Saturday 27th August 2016

CBN Moves Against Illegal International Fund Transfer Naira falls to N412/$ on parallel market

Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria yesterday said it observed that some banks are operating accounts either as companies or companies masking themselves as individuals for the

purpose of illegally receiving money transfer flows into those accounts for onward disbursements to recipients in Nigeria.

This came on the day the naira sustained its downswing on the parallel market as it

fell to a record low of N412 to the dollar, as against the N408 to the dollar it closed the previous day.

To curb this international fund transfer, the CBN in a circular titled: "Illegal International Money Remittances

Through the Banking System," dated August 25, 2016, and signed by its Acting Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Mr. W.D. Gotring, directed banks to identify and freeze such accounts receiving illicit flows with immediate

effects.

The banks were also directed to submit the mandate and account details of these accounts held in naira or foreign currency to it for onward reporting to the security agencies.

"The CBN therefore reiterates that deposit money banks have the absolute responsibility to conduct Know Your Customers' Business (KYCB) checks on all their customers to ensure Continued on page 6

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Ohanaeze Youths Call for Self Defence against Herdsmen Police arrest one suspect, as lawmaker tasks FG on protection of kinsmen

Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia and Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu The Ohanaeze Youth council

(OYC) yesterday called on Nigerians in communities being targeted by the marauding herdsmen to adopt the strategy of self-defence, saying that it has become “clear now that

Mr. President has no control of events in the country.”

OYC, which is the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, made

the call following the latest attack in Ndiagu AttakwuAkagbeugwu community of Enugu State, where a Catholic seminarian, Lazarus Nwafor and injured four others, includ-

ing a pregnant woman.

In a related development, Enugu State Police Command has arrested one of the suspected herdsmen that attacked and killed the Catholic

Seminarian.

In a statement signed by the state chairmen of OYC, Mazi Alex Okemiri, the group said Continued on page 6

Kachikwu: $40bn Spent on Niger Delta in 12 Years without Result President not thinking of military force to resolve militant crisis

Sylvester Idowu in Warri The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu yesterday said there was nothing on ground to justify the over $40 billion that has accrued to the Niger Delta region in the past 12 years through various intervention agencies.

The minister, who spoke at a meeting held at PTI Conference Centre in Warri, Delta State involving prominent leaders from the coastal states, including representatives of the various ethnic groups, Isoko, Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ibiobio and others, said the $40 billion came mainly from oil companies, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, 13% derivation and other intervention funds.

He declared in the presence of monarchs, youth leaders, politicians and Secretary of MEND: "I’ve been to the creeks myself and discovered that there was no meaningful development of the riverine communities as expected by the federal government despite Continued on page 6

NKEM ADENIRANADEDOKUN

I Groom Pregnant Women, New Moms to be Fashionable

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I Am the Owner of Ile Ife; I Can Rule Ife from My Palace if Allowed

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ECONOMY ON THEIR MINDS

L-R: Chairman, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia; Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and wife welcoming the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo to the venue of the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit Asaba, Delta State …yesterday

Buhari Gives Nod for NPA, NIMASA Governing Board ... Page 6

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SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2016

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SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2016 T H I S D AY

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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, AUGUST 27, 2016

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Buhari Gives Nod for NPA, NIMASA Governing Board John Iwori The long wait for the appointment of the chairman and members of the governing boards of two key parasatals in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) ended yesterday as President Muhammadu Buhari has given a nod for its composition.

The helmsmen of the two parasatals, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman and Dr. Adol Dakuku

Peterside have been running the affairs of the multi-billion government agencies since their appointment without any governing board. Stakeholders in the maritime industry have described the situation as very unhealthy for the smooth operations of the two government agencies.

Buhari’s approval of the composition of the Governing Boards of NPA and NIMASA was contained in a statement signed by the Director (Press) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,

Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi.

The statement which was obtained by THISDAY yesterday said that while Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye is the Chairman of NPA, Major General Jonathan India Garba is the Chairman of NIMASA. Other members of the NPA Board include Supo Shasore, Suleiman Ibrahim Halilu, Constance Harry Mashal, Umar Shu’aibu, and Charles Efe Emukowhate Sylvester.

Also in the board are Hadiza Bala Usman, Mohammed Bello Koko, Sekonte Davis, Idris

Abubakar, and I. J. Uche-Okoro.

The board members of NIMASA include Asekomhe Oaakhia Kenneth, Mohammed Gidado Muazu, Hon. Barrister Ebele Obi, S. U. Galadanchi, Ms. Nene Betty Dike and Dakuku Peterside.

Other members are Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, Joseph Oluwarotimi Fashakin, and Gambo Ahmed.

The statement was however silent on the appointment of the three executive directors for NIMASA. Since the arraign-

ment of the erstwhile Director General, Dr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi and the three former Executive Directors, namely Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro, Barrister Callistus Nwabueze Obi and Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba, in a Federal High Court over allegations of corruption and abuse of office, Dakuku has been running NIMASA without a fully constituted management team.

While Jauro was the Executive Director, Finance and Administration and was later named the Acting Director General, Obi was the Executive Director, Maritime

Labour and Cabotage Services.

Agaba who was prior to his appointment a staff of Exxon Mobil, was the Executive Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development.

With Buhari’s silence on the naming of the three Executive Directors for NIMASA, THISDAY checks at the weekend revealed that those who lost out in the race to the governing board composition in NPA and NIMASA have intensified lobby to be appointed into the plum positions in the nation’s apex maritime regulatory authority.

Kale: No Presidential Underhand in Delayed Release of July Inflation Figures Insists on August 31 release timetable

James Emejo in Abuja The Statistician General/Chief Executive, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Mr. Yemi Kale has refuted speculations that the release of the July inflation figures had been deliberately delayed by the presidency because it was unfavourable and reflect badly on its handling of the economy.

Rather, he said the "delay was due to some challenges we faced at NBS which delayed progress."

He added that the data would now be published on August 31 in line with its revised data calendar.

Previously, monthly inflation estimates had always been released by the middle of the subsequent month and the

readings for July ought to have been released by mid-August but is still being delayed, raising concerns by the investing public.

Inflation figures are seen as critical for investment decisions especially in the financial stability efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which monitors inflation trends in order to take decisions on whether to raise or decrease the interest rate.

The seeming inability of the bureau to issue a timely statement on the delay had given room for various speculations from the public, largely because some analysts had projected that inflation would rise further in July.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures inflation had risen to 16.6 per cent in June from 15.6 per cent in May,

representing the fifth consecutive month that the headline index would increase relatively strong.

Essentially, given the current fiscal and economic challenges in the country-whereby consumer purchasing power had been greatly reduced-with its attendant economic hardship that has called the present administration to question, a further rise in inflation rate would obviously be unwelcoming for the government, raising rumours from some quarters that the delay in the release had an underhand of the presidency.

However, in a swift response to the rumours, Kale, whose tenure has reportedly been renewed by President Muhammadu Buhari, having completed his first tenure, said there was no substance in the allegations that

the presidency was responsible for the delay.

In a statement, he said: "There is no truth whatsoever in the rumour that the presidency has asked NBS not to release inflation reports or any other report for that matter. If anything, the presidency especially my ministers and the economic team headed by the Vice President - has not only encouraged but pushed for the NBS to complete its data assignments on time and accurately as they need it for effective policy decisions."

“The importance they (government) accord accurate and timely data is why as statistician general, I have repeatedly been asked to be part of the economic team’s deliberations.

"Accordingly, this story is false and should be disregarded. The

KACHIKWU: $40BN SPENT ON NIGER DELTA IN 12 YEARS WITHOUT RESULT the huge amount disbursed to the region.”

Stating that the state of infrastructure is disappointing despite the huge effort to alleviate the infrastructural defect in the region. He called for an audit of money expended in the region so far to know what exactly went wrong to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

"I think we need an audit because it will not be wise to have agitation of this kind in circle after each agitation will come back again to demand for the same thing when intervention funds had made no impact on the lives of the ordinary people.

The minister also used the forum to assure leaders of the zone that President Muhammadu Buhari was not thinking of using the military to resolve the crisis in the region.

Instead, he maintained that the President was desirous of using dialogue to find a lasting solution to the problem.

The meeting yesterday was convened by Ijaw National leader, Chief Edwin Clark in reaction to last Thursday visit to the minister by Ijaw Monarchs.

The minister urged the leaders to prevail on their youths to allow peace to reign in the region noting that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of violence.

He told the Niger Delta leaders that the federal government was committed to the development of the region promising to come out soon with short and long term plans in that direction.

Clark had told the minister that he should no longer enter-

tain any group or groups that visited him under the guise of the Niger Delta struggle without asking them whether they had the permission of their leaders.

He said the Ijaw Monarchs that visited the minister caused great embarrassment for him as other ethnic groups thought the struggle was that of Ijaws.

Earlier, the Secretary of MEND, Timipa Jenkins Okponipene told the meeting that his group had accepted Clark’s leadership of the proposed team that will dialogue with the federal government.

He however said MEND would nominate three persons while Chief Clark's team will nominate another three with slots for other ethnic groups.

Meanwhile, in a telephone interview with THISDAY last night, Kachikwu disclosed

that Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and all other militant groups have agreed to dialogue with the federal government, to resolve the crisis in the region.

He stated that he has the full confidence of the president on this matter and had briefed him regularly the progress he was making on how he was able to win the confidence of the millitants who had resisted all entreaties for peace. He said it took a lot of work behind the scene with the help of people like Timi Alaibe who made contacts that had finally resulted to the ceasefire that we have now. It was a delicate balancing act that still requires a lot of work to consolidate, we are not there yet, but we will get there," he added.

market, saying the action by the central bank sent a wrong signal to investors.

"There CBN ought to have imposed other punishment.

We are having serious forex problem in this country, clients cannot find forex and you are banning banks from the forex market. What I see is that we are trying to sabotage ourselves.

"This would certainly affect investor confidence, especially the foreign investors which we have been pursuing. The financial market works on a lot of confidence and destroying the confidence does not help anybody."

Akaraiwe expressed concern that the nation's currency has lost its quality as a store of value, saying a lot of people may be forced to dump the currency for other stronger currencies.

"Of course, it is going to increase the pressure in the forex market. And we cannot do anything about the dollar because we do not have natural

control over dollar cash flow.

One of the things we are suffering is cash flow problem. That is, we have dollar assets on the ground as oil, we have dollar assets sitting in oil companies, but we don't have dollar cash and we are not doing anything to fix the problem.

"I keep emphasising that in the financial market, confidence is very important and you must do all to retain that confidence, but not by banning banks from the forex market," Akaraiwe added.

Also, the chief executive officer of an investment bank who pleaded to remain anonymous expressed concern over the loss of value of the naira.

He urged both the fiscal and monetary authorities to fake urgent steps to correct the structural imbalances in the economy, saying the country's economic managers must not fold their arms and watch the country go the way of Zimbabwe whose currency has been battered.

CBN MOVES AGAINST ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL FUND TRANSFER that they do not transact in illegal/illicit flows," it added.

Meanwhile, experts have expressed concern that the falling value of the naira coupled with a high inflation rate of 16.5 per cent is making the nation's currency to lose its function as a store of value.

But on the interbank forex market, the spot rate of the naira rose marginally to N314.95 to the dollar yesterday, higher than the N316.84 to the dollar it closed the previous day.

The strong depreciation of the naira on the parallel forex market was majorly attributed to the strong demand for the greenback by customers of the eight banks that were banned from foreign exchange transactions.

It was gathered that a lot of them now patronise the parallel market for dollar purchases to meet their pressing obligations as they await the resolution of the matter between their financial institutions and the

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The CBN on Tuesday barred nine banks from participating in the forex market for not remitting a total of $2.334 billion Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company dollar deposits to the federal government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The affected banks were: the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Ltd, Diamond Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Keystone Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Ltd and Heritage Bank Limited.

But UBA was re-admitted into the forex market by the CBN on Thursday having complied with its directive.

Speaking in a telephone interview with THISDAY yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer of Graeme Blaque Group, Zeal Akaraiwe faulted the restriction of the banks from participating in the forex

data will be published on the 31st in line with our revised data calendar on our website. Neither the presidency, my ministers, nor any government official has ever interfered in NBS work.

The delay was due to some challenges we faced at NBS which delayed progress."

According its revised calendar, also to be released on same date are the foreign trade estimates and labour productivity statistics; Gross Domestic Product estimates; job creation and labour force estimates; capital importation and FDI reports among others.

OHANAEZE YOUTHS CALL FOR SELF DEFENCE AGAINST HERDSMEN that it could not understand the reason why the herdsmen have been allowed to have a free day, killing people and destroying properties in the Southern and Middle Belt areas of Nigeria.

“We call on Ndigbo, Southerners, Middle Beltans and moderate Arewa people to defend themselves in the face of this continuous killings and inability of the federal government to protect them.

Self-protection and preservation is the first law of nature,” the OYC said.

The youths lamented that the “inability of President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in his Fulani kinsmen from killing and maiming innocent Nigerians is now obvious” hence the herdsmen have been emboldened “to rampage all parts of the country despite the assurances by Mr. President that it would stop”.

It stated that since “it’s clear now that Mr. President has no control of events in the country or is in cahoots with the rampaging herdsmen” it would be foolhardy for those at the receiving end of the herdsmen onslaught not to start checkmating the marauders.

The OYC said that the time had come for Enugu State Government to take appropriate measures to protect its citizens, adding that the government should “set up a well-armed Vigilante groups in all autonomous communities in the state “to engage these wicked and bloodthirsty Fulani herdsmen who are beast in human clothe and highly uncivilised.”

On the allegation that the OYC leader, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro was recruiting 2,000 youths for President Buhari on October 1 to rally against Biafra, the OYC said that there was no truth whatsoever in it.

“The pro-Biafran groups should sort themselves out and stop linking Ohanaeze Youth leadership in their crisis. We believe in a united Nigeria anchored on justice and equity and we have made this clear at all times,” the OYC said.

Police arrest one suspect, as lawmaker tasks FG Enugu State Police Command has arrested one of the suspected herdsmen involved in the killing in Ndiagu Attakwu-Akagbeugwu.

The suspect simply identified as 20-year old Umaru Isah

from Gusau, Zamfara State according to a release by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu was arrested through intelligence information gathered.

This came as the member representing Nkanu West/ Nkanu East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Chukwuemeka Ujam and a native of the community appealed to the federal government and the security agencies to protect members of his constituency from further attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

Ujam who made the appeal when he visited Attakwu community in Akagbeugwu, Nkanu West Local Government Area in company with the member representing Enugu East/ Isiuzo Federal Constituency, Kingsley Ebenyi to pay his condolences noted that the killing of Catholic seminarian and wounding of four others was painful and unprovoked.

Meanwhile, some of those who survived the attack are on life support at Mother of Christ Hospital and Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu.

One of the survivors, Ifeanyi Agbo who received machete cuts on his head and other parts of his body lost his sense of hearing in the process, while his younger sister is now battling for her life after a surgical operation was carried on her.

Amaraizu in his statement said the arrested suspect who claimed that he is 20 years old revealed that he came in from Gusau, Zamfara State to Enugu recently for the purposes of rearing cattle but has none to rear till now.

Similarly, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has blamed Igbo leaders for "this unchallenged confrontations, unwarranted and cowardice killings of our people by Fulani herdsmen in our own land."

In a statement issued by its leader, Uchenna Madu, the movement expressed dismay over the stance of the governors of the zone on the herdsmen attack, insisting that "until Igbo leaders wake up from their slumbers of inferiority complex and understand the efficiency, efficacy and potencies of Igbobased grassroot organisations including the Biafra agitating groups."

T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2016

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

SUPER SATURDAY Nkem Adeniran-Adedokun

I Groom Pregnant Women, New Moms to be Fashionable You’re nine months pregnant, en route to a black-tie affair, and the only thing that fits is a tent. What’s a woman to do? Well, if you’re an aspiring CEO, IT specialist or a top actress, you can simply call, Nkem Adeniran-Adedokun, Maternity Consultant and Creative Director of Ninekay Maternity. Within days you’ll have a smart tuxedo or beaded empire-waist gown that fits perfectly and looks fabulous. And make no mistake, she’s not all about couture because her ready-to-wear pregnancy and post-baby fashion line and accessories help both pregnant women and new mothers, who like to still keep their clothes functional and chic. Not long ago, finding style and maternity in the same sentence was about as likely as pain-free labour.

Pregnant women tended to keep low profiles, comfortably ensconced in their husbands’ old work shirts. But maternity clothes are finally coming out of the closet and sweat-pants drawer. As more women work in high-profile jobs and keep up their demanding professional and social schedules right up to delivery date, there is a growing need for fashionable pregnancy clothes. Omolola Itayemi spends an afternoon with Adeniran-Adedokun, who talks about how her first pregnancy groomed her for her role as a coach and clothier to would-be and new moms. She also speaks on her tailored services that educate, prepare and support these moms

Why I Left My Banking Job to Groom Would-be and New Mothers

W

hen and how did you start your fashion business?

I started my fashion business fully in 2010 after I resigned from a banking job. I was making clothes for women (pregnant and non-pregnant) and men. But it wasn’t fulfilling because my initial goal was to make clothes and accessories for pregnant women and their babies.

Adeniran-Adedokun

Why did you choose to make clothes for pregnant women and babies?

When I was a first-time mother-tobe, I didn’t know what to expect in pregnancy because some of the physical and emotional changes I experienced got me confused. I became even more confused with numerous suggestions that I got. I ate like a glutton and gained so much weight to the extent I couldn’t recognise myself. I couldn’t find trendy maternity clothes that I could wear to office and every other place that I had to go. It was tough. I ate anything I laid my hands on and somewhat I apparently increased my weight and that of my baby. But thank God, I passed through all those hurdles and delivered my 4kg baby boy via a C-section. But then after I had my son, I had so many other issues; complaints like painful breastfeeding, sleepless nights, emotional breakdown, weight gain, shopping for baby essentials and how to organise myself to resume work. When I resumed, I had unimaginable trouble balancing work with my responsibilities at home as a wife and a mother. Then I got pregnant again and I had to find my way around making pregnancy and motherhood enjoyable, stress-free.

I started reading books, subscribed to notable pregnancy, baby and parental websites. I joined the married woman fellowship in my church and attended events and programmes that addressed marital relationships. I also talked to experienced mothers who were doing so well managing their careers and motherhood. I knew what to expect at every trimester and I was prepared. I started looking stylish and elegant and had other expecting mothers asking me for styling tips. It got to the point that I was advising them on how to make their pregnancy experience stress-free. I recommended baby essentials that were necessary and how to work within their limited budget.

I started designing my own clothes and ever since, I have focused on

designing and manufacturing maternity and baby essentials such as maternity clothing, breastfeeding covers, feeding and baby support pillows, baby play mats and pre-packaged hospital bag containing all that a would-be mother and her new baby will need for their stay in the hospital. I also recently started an online intensive training in the USA to enable me to be able to educate, prepare and support women through the journey of pregnancy and post-pregnancy period. I am going through this extra mile because I understand that a firsttime mother needs someone to listen and answer her questions without judging; help her plan and organise her new role as a mother; set up her dream nursery; recommend the basic essentials she and her baby require which will help her to reduce wastage and save money and still be able to meet up with many other tailored needs.

How has it been?

It has been fulfilling working with new and would-be mothers; knowing that they can trust me to help them experience a stress-free maternity period is so rewarding. Although there have been assorted challenges over the years, none of these troubles compare with the joy that I feel when I see relief on the faces of people who come to me with burdens on their minds. When I see a new mom and her baby at the end of nine months, I feel indescribable joy. Those are the things that really keep me going.

Are Nigerians really trendy?

Nigerians are super-trendy. We love fashion. My youngest son, who just turned four, will tell me what he wants to wear the colour of a shirt that will fit his shorts or pants and even his choice of shoes. The use of the social media, Instagram and other fashion blogs that give up-to-date styling tips, especially on how to coordinate different outfits to suit your body shape have also increased our appetite for good fashion. So yes, I think we are a very trendy people.

What are the fashion issues that pregnant women have and is that peculiar to Nigeria?

The fundamental issue that a pregnant woman experiences in Nigeria is finding affordable maternity clothing especially what to wear to office. Some boutiques stock maternity wears but they are either too ‘mama-ish’ or very expensive. So you find most pregnant women wearing their regular trousers or skirts and they just buy bigger tops to cover their

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

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SUPER SATURDAY Why I Left My Banking Job to Groom Would-be and New Mothers...

Adeniran-Adedokun

Grooming of women to new Mom bumps.

Most of the maternity clothings are in non-breathable fabric. The texture of the fabric should be soft and such that it would allow free flow of air to suit the change of body temperature of a pregnant woman. Again, some pregnant women find it difficult to style themselves. They feel more comfortable wearing something very loose; like our traditional bubu. Like I will always advise, the fact that a woman is pregnant does not mean she cannot be fashionable.

Isn’t that an expensive venture, considering the fact that a would-be mother may not wear such clothes again after she is delivered of her baby?

Yes, I agree that it could be an expensive venture, especially when you are not sure of wearing the clothing again.

But you can carefully shop for designs and colours that are multifunctional.

That is one of the challenges, we at Ninekay Maternity try to solve. Our maternity clothings are designed in

such a way that you can pair them up with other outfits and even wear them after you must have had your baby.

Aside from fashion, are there other ways you work with pregnant women?

Yes, we have recently upgraded our tailored services to include one-on-one and group coaching, consultation; baby registry management; personal shopping; nursery set-up; stocking and organisation; maternity photography and events. We educate and support new and expecting moms via our Facebook page, Ninekay

Most of the maternity clothings are in nonbreathable fabric.

The texture of the fabric should be soft and such that it would allow free flow of air to suit the change of body temperature of a pregnant woman.

Again, some pregnant women find it difficult to style themselves.

They feel more comfortable wearing something very loose; like our traditional bubu. Like I will always advise, the fact that a woman is pregnant does not mean she cannot be fashionable Maternity, and our Facebook group called, ‘Moms Lounge Africa.’ We also give styling and health tips or information on our Instagram page. We are launching our blog fully in September.

I Find Fulfillment Caring for Mothers and Their Babies’ Needs

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

NEWS

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

Military Amasses Troops, Weapons for Exercise as Plateau is Placed on Alert over Boko Haram Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Nigerian military has amassed troops, arms and ammunition in readiness for Operation Crocodile Smile exercise, designed to battle the criminals, militants and other armed groups in the Niger Delta region of the country.

This is as Major General Rogers Nicholas; Commander of Security Taskforce in Plateau State has charged residents to remain on the alert and watch out for strange faces amongst them, noting that the call became necessary to avoid fleeing members of Boko Haram that still posed security risks, from settling down among them.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday, said that the army had made available the necessary logistics for the exercise.

Usman also provided several photographs of troops training and large cache of weapons, arms and ammunitions "in preparation for Exercise Crocodile Smile".

He said: "The military training exercise embarked upon by the Nigerian Army to train its Special Forces, formations and units located in the SouthSouth geo-political zone of the country has commenced in earnest.

"Recall that we have shown you the massing up of the troops yesterday, today, we are showing you photographs of the logistics build up and most

importantly, the human side of the exercise; ongoing free medical outreach for Sapele communities in Delta State."

The Army Spokesman also said that apart from the combat aspect, the military was also poised to provide medical and humanitarian services to the affected communities in the Niger Delta.

Here, he said, the Nigerian Army Medical Corps had fully deployed, attending to medical needs of the communities free of charge.

Some of the weapons include Patrol and gun boats, trucks, vests and battle tanks amongst others The Commander in Jos stated this in his maiden media briefing to newsmen on current security developments in the state.

He said, "I have established a monthly media briefing to keep Plateau citizens abreast of issues regarding peace and security in the state under my command.

"I want to use the opportunity to let Plateau citizens know that they need to be on the alert and be very vigilant of their environment because there are feelers that members of Boko Haram who have been displaced from the North-East might make Plateau state their safe haven.

"With such information, residents need to be very vigilant at all times and report to security agencies as soon as they notice strange fellow amongst and around them.

There is also need for residents to tighten their cooperation

SECURING THE FUTURE...

L-R: Former DG of Pencom, M.K. Ahmad; Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwanbo; DG of Pencom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu; and the Emir of Dukku, Hrh Alh. Haruna Abdulkadir Rasheed, at the Commissioning of Pencom’s North-East Zonal Office in Gombe...Recently

with security agencies and learn to report promptly."

General Nicholas also observed that crime in Jos city was on the increase, adding that “we have arrested over 120 suspects in the last few weeks and we have handed them over to the police for full investigation.”

“Though we believe the rise in crime could be attributed to mass unemployed youths in the state, police investigation

will reveal the true identity of the criminals. All we have to let the people know is that they should be vigilant at all times to avoid these criminals hiding amongst them.

"Due to current security situation in the state we have taken measures to spoil the plan of these criminals, one of such measures is banning the use of tricycle at night from 9pm till 5am. This is because the use of tricycle

at night is posing serious security risk to us in the state.

"Also, we will begin to enforce total ban on motorcycle within Jos metropolis. There is an existing law banning the use of motorcycle in this state, the law has not been fully enforced, we shall ensure full enforcement of that law immediately.

"We are also going to drive market women from around the Terminus market,

because the population of the market is increasing and such huge population can be of great security risk considering recent experience of repeated bombing of the market places.

"The actions we are taking should not be seen as abuse of rights of citizens, especially the commercial tricycle users, but should be seen as action taken in the interest of safety of lives and properties.”

Dogara, Others Collected N10bn as Running Costs, Alleges Abdulmumini

Mahmoud: NBA to Join Fight against Corruption, seeks Reform of EFCC, Judiciary

DamilolaOyedeleinAbuja

Ernest ChinwoinPortHarcourt

The sacked Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumini yesterday continued his campaign against Speaker Yakubu Dogara, and others, by alleging that monies amounting to about N10 billion had been received as running costs by all 10 principal officers, from when they joined the National Assembly.

Abdulmumini, in a statement, claimed Dogara received N1.5 billion in sub-head allowances from when he was elected into the House in 2007, to date, while Deputy Speaker Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun has received N800 million.

Dogara, was Chairman, Committee on House Services in the seventh assembly, while Lasun was Deputy Chairman, Committee on Water Resources.

According to Abdulmumini, the allowances, which he termed running costs, were collected by many members and used as personal funds.

“No more, no less – case closed!

Most of these members used it to acquire properties, cars and live a life of luxury they never lived before coming to the House.

Though, there exist systems for retirement of such money but a simple investigation by a primary school pupil will reveal the massive fraud therein,” he said.

He alleged that the Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was minority leader in the sixth and seventh assemblies received N1.2 billion, while Deputy House Leader, Jibril Buba also received N1.2 billion from 2007 to date.

“Chief Whip Alhassan Ado Doguwa who has been in the House since 2003 has received N1.2 billion, while Deputy Chief Whip has received N700 million from 2011 to date.

“Minority Leader Leo Ogor has been in the House from 2007 to date. He has received N1.2 billion.

Deputy Minority Leader Barde has been in the House from 2011 to date. He has received N700 million. Minority Whip Chuma has been in the House from 2007 to date. He had received N800 million. And finally, Deputy Minority Whip, Binta has been in the House from 2011 to date.

She has received N700 million,” he said.

“So, in between these 10 principal officers, the country has pumped about N10 billion

– and still counting. As I have mentioned earlier, in most cases, with few exceptions, these funds are diverted for personal use. I will provide further break down of these figures in due course. I will also provide 50 additional names of members with worst cases of diversion of such funds in due course so we can name and shame them,” Abdulmumini added.

The embattled lawmaker added that the ‘running costs’ was outside of salaries of lawmakers.

“The consequential effect of dealing with corruption in the House, especially the allowances issue, will take its toll on even elections. Candidates usually spend so much money hoping that they can recoup from the huge allowances they will receive when elected into House. When you know that there is no such money in the House to be shared, I am sure nobody will want to put in so much money just to win an election to the House. The resultant effect will be that only people who truly want to serve will vie for the office, and voters will be obliged to vote according to the dictate of their conscience.

This is just one advantage,” he added in the statement.

The new President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Abubakar Balarade Mahmoud (SAN), has said the association would be involved in the fight against corruption in the country and advocated for the reform of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Judiciary.

He also said the fight against corruption could only be achieved if it was fought within the framework of the law and by strong institutions.

Mahmoud spoke yesterday while delivering his inaugural speech shortly after being sworn in as the 28th President of the NBA in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He called for the review of the broad operations of the EFCC as an investigative and prosecutorial agency, recommending that the commission should be limited to only investigation.

His words: "The Nigeria Bar Association commits itself to the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

We will put our knowledge, skills and all other resources to combat corruption and reclaim the dignity of Nigeria and Nigerians. We

recognize however that the fight against corruption can only be achieved if we do so within the framework of rule of law and by strong institutions.

"The critical institutions involved must be repositioned, re-equipped and re-tooled to confront the problem of corruption on a consistent sustainable basis. As a start, we commend the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the work it is doing and for its modest achievements.

"However, going forward, the NBA must demand the reform of the institution itself. We need to define its mandate more narrowly and more clearly. In my view, its broad operations as an investigative and prosecutorial agency should be reviewed. I recommend strongly that EFCC should be limited to investigation "The decision to prosecute and the conduct of the prosecution must be by an independent highly resourced prosecution agency. In addition, the EFCC and the prosecution agency must be secured from political interference in their activities.

There is absolutely no reason for it to report operationally or otherwise to the Presidency."

Mahmoud stated that the NBA under his leadership would advocate for urgent reforms in the Judiciary, which would reposition the Judiciary and equip it to play its future role, pointing out that a clean, efficient knowledgeable, effective and transformative judiciary is at the foundation of building an orderly, peaceful and prosperous society.

He said: "The NBA will advocate for urgent reforms the will reposition our judiciary and equip it to play its future role. A clean, efficient knowledgeable, effective and transformative judiciary is at the foundation of building an orderly, peaceful and prosperous society.

"It is the only way we can guarantee the rule of law and an egalitarian society for our people. The notion that a judge could be bribed either by a lawyer or litigant is completely obnoxious and unacceptable. In many countries, it is unthinkable.

The NBA under my watch will figure judicial corruption. We shall also make the legal profession unattractive for corrupt lawyers.

We will ensure that the NBA does not become a haven for miscreant lawyers."

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AUGUST 27, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

Yemi

Adebowale Rumblings in Bauchi, Kaduna and the ‘Change’ Mantra 07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

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he rumblings in the All Progressives Congress’ camps in Bauchi and Kaduna states are getting interesting by the day. The key actors are fighting dirty and creating unnecessary tension in the states. The impression hitherto created was that we are in an era of “change” and everything negative has no place in states controlled by this party. It is now apparent that malaise like corruption, betrayal, internal wrangling, ineptitude and the rest of them are ubiquitous across our nation regardless of the party in charge. Now, the reality is hitting Nigerians very hard. The “change” mantra seems apparently only on paper.

Take the case of Bauchi State; many were shocked when some chieftains of the APC from the state stormed the party’s headquarters in Abuja last week, to protest alleged wrongdoings, including misuse of funds, against Governor Mohammed Abubakar. They want the governor to account for the N8.6 billion bailout funds given to the state by the federal government. Big names in the protest team included the Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, Senator Ali Wakil (Bauchi-Central) and Senator Suleiman Nazif (Bauch-North). By Wednesday, supporters of the factions were trading blows at the APC headquarters.

Clearly, the allegations against Governor Abubakar are weighty. According to Wakil, they are worried about non-payment of workers’ salaries and non-utilisation of bailout funds by the Bauchi governor. “You

know that Bauchi is an agrarian and civil service state and we must do everything to see that workers are paid as and when due.

We are not comparing ourselves with Osun or Edo or other states that have backlogs of nine months; it is not our business. Our people must be paid as and when due and the remaining balance of the stipends must be paid and all the unending verifications must end,” Wakil said.

Nazif agreed: “Everything is not okay with Bauchi APC. Therefore, we needed the attention of the APC at the national level to come to the rescue of the APC in Bauchi because there is fire on the mountain in Bauchi APC. There are so many issues, but these are party issues and we felt that there was a need for us to come and discuss with our leaders and those issues are being handled. The national chairman has assured us that he would take a drastic measure immediately and address the APC Bauchi pending problems. Nobody is against the governor, the governor is against himself.”

It seems that nothing has really “changed” in Bauchi State. But the story from the governor’s camp is that the protest was sponsored by Dogara. This is an issue for another day. The key point here now is that frightening corruption allegations have been made against Governor Abubakar. We all know how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Department of State Security, DSS, swiftly responded to corruption allegations against Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State. Will these agencies respond to President Muhammadu Buhari’s body lan-

War Against #BringBackOurGirls Campaigners

Twice this week, Police and the Department of State Services, DSS operatives prevented members of the #BringBackOurGirls group from matching to Aso Rock to face President Muhammadu Buhari.

It seems the BBOG is struggling with the reality that the party with the Buhari administration is over. However, government’s action this week against them was heart-wrenching, considering the role played by this group in the emergence of Buhari as president. I thought the protesters would have been allowed to see the president, even if he had nothing concrete to tell them. The Chairman of the Chibok Community, Hosea Tsambido, remarked: “Members of the Community and BBOG voted massively for Buhari in 2015 and against his predecessor, who they voted for in 2011. We regret our votes. We regret it. They tell us that our girls seen in the Ezekwesili latest video was merely an arrangement.

No one has spoken to the family of any we want is our missing daughters and we of the Chibok girls since the last video are willing to work with anybody who was released by the terrorists. We were will help us find our daughters. We do not promised that the president would visit want to antagonise the government which Sambisa, after becoming president. We is in the best position to help us find our were also told that within two weeks our missing daughters.” girls would be rescued. But over one year “The women leader of the group, Yana now, there is no tangible statement about Galang, added: “We do not want to do our girls. The presidency has stated instead anything that the government will not be that it is confused.” happy about. We are not after any organThe BBOG members, just like many of isation that is against any party or religion, us, are yet to see any tangible measure that and we are supporting the federal governwill lead to the rescue of the 218 schoolgirls ment to help us release our girls.” kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorThe secretary of the parents’ association, ists from their school in Chibok, Borno Zannah Lawan, also said: “Our own is that State, in 2014. So, government should not we want our daughters. Anyone who has expect them to relent. They have a right the ability to help us to find our daughters to seethe. Another dangerous dimension is the person we will work with.” From to the BringBackOurGirls campaign is the the tone of Nkeki, Lawan and Galang, it strategy of trying to divide the group. This is obvious that pressure is coming from is depressing. Some parents of the missing somewhere, for Chibok parents to dump Chibok girls did not join the protest march Obi Ezekwesili and herBringBackOurGirls in Abuja, due to pressure from a yet to be campaigners. Everything is being done confirmed angle. Yakubu Nkeki, one of the to humiliate madam due process. She leaders of the missing girls’ parents, who must be sweating profusely. By the way, lives in Chibok, said the parents held a where was Hadiza Bala-Usman during the meeting last week and decided they would Monday protest? Your guess is as good as not attend the Abuja rally. Nkeki said: “All mine.

We all know how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Department of State Security, DSS, swiftly responded to corruption allegations against Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State. Will these agencies respond to President Muhammadu Buhari’s body language and move to investigate Governor Abubakar?

Will they seize his assets? guage and move to investigate Governor Abubakar? Will they seize his assets? Or, will the fact that Governor Abubakar is a member of the ruling party disable these agencies? These are pertinent questions waiting for practical answers. For now, the fact on ground is that precisely nine days after the protest at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, nothing has happened. Perhaps, the anti-corruption war is not meant for APC states.

Let’s move over to Kaduna State where Senator Shehu Sani has been

battling Governor Nasir El-Rufai over his style of governance, particularly El-Rufai’s “demolition mentality.” This Kaduna war is getting bigger by the day. Sani recently remarked that the Kaduna governor was not making life easy for the common people in the state: Sani declared: “When the APC took over from the PDP, Kaduna people had expected to witness changes, but rather than change, the government brought policies that imposed hardship on them. The governor has been out of Kaduna for too long and so did not understand the pains and aspirations of the people.

Since El-Rufai took over power, he has kept on unleashing one programme after another that further made things difficult for the people.

We are still within the APC but right now, the problem has gone beyond me and him. It also involves stakeholders in the state: the party is divided.”

The senator added: “There are people who have invested heavily in the party. They are marginalised, not carried along and a seeming new group has emerged challenging his dominance and authority in the party. ElRufai should treat people who contributed to the victory of the party in Kaduna as equals to ensure peace and reconciliations. The governor should also recognise the poor and refrain from policies that would further impoverish them. He should stop all unwarranted demolition in the state, especially when the land allegedly encroached on belongs to the federal government and beyond his jurisdiction.”

We all know how APC’s media managers lash out at anti-people policies in states controlled by the opposition party. So, what are they going to tell us about happenings in Kaduna State as alleged by Sani? So, internal wrangling and power play is not entirely a PDP affair as we were hitherto made to believe. Just like the PDP, an APC state can also be divided against itself. This is the scenario playing out in Kaduna State. The “change” mantra is still far away from this state. The Kaduna chapter of the APC has already suspended Senator Sani. The national secretariat is treading softly. This “change” is still a mirage as seen from the happenings in Kaduna, Bauchi and virtually all APCcontrolled states.

That Ranking of Lagos as 3rd Worst City to Inhabit Instead of showboating, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his men should request for details of the Global Liveability Index report released last week by The Economist Intelligence Unit and do a critical appraisal. In the report, Lagos maintained its position at the lowest rungs. Nigeria’s economic capital was ranked third-worst city to inhabit in the world, just above warravaged Tripoli and Damascus. The city placed 138th out of the 140 cities appraised.

The liveability survey assesses which locations around the world provide the

best or the worst living conditions across five broad categories - stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. No doubt, living in Lagos is one big hell with frightening slums, tattered roads, kidnapping, armed robbery, decaying health and education facilities and all other negativities. Lagos has a lot to learn from the top five best cities to live in, in the world - Melbourne, Australian; Vienna, Austria; Vancouver, Canada; Toronto, Canada; and Calgary, Canada – in order to vacate this inglorious club. For a start, Ambode and his team must learn to be pragmatic and people-oriented with their projects.

Boko Haram Attacks in Damboa, Shawa I have always maintained that Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Borno State are unwilling to return home because their towns and villages are, in the real sense of it, still unsafe.

Recent attacks by Boko Haram in Shawa village, in Askira Local Government Area and Kuburubu, in Damboa Local Government Area, reinforce my position. The insurgents struck in Kuburubu, last week Saturday, killing six persons and abducted about 13 others - seven women, five teenage boys and a teenage girl. Many other villagers were left injured. They also stole goats,

camels, and chickens. After the looting spree, they set almost the entire Kuburubu village ablaze. The operation lasted several hours unchallenged.

Last Sunday at Shawa village, the terrorists killed an unspecified number of people. They also burnt the entire village, raped women and injured many residents. The truth is that most of the so-called liberated towns and villages are still largely insecure. This is why the IDPs are refusing to return home. This is a fact we must all face in this war against Boko Haram. Only the truth can set us free. May Allah continue to guide our gallant soldiers as they go after these terrorists.

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AUGUST 27, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

GIVING CREDIT TO WHOM IT IS DUE Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala deserves commendation for the Abuja-Kaduna rail project, argue Tope Bankole and Uzoma Ngozi

On July 26, the media was awash with news of the launching of the Abuja-Kaduna railway project. The news elicited a tweet from the Peoples Democratic Party via their official twitter handle. This eventually sparked off a controversy on who should actually take the credit for the completion of the project.

The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi was credited with this statement, “The rail contract was awarded by President Obasanjo, partially executed

by President Jonathan and completed by President Buhari.”

For the record, let’s get this clear. While I commend Buhari’s administration for seeing the project to completion, do they deserve the credit? No. Even the PDP does not deserve the credit. Who then gets the credit?

I wish I could say it is the Buhari-led government but the project would not have seen the light of the day had Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala opposed it as finance minister.

Had she not approved the disbursal of funds for the project, the All Progressives Congress’ members may have been in council meetings instead of posing in front of a camera at the so-called launching.

Prior to the birth of Buhari’s administration which has Amaechi as the Transport Minister, the Chinese government signed a contract agreement with the federal government on October 22, 2009, for the construction of the 186-kilometre standard gauge rail line from Abuja (Idu Station) to Kaduna railway with construction deadline initially scheduled for December 2014, a 46-month period.

Through the support of former Finance Minister, Dr Okonjo-Iweala, the Chinese government invested about $900,000,000.00 from the China Export and Import Bank (The Guardian, January 27, 2016) for the build, operate and transfer (BOT) project.

However, the project was stymied by different challenges. The Chinese construction company handling the project, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), cited exchange rate issues, as impediments to the completion of the project.

Showing her commitment, Dr Okonjo-Iweala categorised the Abuja-Kaduna Rail as a priority project in 2015 budgetary and economic planning, despite her bid to cut

SHOWING HER COMMITMENT, DR OKONJO-IWEALA CATEGORISED THE ABUJA-KADUNA RAIL AS A PRIORITY PROJECT IN 2015 BUDGETARY AND ECONOMIC PLANNING, DESPITE HER BID TO CUT DOWN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE TO ALLEVIATE THE PAIN RESULTING FROM THE ECONOMIC HEADWINDS

down capital expenditure to alleviate the pain resulting from the economic headwinds. She writes, “Inevitably, there will also be some cuts in capital expenditure in the 2015 Budget, but this is being done in a way that is pro-poor and pro-average Nigerian. Focus will be on priority sectors of infrastructure, health, education and security, as well as growth stimulating and job creating sectors like agriculture, housing and creative industries. Even in infrastructure, there will be focus on certain priority national projects such as Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the second Niger Bridge, Oweto Bridge, Abuja-Kaduna Rail, Maiduguri-Enugu Rail, Zungeru, Kashimbila and Mambila Hydro, etc.” (Afripol, December 5, 2014).

I could go on stating many other facts and reports but my point is this: credit should be given to Dr. OkonjoIweala for the approval, funding, start and completion of the Abuja-Kaduna Railway project. After all, many projects have been proposed but never saw the light of the day because of bureaucracies, corruption and selfish interests.

Incidents of abandoned projects are rampant all over the country, from Lagos to Ogun State, Port Harcourt to Delta, in the North, South-East and all over. Projects of high capital cost, such as residential buildings, office buildings and even road constructions are abandoned too.

This is caused by numerous factors, including choice of project site, embarking on projects without need analysis, lack of social analysis of a project’s development, project imposition by contemporary standard, improper financial analysis, under-bidding of projects, lack of technical analysis.

But not the rail construction. From facilitating the release of a $900 million loan from the NEXIM Bank of China, a move masterminded to further strengthen Nigeria and China’s relationship, to supervising and inspecting the project, Dr Okonjo-Iweala should be commended. Having taken the project to a commendable level, the present administration had no choice than to inaugurate it; after all, everyone likes to associate with success!

Let’s give credit to whom it is due.

Bankole and Ngozi wrote from Lagos

THE ENGINE ROOM OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING Ikhide Erasmus pays tribute to Elijah Okougbo, a labour leader of repute

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omething tragic happened to the Nigeria state on the road to Third Republic. The record is there in the history of the combative labour movement and civil society groups which presided over the ouster of the military boys and chased them back to the barracks.

Military regimes breed tyrants, men without economic conscience. They bristle with history of disorientation, of pillaging, of corruption, of brigandage, of banal suppression of the human spirit and, incapable of reflecting on their own real reason for existence.

From the period of colonial rule to the time of military interregnum, the Nigeria state was replete with courageous voices from the labour movement, calling for independence, democracy, social justice, equity and fairness. The voices of the likes of Pa Michael Imoudu, Hassan Sumonu, Frank Kokori, Joseph Akinlaja and Elijah Okougbo readily came to mind. They all rooted for common good.

These were some of the miracle workers that propelled Nigeria and Nigerians to survive such debilitating disorder and forceful repression that attended colonial and military incursions. There were avatars, particularly from the oil unions, who heroically stood between the oppressed and the oppressors. July 5, 1994, bore the testament. On that fateful day, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) began the longest strike in Nigerian history to protest the June 12 annulled presidential elections. The nation was plunged into a monumental fuel crisis.

I asked the elder statesman, Comrade Frank Kokori, not too long ago in Abuja, how he held on to the struggle, unbroken while in the gulag, sustaining the nonviolent agitation for the validation of the

“June 12 Mandate”? He said, “The heroes and titans of that era were Comrades Elijah Okougbo and Joseph Akinlaja, both retired secretary-generals of NUPENG and Comrade Wariebi Agamene”. He painted moveable pictures of the derring-do spirit of Comrade Okougbo, a shrewd negotiator, as one of the greatest men ever thrown up by the labour movement. Comrade Kokori however regretted the lack of cohesion on the part of the progressives to form a formidable political party to contest elections and form the government at the centre. That was long before I had anything to do with NUPENG. He lamented that those who profited from the blood of innocent Nigerians, occasioned by the military brutal ruination of the nation like former Governor James Ibori, who were leaking his hideouts and that of his loved ones to the military boys, were the first persons that were rewarded by the same system which they antagonised.

Comrade Kokori said the history of Nigeria can never be told without the role played by the likes of Comrade Elijah Okougbo. Courageous, well-mannered and with absolute touch of toughness and thoroughness, Comrade Elijah Okougbo and his colleagues organised punitive strikes against the military goons who were determined to keep the nation under their foot. The life and times of Comrade Okougbo is one whose immense contributions to modern Nigeria’s search for political determination, institutional building, education and nation-building will not escape any inquisitive historians.

Okougbo was a giant in size and in intellect; even among giants of all stripes.

He stood out for his exceptional courage, indomitable spirit, intimidating brilliance, stupendous energy and entrepreneurial wizardry. Thanks for the immutable hand of destiny, he was able to witness the birth of the Fourth Republic.

My chanced encounter with him made me believe he will walk into God’s Kingdom without judgment. The reason is that I am a strong believer of ‘Religion of Humanity’, which for me, is the highest religion.

As a detribalised humanist, who agonised about the condition of the poor people in the society, he strove relentlessly to pave the way for those qualified to be gainfully employed in the oil industry and elsewhere.

And he assisted so many people in the oil sector in their hundreds to access jobs.

Therefore, my divine meeting was not just an icing on the cake of my search for formidable platforms to agitate and fight for the rights of the underclass, the oppressed, the downtrodden and the victimised. The father/son relationship which marked the turning point of my life, created an opening for me in NUPENG and lasted till the day he breathed his last.

I could recall an incident when he penciled down my name for a higher office and task within the oil union and some boys within his homestead protested vigorously.

In response, he quipped: “Did any of you come from my mother’s womb? Are you not aware that Erasmus’ burning intellect is superior to your ethnic inclination? It was vintage Comrade Elijah Okougbo, the protector of the weak.

His life read like a magical adventure or some African version of Robinson Crusoe.

Born on March 27, 1945, in his maternal home of Ujemen Ekpoma, a second child to Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Unuigbe Okougbo of the noble family of Okougbo Ocheimen of Uhuen-Idogun-Idumogo, Iruekpen Ekpoma, Esan West, Edo State, there was no question as to his greatness in life. After his early education at Iruekpen, he proceeded to the University of Ibadan to study Industrial Relations and Trade Unionism and graduated in 1977.

Okougbo was recruited into the Nigeria Police Force - during the civil war. He

left the police force on his own volition to study trade unionism and industrial relations. He worked briefly with the Nigeria Airways as assistant Industrial Relations Officer before joining the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) as an organising secratary in 1979. Comrade Kokori alluded to my personal observations of Comrade Okougbo thus: “Comrade was a highly principled and organised leader, a man of humble beginning, amiable and good natured, a lover of his own nativity and a detribalised Nigerian”.

Comrade Okougbo was variously trained in leadership, arbitration, management, conflict resolution, negotiation, revolutionary technique, agitation and propaganda, etc., in various institutions in the Great Britain, United States, South Africa, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Czek/ Slovak Republic, Ghana, etc. He was a super star in trade union administration and his dynamism helped to uplift industrial relations practice, especially in the strategic oil and gas industry, where he brought his vast experience to bear in the past three decades.

As a traditional unionist, he has earned for himself the sobriquet, “The organiser” and the “engine room of collective bargaining.” The two books he authored entitled: “Strategic Issues on the Dynamics of Industrial Relations - Theory and Practice” and “The Memoirs of a Labour Leader” are the best books I have laid my hands on in the quest for knowledge in the public relations industry.

One would have wished that such epitome and embodiment of human civilisation, institution and leadership remained in the saddle at the highest administrative office of the famous oil union. But he retired on May 31, 2012, and passed on June 26 at the age of 71.

Ikhide wrote from Lagos

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AUGUST 27, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

What fate?

Nigeria’s RIO 2016 Olympics Misadventure The 2016 Rio Olympics have come and gone, but its memories certainly linger on.

For some athletes as well as countries, Rio 2016 Olympics was a moment to savour for a long time. For instance, it was at the Rio games that 31 years old United States’ phenomenal swimmer, Michael Phelps, became the greatest Olympian ever. Phelps notched up an incredible five gold and one silver at the Rio games to bring his total medal haul to 28 over the course of four Olympics from Athens 2004 to Rio 2016. Of the 28 medals Phelps won, 23 are gold. Only 37 countries have taken home more medals than him in Olympics’ history! Phelps’s compatriots and Olympic veteran, Anthony Ervin, equally created Olympics record when he became the oldest athlete to strike gold at the Olympics at the age of 35 years.

Similarly, for South African sensational sprinter, Wayde van Niekerk, who smashed American Michael Johnson’s 17-year-old Olympic record in the 400 metres race with a sensational time of 43.03 seconds, Rio 2016 Olympics would remain a watershed.

For Jamaican track legend, Usain Bolt, the Rio 2016 games would remain evergreen.

Since he burst into global reckoning courtesy his celebrated world record wonders in the 100 metres race at Beijing Olympics in 2008, Bolt has grown to become a sprint phenomenon. His Olympics record is, to say the least, awesome: three Olympics, three gold medals in each of the three races he competed for; a world record over 100m, a world record over 200m, a world record in the sprint relay. Not only has Bolt created Olympic and athletics records, he has equally redeemed the sport from its numerous doping scandals.

However, while many individuals and nations are still savouring the joy of victory at the Rio Olympics, for our dear nation, the story remains the same. When our team went to Rio, Nigerians had little expectation and were, thus, not quite disappointed at the outcome. Well, many have said that our performance at Rio was a step forward when compared to London 2012 when we won absolutely nothing. At least, we won a bronze medal at Rio, courtesy of the controversial U23 Men Football team. But then, of what

Why Your Business is Small

substance is a bronze medal to a country of over 170 million people with many hidden and budding sporting talents?

While Fiji, a country with a population less than that of Lagos won gold medal at the Rio games, Nigeria, the ‘giant’ of Africa, could only make do with a bronze medal. It is a shame that we couldn’t raise a formidable team to participate in events such as swimming, handball, wrestling, volleyball, hockey, among others. To further reinforce the sorry state of sports in the country, our male basketball team, the Tigers, was fully made up of Nigerians in Diaspora. It was obvious at the games that our athletes lacked the technical expertise required to excel at the world stage. In as much as they desired to succeed at the games, it was evident that desires alone could not bring success at that level.

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

People at some points do start up a business venture based on how it played out. It is germane for the owner manager to sincerely acknowledge under which classification his/ her business falls per time e.g. start –up, micro business, small business, mediumsized business, etc.

Though, classification of available business ventures has severally been done by various governments of different African countries basically because of their interest in taxation grouping and policy plans. Many governments till date do have a difficulty in defining and classifying small business, maybe because of lack of real time research. Their different definition has ended up confusing the generality of the citizens. It may be because of the inability of the governments to properly define small business that has caused small business to suffer financial assistance, policy assistance and not getting the required enabling environment precisely in Nigeria.

Every entrepreneur or owner manager is

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

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

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& RE A SO

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

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

expected to be sure of where their business falls per time. This little knowledge will assist the owner to consciously move his/ her business forward at the right pace. Little or no knowledge by most entrepreneurs is responsible for most small businesses dying in their first three years.

The definition of small business should be based on the size of your employee, annual turnover, working capital, assets; revenue, etc.

The truth is that most of the small businesses don’t actually have employees. They provide income to their owners, but by definition are not job creators. Many of these businesses exist largely to support a family and are not principally focused on expansion. Other yardstick that may be used to define it is the location of the enterprise and also its ownership type. A small business is typically owned by an individual and it operates privately. It could be based at the owner’s home or at a location that does not occupy so much space.

However, a business may be small in the context of the economic environment it operates from. Some businesses are small because their products and services impact only on a small pool of customers either within their community or scattered around one state and the other.

Another way to know is when the small business does not even have any existing major source of funding. Unfortunately, it has to depend on crude survival strategy to remain in the industry it belongs. Majority of the firms and business organisations that exists in Nigeria are individuals seeking to earn a living through entrepreneurial endeavour. In clear terms, a small business is not expected to run unnecessary expenses as if it has the capacity of a medium-sized business.

What your business may lack that makes it a small business: knowledge / information, advice and counselling, networking, branding, referrals, advisory partners, basic and targeted business planning, training, mentoring funding, leverage, management and strategic planning.

Kunle Adebunmi,www.kunleadebunmi.com

14

AUGUST 27, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

Canticles...

The Nigerian Economy: The Presidential Dog Let Us Remember and the Prison

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here is this refrain of a lovely hymn that says “Let us Remember, Let Us Remember, the works they have done…”

I cannot but relate it to the Nigerian economy, especially at this time when almost everybody—including the rich and the poor, is/are groaning from the harsh knock of economic recession.

We have found ourselves in such a dire strait economically that it is only wise to look back and investigate what brought us to this sorry point.

Yes, there is a great slump in oil price globally, but that is not the only reason we are in this mess. The truth is that we had mismanaged our gracious and bountiful past. The wisdom in the injunction that we must save for the rainy day did not make sense to us. We chose to live a prodigal life, vagrantly crushing everything that came our way and indulging in unchecked epicureanism. That’s what brought us to where we are.

Those who want to put the blame on President Muhammadu Buhari and say it is all because he has no economic team, or that he is economically clueless( that word again), miss the point. What is probably right to say about President Buhari is that he is unlucky to have assumed power at a time when all the tripods of the nation’s economy had been broken. And that he is not doing enough to reerect those tripods. Not Kemi Adeosun even the Emergency Power Bill being rumoured can transform our story in the immediate.

The fact is that the road to where we are today has been charted a long time ago. We have been on a journey to the present place.

When the Central Bank of Nigeria, last year banned the importation of some 41 items, it is in realisation that we have been travelling on the wrong road.

When the federal government came up with the curious policy of not getting involved in running businesses and began selling off government assets to cronies and crooks, it was sure to take us to where we are today. At the time, they regaled us with the neo-liberal phrase that government should hands off businesses and conglomerates; that government should just provide the enabling environment… So, the big government companies were not only sold off, sometimes cheaply, but also and more importantly, the so-called enabling environment was anything but provided. Since the days of BPE till today, we are still struggling with the cost of doing business in Nigeria, which experts say, is very high. Is it any surprise that the amount of our Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has dropped sharply?

Last Tuesday, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) lamented that in one year alone, 272 firms had shut down in Nigeria with 180,000 jobs lost within the same period. How many small scale businesses have been snuffed out of existence?

We cannot forget that we once had Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN). Where is Volkswagen Nigeria? And where is General Motors?

Where is Dunlop Nigeria Ltd? Did Michelin Nigeria, under our very eyes not pack its bags and went to Ghana over ten years ago?

Have we forgotten Bata and Lennards? Those shoe companies, where are they?

Where is the Steel Rolling Mill, Osogbo or the Steel Rolling Mill, Ajaokuta or even the Delta Steel Company, Aladja? Where are they?

Let us remember companies like Arewa

textiles, Berec Battery, Kingsway, AG Leventis, Bhojson… where are they? Can’t we see that recession did not start today?

Yes, a few new companies like the Telecoms companies have come around and provided plenty of employment, but where are the Departmental stores which employed huge numbers at the time? The only new entrant that distantly approximates them is the Shoprite stores which in actual fact cannot compare with the departmental stores of the 70’s and 80’s in terms of spread and employment capacities.

I remember as recent as 1999 when a certain governor in the South South will always have five BMW power bike outriders herald his convoy of many cars, a wild luxury which even the Earl of Rochester could hardly afford. It was just his silly way of burning and spending the 13% derivation fund his state received. Today, that state is struggling with payment of civil servants and pensioners. The same governor is among a threesome musketeer (all governors) who must fly to wherever Arsenal was playing a football match at that time.

They did not show any enthusiasm whatsoever whenever Enyimba Football Club, Warri Wolves, Akwa United or Lone Stars played.

We, nay, they, were mindlessly blowing up our foreign exchange reserve for fleeting pleasures that endureth not.

Our penchant for so-called foreign items continued to grow. If the item—clothing, furniture, wine or football clubs etc., are not imported, we attach no value to them. The Nigerian brand is no where to be found. We produce nothing and import almost everything. Even Nigerian-based companies do abroad to shoot their advert videos and use foreign artistes for their Voice-over recordings.

Few years ago, some bank managers and city “Big Boys” used to send their blazers and suits to London on Friday for dry cleaning services and they are flown back by Sunday night, after burning foreign exchange on express service and freighting, whereas the top class Drycleaners in town are baying for patronage . In pursuit of foreign pleasures and indulgences, we boost the economy of the nations from where we import and impoverish our own. The USD is now like gold. And today, we are gasping for breath. The song: Let us remember the works they have done…., comes to mind again Many of the said companies were mismanaged and literally killed. Many others were choked out of existence while some others simply relocated out of our shores. The result today is the swirl of unemployment hitting the nation. And since nature abhors vacuum, the young men and women who are through with schooling and have no jobs to do, have formed many engaging companies like Kidnappers Consult Plc, Pipeline Deconstruction Company Ltd, 3-D Bunkering Nigeria Technology, Prostitution Fair, Human Trafficking Network Organisation etc. etc. And these ‘companies’ rather than grow our economy and GDP, have indeed become our bane and our troublers.

Yes, economy is tough now. The price of crude oil is terribly low, yet, our ways and lifestyles have not helped to rejig our economy.

What if we never had oil? We must perish our huge appetite for every and anything foreign. That way, we can conserve our foreign exchange spending, grow our foreign reserve and more importantly, be forced to search out home-grown alternatives. That is the way to put the criminal entrepreneurs (kidnappers and co) out of business and make them join hands to grow the economy.

I

s it true that Joachim Iroko is still in prison detention?

Joachim who? Who is that?

You don’t know Joachim Iroko, alias Joe? The man who named his dog Buhari and was sent to prison? You don’t know him?

Why should I bother myself remembering the name of such a trouble maker?

What do you mean by troublemaker? What trouble did he cause in this matter?

Need you ask? What else was he looking for by not only naming his dog Buhari, but also wrote out the name and stamped it on the dog’s body while he paraded the dog around town starting from the Hausa quarter of Sango Ota, where Buhari’s kinsmen will see it and don’t forget that is the same surrounding community of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the friend of President Buhari. What was that so-called Joe looking for in all that?

Tell me!

Is that your conclusion? You must be a terrible judge. Ok, let me ask you: Which section of the constitution did Joe breach by choosing just any name for his dog?

Does he not have the freedom to choose a name for his dog?

Don’t ask me stupid question. Buhari is Ibrahim –Police IG not just any name. For crying out loud, that is the name of the president of the largest Black country in the world. Can’t there be some discretion and expediency in our actions? Did you not hear the prosecutor saying what he did was capable of breaching the peace of the society thus committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Law of Ogun State, Nigeria, 2016.”?

Look, it is not Grammar fair. Just make your points without tumbling in tons of grammar. Is there nothing called namesake in your dictionary?

And of all namesakes, the one that tickled Joe’s fancy is the name of a sitting president?

What impudence! What happened to common dog names like Bingo, Jack, Rackie, Scorpion? Or why did he not call the dog Iroko, after his own surname?

But the man has the right to name his dog whatever he choses. It may have just been a coincidence that the name of the dog is the same as the name of Mr President.

Please don’t recast the narrative. It is the man who named his dog after the name of Mr President. Not the other way round.

Are you saying that Mr President does not have a namesake anywhere in Nigeria?

What if Joe named his dog Obama?

You don’t understand. That man called Joachim was looking for raw trouble. Were it not so, why did he have to paste the name of the president on his dog and then began to parade the dog around town? Was it not bad enough to give his dog the same name of Mr President? He now went further to do a show with a Buhari-labeled dog. Was the dog on exhibition parade? Do dogs normally have their names pasted on their bodies? Don’t mope at me. Tell me!

Ok, so who told the Police to arrest the man? Was it president Buhari?

You are refusing to see it as a breach of the man’s right. I am telling you that it is purely dictatorial. It is the over zealousness of the law enforcement agencies to impress the president , that they are watching his back.

That’s rubbish. If you know Mr President, you will know that he is not interested in such shallow shenanigans.

So why has he not directed that the poor man be released? Is he a criminal to have been thrown into prison? Ok, see now, the man is unable to raise just N30,000 for his bail. Must a tiger bewail its tigritude?

Was it Mr President that directed that the man be arrested? Why don’t you allow the law enforcement agencies to do their work?

Go and tell him to ignore side distractions of governance like the issue of Joachim Iroko. What Joachim did is just an act to spice up the tense socio-economic flavor of the country. Tell Mr President the economy is crumbling under his watch. Tell him to take the warning of Emir Sanusi seriously. He must not end up like the vilified Goodluck Jonathan. Tell him that companies are closing down and Nigerians are groaning under weakened purchasing power. Tell him, the likes of Joachim are not a threat to the economy by any means. Go and tell Mr President to focus his attention on the crumbling economy. Tell him to order those overzealous policemen to let the poor Joe go home to feed his children. After all, the presidential dog has been killed and consumed.

But do you know that the continued detention of Joe is actually to ensure his own safety?

How? He could be attacked and lynched for literally calling Mr President a dog by people who may be appearing to be defending the honour and personality of Mr President.

Look, that Ota is not the only place to live in this whole country. Let them allow the man go and he could relocate from the state if he so desires. But truth is that it does not seem right and just to imprison a man who innocuously chose to name his dog the same name of a sitting president., otherwise it would seem that the arrest and detention is a rape of his freedom and affront on his self esteem.

I cannot guarantee that. What I am sure of is that he will have his day in court as a deterrent for such mindless conduct.

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August 27, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

TUNDERAHMAN The Column on Politics and Political Issues

tunderahmanu@yahoo.com

08055069548 (Text only)

Atiku, PDP and Sheriff’s Allegation

F

ormer Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied the accusation linking him with the current crisis tearing at the heart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The factional Chairman of the opposition party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, claimed the quest for the party’s presidential ticket for the 2019 election was the main cause of the PDP crisis. He had also alleged that one of the party’s founding fathers had a hand in it all. In a recent interview with African Independent Television (AIT), the embattled chairman accused Governor Nyesom Wike and former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, of plotting to hand over the party’s presidential ticket to a prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “Wike and Secondus are working to give the party’s ticket in 2019 to a man in APC, a man that is not even bold enough to leave the APC and join us. He was in the PDP before. He was a founding father of the PDP,” Sheriff said, adding, “I don’t have to mention him (his name).

Secondus himself told me that he and Wike always meet this man to strategise on 2019.

I told him that it is wrong; if the man is bold enough, let him come and join us now”.

Sheriff was apparently referring to Atiku.

And the former vice president knows this that much, which was why he quickly responded to the allegation. He said he had no hand in the PDP crisis. Sheriff has not provided any evidence yet to contradict Atiku’s denial. He did not even tender any evidence to back his statement beyond his claim that Secondus allegedly told him that he (Secondus) and Wike had been meeting Atiku to strategise on 2019. While it may be true that Atiku has no hand in the crisis rocking PDP at present, it may not be true that Atiku has no eye on 2019 presidential race, and the former vice president has not said so either. Denying Sheriff’s allegation, Atiku, in a terse statement on his Twitter handle @ Atiku, merely said:”Former VP @ Atiku has no hand in PDP crisis”.

The former vice president nurses a burning ambition to occupy the topmost office in the land. He is a veteran of presidential contests in the country. There is hardly any race for the nation’s presidency he did n’t enlist in since he first indicated interest in the job in 1992 on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP).

That year, he ran a tight race with late business mogul, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, for SDP’s ticket, eventually losing the ticket to Abiola after a second ballot. Atiku’s undying ambition to be president is widely known. That ambition is believed to have played a part in the ill-tempered face-off between him and President Obasanjo, which rocked their administration from the beginning of Obasanjo’s second term in 2003 till the very end of that regime.

Also, that presidential ambition has seen Atiku in and out of PDP like Sheriff said.

In 2007, he contested for the presidency on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the party he ran to when President Olusegun Obasanjo completely annihilated him in PDP and muscled him out of the party, not without putting up a ferocious resistance though.

Four years earlier, the time many political analysts saw as his biggest opportunity because Obasanjo’s fabled magnificence was already downhill, Atiku failed to join the race because he was largely indecisive.

Instead, he accepted to be Obasanjo’s running mate on PDP platform, even though the strain was already noticeable in their union. He returned again to PDP in 2011 to contest for the party’s ticket with a sitting President Goodluck Jonathan. Of course, he lost woefully. In 2015 and as one of the political heavyweights that birthed the then-opposition All Progressives Congress, Atiku again came out to contest for the party’s presidential ticket at a time the clamour for General Muhammadu Buhari

Atiku

Obasanjo’s Rare Rejoinder

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t’s not usually in the character of former President Obasanjo to say something and turn round to deny it. He would say something and would stand by what he said. So when the former president denied the statement credited to him in the media that three or four of them from different parts of the country got together and brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power in 2015 (perhaps the same way three or four Northerners brought him (Obasanjo) to power in 1999 from prison), I verily believed him. But the statement credited to him is also believable. Obasanjo was reported to have made the statement at a reception organised for him in Jalingo, Taraba State capital where he went on a visit. He has, however, issued a denial, saying nobody can claim glory for Buhari’s election.

The problem, as I indicated earlier, is the statement credited to him is believable. It is in synch with the former president’s character to revel

to mount the saddle was at its zenith. He came a distant third, behind Buhari and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa kwankwanso. Buhari won the ensuing presidential poll, defeating incumbent President Jonathan.

Now, will Atiku throw his hat into the ring for the 2019 presidential contest? Big question! Let me first say that whatever Atiku decides to do in respect of 2019 is his choice. If he decides to run, he will be exercising his fundamental human right.

He is eminently qualified for the office. He knows his onions. He is articulate and has wide network of contacts nationally and internationally. He is clear-headed and has outstanding ideas about what he wants to do for this country if he emerges president.

His prescription on restructuring as a panacea for resolving the nation’s political

in incredulous vain-glory, in moral righteousness. He likes to see himself as that super being that knows all the nation’s problems and the solutions to them. The sad thing, however, is when he was catapulted to power again in 1999, 20 years after he voluntarily handed over power to a civilian as a military leader, it was n’t a jolly ride to Eldorado for the country as many had expected. Obasanjo tried his best but through some self-conceited decisions and actions, which again was a throwback to his persona; his era turned out not exactly a glorious one. It’s all well and good that Obasanjo acknowledged that Buhari was brought to power by the collective will of the people, not by any single person or group. A majority of Nigerians voted for Buhari because they were yearning for ‘change’ from the clueless government of President Goodluck Jonathan. More than one year after that historic vote, have the people gotten the ‘change’ they happily voted for? Big question! problems, which he unfolded the other day in Abuja, was profound and insightful. I had argued elsewhere before that I would prefer leaders like Atiku who over the years had laboured laboriously, fought courageously to be president and prepared elaborately for the office to mount the saddle some day as opposed to some others like Obasanjo, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Jonathan who had to be goaded into the race and foisted on us when they did not struggle for the office and appeared ill- prepared for it.

But my sense is though the present administration is still battling to make the desired impact and the people are yet to get the ‘change’ they voted for and also we do not know yet what Buhari will do in respect of 2019 race (whether he will do a Mandela option), Atiku will be

But my sense is though the present administration is still battling to make the desired impact and the people are yet to get the ‘change’ they voted for and also we do not know yet what Buhari will do in respect of 2019 race (whether he will do a Mandela option), Atiku will be embarking on another wild goose chase if he ventures into the 2019 presidential race. Buhari’s anticorruption crusade, even with its alleged imperfection, is been waged stubbornly and the president is being applauded at home and abroad for it. That trend seems irreversible and the crusade may sound the death knell of those who allegedly have corruption baggage in their bid to occupy leadership positions in future. Atiku is battling the public perception that he is generally corrupt, which may hunt him in 2019 embarking on another wild goose chase if he ventures into the 2019 presidential race. Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade, even with its alleged imperfection, is been waged stubbornly and the president is being applauded at home and abroad for it. That trend seems irreversible and the crusade may sound the death knell of those who have corruption baggage in their bid to occupy leadership positions in future.

Atiku is battling the public perception that he is generally corrupt, which may hunt him in 2019, the same albatross that may hunt former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, to his grave.

• Rahman, former Editor, Thisday on Sunday, is Managing Editor of Western Post. Follow him on Twitter @ tunderahmanu

16

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016 WITH

MARITIME BITS

JOHN IWORI

08057763164

L-R: National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu with the Legal Adviser to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Paul Ikhenoba shortly after the on-going engagement of stakeholders by NCS for inputs into the new draft Customs and Excise Management Bill 2016 in Kano …recently

L-R: Former Deputy Managing Director, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC), Dr. Daru Owei, receives an award from the Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Lawrence Anukam while publisher of the Environment Outreach Magazine watches with interest in Abuja…recently

LADOL, INTELS Feud Divides Presidency Fresh facts have emerged that the feud between Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base Limited (LADOL) and Integrated Services Nigeria Limited (INTELS) have divided the Presidency as the promoters of both companies have penetrated the top inner recess of power to solicit for support.

While Chief Oladipo Jadesimi is the founder and Executive Chairman of the multi-million naira facility situated adjacent Africa’s largest container terminal and Nigeria’s premier and busiest port, Apapa Quay, INTELS in which former President Atiku Abubakar has substantial

equity shares holds sway in the hub of the oil and gas industry, Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Apart from Onne, INTELS is also the concessionaire of the nation’s seaports situated in the Cross River State capital, Calabar and Warri, Delta State.

It is on record that there is no love lost between both companies as their promoters have continued to flex muscles in a supremacy contest in the maritime industry. While LADOL claimed it has approval of the Federal Government to carry out

Stakeholders Slam Customs Boss Stakeholders in the maritime industry have slammed the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retired) for his poor knowledge of the operations of the organisation he heads which they alleged was basis of the wrong decisions he has taken since he took over the reins of administration from his predecessor, Alhaji Inde Dikko Abdullahi.

They specifically lambasted Ali who was the military administrator of Kaduna State during General Olusegun tenure as Head of State for his recent directive to subject all consignments in the nation’s seaports, airports and land borders to 100 per cent physical examination.

They also criticised him for stopping the fast track process earmarked for certain categories of importers in the country.

Describing NCS Comptroller General as unprofessional and someone who needs to understand what the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) spells out on importation and raising of Debit Note (DN), the stakeholders also condemned Ali recent to Apapa port in Lagos without consulting with the operators on challenges faced in port operators.

The stakeholders who spoke in Lagos including the founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and a chieftain of the National Council of Managing Directors Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Chief Boniface Okoye, maintained that many port users are not comfortable with Ali’s handling of issues since his appointment. They wondered why Ali will come to Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos on the basis that some containers were intercepted in one of the NCS commands.

According to the NAGAFF founder, Ali is playing to the gallery because it is not new to intercept containers in large volume on account of abuse of fast track. The CGC visit to Lagos without consulting with stakeholders is unfortunate.

Continuing, he said: “I wonder whether it is because of the seizures that made him come to Lagos when we know it is no news. Such happening at the ports is not the first or second time, therefore those things do not make news, but for me I look at him playing to the gallery and to the extent that he even visited Lagos, he never bothered to see anybody; not even the stakeholders because these are people you are going to work with.

“Nobody is interested in what he is saying because these are some of things we are telling him that we need to look at issues on corruption in the ports holistically and things that lead to corruption which most time is systemic”, he stated.

its business in its present location, a committee set up by the Minister of Transportation, Right Hon. Rotimi Chibike Amaechi has picked holes in the documents presented by the firm.

To ensure that it does not lose out in battle for the soul of the maritime industry, the company has solicited for the support of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo just as INTELS has not relented in its quest to prove a point that LADOL’s operations in Lagos is illegal.

Alleged to be a monopoly by its competitors, the terminal operator is said to be having the

listening ears of some close aides of President Mohammadu Buhari.

THISDAY checks revealed that it was the division in the Presidency over LADOL and INTELS feud that was partly responsible for the inability of Amaechi’s committee to make public its findings or take a decision on the matter several months after it completed its assignment. It is not only the Presidency that the lingering rivalry between LADOL and INTELS has succeeded in causing a division as some government agencies are also in support or against either companies.

SON Partners NCS to Curb Substandard Ogbeifun Bags Africa Leadership Award Products Influx into Nigeria The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have concluded arrangements to fight importation of substandard products into the country.

SON and NCS entered into the collaboration during the visit of the acting Director General of SON, Dr. Paul Angya to the NCS, Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘C’, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) Azarema Abdulkadir at Area 1, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Angya decried the influx of substandard goods in the country and the danger they portend, stressing that people could only live a healthy life, if there were quality goods in circulation.

The SON Director General called for the establishment of system that could support SON to flag red alert to nonconformity and substandard products in the ports and borders, pointing out that failure to address the upsurge headlong, would be detrimental to the economy of the country.

He said the nation was fighting another form of war against substandard products, even as he emphasised that SON would need the support of an institution like NCS to attain success in “fighting the war”.

His words: “Our mandate and what we do is very important for people living quality and fulfilled life. People can only live a quality life if there are quality goods in the market. Our job affects people’s lives. That is why we need collaboration from the Customs because they are the first point of call of importation. Now is a very challenging time in our history and we must lay emphasis on quality and standard. Which area can we say is removed from the incidences of substandard goods? Substandard products have outrun the economy of the country. They have wreaked havoc to the nation’s economy.

“If we do not sanitize the country of substandard goods, all efforts for diversification of the nation’s economy

will fail. Until we clean up the country of substandard products, our economy has not started. We, as a nation, have not started. We are in another type of war. These substandard products are seriously attacking our economy. Until we address the upsurge, we would make no headway”.

Angya disclosed that the organisation had shut down the Electronic Professional Clearance Certificate (EPCC) platform so that people bringing goods into Nigeria conformed to SONCAP regime.

According to him, for us to succeed, we need the cooperation of Customs as the landlords of the ports. They are first point of contact, when products land.

So, we need their support. We need their manpower and their expertise.

Customs have been assisting us in the past but we are asking them to give us more. The problem is there. It has not gone away. We need additional support from them to be able to curb the influx of substandard products in the country.

ACG Abdulkadir in his response noted that Angya touched salient issues affecting the nation, admitting that there was need to work together as government agencies.

Continuing, the Zonal Coordinator said: “We share the pains of the blames you are getting. The most important way to control and address it is by collaboration between SON and Customs.

It is our responsibility to assist it in the fight against substandard goods.

No single organisation can achieve effectively without the cooperation of relevant agencies. SON has the responsibility of checking importation of substandard products. But it is not in total control of the movement of the products. That has to do with the Customs, and I believe the essence of the visit is for collaboration.

“We have noted their problems and the NCS is prepared to cooperate with them to fight those challenges. We have been partnering for long; but, fraud is always ahead of control.

Foremost indigenous ship owner and dockyard operator, Mr. Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun has been honoured by All Africa Students Union (AASU) with the African Leadership Award, for his exemplary and altruistic vision for the youths.

Apart from being one of the key actors in the shipping sector of the economy, Ogbeifun, a marine engineer is also the President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) and Chief Executive Officer of the STARZS Group.

The AASU (PAN-AFRICAINE DES ETUDIANTS) is a continental representative organization of democratic students’ unions founded in 1972 at University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Ghana with 54 member unions from Francophone and Anglophone African countries.

An affiliate of the International Union of Students (IUS),the body indicated that the award was sequel to “good recommendations” made by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) nominating Ogbeifun, for the “2015 Africa Leadership Award” as “Beacon of Hope for Africa’s Development.”

“We are glad to inform you of your ratification by the congress of AASU for the conferment of the “2015 Africa Leadership Award” and your subsequent induction into the AASU Hall of Fame”, the Continental body with a consultative status with UNESCO, ECOSOC, UNICEF, ECOWAS, and the African Union stated in its letter signed by its Secretary General, Mr. Awaah Fred.

Known for its impeccable and stringent selection process, the AASU was in July 2006, hosted by the then President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria, South Africa where the former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and former Governor of Nassarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu represented former President Olusegun Obasanjo to receive this prestigious honour.

In 2008, at the Koffi Annan Conference Centre, Osu, Accra, Ghana President John Kuffour alongside Governors Ikedi Ohakim and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Imo and Delta States respectively were amongst recipients of the 2008 Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award Series.

The body said it prides itself on the fact that it only bestows awards on “eminent sons and daughters, institutions, and corporate concerns of African origin, who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour”.

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS TRAVEL AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER FAIRGROUND FASHION FILE

pg. 20 pg. 23 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 36 pg. 41

Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan

I Am the Owner of Ile Ife; I Can Rule Ife from My Palace if Allowed

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 27, 2016

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As a Monarch, I Don’t Work but My Son Pays Me Salary

Resplendent in majestic aura, bedecked in dazzling royal regalia, his palatial entourage thins out as he approaches his throne. Effortlessly, he eases into the elevated seat. His hands and face sparkle with luminescent light of diamonds and gold. Blue-blooded, brilliant and benevolent, he exudes bliss and prowess.

From far and wide, prominent and ordinary people prostrate before him, pay homage and seek his wisdom.

Grand in posture but not grandiloquent, he is a symbol of the past and the present. His royal dynasty, perhaps, is the earliest and most important in the hierarchy of Yoruba monarchies. Meet the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan – the Chairman of the Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee.

A former oil magnate with tremendous wealth, Oba Akinruntan is considered as the richest African monarch. Forbes Magazine, in 2014, put his net worth at $300 million. Fashionable and well-travelled, the monarch’s taste for luxury is apparent. Fashionable and well-travelled, the monarch’s taste for luxury is apparent and he is not pretentious about that. An avid reader of history books, an author and a custodian of Yoruba folklores, the Ondo State monarch tells Adedayo Adejobi and Funmi Johnson, about the supremacy of his royal dynasty over all other Yoruba royal lineages.

In a riveting sense, he talks about his love for fashion, people, traditions and the throne of Ile Ife

I

n a bid to rule your kingdom, what major challenge did you face?

The major challenge I faced was choosing the right people to rule with.

Then I looked inward and saw that I have a lot of knowledgeable people that could work with me to get the job done well. Today, I have commissioners, permanent secretaries, lecturers and all are working with me and helping me to organise the kingdom. I don’t have problem at all. I just delegate and the job is done.

Why informed your saying that you’re the owner of Yoruba nation and that Olugbo is the only recognised Yoruba Oba? I didn’t challenge anybody; I only said I am the owner of Ile Ife. And if you believe that Yorubas are from Ile Ife then you will understand why I said I am the owner of the Yorubas and not Oduduwa as the history circulated said.

There is only distortion of the history by the powers that be. But I don’t mind whatever anybody says. The truth remains unchanged. Oduduwa was not part of the Yoruba. He was not part of us. He migrated to Ile Ife from Mecca. Look at his

tribal marks. He had a foreigner’s marks on his cheeks. He had seven children.

Out of these seven, one was a female called Owu. Owu is near Ikire. It is called Orile-Owu. It was a place where slaves were assembled for sale. Some of the Owu people are in Abeokuta and other parts of Yoruba lands. I don’t need to consult any book to narrate this history. I have read about 2,000 authorities on this subject. This history has always been there, but the powers always make efforts to suppress it.

I am not ready to hurt or fight anybody over this. But I know the truth is there and nobody can do anything about it. We are the aboriginal inhabitants of Ile-Ife. It was Obamakin Osangangan (my grandfather), son of Oraife, who founded Ile Ife. If you are familiar with Ifa divinity, Ugbo is mentioned in a verse that says, ‘Kutukutu oba Ugbo.’ Osangangan also had many children; I will mention only two.

When Oduduwa arrived, he came to Ile Ero (Palace) at Iremo quarters in Ile Ife and he was accepted because of our hospitality. Being a non-native and coming from a background where might was right, he engaged in struggles. Oduduwa never had a successful reign in Ile Ife. Although he initially defeated Obatala,

Oba Frederick Obateru

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AUGUST 27, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

Plus

I Am Creative When It Comes to Fashion Obatala later fought back and conquered him. The late Oba of Benin wrote his autobiography which he titled, ‘I Remain, Sir, Your Obedient Servant.’ He revealed everything in the book. Oba of Benin said the Olugbo is the only recognised Yoruba Oba. I am the owner of Yoruba nation.

Oba of Benin said Ugbo, very close to Okitipupa, is the owner of the South-West and that explains why we have some similarities with the Benin. Our ancestors had something in common; quote me as an authority. There is a book written by Jacob Eugharera in which he stated that the Benins captured 201 Yoruba towns and villages. Why they respected Ugbo was that when they were advancing, we had an Oba that was given respect equivalent to that of the Pope. The Benin had a belief that Ugbo was very strong.

If you want to read the history of the Yoruba, go to Portugal because they first had contact with the Yoruba ahead of other European countries.

Does Ugbo have a community in Ile Ife? Yes; we have a community in Ile Ife and it is called Ile Ugbo – that was my father’s palace before I left it. I left about seven people there. The community is called Ile Ero at Okeremo. The palace is Ile Ugbo.

They are still there till now.

Then why did you leave Ile Ife? My progenitors left Ile Ife following Osanyin’s directive. Obamakin retreated and settled at Okemafuragan, near OkeIgbo. Then, they raised 16 hefty men who regularly raided Ile Ife, capturing women and children. The men covered their faces with masks and were believed to have descended from heaven because Ugbo people are called ‘Ugbo atorunwo’ (people who descended from the heavens). The people, on sighting them, would always run away from being captured. At a point, Moremi, a beautiful slave woman captured from Ile Ife, became the wife of Oromakin at Okemafuragan. Oromakin could not resist her beauty. She stood out among other slaves. She was extremely beautiful. So, Oromakin separated her from others and eventually took her as a wife, oblivious of her real mission. In the end, Moremi succeeded in playing a fast one on him, which helped to demystify the masked men. To the Ilajes, unlike in Ile Ife where she is still being celebrated, Moremi was a traitor. She betrayed us after she had seen the secret behind the masked men that invaded Ile Ife. She leaked the secret and ended the raid. To date, we see her act as an abomination.

Ugbo people are forbidden from taking light complexioned ladies as wives. But the seven captured were given special treatment. They were not hurt. In fact, they begged them to stay because they knew their father could return to destroy Ile Ife. Obamakin returned to Ile Ife to see what was happening to his people but he discovered they were given a VIP treatment. He was shocked. The Ifa oracle later instructed him not to destroy but to relocate to the shores of the Atlantic where the wealth of the Ugbos and generations to come lies. Is it not a blessing now that we are the only oil-producing town in Yoruba land? Till now, those of us who stayed back in Ile Ife are there; they

maintain the link with us here. In fact, they attend our functions.

Do you have any intention to go back and take over the throne in Ile Ife? Well, I have left there but I won’t say I can’t govern Ife from here if I’m allowed.

If they allow me govern Ife from here, they will see a lot of improvement.

What is your relationship with other monarchs within Ondo town, and across Yoruba lands?

We have a very cordial relationship. I have no quarrel with anybody. If I am not cordial with them why will some of them even say it to my face that I am the owner of the Yorubas? I was with Oba Adeyemi some years ago and he said Olugbo, your father is the owner of Ife before the arrival of Oduduwa – a newspaper published it (the statement of Oba Adeyemi). I did not just wake up to say this. A lot of the Obas know this truth as well. I am just out to correct history.

If the story is not real, they would have responded. This book has been out since three years ago. Silence means consent.

Ego may not allow them to say, ‘Yes, I agree with you.’ But they know it is true and that is why they are silent. I have a good relationship with all the other monarchs.

What are your duties as a monarch?

My primary function is to settle disputes among the people. It could be marital and it could be personal. It could even be political. Peace is the watchword; even statutory matters. My function is to make peace and settle them amicably.

Why did you leave a booming oil and gas business for the throne?

The main reason is because I have the blue blood in me. The blue blood is the royal blood and that is what is running through me. And that is why even if I am the head of the world, as long as I have that blue blood in me, I will leave the world to be on the throne as soon as I am called. I have no regrets at all. Do you know that it was as if I know something was going to happen, before I ascended the throne? I have well-trained workers whom I have trained locally and internationally. They are now there to take care of my business. I now collect salaries too and I am okay with that. What is important in life is to have a strong succession plan. I am such an organised person right from when I was hustling. I introduced my children to my business from the beginning. I would take them to my filling stations and get them familiar with how work is done. Today, they are better off. My son is the Managing Director (of my organisation) and he is doing well. He knows the business like the back of his palm. He is in charge; I only call when it is time to draw my salary. I ask him to pay my salary and he does. That should be the joy of a parent who appreciates the fact that the future belongs to his children.

As I am here, I have nothing to worry about concerning how my companies are run. Again, I believe so much in human development. I employed and trained competent hands who are all in charge of different departments.

My progenitors left Ile Ife following Osanyin’s directive. Obamakin retreated and settled at Okemafuragan, near OkeIgbo. Then, they raised 16 hefty men who regularly raided Ile Ife, capturing women and children. The men covered their faces with masks and were believed to have descended from heaven because Ugbo people are called ‘Ugbo atorunwo’ (people who descended from the heavens). The people, on sighting them, would always run away from being captured. At a point, Moremi, a beautiful slave woman captured from Ile Ife, became the wife of Oromakin at Okemafuragan.

Oromakin could not resist her beauty. She stood out among other slaves. She was extremely beautiful How do you relax?

First and foremost, I enjoy good sleep at my leisure hour. I realise that good sleep, more than anything else, has a way of refreshing the body. Again, I have scheduled my time. I have days I see visitors and days that I rest. I don’t see anybody on Mondays. Tuesday to Friday, I am here to see people. I also have days I do my exercises because I still exercise and neither do I drink nor smoke. Also, I do a lot of reading. I read stories and history too; I love reading. And besides, if I am not well read I couldn’t have been able to discover and gather materials for the book I wrote.

As an ardent reader, what five books have you read that influenced you?

‘Sir I Remain Your Obedient Servant’

by Omon’oba of Benin, 2004; ‘The First History of Yoruba’ 1897, by Samuel Johnson; ‘The Growth And Expansion of Christianity in Ile Ife’ 1899, by Rev. Dr. Moses Adetunbi; and ‘The History And Politics of Nigeria’ 2015, by professor Oge. Though you occupy a throne found on traditions, you seem to have the Bible among your collection?

I am a Christian and I am the head of the church here. I am a member of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church. Nothing is negatively affecting one or the other.

I have my white garment and I enjoy singing praises a lot. I can sing for you if want me to.

You are often seen with beautiful crowns. What informs your sense of fashion?

I am very creative when it comes to fashion. All my jewelleries are made abroad. I love diamonds a lot; my wristwatch, my ring, bracelet and my pendant are all diamonds. I am one who does not compromise my taste. I am exposed in the course of my travelling round the world. So, I should have a good and acceptable taste. If this reflects in my comportment and appearance as an Oba, it is complimentary. Talking of the crown, do you know that we have the first ancestral crown in Ugbo land? The crown is not ordinary. Go and read books and confirm or refute what I am saying.

Our crown is the oldest in Yoruba land.

We had it before Oduduwa arrived.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • August 27, 2016 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Emefiele – CBN Governor

Dbanj

D’Banj and Tiwa Savage: In love?

I was blessed to listen in on a meeting that had nothing to do with me last week. I had gone somewhere in Ikeja to meet a friend when I stumbled on the versatile actor Ayo Badmus in a script conference. Me, I just bent down, crawled under my table and went in as close as I could get to listen well to the gist. I am sure Ayo will kill me after he reads this because the whole thing was supposed to be a well-kept secret. But where will he see me to kill? So here goes the gist. It is a movie; an epic with Hollywood interest. It is centred on 14th century Lagos and would really take an incisive look at the deep culture and proud stance of the people of Lagos against colonialists. A love story will be superimposed on the historical story. As I was listening, I heard them mention D’Banj playing alongside Tiwa Savage. These two names were bandied around other great names but it appeared that they might settle for D’Banj and Tiwa.

The issue of getting them came up and they set up a committee headed by Stage Director, William Benson, who directed my play, ‘Loud Whispers,’ last year. He, it was, who mandated to reach out to the two stars with a firm resolution to get them to agree to the movie roles. At this point, my cover was blown and they all screamed that I should not leak the story. I promised them that I would not tell a soul and asked for food and drink as a ‘bribe’.

I swore not to tell a soul and that not even torture from Boko Haram would make me tell a single soul what I had just heard. Well, I have kept my side of the bargain. I have not told a soul, I have only just written about it. So people can trust me with their secrets.

Usain Bolt and the sweeties The world watched this man do superhuman things on the track. We all marvelled and remained excited at his dexterity on the tracks. But what we did not know was the fact that he remained also very robust in other areas of human endeavour. Ever since his conquest on the tracks, he has taken his talents to under the bed sheets as exciting photos from Rio,

Usain Bolt celebrating a victory

Happy Birthday General Babangida Although I was not invited, I will still go against advice to send birthday greetings to the great genius himself. I hear he marked his 75th birthday recently and had prayers and a small party for all his close friends except Obasanjo – who is still bearing a grudge for not being allowed to go back to Aso Rock in search of a Key holder he forgot after spending eight years

Brazil, have shown. I only just hope that he does not finish the ‘work’ with the speed at which he finishes his races. In fact, I am thinking that it is as a result of his below 10-second finish that the lady, in frustration, took his picture and splashed it all over social media. The second lady too must have been too angry as she too came out to expose the speed-star. You see anyone who is good on the tracks can never be good in bed – ask any full-bodied man. Usain is a superhero on the

there. General Babangida remains one of the most enigmatic of all Nigerian leaders. He’s a leader with a difference and the man who introduced wide gap-toothed smile into national discourse.

I wish him many more fruitful years in retirement and I also pray that he lives long enough to see the naira drop below N100 to the dollar. God bless you sir. See you soon.

tracks and a super-dud in bed. Kai, a sub-10 seconds finish in bed is enough to get him splashed all over the media in ‘disgrace.’

How not to Name Your Pet The young man who went and gave his pet dog a very sensitive name would by now be regretting his actions. I marvel at such effrontery.

Why would he of all names decided to choose that particular name for his dog which I am even sure has rabies.

When I was growing up, we had so many beautiful names for our dogs.

Names like Bingo, Jack and Scooby, were the most popular. But no, our man had to choose this particular name especially in this time of high tension and hunger in the land. Well, he is cooling off in the gaol awaking bail for what has come to be a national comedy of errors. Seriously, for whatever reasons, I feel the man should have shown some respect and named his dog after his village head if he loved the dog so much. That way if anybody was offended, it would be his kinsmen and not others from other tribes. My grouse however lies with an outspoken member of the opposition party, the PDP, if we can still call it that, who also just came out from the prison. He has tried to link this young man’s travails to the Number One citizen –claiming that his suffering is as a result of our leaders’ impatience with opposition. Nothing to my mind’s eye can be further from the truth as what we have read so far is that another citizen it was who made the report, stating the possibility of raising civil strife by this action. Our penchant for linking things to the top, especially something as mundane as this really does not show the true spirit of nation-building. Criticisms should be based on facts. Thank you.

CBN: Please forgive I am sincerely begging o. Kindly forgive those nine banks you kicked out of the foreign exchange market.

Already, the naira has suffered another major backlash as a result. The TSA policy has really hit the banks, making them lose a lot of revenues, which in turn has led to downsizing of staff.

Today, bank workers and indeed the whole economy are suffering as a result of the banks’ inability to perform their statutory services. This is another blow and I really beg that the apex regulatory body should show some mercy as it seeks to enforce its new policy. The banks will collapse oh and the people of Nigeria will continue to be the worse for it. Abeg, fine them or look for something less draconian – the rain is falling everywhere oh.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2016

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

BOOK REVIEW

Answering The Call

by Nadu Denloye

“I

suggest that the only books that influence us are those for which we are ready, and which have gone a little further down our particular path than we have gone ourselves.”

E. M. Forster. Published in 2015

by Dayspring Discipleship & Helps Ministry, Answering The Call is one of such books. The book opens up with a proclamation that life begins at 40 and with the realization that the writer is about to redefine success and leadership.

With eloquently written texts, Nadu Denloye uses her personal experience to unravel the secret to finding fulfillment in life.

The author’s truth seeking mission exposes a level of vulnerability not many in her position would be comfortable to show.

Answering The Call is a leadership book that mixes real life scenarios involving the writer with faith based applicable approaches to define the subject and its purpose.

Without delay, the book goes straight to the heart of the matter with the use of powerful narratives, quotes and imagery to complement the author’s words. She describes turning 40 as a huge defining moment in her life, a life that up until then had been ‘seemingly successful’ as a PhD holder at 25, co-founder of a leading IT company, a wife and mother to three beautiful children.

Looking back, Nadu considers her successes up until then as ‘superficial’. This change, we later find out is as a result of an awakening within her which led to the understanding that despite having made successful transitions in life - school, career, marriage, children - her choices didn’t have a deeper sense of purpose.

In a way of explaining herself, Nadu says that until one truly knows one’s self, strengths and weaknesses, know what one wants to do and why, then one cannot succeed in any but the most superficial sense.

Delonye From this point, Nadu proceeds to present her case to the reader with clear biblical backing to prove that self-discovery only comes when one knows his/her role in God’s grand plan and above all, that role makes one a leader.

She uses apt illustrations from notable intellectuals as well as from the bible to prove God’s existence and his purpose for our life.

We also begin to understand that the call is a life of leadership, not as the world sees it but as God designed it.

Answering the Call is divided into three parts. The first part dwells a lot on the author’s awareness of God’s existence but by part two, Nadu actually breaks down how she finally answered all the questions she had of herself and the steps she began to take towards changing her life. Here, we learn about her resigning from the top position in her company and begin to understand more about what it takes to be a leader. She shares more about her life and the choices she has made from the

reasons she studied electronic engineering, stayed back to do a PhD to how and why she eventually began her own company.

Though plagued with several insecurities, Nadu shows how hard work and dedication finally helped put those fears to rest. Without intending to, the book serves as an autobiography of some sort and Nadu concludes that though she made certain decisions without a clear understanding of the big picture, God must have guided her through all of them.

The book gets quite technical at various points as the writer uses graphs and models to explain her points; however, one quickly gets lost again in the narrative as she wields her personal stories to draw in the reader.

By the third part, Nadu is completely honest with the fact that before the awakening she experienced, she considered herself knowl-

edgeable sometimes over everyone else. This she now sees as foolishness and though she had made some ‘good’ choices, her biggest fault was making them without guidance and understanding.

She then continues to write more about the steps she took in a bid to change the way she lived her life and be more self –aware. Some of these included exercising more as a healthy body is important for the mind to flourish, keeping a personal journal and making a commitment to learn more about things she did not know.

As the book comes to an end in its 110th page before proceeding to references, the reader is left with the desire to examine his/ her own life’s choices with a deeper sense of understanding.

Appraising A Pan-African Literature Prize Ferdinand Ekechukwu

T

hat Etisalat is calling for entries from across the continent for its annual literature prize is still newsy. The arrival of the Etisalat Prize for Literature is good news on a continent brimming with literary talents but in desperate need of appropriate literary platforms for expression. African writers and publishers of new titles have got another opportunity to showcase their works and be celebrated. The call for the 2016 entry to the Pan Africa Literature Prize opened on June 1st, till August 31st.

In its tradition, the Nigeria telecommunication company had at a press conference sometime in May declared this year’s edition, witnessed by a coterie of arts and culture journalists, celebrated writers, book critics and academics, and other members of the literati.

“The Etisalat Prize is about creativity, excellence, empowerment and reward”, reckons Mathew Willsher, CEO Etisalat Nigeria during the press conference in Lagos. “It is about celebrating our African diversity in very innovative ways through various forms of art, literature being one of them.”

At the launch, the organisers had also announced the panel of three eminent scholars as judges for the 2016 literature prize competition, possessing equal formalities participants in the previous editions were subjected to.

With multiple awards winning Nigerian author Helon Habila as the Chair of the Judges. Ironically, a Nigerian writer is yet to win the prestigious prize. Other distinguished members of the panel are celebrated Ivorian writer and translator, Edwige-Renee Dro and

Zimbabwean-South African intellectual and human rights activist, Elinor Sisulu.

Although there are other literary awards dotting Africa’s landscape, the Etisalat Prize for Literature basically recognizes and rewards first fiction book (over 30,000 words) from new writers of African citizenship, published within the last twenty four (24) months. And short stories of not more than 300 words for the Flash Fiction category (online). The Prize is noted to have experienced immense success in its first and second year with entries received from across the continent as well as the African diaspora.

The entries for the third edition in 2015 reached a new height, following a fresh angle to it by the organisers that books submitted must be from registered publishing firms, which must have been in business for about six years and have published a minimum of six authors to their credits each.

On a good note, the Etisalat literature prize has remarkably served as a portal for new African writers. Via the entry process, the panel of judges thoroughly nominates a longlist of nine authors, out of which three selected finalists are then shortlisted for the prize finale where the winner is eventually unveiled.

Following these stages in all past three editions put together a total of twenty seven (27) authors have been exposed. Authors who have emerged from the competition are charting literary paths. And so have moved on to compete in other literary competitions with other emerging writers thereby fueling the literary space.

Interestingly, the literary prize, which enters its fourth year, has become the major literary award in Africa for new African writers following acclaims credited to the prize

since inception, of which are the following: “The Etisalat Prize is no mean feat….shining a welcome spotlight on new African fiction”, BBC. “The Etisalat Prize is attempting to empower players in Africa’s literary scene inside the borders, including publishers, agents and of course writers”, Aljazeera. “The Etisalat Prize, established in 2013 is a prestigious Pan-Africa Prize, recognising the best first books by new African writers”, Southern New Hampshire University, MFA and Creative Writing.

On record, the famed literary prize has produced three distinctive winners and these past winners have been imparted in more ways than they anticipated. To the runners up in the competition, like American based Chinelo Okparanta, the homegrown Nigerian author, in an online interview with Sabinews, professed how entering for the literature prize in 2014 has boosted her confidence in writing. She now has her second novel titled Under The Udala Trees.

The winner in the maiden edition in 2013 was NoViolet Bulawayo with her very popular entry called We Need New Names. As sourced, the book is been accepted worldwide, and she is been recognised with literary offers after the Etisalat award. The Zimbabwean writer now sits on the board of Writivism Literary Initiative, a group that supports literature across the continent. So magnanimous it was that she bequeathed her Etisalat writing fellowship at the University of East Anglia to the runner up, Nigeria’s Yewande Omotosho.

For Fiston Mwanza Mujila, who embarks on the Etisalat writing scholarship in December, is tremendously blazing the trail. The 2015 literature prize winner is said to be incredibly expanding his scope across the world after he was awarded the prize. His winning novel Tram 83 -, having been translated from French to English, still holds the meaning. He is being

granted publishing deals across the globe. His book has been signed to be further translated into various languages; about six languages, including German in no time soon. The writer from Congo Democratic Republic is currently on a tour for the German version of his book.

Songeziwe Mahlangu the prize winner in the 2014 edition is not lost. The South African chap who reflects in the central character of his debut work – Penumbra - has just, sometime early this year finished from the Fellowship. He has got his second book in the making. The Fellowship basically is to harness their writing skills, project them to the writing world, and get them to learn about African literatures.

Mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland, the Fellowship is seen to be second to none and attracts significant opportunities like to meet other writers, publishers and most importantly enable work on their second books. Plus a high end device and the 15,000 pounds cash prize for the winner.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature by way of support also promote the publishing industry at large and therefore purchases of 1000 copies each of all shortlisted books donated to various schools, book clubs and libraries across the African continent.

In line with the vision, finalists are sponsored on a book tour of African cities.

The ripple effect there is for these new names emerging from the Etisalat literary stage is a welcome development to bridge the divide between the old generations of the great writers that dominated Africa’s literary scene and the present crop of writers. It’s another season for the Prize and another chance for a writer to win it. Hopefully, a Nigerian author this time.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

TRAVEL&LEISURE

by OMOLOLA ITAYEMI omolola.itayemi@thisdaylive.com 08054699602

South Africa Explores West African Region

The South African Tourism West Africa Trade Workshop held recently in Lagos was a major marketing campaign platform aimed at increasing tourist arrivals from the West African region. The high-profile guests and stakeholders from the travel and tourism industry converged on the Federal Palace Hotel & Casino Lagos, venue of the Power Breakfast Dialogue and Trade Workshop to discuss, network and promote South Africa as the choice destination forWest Africans. Omolola Itayemi reports

T

he South African Government has said it must align its efforts in critical areas such as expanding air connectivity and tourist friendly travel facilitations. As part of its three city road show in Nigeria, where Lagos, Port Harcourt andAbuja were slated to feel the impact of the rainbow nation; the South Africa Tourism board was at hand for the Lagos edition which rallied travel and tourism trade buyers to a day trade session. The aim of the workshop was to equip the West Africa travel and tourism trade to effectively sell holiday travel packages to South Africa. The workshops are hosted in partnership with NANTA & NATOP in Nigeria.

The session which lasted for hours displayed a broad spectrum of packages and offers for business and leisure seekers in and around the nine provinces in SouthAfrica. Taking turn to visit each table at the event, the South African team displayed a range of spectacular and sophisticated products and services that make one see things in a new way. The team took time out to give a person to person presentation of different offers which include hotel brands, destinations’ products and services as it appeals to and inspires individual, group or family.

SAT also used the road show in Lagos to honour SA Specialists graduates with certificates for their successful completion of online specialist modules. As part of the programme, five lucky SASpecialists graduates, in a raffle draw won an all-expense-paid trip to experience the sight and sound of the hospitality of the rainbow nation.

For the best dressed tradition attire category, a female and a male participant emerged winners and both will be joining other SA Specialists on an all-expense-paid trip to South Africa.

Facts made available at the event include statistics - The South African Consulate issued 133, 114 visas to Nigerians between January 2013 and June 2015. According to the envoy, visas issued to Nigerians visiting South Africa in 2013 were 59657; 48289 in 2014 and 25168 in 2015 alone. So far, successful visa applicants in the country have spent over N2 billion on the procurement of the South African visas in three years.

The session also availed participants the privilege to be informed about the debut of Essence Festival in Durban in November 2016.

For well over two decades, the Essence Festival has established itself as a must-attend event that draws more than 450,000 attendees from across the globe to New Orleans, year after year. The multi-day entertainment, empowerment and cultural event has an economic impact of more than $200 million on the local economy and now Essence is expanding the franchise internationally.

Signing a three-year partnership with eThekwini municipality, Essence Festival will not only take place in New Orleans over Fourth of July weekend (June 30- July 4) but also in its sister city of Durban, South Africa in 2016 and 2017. Essence Festival Durban will follow a similar format of the annual New Orleans event, presenting international performers and speakers to entertain and inspire, as well as a host of local artists and experts.

The multi-day event will bring exciting and informative ideas to equip small businesses through empowerment seminars across various sectors, including career guidance workshops and other empowerment initiatives aimed at the youth. A number of women-owned businesses will also be selected to trade at the Durban edition of Essence Festival, which will boost their profile and drive sales for the company SouthAfricanTourismRegionalManager(West African) Mr Lehlohonolo Pitso, speaking at the event, reiterated the need and expansion of trade workshops and road shows into other cities in West Africa: “This is the first time South African

SA Specialists graduates being honoured with management of South Africa Tourism

Member of the South African team displaying a range of spectacular products and services

tourism started expanding into other cities. For the first time, we are actually doing five cities in West Africa. In Ghana, we did Kumasi and Accra. In Nigeria, we are doing Lagos and then we proceed to do Port-Harcourt and Abuja. This is good for us, is time we expand, because we have been promoting South Africa as a preferred destination in these two cities, Accra and Lagos

for the past 10 years or so. We realised that there is much potential for us to start infiltrating other markets as well.

“Very soon, probably in the next two or three years, we will be expanding into the Franco phone West African countries, because we also see potential there. So it has been very good for us. If you look at the turn out in Kumasi, we are

expecting just a little above 50 agents, but we had a little above 100 that came. We also had over 12 media partners that came. So, it showed that they are hungry for the information, so that they will be able to know and sell South Africa.”

Speaking further on the collaboration between the two countries and future plans of the tourism agency, Pitso said: “what we have also done is to try and integrate South African products that come into the system. We take them around to also see what Nigeria has to offer. In each of the cities we are going, we are going to do a city tour, remember part of the SA products that are here include the tour operators as well, so is an opportunity to cross sale.

“On future plans, we are looking at other opportunities. About a month ago, I was in Kano as well, I was invited by the South African Airways to come and address the travel agents and tour operators there. So, we are always looking for platforms where we can engage as much travel agents as possible because one thing we have recognised is that the travel agents are the blood line, the life line of tourism. You can also get consumers who think that they can coordinate their own travels, which they can because internet has made everything accessible these days. But there would be a time you may run into problem, like for example, let’s say you are traveling and you miss your flight, that process of trying to change your flight becomes a difficult exercise, you have nobody who actually got the skills to help you search for cheaper flights here and there; so there are certain things one need to consider.”

Also at the workshop, Regional Director for Africa, South African Tourism, Evelyn Mahlaba, noted that the bulk of the successful visa applicants were visitors from the age category of between 25 years to late 30s. She also said that tourism in South Africa contributed no less than 9.4% to GDP in 2014, and more importantly, one in every ten jobs is supported by tourism.

“However, tourism growth should not only be measured by the numbers of domestic tourists or international arrivals. Tourism growth has to be environmentally and socially sustainable.

And it has to be inclusive growth. To achieve this, we must bring more marginalized communities into the tourism mainstream,” Mahlaba said.

She observed that Nigerian arrivals to South Africa were attracted by the country’s value for money tailor-made tour packages, welldeveloped tourism facilities, quality accommodations in its over 5,253 graded hotels and resorts, efficient transport systems, beautiful landscape and exuberant culture among others.

Nigeria, a Destination Waiting to Be Discovered The President of Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Nkereuwem Onung says Nigeria is a destination waiting to be discovered both in tourism and in business. He said this while speakingattheroadshowandworkshoporganisedby SouthAfrican Tourism (SAT) in Lagos. The NATOP President assured that Nigeria has a lot of potential as it concerns leisure and entertainment, adding that the association was ready to partner SAT as it markets Nigeria tourism in South African and other markets.

According to him, “I will like to say to you all that Nigeria is a destination waiting to be discovered not just as a business hub but as a tourism hub with diverse, rich and enduring leisure and entertainment packages for the people. There is a lot to explore and experience in this country and let me assure you that as you look to marketing Nigeria in your market and around the world, you would find us (NATOP) a worthy partner because we have members and operators in all the service areas, from ground operators to tour guides, who would partner with you in giving your clients a memorable tour of Nigeria.”

L-R: Bernard Bankole, President NANTA; Tope Awe, CEO Topcomm; Ikechi Uko, Publisher ATQ and Nkereuwem Onung, President, NATOP at the event

Bankole Bernard, President, NationalAssociation of Nigeria Travel Agencies, (NANTA) explained that Nigeria had untapped tourism potential that will require collaborations to explore.

He therefore called for more collaboration between

Nigerian and South African private sectors and investors in the development of tourism facilities, products and manpower in the country, especially now that Nigeria is in need of diversification of its economy.

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • August 27, 2016

BUSINESS

‘Sun Trust is the Bank for Small and Medium Enterprises’ Muhammad Jibril, founding CEO of Sun Trust Bank was in New York shortly after he secured the licence for the commercial bank. Nduka Nwosu reports that his emphasis is on financial technology banking, with the small and medium scale enterprises as his main focus

T

he invisible hand of destiny like in all things that produce good works, led him along the way. The same destiny provided a guardian angel who guided him as he walked down the path of progression. Today Muhammad Jibril’s dream of remaining a key player in the banking sector has become a dream come true. He first hinted this reporter in Abuja that his Sun Trust Savings & Loans Limited later a mortgage bank, was only a step in actualising that dream.

So by September 15 last year when the licence arrived, Jibril 45 knew the die was cast to launch out. However, Jibril’s mother may have to take a large chunk of the credit that has brought her son to the doorstep of his dream. Only recently corporate Nigeria led by one of the world’s richest men Aliyu Dangote applauded him for taking the right step in the right direction, the launching of Sun Trust Bank whose cutting edge is to grow the small and medium scale industry sector.

Back in Gombe as a primary school pupil, Jibril spent his time while on holidays giving a helping hand to his mother in the farmland, doing commodities, buying and selling farm gate products-cotton, groundnuts, et al transported to different parts of the country-Kano, the east and Lagos where they were often shipped for export.

Jibril’s mother who even today transacts business with her phone, had grown to be a prosperous businesswoman, expanding her network by employing the ‘idle’ funds into some investment outlet, a financial intermediation that helped those who needed quick loans to pay for school fees, keep the family going until when the next monthly salary arrived. or for some other reason that called for a sense of urgency. All this became her son’s early learning curve, what Donald Trump would have called the art of the deal.

It was not by accident therefore that Jibril who took a degree in Economics from the University of Abuja found himself in the banking strong room of Union Bank Aba, employed in what he describes as the lowest form of banking, counting money and dealing with the Aba market traders as a youth corper. That was the real initiation that has taken him in a long journey and embrace of different financial institutions round the world. That grooming positioned him for his job at Citibank where he was employed as a cashier On his unique selling point, Jibril contends for any people to grow or develop, you need to have access to finance and the engine room to the growth of each and every economy is the small and medium enterprises, yet they are without access to finance. “I have seen it, I have lived among them all through my life,” Jibril says with a footnote, “we must find an institution that will clearly provide the funding and support of small and medium enterprises. That has always been my passion and this would propel the economic growth of this country, there is no doubt about it.”

Thus come the next 12 months, Jibril is confident he would have met his target of growing the bank’s revenue by one billion naira and N30 billion in five years. He projects a customer base of 10 million using other banking agents and network providers such as Airtel to get to those areas where Sun Trust may be physically restricted to operate as a regional bank, to expand its customer base. “We hope that in the next five years, we would be able to achieve a target of ten million customers which is one-third of the current banking industry number,” he asserts with confidence He will still be involved in regular banking business accepting deposits, explaining it would be the bank’s major focus while

Jubril

growing its liability base with the much needed liquidity expected to provide funding for those in need of it.

Indeed Jibril has a pedigree that reinforces his high expectations of success.

A beneficiary of one of the federal government’s unity colleges, Jibril was determined to make himself a global citizen through academic exposure and professionalism.

In between his career, he took time off to study. He went to the Imperial College London for his MBA programme and Harvard University for a one year post-graduate management program and subsequently at the New York University where he obtained an M.Sc. in Risk Management.

With Citibank, the sky became the limit growing at various levels, moving to trade finance, foreign exchange, and treasury and as an analyst before rising to a managerial position. Overseas, he worked with Barclays Bank in the UK after his MBA programme, and then moved to Switzerland before returning home.

The 1990s offered a platform for the emergence of new banks one of which was Bond Bank. On his return home, Jibril got a job with the new bank as the regional manager in-charge of Abuja and its northern operations. Bond Bank was eventually merged with some other banks to form Skye Bank under the heat of consolidation. Jibril took time off for one year and later took a job with Abuja based Aso Savings and Loans, a mortgage bank owned by the FCT, where he was executive director after which he left for the Postgraduate Management Program at Harvard. On his return, he founded the SunTrust Savings and Loans Ltd, later known as SunTrust Mortgage Bank and now SunTrust Bank.

The sector Jibril has ventured into has over the years remained a debatable conversation that has defied attainment of the high expectation of becoming the engine room or hub of positive change for the industrial sector. When the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) was initiated under military president Ibrahim Babangida’s government, the mandate was to provide funds for the SMEs as one of the crucial steps at economic diversification, away from the sole dependence on oil. It received critical acclaim.

Over the years however, NERFUND became

passive as the alternative driver against a mono-oil economy and not much has been said about its achievements that would have helped to turn around the industrial sector.

So the question is why Jibril believes his bank would make a difference given the game plan it has set for itself. What form of audacity is this?

Jibril defines it as the courage to take that bold move and say we would do what nobody has done. “This is what we are doing. Believe me, it is not rhetoric; someone has to start somewhere and this is what we are doing.”

JIbril attributes NERFUND’s failure or lack of proactive sustenance to the absence of the quantum of funding needed to drive the dream. “What NERFUND needs is adequate funding to deliver on its own mandate; that is not there; we need to provide that, we need an institution that would understand that segment of the economy, the retail and the small and medium enterprises and actually provide it with the right financial intermediation; that is what we are doing here.”

Jibril is an advocate of strong and enduring institutions in the polity. That is his direction, to leave his footprints in the sands of time, insisting he is not the type cut for a fading act. The creative spark hit him like a thunderbolt in 2008 following the completion of his programme at Harvard.

It happened during a walk down the street at Becker Street in London. According to him, “it just occurred to me to do this thing.

I was passing by a printing and publishing company. I went inside and sat down and this was how I started thinking of how to put together a name and that was how the name SunTrust came about.

The name SunTrust, Jibril explains, is appealing because it is a reminder that our daily chores begin with the morning and end at sunset; so as the sun is rising, you can be rest assured that you have an institution that you can go to, that would provide you with the necessary support and as the sun is setting you can trust that your savings are safe in that same institution; you can trust it as a partner.

You wll not find Jibril playing polo or golf to keep fit, but he jogs and plays football with his Sun Trust team. When he is in New York, he shops for books though these days he prefers his electronic purchases. Sitting beside his reading table in the guest room at Ritz Carlton, Jibril points to two books, one by the Australian banker Brett King, his Harvard professor, CEO and co-founder of Moven, a New York based mobile banking start up. King is the author of several books including ‘Bank 2.0’ and ‘Bank 3.0’ as well as ‘How Customers’ Behaviour and Technology Will Change the Future of Financial Services’. Jibril is proud to tell you this is where Sun Trust is coming from.

The second book on the table is a joint publication by John Cutter, who runs a leadership institution in Boston, and Holger Rathgeber with the title ‘That’s Not How We Do It Here, A Story of How Organisations Rise and Fall, and Can Rise Again’.

That tells you where the man is coming from and how his mind functions.

Where does Sun Trust fit into the banking sector by category? The CEO explains: “We are part of the tectonic movement in banking, a financial technology based bank with minimum branches. According to Jibril, “Sun Trust is a regional financial technology based bank with a capital requirement of N10 billion, now in excess of one billon, we are operating with minimum staff with branches in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt covering the South south and South west and of course Abuja where by our license, we are limited to operate physically. Our strategy is very clear, we don’t see us increasing our capital, and there is no need for us to have a big capital that cannot give

returns. By implication, we will remain a regional bank for now and what that means is that we cannot physically be in the other regions; we will be everywhere because we are not limited by barriers or by physical location; technology is not limited physically and therefore whether you are in the South-East or in the North, we can easily service you.”

How did Jibril come about having this financial product as a cutting edge for Sun Trust? In a universe of 180 million people, he educates you, there are only 30 million of such people with bank accounts leaving behind 150 million. If you decide to play with a third of that number you will have an additional 50 million who can be persuaded to have bank accounts. That is the number, he explains, that Sun Trust is targeting and he is bringing them into its fold through the concept of financial technology or electronic banking.

This, Jibril adds, has become a global phenomenon subscribed to by 90 percent of bank customers leaving just 10 percent dependent on the old tradition of manual banking not only in Nigeria but worldwide.

“We were very clear from day one that any institution that thinks the branch banking is at the core of the brand, is not ready for the customer of tomorrow. The customer of today is executing 90 percent of his transactions electronically, talk less of the customer of tomorrow.”

Will physical branches totally disappear?

He does not think so, instead he argues, there will be physical presence of banks and scanty behind the counter activities since nobody wants to deal exclusively with robots, but with constant education of the customer on the science and art of electronic banking, banking will become real fun in the future.

Sun Trust is very clear on this matter, the CEO that its business would be driven on technology. According to Jibril, a staggering ninety percent of transactions today are executed electronically. “We do not have counter or teller, cashier cubicles in this bank because there is no need for it. Any institution that believes that physical branches are at the core of its brand is not prepared for the customer of tomorrow who neither wants to go to the physical branch nor wants to go and carry out a transaction over the counter either in cash or cheque, most customers today would rather execute their transactions electronically, at the minimum if they need cash they will go to an ATM. “At the heart of our strategy therefore, we agreed that this bank would be known as a financial technology bank, we are going to drive and deliver banking services using technology, and this is the future of banking.

“So our target market would continue to be the small and medium enterprises and the retail ones but more importantly we shall focus on them, on those that are in the South and those that are excluded from financial services.

Reason: “If you look at it, after the bidding exercise that was conducted by the CBN in conjunction with the commercial banks, you would agree with me that the total number of bank accounts in the system that we have seen is not more than thirty million; Nigeria’s population is about 180 million, it is growing at an annual growth rate of about three percent, that compounded over the next ten years Nigeria would not be less than 220 to 230 million people.

“Now more than 70 percent of that population largely made up of young people, is excluded from financial services and looking at it today our youth population would be more than double by 2020 and when that is double, that is the population that is technologically savvy and agile.

Read full article in www.thisdaylive.com

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES BY

EBERE WABARA

At The Helm…No Affairs

“E

rnest Ndukwe did a great job whilst (while) he was at the helm of affairs (helm) in Nigeria Communication Commission (Nigerian Communications Commission) (NCC) ….” (THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Plus, August 6) Get it right: at the helm—not ‘at the helm of affairs’.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 18, takes over from THISDAY with this juvenile infraction: “To be concluded next week Saturday” Short story: next Saturday or Saturday, next week “Out of control (Out-of-control) Boko Haram kills dozens in Kano Mosque” “FRSC, plate numbers and drivers’ licence” Get it right: number-plates “A well deserved (well-deserved) honour” “But we should never lose sight of the fact that like every voracious entrepreneur who has invested billions of dollars on (in) cement plants….”

“Credit Bureaux records (record) 26 million registered borrowers” “The health workers strike” Conscience, nurtured by truth: workers’ strike “Monetary policy committee at crossroads” This way: at a/the crossroads “Having served under a military regime… he needs to bath in the Yoruba River for forgiveness.” Noun: bath; verb: bathe.

“Just before you ponder about this Owerri revelation….” (APC…CHANGE, 2015) ‘Ponder’ may take ‘on’ or ‘over’, not ‘about’.

It’s even more economical and elegant to use it without embellishments.

“When we hear of people talk about

glory….” Get it right: hear of people talking…or hear people talk about glory “Lack of facilities threaten course accreditation at LACOED” The verb here should be singular.

“What is good for the goose can equally be said to be good for the gander.” What is sauce (not good)…

“Out of 35 years of the nation’s political independence, the military had been on (sic) the leadership saddle for 25 years.” Democracy In the saddle.

“CPC to clampdown on illegal microfinance banks” Phrasal verb: clamp down (two words).

“An acknowledged scholar, a distinguished statesman and a team leader per excellence” (Full Page Congratulatory Advert, THISDAY, March 25) Get it right: leader par excellence.

“New trends in electioneering campaigns” Politics Today: just electioneering or political campaigns. ‘Electioneering campaign’ is sheer verbiage! ‘Electioneering’ encompasses campaign and other related electoral issues.

“INEC chair asks SSS to crackdown on violent politicians” Noun: crackdown; phrasal verb: crack down (which applies here).

“Some countries have taken tobacco manufacturers to court for the damages their products cause.” The will to die: ‘damage’ is uncountable, except in reparative applications for indemnity.

“With the launching (launch) of the poverty alleviation (a hyphen) programme by the Federal Government, not a few Nigerians desire to see it effectively in place.“ “…what happened was that somebody filed a writ of summon.“ This way (singular): a writ of summons; plural: summonses.

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“It is the Federal Board that is always guilty of that, because it is them who take riff-raffs as welfare officers.” (Nigerian Tribune, August 22) ‘Riff-raff’, just like ‘stuff’, is uncountable.

“Modern technology has reduced the world into (to) a hamlet where the inhabitants are their brothers’ keepers.” This way: brother’s keeper (fixed idiom), irrespective of the number of people involved.

“The coincidence in the timing of all those sleazy gossips in soft-sell magazines and the beginning of his fashion parade….” ‘Gossip’, in this context, is uncountable.

“More overaged players for youth soccer“(Sunday Tribune, December 14) Get it right: overage players.

“Residents of some of the troubled spots in Libya in disarray” (SATURDAY CHAMPION, August 20) Witness to lexical mayhem: trouble spots. “…rummaging all the bags and ransacking every nook and corner.” (Source: as above) Stock expression: nook and cranny.

Leadership of August 21 disseminated seven improprieties: “The police requires (require) a redeemer who can uplift the Force from the battering it (they) suffered during the long years of militarization.”

“I inquired from those that appear to know and they said that the president is (was) roaming the country in the name of campaigns.”

“There is (are) no electricity, no security, no water, no roads, no health facilities in Nigeria.”

“Foreign companies will be falling over themselves (one another) to come and invest here if we get the 2015 elections right.” “...given the lame-duck posture of the opposition parties, the PDP simply held sway from the onset (outset).”

“Reactions on (to) the Pope’s visit, however successful, were mixed in Egypt, a country inhabited by a predominantly Muslim population.”

“Prior to the Pope’s visit, Egyptian Catholics have (had) opted out of the….”

“The first part was published last week Friday.” (THE GUARDIAN, August 22) Monday politics: either last Friday or Friday, last week.

“Vigilante (vigilance) groups, committed to the enforcement of the by-law, are being set up.”

“Some of these areas include producing enough food to feed our teaming (teeming) population.”

FEEDBACK

Please 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. Keep smiling! (BAYO OGUNTUNASE, 08056180046) MEDIA Gaffes is the editor’s purgative. I agree with you that politicians run “neck and neck” (not neck-to-neck), but may also run “head-tohead”. (KOLA DANISA, 07068074257) The “Social Circuit” in THE NATION described celebrity stylist Veronica Odeka as “most sort after.…” It should be “sought after” (Credit: as above) THERE is a challenge here. ‘Evidence’ is both countable and uncountable. (CHARLES IYOHA, 07033775454)

Buhari, the Caliphate and John Kerry’s Visit

U

nited States Secretary of State, John Kerry’s visit to Nigeria few days ago has left some questions hanging in the air with respect to motives, timing and choice of engagements during his short stay. On the surface, the visit surely demonstrated good bilateral relations between the two countries. But what exactly did Mr. Kerry come to achieve for his country?

Beyond the message he brought and shared with his hosts as released to the media, what are the underpinning factors that determined this diplomatic shuttle and how did these coalesce into the real crux of the matter he deliberated on with the authorities?

Don’t get me wrong here. I am not raising these questions as feeds for conspiracy theories or to enable the theorists in their quests. My intention is simply to interrogate what is left unsaid in the public domain but broached in the privacy of the inner curtains of the Caliphate and the presidential villa. Some may call this an engagement in speculation but is it not trite knowledge in international relations and diplomacy that a top envoy as a foreign minister would not make a state visit just to smile for the cameras or address a group of adolescents? So what exactly did John Kerry come for? What message did he bring for President Muhammadu Buhari and His Eminence, Sa’adAbubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto? Can the visit be rightly and convincingly situated only within the realms of existing bilateral areas of engagements between Nigeria and the United States?

There is no doubt that the US has been a strong ally of Nigeria especially with respect to the promotion of the latter’s renascent democracy and democratic practice. The support of the US Government to our electoral institutions and processes for instance, speaks volumes to this.

There have also been economic and military/security cooperation involving both nations too, even though expectations have remained higher than deliverables in these regards. Relations have has also featured around good governance, human rights and corruption even though there has often been mismatch between perceptions, standards and reality on these subject matters. In any case, to the extent that both countries maintain a bilateral commission on some clearly identified themes attest to the vibrancy of relations. However, that Kerry’s visit featured a little more than these fundamental issues hitherto in focus raises a red herring that there is more to this shuttle diplomacy than meets the eyes. But first, let us make a take of the official communication and coverage of the visit from relevant angles.

The US Embassy on Friday,August 19 released a short statement on the visit which announced the schedule of the Secretary of State thus: “Kerry will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss counter terrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption and human rights issues. In Sokoto, he will deliver a speech on the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism. InAbuja, the Secretary will meet with a group of adolescent girls working to change community perceptions that devalue the role of girls in society. He will also meet with northern governors and religious leaders.”

According to the NewsAgency Nigeria (NAN), Kerry’s visit to the Palace of the Sultan focused on promoting religious tolerance and extremism. The report said “the United States would continue to identify itself with the Sultanate in strengthening religious tolerance and understanding among Nigerians,” and that “the first secretary of state to visit the seat of the caliphate, all hands should be on deck towards strengthening religious knowledge among Nigerians.” It then stated

PEOPLE2PEOPLE

WITH

OKE EPIA Telephone (sms only): 07059850016 Email: resourceman.oke@live.com.

Twitter: @resourceme

John Kerry and President Muhammadu Buhari

that “Kerry had a closed door meeting with Sultan Sa’adAbubakar and some leaders of the two major religions.”Although what is paramount in situations like these is what happens away from the prying eyes of the press, the account as narrated above can be situated within the purview of counter-terrorism as an item on the agenda of the visit.Against the backdrop of the brand of terrorism fueled by religious extremism across the world, Kerry’s encounter with the Sultan of Sokoto can be interpreted as a step in the right direction.And coming down to the Nigerian context where there has been a recent trend of Islamic extremism especially targeted against Christians, a conscious deliberation of the matter between the United States Foreign Minister and a very key custodian of the faith like SultanAbubakar is a wake-up call that cannot be ignored.

And then it shows the world is watching and perhaps worried by the rising wave of religious intolerance gradually finding space in our public life. Experiences like the Zamfara Muslim mob killings few days ago; the brutal murder of a pastor’s wife on early morning evangelism mission in the suburb ofAbuja; and then the reprehensible and spine-chilling slaughter of a Christian Igbo woman Kano weeks ago by an irate mob in supposed defense of their faith are all indications that religious extremism may have become the emergent variant of terrorism plaguing Nigeria.Add of these to the incessant attacks of herdsmen that have left some communities across the land in desolation with many inhabitants dead, wounded and stripped of farmland and other livelihoods, then having Islam-linked extremism featuring in Kerry’s engagement in

Sokoto cannot be out of place.

But beyond the seeming altruistic intervention on a matter of grave concern as curtailing religious extremism, what did John Kerry discuss with SultanAbubakar behind closed door? What special missionary role has Uncle Sam suddenly found for which the supreme head of Nigeria’s Islamic community fitted to perform? Is there any correlation between Kerry’s visit to Sokoto and US Vice President’s Joe Biden’s visit to the troubled nation of Muslim-dominated Turkey around same period?

Does the fact that Kerry arrived in Sokoto from another official visit to Kenya whereAl-Shabaab terrorists are daily struggling to make deadly headlines of any consequence to the meeting in the Caliphate? These are questions that can neither be answered in terse statements by State Department officials nor by opinion articles around the visit of Mr. Kerry.

Answers rather, lie in the deep recesses of foreign relations where the interest of the state is being extended beyond geographical borders and boundaries. So the question in all of these is: What is Nigeria’s take away from Mr. Kerry’s stop-over in Nigeria last Tuesday?

This brings the discussion to what transpired inAbuja. Beyond the snippets Nigeria’s media (which was reportedly barred from covering the visit) reported about the visit what did Secretary Kerry discuss with President Buhari?According to reports, theAmerican official praised his host on the war against corruption and restated the readiness of his country to continue to offer support. Describing corruption as a “readymade playing field for recruiting extremists,” Kerry reportedly Buhari: “You inherited a big problem, and we will support you in any way we can. We will work with you very closely. We don’t want to interfere, but will offer opportunities as you require.” In his response, President Buhari spoke of efforts by his administration to fight corruption, diversify the economy and rein in the renewed militancy in the Niger delta, stressing that will not deploy military might “except when constrained to do so.”

But a report of Kerry’s visit by the New York Times however gave another insight into what transpired. It seemed as if theAmerican’s visit was prodded by concerns about Nigeria’s military human rights records, same worries that had been used as excuse to deny the country access to weapons to battle Boko Haram terrorists to submission.

According to the newspaper, “Secretary of State John Kerry issued a carefully worded warning on Tuesday to Nigeria’s military against committing human rights abuses as it goes about battling the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.”

After asserting that “Nigeria’s military has long been dogged by evidence that it has killed civilians, tortured prisoners and, more recently, detained mothers, children and other victims who had been kidnapped

by Boko Haram,” the New York Times quoted Kerry thus: “It is understandable in the wake of terrorist activity, some people are tempted to crackdown on everyone and anyone who could theoretically pose some sort of a threat. I caution against that today. Extremism cannot be defeated through repression.” So the question is if Mr. Kerry came by to sound a note of warning on how the military should wag the war against terrorism what message would he be taking back to Washington from Nigeria? Did President Buhari demand Secretary Kerry and his country to mobilize the world to help in the repatriation of Nigeria’s stolen funds locked in various financial capitals and hide-outs? Did Nigeria request more concrete assistance in rescuing the Chibok girls? Or a demand on how the US’ promise to assist the country with some &600m in 2016 be realized in clear terms? The weeks and months ahead will surely unravel the real motives behind Kerry’sAugust visit.

––Follow writer onTwitter @resourceme

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

AUTo

Tougher, Smarter, More Capable New Ford Ranger for SSA Stories by Bennett Oghifo

F

ord Motor Company of Southern Africa recently performed a media launch of the all-new Ford Ranger 2-2 automatic drive that would be sold in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) markets.

Thelaunchcamecompletewithanonand off road test-drive that presented the toughness and intelligent features of the new Ranger pick-up truck.

The test-drive took place in George, South Africa, running through farm roads in hill-country-side with a real challenging drive through an equally hilly and sandy terrain off the coast of the Indian Ocean, where the toughness of the all-new Ranger 2.2 automatic vehicle sprang to life.

This is a sure sign that the new Ford Ranger is set to establish new benchmarks in the light commercial vehicle(LCV)segmentwithanuncompromisedblend of robust capability, craftsmanship and advanced technology.

“The new Ford Ranger brings a new level of comfort and refinement to its segment without compromising on the rugged capability that our customers demand and have come to appreciate from the current model,” said Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company Sub-SaharanAfrica Region. “It represents a smarter kind of tough, and will help our customers to achieve more in every type of application.”

“The current Ranger is one of the toughest, most capable pickups out there, and this is reflected in the exceptional sales of the Ranger in Sub-Saharan Africa which have increased significantly since it was launched in 2011,” Delate said.

“Thanks to our proud truck heritage and global expertise in the utility segment, we’ve made what wasgreatevenbetter,withaboldnewlook,improved efficiency and a new level of refinement. We expect the new Ranger to continue the trend, and build on this unprecedented success.”

The new Ranger continues to be produced at Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria and exported to 148 markets in Africa and Europe. The Duratorq TDCi engines are manufactured at the Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth.

Tough and modern design The changes to the new Ranger begin with an updated exterior design.Abold, more modern look lends Ranger a powerful presence on the road, and immediately conveys a sense of capability. Amore muscular hood flows into a strong new trapezoidal grille, which connects seamlessly with the chiseled projector headlamps, accentuating the new Ranger’s width and strong stance.

“When you look at how our customers use their vehicles, it’s important that a Ranger looks and functions as a tough, dependable tool,” Delate adds.

“Ford’s design team saw an opportunity to give the design extra tension, and to emphasize ‘Built Ford Tough’ design elements like the outboard nostrils – all while maintaining the new Ranger’s excellent aerodynamic characteristics.”

The updated exterior has been combined with a stylish new interior on the new XLT, Wildtrak and Limited versions that creates an even more comfortable, contemporary and car-like environment for the driver and passengers. Strong horizontal lines run across the width of the cab, giving a sense of spaciousness, creating a clear distinction between the upper and lower levels, and placing the focus on the central eight-inch touchscreen. Behind the steering wheel, a new dual-TFT instrument cluster provides drivers with information about the vehicle, as well as entertainment, climate control and mobile phone features at a glance.

The All-new Ford Ranger 2.2

“The interior of the new Ranger is sleek and modern, with a strong technical aspect to it,” said Delate.

“Accentuating the design, materials were chosen that are stylish and attractive while being durable enough to handle the harsh life of a work truck. The interior may look more car-like, but it’s as practical as ever.”

pump used in a traditional power-steering system, EPAS also results in a quieter vehicle and improves fuel efficiency by about three percent.

Engineers fitted the new Ranger with advanced sound-deadeningmaterialsandimprovedinsulation for one of the quietest and most comfortable cabin interiors in its class.

Capability and refinement ThenewFordRangerremainsoneofthemostcapable pick-ups in its class. With an exceptional 800mm water wading depth, and with 230mm of ground clearance, it is designed and engineered to handle the most extreme terrains with ease. Thanks to a 28-degree approach angle and 25-degree departure angle, drivers in the new Ranger can feel confident when taking on steep obstacles.

Arobustelectronicallycontrolledtransfercaseallows drivers in 4x4 models to shift on the fly from 4x2 to 4x4 high via a knob on the centre console. For low-speed torque or additional downhill control, drivers can also engage low-range 4x4 gearing, while an electronic locking rear differential helps to improve traction in difficult conditions.

These off-road strengths are matched to a towing capability of up to 3,500kg and impressive payload capacity.

The new Ranger achieves all this with a level of refinement not usually seen in the pick-up segment.

While the current Ranger already sets the standard for ride and handling, Ford engineers fine-tuned the suspension of the new version for additional comfort and even better handling.

The driving experience is further enhanced by an electricpower-assistedsteering(EPAS)system,which providesprecisesteeringwithanaturalandconfident feel. With EPAS, steering is light and manageable for low-speed manoeuvring, such as parking, and precise at higher speeds.

Thelevelofassistancevariesbasedonspeed,steering wheel angle, cornering forces and acceleration or deceleration.

Furthermore, by eliminating the power steering

Advanced technology Ahost of cutting-edge technologies are available on the new Ford Ranger to help drivers stay connected and in control.

SYNC®2, the latest generation of Ford’s in-car connectivity system, gives drivers smarter and safer ways to stay connected and is standard on the new Ranger XLT and Wildtrak. Using natural voice commands, like “temperature 20 degrees”, “playAC/DC” or “call John”, the driver can control the car’s climate controls, entertainment system and phone functions more easily than ever before. An eight-inch touchscreen places more controls at the driver’s fingertips, with color-coded corners for easy menu navigation.

For extra convenience, the new Ranger features a 240-volt power socket that can be used to power a laptop computer or mobile device anywhere, from a work site to a family road trip.

There is also an array of driver assist features, including Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and ABS on XL+ models and above. The ESP system integrates Traction Control, Hill Launch Assist, Hill Descent Control, Adaptive Load Control, Trailer Sway Control, whileABS includes Emergency Brake Assistance and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution.

New Wildtrak and Limited models are equipped with Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, electrochromatic rearview mirror, Front and Rear Park Assist, Rearview Camera, Power Convertor and load box illumination on the sports bar.

Efficient power The new Ranger’s impressive power, capability, and payload and towing capacity are made possible

thanks to the latest generation of powerful, more refined and fuel-efficient Duratorq TDCi diesel engines, as well as the proven Duratec petrol unit.

These engines provide new Ranger customers with a winning combination of power and efficiency in all conditions, and help to underscore Ford’s funto-drive promise.

Ford’s mighty 3.2-litre Duratorq TDCi five-cylinder diesel engine tops the range, and has earned an impressive reputation for its segment-defining levels of performance. Upgrades include a new exhaust gas recirculation system that helps improve fuel efficiency by up to 18 percent, while still producing 147kW (200PS) of power and 470Nm of torque.

The capable and economical 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi four-cylinder diesel engine remains part of the lineup, available in mid-power 92kW (125PS)/320Nm guise, or the high-power version with 110kW (150PS) and 375Nm. Combined with the addition of EPAS and the use of a longer final drive ratio, this reduces fuel consumption.

The new Ranger is also available with Ford’s dependable 2.5-litre Duratec petrol engine, providing 122kW (163PS) of power and 226 Nm of torque.

Depending on model derivative, the new Ranger is equipped with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, or a five-speed manual on the petrol versions.

Refreshed model range...

The new Ford Ranger is available in a wide range of models and specification levels, spanning a total of 42 models across the left-hand drive markets in the SSA region.

A total of seven single cab derivatives are on offer, spanning the Base 2.5 petrol and 2.2Ldiesel through to the 2.2 XL+ 4x4 Manual. The RAP Cab is available in a 2.2 4x4 XLT version.

Arevised Double Cab range consist of a total of 34 models, ranging from the 92kW (125PS) 2.2 Duratorq TDCi Commercial 4x2, to the 147kW (200PS) 3.2-litre DuratorqTDCiLimited4x4,withthechoiceofmanual and automatic transmissions.

Innovations in Vehicle Repair, Maintenance at Automechanika

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he main focus of this year’s Automechanika, holding in Germany would focus on innovations in vehicle repair and maintenance, the organisers have said.

Automechanika, which is in its 24th edition, is believed to be one world’s biggest trade fair for vehicle repair and maintenance.

The show will run from September 13 to 17 September in Frankfurt, Germany, and according to the Nigeria representative of the organisers, Omonigho Itoya, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition and Trade Limited, the event would showcase latest discoveries in products and services,

including garage equipment, tools, bodywork repair, recovery services, accident assistance and mobile services.

Itoya said the event has, over the years, improved the experience of Nigeria artisans who have regularly attended the exhibition by helping them to import skill and technology that could meet with the increasing demand of the sector.

She said the fact that all of the sector’s leading companies, including German federations would be present at the event underscored the huge importance of the trade fair to the global automotive sector.

“Automechanika is a platform for innovations and future-oriented solutions and

trends and, for the first time, will present the after-sales world of the future as ‘Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility’,” she said.

Itoya, who said repair and maintenance industry in Nigeria has witnessed a remarkable improvement, noted that the technological trends rocking the sector must trigger repair and maintenance experts to towards improved skills and technology.

Taking place in a total of 366,637 square metres of exhibition space, as well as an outdoor exhibition area measuring over 96,000 square metres, the organiser said more than 4,600 exhibitors, 138,000 trade visitors from 176 countries were expected at the event.

She stated that the event would offer training opportunities covering range of topics that is affecting the industry, particularly as it relates to new trends in the sector, adding that her organisation would ease travel processes for interested Nigerians.

Automechanika would hold 12 professionaldevelopment workshops covering almost all aspects of the collision-damage repair process, the organsiation said.

On recent trends in the sector, the organiser added that alternative drive systems, automated driving and mobility services would take centre stage as car manufacturers, suppliers and start-ups are expected to present pioneering products and solutions.

27

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

AUTo SAFE DRIVING

Paris World Premiere for All-new Kia Rio

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

Stories by Bennett Oghifo

T

he all-new, fourthgeneration Kia Rio will make its world premiere on 29 September in Paris, at the 2016 Mondial de l’Automobile.

A statement by the motor company said the Rio’s progressive new exterior and interior design was led

by Kia’s design centers in Germany and California, in close collaboration with the company’s main design center in Namyang, Korea.

Straight lines and smooth surfacing give the car a distinctive new character, while a longer front overhang and bonnet, longer wheelbase, and upright C-pillar give the car an even more confident and balanced appearance than its predecessor.

The all-new Rio will offer buyers class-leading practicality and safety technology, the latest connectivity features, and more assured and engaging ride and handling characteristics.

The Kia Rio is the Korean

Still on Driving Health Hazards

A

The all new Mercedes-Benz GLE

manufacturer’s global bestselling model, with more than 473,000 sold around the world in 2015. The next generation will enter production towards

the end of 2016 for Europe, with production timings for other regions to be announced closer to launch.

Kia’s 2016 Mondial de

l’Automobile press conference will start on 29 September. Kia’s stand will be located in Hall 3 of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

Mercedes-AMG GT R Stands Out Among Supercars During US Debut

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he Mercedes-AMG GT R was a star attraction at the Benz display at Pebble Beach this year as the most performanceoriented car in the brand’s lineup right now.

Mercedes-AMG claims that it has never put this much motorsports technology in any production car ever. Developed at the infamously grueling Nurburgring, the Mercedes-AMG GT R was bred for blazing lap times and makes a number of enhancements over the AMG GT S. The green coupe has a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine rated at 577 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That’s 74 more hp and 37 lb-ft more twist than the already impressiveAMG GT S. The V8 is mated to the same seven-speed DCT found in the AMG GT and GT S models.

Besides more power, the suspension has been extensively modified, the aerodynamics are new and the electronics are updated to include an adjust-

2017 Mercedes AMG-GT-R-13

able AMG Traction Control system derived from the AMG GT3 race car. It also gets a more aggressive look, an enormous center-mounted exhaust, and a grille unique from the rest of the AMG GT lineup.

Mercedes has not revealed the final weight for the U.S. model,

but in Europe, it tips the scales at 3,428 pounds, allowing it to go from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, while top speed is set at 198 mph. That makes it 0.2 seconds faster than the AMG GT S. Unfortunately, the German automaker didn’t disclose any

Nurburgring lap times yet. The model will arrive by mid-2017, when we’ll also know more about pricing.

This green beast is pretty much a street legal race car and enthusiasts should be really excited to find out how fast it can lap the Nurburgring.

CHISCO Goes Digital, Launches Loyalty Club, Gives Away new MG3 Car

C

HISCO Transport Ltd has unveiled a holistic digitisation direction for her transport/logistics business with a novel loyalty campaign tagged ‘CHISCORides&RewardsQuarterly Promo’ in partnership with Coscharis Motors, Zenith Bank, Interswitch, TECNO Mobile, and Cool FM. The CHISCO Rides & Rewards Quarterly Promo comes with a Brand new 2016 MG3 series car as

star prize give away, and several consolation prizes worth millions of Naira.

Coscharis is the sole dealership of MGcarsinNigeriaandthepromo is structured to run every quarter to reward frequent travellers and it’s exclusive to online bookings.

At media briefing to announce the project, recently, the Executive Director, CHISCO group of companies, Obinna Anyaegbu said, “As a diversified global brand, we have witnessed in the past two decades, a shift in

customer perception and expectation of how they should be served in the road transport sector - a trend that is largely attributed to technological development and growth.

“Technology brought us internet which in turn birthed social media platforms, mobile applications, solution based services etc., and the customer, for the first time, now has more information (than the transport operator) to make diverse choices amidst diverse options and insist on only value-

add products and services. While we have watched this trend with keen interest predicting possible outcomes we were certain that fluidic and dramatic changes are inevitable in the Road Transport system.

“Industry analysis shows that ourcustomersarebecomingmore and more technology-savvy. It is envisaged that in the next 3 years our customers could emerge as true digital natives expecting that the product and services they need or use would be digital.

bout 10years ago when I was Sector Commander, FederalCapitalTerritory, Abuja, I recall a story relayed by a commuter on Oga Driver, an interactive road safety Radio Programme that I was anchoring onAso Radio alongside Salihu Ibrahim Kindo . I am not sure if the commuter was male or female but I recall the person called in to express concern over the health of some drivers who ply the Area 3-Nyanya-Karu axis. According to the caller, they boarded a bus sometime around past 8pm when on arriving the kugbo hill for those familiar withAbuja, they noticed the driver was actually driving with dark glasses. A few of the commuters expressed worry but thought it was just a driver playinguphisclass.Theircuriosity was awakened when they observedthedriverhaddifficulty controlling his vehicle whenever there was an oncoming vehicle whose headlights obviously blurred the vision of the driver.

After pleading to the driver to take off his dark glasses, a male commuter sitting by his side, smartly removed the dark glass.

Shock was written all over the faces of the commuters when they noticed the driver was a one eye sight man. On interrogation, he confessed that he has been jobless and needed to make a living for himself and family through driving at night because of his deformity This drivers predicament is similartotheonecitedafortnight ago when, I wrote on the health hazards driving exposes us to daily. I also made slight reference to the health programme jointly organized by the FRSC and SHELL. The result of that test is indeed an eye opener as it demonstrates the state of health of drivers especially those who cannot meet the increasing cost of maintaining a sound health in the face of the economic challenges we are currently facing as anation.Letmetakeyouthrough theeyetestconducted.Outof130 persons seen, 92 were male and 36females.Outofthesenumbers, 76receivedglasseswhile17were referred. A further breakdown shows that 88 were presbyopia, 28 allergic conjunctivitis, 6myopia,8hypopia,7glaucoma, 4cataract and 2naculopathy.The result of the other test is not too different confirming that a handful of drivers need medical help to operate safely Commuting can certainly hurt you physically, and it affects your mental and psychological health.AccordingtoLeonJames, co-author of Road Rage andAggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare, people are not aware of the negative emotions that surge through them while driving. “Driving,” he points out, “is an activity in

which you are surrounded by hundreds of people having negativeemotions,andthewhole system is based on whether it’s cooperative or antagonistic.”The warfare on the highway exposes us to the health hazards known as road rage which refers to an extreme state of anger that often precipitates aggressive behavior.

It also refers to words and gestures or to assault and battery.

Back home in our clime all of these tendencies are prevalent even though they may not be as pronounced. We know the testimonies of people who crossed the path of men in uniform or the example of driving in Lagos and Akwanga/Keffi. Since Shakespeare had warned that you cannot read a man’s mind through his forehead, a drivers goodlookingcorporatemein,his fancy car, age or sex or even his vocationisnotenoughassurance that the fellow starring at you is not capable of battering you for daring to wrongly overtake him with the weather beaten coffin you call a car.

What then is responsible for road rage? There are particular factors that lead to road rage.

Thesefactorsoccurwhenanother driver: uses swearing or name calling, comes to a rolling stop, speeds, doesn’t signal when changing lanes, makes an illegal turn, follows too closely, goes through a red light and fails to yield.

Others include traffic congestion, feeling endangered, frustration,timepressure,fatigue, competitiveness, and lapses in attention. I must add here that complex or financial austerity areallcapableofaggravatingthis just like the emotional state of the driver borne out of failed marriage, inability to meet up with self centered and overbearing landlordsamongotherscanplay a great part too.

Drivers according to Linda Mackenzie are often being punished by road rage. This compounds the problem by producing road rage in the attacked driver. Road rage retaliation tactics run from yelling and inappropriate gestures to deliberate braking and using a car as a weapon in addition to physical fights and death by shooting.According to theAAA FoundationforTrafficSafety,violent incidents between drivers in the United States have increased 51%since1990promptingatleast nine states to have considered raising penalties for aggressive drivers while insurance companies are devising ways to deny aggressive drivers insurance.

The results of road rage include making driving uncomfortable, impeding traffic flow, creating traffic jams and accidents. The cause of road rage she says can be found within four levels of stress;environmental,nutritional, emotional and physical.

28

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • August 27, 2016

FAMILY HEALTH

The Importance of Eating Healthy

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e are created with a desire to eat .

Therefore, your food choices each day affect your health — how you feel today, tomorrow, and in thefuture.

Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with physical activity, your diet can help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases (like heart disease and cancer), and promote your overall health. The link between good nutrition and healthy weight, reduced chronic disease risk, and overall health is too important to ignore. By taking steps to eat healthy, you’ll be on your way to getting the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy, active, and strong. As with physical activity, making small changes in your diet can go a long way, and it’s easier than you think. The risk factors for adult chronic diseases, like hypertension and type 2 diabetes, are increasingly seen in younger ages, often a result of unhealthy eating habits and increased weight gain.

Dietary habits established in childhood often carry into adulthood, so teaching children how to eat healthy at a young age will help them stay healthy throughout their life.

For nutrients and other substances needed for good health, vary the foods you eat Foods contain combinations of nutrients and other healthful substances. No single food can supply all nutrients in the amounts you need. For example, oranges provide vitamin C but no vitamin B12; cheese provides vitamin B12 but no vitamin C. To make sure you get all of the nutrients and other substances needed for health, choose the recommended number of daily servings from each of the five major food groups .

Foods, their amounts of calories and nutrients Some foods such as grain products, vegetables, and fruits have many nutrients and other healthful substances but are relatively low in calories. Fat and alcohol are high in calories. Foods high in both sugars and fat contain many calories but often are low in vitamins, minerals, or fiber.

People who do not need many calories or who must restrict their food intake need to choose nutrientrich foods from the five major food groups with special care. They should obtain most of their calories from foods that contain a high proportion of essential nutrients and fiber.

Our bodies need food Food is essential for our bodies to: • develop, replace and repair cells and tissues; • produce energy to keep warm, move and work; • carry out chemical processes such as the digestion of food; • protect against, resist and fight infection and recover from sickness. Food is made up of nutrients.

Micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are needed only in small amounts. Macronutrients such as carbohydrates, protein and fat are needed in larger amounts. The body cannot function properly if one or more nutrients are missing. A healthy and balanced diet provides foods in the right amounts and combinations that are safe and free from disease and harmful substances.

Prevention is better than cure. The earlier a person starts to eat a healthy and balanced diet, the more he or she will stay healthy. Once weight has been lost it may be difficult to regain it because of tiredness and lack of appetite.

The section below contains some guidelines on healthy and balanced nutrition.

Healthy and balanced nutrition Eating well means eating a variety of foods. No single food contains all the nutrients that our bodies need, except for breastmilk for babies up to the age of six months. Eating a variety of different foods will supply the nutrients that are essential for our bodies. By taking care to choose foods that are in season and locally available, eating can be enjoyable, healthy and affordable.

Eat staple foods with every meal Staple foods should make up the largest part of a meal.

These foods are relatively cheap and supply a good amount of energy and some protein. Staples include cereals (such as rice, maize, millet, sorghum, wheat and barley), starchy roots (such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava and yams) and starchy fruit (such as plantains).

However, staple foods are not enough to provide all the nutrients the body needs. Other foods must be eaten to provide additional energy, proteins and micronutrients.

Eat legumes if possible every day These foods provide a person with the proteins needed to develop and repair the body and also to build up strong muscles. They are good sources of vitamins, minerals and fibre and help to keep the immune system active. Legumes include beans, peas, lentils, groundnuts (including peanut butter) and soybeans. When eaten with staple foods the quality of protein is increased.

Foods from animals and fish should also be eaten as often as you can afford them. They supply goodquality proteins, vitamins and minerals and extra energy.

They will help to strengthen muscles and the immune system. These foods include all forms of meat, poultry (birds), fish, eggs and dairy products such as milk, sour milk, buttermilk, yoghurt and cheese. If insects, such as caterpillars or grasshoppers, are part of your diet, they also provide good nutrients

Legumes are a cheaper protein source than animal foods, such as beef and chicken, and should be eaten every day, if possible.

Eat animal and milk products regularly Foods from animals and fish should also be eaten as often as you can afford them. They supply goodquality proteins, vitamins and minerals and extra energy.

They will help to strengthen muscles and the immune system. These foods include all forms of meat, poultry (birds), fish, eggs and dairy products such as milk, sour milk, buttermilk, yoghurt and cheese. If insects, such as caterpillars or grasshoppers, are part of your diet, they also provide good nutrients.

Eat vegetables and fruit every day Vegetables and fruit are an important part of a healthy and balanced meal.

They supply the vitamins and minerals that keep the body functioning and the immune system strong. Eat a wide variety as each one provides different vitamins and minerals. A recommended list is provided below.

Yellow, orange, red or dark green Other vegetables and fruit vegetables and fruit Green leafy vegetables (spinach, pumpkin, cassava leaves), green peppers, squash, carrots, yellow peaches, apricots, papaya and mangoes Tomatoes, cabbage, oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, lemons, guavas mangoes, passionfruit, pineapples, mulberries and baobab fruit · Good sources of vitamin A · Good sources of vitamin C; help to fight infection.

Use fats and oils as well as sugar and sugary foods in reasonable portions .

Fats, oils and sugar are good sources of energy and can help one gain body weight. They also add flavour to food, thereby stimulating appetite.

Fats and oils play an important part in a healthy and balanced diet. Even small amounts can provide lots of energy. Fats and oils include butter, lard, margarine, cooking oil (vegetable, coconut and palm oil), cream, mayonnaise and coconut cream. They are also found in avocados, oilseeds (sunflower, groundnut and sesame), fatty meat and fish, curds and cheese.

Sugars and sugary foods include honey, jam, table sugar, cakes and biscuits. Although fats and sugars are good sources of energy, they are not rich in other nutrients.

They should therefore be eaten in addition to other foods, not in place of them.

Drink plenty of clean and safe water Water is important for life and is necessary every day.

A person needs about eight cups of fluid per day. When it is very hot, while working, sweating or suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting or fever, a person needs to drink even more to replace the water that has been lost. If drinking-water is collected from a protected well or borehole it is important to store it in a clean container. If the water is from an unprotected well or river the water should be boiled for at least ten minutes and stored in a clean container (see advice on food hygiene). In addition to drinking clean water, fluid can also come from juices, soups, vegetables and fruit as well as meals that have gravy or sauces. However, avoid drinking tea or coffee with a meal, as this can reduce the absorption of iron from the food.

Alcoholic drinks remove water from the body and should therefore be consumed only in limited amounts.

They can also interfere with the action of medicines.

What then is a balanced diet?

Abalanced diet is one that gives your body the nutrients it needs to function correctly. In order to get the proper nutrition from your diet, you should obtain the majority of your daily calories from: • fresh fruits • fresh vegetables • whole grains • legumes • nuts • lean proteins

with

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, 08053372356

What are calories?

The number of calories in a food is a measurement of the amount of energy stored in that food. Your body uses calories from food for walking, thinking, breathing, and other important functions. The average person needs to eat about 2,000 calories every day to maintain their weight.

However, a person’s specific daily calorie intake can vary depending on their age, gender, and physical activity level. Men generally need more calories than women, and people who exercise need more calories than people who do not. The source of your daily calories is just as important as the number of calories you consume. You should limit your consumption of “empty calories,” or those that provide little or no nutritional value. Empty calories as calories that come from sugars and solid fats, such as butter and shortening.

Empty calories are found in : • bacon • sausages • cakes • cheese • cookies • doughnuts • energy drinks • fruit drinks • ice cream • pizza • sports drinks and sodas.

The importance of Balanced Diet A balanced diet is important because your organs and tissues need proper nutrition to work effectively. Without good nutrition, your body is more prone to disease, infection, fatigue, and poor performance. Children with a poor diet run the risk of growth and developmental problems and poor academic performance. Bad eating habits can persist for the rest of their lives. Rising levels of obesity and diabetes are prime examples of the effects of a poor diet and a lack of exercise. The top 10 leading causes of death eg, in the United States are directly influenced by diet. These are: • heart disease • cancer • stroke • diabetes Achieve a Balanced Diet At the core of a balanced diet are foods that are low in unnecessary fats and sugars but high in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. The following food groups are essential parts of a balanced diet.

Fruits Besides being a great source of nutrition, fruits make tasty snacks. Choose fruits that are in season in your area. They’re fresher and provide the most nutrients.

V egetables Vegetables are primary sources of essential vitamins and minerals. Dark, leafy greens generally contain the most nutrition and can be eaten at every meal. A variety of vegetables will help you obtain the bountiful nutrients that all vegetables provide. Examples of dark leafy greens include: • spinach • kale • Bitter leaf • green beans • broccoli • collard greens • Ugwu Grains Studies have shown that many people consume refined white flour more than any other grain. Unfortunately, refined white flour contains poor nutritional value because the hull of the grain is removed during the refining process. The hull is the outer shell of the grain and is where the majority of the grain’s nutrition lies.

Whole grains, however, are prepared using the entire grain, including the hull, so they provide much more nutrition. Try switching from white breads and pastas to whole-grain products.

Proteins Meats and beans are primary sources of protein, which is essential for proper muscle and brain development.

Lean, low-fat meats such as chicken, fish, and certain cuts of pork and beef are the best options. Removing the skin and trimming off any visible fat are easy ways to reduce the amount of fat and cholesterol in meats.

The health and diet of the animal are important and influence the fatty acid profile of the meat, so grass-fed choices are ideal.

Other good sources of protein, which contain many other health benefits, fiber and other nutrients, include nuts and beans, such as: • lentils • beans • peas • almonds • sunflower seeds • walnuts Tofu and other soy-based products are excellent sources of protein and are healthy alternatives to meat.

Dairy Dairy products provide calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients. However, they are also major sources of fat, so it’s best to choose small portions of full-fat cheeses, and reduced-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt.

Plant-based milks, such as those made from flaxseed, almond, or soy are typically fortified with calcium and other nutrients, making these excellent alternatives to dairy from cows.

GLOBAL SOCCER

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 16, 2011

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Liverpool Dare Tottenham

PAGE. 29

27.08.2016

Aruna Quadri

A Golden Quarter Final Feat

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER

A Golden Quarter Final Feat

Although an Olympic Games medal did not come the way of Aruna Quadri at the just concluded 2016 Rio Olympics as he was eliminated in the quarter finals by world’s number one–China’s Ma Long, he succeeded in establishing himself as a force to reckon with in the game of table tennis after achieving an unprecedented feat on the African continent. Little wonder the table tennis world and indeed the International Table Tennis Federation celebrated him after his exit. Kunle Adewale reports

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hen the third round fixtures of the men’s table tennis singles pitched Aruna Quadri against Chinese Taipei’s Chuang ChihYuan, there was no doubt that the Nigerian was in for a tough time and it was generally believed that he had reached his end.But Ouadri put up an awesome display and caused a major upset; beating Chih-Yuan 4-0.

Again, against influential German, Timo Boll in the fourth round, many believed the Oyo State-born ping-ponger had stretched his luck enough. The 2014 ITTF star player put up a stunning performance as he took the first three sets, but Boll fought back to pick the fourth and fifth sets. However, Quadri dug deep into his bag of tricks to pick the sixth set to end the clash 4-2, thereby becoming the first African table tennis player to ever qualify for the quarter final of the men’s singles event of the Olympic Games.

Before his victory over the German, Quadri had tied with legendary Segun Toriola as the first Nigerian, nay African, to make it into the fourth round of the Olympic men’s singles.

He could however not carry his luck further in the quarter final as he bowed out on his birthday to the superior power of world number one, China’s Ma Long.

Quadri, who turned 28 on August 9, got a befitting birthday song from adorable Brazilian fans, other African athletes and officials for doing the continent proud. ”They were really good singers. I was so happy seeing them singing for me, it was an amazing thing. Ma Long is so much better, so much faster; everything is just perfect about Ma Long while his speed was just too much for me. It was not going very well for me tonight and I had a lot more difficulty receiving his service. He was stronger and faster, everything was just too perfect about him.

“I believe that it is possible for an African to win Olympic medal in table tennis because nothing is impossible. I strongly believe there are some upcoming players in Africa, including Egypt’s Omar Assar, and some top

Nigerian players who could easily match my record with hard work,” the ping-ponger said.

A relieved Ma Long, who was featuring in his first singles event at the Olympic Games admitted after his victory: “As an African player, it’s not easy that he made it to the quarterfinals stage. He was able to defeat Chuang Chih-Yuan and Timo Boll on his way to the quarter finals. It shows he’s strong and skillful.”

He however thinks Quadri’s strengths really helped him to cause upsets. “His forehand and footwork are great. I think because he doesn’t play much internationally, so we are not familiar with his playing style and characteristics.

That could have surprised his opponents, and they couldn’t react and adapt in time,” Ma Long said.

Meanwhile, the President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy, has said that the performance of Quadri was a confirmation of Africa’s relevance in table tennis world wide, saying he believed Quadri was a pride to Africa in Brazil.

“His heroic performance is a confirmation of Africa’s relevance in global table tennis. I must admit that all the African players did their best in the singles, while the extra ordinary outcome was through Aruna Quadri for his superb performance against the top ITTF ranked players like Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan and Germany’s Timo Boll. In my opinion, the achievement of Quadri in Rio will be of great impact to Africa and all players as well as help to break all barriers, raising the ceiling of ambitious player at all World and Olympic title events regardless of their opponents,” the ATTF boss said.

He added: “Simply, Aruna Quadri is perfect, full of energy and trust his skills with good preparation. He also put his mind in the game to fly the flag of Nigeria and Africa in such Olympic Games.”

He charged young players to follow the foot step of Quadri in terms of preparation and dedication in training.

The President of Senegal Table

Can Quadri get his revenge against MA Long in Germany

Tennis Federation, Balla Lo, also hailed Quadri, stressing that the huge gap between Africa and developed continents had reduced with this feat.

“This is not the case regarding some major sports like football, basketball, judo and many other sports where the gap is still very wide. My best wishes to Aruna,” the Senegalese table tennis chief

Quadri in full concentration

said.

Quadri’s Rio feat was not only appreciated by encomium, but also with cash reward.

Frank Momoh, the President of Frot Group said his performance had shown that with more support, table tennis had the capacity to bring more laurels to Nigeria.

Momoh said: “Despite the loss of Quadri to Ma Long, the team needs

31

AUGUST 27, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

A Golden Quarter Final Feat our commendation, especially as Quadri has set a new African record as the first to reach an Olympic quarter final in table tennis. The leadership of NTTF has never been in doubt, as the country’s in Rio has further shown that the plan for table tennis is Pan African and you have our full support. With patriotic support from sport loving Nigerians and organisations, Nigeria can establish her authority in world reckoning.

“To show our full support for the team, I on behalf of Frot Group hereby give a cash reward of $2,500 to Aruna Quadri for his new African G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE LAYOUT DESIGNER WAHAB AKINTUNDE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

Record. Well done NTTF President, Wahid Enitan-Oshodi.”

From his humble beginning in the ancient city of Oyo town, Oyo State, Quadri’s rise to stardom in global table tennis was not an easy task. What started as a hobby for the current African champion became a source of livelihood for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officer.

Quadri was born and bred in Oyo town, where he had his primary and secondary school education from 1993-2005 before he moved to Lagos in search of greener pasture. "Initially, life was not easy in Lagos, but with time I got used to the system.

As time went on I adjusted to the hustle and bustle of city life," Quadri recalled.

He started playing table tennis in 1996 on the streets of Oyo, "then, everybody played the game and it did not matter if one was good or not; we just played it for fun. It happened that I lived very close to table tennis hall in Oyo, just about 50 metres from my house and I used the opportunity to go to the hall and that was how I started," he noted.

Continuing, he said: "One day, I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Oluwole Abolarin in the hall, who happened to be the owner of about six table tennis boards and he just took interest in me naturally. He started training me and focused a lot

Quadri celebrating a point

on me just as if he had known that I would grow up to be a future champion. In few months, I had improved so fast beyond his imagination.

“And after years of vigorous practice, I finally started playing national tournament in Lagos in year 2000 in cadet category of which I won the title unexpectedly and since then I had been focusing on how to improve on my game. Abolarin happened to be the one who introduced me to indoor table tennis, trained me and took me through the basics of table tennis before I moved to Lagos to improve on my game. At least, he trained me for like three years."

Meanwhile, Quadri will return to the country where his resurgence started in 2014, as the ITTF has confirmed the Nigerian and 19 others for this year’s Men’s World Cup holding in Saarbrucken, Germany.

Saarbrücken will host the best 20 players in the world with Quadri flying African flag at the three-day tournament.

Quadri, who returned to his base in Portugal at the weekend, will rub shoulders with top European stars as well as his conqueror in Brazil and Olympic Champion, China’s Ma Long.

As an African player, it’s not easy that he made it to the quarterfinals stage. He was able to defeat Chuang Chih-Yuan and Timo Boll on his way to the quarter finals. It shows he’s strong and skillful . His forehand and footwork are great. I think because he doesn’t play much internationally, so we are not familiar with his playing style and characteristics. That could have surprised his opponents, and they couldn’t react and adapt in time

32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER

Klopp Admits Spur's Strength Ahead of White Hart Lane Visit Tottenham have only played two Premier League games this season, so will not be up to full speed just yet.

However, their European exploits has meant that they have avoided mid-week cup duties, so they will have fresher players. Spurs struggled in the opening hour against Everton and managed to breakdown Crystal Palace until later in the game, so they will need huge improvement against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

L

iverpool on the other hand started their season in style, scoring four goals at the Emirates in a 4-3 win over Arsenal. They showed defensive frailties in the game in London, frailties which showed in their shock loss to Burnley. Two defensive errors from Nathaniel Clyne and Ragnar Klavan cost Liverpool an embarrassing loss.

An easy cup win over Burton will have restored some pride, but Tottenham will no doubt provide tougher opposition.

Klopp indeed believes this weekend's trip to White Hart Lane will see Liverpool face a Tottenham Hotspur side stronger than that which finished third in the Premier League last term. The Reds' season-opening run of three straight league away games comes

The whole situation on the pitch will be different. They are a pressing team, a highpressure team, so we need to know about this. They don't give away a lot of spaces but there are spaces, of course. They need to play against us and that's the thing, so I'm not too interested in where they develop but, of course, we know they are strong, that's the only thing we need to know. We can be strong too and should show this on Saturday

to an end in the capital today as they take on a Spurs team who have made a solid start in their bid to improve on 2015-16's title push.

Mauricio Pochettino's squad was bolstered by a number of high-profile signings ahead of the new campaign, and Klopp knows his charges will be in for a tough test in north London.But the German insists he is focused on ensuring his players can impose their own strengths upon Tottenham when the two teams meet.

Speaking at a press conference to preview the clash, he told reporters: "They are absolutely convinced about their way and their style of play. They didn't change too much and they have high individual quality. They can even leave Dele Alli out, that's a big difference from last year, with Vincent Janssen they have a really skilled striker. Harry Kane can play from a No.10 position too and did it well.

"Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier in the centre is a little bit different to Dier and Mousa Dembele. The rest of the team is very experienced and has played together one-and-a-half or two years nearly but they are still young so there's still space for development.

That's what you need to know but at the end they need to play against us and this game can be completely different to the last two games we played.

"The whole situation on the pitch will be different. They are a pressing team, a high-pressure team, so we need to know about this. They don't give away a lot of spaces but there are spaces, of course. They need to play against us and that's the thing, so I'm not too interested in where they develop but, of course, we know they are strong, that's the only thing we need to know. We can be strong too and should show this on Saturday."

Liverpool have had the best of the last six meetings between the two sides, winning four of the last six and only drawing the other two games. On trips to White Hart Lane, Liverpool have won 3-0 and 5-0 on visits to London in the last three seasons.

However, Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pocchetino remains without his number one goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who remains ruled out with the hamstring injury he suffered on

Coutinho scored one of Liverpool's goal against Tottenham last season

the opening day against Everton.

Belgian midfielder Moussa Dembele will be the only other absentee as he continues to serve his suspension, continuing over from last season, while Klopp continues to be without a number of first team stars, whilst German midfielder Emre Can picked up a knock against Burton in the cup, so will be doubtful for the weekend. Loris Karius, Mamadou Sakho and Lucas Leiva will certainly be ruled out for today’s clash.

Chelsea will be gunning for a perfect three-of-three as they host newly-promoted club Burnley at the Stamford Bridge today. The Blues opened the season with two straight victories, outlasting contending team West Ham United, 2-1, at home on and pulling off a similar win over Watford at the Vicarage Road last Saturday.

Both wins came from Diego Costa's late-game winners as the Spanish striker feels empowered under new head coach Antonio Conte at the start of this term.

Chelsea certainly haven’t been at their assured and ruthless best so far this season. But one of the Alex Ferguson traits that impressed us most over the years was his ability to win matches when his team wasn’t performing that well.

It’s an absolutely crucial quality for Premier League title pretenders and Chelsea seem able to grind out results when it matters.

Because the other title favourites, Manchester City and Manchester United, have taken full points so far and Antonio Conte will be delighted

that he has overseen two wins with so much improvement so patently still to come.

Conte will also be desperate for more new faces before September but, in truth, he has enough quality in this squad to mount a serious title challenge. With Costa scoring goals, Edin Hazard looking like a proper player again and Willian flying, few teams will be able to cope with Chelsea in full flight.But they still look disjointed and will be pleased for a home game against Burnley to get their collective eye in.

After Burnley stunned early favorites Liverpool last Saturday, the team is expected to face more difficulty against the Blues at the Stamford Bridge this weekend, though, as Conte's club tries to arrest their issues on defense early in the season.

Meanwhile, Arsenal travel to Watford this weekend and the Gunners are still looking for their first win of the season, after they were held to a 0-0 draw at the King Power Stadium

by Leicester City after losing 4-3 against Liverpool on the opening day.

Arsene Wenger has been criticised for the lack of transfers once again and it remains to be seen whether the Frenchman adds another striker and a centre-back before the window closes.

Arsenal have been plagued with injuries at the back and will be without Per Mertesacker and Gabriel for their trip to Vicarage road. Despite their obvious talent, the likes of Chambers and Holding are simply

33

AUGUST 27, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER Fixtures

La Liga

Premier League TODAY Tottenham Chelsea Crystal Palace Everton Leicester Southampton Watford Hull

v v v v v v v v

Liverpool 12:30 Burnley 15:00 Bournemouth 15:00 Stoke 15:00 Swansea 15:00 Sunderland 15:00 Arsenal 15:00 Man Utd 17:30

SUNDAY West Brom Man City

v v

Middlesbrough 13:30 West Ham 16: 00

Bundesliga

TODAY FC Köln Dortmund Frankfurt Augsburg Hamburger M'gladbach

SUNDAY Hertha Hoffenheim

not ready to start in the Premier League now.

Meanwhile, Watford have lost their last two games including the Capital One cup loss against Gillingham. The Hornets are still adapting to Mazzarri’s

philosophies and are vulnerable at the moment.

Also today Leicester City will be craving for their first Premier League as they ramped preparations ahead of their game against Swansea City. The champions have failed to win either

v v v v v v

v v

Darmstadt Mainz Schalke Wolfsburg Ingolstadt 04 Leverkusen

14:30 14:30 14:30 14:30 14:30 17:30

Freiburg Leipzig

14:30 16:30

of their opening two games, although they did manage to get a point on the board against Arsenal last weekend.

Manager Claudio Ranieri will be keen to see the Premier League winners finally secure a first victory of the season when Swansea travel to the King Power.

The Foxes fell to a surprise defeat on the opening day of the season as they lost 2-1 to Hull City, who were expected to struggle badly according to most pre-season predictions. Leicester also lost in the Community Shield After a disappointing run of results, Leicester were handed a boost after Danny Drinkwater committed his future to the club, which ties him to the Foxes for the next five years.

TODAY Eibar Osasuna Madrid Leganés

v v v v

Valencia Sociedad Celta Vigo Madrid

17:15 17:15 19:15 21:15

SUNDAY Alavés Las Palmas Bilbao Villarreal

v v v v

Sporting Granada Barcelona Sevilla

17:15 17:15 19:15 21:15

Serie A TODAY Lazio Napoli

v v

Juventus Milan

17:00 19:45

SUNDAY Inter Cagliari Crotone Fiorentina Sampdoria Sassuolo Torino Udinese

v v v v v v v v

Palermo Roma Genoa Chievo Atalanta Pescara Bologna Empoli

17:00 19:45 19:45 19:45 19:45 19:45 19:45 19:45

Head to Head 02/04/16

Liverpool

1-1

Tottenham

17/10/15

Tottenham

0-0

Liverpool

10/02/15

Liverpool

3 -2

Tottenham

31/08/14

Tottenham

0-3

Liverpool

30/03/14

Liverpool

4-0

Tottenham

15/12/13

Tottenham

0 -5

Liverpool

10/03/13

Liverpool

3 -2

Tottenham

28/11/12

Tottenham

2 -1

Liverpool

06/02/12

Liverpool

0-0

Tottenham

18/09/11

Tottenham

4 -0

Liverpool

15/05/11

Liverpool

0-2

Tottenham

28/11/10

Tottenham

2 -1

Liverpool

20/01/10

Liverpool

2-0

Tottenham

16/08/09

Tottenham

2 -1

Liverpool

New-look Dortmund Resume Bayern Pursuit

L

ast season's runners-up Borussia Dortmund resume the chase to knock Bayern Munich from the top of the German league, having made eight new signings -- and losing a trio of stars.

Dortmund start their campaign at home to coach Thomas Tuchel's ex-club Mainz on Saturday.

But things looked bleak when captain Mats Hummels, then midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan announced, one after the other, that they were leaving during the close season.

But no other German club was as busy in the transfer market, with Dortmund quickly re-investing the $100 million (approximately R1.41 billion) they made in selling Hummels to Bayern, Gundogan to Manchester City and Mkhitaryan to Manchester United.

Bayern claimed a fourth straight German league title last season, finishing ten points clear of Dortmund, whose points haul of 78 would have given them the title in 49 of the 53 Bundesliga seasons to date.

Ottmar Hitzfeld, who coached

both Bayern and Dortmund during his career, expects Tuchel's Borussia to give the Bavarians a run for their money again this season.

Both Bayern and Dortmund have qualified directly for the Champions League this season.

"I hope that Bayern won't singlehandedly win the title," Hitzfeld told German radio.

"I am convinced: Dortmund will be serious competitors, they are chasing Bayern and have made very wise transfers."

The new signings include Germany forwards Andre Schuerrle and Mario Goetze, back at Dortmund after three years at Bayern where the World Cup winner was either blighted by injury or left on the bench by ex-Munich coach Pep Guardiola.

"I certainly didn't have an easy year at Bayern. I want to play as many matches as possible here, to get the most out of myself, and help the team," said Goetze on his Dortmund return.

Having won the 2011 and 2012 Bundesliga titles with Dortmund, Goetze will be back in the black and yellow shirt with a point to prove.

"I believe the problem actually was that he wanted to work with Pep Guardiola

more than go to the club (Bayern Munich) itself," Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told Sport1 when asked about Goetze's Bayern sojourn.

Likewise, Schuerrle failed to win regular-starting places at either Chelsea or Wolfsburg, for whom he scored nine goals in 14 league games at the end of last season.

Dortmund's director of sport Michael Zorc said both Schuerrle and Goetze have the same task.

"At the end of the day, it's all about one thing for both of them: performances, performances, performances," Zorc told magazine Kicker.

"Neither Mario nor Andre have had top years, both aren't on an easy path and it's clear their performances will be in focus."

Barcelona centre-back Marc Bartra and left-back Raphael Guerrerio, who won the Euro 2016 title with Portugal, will bolster the defence, while tough-tackling midfielder Sebastian Rode has been recruited from Bayern.

French teenager Ousmane Dembele is an exciting prospect on the wing, as is Turkey international

Emre Mor, who is also still only 19.

Spain under-19 international Mikel Merino has also been bought from Osasuna. At the helm last season, Tuchel was a resounding success as head coach after replacing Jurgen Klopp.

He overhauled the way Dortmund train, such as making defenders hold tennis balls in their hands during drills to break the habit of clutching an attacker's shirt.

Meanwhile, Dortmund's attack yielded 82 league goals last season, two more than even Bayern.

Central to this season's title challenge will be Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored 25 goals in 2015-16.

Dortmund can expect near-fanatical support from the famous south terrace, which holds more than 20 000 home fans, and for the first time, Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park enjoyed an average attendance of over 80 000 for Bundesliga games last season.

Their second league game, at RB Leipzig in a fortnight, means that one of Germany's most traditional clubs will be the first to visit the fledgling outfit, heavily sponsored by energy drink manufacturer Red Bull, in Bundesliga history.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

34

GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS

Captain of Collins Edwin Sports Club, Onunze Pascal, receiving the winner’s trophy from the President of Nigeria Super Soccer Federation, Emeka Ehiri, after leading his club to defeat De Pros FC 5-2 in the final of the Lagos Super Soccer Tourney on Thursday in Lagos

This is where the Kenyan team spend their night on Thursday, after Olympic Village is closed

350 HTTA kids tutored at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos

Malachowski Donates Olympic Medal to Help Cancer Patient Polish discus thrower Piotr Malachowski has donated his Olympic silver medal to raise funds for a three-year-old boy with a rare form of cancer.

Malachowski, 33, won his second Olympic silver in Rio, finishing 82cm adrift of Germany's Christoph Harting.

His donation enabled compatriot Olek Szymanski, who has retinoblastoma - an eye cancer affecting young children, to go to New York for treatment.

"My silver medal is worth a lot more than a week ago," said Malachowski.

"It is worth the health of little Olek."

Malachowski, who also won silver in Beijing eight years ago, said fate had given him the chance to "increase the value of my silver".

He added: "We were able to show that together we can do

wonders. It is our great shared success.

"Winning an Olympic medal is one of an athlete's life dreams.

Of course, the most precious is gold.

"I did everything in my power to get it. Unfortunately this time I did not succeed."

Kenya Athletes Angry at Rio Shanty Accommodation Kenyan athletes are stranded in a Rio shanty town where gunshots can be heard, following the closure of the Olympic village, the team captain says.

Officials delayed their return home as they looked for a "cheap flight", said Wesley Korir, a marathon runner who is also an independent MP. He posted images on Twitter of dilapidated buildings in the

area where he said they were forced to stay.

Team Kenya has been dogged by allegations of mismanagement at Rio. Sports Minister Hassan Wario says the government has responded by disbanding the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) and ordering an investigation into the problems the team faced

in Rio, reports the BBC's Wanyama Chebusiri from the capital, Nairobi.

Mr Korir said athletes had experienced "hell" and he would demand action when he returned home.

The team won 13 medals, the highest by an African country, and this "is how they treat us", he added.

The men's marathon team

is among the athletes stuck in the shanty town, except for gold medallist Eliud Kipchoge, who bought his own ticket to leave, Mr Korir said.

Athletes were ordered to stay indoors as gunshots were heard all night, he added in a tweet.

Kenya won six gold medals, six silver and a bronze at the Games, which ended on Sunday.

Eubank to Defend Title against Langford Chris Eubank Jr will defend his British middleweight title against Tommy Langford in Cardiff on October 22.

The Brighton man (23-1KO18) will be making the second defence of his crown against the unbeaten Langford (17-0-KO6), who became mandatory challenger in the

wake of July's stoppage win over Timo Laine.

In an article recently reported on boxingnews24, Langford said: "I need a scalp of his magnitude to project my profile and, because of his dad, Eubank is the biggest name on the scene.

Upcoming Fights,10th September, 21:00pm

Lee Haskins v Stuart Hall "We've sparred in the recent past and, though you can't take too much into that, I know what he does well and what he doesn't do well and believe my style exploits his.

"Sure, Chris Jr is dangerous but Billy Joe [Saunders] exposed his limitations with

his quality and movement. I'd be confident."

Talks for Eubank Jr to face world middleweight king Gennady Golovkin were at an advanced stage before breaking down and he has also been recently linked with a rematch against WBO world champion Saunders.

Collins Edwin FC Emerge Champions as Supersoccer A new brand of soccer, Supersoccer made its debut in country to add fun and excitement to football in Nigeria.

According to the President of Nigeria Supersoccer Federation (NSSF), Emeka Ehiri, the body, is an affiliated to the Federation of International Super Soccer (FISS), which is the regulator of the game.

“Supersoccer is a new team sport with great entertainment value but it is less aggressive than some contact sports, and partly because it eliminates the penalty shoot-outs. It is full of suspense and will amply and fairly reward the participation of both players and fans. It is a team sport governed by carefully crafted rules and

regulations.

“There are no back pass to the goalkeeper in supersoccer and any team that does that has committed a foul, which attracts a super kick that is more or less a half penalty against you like the other fouls.

“A match is started with nine players and a goalkeeper on both sides unlike the normal

football where 11 players are required.

On making it an acceptable sport in Nigeria, Ehiri said; “Since Lagos is the home of soccer in Nigeria, we started with exhibition matches after wish there will be a seminar to sensitise coaches all over Lagos as well as other parts of the country.”

76th Monthly Boxing Show

Alumona Explains GOtv Boxing’s Partnership with LBHF Managing Director of Flykite Promotions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, Jenkins Alumona, has explained why GOtv Boxing was in partnership with the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (for the 76th Monthly Saturday Boxing Show.

Speaking in Lagos on Monday, Alumona said GOtv Boxing signed a partnership

agreement with the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame in February because it recognised the value of what the LBHF was doing for boxing at the amateur level.

“GOtv Boxing is into professional boxing. But there is no professional cadre without the amateur cadre. The LBHF, through the Monthly Saturday Boxing Show, has been developing talents that we hope

will become professionals and make this country proud. We always talk about the need for grassroots development in any sport. The perfect example of that is the Monthly Saturday Boxing Show. What GOtv Boxing set out to do is the revival of boxing in Nigeria.

Part of that revival is what the monthly boxing show does,” he said.

Alumona added that the partnership with the LBHF has been mutually beneficial, with the latter offering its gym for sparring by and camping of boxers during GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, the second edition which ended last week.

The Monthly Boxing Show holds today at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Lagos.

HTTA: Committed to Building Future Football Stars Help The Talent Academy, HTTA, continues its quest to discover and groom the next football stars from the grassroots, recently gathered about 350 kids for tutoring at the main-bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The HTT Academy, which was set up over a year ago in Lagos, opened various centres across state with coaches tutoring kids on the rudiments of football and instill in them moral values that will help them reach the pinnacle of their football career.

According to the development officer of HTT Academy, Kemac Emina, the academy was out to discover talented footballers and help them develop to the height of their chosen career.

"The vision of the academy is to develop autobiographies for our players as in African football as this does not exist; African footballers do not have Autobiographies that showcase their football history and development in their career.'' Therefore, we look to cultivate this vision to life by sourcing football talents and developing their autobiographies by capturing their performance as they grow with the Academy till advancing to their career as we deploy them into professional footballer.

"We have training centres across Lagos; we have in Isolo, Mushin, Gbagada, Surulere, Ajegunle and Ikorodu. All academy members from the centres converge every Saturday at the main-bowl of the national stadium. What we intend doing is to get more boys and hone their skills since they are on holidays now, make them measure up to the standard of the academy and see what happen", said Emina.

The HTT academy originally based in the United Kingdom but the abundance of soccer talents in Nigeria necessitated the academy to set up in Nigeria and give young boys opportunity to live their dream and become better citizens in life. Emina revealed that the academy had provided succour for indigent parents by helping their kids who were talented to play football and get opportunity to travel overseas to ply their trade.

Emina said ''We believe football is not just a physical sport, it also has a mental element as we train our talents to not only know how to play football but understand football including the technicalities learnt at FA England football certification. We are continuously looking to improve our coaches’ knowledge in the football industry, thus the academy carry out FA England coaches training seminars.

"In the next two years we hope to take six kids to our academy in the UK. HTT is one of the best academies in Nigeria despite the fact that we are about one year old now. Apart from football, we teach them morals, we look at their academics. We are all out to mould the players; we know that some of the best talents don't come from a wealthy background so we help them to grow".

One of the players that was discovered by the academy,Victor Arekam who has been with the academy for six months commended coaches for looking after their future. The youngster said he's very proud to be part of HTT Academy.

"I'm very happy to be part of the academy because the coaches are technically sound and they impart soccer knowledge on us" said Arekam.

For coach Jamiu Isa, the uniqueness of the HTT Academy is the way the trainers are being trained which also help them in handling the boys.

Isa opined that the Academy was one of the best because of the structure and the mode of operations and a lot of the boys were very talented and they have future in football. He expressed optimism that some of boys would be in the national teams in not distant future.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2016

35

236

JUNE 2011 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER THISDAY, THE16, SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

FAIRGROUND

Mabel Makun’s 45th Surprise Birthday Party for Husband AY

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

A

yodeji Richard Makun, popularly known as A.Y, one of the superstars in the Nigerian entertainment industry, got a terrific surprise when his pretty wife, Mabel, threw a double s birthday party for him.

The multi-award winning and multitalented comedian, TV presenter, actor, writer, director and MC, was stunned beyond words. The surprise-party was at the football pitch, when his wife stormed the pitch at fun factory at 12 noon, with friends from the industry, like Ali Baba and his wife, 2Face and his wife, Timaya, Elenu, and among others. They all wore trendy black T-shirt, announcing his new age, and he was presented a birthday cake that had a football and a jersey design.

The second surprise birthday was a glamorous affair. He was still not aware that another party was planned for him, as Ali Baba tricked him that they would attend a governor’s party.

When they arrived the venue, dignitaries like Folly Coker, a commissioner in Lagos State, Mo Abudu, CEO Ebony LiveTV, Audu Maikori, CEO Chocolate City, Archie Ezenagu, the CEO Toucan Aviation, Rita Idehen of Blu Victoria, his colleagues from the industry like Okey Bakassi, Gordons, Omo Baba, Klint D Drunk, Princess, Chi Gal, Yaw, and his younger colleagues like Shakara, Acappella, Pencil, Osh bebe, and other comedians, actors like Gbenro Ajibade, Chris and Damilola Attoi, Bryan Okpara, were not left out including his two younger brothers Lanre and Yomi Makun.

After the eulogies from his colleagues and family, there was the cutting of the cake and the evening was crowned with a Benin traditional dance and the real shindig began.

Sandra and Frank Edoho

AY, his wife Mabel and daughter Adeola

Lanre and Yomi Makun

Ali Baba Damilola and Chris Attoh, Juliet Ibrahim and Gbenro Ajibade

2Baba

AY, Mo Abudu, a guest and Foli Coker

AY, Zel and Audu Maikori

Archi and Ginika Ezenagu

Rita Idehen

T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2016

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FITNESS FILE

Discovering Your Why

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hat is your why?

It’s your reason for waking up in the morning, it’s the philosophy that drives you to excel, to better yourself as a human being, it the source of your individual motivation. I’m a firm believer that motivation is not generated externally, its an enlightening that happens within you, propelling you to a life of excellence.

Having an excellent life is nothing you ever thought it was before. You will be disappointed to find out that it is not the money, good looks, fortune, fame, or being a philanthropist. Now, although there is nothing wrong with having those things in your life, and sure it does make life pretty exciting and fruitful, having those things is simply what we see in the movies or TV shows.

There is but one simple attribute you can muster up in this very moment that will bring you into alignment. The many masters that walked the earth did so with peace and content in their hearts because they knew this secret. Something that is so ridiculously obvious to some, but not so apparent to others.

Keep reading and you will get the clearer meaning of what I’m referring to.

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.” Audrey Hepburn.

The Here and Now It’s about being present and living in the moment. Too many times in life we let things get in the way of us truly enjoying each and every moment- being present in that moment. It’s one of the biggest mistakes people make, and they do so unknowingly.

Being in the moment is what lets you enjoy life and be fully in tune with it, bringing happiness to your life. When you are not present in the moment, your body is present,

The Edenlifestyle corner with

MAJE AYIDA

majeayida@edenlifenigeria.com www.edenlifenigeria.com, 07062614551

but your mind is not. You are only thinking or worrying about other things instead. What you’re doing is wasting your time and the time of others. Snap out of it. Be present in each and every moment that you are blessed with. Enjoy those around you and the experiences that you are currently having. This very moment will never happen again exactly the same way, so you might as well be present and enjoy it to it’s fullest potential as well as make it enjoyable to those around you, all by being present in the moment.

You can have all those things we described above, from the fast cars to big boats, but if and only if you are present mentally; otherwise these moments won’t stay with you long enough to matter.

Be Grateful Sometimes we get caught up in our 21st century problems and complain when our Internet isn’t working fast enough, or if our phone dies too fast. Yes it is pretty evident that we as a generation and a population have become a bit spoiled on just about every aspect of life. We have lost the hustle and expect to be babied, having everything handed to us for the rest of our lives, expecting things to always fall into place for us. This is basic entitlement, I see able-bodied men looking for handouts everyday and getting upset when they don’t recieve. What we all need to do is stop being babies and appreciate what we have been blessed with in this world.

There are many out there that don’t even have half of what you have, and only dream of your life

and the opportunities that you have in front of you. We as a generation have managed to take all of this for granted and have forgotten that it takes hard work to truly get what we want out of life. Before you try to get more out of life, try being grateful for what you already have.

If you can’t be grateful now, what makes you think that you will appreciate anything else that you acquire along the way?

Respecting Yourself and Others Next comes love for yourself and the love for your purpose in life.

Once you have those two things you will be able to propel your passion in life and allow yourself to wake up every morning and start the day running rather than being miserable, wanting to go back to sleep. Once you attain the love, that is when you attain the respect for others and receive their respect back. Passion is what drives us.

“Respect yourself and other will respect you.” Confucius Everything on this planet has a presence, from the rocks, plants and animals, to the soil, worms, and the very core of the earth itself. If you cannot see or feel this to be true, this article will not resonate with you.

Be Healthy Some of us forget the folk tale saying that your wealth means nothing without your health. What are you going to do? Be the fattest and richest guy in the cemetery? No, to truly enjoy life you need to stay healthy and keep a balance in your mind and in your body. I read an article recently by a fairly successful

Sometimes we get caught up in our 21st century problems and complain when our Internet isn’t working fast enough, or if our phone dies too fast.

Yes it is pretty evident that we as a generation and a population have become a bit spoiled on just about every aspect of life. We have lost the hustle and expect to be babied, having everything handed to us for the rest of our lives, expecting things to always fall into place for us. This is basic entitlement, I see ablebodied men looking for handouts everyday and getting upset when they don’t recieve. What we all need to do is stop being babies and appreciate what we have been blessed with in this world.

There are many out there that don’t even have half of what you have, and only dream of your life and the opportunities that you have in front of you gentlemen his workout time is more important that his company. This, to me, is more than just an idea, it needs to be common practice.

This life was made for your enjoyment not for you to just throw away and take your body for granted. Eat healthy, exercise and be in shape because that is something that comes with success as well, and is apart of being excellent.

Living an excellent life is a lot simpler than you have ever thought.

Stop complicating your life and begin with changing your life by starting with yourself, everything else will follow. Once you have created the perfect balance, created the perfect connection between your mind and your body, that is when you live an excellent life, a life full of true peace.

AUGUST 27, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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FASHION FILE

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FASHION FILE

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

FROZEN Collection by JFT Fashion House

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ROZEN, JFT’s Autumn/Winter 16-17 collection conveys this with a variety of mediums such as texture; smooth, colour; cold and fabrics as crepe and silk to express a “let-it-go” woman in the season.

The collection reminds me of the animated movie FROZEN. The movie portrays this season with cold colours (white and blue) particularly a lady with constraint, on “letting go” froze the land.

As a lady who feels not heard, understood or constrained, these styles infuses the “let-it-go” vibe which makes a confident, smart, decent and classy lady.

I know you love to let it go.

Photo Credit Label/Designer: JFT Fashion House @jftfashionhouse Creative Director: Folayemi Joshua @folayemijoshua Photography: Tunde of Shutterwave Photography @ shutterwavephotography Styling and Direction: Seun @styledbyseun Model: Similoluwa @cimiloluwa Hair & Makeup: Odunayo of @xtratouchmakeovers

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •AUGUST 27, 2016

WITH

MARKET PLACE

OMOLABAKE FASHOGBON 08033621009

L-R: Chairman,Trade Promotion Board, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Chief Micheal Olawale -Cole; President, LCCI, Dr. Nike Akande; Minister of Communication Technology, Mr. Adebayo Shittu; Chairman, Association of Licenced Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo; and President, Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, Mr. Olushola Teniola, during LCCI’s stakeholders communications tax bill forum in Lagos recently

L-R: Assistant Director, ICT, Lagos State Government representing Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi; Lagos State Commissioner for Science & Technology,Adeyinka Sorungbe; Country Manager, OLX,Lola Masha and Chief Technology Officer, OLX Sub-Sahara Africa, Stephen Ballot ,during the commissioning of the OLX office in Ilupeju as part of their 4th Anniversary

Nigerian Company Joins $5.2Bn Pladis Organisation The Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy and encourage local production and consumption, has received another boost with A&P Foods, the local manufacturer of McVitie’s and Haansbro products in Nigeria, joining pladis. A&P Foods is a subsidiary of the former United Biscuits, now pladis, a global biscuit and confectionery company which brings together Godiva Chocolatier, United Biscuits, Ulker and DeMet’s Candy Company.

Formed in January 2016, pladis is the new global biscuit and confectionery company owned

by Yildiz Holding, the largest food company in Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa. Named after the ‘Pleiades’ constellation, a group of seven stars visible from anywhere on earth, the new company brings internationally recognized brands Godiva, McVitie’s and Ulker together under one roof to form a $US5.2 billion business.

“Establishing pladis is the first step in realizing the long-term strategy of Yildiz Holding. We are bringing together some of the world’s best loved brands and combining their 350 years of experience to form a new family company. We will be a global leader in biscuits and confectionery, and bring ‘bites of happiness’ to every corner of the world,” comments Yildiz Holding Chairman, Murat Ulker.

Company History Yildiz Holding started its journey as a family company when Ulker was established in 1944.

In 1989, Ulker was brought under the roof of Yildiz Holding and in just over 70 years, the company has evolved from a local Istanbul biscuit maker into a global food group that reaches 4 billion consumers.

In 2014, Yildiz Holding acquired United Biscuits (UB), a major British biscuits business

and owner of the McVitie’s brand, becoming one of the world’s largest biscuit manufacturers.

With the acquisition of UB, the company also acquired A&P Foods, a UB subsidiary and manufacturer of the McVitie’s and Haansbro biscuits and confectionery in Nigeria.

Strategy With 36 factories in 13 countries including Nigeria, pladis employs 26,000 people across the world and is led by a senior leadership team: Cem Karakas, CEO, and Ali Ulker, Vice Chairman of Yildiz Holding, focusing on innovation and quality. The company operates on a regional basis, with each region led by a local management team that is responsible for manufacturing and commercial activities of the full pladis brand portfolio.

Ali Jaber, Managing Director of pladis’ Sub Saharan Africa region said, “Being part

ATCON: Communications MoveMe Redefines Online Business with Tax will Suppress TeleAdditional Services coms Market The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria ( ATCON) has warned that Nigerian Telecommunication market may experience less boom and activeness if government succeeded in implementing the proposed nine per cent communication service tax.

While the bill for the proposed tax had scaled first reading in the National Assembly, the telecommunications body urged government to drop the bill stating that the consequences would outweigh the expected gains.

Highlighting the effect of the tax which seeks to impose additional charges on users of electronic communication services, President of ATCON, Olusola Teniola, noted that in economic sense, the action would affect the purchasing power of consumers and thus, reduce subscribers’ consumption of data and the length of time spent on voice calls; and in effect, dwindle the revenue that accrue to telecoms companies.

Shedding more light, the telecommunication guru who described the proposed tax as not being investment friendly held that it would scare investment away from the sector and make it less attractive , since investor were encouraged by a friendly tax regime.

He added that the tax, if eventually introduced would kill creativity and innovations in telecommunications business.

“We consider the proposed tax bill unnecessary and prohibitive because operators in the sectors are already faced with multiplicity of taxation. Imposition of this bill could stifle innovation and creativity in the sector and this would automatically reverse the gains already made in the past decade. This might lead to increase in unemployment, decrease in revenue accruable to government which would heighten the county’s poverty level”, Teniola pointed.

MoveMe, an online and offline logistics firm, has berthed in Lagos with a mission to transform the landscape of businesses in Nigeria.

The composite moving platform edges out its competitors with its premium service that delivers beyond moving of items alone to assisting customers with chores such as fixing and arranging of items, cleaning as well as carrying out Installations of all kinds.

According to the firm’s Director of Operations, Tony Aka, the task of relocating could be stressful especially with its packing and unpacking process as well as the risk that goes with it such as loss or damage of valuables.

“That is why we have introduced an impeccable system to make your home transition

affordable, safe, fast and reliable. The MoveMe concept was borne out of the need to make transition to a new abode stress free and worthwhile”, Aka explained.

Aka noted that while the physical office was very much intact, the firm had also maintained an online platform, www.moveme.com.ng to make relocation easier such that individuals or organisations intending to move into a new apartment or office space could demand for their services anywhere with a tap on their internet connected device.

Move-Me aims to serve as the best indigenous logistics company in Africa and hopes to diversify in the health verticals in the nearest future.

Airtel Targets Youth with New Product Like its Etisalat counterpart, Airtel is taking on the youth population as it announced the relaunch of Smart Trybe, a product which was originally launched in 2014.

The repackaged offering is specially designed to cater for the needs and lifestyle of the youth market segment and offers affordable call and data tariff in addition to freebies that comes with it.

At the colourful event that announced the product, those in attendance, majorly youths, commended the telecommunication company for its continuous empowerment effort through the provision of innovative telecommunication packages which had proven useful in realising their potentials and fulfilling their dreams.

According to Airtel Vice President, Brand &Advertising, Enitan Denloye, the latest offered 11k/sec rate to all networks in Nigeria and it comes in three

categories.

“These include :Trybe Special Data, Trybe Night Browsing and Trybe Weekend. Customers can dial *312# to connect to the package”, he explained.

Denloye added that SmartTrybe aimed to enhance youth’s access to cheap data and call rates which comes with 1 gigabyte of data at N500 for 7 days, while subscribers on the Trybe Night Browsing get 500 megabytes data to browse between 12:00 am – 5:00 am with just N25, or they can recharge with N50 to browse from 12:00 am – 5:00 am with 1.5 gigabyte data. With Trybe Weekend, customers enjoy 250 megabytes as well as 30 minutes free call to Airtel numbers.

At the launch of the product in Vapors Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos, customers in attendance were treated to a live performance of Airtel brand ambassadors including Phyno, Patoranking, One Mic Star, Acetune and a host others

of pladis brings the opportunity to offer a wider range of brands and products, and further grow the business in the region.” With a firm belief in nurturing growth by building a sustainable flow of raw materials locally, pladis adds value to the lives of thousands of local workers.

The company has developed some long term strategies aimed at helping it achieve its vision of growth in markets where it operates.

Commenting on the vision for pladis, CEO, Cem Karakas, states, “We have significant growth ambitions for pladis with the aim to outperform the category standard year-on-year.

This is supported by our capital position and the strength of our manufacturing as one of only two companies in the world that produce such a broad range of biscuits and confectionery. As one global family, we can be agile and innovate around our products, developing more brand synergies to benefit our business.”

Diamond Bank, Raises 500,000 Young Coders Nigeria’s fastest growing retail bank, Diamond Bank, has announced plans to engage no fewer than 500,000 children between seven and 15 years old in computer coding and technology development.

This initiative followed the growing interest and use in technology which has also become a significant part of the society.

According to the bank’s Managing Director, Uzoma Dozie, the bank would be partnering Code Camp Africa, a technology capacity development company, to carry out the project which aligns with its vision of empowering young Nigerians with the language of technology as well as its focus on developing homegrown talent across all fields.

Dozie noted that, “The future of almost everything in modern days is technology and this also depends on the ability to use technology. The Western world is outsourcing jobs to India because of its ability to write code. It is paramount that we develop in this area of development.”

He added that the bank collaborated with Code Camp Africa and programming firm, Andela Limited to deliver a five-week programme that equipped about 25 youngsters with knowledge and skills in various computer languages.

“In 10 years’ time, these kids can work in Nigeria and across the world. It is critical that we equip these children with the ability to code and understand the language of technology”, he said.

According to Code Camp Africa promoter, Mr. Edwin Momife, Nigeria had attained a level where her citizens needed to get to code and use technology to solve problems, adding, “If you learn how to code, you become a global citizen”.

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EVENTS

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he funeral service for late Olori Adelphine Ajoke Okupe, mother of Dr. Doyin Okupe, former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was held at All Saints Church, Montgomery Street,Yaba, Lagos on Friday 12thAugust, 2016.

Reception follows immediately after interment at Queen’s Park Event Centre, Water Corporation Drive, Victoria lsland, Lagoswhereguests,friends,well-wishers andfamilymembers were entertained. Here are the faces of some the personalities Photos: Abiodun Ajala that graced the occasion.

R-L: Omoba Doyin Okupe and wife, Yemisi

R-L: Dr. Seyi Roberts and wife, Alero

L-R: Mr. Segun Adesegun and Mr. Tony Uranta

L-R: Olusegun Okupe, Bayo Okupe and Junior Craig

L-R: Hon. Titi Oseni and Mr. Wale Gomez

L-R: Dr. Adebola Roberts and his wife, Funmi

Dr. and Mrs. Kayode

L-R: Mrs. Nta Lijadu and Mrs. Mercy Adeyinka

L-R: Mrs. Ebun Macgregor and Mrs Modupe Albert

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IMAGES

L-R: Dr. Wole Oloyede and Mr. Eric Teniola

L-R: Mr. Mathew Adjerese and Mr. Letua Adeola

L-R: Otunba Bolaji Oladeinde and Hon. Kayode Amusan

L-R: Dr. Tokunbo Oyero and Dr. Sunmade Olumide

L-R: Mrs Comfort lpaye, Mrs Bola Shagaya and Senator Florence lta-Giwa

L-R: Mr. Victor Osibodu and Dr. Segun Oshin

L-R: Mr. Akin Osuntokun and Mr. Muyiwa Sobo

L-R: Prof. Kayode Odusote and Mr. Soji Awogbade

L-R: Ms. Nike Animashaun and Mrs. Funmi Sebanjo

Chief Sunny Kuku

L-R: Alhaji Ahmed Gulag and Mr. Stephen Lawani

L-R: Senator Tokunbo Ogunbanjo and Mrs. Moji Adegbite

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PERSPECTIVE At 25, Enugu is a Study in Resilience Laurence Ani

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here are some rural visits I undertake - and there have been quite a few - that often leaves me wondering what such communities would have looked like decades back. So each time there is a debate on the aptness of creating additional states, I naturally recall such visits.

As states grapple with the challenge of paying workers’ salaries in face of dwindling revenue from the federal purse, the entire process of states creation has come under fresh scrutiny, with some critics even suggesting a return to regions as was the case in the First Republic. Proponents of this bizarre step apparently attribute the current cash squeeze to Nigeria’s multiple state structure. What they fail to reckon with is that the regions as constituted in the First Republic were to a large extent autonomous.

So even if all the states were collapsed into regions while the pseudo federalism we practice subsists, the socio-economic problems will only worsen because the country’s population had more than tripled since the regional era. In fact, such regions will be in pretty much similar dire straits as their obligation would by no means shrink. Despite all its flaws, additional states have significantly helped governments to extend their reach and bring the social benefits of governance to communities that would have otherwise been shut out as a result of their location.

In the 25 years of its creation (the state was among 12 new states created on August 27, 1991), Enugu State has experienced some radical transformation with salutary outcomes. Many villages have since shed their rural status in what has become, largely, an inexorable march to modernity. The state now teems with many urban townships, a far cry from what it was years back when hardly any location barring the capital could rightly be described as a bustling metropolis.

Enugu has over the period too shed its unflattering image as a “civil service state”, a moniker which hinted at the absence of industries and a thriving private sector. Today, there is a rising middle class whose earnings do not necessarily proceed from the government’s purse. So, in the same way I ponder how forbidden some communities must have looked like many years ago, I also usually recall how bad the situation once was just a few years back in my village before Enugu State was split from the old Anambra State. Then,

Ugwuanyi you had to traverse several kilometers to access a mere dispensary. There may indeed still be huge areas of need, but there has no doubt been significant leaps of progress.

Since its creation, Enugu State has

Enugu has over the period too shed its unflattering image as a “civil service state”, a moniker which hinted at the absence of industries and a thriving private sector.Today, there is a rising middle class whose earnings do not necessarily proceed from the government’s purse. So, in the same way I ponder how forbidden some communities must have looked like many years ago, I also usually recall how bad the situation once was just a few years back in my village before Enugu State was split from the old Anambra State

had nine helmsmen whose imprints are evident across the entire 17 local government areas. However, owing to individual foresight or sheer length of time spent by those who have been in the saddle, the scale and impact of such imprints would understandably differ.

From the early, giddy days of statehood through the rather curious military-civilian hybrid government created by the General Babangida regime, to the certain and occasionally faltering steps seen over the years, the state has always emerged stronger - thanks to the resilience of its people.

Anniversaries such as this help shed light on a people’s history and keep the memories of public servants alight both in our hearts and in print, and lend perspectives to the discourse on how the future could be made even better. In an increasingly cynical world with an obsession for the mundane, it’s very easy for public figures who once held sway to slip into obscurity. Barring the rather frenzied preparation for Enugu State’s Silver Jubilee, I may not have known that another military administrator of the state besides Colonel Lucky Mike Torey had died.

Colonel Sule Ahman, I understand, died in 2007 at the National Hospital, Abuja, “after a brief illness”. He had, of course, been promoted to the rank of brigadier-general before his retirement in June 1999, a point oblivious to most indigenes of the state he served and for which I got a mild reprimand from another ex-administrator, Navy Captain Temisan Ejoor. “Commodore,” he said curtly on the phone as I sought to know if I was “speaking with His Excellency, Navy Captain Ejoor”. He would later ease my discomfiture by assuring me that his wife would assist with an updated profile of his that I had requested. And, truly, the good-natured former Enugu State First Lady, Rev. (Mrs) Florence Ejoor, did not disappoint. So, today’s anniversary is a celebration of legacies bequeathed by the state’s past leaders.

There is often the niggling temptation to re-examine legacies and make comparative assessments of the various administrations that have graced the Lion Building since the creation of Enugu State. But as the governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had rightly noted, all such vainglorious tendencies should be repudiated. For him, the efforts of past leaders of the state - either appointed or elected - have been more or less a question of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

It was heart-warming to hear the state’s last military administrator, Navy Captain Benson Agbaje, express similar sentiments. “Please note that our greatest achievement is successful transition to civil rule. All other achievements are merely incidental,” he wrote, in a prompt reply to my inquiries. Coming from a leader who restored the payment of years of pensions arrears during his administration (August 10, 1998 - May 29, 1999), it was indeed humbling.”Of particular concern to me is the plight of pensioners,” he said in a broadcast commemorating the state’s seventh anniversary. “Our pensioners have made enough sacrifice; we definitely owe them our gratitude and not our indifference.”

Such mindset, happily, still prevails at the Lion Building. And it is epitomised

by Governor Ugwuanyi’s unwavering commitment to the payment of civil servants’ salaries and pensions to retired personnel, an obligation that remains mostly unfulfilled in about 30 states. Yet, that is not a reason to gloat, for as the governor would always insist, obligations such as these and a lot more are the raison d’etre of governments across the world.

Enugu’s continued success is a tribute to prudence, fidelity and enterprise. It is as well a function of the resilience of its foremost city and capital, Enugu, and of course its inhabitants. The city attained prominence in 1909 after the discovery of coal deposits in vast swathes beneath the Udi Ridge by a team of British geologists.

That discovery was the catalyst for the sustained migration to Enugu recorded in the early 20th Century. So, Enugu State may have been created 25 years ago, but its capital had long been a preeminent settlement and the oldest urban area in the South-east.

With such an enduring history and remarkable score on various socio-economic indices, it’s no surprise then that Enugu was listed recently as one of the world’s “100 Resilient Cities”, by the Rockefeller Foundation. Enugu was just one of five such cities in Africa cited in the report and the only in Nigeria.

Indeed, these cheery state of affairs may rightly be ascribed to the people’s resilient spirit, but it’s no less a question of providence. And no one aptly captures this better than Governor Ugwuanyi, with his optimistic quip: “Enugu State is in the hands of God”.

•Ani is Senior Special Assistant on Research and Communication to the governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

PerspectiveThoughts from aWealthy Perspective Launches in Lagos Sandra Ukele

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he book launch and review of Sam Egube’s Thoughts from a Wealthy Perspective held in Lagos recently. The launch which was well attended by politicians, captains of industry and academicians had the likes of former Abia state governorship aspirant Mr. Alex Otti and Mr. Great Ogboru in attendance.

The non-fiction focuses on the creation of value to establish wealth. It is one set to challenge the many lop-sided thinking of the human mind. It seeks to address the numerous angles human

minds approach to lay conclusions, judgments, standards and status quo on which society must revolve.

It is a book that makes you think ‘Why do I believe in what I believe?’ Is the saying “Que sera sera, what will be will be,” altogether correct? The author Mr. Egube justifies his thoughts in 5 parts of the book.

The author demystifies the ideology of man’s very existence: why we are here, why the rich are rich and the poor the way they are? The book proposes the rich are so because they create value to become wealthy; relationships deliver to a man what he demands of it. He goes on to say, “Two people with same phone contacts will extract

different values from the people in that contact list. What use is a contact list if it gives you no advantage or earns you no money? A network uncultivated for its value is useless.” In a time when people find pleasure in fiddling with their phones or make unsolicited calls with expressions such as ‘I just want to hear your voice,’ one begins to ponder on the verity of this saying.

The book questions the intelligence of fighting corruption as a national strategy. In the writer’s view point the war against corruption should be delegated to a body specialized in dealing with such vice. The onslaught against corruption should not be captured with national binoculars as the only focal

strategy of the country at the expense of other burning economic issues. This stance adopted by the federal government has created an image in the minds of foreigners that the only problem faced by Nigerians is corruption.

As part of the problems assailing the nation such as unfounded dogmas, extremism, bias the nation has plunged into debilitating depths of man’s-inhumanity-to-man. Religious extremism has led to dramatic lynching of people from the other religious divide all in the name of blasphemy. The book canvasses better leadership from clergymen of all faiths knowing that followers are greatly influenced by the words and lifestyles of their leaders.

AUGUST 27, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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INTERVIEW Okonkwo

Why President Buhari’s Corruption War Will End in Vain Presiding Bishop of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr. Mike Okonkwo has spent over 30 years on the pulpit. He is a versatile Christian preacher who has held several leadership position in Nigeria’s Christian circle. He was the inaugural National General Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) between 1986 and 1995, the National President of PFN between 1998 and 2007, and the National Vice President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), between 2003 and 2008. Shortly after presiding over the closing session of the 2016 Leading Edge Conference, an annual leadership summit of the TREM Abuja branch, he spoke to select journalists, including Chineme Okafor, on developments in Nigeria, stating that President Muhammadu Buhari is going about his anti-corruption crusade the wrong way

“W

Economic hardship confronting Nigerians e have challenges in the country starting from the economy. Prices of oil has dropped and you know that will definitely affect our economy. That alone is enough to affect us coupled with the problem in the Niger Delta, where we are not getting the quantity of oil we are to export because of insecurity in that area.

“So, that will contribute to the biting effects from our economy, but be it as it may, I want to encourage Nigerians that as bad as it is, we should try to endure it for the moment because really, what can anyone do on that. We have this situation in the Niger Delta and globally and so, our economy has gone crazy, we should endure it.”

On corruption and President Buhari’s approach to fighting it: “I think that Nigerians must come to terms that in fighting corruption, corruption is the name Nigeria not we are fighting corruption because we are corruption, every part of our system is corrupt. There is no one single area of our lives that is not corrupt, go to the market, you will see people selling fake drugs and no one to stop them.”

“There should be a fresh approach to fighting corruption, Buhari is just scratching corruption and I don’t see him eradicating it even if he does two terms. The only way is for us to have a fresh orientation and take to our citizens.”

“We should go to the kindergartens and nursery schools to begin to raise a new crop of Nigerians who will think patriotism because even in our primary schools, pupils are on the wing waiting to also gain in on the system because that is what we have promoted.

“That is what we have created, we have celebrated thieves and bandits and told people that hard work is useless and that working hard is not good, we tell them to steal money, spread it and they will be celebrated, that is the accepted body language in Nigeria.

“All hands are to be on deck because it is not what the government alone can do.

Tourism alone can bring us more money than oil but during our rainy days we misused all the money we got from oil that should have been used to build infrastructure. We should accept that corruption has brought all of us on our knees and we should stop pointing fingers because this is not a party or personality issue. We have got to this situation and we all need to come together to work. We have this issue and all Nigerians should accept this.”

Insecurity in the country “The same goes with insecurity in the country. The government should be bold enough to deal decisively with people who are creating confusion. Thank God that Boko Haram has been reduced but I don’t see any reason why cattle herders should go to

Okonkwo

villages and kill people and we are talking about passing a bill on that. We cannot pass a bill for somebody who is going to steal.

“You cannot pass a bill for somebody who will go to my backyard and kill me.

We should first determine who they are and why they are killing villagers because this had never been the norm, we have always had Hausa-Fulani cattle herders and that is an indication that something is wrong.

The government should be bold enough to deal with it instead rushing to pass a bill otherwise that will be another Boko Haram that will be raised in all the backyards of Nigeria.

“We should first sit down and examine this, we are still battling Boko Haram because it has not been pulled down completely and we now want to create another one in all the backyards of Nigeria.

The government should be decisive on this.

“I also want to advocate on the issue of corruption because that was what stopped it in the developed countries. If somebody is caught for instance, how many people have been prosecuted or jailed? We only read on paper that they stole this and that, but if it is determined that they stole, the money should be taken and the person be sent to jail so that they will know that corruption is not attractive.

“Look at what we have in the House of Representatives, they are trying to redefine

which one is adding or not. It can only be in Nigeria. My point is that, it is time to look again at our national assembly to determine if we need a full time legislators. What they are telling us is that most of the time, they are not in the House but only come when it is time to share money. We don’t need full time legislators, let us make it less attractive so that honest Nigerians who want to be legislators can be there but as long as it is attractive, they will fight and kill to get there because I have not seen the laws that they have passed that is beneficial to Nigerians.”

Clamour for restructuring “This restructuring has been there since and I understand it was what created the issue of the 1966 coup. That is why I do not know why anyone should be against it. The Sardauna and other northerners were all advocates of true federalism. That was the reason for Ironsi’s killing, they said he instituted unitary government and abolished federalism and so he and Fajuyi were killed.

“Ojukwu went to war on account of true federalism, they went to Aburi on account of restructuring and they agreed but didn’t do it. Now, the chicken has come home to roost, we should do it. I am not advocating for destruction of Nigeria but let us have true federalism so that anyone ruling the country will come with ideas. It was in western

Nigeria that Awo who had ideas built the first television station and others with cocoa money. So, we need such change and it won’t stop our progress as a nation.”

Annual Mike Okonkwo essay competition “The Mike Okonkwo Youth Education Initiative is not meant for just Christians. It is meant for anyone who is proficient, indigent and smart and cannot himself. For me, I am happy because God makes the rain to fall on both the good and the bad. It doesn’t really matter because a lot of Moslems in my vocational centre have been assisted and sent to schools.

“For me, it is not about whether you are a Christian or not, as a matter of fact, we are supposed to help and be nice to the people of other faiths.”

Role of the Church in Nigeria Prayers. This is not the time to start fighting ourselves. We have been so divided but now we have to mend fences and know that we are one and begin to pray, trusting God to help us. And to educate our people and members on good examples of how we should live.

“The society is made up of our members and if we don’t begin to teach them the right morals so that they can be the change that the country needs, it will not work”.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • August 27, 2016

SPECIAL INTERVIEW

Jide Omokore is not Diezani’s Business Associate, Says Counsel

For the first time, counsel to Jide Omokore, Rabana Lawal, SAN and former General Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, has debunked claims that his client is a business associate of former Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. He said, in this interview with Yemi Adebowale, that what his client was accused of, was, at best, a civil breach of contract, which remedy lies in the recovery of that money. The allegation, he insisted, was not that his client stole money from the government as being misrepresented in the media, but a case of breach of contract between his company and NPDC

T

ell us about your assessment of the ongoing anti-corruption war being waged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) and its approach to the crusade Thank you very much. Firstly, let me tell you I’m involved in one or two of the matters which EFCC is either investigating or prosecuting. And my assessment so far is that there is too much sensationalism on the part of the EFCC. There is too much prosecution of people on the pages of newspapers. The EFCC doesn’t seem to observe the basic tenets of what the rule of law is all about. The rule of law is that if you arraign a man in court, allow the court to make its findings, conclusion and pass judgment.

The EFCC from the utterances and the statements they dish out to the public are always conclusive. They will tell you we have investigated A, and we have arrested B, creating the impression that the man is already guilty. Therefore biasing the minds of the Nigerian public against some of these people whom, at the end of the day, may not have committed the heinous crimes or allegations leveled against them.

So, my advice is that the EFCC should talk less and do more of investigations and when they collate their facts, it is sent to the Rabana court. Once the matter is in court, then the principle of sub judice should apply. It is of disputes between the company and NPDC for the individuals not to talk, government is about 800 million dollars. There is a charge or agencies should also not talk or comment in court already and the figures have been about the matters in court. There is so much specified; it is not anywhere near the figure impunity, there is so much comments that bandied in the media. There is also a civil ordinary Nigerians reading them would aspect where the government has gone to begin to wonder. So, for me the fight against seek Mareva injunction, the figures are there. corruption is not what you achieve through So, where does Jide Omokore and Atlantic newspapers sensational stories. It is through come into contact with $10 billion? It is the facts you are able to put together and very unfortunate, and that is the impression present to court to secure a conviction and Nigerians will continue to have. But, let me retrieval of whatever is involved in the say that it does more damage to the image corrupt practices. of the country and to the government that, if it is true, you have a system, you have Only recently, the EFCC Chairman institutions and $10 billion of government revealed that the Agency was tracing money is being taken out systematically by about $10 billion allegedly linked to an individual to buy properties all over the Diezani and her associates in the United world. $10 billion would buy a whole county States. That figure is huge and sometimes in America; 10 billion dollars would buy six, one wonders if it is really possible that seven states in Nigeria. So, it’s an institutional such massive amount of money were failure and rather than celebrate that you are taken out of the coffers of this country? investigating; you are probing, you should Well, ordinarily I would not have join be looking at the failure of the government issues with the EFCC. Whatever they alleged; institutions, including the EFCC itself, which it is for them to prove. But the linking of my went to sleep and allowed an individual or client, who is Mr. Jide Omokore, is what will some people to take away so much from propel me to respond and react. Firstly, the the system only for it to wake up and say general impression created every time, all day, it has discovered this or that amount was is that Jide Omokore is Diezani’s associate taken away. It should have prevented it from but he’s not! Jide Omokore is a businessman happening. So, my advice is that government that has his own companies, bided for jobs, should begin to look inwards; we have been entered into contracts with NDPC and NNPC treated to stories every day of billions of dolto provide some services under the strategic lars, millions of dollars being stolen. It’s good alliance agreement and which has being they are being exposed but government must ongoing, and that has nothing to do with his be very proactive. There must be a sustained relationship with Diezani. It is an agreement policy; there must be a drive by key governbetween institutions and the company. And, ment functionaries to ensure that it does not therefore, it is very worrisome that any time happen. It is not after it has happened that anything about Diezani comes up the next you begin to turn everybody into a devil. So, thing is that they will fly Jide Omokore’s for me, the fight against corruption may hit name. So, the EFCC should draw the the rocks if the strategy is not changed. EFCC distinction; if you are investigating Diezani, should talk less; EFCC should not prosecute investigate her and limit your investigation people on the pages of Newspapers, let them to what has been traced to her either by go to court and prove their case. her conduct, or by her diversion or by her As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), I abuse of office, and that is if it has been abhour corruption and people who are very established. But this should not be extended close to me know that I am critical about the to independent and third parties whose only state of our economy, the poor state of our offence is that they had a business transaction infrastructure, the near collapse of values. So, with the organisation she headed. So, for nobody is going to say corruption is good me, it is a little very outrageous, and I can but let us fight it, using a systematic way tell you this is why I am a little worried to address it to prevent it, and to genuinely when statements are made. The totality of punish those who are involved through a the allegations against Jide Omokore and his proper legal process. We have a Presidential companies is that they failed to remit some Committee on Anti-Corruption but all they monies to the government coffers, arising churn out every day is that lawyers are aiding from the operations of the strategic alliance corruption, judges are bad. Is that their job? agreement. And the totality of that money Their job is to come out with a blue print to involved which has always been the source make sure that all loose ends are tied and that

It is an agreement between institutions and the company. And, therefore, it is very worrisome that any time anything about Diezani comes up, the next thing is that they will fly Jide Omokore’s name.

So, the EFCC should draw the distinction; if you are investigating Diezani, investigate her and limit your investigation to what has been traced to her either by her conduct, or by her diversion or by her abuse of office, and that is if it has been established.

But this should not be extended to independent and third parties whose only offence is that they had a business transaction with the organisation she headed. So, for me, it is a little very outrageous, and I can tell you this is why I am a little worried when statements are made no political office holder or any government institution has access to so much money to the point that they divert almost half of it for their private use. These are the things we want the government to put in place. For me, I think there must be a new orientation.

Already, I must tell you, Nigerians are getting fed up. If you open the Newspapers today all you see is that this billion is missing, that is missing. People don’t want to hear that anymore, what people want to hear is that government realising the enormous damage corruption has done has put in place ABC to YZ to prevent abuses in government offices, to monitor government expenditures, to make sure that public funds are not diverted into private hands and to put in place such policies that civil servants, public officers who are usually the agents of these diversion of public funds are put in such a position that corruption is no longer attractive. And I will give you an example and quote me.

There is nobody that can afford a house in Abuja either in Maitama, Asokoro or Wuse with his legitimate earning as a public officer or a civil servant; not even a minister or governor can afford a house in these areas with legitimate earnings. But, what do you have? Because the cost of property in Abuja is outrageous, therefore, what people do is to help themselves to loose money that is not properly monitored by government. So, everybody is involved. That is why you see the ordinary workers live in far distance, as far as Nasarawa State, some as far as Kogi, and Plateau that are close to FCT. So, if there is a housing policy that makes acquisition of

homes easy and less cumbersome then there will be less appetite for corruption. You want to process a paper for title document go to FCDE; it is like a Carmel passing through the eye of a needle; it’s not right. So, government should be flexible in some of these policies that would enable people have easy access to acquiring properties and to, for instance, train their children, provide medical care so that corruption would no longer be attractive to the people. What do people that steal do with their loot? They buy houses, they drive flashy cars; they send their children to schools abroad. Why must you send your children abroad if the schools in Nigeria are okay? And luckily, we’ve had a policy in education, which I think other sectors should emulate. The NUC has liberalised setting up of schools, once you meet the criteria. That is why there are so many private universities and institutions, and a lot of Nigerians have gained admission, a lot of Nigerians have been employed. So let the housing policy also be put in place in such a manner that if you work in civil service by the time you are getting to level 6 or 7 as a none-graduate you know you can comfortably afford three-bedroom flat. Then when you move into the middle cadre of graduate of level 8, 9, 10 there should be a policy to take care of that too. But, this cannot happen when everybody is left on their own. Abuja land that the Federal Government acquired from the indigenes almost free of charge now goes for outrageous sums and do you expect civil savants to live in the streets. So, there must be a government policy that will make corruption less attractive.

You mentioned your client, Jide Omokore, why was he arraigned in a criminal court when it was purely a commercial transaction?

Again, because of my background as a lawyer, who believes that the ethics and values of the profession should be respected, I have refrain from talking. But, it has gotten to a point that one needs to let the people know that the allegation is not that this man collected money from government and diverted it. The allegation is not that he stole crude oil; the allegation is based on the strategic alliance agreement between his companies and NPDC. He ought to remit X amount of dollars to government coffers, which he had failed to do. He has generated the money through the services he had rendered but they are saying you have shortchanged us.

And I think that in the agreement between them, there is a provision for arbitration that when there is a dispute arising from the operations of the agreement, they should go to arbitration. To me, without prejudicing what the outcome of the court trial would be, it’s a civil breach of contract, which remedy lies in the recovery of that money, and the Federal Government did the right thing by approaching the Federal High Court through a Mareva Order of Injunction to say that these companies are owing us so much money and we fear that they might not be able to pay us at the end of the day, therefore hold on to the their assets. That is a civilized approach, and it is in accordance with the rule of law. Even though that procedure is a subject of litigation I don’t want to go into the merit. Therefore, if a breach of every agreement becomes criminal, then I can tell you 90% of Nigerian businessmen would be in jail or would be facing prosecution either from the Police or the EFCC. People don’t go to arbitration; any little thing that shows that there is a disagreement between you and government the EFCC is coming in. Like this particular one.

Are you saying that the government did not even explore the arbitration clause in the contract?

No! As a senior lawyer involved in the matter in one way or another, I know that has not happened and I’m aware that several meetings, letters, correspondents have been

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AUGUST 27, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

SPECIAL INTERVIEW “Jide Omokore is not Diezani’s Business Associate” ongoing, trying to give an ultimatum to Atlantic Oil to pay the money. Atlantic Oil is saying no, we don’t owe this amount of money, let us sit and restructure; this agreement may bring in new investors that will pump in more money into this venture.

All these have been ongoing until the EFCC came in to say they are investigating the agreement and, all of a sudden, it has become a criminal matter and then it is in court. So, for me, we must be able to draw a distinction between matters that are outright corrupt practices, outright stealing of government money, outright diversion of funds as against where there is a breach of contract between anybody and government agencies. There must be a line and I believe that today, from what you read and hear, government is also a huge debtor to oil companies, contractors in the construction industries and most of them are yet to be paid; does that make it criminal?

So, if it is not criminal for government to owe people and not pay on time, then why should an individual owing government and not paying on time become a criminal?

The rule of law is applicable to all. So, my plea is that it is very important that both the Attorney-General of the Federation, a very decent young legal practitioner, should be able to sit down with all relevant bodies and agencies and be able to draw the line.

Nigeria does not benefit from statements

Rabana

made every day you wake up to say billions of dollars have been stolen. The international community is reading and that is why they have lost confidence. They have lost trust that if your own people can wake up and steal so much money, then how do you expect us to bring our money into your country? If we

bring our money won’t it be stolen too? So, there should be less newspaper propaganda on this war against corruption. There are very bad cases which we all read and feel very sad about, like money meant for security services being diverted to pursue political interest and all that. It is sad and there is no reasonable Nigerian that will support that. But, where there is a breach of contract that is well documented, government should explore the terms of contract. We are all Nigerians and this country belongs to all of us, and not only those in government alone. It belongs to the ordinary man who is walking on the road; it belongs to the vulcaniser by the roadside, it belongs to the woman selling fish at Eti-Osa. The country belongs to all of us and there must be respect for everyone.

While the government puts a policy in place to give us good governance, to provide security, to give us infrastructure, they must also allow their own citizens the presumption of innocence. Don’t blackmail a man, don’t scandalise a man, and don’t kill him before he is certified dead. I think these are the areas that government would have to look into.

And they should not think that anybody who goes to court to take up a matter against the EFCC has become an enemy of the government; no that can’t be. The legal profession would forever remain in this country, the Judiciary would forever remain

in this country; it is even those agencies and the individuals that may fizzle out.

Let me also state that the right to counsel, the right to be defended is a constitutional provision that nobody can take away. And government in its own wisdom has set up institutions and bodies, pumping millions of taxpayers’ money to provide legal assistance to people. As bad as armed robbery is, if you are arrested as armed robber, government is enjoined to provide you a lawyer to defend yourself. If alleged murderers are charged to court and they have no counsel, the court will direct the government to provide them with representation. So, if armed robbers, if murderers are being provided defense at the expense of the state, what then is wrong with an individual going to look for the best lawyer to defend him. We should imbibe the philosophy of every man is innocent; every man should be afforded the opportunity to defend himself. As it is now, any lawyer that is defending any person EFCC arraigns has become the enemy of the state. It is wrong! I can tell you that some of us are more patriotic and more committed to the unity, peace, progress of this country than several of them that are in government. So, I think the time has come for them to know that this country, Nigeria, belongs to all of us and not to just those who are privileged to be in government offices or high positions.

MSMEs as Gateway to Economic Prosperity Obinna Chima highlights efforts by Diamond Bank P lc in supporting the activities of micro, small and medium scale enterprises which is believed to be the gateway to the recovery of our ailing economy

M

icro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) are globally regarded as the backbone of any economy.

In fact, MSMEs in developed economies, especially in Asia, are widely known for their innovation, competitive edge and strong links to global enterprises as more than 97 per cent of business entities in these countries are SMEs. Generally speaking, and in many parts of the world, MSMEs are considered the bedrock of economic development. The MSME sector is strategically positioned to absorb up to 80 per cent of jobs, improve per capita income, increase value addition to raw materials supply, improve export earnings and step up capacity utilization in key industries.

Indeed, MSMEs contribute to improved living standards, bring about substantial local capital formation and achieve high level of productivity and capability. They have also been identified as a vehicle for employment generation and providing opportunities for entrepreneurial sourcing, training, development and empowerment.

Developing nations such as Nigeria that are characterised as low income earners by the World Bank, value MSMEs for several reasons.

Unfortunately, findings showed that while most MSMEs in Nigeria die within their first five years of existence, a smaller percentage go into extinction between the sixth and tenth year, while only about five to ten per cent survive, thrive and grow to maturity.

These businesses encounter challenges such as insufficient capital, irregular power supply, infrastructural inadequacies (water, roads etc.), among others.

In the Nigerian reality, the total number of persons employed by the MSME sector as at December 2013 stood at 59,741,211, representing 84.02 per cent of the country’s total labour force. In fact, over the past five years, MSMEs’ contribution to Nigeria’s GDP has grown steadily at a compound annual growth rate of 3.51 per cent to 51 per cent in 2014.

According to the 2013 MSME Survey Summary Report, the total number of operators in the country stood at approximately 37 million.

Also, Agusto & Co recently revealed that Nigeria’s large population indicates a huge market for MSME products and services.

Estimations are that MSMEs will account for around 56 per cent of GDP by 2016, largely due to the growth in wholesale and retail trade MSMEs. Therefore as the nation grapples with the challenge of rising unemployment as a result

of the weakening macroeconomic environment, the need for more Nigerians to set up MSMEs have been stressed.

Diamond Bank’s Intervention As part of its intervention in this sector, Diamond bank, through the establishment of the Emerging Businesses propositions department (set up in 2009) has continued to develop initiatives that would support the growth of MSMEs in the country.

The bank identified four major challenges faced by operators of these forms of business and have also provided solutions in form of products and services to address these challenges/needs. It explained that it has continued to take steps in assisting MSMEs. “We have therefore envisioned and set out to address the major issues facing the MSME segment of the economy, like cost sensitivity, management capacity limitations, lack of business networks, and lack of access to finance.

“We have provided long-term and durable solutions like offering low cost banking via our Diamond Business Advantage account for businesses and Diamond School Advantage account for schools; successful pioneering and organisation of periodic enterprise seminars, business clinics and other business advisory services to tackle management ineptitude; business clubs and networking events to tackle the issue of networking; and finally, access to finance through our revolving and instalment loans at very payable interest rates,” it added.

For the bank, the focused areas through which it meets MSMEs’ needs include the Diamond Business Advantage account for businesses, the Diamond School Advantage account for schools, Business registration services for businesses that are yet to be registered, the Diamond Mediloan Quality Care and MSME Instalment/Revolving to address access to finance needs, as well as the Emerging Businesses domiciliary accounts for foreign currency accounts.

These are in addition to the BET program where Diamond Bank has given out about N90 million in just six years, towards the empowerment of start-up entrepreneurs.

“As part of our commitment to the growth of entrepreneurship, we lend to the tune of approximately N13 billion per annum to MSMEs. A total of N2 billion has been lent to the educational and health sector since the inception of the proposition.

“Our business registration service has helped the registration of almost a thousand businesses in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt alone at a discounted rate compared to the rates in the open market,” a report on Diamond Bank showed.

Uzoma Dozie – Diamond Bank Plc MD

The bank’s Building Entrepreneurs Today (BET) program is also an on-going programme and is in its sixth season.

The first phase of the BET programme commenced in 2010 with Diamond Bank empowering five entrepreneurs with growth capital of N3 million each. The five top entrepreneurs are selected after a rigorous business programme at the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan African University sponsored by the Bank.

“The major impediment to financing MSME’s is the diversion of funds by MSME operators after the loans has been availed, which will automatically render the loan as non-performing. Other issues may include a lack of enabling environment, inconsistent government policies, lack of managerial and capacity building, collateral requirements that can hardly be met by many MSMEs, information irregularity, lack of accounting records and inadequate financial statements, many do not have business plans making it difficult to evaluate the integrity of the business, etc.

Mentorship for Entrepreneurs The Managing Director/CEO, Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Uzoma Dozie, pointed out that because of the economic headwinds, young entrepreneurs’ need all the supports and mentorship that they could get to enable them stand firm and add the necessary value to the economy.

According to him, Diamond Bank remains passionate about building entrepreneurs

because of the conviction that sustainable growth and development of any modern economy is hinged on a vibrant MSME sector.

He said the quality of quality of business ideas and the huge number of entries received by the bank during the BET programme was a strong testament of business versatility among Nigerian youths, which to him, should be harnessed to grow and develop the economy.

“We had over 500,000 applications and after several screenings, were pruned to the final 15; this is just to show how creative Nigerians are. We decided to support small businesses because we know how difficult the business environment is, and it is the only way we can guarantee sustainable economic growth and development in this country”, he said.

However, the BET programme is a collaboration between Diamond Bank and the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University.

Dozie further stated the programme has become more and more exciting with diverse innovative ideas emerging, stressing that the business environment in Nigeria was a tough one and needed lots of commitment and support for one to succeed.

Also, the bank’s Business Manager of its Bridge Head branch, Onitsha, Raymond Mbonu, said the bank’s commitment, drive and passion to fund the MSME sector was as a result of its conviction that the sector holds the economic key for growing the national economy and reducing unemployment.

“Diamond Bank’s commitment to the MSME sector is motivated by the fact that a nation with a thriving MSME sector will grow to become self-sufficient. With sufficient employment opportunities for the citizenry, there will also be significant decline in social vices. This is why we are investing in the sector and we will continually support them and help them grow into viable multinational ventures,” he added.

As a form of endorsement for the programme, the Director, Enterprise Development Center, Mr. Peter Bankole said: “A lot of banks scream about supporting small businesses but none plays like the way Diamond Bank does. And BET is one of the many ways they ensure they support small businesses and that goes a long way in helping these entrepreneurs achieve their goals.”

Also, Ubong Effiong, a BET Season One winner said the knowledge gained was invaluable as it continually guides one in running and managing the business.

“BET goes beyond the money won. The knowledge gained and most importantly the relationship formed in the academy is very valuable, it cannot be quantified in monetary terms,” he added.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

POLITY

TEDxKids Spark Conversation, Innovation in Lagos

J

uly 2016 marked another first for Nigeria, when 100 (seven to 14-year-olds) children gathered at Corona School in Gbagada, Lagos, for the maiden edition of TEDxKids@Gbagada, designed to birth transformation through inspiration, education and introduction to innovative arts.

Created to inspire the younger generation of Nigeria and Africa to become entrepreneurs, thinkers, innovators and reformers, the TEDxKids@Gbagada was themed ‘InterConnected’.

This year’s conference chose Nigerian teenage speakers, drawn from within and outside the country, to connect with and motivate their peers to lead positive change in their own communities.

The speakers were Zuriel Oduwole, a 13-year-old filmmaker and girl education advocate who has interviewed 19 presidents around the world; Kofoworola Jolaoso, 13, president of VOLT club in Lagos and Tejiri Emore, 14, Nigeria’s youngest saxophonist.

Zuriel used her experience as an example to show how easily kids could make global impact. Kofoworola spoke on the difference between the current thinking pattern of kids and adults. She pointed out that thanks to new technology advancements available to young people, they could make more positive difference and therefore contribute to a brighter future for Africa. Tejiri highlighted the importance of attention devoted to the emerging generation and how all factors work to help the children

achieve their aspirations.

Organiser of TEDxKids@Gbagada, Mrs. Mercy Yemi Akamo, revealed that conversations and creative activities at the event were designed to introduce the children to innovation. “It was such a surreal experience watching the children collaborate and think deeply as they created a Lego smart house, produced a 45-minute documentary and used paper art to design a wedding dress,” she said.

“The objective of TEDxKids@Gbagada is to get our children to see themselves as part of a global community and challenge the assumption that it is impossible to make an impact in one’s community at such a young age. We want young people to know how to open their minds to creativity that has global relevance. We want them to believe that if you can think it, then you can achieve it, regardless of background, age, race or geographical location,” Mercy Yemi Akamo said.

It is expected that next year’s TEDxKids@Gbagada will embrace more children from across the country to inspire more positive transformation.

Meanwhile, preparations have started for the second annual TEDxGbagada conference for youth leaders. It is slated to hold in late 2016.

TEDxGbagada is licenced by TED, which is a US-based not-for-profit enterprise devoted to the propagation of ideas worth spreading. It also celebrates and spreads locally driven ideas in technology, science, entertainment, design and business, through conferences in more than 100 languages across the world.

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Teen Speakers at the first edition of TEDx Kids at Gbagada

R-L: Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, presenting an award to a recipient, Mr. Olajuwon Akanni Giwa, the CEO, MegaWealth Insurance Brokers Limited, to the delight of his relations, at the commissioning of the Commint Buka, Ikeja, Lagos...recently

- L-R: Country Manager, Roche Nigeria, Herman Addae; Executive Governor, Taraba State, Arc. Darius Iskaku, General Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, Roche, Markus Gemuend; Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Innocent Vakkai at the MoU signing on hepatitis between Roche Products Limited and the Taraba State Government...recently

L-R: Founder, Tenaui Africa Limited, Yasser Al-Farra; Sales Manager, Central and North Africa, Canon Professional Solutions Fady Abinader; Chairman, Information, Security and Strategy, Hon. Tunde Braimoh; CEO, Archbond Builders Limited, Peter Omotosho;and Marketing Manager, Canon Professional Solutions, Ayman Aly, at the opening of one of Canon’s largest B2B showrooms in Africa held in Lagos...recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

NEWS

In Brief

Buhari Congratulates NBA Executive

PresidentMuhammaduBuharihascongratulatedtheNigerianBarAssociation (NBA)ontheinaugurationofitsnewexecutiveledbyMr.AbubakarBalarabe Mahmoud(SAN)atthe2016AnnualGeneralConferenceheldinPort-Harcourt, RiversState.Buhari,inastatementissuedyesterdayinAbujabyhis Special AdviseronMediaandPublicity, Mr.FemiAdesina,commendedtheoutgoing executiveledbyAugustineAlegehfortheresourcefulexchangeofideas,commitmentandsupportfornationaldevelopment.Thepresidenturgedthenew president oftheNBAtousehisvastexperienceinprivatepractice,andpublic service, garnered over the years to build on the legacies of his predecessor, and contribute to reforms across the country.The statement reads: "As the new executive settles down to work, the President looks forward to having a strong and sustainable relationship with the leaders, especially in jointly tackling the challenges currently facing the nation."

Five Remanded for Kidnapping, Homicide

STEPPING UP...

L-R: Financial Secretary, ICAN Ikeja District, Mr. Olalere Oni; Registrar/Chief Executive ICAN, Mr. Rotimi Omotoso; Chairman, ICAN Ikeja District, Mrs Morenikeji Olaiwole; Vice chairman, ICAN Ikeja District, Mr. Adebayo Ayoade; Former Chairman ICAN Ikeja District, Mr Joshua Okeowo Oderinde at the Investiture Ceremony of Mrs Olaiwole as chairman of ICAN Ikeja District...recently

Police Foil Plot to Kidnap Otedola for N2bn Ransom Ahamefula Ogbu But for providence and dexterity of the Police, oil magnate and Chairman of Forte Oil Plc, Mr. Femi Otedola would have been kidnapped by a dare-devil kidnap cum armed robbery group led by one Ikechukwu Daniel.

Daniel, Mohammed Babuga, Boyi, Abubakar and Alayidi according to highly placed sources had planned to kidnap Otedola and demand for N2 billion out of which if they made N500 million, would have retired from robbery and kidnapping.

Ikechukwu and his three other accomplices now in police net have already owned up to the plot, explaining that but for the tight security around the oil magnate, they would

have kidnapped him in Ibadan, Oyo State for the burial of a former Forte oil Director, Bolade Okun where they trailed him to his hotel but decided to wait for when his security would be more relaxed.

The gang has already admitted earlier kidnapping Senator Iyabo Anishulowo and were in the process of collecting another ransom from an undisclosed victim in Festac Town, Lagos when police with the aid of advanced gadgets, pinned down and arrested Ikechukwu.

Police sources confirmed to THISDAY that so far, four persons have been arrested while some were still being trailed.

“Yes, we have arrested four men who planned to kidnap Femi Otedola.

They said they have been trailing him and even followed him to Ibadan where they discovered that the security around him was too tight to take him and called off the kidnap to await when the security would be less.

“Two of the suspects who have already owned up to the plot were arrested in Lagos while another two were arrested in Ibadan. Two have been transferred to Abuja while two of them are still in Lagos, but they have clarified how they intended to carry out the plot”, a highly placed police source said.

On how they managed to arrest the kidnappers, the source said that while the Police had some equipment purchased for them under former President Goodluck Jonathan, President

Muhammadu Buhari also gave them some state-of-the-art ones with which they were breaking new grounds.

The group admitted to have carried out some high profile kidnaps across the country but had planned to retire if they got Otedola and reaped enough before their arrest was effected.

The suspects said they operated with three rifles, an AK 47, AK 49 and a pump action gun and had carried out six kidnapping raids: two in Ibadan, two in Ilorin and two in Kebbi State, and various ransoms were collected. The Kebbi State operation fetched the gang N6 million, while it got N26.1 million from the Ilorin and Ibadan cases.

Otedola could not be reached for comment.

Controversy Trails Alleged Stoning of Kogi Gov. in Lokoja Mosque There were reports, albeit hurriedly denied that Irate youth yesterday in Lokoja Central Mosque, Kogi State, allegedly pelted Governor Yahaya Bello with Stones during the Jumaat prayers.

An eyewitness accounts said the action against the Governor may have been due to allegations of corruption peddled against the administration by a non-governmental organisation in the state.

However, a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo denied that there was any attack on the

governor during the prayer but said some sponsored miscreants were caught with stones with which they attacked a security aide of the governor.

The Jumaat prayer was part of the 25th anniversary of Kogi State creation, where the Governor allegedly arrived after the prayer had started.

An eyewitness said, “Having lost one raqa'at prayer due to lateness, governor Bello was not allowed to complete the remaining raqa'at, as some youths began to boo him inside the mosque which

eventually led to the discontinuation of the prayers apparently based on security advice.

“As if that was not enough, the remaining youths outside the mosque who had laid siege began to pelt stones at the sight of the governor who was seen coming out of the Mosque.

“The situation eventually snowballed into total confusion leading the security agents to start shooting sporadically into the air to scare the youths away. The youths who were undeterred were seeing seen picking expired cans of gas

canisters shot by the police and throwing them back at them.

According to Fanwo, “Our attention has been drawn to the unfortunate incident, which occurred after the Jumaat Prayer at the Lokoja Central Mosque to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the creation of Kogi State.

“It was discovered that some sponsored miscreants caused a mild drama as they were caught with stones while one of them attacked one of the security aides attached to the Government House shortly after the Governor departed the area.

‘Polio Outbreak in Nigeria, Public Health Emergency for the Lake Chad Basin’ Paul Obi in Abuja with agency report

The Ministers of Health of the Member States of the Lake Chad Basin have declared that the recent Polio outbreak in Nigeria remained a public health emergency not only for Nigeria but for all the countries of Lake Chad Basin.

This was contained in a document signed by the Ministers of Health from the Lake Chad Basin Countries which include Nigeria,

Niger, Chad, Central Africa Republic and Cameroon during the 66th session of the World Health Organisation Regional Committee for the African Region, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The declaration requested Nigeria and other member States to fully implement coordinated outbreak response in order to quickly prevent the spread of the outbreak to other countries.

The Member States expressed “the need to extend support to

the response by including political advocacy and community engagement at all levels, this will lead to a successful coordination and implementation of harmonised polio vaccination activities across the countries of the Lake Chad Sub-region.”

According to member states, “given the challenging security situation in the region, the Lake Chad Basin Members sought the support of the multi-national military task force to provide adequate

security, safety and facilitation for the vaccination process.”

Member States were also urged to provide additional political, financial and technical support for the regional emergency response.

The Lake Chad Countries Member States called on World Health Organisation (WHO), Regional Director and other partners to continue with technical and financial support to accelerate eradication of poliomyelitis in the region.

Five persons including a father of one of the accused persons have been remanded in Federal Medium Prison in Okene by a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Lokoja for alleged kidnapping and culpable homicide. The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Levi Animoku made the order. The accused persons Kiri Ado Mohammed, Bande Alhaji Ibrahim and Buba Buruga were charged for kidnapping and Culpable Homicide, while one Alhaji Mohammed Shadadi father of one of the accused person who lived in Zungeru Niger State was alsoarraignedforconspiracyandabetmentofhissonwhowasamemberof thegang.AccordingtoFirstInformationReport,itwasrevealedthatagangof notoriouskidnappersnamelythefiveaccusedpersonskidnappedoneAlhaji Umar Husseini of Fulani Camp at Adogo in Ajaokuta local government area ofthestatesometimesinJunethisyearwhowaslaterkilledandabandoned in the bush by the gang.

‘ Edo Most Secure State in S-South’

GovernorAdamsOshiomholeofEdoStatehasdeclaredthestatethemost securedintheSouth-Southregion,sayingthiswaslargelyduetotheeffortsof thesecurityagencieswhoworkedtirelesslytokeepthestatesafe.Speaking FridayduringacourtesyvisittohimbytheCommandant,NigerianArmySchool ofSupplyandTransport,BeninCity,Brig-GeneralNnamdiAnene,Oshiomhole said the state government regarded the Army Barracks within the state as partoftheEdoCommunity.Hesaid:“we’vehadaveryspecialrelationshipwith theArmyCorpsofSupplyandTransport,theyarepartoftheEdoCommunity and Edo State Government has a responsibility to every constituent that constitutes the state.We have extended some development programmes tothebarracks.Wehaveadutytothebarracksjustaswehaveadutytotherest ofthestate.EdoisthemostsecuredstateintheentireSouth-Southregion, comparedtothestoriesIhearfromstatesintheregionandthisisduelargely to the role of the Armed Forces.”

Employment Scam: NSCDC Arrests 3

Three persons are currently on detention by the Nigerian Civil Defence and SecurityCorps(NSCDC)inGombeoveramultimillionNairaemploymentscam.

ShemObafaye,NSCDCCommandantinthestateyesterdaysaidtheywere arrestedinthestatecapitalfollowingatipoffbysomeoftheirvictimswhom theyhadswindledofoverN1.3million.Hesaidtheyobtainedthesaidamount from32personssinceMarchthisyearwiththepromisetogivethemjobsin Gombe Sate civil service. He said the applicants after endless wait for the actualisationofsecuringthejobsdecidedtoconfronttheirmiddlemenonlyto discoverthattheyhadbeenswindled.Obafayeidentifiedtheallegedswindlers as Peter Mono of Gombe office of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA)andYilaKelmiLazarusofNIPOST,whobothblewtheleadontheir boss, Ismaila Sidi, a staff at Akko Local government Secretariat.

Investigate Abandoned Projects in N'Delta

TheNigerDeltaYouthCouncil(NDYC)onThursdaycalledonPresidentMohammaduBuharitoinvestigateallabandonedfederalprojectsintheNigerDeltaand alsoprosecuteallcontractorshandlingsuchprojects.Thecallwascontained inastatementissuedandsignedbyComradeJatorAbidoandComradeAjeh Harrison,theNationalCoordinatorandDeltaCentralcoordinatorofthegroup respectively.Thegroupwhichexpressedtotalsupportfortheanti-corruption warofPresidentBuhari'sadministrationnotedthattheabandonedFederal projectswereamongsttheremotecausesofyouthrestivenessintheregion.

“Wehavewatchedwithamazementthebrazengreedofourleadersandtherate ofincreaseofabandonedfederalprojectsinourcommunitiesasaresultoftheir knackfordirtymoneyattheexpenseofthedevelopmentofourcommunities.

CNN African Voices to focus on Musicians

Thefocusonthisweekend’seditionofGlobacom-sponsoredAfricanVoiceson CNNInternationalwillmoveto‘MusicMakers’onthecontinent.Lastweekhad seenAfrica’s“StrongWomen”suchasSouthAfrica’sfirstAfricanfemalepilot, AsnathMahapa,Uganda’smediapersonality,FlaviaTumusiime,andGhana’ssocial mediacurator,NicoleAmarteifiotakingthecentrestageontheprogramme.

Accordingtodatagrandmasters,Globacom,thisweekend’seditionofAfrican Voices will look at artistes and musicians across Africa who are constantly seekingwaystoimpresstheiraudiencewiththeircreativework.MusicMakers whowillbefeaturedincludeGhana’sFrankKissidescribedas“onedrummer who has taken his love of drumming to greater heights by creating a unique beat that has caught the attention of an international audience.”

Nneji Chukwu Dies at 95

TheChukwuandIbeOguziefamiliesofUmuodu,Ahiazu-MbaiseLocalgovernmentofImoStatehaveannouncedthedeathoftheir;OkenzeEzinnaInnocent NnejiChukwu(Udodiri1)ataripeageof95.Astatementbythefamiliessaid, “ourfatherwasthepatriarchoftheChukwuandIbeOguziefamiliesofUmuodu, OdunaIzuohaAutonomousCommunity,ofAmuziTown,Ahiazu-MbaiseLGA, ImoState.Duringhislifetimehewasatvarioustimesateacher,coalminerand post master. He was a renowned philanthropist, community and Christian leaderwhobelievedinassistingandencouragingothers. Heissurvivedbyhis dearlybelovedwife-EzinneLoloJosephineNwanyinniaChukwu(NeeOnuoha), 10 children, many grand and great grandchildren, a brother, cousins, in-laws, and a host of relations. Among his Children are: Engr. John Obinna Chukwu, RetiredPermanentSecretary,FCTA,AbujaandChiefFelixC.Chukwu,former Chairman, Federal Road Safety Commission.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

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‘Local Boys, JTF Collaboration will Stop Avengers Attacks’ The Executive Director of Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Social Orientation, Mr. Richard Akinaka has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to engage local boys to work in collaboration with the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta to protect national assets instead of engaging in military deployments.

Akinaka who had been involved in ensuring peace in the Niger Delta through the implementation of the amnesty programme said military deployment in the region would pitch the government against the locals while securing sympathy for those masquerading as agitators.

According to him, the success recorded by the team led by “Africa” in collaboration with the JTF in Nembe, Bayelsa State where they

arrested alleged killers of soldiers was an indicator that with proper interface and coordination, local boys working with the military would smoke out all the destroyers of assets.

The involvement of the traditional rulers, he admitted was timely and to avoid full military deployment in the region but warned however that they should not go about such duties in such a manner as to give undue advantage to the Avengers as it would taint their efforts.

While commending traditional rulers in the region and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu for their interventions which were yielding fruitful results he doubted that those masquerading as defining the interest of the

region by carrying out attacks were not true to their purpose.

“While it is true that there are serious issues in the Niger Delta, the people who have been bombing pipelines in the region cannot say they are working for the overall interests of the region but for their own business interests.

There is nothing to show that they are agitating for the region as everything they are doing is to further their business interests.

“Where were they when President Goodluck Jonathan ruled the country for over six years without developing any part of the region? Calabar-Itu and Calabar-Ogoja roads are impassable; East-West Road could not be completed and there is no project in the Niger Delta you

could point to as executed by that regime, yet it is the regime of President Buhari that is just a year plus in office that they are breaking pipelines and destroying assets to pressure him.

“It is good that there have been positive engagements to restore peace to the region but the government should not negotiate or involve any doubtful element in the peace mix which would give them relevance.

“The government should also not deal with those former militants who move from one office to the office claiming to know how to solve the problem. Those are just paper tigers whose relevance ends on their computers where they issue press releases and abuse people.

Ondo Guber: Confusion As APC Shifts Primary Election Again James Sowole in Akure Controversies that arose on the Gubernatorial Primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to select the party’s flag bearer for the November Election continued yesterday as there were conflicting information on the actual date of the exercise.

THISDAY learnt from a source close to the camp of the embattled State Chairman of the party. Isaacs Kekemeke that the National Executive of the party had postponed the primary election from the August 31 date.

While this information was being circulated, the camp that was opposed to the chairman’s camp debunked the postponement of the primary.

Buratai Underscores Importance of Logistics to Warfare Chiemelie Ezeobi

PARTNERING FOR DEVELOPMENT...

L-R: Accountant-General of Kogi State, Hon. Moh'd Ibrahim; Hon. Idris Asiru ; Austin Arah; Nelson Smith; Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello; Emma Dibia; and others at the signing of agreement for $1 billion investment in Agricultute and Water in Abuja recently

Nigeria Loses $2.2bn to Foreign Ship Owners John Iwori As Nigerians continue to hold the short end of the stick in the shipping sector of the economy, not less than $2.2 billion is lost to foreign ship owners.

Though the provisions of the Inland and Coastal Shipping 2003 otherwise called Cabotage is hinged on Nigerians owning vessels, crew them and repair them in dockyards owned by Nigerians the indiscriminate issuance of waiver by the Federal Ministry of Transportation over the years have among other factors denied Nigerians from deriving maximum benefits from the Act. This has led to calls by stakeholders in the maritime industry for a review of the Act

which borrowed substantially from the Jones Act in the United States of America (USA).

Erstwhile Government Inspector and Sole Administrator of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Olu Akinsoji, who disclosed the huge loss of Nigerians in the shipping sector said there was need to plug the loopholes being exploited by foreign ship owners if the Federal Government quest to diversify the economy could become a reality.

Giving an insight into the huge loss, Akinsoji, said: “Almost 70 to 77 crude oil vessels load oil monthly out of Nigeria. The foreign ship owners do not employ Nigerians and they do not pay tax. To make matters worse the

lack of a national shipping line had affected the development of Nigerian youths in world sea trade”.

He argued that Nigeria could earn as much as $2.2 billion if half of the ships that come into the country were Nigerian ships.

His words: If 50 per cent of the over 5,000 ships came to Nigeria in 2014 were Nigerian ships, crewed by Nigerians, say 20 Nigerians per ship, and earning $3,000 per person, Nigeria would have made $2.2 billion apart from the freight that is accruable by carrying Nigerian cargo. The human elements, the seafarer that would have worked on those ships would have earned $2.2 billion and every family of that seafarer would have benefited

from the cargo. These are the kinds of losses that we are incurring by not having ships that are carrying our cargo. All the international cargo we generate is carried by foreign ships. We do not have a ship in international waters carrying dry cargo”.

Adding his voice to the clamour for the resuscitation of a national shipping carrier in order to address some of the ills in the shipping sector of the economy, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NCS), Mr. Hassan Bello stated that the re-floating of the national shipping line would have tremendous influence on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country and boost international trade.

Firm Reiterates Commitment to Youth Development As part of efforts to engage with a critical segment of its consumers, as well as support youth development initiatives, the management of Chi Limited recently partnered with King Jaja Hall of Residence in the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to celebrate its Hall week.

This partnership is coming just a few weeks after the company’s support for UNILAG’s Marine football club and the Lagos State Principal’s Cup, which is renowned

to be one of the biggest grassroot football competitions in Nigeria.

Commissioned in 1974, King Jaja hall is the most famous and prestigious hall of the University and is home to over 1000 students.

Its hall week activities are annual events that roundoff the session, easing off academic stress and giving opportunities to hall residents to showcase their talents and socialise with one another through various extracurricular activities.

Officials of Chi Limited said through this partnership, it sought to bring the brand-truth of Chivita 100% to life.

“The brand successfully achieved this through direct interaction with the students who are full of vitality and are largely health conscious.

They were excited that the brand is made from 100% pure fruit juice which contains No Added Sugar, No Preservative and No Added Colours.

“As an undisputed market leader and consumer-driven company noted for high quality and innovative product offerings that excite and exceed consumers’ expectations, Chi Limited desires to make positive contributions to the lives of consumers”, he said.

Chairman, King Jaja Hall, Taiwo Ibrahim Abiola, thanked the management of Chi Limited for coming on board to add excitement to this year’s hall week, adding.

The Director of Publicity of the party, Steve Otaloro said the primary election had been postponed, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Omooba Abayomi Adesanya issued a one paragraph statement that the primary would still hold on Wedenesday, August 31.

Abayomi stated: “Ondo State APC primary election will hold on Wednesday (31st of August) as rescheduled. Please, disregard rumour of another postponement.

Thanks”.

The yesterday’s postponement made it the second time that the primary election of the party would be shifted.

The party initially fixed today (Saturday) August 27 for the primary poll.

Having recognised that one of the successes behind military warfare is a buoyant logistic support, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has said military operations were conducted on a tripod of strategy, tactics and logistics.

Buratai made this disclosure as the recent batch of 20 officers of the NA and the Nigerian Navy, who were trained on logistics support, graduated from the Logistics Staff Course (LSC).

The recipients, comprising 19 Nigerian Army officers and one Nigerian Navy officer, had begun the 31-weeks intensive course on January 8, 2016 at the Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL), At the graduation held in Lagos, Buratai, who was the special guest of honour, commended the college for striving ahead despite daunting challenges.

Buratai said, "Since inception, the Nigerian Army College of Logistics has carved a niche for itself as the centre of excellence for the training of logisticians.

The numerous achievements of

the College with respect to training and various research inputs into the Nigerian Army policies, despite its numerous challenges are commendable.

"I am personally happy with the progress being made in this College. Military operations as you are aware are conducted on a tripod of Strategy, Tactics and Logistics. It is difficult for the tripod to stand properly if any of the legs is missing.

"Therefore, talking from the point of logistics in relation to the tripod, a robust logistics plan is imperative for good strategy and sound tactics to succeed. This underscores the importance of Nigerian Army College of Logistics to the Nigerian Army.

"The contemporary security challenges facing our dear nation has made the development of middle cadre officers on the rudiments of logistics crucial.

"In the past decade, we have witnessed dramatic changes in the conduct of our operations from conventional to asymmetric warfare which necessitates the development of competent logisticians to meet this reality.

'Why Anambra'll Never Experience Fulani Herdsmen's Attack' David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has given reasons why the state may never come under the attack of Fulani herdsmen as has been the case on some states recently.

Obiano who spoke with journalists to herald the 25th anniversary celebration of the creation of the state boosted that the state under his government has grown to become the safest state in Nigeria.

Speaking on how he has been able to overcome attacks of herdsmen, the governor said, "on this issue, I am like the man who saw tomorrow. Early on my administration, I constituted a committee known as cattle menace committee, which is headed by the commissioner of police, with five traditional rulers and leaders of the Fulani community in the state.

"We agreed in the committee that if the cattle belonging to the Fulani people destroy our crops, they will pay us, and if our people kill their cattle, we will pay them."

The governor said that so far,

the Fulani herdsmen had defaulted 11 times, and they had also paid, while the communities have defaulted only five times, and have also had to pay for the cattle.

He also stated that it was agreed in the committee's resolution that herdsmen were not allowed to come into the state with AK47 riffles and other dangerous weapons, and so far, it has been so.

Obiano while comparing the state's growth with others created at about the same time ranked Anambra as the first, saying that none of the states created 25 years ago has witnessed the same level of development than Anambra.

Picturing Anambra in the next 25 years, the governor said that with the massive investment his government was attracting, which so far stands at $4.5billion, the state will rank as the richest, and can then afford to function without federal allocation.

He added that the state was aggressively pursuing oil exploration and that within the coming five to six years, the state would have entrenched itself properly as a leading oil producing state.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • AUGUST 27, 2016

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Persecutions: Northern CAN Preaches Unity Amongst Members Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

In the face of violent persecutions currently facing its members in the North, the Northern chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday urged members to be more united and forge a common course to achieve common goal, noting that it was only by this that violence against the body of Christ could be overcome.

The association was at its Northern Region Delegates Meeting which took place at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Jos Plateau State.

Speaking at the meeting, Former Head of State and Founder of Nigeria Prays, General Yakubu Gowon said that the violent conflicts experienced in Nigeria could only be resolved if the church would agree on a

common course.

Represented by the former deputy governor of Taraba State, Dr. Samuel Gani, Gowon, who seemed to suggest that differences of opinion could not be totally ruled out, however said that the unity of mankind as seen in Genesis was redeemed.

According to him, “Yet Revelation does not suggest that differences are obliterated. There are still worshippers from different nations, tribes, peoples and languages. This diversity reflects God’s glory even further, in that different people are united in common act of worship.”

Gowon posited that as an elder and Christian leader, he was worried that division in the body of Christ was assuming an alarming proportion, asserting that if care was not taken, “this may destroy the body of Christ. The Church must unite

to contend for our faith, in the face of persecution and discrimination.

This is a task that must be done.”

Earlier, the CAN chairman of the 19 Northern States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Reverend Yakubu Pam, said the events of the recent past were challenges to their faith, both spiritual and otherwise.

Pam believed that it was imperative to take a second look at their condition and present a common front in tackling their problems and other matters of concern. He argued that his stand had always been in favour of dialogue among Christian brothers.

“By so doing, this will be a new beginning for the Christian Association of Nigeria in the north as it would be a body where our youths would find solace, it would be a body

that provides succour for Christians living in poverty, would serve as a voice against violent attacks against Christian farmers living in the rural communities and of course would partner and seek wisdom for our leaders in authority,” Pam noted.

He also stressed that the journey may not be too smooth, but preached that together it will be a good and pleasant journey in unity in the long run.

He condemned the continuous violent attacks on Christian rural farmers and the increasing cases of girl–child abductions and forced marriages which he said were currently taking place in the North and other parts of the country, calling on state and federal governments to address the social and security challenges that had caused tension and anxiety in the country.

Onaiyekan, Arthur Nwankwo , Oby, Others Call for Restructuring of Nigeria Jessica Odemwingie, inAbuja

The Bishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has called on all Nigerians to embrace peace and unity and avoid violence in order to achieve the nation’s goal of building one nation and restructuring of Nigeria.

He gave this advice at a oneday colloquium on state of the nation, Organised by the Center For Confederation, Democracy and Good Governance in Africa (CoCDAGGA) yesterday in Abuja.

The Bishop urged Nigerians not to be sad about the current challenges facing the nation but find a different way out, and avoid destruction of life and properties.

According to him, “Nigerians think they are the only ones who have problems; most nations are results of other people's imposition, they have been put together by others.

“There are those who have been dissatisfied about what is happening, and decided that something must be done by helping each other. And this

does not necessarily put them in a position of attack, protest or opposition; rather, it's a positive thing that will make our country a better place that we all can live in, and the next generation inclusive.”

On her part, the former Vice President (African Region) of the World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, said that a progressive stable and prosperous society that had built the right institution could distribute economic output in ways that continue to provide opportunity for more to be generated.

She further said that, government should strive to improve the quality lives of its citizens Also contributing to the discussion, the former Police Affairs Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Lame said that Nigerians tended to deviate from the real issues, as a result of their failure to understand what capacity they had and the capacity they needed to develop the country.

“The capacity of Nigeria has been compromised, diluted and that is the reason why we have lost direction for a long period of time", he said.

Agency Urges States to Make Budgetary Allocations to Fight Desertification Patrick Ugeh in Abuja

TAKING YOUR RISKS...

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access, (EFInA), Mrs Chidinma Lawanson; Digital Financial Services Consultant MFX Partners, Mr. Kwame Oppong; Senior Consultant CapPlus, Mrs. Funmi Sodipo and Technical Officer, Impact Insurance Facility International Labour Organisation, Mr. Miguel Solana at a recent launch of EFInA's Request for proposals 7 event held in Lagos

Group Asks NBA Not to Allow Lawyers to Ridicule Judiciary

Webroot Introduces Cloudbased Cybersecurity Solution

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

Chinedu Eze

Worried by the spate of conflicting orders emanating from various divisions of the Federal High Court as well as the Federal Capital Territory High Court on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Society for Global Justice and Equity Promotion has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), to caution lawyers against filing multiplicity of suits on same issues.

Addressing judiciary correspondents in Abuja, the group asked the NBA to call to order, lawyers who were making a mockery of the judicial system by filing multiple suits on the same subject matter for the same people at courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

The group's Deputy National Coordinator, Mr. Jolayemi Adekunle who addressed journalists in Abuja named Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja divisions of the Federal High Court where conflicting judgments and orders had emanated on same issues.

Adekunle said that from their findings, lawyers could not be absolved from the blame on the conflicting judgments because they were the ones who presented different facts to courts on the same issue to confuse Judges.

“We have found that some lawyers engaged in the unwholesome practice of arranging someone loyal to their clients to appear as a representative of the adverse party in order to mislead the courts into thinking that the proper adverse party has been served.

“We are calling on the NBA President Malam Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud SAN to summon a meeting of the General Council of the Bar to address these issues raised by this unwholesome practice.

“In the main, the NBA should encourage lawyers to advise their clients properly and avoid a situation where they would allow politicians to manipulate the courts for their selfish end.

“The politicians don't have much to lose if the judiciary is destroyed but the lawyers stand to lose everything including their means of livelihood."

The group expressed concern over the situation where high court judges give multiple and conflicting orders and judgments on the same issues and parties.

The group said that, apart from the fact that the scenario subjected the court to ridicule it was also capable of eroding public confidence in the judiciary.

Webroot, a new generation cloud-based cybersecurity solution has been introduced in Nigeria to protect computer systems from hackers and phishers.

Webroot is a new generation protection solution that gives users full control of their data and assets with maximum protection from hackers and phishers.

One of Webroot’s key strengths as a cybersecurity provider has been its leadership in developing next generation approaches to prevent attacks, and a proven technology base that spans millions of devices.

CEO of Ethnos IT Solutions Limited, a leading cyber security company based in Lagos, Nigeria, Mr. Peter Ejiofor, described Webroot as the solution against hackers that use every guise to access people’s systems.

“Computers in the real sense are designed to have little or no security. By default, most computer users have multiple services turned on, no firewall installed, and with haphazard or little patching, leaving organisation’s data susceptible to phishing; all these forces combined makes computers and the data contained in the system, vulnerable to hack-

ing, as hackers can remotely scan and hack into literally millions of computers without the need for interaction by the end user, Ejiofor explained.

He noted that to combat the threat, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) had worked tirelessly to build security into computers by deploying firewalls enabled by default, reducing services, using advanced memory protection, standardised patching processes and other features.

“To mitigate these attacks, the next generation of system users and technologist have come to embrace the idea of computing and securing data in the cloud, however, it is imperative to ask this question, how does your company use the cloud?

Almost certainly it allows your employees to work more efficiently by enabling them to access email and vital documents wherever they are in the world. The salient question therefore is, are you taking advantage of the benefits of the cloud to protect your email servers, support data privacy and integrity, and protect your intellectual property from cyber theft and phishing? If yes, what technology did you adopt? Is the technology adopted optimised to serve your needs?” Ejoifor asked.

The Director General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (GGW), Mr. Goni Ahmed, has urged the governments of States affected by desertification and other dry-land problems to make financial contributions through budgetary allocations for effective management of the crisis.

He also appealed to them to provide land and community mobilisation to support the Great Green Wall programme designed for the purpose of addressing the challenges of reviving the Sahara and the Sahel to regenerate livelihood.

According to a press statement

by Larai Daze, Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Ahmed spoke at a presentation at the technical session of the 10th National Council on Environment ongoing in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The DG, who spoke on the topic, "Reviving the Sahara and Sahel to Regenerate Livelihood", said that drylands in the sub-Saharan Africa cover about 14 million sq km and is habitat to about 70% of crop land and 82% of livestock holders and productivity in these areas are seriously challenged by natural and human factors.

The DG said the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, which was established by an Act of the National Assembly has embarked on activities in realisation of the mandate of the Great Green Wall programme such as establishment of shelter belt/ windbreak and woodlot plantations, promotion of agro-forestry and renewable energy, farmers-managed natural regeneration, promotion of human

livelihood activities, provision of water and rural infrastructure.

Others are skill acquisitions and employment generation, support for dry lands research efforts, school outreach programmes, sand dune stabilisation, oases development, among others.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as MISS ONABANJO ADEKEMI MARY, now wish to be known as Mrs AYINDE-ADEBISI ADEKEMI MARY. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I, formerly known as ALI MUHAMMED, now wish to be known as Garba Ali. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I, formerly known as UWAKWE ROSELINE OGONNA, now wish to be known as OKAFOR ROSELINE OGONNA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I, formerly known as CHUKWU MAC ANTHONY CHIBUEZE now wish to be known as ANUNOBI Mac ANTHONY CHIBUEZE. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I, formerly known as ADILIH GEORGE JULIET CHINWENDU now wish to be known as ANUNOBI JULIET CHINWENDU. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as MISS Geraldine Moniba ebuyeDOKUBO now wishes to be known and addressed as MISS GERALDINE beleMa ebuye-dokubo, all former documents remain valid.

Nigerian High commission and the general public please take note.

I, formerly known as MRS ADEOGUN TEMITOPE now wish to be known as MRS ADEBOUN TEMITOPE ESTHER. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

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Price: N250

MISSILE #BringBackOurGirls Coalition to Buhari

“Are you not a General? You know what is happening and you know where our daughters are. Buhari, if you feel that you are incapable of rescuing the girls, step down now and give it (power) to someone else. We have many intelligent persons in the country who can handle this situation. You cannot tell us that you don’t know where the girls are.”

– #BringBackOurGirls coalition chastising President Muhammadu Buhari for his inability to rescue 218 abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

PENDULUM Dele Momodu

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Another Homecoming to Nairobi Kenya

F

ellow Africans, to say I love Africa is an understatement. It baffles me how most Africans hardly know Africa outside their individual domain. The owners of Africa hardly appreciate the beauty of their own continent. The knowledge of Africa is usually from other people’s narrative and perspectives. The best library collections about Africa belong elsewhere in far-flung places.

Africans were kidnapped, stolen and forced into slavery centuries ago. Today, we are forced into voluntary slavery due to our lack of visionary leaders willing to turn the misfortunes of Africa to prosperity. The slave mentality has refused to leave us.

I read so much about colonialism and neocolonialism in the novels and essays of the famous Kenya author, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, who is certainly one of my favourite African writers. I was endlessly fascinated by the stories of the Mau Mau struggle for Independence. I bought and devoured Weep Not, Child; The River Between; A Grain of Wheat; Petals of Blood; Devil on the Cross; Decolonising the Mind; Writers in Politics; Detained; The Trial of Dedan Kimathi and Homecoming. I read and re-read Homecoming. I wonder what took over our brains in Africa that we stopped reading the African Writers Series, which was published and popularised by Heinemann Books, in those good old days. At least, it helped to introduce Africa to Africans. I knew so much about Kenya long before I ever visited one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa by reading Ngugi, Meja Mwangi, Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga, Jomo Kenyatta’s (his monumental book Facing Mount Kenya is superlative) and others.

I got introduced to Ghana through reading African authors, Ayi Kwei Armah, Kofi Awoonor, Kwame Nkrumah, Ama Ata Aidoo, Kwesi Brew, Adu Boahen (historian), Kwesi A Dickson (former President of the Methodist Church of Ghana and President of the All Africa Council of Churches) and others; Cameroon through Mongo Beti, Ferdinand Oyono, Mbella Sonne Dipoko and others; Senegal through Mariama Ba, Sembene Ousmane, Leopold Sedar Senghor, Birago Diop, Kamara Laye, Cheikh Hamidou Kane, Aminata Sow Fall, David Diop and many others; Egypt through Nawal El Saadawi, Naguib Mahfouz and Tawfiq al-Hakim; others knew Nigeria through Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Cyprian Ekwensi, Chukwuemeka Ike, Elechi Amadi, Buchi Emecheta, Amos Tutuola, J. P. Clark, Flora Nwapa, Ola Rotimi, Kole Omotoso, Christopher Okigbo, Mabel Segun, Zaynab Alkali, Gabriel Okara, T. M. Aluko, Molara Ogundipe, Niyi Osundare, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Festus Iyayi, Femi Osofisan, Ben Okri, John Munonye, D.O. Fagunwa, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Biyi Bandele and a long list of distinguished writers.

Wow, I feel so nostalgic today.

We read all these great authors and most of the older generation were on our school syllabus and available in local bookstores. Many of us spent substantial sums of our annual bursary allowance on acquiring and accumulating books.

I was a voracious reader of anything readable including tedious ones, I could hardly understand.

It enriched my understanding of Africa and the world at large. Africa paraded many scholars in politics and power at the beginning before a generation of mostly “uneducated” leaders took over and ravaged what the West already described as a “savage continent” especially in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. It is the background that informs what I look out for whenever I touch down in many African countries.

I have landed in Nairobi a few times, first as

President John Mahama of Ghana with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the 6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Nairobi transit passenger and subsequently as proper visitor, in nearly twenty years. Somehow, each arrival had its uniqueness to it. On one occasion, I was coming from Mumbai on the defunct Bellview Airlines and we stopped briefly in Nairobi. We were allowed to alight to visit the duty free area only. I saw an airport that was not so impressive despite the hype surrounding tourism but it was still functional. On another occasion I was flying to Seychelles for a wedding. I flew in such a circuitous manner that I was dizzy with the circumlocution. I had flown from Accra to Lagos but missed my connecting flight to Nairobi. I was then advised to return to Accra to catch an evening flight which arrived mercifully the following morning. The woes continued when we were forced to fly through Lagos again for aviation fuel before flying to Nairobi where I had already missed my connecting flight to Seychelles. It was such an Israelites’ journey.

Exactly two years ago, I returned to Kenya, a country that had just been mercilessly whacked and traumatised by some terrorists on rampage and a terrible inferno that had ravaged the Jomo Kenyatta Airport a year earlier. It was not the best of times to visit but I had promised my friend, Jeff Koinange, formerly of CNN, I would attend his book launch and nothing was going to disturb or discourage me. The airport I met was a shadow of itself. We crawled through some holes and drove that night to my temporary abode at the Kempinski, Nairobi. The drive turned out to be one of my longest journeys ever and my heart was almost flying out of my throat because of the palpitating fear I suffered driving through the streets of Nairobi at such an ungodly hour. I couldn’t tell Kolade Elufidiya, the talented fashion designer, who had graciously picked me up from the airport, the ugly thoughts that danced kpalongo in my belly. Thank God, there was no calamitous incident on that occasion and I returned safely home to Nigeria.

As I flew out of Nairobi, I offered a prayer for the good people of that beautiful country and promised all I could modestly arrange to help promote Kenya to the world via the platforms it has pleased God to bless us with.

Another opportunity recently came for me to visit Kenya again when I received a letter of

invitation from Mr Arrey Obenson, the Secretary General at Junior Chamber International (JCI) headquarters in the United States of America as follows: “Please accept warm greetings from JCI World Headquarters in Saint Louis, MO! On behalf of nearly 200,000 young global citizens, it is with great excitement and enthusiasm that we invite you to speak at the African Youth Development Summit in Nairobi, Kenya from August 24 – 26, 2016.

The event is organized by JCI (Junior Chamber International, Inc.) in collaboration with Tokyo International Conference of African Development (TICAD VI).

Taking place the days prior to TICAD VI at the Southern Sun Mayfair Nairobi Hotel, the African Youth Development Summit intends to connect young leaders from across the continent of Africa. United in common purpose they will articulate young people’s commitment to the development of their region and the important role they can play in mobilizing Africans to take ownership of their continent and its future.

The event will provide the commitment of African youth to the Tokyo Conference of Africa’s Development (TICAD VI).

Youth representatives from the 54 nations of Africa will be selected to attend the Summit.

They will use the experience to work toward organizing grassroots actions in their local communities, fostering participation of young people in policy making and empowering the next generation of African change-makers to lead in the development of their region.

JCI is an international non-profit organization that provides its members -- 18 to 40- year-old active citizens – with development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change. Through projects in more than 5000 communities across nearly 120 countries, members seek targeted solutions to local problems, creating a global impact.

In summary, we invite you to serve as a Keynote Speaker at the African Youth Development Summit. Further details will be provided upon your acceptance of availability.

We look forward to your positive response.”

Of course, I wasted no time in accepting the invitation as someone who believes so much in the abilities of African youths to excel if given the right tutelage, mentorship and opportunities.

We exchanged series of emails thereafter until we agreed on modalities for my visit to Kenya.

I flew out of Accra last Tuesday, August 23 and arrived Nairobi just before 6.00am local time on August 24, 2016. If I expected to crawl through the hole of an airport again like I did two years ago, a pleasant surprise awaited me.

The burnt terminal had been rebuilt and airport formalities reduced to the barest minimum.

I was able to get assistance in every part of the airport from friendly officers. My “visa on arrival” formalities took less than ten minutes to process and conclude, at a cost of $50. My baggage came out promptly on the conveyor belts that looked like what I always see always in the UK or America. I passed smoothly through Customs and straight into the chilly weather of Nairobi. I didn’t spend more than 20 minutes in total at the airport. Driving from the airport to Kempinski Hotel was even more pleasant.

The roads had been generously rehabilitated since my last trip. I couldn’t stop singing the praise of President Uhuru Kenyatta. To most visitors, what concerns us is not so much the local politics of a country but the palpable development on ground.

Definitely, President Kenyatta has started re-directing Kenya from its old ways and striving to establish a very modern State. I saw several skyscrapers dotting the landscape of Nairobi. What I saw first-hand was a nation on forward march and I hope that ugly politics would not destroy Kenya again.

I was happy to deliver my speech yesterday and contribute and answer questions in well organised interactive sessions alongside two great journalists Eric Chinje and Henry Bonsu, who moderated our segment titled “Mobilizing youths through Media. I truly enjoyed myself and gained some fresh insights from different countries. I was delighted as always to meet many Nigerians doing our country proud. I have serious conviction that the challenges being faced by our country won’t last forever. The examples of Ghana, and now Kenya, persuaded me that developing a nation won’t take centuries to achieve. Before our very eyes, nations are transforming from rascality to responsibility.

As I was concluding this, African leaders started flying or landing in Nairobi including our own President Muhammadu Buhari and Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama who landed earlier and went straight into talks with the Japanese leadership.

I must thank the Japanese government for the decision to host the Tokyo Conference on African Development in Nairobi. I really admire how the Japanese stressed the fact that what Africa needs today is not aid and beggarly donations but partnership. Yes, that is the honest truth. Our continent is richly endowed although we have somehow failed to use what this for positive good for the continent and its people. We just need to harness the talents and resources that God has blessed us with and we will become phenomenal in world affairs.

We have let ourselves down and have become the laughing stock of the world because of our failure to realise and fulfil our potential. We have chosen a slave mentality over a leadership mentality because of the mediocrity that we have allowed ourselves to enthrone as our leaders. The Japanese know we have promise.

Unlike the West, they believe that, as partners, we can make the world a better place rather than make our continent a dumping ground for the dregs of the West.

Let us look within ourselves, search our souls and get down to serious business. May God bless us.

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