Saturday 9th July 2016

N22.8bn Alleged Fraud: Ex-Airforce Chief, Amosun, Others Opt for Plea Bargain Davidson Iriekpen Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosun (rtd) and two senior serving Air Force officers have opted for plea bargain in their ongoing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged corruption

Amosun and the two serving senior air force officers, Air Vice Marshal Adigun, Commodore Olugbenga and some companies were charged before the court on June 29, for the alleged offences.

The companies were Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, McAllan Oil and Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties

Company Limited, Trapezitrs Bureau De Change ((BDC), Fonds and Pricey Limited, Deegee Oil and Gas Limited, Timsegg Investment Limited, and Solomon Health Care Limited.

The accused persons were alleged to have committed the offences between March 5, 2014, and May 4, 2015.

The offences according to the EFCC are contrary to sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. They all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, the EFCC

prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the defendants had commenced a move to enter into a plea bargain with the federal government.

He tendered a draft copy of the terms of the plea bargain to the court, which he said he had served on the defendants.

But the defence counsel,

comprising Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), Mr. Kemi Balogun (SAN), Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) and Mr. A. Etuokwu, informed the court that the business of the day was for report of compliance with the order of the court regarding the verification of

Continued on page 6

Liquidity: CBN Monitoring More Banks ...Page 6 Saturday 9 July, 2016 Vol 21. No 7745 Price: N250

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Abia: Judge Declines to Stay Execution, Tells Parties to Take Case to A’Court Owerri court absolves Ikpeazu of tax evasion, rules he’s duly qualified to be elected governor Osisioma court extends stay of execution order

Tobi Soniyi and Alex Enumah in Abuja, Amby Uneze in Owerri and Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia

Justice Okong Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja on

Friday held that the Certificate of Return issued to Samson Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was issued in compliance with his judgment.

Justice Abang, in two separate

rulings he delivered yesterday, dismissed the application by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking for the stay of execution of his judgment which ordered Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu to vacate

office on account of giving false tax information.

The judge, who dismissed the application for stay of action on the judgment of the court saying the application constituted an abuse of court process because

the PDP filed two motions on the same subject matter.

He said though, the PDP had sought to withdraw the earlier application it filed on June 28, 2016, but noted that issues had already been joined by Ogah's

counsel, Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN) via a counter affidavit.

The court held that there was nothing before the court to stay as the judgment had Continued on page 6

Kachikwu: My Stewardship at NNPC, Hands over to Baru Lists achievements : deregulation, reduction of operational cost by 30 per cent, meeting statutory payments to the federation account To appraise dialogue with militants and plug possible gaps SEYI SODIMU

Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu yesterday formally handed over the task of managing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to its new Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr. Maikanti Baru, saying he successfully turned around the fortunes of the state oil company in the 11 months he held the post of the GMD. Kachikwu said in Abuja that when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him NNPC’s GMD in 2015, he had asked him to reposition the operational direction of the corporation following its reported poor profitability index; loss of business transparency and focus; as well as confidence of Nigerians.

He stated that he had so far changed such ugly narratives about the NNPC and thus turned it into a profit-making entity.

The minister added that for the first time in a very long time, Continued on page 6

My Kids Are My Greatest Achievement

SuperSaturday pg. 8-9

NNAMDI EZEIGBO

My Grass to Grace Story of Slot Group

Plus pg. 17

INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHI RAJI'UN

R-L: Zamfara State Governor Abdulazizi Yari; Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and Director-General of DSS, Lawal Daura during the Janaza (Islamic Prayer) for late Umaru Shinkafi at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Sokoto ...yesterday

THISDAY STYLE RETURNS IN THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER TOMORROW

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Liquidity: CBN Monitoring More Banks Obinna Chima with agency report The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that it is monitoring some commercial lenders for liquidity after Skye Bank failed to meet prudential ratios, prompting it to replace its top executives this week.

The Director, Banking Supervision, CBN, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, said "one or two" commercial banks had failed liquidity tests but they were not in the same situation as Skye.

The central bank on Monday said Skye Bank's liquidity ratio

had been below the regulatory limit for a while and it had resorted to its rediscount window for support, prompting its top executives to resign.

But Martins said the central bank was working with the banks to restore their ratios and sought to reassure depositors that there was no need to panic.

"We have our eyes on one or two other banks right now but they are not in a state of distress. We have our eyes on all banks," Reuters quoted her to have said on Channels television.

After replacing Skye's executives on Monday, depositors

KACHIKWU: MY STEWARDSHIP AT NNPC, HANDS OVER TO BARU

NNPC in May 2016 netted a profit margin of N270 million.

He also disclosed that despite renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta and seeming cracks in the federal government’s reported dialogue with militants in the region, the country’s daily crude oil production capacity was still at 1.9 million barrels.

He said he would appraise the government’s dialogue with the militants, and try to plug possible gaps in the process.

The government had on Monday named Baru as a replacement for Kachikwu in the NNPC. Kachikwu who however retained his job as minister, was also appointed chairman of the board of NNPC by the government.

The minister listed some of

what he said he achieved in the 11 months to include cutting its operational losses; deregulating the country’s downstream petroleum sector; initiating a creative means of meeting the corporation’s Joint Venture (JV) contributions; as well as meeting its statutory payments to the federation account, amongst others.

He also said Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption has dropped by 30 per cent following his efforts to sanitise the downstream operations of NNPC and the country.

“11 months ago, when the president asked me to take over the mantle of leadership of the NNPC, there was indeed an urgency of now, morale was low, things were haywire, there

rushed to withdraw their funds.

Martins said Skye was able to meet its obligations and that the central bank was providing support until the new management can bring in fresh funds.

She added that the banking industry was healthy.

CBN has the authority to remove bank executives, powers which it exercised during the 2007-2009 global financial crisis when it sacked nine CEOs at banks which were deemed under-capitalised.

Excessive risk taking and last year's shifting of government funds from the banks into the central bank were partly

responsible for the liquidity shortfalls, Martins said.

Skye's problems worsened after it used short-term funding to acquire Mainstreet Bank in 2014 but failed to attract fresh funds, she said.

Last year, the regulator gave three commercial banks until June 2016 to recapitalise after they failed to hit a minimum capital adequacy rate of 10 per cent.

The CBN during the week reiterated that no bank in the country is in distress, just as it reassured bank customers that their deposits are safe.

The acting Director, Corpo-

rate Communications, CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor said the attention of the central bank was drawn to malicious rumours and unfounded speculations that some banks in the country might have gone or be going into distress.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg in a report yesterday, indicated that the ousting of top management at Skye Bank had continued to deepen concern over the health of the industry.

“There’s a chance we’re going back to several years ago when banks were taken over,” a frontier markets analyst at brokerage Auerbach Grayson

& Co, Zoran Milojevic said.

“There are still way too many banks. Some of them have to go.”

While problems are mounting, Nigeria isn’t headed for the crisis it had in 2009, a Johannesburg-based executive director at business risk consultancy Exx Africa, Robert Besseling said.

“The whole banking sector is under pressure in Nigeria given slowing growth and average loan-book exposure to oil and gas of 30 per cent,” a London-based economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Oyin Anubi said.

were lots of issues of transparency on the table. The profit index was very poor and the belief of Nigerians in the functionality and reliability of the NNPC was quite frankly at a questionable level.

“And the president felt the best way to start my career in the public service under him was first to go to NNPC as outsider and try and bring in certain new structures to help the place change its direction and focus.

“Looking back now, I think one must be very grateful to the president not just for the opportunity but for the foresight because I had my own doubts whether I could actually do that given the fact that I was an outsider and this is a very huge institution with over 30-40

years of experience which I was not built into.”

“But he was persistent on that and looking back at what we have accomplished, I well understand now why he is the very wise president of the nation and I thank him very much for the opportunity that he has given me.

“Even when he appointed me minister of state sometime in September, despite all the pressures that he had to quite frankly decouple both positions, understandably, he remained steadfast in feeling that that process should run a course to a point where he is comfortable to decouple it. I think we have gotten to that point and I thank him for that opportunity.

“I have always said it that it is not how long you serve, it's what impact you make when you served. Public service chair are swivel chairs and they are made swivel for a purpose. So that they rotate and as you go somebody else comes in and continue the contributions that you made.

“For the 11 months that I served, I am most grateful to the president and also to Nigerians for the overwhelming support that I received in the difficult challenges that we had to face,” he stated.

The minister further explained: “In the 11 months, let us just rethink some of the things we have achieved. First, we managed after very great difficulties to restructure the NNPC. It is a very massive restructuring that has been able to set out various parameters of the business as profit focused entities of their own. That was a major massive work.

“We have been able to cut operational cost by 30 per cent and save a massive amount of

money for the group.

“We undertook deregulation at the time nobody thought was possible and if there is anything we leave for the industry, it must be the legacy of that deregulation.

Today, our fuel consumption has gone down by about 30 percent.

We have no queues in the filling stations, we have about one and half months of self-sufficiency.

We have strategic reserves that we are putting together.”

Continuing, he said: “We have downstream that is for the first time focused on a very strong P&L and I note with very strong satisfaction that if you compare the April results of downstream group with May results, you will see a massive turnaround from about N19 billion in loss to some level of profits.

“We succeeded in removing subsidy and saving over N1.4 trillion on yearly basis for this country. We have reduced upstream contracting period from average of two and half years to between six and seven months. Thanks to the massive work by NAPIMS.” Kachikwu described the N217 million profit made by NNPC in its May operations as a massive achievement given that when he took over the corporation’s losses were in excess of N150 billion.

He reiterated his commitment to ensure that Nigeria cuts its petrol importation significantly, saying, “by 2018, 60 per cent of refined products importation will stop and by 2019 we must become a net exporter of refined petroleum products.”

On renewed activities of militants in the Delta as well as its impacts on Nigeria's crude oil production, Kachikwu said: “We are doing 1.9million barrels.

We are working on it (dialogue with militants) and I need to

meet with Mr. President and obviously, there's a lot more engagement that is required.

“There are gaps that seem to have developed and I need to understand what issues warranted that. But we will work towards closing those gaps.”

He also assured that the damaged Forcados terminal will be back on stream by the end of July.

Baru in his response, thanked Kachikwu for recommending him to Buhari for the position.

He assured him that he would work to deepen the on-going reform in the NNPC. He said he would implement the new business model and grant needed autonomy to the SBUs with ABUs providing relevant directions and control that would ensure their growth and profitability.

He also added that he would continue to explore ways of relieving government from the burden of cash calls obligations as well as address and defray the agreed cash call arrears to the IOCs. Group Decries Removal of Kachikwu as MD NNPC An Oil Monitoring group, Niger Delta Indigenous Movement For Radical Change (NDIMRC) yesterday decried the removal of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu as the Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at this critical period when peace is required in the Niger Delta region.

The group wondered whether the appointment of the former Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production of the Corporation, Dr Maikanti Kacalla Baru could help in returning the much desired peace into the troubled oil industry at this critical time when the militants were destroying oil facilities.

ABIA: JUDGE DECLINES TO STAY EXECUTION, TELLS PARTIES TO TAKE CASE TO A’COURT already been executed by the electoral body.

"Judgment of the court had already been executed by the issuance of the Certificate of Return in favour of Dr. Samson Ogah, therefore there is nothing to be stayed".

Justice Abang further held that there was no evidence before the court that the Certificate of Return was issued to Ogah before service of the notice of appeal was served on INEC. "INEC itself said so that the certificate of return was issued before service of the motion was done. INEC lawfully issued the certificate of return in compliance with the judgment of the court.

"The application for stay of execution of the judgment of this court is hereby dismissed for abuse of court processes, the Applicant is to pay the sum of N40,000 as cost", the Judge held.

Meanwhile, the court refused to set aside the interlocutory injunction restraining the Chief Judge of Abia State and other judicial officials from administering the oath of office on Ogah and also refused to entertain Ikpeazu's application for a stay of execution of the court judgment given in Ogah's favour.

In the ruling of the court in three motions filed by Ikpeazu and Ogah, Justice Abang held that the federal high court has the jurisdiction to hear the motion for stay of execution of its own judgment, adding that the court in the instance case refused to take it because it would be presumed it had jumped into the arena as Izinyon, representing Ogah had conceded to the submission by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), that the court lacked the jurisdiction.

Abang disagreed with Olanipekun's submission that the court should hands off all matters once an appeal has been entered. He said that a motion for a stay of court judgment which was final decision must be taken by the trial court, saying that it was wrong for Ikpeazu to have filed stay of execution at the Court of Appeal without first filing such an application at the trial court.

On the interim injunctive

order issued by the Abia State High Court that restrained the swearing-in of Ogah, Justice Abang said "it is an absurd for a court that is not seized of the matter to have issued order obstructing the judgment beneficiary."

The judge noted that the judgment of the Abia State High court was capable of frustrating the decision of the court.

He said the order has created confusion and stalemate in Abia State.

However, Justice Abang stated that since the matter had gone to the Court of Appeal it would be better for the appellate court to resolve the issue.

Counsel to Ikpeazu, Wole Olanipekun in his argument, informed the court that application has been entered and records of application transmitted with appeal number given.

He also informed the court that there is a motion of stay of execution on the matter and urged the court to hands off the case.

Citing various cases of point of law, to support his position that once an appeal has been made the lower court no longer has jurisdiction over the matter, Olanipekun urged the court to transmit the application of stay of execution to the court of appeal.

According to him, it would amount to judicial rascality to continue with the case, as the court has no jurisdiction on any issue place before it.

Responding, Izyon while conceding to the position of the appellant that once a matter has gone to the appeal court the lower court no longer has jurisdiction urged the court to rule on the other application seeking to set aside the judgment of the Abia State High Court which he argued was not covered by the appeal.

He said the only area he is disagreeing with the counsel is the part heard application argued on the 4th of july.

He therefore urged the court to set aside the judgment made

by Abia State High Court.

Izyon, argued that the court has jurisdiction to entertain the matter since it borders on the

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sanctity of the court, adding that the court cannot shut its eyes on issues bordering on abuse of court processes. He also said the court has jurisdiction to protect its own judgment from been ridiculed.

Court affirms Ikpeazu’s election, absolves him of tax evasion…

Respite came the way of Ikpeazu yesterday in one of the pre-election suits seeking to remove him as governor as a Federal High Court in Owerri, dismissed a suit filed by Mr. Friday Nwosu alleging that Ikpeazu had submitted forged tax documents Nwosu, who was one of the aspirants that contested the primary election for the governorship flag bearer of PDP placed fifth but later went to court to challenge the eligibility of Ikpeazu, who won the primary election.

Other respondents joined in the matter were Dr Uche Ogah, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But in his judgment, Justice A.I Allagoa said that the plaintiff was unable to prove that the tax documents submitted by Ikpeazu were forged.

He therefore dismissed the case and affirmed that Ikpeazu was duly qualified to be elected as Abia governor.

The case filed by Nwosu on March 2, 2015 was the first of the two suits seeking to remove Ikpeazu governor on allegations of fake tax papers.

The second suit filed by Ogah on April 20, 2015 was also based on the same ground of improper tax papers.

Meanwhile Abia State High court sitting in Osisioma yesterday extended the order it gave on June 30, 2016 stopping the Chief Judge of Abia, President of Abia State Customary Court of Appeal or any other judicial officers from swearing in Uche Ogah as governor based on the order given by Justice Okon Abang of Abuja high court.

In granting the motion filed

by Ikpeazu seeking extension of the order, Justice C.H Ahuchaogu extended the restraining order to July 18, 2016.

N22.8BN ALLEGED FRAUD: EX-AIRFORCE CHIEF, AMOSUN, OTHERS OPT FOR PLEA BARGAIN the defendants' bail conditions.

Quakers argued that though the defendants were the ones who broached the idea of a plea bargain, they needed to be out of the EFCC custody first before they would be able to negotiate properly with the prosecution.

"When a man is in a custodian environment, anything you want him to say, he'd say; anything you want him to do, he will do. We should not be stampeded or boxed into a corner," Quakers said.

Noting that the draft copy of the plea bargain was only just served on the defence counsel on Friday (yesterday) morning, Quakers argued that defendants were entitled under Section 36(6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution to be given adequate time and facility to prepare their defence.

Also, Ayorinde and Etuokwu aligned with the argument and insisted that the order of the court on the bail of the defendants must first be complied with.

Opposing, EFCC lawyer insisted that the business of the day was for the trial to

commence, noting that he had a witness ready in court.

He said it was not the making of the EFCC that the defendants were still in custody, despite the fact that the EFCC did not oppose their applications for bail, noting that the EFCC investigators sacrificed their holiday period to verify compliance with the bail conditions.

Oyedepo added that the defence counsel already had knowledge of the plea bargain terms and should either proceed with it or he was ready to open trial.

After prolonged arguments between the parties, Justice Idris, in a short ruling, ordered the EFCC to conclude the verification of the defendants' bail conditions on or before Monday, July 11, 2016.

Justice Idris stated that he had noted from the draft plea bargain that negotiation was already ongoing between the state and the defendants and that the defendants had shown a "clear, positive and strong intention" to settle with the government.

He adjourned till September

12 and 13, 2016 for trial.

The three Air Force Officers and their companies were alleged to have converted N22.8 billions belonging to the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), to their personal use.

In one of the counts of the charge, the accused persons were alleged to have converted the sum of N21,467,634,707.43 billion, property of the Nigerian Air Force, which sum was derived from stealing, to their personal use.

They were also alleged to have between May 5, 2014 and 4 May 4, 2015 in Lagos, indirectly converted the sum of N5, 291, 306, 950.28 Billion, property of the Nigerian Air Force.

Amosu, Adigun and Olugbenga, were alleged to have between July 17, and September 16, 2014, used the British Pounds Sterling equivalent of sum of N663, 443,291 million, removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase two properties situated at 50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW41TH) and 93B Shirehall Park, London NW4 2QU, United Kingdom.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY JULY 9, 2016

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

SUPER SATURDAY Seyi Sodimu

My Kids Are My Greatest Achievement Sodimu

Debonair, delightful and distinctive; smashing in his white dress shirt, unbottoned at the top, with a chain adorning his neck and a baggy trousers, he cuts the figure of an accomplished superstar. His stage presence is undeniable; with a wave of the hand, the crowd bellowed in excitement. He smiles, flashing his sparkling white teeth. The crowd chorus in ecstasy, “Love me jeje, love me tender!” Then they add, “You’re my sugar, my honey, my tender lover!” He holds out a mic to them to sing the refrain again. Then slowly, assuredly and tenderly he rocks the mic to the delight of the crowd. His sweet, caressing voice wafts through the calm air, serenading the ecstatic throng. As the crowd ask for more, he begins to wax even more lyrical. With Seyi Sodimu, love is constantly in the air. The Afro soul singer and songwriter has performed alongside Wyclef Jean, Ginuwine and collaborated with reggae star Wayne Wonder. The former United States-based singer who returned to Nigeria and has recently released a remix of his evergreen song, ‘Love Me Jeje’ featuring American R&B singer K. Michelle. He speaks with Azuka Ogujiuba about his music career, family and business

L

ove Me Jeje remix with K Michelle has got over 90, 000 YouTube views since its release some days ago, how does that make you feel?

I am equally as amazed as some people are, and to think I really did not want to do the remix. I was kind of ‘ambushed’ into doing it. So now I agree with my team that the song came before its time. Well, the song is back, perhaps now that it will be appreciated by a wider audience.

What are the new things infused into the Love Me Jeje remix?

If you have heard the original version that was like an anthem back in the day, and you listen to this new version, the

things infused into it hit you straight away. That is why I want people to go online and listen to it and let us hear the feedback which will make us know if we got it right or not.

What do you plan to do with this song?

It is part of other songs that will make up a full album scheduled for release this year.

You have been off the music scene for more than 15 years. Where have you been?

I have been around. I moved to Nigeria about eight years ago. I went to the US in 1985; I was a kid then. It was really hard to detach (myself from the States), get up and come back home. But now, I have a house in Nigeria and I also

have a house in Washington DC. So you just left music after Love me Jeje I have been doing music behind the scene. I funded some artistes in Nigeria here that you would not know about and I may not tell you. I have been recording, I have raised two kids and I also invested in real estate. I built a school called Hopesville International School in Nigeria about two years ago.

I asked my wife what she wanted and she said she wanted to build her own school. I see that project as one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. She supported my music. So I had to support her. But then, I still record music, I have not left music in the real sense.

Are you fully back home now?

Yes, I am. But I travel a lot like any other person. It is a global economy now. I am here 70 per cent of my time.

But in summer, I am not usually here. I take off that time to spend the holidays with my kids. Children grow up so fast these days. My greatest achievement is my children. They are the ones I will leave everything I have for, so they deserve that time I spend with them.

You left the Nigerian music scene when the ovation was loudest. What happened?

As you grow older, your priorities change. When I did Love Me Jeje, the structure was not there. It wasn’t even profitable at that point. I was in the US when I released that song. I came home and released it here and I went

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

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SUPER SATURDAY I Am Back in Nigeria, Better and Bigger...

Music Is My Passion

So it will be hard for me to leave music. Look at King Sunny Ade, look at Onyeka Onwenu, Ebenezer Obey and the likes, they are still active in what they do which is music. So, it’s very difficult to see someone that knows music to leave it for no reason.

back. Till today, I still get royalties from that song in the US; I can’t say that for Nigeria. You have to do music when you can give it your full attention. I cannot release a song every month like some artistes do. For me, music has to be evergreen. It wasn’t as if I planned to leave but it was just the nature of what I was doing at that time.

But if you had released another hit even if it was three or four years after, you may have still been much known now or don’t you think so?

You are right. But look at artistes like Adele, she releases a song and goes away for like five years. When you reach a level of success, you have to be able to enjoy life. Asa does same thing. My gap has been a little bit more because of the fact that sometimes I release a single in the US or London and I don’t bring it back home.

When did you become a professional musician?

It is a passion. If you have desire to do music, nothing will stop you. I finished college and I decided to take voice lessons. There was a fire inside of me. I have never regretted it.

Can you in any way leave music for something else?

That’s a very big question because most times, you can’t leave music until music leaves you. I try to do what I know how to do best. In this life, it is very good to diversify in so many ways.

Look at most international celebrities, they delved into so many businesses, but they never left what they are known for. Puff Daddy is there; 50 Cent is there; Jennifer Lopez and the likes have some other things they do that keep them busy, at the same time still doing their music - because that is what they are known for.

So it will be hard for me to leave music. Look at King Sunny Ade, look at Onyeka Onwenu, Ebenezer Obey and the likes, they are still active in what they do which is music. So, it’s very difficult to see someone that knows music to leave it for no reason.

So aside music, what else do you venture into?

We just finished a very massive international school around Agboju

Sodimu with his wife, Tolu side; that was my wife’s dream. Her dream was to own an international school where she can teach and impart knowledge to children. The reason why we put the school in that area is because most of these big international schools are usually located at Lekki, Banana Island, Gbagada and the likes. Children around Agboju too can enjoy the same facilities others are enjoying out there.

In fact, the children are even enjoying themselves because of the international standard, and they are happy that their proprietor is a young and vibrant woman who knows what it takes to run a school.

And so far, I never knew it was profitable in the long run. It’s a good thing when you want to bring good things to people, doing what brings you joy and at the same time making profit from it.

There is nothing more interesting than that.

What do you think Nigerian musicians are not doing right?

Nigerian musicians need to understand that churning out almost 10 albums in one year is not the best. The thing is, these guys feel they are competing with one another in the sense that when this one drops an album, the other party wants to drop his own too.

By doing that they end up singing songs that is not worth the stress and that can stand the test of time. Look at most of the evergreen songs you know, of Paul Play, Sunny Nneji, and the likes. If they had rushed like that, they wouldn’t have done a good song. So for me, it’s better I take my time to do what I know will make people remember me for long.

Sodimu

Why I Did “Love Me Jeje” Remix with American Singer K. Michelle

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULy 9, 2016

NEWS

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

Court Affirms Uba, Oduah, Okadigbo, Others Validly Elected Tobi Soniyi in Abuja A Federal High Court in Abuja has again affirmed the sanctity of the process that led to the election of Stella Odauh, Andy Uba, Mrs. Margery Okadigbo, Chris Azubogu and other members of the National Assembly from Anambra State.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola while delivering a judgment in a suit instituted by Senator Annie Okonkwo and others who claimed they should be the ones representing Anambra at the National Assembly, the court held that only the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party could validly nominate candidates for an election.

The judge dismissed the originating summons filed by Okonkwo and his cohorts.

The judge consequently held that since Ubah, Oduah, Okadigbo and others were nominated by the PDP's NEC, their nominations remained valid.

Conversely, the judge ruled that Annie Okonkwo and 43 others nominated by the PDP's state exco in Anambra were not validly nominated and they could therefore not lay claim to the election.

To support his position, the judge cited the Supreme Court's judgement in the same matter which was delivered earlier this year.

Okonkwo had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission before the court.

However, 20 others including the PDP, Ubah, Oduah, Okadigbo, Azubogu and others whose interest would be affected by the case applied to be joined and were dully made parties to the suit.

Justice Ademola dismissed the suit saying it was an abuse of the processes of the court.

In the judgment that lasted for

about an hour, Justice Ademola held that the plaintiffs' claim that they were the rightfully nominated candidates of the PDP in the National and State House of Assembly election in the March and the April 11, 2016 could not stand in the face of the law because they were unlawfully nominated by the state executive of the party.

The court held that it had been established by the Supreme Court that the power to conduct primary election, nomination of candidates and submission of list of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was vested on the National Executive Committee (NEC) of political parties.

The judge said, in the instant case the plaintiffs, having emerged from a primary election conducted by the state executive of the PDP, submitted themselves to an act of illegality and as such could not seek legal backing for such a nomination.

The trial judge referred to the Supreme Court judgment of 29th January 2016 and the ruling of the apex court delivered on February 24, 2016 where the issue of the powers of the PDP NEC and the state executive committee was ventilated to the effect that the state organ of the party had no power under the constitution of the party and the Electoral Act to nominate candidates for the purpose of general election.

Justice Ademola said since the Supreme Court had made the clarification via an order, such order must be obeyed by all persons and statutory bodies.

He said: "It is settled law that the state executive committee organ of a political party lacks power to nominate candidates for an election. It is only the primary election conducted by the national executive committee of a party that is valid to be submitted to INEC for the purpose of an

CELEBRATION TIME...

L-R: Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olusegun Olulade; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his Wife, Bolanle during the Eid-El-Fitri celebration at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Lagos

election and no other arm.

"The plaintiffs' claims to the effect that they were the validly nominated candidates of the PDP for the 2015 general elections cannot stand in the face of the law, because the Anambra State PDP exco has no legal right or legitimacy to conduct primary elections to nominate candidates.

"In the instant case, it appears that members of the state exco do not know their limit with their flagrant abuse of power and usurpation of the functions of the national executive committee of the party.

"Political parties should educate their state executive committees on the limit of their powers so as to stop them from embarking on acts of illegality and nullity."

He added that the claim of

Suicide Bombers Kill Selves, 6 Others in Damboa, Borno State SenatorIroegbuinAbuja

The two suicide bombers suspected to be members of Boko Haram, have killed themselves and six others through explosions in a Mosque in Damboa, Borno State.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday, said that at about 5.15am on Thursday, two Boko Haram terrorist suicide bombers attacked Damboa.

The first suicide bomber targeted Damboa Central Mosque but due to stringent security measures, he could not gain entry. Obviously frustrated, he blew up himself near the Central mosque," Usman said.

However, he added, the second bomber veered off and gained entry into another smaller mosque and detonated the bomb killing himself and six other worshippers and injuring one other person.

He stated that the wounded had been evacuated to a hospital while efforts were on to clear the rubbles.

He also noted that the troops and other security agencies had been mobilised to the area.

In a related development, Usman said that suspected elements of Boko Haram terrorists in a survival bid attacked Gaskeri village ahead of Dalori Thursday evening, where they killed three civilian vigilantes and

looted foodstuffs".

He assured that the "troops have been mobilised and they are on the suspected terrorists’ trail".

The Army spokesman also stressed that "as part of the efforts to keep MaiduguriDikwa-Gamboru Ngala road open and safe, troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade yesterday escorted four trailers and 44 other vehicles from Dikwa to Gamboru Ngala Thursday".

He disclosed that the escort duties would continue.

He further stated that the troops of 3 Battalion ambushed Boko Haram terrorists at Gajibo crossing point and recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with magazine, a transistor radio and a knife on July 6, 2016.

the plaintiffs that their names had been published by INEC before the national executive committee of PDP submitted the names of the serving lawmakers to the electoral umpire had no legal consequences, because they failed to show the legality of their candidate by their nomination forms.

According to the judge, mere publication of names does not in itself make the person whose name is published the candidate in an election.

Senator Okwonkwo, Chris Ubah and 42 others had asked the court to declare that their names having been published by the electoral body as candidates of PDP and could not be removed without a court order.

They also prayed the court for

an order of mandatory injunction directing INEC to restore their names as candidates sponsored by PDP for the 2015 general elections.

The plaintiffs also applied for an order of injunction restraining INEC from accepting or publishing any other name as the sponsored candidates of the PDP in their place without any order of court.

INEC and PDP had, in their objection to the Originating Summons of the plaintiffs asked the court to dismiss the suit.

Okonkwo and his colleagues were challenging the validity of primary election conducted by the PDP, which produced Senators Andy Ubah, Stella Oduah, and others, as candidates for the 2015 National Assembly elections.

Both INEC and PDP claimed

that the suit by Okonkwo and 43 others was a gross abuse of court process on the ground that the issues raised by the plaintiffs had already been resolved by the Supreme Court.

The plaintiffs also applied for an order of the court restraining INEC from accepting the nomination of Ubah and his colleagues in the national and state assemblies on the ground that they were not nominated by the state executive committee of the PDP led by Mr. Ejike Oguebego.

The Plaintiffs claimed that since Oguebego-led Anambra State PDP committee conducted the primary election, nominated them and their names published

by INEC, it was wrong in law for their names to be withdrawn from INEC’s list.

Shinkafi, Former Presidential Aspirant Buried in Sokoto Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto

Former Presidential aspirant in the third Republic and the late Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, who died at a London Hospital on Wednesday, was buried on Friday around 2.50 pm at the Hubbaren Shehu in Sokoto, the burial site of former Sultans and the Caliphate's nobles.

The funeral prayer was held after the Friday prayer at the Sultan Bello Mosque, adjacent to the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto.

The Janaza prayer was led by the Chief Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Usman Akwarra.

The prayer was attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III and Emirs of Gwandu, Argungu, Anka and Zurmi.

Governors of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Niger, Borno and Deputy Governors of Zamfara and Kebbi States, Ibrahim Wakkala and Samaila Dabai were also in attendance.

The federal government's delegation was led by the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau (rtd) and included Ministers of Justice (Abubakar Malami), Water Resources (Sulaiman Adamu), Aviation (State) Hadi Sirika, Defence (Mansur Dan Ali, the Director General of State Security Services (SSS) Lawal Daura, and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

Members of the National Assembly who attended were Senators Aliyu Wamakko, Bala Ibn Na'allah, Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, Adamu Aliero, and Bala

Hassan, among others.

Others include Generals Aliyu Gusau, Muhammadu Wushishi and Mamman Magoro.

Also at the mosque were former governors of Sokoto and Zamfara, Malam Yahaya Abdulkarim and Mahmud Shinkafi, who is the deceased's younger brother, Ismaila Isa Funtua and Inuwa Abdulkadir.

Speaking when the Federal Government delegation visited the Sultan at his place, Dambazau described Shinkafi as a statesman who served his nation diligently.

"Shinkafi's demise is not only a loss to his family, Sokoto and Zamfara states, but to the entire nation.

"He did his best for the country. We pray Allah to grant him Jannat al Firdausi," Dambazau said.

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JULY 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami Must Rise Above Sentiment

W

hoever is occupying the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice is expected to be just and fair to all.

As the chief law officer of the country, he must at all times ensure respect for and protect the laws of our land. I am not sorry to say that the current AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has not lived up to these expectations. His role in the ongoing war against corruption and the alleged forgery case brought against the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu has been inglorious. This note to Malami was triggered by last week’s declaration by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court in Abuja that the AGF “has now found himself as promoter of abuse of legal process.”

Yes, Malami is a political appointee, but I expect him to display a high level of professionalism in defence of the laws of our land. So far, he has not been doing this. The forgery case filed against Saraki and Ekweremadu clearly exposed our AGF. Malami’s actions and inactions are fast confirming insinuations that he has a mandate to “deal” with Saraki and Ekweremadu. While ruling that the forgery charge brought by the AGF was a gross abuse of legal process, Justice Kolawole noted: “The actions of the IGP and AGF whose offices were creations of the law, are in bad taste because this court had asked parties not to do anything on the police report during the pendency of the civil suit so as not to render the civil action nugatory and cause fate accompli.” He added that AGF ought to use his power under the law to terminate any charge filed in breach of court process.

It is indeed very depressing that Malami filed the charges, while a civil action instituted to challenge the propriety of the police report on the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rule 2015 in which the AGF and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) are defendants, is still pending.

The motive is vindictive. It was evidently done in a desperate haste that was not in the public interest. It is instructive to note that Senator Nnaji, who instituted the suit chal-

Malami

lenging the propriety of the police report on the alleged forgery, had filed a motion exparte in which he asked for a court order to stop the IGP and AGF from taking any step on the police report pending the determination of his originating summon and which the court granted. Malami is aware of this, yet, he went ahead with the charade.

We should also note that the AGF was the leading counsel for Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi who signed the petition on the alleged forgery of the standing rules. He engaged Malami, then a private lawyer, to file a motion for him (Hunkuyi) to be joined as one of the defendants in the alleged forgery suit.

Malami later opted out as a lawyer to the petitioner following his appointment as AGF. However, there is nothing to show that Malami has, in the real sense of it, opted out as one of the counsel for the petitioners.

Our dear Malami is still acting as if he is still the counsel to the petitioners.

These aside, the so-called forgery of the Senate standing rules is one big scam on its own. It is an imaginary forgery. Let’s critically examine all the issues involved. First, we need to understand how the Senate generates its rules and how it is amended.

It is an established convention that when

Still on Our Federal Character Law In spite of protests against previous actions, the appointments approved this week into the board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation by President Muhammadu Buhari did not reflect Federal Character. Please, let’s all reflect on the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) Chapter 2, Section 14 (3) which states: “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.”

I am appalled that there is no single person from the South-east geo-political zone on the lopsided board of the NNPC. Also, the appointment this week, of seven new Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIG) was disproportionate. We must consistently remind Buhari that he is the President of the whole country and not that of a section of the country. He must

be seen promoting unity and a sense of belonging among our people. Our president should always take a very good look at the map of Nigeria before making appointments.

It is pertinent to note that Order 3 (3)(e) (ii) of the 8th Senate, which provided for secret balloting instead of open show of hand as provided in the Standing Order 2011, was not used in Saraki’s election. He was a sole candidate and emerged unopposed under Order (3) (c) which is consistent with all previous rules.

So, where is the forgery?

For me, this ongoing trial is just an attempt by this administration to achieve what it could not do on the floor of the Senate the Senate and House of Representatives are dissolved at the end of their tenure by the presiding officers, their rule books end with them. The National Assembly’s bureaucracy prepares a new temporary

rule book with which a new Assembly is inaugurated. It may or may not adopt the one used by the previous Assembly. After inauguration, members can then amend the rules as they deem fit. From this explanation, it is obvious that the talk about a forgery is a sham. No legislator can influence the rules to be used before or at the first sitting. Before being sworn in, they are all still Senators-elect with no power to make or change the rules.

After being sworn in, they can activate the process of amending the said rules. So, what was used for the election of Saraki and Ekweremadu was the standing rules provided by the bureaucracy of the National Assembly.

The “Senate Standing Orders 2015” used for the election of Saraki and Ekweremadu has since been in use for over a year now.

Nobody has moved for its amendment. It means the Senate has adopted what was initially the creation of the bureaucracy.

It is pertinent to note that Order 3 (3)(e) (ii) of the 8th Senate, which provided for secret balloting instead of open show of hand as provided in the Standing Order 2011, was not used in Saraki’s election. He was a sole candidate and emerged unopposed under Order (3) (c) which is consistent with all previous rules. So, where is the forgery? For me, this ongoing trial is just an attempt by this administration to achieve what it could not do on the floor of the Senate. At the end of the day, justice will prevail.

For my friend Malami, he has to jettison conflict of interest, abuse of office, abuse of judicial process, abuse of the rule of law, intimidation of the Senate and violation of the principle of separation of powers. May Allah help him in this simple task.

Ex-Governor Peter Obi and Payment of Salaries For eight years as governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi paid salaries of civil servants as and when due. For him, it was not a big deal. I was impressed when he recently came out to lambast our squandering governors who have turned civil servants to beggars with huge unpaid salaries. With prudence and rational prioritisation, every state can comfortably pay salaries and engage in other developmental activities, so says Obi. He added: “There is no state in Nigerian incapable of meeting its financial obligations to workers. Those in government spend a lot of money on things that are not necessary, while running out of money for projects that would enrich the people. If any governor finds it difficult to pay salaries, let him consult me and I will

freely and willingly divulge the secrets to him.” As governor, Obi did not keep guest houses, charter planes, travel with more people than necessary, fly Business Class, use bulletproof vehicles, among others, thereby saving billions to offset close to the N40 billion arrears in pension and gratuity and others for developmental projects.

How I wish our decadent state governors will learn to behave like Obi. It is a shame to see governors who have failed to pay salaries for months collecting billions of Naira as security vote, maintaining huge aides, travelling abroad with a gigantic entourage as Rochas Okorocha of Imo State does, executing white elephants and flying around in private jets. The masses of the people must rise up against these governors from hell.

When Will Aircraft Land at Aregbesola’s Airport?

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State is one man that never ceases to amaze me.

His trickery is legendary. One of such bogus projects he launched with fanfare was the state’s airport project located in Iddo. It is appalling that despite all the abracadabra around the project, the airport remains a pipe dream. This governor told the hapless people of Osun State that the bogus airport would be completed in 2012 or early 2013. A visit to the site last week showed that it had been abandoned. What you find on ground today is the haphazard fencing done without any thought for engineering finesse by a contractor that goes by the name Gardol Nigeria Limited. The other things on site are heaps and heaps of stones and rubbish.

Billions of Naira has been expended on this white elephant. The exact figure is a closely guarded secret. Clearly, Osun State does not need an airport, considering the

fact that there is one, just a stone throw in Ibadan. This project does not make any economic sense. Why should a governor, who claims to be a man of the people, be wasting the state’s limited resources on an airport project amidst so much hunger, disease, poverty in the state? Workers in this state are being owed salaries ranging from nine to 12 months. Key infrastructure in Osun public hospitals and schools are in a tattered state, yet, Aregbesola is wasting money on an airport project. Just as Segun Akinwusi, former Head of Service, HOS, of Osun State, stated recently, “When a government chooses to indulge in trivialities, the end result is for it to be looking for scapegoats to cover its infamy. Osun state economy today has collapsed, the debt profile has reduced the state indigenes to beggars and destitutes.” Aregbesola is usually not happy with people like Akinwusi.

Aregbesola

The governor has since sent the EFCC after this foremost critic of his style of government with a dubious petition. A cooked up allegation of abuse of office has been leveled against him. I doubt if this can silence a dogged fighter like Akinwusi. May God save Osun State.

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JULY 9 , 2016• THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

JOURNEY TO SAPELE…

Sapele is still a shadow of its former self, writes Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku

I

f indeed travel takes your mind for a ride, what happened to me over the weekend in Sapele was indeed an eye-opener. The family of my friends, the Efetevbias and their bride were to exchange matrimonial vows. Unlike our president, I wasn’t going to fake an ear illness or fear of militants not to go to the Delta home front. The family involved is a special one. Besides, I wanted to visit a part of the Niger Delta seething with resentment over underdevelopment and marginalisation, and see things first hand, especially with the new bluster and muscle from the Niger Delta Avengers which seemed to have effectively put the fright on our beloved president. Recently the president was scheduled to visit Ogoniland for the purpose of implementing the UNEP Report and the launching of the first stage of the clean-up of a despoiled land.

But at the last minute, he opted out because of the so-called security reports which advised him against the trip. A lot of us were surprised: one, this is a president who is commander-in-chief of our troops on air, land and sea and a former soldier at that. If Mr. President is afraid to move around even with the fire-power and men at his disposal, then lesser mortals like me who have only a pen and computer as weapons as our last line of defence are in hot soup. Two, I remember the sort of opprobrium which Nigerians poured on Mr. Buhari’s predecessor Goodluck Jonathan who did not visit Chibok just after over 200 school girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram. I remember as well then there were threats to Mr. Jonathan’s life if he visited Borno. I do not regret advising Mr. Jonathan not to go visit Borno then because I verily believed that the gravity of threat to the life of Mr. Buhari’s predecessor then was more tangible than that to Mr. Buhari’s especially judging from their temperaments and antecedents. The lesson here is that a president of a country wouldn’t be cancelling scheduled visits to any section of Nigeria if the right and proper thing can be done.

Therefore, I set off. The plan was to go there with Mrs. Etemiku but on second thought I decided it wouldn’t be wise. I am unlike Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who is said to have married a petite Stella so that he could easily pick her up and scram if there was trouble. Mrs. Etemiku is nearly my size and if indeed the avengers were coming for us, picking up my inamorata and running away would be a huge challenge. Clad in my traditional costume and okpo to match, I arrived at the park to find out that not only had the drivers jacked up the fare by 100%, we also had to be squeezed like sardine: in a vehicle for four, we ended up on the journey with seven: four at the back seat, and me in front with another passenger in the front seat with the

driver. I cannot blame the driver: if people with public funds are not stealing the monies, I am certain that there would be a cheap and comfortable metro system akin to the ones in Europe plying the Benin-Sapele road today. Relevant institutions set up to work for the development of the Niger Delta must consider this. Daily, we are subjected to these inhuman treatments which erode whatever worth and dignity we possess as Nigerians.

As we drove along, the chap in front with me already had cramps. But luck was on our side: the journey to Sapele from Benin is not more than 30 minutes, and so instead of settling down to enjoy the scenic beauty of our landscape or take time to catch a quick nap, we shifted and adjusted without let. While doing so, one curious thing caught my attention at Oghara. As you drive by, you begin to see that a large chunk of land which had been cordoned off by the Nigeria Navy is already being cleared, and for whatever purpose, may not be too hard to ascertain. I know about the tension brewing between Oghara people and the Nigerian Navy over that mighty piece of land. Indigenes complain that the Nigerian Navy illegally occupies a land which supports them economically. And when I visited that piece of land sometime this year, I found out that there is an ecosystem which supports thousands of palm trees, kola nut trees, and water bodies which are home to wildlife that would immediately go into extinction if the Nigerian Navy goes ahead with their plan to annex the land. What therefore comes up from this little story is that the Nigerian state frequently and deliberately confronts the people of the Niger Delta at several levels in addition to the despoliation of an already traumatised land and people.

DAILY, WE ARE SUBJECTED TO INHUMAN TREATMENTS WHICH ERODE WHATEVER WORTH AND DIGNITY WE POSSESS AS NIGERIANS

None of the Safians (as people in Sapele call themselves) whom I had several conversations with would agree that there is any meaningful development in this ancient town. I thought there was actually. To the ordinary eye, the big banks dotting the town, the boutiques along the driveways would give the impression that there is some improvement from what I know of Sapele in the 90s. But I was told that these were refurbished building only enjoying a veneer of paint. I began to find out that indeed this is a neglected town, and the indexes of poverty and underdevelopment converge in Sapele: at the venues of the wedding ceremony, there was a big pool of water, which I was told is a monument of the 2012 flood which sacked Niger, Kogi and Delta States.

Those who came spraying money or who drove their princely cars into the venue of the reception became easy prey for scavengers and the thousands who showed up seeking a morsel or two to fill their empty stomachs.

Etemiku is manager communications, Africa Network for Environment & Economic Justice

KACHIKWU, NNPC AND THE NEED FOR CONTINUITY

P

Sam Ohuabunwa argues that Ibe Kachikwu should be confirmed the substantive oil minister

roponents of restructuring in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to divest Ibe Kachikwu of his double-barrelled position of Minister of State for Petroleum and Group Managing Director of the corporation have, at last, had their way. Last Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina announced that Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru had been appointed the new GMD of the corporation with a board headed by Dr. Kachikwu who retained his position as Minister of State for Petroleum. May be, that is just as well so that peace will reign within the establishment.

For far too long, speculation about Kachikwu’s departure from the GMD’s job had ruled the media space with irritating frequency triggering, at times, frantic rebuttals from the agency. But as it goes in the popular Nigerian parlance, there is never a smoke without a fire. Kachikwu’s exit was a secret on everyone’s lips except the man who had the power to make it happen. But many had thought that Buhari would not want to tamper with an arrangement that is working optimally, that the timing of such an action, when it became imperative would allow for the deepening of the winning strategy that is being implemented.

Many reasons had been advanced to justify it: that one man should not hold the two most powerful positions in the oil industry, conveniently ignoring the fact that the ultimate position was held by President Buhari who, had he not appropriated the position, still would have overriding powers, including that of removal, over Kachikwu. Or any other minister for that matter. The overwhelming feeling is that the president has capitulated to geopolitical pressures. Worse still, allusions have been made to the exclusion of the southeast zone in the NNPC board as further evidence that the Igbo of the south east have no place in a Nigeria ruled by Buhari.

This has become a recurring feature of PMB’s appointments since he came to power and this has

also become increasingly worrying. May be we should remind our president that Ibe Kachikwu comes from the South-South geopolitical zone. While we ruminate over the political implications of the president’s action, good conscience will demand that we first consider how it affects the dramatis personae in this unfolding saga, Ibe Kachikwu himself.

Does the president’s action amount to a vote of no confidence on the minister? Or has he discharged the initial mandate that warranted his occupying the two strategic positions at the same time? If Kachikwu were to leave the cabinet today, how will he be remembered? What will be his legacy?

To answer these questions will require looking at his mandate even against the background of his self-professed benchmarks that revolved around the following fundamental issues: professional restructuring of the NNPC anchored on best practices spearheaded by knowledge based leadership, reversing the loses in the NNPC, enthroning transparency and accountability, steadying fuel supply, restoring confidence in industry stakeholders who were suspicious of the motives of Buhari and restoring stability to the Niger Delta through a win-win proposition.

Nearly three quarters of a year later, can we attempt an objective scorecard? What will be the highpoints of his performance? Was the NNPC under the minister able to deliver on the key benchmarks? Is it not possible that the president, satisfied that the expectations had been met, therefore decided on a further restructuring to achieve his best intentions? If so, what are those best intentions? Are they best for the country or just for narrow interests, going by the composition of the board which suggests pacification of known political godfathers and gladiators in the party in power?

However one evaluates the situation, judged by the ministry’s accomplishments within so short a time, it can be argued, without any fear of contradiction, that Kachikwu’s has been one shinning

ministerial performance in a rather opaque canvass of questionable administration deliverables. Under him, accountability and transparency have been restored to the operations of the NNPC. The publication of monthly accounts may not mean much to the ordinary Nigerian who is more concerned with food on his table, electricity and water at home, employment for his or her three-graduate children and a sound sleep at night and a trip from Abuja to Lokoja without the fear of being kidnapped on the way. However, to oil industry stakeholders, investors and entrepreneurs, it provides a solid mirror for understanding what goes on behind those tightly guarded dollar-incubating towers, analysing the Nigerian economy and taking investment decisions.

Of course, not even Kachikwu’s detractors will deny that by his handling of the fuel crisis, he established himself as a solid professional, a consummate bargainer and a principled patriot not deterred by the prospect of losing his job in so far as the greater national good was achieved. Talking about patriotism, his willingness to negotiate with the militants implied that not only was his job on the line, even his life could be sacrificed in the process. In spite of the predictable dangers including intra-party and intergovernmental distractions, he has forged ahead with the zeal of a patriot and the consuming passion of a martyr. Is this new arrangement a reward for such brilliance and exceptional dedication and performance? Some doubt it.

Coming immediately after the very successful NNPC road show in Beijing, China, where investment MOUs totally over 50 billion US dollars were signed to fast track the administration’s plans for transforming the oil industry, it will amount to a contradiction to interpret the president’s action as a vote of no confidence on Kachikwu. On the other hand, it may well be that in the president’s calculation Kachikwu has delivered on the target set for him. I am more inclined to go with the latter view because I sincerely believe that the president cannot

reward such performance with a seeming demotion.

That being the case, I think there are, at least, three fundamental issues that should be addressed by the president. The first is the timing of the changes especially against the background of the need to have some consistency in driving already initiated platforms to their logical conclusion. Related to the first, we would be naïve to ignore the inevitable power relations that would disrupt the existing order. How this is managed would determine the sustainability of present achievements including relations with external stakeholders. Thirdly, it appears that the president is not bothered by the perception challenges that go with each of his every action as this latest step has oiled the arsenal of those who insist that his government has been grossly unfair to the south east zone of the country. This point has been made by several unbiased commentators that ignoring the South east geopolitical zone in most of the president’s appointment, except for the ministerial positions mandated by the constitution, leaves sour taste in the mouth.

Let me conclude on the following notes. One: the change has been made; Baru is an industry insider and a member of Kachikwu’s team. Therefore, he can be expected to deliver on the settled goals of the administration. Second, while Kachikwu’s position as chairman of the NNPC Board guarantees that he retains substantial oversight over the activities of the company, the fact that he is a junior minister can circumscribe his authority and render him vulnerable to humiliation. The way out: unless President Buhari no longer has confidence in him which is doubtful, the most strategic thing to do would be to confirm him as substantive oil minister without delay. That not only confers him with the moral authority to prosecute the existing reform template but the confidence of the Niger Delta militants who, at the moment, could see this thinly veiled demotion as a repudiation of Kachikwu’s promotion of dialogue with the Niger Delta militants.

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JULY 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Eid Mubarak...

C’River Highway: Why Buhari Should Act Now

I

n the midst of several challenges facing Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration drive for prudence is the best thing to do. Cross River State faces many economic and social challenges. It therefore beholds the leadership of the state under Professor Ben Ayade to thread with caution in embarking on frivolous projects.

Since assumption of office, Ayade has acted as if Cross River State is experiencing economic boom.

Initiation of elephant projects that will cause the state billions of money without impacting effectively on the lives of the people is on the rise. One of such gigantic projects is the planned construction of a 260-kilometre super highway from Calabar to Obudu, and down to Benue State.

Given the current economic recession in the country, and the heavy debt burden Cross River State has incurred as a result of venturing into big projects like Tinapa, Monorail and International Conference Centre, the state does not need another round of debt-prone projects. The 260-kilometre project is another waste that will railroad Cross River and her people to more poverty. The governor’s insistence to go on with the project falls flat in the face of the already existing GbokoOgoja-Ikom-Ugep-Calabar federal road network.

If Ayade desires to transform the road network, let him deploy such resources to the above federal road. In fact to divert the road to Obudu, his home place, glaringly shows the sentiments of the governor. Obudu is not at the centre of the state where it will attract investments, traders and other commercial activities. Even if we note that Obudu, with its Cattle Ranch, is a tourist centre, it is still not the best of reasons to cause the state billions of naira and plunge her into debt. President Buhari should look into this and save Cross River and her people from another wasteful project.

Besides, the government is also deceiving the people with the fabricated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. In the 443- page report, the state claimed that “the project aims at repositioning Cross River State as the number one tourism destination in Nigeria.” We insist that such statements are fallacies meant to confuse Cross River people. The report claimed that consultations were held with communities’ leaders, traditional rulers, women and youth groups but failed to provide the register where communities and their leaders that participated signed and made an undertaking.

The EIA report listed such communities as IKot Omin, Ikot Eneobong and Ikot Effanga (in Calabar), Oban (in Akamkpa), Obubra, Etayip,

Ojijor, Mgbagatiti, Enoghi and Bokomo, including Ikom and Yala. The report also mentioned that Nko community in Yakurr Local Government participated in the consultations; this is a lie. Nko has been experiencing communal clashes with neighbouring communities: so when did they assemble to participate in the EIA consultations? Another bare face lie in the EIA report was the mention of Eastern Boki Community in Boki Local Government.

But a more modest understanding of the EIA report and how obtuse it is lies in another report.

It was produced by Rainforest Resource and Development Centre (RRDC). The report exposed a lot that will beat the imagination of all and sundry about the Calabar-Ikom-Obudu-Katsina-Ala road, including how the project will short change the federal government, especially the National Park.

According to the report, “the Cross River National Park is a Federal Government project created in 1991, approved and gazetted in 1989. It is predominantly a sensitive, globally recognised evergreen rainforest habitat constituted under the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (LFRN).

Etta Ojong and Kenneth Okpa, Ikom, Cross River State

Baru, Kachikwu, Buhari and the NNPC

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of Maikanti Kacalla Baru as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will have three implications - economic, political and staffing.

The most important economic implication of Baru’s appointment is that the NNPC will continue to work without the feeling of a major shake-up because Baru has worked closely with Ibe Kachikwu and has contributed to the ongoing reforms. Furthermore, Baru’s appointment will definitely impact the orientation within the NNPC staff. Those who are advocates of having a GMD from within the NNPC will be relieved; those who share the passion for more private-sector-like-reforms will be at home with Baru. Furthermore, Baru’s appointment will boost staff morale and reassure them of career growth within the corporation.

No national assignment or appointment in Nigeria is free from political equations and analysis- notably the everyday discussions on marginalisation or favouritism of the north or the south. Some observers have expressed the fear that Baru’s appointment may alter the gains made by Kachikwu in the engagement with dissidents from the Niger Delta region and the

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

EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, MBAYILAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

excellent moves in engaging the leaders of the region in order to halt the rise in attacks on vital oil and gas infrastructure. Baru’s appointment could in fact boost Kachikwu’s efforts; Baru’s wealth of experience will further solidify Kachikwu’s achievements in the Niger Delta.

Baru’s appointment and that of the NNPC’s board is in fact a kind of approval by President Buhari of Kachikwu’s work so far, especially as GMD of NNPC. Kachikwu, a thorough-bred bureaucrat who found himself in the nexus of complex politicking and policy, high expectation and performance, will now have ample time in ‘ministering’ Nigeria’s complex oil and gas industry, fully engage the Niger Delta and also see the activities of the NNPC from the angle of a board chairman - an angle that will give him an unbiased view on the activities of the corporation. With the four autonomous business units and project management office, Baru is lucky- he has his job clearly cut for him: to work within the tenets of President Buhari’s anti-corruption war – clean up the oil and gas; sustain the current level of transparency that Nigerians have never seen- e.g publishing of NNPC monthly account; keep up and bring out the benefits of Kachikwu’s painstaking reforms. Baru will also utilise his in-house experiences to put the right people and policies in the right position.

Nevertheless, Baru has some painstaking tasks ahead in the area of touching the lives of Nigerians – which is NNPC’s Unique Selling Point.

So the New GMD needs to pay special attention to sustaining the availability of petroleum products; drive more improvement and introduce corrective measures in some areas. Of recent, the PPMC under Ahmed Farouk has witnessed some heartwarming success - some depots which have not received refined products for many years were recently getting loaded products, especially PMS. Kaduna depot is wonderfully wetting the north with PMS, AGO, DPK and some petro-chemicals.

The trio of Buhari, Kachikwu and Baru, being very passionate about reforming the oil and gas sector, should tackle the downstream major problemsincessant illegal tapping of pipelines by oil thieves, sabotage, right-of-way incursions, slow detection of leaks and in-line equipment failure due to inaccessible sites, including the old-fashioned method of managing the pipelines and increase the capacity of our refinery by going for modular, mini and mobile refineries. There are affordable 1,000 bpd – 30,000 bpd modular refineries whose equipment units are pre-fabricated on skid-mounted structures prior to shipment to any location.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State

14

JULY 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

Ojo Maduekwe : A Noble Politician Bows Out

I

t was the summer of 2013 that we met last. But the memories from that meeting, three years after, remain evergreen. I had taken my family on holiday to Toronto, Canada and after some ten days in that city, I was already feeling bored. Chief Ojo Maduekwe was the Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada. He was based at the seat of government in Ottawa. A colleague (at the time), Chuks Okocha, had sent me Chief Maduekwe’s telephone number before we left Nigeria. I then called him (Maduekwe), but the call was not picked. Not quite an hour, he returned the call and when he heard it was me, he sounded so excited and warm. It was not a mere diplomatic gesture. Ojo was naturally warm and receptive.

We had had several encounters in the 90’s up till early 2002. Beside the meets in the political turf, I being a political reporter, our paths had crossed many other times during those Abuja Literary Nights, which he often hosted in his Abuja home.

When he returned my call in Toronto, he connected perfectly with our past encounters, He was warm and made it look like he could not wait to receive me and my family. I felt important, perhaps unduly.

Maduekwe We thus agreed on a day to visit him in Ottawa. We had several other telephone conversations before the visit and I recall how he was persuading us to take a train to Ottawa, promising that he would personally wait at the train station to receive us.

I checked online, the cost of the train ride for all five of us, and settled for a road trip since it was remarkably cheaper.

On the appointed day, we had set out in a chartered cab service, driving through the country side of Canada, for over five hours before arriving in Ottawa. He had sent the address of the Nigerian Mission House.

We arrived, only to be informed he had gone to his residence, since some Nigerian lawmakers were in town. Just then, he called my line and asked that we came straight to his official residence.

We drove through the paved boulevard and got to the exquisite residence.

About five Nigerian lawmakers were on ground in his modestly furnished lounge with a remarkably red carpet.

Senator Adeyeye and four others were already seated. Warmly and cheerfully, Ambassador Ojo welcomed us, and immediately “seized” my then 2-year old daughter—Treasure, whom he dandled endlessly.

He made a formal speech, flowing with his legendary erudition, and thereafter made a presentation of a diplomatic souvenir (A Nigerian-Canadian Year Book) to us all.

A Canadian-based staff of NTA, Joy Osuagwu, was on hand to cover the event. Ojo had spoken so highly of Osuagwu whom he said he would nominate for a national award. I am not sure that pulled through.

It was soon lunch time. We all had a meal of white rice and stew, plus

salad. Ojo’s wife had travelled back to Nigeria, according to him, for a funeral ceremony.

After the photo sessions, the lawmakers left for Montreal.

Ojo and I went down memory lane as we heartily discussed Nigerian politics and his posting to Canada instead of the United Nations, having been a Foreign Affairs minister. He said he did not kick because “my sister”- Professor Joy Ugwu was at the UN at the time. He was as informed as ever.

Much later, as we drove back to town, he pulled me closer on the back seat, and with a more serious tone, began to complain of one of my then reporters, Ojo Maduekwe, who bears the same name with him. He expressed deep worries that despite all his efforts (including taking up a newspaper advert disclaimer) to make the young lad change his name since he was almost always writing things that are vertically opposed to his political stance, has proved abortive.

He pleaded that I persuade the reporter, who indeed is his nephew, to either change or tweak his name. He sounded unhappy.

I remember returning to Nigeria and persuading my reporter, to do something about his name since his uncle was complaining. I guess the younger Ojo Maduekwe now introduced a middle name to his by-lines.

I cannot forget his parting gift: a bottle of well-packaged perfume for my wife and an envelope of a few dollars “for Treasure”.

Ever since he returned from Canada at the end of the Jonathan administration, we had not seen, even though I had seen him taking up strategic positions to reposition his troubled party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

I was, like many Nigerians, reasonably shocked to hear that he had suddenly slumped and died at the airport whilst waiting to receive his son who was arriving from the States after his studies.

Ojo was an informed political strategist who understood perfectly how the Nigerian political space operates. It is remarkable that he was clearly not in the rougish crowd. He regretted to me how he was misled to build an outlandish country home at Ohafia. He never lost his head. In all his involvement in politics, not once was he named in the cesspool of graft and corruption, not even when he presided over the “juicy” transport ministry. It is even remarkable that rather than ride and flaunt opulence at the time, it was the time he struck his humblest chip by preaching the return to bicycle riding.

He tried to practise what he was preaching until one careless bus driver almost pushed him into a ditch as he was riding his bicycle to the Federal Executive Council meeting, in Abuja.

That was the last time he rode his bicycle in Nigeria. But he gladly continued the passion in Ottawa, as he showed me his bicycle and his route, every Saturday morning. Nigeria will miss this pan-Nigerian.

May his soul rest in peace.

Canticles...

Gov Ambode and the StreetTraders: Like Others,This Law AlsoWill Go with the Sun

I

thought by now there would have been plans to build more prisons in Lagos State?

More prisons?Ithoughtyou’dmentionmoreschools,sincemoreandmorepeoplearestreamingintoLagos, withthe ancientbeliefthatLagosisalandflowingwith milkandhoney.

Yes, some of those people streaming into Lagos would eventually need the services of the prisons as well.

How doyoumean?

How else?The prison yard is for criminals and suspects.

Sowhatmakes strangers toLagosveritablecandidatesfor theprison?

You talk as if you are not in this Lagos. Did you not hear of the new law banning street trading in Lagos as announced by the governor himself? Didn’t you hear?

Iheard,butdidn’tthinkhighlyofsuchanill-thoughtlaw.

It doesn’t matter if you think it is an ill-thought law or not.

If they catch you buying plantain chips on the road, as you often do, you and the seller will benefit from the six months’ free accommodation scheme in Kirikiri prison or the more prestigious Ikoyi prison, unless you have N90,000 to pay as fine.

Yousee whyIsaiditis anill-conceivedlaw?

Doyouknow thatallthose streettradersyouseerunningafter Danfo buses orcarowners attrafficpointsdon’thaveuptoN3,000worthof goods ontheirheads orarms?Somebody’stotalwaresisnotworth N3,000andyouwanttofine suchapersonN90,000.Youseewhy Ambode Isaidtheyshouldhave builtmoreprisons?After all,manyofthose streettraders donotevenhave accommodation.Theyjustusethosetrafficrunstokeepthemselvesbusyaswellas maintainingbodyandsoul.

Look, the intent of the law is to discourage street trading.There are too many street traders in Lagos. Haba!

This is a mega-City. In which other megacity in the world do you have such level of citizen indiscipline? Do you know the mass of street traders scares potential investors and discourages tourism? Need I educate you on the menace they cause the innocent public?

Whyare youtalkingas ifyoujustcamefromAustraliayesterday?Don’tyouknowhowour peoplearestrugglingto make ends meet?Are youthe onlystranger in Jerusalem?

We must do away with these baseline sentiments that have held us down for years. Must they come to Lagos?They should remain in their towns and villages.They can undertake farming and make even more money than come to endanger the lives of other people on Lagos streets.

Didn’tyouhearhowone ofthemranintoamovingBRTbusandgotcrushed?Howcanwebelosingour citizensto suchsocialnuisance? (mimicking)How can we be loshing our shitizens tcu such nuishansh….

Youforgetthatitis the failure ofgovernmentthatforcesthesecitizenstoembarkonstreettradingin thefirstplace.

Youalsoforgetthatitis the sameagentsoffailedgovernmentthatchasedthehawker intohisgrave.Doyouknowthat the KAIofficials always extortthehawkersandsometimesseizethewaresofthetradersincludingevenpotofsoupof Mama-Putoperators?Dotheytakesuch itemstoGovAmbode?

That is the same point I am making.They don’t have to hawk on the street.There are several other things they can do to earn a… (cuts in)Several otherthings likewhat?

They can go learn a skill.They can learn how to play football or become musician, actor or comedian… those skills are selling like mad in Nigeria.They don’t have to do regular formal jobs.They can become agents to big retail shops and stores… I mean there are just many things they can do besides street trading.

Hmmm,itis easiersaidthandone.OnethingIcan assureyouisthatthislawwillnotstand. Itwillgowith thesun.

Youcansee the amountofpublicrevoltagainstit.Youcanseehowthelawhasbeen roundlyignored,defiedand mocked.

Didyousee anybodyobeyingthelaw?

Don’t try the will of government. As long as it is a law, it is binding, until it is repealed.

Idon’tcare whetheritis repealedor not.WhatIamsayingisthatitwillnotstand.Itwillgowith thesun likemany suchobnoxious anddubious laws.Doyouremember thattherewasoncealawbanningthethrowingawayof dirt/itemfromamovingvehicle?Isitstillbeingobserved?Haveyouforgottentherewasoncealawstipulatingthat commercial vehicles shouldnot gomorethan50Kmph andprivatecarsshouldnotgomorethan60kmph withinthe Lagos metropolis?Whois stillrememberingallthat?HaveyouforgottenallthenoisemadeaboutbanningofOkada riders onspecifiedstreets inLagosandhowthousandsofmotorcycleswereseized,butcheredandsoldoff?Today, Okadariders courageouslyplyThirdMainlandbridge,sometimeswith twopassengers,withoutanyhelmet.

Have you also forgotten all the ruckus noise that followed the ban on the use of telephone while driving on Lagos roads? Does anybody remember all that today?

Oris itthe Lagos tenancylaw?Dolandlordsstillkeeptoit?Soyousee,thislatestlawwillgowith thesun.Itshallnot last.Myfatherusedtosaythatwhatever ishotwillsoon getcold.Justwait.YouwillconfirmwhatIamsaying.

My brother, don’t deceive or delude yourself. Law is law.The day you will fall into the trap of government , you will realise that all these laws you are quoting are all stored up in the jurisprudential library of the state.

And they will be exhumed and applied when the need arises. My candid advice is that you stay on the side of the law.

Iamnotlawless.Butthe lawsofthestatemustbereasonable.Lawismadefor man andnotmanfor law.Goandtell GovAmbode whatIamtellingyou.

I will show you where his office is so you can tell him yourself.

Iftheywanttostopstreettrading,letthemworkon thenotorioustrafficsnarlon Lagosroads.Itistrafficthatbreeds streettrading.Letthemfixbadroads.Thestreettraderswaitfor motoristsatbadportionsoftheroadtoselltheir wares since motorists are boundtoslowdown atsuch points.Andthosewhowanttocontinuetrading,governmentmust make iteasyforthemtoownorrentstoreswheretheycantrade.

IfGovAmbode insists onenforcingthelawwithoutthesefundamentalsbeinginplace,heshouldhiresquadsand platoons ofspecialenforcers todrivethenewlaw.Andhecanbesurethathisvictorywillonlybepyrrhic.

Hmmmmm, you seem to be an ex-street trader.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULy 9, 2016

15

NEWS

In Brief

Online Condolence Register for Maduekwe

FormerMinisterofAviationandimmediatepastCorpsMarshalloftheFederal RoadSafetyCommission,Mr.OsitaChidokahasopenedanonlinememorialpage andcondolenceregistercreatedspeciallyfortheLateChiefOjoMaduekwe,on Condolences.ng.ChiefMaduekwewhowasNigeria’sformerMinisterforForeign AffairsduringtheadministrationofformerPresidentUmaruMusaYar’Adua,Minister ofCulture&TourismandTransportundertheOlusegunObasanjoadministration andaone-timeformerNationalSecretaryofthePeoplesDemocraticParty(PDP), diedonJune292016afterabriefillnessintheFederalCapitalTerritory,Abuja.

ChidokawhilethankingNigeriansfortheirloveandmessages,condolencesand griefsupportatthelossofChiefMaduekwedescribedhimasformerboss,friend, andintellectualsoulmate.Accordingtohim,“Iamstillspeechless,Ihaveopened an online condolence book, I will appreciate if you can leave your thoughts and condolences at condolences.ng". Early responders were a host of dignitaries and Nigerians from all works of life. Some of these include former Permanent SecretaryintheMinistryofForeignAffairs,Dr.HakeemBabaAhmed.

Navy toTrain Quality Personnel

TESTING FOR SAFETY..

L-R: Sector Head, Transport Standardization Office, Lagos State Sector Command, Federal Road Safety Corp, Godwin Umweni; a commercial bus driver, Mr. Lukman Kareem; Head, Media and Strategy, FRSC, Bisi Kazeem; and Sector Commander, Lagos Sector Command, FRSC, Hyginus Omeje, during a special Eid-El Fitri monitoring and compliance patrol at Warewa, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State... on Friday

BBOG: We’re Disappointed with Buhari's Sluggishness in Rescuing our Girls Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Bring Back Our Girls Group, (BBOG) Friday, expressed its disappointment with the way and manner President Muhammadu Buhari was handling the issue of the Chibok girls who were abducted in more than 816 days ago.

The group, in its One Year Engagement with the President commemoration, urged the President to do away with empty talks and match his words with actions.

Speaking to THISDAY exclusively on behalf of the group, Aisha Yesufu, one of the leading members the group, said, "Absolutely, as

members of BBOG, we are very, very disappointed with the fact that everything is coming out so sluggishly and so slowly."

Amina at the event to mark exactly one year of BBOG engagement with President Muhammadu Buhari, held at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, said, "Well, I wondered what is it that is holding the President that after one year, he had not made any move for the rescue of these girls. Because, he needs to make something decisive because, the last time we heard the President, December 2015, coming out to say that he doesn't have the credible Intel about the whereabouts of our

Chibok girls.

"This is absurd because, Amina was rescued, I mean found rather on May 17th, 2016 and as far as we are concerned, she is the one that can give the most credible intelligence that is available and she did mention that her sisters are there and waiting to be rescued. So, it is disappointing for the fact that the President has not been able to seize this and about to use this after debriefing Amina."

According to Aisha, "I heard today that the President is talking about a committee and this committee is not all about saying that, oh, we even have the names but, a committee that was set up almost six months

ago, January 14th, to be precise. From the presidency, they can come out to say they want to set up a committee.

They might have all the time in the world but, our Chibok girls don't have all the time in the world. All those that are suffering out of the act of the insurgency do not have all the time in the world and we need the needful to be done immediately.

“Whatever intelligence they would have been able to get from Amina to rescue her sisters who are waiting there and today 816 days and they have been in captivity. So, I think the President should not just say words but, his words need to match actions", she said.

Revenge Attack: 5 Policemen Killed, 7 Injured in Dallas, USA John Iwori with agencies reports

In what appeared to be a revenge attack, a black United States of America (USA) Army reservist, Mr. Micah Xavier Johnson who served in the Afghan war yesterday shot dead no fewer than five police officers, injuring seven others.

The suspect reportedly said he wanted to "kill white people" in revenge amidst protest decrying police shootings of black men, officials said.

Seven other police officers and

two civilians were wounded in the ambush in downtown Dallas, Texas, USA on Thursday night, officials said. Police killed the gunman, identified by a U.S. government source as Micah Xavier Johnson, using a bombcarrying robot after an hour-long standoff.

The shooting sent swarms of protesters running in panic in the streets as police officers came under fire.

The shootings, the latest major gun violence to rock USA took place toward the end of a march

protesting incidents earlier in the week in Louisiana and Minnesota in which police fatally shot black men in confrontations whose bloody aftermath was caught on video.

The Dallas shootings came during a week of heightened emotions over police use of force against black suspects and raised fears that others might seek to retaliate against police.

"This was a well-planned, well-thought-out, evil tragedy by these suspects. And we won't rest until we bring everyone

involved to justice," Dallas Police Chief David Brown said. "We are determined to not let this person steal this democracy from us."

During lengthy negotiations with police, the gunman said "the end is coming," Brown told reporters.

"He said he was upset about the recent police shootings," said Brown, who is black. "The suspect said he was upset at white people. The suspect stated that he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers."

Comptroller Calls for Commuting of 168 Inmates' Death Sentences to Life Imprisonment Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Comptroller of Prisons, Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), CP Tinuoye Olumide, has called on both the Federal Government and the judiciary to convert the life sentences of 168 condemned inmates in the command to life imprisonment.

Olumide made this call at the welcome ceremony organised by the Deputy Comptroller of Prisons (DCP), Kirikiri Female Prisons, Mrs. Lizzie Ekpendu, for him in Lagos.

DCP Ekpendu, who said her

desire was to see the judiciary set free those on awaiting trial list so that they could fulfill their destinies, added that they decided to host the new comptroller to intimate him on the needs of the residents of the prison.

Fielding questions from journalists afterwards, the CP, who recently resumed work in Lagos, unveiled his plans for the command and the prisoners, especially the condemned ones.

THISDAY gathered that the 168 condemned inmates are spread across the Maximum and Minimum Prisons in Kirikiri Town, Apapa, as well as the Ikoyi Prisons.

On the major challenge he plans to tackle first he said, "First, the problem we have majorly is that of awaiting trials. Now that I have come to Lagos, I would like to liaise with Ministry of Justice most importantly so that inmates who have stayed longer don’t have any reason to be in the prisons.

"Another thing, I definitely want to address is the issue of condemned prisoners. As I speak now, we have a total of 168 condemned inmates.

"Globally as it were, nations are gradually leaving the issue of killing people even when such committed an offence.

"I think that is a general thing. I would like to ensure that those who are condemned, their sentences are converted to life imprisonment.

"By that, we would be able to decongest the cell where they are.

We have a lot of prisons that can take life imprisonment inmates.

That is definitely what we are going to do."

Given the recent issue of jail breaks in some states he said, "When people say prison break, to us that are working in the prisons, it means that the inmates in the prisons rioted and they broke the jail and got away.

Asthewaragainstmaritimecrimes,especiallypiracyandcrudeoiltheftintensifies, theNavalTrainingCommand(NAVTRAC)oftheNigerianNavy(NN),hassaidits corederivativeswastotrainqualitypersonnelthatwouldtacklesuchillegalities.

ThenewlyappointedFlagOfficerCommanding(FOC),NavalTrainingCommand (NAVTRAC),RearAdmiralIfeolaMohammed,madethisdisclosureasheassumed officeatNAVTRACinLagos.Mohammed,tookoverthereinsofthecommandas the30thFOCNAVTRACafterhispredecessor,RearAdmiralJosephOkojie,handed overtohimandmovedtoOperationDeltaSafe(ODS).Hesaid,"Ihavebeengiven themandatetotrainourpersonnelprofessionally,sotheycansuperintendover thewatersforasafeseafornavigationandcommercialactivities.Thus,mycore derivativeisitistochurnoutqualitypersonnelthatwoulddefendNigeria'sterritorial domaintothebestoftheirabilities.Thiswillbedrawnfromthestrategicguidance oftheChiefoftheNavalStaff,ViceAdmiralIbokEtte-Ibas,andhehasgivenme themandatetoprepare ourpersonnelinprofessionalandeducationaltraining.

‘My Hands notTiedonHijabCase’

Following the judgment allowing use of Hijab in public schools in Osun state, the Judge of an Osogbo High Court who delivered the judgment, Justice Saka OyejideFalolahassaidthathisconsciencewasclearandhishandsnottiedthathe appliedthelawthewayitwas.ItcouldberecalledthatOsunStatechapterofthe ChristianAssociationofNigeriaCANhasappealedandfiledastayofexecution onthejudgmentallowingstudentsinallstatepublicschoolstowearhijab.Falola said“I'memployedasajudgeandI'mboundtoabidebythelaw".Hechargedthe lawyer'stoadmonishtheirclientsnottousereligiontodestabiliseordividethe judiciarybecausebothpartieswerelookingforoneparticulartypeofjudgethat willheartheircase.Hedisclosedthatjudiciarywasasanctuarythatdealtwiththe lawandwhoeverhandledanycasewouldnotallowhis/herreligiontointerfere.

Accordingtohim,theprocessesofsomestudentswhowereencouragedtodefy courtorderwasridiculous,addingthattheonlymeanstochangeanyjudgment wastoappeal.

Kidnapped Monarch

AmemberoftheHouseofRepresentativesPrinceMikeOmogbehinyesterday calledontheInspectorGeneralofPolice,IbrahimIdristourgentlystepuptheforce machineriestowardsrescuingthetraditionalrulerofIyansan,theLaragunsinof Ode-IyasancommunityinIreleLocalGovernmentAreaofOndoState,ObaAbiodun Oyewunmi.ObaOyewunmiwaskidnappedbygunmenathispalacelateMonday andsincethenhasbeenintheirden.ThelawmakerrepresentingtheOkipupa/Irele FederalConstituency,condemnedtheabductionofthemonarchanddescribed theincidentasstrangeandungodly.Omogbehin'sinastatementyesterdaysaid timely intervention of the police and the Department of State Security, (DSS), would ensure that the monarch regained his freedom unhurt, noting that the abductionwascreatingstateofuncertaintyamongthepeopleofhisconstituency.

While commending the efforts of the security operatives so far to rescue Oba Oyewunmi,Omogbehinpleadedthatinvolvementofalltopstakeholderswould complementtherescueoperation.ThePeople'sDemocraticParty(PDP)legislator alsourgedmenoftheNigerianNavytoassistinthesituationsinceitwasgathered thatthesuspectedkidnappersescapedthroughthewaterwayatOde-Iyasan.

“Thisisstrangeinourlandforatraditionalrulertobeabductedinhispalace,itis abomination,ungodlyandattempttodesecratethereveredtraditionalinstitution inYorubaland,Ithinkallmustriseagainstthissingularcallousandanti-peopleact.

Pain-Free Day Initiative

Inabidtoimproveconsumers'healthandcreatingawarenessoftherisksassociated withnottakingadequatecareofoneself,amajorpainkillerdrugmanufacturer, DexaMedicamakersofBoskahasconducted'PainFreeDay'initiativeinKawo SabonBirni,KadunaState.Thecompanyduringtheeventsaidthepainfreeday programmewasaimedatimprovingconsumers'healthandraisingawarenessof therisksassociatedwithnottakingadequatecareofoneself.TheBrandExecutive, Mr.JosephChristopher,explainedthatfromqualitativefindings,theyobserved thatconsumersneedtobeawareofhowtotakecareofthemselvesandtoknow whatisavailabletohelpthemlookaftertheirhealthintherainyseason.Henoted thatgiventhatthisseasoncomeswithlotsofflu-likeillness,sorethroats,runny noses,earache,coldsandflu-likeillness,whichproducesarangeofsymptoms canusuallybemanagedusingBoska."Boskateamprovidedtheopportunityfor consumerstoseehealthexpertswhoprovidedfullrangeofhealthservicesfor free.Thisincludedprescribingdrugstotreateye,earandnosedefects”,hesaid.

Globacom RestoresComedy Series

Tchidi Chikere, veteran movie director and producer of Globacom-sponsored TV drama, Prof. Johnbull, says the telecom company has helped to actualise thereturnofsocialsatiretothescreensthroughtheseries.Speakingfromthe setofthedramainEnugu,Chikereassuredentertainmentloversinthecountry of an action-packed storyline, adding that Nigerians would be full of gratitude to Globacom for bringing back social satire to the Nigerian film industry. "It is a hilarioussatirethatwillappealnotonlytotheyoungatheartbutalsotoeveryone thatcanappreciatedramaanditsabilitytocorrectsocialills.Honestly,Ithinkitis highlycommendablethatGlobacomhasmovedfromjustendorsingentertainers asbrandambassadorstosponsoringfullproductionsasExecutiveProducers", Tchikeresaid.Accordingtohim,comedyseriesinthecountrydisappearedwith VillageHeadmaster,butwasnowcomingbackwithGlo."Whatthecastandcrew ofProf.JohnbulloweGlobacomisexcellenceandperfection.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULy 9, 2016

NEWSXTRA

NNPC Opens Dialogue with PENGASSAN as FG Cries Out over Low Oil Output Chineme Okafor and Paul Obi in Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Friday said it has begun dialogue with striking members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to address their grievances.

This is as the federal government cried out over the depleting level of oil output, stating that this was not the right time for Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to embark on strike.

It also cautioned members of the public against embarking on any form of panic purchase of petroleum products in anticipa-

tion of product scarcity due to the ongoing strike action by PENGASSAN. It said in a press release from its Group General Manager Public Affairs, Mallam Garba Deen Muhammad in Abuja that while the Corporation had commenced talks with the leadership of the senior oil workers' union, it had in stock enough products to satisfy local consumption requirements for the next 45 days.

NNPC said there was no need for motorists and other users of petroleum products to embark on frenzied wholesale purchase of fuel in anticipation of possible scarcity.

It assured that it was doing everything possible to guarantee that the prevailing sanity in the supply and distribution of

petroleum products across the country which was achieved with the recent downstream liberation policy was sustained.

PENGASSAN had on Thursday begun nationwide strike action in protest of sundry industry related issues it said the government had refused to attend to. It also said on Thursday that it was not in negotiations with the government despite claims by the government that it had begun engaging with it.

The government begged the oil workers to consider the present economic situation in the country and the excruciating pains faced

by Nigerians and call off their on-going strike.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige in a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Press, Prince

Samuel Olowookere said the call on PENGASSAN to call off its industrial action had become necessary given the crisis bedeviling the oil sector and the need to put the interest of the nation first.

According to Ngige, “Strike neither solves industrial disputes nor contributes to industrial growth. Our economy is already reeling from severe hemorrhage occasioned by decade long mismanagement. Further action, which stunts the efforts currently being made to reverse the trend, should therefore be shunned.

“A situation where oil workers leave their offices and oil loading bays will not make for an increase in oils export nor assist make available, enough petroleum products in this time of deregulation,” the minister stated.

Gov. Ahmed to SERAP: I’m Not Owing State Workers Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has exempted his administration from the 12 state governors in the country that owed salaries of workers in the country.

He condemned the decision by SERAP, a rights advocacy group, to include him in a petition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged non-payment of salaries to workers as ill-informed and misdirected as well as an attempt to whip up sentiments on an issue of national concern.

Speaking in Ilorin on Friday against the backdrop of the SERAP's petition that he was among those state governors that owed workers’ salaries, Governor Ahmed described it as baseless and lacking a foundation in fact as Kwara State was up to date in the payment of salaries to state civil servants and pensioners.

Alhaji Ahmed stressed that SERAP may have been referring to the local government councils in

the state, which received separate allocations from the federal government and had varying degrees of staff and pension arrears.

Furthermore, the governor said despite experiencing a drop in monthly allocation from N3.2b to N800m, the state government had sustained payment of its civil servants and pensioners through prudent management of resources and revenue reforms which had increased Internally Generated Revenue by more than 100 per cent in less than a year, According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede issued in Ilorin yesterday, Ahmed said he was currently working with local government chairmen in the state to redress salary arrears at that tier of government through measures such as the proposed takeover of Junior Secondary School funding by the state to reduce the financial pressure on local governments.

PDP Re-states Call for Arrest of Sheriff, Others Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

GOOD TO SEE YOU...

L-R: Minister of Works, Mr. Babatubde Fashola and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi exchanging greetings at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

Customs Seek Prompt Payment of Duties

Expert Proffers Solution to Fulani Herdsmen, Farmers Clashes

John Iwori

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stepped up a campaign to ensure that duty accruable to government was promptly paid into the federation account.

The service launched the campaign following the increasing number of defaulting firms in the country.

The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Colonel Hammed Ibrahim Ali (retired) disclosed this while taking a tour of about 13 excisable factories in Lagos.

Ali who was represented by the Zonal Co-ordinator, Zone A, Assistant Controller General of Customs (ACG) Charles Edike said the move was to ensure that the duty accruable to government was paid promptly, especially by defaulting firms.

According to the Customs Chief, the weeklong tour was necessary considering the low container traffic in the ports and the sharp fall in import duty. Given the economic downturn, NSC had to re-strategise and innovate on ways of boosting government revenue by focusing on other sources permissible by the law.

He expressed optimism that the effort would shore up revenue from NCS to government, considering the lull at the seaports, the major revenue source.

His words: “This initiative to visit the excise factories is to encourage the excisable factories and at the same time ensure that every kobo owed government is paid. With import volume down due to the general business outlook, we decided to intensify efforts in this regard to get the revenue from factories producing alcoholic beverages. The customs has been collecting revenue from the identified excise factories, but doing this is to make them live up to date with paying their duty.”

Operators of some of the factories however complained of scarcity and skyrocketed price of ethanol, a major raw material used for the production of their products.

According to them, the scarcity of the material had caused them to produce epileptically, and sometimes on orders only. Some of the factories also complained of scarcity of packaging materials like bottles, resulting from complaints by such producers who consider the high production cost.

An Abuja based water and disaster management expert, Dr. Joachim Ezeji, has proffered solution to the rising conflict between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria, which he attributed to poor water management practices across the country.

Ezeji in a statement yesterday, stressed that ‘’where economic growth is impacted by rainfall, episodes of droughts and floods have generated waves of migration and statistical spikes in violence within countries’’.

He argued that in a globalised and connected world, such problems were impossible to quarantine, adding that "where large inequities prevail, people move from zones of poverty to regions of prosperity which can lead to increased social tensions as is currently the case with herdsmen from the north moving southwards’’.

"I can attribute the root cause of the conflict to the current water management practices in Nigeria, which in my informed judgement is not robust enough to cope with the impacts of climate change, especially water supply

reliability, flood risk, health, agriculture, energy and aquatic ecosystems," he stated.

According to Ezeji, ‘‘in many parts of Nigeria, water management cannot satisfactorily cope even with current climate variability, so that large flood and drought damages occur”.

As a first step therefore he suggests that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR) and its agencies such as the River Basins, should embrace the incorporation of improved information about current climate variability into water –related management because it would assist adaptation to longer-term climate change impacts."

He said that water was a key element of a country’s security and could be the largest impediment to its development, thus positing that water shortage and droughts were the main constraints for regional development especially for Northern Nigeria, noting that the river discharge in the middle reaches of the Niger River as well as Lake Chad had continuously declined over the last five decades, and that this is mainly due to land use and climate change.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has renewed its call on the Inspector General of Police, to immediately effect the arrest and prosecution of the former National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and others for contempt of court.

While reacting to Friday's ruling of the FCT High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, which struck out the Motion filed by Sheriff praying that it set aside the Court Judgment that nullified the process that produced him as National Chairman.

"The Party welcomed the development and restated the call by the PDP to the Inspector General of Police, to immediately effect the arrest and prosecution of the former National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and their co-travelers for Contempt of Court," it said.

In a statement issued yesterday by a member of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo

Adeyeye, the party said that it welcomes the court ruling, adding that it is in consonance with the earlier judgement of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on the 4th of July, which ruled that the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker committee as the only authentic and legal Working Committee of the Party.

"In his Judgment delivered on Friday July 8, 2016, Justice Valentine Ashi of the FCT High Court struckout the Motion for lack of merit and abuse of Court Processes.

"For the record, the same Judge, Justice Valentine Ashi on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 delivered a Judgment nullifying the Amendment of Article 47 (6) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2014 which Senator Sheriff claimed to have taken effect at the Special National Convention in December of the same year that produced Ali Modu Sheriff's predecessor, Amadu Adamu Muazu; thereby nullifying the appointment of Senator Sheriff by the 68th National Executive Committee

Stakeholders Seek to Revive Exportation of Nigeria’s Agro Produce Bennett Oghifo Industry experts in Lagos recently agreed to join forces to revive the exportation of yam, beans, cocoa and other agricultural produce from Nigeria to the U.S. and other countries.

The experts at an interactive consultative meeting organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) at its regional office in Lagos, lamented the ignorance of some Nigerian exporters making other countries to take the credit for produce from Nigeria.

They stressed the need for a synergy and collaboration among the various agencies to increase exports from Nigeria under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). AGOA is a trade preference programme that provides duty-free treatment to the United States importation of certain products from eligible African countries, which include Nigeria.

Experts were drawn from 19

agencies and they included the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), and Nigerian Expanded Trade and Transport.

Others are, the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Carmine Assayer Ltd, the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Fidelity Bank, Heritage Bank and Access Bank, among others. Declaring the forum open, NEPC’s South West Regional Co-ordinator, Mr. Babatunde Faleke, said that Nigerian exporters were not utilising the opportunities available to the country to export 6,400 products to the US duty free.

Faleke lamented that yam, cocoa, beans and other produce from Nigeria were usually smuggled from Nigeria to other African countries, before being shipped abroad because of stereotypes that Nigerian agricultural produce goods were not of good quality.

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS TRIBUTE AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER FITNESS FASHION FILE

pg. 20 pg. 25 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 40 pg. 41

Nnamdi Ezeigbo

My Grass to Grace Story of Slot Group

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 9, 2016

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Plus

I Was Determined to Send Nokia out of Nigerian Market He started from the scratch with no job for two years. But unknown to Nnamdi Ezeigbo, the Founder and Chairman of Slot Group, the nation’s number one phones and accessories outfit, fate had other plans. Equipped with degrees in Electrical Electronics and Computer Engineering, he got tired of roaming the streets and decided to take his destiny in his own hand. After a six-month ‘apprenticeship’ with a friend, he started a small business with his younger brother as the only employee. For Nnamdi, the coming of GSM was a turning point. From computers, he diversified to phone accessories. Today, with over 700 employees, he runs the Tecno and Infinix phone brands. Ezeigbo shares his life’s journey to the top with Samuel Ajayi, recalling years of struggle,as he turns 50 in August

M

ost people in your business and financial pedigree are on the island.

So why have you or do I say didn’t you join your fellow millionaires on the island?

My business head office is in Ikeja. Though most of my friends stay on the island but I want to be close to my business headquarters. Convenience and the stress of navigating the Third Mainland Bridge everyday make it more sensible to stay on mainland. Besides, the cost of getting an office on the island is killing. Maybe in the future we might go there but I am quite comfortable here, close to the office.

You are an engineer. What is your area of specialisation?

Mechanical, chemical or electrical?

I think I cut across. I have two degrees. I have one in electronics and also another one in computer electronics and I also have master degree in information technology. My MBA was done here but presently doing my entrepreneurship programme in Harvard.

Have you always been fascinated by gadgets like phones, accessories and so on during those formative years?

I have flair for computers. In the 90s, there was nothing like mobile phones but computers.

However, when I went to school, there was nothing like computer engineering then until I finished

my HND and I had to go back to Lagos State University to do my degree in electronics and computer engineering. This equipped me with the training I needed but I did not start with that formal education. I still went to spend six months with a friend of mine who had a computer engineering outfit and it was those six months that gave me the necessary training and expertise for me to start as a computer engineer.

Did you go for that internship to start a business afterwords?

I didn’t start my computer engineering vocation to start a business. My venture into business was a child of necessity because I could not find a job for two years. That was why I actually joined my friend who was running his computer engineering outfit then. I could not find a white collar job and I needed to do something to keep myself busy. That was why I joined my friend and found myself in this place now. In order to do business, I needed the right computers and there was no way I could have started on my own. And let me also say I could not have gone into fashion or any other thing. When I started, businesses were just interested in making money and I did not expect entrepreneurs to be so crazy about money but more concerned about creating values. This changed the game for me and I said I was going to be involved and make something different.

You won’t believe this but when I started, I would fix

I didn’t start my computer engineering vocation to start a business. My venture into business was a child of necessity because I could not find a job for two years. That was why I actually joined my friend who was running his computer engineering outfit then. I could not find a white collar job and I needed to do something to keep myself busy. That was why I joined my friend and found myself in this place now

computers for people and won’t ask them for money and it was customer that would be asking to pay?

So it was not about money but the excitement that I could even fix computers.

And that was what kept me going. It was not even about the money I was making.

And I saw so many people coming to my office to fix their computers.

You started when computers were not yet a fad among users. Owning a laptop or even a desktop was a status symbol then…

(Cuts in) Yes. People even had to be comfortable to be able to

19

JULY 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

Plus Why My Company is Call ‘Slot’ buy a computer. That was the case then. However, we had a reasonable number of people and organisations that owned computers then because it was basically a way of having efficiency in your operations. I remember fixing computers for Daily Times, University of Lagos and Standard Chartered Bank. Those were using computers but were using very outdated computers…

They were just carrying computers when there were already the likes of 4ACs, 3ACs and when Pentium and other fast computers were already in the market then. But we started having more people becoming more passionate about computers. It was a good business. We started with computer engineering and gradually, we dabbled into sales of computers and with the advent of GSM in 2001, we diversified into GSM and mobile phones.

Can you then describe that point of diversifying into GSM a turning point of your business?

O yes; it was. We were simply sensitive to opportunities. Entrepreneurs are not just people who are innovative and create value; they should also be sensitive to opportunities. We knew that GSM was going to open a lot of opportunities and since government had privatised the telecoms industry, we saw how that opened up economies in South Africa and other countries. So it was obvious that it was the way to go and we switched basically not just diversifying.

And how did the name Slot come about?

Well, we were fixing computers; there was what we called slot processor and socket processor. The slot processor was always a stronger and more robust processor and I always wanted to recommend it to my customers. And because we were building computers to compete with HP, Compaq and Dell. We were building computers and assembling them and we always used the slot processor as against the socket processor. Then, my friends started calling me slot. I looked at the meaning of slot in the dictionary and I discovered that it was a word for position, space and fixer and I felt this was a good name. So we saw ourselves as coming to occupy a space and take a position and to lead. We got stuck with that name and it aligned with our mission and vision.

When Slot started, did you in your wildest imagination, think it could grow big and become household name in Nigeria?

No. I never imagined. I was just doing my own small thing in my little corner. But if you are doing the right thing, customers and consumers are the ones that will ask you why are you not going a step further? It was our quest to satisfy customers that launched us to where we are today. It was customers that even pushed us when they were coming and started saying come on guys, get a bigger space; this place is getting smaller. They pushed us to move into a bigger place and it was even consumers and customers that pushed us to open retail outlets outside Lagos. So it was in pursuit of meeting customers’ needs that pushed us to where we are today.

Has Slot outgrown you?

It is going to be dangerous for the organisation to outgrow me by now and that is what I will not allow to

Ezeigbo with wife

happen because I feel that at every point in time, I should be able to update myself to be able to manage the empire. One of the things I have done is to acquire an MBA from the Lagos Business School; because as an engineer, I cannot call myself an entrepreneur unless I acquire the right managerial training in order to manage and lead. I did not stop there. I also went to Harvard. So if the business outgrows me now, it means I have to struggle to manage and lead it. As I develop myself, I also develop my team; making sure I have smart and right people so as to have the right structure. As the business grows, the managers should grow with it.

When you pulled out, how many people were with you?

My first employee was my younger brother. Just the two of us. I taught him engineering and later his friend joined us and we became three. So the three of us were always in the workshop fixing computers.

Today, how many people do you have?

Both direct and indirect employees, we have about 700. It has been one level to the other and the need to employ people was driven by the pressure of work. If you need to satisfy 15 people today and tomorrow, the number increases to 20, you have to increase your manpower.

The story of Tecno phone brand is like that of Slot. From an unknown brand it has become a best-selling mobile device. How did you come about Tecno?

Tecno was basically my baby.

As an entrepreneur, I was always looking for opportunities. With the advent of GSM, we saw the likes of MTN and Econet then struggling with poor services so Nigerians were always carrying two, three phones. We tried to have a dual SIM phone and we tried to convince the likes of Nokia and co to produce dual SIM phones, but they refused

because they saw it competing against themselves because they were happy seeing people carrying two, three phones. If you make them carry just one phone, they would lose business. So I went to China and got a guy who had worked with a company called Bird then. Bird was into phones but they got choked and lost market share.

I met with the guy and asked the guy to let us do something. I came with that name and I registered it here and brought the guy to Nigeria. And that was the high point of our business. We came together and I designed the first Tecno phone, Tecno T101. We started it but the market did not accept it and we also had problem with the dual SIM not working together and we had to make corrections and we came with Tecno 201 and that was a bit accepted by the market. But we were basically giving marketers on credit to sell the phones and then pay us later. And I was funding it all alone. Since I was funding it alone, we were finding it difficult to get the right quantity to sell until the market started accepting us.

What I now did was to make them pay in advance, I mean the dealers.

So we started using their money to order the products. This was around 2007. The introduction of Tecno brand was the turning point of our business.

So Tecno was the child of Slot?

Yes. In fact, we registered it as a subsidiary of Slot.

At what point did Tecno push other phone brands to a corner of the market?

It took Tecno about seven years to achieve this. It was the promise I made to the managing director of Nokia that time. They cared less about customers and after sales services and I promised him I am going to make Nokia go down in Nigeria. They were so arrogant. We were the ones selling Nokia and at the same time providing the after sales service with our own money.

Well, we were fixing computers; there was what we called slot processor and socket processor. The slot processor was always a stronger and more robust processor and I always wanted to recommend it to my customers. And because we were building computers to compete with HP, Compaq and Dell. We were building computers and assembling them and we always used the slot processor as against the socket processor. Then, my friends started calling me slot. I looked at the meaning of slot in the dictionary and I discovered that it was a word for position, space and fixer and I felt this was a good name We would fix a faulty phone or give you a brand new one. Some of our colleagues were closing shops because they were not making profit because any money you made, you would spend on after sales service.

But we refused to quit and maintained that staying spirit. So it was more of anger and determination to create value and also fight Nokia that gave birth to Tecno.

What role did you play to improve the quality of Tecno?

Like I said, Tecno is my baby and we kept improving. I knew a day would come when the middle class would accept Tecno. Initially, it was a phone for low income people but based on improvement and upping our game, the middle class had to accept it and when the economy went down in 2008 that helped Tecno to move to the top. Since purchasing power had dropped, they had to go for something that have same capabilities but cheaper.

So with N15,000, you could buy a Smartphone and thank God for 3G network. The advent of 3G network actually helped Tecno to move up.

So students who could not afford to buy phones in the range of N30,000 could buy one for N15,000 and enjoy features of Smartphone like Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and so on. Tecno now gave birth to Infinix. It is the same company.

You can now see how the brand has evolved. So looking at the Nigerian people, you would see that a phone like Tecno will get a point when premium customers will like to use it.

Tecno Phantom was a bang.

How did that come about?

It was based on continuous improvement on our part. Consumers’ taste is ever-changing and you have to up your game in order to gain traction. So, what we did was to up our game by looking at

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 9, 2016

20

Plus As a Kid I Desired to Be a Big Man what customers were looking for.

Tecno also wanted to appeal to the premium and high-end customers.

And it worked; especially when those premium buyers could not afford those expensive phones again.

Presently, our flagship product is the Phantom 5. It is our flagship product. The Camon 9, just launched will carry 4G network rating and 4G is the new way to go and very soon, we will be experiencing that.

Let me say, competition has been quite helpful and it has helped to reduce prices and produce more functionalities.

In 10 years, where do you want Slot to be?

I want it to be the number one indigenous company and we want be the number one in terms of phone accessories in the whole of Africa.

Are you likely to go into manufacturing of phone accessories?

Oh yes. It should be the way to go as we believe in backward integration. Luckily enough, our leaders are talking about local content so it is not a bad idea to look at manufacturing in future but power supply has to improve. If we don’t get that right, our profit and loss will always be showing negative.

As a family man, how much of family time has running Slot taken away from you?

I believe three things matter so much: time, energy and money. And I believe business requires these three things. Energy is important and thank God, I still believe I have it. Money? If I don’t have enough, I believe I can leverage. But time is what every entrepreneur will have to deal with. One thing that has worked for me is that my wife is an executive director of the company.

So we work at home, and we work in the office. So it is easy for us to integrate home and office and most of the business meetings I go, I travel with her. For the kids, I try.

But the part of it I haven’t been able to do much is that aspect of checking their homeworks. Before, I used to do that and checked their assignments but now I have to get a lesson teacher. I also ensure that I don’t miss any school activities like Open Day. I make sure I attend such.

As you were growing up, did you have anyone you looked up to?

Yes. When I was growing up, my father used to work in a company called PAMOL. It was a subsidiary of Unilever. When I was growing up, I used to admire my father’s boss. Interestingly, his kids were my classmates in school. Even though they were more materially comfortable than us, I made sure they did not beat me in any of the major subjects like Mathematics and English and the sciences. I admired their father because I saw him as a rich man. So I was always wondering if there was anything he lacked; big cars and he lived in a big house.

So I was always seeing myself becoming a manager; not really having my own company but becoming a CEO. So there was nothing that suggested to me that I was going to run my own company but the fact that I took a leap of faith 17 years ago. Besides, I had no idea of what business was but I just felt I got to do something instead of just wasting away. And gradually, the vision

became clearer and that was it. I just then felt it was what I could do to become somebody in life. I grew up in Sapele and schooled there. I only came to Lagos for my degree.

Can you recollect those things you used to do as a child?

Playing football was major fun.

Every day, after school, we had to play soccer because we always wanted to be in the school team.

I was playing number 10 and my younger brother was the goalkeeper.

And, of course, parents believe after school, you do your assignment and do house chores and then prepare for the second day. You had to convince them you had done your assignment but you would still always come home to take some whipping.

As your 50th birthday approaches, what will you be celebrating?

I will be 50 by August 4 and will be celebrating God’s mercy, His faithfulness, good health and grace.

I will also celebrate the fact that I have been comfortable. I have been able to help people and help them grow. I have been able to make people happy and this gives me joy.

The fact that so many people can text me and say, ‘brother, thank you.

You paid my school fees’. Or that ‘I graduated because of your scholarship.’ This makes me happy and that happiness comes from the fact that I have been able to touch lives. It will be low key; just a gathering to praise God. What of Slot’s Skill Acquisition Centre?

It gets to a stage when you say I have acquired so much and what can I give back to the society and the community? And that was what gave birth to the two foundations that I have. One is in the memory of my father because he believed so much in education. His name was Anthony Chubuike Ezeigbo. It is for undergraduate students. We have about 25 students enjoying that right now. You go to school and your internship or youth service can be done with us. The other one, the Slot Foundation, came on the need to impact on the youths.

Helping them to be employable and develop those skills and become CEOs and entrepreneurs as well. The Slot Academy also came as result of this. To acquire the training, you need about N150,000 but this is being subsidised by the Slot Foundation.

The Slot Foundation came about because I was in a conversation with some youths a couple of years back. In the course of the conversation, I asked them to give me five names of people that inspired them.

I was shocked that they mentioned names of a musician, an actor, footballer and a politician. I asked for another five and when they named another musician. I then asked them, who would produce the goods and services? The musician is just making people happy and making money for himself.

That is not what the society needs.

There and then, I felt I needed to do something. We can train you in three months and you become a phone engineer and if you like, we absorb you and for those who want to run on their own, they will be allowed. Every year, we will train 1000 young people in this area.

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JULY 9, 2016 •THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Dbanj gets married?

The Kokomaster himself has just been married off by social media. They said he secretly married one beauty from Jos . As the news settled, the Kokomaster called me on some business transaction we are doing together and I attacked him. How for heavens’ sake would he go and marry without informing me. Me that once bought food for him at Cactus; me that once bought boiled eggs for him at the Abuja Airport. Me that co-wrote his biggest hit – Oliver Twist with Don Jazzy; me that, let me just keep quiet. He apologised and begged to come to my office to explain everything. I agreed but did not wait for him. He invited me to his house and I still will not go because I remain very upset. You know I was keeping one sweet Shomolu-based Akwa Ibom sweetie for him and have even collected some money sef and now he wants to turn me into a fraudster that EFCC will be pursuing up and down and freezing my account. My people but seriously let me for one second forget my selfish motives, the Kokomaster deserves all the happiness this union will bring to him. I am very sure that he must have finally found his oasis of love and happiness and I wish him so well and pray that God should in its infinite mercy bless this union and grant them everlasting joy and beautiful fruits. Osheeee!!!!!!!!!!!

LASTMA and my Birthday The head of this Lagos State institution must hear this o. Your boys chose my birthday to impound my wife’s car. She had parked along the Ojota expressway directly in front of the former Bata to pick our nanny and out of nowhere these people appeared and the shouting match that emerged was out of this world. She immediately called me and as I tried to plead with the officials the case became worse. They insisted that the car must be impounded; at that point I tried to remind them that I voted for APC and that I had eaten breakfast in the Governor’s House before at Glover and as such they should release my wife’s car on personal recognition. They refused o. This people no respect their governor o. So I tried with the Jagaban. I told the officer over the phone that I was invited to the Jagaban’s 60th birthday at Eko hotel and that I even shook hands with Lai Mohammed. The more I dropped big Lagos establishment people the faster my wife and the car was getting to the garage to be impounded.

I decided to change gear told my wife to pretend to faint to see if this will touch these people. Na lie o, the Pharisee people no shake. My wife faint three times on the journey but the hardened children of Melchizedek continued their journey to Golgotha. I took a picture of my voter’s card and sent to my wife’s phone to show them. She said they hissed when they saw the picture. My people, with desperation I started calling all the Lagos people I know o. Called Commissioner for Energy, Wale Oluwo, phone switched off, called General Manager of LASTMA his phone rang, no reply. I called Desmond Elliot, member Lagos House of Assembly, he did not pick; called Abiola Yahaya, Special Assistant to Hon. Giwa of the House of Assembly, she picked and said when they give me the ticket I should call her. Called Princess whose husband is Commissioner of Police, she advised that my wife should faint again. My wife said she was tired of fainting. In desperation, I jumped into my car and gave a chase. That is how I

Stella Oduah - My Crush I have had a terrible crush on this extremely beautiful lady since she came into public limelight. Her fair complexion and exquisite looks have continued to be the subject of my dreams. Her eyes are as glorious as the morning star that welcomed the birth of our Lord and saviour and her skin as smooth and milky as the warm streams of Gilead. That she is very beautiful even at her age is no longer news but what is news to me is the troubles that she is beginning to face with the authorities. I have heard so many stories both ridiculous and others a little believable. As I write I have just heard that billions were found in her house maids account, she has graciously denied that another report says that she has 60 properties just found by the EFCC. My take is that they should just leave her alone Jo. After all with that kind of beauty she should be able to get away with anything.

This is why they will never make me Chairman at EFCC because I will never investigate her talk less ended up spending my birthday with alchohol-drinking and cigarette smoking officials of LASTMA in their Agric Ikorodu parking lot. At the end of the day, we became friends sha as I regaled them with stories of me and Fashola in Igbobi College and the role I played in the establishment of LASTMA especially at the time the Jagaban was in the middle of his war with OBJ. When they found out it was my birthday, they made me buy them ‘kparaga’ local gin and stood guard while I inspected them the way Buhari does it during National Day parade. By the end of the day, we all laughed and became friends and I prayed for them that God should give all of them the patience to continue to serve and catch many more people like me so that free kparaga will continue to flow in Ikorodu . I thank my new friends na condition dey bring people together. Lastly, to all the Lagos officials who did not take my calls, we will meet at the next elections, wallahi!

Odein Ajumogobia - My Honest Advice I have just read that you have finally agreed to mediate between us and the MEND. If this is true, my honest advice to you is to quickly embark on a major fasting. Not the one that you will have to see the moon before you stop. For this assignment is and will be the most delicate and risky you or any Nigerian would be embarking on. How do you mediate this kind thing? First, as a Nigerian and someone from the same Niger Delta I do not really see how you will achieve a win win for all parties. If Nigerians get upset, you become a persona non grata. If MEND

of embarrassing her the way her name is being bandied about. I will just be writing her poems on EFCC letterhead paper heralding her unusual beauty and offering her the services of all the lawyers in the institution to get her out of any wahala her political enemies would have been throwing her way. I hardly get angry but Nigerians will see my anger the moment her skin starts loosing it’s warm and precious glow due to all these stress they are making her go through.

I will sue everybody o and make sure that I will borrow a leave from Ekweremadu and write to all the foreign bodies he has written to seeking help including FIFA and Donald Trump to intervene otherwise Nigeria will see the worst in an Akwa Ibom man in love. Kai, mummy do not worry all this will pass as I have received firm assurances from Prophet Joshua who showed me your face in a bowl of water as evidence that we can still be together despite all this EFCC wahala. We shall overcome. get upset, you could come home and find your house blown up.

I am sure you will be regretting the day you got admission to study Law. If you knew you would have just gone to do Physical Education in school and pushed to be appointed to the less risky job of coaching the female national team. Well sha, I really pray for Solomonic wisdom for you.

At least, the good thing is that the MEND are ready to talk. But while collecting your mandate, they should at least stop the bombing first Tompolo should settle his differences with Ayiri and stop writing those letters to the President. You will be in my prayers and I am sure in the prayers of millions of Nigerians. I really pity you.

This task is not for the lily-livered. Do not worry if you fail you can still go on exile to Fernando Po and if you succeed you will be richly rewarded. Go with the Lord and may He guide your every utterance and do not forget to get your bullet proof vest as you proceed. I wish you Godspeed, my brother. .....that Skye Bank Wahala The only thing I can say here is that we no longer know who to look up to in this country. It is beginning to look like every success story has a leprous side.

This Tunde Ayeni was supposed to be the next sweet story after the Aliko Dangotes and Tony Elumelus. He came out of no where to take Skye Bank and Mainstreet Bank capping it all with Nitel. I remember seeing him at a function at the Eko Hotel and envying and admiring him as someone I want to be like if I ever come to this world again. Today, the story has turned and all sorts of ‘rubbish’ is coming out of the place. Get me right o, a business can go bad through honest wrong business decisions that were taken with the very best of risk management and corporate governance. But what is beginning to come out of this story is very far from it and also as an industry person, I would not want to really go into details. But if what we are hearing is anything to go by then the question again is who do we look up to? I have friends in Skye Bank who are thorough professionals and who I would hate to see loose their jobs because of this and much more important the millions who have their poor savings in the place.

I am very sure the CBN is up to the task of protecting all stakeholders. My heart goes to my friends at Skye Bank even as I pray to God to assist CBN in achieving a quick turnaround of the place. It was and is still a very strong brand. This is only just the beginning for them, they will re-emerge I am very sure of this.

President Buhari : I ‘m just looking at you So your Excellency in the fast that you have been breaking it has not crossed your mind to invite me to dinner at Aso Villa to break fast with you one of these evenings?

Sir, if anybody had told me that this would happen to me I would not have believed.

So you can finish a whole 30-day fast, breaking it with all sorts of people without for one day inviting me? I am lost as to the reason this misfortune has befallen me and I have instructed the Sultan not to see the moon until I get my invite. Please do not dare me as I am determined to keep the moon away until I come and eat with you. Sir, I have a lot of issues I would like to discuss with you especially the fact that when people go into detention they come out with gray beards. It is truly a mystery for me and I believe if we find a solution to it we just may solve the corruption wahala in our country. So Sir, I still await my invitation and while preparing for my visit, kindly instruct your stewards to prepare Afang served with fufu and a fresh bowl of palmwine to go down with the food. I will be coming for the dinner with Governor Ayo Fayose and David Cameron who will come and explain to us how he fantastically lost his job. Rankadede sir.

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JUNE 16, 2011 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY• JULY NEWSPAPER THISDAY, THE •SATURDAY NEWSPAPER 9, 2016

FAIRGROUND

Thrills and Frills of African Fashion Nigeria Week 2016

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

T

he Africa Fashion Week Nigeria is a first-class, high octane and glamorous event.

A celebration of stupendous fashion and style, of good form and refinement and it includes an awards show to the bargain.

The African Fashion Week Nigeria, which took place, recently, at The Palms Mall in Victoria Island, Lagos, started with street catwalk in the mall. Models were styled in looks made from Da Viva fabrics by Mc Stell and Eminence 1129. The models wore bold makeups from Zaron Cosmetics and hairstyles were done by Zubby for Cantu for the street catwalk.

The Africa Fashion Week Nigeria’s first ever “Textile and Manufacturing” conference took place on the first day of this month at the Eko Hotels and Suites which was filled with participants from various segments of the fashion industry in Nigeria. There were also representatives of larger fashion houses, small-scale fashion entrepreneurs, enthusiasts, and members of the press. Equally present at the event were government officials and development financiers.

Day One Business conference The panel for the conference held discussion sessions. In one of the sessions, the Minister of State for Industry, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, made an insightful presentation about the potentials and challenges of the fashion industry in Nigeria. Mrs. Folake Oyemade, Managing Director of Sam and Sara, which has a garment factory reputed to be West Africa’s largest, captured the attention of the audience with her description of the difficulties being faced by garment manufacturers in the country. She talked about her attempts to take advantage of the AGOA (Africa Growth and Opportunity Act) programme, and obstacles she faced –which hinder the growth of Nigeria’s garment and textile industry.

Possible solutions to these problems were discussed by the panel. They made appeals to the government to deal with the influx of smuggled garments, as local producers were finding it difficult to cope with the competition these illegal wares bring. In another session, which was moderated by Mr. Lucky Idike Jr., Mr. Akintunde Oyebode, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, referred to the competitive advantage issue hinted at by Oyemade.

He pointed out that a lot of the country’s garment production is done on a relatively small scale, and suggested that these small producers outsource their production to larger companies, while they focus on design specifications for their garments.

He was particularly keen on fashion entrepreneurs finding a niche for themselves, as opposed to getting involved in most or all aspects of the trade.

Oyebode’s preferred path of specialisation was emphasised by Ms. Jennifer Anoyika, Director General of the Nigerian-German Business Association, whose presentation focused on “Value chain thinking”. This approach to production and sales, she said, was about placing the initial emphasis of the business on the customer, rather than the market, and takes note of the importance of the components of the production and distribution chain.

Other members of the panel included: Dr. Johannes Flosbach, Head of Performance Management, TGI Group; Chioma Nwagboso, Adviser on Public Private Partnerships for GIZ (German International Cooperation); Mrs. Doris Onwugamba, MD, Manufacturing Resource Centre, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; Dr. Mustapha Abiodun Akinwunmi, Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State; and representatives from the Hungarian Embassy and DaViva Fabrics.

Day Two

Ronke Ademiluyi And Her Brothers Kamari, Cj And Debola

Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi

Nike Davies-Okundaye (NIKE ART GALLERY)

Wale Ojo And A Friend

Hon Minister Rotimi Amaechi

Hon Minister Rotimi Amaechi

The second day had back to back catwalk shows from upcoming and established designers.

The first show kicked off with emerging designers, Ekaz Signature; Latreia Designs; Tubo; El Amanah Clothing; House of Salem; Signature Secret; and Yoti Ahma making an impressive display of prints, fusion of silk, chiffon, and hand-painted looks that brightened the stage. The African Ankara prints also made a show.

The second show of the day kicked off with

Hon Minister Rotimi Amaechi

more designers who revved up the event a bit more. Faridas atelier; Eve design Online; Neopele concepts; Tiannah Styling School Collection for Da viva; Elawe Couture; Nipo Skin for Da Viva; Dozzy Couture; Tasha Gillies; and Niki Kay were on hand to rock the occasion.

The third show came up at 8pm and featured impressive collections from designers Niiffe and Asake Oge, who showcased a line of ‘athleisure’ with print details; Jreason brought impressive tailoring and fit on pieces

styled to perfection on the runway; Somandra Stitches; and Beryl Qouture by Anita Beryl, all presented wearable arts.

Similarly, Morin O showcased luxury leather goods, Nugo’s Clothing, House of Borah, Coz Designs, JPKoutureby Hadassah were also not left out in lighting up the stage.

Bankole Thomas opened with Nollywood actor, Wale Ojo, who put on a dapper show; Zara and Zoe also presented leather goods with “Colours of Cue”, while Eminence 1129 and TIR Fashion House rounded off the

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

23

FAIRGROUND

AGN Seeks Payment of Royalty, Decries Non-inclusion in MOPICON Bill

A

rtistes in the country, under the umbrella of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), have decried the unstructured state of entertainment industry in Nigeria.

The AGN noted that though the entertainment industry was founded by executives and producers, but it is an industry where 70 per cent are performers and creative people.

Speaking at a conference, the President of the AGN, Mr. Emeka Ike, stated that “deliberate abandonment of artists is a suicide attempt for the industry. You only market and produce. The artiste is the content in the product without which it gives a totally different recipe.”

To this end, he said the association viewed AGN’s removal from the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) bill project as a direct plot to sideline the 70 per cent content and right owners in the industry from being a part of decision making where enforceable issues are brought to base.

According to him, such an action will eventually lead to handing the industry “to our transducers who serve as vendors for some particular foreign multinational companies, who use our products with impunity while impoverishing, oppressing, owing, scandalizing and writing the ‘old Nollywood off’ with a hash tag brand raising their own artistes, producers etc., and investing on just these few mentors of the huge industry and trampling on their human rights Issues.”

Ike said, “Sign a contract or not, there are international charters that Nigeria, as a nation is a signatory to, which protests these trampled rights. The UNESCO Charter on Entertainment, the BENE convention and several other laws exist to the favour of the Nigerian artistes. We are deliberately depriving the magician of the magic while refocusing elsewhere; maybe on another

Emeka Ike at the press conference

land with residues of a few powerful local studios in highbrow areas of Nigeria; Nollywood will be redefined to fit only the highest bidders.

“That’s the matter for the AGN, PMAN, ANTP, NANTAP, NMVMPA, ANCORP and every structure that should be house entertainment in Nigeria. Our crises are deliberate and man-made; designed to only suit the middleman businessman and their foreign business partners. It’s a shame that the contract producers are made to sign in this country is far more different from that signed all over the world. Even

around in other Africa countries.

The AGN then posed some questions: “Who designed the subliming and marginalisation of Nigerian artistes and where has all that huge funds been going? We hear of Google paying NIMBS Banks for the intellectual property owners and other crafts.

How much could it have accrued to since the advent of the internet system?

“We need to reorganise the system to run on defined templates that protects everybody. COSON is blazing the trail for the music artistes.

We have designed ours to fit every

international practice principled. We are working on our biometric ID card. These people will not want to hear of it. Yet, Nigerian people will make them listen to us.

He concluded by calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene to ensure that millions of Nigerian artistes will be paid the royalties they deserve.

“This might pave way to the massive absorption and employment opportunities discussed during your (Buhari’s) election campaign. The capital flight is too much and must be stopped,” the actor said.

Thrills and Frills of African Fashion Nigeria Week 2016 Cont’d from Pg. 36 show.

Day Three The last day ended with a Gala Night witnessed the super stylish, gorgeously fashionable, crème de la crème of the society, top professionals and colourful entrepreneurs; including stars of the world of fashion, movies, music, television and comedy.

The gala was unveiled with veteran fashion designers, Modela, Rois and Reine, showcasing their menswear collection.

Other designers on the runway included the headline designer, Ade Bakare, Swarovski, Elegante by Tiannah Styling and Elegant Kids, Yomi Casual. Others were: Trish O. Couture, Lanre Lagos, Mc Stell Fashion Gallery, Bello I. Edu, Rikato by Me, and others.

Yemi Alade Afro-pop singer and brand ambassador of this year’s edition, Yemi Alade, debuted her fashion line, House of Tangerine, after which she thrilled guests with her strong vocals as she performed hit songs. No doubt she is a beautiful singer and a talented one at that, with her energetic performance adding more spice to the night.

The award recipients of the night included: His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni risa of Ife; AFWN Monarch with Panache, Rotimi Amaechi; AFWN Legend of Brio, Funmi Tejuosho; Amazon of Style, AFWN-Elegance and Style Award 2016, Patricia Uchenna Onumonu, Trish O Couture; AFWN Fashion designer of the year Award 2016, Abiola Olatunde Aloba, in recognition to his contribution to AFWN & AFWL.

Her Excellency, Prince Lynda Oluchi Ikeogu President Umuadaigbo Massachusetts and Mrs Ngozika Tracy Njoku Founding President, Patron Umuadaigbo Massachusetts Abba Folawiyo.Jpg

The Umuadaigbo

Gala Night’s Crème de la crème Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2016 gala was well attended by top government personalities, royalties and highly rated Nigerian celebrities, which included former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi; Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi; Oluwo of Iwo and his Olori; Ruth Osime; Abba Folawiyo; Funmi Ajila (FADAN President); Senator Ita Giwa; Annie Idibia; Monalisa Chinda; Uti Nwachukwu; Bryan Okwara; Kaffy; Denrele Edun; Zaina; Emmanuel ikubese; LAX; and BOJ, among others. Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2016 gala night was hosted by Kaylah Oniwo and Layole Oyatogun.

muadaigbo Massachusetts U.S.A is a women organisation comprising seven Igbo-speaking states in eastern Nigeria: Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers and Delta.

“Our membership capacity is 205. Our mission is to empower women, promote our culture in Diaspora and raise our children teaching them the importance of the Nigerian culture, values and heritage. We are our sister’s keeper and building a strong community in Diaspora. “Umuadaigbo has brought 200 women together as members of Umuadaigbo, in promoting our culture, empowering women, introducing an insurance scheme to support one

U

another in time of death. The association offers its members or members’ spouses up to $12, 000 through the scheme. They have organised a yearly soccer between Umuada and the Nigerian men in Boston, with the youths, and other women organisation,” a statement by the group said. It noted further that the association intended to collaborate with Umuigbo Unite, a Nigerian youth organisation where “our Igbo children come together to keep our culture alive. We must keep our culture and encourage intermarriage amongst our children.” “Our biggest agenda is purchasing and owning a Nigerian civic centre. Our upcoming induction is to install new members and launch our first Umuadaigbo Massachusetts album,” the group added.

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

media & marketing

Marketing Edge Rewards Excellence in Brands and Marketing

A

fter weeks of spectacular build up and media blitz, the much anticipated Marketing Edge Brands and Advertising Excellence Awards & Annual Summit 2016 came to a fitting climax on Friday, 17 June at the prestigious Civic Centre in Lagos. Over 44 awards were given out, but the highlight was that moment when the over 500 dignitaries and advertising industry experts in the venue rose up in Unisom to applaud and celebrate Nigeria’s advertising titan, Ted Mukoro, when he was honoured with the award for Advertising Icon of the Decade.

On hand to present the award to Mr. Mukoro was Sir Steve Omojafor, Chairman of the Occasion and one of Nigeria’s advertising giants.

In a short tribute, Omojafor praised Mukoro for his impact and outstanding legacies in the advertising profession. He evoked emotions when he recalled with nostalgia how Mukoro mentored him and took him through the rudiments of copywriting and how some of Mukoro copywriter masterpieces, like Shine Shine Bobo Star have remained ever fresh decades after they were crafted.

Other advertising and marketing icons that were celebrated in the same Advertising Icon of the Decade category as Mukoro were Chris Doghuje former CEO of Lintas Advertising and Chairman of APCON, and Laolu Akinkugbe, a veteran marketer and current non-executive Director at Nigerian Bottling Company.

The Marketing Edge Award for Brands and Marketing Excellence has in the last five years become the benchmark for recognizing and celebrating talents and milestones in the integrated marketing communication industry.

This year, the awards has become even bigger as it not only recognized the established names, new categories were created to honour upcoming industry leaders who are making waves in their little corners.

As the custom is, the event began with the Marketing Edge Summit which has become a powerful platform for practitioner to learn, deliberate and brainstorm on trends and developments in the integrated marketing communication industry. In his opening speech at the Summit, Publisher/CEO of MARKETING EDGE John Ajayi noted that the award was the company’s own way of contributing to the growth of brands and marketing in Nigeria.

“It is another way of narrating the story of giant strides of accomplished career marketers advertisers and agencies in Nigeria,” he said.

The theme of the summit was Brand Positioning in a Digital Age: Challenges in a Developing Market and the keynote speaker was George Thorpe, Managing Partner of Market Space. Mr. Thorpe while appreciating the growth in the digital marketing space and the great marketing possibilities it bellies both for larger businesses and the SMEs, he however expressed some reservations about the seemingly lack of standards and proper structure within the system.

Guest Speaker, Seni Adetu former CEO of Guinness Nigeria provided an even broader perspectives on the conversation. Adetu warned marketers against nursing thought that traditional media will become irrelevant for marketing or communication as a result of the rising popularity of digital media. “No one should. Core principles of marketing will not change because it is digital” he cautioned.

Adetu urged marketer to innovatively use available platforms by creating a strategy that creates a synergy among all the communication platforms. “Nigerians are becoming more discerning due to exposure to technology and becoming is becoming more intense. The digital landscape is changing, we have over 158million handsets (some people own more than one), over 97million internet users and so much more,” he declared.

It was clear from Adetu’s narratives that while he still sees the traditional media a very relevant

he equally recognize the growing influence of the digital media in the marketing space.

Bukola Akingbade former CEO of Bytesize and now founder and CEO of Nukleus, a digital marketing agency gave a more graphic representation of how the digital space has now created bigger possibilities for brands by helping them to reach wider and more diverse audience in a much faster time.

Akingbade’s thoughts were in perfect agreement with Chizor Malize’s sentiments.

Malize who is known for being a social media freak and a great apostle of internet marketing made a robust case for brands to join the digital bandwagon. The CEO of Brandzone was one of the resource persons at the summit and she noted that the youth market in Nigeria was a great force in the market space and brands who desire to win their loyalty must discover their favourite platform of engagement.

In her short presentation, the charismatic brand expert admonished that any serious brand manager must be abreast of trends among consumers. “Brands need to know that a lot of young people are moving away from facebook and instagram and going over to snapchat. If they don’t know this, they will then be concentrating their marketing effort on the wrong channels and will not get expected outcomes,” Malize said, adding that with digital marketing brands can achieve more in a shorter time than they would with digital marketing. Perhaps there is no one person more fitting to explore this topic than Chude Jideonwo, the 31 year old Managing Partner of Red Media, a fast growing Public Relations and Digital marketing agency.

Red Media was the digital marketing agency that drove the social media engagement for the Buhari/Osibanjo campaign during the 2015 elections.

Like Malize, Jideonwo stressed the need for brands to pay attention to the streets because that is where trends in the market place are inspired. “The mass market is not influenced

with

KASIE ABONE 08057511558 (sms only) by those who have Phd or live in Lekki, but by the streets. That is why brands must study and pay close attention to the streets,” he said, pointing out how a street slang by musician Olamide “leave dirt for LASTMA” became so popular that it inspired one of Sterling Bank’s campaigns.

He however cautioned stakeholder not to get too excited about the internet or overrate it because there are still millions of young people, especially in Northern Nigeria that are not on the internet.

For this group of people, the traditional media remains their primary source of information.

Therefore brands that desire to engage them can only do so through traditional media like TV, radio, and newspapers.

“For this reason, traditional media is still very key and inevitable for brands that want optimum returns on their investments. Some people do not know that Galaxy TV is still the most watched television channel in Nigeria and not Hiptv or SoundCity,” he said.

Speaking during the question and answer session, Thorpe warned that for all the frenzy about the digital marketing media, it still lacks an empirical evidence to prove its performance.

That according to him is the primary weakness of the digital marketing and that is where traditional media still has an edge.

Ajayi, noted that this year’s award had been expanded to include new categories that celebrate young practitioners and that has been done to encourage productive competition in the creative industry.

The awards had 44 categories and some of the big winners of the night were Mr. Udeme Ufot, John Momoh of Channels TV, MTN, Noah’s Ark, DDB Lagos, Cool FM, Urban Radio, Optimum Exposures, Red Media, Indigo, Oracle, Peak Milk, Chamita, Bolaji Alausa, Star, SBI Media.

Vintage

When Adeleke Took Osun West Senatorial District By Storm Olumide Lawal

E

de, the country home of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the First Executive Governor of Osun State, was on Sunday, June 26, 2016 turned to a ‘Mecca’ of sort. The ancient city became the political hot spot of Osun State, as politicians of note, party faithful in Osun All Progressive Congress came in their hundreds to partake of Adeleke’s 2016 empowerment programme for the people of Osun West Senatorial District.

The flamboyant and charismatic politician was at hand, warmly to receive guests, low and mighty, all of whom he accorded recognition.

A situation, that made all of them feel a sense of belonging. It was indeed a payback day for the Senator, because not only did the programme enjoy massive turn-out from the people of Osun West Senatorial District, well –wishers as well came from Osun Central and Osun East Senatorial Districts to partake of Adeleke moment of glory.

Just as it was in 2011, when he lost the Senatorial election to Mudashiru Hussein and he magnanimously threw his doors open to distribute materials to his constituents, to the surprise of many people, so it was in 2016. He is the first Senator in Osun ever to embark on massive empowerment programme to improve the living conditions of the members of the public from Osun West District.

The APC family in Osun in its entirety, able led

by Prince Gbenga Famodun, State Chairman were there in solidarity with Senator Adeleke, who moved by the show of solidarity moved from tent to tent to throw banters and exchange of greeting with the eminent personalities Dr. Peter Babalola, Mr Ayo Afolabi, Hon. Wale Afolabi, the Speaker Osun House of Assembly

Adeleke

Najeem Salam and the Secretary to The State Government, Alh. Moshood Adeotu,.

The programme commenced with the senatorial meeting of Osun West District, where members renewed their pledge for the APC in Osun, to wax stronger and grow in leaps and bounds. Various speakers called on those with the means to extend hands of fellowship to the less privileged in the society, with a view to taking some burden off the neck of the government. They all commended the effort of Adeleke for always being there for his people since his days as governor. Adeleke, whom they referred to as a super-senator, was also described by some top-notch of APC in Osun State, as a crowd puller any day, but who will never lose his cool, but remains humble and dedicated to Almighty Allah, his Creator. At a point during

the ceremony, while waiting for the State Governor to come, who in anyway kept the enthusiastic audience waiting for hours, cultural displays took place to kill boredom and it was a spectacular display by the different cultural group, as Fadeyi Oloro gave his best to entertain the guests.

On display for distribution were motorcycles, sewing machine, two 18 seater buses, deep freezers and other working tools. They were given out, to carefully chosen APC members in the district by a committee saddled with the responsibility. Before the items were given away, Adeleke gave a re-assuring message of hope to all. He said, it is in his blood veins to relate to the less-priviledged members of the society since his school days. According to him, those who are blessed and have extra, should not wait a second further to assist those in need, affirming that we brought nothing to this world and we would leave without anything.

He urged his constituents to be self-reliant and embrace entrepreneurship, to lift them up to self-sufficiency.

Adeleke said, in his magnanimous style, he would continue to identify with the yearnings and aspiration of his constituents who feel more, the pinch of the harsh economic downturn in the country. He is optimistic, that sooner than later, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

He called on the people of Osun State in general, to give unalloyed support to the various reform programmes of President Muhammed Buhari, whom he said meant well for the country.

Senator Adeleke used the occasion to appeal to APC members to guard their loins and prevent any divisive tendencies that could weaken their rank and file.

The Chairman of Senate Committee on Capital Market said, his two Bills on Criminal Justice and parole among others, are been vigourously

pursued, while he would gear up efforts in the National Assembly through zonal intervention fund to improve on deplorable condition of some of the federal roads in the Osun West District. In addition to this, Senator Adeleke stressed, that motions will be moved, compelling the executive arm of the government to attend to some of the federal roads in the district as a matter for urgent attention.

Senator Adeleke promised the gathering, that more school leavers shall be afforded the opportunity of jobs within available vacancies at various federal agencies. He was however emphatic, that the jobs are just not there for the asking. He used the occasion to call for absolute religious tolerance among different faiths in the state, as they are all brothers and sister in a united family. Senator Adeleke, said more than ever before, is the time to embrace peace and concord in Osun State, so as to complement the efforts of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in moving the state forward. He promised, that the empowerment programme is in phases and that those who could not benefit now will be taken care of in subsequent exercises.

At a stage during the event, the escastic crowd went into dancing and singing, proclaiming Senator Adeleke as a grassroot politician of no mean repute, who continues to touch their lives positively without any string attached. They chorused: “Isiaka Adeleke continue with your good work, you started over twenty-three years ago without relenting. We are solidly for you.

You are indeed The Erinlomo of Osun Politics”.

A fanatical supporter of Isiaka Adeleke pointedly said “Serubawon, you are a politician with milk of human kindness in his your face”. Wont you come back and use your red biro?

– Lawal is Special Adviser (Media and Public Affairs) to Senator Adeleke

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

TRIBUTE

Izu, Your Demise Still Reverberates

M

Chinelo Yvonne Egbuna

r. Michael Izuchukwu Egbuna, fondly called Izu and also referred to as AJIE was born onthe 6th day of January 1988 to the family of Mr. Michael Chukwuemeka Egbuna and Mrs. Chinelo Yvonne Egbuna. ‘AJIE’ was from the initials of his Ibo native names and surname, which was coincidentally the title of his late great grandfather whom he was named after, Ndiche Aniegboka Edward Egbuna, the Ajie of Onitsha while Osigbeme arises from his Edo affiliation.

Izuchukwu brought great joy to the newlyweds and the entire family at large. As his name connotes, it was a pact with God. A few years down the line, his beloved sister Michelle Nkiruka (Kiki) joined him, the early years of their companionship created a great bond between them and they remained inseparable until his untimely demise.

Izu’s early life was full of love as he always had lots of relatives around him who showered him with nothing but love and affection.

Izu went through his Nursery and

Izu

Primary School days at various times at the Kaduna Preparatory School, Creative Minds Nursery School, Onitsha, Anambra state, A-Z Interna-

tional School and Molly International School, Ajao Estate, Lagos. After his Primary school, he attended Christ the Cornerstone (CTC) School Ikeja, Lagos for his Secondary school education before going to the United Kingdom where he furthered his studies at the Edinburgh Academy, Scotland and obtained his Scottish Foundation Highers. He moved on to the University of Reading, also in the United Kingdom where he obtained his International Foundation and then proceeded to the University of Essex, in Colchester, United Kingdom where he graduated in Accounting and Finance. His time in Essex was full of adventures and he made a lot of friends due to his ever vibrant nature.

Izu moved back to Nigeria in 2012 and completed his National Youth Service Program after which he gained employment with TOTAL Plc where he worked until his recent demise. Izu was a loving and jocular person, who had this “joie de vivre” about him and was very humble, never discriminating of anyone nor was he able to say no to anyone who asked anything of him. His friends cut across all ages and indeed the

length and breadth of the world.

We draw strength from the narration of your colleagues of a discussion that went on in your office on your last day at work being Friday 10th July 2015, when you all were talking of the road to heaven being narrow and in your usual jovial manner said to them that you would be the first to get there as you were quite slim with an athletic physique and would be standing at the gates of heaven as an angel and would decide who to let in, who not to let in, whom to give water and whom not to give.

This to us is a spiritual revelation made known to you and a confirmation of where you are, in the bosom of the Lord.

News of your passing still reverberates and shocks all that come to hear of it. It is said that in everything, we should give thanks to God. Our dear Son, Brother, Father and Friend, Izu, we give thanks to God and succumb utterly to His will for your wonderful and amazingly short life, you are dearly and sorely missed. May your loving, caring, kind, compassionate, humble, sweet, gentle and selfless soul continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord.

Ezenwa Duru – Passage of a Hope Merchant John Obi

At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me.

I was homeless and you took me in.”

- Mother Theresa

O

n April 26 2016 death in its rigidity, callously snatched our own dearly beloved, ebullient and sagacious Ezenwa Duru. His death, which came as a rude shock, has left everyone who knew him, will remain so for some time, in his death, laughter which he basically engineered through his rib cracking jokes was dealt a blow as the rib cracker bowed to the wishes of the Almighty God. Ezenwa had a highly cerebral mind. He was the first of the ten children of Edwin Ogbonnaya and Rose Igbeje Duru. Born on the 16th of December, 1949 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, he was enrolled into St. Cyprian’s Primary School and later Comprehensive Secondary School in 1963. Between 1967 and 1970, the civil war temporarily disrupted his education as Ezenwa laced his booths and fought gallantly for the Biafran Army’s Signals Corps.

At the end of the war in 1970, Ezenwa picked up his pieces and completed his secondary education at Obazu Grammar School, Mbieri, Imo State, scoring above the required standard for entry into a Nigerian university. In 1971, he enrolled into

Trinity High School for a higher school certificate magna cum laude (with great honour and academic distinction) and thereafter sought employment to help sponsor his army of brothers and sister. This was his personal sacrifice to help turn the family’s fortune.

Between 1978 to 1979, Ezenwa was employed by UTA, French Airline in Warri as a marketing executive, where surpassed his targets and fast became the toast of the airline industry. Because virtually every airline wanted his service, he was poached by KLM Dutch Airlines as sales manager to the airline’s open Markurdi branch. Like a gold fish with no hiding place, Ezenwa thereafter joined Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), helping the company increase its market share in the country. He soon became the most sought after sales agent, well known within and outside the airline industry.

In 1977, Ezenwa joined the likes of ‘Ajala’ as he took a trip that covered three continents (London, USA, Japan), attending several training courses to improve his skills. He was a firm believer in the mantra - scientia est potentia (knowledge is power). He is credited to have opened the doors for a mass movement of his kinsmen (Umuaka indigenes, especially Amazano youths) to the United States of America, first by dispatching his brothers and sisters to seek for greener pastures. Thanks to Ezenwa, there is today an army of his kinsmen making their mark in the American society. His approach to secure a better life for his kinsmen soon became a model for most homes in the east.

Ezenwa was the doyen of the

Ezenwa

travel agency business in Nigeria, serving in executive capacity at the defunct British Caledonian Airways, Alitalia and Swan Travels. In 1995, Ezenwa co-founded Pan Atlantic Travels with Chief Bernard Anyanwu as Chairman, while he became the pioneer Managing Director till death.

Today, the travel agency industry has lost one of the finest hands, a professional of unequal pedigree, a reliable go-getter and a colossus in all sense of the word. Ezenwa was a shrewd businessman who took no prisoners.

Adequately groomed by the Indian community while with Swan, his magnanimity, helped many set up flourishing travelling agency firms.

Ezenwa and I had our special relationship - apart from being first cousins, it was one relationship in good and difficult times. He encour-

aged me a lot and was at my beck and call when I needed him. He equally sought my suggestions on matters and never made our wide age difference a barrier. He stood by his principles and ideas; would not yield to any man’s whims and caprices; and sometimes was too rigid and unrelenting. Ezenwa was stubborn to a fault, yet one thing you could not take away from him was his knack for being focused and resolute.

Ezenwa was a man of many parts. Outside the corporate world, he would have made a first class comedian. An astute rib cracker, he made serious matters light and would make you forget your troubles when with him. With Ezenwa’s death, his community has missed an illustrious son, role model, cerebral mind, and torch bearer.

He will be remembered for two things: the problems he created and the problems he solved. For him, the mere fact that we have lived does not count, but the difference we have made in lives of others.

Ezenwa’s life can be aptly coined: duty for service and service for humanity.

For Ezenwa, this is certainly not the end; it is a new beginning. My entire families, home and abroad, my wife whom he loved, my kids (Marshall, Gabriella, Ebunoluwa) say Aeternum Vale (farewell forever). We wish he were here with us but Homo proponit, sed Deus disponit (man proposes, but God disposes).

–Obi is a public affairs analyst and a cousin to the deceased.

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

aUto

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Moves Upwards in Mass, Executive Transportation Sector Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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he Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus is looking like a strong contender in the mass transit business in Nigeria with an increasing preference of the bus by commuters.

Reports from the transport companies that use the Sprinter buses say that passengers choose these buses over others, even at slightly higher prices. A frontline bus service company, God is Good has many of these buses which get booked faster than the other buses in their fleet.

According to Mr. Oluwatobi Ajayi, the Managing Director of Jetvan Automobiles Limited, the sole authorised dealer of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter buses in Nigeria, “The company was incorporated in 2014 and commenced operations in April 2015 with the overall responsibility for Sales and AfterSales of Mercedes-Benz vans and mini buses in the Nigerian market. The company also operates a Hire division which provides VIP premier luxury bus charter. We understand that luxury is a deliberate mix: not just of flamboyance and pomp but also, of stylish functionality, first class taste and practical efficiency without stint.”

Ajayi said the company also has a ‘Hire division’ that makes use of the VIP Sprinter buses and that these have high quality interior leather and fittings, inter-com, Burl Wood treatments, central security systems, Control and Navigation Systems, GPS tracking, Communication Kits and Furnishing/Gizmos.

Ajayi said the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter buses would take over the market, stating that other bus nameplates dominated the market prior to their entrance but that now that they were in things would be different.

He said the Sprinter bus could last more than the other buses, has longer service

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

intervals, and would still be sold half the value in the used vehicle market.

“If the economy picks up, everybody will want to buy a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter buses.

All transporters, whether big, medium, and small will start using the Sprinter. They will go to their banks to perfect their purchase of these buses.

The body has 12-year warranty and the warranty for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is two years or 200,000 kilometres.”

Jetvan has service stations across the

country and stock vital parts to ensure that the Sprinter buses are always on the road.

The company also has partner service stations, which they certify only if they have standard equipment and at least two trained technicians.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a vehicle built by Daimler AG of Stuttgart, Germany as a van, chassis cab, minibus, and pickup truck. In the past the Sprinter has been sold under the Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, Freightliner, and Volkswagen nameplates. In the

United States it is built from complete knock down (CKD) kits by Freightliner. They are now primarily marketed by Mercedes-Benz.

Rebadged and re-engined Sprinters are also sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles as the Volkswagen LT and the Volkswagen Crafter.

The first generation Sprinter was launched in Europe in 1995 to replace the famous but outdated Mercedes-Benz TN van dating from 1977. It was voted International Van of the Year for 1995.

Toyota Uses Racetrack to Improve 86 Sports Car

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oyota has advanced the superior driving enjoyment of its 86 sports car by applying feedback from extensive racetrack experience, including from the world’s toughest endurance race.

Driving characteristics have been revamped with better engine breathing that releases more power and torque for manual models along with across-the-board updates to suspension and body rigidity that promote improved handling.

Toyota has also focused on design updates that advance the aerodynamics, steering stability and the driver’s sense of being connected to the vehicle which is renowned for its ideally balanced front-engine, rear-drive layout.

The update of the compact and engaging four-seater is dynamic evidence of Toyota’s sports-car development philosophy expressed by the saying, “We race. We learn. You win”.

Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada said his team applied information learned from the racetrack to develop the upgraded 86 sports car, including data obtained from class victories at the famous 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

“We overhauled everything - primarily as a

result of technological feedback from the 86’s participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring - and repeatedly tested the vehicle on roads all over the world as we manufactured every single part,” Mr. Tada said.

“The new 86 has been perfected to such an extent that, from the moment the steering wheel is gripped and the vehicle accelerates away, every driver will be able to recognise its evolution,” he said.

As well as the famed German enduro, the 86 is campaigned regularly by owners around the world in club races and rallies. It has also inspired the Toyota 86 racing series in Australia with competition occurring at selected rounds of the Virgin Australia Supercars championship.

The 86 has been Australia’s best-selling sports car in each of the past three years with cumulative sales topping 17,200 cars - the third highest in the world.

For the revamp, engineers have revised engine components including the intake and exhaust manifolds for the six-speed manual models, lifting maximum power and torque by 3.4 per cent to 152kW and 212Nm.*

Remodeled Toyota 86 Sports Car

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder horizontally opposed engine’s increased torque peak can be generated over a 200rpm wider range of engine speeds, from 6400 to 6800rpm. The torque curve has also been improved at low rpms.

All models deliver sharper steering response

and improved ride comfort with additional spot welds for the rear pillars and reworked shock absorber valve structures.

Aerodynamic performance was the priority for the freshened exterior, contributing to enhanced road holding and turning performance.

FRSC Commander Warns Motoring Public Against Assaulting Marshals

T

he Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, Hyginus Omeje has warned motorists and the general public against taking laws into their hand by assaulting Marshals while on duty.

According to the Sector Commander, some Marshals of the Corps were assaulted around Jibowu/Yaba, recently, when in the course of their legitimate duty, “they arrested the driver of a Toyota Camry with Registration Number MU 780 KJA for not using seat belt.

The driver who had no driver’s license on him was to have his vehicle impounded when he veered off the route to his street where he mobilized area boys to beat up the Marshals with the marshals sustaining various degrees of injuries.”

A statement by the Corps said Omeje debunked news making round in some media that the Marshals caused the crash of the vehicle while trying to stop the vehicle “as there was no crash recorded during and after the arrest.”

They stated that “the team had success-

fully arrested the man and was taking him to the FRSC Office in Yaba before the offender zoomed off to his area where he knew people and mobilised miscreants against the Marshals. The offender capitalised on the confusion that ensued to run away with his vehicle.”

The Sector Commander said the matter has been reported to the police and that the Command has declared the vehicle wanted. He warned against such occurrence in future, promising to deal decisively with any motorist or group of persons “who engage in such

unholy and unacceptable act no matter how highly placed the person or persons may be.”

The Corps said “It is a criminal offence to assault a Marshal or an officer in the course of his duty, hence the Command has not only resolved to bring this particular culprits to book, but has equally resolved to bring the full weight of the law against any traffic offender who dares to assault our Marshals in future.

“Motorists are hereby enjoined to always obey traffic rules and regulation to avoid being arrested.”

27

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 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

Saints Or Sinners

S

What the Rolls-Royce SUV will look like

Rolls-Royce is Developing an SUV Stories by Bennett Oghifo

R

olls-Royce is developing an SUV that it calls “Project Cullinan,” and there are new renders showing what that high-riding luxury machine could look like.

This big luxury cruiser will be looking to take on the new Bentley Bentayga and the Range Rover SVAutobiography, two of the world’s most expensive and luxurious SUVs. These renders suggest that Rolls-Royce will keep its styling fairly similar to what is seen on its cars today, not a surprising move considering

that vehicles from Rolls-Royce are so iconic.

Rolls-Royce calls its SUV a “highsided, all-terrain motor car,” and when it debuts it will do so riding on an all-new platform from the brand that was developed separately from parent company BMW. In the future, more RollsRoyce vehicles will be based on this new aluminum-intensive architecture.

All-new suspension and allwheel drive systems are being developed for the new SUV as well so that it can deliver the hallmark “magic carpet ride” that Rolls-Royce is known for.

Powering the new SUV will likely be the same 6.8-liter V12 found in the Rolls-Royce Phantom, though a plug-in hybrid powertrain is also a possibility.

The new all-terrain motor car from Rolls-Royce is expected to launch in 2017.

Amule for the upcoming RollsRoyce SUV has been spied testing again, this time in Sweden.

In April 2015, the British automaker itself released photos of a shortened Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II being used as a mule for the upcoming Cullinan, and it appears nearly a year later the mule is still being used for testing

purposes. Set to compete with the Bentley Bentayga, the RollsRoyce SUV is expected to arrive in late 2017.

Since this is just a mule testing the platform being used for the Cullinan, the body isn’t a representation of what we can expect when the production model debuts. Rolls-Royce promises that its SUV will be a “high-sided, all-terrain motor car” and has been putting the mule to the test through various driving surfaces to ensure it will have the company’s trademark “magic-carpet” ride.

(Source: Autoguide)

US Agency Opens Investigation into Ford Explorer Exhaust Leaks

T

he National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the United States has launched a probe into model year 2011-2015 Ford Explorers over a possible exhaust leak.

A total of 154 complaints have been logged by NHTSA, each claiming that the odor of exhaust is strong inside the vehicle.

Many owners also expressed concerns over exposure to carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.

Ford says that it is fully cooperating with the investigation, which could result in a recall if there is enough evidence to show a widespread problem.

One crash has been linked to this issue, though no injuries were caused according to NHTSA. The total number of Explorers

being looked at has not been divulged by the organization.

According to owners, the problem is particularly bad when the vehicle is at full throttle, when climbing steep hills and when the air conditioning is set to recirculate.

Ford has issued two different technical service bulletins about the issue, but owners have reported that a fix at the dealership did not make the exhaust smell go away.

Regardless, for 2016, the Ford Explorer has been refreshed inside and out, adding a more powerful base engine and a new top-of-line trim. Called Platinum, the new range-topping trim level combines luxuries and comfort not found in the Explorer Limited, along with the more powerful drivetrain that was previously reserved

2016 Ford Explorer

exclusively for the Explorer Sport. Think of Platinum as Ford’s answer to the GMC Denali lineup of vehicles.

There may not be a lot of space

between the seat backs and the rear hatch, but the storage well is deep – deep enough to fold the power third row into it minivan-style.

How LASTMA Ensures Siren-free Movement of Govs Akinwunmi Ibrahim

L

agos State Governor AkinwunmiAmbode’s official convoy moves through the state without the use of the notoriously annoying sirens, because some officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) have been assigned to make that possible.

These officials, known as LASTMAGOV., work behind the scenes to ensure that the governor moves freely without the use of

sirens. This group of LASTMA officials knows the nitty-gritty of Lagos traffic. THISDAY sighted an official of LASTMA GOV at work recently when the Redeemed Christian Church of God had their monthly service, titled ‘Victorious Grace.’ Not many will forget the huge trucks, which blocked the entrance leading to the Redeem Camp on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway that day. It was such that many worshippers had to go through Asese route to enter the camp.

TheLASTMAofficialgaveorders

and directed traffic even outside Lagos, while many of the road users smiled as he did that which he knows how to do best.

Many are always full of admiration for LASTMA when they see officials of the authority in the convoy of the governor along Marina road and in Ikeja.

The many beautiful scenes of Hollywood movies seemed to be replayed live on the day we spotted ESCORT 1 leading PILOT 1 in the traffic in a most civil manner. One could not but notice the professionalism with

which the LASTMAOfficials lead the convoy and cleared the road.

Theiruseofpublicaddresssystem for vehicles to clear the way and for the public to hear them and pave way for the governor is conducted in a most humble manner.

Undoubtedly,managinghumans is the most difficult thing to do.

Research establishes this. Controlling the traffic of Lagos is such a herculean task for anybody to embark upon. Yet, LASTMA officials performed excellently on that day.

he was the third and only girl child in a family of six. Cute, humble, brilliant and athletic, ebony black Cynthia was the darling of the family especially the late father whose bonding with Cynthia was cemented when at the early age of 50; he was diagnosed with a deadly ailment that kept him bedridden for over ten months in the hospital. For ten months, Cynthia who had earlier lost the mother in a road traffic crash which claimed the lives of over ten passengers was the wife, mother, nurse and the prayer warrior whose soothing voice woke other patients as she daily sought for heavens divine intervention for her father and other patients whose predication only needed a touch from above. Despite her tender age of 18years when the father took ill, she played the script professionally as if she was destined for that role.

Her faith played out well as her father after a couple of months miraculously got healed and was discharged alongside some other patients who nicknamed themselves ‘landlords ‘because of their long stay in the hospital.

Barely twelve months after, was Cynthia’s joy short-lived when she lost her father in a bizarre circumstance. Now an orphan, she struggled, selling and buying in addition to doing odd jobs such as working as nanny to different families at different time. It was in the course of this life struggle that heaven smiled on her when a Christian family took interest and offered to bring her in as a step daughter, promising to provide for her what she lost through the death of her parents including sponsorship for her education. It was this promise that paved the way for Cynthia who was admitted to one of the famous State University to study for a degree in Law. From the first year, she shone like the star that she is emerging best overall student both in her first and second year. On her third year however, tragedy struck as Cynthia who was in a company of two other colleagues was about crossing the road when a patrol vehicle belonging to one of the security agencies knocked her down and killed her on the spot. Cynthia is not the first as many others have either sustain various degrees of injuries, or lost their lives in similar circumstances while others have remained crippled.

One way driving or wrongway driving (WWD) is defined

by WIKEPEDIA as the act of driving a motor vehicle against the direction of traffic. It can occur on either one- or twoway roads (in the latter case, arising from driving on the wrong side of the road), as well

as in parking lots and parking garages, and may be due to driver inattention or impairment, or because of insufficient or confusing road markings or signage, or a driver from a right-hand traffic country being unaccustomed to driving in a left-hand traffic country, and vice versa. People intentionally drive in the wrong direction because they missed an exit, for thrill-seeking, as a suicide attempt, or as a shortcut.

On a divided highway, especially freeway, WWD is a serious problem because of the high speeds usually involved, since the result is more likely a head-on collision. In the United States, about 355 people are killed each year in crashes caused by drivers headed in the wrong direction on the highway. Given an average of 265 fatal WWD crashes, 1.34 fatalities per WWD fatal crash can be calculated. The significance of these kind of crashes is corroborated when this number is compared to the fatalities per fatal crash rate of 1.10 for all other crash types, which translates to 24 more fatalities per 100 fatal crashes for WWD crashes than for fatal crashes in general. Most drivers who enter a divided highway or ramp in the wrong direction correct themselves by turning around Depending on the jurisdiction, WWD is a punishable offense. In Efforts to reduce wrong-way driving [ One of the aims of highway engineering is to reduce wrongway driving.

National Transportation Safety Board’s Highway Special Investigation Report This topic of safety has gained renewed attention in the recent years in the United States. In doing so, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published a special investigation report about wrong-way driving in which relevant safety countermeasures to prevent wrong-way collisions on highspeed, divided highways are identified. One important part of this report is Section 4 which provides recommendations for different agencies, including Federal Highway Administration and NHTSA, to address wrong-way collisions.

Wrong-Way Driving Guidebook [edit] In May 2014, ICT and IDOT published Guidelines for Reducing Wrong-Way Crashes on Freeways. [8] The researchers compiled the guidebook by reviewing previous studies, assessing current practices, and examining national and state design standards and manuals that pertain to WWD. The research team also obtained significant information from the National Wrong-Way Driving Summit hosted by IDOT and SUIE as part of this project in July 2013.

28

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •July 9, 2016

FAMILY HEALTH

Is Body Detox Regime Really Necessary ?

D

with

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, 08053372356

etoxification means cleaning the blood which we all know flows through every part of your body. . This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination, being a normal excretory process. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. Most of these organs are involved in the excretion and elimination of waste products from the body. Looking at these organs, they are secretery and are made up of cells that are relevant for cleansing the blood as it flows through the body, as you live your normal every day function.

The question that should really start up this very pertinent topic is that, is detoxification really necessary.

Thoughts against “Detox” is a case of a legitimate medical term being turned into a marketing strategy – all designed to treat a nonexistent condition. In the setting of real medicine, detoxification means treatments for dangerous levels of drugs, alcohol, or poisons, like heavy metals. Detoxification treatments are medical procedures that are not casually selected from a menu of alternative health treatments, and not bought from any shop or pharmacy. Real detoxification is provided in hospitals when there are life-threatening circumstances. But then there are the “toxins” that alternative health providers claim to eliminate. This form of detoxification is simply the co-opting of a real term to give legitimacy to useless products and services, while confusing consumers into thinking they’re science-based.

These myths are propagated in that our body accumulates toxins ? What exactly are these toxins ? Today’s version of autointoxication argues that some combination of food additives, gluten, salt, meat, fluoride, prescription drugs, smog, vaccine ingredients, GMOs, and perhaps last night’s bottle of wine are causing a buildup of “toxins” in the body. But what is the actual “toxin” causing harm?

It’s nothing more than a meaningless term that sounds scientific enough to be plausible. A nagging point of detox treatments is the failure to name the specific toxins that these rituals and kits will remove.

Toxins are alluded to – but not named. It sounds somewhat plausible, but is non-specific. Note that even if you’re well (and presumably toxin free?) a detox is still recommended.

The colon remains ground zero for detox advocates. They argue that some sort of toxic sludge is accumulating in the colon, making it a breeding ground for parasites, Candida (yeast) and other nastiness. Fortunately, science tells us otherwise: mucoid plaques and toxic sludge simply do not exist.

It’s a made-up idea to sell detoxification treatments.

Detox treatments typically describe an array of symptoms and diseases linked to toxin buildup: A few that are general enough to apply to anyone (e.g., headache, fatigue, insomnia, hunger) with a few specifics to frighten you (cancer, etc.) Which toxins cause which disease is missing, and how the toxins cause the symptoms is never actually explained.

Here again we see the contrast with real science.

To establish that even a single chemical can cause disease requires a significant amount of research.

Advocates for detox typically describe the liver and kidney as acting like filters, where toxins are physically captured and retained. It’s argued that these organs to be cleaned out periodically, like you’d rinse out a sponge, or change the air filter in your car. But the reality is the kidney and liver don’t work this way. The liver performs a series of chemical reactions to convert toxic substances into ones that can be eliminated in bile, or the kidneys. The liver is self-cleansing – toxins don’t accumulate in it, and unless you have documented liver disease, it generally functions without any problem. The kidney excretes waste products into the urine – otherwise the substance stays in the blood. To argue that either organ need a “cleanse” is to demonstrate a profound ignorance of human physiology, metabolism, and toxicology.

In determining if detox work or not, depends on whether it is natural homeopathic or commercial kits.

The visible immediate weight loss is not uncommon after a detox, especially one that involves a laxative.

Unfortunately this is usually due to losses in water and possibly muscle tissue, depending on the how disruptive the detox was to normal body function Regardless of the weight loss, the body will move back to its pre-detox weight over time if diet and

In any argument for detoxification of your body, there are certain truths that have to be noted.

Detox diets that promise to help you lose weight, boost your energy levels and more.

However, many popular detox diets, especially those that involve extreme low-calorie fasting, can rob the body of important nutrients and place the body in starvation mode, which actually slows your metabolism.

Other downsides of many detox diets include: dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and even colon damage

activity levels remain the same.

Thought for In any argument for detoxification of your body, there are certain truths that have to be noted. Detox diets that promise to help you lose weight, boost your energy levels and more. However, many popular detox diets, especially those that involve extreme low-calorie fasting, can rob the body of important nutrients and place the body in starvation mode, which actually slows your metabolism.

Other downsides of many detox diets include: dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and even colon damage.

The body has its own natural cleansing system.

The Body’s Detox System . The body has its own extraordinary internal detoxification system.

• The Liver: The first line of defense against toxins is your liver, which acts like a filter in preventing toxic substances contained in foods from passing into your blood stream.

• The Colon: This organ has bacteria that produce both healthy and unhealthy chemicals. You want to keep your colon flowing regularly since its main role is to flush out toxic chemicals before they can do you any harm.

• The Kidneys: this works like a clock, with a timed, periodic filtering of the body fluids. Like a clockwork, the kidneys are constantly filtering your blood and getting rid of toxins in the form of urine.

Foods that detox your body naturally are really the best option. When it comes to detoxing your body, there are many techniques you can follow and supplements you can take. One plan in particular is to eat detoxifying foods.

Fruits : Fruits are high in liquid-content which helps the body wash out toxins. They are also very easy to digest and are high in antioxidants, nutrients, fiber, and important vitamins.

2. Green Foods : Fill your fridge with barley, wheatgrass, kale, spinach, spirulina, alfalfa, chard, arugula, or other organic leafy greens. These plants will help give a chlorophyll-boost to your digestive tract. Chlorophyll rids the body of harmful environmental toxins from toxic metals, herbicides, cleaning products and pesticides, they also aid the liver in detoxification.

3. Lemons, Oranges, and Limes : Citrus fruit aids the body by flushing out toxins and jump-starting the digestive tract with enzymatic processes. Lemon juice supports the liver in its cleansing processes.

To increase detoxification, start each morning with a warm glass of lemon water.

Remember, vitamin C is one of the best detox vitamins around, as it transforms toxins into digestible material. Eat vitamin c foods often to help get more of these benefits.

4. Garlic This pungent little bulb is one of the best detoxing

foods out there. It helps stimulate the liver into producing detoxification enzymes that help filter toxic residues from the digestive system. I recommend adding sliced or cooked garlic to a suitable dish, as this will help any detox diet.

5. Broccoli Sprouts: Extremely high in antioxidants, the ability for broccoli sprouts to stimulate the detoxification enzymes in the digestive tract is unparalleled. The sprouts are actually more effective than the fully-grown vegetable.

6. Green Tea : Packed full of antioxidants, green tea , washes toxins from the system via its liquid content, but also contains a special type of antioxidant called catechins, which are known to increase liver function.

8. Raw Vegetables Best juiced or eaten raw: Onions, carrots, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, garlic, beet, turmeric, and oregano. The combination of these foods will help your liver purge toxins during the cleansing process. These are high in naturally occurring sulphur and glutathione. Sulphur helps the liver detoxify harmful chemicals.

9. Seeds and Nuts : Incorporate more of the easily digestible seeds and nuts into your diet. Flax seed, pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, Siberian cedar nuts, and sunflower seeds are all excellent options. While detoxing, avoid nut butters.

10. Omega-3 Oils : use hemp, avocado, olive, or flax seed oil while detoxing. This will help lubricate the intestinal walls, allowing the toxins to be absorbed by the oil, and eliminated by the body.

The bottomline is that, you make a deliberate effort to eat and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and this would ensure that you do not expose your body and organs to work overload. Improved health isn’t found in a box of herbs, a bottle of homeopathy, or a bag of coffee pushed into your rectum. The tions of a poor diet, lack implica lifestyle implicaing, lack of sleep, and smok of exercise, smokuse cannot simply be alcohol or drug purged away. flushed or

GLOBAL SOCCER

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 16, 2011

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Euro 2016 History Beckons PAGE. 32

09.07.2016

Ahmed Musa The New Fox in Leicester

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER

Hamed Musa celebrates one of his goals against Argentinal during the 2014 World Cup

A Chance to Rule England witwh Leicester Super Eagles assistant captain, Ahmed Musa, on Wednesday did his medicals with Leicester in the English Premier League. With Nigeria in a tight group of the World Cup qualifiers, Kunle Adewale writes if Musa’s to the EPL will make the job of the incoming Super Eagles coach easy as the bulk of the national team players will come from England

C

lemence Westerhof may have gone down as the coach that gave Nigeria arguably the best set of Super Eagles players.

But one fact remains that the Dutch man enjoyed a lot of luxury that most coaches never enjoyed and among them was having the bulk of the players from the Belgian League, as Belgium was the “Mecca” of Nigerian footballers then.

With Musa joining Premier League champions, Leicester, it has increased the number of Super Eagles players in the United Kingdom.

With Kelechi Iheanacho having settled down well with Manchester City, Odion Ighalo now an idol in Watford, Alex Iwobi now a jewel with Arsenal and indeed Arsene Wenger, Mikel Obi, a landlord at Stanford Bridge, Kenneth Omeruo and Victor Moses still Chelsea’s property, and Hope Akpa, Carl Ikemi and Daniel Udoh still commanding regular shirts in their various clubs the incoming coach would be enjoying the luxury of more than half of his players coming from England.

These players would be expected to transform their fondness and bond in

England to the national team, the way Stephen Keshi did with his Belgian legion during Westerhof’s era.

Moreover, friendly matches for the national team could be easily staged in England and the coach guaranteed the presence of his regulars participating in the friendly since most of the players play in England.

How much the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and indeed the in-coming national team coach exploit Musa’s inclusion in the EPL contingent remains to be seen.

Leicester City on Tuesday agreed a deal with CSKA Moscow to sign the Nigeria forward.

The 23-year-old Musa, who joined CSKA in 2012 and scored 54 goals in 168 games, signed for what is understood to be Foxes club-record fee.

"Everything has been finalised and Musa will be in England for his medical on Wednesday," Tony Harris told BBC Sport.

CSKA Moscow coach, Leonid Slutsky, admitted the Nigerian, who can play as winger or striker, is on his way out of the club.

"He'll be leaving on Tuesday. If you look at the way things are done over

there, you'll see he is a player just made for English football," Slutsky told the Russian media.

“Musa deserves to play in the Premier League. We were very lucky to have him, both as a footballer and as a person,” said CSKA general manager Roman Babaev.

“Ahmed works a lot and is very reliable. He wasn't disappointed when we decided not to sell him in the winter, but rather promised to help us win the title.”

The 23-year-old Nigeria international could have joined Ranieri's fantastic Foxes in January.

Back in January, Leicester City offered more than €20million for Musa, but CSKA Moscow President, Yevgeni Giner refused to sell the Nigerian striker in mid-season, understanding that such a deal would be disastrous for their bid to stay top. Eventually, everything worked out perfectly for all involved.

The Foxes won a historic title, and the outcome could have been different with Musa on board, because it turned out that Leicester were good enough with minimal rotation in the line-up.

At the same time, Musa was crucial for CSKA in their third title triumph in four years, contributing a career-best 17 goals in all competitions. With a mission

accomplished, Giner is ready to let him go.

Musa could have arrived in the Premier League much earlier, with Arsenal and Tottenham having been keen on signing him from Dutch outfit VVV Venlo, but CSKA – shrewd dealers when it comes to unearthing promising young prospects at bargain prices–acted quicker and bought him for €5 million at the beginning of 2012.

They got a winger who was the top scorer in his homeland at the tender age of 17, won the African Youth Championship in April 2011, reached the Under-20 World Cup quarter-finals a few months later, and managed to make a name for himself in the Eredivisie. Not bad for a 19-year-old, but he was far from a finished article.

Musa used to play on the right wing for Venlo, but CSKA mostly used him on the left in the beginning. The Nigerian became one of the most important projects of Slutsky, who took the youngster under his wing and taught him to put pressure on the opposition without the ball and play smarter tactical football. Musa has always been very disciplined and dedicated, and his willingness to learn helped his progress immensely.

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JULY 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER NPFL … NPFL … NPFL … NPFL … NPFL … NPFL … NPFL … NPFL … NPFL …

MFM FC Set for El-Kanemi Test

M

ountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club of Lagos is seeking a good result in today’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash against El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club of Maiduguri.

The Lagos-based side bounced back to winning ways on Sunday after an emphatic 3-1 triumph over state rivals, Ikorodu United Football Club of Lagos in their last league match played at the Agege Township Stadium.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu side completed their two-day training programme on Wednesday, which saw the first team and a

few players from the reserve train together at the Prayer City training ground.

After the teams training session on Wednesday, the team captain, Kenedinum Nelson Chuks told the club's official website mountaintopfc.com that, "We are well motivated and ready for the test against El-Kanemi Warriors FC. Our coaches have done their best during the two-day training sessions and I'm happy with the response of my team mates.

"It's been a while we picked points away from home and we believe we can start with the game on Sunday, it's going to be a tough one but I believe we will return home with a decent result" he said.

Skillful Musa

Back in January, Leicester City offered more than €20million for Musa, but CSKA Moscow President, Yevgeni Giner refused to sell the Nigerian striker in mid-season, understanding that such a deal would be disastrous for their bid to stay top. Eventually, everything worked out perfectly for all involved “I am eternally grateful to Slutsky. He made me a real footballer,” Musa said.

With star Ivorian striker Seydou Doumbia frequently injured, the Nigerian was the only option to replace him, and thus has to play a lot of games in a central position. That was not natural for such a short player – Musa is just 5ft 7in tall but he improved over time. CSKA trusted him to do the job, even after Doumbia was sold to Roma in January 2014 before leaving for Newcastle after a loan spell back at the Russian side last autumn.

Musa gained a lot of experience with the national team as well. He won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, and was one of Nigeria's top performers at the 2014 World Cup, scoring brace against Argentina which meant he netted half of the goals Sergio Romero conceded in the entire tournament. Musa was even named captain last October, losing the armband to John Obi Mikel recently.

The 2015/16 season has certainly been Musa's best to date. He scored three important goals in the Champions League 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 DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

qualifiers and was prolific in the Russian league as well. It became obvious that CSKA were right to keep him in the Spring, with Musa scoring seven times since March. The most beautiful effort was in the 2-0 win over Krasnodar – an unstoppable long-range shot.

Speed has always been Musa's most important asset. He is lightning quick, able to outpace any defender, and that's why playing on the wing is so natural for him. Two-footed, he feels equally at ease on both flanks and is rather hard to mark.

Under Slutsky, Musa became much more versatile and tactically aware. He is very fit, constantly on the move, always ready to receive the ball on the counter and adept at putting pressure on opponents' defenders and midfielders.

Musa is experienced beyond his age as well. At just 23, he has played 57 games for the national team, and more importantly has 24 Champions League fixtures under his belt. That might prove invaluable as Leicester make their debut in the competition next season.

He might be quick, but his technical skills are not perfect. Musa's concentration and coolness in front of goal has improved, but he is still far from world class and is capable of wasting easy chances at times. Also, he can struggle against top defenders when there is no space in front of him.

Additionally, his heading is poor.

Musa's speed is perfect for the Foxes' counter-attacking style; in fact, he became used to it at CSKA as well.

Able to play as a centre-forward, second striker and on both wings, Musa will be a brilliant addition to the rotation, because he can easily replace each of Jamie Vardy, Shinji Okazaki, Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton.

There will be no ego issues either, with Musa expected to be well-liked in the dressing room. He was respected by everyone at CSKA, and accepted criticisms without any problems.

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode receiving Ikorodu United jersey from Fatai Abdullahi, Captain of the team with him is Deji Tinubu, Chairman Lagos State Sport Council at Agege Stadium

Draw with Rangers NoThreat toTourist Position

W

ikki Tourists captain and right back, Mustapha Ibrahim has said his side’s summit position is not under threat following the top of the table tie goalless draw against Enugu Rangers.

The Bauchi outfit failed to extend the gap at the summit with as many as five points with a barren draw against second placed side, Enugu Rangers in the top-flight matchday 25 clash in Bauchi on Sunday.

Ibrahim said the outcome of the clash against the Coal City side is expected and one of the challenges they must encounter to be champions at the end of the on-going league season.

“Well, the barren draw against Enugu Rangers is part of the game and the hurdles we will face in our bid to be champions.

It happens like that at times but the key is that we did not give up the whole points, at least, we picked a point to stay atop of the log.

Nigeria Premier League Table WikkiTourists 24 Rangers 24 Rivers United 23 Enyimba 22 Kano Pillars 24 Sunshine Stars 23 Akwa United 24 Lobi Stars 23 MFM FC 23 Nasarawa United 23 Niger Tornadoes 23 FC Ifeanyiubah 23 Abia Warriors 24 El-Kanemi Warriors 24 31 Plateau United 24 Warri Wolves 23 3SC 23 Heartland 23 Ikorodu United 22

12 11 12 11 10 9 10 10 9 11 10 9 8 10

6 7 2 4 6 9 5 4 6 0 2 5 8 1

6 6 9 7 8 5 9 9 8 12 11 9 8 13

33 32 25 24 35 30 30 25 25 25 26 24 22 25

7 8 8 6 3

8 5 3 7 6

9 10 12 10 13

22 17 25 15 16

“However, I can only say that our summit position can be challenged by other competitors but cannot be completely threatened.

“Despite the barren draw against Rangers we are still on the driving seat and we will not give up the prime position no matter the stiff challenge.

“We had the opportunity to widen the gap at the top with five points but the draw against Rangers we tell our teeming supporters to calm down as there is no course for alarm as we are on top of the situation.

“The management is pulling the string as well as motivating us to go all the way to achieve the lofty dream of lifting the league shield.

“We are heading to Warri Wolves at the weekend with full force to get something positive from the clash at least that will help us keep the top spot while we steel ourselves to face newcomers, Niger Tornadoes in another testy clash.

“Every game gives us new strength to fight harder and I believe our dream will surely come to 15 18 42 be a reality at the end of 26 6 40 the season,” said the Wikki Tourists strongman to 19 6 38 supersport.com.

19 5 37 Wikki Tourists sit at the 25 10 36 top of the top-flight log 21 9 36 on 42 points two above 27 3 35 closest challengers, Enugu 20 5 34 Rangers.

24 29 27 25 26 29

1 -4 -1 -1 -4 -4

33 33 32 32 32

27 23 36 21 37

-5 -6 -11 -6 -21

29 29 27 25 15

Fixtures Week 25 3SC Ikorodu Utd El-Kanemi Heartland Pillars Plateau Utd Rangers Nasarawa Utd

v v v v v v v v

Nasarawa Utd Ifeanyiubah MFM Enyimba Lobi Stars Akwa Utd Abia Warriors Tornadoes

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016… Euro 2016…

History Beckons as Portugal, France Go for Broke

Whichever way the tide turned to in Sunday’s Euro 2016 final between Portugal and host nation, France, history is bound to be made. While Portugal would be hoping to win the championship for the first time in the country’s football history, Les Bleus would be eying Germany and Spain record of three Euro Championship wins, having won it twice before.

Another twist to the final is Christiano Ronaldo’s ambition of becoming the competition’s all time highest goal scorer, having already equaled French legend, Michel Platini’s nine goals. It however sets up an intriguing meeting with Portugal having lost their last 10 games against France going back to 1978.

C

ristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will face France in the Euro 2016 final after the tournament hosts beat world champions Germany 2-0 on Thursday.

Didier Deschamps’ side will face Portugal at the Stade de France looking to complete a hat-trick of tournament victories on home soil. With Antoine Griezmann once more irrepressible with two goals against Germany, they will be strong favourites to do that.

Portugal had already secured their place in the final on Wednesday night with a 2-0 victory against Wales.Ronaldo put Portugal ahead with a superb header from a corner five minutes into the second half, and Wales were soon two goals behind before they had time to regroup.

France were twice the European Champions in 1984 they hosted and 2000 co-hosted by Belgium and Netherlands. They were also the hosts when they won their only FIFA World Cup title in 1998.

Portugal on the other hand didn’t break a sweat to defeat Wales 2-0 in the semifinals. It seems like Fernando Santos got his tactics right for the first time in the tournament. The win against Wales was also Portugal’s first ever in this competition inside the regulation 90 minutes.

Portugal have never won a major tournament in their footballing history. They finished as runners up in 2004 after losing to Greece in front of their home fans by a single goal. They were also semifinalists on three occasions – 1984, 2000, 2012.

These two sides had met in the European Championships in 1984 and 2000 and both clashes were in the semifinals and on both occasions France went on to win the championship. Interestingly either of these ties were

won by France in the added extra time.

Their only other meeting in a competitive match was in the semifinals of 1996 FIFA World Cup in Germany and in Munich, a penalty by Zinedine Zidane send France into the finals.

Portugal finished the tournament fourth after losing the third-place play-off to Germany, while France lost the finals in penalty shoot-out to Italy.

However, France may have ousted rivals Germany for the first time in 58 years but it will mean nothing if they lose Sunday's Euro 2016 final against a Portugal team that have had more recovery time, said Didier Deschamps.

"We have three days before the final, it's very short so we have to savour this victory. It's an important step forward but the most important step is Sunday. We're going to do everything in our power to go into Sunday's game in the best possible condition," coach Deschamps told reporters.

"It's an excellent result and it's been a long time since we beat Germany but it gives us nothing today. There is now a title to play for against Portugal. Just because we are at home and beat Germany doesn't give us extra powers. They believe in themselves and we believe in ourselves too," he added. The 2-0 win was the same as when the two sides met in Paris in November when Islamist militants struck at the Stade de France national stadium and other sites across Paris.

"It's a great emotion, we had to suffer but never gave up and that's great for me. This is a great story, the players wrote history by knocking out Germany. We don't have the power to solve people's problems but we can give them a bit so they can forget their worries. We generate passion and fervour, we can see that and in France today we gave them a little joy," said Deschamps.

Deschamps said he and his players have already made history just by securing a place in the Euro 2016 final with a 2-0 win over Germany in Marseille..

If Les Bleus claim the trophy in

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his first goal against Wales in the semifinal of the Euro 2016

Ronaldo

Paris, they would equal Germany and Spain with their third European Championship triumph, but Deschamps said history has already been written.

"We have already," he said about securing his side's place in history. "It was a long time since we'd beaten Germany but

Antoine Griezmann

that didn't mean anything today (Thursday). We're into the final and there's a trophy up for grabs.I'm delighted for the players, it was a very tough game against a team who made us suffer but we suffered together.When you see the passion and the fervour in the stands around the ground... This team has

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JULY 9, 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… Euro 2016… Euro 2016…

Euro 2016 Final TODAY Portugal Date: Time: Venue:

Past Winners

vs France Sunday, July 10 20:00 Stade de France (Paris)

Road to Final FRANCE Group A France 2 France 2 France 0 Last 16 France 2 Quarter-final France 5 Semi-final France 2

1960

USSR

1964

Spain

1968

Italy

1972

West Germany

1976

Czechoslovakia

1980

West Germany

1984

France Netherlands

1992

Denmark

Romania Albania Switzerland

1 0 0

1988 1996

Germany

Ireland

1

2000

France

2004

Greece

Iceland

2

2008

Spain

Germany

0

2012

Spain

PORTUGAL Group B Portugal 1 Iceland 1 Portugal 0 Austria 0 Portugal 3 Hungary 3 Last 16 Portugal 1 Croatia 0 (a.e.t) Quarter-final Portugal 1 Poland 1 (5-3 on pens) Semi-final Portugal 2 Wales 0

2016

???

Hot Shots Antoine Griezemann France

6

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal

3

Oliver Giroud France

3

Dimitri Payet France

3

Gareth Bale Wales 3

Head to Head

What makes this matchup even more interesting is just how influential both players have been to their national teams. Aside from his three goals for A Seleçao, CR7 has assisted his teammates three times, while Griezmann has handed out two.

With the recent history between these two players, fans are keeping their fingers crossed for a topcaliber showdown. everything it takes to be loved. It's a great emotion we had to suffer but never gave up and that's great for me."

Deschamps was captain of the France team that won the 1998 World Cup as hosts, said winning the Euro trophy would be a moment his players would not forget.

"I had my share of finals as a player," he said. "I'm very proud as a coach and proud of my players, it's not that I'm not happy personally but it's mainly for the players. When I wore this shirt it was the proudest moment of my career.There should be nothing above the French shirt for the players; perhaps that's not always been the case but they're now very aware of what they can give to people when they're wearing this shirt for."

Deschamps said goalkeeper Hugo Lloris put in a "crucial" performance, but he reserved special praise for Griezmann, who fired France in front from the penalty spot in the closing seconds of a first half in which they had been under pressure.

Griezmann wrapped up a memorable night for the tournament hosts when he steered the ball home after Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had flapped at a cross from Paul Pogba.

"Antoine is a great player and he proved that again tonight in everything he did," Deschamps said. "He works very hard and, along with Olivier Giroud, from a defensive perspective he made sure we were a very compact unit.

"He's a very important player, as he has been for Atletico all season.

At the Euro, he's scored goals, set up teammates and got others around him playing well."

Though he stopped short of proclaiming his side as favourites,

18/04/26

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Deschamps did acknowledge France enter the final with plenty of momentum.

"We have our chances and so do Portugal," he said. "As host nation, and because we've knocked out Germany, that doesn't give us extra powers. We believe in ourselves; so do Portugal,” he said.

France are on an eight match winning run against Portugal across all formats. They have a strong record at home after winning in 12 of the 15 games, while losing just twice.

Meanwhile, another interesting twist to Sunday’s final is the personality of two individualsCristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann .On May 28, the Portugese had the final laugh against Griezmann in the UEFA Champions League final. Less than two months later, fate will have

both footballers meeting again in a title-deciding match. Will the French star have a chance to redeem himself in front of his countrymen?

Both players led their clubs in the goal scoring department, and it's turned out to be exactly the same in the continental competition.

Ronaldo is Portugal's top scorer this summer with three goals, but Griezmann leads all strikers with a massive six-goal tally prior to the final match.

What makes this matchup even more interesting is just how influential both players have been to their national teams. Aside from his three goals for A Seleçao, CR7 has assisted his team-mates three times, while Griezmann has handed out two.

With the recent history between these two players, fans are keeping their fingers crossed for a top-caliber showdown.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

34

GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS

Andy Murray celebrates beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-final at Wimbledon

Okocha with I-Naira.Com Boss, the Auctioning Partner during unveiling of Jay-Jay Okocha Foundation

Murray Not Feeling the Pressure as Britain's Last Hope Andy Murray laughed off suggestions that he is Britain's last hope of lifting the nation's political and sporting gloom this summer.

Murray battled into the Wimbledon semi-finals was rollercoaster 7-6 (12-10) 6-1 3-6 4-6 6-1 victory over JoWilfried Tsonga on Wednesday evening.

His victory came as Wales were losing to Portugal in the Euro 2016 semi-finals in Lyon.

Their exit followed England's humiliating defeat from the competition at the hands of Iceland.

Britain as a whole remains in post-Brexit turmoil and the value of the pound has plummeted. One journalist with tongue in cheek - asked Murray: "How does it feel to be the nation's last hope?"

Murray replied: "It's not that bad, is it? Is it that bad?!

There's a lot more hopes left than me. I just try my best at this event to make all the people that watch happy.

"Hopefully I can win a couple more, and that's it."

The world No 2 looked set for another comfortable outing on Centre Court when

he took the first two sets of their quarter-final but Tsonga fought back to level only for Murray to prevail.

Murray has made a habit of fighting back from two sets down but this time it was Tsonga threatening to do the improbable.

Yet Murray has only ever lost once having won the first two sets and, after telling his box he was not going to lose this one, he delivered superbly to set up a last-four clash with Tomas Berdych.

"I was definitely tested a lot today," said Murray. "This

was a really hard, hard match to come through.

"I think it can give you a bit of confidence. It can help to go through games and stages in matches that are challenging.

If you're in that position in the next couple of matches, you know you've been there.

"So I'm hoping it helps me the next couple of rounds."

The crunch moments arrived at the start of the fifth set.

Murray's frustration was evident as he screamed at himself and his box - despite the supposedly calming presence of Ivan Lendl.

Ferrari Chief Optimistic Vettel, Raikkonen Would not Clash

Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene does not believe Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen would clash in the same manner as Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

Amid what remains an exclusive duel for the world title, Hamilton and Rosberg have made contact on track three times in the last five races - with their clash on the final lap in Austria last Sunday denying Mercedes a certain one-two finish.

As Mercedes' management work out how to move forward without any more incidents, Ferrari team principal Arrivabene was asked if he could envisage having the same problem on his hands.

"I'll leave this problem to Toto Wolff, it's not my problem!" he replied.

"But I'm quite happy with Kimi and Seb because I don't think that a situation like this could happen with our drivers."

Although Vettel and Rai-

kkonen are former world champions, the pair's relationship is known to be on more friendly terms than the one at Mercedes. But despite the Mercedes drivers' recent runins, Ferrari are yet to capitalise and win a race in 2016. When Hamilton and Rosberg wiped each other out on the opening lap at May's Spanish GP - the only race Mercedes have not won - it was Red Bull who came through to win with Max Verstappen.

Ferrari's victory drought

now stretches to 15 races and, ahead of this weekend's British GP, Arrivabene has stressed the importance of the team staying calm. "When you are going to win you are always going up to the sky, because I'm very emotional and very passionate," he said.

"But in this role you have to forget about this, you have to keep calm to look at the season and the next races and to keep the team motivated without going very up and down.

Oyo State Wins 2016 Copa Coca-Cola Asegun Comprehensive High Boys’ School, Oyo State, won the 2016 edition of the Copa Coca-Cola tournament after defeating National Grammar School, Nike, Enugu State, at the national final match played at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos Island on Friday.

Both teams put up a spirited fight for the one a million naira prize money, but in the end it was the Asegun boys that pulled through 5-3 via penalty

shootouts after the game had ended goalless in regulation time.

The match had in attendance the first Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Seyi Akinwumi, former Super Eagle Captain, Austin Okocha among other dignitaries.

The former Eagles captain came disguised as an elderly janitor, tricking both players and the spectators into believing he was just a regular cleaner who was going about his job and

simply wanted to join in the game. Pulling a surprise with his quick moves and impeccable juggling and dribbling skills, Okocha had the young players in awe, before finally revealing himself.

Speaking of his appearance at the match, the football legend remarked that coming to the event, provided him an opportunity to give wings to the passion and aspiration of the young players, by motivating

them to reach for their dreams.

“Just like many football stars today, my football career began at the grassroots level. Today I am what I am because I had people who believed in me and gave me the opportunity to thrive. Copa Coca-Cola is doing just that, inspiring the next generations of Football players. And I am happy to be a part of a platform that is transforming grassroots football in Nigeria,” he said.

NAS Holds 2016 National Games Competition The National Association of Seadogs held its annual 2016 games in Benin, Edo State over the weekend with participants coming from all parts of the country.

The annual NAS game which afforded participants the opportunity to truly experience the unifying power and essence of sports lived up to its billings as

members converged on Benin from all the seven zones of the federation competing for medals in various games like lawn tennis, table tennis, football, snooker, scrabble, drafts and sprints.

At the end of the two-day event, zone 3, which was the hosting zone came tops with six gold, four silver and four bronze medals,

followed closely by zone 4, with four gold, five silver and three bronze medals.

Area six came third with one gold, two silver and two bronze while Area seven came fourth with one gold, two silver and one bronze. Area1 recorded no gold, but won a silver while area 5 won only one bronze. The National President of the Association,

Prince Ifeanyi Onochie, while giving out the prizes, explained the importance of the annual games went beyond bonding, unwinding and fun. He stressed the need for members of the association to be health conscious and regularly cultivate the habit of exercising in order to guard against avoidable health challenges.

Ifeanyi Onochie, National President of NAS presents the winning trophy to the representative of the Zone 3, Omoregbe Erediuwa during its 2016 National Games Competition in Benin recently

Wimbledon 2016:

Kerber Stands Between Serena and 22 Grand Slam Title Holder Serena Williams will play Angelique Kerber in the women's singles final at Wimbledon today.

Six-time champion Serena, 34, thrashed Russia's Elena Vesnina 6-2 6-0 in 48 minutes to reach her ninth final.

Fourth-seeded German Kerber, 28, prevented a fifth allWilliams final by beating Serena's older sister Venus, who was badly out of sorts, 6-4 6-4.

In January, the left-handed Kerber beat Serena in the Australian Open final for her first Grand Slam title.

Supreme Serena Serena, who is bidding to match Steffi Graf's open era record of 22 Grand Slam singles title, simply had too much firepower for her unseeded opponent.

Vesnina, a two-time Grand Slam champion in doubles, looked overawed from the outset, losing the first four games.

The world number 50, playing in her first Grand Slam singles semi-final, rallied but still lost the first set in 28 minutes.

Things got even worse for Vesnina in the second set, the 29-year-old simply unable to deal with the Serena serve, which yielded only three points in the match.

Kerber the Williams slayer Venus, who last won the title in 2008, was appearing in her first Grand Slam semi-final since the 2010 US Open and was the oldest major semi-finalist since Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon in 1994.

Five-time champion Venus fell out of the world's top 100 in 2011 after being diagnosed with the immune system disorder Sjogren's syndrome.

And the eighth seed looked fatigued throughout, dropping her serve four times in the first set and also in the first game of the second. Kerber continued to take advantage of Venus' misfiring forehand, wrapping things up in one hour and 12 minutes to reach her first Wimbledon final.

Serena set on revenge "We've had tough matches before and I knew she could bring it to me on this surface," said Serena, who led Vesnina 4-0 in head-to-heads before Thursday.

"It's never easy out there, every point you have to fight for.

"I can't believe I'm in the final this year. I'm 0-2 this year [Serena lost the Australian and French Open finals] so I'm determined to win one."

What the experts said John McEnroe, three-time Wimbledon champion: "Let's be real, I'm guessing it's a combination of fatigue and Vesnina freezing. Her legs looked like they weighed 200 pounds each.

"It shows you how great Serena is. As a former player, you understand how difficult it is. The first time I went on Centre Court it felt like my legs would buckle."

Tracy Austin, two-time Grand Slam winner: "Serena lost just one point on her first serve, had a first serve percentage of 77% and hit 28 winners. She played at another level and Vesnina was completely overwhelmed."

Lindsay Davenport, 1999 Wimbledon champion: "It will be great to see Serena compete for her 22nd Grand Slam title, but you always want more competitive matches. It has been the tournament of Elena Vesnina's life but this was a tough day at the office for her."

Kerber

Serena

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JULY 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

AFRICA PLAYS

with KENNETH EZAGA 0807 0530 677, zigi199@yahoo.com

Who Coaches the Super Eagles Next –

Nigerian or Foreigner?

The debate about who coaches the Super Eagles next has raged for months with opinions split down the middle about whether the Nigeria Football Federation should hire a local or foreign coach. On the extreme ends of the debate are those who think that simply being a Nigerian coach makes you inherently incompetent, and others who feel having a foreign coach means we still have colonial mentality. The moderates have pushed for the best man for the job regardless of his nationality, their only interest being achieving the most productive results, as success by the Super Eagles is always great for Nigerian businesses, our unity and pride.

We are currently a country going through tumultuous times and more failure even if brought on us by fellow Nigerians can only make matters worse. Our youths are restive; there are increasing numbers of insurgents, militants and criminally-minded area boys everywhere. On the political front we are getting more polarised as, in my humble opinion, there are increasingly fewer successes to celebrate together. As a nation we can no longer afford avoidable failures. The choice of who coaches the Super Eagles next must be boiled down to who is best qualified to bring success to the country based on logical considerations not nationalist sentiments.

The cost of failure is getting increasingly unbearable for our nation.

A word for the NFF

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his decision is fundamental for the current NFF leadership and posterity will not remember the excuses. The fact is, under this administration Nigeria has failed to qualify for back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations finals - a first in our history. We also face the likelihood of missing out on the 2018 World Cup after being drawn in a deadly group alongside Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia. We should not analyse the danger we face by looking at history of 10-20 years ago and lacing our opinions with hope. I have followed African football on a daily basis for seven years and can tell you we act quickly to avert disaster. Algeria do not only have fantastic talents, the same of core of players have played together for over four years.

They will become an even more dangerous prospect with the recent appointment of former Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac, a Serbian, to lead the team. Rajevac made the Black Stars incredibly difficult to beat and guided them to the final of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. They also came within a last-minute penalty miss of reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup in South Africa.

Cameroon have not been the Indomitable Lions of the not too distant future, but they have built steadily since their 2014 World Cup fiasco. Since that time they have retained a core of young talents who may not be on par with Algeria, but have better grit and pedigree, and have been quite successful in the last two AFCON qualifying campaigns. The same players played together at the 2015 Nations Cup and will be together again at the 2017 finals. Like Algeria, they are much further down the road in the team building and preparedness than Nigeria, especially having appointed their coach Hugo Broos, a Belgian, much earlier this year. Zambia are the only team in our group who, like us, are all over the place in their preparations, however the Chipolopolo have decent talent and pedigree in the African game. They are especially difficult to beat at home, while the Super Eagles have been poor travelers.

Talent alone might win you a few battles, but it is never going to win the war. Nigeria has impressive young talents coming through, but many have been untested at this level. Our experienced stars, truth be told, are largely of the middling variety. So now is when we need a skilled coach to do a delicate balancing act in the hope that he finds the right blend. In many ways, we would actually just be starting a new team and the new man may either subtract from, leave unchanged, add to or multiply the power of the team. We must put aside sen-

Le Guen

Pinnick

Salisu

timents and in bloodless fashion, choose a man who can multiply our successes.

does not show he is ‘disciplined’, which translates to bending to the every wish of the coach, then he is bad for the team.

Too many times our coaches would select undeserving players for reasons other than the good of the country.

The choice before the NFF now is to get a builder, a coach who does not feel his ego is a bigger consideration than Nigeria. We also need a man who can break our requirements down into simple to follow steps, which unfortunately is not another of our strengths. We need a blueprint on how we can seamlessly build the Super Eagles from bottom up.

Under Nigerian coaches, who by the way, have been in charge of our team for 14-and-a-half of the last 16 years, there has been no discernible pattern in how we build our teams. Were we to have a team at this time, as we did post the 1994 World Cup, I would vote for a Nigerian coach, but seeing that the goal is to build a competitive new team my preference would be a foreign coach.

There are many other ways we are off with the right foreigner at this time. First, the system needs to cleanse itself of all the poison infused by battles between local coaches. As the late Stephen Keshi and Sunday Oliseh noted during their time in charge, the biggest obstacle to the success of a local coach are his real

or imagined local rivals. We also need a man who beyond the football on the pitch can get our rising players from the NPFL better opportunities with foreign clubs, one who would also make it easier to attract better friendlies. We also need a man who can bring the rest of his local support staff more in line with global developments in coaching. Crucially we need a man who will show our biggest stars the respect they deserve – because we need them firing.

Now why would a man like me, who has only ever supported a Nigerian club, Bendel Insurance FC, who thinks it is silly how we gush about European football instead of our own clubs and who relentlessly advocates support for the NPFL, support a foreign coach? Because we have to be clear about what puts food on the table of millions of Nigerians. Supporting our clubs and league creates the jobs and wealth in Nigeria, supporting the European game creates jobs overseas. If the Super Eagles fail because of a technical team of three Nigerians, thousands of Nigerian businesses and families would suffer huge losses in revenue. If a foreign coach can make us succeed and thousands of Nigerian families enjoy the dividends from the enhanced income from sponsorships, appearance fees, broadcast rights, endorsements, partnerships etc, that sounds like a better deal for my country to me.

My take I was one of those who had little faith in Nigerian and African coaches until Stephen Keshi emerged in Nigeria, and Kwesi Appiah in Ghana. I saw Keshi breathe the kind of passion and patriotism into the Super Eagles that would be hard to see a foreign coach inspire. In Ghana, Appiah did same and turned the Black Stars from a low scoring side to a prolific machine highlighted by a 6:1 demolition of Egypt in a World Cup qualifier in Kumasi in 2013.

However, I saw these two guys ultimately undermine themselves with team building decisions that showed they could not rise above the petty sentiments affect our ability to patiently build in sustainably successful ways. We have good attributes as a people, but sadly, we are not in general terms terrific builders. Since the Clemens Westerhof team of the 1990s I have not seen any Super Eagles team built in a patient and methodical way. While the NFF may have its demons, our building programs have usually been disrupted by unproductive sentiments that led to continuous in-fighting. Our coaches are forever fighting with their top players and wanting to run the camp like a second school boarding facility. And if a player

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • July 9, 20 16

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ENTERTAINMENT FILE

with AKPOR GBEMRE; 07063000929. instagram: @mister411

I’m Single and Searching - Nollywood Actress, Ruth Kadiri

Popular Nollywood actress, Ruth Kadiri, officially breaks the silence surrounding her love life and exclusively tells THISDAY ‘Entertainment File’ that she is single and searching.

She also talks about what to expect from her new movie “Memory Lane” and more in this chat with Akpor Gbemre. Ruth is popular for her role in “Matters Arising”, “Heart of a Fighter”, “Circle of Trust”, “Boys Cot”, among others. She runs a charity organisation called Ruth Kadiri Foundation, which reaches out to orphans and less privileged kids

T

ell us more about your new movie “Memory Lane”?

“Memory Lane” talks about the story of unequal love within families and there is a lot of morals to be learnt from it. A family is thrown into chaos when the head of the family dies and the children are left feeling they’ve been deprived of true love by the other.

How long have you been acting and at what point did you decide to go into movie production?

I have been in the industry since 2006. I started as a script writer which later paved way for me to be on the screen. I started producing in 2013. It always gets to a point when you know you have what it takes to move to the next level, that point was three years ago. I took the chance and it has been worth it.

How does it feel to be a ‘big fish’ in Nollywood?

I won’t consider myself a big fish just yet, I work hard every day and I’m glad at the height I have attained so far.

Is Nollywood truly the second biggest movie industry after Hollywood? What’s your take on this rating?

It depends on the angle you view it from. Rating the industry is done in different aspect of the industry, but overall I think we are the third largest industry which isn’t a bad thing.

What’s encouraging and inspiring is that, the Nollywood of today is certainly not the Nollywood of few years back. The quality of production and the level of technicalities involved in Nollywood of today is certainly way higher than it used to be, and the level of distribution and showcase have reached an appreciable level going by the set standards at the cinemas, online promotions, marketing and distribution, brand investment and recognition, even actors recognition in light of endorsement deals and campaign strategies. I will certainly say we are walking our way up even faster in a positive light.

Do you see yourself doing some Hollywood production in future?

Well, by the grace of God, everyone aspires to be big. I didn’t see myself where I am today few years back and I

pray everyday to find myself even in a better place in the future. So being on the big screens of Hollywood is a reality I am positive about. It will happen someday by God’s grace.

How do you unwind and where’s your favorite vacation spot ?

(Laughs) Well, when I’m not working, I just relax or watch a movie with my friends. I really don’t have a particular vacation spot, where my heart finds joy is where I relax. If I have a man who wants to go to Kenya for fun, he is the essence of the fun not the location.

Who are your favorite Nollywood and Hollywood personalities?

In Nollyood, Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade Ekehinde. In Hollywood, I love Melissa McCarty and Kevin Hart. They are really good at what they do and I look forward to working with them some day.

How do you cope with all the advances from male and female fans considering the fact that you are a sexy lady?

Well, I just strike a balance all the time. I am not a loose girl. I am someone who really likes her privacy but still tries to keep the balance.

Are you presently in a relationship?

No, I am not. I was in a relationship but not anymore, and I thank God I’m out of it. So right now, I am single and searching.

When you say you thank God you are out of a relationship, what do you mean?

Can we not talk about it please?

(Laughs) Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years ?

I see Ruth Kadiri as a big brand. I see fulfillment all around me and I see me being strong enough to handle situations I cant handle today.

What’s your advice to young people out there who want to be a Nollywood star like you?

Go for it. A lot of people will try to discourage and bring you down but be strong and focus... Everything good doesn’t come easy.

Well, when I’m not working, I just relax or watch a movie with my friends. I really don’t have a particular vacation spot, where my heart finds joy is where I relax. If I have a man who wants to go to Kenya for fun, he is the essence of the fun not the location

Kadiri

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

INSIGHT

Our Next President: “The Change We Can Believe” Ugo Ben-Nwauzor

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aking into cognizance years of visionary and structural defects within our nation; the threats and counter threats and incendiary language from various ethnic quarters, the agitations by MASSOB and IPOB, Niger Delta militancy, the terror and impunity of armed Fulani herdsmen and the remnants of Boko haram, our next president must not be unmindful that the task of moving our country forward is not just going to be a matter of military experience.

Our next president may need to begin now, to dream and to envision a transformative journey of building a more peaceful, perfect and prosperous Nigeria. A man or woman, who genuinely believes that a wellarticulated plan, leveraged on the original vision of our founding fathers should be able to quicken the pace of our long march to a more equal and freer union.

Rightly, the expectations of Nigerians for any new leader are always high. Therefore, such is never to take their goodwill for granted. You slack, the honeymoon is always very short.

Having traversed this country, interacted with our Moslem and Christian brothers and sisters; with the rich and the poor; and in my personal discussions either offline or the blogosphere, Nigerians all seem to agree on one thing. That our country can be far better.

That what we have today is not working for the voiceless, yet powerful majority.

Every one of them talks about an imaginary “promise land”. To some, it means a country that is secure and safe, guarantees their fundamental rights and freedom of expression and freedom to practice their religion without hindrance and fear.

To some, it is a land where they can enjoy equal rights and where hard work and honesty are rewarded. A country driven by meritocracy and less of mediocrity. Where, they don’t have to lie about their state or local government of origin in order to gain that admission or secure employment into a government institution.

A land free from corruption, a ravaging virus that hinders national development and progress and brings misery and tears to the majority of the inhabitants.

And to others, it’s a country where they can enjoy the beauty and magnificence of constant power supply; running portable water; safe, cheap and reliable means of transportation; excellent communication, healthcare and educational systems. A country of rule of law and order, where civilized law enforcement agents are happy, willing and ready 24/7 to protect innocent citizens. A land flowing with an abundance of affordable food and housing.

Sadly, the reality at each political stage, whether military or civilian rule has always been far from the ideals of our expected “promise land”. This is because, as a people we have successively shied away or mischievously chickened out from restructuring our country into a more workable nation.

Consequently, each and every time a new leader emerges we dance in the streets, and soon we find out that the supposedly “messiah” is not that “whom is to come”.

The majority get disappointed, disillusioned and frustrated again and again.

Recently, former vice president Atiku Abubakar spoke boldly and eloquently about our faulty structure and the implications to our survival as a nation. In his words, “Our current structure and the practices it has encouraged have been a major impediment to the economic and political development of our country. In short, it has not served Nigeria well, and at the risk of reproach has not served my part of the country, the North well. The call for restructuring is even more relevant today in light of the governance and economic challenges facing us. And the rising tide of agitations, some militants and violent, require a reset in

our relationships as a united nation”.

Whether this was a political permutation ahead of the 2019 election or not, the truth is that the Turaki Adamawa was speaking to a yearning that is deep and real. I tend to agree with him and so do many Nigerians who have given his bold voice a loud and widespread support.

In the lyrics of a song by 7eventh Time Down, a Kentucky based Christian band, “anytime a heart turns from darkness to light… or someone dares to speak the truth that sets men free, I know, I know, I know God is on the move”.

Now, having studied the biblical account of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to their promise land, it would be naïve for me to think and believe, that all that Nigerians needed, to walk into our own expected “promise land” can be achieved in a 4-year election cycle, or by one leader or by one political party.

There is no doubt 15 months ago Nigerians wanted change. While few of the promoters wanted change of personality at the helms of the country’s affairs, the majority of Nigerians who voted or stayed away from the polls wanted a structural change for their country. A better today and a promising tomorrow.

The first, a minority group want shortterm balms and instant gratification for the few of themselves, and the second group, a voting majority want long term solutions for the benefit of every citizen including members of that minority group.

But to that majority, let’s be reminded that the road map to our “promise land” is here, with us, locked up and gathering some dusts. To our millennials, that “GPS”, that is able to get us to our destination, is the structural changes very much encapsulated in the report of the 2014 National Political Conference. A conference which brought together eminent and not so eminent Nigerians, business persons, civil servants and members of the armed forces. Our elders and our youths. Our women and our men.

Our political parties and the civil societies.

Our pastors, imams and traditional rulers.

The rich and the poor. The Yorubas, Hausas, Ibos, Biroms, Igalas, Fulanis, Tivs, Ijaws, Idomas, Ibibios, Binis, Urhobos, Itsekiris and every other diverse ethnic groups.

They were some of our finest, in our diversity to resolve contentious issues in a formal setting, a sure way of promoting

Personally, I feel distraught and unable to reconcile the statement, as my mind takes me back to the early 80s as a young boy in Command Secondary School Jos, a melting-pot of our federal spirits. Unpolluted, innocent and virgin minds. We had the occasional opportunities of coming in contact with the President, then a Brigadier General and GOC of 3rd Armored Division. Whether it was during our annual inter-house sports festival or the prize/speech day of our graduating pioneer class in 1982, he shook our tender hands in congratulations, admonished and inspired us to excel in hard work, to speak and do our best for the unity and progress of our country. He told us that real men laugh once a year.

Even as the latter seemed a big challenge to many, he was our hero and some followed his footsteps and today are generals in the military

Buhari

greater national consensus and unity and ways forward, towards a more perfect and prosperous nation for us and our future generations, as against a recipe for disunity, confusion and chaos as some critics tried to make us believe.

It was a conference that gave us far reaching and extensive resolutions and recommendations to make room for each state to have its own constitution, establish its own police force, and create its own local governments. So that states can build their own airports, sea ports and railways. Mine their solid minerals and develop at their own pace. Recommendations that will liberate everybody, increase our productivity and further open our political space in order to reduce political tension and eliminate our fault lines of ethnic and religious appendages. To make us able to collectively solve our challenges of power, unemployment, healthcare, education, water, and care for our widows, orphans, disables and the elderly.

Every village, city and state to be better policed. Armed robbery and kidnapping to be better curtailed.

And for this cause, patriotic delegates like Dora Akunyili, Muhammed Akali, Hamma Misau and Mohammed Jumara laid down their lives. May the labor of these heroes past, never be a waste.

Now, as fantastic as these recommendations are, we understand that President Buhari has emphatically stated that the report of that conference has been committed to the archives and that nothing, not even the threats by IPOB in the streets, and Niger Delta Avengers in the creeks to break Nigeria, would lift the report from the trash can.

Personally, I feel distraught and unable to reconcile the statement, as my mind takes me back to the early 80s as a young boy in Command Secondary School Jos, a melting-pot of our federal spirits. Unpolluted, innocent and virgin minds. We had the occasional opportunities of coming in contact with the President, then a Brigadier General and GOC of 3rd Armored Division. Whether it was during our annual inter-house sports festival or the prize/speech day of our graduating pioneer class in 1982, he shook our tender hands in congratulations, admonished and inspired us to excel in hard work, to speak and do our best for the unity and progress of our country. He told us that real men laugh once a year. Even as the latter seemed a big challenge to many, he was our hero and some followed his footsteps and today are generals in the military.

Chief Oyegun, the current chairman of APC was also credited as saying that restructuring Nigeria is not a priority to the ruling party. To him, the party has more urgent

challenges, of rebuilding our bad economy, unemployment, war against corruption and terrorism. How do we reconcile his position and section 1 of the preamble of his party’s manifesto: “to achieve the laudable programs, APC government shall restructure the country, devolve power to the units, with the best practices of federalism and eliminate unintended paralysis of the center”? Millions of Nigerians believe that addressing the flaws in our federation will help us address those economic and security challenges that Chief Oyegun is more concerned about.

Similarly, the majority in the 8th Assembly do not appear to appreciate the fierce urgency of restructuring our polity. Yet, the first article in the beautiful manifesto of the ruling party emphasizes “initiate action to amend constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties and responsibilities to states and local governments in order to entrench true federalism and the federal spirit”. This was also perfectly simplified in Atiku’s words, “restructuring and renewal of our federation to make it less centralized, less suffocating and less dictatorial in the affairs of our country’s constituent units and localities”.

Dear Mr. President, can we really afford to walk away now, and discard the report of the conference that guarantees us a real change from the present reality to our hope, our ideal “promise land”? A union, more peaceful, more perfect and more prosperous? If you can commission railway lines and implement the TSA and other projects initiated by past administrations, you can at least ask to see the report on 2014 National Conference and do the needful. History will celebrate you completely and always, for giving us a more sustainable unity.

If we walk away, I can assure you that in the next elections in 2019 another group will be talking about another change at the helms of our affairs and then another change in 2023 and 2027 and so on, and nothing will really change for the good of the majority. And certainly our future generations will ask for another national political conference. You, the leadership of APC and the 8th Assembly have the power and the opportunity today, to save them that tomorrow’s agony.

On the other hand, is it safe to say that our president will not change his mind in looking at the report? Is there a possibility that as President Buhari, Chief Oyegun and the 8th National Assembly remain in government, that we, the people should not expect any fundamental political restructuring of this nation?

Do we then begin to seek for another visionary leader or a group of leaders as 2019 approaches? Our next President must be a big thinker when it comes to how to lead the country. The message isn’t going to be about the twin wars against boko haram and corruption, but about political, social, fiscal and economic justice.

The word “change” will be heard in whispers and scarce on our media screens.

The Big message will be about Hope and Future. A future we can all believe in.

A future, acceptable to the Niger Delta militants, IPOB, and the Fulani Herdsmen. A future that gives everyone in the North and South a fair share of ownership of our nation.

We are going to hear more of restructuring and true Federalism, and less of “stomach infrastructure”.

We see an insurgent from the ruling APC and/or another from the main opposition PDP or a break away party running on such a futuristic message. Any, that is able to properly articulate, simplify, translate and transmit that message, in order to allay unfounded misgivings and fears, and ensure better understanding by our elites, the millennials, the less educated, the peasants in the south and almajiris in the north is most likely going to have a best shot through the gates of Aso Rock.

––Ugo Ben-Nwauzor (PhD) is an analyst at AsoGates Strategies, a US and Nigerian Public Affairs Firm. (Email: raftex1994@yahoo.com)

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July 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • July 9, 2016

FITNESS FILE The Edenlifestyle corner with

Honey, Do I Look Fat In This?

H

oney, do I look fat in this? These simple words can have any man break into a cold sweat. Let me help you out, it’s a trick, just say ‘I love you’ and flee the scene. Just kidding, there’s no easy way to handle this if your partner has actually put on a few pounds. Let’s face it, being overweight is not a sign of good health, and as we all know, can be dangerous.

Studies show that women are morphing from a traditional pear shape, where fat tends to be stored on the hips, bottom and thighs, to a more dangerous apple shape, where fat is stored around the middle. Why is this more dangerous? Because the fat is closer to important organs and increases the chance of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and infertility, among other unwanted health conditions.

All of this is of concern to men because many of these women are our partners or partners-to-be. Their health and wellbeing is directly connected to our own. And that being the case, the fundamental questions are these: what can we do about our partner’s weight gain and how can we help?

Tread Carefully The first thing we can do is to tread very carefully indeed. However kindly you put it, telling your partner that she’s getting fat is never going to be easy. In fact, it’s a conversation you probably should never have.

You could say it in the kindest way possible but, if your partner already has low self-esteem, chances are that she is not going to take it kindly. By diving straight in you could be opening up old wounds. If that person has had a lifelong problem with weight, then your words are all too easily matched with childhood taunts. The last thing you want to do is remind your partner of some cruel playground teasing. And it’s also true that her weight gain may be a sign of other problems, like unhappiness at work or with your relationship. In which case you’ll have to tackle the root cause first.

But perhaps she hasn’t always had a problem with weight. Perhaps her weight gain is a new phenomenon.

In which case, your efforts are best directed by the state of your relationship and how you usually deal with contentious issues.

If you are good communicators, who have dealt well with touchy subjects in the past, it might be possible to bring up the issue directly, if kindly. But your best bet might be to avoid a direct conversation altogether.

Be in it together So how do you talk to your partner about her weight, without talking to her about her weight? The fact is, women tend to be pretty body conscious, so she’s probably aware of her weight gain. If she hasn’t mentioned it, she may be trying to hide it. If she’s started shying away from getting undressed in front of you or wearing more revealing outfits, the

last thing you want to do is make her feel worse.

One way out is to suggest joint action. You could suggest an exercise regime for you both. You could tell her you want to start exercising for your own sake, and doing it together would help to keep you motivated. This isn’t such an easy solution if you already work out, of course, but you could always ‘decide’ you fancy a change.

Maybe running all the time is getting boring, so you want to do a bit of cycling instead. Football is great, but you’d like to top it up with a few sessions at the gym and it would be fun to do it together. You could couch it as wanting to do something together as a couple, rather than spending every weekday evening sitting in front of the tv. It could even sound romantic.

Set an example Another tactic is simply to set a good example. The fact is, one partner often mirrors the other in the things they do and, importantly, the things they eat.

A recent study by researchers at the University of Queensland confirmed this. It found that, over a 10-year period, women who lived with partners put on four pounds more in weight, on average, than women who lived alone. It could be that your own eating habits are partly responsible for her weight gain.

For example, if you bring a chocolate bar home, she’s more likely to have chocolate. If you buy dessert because you want it, she’s likely to have some even if she wouldn’t have bothered herself.

In other words, if you start eating healthily, she’s likely to as well. If you announce in the morning that you’re grilling salmon fillets for dinner, she’s unlikely to grab a takeaway on the way home. If you say no to dessert, there’s every chance she’ll give it a miss too.

Benefits for both Setting a good example and suggesting exercise regimes and healthy eating plans you can do together is a

MAJE AYIDA

majeayida@edenlifenigeria.com www.edenlifenigeria.com, 07062614551

Studies show that women are morphing from a traditional pear shape, where fat tends to be stored on the hips, bottom and thighs, to a more dangerous apple shape, where fat is stored around the middle.

Why is this more dangerous? Because the fat is closer to important organs and increases the chance of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and infertility, among other unwanted health conditions.

All of this is of concern to men because many of these women are our partners or partners-to-be. Their health and wellbeing is directly connected to our own. And that being the case, the fundamental questions are these: what can we do about our partner’s weight gain and how can we help? win-win, of course. She’ll get healthier and you will too. The truth is that this is a great way to bring the two of you closer together as a couple. Exercise is a great bonding experience, and let’s be frank, you will be just too tired to argue after an intense workout. I’ll go even further and say the feelings of well-being that exercise creates are fantastic for any relationship.

The only potential downside? You have to stick to it. But when you’re in it together, that will be far easier to accomplish.

JULY 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

41

FASHION FILE

‘25’ Collection by

MORAFA

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

FASHION FILE

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

M O R A F A ‘25’ Collection

I

nspiration: This collection is inspired by me. It’s for my 25th birthday anniversary. It’s specially made for adults aged 25 and also, for all ages young at heart.

Seun Morafa was born on the 25th of May 1991. He is from Ijebu ode, Ogun State. An undergraduate English student at the University of Lagos. He is the creative director of the fast growing clothing label M O R A F A which was founded about two years ago by himself and his brother,Ayo Morafa.

Seun is also a fashion model who has graced runways like the Arise magazine fashion week, FTV runway show and also,Lagos fashion& design week.He is inspired by Ozwald Boateng and Mai Atafo Inspired. His favourite colour is blue.

He loves music, movies and travelling..

The brand M O R A F A is a unisex and also a female wear brand that deals in the production of the best Bespoke tailored Suits with a perfect finishing amongst other wears of the finest fabrics you can hardly get else where.

The brand won Unilag’s finest designer in 2014.and also emerged 2nd runner up most creative designer at the Nigerian student fashion&design week 2015.The brand has been featured by major online blogs like Bella naija,Ono Bello, complete fashion,style vitae and also, got press features and media interviews by THISDAY and The Guardian, TW Magazine, Silverbird and TVC. The brand showcased at Elite model look Nigeria 2015. The brand was chosen as one of the finalists for Nigeria’s next top designer and showcased at the just concluded Africa fashion week. The brand was also chosen as one of music meets runway rising icon finalists which will hold later this year.

Photo credits Designer:MORAFA Photographed by Shola Animashaun Behind the scene video by Spice Tv Models: Tolu Balogun,Tolu Oni,kamil mahmud, Kayode omoyeni.

Stylist:Ayo Morafa Make up: In vogue Creative director: Seun Morafa.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JULY 9, 2016

WITH

MARKET PLACE

OMOLABAKE FASHOGBON 08033621009

L-R: Consul General of the United States Embassy in Lagos, Mr. John Bray, receiving literature from the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, when the envoy visited the Agency at the Maritime House in Lagos, recently

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. 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

Computer Village Opens in Surulere Lovers of technology now have another market to access products and accessories other than the famous computer village in the commercial hub of Ikeja, Lagos.

The new phone and computer village is located in Surulere area of Lagos State and boasts of all kinds of stock ranging from computers, mobile devices, network accessories, software and other technology devices of different brands.

The latest which is presently the talk

of the town is owned by Lagos socialite and serial entrepreneur, Gbolahan Lawanson who hinted that his interest in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) arena was as a result of the prospect in the sector as well as responding to the needs and yearnings of this generation.

Lawanson, while explaining the choice of the village location said, “We all know that mainland is a very densely

populated area and Surulere in particular is a melting pot.

There is a teeming young population that is conversant with the nuances of telecommunications and technology.

Asides being a location for technology, gadgets and equipment, we are also providing infrastructure and support by provision and availability of tech based communities. “We built the Mall in a very strategic part of Lagos mainland and our

Technology Distributions Power Bitters Welcomes New Variant Unveils Mobile APP Barely five months after it took Power product, Marketing Director of the firm, To make its wide range of products easily accessible to partners, resellers and customers, foremost Information Communication Technology ( ICT), Technology Distributions Ltd,(TD) has launched a mobile application that would enable users to order products directly from their smart phones.

The application was unveiled recently at a Chief Executive Officers’(CEO) forum organised by the company with selected partners.

According to the firm’s Managing Director (Marketing), Mrs. Chioma Chimere, the initiative was in fulfilment of the promise made at the beginning of the new financial year to its partners.

“We made a promise to our partners at the commencement of our new financial year to serve them better by deploying technology to lend unmatched convenience to our business relationship. Today, we have taken another big step towards the fulfilment of this promise”, she said.

Chimere added that “The mobile application comes with extra benefits where users can take advantage of product auctions and special promotions such as ‘Were Deal’ as well as other discount sales and deals from the firm.

“Users can now enjoy the added convenience of accessing TD’s wide product portfolio and placing orders from mobile phone. Besides, they no longer need to get to the office or reach their laptops to take advantage of our special promotions such as ‘Were Deal.”

The company has also rolled out special discounts up to 5 % and other mouth-watering incentives for the first 100 partners that would download and make online transactions up to N100,000 with the application .

The application is up for download at ishttps://play.google.com/store/ apps/details?id=com.tdafrica.app and on Apple’s i-Store .

Bitters to the market to join the varying list of herbal drink brands, Euro Global Foods and Distilleries Limited, a subsidiary of Sona Group of Companies has added another feather to its cap with a new variant, Power Bitters Lite to serve the needs of consumers with preference for low alcoholic content.

The new variant is made from natural herbs, spices and fruit extracts blended with 6% alcoholic content. According to the company’s Managing Director, Manish Uniyal, It was perfect for those who were health conscious but still needed to indulge themselves. “We are quite confident that this variant will be a runaway success just like the Power Bitters”, Uniyal enthused.

Explaining the reasons for the new

Mr. Felix Aighobahi revealed that it was as a result of its popular demand.

“Over time, we have received feedback from our dealers and distributors on consumers’ request for a lighter variant of Power Bitters. This got us spring into action, leading to the birth of Power Bitters Lite. We are quite certain that this will impact the market positively”, he said.

“Power Bitters Lite has already hit the markets through our network of dealers and distributors across the country. We will be embarking on road shows and other activations to introduce the product to Nigerians and have them sample it in the coming weeks”, Aighobahi added.

The product comes in 33 centiliter glass bottle and 33 centilitre can.

Kids Show off Talents in Indomie Competition It was an exciting show put up by Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Noodles as its club members displayed uncommon talent and creativity at the second edition of the Special Arts and Crafts Exhibition of the Indomie Team Yourself Up competition.

The competition involved kids aged between five and 12years from various schools across the country who created various items with Indomie cartons and wrappers.

According to National Coordinator of Indomie Fan Club, Mrs. Faith Joshua, the contest was meant to boost kids’ confidence and their innate ability as well as a platform to express their creativity.

“With over 60,000 entries of several unique works nationwide, today’s event is meant to display these numerous works to the public, and also allow for selection of the best works.

“Part of the underlying principle we want to inculcate in these kids through this competition, is the importance of collaboration, division of labour, and

also the enormous strength in our diversity, as kids were required to work in groups with anyone of their choice whom they felt could bring their ideas to reality. Today, we are here to see the outstanding products borne from hard work and joint work”, she explained..

Group Public Relations and Events Manager of the company, Tope Ashiwaju, added that the initiative was intended to promote mental development among kids, erase the feeling of being worthless which many kids ascribe to themselves, and also provide a suitable platform to unleash the latent creativity in many of the kids.

Some of the works put together by the kids included skyscrapers, aeroplanes, rockets, shoes, Travel bags, kitchen utensils, canoe, houses and many others, all formed with carton and wrappers of Indomie.

While winners are yet to be announced, the best three would receive cash prizes of N100,000, N75,000 and N50,000 respectively as well as other consolation prizes.

primary objective is to have the best products available for consumers with ease and accessibility. The environment is vibrant and orderly and shoppers can take their time to assess whatever products or services they want and be assured of the quality and genuineness”.

The village was declared open by the former deputy speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Honorable Funmi Tejuosho and has commenced activities.

NIMASA Unveils Medium Term Strategic Growth Plan As part of efforts to reshape the nation’s maritime industry for efficiency, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) has rolled out the workings of its Medium Term Strategic Growth Plan.

The Director General (DG) of the Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside who revealed this plan recently, said that the three-year development plan between 2016-2019, was built around his core mission which was to reform, restructure and reposition the agency for sustainable growth.

According to him, the plan was built on five pillars such as survey, inspection and certification transformation programme, environment security as well as search and rescue transformation programme including capacity building and promotional initiatives which entailed growing indigenous tonnage, ship building and human capacity.

Others are digital transformation strategy, structural and cultural reforms including changes to work ethic and attitude of staff as well as processes and procedures.

Peterside noted that the agency was committed to the actualisation of the mandate and had what it takes in terms of competent and resourceful personnel to achieve this vision.

“The period is quite challenging given the dwindling global economy, decline in crude oil price, foreign exchange and fiscal policies which have rubbed off negatively on our revenue . This requires indigenous leadership to actualise our policy direction and we are committed to providing that leadership”, he said.

In the short term, the strategic plan of the agency aims to achieve full automation of its operations by the end of 2016, 100% efficiency and effectiveness in processes within the same period and complete its rebranding process by the end of the first quarter of 2017.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

MEMOIRS Prof. Austin Esogbue

I Maintained First Position in School to Avoid Being a Farmer Smile is a permanent fixture on his face as his gait exudes grace. The applause that followed him as he sauntered up to the podium was thunderous. His students loved him and his American university where he teaches adores him. Outstanding, indefatigable and inventive, he is a recipient of many international awards. From a sleepy town in Ibusa, he has become a tech giant in America. Unassuming, devoted and cerebral, he combines scholarship with selflessness. You can call him a genius; it won’t be an understatement. He parades impressive academic degrees that can make the best of scholars green with envy. Professor Emeritus Austin Esogbue, native of Ibusa, Delta State, is a distinguished academic who has made Nigeria and Africa proud in Diaspora. His academic journey began in 1961 when he won the African Scholarship Programme of American Universities. Having immersed himself into what the United States could offer, he went ahead to break new grounds on many occasions. In 1977, he became the first black to become a full professor of Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the first black professor of the Institute. Esogbue was the first African to have served on the board of the United States’ National Aeronautical Space (NASA). He was equally among special Nigerians met by President Muhammadu Buhari during his recent visit to the US. He currently lives in Fulton County, Georgia. Prof. Esogbue speaks with Funke Olaode about life after retirement and his technological projects for Nigeria Why I’m Committed to Nigeria’s Technological Development

C

an we have an insight into your background?

I was born to James Nwanze and Helen Nwakuso Esogbue of Umuafene Village, Isieke, Umuekea, Ibusa in Delta State. I was born in Kaduna, the then capital of Northern Nigeria on December 25th, 1940, but of Delta origin. By that time, my father was working with the engineering department of the Public Works Department (PWD). My mother was a nurse. In a way, I am from an educated setting. Coming from such setting no doubt exposed me to an early education and a disciplined family. The family was loving but tough. My father always emphasised excellence because he believed no matter what you achieved, he wanted you to achieve more.

Esogbue

What are some of your childhood memories?

Looking back, I remember the eclipse of 1947 when I was about seven years. And as kids, we thought the world was coming to an end. Everywhere was dark and we were afraid. In fact, we said to ourselves please let’s have our last supper because we would not be able to eat anymore.

Also, I remember when we had just come from Enugu to Ibusa, my home town, the local people looked at us as people who had come from abroad and thought we were lazy. During the native festival, there were a lot of drums, wrestling and the young men would show their manhood and all that. So I came with my sisters and they (the young men) came to embarrass me. I didn’t want to wrestle because I didn’t want to dirty my dress on the sand. But this particular guy walked away, picked some sands and poured it on my clothe. I got so upset that I took off my cloth and began to wrestle with him.

I picked him up and threw him to the ground and broke his right hand and the bone came out. People ran and started screaming because they never saw such a thing. It was amazing and scary. I was not rascally as a boy. I was a Catholic and a Mass server. We had to confess our sins if we did anything wrong. And we were so scared to embark on rascality. Again, I was always first in classes and didn’t think because I was smart; (it was) by God’s grace. Also, my father said if I didn’t keep the first position he would not

pay my school fees anymore and I would then go and become a farmer. I didn’t want to be a farmer so that kept me on my toes to act smart.

But while in the high school in Kaduna I fought a lot because I was the smallest in the class and was always coming first. The bigger boys would pick on me. Somehow, they thought I was being favoured by the teachers.

What about schooling?

I attended primary school at Sacred Heart, Ibusa before going to St. John’s College, Kaduna for secondary education. I was among the first class selected to take advantage of the Federal School of Science, Lagos, which was founded to speed up the system in the science and technological field. Prior to that, Nigeria had only University College, Ibadan and Nigerian College of Science and Technology in Zaria. Luckily, there was a programme called African Scholarship Programme of American Universities, which opened their doors to African students.

There were about 25 students that went in 1960s.

These set of students excelled and because they did very well, those schools got encouraged to broaden it not only for Nigeria but for most of African countries. My former engineering training was crystallised, earning degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles where I got Bsc in Electrical Engineering, U.C. Berkeley Option, and Minor in Mathematics in June 1964.

I went on to acquire more degrees with an MSc in Industrial Engineering and Operational Research from Columbia University and PhD in Engineering – Operations Research and Control Theory from the University of Southern California in June 1968. Additional studies were taken at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, leading to a Certificate in Advanced Health Systems Dynamics Modeling in 1974, and the University of California at Berkeley. With modesty, I was the first PhD graduate of the celebrated world renowned mathematician, Professor Richard Bellman at the University of Southern California (USC).

Can you mention some of your achievements as an academia?

My first formal academic tenure track appointment was as an Assistant Professor of Operation Research and member of the Systems Research Centre at Case Western

45

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

MEMOIRS I Slept for Only Three Hours Every Day Until I Retired...

Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. I joined the faculty of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in June 1972 as an Associate Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering under a joint appointment with the Health Systems Research Centre. I went through the process and I got promoted quickly.

In 1977, I became the first black to be promoted a full professor in Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. And the first black professor of the Institute which was celebrated during the 50 years of having blacks matriculated in Georgia Tech in 2010.

Georgia Tech was an all-White male school for a long time. And 1961, the year I went to the United States, coincided with the time blacks were allowed to matriculate. I have had a fulfilling career and I am grateful to God. Being the first and longest serving black professor in Georgia Tech’s history and the first African promoted full professor of engineering in a major United States research university is overwhelming. Having risen to the pinnacle of my career and bestowed with numerous professional and academic organisations including being elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 1972, a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineering (IEEE), class of 2000, Fellow of the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences, and a 2000 elected Fellow of the Nigerian Academic of Sciences, Fellow of the Nigerian Academic of Engineering and others too numerous to mention.

I retired from the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall of 2010. Apart from the recognition I received from students and organisations while I was at Georgia Tech, much more than my colleagues, it seemed retirement opened a floodgate of awards. It began with my alma mater, UCLAthat bestowed on me the 2010 Distinguished UCLAEngineering Alumni in Academia Award.

Several Nigerian organisational awards were received in 2012 including the Nigerian Consulate General Life Achievement and Good Ambassador of Nigeria Award. The awards however reached a crescendo when in 2013 alone, I received seven awards beginning with the 2013 Distinguished Partner in Science Education Award from the Stephen Oluwole Awokoya Foundation for Science Education for contributions and encouragement for the growth of science education and youth development in Nigeria.

Georgia Tech Black Alumni Organisation inducted me into their Hall of Fame as a ‘Legend and Leader’ under the Faculty Category for many pioneering and exemplary service to the community. I also had the good fortune and privilege of serving on a high level panel, the Safety Advisory Board of US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Our service led to the eradication of space flight accidents. I was awarded the Public Service Medal for my leadership role and a Certificate of Merit.

When were you appointed as professor emeritus?

My appointment took effect in 2012. Emeritus status is an honorific title signifying distinguished service to Georgia Tech.

With regards to the above distinction, it is worthy of note that my school is the largest and best of its type in the world; its graduate programme having been ranked number one for 26 years consecutively by US News and World Report and our undergraduate programme is also rated first for the past 18 years since undergraduate programmes were being ranked.

Our programme was about average in the US when I got there.

I contributed significantly to raising the national and global reputation the school has enjoyed in the past 30 years. I was voted by the entire student body at Georgia Tech in 2005 and awarded the prize ‘the most likely faculty member to win a Nobel Prize.’

(Earlier in 1997, I was voted by the student government leaders of all campus organisations to be that faculty member and staff who in addition to excellence in teaching and research has done more to ensure student success. For this, my name is engraved in a plate in the entrance to the faculty lounge immortalising the faculty giants of the university.

How is life after retirement?

Life has really been great. I feel a sense of freedom that I had never known before. I sleep longer hours now as opposed to the average of three hours that I slept for decades. I still stay up late at night attending to a sundry of requests from various parts of the world. The difference though is that I feel I do not have to do anything anymore. I just need to live a good life, free of stress. I do what I do only because I want to, love to, and feel it would make some difference in someone’s life. I do not do things anymore just to please somebody or because it is expected of me. No more expectations. I feel that I had done more than enough for so many people and for so long. This is now time for me and those I love.

The only problem is that I seem to naturally love everybody. Part of the reason I retired from my excellent position in the world’s best programme in my field is to enable me spend more time contributing to Nigerian development by sharing some of the best practices I have acquired with Nigerian institutions. I have, for example, intensified my involvement with two of the premier national academies, namely the Nigerian Academy of Science whom I served for two consecutive terms as an elected officer with the portfolio of Academic Secretary, Physical Sciences. I served another term on the Council as the Representative for Physical Sciences. The US academies (Science, Engineering and Medicine) had earlier given a grant to four African academies including Nigeria to assist them to upgrade their standards to world class level.

What is new right now?

As a founder of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation of the Americas (NIDOA), I continue to support and mentor the organisation’s leaders. At the 2014 fundraiser banquet, I made

Cont’d from Pg. 44

During Pres. Buhari’s visit to Esogbue and other four distinguished Nigeria. Far right is Hon. Dabiri-Erewa.

Pres. Obama, Brenda Cole, Billye Aaron, John Lewis, Austin Esogbue at 100 Black Men of Atlanta in 2006

a donation but the Consul General, Ambassador Teneilabe challenged NIDO to embark on a healthcare project to save lives and improve the quality of lives in Nigeria. The suggested project was to build a trauma centre in Abuja. We soon formed a group and expanded it to include diagnostics. The group mushroomed to an all-Diaspora group called the Nigerian Diaspora Diagnostics and Trauma Foundation, (NDDTF), a non-profit 501 registered in the State of Georgia. I am helping to provide leadership to the foundation which intends to start operating with a diagnostic centre and develop into diagnostic and trauma centre, first in Abuja and later in each of the six geo-political zones. The idea is to institute a state-of-the-art, level one facility for treating victims of trauma in Nigeria by Diaspora health teams considering that many Nigerians who engage in medical tourism, wind up being treated by Nigerian professionals in those foreign lands that they go to. It is a major drain on Nigeria’s resources, particularly scarce foreign exchange, and the impaired quality of response notwithstanding.

What happened to your Nigerian project – the Diaspora promoting technology you started in 2005?

You may recall that the original idea was to provide some soft-landing for Nigerians in Diaspora embarking on projects in Nigeria. We started with partnering with fellow Nigerian professionals resident in the country and using science and technology as a framework for Diaspora contributions. The first event was a conference and I organised; a committee of Diaspora experts in various fields of science and technology to participate in the conference with Ambassador Joe Keshi of the Nigerian National Volunteer Service as General Chair. I chaired the session on nuclear and space technologies and made a presentation to the then President (Olusegun) Obasanjo with a recommendation that Nigeria should not only embrace both areas but vigorously pursue programmes to explore and utilise associated opportunities for national development. They seemed heretical to some of our people then and even now. I however knew that we could not afford to stay away from these technologies including biotechnology and information technology. We should shake off this somehow persistent national lethargy towards development and always embracing microwave appetites for the now-syndrome.

We should not always be playing catch-up; jumping in only after the rest of the world has been fully immersed in these technolo-

gies.

I also know that many of these technologies when appropriately cultivated and utilised drive national socio-economic development with exponential returns on investment. Most important, there is usually an incubation period during which time, you train and educate the requisite manpower and imbibe the necessary culture for their sustainability. Additionally, we have intelligent Nigerians who can be and should be so trained to master these technologies. Some progress, though retarded and anemic, has been made in both areas. The National Agency for Space Research and Development (NASRDA) for example, has recorded successes mostly in the satellite launching area. Some constraints include the pervasive funding problems and the characteristic closed box, myopic management practices. The National Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) seeks to generate clean energy through nuclear power plants. Though the idea was conceived almost 20 years ago, we are still mostly in the manpower development phase. This non-fossil fuel option conceived much earlier to diversify our energy options as opposed to an oil-riveted economy is now enjoying some attractiveness considering the glut in the oil market and the concomitant slump in economic generating capacity of our oil fields and refineries.

How often do you visit Nigeria?

I am based in America but frequent Nigeria on a regular basis.

As a way of giving back, at the 50th anniversary of the launching of the first scholarship programme of the Africa America Institute (AAI), the African Scholarship Programme of American Universities (ASPAU), we (the alumni) organised a reunion to devise a vehicle for paying a lasting tribute to the programme that sent us to America. We recognised that the programme was highly successful in producing first-rate manpower for national development. The reunion activities culminated in the formation of a non-profit organisation called the Africa Future Foundation (AFF).

We decried falling standards in many aspect of life in Nigeria today but agreed that education was hardest hit and resolved to do something about it. I was elected Vice President. Many of us pledged cooperation with AAI but wanted an essentially independent African group addressing African problems as we see them. I do radio and TV shows when I visit Nigeria. Examples are the ‘Nigeria Pride’ show of Radio Nigeria and the one-hour show on Silverbird, by Judita DaSilva entitled ‘Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things’ featuring such giants as Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

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JULY 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

POLITY

Nigeria Unity: Myth, Hypocrisy and Redemption

W

Jon West

hile addressing mostly Moslem faithfuls at the Presidential Villa at the Sallah day celebrations on 6th July 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari restated the now hackneyed notion of the inviolability of the Nigerian state and the settling of the question of its unity, in response to agitations for economic justice and a loosening of the ties of the Nigerian Union by militants in the Niger delta. The President reminded the militants about Civil War “hero”, General Yakubu Gowon’s earlier admonition to that effect during and after the grueling 33 months Biafran war, the bloodiest Civil conflict in African history.

Rewind to July 27, 1966 and 33 year old Lt Colonel Yakubu Gowon, “leader” or more accurately, the acceptable face of the “revenge coup”, in his maiden speech stated inter alia, that “There is no basis for Nigerian Unity”, while ostensibly pleading with the murderous hordes in his native Northern region, intent on extracting their revenge for the lopsided killings in the earlier coup and the political damage to their interest inherent in the turn of events from January, to stop the slaughter of Igbo civilians in the North. Barely a year later, in a move that will define subsequent Nigerian history, Colonel Gowon, in reaction to the Biafran Declaration of Independence in May 1967, averred that the unity of Nigeria was non-negotiable and “to keep Nigeria One is a task that must be done”. A real incredible reversal of positions and one that was made without qualms and no intellectual or political discomfort whatsoever.

On his first visit to the United States of America after his improbable victory in the March 2015 Presidential election, the Nigerian leader, President Muhammadu Buhari ,declared that he would pursue a process of selective development in his country, based on the voting patterns for his party, by constituent sections of the Nigerian electorate. While this raised a lot of righteous anger back home in Nigeria, and surprise in the democratic country that he was visiting, President Buhari was actually being very honest with himself and most Nigerians.

The myth of Nigerian unity and the serial hypocrisy inherent in its perennial avowal by those seemingly least interested in genuine national unity, is one of the crucial presentations of the Cant that afflicts governance and real

Buhari

unity in the failing state that is Nigeria.

Nigeria is perhaps the only country on this God’s earth, that is obsessively engrossed with the notion of national unity, while living a lie.

From the motto in the national crest “Unity and Faith”; the words of the first national anthem “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”, to the slogans of the victorious Nigerian forces during the Biafran War “To keep Nigeria One is a task that must be done”, the country has always pushed forth its sense of national unity. However, unlike the rest of the world that seems to care very little about “national unity’, including some of our neighbours with similar ethnic diversity, the reality is that Nigeria is perhaps one of the most divided and disunited countries on earth.

The seeds of national disunity were sown even before Independence in 1960, when a British contrived election process ensured that

power was kept in the hands of the region that was least developed and disinterested in Independence, and really had to be assuaged to agree to Nigerian Independence. Further events in 1966 and the unintended consequences of a brutal genocidal conflict, pitting the rest of Nigeria against a region and ethnicity of the country, put paid to any notion of national unity, even though the conflict ended with the quaint sloganeering platitude of” No Victor , No Vanquished”; national unity never recovered and events since then have served to further widen the cleavages in the Nigerian society.

The question that has always irked many Nigerians, other Africans and the rest of the world, is that after decades of Independence and great national wealth accumulation through the instrumentality of prodigious oil and gas reserves, the country has not managed its diversity well enough to even attain a semblance of national cohesion in just about any social and economic endeavour.

This is a country where, the wealth that is derived from particular sections of the country is, by virtue of a contrived demography and cynically conjured political hegemony, mostly spent in parts of the country that contribute virtually nothing to the national purse, which is basically centred on the accrual and circulation of easy oil and gas revenue. Because of this legalized injustice, there is a permanent state of violence , distrust and a terrible and absolute lack of any iota of patriotism in most aspects of national life, leading to a perennial descent to national anomie.

The Nigerian people, perhaps mindful of the need to resolve the National Question, have endeavored to settle this question through political and social interactions of ethnic nationalities intended to provide a final answer to the National Question. From Aburi in 1967 to the national conferences convened by General Sanni Abacha in 1994/95, President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006,President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 and the ill-conceived Truth and Reconciliation Commission of 2000, efforts have been made to achieve a notion of national consensus on the need to move forward as one nation in an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust and justice.

However, the intrinsic winner-takes-all nature of national politics , makes a mockery of the efforts at cultivating consensus from the diversity of Nigeria.

The current Government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, appears totally indifferent to the

perceptions of this Government in certain critical regions of Nigeria, regions like the Niger Delta and the Southeast, that can hamper any economic agenda of government by throwing spanners in the works, especially with respect to oil and gas revenue. Protests about political and economic marginalization of these crucial centers of the national economy are met with the body language of unbridled political arrogance.

President Buhari’s avowal of the inviolability of Nigerian unity, as a response to the militancy in the Niger delta is at best an exercise in Kant and political hypocrisy. For a man who in his private life , has undergone a divorce, the idea that the continuance of a union is non-negotiable and is therefore cast in stone, should be totally at variance with reality.

No Union is irreversible and non-negotiable, as has been adequately proven in Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, Sudan and Indonesia(East Timor).

The hardline posture of the Government of President Buhari, may have resurrected the militancy that virtually ground oil and gas exploitation to a halt in 2007, prior to the inauguration of the PDP Government of President Umaru Yardua and Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan. Power generation , virtually dependent on the gas resources of the Niger Delta has virtually ground to a halt, with an unimaginable zero power output recorded across a country of over 170 million for three hours on a very sad and shameful day in April 2016.The apparent sabotage of the oil and gas resources that feed the national economy has really hurt Government revenue, with oil revenues plummeting to a disastrous $500 million per month, from a previous and barely adequate $3.5 Billion per month, a seven-fold drop.

This state of affairs is unsustainable and requires a more tactful approach for resolution, not the current belligerent and self-serving reactions from an obviously intellectually challenged Government.

The win-win political game that saw the revival of the moribund oil sector, through an amnesty and palliative process in 2007, seems to have been discarded or forgotten in the present atmosphere of suffocating hubris and zero-sum political grandstanding. The reconstitution of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and its composition is not a clever response to the militancy in the Niger Delta, or is the latest latent threat of” Boko Haram treatment” for the militants, who in any case, know that they are able to hold the nation by the economic jugular, at very little direct cost to their own well being.

––Jon West, Sokoto

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Why Nigeria Deserves a Chika Anyiam Itunulevi Akorede

D

riving through the city of Dallas and seeing political sign posters at this time of the political era is not something strange, but coming across a campaign poster with a beautiful name which you are sure is not of a white person, makes a huge difference and leaves an eternally great feeling both in the hearts of those home and away. ‘Chika Anyiam for District Judge’. I know it’s only someone from my homeland that can have such name.

The first question that popped out of my mind was: ‘Is this Chika Anyiam a man or a woman? This was because of the stereotyped belief that some achievements and honours are majorly masculine.

Out of curiosity, I started my search for this ‘man’ and eventually saw that the ‘man’ Chika I was looking for, was actually a woman!

This further encouraged me to insist on meeting her and having some minutes of educative interaction with her. I searched for her Facebook contact and sent her a message which in utmost sincerity was not expecting an immediate response to, because the period in which I sent the message was the period for the primaries of the Democratic Party and I knew just too well that she would be busy and may not be available to respond to a message from an unknown source, bearing a Nigerian name. Also, I was not expecting much because many Nigerian big names in the United States treat their fellow ‘upcoming’ country mates like nonentities which only stemmed out of a common act back home in Nigeria where I grew in which most political figures don’t want to meet an ordinary citizen for any reason. But the unexpected happened. Chika Anyiam, a public figure of a highly reputable status, responded with a message dropping her personal phone contact for me and with the same message, offering me an immediate appointment to meet up for a chat in her office! You can imagine how dumbfounded and happy I was at the same time. When I got to her, I concluded in less than ten minutes that I had met one of the finest characters I have come

across in the last couple of years. I went to her law firm, Anyiam and Anyiam Attorneys at Law from where she practices along with her spouse. I was there with a couple of prepared questions in a paper which I wanted her to respond to but her intelligence and finesse turned it to a chat which gave me more insight into her activities and gave me well needed relaxation while being schooled on very interesting issues.

Chika Anyiam is originally from Imo State in Nigeria. She studied law and was called to bar in Nigeria, after which she practiced for about seven years before she moved to the United States with her family. She has been practicing law in the State of Texas for the past 18 years, carving out her own niche among the top guns in law in the state. She is a public advocate and she renders pro bono legal services to as many that have approached her law office for assistance with proven issues of financial problems. Research shows that about sixty percent of her legal services have been for the underprivileged.

In her words she said, “when I joined the law body in the state of Texas, there were not many foreigners practicing criminal law in the state as at the time, but with an undaunted belief in my ability to make things happen around me, coupled with an unshakable determination to succeed in this land, I decided to join the field after excelling in both family and immigration laws.”

Today, she is not just an ordinary attorney in the Dallas legal circle but she has made a name for herself everywhere she steps.

She is qualified to try all degrees of criminal defense issues in the region and the most attractive and perplexing thing is that she has twice in a row, been voted by the Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association as the best in 2014 and 2015, and she is also qualified by all the 17 Criminal District Judges in the region to practice in the criminal defense court. She said: “I have succeeded along with other colleagues”. She didn’t just rise to the height of contesting for the seat of a District Judge in the United States but she made this possible through her hard-work and devout commitments to God and humanity.

During my few minutes with Chika, she revealed that she was

a law school classmate with former Akwa Ibom State governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio. She is a community leader and motivator whose thirst for success is contacted by everyone who comes across her. Chika is a member of various professional groups, and her intention to contest for the seat of district judge 2 in Dallas was endorsed by various bodies and professional organizations.

My Interest in Chika Anyiam Chika is a happy wife and a loving mother of four, yet she is an achiever in everything she has put her name and hands on.

She shares the same office complex with her husband whom she has been married to for 24 great years. She is a leading example for young ones of today, especially the young and budding professionals-to-be, who may think marriage is a stumbling block towards climbing the stairs of success.

I am of the strong opinion that Chika is a needed personality in Nigeria, where she will use her versatility, strength and experience to build the law body in Nigeria. There are many successful individuals of Nigerian descent everywhere in the world but they are never available to serve their people. Mrs. Anyiam has expressed her interest in service to humanity everywhere she has been, and her prowess and unquenchable thirst to get better at what she does, will go a long way in filling up the loopholes in the Nigerian criminal justice system. In our discussion, she discussed how willing she is to help develop the court clerks and the paralegal system in the country. She can’t achieve this in isolation. People like her should be encouraged to assist in reshaping the system even if not at the federal level but in the state. She has a great resume and her deep understanding of the legal system will allow her to function perfectly well in any assignment thrown on her table. Let the Nigerian system find a way of bringing our numerous experienced, committed and tested-and-trusted ‘Chika Anyiams’ back to the shores of our land to serve just as they have already done in foreign lands.

––Itunulevi Akorede wrote in from Texas, United States of America.

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THISDAY, THe SATURDAY NewSpApeR • JULY 9, 2016

POLITY

Amosun, the Superman Rotimi Durojaiye

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recent investigation by an economic intelligence magazine revealed that 15 States may go bankrupt as their Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) in 2015 were far below 10 percent of their Federation Account Allocations (FAA) in one year from June 2015 to May 2016.

The report further indicated that the IGR of Lagos State of N268 billion was higher than that of 32 States combined together excluding Rivers, Delta and Ogun whose IGRs are very impressive. The report noted that 32 other states merely generated a total of N257 billion in 2015.

The magazine had published the total allocation each state in Nigeria received from the Federation Account Allocation (FAA) between June 2015 and May 2016 which signified one year of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The report provided shocking discovery that indicated that 15 states may go bankrupt and may not stay afloat outside the Federal Account Allocation due to lack of foresight in revenue generation drive coupled with arm-chair governance.

While Lagos State retains its number one position in IGR with a total revenue generation of N268.22 billion in the twelve months of last year, it is followed by Rivers State N82.10 billion, Delta State N40.80 billion, Ogun State N34.59 billion and Edo state N19.11 billion.

The report showed that the IGR of the respective states can improve through aggressive diversifications of the economy to productive sectors rather than relying on the monthly Federation Account revenue that largely come from the oil sector.

It is no news that the dwindling federal allocations caused by the falling prices of crude oil at the international market have deeply affected finances of every state in the federation, Ogun State inclusive.

But for the financial engineering put in place by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, governance at both the state and local government levels would have been grounded.

These pragmatic steps were taken to cushion the effects of the paltry N750 million monthly internally generated revenue (IGR) he inherited in 2011 and N2 billion federal allocation per month to service about N9 billion state’s monthly wage bills apart from meeting other statutory responsibilities.

Oil wealth is receding, incapable of matching fiscal policy while there is a massive pressure on our rulers to sustain the machinery of government and to meet the yearnings of those who enabled their existence in our democratic process. So our leaders and their partners in industry are expected to move with lightning speed and walk away from oil as a base for

Amosun

development. We must think out of the box.

Doing so means generating wealth from ideas such as countries without oil are doing and moving their societies into the league of leading nations of the world, far ahead of those with oil weapon which is now proving inadequate.

Lately, we have seen this movement of idea power put to work in Ogun state.

Faced with a bleak future for oil revenue and a rush of social and economic migrants from Lagos and other peripheral states, the administration of Governor Amosun has had to initiate creative strategies to raise good money to fund gigantic projects and meet the needs of the state’s burgeoning population.

He is beating a retreat from resting on the rickety base of oil economy.

Governor Amosun, had in 2014 set a target of N10 billion as the state’s monthly IGR, up from the then N6 billion.

Amosun while speaking during a Town Hall Meeting on the 2015 budget held at Kuto, Abeokuta, explained that it was the only way the state government could survive the dwindling allocation from the Federation Account.

Amosun, while fielding questions from stakeholders at the event, said the new target would take effect from 2015 and would not in any way inconvenience the people.

He disclosed then that funds from the Federation Account had been dwindling since 2011 and explained that it worsened to the extent that many states found it difficult to pay their workers.

The wage bill of the state, he added, including allowances, had risen to about N9 billion monthly adding that “only Ogun and Lagos states now generate revenue exceeding the allocation from the Federation Account”.

“What the administration is doing is to make Ogun State the economic hub of the nation ahead of Lagos State,” he had said

then.

He expressed happiness that the state had begun to take its pride of place in the comity of nations with the recent classification as the industrial capital of Nigeria.

“What we are doing today is to take stock and see how far we have gone and those things we need to do better by further listening to our people.

“Ogun will get to a time when it will be auto-driven, system-driven so that governors will not have difficulty in making things happen, they will not have difficulty in paying salaries and doing all of those and I am happy we are taking our prime position in the comity of nations.

“We are now the industrial capital of Nigeria but what we intend doing is to make Ogun State the economic capital of Nigeria, we want to challenge Lagos.

“The Finance Minister had confirmed that there are challenges in revenue accruing from oil due to oil theft and, as we are speaking, they are yet to pay us, the only way we can pay salaries is to think outside the box and see how we can improve our IGR. “We are increasing the IGR without unnecessarily inconveniencing our people, the target is N10 billion by next year (2015) because there is no way our wages will exceed N10 billion. With this, we will not rely on the Federal Government again, but we still have a big challenge to pay our salaries,” Amosun had added.

The Amosun administration believes strongly in participatory democracy and has always carried the people along in the process of preparing the state’s annual budget.

According to the 2014 World Bank Report on Doing Business in Nigeria, Ogun State was listed as one of the five most improved states in the country.

The same World Bank in its 2008 and 2010 Reports had ranked the state as one of the lowest performers among the 36 states in Nigeria. No doubt, this is a significant progress.

To increase the revenue of the state, Governor Amosun had constituted a Revenue Committee chaired by the Governor himself where issues on businesses and internally generated revenue are sorted out.

The establishment of One-Stop Shop domiciled in the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry as well as synergy that exists among all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) has removed the usual bottlenecks that impede investors’ access to lands, building approval, environmental impact analysis and these have enhanced the ease of doing business in Ogun State.

The usual bottlenecks which government removed from its relationship and partnership with private sector, coupled with massive investment in infrastructure such as roads, bridges, pipe-borne water, education, health and electricity is the magic behind the increased internally generated revenue.

Vandalisation and Power Supply

Bisi Koyejo

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program on Channels TV recently highlighted the awfully negative effect of vandalisation of gas pipelines , nationwide , on the poor state of electricity generation and distribution in Nigeria . While security agencies bosses interviewed on Channels insisted that they were doing their best to protect Nigeria’s vital power assets they admitted that they faced an uphill task in guaranteeing the security and functionality of these very important pipelines .Experts on the TV program were at pains to point out that the pipelines carried gas needed to generate electricity for transmission and distribution to Nigerian electricity consumers and this would just be impossible in the face of such successful and persistent vandalization bordering on economic sabotage with impunity .

Given such a bad situation on generation of power which is bound to affect its transmission and subsequent delivery , one is really taken aback by the insistence of a section of the power industry especially the trade unions

to vilify the distribution companies involved in electricity delivery for poor electricity supply and going on to accuse them of exploitation of the Nigerian masses for the new tariffs approved for them sometime ago . Undoubtedly the Labor Unions influenced the Senate in stopping the new tariffs which has led to the regulator of the electricity industry the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission , NERC , taking the Senate to Court . With the Unions hailing the Senate with which it never sees eye to eye on anything as quite patriotic in illegally stopping the tariff approved legitimately by the body empowered to do so legally in Nigeria .

The Channels program has been an eye opener to many Nigerians who smelt a rat in the ever ready and incessant castigation of the distribution companies called discos . From experience on privatization matters we thought it was just a case of sour grapes stemming from resentment of the new disco owners because of the huge capital they had put into the business . We thought that the unions wanted to show the new owners of the discos that unions have to be recognized as before when the distribution was a public sector affair even though the unions know fully well the owners of discos

were hard nosed Nigerian businessmen who had put their huge investment into the power sector because they believe in the Nigerian economy . No one expected the labor unions ,in full knowledge of the problem of vandalisation nationwide to be leading the fight to call the dog a bad name in order to hang it in the way and manner they have championed the cause of vilifying the discos for poor electricity supply in the face of rampant vandalisation of pipe lines expected to be used to generate electricity in the first instance .

To Nigerians who watched that Channels program the unions have been misleading the Nigerian public in painting the discos as power sharks exploiting Nigerians in the supply of electricity when indeed it is fellow Nigerians vandalizing the gas pipelines nationwide who should be held responsible for a sheer act of sabotage or outright hostility and felony or even high treason .

As patriotic and much respected public institutions in the labor market , the union leaders are enlightened enough to know that without regular electricity Nigeria can never make it in terms of economic development . Without economic development the fate of the Nigerian worker is to suffer and struggle

The migration of investors and industries to the state had really helped develop the economy of the state in terms of wealth creation, employment opportunities, internally generated revenue, tax remittance, corporate social responsibilities, among others.

The emergence of Amosun’s administration five years ago marked a new beginning in the state’s effort to once again fulfil the dreams of its Founding Fathers.

Looking back into the last 62 months of the administration coupled with the celebration of the 40 years anniversary of the creation of Ogun State on February 3 this year, Ogun definitely has a lot to roll out the drums for and thank God. The state has successfully risen to address the critical questions of development in all its ramifications.

The Amosun administration has continued to sustain the drive to attract investors to the State. It is on record that as at today, close to 100 industries have berthed in the State.

It has continued to hold its investors’ forum despite the economic crunch. The third in the series was recently held on May 10 & 11. This has been a veritable platform for investors across all sectors of the nation’s economy to tap into the abundant resources that is prevalent in our State.

The just concluded edition which was tagged, ‘’Emerging Economic Power House,’’ dwelt extensively on Agriculture, Environment and Transportation. The overwhelming advantage from all these fora includes, but not limited to, an opportunity to cross- fertilize ideas with the international community, multilateral agencies, industrialists, eminent personalities and experts from all walks of life.

It has also been a source of feedback mechanism for the state to identify and assess its strengths, weaknesses, and unleash the latent opportunities that abound in Ogun State.

As a corollary of this initiative, Ogun State has remained an investment destination of choice in Nigeria, with almost 100 companies already in full swing and more in the pipelines.

Governor Amosun has not deviated from his responsibilities since he came on board for the second term on May 29, 2015.

His first tenure was, without mincing words, a display of dogged determination, resilience, resoluteness and the unflinching commitment to the Mission to Rebuild Ogun State as envisioned in the FiveCardinal Programmes of the ruling All Progressives’ Congress (APC).

However, all the achievements would not have been possible without the collective commitment, dedication, perseverance, and endless co-operation of the entire citizens of the state.

––(Durojaiye, a former Editor of Daily Independent Newspaper, Lagos, is Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Amosun)

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to live always on subsistence level . Yet the objective of trade unions is to promote the progress and economic welfare of the Nigerian worker . The unions will do this better if they join hands with the security agencies in stopping those vandalizing our pipelines and making the generation of electricity an uphill if not impossible task .

They can mobilise their millions of workers positively in this regard so that they can keep their jobs in the dwindling numbers of industries and factories with spiraling fixed and running costs of running their generators and standby generators to produce goods and services to keep our economy running . If the gencos and discos work well the electricity tariffs will be more beneficial to workers and the economy and such success will rub off on the trade unions which will be seen as champion of the masses . Which will be a more honest and commendable way to promote the fortune of the Nigerian worker far more productive and patriotic than the present deceit of blaming discos for poor electricity supply when we all know that vandalisation of our gas pipelines by fellow Nigerians is the real culprit.

Koyejo, an analysts, writes from Bauchi

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

PERSPECTIVE The Rise and Rise of Dictatorship in Nigeria Law Mefor

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ow does one place a democracy that brooks zero opposition? It is one imperiled by its own kind and inherent contradictions, one bent on destroying itself. The point made here is that there are self-destructs obstinately being pursued by those who should protect democracy in Nigeria. These individuals care not about the consequences and every day, they inch closer to enveloping the nation in total dictatorship.

Many may feign ignorance – or think that those being blackmailed and hounded have no right whatsoever but to serve out their assumed sentences handed down to them through media mob trial – but the danger remains that, dictatorship is on steeply rise in Nigeria. No one man is good enough to enjoy absolute powers over others and that is why Nigerians chose democracy.

The nation cannot afford to practice dictatorship in place of democracy for its inherent dangers. It has never worked anywhere. The All Progressives Congress, APC, carries on as if they have no care in the world and as if they have Nigeria by the tail, forgetting that Goodluck Jonathan who probably felt the same way just left power abruptly for the same Party that is today, doing all it could to strangulate democracy.

Let the fact, which is in the public domain, be emphasized: credible opposition voices are now muffled and hounded, using anti-corruption agencies, which appear to be back to playing the old script of doing the bidding of any government in power. They carry out arrests before carrying out investigations and take their trumped up charges to court to obtain withholding orders and thereafter, dump their victims in prison and insist on them bringing the money being alleged without judicial pronouncements or ruling. These extrajudicial actions of the anti-corruption agencies are undisguisedly calculated to intimate opposition voices into complicit silence.

Many instances abound. The travails of Olise Metu soon gave way to that of Femi Fani-Kayode and then to that of Governor Ayo Fayose, who despite enjoying immunity as Governor, had his personal account with Zenith Bank frozen. This is a blatant disregard of provisions of S308 of

Fani-Kayode the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which grants Fayose immunity from prosecution. You may ask how freezing Fayose’s accounts affect his immunity. Well, according to the EFCC Act, the Commission cannot freeze a Governor’s accounts without a court order. And to obtain a court order EFCC has to institute civil or criminal proceedings against such a Governor. But S308 CFRN prevents EFCC from doing so yet they went ahead to freeze Fayose’s bank account, thus becoming law unto itself.

How else does dictatorship come home to roost if not in fragrant disregard for the rule of law, due process, abuse of court process and violation of human rights and impunity?

As if these ugly examples are not enough, the executive arm has trumped up charges of forgery and conspiracy against the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. It is a well-orchestrated fact that since the emergence of the duo as Senate President and Deputy, the powers

that be have been trying all tricks in the book to unseat them. The APC Party leadership has been riled up that Saraki became Senate President against their directive and Ike Ekweremadu, emerging his deputy from opposition PDP, to them, is also inconceivable despite the constitutional provisions for it.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal trial was quickly contrived and Justice Danladi Umar, who himself is said to be on administrative bail with the EFCC, may have seen a golden chance to play the ‘good boy’ with the case the Bureau he chairs buried for over a decade but today, he feels good pulling all the monkeyshines. The Senate has continued both in their solidarity with their leader and statutory duties of law making and oversight. Ekweremadu, perhaps the most experienced Senator in the Red Chamber, after David Mark, as Saraki’s deputy has ensured there is no lacuna in the Senate business each time Saraki has to attend the CCT day-to-day trial.

The even keel, which the Senate has enjoyed despite the distraction, has ruffled more feathers and a new ploy is now trumped up by charging both men for forgery of the Senate Rules with which they both emerged as presiding officers. Strangely, the Nigerian Police, which I understand, never questioned Ekweremadu and Saraki on the matter, once submitted a report to the Attorney General, in which no mention was made of the two, let alone indicting them.

One then wonders why the Attorney General is heading to court with criminal charges without the Police ever questioning these ultimate leaders of the Legislative Arm or the Senate officially complaining that their Rules were forged.

The motive is, without a doubt, targeted at embarrassing the presiding officers and ridiculing the Senate. It does appear also it is aimed at physically removing the two principal officers and forcing a change in leadership starting with the emergence of Senate President pretempore in the even of their absence.

The Senators saw through the witchhunting of Saraki quite early and naturally chose to support the leaders who they constitutionally and freely chose for themselves and this solidarity is likely to be sustained in the face of the fresh onslaught. Lovers of democracy and the international community need to come alive in the face of the mounting threat to dethrone democracy and to force one party dictatorship on a pluralistic environ-

ment such as Nigeria.

Like the Senate itself noted, it is either the Attorney General and APC leaders behind this action lack the understanding of the underlining principles of constitutional democracy, the concept of Separation of Powers, checks and balances and parliamentary convention or they just simply do not care if the present democracy in the country survives or collapses in their blinded determination to get Saraki and Ekweremadu by all means.

In response to this latest plot directed at forcing a change of leadership, the Senate should rise more determinedly to fight for its independence. Under General Olusegun Obasanjo, such trampling on the legislature was rampant but the National Assembly soon learned to rebuff the executive excesses and that was why the desperate attempts of the executive to remove Ken Nnamani as Senate President and Ghali Umar Na’ Abba as Speaker both failed and won for the legislature its independence. Legislators of those eras made it possible. The present-day legislators are even in a better position to defend their forte and curb what is fast becoming executive rascality and dictatorship.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rules of the Senate and how the institution elects its leadership are internal affairs and each Senate is given a set of Rules by the bureaucracy. The Senate, after being sworn and proclaimed, may amend the Rules if it so desires. Those claiming that the Rules of the 7th Senate should bind the 8th, are only being fantastically mischievous, and should tell Nigerians who produced the Rules with which the Senate was proclaimed in 1999.

Nigerians need to be reminded that the same Rules being beguiled produced even the Minister of Justice and AttorneyGeneral (who is calling it fake) and all the ministers and 2016 Budget and all the confirmations made so far by this same Senate since they were all done based on the same purported forged Rules. If the 2015 Rules book is fake, then the AGF, Budget, etc are fake because you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. The executive cannot approbate and reprobate and call it justice.

Charging the Senate’s presiding officers to court over a matter already declared as “purely a domestic legislative affairs of the Senate” is, therefore, the height of executive rascality, impunit, and meddlesomeness that must be codemned by all.

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Hard Times is Boom Time for Scammers Mark Neboh

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he incidence of scams, be it financial, political or religious scam, have always been present in human trajectory of life as evidenced in many investigative, legal and journalistic materials available today.

There are, however, a number of factors that give rise to the crime of scam, worthy of mention.

The first happens to be the issue of family structure and child upbringing method.

The family being the primary medium of early human education remains a strong point of reference in our mind which influences our future actions. The child unwittingly watches and copies the utterances and behavior of his or her parents believing ingenuously that it symbolises the right attitude to societal lifestyle.

Common sense amply demonstrates that the smaller the family size, the easier for parents to give appropriate attention to each child’s upbringing.

The second reason happens to be the neighbourhood one resides. This actually determines to a great extent the type of friends the child keeps, as well as the

corresponding influences he or she acquires as he or she goes into maturity.

As the saying goes; tell me with whom you go and I will tell you who you are. We all know that it is in fact not easy to restrict free dissemination of what transpires in an over-crowded neighbourhood setting.

It therefore follows that it will take extra effort by parents to dissuade the child that most of what he or she sees or hears are not the correct societal attitude.

The subject of this write-up, however, remains the relationship between Hard Times and Scams. This linkage has always been evident in human reality because life itself has continually presented different facets of combined up and down periods.

During hard times the human instinct spurs him or her to search for a quick solution to assuage the imminent anguish.

In the context of this truth as present in our country Nigeria today, the PMB government is putting in place a number of mandatory fiscal measures aimed at enforcing the checks and balances necessary to control the excesses that have persisted in our fiscal system for decades.

These fiscal measures have brought about limited extravagant spending on the part of public and private organisations,

thereby reducing considerably the usual extra cash flow in circulation.

Most Nigerians are not accepting, easily, this sudden economic downward alteration no matter how optimistic the promised end results are sounding. The tendency of man to consider short-cut solutions in the face of prevailing difficulty is pushing some feeble minded citizens to accept all manner of promises of quick way out from individuals both known and unknown.

Take the case of this working class woman who, days after the loss of her ATM Card, received a phone call from an unknown person who posed as a bank official, telling her that her ATM Pin has to be updated without which she might not be issued a new ATM card. The caller demanded details of her ATM Pin which the naïve woman gave out. At the end the obvious happened and the poor woman had nothing left in her bank account.

Consider also another pathetic case of this unfortunate family whose child had developed a strange illness. The inexperienced parents, after treating the child with some prescriptions drugs suggested by a nearby chemist shop owner, decided to take him to a miracle Pastor. The Pastor,

being one the many sharp-knife new generation brands, at that point made promises of quick healing but demanded some money to buy the religious materials needed to perform the miraculous healing.

The demands went on one after another until the family exhausted their savings.

It was in their attempt to borrow some more money to send to the miracle Pastor that someone told them his own child had suffered a similar illness and directed the family to the state hospital were the child was treated by specialists and the illness was cured.

In each of the cases above, the victims were quite naïve. Worst still they had limited back-up funds to keep them going on, as such, they desperately wanted a quick solution to their predicament. This led them to accept promises of quick solutions from individuals not well known to them.

The list of these fraudsters’ schemes is endless. The lesson that everyone should learn is that scammers/fraudsters are always nearby waiting to take advantage of our weak moment to rip us off our hard earned money. Bearing this single fact

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

AGF and the Emerging Civilian Junta Zacheaus Adebayo

I

write this piece from the bottom of my heart as a patriot with the full conviction that at the rate we are going, there would be nothing left of our democracy by 2019 when President Mohammadu Buhari’s first term comes to an end-unless we cut down the rising excesses of the President and his Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami.

Nigerians were upbeat when the media reported Buhari had penciled down Femi Falana for the position of Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). That unfortunately was not to be. Also, hope rose when late James Ocholi (SAN) was rumoured, especially given his exceptional performance at the Senate screening. The media later reported that Ocholi was skipped because he was a principled attorney who could not be pushed around. The lot then fell on Malami.

However, the first sign that Malami would spell disaster for Nigeria’s democracy was the maiden media chat by President Buhari in December 2015. Fielding questions on the continued detention of the leader of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, despite court ruling to the contrary, Buhari replied that “If you see the atrocities these people committed against this country, we can’t allow them to jump bail”. Ironically, the same Buhari in March this year pledged Nigeria’s total support for the secession of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara) from Morocco.

Truth be told, a country whose President is both the executive and judiciary is in full grips of junta rule. A glaring evidence is the Kogi governorship poll where the leading candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu died after the polls, but only for Mr. Malami to direct INEC to request the APC to bypass James Faleke, Audu’s running mate, to nominate Yahaya Bello as replacement Expectedly, Governor Bello, with Buhari’s backing has been bullying everyone to submission in order to consolidate his feeble holds on power. The

Bukola Saraki Kogi State House of Assembly became the first casualty when five out of 25 members purportedly ‘impeached’ the Speaker, Jimoh Lawal.

To cut a long tale short, both chambers of the National Assembly passed a joint resolution to takeover the duties of the Kogi Assembly in line with Section 11 of the Constitution and directed the police to seal off the complex. But, the executive defied this constitutional directive on the AGF’s leprous excuse that the matter was in court.

With the obvious support of the FG, the five rascally lawmakers, which did not constitute one thirds (quorum) of the Assembly continued to seat and even ‘passed’ the 2016 Budget of Kogi State, an illegal contraption based on which Governor Yahaya is spending the money of Kogi State.

Also, when the court reinstated the supposedly impeached Speaker, the military stormed the complex and the majority lawmakers.

Also, in the case of MTN, the Attorney-

General unilaterally slashed the fine incurred by the telecommunications giant from N1.04 Trillion to N330 billion, an action not supported by any known Nigerian law. Some Members of the House of Representatives sued him over this arbitrariness.

The National Assembly is now at the receiving end of Malami’s partisanship and unprofessionalism. Not only does he placed himself above the parliament and court orders, he has dabbled into Senate’s internal affairs.

It is a well-known practice and convention that the National Assembly bureaucracy produces the Standing Order for each new Senate or House of Representatives, hence the existence of Senate Standing Order 1999 up to 2015.

The Standing Order used by the previous Senate is not binding on the succeeding one.

In 2007, Senator George Akume who was then a fresh Senator vied against Senator David Mark (a two-term Senator) for the office of Senate President even though the defunct Standing Rule/ Order 2003 did not support such. But the former Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Arab, allowed him as the 2003 Order elapsed with the 5th Senate.

So, when Akume joins the Senate Unity Forum to allege forgery of 2015 Rules, I shudder at such unabashed hypocrisy.

Besides, assuming, but without conceding, that there was forgery, how does what transpired in the National Assembly from 4th June 2015 when the 7thSenate ended and both Saraki and Ekweremadu ceased to be Senators to 9thJune 2015 when they were re-inaugurated like every other new Senator, concern them?

It is, therefore, not surprising that none of the two gentlemen were named by the petitioners or those interrogated by the police or the police report itself. The police did not also invite or interrogate them, hence they made no statements to the police. The question agitating the minds of Nigerians is how did the AGF generate their names for trial.

The ruling in 28th June 2016 by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of Federal High Court,

Abuja, bares the show of desperation, “gross abuse of legal process”, and absence of public interest in the ongoing prosecution of the Senate presiding officers by the AGF. There were pending civil suits regarding the alleged forgery before the Federal High Court, with one of them challenging the legality of the police report. It had Malami as a counsel to Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, one of the defendants and scribe of the Senate Unity Forum, before his appointment as AGF. There were also previous rulings connected to the suit in which the Hon. Justice Kolawole made it clear that “the issues as relating to the Senate Rules or Standing Orders are firstly, a purely domestic legislative matter”.

However, ruling on Senator Gilbert Nnaji’s ex-parte application protesting the decision of the AGF to slam criminal charges on Saraki and Ekweremadu before an FCT High Court while the police investigation and report, which the criminal charges rely on is subject of a litigation, Justice Kolawole, held that it was ordinarily the responsibility of the AGF to discontinue such suits against the Senate’s presiding officers once it was called to his attention that there was subsisting suit challenging the police investigation and report.

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

Read full article online: www.thisdaylive.com

The Looming Kenyan IEBC Gamble: Voice From Abroad

A

Abdullahi Usman

s a foreigner from far away distant land, perhaps, one should better harken to that timeworn diplomatese that expressly speaks about respect and noninterference in matters involving another country. But if one may take the liberty to offer an opinion strictly as a concerned fellow African with an abiding interest in the democratic and electoral consolidation on the continent, my humble advice, for all that it is worth, would simply be that we do not always have to throw away the baby with the bath water. Sadly, that has often been the practice with our numerous Elections Management Bodies (EMBs) in several jurisdictions all across Africa.

For some as yet rather inexplicable reasons, we somehow seem to always find a way to discredit our electoral commissions in order to provide the necessary grounds to do away with the existing team and pave the way for the appointment of entirely fresh hands, ahead of every upcoming or new round of elections. It is very sad to note, rather unfortunately, that would appear to be the case with the ongoing debate around the leadership of one of Africa’s highly respected EMBs, the Kenyan

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), at the moment.

In so doing, however, we inexorably end up depriving the commission, nay the country at large, of the inherent benefits associated with the consolidation, refinements and continuous improvements in the electoral process that often come with having the same team conduct more than one election over the course of their constitutionally stipulated tenure. The case of the Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan - led Ghanain, and Dr. Christiana Thorpe - led Sierra Leonean, Electoral Commissions in West Africa, which conducted several elections over the course of their respective tenures (6 elections for Dr. Gyan and 2 for Mrs. Thorpe), immediately comes to mind in that regard.

It is, indeed, not for nothing that several well established electoral jurisdictions the world over, consider it best practice to stagger the appointment of their electoral teams in such a manner as to ensure that the tenure of at least half of the existing commissioners always overlaps with that of a new set of appointees, just so as to provide the much needed continuity that is so vital to the critical job they carry out as an EMB. The wholesale appointment of a new team into such an important body or, indeed, total replacement of the existing one, especially coming just around, or so close to the election period, often carries

with it, the inherent risks of causing needless disruptions and avoidable problems around the conduct of the election itself; a situation we must collectively seek to prevent as Africans, as much as we all possibly can.

Having said that, one is not, in any way, trying to play down or belittle your rights, as Kenyans, to raise legitimate issues or concerns around your electoral system as a whole, or, indeed, your elections management body as presently constituted. But the solution, perhaps, better lies in isolating whatever those specific principal concerns might be, and addressing them well ahead of your upcoming elections, rather than doing away with the current IEBC team so late in the day; and I am talking from experience as a concerned brother from Nigeria, who was deeply involved, and has witnessed, first hand, the immense benefits of having the same team conduct more than one election for what would eventually turn out to be the first time in our electoral history.

Your next general elections slated for August 2017 may, indeed, seem so far away on the face of it. But, believe me, 14 months is a relatively short period when it comes to putting in place the necessary operational structures and logistical requirements for such a huge undertaking as organising national elections in the contemporary African context, with all the hugely daunting and

often considerably overbearing social, environmental and infrastructural challenges that often come with the territory.

This is scarcely enough time for any new Commission to settle down to learn the ropes, having gone through your country’s famously rigorous appointment processes, and still be able to prepare well enough to deliver on your citizens’ massive expectations and collective aspirations for a free, fair and credible electoral process within this limited period; and you should, quite honestly, not follow that perilous road at this particular moment.

Any move in that direction, at this point, will be inauspicious and amount to nothing but a big and unnecessary gamble, at a time the IEBC needs all the support and encouragement it can get from all quarters to prepare for the huge task ahead, and must be avoided at all costs, in my view. The country’s leadership and its entire citizenry from all political persuasions will, therefore, do well to resist the temptation to attempt any risky experimentation with a new IEBC in order to avert the possible complications that may accompany such an ill-advised move. As Marylynn Longsdon rightly cautions; “if your life suddenly takes a turn for the worse, remember you are the one who is driving”.

–Abdullahi Usman (usmanabd@gmail. com) (PA to former INEC Chairman)

THISDAY, THe SATurDAY NewSpAper • JULY 9, 2016

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PERSPECTIVE

Death of IDPs: Kashim Shettima Waits for Jonathan’s Call To put an end to this carnage of disturbing proportions, I wish to appeal to former president Goodluck Jonathan to place a call to Alhaji Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno State, perhaps that is all he needs to wake up to the enormous responsibility that fate has placed on him, and save us the embarrassment of warlike images from his domain

Jude Ndukwe

T

he IDPs have been languishing from hunger and dying in droves while Nigerians out there have been made to believe all along that the victims were being taken good care of. At least, that was what the governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima had made us believe until Nigerians came to know the truth.

As recently as April 2016, the governor had told the world in a keynote address he presented at the first annual dialogue on Rebuilding Peace in Borno State organized by AOA Global, a humanitarian advocacy group, that Internally Displaced Persons consume a whopping 1,800 bags of 50 kilogrammes of rice daily. That number represents three trailer loads of rice.

Daily?

Before this time, the state’s former deputy governor, late Alhaji Zanna Mustapha, had some time in December 2014, told the world that the Borno State government was spending a humongous N600m monthly to feed IDPs in only 20 out of the 27 local government areas in the state.

However, despite this supposed huge investments by the State, very disturbing reports came out from the camps recently of people especially children dying of malnutrition in the camps in Borno State. One of the reports had it that, at least, 30 children were dying from the phenomenon almost daily while there were about 1,233 graves of citizens who died of acute malnourishment out of which 480 were children’s discovered by Medecins Sans Frontiers.

In a bid to cover up their negligence and corruption, some government officials had claimed that the children were already malnourished in Boko Haram camps where they were held captive before being rescued. But this story does not sell and cannot sell unless such officials want us to believe like it is being mouthed in some quarters that the purported rescued Chibok girls noise was stage-managed. For how can you not have prepared for a thing and time like this as a State playing host to the world’s deadliest terror group? Were Shettima and his partners not aware that unlike the purported stage-managed rescued Chibok girls, the reality of such rescue is that the victims would need intensive care?

Why would Nigerians who survived the onslaught of the dreaded sect for years showing resilience while in captivity be left to die after regaining freedom? Why would those who were forced to live in Sambisa die in Bama?

Why would children live under Shekau but die under Shettima? Even if their conditions were so desperately hopeless, does it mean that the government of Shettima did not make adequate provisions medically and otherwise for such situations despite the hundreds of millions bandied about as the sums expended on taking care of the IDPs? Those innocent Nigerians had no reason whatsoever to die once rescued from Boko Haram! Their rescue should have been a

Shettima joyous journey back to life and not a sad, pathetic and shameful one to death! And just like the outgoing USA Ambassador to America, James Entwistle asked recently, “Nigerians are dying of starvation in Nigeria. How can that be?”

Indeed, how can that be?

If the Doctors Without Borders could have an inpatient therapeutic centre in Maiduguri where they immediately referred 16 of these malnourished and dying children to, nurture them back to life with utmost and intensive care, the Borno State governor and members of his team should be held responsible for the needless and avoidable deaths of citizens directly in their care!

They should be made to account for all the donations both in cash and in kind that have come the way of the IDPs through the state government from foreign countries, local and international donor

organizations, corporate entities, NGOs, religious organizations, individuals etc.

Another fact we must not gloss over is the reality that some of these children actually became malnourished while in the camps as we have heard of how officials shortchange the IDPs in the distribution of food and medicines. Obviously, somebody somewhere is feeding fat at the expense of these vulnerable children who deserve our all in order to be alive. That is the height of heartlessness.

Maybe Kashim Shettima is still waiting for former president Jonathan to call him before he wakes up to his responsibilities just like he lamented in the wake of the Chibok saga that the former president did not call him until after 19 days following the incident. He declared this as one of his defence for his poor handling of the

Chiobk issue, and when he was reminded that he, as the chief security officer of the state should have reached out to Jonathan, he said he did not reach out to the former president because he assumed that he would have been briefed! Briefed by whom?

If a governor could think and act this way then, how do we expect such a ruler to be able to handle even more intricate matters of nurturing dying children back to life? It is such act of carelessness and incompetence that Shettima has grown with to the extent that he cannot take care of a small proportion of citizens put under his care. Or, is he still waiting for Jonathan’s call. His excuses so far for this inexplicable and unfortunate occurrence are at best lame in reason and defective in intelligence.

This is the effect of politicising serious matters just for mundane purposes. If Shettima and his team had used the Chibok matter as a learning process rather than as a divisive tool, if they had focused on the larger picture rather than on the narrow prism of pulling Jonathan down, they would by now have appreciated the enormity of the catastrophe staring them in the face, and would have risen to the challenge rather than sacrifice those innocent citizens including children in desperate need of the care of a certain governor and his officials.

To put an end to this carnage of disturbing proportions, I wish to appeal to former president Goodluck Jonathan to place a call to Alhaji Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno State, perhaps that is all he needs to wake up to the enormous responsibility that fate has placed on him, and save us the embarrassment of war-like images from his domain.

––jrndukwe@yahoo.co.uk; Twitter: stjudendukwe

HEALTH

FCTA Launches Fight against Bird Flu, to Vaccinate Livestock Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

T

he FCT Administration has announced its plan to control the resurgence of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in the territory.

FCT Malam Muhammad Musa Bello made this disclosure Friday after a meeting with the some senior workers of the FCT Agriculture and Rural Development.

He said the measures would entail

the holistic fumigation of poultry farms across the territory in addition to the registration of poultry farmers in the entire 8,000 square kilometres area.

The minister, who was represented by the Acting Secretary of Agriculture and Rural development, Dr. Musa Abubakar Aliyu, said the annual vaccination and treatment of livestock herd in the FCT would begin later this month.

The exercise which was last held in 2013, will focus mainly on livestock

in the grazing areas of Gwagwaglada, Old Gawu, Fulani herds in Abaji, Bwari, Karshi, Kwali, Kuje and Yaba.

It will be flagged off in Paikon-Kore Grazing Reserve in the Gwagwalada Area Council.

Bello described the programme as testimony of the commitment of FCTA towards reviving the agriculture sub-sector. He reiteratedt the readiness of the administration to support and encourage livestock farmers to embrace settlement in grazing reserves, saying this will prevent the outbreak

of infectious diseases of livestock as well as provide treatment for the infected ones. He emphasised that the programme will create effective communication network and synergy with livestock farmers towards the growth of the livestock industry in the territory.

“This will not only generate employment to the teeming youth in the Federal Capital Territory but would also boost income and generate wealth especially for the livestock farmers,” he said.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES BY

EBERE WABARA

THISDAY on Peter Obi

F

or the first time since this column began here, I want to depart from media critique and appreciate this medium’s prose on an exemplary personage.

At the weekend I stumbled on a testamentary document that profusely profiled the immediate-past governor ofAnambra State, Mr. Peter Obi. It is a very instructive testimonial in this age of pervasive corruption. Come along with me as we voyage into the enthronement of a good name that is better than silver and gold.

Little wonder Obi left N75 billion in the coffers of the state at the glorious end of his eventful tenure! There may have been a few changes in the portfolios below, but they do not subtract from the underpinings of the evergreen recognition. This also explains why former President Goodluck Jonathan made him an integral icon of his transformational government. Equally significant is Obi’s profound appreciation by the Papacy. It is rare in our perverse generation to find a man that robustly achieves both secular and Catholic quintessence.

According to the Debt Management Office (DMO),Anambra is among the least indebted states in Nigeria.And in the words of the European Union (EU) ambassador to Nigeria, David Macrae, “EU has always emphasized on proper management of money. That is why it is important to have people of high integrity like Peter Obi.” “Obi’s commendable performance in office led us to classify his government as reformist,” affirms the Head ofAffairs and Country Representative of DFID, Dr. Richard Montgomery.

How many past and serving governors have

these kinds of testaments? This is what informed the choice of today’s subject. There is nothing that can be compared to a good name in a man’s life.

Credibility is everything.

The World Bank Country Director, Mr. Omo Ruhi, described our focus as “an exceptional leader and very prudent in financial management and I believe his interest is to better the lots of his people which to my mind is very remarkable.”

“Obi was the first governor to visit my office to discuss how to fight poverty in his state and remained determined and dogged by initiating effective economic empowerment programmes,” enthuses the National Coordinator of NAPEP, Dr. Magnus Kpakol.As we go ahead, take note of the calibre of people testifying to Obi’s reputational record.

Yet another endorsement from the former Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Bank of Industry, Evelyn Oputa: “Obi was the first governor on assumption of office to approach the Bank of Industry for collaboration to create job opportunities for the people of the state.

He understands the dynamics of the economy.”

THISDAY, obviously Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper on business and politics, notes thus: “Obi, the (former) Governor ofAnambra State, has established a reputation for transparency and budget discipline, a development that is believed to have saved the state treasury substantial amounts of money in the awards and execution of contracts. Obi is known for his tight scrutiny of contracts being awarded by his government.”

The Chairman,Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council and traditional ruler of Onitsha, HRM ObiAlfredAchebe, adds royalty to the encomia: “Obi has created the enabling

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

environment to fast track industrial growth and development, including attracting companies such as SABmiller toAnambra State. Through steady positive transformation, the former governor restored peace and stability to the state, thus encouraging the people of the state to live dignified life.”

Yet another avowal: “I am delighted to learn thatAnambra is among UNICEF’s strongest partners in Nigeria. I commend Obi for his commitment to children, prompt payment of counterpart funding, involvement in the development of education, scaling up of skill acquisition centres and giant strides in the Milennium Develoment Goals and leadership in Water and Sanitation Programme,”declares UNICEF Chief of Office, Enugu, Mr. Charles Nzuki.

Even before the recent Papal acknowledgement of Obi’s devout spirituality, the Rev. Peter JasperAkinola of Nigeria had made his own referential statement: “Peter Obi is a special gift from God and should be celebrated for his passion for the people of the state, his commitment to good governance, provision of basic things of life such as good roads, water, and health and education facilities, among others.”

The laudatory remarks continue with this terse intervention by the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu shortly before his translation: “Peter Obi is the practical hope the people of Anambra have experienced and believe in. He represents goodness.”

According to Dr. Onyekachi Ikpeazu (SAN), “In the near future, people will realise that the Peter Obi administration is the best thing that has happened in the state.” In the same breath, Prof. Pat Utomi asserts that “Obi is a thinker who deploys ideas trying to change the value frame of his people so that they can achieve

longer sustainable values.”And from Prof. Ilochi Okafor, former VC, UNIZIK, comes this: “I have not met five men in my life of 60 years who are as decent and urbane as Obi.” The acclamation continues: “Obi has wiped away the tears of our people when they had to bear the burden of incompetent and greedy rulers. He has inspired the youth unto righteousness. His sense of uprightness has reached far and wide. He has become a symbol of reference,” addsArchbishop Jude Okolo,Apostolic nuncio to CentralAfrican Republic and Republic of Chad.

In the words of the Most Revd (Dr.) Valerian Okeke, theArchbishop of Onitsha, “Obi is an education and future-friendly person. He has continued to show that he has the best interest of the state at heart. MayAnambra State never lack a leader like him,” “Obi is always thinking and working through acts of love and philanthropy. He has remained unrelenting in trying to make a difference. He lives an exemplary life and remains committed to building fear of God among our people,” says the Most Revd (Dr.) Hilary Okeke, Catholic Bishop of Nnewi.

What else do I need to reaffirm after these glowing tributes. None of them sounds like the merchandized awards that his peers in and out of government buy from all sorts of distressed organisations struggling for a lifeline through the dispensation of all manner of awards and hawkish recognition to undeserving elements! Okute, amid a profundity of humility, is simply a good man. Can the same things be said of other former and serving governors? This is just a lesson to all public office holders at every level. Let people unsolicitously talk about your goodness.

Freedom for Freetown’s Envoy

T

he recent abduction incident of Sierra Leone’s top diplomat in Nigeria bears two striking ironies that are not only hard to ignore but acerbate the unpleasant news in itself. Added to the shame of a nation which Nigeria’s security situation has become, the seizure of Retired Major General Alfred Claude Nelson-Williams and his recovery days after by security agents, casts some dark shadows on the country in the eyes of the international community. Mr. Nelson-Williams was kidnapped on Friday, July 1 in Kaduna where he had gone to attend or was returning from (depending on which report one read) a passing out parade of the military in the outskirts of the former capital city of Northern Nigeria.

A former Commander of military forces in his home country, Nelson-Williams should hardly have been an easy prey for kidnap kingpins that have made Kaduna some headquarters of sorts of late. That is the first irony. But then it means next to nothing if one recalls that a serving Colonel in the Nigerian Army was whisked away by abductors in same axis just months before. Given the mortal fate which later befell the senior officer as he was found dead, it is mighty relief that the diplomat was recovered alive. Irony number two is that the circumstance of the diplomat’s abduction was related to a military event – the graduation ceremony of cadet pilots of the Nigerian Airforce. Although the details of his travel and abduction are yet to be fully unveiled, it is awkward that the despicable act occurred in connection with the event of a military showcase in Kaduna. Mr. Nelson-Williams was an invited guest in his capacity as the Defence Attaché of the Sierra Leonean mission in Nigeria. It is noteworthy also that he was at the time also the Deputy Head of his country’s mission in Nigeria.

Thank God for the swift response of the Police and other security agencies in Kaduna, otherwise, a diplomatic gridlock would have been set off between Nigeria and her West African neighbor. A big brother relationship Nigeria had rightly gained and maintained with the smaller nation came under serious threat. Recall Nigeria’s sterling role in bringing peace to the once troubled Sierra Leone which was then embroiled in a fratricidal civil war. Under the aegis of ECOMOG, the country had performed brilliantly and creditably to the admiration of the international community in securing peace in the then war-torn nation. There is no way the story of peace in Sierra Leone would be told without lavish acknowledgement of the substantial sacrifice by Abuja. All of those great strides suddenly came under strain as Nelson-Williams wallowed in the unknown world of his abductors.

Tension was already mounting. In fact, Sierra Leone had dispatched a special envoy to Abuja to undertake full responsibility for communication between the kidnappers and the High Commission, according to presidential spokesman, Abdulai Baytraytay who spoke on the matter on Monday in Freetown. President Ernest Bai Koroma, the West African leader, was in “round-the-clock contact” with his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, he added. Though mute was the word from official diplomatic circles in Abuja, signals from the Foreign Affairs Ministry conveyed immense distress

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Retired Major General Claude Nelson Williams

at the unfortunate development. Expectedly, the foreign media got on top of events so much so that the national media relied on reports from them. A report by AFP noted that “Nelson-Williams’s abduction was the first of a Sierra Leone diplomat anywhere in the world since the country gained independence in 1961, foreign ministry sources in Freetown said.” It was a combination of all these pressures that bore on Abuja and directly on the Police and other internal security apparati to move with dizzying speed towards the safe recovery of the diplomat.

Luckily by Tuesday this week the police had good news to tell: “The diplomat has been reunited with the Sierra Leonean High Commissioner (ambassador) and his family,” said Police Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah, who added with a precision often uncommon with the Force: “We were able to locate where he was kept at about 1500 hours. He is in sound health.” As usual with the security agency, it would not comment on speculations that a $40m ransom was demanded by the abductors who remain at large. The police would either disclaim that ransoms were paid for freedom of kidnap victims or simply ignore reports in that regard.

Suffice however, to say that the Police saved the country an

embarrassment of immense proportions. If an untoward fate had befallen the diplomat in captivity, Nigeria would have secured at least some postscript mentions whenever the dastardly story of Dhaka is told. Recall that scores of foreign nationals were killed in a 10 hours horrifying hostage affair in Bangladesh about same period the Kaduna kidnap happened.

Kaduna has taken the lead in respect of recorded high profile kidnap cases in recent times. In March, the Nigeria Army confirmed the death of Col. Samaila Inusa who had taken him captive two days before. “Nigerian Army wishes to regrettably inform the public that Col Samaila Inusa who was kidnapped on Sunday, March 27, 2016 was found dead today (Tuesday, March 29, 2016),” the military announced via Twitter after it mounted a massive manhunt for the abductors, including a N1million reward to any informant with useful information. According to the Army authorities, Inusa before his kidnap was a serving officer at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna. He was reportedly kidnapped at Kamazo Chikkun Local Government Area near NNPC junction, Kaduna by gunmen who dropped off his wife and “left with him in his car and headed towards Abuja.”

Embarrassed by the sheer effrontery of banditry plaguing the State, security agencies rose to the occasion with then Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, deploying an Assistant to be permanently stationed in Kaduna. That move apparently paid off as the Police recently announced the capture of the late Inusa’s abductors-cum-murderers.

But before then in same month of March, the state recorded another forceful seizure of humans, this time a cluster of clergymen. President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, Rev. Emmanuel Dziggau and two other clergy men were reportedly abducted along Kaduna-Abuja Expressway where they had gone to superintend over work on a piece of land being prepared for the church seminary. While two of them regained freedom after about ten days and some undisclosed amount of money exchanging hands between the kidnappers and relatives of those held in captivity, one was confirmed dead due to unknown circumstances.

All of these nefarious activities hitherto alien to Kaduna have put the State Government under pressure. The All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai recently announced plans to deploy ClosedCircuit Televisions (CCTVs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to tackle the rising menace of crime in the state. But beyond CCTVs and drones, the Federal and State Government must rise to the escalating security challenge of kidnapping for ransom facing Kaduna and indeed, other parts of the North.

It is worrisome that a criminal trend which used to be a preponderant occurrence in the Southern part of the country has spread and is gaining ground in the North. The daring attempt on an Army Colonel which ended in very costly fatality and another on a diplomat swiftly saved from going in same mortal finality are sufficient wake up calls on every stakeholder in the business of securing lives and properties to be eternally vigilant. And every stakeholder in this case is you and I; not just the Police and other security outfits.

––Follow writer on Twitter @resourceme

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: The Oba of Lagos, HRM, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu; Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni and the Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, during the Eid el-Fitr celebration at Obalende praying ground in Lagos...recently Photo: Sunday Adigun

L-R: Chairman, Candel Company Limited; Mr. Charles Anudu; Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement, National Agency for Foods, Drugs and Control (NAFDAC); Mr. Shaba Mohammed and the Managing Director, Candel Company Limited; Mr. Emmanuel Kattie; at the media launch of Candel cleamfarm project and raffle draw in Lagos.....recently

L-R: Inspector Kaka Patrick; Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Akinwunmi Oke and Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) ACP, Olatunji Disu; during a training session on the uses of drone to combat crime, at the RRS Head Quarters in Lagos...recently

L–R: Social Mission Manager, Unilever Africa, Avinish Jain; Senior Mistress, Special Duties, Government Day Secondary School, Mrs. Ogu Ogechi Beatrice; Vice Principal Academics, Mrs. Haruna Fatima and the Brand Building Director, Foods, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Ms. Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe, during the knorr green food steps campaign, in Abuja...recently

L-R; Managing Partner, Purple Capital, Mr. Obinna Onunkwo; Architect/Designer of the Mall, Tosin Oshinowo; and National Key Account Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Mrs. Yanju Olomola, at the opening of Shoprite Store, Maryland Mall in Lagos...recently

L-R: Channel Sales Lead/Alliances, West Africa, Netapp, Uzo Atugbokoh; Solutions Architect, Data Centre, Weco Systems, Temitope Oladeji; Systems Engineer, West Africa,NetApp, Akintomide Ogunjobi; and IT Services Manager, UAC Nigeria., Michael Opaleke, at the Weco-NetApp next generation Data Center business transformation workshop in Lagos...recently

L-R: Co-Founder, Believers Connect, Chidi Okocha; Lead Pastor, Elevation Church Lekki, Pastor Godman Akinlabi; and Chief Host, Deep Soul on Rhythm Network, Stephen Ojumuyigbe, at the launch of Believers Connect in Lagos...recently

L-R: Head, Welfare Team, Foundation Faith Church (FFC), Rev. Akintoye Adeoye; Mrs. Paul Audu; the Coordinating Pastor, FFC Lagos and West Africa Province, Rev. Enobong Etteh; his wife, Catherine; Resident Pastor, FFC Jesutedo, Rev. Austin Oriaku; Area Suprintendent, FFC FESTAC, Rev Paul Audu and Elder Adimora at the unveiling of the We Care Centre, in Lagos...recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

ENCOUNTER Asuwete

Nigeria Maritime University Will Take Over 5000 Youths from the Labour Market As the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU) lies idle in the oil gas rich but poor Niger Delta Region, a legal practitioner and human right activist, Ken Asuwete in an encounter with John Iwori in Lagos says that Nigeria, nay Nigerians have a lot to gain from the establishment of the tertiary institution.

H

is voice was clear as the chirping voice of a bird in the dead of the night. As he sat on a chair facing this reporter, the anger in his voice was unmistakable.

That he has an axe to grind in the face of the unfairness and injustice in the land was not in doubt. Ken Asuwete was like his namesake, Ken Sarowiwa, the late playwright and environmental rights campaigner whose life was exterminated by Nigeria’s late former military ruler, General Sani Abacha in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt.

Incidentally, Asuwete also lives in the oil city. It is not only in name and place of domicile that he has in common with the late writer and campaigner. He also shares his passion and doggedness. His campaign is to ensure that the underdevelopment and neglect of the oil bearing communities in the country do not continue with the President Mohammadu Buhari’s led Federal Government in the months ahead. As he speaks with this reporter in an encounter in Lagos this faithful Wednesday morning, the pain that the right thing has not been done for the people that bears the brunt of environmental degradation in Nigeria’s oil exploration over the years was palpable. Asuwete has the zeal and zest. His dream is to ensure that the people in the Niger Delta region get redress. There were many questions as he speaks shortly ahead of a scheduled flight back to the oil city later in the day.

The reporter asked what informed the basis of the position he took on the Minister of Transportation, Right Hon. Rotimi Amaechi’s decision to halt the establishment of the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU) by the Federal Government at the sleepy coastal community, Okerenkoko, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

He stated that it was as a result of the failure of the Federal Government in addressing on a permanent and sustainable basis the issues that border on what Asuwete he called the “dehumanisation of the people of the Niger Region, particularly the youths”.

Having been privileged to be at NMU temporary and permanent sites at Kurutie and Okerenkoko Anyone saying respectively on more than one occasion and the level of physical structures and infrastructural facilities that President on ground, Asuwete was asked whether there was Buhari should not deliberate misinformation on the tertiary institution.

His words: “This is precisely our position when we rescind his order got attracted into this matter. We felt that utterances on the Nigeria made by public officers should not be mere statements bereft of facts, details and truth. We took it upon Maritime University, ourselves to conduct objective investigations. This Okerenkoko on involves visiting the site of the Nigeria Maritime University to see things for ourselves. We did this to the basis that avoid relying on hearsay and lies from some vested there are already interests. What we found onsite was outstanding and it was something that proved the Minister of Nigeria Institute Transportation, Right Hon. Rotimi Amaechi extremely of Transport wrong. It was not just acquisition of land for N13 billion. It is about having sustainable structures Technology (NITT), on ground. It is about having the first maritime university in Nigeria. Massive land running into Zaria, Kaduna State several hectares was reclaimed and made ready for and the Maritime the building of the physical structures already on ground. Money was paid to some of the property Academy of Nigeria owners as compensation. This is a far cry from the (MAN), Oron, Akwa N13 billion for only land acquisition being bandied Ibom State does by the Minister of Transportation which Nigerians are made to believe so as to cast aspersion on the not mean well for initiators of the project. this country. That “As far we are concerned, the outcome of our investigation is one that is saddening. The solution to argument falls flat some of the principal problems in Niger Delta region on the facts on can begin with the Federal Government re-opening the Nigeria Maritime University. Hundreds of youths ground. Who says presently agitating in the Niger Delta region can that we cannot even President if employed be meaningfully engaged or Buhari’s administration orders immediate re-opening have more maritime and commencement of academic activities in the universities in Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko. From our findings, the Nigeria Maritime University can future? take care of the employment of not less than 5000 youths. Our investigations also showed that if this is achieved, it will go a long way in reducing agitation by 60 per cent. This means that the mere re-opening of the university alone will mark the beginning of resolving the numerous challenges facing the people of the Niger Delta region. From there, the Buhari’s administration can begin to expand on this wonder-

ful idea. I am one of those who will give kudos to Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi who initiated, midwifed and ensured that this idea becomes a reality in Niger Delta region. When you compared the Niger Delta with other parts of the country, you will realise that it is a region that is underdeveloped.

This ugly development is happening in spite of the huge income the Federal Government is making daily from the region. Therefore, if President Buhari orders the immediate re-opening of NMU, he will be taking the right step in the right direction to address the agitations and problems in the Niger Delta region. This is important due to the fact that the region needs to be at par with other developed parts of the Nigeria”.

As a way out of the impasse with the agitators, the human right activist averred that the Federal Government should shun the military option as it will only escalate the crisis and lead to the death of innocent persons, especially the weak and vulnerable.

“The Federal Government should stop using the military against the people of the Niger Delta region.

It should stop deceiving the people, especially the youths of Niger Delta region. It needs to consider engaging the youths in a meaningful way, starting with the re-opening of the Nigeria Maritime University”, he said.

He called on the Buhari administration to avoid the pitfalls of the past in addressing the numerous challenges facing the Niger Delta region. The legal practitioner argued that the Federal Government should shun the provisions of palliatives that are not sustainable on the long run. In doing this, he maintained that the Federal Government should show sign of seriousness. According to him, the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report for Ogoni land that has just been launched should be executed immediately.

It is expected that as soon as you launch they are cleaning up immediately. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Let me ask you, since after the formal launching by the Vice President have you heard of any other thing? The execution of the UNEP report beyond the formal launching will also engage up to 2,000 youths.

The human rights activist expressed dismay that

the implementation of policies and programmes of the Buhari’s led Federal Government is contradictory.

His words: “It is sad that an administration that uses every avenue to make public statements that it wants to create jobs is shutting down a university project that has the capacity of absorbing thousands of people in direct and indirect employment. It is not proper for the development of the region. It is not only contradictory but also sad”.

He argued that the people of the Niger Delta region should be allowed to come together. According to him, they should be allowed to enjoy the proceeds that come out from the resources located in the region.

As far as we are concerned, the Federal Government should provide the necessary things that make life meaningful in the region, and then the issue of agitation and restiveness will be a thing of the past.

On the fate of the academic and non-academic staff that have been appointed by the Federal Government for the university including the Pro Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Registrar and Bursar, Asuwete called on President Buhari to direct the Minister of Education to recall them, even as he pointed out that it was wrong to keep these universities appointees on suspension.

“As far as we are concerned, the Federal Government should recall them immediately. How can the Federal Government appoint someone as Pro Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Registrar or Bursar and asked them to stop work? It is part of the injustice and unfairness we are talking about. Even if Buhari does not like their faces because they were appointed by his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, he should appoint some other persons to replace them. A situation where Mr. President asked them to stop work and sit at home is unfair to the appointees and the people of the region.

It is part of the marginalisation and neglect we are talking about. It is unfair!”, he said. He also decried the call for the cancellation of the establishment of the Nigeria Maritime University on the basis that there are existing maritime training institutions such as the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, Kaduna State and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State.

“Anyone saying that President Buhari should not rescind his order on the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko on the basis that there are already Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, Kaduna State and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State does not mean well for this country. That argument falls flat on the facts on ground. Who says that we cannot even have more maritime universities in future?

Statistics from the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the National University Commission (NUC) showed that there are far number of students seeking for admission in less and lesser number of vacancies annually. In other words, not every qualified candidate gets admission into the higher institution annually. The pertinent question to ask is the fate of thousands of qualified candidates who pass JAMB yet do not get admission every year.

“What does that tell you? The present number of training institutions for human capacity development in the country is grossly inadequate. Therefore, a government that has its thinking cap on should seek for avenues to build more training institutions, especially where it is making the bulk of its money rather cancelling or stopping the establishment of a university started by a previous administration just because you hate the people or the promoters.

“Moreover as a country that wants to be taken seriously in the comity of maritime nations, we should not spare efforts to develop the needed manpower for the shipping sector of the economy. This one of the ways we can address the manpower shortage in the maritime industry on the long run. The present method of sending Nigerians to study maritime courses in overseas maritime training institutions is not sustainable due to the downturn in the economy.

For instance, in the Philippines, we have not less than 86 maritime universities and colleges. It may interest you to note that some of these universities and colleges are owned by private individuals. This Asian country population is just 102 million. Yet Nigeria, a country of over 170 million is playing politics with the establishment of its first maritime university. This is ridiculous.

Read full interview online: www.thisdaylive.com

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THISºDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

ENCOUNTER CELESTINA KALU

I Joined the Police Because I Love Power and Hate Intimidation Delta State Police Public Relations Officer Celestina Kalu is a dedicated, smart and beautiful Nigeria Police officer, who hails from Enugu – Agidi village in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Her journey into the Nigeria Police started 12 years ago; which she described as being fulfilling, revealing and rewarding. Honest, straightforward, inventive and sociable, Celestina believes that hard work and determination have kept her in the police just she has risen through the ranks.Recently, she was promoted as the Superintendent of Police. An English Literature graduate of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, she also attended the Commonwealth College of Commerce in Jos, Plateau State. A versatile and approachable police officer, Celestina has served in various commands, including 31 Mopol. She speaks with Oge Ezeliora about her life, the men who openly and secretly admire her, how she maintains beautiful body and the state of security in Delta State

W

Why did you join the Nigeria Police Force? e have an estimated population of about 23 million young people; spread across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, law schools and and othe or she has not had three square meals in a day?

First of all, I love power; I hate intimidation. I also love the police’s uniform on women. Let us say the police uniform drives me crazy. And each time I set my eyes on any force woman their uniform is the first thing I concentrate on – because their uniform makes them look smart and attractive.

Secondly, I love power and most police women are authoritative in nature. All these are what really motivated me and I applied to join the police force today, I am a police officer.

You were recently promoted as a Superintendent Officer of the Nigeria Police; how does it feel?

I am happy. My heart is full of Joy. First and foremost, I give all glory to God for this promotion. I must confess it is not easy. I truly believe God’s time is the best and he has done it. I feel delighted.

I am more determined to carry out my duties diligently because this promotion is geared towards harnessing the enormous potentials among Nigerian police officers. By the special grace of God I will do my best.

Besides being a policewoman, how would you describe yourself as a woman on the home front?

I’m full of live; a cheerful lady. I am just a normal person. Let me call myself a jolly good fellow. I love to read novels, watch movies and interact with my close friends. Although I don’t keep many friends, I love seeing people around me. I am jovial but I can be strict. I am a woman of action. I usually walk the talk; I don’t make noises.

Kalu

As a policewoman, you are ‘hot.’ What’s the secret?

(Laughs) Thank you. Well, certainly those whole cheesy things of taking care of yourself physically, and also mentally; it affects the radiance factor,

you know. When you’re happy, it shows.

I definitely think that looking good is good business. Everything I am today is about God’s blessings upon me. It is not by my own making.

Do you have any regret being a police officer?

Never! I must be sincere with you.

I am so proud of this profession any time any day. I love my job with a passion and I pray to God to safeguard me while in the line of duty. Besides, if my sister wants to join the force, I will encourage her to join – it is not what people feel from the outside about the police that is actually the case. It is absolutely different. In the police force, women are treated with respect, especially if you are a married woman.

They pamper women so much especially if they know you are a married woman. You might even be entitled to some considerations if you have kids to take care of. If there is another life for me to come back after death, I will still join the police force in my next life. It is a very cool and comfortable profession, if you have passion for it. I will encourage any woman that wants to join the police to do so without any trepidation.

But there are challenges – how do you cope?

I stand up to the challenges and I live by them. Let me say, good things don’t come so easily. If you want something you must go for it. There is no profession in this country that does not involve training or challenges. If you are not writing an examination to get promotion, you are attending physical training so that you can be qualified.

You have to be fit to become a police officer. I made up my mind to join the police force, so I take whatever comes with it. Another thing is God’s favour; I believe so much in prayer and God has helped me. I faced a lot before I became what I am today. Maybe that is the reason why I have been able to cope with all challenges that I have encountered. Sometimes, I don’t even feel it when I am passing through any serious training because of the passion I have for the job. I just joined my colleagues to do whatever we are asked to do and at the end of the training, I feel fulfilled.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

55

ENCOUNTER I Am Proud to Be a Policewoman Anytime, Any Day Talking about sexual harassment, I faced it often when I newly joined the police.

It is not a new thing. Sexually harassment is everywhere.

There is no sector of human endeavor where you have men and women working together that there will not be an issue of sexual harassment. I remember then, my seniors would flatter me. Some might even open up to tell me they are interested in me. I just reply them with a smile, politely. What about the people in the public? When they see me in my uniform, they always want to be my friend.

Some will send me unexpected gifts, trace me to my office, and steal my phone number to call me at night How do you cope working in the midst of many men and do you face sexual harassment?

Talking about sexual harassment, I faced it often when I newly joined the police. It is not a new thing. Sexually harassment is everywhere. There is no sector of human endeavor where Celestina Kalu being decorated with her new rank you have men and women working together that there will not be an issue as I speak to you now, has significantly roles in protecting lives and properties of sexual harassment. I remember then, improved from what it used to be. The of individuals. They are responsible for my seniors would flatter me. Some police are really working hard in the maintaining peace and order; upholding might even open up to tell me they state. There is 24-hour patrol in every rule of law and performing their duties are interested in me. I just reply them part of the state. We try to make sure with sensitivity and regard for members with a smile, politely. What about the that the Deltans go to bed with their of the community. people in the public? When they see two eyes closed. We also appreciate me in my uniform, they always want the cooperation and collaboration from How do you cope with your male police to be my friend. Some will send me the state government. The leadership officers? unexpected gifts, trace me to my office, of the Nigeria Police, at national, state In the police we don’t segregate or and steal my phone number to call me and divisional levels, has organised discriminate. We love and respect one at night. What do you expect me to do? several training sessions, seminars another. There is nothing a man can do I can’t stop picking my calls because and conferences to empower police in the job that I cannot do. I may even I don’t want to speak with strangers. officers on how to effectively deal with achieve more than my male counterparts.

When I get angry or when I am not in issues of armed robbers and Kidnap- Considering the fact that I am a woman, a pleasant mood I can respond rudely. pers. Our policemen and policewomen I am going to get some things done. You But when I am in a good mood I politely are working. People have commended know what they say; what a man can explain to them that I am not interested. us for the great work we are doing in do, a woman can do even better. I am Some will back off while some will the state. Before now, it was almost an advocate of gender equality. I have continue to express their interest in impossible for indigenes to come to the occupied important positions in the me until when they notice that I am state during festive periods because past and even when I went on United not giving them any attention. One of rampant criminal activities. Today, Nations and other foreign assignments, day, someone walked into my office everyone can come home to celebrate I stood up to men. My job is to project and told me I am the most beautiful with their families knowing that we the image of Nigeria Police and assist police officer he had ever come across. have ensured that criminal activities the Commissioner of Police to succeed.

I just ignored him and continued my have been arrested. The state is now a And I am fully prepared to do that. work. That is what makes me a public peaceful place; people can even walk relations officer. I should be ready to freely at night without of being attacked As a police officer, do you have time to listen to anybody – be it official, or not. by armed robbers or kidnappers. The socialise?

Besides, my office is an open office so Nigeria Police works 24 hours each Why not? I socialise a lot. I love meetanybody can walk in to visit me. If you day. I thank God we have been able ing people. As a matter of fact, I am a talk about sexual harassment from men to reduce crime rate in Asaba. member of Rotary Club where I spend either through phone calls, physical However, Deltans should report time with my friends. I was immediate visits, I know how to handle it and I any strange movements to the Nige- past chairman of the club. In our club, take it as a compliment. ria Police doing so by calling or going we socialise a lot. We also run charity to the nearest police station. This is programmes like donating gift items to Delta Sate used to be the kidnappers why people are advised to know the the less privileged, helping the widows and armed robbers’ den. What is the telephone numbers of the Divisional and rendering voluntary services to the situation now?

Police Officers or station phone numbers community. We do a lot of things just to The security situation of Delta State close to them. The police play important help the poor in my club. So if I am not

I HaveAdmirersinthe Police and AmongCivilians

working in the office, I am in my club with our members or relaxing at home.

You prefer being in casual clothes; do you have native attires in your wardrobe?

Not really; I don’t feel comfortable in traditional clothes although if an event calls for it, I will put it on.

Do you wear casuals to your village meetings?

(Laughs) They know I am a force lady and I don’t like wearing traditional clothes or tying wrapper. So they don’t even complain if I wear my regular trouser suits to their meetings.

What is your best colour?

Black; I have lots of black clothes in my wardrobe aside that, I love black clothes.

How do you make out time to care for your kids?

My children are independent.

They are old enough to take care of themselves. I have two lovely daughters and two sons. I speak with them every day. They don’t even feel my absence because we are very close. Most weekends they visit me and when I am less busy I also travel home to spend time with them.

What turns you off?

Lies; I hate lies so much because I am a woman of truth.

What can’t find you be found doing and wearing?

Smoking; you can never find me smoking and I cannot wear bikini.

Is it because of your job?

No. I hate to expose my body.

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JULY 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

ENCOUNTER Miguel Angel Della Vecchia

Nigerian Government Needs to Give Younger Generation More Opportunities Nigeria is not all about Boko Haram The Head of Mission of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Nigeria, MiguelAngel Della Vecchia is easily regarded as one of the youngest Heads of Mission in Nigeria. But for security and laid down diplomatic rules Della Vacchia could be taken for one of the sharp and witty people from South America here to portray a very good image of his country. Interestingly, he tells Stanley Nkwazema that he learnt to speak English formally when he arrived in Nigeria in 2013 and that there was no way he could enjoy his stay here without interacting with the staff and people around. He also talks about the fears he had on security and how he overcame it all to settle down for business in Nigeria

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ecently, your country with about 31 million people, increased the pump price of petrol, as was done in Nigeria. What is your experience in Venezuela?

It is affecting our politics because we are making socialist policies. We spread our budget to the people and social programmes around Venezuela. When the late Hugo Chavez was in power, the oil price was around $120; we opened a lot of areas for the people, free education to everybody, and free houses for the less privileged, free health care, food and human rights to everybody. This happened because we spread our budget coming from the oil and gas sector. Now, with the fluctuating price of oil in the international market, we need to reduce all of these, but not to reduce the number of projects that are ongoing; maybe to reduce the time to give the people the benefits because we will continue with the projects. Our schools are down, we need to stabilise our petroleum, our price; our budget is not the same today, it is different. We need to do some things like Nigeria.

In Venezuela we have the cheapest gasoline around the world. We just increased it two months ago. Even at that, you can fill your tank with just $1.20 cents. So, it is still the cheapest gasoline in the world. We increased the gasoline price to support the crisis in the economy. Now with Nigeria, Algeria, all the OPEC countries will continue to try and stabilise the crude price in their country to reflect reality.

Venezuela played a very big role to get Russia and Saudi Arabia to cut crude oil output. How has the oil freeze affected the economy?

I will not say it is not affecting the economy because we strengthened the top of the production. I am sure, like the Minister has said, we produce

too much petroleum to sell and when you have more than the people need, the oil price will come down. You offer more than they need. Now, if we freeze the top, they need to buy exactly the petroleum that we have and the OPEC have. The oil price is coming up. Before it was $23 dollar a barrel now it is about $44. We can rightly say that this solution is working.

Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait were the first five countries to form OPEC in 1960.

Despite the huge deposit and functional refineries you have in Venezuela, your country still imports refined products like Nigeria?

We import the crude and we mix our petroleum because we have the light crude and Nigeria has one of the best crude in the world. If we mix these two types of crude, then we will get the best one and we can sell better to international buyers. It is business.

Your crude is one of the best in the world. We equally sell refined products to Nigeria from our functional refineries.

What is the volume of trade between Nigeria and Venezuela?

My country and Nigeria have a good relationship outside petroleum.

We buy petroleum from Nigeria and conduct several international trades together with your country. Nigerians will be going to fix a refinery in Venezuela. Yes, they have that capacity. Nigerians also buy other things from our country. There are over 3000 men and women from your country documented and living legally, presently in Venezuela. We can talk about the inter change between Venezuela and Nigeria through petroleum.

NNPC and the state oil company of Venezuela have good relationship.

We have some of the best petroleum products around the world. Sometimes, our political socialist system

Vecchia

is not all about the economics. It is more than that because we support the people of Nigeria. We offer free support to schools in Nigeria. It is a programme where we have given 16 schools in some states, children’s bags with books and other materials for learning. We have visited eight states now and we are proposing to visit more schools. We have built a school in Nasarawa state and named it Hugo Chavez Frias Primary School,

My country and Nigeria have a good relationship outside petroleum. We buy petroleum from Nigeria and conduct several international trades together with your country. Nigerians will be going to fix a refinery in Venezuela. Yes, they have that capacity. Nigerians also buy other things from our country. There are over 3000 men and women from your country documented and living legally, presently in Venezuela

Jankawa. It is the first in Africa. The relationship is now in the best of moments. The government of Nigeria is going to Venezuela to sign 7-8 Bilateral Agreements, Education, technology, aviation, which is the most important because we are arranging to have a direct flight from Lagos to Caracas; more of commercial flights.

Venezuela will also come here to sign the agreement on a Joint Commission between Nigeria and our country at the end of May. The Minister of State is planning to go to Venezuela and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of our country is coming to Nigeria to fix the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Venezuela. Buhari will be in Venezuela to discuss with our president on special economic, political and other relationships that will be mutually beneficial.

What have been the major challenges putting all the institutions together- the democratic institutions, the parliament, the executive and the judiciary?

We have Presidential system of government. Not really like Nigeria’s, but somehow similar. The people elect the persons, and the people elect the parliament, the parliament is the manager of the country. The President conducts our economic, political and other affairs. We need to send it in to the parliament for them to approve or not- like the budget, for instance. In Venezuela we have just one Minister for Education. We have 24 states and two federal capitals, which you may describe as administrative and the other commercial.

What are some of the things the people of Venezuela share in common with Nigeria?

We are the same people. When I came here for the first time I felt I was in my country because the food, cultures, religion are almost the same.

We have Sango worshipers in Venezuela, like the people of the South

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JULY 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

ENCOUNTER Nigerian Government Needs to Give Younger Generation More Opportunities West in Nigeria. We have Christians and also Muslims. But in our country, unlike here, we have majority Christians than the Muslims. We have other people who are animist. Our people are happy people like Nigerians; we dance everywhere, music, share almost same food with Nigeria.

Rice, Moi moi, maize, beans and even cassava or other cereal based foods, among others.

You are described as a young diplomat with heavy portfolio.

How has it been running a mission in Nigeria at an age of less than 34 years?

When President Chavez came into power in 1999, he made it clear he needed to change positively the way things were done in Venezuela because sometimes the young people were not given the opportunity to hold powerful and decision making positions. He said only the young people have the pure, power and passion, and also the vision necessary to save the world. He prepared the young people to take the power. He said if the young people will have the challenge, then in the future the young can change Venezuela. It is not all about covered minds. After a time, they gave opportunity to young people and it was not just me alone.

This is the new light that Venezuela is giving to the world. You can see the young people have the power, the passion to save not just Venezuela but to save the world. Young people in Nigeria must have to change to make politics fresh and give it a new vision, and not just the economic aspect but all facets of life. Venezuela and Nigeria are brothers; not two different people. The young people need to go and get the power. It is a big challenge but we are here. The young people need to take their place to save Venezuela and they are the future of Venezuela and your country. Interestingly, I am not the youngest. We have younger head of missions in Algeria and Mozambique. The truth really is that a country like yours should give opportunities to the younger generation. And the younger generation should equally show leadership traits and lead the way. That is the way things are going on. We must show that we can do it and do it very well.

As you may also understand, I am the Head of Mission as we call it here and with concurrence to ECOWAS, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Which area would you like Nigeria to improve upon in the relationship with your country?

Nigeria and Venezuela are in the best moments of the relationship. The solidarity between the two countries is big right now. We support Nigeria anytime and they also support us.

In the International arena, like the UN Security Council, OPEC and other regional bodies where we are all together, we relate very well and show solidarity when the need arises. If we have a good programme in Venezuela, we send Nigeria students over there to study. I want to Increase this type of relationship with our country because I want my country and the government to send students from Venezuela to also study in Nigeria. Nigeria has a lot of programmes in different areas that we need to learn from them.

And same goes for Venezuela. Right now, we have 35 Nigerian students studying in Venezuela under an exchange programme and totally we have more than 200 that have gone to my country and are back. Each of our embassies in Africa has this programme going on. It is part of the solidarity we have in Venezuela to impact positively where ever we are.

It is a thing of joy that they go there

Vecchia

and not only learn but understand the culture, which is similar.

Many people believe that foreign exchange controls that discourage private sector investment, high inflation, a decline in the quality of fundamental human rights, are not really allowing for free market in your country The problem sometimes, with due respect, is the media and perception of news. Sometimes, when I read or listen to people in Venezuela that we have scarcity of food and people are complaining seriously in Venezuela and if you don’t have food to eat, the people will be slim. I don’t have to dwel much on this, because the truth is that it is all propaganda by the opposition. The United State of America blocked our economy. The government of the United States supports the opposition in Venezuela even when it is clear that most of the information being sent out to the international media is all lies to portray us in bad light. They have made the black market more worrisome and lucrative and there is inflation. Sometimes, you read in the newspapers and foreign broadcast, television and radio that it is more than 300 per cent which is not true. In the black market, it is 300 per cent, in the official market it is not. When you watch some international radio and television news and programmes, they will be saying bad things about Venezuela. When you also watch them in Venezuela, they will always say that Nigeria is a bad country and Boko Haram is killing everybody. When they selected me to come to Nigeria, I arrived here in 2013, before I came everybody said to me that I am crazy and that how can I come to Nigeria when there is Boko Haram. I was afraid and I went to Google to check for myself. But when I came to Nigeria, I saw a different thing. Nigeria is a lovely and peace-

ful place.Yes Nigeria has a problem, but just like Venezuela, the media never shows this type of news in Venezuela, Latin America and other countries that Nigeria is a thriving free economy, very healthy for Direct Foreign Investment. That same thing has happened to Venezuela. We don’t just have only petroleum like the media say, we are also very rich in agriculture, fishing, tourism, but the media always say that we are rich only because of petroleum. The truth is that we must all understand that there is no one country that has it all rosy or is not suffering one form of problem- political, economic or otherwise. It is a worldwide thing; so, we must all come together to assisting each other for a better and more secure world. But I believe it is all for good.

What about animal husbandry and grazing?

We have ranches in the whole of Venezuela and we supply beef to other countries at reasonable prices.

You need to have a stable animal husbandry and fishery market to support the citizens. We have plenty land to support agriculture. It is one of the largest employers of labour in our country and, here, if you plan it very well, it will be a huge foreign exchange earner. We have plenty fish and our waters have varieties. We are surrounded by oceans and within we have rivers and waterfalls that are healthy for tourism and agriculture.

Our people eat fish a lot and fishing is a favourite pastime of many people.

The black market has killed Venezuela economically. One dollar is official 200 Bolivars and a dollar in the Venezuela back market is B1000 Bolivars.

We need to enforce foreign exchange or rate change policy, if not they will kill Venezuela. Yes, there is no country without a problem, but why should people get something at Government

When you watch some international radio and television news and programmes, they will be saying bad things about Venezuela. When you also watch them in Venezuela, they will always say that Nigeria is a bad country and Boko Haram is killing everybody. When they selected me to come to Nigeria, I arrived here in 2013, before I came everybody said to me that I am crazy and that how can I come to Nigeria when there is Boko Haram. I was afraid and I went to Google to check for myself. But when I came to Nigeria, I saw a different thing

rates and go back to round tripping and make people to suffer. Some big sales companies get supply of food at Government foreign exchange rates and close their shops only to open it from the back door to sell to people.

That is why you are seeing the queues all over the country. They don’t want to sell at the rates which they got it from the government, thereby causing people to suffer.

Bilateral agreements and international cooperation…

As I told you earlier, we have six agreements ready to be signed by the leadership of both Venezuela and Nigeria. It will be done very soon. We have Memorandum of Understanding in Defence between the Ministry of the Peoples Power for Defence and their Nigerian counterparts. We are also ready with the agreement on Information and communication matters. There is also an agreement ready on Economic and Financial Crimes. It will be an understanding concerning cooperation in the exchange of information related to money laundering and the finance in terrorism between the body in Venezuela and Nigeria’s EFCC. The next one that is ready is the agreement on education. When signed very soon, there will be mutual recognition and equivalence of educational certificates and degrees.

The agreements on the Joint Commission, as I said earlier, are ready for signatures and also the cooperation between the Foreign Service Academy of Nigeria and the Institute of Higher Diplomatic Studies of the Foreign Affairs of Venezuela.

The agreements on dialogue, drug laws and commercial cooperation could also be put in place before the dates.

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SATURDAY JULY 9, 2016 T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

INTERVIEW

Elochukwu

The Reforms of the Economy Must not be Left in the Hands of Civil Servants Alone The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nestello Gateways Group, Chief Ernest Elochukwu bares his mind on the economic policies of the Federal Government as it affects the maritime industry.

Elochukwu who is also the immediate past National President of the umbrella body for clearing agents in the country, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) told John Iwori in an exclusive interview in Lagos that President Mohammdu Buhari needs to do more to get the economy out of the woods. Excerpts.

W Elochukwu

hat is your take on the just concluded two days maritime conference organized

by Federal Ministry of Transportation?

Ordinarily, like many other stakeholders I am not too impressed that such is holding considering that several other conferences, summits, workshops, symposia or whatever they are called had been held in the past without any tangible results coming out of them. However, considering the apparent seriousness of the current Minister of Transportation, Right Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi which I could perceive during previous interactions, I think it is a step in the right direction for stakeholders to once again brainstorm on the way forward for the Nigerian maritime industry.

What do you think was responsible the past failures?

Of course, non-implementation of the issues and solutions arrived at in those previous conferences stands out as the main impediment to the desired improvement in the scheme of things. In fact, many

stakeholders have started viewing such summits and the like with serious suspicion since they appear like avenues through which ministries departments and agencies (MDA) officials spend government money and perhaps, make some for themselves. It is really very annoying for one to imagine that the reports of conferences one attended at one’s own costs and expenses and in which one laboured to make useful suggestions are lying in some offices gathering dust and yet one is called upon again and again to attend another one!

Why do you think that the assertion you made at the conference that one major problem is that the government seems to be listening more to the civil servants alone appear to have rankled some nerves?

Well, let me make one point clear. Nigeria belongs to all of us and if we are sincere about changing things for the better, we should stop the idea of pandering to some people or groups and call a spade by its name and not an agricultural implement. Of course, my intention was not to annoy any group or make people

feel uncomfortable but when you really look at what is happening in Nigeria all this while, not just in the maritime industry but in every facet of our national life, you cannot fail to see the mess into which we are despite the many years of so-called reforms. We can only start answering the critical questions of why the numerous reforms have not succeeded when we identify those driving the reform processes and then assess their competence or otherwise.

Are you now blaming the civil servants for the failure of the reforms in Nigeria?

Yes and No. Yes, because they are the ultimate engine that drives the activities of the government and if such activities fail to achieve the desired results, they are to blame.

And no because the government as a political establishment has failed to understand the limitations of the civil servants. It has not done the needful on them before entrusting the enormous roles and responsibilities of driving such reformed on them.

Can you please expatiate further?

By its composition and operation, the civil service is not predisposed to be efficient. Let us first look at recruitment into the civil service.

What is the standard? People are recruited and most times promoted into the civil service based on the connections they have and not necessarily on their qualifications and competence! Then you put in such obnoxious practice known as transfer of service whereby an incompetent officer moves from one ministry or parastatal to another one on the same level he or she was in his or her former ministry. Again, there is even a more absurd practice of using quota system in promotion of officers in ministries and parastatals. The critical question is, what is it really driving the civil service? What is the parameter for measuring performance and efficiency in the civil service? Is such parameter objective and progressive? So, if such an establishment should be the engine of reforms, does it surprise anyone that the reforms are largely ineffective? I do not want to talk about the aspect of corruption in the civil service whereby some school of thought believes that it is even the civil servants who prompt and assist the political appointees in the various acts of corruption.

Are you suggesting that the Government should do away with civil servants in the issue of reforms?

No, that is not what I’m advocating for. My position is that the government should not rely entirely on them to reform the system or make it run since on their own, they have severe limitations as far as the practicalities of the economic issues are concerned. Without meaning to demean anyone, how many civil servants really understand the intricacies of setting up a business and sweating it out through the various gestation periods to the break-even point and thence to profitability and expansion?

My experience in my interactions over the years with civil servants is summed up thus: the average civil servant believes sincerely that all business ventures and activities always end up in huge profits!

So, what is your suggestion for a panacea in the various reforms especially the ports or maritime reforms?

First, there must be a change in perception and approach. Something crucial seems to be lost on people in government which is that the activities of its various ministries and parastatals impact on various business sectors. In other words, there is a strong correlation between the ways the ministries or parastatals are run and the performance of the private businesses that operate in various sectors. In the maritime industry for instance, the soundness of the regulations and rules being churned out by Ministry of Transportation and parastat-

als under it must be seen in the buoyancy of the shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarding organizations, importers, exporters, ship chandlers, and so on. In fact, such reflection would be visible in the economy in general. After all, there are countries of the world today that are doing well economically not because they have oil or mineral deposits but were just gifted with natural coastlines. A situation where the officials of the inefficient organization such as a ministry or parastatal are the same people whose assessments are relied upon by the government to implement reforms is simply dead on arrival. I make bold to say that civil servants by the limited environment they operate in whereby all they do is “push files” are not knowledgeable enough to grasp the full intricacies of economic activities which are the real issues involved in all these reforms. Again, taking the ports as an example, has the civil servants asked themselves why shipments to Nigerian ports from all parts of the world have continued to attract higher rates than those that go to the ports of our neighbouring countries?

What are the reasons which make it possible that when one Ro-Ro vessel leaves Rotterdam for Tin Can Island (TCIP) Port, Apapa, Lagos, three of the same vessels will be leaving for the port in Cotonou with cars that will eventually end up in Nigeria? These are economic questions and they are well beyond those who had never engaged in businesses on their own.

Secondly, the political appointees seem to believe in and so carry on the mentality of the civil servants that they are the government and that those outside the circle do not have anything to offer. For instance, when they organize such conferences as was recently done, the civil servants’ expenses are paid for from the government coffers while the private sector participants are left to cater for themselves. It is not the money that is necessarily the issue but the impression of some people being insiders while the others are outsiders always goes beyond the function to the way the supposed outcome of the conference is pursued.

So, what you are saying in essence is that private sector participation is imperative for the reforms to succeed?

Absolutely yes! First is the need to understand that everything that is seen as government activity has a business field it is affecting either positively or negatively. For instance, the whole undertakings of the Ministry of Transportation affect the business of importers, exporters, clearing agents, transporters, ship chandlers, ship owners, ship owners’ representatives, labourers and businesses involved in ancillary services as well as aircraft owners, pilots, air and land crew (in the case of the aviation sector) hence the fate of these wide groups should not be left in the hands of few salaried workers who will get their pay and extras whether there is profit or loss in all these businesses. The institutions controlling the sectors being reformed ought not to be left to determine the mode of actions to be taken. The critical stakeholders in that sector ought to be incorporated on an equal status (may be, as an action committee) to determine such as well as the timetables, timeframes and timelines required to effect the required reforms.

You have been a very strong supporter of the present Minister of Transportation from the time he was the Governor of Rivers State till now. If I may ask, what is the connection and what informed your position?

Sincerely speaking, there is no connection in the sense I understand your question because I met Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi only once by chance when he was the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. I never had any reason or opportunity to meet him for the eight years he Read full interview online: www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

SPY GLASS

with Bayo Adeoye ....08054680651 Modupe Ogunlesi’s love for God

A Peep into Otedola’s Daughters’ world

All over the world, stories abound of successful businessmen who wish their children to follow in their footsteps for many reasons. However, businessman and oil magnate, Femi Otedola, comes across as a liberalminded individual who allows his beautiful daughters to choose their paths in life.

Spyglass gathered that his beautiful daughters-Wunmi, Ife and Temi-are in their own world, pursuing their individual passion. Under the guidance of their parents, they seem to have taken their passions to impressive heights within a short period of time to the amazement of many. No doubt, they are a pride to their loving parents.

Wunmi is definitely literally having a sizzling romance with soul music.

The Don’t Break My Heart crooner went into music after her studies in Psychology and Philosophy at the St. Andrews University and a Masters in Music at the Vocal Tech in the United Kingdom.

Temi, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, is delight on the turntable. Her dexterity has earned her accolades as well as popularity across the continent of Africa. After her scintillating performance on May 29, 2016 during the Presidential Gala Night held in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, she kicked off her month-long tour of eight African countries on a grand note.

The tour tagged Cuppy Takes Africa took off in Lagos and then moved to Dakar, Senegal Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya.

Curiously, many don’t know that prior to her performance at the Gala Night and the tour, the talented young lady’s profile had got a boost when she appeared in Forbes Magazine. Consequently, it didn’t take long before her critics realized that she is not riding on the crest of her father’s fame but her God- given gift.

Like her sisters, Temi is also doing her father proud. A fashion enthusiast, she owns JTO, a fashion blog, where she expresses her fashion, art and photography adventures.

She shares the same love as her father whose abiding love for arts could be seen on his late father’s Impact Press located on Randle Avenue.

Surprisingly, his love for visual arts has been under-reported, considering the fact that he acquired some very expensive pieces of art works across the world in the past years.

Otedola over the years, the softspoken philanthropist has proved to be a pacesetter, in terms of humanitarian gestures. He has awarded multi-million naira scholarships to indigenous students in Lagos State, especially those from Epe Town. Also, many of them have been enjoying his milk of kindness for a long time.

When Modupe Ogunlesi set up Adam & Eve about a decade ago, it was with a clear vision. Today, she counts her blessings and gives thanks to God, as the business has grown in leaps and bounds.

Adam and Eve has become a Mecca of sorts for corporate women, the high and mighty as well as other women who truly to love to make their homes a paradise of sorts.

Quite impressively, those who are close t the wife of Lanre Ogunlesi, Sofisticat boss, say that her love for her husband beggars description.

It will be recalled that when the Ogunlesis celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, many of the guests went home with an impression about them: marriage built on a solid foundation of love.

Though many acknowledge her love for business and humanitarian gestures, little is often said about her love for God. Spy glass gathered that if you want to enter the business tycoon’s bad book, just make a joke about her belief or speak bad of the Pope or any Catholic priest.

Tunde Ayeni’s Travail

Without a doubt, the history of Nigeria’s financial institutions will never be complete without a mention of Tunde Ayeni.

Now in his 50s, he started making waves in the banking industry at a relatively young age, while also controlling major shares in many financial institutions as well as other sectors of the economy.

In 2011, Ayeni became chairman of Skye Bank, following the merger of five banks, including Bond Bank founded by him in 2000.

Prior to that time, Ayeni, in 2007, had become a majority stakeholder and vice chairman of ASO Savings & Loan.

In 2013, as vice chairman of Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd (IEDM), he led a successful bid to take control of the Ibadan and Yola Electricity Distribution Companies.

This marked the first privatization of a national energy asset in Nigerian history.

Given his status, not a few had envied him. But today, the story of Ayeni, who is also chairman of JJK (Nigeria ) Plc., to put it mildly, is unpalatable. Ayeni, who sits on the board of several companies, was recently removed from his Olympian height. This came on the heels of the Central Bank of Nigeria order to the management of Skye Bank, following an alleged cash liquidation. He was sacked alongside other top management of the bank.

Kunbi Oyelese Set To Quit Spinsterhood

For a long time, beautiful and high-

flying Olakunbi Oyelese, the Creative Director, April by Kunbi, had set tongues wagging owing to her single status.

However, the daughter of a former Minister of Power, Chief Wole Oyelese, took a bold step that momentarily silenced her critics, when she started wearing an engagement ring. For some inexplicable reasons, this again sparked another interesting discourses about her, as many desperately wanted to know the identity of the man whom she was engaged to.

In fact, some of her friends were said to have sneered at her, saying it was all hoax.

Spy Glasses, however, gathered she pleasantly shocked her critics a few weeks back when she unveiled her love simply identified as Lanre during her wedding introduction at her family home in Oyo State, recently.

Cecilia Ibru’s Unfinished Business

As Managing Director of the defunct Oceanic Bank Plc, Cecilia Ibru had her hands in so many pies. She was the toast of many in the aviation and real estate sectors, either as a direct investor or as an indirect player through one of her proxies.

She reportedly targeted lucrative high-end properties located within exclusive suburbs of cities like Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt. For this reason, she formed relationships with anyone who could offer her not just a congenial friendship, but also a profitable business deal.

Spyglass gathered that when she approached some property owners in the posh district of Ikoyi, where she needed a few plots to erect another high-rise tower, she found a listening ear in Mrs. Oseni, the widow of the late Tunji Oseni who was Press secretary to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Their meeting soon fruits, with a property on Adeyemi Lawson Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

However, just as the papers were about to be signed, the EFCC swooped on the former banking guru, thereby throwing spanners in the plans.

Consequently, Cecilia quickly hopped away from the transaction, leaving the widow bewildered.

Spy Glass learnt that Mrs. Oseni’s widow has not stopped praying for Ibru, her business partner, to come back to the limelight, so that they can at least finish up the property deal they started.

Solomon Adeola’s Beautiful Dream

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, aka Yayi, representing Lagos West Senatorial District, has proven to be a man driven by reasonable ambitions.

He is an incurable dreamer. Luckily, most of his dreams have come true, as

evidenced by his current position. All he needs to do, as he is wont to say, is to believe in his dream, pursue it with unbent determination and seek God’s favour to turn it into reality.

Though many would give an arm and a leg to occupy his current position, he believes he can serve his people better in a more elevated position, politically. Perhaps, this explains why he is reportedly nursing the dream of becoming the number one citizen of Ogun State come 2019.

A source hinted that there have been serious consultations among the people who matter across the state towards the actualisation of this dream.

It was further revealed that he might likely be considered for the number one job of the state considering the fact that many are agitating for power shift to Yewa that has not tasted power since the creation of the state.

Again, he is being favourably considered because he literally has the financial muscle to prosecute his ambition, in addition to being an experienced politician. The source hinted further that the elders and stakeholders in the state are urging him to throw his hat into the ring after the tenure of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Adeola, a distinguished Chartered Accountant-Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, (ICAN), established his own company, SOOTEM Nigeria Limited, after many years of working for several companies, Following his decision to join active politics, Adeola, also a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation as well as a Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), pitched his tent with the progressive arm of Nigerian politics by joining the then Social Democratic Party, SDP. In spite of the daunting challenges occasioned by the military interregnum, Adeola bravely continued with his foray into politics at the dawn of the 4th Republic. Adeola was nominated and won the primary of the then ruling Action Congress, AC, and was subsequently elected as a member to represent Alimosho State Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007 and again from 2007 to 2011.

A man of immense financial and political skills, he is reputed to have been instrumental to the enactment of the law that strengthened the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, a legislation that catapulted the revenue of the state from N5bn to over N20bn monthly! He was also part of the team that passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Public Procurement Act of Lagos State.

Without doubt, his sterling performance in the Lagos State public service naturally promoted him to the Federal Legislature when he was elected to represent Alimosho Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in 2011, which will culminate in 12 years of unbroken legislative experience at both the state and federal legislatures.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 9, 2016

POLITY

Dabiri-Erewa Flays Murder of Another Nigerian In Italy

T

he Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa has described as disheartening the killing of yet another Nigerian, Emmanuel Chidi Nnamdi, in Italy.

In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the SSA condemned in totality the murder of an asylum seeker, by an Italian football hooligan, who reacted to racial insults against his partner.

Dabiri-Erewa said the painful killings and gruesome murder of innocent Nigerians by other nationals in their homeland was disturbing and depressing to the people and government of Nigeria. ``This is disturbing, coming barely few days after another Nigerian teenager, Fola Orebiyi, was stabbed to death in London. This is totally unacceptable’’.

Even though, the culprit had been

Dabiri

arrested by the Italian authorities, a thorough investigation should be carried out on why innocent Nigerians

were subject of attacks by their host countries.

Dabiri-Erewa commiserated with the family of Nnamdi, particularly, the fiancée, who witnessed the brutal killing of her lover, and assured them that Nigeria would monitor the dispensation of justice on the matter.

She reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to citizen’s diplomacy and protection of Nigerians wherever they may be.

It was reported that an Italian football hooligan, Amedeo Mancini, has been arrested and charged with murder after beating to death a Nigerian asylum seeker, Emmanuel Chidi Nnamdi, 36, who reacted to racial insults against his partner,. Nnamdi allegedly got into a fight on Tuesday after the man called his 24-year-old girlfriend, Chinyere, a “monkey.”

He was taken to hospital in a comatose state and declared dead on Wednesday in the central Italian town of Fermo,

some 170 kilometres north-east of Rome, near the Adriatic coast. The accused is a supporter of 4th league team Fermana and had been banned from the local stadium because of his violent behavior.

The incident led Interior Minister Angelino Alfano to travel to Fermo to chair a meeting with local police.

Alfano said it was a “day of infinite sadness,” while Prime Minister Matteo Renzi wrote on Twitter: “Against hatred, racism and violence.”

Comunita di Capodarco, the Catholic charity that was giving shelter to the couple, issued a statement giving a version provided by Chinyere.

She said the man put his hands on her, triggering Nnamdi’s reaction.

“A fight broke out, a street sign was pulled from the pavement, there were heavy blows and one, probably fatal, hit the young Nigerian on the back of the neck. Once on the floor ... the young man was hit repeatedly,” the Comunita said.

Yinka Ajayi: Success of Democracy Depends onVibrancy of Legislature Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

T

he Chairman, House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management in the House of Representatives, Yinka Ajayi has posited that the success of democracy in any nation depended on the vibrancy and efficiency of the legislature.

Ajayi stated this at the recent Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Westminster Workshop in London, where he opined that for the legislature to meet the aspirations of the electorate, it must adopt creative ways of oiling its committee system.

Delegates to the Westminster workshop were drawn from 33 countries to discuss parliamentary financial oversight of aid effectiveness.

He said the legislature has proven

to be very effective in carrying out background work, as well as overt processes for law-making to be possible and pleasurable.

He said donor agencies should strive to ensure that aid flows were captured in the annual national budgets to enable respective Parliaments monitor aid allocated to any Ministry, Department or Agency of government.

“As the Chairman of my country’s House of Representatives Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, this conference has been a worthwhile experience, particularly the discussions on the role of parliaments in ensuring effective oversight of aid, development finance, anti-corruption strategies in aid, the role of parliamentary budget offices and independent fiscal institutions, strengthening peer-to-peer collaboration for aids effectiveness, among other very interesting sessions. We had

opportunity to have interesting discussion on the donor perspective of the role of parliaments in aid oversight.”

He stressed that while the parliament as a whole has its key function of making laws and providing oversights to the executive arm of government, parliamentary committees are the engine room of the work of the parliament.

He noted that ‘’a committee in the parliament is a subdivision of that parliament into smaller units with a mandate to superintendent over specific aspects of legislative business and report back to the whole house in plenary with recommendations.’’

The legislator stressed that these committees perform tasks in greater detail, effectively and more expeditiously as a result of the decentralisation, specialisation and division of labour through the parliamentary committee system, much

detailed work is achieved and relevant reports returned to the parent body for final legislative decisions.

He noted that the efficiency of the committee system therefore was a measure or determinant of the productivity of any parliament.

Members and chairs of the committees are either elected in some countries or appointed by the leadership of the parliament.

“In most if not all cases the power to set up committees in parliament is enshrined in the nation’s constitution or prime law.

However, while the power to set up parliamentary Committees is provided for in the constitution, the number of Committees to be set up is not necessarily explicitly prescribed or provided for by the constitution or prime law,” he said.

Read full article online: www.thisdaylive.com

Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award Clocks 10 Bayo Adeoye

E

poch - making annual media event, Nigeria Media Nite-Out and Award is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The Award ceremony which debuted in 2006 had in the past years honoured Journalists, Corporate organisations and individuals that have contributed

immensely to the growth of Nigerian Media Industry.

Brain child of Sola Olugbemiro, CEO Solkem Entertainment and Publisher of Access Weekly magazine in his speech said that a media briefing to unveil the new award plaques of the 10th edition is schedule to hold come Thursday July 28th, 2016 and this according to him is a brand new dimension to celebrate the 10th anniversary while the event will hold in

September 2016.

However, upscale PR firm Redline FB and Nigeria based South Africa’s PR Company, Zinto are at the edge of making the 10th anniversary a memorable one.

In its usual way, this year edition will parade A-List personalities from the Media industry, corporate organizations and politicians who have played active impact in strengthen the industry.

Delta, Ondo, Borno and Kogi States have

participated on different occasions. Zenith Bank been the official banker of the event has remained a partner since 2006, UBA, Access, GTB, Diamond, First and FCMB Banks have given their supports in the past.

Financial Reporting Commission, Sifax Group, Power Horse, Flour Mills, Nigerian German Chemical, INTEL to mention a few.

All Nigerian media houses both prints, electronics and online are expected to be there.

GOtv Offers Free One Month Subscription

G

Otv has announced that its subscribers who stay connected non-stop from 1 July to 30 September will enjoy one month free in October.

The special promotion, is offering GOtv Plus and GOtv Value customers who renew their subscription from 18 June to 18 July 2016 and stay continuously connected from 01 July until 30 September, October viewing at no extra cost. Customers must also stay connected on the same bouquet to qualify

for the reward. GOtv Value customers may also upgrade to GOtv Plus but those who downgrade or disconnect will forfeit the reward.

Subscribers will also enjoy unmatched entertainment in the month of July, with exciting new shows to be launched on the platform.

As the Euro 2016 tournament reaches a climax, GOtv will air the semi-final and final matches of the tournament live on SuperSport Select 1. The Nigeria Professional Football League is also at its peak and subscribers can watch local league matches on GOtv.

July is a busy month for Zee World, as it launches five amazing new shows.

On 1 July, subscribers should get ready for Krishi, the story of a woman who rises from modest beginnings to a successful career.

On 26 July, the edge-of-the-seat drama provided by Silver Lining will begin. For lovers of culinary programmes, The Urban Cook will launch on Monday 11 July on Zee World. On Tuesday 19 July, subscribers will see the amazing chef, Ranveer Brar, in The Great Indian Kitchen. King of Hearts, will debut Friday, 29 July.

The live shows for the Voice Nigeria kicked off on Sunday 26 June, 2016.

Repeat broadcasts of the show will air every Tuesday on AfricaMagic Family at 5:00pm for GOtv subscribers.

“At MultiChoice, we place our customers first, we know what our subscribers want, and deliver it to them. Furthermore, we are offering all our GOtv Plus and Value subscribers the month of October at no extra cost if they stay connected non-stop from 1 July to 30 September 2016”, said Efe Obiomah, public relations manager, GOtv.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULy 9, 2016

62

NEWSXTRA

N/Avengers Extend Attacks on Oil Facilities to Rivers, Bayelsa Sylvester Idowu inWarri and Emmanuel Addeh inYenagoa

Members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), in the early hours of yesterday, took their destruction of oil installations to Bayelsa and Rivers States, blasting Nembe 1, 2, 3, and Tebedaba brass trunk line.

They also destroyed pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

Meanwhile, the Itsekiri Movement for Peace and Justice has said the federal government's indecision in dealing with the crisis was inciting another ethnic crisis in the hardest hit Warri South

West Local Government area of Delta state.

Security sources told THISDAY that the militants attacked the trunkline in two speed boats with 500 horsepower engines that facilitated their escape.

He said the militant had easy access to the facilities following the scaling down of military presence in the region in line with President Muhammadu Buhari's directive.

"Those hoodlums stormed the Nember 1,2,3 and Tebidaba trunkline in two speed boats powered with 500 horsepower engines. This facilitated their speedy escape from the scene. There is nothing

the military can do about it because they have been ordered to scale down their presence in the creeks", the security source said.

The Niger Delta Avengers has, however, claimed responsibility for that attack in its website signed by its Spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo.

"At about the (hour) of 3am to 5am the Niger Delta Avengers blowup Nembe 1, 2, 3 and Tebedaba brass trunk-line in Bayelsa/River States", it claimed in the statements title "NDA Hit Again", they said.

The source noted that there were other attacks at Goulubukori manifold in Nembe axis and Lagosgbene pipeline in Southern Ijaw close to

Ekeremor areas of the state, but could not confirm if the pipelines were blown up by the NDA. According to the source who did not want his name in print, a speedboat operated by NSCDC tried to dislodge the militants to save the pipelines, but were repelled by the heavy arms used by the militants.

"The NSCDC engaged the saboteurs in a gun battle. There was a heavy exchange of gunfire between them. But the militants were heavily armed and many in number. They ensured that they destroyed the pipelines before zooming off," he said.

EU, UNODC Back CCT on Code of Ethics, Practice Directions Bennett Oghifo The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) with support from the European Union funded “Support to Anti-corruption in Nigeria” Project implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is holding a two-day roundtable consultative process to develop ‘Practice Directions and a Code of Ethics’ to address the challenge of delays of trials before it and improve integrity amongst its staff.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Sylvester Tunde Atere, Outreach and Communications Officer, United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), Abuja.

The statement said the development of these two policy documents are contained in the strategic plan of the CCT. The two-day event, which holds July 11-12 in Abuja, will also feature the handover of books to

the Tribunal by the project.

Code of Conduct Tribunal has since its inception been using several rules of procedure including the Code of Conduct Tribunal Rules of Procedure, supplemented by the Criminal Procedure Code Act and the Penal Code Act, which have now been repealed. Some procedural challenges have been encountered by the Tribunal which have affected it proceedings, resulting in delays in the disposal of cases.

Developing a Code of Ethics for the Tribunal is aimed at promoting efficient administration and good governance; creating a culture of accountability, openness and transparency in implementing its mandate. The Tribunal was established in 1989 and is empowered by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to adjudicate over cases emanating from violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

All Nigeria Championships: Ogunlewe Defends 100m Crown Duro Ikhazuagbe

FOR SECURITY SAKE...

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade flanked by Service Commanders, addressing the press shortly after the State Security Council meeting yesterday

Faulty Navigational Light Grounds Flights at Abuja Airport Chinedu Ezeh and Dele Ogbodo inAbuja Faulty Instrument Landing System (ILS), which led to total blackout on the runway yesterday evening at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport NAIA, Abuja, grounded flight activities from and into the airport.

While hundreds of passengers were still stranded at the airport as at 8 pm, THISDAY can confirmed that flights bound to land at the airport are making efforts to land at the Minna or other neighbouring airports closest to Abuja.

The several incidents of lack of power at the airport has been source of concern to aviation watchers.

A FAAN official who spoke on telephone to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the airport is thrown into confusion because of the ILS which usually produce lights for plane to land. He added that the decision of the pilots not to land was the best thing to do as an attempt could be catastrophic.

Efforts to reach FAAN's Spokesperson, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu proved abortive as her phone was not connecting as at press time.

However the faulty ILS was rectified at 9pm, which paved way for incoming Aero and Arik flights to safely land while Azman airline was also able to take off without hitch.

Passengers who spoke though declined to mention their names

commended pilots for taking safety precautions not to land in such hazy atmosphere.

In the aviation industry there is what is called redundancy for safety critical equipment both on the ground and in the aircraft.

What this means is that when there is a failure of equipment, there is alternative that will sustain the operation.

So the runway lighting should have alternatives so that when the main system is down, FAAN will trigger the redundancy system.

THISDAY learnt that four aircraft of Arik Air, one Medview Airline and others were on the ground, while two Arik flights were in the air when the airfield lighting went off

for about two hours.

A pilot told THISDAY that it would have been very critical if any of the aircraft in the situation had exhausted its fuel while waiting for the lights to be restored.

Industry experts said airfield lighting outage was very dangerous, especially in the night because it could lead to air crash and on the economic side, airlines would lose so much money on fuel, which exorbitant prices in Nigeria has already eroded the cost of operation for domestic carriers.

About two years ago there were frequent power outage on the runway lighting that the system was rehabilitated with assurance that it would not happen again.

Orji Assures Constituents on Wellbeing Immediate past governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia Central senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, has vowed to protect the collective interest of his constituents as well as sponsor bills that will improve their welfare.

Orji also reiterated his commitment towards the development of the Abia Central youths urging them to take advantage of his annual scholarship scheme designed for 60 indigent undergraduates to bridge the gap between them and the so called rich class in the society.

In a press statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Don Norman

Obinna, Orj said that he understood the many challenges of his people having governed the state for eight years, adding that having realised the potentialities that abound in his constituency, his priority is to ensure the proper harnessing and maximisation of these potentials to the best rewarding proportion.

He said that the ecological challenges affecting some areas within his constituency have been adequately communicated to the federal government and action taken as government through the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), has requested for expression of interest for consultancy service for the maintenance/repair

of some of these roads.

“Apart from trading what many people do not realise is the fact that Abians especially the senatorial district which I am privileged to be representing are blessed with farmers. In Isiala Ngwa for instance, we can boast of quality Pineapples while cassava and palm oil abound in Umuahia and Ikwuano respectively.

“My priority is to ensure that these farmers are encouraged and supported with modern farming equipment and fertilizers to boast their farm produce. This was why I started with the donation of large quantity of fertilisers enough to fertilise about 200 hectares of land

to farmers,” he said.

Orji said that this was akin to the famous Food Security bill he sponsored which when enacted will ensure a healthy society, and a robust population. Because the aim is to arrest the menace of malnourishment, morbidity, high rate of child and maternal mortality which Nigeria is the second largest contributor”, he said.

He however urged his constituents to be free to contact him through his office and feel free to bring to his notice whatever issue of interest that needs urgent attention as he is in the Red chambers of the National Assembly to represent their interest.

Seye Ogunlewe is Nigeria’s fastest man again after winning the 100m Men’s title at the All-Nigeria Championships which ended on a high note on Friday.

Ogunlewe who won his first national title in Warri in 2015 beat his rivals as he ran a new Personal Best time of 10.12secs to retain his crown and also book a slot to the Rio Olympics having surpassed the set standard.

Oduduru Divine with a time of 10.25secs and Egwero Ogho-Oghene with a time of 10.36secs finished in second and third place respectively.

Speaking after his victory, Ogunlewe said he worked very hard to defend the title and would even work harder to make some impact in his debut appearance at the Olympics.

“I give thanks to God for making this possible, winning the 100m event again and qualifying for the Olympics is a dream come true,” the UK-based athlete stated.

Ogunlewe with a time of 21.28secs also won one of the finals of the men’s 200m event.

In another high point of the day, Blessing Okagbare also completed a sprint double; winning the women 200m event (Final A) with a time of 22.78secs.

The fleet-footed Queen of the Tracks who won her seventh 100m Women’s title a day earlier made a light work of the 200m event.

Lawretta Ozoh won the women's 200m final B with a time of 23.71secs.

Having finished second in the 100m event, Oduduru had a lot to cheer as he won the 200m Men’s event with a time of 20.51secs.

Also on Friday, the Nigeria duo of Emmanuel Gyang and Deborah Pam both won the 10,000m in the men and women categories respectively.

Gyang finished first with a time of 31:31:58 while Solomon Yilbam finished second with a time of 32:05:19.

Daylong Sylvester of Nigeria Immigration came third with a time of 32:29:71.

In the women’s 10,000m run, Deborah Pam, also of NSCDC, won the race with a time of 36:53:73, while Olamide Oluwaseun came second on 37:25:17, Olumidi Aderonke however finished third.

AIFCE urges Okorocha not to Demolish Footbridge, Fence across Alvan Gate Amby Uneze inOwerri An appeal has gone to the governor of Imo state, Chief Rochas Okorocha to spare the footbridge that connects the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE), Owerri and Shell Camp Campus of the institution and the adjourning security walls for the continued safety of the lives of both staff and students as well as the security of the property of the college.

Sending the plead on behalf of the institution's authorities, the Chairman, Joint Action Committee (JAC) of all the house unions in the institution, Comrade Ukachi Wachukwu urged the governor to exercise restraint in the proposed demolition of Alvan flyover (footbridge) and the security walls which had been marked for demolition.

According to her, the pedestrian crossing which was constructed by a one-time military administrator of

the state, now late Cmdr. Amadi Ikwuechegh as a result vehicular road accidents that were killing and maiming students and staff on constant basis was the only lyrics solution that stopped such menace on that spot.

"Again the removal of the walls and the pedestrian bridge will constitute high degree of danger to our students and staff. We therefore appeal to the governor who is a lover education to exercise some restraint in pulling down the walls and the pedestrian bridge at the institution", she said.

In the same vein, the Chairman of the Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (AIFCE) chapter, Comrade Law Osuji Said that the demolition of the walls and the subsequent pulling down the pedestrian bridge will bring unforseen disaster as it was on record that over 500 staff and students use the bridge from the main reason campus to the opposite.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULy 9, 2016

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NEWSXTRA

Buhari Reiterates Commitment to Running Transparent Government Says Those Who Stole Government's Funds Will Regret More Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration would not hide anything from Nigerians in its resolute commitment to restore the economic fortunes of the country and deliver prosperity to Nigerians.

A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina said Buhari made the commitment to transparency while receiving the Northern Christian Leaders Eagles Eyes Forum at the State House, Abuja on Friday.

Adesina said Buhari appealed to the religious leaders not to lose hope in the unity, stability and progress of the country.

The president said that the Federal Government would continue to prioritise the safety of lives and property, in addition to equipping Nigerian farmers with the right tools, technology and techniques to boost agriculture.

Buhari said: "You must tell your followers the truth about the country. We have nothing to hide because we have no other country but Nigeria.

"Tell them to give us a chance to stabilise the country. Your concern

for the security, unemployment, anti-corruption campaign and the frequent altercations between herdsmen and farmers are genuine concerns.

"I know the Ministry of Agriculture and the Governors Forum are doing a lot to resolve the lingering crisis between herdsmen and farmers, we must give them a chance."

Buhari thanked the Christian leaders for their support to the Federal Government’s anticorruption campaign and other policies geared towards reviving the economy.

"It is saddening that some of

those who stole from our national resources put the money in their personal accounts.

"However, it is gratifying that those who stole money and shared funds meant for the purchase of arms for our military are regretting their actions and they will regret more.

"Those caught in corruption will have themselves to blame,’’ the president said.

In his remarks, leader of the Forum, Pastor Aminchi Habu called on Nigerians to support the President’s anti-corruption war and his vision to restore the lost glory of Nigeria.

Ayade Writes Buhari Over State of Insecurity in Cross River Bassey Inyang in Calabar

The Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade on Friday disclosed that he had written to President Muhammadu Buhari for help in tackling the rising tide of insecurity in the state, especially its capital, Calabar and the surrounding communities.

Ayade who made the announcement while briefing journalists on the security situation in the state also said his administration had reeled out immediate security measures to provide safety for lives and property in every part of the state.

The governor blamed the increasing in criminal activities in the state to the non-extension of the operations of the new security outfit for the Niger Delta region, "Operation Delta Safe" to the state after the Federal Government scrapped "Operation Pulo Shield."Ayade who was flanked by service commanders, who accompanied him to the venue of the meeting shortly after they held a security council meeting with him said: "We have done a detailed research.

It is very obvious and very clearly too that the existence of Operation

APC Fueling Crisis in the Niger State Laleye Dipo in Minna

COOPERATION THAT WORKS...

Chief dr willie obiano in agroup photo with ndlea commander and his officers after the presentation of the drug sitaution in anambra state

Osinbajo: Avengers not Freedom Fighters, Niger Delta Money Ended in Private Pockets JamesSowolein Akure

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo yesterday lamented that larger part of the huge amount of money that had been spent in the Niger Delta Region through various intervention programmes had translated to nothing.

Osinbajo stated this at Ilara Mokin, Ondo State where he delivered the Second Foundation Lecture of Elizade University, which was established by a major auto dealer, Chief Ade Ojo. The lecture was titled "The Future: Here Earlier Than We Thought" The Vice president while reacting to questions raised at the event graced by dignitaries including top traditional rulers

and other people from all walks of life, declared that the Niger Delta Avengers are nothing but a group fighting for their own pockets.

"The NDA are not freedom fighters but people fighting for their private pockets. The people are not fighting for the development of the region.

"They are economic warriors fighting for their private pockets.

They are not working for the interest of the region", he said.

Osinbajo said rather than glorifying the NDA, they should be blamed saying if they were freedom fighters why would they destroy source of economic power.

"They had been creating more problems in the region by their

activities. They had been polluting environment and making lives more difficult for the people" Osinbajo, who blamed poor electricity generation in the country to the blowing up of gas pipelines to power stations, said the nation's oil production had declined by about 800,000 barrels per day.

He said this reduction had also led to the reduction in revenue accruing to the country by 60 per cent which had also contributed to the inability of many states to pay workers’ salaries.

"We need to deal with vandalism, which had been causing problems for the power sector and the revenue of the nation", he said.

The vice president said much

of the money spent on Niger Delta ended up in the private pockets of some individuals, who should be held accountable.

He said everybody must join hands to tackle corruption lamenting that 15 billion dollars out of 27 billion dollars could not be accounted for.

Reacting to the question about fiscal federalism and the inability of many states to pay salaries, Osibanjo said what affected the states was the same thing that affected the nation itself.

He said just as. Nigeria as a nation depended on oil revenue, states depended mainly on coming to Abuja every month to collect their share of oil revenue and Value Added Tax which is dwindling every day.

Accidental Discharge Injures Two at MMIA ChineduEze

A security personnel and a woman were injured on Friday at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos when a man, identified as an orderly of a Senator wanted to remove the magazine of his gun and there was accidental discharge that left him and a

woman injured.

The orderly was to travel on Arik Air and wanted to lodge his gun, which is a standard practice on air travel, but the gun released a bullet that splintered and hit both the man and woman on the leg as he bent down to pull the magazine out of the gun.

According to eye witness account, the two were taken to hospital at the airport, they

trekked out of the terminal to the vehicle that took them to the hospital, and also walked into the hospital without any assistance, which indicated the injury was not severe.

The General Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, who confirmed the incident, said what happened was an accident and added that stowing the gun away with its magazine

was a standard procedure because guns were not taken on-board aircraft; they were usually checked in the luggage compartment.

Dati assured air travelers that all the airports were safe and secure and in recognition of the security challenges in the country and in the world, security at the nation’s airports has been fortified.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has been accused of fueling the crisis within the leadership of the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State.

The State Chairman of the party, Mr. Tanko Beji also claimed that the APC was using some security organisations in the state to ‘coerce and intimidate’ its members so that they would decamp to the ruling party.

Beji made the allegations in Minna, Niger state on Friday while fielding questions from Journalists.

He asserted that the APC was behind the recent parallel state congress held by some members of the PDP, saying that apart from releasing a public building for the holding of the congress, the APC government donated N3million for the same purpose which saw the emergence of a rival state executive council of the PDP. In the last couple of days, Beji said some security operatives in the State had been unleashed on PDP Members who held sensitive political positions during its 16 year governance of the State.

"They (APC) are instilling fears in these people so that they can decamp to the ruling APC to seek protection.

"Some of these former political appointees are already decamping to the APC not because they like the APC, but just because they feel going to the APC will give them protection from the ruling party and security operatives’.

"I was also invited and quizzed for two days; I was detained in an air-conditioned office for three hours I made statement to the investigators.

“They asked me how the PDP got the N50m donation made for the construction of the National secretariat and another N10m donated to the North Central zone secretariat project’.

Pulo Shield which was to provide security for the Niger Delta which underwent a lot of restructuring and in more recent times replaced with Operation Delta Safe. The Operation Delta Safe as it were focused more on the oil pipelines and protection of states that have oil pipelines, so it started in Akwa Ibom and ended in Delta State. Therefore the federal security might that precipitated on those core Niger Delta areas, made Cross River and Calabar a safe haven for these criminals. And that is why in recent past, we have had these reported incidents.

“Obviously with the detailed analysis of the service commanders, it became very clear that we needed an emergency SOS report to the President to plead that Operation Delta Safe must be extended to cover Cross River State, otherwise Cross River would be a lone state, standing alone without security cover, while the Niger Delta is covered by Operation Delta Safe.”

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as DADA OLAYINKA, now wish to be known and addressed as ALABI DADA SALOMOT. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AJALA OLUWATOSIN DORCAS, now wish to be known and addressed as ABODUNRIN OLUWATOSIN DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as DR. ABIRI ONATERI VERA, now wish to be known and addressed as DR. MRS NDOBU ONATERI VERA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as LUCKY IGARRI ENWIERUROMA, now wish to be known and addressed as LUCKY ERHINYODAVWE EVWIERUROMA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as SOLOMON YAKUBU DODO, now wish to be known and addressed as SOLOMON YAKUBU GADO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as PATRICK. KELECHI ONU, now wish to be known and addressed as PATRICK KELECHI KHALIFAH ONU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MUSBAU ABDULLAHI AYOBAMI, now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULGANIY ABDULLAH AYOBAM All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ESUMA LINDA ADAOBI, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS TELLA LINDA ADAOBI All former documents remain valid.

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I formerly known and addressed as BUKOLA ODUNAYO OYEKAN, now wish to be known and addressed as BUKOLA ODUNAYO OLOJO All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

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Price: N250

MISSILE Senate to the Federal Government

“The Senate voted freely to elect its leadership and continuing attempts to change that leadership through the wanton abuse of judicial processes cannot stand in the eyes of the world. It is clear that the Attorney-General and party leaders behind this action either lack the understanding of the underlining principles of constitutional democracy, the concept of separation of powers, checks and balances and parliamentary convention or they just simply do not care if the present democracy in the country survives or collapses in their blinded determination to get Saraki and Ekweremadu by all means necessary.”

–Senate’s spokesman, Aliyu Abdullahi, chastising the FG for arraigning its leaders for alleged forgery.

GUESTCOLUMNIST Reno Omokri

Holidaying While Rome Burns?

F

or a nation that has already had one quarter of negative economic growth and is in danger of having another negative quarter (which would invariably put us officially in a recession), I was shocked, like many right thinking people, when the Federal Government extended the Eid-el-Fitr holidays which had initially been declared for Tuesday the 5th and Wednesday the 6th of July, 2016 to now include Thursday the 7th of July.

This record three day holiday effectively rendered the week beginning on Sunday July 3rd, 2016, a wasted week because Nigerians would naturally spend Monday the 4th preparing for the holiday and no right thinking person would expect any serious business to hold on Friday the 8th after the whole nation had been on holiday for the three days prior to that.

The economic implication of this decision is that when the Gross Domestic production of the third quarter of 2016 is being calculated, Nigeria would not be able to count on any meaningful production for one business week.

Flowing from the above, no one needs a crystal ball to predict that Nigeria is headed for another round of negative economic growth when the next quarterly GDP data is unveiled.

Yet this is the same country where 18,000 babies are born everyday and it is doubtful that up to 1,800 new jobs are created everyday. With this grim statistic, no one around the President thought it wise to advise him against making the small percentage of Nigerians who are employed to be underemployed by at least one week because of a holiday.

Is it that we do not understand the economic implications of our actions and how they effect the financial and economic well being of our nation?

Nigeria should be doing everything it can to ensure that it does not have consecutive periods of negative economic growth for the simple reason that having an economy in recession would lead to our economy being further downgraded.

The implication of a downgraded economy is that we will not be able to attract the level of Foreign Direct Investment we need to drive growth.

Further implications are that we would only be able to access credit at higher interest rates. The resultant effect of that would be loss of value in our stock exchange and a downward pressure on the value of the Naira (further devaluation) and when that happens, it would mean more people out of work and a worsening of Nigeria’s Human Development Index.

The question is this-aren’t there people around President Muhammadu Buhari

Buhari

Danbazzau

who can explain this to him? Should Nigeria be holidaying while Rome burns?

The United States has eleven federal holidays while England has eight holidays (known as Bank Holiday).

In contrast, Nigeria’s holidays are discretionary, meaning that you cannot ascertain how many days would be holidays. Holidays can be declared at the whims and caprices of the government in power, as has just been demonstrated, such that as at the first week of July when we should be entering only the second half of the year 2016, Nigeria has already had 8 public holidays which is equal to the number of holidays England would have throughout the year 2016!

We had a holiday on January 1st for New Year’s Day. We had two days holidays on Friday, March 25 and Monday, March 28 for Good Friday and Easter. We had another holiday on May 2nd for May Day (workers day) and we had a holiday on May 30th to mark Democracy Day. And now we have just had a three day holiday.

Is it then any surprise that Nigeria’s production is seriously below par? If you quantify the lost man hours that have been frittered away in these unnecessarily long holidays we would be talking hundreds of billions. How do I know? It is simple mathematics really.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product for the first quarter of 2016 stood at N22.26 trillion Naira. This means we averaged a daily GDP of N245 billion (when you divide N22.26 trillion Naira

The United States has eleven federal holidays while England has eight holidays (known as Bank Holiday). In contrast, Nigeria’s holidays are discretionary, meaning that you cannot ascertain how many days would be holidays...

Nigeria can not afford the luxury of what we have just done. If anything at all, we should not have more than one day to observe either a Christian or Muslim holiday

by the 90 days in an average quarter).

In today’s Naira, N245 billion is $867 million dollars. In essence, for every holiday Nigeria observes, we lose almost a billion dollars or to be more exact $867 million!

This is a lot of money for a country that borrows to pay the salaries of its civil servants and is still sourcing for loans to finance its 2016 budget when we are already passed the middle of the year.

The other day, the Federal Government called for prayers for the precarious state of the economy and now the same government that wants divine intervention to help rescue the economy is itself taking actions that are at cross purposes with its own prayers. What is happening in Nigeria?

Eid-el-Fitr is an Islamic holiday. Though I am a Christian pastor, I have read the Quran. It says as follows in Quran, 4:29 ‘O ye who believe! Do not squander one another’s wealth in vanities, but let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mutual good will.’

As a matter of fact, in one of the hadiths of the prophet, he was asked a question about what type of earning was best for a man and he responded ‘a man’s work with his hands and every (lawful) business transaction.”

Are we then good Muslims if we ignore these ecclesiastical commandments and directions in order that we may holiday and play when we ought to be at work?

Nigeria can not afford the luxury of what we have just done. If anything at all, we should not have more than one day to observe either a Christian or Muslim holiday.

If tomorrow the Naira depreciates in value, the government would blame economic sabotage, the previous administration or the slump in the price of oil and all the usual suspects.

Hardly remembered will be the time when Nigeria holidayed while Rome was burning.

Religion is not a license for laziness.

Quite the contrary. Religion is the means by which man, by careful observance of the rules given us by God, lives a life that ensures his physical and spiritual wellbeing.

That is the part we forgot when either missionaries or conquerors brought the two great Abrahamic faiths to Nigeria.

May God help us all.

•Reno Omokri is the founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center in California, author of Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God and Why Jesus Wept and the host of Transformation with Reno Omokri

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