Saturday 30th July 2016

Switzerland Pledges to Repatriate $321m Abacha Loot Confirms return of $722m in 2005

Alex Enumah in Abuja The government of Switzerland has said it would soon return $321 million looted by late head of state, General Sani Abacha and kept in Swiss banks, as part

of its commitment to fighting money laundering and other trans-national crimes in that country.

The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Eric Mayoraz, made the disclosure yesterday, during the signing of a Memo-

Signs MoU with Nigeria on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters

randum of Understanding on Mutual Legal Assistance on criminal matters, between the Swiss government and the Federal Government of Nigeria in Abuja.

The ambassador stated that the MoU was aimed

at fostering understanding between the two countries particularly as it relates to their different legal system.

He said: “We are now in the process of repatriating $321m from the second batch of the Abacha loot”, adding that the

country had in 2005 repatriated $722m in the first batch.

Mayoraz said: “Today’s event is significant in the sense that it would eradicate every bottleneck associated with the repatriation of stolen funds starched in our country.

“Our countries enjoy excellent relations and we cooperate as partners in many fields, on the return of looted assets, migration, human rights, humanitarian assistance and Continued on page 6

Budget Row: Appropriation Committee Members Rebuke Abdulmumin ... Page 6 Saturday 30 July, 2016 Vol 21. No 7766 Price: N250

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Court Did Not Stop Our Convention, Says PDP Party in desperate search for peace

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Faced with conflicting court rulings, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday insisted that it would go ahead with

plans for fresh national convention fixed for August 17 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

This posture came just as the party was said to be pursuing underground damage -control measures, trying to

quickly notch a peace deal with the aggrieved former national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to avert further disruptive legal actions.

While throwing more light on the implications of the

ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, the Spokesman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said that the court did not validate the continued stay in office by

Sheriff.

“What was before the Court yesterday was the issue of who is the authentic legal Counsel for the PDP between Ferdinand Orbih, SAN and O.O. Fakunle.

The Court in determining the question of Legal representation held that the appointment of O.O. Fakunle, SAN by Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff was acceptContinued on page 6

Restructuring: North Deviating from Balewa, Ahmadu Bello's True Vision, Says Bakare They stood for true federalism and regional autonomy Reform, a demand for federating units that can truly self-administer like in the days of our founding fathers Abrogation of the federal system led to counter-coup CHRIS GIWA

Ademola Babalola in Ibadan and Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia

The General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare yesterday stated that Northern elders opposed to the call for the restructuring of Nigeria have deviated from the ideals of the founding fathers of Northern Nigeria.

Bakare spoke yesterday at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan (UI), at one of the venues for the 50-year memorial of a former military governor of the defunct Western Province of Nigeria, Lt. Col Adekunle Fajuyi, who was murdered in a counter-coup on July 29, 1966, along with the visiting Head of State, Major Gen Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi.

He said the likes of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello and former Continued on page 6

I’m Not a Troublemaker, I Just Want Justice

SuperSaturday pg. 8-9

DAYO ADEDAYO

I’ll Remain a Photographer Until I Die

Plus pg. 17

THE BIG BOSS GOES HOME

L-R: Stephen Keshi's children during requiem mass at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah Town, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State ...yesterday

Keshi Laid to Rest as Clerics Challenge Leaders on Selfless Service ... Page 11

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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R •SATURDAY, JUlY 30, 2016

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Budget Row: Appropriation Committee Members Rebuke Abdulmumin Committee members collected $20,000 each, alleges Abdulmumin Tobi Soniyi and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation have disassociated themselves from what they described as a calculated plot by its former Chairman, Jibrin Abdulmumin to pull down the integrity of the leadership and members of the eighth House.

The members alleged that Abdulmumin unilaterally worked on the budget alongside consultants he engaged at an undisclosed location.

Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Chris Azubogu at a press conference yesterday expressed disappointment at the conduct of Abdulmumin who had launched a media onslaught against Speaker Yakubu Dogara and three principal officers of the House.

Abdulmumin accused

Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yussuff Lasun, Chief Whip Alhasssan Ado Doguwa and Minority Leader Leo Ogor of allocating N40 billion from the National Assembly budget to themselves, and other fraudulent actions.

He, Abdulmumin, had constantly allotted all the actions and decisions of the Committee to himself without conferring with the members, Azubogu said.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state that a comprehensive collation of the reports of the budget from the various standing committees of the House was done by the Appropriation Committee which was in the process of deliberation when the ousted Chairman unilaterally highjacked the entire budget to a hideout with his consultant without the consent of the committee,” he said.

“That was the last time the

committee saw the budget only for Abdulmumin to resurface about three weeks later, with a report purported to have come from the committee,” Azubogu added.

The Deputy Chairman disclosed that the members approached Dogara and demanded the removal of Abdulmumin as Chairman, but the Speaker appealed for calm and promised to resolve the matter amicably.

“In his usual recalcitrant manner, Abdulmumin preferred the confrontational approach which irked the members to request for his urgent removal from office. This request was overwhelmingly supported by the entire House…Mr. Speaker had no choice than to act accordingly in order to maintain the integrity of the whole House,” he added.

Azubogu noted that Abdulmumin, working on the

Ndume: Spats, an embarrassment to National Assembly

budget with consultants is not criminal, but that the members were unhappy that they were not allowed to do their work.

He added that the end product of the unilateral activity is what resulted in the impasse that led to the constitution of the harmonisation committee to rework the budget.

Also speaking, Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, said even though the members did not all work on the budget, as long as it was adopted by the entire House and passed, then the integrity is not affected.

He also noted that there was no issue known as budget padding in legislative parlance as the institution is constitutionally empowered to make amendments to the budget estimates presented by the executive.

In a swift reaction, Abdulmumin accused the nine members who addressed the press of having been induced

with $20,000 each.

He alleged that the money was given to them at the Speaker’s residence by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon CID Maduabum. A charge that was quickly denied by Maduabum, saying “It is really shocking that this kind of despicable character could slip through the political process and become an Honourable member of the House of Representatives."

Ndume: Padding spats, an embarrassment to National Assembly In a related development, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, has described the ongoing spats on budget in the House of Representatives as an embarrassment to the National Assembly.

The Senate Leader said: "The issue of budget padding is more of media hype than reality. We are not doing budget now. We only have Appropriation Act

which is a law and you know the process of implementing a law.

"I do not know where the issue of this budget padding we are talking about is coming from. If we are not to tinker with the budget as submitted by the president, then there would not have been the need to submit it to the National Assembly.

"We have the constitutional duty to add, subtract and adjust.

That was what was done. This is the first time we did a budget that was collectively produced in the sense that it was done in such a way that the Senate, House of Representatives and the Executive played different parts.” see Abdulmumin's full response to the press conference by the nine Appropriation Committee members on www.thisdaylive. com

Buratai Visits Soldiers/UN Humanitarian Staffs Injured in Boko Haram Ambush

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai has visited the wounded soldiers, and the three staff of the United Nations’ agen-

cies and other international humanitarian organisations that were injured during an ambush

by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State on Thursday.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani

Usman, said that Buratai visited the victims at the Accident and Emergency Ward of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital at about 10.00pm on Thursday.

Usman said the COAS

who was accompanied by the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, some Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters (AHQ) and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, interacted

with the wounded soldiers and civilians and encouraged them and wished them speedy recovery.

The Army Spokesman had earlier confirmed that the "troops returning from

Bama on humanitarian escort duty, were ambushed enroute Maiduguri by suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in Meleri village, a few kilometres from Kawuri."

Abia State governor, Dr Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, who was represented by his wife, Nkechi said that Ironsi lived and died for the unity of Nigeria and “represented everything good about Nigeria in the beginning”.

Ikpeazu urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtue of hard work, patriotism and love for our fellow men.

The Nigerian Army, which Ironsi was at its helm of affairs and pioneered every rank from captain to general was fully represented at the memorial ceremony with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin pointing out the good virtues of the late Supreme Commander.

The CDS, who was represented by Maj Gen Edward Nze, stated that the event that led to the death of Ironsi was due to the actions or inactions of past leaders, adding that it is still having effect on the nation.

He therefore advised that the present crop of leaders should also be wary of their actions or inactions and consider the impact of future generations.

The first son of the late head of state, Ambassador Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in his remarks profusely praised the late Col Adekunle Fajuyi, the then military governor of defunct Western Region, who died with

his father, who was his guest.

“Lt Col Fajuyi was a great man. He became a sacrificial lamb and followed the head of state to death,” he said, adding, “We salute the entire Fajuyi family and urge them to keep the flag flying”.

Earlier in his homily at the memorial mass, Rev Fr Aloysius Nwabeke noted that 50 years have gone since the assassination of Ironsi yet nationhood is still elusive, adding that the only people that really believe in Nigeria are those not benefitting from the inequitable system.

According to him, Ironsi was “a champion of unity, who gave his life for his country and yet is not remembered by his country”.

He said that overwhelming majority of the Nigeria’s population still wallow in poverty while corruption thrives in spite of the numerous churches in Nigeria as people worship and praise money instead of worshipping God in spirit and in truth.

Highlight of the event was the blessing of Ironsi’s tomb by the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev Lucius Ugorji followed by laying of wreaths by wife of President Buhari, (represented

by Mrs. Obiano), Mrs. Ikpeazu, the CDS, and Nigerian Legion representative.

Continued on page 10

RESTRUCTURING: NORTH DEVIATING FROM BALEWA, AHMADU BELLO'S TRUE VISION, SAYS BAKARE Prime Minister, late Tafawa Balewa were true nationalists who, throughout their sojourn, stood for true federalism with regional autonomy.

The great Nigerian leaders from the North, he said, made it clear in series of constitutional conferences that heralded Nigeria's independence that true federalism with regional autonomy was the only condition under which they would exist within a Nigerian nation.

To this end, he bemoaned the position of some elders from Northern Nigeria that are opposing the restructuring of the country, saying such posture would bring to the courts of historical opinion the sincerity of the motives of the perpetrators of the counter-coup that led to the death of Adekunle Fajuyi.

"Need we remind those in opposition to restructuring today that one of the main grouses of Nigerians of northern extraction within the army and civil society after the first coup was the abrogation of the federal system by the Aguiyi-Ironsi led government?

"This, without doubt, was the main reason the northern leaders and the counter-coupists, who took the lives of AguiyiIronsi and Fajuyi demanded a reversal of the unification decree and a return to the federal system of government.

"Consequently, to oppose restructuring now, 50 years after, is to confirm the words of Aesop that 'the injury we do and the one we suffer are not

weighed in the same scales.'

"In case it is not clearly understood by the antagonists of restructuring, whether they be from the North or the South, let me make it clear that the call for restructuring is a demand for true federalism; a demand for federating units that can truly self-administer like the regions like in the days of our founding fathers, a demand for the prosperity of the constituent parts that make up the whole.

"It is therefore inconsistent with the interest of the North or the South for the current pseudo-federal structure to persist. If the elders of the North are true elders in this generation, I charge them with the words of the wisest king who ever lived: Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set."

The UI version of the golden remembrance lecture, entitled: “Fajuyi and the Politics of Remembrance,” was organised by the Yoruba Think-Tank. Another lecture was held in Fajuyi's honour at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Iyaganku Ibadan under the auspices of the Alhaji Wale Adele-led League of Veteran Journalists.

The guests present included the family of the late gallant officer, Donald Fajuyi, representatives of State Governors, Diplomats, military personnel and politicians.

Bakare said Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Tafawa Balewa were forerunners of Fajuyi in the Nigerian hall of martyrdom,

but expressed regret that Fajuyi, a national hero with blood of 'Omoluabiism', remained unsung in the nation's body politic.

In the lecture, Professor Niyi Osundare noted that a country would be known by the kind of people it remembers and by the kind of people it chooses not to remember, adding: "Show me your hero and I will tell you who you are. Because in Nigeria, our memory is so scanty and skewed, we do not only remember differently much more frightfully, we remember defectively.”

He argued that the federal government sanctioned the gross devaluation of worth or integrity “by the way it doles out its national honours to recipients, some of whom are notorious treasury looters, election riggers and so on.”

A four-point communiqué, issued at the end of the programme, urged state governments to restore the teaching of History in primary and secondary schools in the South-West, adding that government should conduct regional examinations, and issue certificates to the students.

"Yoruba Language should be a compulsory subject in our schools, and our Houses of Assembly should use it, as is now done in the Lagos State House of Assembly," the communiqué read in part.

At Ironsi’s 50th memorial in Abia State, Nigerians urged to imbibe patriotic virtues…

Eulogies also poured in

COURT DID NOT STOP OUR CONVENTION, SAYS PDP able to the Court. It must be emphasised that at no stage did the Hon. Judge set aside the judgment of Justice A.M. Liman of the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court, which could have led to the dissolution of the National Caretaker Committee.

Adeyeye said that there was no way an order validating Sheriff as National Chairman could have arisen from the issue regarding proper legal representation.

The PDP Spokesman said

that despite the last court ruling on Thursday, the caretaker committee was not averse to reconciliatory talks with Sheriff which will led to an end to the lingering dispute.

Meanwhile, one of such peace overtures to Sheriff came when top member of the party from the South-west, led by Senator Buruji Kashamu met with the former chairman in his office in Abuja yesterday.

The initial efforts at reconciling the two groups collapsed when the PDP National

Caretaker Committee led by Ahmed Makarfi and the Ali Modu Sheriff factions failed to agree on the modalities for the proposed convention.

The Sheriff faction has also insisted that Sheriff should preside over all negotiations, a condition that was never acceptable to Makarfi and so, the committee went ahead with plans for the convention.

But Kashamu, confirmed yesterday that a reconciliatory process had commenced between the two groups.

yesterday for Ironsi in Abia State, with calls on Nigerians to imbibe patriotism, love and unity that characterised the life of the fallen hero.

The memorial mass held at St Finbars Catholic Church Umuahia attracted notable personalities who came to pay tributes and honour the man that was a symbol of unity that has become elusive in Nigeria of today.

Wife of the president, Hajia Aisha Buhari described Ironsi as “a great patriot and a soldier’s soldier, adding from all indications, he stood for everything good about Nigeria in the beginning.”

The First Lady, who was represented by the wife of Anambra State governor, Mrs. Ebere Obiano, noted that the first military head of state worked for the unity of the nation, hence what he stood for should be emulated for the good of the nation.

“From all indications he stood for one Nigeria. We appreciate and support the ideals he lived and died for,” she said.

Mrs. Buhari also commended Lady Victoria Ironsi, the widow of the late head of state for holding forth for half a century after the death of her husband, adding that Mrs. Ironsi has shown commitment, courage and selfless service.

SWITZERLAND PLEDGES TO REPATRIATE $321M ABACHA LOOT many others.

“Today, we decided to take this cooperation forward to deepen it in the field of judicial cooperation. By signing a Memorandum of Understanding in this important area, our two states further strengthen their ties of friendship and cooperation.”

While stating that fighting international crime, in particular corruption, is an important issue also for the Swiss government as the MoU provides for a settle foundation to improve cooperation, the envoy added that it has the advantage of bringing direct contact through central authorities as well.

“The text we will now sign marks the starting point of a new era in our common fight against international crime. People, goods and money move around easily in today’s world. That is generally a positive thing.

Unfortunately, this mobility is not limited to honest people and clean money. Criminals and proceeds of crime profit from it, as well. States must thus cooperate in order to fight transnational organised crime, corruption, money laundering, the drug trade”, he said.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajia Abba Ibrahim, disclosed that the idea of signing the MoU was first muted

in 2015. She stated that the agreement would help block accounts of funds linked to money laundering and other trans-national crimes.

Ibrahim commended the Swiss government for supporting Nigeria’s fight against corruption, noting that repatriated funds can help facilitate essential development in Nigeria.

She assured the ambassador of the commitment of the Buhari’s administration towards the improvement of the living standards of Nigerians, and pledged the nation’s commitment in deepening relations between Nigeria and Switzerland.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY JULY 30, 2016

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

SUPER SATURDAY Chris Giwa

I’m Not a Troublemaker, It’s Justice I Want That Nigeria did not qualify for two Africa Nations’ Cup editions consecutively is no longer news. That the country’s football house is embroiled in a bitter leadership crisis is a true reflection of issues that have kept the nation’s football from moving beyond its present rating by FIFA. There have been claims and counterclaims by those struggling for the soul of the nation’s soccer administration. Chris Giwa, presumed winnezr of NFF August 2014 election, speaks on reasons court pronouncements should be the way forward in resolving the NFF crisis. Stanley Nkwazema reports

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Elusive Peace in NFF hris Giwa gave an insight on absence of peace in Nigeria’s football family even when he admitted that the minister of sports has been trying to resolve the matter.

“So many individuals both home and abroad including the Minister for Sports, Dalung, have done their best, to the best of my knowledge to restore sanity at the NFF; because I remember he has called me and Amaju Pinnick to talk with us.

He is still trying even when the court has taken a decision which was not appealed. Again the court gave a Writ of Execution which they are saying is forged. How can that happen in this day and time?

“The registrar who issued the Writ has explained that it was not forged. The law will take its cause. I will not do anything that runs against the laws of the land.

But the truth will surely come out and Nigerians will know what we have been talking about,” he said.

Law on My Side Giwa feels the laws are on his side. He said, “They are not telling the public the truth because what we took to the court has nothing to do with the election, it is in the ruling there. We only went to the court to challenge the letters of FIFA to Nigeria and the interference. FIFA came there to even tell the arbitration that they never recognised Amaju Pinick, that the former FIFA boss, Sepp Blatter, only wrote him on a personal capacity since there were unresolved issues on ground.

And in their ruling, FIFA said they never did that. That was why they dismissed the appeal. It has nothing to do with the election.

“People should not be deceived on this issue. It may also interest you to note that Article 1.1 of FIFA Statute states: ‘The Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) is an association registered in the Commercial Register in accordance with Act 60 of the Swiss Civil Code. And Article 1.1 of the NFF statute states: ‘Nigeria Football Federation is a private organisation of an associative nature in compliance with the laws of Nigeria. It is formed for an unlimited period.’ It is very clear if they can understand the truth.

That Article 1.1 of FIFA statute and Article 1.1 of NFF statute are very clear as it relates to Football Matters and Civil Court. Both organisations admitted to the subservience to national laws of nations. In FIFA’s case, they agreed to be subservient to Swiss laws and the NFF to Nigerian laws. Indeed there are several cases where civil issues in the management of football have gone to courts.

The most recent is that of Egypt where a court also sacked the FA which has been obeyed. FIFA has 109 cases in different courts worldwide which they diligently attend to.”

Giwa

Nigeria’s Football Dying “Crisis is not good, but like I have said in the past which I will repeat now: once the right thing is not done, you can’t get

peace. You cannot be pretending that all is well when you know that it is not well while it is not well. The issue in Nigeria football is not an issue of 2014; it is an issue that has been there since the committee of Buba Galadima’s time.

Not until when we get the right thing to be done, there will be problem. You can even understand that because of the crises, I have refused to comment on the issue of my club Giwa FC of Jos. I don’t want to talk about my club. I want my club to be put aside on this issue,” Giwa stated.

He said they challenged FIFA’s letter of August 29th 2014 before the Court of Arbitration in Sports in case number CAS/2014/37/44. In its arbitral awards, he said CAS rightly noted “NFF election as such and all NFF related deeds have never been challenged before CAS. And surely, CAS has no direct jurisdiction to review such NFF elections.”

He explained that what this then means is that the election of August 26, 2014, was never challenged before CAS. “The CAS had earlier held that ‘conversely, the panel may not assess the validity of the various NFF elections on the basis of the NFF rules or of the Nigerian law because such appraisal falls outside of the scope of FIFA’s authority under Article 17 of its statute and thus falls outside of the panel’s scope of review’. CAS never determined that we were not duly elected on August 2014.

As a matter of fact CAS pointedly put it in the following words: ‘the panel does not rule that the election of 26th August , 2014 was invalid under its proper law because this finding would fall outside the scope this panels review.’”

Giwa said the purpose of the second letter which states in its relevant part was not (and could not have been) to recognise the election of 30th September, 2014 as alleged by the appellants because under its own rules, FIFA does not have the authority to positively recognise the election of its member associations.

He said, “Indeed since CAS did not rule that our election of August 2014 was invalid, and also that FIFA could not be said to have recognised the purported election of 30th September, 2014 in which Amaju Pinnick emerged, our election being the first in time subsists and takes over the Warri election.”

Greed is Major Problem According to Giwa, the crisis in NFF is down to greed. “All I can say about NFF issues, like I told the House of Representatives Committee on sports, is that the cause of Nigeria football is about greed. When statutes are tampered to favour a certain set of people, certainly you will have problem. When you look at the delegates who elect, like last year December when the congress met, they said if you are not a member of NFA, you cannot contest elections. It shows what they are doing is that the leadership of the Nigeria football should only be within the state FA because we have 44 delegates at the 37 states FA. “When you allow people to come into a system to exercise their rights to declare their interest you will have peace. I think the major problem is

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

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SUPER SATURDAY When Kunle Afolayan ‘Steals’ Soul of “Exam” to Create “The CEO”...

I knew him (Keshi) personally. Sad we are now talking about him in the past. It came to me as a shock; it even affected a lot of my activities. It disorganised a lot of my programmes.

He is someone I have related very closely with.

I know his contributions to this country and his love for the game. It is so sad that we treated him the way we treated him even when we knew that the wife had cancer and he was battling with so many issues because of his relationship with the woman. I am sure that he couldn’t overcome the shock of the woman’s Giwa matter. It is out of their interest for democratic government and not autocracy death. They were so the the game, that they invited us and to or military styled Gestapo regime.” us out. I think they are doing their Why so much interest in football? close hear best. All I want to say is for us to appreciHis love of football is unmistakable;

greed. Certainly we will make it open.

Like you all know, I am coming from the outside not the state FA. It is going to be a federation for all people who love the game. It is only in Nigeria football federation I see where those who are investors in football are not called stakeholders. What I understand is that in every industry or organisation your investment qualifies you for a position in that place,” he noted.

ate God first; we should pray for football in this country that God should help the administrators to be able to do the right thing.”

And the Giwa FC boss said no sponsor would want to invest where there is no return on investments. To him, there is the need to thread with caution.

“We need to thread with caution the way we go about promoting rumours and indiscipline and telling lies. Our football is going down and we must check the descent and downwards drifty. There is no body that doesn’t need improvement in life, our league, national male and female teams, and our youth and schools football all need to be overhauled.”

The Jos High Court Debacle Giwa stated that if one feels aggrieved, he or she has to approach a court of law.

He explained that the reason his camp went to the Federal High Court in Jos was in respect to its rights under Article 1.1 of the NFF statute. However, he said FIFA’s letter actually demanded if such provisions were provided in our statute.

He said, “In respect of Article 1.1 of both FIFA and NFF, they were provided for. It states: ‘Nigeria Football Federation is a private organisation of an associative nature in compliance with the laws of Nigeria. It is formed for an unlimited period.’ The court was our last resort as respectable citizens of this nation. We had patiently followed all the laid down processes. We got orders of the court and that gave us the rights and power to do what we are doing. Today, the law of the land is on our side. We had come to equity and our hands are clean.”

The National Assembly Connection Giwa also said the House of Representatives had not received the detailed report.

“They are doing their best to resolve

Is Giwa a Troublemaker?

To many people, Giwa is a troublemaker who doesn’t want peace. But that is to those who do not know him.

His view: “Well if you don’t come close to someone, you will never know the person. The Bible says for lack of knowledge my people perish. Maybe because of my consistency in the struggle for equity and fair play in the leadership of Nigerian football, many think there is no point. Some who are far from me may think I am a troublemaker. I am a peace-loving Nigerian and that is why I am following the rule of law. People should not think that Nigerians don’t know laws as regards the sovereignty of this country and what the FIFA laws also stipulate.

“Even the laws of even Switzerland where we have the FIFA headquarters are respected by the world body. Have you wondered why some FIFA officials are being prosecuted before they are extradited to another country? It must be according to the laws of Switzerland in the first instance. The laws of the land must be respected. We are operating a

to Giwa, interest in the number one seat of NFF has nothing to do with personal interest.

“It has to do with me wanting to contribute to the development of the game and I think I have shown that through my past antecedents. Today, I have my own club that is run professionally. You know it is a matter of interest and in life. You have some people supporting you and you have some people against you. But I know I have interest for the game and by the grace of God I feel I have something positive to contribute.

The problem with our football is that some people think it is their pot of soup and they want to decide who gets what.

People with genuine interest, resources and time are being systematically excluded from the affairs of football in this country. It is sad because the best brains are not being encouraged to take our football to greater heights. They keep us like a lake. No movement outside the waters.

There is no way we can move forward and reclaim our rightful position in world football,” Giwa stated.

Reaching out to Stakeholders Giwa said there is crisis now and no one can run away from it.

“So I need to reach out to the stakeholders to see how you we can bring everybody together. Certainly by the grace of God that will be one of the first things I will do when we resume or as we fully get our stability in office. We cannot do well without reconciling the people. Reconciliation is number one because you need peace for you to prosper and progress.

Absolving the minister of sports, Giwa said anybody saying the sports minister is interfering in the crises is not being fair to Solomon Dalung because the issue of the Nigeria football federation started since 2014; long before he was appointed sports minister.

“It has nothing to do with him.

He only came and met the issue on ground. When we even submitted a letter to him, he was surprised. Some people are not being fair to the man.

He met an issue on ground and not because he is from the same state with me, he did his best to make sure he brings peace between the two factions,” Giwa added.

Keshi’s Death a Shock “I knew him (Keshi) personally. Sad we are now talking about him in the past. It came to me as a shock; it even affected a lot of my activities. It disorganised a lot of my programmes. He is someone I have related very closely with. I know his contributions to this country and his love for the game. It is so sad that we treated him the way we treated him even when we knew that the wife had cancer and he was battling with so many issues because of his relationship with the woman.

I am sure that he couldn’t overcome the shock of the woman’s death. They were so close.”

He said he did not think Keshi forgave the Nigerian football authorities because of the way he was removed as the head coach of the team, adding that he did not discuss the issue with him but he believed he was not happy.

He added he did not want to say more on Shuaibu Amodu who died shortly after Keshi.

“It is so sad that we lost Shuaibu Amodu also; a very patriotic Nigerian.

Each time he was called upon to assist, he was always there for the rescue mission. And now he is also gone. We need to ensure that people who labour for us are adequately rewarded. Even when you want to severe relationship, let them be adequately taken care of.

Have you wondered why we don’t get the best to apply for the Nigerian football number one managerial position? You can now understand,” Giwa noted.

FIFA, NFF Need to Respect Nigeria’s Courts

10

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULy 30, 2016

NEWS

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

Military Continues Aerial Bombardment, Offensive against Vandals in Lagos Bombs enclaves, hideouts, to go after their sponsors, block their escape routes Chiemelie Ezeobi

In a bid to flush out the pipeline vandals operating at Ishawo and Igando areas of Ikorodu in Lagos, Arepo, Awawa, Elepete and Ibafo areas of Ogun State, the military has launched an intensive offensive against the cartel by bombing the area.

In an operation tagged 'Operation Awatse', an Hausa word for 'scatter', the military's joint task force had at midnight on Thursday launched an aerial bombardment of the vandal's enclaves, camps and hideouts.

The Joint Task Force comprises the elements of the Nigerian Navy (NN), the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Army (NA), alongside the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).

The offensive was due to the increasing cases of kidnapping, rape, acts of vandalism and armed robbery operations continuously perpetrated by the vandals, who always come out of their enclaves to terrorise civilians in the respective communities.

At the Ishawo community, cases of kidnapping abound especially that of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor and the recent abduction of the Oba of Iba, Oba Goriola.

So, the military deployed fighter jets and attack helicopters not just to bomb the area but as a show of force.

Thus, when the aerial bombardment began at midnight,

pandemonium ensued as the residents thought militants from the Niger Delta had struck.

Addressing journalists yesterday at the conference hall of the Western Naval Command (WNC), the Flag Officer Commanding, WNC, Rear Admiral Bobai Ducas Ferguson, said the offensive would continue until the vandals were given a run for their money.

Given that the Operation Awatse has intensified efforts to clear out the enclave permanently, Bobai said they would this time go beyond that to get to the chief sponsors of the vandals, to know who armed them with the heavy duty weapons they were toting.

He said, "Last month, we got a directive from the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, to carry out an operation in Arepo and dismantle the vandal's camps scattered around Ishawo in Ikorodu, Ibafo and Arepo in Ogun State.

"Initially, we were directed not to use air power but when we carried out an assessment of the area, the vandals had moved from accessible areas to the mangroves.

"We got back to the CDS on how to take out the target is through air power and we were directed to do a general assessment and deploy attack helicopters.

"But before then, we were in touch with Lagos and Ogun State Government because the Areas of Responsibility (AOR) was within their domain.

"First, we deployed a surveillance aircraft to go see the area and we analysed the videos

BACK TO GRASSROOTS...

L-R; National Leader,All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; and Chairman, APC Lagos State, Otunba Henry Ajomale, during a meeting with the Party Members at the Party Secretariat, Acme Road, Ogba, Lagos on Friday

and pinpointed the areas to be destroyed.

"The revelation from the video showed that a lot of pipeline vandalism was taking place in the area. We could see loads of jerry cans chained together in the area.

"The inaccessibility of the area helped their trade. Asides the fact that the water is shallow; they cut down trees and blocked the waterways.

"Yesterday, (Thursday), we initiated action and we knocked down some. Later, the surveillance aircraft went up for another video surveillance to survey the area.

"In the video, one of the canoes had a GPMG gun and the interpretation is that what is happening there is well planned, given how well armed they are.

"After the aerial bombardment, we will go to comb the area.

Already, the land component;

Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the police have been able to identify the getaway routes and we have blocked it.

"The water component, which is the navy, has also blocked the escape routes too. Also, we have blocked the escape route at Abeokuta, Ogun State."

However, Bobai said one of the major challenges the military offensive was facing was the

inclement weather. He said, "The weather is one of the major challenges because the clouds are low. So, the helicopter is finding it difficult to manoeuver. However, we will continue our offensive."

On the casualty figures, the FOC said that was yet to be ascertained because the military was yet to go get access to the area, adding that it would only be possible after the aerial bombardment.

Presidency: Okorocha Kicks against Niger Delta Avengers: Military Igbo Presidency Based on Zoning Releases Tompolo's Associates Amby Uneze in Owerri For the first time in the agitation for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha has kicked against the idea of Igbo Presidency if it was based on zoning, adding that what the country needed was a sound, intelligent and resourceful person with carriage and the wherewithal.

He also said he had concluded plans to reduce working days in the week for civil servants to three as against the present five working days so they could use the free days to look for alternative sources of income to augment what the government pays as salary.

Okorocha while chatting with Journalists in his Spitbat mansion in Owerri said that political power should not be shared on the basis of where one came from but what the person had to offer to the masses as "power given is power abused".

He was of the opinion that whoever wants to be president

of Nigeria should have what it takes irrespective of where the person comes from.

"The idea of Igbo Presidency should be jettisoned. Let the one who has the resources go for it.

Let us stop the idea of zoning the presidency. You might have an Igbo Presidency and then you will end up getting nothing.

"It is better to look for a man with a mission, vision, strength and intelligent as well as the resources and not where the person comes from. Political power should not be shared on the basis of where you come from, but on what you have upstairs", he stated.

According to the governor, “power given to nonentities is a power wasted. We want to have an Igbo President that knows what it takes”.

On the issue of school fees, Okorocha announced that government was reconsidering the introduction of School fees in the state in order to raise money to pay salaries of civil servants.

He stated that a lot of proposals had been inundating his office

on daily basis and stressed that government may have no other option than to reintroduce school fees so parents would be back to cater for the education of their children and wards.

Okorocha who expressed happiness over the outcome of the last rerun elections in Okigwe senatorial zone and three local government areas for the state house of Assembly seats urged the National Assembly to review the seat of deputy Senate President which was currently occupied by Senator Ike Ekweremadu who is of PDP extraction.

"I want to urge the National Assembly to rectify this anomaly by installing the senator-elect from Okigwe zone, Benjamin Uwajumogu to reclaim the position of Senate deputy president.

"PDP is not popular once you remove rigging. The party is as flat as anything in the South East. As it stands now APC has recorded her deserved victory in the Senate in the south east and we have three more members in the state house of Assembly", he said.

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The 3rd Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Effurun on Thursday night bowed to pressure from groups and ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias "Tomopolo" with the release of two of his associates arrested penultimate Monday.

The duo, Simeon Bebenimibo, a member of the Delta State Waterways Security committee and Bomboy Oluwa, a boat engine repairer, were arrested

on Monday, July 18, 2016 by soldiers allegedly in connection with the activities of the dreaded members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

Security sources told THISDAY yesterday that the arrested suspects were released without any condition due to pressure from the various groups and directive from the Presidency.

"After extensive investigations, the military had no further reason to hold them and because of public outcry including that

of ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, the Presidency ordered their release", the security source disclosed.

THISDAY had exclusively reported the arrest of the aides of Tompolo penultimate Thursday which generated public outrage in the Niger Delta Region.

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI) as well as other groups had reacted spontaneously decrying the arrests and subsequent detention of the duo.

Buratai Visits Soldiers/UN Humanitarian Staffs Injured in Boko Haram Ambush However, the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in a statement following the attacks announced temporary suspension of the humanitarian services to the North East.

The United Nations said the incident was not only an attack on humanitarian workers but on the people who most need the assistance and aid that these workers were bringing". "The United Nations has temporarily

suspended humanitarian assistance missions pending review of the security situation," it stated.

Meanwhile, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday called for calm as the United Nation’s announced that it would be suspending aid deliveries in Nigeria following the attack on the humanitarian convoy.

Saraki in a statement by his Media Office, condemned the attack in the strongest possible

Cont’d from Pg. 6

terms, stating that it was unacceptable to endanger the lives of aid workers, who were only trying to assuage the situation in the North East.

Saraki further called for an immediate review of the security situation in the North East by the relevant authorities, stating that it was necessary to alleviate the concerns of international partners who are set to help rebuild the crisis-torn areas.

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JULY 30, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

APC’s Terrifying Hypocrisy in War against Ekweremadu

T

his week, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State added a prickly dimension to the hitherto clandestine moves by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to dubiously remove the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. He declared through one of his aides: “He (Ekweremadu) will soon be ousted from office with the assured victory of the APC in the Imo.North Senatorial rerun poll.” Because of extreme desperation, Okorocha even forgot that the Senate has a ranking rule that will not favour the purported APC senator coming from Imo North after a crooked re-election.

The National Chairman of the APC, John Oyegun was also on Channels Television about two weeks ago and spent the bulk of his time lamenting the emergence of Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President. He said, almost 14 months after Ekweremadu’s victory, he and his party were still pained. Oyegun added that the party would never accept Ekweremadu as the deputy president of the Senate. “I think the thing that rankled us the most was the election of Ekweremadu as the deputy Senate president. Saraki is a member of the APC, much as the main line of the party would have wished a different result and a different scenario. But we all find it very, very difficult to accept the emergence of a PDP person as his deputy,” stated the APC national chairman.

Of course, the leadership of the party has been doing everything possible to frustrate the deputy Senate President. For over a year now, they have been using state resources and personnel to intimidate and harass this innocent man. He was even arraigned alongside the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki for a ludicrous forgery allegation; it was obviously part of a well co-ordinated plot to finally hound Ekweremadu out of his position. It was even alleged this week that one of the things on the agenda of the APC governors who met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja was how to remove Ekweremadu. This plot has clearly

been taken to a ridiculous level.

So, what offence has the deputy Senate president committed to warrant these unprecedented assault, insult and harassment? When has it become a sin, to contest and emerge as the deputy Senate president in a widely acclaimed free and fair election? When did it become a crime for an opposition Senator to emerge as the deputy Senate president? This is what democracy is all about. There is no law restricting this position or any other executive position in the National Assembly to members of the ruling party. Legislators have a right to elect whoever they deem fit, into any position.

This is a fact the ruling APC is struggling to live with. As a result, the ruling party has rolled out all sorts of missiles against Ekweremadu.

It is even more painful when one recalls that the APC celebrated the then speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, when he dumped the PDP on which platform he emerged as the speaker, for the then opposition APC. This cowboy called Tambuwal transferred another party’s mandate to the APC and many of them clapped for him, saying that it was good for democracy.

Just as Ahmed Makarfi, the interim chairman of the PDP noted: “Even the APC as a party and President Muhammadu Buhari (before his election), variously and robustly defended the constitutionality and imperativeness of bi-partisan legislative leadership during the defection of Tambuwal to its fold while in opposition without relinquishing his position.

“We, however, want to make it clear that the APC has no constitutional or moral grounds to be displeased with Ekweremadu’s emergence or to go this ridiculous length to harass, intimidate, embarrass, and malign him and the institution of the Senate on account of a position to which his colleagues, cutting across party lines, elected him in a transparent and televised election in line with Section 50 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.”

Lai Mohammed, who was the spokesman

Senator Garbai and the Task Ahead

One of the high points of the recent reshuffle of Senate Committee Chairmanship was the emergence of Senator Baba Kaka Garbai (APC Borno Central) as the Chairman of the Rules and Business Committee. Of course, this is the engine room of the Senate. The position is usually reserved for well-bred professionals, with a high-level of political maturity. The choice of Garbai is appropriate.

This Prince of Borno is expected to reflect a high-level of finesse in the operation of this strategic Committee. Garbai, highly refined, cool, calm and always calculated, brings to this position, wide-ranging experience spanning the public and private sector. He was the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Borno State for four years, where he played a key role in easing the effect of terrorism on the people of the state. Garbai also served at the National level as a Director with the National Investment Promotion Council, NIPC.

of the APC, also celebrated Tambuwal’s defection. He said: “I must say that this historic development means that our democracy is growing by the day and

it is dynamic. We think that having the head of the legislature from the opposition party makes for a balanced setting in government and it is good for democracy. Those who are saying this has not happened before and that Tambuwal should step aside as the Speaker do not have the backing of history and the Constitution.” That was Lai Mohammed.

Suddenly, he and his party are behaving as if the victory of Ekeremadu lacks the backing of the constitution. They are behaving as if our democracy is no longer growing.

This witch-hunting of Ekweremadu by the APC must stop. His emergence as the deputy Senate president is consistent with the law and practice in a presidential system of government everywhere in the world. Nigeria can’t be different. The Nigerian Constitution requires (only) that the President of the Senate or his deputy be elected by members of the Senate from among themselves.

For Okorocha, I urge him to concentrate on fixing the decaying infrastructure in his failed state and spend quality time working on how to pay the traumatised Imo civil servants instead of persistently thinking about how to bring down Ekweremadu. One of the deputy Senate president’s aides was apt last week when he remarked: “If Okorocha was not able to secure a principal office, even deputy majority whip, for the two House of Representatives members from Imo State, it is left to imagination how he would be able to appoint a deputy president for the Senate. He is on a wild goose chase. He (Okorocha) and APC leaders in the South-east should preoccupy themselves with ending the invasions and killings of our people by purported herdsmen, gross marginalisation of Ndigbo in the distribution of opportunities and the blessings of democracy as well as the worrisome trend of inconclusive elections.”

A Word for Governor Ambode

Abductions, violent robberies and killings have never assumed this frightening level in Lagos State. The last three months have been horrendous. This is the third time I will be writing on this, yet, there is little result.

The aerial raid on the terrorists’ hideout in Ikorodu yesterday was heartwarming. There is the need to do more. As at press time, a first-class traditional ruler in the state was still with his kidnappers. Communities in Igando, Iba, Ikorodu West and Ikorodu North are worse hit by this menace. It is a shame that people are being forced to pack out of their homes in areas like Agbede, Isawo, Igbo Olomu, Ita-Oluwo, Odon Nla, Asolo, Oke-Oko, Pacific Estate, Ikejiobi Avenue, Ewedogbon, Fatoki, Obadore and Egan; yet, there is a state governor here. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode must raise his game

and nip in the bud this menace. Insecurity in Lagos must be reduced drastically. I am scandalised that several weeks after this menace reared its ugly head, the military is yet to start playing a major role in the patrol of these crisis areas. Of course, we all know that the police are incapable of handling the situation. Ambode must get the support of the military high command, to ensure that soldiers are deployed to the troubled areas. The good thing with Ikorodu is that there is a military barracks nearby. All they need is instruction from Abuja and logistic support from the Lagos State government.

Ambode must act now; he must act very fast to assuage the traumatised residents of these troubled areas. Already, there are refugees in Ikorodu. This is a big shame in the centre of excellence.

Godwin Obaseki’s Comical Promise of 200,000 Jobs

Garbai

Boko Haram’s Attack in Guro Gongon The attack on Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram terrorists in Guro Gongon Village, Borno State on 20th July 2016 was depressing. The calibre of equipment recovered from the extremists, after the ambush was repelled by the military, also leaves much to be desired. According to an official statement, “The recovered items include one gun truck mounted with an anti-aircraft gun, a MOWAG armoured personnel carrier, one rocket propelled grenade tube, one light machine gun, three AK-47 rifles and motorcycles.” An unknown number of Nigerian soldiers were declared missing and 19 others with three members of civilian JTF were wounded. The fact

This witch-hunting of Ekweremadu by the APC must stop. His emergence as the deputy Senate president is consistent with the law and practice in a presidential system of government everywhere in the world. Nigeria can’t be different. The Nigerian Constitution requires (only) that the President of the Senate or his deputy be elected by members of the Senate from among themselves

that the terrorists had the audacity to ambush our soldiers with high-quality equipment is a confirmation of my earlier piece on why Internally Displaced Persons can’t return home.

I am shocked that a purportedly dismembered terror group is still operating with an armoured personnel carrier. Just on Thursday, UNICEF suspended aid deliveries to Borno, after an attack on its humanitarian convoy in Bama. On the same day, The MultiNational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF), finally captured Damasak town, in Northern Borno; yet, the Buhari administration said no Nigerian territory was under Boko Haram’s control. May Allah continue to protect our gallant soldiers.

There is nothing desperate Nigerian politicians will not do or say to get to power. As usual, it is already happening in Edo State as the battle to replace Adams Oshiomhole thickens. Godwin Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the September 10 governorship election in the state, has promised to create more than 200,000 jobs, if elected.

Obaseki made this pledge at his recent rally at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin. He said the focus of his administration, if elected, would be job creation.

First, I can’t fathom how he would create 200,000 jobs in four years. I very much doubt if even his mentor and outgoing governor, Adams Oshiomhole was able to create just 100 jobs in his almost eight years as the governor. The Edo State civil service is already bloated. Obaseki needs to be reminded that it is not the business of government to create jobs, but to create an enabling environment for the private sector to do this.

The other day, I also heard the APC candidate saying, at a rally, that he would

bring broadband to Edo State and create jobs with the internet, if elected. I hope he is not talking about “419” jobs here. Again, I doubt if there is any state without broadband connection in Nigeria. Our politicians should stop this kind of silly promises. The desperation to win elections is getting to the extreme.

Obaseki

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JULY 30, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE Kingsley Frank reckons Abdulmumin Jibrin’s accusations against the Speaker are mischievous

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he 8th National Assembly has become the most controversial since the return to democracy in 1999.

It has been bedevilled with all kinds of controversies. Just as one seems to be dying out, another rears its head. The latest has to do with the recently passed 2016 budget. As the House was about to go on its annual recess, the chairman of the house committee that worked on the national budget approved last April, was removed from office, amid allegations of padding the budget. The majority of members in the green chambers had allegedly lost confidence reposed in Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin as chairman of the very sensitive committee.

But Jibrin, a member from Kano State, did not take the matter of his removal by Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara lightly. He felt having worked for the emergence of Dogara as the Speaker of the house, he deserved something better. Hon. Abdulrahman Jibrin resorted to all kinds of giddy and hard to prove accusations against the speaker and indeed, the leadership of the house. He went on air to declare that Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the 8th session of the House of Representatives and indeed the leadership of the House, were responsible for the padding of the budget which had elicited strong reactions in the polity when the issue earlier came up this year. Indeed, President Muhammadu Buhari initially refused to assent to the budget.

But if Mr. Jubrin’s intention was to create a level of distrust between Nigerians and the House leadership, then he may have goofed. He failed to understand that this is an age of information where people can get any information they need in a split second.

Nigerians have been left wondering where this born again whistle blower was when the controversy of the budget padding was raging. The truth unfortunately is that Hon. Jibrin as a sinking man wants to drag many

NIGERIANS HAVE BEEN LEFT WONDERING WHERE THIS BORN AGAIN WHISTLE BLOWER WAS WHEN THE CONTROVERSY OF THE BUDGET PADDING WAS RAGING

innocent persons down with him.

It will not be out of place that while he was working for the emergence of Yakubu Dogara, he was busy scheming on what to get out of it with the recent revelations on constituency projects. All this have turned out to constitute a serious embarrassment to the 8th House of Representatives.

But whatever Jibrin’s intention may be, the place of the speaker, Yakubu Dogara, in history is already assured. As a parliamentary writer in the National Assembly and I have kept a close observation of Hon. Yakubu Dogara since he became a member of the House of Representatives and I am forced to doubt Mr. Jibrin’s allegations. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, while a member of the House Committee on Services as well as Customs and Excise, was never involved in or associated with any form of scandal. It was his transparency and honesty as well as patriotism and loyalty to the whole house that endeared him to his colleagues, despite the insistence of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field someone else as Speaker of the House.

Indeed, Nigerians will readily recall that Dogara’s tenure was marked with not a single allegation of wrong doing in the sixth and seventh assemblies.

For Hon. Jibrin to therefore attempt to denigrate the person of Dogara is not only mischievous, but misleading and condemnable. Just as it is important that the anti-corruption agencies investigate the role of Hon. Jibrin in the budget padding saga, it is also important that he apologises to the Speaker, the leadership of the House and indeed the entire members, and Nigerians in general, for his uninspiring conduct in office as chairman of the committee on appropriations.

Frank, a member of the Legislative Writers Forum, wrote from Abuja

THROUGH THICK AND THIN

Whenever INEC decides to conduct the rerun election in Rivers State, the people are with PDP, writes Simeon Nwakaudu

C

oming less than 24 hours after the embattled Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wilfully capitulated to the antics of the defeated Rivers State APC, the statement of the people of Rivers West Senatorial District was loud and clear: they would stand with the PDP, no matter the tricks adopted by those terrified by the thought of elections.

So on Wednesday, July 27, 2016, thousands of the indigenes and residents of Rivers West Senatorial District defied the heavy downpour and congregated at the Degema Township Stadium to send a clear message to the political traders at Abuja that they would not allow anyone, no matter how highly placed or connected, to steal their mandate. It was a public commitment to the tenets of one man, one vote; one woman, one vote; one youth, one vote. Anything short of this time honoured principle, they made it clear to the world that they would reject.

The rally also turned out to be an opportunity for the people of the district to further pledge their support and loyalty to Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who they described as God-sent with a classical performance indicator that has surpassed the expectations of all.

They came from the eight local government areas of the district, namely: Degema, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/ Odual, Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni and Bonny.

For all the eight local government areas, the leaders and delegates were shocked beyond words that the INEC relied on a contrived incident in a town in another senatorial district to postpone the entire rerun elections in Rivers West.

In a peaceful procession round the Degema Township Stadium, all the delegates denounced INEC for taking an action premised on false grounds which

will further deny them representation at the national and state assemblies.

The Rivers APC can be likened to truant students, who, out of ill-preparation for examinations, employ all manner of tricks including violence to ensure that their school is shut down so that examinations are postponed. But the reality is that no matter the tricks, every student must face examinations. Therefore, no matter the number of petitions written by the Rivers APC to INEC and the number of violent games they play, the rerun elections will hold and they would face the judgment of the people.

Leaders of the PDP at the Rivers West Senatorial District rally made this point explicitly. Senator Odinakachukwu Ideozu, Rivers West PDP candidate for the rerun elections, regretted that through deliberate manipulation, Rivers State has been denied representation at the National Assembly. He explained that as a result of this manipulation, especially in the Senate where the state has no single representative, the resolutions and laws passed by the upper chamber of parliament are defective because of the unconstitutional exclusion of a federating unit from the process.

Senator Ideozu wondered why INEC would base its decision to postpone the rerun elections in the whole of Rivers State on a new incident in just one local government area out of 23. According to him, by the action, the commission chose to succumb to the manipulation of hoodlums and arsonists, instead of using security agencies to hunt down the criminals, while conducting the scheduled rerun elections.

Former acting National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, berated the APC-led federal government for entrenching an era of inconclusive elections, which

is negatively impacting on the nation’s democracy. He noted that the people of Rivers State have been convinced by the performance of Governor Nyesom Wike, hence they would always vote for PDP in all elections.

Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo said the massive turnout of the people was an indication that the people will always vote PDP candidates. For Governor Wike, he restated his commitment to peace in the state, especially the implementation of the peace accord reached at a meeting convened by the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of Department of State Security for the conduct of rerun elections in the state.

He noted that the state government is sincere in all its undertakings and hoped that the other party will be sincere with the process.

The governor declared that he willingly participated at the peace meeting convened by the Inspector-General of Police and the Director General of the DSS because of his commitment to peace and the need to make sacrifices for the development of the state.

Governor Wike stated that the people of the state must be allowed to elect representatives of their choice at the national and state assemblies. He said: “I was at the peace meeting because we love peace and want the state to move forward. I signed an undertaking on your behalf that we are prepared for INEC to conduct a credible, free and fair elections. It is not in our position to have crisis because we are the ones losing”.

He noted that the Rivers State Government will partner with security agencies to ensure that peaceful elections hold in the state. He said those who wanted the state to burn would be disappointed.

The governor expressed sadness that

some politicians were celebrating that the elections were postponed, saying that his commitment that Rivers State should have representatives at the National Assembly was because the people of the state have been shut out of deliberations on the Petroleum Industry Bill and other legislations.

He called on PDP members to remain vigilant while expecting the rerun elections. Wike said: “Nigerians know, the world knows that Rivers State is PDP. So shall it be forever.” He pledged to ensure that development gets to all local government areas of the state. He said with the successes achieved in just one year, the remaining three years will witness more development.

Just as the thousands of PDP supporters sang at the Rivers West Senatorial District rally, the authorities in Abuja have been misled into thinking that the Rivers State APC has a chance to make an inroad into the political space of the state. This misconception is the driving force behind all the unconstitutional and undemocratic actions of the relevant federal agencies which have been responsible for the inconclusive elections in the state.

In Rivers State, there is no APC on ground. The party exists only on the pages of newspapers where sponsored media agents promote her activities to the detriment of the development of the state and the peaceful coexistence of the people.

As it stands, the people will continue to reaffirm their support for PDP and Governor Wike. Whenever the INEC comes to terms with this reality, they would jettison the antics of Rivers APC and allow the people to express themselves through the ballot.

Nwakaudu is Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media

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JULY 30, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Farewell ...

Buhari’s Appointments: A Case for Northern CRS

O

ne of the strong factors that influenced millions of Nigerians to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in last year’ s Presidential election was, no doubt, his perception as a man of integrity. In addition, he cuts the image of a father figure who will be fair, firm, just and equitable to all his children across the country.

With the appointments he has so far made into his government, the people of Cross River State do not have any much cause to complain; only that being humans, we all will desire to have more than we are given already. However, perhaps because of pressure, genuine oversight or honest mistake and lack of adequate knowledge of the geo-political configuration of the CRS, the political children of Buhari in the large APC family in the Northern Senatorial District of the state, have a little cause to grumble. And this is because the appointments the president has so far made from the state, have, quite unfortunately, only gone to citizens in the Southern and Central Senatorial Districts to the total exclusion of people in the Northern Senatorial District.

As lawyers would put it, the following facts regarding his CRS appointments speak for themselves: We have the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, from the Southern Senatorial District; Mr. Thomas John who is now a member of the newly constituted board of the NNPC; one of the two nominated career ambassadors from the state is also from there as well as the National Vice-Chairman of the APC for the South-South geo-political Zone.

As for the Central Senatorial District, we have the Honourable Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani; the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, so also are Mr. Ofem Okoi Obono Obla, Special Adviser to the President and Eric Ifere, member, Prosecution Advisory Committee. We also want to add to the list from the central one of the two ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate for confirmation. It is now common knowledge that the president has nominated the former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, another Crossriverian from the Central Senatorial District, for confirmation by the Senate as the Chairman of the NDDC Board.

Keen observers of CRS politics are all aware of the more than enthusiastic role played by the State Governor, Ben Ayade, who is from the North, in the emergence of Ndoma-Egba as the NDDC Chairman.

Ayade, a PDP governor, who, ordinarily, should have no business as to who represents the state in the APC government at the centre, backed Ndoma-Egba who is from the central, out of enlightened self-interest and not out of any consideration for fairness, equity and good conscience.

This commentator wants to have the president know that the CRS governorship has been zoned to the Northern Senatorial District where Ayade hails from. Ayade rooted for a person from the central not necessarily because he likes that person but essentially because he does not want Mr. President to appoint someone from the north who by such an appointment

will be empowered to possess and distribute political largesse and in the process, acquire clout to challenge his possible re-election come 2019. One also has cause to suspect that Ayade wants the president to neglect Northern CRS where he comes from so that there will be massive disenchantment of the people with the APC so he can have a smooth sail. We are hereby drawing Mr. President’s attention to this unholy politrick meant to undermine him and his party, the APC. We know that more other federal appointments are coming and that is precisely why we want to draw the president’s attention as well as that of his able key assistant the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal, to the small but significant anomaly of his seeming overlooking of the people of Northern CRS in his appointments. There is no quarrel whatsoever over the persons that have so far been given positions by the president. They are each eminently qualified for what they have been given and deserve the recognition accorded them by the number one citizen of the land. As a matter of fact, Crossriverians as a whole appreciate the loving gesture that President Buhari has shown towards them and their state but we want him to give us more irrespective of where those persons might come from within the state. There is no part of the state that bears another part any ill-will because those parts have been favoured. All the people of CRS want is that we should get some more but the more that is to come should be specifically targeted at that part that is yet to get.

Paul Obi, Obanlikwu, Cross River State

Ogun: Need to Reintroduce Emission Control

I

n November 2012, some stakeholders in Ogun State, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Tricycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (TORAN) and others called on the state government to reintroduce emission control to curtail increasing air pollution in the state.

Emission is the term used to describe the gases and particles which are put into air or emitted by various sources, but the amount and types of emissions change yearly. These changes are caused by change in the nation’s economy, industrial activity, technology improvements, traffic, and by many other factors.

In order to improve the air quality, the amount of pollutants in the air must be measured. The emission measurement centre develops standards and evaluates testing methods so that regulations can be developed and enforced. An emission factor is a relationship between the amount of emissions that are released and the activity of the producer. Emission factors are used to predict emission levels for different industries.

Though emission inventories are quantities of pollutants measured over time, they can be compared with air pollutant level in an area to determine if increased emissions decrease the air quality.

Once the measurements are made the information must be collected and stored so that it can be used to evaluate the air quality and effects of the regulations. The Clearing House for Inventories and Emissions Factors (CHIEF) is a centralised resource T H E S AT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R for emission data.

EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE Ogun State and Nigeria indeed need to fight MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO against air pollution and the major sources are DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE from vehicular and power generating sets as they CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI account for about 90% of air pollution.

EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN Most people do not really know the danger of air pollution and it is the responsibility of government to constantly enlighen the people.

Vehicular emission accounts for more than 50% followed by industrial discharges. This is the more T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D reason why the stakeholders in the state admitted EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA to join hands together to combat the menace.

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU The emission control scheme should not be GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA limited to transporters and industrialists in the DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, state, but should be extended to those who use MBAYILAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE generators for their day-to-day activities as these DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI also contribute at least 40% air pollution.

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH Now, it is imperative for the residents of the ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI state to cooperate with the state government GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI to protect the publics from the hazard of air GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE pollutions, as the government cannot shoulder the ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II responsibility in curtailing air pollution in the state.

DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO Ademola Orunbon, Federal Housing TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com Estate Olomore, Abeokuta

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULy 30, 2016

14

NEWS

In Brief

Buhari to Inaugurate Housing Programme

President Muhammadu Buhari will on August 1 inaugurate the Federal Integrated Housing Staff Housing Programme (FISH) which is one of the activities to mark the 2016 Nigeria Civil Service Week. The scheme is an initiative by government in conjunction with Shelter Habitat under UN supervision to provide 10, 000 units of affordable houses for public workers. The scheme will be launched at Apo Extension, Abuja. The Civil ServiceWeek would hold from July 29- August 5, according to a schedule signed by Manga Mohammed from the Office of the Head of Service of theFederation.Aspecialjummahservice,whereBuhariledMuslimfaithful was also held at the National Mosque on Friday. In continuation of the week, the Hos. Ms Winnifred Oyo-Ita will hold an interactive chart with the public on national radio on Saturday, while the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, will lead a christian inter-denominational church thanksgiving at the Living Faith Church, Jahi, Abuja on Sunday.

Banda Advocates Women Leadership

BETTER SAFETY INFORMATION...

L-R: Angua Ibezim, Head of section, Partnership, FRSC; Frances Bekey, President, Rotary Club of Asokoro, District 9125; Sunday Oghenekaro, Sector Commander, FCT command, FRSC; Barbara Ekpekpe, Head of department, special Marshal, FCT command andTanimu Aminu, Deputy Corps education Officer, FRSC at a public enlightenment campaign organised in collaboration with Rotary club Of Asokoro, in Abuja yesterday

Keshi Laid to Rest as Cleric Challenges Nigerian Leaders on Selfless Service Eguavoen, Ikpeba, Rufai other ex-Eagles Pay Last Respect at Illah Michael Olugbode It was an emotion-laden atmosphere at Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, on Friday as the remains of former head coach of the Nigeria's Super Eagles, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, were laid to rest.

Keshi was buried in a tomb within the compound of his personal house in Ukpologwu Quarters in Illah, the football icon's hometown, after a requiem mass at the Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, in Illah town.

Although Federal Government's presence was again conspicuously absent, like during the ceremony of lying-in-state and tributes at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Thursday, the strong presence of numerous former members of the Super Eagles, particularly the victorious 1994 Super Eagles squad, appeared fairly compensatory.

Moreover, the elements seemed to be pleased with the eventful life of dedication to national service as a footballer and football tactician as the weather was clement throughout the duration of the funeral rites.

On hand to support the children and family members of the late Keshi in their moment of grief were the deceased teammates including Austin Eguavoen, goalkeeper Peter Rufai, Uche Okechukwu, Alloy Agu, Mutiu Adepoju and Ben Iroha.

Others included Victor Ikpeba, Edema Fuludu, Friday Ekpo, Henry Nwosu, Austin Popo, Taribo West and Franklin Howard who played with Keshi in the then New Nigerian Bank Football Club.

Delivering a philosophical homily with a strong message for Nigerians, particularly the leaders and youths,

the Parish Priest of Saint John the Evangelist, Rev Father Dennis Arinze, pointed out that death was an inevitable end which awaited every human being irrespective of their social, economic or political status.

Arinze lamented the situation in Nigeria where practically everything

had gone awry from security to infrastructure, education and health, saying the problems bedeviling Nigeria was obviously man-made and so Nigerians could not blame God for the country's catalogue of woes.

Ogun Police Rescue Another Child Chained for Stealing

Nigeria Becomes Member of Global Anti-corruption Body

Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

For the second time in one week, Ogun State police Command on Friday rescued another 10-year-old girl, Promise Udeh, allegedly chained for stealing the sum of N4,000.

Udeh was said to have been chained to a burglary proof by her aunt, Chiamaka Okafor, in an uncompleted building in the Adigbe area of the state.

Udeh was rescued by the police following a tip-off by members of the public. The 10-year-old victim has also been taken to the Stella Obasanjo Children's Home in Abeokuta, by the police.

It would be recalled that similar incident occurred barely a week after a 9-year-old boy, Korede Taiwo, who was chained for over a month by his father in Atan, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state for stealing as well.

Meanwhile, Chiamaka was said to have taken to her heels while the police made efforts to rescue the young girl from bondage. But her husband, Sunday Okafor, was arrested and is currently being detained.

While confirming the incident,

Acting State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi disclosed that the state Commissioner for Police, Ilyasu Ahmed, had ordered the arrest of the victim's aunt, who is currently on the run.

He said: "The girl was rescued by the police and upon interrogation, the girl told us that it was her aunt who tied her on the allegation that she stole a sum of N4,000.

"The aunt is on the run, while her husband, who is an accomplice, has been arrested and he is helping us in our investigation.

"The CP, IIiyasu Ahmed, has ordered a serious manhunt for the fleeing aunt with a view of bringing her to justice, so as to serve as deterrent to others.

"The matter is under investigation.

The Police are after the woman by name Chiamaka Okafor. Her husband, one Sunday Okafor, is in our custody. As soon as we complete the investigation, they will be charged to court."

He, therefore, said that the state police boss, who expressed sadness over the incident, had warned residents of the state to avoid such inhuman treatment of children.

The Open Government Partnership, a global coalition in the fight against corruption has admitted Nigeria as member.

This was disclosed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN at a meeting of stakeholders on the Implementation of the Outcome of the London Summit on Anti-Corruption and the Open Government Partnership held on Thursday, July 28, 2016 in Abuja.

A statement issued by Mr. Salihu Isah, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the justice minister said following the admission of Nigeria as a member of the OGP, President Muhammadu Buhari had been invited to speak at the 5th anniversary event of the OGP at the United Nations General Assembly on September 20, 2016.

Nigeria had in a letter dated 20th June, 2016, to the OGP steering committee titled, ‘Letter of Intention to Join the Open Government Partnership’ signed by Malami, applied to join the partnership.

OGP was launched in 2011 and has 69 countries as members out of which eight are from the Africa continent namely, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Tunisia.

Nigeria has now become the ninth African nation to join the coalition with the intention that it would aid the anti-graft war.

Speaking on the admission of Nigeria as a member of OGP, Malami said: “This is an exciting moment for Nigeria as we seek to put back our country on the spotlight by engaging with the public and the society on transparent, accountable and participatory governance."

He observed that, “The foregoing establishes the fact that Nigeria has always appreciated the importance of Open Government as a means of ensuring transparency and accountability in the conduct of government business.

“It is the current administration’s position that commitment to the promotion of Open Government in Nigeria would resonate strongly with the message of change that the new administration represent.”

Dr. Joyce Banda, the former Malawian President has challenged women across Africa to see themselves as relevant and seek leadership positions in the quest to help achieve economic, political and social development of the continent. Banda, the first female President of Malawi and the second female President in Africa, spoke in Lagos onThursday on ‘Women in Solidarity…a new paradigm for inclusion at a Women’s Power Lunch,' a programmeorganisedbyMurtalaMuhammedFoundation(MMF).Shesaid womenweretoostrongtobeignoredinanysocietyandthattheymustrise up and take their rightful positions as they won’t get it on a platter of gold.

In her words: “The theme for this year’s edition of Women Power Lunch is apt as it provides us with the opportunity to not only discuss issues that affect women but also provides a platform for us to network on how to promote effective women leadership and also eliminate the barriers that limit women from being relevant in the continent.”

PCN Seals 7 Pharmacies, 96 Shops

Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed seven pharmacies for failure to renew their registration and 96 Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) for allegedly operating illegally and stocking beyond their scope in Ebonyi. Briefing newsmen in Abakaliki, Director and Head of Inspection and Monitoring Department of the council, Mrs. Anthonia Aruyadisclosedthatatotalof296facilitieswhichincluded38pharmacies and 258 PPMVs were inspected during the exercise which took place in 23 towns across the 13 council areas in the state. Aruya noted that it was in line of this Mandate that PCN inspects, approves, registers and issues license to pharmaceutical premises and shops to ensure that minimum standardsareinplaceintermsofstorageconditions,capacityofpersonnelto handlethelevelofpracticeineachfacilityandthequalityofpharmaceutical services rendered in the interest of public safety.

Police Kill 1, injure 3 Protesting Workers

Whatwastobea“peacefulprotest”turnedtragicinLafia,capitalofNasarawa StateonFridayafternoonwhenpoliceattachedtotheGovernmentHouse opened fire on workers as the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress began talks with Governor Tanko Almakura in a bid to resolve the now protracted labour crisis in the state. Announcing alleged casualty of the police brutality, National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba told reporters in Lafia that workers were shot by a police man at the gate of the Government House where the workers had gone to wait for the outcome of the parley with Governor Almakura.There has been an industrial action in the state following the state government’s decision to cut down their salaries by u to 50 percent. ComradeWabba revealed that one of the shot workersgaveuptheghostonthewaytothePoliceClinicwhilethreeothers were being treated for “aggravated gunshot injuries.

Kano House of Assembly Rerun

All arrangements for the Minjibir state constituency rerun election which holdstoday havebeenconcludedasallmaterialsandpersonnelhavebeen deployed by INEC, Kano for the election. The Administrative secretary, IndependentNationalElectoralCommission,INECKanoAbdulrazaqTukur Yusuf told reporters on Friday that the commission had distributed all the sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the election. He assured that the materials distributed were sent to registration areas and polling units last night against today morning. In a media chat at the Kano INEC headquarters Friday afternoon, Yusuf said all arrangements had been concluded to ensure a hitch free election. It was also learnt security had been beefed up at all the polling units to ensure hitch free conduct of the election.

Kagho for Burial Today

AretireddirectorfromtheFederalMinistryofWorks,musicianandauthor, Engr. Ima Kagho, who died at the National Hospital, Abuja, on May 31, 2016 afterabriefillness,istobeburiedtoday.Funeralritescommencedwiththe service of songs and tributes at his Abuja residence on July 23. Another service of songs held yesterday at DBS, Radio House premises, Bazunu Road,Warri while funeral service and interment will take place tomorrow at his home town, Ogewho-Iyede. He is survived by five children and five grandsons. Born on May 19, 1947 inWarri, the late Olorogun Ogheneweme Ima Kagho had his primary education in Warri and attended Government College, Ughelli, for his secondary education.

Odili, Obi, Obiano to Bury CKC Principal

FormerGovernorsPeterOdiliofRiversstate,PeterObiofAnambraState, current governor ,ChiefWillie Obiano, all past students of Christ the King College will join other CKC Old students from across the world to bury their former principal Rev Fr. Nicholas ChukwuemekaTagbo, the longest serving principal of Christ the King College, Onitsha on August 3, 2016 at Christ the King College, Onitsha. Tagbo a native of Awkuzu was born on the 21 of August, 1929, in Jos and had his primary school education in Jos, Awkuzu and Onitsha, before proceeding to Christ the King College, Onitsha from 1945- 1949 for his Senior Cambridge Certificate. After his educational and theological sojourn in both Nigeria and Dublin, Ireland, he was ordained a Catholic priest on the 31st of July, 1960.

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July 30, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

TUNDERAHMAN

tunderahmanu@yahoo.com 08055069548 (Text only)

And Jibrin Opens National Assembly’s Can of Worms

H

on. Abdulmumin Jibrin from Kano State is embittered and embattled. He is firing from all cylinders, singing like a bird and spilling the bean with reckless abandon. He is not bothered that he indicts himself as he makes grim revelations, which indict the leadership of the House of Representatives. And of course, Jibrin has been hugging the headlines. The allegation that the leadership of the House, particularly Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yusuff Lasun, Chief Whip Ado Doguwa and Minority Leader Leo Ogor, engaged in heavy padding of the 2016 budget is not entirely strange though. Budget padding is something many had always suspected, but with little or no evidence to back it up. Among other things, Jibrin says the four aforementioned House Leaders asked him to allocate to them N40billion of the N100billion allocation for members’ Constituency Projects in the 2016 Budget. Forget that the harbinger of the message is now an aggrieved party, coming from Jibrin, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation when the 2016 budget was processed, the allegation against the House Leaders cannot be taken lightly.

Apparently feeling vindicated, former President Olusegun Obasanjo believes what is coming out of the House has confirmed his earlier assertion that the National Assembly is filled with rogues. “Well, if you say that I have said it in the past and if there are people who didn’t believe what I said in the past then, you can now see that what has come out confirms what I said in the past. Then what I said in the past is what I will say now,” the former president told State House Correspondents on Monday during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari. He advised President Buhari to be vigilant. (By the way, won’t someone tell President Obasanjo it’s time he stopped the incessant visits to his former subordinate now president, lest he soon became unwelcome at Aso Rock?)

Now, attempts by the National Assembly and its spokespersons to explain away the allegation by Jibrin have been unsuccessful thus far. Watching Senate Leader Ali Ndume on Channels Television telling some reporters that padding was not an appropriate word to use by Jibrin and the media in the circumstance, I had a good laugh. Ndume had argued that the National Assembly could not be accused of padding a document they had right to process and tinker with. That, for me, is part of the crux of the matter: where does the National Assembly’s power of appropriation begin and end? Appropriation is a bill about proposed expenditure for a particular period by the Executive, bearing in mind its revenue projections and following the President’s campaign promises and policies

Jibrin

and programmes of his party. The document, as indicated, is prepared by the Executive.

Yes, the National Assembly has power of control over public funds, but this, in my view, is based on what the Executive proposes. Section 80 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which confers on the Parliament absolute power and control over public funds is being overstretched I think. That section states thus: “No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly”. Under this provision, can the lawmakers initiate new projects and go ahead to allocate funds for them or unduly increase MDA’s allocations without recourse to the Executive? That would be awfully wrong.

What the lawmakers allegedly do in some cases is to either initiate new projects or allocate votes not originally proposed

by MDAs. They jack up MDA’s allocations in order to turn round and benefit from the votes. This is what they do every time. I recall the case of one head of a Federal Governmentowned agency in the South-west who in 2007 complained bitterly to this writer that he surprisingly saw as budget for his corporation an outrageous allocation he never asked for, only for one ‘big man’ in the National Assembly to call to inform him he had put some funds in the agency’s budget and would tell him how the money would be disbursed in the fullness of time. The National Assembly has now allegedly resorted to outright padding. They

For Governor Oshiomhole Governor Adams Oshiomhole aka Osho Baba has been doing wonderfully well in office. The other day, while on a campaign trail with his anointed candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the governor said he had approved the release of N120 million to women cooperative societies in Edo State. He also said more lucrative things were underway for women in the state. And last week, in a political masterstroke of sort, Oshiomhole’s ally, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, stepped down as Speaker of the state’s Assembly in order to allow his deputy, Dr. Justin Okonoboh, assume leadership of the House to ensure equitable distribution of offices among the

three senatorial districts in the state. Mrs. Ativie then settled for the position of Deputy Speaker.

Many within and outside Edo are of the view that Oshiomhole has done noble as governor of the state. Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who was appointed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to head a committee to reconcile Oshiomhole and his deputy Dr. Pius Odubu, said the other day that he thought only Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia (rtd) had done more than any other governor, military or civilian, in the history of the state, until Ogbemudia himself openly admitted that Oshiomhole

do this after the budget had been passed.

They would simply forward the final figures to the Executive, expect the President to sign and then they begin to juggle the numbers.

This is criminal!

Jibrin says he is not assaulting the integrity of the House, but that of some leaders in the House. He has specifically gone for Dogara’s jugular, whom he accused of various infractions over the 2016 Appropriation Act. He says Dogara is not a man of integrity, and for effect, he says he regrets backing him for Speakership during the June 6, 2015 election of principal officers of the House. In his reaction, the Speaker gave Jibrin 7 days to tender an unreserved apology to him or be ready for court action. Jibrin’s response was prompt; he said he would never apologise to Dogara and that he had already briefed his lawyers in readiness for the legal battle. Dogara should clear himself of allegation of budget padding, he said.

The House, expectedly, has moved into the matter. Speaking with newsmen last Tuesday, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe Jibrin. The investigation, he said, should begin from the 7th House when the lawmaker was Chairman Committee on Finance. Like Senator Ndume, Namdas also said given the workings of the budget process, the House cannot be accused of padding, “because there is nothing like that.”

I sympathise with the House leadership, particularly now that it has seemingly found itself in a difficult situation. Hon. Jibrin may have been found wanting as Chairman, Appropriation Committee for which he was allegedly removed. However, to insinuate that his litany of misdemeanour, infraction and non-performance dated back to when he was Chairman House Finance Committee as Namdas claimed is difficult to believe. For the life of me, does not beggar belief that Jibrin was a crook, a failure and a non-performer as Finance Committee Chairman and yet the House rewarded him with the leadership of Appropriation Committee and saddled him with higher responsibilities.

The allegations on the ground are weighty and it’s not only Jibrin that should be investigated by EFCC, Dogara, Lasun and others fingered by him should also face EFCC’s probe. The matter calls for dispassionate investigation by a neutral body, not by any committee of the House, which in the usual practice of the lawmakers would treat the issue as an internal affair of the House and sacrifice only the recalcitrant member who dared to expose the dirty linen of the House leadership for all to see.

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had surpassed his record in office.

Now, as he winds down in office, will someone tell the Comrade-Governor to pay pensioners in the state who are suffering and dying daily as a result of hunger and starvation. The pensioners are demanding their gratuities and pension arrears of between 10 and 42 months. They also want Governor Oshiomhole to constitute the state’s Pensions Board. Not less than 500 of them took to the streets last week in Benin demanding their pay. They retired from the service of Edo State Government between 2013 and 2016 and they at present wallowing in penury.

I sympathise with the House leadership, particularly now that it has seemingly found itself in a difficult situation.

Hon. Jibrin may have been found wanting as Chairman, Appropriation Committee for which he was allegedly removed. However, to insinuate that his litany of misdemeanour, infraction and non-performance dated back to when he was Chairman House Finance Committee as Namdas claimed is difficult to believe.

For the life of me, does not beggar belief that Jibrin was a crook, a failure and a non-performer as Finance Committee Chairman and yet the House rewarded him with the leadership of Appropriation Committee and saddled him with higher responsibilities.

The allegations on the ground are weighty and it’s not only Jibrin that should be investigated by EFCC, Dogara, Lasun and others fingered by him should also face EFCC’s probe. The matter calls for dispassionate investigation by a neutral body, not by any committee of the House, which in the usual practice of the lawmakers would treat the issue as an internal affair of the House and sacrifice only the recalcitrant member who dared to expose the dirty linen of the House leadership for all to see

And Actor Desmond Elliot’s Political Baptism...

Nollywood actor-turned politician Desmond Elliot has combined his two callingsentertainment and politics- with panache.

As a lawmaker representing Surulere 1 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Elliot has told whoever cares to listen that he is not quitting Nollywood, as Nigeria’s movie and entertainment industry is called. He said he would never leave but would rather use his position to uplift the industry. In Nollywood, he remains an A-List actor and producer, and remains one of the most sought-after in the industry.

Elliot is understandably a rookie in politics, his election into the House being his first foray.

He had his political baptism of sort when one of his constituents took him up over the state of electricity in the area and wanted to know what he (Elliot), their representative in Alausa, had done in line with his promise.

An exasperated Elliot told his constituent that he was not Power Holding Company of Nigeria to fix and provide electricity for them.

He said on his twitter handle:”Adeyi

Samiat, I said I will do my best. I’m not PHCN my dear and I have been working hard at it. Patience and see.” Most of those who responded to Elliot’s tweet on social media upbraided him for that response.

Elliot was brutally frank you might say but his response was not politically expedient. It reminds one of that cold and cruel reaction of former President Obasanjo to some Lagosians who had confronted him for coming late to the scene of the Ikeja Military Cantonment bomb blast in January 2002, which killed many Nigerians. “I don’t have

to be here,” Obasanjo muttered when the angry crowd refused to listen to him.

I don’t know whether to commend or condemn Elliot for being blunt. It is just that the people are used to our tongue-in-cheek, run-of-the-mill politicians, who, confronted by such a challenge, would convene a news conference or place advertorials in newspapers to give a laborious presentation on what they have been doing about the issue in question. Meanwhile, they are not doing anything to ameliorate the sufferings of their people.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULy 30, 2016

NEWS

Niger Delta Peace Agitators Beg Buhari not to Deploy Special Forces A group of Niger Delta youths under the aegis of Niger Delta Peace Agitators (NDPA) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to stay action in the planned deployment of special forces in the Niger Delta to combat pipeline vandalism and destruction of national infrastructure in the region pending the outcome of the engagements they had commenced to arrest the situation.

The group which cuts across different professional groups deplored the resurgence of vandalism; asked those behind the actions to stop and consider the effect on the environment and the fall out on the already impacted villages so that all outstanding issues would be resolved through

dialogue.

The group rose from an enlarged meeting in Port Harcourt presided over by the President of NDPA, Ambassador Tony Benson popularly called Mayor, according to a statement by Spokesman of the body, Ambassador Kenule Nwiya and resolved to engage all groups across the divide to ensure that they stopped the collateral damage that would arise from military action.

According to them, a military operation in the region would affect the innocent villagers and creek dwellers more than those engaging in breaking pipelines and promised to ensure that an enduring truce was achieved for peace to reign.

The group said that Buhari had started some positive engagements in the region and if given chance, would do more as development was only possible in an atmosphere of peace.

“President Muhammadu Buhari should not see an option in deployment of special forces as was threatened by the military. Force will not achieve the needed peace in the region and we have come out to work with all segments in the region to see that we bring everybody to a dialogue table and amicably resolve every outstanding issue for a lasting peace.

“We are also using this opportunity to ask all those still attacking facilities in the Niger

Delta to desist and put all hands on deck to achieve the needed development. We are from the Niger Delta region also and feel what our people feel. A military operation in the Niger Delta can only negatively impact on our people so let us all press for peace.

“We also use this opportunity to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating Nsima Ekere as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which shows that he means well for the region. It may take some time for the result of the plans of the administration to yield fruits; so we are calling for more patience since the President is moving in the right direction”, Nwiya said.

GRIEVING FOR THE LOSS...

L-R; Children of the deceased, Dr.Paul Ibru; Sheri Ibru; Sade Ibru; Onajoma Oniwinde; son in law Yinka Oniwinde; Amrofor Ibru and Felix Ibru jnr. , at the Commemoration Service for late Olorogun Felix Ibru, held at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

I'm Proud of Ambode’s Achievements, Says Tinubu Bennett Oghifo

Former Governor of Lagos State and chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu has commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his laudable achievements in office within 14 months, saying the governor had made him very proud.

Tinubu made the commendation, yesterday, at the APC’s secretariat in Lagos during

a meeting with the party’s Local Government and Ward Chairmen.

He also commended the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule and the entire team of the state government for supporting the governor to achieve so much within a little time.

He added: "I was with Mr. President, President Muhammadu Buhari for about two hours yesterday and Governor Ambode was not there when

we were discussing generally about the problem of Nigeria.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo got up and spoke glowingly of the Governor and my head was swelling. I became even more proud of him.”

He then stressed a call by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for members of the party to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), saying that the people must give the ongoing exercise by INEC the necessary seriousness it deserved.

The electoral commission began the distribution of PVCs in Lagos a few days ago, with a call on registered voters to come with their temporary cards for the collection of the PVCs between 8am and 4pm from Monday to Friday.

Ambode earlier urged residents of the state to approach the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the state for their PVC to enable them participate in future elections.

Arik Claims Its Flights Disrupted by FAAN Chinedu Eze

Nigeria's major carrier Arik Air has claimed its flights were disrupted on Friday by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) against court order that directed the airline should be allowed to operate flights uninterrupted.

Arik said the agency disrupted its operations at the domestic General Aviation Terminal and international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, as workers of the agency prevented Arik

Air from gaining access to the Airside of both terminals.

According to the airline, access to the airside was critical and fundamental to the airline’s operations for moving catering, supplies and other sundry items to the aircraft, as well as the movement of its personnel to ready the aircraft for departure.

"This access is also necessary for the airline to conduct secondary security screening, mandatory security checks and for securing the aircraft at all times in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation

(ICAO) standards and recommended practice," Arik said.

The airline noted that this was not the first time that FAAN had taken the law into its own hands as it had resorted to such strong-arm tactics against the airline in the past and most recently in May this year.

"It is already in the public domain that Arik Air and FAAN have a lingering disagreement on the long-standing and unsubstantiated claim by FAAN of spurious indebtedness of the airline to the agency which is

now before the Federal High Court in Lagos, at the instance of FAAN," Arik also said.

It said FAN and Arik were reconciling payment accounts between the institutions over the charges paid by Arik Air to date and in this regard ,Arik Air had been providing all the needed assistance and cooperation to conclude the reconciliation process.

"However, FAAN has shown total disregard for the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by carrying out such disruptive action again," the airline said.

APC-NASS Crisis: Frank Asks Oyegun-led NWC to Resign Onyebuchi Ezeigbo in Abuja

A chieftain and the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress APC, Comrade Timi Frank has asked the national leadership of party led by Chief John Oyegun to quit office on account of their inability to arrest the escalating budget-padding crisis in the House of Representatives.

Frank described the open clashes between an APC House member and the leadership of the lower chamber over budgetpadding allegations as "highly embarrassing" to the party and the federal government.

He, therefore, asked the leadership of the party to resign their position if they could no longer steer the ship of the party.

THISDAY gathered that the poor response of the APC leadership to lingering internal crisis afflicting the party has become a subject of concern to some member of the NWC. Some of them who spoke to THISDAY on Friday but who did not want their name mentioned blamed the national chairman to failing to take the initiative to broker reconciliation among warring camps in the party, especially as it affects the trouble in the National Assembly.

For instance, it was learnt that the chairman without any convincing reason single-handedly stood -down an initiative to summon a meeting of APC senators to try and broker peace among them.

A source also told THISDAY

that the matter had reached a stage where some members of the NWC now disagree openly with the Chairman on his leadership style and decisions.

Addressing a press conference in his Abuja residence on Friday, Frank regretted what he described as the inability of the Chief Oyegu- led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to intervene and to stave off a wave of crisis afflicting the party.

On the festering crisis amongst APC members in the Senate, the Deputy Spokesman said that it was unfortunate that the problem in the senate had not been resolved.

He also expressed worry that intra party crisis in other states like Kano, Kogi and Bayelsa had been left unattended to.

"What is happening at the House of Representatives is not only embarrassing to us a party, it's embarrassment to the President, we must not shy away from the truth.

The President is the leader of our party, so if the leadership under Oyegun cannot save the President from embarrassment, who will do it for us? We have to do it by ourselves so that is why I'm taking it upon myself to speak out because I want the President to succeed.

"It is disheartening to note that the party has not waded into resolving the crisis involving two members of the party at the House of Representatives.

"The issue rocking the National Assembly is embarrassing to our party and to Nigerians.

Turkey’s Request for Closure of Schools in Nigeria Baseless, Says Former Ambassador Alex Enumah in Abuja

As the Turkish government extends its clampdown on people and institutions allegedly linked to the July 15 failed coup in Turkey, a former Nigerian ambassador has urged Nigerians to ignore the recent request of the Turkish government for the closure of some turkey’s institution in Nigeria.

The ambassador described as baseless, unfounded and unfortunate the request by the Turkish government, even as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hajia Abba Ibrahim declined comment on the issue on the grounds that it was a purely diplomatic issue.

The Retired Ambassador Sulieman Dahiru, who has served in Brazil, Angola, United State of America, Poland, Ivory Coast, Austria, Sudan and Pakistan, condemned the move arguing that Nigeria is a sovereign country, and should therefore ignore the request.

Ambassador Dahiru while reacting to the questions of journalists over the development stated that Nigeria had no business in meddling in the affairs and warned that any attempt

by Nigeria to respond to the call may spark off diplomatic row between the two nations.

The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hakan Cakil,

while receiving in audience the vice chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Shehu Sani, had called on the Nigerian Government to close 17 Turkish schools in Nigeria for their alleged links with a movement his government said was involved in the July 15 failed coup attempt in Turkey.

According to the ambassador, investigations by the Turkish government showed that a movement led by US-based Fethullah Gulen was responsible for the failed coup attempt, which claimed over 200 lives.

The schools are said to be linked to the Islamic cleric who is believed to be widely influential.

He said the Turkish government was dissociating itself from any school bearing the country’s name in Nigeria, adding that while the country had schools in other countries, it had none in Nigeria.

“We are requesting the Nigerian Government to close down the schools.

“I have requested officially, both orally and in writing, the closure of these schools.

Also, I have sent a letter to Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Minister) and Mr. Abba Kyari (Chief of Staff to the President) about this subject and requested their support for the closure of the schools.

Plus Dayo Adedayo I’ll Remain a Photographer Until I Die

LOUD WHISPERS TRAVEL AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER FITNESS FASHION FILE

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

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 30, 2016

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Plus

I Was Lucky to Lose My Father at the Age of Seven As the aperture opens, his eyeballs dilate, flicker and blink. His fingers fidget around the lens excitedly.

He glances off the camera taking a cursory look at the subject he is about to shoot; his gaze strains as if a marksman. He pulls his finger gently, quietly as if latched to a trigger. Click! Click! Click! It’s a photo shoot. Nigerian-born, British-trained documentary and commercial photographer, Dayo Adedayo, is an inventive photographer – one of a kind in Nigeria.

For at least two decades, he’s been involved in a new dimension of photography in Nigeria. He started out taking pictures at events, but gradually branched into fine art photography, editorial assignments with Ovation Magazine and many others. Over the years, he continues to evolve and expand his art. He specialises in large-scale, local, regional, global and more intimate stories set inside closed and secret worlds. As one of Africa’s most recognised adventure and outdoor lifestyle visual storytellers, he has captured stunning photos. The unique photographer shares his personal narratives with Adedayo Adejobi

C

an you share your story as documentary photographer?

I did not start as a documentary photographer.

It all started as a hobby, passion and it later translated to business. In the analogue days without the Internet, when commercial photography was highly practised, it got to a stage I no longer felt comfortable anymore but was resolute on trying all sorts. I went back to school to change my perception about photography. I was lucky enough to sit on the committee that set up the pilot project curriculum for the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), to see how photography can be included in the syllabus. The government has realised that there is economy of scale.

The generation before mine was trained by the British during the colonial period.

And the generation after them, the likes of Don Baba, who changed the face of photography, trained abroad. Then you have thegeneration after Don Baba; the likes of Demola Olaniran, Oluwatobiloba Adelaja, Ajala Adeyemi, Aishat Akuta, TY Bello, Bayo Omoboriowo and Jide Odukoya.

When you look at them, the circumstances that led them into the profession was bad economy and seeing Kelechi Amadi do something wonderful; Donald, fondly called Don Baba, trained TY Bello and Kelechi Amadi. It was after Don Baba came back to Nigeria 20 years ago that people started looking at photography as a business. I was just doing my work but the good thing is that you didn’t have to see me. I like to deliberately be off the radar because all I want is for you to see my work. I don’t want to be in the face of anyone. People see my works but they can’t point to the person doing the work, even though they know the name. I am a business-minded photographer. Donald says I am a trader, and I call him a teacher because he is so sound. If I have 10 per

cent of what he has in his brain, I won’t be where I am today. But unfortunately he is not a commercial person. I don’t teach people how to take pictures, but what I teach is beyond the lens. Someone like TY Bello who has been fortunate enough to photograph virtually everybody who is anybody in this country should be a multimillionaire in dollars. But the answer is the reverse, and you can’t name any photographer in Nigeria who is as rich as a banker, lawyer or accountant. It’s only in Nigeria you photograph someone in the name of doing an official portrait without owning the rights. I do fight for my rights though. Most Nigerian photographers don’t know the difference between taking a photograph, multiplying the images they have to be paid for, especially being what they do to feed their families. The average Nigerian would assume since they’ve been photographed, they own the pictures. The following day, you will see it in the papers and all over the place, without paying the photographer his rights. This shouldn’t be. Unfortunately, there is no body or organisation that would fight for these things because the industry is still in its elementary stage, and I hope the generation coming after us would do better.

Beyond the lens and camera, what does photography really mean to you?

Memories; pictures taken now can never be recreated again. A picture taken today becomes a document tomorrow, as you can use same in the court of law to prove your case. So many professions come together to make photography work. An engineer designs the camera; chemical engineer and chemist prepare all the chemicals that make sure the papers work in the digital dark room on your system. Also, the software engineers write the software. When the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, during the Sixth Assembly, was accused of a wrongful allegation, the following day a national newspaper

Adedayo with wife

published the picture on the front cover and at the end of the day that was the end of the case. Another scenario is during the fuel subsidy scam involving another former House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan. When evidence from Femi Otedola leaked to the press, all else became story. During the great depression, the American government commissioned documentary photographers to document the country like never before. Washington didn’t know what was happening across the country, as he only heard but hardly saw all those things. But after the pictures were brought back to Washington, then they actually knew the degradation and poverty happening in the US. What informed your documenting Nigeria in pictures?

Lewis Hine was a documentary photographer; without his pictures, there would be no labour laws in the United States of America. He went into factories in America those days where he documented children being enslaved. Through my work, I try to portray my country in a good light. Six years ago, if you Googled, you wouldn’t see any decent picture of Nigeria on the Internet. All over the world, pictures taken and used in the media, museum and libraries were done by the Europeans and Americans, and not by Nigerians. How would the white man know my house more than I do? Unfortunately, the government is not seeing it that way because Nigeria is the most difficult to photograph place in the world. Immediately, you bring out a camera, civilians, paramilitary, and military officers get offensive. We can’t all be politicians, journalists, and doctors. I am a photographer and that’s all I will do till I die. That’s my contribution to Nigeria.

Since the creation of Nigeria, nobody in history has ever done what I am doing.

Nobody has travelled the whole country without a penny from government of our country. I will take that to my grave. The

country has been kind to me because if you carry a Nigerian passport today, my works are on the pages of the Nigerian passport, and whoever is travelling today across Nigeria is carrying my work. If you have the N100 note, which doubles as Nigeria’s first digital currency, most of the pictures are my work. And so, for me, if I die today, I can say, ‘yes I have made a mark’ and people coming behind should be able to do better than that.

What do you see as the future of documentary photography in Nigeria?

It can only get better and the only example I can give to you is Olanipekun Lukman – Fashola’s personal photographer. I would say for the first time in recent memory – because before now, up until 1983 at the federal level, we had very serious documentary photographers who documented everything happening at the federal level. Everything that happened at the federal level up until 1983, the 1984 coup by Muhammadu Buhari distorted that lineage of recovery by bringing in someone else from outside. I am very sure Olanipekun Lukman changed the perception of governments’ documentary photography.

If there were to be war in Europe or North America today, the first thing they do is to quickly take away all the records.

That is why they still have records. Only two people have access and those people would not be together at same time. And after the war, they would bring out those documents kept deep down under the rock, so nuclear weapons would not be able to penetrate.

Bayo Omoboriowo is documenting the presidency, and if you look at President (Barack) Obama’s current photographer, he is a professor of photography and not just anybody.

Sometimes, I wonder how he manages to take pictures and those pictures belong to the state. He takes over 20, 000 pictures a week which go into the national

19

JULY 30, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

Plus I’m Worth More Than All Money in Central Bank of Nigeria archives. I was fortunate enough to document Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 60th birthday. I asked for his pictures when he was in government. Pictures don’t lie, no matter how you manipulate it. We all document our lives; we tend to love our baby pictures when we are adults because they can never be re-created.

be married to. I see myself as the luckiest man on earth. She’s quiet, diligent, professional, loving, kind and all the adjectives anyone can have in the world can be used to describe her. She is passionate about what she does, family-oriented – both nuclear and extended – and that matters to me because I am not a family person.

Looking down memory lane, what would you call the most challenging and most financial rewarding project(s) you have embarked on?

Photography is not about money and that is why you find a lot of artists not having that kind of money. I would say my Nigeria project has been the most interesting. It will stay with me till I die.

At times, what comes to memory is my four-week documentary on cremation. I did something a majority of the citizens of the world have not got a clue about.

The way Europeans cremate bodies was completely different, and they respect the dignity even though nobody is seeing them. The dignity the cremator puts into the process of cremating the whole body is quiet interesting and very beautiful. It just shows that death is the only thing certain in life.

Who offends who and apologises the most?

I offend her the most for obvious reasons. I don’t go to bed with a grudge.

Everything is settled before sunset. It’s been fantastic. If I were to come back again into this world, I would be married to her.

Do you engage her in romantic gestures?

Because of my profession, I am not around most times. Fairly enough, her nickname with my friends is ‘Micra’ – meaning low maintenance. What she likes most is chicken wings from Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Once I buy her that, she’s all over me. For my wife, it’s not about money because she’s richer than I am. But she values the little things of life.

I am extremely loyal to her. I know what she detests, and I wouldn’t do that to her. My romantic gestures to my wife are beyond love and sex.

If you look at works you have documented in terms of personality or organisation, which for you is the most compelling?

Very tough question; talking personality, the most compelling one is Patrick Lavite of Barcelona. The most interesting is the Queen of England, and the one that I really got to know more about later is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I was with him for two weeks taking his pictures.

How do you unwind?

She loves holidays. We’ve done quite a bit of that together. Personally, I am not a social person. I read a lot and when I am travelling I hardly go out. But when I am home and not working, I watch television or sleep.

Which five authors have you read that influenced you?

I read non-fiction, mostly autobiographies. The most current ones are is

by Steve Jobs, Muhammad Ali; Nelson Mandela and Richard Duckins.

What was it like documenting Tinubu?

He is a brilliant mind. Twenty years ahead of his peers. He is very generous to a fault. He doesn’t breed nonsense and he recognises talent.

You sound so fond of your spouse.

Do you both get on well on all fronts?

She was a practising Muslim when I met her. I wouldn’t say I am a practising Christian but I go to church when I want to or when I am invited. I was born a Muslim, but baptised into Christianity, although not the pentecostal denomination.

The way we see life is different. We do not see it as going to church or mosque. Our belief is about practising love to mankind, neighbours, friends and whoever we meet.

Our families have been wondering of late why our children are not going to a church. Luckily, our responses at different occasions were in tandem. The pressures have become much on us. Our take is that we have to teach the children the good and bad of life. We then decided they would start going to church, but it would either be the Anglican or Baptist Church.

Definitely, not the pentecostal churches, because I detest them with all the blood in my veins.

If you had the opportunity to document another person, who would it be locally and globally?

Nobody impresses me in Nigeria.

Abroad most of them are probably dead.

The only person I would love to document is the late Steve Jobs who changed the world with Apple.

When you look at Nigeria in relation to your profession, and you have the opportunity to change something, what would it be?

Education; without education, we are dead. They (government) are not talking about it, instead the government talks about electricity, infrastructure, roads and train. If you look at the country today, people at the managerial positions today are the 1979 set who enjoyed free education. The politicians of those days set up universities in their states to create sound minds like Wole Soyinka, Tai Solarin, Gani Fawehinmi, and Adejobi – the professor of Mathematics, Olikoye Ransome-Kuti and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. In my profession, what I see beyond the lens is education. A huge chunk of them went to local schools free. Nigeria has been kind to every one of them. What have they given back to Nigeria? Instead, they are now proud to pose with their children on their graduation days, whereas they were children of nobody. If we can have an egalitarian society, I’ll be happy. I pray Nigeria gets there in my lifetime.

How and when did you make your first million from photography?

I came to Nigeria in 2003; that was when I made my first million. But before then, if I converted to pounds sterling, I had made my first million 20 years ago.

If we were to put a price to your name, how much are you worth?

Averagely, in money’s worth, all the monies in Central Bank (of Nigeria) can’t pay for my worth. My works in the next million years will remain priceless. I am worth more than all the money in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Can you tell us about your marriage?

I’m in my second marriage. Never marry for love; it’s the worst thing that can happen to any human being. You should marry your friend. If you marry for love, your spouse will take you for a ride because six months after marriage,

Adedayo’s work

Photos: Ademola Olaniran and Oluwatobiloba Adelaja

there is no love anymore. It’s the friendship that retains the relationship. When you marry your friend, you fall in love with him or her. When the love is no longer there, you remain friends and fall in love again. Beauty will fade away, friendship will stay. I have been very lucky with my wife, and that is because we communicate. We discuss anything under the sun, no matter how difficult it is, and she’s brilliant. A friend of mine wanted to approach her, and he now called me to break the ice. After I started talking to her, we started gisting and I found her to be very sound, brilliant.

Luckily for me at that time, I was single, so it was a perfect timing. I proposed to her in three months and we got married within six months. My thanks to ThisDay, as it brought us together; because she reads ThisDay everyday and I do as well.

On that front, we discuss politics, business and other issues. We don’t miss the 10 pm news and international news on CNN. We have similar backgrounds and shared values. It’s only a thief that would ask for

more.

What kind of child were you, and what part of you do you see in your children?

Growing up, I was lucky to lose my dad at the age of seven. My mother was in the village struggling. I left home at the age of 22 and didn’t come back until I was in my forties. From my father’s side, five generations died before 50. My immediate elder brother died before 50. So I was scared I would die before 50. I was a diligent boy, vey obedient and quiet.

But to compare myself with my three sons, it would be tough because we grew up in different generations, times, and circumstances. We were very poor. We lived in a mud house, fetched water from the river and farmed all what we ate. I see myself in my daughter. I was hardworking. My situation was rough growing up. My children didn’t go through all I went through.

How would you describe your wife?

She’s the best woman any man can

Why a conservative church in this age?

As a student of history and politics, looking at the history of the pentecostal churches, they came out of the structural adjustment programme in the 1980s. I grew up at a time where there were only the Methodists, Anglicans, Baptists and the white garment churches. The Celestial Church of Christ had the largest gathering in the world. I do not put anybody down religiously, but are they doing the right thing? Have they got results with all the churches and mosques? I f I were to see the positive impact of the proliferation of these religious organisations, I would probably have been one of them. Having worked with the top echelon of the society, I have studied them whilst working with them, and found through my prism that they are vain and empty. With the knowledge of that, I wouldn’t want my children to be anywhere near such environment.

The lack of education is where you have scenarios where people are brain-washed to bomb themselves to enjoy 27 virgins in ‘heaven’. If the cleric is so sure that he’ll go to ‘heaven’, must he send someone, why not doesn’t he do it? Having said that, I believe so much in God and his manifestations on earth, because my own theory is that nothing works in a vacuum.

Philosophically, there is someone controlling the universe. I tell people, my God is my conscience. I’ll rather stand alone, being truthful to myself, than be all out for the world to notice me.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • July 30, 2016 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Kemi Adeosun: Thank you for this ‘technical’recession

Militants in Lagos - I am afraid o!

I have been yapping legendary militants like Tompolo and Asari for years, believing that before they leave their creeks and come and chase me in Shomolu I would have had enough time to make good my escape. So you can imagine my state of mind when I read that militants have entered Lagos.

First, I heard they hit some communities in Ikorodu, killing and maiming innocent people. This week we have heard that they have hit Igando a suburb near the Badagry expressway.

I think it is time for me to say sorry, for chickens have come home to roost.

Distance is no longer a barrier and now a man must turn to a chicken if one is to survive. I no longer have anything against militants and do not think they have been given a fair hearing in their agitations. I think we should listen more to them in a bid to give them what they want. You see the truth is that if the oil is coming from their backyard, they should at least be given the opportunity to drink it. The ongoing plan to dialogue with their representatives is a very good move as I now believe in continuous engagement as a veritable means of resolving this problem.

Militants in Lagos? Ahhh, me I don keep quiet o. I no know book.

Dogara’s National House of Padding and a Pound of Jibrin You see this is what the Americans call ‘attaining a position of mutually assured destruction’. These two people have been fighting really naked in the public place leaving nothing to chance.

All sorts of allegations and counter allegations have been made that the authorities now have enough evidence to move in if they want to. The losers in all of these are the Nigerians who sent these people to represent us and who have been piloting our lives with a very high level of insensitivity. The ‘padding’ scandal has broken out and we now see just how well they have been representing us. Today, the bottom of the fowl is in the open. My thinking is that these allegations should be thoroughly looked into to give Nigerians the true picture of things. In these days of hardship, the kinds of billions being paraded for constituency projects which if effectively utilised would have turned the country into a modern

Mummy told us last week that we are now technically in a recession. My people. recession has been with us since o. It is not now that the price of garri has hit the roof. Look, me as a person I remain very happy that finally it is now official and the rain will now fall on every roof irrespective of party affiliation, religion and colour of skin.This year, I can boldly look at my wife in the face and tell her to forget the summer trips and with a big smile point to all the Lagbaja who used to send their children abroad for holidays but now can no longer do that. The other day at the recently opened Shopping Mall in Maryland, Lagos, I saw the Lagbaja’s who normally would have been eating Lunch with the Prince of Wales at this time, doing window shopping and licking ice cream. I was so happy and rushed to hug them. This recession is a leveler o. We are all here enjoying the heat and the punishment we daily receive from the change agents. Look at the bright side, with recession, school fees will drop as more and more people will no longer be able to afford those dollar denominated fees and as they begin to default, they will be withdrawing the children from the schools and the funny owners will have no choice but to reduce the fees. Recession would also limit extra marital activities as reckless men, with limited resources will no longer be spending anyhow as their resources would be used for

industrialised country riles not only me but the majority of right-thinking Nigerians. I have been goaded by a large flock of people to come out really strongly against these two gentlemen who by their own admission have piloted the affairs of the House into this abyss and I must say that I remain very ashamed. My brotherly advice to the two gentlemen is for them to temporarily suspend their positions and subject themselves to investigations of which if they are found innocent, they can be recalled. But from the little I have heard and seen, the possibility of either party coming out of this untainted remains virtually impossible. I weep for our country but then again, worse has happened and this Dogara and Jibrin will live to smile again, for in our politics, there can be no permanent friends or enemies. A pity. I weep.

Olusegun Obasanjo: I just love this Baba He says it as it is . He has called them a house of thieves and he seems to have been vindicated with all that is happening. I am hiding behind his big shadow to agree with him. He said it o

more beneficial purposes. Demand for bleaching cream, Brazilian hair will drop significantly since the major sponsors of these frivolities - married men will begin to respect themselves. So people you can see that recession is not just a bad thing. It is the only thing that touches everybody and does not respect federal character and no amount of lopsided federal appointments can stop it from ravaging every nook and corner of the country. Even the Niger Delta Avengers will be counting their bombs and be regulating its uses, make he no quick finish. You see the stories surrounding the Olympic team with buying or not buying their tickets. Well recession, I welcome you o, e Kabo!!!!

and the baba I know will stand by his words that these people are just there to commit grand larceny all in the name of making laws. I just love this baba and will continue to regard him in the highest esteem no matter what anybody says or thinks. It is my love for him and his candour that made me buy his last book on the bridge instead of buying it at the official bookshops. Baba, you will live long for us and you will continue to say it as it is. By the way sir, any plans to go back to PDP? I am sure they are ready to issue you ‘tear-proof’ ID card to guard against your penchant for asking your colleague farmers to tear your ID cards in protest. Let me know how you plan to move so that I can start making arrangements for the welcome party.

President Buhari: Why I was toppled This week remains quite exciting with all these revelations. Our President has given reasons why he was toppled in his first outing as Head of State. For fear of misquoting him, I will not repeat the reason he cited for his removal by the cabal who did that. All I can say

sir, is to forgive them no matter the reason, for they know not what they were doing. To bring back the sordid past is to not allow us move forward as a nation. After all, today you have been democratically elected with a popular vote unlike that time when you seized power through the barrel of a gun which was quite unacceptable. By the way, I remember that dispensation.

You were a very handsome and lanky young officer with the sexy mustache.

I was then a student of Command Secondary School, Ipaja. When we were tired of the dreary school food, we used to run into the Mammy market to eat better food and get cold drinks, and this particular shop used to have your picture on the wall. We would look at your handsome face and wondered what you would do to us if you caught us dodging school to come and eat illegally during the era of the War Against Indiscipline. We would laugh out loud and guzzle the food and sneak back into school just before lights out with our tummies filled up and your stern face on our mind as we lived the lives of ‘bad boys’. So Oga, let’s move forward, a lot of water has passed through that bridge and will never flow back. Today, you are the democratically elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a very strong and highly popular mandate freely given to you by the people of our country. Let’s see some action especially on the economy, security, power and infrastructure and let’s leave history for the historians. Sir, I remain loyal.

Mudi: Nigerians say hello One hot afternoon, I sauntered into his Anthony village studio and met this highly talented demagogue in a good mood. He offered to buy me fish and bread which in itself was out of character. I was wondering what had come over him and put my head on his forehead to check his pulse as I could not understand this level of kindness.

As we ate, he offered me one of his latest designs. The design was made up of a material I had never seen but was modeled by the legendary actor Richard Mofe-Damijo. I did not believe him until I got a call this week to come pick up the package. I wore the cloth and immediately got very excited.

Mudi had just dashed me cloth worth hundreds of thousands of Naira and I have worn the design for four straight days only removing it go take my bath and sleep. So for those of you who have his numbers please help me call him and say a big thank you and while you are still at it, kindly tell him that I would not mind another one but this time the three-piece one. I have to move fast while this his milk of human kindness remains o before the guy change back to his Warri mode. You should see me in the design. I have worn it to church, police station, to buy fuel, to meet with Dbanj and to renegotiate my house rent with my landlord, who gleefully asked why I used mosquito net to sow cloth.

Laugh wan kill me. Mudi oshee!!!!!!

21

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

SPY GLASS

with Bayo Adeoye ....08054680651 to his first love, fashion design, for many years with several credible awards to his credit.

Over the years, this respected fashion designer, who launched his outfit about two decades ago, has won the confidence of the elite who, in turn, have rewarded him with impressive patronage owing to his creativity.

Always as busy as a bee, his Ibadan , Oyo State Office is a Mecca of sorts to celebrities, top politicians and captains of industry.

Kuti, who is renowned for his creativity, is a big collector of shoes and wristwatches.

Oil And Gas Big Boy, Abu Ali Jibia’s Travails

The tale of Abu Ali Jibia, one of the top players in the nation’s oil and gas industry, is one that can be likened to a narrative with a gripping beginning but a sad end.

Until his current travail, the stupendously rich businessman commanded a lot of respect and his popularity literally soared as far as neighbouring countries. Those close to him hinted that he is a spendthrift.

But little did many who idolise him know that his ways were allegedly crooked. For him, the journey on this road of infamy began in October 2013, when the winds blew and the buttocks of the hen was exposed. That was when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, picked him up alongside 10 others for alleged illegal bunkering.

Spy Glass gathered that Jibia was subsequently arraigned before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, on a five- count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful dealing in Automated Gas Oil, AGO, popularly called diesel, and unlawful distribution of adulterated petroleum products, among others.

Jibia and his cohorts had sometime in May, 2013 allegedly stored and distributed two barges and two petrol tanker trucks filled with adulterated diesel.

Consequently, his company, vessel MT Swordfish, which is said to worth several millions of dollars, was seized by the anti-graft agency.

A source disclosed to Spy Glass that Jibia initially did not appreciate the enormity of the criminal charges against him, believing that some of his godfathers would get him off the hook. But he seems to be on his own now, as all the said godfathers themselves are enmeshed in some troubles owing to the clampdown on perpetrators of illicit oil deal by the current administration of President Muhammed Buhari.

In view of this, only time will tell if the one-time big boy, who is said to be running from pillar to post, will

escape the wrath of the law or not

Bashy Kuti Still Unstoppable

The name Bashy Kuti is synonymous with fashion and style.

This is no exaggeration, as the Managing Director of BKK has been faithful

Lekan Osifeso Slows Down

Think of a restless spirit and Lekan Osifeso, Managing Director, Lekai Construction Company, will fit perfectly into the description. If you ever encounter him, you can be assured that he would leave a lasting impression on you as a result of his vivacity and pragmatic views. For this great philanthropist, who is also a darling of popular musicians, there are neither limitations nor boundaries to cage his drive and dreams.

No wonder, his highly rated company has successfully handled several government construction works worth billions of Naira.

However, Spyglass gathered that the handsome man, who is married to another society big lady, has slowed down a bit in the social circle in recent times. Consequently, he now spends more time with his family.

More Laurels for Leo Stan Ekeh

While some are winning laurels in some other human endeavours, Leonard Stan Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox Technologies, has been awarded at different times for his contributions to humanity via information technology, IT. Indeed, without recourse to hyperbole, many of the giants in the IT world, including Microsoft’s Bill Gate and Apple’s founder, the late Jobs, had given thumbs up to his company, while also acknowledging his ingenuity.

A man of ideas, he had a clear vision of how to launch his business, Yudala, in the nation’s e-commerce industry. So, it was not surprising that many who are conversant with his antecedents, knew that in no time it would be a success; and surely, they were right.

As proof of his winning streak, Yudala, which was launched a little over a year ago, emerged the winner of the e-commerce company of the year last week at the prestigious Nigerian Telecom Awards. It was a glorious evening for Ekeh and his

partners.

Yudala, which is headed by his son, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, is the first online business in Nigeria, having been introduced by his Buyright Africa DotCom about eight years ago. It, however, failed to make an impact because it came into the e-commerce market too early.

With Buyright Africa Dotcom, which is one of Yudala’s paid consultants, the stage, no doubt, is set for Yudala to reign for a long time.

Ifeanyi Ubah’s Beautiful Dream

Although he is still nursing the wound occasioned by his loss in the Anambra State governorship election three years ago, it seems the boss of Capital Oil is not one to give up easily.

Spy Glass gathered that the businessman, who is often described as controversial, has concluded plans to run for the same position again.

He is also said to have revealed that he is presently networking and consulting major stakeholders in the state.

Consequently, as part of efforts to realise his dream, he is said to have earmarked billions of Naira for the race because he believes he has the desired solutions to the challenges facing the state.

Ubah became a billionaire at the age of 37, thus making him one of the youngest billionaires in Nigeria.

He, however, shocked all when he celebrated his 40th birthday sometime ago. It was a lavish party that was the talk of town for a long time.

He even sank deeper in the ocean of controversy when he launched the Transformation Agenda of Nigeria (TAN) during the President Goodluck Jonathan administration In spite of this, he has a way of coming out with his head up in all situations. In the eyes of his fans, he is philanthropy personified.

Hajia Habiba Abubakar’s Milk of Kindness

Goodness begets goodness. If this is the philosophy on which the philanthropic gestures of the famous Abuja-based Hajia Habiba Abubakar are hinged on, then, anyone can understand why she is never tired of doing well to the hoi polloi in the society.

It is heart-warming that her philanthropy, which has endeared her to the common people in Abuja and some parts of the North, has not gone unnoticed. How? The woman of substance has several times honoured with humanitarian awards at home and abroad for her activities.

The award, which was organised

by Africans in Diaspora, was in recognition of the contributions of her 10-year-old foundation for the elderly and the poor, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO), founded in 2006 in India when her husband was the High Commissioner to that country. The NGO transcends

national, ethnic and religious borders.

Spy Glass also gatherer Hajia Abubakar has also donated five hectares to build a school and an elderly home for the less privilege.

Again, Mohammed Babangida, Rahama’s marriage collapsed

The 12-year-old marriage of Mohammed Babangida to Rahama Indimi may have hit the rocks, following a disclosure recently by the latter on a social media platform.

Following the disclosure by the mother of four and daughter of Maiduguri, Borno State-born billionaire, Alhaji Mohammed Idimi, not a few have been wondering why the marriage could not endure.

A source close to the family revealed that a lot of mudslinging and subtle blackmail had been ongoing, particularly from Rahama.

According to the source, ‘‘It is a shame that such a woman, who had all going well for her, could not keep her emotions in check. I wonder why she posted an audio message supposedly uttered by Mohammed against his wife, Umma, on her Instagram page.

She pulled it down minutes after it was posted, claiming that it was done by a friend she confided in. It is a pity that her parents couldn’t even tell her the secret of running a home and the way to handle family disputes. Now, she has scattered her home all by herself’.’’

However, Rahama’s alleged denial has earned the opprobrium rather than empathy of many.

Spyglass gathered that she has also dropped her marital name and reverted to her maiden name.

The scion of the ex-Military President, Ibrahim Babangida’s marriage with Rahama has gone through lots of challenges in the past. It was gathered that the beautiful lady and CEO of Deva Petals and Fashion Cafe, a luxury fashion platform in Abuja earlier moved out of her matrimonial home sometime in 2008 when Mohammed got married to his second wife, Umma, the daughter of Ambassador Aminu Wali.

Rahama however returned to Mohammed in 2010 after pleas from family members and things turned sour between Mohammed and Umma.

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Tosin Clegg

07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

ONESOUL

My Biggest Challenge is Trying to Be What They Say I Can’t Be Ideh Chukwuma Innocent, popularly known as Onesoul, is a film maker, recording artiste and a business executive. At the kick off of his career, there were challengesInnocent tells Tosin Clegg My career started as a singer/rapper ctually, my career started as a singer/rapper some years back, but I have been very much more active and known as a film maker. I come from Orhionmwon Local Government of Edo State. I know the Chukwuma in my name always keeps people wondering, but I am from the Ika speaking area of Edo State called Igbanke that is how I got Chukwuma in my name. I am from a family of six; my mum and dad, my brother and two sister; I’m the last of them all.

A

I am a film maker I write, I produce, I direct, I edit and by His grace I am the principal owner of my production company - Heat Factory ICI. That makes me a businessman. I will say I am a very blunt person. I am direct and straight up. I am a go getter I go for what I want and I do what my mind asks me to do. The only person I owe explanation for my decisions is God; as long as He approves of it, I don’t think twice.

Sometimes I come across to people as being difficult because I’m a no-nonsense person, but the truth is I just think we all should be professional and do what is right.

My career started years back As I said, it started with me doing music, but while doing music I was shooting my own music videos and I was also shooting for others. At some point, I realised I was really doing well in that areas so I thought it would make sense to expand my territory. But I didn’t want to jump into it so I went to South Africa and took a proper training in a film school where I got my certificate as a trained film maker. After film School, I came back Nigeria and, trust me, when I say it was not easy.

It was more like I was starting my career all over again. I was begging to work for people, and to do it for free. All I wanted was an opportunity to express myself which I never got, but yeah, in life you have to keep pushing and work hard to get what you want. I kept my head up, started slow, but thank God for where we are today; the story is different and I can boldly say my year is always fully booked with projects.

I don’t know how to act like someone that I am not I am not the type that will come and tell tales with no proof to back them up. If you ask me what my breaking point is, then I will say it’s yet to come.

My breaking out point is yet to come.

Yes, with what I have done or have been doing, I have made a little name for myself. Anyone in my shoes will be happy and excited but nope not me. I have not gotten my break out point yet, and I promise you when it happens, you will know. I can also assure you that it’s very closer than you can imagine and it’s going to hit the industry very hard; that’s what God has promised me; so I’m not going to settle for less.

I’m going to mention the projects I can remember Starting with ‘An Hour with the Shrink’, Moth to a Flame, Diana’s Verdict, Bad Boy and Pretty, Love at 70, Love

Sex and Money, Cajoling, Hourglass, The View, Wife Beater and the List Goes On’.

I have worked with several actors I still look forward to working with a lot more. Few names I can mention are: Yemi Blaq, Segun Arinze, Fred Amata, Femi Jacob, Joseph Benjamin, Kiki Omeili, Anthony Monjaro, Chelsea Eze, Gbenro Ajibade, Akin Lewis, Tina Mba, among others.

Holy Grail is something I started developing about five years ago Holy Grail is my latest work. I wrote it over 167 times in the last five years. Holy Grail is about that thing you treasure most and will do anything, even give up your life or take a life to protect it. It’s a story that focuses on how much our love for crude oil led to us doing anything to have control or possession of crude oil. In a country like Sierra Leone, their Holy Grail is diamond and people will do anything to own or control it. And in Nigeria, its crude oil; so Holy Grail deals with the part of us Africans- how we have lost our moral values, and from our love for God to love for things of the world.

Our plan is to make it the biggest TV series to come out of Africa and we are doing so with all our strength, so help us God. It’s a TV series that everyone in Africa will relate to as a general problem they face in their country, depending on what their own Holy Grail is.

On the cast of the series When you have a great script like this, what you need do is put a great cast of actors that have made a mark in their acting life. You also consider young and talented ones who are ready to explore and set the bar high, and that’s exactly what I was looking out for when I started doing my casting. I am glad I was able to cast the likes of Joseph Benjamin, Segun Arinze, Akin Lewis, Shaffy Bello, Femi Branch, Tina Mba, young great actress like Layole Oyatogun and a host of others. And I promise this cast will bring a light to Holy Grail.

Expectations My hope is high. I have great confidence in my cast and crew. We have a great plan lined up. We have a great script. Spirit is high in camp and we are ready to roll. So, I am very confident this will turn out to be what God has planned it to be for me.

Heat Factory ICI is not just a production company We are into a lot of other things.

Yes, film making has been our major operational angle lately, this is because other areas are been developed. We are into film production, sport management, record label and artiste management, events, properties, oil and gas, and general entertainment consultant company.

Innocent

My major challenge I will say starting a company from a zero point and trying to turn it into a world-class brand has been my biggest challenge so far. At the beginning, nobody will listen to you. Nobody will give you a listening ear or opportunity to explore.

They will crucify you and criticise you.

They will say mean words to you. Some will even try to take food out of your mouth. But you have to be strong and be focused and reach for the stars. Believe in yourself and take one day at a time. Do what your heart tells you to do.

Make mistake and try again and again and again; never stop trying because ev-

ery time you make a mistake it’s because you are a step closer to success. Keep your eyes on the price and trust and depend on God alone. Yes, my biggest challenge in life is trying to be what they say I cannot be, but that’s my motivation in getting the job done because I just can’t fail!

23

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

SHOWBIZFLAIR

MY STORY JIM DONNETT

Music is a Form of Self-expression Jim Donnett is a multi talented singer, song writer and journalist. He is considered as a touch of fresh air that the Nigerian music industry currently craves for with his style of music. In this chat with Tosin Clegg, he talks about the industry and his unique style

NAIRABOX UNVEILS YEMI ALADE, GENIUZZ AS BRAND AMBASSADORS Award-winning artiste, Yemi Alade, and Geniuzz of Effyzzie Music Group have been officially unveiled as brand ambassadors for the social digital wallet, Nairabox. Announced at the official press conference on July 12 at the Nairabox headquarters in Lagos, the two musicians will be the face of the Nairabox brand.

Speaking at the event, Yemi Alade

said, “Everything is happening online right now; technology is the future and Nairabox is the future; you don’t need physical cash, you can buy movie tickets, purchase airtime, make bill payments and transfer cash to your kids in school. The best part of it is that it operates all over the country and you don’t need data. Plus it doesn’t take a

lot of space when you download, its just 2MB. “Each one of us should have it and I encourage you all to get it.”

Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Nairabox, Mr. Jay Chikezie said: “We are glad that Yemi Alade and Geniuzz were able to see our vision and we are glad to have them on board, and look forward to a fruitful relationship.”

WALE ADENUGA AWARDED BEST AFRICAN TV PRODUCER Wale Adenuga, Chairman of Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP) Ltd., was recently honoured as the Best African TV Producer at the 6th edition of the prestigious African Achievers Awards, which took place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Since the first edition in 2011 in London, the African Achievers Awards (AAA) has been consistent in honouring great African Achievers in diverse fields. Some of those honoured include, Jakaya Kikwete, the then President of Tanzania; Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, South African social rights activist and retired Anglican Bishop; Babatunde Raji Fashola, former Governor of Lagos State and current Minister of Power, Works and Housing; Lulu Louis Mnguni, South Africa’s High Commissioner to Nigeria; Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of African Union; Ali Baba, A-List Nigerian Comedian; Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi; and many others.

Adenuga was all smiles as he received his Best African TV Producer award, and had this to say: “I have been producing TV content for decades; and even before then, I had been entertaining families across the continent through magazines and films.

This award has strengthened my resolve to further increase my efforts

W

hat kind of music do you do and why?

Music generally is a form of self-expression, irrespective of the genre. But some of them run deeper than the others. For me, I’m quite intense with self-expression, and the quickest way I can do that in music is through the soul and R&B genre.

What inspires your kind of music?

I would say the strings of nature inspire me. And these musing events are tied to certain happenstance in my life.

The beautiful part is that they all fall under what I choose to term ‘the God Concept’. So, largely, my inspiration comes from God.

What is different about your kind of music?

in churning out wholesome family entertainment, which plays its own role in developing Africa. I appreciate the award organisers, all the corporate advertisers and government agencies who have partnered with WAP, and of course, the millions of viewers who have stayed tuned over the years.”

In a career spanning 40 years, Wale

Adenuga has established several award-winning TV content which have greatly improved the overall quality of the entertainment industry across Africa; including the TV Dramas- Super Story and ThisLife; TV Comedy- Papa Ajasco & Company; Children’s TV Quiz Show- Nnenna & Friends; and the 24-outdoors family entertainment’s channel- wapTV.

The thing that sets me apart in my music would be my voice. I have a basic knowledge of the style of music I am doing, so how I use my voice to execute my renditions both on stage and in the studio is the distinct thing that sets me apart.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

It is basically about executing the strategies that would bring me steps closer to fulfilling my dreams. Maybe I will be signed to a record label by then. What I do know is that there certainly would be newer music materials. I should have released the Jimancipation EP and perhaps a debut album and, of course, a feature with Tiwa Savage; I just love that woman.

24

THISDAY, THe SATurDAY NewSpAper • JULY 30, 2016

TRIBUTE The Remarkable Life of Felix Ibru

I

Henry Muogho

met Olorogun Felix Ovudoroye Ibru at the height of the move for the creation of Delta State. There was a meeting of the promoters of the idea which included Chief. E.K. Clarke, Senator David Dafinone, Maj. Gen. Fred Brume, Obarisi Clarkson De Majomi, Maj. Gen Paul Omu, Barrister Agiri, the late Chief Abel Ubeku and others.

The elder statesmen needed a secretary to take the minutes of their meeting and my chairman, Olorogun Michael Ibru ordered me to take the minutes. On getting to the room on Louis Solomon Close, where the meeting was to take place, some of the members expressed the concern that I was too young and probably incompetent to do a good job.

Uncle Felix, as we called him, expressed the confidence that if his elder brother sent me, then I must be capable of taking the minutes.

He was fond of saying that “what I learned from my elder brother is that you can have failures and keep going.”

Some years back, his eldest nephew and my principal, Olorogun Oskar Ibru and I visited his GRA home in Ikeja and in an incisive conversation he told us that some people argued that Christianity has failed. “They point to a world aflame with war, and they say that the principles that Christ teaches are too high, that men will never live their lives according to his precepts.”

He suggested that the pessimists might be correct “perhaps the world could never live according to those exemplary principles, but that does not mean we should throw these principles aside. They represent ideals and goals worth working for – worth fighting for.

A world which cast away all morality and

Ibru principles, all hopeless idealism, if you will call it that – not a world worth living in.”

A man of honour and complete integrity, Senator Ibru believed that business begins with sincerity and that perseverance leads to success.

People can forgive mistakes, ambition, etc, but they can never get over distrust. To him, godliness is simply being kind and loving to people on earth.

He was handsome and talented in so many areas. He worked at improving himself. He didn’t just hold on to what he learned to himself. He tried to share his skills and abilities. He put his own money behind such endeavours. I can’t imagine how many young people went to university because he helped them pay for their education. He was passionate about education; that came from the Ibru Family. It ignited him more than anything. His protégés are doctors, engineers, lawyers, professors, politicians, etc.

In one lifetime, Uncle Felix was a teacher, an architect, a politician, public office holder, businessman and a community leader.

Born on December 7, 1935 at Agbarha-Otor, Senator Ibru has the best of education. Like his elder brother and two younger brothers, after him, he attended Igbobi College, Lagos and went on to Nottingham School for Architecture, United Kingdom. He later went to Israel for his master’s degree. On his return to Nigeria, in 1963, he went into teaching at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. He resigned after about a year and set up an architectural firm which designed many edifices in the country. Ibru has to his credit some aesthetic designs and constructions which at that time were aweinspiring. The Master Plan of the University of Benin, was a major architectural work he undertook.

When Olorogun Ibru was elected Governor of Delta State from 1992-1993, he laid the Master Plan of Asaba, the state capital that till today, is the reference point for all subsequent governors of the state. In whatever area of life he found himself, he endeavoured to leave profound impact. In his brief tenure as governor, he elevated the then College of Education, Abraka to a full-fledged Delta State University.

When he was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Fourth Republic,

he left no one in doubt that he was of noble spirit, a technocrat, a peacemaker, and a bridge builder. He never shirked his legislative responsibilities. He it was that chaired the committee that produced the country’s first ever National Pensions Commission (PENCOM).

All his colleagues in the Senate attested that Senator Felix Ibru was a dependable ally in the Senate. Former Senate President, David Mark, recently described Senator Ibru as one of the best hands, from 2003 – 2007, the Senate.

Senator was at various times, member of the Constitution Drafting Committee, who worked tirelessly with others to bestow on Nigeria, a workable Constitution.

He was hard to miss as a result of charisma, friendship, humility, intelligence and his impeccable white dressing. Uncle Felix kept his friends and staff forever! They were true and stuck to him because he was a good man.

From his personal assistant, physician, driver and his boyhood friends, nobody has moved.

Uncle Felix walked with confidence and grace. He wasn’t afraid to speak up. He shared his talents with the world, He was one in a million. He had a sense of humour. Olorogun would say something and not know it was funny. He never knew he was telling a joke. It was a privilege to work with and for him and his adorable elder brother. He was somebody that you aspire to be like. Olorogun Ibru understood that the Urhobo people had a unique cultural point of view when it comes to fashion and style. He generously shared his style. Uncle Felix generously shared his understanding of life with the world.

Uncle Felix passed on to glory on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the age of 80.

Migwo, Olorogun, Migwo!

––Henry Muogho, is the Director of Administration, Ibru Organisation.

MILESTONE

My ‘Baale’ Idi Araba Story

T

Yusuph Olaniyonu oday is my 50th birthday. As usual, no celebration. That is my style.

However, as usual again, for the past one week, I have been doing some introspective review of my life, doing what some people will call stock-taking. There is an incident which kept on coming to my mind.

One incident that would have changed my story. An event that also demonstrates how the Nigerian story has changed significantly. It was one story that shows how times have changed in our country.

If that incident had happened in Nigeria of 2016, then nobody would have been privileged to read my account. I probably would have ended up being an item in some ritual rite or a slave boy trafficked far away from my present home. Let me also warn that this aspect of the story of my life happened so long ago that I cannot remember the exact year of its occurrence and what age I was. As a result of the circumstances, i really did not cross-check to ascertain the facts. Now, that I took interest in documenting it, I found most of the dramatic personae have gone to be with their maker.

I guessed I must be just about six years old or a little younger. That means, it should be about 1971 or 1972. The practice for many Abeokuta men who lived in Lagos then was to send one or two of the children back home to live with their aged or aging parents. The children not only helped the grand-parents back home, they provided the link for the man and his wife to constantly go home or send money for the upkeep of those in the hometown. I was the first of my father’s children to be taken back home to live with my old aunt (his eldest sister) who was like my grand mum. More importantly, the education system in Abeokuta, then in Western State, was better than that of Lagos State. And that was another reason for this backward integration system to thrive.

During our long holidays, I had the opportunity to reunite with my siblings in Lagos. We were living

in a house in Mushin Olosa which is just about a kilometer to Idi Araba, the present location of the University of Lagos. Then, Idi Araba was a village by Yoruba categorization of its settlements. It had a Baale or a village head.

During this particular holiday for students in the Western State, the schools were still in session in Lagos. On a sunny afternoon, I remember vividly, my siblings were going for a private tutorial session which in local lingo was termed ‘lesson’. I decided to follow them. I had with me the seat and writing plank called ‘slate’, the one that we used a white chalk to write upon. The seat was adapted from an empty can of a big size of the Quaker Oat cereal.

On our way, in my innocence, some scene somewhere must have caught my attention. That was how my sisters left me behind. By the time I realized I was all alone, there was no trace of those who knew the way. All that was left for me was childish guess.

Thus, I saw this open space in front of a house where some children gathered. Some of them were just playing. I calculated that that might be the venue of the ‘lesson’ being attended by my sisters. I decided to mount sentry and watch. I was there until, it was getting dark and gradually, the children dispersed one by one.

I was now left to my fate. Lost and afraid. No chance of tracing my way home. No real information about our address. If it was Abeokuta, I could describe our compound and my aunt’s name. In Lagos, I was a stranger and visitor, even though I was born there. I can’t remember now how some good Samaritans took me there, but i ended up that night in the house of the Baale, the Village head. I ended up sleeping there after having my dinner. I remembered that when the wife of the Baale spread a mat for me to lay on for the night, I still requested that she should spread clothes on it like what I was used to in my aunt’s place.

The following morning, they treated me to the normal ritual of a clean bath and good meal. I noticed there was no children of my age in that house.

I could not remember if I saw some other occupants of the household. However, later that morning, the

Baale’s wife left the house for the market, where she had a stall. She was still kind enough to leave for me a pack that would be my lunch.

Before lunch time, another elderly man visited the Baale. I noticed they had a discussion and after sometime I was told to carry the ‘seat and slate’ which formed my luggage and followed the man.

We boarded a ‘molue’ bus at a bus stop which I later realized must be Mushin, just one bus stop before the closest one to our house. That is Mushin Olosa bus stop. My guess now is that we were heading to Alakara area which had and still has a police station with a famous juvenile section. Meanwhile, back in our house, search-parties paraded and combed the nooks and crannies of the entire area throughout the night. People kept vigil as confusion reigned in they would storey building and the neighbourhood.

However, in God’s way of performing miracles, when we got to our bus stop, in the process of giving way to some passengers to disembark from the Molue bus, the ‘slate and seat’, my luggage, fell down and I jumped down to quickly pick them. At that point, I just heard shouts from some people around the bus stop and a woman grabbed me. A member of one of the search parties which happened to be moving along the bus stop area had sighted me.

The old man I was going with had to discontinue the journey. In the euphoria that enveloped the atmosphere, I could not recollect how the handover ceremony went. All I knew was that I returned home to the warm and enthusiastic embrace of my mother, the rest of the family and our neighbours. That was at a time when there was no Child Rights Act. Yet, I benefitted from the pervasive fear of God where people voluntarily protect children against all forms of danger.

Imagine if the incident had happened in Nigeria of today, particularly in Mushin area. Will the person or persons who took me to the Baale’s house border to take the trouble? Will they not have concluded that I was a perfect ‘item’ for money ritual or something to sell to those who may need me for other purposes? If I made it to the Baale’s house, will I get out in one piece or as an independent, bubbling

Olaniyonu young boy as I did? Will the Baale not have his own design about this boy whose parents were not known at that time?

Even if the Baale wanted to help, will the present way the police react to and handle such cases encourage the man? Out of the fear to avoid any trouble with the police, will the Baale not have rejected to have anything to do with a boy whose parents he did not know? Will the man even take the risk of accommodating a boy who looked innocent but could have been an agent or spy for some robbers or evil doers? Today, will it be difficult to find somebody who will know one or two persons willing to pay some cash to take custody of the boy and ‘use’ him for their own purpose - most likely an evil one? So many questions!

I thank God that incident happened well over 40 years ago. I pray for God’s mercy on the Baale, his good wife, those who took me to his house, the members of the search parties, my parents, aunt and my school girl-sisters. Incidentally, a very good majority of them, I am sure are dead now. Like two of my three sisters. May God bless our country and return her to that era when kindness reign among the citizenry and when we all live like a large community peopled by good neighbors, the time children enjoy protection from all and sundry. These are my birthday wishes.

–– Olaniyonu is Special Adviser to Senate President.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

TRAVEL&LEISURE

by OMOLOLA ITAYEMI omolola.itayemi@thisdaylive.com 08054699602

ANDY EHANIRE

There Has Been Unending Fumbling with Tourism Policies The emphasis that tourism can give the Nigerian economy the paradigm shift from absolute dependence on a dwindling oil sector to a vibrant and sustainable multi-sector has never been more imminent. But how ready is the sector considering the lackadaisical attitude some of the past stakeholders have shown towards developing the industry? Omolola Itayemi talks to tourism enthusiast, Andy Osa Ehanire about the unending fumbling with Nigeria’s tourism policies

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here has always been a glaring need to fathom some deep seated syndromes that have for long stagnated the charting of a clear, viable and sustainable policy direction for Nigeria’s tourism development. Do you agree?

How else can one explain our long exposure to various tourism models and having the privilege of huge financial resources, with no shortage of those professing the know-how, yet being consigned to perpetual lamentation of the dismal performance of such a critical sector of our economy over many decades. The recent convening of a summit of tourism stakeholders was necessitated by the combined circumstances of a new political regime inheriting a faltering oil-driven economy and the urgent need for diversification through tourism development.

However the circumstance, it is the embarrassing debacles or whatever has been done wrongly – possibly reaching a vicious circle, are what should first be identified, analysed and decoded, even as we seek fresh ideas and solutions on the way forward.

It should be realised that the process for distilling policies and plans for a complex sector as tourism is not what should start from what is akin to a public forum, as such would remain as clouded as the tourism stakeholders are nebulous.

To draw analogy from Carl Jung, the famous psychoanalyst, the effectiveness of a “committee” is inversely proportional to its size; positing that “a committee of a hundred professors is akin to a mob, while a thousand would have the collective

intelligence of an alligator”. It could also be recalled that the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) President had once called for a retreat for the Association’s General Assembly in Calabar. In opposing the idea, it was reasoned that a retreat usually has meaning when a select few are sequestered to think for the whole, not a convention type scenario that is only ideal for sensitization.

Therefore, for such a forum of stakeholders as recently convened, it is after the technical issues have been distilled by a core group of experts that the pre-digested policy options and plans, based on the synthesis of original ideas, are then proffered to such a broad based forum as this Summit, amongst whom are the usual hustlers and loafers. The skills for in-depth policy issues as in a roadmap for tourism are not necessarily found amongst tourism administrators, whose roles have derogatively been described as file pushers. Like the contractors who are engaged for construction projects in other sectors through technical bidding-experts who can think out of the box should be engaged from stages of conceptualization, design, engineering (even cultural) and production, while the administrators are there for communication, facilitation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation. Beyond calling up stakeholders to share “free” ideas with tourism administrators, there seems to be the recourse to patronizing those whom circumstances have positioned as “oracles” in a non-performing tourism sector – those who, incidentally too, have nothing serious to prove or show for their long involvement in the sector. With so many professions

Ehanire

in the tourism sector, a point easily confused is that while the vast majority of its stakeholders are professionals in their respective fields, they

hardly qualify to be termed tourism professionals or experts.

Where there is need to engage tourism experts, the litmus test is in designing a transformational template for our community tourism development – such a project that can sync with the intent of the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) Tourism Action Plan for community based enterprises. Do you think this will help?

We must bear in mind the serious integrity deficits in our ecological and cultural heritage, along with the need for their regeneration and packaging by those with a flair for heritage design and socio-cultural engineering. Reminds one of an editorial in Conservation Biology Journal, wherein there was a radical departure from their usual choice of professionals in the physical sciences. It was a paradigm shift for them to discover the need for sociologists and allied disciplines in understanding conservation challenges amongst diverse communities, not to speak of a multidisciplinary sector as tourism.

The relevance of practical sociology has been a huge oversight in such a highly creative and service oriented field as Tourism, in which culture plays a leading role.To properly erect national tourism architecture, there is also need to inaugurate the Local Government Tourism Committees through a staggered and sustained seminal process that syncs with community tourism development.

It should be realised that the process for distilling policies and plans for a complex sector as tourism is not what should start from what is akin to a public forum, as such would remain as clouded as the tourism stakeholders are nebulous.

Leading Change Brings a New Dawn in Hospitality Industry A Monday afternoon with duo of Olumide Adebayo and Gbenga Oladele of Leading Change Hospitality opened Omolola Itayemi up to the immense possibilities in the industry even as government continues to ignore the sector

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hat is Leading Change?

Leading Change is a training and Consultancy firm that specializes in hotels and hospitality industry.

Do you think there is a need for Leading Change in the industry?

Yes, the need for experience and quality staff by most organizations cannot be overemphasized, and which can only be provided for the esteemed clients by providing quality training which will lead to high productivity, cost control, effective operation system and proper handling of working material that will lead to increase in revenue.

Also, we provide training for front office, food and beverage, housekeeping, back office and accounts, human resources management, marketing and sales. And our training can also be tailored to meet the peculiar need of your organization.

What are some of the missing things in the industry, you want to change?

Basically, innovation in the area of providing tailor-made solutions to clients. Nigerians

want easy, good and affordable products and services and we are here to help our clients deliver such services.

How will you rate the hospitality sector?

We haven’t gotten there yet and not only in the hospitality sector. We look down at jobs like waiters, concierge and other personnel of the sector. But there is prospect; it’s all not gloomy.

Energy is a huge problem for the sector like any other sector. Products, preservation and maintenance of goods and services used are a problem. Government which is supposed to help is killing business with several taxes.

What is the way out for hoteliers to break even in Nigeria?

I think we are doing ourselves a dis-service by not projecting what we have. Nigeria is a tourism destination but we are not exploring this, one of the various dis-advantages of oil boom.

Whether the industry likes it or not, it needs to embrace professionals. Like I said earlier L - R: Olumide Adebayo, Head Administration and Gbenga Oladele, Marketing and Clients Services of Leading on, we are here to train people, certify them Change Consulting and motivate staff. because its facilitators are hoteliers with vast sity) in France and they have worked in leading hotels internationally like Sofitel, Novotel, Who are the professionals behind experience in the hospitality sector.

Most of them are product of the renowned Southern Sun International. Leading Change Leading Change?

Leading Change is a firm that you need Academie Accor (Quality and Service Univer- brings a new dawn in hospitality industry.

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

aUto

Ford Aims to Make a Difference by Promoting Safe Driving in Nigeria Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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s a committed and responsible corporate citizen in Nigeria, Ford is making a significant contribution to promoting safe driving with the introduction of its global Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme next month in Nigeria. This is in line with Ford’s decision to roll out this successful international programme to more countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This successful driver training programme was launched in South Africa in 2014 and it was introduced into Angola last year.

Ford launched DSFL in the United States in 2003 and the system has been improved and adapted to suit local conditions in many global markets over the years.

DSFL is a free, advanced driving skills programme for newly-licensed drivers as well as a means of improving the defensive driving ability of experienced drivers. It is funded by the not-for-profit Ford Motor Company Fund as an effective method of improving driving skills globally and so contributing to road safety.

The half-day DSFL training starts with a one hour theoretical session followed by practical training where the trainee is accompanied by a professional driver trainer in cars provided by Ford. The practical exercise includes a pre-trip inspection, experiencing braking distances from 60km/h and 120km/h as well as staggered following distances. Then there is an ABS braking exercise, a reaction test and finally a slalom activity to evaluate car control.

The Nigerian Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA), the umbrella body for all journalists in Nigeria covering the automobile and automotive industry, is already setting a good example by insisting that its members undergo annual training, and Ford’s DSFL will form part of this programme.

“This year the Nigerian Auto Journalists’ Association is undertaking a program to reinvigorate our members through a number of relevant training courses to improve their skills and knowledge levels,” explained Mike Ochonma, the vice president of the NAJA and a member of the NAJA event organising committee.

2016 Ford Ranger

“We are very pleased that we have been able to partner with Ford so that we can include the Driving Skills for Life training into our overall program. This driver training is very important for our members as it is at the core of their profession. It is also supportive of the government’s initiatives to improved road safety in our country and to cut the death toll on our roads.”

This positive move by the motoring journalists has already been highly praised by the Nigerian Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (NAMA).

The first DSFL training session in Nigeria will

take place at the Lekki premises of Coscharis Motors on July 30.

The issue of improving road safety has been in the news lately in Nigeria, so the timing for the launch of Ford’s DSFL initiative is excellent.

Only recently the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi, appealed to Nigerian motorists to abide by traffic rules and regulations to ensure the success of the Corps’ campaign against road carnage in the country. He added that road safety is a shared responsibility in which all road users must be active participants.

Oyeyemi went on to say that his organisation is committed to meeting its 2016 goals of reducing road traffic accidents in Nigeria by 15 percent and reducing fatalities by 20 percent. He added that globally road accidents account for the deaths of 1.24-million people a year and they are the major cause of death among young people aged between 15-29 years.

“In addition, 91% of the world’s fatalities on roads occur in low- and middle-income countries even though these countries have only half the world’s vehicles driving on their roads,” Oyeyemi commented.

Toyota Hiace: Less Fuel In The City

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oyota has revised its diesel-powered HiAce range to improve fuel economy in the city whileachievingstricteremissionsstandards.

Recalibration of the HiAce 3.0-litre turbodieselenginetomeetEuro5emissionslevels has delivered fuel-economy improvements of up to 4.6 per cent on the official urban cycle#.

The upgrade to the 3.0-litre 1KD-FTV engine includes a diesel particulate filter with manual as well as automatic regeneration.

The biggest fuel-economy gains around town where HiAce performs most of its duties - are for the Long Wheel Base (LWB) crew van and Super Long Wheel Base (SLWB) van with the five-speed manual gearbox.

These variants also deliver a city-cycle improvement of3.5percentwiththeoptionalsix-speedelectronically controlled automatic transmission. Combined-cycle economy is either unchanged or rises marginally.

Toyota has expanded the HiAce range by adding two new commuter bus diesel variants with a nocost option of 12 seats instead of the standard 14 seats, allowing them to be driven by anyone with a regular car licence.

In addition, Toyota now gives customers the choice of a left-side window or steel panel on the white

automatic LWB (Long Wheel Base) diesel van, based on feedback from the dealer network.

While many owners appreciated the added visibility offered by the left-side window, there are others who expressed a preference for the security and privacy offered by a steel panel.

Petrol vans were upgraded to Euro 5 early last year.

Sincethen,everynewHiAcehasbeenequippedwith the safety of electronic vehicle stability control, brake assist for greater stopping power in an emergency, hill-start assist control and an emergency stopping signal.

Prices for the Japan-produced HiAce range have been increased by 2.0 per cent for vans and 3.8 per cent for buses due to currency movements. The value of theAustralian dollar has weakened significantly against a rising yen over the past year.

Every new HiAce is covered by Toyota Service Advantage capped-price servicing at $180perservice for petrol and $240 for diesel.”

The local range includes four body styles: LWB van, five-seat LWB crew van, SLWB van and commuter bus.Crewvanandbusareturbo-dieselonly;theother models offer either the diesel or Toyota’s 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.All grades are trimmed with a dark grey interior.

Toyota Hiace

Porsche Owners Most Satisfied with Their Vehicles - Study

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or the 12th year in a row, Porsche tops the J.D. Power APEAL Study.

ShortforAutomotivePerformance,Execution and Layout, the 2016 J.D. Power U.S. APEALStudymeasuresowners’emotional attachmentandlevelofexcitementacross77attributes, rangingfromthepowertheyfeelwhentheyaccelerate to the sense of comfort and luxury they feel when getting into the driver’s seat. The attributes are then

combined into an overall score that is measured on a 1,000-point scale, and the study has shown that higherAPEALleads to significantly higher advocacy and customer loyalty.

Helping raise APEAL scores for certain automakers are new vehicles equipped with safety features like blind spot monitoring and low-speed collision avoidance.

Overall scores were higher among the 41 percent of

owners whose vehicles have blind spot monitoring thanthosewithout,871versus787,respectively.Scores were also higher among the 30 percent of owners whose vehicles have collision avoidance technology than among those whose vehicles are not equipped with the technology, 828 vs. 790, respectively.

The overall industry APEAL score increased by three points to 801, with 22 of the 30 all-new or major redesigned models for 2016 included in the study

scoring higher than their respective segment average.

In the 2016 study, Porsche scored 877 points to lead the way, while BMW finished second with a score of 859. Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz tied in third at 852, while Land Rover, Lexus and Lincoln all ranked fifth in a tie at 843.

Among the non-premium brands, Volkswagen ranked highest at 809, followed by MINI (807), Kia (807), Ford (803), Ram (803) and GMC (802).

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 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

New Rules For Fresh Drivers License Applicants L-R: Deputy Group Managing Director, Coscharis Motors, Mr. Okey Nwuke; CEO/President, Coscharis Motors, Dr. Cosmas Maduka; and Group Executive Director, Coscharis Motors, Fred Amobi, at the launch... recently

Coscharis Motors Introduces the All-new Jaguar F-Pace Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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he All-new Jaguar F-PACE is now available in Nigeria. Jaguar’s first-ever SUV was unveiled by Coscharis Motors at a stunning launch that took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites on the platform of Tech+ on Thursday 21st July, 2016 in Lagos. Many VIPs, special guests and media personalities were in attendance to see the arrival of the latest Jaguar model, including a line-up of other Jaguar products.

Coscharis Motors is the exclusive franchise dealer for all Jaguar Land Rover variants in Nigeria. It currently boasts of a wide sale and service network across Nigeria

with its headquarter located in Lagos, Nigeria.

The F-PACE is a performance SUV that has been designed and engineered to offer the agility, responsiveness and refinement that all Jaguars are renowned for, together with unrivalled dynamics and everyday versatility.

Developed using Jaguar’s LightweightAluminiumArchitecture, the All-New F-PACE combines purity of line, surface and proportion with F-TYPE-inspired features such as the powerful rear haunches, fender vents and distinctive tail light graphics.

The bold front grille and the muscular bonnet hint at the performance potential of its supercharged V6 petrol engines.

Elementssuchasslenderfull-LED headlights, forged 22-inch wheels and short front overhang carry the design vision of the C-X17 concept through to production.

The All-New F-PACE seats five occupants in absolute comfort.

The interior is a perfect blend of premium materials and finishes, exquisite detailing, luxuries such as heated, electrically reclining rear seats, and cutting-edge technologies including the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system and 12.3-inch HD virtual instrument cluster.

According to Ufuoma Umukoro, General Manager, Sales, Coscharis Motors, while quoting Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar; he states that “By remain-

ing absolutely true to our design principles the All-New F-PACE is immediately recognisable as a Jaguar.” “It offers all of the interior space you would expect – and more – but because of our disciplined approach to surfaces, proportions, and purity of line, we have designed what I consider to be the most balanced, most attractive vehicle in its class” The Lightweight Aluminium Architecture gave the design and engineering teams the ideal starting point. It was created from the outset as a modular structure, so the wheels can be positioned exactly where they are needed to deliver the proportions, dynamics, and practicality essential for a performance SUV.

JICA Presents Survey on Lagos Railway Project

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comprehensive survey on Lagos urban railway development project has been presented to LAMATA by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Variouspresentationsweremade by the study team, made up of Japan International Consultants for Transportation (JIC); Yachiyo Engineering(YEC);ChuoFukken Consultants (CFK); and Fukken Engineering (FKE).

In the outline of the study and findings, the team leader, Mr. Akiyama Yoshihiro said, “This preparatory survey is based on Terms of Reference between JICA and LAMATA in August 2015. The route of this preparatory survey has been selected through 1st and 2nd Data Collection Survey by JICA in 2013 and 2014.”

He said the objectives of the project are to develop a new transportation system, (e.g.

AGT=Automated Guideway Transit, Monorail)

L-R: Team Lead, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Mr. Akiyama Yoshihiro; Director, Public Transport, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Mr. Gbenga Dairo; Director, Africa Division, JICA, Mr. Daisuke Watanabe; and Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, during a seminar on the Lagos urban railway development project organized by LAMATA in Lagos... recently

that would “help mitigate traffic congestion and improve the environment in Lagos State, and formulate a plan to introduce the new transportation system; formulate a concrete plan to introduce the new transportation system as an ODAloan project;

formulate a plan to introduce the new transportation system that can demonstrate the strength of the Japanese system.

“New Transportation systems” indicate intermediate transit systems between Tram/ Bus and MRT (Mass Rapid Transit)

Railway development plan in Lagos metropolitan area.

The first phase would be from Marina to Ikoyi and Victoria Island. The “Route Planning covers 15km-length connecting from Marina to BIS Way with two ways in both islands.”

Mercedes Pickup Truck Coming in 2017

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he Mercedes pickup truck should arrive in late 2017, according to leaked road map and if this leaked road map is accurate.

The road map, which was acquired by Auto Car, details what the German automaker has in the works for the coming

year, including a convertible Mercedes-AMG GT model. It also confirms that Mercedes will launch nine new models and two new Smart models next year.

With the new E-Class sedan introduced this year, it’s no surprise to see the E-Class coupe on the horizon for 2017. There is also a high-riding E-Class All

Terrain in the works while the S-Class will receive a facelift.

It also appears Mercedes will expand on the GLA crossover lineup with a coupe four-door coupe model, like the larger GLC. Most interesting however is confirmation that the MercedesBenz pickup truck, expected to

be called the GLT, will arrive by late 2017.

Spy photographers have caught a prototype testing, so we know it’s in the works. And for those anxiously awaiting a drop-top AMG GT, your wish will be fulfilled with a fabric soft top, similar to what’s found on the SLS roadster.

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fortnightago,ayoung 35years old man simply known as George calledmeaforthnight ago with an appeal to assist him procure a driver’s license. When I enquired if it was for a fresh license, his response that it was for renewal shocked me, as I was convinced that as a holder of a driver’s license he should be conversant with the procedure.

Notwithstanding this, I advised him to go to any of the five centers here in Port Harcourt, the Rivers Statecapitalbutwasshockedwhen heinterruptedwithafunnysmileon hisfacesaying,’’bros,pleaseIamtoo busy for the long process involved andwouldrathergiveaconsultant to process it for me. Despite my disappointment at his mindset, I politely informed him that the process for renewing a driver’s license is not cumbersome unlike that for a fresh driver’s license. I equally advised him against applying for renewal or even fresh license by proxy, which is illegal and unauthorized, stressing the danger of applying by proxy as he would end up paying three times the normal cost of N6350 besides beinggivenadriverslicensewhich is not genuine.

Georgeisoneamongthenumerousnumberofpeoplewhocalldaily asking for assistance on the same kind of excuse given by George.

Some would even offer to pay you any amount so long as you can save them the rigor of going through a process meant to fast track the FRSC promise to restore the integrity of the drivers license since the Federal Road Safety Commissioncommencedthenew licensing regime in line with the pledge by the Management of the Commissiontorestoretheintegrity of the system.

Recallthatthenewmotorvehicle administration regime remains a necessity since 1990 when it was imperativetoharmonizeandunify all existing modes of licensing of driversandvehicleregistration.The scheme set out to address plethora ofsafety,securityenforcementchallenges such as absence of database on vehicles owners and enhanced capacity for enforcement of traffic rules and regulations. When the newregimetookeffecton1stMarch 2015,critics questionedtherationale fortheintroductioncitinginitialhiccups especially with respect to the fewer centers that were available that could not cope with the pressurecaused bytheeagernessonthe part of motorists and the deadline thatwassetforachangeovertothe new regime.

There was also the problem caused by slow and interrupted network. All of these have been resolved and today, I am excited torecallmyexperienceonaninteractive programme,where a caller was elated when he recalled his experience when he travelled abroad and was told he could exchange his Nigerian driver’s license as a valid permit within

his one month stay. This is in line withthereciprocitywhichwenow havewithseverallycountriesinthe EuropeanUnionandmoststatesin theUnitedStatesofAmericawhich recognizes our drivers’ license because of its standard which is comparablewithanyintheworld.

Back to the focus for this week whichistheruleforfreshapplicants.

Therelevanttrafficregulationsuch astheNationalRoadTrafficRegulations, 2012, Regulations 45(2),52(1) and(2),50(1)and45(3)(e)providefor anapplicantforthedriver’slicense tomeetthefollowingconditionsbe 18 years and above, be physically and mentally fit, pass a driving test and pay the prescribed fee.

However, the law has also made special provision for age limit of applicantsforcommercialorprofessionaldriverslicence(notbelowthe age of 26-Regulation 45(4)). After these, such an applicant will then qualify for a driver’s license valid forthreeyears.However,intheface of the spate of road crashes in the country and the need conceptualized new ideas in keeping within global best practice, the Corps through the driving school standardization programme made it mandatory for fresh applicants to attend certified and approved driving school. Specifically, the National Road Traffic Regulations 2004mandatesalllearnerdriversto observethefollowingrules:attend a certified and approved driving schoolasaprerequisitetoobtaining a fresh drivers license.

Aspartofthestrategytoimprove theprocess,therulewasamended specifically with respect to fresh applicants. The new rule requires applicants obtaining a Drivers License for the first time must do the following; attend a training at FRSC accredited Driving school for at least 26 working days, after which they will be presented by the Driving school to the Vehicle Inspection Officer/Road Traffic Officers for a driving test. Applicantsmustpassthedrivingtestand obtain a certificate of proficiency for the new license from the VIO. After this, applicants will make payment online via the pay4me or make direct payment through the platformsatanybank.Theapplicant willthensubmitcompletedformsto theStateBoardofInternalRevenue for endorsement, collect payment receipt for State Board of Internal RevenuewhereapplicableandProceed to the Drivers License Center forbiometricdatacapture.Afterthe biometric exercise, applicants will obtain temporary Drivers License and pick up the original License at theStateBoardofInternalRevenue office after 60 days.

Meanwhile while still learning, the learner driver must display an ‘L’-plateforlearner,whichisasquare platebearingasans-serifletter‘L’for learner,whichmustbeaffixedtothe frontandbackofavehicleinmany countries, if the driver is a learner under instruction or a motorcycle rider with provisional entitlement to ride restricted motorcycles.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •July 30, 2016

FAMILY HEALTH

What is The Cause of that Fever?

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ever is an elevation in body temperature.

Technically, any body temperature above the normal oral measurement of 37 Celsius or the normal rectal temperature of (37.2 C) is considered elevated. However, these are averages, and one’s normal body temperature may actually be 1 F (0.6 C) or more above or below the average of 98.6 F. Body temperature can also vary up to 1 F (0.6 C) throughout the day.

Fever is not considered medically significant until body temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C). Anything above normal but below 100.4 F (38 C) is considered a low-grade fever. Fever serves as one of the body’s natural defenses against bacteria and viruses that cannot live at a higher temperatures. For that reason, low-grade fevers should normally go untreated, unless accompanied by troubling symptoms or signs.

Fever occurs when an area in your brain , that works as your body’s thermostat , called the hypothalamus , shifts the set point of your normal body temperature upward. When this happens, you may feel chilled and add layers of clothing or wrap up in a blanket, or you may shiver to generate more body heat, eventually resulting in an elevated body temperature. Body temperature also varies slightly depending on where on the human body it is measured. Rectal internal temperature tends normally to be higher than skin surface temperature.

Oral and armpit temperatures can approximate actual body temperature and are more convenient to measure.

Normal body temperature varies throughout the day it is lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon and evening. Although most people consider 37 C normal, your body temperature can vary by a degree or more from about 36.1 C to 37.2 C and still be considered normal. Factors such as your menstrual cycle or heavy exercise can affect your temperature.

A fever can cause a person to feel very uncomfortable.

Some possible causes • A virus • A bacterial infection • Heat exhaustion • Extreme sunburn • Certain inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis — inflammation of the lining of your joints • A malignant tumor • Some medications, such as antibiotics and drugs used to treat high blood pressure or seizures • Some immunizations, such as the diphtheria, tetanus and DTaP or pneumococcal vaccine.

A fever can cause a person to feel very uncomfortable.

Temperature greater than 100.4 F (38 C) in adults and children.

In extreme high fever, the possible symptoms are : • Shivering, shaking, and chills • Aching muscles and joints or other body aches Headache : Intermittent sweats or excessive • sweating • Rapid heart rate and/or palpitation.

• Skin flushing or hot skin • Feeling faint, dizzy or lightheaded • Eye pain or sore eyes • Weakness with very high temperature greater than 104 F/40 C), convulsions, hallucinations or confusion is possible...Seek medical attention.

• Loss of apetite.

Sometimes the cause of a fever cannot be identified.

If you have a temperature of 38.3 C or higher for more than three weeks and your doctor is not able to find the cause after extensive evaluation, the diagnosis may be fever of unknown origin.

How fever developes : The presence of a fever is usually related to stimulation of the body’s immune response. Fever can support the immune system’s attempt to gain advantage over infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, and it makes the body less favorable as a host for replicating viruses and bacteria, which are temperature sensitive.

Infectious agents are not the only causes of fever, however.

Amphetamine abuse and alcohol withdrawal can both elicit high temperatures, for example. And environmental fevers such as those associated with heat stroke and related illnesses can also occur.

Fever is the result of an immune response by your body to a foreign invader. These foreign invaders include viruses, bacteria, fungi, drugs, or other toxins.

These foreign invaders are considered fever-producing substances called pyrogens, which trigger the body’s immune response. Pyrogens signal the hypothalamus in the brain to increase the body temperature set point in order to help the body fight off the infection.

The hypothalamus, which sits at the base of the brain, acts as the body’s thermostat. It is triggered by floating biochemical substances called pyrogens, which flow from sites where the immune system has identified potential trouble to the hypothalamus via the bloodstream. Some pyrogens are produced by body tissue; many pathogens also produce pyrogens. When the hypothalamus detects them, it tells the body to generate and retain more heat, thus producing a fever.

Children typically get higher and quicker fevers, reflecting the effects of the pyrogens upon an inexperienced

An individual with a fever should be kept comfortable and not overdressed.

Overdressing can cause the temperature to rise further.

Tepid water (85 F [30 C]) baths are a home remedy that may help bring down a fever. Never immerse a person with a fever in ice water. This is a common misconception. Never sponge a child or an adult with alcohol; the alcohol fumes may be inhaled, causing many problems

immune system.

Feeding in times of fever.: Should one eat little or nothing while feverish, as the saying It is better to feed a cold, starve a fever. The reasons for this are threefold.

First, during fever, all the body’s functions • are occurring amidst increased physiologic stress.

Provoking digestion during physiologic stress over stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system when the sympathetic nervous system is already active.

• Second, it is possible that the body could misinterpret some substances absorbed from the gut as allergens during a fever.

• Finally, excessive fever can, on rare occasions, cause seizures, collapse and delirium--all of which may be further complicated by recent eating.

Fever can help fight infection, but sometimes it can climb too high for the body’s own good. Internal body temperatures in excess of 105 degrees F, for instance, expose proteins and body fats to direct temperature stressors. This form of heat distress can threaten the integrity and function of proteins accustomed to the body’s usual temperature variations and the occasional less excessive fevers. Cellular stress, infarctions, necrosis, seizures and delirium are among the potential consequences of prolonged, severe fevers. The receptor environment at the hypothalamus maintains limitations on high fevers. In the rare instances in which the hypothalamus itself malfunctions, the result is typically low body temperature, not elevated body temperature.

The body’s defense mechanisms seem to work more efficiently at a higher temperature. Fever is just one part of an illness, many times no more important than the presence of other symptoms such as cough, sore throat, sinus congestion, fatigue, joint pains or aches, chills , nausea, etc.

Fevers of 104 F (40 C) or higher may be dangerous and demand immediate home treatment and prompt medical attention, as they can result in delirium and convulsions, particularly in infants, children, and the elderly.

Fever should not be confused with hyperthermia, which is a defect in your body’s response to heat (thermoregulation), which can also raise the body temperature. This is usually caused by external sources such as being in a hot environment.

Fever should also not be confused with hot flashes or night sweats due to hormonal changes during perimenopause. . Hot flashes and night sweats cause a sudden and intense feeling of heat, and may be accompanied by flushing (skin redness and tingly feeling) and sweating , but are not the same thing as a fever.

Measurement of fevers: Digital thermometers can be used to measure rectal, oral, or axillary (under the armpit) temperatures.

What is the treatment for a fever?

If the fever does not cause discomfort, the fever itself need not be treated. It is not necessary to awaken an adult or child to treat a fever unless instructed to do so by a doctor.

There are home remedies , medications to treat fevers.

• Acetaminophen your fever is accompanied by vomiting and you are unable to keep oral medications down, get suppositories, which are available without a prescription.

• Ibuprofen can also be used to break a fever in patients over 6 months of age. Discuss the best dose with a doctor. It can be used every six hours as fever reducers.

• Aspirin should not be used for fever in children or adolescents. Aspirin use in children and adolescents

with

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, 08053372356

during a viral illness must be with caution, under a doctor’s supervision.

• An individual with a fever should be kept comfortable and not overdressed. Overdressing can cause the temperature to rise further. Tepid water (85 F [30 C]) baths are a home remedy that may help bring down a fever. Never immerse a person with a fever in ice water. This is a common misconception. Never sponge a child or an adult with alcohol; the alcohol fumes may be inhaled, causing many problems.

Other home remedies for fever include staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol or soda, which can contribute to dehydration.

Please note that if a fever is not abating within 48hours, especially with young children, you must go into the clinic or emergency room quickly, as this could be a sign of a more serious underlying illness , especially when accompanied with vomiting, shortness of breathe, rash and ulcerated rashes etc.

Complications include ; While having a fever is generally very uncomfortable, a fever itself does not usually cause severe complications.

High fever (>103 F/40 C) or prolonged bouts of fever can lead to • Seizures • hallucinations, • dehydration SEEK medical help if you see the following with the fever: • Severe headache • Severe throat swelling • Unusual skin rash, especially if the rash rapidly worsens • Unusual sensitivity to bright light • Stiff neck and pain when you bend your head forward • Mental confusion • Persistent vomiting • Difficulty breathing or chest pain • Extreme listlessness or irritability • Abdominal pain or pain when urinating • Muscle weakness or sensory changes, which might indicate a problem with your nerves, spinal cord or brain function (focal neurologic deficit) • Seizure • Any other unexplained signs or symptoms.

It is important to seek treatment for the underlying cause of a fever in the situations .

The prognosis for a fever depends on the cause.

Most cases of fever are self-limited and resolve with symptomatic treatment. For example, a fever associated with a common cold usually only lasts two to three days. If fever is caused by influenza, most flu symptoms including fever go away in about a week.

Depending on the cause, antibiotics or other appropriate medications may be used.

Fevers associated with severe infections, or in patients whose immune system is compromised such as those with cancer, elderly people, newborns infants, patients with HIV/AIDS or people with autoimmune disorders, can be life-threatening.

Preventing fevers : Prevention of fever is possible only to the extent that the specific cause of the fever can be prevented.

Most fevers are caused by infection. Avoiding sources of infection and maintaining good hygiene practices are the best way to prevent a fever.

• Proper hygiene: Wash hands frequently.

• Avoid contact with sick people.

• Make sure immunizations are up to date.

GLOBAL SOCCER

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 16, 2011

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Segun Toriola

Heading for 7th Olympics with Hope

Refugee to Olympic Medal Hopeful PAGE. 29

30.07.2016

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER The chances of Nigeria table tennis team winning a medal are 50-50. With the new system in place, whereby every country have equal representation, we stand a good chance of taking something back, unlike in the past whereby the Chinese would be represented by about five or more players. Though, the Chinese still have the edge over other countries because they are still the best

Toriola

Heading for 7th Olympics with Hope Though Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung has set a target of 10 gold medals for Nigeria at the Rio Olympics, but aside few optimists, not many are counting on the country to do well at the world’s biggest sporting fiesta considering shabby preparations and the quality of athletes. However, when the competition starts on August 5, a Nigerian would be setting a record. Segun Toriola would be the first and only African to have appeared seven times at the global show-piece. In this report, Kunle Adewale, captures Toriola's mood ahead of the event

I

f Segun Toriola had not taken to table tennis, it would have been a big surprise. The game runs in the family as all his older siblings played the game that is generally believed to be China’s biggest export to the world of sports.

Indeed, Segun’s father adored the game a lot, so much so that he gave out a whole floor of his house for it.

“Table tennis runs in my family. All my brothers played table tennis and some of them even played for Nigeria before me. My father loves table tennis a lot. He bought table boards and installed them in a big building in our family house in Lafenwa area of Abeokuta, Ogun State. Here, we all played the game. He allowed us to make use of the entire third floor of the building for table tennis,” Toriola said.

According to Toriola, he never went to any table tennis club or stadium, but simply developed his skills in his father house. It was therefore not surprising that scouts were quick to

recognise the potentials in him while playing local competitions in Abeokuta.

“I was discovered in Abeokuta. I was about the only junior player in the state then that was doing very well. From then on, I was invited to participate in tournaments across the country after which I started representing my state in national competitions and that was how I came to the limelight,” the Olumo High School, Abeokuta, graduate recalled.

But it was not until after the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona that Toriola decided to turn professional.

“By 1992, I had become one the best players in the country and I realised that if I needed to improve my game or want to become a professional player, which had always been my dream I had to go abroad where there are better opportunities, exposure to better facilities and coaching.

So, I left for Italy to pursue my

dream,” he said.

Since then, he has not looked back. He has represented Nigeria at every level – the All African Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

On how he feels going for his seventh Olympics, a feat no African athlete had achieved, he said: “I feel so happy to be the first African to achieve such a feat and it was something I never dream of.

It was really unexpected. When I participated in my first Olympics in Barcelona in 1992, I did not expect that I would still be playing up till now, because it was a very long way.

Toriola now joins table tennis legends, Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium, Jorgen Persson of Sweden and Zoran Primorac of Croatia in an elite group of players who have played at seven Olympic Games.

Asked whether the inability of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federa-

tion (NTTF) to focus on the development of young players that could have taken over from him that was responsible for his being around up till now, Toriola said, “Nigeria is really improving in table tennis. For instance Aruna Quadri is one of the best in the world today. Bode Abiodun and Sheyi Ojo are also doing very well. There are many upcoming players in the country that are doing very good but what has kept me going is hard work. People always say that I have been around for so long but they don’t know how hard I work. It is my hard work that is giving me the edge and not that the upcoming once are not improving.”

He however admitted that the Rio Olympics would be his last in the world's biggest sporting fiesta. “This would definitely be my last Olympics because its time I needed to start supporting the young ones and also see to the discovery of another great table tennis player for Nigeria.”

Since the country has been participating in the Olympics no table tennis player has stood on the podium to collect a medal of any colour, but Toriola believes the tide may change this time around, especially with the new rules in place in which every country represented now have equal advantage in numbers of representation.

“The chances of Nigeria table tennis team winning a medal are 50-50. With the new system in place, whereby every country have equal representation, we stand a good chance of taking something back, unlike in the past whereby the Chinese would be represented by about five or more players. Though, the Chinese still have the edge over other countries because they are still the best,” the four-time All-African Games champion admitted.

The captain of the table tennis team to the Rio Olympic in Brazil, however believes the team would not be under pressure to perform at the games.

“It is very important that we put up a good performance and make the country proud at the Olympics. We are preparing ourselves very well and hopefully, we will have something to celebrate in Rio.

31

JULY 30, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Awogu: Nigerian Premier League Has Grown Backs mid-week matches Kunle Adewale

T

Toriola

Heading for 7th Olympics with Hope “Quadri is an experienced player and he is the best in Africa for now based of his achievement but I don’t think that he will be under unnecessary pressure in Rio because he is not going to be thinking about the games.

It is only when an athlete thinks like that, that he put himself under unnecessary pressure. As a team, we will not be playing under pressure too as we want to go out there and make names for ourselves and the country,” he said.

The NTTF President, Wahid Oshodi also believes the players are gearing up to do well in Brazil: “Our preparation could be a lot better but we all know the problem that is facing sports today. The players have been doing their best to keep in shape and working very hard before the tournament kicks off. We are hopeful and confident that these players will do us proud,” Oshodi said.

Toriola was born in September 1974 and he is the youngest of nine brothers. He has been amongst the top table tennis players in Africa since the mid-1990s. Ranked number 1 in Africa from 1998 to June 2008.

He is renowned for his unusual style of forehand play, which makes him an awkward opponent for many.

Despite lacking good footwork, he has an excellent topspin, which has allowed him to pull off many upsets with top world players.

His biggest achievement at the Olympics was reaching the men's singles 1/16 final at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. His 1/32 match-up with Jean-Michel Saive was seen by many as one of the highlights of the men's singles tournament.

His fifth Olympic appearance in 2008 made him the first Nigerian to appear at five Olympics. This feat was achieved four years earlier by Mary Onyali and also in 2008 by fellow table tennis player, Bose Kaffo.

By the end of the 2008 Summer Olympics, only thirteen table tennis players worldwide had appeared at least five Olympics. With his participation in 2012 Olympics in London, he became the only Nigerian athlete to appear at six Olympics, and one of the three African to do so.

During his career, he has won multiple medals in international singles tournaments.

Nigeria would be represented in Rio by the trio of Toriola, Aruna Quadri and Bode Abiodun. Toriola and Quadri would be participating in the singles events while Abiodun would join in the team event, while Funke Oshinaike in the only female player that will represent the country

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

Toriola

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

he General Manager of Super Sports, Felix Awogu, has hailed the League Management Company, LMC, for giving Nigerian football fans a league to behold.

In a chat with journalists in his office, Awogu said this season’s league has been one of the best in recent years.

“This is the best I have seen in a long time.

The league has grown; there have been more wins in the league this season than any in our history. The records are there to crosscheck. Though, there have been little issues of violence but not as bad as it used to be.

These are little hiccups.

This is the first time Super sports have done a direct deal with the league. We have gone through third parties before now, but for the first time in the last one year, we have decided to say, ‘let’s work with the league directly, and it is paying off, and we are very happy, and we are going to continue to work in that direction,” Awogu said.

Asked if he backs the idea of mid-week matches in our league considering the state of our roads in the country.

“I do. First and foremost, you have to look at the fact that midweek matches, especially Friday matches which are very unique have attracted more fans to the stadia than the 4pm matches. It’s an innovation, they have to keep trying things. For the first time, the average attendance in the Nigeria league has hit 15,000. Even the EPL is just about 20,000.

There is a growth pattern in the league which we should commend. It is something I will always hit my chest and say yes, I think we have delivered and added value to Nigeria.

Awogu indeed frowned over none payment of players’ salaries, saying any one that cannot pay the salaries of players have no business in the league.

“Even if they are owned by the government, if government cannot afford it, government should let it go. Get investors to take over. We have small teams like Ikorodu United, which pays salaries as at when due and manages its structure appropriately. They fly the team when they have to fly them to attend matches. Why can’t other teams replicate that? To us, it was an ideal team and when we see teams like Ifeanyi Uba FC, which is a privately owned team, we see El-Kanemi, which has returned to the base, flying for their games, so why can’t they replicate it?

“I am of the opinion that it is time the Nigeria teams go on to the stock exchange, sit back and let investors take control. Let the fans own the teams and once they do that, there will be a strong synergy between the fans and the clubs and then the attendance will grow, merchandising will grow. Like I

pointed out, is it now time that clubs start hiring a marketing team, a brand manager?

For a team like Enyimba FC, two times African champions, what have they done with their brand? These are some of the things that team holistically have to look at and I think it’s is a big job for the LMC,” Awogu said.

The Supersports boss craves for the best team to win the league. “We are supporters of the league; we support every team in the league.

We want the best team that can represent Nigeria appropriately and possibly win in the continent. It has been a long time since Enyimba won the CAF Champions League and there’s a lot of money there. You win the CAF Champions League, you get about 2 million USD, you go for the international championship, you get about 10 million USD, it is a huge investment inflow into the Nigerian economy if we can get a team to qualify to win the championship in Africa and also go for the World Club Cup. To us, that will be massive. It’s not just about the LMC, it’s about the federation and the Ministry of Sports putting heads together and seeing how these things will work,” he advised.

He also threw more light on some of the challenges Supersports is faced with when covering matches in troubled areas like the North-east.

“Security is improving and for the first time in four years, three major roads were opened in Maiduguri. So, things are changing. If the roads are being opened in Maiduguri, it means our Outside Broadcasting; OB vans will be able to drive into Maiduguri. If you look at an OB van for instance, it will probably cost you about 10m dollars to acquire a standard one with high definition compliments.

“Our roads are not the best in the world, but we have been all over Nigeria. We were in Kano to cover some matches and shows highlights from Maiduguri. Not that we are not there but it is not yet time to move the OB facilities. If peace returns, which we have been praying for, I think the first thing we will do is take ‘Let’s Play’ with my team to go and give the children some football, let them have something to identify with, let them find some solace, some joy, after many years of stress,” he noted.

Fixtures Week 28 Nasarawa Utd Rivers Utd IfeayinUbah MFM Enyimba Lobi Stars Akwa Utd Tornadoes

v v v v v v v v

El-Kanemi Ikorodu Utd Kano Pillars Plateau Utd Rangers Warri Wolves Wikki Tourist Abia Warriors

Wikki Turn Attention to League after FA Cup Exit

W

ikki Tourists midfielder, Harrison Madu has said his side have shifted 100 per cent attention on the top-flight after a shocking ouster in the Federation Cup. The Bauchi-based side were stunned 3-4 on penalties by the Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Crown FC after full time score stood goalless in Wednesday’s Federation Cup quarterfinals clash at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja.

Madu said his side were opportune to avoid the penalties but failed to make several chances at goal count positively.

“We had several chances at goal to win the clash within regulation time but could not make it count and penalties are anybody game and it proves exactly.

“We never bargained to lose the Cup

quarterfinals clash against lower division side, Crown FC. Of course, we did not underrate the side but approached the match like any other top-flight match.

“We were aware that Crown FC caused Enugu Rangers elimination from the Cup campaign. Well the Cup dream has been dashed we are heading straight from Lokoja to Uyo for the top-flight matchday 29 clash at Akwa United on Sunday.

“Our 100 per cent focus has been shifted on the league, we have to concentrate fully on winning the league shield. The Cup ouster could turn out to be a blessing in disguise now that we just have the league to hit the continent,” said the Wikki Tourists playmaker to supersport.com.

Wikki Tourists lead the 19-team top-flight on 47 points same as second placed side, Enugu Rangers but on superior goals

32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER Countdown to Rio 2016… Countdown to Rio 2016…Countdown to Rio 2016… Countdown to Rio 2016… Countdown to Rio 2016… Countdown to Rio 2016… Countdown to Rio 2016…

Yusra Mardini

The Syrian Refugee who Swam for Her Life - All the Way to Rio

T

here are those whose footsteps we would not want to follow, whose shoes we would not want to be in - yet we strive to have their character, their strength, their drive and their courage. It is from them we learn that the worst of humanity can bring out the best in humanity.

Yusra Mardini used to be a typical teenager. She would chew the fat with friends, smartphone in hand, laughing.

The middle of three daughters, she lived at home with her parents, attended a gymnastics club and loved swimming - she could potentially become a great swimmer - yet it was an ordinary life, not the sort of existence journalists would travel far to write about.

Then came Syria's civil war, the callousness of conflict, with its bombs, its suffering, its death.

Cheerful chatter was no longer normal and as the years passed - one becoming two, three turning into four - home morphed into hell as her country was torn apart.

She was alive but not living. Her house came under fire, forcing the family to move. The roof of the swimming pool where she trained in the Syrian capital of Damascus was ripped open by bombs.

She could see the water, but no longer be in it. It was torture.

Mardini knew of footballers who had died in an attack. "I could not take it any more," says the 18-year-old.

This daughter of a swimming coach had two choices: exist in her homeland without hope, or escape for the freedom to dream.

"Maybe I'm going to die on the way," she explains. "But I'm almost dead in my country. I can't do anything."

"You are stronger than you think," says Mardini A journey into the unknown It is 12 August, 2015, four and a half years since the civil war began. It is the day Mardini and her eldest sister, Sarah, will leave Syria with their father's two cousins and other refugees.

They say farewell to their tearful parents and younger sister, who would follow their journey on GPS, and flee to Beirut, their first destination in what will become a 25-day slog.

This group of refugees know what they must do: follow the path taken by over four million of their compatriots.

No-one knows how many people have died in the war. The United Nations stopped collecting statistics in 2014 when the death toll was 250,000. More recent reports say the number is twice that - that 11.5 per cent of the country's population has been killed or injured, that life expectancy dropped from 70 in 2010 to 55.4 in 2015.

"Of course I was scared for my life and my sister's life," Mardini tells BBC World Service. "I was also scared that I would make it, for example, and something would happen to my sister, or that something would happen to one of us and what it would do to my mum."

Fears are heightened as they approach southern Turkey's high peaks and deep valleys.

They spend four nights in a jungle, the habitat of gunmen lying low. There is no food, no water, and their futures are in the hands of armed smugglers, one of whom, after disputes and threats, will take them across the Mediterranean in a flimsy

dinghy to Greece - but only for a considerable amount of cash.

Swimming for her life The sisters are in deep water. Waves are crashing into them, the salty water burns their eyes. Every stroke is a struggle. Swimming will one day transform their lives, but now it must save them.

It was 30 minutes into their journey to the island of Lesbos that the engine of their dinghy, carrying 20 people rather than the six or seven it was intended for, stopped.

My sister didn't want me to go in the water.

We were drowning and arguing at the same time!

Water oozed on to the boat, possessions were tossed overboard. Panic.

The load needed to be lightened or the dinghy would capsize.

"I thought it would be a real shame if I drowned in the sea because I am a swimmer," says Mardini, who learned to swim when she was three.

Few of the refugees could swim so first Sarah jumped in and Yusra, against her sister's wishes, followed. For the next three and a half hours they and another young woman dragged the broken-down boat towards the shore, clinging to the rope dangling from the side.

Thirty minutes from land they succumbed to exhaustion; they couldn't swim any more.

From this day on, Mardini will hate the open water.

"Everyone was just grey on the way," she remembers. "It was like my life was passing through my eyes. We put the rope around our hands because even I couldn't swim in the sea with waves like that.

"Me and my sister were holding on to the boat with one and doing the breaststroke with the other hand and one leg. The last half an hour I couldn't manage any more, so I got back into the boat. It was so cold. I look at the sea now and I just feel faint."

Shivering, she fell to the ground when she stepped on dry land. Then she prayed.

Surviving a 1,000-mile trek Surviving the sea was not the end. Mardini could no longer hear the shelling and the ground no longer rumbled - but she was not welcomed by everyone on this new continent.

They think we lived in some desert. No, we had everything, like you.

"When we got to Greece we saw a restaurant," recalls Mardini.

"We wanted to buy food but they said no, they thought we were going to steal from them.

We said we had money, that they had to let us drink."

Mardini was hungry and thirsty. She had no shoes, just sodden jeans and a T-shirt. She had wrapped her passport, mobile phone and money in a waterproof bag and, somehow, they had also survived.

"Eventually they let us buy water, and then some girl saw us, she gave me shoes and the little kid trousers," she says.

"A lot of people think refugees had no home, that they had nothing at all. Sometimes when I have my iPhone they are like, 'you know iPhone, oh my God' - but I'm like, 'of course'.

They think we live in some desert. No, we had everything like you."

The refugees, who by now cared for each other like any family would, continued their 1,000-mile trek to their destination of choice: Germany.

From Greece, they crossed through Macedonia, Serbia, Hungary and Austria - on foot, by train and bus - before arriving in Munich and then onwards to Berlin. They had survived.

Twenty-five days after giving up on the life she had known, there was hope again. "I just know that my trip was over, and that I'm at peace with it," she says.

Mardini

Throwing phones into a fridge Mardini's first German home would temporarily be a refugee camp, and one of her first questions in this unfamiliar city concerned finding the nearest swimming pool. An Egyptian translator put the sisters in touch with Wasserfreunde Spandau 04, one of Berlin's oldest swimming clubs.

"They saw our technique, saw it was good, they accepted us," she says.

It was of no great surprise that swimming coaches were impressed, particularly by Yusra, once a competitive swimmer supported by the Syrian Olympic Committee.

After four weeks of training, Mardini's coach, Sven Spannerkrebs, began making plans for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 - but in March of this year the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced there would be a team of refugees at this summer's Games in Rio to send "a message of hope for all the refugees in our world".

In Berlin, of course, there was a teenager making rapid progress, an inspiration who had a real chance of making the team. But little did Mardini realise that her story would chime with the world.

So numerous were the phone calls, so constant the questions and interview requests - from journalists in Japan, the United States, all around Europe - Spannerkrebs resorted to throwing his phone into a fridge on that March day when the IOC named Mardini on its shortlist of 43 refugees.

The attention, Mardini says, has been tough - but she does not fear expectation or pressure. "I want to be an inspiration for everyone," she says. "It's not that I have to help, but that deep in my heart I want to help refugees."

Early starts, late finishes Two months before the start of the Rio Olympics, Mardini receives an email from the IOC. Her mind races, her eyes widen: will it be a chance of a lifetime or a shattered dream? She clicks, she reads, and jumps up and down as if she were on a pogo stick.

Exhilarated, she nearly cries. She will compete at the Olympic Games.

"I was so happy," says Mardini, who makes it clear that it is in Tokyo in four years' time that she will have a realistic chance of winning an Olympic medal. "It's a dream come true, the Olympics is everything, it's a life chance."

Supported by Germany's elite sports school system, which allows her to train twice a day in an Olympic-standard pool near to her school (on a typical day she will wake at 6am and return home at 8pm), the accomplished swimmer has produced personal best after personal best.

Her coach describes her as focused, her father - who now lives with Mardini in Berlin, along with the rest of the family - says his daughter is living his dream.

The appeal of the pool is easy to understand. It is a place where the girl who one day wants to be a pilot can forget about the civil war and the friends she has left behind.

Gliding through water, the past disappears.

"It's a different life in the water," she says.

"You throw all of your problems out. It's a different world to me."

Asked whether swimming is her life, Mardini replies: "It's more than that. It's my passion, it's my life, you can't explain. It's the most important thing in my life. It's in my heart and I want to achieve something in it."

33

JULY 30, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER Countdown to Rio 2016… Countdown to Rio 2016…Countdown to Rio 2016… Countdown to Rio 2016… Countdown to Rio 2016… Countdown to Rio 2016… Countdown to Rio 2016…

Rio Ready for Worst as Terror Threat Hangs over Olympics

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half-million foreign tourists, dozens of Heads of State and the attention of the world's media.

If there were ever a headache for anti-terror forces, it's the Olym-

pics.

In the aftermath of deadly attacks by the Islamic State group in France and elsewhere, Brazil, which has almost no experience combatting terrorism, is beefing up security for the games that start in Rio de Janeiro on August 5. Plans include doubling the number of security forces on the streets, erecting more checkpoints and working closer with foreign intelligence agencies than Brazilians did in the 2014 World Cup. But will it be enough?

Terror attacks have been rare, if horrifying at past Olympics. The most notorious was the 1972 massacre of 11 Israeli athletes and a police officer by a radical Palestinian group in Munich. A bomb planted by an anti-abortion protester killed one and injured 111 at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

"But Brazil has a lot of problems that other countries don't have," Ford said. "It's sort of a perfect storm for anyone wanting to carry out an attack."

South America's first-ever games have been plagued by a long list of problems, from the Zika epidemic and severe water pollution to slow ticket sales and questions about the readiness of infrastructure built for the games.

Compounding the security concerns is the deepest recession in decades, which has forced the cash-strapped Rio state government to slash spending and delay paychecks, and a distracting political crisis that led to the removal of President Dilma Rousseff while she faces an impeachment trial. To make up for the shortfall, the federal government has had to step in with almost $1 billion in emergency funding, much of which will be devoted to security.

Extra police are also being deployed from other states.

To be sure, Brazil isn't a newcomer to hosting mega-events. Every year it wel-

Patience Key for Mo Farah Ahead of Titles Defence

M

o Farah believes patience will be the key as he bids to become the first man in 40 years to defend the 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic titles.

The 33-year-old is aiming to repeat the feat of Finland's Lasse Viren, who won both titles at the 1972 Games in Munich and the 1976 Games in Montreal.

Farah will be heavily tipped to emerge victorious from both events, given his imperious form since winning in London in 2012.

He has won nine out of 12 5,000m races while boasts a 100 per cent win ratio from five 10,000m runs in the aftermath of the day dubbed Super Saturday.

Farah was one of the star acts on a day when he, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford won gold medals in track events on the same night.

With focus now turning to this year's Games in Rio, Farah is almost ready to launch the defence of his titles.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Farah said: "It's difficult because winning a double was easy but to win another double when most of my opponents have had four years of preparation? It gets harder.

"It's not going to be as easy as London. It's going to be hard but I'm going to have to stay patient, believe in myself and my ability and keep doing what I'm doing.

"Anything can go wrong so I just have to stay patient, stay on my feet and keep doing what I'm doing. I've ticked most boxes so there's just a tiny bit more to go in training in terms of tuning in.

"There are just a couple of key sessions where I'm not going to tell you exactly what they are. Other than that, I'm good to go."

Farah is one of the most experienced members of Team GB, which is aiming to return from Brazil with between 48 and 79 medals.

He admits that even with all his successes of the past, he is anxious about what the future holds.

"I get nervous of course. I will be nervous on the line," he added. "It all just depends on that certain moment - where you are, if you're listening to certain music walking out, warming up. I don't know, you just get through it.

"It's the Olympics. That is every athlete's dream and most people love to compete in the Olympics. Most people will be there to support us."

Mo Farah leads the pack

comes millions of foreign visitors during the weeklong Carnival celebration, and the 2014 World Cup went off with no major incidents.

But it has almost no experience fighting terrorism. The country has long prided itself on having an enemy-free foreign policy, one that rejects military intervention.

Not surprisingly, many Brazilians are on edge as the military buildup at airports and elsewhere become more evident. There have also been several bomb scares. The ritzy beach neighborhood of Leblon shut down streets for several hours last week after discovery of a suspicious bag that turned out to contain only clothes.

"I never felt like this about terrorism before. I only worried about street crime," said Fernanda Rocha, a pharmacist in Rio. "I have no idea how to avoid terrorists if they come."

Despite Brazilians' easygoing attitude, better suited for a street party than an urban lockdown, Ford said there have been major improvements since the 2014 World Cup. Training exercises with U.S. and other foreign militaries to deal with chemical, biological and nuclear attacks have become more frequent.

A joint-intelligence center has been created for the games, allowing intelligence services from around the world to share information and investigate threats as they emerge.

Precisely because of Rio's reputation for criminality, elite police units are more battletested than their counterparts in major U.S. cities.

"They're used to carrying bigger and stronger guns than we are," said Bobby Chacon, a retired FBI agent who makes his home in Rio and spent a year running security at the 2004 Games in Athens.

There are expected to be 85,000 military personnel and police fanning out across the city, double the number that was on the streets in London in 2012. While most will be concentrated at sporting venues, tourist landmarks will also be heavily patrolled.

"They have the police in place and trained to stop a large-scale, coordinated attack," Chacon said. "But there's plenty of opportunities to cause harm, and they shouldn't take anything for granted."

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

34

GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS

L-R; Chairman, Nigeria Sport Award Panel, Mr. Ikeddy Esiguzo; Corporate Communications Manager, Bet9ja, Mr. Tunji Mesh; and Managing Director, Unmissable Incentives Ltd. Mr. Kayode Idowu, during the 2016 Inaugural Press Conference for the 5th Edition of the NigeAwogu rian Sports Award held yesterday in Lagos SUNDAY ADIGUN

Fijabi

GOtv Boxing Night 8 Holds Today

Awogu Backs Team Nigeria to Do Well in Rio

The Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, will come alive today when it hosts the eighth edition of the GOtv Boxing Night.

The event, which is dedicated to the memory of legendary boxer, Muhammed Ali, will feature six star-studded professional bouts.

On parade will be Sunny “King Hammer” Iyere, who

Kunle Adewale

will defend his national middleweight title against Abolaji “Afonja Warrior” Rasheed over 12 rounds. So will be African featherweight title contender, Waidi “Skoro” Usman, who will fight David “Lucky Boy” Ekpeyong. Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, the national light welterweight champion initially billed to fight Joseph “Blacky Joe” Adeniji, will take

on Christmas Tombraye.

Adeniji pulled out of the contest at the last minute on account of injury.

In the welterweight division, Stanley “Edo Boy” Eribo will take on Dele “Lagelu” Adeleke.

The two remaining fights will see Matthew “Wizeman” Obinna duel with Samuel “Lion Heart” Igbokwe in a super middleweight clash,

while Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde goes against Shakiru “No Shaking” Lateef.

The event kicks off at 5pm and will be broadcast live

by SuperSport in 47 African countries.

The best boxer at the event, to be decided by journalists, will win N1m cash prize and the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy.

My Punch will Shake "No Shaking", "Baby Face" Warns Nigeria’s boxing sensation, Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, has warned Shakiru “No Shaking” Lateef, his opponent at GOtv Boxing Night 8 that he would be shaking when they meet in a light welterweight challenge contest at the event, which holds today at the Indoor

Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Baby Face, discovered at GOtv Boxing NextGen Search in February, effortlessly saw off the challenge of the more experienced Tope Agboola on his professional debut at GOtv Boxing Night 7.

Speaking in Lagos on Monday, Baby Face said: “I laughed when I heard he calls himself No Shaking. Tell him that only corpses don’t shake. He is not one and the fear of my punches will make him shake when we get into the ring. He will shake until I knock him out in the third

round,” boasted the 20-year old.

Also scheduled for the event are five other explosive fights, the biggest of which is the 12-round national middleweight title contest between reigning champion, Sunny Iyere and West African champion, Abolaji Rasheed.

victory was a fluke. Lucky Boy will fall in round three.

End of discussion,” bragged Skoro.

Also loudly advertising his ring credentials is Olaide “Fijabi, whose light welterweight challenge duel with Joseph “Blacky Joe” Adeniji is already a talk of the town. “Blacky Joe boasted

on television that he’d defeat me. He is probably confusing me with those small boxers down sport’s food chain. I’m Fijaborn, the champ. Blacky Joe will run back to Gabon, where he came from when I finish with him,” raved Fijabi.

Blacky Joe had boasted that his main goal of returning to Nigeria is to defeat Fijabi.

Skoro, Fijabi, Talk Tough Ahead of tonight’s GOtv Boxing, boxers scheduled to fight at the event have been threatening to flatten their respective opponents in a few rounds.

The loudest boast has been made by Waidi “Skoro” Usman, national and West African featherweight champion, who is making a ring

return after losing the African title fight to Edward “Shaka” Kakembo of Uganda at GOtv Boxing Night 6 in December.

Skoro has promised an explosive return against David Ekpeyong. “Lucky Boy is unlucky to have been paired with me at a time I am ready, willing and able to prove to my fans Kakembo’s

Edo Boy Vows to Win Best Boxer’s Prize Stanley "Edo Boy" national welterweight champion, has vowed to win the N1million cash prize and the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy for the best boxer at GOtv Boxing Night 8.

Eribo was adjudged the best boxer at the December

2015 edition of GOtv Boxing Night, walking away with N1.5million, the biggest ever payout in domestic boxing.

Edo Boy will take on the experienced Dele Lagelu in a national welterweight challenge bout.

Edo Boy said he is looking

forward to winning the cash prize again.

"I won N1.5million in December, which was a special edition of GOtv Boxing Night.

The sponsors added N500,000 to the money. This time, it is N1million and I am ready to win it. In fact, I am sure I will

win it. As for my opponent, he is a good and experienced boxer, but he stands no chance. I plan to entertain the fans by prolonging the fight for a few rounds before doing what I did to my last opponent: knock him out," he said.

GTBank Commonwealth Team Wins Royal Salute Coronation Cup The GTBank Commonwealth Team, made up of players from Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada, emerged victorious against England Team to win one of Polo's most iconic trophies. The Commonwealth Team, sponsored

by Guaranty Trust Bank plc, defeated the England Team 12 – 11 in what was an amazing showpiece of fast-paced polo filled with pure passion, competitiveness and fair play.

The Royal Salute Coronation Cup is one of the most historic of polo trophies which annually pits the finest international players against the England

team in a contest attended by members of the British Royal Family as well as distinguished personalities from the world's Diplomatic, Aristocratic, Business, Arts, Government and Celebrity circles The match, which held last Saturday was played on the prestigious Smiths Lawn at Guards Polo Club, Ascot, within the magnificent surroundings of Windsor Great Park in London, United Kingdom. The Commonwealth team, represented by South African Chris Mackenzie, Canadian Freddie Mannix, Pakistani Hissam Ali Hyder

and New Zealander John Paul Clarkin defeated an English team of tournament veterans Jack Richardson, Max Charlton, James Beim and James Harper to become only the second guest team to win Royal Salute Coronation Cup since 2009.

According to Brigadier John Wright, Chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association.

"This year's Royal Salute Coronation Cup showcased international polo at its best.

I would like to thank the organizers of this event for creating a world-class platform on which to promote polo to an increasing audience."

Commenting on the Bank’s sponsorship of the Commonwealth Team, Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, said; “We are proud to sponsor the Commonwealth Team in a tournament that is second to none in the world of Polo and which showcases the noble values of passion, quality and competitiveness – values deeply enshrined in the GTBank culture and which have made the bank a truly African and proudly international financial institution.”

Against the backdrop of doubts by Nigerians on their athletes to do well at next month’s Olympic Games in Rio, the General Manager SuperSports, Felix Awogu, is however not losing sleep over Team Nigeria; saying they might just surprise a lot of people.

In a chat in his office, he said, “A lot of people said we failed in London. I am one of those that think we didn’t fail. If you look at the team, most of our athletes finished in the semi-finals.

They didn’t win medals but I see a lot of progression, what could happen is transcending from that semi-final finish into the medal zone this year. If you look at Atlanta ’96, we didn’t expect any medal in football even after losing to Togo here in the last friendly. We still went ahead to win.

“We are a team, a country that likes to spring surprises.

Wrestling is doing pretty well. Two of our wrestlers, the female ones, are actually in the top three in the world so why not give them a chance? Athletics we may have a few issues but I think we should look at relay and if I were the managers of Blessing Okagbare, I will tell her to focus on the jumps because that is the area where she has the advantage. Here, we are pushing her into athletics, 100 metres, 200 metres, relay, I hope she doesn’t burn out. Sometimes, you need to sit down and look at your structure and look at where you have comparative advantage and stick to it, “Awogu said.

Continuing he said: “I heard the minister saying that Nigeria is expecting four gold medals. To me, that will be a great record. I have a feeling we will not come back empty handed like we did in London. The lifters always have ways of springing surprises.

Okagbare, I hope will also be able to do us proud. We will be paying special focus on the football team because Nigeria is technically a football country and I hope this year’s selected team will do us proud and move ahead from the last qualification in the finals where they won silver, and probably win us gold. It has been a long time since ’96.”

Awogu said in keeping with tradition, SuperSports is to deliver the best quality content. “We are covering virtually everything and we have a couple of dedicated channels, which will be beaming those events live to our audience. The beautiful thing about us is that we are also going ahead with technology because of the timing, which is probably not very convenient with most people.

We have the catch up facility, which MultiChoice has provided and customers can always catch up when they wake up in the morning especially to watch the performance of the Nigerian team,” he said.

Awogu said SuperSports is sending a full team that will be covering the competition in spite of Zika virus scare. “I know a lot of people would be wondering how we will manage with the Zika scare and it is a major constraint. Even though some athletes are pulling out, we just need to prepare ourselves, take preventive measures and go there to do a quality job. I am sure the Brazilian government would do whatever they can to safeguard participating Olympic athletes and visitors to the games, including the journalists. We have a team following the Nigerian team, especially the football and athletic teams, just like we do with some of these well-established athletes. There will be a couple of magazine shows in place for subscribers apart from the daily highlights. It will be quite innovative,” Awogu assured.

Chivita Supports Youth Development through Sports In furtherance of its continued support for sports and commitment to youth development in Nigeria, Chi Limited recently participated in the finals of the just concluded Lagos State Principal’s Cup. Renowned to be one of the biggest grassroots football competitions in Nigeria, the tournament comprises inter-secondary school soccer amongst schools in Lagos. Shola Olaogun, a student of Onitolo Grammar School, Surulere Lagos, thanked the management of Chi Limited for also identifying with the Lagos State Principals’ Cup and the opportunity it brings.

According to Chi Limited’s head of Marketing, Probal Bhattacharya, “for us at Chi Limited, we recognize the power of sports for social good. Our support for sports in Nigeria is predicated on its hugely positive impact on development goals including improving health, education and community cohesion as well as communicate important messages to a range of different audiences.

Through our flagship brand Chivita 100 per cent fruit juice, we shall continue to offer refreshment and nourishment necessary for youth development and sports"

35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

WRITERS’ WORLD

The Many Problems of Big Publishers According to Publisher’s Weekly, a report by the Association of American Publishers’ shows that overall publishing industry sales fell by 2.6 per cent in 2015 when compared to figures from 2014. Also sales declined in five

BISI DANIELS bisi.daniels@thisdaylive.com `

I

t is the dream of every author to see their book in print.Alovely feeling to hold up the book in admiration in a shower of contentment! Even before the money rolls in, this feeling compensates for the sacrifice of long, lonely nights and brain cranking.

The feeling is stronger and sweeter in traditional publishing where the publisher does nearly all the work after the submission of your manuscript till when the author receives complimentary copies. The publisher does not stop there. He does the marketing and promotion.

With this option fast becoming the narrow gate that shrinks the more every year, many authors have resorted to self-publishing. Some authors have achieved their dreams on this platform, but many more have drowned in the deluge of books.

Books, books, books everywhere!

But despite the gloomy picture, a report by Jonathan Sturgeon shows that books by selfpublishers and small presses are eating into the market share of the world’s big four publishers.

According to Publisher’s Weekly, a report by theAssociation ofAmerican Publishers’ shows that overall publishing industry sales fell by 2.6 per cent in 2015 when compared to figures from 2014.Also sales declined in five of the seven major markets.

The only industry segments to show improvement, in fact, were adult books and books from religious presses, which increased sales by 2.2 percent and 1.2 per cent respectively. Overall industry revenue fell from $15.82 billion in 2014 to $15.41 billion in 2015.

One of the more glaring narratives to come from the report shows that digital audiobook sales, which rose by nearly 40 per cent, helped carry the adult books segment out of the red, says Sturgeon. “It’s remarkable, too, that audiobooks should be booming in a historical moment that privileges debate about the print vs. digital divide.”

Along these lines, too, adult coloring books, which are print but not conventionally so, helped bolster trade paperback sales, which rose by more than 16%.And, as was projected, ebook sales fell by 9.5% in the adult category alone. In the YA category, PW reports, ebook sales declined by 43.3%.

The picture given by theAAP report, which surveys more than 1,200 publishers, confirms speculation about weak sales in broader publishing from the end of last year.

According to Publishing Perspectives coverage of a recent BEAtalk given by Kempton Mooney, Nielsen Book Senior Director of Research and Analytics, the market share of Big Five publishers has declined yearly since 2012, when it controlled 46 per cent of the market. In 2015, Big Publishing’s share had fallen by 12 per cent to 34 per cent.

Meanwhile, the share of self-published books has risen by 7 per cent, from 5 per cent to 12 per cent.And, for the first time, the combined share of self-published books and books by “very small publishers” (42 per cent) is now larger than the total market share of Big Publishing (34 per cent).

First quarter numbers from several industry giants seem to confirm the trend. Hachette Book Group saw a 10.3 percent decline in sales (though it maintains that it was a profitable quarter).

Despite falling sales, Michael Pietsch, Hachette’s CEO, points to sales of Hamilton: The Revolution and the further incorporation of Perseus Book Group as signs of a rebound later this year.

HarperCollins posted a similar decline in revenue, which it attributed to falling ebook sales and difficulties with foreign currency, as well as the absence of blockbusters on the level of the Divergent series. It did manage to post higher print numbers, however, due to the runaway success of Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman.

For Simon & Schuster’s part, revenue compared to this period in 2015 was flat, although it did experience an 8 per cent increase in earnings.

Reflecting 2015 trends, adult sales were down slightly, while digital audio downloads continued to increase, which almost kept overall digital sales, made sluggish by ebook revenue, out of the red.

Penguin Random House emerged as the

one bright spot in Big Publishing’s most recent quarter by posting an 11.8 per cent rise in revenue.

Sales were led by a number of blockbuster books, including works by Paula Hawkins, Marie Kondo, E.L. James, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Dr. Seuss.

With its year-by-year decrease in market share, and its dismal 2016 quarterly sales numbers (Penguin Random House excepted), Big Publishing’s ongoing shrinkage appears inevitable, although several questions remain. Will declining ebook sales stabilize, as some suggest?

Or willAmazon, which posted a 28 per cent increase in sales at the end ofApril, partly on the strength of Kindle Fire sales, continue to eat into the ebook market (presuming that is what is now happening)?

On the other hand, it must be admitted that a category uniting self-publishers with small publishers is little more than a heuristic. In broader publishing, Big Publishing still forms the only counterweight toAmazon, and the galaxy of small and smaller publishers flourishes (as ever) in spite of both.

biggest problems facing book publishers today are disappearing bookshelf space at bookstores, the growing problem of how readers will discover new authors and books, and the fast pace of change across the industry.

‘The loss of shelf space and that whole discovery mechanism — how do you replace it and how do you replace it in a way that will keep consumers going to books?’ asked Simon & Schuster CEO Carolyn Reidy, speaking at the Digital Book World 2014 conference in New York.

In the past decade book publishers have watched as the number of independent bookstores in the U.S. has shrunk, the number of Barnes & Noble retail stores has decreased, and the major bookstore chain Borders has gone out of business altogether. Many libraries, too, have seen their funding decrease and have dedicated more of their space to computers, movies and music.

With fewer books on fewer feet of shelf space across the country, publishers wonder how readers will discover new books and authors — especially those who are as yet unknown.

Disappearing shelf space

New book discovery tools and trends are emerging in the industry, however, said O’Reilly Media CEO Tim O’Reilly, citing the rise of authors as the most important part of a book marketing plan due to the rise of social media.Authors are both the key to marketing a book and they develop new techniques for marketing books.

“It’s authors showing the way far more than the publishers how readers discover new books,” said O’Reilly. “You should help them in any way you can and then take what they do that works and apply it to other authors.”

While Reidy praised authors who were able to effectively market themselves and discover new marketing techniques, she pointed out that many authors didn’t want to spend time promoting themselves and wanted to focus on writing.

David Nussbaum, CEO of F+W Media, which owns and operates Digital Book World, revealed that F+W seeks to do business only with authors who have their own online marketing platforms already.

An author with a large enough marketing platform may not need a publisher, said Dominique Raccah, CEO of Naperville, Ill.-based publisher Sourcebooks.

“We’ve got to be thinking of new services and how to provide the platform,” she said. “If the author already has a platform, then why do they need us?”

In another report, Digital Books World has shown that the biggest problems facing publishing are disappearing shelf space, discovery, and pace of change. It says: “The

“…..The only industry segments to show improvement, in fact, were adult books and books from religious presses, which increased sales by 2.2 percent and 1.2 per cent respectively.

Overall industry revenue fell from $15.82 billion in 2014 to $15.41 billion in 2015.”

Discovery tools

The Pace of Change

Each of the CEOs speaking at Digital Book World 2014 lamented that the fast pace of change in the publishing industry makes it difficult to make good, well-informed decisions.

“We keep hearing that the rate of change is slowing down, that ebooks are plateauing,” said Raccah. “For me, it’s moving much faster and the data-gathering time is narrowing, so you’re making decisions without the data you’d like to have.”

Part of the recent changes in the media business is that now books and other media are more in direct competition with each other than ever before because they’re all available in the same place: on desktops and mobile devices.

“We’re competing against all the other media, and that’s always been a challenge, but it’s now an easier challenge for the other media,” said Simon & Schuster CEO Reidy.

“We need to strengthen where books are” in the media landscape.

The Nigerian factor

In Nigeria, publishers face the same challenges other business face in the form of the cost of production, hiked by the cost of funds, inputs and epileptic electricity supply. And when they sweat through all that to produce they are met by a sluggish market were books struggle because of the legendary poor reading culture of Nigerians.

“You blame the Nigerian reader?” Thomas Alani, a Lagos resident asks. “Let’s face it, outside the school, outside textbooks, is reading not leisure?”

He continues: “Where will people who are hustling or worrying about how they will make ends meet, put food on the table, have the time or the comfort of mind to read novels? It is mostly kids of the rich who do.”

He may not be wholly correct about who reads novels in Nigeria, but his point is unmistakable.

Faced with a sluggish market, most big publishers now focus on textbook publishing on the orders of some governments and government agencies, or books recommended by schools. But some of them get their fingers burnt with the inability of some states to pay contractors.

Tough time publishing indeed!

36

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

INTERVIEW OLU ADENODI

If I Have MyWay, I’ll Privatise Nigeria Otunba Olu Adenodi is the Chief Executive Officer, BHS International Limited, a multimillion- naira investment company operating the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos. In this interview with Femi Ogbonnikan, Adenodi, a lawyer, relives the experience of bidding for the national monument along with 15 other firms when the Federal Government privatised some of its assets.

H

Tell us about your background.

My name is Olu Adenodi.

In the course of growing up, I acquired a title of ‘Otunba’, after I became a lawyer. I studied Law at the University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ife, Osun State. Actually, I was a Science student, and when I got to Ife, a lot of things changed, and I changed to Law. I was the only student that changed from Science to Law that year. And having studied Law, I have been practising since 1988. I have been in and out of courts, and I have been making noise, shouting and trying to interpret the law of this country against recalcitrant clients, and prosecuting a lot of people, going from one police station to another, including EFCC and all other places I visited in the course of my practice. We were making good progress in terms of impacts and we decided to take a second look at our practice, and we resolved to look at the areas of what we call, ‘investment practice’; investment law. So, we changed our practice and, then focused on investment, and we decided to practise as investment attorneys. We changed to investment law when the Federal government resolved to privatise some of its enterprises, this provided an enabling environment for us to go into the business. We took advantage of that, along with some of our clients, and we took a shot at a number of enterprises.

We won the NICON Luxury, but later lost it, because we could not pay on time. But, by and large, the one that we successfully bided for and won is this Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, which is the one we have been trying to pursue all these years. It has come with a lot of challenges, but God has been on our side, and we have been able to surmount these challenges, as they come. They have always been coming, but with the determination of our amiable and an indefatigable pioneer chairman, Fred Achibong (now late), and because we had a shared vision for the TBS, it was easy for me to carry on where he stopped. God has been helping us. The current chairman of our company is a former chairman, of the defunct constitutional conference, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, a man of integrity, a pillar and one of those who want this country to succeed. We have so many other people, who have assisted us to realise this objective.

How did you decide to become a concessionaire?

Having practised law in Nigeria for these number of years, and we have come across a lot of opportunities between and among clients, who were trying to come up with investments or projects. And we have practised as legal advisers on their projects, and in the course of advising them, we have realised that most of these clients have good intentions, but they didn’t know how to execute them. We have always been in business, to see Nigeria develop, and we try to do so, anytime we have the opportunity of encouraging a lot of them, especially those who are staying abroad, because some Nigerians have stayed abroad and they want to come home and invest. Usually, our chamber used to be their first port of call. They want to seek advice on how to set up a company, on how to incorporate a company in Nigeria and what are the next steps to take. So, we have been assisting them in that regard. It was in the course of trying to advise our clients that we came across Chief Fred Achibong. He sought our advice as lawyers and we became friends.

We became very close and we were doing things together. We went for meetings. We would look at projects. We would look at ideas. And in the course of sharing our ideas and visions, he was very aggressive too and well determined, very focused and we took advantage of the privatisation policy of the Federal government, like I told you, and we came up with BHS International. And we set it aside for infrastructural development, because we know the high level of deficit Nigeria has in infrastructural development. So, we tried to see what we could do to close the gaps. We discovered that there were so many abandoned projects across different parts of Nigeria, which past and present governments have abandoned.

Some of these projects are abandoned or not optimally or fully utilised. So, we set up this company to cater for these abandoned monuments. We have foreign partners and technical partners that are working or have expressed their interest to work with us in this vision. To close the gap in infrastructure deficits in this country, we set up the company and we looked at enterprises or abandoned projects, buying or taking over and bringing them back to life. We have generated many employment opportunities for people, generating incomes, helped increase the economic base of the country through revenues, because we discovered that the government is losing more revenues and that if they put money there, they don’t get anything back. So, this company was formed to cure these defects.

Where did you get funds to run the investments?

When you have a good project, don’t forget that the owner of an idea rules the world. If you don’t have an idea, then you don’t know what to do, and then you are in trouble. If you have a very good idea, there will always be people that will give you money. And don’t forget that, all over the world, financial institutions are set up to assist brilliant ideas. Nigerian banks are not left behind, even though they are complicated, but once you have an idea, no matter how terrible it may be, and if you are a man of integrity, they are ready to work with you. So, all these things work for us. When we won the concession, and we approached them, they looked at the personalities, and they decided to support. We got the support of N150 million, which we paid as entry fees, and another N100 million from First Bank. By the grace of God, these funds have been repaid, accentuating the integrity issue that I mentioned earlier.

You went through competitions in the process of winning the bid for TBS; how did your bid win the concession?

Don’t forget that the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) that was set up by the federal government; that gives the guidelines, have their requirements. They have their conditions; we were able to meet these conditions, and we were not the only ones; 16 companies bided for the TBS. But when you look at the idea, the concept, our own style and who we believe in, we came top among the 16 companies.

We bided highest. Out of 16 companies that bided for it, we came out top, successfully. So, it was not as if they gave us on a platter of gold, no! It was keenly contested for, but our company won it, because our bid was the highest and we presented the most competent, believable bid, technically and financially.

You might have had tall ideas to turn around TBS when you took over, but why has the monument remained a shadow of itself?

I think you can see, when we took over this place, it used to be harbinger of area boys. Virtually all the area boys used to

Adenodi sleep here. Do you see them now? That was the first battle that we won. We fixed some of them as part of our corporate social responsibilities. We trained them and then employed them as security guards.

When we came in, most of the offices were dilapidated. They didn’t merit the status of our national monument, and we have been able to turn it around to a place where the President could now visit or where the biggest event in Nigeria could take place or, where International Trade Fair has taken place and it is still taking place. Remember that the first automated parking system in Nigeria, if not Africa, debuts here at the TBS and it is due for commissioning very soon. This year’s International Trade Fair will take place here, and they have written to us. So, that is what we have been able to do for now. As I said, we have been able

to maintain the place, keep it clean and keep it safe, keep it secure for people to do their businesses. We expect things to get better when the Lagos State Government has a rethink, especially now that there is political reunification of Abuja, the centre of power and Lagos- I believe the problem would be resolved soon. All those eight years of PDP and ACN/APC feud were not good for investments in Nigeria.

The investment that has been wasted here is over $2 billion and the people, who would have been taken off the employment market, would have been over 10,000 Lagosians. And that was being stalled, but hopefully and anytime from now, things would be resolved and, then we would move on.

Read full interview online: www.thisdaylive.com

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

Interview Nkolika Okoli

The ‘Reach for the Skye’ Scheme Encourages a Savings Culture Skye Bank recently unveiled 36 of its customers who emerged as millionaires in the first phase of the “Reach for the Skye” Millionaire Promo. In this interview, the bank’s Head, Retail Banking, Nkolika Okoli discusses with Olaoluwakitab Babatunde developments in the financial sector and how the institution is challenging banking stereotypes by actively supporting local entrepreneurs. Excerpts

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kye Bank’s ‘Reach for the Skye’ reward scheme has ignited interest in your bank especially among savings customers. How are you meeting the needs of both prospective and existing customers that are showing interest in your products and services given the benefits that come with the promo?

The Reach for the Skye reward scheme was introduced in June 2015 and as you rightly mentioned, we have seen growth in terms of customer base and deposits because of the interest generated by the campaign. Aside from the monthly cash rewards given to the customers, we offer attractive monthly interest rates on our savings products as well as third party access through customized cheque books for our flagship savings account. This gives our customers convenience to carry out their banking transactions without having to visit our banking halls.

They can also take advantage of our electronic and card services to carry out transactions anywhere and at anytime especially through their mobile phones.

What has been the impact of the reward scheme on your deposit base and what new steps are you taking to ensure that the phase two of the promo produces better results?

The reward scheme has improved our banks’ deposit base-not just for the two savings products involved in the scheme, but it has also impacted other savings products in our portfolio. However, the reward is primarily targeted at promoting customer loyalty and driving financial inclusion. We are happy to see that we have created 36 millionaires in 1 year only.

So many banks previously known for specialising in commercial banking

Okoli are now moving into the retail end of the market. What is driving banks into the retail business and how long do you think that the quest to serve the retail end of the market will last?

Retail banking is the future for the Nigerian Banking system. The country has a population of over 150 million. With 39.5 per cent of this population still financially excluded (EFina), this presents a great opportunity for banks. Also, retail deposits represent a stable source of funds for banks unlike corporate funds which can be volatile. For Skye Bank,

our aim is to see every Nigerian carry a Skye bank cheque book or debit card in their pockets.

Many bank customers have complained that banks only go for retail savings, but find it difficult to lend to SMEs. How is your bank different in this perspective and tell us what you are doing to support SMEs in terms of lending to the sector?

We have adopted a solution-based approach to lending to SMEs by tackling the challenges they have, which make people to view them as high risk.

Despite steps taken by the CBN and banks to boost financial inclusion, the number of the unbanked and underbanked within the country is still very high. What further steps do you think is needed to get more people into the financial system?

I believe that agency banking and automation is the best way to reach the unbanked and under-banked in the country in a sustainable manner. No bank can be physically present in every nook and cranny of the country.

It’s impossible. However, there are agents who can play a role in this regard. They live in these villages, towns and are recognized by the community and can assist with basic banking transactions (deposits and withdrawals) that customers want to carry out.

We are partnering with some agents to reach more people, we have also recently launched our USSD banking service so anybody can open a simple savings account using USSD (what we call text message) from anywhere in Nigeria.

Skye Bank has made 36 customers millionaires in the course of the reward scheme phase one. What are the expectations in the second phase of the promo,

and what is likely to change. Are we expecting more millionaires to emerge?

We do not intend to change a winning formula; every month, customers who have a minimum of N2, 000 in their savings accounts stand a chance to become one of three (3) millionaires we would be rewarding. The monthly consolation prizes also remain the same – Four (4) customers will win N250, 000 and ten (10) customers will win N100, 000.

What has been the impact of the promo in the lives and businesses of the winners and what steps are you taking to ensure that the funds are wisely deployed into businesses of the winners or other projects?

During the first anniversary celebration of the promo, we invited customers who had won all categories of our cash rewards to give testimonials on the impact of the prizes. A truck driver (Mr. Job Abiona from our Ogudu Branch) used the money he collected to purchase a new truck to improve his business. A retired civil servant/Pensioner-Mr. Bashiru Adeyemi from our City Hall branch also told us that his cash reward went into the completion of his personal home as well as the business endeavours of his children so he wasn’t the only one who benefited from the campaign. A woman who resides in an area with no access to pipe borne water used her own win to install a borehole and other residents also enjoy free water with her now.

The young people in this neighbourhood will grow up to associate this with Skye bank.

On steps to ensure wise investment of rewards, we offer financial advisory services, especially to the winners who request for it, to ensure that the funds are not spent frivolously.

Read full interview online: www.thisdaylive.com

When Rotary District Gov 9110 Came Calling at Falomo Club The District Governor, Rotary District 9110, Rotarian Patrick Ijehon Ikheloa visited the Rotary Club of Falomo, recently. He speaks with Bennett Oghifo on how Rotary is helping to shape the world around it by making positive impact on the lives of people in various communities; on his upbringing and advises the youth

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Let’s meet you...

I am Rotarian Patrick Ijehon Ikheloa, the District Governor, 2016-17, District 9110, which covers Lagos and Ogun States.

I was born on the 1st of April 1954 to Prince Akpogho and Mrs. Sametu Ikheloa who hailed from Arue-Uromi in Esan North-East Local Government area of Edo State. I attended St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Arue-Uromi from 1961 and went to the then Mid-Western State of Nigeria Building and Engineering Construction Training School, Benin City.

Thereafter, I gained admission to Sapele Technical College where I obtained the City and Guilds Certificate in Civil Engineering in 1977. I started my work career, briefly, with NITOMAC Nig. Toy Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Benin-City. In 1986 I left for London, United Kingdom where I obtained a Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering at Fulham Chelsea College, London. I thereafter obtained an Advanced Diploma Certificate in MicroComputer Maintenance and Repairs from the University of Lagos in a bid to expand my frontiers of skills and competencies in the Engineering field. I attended several Training and Development courses within and outside the country.

I am a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, and I’m married to my sweetheart, Zainab who is also a Paul Harris Fellow, charter president Inner wheel clubs of Gowon estate, Past Chairman, International Inner Wheel District 911 and the past National Treasurer of the National Governing body of all Inner Wheel Clubs in

Nigeria. They have attended over ten Rotary International Conventions and Institutes, and all Rotary District 9110 Conferences since 1995 to date. The marriage is blessed with lovely children.

So far, how have you put your wide engineering skills to work?

My working career started with Domas Engineering Nigeria Limited, Benin City where I served as Site Supervisor between 1982 and 1986. I also worked with Anestony Construction Nigeria Limited as Project Engineer between 1989 and 1993 where I had the opportunity to supervise projects in several public-sector institutions, such as Auchi Polytechinc, Afuze Technical College, Army Barracks Jaji-Kaduna, NAHCO Building, Custom Long-room, Lagos and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. In 1993 I floated two companies, Patzeel Nigeria Limited (a Construction Outfit) and Ikheloa International Limited (an Agricultural Firm involved in fish farming). Some of the major projects successfully undertaken on the platform of these companies include construction of Nigeria Prisons Quarters in Auchi, Agbor and Asaba; construction of houses for Federal Housing Authority, Gwarimpa and Garki in Abuja and renovation of the National Assembly Complex Abuja. I am also a Director of Shab & Co. Nigeria Limited (a Security Equipment Maintenance Company). I am a major Contractor /Consultant to Banks on Security Equipment maintenance and repairs, nationwide. These three companies are doing very well with numerous employees at the moment.

District Governor, Rotary District 9110, Rotarian Patrick Ijehon Ikheloa addressing Rotarians during his visit to Falomo Rotary Club

How would you describe your professional life?

I am a professional to the core. Currently, I am the President, Bank Security and Equipment Association of Nigeria; Member - Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria and also Fish Farmers Association of Nigeria.

I was also recently decorated as a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria.

When did you begin your work as a Rotarian?

I started my Rotary life at the Rotary Club of Gowon Estate as Charter Vice-President in 1994/1995 Rotary year and became President thereafter in 1997/1998. I served at District 9110 in several capacities which include: DGSR to Rotary Club of Egbeda 2002/2003; Chairman, Donations-in-Kind Committee 2003/2004; Chairman, We Care Committee 2004/2005; Assistant Governor 2005 -2008; Chairman, Group Study Exchange Committee 2006-2007; Chairman, Club Services, and Multi-Club Meetings 2006-2010; Chairman, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) 2010/2011; Coordinator, Membership

Emergency 2010-2012; Zonal Coordinator, 2012-2013; PETS Coordinator, 2013-2014; Coordinator, Train the Trainers Seminar, 20142015; District Governor Nominee Designate, 2013-2014; District Governor Nominee, 20142015; and District Governor Elect, 2015-2016.

What role have you played in your local community?

Being a community and religious leader with a passion, I am fondly called the Seriki Adinni of Abule-Odu Central Mosque, Egbeda. I also built and donated a Mosque, named after my mother to the Isheri Community in Lagos. I am a member of several community based social organisations, such as Esan 83 Club of Nigeria of which I am a past president; vice-president, Arue Social Club of Nigeria; a Patron to the Agbede Daughters Club; Class Club of Nigeria; Unique Ladies Social Club of Nigeria; Wisemen Social Club of Nigeria and, also, Patron of Rotaract District 9110 Nigeria, just to mention a few.

Read full interview online: www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • July 30, 2016

July 30, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

PEOPLE

I Can Make Ondo State Prosperous –Ekungba Chief Jamiu Afolabi Ekungba is a member of the Board of Trustees of All Progressives Congress (APC), and one of the frontline governorship aspirants of the APC in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State. He speaks with Hammed Shittu on the state of the nation, his visions for the people of Ondo, and why he is the right candidate for the top job, among other issues person that has been sent to jail, is the DG NIMASA, who is an APC man; he contested senatorial seat in Delta and lost at the primary. So, what is selective about it?

The point I am making is that if you have not stolen then you don’t have anything to fear, but if you have stolen, even if you are the daughter of the president, I know him to do the right thing. At the moment, it is not easy for EFCC to take all at the same time, so they are taking it sector by sector, it doesn’t matter who you are, once you are involved, you should be ready to pay the price. As far as I am concerned, I didn’t see anything selective and I don’t believe President Buhari will be deliberately unfair to anybody; he is God fearing. We should just pray for God to give Buhari the grace to run Nigeria.

Ekungba

How would you react to the recent petrol price regime in the country?

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t is in the best interest of the nation, especially in the future. Imagine about N1.4 trillion spent on subsidy every year during former President Jonathan’s six years in office.

Imagine if the N1.4 trillion was used to construct Lagos-Ibadan road, up to Ilorin. Imagine Lagos-Ibadan, Lagos-Abuja roads were in good order, imagine there was a railway from Lagos to Abuja under three hours, imagine all our airports are in perfect condition, the money that had been stolen by people who have been claiming to be giving us fuel at a subsidised rate is enough to do all these. Imagine good classrooms with good, well-motivated teachers, training our children in the last 16 years of PDP, imagine the effect of the future of these children. They claimed the money was being used on oil subsidy, but who is being subsidised? They claimed you, and I, and that the amount of subsidy that comes to you and I was less than 10 per cent of what was being taken out. In one sector of the economy alone, it has been alleged that $15 billion under former NSA Dasuki was shared among some people in the country, instead of using it to buy ammunition to fight Boko Haram.

The total of foreign reserve of Nigeria is presently $27 billion; what percentage of that is $15 billion? If you add 15 to 27 it equals $42 billion, which is enough to support two months import bill, and our foreign exchange would be stable.

The new petroleum price regime is the system whereby the federal government has said, come Nigerians, I am no more subsidising your consumption of petroleum products; that is number one. Two, Nigerians have been asked to go and import oil, but to make sure it satisfies the quality criteria and they shouldn’t

sell above 145 naira per litre. So, I can decide to look for a cheaper market, and then sell at 80 naira per litre, but the truth is, will Nigerians do that? This is not the problem of the president but the problem of the capitalists who believe in exploiting Nigerians. For me, I agree with the system, because that was exactly what happened in telecommunication; that is what has happened in power generation.

The only reason why we are not having power as we should is that it was implemented by that government which did not do anything with the right purpose, through the right channel, because those people who were given the benefit of having the distribution company, are the same people who are not ready to invest their money. It was the government money that was given to them to acquire the power sector. So, I totally agree that the federal government should not put their money in the petrol I use in running my car, but the federal government should ensure that those people who are going to import petrol into Nigeria bring the right quality. Just like Adenuga came and liberated the telecommunication company, God will raise for us someone to do the same in the petroleum industry; to break the lies and deceit of people bringing in the product at the highest possible price.

What is your reaction to the allegation that the current war against corruption of the Buhari administration is being selective?

Selecting those people who are corrupt and punishing them is right. A lot of people talk about selective punishment, but is there anybody that has been arrested for corruption; taking money meant to fight Boko Haram, that came forth to say he did not take? Nobody has denied taking the money, and some of them are returning the money. The only

How will you describe various negative comments from different quarters over the perceived change agenda of the APC-led federal government?

Maybe I am an exception because I look at things more pragmatically; some people look at the big picture, while some look at the small picture. I will give you an example; when I was very young, my maternal grand-father did an experiment with some of his grandchildren; he gave each of us a dry corn, knowing we were very hungry. He asked us what we were going to do with it, and joyfully, we all said we would either roast or cook it to eat, but in his wise words, he said, “if you roast it and finish it now, you won’t even be filled, but if you plant it, just imagine the quantity it will produce, you will feed yourself well and many others.”

That was how I was brought up and that was the wisdom that guides some of us.

Today, with our eyes on the big picture, we should be able to see some of the changes that President Buhari has made in our system. Let me give you some examples of these practical changes; one, it is evident that if President Buhari had not travelled to the middle east; Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirate, the price of petroleum would still likely remain at $27 per barrel. But, he had gone there, even before calling the whole of OPEC. And it is because of the respect they had for him that the price of crude oil has gone up to $50 per barrel. One of his trips has assisted the international community, not only Nigeria to jerk up the price of crude oil; one of his trips also stimulated the last conference in Britain on corruption; his visit to UAE resulted to an agreement between Nigeria and Dubai in which it has now become difficult for Nigerians to steal money from Nigeria and take it to Dubai. The law in Dubai now is that if you are not working or resident in Dubai, you cannot keep an account as a Nigerian. As a Nigerian, if you go to Dubai now and you want to use your passport to open an account, it will be difficult unless you are resident there. So, I wonder why people keep saying what is the man doing travelling around the world? His image has helped the image of this country to improve. The President of America who refused to visit Nigeria when he came to Africa is coming to Nigeria soon.

We learnt that there is a plan that Obama will be in Nigeria by July.

Secondly, on the issue of corruption, is Nigeria corruption free? I will tell you no, but the rate at which corruption had become a culture of pride; that the few of us who have refused to take part in corrupt practices began to ask ourselves, whether we are normal. It is no longer the old ways. Corruption is not just about stealing; it is anything that corrupts the system. If you want to do it now, you have to circumvent and do it in the hidden. Before now, you would want to show people that you are a big man in queues and have your way; that was possible, but now, you have to beg people for permission. Thirdly, let’s come to the economy; I will give you some figures to further explain my point. When former President Obasanjo was there, oil subsidy was about N190 billion per year; when former President Yar’Adua got there, oil subsidy was about N230billion per year,

but then, the maximum people that were getting this oil subsidy were not more than 30. Suddenly, the number increased to about 300. In one year of Jonathan’s administration, oil subsidy went from N230 billion to N1.4 trillion and nobody cared. So much in the 16 years of PDP, we used over N10 trillion; that is about two years of Nigeria’s budget under Buhari, and that would be three years under Jonathan. How many are we in Nigeria? In one of the discussions by the Central bank, they asked if we were using N230 billion and suddenly it went to N1.4 trillion, what then happened?

Has the population of Nigeria increased dramatically, or is it the number of cars that has increased for the subsidy to jump up from N230 billion to N1.4 trillion? But of course, we knew that the money was being stolen and somebody was bold enough to wake up to prepare a budget and the budget was transmitted to the National Assembly and they removed that subsidy, and Nigerians kept quiet as if they didn’t know that something was removed. Yet, somebody will tell me things have not changed! Nobody has been courageous enough in Nigeria’s 16 years of democracy, but Buhari did that, because it is better for Nigeria to pay for their oil than the government to pay 10 per cent while people are stealing 90 per cent. Those people who want result now are the ones complaining. But, those of us who know the consequential effect of the decisions, this man had taken in the interest of the country; the radical, monumental change his decisions would bring to Nigeria in the next five to 10 years for our children and grandchildren, we are grateful for his bold steps. The change has happened on our psychology, cultural behavior, in our attitude; it is no longer business as usual. We have seen a trusted president and a president who has brought about a radical, monumental and progressive change in the attitude of Nigerians. The trust we are giving to the president put a lot of responsibility and pressure on him to continue to deliver. We had Boko Haram terrorizing us for more than six years, now; Boko Haram has been decimated and incapacitated, which is forcing them to surrender. A recent example would be the return of two of the Chibok girls.

Do you subscribe to the allegation that Ondo State economy is at its lowest ebb?

The economy is at the lowest because those people handling it do not have the fear of God; they have not come with a pragmatic programme for the people.

The present governor deceived us a lot in Ondo state; he never tells us the truth about anything, he has deceived the world. If you compare what is being achieved in Osun state to Ondo state, people will start asking what the problem is. Even Ekiti that is earning far less than what Ondo state earns, is better off. What does he do? Because he is a medical doctor, he tells us he is doing ‘caring heart’. Imagine the name, when you hear that, your heart will melt at it. Now, one of the programmes he calls ‘mother and child hospital’. It is a beautiful hospital, well equipped and of international standard, I doff my hat for him when he did the first one, no Nigerian hospital can beat it, because what is called Mother and Child hospital is comprehensive maternity home. The problem is, there are only two in the whole of Ondo state, after seven years in office. One in Akure and the other in Ondo, is that enough for the whole state? As a governor, if you have a caring heart truly, and the fear of God, and you are honest with the people, the money you took over from the previous government and the money you are collecting from the federal government is enough to do something good in the state; that the people would say you are really working, but that cannot be said about you in seven years.

Read full interview online: www.thisdaylive.com

JULY 30, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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FASHION FILE

The ‘Girl Power’ Collection by JPKOUTURE by

Hadassah

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

FASHION FILE

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

The ‘Girl Power’

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he name of this collection is Girl Power. The designer is a feminist and believes in women empowerment, so the Girl power collection is all about capes and drapes that are incorporated into each design.

Each piece is designed to make a curvy lady feel beautiful and empowered not to mention ‘sparkley’.

Each piece is designed to flatter her shape, contours and curves in all the right places; to achieve a beautiful, sultry silhouette.

JPKOUTURE by Hadassah, which is part of JPKingdom was founded in 2011 by Nigerian designer, Temi Aboderin-Alao, who is dedicated on making the world know every womans shape is beautiful and every woman deserves to feel both elegant and flawless regardless of her size and letting women know Plus size fashion should not be about compromise. It should be about choice.

Alongside her plus size modeling agency and empowerment move in the plus size industry, Temi Aboderin-Alao sows the seeds of JPKOUTURE By Hadassah in 2013 which is known as an awardwinning luxury enterprise creating inspirational and architectural couture pieces with blend of ankara, sequin, lace, etc. Each piece is carefully designed and handmade to enhance the curves and create elegant silhouette for full figured ladies, making her feel beautiful and flawless not only in JPKOUTURE but in her own skin.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JULY 30, 2016

WITH

MARKET PLACE

OMOLABAKE FASHOGBON 08033621009

Acting DG/CEO Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Vincent Olatunji presents the award of e-commerce company of the year to Founder/Vice President, Yudala, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh at the Nigerian Telecom Awards in Lagos recently

L – R: Global Chief Executive Officer, Boston Consulting Group, Mr. Rich Lesser and Chairman, Honeywell Group, Dr. Oba Otudeko, during the Boston Consulting Group team visit to Honeywell Group in Lagos recently

Bloggers Scramble for Nobel Carpets Prize The Nobel Carpets and Rugs writing competition put together for bloggers ended yesterday and recorded an impressive turnout.

Tagged ‘The Nobel Bloggers’ Contest’, the engagement was designed to ignite and motivate creativeness among writers by putting their ingenuity to test.

According to the General Manager

of the textile company, Mr. Jitesh Pamnani, the contest provided a ground for writers to showcase their talents, encourage and motivate originality in their works.

“The essence of this contest is to kindle passion for original and creative writing practices among our writers.

In this exercise, what we expect to see

Innjoo Woos Customers with 6-inch Smartphone

Zenith Bank Provides Free Wi-fi Service

Fast-selling mobile device brand, InnJoo, has announced that its latest, Max 3 would be released to the market in the first week of August.

The new offering which has as its unique point, an epic six inch high definition (HD) screen with a fingerprint technology would offer more value to customers than the price.

Built around an all-metal body design and the first time applied 2.5D diamond-cut glass, the Max 3 is a sleek and premium-looking device that would go a long way in meeting the needs and aspirations of phone lovers in search of a high-powered mobile device at a friendly price.

In addition to the bigger screen to work with, the latest comes fully equipped with a 4000mAh long-life battery design which is ideal for an environment with epileptic power supply. With its rapid response quad core processor, the Max 3 offers the user 0.35 seconds lightning fast unlock speed, along with a guarantee of quicker upload and download of multimedia contents.

With a high-powered dual camera, 13MP at the back and 8MP in front which offers auto-focus, multiple modes and anti-shake properties, selfie lovers may need not to look elsewhere.

According to the company, the first set of buyers would be offered an opportunity to enjoy amazing freebies by pre-ordering the product via: www.innjoo.com

Zenith Bank has announced that it had made provision for free wi-fi service in some selected branches of the bank.

The bank made this disclosure in a statement it posted on its website where it stated that the move was borne out of the need to enable customers access internet services.

According to the bank, the latest development would enable customers at selected branches to download the bank’s mobile app, browse for information, access online banking, conduct online research and do many other things.

The financial institution added that it had also installed wide-range of free wi-fi hotspot, covering the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and its environs, to provide

from each participant’s write up is a highlight on the beautification of homes with Nobel Carpets and Rugs products.

Winners will be selected based on identified criteria.

“At the end of this competition, overall winner will go away with Nobel Carpets and Rugs products worth N50, 000, an award as well as cash prize of N30,

customers within the hospital’s vicinity access to knowledge, tools and resources available online.

“It is expected that by providing free wi-fi , we are providing our customers with a distinct competitive advantage in the way that only free internet access can, as they are now empowered to innovate without the constraints of data costs”, the bank declared.

The service, however, can only be accessed by the bank’s customers through their account number.

Meanwhile, mixed- reactions have followed the latest development especially by technology lovers who commended the move on one hand but condemned the fact that the service was restricted to the bank’s customers.

Glo Sets Modalities for Unsolicited SMS, Calls Not daring Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), indigenous telecommunication company, Globacom, has sorted out options at reaching out to its customers with its promotional messages and calls usually sent out in bulk.

The telecommunication company reacting to the directive of telecoms regulatory body, NCC which informed all telecoms company to introduce a uniform ‘Do Not Disturb’ code, if they must broadcast unsolicited text messages had empowered its subscribers to stop any message they did not want by simply activating the ‘Do Not Disturb’ service by texting help to 2442.

This will enable subscribers to receive a list of fields from which they want to receive or block unsolicited messages.

According to the company, each of the fields had been assigned a code, which

a subscriber could send to the dedicated short code.

Those interested in receiving information on banking, insurance and financial products, for example could send 1 to 2442, while subscribers interested in real estate were required to send 2 to 2442.

For education-related information, subscribers are required to send 3 to 2442, and for those who want information on health, the designated code to send to 2442 is 4, while 5 has been designated for information on consumer goods; 6 is for information on communications, broadcasting, entertainment and information technology. Code number for tourism and leisure is 7, while sports is 8. The number for religious information is 9.

Subscribers willing to opt out of the service can still send “STOP” to 2442.

000. The 2nd best will have his or her home decorated with a centre rug worth N30,000, an award and a cash prize of N20,000 while the 3rd prize winner will also take home a Nobel Carpets centre rug worth N20,000, a cash prize of N10,000 and an award.

There is also a special gift for all the participants “, Pamnani said.

Ashaka Cement, Lafarge Africa Seal Deal on Power Lafarge Africa Plc has signed an N11 billion deal to build a captive power plant at its Ashaka Cement plant in Gombe State to boost its production capacity in the NorthEastern part of Nigeria.

The deal, according to Board Chairman, Ashaka Cement Plc., Mallam Suleiman Yahyah, would see the firm rely less on power from the grid and generating sets which would fast track its operations for smooth delivery and efficiency.

Yahyah who added that the latest development would also see to the creation of employment in the region said that the power plant would assist the firm to recover cost leadership in the area.

“The North-east is a strategic region where Ashaka is supporting the reconstruction programme of government, this project will further strengthen our bond with Gombe State as well as the communities while reinforcing the importance of Ashaka as the major manufacturing company in this part of the country”, Yahyah stated.

The deal involves construction of 16 megawatts Lignite-Fired Plant, and would be handled by a Chinese contractor, Runh Power Corp.

The project director of the handling company, Bruno Bayet, lauded the initiative, adding that the project upon completion would help the company to save cost and become power independent.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

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

Garba Abdulrasaq “When the dust settles, Nigerians will see clearly that this charge (trial) is nothing but a meretricious trash”. - Sen. Ekweremadu

I

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

Asked by State House Correspondents if the charges against Saraki and Ekweremadu could be dropped now that the Senate President has yielded to their demands for “juicy” Standing Committees, Marafa said: “Yes, as long as the party comes in and the will of the party is respected. We are not at loggerhead with anybody. It is not like we hate somebody. The current Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has been one of my very close friends and senior in the 7th assembly. What you saw happened is what I will describe as loyalty to the party. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognizes only the party, it doesn’t recognize any individual.

“We didn’t go to court because we didn’t like the faces of those that emerged, but this is the will of our party. During the 7th assembly, we accorded the ruling party at that time the utmost cooperation and we knew the committees that we were given that time.

But now, we are in power it is our own time and we should be accorded all the necessary cooperation. We should be seen to respect the party. If the party says withdraw the case, we will go on to withdraw the case”.

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

Although many Nigerians raised some ordinarily argued, at the inception of Saraki’s trial, that could he have been arraigned if he had allowed the big heads in his party and

Saraki presidency to have their way in the choice of Presiding Officers and Principal Officers of the Senate, but my attitude was that Nigerians had suffered enough in the hands of their so-called leaders. As such, whatever soul that sinned or whoever ate pour yam, must face the law.

Sadly, the wailers and their ranks, which are now growing by the day, now laugh last.

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

Regarding the Senate forgery, however, I must admit that I was never really convinced that the invitation/petitioning of the police (an executive agency) by the Senate Unity Forum enjoys the blessing of the constitution

because it was just some Senators inviting the police, rather than the Senate as an institution.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole’s ruling sometime last year that the issue of Senate Standing Order is purely a domestic legislative affairs was later to reaffirm my opinion.

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

But were we not so narrow-minded not to have known before now that we were being fooled and that the whole shenanigan and grandstanding in the Senate was about Committee? It is now that I recall clearly that members of Unity Forum, the plaintiffs in suitFHC/ABJ/CS/651/2015 contesting the authenticity of the Senate Standing Rule 2015, approached the Federal High Court with an ex-parte application seeking to restrain the Senate leadership from constituting the Chairman and Deputy Chairmen of Standing and Ad Hoc Committees pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice” In refusing the application, however, Justice Kolawole, insisted that he did not “notice any substantial infraction on the 1999 Constitution”.

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

Now, relating Senator Marafa’s comments and the recent statement by the APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, that “we all find it very, very difficult to accept the emergence of a PDP person as his Deputy Senate President” (even though the APC enjoyed and praised bi-partisan National Assembly

leadership under Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and also produced the current Speakers of Plateau and Benue Assemblies where their party is minority), one begins to understand APC’s hypocrisy. What is more, only a few days ago, the APC againproduced the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly where PDP is the majority. A long-frustrated and embattled Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Lawal of the G-15 threw in the towel, while Umar Imam of G-5 was “elected” Speaker.

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

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

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

Read full article online: www.thisdaylive.com

POLITY

Hadiza Usman as NPA MD Can Only be a Success

M

Engineer Sunny Amadi ost people make their marks not in areas of expected excellence but from where failure stares them in the face or their ingenuity would not be well appreciated as having demonstrated uncommon

manifestation.

Also, in the present era, lines are constantly being crossed professionally; people are working and performing out of the box so that core professionalism no longer determine level of delivery but possessing organisational skills and flair for excellence.

So with the appointment of Hadiza Bala Usman, best remembered for her human intervention in insisting that government take action in locating and freeing the kidnapped Chibok girls as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority; critics in their elements have been abuzz with grumbles.

The reaction though from what could be considered an insignificant few that have made a profession of criticising every action of President Muhammadu Buhari need not go unreplied.

To those averse to the appointment, the narrow argument has been that one more associated with the marine sector ought to have been appointed to steer the affairs without the thought that having been atrophied for long, that fresh ideas and blood were needed to turn things around.

A look at who Hadiza is would be apt at the moment to see if anyone could have been better suited for the challenge of making sense out of the nadir of operational wedge that the NPA has become. If the argument of critics was that she was appointed as

an undertaker because previous managers, most of them well steeped in the marine sector but just killed or made near moribund the activities in the ports, they would have had some valid points. However, Hadiza has been in places where moribund projects were returned to life having at a tender age, worked in places like the Bureau of Public Enterprises as well as being part of the restoration of the Abuja masterplan. It could be said that by the appointment, she has been given a spot to stand on her own to show what she had been contributing from the background to ovatious achievements.

Without fear of contradiction, Hadiza has garnered the requisite educational kits and organisational experience to inject the needed new blood into NPA and from her zero-tolerance for corruption, the cesspit will soon get clean, maybe part of the reason the rent seekers in and around the organisation are crying wolf.

Born in Zaria to Yusufu Bala Usman, she grew up close to Ahmadu Bello University where her father worked. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 2000 from Ahmadu Bello University and her master’s degree from the University of Leeds in 2009. Her work experience span a non-governmental organisation, the Centre for Democratic Development and Research Training (CEDDERT) in Zaria as a research assistant in 1999; Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and as a Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Project Implementation; Director of Strategy for the Good Governance Group (3G) and Chief of Staff for the Kaduna State Governor.

For those who know her, she possesses a rare strength of character, drive and an eye that never rests on anything as perfect for long so that she constantly changes the status quo in quest for contemporary modernity.

World over, skills abound and yet there are

Hadiza failures of entreprises, even those that were thought to have outgrown collapse. The trend is those who know what needs to be done taking charge and at the position she occupies, it is not navigational skills or knowledge of the location of bouys in the waters that she needs but the ability to chart a positive course and have the zeal to steer the NPA ship to harbour.

With her knowledge from several duty posts in the mix, it bears the fruit of selecting good team, insisting on positive work ethic, wiping out or radically reducing corruption and ensuring that the gains of creating a shipping hub in the region or even continent is achievable.

The sensitivity of the position relegates the argument of gender, sectionalism and paper qualification or even the consideration

of one having spent all his life in the sector but could not make the necessary input to deliver. Hadiza has all in the positive of what are needed to make a difference which is not going to be long in manifesting.

For those who listened to her when she took over duties at the NPA, the thought process and vision was unassailable as she adroitly and in concise manner that typifies her person, showed the direction the NPA was going under her. Like the saying goes, she has started by planting the right steps in the right direction, a reason I think the murmur that greeted her appointment has disappeared so soon The most important thing about the new order is that she is bringing with her the tenacity with which she pursued and put pressure on government for the freedom of the Chibok girls though some people are humorously hinting that President Muhammadu Buhari appointed her to ease the nagging pressure Hadiza and her Bring Back Our Girls Group had exerted on his administration so that while she throws in herself into the duty as she does with every responsibility, he would have the peace to navigate their release.

In the next few months, real stakeholders in that sector are going to see things done differently for the better and witness a real turn around that will usher in the full potentials of the Ports Authority under Hadiza. All you owe her is support because as a unidirectional operator in success, she has already started succeeding with the project. Let all hands be on deck to work for Nigeria with the assurance that Hadiza will deliver.

–Engineer Sunny Amadi, a public commentator is also a mogul in the oil and gas sector and wrote in from Port Harcourt, Rivers State

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 23, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Can Anambra Reinvent Itself?

Stanley Nkwazema

I

t is not always easy to be at the helm of affairs in some states in this country, particularly those in the South-east. The situation is worse in Anambra State, when viewed against the background that the state has witnessed several upheavals since the dawn of democracy in 1999. It becomes more difficult to understand when you realise that in the last nine and half years, the state has had the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the party in power while others are leaning towards the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It is no longer news that Mr. Willy Obiano, a former Executive Director of Fidelity Bank, took over from Mr. Peter Obi as Governor of the state, and has served as the governor of the state in the last two and half years.

Interestingly, even as Willy Obiano still has about a year and half to complete his tenure as governor, many feel that the score card he delivered in Lagos and Abuja, before the people of the state resident in the South-west and the Northcentral was enough body language to ask for a second tenure. He failed to speak out in clear terms when he addressed the large crowd at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton on what he called “Eyes on the Prize – On the Threshold of Excellence.”

When the governor walked in with his wife Ebele, he went round the hall with his traditional regalia, exchanging greetings with the crowd, including the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, past and present members of the National Assembly, former ministers, including Oby Ezekwesili and businessmen from the North-central zone.

Obiano, who took some quotes from Jawal Nehru’s famous sayings that “a moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new; when an age ends; and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance.”

He said further: “In the past two years, we have been very busy with the challenge of moving the state from the “old to a whole new Anambra State. We are very resolute in our desire to build a prosperous state and leave a legacy of good governance for our people. It has been a tough challenge but we were prepared for it. About two years and three months after, I am proud to stand before you to give account of my stewardship.”

In a bid to underscore the importance of diversifying the economy and attracting more industries to Anambra State, Obiano confirmed that the concise economic blueprint, made up of The Four Pillars of Development - agriculture, industrialisation, trade and commerce and Oil and

Obiano Gas - which he developed on assumption of office has started yielding dividends.

He stated that the state was now a socially stable, business-friendly environment, attracting both indigenes and foreigners to seek wealth-creating opportunities.

Funny enough, while other states are thinking about how to redirect energies towards food sufficiency and real time agriculture, the state governor claimed that in January this year, Anambra made headlines when it became the first state in Nigeria to export vegetables (Ugu and Onugbu) valued at $5m to Europe.

Obiano said: “At the same time, our locally produced brand of rice known as Anambra Rice recently emerged the Best Rice in Africa at an African Products Forum in Lagos. Anambra Rice was adjudged better and more wholesome than other competing brands from South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Namibia and Cameroun. “The agricultural sector of the state has also attracted investments from seven companies valued at $1.011bn, while the large industrial farms in our beloved state have pushed our local rice production from 90,000 metric tons to 210,000 metric tons. At this rate, we shall soon surpass the 320,000 metric tons we consume in Anambra State yearly.

On how he has been able to achieve the feat of making the state safer than he met it, Obiano told the gathering how he was able to “redraft the operational manual of the entire security apparatchik of Anambra State” to ensure a lightningquick response by launching what he called Operation Kpochapu and organised an International Security Summit that attracted a top Israeli security expert, Moshe Keinan as the key facilitator.

He then proceeded to launch an all-out war against crime and criminality in the

state, pulling down the warehouses where kidnappers kept their human cargoes and running them out of town.

Indeed the operation has been clinical that the operators did not only detect and cut off the weapons supply lines, but also tracked a notorious kidnapper to Lagos and picked him up inside a South African bound aircraft.

Obiano said: “That sounded a loud warning to the underworld. We turned our efforts into a regional campaign when in August last year we successfully hosted a Regional Security Summit for the five South Eastern states and the Delta. We figured that Anambra would be safer if other surrounding states were safe enough. In December last year, we raised the game in our security campaign when we donated 25 Smart Cars to the Nigerian Police. These cars are Command & Control Centres with ultra-modern crime-bursting gadgets. We donated a Gunboat to the Nigerian Navy to ensure a regular patrol across the water channels and seal off all the routes used by criminals.”

In December last year, the state also launched an aerial surveillance with a Police Helicopter throughout the Yuletide Season. This was seen as the last effort made to effectively cover the ground, waters and the skies.

With that effort, Anambra became safe and won the psychological war of running out the criminals as people now feel safe to move around the state at whatever time of day or night.

Obiano explained that the objective of his administration was to become one of the top three industrialised states in Nigeria. “We are pursuing this in four key areas – Creation of modern industrial parks and small-to-medium enterprise clusters, improved drive for investment and better access to financing and strategic capacity building.”

The move has so far attracted over $140 million investment to the manufacturing sector which he is vigorously pursuing by rehabilitating existing markets and building new ones alongside ultramodern shopping malls across the state; having commissioned the ultramodern Onitsha Shopping Mall in April as one of the continuity projects he inherited from his predecessor Peter Obi. It is also confirmed that work is progressing smoothly on the two other malls in Nnewi and Awka.

“We have flagged off the construction of a $350 million wholesale shopping complex in Ogbunike in Oyi LGA. This commercial and lifestyle complex will be the first of its kind in Africa. The retail outlets will be operated by leading brands from across the world. Similarly, the first Phase of the 20,000-unit International Market at Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area, valued at $75 million, is nearing completion while

Expression of Interest has been concluded on the Umunze International Market.

“To solve the problem of power which is the bane of industrialisation in the state like other parts of the country, Zolt Energy has signed the agreement to commence the building of a 40 megawatts Embedded Power Generating Plant in Ogbaru.

The beauty of this project is that all the power generated from it will be distributed mainly in Anambra State.”

Before now, the commercial city of Onitsha used to be the dirtiest but he said: “We have mounted a serious campaign to retrieve our cities from the menace of filth and dirt. As you may all remember, we demolished a 30-year-old mountain of refuse that was several stories high in Okpoko last year. We have also succeeded in cleaning up the eyesore that used to be the refuse dump on Owerri Road, Onitsha.”

The state is, however, pursuing an aggressive and revolutionary programme in public utilities by rolling out what is called Choose-a-Project-Initiative for the 177 communities in the state. Under this scheme, each community is expected to choose a project worth N20 million. The Government will then execute all these projects. This initiative is not only a novelty but also truly democratic.

On how he intends to finance these projects, the governor said he was pursuing an aggressive oil and gas policy. “Anambra State is blessed with over one billion barrels of oil and 30 trillion cubic feet of gas. Our target is to have a fully developed Oil & Gas sector by 2018. We intend to achieve this through three broad areas of intervention – policy formulation & infrastructure development, private sector participation and re-orientation.

“In the area of policy formulation, we have crafted far-sighted policies to drive the development of this sector. In fact, my bill proposing the establishment of the Anambra State Oil & Gas Development Agency has already been passed into law.

As a follow up, we have also set up the Oil and Gas Advisory Committee headed by Dr.Emmanuel Egboga, the former Special Adviser to the President on Petroleum Matters.

“This committee is charged with drafting a comprehensive Blueprint for the Oil & Gas sector and advising the State on the necessary steps that would ensure the recognition of Anambra as the 10th Oil Producing State in Nigeria. We have opened access to the oil fields by building Anambra’s longest bridge across the Omambala River in Aguleri. This bridge has since been completed. We are also building two other bridges to the oil fields through Umueje in Ayamelum and Umudiora in Anambra West Local Government Areas. The importance of these roads and bridges can only be understood if we remember that there was no access to the oilfields of Aguleri before now from Anambra State. It could only be accessed through Enugu State.”

Stop Attacking Dambazau, Isuanaoma Monarch Pleads

T

Charles Onyekamuo in Awka

he Traditional Ruler of Isuanaoma in Aguata Local Government area of Anambra State, His Royal Highness (HRH) Igwe Uchenna Okpalaunegbu (IV) has taken a swipe at critics of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and his appointees based on “unfounded allegations of corrupt tendencies” saying it is a past time of pedestrians and unpatriotic Nigerians.

At a media briefing in his palace yesterday, the Monarch particularly frowned at the way and manner these unpatriotic Nigerians have made instigating criticisms against the person and office of the current Minister of Interior, Retired General Abdurrahman Dambuzau suggesting that he should be sacrificed on

the altar of the war against corruption. The suggestions he said were purely imaginary and nauseating.

According to the monarch, such insinuations by those he described as hirelings are being made by the enemies of Buhari to discredit his appointees with a view to bringing the administration to disrepute before Nigerians and the international community.

He said that Buhari had since his assumption of office fought the war against corruption fairly and squarely without sparing any of the so called sacred cows no matter whose ox is gored, adding that the president knew those who stole Nigeria’s money and assets and had gone recovering them.

“The antics of some people to sponsor and instigate public opinion against the Minister of interior on the basis of nonexistent fraud allegation against him in

the arms purchase saga is to say the least pedestrian and unpatriotic.

“The Minister was neither appointed the National Security Adviser (NSA) nor Minister of Defence in the Jonathan administration. He was Chief of Army staff before former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. It is left to be seen the dark spot in all his public services to the nation that could be hidden before his present appointment, meaning that the President knows his pedigree before appointing him”, he said.

The Monarch said that the Dambazau he had known over the years is one man who has displayed character in his profession, and had shown intellectual prowess and integrity, a reason he believed the President in his wisdom brought him into his cabinet to avail the country of his professionalism and experience to the service of his father land.

It is highly expedient he said that at this time of Boko Haram Insurgency, herdsmen attacks across the nation, Niger Delta Pipeline Vandalism and menace of kidnapping, a seasoned Security Personnel that knows the security architecture of Nigeria, like Dambazau, a former Nigerian Army Chief of Staff should be the Minister of Interior.

The Monarch advised the federal government to ensure that the battle against corruption is fought on sound self-evident truth that will ensure justice without victimizing anybody unnecessarily because of faceless allegations by enemies and critics of government.

“If they are allowed to have their way, they will be emboldened to go for other innocent victims in this administration, especially those who stood with President Muhammadu Buhari, when it was an anathema to do so”, he said.

46

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

The Turkey Coup: Erdogan’s Return of Bruce Lee!’ Abdullahi Usman

“Every great mistake has a halfway moment, a split second when it may be recalled and perhaps remedied.”

- Pearl S. Buck

I

n an earlier article almost exactly two months back, one had wondered whether, as a foreigner from far away distant land, it would not be advisable to simply mind one’s business and completely refrain from commenting on matters involving strictly another country. But the ongoing situation in Turkey, even though it commenced as an exclusively internal affair of that country, is now increasingly threatening to take on a frightening international dimension; what with the ever-widening expansion of the dragnet of alleged possible links with persons in, and probable connections to, several individuals and countries across different continents.

It is no longer news that there was an attempted coup d’etat against the democratically elected government of Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on July 15, 2016, which ultimately failed. The botched attempt to force a change in government was blamed on a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces and was reportedly organized under a council called the Peace at Home Council, which attempted to seize control of several key places in the nations’ capital, Ankara, its most populous city, Istanbul, and several other key cities. Forces loyal to President Erdogan and the cabinet of Bilani Yildirim, inaugurated on May 24, 2016 as the 65th government of the Republic of Turkey, along with unprecedented support from ordinary citizens, eventually succeeded in defeating the insurrection and saving the republic from recording what would have been its sixth successful coup d’etat since 1960.

Even as the unfortunate attempt at forcefully effecting a change in government was successfully contained, it did not come without a cost, as over 300 people were killed and more than 2,100 others were injured.

In addition, several government buildings, including the Presidential Palace and Turkish Parliament, were badly damaged in the process. Indeed, reactions to the unfortunate events were generally against the coup, both domestically and internationally.

It is particularly noteworthy that even the country’s main opposition parties, and Erdogan’s major ideological and political opponents, rose in unison to collectively voice out their total condemnation of the attempted coup, while several international leaders from the US, European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), perhaps, trying to play safe during the momentary period of intense suspense and great uncertainties, called for “respect of the democratic institutions in Turkey and its elected officials”, even as other International Organizations equally expressed strong opinions against the coup. In contrast, the United Nations Security Council did not denounce the coup after Egypt, a non-

Tayyip Erdogan

permanent member of the Council, strongly objected to the language used in the USproposed draft, which described the Turkish government as a democratic one.

While the possible motives behind the attempted coup remain as yet unclear and fall well beyond the scope of this write up, the Peace at Home Council had cited an increasing wave of “erosion of secularism, the elimination of democratic rule, a disregard for human rights, and Turkey’s loss of credibility in the international arena”, as reasons for the coup. The Erdogan government, on the other hand, blamed soldiers linked to the Gulen Movement - a group it has designated as a terrorist organization and led by the Saylorsburg, Pennsylvaniabased Turkish exile, Fethullah Gülen - while some members of the Turkish government and pro-government media have accused the U.S. government of secretly backing the plot.

Born on April 27, 1941, Muhammed Fethullah Gülen is a Turkish preacher, former imam, writer, and political figure. He is the founder of the Gülen movement (known as Hizmet, meaning service in Turkish), and the inspiration figure for its largest organization, the Alliance for Shared Values. Gülen has since condemned the coup and denied any involvement; he, instead, accused the Turkish president of staging the event as a covert or false flag operation, in continuation of his clandestine attempt to legitimise further “restrictions on civil liberties and purges of the military and judiciary, as well as to increase support for his abiding desire for an executive presidency”.

Located at the extreme points of Eurosia, and variously described as the Easternmost part of Europe and Westernmost part of Asia, Turkey has historically suffered from the harsh effects of the perennial push and pull of two competing civilisations, dragged between two divergent cultures and religions, and is now increasingly being torn

apart by the sharply devisive centrifugal forces from the seemingly never-ending struggle between secularism and moderate Islam within the same religious belief.

Perched across the mighty Bosphorus, the waterway also known as the Golden Horn that divides Europe and Asia, Istanbul - a city of 14.6 million as at the last count, which was formerly called Constantinople - once served as the capital of “eastern Rome”, when the vast Roman Empire drew a line between its own territories many centuries ago, while “western Rome” adopted Rome as its capital.

The eastern Roman Empire survived the collapse of the western section, following the latter’s relatively short-lived existence of less than a century, and flourished for more than one thousand years, with this hitherto Christian stronghold switching to Islam arising from the subsequent invasion of the Ottomans, who went on to establish their own empire from the rungs of the old western Roman Empire, which spanned for another period of more than seven centuries.

Till today, it is hard to miss the immense influence these two great competing empires left on the city of Istanbul, even as its people, just like the country itself, are largely divided between the adherents of the secular philosophy and moderate Islam.

It is, however, interesting to note that not even these long entrenched historical influences or modern day political differences could stand in the way of the population coming together, and joining hands in an unprecedented show of the people power, to risk life and limb and scale atop military battle tanks to effect citizens arrests, which eventually showed the coup plotters in no uncertain terms that, in addition to the loyal troops on the side of the government in power, they also had the rest of the population to contend with in their futile and ill advised misadventure. If there is one useful lesson to draw from the recent events in Turkey, it is just how ready citizens are to stand by their elected governments and representatives in times of need, once the social contract that should naturally bind the two sides is strictly respected and adhered to by those in power.

In sharp contrast with what would clearly have been at play during the recent Turkish events, where the people - against all odds - stood by their leaders, and are ever ready to return them to power during elections, however, rather than channel available resources into projects and other social development schemes that will guarantee them the support of majority of the electorate, some of our elected officials here at home in Nigeria will prefer to sit back and do very little or nothing in that regard, believing that all they have to do is to apply a fraction of such resources to buy and influence the people’s choice during subsequent elections.

Of course, such warped ‘strategy’ may sometimes work and has, indeed, probably worked for them several times over in the past, but it is certainly not in the overall best interest of the society that they seek to grow and improve via their leadership, and you often wonder why on earth they should

continue to pursue that rather strange course of action.

Coming back to the Turkish coup and its aftermath, the English-language edition of the country’s conservative Yeni Safak daily, citing sources close to the ongoing investigation, has reported that the former NATO commander and 34th Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General John F. Campbell (retd.) was the mastermind behind the failed military coup attempt. The paper, known for its loyal support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated that the president was the main the target of the coup attempt. According to Yeni Safak, Campbell used the Nigerian-owned United Bank for Africa (UBA) to channel over $2 billion to the pro-coup military personnel in Turkey via CIA links, thereby introducing a whole new and dangerous international dimension into the whole affair.

The paper added that the retired US general had allegedly paid “at least two secret visits” to Turkey since May, leading up to the failed coup bid, which the authorities in Turkey are blaming on what they call the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey’s foreign minister, warned during the week that ties with Washington could suffer, unless the cleric Fethullah Gülen, Erdogan’s ideological adversary, is extradited, even as Washington has repeatedly insisted that Turkey must provide solid evidence linking Gülen to the attempted coup before any possible extradition process is even discussed.

So far, a whopping 13,165 people have been detained in connection with the foiled coup attempt in Turkey as at Sunday, July 25, 2016, comprising 8,838 soldiers, 2,101 judges and prosecutors, 1,485 police officers, 52 members of local authorities and 689 civilians, as reported by the Turkish daily, Hurriyet. In addition, a total of 934 schools, 109 dormitories, 15 universities, 104 foundations, 35 health institutions, 1,125 associations and 19 unions were closed for reportedly belonging to what the president described as “the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization”, even as detention warrants have been issued against 42 journalists suspected as having links to the failed coup attempt.

An Ankara court has recently approved a joint indictment of 73 suspects, including the exiled Gülen himself, leading Ibrahim Dogus, the founder and director of the Centre for Turkey Studies and Development in London, to allege that President Erdogan is trying very hard to hunt down anyone linked, loyal or associated with Gülen at this moment in Turkey. In addition, Amnesty International has sounded the alarm, stating that it has gathered “credible evidence” that people arrested in relation to the failed coup attempt have been “subjected to beatings and torture, including rape, in official and unofficial detention centers in the country”, and expressing serious concerns that the grim details it has documented may just provide a snapshot of the abuses that might be happening in places of detention.

socio-economic development of the country.

His words: “Our unique one-stop shop approach to logistics has halved the cost of logistics in the industry and has saved the Nigerian nation huge money. INTELS through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy, has empowered people of the host communities through road networks, healthcare and human capacity building, women empowerment programmes, football tournaments, among others”.

THISDAY had reported that the President of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Dr. Nelson Uwaga, had called on the federal government to implement policies that set up the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, saying it is capable of conserving Nigeria’s foreign exchange.

Uwaga stated that the Nigerian government, should as a matter of policy, make it

mandatory for all players in the oil and gas sector to source their services at the free zone in order to sustain the facility and enable investors get returns on investment.

Besides NIM, other stakeholders in the maritime industry had also hailed INTELS on the strides it has made since it started operations in the nation’s seaports.

Apparently impressed by the achievements of INTELS since it took over the running of Onne, Calabar and Warri ports, the stakeholders in a recent visit to the operational base of the firm said the terminal operator need to be encouraged to do more.

In a chat with THISDAY, the Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Hon. Victor Alabo expressed delight in the way and manner the concessionaire has added value to its operations in the port.

Read full article online: www.thisdaylive.com

MARITIME

‘INTELS not a Monopoly’

O

John Iwori

ne of the concessionaires in the nation’s seaports, Integrated Logistics Services Nigeria Limited (INTELS) has stated that it is not monopolising the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone.

The Onne oil and gas free zone which is located in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State is home to several public and private own companies including , terminal operators and freight forwarding firms.

INTELS won the bid for the concession following the conclusion of the port reforms initiated by the Federal Government during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

The exercise which was supervised by the

Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) divested the management of Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) from the day-to-day running of the terminals as well as cargo handling.

INTELS Head of Public Relations Mr. Isidore Sambol told THISDAY at the weekend there is no iota of truth in the allegations of monopoly against the oil and gas servicing firm.

According to him, the report which insinuated that the company is a monopoly fell flat on the fact that there are close to 170 other companies operating at the free zone.

He however stated that some of the companies in the free zone have suffered low patronage, thus leading to their closure in recent times.

Sambol explained that INTELS has operated at the free zone for over three decades and has made major contributions to the

47

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

POLITY

Ikpeazu: Temporarily Denying Ogah’s Fruit of Victory Adedayo Adejobi

A

lthough the Court of Appeal has ordered a status quo ante bellum in the case where the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu is battling to keep a seat that has been largely proven to have been obtained by false pretences, hopes are that they decide on it soonest. it is however trite that like the proverbial strong man that dispossess a child of his piece of meat and raises his hands beyond the reach of the child, when his hands starts paining him, he will bring it down for the child to recover his possession.

One interesting aspect of law is that both parties indulge in advocacy to justify their position once a brief has been perfected no matter how spurious.

That is why lawyers never lose cases but clients do. In all fairness, if facts be relied on to determine who should be sitting on the coveted seat of Abia State Governor, Uche Ogah should be the person for reasons that I shall canvass.

Many have argued that Ogah laid an ambush for Ikpeazu by filing the case that ought to have been determined Ogah before the proper election but a quick answer is that nothing could be further reason that parties are owners of the from the truth than that. Ogah had filed mandates and any candidate flying the his case raising the issues of Ikpeazu’s flag of political parties in Nigeria does tax papers well before the conclusion so for the party. It is for this reason of the elections and therefore does not that in substitution after elections, the constitute any form of ambush. next highest scorer in convention of the Again, whoever goes to equity should party automatically steps in to represent do so with clean hands quite unlike the party in the event anything denies the practice where the criminally smart the winner of the convention the right and crooked have their way over good to continue flying the flag of the party. men. Those who have baved their This is made clearer by section fangs calling for blood against the 87(1), (2), (3) and (4) of the Electoral move for justice that will in the a long Act which makes it mandatory that term benefit the largely misruled state candidates can only emerge from of Abia may be doing so due to the primaries of parties with the highest temporary gains they are making which scorer who had met the criteria for has been the mindset that has set Abia eligibility by the said political party. centuries back. It is the “smartness” of Eligibility of a gubernatorial candidate Ikpeazu and his co-travelers that has under the platform of the PDP include landed him in the late macabre dance as he did everything legally possible to stop the determination of the case then not knowing he was postponing the evil day for himself.

Have we, including legal luminaries that have donned their argumentative caps, forgotten that Ogah wrote the petition over the tax issue in 2014 after which he filed a suit at a federal High Court which has jurisdiction over such matters as is evident in several authorities, even from pronouncements of the apex court of the land. The jurisdiction of the court was challenged up to the Supreme Court which ruled that there was substance in the petition and should be resolved on merit after trial and returned it to the Federal High Court.

The case was recommenced but Ikpeazu wrote a petition asking the trial judge to disqualify himself which he did.

The case was then reassigned to Justice Okon Abang who after trial delivered the judgement when he found the claim of Ogah to be valid. So how long shall Ikpeazu run from the truth?

The pertinent question to ask is whether tax certificate is needed as prequalification criteria for one vying for such public office as governor of a state and that is answered in the affirmative as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) guidelines provide. If the PDP guideline is recognised by the Electoral Act in the build up to proper elections, that makes the provision of its guidelines part of the process. It is still for the same

Some have spoken of Abia Charter of Equity which intention is to carry everybody along in the state so that power rotation would stand. However, you need to have a state before the charter holds water; with the level of underdevelopment, only the hegemonists are appreciating while the state is depreciating

Ikpeazu

tax certificate.

Lawyers are seen as workers in the temple of justice and have severally in judgments and workshops been told not to indulge in acts that would deny winners of cases their fruits of victory.

However, being the highest beneficiaries in conflicts, they have to justify their pay, hence the deliberate jumbling of facts to massage the eardrums of their clients. In the end, they will only make excuses to them and pocket their money.

While they smile to the bank, their clients count their loses after biting the dust.

Again, where did Ogah get the facts with which he filed the petition against Ikpeazu on the tax issue? I have heard people argue that it was forged, shopped or that it was not part of what Ikpeazu filed; then my mind runs riot if they are deliberately making truth the first casualty in this contention or that they were doing so having run out of ideas.

Ikpeazu has admitted filing the tax papers but his backers argued that it was a mistake by the tax authorities that led to the mess. Then the simple question to ask is, did he file defective claims concerning his tax papers? If yes, who is to be held accountable for filing such? On whose favour were the papers prepared? Was it not to fulfil a condition that would make him eligible to contest the governorship of Abia State under the PDP? If the claims in the papers have been proved to be fraudulent, should he not also suffer for the misdirection of the people in perceiving the kind of person he is?

When has ignorance and this time around, of the content of his declaration in a tax certificate become an excuse in law? For those organising hapless women and giving them tokens to stay under the sun to protest legal victories and pledging to die than see justice implemented, is the standard that after admitting to the false claim in tax clearance certificate, Ikpeazu should be asked to continue in office and that, even with a pat on the back?

For those arguing that Ogah did not stand election and therefore should not be allowed to rule, have they forgotten

the Rotimi Amaechi versus INEC? Have they also forgotten the principles of that judgment? It is that the party owns the mandate and that in the event of a candidate who had been presumed to have won an election being found to have been tainted, the second highest scorer in the primaries takes over the mandate of the party. With questionable tax papers, the import of the situation is that Ikpeazu was not qualified to fly the flag of PDP in the first place and cannot be governor. As the saying goes in law, you cannot stand something on nothing; so it would be taken that he never existed in the realm of a candidate of the PDP in Abia and in his absence, Ogah who was the rightful winner of the primary anyway, comes on to take over that mandate.

In the case of PPA Vs INEC Justice Abba Aji of the Supreme Court held that, “It is trite that for a nomination to be valid, it must meet statutory procedure and mere proposal of a person as its candidate in an election to INEC through a letter is insufficient and does not amount to a valid nomination“. This ruling may rightly be substituted for the Ogah Vs Ikpeazu case.

If a court of law finds that the person put forward for an election was ab initio not supposed to be so considered, what process follows the replacement of the person? Was it not to avoid a vacuum that Justice Abang on finding the tax papers of Ikpeazu to be defective which made him ineligible, ordered that the person who came second and had all his papers intact should immediately take over.

The essence of the narration so far is to bring out the fact that the case of defective tax papers of Ikpeazu was a pre-election matter which jurisdiction rests squarely on state and federal High Courts where the case was rightly taken to by Ogah and having won, should be allowed to rule the state as having made success in private business and demonstrated his feelings for the people.

To Abia people, it will take the Ogahs of this world to effect the liberation because what has been happening is that godfathers with shrunken mental map have reduced the state to the size of their brain and ego, making it impossible for the state to develop. Abia will heave a sigh of relief the day justice comes to the state in Ikpeazu being asked to vacate for Ogah to take over because it will end the rule of using the state as family business.

Before, Orji Uzor Kalu made it a family business till he fell out with Theodore Orji who has also handed the baton of his assured empire and oil well to Ikpeazu who is his puppet.

The rule is that you cannot outperform your master, so Abia should not expect development unless an independent person like Ogah takes the reign of power.

Some have spoken of Abia Charter of Equity which intention is to carry everybody along in the state so that power rotation would stand. However, you need to have a state before the charter holds water; with the level of underdevelopment, only the hegemonists are appreciating while the state is depreciating. Some of those slave masters and their children have become richer than the state from managing failed hotels.

You need to have a viable state before the charter will become attractive; let Ogah who has won ascend the throne and set the pace, then equity would be brought back on the table. Let Ogah rule Abia as he has won.

48

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • July 30, 20 16

THIS WOMAN’S WORK with ADE RONKE ; @aderonstar; ronkaf@aol.com

Our Beautiful North

‘The North is dangerous, the north is unsafe, it is oppressive to women. The North is unruly, filled with internally displaced people, Northerners are illiterate.’

These generalisations represent the various stereotypes attached to northern Nigeria. These stereotypes, through constant repetition have now become assertions. Northern Nigeria features prominently in both local and international media due to the global war on terrorism. The terrorist sect – Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to ISIS; they are responsible for many attacks on civilians in the North-east. Yet, according to the news, it would seem that terrorism is the sum total of what occurs in that region. The western and local media’s gaze and representation of the area is repetitive and therefore limited. One key omission from the stories and news reports are first hand accounts from the residents. If we examine the recent brutal killings of young African American men in America, the media coverage has been detailed and extensive. We know the names of the victims, who they left behind, how they died and a sense of who they were. In Nigeria, our coverage lacks humanism. We always read headlines such as ‘50 killed by suicide attack’. The deceased remain nameless, with no identities, just numbers.

T

he coverage of the North has been one-sided; of course it would be a fallacy to ignore the terrorist activities in the North. The key issue is to understand, investigate and ascertain if terrorism is the overriding narrative of the North. Is the media accurate in it’s representation? Is it possible that the sole narrative of such a vast and diverse region is terrorism? The North comprises of 13 of the 36 states in Nigeria, it represents over half of Nigeria’s population. Therefore, the notion that the main narrative belonging to the North, in the media, is solely violence becomes questionable. There appears to be several gaps in the representation of Northern Nigerian, there are many questions that need to be answered; what is life like in the North? What is the culture?

What are the problems? What is the root cause of the problems? These questions can only be answered by engaging the residents and seeking firsthand accounts and presenting this information through documentaries, articles, photography and various other mediums.

Luckily there is an exception, in the form of an exceptional individual called Fati Abubakar. She is a Nigerian photographer from Borno who has taken on the huge responsibility of portraying the North through focusing on the perspectives of its residents. Through her instagram account @bitsofborno, her photography has gone viral. Fati is from Borno and has lived in Maiduguri, as a resident and indigene she is representing her community. Her authenticity has struck a chord with the international press. Her photographs have been featured multiple times on BBC news, the New York Times and National Public Radio. The fact that Fati Abubakar is a woman who walks the streets of Borno and Maiduguri taking pictures already defies the stereotype that the North is unsafe or

oppressive to women. Through her work we learn more of the various narratives that concurrently exist. Even in the IDP settlements, she features individuals with various perspectives and outlooks.

Her work shows us that they are not just Northerners, they are people with names, and they are no longer statistics. Through her work we learn there is more than terrorism in Northern Nigeria, we learn there are people going about their daily lives like any other area in Nigeria or the world. There are merchants, tailors, farmers and people who are clearly facing challenging times but are resilient. The issue with the North is not to pretend that there aren’t bad things happening but is it not worse to ignore the other the elements in the area, especially the positive?

What led you to photography?

I officially started taking pictures around September 2015. But I had always loved cameras for ages. But what made me take photography seriously was the fact that I had become unhappy with the media portrayal of Borno State and I wanted to change the narrative. If you look beyond the trauma and change our images. There’s more to us than what is portrayed.

What was it like growing up in Borno?

Life before Boko haram was incredible.

We had friends, we went to school, and we had parties. We had very colourful weddings and festivals. It was very much a connected community.

What are the common misperceptions about the North?

I am very used to people talking about Africa generally as a place full of poverty and there are lots of assumptions about northern Nigeria also. We are viewed as illiterate, street children and a place where women marry at age 14. It’s a very bad

image. And with Borno, where I am from, with the insurgency people think we are all traumatised and living in Internally Displaced Camps being malnourished. The truth is, we have problems. There are lots of internally displaced people but on the other side, there are also people who have businesses, who go to school, who are living their lives. But there is no documentation of that. The media has focused on only one angle. And it is ruining our image. We run the risk of being labelled as a war-torn town with no development.

Your work is about going deeper into what is happening in Maiduguri, what are the stories that don’t reach the media?

Maiduguri in the past was a beautiful small town. We had a diverse community where we all knew our neighbours and had beautiful parties. Everyone knew and trusted each other. It was a very calm laid-back place.

But with the advent of Boko haram, it became very frightening, tense and unpredictable. It was full of paranoia. And everyone was afraid of what would happen next. And too many people lost their families. It was very tragic. But we have become almost desensitised to the happenings now. We have become more resilient and are very keen to move on.

There are too many stories in Borno. But the main focus for everyone is the refugee crisis, displacement, although they are important, they aren’t the only stories.

The mainstream media cannot see beyond that. I feel it is tragedy. We are evolving.

We are becoming more resilient but the media doesn’t highlight that. The stories of children going back to school, people learning new skills, the vigilantes, the aid workers etc. No one showcases the good things that were bore out of resilience. It doesn’t show the full picture.

Many consider your line of work as dangerous. What gives you the courage to do your work?

I don’t believe my line of work is dangerous because of the fact that I grew up here in Maiduguri; I know most of the people.

It’s a very small town. We are very well connected to one another so I don’t feel any sense of fear. I’ve thrown caution to the wind. I actually feel safer here than I do anywhere else. It’s my comfort zone. So wandering around alone has never been a problem for me. I always make sure I let people know what I am doing, where the photograph is going and why I do it. So I think it makes things easier; reassurances always work.

Apart from taking pictures of residents of Borno, what other subjects would you like to explore through photography?

I want to explore several topics. Visual storytelling is limitless and I feel I want to tell as many stories as I can artistically and also in an abstract series. As I develop and know more about art and how to contextualise the narratives, I will push the boundaries to conventional thinking.

Right now, I am learning more about art in photography and very soon, I will explore other topics using abstract methods.

What do you envision as the future for the North? Will insurgency continue?

What I envision for the North is development. We are becoming aware of the problems and everyone is offering solutions. The international and local attention has helped to some degree. I believe we will heal, rebuild, slowly but surely.

•Follow @bitsofborno on instagram and facebook to see more of Fati Abubakar’s work

49

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES BY

EBERE WABARA

Trouble Spot,Troubled Waters

N

ational Mirror of July 25 goofed: “FG seeks N921.4bn to complete 925 roads projects”All the Facts,All the Sides: 925 road projects.

“Even Dubai ran into trouble (troubled) waters in 2008-2009 when huge debt (a huge debt)

forcibly….”

“The enforcement of that sentence against a teenage mother who had just delivered is certainly regretable.” On the move: regrettable. “…the average journalist usually burns this professional flag, forgets his own humble past once he or she crosses over to the corridor of power.” Saturday People: corridors of power and this: their humble past once they….

“The government wants to dump all the dead stadia or sell them off to those who can breathe the breath of life on (into) them.”

“However, it could be useful to indicate that our research shows that the fortunes of NEXIM moved comfortably between (from) 1990 to 1992 and…”

“These terminations were made after NEXIM had undertaken screening exercise (must you add ‘exercise’?) both at home and abroad conducted series (a series) of travels, trainings (training).…”

“Trainings were held yesterday at the sports academy.” Viewpoint: ‘training’ is uncountable.

“Commissioner wants more vigilante groups” Rutam, hello: vigilance groups.

“The article was an insult on the Federal Government, the NationalAssembly and an affront on the ICPC and its competent and hardworking staff.”

Justice in service of community: an affront to (not on) the ICPC. And, of course, an insult to (not on) the FG. “For quite sometime (some time) now, the poor and deteriorating condition of public infrastructure….”

“Afew weeks ago, there was some news report (a news report) about the involvement of….” “…all the major roads in the Eastern part of the country have become pure death traps and for challenging his (President’s) non-challant attitude and doing anything positive in Igbo land.” Get it right: nonchalant.

“Clinton, North Korea Minister hold talks” ForeignAffairs: North Korean Minster. “…there have been series of polemical attacks of (on) the commission and its activities by an obscure and often fictitious section of the public.” This way: a (take note) series of polemical attacks.

“The president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces also addressed the nation same

evening.” Get it right: the same evening.

“INEC apologizes over abortedAPC convention” To live in truth is to serve: apologies for something or to somebody.

“The almost impassible (impassable) roads accentuate the usual hectic traffic of motorists, making business transactions in Lagos a herculean task.” “…robbers who held residents and commuters to ransome for hours….” Spell-check: ransom.

“I doff my hat for…” The right mix: I take off or doff my hat to (not for).

“Out of a lawyers’ population estimated at about 20,000, only five females have been opportuned (opportune) to adorn the silk.”

“This is another scintillating edition for the matured (mature) mind.”

“Preponderant of the views aired by the people centre around issues like corruption, unemployment….” Running a true federation: Preponderance…centres….

“Benue assures on abandoned project” Just tell readers who the state assured.

“Arecent report on food related (a hyphen) ailments show (shows) that in many parts of the world….” “Unfortunately, however, I, and many other Nigerians have been infuriated by our servants….” In pursuit of linguistic orderliness: many other Nigerians and I. The concept of the cart and the horse applies to language usage, too.

“But all our future blessing would be achieved through waiting in the Lord.” If you are after God’s heart, you wait on, not in, the Lord.

“Before embarking on the strike action….” You can as well embark on the ‘strike inaction’!

“It was as though both informants were mischievous people who had an affinity in (for) discrediting the preacher.”

“The vigilante group visited instant judgment on the thief and sent him to the great beyond.” In the name of excellence: vigilance group.

“Sixteen people were killed and two others seriously injured in a ghastly (fatal) accident which occurred along (on) the Bauch-Auchi road on Saturday.” If there were casualties, it follows that it was a fatal, not a ghastly, accident. The mishap did not drag along the road, but occurred at a spot on the road.

“Some of the despotic regimes thrown up in (on) the continent did worse things than was experienced under colonialism.”

“Aweekly magazine took a professional risk and charged the speaker for (with) forgery.” “...the same-day election being proposed by the senate as part of the antidote for….” This way: antidote to….

“Calls (on the same quarter page) for Ekiti poly (Poly) rector’s sack unreasonable, says CSOs” Why the disagreement?

“Egypt (Egyptian) court acquits ex-oil minister of corruption charges” “Who wins (win) Kogi senatorial seats?”Asenator is entitled to only a seat!

“The Board and Management of Niger Delta Power Holding Company invites (invite) the world to the official commissioning (auspication/inauguration) of the 750 megawatts….”

“Cameroon (Cameroonian) troops recover Nigerian armoured carrier from sect” “Sanusi, the man at the centre of the melodrama, had, in September 2013, written (written to) President Goodluck Jonathan alleging that….”

THE GUARDIAN of July 26 contributed just one impropriety: “Role of meter testing (meter-testing) equipment” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of July 25 comes next: “APC flag (standard) bearer says PDP’s desperation frightening for Nigeria” “Boko Haram failure of govt, says Catholic Bishops” Why the slip? Yet another slip-up: ”Ondo APC chieftains condemns attack on Buhari” “After the mudslinging and other inanities that have characterized electioneering campaigns in the last few weeks….” (THE NATION ON SUNDAY COMMENT, February 1) ‘Electioneering’ and ‘campaign’ cannot co-function.

“Crocodile tears for late (the late) coach….”

“Odo: Where masquerades (masqueraders) celebrate love” ‘Masquerade’ is the mask/effigy worn by masqueraders.

“Eye catching (Eye-catching) brights (sic)” “Microsoft launches internet user friendly (userfriendly) phone” “His joy was shattered by a distressed (distress) call informing him that the dutiful PRO of the university…died in an auto crash few (a few) minutes after he left the school for his home in Ogun State.”

“Second hand (Second-hand) clothes business boom (booms) in Ilorin Sunday Market” “Why people patronize second hand (sic) clothings” ‘Clothing’ is uncountable.

“Nissan reinvents X-Trail SUV with family oriented (family-oriented) values” “Happy 45th BirthdayAnniversary to my mentor” ‘Birthday’ and ‘anniversary’ cannot co-exist because ‘anniversary’ is otiose in that phrase.

“Truck load (Truck-load) of Cheers” “Oil price drops below $50 per barrel,, in over five year (five-year) low” “Taking a journey into theAbia State governorship election campaigns…reckons that theAbia electorate

Audacity of the Fulani Cattle

T

he title of this piece easily adverts literary minds to two powerful works: Barrack Obama’s inspiring biography ‘Audacity of Hope’ and John Pepper Clark’s classic poem ‘The Fulani Cattle.’

But unlike the disparate themes addressed in both literatures, the topic of discourse speaks to a hybrid cohabitation of sorts rocking the animal kingdom of man in Nigeria.

What do I mean? Think about this: it can only be in an animal kingdom that cattle can become more important than man by deliberate design of fellow man. It can only be in a society where law and order have taken a prolonged flight that herdsmen can displace farmlands and destroy communities for cattle to have right of way and grass to graze. And of course, it can only be in cities conquered by conspiratorial council leaderships that cows displace cars in downtown tarred roads. But it gets even worse.

The audacity of the Fulani cattle has left sorrow, tears and blood in several hamlets, towns and communities across Nigeria. I do not refer to the type considered in Clark’s Ode which innocently and stoically strolls to the slaughter to become beef on the dinner table. The focus here is the breed of herd goaded by gangster herdsmen hunched in unholy effrontery.

These rifle-bearing cattle escorts maim and kill at the slightest provocation of a challenge by indigenous people who simply want to live and be allowed to stay in their space. This is the audacity of hopelessness championed by today’s herdsman using the cattle as an unfortunate front of his devilish affront of spreading misery in the land. From up North through the Benue trough, the trend of the herdsmen’s rampage has left many questions unanswered: Why the sudden resurgence in farmers/herdsmen conflict? Why is the itinerant herder now so emboldened to the point of daringly destructive? Why are the faces behind the masks now so strong enough to dictate policy solutions that address only a part of the problems? Why is the security system unable or unwilling to apprehend the ugly trend of deadly attacks? Why is the rampage seemingly targeted at some parts of the country? And why are those who should speak up in condemnation and consolation mute in the face of debilitating pillage?

Sadly, the attacks have not only intensified but in some cases there have been repeat performances in same places within short time frames. It is more worrisome when reports are made of some of these dare-devil destructions in spite of alerts and

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Twitter: @resourceme

Buhari

early warning signs to security agencies. From Nimbo in Enugu to Agatu in Benue; from Bosso in Plateau to Kwale in Delta, it has been scenes of wailing wailers as hapless and helpless inhabitants lose limbs, lives and livelihoods.

The situation in Benue is particularly pathetic as the marauding herdsmen seem to have perfected a systematic decimation scheme stretching from one community to the other. Hundreds of people have died from the attacks with many more injured just as thousands remain displaced from their ancestral homes and suddenly made refugees seeking shelter in dilapidated school buildings of nearby towns and villages. In the wake of the atrocious Agatu killings, the United Nations had painted a

appears (appear) wiser now.”

“Buhari’s grouse with (about) senior citizens” “Reps in last minute (last-minute) move to….”

(THE GUARDIAN, July 25) “African economies have great potentials (potential or potentialities) to build on their demographic dynamism, rapid urbanization and natural resources assts.”

“Why we can’t continue display of voter’s (voters’) cards at polling units, by INEC” “Worries over incessant fire outbreaks” Just fires—no need for outbreaks.

“The post election (post-election) petrol price increase (1)” “Ascendancy of social media in build up (build-up) to US elections” “Achieving balance in work ethics (ethic), industrial harmony” “Presidential declaration: My take away (takeaway)” “Investing into (in) toothpicks manufacturing and packaging business” “Police disrupts (why?)APC rally inAkure with teargas” “President’s convoy trapped, heavy causalities (casualties) recorded” “Day Egba in Minna rolled out drums to celebrate 50 (50th)Anniversary” “Rags to riches (Rags-to-riches) story of university proprietor” “FG commended over (for) rice value chain” “Pensioners demand payment of 29 months (months’) arrears” The last three errors this week are from THE NATION ON SUNDAY of July 25: “Assemblies of God sets (set) for great awakening” “Apostolic Church commissions (inaugurates) road, building” “Beckham watches son takes (take) on Liverpool youngsters” The wages of spiritual ungrammaticality is journalistic death!

ONCE more, corrections in this column are mostly in brackets immediately after the wrong word or expression—excluding, of course, the attributions, emphases and elucidations.

FEEDBACK

wPLEASE note that “evidence” is both countable and uncountable, but, in a law case, we correctly say or write: a piece of evidence/ pieces of evidence, some evidence/enough evidence/a mass of evidence, etc. We cannot afford to have the mediocre. The mediocre cannot teach/communicate is correct. “Reoccur”, like “reoccurrence”, is Americanism, “bus station” is Briticism while “motor park” is Nigerianism. “Host-guest” is Briticism while “invitor-invitee” is Americanism. Usage is king. (BAYO OGUNTUNASE, 08056180046)

very grim picture of the human displacement and destruction of communities resulting in a humanitarian crisis. Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mrs. Angele Dikongue Atangana, had described the level of catastrophe in the Benue community as the worst she had seen in her career. “In my 20 years of working as a humanitarian, I have never seen such a level of destruction. If steps are not taken, the crises can affect the country as a whole,” she had said. But the UN official only corroborated what former Senate President, David Mark, whose kith and kin had been worst hit by the attacks, described as a genocide against the Agatu people.

It is bizarre that these wanton waste of generations have gone on unchallenged by federal authorities whose feeble and often belated assurances to prevent reoccurrences have done very little to ameliorate the trend. It seems one successfully executed pogrom provides the tonic for the next big raid on a nearby neighbourhood. And so the ugly beat goes on and on; magnified by the loud silence of national authorities in the face of horrifying bestiality.

A silence matched only by the eerie speed with which condolence messages are issued when terror strikes in (Western) Germany, Brussels and Nice. Even if charity must begin abroad, must the homestead stay desolate and remain untended amidst the dying, despair and anguish?

Such insolent indifference to the plight of victims of herdsmen attacks leaves much to be desired by today’s men of power in Abuja who have had to be railroaded into half-hearted reactions that fail to inspire confidence in a bewildered citizenry. It will be recalled how President Buhari was virtually arm-twisted to issue a belated statement through his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, vowing to act on the outcome of a promised investigation that never was. After expressing shock at the reprehensible killing of innocent souls in Agatu, the President said: “We will act immediately. We will conduct an investigation to know exactly what happened. The only way to bring an end to the violence once and for all is to look beyond one incident and ascertain exactly what factors are behind the conflicts. Once the investigations are concluded, we will act immediately to address the root of the problem.” That was five months ago. Nothing was heard of any investigation neither has there been any coherent and consistent attempt to stem the tide.

––Follow writer on Twitter @resourceme Readers can continued online www.thisdaylive.com

50

SATURDAY JULY 30, 2016 T H I S D AY

51

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Nigeria’s Third Mahdi and the Last of the Amalekite Kings Femi Fani-Kayode

F

orgive me for my curious silence over the last few months but this was due to circumstances beyond my control. As you know I was locked up in President Muhammadu Buhari’s gulag and I was not allowed to write from there.

Needless to say I missed all my readers. I have chosen to share my views about our nation today because I am aware of the fact that President Buhari has not finished with me yet and I may be picked up and thrown into detention on other trumped up charges very soon. This government will do and say anything to silence my voice but they shall not prevail.

Whatever the case my safety, life and future lies in the hands of God and not theirs.

Despite the obvious dangers and various warnings that I have received from both my persecutors and well-wishers I shall continue to write as long as God gives me life and liberty. It is not what happens to me that matters but rather what happens to Nigeria and the millions of ordinary people that are suffering in our country from the daily oppression of our modern-day slave masters. That aside, permit me to share my views.

A couple of weeks ago, a 73 year old Christian grandmother was beheaded in Kano because she asked some Muslims to stop washing their feet in front of her door before their prayers. A few days later, a female pastor of the Redeemed Church of God was hacked to pieces by a mob in the Kubwa district of Abuja simply for doing her morning cry of evangelism and urging the people to give their lives to Christ.

Not too long after that, 200 Muslim youths burnt a Catholic Church and attacked worshippers in Niger State claiming that they had no right to go to church on a Friday because it was the Muslim day of worship.

Fani-Kayode A few days later, a Christian traditional ruler in Plateau state was matcheted to death by a group of suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Such attacks are now common place in our country and they are no longer isolated events. Worse still, cases of institutional racism and religious bigotry are on the rise because our government appears to be encouraging it. Permit me to share one example.

During my prolonged detention at the EFCC, a group of cell mates were conducting an all-night Christian prayer. All of a sudden, the cell guards burst in and screamed at them saying that this “nonsense” must stop and they must go to sleep immediately. The inmates complied sheepishly out of fear and the prayers stopped. It was 1a.m. I was in the opposite set of cells but I heard all the noise

and warnings of the guards.

I sent for one of them and I asked him why he stopped the inmates from doing an all-night prayer. His response was that it was EFCC’s policy because the prayers were too loud and they may be planning an escape. I told him that all he had to do was to ask them to lower their voices.

And that God and prayer was all they had.

I also told him that if the inmates that were praying were Muslims, he would not have ordered them to stop. He stormed off in anger.

The EFCC has become a tool of oppression to crush dissent and silence the opposition.

This assertion is confirmed by the fact that 98 per cent of those that are detained by the EFCC for 2 days or more are southerners and middle belters whilst 98 per cent of those that run the agency at the top are from the core Muslim north. Worse still, the lingua franca of the agency is Hausa whilst the overwhelming majority of detainees are Christians both in Lagos and Abuja. Core northern detainees are treated like royalty whilst Middle Belt and southern inmates are treated like filth. Just as the Nigerian military was an institution that was designed and used to suppress and intimidate all the so-called lesser ethnic groups in Nigeria between July 29th 1966 and May 29th 1999, so it was with the EFCC today.

That is how emboldened the hegemonists in our midst have become and that is the level of barbarity that we have descended to as a nation.

Yet, it gets even worse. Just a few weeks ago, the Minister of Internal Affairs told a bewildered nation that the Sultan of Sokoto (the leader of the Muslim community in Nigeria) “directed” him to declare a particular day of the week a public holiday. Without any hesitation, he complied with dispatch and, with pride, he announced it to the public.

Welcome to the Islamic Republic of Nigeria where the caliphate rules.

Is it any wonder that every single one of the

numerous security and intelligence agencies in our country except for one is headed by a northerner?

Be it the army, the navy, the air force, the police, the Department of State Security (DSS), the EFCC, the National Securiry A’dvisor’s Office or the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), they are all headed by individuals that are from the north.

The only exception to the rule is the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), the agency which is responsible for external intelligence and international espionage and which is headed by a southerner.

Can such a state of affairs be justified under any circumstances? Are southerners and Christians not Nigerians as well? Are they not qualified to head more security agencies?

Does the concept of Federal Character have any meaning in President Buhari’s Nigeria?

For how much longer will our people tolerate such reckless impunity, racism and injustice from those who believe that they are the Boers and supremacists of what is fast turning into apartheid-Nigeria?

My father’s generation fought the battle for independence from our erstwhile British colonial masters. It was indeed my father, Chief Remilekun Fani-Kayode, that succesfully moved the motion for Nigeria’s independence in Parliament in 1958.

The battle that must be fought today by my generation is the battle for independence from the sons of Futa Jalon: our internal colonial masters who are relentless in their quest to subjugate and enslave others and who believe that they were born to rule.

Consequently the prayer is no longer “God defend Nigeria” but rather “God restructure Nigeria”. It is no longer “God deliver Nigeria” but rather “God deliver us from Nigeria”.

It is no longer “God preserve Nigeria” but rather “God redefine Nigeria”.

Read full article online: www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

POLITY

5 Million Farmers to Benefit from 2016 GES-Cellulant

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he Deputy Chief of Party, Cellulant Nigeria limited, Gbenga Owolabi has said 5 million Nigerian farmers would benefit from the 2016 federal government’s Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) Programme.

He said the GES is in support of the dry season farming to help arrest the shortfall in the present food shortage in Nigerian.

Owolabi, who made the revelation at the Agro dealers stakeholders forum which held in Abuja recently said the forthcom-

ing GES would not be like that of the past which was not only challenged by the agro dealers but others across the value chain.

“It is not in the interest of Cellulant to punish agro dealers, but we should all understand that we are facing crises in the economy right now. Farmers in the past two years have not benefitted from the GES, “For us in Cellulant, we noticed some challenges in the last GES programme and we are trying our possible best to make sure that such do not occur again.”

He noted that while challenges from the last GES were not only caused by the Agro dealers, the 2016 GES will not be like that of 2014 as there will be nothing like offline anymore, “Every farmer must have a phone number so as to enable us link the Identity of the farmers to a phone number, there is no way a farmer cannot afford N100 to buy a SIM,” he said He added that the 2014 GES was challenged by the supply of low yielding seeds by some agro dealers and as well as lack of phones.

Also speaking, the National Chairman, Growth Enhancement Scheme Agro Dealers Association of Nigeria (GESAAN), Alhaji Kabiru Umar Fara called on the federal government to balance the payment of N41 billion still owed to the agro dealers since 2014.

“Our major challenge and concern is that the federal government should pay us and look for money from the states government, because the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was between the federal and states government.”

GOtvTo Launch New Shows In August

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Otv subscribers will, in August, have access to fresh and appealing content.

As football fans look forward to the return of the Premier League and the Spanish La Liga football seasons, telenovelas fans can also look forward to the launch of new shows. So can children, who will be served a variety of interesting and educative content.

New telenovelas will be launched on both Telemundo and Zee World. From Monday, 1 August, the story of Eva Soler in the new telenovela, All Roads Leads to Love, showing on Telemundo, will be available at 4:10pm.

King of Hearts and Forbidden Love will similarly launch on Zee World. Kids can learn the rules of the different Olympics sports through the weekday show, Discover The Olympics, on Jim Jam. Harvey Beaks, showing weekdays on Nickelodeon, will start on 1 August. Disney Junior and Discovery Family also have educative programmes for kids.

On the impressive August line-up, Efe Obiomah, GOtv Public Relations Manager,

said: “We understand August is a big month for sports lovers, but because GOtv caters to a wide audience, we provide all our subscribers something appealing to their different needs. So, while the men are happy the football season is back, the women can also look forward to watching their favorite telenovelas and soaps as the children can get the best of holiday programmes from the kiddies’ channels.

On GOtv, there is something special for everyone.

She further explained that fans of the Premier League, which kicks off 13 August and the La Liga, which starts six days later, can watch select live matches from both leagues.

“They will also be able to enjoy more football, boxing, basketball, gymnastics and weightlifting in the Rio 2016 Olympics, which starts on Friday, 5 August and will also air on GOtv. Sports lovers are in for a great thrill in the month of August,” she concluded

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Chairman, Local Organising Committee, 2016 Eko 2016 Annual Conference of Society for the Study of Pain, Nigeria, Dr. Olusola Idowu; Guest Speaker, Dr. Olufemi Adelowo; Chief Consultant and School of Anesthetic Studies, Comdr. Niyi Oladapo; National President, Society for the Study of Pain, Nigeria, Prof. Folayemi Faponle; and Consultant Physiotherapist, OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, Prof. Mathew Olaogun, during at the 19th Eko 2016 Annual Conference of Society for the Study of Pain, Nigeria at Lagos State Teaching Hospital, (LASTH) Lagos ...recently KOLAWOLE ALLI

L-R: Principal, Alder Consulting, Mr. Leke Alder; Dean, Trinity Leadership School, Pastor Bayo Rotimi ; CEO, House of Tara, Mrs. Tara Fela Durotoye ; Senior Pastor, Trinity House ,Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; and Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Lagos Business School, Mr. Peter Bamkole, at the Trinity Leadership School Youth Entrepreneurship Seminar tagged, ‘Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leader’, held at Trinity House Church in Lagos.. recently

Chukwuebuka Brian Ufere, 20 year old son of Chief and Chief (Mrs) Kingsley Ufere graduated with a first class honours degree in Accounting from Babcock University. Chukwuebuka also cleared his ICAN papers thus making him one of the youngest accountant in Nigeria

L-R: United Kingdom Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Hon, John Howell; Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc and Guest Speaker, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh and the President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Prince Dapo Adelegan, during a breakfast meeting by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, in Lagos...recently KOLA OLASUPO

L-R: General Manager, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Mr. Michael Anusa; Deputy Trade Commissioner (JETRO Lagos), Mr. Takashi Sekine; Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Opeleye Oluwatosin and the Head Marketing and Data Development, Mrs. Azuka Ikejiofor, during a joint seminar on food exhibition by NEPC and JETRO in Lagos ...recently KOLA OLASUPO

53

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

MEMOIRS Emma Ezeliora

Being 70 Gives a Feeling I Cannot Explain Confident, hard-working and courageous, Chief Emmanuel Ezeliora, is one of the famous engineers in Onitsha to have hailed from Nanka, Anambra State. He has visited so many countries across the globe in the course of his business. Not only that, he sits atop an automobile repair conglomerate in the East. In this interview with Oge Ezeliora, he shares his life experiences as he celebrates his 70th birthday I Am not Happy that None of my Kids is Taking after Me

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ou just clocked 70. How does it feel celebrating your birthday?

I feel so great, excited and I am rejoicing with my family on my 70th birthday.

I thank God almighty that I am among the living. Yes, it is not easy to be 70 years. When I look at where I started, where I am from, the success, problems I encountered in life, my age mates that have passed away and all I have been through, I have no course than to give God the Glory. It is not easy. Yet I am still strong. My brain is still functioning well. I am not weak. Do you know I still go to the office? Yes, I still work in my office but not like I used to do in the past. Nobody helped me to get to where I am. I thank God for keeping me alive to witness today’s celebration with my children, grand children, brothers and friends all surrounding me. I praise him. My life at 70 is a testimony.

At 70, what has kept you going?

With modesty, I bless God for sparing my life to attain the age of 70. I don’t have any secret to good health and contentment. Life is full of challenges, ups and downs, but if you are happy with your situation you tend to live longer. At 70, I can say I have seen it all. I have travelled everywhere all over the world. Just name it. In 1984, I travelled to London, from London to United State of America and in 1990, I have travelled to Germany. I have also travel to Bologna in Italy and other countries. I have slept in the best hotels and flown with the best airlines. But the lesson really is that pedigree shouldn’t been an impediment not to aim high. Again, when God has interest in your life, things would work out in your favour. In addition, whatever God wants you to do; He will do it even if you are the poorest man in the world. In my case, I can see the hand of God in my life per second. I am a lucky man if you ask me; I have a good marriage, I have wonderful children who all graduates and who, by the grace of God, have responded to training. I have a good health. Overall, I am a happy man because all that I need my God has provided them.

Can you take us through your background?

I was born 25 July 1946 in Sapele, Delta State.

I am the Chief Executive Officer, of Emagina Technical Limited, Emmanco Automobile Electrical Company and Managing Director, Emagina Group of Companies. I started school in my village before I was adopted by a teacher in Sapele, Delta State, where I continued my education to standard 6 in 1962. I returned to my hometown in Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. In 1963, I was taking to training centre to study auto electrical and while working there, the war broke out, so I relocated to Ekwulobia in present day Anambra State, which was close to my hometown. In 1967, I was the commander in the then Biafra Air force. Though, I went for air force training at Ozara-Ngbaenu in Imo State before attending another air force training at the Air force Headquarters in Orlu town in Imo State. I became the chief auto electrician of the Biafra Air force and the Commandant. I worked so hard for the Biafra air force until the war was over. Then I settled in Ekwuluobia in Anambra State between 1970 and 1972 before relocating to Onitsha to establish my company

called Emmanco Automobile Electricians. I got married in 1976.

One day, someone came to my company and encouraged me to go into air-conditioner repairs that in the next few years all cars imported into Nigeria will be fully air-conditioned. I keyed into the idea remembering that it works with wire and I am an expert in auto wiring works. I brought the parts, took my time to study it and started working on it. I visited a company in Port-Harcourt then called Entranco which was manufacturing car ACs to study how to repair ACs in 1979. I became expert in it.

I bought my first car in 1978 and I also brought a brand new 504 in 1980 and installed AC in it. People saw it and liked it and also called for it. I taught my staff how to repair car AC and trained so many people who are successful today.

Where did you derive the name Emagina?

It is the abbreviation of my name and my wife’s name; though that was the name on our wedding invitation. The name was introduced when I expanded my company and I decided to establish a business venture in the same compound where I have my company for my wife and instead of calling it another name, I took Emagina and that is how Emagina Technical Limited came about.

Aside automobile repairs, what else do you do in your company?

It is a big company and we specialise in so many things. We are into cooling van delivery services all over the country; we install and repair air-conditioner units; refrigerators and we are into auto electrical works and services.

As far as the east is concerned, we are known for good services and we are the best.

At 70, what are some of your achievements in life?

If you talk about properties, I cannot start to count. I have landed properties in surplus. I have houses in my hometown and other cities.

Presently I am still building more. What gives me joy as one of my achievements in life is my members of my staff that have made it in life.

Those that have become successful. The people I have helped in the past that have become so wealthy today. Anytime I visit them, because I am still in good touch with them, and I see their achievements in life, I am always delighted.

Today, they are so rich. Anytime they visit me from different places to tell me some of their achievements in life and they are still doing the job I taught them, I am happy.

Do you have any regret in life?

Well, I will not call it regret in life because all things work out for those that believe in it. I am not happy that none of my children took after my job. They all choose different professions.

Today; they are all in different states working with their families. I have a pharmacist, banker, oil and gas engineer and businessmen. But none of children agreed to continue where I stopped.

I thought one of them would go into what I am presently doing. Bring in new ideas and elevate the company or extend it to other states in Nigeria even outside country. But they never showed interest in it. I remember when my company went down due to financial meltdown, I was so broke. I started borrowing and I became sick that led to stroke because I was thinking of my children’s education; how will they survive?

Papa Ezeliora and wife

They were all in higher institutions then. But I thank God for everything. God sent helpers from nowhere and we survived.

What is your driving force?

I have values that motivate me and strengthen me such that I don’t do things in hurry because other people are doing them.

That way, I am myself without fear or favour. I am not motivated or depressed by currency. For some years, I declined some jobs because I did not want to over-stressed myself. I’ve survived and survived through expertise. As an expert, you will survive in business.

How does it feel being a grandfather?

Great. The joy of a granddad is one of the greatest joys of all. I did not understand it until I had one. Today, I have five grandchildren and I know by the special grace of God more are still coming. I remember when my first granddaughter, Chidera, was born. I couldn’t take my mind off the feeling until my first daughter, Adaobi said, daddy, I am still your daughter. I said, yes I know, but she is my first granddaughter. Sincerely, the feeling was inexplicable.

In what ways can entrepreneurs achieve self-reliance?

They must be passionate about what they are doing, have a very good budget for balancing

finances and be hard working.

What is your relationship with your wife especially now that you are 70 years old?

She is like my sister. We have been married for so many years and we understand each other.

I am happy I married my friend because she is very prayerful and she understands the true meaning of love. Friends introduced us and we got to like ourselves. I proposed to her, she accepted we got married and today she is the mother of my children.

How is the journey so far?

I thank God for everything. She is one person that allows me to be myself and what I want to be. There is nothing else I want in a wife that she do not possess. She is a true sister and a wonderful partner to me.

Does your wife see you as being romantic?

Based on your assessment, no. But I am very sure that I keep her sufficiently entertained for her to have remained with me for more than 40 years.

What is your best food?

I like rice and bean but if they prepare a lovely soup and wheat, I can eat as 3-course meal a day.

54

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 30, 2016

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Kunle Afolayan

When Kunle Afolayan ‘Steals’ Soul of “Exam” to Create “The CEO” With the recent premiere of Kunle Afolayan’s “The CEO”, Adedayo Adejobi explores the movie’s structures and contexts

G

ood films they say are treasures that collectively serve as a dictionary for one’s life. For this reason and more, the human mind is naturally careful about the kind of films it consumes. Therefore, uncommon films make up the ideal filmmaker’s dictionary.

Two years ago, Kunle Afolayan’s “October 1” movie was embraced and celebrated by critics and fans alike. The Nigerian viewing audience was overjoyed to see something “new, fresh and authentic.”

This year, I went through my film library, brought out and watched again an old film. It was then that it dawned on me that Kunle Afolayan and his widely celebrated script writer, Tunde Babalola, are not exactly who they claim to be.

Have you heard of or seen “Perfume: Story of a Murderer”? This is the soul, thrust and impulse behind “October 1.” Without the movie there wouldn’t, most likely, have been any “October 1.” In fact, some of the directing techniques, use of lighting, and cinematographic styles of Afolayan’s movie stemmed from “Perfume”, a 2006 movie. It appeared the latter was copied from the former.

For the purpose of driving home the point, reviewing in brief, – Perfume: Story of a Murderer as Directed by Tom Tykwer and cowritten by Tom Tykwer, Bernd Eichinger, Andrew Birkin and Caroline Thompson – is a drama, mystery and suspense-filled and terrifying story of murder and obsession set in 18th-Century France.

Jean-Baptiste Grenouille has a unique talent for discerning the scents and smells that swirl around him, which he uses to create the world’s finest perfumes. Strangely lacking any scent of his own, he becomes obsessed with capturing the irresistible but elusive aroma of young womanhood.As Grenouille’s obsession turns deadly, 12 young girls are found murdered. Panic breaks out as people rush to protect their daughters, while an unrepentant and unrelenting Grenouille still lacks the final ingredient to complete his quest.

Not only does “Perfume” seem impossible to film, it must have been almost impossible for Patrick Suskind to write. How do you describe the ineffable enigma of a scent in words, or Sean Barrett, who snuffles and sniffles his way to greatness and you almost believe he is inhaling bliss, or the essence of a stone?

The movie tells the tale of Grenouille who grows up as a tanner, voluptuously inhaling the world’s smells, and eventually talks himself into an apprenticeship with Baldini (Dustin Hoffman), a master perfumer, now past his prime, whose shop is on an overcrowded medieval bridge on the Seine. Mention of the bridge evokes the genius with which director Tom Tykwer (“Run Lola Run”) evokes a medieval world of gross vices, all-pervading stinks and crude appetites. In this world, perfume is like the passage of an angel some people think, literally. Grenouille effortlessly invents perfect perfumes, but his ambition runs deeper; he wants to distill the essence of copper, stone and beauty itself. In pursuit of this last ideal, he becomes a gruesome murderer.

“Perfume” begins in the stink of the gutter and remains dark and brooding. To rob a person of his scent is cruel enough, but the way it is done in this story is truly macabre. Still it can be said that Grenouille is driven by the conditions of his life and the nature of his spirit. Also, of course, that he may indeed be the devil’s spawn. This is a dark film, focused on an obsession so complete and lonely it shuts out all other human experience. You may not savour it, but you will not stop watching it, in horror and fascination.

There is nothing fun about the story, except the way it ventures so fearlessly down one limited, terrifying, seductive dead end, and finds there a solution both sublime and horrifying. It took imagination to tell

L-R: Arthur Dieffenthaler, Commercial Manager, Air France KLM, Grammy Award winning artiste, Angélique Kidjo, ace filmmaker Tunde Kelani, and Kunle Afolayan during a press conference on Afolayan’s new movie, The CEO it, courage to film it, thought to act it, and from the audience it requires a brave curiosity about the peculiarity of obsession.

One would assume and expect, like the writer, they would instinctively possess strong appetites for uncommon films, but it seems the duo have learned, understood and have mastered the art and business of creatively stealing souls of some of our treasured films. Film critics, who place value on authenticity and creativity at its best, articulate that is not all. Another trailer of Kunle Afolayan’s new film, “The CEO”, which is being premiered in Nigerian cinemas tomorrow, plays to the writer and other observant minds, like the German film, “Exam” which was released in 2009.

From a business perspective, it may not be best fitting to assert that Kunle Afolayan copied those two films, “Perfume...” and “Exam,” words for words, actions for actions, props for props, and sets for sets.

But, without sounding hard, wicked nor mean-spirited and no pun intended, Kunle Afolayan no doubt did a remarkable job of establishing that he took the souls of those movies and hypocritically dressed them in Nigerian robes.

Reviewing “Exam”, a German film released in 2009, directed by Stuart Hazeldine and written by Stuart Hazeldine, Simon Garrity with a rather simple plot, eight talented candidates have reached the final stage of selection to join the ranks of a mysterious and powerful corporation.

Entering a windowless room, an Invigilator gives them eighty minutes to answer one simple question. He outlines three rules they must obey or be disqualified: don’t talk to him or the armed guard by the door, don’t spoil their papers and don’t leave the room. He starts the clock and leaves. The candidates turn over their question papers, only to find they are completely blank. After the initial confusion has subsided, one frustrated candidate writes ‘I believe I deserve…,’ and is promptly ejected for spoiling.

The remaining candidates soon figure out they are permitted to talk to each other, and they agree to cooperate in order to figure out the question: then they can compete to answer it. At first they suspect the question may be hidden in their papers like a security marker in a credit card, and they figure out ways to change their environment to expose the hidden words. But light, liquids and other plans all come to naught. Soon enough, the candidates begin to uncover each other’s background, prejudices and hidden agendas.

Tensions rise as the clock steadily descends towards zero, and each candidate must decide how far they are willing to go to secure the ultimate job.

Exam which has gained a lot of steam is not an entirely new movie for those who have seen Cube and Fermat’s Room, but it is one of those few movies that really strike a responsive chord with the writer. I like watching movies where you are one of the cast members trying to find the answer. The writer thinks that a lot of people are like that as well, and if you are one of the people who are like that, I am very curious to see what you think of Exam. It comes highly recommended by me.

It’s a situation movie, meaning the camera stays in one room for the majority of the movie; not only does this create a need for great writing, it also allows an independent movie maker to keep the budget low without compromising the quality of the film.

One hopes the next treasured movie soul Kunle Afolayan and Tunde Babalola would be copying won’t be “The Shawshank Redemption,” a 1995 movie that may make one taste salty tears from one’s eyes.

Lest I forget, “Exam” didn’t make it into my dictionary. Its intrigues eventually became too pedestrian. So, what could have excited Kunle and his scriptwriter to also copy the soul of “Exam” for creating “The CEO”? Words on the street have it that he is a down low, with different tales behind it. Like his plagiarized October 1, he was sexually violated by a close relative as a growing up child in his father’s house.

And another says that he picked it up as a survival racket in the US. Whatever he does in the closet does not really call for scrutiny but his works could do with a little depth and originality.

But why would the ilk of Afolayan go to the bank to borrow N50 million to fund a story that was largely a copycat and turned it into his own movie? The inquiry into Afolayan’s two recently most viewed and acclaimed movies raise questions as to the dearth of creative talents in Nigeria.

Most crucial is the question – are there no creative minds, storytellers in Nigeria again? If there are, how come foreign story lines are copied instead of telling the African or Nigerian stories? Are they saying the African, Nigerian narrative can never be authentic and creative? Must Nigerians be confined to the whims and caprices of how the western world thinks of the black race? If not, the ilk of Kunle Afolayan need to rethink their trade.

ROAD SAFETY

Oyeyemi Advocates Establishment ofTyre Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria

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Bennett Oghifo

he Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi has advocated for the establishment of tyre manufacturing of tyres in the country to ensure standardisation and adaptation to the nation’s environment.

Oyeyemi stated this, yesterday, at the maiden training workshop of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association where he was special guest of honour.

He said it was counterproductive for the country with 12 million vehicles and 16 auto assembly plants not to have a tyre manufacturing company.

He added that tyres were manufactured to fit the environment where they are meant to be used, adding that it was unfortunate

that most Nigerians use tyres that were produced to suit winter season, as well as use tyres designed for agriculture vehicles.

These tyres, he said would not function properly and would definitely blow out when used in the nation’s environment. “We need to have tyres manufactured in Nigeria for our environment. It is not about new tyres but about the right tyres. If we can source our tyres locally, it will be cheaper and safer.”

Regardless, he said people who buy substandard and expired tyres would have their vehicles impounded and made to purchase the right tyres before their vehicles are released, adding that there would be no fines.

The same treatment, he said would be meted to owners of vehicles without the necessary accessories like fire extinguishers, C-caution, among others.

Oyeyemi, however, said there was too much pressure on the

nation’s roads, saying that there was need to develop effective intermodal transport system.

He said tankers bearing petroleum products ought not to spend long hours on the road as they did presently, adding that most of the vehicles, over 80 per cent, were not road worthy in the first instance.

He said the development of rail system in the country was a welcome development, particularly the Abuja-Kaduna rail and the proposed Lagos-Calabar rail, stating that these would take pressure off the roads.

He urged states to invest in high-capacity buses for mass transit within cities to reduce pressure on the roads and ensure safe driving. The Corps Marshall advised members of the public not to pay more than the stipulated N6,350 for a three-year drivers licence and N10,350 for five-year licence.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULy 30, 2016

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newsXTRA

NERC Appeals Court’s Decision Voiding Hike in Electricity Tariff Akinwale Akintunde

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has filed a Notice of Appeal against the Judgment of a Federal High Court in Lagos, which voided its prerogative to increase or regulate electricity tariffs in Nigeria.

Justice Mohammed Idris in his judgment delivered on July 13, 2016 declared as null and void any hike in electricity tariff that did not comply with the provisions of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2004.

The judge declared the decision of the defendants to embark on electricity tariff hike as hasty and ordered immediate reversal to the status quo.

He also awarded a cost of

N50,000 against the respondents in favour of the plaintiff in the suit.

The suit was filed last year May by a Lagos-based lawyer, Toluwani Adebiyi, following announcement of proposed electricity tariff hike by the then Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi.

Other defendants in the suit with the No: FHC/L/ CS/768/2015 were Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Plc, Esco Electricity Distribution Plc, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc, Kano Electricity Distribution Plc, Jos Electricity Distribution Plc, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc and Enugu Electricity Distribution.

In the Notice of Appeal, filed by counsel to NERC, Chief

Anthony Idigbe SAN before the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, the appellate (NERC) set out 14 grounds of appeal for determination.

The Appellant’s Counsel is seeking an order staying execution of the judgment delivered by Justice Idris on July 13, 2016 pending the hearing and determination of the 1st Defendant/Applicant's appeal at the Court of Appeal.

The Affidavit in support of the Motion on Notice for the Stay of Execution as deposed to by Martins Nwankwo states that ‘refusal to grant this application will result in devastating consequences for the nation and indeed the entire electricity consumers in Nigeria as investment in power sector which encourages healthy

competition will be discouraged. In the same vein, the entire electricity generation and distribution stands the risk of total collapse in view of the recent devastation caused by vandalisation of power installations with its attendant decrease in power generation and distribution.

“If this application is not favourably considered, there is a high likelihood that the citizens of the Country will be subjected to total blackout while business and investments will be drastically affected. We submit that any attempt to further subject the masses to further hardship will be setting the stage for chaos and anarchy in the society; which effect may be overwhelming.”, they averred.

Chevron Inaugurates Surgical Theatre Project in Delta Hospital Sylvester Idowu in Warri Multi-national Oil and Gas Major, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has flagged off the construction of a multi-million naira Surgical Theatre and Consultation Rooms at Ekpan General Hospital in Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State.

The project inauguration is coming after the company in 2015, commissioned a Women Development Centre it solely funded at N75 million in the community.

General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron, Mr. Deji Haastrup, explained that the Project was inline with the company’s efforts to contribute towards government’s determination to raise the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

He disclosed that the project, which includes the provision of a 60KVA Sound Proof Generator, was preceded with series of Chevron’s investment in Corporate Social Responsibility to Ekpan Community in programmes such as deworming in selected schools and building of a fully equipped library with computers at Ekpan Primary School.

While thanking the Delta State Government and Ekpan Development Committee for their support in making the Ground Breaking of the project a reality, the CNL boss assured that the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture will continue to extend the frontiers of partnership with

the Delta State Government and Institutions in the State to support projects as well as programmes in its immediate environment to ensure improvement in the life of the people.

Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge appealed to Ekpan Community Youths to avoid habits that would hamper the progress of work in the project and thanked Chevron “for acceding to the request of the Ekpan Development Committee (EDC) and the hospital management by granting approval for the amendment of the project specific agreement to favour the construction of a surgical theatre with consulting rooms.

LUNICEF can confirm that a UNICEF employee and an IOM contractor were injured in the attack and are being treated at a local hospital. All other UNICEF, IOM and UNFPA staff are safe," part of the statement read.

The UN agency said that the convoy was in a remote area of North Eastern Nigeria, where protracted conflict has caused extreme suffering and has triggered a severe malnutrition crisis.

The world body said the incident "was not only an attack on humanitarian workers. It is an attack on the people who most need the assistance and aid that these workers were bringing".

"The United Nations has temporarily suspended humanitarian assistance missions pending review of the security situation," it stated.

Defence College to Inducts Maiden Set of non-African Officers SenatorIroegbuinAbuja

HONOUR FOR ICONS...

L R; Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko; The Covenant of Golden Remembrance, Mr.Yinka Odumakin; and the Geest Speaker,Prof.Niyi Osundare at the Golden Remembrance of Late Col.Adekunle Fajuyi held at International Conference hall University of Ibadan PHOTO: FELIX ADEMOLA

AfDB Spends $300m to Empower Nigerian Youths JohnShiklaminKaduna

The Africa Development Bank, (AfDB), has announced plans to commence a youth empowerment programme in the 36 states of the federation.

The programme is to gulp 300 million dollars and would be implemented in collaboration with the 36 states.

Country Director of the bank in Nigeria, Dr. Ousmane Dore disclosed this on Friday in Zaria, Kaduna state, at the launch of the bank’s 2016 Annual Economic

Outlook, (AEO).

Ousmane said the project was targeted at the graduates who would be trained in agriculture business and other relevant skills that will make them self-reliant.

He explained that at the end of the training the graduates would be assisted with funds to start their agriculture businesses.

“We will incubate them into existing farms and agriculture business and once they go through that incubation period , we will then propose and give them the funds.

"That has been the missing link, how do you train them and send them out without funds , you need to give them money so that they can set up the farm” Ousmane said.

He said already the AEO has 100 million dollar project in Kaduna state in collaboration with the Islamic development Bank and the CBN to deliver the water project, adding the bank hopes to assist the current administration in its reform programmes.

"This is a state that we believe

can show good example in the federation because of the effort put in place for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and one of the states that have introduced Treasury Single Account (TSA) and with a lot of reforms ongoing, we believe a lot of reforms are ongoing in the public finance side.

"We want to start with states that are ready and we believe Kaduna state has all the requisite to be among the first states to benefit from this 300 million dollars programme.

Court Strikes out Suit Seeking to Stop NBA Election Tobi SoniyiinAbuja An Abuja High Court has struck out a suit seeking to stop the Nigerian Bar Association's 2016 general election.

Justice Olukayode Adeniyiwho struck out the suit, said that the plaintiff, John Unachukwu Austin, lacked the locus standi to institute the action against the NBA on the ground of uncertainties in his name and documents he placed before the court Justice Adeniyi in the judgement

that lasted over two hours upheld the argument of the NBA that the plaintiff was not the person disqualified by its electoral committee from contesting for the office of the national publicity secretary The court held that the plaintiff who in some documents claimed to be John Unachukwu Austin could not be the same person with a name Unachukwu John Austin in the face of the law Justice Adeniyi said that the two names John Unachukwu Austin and

Unachukwu John Austin were radically different from each other and that one did not need an expert in name to differentiate between the two names The court held that since the documents placed before the court by the plaintiffs and those placed before the court by the NBA contradicted themselves the court would not engage in speculation as to whether the same person bears the two names To worsen his case the court held that the plaintiff who is a lawyer by profession and a judicial editor of the

Nation Newspaper did not depose to affidavit to show the linkage between the two names in the documents the court considered By the failure to depose to affidavit to prove that he was the bearer of the two names the court said that the plaintiff had not shown to the court that he was the one disqualified by the electoral committee of the NBA from contesting in the 2016 general election and therefore had no justifiable reason to institute the legal action against the NBA.

The National Defence College (NDC) will for the first time in its history, admit foreign participants from Brazil, Turkey, Germany and India, for the college’s next academic programme to be inaugurated on September 15, 2016.

The Secretary of NDC, Air Vice Marshal Uko Ebong disclosed this yesterday in Abuja while addressing a news conference on the forthcoming graduation of institution’s course 24 participants.

Ebong said admitting foreign participants from the mentioned countries would improve the institution’s strategic partnership with the armed forces countries around the world.

He stressed that the interest shown in the college’s academic programme was a testimony to the excellence that the college had attained over the years.

He said: "The National Defence College provides the highest level of formal military education intended to inculcate a sense of advance military professionalism and involvement in the decision making process.

"I am happy to state here that the next course of the NDC will be having participants from Turkey, Germany, India, Brazil and other allied African countries and it is expected to be inaugurated on September 15, 2016."

"It is my earnest desire to continue to promote the college as the centre of excellence for developing potential strategic leaders in Africa and globally, ’he added.

Ebong disclosed that the college would in the nearest future open its doors to participants from the

private sector as part of efforts to increase public awareness on the issue of national security.

He said the college’s proposal to admit participants from the private sector was also borne out of the need to increase the understanding of civilians on defence and security issues.

The senior officer said the college had in the past made deliberate efforts to improve on the content and quality of its programmes which had attracted interests within and outside Africa.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OKONGWU CHINONSO PETER, now wish to be known and addressed as PRINCE CHINONSO NWABUIFE PETER (NWAJESUS). All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as HAMDALAT OMOWUNMI ADEBAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as AMUDAT OMOWUNMI ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid.

WAEC, Nigerian Immigration Service and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS SODERU OLAYINKA ABIMBOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OSOBA OLAYINKA ABIMBOLA . All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. formerly known and addressed as MRS VERONICA OGUNO. MR EMEKA OGUNO. EJIKE OGUNO. EKENE OGUNO. CHINEDU OGUNO IFEANYI OGUNO surname has been change to OBIKAH

All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

TR

Saturday, July 30, 2016

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MISSILE Gowon to Federal Government

“The current administration should do whatever they can to solve our economic challenges. They should find a way to restore confidence in the citizens and the nation at large by fixing the economy. They should do whatever they can to get Nigeria out of this current economic crisis.”

– Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), expressing concern about the current economic crisis facing Nigeria.

PENDULUM Dele Momodu

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

21 Years of Sadness and Joy

F

ellow Africans, exactly twenty-one years ago, on July 25, 1995, I set forth at dawn.

My destination was exile. I needed to dialogue with my feet and escape in a jiffy from my dear beloved country without any prior notice. Nigeria was under a most brutal and brutish military dictatorship. Once you were considered a dissident, you were a target for incarceration or extermination.

I still don’t know how my name crawled into the evil register but I was accused of knowing about a pirate radio station, first known as Freedom Radio and later changed to Radio Kudirat. But it was all a cook-up.

The long and short of it was that I needed to travel speedily and navigate through the forests of a thousand daemons.

I succeeded in crossing through a smugglers’ route into Cotonou, Benin Republic. I was too scared to stay too long in Cotonou and so decided to meander my way to Lome, Togo. Since I couldn’t speak any smattering of French, my best and ultimate destination was Ghana. I crossed the border at Aflao and waltzed my way to Accra that evening.

I was instantly stunned by the peace I found on ground after the fiasco I left behind in Lagos and my young family I was forced to abandon without any chance of negotiation.

President Jerry John Rawlings was in power. He was the dream ruler Nigerians craved. We had been regaled with tales of an audacious revolution. Though many President Mahama at work Ghanaians did not fancy his coup and bloodletting propensity, Nigerians felt our country needed such Rawlings’ treatment to works by Walter Rodney, Frantz Fanon, teach our corrupt leaders an enduring lesson. Chinweizu, Amilcar Cabral, The Nwalimu I spent the next three nights exploring and Dr Julius Nyerere, Leopold Sedar Senghor plotting my eventual migration to the United and others. I was exceptionally touched by Kingdom. I found Ghana very hospitable and Dr Nkrumah’s vision and was particularly discovered the true meaning of Akwaaba! convinced that Africa would never make I departed Ghana on the night of July 28, appreciable progress unless Africans can 1995, and landed at London Gatwick on July join hands and lift themselves up.

We decided to expand our operations to 29. Ghana remained permanently etched in my mind. I dreamt of a day I would be able Ghana and launched big in Accra. We were to return to the tranquillity of Accra. I spent delighted to welcome then Senate President the next three years under most excruciation of Nigeria Rt. Hon. Adolphus Wabara, then conditions. Exile was not an Eldorado despite Governor of Lagos State, Chief Bola Ahmed the unparalleled hospitality and avuncular Tinubu, and a few of his Commissioners.

From the Ghanaian side, we had Hon. Jake protection of the British Government.

It was exile that miraculously gave birth Obetsebi-Lamptey of blessed memory, Alhaji to Ovation International magazine. Time Asoma Banda who told us how he got his big would not permit me to go into the story break in Nigeria, and so many distinguished of its Immaculate Conception (to borrow a personalities. I had met and fallen in love with popular Catholic expression) and delivery. President John Agyekum Kufuor at Alhaji That is for another day. Our Board decided on Banda’s house and decided to support his a few pertinent projections. We will promote government. We were more interested in the Africa and debunk the malevolent prejudices development and progress of Ghana and not against our continent. We will celebrate the the politics. We invested heavily in Ghana beauty of Africa and encourage social and and provided jobs and created employment business interactions amongst our people. opportunities for Ghanaian youths like we We shall produce a world class magazine did in Nigeria and elsewhere.

Pioneers and pathfinders always suffer and that would be the pride of Africans at home and abroad. We decided to concentrate all indeed we got burnt but remained unbowed. attention on West Africa before spreading out We were ready and determined to raise Africa to other regions. Nigeria and Ghana became up. If we couldn’t make sacrifices for our continent why should non-Africans invest in our priority countries.

Before my first and forced trip to Ghana, us? Just imagine that not a single Nigerian I had encountered the old Gold Coast on bank existed at that time in Ghana. Many the pages of literary works by The Osagyefo even thought Nigeria was synonymous with Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Kofi Awoonor, Ayi drug-trafficking and obtaining by false pretence Kwei Armah and company. I was particularly (otherwise known as 419) but we changed enthralled by the seminal work of Nkrumah that ugly narrative by showcasing the great and the thesis propounded in his book Africa men and women of Nigeria, some of the Must Unite. Nkrumah introduced me and brightest human beings created by God: Mike got me addicted to pan-Africanism though Adenuga Jr, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, I had read pan-Africanist and Negritude Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez, Fifi Ejindu,

and showcased their Ghanaian counterparts.

This synergy has yielded bountiful harvests.

Today, many Nigerian companies are operating in Ghana. Despite occasional skirmishes like husbands and wives do, we have learnt to live together in peace or hurly-burly. We are happy and proud to have made our modest contributions. Ovation has since become one of the biggest Nigerian brands in Ghana today.

It was with great delight that I received a refreshing letter from the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) announcing the award of a Doctorate Degree (honoris causa) to be bestowed on me at the convocation ceremony of the prestigious institution today.

I am truly honoured and full of gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joshua Alabi and members of the Governing Council of the institution for such a wonderful gesture.

Just a few weeks ago, I visited the university to see things for myself. I was deeply impressed by the great work Professor Alabi and his team have done to sustain and improve the culture of excellence and the quality of professionalism that the institution has become renowned for.

The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) was founded in 1965 as a private professional business education tuition provider. It was taken over by the government of Ghana in 1978 through the Institute of Professional Studies Decree, 1978 (SMCD 200). It was subsequently established as a tertiary institution with a mandate to provide tertiary and professional education in Accountancy, Management and other related areas of study by the Institute of Professional Studies Act, (Act 566), 1999.

The university was the first and is still the only public institution with the mandate to offer both academic degrees and provide

training for higher professional education in Ghana.

With an estimated student population of about ten thousand as at 2012, UPSA is fast growing into a world-class institution of knowledge, molding today and tomorrow’s leaders in relevant fields of human endeavor.

In 2008, the university received a Presidential Charter, conferring on it the status of a fullyfledged public university. The university offers undergraduate and master’s degrees in several programmes.

As I inch closer to my conclusion, let me not fail to acknowledge a man whose work as a public servant has deeply inspired not just the people of Ghana but many across the African continent and beyond. I’m talking about no other person but His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, the President of Ghana. The rare leadership he has provided as President of Ghana continues to illuminate the path of many, breaking borders and charting the course of a new brand of development that is not only excellent but also visible and tangible.

His calmness, simplicity, humility, passion and devotion to public service continue to demonstrate the stuff that truly great leaders are made of. History will be kind to him.

Over the past few days, I took some time to reflect deeply on the conferment of this award of an honorary Doctorate Degree by this great institution. A careful observation of the trajectory of my exit from Nigeria to exile in Britain and my passage through the city of Accra over two decades ago is explainable only by what may be described as the unseen but unmistakable hand of destiny.

Who would have thought that a journey that began with sadness twenty-one years ago would today crystallise in this rare moment of honour and victory.

To God be all the glory!

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