been displaced by the conflict, of these, 15,000 are children. The town of Bama has been accessible to humanitarian assistance since March 2016 and we are working with partners on ground as response to the humanitarian situation

60 Feared Dead as Vandals Storm Lagos, Ogun Communities Rebecca Ejifoma

The killings by suspected pipeline vandals in Ogun and Lagos states turned to a blood bath yesterday following the alleged killing of over 60 residents in Igbo Olomu, Ogijo and other border communities in Ikorodu Lagos State and Ogun State.

Suspected vandals were said to have stormed the Igbo Olomu community yesterday with sophisticated weapons and carried out wanton destruction and killing of the residents.

THISDAY gathered that the vandals targeted landlords and local vigilante men in the community, killing them with members of their families. It was, also, said that the vandals made away with the corpses as they escaped into the creeks.

This killing is coming despite the presence of policemen from the Lagos State Police Command and the Ogun State Command working in a joint operation with men of Operation AWATSE, a military joint task force deployed to the area.

According to findings, although the community has become a ghost town as residents who survived the attack had fled their homes,

heavily armed police men and military personnel patrolling the area to restore peace and calm frayed nerves.

A community leader, who requested anonymity for fear of attack, said the vandals targeted landlords, Vigilante groups and community leaders perceived by the vandals as enemies assisting the police to stop pipeline vandals from operating in the area.

"There was blood bath at our community today. I reside at Igbo Olomu but I have fled my home with my family. Ijaw vandals stormed our community with sophisticated weapons and they went on to shoot anybody at sight. They targeted landlords. We were fast asleep when they came.

I counted 18 corpses before I fled my house. I have never seen such killing. They fled with the corpses.

We are appealing to the security agencies to come to our rescue," he added.

Another anonymous source said: "There was chaos in Igbo Olomu community in Ikorodu West.

Killings and wanton destruction of lives and properties. Over 18 people were killed last night. The Ijaw vandals were on rampage displayed sophisticated weapons. "

in Bama, Borno State.

"We are seeing an average of 140 outpatients a day, providing treatment primarily for malaria, respiratory infections and diarrhea; screening for malnutrition and treating severely malnourished children, as well as providing Vitamin A, micro-nutrient supplements and de-worming tablets" According to her, "Most recent data available from the team on the ground, which does not have regular means of communication show that during the period 3 April - 31 May 2016, 323 children

were admitted for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), an average of six new cases per day.

"We have also identified 3000 children who have become separated from their families and have started to register children with the aim of trying to trace their families.

"We have repaired and upgraded five boreholes in Bama, providing 10-12 litres of water per day per person in the IDP camp. In the following days, construction work is due to begin on 150 latrines," said Porter.

Government has Abandoned Us to Our Fate, Lament Agatu Masacre Survivors GeorgeOkohin Makurdi

Survivors of the recent bloody Agatu invasion by armed Fulani herdsmen have raised the alarm lamenting that they had been abandoned to their fate by the government.

They regretted that they had no homes to return to, no standing school in the sacked communities for their children and wards to attend nor food to eat in the various communities.

Speaking through their leader, Elder Ekoja Imanche, the Agatu indigenes lamented that since the cessation of hostilities in Agatu land, the people were yet to start their lives all over again because the government had reneged on its promises to help rehabilitate razed communities and avail the victims with lifeline.

According to them, "after the cessation of hostilities in Agatu land, we were told to return back to our homes with promises from the government that our communities would be rehabilitated and our families would be assisted to start life all over again since all our houses, farmland and food

barns were all destroyed.

"Unfortunate, as I speak with you, no such assistances has been extended to us, at the moment no school is standing in Agatu land, all of our houses have been razed and we have no homes to live in, our farmland, and food barns have all been destroyed.

"We have no food to eat and we cannot access the major farmland we have between Gwer West and Ogbaji because Fulanis are still occupying there, same for Odugbeho down to Okokolo an axis renowned for its farming prowess the people cannot access their farms.

Continuing, Elder Imanche said, "Everyday we hear of relief materials coming to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, most of who are presently squatting in Makurdi and Ugbokpo but unfortunately we are not seeing any of such.

"The truth is that we have been abandoned and government has left us to our fate even the local government caretaker committee chairman has not visited the area to ascertain the condition of the people. That is the unfortunate condition we have found ourselves."

Curriculumexperts,contentspecialists,schoolteachers,educationandTrafficking inPersons(TIP)expertsamongstothershaveadvocatedtheinfusionofissues relatedtotraffickinginpersons(TIP)intothecurriculaofbasicandsecondary schoolsinNigeria.ThisinitiativeofinfusingTIPintotheschoolcurriculaofyoung students in Nigeria, between the ages of 6-16 years had become imperative in view of the enormity of the problems of TIP in Nigeria and the need for a sustainableapproachintacklingthismenace.Thisinitiativewasconceivedby the National Agency for Prohibition ofTrafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in its bidtoachieveitspreventionmandateintheareaofTIP.Tothisend, NAPTIPis partneringwiththeNationalEducationalResearchanddevelopmentCouncil (NERDC) inorder to achievetheTIP infusioninto thecurriculaareality.

Third Nigerian Beer Symposium

Against the background of its commitment to increasing basic knowledge thatwouldcorrectwrongperceptionsaboutbeerconsumptionanditshealth implications,NigerianBreweriesPlcistohostthethirdeditionofNigerianBeer SymposiuminLagos.Theone-daysymposiumwhichcomesuponJune30,2016 atEkoHotelandSuites,VictoriaIsland,Lagos,isthemed:“BeerandCulture”.

Itwillfocusonbeerasabeveragethatlubricatescultureandenhancessocial bondingacrosstheages.Thisyear’seditionwillbechairedbyMr.DonaldDuke, formergovernorofCrossRiverStatewhowaspraisedforhiscontributionsto thefieldsofagriculture,urbandevelopment,environment,andtourismduring histenureinoffice.Thesymposiumalsohasarichlineupofexpertsandscholars inhealth,food and nutritionscienceswho will deliver keynotelectures.

More Winners in FCMB Promo

A job seeker resident in Abuja, Sharon Ike; a trader based in Obosi, Anambra State,TochukwuOnwuamaegbu;anothertraderinLagos,MisturaIbrahimand acustomerinIbadan,Oyostate,AbimbolaOlayinka,arethelatestmillionaires toemergeintheon-goingFirstCityMonumentBank(FCMB)Limitedreward scheme tagged: “FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 3.” The lucky customers emerged from the electronic draws held across the country Last week. In addition, 640 other customers of the bank were rewarded with various gift itemssuchasLEDtelevisions,powergeneratingsets,decoders,tablets,smart phonesandotherconsolationprizes.Accordingtoastatement,attheLagos regionaldrawwhichheldatthebank'sAmuwoOdofinbranch,Ibrahimemerged the winner of N1million, while at the Abuja/North regional draw in Abuja, Ike was rewarded with the same amount. In the same vein, Onwuamaegbu was announcedtheluckywinnerofN1millionfromtheSouth-East/South-South draw that took place at Oko in Anambra State, just as Olayinka is now N1million richer on account of his winning at the South-west regional draw held at Ijebu-Ode,Ogun State.

FG Restructures ActNollywood

TheFederalGovernmentisorganisingaworkshopforstakeholdersaimedat restructuringandreinvigoratingProjectACTNollywood,theN3billiongrant programme set up by the Federal Government to solve the main challenges impedingthegrowthoftheNigerianmovieindustry. Theworkshop,whichis scheduledforFridayJuly1,2016,wouldbeattendedbyrepresentativesofthe keystakeholdersintheNigerianFilmindustry,suchastheFederalMinistryof InformationandCulture,theleadershipofNollywood,theActorsGuild,Film andVideos Censors Board,The Nigerian Film Corporation andThe Nigerian Copyright Commission. The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, the Convener of the workshop, has stated that the ideas discussed during the workshopwouldbepartoftheinputsforrestructuringtheprojecttoensure itssustainability.

Sokoto Distributes Food, Clothing to Orphans Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji AminuTambuwal, Friday distributed clothing materialsandfooditemsto12,485orphansandindigentpersonsacrossthe state. Speaking in Kuchi village of Kebbe local government area during the distribution of food to beneficiaries drawn from 85 districts in the 23 Local GovernmentCouncilsofthestateyesterday,Tambuwalsaideachfemaleorphan receivedawrapperandN1000,whileeachmaleorphangotfiveyardsofclothing materialandN1000.Tambuwalstatedthatthegesturewasaimedatassisting the orphans and the needy to celebrate the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr with ease.''Thestategovernmentisstronglycommittedtoensuringthewelfareof allcategoriesofpeopleinthestate.Wewillalwaysstrivetofulfillourcampaign promisesto thepeopleof thestateinspiteof so manychallenges,"hesaid.

Plus David Olatunji

I Think There’s a Mysterious Force in Marriage

LOUD WHISPERS AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER PEOPLE FITNESS FASHION FILE

pg. 20 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 36 pg. 40 pg. 41

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 25, 2016

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Plus

At 34, I Was Managing Number One Imaging Company in Nigeria Are you looking for a life coach? The list is endless. Are you in search of a role model? Not a few abound. Are you caught in the web of life’s vicissitudes? You are not alone. Can you be a leader of men?

He says yes as he sits across the table, unassuming with a broad smile that belies his willingness to give a helping hand. Dressed to the nines without being ostentatious, he gesticulates as he talks.

He’s a handsome man from an ugly past – as a child he was made to witness the marital mess in his family. He detests his past while he passionately loves the present and devotes his life to the future.

He yearns for a glorious present and future for others too. He’s not just a run of the mill leadership speaker, David Olatunji excels where others have failed. He doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the talk. Olatunji bares his mind to Adedayo Adejobi on his tough, uninspiring childhood, and how to escape the doldrums of low life

H

ow will you describe your childhood?

(It was) tough and uninspiring. I grew up not knowing why I appeared on the planet earth. I never had anyone talk to me on purpose (of life). I never had any inkling of where I came from; why I came from where I came from. Life was boring being more of a routine: wake, prostrate for your parents, bathe, eat, go to school, come back; eat again, sleep, and wake up again. I considered myself an accident living just by the day; not understanding (the) purpose (of life). Growing under parents who with the benefit of hindsight were perhaps more confused than I was did not help matters. So, early in life there was no proper direction other than go to school and play with other kids and sleep. I grew up in an average family struggling all along, deprived of the good things of life. Just imagine the kind of mind I grew up with: vain, distorted, fearful, selfish, warped and damaged in all its ramificaramifica tions, always wondering why some people had everything going for them while nothing was going for me. This mindset was to be serious battleground for me later in life.

How would you describe your parents, and what lasting lessons did you learn from them?

My parents never really came together and enjoyed their marriage as one. There was always an issue to grouch about; as much as they tried to hide them, I still got to know. Only one lesson stood out with my dad: he loved education and he took time to be my personal teacher and when it was time to go to secondary school, I was always on top of my common entrance examinaexamina tions. He was tough, being a soldier. So I must do my homework. The great lesson from them really is more of how not to make my marriage fail.

For instance, my parents were separated when I was 13 years old and now I see the tremendous damage that had on me and others. So I am smart enough, by choice, using the power of my will, coupled with God’s wisdom and grace, to keep my own marriage even though it is not immune from the challenges of the environment and intervention of the flesh and self. There are so many opportunities to separate or break up but my wife and I just refuse to take any. We have resolved to stick to it for life.

Do you see yourself in your children or vice versa?

I constantly see myself in all of my children both male and female. At times these include even our manner of speech. As a family, one of our values is not to speak negatively. One thing I make sure I do is to say and do things I know they will proud of at all times. For all of them, I am their first leader and model. My daughters will relate with their husbands in future based on what they see in me. To them I represent men.

Why did you choose a career in training and teaching?

I grew up with a huge dislike for mediocrity which is a direct by-product of ignorance. So very early in life I developed an uncanny thirst for knowledge, which spurred me on to read several books on why some people excel in life, and why some don’t despite having equal opportunities. I grew up knowing so much that I began to freely share the information I gathered with friends, colleagues and associates who were hungry for knowledge. The need to see people rise above average; above common, ordinary results in their performance and shun the comfort zone of life led me into teaching and training. By putting few principles into constant practice every man has an equal chance of success.

I am convinced that if any one desires success in any field or in any aspect of life, the minimum requirement is constant education. Problems or what we know as challenges of life remain until adequate knowledge is received about them.

Everything remains the same until the force of knowledge is applied to it. I chose the part of leadership because from the beginning, man was designed to be a leader, to rule over all other creatures of God. The leadership potential has to be groomed, developed and cultivated through constant education and practice of knowledge; it cannot just bloom by itself. And we can see the dearth of leadership globally. No institution or corporate body can rise higher than its leadership.

No nation can outgrow its leadership. So my joy and fulfilment is derived from coaching, counselling and mentoring young upcoming leaders.

Most of this I do without collecting fees. I knew I was wanted to mentor people on leadership since I was 32 years old, as I was already a General Manager managing hundreds of employees. I was running a foremost printing firm in Nigeria, and by 34, I was managing the number one imaging company in the country. My major contribution then as a leader was to train and educate the minds of my colleagues. They saw and accepted me naturally and I was able to influence them because of the trust they had in me. In the process I helped many unlearn many wrong traits and habits, replaced with new ones.

How does one become a better leader?

Becoming a better leader starts from developing healthy thinking patterns and stable emotions, and this is hard work. Leadership is more of thinking than title. By deliberate actions, a leader must develop a sound and fertile mindset through reading and self-development. As we grew up we all have stored inside our memories or the subconscious mind, information that may need to be unfrozen and replaced with new information through constant, continual learning. No one assumes leadership position and makes anything out of it, who will not learn daily. It is Alfin Tofler who says that the illiterate of the 21st century will not be the man who cannot read or write but the one who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. In addition to being better, a leader must develop

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JUNE 25, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

Plus I Can Talk for a Whole Day Nonstop self-awareness by knowing who he is.

He must also allow people to know him. The more a leader knows himself through self-awareness, self-disclosure and feedback from people around him, the better he becomes.

What have been the high and low points on the job?

The low point is the fact that not very many people place high value on learning.

Many after leaving the university desist from any further learning. So I have to battle with so many people at the unconscious incompetence zone of the learning life cycle. And of course the high point are the lives that change after each training intervention and encounter, and the results coming from them. I am fulfilled and accomplished. This is because I am doing what I know I love and what I consider is my purpose on earth.

Away from the trainer everyone knows you to be, who is David Olatunji?

Outside training in the secular world, I am also a servant of God. I pastor a church and serve in His vineyard as His co-labourer. I am a husband of one; and a father of four children who are all doing well.

What project would you say was a turning point in your career?

This happened when I set up Skillsfuture, a tutorial centre for the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of UK students to get chartered. I did that for some time till the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria became autonomous and I had to give that of UK up to avoid conflict of interest.

This marked the paradigm shift because I was not just a teacher but I became a counsellor and a mentor to many. Many refer to me as their mentors more than a teacher What key lessons has marriage taught you?

My marriage has taught me that there is a mysterious force that gets things done in a marriage where there is unity, agreement and harmony. With the right spouse, and you also being the right one, there is no mountain you cannot surmount together.

It makes me remember the thinking of the wisest king Solomon that two actually are better than one. When one is low, the other lifts him up. God has blessed me with a great asset, of a wife. Marriage has taught me that God does not want us to live for ourselves alone. We have to be responsible for some people and it starts with our partner. Marriage can be exciting and enjoyable, if you both choose to make it so. Marriage is not about looking or longing or even praying for the right person, but its more about being the right person yourself, and everything will set in place.

So what kind of a husband and father are you?

Sincerely, I believe the right answers should come from my wife and children.

But I believe through rough and good times I have graduated into a very responsible, warm, accommodating, and friendly husband and father. I have become a good role model. My wife is my friend as well as my children and they are very satisfied with my leadership by example.

You have a simple sense of style and fashion. Are you always like this?

I was not always like this. I used to be a lover of “power dressing” I loved to look extremely good and attractive until I became aware that it is a wrong leadership trait. Self-consciousness may eventually create immorality and integrity problems.

Now I pay huge attention to what forms inside me than how I look outside.

However, this also does not mean I appear loose, unkempt and tattered. Style and fashion is no longer part of my values.

People don’t remember what you wore yesterday but forever they will remember how their lives changed meeting you.

What is the most luxury item you have ever purchased?

A car and a laptop.

How do you unwind?

Reading my Bible and listening to messages from great men of God. I isolate myself a lot; at times in the bush all by myself, thinking and imagining things I

The Olatunji family members want to leave as a legacy when I am done in this planet earth. I also love walking a lot. I could walk five kilometres a day.

What inspires you?

When I am invited to share knowledge, whether money is involved or not. I am on top of myself when I am preparing a talk. It’s exciting. It flows naturally from within me. I love impacting lives; I love seeing lives transformed through knowledge impartation.

Why do you want to build a university?

As an educator and a reader of hundreds of literature on leadership, I believe one key resource needed to turn Africa around is committed leadership.

I have come to one conclusion: if the leadership thinking in Africa changes, the continent will have a quick transformation.

It’s a paradox that Africa is the wealthiest continent in terms of resources, yet it’s a continent that houses the poorest and the most ignorant people on earth. It is in Africa you still see people living below $1 per day. I admit also that the smartest people are also found on the continent but most of them are wrongly channelling their talents and skills. Our educational system is not preparing the youths for the continents’ challenges. It’s a system that daily builds in younger generation, survival of the fittest, winners take all, win-lose relationship, I-me-myselfonly concept, cheat-steal-dog-eat-dog attitude, what-is-in-it-for-me attitude, and competition-at-all -cost spirit, among others. When I was in the university I was wrongly prepared for life. I believe that the reality of life after university education is more than what the students are exposed to and I sincerely want to bridge this gap. Leadership has been taught highlighting performance, charisma, skills, hard work and achievements while we often overlook character and attitude. I have seen that induction of new employees in our companies focus only on meeting targets while nothing is done on how the staff can manage his negative internal dialogues constantly pulling him apart or how to manage rejection from stakeholders he will be dealing with.

At times, scanty mention is made about interpersonal relationship while neglecting intra-personal relationship which is the very first beginning of personality management. My vision of a university is one that will focus on character building and life skills. My vision is to run a university not just for academic certificates but one that will prepare students for the exact life they will be thrown into after university education. My focus is to train the mind of future leaders, create new thinking patterns, and make them service and assignment-focussed rather than being self and inward-focused. I intend to brew leaders that will put the needs of others above theirs. Africa is where it is because of the past collective thoughts of our leaders, if we must change and we should; a new thinking pattern is required from future leaders.

Again, I wonder why our universities score low marks on vocational training.

There are thousands of students who should not be reading banking and finance or history. Some are by gifts and personal endowments, tailors or carpenters or plumbers. Yet their minds need to be exposed to some form of formal education. We are training everyone to focus on being an employee of oil companies and banks and not to be entrepreneurs after leaving school. I want to be able to address this also. It’s going to be a system with a difference; something people initially will find difficult to accept. But it is going to be the way out.

Who will you say has had a huge influence on you?

Alhaji Sulaimo Adebola Adegunwa; he is the owner and Founder of the then Fototek Industries Limited. Now I believe the Chairman of Rights Foods, makers of Biggi and Rights sausage, and also former Chairman of Sterling bank. I cut my teeth under him as a young leader. He was the first mentor I learned from face to face, day by day, for about 16 years, first as a middle level staff, and later as a senior staff. This man is discipline personified; he is an epitome of hard work and very focussed. You can’t easily convince him against the way he has seen things to be right; yet very humble enough to always ask for other people’s inputs and opinions before taking decisions.

From all I have seen and read about leaders, he stands out in so many ways.

He is a Muslim, who would never mix religion with business. He has excessive hatred for pleasure; never once did I see him in any club. All his recreation was in his house. Many wanted to pull him into all sorts of recreational games but he refused. He was courageous and bold. He rarely took decisions based on emotions but rather on facts, even among his children. He was a strategic and creative thinker. If the man went to bed with any problem, we were sure he would emerge in the morning with a solution. He had his own weaknesses too, being human.

And I learned from those too.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Ability to talk without getting tired is one of my strengths. I could talk for a day nonstop. I am a communicator and very expressive. I could easily get my thoughts across to you; ability to research for information and an impressive library and ability to speed-read. I can read a book of 250-300 pages a day especially in the airplane, and see more than the author.

What about your weaknesses?

Some of my weaknesses include: wanting to please everybody every time.

This major weakness that could derail a leader and it actually derailed me before in my journey as a leader. I tend to be too much people-oriented. What William Marsten in his study of DISC concept of personalities refers to as ‘influence’ and ‘steady’. At times, it includes not wanting to say no when that is the answer that I should say. I don’t like to ruffle feathers.

I also leave people to their folly when perhaps I should have developed courage

to confront and help them.

What would you say is your biggest regret in life?

I had slowed my life down at a time through wrong choices, especially through indiscipline.

As an entrepreneur and an employer of labour, when faced with two equally qualified candidates, how do you determine who to hire?

The one with the right attitude; skills can be inculcated because it’s outside an individual, but attitude can only be grown, cultivated and nourished because it is within. I place heavy emphasis on attitudes.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Discipline plus focus. A leader who is not disciplined in his appetites: sex, food, sleep, words and thoughts is a liability to any nation and country or any institution.

What is the biggest challenge facing Nigerian leaders today?

Our leaders are surrounded with too much comfort and pleasure. Tough decisions cannot be taken in comfort. No one can do much creative things when his attention is captured by mundane things that have no everlasting value. And no country moves ahead where leaders don’t engage in creative thinking daily. The thinking of past leaders have brought the country to where it is now; if things must and should change new thinking patterns are now required from the present leaders.

What is one mistake leaders make often?

(It is) being surrounded by sycophants.

They have a mindset of wanting to hear pleasant news only and news that will massage their ego. These people are many in the corridors of power. Ego tripping, hero worship, pride, complacency, timidity, people-pleasing, inability to assert authority, fear of what people will say, praise of men, immorality and excessive pleasure and broken focus have derailed leaders more often than not.

What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

That leadership is not title, position, age, connection but service: ability to add value to lives will stand out any leader any day. I will tell him to be ready to make a difference through service and not to be served.

What world leader or global figure will you love to meet, and what question will you like to ask him?

The ruler of Dubai and the question I would like to ask him is about what inspires him to do what he is doing for his people? What is making Dubai to work tall among comity of nations as it has recorded about ‘seven bests’? In 2014, about 75 million people visited Dubai Mall. What are his secrets that make things work in a desert? And how will these achievements be sustained?

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •June 25, 2016

Loud Whispers

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

the most beautiful cabinet members, a U.K. trained economist and a speaker of such fluent English in the best of British traditions? We really do not know how to treat our heroes. Madam, please wield the big stick and let us get the last Minister of Internal Affairs – the one who organised the last employment test for the immigrations at the stadium to organise another one for the ministry of Finance. It is as simple as that.

Sex Scandal in High Places The Americans have blamed our legislators for soliciting for sex on their soil. They also accused one of jumping the maid in his room and without a chance of fair hearing have pronounced them guilty. Me, I blame them for not being social media savvy. They should have gone on Tinder, Facebook, WhatsApp and cheaply and privately satisfied their urge. On my last trip to the U.S., I respected myself o. I locked myself in my room and went online to transact my business quietly and discreetly. There was no need to ask a lowly parking attendant or to jump on an ugly maid risking international humiliation and all the wahala that comes with it. That is what social media is meant for so my advice is for the Ministry of Science and Technology or is it Education to immediately carry out an extensive social media training for all members of our legislature.

They should be shown the rudiments of social media including Instagram.

My belief is that if every member was social media savvy we would not be in this kind of situation. The only problem would be that they may start sending out offensive pictures in their bid to attract the very best and you can now imagine the post of a honourable member’s privates on Facebook where he has mistakenly sent it in his bid to send the thing to a prospect. That would be a great laugh. But seriously, these Americans sef, common parking attendant make report and immediately visas have been withdrawn without even hearing our peoples side. This is racial profiling and full discrimination.

Please all known authorities must stand beside these hapless honorables and defend their integrity at least give them a platform to defend themselves as I am of the strong belief that this story is not the way the Americans have painted it. Innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law. I am on their side o. They didn’t solicit, they just didn’t know how to utilise social media for this very basic human need. Thank you.

Fayose’s Frozen Account I really have no comment on this one. So I just shut up. My mama says I should not say anything and since the last time I disobeyed my mum and suffered serious consequences I have learnt to listen to her. Immediately this was announced, she called me knowing full well that I would scream to beg me to just keep shut and let it pass. So I am not saying anything. it is just that the whole thing is really sad becuase the excellent Governor was about to embark on a second trip

Rauf Aregbesola: My Candid Advise I have always loved this man.

I tell you the honest truth, I really do and that is why I like jumping to his side anytime he is backed to the wall by all those who do not understand that it is not easy to be a Governor and also a scholar at the same time.

So now the matter before the court of public opinion is that of the Hijab or no hijab wahala that has suddenly enveloped the state making people forget that the more pressing problem of non payment of salary is still there. We as a people are fond of misplacing our priorities. If some parents and children because of the non payment of salaries can no longer afford the very expensive hair attachments suddenly decide to start covering their hair in a bid to still look good while carrying rough hair why should the old men that run the Christian establishment in Osun or anywhere for that matter suddenly start tearing their cassock.

On this matter I really stand with the hijab wearing crowd.

Whose business is it if I decide to cover my hair which is even a major prescription of my religion, why should it bother anybody

to the point where people start dressing ridiculously to school just to ferment trouble. I have seen people dressing like the Pope in Osun and really looking like the clowns that they are.

Hijab wearing is very harmless and Infact I find it very attractive and a sexual turn on when a woman covers her hair. Some of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life wear hijab and the mystery around them really turns me on. So for that simple reason, I support Hijab wearing and the practice should be promoted nationwide even in my Akwa Ibom birth land. Lastly, in my secondary school, we sat side by side hijab wearing ladies and this did not affect my performance in WAEC, I still failed.

Fatima was to be blamed for that and it was not because of her hijab, it was simply because she refused all my entreaties despite the fact that I swore to her that I would convert if she as much as smiled at me. She refused and with her very beautiful face accentuated by the silky hijab gave me my first heartbreak. So my dear Raufu, ignore we have bigger problems on our hand.

to China. With this freeze how will this happen and also how will he fund the hunters who have been recruited to ward off the Fulani Herdsmen?

Well, like I have said I am not saying anything before they come and freeze my own account. By the way, can someone come and freeze my GTB account? I am owing them o.

Kemi Adeosun under Pressure The young lady who is today our Finance Minister is under severe pressure. This time not from the economy but from her own staff. I hear her people have carried placards protesting and asking for her removal simply because, as they claim, she has refused to pay some bonuses and money that they are used to receiving. Official explanations that these payments are not in the budget have fallen on deaf ears. My thinking is that this ‘revolt’ is simply because the honourable minister is dark-skinned. I tell you these traducers would not have dared to attempt this umbrage was she light-skinned. Look, do not laugh, light-skinned ladies are very firm and

strict, they brooke no nonsense from lazy civil servants who do not understand that the country is broke and as such the largess they have come to be used to earning can no longer come.

I am meeting with Her Excellency on Saturday at Mike Aremu’s Jazz concert and would give her this simple advice.

She should simply just sack all of them, after all, there are many qualified Nigerians who are ready to work for half the salary they are presently earning.

What rubbish, a protest against one of

‘Kemi Olunloyo is a Evil’ That was what I heard as I watched a video shot and thrown on social media by a middle-aged lady who claims to be a family member of the fierce and fear inducing social media crusader.

She screamed into the camera as she spoke in a heavy accented Yoruba laden English, ‘ ahhh, Kemi is a evil, Kemi is a evil.’ I laughed and laughed that my stomach almost came out of my mouth. These people are so funny. I recommend that video for all to watch.

If you have lost your job from a bank or telecommunications firm, if you cannot pay such fees again due to the economic hardship, cannot find dollar to buy or simply find this regime of change unbearable or have had your account frozen and under investigation, just go to YouTube and search for Kemi Olunloyo and you will surely find the video. The mama claims to be an Aboderin and set out to defend the honour of the legendary Actor Jide Kosoko who just lost his wife, the third in a series and who Kemi had accused of all sort of unprintable things. Mama really gave it to Kemi and ended it all by calling her in a mix of Yoruba/ American English a ‘biiitch’. Kai, laugh wan kill me, ‘Edgar you are a evilllllllll’.

Jumoke Olaniyan’s Time in the Sun This very pretty lady was on Channels TV the other day analysing the latest CBN forex policy. It was my hard-working partner Lami who urged my attention to this pretty damsel speaking on the tube. Her clear understanding of the issues and the prescribed CBN solution plus her spontaneous and lucid delivery all combined to make that showing very arresting. This lady should be watched; she is definitely going places.

I have met her before at a session held at the Cactus restaurant and in which issues of the economy were being discussed. She held her ground that night and made me reach out to her to make her my friend. I think she works for one of the exchanges in Lagos, I think they call the place FMDQ at least that is what they called it on the programe I watched last week. Her bosses had better get all they can get from her now while they can becuase something tells me this lady may be sitting very soon in the hallowed halls of the Federal Executive Council giving advice on the direction of the economy. Kudos my dear and well done for that showing.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

SPY GLASS Of Mohammed Abubakar and Parsimoniousness

In the past months, tongues seem to be wagging about the administrative style of Bauchi State Governor, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. Out of sheer curiosity, some say it could be due to the harsh economic condition in Nigeria, which has consequently forced many state governors to be circumspect.

To keen observers of happenings in the state, Abubakar is known to frown on financial recklessness, particularly when it borders on public funds. But Spyglass learnt that he is taking his prudence to an exaggerated level. Or how would one describe this scenario that played out few weeks ago in the state?

Spyglass gathered that the lawyerturned politician was returning from one of his trips to the local governments in the state when he was accosted by some members of a vigilance group. The group had, prior to its encounter with the governor, engaged some dare-devil robbers in a shoot-out. It was gathered that one of the group members had been shot in the legs by the robbers. So, on sighting the governor’s entourage, their spirit was buoyed, particularly when he stopped and got down from his vehicle.

But they never bargained for what they got, as the governor reportedly handed a measly amount of money to the injured member for his treatment. As he counted the four pieces of N1000 notes, the affected member was said to have looked so dejected and downcast, vigorously shaking his head ruefully.

Dapo Abiodun’s comeback

When Dapo Abiodun, the CEO,

Heyden Petroleum Limited, contested for the Ijebu-East Senatorial District election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, his plan was to use the platform to serve his people. But the plan was truncated, as Kashamu Buruji of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was declared the winner.

Consequently, he went court to claim what he believed was stolen from him.

It will be recalled that Abiodun’s journey into politics began in 1996 when he won a senatorial seat under the defunct UNCP. His ambition, however, was truncated when the then Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha, died and all political parties were abolished by General Abubakar Abdulsalami. He later contested for governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, before pitching his tent with the APC in the last general elections.

However, following that electoral loss, it was rumoured that Abiodun, also Chairman, First Power Limited, was forced to recoil into his own cocoon, licking the wound occasioned by the defeat.

As fate would have it, all this may be history now, as the top socialite, who is also Chairman, OMS-Heyden Exploration and Production Limited, has got back his groove and shamed his detractors. How? A few days ago, he celebrated his 56th

with Bayo Adeoye ....08054680651 birthday amidst pomp and circumstance.

The exclusive party brought together top politicians, respected monarchs, captains of industry and celebrities, a development that has reaffirmed his far-flung connections in both the business and political circles in Nigeria.

Another source revealed to us Abiodun might be aiming for a top political position in the state in 2019, this he has kept close to his chest, though he is making moves underground.

Among the dignitaries in attendance are: Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; business mogul, Aliko Dangote; Minister of Transport and Aviation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Lanre Ogunlesi; Muyiwa Bakare; Nkiru Anumudu; Tunde Ayeni, Capt. Francis Ogboro; Eyimofe Atake, SAN; Anslem Tanbasi; Prince Bolu Akin Olugbade; Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Otunba Bimbo Ashiru and Sijibomi Ogundele ,CEO of Sujimoto Group of Companies, among others.

Seyi Tinubu’s Shocker

Seyi Tinubu, son of a former governor of Lagos State and national leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, used to be one of the most eligible bachelors in town. A vivacious and amiable guy, many of the ‘hot babes’ in and around the town reportedly always swarmed around him like bees to nectar.

But the story changed last year when the Polo- loving young Tinubu, a Law graduate of the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom, finally found his proverbial missing ribs and proposed to his 25-year-old heartthrob, Layal J. Holm, at Lansdown Resort, Aburi, Ghana, in a most romantic way.

Interestingly, since the lovers released their pre-wedding pictures in April, many have been looking forward to what they probably tagged wedding of the century, going by his father’s pedigree in the society.

However, if what Spyglass gathered is anything to go by, the man would shock many as the family has opted for a secret wedding with a few friends and close associates in attendance. Besides, the wedding will be taking place outside the shores of the country.

Holm, who is of Lebanese and Nigerian descent, holds a degree in Political Science and African Studies from the School of Oriental Studies, SOAS, University of London, and a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship & Business Management from the University of Surrey. She is a consultant with foremost audit firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC).

Since the two lovebirds met over three years ago, their love affair has been the envy of many.

Apostle Suleman, Wife Dazzle at Wedding Anniversary

‘‘Let commit the perfect crime; I’ll steal your heart, and you will still steal mine.’’

The above quote, no doubt, captures the deep feeling of love that was acted out recently when the Founder and General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, and his beautiful wife, Reverend (Mrs.) Lizzy Suleman, celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary at the Church headquarters in Auchi, Edo State, on Sunday, June 5, 2016.

For the couple, the occasion offered another rare opportunity to delight their fans with the secret of their blissful marriage, while also giving some nuggets on how to keep a home.

An obviously elated Suleman, who will be jetting to Kigali, Rwanda, next Wednesday for a two-day teaching and healing crusade tagged ‘Restoration Raw Power 2016’, said : “Trust did it. We totally trust each other with everything in our relationship. There are no secrets we have hidden from one another. My wife and I communicate with each other all of the time in the last 12 years. Even as we were dating before marriage, the mystery of who we were had to be discovered by each of us. That is one of the powerful secrets of this union.”

No doubt the couple quite understand the spirit of the four-letter-word, love, as his darling wife also revealed the secret of their successful marriage in the past year, saying, “value and respect and finding creative ways to continue giving and sharing are the hallmarks of our marriage in the past years.’’

Apostle Suleman and his wife run one of the fastest growing Christian congregations in the world.

Orji Kalu’s Fatherly Love

Without a doubt, ex-governor of Abia State, Orji Uzoh Kalu, means different things to many people: a politician, a businessman, an achiever and a pacesetter.

But to his children, he is, first and foremost, a great inspiration and a role model par excellence. Unlike some, OUK, as he is fondly called, never fails to lavish his love on his children. Though he is ever busy as a bee, he often takes out time to attend to their needs whenever they have cause to engage in the celebration of life.

Spyglass gathered that he was at his best last Sunday when two of his daughters, Nicole and Olivia, celebrated their birthdays. The top politician reportedly cut short his numerous board meetings all over the world to show the good dad that he really is, as he threw a birthday bash for the two girls. The grand party was attended by their friends, the former governor’s friends, politicians as well as his associates from all walks of life.

OUK is, indeed, a man of means and power. He was once named by Forbes as the richest Ibo man alive and one of the richest in Africa. He is the Chairman of SLOK Holding, a wholly owned Nigerian consortium of companies involved in several operations, with a strong presence in West Africa. The Group operates in all sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, banking and finance, media and publishing, real estate, trading, manufacturing, insurance and tourism. It is a member of some industrial institutions such as the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Nigeria-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Late Remi Oyo’s House Up for Sale

Towards the twilight of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, some of his aides reportedly acquired choice presidential guest houses in what was tagged sale of “Government-owned non-essential houses” under the monetisation policy.

It was, however, dogged by a series of controversy, as the properties were sold at dead cheap prices.

According to reports, some of the aides who allegedly bought the houses included the former FCT Minister, Mallam El-Rufai now Kaduna State governor, Akin Osuntokun, Andy Ubah, the late Remi Oyo, among others.

Sadly, Spyglass can tell you authoritatively that the former presidential spokesperson, Remi Oyo’s house located on Yakubu Gowon Crescent, inside the Presidential Villa, has been put up for sale.

According to a source, the house that was bought for less than N100,000 in 2007 now goes for N750 million as asking price.

We were informed by the source that this decision was unanimously taken by her families after several meetings.

The reason, the source said, was: “Her children are still very young to manage such a huge mansion.” The sale of the building is being handled by an Abujabased popular estate and property agent.

The former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria and media aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, died in the United Kingdom, where she was undergoing treatment for a cancerrelated ailment in 2014.

Oyo began her journalism career in 1973 at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation( now known as the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria).

She later joined the News Agency of Nigeria as a Desk Editor in 1981, and left in 1985 as a Principal Editor, the first woman to attain such a high position in the agency.

After leaving NAN, she joined the Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS) as the Nigerian Bureau Chief. She later became the international news agency’s West African bureau chief.

She was appointed Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to Obasanjo in 2003 and served in that capacity until the end of the Obasanjo tenure in May.

Laolu Saraki Still Keeping Low Profile

No one can say precisely why Laolu Saraki, the youngest son of the late politician and Turaki of Ilorin, Dr. Olusola Saraki, has been keeping a low profile.

Unlike his siblings, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Gbemi, who are still very much around in the Nigeria’s political scene, Laolu, a party-loving young man, has disappeared from the public glare.

Spyglass gathered that the popular socialite who was a major item in the social scene seems to be more interested in his family. Now, all that matters to him most is his Spanish wife, Carolina Merry Del Val and his set of twins.

Before he recoiled into his cocoon, he was a fixture of sorts at some upscale night clubs. Nevertheless, in spite of his avowed commitment to his family, he has not totally shut his door against his friends, particularly Kojo Annan, son of former UN Secretary, Kofi Annan.

Laolu, who worked briefly in the administration of the late President Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan as Special Assistant, is currently the Managing Director of Supreme Offshore, a marine service company that is in partnership with Svitzer and Maersk Supply Service, a member of the AP Moeller Maersk Group.

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JUNE 16,THE 2011 • THISDAY,NEWSPAPER THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER THISDAY, SATURDAY • JUNE 25, 2016

FAIRGROUND

DOS Clothing Company “Summer ‘16 Collection” Unveiling Party

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

T

he Lagos cosmopolitan crowd recently saw the fabulous “Summer 2016 Collection” campaign photos from Nigerian fashion brand, DOS Clothing Company.

The company hosted fashion lovers to an unveiling of its 2016 collections to celebrate its new fashion items at the brand’s flagship store located at Ikoyi, Lagos.

Debola Obanikoro, CEO of DOS, created a relaxed atmosphere for like-minded ladies to network while they had a fun day going through the new collection, consisting of trendy, edgy and modern pieces.

In attendance were Funke BucknorObruthe, Jennifer Obayuwana and fiancé Peter, Akunna Nwala, Freda Francis, Tope Abiola, Dupe Olusola, Genevieve Aken, Fatima Obanikoro, Ngozi Akintujoye, Ozzy Agu, and many other fashion lovers and socialites.

Bimbo Oladapo

Debola Obanikoro CEO of DOS Clothing Company and Funke Bucknor-Obruthe

Jennifer Obayuwana

Bukky

Un Rashon

Tope Abiola

Ngozi Akintujoye

Akunna Nwala

Latifah Laniyan and Christine Ahmadu

William Okpo

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

23

FAIRGROUND

Efe Tommy’s Uberstyle: Road to NYFW 2016

H

i guys. Last week, I started the series #RoadtoNYFW2016 (See my debut here), recapping the fashion and loving styles from New York Fashion Week served

by African designers. I am super excited about how last season’s trends translated into the red carpet and street styles by some of my favorite fashion lovers.

One must really say that I love fashion and everything in between from the business and its environment to being able to endure the drama that comes with that eight days, called fashion week, that get me glued to my computer screen streaming most shows live and spotting my favorite pieces.

It is an intense journey, sometimes with bumpy roads. Most people tend to forget that this industry generates billions of dollars, and to them the idea of fashion is a very shallow one, where players know by heart the difference between colours; cerise and crimson, or between crepe charmeuse and crepe de chine.

Now I am starting to see some clear trends for the fall and winter season and it looks like this year’s NYFW will be well lit. Here are few of my favorite shows from last year’s NYFW. Enjoy!

ESOSA I spotted this designer on the Instagram and hit the follow button one time. The debut collaboration of designers Emilio Sosa and David De La Cruz featured the perfect balance of city cool and classic chic as part of the NYFW. I am looking forward to seeing what this year holds.

Deola Sagoe Showcase at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week-Zen Magazine Africa-12

what I love about it.

DAVID TLALE The South African designer sent unique prints and chic cuts down the runway on a beautifully diverse cast of models.

DEOLA SAGOE & CLAN Deola Sagoe, who is known for her flirty, feminine, yet strongly structured pieces, made a huge come back to the NYFW runway, rebranding as Deola. Her daughters Teni, Tiwa, and Abah Sagoe introduced their Spring/Summer 2015 Clan Collection characterised by glamorous chic sporty pieces at the NYFW 2015.

ADAMA PARIS Senegalese-born Adama Amanda showcased a collection that boasts of elegant, African and urban aesthetics, and that’s

KORTO MOMOLU If Korto Momolu’s face looks familiar it’s because you may recognise her as the first runner up from Tyra Bank’s fifth season of

Project Runway. Since the show, the Liberian designer has branched into eco-friendly jewelry design, which the designer showcased last year at the NYFW. I loved it.

WILLIAM OKPO Oh, I love these girls: sisters Darlene and Lizzy Okpo are the dynamic duo behind William Okpo.

Inspired by their Nigerian heritage and named after their father, the pair brought their smart designs and rich culture back to the New York Fashion Week runway last year with designs inspired by the sisters’ Nigerian heritage and American culture.

“We were born and raised in NYC, with a

Nigerian background,” Lizzy said.

Their S/S 2015 collection specifically channelled a time of youth with pleats, panels, ruffles, pastels and floating pigtails.

Follow me on my journey as I recap on NYFW 2015, joyously anticipating 2016 edition.

Efemena Tommy Adabamu is the creative head at www.uberstyle.org and loves all things fashion and style.

O’jez Pays Tribute to Keshi, Amodu

O

’jez fans’ night will be dedicated to pay tribute to Keshi and Amodu, as well as celebrate Henry Nwosu and Dudu Orumen.

This month’s edition of the O’jez Soccer Fans Nite Out, billed to hold today at the open air section of O’jez celebrity restaurant, National Stadium Complex, Surulere, Lagos, at 7pm has been dedicated to two deceased national soccer heroes; both former coaches of the Nigerian Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi and Shaibu Amodu who passed on this month. Keshi, however, was also former captain of the Eagles and his long playing career witnessed a string of successes in the national team side.

Keshi The O’jez Soccer Fans Nite, a night of music, comedy, awards and dance, is designed to create to former striker of the Super Eagles, Henry a platform for brands to have a one-on-one Nwosu, and to veteran sports journalist and contact with soccer fans, showcase the activities marketer, Mr. Dudu Orumen. of the Nigeria Premier League, international Veteran sports journalist, Mr. Effiong Uyo, football, as well as promote peace, love and one of the coordinators of the monthly event unity among the fans. It is a forum designed also said the choice of Nwosu and Orumen was to appreciate, honour and celebrate Nigerian a perfect one. He said, “just like last month’s ex-internationals, active ones, sports media combination of Peter Rufai, Mumuni Alao and personalities, corporate firms and entertainGbenga Adeyinka. I must say that last month’s ers for their contributions to the growth and event, which was the maiden edition, was a development of football and entertainment in huge success not only in the area of attendance Nigeria. The maiden edition attracted a crowd of alone but also with the quality of the show. We over a thousand people. will, however, improve on that success this The maiden edition held last month was dedi- month and in consequent editions.” cated to former Super Eagles goalkeeper and He described the sudden deaths of Keshi and captain, Peter Rufai (Dodo Mayana), Mumuni Amodu as a big blow to not only to Nigeria but Alao, sports journalist and Group MD, Complete also to Africa.

Communications, as well as renowned comeUyo noted, “We just witnessed the sudden dian, Gbenga Adeyinka, who all received the demise of an era in football coaching and this O’jez Lifetime Achievements Award. should make any football-loving Nigerian sad.

Even in the middle of mourning two great However, we are not God, so we cannot quescoaches of the Eagles, the organisers will also tion His decision to take from us two rare gems. present the O’jez Lifetime Achievements Awards But as humans, we will and must continue to

Shop and Play Lifestyle House Amodu

celebrate them even in death. That is why the June 25 (today’s) show is dedicated to the duo.”

According to him, a montage video sequence of the football life and times of both Keshi and Amodu will be shown to the audience tonight after a one minute’s silence has been observed.

“We have decided to dedicate this month’s O’jez Soccer Fans Nite Out to Stephen Keshi and Shaibu Amodu and we are saying “thank you for what you guys did for Nigerian and African football,” Uyo added.

Highlife musician and co-coordinator of the event, Peterson Agu, promised a night of glamour, music, comedy and dance.

“As the person handling the entertainment aspect of the O’jez Soccer Fans Nite Out, I promise you that it will be a night to remember, expectedly because we have top class comedians such as Elder O, MC Phrymzo and ATM among other acts lined up to thrill you. There will be plenty music and dance. Just put on your favorite club jersey or buy one from any of our ushers right there,” Agu stated.

A

buja’s foremost fashion and lifestyle house, Shop and Play, has expanded its platform to include an online fashion website that features various well known, as well as upcoming indigenous fashion brands such as StyleTemple, Dzyn, Play Apparels, ImadEduso, Roselyns Signature, to name a few, all at amazing prices.

Constantly updated with new pieces, www. shopandplay.com promises to be every shopper’s delight, providing consumers access to fresh, new season and trendy ready-to-wear fashion without breaking the bank. The website features contemporary menswear, womenswear, kids clothing and accessories and is already live.

To celebrate its official launch, Shop and Play will host all customers, fashion lovers and well-wishers at its first ever fashion show and viewing party today at 6pm at Shop and Play, 165 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2 Abuja.

Its vision is to create a network of credible fashion designers, reaching a large network of fashion lovers globally to share a simple, unique and user-friendly online shopping experience. This event is sponsored by: Belvedere Vodka and media partner is Bella Naija.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

BOOK REVIEW Using Foreign Debt Resources to Turn Around Ailing Economies Towards achieving this end, there is an a strong position being canvassed by stakeholders that the DMO should be empowered by law to monitor the use of these loans to ensure that they are deployed “only to capital projects to support diversification and industrialization,” with special emphasis on physical infrastructures, like electric power, road networks linking rural areas, aviation etc and social –type infrastructure like health and education

Title: From Economic Downturn to Turnaround & Prosperity; Strategy for Economies Hit by Recession but Which Have Idle Capacity Author: Dr. Abraham Nwankwo Reviewer: Simon Ibe

A

new book by Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, the Director General, Debt Management Office, DMO, has, in great detail, outlined how Nigeria, and other countries that, like her, are experiencing economic adversity, especially those that have idle capacity, can move from economic downturn to turnaround and prosperity.

The compact book, aptly titled “From Economic Downturn to Turnaround & Prosperity; Strategies for Economies hit by Recession but which have Idle Capacity,” is brutally frank about what must be done, in a systematic manner, to move Nigeria, and countries going through similar crisis, from the sorry place where they are to the place of prosperity where they would be if they apply the prescriptions meticulously.

The book has five parts, two figures and one table. Part 1 is ‘’A Bold Response is Required’; Part 2 is ‘’A Precis of Nigeria’s Problem’’ while Part 3 is’Long-Term Stabilization and Structural Reform For Self-Sustainability.’Part 4 is ‘The Economic Turnaround Plan’ and Part 5 is ‘Sources and Sequence of the Stimuli for Recovery.’

Not one to pull his punches, Nwankwo opened the book by acknowledging that petroleum oil export-dependent countries like Nigeria, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Angola and Venezuela were actually shocked by the drastic fall in international market price of oil from the second half of 2014, which resulted in economic downturn for them.

The books is, thus, about how Nigeria and countries in similar situations can turnaround their economies and begin to enjoy prosperity in the medium to long term, especially as “oil boom may never occur again, unlike what happened after the bursts of 1982-1986, 1998 and 2008.”

The bold response, he posits, would, in spite of current negative market perception and weak exchange rate, be to borrow substantially, especially from external sources, “to pursue a programme of deep and complex structural changes in the economy,” that would involve “massive investment in physical and social infrastructure development, aimed at diversification, competitiveness, exportmarket resilience and self-sustaining growth.”

Part 2 of the book summarises the problem of the country to include over dependence on crude oil export revenue and the drastic drop in the price of crude.

Also, the reduced dependence on crude oil and gas by industrialized nations, especially those that have made gains in alternative energy sources and energysaving and energy efficiency devices; those that have joined the oil-producing league and those that have succeeded in exploration and exploitation of shell gas and shell oil.

These problems have led to drastic drop in revenue, inability of governments to honour recurrent and capital obligations and slow-down in economic activities.

To deal with these problems, the book posits that short-term and long-term fiscal stabilization measures are required, coupled with structural change and diversification for self-sustaining growth.

Though government and the private sector will be the agents for the

implementation of both of these short and long programmes, especially as concerns sourcing of needed funds, government would lead the way in the mobilization of the “substantial affordable and long-term debt capital,” ( mostly from external sources) needed “ to finance long-term fiscal stabilization and self-sustaining growth of the economy, in a carefully programmed manner.” While arrangements are being made to fund the long-term programme, Nwankwo argues that there is need for the short-term measures “to establish an environment of calmness and composure needed to support the ultimate longer term transformation measures.”

The short term measures include public finance reforms; rationalization of, especially, recurrent expenditure, minimizing of wastes, leakages and inefficiencies and rationalisation of existing subsidy schemes.

Whereas these measures will achieve the short term stabilization objective, the book insists that the way out of the economic quagmire would be to pursue “well – articulated and bold longer-term measures” alongside the short-term stabilization measures. This would involve long-term transformational debt funding and economic turnaround through a reorganization and diversification programme that would take advantage of the breathing space provided by the long-term financing.

For reasons that are carefully outlined, the book stressed that “it is appropriate for Nigeria to borrow to reflate the economy, stimulate growth, generate employment and reduce poverty.” It argues further that it is most preferable that the bulk of the borrowing must be from external (multilateral, bilateral and commercial) sources, stressing, however, that the country should go for lower cost funds with tenors of up to 20 years and longer.

The main sources of the external borrowing, the book points out, should be the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank and bilateral sources such as Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), KFW of Germany, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), China Eximbank etc.

It also recommends that, considering the huge amount of money needed and

the variety of projects to be financed, a programme for the issuing of Eurobonds in the International Capital Market (ICM) must be established, falling back on the experiences of the country’s successful issues of 2011 and 2013 and the “irresistible deep and diverse, high-return opportunities for investors” that abound in the country.

The book projects that an additional $15billion per annum can be sustainably borrowed over the next four years to build a strong economy, insisting, however, that the proceeds of the external loans will be used for capital projects (physical and social infrastructure) that would be targeted at turning around the economy and generating self-sustaining growth with maximum employment and guaranteed repayment of the debt.

Towards achieving this end, there is an a strong position being canvassed by stakeholders that the DMO should be empowered by law to monitor the use of these loans to ensure that they are deployed “only to capital projects to support diversification and industrialization,” with special emphasis on physical infrastructures, like electric power, road networks linking rural areas, aviation etc and social –type infrastructure like health and education.

All hands, the book insists, must be on deck, especially at the highest levels of political leadership, to ensure that the loan proceeds are available as programmed, and recommends that “the Ministries of Finance, Industry, Trade and Investment, National Planning and Foreign Affairs will need to work closely” for the desired goal to be achieved.

The book equally stresses the need for a Turnaround Plan (TP) to be put in place as the formal policy document that would clearly define the policy direction, the logicality of the defined route of escape from the crisis; the plausibility of the strategy being adopted and predictability of outcomes.

This Plan, of a bright future, would engender confidence, positive expectations and positive perceptions from both local and foreign stakeholders, especially investors ( multilateral, bilateral, ICM and others), and as the loan proceeds begin to flow in, the foreign exchange reserves would improve and the exchange rate will be

strengthened in favour of the local currency, attracting other types of capital.

The inflow of the loans proceeds will result in a boost in construction activities that would increase demand for labour and materials that would positively impact the economy.

As infrastructure improves, production activities will experience a boost,; there will be diversification and competition, leading to a self-sustaining economy. The idle capacities in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, solid minerals exploitation and processing, petrochemicals and ICT will be harnessed and the private sector will take over from the public sector and begin to drive the turnaround process.

The Table that details indications of idle capacity in Nigeria is eye opening and after careful perusal of the Table, it is easy to agree with the author’s position that low cost and long tenured external debt resources should be used to put the idle capacities to work for the desired economic turnaround and sustainable rapid development of the country.

The author, holder of a PhD degree in Economics from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, the same institution from where he also obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees, has to his credit other celebrated books – Stable Growth & Foreign Exchange; Tatu (Drama), Minds of Time (Poetry) and Oracles for Heroes (Prose).

He is passionate about the need to diversify the nation’s economy, and trumpets it in his writings and wherever he speaks.

A first class patriot, it is hoped that he, and the other equally passionate managers of the nation’s economy will continue to receive support at the highest political levels to put into practice the prescriptions he has so meticulously and forcefully canvassed.

It is also expected that other countries of the world facing similar crisis and having idle capacity like Nigeria would quickly adopt the prescriptions in Nwankwo’s seminal work for the turnaround of their economies and prosperity.

Of course, this book should also be a must read for undergraduate and graduate students of Economics in Universities in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

DIASPORA ‘Why Odua Youths are Championing Regionalism, Resource Control’ Fakokunde Oluwasanmi Makanjuola is the President Odua Progressive Youths, in the US to witness the tumultuous welcome of the Ooni of Ife and his entourageinkeyUScitiesandstateswherehissubjectsaredomiciledincluding Philadelphia where he participated in the 41st anniversary of the Odunde Festival. Just as the Ooni and his queen were preparing for a visit to the White House,MakanjuolaandtheYorubaintheDiasporaarestronglycampaigningfor the implementation of the National Conference report, a return to regionalism andresourcecontrol.Hetooktimeofftoreflectontheexperienceandcomment onissuesaffectingthepolity back home. Nduka Nwosu reports

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an you share your American experience with us and where you are right now?

It has been wonderful so far coupled with the presence of the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi with his large entourage including prominent Yoruba Obas at this year’s Odunde Festival in Philadelphia, the largest African American street festival held in the US. The festival, whose concept originates from the Yoruba people of Nigeria added more fun to my experience.

Here in Maryland I have been meeting with groups of Yoruba youths. I also plan travelling to Atlanta, Indiana and Texas to meet others while interacting with a cross section of Yoruba organisations.

The idea is to drive home our agenda as an ethnic nationality and the need to speak with one voice in the Nigerian experiment especially in the widely discussed issues of a return to regionalism and correcting the imbalance on resource allocation.

The United States played a very big role in the last general election in Nigeria; we are making a concerted effort to make them see that restructuring is the best for the country at this moment and also to make the whole world see reason for the nation to return to regionalism and Nigerians have to learn from the political stability of the US. I realised in this country, each state is autonomous, every state has its own police, political and economic structure, not under the control of the centre. Why do we use the American presidential system without following it thoroughly?

Which of the major political parties in Nigeria do you have a leaning for?

My leaning is for the People’s Democratic Party, although it is highly regrettable that corruption has been a part of the Nigerian political establishment rising to a crescendo in 1986. It has also grown widely in the last 30 years but I tell you, it is not a PDP thing. I support President Buhari’s fight against corruption but a general is only as good as his lieutenants; what is the profile of those he is fighting the corruption war with? Are they clean too? Most of those that helped to bring the All Progressive Congress to power came from the PDP. That means such war can only be genuinely fought when it is all encompassing, accompanied with institutional frameworks that will permanently nip corruption in the bud.

What is your assessment of President Buhari’s one year in office?

On the scale of 1 to 10, I would rate the President on 3; he has done badly in his first one year in office; life is more difficult to live in Nigeria now with the usual epileptic supply of power which has gone from bad to worse in spite of the much celebrated body language of the then new president; most homes do not have access to potable water, the roads are generally pothole ridden and impassable during the rains, the price of consumables has doubled and tripled, salaries are not being paid as at when due and many workers are being owed as much as one year with mass retrenchment being the order of the day. Can you believe that a basket of tomatoes goes for N 45,000.00?

It is highly unfortunate that ordinary Nigerians have to pay over N18, 000 for a bag of rice, the equivalent of the minimum wage in the country; so in my assessment, this administration has failed woefully through the hardship brought upon Nigerians in the last one year.

Don’t you think you are expecting so much from a government that has just clocked one year considering these problems have been with us and with crude oil, our main import earner, moving to an all-time low of $38 until recently when it started moving up partly because of the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers?

APC as a party rode to power with a change mantra, a false promise that it has what it takes to change the economy and turn Nigeria into a paradise in a twinkle of an eye. What are we seeing

instead? The economy is on a free fall, according to experts, Nigeria’s economy is on recess. Our country has never had it worse than this and all we keep hearing is it is all because the PDP looted the commonwealth and left nothing behind. For how long will this swan song last?

The change mantra only worked when the APC in collaboration with the power hungry rebels in the PDP wanted Goodluck Jonathan out of office; every other sector of the economy has changed for the worse, you can go and have an opinion poll of the workers in APC controlled states; you will be surprised to realise the whole change mantra was a scam, most of the APC controlled states prefer to spend the little amount they collect from the federal allocation on white elephant projects than pay retirees pensions and workers’ salaries. Workers are dying in large numbers in these states because of hunger.

The President has been scored highly on security especially his war against Boko Haram and the corruption fight.What’s your take on these?

I will award Buhari an excellent performance in his war on Boko Haram; every other aspect of security is low; you can imagine what happened to the 75 year old woman in Kano, who was beaten to death over an issue of blasphemy or the young man almost butchered under the flimsy excuse he was not fasting. Not even in Saudi Arabia could such criminality hiding under the guise of religious intolerance go unpunished, a recurring decimal in this part of the country and oftentimes the culprits go home unpunished when the noise dies; there is the senseless killings by the president’s tribesmen-the Fulani herdsmen heavily armed with AK 47 rifles and the mowing down of agitators of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).

These herdsmen have carried their assaults and killings nationwide like a people at war with the rest of the country, killing, raping women and destroying farmlands along the way and rejoicing back home in the guise of foreign invaders. What is baffling is the President’s body language of indifference, an unusual silence unbecoming of a leader whose mandate is to protect every territory of the country he rules. There is the rise of the Niger Delta Avengers and other security issues too numerous to be mentioned.

How will the country be united if some section feels it is untouchable no matter what it does while a small uprising in another is met with a military assault that leaves behind mayhem and carnage? The consequence will be reprisal attacks. This is not good for the unity of the nation. In addition, the issue of religious intolerance should not be handled with kid gloves.

The current fight against corruption is nothing but political witch hunting. If I may ask, is President Buhari telling Nigerians that corruption is only being practiced by politicians from the PDP? I do not hear of APC members and ex-PDP members who decamped to the APC. David Cameron, the Prime Minister of Britain did not just describe Nigeria as fantastically corrupt for nothing, all the financial details of those who claim to be saints are with them; so in spite of the public display of holiness, the facts are still well known to the international community, it is only Nigerians that can be deceived.

Do you agree deregulation of the fuel sector is a step in the right direction?

This deregulation was not well structured, there were no due consultations with the stakeholders, they were only involved when the decision had already been made by the executive and there is no intention to rescind the decisions anyway. Aworker, whose minimum wage is N18,000, who lives in Ajegunle, works in Victoria Island and has three children in school, a house rent to pay, is buying 10 litres of PMS for N1,450.00. Do you expect such an individual to be dedicated and not steal from such workplace if he has the opportunity? I believe so many factors should have been considered before

Makanjuola

this deregulation was effected. One is the upward review of wages and its implementation across board.

There is a growing clamour for restructuring of the country through the implementation of the National Conference report, do you agree?

I do agree with some recommendations on the issue of revenue allocation which proposed a reduction in the shares of national income going to the federal government and increasing the shares of the states. What the Odua Progressive Youths is really clamouring for is a need for the nation to reduce its administrative cost. The cost of maintaining our politicians is outrageous. There is need to reverse governance to regionalism; if this is done, it will give the people back the power of resource control Our group is hugely in support of fiscal federalism or resource control a reversal of the economic system in favour of the very progressive and development oriented regional system of government which is supportive of the agriculture agenda.

In percentage terms, the current revenue contribution of each region to the N3.86 trillion Buhari is planning to raise as revenue to finance the 2016 budget tells the story of the huge disparity on which the country’s revenue base is being shared. The Yoruba South-West generates a national wealth of 49%; Niger Delta or the South-South has 44%; Middle Belt or North-Central -2.5%;Hausa/Fulani NorthWest- 2%; Ibo South-East-1.5%; Kanuri North-East-1% Now that you know where the money for the 2016 budget will come from, let us look at how Buhari has planned its allocation.

North Central-31%; North-East-24%; North-West-20%; SouthWest-10; South-South -8%; South-East-7% With its paltry contributions to the revenue, the current unitary system allows the Northern Region receive the highest budgetary allocation of the Federal Government, not commensurate to its contributions while the Yoruba South-West and the Niger Delta South-South Regions had always received from the Federal Government, since the suspension of the regional system of government in 1966, less money than the Federal Government had realised from the two regions.

This kind of economic injustice must be stopped. It is the reason the Odua Progressive Youths will resort to the use of organised protest if the Federal Government continues to frustrate our demand for a return to regional government.

Another issue of interest has to do with the agitation of states and their autonomy to generate electricity championed by Babatunde Raji Fashola as governor of Lagos State. Fashola was at the forefront for the agitation of freedom for states to generate power or electricity for commercial purposes. Now he is at the helm of affairs of the power ministry at the federal level, we are not hearing anything about it anymore. The minister should tell Nigerians why this campaign which should be gathering momentum under his direction has been silenced. Is this what the change mantra is also all about?

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

aUto SAFE DRIVING

JONAS AGWU

with

(Asst Corps Marshal) Zonal Commanding Officer Zone RS7 Abua phone 08077690700 FRSC TOLL FREE NO 122 Email:j.agwu@frsc.gov.ng

My Port Harcourt Boy Agenda Hyundai Motors Nigeria team with staff and management of Dairy Farm Secondary School Agege Lagos at the presentation of Hyundai branded educational supplies to the school… recently

Hyundai Motors Restates Commitment to Basic Education, Donate Learning Kits to Youngsters Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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yundai Motors Nigeria Limited (HMNL) has described basic education as a prime obligation of all children of school age, pledging to continually assist school pupils in Nigeria in line with Hyundai Motor Corporation corporate social responsibility values of ‘Moving the World Together.’

HMNL made this remark at the commencement of the distribution of this year’s

Hyundai-branded educational enhancing materials to hundreds of thousands of school pupils across seven states in a campaign tagged ‘Education for Brighter Tomorrow.’

No fewer than 13 schools in three geo-political zones of South-West, North Central, and South-South are listed as beneficiaries of this year’s campaign, which started in Lagos and Ibadan, Oyo States respectively.

The campaign which is ongoing moves to Benin, Asaba, Warri,

Calabar, Port-Harcourt and Abuja, the Hyundai Motor manufacturing and marketing company affirmed.

Addressing students and teachers of Dairy Farm Senior Secondary SchoolAgege Lagos, Hyundai Motors Nigeria Head of Sales and Marketing Jatin Nadkarni said the charitable initiative was a continuation of HMNL commitment to children’s of the less privileged welfare.

This initiative began in 2010 with donation of supplies to the less

privileged including old people’s homes and orphanages with the chief aim of halving the population of children vulnerable to malaria scourge, especially those aged between six months and five years, representing 52 percent of the country’s populace, Nadkarni explained.

He said: “It is imperative to bridge the gap between children of the rich and poor especially those in basic schools by motivating the less privileged children to learn without fear of discrimination.”

Child Models Added to Toyota’s Virtual Crash Dummies

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oyota has expanded its family of virtual crash-test dummies by adding three new models to replicate the physical characteristics of children aged 10, six and three.

The software, known as Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS), maps and simulates the injuries sustained by human bodies in vehicle crashes.

Developed by Toyota and its academic research partners in the USA, the new software models will be offered for sale to others from later this year.

THUMS can forecast the extent of likely injuries throughout the human body, providing a valuable tool in the development of passenger protection devices, such as airbags, and the design of

safer vehicles.

The new child models are designed to represent the average physiques of children at different ages: 94cm tall at three years, 118cm at six and 138cm at age 10.

As with the models already available - large and averagebuild males and a small female - they will each be offered in two versions: a passenger and a pedestrian.

The software has undergone constant improvements and refinements since THUMS Version 1 was launched in 2000.

For Version 2, which was released in 2003, faces and bone structure were added to the models.

Version 3, launched in 2008, added a brain simulation and in 2010, Version 4 was upgrad-

2017 Toyota Rav4

ed with detailed modelling of the brain and the addition of internal organs, pinpointing their placement and interaction within the body.

In 2015, Version 5 added simulated musculature, allowing the models to assume the same bracing positions that a human might just before an impact.

Auto Journalists institute Annual Training for Members

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he Nigerian Auto JournalistsAssociation (NAJA), the umbrella body of all journalists in Nigeria covering the automobile/automotive industry, has concluded plans to facilitate an annual training workshop for its members, in collaboration with industry stakeholders.

The 2-day training, maiden edition, which is scheduled to hold in the last week of June, is to enhance the participating journalists’ knowledge and

depth of reporting the industry and also equip them with necessary intellectual tools with which to analyze critical issues as it affects the automobile and allied industries.

Speaking on the training/ workshop, NAJA Chairman, Frank Kintum said the importance of the training workshop cannot be overemphasized, especially for reporters in the fast evolving automobile industry in the country.

He said: “We realize that it is only when reporters are well

versed in their jobs that they can ask the right questions and better inform the public and when people are well informed, they are more likely to make better investment decisions that will benefit the economy. So it is a win-win all round.”

According to him, the rationale for the upcoming training is to encourage continuous learning amongjournaliststomovethem from the level of reporting to analysis.

“We see it as a career building platform for the journalists,”

Kintum stated further. “Also, the more you invest in journalists, the more you attract investors’ interests, because investors will make decisions based on what they read.”

Resource persons are expected from top professionals within the automobile and allied industries.

Already, some auto companies and related government agencies have keyed into the training, just as others are being expected to also support the training.

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outh South music crooner of the Port Harcourt boy fame, Duncan Mighty, should prepare for a follow up single which should includemeasaPortHarcourtboy; I know I often refer to myself as a Bariga boy. But now that I am in Port Harcourt, I make bold to call myself a Port Harcourt boy even though I am still struggling to find my feet in this beautiful city, South, Nigeria. With barely four weeks in thiscity,Imusttellyouthatlastweek Wednesdaywasinstructiveforme.

Onthatfaithfulday,Iaccompanied my staff in keeping with the FRSC practice of observing Wednesday asgamesday.Atthesportsground, I was fortunate to meet a staff of MTN who is an indigene of Rivers State and I was excited when he approachedmeandinformedmeof his plan to put together a five aside football competition, In his words, ‘’Iamnothappythattheonlynews that filters from Port Harcourt is newsofkillingsorconflict.Wemust do things to project the beauty of thiscityandthatiswhyIamputting together this soccer competition to showcasethebeautyofthisgarden city, he summed up.

TruthisthatPortHarcourtboasts of beautiful people, places and events.ThatiswhyIhavechosento focusonceagainonmynewhome.

I don’t know if you have been following this page since I assumed duty here, i have done two follow uppieces;’’BetweenLagosandPort Harcourt driving and last week’s piece on “Are Nigerian drivers’ believers”? Although last week’s piecedidn’tfocusonPortHarcourt mainly,ithowevermadereference to some observations that formed the focus of the maiden write up on this city. I have listened and observed and come to the conclusion that like every city, it has its good and bad. My responsibility is to join hands with the people of this State to project its beauty. This i will do through what I have titled my agenda. I know I once wrote at the beginning of 2016 on my agenda. Now, I wish to cascade this to my new area of assignment especially Port Harcourt where I am headquartered because of my official and moral responsibility to parley with the government and peopleofthisStatetomakeithome away from home.

I acknowledgethatsomewould say it is going to be a tall order but like was said about Gerald Butler who played the role of Mike Banning,aformerPresidentialsecurity detail, in the movie, Olympus has fallen, I will die trying.

Like I wrote as observed, one of my major trust is to build a strong and robust synergy with the State government to replicate the Lagos State model of a traffic agency that is effective and efficient providing theplankfortamingtherecalcitrant drivers whose mannerisms daily paint the town in tones that are not enduring.

Theagencywillprovidethenec-

essaryplankforrestoringthebeauty ofthecitythroughdailyjointpatrols aimedatcheckingallformsoftraffic infractions. Top on the list of these infractionswouldbedrivingagainst traffic which some of my friends have expressed concern over and overloading especially among commercial vehicle operators. I have worked in few States such as Lagos, Imo and Kaduna States and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Although these States have their traffic peculiarities and challenges, I have not seen any State where overloading is so pronounced like in Port Harcourt.

Here, commercial vehicles carry one at the front and three at the back-disregarding the safety and comfortofthecommutersandalso fasttrackingthewearandtearofthe vehicleinthisharsheconomicclime.

This practice further compounds the fatality index in the event of a crash besides making rescue difficult or problematic.

With the support of Shell Petroleum Development Company whichrecentlydonatedextrication machines to both the FRSC and Rivers State government to ease rescue and improve safety and to facilitate improvement on the successes recorded in the National CommunityPostcrashCareInitiative (NCPCCI) under the auspices of FRSC/SPDC partnership, it is crucial to get the buy in of motorists in keeping the State below the threshold of the National Road TrafficCrashindex.Iamyettofind out the gains for each overloaded vehiclewhichwhenarrestedwould bechargedtenthousandnairaand more if there are other infractions committed by the operator.

No sane or reasonable operator should let this be his lot as it makes no economic sense to exhibit what my Ibo brothers would call wawawa driving only to increase government coffers financially at a time we are all clamoring for a piece of the national cake through allformsofbailoutstoeasefinancial burdens on us as parents.

I wrote about street trading and markets cited just by very busy roads. These trading, hawkings andmarketseatsuplanes,confines traffic especially during busy rush hourstoonelane.Besides,thisisthe risk traders, commuters and other roadusersexposethemselvestoin the event of a possible road traffic crashwhichcouldclaimmorelives thanusual.Weareawareofcrashes in other parts of the country where trucksorothervehicleshavecrashes and killed a good number.

It is therefore instructive in keeping with FRSC position to relocate thesemarketstosafeplacesbecause likewesayinFRSC,deadmendon’t trade; only the living does.

Designated trading spots and markets with well planned parking spaces are ideal not just to keep the city clean but to also promote traffic safety.Increasing advocacy will no doubt top my agenda too as incultating safety awareness is key to crash reduction.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •June 25, 2016

FAMILY HEALTH with

The State Of Your Bones

O

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, 08053372356

steoporosis literally means ‘porous bones’ and is often referred to as the fragile bone disease. It is a term used to describe low bone density as measured on a bone density scan. This means your bones may have lost strength. Fractures that occur because of reduced bone strength are described as ‘fragility fractures’ and many of these will be caused by osteoporosis. One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 experience fractures, mostly as a result of low bone strength. Although fragility fractures caused by osteoporosis can happen in various parts of the body, the wrists, hips and spine are the most commonly affected sites. Osteoporosis is often known as “the silent thief” because bone loss occurs without symptoms. This condition is sometimes confused with osteoarthritis, because the names are similar. Osteoporosis is a bone disease; osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints and surrounding tissue. When bones become severely weakened by osteoporosis, simple movements – such as bending over to pick up a heavy bag of groceries or sneezing forcefully – can lead to broken bones. Hip, spine and wrist fractures are the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis.

FUNCTIONS OF YOUR BONES : Your bones have several functions.

• They give your body its overall structure and • provide support and protection for your internal organs.

• They store calcium and other minerals and work with your muscles to allow your body to move.

• They also contain bone marrow, which is where your blood cells are produced.

• Provide support structure. Although from the outside your bones look like simple, solid structures, they actually have a clever design that allows your skeleton to be strong without being heavy.

The state of your bones is influenced by several factors, and these include, your age, lifestyle, diet , medication and possibly hereditary.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by • low bone mass and • deterioration of bone tissue. This leads to • increased bone fragility and risk of • fracture (broken bones), particularly of the hip, spine, wrist and shoulder.

Diagnosis: Osteoporosis is diagnosed through a bone mineral density test, a simple, painless test that measures the amount of bone in the spine and hip.

There are certain risk factors, which may be reduced by becoming aware of these risk factors and taking action to slow down bone loss. Low bone mineral density is a major risk factor for fracture, the main consequence of osteoporosis. Other key risk factors include older age, prior low-trauma fracture, a history of falls and use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids Family history of a fragility fracture is often a contributing factor.

After the age of about 35 years, the difference between the amount of bone that is removed and the amount of bone that is laid down starts to get slightly out of balance as part of the ageing process. As a result, the total amount of bone tissue starts to decrease. This is often described as ‘bone loss’ or ‘bone thinning’.

Women , men and younger ones can suffer from this condition. Women are more susceptible to osteoporosis because bone loss becomes more rapid for several years after the menopause, when sex hormone levels decrease. In addition, women tend to have smaller bones than men and in general live longer, with loss of bone tissue continuing for longer, making fragility fractures more likely.

Osteoporosis is not a condition that just affects women, although this is a common misconcep-

Osteoarthritis can be managed with the use of joint protection (decreasing the amount of work the joint has to do), exercise, pain relief medication, heat and cold treatments, and weight control.

Severe arthritis may be treated with an operation, where damaged joints are replaced with an artificial implant.

Knee and hip joint replacements are commonly performed

tion. If you are a man, you might be thinking osteoporosis can’t affect you as it’s a ‘women’s problem, but, in fact, one in five men break a bone after the age of 50 years because of low bone strength. Younger men and women before the menopause can also, but more unusually, have osteoporosis and fractures. Usually an underlying condition or reason is identified but sometimes no cause is found.

If you are someone with very fragile bones, a fracture of one or more of the spinal bones can occasionally occur after an awkward movement such as reaching up to a cupboard. Unlike hip fractures, which happen when you fall, spinal fractures can occur following everyday activities of daily living such as bending or stooping.

TREATMENT : Osteoporosis can be treated with lifestyle changes and, often, the use of prescription medication. Paying attention to diet , with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake , and getting regular physical activity are important lifestyle changes. Weight-bearing and strength training exercises can help to manage pain and improve the strength of bones and muscles, which helps to prevent falls. Broken hips caused by osteoporosis usually need to be repaired surgically. This can include the use

of specialized “pins and plates,” but can also involve hip replacement surgery. The visit to your physician, would give you more details on treatments to be employed, and effective medications that are available, to be taken under strict supervision.

OSTEOARTHRITIS, is the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease that involves thinning or destruction of the smooth cartilage that covers the ends of bones, as well as changes to the bone underlying the joint cartilage. Osteoarthritis produces pain, stiffness and reduced movement of the affected joint, which ultimately affects ones ability to do physical activities, reducing quality of life.

Osteoarthritis most often affects the hips, knees, fingers (i.e., base of the thumb, tips and middle joints of the fingers), feet or spine. It affects each joint differently, and symptoms are easy to overlook. It can be painful – the pain may result from overuse of a joint, prolonged immobility or painful bony growth in finger joints .

The risks factors that can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis include family history, physical inactivity, excess weight and overuse or injury of joints.

TREATMENT : Osteoarthritis can be managed with the use of joint protection (decreasing the amount of work the joint has to do), exercise, pain relief medication, heat and cold treatments, and weight control. Severe arthritis may be treated with an operation, where damaged joints are replaced with an artificial implant. Knee and hip joint replacements are commonly performed.

Regular weight bearing exercises are useful, but this may be difficult with arthritis. It is best to seek the help of a physiotherapist, for professional care.

DIETARY IMPORTANCE. The importance of your diet cannot be overemphasized with regards to the health of your bones.

The picture below shows some vital nutrients that should be on your daily menu, to maintain healthy bones. Calcium and vitamin D rich foods are very essential. Dairy foods, Sea foods, fresh fruits and broccoli, green beans, vegetables [ spinach, Efo, Ugwu etc] , nuts and pulses are all very vital for strong bones.

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Osaze Odemwingie In Search of a New Club

25.06.2016

Euro 2016 gets to the nitty gritty PAGE. 29

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER

Odemwingie

In Search of a New Club Since his move from Nigeria's Premier League side, Bendel Insurance to Belgian club, La Louviere, former Nigerian international, Osaze Odemwingie has gone on to play for six other European clubs. He was released by Stoke City of England penultimate week. Does it mean that 34-year-old Odemwingie should start looking in the direction of China, America or probably the Middle East to play football next season? Kunle Adewale reports

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hen former Super Eagles striker Osaze Odemwingie signed a one-and-a-half year deal with Premiership side Stoke City, after an uneventful stint with Cardiff City, many saw the move as new lease of life for the Beijing Olympics silver medalist to rediscover his form. But it was not to be, as injury and loss of form characterised his stay at the Potters culminating to his loan to second tier division, Bristol City.

Osaze joined Cardiff at the beginning of 2014/15 season but struggled to find his feet at the Walsh club and following the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Bluebirds manager, he became immediately out of favour. Osaze was signed by former manager Malky Mackay, who was sacked earlier after a

string of poor results.

Keen to arrest Cardiff's ongoing slide down the Premier League table, Solskjaer decided that he needed to add more firepower to his attack. Subsequently, he decided to sign Stoke City target- man Kenwyne Jones and Osaze was thrown into the package deal agreed between the two clubs.

Having scored only two goals in 17 matches for Cardiff following his £2 million move from West Bromwich Albion in the summer, Osaze knew he needed to improve to force his way into Nigeria's 2014 World Cup squad and was hoping this switch to Stoke would facilitate that.

After spending the latter part of last season on loan at Bristol City and with his contract with Stoke expiring at the end of this month, the Potters have elected not to renew terms with the former Nigeria international.

According to a statement on their website, Stoke announced that they will not be offering fresh terms to the striker.

With stoke not ready to offer Odemwingie a fresh contract, speculations about his next port of call has been a subject of discussion, with many being of the opinion that it might be another “missionary journey” this time to the Far East, United States or the Middle East, which is generally considered as a retirement haven for players.

Former Nigerian international, Paul Okuku, in a telephone chat with THISDAY from his base in the US, noted that it’s not totally over for the former Bendel Insurance player as far European football is concerned, just as he admitted that age is no more on his side to contend with the physical and tactical nature of European football.

“Though, I have to admit that age is not really on his side and injury has not

really helped matters, with determination and right frame of mind he can still play in top flight European football. He however has to be in the right shape to contend with the physicality of European football.

“After all, we’ve seen players play at the highest level at age 35 and above.

Gigi Buffon is still playing in the Euro 2016 competition at the age of 38, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is above 34 and still plays actively. So Odemwingie could still play at the top level in Europe if he conditions himself well.

“However, if he feels it’s time to have a stint in the Far East, America or Middle East; it’s still not a bad idea. After all, there are players in the league in these countries that are still representing their countries very well,” Okoku said.

Odemwingie was born in Tashkent, Uzbek, to a Nigerian father (Peter Odemwingie Sr.) and a Russian mother (Raisa), both of whom were then medical

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Derby Win Boosts Enyimba Champions League Campaign

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Keshi (l) with Odemwingie

In Search of a New Club students. He moved with his family to Nigeria when he was two years old before returning to Russia to complete his secondary education. Whilst living in Russia, he played in the youth teams at KAMAZ and CSKA Moscow. At the age of 17, he moved back to Nigeria and after spending a short time with amateurs AS Racines Lagos, he became a professional with Nigeria Premier League side, Bendel Insurance.

After an unsuccessful trial with Anderlecht, he signed for La Louviere in 2003 and made his mark by helping the club to win the Belgian Cup in his first season, which also earned the club qualification into the UEFA Cup. Scoring nine goals in 44 appearances attracted the attention of the French Ligue 1 side, Lille and before long he was a starter in the first team playing for the French side. Famous for his technique and pace, the Nigerian player was monitored by a number of prestigious European clubs.

In 2007, he signed for Lokomotiv Moscow for a reported fee of US$14 million on a four-year contract. In three seasons for Lokomotiv, Odemwingie became the driving force of the attack and one of their most important players. During his time there, he managed 21 goals in the Russian Premier League from 75 games.

In 2010, Odemwingie signed for English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract, with the option of a third year in the club's favour.

Later in August, it was announced that Odemwingie had signed a new threeyear agreement with West Bromwich Albion, after a £4,000,000 bid from Wigan Athletic was turned down by the club.

In 2013, Odemwingie signed a twoyear contract with Cardiff City for £2.25 million. Speaking after the move Odemwingie stated that he was eager for a fresh start in his career.

He developed a good relationship with manager Malky Mackay who stated that Odemwingie "is a joy to work with."

However Mackay was replaced with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in January 2014 and Odemwingie fell out of favour.

In January 2014, Odemwingie joined Stoke City on an 18-month contract in a player-exchange with Kenwyne Jones, a move he described as a "step forward".

A knee ligament injury however ruled him out for most of the season, managing eight appearances. After struggling for playing time with Stoke in 2015-16, Odemwingie joined Championship side Bristol City on loan in March 2016. He played seven times for the Robins scoring twice. He was released by Stoke at the end of the 2015–16 season.

Odemwingie represented Nigeria at the 2004, 2006 and 2008 Nations Cup. In 2008, he was selected as an over-age player for Nigeria at the Beijing Olympic, scoring in the quarter-final against Côte d'Ivoire as the team earned the silver medal after losing the final to defending champions, Argentina, He captained Nigeria to the 2010 AFCON and when Nigeria bowed out of the competition at the semi-final stage, he was chosen as part of the Best XI of the tournament.

Odemwingie was also part of the Nigeria team to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but dispute with Stephen Keshi cost him a place to the 2013 AFCON, which Nigeria won. He was however named in the team to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which may as well be his last appearance in the colours of Nigeria.

nyimba attacking midfielder Ikechukwu Ibenegbu believes the Abia derby win is good confidence booster for his side ahead of the tie at PSL side Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.

The Nigerian champions piped capital city rivals Abia Warriors 1-0 in Wednesday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) make-up matchday 12 oriental clash at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Dare Ojo’s fourth-minute goal proved decisive to hand Enyimba the three points at stake as well as their first win in recent matches. Ibenegbu said the win will help to prepare and toughen his side for the Caf Champions League clash against the South African side next Wednesday in Pretoria.

“Of course, the encounter is a local derby and you do not expect anything less than a tough challenge.

“We scored the match winner in the fourth minute and nobody else was able to score any more goals, confirming that the

Jong Craves for Ikorodu Utd NPFL Stay

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he newly appointed Ikorodu United head coach, Theodorus Jacob de Jong has promised to pull the string to ensure the side survive the murky water of relegation in the ongoing top-flight.

The former Dutch international replaces the former Nigerian international and Warri Wolves coach, Samuel Okpodu.

The top-flight newcomers are at the base on paltry 15 points after 22-match football hostilities.

Jong however admitted that the task before the Oga Boys is daunting but with the cooperation and support of everybody the side will overcome its toughest challenge.

“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

Fixtures Sunday 3SC Sunshine Stars Ikorodu Utd El-Kanemi Heartland Kano Pillars Plateau Utd

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G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE LAYOUT DESIGNER WAHAB AKINTUNDE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO

Odemwingie went through an injury spell at Stoke

clash was truly tight and tough.

“Abia Warriors gave us good fight and may have indirectly hardened and prepared us for the challenges at Mamelodi Sundowns.

“That’s why we are really happy with the hard-fought victory as we have not been experiencing victory in our recent matches.

“The win has boosted our confidence to go for outright victory in the Caf Champions League clash against Mamelodi Sundowns,” said the former Heartland and Warri Wolves playmaker to supersport. com.

Enyimba are expected to head off to South Africa at the weekend to confront the South African champions in Wednesday’s group matchday 2 clash in Pretoria.

The Nigerian campaigners fell 0-1 to the Egyptian giants Zamalek SC while Sundowns stunned Algerian opponents ES Setif 2-0 in Algiers.

The top-flight win against Warriors takes Enyimba’s total earnings to 34 from a possible 66 with a game to spare against Sunshine Stars.

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

Ifeanyiubah MFM FC Enyimba Lobi Stars Akwa Utd Abia Warriors Wikki Tourists

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.

“The plight of the team is right there, we will try to put thing in the right place to ensure we play good football,” said the former FC Zwolle and SC Cambuur coach to supersport.com.

The former Rod JC and Feyenoord playmaker appealed to the side’s teeming supporters for patience, support and understanding.

“My sincerest message to the fans is for them to stay solidly behind the team in this trying period.

“They should not argue unnecessarily or fight anyone but to respect the rules of the game as well as the management, players and the bench.

“I believe we will succeed in our mission to rescue the team from going down on relegation,” said the 68-year old tactician.

Jong will not be on the hot seat at the weekend as the Lagos outfit NPFL matchday 24 clash against champions, Enyimba has been put off due to the People’s Elephant Caf Champions League assignment at the South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday.

Nigeria Premier League Table Wikki Tourists Rivers Utd Rangers Enyimba Kano Pillars Sunshine Akwa United Abia Warriors Lobi Stars MFM FC Ifeanyiubah Niger Tornadoes Warri Wolves El-Kanemi Nasarawa Utd 3SC Plateau Utd Heartland Ikorodu Utd

22 22 22 21 22 21 22 21 21 21 21 21 21 22 21 22 22 21 21

12 12 10 10 9 8 9 8 9 8 9 9 8 9 9 8 5 5 3

5 2 6 4 6 8 5 8 4 6 3 2 5 1 0 2 8 7 6

5 8 6 7 7 5 8 5 8 7 9 10 8 12 12 12 9 9 12

33 25 30 22 29 28 28 22 23 22 22 24 16 24 23 23 19 13 15

13 18 25 19 23 21 24 19 19 21 23 26 19 27 29 34 27 19 34

20 7 5 3 6 7 4 3 4 1 -1 -2 -3 -3 -6 -11 -8 -6 -19

41 38 36 34 33 32 32 32 31 30 30 29 29 28 27 26 23 22 15

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JUNE 25, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016…

COPA America… COPA America…COPA America…COPA America…

Argentina, Chile Re-enact2015 Finalas Messi Eyes FirstArgiesTitle In a rematch of the 2015, the Copa America final is set after Chile defeated Colombia 2-0 on Wednesday night in the semifinal; one night after Argentina made simple work of the United States in a 4-0.

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here's little to suggest Argentina will be stopped in the final. Other than a 2-1 triumph against Chile in its opener, Argentina has won by at least three goals in each of its last four matches.

This is a team with an embarrassment of riches within its roster, most notably with its attacking options.

Gonzalo Higuain, Erik Lamela and Ezequiel Lavezzi have combined for eight goals this tournament.

While they've been succeeding, Sergio Aguero, who is arguably one of the most dangerous scorers in the Barclays Premier League, has been waiting on the bench for an opportunity just to get a start.

But it all comes down to midfielder Lionel Messi, who is the motor of La Albiceleste. The best all-around player on the planet, he is an elite scorer and distributor as he's shown throughout this tournament with five goals and four assists.

Argentina's defense has also been resolute this entire tournament as its given up just two goals.

If there was a team, though, that could ask questions of Argentina, it's Chile, which defeated La Albiceleste in the 2015 Copa America final in penalties.

Like Argentina, Chile is loaded with dangerous scorers, led by Eduardo Vargas, who has a tournament-best six goals.

He's teamed up brilliantly with Alexis Sanchez, who has three goals of his own this tournament. They'll also receive a boost with Arturo Vidal's return in the final. Vidal was suspended for the semifinal against Colombia due to yellow-card accumulation.

Chile primarily flexed its muscles in its resounding 7-0 thumping of Mexico in the quarterfinals, including four goals from Vargas, who showed his ability to be a poacher inside of the box.

Its defense has been solid as of late just like Argentina's. After allowing four goals in its first three games, Chile has shut out Mexico and Colombia, which should be a confidence booster heading into Sunday.

So if anything was guaranteed about the Copa America Centenario final, it's that there are countless players who hold game-changing capabilities, which should make for a memorable match at MetLife Stadium.

Messi's goalscoring exploits at the Copa America Centenario have rewritten his country's record books and left Argentina on the brink of a first major title for 23 years.

But if Argentina are to avoid a fourth straight defeat in a major final when they take the field in New Jersey on Sunday, the chances are they will have to do something they have never done before in the Messi era: score.

In three finals dating back to the climax of the 2007 Copa America, when Messi lined up in an Argentina side that was beaten 3-0 by Brazil in Venezuela, the Albiceleste have failed to find the back of the net.

Another shutout followed in the 2014 World Cup final, which ended in a 1-0 loss to Germany, before an agonising defeat on penalties to Chile in last year's Copa America following a 0-0 draw.

All the signs, however, suggest that Argentina's barren goalscoring spell – and long wait for a title could come to an end at the MetLife Stadium this weekend,

where Argentina will face Chile.

Tuesday's 4-0 semifinal drubbing of the United States took Argentina's tournament goals tally to 18 in five matches, or 3.6 goals per game.

While Messi grabbed the headlines for his magnificent free-kick that saw him become his country's record scorer with 55 goals, one clear of Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina's goals have come from all angles.

"We've been playing well from day one and we deserve to be in the final," Messi said on Tuesday, dedicating his goals tally to the work of his teammates.

"I'm happy to have the record, and I'm happy to play with teammates that have made it possible. I owe it to them," the five-time world player of the year added.

A tournament that could prove to be Messi's crowning glory has followed a troubled build-up dominated by injury and the distraction of his trial in Barcelona for tax fraud.

He arrived in the United States late, still troubled by a back injury sustained during a friendly win over Honduras last month, and was forced to sit out Argentina's opening game against Chile.

If that wasn't bad enough, Diego Maradona cast doubt on Messi's ability to captain Argentina soon after the tournament got under way, complaining to reporters at an event in Paris that "he has no personality."

"He doesn't have the character to be a leader," Maradona complained.

Messi responded to that verbal salvo with a sublime cameo against Panama a few days later, entering as a second-half substitute and scoring a brilliant hat-trick inside 19 minutes.

Since then, he has been close to his impish best, scoring a wonderful curling, dipping free-kick against the USA on Tuesday while creating goals for Ezequiel Lavezzi and Gonzalo Higuain.

He even found time to autograph the jersey of a fan who sprinted onto the pitch at halftime in Houston, smiling and hugging the interloper who was subsequently escorted from the stadium by security guards.

The only note of caution for Argentina fans is that the team has been down this road before. Last year, Messi was superb as Argentina demolished Paraguay 6-1 in the semifinals of the Copa America with the best attacking display of the tournament.

Neverthless, the upbeat mood in the Argentine camp is a far cry from the sense of despondency that enveloped Messi and his teammates after last year's Copa America heartache.

He was named player of the tournament in Chile but reportedly refused to accept the award, disgusted by yet another loss in a major final.

Fixtures

Sunday Argentina v Venue MetLife Stadium, New Jersey:

Chile

Ireland supporters set for a showdown against France

Ireland Set to Give Les Bleus Run for their Money

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rish hero Robbie Brady insisted that the Republic of Ireland have nothing to fear in a Euro 2016 knockout tie against hosts France after his goal secured a famous win over Italy.

Having to win Wednesday's match to progress from Group E, Ireland looked to be heading out as they went into the final five minutes at Lille's Stade Pierre-Mauroy with the game still goalless.

But then Brady appeared, running onto a Wes Hoolahan cross to score and secure a 1-0 victory that took Martin O'Neill's men through as one of the best third-placed sides.

The win set Ireland up for a rematch with the French, seven years on from the infamous Thierry Henry handball that knocked the Irish out in a World Cup qualifying play-off.

And Brady said the triumph, that followed a 1-0 win over world champions Germany in qualifying, should now stand Ireland in good stead.

"We have managed to beat some of the best teams in the world. We know France are a topclass team and they have got some unbelievable players but if we can stick together and click we can hurt anybody," said the Norwich City player, who would have merited his man of the match award even without his goal.

"I don't think we have anything to fear and I think we can go as far as we allow ourselves in this tournament."

For Ireland it was a first win in a competitive match against Italy since the 1994 World Cup and Brady's heroics mean he – at the age of just 24 – has secured himself legendary status among Irish fans.

"I can't really explain the feeling. You hear people who have scored these types of goals saying that it is like an out of body experience and I was lucky enough to experience it tonight," acknowledged the Dubliner.

Ireland's win in front of a sea of green in the Lille stands came after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sweden in their opening game and then suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Belgium.

It also justified manager O'Neill's decision to make four changes to his starting line-up, including completely changing his central defence, where Shane Duffy of Blackburn Rovers held his nerve brilliantly in his first competitive international.

"You would've thought that Duffy was playing in his 35th international. He was terrific and so was the whole team," said O'Neill.

"There wasn't a player out there in an Irish shirt who didn't perform heroically."

O'Neill, who has enjoyed some great successes both as a player and a manager, labelled the victory as one of the finest of his career and joked that a last-16 tie with the French would be "easy".

"I really don't want to think that this is the end for us. We need another performance like

Fixtures TODAY Switzerland Wales Croatia

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Poland N. Ireland Portugal

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SUNDAY France Germany Hungary

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Rep of Ireland Slovakia Belgium

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MONDAY Italy England

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Spain Iceland

18:00 21:00

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JUNE 25, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016…

Italy Optimistic of Hurting Spain

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taly coach Antonio Conte believes his team can thrive as the underdogs when they face Spain in the first knockout round at Euro 2016 on Monday.

The Azzurri's reward for finishing top of Group E is a meeting with the reigning champions in a repeat of the Euro 2012 final, when Spain outclassed the Italians 4-0 in Kiev.

Given that Conte's side were written off in some quarters before the tournament began, just reaching the knockout phase could be considered a success in itself.

But the coach said his players could take inspiration from their performance in beating much-fancied Belgium 2-0 in their opening game at the tournament last week when they head to the Stade de France.

"The players are doing everything they have to. They are working very hard and we have to keep grafting. We must not have any anxiety," said Conte after a much-changed Italian side, with top spot in their group already assured, lost 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.

"The first aim was to get into the last 16.

Now we have a match against one of the favourites but let's not forget where we started from.

"We mustn't get above our station. A last-16 match against Spain should excite us and we need to play like we did against Belgium, against a side who are supposedly superior."

Italy's wins against the Belgians and Sweden allowed Conte to rotate his squad against Ireland in Lille, where he made eight changes to his starting line-up.

But winning the group has done little to

help Italy, who find themselves on the wrong side of what now has the look of an extremely uneven draw.

If the Azzurri do manage to beat Spain – who also knocked them out on penalties in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals – their reward could be a quarter-final against world champions Germany. Hosts France or England could come in the semi-finals.

"There is a crazy imbalance in the draw for the second round, but those are the rules and we have to respect them," Conte said.

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazil-born midfielder Thiago Motta was one of those who came into the Italy side at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Motta, 33, is likely to drop out of the team again come Monday to make way for Roma's Daniele De Rossi for a match he says Italy can win. "We know that Italy are not as good a side as Spain or Germany but we know we can win by playing to our strengths," said Motta, who appeared as a substitute in the 2012 final.

"Nobody believed in us before the tournament and then after two matches we were already through."

Italy had looked set for a tie against Croatia before Ante Cacic's team claimed a surprise 2-1 victory over Spain to leave the reigning champions second in Group D and on a collision course with the Azzurri.

Motta added: "Once the match starts there will be no favourites. They will try to control possession but Croatia showed that there are weaknesses in their side and we have the weapons to cause Spain problems."

Cahill Believes Title Race Wide Open that to stand any chance and we have to find the energy again from somewhere," said O'Neill, whose side will have had three days fewer than the French to prepare for Sunday's match in Lyon.

"This is tournament football. Players have come in and played their third game in nine days, but it's the same for a lot of other sides."

Drawing France revives the memory of what happened when the countries met in that World Cup qualifying play-off in November 2009, when Henry's handball set

up William Gallas for the goal that eliminated Ireland and caused an international outcry.

However, Robbie Keane, who scored for Ireland that night at the Stade de France, said he would not be dwelling on events of seven years past.

"I will not think about that for one second because it was so long ago. Move on," said the veteran striker.

"This is why we play the game. We knew that if we got out of the group we'd be playing a top, top team and we're playing the hosts so it's going to be great."

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he race for the European Championship title is wide open and no team will run away with the title, England defender Gary Cahill has said.

England, who have struggled to break down defences and finished second in Group B a point behind table toppers Wales, face Iceland in the Round of 16 in Nice next Monday.

The Chelsea defender pointed to France's second Group A game, where the hosts scored two late goals to beat a stubborn Albania team 2-0, as an example

of how difficult it was for the continent's big names to win.

"There are certainly teams that have impressed me, but I do think it's wide open," Cahill told reporters in France.

"You see the French, Spanish and Germans who are always there, but is there one team that is going to run away with it? I don't think there is.

"You see how hard teams are having to work, like the French in the second game...

Everyone is fighting to the death so it's very tough."

Iceland May not Succumb to English Pressure

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celand's performance at Euro 2016 so far means that they have no reason to sweat over Monday's last-16 clash against England, midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson said.

Iceland, who are making their first appearance at a major tournament, beat Austria 2-1 on Wednesday to finish second in their group and book their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2016, where they will come up against Roy Hodgson's team.

With England being the favourites for the game, Sigurdsson suggested the lack of pressure on Iceland will play to their advantage.

"We are a small nation that nobody expects anything of... We will be the underdogs. It's going to be a tough night but it will be worth it," Sigurdsson told reporters after Wednesday's win.

"Is there any reason to worry about

England? No, but we know it will be a very tough game. We have no pressure on us, that's the main thing. But if you look at England, if they lose to us there will be headlines back in England."

England have come under pressure after scoring just three goals so far as their strikers struggle to find their feet in the tournament, but Sigurdsson felt this highlighted the strength of Hodgson's squad.

"There are not many weaknesses in England's squad. They have a very good team and have got through a tough group, without playing their best football," said Sigurdsson, who is the only Icelandic player playing their trade in the Premier League.

"But that just shows how good they are and their best is probably yet to come. We will have to defend for long periods against them, but we have shown before that we are capable of it.

Planning Spain fall...Coach Antonio Conte (l) and Gianluigi Buffon during Italy Training Session at Coverciano

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

34

GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS

Joshua out punches his American opponent to win the IBF title

Basket ball action at the indoor sports hall in the ongoing DSTV Basketball Fnal 8

Joshua Keen to Display Footwork Flair against Breazeale Anthony Joshua is keen to display a new dimension to his boxing and prove his mobility when he fights Dominic Breazeale tonight.

The 26-year-old insists he is working on his footwork, but says he has prioritised building his confidence and making sure of victories with quick knockouts during his career so far.

"I'd love to go in there and just move around the ring and not get hit without throwing any punches," said Joshua.

"We've shown the power but we've never shown footwork. If not, I might go in there with the instinct to outbox him but land a shot that will punish him.

"It depends on how I approach the fight. You saw how I approached the Charles Martin and Dillian Whyte fights.

"I practice things in sparring because there's no pressure, but in the ring I just wait for that one chance to punish someone.

I don't really display anything

special except for punch power.

"If they ever get hurt, if I don't get them out that could be me in six or seven rounds. It's time to get them out. The tables can always turn in a 12-round fight.

If I do see an opportunity, I have to take it.

"Someone bigger will have me having to slip. You do have to do a bit of moving, rolling, inside work. Hopefully I can display that.

"It's all about confidence and mindset. I'm at that stage now where I should be confident enough to control a fight. But I'm at a five out of 10 in my confidence. You've got to be confident but it's that fear of losing.

"In sparring I can dance and try things. I need to get to a stage where I'm that comfortable in controlling a fight that I can do those things. That's when you'll see the greatest from myself."

It was in the Whyte fight, the bout before his world title win

against Martin, that some felt Joshua showed limitations that could later undermine him.

But the Olympic gold medallist is determined to evolve instead of becoming the one-dimensional fighter so many with his power would.

"Once you get the full package, you're unstoppable," Joshua said.

"No matter what happens, you're just built for this. You condition yourself - you harden yourself to become the best person.

"I need to start now. I need to get to that stage now and start controlling fights. I'm talking about progressing now. From 16 fights on, I want to progress. It's just a matter of time and it just so happens it's starting now. It's been a natural thing.

"I've no control over the decision [to develop], it's just come upon me and has been stuck in my head. I need to start building on it.

"Whether it's right or wrong, I'll find out when I get in the ring."

Vettel Optimistic of Ferrari Title Despite Rough Start An optimistic Sebastian Vettel insists there's still a "long way to go" in the title race despite Ferrari's failure to win a grand prix in 2016.

Vettel is third in the Drivers' Championship following the European Grand Prix, 45 points behind leader Nico Rosberg, while his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen is fourth, a further 15 points back. In the Constructors' Championship Ferrari are 81 points behind leaders Mercedes.

Vettel finished second in Baku, his fifth podium of the season, but so far the only team other than Mercedes to win a race this year have been Red Bull.

And speaking to Sky Sports

in Italy, Vettel said: "We are not even in the middle of the season, there's still a long way to go.

"I think we had a rough start, not ideal, but nevertheless we have found ourselves in a strong position. We know that this year's car is a step up.

"Obviously we still have a long way to go but I'm a big believer and I know this team can do many things, great things.

"The way we have to tackle it is go step by step, not getting distracted too much by what people expect from the outside and what it might look like if you look at the points right now.

"All that matters is to look at the points table one time a year and that's at the very end."

The big talking point of the weekend in Azerbaijan was the problems that both Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton had with the lack of information they were able to receive over team radio.

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene thinks the rules should be changed, to allow drivers to receive help from the pit wall when technical issues arise.

Meanwhile, Vettel has also been keeping an eye on Euro 2016: "I was hoping to see an Italy versus Germany final, even though that won't be possible because of the way the table worked out.

"But I'll be cheering for whichever of the two gets furthest."

McDowell to swerve Olympics with Ireland Graeme McDowell has announced he will not be replacing Rory McIlroy in Ireland's Olympic team for the Games in Rio later this summer.

World No 73 McDowell was the next in line to come into the team alongside Shane Lowry after world No 4 McIlroy said on Wednesday that he would not travel to Brazil because of concerns over the Zika virus.

But 2010 US Open winner McDowell has revealed he does not want to play in Rio because his wife is due to give birth a couple of weeks after the Games.

"I woke yesterday morning to the news that Rory McIlroy

had withdrawn from the Irish Olympic Golf team, putting me in line for an automatic spot on the team," McDowell said in a statement on Thursday lunchtime.

"As many within golf will know my wife Kristin is pregnant and is due to have our second child just a couple of weeks after the Olympic Golf competition concludes.

"I made the decision many months ago, before I was on the team, that I would not play or travel outside the US, where I and my family live, in the weeks running up to the birth.

"Unfortunately I will therefore

not be available to replace Rory on the team. I have informed Paul McGinley and the Olympic Council of Ireland of my decision."

Reacting to McDowell's statement, the International Golf Federation said: "We recognise the unique circumstances for Graeme and his family and, while we are disappointed that he is not available for the Olympic Games, we sympathise with his position.

"There are many considerations for players but those who compete will have the opportunity to be part of a truly global celebration of sport."

Action during one of the regional qualifying matches of the COPA Cocacola encounter in Kaduna

COPA Coca cola

Helping Nigerian Kids Realise their Football Dream The northern city of Kaduna, played host to school children from four states, namely Kano, Zamfara, Jigawa and Katsina, which participated in the Copa Coca-cola footballClinic on Thursday.

The programme which held across zones within the federation was introduced by Coca-cola to promote grassroots football as well as identify young talents and groom them to become great footballers.

Four coaches, including ex- international football star, Garba Lawal, handled the Kaduna training. Others were Usman Yinka Salahu, Absulkadir Aliyu Janga and a seasoned coach, Hassan Abubakar.

Each of the four states presented 20 school children for the training after which those below the age of 15 years were selected to play matches.

The event which was initially scheduled to hold at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna (ABS) was shifted to the Living Faith Academy, Kaduna so as to afford children in the school opportunity to watch the matches.

The Kaduna State Coordinator, Nigerian Schools Sports Federation, Abel Yakubu, in an interview, explained that the essence of the exercise was to make the child know that sports cannot be separated from education.

"That is why the venue for the event was changed from the stadium to the school so that the children can see what is happening physically and theoretically."

He said further that ex - International players and coaches were brought to take charge of the training so as to encourage the children.

"Most of the children must have heard about these former international stars, but they don't know them. So their presence is a morale booster. If the programme had taken place at the stadium, the children here would not have had the opportunity of seeing these great former footballers.

“The convener of the event, Copa Coca-Cola asked us to designate three centres in Kaduna. They said we should take them to local football field and we picked three centres; Government Secondary School, Kaduna, Faith Academy and Rimi College" he explained.

According to Yakubu, the clinical aspect was aimed at teaching the children about the techniques of footballing.

"It is not just to kick the ball across the bar. They taught them all the skills that are involved in football. After the clinic, we would screen the children to see that are actually U-15. We don't have any parameter to test them, but we are parents and by seeing a child, you should be able to determine his age.

"Before the training session commences, the children were admonished to be of good behaviour if they want to succeed," he added.

Addressing the children, Lawal, who had a successful football career at home and abroad told the kids that the key success in football is discipline and hard work.

He said it was possible to go to school and play football, stressing that it is possible for them to pursue the two at the same time.

"I started playing football in 1989 and played for local and foreign football clubs. I played at the World Cup in 1998, I also played in the Olympic Games and I played at Africa Cup of Nations.

"I started playing football like you, at a younger age than many of you. I want you to play better than some of us here. You can go to school and still play football. But if you want to succeed, you must be discipline and respect coaches and everybody," he said.

Also commenting on the initiative by Coca-Cola, Lawal noted that the process was the best way to get quality players.

"If you want to get quality players, this is where to get them because if any player does not understand the basics of football, it’s always a problem . If you know the basics at a young age, it is fantastic. The challenge we have among players is lack of continuity. You can have a good player today after some few weeks, you see him declining," he added.

According to him, this process "has been helping Nigerian football. I have been with Coca-Cola for about eight years. The grand finale was fantastic, I believe this kind of programme would restructure Nigerian football. The kids are very lucky."

He added that "during our time, we never had this kind training during, we played on the streets. If you are lucky you will excel. But it is a fantastic programme and I urge Coca-Cola to keep it up, although it is difficult considering the issue of funding."

Also admonishing the children, Abubakar urged the children to be disciplined and respect their parents, teachers and coaches.

He said no matter how good one can play football, if the person is not disciplined, he will never make progress.

"Don't misbehave to anybody. If you want to be great like Garba Lawal, you must be disciplined and hardworking," he said.

He commended Coca-Cola for introducing the programme noting that it was aimed at greater tomorrow.

"I am happy with this programme because it is aimed at greater tomorrow. I call them greater tomorrow because with this contribution from Coca-Cola, I am sure they are helping some people to survive in their lives. Football today is business although some people may not look at it that way, but given proper support, the sky would be the limit for the children," the coach said.

The children were subjected to over one hour of rigorous coaching after which those above 15 years were screened out.

Matches were played among the participating states.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

POLITY

The Case for a Nigerian Renewable Energy Development Fund Charles C Opara-Ndudu

A key factor affecting the acceptance and deployment of solar power is the attendant cost of setting up micro-solar PV roof-top plants, especially for residential consumers.

A typical 5KWp system capable of harnessing up to 20kW per day will require at least 20, 250 watt panels for this to be achieved

I

t is evident that the renewable energy sector is gaining significant traction across the world. Hardly any week passes without a major headline announcing a new investment in large scale solar installations, ground breaking innovations plus institutional support such as the one offered by France early this year to invest in excess of three billion Euros in African renewable energy projects. The renewables energy industry is now a key focus for energy policy makers considering its potential impact on energy balance and security. According to REN21, an international coalition of governments and renewable energy trade associations, $328.9 billion was invested worldwide in solar, wind and other renewable energy sources in 2015 alone. Presently, multimillion dollar renewable energy installations are being developed in different parts of the world and it is envisaged that these benign sources of energy will achieve grid parity with fossil fuel sources within five years from now. Sourcing and harnessing renewable energy represents an exciting new field that could significantly alter the way we live, especially in countries like Nigeria. A key limiting factor has always been cost, which has been declining over the past decade. It is now an established fact that the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) generated from a utility scale PV power plan hast fallen by more than 50% between 2010 and 2015.

Debunking the myth Utility scale PV power projects can now deliver electricity for just under $0.08 US cents per KWh without any financial uplift or support, while conventional fossil fuel oscillates between $0.05 to $0.15/kwh.

This is an astonishing shift and even major utility companies are now evaluating the potential impact of this trend on their business long term sustainability and profitability. Concerns have been raised about stranded and underperforming fossil fuel assets reflecting critical value at risk due to developments in renewable energy sources. Recent tenders conducted in Chile, Brazil and South Africa have all reinforced the fact that solar PV power plants can be competitive and that solar energy represents an environmentally clean alternative source of energy. Dubai recently concluded a tender for the construction of a 200MW solar PV plant that was won by ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia in partnership with a Spanish consortium. The contract was awarded to this group with offtake or power output purchased at sub US$0.06/ kwh for a period of 25 years.

Solar energy and indeed other renewable energy sources provides a dependable, cost effective and environmentally safe alternative to fossil fuel and their significance will continue to increase over the coming decades. The price level of below US$0.06 achieved in Saudi Arabia is indeed unprecedented and goes a long way at debunking a widely held view that PV power sources do not represent a financially viable alternative for investors and governments to procure electricity. A range of US$0.08-0.09 has been recorded in India and Brazil. These offer prices demonstrate the tremendous pace of technical, commercial and financial innovations within the PV industry, something unheard of just a decade ago.

On the local front, we all have had our minds abused by proliferation of low cost, substandard and technically inferior solar panels and batteries deployed for powering street lights in many parts of Nigeria.

Many of these projects implemented at federal, state and local government levels were embarrassing failures. Energy consumers in Nigeria have lost faith in the ability of solar energy to make any meaningful contribution to our current energy mix. I have been asked several times, if

Raji Fashola

indeed solar energy harvesting holds any promise, why its unacceptably high failure rate and why is it that they just do not work after a few months? The answers are not far-fetched, notably, importation of cheap sub-standard products and absence of technically qualified practitioners for project implementation. I have seen where a technician connected solar panels directly to the battery without charge controllers.

The consequences are obvious, the battery will underperform or expire within a short period.

However, recent developments within the solar industry call for a rethink and for our government to fine-tune its renewable energy policy agenda towards supporting development and deployment of solar PV power across residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

Solar panels generate free electricity through conversion of the sun’s energy that strikes a semiconductor material within photovoltaic cells. This action creates an electric current which can be predicted with reasonable accuracy and the case of input price volatility is almost non-existent as sun radiation is free. A home or corporate PV system performs a number of cost saving functions: It reduces dependence on two main sources of power, the grid (PHCN) and a stand-alone backup power diesel generator. It reduces the amount of power we purchase from distribution companies and our dependence on diesel power generators, invariably producing no air or noise pollution. Solar power systems are modular and residential and commercial owners can add more panels, increase their storage capacity as their energy use increases and their financial resources grow.

Why the slow uptake?

A key factor affecting the acceptance and deployment of solar power is the attendant cost of setting up micro-solar PV roof-top plants, especially for residential consumers.

A typical 5KWp system capable of harnessing up to 20kW per day will require at least 20, 250 watt panels for this to be achieved.

At current price levels, 20 high grade solar panels will require an investment in excess of 1.2 million naira for procurement and installation. Besides, such home system will require a decent sized inverter of 5KVA and above. Charge controllers and batteries will entail additional capital cost in the range of one million naira plus. Hence, to provide a home-solar solution for the average middle income home will cost in the region of three to four million naira.

This represents a huge upfront cost for the average middle income earner, who on a second thought would rather invest one to two million naira to procure a decent size diesel power generator that will probably cost another million or more per annum on maintenance and fuelling. However, a simple cost benefit/return on investment analysis indicates that solar PV home systems are certainly cheaper to own and operate in the long run when compared against systems that run on fossil fuel such as PMS and AGO. The upfront cost of a solar system might seem steep, but in reality the relatively low cost of running it and its maintenance free nature in addition to a very short payback period of between 18 to 24 months makes it an attractive proposition.

The need for Government support The renewable energy industry requires purposeful support from the government to grow. Several proactive mechanisms have been developed and adopted by countries around the world aimed at jump-starting investment in renewable energy projects and innovations. These mechanisms include accelerated tax depreciation and preferential tax treatment as practiced in France, in addition to an acceptable feed-In-tariff (FIT) with a power purchase obligation on the state or local utility. In some cases, such as in Germany, grid operators are obliged to evacuate and transmit every renewable power available with a fixed FIT, guaranteeing acceptable returns on investment. In some cases, all output from renewable

sources above 500KW can be sold to a local utility or off-taker at a negotiated price within a framework of a power purchasing agreement (PPA). The United Kingdom has in place what is known as Renewable Obligation (RO) for projects above 5MW and FIT for projects up to 5MW. These are all mechanisms designed to spur activities within the renewable energy space.

Our government certainly has a key role to play within the Nigerian context.

In addition to introducing creative and sustainable fiscal terms, I am of the view that the government should facilitate the establishment of a Renewable Energy Development Fund (REDF), to be managed as a purely commercial establishment with the primary objective of incubating and supporting viable renewable energy projects, through provision of development and implementation capital at a single digit interest rate. This fund would be created to support the construction of renewable energy installations spanning solar, wind, mini-hydro and biomass. It is evident that most renewable energy projects can deliver power at sub 10 US cents and as such, it is important to create a framework of arrangement that places an obligation on the newly privatised distribution companies, Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) to purchase power from these renewable sources where available. This mechanism can further be strengthened through a sovereign guarantee instrument that will provide added comfort to both local and foreign investors.

With the deteriorating power supply situation, the need for a distributed model for power generation, sustained by renewable power cannot be overemphasised. Solar power can provide electricity to support commercial and residential activities even in remote villages and towns. Considering its increasing significance, the government must develop a clear strategy geared towards ensuring that viable renewable energy projects are identified, structured and financed without further delays. The key to this lie in establishing a dedicated renewable energy development fund for Nigeria, managed in line with strict commercial principles. –Charles Opara-Ndudu is an energy policy analyst and can be reached on charles.opara1@gmail.com.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

PEOPLE

Lawrence Achigbu

I Once Worked as Bus Conductor in Aba

Lawrence Chibuike Achigbu, Group Managing Director/CEO of Chimons Limited, a gas refilling plant recently shared the story of his firm, its growth, future plans and his appointment into the advisory board of the Commonwealth Economic and Investment Commission with select journalists in Lagos. Babatunde Olaoluwakitan was there.

I

What was your growing up like? was born into a poor background.

Survival was no mean task. I had to do all manner of odd jobs to survive. In fact, I had to do bus conductor job in Aba to buy a pair of slippers. It was that tough.

But I had an uncle who was a principal.

So, he was a role model to me. I saw his children eating good food and wearing nice clothes, so I wanted to be like them. That serves as my motivation. Not that you were envious or didn’t like them. I just wanted to also be like them. When I finished secondary school and my father told me he didn’t have any money to send me to a tertiary institution, that I should go an learn a trade, I told him ‘no’. I disobeyed him. Instead, I carried my certificate and I was going from one big man to another soliciting for sponsorship. It was that bad, an 18-year-old boy. Then my cousin who was in the Customs heard about it and invited me over. That was how I went to a university.

You recorded a string of bests in school. Tell us about this.

I wasn’t that good in primary school. But in secondary (Ngwa High School Aba, Abia State 1977-1982) I scored 100 per cent in the first test we wrote. The principal said I cheated. He brought me before the assembly and said he suspected that I cheated. So, he decided to test me in the open field, before the entire students. In the assembly ground, he sat me down and said I must write another test. He got the teacher to set fresh questions.

After an hour, the paper was marked and I got 100 per cent. The school erupted. So, from that day, everybody started coming to me to help them solve problems. Therefore, I knew I had to be ahead of the pack at every point in time, because once they come with any problem, you must be able to solve it. I gave my studies full time, especially mathematics.

During holidays, I would solve the whole mathematics in the textbook. So, in class, anytime my teacher ran into trouble, I would correct him. And you won’t believe it. There was a particular question I couldn’t solve in one week, but an angel solved it in my dream.

Then a voice told me in my sleep, ‘you’d forget it in the morning, get up and write it down.’ I did. The next morning, I said yes, something happened in the night. I went to check and behold, I saw where I wrote it. I screamed. Trust me, I carried it to the class the next day and moved from Class 5A to E. I set the question and said whoever solved the question would get a present from me. But nobody was able to get it. That actually helped me in secondary school. I passed out as the best student in science. By the time the time I got into the university, the confidence was there.

I was a pioneer student at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) where I read Petroleum/Petrochemical Engineering Technology. I passed out in 1988 winning the best department award and as the best overall student in petroleum engineering. Although I made a first class the school management said the school was too young and so nobody should be given. I have never read like that in my life. FUTO was tough. I did my Masters in Public Administration (Political economy) at the UNILAG. In 2009 I went Harvard Business School, Boston, USA for a three-year programme in entrepreneurship and leadership. In 2011, I was awarded a postgraduate certificate in business strategy and leadership development.

I did my NYSC in Mobil. As a young graduate, I used to go to work everyday in a helicopter. They would pick us from where we lived in the bush and drop us at a platform. Imagine a 24-year-old, only me in a place with dolphin and fishes as companion; and if it was raining, I would hold one of the oil pipes to keep warm and remain there until the helicopter came for me.

How did you set up your first business?

I always wanted to go back to my profession, hence I set up my first company, Chimons Limited, a gas refilling plant in 1994.

Within two-three years, I was able to save some money.

So, I started thinking of what kind of business to go into. I know what I wasn’t going into.

I wasn’t prepared to be like the regular Idiot trader. I decided to go into something along the line of my training.

I decided to go into LPG business. My first tank was a fairly-used one. I went to Germany to buy it. In my search, I met a man who advised me to go for it, instead of the more expensive brandnew one. That was in 1992.

He gave me the tank for next to nothing. It was like a dash.

We started business in 1994.

The money I spent was for shipment and transportation.

I am still using that tank till today

Achigbu I managed the bid team that won the first ever contract for the successful lifting of LPG from NLNG into the domestic market. The NLNG picked my organization as one of the first six off-takers. Since 2006 when we came on board, market has stabilized. In collaboration with other stakeholders, we have moved from 40000 metric tonnes LPG consumption in 2007 to 400,000 metric tonnes. By the end of this year, we would be doing 500,000 tonnes.

Above all, we are doing our terminal in Delta State, which would be ready next year.

How did you raise you take-off capital?

I raised fund selling football boots. I had a brother in Russia in the era of perestroika who used to send football boots to me weekly.

Every Monday I would go to the airport, pick them up and race to the National stadium, Surulere to sell. Because I was honest and remitting his money, he was encouraged to the extent that he got other friends of his to patronize me. There was a man at the stadium that was always on the wait to clear the consignment. From boots, I went on to selling wristwatches, chandeliers earrings, among others.

Within two-three years, I was able to save some money. So, I started thinking of what kind of business to go into. I know what I wasn’t going into. I wasn’t prepared to be like the regular Idiot trader. I decided to go into something along the line of my training.

I decided to go into LPG business. My first tank was a fairly-used one. I went to Germany to buy it. In my search, I met a man who advised me to go for it, instead of the more expensive brand-new one. That was in 1992.

He gave me the tank for next to nothing. It was like a dash. We started business in 1994.

The money I spent was for shipment and transportation. I am still using that tank till today.

I knew the business wouldn’t last forever, so I started thinking of the next move. From one refilling plant, I moved on to become a key stakeholder in the oil and gas industry. By 2007, we expanded, and that gave us the voice be become a key stakeholder in the oil and gas industry. So when NLNG began domestic

sale of LPG, my company was one of the six that won the right.

We have also moved into construction now.

Our sister company is doing road construction in the Niger Delta. As a businessman, when you see an opportunity, you move in. It is very important to diversify and consolidate.

You were recently appointed a member of the advisory board of the Commonwealth Economic and Investment Commission (CWEIC). What is it about?

I didn’t lobby for it. In fact, it would be an understatement to say it came to me as surprise. That’s the truth. Sometime last year, I went for a programme in Malta. President Buhari and the Queen of England were there.

I don’t know the parameter they used in selecting members for the board, but all I know is that I just got an email that I was needed by the management of CWEIC. CWEIC has been in existence for quite a long time, but was reformed in 2014. I was shocked, because that was my first time at the conference. I was quite concerned. But I went all the same.

Then, they started talking to me. They said they were impressed by what we do, my qualifications and all that. They said I have been selected to join the board. That was it.

CWEIC was established in July 2014 with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat and member Governments. It is a not-forprofit membership organisation with a remit from Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote trade, investment and the role of the private sector across the 53 member countries. The CWEIC has a small secretariat within the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

The purpose of the Council is to promote trade and investment by facilitating engagement between Government and the private sector throughout the Commonwealth. It is the apex organisation representing private sector businesses within the Commonwealth and is the only institution with a remit to promote intra-Commonwealth trade and investment. The CWEIC is also responsible for organising the Commonwealth Business Forum alongside the biennial Common-

wealth Heads of Government Meeting.

How can Nigeria leverage on the opportunities offered by CWEIC in its investment drive especially now that the emphasis is on diversification of the economy?

If you watch a country like America, you see their president talking about market all the time. That is how countries develop. But in Nigeria, what you hear is crude oil, crude oil, crude oil. The minister of trade should be the most important minister because trade is what gives you favourable balance of payment and all that. The goal is to ensure that more Nigerians and organization become key players in the commonwealth. We have to work hard to help them connect with the opportunities that exist out there.

Eventually, we are going to set up an office in Nigeria so that we can begin to create awareness with a view to adding awareness to businesses in Nigeria.

What is your assessment of Nigeria’s business environment?

Our business environment is a bit complicated. One of the major challenges is electricity. The world started from the Stone Age, the discovery of electricity moved us to the manufacturing age. Without electricity, we couldn’t have moved to the manufacturing age. But Nigeria couldn’t move to the manufacturing age because of lack of electricity. There are many other issues.

For instance, you see a good opportunity, you do a fantastic business plan, approach your bank, they see it, recognize the potential, but would refuse to support it, for some political reasons.

In the US, if a bank sees your business proposal and finds it good, they will be chasing you with money. But here, there is a whole lot of complications.

I bought some plots of land in Lekki Free Zone. I have the governor’s consent (C of O) but eight years after, I have not been able to develop it because of one trouble from one omo onile or the other. You report to the police, they tell you to go and settle with the families. The challenges we have are enormous.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 25 , 2016

ENCOUNTER Bolaji Osunsanya

Gas Supply Disruptions Must Be Countered Nigeria, despite its position as the world’s ninth-largest gas reservoir, is burdened by wide-spread gas shortages. Geopolitical challenges, insufficient infrastructure and the lack of a suitable fiscal and regulatory framework combine to make the gas sector challenging for participants. Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) President, and Oando Gas & Power CEO, Bolaji Osunsanya, proffers his thoughts on the sector’s key players and the government working together to realise the gas industry’s true potential. He spoke to Adedayo Adejobi

C

ould you provide an overview of Nigeria’s current gas demand and supply situation?

The demand for gas in Nigeria is estimated at about 6.6 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscf/d). This number includes about 3bscf/d for domestic utilisation (gas-to-power, industrial and commercial consumers), and about 3.6bscf/d for export to international markets via Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and to the West African region via the West African Gas Pipeline.

Total supply into the market has been about 4.3bscf/d with most of this going to meet the export demand, particularly LNG. This has meant that the domestic market only receives about 1.3bscf/d leaving a supply gap of 1.7bscf/d. This supply situation has been further worsened by the supply disruptions caused by the recurring acts of sabotage on the gas pipeline infrastructure.

The continued government focus on gas is generating a lot of excitement and creates a unique opportunity to capitalize on the gas monetisation agenda to propel the economic growth of the country.

How has the shortfall affected suppliers and domestic users?

Prior to the recent reduction in gas supply, we were making steady progress, as the private sector was implementing workable solutions to counter the gas supply imbalance. Unfortunately, due to lower gas supply, marketers have been forced to adopt a more pragmatic approach by rationing the available supply. This has had a direct effect on Industrial users who have had to scale back production and endure low capacity utilization. In addition, the limited supply has affected power generation leading to a severe curtailment of power supply to the national grid. This has led to increased use of more expensive alternative fuels by manufacturing industries across the country, which in many cases has resulted in downsizing to reduce overheads. Now, we require an industry-wide concerted effort to address the lingering challenges.

Pragmatic pricing, the ingenuity of indigenous firms to ramp up supply from varied sources to provide assurance of reliability will quickly position gas as the long term solution to our energy concerns.

What’s your assessment of government’s handling of the gas shortage?

Should they do more to ensure further disruptions are avoided?

The challenge is man-made, and requires a multifaceted approach to address the key drivers of the disruption. This would include a combination of dialogue, an alignment of interests, applicable sanctions, and fair

treatment as needed.

For one, the creation of an appropriately constituted and independently audited Host Community Fund would be a way of further positioning oil & gas communities as key stakeholders. In the interim, the government needs to increase the engagement and involvement of community leaders and influencers to create the necessary awareness regarding the crippling effects of the current disruptions in the Niger Delta on the environment and the local economy.

The government must also consider other initiatives to expand the supply of gas into the market. Such an initiative would be a gas specific bid round tailored to ensure that the gas is deliberately developed for supply into the market. On the infrastructure side, the government may need to revisit the gas infrastructure blueprint to actualize processing facilities, and fast track the completion of the back bone infrastructure that ensures supply flexibility and robustness. In addition, we must begin to consider an energy mix comprising renewables, hydro, and certainly nuclear.

Crucially, the current crude oil and gas supply shortage has highlighted the pressing need for the implementation of a long term security monitoring framework which has the buy-in of all key stakeholders. This will, of necessity, include increased round the clock military deployments for effective monitoring of oil & gas installations and the adoption of modern technology to aid the surveillance of pipeline infrastructure by security agencies.

Can the private sector provide better assistance?

Active private sector participation would ensure the mobilization of the much needed funding for infrastructure development.

In addition, private enterprise promotes operational efficiencies which is required to ensure value add in the sector. Bridging the infrastructure gaps facing the industry would require extensive capital, creatively structured to meet the long-term requirements of all stakeholders.

The largest gas consumer group in the domestic market is the power generation sector that supplies power to the market. As earlier described, this group, mostly private sector led, has been severely affected by the gas shortages in the domestic market. The embedded generation regulations can be exploited by private sector generators, working with the Discos to creatively securitize their investment, to provide much needed power to the industrial and commercial sectors. By so doing, the market can assure that the investment needed to provide gas infrastructure such as processing facilities, transmission (both onshore and offshore) and distribution pipelines is secure. This

will, in addition, support the development of modern alternative gas delivery technology such as CNG and LNG as complementary solutions to ensure reliability of supply to the market. By the same token, the establishment of a viable market will support the development of strategic gas storage solutions such as floating storage and regasification units (FSRU)and onshore LNG storage terminals and ensure gas supply security.

Through self-regulation and oversight functions by the government, the private sector can lead the gas sector away from Government control and management towards full liberalization. Extensive research has shown that gas has the potential to be the fundamental driver for the widespread industrialization of Nigeria and a fully liberalized sector would increase private investments.

As CEO of Oando Gas & Power (OGP), my team has worked diligently to position us to engage early adopters and consumers of gas technologies by understanding the market economics and bridging the gas gap through the development of virtual pipelines. We have developed a CNG solution to make gas available for customers, within a 250km radius, who are not connected to our distribution pipeline network in South Western Nigeria. We are also developing a mini LNG facility which will provide gas fuel supply to off-grid power plants and industrial customers who are up to 1000km away from existing pipeline infrastructure.

We have also taken the responsibility to develop a strategic gas storage solution for the country via an FSRU to be located off the Lagos coast to alleviate the current gas supply challenges within the Southern industrial axis.

What can the NGA do to ensure that the industry can advance these suggestions?

A low hanging fruit would be fostering the dialogue between the NGA Executive Council, key gas industry players, and the National Assembly committees on gas resources. The aim of these discussions would be to sensitize the policy makers on the impact of current events to the gas industry, while we would also disseminate follow-up communiques and engage the media to ensure the collective position of the government’s legislative arm and the NGA is fully understood. Driving policies to improve domestic gas supply and utilisation, will also help investors focus on the right areas to ensure sector growth.

As a mid to long term solution, we are investing more in our members through conferences and capacity-building. We also recently inaugurated five NGA Study Groups with applicable deliverables includ-

Active private sector participation would ensure the mobilization of the much needed funding for infrastructure development. In addition, private enterprise promotes operational efficiencies which is required to ensure value add in the sector. Bridging the infrastructure gaps facing the industry would require extensive capital, creatively structured to meet the long-term requirements of all stakeholders ing industry white papers. The study groups will be responsible for recommending policy changes in their respective areas and have already begun their initial phase of work.

These groups will focus on natural gas transmission and distribution; industrial utilisation and power generation; domestic, commercial & transportation environment, health and safety.

By implementing the aforementioned, and creating some synergy between the government and the sector’s key stakeholders, we would be better placed to address the current challenges in the Nigerian gas industry. Understandably, we must view this is an opportune time for us, because if there’s any sector that’s already well set in terms of framework and exploitation, then it’s gas.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • June 25, 2016

June 25, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • June 25, 2016

FITNESS FILE The Edenlifestyle corner with

MAJE AYIDA

It’s All About Breakfast

majeayida@edenlifenigeria.com www.edenlifenigeria.com, 07062614551

W

hile at a talk I was giving last weekend there was a recurring subject, breakfast. The panel was unanimous in agreeing on the importance of breakfast, but way too many of you still insist on skipping this fundamental meal. If you are on an exercise plan then this is most certainly worth reading.

What you eat after rolling out of bed has the power to banish cravings, turbo-charge energy, and keep your waistline in check. Those of you that eat breakfast are 12% healthier throughout the day. Skipping breakfast makes you more likely to overindulge at your next meal or eat mid-morning snacks that are high in calories and sugar to ward off hunger until lunch, Gala anyone?

If the morning is your time to exercise then you especially need to eat. When you wake up, blood sugar levels and carb stores are way down, breakfast provides what your brain needs to feel alert and what your muscles need to perform at their best, so you feel zippy on the treadmill instead of fatigued.

Don’t reach for just any cereal or oatmeal, though. Different morning routines call for different morning meals. Whether you’re trying to drop 10 pounds or rip through a morning Zumba class, one of these yummy, satisfying breakfast ideas will start your day on a high note.

The Best Breakfast If You….Strength Train In The Morning Make muscle-building protein a priority. Combine 1/4 cup each granola, rolled oats, chopped almonds, raisins or dried cranberries with low-fat milk.

(Feel free to eat half and save the rest for tomorrow, depending on your calorie needs.) After you leave the gym, aim for another 20 grams of protein, as studies show this is ideal for kick-starting the muscle-repair process. Try 6 ounces of fat-free or low-fat cheese, a cup of fatfree or low-fat Greek yogurt, or 3 ounces of sliced roast beef or roasted chicken.

The Best Breakfast If You….Are Trying To Lose Weight Repeat after us: A grande skinny caramel macchiato is not a breakfast. For the same wake-you-up buzz of caffeine and healthful antioxidants and no calories, have green tea. Then make one or two eggs – the whole thing, not just the whites since more than half of the fill-you-up protein is in the yolk – with a piece of fruit such as an apple or a cup of raspberries. This all clocks in between 135 to 240 calories and has 7 to 14 grams of protein and 4.5 to 8 grams of fiber to provide staying power until lunch.

The Best Breakfast If You….Still Feel Full From Dinner First things first: Eat! That will keep your metabolism going. Nibble on something light within an hour of waking up such as a piece of fruit. And next time push back dinnertime. Eating two to three hours before going to sleep, including snacks, will give your body ample time to digest everything before morning.

The Best Breakfast If You….Do Cardio In The Morning Your muscles run on carbs as their main source of fuel when your heart’s pumping while you run, HIIT, or sweat

on an elliptical, so eat an hour before your exercise to boost energy and allow your body time to break down your meal. Swirl fat-free or low-fat yogurt into oatmeal and top with fresh fruit or raisins. (if you have less time, a fruit and milk or yogurt smoothie wins points for easy digestibility.)

Post-workout, enjoy a mix of carbs to replenish glycogen stores and protein to maximize muscle repair, ideally within 30 minutes of your cool down, this is the prime time when muscles are like a sponge, absorbing all those powerhouse nutrients. A 100-calorie whole-wheat sandwich, spread with a thin layer of peanut butter and topped with a bit of honey or jelly is an easy choice.

The Best Breakfast If You….Will Have A Late Lunch Slow-digesting fiber and protein are your best friends when you want to quash stomach rumblings. Shoot for 7 to 10 grams of fiber and 15 to 20 grams of protein, which can deliciously be reached with a pseudo-parfait of a cup of fat-free or low-fat Greek yogurt, a serving of high-fiber cereal (look for those that pack at least five grams per serving), and fresh or frozen blueberries.

The Best Breakfast If You….Can’t Stomach A Lot Of Food The last thing you want is something that sits like a rock in your gut, so an easy-to-digest smoothie is the way to go. Keep it healthy by blending frozen fruit and milk or a non-dairy alternative.

Or buy a bottled one that contains less than 30 grams of sugar per serving and protein to slow the rate at which your body absorbs that sugar and keep you fuller longer. Either way, sip slowly through the morning for a dose of important vitamins and minerals.

The Best Breakfast If You….Are On The Go If you are too busy to prepare break-

fast in the morning, prepare the night before. Either a sandwich or something you can throw in the microwave.

Now keep in mind that these tips are effective on their own, but combining this with healthy habits is where change really comes. Let me give you some examples.

Get More Sleep Believe it or not, sleeping, dieting and training are equally important when it comes to sculpting a set of abs. No matter how many calories you cut or miles you log, it won’t get you anywhere near your goal unless you’re also getting enough sleep. In fact, losing a mere hour of shut-eye over the course of three days has been shown to negatively impact the body’s hunger hormone, ghrelin, increasing the number of calories you’re bound to consume each day.

Quit Beer When you down a drink, be it beer, wine or liquor, your body has to break down the alcohol before it can process all the other food in your system. This slows down the metabolic process.

What’s more, research suggests that consuming just half a drink can significantly increase appetite and the number of calories you subsequently consume, even if you still feel stone-cold sober. The bottom line: Ditch the booze.

Go Heavy Despite what you may have heard, lifting heavy, challenging weights won’t make you bulky. It will, however, challenge your muscles, increase metabolism, and help you stay lean for life. Fitness experts agree that lifting heavy can help you get great abs. If you’re doing more than ten reps with ease, your weight probably isn’t heavy enough, so vary your reps and consistently increase the amount you’re lifting, Good luck out there.

Believe it or not, sleeping, dieting and training are equally important when it comes to sculpting a set of abs. No matter how many calories you cut or miles you log, it won’t get you anywhere near your goal unless you’re also getting enough sleep.

In fact, losing a mere hour of shut-eye over the course of three days has been shown to negatively impact the body’s hunger hormone, ghrelin, increasing the number of calories you’re bound to consume each day

JUNE 25, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

41

FASHION FILE

Sammies Couture 2016 Collection

“Cravings”

42

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

FASHION FILE

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

Sammies Couture 2016

T

he collection was inspired by a man who has obtained a great deal of sustenance by keeping himself powerfully desirable by women,but he guarded himself vigilantly against the addiction,fearful of becoming fodder for that feminine allure which is so paradoxically generous to those who take from it and so cruel to those who give,The Cravings collection basically is all about menswear sophistication for a man thus making him irresistible.

Creative Director: Peters Samuel IG: Sammiescouture Stylist: Thestyleinfidel Photographer: Emmanuel Onyeleke Models:Bolu Olaitan,Ric Hassani,VectorThaViper MakeUp:Phronesys Signature s

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUNE 25, 2016

WITH

MARKET PLACE

OMOLABAKE FASHOGBON 08033621009

L-R: Consul General of Switzerland, Mr. Yves Nicolet; Special Adviser to the president on Diaspora Matters, Mrs. Abike Dabiri Erewa; President, Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. (Mrs.) Nike Akande; Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Corporation, Lagos State, Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye;and Head of Trade / Economics, European Union to Nigeria and west Africa, Mr. Fillippo Amato, during the LCCI dialogue session on Nigeria International Trade Relations in Lagos recently

L-R: Specialist, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Michael Nwoseh; Dean, Student Affairs, ABU , Prof. M.S Shehu; Winner of Cliqfest star prize, a Hyundai i10, Josiah Blessing; Manager, Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Debo Agun and staff Officer, ABU, Nasir Bambale presenting car keys to the winner during Cliqfest campus tour of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria recently

LAPO Signs Pact with NABTEB to Empower Youths Fast growing micro finance bank, Lift Above Poverty Organisation, (LAPO), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Business for Technical Examination Board (NABETB), with the aim of offering entrepreneurial skills to Nigerian youths across 28 states of the country.

Head of Sustainability, LAPO, Brandy Stevens-Igbe explained that the firm’s partnership with the national examination body was to ensure that trainees got

approved certificate from NABTEB , which would further boost their confidence and make them acceptable to both local and international firms.

“We strive to be unique. Even if the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) certifies the trainees because they have passed their exam, NABTEB will also certify them so that they can be marketable locally and internationally”, Igbe said.

Shedding more light on the scheme, Igbe

NIMASA to Automate Payment Process

Indomie Belle Full Launches in the Market

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has concluded plans to automate its payment collection process for a more efficient and transparent system.

According to the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the switch was in line with the restructuring programme in the agency, which would also eliminate revenue leakages.

By this development, issues of payment evasion by shipping firms and other acts of financial infractions would be addressed.

“We are automating our payment platform in line with our strategic growth plan to ensure greater efficiency in the payment process. The new process will be integrated with similar platforms of sister Agencies in order to correctly ascertain levies chargeable per freight and eliminate the bottlenecks currently being experienced”, the DG said.

The DG while addressing representatives of major shipping companies operating in Nigeria under the auspices of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) in his office recently, also stated that the agency was working tirelessly to check the activities of pirate and other criminal acts on the waterways.

While he hinted that the Federal Government would soon launch a high capacity satellite system with a view of fighting crime. He called for the support of shipping companies to support the agency’s capacity building programme by providing sea time experience for cadets sponsored under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).

Joining the list of Indomie Noodles variants in the market is the new Indomie Bellefull Chicken flavour that caters specifically for family needs.

Unveiling the new product, Head of Marketing, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Girish Sharma, said the latest was borne out of the need to serve family and to meet the demands of varying consumer classes in the market.

Sharma added that the new variant is made from the best quality wheat which will immediately boost energy after consumption.

He noted that the firm, conscious of the ever changing taste of consumers was responding to the changes through different stock keeping unit, SKU and flavours being rolled out in the market place.

Public Relations and Events Manager of the firm, Tope Ashiwaju, pointed out that “the new SKU will cater to not

disclosed that 60 beneficiaries from Edo and Lagos states were currently undergoing a six-month training at the National Directorate of Employment and the Women Development Centres in Edo and Lagos states ,after which 50 more trainees also from Benin and Lagos would start theirs.

The scheme which the firm promised would go round 28 states of the country is aimed at getting a reasonable number of young people out of the streets and

just the taste but also the pocket of all consumer class in the market. No doubt, the launch of Indomie Bellefull is a feat no other noodle company in the Africa can lay claim to, as Dufil Prima Foods can now be said to have effectively taken the centre stage in the global culinary landscape”.

Also at the launch, Vice-President (South), Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Dr. Bartholomew Brai, recommended the products for all and sundry adding that it had the endorsement of the society which certified it fit for consumption as a wholesome and nutritious meal.

The event also saw winners in the just concluded Indomie Bellefull Comedy contest rewarded with cash prizes. The overall winner received a cash prize of N1 million, while five other runners-up received a N100,000 cash prize each and a year supply of Indomie instant noodles

PayPorte is the E-commerce Firm of the Year Leading online shopping site, PayPorte, has been adjudged the e-commerce firm of the year at a recently held Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Cashless Card Expo 2016.

Amidst other market players, the firm was picked for its fair product pricing and quality, as well as effective corporate social responsibility campaigns.

Speaking on this feat, Chief Executive Officer of the Firm, Eyo Bassey , vowed to keep the flag flying high.

“To be awarded the e-commerce company of the year amidst other market players is an honour which would not be taken for granted. We will always ensure we maintain and sustain the standard, while keeping our customers happy all the time”, he said.

He stated that to remain sustainable in the industry, cash on delivery was not a sustainable approach and that

the company was doing everything possible to ensure various payment options were made available to its customers.

The coordinator of the event, Lilian Ekwedike-Ranganath, expressed satisfaction with the numbers of vote secured by the company that fetched the award, this she attributed to the value offered to customers.

“Payporte.com is your preferred online store where you can find the highest quality products, ranging from fashion wears, accessories, shoes, electronics, smart phones, perfumes, home appliances, etc for the best prices.

We pride ourselves in our timely delivery, innovative services, highly skilled and friendly customer care representatives and we deliver to your doorstep”, she declared.

getting them employed.

Upon completion of the training, Igbe stated that trainees would be assisted with a loan ranging from N50, 000 to N200, 000 with an interest rate of 2.5 per cent, payable within 24 months to enable them launch out their personal businesses.

The scheme will afford beneficiaries opportunity to acquire various skills in hairdressing, Information and Communication Technology and catering among others.

Etisalat Engages ABU Students with Cliqfest Innovative and youth-centric telecommunications company, Etisalat Nigeria, has for the second time, connected with the students of Ahmadu Bello University with its youth engagement programme, Cliqfest.

The programme, themed: “Activate your Dreams” lasted for two days and offered students the opportunity to receive motivation talks and entertainment with a fusion of football, music performance, raffle draws and gifts presentation.

On the first day of the two-part programme, motivational speaker and life coach, Niyi Adesanya, charged students to be positive about life and to go on to fulfil their potentials.

The second day of Cliqfest witnessed a novelty match, musical concert, dance and rap competitions, and a raffle draw that provided opportunity for the students to relax, socialise and win various gifts.

The Manager of Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Debo Agun, expressed joy at the warm reception accorded the Cliqfest team by the school management and students. “We consider ABU home.

Beyond bringing Cliqfest here, the Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Postgraduate Programme (ETEPP), the first-of-kind telecommunications engineering course in the country, is located in ABU as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives which are built on three pillars: Education, Health and Environment” he said.

One of the high points of the event was the emergence of Blessing Josiah, a 200-level female student of Business Administration as the star prize winner of a brand new Hyundai i10 car after her participation in a raffle draw. Several other students also received fantastic prizes such as mobile phones and laptops courtesy of Tecno Mobile.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

MEMOIRS Ashafa Ajibola Erogbogbo

What I’ll Tell God If I See Him “I am not afraid of death” he simply tells you. And also believes if he dies today, he is going to heaven. Then he quickly reminds you that even on earth “I am in paradise because as a being, what your paradise will look like you will know when you are on earth.” Without doubt, his life is a lesson in contentment and godliness. Alhaji Ashafa Ajibola Erogbogbo was born on May 28th, 1926. He is 90 years old. He is principled, courageos and jolly good fellow, whose penchant for quality education has impacted generations. He is not only integrity personified but also imbued with sterling qualities such as honesty, fairness, empathy and justice with a sense of humour that is second to none. Though he has weathered many storms in life, a retrospective glance reveals one or two regrets.

If there is anything that gives him satisfaction, it is children who have made him proud in their various endeavours.

He tells Funke Olaode about his life and view of death

I

Borno in Ikorodu

was born on Friday, May 28, 1926, in Ikorodu to Alhaji Sulaiman Erogbogbo of Adegorusen Compound, Ita Agbodo via Ajina Square, Ikorodu and Alhaja Alimotu Erogbogbo (nee Bello Solebo of Ita-Elewa Square). Ikorodu, Lagos State of blessed memory. My mother had only three children and I am the eldest of them. We had a girl in-between. They are all dead. I am the only one alive. By the time I was born my father was a tailor and my mother was a trader.

She was a dealer with GBO, SOA in Lagos.

She was trading in Nigerian goods such as tobacco, cottons, cigarette and miscellaneous goods. My mother also plied her trade in Mushin and Agege markets every five days.

She was more or less the local Kingsway in Ishaga Town because when people wanted to celebrate they used to come to my mother to buy cartons of biscuit, cigarettes, sweets and soft drinks. I grew up at Ishaga town in the present Oshodi/Isolo local government area. She was also a hair dresser because after displaying her wares by 12 noon she would begin to plait hair for her clients. She was such a hard-working woman.

My mother made me who I am

Alhaji Erogbogbo...recently

I grew up under the tutelage of an enterprising mother who would not spare the rod and spoil the child. She was a disciplinarian.

I remember at the age 10 in 1936, I wanted to ride a bicycle then called “Inarobo”. She was sitting in the living room with my father and the senior wife when I requested for a shilling. She simply drove me away. Then she had some petty cash on her bed in the room. I wanted to take the requested shilling when she saw me and started shouting “Ashafa ole!” “Ashafa ole!” She could pamper me as the only surviving child of her mother but she would not. I was told her mother had 11 children and she was number 10 and the only survivor. I jumped out of the house and ran to my maternal grandmother’s house which was about 200 meters to report how her daughter (my mother) had embarrassed me. My grandmother was very annoyed and gave me the money to go and ride the bicycle. By the time I came back around 4 ‘0 clock in the evening, she (my grandmother) had prepared meal for me with fresh fish, I ate and was satisfied. When it was getting dark I was contemplating going back to my father’s house because my grandmother kept a whole room for idols. I was afraid of these idols and couldn’t sleep there. So I went to my father’s house at Ajina compound in Ikorodu to sleep. The following morning I explained to my father the harsh treatment meted to me by my mother.

Of course, my father pleaded with me and asked me not to be annoyed that my mother wanted me to be disciplined and wise. Honestly, I am enjoying the discipline till today.

Wherever I worked, I used to remember the discipline inculcated in me by my mother who was very hard-working, honest, and

hated anything that is unfair. She believed in equity, justice and fairness. How can I forget this woman who made me a landlord when my hope was nearly dashed? She gave me a piece of land and also gave me money when the person I gave 800 pounds to purchase iron doors for my property at Surulere ran away. I was so frustrated that I nearly abandoned the project. But she came to visit me where I was staying in Ikeja then, pleaded and encouraged me. She gave me more money to start the building again. I would never forget this woman because she made me what I am today. She was a generous and caring woman

I saw electricity for the first time in 1937 There was no electricity when I was growing in Ishaga. I saw electricity for the first time when I visited my eldest brother who was living on Lagos Island in 1937 when I was 11 years old. When I came back to Ishaga, I told my people my experience that the people in Lagos got their lights by scratching the wall.

I was a cool child

I was a cool and obedient child. My father was a disciplinarian who would not want me to join my colleagues who were playing draft and ludo. He told us it was something forbidden. I didn’t go near it until when I grew up and realised that there was nothing attached to it, that he just wanted to discipline me. Today, I owe him to the way he had brought me up.

My childhood dream was to be a customs officer I had my primary education at AnsarUd-Deen School, Lagos from 1938-1942 and completed my secondary education at Eko Boys’ High School, Lagos from 1943 to 1949.

I later secured Cambridge School Leaving Certificate in 1949. While in school, I was a senior prefect and chairman of the Senior Literary/Debating Society of the school in the same year. My childhood aspiration was to become a customs officer because my eldest brother with whom I was staying was working along Balogun Street. When I went to pick his lunch box in the evening, I used to see customs officers in uniform riding bicycles or walking along Balogun Street. I was fascinated by their uniform.

When I was leaving Eko Boys’ High School in 1949, labour officers came to interview us and when they asked me where I would like to work, I said I would like to be a customs officer. In January 1950, I secured appointment with government Printing Press, Broad Street, Lagos as compositor. By November 1951, I went on departmental transfer to department of customs and Excise as a customs officer. I realised that ambition but it was short-lived because I only spent three years. By the end of May 1954, I resigned my appointment and joined Shell Company of Nigeria Limited as Shell

45

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

MEMOIRS Secret of my Longevity? - I Don’t Drink, I Don’t Womanise...

Alhaji and Alhaja Ashafa Erogbogbo during their courtship in the early 40’s

Cont’d from Pg. 44

Alhaji and Alhaja Ashafa Erogbogbo during his 90th birthday...recently

Aviation Supervisor at a junior staff level. Between 1954 and 1963, I rose through the ranks and got promoted to senior staff level in Kaduna as Sales Representatives in November 1963. In April 1964, I was transferred to Benin in Edo State on promotion and served as District Manager covering Edo, Delta, Burutu, and Escravos in the riverine areas. I was transferred to Lagos in September 1966 and assumed duty at the Lagos International Airport, Ikeja, as Shell Aviation Superintendent, preparatory for promotion as Aviation Manager at the company’s head office in Marina, Lagos. For this purpose, I attended Shell BP Aviation Service Seminar at Nairobi, Kenya in September 1967. The seminar was organised for Shell BP organisations in Africa including Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Ethiopia, Ghana and Nigeria, among others. I represented Nigeria. I worked as Aviation Superintendent at the Muritala Muhammed Internationla Airport, Ikeja, Lagos until August 1968 when I retired and opted for private business. I had a wonderful time in Shell. My career was fulfilling because I joined as a junior staff and by dint of hard work, dedication and commitment to duty, I rose through the ranks to become the District Manager in Benin from 1964 to 1966.

Becoming my own boss

After leaving Shell in 1968, I floated a company under a trade name Yomi Mercantile Company. I made up my mind at age 42 to go into private business. I remember while I was in secondary school I had developed interest in importing goods. Under this company I was importing second hand goods from Hamburg in Germany. I visited Athens in Greece. The business yielded good results at a time. I did it for a while until the business was no longer profitable. I quit and retired into private life by diversifying into real estate for commercial purposes. Eventually, I have settled in my home town in Ikorodu.

My best moment

My best moment was May 25th, 1952, when I got married to my wife, Shadia Abeke Erogbogbo from Alamutu family of Abeokuta in Ogun State. I found her very interesting, I dated her for about two years before she agreed to be my wife. I was happy the day she said yes to my marriage proposal. I met my wife at a funfair at Ansar-Ud-Deen School, Alakoro, Lagos. I had never met her before. When she was leaving the place I was trailing her. I tried to call her but she did not even bother to answer me. I followed her as far as Idumota bus stop she just entered the bus and went away. My friend who accompanied me to the funfair was not happy that I was wasting my time running after a girl.

He was making fun of me that I should have allowed a bus to crush me because of a girl. I didn’t even know that my wife was a teacher at that time. Fortunately for me, she made enquiry from two of her students and they talked glowingly about me as a good man. She later wrote a letter to me.

That was how the relationship started and led to marriage in 1952. We have been married for 64 years and I have no regrets. The union has produced promising children who have contributed and are still contributing immensely to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

My saddest moment

The saddest moment of my life was the day I lost my junior brother, Rasheed Erogbogbo. He was in Britain for 21 years and we left no stone unturned to bring him back to Lagos. And after spending seven years in Nigeria

Alhaji Erogbogbo’s children: 2nd left (Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa)

he died through a road accident. I was very sad. He had four children at that time and I also had four children who were his children’s contemporaries. I was wondering how I was going to cope with the responsibility of caring for eight children. But the gracious God helped me and all the eight children and others that I had later are big people today. My eldest child is Mrs. Kofo Kassim who retired as an accountant under Lagos State government, Mr. Omar Abayomi Erogbogbo is a businessman, Rotimi is based in United States and one of his sons (my grandson) Folarin Ashafa Erogbogbo is now a professor. He came for my 90th birthday and his junior brother is also an engineer. Mrs. Ajoke Gbeleyi, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Mrs. Mojisola Dewunmi-Williams, Mr. Olushola Erogbogbo, Ms. Yetunde Erogbogbo and Barr. Folake Erogbogbo. I have numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

My quiet moment

What goes through my mind at all times is the fear of God. I usually wonder about people who commit atrocities because they don’t believe that God exists. This worries me.

I am also worried about looters who looted government treasury and render Nigeria poor. I believe they don’t have the fear of God and eventually they will regret their actions.

Life has been fair to me

Reflecting on my 90 years of existence, I would say providence has been very fair to me. Although I have weathered many storms of life, but at the end of the day I am happy that I came out triumphant. And my secret of longevity? I don’t

think I have any. Being active, agile with my faculty intact is by the grace of God. Again, I have my own adopted rules: I live a very simple life. I don’t drink, I don’t womanise, and I am a Muslim who is committed to five times daily prayers.

I am not afraid of death

If I die today, there is no doubt I know I will go to paradise because I have adhered to the tenets of God. I can even tell you now that I am in paradise because as a being, what your paradise will look like you will know when you are on earth. Paradise means comfort while the hell is a Greek word meaning punishment. So it is what you do on earth that will determine where you will go. And if there were to be another world, I would still choose the same family lineage, I would like to repeat what I have done in life. But if it is possible to see God I would tell Him I am not going back to earth again because I have seen enough. There are many wicked people in this world.

I am fulfilled

I don’t think anybody’s aspirations can be fulfilled hundred per cent. I thank God for what He has done for me.

I am quite satisfied for what I have achieved thus far. I have wonderful children and at 90 I am still alive in good health.

Nevertheless, one still has one or two regrets. I believe a life without any ups and downs can’t appreciate the worth or mightiness of God. If one’s life is all rosy you won’t be wise as bad sides of life make you wise. And if you are optimistic you will know that there will be light at the end of a dark tunnel.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUNE 25, 2016

POLITY

As Randy Lecturers Go To Jail...

Soyombo Opeyemi “But let me use this medium to warn all randy members of ASUU that a day of reckoning will come. There will ‘arise’ a government (official) with a set mind to purge our campuses of all debased dons who have turned them into sex-for-marks institutions and victimize students for refusing to satisfy their lascivious thoughts. Apart from being dismissed with ignominy, they will be tried and sent to various jail terms.”

T

he above extract is from my three-part discourse titled, “ASUU: Time for Selfexamination”, published in the Daily Independent between June and July, 2009.

Apart from the Constitution Amendment Bill, the yearly Appropriation Bill and Petroleum Industry Bill, I do not immediately recall any other bill that is fundamental to the future of this country as the Sexual Harassment Bill, sponsored by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege and 46 others.

The Bill prohibits any form of sexual relationship between lecturers and their students and prescribes jail term of up to five years but not less than two years with no option of fine for lecturers who engage in sexual relationship with students.

According to Senator Omo-Agege, the Bill, among others, “makes it a criminal offence for any educator in a university, polytechnic or any other tertiary educational institution to violate or exploit the student-lecturer fiduciary relationship for sexual pleasures; vice chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics and other chief executives of institutions of higher learning will go to jail for two years if they fail to act within a week on complaints of sexual harassment made by students; the Bill expressly allows sexually harassed students, their parents or guardians to seek civil remedies in damages against sexual predator lecturers before or after their successful criminal prosecution by the State.”

A respected colleague of mine in 2014 went to the University of Lagos to visit a friend. As he walked along the corridor, a young female student emerged from a lecturer’s office and he overheard her complaining (in Yoruba) to her female colleagues waiting by the door of the don: “This lecturer is fond of pressing /fondling one’s breasts!” It is that bad. Nigerians should therefore not be stunned by the ‘confrontation’ between the Academic

Senator Omo-Agege

Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and National Female Students Association of Nigeria during the Senate Public Hearing on Monday, June 20, 2016 and the dire picture in the submission of the female union.

The National President of the female student association, Comrade Idongesit Micah, said: “Let me be very clear on our position on this bill. This is a bill that must be passed into law. It is either we enact this law to send sexual predator lecturers to prison for correction according to law under the fine democratic tenets of the rule of law or we provoke helpless parents, husbands, or guardians to, some day, pick a loaded gun and deal with this problem in a barbaric manner. Therefore, we passionately urge the Senate to ensure that it does not by inaction impose the Hobbesian state of nature of a banana republic on victims of sexual harassment in our tertiary institutions and their relatives by provoking them to fight for themselves by all means possible, including outside the law!”

No warning could be more foreboding; a stitch in time saves nine!

In every chance discussion since the current Bill became public knowledge, almost everyone has one sorry story to tell, either about themselves, their friends, family members or acquaintances across the nation’s campuses. We are here not talking about some bad eggs, the usual escapist argument. All the eggs are bad except a few! And it is our responsibility to

encourage those few dons that are nurturing a great future for Nigeria. This Bill, in a way, should boost the morale of such conscientious teachers.

Although things degenerate everyday, the situation in our higher institutions of learning today is not substantially different from what it was in 2009: Lecturers in Nigeria have turned our campuses into individual fiefdoms where they reign and rule; they have become gods that must be appeased by our youths.

Lecturers enjoy near absolute freedom which you don’t find in other workplaces.

I have a friend at the University of Ibadan. She’s chaste, hardworking and cerebrally endowed. She’s been on her Master’s programme for over three years now. The supervisor is always on the road or in the air and always too busy.

“What does the professor supervisor want? Money, gift or what?” I asked.

“Friendship!”

“But she knows you’re married?”

“Marriage! If you’re a spinster, they say that’s good, if you’re married, they say that’s better, and if you’re pregnant, then you are in the best condition!”

“So the situation has sunk such deep?”

“Some of them even tell female students to meet them in hotels, which the students must pay for… but it happens on all campuses.”

“But why don’t you report or get another supervisor?”

“You can’t be sure my brother, these people have a clique… And if you report, who are the people to sit in judgement?

Their colleagues! So, I’m not bothered again because my hands are engaged anyway...”

I have heard ASUU members argue, again and again, that no good student can be successfully victimized. It’s the most infantile argument I’ve ever heard (in the same mould as the current argument by ASUU that the Sexual Harassment Bill violates university autonomy – as if the police require any sanction of a varsity to investigate a crime or arrest a criminal within that university system!); in fact, scandalous because this is coming from university dons. Students are not equally endowed. There are A students as well as B, C and Ds. While it may, theoretically, be difficult to successfully victimize an A or B candidate, it is pretty easier to victimize a C or D student. Are the average students therefore not at the mercy of prurient lecturers? And what percentage of our varsity’s students are in A or B category?

Certainly, a tiny percentage. But the reality on our campuses is that no student is

immune from victimisation. We’ve had cases where sadistic lecturers removed some pages of answer booklets and later blamed the candidates for the offence.

Even an A student may be weak in a particular course and hence could only get a D. Can such a student not be victimized easily in the said course? The dissolute teachers have however become wiser; they fail you through their proxies so you may not lay any blame at their doorsteps.

The conditions on campuses are clearly weighed against the (female) students.

The argument by ASUU that the Bill is discriminatory because sexual harassment is not peculiar to tertiary institutions is equally not sustainable. In those other instances or places where you have this crime committed, they are generally among adults and fiduciary relationship is virtually non-existent. But on our campuses, our children are ranged against maurading fathers who hold the power to determine who or who does not graduate and when.

The government puts these students in your care and pays you to teach them to become great asset to the country but you abuse them and turn them into liabilities to the society.

Of course, I am very much aware of provocative dressing by some students. But if students lose their common sense, must their lecturers also lose their sense of value?

Indecent dressing or not, once these randy dons set their eyes on certain students, they take ‘No’ for an answer and if you dare them, they or their licentious colleagues fire you with Ds, Es and Fs. That is the cult system higher education has been reduced to in the country. Having hit a stone wall, the students succumb and go in with their fathers’ mates in order to graduate at the right time.

I recall the authorities of the University of Lagos approved a dress code for their students over a decade ago... I was once told of a disciplinarian lecturer at UI who would not condone indecent dressing.

Students (male and female) dressed well for his classes. Such a code could be revived in all tertiary institutions of learning because we are concerned with “learning” and “character”. Students must dress responsibly. They should conduct themselves as the pride of the nation, the reason for our hope in the future.

I have no doubt the Bill will be passed by the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari, the change agent, will sign it into law.

–Soyombo, a public affairs commentator, sent this piece via densityshow@yahoo.com

South East Caucus Seek End to ‘Onslaught against Region’ John Iwori

T

he South East Caucus of the House of Representatives has expressed dismay over the onslaught of the President Mohammadu Buhari’s led Federal Government against the people of the South East geo-political zone.

The legislators said it watching with keen interest the latest of the serial onslaughts against the person and office of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

The Deputy Minority Leader and Caucus Leader for the South East Caucus, in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema in a statement at the weekend said the latest onslaught is being carried out through what he called “trumped-up forgery charges” already before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.

According to the statement which was

made available to THISDAY, from what we have read from the newspapers and other media outlets, the charges being preferred against Senator Ike Ekweremadu in particular and others in general are charges that cannot be sustained in a competent court of law. This, no doubt, leaves us with the strong impression that the Federal Government and its agents within the APC are hell-bent on removing Senator Ekweremadu and thereby shut out the South East from the substantive positions of the Federal Government at all cost.

Onyema stated that the caucus was aware that it was a settled matter in law that unless there is an infraction on the constitution, the executive arm and its agencies have no right whatsoever to interfere in the internal affair of the National Assembly.

He argued that assuming, but without conceding, that there was indeed a case of forgery of the senate standing rules, it is the duty of the Senate as an institution to

investigate and make remedies as may be necessary.

“It is not for the executive to intrude into the business of a separate arm of government to carry out a coup. To this end, we are therefore calling on all well-meaning Northern elders, federal legislators, and the international community to rise up in the defence of our nascent democracy.

There is currently no one of South East origin in President Muhammadu Buhari’s ‘kitchen cabinet’, and the distribution of other appointments such as ministerial appointments leaves no one in doubt that this government has an incurable resentment for Ndigbo”, he said.

According to him, as a group, we will do everything that is lawful and within our powers to ensure that this only substantive position occupied by the South East in this administration through the support of senators from all parts of the country, is protected.

We warn this government to stop this

divisiveness, marginalization, exclusion, and palpable resentment for the good people of the South East. Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution is clear on the fact that a citizen of Nigeria shall not be discriminated against on grounds of ethnicity, places of origin, sex, religions, and political opinions.

Onyema maintained that the people of the South East, being part of this country, are entitled to the blessings of democracy, their political affiliation and voting patterns notwithstanding.

“We demand that the Federal Government should stop forthwith all plots to unseat the Deputy President of the Senate and all treatments that present the people of South East as lesser Nigerians. If anything, this All Progressives Congress administration should apply the raw political will and brutal tendencies of its security agencies towards ridding the region of marauding herdsmen who kill, rape, rob, and maim with impunity and still get away with it”, he added.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

POLITY

Amaechi, Ladol and the Maritime Crisis Tarila Benson

T

he lingering crisis in the maritime sector appears to be heading towards a resolution. Going by an online publication, www.maritimematters.com.ng, the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, seems resolved to bring this crisis to a close.

In a memo he was said to have written to President Mohamadu Buhari, according to the online publication, Amaechi was emphatic that it was time for the maritime industry to move forward. Amaechi’s letter dwelt on the designation of ports terminals and classification of cargoes which followed the concession of the ports in 2006.

To get the President to appreciate the position his ministry has taken on the issue, Amaechi took Buhari through a concise history of the ports concession. He told the president that “the reform was aimed at reducing the cost of port services, increase efficiency in port operation, freeing government from costs of developing or managing port operations and improve revenue to the government” The Honourable Minister added that, soon after the commencement of the port concession exercise, some concessionaires and even private jetties started diverting vessels laden with oil and gas related cargoes to non-oil and gas terminals and jetties instead of those designated to handle these cargoes.

The stakeholders meeting he therefore called on 22nd February 2016 was to address this oil and gas cargo dispute and classification of terminals’ question.

It is important however to state that President Olusegun Obasanjo, the architect of the port concession and his successor, Umaru Musa Yardua tried to resolve these issues but the disputes persisted essentially because both the port operators and government agencies, including NPA and the Ministry of Transport, remained incalcitrant as Presidential directives were consistently violated.

However Yardua’s successor, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan gave what many consider a clear and final directive on the oil and gas cargo controversial issue. Precisely, on April, 27th 2015, NPA sent a directive from the president to all terminal operators and shipping companies. The directive stated in clear terms that all oil and gas related cargoes must berth at the designated terminals in Onne, Warri and Calabar.

The directive also ordered LADOL Integrated Logistics Base, to move its fabrication yard to Agge in Bayelsa State. Many of the concessionaires led by LADOL have since challenged Jonathan’s directive in different courts and the cases are still pending in these courts.

This was the situation Amaechi met on ground on his appointment. The Honourable Minister frowned at this back and forth movement and flip-flop of presidential directives and decided to tackle the oil and gas cargo demon once and for all.

In the said memo to the President therefore, Amaechi, explained to the President, how he came into the oil and gas fray. According to him, “Messrs Julius Berger protested the categorization of the terminals by BPE which led to my convening of stakeholders meeting on 22nd February, 2016 and 21st – 22nd March 2016”. He explained that his ministry, “after analyzing the submissions of the various stakeholders, decided to respect the last presidential approval dated 19th April, 2015 and all relevant government directives on the categorization of the terminal”. The minister adds that the Presidential approval states that “all oil and gas related cargoes must be handled only at the designated terminals as in the letter of BPE”.

The meeting however took a different dimension according to the Honourable Minister, when LADOL, a company that has refused bluntly to obey a presidential directive to move its fabrication yard to Agge in Bayelsa State, made an appeal to him to rescind the last Presidential approval made 19th April 2015 and to replace it with an earlier approval made by the then president, dated 4th August, 2008. According to Amaechi, in the process of making their case, “LADOL exhibited a correspondence between the Presidency and the Ministry which were by right, Top Secret

Amaechi communications with Mr President’s handwritten directives”.

The Rivers state born Honourable Minister of Transportation received further shock from LADOL when he instructed the Permanent Secretary in his ministry to write the logistics and fabrication company to explain how they penetrated government confidential files to obtain a Top Secret paper. As he put it in his letter, he soon discovered that the Top Secret memo had been “exhibited in the bundle of documents they have filed in court against the government”.

What seemed to unnerve Amaechi the most however, according to his memo to Buhari, was the discovery that LADOL had allegedly been using forged documents to further its business interests at the ports. In his epistle he stated, “…….. it came out at the meeting that LADOL had in fact circulated a forged gazette falsely claiming that the then Honourable Minister of Transport had approved the designation of LADOL Free Zone as a deep Offshore Logistics Base, and was thus allowed to receive two ocean going ships per week”.

But the minister’s detailed investigation put the lie to LADOL’s claim. This is how he put it. “Upon enquiry at the Federal Ministry of Justice, it was discovered that the gazette was a forgery”.

The minister stated that the revelations at the stakeholders meetings and his findings left his ministry with no choice but to take the position “to rely on the last Presidential Approval in order to put an end to the issue of stakeholders petitioning each incoming Administration, such that the President would overturn the approval given by his predecessor on the same issues giving rise to an unending series of policy summersaults in this very critical sector of the economy”.

The firm position the ministry has taken on this designation of the ports, the minister lamented in his memo, has resulted in a threat to his person.

Yet, the minister’s worries transcend LADOL’s alleged forgery and pilfering of government files or even threat to his person.

He is worried about the huge revenues which the government is losing as a result of the indiscriminate berthing of oil and gas cargoes and much more worried by the inconsistency of NPA which ordinarily should be the arrowhead in the quest to increase government’s revenue drive at the ports by putting an end to the diversion of oil and gas cargoes to other commercial ports. Instead NPA wrote the Ministry a letter which he said “seems to have been precipitated under pressure as it completely contradicts its earlier position on the issue”. His suspicion of foul-play and NPA’s contradiction of itself as he put it in his said memo to Buhari, arose from the fact that “…… at the instance of NPA, BPE had forwarded a certified true copy of the terminals categorisation to the Ministry, reaffirming that the categorisation is without prejudice to the Concession Agreements”.

Read full article online: www.thisdaylive.com

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SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016 T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

49

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

‘Invitees’ or ‘Guests’?

“T

his is not the first time this type of incidence is unfolding in the country.”

Incident (not incidence) in this instance “Thus, one could say and rightly, of course, that both shareholders would be held to ransome should there be any.…”

Get it right: ransom. “...fitting into the above description now and parting with between 15,000 to 50, 000 for one year simply to get a degree?”

‘Between’ goes with ’and’; not ‘to’.

“For reasons best known to invitees.…”

As a word, ‘Invitees’ is unacceptable to standard etymology. Use ‘guests’.

“The Beijing conference was a real talking shop.” ‘Talking shop’ means that the ‘shop talks’! Therefore, talkshop “…the advantages of capitalism should be taken to shore-up and advance the cause of communism.” ‘Shore up, a phrasal verb, does not require a hyphen. When you shore up, you do not need ‘advance’ anymore.

“The 1995 Constitutional Conferees had dented their collect image as law-makers.”

Newspaper mistakes border on collective image.

“One is, however, at a loss on how he arrived at this measure.” This is not the language of an editorial. Editorials are not personalized. So, instead of ‘one’, professionals employ ‘we’.

“A monthly women-oriented magazine will hit the newstands on Wednesday.”

Spell-check: newsstands “Teams round-up overseas trainings” Some sub-editors and reporters need regular, refresher courses. Schooling is a continuous process—in or out of classroom.

It is rounded off (not round up) which, with or without a hyphen, means another thing entirely. ‘Training’ is uncountable.

“With support from their kiths and kins….” This way: kith and kin “Customs devices strategy to check dumping” Noun: device; verb: devise. It is only the corrupt form, which does not distinguish.

“Exodus and all manners of drains…” All manner of drains “Nothing, but thank God for restoring sanity into our banking industry. “Restoration’ goes with ‘to’; not ‘into’ “If it had occured in one sector of our national life.…” This way: occurred “Consequently, security around key government officials have been strengthened in India….” Security has.…

“Angry gods want N5m ransome” I shall begin to demand ransom from sub-editors!

“We cannot afford to have mediocres and arch-tribalists hovering around the Presidency.” (THISDAY, June 20) It is either ‘mediocrities’ or ‘mediocrists’. ‘Mediocre’ means adjectival quality—it does not represent any personality.

“Forget that the activities of this Agency is being.…” (Source: as above) ‘Activities… is’? An example of slipshod writing “In conclusion, it’s my ardent hope and believe that the present panel….” (Source: as above) Noun: belief; verb: believe. So, choose the conclusive one.

“I agree with Babatope that the consensus of opinion at the meeting….” (Still from THISDAY under review) Simply, the consensus at the meeting “The adults are also not immuned (immune) from the health implications of nicotine addiction….” (Source: as above)

“Studies all over the world has proved beyond any doubt that …” (Source: as above) Studies…have (not has). What is going on dear colleagues?

“We are living witnesses to the efforts.…”

Critical thinking: the dead cannot witness. We should begin to question some Elizabethan expressions if we are to remain relevant to modern communication. Fixed impressions must give way to rationalization.

“This is because the failure of our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd republics were because the political class did not have the spirit of give and take.” The failure…was (not were) Let us avoid medieval English. By the way, the use of ‘because’ on two occasions is inelegant.

“Importation of second-hand vehicles reduce” Importation… reduces.

“But recent happenings on the national scene which frightfully seem to trade the same old….” In place of ‘trade’, put ‘tread’.

“THISDAY checks reveal that the BPE is expected to meet by month end…” Get it right: month’s end or month-end: little checks that matter.

“Nigeria’s chances of getting its candidate…is threatened.…” Certainly, our chances are…not ‘is’ “The Apapa residence of the late Ambassador…was a beehive of activities yesterday….” A hive (of activity) “Despite spirited efforts by these organizations, their output hardly make any appreciable impact.” (THISDAY, June 21) Their output hardly makes (not make)….

“If signals emanating from the Persian Gulf is anything to go by.…” If signals…are (agreement) “…there was still some apprehension that restoration of service would take

BY

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

sometime.” There is a world of distinction between ‘sometime’ and ‘some time’.

“The day a satisfactory answer can be provided for this question will be the beginning of a permanent solution to the embarrassing reoccurrence of fuel shortages in Nigeria. Get it right: recurrence.

“But majority of the Press it will seem.…”

This way: a majority “And so it is safe to say that Nigeria’s air safety is being supervised by one of the best hands in the continent.” Safest: on the continent “He is subjected to humiliation and ridicule and atimes….” This date at times (two words) reminds one of….

“The late arrival of imported fertilizers have always been a source of worry to both government and farmers.” Let us change ‘have’ to ‘has’ in the interest of harmony.

“These lots whose bread have been buttered....” Yet, another substitution of ‘has’ for ‘have’ “But just before he could publicly raise an eyebrow.…” (THISDAY, June 21) I am beginning to raise eyebrows (not an eyebrow) on the quality of Nigerian newspapers—all of them contain juvenile errors.

“Having served under a military regime…he needs to bath in the Yorubas (sic) river for forgiveness.” (Source: as above) Noun: bath; verb: bathe.

“When we hear of people talk about glory.…” This way: hear of people talking… or hear people talk about….

“Lack of facilities threaten course accreditation at….” The verb here should be singular.

POLITY

Sigh of Relief in Auto Sector, as FG Promises to Implement Auto Policy There were palpable sighs of relief in the crowded hall at a hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, during the week, when the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah assured stakeholders in the auto industry that the Federal Government would implement the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), and not scrap it, reports Bennett Oghifo

“T

he FGN has identified the auto industry as a strategic driver of industrialisation and committed to implementing the NAIDP,” stated the minister, in his presentation, ‘NAIDP: Setting a Strategic Implementation Framework’.

The ministers’ assurance was the first commitment the auto assemblers were getting from the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, since it assumed office that it would not scrap the NAIDP instituted by the previous administration for the nation’s industrial development.

The ‘Stakeholder Forum on the Nigerian Automotive: Setting an Implementation Agenda for National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) was called by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group in Lagos, recently.

The minister, who said he was at the forum to listen to the stakeholders, urged them to take ownership of the policy so that they can provide solution on its successful implementation.

“We will like to see ownership of implementation, including ownership and resolution of the problems that will inevitably arise, by the industry’s stakeholders.”

The minister said his presence at the meeting was to give government’s political will and to partner with the auto industry stakeholders to get the implementation solutions that are needed.

Minister of Trade and Investment, OkechukwuEnelamah

The nation, he said could not afford not to have an effective auto policy because of its importance of the auto sector as a “Key component of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), aimed at diversifying the economy; and increasing the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP. Expected benefits of a vibrant auto policy, he said include: employment generation; skills/ technology acquisition; FOREX earning/savings, among others.

The NAIDP, he said was formulated to facilitate an orderly development of the auto industry but that it had suffered several implementation challenges like lack of complete buy-in by all stakeholders and the nation’s difficult macro-economic conditions.

Enalemah said there was need for complete buy-in by all stakeholders and for them to “accept where you are now, where you want to be in future and how you are going to get there. Where you are now accommodates all the mistakes of the past; all the regrets of the past. You can actually forget the things that are behind and press ahead.”

He said the macro-economy was also important and that the government had been trying to create an enabling environment because it knows that for every sector, the macro-economic environment creates the impetus for them. “If it is difficult, then it is difficult for everybody and if it helps then it helps everybody.”

The framework, he said encompassed choices to be made concerning: what the immediate to long-term goals for the auto industry are; and how activities to revive the NAIDP and coalesce stakeholders’ support should be. He said these choices must fit and reinforce one other, and should be externally consistent and reasonable in terms of market conditions, demand, among others.

He acknowledged that Nigerians were resourceful and that if they were not doing well then it was because they were operating in a difficult environment.

The implementation plan is based on the following analytical framework: the Federal Government has chosen to focus on creating an overall enabling environment; providing production incentives; agreeing and monitoring realistic output targets.

The government, he said intends to do this through continuous stakeholders’ engage-

ment; ensuring the existence of a market for serious players through tariffs, incentives, security of land borders, among others.

However, he said the government has chosen not to focus on pulicising overly ambitious output; target in the short/medium term or introducing a new auto industry plan.

The minister said he intended to encourage dialogue across diverse stakeholder groups; achieve better alignment of objectives; identify sector bottlenecks; seek/receive any additional input to NAIDP; seek/receive input to proposed implementation plan; and agree modalities for monitoring and evaluation.

NADDC… Giving statistics in his presentation, ‘The National Automotive Industry Development Plan: Current Status’, the Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Engr. Aminu Jalal, emphasised the importance of the auto industry to the growth of the nation’s GDP. Providing brief historical facts, the DG said some private companies started SKD (semi knock down) assembly in the 60s and that by early 70s and 80s, the federal government set up two car, and four light and heavy commercial vehicle assembly plants, assembling vehicles from CKD (completely knock down) parts, stating that “these were all privatised by December 2012.”

Regardless, he said the National automotive policy was re-launched in 2013 with a definite plan for implementation.

Read full article online: www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

mEdia & markEtiNg

GLO Revs Up Datamania on Campuses with New TVCs

T

he phrase “leaders of tomorrow” is oftentimes used to describe that period of human life between childhood and maturity. Another common word for this demographic segment is youth. In most parts of the world, youths account for about sixty per cent of the population.

As such, marketing, governance and innovations are targeted at the predilections, tastes, styles and peculiarities of this vital group of the demography which not only has the number but also the future with its scintillating and limitless possibilities.

This is why programmes, projects and ventures are “youthanised” to confer relevance and connect with the youth.

In short, organizations and governments can only ignore this section of the population at their peril.

For a youth-centric brand like Globacom, products and services are unapologetically targeted at the leaders of tomorrow. With a pay-off line that screams “Next Generation Network”, it is only fit and proper that the interests of youth are catered to. One of such numerous products designed for them is the “Glo Campus Booster”. It is aptly christened as it is designed primarily to give exciting bonus to students on

campuses of tertiary institutions as well as training institutions of Police, Customs and Immigration.

To say that students, lecturers, non-academic staff and visitors to the various campuses across Nigeria are enjoying the Glo Campus Booster is an understatement. In the words of 21 year old Adeola Olaleye of Bowen University, Iwo, Globacom “is da bomb when it comes to data”. The 400 level Communication Arts student is happy that Glo contributed immensely to the completion of her long essay required in partial fulfillment for the Bachelors of Arts degree. She surfed the net to access relevant information for her project.

Adeola said she got to know about Campus Booster through the television commercial produced to popularize the product. Specifically, she watched two commercials on the product namely the one that starred the “Godwin” crooner, Korede Bello, and the one that can be tagged exodus of people into a university campus because of Glo Campus Booster.

The commercial opens with a shot of an archetypal university “Gate D” with security officials and students exchanging the morning greetings.

“Morning o!”, “Morning o, my son”, “Hello, what’s up? These were some of

the phatic communication exchanged between the Chief Security Officer and those passing through the gate.

The interesting part was the nonstudents and infiltrators entering the campus to make use of the affordable data rates which gives eight times the value of recharges. As the security man settles to read his favourite newspaper, he noticed not just an usually high influx of people into the campus, but some very strange faces. He shouted, “who are these people?” In the television commercial, adults dressed as youth try to deceive the security men to enjoy Glo campus booster. Celebrated Glo brand ambassadors like Mama G spotting dreadlocks and hovercraftriding Mr. Ibu, both dressed like students, also sneaked in to enjoy the Campus Booster rate. Globacom brings this message home so succinctly under 60 seconds in a style that is unique to the telecom company.

The Korede Bello/Yvone Nelson television commercial presents an interesting scenario where a student, Korede, refused to go home in order to continue to enjoy the Glo Campus Booster.

The TVC begins with the scene where Yvone who acted Korede’s sister is asking for direction to Block B in a car with a driver and her father. Next

with

KASIE ABONE 08057511558 (sms only) she knocked on the door of Room 215 which Korede Bello who was dancing to music on his phone opens. As Yvonne and the Dad breezed into the room, she intoned “Enough is enough Junior! You are coming home with us!” and Korede retorted “Sis! Dad! What are you doing here?” The question now elicited this response from the sister “The public holiday, you didn’t come home! The short semester break, you didn’t come home!, The New Year holidays. You still didn’t come home.

Now that the long holidays are here, you still haven’t come home! What is it?”.

Korede’s response is “with Glo Campus Booster, data lasts eight times as long on campus. I enjoy my browsing, chat and download whenever I am here”. This statement captures the very essence of the product which expands the frontiers of knowledge by making tons and tons of information on every subject available to the user within a campus.

Part of the attraction of the package is the free talk time which accompanies the package All considered, the Glo Campus Booster television commercials are another thriller from the grandmasters of data which is resonating with netizens and exciting youths across the country.

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and S7 – Experience So Much More

I

n 2015, Smartphone aficionados were excited at the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S6 series, a powerhouse of modern and futuristic smartphones. However, when Samsung officially took the wraps off the widely anticipated Galaxy S7 edge and Galaxy S7 Smartphones, its engineering and design teams proved to the world that they have undoubtedly produced the perfect Smartphone.

And they just might have.

At first glance, the Galaxy S7 edge bears a striking resemblance with its predecessor, the Galaxy S6 edge.

The similarity is an attempt to maintain the distinctive Galaxy design, which is a fusion of metal and glass. The beautiful and stylish S7 edge design has a subtle space-age feel, and is the perfect companion for the ‘socially mobile’ - a perfect work of art.

Samsung has a reputation for thrilling customers with new, exciting and innovative features. This knack for delivering top-notch, never-beforeseen-in-a-Smartphone features is why we can’t wait to explore the wonders of Samsung’s newest flagship devices.

Display The Galaxy S7 has a 5.1-inch display screen, while the Galaxy S7 edge has a 5.5-inch screen. They both feature Super AMOLED screen, allowing for clearer videos and images with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 (Quad HD). The devices are imbued with an ingenious Always-on feature, which gives access to certain information on the screen while the Smartphone isn’t completely turned on. Users no longer have to flick the device on to check for the time or take a quick glance at the notifications as a portion of the device is always on. Could this be a battery nightmare? Not at all, as this feature takes up only one percent of the battery every hour. There is

L-R: Mr. Clement Nwankwo, Manager, Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria; Mrs. Ololade Shonubi, Head of Operator Business, Samsung Electronic s West Africa; Mr. Adeolu Dairo, Director, Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria; Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu, Head, Product Marketing, Information Technology and Mobile and Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, Director, Information Technology and Mobile during the launch of the Sleek Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge smartphones at the Hard Rock Café, Victoria Island, Lagos recently

a proximity sensor with its only function being to shut the display off when the phone is in your pocket and to switch it off at night too. Sounds interesting, right?

Water and Dust Resistant A distinct, unique feature of the S7 series is the fact that they are completely dust and water- proof.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge both carry a resistance rating of IP68, meaning that the smartphones can survive being submerged in water for 30 minutes at a depth of

1.5 metres. The S7’s waterproofing includes sealed ports; there are no fussy port covers over the USB ports or headphone jacks. The feeling of not having to worry about your Smartphone getting wet in the rain or that accidental drop into a bathtub is always reassuring.

No more power packs Another interesting feature that will definitely appeal to users is the battery capacity. Get ready to say goodbye to the mobile chargers and power packs. Knowing that your

device can be on all day without searching for a charging point is a big deal and the Galaxy S7 edge and S7 come fortified with 3,600mAh and 3,000mAh batteries, respectively.

This means users can watch or stream their favourite videos nonstop for 10 hours without having to hook up to a charger. Also, with the wireless charging feature the phones are built with, users can say goodbye to uncomfortable positions while charging a phone with a low battery power.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

POLITY

Ban on Export of Nigerian Beans Worries Dozie Nwankwo

H

on. Dozie Nwankwo, who represents Anaocha, Dunukofia and Njikoka Constituency in the House of Representatives has moved a notion in the House calling attention to the one year ban on importation of dried beans from Nigeria into European countries. The ban was imposed in June 2015, on the grounds that the produce contained high level pesticide considered injurious to human health.

He disclosed that the ban was to last

till 30th June, 2016, to allow Nigerian authorities time to provide an export control plan and assurance that the beans exported to European countries comply with the EU minimal Risk levels for hazardous substances. He further observed that several relevant agencies of Government including Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment claimed to be collaborating to resolve the issue before the deadline, yet the issue remained unresolved. Nwankwo frowned at the inability of the

concerned authorities to address the issue which had led to the extension of the ban on dried beans export from Nigeria for another three years, for the reason that Nigeria did not do enough to lift the ban during the period of suspension. He was further worried about how safe the dried beans and other foodstuffs consumed within the country are for human consumption.

After debating the notion, the House mandated the Committee on Agriculture, Commence and Industry to investigate the matter and report back to the House within two weeks.

Nwankwo

Uti Nwachukwu: My Breathless Experience

S

tar actor, Uti Nwachukwu, has disclosed that he enjoyed every moment he spent on locations where the soon-to-be released movie, Breathless, was shot.

The ex-Big Brother Africa winner and Jara co-anchor said he chose to feature in the movie because of its remarkable storyline and the brains behind it.

The movie, which has the potential of a blockbuster, has already earned nominations at two prestigious African movie awards. Breathless, through Mike Ezuruonye’s role, got a nomination for Best Actor Drama (TV/Series) at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), while Nwachukwu, was nominated for the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

“I like to keep a reputation that when

people see me in a movie, they will just have an instant feeling that it’s worth it.

“So I am very selective to give my fans the best.

“From the first day I saw the script, I fell in love with it. “I love scripts that are not conventional; Breathless is in that class,” he said.

The actor added that he was thrilled when he saw the cast and crew of the movie.

Breathless, which also stars Bimbo Manuel, Mike Ezuruonye, Brycee Bassey, Bobby Michaels and John Njamah, tells a story of the murder of an asthmatic lady in the beach house of her boss.

The incident sets off a series of events, which blows the lid off dark and well hidden secrets of the Okpodu, his two feuding sons and their link to the murder victim.

The movie climaxes when it exposes the messy secrets.

R-L: Customs Area Controller (CAC), Western Marine Command (WMC), Comptroller Yusuf Umar in a hand shake with

PHOTO NEWS

the Commander, Seme Special Squad, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Udotong Noah, shortly after Umar handed over to NDLEA 37 bags of cannabis seized by officers and men of WMC in Lagos...recently

L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor of Ogun State on Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Funmi Ajayi; Chairman, Heavy Machinery Dealership Limited (HMD), Mr. Ghassan Yared; Executive Director, HMD, Mr. Mathew Khouri; Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Modupe Bosede at the official opening of the company in Arepo, Ogun State...recently

L-R: Head, Transaction and E-banking, Diamond Bank Plc, Rob Giles; Technical Adviser, Office of the Vice President, Kabiru Aregbesola; Special Assistant on Media and ICT, Office of the Vice President; Moseope Olaosebikan; Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Bank Plc; Uzoma Dozie; and Senior Special Assistant on ICT, Office of the Vice President, Lanre Osibona; at the 2016 Aso Villa Demo Day (AVDD) held in Lagos...recently

L-R: Head, Consultant for Informal Sector, SAF & CO, Hon. Adeniyi Fabikun; Executive Chairman, Lagos Internal Revenue Services (LIRS), Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo; Babaloja General of Lagos, Alhaji Wasiu Atanda Balogun and the Iyaoja General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, during the LIRS familiarisation visit to Iyaloja General and meeting with market women in Lagos…recently

L-R: National Chairman, Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Finance and Establishment Committee, Otunba Francis Meshoye; Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare; General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LSEPA), Mr. Adebola Shabi; at the business luncheon of MAN at MAN Centre, Ikeja Lagos...recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

WRITERS’ WORLD

The Wretched Billionaire: A Review

BISI DANIELS bisi.daniels@thisdaylive.com Blog: www.bisidaniels.com, 08093618000

Dr. Kunle Mamudu, a lecturer at University of Benin, reviews Aoiri Obaigbo’s 319-page novel, The Wretched Billionaire, which begins in the air and ends in the air. It was published early this year

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he novel masterfully draws from the rich resources of literature, the peculiarities of prose and the genre of the novel to present a cross breed of the thriller and the canon. In the novel, Obaigbo is able to include elements from the various types of the novel—ranging from the romance, the picaresque, incident, character, manners, sensibility, psychological, historical to the sociological—in this one bomb of a novel that explodes many times over in the face of the reader.Delightful explosions.

Aoiri’s detailed presentations of incidents, character depth and mastery of the English language, his determination to examine the grey areas of life in expert discussions not only leave him as a writer who sets out to instruct, entertain and inform his reader, but also a chronicler of his age who garnishes irresistible sociopolitical substance with a peculiar artistic flavour in linguistic presentations of measured accuracy.

Aoiri Obaigbo’s The Wretched Billionaire is a rich 24-chapter capture of a refreshingly told narrative that begins in the air and ends in the air. It opens with a war-like situation when a power drunk retired military officer—General Seriki Kura Dialo, stupendously wealthy and powerful—orders his private pilot to fly low over Liberty University with the lights of the aircraft turned off. This dramatic opening is symbolic of the siege laid to the universities by the rich and powerful as they ravage the young girls in satisfaction of their sexual appetites.

Dialo, himself, says to his pilot: “Fly at 100 feet over Liberty University. This was our grazing ground when I was commandant of the brigade in this city.

We were young rampant officers in those days.”

This war-like action of the pilot over the campus marks the university out as a battle ground and hence, foreshadows the tragic events that follow later in the novel caused by this same General Dialo, the wretched billionaire. But in the denseness of this novel, in this close-knit artistic foliage emerges its major story, the tragedy of innocent love between Faith and Ibadan that is soon destroyed, first by poverty and then sacrificed to sustain the ego of the power drunk billionaire, General Dialo, whose genitals were blown off by a grenade during the civil war.

Set in LibertyUniversity, which clearly bears closeness to the university of Benin, by the mention of real places like Hall One, Dot, Ekosodin, etc, the story begins with a frustrated and bereaved female character, Faith weeping profusely and bemoaning her abject state of poverty.

A mysterious lady soon emerges from a sleek car and takes Faith to her house, where she promises to fend for her and her family. This benefactor turns out to be Eve, a wealthy law student living in a sprawling mansion outside the campus.

She admits she is a big time prostitute who has enormous wealth as a result of her association with the rich and powerful.

She teaches Faith to jettison her age-long beliefs, some of which are her traditional views on the sanctity of marriage, submission to men and morality. Eve takes Faith to a gallery in the mansion that is filled with paintings of women. Like W.H. Auden’s “Musee Des Beaux Arts,” she comments on the human condition, but in this case, she extols the virtues of all the women who have one thing in

common--an unfailing ability to control men—from the corners of the earth. Eve gives detailed and convincing talks of these women who have affected human history by their deployment of female sexuality to spin men at their finger tips and get what they want.

Faith soon begins to lose her commitment to Ibadan, her new boyfriend who once rescued her from a near death situation and from the clutches of her lesbian-lover Joe Macho. She rejects Eve’s financial offers and decides to earn her own money. Almost immediately, Dialo shows interest in her and the medical student finds herself in the midst of affluence. SKD, the general hires an expensive hotel room for her and buys a car for her. But Ibadan would not give up on his love, as he continues to declare his love for her and attempts to visit her in the hotel. Believing he has lost his love to Eve and her lesbian lover, Ibadan finds escape through weed consumption and soon finds himself an addict of the anti depressant.

For a while, he makes a turn- around from the scholar and introvert that he is to an outlaw, mixing with those he had earlier shunned for their unserious lifestyles. Faith does not, however, break up clean with Ibadan, but continues to show love to him. The test of Ibadan’s love for her comes when she is kidnapped by cult members. The detective in Ibadan is brought to the fore, sharpened by his undying love for Faith. With help from his

friend, Dawn, he is able to effect her safe release. Faith’s love for Ibadan is rekindled and they seemingly get back.

But Faith had gone too far to be allowed to leave the general. Her greatest undoing is when she opens the door into SKD’s bathroom without warning, only to stumble on the secret that the generally feared, respected and powerful Generalturned-billionaire has no genitals. The general makes him his fifth wife to ensure that the secret of his lost genitals is never revealed. Eventually, Faith has a baby for Ibadan having been earlier encouraged to continue the affair by SKD. She is condemned to wearing chastity belts to ensure no man or woman is ever able to make love to her.

The pain in the story develops further into the tragedy of the death of Aurora, the female evangelist who attempts to convert Ibadan to Christianity and promptly foretells of Faith’s pregnancy for him.

She also predicts adequately the kidnap of Faith and of an eagle that would bear him a message, which turns out to be the ancient pendant bearing the image of an eagle from Timbuktu that is yanked off Faith’s neck during the kidnap.

Aurora is that sinless, innocent character like Ikemefuna who gets killed unjustly in TheWretched Billionaire. Her evangelical commitments and conquests are a thorn in the flesh of evil minds, in the likes of the Reformed Suckling Order, a secret cult patronised even by lecturers. Ibadan is missing after years and cannot be found.

Faith is convinced that her husband, SKD is responsible for Ibadan’s disappearance.

When she confronts him, she is promptly advised to be careful as “the smile of a serpent is not a sign of repentance.” But the certainty is that Aurora is killed by the agents of the Reformed Suckling Order and Faith is enslaved by SKD. The death of Aurora and the disappearance of Ibadan draw a link in characterisation between the writings of Achebe and Obaigbo. The tragic end that attends would-be heroes in their writings is evident in the likes of Okonkwo, Ezeulu, Obi in the case of Achebe and of Ibadan and Aurora in Obaigbo’s Novel.

This love story is what holds the novel together. Between the encounters of the lovers, Obaigbo holds the reader’s attention quite firmly with other historical, socio-political sub-plots and anecdotes.

His concern for verisimilitude and a better society shows him opening into the diary of time in the history of Nigeria and making authorial comments that tend to explain a common past. His narrative style is detailed, as he does not leave out any gaps. Obaigbo does not let a fly wing across the table without capturing it in its full colour, size, speed, likely age and destination. He commits time to actualise his images into cinematographic pictures like in a movie.

For instance, he says “The Rider banked steeply and weaved recklessly through the evening traffic of lovers racing towards their Valentines.He built up speed and performed three breathtaking wheelies before banking right into the campus.”

Elsewhere, he describes Ibadan’s experience as “Ibadan kept running in the rain, tearing through the jungle and getting his clothes and skin rent by the creepers and thorns in his way.”

His use of sound and sense runs through the entire novel, where he is able to connect very minute details in far –flung parts of the novel to create a rare kind of unity.In narrating his story, Obaigbo easily turns philosophical to drive home his point. While hinting at the tragedy that is soon to befall Ibadan, he turns a philosopher when he says “Anyway, its a great joke giving men eyes. Eyes that indulge us in the grand delusion of knowing where we are going. We cannot see beyond our eye-balls. If only the man who is happy today can see ahead the factors that would ruin that happiness.

We grope in the blackness of time, simply hoping that we don’t fall into some gap in the ground. Obaigbo’s rhetorical renditions form a major part of his narrative technique. He says in page 198 for instance, “Why does love not just dry up like last year’s Valentine’s day flowers?

Why is it stubborn like the reed in the wind,bending but not breaking in spite of stark reality? Bending low like a praying saint but coming up to breathe when the wind relents? Why is love unreasonable like testosterone on the thirteenth day of a woman’s circle?”

Most of the characters in the novel are shrouded in mystery. Eve is presented as unknowable. Ibadan springs from deep African traditions. He hasdreadlocks at birth, is introverted and always having dreams that are complex. In the end he is declared missing. He simply disappears, never to be found.

A few typographical errors and other very few graphological mistakes rear their heads in this novel. A revised edition will certainly rid this masterpiece of these avoidable pests.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

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TRAVEL&LEISURE

by OMOLOLA ITAYEMI omolola.itayemi@thisdaylive.com 08054699602

Experiencing Calabar Waterways One common staple with coastal cities is their waterways and Calabar is no exception. A thirty minute cruise from the Marina Road quay to Oron was no ordinary experience. From rough water currentstothe calm and relatively swamp forests on either side of the water, travelling through the water ways by speed boat still holds its allure.

A caveat though, life jacket is an absolute must.

Omolola Itayemi writes

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undays might not be one of the best days to travel on the waterways of Cross River State because rules are generally relaxed, often times at passengers’ peril.

I however, didn’t get to realize this until I and other passengers (twenty four of us) were almost stranded mid-way in the middle of the ocean.

Marina Road Jetty is just like any old building in Calabar except for the human traffic spilling out of there (which was light that Sunday) and various sizes of speed boats, both in use and abandoned.

Several locked-up lockers, a bread-seller kiosk, drums of diesel and lots of loitering youths. A little rough and dirty and like any other transport hub, it has its own fair share of noisy touts spoiling for a fight which happened when a quarrel ensured between an angry youth and a keke-NAPEP driver As you drive in, you’re faced with the stature of a mermaid leaving no one in doubts that you’re in a riverine territory. A walk into the business office reveals a stark interior, except for two long wooden chairs and numerous lifejackets lying on the floor. At N800 a trip, I was disappointed to be the eleventh on a list I was informed would run up to twenty-five. I was however given a lifejacket as soon as money exchanged hands.

I was itching to go but the passenger load was still low.

The lifejacket had seen better days but every other person waiting to catch a ride on the boat had one on and I strapped mine too. The wait was longer than I anticipated, at over one and half hours. The trickle of passengers didn’t gain momentum until thirty minutes to time of departure when people started streaming in, this the driver/money collector

Back on Marina Road, there are boat wharfs to points across the Calabar River

Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade

(Asuquo) explained was because church service was over. In a twinkle of an eye, he announced the boat was ready to depart.

Then the scrambling started. Passengers started running towards the boat, some jumping in from other boats moored close to it and others waiting to be helped in. I followed suit and almost fell trying to find my way in. We settled in, at four to a seat which turned out to be a piece of plank wood that made up seats in the speed boat. Other drivers helped push the boat out in the rear-direction.

Afterwards, Asuquo asked the passengers on the seat closest to him to bend their heads while he pulled the string that propelled the engine and viola, we were on our way.

Right after the jetty was an NNPC fuel-station or barge right in the middle of the water. A sight to behold, I must have caused a stir as I brought out my camera to take pictures. We started sailing, a very calm journey and the scenery was breathtaking. It was my own personal time to commune with my maker and I took advantage of it.

Two things run through your mind on a journey such as this, fear of the boat upturning and appreciation of God’s work. On either side of the ocean, were swampy mangroves or

rainforests as some people will choose to describe them. One of the passengers told me a yawning through that mangrove will take me to Rivers State.

Asuquo, the driver also doubles as a clerical staff says he’s been on this job for the past twelve years. He says the jetty runs from 6am to 6pm and the boats run a total of thirty trips a day. At home in this environment, he stood throughout the journey and even talking on the phone.

If the trip to Oron was without any incident, the return was full of drama. At Oron, dry fish was in abundant supply and I bought some. I was constantly approached if I wanted to join a boat to Cameroun which I refused.

Oron isn’t far from Cameroun. By the time I was done buying fish, I joined the next boat to Oron which had waiting passengers, so there was no long wait.

However the driver had the boat overloaded with more passengers than allowed (it was Sunday and the officials were not on duty), some without lifejackets.

The journey started on a slower tempo than when we left Calabar and came to a grinding halt some miles away from the jetty.

A woman two seats away from mine started cursing and accused the driver of taking more passengers,

Henshaw town Beach Market or Marina Market or Beach Market in Old Calabar

reminding him of the tragic accident that happened a week ago (a boat taking more than the required load of passengers had capsized and all those without lifejackets passed away).

With other aggrieved passengers adding to her cry, he had no option than to turn back and we dropped a passenger.

That was no relief and my tummy was still in knots when we started back.

The boat was on a faster speed now but the lady was still worried. I couldn’t enjoy nature at close range anymore as I was praying to make it back to Calabar in one piece. Some minutes later, an empty boat with three passengers drove towards us shouting orders in Calabar language. I didn’t understand a thing but I was scared, I thought they were pirates or kidnappers.

A young man stood up to

join them and he was asked to sit back.

At this point time, I was visibly shaken. Until the lady seating next to me noticed my displeasure and said there was no trouble.

They were only helping out; apparently we still had more passengers on board than allowed.

They helped with three more passengers. The boat did feel lighter and we sped off, occasionally hitting

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

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TRAVEL&LEisURE

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Finding Bliss at Airports with Aqua Massage Murtala Mohammed local Airport (MM2) is not strong on leisure. Known for its brisk pace, travelers are always rushing to catch or alight from a flight. Though, delays or outright cancellations by airlines might keep them in the departure lounge for a while, the mood is neither one for leisure nor pleasure. so, for some, the airport lounge might just be the least place to have a 15 minutes aqua massage. Not this Wellness firm that has harnessed the power of water to produce a relaxed state of mind at points such as this airport, writes Omolola Itayemi

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water currents that seem like rocks. As I sighted the NNPC oil barge, I heaved a sigh of relief knowing Calabar was just a heartbeat away. We got to Calabar jetty, disembarked and returned the life jackets.

Another driver was writing names and collecting money, another trip to Oron by boat. Despite some discomfort and occasional fear, it was still a very exciting journey on water.

atching a flight out of MM2, after the hassles of removing shoes and belts at the security counter, all I looked forward to was getting a meal before boarding the flight to Abuja. But something caught my eye, upon arrival at the large departure hall. It was a spa capsule next to the Sony gadget shop (they also have one at the VIP lounge upstairs), looks like we’re getting big on wellness, because next to the spa capsule is a health stand where one can check blood pressure and other health issues.

Hmm, a spa at the local airport, that’s definitely interesting, they’ve been at the international airport, Ikeja for the past four years. I approached the spa staff wearing the green t-shirts with ‘Wellness’ emblazoned on them. I found out that at N2,500 I could get a full body massage for 15 minutes fully dressed.

That caught my attention and I decided to try it.

My travelling companion had mixed feelings about going into a capsule-like aqua massage machine.

She doesn’t enjoy closed spaces. But she was wrong because neck-up, you are not in the enclosed space and they also have screens to cordon you off completely from starring eyes (I had quite a few staring at me, chuck it up to boredom or sheer braveness) providing more privacy for those who feel the area is opened. But did that make her change her mind, no.

Belts off but every other thing stayed on and I was ushered into the machine stomach-down. Earphones playing the best of Phil Collins tried to lull me into a surreal state of mind.

I tried but the sound of the water-jets (likened to 48 fingers giving a massage) kept me awake. Thirty-six computer controlled water jets simulate a personal “Finger Tip” massage with adjustable water pressure, temperature, and pulsating frequency to relieve pain and tension.

More like sixty fingers as my body was pummeled and every tight knot banished. No area was spared, fingertips, toes and back area. The pressure it comes with can be a little scary initially but you get used to it. Massage on my back foot left me smiling as it tickled me to no end.

The beauty of this 15-minute massage is its “Body Profiler” operating system with a touch screen control. This sophisticated technology lets the operator or client easily select the pre-programmed Body Profiler to suit the client’s unique requirements, such as stronger pressure on the lower back and gentle pressure in the neck region.

Apolonius, the wellness instructor sure has experience in this because he selected the right programme for me. He paused the massage jets on desired locations such as my back (could he be psychic because of my frequent back aches) and thigh area (women will understand why).

I did time them and 15 minutes it was but it felt like 30 minutes or more.

But I noticed the sound drowns out any other sound so might not hear any announcements of change of flight time or cancellations. It’s advisable to let the attendants know your flight time and airline so as to help keep an ear for any announcements in that light.

Keji Adebowale, the MD of Wellness said: “From the beginning, it was clear

to us that our products had the potential to affect people’s lives in profound and lasting ways. The aqua massage sets to relax, revitalize and renew in just 15 minutes. Yes, that’s as long as it takes. You see, aqua massage has harnessed the power of water to help people enter a perfect state of mind and body for a feeling of well-being and renewal.

“This is new, we’ve just opened here last month but the traffic is more at MMIA where we’ve been for the past three years and more. We are all about well-being and we also have the massage chair and more. It really helps especially with the longhaul flights and people having more time on their hands after check-in. but that has not deterred us here at MM2 because it just for 15 minutes and the results are awesome.

With the rate at which young people are dying, we need to key into our well-being and aqua massage offers this and more.

It relaxes the muscle and helps with blood circulation.”

After this, my flight was called and I had a very peaceful 40minutes sleep airborne

. The rest of the day was a bliss, no stiff points. And my night sleep, a very dreamy one.

So what are you waiting for, get an aqua-massage at MM2 when traveling next!

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as GOODLUCK LAD, now wish to be known and addressed as GOODLUCK LED. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as

MISS OBICHENDU CHIDINMA HAPPINESS, now wish to be

known and addressed as MRS CHIDINMA HAPPINESS AZUBUIKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OKWESA UCHE RACHEL ADANNE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANOWOR UCHE RACHEL. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to inform the general public that Rear Admiral Oni Anthony Okanlawon now residing at Plot 2,Elm street, Osborne 2, Ikoyi, Lagos. My original and title document (Statutory Right of Occupancy) with File No MFCT/LA/91/ LA 679 dated 6/10/1997 in respect of Plot No. 35 within Jahi District, Abuja,got burnt in my house.All efforts to retrieve it proved abortive. The general public should please take note.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

PERSPECTIVE Buhari’s Certificate Saga, Media Trials and What Goes Round…

Jude Ndukwe

Today, the table has turned around. The said hiring of 13 SANS and 10 other lawyers to defend Buhari in the certificate saga when all the president needed to do was show Nigerians his certificate and the case would be closed, is a practice in multiplicity of what the president had condemned others for.

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resident Muhammadu Buhari’s certificate saga is getting messier by the day. Although a majority of his supporters who are now blaming themselves for imposing this willful and unfortunate reversal of fortunes on Nigeria after declaring in the run up to the last presidential election that even if the president presented a “NEPA Bill” as his basic academic certificate, they would still vote for him, had thought that the certificate issue had died until the case came up again in court recently.

It was reported that this threw the presidency into unprecedented panic, and rather than go to court to prove with a process as simple as just showing his certificate in order to erase any doubts whatsoever in the minds of everyone, it was said that Buhari instead chose the expensive and cumbersome option of hiring 13 high profile Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and ten other lawyers.

Without emphasising on such needless waste of funds considering the realities of the time which the obviously confused APC-led administration has plunged the nation into, it is quite shocking that these lawyers were reportedly hired just to argue against the mode of service of court processes on the president in the first instance. While the processes were served on the president through the APC national headquarters in Abuja, Buhari is arguing that it should have been served on him through his address in Kaduna. What a mundane argument!

Rather than argue the substance of the case, Mr Buhari is playing to the gallery by allegedly employing the services of a retinue of highly expensive lawyers just to frustrate a simple case through unnecessary delay tactics, the same luxury for which he and his acolytes continuously condemn their “anti-corruption” victims and political opponents, harass lawyers for choosing to accept to defend those victims, intimidating and blackmailing the judiciary for entertaining ‘frivolous’ suits brought against the government, flagrantly disobeying court orders and destroying the judiciary in the process just to get at their hapless victims.

Or, how many times have the presidency and other government agencies declared innocent people guilty in the media even before such people were investigated for any crime? Who is undergoing persecution today that has not been declared guilty in the media by government officials? Who is a victim of the vindictive fight against political opponents disguised as fight against corruption today that has not had his or her reputation badly maligned in the media even before being charged to court?

The president and his henchmen regularly go on a media parade of judicial pronouncements declaring people guilty of perceived sundry offences destroying people’s images in the court of public opinion in the

Buhari

process.

In addition to this, the presidency and their agents have even gone as far as condemning the number and quality of lawyers which their victims of political vendetta hire to defend them in court. It is most laughable to recall that government officials and sympathizers always refer to this development with glee as ‘corruption fighting back’ as if such people are not entitled to quality defence before any court.

Today, the table has turned around.

The said hiring of 13 SANS and 10 other lawyers to defend Buhari in the certificate saga when all the president needed to do was show Nigerians his certificate and the case would be closed, is a practice in multiplicity of what the president had condemned others for.

It is more heart rending to see the level of hypocrisy reeking out from the presidency when Garba Shehu, one of president Buhari’s spokespersons said the presidency was considering a legal suit against Barrister Nnamdi Nwokocha who dragged Buhari to court for an interview he granted a national newspaper where he purportedly declared the president ‘guilty’ in the matter.

Hear Garba Shehu as quoted by Vanguard newspaper in his reaction to the interview granted ThisDay newspaper on pages 56 – 57 of 11th June, 2016 by Nkwocha: “newspaper pages are not alternative courts where a lawyer can declare anybody guilty of anything when the court has not formally given a definitive judgment on an issue before it.”

Alas, when did Garba Shehu realize this? It is quite unbelievable and ironical that Garba Shehu said this! It is always gratifying to know that people like Shehu can be beaten to their own game and badly pained by same.

He betrays the feelings in the presidency when he went further to declare thus: “any lawyer that sincerely believes in judicial process and the rights of other parties to a case would not have engaged in the inappropriate and unprofessional practice of trial by media…”

When did Shehu’s government start believing in “judicial process and the rights of other parties to a case”?

He seems to have forgotten so quickly how he and his co-travellers severally took his principal’s political opponents to the cleaners in the media, with some of them recklessly making statements that were clearly prejudiced to cases already in court or presenting fictitious evidence in the media and bandying humongous figures before the public all in a bid to declare guilty those who were yet to even be investigated.

This is just the beginning of selfinflicted retribution!

Beyond the manipulation of a section of the media to subject their political opponents to a destructive media trial, even dishing out the guilty verdict on such individuals in the pages of newspapers and online news portals, Buhari and his agents have actually subjected most of their victims to actual jail terms in the absence of a court verdict.

There is hardly any perceived government critic or political opponent who has not suffered media trial, extra-judicial actions borne out of vindictiveness, and or jail term in the hands of agents of government: from Sambo Dasuki, Kayode Are, Nnamdi Kanu, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Femi Fani-Kayode, Sheikh El Zakzaky, Robert Azibaola, Hon Afolabi Akanni of Ekiti State House of Assembly, IPOB/MASSOB members, Shiite Muslims and other victims of military

brutality etc who were never given the opportunity to defend themselves but summarily executed even with little or no provocation.

These victims have all been demonized in the courts of public opinion as championed by government agents while government officials and relations of powerful individuals close to government of the day have continued to be shielded by government even when there are damning petitions supported with hard and incontrovertible facts against them before security/anti-graft agencies.

So, this is nothing new. Whoever is alleged to have said anything untoward as it concerns the president has only learnt from APC as a party and their chieftains. Never in the history of our nation has any president been subjected to the kind of lies, crude abuses, outright insults by leaders of the ruling party when they were in the opposition as they subjected former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to. They did not only insult him, they made petty caricatures of his family, spoke ill about his kindred with hateful disdain and mischievously referred to anyone supporting him as being corrupt. All these were done using the media.

Garba Shehu and his colleagues have no moral right whatsoever to complain about anyone they perceive as serving them the same measure they have consistently served others.

There is this Golden Rule which no human should flout, it is one that always comes back to haunt those who would not live by it. That rule is: “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you”. What goes round comes round.

– jrndukwe@yahoo.co.uk; Twitter: @ stjudendukwe

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Ede Major Township Roads, Now Death Traps

T

Olumide Lawal

he Ede major federal road, known as Babangida Way, is right now in a state of total collapse. The road stretches from State Hospital junction to OkeGada end of the town. It carries heavy volume of human and vehicular traffic, since the town boasts of two world-class universities – Adeleke University, Redeemer University and a Federal Polytechnic.

But for heaven knows what, the township road under reference, has for a long time been subjected to complete abandonment and disrepair and it calls for serious concern.

This very important road therefore requires very urgent attention of and swift action by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) as well as the Nigerian Railway Corporation, all with a view to reducing the agonies, presently encountered by commuters that daily ply the road. The residents and visitors that pass through the Babangida Way on regular basis have resigned to fate, believing that one day; a “messiah” will come to their rescue and do the needful rightfully.

A journey of ten minutes from one end of the road to the other, now takes not less than thirty minutes, because some corridors of the road, such as Oba Laoye/Mosebolatan; Adelebare junction; Arinago junction; Daodu/Ile Pere/Wema Bank; Total Petrol Station frontage; The Railway “level” crossing and the Oke-Gada axis are menace

Governor Aregbesola

and nightmare to whoever uses the road. They have been turned into deep gullies and craters, which can literally ‘swallow’ up any vehicle of whatever description. For those who missed the PALONGO dance of the 60s, they should try a ride on the Ede major township road and they would have a tale to tell.

So many avoidable accidents, involving Okada riders on some of the portions of the road, have sent innocent citizens to their early graves or been permanently disabled. This is in addition to wear and tear, attendant on motor vehicles, particularly the

mini-bus operators, called KOROPIN, who have no choice, but to ply the road, more than fifteen or more times on daily basis – seven days a week.

Private vehicle owners, no matter the brands of their luxurious automobiles, are not spared the agony. Everybody keeps on complaining of waist pains and spinal cord palava.

Oh God Almighty, from whence cometh our help in this situation, except You alone, to touch the hearts of those, who should do their jobs and do it rightly. The state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in the course of his second term governorship mega campaign rally, at Adventist Grammar School Ede, in July 2014, entered into a covenant with Ede people to the effect, that by January 2015, he would commence the dualisation of the very road under reference, in appreciation of Ede people massive support for him. Whether that promise will materialize tomorrow, remains to be seen.

We don’t even mind, if Ogbeni Aregbesola government will avail us asphalt overlaying and construction of drains on the badly damaged portions of the road, before FERMA and Nigerian Railway Corporation will swing into full action, since the buck stops on their tables. Over to you, our Honourable Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fasola, under whose portfolio the road falls.

Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, through its State Controller in Osogbo, should put all necessary machineries in motion and deploy his officers to

alleviate the suffering of the commuters that are voiceless. Our various political office holders from Ede axis at the state and national assemblies should please help us out, by pulling the necessary strings to call the attention of relevant state and federal authorities to the near collape situation of Babangida way, Ede. The Nigerian Railway Corporation ‘level’ crossing at Oke-Gada, is already a death trap for vehicular movements.

More often than not, motor vehicles got stalled or hooked at the railway “level” crossing, which has completely caved in. Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaeche, Minister of Transportation, whose office oversees Nigerian Railway Corporation, should urgently take a trip to Ede and see things for himself. The level crossing at Olaiya Junction and Old garage at Osogbo, are in harmony with motorists. Why should Oke-Gada, Ede railway “level” crossing be otherwise.

What is good for the goose should also be a sauce for the gander. We deserve and desire pleasurable rides on Babangida Way, Ede without further delay.

To improve the condition of our roads nationally, President Mohammed Buhari, should seriously tap into exploitation of Bitumen at Agbab=u in Ondo State, so as to make production of asphalt for tarring our roads, including the failed Ede township road a lot easier.

Infact, a state of emergency should be declared on Ede township road that goes by the name – Babangida Way. Olumide Lawal Lives in Ede, Osun State

Buhari, Fayose, Wike, Travel Bans and Other Expensive Jokes

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Jude Ndukwe

hen news broke out late last week that President Muhammadu Buhari had allegedly placed travel bans on two governors of the opposition party, PDP, in the persons of Governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, an already unsettled nation became even more distressed. If the report is true, then our democracy is in danger of premature abortion.

Unlike any dictatorial political setting, what makes democracy beautiful, endearing and enduring is the capacity and capability of stakeholders and state actors to play by the rules, respect institutions and resist the temptation of putting their personal interests and biases above those of the nation no matter how personal they feel about any issue or anyone.

The ability to exercise restraint and act gentlemanly especially according to the provisions of the law is what makes a leader exceptional and exemplary while his legacies last for a long time after him. It is based on this that the purported travel ban on the governors by the president is quite disheartening to democrats and people of goodwill everywhere.

Just about the same period the said ban made it into news circles, President Buhari narrated how shocked he was when former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan against all odds and culture of African leaders called to congratulate him during the last presidential election even before counting

of votes were yet to be concluded. That is how statesmen behave, and obviously Buhari has a lot to learn from the former president.

Beyond Jonathan’s “miracle” call that has saved Nigeria an unnecessary crisis and led to an unprecedented handover by a ruling party to the opposition, an action that has fascinated President Buhari, one should also quickly remind the president that this is not the only act of large heartedness that has endeared the former president to him and Nigerians.

The reasons for which governors Fayose and Wike are purportedly placed on travel bans are nothing compared to what members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, did to Goodluck Jonathan. From Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Dino Melaye, Adams Oshiomhole, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Rauf Aregbesola, the ACF and other opposition elements then, the gross and unbearable disrespect shown to the person and office of the President was unbearable, unprecedented and abysmally low. Dr Goodluck Jonathan was subjected to all manner of abuses, insults and sophistry of the highest order woven against him.

It would be more shocking to president Buhari to be reminded that Jonathan did not for once consider placing any of these people on any travel ban, an act which should be considered equally heroic based on latest developments to the contrary.

Placing such a ban on serving governors who as citizens should not only enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed right to free movement, but operate within an inviolable constitutional provision of immunity is an invitation to anarchy. President Buhari has

no such powers to singularly or in conjunction with any government force and or agencies place such bans.

President Buhari should concentrate on governance which includes accepting criticisms without bitterness. He should rather look beyond the narrow prisms of party politics and affiliation and see such criticisms as necessary speed bumps meant to save him from self-destruct and national catastrophe.

The federal legislature has a duty to urgently save our democracy from collapse by calling President Buhari to order. He is a product of our law and must subject himself to the same law.

He cannot arrogate to himself extrapresidential powers not given him by our laws. To do so is to unintentionally create a state of chaos, anarchy and doom. No one man can be greater than Nigeria and no leader is beyond criticism.

Criticism is the food on which democracy feeds fat; sycophancy is a virus that drains and eventually kills democracy. Countries where leaders are known to be sitting tight today are those countries where sycophancy is elevated to a nauseating level while criticism is clamped down the way it is currently being done in our country.

If the Buhari administration cannot stomach the criticism coming from Fayose, Wike and other opposition governors, it should approach the courts for consolation or the legislature for comfort, beyond this, there is nothing anyone can do to a governor who enjoys the same immunity that the president himself enjoys. One hopes that this is another joke from the presidency, just like the joke that was the 2016 Budget, the drab one year an-

Placing such a ban on serving governors who as citizens should not only enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed right to free movement, but operate within an inviolable constitutional provision of immunity is an invitation to anarchy. President Buhari has no such powers to singularly or in conjunction with any government force and or agencies place such bans. President Buhari should concentrate on governance which includes accepting criticisms without bitterness niversary speech and other jokes, cheap and expensive ones alike.

Fayose should be left alone, please.

He is one of the very few remaining voices of the common man even though others are rising with time!

– jrndukwe@yahoo.co.uk; Twitter: @ stjudendukwe

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Buhari Fiddles While Nigeria is on Fire Roland Terkula

N

ero Claudius Drasus Germaniscus was the 5th Emperor of the Roman Empire between 54- 68AD. His ascension to the throne in 54AD was received with immense vortex of joy and jubilation within the ranks of both the plebeians and the patricians.

Shortly after, it was discovered that among other ailments, that Nero had an ear problem. This led Nero into rampant paranoia and melancholy of suspicion of not only the Roman senators but even his mother, brothers, and his subalterns.

Further research on Nero revealed that he was so callous, self indulgent and unforgiving that he thrived mostly on cold revenge. He was so self indulgent that he was said to have “fiddled while Rome was on fire”. This among others, prompted Petronius to refer to Nero as “the incendiary of the Roman expire”. Nero’s high-handedness, tyranny and cold-bloodedness would come full cycle when he descended on the Roman Senators with charges of conspiracy.

According to the literatures, “his accusations of conspiracy against him became a self-fulfilling prophecy, when enough senators finally realized that they would be accused of conspiracy

by Nero, whether they conspired against him or not, so they might as well conspire against him”. In desperation, Nero killed his mother, Agrippa and his step brother, Britannicus and when his guards deserted him, he went on for self-murder.

Nigeria gave their mandate to President Muhammadu Buhari in March, 2015 on several campaign promises that included but not limited to- an unbiased fight on corruption, stable power supply, Naira-Dollar equality, reduction of pump price of petroleum products, accessible loan to small and medium scale industries, mass employment, wealth creation and new wealth base, food sufficiency, five thousand naira monthly stipend to the unemployed, elimination of Boko Haram, etc. Such were the expectations of the new administration

by Nigerians. It was an administration that promised a new beginning. In fact, all sensible Nigerians decided to lend support to the president with an emerald capacity to turn events in the Africa’s largest democracy.

In a very strange development, the very party everybody looked up to for good governance became laggard and inept. The falcon could no longer hear the falconer and things fell apart. Even the leadership of the ruling party, the All Peoples Congress (APC), from day one was sidelined in the process of selecting the cabinet members such that it took months to constitute the federal executive council which turned out to be uninspiring.

One year scorecard of the Buhari administration suffers a well- defined philosophical framework and reads like a parchment on the scroll of mindless iniquities. In the first place, there is no discernible economic team to drive the economy; the much touted Naira-Dollar equality has become a ruse with the Naira posting an all-time low against the dollar and; our naira devalued.

Buhari’s war on corruption is not just selective but also vindictive. This fact

Saraki

is known both at home and abroad such that a former chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, Pete Hoekstra, in his treatise titled Buhari is the problem, not the solution rightly explained that the Buhari fight on corruption is selective.

The power outages are now very abysmal and the gen-sets cannot be activated on account of high pump price of petroleum products. Unemployment has so worsened that banks had to sack their workers. The health-care system including the State House clinic is so dilapidated that the president and his acolytes have to seek the least of medical treatment abroad. The cost of food items such as rice, beans, tomato, garri etc are

The power outages are now very abysmal and the gensets cannot be activated on account of high pump price of petroleum products.

Unemployment has so worsened that banks had to sack their workers. The health-care system including the State House clinic is so dilapidated that the president and his acolytes have to seek the least of medical treatment abroad.

The cost of food items such as rice, beans, tomato, garri etc are sky high. Over eighty percent of the working population treks to and fro work on a daily basis for wages with no purchasing power

sky high. Over eighty percent of the working population treks to and fro work on a daily basis for wages with no purchasing power.

Above all, the major Nigerian fault lines have never been as noticeable as it is under President Buhari. His policy on government patronage according to the voting pattern during the 2015 general election has kept the South South and the South East of Nigeria gapping for breath. Such un-presidential and unstatesmanly patronage-voting policy has rather exacerbated the ethnic tensions and identity crises in Nigeria. As the victory over Boko Haram insurgency is yet to be accomplished, the raging Fulani herdsmen feel emboldened with the Buhari administration. The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), the Biafran resurgence, excruciating hardship, etc and more, are the various problems that should strike the heart of a passionate president.

On June 20, 2016 almost all the Nigerian newspapers carried a front page report on the frosty relationship between the National Assembly (especially the Senate) and the Federal Executive. The kernel of all these screaming headlines was that the executive is intent on forcing a leadership change in the Senate without recourse to the principles of separation of power. The gravamen is that Senator Bukola Saraki and Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the President and Deputy President of the Senate respectively were not the anointed persons by the President for the leadership positions.

Since June 9, 2015, President Buhari has not hidden his intention to have both officers removed not minding the fact that the 8th Senate has on several occasions passed vote of confidence on the senate leadership.

In response to such abuse of powers, the spokesman of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi has alerted the good people of Nigeria and the international community, that our democracy is in danger and that the attempt by the executive arm of the Federal Government to muzzle the legislature and criminalize legislative processes in

order to cause leadership change in the National Assembly is a return to the era of impunity and lack of respect for due process which we all fought to abolish.

According to Abdullahi, the Senate of the Federal Republic voted freely to elect its leadership into office and continuing attempts to change that leadership through the wanton abuse of judicial processes cannot stand in the eyes of the world” The senate spokesman added that “Nigerian people have enough economic hardship at this time requiring the full attention and cooperation of the three arms of government, instead of these attempts to distract and politicize governance. The senate cautioned that the maturity and hand of co-operation being extended to the presidency by the legislature is not a sign of weakness. And that they had “bent backwards to accommodate various infractions and inefficiencies in pursuit of inter-arms co-operation and national interest and bigger issues which the government has to attend to in order to ensure that every Nigerian has food on his table and live comfortably in a secure environment”.

Accordingly, “we are in a state of economic emergency such that what the National Assembly needs at this time are executive bills and proposals aimed at resolving the crises of unemployment, currency depreciation, inflation, crime and insecurity” In a well worded motion titled: The imminent threat to our democracy by Senator Dino Melaye which was duly seconded and unanimously adopted by the senate on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, the senate regrets that the executive arm of the government as presently constituted is still to come to terms with the constitutional tenets of separation of powers and the independence of the legislative arm of the government. He further noted that current attempt to arraign the leadership of the senate over an internal matter of the senate and claim spuriously a forgery that does not exist is a smoke screen for an impending attempt to overthrow the legislative arm of the government.

Based on the above backdrop, the senate resolved to summon the Attorney General of the Federation to the Senate.

The House of Representatives of the National Assembly in it’s motion also frowned at the executive recklessness.”

Adopting a motion by Rep Tajuddeen Yusuf (PDP, Kogi), the House said that the planned arraignment of Saraki and Ekweremadu was “a deliberate and concerted attack on the National Assembly to render it useless in the eyes of the general public.”

It said a Federal High Court in Abuja had in July and August 2015, ruled that the allegation of forgery was an internal affair of the National Assembly, which should not be pried into by the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney-General or the Judiciary. The House further urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on members of the executive to desist from taking steps that would cripple the legislature” For the president to remain fixated on selecting the leadership of the National Assembly against the known tenets of democracy is to say the least most dictatorial. President Buhari, instead of confronting the plethora of problems facing the country, has chosen to act the Nero of the Roman Empire who fiddled while Rome was on fire.

–Terkula lives in Makurdi

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • June 25 , 2016

SPECIAL INTERVIEW Maria Brewer

Repatriating Stolen Loot Won’t Happen Overnight She is a diplomat’s diplomat who understands the nuances of international diplomacy and engagement.

For Maria Brewer, Deputy Head of Mission of the American Embassy in Nigeria, the country could pass as a second home for her. She has been here for five years and for someone coming from an environment where an average Nigerian is seen as a fraud, you expect same stereotype. But not Maria. To her, Nigerians are warm, vibrant and entrepreneurial. She is full of deep respect for their resilience and how they usually turn bad situations around. Fielding questions from Ahamefula Ogbu, she paints a picture of hope for displaced persons in IDP camps across the country while admitting there is no quick fix or answer to militancy problem in the Niger Delta where she advocates dialogue and civil engagement. She also dismisses agitation for secession as a bad omen but tagged it voice-liberation which could end up strengthening the society the more

Y

ou are rounding off your tour of duty in Nigeria.

What has been your experience so far?

Sure, I arrived in August of 2013. So it has been like three years that I have been here and it has been an incredible three years of Nigeria’s history and I have been grateful and honoured to be able to witness it. In 2015, the country had an election, the first peaceful transition of power from one party to another. Some people had questioned if Nigeria would be able to achieve peaceful election. But it scaled that test in flying colours. Earlier that same year, we faced the scourge of Ebola which was terrifying.

Glad to see the Nigerian government together with the private sector and with help of other international partners to overcome that and it had been wonderful.

Nigeria has been declared polio-free, two years without wild polio virus case, so it has been an incredible three years and I have enjoyed it immensely. I have gone to other countries overseas. Not as much as I would have liked, but I am finishing three years in Nigeria which was mostly in Abuja. Of my 20 career years, I have spent a quarter of that in Nigeria. So it was like a homecoming for me in Lagos.

So what impression are you taking away about the people bearing in mind the stereotype outside this country?

I would say that Nigerians are some of the warmest, most vibrant entrepreneurial people on the planet. Of course there are bad people everywhere, fraudsters and so on, but that is not my experience on the part of Nigerians. They are generous, enthusiastic, devout and very firm in their beliefs. Resilient and entrepreneurial, I think those are the words that describe the average Nigerian. They face incredible hardships and a lot of hard situations and they don’t only survive but also thrive in those situations. I am privileged to be part of that. It has been fun in this country.

America would be marking 240 years of unbroken democratic rule next year and there have been hiccups here and there as it is said there is no perfect system anywhere. What has kept America going?

First, the biggest thing I think is our flexibility. Our constitution was written in 1787 almost immediately after, we passed the Bill of Rights and the first amendment to the constitution, recognising that that was not a perfect document. When that document was written, slavery was still legal and women could not vote. So

throughout our history we have through the power of the people allowed change to adapt to society’s needs and we are seeing changes every day so it is not about taking history and not mired by history but able to adapt to times. If it was a 100 years ago, a woman like me from a minority population could not have been considered as a diplomat. That would have been impossible but here I am today in the US embassy in Nigeria as a diplomat. So I think that has been key to our success to adapt to change.

From your experience, do you think importing a democratic system from advanced countries and practising same without adaptation can give good results especially in third world or developing countries?

It is not all that abstract but I will say that of all governmental systems in the globe today, democracy is the best. It allows that flexibility and it also allows the people to make their voices heard and to reflect on their needs. So I would say democracy, no matter any level of development, any society could benefit from it and would benefit from it which is why we are supporting it so strongly throughout the world.

You visited the Internally Displaced Peoples’ Camps, and had firsthand experience of the situation. Can you give us an assessment of the situation in the camps?

Certainly! As I am sure you know over 2 million people are displaced here in Nigeria and most of them, about 91 per cent, are not living in a formal camp but are rather living in informal camps; being hosted by communities throughout the country. In fact, I visited somewhere some months ago here in Lagos along the Lagos Peninsula where an entire village from the north-east had moved down here; several hundreds of people living by the grace of other fellow Nigerians from another tribe, from another religion and from another ethnicity but still being welcomed and accepted and given shelter and refuge.

That has been very touching to see and I am very happy to see Nigerians welcoming other Nigerians in their homes.

We are working with government to try and end the scourge of Boko Haram. They are terrible blood thirsty evil organisation and we have been supporting Nigerian government to eradicate them. In the meantime, we are also helping with IDP support with humanitarian aids, education and healthcare for those in the camps. It has a big challenge for Nigerian government, private organisations as

Brewer

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • June 25 , 2016

SPECIAL INTERVIEW Nigerians Are Good at Turning Bad Situations Around well as the international community.

Civil society groups are pulling together a lot of resources in order to resolve but unfortunately, I don’t think there will be easy answer even as we see the military taking more and more ground from Boko Haram. Seeing the incredible devastation of the north-east, those who have been displaced would not be able to return home easily. But we are looking at the support we can come up with even as the federal government is taking the lead on this issue. I think they are stepping up and taking that role.

Can you quantify what your country has put into the effort?

Through USAID, we have invested over $137 million in the north-east, $18 million for humanitarian assistance and $15 million educational activities for schools that are too far behind. I know we are working with transition initiative and the state governments to try to increase visibility of government to the populace.

What we found in domestic insurgency is people feeling separated from the government and that is something the recruiters are using to try to gather more supporters by saying your government doesn’t care about you. So we are trying to work with the federal and state governments to visibly show government action and support so that is the thing we take very seriously and we are also working with the UN, other donors, DFID and the EU to make sure we are working in concert under the umbrella of the Nigerian government to make sure we meet the needs but for the short term we meet the humanitarian needs like food, aid, education and healthcare for those in the camps and those not in the camps and to in the long run, we help the displaced return to their homes.

Do you think we are any nearer to seeing these displaced people returning to their homes?

I think it depends. We hear every day of more and more local government areas being liberated and we are learning that the police are returning to more and more of Borno State and state and local governments are taking control again. But there is a lot more areas that are in dispute or not secured so people are not yet feeling safe enough to return home so I think the refugees themselves would know when it is safe to return home because I know they want to return home; they are the ones, in many ways, who are able to determine when it is safe for them based on what they are hearing from their neighbours and friends. We want to help people return home but ideally they will return home when they feel they are safe to do so.

We have a bipolar problem presently: Boko Haram in the North East and militancy in the Niger Delta. Would your government support any marshal plan towards the development of these areas in solving the problem of militancy and Boko Haram?

Well, I may have to find out more about the phrase marshal plan because I think it is one of those words that mean different things to different persons. I prefer to think in terms of what would be the plans and programmes to support development, to support long term engagement and to support a system where the people feel they have been hurt by the government and they have access to justice, access to educational opportunities, access to development opportunities and to entrepreneurship opportunities and all kind of ways they can make life worth living which is the expectations of human beings to make the family stronger. Those are the type of programmes we have been supporting and will continue to support.

Again, the Nigerian government has been a good partner for us and has been working with us on these issues and we will look for ways to partner and make that stronger. I know we have done a lot on those.

Brewer

Well, in some ways when people are able to voiceliberate themselves, that is not necessarily a bad thing. We see these in places where some voices have been repressed. You say everything is fine but it is not. You are just repressing. The same thing in Nigeria. You are repressed and you have the feeling to speak openly. I don’t think just because people are complaining, voicing their problems that means the society is failing, it means society is strong enough to bear the different viewpoints.

I don’t see that as weakness; I see that as a show of strength In case of the Niger Delta, you said you have been doing a lot of support programmes yet militancy persisted.

What do you think is the panacea to this problem?

It is such a problem in Nigeria that I don’t know if anyone has easy solutions.

I know that when I came here in 1996, militancy in the Niger Delta was an issue and here I am 20 years on, still the same issue going on. So I don’t think there is going to be any easy answer. It will be unfortunately a long process and we are encouraging everyone to deal with these issues using rule of law, using negotiations, words and not violence.

Lately we have seen a lot of agitations almost from all regions of the country. From the South-east, you see Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra and Indigenous People of Biafra; in the Niger Delta, the Avengers and other groups while in the South-west, the Oduduwa Republic advocates and Arewa advocates in the North for self actualisation. Taking the US as a bastion of human rights, do you think they should be given their dreams which will balkanise Nigeria?

I think the future of Nigeria is up to Nigerians; they are the ones who will determine what their beliefs are. I think that this country is such a plurality of religions, of ethnic groups of tribes, different backgrounds. It is also like that in our country.

I think it is the strength of a society when you can accept the minority population in a society and treat them with respect; when you can hear their grievances, deal with difficulties and come through the other side of that again using the rule of law legitimately as well as the courts.

That is the strength of a society. Like in my country, that is one of the strengths we have. Nigeria had a terrible civil war with much devastation. They determined that remaining united was in their best interest and I know Nigeria about 50 years ago made that self-determination so I would hope that Nigerians would continue to see their plurality, their differences, uniqueness and society of members as part of their strength. Your differences do not have to divide you; they are going to be part of your strengths which you can even draw from.

From your perspective as someone who has dispassionately watched from the sidelines, what do you think are responsible for these agitations?

Well, in some ways when people are able to voice-liberate themselves, that is not necessarily a bad thing. We see these in places where some voices have been repressed. You say everything is fine but it is not. You are just repressing. The same thing in Nigeria. You are repressed and you have the feeling to speak openly.

I don’t think just because people are complaining, voicing their problems that means the society is failing, it means society is strong enough to bear the different viewpoints. I don’t see that as weakness; I see that as a show of strength. if we are going to do that in a peaceful way using rule of law, using the ballot box, voting, using your representatives in office to represent you. Those are good things and democracy is loud, it is noisy and sometimes a bit disorganised but one of the tenets of democracy is that you hear the voices of the people and it is not always unified.

Some people are saying under their fundamental rights they have a right to self-determination. Can calling for the dismemberment of a country be protected under human rights?

I don’t necessarily see those two things as one. I think they are crossing two different topics. I think human rights do allow people to share their opinions and share their views. That is fundamental human rights; being able to speak openly about your experiences. I think ultimately Nigerians have to determine what the future of their country would be; how it will look 20, 100 years from now. That is what Nigerians could do again through the legitimate use of the ballot box.

Earlier on, you had said Nigeria had been collaborating with your government to tackle Boko Haram which you described as blood thirsty, evil organisation. But when Nigeria, in its time of need, wanted your country to supply weapons with which the insurgency could have been contained, that was refused. Why? Well, I can’t speak of on any purchase or

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • June 25 , 2016

SPECIAL INTERVIEW Agitations for Self-Determination Won’t Break Nigeria

I am sure criminals are very entrepreneurial as well; criminals are very creative. I am sure they will look for any means and any loophole to exploit the weakness in a system which is why we spent a lot of time trying to strengthen those systems with our international partners. Just to close those loopholes and to close those doors but criminals are smart too. We just have to be on our toes to find them where they are

Brewer

request. I am not able to do that but what I can say is that we have been supporting Nigeria with equipment and training. We are currently training a third battalion of Nigerian troops where our expert trainers are giving them their best in terms of tactics and how to defeat the enemy.

We have donated MRAPs vehicles that could withstand mine attacks and we have donated coast guard crafts for the Nigerian Navy. We are selling items to the Nigerian government. Every sale, every training, every interaction we must meet Lehi’s law that requires us to review any sort of military training or sale or donation against the human rights record of that group of people and we take that seriously and we don’t spare any letter of the law and that is why we want to enhance the ability of any military to be able to deal with the citizens in a respectful way that recognises human rights. I know it is important we draw all these comparisons but the truth is that despite the situation we have our eyes on the future.

In one of the books written by Winston Churchill, Bodyguard of Lies, he said truth is so precious you have to surround it with Bodyguard of Lies and that once war is declared moderation amounts to idiocy. So how do you weigh protection of rights of people who are mass killers in a war situation like Nigeria faces?

This is what we believe very deeply that we have shared with your leaders at all levels, both civilians military, from the highest office in the land and down. It is that protection of civilians and respect for human rights is not detrimental when you are fighting an insurgency, particularly domestic insurgency. The two actually go hand in glove. When you respect human rights of your own population, you rob the insurgent of the ability to use that as a tactic.

Do we say that you have seen that now and that is the reason you are agreeing to supply the weapons like some attack aircraft are being sold to Nigeria now?

We started the training programme with the army under the previous administration. Some of the donations we have done

were under the previous administration.

So I wouldn’t say it has changed dramatically than in the past. All I will say is our relationship is strengthening in many facets; we are always looking for a close relationship with the Nigerian government and with the Nigerian military. So I think it is a relationship that is on the upswing which is a good thing but I wouldn’t have to draw it in black and white terms but we have been working better for a long time and would continue to work better for a long time in the future.

village not just our country. I will reject that and I think that America is among the most giving, most generous people on the planet. I can speak for myself as a diplomat. We are not motivated by money; we are motivated by our desire to serve our country and represent the values of America to the rest of the world and certainly I am paid. I am a paid employee but that is not my main motivation. My main motivation is how do I represent the world to America and how I represent America to the world? I think I have enjoyed it.

Some skeptics are of the view that your country only donated disused and refurbished equipment to Nigeria in its fight against terrorism instead of selling state of the art weapons to us.

What’s your response to that?

We don’t have problems with that because the Excess Defence Articles, EDA, and those articles that are no longer used by the US military, they are free which means they are accepted in the conditions they are and for the cost of shipping. It is what it is, the price is free and I know the Nigerian government and military have done procurements of advanced weaponry and very soon we are again working with them in general and I think our support has been strong and will continue to be strong. I reject any accusation the items are not useful. The Nigerian government accepts them, they see need for them and it is something we are happy to do and they are happy to receive it so it is a positive not a negative.

One wonders why all this assistance to Nigeria is not in technical/ technological areas that can make her develop and compete globally. You talk about human rights but that would not make the country compete globally and be technically competitive?

I will disagree with the premise of the question, Nigeria is globally competitive.

Nigeria is one of the most entrepreneurial nations. Right now, we have a global entrepreneurial summit in California and Nigerians have the highest number of applications and 22 of them are at this event and to say Nigerians are not globally competitive is giving the impression of what Nigeria is not. Is it in the medicine?

In the arts? Educational fields? Nigerians really are in the fore-front of all that. So I think our desire is more openness, more competition and more exchanges.

There is this allegation that your country is only moved by its economic interest in policy formulations especially with the third world where Nigeria belongs. What is your response to that?

I reject that whole-heartedly. I mean certainly you can look at our contributions to this country that we discussed few moments ago. Hundreds of millions of dollars being given not only in the northeast but also to eradicate polio, reduce HIV, to increase literacy, to increase good governance and these are things that are good for the prosperity of the world, not just America. Our goal is a more secure, more democratic, more prosperous global

We take the US as having zero tolerance for corruption but incidentally when funds are looted they are channeled to all these advanced countries sloganeering anti-corruption and they host the money and even when the monies are traced, to repatriate them becomes almost impossible. For example the Abacha loot is yet to be returned fully. Why is this so?

It is a very cumbersome legal process. I know it is not necessarily exciting to think about the entire legal process that it takes to return money. This is not a safe with a big bag with a dollar tag Abacha loot sitting somewhere but because some of that money may have been turned into property, laundered and turned into businesses and into goods. So it is not just a simple matter of reaching into a safe and saying

okay, here is the money; take it back. Some legal processes have to be followed as the rights of those individuals (who claim ownership of the monies) are respected as well. It is difficult and not exciting to think about; it involves a lot of lawyers and a lot of companies and law enforcement to go through a lot of documents and I know they are doing that work as we speak to determine where those monies came from, how do we remove them and how do we answer the claims of individual holdings and determine if they came by them honestly. It is an incredible amount of work and I know it has been going on for years and unfortunately it has to go on into sometime into the future but our desire is true. We intend to do all we can to return those monies and most of those monies are not in the US. We are using money laundering laws we have passed to seize and freeze assets that have passed through the US and also we are using several international agreements but a lot of them are not in the US but we are reaching out globally to our partners across the globe to find, freeze and return the assets and that is our intention; that is our desire but it won’t happen overnight.

Panama papers revealed a place that was intentionally created as tax haven to host such stolen assets?

I am sure criminals are very entrepreneurial as well; criminals are very creative.

I am sure they will look for any means and any loophole to exploit the weakness in a system which is why we spent a lot of time trying to strengthen those systems with our international partners. Just to close those loopholes and to close those doors but criminals are smart too. We just have to be on our toes to find them where they are.

So you don’t think there is an official stamp or an intentional look away from the loopholes that make it possible for the criminals to exploit?

Absolutely not. Again our desire, our policy and our goals are to punish the wrong doers and return the right properties to Nigerians. That is what we are doing and it will happen but unfortunately, just not overnight.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

NEwsXTRA

Groups Protest in Ekiti, Demand Fayose’s Resignation Workers suspend strike, sign pact OlakintanVictor inAdoEkiti

Conference of Nigerian Political Parties and Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), based in Ekiti State, yesterday, protested against Governor Ayodele Fayose’s alleged involvement in the $2.3 billion arms scandal.

Also yesterday, workers in the state suspended their four-week-old strike, following the signing of an agreement with the government.

The protest, according to the coalition, was sequel to startling revelations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro allegedly collected N4.7 billion to

finance Fayose’s governorship election held on June 21, 2014.

The protesters massed at the popular Fajuyi Park and marched through Ojumose Square to Okeyinmi Junction where their leaders addressed the mammoth crowd about the state of affairs in the state.

The protest was undertaken under the platform of a non-governmental organisation, Be The Change Organisation (BCO).

Addressing the crowd, the Executive Director of BCO, Mrs. Omotunde Fajuyi said Ekiti people were embarrassed by the latest revelation that linked Fayose to the N4.7 billion arms cash, adding that all Nigerians must support any move to recover the people’s commonwealth.

Fajuyi said: "We support President Buhari's anti-corruption crusade; we have come out to protest looting of our money, corruption in government and scandals digging this government in Ekiti.

"Workers are dying at home, we want Fayose to explain what he has done with allocations he had so far collected because he had received more than N50 billion as allocation since he came to power.

"Fayose claims to be a Christian, he must come out clean and give account to the people of Ekiti State and he must submit himself and all his aides and associates to anticorruption agencies for investigation."

The Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Kolawole Olaiya

urged the EFCC to probe the whereabouts of the N9.6 billion bailout money released for the payment of workers, pensioners and past political office holders.

Olaiya said: "Corruption is responsible for the inability of Ekiti State government to pay workers' salaries for six months. With the present revelation that several billions of Naira has been discovered in the sitting governor's account, it is a confirmation that the governor is corrupt.

"Ekiti workers still believe that the N9.6 billion bailout is kept somewhere and we urge the EFCC to institute a probe into this fact so that workers can receive their six months salary arrears and secure

their future.”

The state CNPP Publicity Secretary, Ayo Adelabu said: "We are calling on Fayose to resign from office over his failure to live up to expectation he should come out and defend himself in the N4.7 billion arms deal scandal and we also challenge him to explain to Ekiti people how he had spent six months allocation without payment of workers which has grounded the workforce.

"The CNPP warns Fayose to stop abusing Mr. President who has been enjoying the full support of the majority of Ekiti people.”

At a ceremony of the pact with the government in Ado-Ekiti, the state government and the central labour unions agreed to a seven-point deal.

On the government side were the Secretary to the Government, Dr. Mrs. Modupe Alade, the Head

of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka and the Chief of Staff, Chief Dipo Anisulowo.

On the side of the labour were the Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Oladipo Johnson, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ade Adesanmi and State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Odunayo Adesoye.

Among the resolutions agreed to were that the state government should, within seven days, conclude its request with commercial banks to restructure personal loans granted public servants with a view to giving them relief from loan repayment; payment of January 2016 salary immediately and the payment of February salary as soon as Budget Support Fund is available.

Fashola Begs Industries not to Pack up over Poor Power Chineme Okafor in Abuja

BRINGING THEM BACK HOME...

L-R: Media Consultant, Mr. Frank Kintum; Project Director, Mr. Dapo Odukale; Chairman Organizing Committee/CEO Brand Edge Limited, Mr. Femi Akinwunmi; and Education Consultant, Mr. Olabode Olotu during a Press Conference to flag off countdown to the Top Nigerian Secondary Schools UK Fair, scheduled to hold in Stratford, London

True Federalism, Panacea to Ooni Honoured by Black Nation's Woes, Says Enugu Bishop Congressional Caucus in US Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical province of the Anglican Communion, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma said yesterday that only true federalism would usher in the reign of genuine peace and prosperity in the country.

In his "Presidential and Bishop's charge delivered at the on-going second session of the 16th synod of the diocese of Enugu, at the Church of Resurrection Power, New haven, Enugu, Arch-Bishop Chukwuma noted that the present scenario where some sections of the country were alienated in the governance of the country was not in the interest of the nation.

He attributed the prevailing turbulent moments cropping up in various parts of the country as the effect of nonchalant attitude and lip service being paid by people at the helm of affairs of governance to the yearning of the masses.

He mentioned the present agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra by MASSOB/IPOB, the threat and destruction of oil pipelines by Niger Delta Avengers, as some of the issues that necessitated true federalism.

Archbishop Chukwuma while pleading with the Niger Delta Avengers and other militants

including MASSOB and IPOB, to down their tools, urged the Federal government to immediately commence the processes of national dialogue with representatives of the area on how to resolve the problems.

“While the provision of infrastructure and sustainable development is important, there can be no peace in the area or any part of Nigeria, for the matter, If injustice to the people of the Niger Delta is not comprehensively redressed.

“Specifically, a truthful commitment to the principle and practice of federalism is what can bring peace and prosperity to Nigeria.

The time for a strict adherence to federalism in resource ownership and use for the development of a united Nigeria is now”, Archbishop Chukwuma stated.

He further called on President Buhari to order for unconditional release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the Radio Biafra Director/MASSOB leader immediately, as one of the strategies of curtailing pressure in Igbo land. He also advised that people with proven integrity from Igbo tribe should be appointed into choice positions in President Buhari's cabinet, stating the South East zone of the country was also part of Nigeria.

Yinka KolawoleinOsogbo

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi(Ojaja II) has been honoured with an award of recognition by the Black congressional caucus of the American House of Representatives at the Capitol building in Washington DC. The award certificate which was presented to the African monarch on behalf of all the members of the caucus by the congresswoman Maxine Walters representing 43rd District of California was said to be in recognition of the King's efforts at promoting peace and unity in Africa.

"Your Majesty, this reception and special award is in recognition of you not only for being the 51st Ooni of Ife but also because as the paramount spiritual head of the Yoruba people worldwide and the Custodian of Yoruba Culture whose service to mankind, advocacy of global peace and promoting unity with focus on Africa is most deserving of the respect, admiration and commendation of the United States Congress which is why we are all here today.

We also commend you for your work toward improving the quality of life for individuals and families in Nigeria and around the world". Congresswoman Waters said. Responding, the monarch described the black congressmen and women as pure Africans with pure love for Africa. He thanked them for

the honour which would go a long way in giving him the joy of origination and charged them never to hesitate to support the people and leadership of the continent which was their ancestral home whenever the need arose.

"I am proud of you all for your love forAfrica. You have demonstrated to me here today that you're purely Africans with pure love toAfrica. You have given me the joy of origination which is the greatest joy. I promise to always work for you and look after you all as my responsibility but please don't relent in your love for Africa and never hesitate to support the people and leadership of Africa whenever the need arises.

Thank you and God bless". Ooni Ogunwusi said.

Those who accompanied the king to the reception were his queen Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi (Yeyelua), her Polo boss uncle Chief Obayuwana and the king's eldest brother PrinceAdegboyega Ogunwusi. Others are HRM Alaraoodaye of Ara-Ife Oba Segun Layade, the chairman of Central Association of Nigerians in the UK Babatunde Loye, Professor Jeleel Ojuade of the University of Ilorin, Barrister Lanre Alli, Eniola Fayose, Rotimi Osobemekun, a business magnate Kola James, the rest are Oyeyem Oriowo (Sarun Oodua) Lori Iwarefa Chief Dotun Aworeni, Idowu Salami(Traditional Secretary) Moses Olafare(Media director) Tiamiyu Solomon and a host of others.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has asked industrialists, directors of companies and other employers of labour in the country not to panic or downsize their staff strength in the face of current power supply challenges in the country.

He said the federal government had put in place a plan that would ensure progressive supply from incremental to steady and then uninterrupted electricity regime nationwide.

The minister according to a statement from his senior aide on communications, Mr. Hakeem Bello Friday in Abuja said this at two major events – the Quarterly Business Luncheon of the Institute of Directors (IOD) and the 13th Distinguished Electrical and Electronics Engineers Annual Lecture in Lagos.

As a guest speaker at the IOD Business Luncheon, the statement said Fashola underscored his optimism that the current challenges facing the power sector would soon be over, saying the present administration was committed to ensuring a sustainable power supply in the country.

He equally spoke at the Distin-

guished Electrical and Electronic Engineers Annual Lecture of the Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), and told industrialists, entrepreneurs, directors and other employers of Labour in the Organised Private Sector (OPS) not to panic by downsizing, shutting down or laying off their staff.

He noted that the nation would overcome the challenges of unsteady power supply just as it had overcome other critical national challenges.

He said he inherited a privatised power sector where majority shares of the sector was sold to private companies after the government unbundled the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and sold the generation, and distribution processes to private companies but retained the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Government, the minister said, also created regulatory agencies like the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) the Nigerian Electricity Management and Safety Agency (NEMSA) and the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO), adding that by unbundling the PHCN into 18 companies, government stopped producing and distributing power as well as issuing meters.

Nigerian Secondary Schools Exhibition in UK to Drive Education Tourism Following the success of the maiden edition of Top Nigerian Private Secondary School UK Education Fair and the request from parents for more options of schools, the 2nd edition of the Fair has been scheduled to hold on July 16 and 17, at the University Square, Stratford, London.

According to the organisers of the Fair, the UK Education Fair would bring together Nigerian parents living in the UK, to the University Square in Stratford where they would be meeting with top Nigerian Secondary School representatives. The top Secondary Schools, including top Federal Government Schools, would be exhibiting and showcasing their facilities, success stories and interviewing children for a place in their schools.

The Chief Executive Officer of Brand Edge Ltd, (organisers of the Fair), Mr. Femi Akinwunmi said the rationale for the fair, was to offer an easier platform for some “parents in

UK who wanted to send their children to Nigeria during those formative years (secondary school years) due to the legal implications in the UK of impeding African Values. The kids would be reoriented and reconnected to their roots and values”.

Parents, he observed, were often at cross roads in selecting the appropriate schools for their children and wards, as “they do not know the schools that have the right facilities, offer British or mixed curriculum, with other essential facilities like security, sports, music, social services etc”.

He stated that “top Nigerian secondary schools had over the years invested in human resources from around the world to create an inclusive model of extra-ordinary high standard blended with great value to mould children into young adults ready to achieve boundless heights in various higher institutions around the world”.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 25, 2016

NEwsXTRA

Rivers Denies Withdrawing N11bn from State's Account Anayo Okolie Rivers State Government yesterday denied withdrawing N11bn from the Rivers State Government’s account between October, 2015 and February, 2016.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Austin Tam-George, disclosed this while reacting to a report, which claimed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was to investigate the withdrawal of over N11bn from the Rivers State Government’s account between October, 2015 and February, 2016

under the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike.

The “suspicious withdrawals”, according to the report, were made in cash by the Director of Finance and Administration of the state’s government house, Mr. Kingsely Fubara from the Rivers State Government’s account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

But the commissioner said that Rivers State Government never conducted such financial transactions and the report was patently false.

According to him, "The Rivers State Government has no record of any staff known as Kingsely Fubara. This must be a fictional character created by the

All Progressives Congress (APC)) and the Punch newspaper to embarrass the State Government and deceive the public.

"Punch 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, Tam-George posited that Rivers State Government was accountable to the Rivers State House of Assembly and the people of Rivers State, not to the Attorney General

of the Federation, adding that "This is a totally fictitious report typically orchestrated by the APC and its media allies."

"The story raises fundamental questions about the moral horror of an anti-graft 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 like an integral organ of the APC," Tam-George added.

Okowa Moved to Tears at Abavo Hospital Commissioning Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Friday inaugurated the ultra-modern Abavo General Hospital, Abavo in Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Okowa became emotional at the occasion when he discovered that he had actually unveiled the portrait of his late mother, Mrs. Victoria Okowa whereas he thought that he was unveiling a marble plaque to mark the official opening of hospital.

The governor's mother, who died in 1982 at the age of 44 years, established the first maternity home in the agrarian community of Abavo in the 1960s.

The people appealed to Okowa through the President-General, Abavo Clan Union, Mr. Amaechi Onwumeri, to allow the maternity ward of the new hospital to be named after his late mother, who

also hailed from Abavo town.

However, the governor moments later admitted that he only restrained himself from breaking down in tears after realising that he just unveiled the portrait of his own mother who he loved dearly.

Okowa stated this while commissioning three newly constructed roads at Owa-Oyibo, the administrative headquarters of Ika North-East Local Government Area, to conclude the projects commissioning programme, which was part of activities to celebrate his one year in office.

Before its upgrading and construction by Okowa, the Abavo General Hospital was initially conceived in 2004 as a cottage hospital by the Ibori administration with work on the project commencing in 2005, but it was not completed even though the Uduaghan government also made efforts to finish the project in 2008.

NUC Seals-off 4-Year Old Illegal University in Delta Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE...

L-R: Mr. Eromosele Ebodaghe; Sir. Clement George; Otunba Wale Coker; Celebrant/Chairman BOT of Boyz Company of Nigeria, Chief Rasaq Porbeni; Sam Akpobaro; Otunba Hinds Dumbo; Mr. Lucky Awobasivwe and Mr. Isobo Jack; all members of boyz company of Nigeria, at the 66th birthday of the Association's Chairman of BOT held in Port Harcourt recently

Nigerian Customs Seizes 37 Bags of Cannabis John Iwori No fewer than 37 bags of cannabis have been seized by men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Western Marine Command (WMC), Comptroller Yusuf Umar has said.

The seizure of the cannabis, according to the CAC, is the third one WMC was recording in the last four months.

“You are here to witness another seizure of cannabis sativa, making it the third in the last four months. This time around the seizure was made at the Agbara/Badagry axis by our patrol team after we got an intelligence report the previous day that some unscrupulous elements were about entering our country with the cannabis

from Ghana. We therefore swung into action and arrested the boat while the suspects as usual jumped into the water to evade arrest”, he said.

Umar explained that the patrol team comprising men and officers of WMC waited for a while to see if they would swim up but to no avail.

“The officers had to bring the cannabis to the base, hence no suspects were arrested. The cannabis was packed in 37 jumbo bags worth N130, 000, 000”, he added.

Giving an insight on what exploits of the command so far, Umar said: “So far we have recorded seizures valued at N393, 094, 300.00) with duty paid value (DPV) of N399, 632, 075”.

The CAC vowed that his command would continue to fight smuggling activities as long as the smugglers

refused to turn away from their nefarious activities.

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hammed Ibrahim Ali (retired) and the management of NCS for being “very supportive and focused” on the campaign against eradicating smuggling throughout the country.

“This support has been the force of motivation for officers and men of the command”, he said.

In a related development, the Kano/Jigawa Customs Command, has impounded assorted contraband goods valued at N20 million. The Comptroller of the command, Comptroller Mathias Abutu who made the disclosure in Kano said that the seized goods were discovered in a bush, where they were stored

in a warehouse in Malam Madori town, close to Maigatari, a border town between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

He described Malam Madori town as a “volatile place” fraught with difficulties for men and officers of Customs to make seizures due to the uncompromising attitude of the villagers.

According to him, Malam Madori is a volatile area difficult for our officers to operate but the command was able to make ``the big haul’’ due to the unrelenting efforts of its field officers, who were determined to rid Kano and Jigawa of smugglers.

Giving an insight into the strides the command has made in recent times, Abutu said: “We have been making a lot of seizures.

APC Appeal Panel May Investigate Edo Primaries, Says Bamidele Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Appeal Committee on Edo Governorship Primaries, Opeyemi Bamidele has said that the panel would subject the ballot papers used for the party primaries to both manual and forensic inspection.

When asked whether the committee can annul the primaries, Opeyemi said: "If it is true that the integrity of the ballot papers has been compromised, then definitely there is no way the result of such primary election can stand".

Speaking while presenting a

preliminary report of the panel to the national leadership of the party in Abuja on Friday, Opayemi said the need to embark on a thorough investigation of the processes adopted in the governorship primaries was to ensure the integrity of the entire process.

He told the party leadership that the Appeal committee would require more time to conclude its assignment in view of the need to fully address all the issues raised by the petitioners.

"It is not about the number of petitioners we have, just two out of twelve, but it is about the issues they raise, a lot of the issues are very weighty, very sensitive issues that

could not be swept under the carpet.

"Some of the issues for instance has to do with the integrity of the ballot papers that were used to conduct the primaries in Benin City and as far as we are concern, we felt that there is no way we could conclude this and submit a report to the party without having to do some manual inspection and possible forensic analysis of the ballot papers if justice on this matter would be done.

"It is not just about these petitioners who are making the allegation, it is also about the integrity of the entire process and more so in a matter of few weeks as the party would also be going to Ondo State to also carry

out governor primaries and thereafter in some other state and we feel that the issues of integrity of our electoral process is one that should be consider very seriously and today we have come here to explain our position to the leadership of the party.

"We have met with the National Organising Secretary and of course both the National Organising Secretary and the National Chairman of the party who also have been in consultation with other members of the National Working Committee of the party have agreed to extend the time, you know, the deadline for us to submit this report till next week," he said.

In continuation of activities to stop operation of unauthorised universities in Nigeria, the National Universities Commission (NUC) had sealed off a university in Delta State which had allegedly been operating illegally for four years.

The NUC also arrested the fake institution's Coordinator and support staff.

Officials of the commission in collaboration with men of the Independent Corrupt Practices and related offences Commission (ICPC) had on Thursday stormed the illegal university, which styled itself "World Mission University (West Africa)" with operational centre on the Old Sapele Road, Abraka, in the vicinity of the state-owned Delta State University (DELSU).

THISDAY learnt that before being shut down, the university had been functioning as a satellite campus of a foreign university based in United State of America (USA) with its African Zonal headquarters in South Africa and ran scholarship

admission for a 400 level (2 year) degree and six months Diploma courses in various disciplines.

The courses offered include Nursing, Public health, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Management and Administration, Mass Communication, Political Science, Industrial Safety, Web designing, Computer networking, Computer Engineering and Vocational Studies.

The institution had an enrollment figure of 84 students were said to have been taught by "volunteerlecturers" while its first graduation ceremony was slated for August this year.

One of the rooms used in the "university building" was being used for the training of nurses and other Medical Science students without the necessary equipment, the NUC discovered.

However, following a rigorous interrogation of the Coordinator, Mrs. Hannah Lucky, the NUC team carted away files, handbills, computers, laptops, admission forms and other official documents relating to the university’s operation.

Ondo Guber: PDP Accuses APC of Conducting Parallel Voter Registration James Sowole in Akure As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continued with the registration of voters preparatory to the November 2016 Gubernatorial Election in Ondo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of engaging in parallel voters registration.

The INEC on Wednesday commenced the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in 203 wards in the state in order to provide opportunities for those who did not register during the last exercise or those who had clocked 18 years after the last registration to be able to register so that they can vote during the forthcoming election in the state.

Suspicious of the APC which also commenced the digital registration of new members of the party, the PDP alleged that the action of the APC was a calculated attempt towards compromising future elections in the state.

The PDP allegation was contained in a statement signed by the party’s Director of Publicity, Ayo Fadaka saying the APC’s suspicious exercise was now a common sight in all local government areas in the state.

“This action of the APC is calculated towards compromising future election results in Ondo State and this attitude is not only criminal but absolutely unpatriotic.

“It is also important to also declare that we got wind of this development earlier in the week and we wrote letters to the security agencies in the State on Monday 24th June, informing them and equally requested that they be proactive and arrest this criminal development, but it seems our desire in this regard has been rejected.

“We again appeal to INEC and the Security agencies to again stop the APC from taking actions geared towards compromising our elections through the implementation of fraudulent projects like this”, the PDP stated.

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Saturday, June 25, 2016

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Price: N250

MISSILE South East Caucus to FG

“If anything, this All Progressives Congress administration should apply the raw political will and brutal tendencies of its security agencies towards ridding the region of marauding herdsmen who kill, rape, rob, and maim with impunity and still get away with it.”

– Members of the “South East Caucus” in the House of Representatives condemning the planned arraignment of Senator Ike Ekweremadu for alleged forgery.

PENDULUM Dele Momodu

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Why Africa Must Unite

F

ellow Nigerians, the shocking exit of Britain from the European Union has compelled me to choose this important topic today. I had voted on Thursday in London to keep Britain in the EU but the proponents of Brexit won the day, unfortunately.

Prior to that important day in the British calendar, I had listened keenly to both sides of the arguments. There were no doubts that each side had their valid reasons for wanting to stay or jet out of the union. But I was more persuaded that Britain stood to gain more by remaining in a larger clime than being a tiny insignificant island on its own, especially now that the world has become a global village due to the advent of the internet, social media and information technology generally. All that is now history.

Britain has chosen to take a monumental risk. There is nothing wrong with taking risks.

It is part of growing up as a people. They will learn from it in the long run, either positively or negatively. But I love bigger dreams. The USSR was once very powerful but it had its influenced greatly whittled down after its cataclysmic breakup. I’m sure the old people of USSR would wish to turn the direction of the clock backward and bring back those good old days. Russia has been fighting back trying to bully and re-annexe its old family members once upon a time. But it is no longer a simple matter. No matter its regret today, it must live with the consequences of allowing a once powerful nation to dismember itself in a fit of recklessness. That is why all those calling for the collapse of Nigeria as one nation should take a pause and think through the acute frustrations that may have necessitated their clamour for confederation or outright secession and consider the consequences.

I’m almost certain that if a referendum is to hold in Nigeria today to consider a renegotiation of the statehood of Nigeria many would vote for an immediate dissolution without a blink. What is very unfortunate is the fact that this decision would not be based on any hard fact or guarantee that this action would bring long-lasting peace or progress to the reconfigured nation-states.

I dare say that whatever entities are created would soon find themselves bedevilled by the same assumed ills that would have caused the cataclysm and collapse in the first place. I’ve always said that if Nigeria should fall into the temptation of falling apart, we may find up to a thousand countries within a country.

The reason is very simple. We are all very strong-headed and self-opinionated. We want things our own individual ways. Any other way is no way. That is why we use religious, ethnic, political and social excuses to cause mayhem in our polity when the real reason for our disaffection is our personal ambition and greed. It does not matter to us that the ultimate result of our actions would be to the detriment of the generality of the people as long as we perceive that in the long run there would be something in it for us. That is the way we are. But this selfish attitude must change.

Some of the greatest countries on earth – USA, China, India - are all massive. This is not to say smaller countries cannot make it. It is this ‘smallness is good’ mentality that is one of the

John Mahama reasons that I find the success of Brexit in the British referendum amazing. I still cannot fathom how a nation that once prided itself in controlling an empire that spanned almost all the continents of the world would now reduce itself to one that is content to remain in its little corner of the world fighting imaginary enemies. Whatever your view is, at least in their own case you will find that the reason why the majority chose to go the way they did was largely as result of patriotic zeal rather than self-gratification.

My spiritual instinct always tells me that Nigeria was not created big for the fun of it. It was for a purpose, and it is one that we shall realise in the fullness of time. Why should we use our own hands to destroy such a formidable nation because of the rascality of a few people?

I love every Nigerian and it never bothers me if anyone loves me in return or not. We can never grow if we allow politicians to separate us for personal aggrandizement. I grew up in the university township of Ile-Ife learning about the strength in unity and diversity. This is not a contradiction in terms. It is what makes cosmopolitan cities and countries survive what would otherwise be loaded time bombs in their corporate structures and existence I do not know what our students read

nowadays but one of my favourite books was ‘Africa Must Unite’ by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, a former President of Ghana. I don’t know what inspired him to come up with that thesis but I was undoubtedly inspired by the position canvassed by him. You can imagine my excitement when the countries of West Africa decided to come together and promote economic ties and freedom of movement of their diverse citizens. But decades after this glorious union, we are yet to take full advantage of that beautiful vision of the founding fathers of ECOWAS. It is pertinent for Africa to embrace the foresighted advice of Dr Nkrumah. Africans should stop waiting for crumbs from donor nations. Africa is richly blessed with human and mineral resources. The expertise required to develop can be sourced from different parts of Africa. I believe that our human resources capabilities are one of the best in the world. If properly harnessed and channelled to productive sectors of the African economy, the people of the continent would be much better for the effective and efficient utilisation of the . The investments we desperately seek in Europe and America can be found in Africa. African leaders must be willing and ready to provide the enabling environment for business to thrive.

One of the ways in which the continent of Africa can tap into the rich collection of human talent that abounds within its fold is to positively encourage migration of its citizens from one country to another by removing all impediments and obstacles that would militate against free movement and by implication wealth creation. There is no reason or basis for some African countries to waive visas for European and American countries while insisting African passports must go through the horrendous process of obtaining visas. It is demeaning in all its ramifications. For a start African passport holders must be allowed to enjoy visa-on-arrival facility in every part of the continent. This should be the goal of the African Union. It is gratifying to know that one leader has decided to take the giant leap.

It has been announced and widely-circulated that from July, African passports would now be able to fly into Ghana under a visa-on-arrival program. Nothing could be more reasonable.

How can we have an African Union that lacks simple cohesion amongst itself? We must salute the vision of President John Dramani Mahama for pushing such a laudable agenda in this age of global xenophobia epitomised by the Brexit campaign in Great Britain and the emergence of the openly racist and bigoted phenomenon that is Donald Trump in the USA. In this regard, President Mahama has demonstrated an uncommon courage by breaking down one of the walls of superstitions that have divided us for far too long.

Just imagine what Ghana stands to gain by throwing its door open to all African countries. Firstly, tourism will definitely enjoy an unprecedented upsurge. The visionary President of Ghana is not just waiting for this upsurge in tourism he has gone a step further by creating the necessary infrastructural support that would cater for them. This is starting from the airport which is being upgraded

not just in terms of bricks and mortar but also by the deployment of state of the art equipment guaranteed to create a first and lasting impression on the western tourist that has been greatly misinformed about the backwardness of the African man. You are first greeted by a screening point which employs computer and laser technology to check your temperature against fevers that may portend that the passenger may be harbouring some deadly disease. Then you proceed to E-gates where your passport is quickly scanned and your details registered electronically. That is not all. On leaving the immigration side you are greeted by several porters ready and willing to assist with trolleys for which you do not have to pay one cedi. The free trolleys are everywhere and in essence you are spoilt for choice. Then comes the icing on the cake in terms of your airport experience. Cool air form strategically and aesthetically placed airconditioners cool and calm you down as you await the prompt and seamless delivery of your luggage from carousels which function properly and whose numbers have been increased to cope with the anticipated increase in the number of tourists and other visitors. As if that is not enough, as a transit passenger you do not have to exit the immigration hall before proceeding to your next flight thus making your trip to even other vistas a seamless one.

Secondly, the visa on arrival scheme will ensure that potential investors would be able to come in at the shortest notice and without much ado. The scheme is therefore such a brilliant move that should be advocated and emulated by others.

To enhance Ghana’s growing reputation as probably one the fastest growing economy in Africa, President Mahama has continued to concentrate on the generation of more power that would drive the industrial and agrarian revolution that he envisages for his country.

Although the country has a challenge in getting gas for its power plant, the President has nevertheless been creative in directing increased power output in the country such that the country is now 70% sufficient in meeting its power needs. The President is unrelenting in this regard and is already considering and thinking of ways of implementing other sustainable, alternative power sources as oil becomes a volatile commodity to deal with.

The foreign investor is also assured of a stable political climate. The rule of law prevails and the sanctity and respect for the judiciary is undiminished. President Mahama does not just accord respect to Parliament in faithful adherence to the doctrine of separation of powers, he eschews interference whether direct or indirect in the affairs and internal dealings of the legislature.

Businessmen especially foreign investors applaud his unique style of governance which gives them every assurance that their investment is safe and is not subject to arbitrariness and capriciousness. Governments around Africa have several lessons to learn from the Ghanaian practice of true democracy which is obviously responsible for the economic uplift that Ghana is presently enjoying.

Africa must not go the way of Britain…

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