Saturday 26th November 2016

Nigeria Experiencing Worst Economic Recession Ever, Says Gowon Buhari: I will ensure 2017 budget is not padded

Tobi Soniyi and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, yesterday said the country was faced with the most troubling economic recession ever.

Gowon, who was represented by his brother, Dr. Dauda Gowon made this known at the Annual Lecture/Gold Service Award 2016 organised by the Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa (CDGA), with the theme; "Global Recession as it Affects

Good Governance: Need for Proactive Action-Nigeria as a Case Study, The Way Forward."

This is just as President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to remove from the 2017 Budget any project or figures sneaked into it as was done in the 2016

Budget.

Gowon said the present economic situation demanded collective effort as the federal government alone would be unable to solve the problems.

Regardless, on the recession, Gowon said, "As we speak, we

have on our hands in one of the deepest and most troubling economic recessions ever to plaque Nigeria."

He noted that the challenge was multifarious, in part, by the fact that the flow of oil money into the Nigerian economy

had triggered an avalanche of imported consumer goods that have virtually knocked down domestic production.

Gowon stressed that this in turn had caused unemployment Continued on page 6

Abdulmumin: Obasanjo was Right about Corruption in N/Assembly ... Page 6 Saturday 26 November, 2016 Vol 21. No 7891 Price: N250

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Ondo Decides Today Security agents promise hitch-free poll Mimiko accuses INEC of working for APC We have no favoured candidate, says umpire PDP to sanction members of Sheriff-led faction

James Sowole in Akure, Victor Olakitan in Ado Ekiti and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Despite pressure from 21 of the 28 political parties and other prominent stakeholders for a shift in date, the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC), is unperturbed and going ahead with the election this morning to pick a new governor for the Sunshine State.

The election is holding on the eve of highly contentious and acrimonious struggle between Eyitayo Jegede of the Markafi-led faction of the PDP and Jimoh Ibrahim of the Ali

Modu Sheriff faction on who is the authentic PDP standard bearer which the Appeal Court eventually resolved in facour of Jegede.

For most of yesterday, sensitive electoral materials were moved to the local government offices of the commission while security agents perfected

strategies to ensure a hitch-free voting.

The three leading candidates for today’s election – Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC and Olusola Oke of the AD – were also involved in last-minute quiet house-to-house campaigns across the state.

However, the state’s Governor, Olusegun Mimiko alleged yesterday that “INEC and some forces within the ruling APC are out to prevent the emergence of credible candidate” in today’s election.

Mimiko, who was visibly angry, spoke in Akure at a press conference he addressed

at the State International Event Centre (The Dome) adding that several measures had been put in place by the electoral body and some political players to the advantage of the APC candidate.

The governor said one of the ploys to realise the mission of Continued on page 6

Rivers Rerun: My Security Withdrawn, Wike Cries Out

KEN OKOLUGBO

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

SULAIMAN ALIYU

With just about two weeks to the December 10 rerun legislative elections in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike, has cried out that the State Commissioner of Police, Francis Odesanya, has withdrawn majority of his police security details.

But the state police command has swiftly denied the allegation, describing it as untrue.

Flagging off the reconstruc-

Plus pg. 17-19

As a Kid, I Used to Oppress My Older Brother

SuperSaturday pg. 8-9

It’s not true, says PPRO

Continued on page 6

My Military Postings Affected My Marriages

HONOURS FOR AFRICA'S RICHEST MAN

L-R: Property tycoon, Muyiwa Bakare, President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and Chairman, Forte Oil Plc, Femi Otedola at the gruduation ceremony of Conventry University, United Kingdom, Dangote was honoured with honourary Doctorate Degree ...recently

Alleged Bribery: Court Throws out Godwin Obla's Fundamental Rights Suit against Detention... Page 14

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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, NOVEMbER 26, 2016

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Abdulmumin: Obasanjo was Right about Corruption in N/Assembly Alleges N500bn stolen as running costs since 2006

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibril has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s statement on corruption in the National Assembly was right, adding that the positions he has held

as Chairman of Appropriation and Finance committees, put him in position to know that the statements are true.

This is as he alleged that about N500 billion had been diverted into private pockets by lawmakers as running costs out of a total of about N1 trillion budgetary allocations to the legislature since 2006.

He also challenged members

of the National Assembly to publicly disclose their monthly running costs, while standing by earlier statements that they received N10 million monthly, most of which are diverted into their pockets.

Obasanjo, at a lecture during the week, had accused the lawmakers of corruption and budget padding, allegations which were refuted yesterday

by the spokesman of the House, Abdulrazak Namdas.

Abdulmumim, who is currently on suspension for 180 legislative days following his tirade of budget padding allegations against Speaker Yakubu Dogara and others, commended Obasanjo for his statements on the legislature.

In a statement he issued yesterday, the suspended

lawmaker said Namdas did not address the issues raised by the former president.

“All the anti-graft agencies need to do is to go and investigate only the 2015 SDG projects where about N10 billion was budgeted and see where that will lead them. It has remained a huge scandal in the House but nobody will talk because it is a system of "chop clean

mouth”,” he said.

The lawmaker, who is currently on self-pimposed exile in London disagreed that the budgetary allocation to the legislature was insufficient, adding that more than half of it is stolen through a fraudulent system designed by Dogara, while he was Chairman of House Services in the sixth Assembly.

from a process that is illegal, and by people not known to law and logic.

“INEC discarded all legal advice not to substitute Eyitayo Jegede by its own chosen consortium of lawyers”, he said.

The governor said INEC was being forced to subvert its processes, and imperil the Ondo election saying that the team it sent to Edo, which it is also sending to Ondo, is peopled by rabid supporters of APC who have displayed their brazen disdain for justice and fair play in the Edo election.

“I am by this asking you the good people of Ondo State to be vigilant and insist on the sanctity of the ballot. We must not allow any alteration of result either at the Ward Collation Centre or anywhere along the line.

“We are a proud people; we can make our choices for the good of our state. We need no manipulation of any kind to exercise our inalienable right to choose our leaders. We also do not want anything to remind us of the inglorious past of violence and bloodshed precipitated by injustice and impunity”, he said.

The governor said he as the Chief Security Officer of the state had met with President Muhammadu Buhari in the past two weeks to call his attention to the peculiar challenges being foisted on the state.

“I have also at all times called on our people to carry out their activities according to the laws of the land. I have discharged my responsibilities in the above direction to the best of my ability and want Nigerians to

hold those who want to subvert the electoral system responsible for any negative development that may attend the planned rigging of tomorrow's election,” he said.

INEC: We Have No Interest in Ondo Poll Meanwhile INEC yesterday said that it has no interest in any of the candidates in today’s election contrary to Mimiko’s allegation.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mr Segun Agbaje who denied the allegation, said: “INEC is not protecting the interest of anybody or any political party contesting the election.”

Agbaje who spoke at the state headquarters of the commission said: “I don’t know any of the candidates contesting the election. I don’t know Rotimi Akeredolu, neither do I know Olusola Oke or Eyitayo Jegede.

I am not from Ondo State and I have nothing to gain if the election is rigged.”

The REC insisted that the commission was prepared for the election, having distributed both the sensitive and non-sensitive materials to all the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

Fayose Rejects Soremekun as Returning Officer Also yesterday, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State concurred with Mimiko that the appointment Professor Soremekun, as the Returning Officer by INEC is dangerous to the success of today’s election.

A statement signed by the governor reads: “Is Professor

Kayode Soremekun the only Vice Chancellor in Nigeria? Is FUOYE the only federal university in Nigeria? Is Ekiti the only state where INEC can find Returning Officers? Definitely, INEC is up to a sinister game on the Ondo State election and it is obvious that the electoral commission is working with the APC.” Fayose declared that evidently, democracy in Nigeria had suffered a serious setback and it will take the insistence and resistance of the people of Ondo State for their votes to count today.

“I therefore urge the people of Ondo State to be extremely vigilant.

When they come out today to cast their votes, they must stand by their votes. They must follow their votes from the polling stations to the ward collation centres, local government collation centres and the State collation centre.”

Fani-Kayode Warns INEC Also yesterday, former aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode warned INEC against rigging today’s poll in the state.

Fani-kayode in a statement titled, “A Warning to INEC: Do Not Murder Sleep in Ondo State,” said: Adedeji Soyebi who is the INEC National Commissioner for the Southwest is leading the team for the Ondo election while Professor Soremilekun is the Returning Officer.

“This is a dangerous combination. Both men are anti-PDP and Soremilekun is the same individual that was appointed

as the returning officer for the Edo state 2016 governorship election. Sadly, we witnessed the havoc that he caused there.

He shamelessly rigged the election for APC in Edo and he is under orders to do same in Ondo State today.”

PDP to Sanction Sheriff Faction In a related development, the PDP has said that it would impose severe sanctions on Ali Modu Sheriff and his faction for all their actions intended to undermine the party's interest.

The party said that it viewed the acts of desperation exhibited by the Sheriff group in trying to undermine the electoral chances of the PDP, especially with regard to the Ondo governorship election as the height of treachery which must attract sanctions.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, the Spokesman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said the party had received information over plots by the APC to rig today's governorship election in Ondo State by conniving with some officials of INEC. "Democracy is under threat in Nigeria. APC is not going to allow free and fair election.

Edo State was massively rigged; they are working to rig Ondo election.

"We don't have confidence in INEC going to Ondo. INEC should now be called Partial National Electoral Commission (PNEC). People should tell INEC

to do its work creditably. With a free and fair election, PDP is confident of victory in the polls,” he said.

AD Warns INEC, Security against Manipulating Process The Alliance for Democracy (AD) yesterday warned INEC and security agencies against manipulating the results of today’s election in favour of any party, especially the ruling APC. The Director-General of the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation, Bola Ilori, said any attempt to manipulate the result of the election would be resisted by the good people of Ondo State, adding that the people of the state should be allowed to choose who rules them.

Ilori said: "While we as a party are prepared for the election, we will support anything that will aid the peaceful conduct of election. However, we will not fold our arms and allow our destinies to be determined by people who are not only political invaders but people who have subjected our people to untold hardship.

"We are also aware of plans to cause trouble in Akoko Land, Ondo South Senatorial District and other areas considered to be strongholds of AD. If President Muhammadu Buhari cannot deliver the dividends of democracy he promised the people, he should not cause chaos in the state. He should warn INEC and security agencies against enacting anything that can cause political crisis in the state."

ONDO DECIDES TODAY those who were bent on manipulating the process in favour of the APC was the deployment of Professor Kayode Soremekun, who was the returning officer for the September election in Edo State to perform the same function in Ondo State.

“We have just been told that the same team of election ad hoc staff, which masterminded the largely controversial Edo election, has been sent to our state to deliver a pre-conceived result for Rotimi Akeredolu, the APC candidate.

“I have to state this here and now, that our people will not accept the method, men and process unleashed on Edo. We reject unequivocally the mission of this team to our State.

“The Edo team did not only call off collation by 9pm on election day, party agents, monitors and journalists were ordered out of the collation centres allowing for final subversion of the will of the electorates. We shall not allow such an ungodly process to be repeated in our dear state.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this ungodly process started when INEC, in flagrant disregard of extant laws governing elections, removed the name of Eyitayo Jegede on the basis of a Justice Okon Abang order that has since been declared as a fraud by the Supreme Court.

“We wonder why INEC could remove the name of a man who emerged from a party primary that was conducted in a free, fair and open environment and by legitimate organs of the party, where INEC itself was represented, with another

NIGERIA EXPERIENCING WORST ECONOMIC RECESSION EVER, SAYS GOWON and also led to escalation in crime and other social conflicts.

"Government has shown a deep understanding of these problems and exhibited a strong resolve to contribute to tackling them.

"I believe the troubles we have gone through over the past few years have helped Nigerians to note clearly the difference between self-sustaining economy and one that relies on wasting assets such as oil. We have also seen the extent to which corruption has made governance virtually impossible," the former head of state stated.

He emphasised that corruption had rendered public institutions, including regulatory and judicial agencies sterile, and that it had also caused deterioration in the quality of infrastructure, health care delivery and education, among others.

In his contribution, constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome said in a situation where the followership or the civil society was weak, the tendency was for the government to see itself as a supernatural being that could trample on the rights of the people.

He said that "the civil societies need to be up and doing; we cannot live government alone, the people must hold this govern-

ment accountable. We cannot allow the government to use its anti-graft agencies as it has always done to go after perceived enemies and antagonists. It is for the people to rise up and enforce their fundamental human rights by saying no to injustice, by saying no to oppression, by saying no to marginalisation, and once we begin to do that then the government will begin to be careful.

"So we need the people to serve as a guard against the praetorian guard; we need the guard to guard the guard otherwise power that corrupts will corrupt absolutely," he said.

Earlier, the DG of the Centre, Dr. Dafe Akpocha said, "We are not trying to change, we are trying to contribute, when we have leadership problem and it affects the economy, it affects everything about good governance, we have to get the leadership structure right, if we get the leadership structure right, then other things will follow."

Buhari on Budget Padding...

President Buhari made the promise to ensure a credible budget 2017, while receiving in audience members of the Governance Support Group (GSG), led by Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, at the State House, Abuja, yesterday.

"I am waiting for the 2017 Budget to be brought to us in Council. Any sign of padding anywhere, I will remove it," said the president, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.

Buhari re-iterated that he had been in government since 1975, variously as governor, oil minister, head of state, and Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), "and never did I hear the word 'padding' till the 2016 Budget." He promised that such would never happen again under his watch.

The president said the government stands by its tripod campaign promises of securing the country, reviving the economy, and fighting corruption, but lamented that some people were deliberately turning blind eyes to the prevailing realities in the country.

"They don't want to reflect on the situation in which we are, economically. They want to live the same way; they simply want business as usual," he said.

On violence that attend rerun elections in the country, Buhari stated: "I agonised over the elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Rivers states. We should have passed the stage in which people are beheaded, and killed because of who occupies certain

offices. If we can't guarantee decent elections, then we have no business being around. Edo State election was good, and I expect Ondo State election to be better."

Speaking on the anti-corruption cases before the courts, the president said he believed the cleansing currently going on "will lead to a better judiciary. When people are sentenced, Nigerians will believe that we are serious."

The president equally told his guests that the progress being made in agriculture and exploitation of solid minerals "gives a lot of hope," adding: "Our grains go up to Central African Republic, to Burkina Faso, but they can't buy all the grains harvested this year. And next season should be even better. We will focus on other products like cocoa, palm oil, palm kernel, along with the grains. We can start exporting rice in 18 months, and we are getting fertilizers and pesticides in readiness for next year."

Speaking on behalf of members of GSG, Nwajiuba said the government had succeeded to a large extent on the security and anti-corruption fronts, adding that the group was positive that the economy would soon experience a turnaround, "as the government is working very hard in that direction."

RIVERS RERUN: MY SECURITY WITHDRAWN, WIKE CRIES OUT tion of the Igbo-Etche Road yesterday, Wike said there was a deliberate attempt by the state police command to reduce the number of security personnel attached to him. He however said the security infraction orchestrated to intimidate him would not succeed.

The governor also called on youths in the state to protect their votes and the mandate of the people, despite the planned deployment of security personnel for illegal electoral purposes.

He said: "As I speak to you, the Commissioner of Police has withdrawn the security around me. It is God that will protect me. As a governor, the Commissioner of Police has the effrontery to withdraw my security. There is no limit to this kind of intimidation and impunity."

He however asserted that despite the action of the Commissioner of Police and the security agencies, nobody in Rivers State would be intimidated by the political antics of the police.

The governor also disclosed that he had intercepted the security manual for the election to be used by Rivers State Police Command.

According to him, the Rivers State Police Command would

deploy policemen in a manner that All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the state would have access to disproportionate number of policemen on Election Day. He noted that on the average, the police command would attach at least 15 policemen to one APC leader for the purpose of intimidation and theft of electoral materials.

He added that some of the policemen would also be used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to divert election materials to the home of APC leaders for electoral fraud.

He advised the Rivers State Police Commissioner not to allow APC leaders to mislead him into committing electoral fraud. He also warned the police commissioner against indiscriminate arrests being proposed by APC leaders on the premise of frivolous petitions.

But in his reaction, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni (DSP), said no such thing happened.

“There is nothing like that; no such thing ever happened. He is just an alarmist. I am in the office; all of us are in the office.

If anything like that happened, we will be aware of it. At least, the CP (Commissioner of Police) would have signed it.”

T H I S D AY SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2016

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

SUPER SATURDAY Ken Okolugbo

As a Kid, I Used to Oppress My Older Brother If you want to make a list of young visionary Nigerians, Ken Okolugbo ‘s name will be difficult to leave out. Subtly aggressive and determined young man, Okolugbo is ahead of his time when it comes to leadership. At a time when young people were wasting away and still looking up to their parents for direction and pocket money, he was already a leader of men. At 37, he was made the Knight of St Christopher of the Anglican Church. He is the chief executive officer of Kenkol Nigeria Limited and was appointed a commissioner in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC). He speaks with Azuka Ogujiuba about his hospitality venture, the Kenkol Apartments, his former boss and former governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and how he felt about not completing the glass house projects when he was a commissioner

H

ow do you feel like being out of the political terrain?

It has not been the same.

I remember when I had to meet with the present Governor of Delta State just before the main election for some certain reasons. I remember telling him that I did not want any political appointment that the most important thing is that I wanted to register with the government.

I did not actually know what it was going to be like coming back to the hospitality business.

When I was making that statement, I was making it basically because I wanted time back with my family and it has been quite effective.

It has given me more time to bond with my family, especially the children. I have time to teach them my mother tongue and I have time to see how they study at home and in school.

Is there a particular project you thought you could have finished before leaving office?

Well the most important project I did was the glass house. That is the first glass house in the whole of Delta State especially in Delta North apart from Warri and I thought I could build a glass house sitting on 2000 square meters that has everything encompassed. It has a library, a research centre, computer study centre, a restaurant, event center, offices and even accommodation. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to equip it and so I couldn’t commission it even though I finished the entire structure, I couldn’t equip it and that’s one of my greatest regrets.

Okolugbo

Being a young leader and politician from the Niger Delta, do you accept militants’ activities in that region?

You know I’m a member of the stakeholders and interestingly and we have our leader, Chief Edwin Clark. There’s one thing he said in one of our stakeholders’ meetings. He said one of the things he’s bothered about now is that he is on his way out and that all we can fight for now is for peace and that the crisis won’t do the region any good. Several pipelines that are being busted are causing oil spillage, we are talking about cleaning up of Ogoniland and we are causing more oil spill and it’s not attracting any attention but negative attention to us in the Niger Delta. But most importantly, the most potent group, the Nigeria Delta Avengers, has pledged alliance to our group. The alliance that they have pledged to our group is that we are the only group so far that they have said that they are comfortable with negotiating with the federal government and the genuineness of our negotiation. There is a politicisation of the process. Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers State, has also not done too well because he is one of the reasons for the crisis being that his statement on the maritime university was what generated the initial problem. These are the things that I think have contributed to make the process look cumbersome. But it’s not cumbersome. The key reason why we are experiencing this recession right now is because of the vandalisation of pipelines in the region by the youth which nobody is happy with they do it because of the attitude of the federal government. The deployment of troops to the area seems to be counterproductive. It is important to note that negotiation is a very good option and is needed in order to move forward. We had our general meeting at a conference in Warri and the governor was there and he was also saying the same thing: negotiation. So that’s what I believe is the way out.

Do you plan to go for an elective position in the future?

Certainly as a politician, there’s no way you will not have plans for the future. That position I do not know now but I certainly will have an interest in running for a position in 2019.

The most interesting thing is that my party is in disarray right now. But if you’ve noticed, I’ve played a very prominent role in identifying the impunity that has been going on in my party and had also concluded details about the congress but most of the governors hijacked the process and they actually took advantage of the fact that Ali Modu Sheriff seems to have been imposed by them and they took a unilateral decision of who and who was to become the women and youth leader. They do not even seem to know the variables that pertain to these areas. We have said no; which was why we had another convention in Abuja.

But we are looking for a way forward. Our prayer is that we begin to settle our differences because without a united opposition, we cannot contend with the government in power.

Right now, if you’ve noticed, a lot of things are going wrong because we are not united. Any problem that does not have a viable solution will lead to dictatorship and so, that is exactly where we find ourselves politically now. Once we have peace, for those of us who want to contest for election most likely in 2019, we can now define what process we are going to follow to achieve those aims. But I’m still very politically active.

What exactly do you do with your spare time? I know you’re a businessman. Given that you’re into property business, what are your challenges?

Well you’re very correct. I’ve been into the property business for a very long time and I’m back into the business. It’s challenging because first of all, the recession has not done us any good; it has made some people to map out what their priorities are but again it’s not been all bad. For those of us into the hospitality business instead of going into hotels we do a lot of what we call apartment suite: short let and short stay apartment and this short let and short stay apartment has made it possible for us to offer our customers prices which no matter what they are going through they cannot resist. For example, we have two-bedroom apartments which we offer for as low as N25,000 a month, completely furnished with everything you need: DSTV, plasma TV and all that. Now, why are we doing this? We are doing it because we have seen that people are not growing, the property business. We are in 17 million deficit in terms of houses in Nigeria; but it will surprise you that 20,000 flats are still empty in Lekki and it’s getting to about 55,000. So most of us that are building now, we’re not finding people who are coming to even say they want to inspect. At least, when they inspect they give you a ray of hope. The people that even come to seek my counsel, because we also run a consultancy, I tell them that look, this is not the right time to build and that’s the actual truth. Even though we have this short-fall in terms of houses, prices of materials are not getting any lower. We were buying POP cement at N2300 now it’s at N3800. We were buying cement at N1600 now it’s N2200. I can give you more examples. If you check the differentials in price, naturally it should have been times two in terms of prices of our rent in these high grade areas but we cannot even afford to add five per cent of the price of rent because it already seems to be over priced and even at that price, people are

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

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SUPER SATURDAY My Eyes Are set on 2019 Politics ... still not coming forward. So the beauty of it is that this hospitality business has a way out: instead of waiting for people to come and rent your apartment, you need to device a means of letting it to those who want it for short stay.

You see that even if it’s just 50% occupancy you have in a year, you collect the same amount you would have collected in rent but then the money will come in trickles. How you now manage the money is what matters.

From your perspective, what will you say about President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration? Do you think they have a direction?

They keep complaining and blaming the past government but when Jonathan came to power he didn’t blame anybody Sanusi summarised it all. I’m happy that Sanusi was one person that seemed to have been oppressed by the PDP, so when he speaks nobody will say he is speaking because he served in the government of Jonathan. He fell out with the government and was suspended by that government. People are saying the blame game should come to an end because it is time for the government of Buhari to take the bull by the horn. The truth about it is that Buhari’s ministers are not doing well. If he had put a square peg in a square hole, it would not have been the same. The only person that I can say he is performing is Fashola even with the little resources that he has. Especially the minister for finance, I don’t want to use the word clueless but the same word that was used on Jonathan can be used on her as well.

She mapped out N50 billion that she wanted the state to access and then she gives the 22 codes of conduct that all states must adhere to, at the same time you devalue the naira when you have no subsidy. If the naira had been devalued when it was called for, you would not have presented a budget that is impracticable because even though the benchmark is at 38 dollars at this particular point in time, we are not even producing up to 1.7 million barrels of crude oil. You said you are embarking on $900million foreign borrowing, at the same time you did not even make provision for where you’re going to borrow the money from and you presented a capital budget of N1.3trillion.

So what have you done to yourself? You have already killed yourself because as it stands now, only N474 billion has been released and we’re already approaching December, we’re looking to release another N350 billion.

Now, can you say this budget has been a performing budget when in actual sense you have not released up to 30% of your capital budget talk less of your recurrent expenditure? So I think we need people that are very experienced in terms of international financing. You say you want the naira flexible and you’re not doing things to make it flexible. You make it almost impossible for the naira not to go on a free fall as we are experiencing. Look at the issue of students who are studying abroad; students who usually purchased their forex at N197. You claim you are selling N2billion dollars to them and you don’t want to sell to them anymore.

Now you suddenly told them to come and start purchasing dollar at N500 naira. Now you have 400 and 300 level students withdrawing.

What have you done? You are bringing them back to the country and all the funds that has been spent on them up to when they got to 400 level have been wasted. They go into the unemployment market, making the economy worse.

One would have thought that there was an exit plan for those studying abroad. The CBN left the MPR at 14% yet the principal cash reserve ratio is at 22.5%. When you put the cash reserve ratio at 22.5% what you have done is telling the bank that at any point in time they cannot touch 22.5% of the money that somebody has put in fixed deposits and you’re telling the same bank to loan out cash at 14%, it doesn’t take rocket science to know that you’ve already killed the bank. With treasury single account, you have moved government funds to CBN. You said that banks must have a minimum amount in terms of their fixed deposits of funds that people are putting into the bank. So if I come to put N10 million for example in fixed deposit, 18% of it already cannot be touched by the bank. What percentage is the bank going to give to me when they want to loan out the money at 14%? So, it doesn’t make any sense; it just simple economics for you to see that CBN governor has not helped matters. He

Ken, with his wife and children has continued to bring out policies which are very unpopular and has refused to accept that these policies are what is giving naira a free fall. So, Buhari needs to get his team together, otherwise there’s going to be an economic revolution in this country. I think the patience of Nigerians is being tested at this point. From what we can see, people are already committing suicide. So the misery index has gotten to a point where we have never been with regard to the economy in Nigeria. His economic team needs to be overhauled.

It’s like nobody in PDP is talking anymore, people are scared. The only ones that seem to be talking are Fani Kayode and Fayose Fayose has been talking but the thing is that we have not put our acts together, settle the differences among ourselves before we can speak as a united front. Right now, our house is in disarray. It looks as if it’s a curse. We believe it is not a curse and we’re going to get over this so that we can now have somebody who can speak. One person is speaking for the Makarfi group and another is speaking for the Sheriff group; it makes a mockery of the whole thing. So by the time we put our acts together, we can speak and say the truth.

How do you relax?

I play tennis. I used to travel a lot but with the recession now, traveling is not how it used to be. I also try to read. I read a lot, but I don’t have the time and I watch football. I’m very crazy about football.

You used to be called‘Ken Plaza’. How did you come about the name?

Long ago when I was in school, I think it was in 1990, I had a party at a plaza in Benin City and trust me, that was the first time I was drunk and the party was very successful. You know how it used to be in school. If you didn’t

have an invite, you could not come for the party and it meant you were not happening.

So, somehow the name just stuck. Someone just started calling me Ken Plaza and the name just stuck to me and interestingly that is the name I used on Facebook. A lot of people know me by that name. 1990 till now, it’s been 26 years. So, for 26 years down the line, I’ve been answering the name Ken Plaza.

What was your favourite subject in school?

It was Mathematics. Most kids run away from it but then my mother was a Maths teacher and she taught maths in my school. So that’s what got me attracted but by the time I got into secondary school, I realised that I was more interested in government. Maybe that’s why I read political science in the university.

So when you were in school, what were your results?

I used to take first but there were these two girls, Opebi and Mary. Sometimes Mary would come first and I would come second and I used to be very angry about it. So I would beg my mother to change the result that I wanted to come first. That day, my father beat me so much. Funny, Opebi is an accountant now; she’s doing very well. I think she’s in Canada.

I don’t know where Mary is. They are doing very well. I think they had first class in the university.

Do you have any of those childhood memories that just wouldn’t leave your head?

Being the last born, my elderly ones were much attached to me because I had two big sisters. My brother is just a year and four months older than me, so we grew up like twins. The thing was that they used to buy us the same shirt, the same shoes you know.

He was slightly taller and he remained taller

even till today. So when I wanted to wear my own shoes, my dad would put a foam and knowing well in my mind that it was not mine. He would want to take his shoes back and I would start to fight and the other ones used to support me. So that’s the mischievous thing I used to do. I used to oppress him by taking his own.

Is he the first son?

Yes and he is a consultant now. I used to look at it like he was just a year and half older.

I would lie about my age; I would say I’m older than him. I don’t know why but I just wanted to be bigger and older because I used to relate with those who were not in my peer group. So, I didn’t even go through so much of peer pressure. The peer pressure I went through was the peer pressure from the older ones.

When you were growing up what did you want to be?

I wanted to be an architect, that’s the only thing I wanted to become. It was something I always desired but for some reasons I strayed. I did not concentrate anymore.

What is your greatest sacrifice?

I built a church for my community. It was just something I got from God that I should build a church. So I pulled down a church and in my community and rebuilt it. Years later, I realised that it was a seed that I was sowing, that’s it.

You were made a Knight at a very young age.

I think I was the youngest knight. I was knighted by a reverend in my church. It gave me more responsibilities. It made me quite conscious of what I was to do and it strengthened my faith too.

PDP Cannot Speak with One Voice Unless its Crises Are Resolved

10

NEWS

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

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

Niger Delta Youths Back Elders’ 16-point Demand from Buhari Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Youth of Niger Delta region have said they were satisfied with the 16-points demand presented by the Pan-Niger Delta Forum in its meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari as a means of developing the region.

In a communique issued at the end of its emergency conference in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State last weekend and made available to THISDAY in Port Harcourt, the youths, under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Association (NDYA), commended the elders for collapsing all other interest groups into the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PNDEF) in order to have a common front to engage the federal government for the advancement, development and survival of our region.

The communique, which was signed by the President, Comrade Victor James; Vice President, Comrade Ibisio Harry; Spokesman, Comrade Gabriel Unyeowaji, and seven others also endorsed some of the 16-Point Demand of the elders, ranging from the Maritime University at Okrenkoko in Delta State, to the restructuring of the Amnesty Programme, the opening up of Warri, Calabar and Port Harcourt Ports as international

Ports and the cleaning up of the entire Niger Delta wherever pollution was found.

The youths however said some demands like the federal government’s granting of oil and gas blocks should rather be expanded to cover communities of the entire Niger Delta as simply giving a few individuals from the Niger Delta oil and gas blocks would not create the wealth need to move the region forward.

“The reason is because our region is suffering from institutional and systemic poverty therefore clusters of communities within all ethnic nationalities should be granted oil and gas blocks as doing so will create wealth which the people are starved and which prevents the people from enhancing their potentials,” they said.

They also said, “PANDEF should have made the ‘Niger Delta Coastal Road Project’ one of its basic demands and as clear as possible without ambiguity because it is strategically positioned along the region’s vast coastline and an economically viable project which will attract serious foreign investments to the Niger Delta in terms of real estate and tourism.”

The group however expressed sadness over statements quoting Buhari as saving “I have no quick solutions to your

BOOSTING CONFIDENCE...

L-R: Minister of Power, works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; SAN Chnacellor University of Benin and Sarkin Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II; Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Osasere Orunmwense and Deputy Vice-Chancllor, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye at the University of Benin 42nd Convocation lecture, on the theme, " Freedom from fear, choices before the New Generations" at the akin Deko Auditorium, Ugbowo campus in Benin City, Edo State on Friday 25th November, 2016

(PNDEF) demands”, adding that the statement indicated a reluctance and sincerity by the Presidency to establish the

needed dialogue process for the stability and development of the Niger Delta.

They said, “What the Niger

Delta needs is sincerity from this present administration,” adding that there was need for true federalism in the country to

give all the federating units the confidence that there interests were being protected in the union.

Release Over N900bn Owed NDDC, South Jail Break Foiled South Intellectual Group Tasks FG in Awka Prison Sylvester Idowu in Warri

An intellectual group, South South Reawakening Group (SSRG) yesterday tasked the Federal Government to release over N900 billion owed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to enable it meets its mandate to the people of the region.

The group, in a statement titled "Setting Agenda for the new NDDC Board" and signed by its Convener, Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo said it had implicit confidence in the pedigree of persons constituted in the board to now deliver on the mandate set for the commission.

It declared: "The monies owed the commission by the federal government should be released to the commission as soon as practicable.

About N900b is said to be owed the commission and this amount could go a long way if judiciously expended.

"The lOC's too should ensure that the statutory 3% of their operating budget be released as at when due. The NDDC should benefit from the ecological fund and the contributions from the states should all be brought under

the revenue template of the NDDC", it maintained.

The group urged the board to scrape all the money it could find and put in the region for it to succeed.

SSRG however noted that for the board to succeed, it must reclaim the confidence reposed in the commission.

"Chiefly of all these is that the Banks should begin to have confidence in the NDDC' projects. Both the NDDC and the Banks should go back to the drawing board and fashion a new way of funding projects via, Advance Payment Guarantee (APG).

If possible put some more requirements in place to ensure that hope is rekindled in the commission and people of the region", it added.

The South South intellectual group described the appointment and eventual inauguration of the NDDC board as a good omen for the region going by the pedigree of the persons whom were round pegs in round holes but noted that in going forward the most important issue facing the commission now is for the new board to reclaim the confidence of the commission.

"In the past NDDC contracts award letter are a "HOT CAKE" bankers will chase you everywhere you go just to get you to offer to give APG, but now the reverse is the case, we are looking towards the days of old when NDDC contract award letters are equivalent to ‘cash’ at hand.

"Presently it is seen that many people are cut off or denied access to projects as a result of scrapping of APG. The commission is now seen as in existence for only the elite and those who can secure bank loans. Even for those who can secure loans to execute these projects it has become a nightmare getting payments to repay and at the end of the day they are defaulting in loan repayment because of delay in payments for interim payment certificates.

"Again the number of projects that have been completed since the APG financing arrangement was stopped has become minimal compared to when the APG financing arrangement was in place, although the level of bad APG's then could be managed until everything

irretrievably fell apart.

"The observation of what led to the abuse of the APG financing arrangement was when there was infighting within the third set of board members. People now see the infighting as survival for self aggrandisment and who will control the levers of power and influence and who can steal most", the group observed.

The SSRG also noted that another area of abuse that must be quickly addressed by the new board was award of contracts where one contract would be split into 10 or 20 contracts and awarded to different companies but all incidentally were traced to one person.

"This is called contract splitting. This pattern is clearly in breach of the procurement law and henceforth such wrong doing must be punished.

"There is also a processing fee which is based on the value of the contract, contractors are required to pay this "processing fees" before you can sign the contract agreement. There is nothing like processing fees in our procurement laws.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Attempted jail break by yet to be identified people was allegedly foiled yesterday in Awka prison.

THISDAY gathered the attempt may not be unconnected to the detention of some influential inmates at the facility.

News about the jail break plot filtered into town yesterday afternoon as fear gripped the prison neighbourhood with many secretly making arrangements to move their family members out of harm zone.

Journalists gathered yesterday that the jail break plot was not unconnected with presence of some influential persons presently under prosecution in court and detained in the said prison.

It was gathered that among the prominent people in the prison is Chief Emma Nwude and some of his kinsmen from Abagana who were facing murder charges following their case with Ukpo

community.

Awka prison which has a capacity for about 300 inmates is said to be presently housing over 1000 inmates.

Confirming the news of the jail break plot, the Comptroller of Prisons, Anambra State, Mr. Ubaike Anthony said the prison in Awka had been having restiveness for the past two weeks.

“Yes, I have heard that and we have been having restiveness in Awka prison for two weeks now, but we have been countering it.

“We have been on alert, we are countering the restiveness and we are on top of the matter”, he confirmed A civilian source who pleaded anonymity said the information had been made known to the government at Abuja, saying “We heard the plan to cause jail break is to get some big men in the prison currently under prosecution for murder to escape judgment”.

11

NOVEMBER 26, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

Yemi

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Adebowale

Sliding Economy and Buhari’s 36 Trips in 18 Months

T

he frightening pronouncement this week by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma that President Muhammadu Buhari would inaugurate an economic recovery plan next month left me shattered. Nigeria’s economy has been sliding in the last 18 months and officially went into recession in the second quarter of this year. After 18 months of slithering, this administration is yet to conclude on a recovery plan. Nigerians are now being told to wait till next month for the salvage plan. This is a confirmation of my assertion all this while that this administration lacks any blueprint on how to turn around any sector of our nation’s economy. Udoma’s statement is a validation of ineptitude by an administration that assumed office with so much promise but has left Nigerians with blood, tears and pain.

This administration persistently talks about diversifying the nation’s economy, yet, there is no blueprint on how to attain this. The excuse for the sliding economy has remained the same: falling crude oil price and vandalism in the Niger Delta.

They create the impression that Gross Domestic Product is all about crude oil production. This is preposterous. They fail to tell Nigerians that the manufacturing sector is the biggest contributor to the GDP and it is tumbling because of the warped policies of this administration. Average industrial capacity utilisation is down to about 10% from over 50% about 18 months ago. Manufacturers are gasping for breath.

The fiscal and monetary policies of this administration, particularly the crooked forex policy is choking them. From Q3 2016 statistics, the manufacturing sector contributed 8.59 per cent to nominal GDP, lower than 8.95 per cent in Q2 2016 and 9.67 per cent in Q3 2015. Real GDP growth of the manufacturing sector slowed by 2.63 per cent to -4.38 per cent (year-on-year) from –1.75 per cent growth recorded in third quarter of 2015 and 1.02 per cent in the previous quarter.

Clearly, the Buhari administration runs the country with propaganda, while the nation’s economy tumbles. The statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics are terrifying.

The third quarter Gross Domestic Product growth data released this week by the NBS showed that the country sank deeper into recession, contracting by 2.26 per cent from -2.06 per cent in the second quarter of this year, and -0.36 per cent in the first quarter. This represented a 0.18 per cent drop from the growth recorded in the preceding quarter and lower by 5.08 per cent relative to the corresponding quarter in 2015.

Inflation accelerated for the 12th consecutive month in October as exchange-rate pressures persisted on the prices of goods

BUHARI’S 36 FOREIGN TRIPS IN 18 MONTHS 1) Niger Republic, June 2015 2) Chad, June 2015 3) Germany, June 2015 4) South Africa, June 2015 5) United Kingdom, May 2015 6) USA, July 2015 7) Cameroon, July 2015 8) Benin Republic, August 2015 9) France, September 2015 10) Ghana, September 2015 11) India, October 2015 12) Sudan, October 2015 13) Iran, November 2015 14) France, November 2015 15) USA, November 2015 16) South Africa, December 2015 17) Benin, December 2015 18) Benin, January 2016

and services. The inflation rate rose to 18.3 per cent, the highest in 11 years, from 17.9 per cent in September. Prices rose 0.8 per cent from the previous month.

This latest data is a confirmation of the flaws in Nigeria’s economy in the last 18 months, resulting in rising unemployment and job losses, declining industrial capacity utilisation and acute foreign exchange shortage. It is obvious that there is a need for fresh thinking on how to tackle the forex challenges of manufacturers in order to create jobs. The founder, Financial Derivatives, Bismarck Rewane, noted: “The latest NBS report showed that some things are definitely not working right.

This is bad news. We are in real trouble.

With three consecutive quarters of increasing negative growth, that means we are getting deeper into recession. The stimulus package has to be increased and intensified and the interest rate has to come down and they have to make forex available.

The forex market arrangement now is not working and something has to be done and very quickly.

There is no easy answer to it, but we must face the reality and find our way out of this situation.”

So, how do we find our way out of this situation, when the men around Buhari look incapable of offering fresh ideas on how to turn around our sliding economy?

They have shown over the last 12 months that they lack the capacity to do this. The sloppy 2017-2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper presented to the Senate this week testifies to this. Buhari is surrounded by a legion of sycophants. This means that our president must rejig his cabinet. He must be ready

Farewell to Lieutenant Colonel B.U. Umar I am still waiting for the military authorities and the Nigerian government to give Lieutenant Colonel B.U. Umar and his men a hero’s burial. For those who don’t know, Umar, the Commanding Officer of 114 TF Battalion of the Nigerian Army and some of his troops were killed by Boko Haram about two weeks ago, between Bita and Piridang in Borno State. Just like Lieutenant Colonel Abu-Ali, who deservedly got a hero’s interment, Umar and his men deserve this treatment. They died for us to live in peace. They are heroes of our nation. Every soldier who dies in this war deserves a hero’s burial. This also goes to all our gallant soldiers who died when the Tank Battalion in Malam Fatori was sacked by Boko Haram. Governor

Kashim Shettima of Borno State, who has been doing a wonderful job in terms of compensation for our fallen heroes, should also do the same for Umar, his men and every other soldier that has fallen of recent.

For our heroes, I will say, Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un.

On the flipside, Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State is virtually a no go area. Last week, Boko Haram terrorists burnt Thlaimaklama village, leaving hundreds of people displaced. Just as Yaga Yarkawa, the Caretaker Chairman of the local government noted, Chibok is under Boko Haram siege. The military authorities must be proactive here. May Allah give our gallant soldiers the wisdom to conquer these terrorists.

19) UAE, January 2016 20) Kenya, January 2016 21) Ethiopia, 2016 22) France, February 2016 23) United Kingdom, February 2016 24) Egypt, February 2016 25) Saudi Arabia, February 2016 26) Qatar, February 2016 27) Equatorial Guinea, March 2016 28) United States, March 2016 29) China April 2016 30) United Kingdom, 2016 31) United Kingdom, June 6, 2016 32) Chad, August 2016 33) Kenya August 2016 34) USA, September 2016 35) Morocco, November 2016 36) Equatorial Guinea, November 2016

to hire people who would look at him straight in the eye and say “no” to his antiquated mentality and policies. This is the only way forward for our dear nation.

This morning, I urge Buhari to reflect on the remarks of former President Olusegun Obasanjo who said: “Now that we have had change because the actors and the situation needed to be changed, let us move forward to have

progress through a comprehensive economic policy and programme that is intellectually, strategically and philosophically based. Once you are on seat, you have to clear the mess and put the nation on the path of rectitude, development and progress leaving no group or section out of your plan, programme, policy and efforts.

“Economy neither obeys orders nor does it work according to wishes. It must be worked upon with all factors considered and most stakeholders involved. The investors, domestic and foreign, are no fools and they know what is going on with the management of the economy, including the foreign exchange and they are not amused. The Central Bank must be restored to its independence and integrity.”

Amidst this sliding economy, it is very unfortunate that Buhari has stepped up his valueless foreign trips. Our globetrotting President has made 36 overseas trips in 18 months. This is an average of two trips per month. See table below. His 36th trip was to Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday for an irritable Africa-Arab Summit. Buhari has visited 36 countries in search of foreign investors, looted funds and other humdrum things for poor Nigerians. There are no results to justify these trips while state resources are being depleted on them. Last year, we were told that he went to the United States and Europe to recover our stolen money stashed in foreign banks. So, how much of the loot has the United States and other European countries returned to us in 18 months? How many foreign investors have the trips attracted in the last 18 months? I very much doubt if Buhari has any positive story to tell us in this direction.

Musings on the Lion of Jada at 70 Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the man I love to call “the Lion of Jada” was 70 years old yesterday. For those who don’t know, Jada, in the present day Adamawa State, was where Atiku’s story from grass to grace started. His story remains an inspiring study in perseverance. Through hard work, and of course, the grace of Allah, Atiku rose above the limitations of his birth to become a huge success. Born in 1946, this warrior became an orphan at the age of eight, but overcame abject poverty to acquire education, and rose to the pinnacle of his career.

Growing up in Jada was tough. His was a struggling family. Getting three squaremeals was a daily battle for the family.

Worse still, Atiku’s mother who was helping with the family upkeep died when he was just eight. His father died much earlier. But the little Atiku refused to be intimidated. He was strengthened by his circumstances. He became a man when his mates were still boys. He worked very hard to help himself and his entire family.

He also knew that education was going to be the key to his success. He never joked with it. In 1969, Atiku enlisted into the Nigerian Customs and Excise service, where he served for 20 years, retiring in 1989 at the rank of Deputy Comptroller. In retirement, he went into private business.

This Lion from Jada was part of the G18 pressure group, which later became G34 movement that spearheaded opposition to Abacha’s self-succession bid.

Following Obasanjo’s emergence as PDP’s presidential standard-bearer in 1999, he settled for Atiku who had already been elected governor of Adamawa State, as his running mate. The conversation that sealed the deal remains evergreen.

“Turaki, are you prepared to take orders from me?” Obasanjo asked Atiku, calling him by his traditional title. “Ah, I have always taken instructions from you, sir” Atiku replied, “because you are a gen-

Atiku

eral.” “Okay you are my vice-president,” Obasanjo told the stunned Atiku; “go and break the news to the party leaders!”

That was how his romance with Obasanjo started. It later went sour during the power tussle for 2003 Presidency. Atiku had openly indicated interest in the 2003 presidency, a move viewed by Obasanjo as disloyalty. He stayed on as vice president for another four years.

His Presidential bids in 2011 and 2015 were truncated. Atiku has his eyes on 2019. I wish him the best of luck.

However, if Turaki wants my personal opinion, I will advise that he should remain a kingmaker in the match towards 2019. Age is another factor. By 2019, he would be 73. This great son of Adamawa should join other progressives in the search for a young man capable of uniting this country and running our economy effectively and efficiently. These are my 70 garlands for the Lion of Jada at 70.

12

NOVEMBER 26, 2016• THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

A LIFE OF SERVICE

Moses Ohaegbuchi pays tribute to Ibrahim Gambari, a scholar and a diplomat, at age 72

Y

esterday, November 24, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari celebrated his 72nd birthday. For many others, and me he is certainly a bridge-builder, a mentor, a guru and a golden man with a golden heart worth celebrating. I have known him as a selfless, compassionate, faith-filled, highly focused, patriotic and detribalised Nigerian. It is not for nothing that a philosopher of great repute, G.W.F Hegel came out with the proposition that the world revolves around the figures of great men. Gambari absolutely belongs to this category of personages. I am proud to be associated with this rare gem whose wisdom has been of profit to many individuals, nations, our continent and indeed the international community.

I feel honoured to have had the privilege of learning directly from the foot of the master. Professor Gambari’s humble mien shields a granite interior and quiet determination that may give the first impression of a soft-spoken and self-effacing man. A man of many parts, he chose to remain simple and accessible despite being decorated with many accolades including being a prince from the royal family of the Sulu Gambari’s. He would simply wish to be introduced as teacher by training and diplomat by accident. His simplicity is as challenging as his towering academic profile.

In Professor Gambari we behold the embodiment of a philosopher whose actions are directed by reason and with virtuous mind that concurs to moral principles not as a part-time concord but as a consistent way of life. An encounter with Gambari leaves you with no doubt that he is a man of substance, a perfect gentleman, a sage, a rare gem, an enigmatic hero and icon of the highest repute who cares much about the welfare and interest of this nation and the African continent at large.

One of his key contributions to our understanding of Nigeria’s foreign policy is the theory of concentric circles, which he developed.

It’s an approach that places the interests of Nigeria first. The centre of the circles has Nigeria’s security, territorial integrity and political independence. The second circle embraces the West African region with the ECOWAS countries and the third circle is Africa while the final one is the rest of the world. No wonder Dele Giwa once opined, “Emotions have no place in diplomacy. It is the stuff of the cunning and the amoral and even the intensely intellectual. The timid don’t get involved in diplomacy. When they do, their countries suffer.” The game of diplomacy is for the initiated, the hard, and the cunning. The game of diplomacy is played for the broke. You don’t mess around with morality. You strike out for national interest first even if that means that your neighbour will not get food on his table. You sit down and plan your strategy and take your risk. You win, if you plan well. You lose, if you are a fool. A little retrospect into Professor Gambari’s life demonstrates a life of service, both in Nigeria and the international arena and his reasoned interventions that seek to end conflicts in Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world. His exemplary lifestyle, scholarship, integrity, diplomacy and knowledge-based efforts to groom the youth who represent the future are worthy of emulation. He is a teacher, diplomat and scholar of highest standing. Leveraging on these triple strengths he has touched humanity and helped to demonstrate that faced with challenges, leaders could deploy with certainty the power of thought to solve the problems of mankind.

Professor Gambari was born on November 24, 1944 in Ilorin, Kwara State. He attended King’s College, Lagos. He subsequently attended the London School of Economics where he obtained his BSc. (Econs) degree

HE IS A TEACHER, DIPLOMAT AND SCHOLAR OF HIGHEST STANDING. LEVERAGING ON THESE TRIPLE STRENGTHS HE HAS TOUCHED HUMANITY AND HELPED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT FACED WITH CHALLENGES, LEADERS COULD DEPLOY WITH CERTAINTY THE POWER OF THOUGHT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF MANKIND

in 1968, with specialisation in International Relations. He later obtained his M.A (1970) and Ph.D (1974) degrees from Columbia University, New York, USA, in Political Science/International Relations. Gambari began his teaching career in 1969, at City University of New York, before working at University of Albany. Later, he taught at Ahmadu Bello University, in Zaria. From 1986 to 1989, he was visiting Professor at three universities in Washington, D.C.: Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Georgetown University and Howard University. He has authored several books and published widely in both local and international journals.

He has also been a research fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. and a resident scholar at the Bellagio Study and Conference Centre, the Rockefeller Foundation-run centre in Italy.

Professor Gambari has received several academic and national honours, including the “Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” (CFR), and the “Order of the Companion of Oliver R. Tambo” (OCORT) of South Africa.

Gambari has served Nigeria in different capacities. First as Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Minister of External Affairs between 1984 and 1985 under the then military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, and subsequently Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations. He was also a delegate at the 2014 National Conference on restructuring and promotion of national unity in Nigeria. At the International level, Gambari held numerous UN positions including Chairman of UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the UNSG’s Under Secretary-General and Special Advisor on Africa.

Other important assignments carried out by Professor Gambari include - the joint AU/UN Special Representative in Darfur and Head of UNAMID, then the largest international peacekeeping operation in the world and the first hybrid mission. He was the Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and other Issues for the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations. He co-chaired with former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright the Commission on Global Security, Justice and Governance. Currently, Professor Gambari is the Chairman and Founder of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, a non-governmental think-tank on research and policy studies focused on the challenges of conflict prevention and resolution as well as democratisation and development in Africa. Through this NGO, he has been able to use his experience over the years to make positive interventions on peace and security in Nigeria especially during the last general elections.

The essence of Professor Gambari is his simplicity in scholarship, diplomacy and relations with others. As he often puts it, the articulation of a coherent foreign policy is not “dogon turanchi” (long grammar); it’s simply an external projection of our values as a nation, the promotion of our national interests and our worldview. His consistent focus has been developing strategies that are designed to win friends, influence actions of other foreign nations in the international community and establish appropriate status within it. He is a beacon of justice, equity and peace.

This Apostle of inclusivity in government would often enthuse: how are we engaging NGOs, civil society groups and ‘non-state” actors in this change mantra? Indeed, where is the national conversation in reducing the huge and growing costs of governance at the local, state and federal levels?

Ohaegbuchi wrote from the Savannah Centre, Abuja

PAVING WAY FOR RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH

S

The Akwa Ibom State Government is poised to expand its network of roads, writes Aniekan Isong

ome of the wonderful sights in the developed world are the good roads in different forms. The networks of roads and the bridges are more often than not a fascinating view especially to people visiting these countries from underdeveloped nations such as Nigeria’s. There is no doubting the fact that good roads are non-negotiable for any nation that is interested in promoting greater commerce and economic growth. We still have a long way to go in Nigeria in this area. Just as people groan on bad roads all over the place, vehicles are also groaning.

Some people believe that next to Boko Haram insurgency, which often claims victims sometimes in their hundreds, road accident is the second highest cause of death in Nigeria. Indeed, Nigeria is said to rank second highest in the rate of road accidents among 193 countries in the world.

According to the World Health Organisation, one in every four road accidents in Africa occurs in Nigeria. This is no exaggeration. Between 2009 and 2013, 30,435 people were killed in road accidents in Nigeria, while 40,057 people were injured in road accidents, according to statistics by the Federal Road Safety Commission.

Just recently, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, said Nigeria loses 6,000 people to road crashes every year. Many factors account for this senseless loss of lives on our roads. Apart from the activities of commercial drivers who overload their vehicles, which the FRSC boss said was responsible for 65 per cent of crashes, the roads are very bad.

Many express roads in Nigeria are in deplorable state, not to talk of the feeder roads.

This has also contributed to the problem of lack of food sustenance which has jeopardised the

nation’s ability to feed its citizens. Just recently, the federal government warned that there could be imminent famine next year. While it is obvious that many problems are confronting the nation’s agric sector, it is also a well-accepted fact that lack of good roads impedes the farmers’ ability to transport their produce from their farms to the cities.

This is one of the reasons for perishable products getting spoilt before they could reach the markets or get to those in need of them. It is also one of the factors discouraging people from going into agric.

Agriculture is no longer seen as a lucrative venture in the country.

It is no longer news that many roads in the country are products of communal efforts. In the agricultural sector, farmers are usually the ones that construct roads to their farms in most parts of the country.

That is why it gives a breath of fresh air to see some states in the country taking the issue of roads seriously. It is particularly encouraging that some states are taking the bull by the horn to ensure that new roads are constructed in record time.

Take the case of Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State for example. Like any other administration, his team obviously inherited some unfinished road constructions from the last government. This is not unusual, because government is a continuum. But, top on the list of problems often associated with marked roads for constructions are the affected homes that must give way. This is usually a complex issue, especially because matters relating to compensation are often very sensitive. In many cases, homes without certificates of ownership are usually victims of this exercise. Frictions are

rampant between the affected home owners and the government and this sort of disagreement could be very expensive politically. It is also expensive to compensate home owners.

That is why sometimes, some public officers shy away from doing the right thing. Sometimes, government uses force and when this is done, it is usually a sad case of double loss for the poor home owners.

But this is where wisdom comes in. Wise administrators will often look for ways to minimise unnecessary frictions while forging ahead with the needed job of constructing marked roads. Let’s face it. Most houses along the marked roads do not have certificates of ownership.

One is left to wonder why state governments have failed to seize the golden opportunity of providing certificates of occupancy by relaxing the process of collecting them, thus generating more money. But this is a topic for another day. As it is, a lot of civil servants in most states of the federation are feeding fat on the complexities of getting certificates of ownership in record time.

The prompt action of Governor Emmanuel Udom in forging ahead to continue the constructions of the roads started by the previous government must be commended. It was reported that the state government actually compensated the affected home owners whether they had certificate of ownership or not. This is a step in the right direction. One thing is sure, the state will hugely benefit from the increased network of good roads. By the time this project is completed, free and rapid movement of commerce via inter-states and intra-states shall be guaranteed.

What most people don’t realise is that mediocrity

usually leads to a network of problems hinged on continual poverty. On the other hand, excellence and probity easily facilitates economic growth and continual prosperity.

Other governors that are yet to prioritise road construction should be humble enough to imitate a state like Akwa Ibom. Today’s governance should rapidly move away from mediocre policies and ineptitude. We need resourceful managers as governors. No doubt, the managerial experience of a person like Governor Udom in a top notch corporate organisation is greatly helping the state in blazing the trail. Economic growth is the way out both for the states and our nation. Any act executed in this direction should be applauded to provoke more.

Many of us hardly go to our villages again because of bad roads both between and within the states. I once met a friend who was going through a lot of pains in establishing a cassava processing factory in his village. The major part of his pains was hinged on bad roads. According to him, his vehicles are always breaking down and the costs of doing business are ever on the increase. Focusing on road constructions is directly and indirectly paving the way for rapid economic growth.

While it is good to celebrate governors like Udom for their tireless efforts in doing major roads in their states, it is worthy to emphasise that road construction remains an integral part of development.

No state can reach its full potentialities without prioritising road constructions. Every state administrator should be faithful in committing resources to making roads in their states accessible for the benefit of farmers, their citizens and visitors alike.

Isong wrote from Lagos

13

NOVEMBER 26, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Who succeeds Mimiko?

Ondo Election: The Clash Of The Godfathers

F

ollowing the decision of the Supreme Court and the consequent ruling of the Court of Appeal, the coast is now clear for today’s election in Ondo State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has now been compelled to replace Jimoh Ibrahim with Eyitayo Jegede as the bonafide candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming election.

While the former Attorney General, Eyitayo Jegede is the standard bearer, this battle is that of the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. The outcome of the election will determine his political future and relevance when he eventually leaves office.

As party faithful and supporters across the state are in jubilatory mood over the ruling, the storm is not yet over for the outgoing governor, whose tenure elapses on February 23, 2017. Governor Mimiko of Ondo State is not a happy man. His sadness is not as a result of any bereavement or loss of any possession. Rather, his disposition is occasioned by his seeming needless battle within his own party in the political calculations of his home state. Some spoilers are headed for a showdown to ensure that he loses grip of who becomes his successor. Having served in the capacity of the chief executive of the state for eight years, his dream of handing over to a candidate of his choice is almost hitting the rocks.

The joy of any leader is to have a credible successor who will not only continue his good works, but also cover his misdeeds and shortcomings. After all, there is no success without a successor.

Mimiko’s greatest fear is the continuity or otherwise of all the innovations that he introduced into the state. The Mother and Child Hospital, the University of Medical Sciences, Trauma and Surgical Centre, etc., are novel projects which he personally conceptualised to birth. In spite of criticisms from the opposition, the governor has sustained these institutions, for which he received international recognitions and awards. Quite understandably, there is palpable fear among the staff of these institutions who are uncertain of the future should another candidate, not supported by the governor, emerges as his successor. Hence, there has been disquiet and uneasiness since Justice Okon Abang ordered INEC to publish Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP. Not a small fry in electoral battles, Mimiko appears battle ready for the contenders and pretenders who want to succeed him. The battle line is now drawn. With Jegede’s approval, Mimiko’s machinery has less than 48 hours to turn around the tide, especially as many of the party’s supporters have pitched their tent with other political parties amidst

the uncertainty of the outcome of the Eyitayo/ Ibrahim saga.

In sane societies, government is a continuum.

The next government continues the development of the state from where his predecessor stops. Sadly, this is not always the case in Nigeria. Politics of bitterness has blinded our sense of reason and good governance. Opposition governments who ride on to become incumbent are known to rubbish what former governments did.

Since it failed to return to power in 2003, the Alliance for Democracy has been moribund in the Southwest where it held ace. The crack in the All Progressives Congress after the cantankerous primary that produced Rotimi Akeredolu has suddenly resurrected the A.D. Its candidate, supported by aggrieved leaders of the APC, is poised for a showdown. Olusola Oke has suddenly become the beautiful bride, especially in the Southern Senatorial district, where he has the bulk of his supporters.

He is also banking on the votes of the Islamic community and a good percentage of the four Akoko local government areas, where his running mate hails from.

Yinka Adeosun, Ondo, Ondo State

Addressing Girl-Child Education In Nigeria

A

ccording to a recent UNICEF data, women and girls in Nigeria constitute 60% of the illiterate population. A similarly record in 2005 showed that 4.7million Nigerian children were out of school, out of which 60% were female. Yet another UNICEF data revealed that about 10.5 million Nigerian children of school age were out of school in 2015 out which 65% were female.

In our nation today, the girl child faces tough times in terms of getting un-hindered access to education. Ironically, in any society, education remains a vital tool through which the citizenry could positively contribute to nation building. It is on the basis of this conviction that our founding fathers gave prominent attention to education.

They had the foresight to realise that high quality workforce, an enlightened citizenry, without which national development is impossible, could only be guaranteed by investing in education.

Education is essential for economic, social and cultural development of all societies. Without it, the citizens cannot flourish and the nation cannot record consequential development. It is, therefore, incontestable that for individuals, education is the ladder of opportunity. For communities, it is the

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

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

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

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

base of common values that holds diverse people together. For nations, it is the engine of economic growth. And for all who believe in freedom, education provides the moral foundation for democracy guided by respect for individual dignity and the rule of law.

Unfortunately, in our nation today, it is this fundamental means for personal growth and societal advancement that the Nigerian girl child is being frustrated in securing. The benefits accruable to the girl child if properly educated are, no doubt, enormous. For one, good education could easily translate into increase in the number of ladies with the prospect of securing high profile jobs as well as higher earnings. Consequently, young ladies and women could become productive and able to live independent lives, without necessarily being burdens to others. They wouldn’t have to depend on anyone before they could access the basic necessities of life.

Perhaps, more importantly, they won’t have to endure the pain of being side-tracked when it comes to taking part in vital nation building process. The implication of this is that they could become productive professionals in any choice field, thereby contributing their own quota to national development. With good education, they could get involved in the political process and make huge impact in public governance as being experienced in Germany and Brazil.

Similarly, in the area of birth control, the educated female, due to the knowledge in school, would have been matured and ripe enough by the time she decides to get married. She also would know better the health and economic benefits of family planning. Through this, she would be able to give birth to fewer and healthier children. This is in sharp contrast to the uneducated ones who do not understand the real essence of family planning.

Also, an educated woman would have good knowledge of critical issues relating to life threatening diseases such as HIV/AIDS and the various ways by which they could be prevented.

She would also share her knowledge as regards the virus with others and help those that have contracted it to live a stable life. She would also help to guide against stigmatisation and help make the world a better place to live in. Educated women will be familiar with medical routines concerning themselves and their families, without being pushed to do so. Thereby ensuring a healthier family and by implication a healthier nation.

Adenike Thomas, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

14

NEWS

In Brief

Bayelsa Pays $.81m Fees for Students

Inamovetocushionthepainsofitsforeignstudents,BayelsaStateGovernor, Hon.SeriakeDicksonhasapprovedthesumof£300,000and$450,000for paymentoftuitionfeesforstudentsofthestateonscholarshipabroad.Speaking tojournalistsinAbuja,theStateCommissionerofEducation,DeaconMarkson Fefegha,explainedthat,Dicksongavetheapprovaltooffsetoutstandingfees forBayelsastudentsstudyinginvariousinstitutionsoverseas.Themovecame amidcrisesassociatedwithstategovernmentssponsoredscholarships,where somestudentshadbeenstrandedabroad.Givingabreakdownofthepayment, Fefeghastatedthat"thereleaseof £250,000wasmadetooffsettuitionand otherfeesofBayelsastudentsstudyingfortheirPhDdegreesintheUnited Kingdomwhile$150,000wasalsoapprovedforBayelsastudentsstudyingat theLincolnUniversityintheUnitedStates,aswellasthepaymentof$40,000to someBayelsastudentsstudyinginGhana.Fefeghafurtherinformedjournalists that Gov. Dickson had earlier approved the sum of $42,000 to students in Kursk,Russiaamonthago.

Mosop on Ogoni Clean up

GOOD TO SEE YOU...

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Senator Olayinka Omilani; and Patron, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Chief Michael Olawale- during a State reception in honour of late Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi by the Lagos State Government at the Lagos House, Ikeja, recently

Alleged Bribery: Court Throws out Obla's Fundamental Rights Suit over Detention Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court Lagos in yesterday struck out an application by a senior lawyer, Godwin Obla (SAN), seeking the enforcement of his rights against alleged unlawful detention.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had preferred a 30-count charge against Obla and a judge of the Federal High Court, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia.

The charges bordered on conspiracy to pervert the cause of justice.

The commission had detained the duo in its custody, pending the conclusion of its investigations.

Obla had through his counsel, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) brought an application, praying the court to declare as unlawful, his continued detention in custody, as well as the seizure of his mobile phones.

Adedipe had argued that the action of the anti-graft agency, constituted an infringement on his client's rights to personal liberty and ownership of property.

He had therefore, urged the court to issue an order, declaring Obla's continued detention in custody as unlawful and a gross infringement on his rights.

In addition, Obla claims the sum of N1 billion against the EFCC as damages for the alleged

infringement.

Delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Mohammed Idris held that fundamental right cannot in any way be construed as meaning an absolute right, since it can be curtailed.

He further held: "I cannot find my way clear in holding that the detention of the applicant is not in conformity with the provisions of the law.

"It is not in dispute that the mobile phone of the applicant was listed as one of the exhibits which the respondents intend to tender in the charge number LD/367/C/16.

"There is doubt that the relief sought does not have direct bearing

with the case at the Lagos High Court, and so, this court should not make an order that will strike at the heart of the charge.

"This is a case in which the court should not make any such orders, as this court and the Lagos State high court are courts of concurrent jurisdiction.

"To make any order which will have effects on the pending charge, will be to lend a helping hand in causing confusion in our courts.

"In the circumstance, I cannot find my way clear in granting any of the reliefs sought.

"On the whole, I find that this application cannot succeed, and it is hereby struck out."

Outrage as Navy Shoots, NAFDAC Destroys N89m Wound 10 Ijaw Youths in Warri Counterfeit Drugs in Plateau Sylvester Idowu in Warri There was public outrage in parts of Warri Thursday night as operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Delta) Warri in Delta State shot and wounded 10 Ijaw youths in an alleged accidental discharge by some personnel.

THISDAY checks revealed that the victims were relaxing in their community at Sandfill 1, directly opposite the Navy Base along Warri River, after returning from work when shots rang out from the barracks and hit them.

It was gathered that several of them were injured but that the 10 of them were seriously wounded and were rushed to Navy Hospital at Effurun near Warri for treatment by the Management of the Navy Base.

Sources at the Base told THISDAY that the personnel were loading their weapons when there were sudden discharges that went into the riverine community hitting the victims.

But another source however claimed that the Navy personnel were in shooting exercise with their gun boats at about 5.30 p.m. when the incident occurred.

It was learnt that following protests by the villagers and

growing tension resulting from the incident, top officers moved into the community to allay fears of the people that the shooting was not intentional.

Sources said the officers then evacuated some victims that were fatally wounded in a Hilux jeep to the Navy hospital assuring to bear all the expenses incurred in their treatment.

Some of the victims were identified as Monigirl Okilo (F, 8years), Andrews Okilo(M, 9years), Gospel Oboko (M, 7years) Loveth Daze ( F, Married), Alice Ogbomi (F, married), Peres Ogbomi, M, married), Joseph Ogbomi, (M, Adult), Ester Ogbomi (F, married), Blessing Ogbomi (F, not married).

Commander NNS Delta, Commodore Joseph Dwunze refused to pick calls to his mobile phone nor responded to a text message on the incident but a senior officer confirmed the development.

He however denied that 10 victims were involved, maintaining that it was only five persons that were affected.

Meanwhile, the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI) has condemned the incident which it saw as another attack by the military on Ijaw community.

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized and destroyed counterfeit and expired drugs, and unwholesome regulated products worth N89 Million in Plateau State.

It has also partnered the state government to sensitise the youths of the state on the grave danger of indulging in illicit drugs.

Acting Director General of the agency, Mrs. Yetunde Oni disclosed this in Plateau during a working visit to the state.

Oni, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties of NAFDAC, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh during the destruction exercise at Ratt village of Barkin Ladi local government area of the state, noted that “some of the products were voluntarily submitted to NAFDAC by various government and non-governmental organisations, while others were mopped-up from open market via enforcement activities and surveillance system of the agency."

She added that she was glad that the amount of damaged drugs had dropped significantly

from the N100 million it was last year to N89m in 2016, indicating that the agency had strengthened its enforcement and surveillance system.

Oni expressed optimism that in the near future the agency would have little or nothing to destroy as its staff would work towards ensuring that only good quality, safe and affordable medicines, and wholesome products were allowed into the Nigerian market. She pledged to deploy strategies to ensure that violators were not only arrested but also face the full wrath of the law.

Earlier in her remarks, Zonal Coordinator of North Central Zone of NAFDAC, Mrs. Josephine A. Dayilim said that the agency would work round the clock to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of foods, drugs, cosmetics, chemical, medical devices and packaged waters and other drinks.

Meanwhile, the agency and the state government have expressed commitment to partner to ensure that youths in the state are adequately sensitised on the danger of illicit drugs.

TheMovementfortheSurvivalofOgoniPeople,MOSOPanumbrellabodyfor theOgonishasdebunkedastatementbyFegaloNsukepurportedlyonbehalf of the body stating that only technocrat into the clean-up was his personal opinionastheexecutivenevermettodecideonthat.AstatementfromMOSP saidthatthepositionofMOSOPwasthatanOgoniwhowasaccessible,has integrity,backgroundknowledgeofcleanupandgoodknowldegdeoftheNiger Delta.”Wetheundersignedwishtoinformthegeneralpublictodiscountenance theannouncementmadebyMr.FehgaloNsuketheMOSOP,PROontheappointment. It is our position that Fegalo Nsuke did not have the mandate of MOSOPtomakesuchstatementssincetherewasnoExecutiveCouncil,Steering CommitteeorCongressmeetingwheresuchdecisionwas reached. Beinga NationalprojectconceivedtoCleanupOgonilandinthefirstplaceandlater on,therestoftheNigerDeltaitisonrecordthattheChairmanoftheHYPREP Governing board is from the western part of Nigeria while the Chairman of theBoardoftrusteesisfromthe NorthernpartofCountry.Wesubscribeto thefactthattheHYPREPprojectcoordinatorshouldcomefromOgoniwhile we contest and disagree with him on the fact that a politician should not be appointedasHYPREPProjectCoordinatorbecausethatassertionofhis,is personal,parochial,immaterialandmisconceived.Weurgethoseresponsible fortheappointmentofHYPREPProjectCoordinatortoappointanexperienced, competentand vibrantOgonisonordaughterwithimpeccableintegrity.He/ shemustbesomeonethatisaccessibleandunderstandstheOgoniandNiger Deltaterrain”,theysaid.

SEPLAT Pearls Quiz Winning School

The 2016 SEPLAT PEARLs Quiz ended on 17th November, 2016, at a grand finale held at Imaguero College, Benin City, Edo State.The programme was introducedbySEPLATin2012tostimulatehealthycompetitionamongSchools inDeltaandEdo,HostStatestoSEPLAT’soperations,toencouragelearning aswellasrewardoutstandingacademicperformance.Thisisthe5thEdition ofthisstimulatingeducationalprogrammewhichholdsannually.Attheendof thecompetition,UniversityPreparatorySecondarySchool(UPSS),BeninCity, Edo State, emerged winners. Representatives of the School beat students of Lordsand KingsAcademy,Warri,Delta State.

PWC Alumni

UyiAkpata,CountrySeniorPartner,PwCNigeria,hassaidthatthePwCalumni networkremainedoneofthefirm’smostimportantassetsinitsdrivetohelp organisationscreatethevaluethey’relookingfor.Hemadethisknownwhile addressing guests at a cocktail the firmrecently held for her distinguished alumni,whichalsohadinattendance,membersofthefirm’sAfricaleadership teamandretiredpartners. AccordingtoUyi,“PwCistheleadingprofessional servicesfirmwiththewidestfootprintbothinNigeriaandonthecontinent.For us,acareerinthefirmisalifelongexperiencethatextendsallthroughyourPwC careerandbeyond. Inordertosustainthisexperience,wehaveinstitutedthe alumniprogrammetocelebrateandconstantlyinteractwithourdistinguished alumniwhohavegoneontobecomeleadersinvariousendeavoursbothinthe publicand privatesectors.

Unilorin Old Students

AllisnowsetforoldstudentsofthedepartmentofGeography,Universityof Ilorin(year2000set)toreunitecomeSaturday,November26,2016.According to chairman of the reunion committee, Dr. Ojo Ajewole£, aside the need to reuniteattheeventslatedtocomeupattheLagossecretariatoftheNigerian UnionofJournalists(NUJ),topontheagendaishowtheoldstudentscancome togethertocontributetohumanityandnationaldevelopment."First,itispleasant thatmostofuswhohavenotseensinceweleftschool16yearsagowillhave theprivilegetomeetagain,butmoreimportantly,ourdesireistoseehowwe cancometogethertosupporttheinstitutionthatproducedus.Wealsoplan to fashionwaysto contributeour quotato development in Nigeria",hesaid.

Iwuamadi Presents Five Books

Pushedbythedesireto reduceavoidablesuffering,povertyandignorance,Mr. EmekaIwuamadi,alawyer,pastorandcounsellorwillonWednesdayNovember 30by2:PM attheInternationalPresscentre,RadioHouse,Abuja,unveilfive out of 16 books he has written to the public. The series is part of his Hope Agenda on love, motherhood, marriage, relationship and youths as leaders of tomorrow.Veteran Journalist and publisher Dame Comfort Obi will chair theoccasionwhileMr.OkeyIkpePresidentofDozieOweriandCEOofOffice Machinesand Dr. SamAmadi will review thebooks.

Umuezeukwu Day Celebration

SonsanddaughtersofUmuezeukwuCommunityinNsulu,Isiala-NgwaNorth Local Government of Abia State, resident in Lagos will December 3, 2016, gathertocelebrateUmuezeukwuDay.AccordingtotheChairmanoftheDay’s PlanningCommittee,MaziLeviEgbede,theceremonybeingorganisedbythe umbrellabodyofthecommunityindigenesinLagos,UmuezeukwuProgressive Union,UPU,willholdat24Road,ACloseinFestacTownLagos.Heexplained thattheoccasionwasmeanttodiscussthedevelopmentoftheUmuezeukwu community and the well-being of the indigenes. “The time has come for all truesonsanddaughtersofourgreatcommunitytocometogetherandplan towardshow to lift ourselvesand our community”, Egbedeadded.

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

NEws

N4.7bn Laundering: Ladoja Escapes Arrest Warrant A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday refused to issue a warrant for the arrest a former Governor of Oyo state, Mr. Rasheed Ladoja, following his presence in court.

At the last adjourned date on Nov. 21, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had urged the Court to issue a bench warrant against Ladoja for failing to appear in court, to answer a N4.7 million money laundering charges against him.

Reacting to the application for a warrant, counsel to Ladoja, Mr Bolaji

Onilenla had told the court that he was not aware that the business of the day was for the arraignment.

He had argued that this was so, because there was a pending appeal before the Supreme Court.

He informed the court that after the decision of the Court of Appeal, Ladoja had changed his counsel, and then, filed an appeal to the Supreme Court.

He stated that neither the accused nor their counsels were served with any court summons to appear in court.

Onilenla had also challenged the

prosecutorial powers of the prosecutor on the grounds that the fiat to prosecute was exclusively given to Fetus Keyamo.

He added that such fiat could not be transferred to any other person in his chambers.

He also disclosed that the Supreme Court had earlier dismissed Ladoja's appeal pursuant to order 6 rule 3 of the procedure rules, but that the application had been filed to restore the appeal.

He added that to continue with the trial would amount to showing

disrespect to the apex court and it would be an infringement on the rights of the accused.

Delivering his ruling on the issue on Friday, the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, held that he would not make any orders as to arrest since the accused was present in court.

The judge also turned down the request of defence counsel for a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of an appeal challenging the prosecutorial powers of the commission under the money laundering Act.

NAHCON Moves against Illegal Activities of Hajj Tour Operators Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The National Hajji Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said that, it has begun strategy that would put an end to the illegal activities of hajj tour operators in the country so as to sanitise their operational works for effective and efficient service delivery to intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Head of Tour Operators of NAHCON, Alhaji Alidu Shutti disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

Alhaji Shutti who led the delegation of NAHCON to the state to verify the license and documents being used by the hajj tour operators for Umrah and Hajji operations said that the commission was not happy with the series of reported fraudulent activities that had been perpetrated

by some illegal hajj tour operators in the country during Umrah and Hajj operations.

He said that, the development has continued to bring a sort of embarrassment to the commission adding that, the perceived fraudulent activities of some of these illegal hajj tour operators had led to the denial of many intending pilgrims from performing hajj rites every year.

Alhaji Shutti stressed that, "In order to forestall such future occurrences, the NAHCON decided to set out strategy towards moving across the 36 states of the federation to pay a visit to the offices of the hajji tour operators so as to verify their license and documents.

"Apart from this, the commission would see how the hajj tour operators have been complying with the rules and regulations guiding their license issued to them by the commission".

Taraba Community Protests Senate Clearance of Justice Galumje Nseobong Okon-Ekong

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L-R; Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. John Aboh; Group/CEO, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Mr. Ade Ayeyemi; Hon.Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Founder, Agusto and Co. Mr. Bode Agusto; Chairman, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Mr. Emmanuel Ikhazobor; and the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Charles Kie, at the Ecobank Corporate and Investment Customers Forum, held at Eko Hotel in Lagos, yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

Ohaneze Holds Igbo Unity Union Bank, Ria Money Transfer Carnival in Lagos Today Partner on Remittance Services Akinwale Akintunde

Ohaneze, socio cultural group will today holds its general Igbo cultural fiesta at the National Stadium, Lagos.

The carnival, tagged ‘Ndigbo Unity Rally’ is aimed at promoting unity among Igbos and non-Igbo in the country.

Speaking at a press briefing to herald the carnival, President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Fabian Onwughalu, said the carnival will not only bring all the Igbos together as one but would also promote and add value to the economy of the host state, Lagos.

According him, the event will

also afford them the opportunity to unfold new charter of engagement, driven by a deep sense of urgency and need for Igbos everywhere to unite and remain challenged by a resolve never to allow disunity deny us the fruits of oneness again, especially in Lagos.

Speaking further on the new charter, the Coordinator, Coalition of Traders and Market Association, Chief Nnamdi Nwigwe said "We are aware that our hunger and desire for progress, peace and security requisite for development are impaired by the grievous absence of internal cohesion and sustained solidarity for our higher collective interests.

Mary Ekah Union Bank, has partnered with Ria Money Transfer (“Ria”), one of the largest money transfer companies in the world, to offer money transfer pay-out services across Nigeria.

The new agreement allows Union Bank customers to receive remittances in local currency at Union Bank payout locations which includes its branches nationwide. Customers can have funds transferred directly to their bank accounts, while non-bank customers can collect remittances in cash through any payout location.

In addition to providing a secure and economical service, Ria’s technology allows customers to

receive remittances within minutes.

Speaking at a media briefing, Union Bank’s Head of Alternate Channels, Folorunsho Orimoloye, said of the partnership, “Union Bank is proud to partner with Ria as we are constantly seeking opportunities to make banking simpler and smarter for our customers.”

“With a network of approximately 314,000 locations spanning 144 countries, Ria is one of the largest money transfer services in the world. With this partnership, we will ensure that our customers have access to this worldwide network, thereby extending the options of quality remittance services Union Bank offers to all our customers,” concluded Orimoloye.

Neglect of Okunland Endangers Kogi State, Warns Fadumiyo The continued neglect and marginalisation of the Yoruba people of Kogi State is a time bomb that poses grave danger to the entire state, National President, Okun Development Union, the apex socio-cultural group of the six Yoruba local government areas of the state, Ambassador Babatunde Fadumiyo has said.

In his address at the opening of the first Okun National Summit in Kabba, Fadumiyo warned that any malaise that paralysed one leg of the tripod on which the state stood would turn Kogi into a dysfunctional entity.

Fadumiyo expressed regret that total strangers had taken over the

farmlands and commercial activities of Okunland and were collaborating with undesirable elements to perpetrate violent crimes such as armed robbery and kidnapping for ransom.

Owing to the unchallenged decay in the state’s educational system, he said, the products of the schools in Okunland were unemployable and were therefore taking to unconventional means of livelihood.

The ODA President also decried the poor state of roads in the area which he said had made communication among the people nearly impossible and stagnated agriculture and other commercial activities.

He further lamented that while Okunland remained the reservoir of the state’s civil service had plummeted to 10 per cent from 41 per cent in 1991 when the state was created.

He therefore enjoined the Okun leaders at the summit to reflect on the parlous state of affairs in the area and proffer feasible solutions that would liberate the people and propel them on a new track that would lead them to their destiny.

In his paper titled Effective Leadership: A Panacea for the development of Okunland, former Director-General of the West African Insurance Institute, Banjul, The Gambia, Professor

Mike Ikupolati said it was time for the people to develop a blueprint on the Integration and Development Agenda for Okunland (IDAFO) and suggested that the summit should set up a committee to actualise it.

Ikupolati also enjoined Okun electorates to rise up as a people to ensure the emergence of political office holders who would truly serve them and espouse the great ethics and values of Okunland.

He advocated the establishment of a definite identity for Okun people drawn upon their history, heritage, values and talents to engender the socio-economic transformation of the people.

The people of Kurmi in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State have expressed shock and utter dismay over the clearance of Justice Adamu Paul Galumje of the Appeal Court, Sokoto Division as one of the two new Justices promoted to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In a petition made available to our correspondent, the community was shocked that despite their protests and petitions to the Senate President, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, National Judicial Council, NJC, Department of State Security, DSS and other agencies of government, Galumje was cleared as the Supreme Court Justice nominee.

The spokespersons of the community, Ibrahim Ishaya Etsu and John Tobi Yarafab said they were utterly surprised that such an individual had been cleared to administer justice at the highest level.

In a petition dated 17 October, 2016 to the Director-General, DSS by the Ishaya Etsu/Tobi Yarafa Chieftaincy Family, Galumje was accused of abusing his office.

“Since May 2016, we wrote a petition to the National Judicial Council complaining about Justice Adamu Paul Galumje using his position as a judge of Appeal Court, Sokoto Division to pervert justice by manipulating the court process”, stated the petition signed by Messrs Ibrahahim Ishaya Etsu and John Tobi Yarafab.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on 6 October nominated Justice Galumje and one other judge as Justices of the Supreme Court. The president has asked the Senate to consider and confirm their nomination.

Immediately, the community submitted their petitions against Justice Galumje to the Senate Committee on Judiciary chaired

by Senator David Umaru.

"We were surprised to read in some newspapers that the committee said they didn't receive any petition against Justice Galumje.

"Even the Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, representing our district, Taraba Central, reinforced our petition to the Senate Committee and called their attention to it but the committee headed by Senator Umaru was hell-bent on clearing the judge", said Ishaya Etsu.

Group Backs Tinubu, Urges Lagosians to Open their Eyes Femi Ogbonnikan Against the backdrop of the current misconceptions trailing the national leader of theAPC,Asiwaju BolaAhmed Tinubu, Nigerians, especially Lagosians have been urged to disregard all manners of mudslinging and current political gang-up against the foremost politician, saying all attempts to discredit and disparage the legacies of the politician will fail.

This was the submission of a component of part of the APC in the state, The Mandate Group, Lagos state chapter.

Addressing journalists in Lagos, during the week, while reviewing political activities in the country in the recent past, Chairman of the group, Alhaji Ganiyu Abayomi Badmus, maintained that Tinubu had done more than any other Nigerian for the political emancipation of the ruling party than he is getting.

Badmus, who reiterated the support of the group to the leadership of Tinubu, said that all members of the Mandate Group Lagos remained solidly behind Tinubu in all ramifications, insisting that no amount of conspiracy against him would stand the test of time.

His words, “The Mandate Group Lagos has watched with keen interest the conspiracies and political grandstanding against our leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. We have observed that those Tinubu laboured for, and toiled hard to make human beings today are now turning back to bite the fingers that fed them.

“It is not known in history that anyone that bite the fingers that fed him will survive the storm. As for us in the Mandate Group, we want to state categorically clear that we are solidly behind Tinubu come rain, come shine.

Nigerians, and indeed Lagosians should open their eyes wide open and not allow anyone to deceive them.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri Buhari, Jonathan and the Loyalty Test

I

read Buba Galadima’s warnings to President Muhammadu Buhari in which, in pretty much the same way as the President’s wife, Aisha Buhari, he warned the incumbent to mend his ways quickly because the masses of Nigeria had abandoned him.

I was not very surprised at the strong rebuke that came from the Presidency especially as Mr. Galadima raised the specter of 2019.

In a harsh overkill that said more than it intended to say, the Presidency descended at Buba Galadima and, in a Freudian slip, confirmed the President’s desire for a second term when the statement said “suggestions that the masses will desert President Buhari in 2019 was unfounded and utterly ridiculous.” If the President is going back to Daura in 2019, why would he fear such an abandonment?

For those who do not know their history, let me bring you up to speed. Buba Galadima is a long-term loyalist of Buhari and one time National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change, President Buhari’s purpose built political party (or personality cult) which was one of the legacy parties that made up the All Progressive Congress.

He and President Buhari have since falling out (as does happens frequently with the President) and now he is in the cold.

But the funny thing is that most of the present set of people surrounding the President are, like his wife said in her famous BBC interview, new faces and at best opportunists who were not with him from the beginning, like Galadima was, and only became his best friend for life AFTER he won election as President last year.

As his wife said “the president does not know 45 out of 50 of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years.”

I can assure you that Aisha Buhari knows Buba Galadima very well as one who was with the President in good times and in bad.

Yet, he has allowed these people whose loyalty he has not tested to insult and attack and ridicule Buba Galadima, a man who stuck with him when the going was rough!

My advise to President Buhari, for what it is worth, is that he should learn from President Jonathan.

To know if anyone is loyal to you, withdraw the benefit they enjoy from you.

If their loyalty fades, then they were loyal to your benefits and not to you. President Buhari should look at what is happening with President Jonathan today. Look at those aides, appointees and ambassadors who professed undying love for President Jonathan.

How many of them even remembered his birthday earlier this week? If not for the masses of Nigeria who broke the Internet in order to show their unprecedented and undying love for Dr. Jonathan, those aides and appointees who benefitted from his goodwill would have left the former President uncelebrated.

What ever you may say about Mr. Femi Fani Kayode, you must salute and celebrate his character of loyalty. He perhaps benefited from Dr. Jonathan the least but has shown loyalty to him the most despite suffering persecution for him today (a good reason for others to abandon him).

Mr. President, do note that those you plot politics with, who are presently dancing around you and lying to you that Dr. Jonathan caused all your problems are at best opportunists and not friends.

Do not expect the duty of a friend from an opportunist. Just wait till your first birthday after power to know your true friends. It is then that you will value people like Aisha and Buba Galadima, when you put on the TV and watch as your new found friends are dancing the latest dance with the latest occupant of Aso Rock.

President Buhari can see the first result of this loyalty test in the recent behavior of the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Having withdrawn the initial benefits that Tinubu enjoyed from their relationship and then told the world what he really thought about Tinubu via his recently published authorized biography, President Buhari left no one in doubt that he was out to cut Tinubu to size.

And what has the result been? Well, let me allow another leader of the APC answer this

Buhari

Jonathan

question.

Asked to explain Bola Tinubu’s absence at the APC’s rally for Rotimi Akeredolu, its gubernatorial candidate, the Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Campaign Committee for Ondo State Governorship election, Mr. Simon Lalong said “to the party, their absence did not make any difference!”

Who would ever have thought they would live to see the day that the APC would say that Tinubu does ‘not make any

difference’ in the Southwest!

How are the mighty fallen!

But then again, this should serve as an example to President Buhari of how fickle human nature can be.

I doubt if the President would be losing any sleep about Tinubu. Having been given access to the honey comb, who but a truly God fearing man would still play nice to the bee.

After all, if Aisha can be banished to the ‘other room’ on account of her public reproach of her husband, why can’t Bola Tinubu be banished to a room in Siberia?

And it is this type of disloyalty and injustice that we see in Nigeria of today. It appears that the personality of the President is affecting the destiny of the nation.

What else could one say about the injustice in Cross River where the commissioner of police, Mr. Jimoh Obi-Ozeh, made himself out as the judge and jury and declared the Cross River State Green Police illegal.

He justified his action by citing Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which provides that “there shall be a Police Force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigerian Police Force and subject to the provisions of this section, no other police force shall be established” But the question to Commissioner of Police Jimoh Obi-Ozeh, no, the question to President Buhari is this- why has the Kano state sharia police, otherwise known as hisbah, been allowed to operate all these years and continues to operate as an alternative police?

According to Wikipedia, “Hisbah is the divinely-sanctioned duty of the ruler (government) to intervene and coercively “enjoining good and forbidding wrong” in order to keep everything in order according to sharia(Islamic law).

So while Kano state can have its Hisbah, Cross River cannot have its Green Police to protect its environment.

This is the type of injustice, along with other reactionary policies quota system and catchment areas, that makes it difficult for many of our youths and elders to believe that all Nigerians are created equal.

And this injustice is at the root of why we have a recession in Nigeria. The truth is that if a leader wants all his followers (or subjects in the case of President Buhari) to

The only way nations grow out of a recession is if the leader grows.

As long as he is blaming others the recession will remain. The President ought to study previous authoritarian leaders and the fate that befell their nation’s economies. A ruler focuses on increasing his authority but a leader concentrates on increasing his influence. May God make President Buhari a leader and not a ruler for Nigeria’s sake!

work in cooperation and harmony to build up a country’s economy he must ensure that there is Social justice.

And even beyond the social injustice that exists in today’s Nigeria, a further reason why there is a recession in our country is because of a lack of vision not because of a lack of capital.

Where there is no vision, the people perish. Who can tell me the economic vision of this administration? With apologies to the minister of finance, it is not true that ‘recession is just a word’. It is a reality for 180 million Nigerians and the trumpeted change that President Buhari promised them is just a slogan, not a vision.

This government does not have a solid vision. If anybody thinks I am not being magnanimous then ask yourself how it is possible for the administration’s budget minister not to have an idea how much the nation is owing or how the presidency could forward a document to the senate requesting authority to borrow $29.9 billion without listing what in specific terms the money would be used for or how it intends to pay it back. The answer is because they lack vision.

The only way nations grow out of a recession is if the leader grows. As long as he is blaming others the recession will remain.

The President ought to study previous authoritarian leaders and the fate that befell their nation’s economies. A ruler focuses on increasing his authority but a leader concentrates on increasing his influence. May God make President Buhari a leader and not a ruler for Nigeria’s sake!

Why do I say this prayer? Because the only time you see President Buhari focus on achieving a goal is when he is offended.

When that happens he concentrates on revenge with razor like focus. If you doubt me, then ask Bola Tinubu, Bukola Saraki and Baba Galadima. If only President Buhari could focus on achieving his economic goals in the same manner.

President Buhari must understand that he is no longer in the military fighting wars and that his critics are not his enemies. He must focus on adding value to Nigerians instead of his fixation on adding authority to himself. If he can successfully add value to Nigerians, it is Nigerians themselves that will add authority to him.

A leader must place a higher premium on his people than the value he places on his position. When you tell your people that “Nigeria cannot afford to allocate foreign exchange for those who decide to train their children outside the country” while your own children are studying in the very best of those foreign schools, what you communicate to them is that you place a higher premium on your children than on their children. Go and research. President Jonathan’s children all schooled in Nigeria while he was President yet he allowed Nigerians who were less privileged than him send their own children to whatever foreign schools they wished and even gave yearly Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovations and Development scholarships (PRESSID) to First Class graduates of Nigerian universities to the best foreign universities. This is a man who places value on the kids of the ordinary man as he values his own kids.

But it is not too late for President Buhari.

He still has two and a half years to redeem himself before Nigerians and I urge him to make the transition from an authoritarian leader to a servant leader for both his own good and Nigeria’s. He must remember that a leader’s greatest victory is in conquering his own ego and not in subduing his political foes. Then and only then will we begin to see the end of this present recession.

As I conclude this piece, let me inform the President that he should not mistake fear for respect. Respect that comes with the office you hold cannot be sustained when you leave that office if you depend on official respect. Look at ex-President Jonathan. What office does he hold? Nothing. Yet, he was able to break the Internet on his birthday because the ordinary people (as opposed to the political class) released an unfeigned and un-purchasable outpouring of love on him that no serving political leader in Nigeria today can command!

––Omokri is the founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center in California, author of Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God and Why Jesus Wept and the host of Transformation with Reno Omokri

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS AUTO WRITERS’ WOLRD FITNESS FASHION FILE MARKET PLACE

pg. 20 pg. 26 pg. 35 pg. 40 pg. 41 pg. 43

Sulaiman Aliyu

My Military Postings Affected My Marriages

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 26, 2016

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Plus

Brighten Up Blighted North-East Power has many uses, applications and meaning. It is axiomatic that the life of military men in and out of service revolve around power. Interestingly, while some retire and decide to go into partisan politics, many won’t give up on ‘power’. For General Sulaiman Dili Aliyu, there can be no other place to enjoy solar energy than the North-east; his place of birth. Passionate about power and teaming up with friends to stabilise its supply in the terrorists-ravaged region, Aliyu feels that the irrigation and harvest of sunshine are natural solutions to the reconstruction of the region. Stanley Nkwazema captured the strides of the General

W

The retired soldier who won’t give up on ‘power’ hen you ask who really Sulaiman Dili Aliyu is, it may interest you to note that he retired from the Nigerian Army in June this year as a Major General. He is from Borno State, Nigeria.

“I was born in 1961 in Biu. After my primary and secondary schools, I attended The Kaduna Polytechnic for National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Electrical Engineering. I graduated from the Nigeria Defence Academy in 1984 and was posted to the Nigerian Army Engineering Corps. I went to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi and the University of Abuja for my MBA, National Defence University of China for Defence and Strategic Studies and also the Nigeria Defence Academy for my Master degree in International Affairs.”

He says he is an electrical engineer who is registered with the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

“During my course of service in the Army, I had the opportunity to serve as Nigeria’s Defence Attaché to China, covering six other countries: Laos, Japan, Vietnam, North Korea and Mongolia.

Indeed, I interacted with so many people and travelled widely and met different kinds of nationalities from Asia and Europe. I also met with people and groups interested in investing in security. It may interest you to note that security these days is not restricted to guns, bullets and bombs or heavy ammunition. In the current context, it goes beyond that to include food security, economic, job and power security.”

When he retired from the service, he was naturally inclined towards aligning with colleagues and friends he met outside, while in service. He says he spent his final years in service fighting the Boko Haram insurgency from the Defence Intelligence Agency where he last worked.

“Fighting insurgency goes beyond the Army and since I cannot do it with Army anymore, I now felt I should continue the fight in order to assuage the level of destitution and devastation that people have faced. I am from there and I know where it pinches. If one takes a trip to Maiduguri which is the epicenter of this madness, you will discover that the majority of the populace is destitute: no hope and no means of survival. Electricity was last experienced in Maiduguri more than four years ago; the place is in complete darkness. If you see any form of power there, that may be a generator from government or some people, Maiduguri

as big as it is takes less than 3 megawatts from the National Grid, Yola 2 megawatts, then Gombe and Yobe,” he said.

General Aliyu says there is darkness and serious shortage of power in the Northeast.

In the reconstruction process that is being envisaged by the Federal Government, without power, he reckons they have to think again because there can be no true reconstruction.

“I was taught in the Army that where there is conflict, the next strategy is actually rebuilding. After studying the situation with my friends and colleagues, we decided to look for investments to bring into Nigeria. The area that is apparently very clear in the whole country is power. If you narrow down the North, particularly the Northeast, you have no option than naturally going into that part because that is where sun shines for more than 12 hours daily and that is the natural resource we need to harness.”

According to him, when he and his group approached their colleagues, the LTI Group from Germany, they were the people that showed genuine interest in solar power due to their experience in that field as they have been in business for more than 35 years, transiting from design to what they are now.

“When we were approached, it naturally fell into our thinking that Nigeria is the destination. They conducted their checks and did their due diligence and decided to come. They wanted to know how the system works here. Because of the availability of sunshine and experience of LTI Energy we decided to go to the North-east.

I wanted us to go to Maiduguri which has been the epicenter. For obvious reasons, we need to help our people to get power.

When they have power they can get to help themselves and create jobs. Power is everything in development. The reconstruction of the North-east requires power.

Of course, everyone outside Nigeria; even those in the country will always tell you Maiduguri is a no-go area. It is actually not a no-go area, it’s just the perception.

People will not be highly convinced until they see it practically. The insurgencies have been degraded badly that they can’t pose much threat to anyone in Maiduguri unlike before. But of course we now had a compromise to face. And that is Yola, the capital of Adamawa State. The state has a grid connection that can take more than 300mw especially the Taraba and Adamawa Transmission Company lines.

We have equally checked with the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission to know their requirements, terms, rules and regulations. We discussed with Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company to know what we are required to do to put power

I was taught in the Army that where there is conflict, the next strategy is actually rebuilding. After studying the situation with my friends and colleagues, we decided to look for investments to bring into Nigeria. The area that is apparently very clear in the whole country is power. If you narrow down the North, particularly the Northeast, you have no option than naturally going into that part because that is where sun shines for more than 12 hours daily and that is the natural resource we need to harness

Aliyu

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NOVEMBER 26, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

Plus Government’s Support Needed to Provide Power in North-East into the national grid in the North-east especially Adamawa. We have also gotten responses on the Environmental Impact Assessment from the Federal Ministry of Environment. It is a process that takes a long while. They have to analyse for the rainy and dry seasons before giving you the go ahead or final approval.”

He says they now have the provisional approval to proceed to the next stage. The company is currently negotiating with NBET on the Power Purchase Agreement and also applied for license from the NERC. Even before this, there other steps they took to ensure they did not make any mistake.

“When we made up our mind to do this work, we approached NIPC on how investments were done in Nigeria. They gave us their guidelines and when they came for the road show in London in July we all went there and signed the $600 million investment with the Germans to bring solar power into Nigeria. We signed with a German Bank and LTI is at the centre of it.

They are the manufacturers of the equipment. They are not giving us the entire money. Most of it will come in terms of power equipment. We have the investment ready; we just need to get the regulatory agencies to give us the go ahead to start putting power into these areas. We have marked Adamawa as one place, Kebbi and Kano and we hope to put 100Mw in each of the three states and locations.

We have also finalised discussions with the state governors and earmarked the lands suitable for it. That is where we are now. The investment roundtable was organised to sensitise people and bring all the stakeholders together; including the regulatory agencies so that we can discuss the way forward. Many of the companies that are putting up solar power in the North, about 14 of them, have been given licenses on the Power Purchase Agreements. Interestingly, none of them is going to the North-east. We kept wondering why. They do not want the risks involved and people from there cannot run away from their homes. We are spearheading and pioneering this idea.

Incidentally, the irrigation, the sunshine effect in the Northeast is the highest in the country. Anybody who goes there must have a good return on investments and recoup the funds spent than anywhere else. The security issues to me are not a big problem because apart from the fact that I am from the military, I was born and schooled there. What people are seeing, I don’t see it. We were able to convince our partners to invest there.”

Retirement and Transition to Civilian Life The transition to civilian life, for General Aliyu, has been seamless. He had worked outside the country in the last five years.

He came in just last year. While outside, according to him, he was very busy in the Embassy of Nigeria in China and always into discussions with investors coming in to invest in Nigeria.

“Our mandate in the Embassy is to attract investors especially under the former President Goodluck Jonathan. What I did then and what I am doing now in my last four years of service while I was in Beijing is like a natural thing. I just went back to investment in military and non-military settings. Like I said, security these days is beyond the military. We have had investors in agriculture which I participated during the negotiation for loans in Power in Mambilla and Zungeru when the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was in charge. I also went round with the former Minister of Agriculture and the current President of African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina, looking for rice mills, cassava processing machines and all that. I was also with the Niger Delta Ministry looking at investors in the oil sector including in power; looking at the Gauge Dams and Hydro Power Plants.”

Where His Passion Lies…

The general says he derives so much joy doing what he is doing.

“My background is electrical engineering and power. As a young man, I had passion for power. Again, this investment in solar energy will bring value to our country, employing our teeming youths.

Aliyu

If you are going to install a 100Mw Solar Power plant, nothing less than 10,000 people will be employed directly and indirectly. The Solar Panels when laid, you can also cultivate vegetables under them.

It is an agriculture and power project. It is a very serious business. That is why I am very pleased with this government that has given NBET authority to sign Power Purchase Agreements in solar because the multiplier effect cannot be overemphasised. It is going to be in the areas that have been seemingly neglected in development; that is the Northern part of the country where you find abject poverty.

It will improve the lives of the people.

Apart from giving them power, the effects of employment and Corporate Social Responsibility will be very high. For the plant in Adamawa, we are setting up a research centre at the Federal University of Technology in Yola, which will train engineers in the centre. The Germans are also finalising arrangements on setting up a factory where they will assemble the Solar Panels and other equipment. We have three locations under consideration.

I wanted them to go to Yola but they said Yola, Bauchi or Abuja. We are yet to finalise on the site,” he stated.

To him, wherever it is going to be, it will be a factory that will provide employment for the youths, technicians on the field and also teach people what to do in the area. He believes this is a very serious issue that requires government encouragement.

The Solar Agreement He says government has signed with 14 companies for solar. He explains that while this agreement was going on in July, he and his team were pursuing the investment.

“We came in after the agreement has been signed. Now our own is about being signed, we have issues because this investment is premised on the Power Purchase Agreement. It is what guarantees the investors return on investment. If it is not signed, the investment will not materialise.”

Aliyu’s fears are premised on the fact that now that they are in the process of signing with NBET, the rules are shifting.

He says government is shifting the goal posts. He laments that there are obvious frustrations for some of the companies who were not part of the first 14. They are the second batch who has been stretched to a level beyond frustrations because new rules have emerged.

Aliu noted, “Now, NBET wants to bring

competitive bidding. They want to tell you that the money earmarked for off take has been exhausted; therefore the prices they are giving you per kilowatt will have to change. Incidentally, the North-east should be given a lot of incentives because the price you are buying cannot be less than what they are buying from other people.

If you are an investor and you are going to a disadvantaged area, you need to be encouraged; the price given to you should not be higher and not reduced either.”

To him, these are the frustrations that are manifesting. He says they have kept talking with them.

“We have seen the Minister of State Power and the Investment Promotions Council is assisting us to put the situation in proper perspective to the authorities that these people are actually taking a big risk, higher than any other group. Hopefully, before the end of the year they will listen and give us favourable consideration.”

Tackling a Nation’s Power Problem “The major problem facing Nigeria today is evacuating power from where it is produced to the transmission lines. We have already written formally for intent in stabilising the grids and Transmission Company of Nigeria has given the areas they are interested in the first phase.

I think TCN has issues with the laws establishing the organisation. They have restrictions on how to deal with the investors directly. Government should be able to let them have the opportunity to bring in Investors that will stabilise the power sector. Let them sign with TCN. In fact the first tranche of the investment they are bringing to Nigeria is about $9 billion US Dollars. To stabilise the grid around the Onitsha, North-east and Sokoto areas; building 330Kv lines as against the 132KV, some areas have 33 and they are required to build a parallel 330KV. It requires a lot of money and I don’t think our government has the money for that. They will the toll lines just like the Road Toll Gates.

In fact, we are talking and formal letters have gone from us to TCN, now awaiting favourable response. Unfortunately, during the meeting, they sent a very junior officer who could not provide the much needed answers and assurance. We need answers to some of the questions posed on why they are not talking about stabilising the grid which is the major issue every power producer has now. The TCN does not have enough lines to evacuate what is being produced.

In the solar power projects, one of the considerations is evacuation. Before you

The major problem facing Nigeria today is evacuating power from where it is produced to the transmission lines. We have already written formally for intent in stabilising the grids and Transmission Company of Nigeria has given the areas they are interested in the first phase. I think TCN has issues with the laws establishing the organisation. They have restrictions on how to deal with the investors directly.

Government should be able to let them have the opportunity to bring in Investors that will stabilise the power sector. Let them sign with TCN. In fact the first tranche of the investment they are bringing to Nigeria is about $9 billion US Dollars.

To stabilise the grid around the Onitsha, North-east and Sokoto areas; building 330Kv lines as against the 132KV, some areas have 33 and they are required to build a parallel 330KV. It requires a lot of money and I don’t think our government has the money for that are given a PPA license you must have your evacuation service authorised by the TCN. The problem most of them are facing now is that what they are producing cannot be taken by the grid. We are ready with the investment in transmission lines and hope TCN will take decisions as quickly as possible,” the general explained.

A Soldier’s Family, Complaints and Challenges General Aliyu believes a soldier’s family is always suffering. His first marriage crashed because of his life in the military and it had to do with constant postings.

“When you are trained as a soldier, you can be posted at short notice. That is the life of a soldier and you dare not complain. Unfortunately, my second wife also died after a brief illness. Our wives always suffer because of our absence and apparent engagement in national service.

The military man, whoever he is, as he grows in service must have the conflict in that area. There is no way you can serve in the army for 30 to 35 years without being involved in one conflict or the other that will certainly take you away from home.

Our families are always in suspense and suffer our absence. Many of us as junior officers did not know our kids until we came back from postings. I was in Liberia, Yugoslavia and some other places. All those absent days affected the family. Now, I am making amends to spend more time with them. I work from 9am to 6pm. I am at home after work. I don’t go out and my social life is not too much anymore.

If I did before as a young officer, I do not anymore. I can say I am an old man now.

I stay with the younger ones that were left behind. I have seven children from my marriages.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Elumelu Tony Elumelu : where forth at thou In this gloomy mood, my mind goes to this Nigerian. I hear he wants to spend $100m to train over N10, 000 young entrepreneurs under his Tony Elumelu Foundation. This is quite remarkable and must be commended. In these times when people are falling off Forbes list and landing on the Akpabio list, doing all they can do including artificially shoring up the share value of their holdings to remain on a list that is basically a PR nonsense, a true Nigerian is actually planning to spend his hard-earned money to help bring succour to the teeming jobless youths in the country. If you have not heard, unemployment has reached 13% amongst employable youths. My brother, I am still a youth, how do I apply. The other day, I was in the UBA building and I saw Oga arrive.

He was wearing a sparkling blue-fitted suit as he walked briskly into the foyer on his way to his office. I made to approach him to say well done baba and to ask how I can apply to be retrained but the look on his face made me respect myself. I greeted him and he acknowledged barely seeing me as he walked towards the elevators. I no fit vex o, that is a walking recession-proof Nigerian, I must to respect him o even if he knock me for head. My Lord, we are plenty in Shomolu awaiting the modalities for application, who do we speak to, kindly let us know as things are getting really rough here o my Lord.

Edgar Joseph: I am going into politics Finally, I feel Nigeria is now ripe for my kind of leadership. That said, I will like to officially announce to the world that I would be declaring my intention of joining partisan politics come January next year. The only thing that would delay my entry is if I fail to get a firm written commitment signed by the Inspector General of Police, the Chairman of the EFCC and the Director General of the DSS that throughout my political career and after, I would be granted immunity from arrest. You see, snake no dey enter prison. I cannot be detained because I will not come out alive even if it is for one hour. I have been assured that I will soon get the letters which would be part of the training manual of all personnel of these organisations and which they will all carry with them as they go along their duties, that no matter what I say or do, they won’t arrest me. Failure to get these letters will lead to Nigeria loosing the benefits of my true leadership which would be geared towards the sustainable development of our people both dead and alive.

Already, I have started consultations and have reached an advanced stage of being installed the Duke of Shomolu and would also be taking another chieftaincy title in Etinan, Akwa Ibom State come December. I would be eyeing the House of Representatives, representing either Etinan or Shomolu whichever one will agree to push my candidacy. You see, I have dual citizenship - Shomolu and Akwa Ibom. Why the House of Representatives? It is because they are plenty and they have good allowances like car, housing and mortgage. They also have good holiday packages and life pensions.

That was what my mum told me sha.

My people, this is a Nigerian’s version of obama’s audacity of hope. First time, house of reps, to Senate and from there, straight to the Presidency. So fellow Nigerians, the only problem is I have not decided which of the two parties I should join or if I should form a new party. If I go towards APC, who do I speak to, Asiwaju or Oyegun. If I veered towards PDP, I don’t even know who the Chairman is anymore. People, kindly send me a text recommending which of the two parties you guys think will better partner me in my quest of being the first Akwa IbomShomolu born President of our country. The jury is out.

Tinubu

Adamu Adamu, Education Minister

Recession: Can I Be Excused?

The Statistician General who is gradually becoming someone I don’t like has just released the latest figures and it is getting worse. The economy shrunk by another 2.24%.

My people at this rate won’t I just run away? Inflation at 18.5%, Naira hugging 470 to the dollar. These are definitely the worst of times for all Nigerians dead or living. I tell you, even the dead would be laughing at us, at least during their own austerity times they did not buy a bag of rice at a price of over N20, 000. This rain is really pouring O and from what we are seeing, the custodians of our economy are only escorting recession through the door, hoping that the thing at its own time would just pity us and leave us. I do not see any frontal purposeful attack on the problem despite the potential that we have in other sectors to change the wind. Seriously, with the continued dominance of oil revenue in our economy and the weak international prices, coupled with the instability in the Niger Delta, there is little or nothing the CBN with all its monetary policies and many

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu - ‘ I Stand by APC’ - Not True Aghhhhhhh baba, this is not what you told me when we met last at Ereko. You were not very happy with Oyegun and the perceived support he was getting from the people you single-handedly paid their school fees and eventually brought to the party. You swore to me that night as we drank kunu that you will get your pound of flesh and I remember very well that rain was falling and that traffic was really bad as we strolled along the Ereko waterside looking for where we will eat pepper soup. When we finally found a perfect point, we had a lengthy discussion on the Edo man’s place in national politics and your plans for the total annihilation of chicken pox amongst Lagos children. We spoke far into the night and I still remember just how passionate you spoke about Nigeria and your

MPC meetings can do. We need a healthy dose of fiscal policies to galvanise the real sector especially agriculture, entertainment, manufacturing, tourism and services to turn this tide. If this trend continues, Nigeria may be an economic basket case within the next 12 months.

At that point, it will not be only the DSS that would be released to chase the forex hoarders, the whole Army would be mobilised to the various markets to ensure that rice is not being sold for N1m per bag.

This is really sad, very very sad.

People are suffering, people are dying. This is not the Nigeria of our dreams. A once proud nation is now being so humiliated and gradually turning into a beggarly nation.

I am truly in tears as I write in darkness. No power, fuel is finished in the generator and mosquitoes are having a feast on my delicate skin in constant reminder of the poor situation we find ourselves.

Why wasn’t I even born during the colonial times? We need true and cohesive change my people. Make I keep quiet; I no get power, I no go fit cry.

plans of building a monolithic country where we will all speak the same language. Well, when the governor of Plateau state came out with the announcement of your ill health, I just laughed at his perceived ignorance.

Where on earth do you hear that the Jagaban; the immortal and great Jagaban who is even greater than the Anikulapo who claimed to have death in his poach can fall sick? He was just starting. Well, after reading this your statement very carefully and analysing it over a cup of garri and dry fish, sorry, I can no longer afford sugar so I drank it like that, I have come to the conclusion that this your latest statement is just to let these small children let down their guards before you strike. Me, I trust you well o, you will not disappoint me o, you will soon send a masterstroke that will shock everybody except me who really

Asuu President, Fagge understand your style and strategy. Kai, Baba you are the everlasting champion and anyone looking for your trouble will have himself to blame. Abi, didn’t they see how you made three governors all come down with dysentery at the same time leading to their not being able to make the Ondo APC rally. I just pity these people. By the way sir, I have submitted my CV to Demola Oshodi, your new assistant just in case you are looking for new godsons to replace Fayemi and Fashola. I come highly recommended. Waiting for your call. Thank you Sir. ASUU Strike: Action of the Ignorant This is what my friend, the great Obayagbon would call an imbecilic movement of gargantuan proportions carried out by proponents of Macedonic gragra in Lilliputian dosages. These lecturers are truly cavemen asking for the implementation of agreements reached in 2009, not taking into consideration the reality on the ground. I hesitated to label them cavemen for some of them lectured me.

But how else can you label a group of people so disconnected from the current goings on that they threaten to go on strike which itself is a caveman approach to resolving issues .

Can’t they see that we are in recession and that the revenues have dropped by over 50% and as such the government is cash-strapped?

Can’t they see that the need for government to release itself from funding tertiary Institutions and morphing more into a regulatory role is more than ever before becoming a possible reality? Where do they want the government to get monies to fund these demands?

Are their needs more cogent than those of the military facing mounting insurgency or the health sector or even manufacturing?

Please I have always said it, the government should privatise these universities and hands off. Let the private sector buy them up, pump in funds, develop curriculum, bring in technology, expand infrastructure so that the population of students will grow and that would in essence drop the fees and increase revenues leading to each institution catering for their staff instead of them lazily waiting for government to continue to spoon-feed them. I think the government should do what I did to my wife recently when I got home to announce that I was facing a possible 50% cut in my monthly salary due to the continuous crash in the stock market. And immediately I made that announcement, she reminded me that I should quickly pay for a new car before the cut comes. I just looked at her up and down and put on my earphones ignoring her chatter. These clowns should be ignored, when they tired, they will call off the strike and go back to school. Time for total government involvement in things like these is gone.

It’s over. Pata pata.

Bobrisky: An Introduction From feedback, most people that read this column have never heard of snap chat. You see, with the young, they always bring new things and when we older people struggle to catch up, they bring new ones. First it was Facebook and then Twitter and Instagram. As I struggled to catch up, they announced Snap chat, I just gave up. Well, from what I am hearing, snap chat has made a celebrity of one boy like that who I cannot really tell if he is a boy or a girl. I have been watching his videos all week and each time, the confusion gets worse. His skin is so light and I hear he used to be so dark; he has done a lot of cosmetic changes on his appearance that he now looks like a very beautiful girl. He claims to have a boyfriend he calls ‘bad’ who is said to fund his lavish lifestyle. He is now so popular.

What is this world turning into, this kind of thing I really don’t know what to say again o.

Make I just keep quiet and be watching this unfolding drama. The next thing now, we will start hearing gay rights. I weep.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

SPY GLASS

with Bayo Adeoye ....08054680651 attainments. Through precepts, talk and walk, he has shown that there is no other way to genuine success than persevering hard work, doggedness and tenacity.

Quietly without fanfare.

No doubt, his wealth of experience and organisational prudence have remained invaluable assets to the Sifax Group and the nation’s business terrain where is fast becoming a leading and shining light

Tongues Wag Over Toyin Lawani’s New Looks Indimi: Profile of a Strategist!

What is Mohammed Indimi, an oil magnate, and boss of Oriental Energy looking for this time around?

This is the question being asked in some quarters since the news broke that his son, Ahmed, is having a sizzling romance with beautiful Zhara, daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Since the emergence of her father as Nigeria’s President in 2015, all eyes have been on Zahra, who has been dogged by several controversies. Apart from her alleged reckless lifestyle, she has also been allegedly romantically linked with several state governors in the past.

But even in the face of this romantic tale, one is tempted to dig into the personae of Alhaji Indimi, the father of the young man whom Zhara has reportedly given her heart for keep. He is a family man, with about four wives and many children. He has many notable families as in-laws, including the Dantatas, the Dalhatus, the Mallamis and the Babangidas.

The Borno State born businessman, considered one of the richest in the country got the oil license that catapulted him into the league of billionaires in the country when the former was the military President.

It will be recalled that the late Military ruler, Gen. Sanni Abacha and ex-Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, had rebuffed attempts by him to be their in-law.

While Mrs. Abacha reportedly rejected Rahama Indimi as wife to her son, Mohammed, Atiku stopped the marriage proposal between his son, Adamu and Ameena, a.k.a. Ya Kaka.

Now, Indimi’s strategy to constantly remain relevant, as it is alleged by some observers, is paying off, as his handsome son is planning to marry one of the daughters of the number one citizen in Nigeria.

Expectedly, news like this calls for celebration, especially among friends and family, but the proposed wedding has also generated some questions, albeit in huºshed tones.

Taiwo Afolabi’s Abandoned Project Gets Facelift

At last, prominent businessman, Taiwo Afolabi, CEO, The Sifax Group, has commenced work on his upscale hotel, Marriott Hotels and Resort in the GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

Until recently, the successful businessman had abandoned the project for reasons not known to many, after he had secured the franchise of the world-class hotel.

Since the commencement of work on the proposed five-star hotel, many have been asking why it took the shipping magnate many years before giving it any attention again.

Interestingly, in the thinking of some others, Afolabi probably rushed to commence work on the hitherto abandoned project due to what they described as the fear of revocation of the franchise.

Afolabi, 53, is a well-trained professional with over 20 years experience in the maritime and shipping industry.

A phenomenal personality and exceptional achiever his drive, dreams and determination are a veritable case study for those who truly desire to break limits in the quest for superlative

Today, Toyin Lawani is one of the leading lights in the nation’s fashion and beauty business.

She started out quite early in life as an entrepreneur and employer of labour.

Indeed, a cursory look at her impressive resume gives her away as someone who is endowed with some uncommon abilities.

In the past years, she has continued to impress it on all that she is very industrious; and she has so far proven her mettle in the business world.

However, she seems to be setting tongues wagging due to her current looks. Those who have seen her lately confirmed to Spyglass that the fashionista is wearing a rather strange look. She is said to be unusually slimmer. In fact, a source hinted that one would need to get very close to her before one could recognise her.

Maybe she will someday come out to allay the fears of her fans about her current health status, even though some claimed that she might be on some diet.

Orji Uzoh Kalu’s Bold Step

Not many saw it coming. But the news of the defection of Dr. Orji Uzoh Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, did not come as a big surprise to many informed watchers of politics in Nigeria.

But what one may not understand is the frenzy it has generated in some quarters, particularly from those who have been questioning the rationale. But his loyalists maintain that Kalu’s political influence was enormous and his larger-than-life image simply out of this world.

While trying to rationalise this move, some of his fans hinted that the development took its root the very day President Muhammadu Buhari became the flag-bearer of the APC. They added that many had underestimated his closeness to Buhari. In fact, they are quick to make reference to the day when Kalu, as a governor in 2003, conferred Buhari with a honorary Doctorate degree at the Abia State University as well as when Buhari was honoured with a traditional title of Ugwu Agu (King of Lion) in his home town.

Also, according to his loyalists, when the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA was launched in Abuja 2006 by Kalu, the exmilitary ruler was a special guest of honour on the occasion where he described Kalu as a detribalised politician.

The source revealed further that Kalu, while attending a campaign rally for Buhari in 2011, had told the world that Nigeria needed Buhari more than he needed the country. This, we gathered, shocked everybody, including the then president, Goodluck Jonathan.

One of the sources hinted further that many were not aware that it was actually the businessman who brokered peace between the President and the former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s, in his Igbere hometown some years back.

Spy Glass also learnt that his defection had been predicted since 2015 when his brothers , Hon. Nnanna Uzor Kalu and ex-Chief of Staff to Governor Theodore Orji,

Mr. Mascot Uzor Kalu, were led by their mother, Eunice Uzor Kalu, to defect to the party in April 2015, shortly after Buhari won the presidential election. At the defection rally, she was said to have predicted that the former governor would soon join the party. So, could he simply be fulfilling the promise of his mother?

It is a fact that Kalu’s success story, in the past is attributed to hard work, dedication, perseverance and goodwill. His influence and power spread beyond the shores of this country.

Over the years, he has been an evolving phenomenon in every aspect of life. Or how else can one describe this man who still remains relevant many years after leaving office as the number one citizen of Abia State?

Charles O’tudor’s Travails

Though he has been off the scene for some time, the name Charles O’tudor is synonymous with advertising and marketing communications.

He once created an impression in brand management in Nigeria. As a brand strategist, many brands had beaten a path to his door. His emergence was like a bolt out of the blues; everything about his brandAdstrat- was attention- grabbing. He was the toast of many during the advent of GSM companies in Nigeria; and he made waves in branding, positioning and rebranding of many companies in Nigeria, especially financial institutions. Indeed, he was one of the brains behind the now popular Calabar Carnival. For his efforts, he had wined and dined with the big players at the height of his reign.

But suddenly, he lost his steam, thereby setting many tongues wagging about his whereabouts. After a long hiatus, mother luck, again, smiled on him when he was engaged by former Governor, Liyel Imoke, as his brand strategist during his electioneering campaign. After the election, the tall and handsome man won the bid to brand his home state, using the power of advertising.

O’tudor, as gathered by Spyglass, came back to Lagos to stage a major comeback to what he knows how to do best. But the renowned strategist has been finding things difficult, as the industry seems to have moved far away from when he left it.

It was gathered that his effort to re-launch himself has met a brick wall and this has been his major headache.

It was gathered that he had packaged different projects in recent times, but he has not got any sponsorship.

O’Tudor began his career in advertising and branding at Shops Bankole Sagie Advertising, where he had a threeyear stint as Advert Executive. He was Deputy Manager, Explicit Communications (where he managed Multinational Accounts) before moving to Solutions as Client Services Manager. In 2001, he founded ADSTRAT BMC, where he has been Principal Consultant till date.

Senator Solomon Adeola’s Headache

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, aka Yayi, representing Lagos West Senatorial District, has proved to be a man driven by reasonable ambitions. He is an incurable dreamer. Luckily, most of his dreams have come true, as evidenced by his current position.

But it seems the Senator’s dream of clinching the number one job in Ogun State may not be a walk-over. Yes, many are aware of his financial muscle, but the odds against him are literally mountainous.

Spy Glass gathered that his closeness to a former Lagos State governor and All Progressives Congress ( APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, may constitute a boulder to actualising his dream. Many of the state’s top politicians who are not too loyal to Tinubu and regarded as his

godfather, consider his ambition as a major slap on them, given that he is considered as a Lagos breed politician.

Besides, it was gathered that the people of his immediate constituency in Yewa are opposed to his ambition because he is seen as a Lagos politician who, according to them, has lost touch with his roots.

Spy Glass also learnt that the incumbent governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun, whose tenure ends in 2019, has a preference for another candidate in the state; and it is alleged that he may use the power of incumbency in Nigeria’s politics to swing the political pendulum towards his preferred candidate come.

In spite of the seeming odds, Adeola believes he can serve his people better in a more elevated position, politically. Perhaps, this explains why he is reportedly nursing the dream of becoming the number one citizen of Ogun State come 2019.

A source hinted that there have been serious consultations among the people who matter across the state towards the actualisation of this dream. In fact, the return of a former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, to the APC is described as an orchestrated step to propping up the political ambition of Adeola in the state.

AA Oil boss, Aliyu Abubaka goes underground

Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar, boss of AA Oil Limited was regarded as one of the biggest and most powerful men in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. His profile came to the fore when he came out to claim the ownership of an imposing edifice that sits majestically on Gana Street, adjacent Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Maitama District of Abuja. Prior to that, the ownership of the building was shrouded in mystery.

But since the mystery surrounding the ownership was resolved, many have also wondered where the money for such majestic building came from. But in response to that question, the Kogi State billionaire has shown to his traducers that he is actually a businessman that has fully paid his dues in the Nigerian business climate. The businessman also denied the rumour that he was indeed fronting for some government officials and state governors.

Also, the successful businessman claimed that he had been in the limelight long before he acquired the land on which the architectural masterpiece was built. It was also gathered that the land cost over a billion naira in 2005. Aside from this, he also reportedly made good fortunes from property business and building technology. Aliyu’s business empire includes oil and gas, real estate, telecommunications and many others.

However, it should be noted that the man has for some time now gone underground. It was gathered that he ran into troubled waters when the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria , AMCOM seized his property, including the imposing mansion and many other choice properties scattered around Abuja, after an Abuja High Court ruling against him. The debt was part of the nonperforming loans that AMCON bought over from ailing financial institutions and other businesses.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Tosin Clegg

07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

TOYOSI PHILLIPS

I Would Have Died Without Living the Life God Intended for Me It’s not easy to leave your comfort zone on a quest to fulfill a dream, particularly one that is not guaranteed to come true. TV personality and producer, Toyosi Phillips, did just that. She speaks with Tosin Clegg about her career, education and life

I

I was born and raised in Lagos was born and raised in Lagos. My primary education was at Corona, Victoria Island. My secondary education was at Queens College, Yaba Lagos. First and Master’s degree were from Bowen University and University of Nottingham respectively and then I got a diploma in Broadcast Journalism and Producing from New York Film Academy.

Growing up was fun If I’d known being an adult was such hard work, I’d have begged to stay a child for longer but I have amazing memories of growing up; going to my paternal grandpa’s house every day after school and playing with my cousins and then going to my maternal grandma’s house, attending church with her and singing and praying in Yoruba. Growing up was fun! I love the diversity I had.

Getting into TV I think it was inevitable for me. If I didn’t get into the media, I would have died without living the life God has intended for me. I’m grateful for every experience I had before going into media but this is it for me.

I’d have to say the major challenge for me was upping and quitting my 9–5 My major challenge was quitting my 9 – 5 job. Then moving to a city where I only knew one person. But because I didn’t go alone- I moved round with an army even though you can’t see them and later things fell into place. So every experience, every event from that moment till now is a success story.

Being Production Manager on Gidi One minute I’m asking for advice on setting up a production company and getting work done, the next minute I’m being offered the job and being thrown straight into the deep having less nights and days.

I wanted to pull my hair out but that’s production- the unglamorous side that the viewers don’t see.

About Philanthropy I don’t think I want to call it the phi-

lanthropist side, it still falls under me just living with purpose. I lost my dad to complications due to sickle cell anemia and I’ve tried to help as many people living with sickle cell anemia through the Taiwo Olawale Phillips Endowment Fund. To be honest, I’ve not done a proper launch because I’m still trying to decide what exactly I’m doing with it. Right now, I just know that more awareness needs to be created because there’s no reason why in 2016, people don’t know their genotypes and people are still giving birth to children with sickle cell anemia. It’s a 100% avoidable condition if only people knew their genotypes and not get married if their genotypes are not compatible. Do not bring a child to this world to suffer!! Know your genotype!! Prevent the pain!!!

Expectations for my career I heard someone say, “I expect to blow” when she was asked that question. It’s such an easy answer but no, I expect to give every opportunity that comes my way my best so that there are no regrets and there’s none. I wish I had taken that more seriously. I’ll be giving my all to every task I create or I am giving and I’ll leave the rest to the laws of sowing and reaping.

Other media brands and career path I have my vlog, “As Toyo Sees” where I talk about different social, entertainment and personal issues. You can watch that on YouTube.

I also write occasionally and have my articles published on my personal blog on toyosiphillips.com and also on bellanaija. com. I’ve written for Genevieve Magazine and Glam Africa as well.

I talked about setting up a production company earlier, so yes I’m more focused on producing content for TV but I’m open to the idea of doing other things even if it’s for a short period.

I might take up a weekend-only radio gig just to have some solid radio experience because you never know, I may decide to set up a radio station in future. I might also spend time/work in a publishing house just to get the magazine/newspaper publishing experience. The truth is I believe in trying everything you’re interested in at least once. I mean, why not?

Phillips

Producing movies The script for my first movie is already being written and I’ll talk about that more at the right time.

I have many role models You see I’m a gleaner. So I glean from all sorts of people and all sorts of places.

Oprah of course is a role model and so are Shonda Rhimes, Ava Duvernay, Betty Irabor, Bose Oshin, Mildred Okwo, Uche Pedro, Genevieve Nnaji, Tope Oshin…

These women are consistency personified.

In five years All the projects I’m working on now should be popping and I should be collaborating with other heavy weights on new and exciting content that everyone

would love.

My Celebrity Crush I’ve talked about a crush before so I’d rather not talk about it again so it doesn’t become a thing but God bless everybody!

People I would love to work with All those people I listed as role models and honestly anyone in production who has been consistent and is making a mark in whatever industry they’ve found themselves.

What makes me different?

My personality, my lifestyle, my faith.

Everything that makes me, makes me different. Lastly, I would say giving up my auditing job was worth it, absolutely!

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

SHOWBIZFLAIR

MY STORY MINJIN WANTS YOU TO BOOGIE A party is not complete without songs and for Minjin, it’s not just about having songs. It’s about having songs that will make you ‘Boogie’.

That’s the new single he has released for those who know how to party. The new track ‘Boogie’ was released under Swaga Records. It was produced by Chillings.

The track is mixed and mastered by Suka Sounds.

Minjin gives us something unique with this track and it is sure going to be a jam that will set the clubs and parties on fire.

Minjin made his way into the industry after winning a series of music competitions that prepared him for what is to come. During the year, Minjin dropped ‘Jare. His new song ‘Boogie’ is a follow up to that. With its captivating beat, and enchanting lyrics, ‘Boogie’ is sure to get fans dancing into the New Year.

NAMSA LEUBA SHOWCASES ETHNOMODERN Ethnomodern, a solo exhibition by Swiss-Guinean artist, Namsa Leuba has opened at Art Twenty One in Lagos. The exhibition opened to wonderful reviews and drew a unique audience. Nigeria’s creatives from fashion, art, photography and the like mixed with art buyers, curatorsandcollectors,welcoming Namsa Leuba’s work to our city.

Namsa is regarded as a rising star in the world of art and, like many, draws inspiration from her multi-cultured history. Ethnomdodernisashowingofallof Namsa’sworktodateincluding NGL (Next Generation Lagos) whichfeaturesNigerianfashion designers I.AM.ISIGO, Tzar Studios, Tokyo James and Re Bahia among others explores the innovation and creativity of Nigeria’s youth culture.Ya Kala Ben, explores ritual artifacts and statuettes common to Guinean

WAPTV NOW AVAILABLE ON DSTV AND GOTV Nigeria’s favourite family entertainment channel once again expanded its extensive network on November 1, 2016; as the multiple-award-winning wapTV is now available on DStv Channel 262 and GOtv Channel 102.

The Managing Director of wapTV, Wole Adenuga, had this to say: “We are excited at the many opportunities that come with this partnership between Wale Adenuga Productions and Multichoice. While this expansion would multiply the number of eyeballs being reached by our advertisers, ultimately, the major beneficiaries are the millions of DStv and GOtv subscribers all over Africa who can now enjoy wapTV’s hilarious Presenters and Characters; as well as all the top-quality family entertainment programmes by Wale Adenuga Productions and several

other esteemed TV content producers.”

Since it commenced broadcast on October 1, 2012 as the first pidgin TV channelinNigeria,wapTVhasquickly become one of the most watched cable channels across the country; winning numerous prestigious awards including “Best Entertainment Channel of 2016” at the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA), “Favourite Entertainment TV Channel of 2015” at theAll Youth TUSHAwards, “Outstanding Entertainment TV Content of 2014” at the Classic Africa Merit Award, and several others.

Withthisnewpartnership,wapTV’s Network of Cable TV Platforms now consists of DStv Channel 262, StarTimes Channel 116, GOtv Channel 102, Consat Channel 812, StarSat Channel 189 and MyTV.

ceremonies. The Kingdom of Mountains, Khoisan and Zulu Kids series, all three created in South Africa in 2014, explore the mixing and hybridization of cultures. Cocktail, a foray in fashion photography, created for WAD Magazine, comments on the mythological culture of Africa.

The African Queens, which was created for New York Magazine, explores the representation of the African queen as a hero, prophet and warrior and Tonkoma, created for Bono of U2’s fashion label Edun, and King, produced for Christian Lacroix, are both further foray into the world of fashion which combine masks, jewelry, fabrics and statues inspired by notions of power, strength and nobility.

Ethnomodern atArt Twenty One Lagos, which is located at Eko Hotel, will be open until January 10th, 2017.

ADEDAMOLA EDUN

My Brand Will Go Global

Adedamola Edun is into showbiz and media. He has worked with heavy weights like Wizkid, Ice Prince, CDQ, Kiss Daniel and more. In this chat with Tosin Clegg, he talks about

T

ell us about the ‘Simple Brand’?

My name is Adedamola Edun, publisher of simple magazine, talent manager, PR manager, Social Media Influencer, Showbiz Promoter and multimedia entrepreneur. Simple is an entertainment and lifestyle magazine that focuses on the simple (but seemingly complex) aspects of the buzzing goings on of youths and young adults.

From areas such as music (which is mainstream) to film, fashion & style, hustle. It is these simple parts of our social life that buds and fuses to the extravagant achievements we achieve. So we believe in making it plain and simple.

Give us a list of celebrities you have featured and worked with

We’ve worked with numerous A-list celebrities who are doing great things in the likes Ice Prince, Patoranking, Kiss Daniel, Wizkid, Davido, May D, Unlimited LA, CDQ, Sexy Steel, Koker, Dayo Amusa, Young John, Dj Consequence, Iyabo Ojo, Dj Spicey, Mr Kay, Pretty Mike, Reekado Banks, Reminisce amongst others.

Can you give us a snippet of the latest edition?

We have some amazing and exclusive features in this edition. We have an exclusive with the director of the first full English movie in Nollywood; Tarila Thompson about his massive movie project, “In the Creek and the global concert for the same movie. We also have thespian, Iyabo Ojo and one of the top show promoter in United Kingdom, Tunde Adu to mention a few. Now the lips are sealed, anticipate the release.

Where do you see your brand in the next five years?

I see the brand becoming a global brand soon.

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

TRAVEL&LEISURE

by OMOLOLA ITAYEMI omolola.itayemi@thisdaylive.com 08054699602

Adamu: Copa Lagos is Next Big Thing in Tourism

Samson Adamu is a director at Kinetic Sport Management and the Founder of Copa Lagos– an annual international beach tournament that takes place in Lagos. Adamu who studied at De Montfort University, Leicester, England is also one of a few Nigerians holding a Sports/FIFA Master’s degree. His passion for turning beach soccer into a household sport gave rise to Copa Lagos. He speaks with Omolola Itayemi about what to expect at this year’s edition and the need to take the sport to a higher level

Y

our company has been organizing the COPA Lagos for six years now. How did you come up with the idea, what is it about and when is it?

It’s a combination of a lot of things, a combination of my personal and professional background and what I do like personally as a hobby. I attended a university in Paris, I did a sports masters with FIFA and like any Nigerian kid, I’ve loved football from childhood. For me, studying business administration in school and wanting to combine what I did like and what I did study was a no brainer on coming back to Nigeria. Traditional football is saturated by a lot of things so I tried to be innovative with what I could do. I personally love the beach, that’s where I go to relax and find peace, apart from my Bible. So I thought beach soccer would be interesting. l researched what beach soccer was and how I could transform it into a business.

During my research, I found out it’s great, its a new sport and wasn’t that present in Africa but i realised that with bringing something new into Africa you need to do more than just beach soccer, so I thought, what period is best to hold this competition, which is why it’s done in December during the festive season. I also realised Nigerians love fashion and music, so I had to find a way to incorporate all that with everything under one umbrella. That’s what you get in COPA Lagos.

That’s the DNA of the event.

The 2016 edition of the annual global beach soccer tournament, COPA Lagos, organized by Kinetic Sports will hold on 11th December at Eko Atlantic City.

This year’s event will feature three matches namely, the Club Challenge between Enyimba FC and the Pepsi Football Academy, a Celebrity Match between Super Eagles Ex Internationals and popular Nigerian celebrities. The final game will be between the Nigerian beach soccer team, the Super Sand Eagles and the National beach soccer team of Switzerland, led by Dejan Stankovic, 2016’s beach top soccer scorer in the world, with 63 goals in 28 matches.

What were your goals for COPA Lagos at the beginning, and would you say that those objectives are being realized?

Ans: Absolutely! It’s way beyond my expectations in terms of what we planned. Since its inception in 2011, COPA Lagos has moved from being the first ever international beach soccer event in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to being a prominent sporting event in the region.

This is a testament to the fact that we are doing something good. But what is important is it is a business and we have a business plan for ten years and part of the plan when we started then was after five years, we should be able to host Africa beach Soccer Cup of Nations in Nigeria and this is coming at the 6th year. The plan also is that in the tenth year, we should be in a very good position to organise FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and before that time, in the sixth year we will be able to start a viable Beach Soccer league in Nigeria and you can see from when we started two years ago by having a Club Challenge which is a new thing we added to COPALAGOS. We have the traditional football clubs like the Enyimba, Stationery Stores and other local leagyes have all played here. Part of the plan is for them to be exposed to beach soccer and play international clubs like FC Barcelona. We created that platform and now we have five to six soccer clubs, so it’s easier to start a league because we have the clubs.

that this is happening this year, it will not make sense to do three days of Copa Lagos and do a week of CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations, it will be too long and too much. So we have chosen one day for COPA LAGOS which is on the eve of CAF Beach Soccer Cup, sort of as a kick-off and a test. It is also helping the national team to prepare for the competition because the CAF competition is basically the African Cup for beach soccer. The team that wins it becomes the African champion and they also go to represent Africa at FIFA Beach Soccer Qualifier.

Sport is entertainment, a competitive activity but also entertainment for people at a certain time of the year. We also promote tourism. There is a huge movement that has been gathering serious momentum from inception. We have COPA LAGOS happening at the worst time economically in Nigeria and we are still getting sponsors, big ones like FCMB and Pepsi. It shows that there is something special in what we are doing and because more than ever, we have to move from one source of revenue to another. Tourism is the next big thing we are looking at for the country and COPA LAGOS falls right in that space bringing entertainment, sports, fashion, food, celebrities all under one roof.

Aside the main event, which is beach soccer competition, you have also added several other activities like a concert, a fashion show, an after party, a beach cleaning exercise, football clinic for kids and a cheerleading competition. Why the expansion?

This year’s edition of the tournament will be more exciting than the previous ones as organisers have diversified its scope beyond beach soccer games to include an experiential event for all participants and attendees amidst the multi-faceted activities to be enjoyed. The multi-dimensional focus was as a result of Kinetic Sports management’s desire to showcase and support the ever-increasing Nigerian music and entertainment Industry.

Should we expect these activities for the 2016 edition?

But, of course. As a prelude to COPA Lagos, Kinetic Sports has also lined up several interesting activities including a CSR event, tagged “Clean the Beach”, which is aimed at conserving the beach, encouraging cleanliness in the environment and preserving marine life. The exercise will involve over 200 people, including football players, sta, sponsors and other volunteers.

A Beach Soccer Kids Clinic is part of the CSR activities of our event which is in line with what beach soccer foundation international is doing.

The kids clinic is not something we privatise too much because its an opportunity to give kids from marginalised backgrounds to have a really good day. We are not trying to get professionals.

For this year’s fashion show, what should we expect, and who are the major designers?

Adamu

It’s a training and mentorship programme for kids in Lagos Stathe. The initiative will bring together over 150 kids between the ages of 8 and 14 years to the beach to play football with Beach Soccer Stars and Celebrity Players acting as coaches and will teach them the importance of sports for mental development and education.

The exercise is in partnership with the Lagos State Sports Commission who will bring the kids from various schools in Lagos State.

On Cheerleading Competition - this is the first time we are doing this. We are bringing European cheerleaders because they are professionals, so it’s good to show people how best it’s done. What we are trying to do this year is to do a competition where the European girls can train and possibly dance with the local dancers.

Previous editions of COPA Lagos have held over a three-day period, but we learnt that this year’s edition will be for a day. Why the change, and how do you intend to cram all these activities into one day?

So, its a great problem for us and like I told you earlier, part of the plan from inception is to host Africa Cup of Nations Beach Soccer. Now

We are doing something different this year for the fashion show. The slogan for COPALAGOS is its a lifestyle. The intent for the fashion show is to promote beach culture. This year as opposed to having different designers with different collection on the beach, we are having one beach show with different designers completing a whole outfit including accessories. Major designers include Kinabuti, Dapmode eyewear

Let’s talk a bit about the designs. Any specific criteria for the designers – will the show be Nigerian-themed or a mixture of local and international?

In the past we had local designers on the international scene but this year we are pushing made in Nigeria and supporting everything Nigerian.

So all designers are local-based.

What about the concert and after-party, who will be performing?

For the after-party, we have the Guinness record holder, DJ Obi and top musicians.Also celebrities will be present to add colour to the day.

What does a concert like the one you are organizing at this year’s COPA Lagos mean for the Nigerian entertainment industry?

I think for me personally, it is a fantastic example of what the entertainment industry should look like. It successfully combines entertainment into one pot. It’s a melting pot of activities that covers fashion, sports, food, music and others. We have celebrity matches where sports meet entertainment seamlessly to the delight of the audience.

JUMIA Travel Celebrates Three Years Jumia Travel Nigeria recently celebrated its 3rd year of doing business in the country and also marked the second edition of its awards ceremony at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island. A total of 28 Lagos hotels got awards under five categories - Customer Choice, Best Partner Hotel, Best Hotel Partner, Booking Award, and Rising Star Award.

Managing Director, Jumia Travel Nigeria, Mr. Kushal Dutta, while explaining the rationale for the awards said: “These hotel awards celebrate greatest achievements and relationships that not only set the awardees apart, but also strive to create better service and experience for the guests. The objective is to appreciate outstanding performers while creating a dynamic platform for players to meet and interact.”

Speaking on the performance of the company in the last 11 months, Dutta stated that investment in world-class technology that had improved customers’ experience on the company’s portal had been one of the greatest

achievements recorded so far.

He made reference to the Web Progressive App (WPA) technology developed by the company which makes customers spend less time searching their hotels of choice. The technology, according to him, was showcased by Google at the Web Development event recently.

“Our monthly traffic grew from 93,000 to 650,000 making Jumia Travel the largest online travel agency in the country.” he said.

“In the last three years, Jumia Travel has provided an online platform for local hotels, ensuring that both small boutique properties as well as privately owned residences can now enjoy fair display and online presence as with global chains and renowned brands.

“Paving and supporting the digitization process of hotels and the adoption of eCommerce has also been at the forefront of objectives set by the company, with 50% of its hotel partners making their online debut via the platform.

“Among innovative solutions launched by

Jumia Travel include WEX virtual payment (a solution which allows hotels to easily receive payment from guests), various mobile-based payments, progressive web extranet, Live Chat, local languages and around-the-clock customer service.”

This year marked the third anniversary of Jumia Travel, and the second edition of the company sponsored awards. The event also marks the launch of the ongoing legendary Black Friday sale, which as Kushal explains, comes early this year, to ensure travelers are able to make their holiday bookings without the last minute rush.

Some of the winners of the Customer Choice Award included, Ikoyi Fairview Apartments; Apartment Royale Hotel & Suites; Jeromes Gardens & Suites; Bluespring Hotel; and Epe Resort. Winners of other categories included Ibis Hotel Ikeja; Park Inn by Radisson; Fahrenheit Loft; Eko Hotel & Suites; and Cumberland Hotel.

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES BY

Fixed: Brother’s Keeper

F

rom DAILY Sun Editorial first paragraph of November 14 come these opening blunders: “One of the problems besetting the Nigerian oil sector is the refining of petroleum products

by International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the country without investing the money into (in) developing the sector. But, the Federal Government has warned the oil majors to stop such practice (a practice)….” “…who are actually the nerve wire (livewire) of any government.”

“Trump: a wakeup (wake-up) call for Africa” “Senators back EFCC’s retention of 2% recovered loots” Voice of The Nation: ‘loot’ is uncountable.

“Revenue generating (Revenue-generating) agencies stink” “Can we begin to have confidence on (in) INEC?” “Some of these areas include producing enough food to feed our teaming (teeming) population.”

“Rather, the money, including the N200 million per state released for special purposes, was diverted to other uses.” We certainly do not need the last three words in the extract, having been taken care of by ‘diversion’.

“Unless the detonating mechanism of extremist religious chauvinism is diffused….”

Get it right: defused (not diffused).

“They have decided to sheath their machetes and seek vengeance no more.” Noun: sheath; verb: sheathe.

THISDAY of August 28 requires reformation of four lines: “The sources of revenue in a city like Lagos is very important.” Still on errors of

attraction (more below): The sources… are. “…business downturn resulting to (in) drive-wandering.” “…the rapaciousness of project contractors increase (increases) the country’s debt burden.”

“Senior civil servants’ union berate junior counterparts” Inside business: union berates.

THE GUARDIAN of August 28 questioned linguistic rules on two occasions: “It’s the poet feared most, knowing fully (full) well that one of the….”

“The agitated crowd, who had been whipped to hysteria, demanded for his head.…” To avoid mayhem, delete ‘for’ from the extract. ”…and which provides a noble and humanistic framework for relations between the state and citizens in (on) our continent.”

“But in the welter of these realignment of forces…” Re-thinking development: this realignment of forces.

VANGUARD of August 28 circulated three goofs: “The fear along the room and corridor (corridors) of power of a sovereign national conference.…”

“It is not in doubt that most of the commuters in the luxurious (luxury) buses that ply.…” “…Aba traders constitute a large proportion of the passengers on commercial aircrafts (aircraft) that fly....”

“Major reorganization of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), which may lead to mass retirement and sack of its men and officers, now looms.” Get it right: a major reorganization or major reorganizations, as context demands.

“One of the most outrageous abuses occured.…” Spelling in the lurch: occur, occurrence, occurred.

“I do not buy the argument that the advent of electronic mails and network computers

have rendered postal services obsolete.” Not yet time for structural proximity: the advent of electronic mails and network computers has (not have).

“In doing this, however, he must be faithful to the mandate of the ECOWAS Heads of Government under whose platform he operates.” Agenda: on (not under) whose platform he operates “As Nigerian editors converge in (on) Katsina for their 10th Annual Meeting.…”

“A government white paper on the demonstration….” Sheer abuse of words! ‘White paper’ is a report issued by government to give information. Let’s respect words. After all, reporting is all about telegraphic brevity.

“UNN students union honour vice chancellor” What is happening? Sub-editors of these days show traces of illiteracy! This way: UNN students’ union honours VC “The fact that some people eat food that does nothing for their physical well-being put them in the class of the poor.” The fact…puts.

“The richer nations who (sic) have more than enough should in this moment of great need and expectation by the poor masses (the masses are basically poor) be their brothers’ keepers.” Standard sociolinguistics: ‘brother’s keeper’—whether one or more.

“Any further discourse on it, some might say, amounts to nothing but over-flogging a dad horse.” You flog, not over-flog, a dead horse, talking idiomatically.

“Like few (a few in this context) years ago, a life cow was allegedly buried….” ‘Life cow’ in place of ‘live cow’ portrays sub-literacy.

“Opponents of private universities claim that they will aggravate the unemployment problem in the country.” ‘Unemployment’ is certainly a problem—so, why worsen it by adding another ‘problem’?

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“Denmark has just played an historic role in….” ‘An historic role’ is the type of expression Ndaeyo Uko calls Elizabethan English!

Current syntactic trend: ‘a historic.…’

“One of the enduring concerns at the workshop concerned the role and orientation of the military with regards to our democratic aspirations.” Received English: ‘as regards’ or ‘with regard to’ “…the two ethnic rivals are now creating the impression that they are about to re-open (no hyphen) their old wounds and embark on another round of strive (strife).”

“They have in most cases remained willing collaborators in the de-politicization of the political system by acquiescing to virtually all the issues….” Get it right: acquiesce in (not to).

“And the neglect of such costs lead to political and economic imbalance that create disequilibria in the larger society.“ The two verbs in this sentence (‘lead’ and ‘create’) demand singular usage to agree with ‘neglect’ and ‘imbalance.’

“The criteria for the choice of candidates was based on partisan political loyalties and ethnic considerations.” The plural of ‘criterion’ is ‘criteria’.

“NSE parleys foreign stock exchange” ‘Parley’ takes ‘with’, if it must be used in this sense at all.

By the way, is it not amazing that some Nigerian sub-editors do not know what they ‘N’ in ‘NUJ’ represents? It is Nigeria (not Nigerian) Union of Journalists. One keeps coming across the unpardonable error in reputable newspapers and magazines.

“All Nigerian Editors Conference Katsina 2014” Editing editors: All-Nigeria Editors’ Conference Katsina 2014.

Obasanjo: Is the Honeymoon over for Buhari?

T

he front page picture on the October 11, 2016 edition of THISDAY Newspaper had an interesting caption.

The phrase ‘Habitual Visitor’ headlined the image showing two Presidents of Nigeria: an ex and the incumbent. Former president Olusegun Obasanjo had the day before paid a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, one of several in the last one year since the latter moved into the presidential villa on June 21, 2015. The striking import of the picture’s caption could not have been lost as it simply conveyed the point that the ex leader had become a recurring visitor to the villa he bestrode like a colossus for eight years (1999-2007).

The more significant message especially for students of political communication was that of substantial mutual confidence between a president and a predecessor. Simply put, President Obasanjo had the ears of President Buhari.

One month later however, the narrative appears to have changed.

Reports from a November 23, 2016 event which featured Obasanjo as guest speaker betrayed what could be a crack in the supposed chummy relationship between both men. Newspaper headlines the next day were salacious. Here is a sample: ‘Obasanjo to Buhari: Stop the Excuses, Nigeria Needs Results-oriented Policies,’ ThisDay read. For the usually conservative Guardian, the headline was no less inviting- ‘Obasanjo decries Buhari’s ad-hoc approach to governance’ while the Sun in its usual sensational tabloid fashion screamed: ‘Stop excuses, clear mess, Obasanjo tells Buhari.’Although Daily Trust, the preferred choice of the northern establishment adopted a less dramatic front page headline- ‘Obasanjo Opposes Buhari’s $30bn Loan Plan’ – it could not help but shore up the rather bland banner with a caricature illustration of the former president to attract attention. The Punch simply screamed on the strip atop its masthead: ‘Obasanjo attacks Buhari.’ Such offer on the news stable of November 24 was enough tell-tale signs that things have begun to fall apart between Obasanjo and Buhari.And the centre may not hold for much longer.

Last Wednesday’s tirade follows a pattern of Obasanjo’s wars of attrition waged with friends-turned-foes in the past. Such subtle nudges and knocks get to escalate into direct open rebukes and then ascend a crescendo of letter-writing.And somewhere in-between, a dinner table of delicious bowls of pounded yam and sizzling egusi soup is shared with the unsuspecting foe to bait him into a waiting trap. (Readers may wish to ask MinisterAudu Ogbeh for details of this deceitful format.)And if things get really messy, the nation is then treated to the dramatic climax of public shredding of membership cards. (Fortunately, the much known to the public is that Obasanjo was only awarded the nebulous appellation of ‘navigator’ of the then crusadingAll Progressives Congress (APC), a party now struggling with its intractable contradictions.) Even though there may be no political party cards to tear in Ota in the build-up to 2019, one cannot put anything past the Olowu of Owu whose inexhaustible capacity for theatrics has entertained the nation since days of yore.

But let us return to the clarion call; the shrill cry of the falconer to a straying bird. In the moderated outburst, Obasanjo told his arch rivalturned-chummy buddy to stop the blame game and fix the country that is fast collapsing under his watch. To be honest, Obasanjo did not quite say anything new nor did his intervention make the anguish in the land more painful. The ex president merely re-echoed what has since become a tale of lamentation across the land. Hear him: “Businesses are closing, jobs are being lost and people are suffering. I know that President Buhari has always expressed concern for the plight of the common people but that concern must be translated to workable

PEOPLE2PEOPLE WITH

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

Twitter: @resourceme

Obasanjo

and result-oriented socio-economic policies and programmes that will turn the economy round at the shortest time possible.” He then warned that “if we do not fix the economy to relieve the pain and anguish of many Nigerians, the gains of fighting the insurgency and corruption will pale into insignificance.”

Like one waiting for an opportunity to defend his tenure in office, Obasanjo took exceptions to the penchant of his successor to lay the blame for all the malaise of the country on the 16 years of past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administrations of which he had eight years to himself.According to him, “the blanket adverse comments or castigation of all democratic administrations from 1999 by the present administration is uncharitable, fussy and uninstructive. Politics apart, I strongly believe that there is a distinction between the three previous administrations that it would be unfair to lump them all together.”

Logically and has been demanded by many voices of reason before his, Obasanjo asked the Buhari administration to brace up and offer the goods it promised to offer Nigeria during electioneering campaign.

Hear him again: “It was the same reason and situation that brought about the cry for change; otherwise, there would be no need for change if it was all nice and rosy. Now that we have had change because the actors and the situation needed to be changed, let us move forward to have progress through a comprehensive economic policy and programme that is intellectually, strategically and philosophically based.”

If you think Obasanjo was done, then wait for this: “We cannot

continue to do the same thing and expect things to change. No administration can nor should be comfortable with the excruciating pain of debilitating and crushing economy.” He also advised Buhari must expand his horizon in the search for capable and competent hands to help the country out of its current quagmire.According to him, “we have people inside and outside who can be brought together to help device the right economic policies and programmes to get us out of the pit before we fall over the precipice into a dark cave.” He continued by asking the President to build confidence in the economy which “requires a great element of trust to get it out of the doldrums, let alone out of negativity. That trust and confidence has to be created.”

Obasanjo who took the NationalAssembly to the cleaners in a no-holds barred manner, focused on President Buhari’s proposed $29.9billion external borrowing plan and dismissed it as inchoate because a “comprehensive policy and programme will not support borrowing US$30 billion in less than three years.” Noting that the proposal was counter-productive, he explained that the amount being sought “was about the magnitude of cumulative debt of Nigeria which we worked and wiped out 10 years ago. Before that debt relief, we were spending almost $3 billion to service our debt annually and the quantum of the debt was not going down. Rather, if we defaulted, we paid a penalty which was added on. The projects listed for borrowing are all necessary in the medium and long-term for our economy but we have to prioritise. Now we are being told the projects will pay themselves when we know damn well they will not. If we borrow some thirty billion dollars in less than three years, we would have mortgaged the future of Nigeria for well over thirty years to come. There may also be the problem of absorptive capacity which will surely lead to waste.

Acareful scrutiny of the projects with prioritisation and avoidance of waste and taking into account avoiding bunching of debt service in future especially when no one can accurately forecast the global and national economy will indicate less than thirty per cent of the foreign loan being requested as prudent.

“Railway is a necessary service but it is not profit-making anywhere in the world today. We need steady and continuous but manageable funding on the railway project. The Mambilla hydro project is the same; necessary but it cannot pay itself, especially with the global energy sector of shale revolution, hydrogen fuel and increasingly cheap renewable energy such as solar energy. OPEC itself has projected that the price of oil will be hovering in the region of $50 per barrel for the next 15 years or so. So the argument of concessional mixed with commercial loans does not hold water. When the concessional and the non-concessional borrowings are put together, interests alone will be in the region of 3% to 4%. The bunching of debt service will be a problem to confront other administrations in future.”All of these may be friendly fires but assuredly, a flame has been set off nonetheless. The question is why did Obasanjo take to a public forum to make such remarkable criticism (call it wake-up call if you like) on a President he did much to bring to office?

Why did he abandon his privileged and habitual (thanks to ThisDay newspaper) access to the presidential villa and choose instead to communicate indirectly to its prime occupant? Does he no longer have the ears of Mr. President? Or is it that his ‘habitual’ host merely pretends to listen but does not actually hear what he is told?Are we headed to the days of letter-writing soon? Is the honeymoon over? Questions and more questions searching for elusive answers buried in the bowels of time but which would be exhumed in future memos and memoirs that are not in my place to write. But like your good self, I will be glad to read.

––Epia, Publisher of OrderPaper.ng is onTwitter @resourceme.

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

autO

Range Rover Sport Masters The Downhill Alpine Ski Challenge Stories by Bennett Oghifo

S

peeds of 155km/h, 75 per cent gradients and a 2,170-metre descent – the Range Rover Sport has conquered it all on an Alpine ski course that has been the downfall of many skiers.

The Range Rover Sport is the ultimate luxury performance SUV and the first-ever production vehicle to attempt the fearsome ski run. Piloted by renowned race and stunt driver Ben Collins, the all-terrain super-SUV tackled the treacherous terrain on the 14.9km downhill route at Mürren in Switzerland, completing it in 21min 36sec.

During the 2,170m descent, the Range Rover Sport followed the route used by skiers on the tough Inferno Mürren, one of the oldest and most challenging downhill races. It tackled snow, ice, loose rock, mud, broken asphalt, grass and gravel, helped by Land Rover’s pioneering Terrain Response technology.

Introduced in 2013, Range Rover Sport is a genuine Land Rover success story, delivering all the refinement and capability expected from a large SUV with the performance normally associated with a sports car. Land Rover’s latest InControl Touch Pro infotainment system and Advanced Tow Assist technology were introduced to the nameplate in August.

British racer Collins, famous for his role as ‘The Stig’ on Top Gear was pushed to the limit by hairpin bends and the danger of sheer drops.

“This was genuinely one of the hardest tests I’ve faced in my driving career. The route was insane and certainly the toughest course I’ve ever completed,” said Collins. “It challenged you with every kind of obstacle this side of molten lava and as conditions go, it was about as bad as it gets – torrential weather mixed with cliffs, trees, all kinds of stuff you don’t

Range Rover Sport

really want to crash into.”

“There could only be one winner in the challenge - the mountain or the car. The key to the run was precision: being able to maintain speed and carry that speed down the hill in the way the skiers can do, carving through the turns.

“The Range Rover Sport gave me so much help. I had to use the Terrain Response because the grass was like an ice rink and it really got me out of trouble.

I believed in the car and it meant we could shed a lot of time over the runs. To be honest I abused it and it just kept on going - I couldn’t have asked

for a better machine to do the job.”

The treacherous yet beautiful mountain course tested the Range Rover Sport’s capability with ice and sleet at the top, where Collins reached 120km/h, and fog and wet grass at the bottom, where he hit 155km/h.

Ade-Ojo Seeks Tax Relief for Auto Industry Players

T

he Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo has advised the federal government to consider introducing tax incentives for operators in the nation’s auto industry to stimulate the sector to boost the economy.

Ade-Ojo gave the advice recently in Lagos, while briefing the press on TNL’s performance as the year comes to a close. He stated that it would be appropriate for the government to consider tax reduction as is done in other countries with economy in recession.

He said if the government did not reduce taxes, then companies would invariably die, adding that this would be counterproductive to the government’s quest to stabilize the economy.

According to him, if things continued this way much longer, some companies may have to go under, while others may be forced to retrench most of their staff.

The managing director said it had been a tough year but that TNL was doing all that was necessary to weather the storm that has been hitting most companies and industries this year, adding that TNL had strong footing that would enable it carry on in the years ahead.

He said, “The foreign exchange is still a major challenge to everybody and, as a result of that, when you compare imports this year with that of last year, as far as brand new vehicles is concerned, there has been a drop of almost 50 per cent from import tax duty from January to September this year.

“Last year, the whole market brought about 15,000 and this year we are struggling to bring in 6,000, which is a major decline as far as importation is concerned.”

He said the total sale last year was about 31,000 but that this year “we are forecasting about 15,000. So, everybody has sort of gone down,” adding that TNL sold about 7,000 vehicles last year but is forecasting about 4,000 vehicles this year.”

Look at next year’s business, he said “The foreign exchange issue will continue to be major, and also the price of vehicles because between January and now, prices of vehicles have more or less doubled from where they

used to be. Some of us have had to go to the black market to source foreign exchange and this has major impact on vehicle prices.”

Regardless, he said the company was looking at other options for business growth and consolidation, adding that one of these was its after sales department. “We are not just an organization that sells vehicles, because we are also in the business of maintaining those vehicles. From next year, one of our major focuses would be the after sales service aspect of the business. We will be focusing on it more than ever before, because people are going to be using their vehicles much longer.

We have actually started a process to be there from next year to continue serving our loyal customers.”

In addition to the after sales service, he said their focus would also be on the retention of their present customers, saying “our focus will be to retain the customers we have while L-R: Head, Parts, Mr. Ravinder Sharma, Managing Director, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo; and Head, Marketing, Mr. Andrew trying to get new ones. Eighty per cent of Ajuyah, all of Toyota Nigeria Limited at a Press briefing held at the Company’s Head office in Lekki... recently our energy will be focused on the existing customers to ensure they are comfortable issue, adding that some of the vehicles they as risk management was concerned in the last while 20 per cent will be focused on getting brought in this year were those manufactured 3 to 4 years, but that the present situation was last year. “Some of these vehicles are coming more than what they prepared for. “But as soon new customers.

On the impact of the recession on the auto in in bits and pieces. They were manufactured as we understood how the effect would be on policy, he said the scarcity of foreign exchange but we could not bring them in and as a result us, we made certain changes. For example, had negative impact on the assembly of vehicles of that forex issue we are unable to order kits we did not lay off staff, but we have done a lot of cost reduction since business is not as in the plants already established in the country. for the production of our Hiace buses.”

Foreign exchange scarcity, he said was a major He said TNL had been planning ahead, as far it used to be.”

Coscharis Motors Set to Tee Off With BMW Golf Cup

C

oscharis Motors will play host to the BMW Golf Cup International Tournament on the 2nd of December, 2016 at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Club in Lagos. The tournament is the National Final to qualify the nation’s market for the World Final in Dubai next year.

Each year this unique opportunity presents itself to club golfers from around the world - a chance to participate in amateur golf’s only “Major.” It’s called the BMW Golf Cup International and it’s entered by over 1000 golfers from 50 countries, culminating in a 54-hole

competition on one of the most beautiful golf resorts on the planet.

Coscharis Motors, as one of Nigeria’s leading premium importer, has the exclusive franchise for BMW and also provides premium sales, financial and mobility services.As an indigenous company, Coscharis Motors operates over nine sales and service network in more than eight states in the country.

According to Abiona Babarinde, General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Coscharis last organized the event in Abuja in 2014 at the

IBB Golf Club while this year’s edition will be holding at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Club in Lagos.

“From a customer loyalty perspective, we plan on moving courses each year the event is organized in order to ensure all our customers and prospects get equal chance to participate and enjoy the amazing feel and experience of the BMW Golf World Final. Consequently we have varied courses across the Northern, Western and Southern parts of the country to enable even participation with special consideration of entries from our respective customers and prospects.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

autO SAFE DRIVING

JONAS AGWU

with

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

The Naked Road

L-R: Group Executive Director, Operations, Coscharis Group; Mr. Fred Amaobi; President, Ford Motor Company, Middle East and Africa Region, Mr. Jacques Brent; Chairman, Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka; Manager, Marketing Sales & Services, Ford Sub-Sahara Africa, Mr. Rob Johnston and Group Managing Director, Coscharis Group, Josiah Samuel; during the launch of the all new Ford edge 2016, at the Ford showroom, in Lagos…recently

All-New Ford Edge SUV Offers Class-LeadingRefinements Stories by Bennett Oghifo

T

he all-new Ford Edge upscale sport utility vehicle (SUV) delivers premium levels of comfort, sophisticated driver assistance features and classleading driving dynamics.

The all-new Ford Edge is now available in Nigeria at Coscharis Motors.

Ford’s refined and boldly styled new SUV offers a dazzling array of new technologies including

Active Noise Control, which works like noise-cancelling headphones to counteract unwanted noises in the cabin, along with Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, which can apply the brakes to avoid collisions with other vehicles or even pedestrians.

It also features Ford Adaptive Steering, which automatically adjusts the steering ratio according to speed to optimise manoeuvrability and precision.

The all-new Ford Edge sets new standards in its class for

interior space; features high quality materials throughout the finely crafted interior; and offers comfort and convenience features including heated and cooled front seats and a panoramic roof on the high-spec models.

Ford developed the Edge to take the stress out of driving in town or country with sophisticated parking technologies that can locate and steer into or out of spaces hands-free; Front Wide-View Camera technology that can see around corners even

when drivers cannot – reducing stress and potentially helping avert collisions; and the option of Intelligent All Wheel Drive technology for optimised traction in slippery conditions.

A powerful yet efficient range of engines is on offer for the allnew Ford Edge, make owning a large, upscale SUV more appealing than ever. This includes the sophisticated but frugal 245hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost, the 280hp 3.5 Ti-VCT V6 and the range-topping 2.7 EcoBoost V6 with 315hp on tap.

Peugeot 301 wins Car of the Year

P

eugeot 301, assembled in Kaduna by PAN Nigeria Limited, has emerged Car of the Year in a keen contest with Toyota Corolla and Nissan Almera. The Peugeot 301 polled the majority vote in both the on-line contest and the voting by Auto journalists, for the award that was organised by Nigeria Auto Journalists Association.

Other categories...

The Mercedes Benz S-class emerged Luxury Car of the Year, beating the BMW Seven Series and Jaguar XJ. Sports Utility Vehicle of the year went to Toyota Prado, while the Pick up of the year was won by Ford Ranger.

Toyota Hiace went home with the Mini Bus of the year award, while the Heavy Truck of the Year was won by Mercedes Actros.

Globe Hyundai and Jet Van Mercedes were joint winners in the Outstanding new entrant of the year category, just as God is Good Motors walked away with the Most Safety Conscious Transport Company of the Year.

Show Room of the Year Prize was won by Nissan show road, Victoria Island, Lagos, while Pirelli was crowned Tyre Brand of the year.

Chisco Transport was recognised as the West Africa Coast Transport Company of the Year, while Yamaha was voted Motorcycle brand of the year.

L-R: Head of Corporate Communications, PAN Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Malami Haroun; Managing Director, Peugeot-Citroen Motors Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Eric Maydiey; Managing Director, PAN Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi; acting Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Anofi Elegushi; NAJA Chairman, Frank Kintum; GM, Marketing for PAN, Mr. Bawo Omagbitse; and the Western zonal PAN Zonal Manager, Mr. Suleiman Suleiman, at NAJA Awards in Lagos... recently

First Indigenous Transport App Debuts in Lagos

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technology firm that develops transportation booking Applications, IWorld Transit Services Limited on Sunday launched the first indigenous transportation app in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the app tagged Soole can be downloaded via Apple stores, Google playstore and the

company’s website: www. soole.com.ng, and enables commuters to have access to any class of cab at their door steps.

The Group Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Chalres Ojo told the audience, including representatives of the Lagos State Taxi Drivers’ Association, that the aim was to further decongest roads in Lagos City.

The App operates under the

following categories; Taxi/ Cab, Ride-sharing, Shuttle and Charter services.

The Ride Sharing service, which is also known as Car-pooling is unique. It allows professionals in Lagos Metropolis to commute on weekdays from home to work and vice versa in a secure environment and provides the opportunity to network and form an exclusive community.

The collaborative ride would

also save the cost of fueling, wear and tear of vehicle and the stress of driving in the city.

According to Ojo, this is the best thing that can happen to professionals.

“The app is linked to over 400 trained taxi drivers in Lagos State. It is adapted to our Cab operations, It is not metered, hence no surprises. It is based on negotiation, which makes it favourable for both driver and passenger.

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fortnight ago, I received a very interesting mail from someone who from the tone of his mail, had eagerly waited for an opportunity to share his worry on the state of road safety in the country. The man whose name I prefer to keep to myself shared his worry on so many issues including the ongoing speed limiting device enforcement .Without really dismissing the novelty in the ongoing campaign, he however questioned the timing because of what he described as the state of our roads and the absence of the appropriate road furniture. Since I have chosen not to run excerpts of his mail ,I am however compelled to run a piece I did about two years ago that was influenced by Dr Terry Mene who was then the World Bank Project Consultant with the Federal Road Safety Corps.

An astute man that usually says it as it is, he once made a statement that caught at the very essence of my being during a discussion on the state of Nigerian roads.

According to him, “Our roads are naked”. Never one to be outdone on astuteness, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka, embellished it this way: “No one builds a house and moves in without furnishing. A road is not a road without the appropriate furniture”. Those two statements set the pace for my piece this week.

The second pillar of the UN Decade of Action spells out the need to improve the safety of road networks for the benefit of all road users, especially the most vulnerable: pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Despite the current efforts of Nigerian government, what do you think of road signage on Nigerian roads? Inadequate?

Bastardized by hawkers, villagers? Do you know that a good number of Nigerians who drive are ignorant of road signs? What do you think about transportation safety generally? Well, reflect on America’s assessment of safety and transportation in Nigeria – ‘’safety of public transportation; poor, urban road conditions/ maintenance; poor, rural road conditions/maintenance: poor, availability of roadside assistance; poor- roads are generally poor condition, causing damage to vehicles and contributing to hazardous traffic conditions.

There are few traffic conditions.

There are few traffic lights or stop signs (bold/italics sentence not comprehensible. Remove??)

It is against this backdrop and the need to buy into the Corps’ strategies for safer roads that this piece will focus on road signage. It is common for us to lament over the state of our roads and the inadequacy of road furniture. Strictly speaking, how

many of us truly comply with the ‘inadequate’ signs that we have?

As a christian, the Bible says that he that is faithful in little will be faithful in much. I wish I have the Islamic translation.

A brief history of emergency road signs will be helpful in appreciating its importance.

The earlist road signs were milestones, giving distance or directions. For example, the Romans erected stone columns throughout their empire,giving the distance to Rome. In the middle ages, multi-directional signs at intersections became common, giving directions to cities and towns.

Traffic signs became more important with the development of automobiles. The basic patterns of most traffic signs were set at the 1908 International Road Congress in Rome . Since then, there has been considerable change. Today,they are almost all metal rather than wood and are coated with reflective sheeting of various types of nighttime and low light visibility. Road marking was introduced into the United Kingdom in the 1920’s. The United Nations harmonized and introduced international traffic signs after the second world war.

That is why from South Africa in Africa to London in Europe, including the United States of America , their signs all look alike.

In 1995, the United Kingdom had 2, 500, 000 signs and signals, 850, 000 road markings and 700, 000 road studs within roads in England alone. In Nigeria , adequate records of signs are yet to be derived but available records of clustered billboards, which have little possible effect on highways safety, are about 50, 000 from 109 registered outdoor advertising companies.

Road signs are highway pictures provided to assist pedestrians and road users in the safe usage of the highway. They are basically placed at the roadside to impart information to road users on traffic regulations, special hazards and other road conditions. You should not only be familiar with the individual signs, you should recognize the special shapes and colours because the signs are classified and coded according to functions and retro-reflectivity.

What then is retro-reflectivity?

It is the return of light incident to the source in the direction it came. Retro-reflectivity is the basic quality requirement of highway appurtenances. Retroreflectivity increases road safety.

If some minimum reflectivity is not maintained, the signs, delinators or markings will not accomplish the jobit was intended to perform. Our signs, according to FERMA publications, are yet to be of international standard.

Except for roads in some parts of Abuja, Lagos, and now Akwa ibom, our highways are yearning for United Nations international standardsignsandmarkingsboth in shape, colors and above all in retro-reflectivity.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

FAMILY HEALTH with

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

Lactose Intolerance

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, 08053372356

W

hen we eat, we expect to have nourishment and satisfaction, to nullify the hunger pangs.

There are a lot of food allergies. In this piece, we will focus on lactose intolerance, distinguishing it from milk allergy.

Cow’s milk allergy and lactose intolerance are often confused with each other, but they are not the same. Cow’s milk is made up of lots of different components, for example proteins (such as casein and whey), milk sugar (called lactose) and fat. The allergic reaction happens because the immune system mistakes the proteins in cow’s milk to be a threat, when in fact they should be harmless. It then releases chemicals such as histamines and others – it’s these chemicals that trigger the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Lactose intolerance is triggered by the lactose sugar in cow’s milk. In people with lactose intolerance, the digestive system can’t fully digest this milk sugar, because it doesn’t make enough of the lactase enzyme. So instead of being digested and absorbed, the lactose stays in the gut and feeds the gut bacteria, which release acids and gases that cause the symptoms of lactose intolerance. In some cases, people can develop lactose intolerance when their gut becomes damaged through illness, surgery or certain medications (this is called secondary lactase deficiency). In these cases, the lactose intolerance can be temporary or permanent. It can sometimes develop after an episode of gastroenteritis.

Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem where the body is unable to digest lactose, a type of sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products. Symptoms of lactose intolerance usually develop within a few hours of consuming food or drink that contains lactose. They may include: • flatulence (wind) • diarrhoea • bloated stomach • stomach cramps and pains • stomach rumbling • feeling sick The severity of your symptoms and when they appear depends on the amount of lactose you’ve consumed. Some people may still be able to drink a small glass of milk without triggering any symptoms, while others may not even be able to have milk in their tea or coffee.

Diagnosis: The symptoms may be similar to the following, and it is always best for you to see your doctor, as soon as possible, to give an accurate diagnosis.

• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a long-term disorder that affects the digestive system • milk protein intolerance – an adverse reaction to the protein in milk from cows (not the same as a milk allergy) If your doctor thinks you have lactose intolerance, they may suggest avoiding foods and drinks containing lactose for two weeks to see if your symptoms improve.

It’s important to visit your doctor , if you think you or your child may have lactose intolerance, as the symptoms can be similar to other conditions.

Keep a diary of what you eat and drink, and what symptoms you experience. Let your doctor know if you notice any patterns, or if there are any foods you seem particularly sensitive to. Your doctor may suggest trying to remove lactose from your diet for two weeks to see if it helps to relieve your symptoms. This will provide further evidence of whether you’re lactose intolerant.

The body digests lactose using a substance called lactase. This breaks down lactose into two sugars called glucose and galactose, which can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream.

People with lactose intolerance don’t produce enough lactase, so lactose stays in the digestive system where it’s fermented by bacteria. This leads to the production of various gases, which cause the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.

Depending on the underlying reason why the body isn’t producing enough lactase, lactose intolerance may be temporary or permanent.

Most cases that Possible tests Some of the main tests that may be used are develop in adults described below. are inherited and tend to be life Hydrogen breath test A hydrogen breath test is a simple way of de- long, but cases in termining if you may be lactose intolerant. You’ll young children are be asked to avoid eating or drinking during the night before the test. When you arrive for the test, often caused by you’ll be asked to blow up a balloon-like bag. an infection in the This sample of your breath will be tested to find out how much hydrogen is present, measured digestive system and may only last in parts per million (ppm).

You’ll then be given a drink of lactose solution and for a few weeks your breath will be tested every 15 minutes over the next few hours to see if the level of hydrogen

changes. If your breath contains a large amount of hydrogen (more than 20ppm above your baseline) after consuming the lactose solution, it’s likely that you’re lactose intolerant. This is because lactose intolerance can cause the bacteria in the colon (large intestine) to produce more hydrogen than normal.

Lactose tolerance test In a lactose tolerance test, you’ll be given a drink of lactose solution and a blood sample will be taken from your arm using a needle. The blood will be tested to see how much glucose (blood sugar) it contains. If you’re lactose intolerant, your blood sugar levels will either rise slowly, or not at all.

This is because your body is unable to break down the lactose into glucose.

Milk tolerance test In a milk tolerance test, you’ll be given a glass of milk (about 500ml) and your blood sugar levels will be tested. If your blood sugar levels don’t rise after drinking the milk, you may be lactose intolerant.

Small bowel biopsy A small bowel biopsy is rarely used to diagnose lactose intolerance. However, it may be carried out to see if your symptoms are being caused by another condition, such as coeliac disease.

What causes lactose intolerance?

The body digests lactose using a substance called lactase. This breaks down lactose into two sugars called glucose and galactose, which can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream. People with lactose intolerance don’t produce enough lactase, so lactose stays in the digestive system where it’s fermented by bacteria. This leads to the production of various gases, which cause the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.

Depending on the underlying reason why the body isn’t producing enough lactase, lactose intolerance may be temporary or permanent. Most cases that develop in adults are inherited and tend to be life long, but cases in young children are often caused by an infection in the digestive system and may only last for a few weeks.

Lactose intolerance is usually the result of your body not producing enough lactase.

Lactase is an enzyme (a protein that causes a chemical reaction to occur) normally produced in your small intestine that’s used to digest lactose. If you have a lactase deficiency, it means your body doesn’t produce enough lactase.

Digesting lactose After eating or drinking something containing lactose, it passes down your oesophagus (gullet) into your stomach, where it’s digested. The digested food then passes into your small intestine. The lactase in your small intestine should break lactose down into glucose and galactose (other types of sugar), which are then absorbed into your bloodstream. If there isn’t enough lactase, the unabsorbed lactose

moves through your digestive system to your colon (large intestine). Bacteria in the colon ferment (break down) the lactose, producing fatty acids and gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane.

The breakdown of the lactose in the colon, and the resulting acids and gases that are produced, cause the symptoms of lactose intolerance such as flatulence and bloating.

Incidence Group lactose intolerance is more common in people of Asian or African-Caribbean descent.

Lactose intolerance can develop at any age.

Many cases first develop in people aged 20 to 40, although babies and young children can also be affected.

Is it an allergy?

Lactose intolerance isn’t the same as a milk or dairy allergy. Food allergies are caused by your immune system reacting to a certain type of food.

This causes symptoms such as a rash, wheezing and itching.

If you’re allergic to something, even a tiny particle can be enough to trigger a reaction, while most people with lactose intolerance can still consume small amounts of lactose without experiencing any problems (although this varies from person to person).

Treating lactose intolerance There’s no cure for lactose intolerance, but limiting your intake of food and drink containing lactose usually helps to control the symptoms.

Depending on what dairy products you’re able to eat, you may also require additional calcium and vitamin D supplements to keep your bones strong and healthy. In some cases, your GP may refer you to a dietitian for further advice. In addition to dietary changes, lactase substitutes may also be helpful. These are drops or tablets you can take with your meals or drinks to improve your digestion of lactose.

Complications of lactose intolerance Milk and other dairy products contain calcium, protein and vitamins such as A, B12 and D. Lactose also helps your body absorb a number of other minerals, such as magnesium and zinc. These vitamins and minerals are important for the development of strong, healthy bones. If you’re lactose intolerant, getting the right amount of important vitamins and minerals can prove difficult. This may lead to unhealthy weight loss and put you at increased risk of developing the following conditions: • Osteopenia – where you have a very low bonemineral density. If osteopenia is not treated, it can develop into osteoporosis.

• Osteoporosis – where your bones become thin and weak. If you have osteoporosis, your risk of getting fractures and broken bones is increased.

• Malnutrition – when the food you eat doesn’t give you the nutrients essential for a healthy functioning body. If you’re malnourished, wounds can take longer to heal and you may start to feel tired or depressed.

GLOBAL SOCCER

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 16, 2011

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

26.11.2016

LONDON DERBY PAGE. 29

Victor Moses Return of the Rejected Stone

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER

Return of the Rejected Stone

Moses, in white, leaps to head the ball for Whitgift School during the Surrey Cup-final

After a superlative performance for Wigan Athletic during the 2011/12 season, the coaching crew of Chelsea signed Victor Moses. But as a result of not having enough playing time, he went on a season-long loan to rivals, Liverpool, in September 2013. He was shipped to Stoke City and later West Ham the following season. With a new man at the helm of affairs at Stamford after the sack of Jose Mourinho, Moses found a new lease of life. Kunle Adewale writes

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oaches come with different styles and formation and that a player could not fit into a particular formation does not mean he’s not good. The fact that Victor Moses did not fit into Mourinho’s style does not mean he’s not a good player. Now that a coach whose formation Moses fits into is in charge, he is getting enough playing time,” Mutiu Adepoju told THISDAY in an interview.

Moses was named man-of-thematch in Chelsea’s away win at Middlesbrough last Sunday, as he continued his exceptional run of form.

“The Premier League is harder every season, so we just want to make sure we stay on top now. We showed a lot of character today. In the second half, they came at us but we were really strong at the back.

I’m delighted to be in the first 11. I just want to keep on enjoying my form.

"I’ve been on loan three times, but we’ve got a good manager here who

wants to give the young players a chance, so I just want to stay in the starting 11 now,” he told Sky Sports.

After his loan spell with Stoke City, Moses was in 2014 handed the number 20 jersey of Chelsea, which was last won by Brazilian born Portuguese star, Deco, and many observers were of the opinion then that Mourinho was at last satisfied with the Nigerian international and he would be part of his plan for the 2014/15 season, but it was not to be.

With the arrival of Conte at the

Bridge, Moses has gone from being outcast to playing a key role for Chelsea.

In a telephone chat with THISDAY, former Nigeria international, Paul Okoku, said "Moses is reaping the hard work and effort” at improving his game while on loan.

“It was not that Conte just woke up and decided to be playing Moses. He had definitely seen him play during his loan spell and knew he suits his style of play. Moreover, Moses too had put in so much effort to improve his game and that is what he is enjoying today,” Okoku said.

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NOVEMBER 26, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Moses shows off his incredible backflip after scoring against Leicester

Conte however insistsed he spotted the former Crystal Palace winger's ability almost immediately.

“I could see his potential from the first days of the summer training camp. Moses has important qualities: technique, physical strength, the ability to cover 70 metres of the pitch,” Conte said.

Before the start of this season, Moses had not played a league game for Chelsea for more than three years, but now he has a key role in the 3-4-3 system that has taken them top of the Premier League. His current situation is a huge turnaround for a player who, partly because of injury, started only 38 league games in the past three seasons, completing 90 minutes just 12 times.

He has a new lease of life because Blues manager Antonio Conte has given him a chance at right wingback. It is a new position for the Nigeria international, but it suits his strengths and, as he showed in Chelsea’s win over Middlesbrough

on Sunday.

“I played as a wing-back a lot during my career, particularly when I was younger in the midto-late 1990s when that system was least popular in the Premier League. I used to enjoy it because, like Moses, it suited my game. Like him, I was more of an attacker than a defender and wing-backs have the freedom to get forward when they want.

“You have to be disciplined defensively and decide when to join the attack or hold back, but you have the freedom of the touchline and the ability to impose yourself on the game far more than you can as a normal winger. By timing your runs, you can come from deep with a head of steam and burst into great positions - the sort of thing that Moses was doing against Boro when he used his power and pace to great effect,” Conte said.

It helps Moses that he has got a really stable set-up behind him thanks to N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic. Moses knows at least one of them will drop in too, so Chelsea's three-man defence is rarely left without cover even if he does not get back. So, he can really bomb forward as much as he likes, especially in games like Sunday where his side were on top for long spells.

Moses is fast and fit and another reason he is good at getting back is that he has got his manager on the sidelines screaming at him. He will not mind getting instructions like that because he is learning the position as he goes.

Moses is doing a very good job already, but he will definitely get better the longer he plays in that role.

However, it might be a bit trickier for Moses when he is playing against a team like Liverpool with three up front because, if he still pushes up, there is far more of a risk of leaving his defence exposed.

But he will learn about that when the time comes and the next two weeks should provide a decent enough test when Chelsea plays Tottenham and Manchester City.

His emergence as Chelsea’s unlikely hero after switching from striker to wing-back is one of the stories of the season.

Pates, a sports teacher who helped mould Moses’ raw talent at Whitgift School in Croydon, says it is wonderful to see his former protégé playing so superbly as Chelsea top the Premier League.

Pates said: “He’s having a fantastic season, he is playing really well and it really suits him. I would never in a million years have said he would be a wing-back. You just didn’t think that was the role he would have taken up and enjoyed. But he has developed, he’s proved a lot of people wrong and it looks like he absolutely loves it to me.”

Moses was born in Lagos to a pastor. When he was 11, his parents were among thousands killed by rioters. A week later with his travel being paid for by relatives, he came to Britain as an asylum seeker.

He attended Stanley Technical High School, now known as the Harris Academy, in South Norwood.

Scouted playing football in the local Tandridge League for Cosmos 90 FC Crystal Palace approached him, with the club's Selhurst Park stadium just streets away from his school.

Moses first came to prominence at 14 after scoring 50 goals for Palace's under-14 side. Playing for three years at both Whitgift and Palace, Moses scored over 100 goals as well as helping Whitgift win many School Cups, including a National Cup where he scored all five goals in the final against Healing School of Grimsby o at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester.

Moses joined Chelsea from Wigan for £9m in 2012 and scored 10 goals in his first 12 months with Chelsea's first team, five of which helped the club claim the Europa League.

He was an exciting prospect at Wigan, but he has failed to fulfill his potential at Chelsea, as he has been used only sparingly.

Pates, who made 346 appearances for Chelsea between 1979 and 1988, said he could never have imagined that the Nigeria international would adapt so well to the role.

Before the start of this season, Moses had not played a league game for Chelsea for more than three years, but now he has a key role in the 3-4-3 system that has taken them top of the Premier League.

His current situation is a huge turnaround for a player who, partly because of injury, started only 38 league games in the past three seasons, completing 90 minutes just 12 times

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

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER

Spurs Stake Unbeaten Run in London Derby Things are starting to heat up in the race for the Premiership Crown this season with the top place changing hands now on a regular basis. Only four points separates first place team Chelsea and fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur which will add extra spice to the London derby in Week 13 of the Premier League. Most analysts are however tipping The Blues as the favorite due to their current outstanding form, but it is going to be tough against the only unbeaten side in the league.

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helsea fans will be pleased to see their team sitting top of the table after the dreadful campaign run last season. The Blues are flying at the moment, have kept six clean sheets on the bounce by winning their last six matches. After the doom and gloom of being walloped by Arsenal 3-0, they have been unbeaten and not conceded a single goal. Credit has to go to new manager, Antonio Conte, who after that defeat has managed to solve their defensive problems and made them the most solid defense in the league.

Chelsea has a big advantage over

the other teams chasing the league title as they did not qualify for Europe last season. It means they can fully concentrate on domestic competitions and gain from playing fewer matches. That will come in vital during the crunch time as we saw last season with Leicester City. In recent weeks the Blues have proved that they are genuine contenders for the league and are tipped as favorites.

It is however vital that Chelsea win its next two matches if they are going to be considered genuine title contenders. After playing Spurs, they will then face Manchester City and if they manage to beat both teams, they will increase their lead over the pack. It will give them an advantage over the busy Christmas period and if they continue their fine form, they will be very

difficult to overturn.

Spurs remain the only unbeaten side in the Premier League but they have drawn too many games. With star striker, Harry Kane back from injury and saving them from their fifth draw in the league on the bounce in the finals minutes against West Ham with a brace, the fans at White Hart Lane will be extremely pleased to see their team back on track.

Though still one of the favorites for the title, they cannot afford a big slip or they will find themselves with too many points to catch up.

If they want to win the EPL this season they must beat Chelsea to close the gap to a single point between the two. If they lose, they will find themselves seven points adrift and therefore cannot afford

too many more slip-ups if they are going to finish at the top.

Both teams are going to be up for this crunchy encounter, so fans should be in for a high-intensity game. The winners will be well placed to go into the busy Christmas period and will put themselves in a great place to win the title.

It is therefore not expected to be a high scoring match as they both have excellent defenses.

The Blues ended Spurs' hopes of winning the Premier League title in May after they came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in a match that also produced 12 yellow cards.

But following Spurs' disappointing Champions League exit in midweek at

33

NOVEMBER 26, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER Premier League Chelsea Liverpool Man City Arsenal Tottenham Man Utd Everton Watford West Brom Bournemouth Southampton Burnley Stoke Leicester Middlesbrough Crystal Palace West Ham Hull Sunderland Swansea

12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

18 16 16 13 10 3 2 -3 1 -2 0 -8 -6 -6 -3 -4 -10 -17 -9 -11

28 27 27 25 24 19 19 18 16 15 14 14 13 12 11 11 11 10 8 6

TODAY Burnley Hull City Leicester Liverpool Swansea

v v v v v

Man City West Brom Middlesbrough Sunderland Crystal Palace

12:30 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00

Chelsea

v

Tottenham

17:30

SUNDAY Watford Arsenal Man Utd

v v v

Stoke City Bournemouth West Ham

12:00 14:15

Juventus Roma Milan Lazio Atalanta Napoli Torino Fiorentina Inter Chievo Sampdoria Genoa Bologna Cagliari Udinese Sassuolo Empoli Pescara Palermo Crotone

Head to Head 02/05/16 29/11/15 01/01/15 03/12/14 08/03/14 28/09/13 08/05/13 20/10/12 24/03/12 22/12/11 30/04/11 12/12/10 17/04/10

Chelsea Tottenham Tottenham Chelsea Chelsea Tottenham Chelsea Tottenham Chelsea Tottenham Chelsea Tottenham Tottenham

2 -2 0-0 5-3 3-0 4-0 1 -1 2 -2 2 -4 0 -0 1 -1 1 -1 1-1 2 -1

Tottenham Chelsea Chelsea Tottenham Tottenham Chelsea Tottenham Chelsea Tottenham Chelsea Tottenham Chelsea Chelsea

AS Monaco, Pochettino will be desperate for a better performance against England's in-form team.

Manchester City visit Turf Moor in the first match of the weekend in a game Burnley must have to recover quickly from Monday's 4-0 defeat by West Bromwich Albion to prepare for The Citizens.

Burley, however, can take encouragement from their previous encounters against the top sides in the Premier League, having beaten Liverpool at home, drawing at Manchester United and only losing to Arsenal due to a controversial last-minute goal.

"We need to pick ourselves up. It's a massive game next weekend and hopefully we can get some points from that. This was definitely our worst game of the season.

It's tough to take but this is football and we have to keep going. We also need to learn from our mistakes.

We know what we did wrong and we just need to fix that and hopefully we will be all right next weekend. But we have shown against good teams we can play really well, so we will do that next weekend, definitely," Johann Gudmundsson .

City are third in the table on 27 points, 13 ahead of 12th-placed Burnley after 12 games going into today's encounter.

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 12 13 13 13 12 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

19 16 4 12 7 9 13 7 2 -1 -3 0 -5 -10 -4 -9 -11 -14 -16 -16

33 26 26 25 25 24 22 20 18 18 18 16 16 16 15 13 10 7 6 5

Serie A Fixtures

B

December 21 in what is shaping up to be a pre-Christmas showdown.

One big factor in Leipzig's favour this season is that, having exited the German Cup in the first round, they are only involved in the Bundesliga.

In contrast, Bayern are busy with the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup. Freiburg, who were promoted alongside RB Leipzig last season, are no pushovers at their Schwarzwald Stadium, winning four of their five home games this season.

"Both teams run a lot and have good systems in place," said Hasenhuettl. Freiburg were

12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

24 19 5 11 8 14 3 2 -4 1 1 -3 -9 -5 -11 -6 -9 -14 -11 -16

30 26 24 22 22 21 20 18 17 16 16 15 14 13 13 11 10 9 7 5

TODAY Malaga Madrid Espanyol Sevilla

v v v v

Deportivo Sporting Leganés Valencia

12:00 15:15 17:30 19:45

SUNDAY Villarreal Osasuna Celta Vigo Sociedad

v v v v

Alavés Atlético Granada Barcelona

11:00 15:15 17:30 19:45

MONDAY Las Palmas

v

Bilbao

19:45

Bundesliga RB Leipzig Bayern Dortmund Köln Hoffenheim Hertha Frankfurt Mainz Leverkusen SC Freiburg Schalke Augsburg M’gladbach Wolfsburg Darmstadt Bremen Ingolstadt Hamburger

11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

14 17 14 10 7 7 7 1 0 -5 2 -4 -6 -5 -11 -16 -13 -19

27 24 21 21 21 21 21 17 16 15 14 12 12 9 8 7 5 3

Bundesliga Fixtures

TODAY Torino Empoli

v v

Chievo AC Milan

17:00 19:45

SUNDAY Palermo Bologna Cagliari Crotone Genoa Roma

v v v v v v

Lazio Atalanta Udinese Sampdoria Juventus Pescara

11:30 14:00 14:00 14:00 14:00 19:45

SUNDAY Napoli Inter

v v

Sassuolo Fiorentina

18:00 20:00

Bayern Set to Bounce in Contention with LeverkusenVisit

ayern host Bayer Leverkusen today at Munich's Allianz Arena looking to bounce back from straight defeats.

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says Carlo Ancelotti's Bayern are "hunting" Leipzig – music to the ears of RB coach Ralph Hasenhuettl.

"From a sporting perspective we have stirred up the wasps nest, so of course there is a bit of buzzing," quipped the Leipzig boss.

Bayern are set to host Leipzig on

Madrid Barcelona Sevilla Villarreal Sociedad Atletico Bilbao Eibar Celta Vigo Las Palmas Malaga Espanyol Real Betis Alavés Leganés Valencia Deportivo Sporting Osasuna Granada

Spanish La Liga Fixtures

Premiership

Seria A

La Liga

second-division champions last year ahead of us, that is why I expect a very difficult task. It won't play a role that we go into this game as table leaders.

Freiburg wouldn't do anything different if we were second."

Leipzig will be without ex-Germany defender Marvin Compper, who has an ankle injury, with Greece's Kyriakos Papadopoulos or wingback Stefan Ilsanker to deputise.

Austria forward Marcel Sabitzer (head injury) and Guinea midfielder Naby Keita (foot problems) are also out.

TODAY Köln M’gladbach Frankfurt Ingolstadt Hamburger Bayern

v v v v v v

Augsburg Hoffenheim Dortmund Wolfsburg Bremen Leverkusen

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

SUNDAY Schalke Hertha

v v

Darmstadt Mainz

14:30 16:30

Hot Shots

Diego Costa Sergio Agüero Romelu Lukaku Eden Hazard Jermain Defoe Alexis Sánchez Sadio Mane Zlatan Ibrahimovic Michail Antonio Philippe Coutinho Roberto Firmino Theo Walcott Chalie Austin Etienne Capoue Harry Kane

Chelsea Man City Everton Chelsea Sunderland Arsenal Liverpool Man Utd West Ham Liverpool Liverpool Arsenal Southampton Watford Tottenham

10 8 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

34

GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS

Director General of LSSC, Mr Adewunmi Ogunsanya (middle) in warm embrace of the best female wrestler, Ochiko Abraham (left) and best male wrestler, Ikudehindu Abiodun (right) during closing ceremony of Closed Wrestling Workshop/ Championship at Odo Obara High School, Epe, Lagos State, recently

Andy Murray

Button Expects Abu Dhabi to be His Last F1 Race Jenson Button says he expects the Abu Dhabi GP to be his last race in Formula 1 despite having an option to return in 2018.

The Brit, a 17-year veteran in the sport, announced he was taking a sabbatical earlier this season but still signed a twoyear contract with McLaren and stressed that he was not retiring.

His McLaren deal gives the Woking team an option to reinstate him in two years'

time should either Stoffel Vandoorne or Fernando Alonso leave, but Button now insists he doesn't want to return after this weekend's grand prix.

"I go into this weekend thinking it's going to be my last race," he said during the Drivers' Press Conference. "I think that's the best way to be. At this moment in time I don't want to be racing in Formula 1 past this race.

"I think of this as my last race and hopefully everyone

else does as well."

Button was convinced into not quitting F1 by then McLaren chief Ron Dennis, who has now left his post, and initially stated that he would be training harder than ever with a view to lining up on the grid again.

"The whole idea about having a contract was that in three months' time when I've eaten myself stupid and thinking of things in the future - maybe I'll feel I need Formula 1 back

in my life," the 36-year-old explained.

"But at this moment in time that isn't the case, so this is my last race. That's how I think about it at the moment. But who knows? That could change in six months, eight months, one year."

The 2009 world champion added that he was looking forward to get on track at Yas Marina, and reminisced on some of his best moments in the sport.

Ortiz Set for Allen in December 10 Showdown Luis Ortiz will take on David Allen in a heavyweight battle on the undercard of Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina.

The Cuban sensation will be back in action after his European debut in Monte Carlo, in the Manchester Arena, on December 10.

'King Kong' Ortiz was left frustrated by Malik Scott's approach last time out and with Anthony Joshua one of his targets, 'King Kong' is out to prove he is the next ruler of the heavyweight division.

"I'm so excited to be boxing

in the UK and it's great to be keeping busy," said Ortiz.

"Monaco was a great experience for me and although the fight didn't play out like I hoped I felt I learnt a lot.

"We looked at opponents for December 10 and we wanted someone who will come to fight for the fans."

Allen was the first to call-out Ortiz following his European debut two weeks ago but had him in his sights before that.

The Doncaster man believes 37-year-old Ortiz is on his way down and following his own

loss to Dillian Whyte in July, the 'White Rhino' is confident he will take a major heavyweight scalp on December 10.

"The day Eddie Hearn signed Luis Ortiz, I messaged him and said 'I will fight him, stick me in with him. "I didn't hold any fear of fighting him even before the Malik Scott fight. But that fight showed that the hype isn't real. Ortiz isn't Superman - I think he's on the slide even though he's undefeated.

"I showed I have a good defence against Dillian Whyte, so I will be prepared

for anything.

"I said to myself I would only fight the end of the year if it was against David Price, but this fight is even bigger so I couldn't say no. I'm going to put it all on the line against him. I'm stick it on him early, smack him bang on the chin and see how it goes.

"I'm going to make Ortiz look like an old man in there. When he hits me, I'm going to stand there and smile at him. This is the fight that will catapult my career on the world scene",," he said

El Marino Sports Club Canvasses Physical Fitness among Nigerians Sequel to the fact that many young Nigerians are increasingly dying as a result of cardiovascular diseases, members of El Marino Sports Club have emphasised the need for more Nigerians to embark on healthy lifestyle through sporting activities such as regular exercises, table tennis and football which it also promotes among its members.

The Team Manager of

the Lagos based club, Seyi Adefarati, said the club, which is at the forefront of promoting physical fitness, engages members in weekly football and daily table tennis practice as well as regular exercises at the Centre for Management Development (CMD) in Lagos.

He said the club was also set to execute its sports programmes in all the local government areas of Lagos state, starting from Ikosi-Isheri Local Council

Development Area.

According to him, these were moves to encourage youths as well as adults to always engage in sports and to create awareness on the benefits of being physically fit.

Adefarati affirmed that being physically fit helps to control a person’s weight, lowers risk of heart disease, reduces type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, lowers risk of cancer, strengthens bones and muscles,

enhances mental health and mood, improves a person’s ability to do daily activities and also increases the chance of living longer.

In view of this, the Team Captain of the Club, Mr. Chris Anazia, said the club’s activities were not limited to physical fitness but include promoting healthy lifestyle which is the habit and attitude that helps improve people's health and well-being.

60 Students Discovered at Lagos Wrestling Tourney No fewer than 60 budding wrestlers were added to the pool of talents under the care of Lagos State Wrestling Association during a three-day Closed wrestling Wrestling Workshop/Championship organised in Epe Division at the weekend.

The young wrestlers who are secondary school students from about 16 schools in Epe division were discovered after they were taken through the rudiments of the combat sport which

included male freestyle, Greco Roman and female freestyle in the junior and senior categories of the competition that featured about 300 students at Odo Obara High School, Epe. Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Adewunmi Ogunsanya described the performance of the budding talents as exceptional, adding that if they could performed excellently well within three days of exposure to wrestling, he

wondered what they would do after a long period of exposure to the game.

"What we're doing is to genuinely focus on grassroots development of sports because this is where the talent abound.

The performance of these young wrestlers shows that they have the potentials to make it and improve in the game. We are going to do similar thing in other divisions. The association will take over the tutoring of these 60 wrestlers, " Ogunsanya

said. The Director General emphasised that in the long run Lagos State planned to have in its pool young and promising athletes who would be nurtured to become future stars of not only the state but for the country.

To the Chairman of Lagos State Wrestling Association, Prince Adenekan said there is urgent need for government, private organisations and individuals to support the development of wrestling in Lagos.

ATP World Tour Finals 2016

Murray Cools KnighthoodTalk

Andy Murray has insisted he was too young for a knighthood after finishing the year as world No 1.

The 29-year-old defeated rival Novak Djokovic at the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on Sunday to cap off the finest year of his career to date.

It was a fitting finale to a brilliant season which saw him win a second Wimbledon crown, become the first man to win successive Olympic gold medals and end the year with 24 victories on the bounce, which was enough for him to overhaul Djokovic at the summit of the game.

Murray already has an OBE to his name, awarded after his maiden Wimbledon title in 2013, but there have been calls for a knighthood in the New Year's Honours list - something the Scot thinks he may be too young for.

"It's the highest honour you can get in this country," Murray said.

"But I don't know, I feel like too young for something like that.

"I don't think about that stuff much, really. When I win any award or am presented with anything it is nice because it is recognition for what you have given your life to, up to now anyway.

"However, I'm still young and there are still a lot of things that can go wrong, I could still mess up and make mistakes - do stuff.

I'm just trying to keep doing what I am doing, working hard, and achieving things."

Murray toppled Djokovic from the top of the rankings a fortnight ago and he had to outperform the Serb in London to keep his No 1 ranking through the winter months.

He did so in style with victories over the players ranked No 7 (Marin Cilic), No 5 (Kei Nishikori), No 3 (Stan Wawrinka), No 4 (Milos Raonic) and No 2 (Djokovic).

Murray was the long-time world No 4 behind Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but after a spectacular run of five titles this autumn, he is enjoying being the man to beat for the first time in his career.

"When I was always fourth in the world, I never liked losing, but it didn't have the same kind of impact because I wasn't No 1 and it wasn't like I was holding on to something," he said. "Fourth place in the world is still great but it isn't No 1.

"Maybe now, especially the last few months when I have had that goal and have been trying to get there, I want to stay there. I feel motivated to keep going.

"I've enjoyed the last five or six months the most I have in my entire career. That is probably because I have won a lot, so I want to keep going."

Plessis Hits Century after Ball Tampering Fine South Africa captain Faf du Plessis scored 118 not out before declaring on 259-9 on the first day of the third Test against Australia in Adelaide.

Du Plessis went into the day-night match having been fined for ball tampering in the second Test and was booed on his way to the crease. He responded with a century as wickets fell around him and put the hosts into bat for the day's final 12 overs.

Australia reached 14-0 with the pink ball under lights by the close. Usman Khawaja had to fill in as opener for David Warner, who was not allowed to bat having spent time off the pitch for treatment to a shoulder injury.

The hosts, 2-0 down in the three-match series, had made five changes from the second Test defeat, with batsmen Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson making their debuts. Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and bowler Jackson Bird were also recalled and Australia quickly made in-roads into the tourists line-up, with Josh Hazlewood taking 4-68.

Du Plessis stood firm, though, and his declaration was the second lowest in an opening innings of a Test in Australia.

The South Africa captain had escaped a ban but was fined 100% of his match fee after television footage appeared to show the 32-year-old licking his finger and shining the ball while eating a sweet in the second Test.

Du Plessis pleaded not guilty to the charge and denied any wrongdoing as he claimed he had been made a "scapegoat".

It's not cheating - Woakes England bowler Chris Woakes, who is in India for the side's ongoing Test series, called the issue a "grey area".

"A lot of people have said I think we all shine the ball in a very similar way," he told BBC Radio 5 live. "You don't try and overstep the rules of the game. "We all shine the ball, we all try and make the balls move in the air as, otherwise, it'd be a pretty dull game if it didn't.

35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

WRITERS’ WORLD

Materials for Film or Television Adaptation Wanted!

The 2016 Book Pipeline Competition in the United States is looking for authors with material appropriate for film or television adaptation.

T

he winning writer will receive circulation to Lakeshore Entertainment (Million Dollar Baby, American Pastoral), Energy Entertainment (Extant, I Am Legend), Good Fear Film+Management, Darko Entertainment (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), and other top production companies and agencies best-suited for developing the selected projects.

The deadline for entry is December 1st, 2016 Book Pipeline was conceived by the creators of Script Pipeline in an effort to help producers discover material for film and television adaptation. Through personal consultations and annual competitions, Book Pipeline is developing writers worldwide who may be unaccustomed to screenwriting and preparing them for widespread exposure. The goal: getting more projects adapted and produced at both indie and studio levels.

For over 15 years, Script Pipeline has bridged the gap between up-and-coming writers and influential executives through a unique, longterm, hands-on facilitation process. The result thus far has been $6 million in material sold to studios and networks since 2003. In total, across both Book and Script Pipeline, over 10,000 pieces of creative material are reviewed annually.

Continuing to build upon the success of the Script Pipeline writing competitions, which has discovered hundreds of new writers over the past 16 years, Book Pipeline aims to deliver unique, compelling stories to the industry with the specific intent of getting them on the fast-track to film and television production. The contest is open to all genres, and both new and established writers may enter.

“As I considered entering Book Pipeline’s competition, I thought, ‘this is a long shot--no one will ever seriously consider my book or the controversial subject matter.’ I entered anyway and crossed my fingers. Since my book was selected, we have been in nearly constant contact discussing options for promoting the book as a film and TV series. If you are doubtful of their commitment to your project, rest easy.

They do exactly what they say they will do and keep at it until they see the project succeed.” Said Zach Fortier, 2015 Book Pipeline winner.

Acceptable entries include:

• Novels and non-fiction books (up to approximately first 5,000 words) • Plays • Graphic Novels • Book proposals or pitches (fiction only) • Short stories Criteria and Review: All entries are judged on the basis of concept originality, writing ability, and primarily the property is viability as a film or television series. Judges will consist of Script Pipeline executives and the supporting management/production companies in the

bisi.daniels@thisdaylive.com Blog: www.bisidaniels.com, 08050220700

– Writers selected for the final rounds of judging may submit their full novel for review, if available. However, the final decisions will not hinge on a writer having the completed manuscript. Our primary concerns are the overall pitch and story synopsis in addition to the sample chapters to determine writing ability.

– Supplemental materials (illustrations, character bios, etc.) are optional but acceptable.

Companies ReviewingWinner

latter rounds of review.

Every entrant will receive brief, general feedback on their submission, specifically on the material’s adaptation potential, once results have been announced.

The winner

The winner to be announced on April 1, 2017, gets $5,000 Airfare to Los Angeles for meetings with development executives, as well as agencies and literary reps; and editorial write-up from Script Pipeline covering the material.

Also industry circulation to over 200 companies searching for new literary material and additional one-on-one development assistance and consultation from Script Pipeline executives, as well as editorial write-up from Script Pipeline covering the material

Submission Requirements: • A brief synopsis of the story. No length requirement, but 1-3 pages is typical. Please note this is required for all entries.

• In addition, for novels, novellas, and other full-length or in-progress books, we’ll accept up to approximately the first 5,000 words. For plays, graphic novels, proposals, and short stories, the complete manuscript may be submitted. *Materials may be uploaded during registration, OR sent as an attachment to entry@ bookpipeline.com after registration. Registrants will receive a confirmation email with further info and instructions.

Details:

– Material may be published or unpublished; if published, the film AND television rights must be available

How to Fit Writing Into Your Busy Schedule Writer Abby Schreiber, in her early teens, says everyone has a different take on the writing process, from the classic rhythm of “Write, edit, revise, and repeat” to the scramble of mismatched scenes that eventually come together.

As a young author, she says in Writers Digest, I find the writing process to be something stretchable, and easy to bend. The writer is the one who truly creates their own writing process out of the twenty-six letters that make up their basic materials.

At some point, though, you in your busy life might wonder, “How the heck am I going to fit this writing into my schedule?”

Well, there are two simple answers:. The first is to become a hermit. The second, and possibly more effective solution, is proactive time

BISI DANIELS

management.

First of all: absolutely do not become a hermit, or remove yourself in any way from friends and family! They will play a major part in the things you achieve. Instead, daydream and seek inspiration whenever you have a moment where getting lost in your ideas won’t be a hazard (because planning a novel in your head during brain surgery doesn’t sound like a good idea, does it?).

Plan beforehand. Whether you write on your own, or solely during events, planning makes things incredibly easier. I’ve found that planning can take many routes, too, but it boils down to this: you wrestle with what needs to happen to fulfill your story, then take note.

Perhaps you are like me and string index cards all over your work area, or maybe you make a

map of the world you have created.

When it comes to making the most of your writing time, there are ways to improve the amount you write, and still have time for your life. You sit down in your free time at your favorite place to write. Let’s say there is only one hour for you to get as much as you can done. What do you do?

First, shut off distractions. Tumblr, Facebook, it all has to go. Turn off the phone, hide away the book you’re reading (I know, it is hard). Once these things can’t be of distraction, you can get started, but with what? You have the characters and the world they belong to planned out, but where do you begin?

Well, with one word, followed by another. You begin writing with the words that may become the ending to the mystery or the introduction

Lakeshore Entertainment is producers of the Oscar-winning Million Dollar Baby and several hit studio films, including The Lincoln Lawyer, Underworld, and American Pastoral, based on the Philip Roth novel. In 2015, Lakeshore produced the acclaimed drama The Age of Adeline, with Blake Lively (Gossip Girl), Michiel Huisman (Orphan Black, Game of Thrones), and Harrison Ford. Lakeshore is also adapting a screen version of the Henry Farrell book What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? The company is actively searching for all types of genres for both film and television. The company is actively searching for all types of genres for both film and television.

Energy Entertainment is a management/ production company launched by Brooklyn Weaver in 2001. Brooklyn is served as executive producer with Steven Spielberg on the CBS sci-fi/ drama Extant, starring Academy Award-Winner Halle Berry. In 2013, Weaver co-produced the thriller Out of the Furnace with Leonardo DiCaprio and Ridley Scott. Energy has a number of other projects in development and preproduction, including a reboot of I Am Legend.

Darko Entertainment, launched by producers Sean McKittrick, Richard Hamm Jr., and writer Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko), Darko seeks director-driven films with a “unique voice,” in addition to literary material that can be adapted for the independent market. Notable projects include the cult hit Donnie Darko, Bad Words (Jason Bateman), The Box (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden), and the ensemble action/ comedy Operation: Endgame (Zach Galifianakis, Adam Scott, Ellen Barkin), co-produced with Script Pipeline’s Chad Clough. An adaptation of the Seth Grahame-Smith novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies released in 2016, starring a predominantly UK cast that includes Lena Heady (Game of Thrones), Lily James (Downton Abbey, Cinderella), and Matt Smith (Doctor Who).

Good Fear Film + Management , launched in 2016 by Chris Bender, whose credits with former production company Benderspink include American Pie, A History of Violence, The Hangover trilogy, and We’re the Millers. Manager Jake Wagner, whose clients include Script Pipeline competition alumni Evan Daugherty (Snow White and the Huntsman) and Tripper Clancy (Stranded), joins Bender and producer Jake Weiner. The company has several film and TV series in development across all genres. *Book Pipeline finalists will also have access to Script Pipeline’s industry network of over 200 production companies and agencies. Circulation is dependent on a project-by-project basis.

of a character. Steps turn to leaps. You leave this world behind to spend a small time somewhere else.

When it is time to get back to work, school, sleep, or whatever else you have to do, remember to never forget whatever it is you write with. Bring a notebook to continue in every spare moment, or your laptop to type during a lunch break. Wherever you go, inspiration follows, even if in the smallest ways.

Don’t write too long. Allow time to get snacks, and to give your mind a break. Writing, like anything, is a process that takes time to learn and improve upon.

Set the times when you can immerse yourself in the story that you have created. No one else can write the things you can. Even if you aren’t a writer, there are things that will never exist if you are not the one to create them. Embrace your ideas, establish goals to get where you want to go, and set off!

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JUNESATURDAY 16, 2011 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER THISDAY, THE NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

FAIRGROUND

Afrima Fashion Evolution

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

T

he just-concluded All Africa Music Awards grand finale which held recently in Lagos and has set in motion a fashion evolution being talked about in fashion circles.

The AFRIMA Red Carpet, considered one of its kind, enveloped the entire Eko Hotel and Suites driveway and even extended to the Convention Centre’s entrance.

Celebrities strutting the red carpet were not only fashionably dressed, they made statements with their attires.

For actresses such as Dayo Amusan, Bimbo Thomas, Eniola Badmus, Lillian Ama Aluko, Adunni Ade, Jennifer Eliogu and a host of others, it was time to show off what their wardrobe is made of.

From jumpsuits, to floor-length dresses, women dazzled on the red carpet. Maybe the cynosure of eyes were the celebrity couples who wowed guests with their appearance on the red carpet.

Osas and Gbenro Ajibade, who are both actors, stood out in their attire on the red carpet. Same also for actor/ model IK Ogbonna and his wife, Sonia.

For AFRIMA nominee, Zani Challe, who is a music act from Malawi, it was time to bare some skin. She dazzled guests in the floor-length black dress she wore to the AFRIMA ceremony.

Sally Mbanefo

Bonang Matheba

Dayo Amusaw

Bimbo Thomas

Eunice Efole

Gbenro and Osas

Ik Ogbonna and wife

Jannette

Lillian and Vivian Elvee

Olayinka Garfus

Zani Challe

Dupe Dada

Adunni Ade

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

37

FAIRGROUND

A Trip to Jamaica Shatters 30 Days in Atlanta Guinness World Record

A

s if setting a precedent with a gross Box Office of over N150 million wasn’t enough, Ayo Makun, popularly known as “AY” has impressively decimated the feat of his debut movie, 30 Days in Atlanta.

A Trip to Jamaica, the latest instalment in the adventures of Akpos,

which comedian, actor, and media mogul, AY both produced and starred in, has taken over N168 million at the box office and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Produced by AY and distributed by FilmOne Distribution Limited, A Trip to Jamaica sets a new benchmark in Nollywood and is a clear indication that Nigeria’s entertainment industry is a cash cow waiting to be milked.

Funke Akindele and AY Makun

Fresh Direct NG, DeliveryBros, Medsaf Win 2016 She Leads Africa Demo Day

A

container farming company, a motorbike delivery service and an online medical procurement platform went home as winners at the 2016 She Leads Africa Demo Day. The Demo Day was the closing ceremony to the 6 month She Leads Africa Accelerator entrepreneurship development program.

Supported by the Work in Progress!

Alliance and Guaranty Trust Bank, the SLA Accelerator worked with 10 promising companies looking to grow and scale their businesses. At the Demo Day five of the companies were able to pitch their businesses in front of esteemed business leaders to win cash and prizes.

The judges included Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, Founder and President of the Growing Business Foundation; Ben White, Founder of Venture Capital for Africa; Ololade Fadoju, Head of Guaranty Trust Bank’s SME MarketHub e-commerce platform; and Eloho Omame, CEO of Amari Ltd. Speaking about the event She Leads Africa’s co-founder Afua Osei said “Since July,

Fresh Direct NG First Place Winner (Angel Adelaja)

it has been absolutely amazing to see the growth and development of these entrepreneurs.” The finalists competed for over N3,500,000 in cash prizes.

The winning startup was Fresh Direct NG, an agricultural technology company which grows produce within shipping containers. An urban farm within

the heart of Abuja, within a 20ft shipping container, Fresh Direct NG can grow the same produce as a football pitch and a half. The judges were impressed by the significant potential of founder Angel Adelaja’s company to disrupt the African agriculture and import industry. Angel Adelaja received a N2,000,000 cash prize presented by Guaranty Trust Bank.

The second place winner was DeliveryBros, a motorbike delivery service which aggregates individuals and SMEs who need pickups with riders from various delivery companies who are in the area. The DeliveryBros system aims to reduce the stress of moving packages around Lagos, Abuja and Accra and won N1,000,000 to invest in building the technology and mobile app to optimize the process.

In third place was Vivian Nwakah, cofounder of Medsaf.com, an easy-to-use online platform built for medical service providers such as hospitals, pharmacies and clinics, to purchase and manage medication. BathKandy & Co. founder Blondie Okpuzor received a special mention from the judges as the company to most likely build a billion naira business.

Nigeria to Get Major Economic Boost from TABEF – Okpe

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usinesses in different sectors of the economy are about to enjoy a major boost as Turkey promised more investment in Africa. The promise was made at the just concluded Turkey – Africa Business Economic Forum, TABEF 2016 in Instabul. This is in line with the country’s resolve to create an enabling environment for future collaborations.

Speaking at the event, the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said Turkey will in the coming days focus on helping many businesses in Africa with a view to promoting “closer cooperation with our regional allies, develop solutions to shared challenges and explore mutually beneficial opportunities…We share a common fate. We consider the priority of the African continent as our priority. There is a nice African proverb that says one day’s rain cannot get deep into the soil. We would like to remain friends forever.”

The event which was attended by major stakeholders in the Nigerian economy ranging from construction, energy, food and healthcare promised a massive turn

around that will boost trade in Africa.

Emphasising on the benefits of the forum to Nigeria’s economy, Dr. Nneka Ebru Okpe, Co-founder and Lead Consultant at IntraSolutions Consultancy; one the major facilitators of the Nigerian-Turkey business partnership, said that events like this and the last economic forum on business collaboration between Turkey and Abia state government in Abuja should be encouraged as to increase foreign direct investment in the country.

According to her, “Turkey is ready to do business in Africa and we can already see this by the country’s willingness to expand the scope. Many opportunities are opened to both government and private sector businesses to thrive under this relationship” Erdogan promised to establish an embassy in every country of the African continent. The President also said that Turkey’s foreign direct investments in the continent have reached $3.9 billion while the trade volume between Turkey and the continent increased to $17.5 billion in 2015 from $7 billion in 2005.”

Dr. Okpe said “ All these are pointers

Founders, IntraSolutions Consultancy, Lead Consultant -Dr. Nneka Ebru Okpe, Commercial attaché of Turkish Embassy to Nigeria -Dr Ahmet Zafer Gulsen, Pierre Edde Development Director of Eko Atlantic City, Mr Hakan Özel, President of Deik Nigeria at TABEF 2016

that in the next few years, recession or not, Nigeria will experience a tremendous investment partnership in the area of hospitality, agriculture, energy and manufacturing amongst others” By the involvement of IntraSolutions, Abia state has already started to enjoy the benefit of

the relationship in the area of shoe and garment making; even before TABEF held.

One thing that they are sure about is that the relationship will spread across the country with many state governments and private sector investors benefiting a great deal.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • November 26, 2016

November 26, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • November 26, 2016

FITNESS FILE

The Edenlifestyle corner with

MAJE AYIDA

Life’s Worth

majeayida@edenlifenigeria.com www.edenlifenigeria.com, 07062614551

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aving 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 we are 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, 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. 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. 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

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? 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.

viNtage

Precious Sam Launches New Album

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man with his burning desire of becoming a professional musician has finally launched its new musical album tittled ‘‘The Future’’, a ten track album featuring the likes of Monique of Spaggetti records, Biyi Samuel, Psalm Ebube, Emmanuel Davis, Psalmist Israel ,Victor Trumpet.

The unveiling of this album was done at the 10th Edition of his annual musical concert known as Precious Concert held at Federal Government College Lagos on Sunday 16th of October and it witnessed a massive crowd within the country and abroad in the 10,000 capacity hall.

According to Precious Sam, The Future album is a gift to the current situation of this great country. The future is bright if only we return to the only one (God) who knows it all. The album consists of soul lifting songs, inspirational and thought provoking songs produced

by Sunex, Amosu Joseph and Precious Sam Ayodele.

The event was moderated by the ace comedian and MTN ambassador Hafiz Oyetoro popularly known as Simply Saka and Femi Durojaye of Wale Adenuga productions.

The royal father of the day was His Royal Majesty, The Onijanikin of Ijanikin kingdom, Oba Muhamodu Ashafa.

“Sam is a humble son any parent would wish to have, I see him as my son. His songs are so inspirational and that’s why he is our royal musician. He ministers in all our palace programes including my daughter’s wedding as the bandstand with about 50 kings in attendance. He is a gift to this generation and we believe so much in his dreams and hard work. The palace will continue to support his ministry and the name of Jesus Christ will continue to be glorified,” remarked Oba Ashafa.

Pastor Paul Emmanuel, the provincial pastor of RCCG (LP 30) was in attendance to dedicate the album. He said: “The future is bright and this is the only message Nigerians need at this

time’ Mr Ogunbona Olubayo Simon, H.O.D Music Department of the College appreciates how Precious keeps lifting the banner of music higher. “His style of music is taking him to where he wants to be along with where God want him to be as definition of music is the fundamental to being able to discuss, categorize, and otherwise consider what was understood as music,” remarked the HoD. Precious Sam trilled his fans, friends and family with energetic performances from his new album from Algbawi-Oba Onibuore-Bimoji-The Future and Omo Oba which had a drama which left everyone asking for more.

Precious Sam started composing songs at teenage age, went to Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education to study music along with his wife. Precious who is originally from Odeomu-Osun State said that he never abandoned his desire of becoming a gospel singer. He is one of the most artistic and enigmatic gospel musicians around today.

The album titled “The Future” which precious says is meant to represent strength “after many years of trying and the burden is finally off my shoulders,” he said.

Precious Sam recognized the presence of Deaconess Wuraola Ayodele “Mama Fine Girl” his mummy whom refuses to marry since the demise of her husband.

The songs focus more on the future.

In my songs, I remind mostly young people, Christian, lost souls that there is better ending ahead compare to the beginning. There is no other way closer to the future than keep trying. A number of leading Nigeria artist feature in the new album released on October 16, 2016 at Federal College of Education, AOCOED like Emmanuel Davis, Bunmi Omije, Monique, Biyi Samuel (igi aruwe), Naomi Classic, Psalmist Isreal, Olujazz, Saka, Femi Durojaiye.

The album will immediately be on sale in Nigeria and neighboring countries.

Precious Sam produced the album in partnership with PVP Music.

NOVEMBER 26, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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FASHION FILE

Ade Bakare Couture 2017 Summer Collection

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

FASHION FILE Ade Bakare Couture 2017

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otal luxury and proudly Nigerian are the themes of Ade Bakare’s Couture 2017 Summer Collection which have been inspired by the different cultures and styles of Nigeria. Usually, Bakare has looked further afield on the African continent for his inspirations, however, for this new collection, he has taken all his influences from some major cultures in Nigeria.

Rich sumptuous brocades, silk georgettes, chiffons and silk crepes have been used to translate styles from the north, west and eastern parts of Nigeria. Lace plays a prominent role in the collection, with the use of guipure, corded lace and beautiful delicate Chantilly to mention just a few. Long dresses for both day and evening wear, blouses with match matching long skirts, buba-cut tops with palazzo trousers will all be on display.

His signature silk adire blouses and their puff sleeves also feature. The collection is rich in detail.

It has been 10 years since Ade Bakare opened his boutique on Victoria Island at Sandiland Arcade on Muri Okunola Street, Lagos.

The venue has become a mecca for his discerning and elegant clients; he constantly shuttles between his London studio and the Lagos shop. This trans-

Atlantic working life is evident in his collections which have now embraced his African heritage while still maintaining an international appeal.

His Summer 2017 Collection will be presented at the prestigious Wheat Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, to his private clients on the 4th of December 2016.

One of the highlights of this show will be an Ode To Remi Lagos, the late fashion designer, who was a great friend - in her memory Ade Bakare has designed a capsule range in black and white inspired by her love of kaftans and boubous to be modelled by some elegant and fashionable ladies such as Mosun Ogunbanjo, Kaine Amachree, Ngozi Princewell-Utchey, Tundun Tejuosho, Bukki Olatunji, Yewande Amusan, Ruth Osime and Abbey ikomi to mention a few.

As part of his continuous sup-port of emerging fashion talent in Nigeria, two up and coming design design-ers will show their collections on the day and a rising star will also be performing some songs.

The event has been kindly supported by the luxury drinks group Moët and Hennessy and the Wheat Wheat-baker Hotel. it promises to be an exciting evening.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

WITH

MARKET PLACE

OMOLABAKE FASHOGBON 08033621009

L-R: Public Relations Manager,Power Oil,Ms Omotayo Azeez;Tunge Maje Community Head,Gwagwalada Abuja, Alhaji Saliu Nahanabi; Women Leader, Tunge Maje Community,Rabi Usman and Medical Consultant,Doctor Teju Adeyekun during Power Oil health camp exercise in Abuja recently

L-R: National Senior Partner, KPMG Nigeria, Mr Kunle Elebute; Chief Operating / Information Officer, Fidelity Bank PLC, Gbolahan Joshua; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Lagos State, Mr Akinyemi Ashade; Executive Director, Asset and Investment Managerment, Coronation Merchant Bank, Aigbovbiosie AigImoukhuede; and KPMG Global Co-Head of FinTech, Waren Mead, during the launch of FinTech Magazine in Lagos recently

Power Oil Takes ‘Health Camp’ to Abuja, Kano Continuing its health initiative aimed at reaching out to customers in different parts of the country, the Power Oil Health Camp team has taken the programme to Kano and Abuja communities where it was heartily received.

Members of the Mariri Community in Kumbotso Local Government area of Kano, including the district head, councilor and women leader who participated in the checkup activation exercise commended the company for the rare opportunity.

In Abuja, the exercise also recorded a huge turnout in Tunge-maje community, Gwagwalada as community members, especially women came

Consumers Envisage Apple’s Best at 10th Anniversary As the American Smartphone company, ,Apple, plans a big one for its iPhone’s 10th year anniversary come 2017,there are high expectations that the phone maker may be releasing its best ever brand of IPhone to commemorate a decade presence in the market.

According to industry watchers, the next Apple flagship which may ended up being branded iPhone 8 iPhone 7s ,iPhone 10 or even iPhone Air or iPhone Pro would feature quirky improvements and ground breaking features which was believed to have been deliberately deferred for the next year release .

Observers noted further that the latest IPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 plus come in features that were not unknown with a little upgrade, hence the much anticipation for the 2017 launch which is believed would possess the mobile world.

For the upcoming Apple model, it has been predicted that the device would combine both design and hardware changes which would qualify it for the most radical product to date.

Some of the much talked about features expected in the 2017 version of the phone include : an all-glass body device , a touch ID button that would live under the glass and respond with haptic feedback.

Other technology followers predicted a wireless charging, which will be the first so far if considered, as well as possible biometric features such as facial recognition or iris scanning, to run the Apple A11 processor and motion co-processor.

IPhone made its debut in 2017 and ever since, has not stopped being the darling of classy consumers. The latest being 1phone 7 and IPhone 7plus made its entry to the market in September.

out enmass to share in the company’s health benefits.

Commenting on the exercise, the Public Relations Manager of the company, Miss Omotayo Azeez stated that the well-being of customers and Nigerians was paramount to the brand.

“Considering the alarming rate of health complications in the society, it was necessary that we take this step as part of our responsibilities to sensitise Nigerians on the need to lead and maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular checkups and healthy choice of food consumption to achieve a sound health. This

we carry out often with the support of qualified medical doctors”, she said.

The councilor of the Mariri community, Alhaji Bashir Hassan, praised the initiative and also enjoined other corporate organisations to take a clue from the brand and support government campaigns for good health.

To the district head of Tunga-maje, Alhaji Hussani Barde said : “We are so happy to be part of this initiative. We enjoyed the opportunity of free blood pressure, pulse and body mass index check alongside other medical services. It has also become clearer to us what lifestyles and

Knorr Activates Campaign to Fight Anaemia Knorr, a flagship seasoning brand of Unilever Nigeria Plc, has stepped up its ‘Knorr Green Food Steps’ campaign which debuted last year in order to strengthen the impact of the initiative.

According to the company, the campaign was one of the company’s strategies to wage war against iron deficiency anaemia , to sensitise Nigeria on how to live free of anemia and to champion nutritious cooking through a behavioural change programme.

In carrying out this exercise, the organisation visited some selected schools in Abuja, Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi states to lecture mothers and their teenage daughters on simple and easy ways to cook nutritious and iron filled meals such that would repel iron deficiency anaemia in the body.

Brand Building Director, Foods, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe advised participants to follow the three simple Knorr Green Food steps to live free of iron deficiency anaemia.

“Toss green vegetables into every stew, stir it all together and crumple in iron enriched Knorr cubes, then you can be assured of a sound health. Adequate iron intake during adolescence is crucial to decreasing iron deficiency anaemia which is why we have put together this programme to champion nutritious cooking through a behavioural change programme by making nutritious meals a priority, easy to achieve and more desirable,” Alakwe explained.

The Principal of Government Secondary School, Bwari, Abuja, one of the participating schools, Mrs. Aderinto Margaret, lauded the campaign which she said had further opened her understanding of how to achieve simple iron-rich meals.

After the training sessions, the brand also hosted participants in a celebration party to evaluate the impact of the training as well as engaged them in cooking and dancing competitions after which the best students and mothers were rewarded by the brand.

Access Bank Invests in Lagos City Marathon Access Bank Plc has expressed its readiness to support the second edition of the Lagos City Marathon contest slated for next year February.

Managing Director of the financial institution, Mr. Herbert Wigwe who expressed this commitment noted that the bank in conjunction with the state government had concluded arrangements at ensuring that the next edition of the programme was more fulfilling than previous edition.

Wigwe added that the bank was impressed to have identified with an initiative which projected Lagos State as a haven for sports development and committed to the growth of tourism and youth development.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode also reaffirmed that the 2017 edition of the initiative would record a major improvement, adding that several individuals and corporate organisations had started showing interest to partner on the event which provided a platform to engage and empower thousands of Lagosians in various sectors.

The 2017 version of the contest would play host to no fewer than 50,000 participants globally and also feature the top 10 men and women marathoners in the world, who would also be joined by gold, silver and bronze label marathoners from different parts of the world.

Announcing the appearance fees, the governor disclosed that :”Gold label runners will get $50,000, silver label $20,000 while bronze label is $10,000.Invited local and foreign elite runners would also be paid 50 per cent of their appearance fee now and balance up when they arrive Lagos for the tourney”.commitment to innovative solutions and improvement in emerging technology.

We have been consistent in the provision of valuable and innovative services and has remained true to our transformative objective of using the best and most innovative technologies to provide customers with reliable, easy-to-use and affordable IT services, in line with our vision of being most valuable technology solution provider in Africa.

habit to adopt and shun to live a healthy life .”

The Power Oil Health Camp initiative started in 2013 with the aim of providing free basic health check-up to customers at the grassroots level, as well as sensitise Nigerians on ways and lifestyle to keep so as to build and maintain a healthy heart as well a low moderate cholesterol body.

Other similar health supporting initiatives of the organisation include: the annual Power Oil Walk-Heart-on and ‘Pay with Calories’ initiative which held its third edition recently in three locations.

IPI Wins Innovation Award of Excellence The IPI Solutions Nigeria Limited has won this year’s ‘Innovation Award of Excellence’ in Information Communication Technology systems integration, disaster recovery and enterprise audit management.

The award which was presented by the Institute for Government Research Leadership Technology, IGRLT, at the 2016 African Governance and Corporate Leadership Awards held recently, was another milestone in the history of the technology company following its evolvement over the years as one of the trusted Information Technology, IT, platform solution providers and leading systems integrator.

Chief Executive Officer of IGRLT, Ambassador Moses Essien, noted that the honoured company was adjudged outstanding in the award category having met all the award criteria ranging from its expertise in data disaster recovery and enterprise audit management, competence in identity management and technology implementation services including brand integrity, customer retention and prompt service delivery among others.

“The mission of the African Governance and Corporate Leadership Awards include to painstakingly conduct research, recognise and reward corporate citizens and governments that are operating performance-driven, result-oriented management. Those who have moved away from the traditional ways of doing things, despite all odds, deliver service, create wealth, reduce unemployment and contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic product, GDP. IPI Solutions excelled in all these assessments and qualified for the award”, Essien said.

Reacting to the award, Chief Executive Officer of IPI Solutions Nigeria Limited, Mr. Adamu Garba II stated that “The award was in recognition of our company’s unalloyed commitment to innovative solutions and improvement in emerging technology. We have been consistent in the provision of valuable and innovative services and has remained true to our transformative objective of using the best and most innovative technologies to provide customers with reliable, easy-to-use and affordable IT services, in line with our vision of being most valuable technology solution provider in Africa.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • November 26, 2016

IMAGES Burial ceremony for late Ezinne Comfort Ifeyinwa Okonkwo, nee Nwolisa (Nne Umuaka, Nne Obioma), mother of Kasie Abone of Thisday, was held at her home town, Abagana, in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State. Pictures show some of the people who were there to pay their last respect to the who dedicated her life to selfless service to humanity especially women and children

Mrs. Ruth Adai, Mrs. Ijeoma Agba, Mrs. Ogbe, Kasie Abone and Arinze Okonkwo paying last respect to their mother

MD/CEO, Asollo Universal Autos Nigeria Ltd, Chief Dennis Chukwudili Amobi, Hon Ikechukwu Okakpu, Njikoka Local Govt PDP Leader, Chief Ikechukwu Obeki, US-based businessman, Chief Augustin Obeki and Prince Pius Amobi

L-R: Representative of Governor Obiano and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Vicky Chikwelu, Principal Secretary to Governor Obiano, Mr. Willy Nwokoye, Commissioner for Information, Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta (also represent- Ezinne’s sons from left, Barr. Daniel, Mark Ogbe and Peter jnr ing Gov. Obiano), Kasie and Anambra State FADAMA Cordinator, Mr. Patrick Chuks Egbue

Representatives of the Anambra State First Lady, Her Excelency, Chief Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, SSA, Science and Technology, Ngozi Okoye, B0arr. Obiorah Nweke, SA IGR, Mr. Tony Nwazojie and SSA Media to the first lady, Mr. Emeka Ozumba

APGA Stalwarts, Chief George Ozoh, Hon. Bonav Uzuegbuna led other APGA members to represent Former APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh

Kasie Abone welcoming her husband, Chief Okechukwu Abone (3rd right) flanked by him are (left), Wing Commander Joe Ezeanyika (rtd), Patrick Ichie Chukwujekwu, Chief Alexandra Nnakwue Abone and other relations

L-R: Barr. Daniel Okonkwo, Chief Ugodilinwa Augustine Ugokwe, Prof. Joy Ogbazi, Mrs. Nwije Anaenyeonu, Mrs. Comfort Elobi and Prof. Jonny Ogbazi

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

EVENTS

Mr. and Mrs. Davidson Oriahi

Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

A Pleasant Surprise on EnuguOnitsha Highway from Ugwuanyi Uchenna Nwuzo

laudatory.

ew things typify the unwholesome state of federal presence in the South-East as does the Enugu-Onitsha highway.

This 105-odd-kilometre road, arguably the most important highway into the region, has lately been a nightmare experience for travellers. So agonizing, in fact, that some recall spending hours at just a spot, leaving one to cringe at the mere thought of how grim the situation will be with the usual surge in traffic during the Christmas season.

The reaction from anyone who had had such horrid experience has been anything but complimentary as evident in frequent outburst on social media. The brunt, typically, has been borne by the governors of Anambra and Enugu in whose states the highway cuts a swathe.

I had no illusions about the experience that lay ahead as I departed Enugu for Onitsha early this month on a Friday morning, a usually busy day along that corridor. I had left quite early to make ample provision for the likely delay particularly at the Ugwuoba axis given that I hoped to visit a few friends and conclude my transactions before the next day’s return trip. It turned out my anxieties had been unfounded because Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had weeks earlier signed the contract for the repair of the roads. The once deplorable roads were suddenly becoming well paved, thus halving the time it took travellers to arrive at their destinations during that dark, frustrating period.

But even as plaudits mount for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the various earth-movers even out the potholed sections along the 9th Mile axis and the Ugwuoba - Oji River stretch, the fact the rehabilitation has yet to find the sort of traction which reports of travellers’ painful experiences on that route had gained in the media still speaks to the need to consider a review of the federal-state roads dichotomy.

The muted response seen in both the traditional and new media is typical of the cynical times we live in. It offers a glimpse into the public mindset; how the people would rather always see their leaders fix problems and not the impediments to the fixing of such problems. This mindset brings out clearly the absurd details of the country’s state-federal roads dichotomy.

When federal roads collapse, the federal government is usually spared the ire of the masses. Not so for any governor in whose state such roads are located.

Of course, it hardly ever matters whether the highway is designated a “federal road”. It’s immaterial too that the statutory obligation to fix the many so-called federal roads across Nigeria is among the reason the federal government gets 56 percent of national earnings as against 44 percent for the entire states and local government areas.

The current rehabilitation has undoubtedly swelled the federal government’s obligation to Enugu State because it had earlier spent over N25bn fixing federal roads without receiving the requisite reimbursement despite several notifica-

F

Ugwuanyi

So with ample time on my hand having arrived Onitsha much earlier than the horribly past condition of the road usually permitted and rounded off all I needed to do, I was able to make the return trip to Enugu that same day. Apart from the delays that once characterized such trips, there was also a telling absence of vitriol from passengers railing against the governors for the poor state of the roads. In place of unsavoury comments, the voices have become unanimously

tions to the federal government.

Early this year, the Enugu State House of Assembly passed a motion imploring the federal government to refund the sum of N25.9bn said to have been spent by the state on federal roads.

“We are constrained to make this appeal after waiting for about two years in which the roads were rehabilitated without any reimbursement from the federal government despite series of efforts and appeals,” the motion sponsored

by Hon. Chinedu Nwamba, read.

The pace of work so far suggests those traveling to their country home to spend this Christmas holiday with Kith and kin will certainly have a smooth journey, thanks to the bold resolve by Governor Ugwuanyi to take on a clearly stated federal responsibility at this austere time.

But such gestures do not seem sustainable especially given that more than two years after the Enugu State legislators’ letter to the federal government, no refund has been made. Despite this, the pressure on states to on additional responsibilities of the federal government intensifies.

A logical path out of this dilemma is timely refund of funds so spent by state governments. Even more sensibly, the ludicrous classification of roads could be stopped outright so a more realistic revenue allocation formula to our threetiered government will emerge. While we await that, I think it’s fitting to say kudos to Governor Ugwuanyi like the middleaged man who kept voicing those words repeatedly as our bus cruised along the Ugwuoba axis which now wears a fresh coat of asphalt, a sight last glimpsed many years ago.

The Ascension of Donald J. Trump Femi Fani-Kayode

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hough, rather belated, I hereby congratulate President-elect, Donald Trump on a magnificent victory at the polls in America and I wish him well.

I have been an ardent supporter of a Trump presidency for the last one year and I wrote two essays predicting his victory and stating the reasons why I supported him during the primaries and before the election respectively.

More importantly, the election of Trump was a fulfillment of prophecy. His ascension to power was propelled by a force and power that is not of this world and that simply cannot be resisted by any human being or satanic conspiracy.

Simply put, the Lord Himself raised and prepared Trump and He will use him to bring glory to His name, to effect His purpose and to establish His counsel and will in the United States of America and indeed the entire free world.

Most importantly, I celebrate the fact that with His son and servant, in the saddle, God Himself will be back in the White House and good old fashioned Christian values will once again be cherished and espoused by the leader of the leader of the free world and the most powerful man on earth.

If I can say that I had at least one beautiful moment in the last three weeks during my illegal incarceration by the EFCC, this was it.

As the news filtered into the EFCC underground cell that Trump had won,

Trump

I shouted “praise the Lord” at the top of my voice to the utter amazement and chagrin of my cell-mates and the cellguards.

Finally, let it be clearly understood that the implications of a Trump presidency for Nigeria are far-reaching and self-evident.

Those that came to power last year on the mantle of racial discrimination and that espoused the most hideous form of ethnic bigotry and religious fanaticism certainly have a lot of soul-searching to do because their friends in the Obama White House are on their way out and their darling Hilary is not coming in to replace

him.

I assure you that President Trump, who I have known and studied closely for many years, will literally give them hell.

Not only will he resist their constant and gross violations of human rights and civil liberties but he will also bring them to justice for their regular use of genocide against religious and ethnic minorities in our country. For those that wield political power in Nigeria and for the small cabal of ethnic hegemonists, “born to rule” irredentists and religious bigots that run the affairs of our nation, the writing is on the wall.

Their days are numbered because those that put them in power from America have themselves been shamed and removed from power by the Living God. In the next few years, many changes will take place in politics throughout the world as right-wing nationalism ride on the crest of a rising tide and a beautiful wave.

Nothing will be able to stop the irresistible and righteous quest for self-determination and the reawakening of ancient cultural identities all over the world in the next few months which has come as a consequence of the Trump victory. It started with Brexit in the United Kingdom and the rise of right wing and ultra nationalist political parties like Nigel Farage’s UKIP. It was followed by the rise of Marie Le Pen’s National Front in France and political parties with a similar disposition and ideology in Italy, Holland, Belgium, Hungary and Germany.

It has now culminated in a Trump victory in the United States of America.

Throughout the world, there is a new,

strong and rising tide of resistance to governmental tyranny, the propagation of political correctness, the imposition of foreign and alien values, the establishment of state-sponsored slavery, the promotion of anti-Judeo-Christian philosophies, the enforcement of religious bigotry and servitude, the pampering and accommodation of radical Islam and terror and the suppression of ethnic and religious minorities.

We in Nigeria will not be left out. The time for our final emancipation and permanent liberation from the representatives of Satan on earth, the forces of darkness and our internal colonial masters are at hand.

Freedom beckons and greatness calls all those who dare to believe and who are courageous enough to damn the consequences and take it. If Trump can turn the tide and the tables in America then we, by the grace of God, can also do it here.

As my friend Jackie Macgunn wrote on Facebook, “A Putin/Trump/Netanyahu coalition is the worst nightmare for the world sponsors of terror and marks the end of an era of the Washington apologists for ISIS, AL Qaeda, AL Nusra, the Taliban, AL Shabab, Boko Haram and the Fulani militants and herdsmen”.

This is what they call the “Trumpeffect” and those that are not comfortable with it must be prepared to live with it for the next eight years whether they like it or not.

I thank God for Trump and I trust and believe God that his era will.be one of great glory for the United States of America and indeed the civilised world.

47

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

PenCom and First Guarantee Pension: The Fallacies, the Facts Rabiu Usman

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he National Pension Commission, PenCom, recently announced to the joy of workers and managers of the economy, that the nation’s pension assets hit N5.9 trillion as at September 2016. That was from about N2 trillion deficit in 2004.

However, this steady rise in pension assets could not have been possible without sound and strict industry regulation by PenCom. PenCom and First Guarantee Pension Of the regulatory interventions of PenCom since inception, its sack, in 2011, of the Board of the First Guarantee Pension Limited (FGPL) and institution of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) in line with Section 88(2), Section 20(i), and Section 21(j) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004 has been largely misrepresented in public domain by mischief makers.

The former Vice Chairman of the Board of the FGPL, Hon. Nze Chidi Duru and his allies have capitalised on PenCom’s studied silence in deference to litany of lawsuits surrounding the PFA to peddle blatant lies through publications and petitions to different quarters. But if PenCom cannot speak, persons knowledgeable in the industry should be able to speak up.

Why PenCom Struck Findings show that PenCom’s regulatory intervention in FGPL was informed by the results of the various regular and special examinations by the regulator on FGPL spanning 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

They all revealed persistent infractions and corrupt corporate governance practices, which exposed pension assets in the custody of FGPL to severe risk.

For instance, PenCom’s report on the Special Examination in March 2011 indicted Chief Orlando Ojo, the erstwhile Chairman of the PFA; Nze Chidi Duru, erstwhile Vice Chairman of the PFA; and Mr. Derrick Roper, former director of the PFA Novare Holdings (Pty) Ltd, South Africa, of serious violations of the Code of Ethics and Business Practices, Code of Corporate Governance for Licensed Operators issued by the regulator, and provisions Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004, etc.

It also accused them of double invoice payments and reckless award of contracts to companies they had interests, while Chidi Duru was specifically alleged to have obtained initial shares with Guardian

DG Pencom, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu Express Bank cheques Nos. 221 and 227 as well as a Diamond Bank cheque all totalling N30 million, which value could not be traced to FGPL’s account.

It was, therefore, in view of the grave implications of the above infractions and need to protect the N42.2 pension assets of over 163,617 Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders, that PenCom summoned a meeting of all shareholders where the various infractions were revealed to the astonishment and displeasure of stakeholders.

Based on the negotiated soft-landing at that meeting of 11th May 2011, Nze Duru resigned through a letter dated 21st July 2011.

But he later backtracked on the resignation and sued the Commission.

Is PenCom Disobeying any Court Orders?

Although Chidi Duru and his allies have consistently accused PenCom of flouting court orders and directives of the Minister of Justice/Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), findings reveal that PenCom has only ensured the maintenance of status quo in FGPL in line with the orders of court.

Contrary to the misinformation, the status quo is to stay the execution of the Judgment of the Federal High Court obtained by Chidi Duru pending the appeal separately filed by PenCom and the AGF. Curiously also, Duru has failed to disclose in his narratives that the enforcement of the fundamental rights of Derrick Roper and Novare Holdings (Pty) Limited had been stayed, pending the appeal, which is currently before the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

Besides, were PenCom in breach of court

orders, there is something in our legal jurisprudence called contempt and the court could have taken care of that.

The Five-Year Regulatory Intervention The argument over the length time spent PenCom’s regulatory intervention vide the Interim Management Committee (IMC) has lasted does make sense as there is no way time spent in the intervention could be considered in disregard to lingering plethora of litigations surrounding the FGPL. It can therefore be said that the period of the intervention had been stretched by litigations consistent with the constitutional rights of the parties concerned on one hand and the refusal of the individuals and shareholders involved to make concessions due to their selfish ego. The resolution of the issues and impasse resulting therefrom can only be attained by judicial intervention, which was opened by Chidi Duru in the first place.

PenCom was only compelled to resort to appealing the judgment of Justice Okorowo and the fate of that appeal is also bound by the factor of time.

Rendering Account of the FGPL The misinforming petitions by Duru that the IMC currently running FGPL has not rendered account of the PFA for years in compliance with the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) is just what it is- cheap propaganda. Findings show that there has been no appropriate Board and Management of the PFA for nearly five (5) years since the regulatory intervention due to the litigations earlier explained. Therefore, non-rendering of the account of the FGPL’s cannot be attributed to PenCom because you can only render account to a properly constituted Board and Management.

It is even worth mentioning that just like many meetings aimed at settling the impasse, the shareholders AGM on 13th July 2012 pursuant to a directive issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), was frustrated by Nze Duru himself vide Suit No. FHC/L/CS/145/2012, which he filed against the shareholders and CAC. The case is still ongoing. So, it is such FGPL shareholders’ duels and ego, not PenCom, that have frustrated efforts to hold AGM/EGMs to resolve the issues in FGPL. Alleged Forgery by the Secretary to FGPL with Abetment of PenCom? Duru has variously alleged that PenCom instigated the Company Secretary of FGPL, Ms Funmi Oluwo, to forge and file changes in the share structure of FGPL.

Although the issue of shareholding of FGPL is an internal affair of the company and its shareholder, findings show that in order to ensure good corporate governance practices, PenCom drew the attention of FGPL’s shareholders to the dilution of shares of FGPL allegedly by Nze Chidi Duru, who had been allegedly illegally underwriting perceived allowances and refunds to equities and converting them as shares in the names of his companies.

Again, since the external solicitors engaged

by Nze Chidi Duru as company secretaries of FGPL before PenCom’s regulatory intervention relied upon technicalities to insulate themselves from liability arising from alleged breaches of Code of Corporate Governance in favour of Duru, PenCom introduced a corporate governance practice in the pension industry, compelling operators to appoint Company Secretaries from within.

Ms. Olowo was an in-house lawyer employed by Nze Chidi Duru himself before PenCom’s regulatory intervention that sacked him. So, why is he challenging the legitimate action of this staff whom he engaged ab initio if not the fear that she knows so much about what transpired regarding the shareholdings and structure of FGPL? PenCom must not relent Everything considered, PenCom is a creation of law and its actions and activities guided by the relevant statutes and other extant laws and regulations. Even in the instance of FGPL, PenCom deserves commendation for its transparent and timely intervention. As the figures above show, PenCom has turned around FGPL business from loss to profitability and growth in market share.

The recent “Excellent and Emphatic Leader” award bestowed on the PenCom DG, Mrs. Anohu-Amazu, by the Trade Union Congress also clearly show that we, the Nigerian workers. pensioners, and pension industry stakeholders, appreciate that PenCom leadership insistence on strict regulation and enforcement is to secure and grow our life savings.

Good enough, President Muhammadu Bubari showed strong political will and backing to PenCom when he commended its enforcement efforts during the last World Pension Summit and tasked it to step on more defaulting toes. So, PenCom must not capitulate. Spurious allegations and shadow boxing should not save offenders from the wrath of the law.

–Usman writes from Kebbi

For Osun, A New Era Beckons Kolawole Ogunwale

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he founding fathers of Osun State and those that built it from the scratch meant well for it. They worked day and night to sustain its growth. They were selfless, patriotic and organized. They are men and women of great virtues, who put the state before their individual interests. In fact, they have no personal interest or ambition, other than that Osun State should have accelerated growth.

I, Senator Felix Kolawole Ogunwale, has been following in the footsteps of these truly great Osun indigenes by offering my little services whenever I am called upon to do so since 1980, when I started putting people up for political offices. I am never tired of offering my services and will never be. This time in the history of our great Osun State calls for sober reflections and thought for the way forward, to make it many steps ahead of others. We need men and women, who are sincere, pure, thorough, indigenous and non-sentimental to take Osun to the next level.

I share in the present pains of our people for the past six years plus, occasioned by projects, that are absolutely non- beneficial to and do not put food on the tables of the down-trodden masses of our people. Though, each government/administration with its own style, hence, I am not apportioning blames.

For each man, his own time with posterity

to judge us, kindly or harshly through our action or inaction.

But we cannot continue in Osun, to be an appendage of another state, which today, is the alleged beneficiary of our collective patrimony, in the name of Capital Flight therein.

Before our own very eyes, aliens, people who neither toil nor have any affinity in whatever forms with us the indigenes came, saw and parted and continue to part, with our hardearned resources without batting an eyelid.

We all looked aghast, whilst the avoidable stance of politics of gbajue continues unabatedly. Whither the acclaimed “international” airport at Iddo-Osun, where billions of naira was sunk. It is now overgrown with tall shrubs and now a den for men of the underworld. Heaps and heaps of laterite and heavy stones dumped at the different locations of the “international” airport are its gains.

All that is visible at the environment of the “airport” is badly conceived and constructed perimeter fencing. Osun citizens, this among other intangible projects is not your portion. A dawn of a new era shall soon set in, when we shall all sit down at a round-table and discuss heartily, and if possible bitterly, about how to move our dear state forward. Afi Olohun.

Afi Enia, shall be the theme of our new orientation in Osun State as from 2018. No individual or group of people, no matter their worth is greater than the peasants in Osun, who indeed own the state.

I have heard it said, why should Kola Ogunwale stick out his neck again from Osun

Central District, which has produced two governors for Osun for a total of 12 years?

My simple answer is: Only the Best Is Good for Osun State. The Bush family in United States of America, at different times produced two presidents, in father and son, for the United States. Both Bush senior and Bush junior, are from the state of Texas. Americans are no fools to have taken that gamble.

Whether Central, East or West Senatorial District, only the best is good for Osun State at its present critical time of wanton destruction of human and material resources.

Workers and pensioners are groaning for survival through “HAFSAT”- a parlance for half salary. This needs not be, if we had learnt to cut our coat according to our cloth in the past six years without cutting corners.

For those in control right now, their best is just not good enough. Let us continue to learn to support, those who are home-grown democrats, who sincerely know the terrain and where the shoe pinches the people of Osun State.

To err is human. Forgiveness divine.

We shall readily forgive those who have mortgaged the future of Osun for a pot of porridge for many years to come. Almighty God, shall in His infinite mercy, grant those of us who are ready to offer our genuine services to redeem Osun from her present inertness, the grace to get to the governorship seat and take Osun to greater height. For now, it is No Retreat, No Surrender.

Also, let me reiterate, that much against

what some of my traducers would want to feed the unsuspecting public, I am not a re-cycled politician or a “political harlot”. I pitch my tent with any political party with my own personal resources, wherever I feel my political interest will be best served and protected without let or hindrance.

I am above pettiness and will not allow those who are far behind me in politics, to dictate to me how to map out my political career. I remain at the service of Osun people for the rest of my life. My present governorship ambition is not a matter of do or die, but rather an avenue to prove, that I am not a push-over in Nigeria politics not to talk of Osun, where I am a prominent stake-holder.

I implore people of like minds like me from whatever political parties, to join in the crusade to rescue Osun and make it a pride of us all.

Evil thrives where people of good disposition keep quiet. We shall have no cause to complain again, if in 2018, we allow ourselves to be governed by people, whom we cannot look straight in the face and tell the truth. We should not allow ourselves to be arm-twisted once again by emperors masquerading as democrats and political leaders. The waiting in Osun for a true government of the people, by the people and for the people is very near.

Osun people’s government is around the corner.

–Senator Kolawole Ogunwale wrote from De-Castle, Iragbiji, Osun State

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

POLITY

Celebration Awaits Ogah in Abia as S’ Court Rules G. G. Godwin

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here is no perplexity over the exquisite personality of true patriots whose age-long goodwill wields no enigmatic profile or quandary of any fashion and or colour, vis-à-vis whatever litre or pound of aspersions being ignorantly or rancorfully foisted at such innocent humans by opponents, also describable as acclaimed enemies. It is an openion, antediluvian in thickness and value, it is ethics-driven, hence irrevocable and un-esoteric, that every Abian, as well as clairvoyants, from their across-boundaries observation points, kilometers away from Abia, know of a truth that Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah is a kind of man whom kingdoms, states and nations pray God to have. He is not too mindful about money yet God chose to bless him with a lot it. As it is proverbially said, “There is no problem when money enters your hand, there is only a problem when it enters your heart”.

It is not in doubt that Abia has never had such a patriot and philanthropist who heavily impacts fellow humans on daily basis.

Many have had the opportunity to touch lives even with government fortunes yet they failed to do it but this is a man whom since childhood, had exhibited passion in the act of giving. Till today he is still in the business of touching lives regardless of the attack he has started experiencing from few political cabals who have been holding this state to ransom. His consolation is that the entire masses are with him so why worry about few acclaimed elders who are fighting him because they perceive that their acts of oppression will come to an end by Ogah’s emergence as the governor of Abia state. Of course “every subject of unfair attack is a treasure”. A popular wise saying: “the prosperity of your hand is determined by the prosperity of your heart” is apt here.

Oh Babylon the great city! An empire once existed called Babylon. No city was as glamorous as Babylon by all parameters.

Treasures of diamond, gold and silver abound beside Euphrates. There was the fertile fields, caravan of rich merchandise, brick walls of 160 feets(in modern measurement) and all other treasures. Today, Babylon is a wind-swept arid wastes of scanty grass and dessert shrubs. Surprisingly today, there is no place in the map of the globe called Babylon. In like manner, Abia, especially Aba, was before now alive

Ogah

with commerce, industrial innovativeness and creativity, agriculture, housing etc but today all of that are gone with the winds.

Filter your thinking on this school of thought- “A man’s work is nothing but this slow treck to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three great and simple images, in whose presence his heart first opened”- Albert Camus.

I have no special interest here other than to stand on the side of truth, and the truth here is that Uche Ogah has a diamond coated golden heart. God has therefore blessed him greatly. Just at ten years of working in Zenith Bank, Ogah rose to the top level of Assistant General Manager and resigned to enter into business. He established and nurtured Masters Energy Group to become one of the Giants among indigenous companies that have made mark and news in key sectors of the economy, especially the oil and gas industry. The President of Masters Energy Group, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogahan entrepreneur, consultant, economist, finance expert, explorer and administrator has managed the company to excellence in these areas: banking, aviation, dredging, logistics, construction, transportation,

power, agriculture, power, agriculture, automobile, real estate, shipping, insurance and oil and gas.

Sure you remember this piece- “A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What a man can be, he must be”.

Abraham H. Maslow. Philanthropism is what makes Ogah happy and it gives him fulfillment.

Yes, Ogah turns out in class and elegance but he is not really moved by fantasies and vanities. He cannot be moved by the most expensive perfume: 47,000 pounds sterling (several millions). Fragrance created by perfumer Arthur Burnham and turned out in a bottle made with platinum of 24 carats of rubies and diamond. This kind of vanities swallow the resources of wealthy men, but not Ogah because such amount can change the lives of ten citizens.

Philosophy-driven Baruch Spinoza opines: “ He alone is free who lives with free consent under the entire guidance of reason”. Rather, Ogah has chosen to use his own wealth to better the lives of fellow humans on daily basis and this began long ago, since his childhood.

As a student in the higher institution, he managed the little he was given and whenever his friends, course mates or room mates got exhausted, Ogah was always their next point of call. As a young banker, he embarked on lots of projects in his village such that whenever he received his salary, he pulled out almost all and sent to his village, to pay workers at the sites of the various projects he embarked on for his community. According to Ogah in one of his testimonies, “the more I gave out heavily, the more I see and meet opens doors with heavy rewards”.

He built majority of the houses in his community, built schools, hospitals, water, churches, recreational facilities and gives capital to young entrepreneurs to start life.

He povides medical help to the sick and in some cases it costs millions for either local or foreign medical attention etc. There is no Local government in Abia state where he has not done any or many of these philanthropic decorations on the lives of people, communities or groups. He has even built several multi-million naira worth projects and outrightly donated same to states or to the federal government. Among them are the hundreds of millions worth stateof-art Ogah Auditorium that he built for

his state university- Abia State University, the rehabilitation center he built for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at Ogborhill Aba Let us digest this little history in the global history encyclopedia. On the 14th day of May 1948 in Tel Aviv, Jewsish Agency Chairman, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the state of Israel, establishing the first Jewish state in 2000 years thus: “We hearby proclaim the establishment of the Jewish state- Palestine, to be called Israel” prompting loud applause from the crowd gathered at the museum. For Abia, a landmark history will be made on the day that the oppressors of the people will be dislodged and Ogah takes over the leadership of the state for the restoration of the dignity and glory of Abia. A public speaker better captioned it: “That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the reasons that history has to teach”- Aldous Huxley.

If justice is done in Abia Guber case which is at the Supreme Court, giving victory to Ogah, hope will re-emerge that life will come back to Abia State. On that day, there will be wild, celebration accross all length and breadth of the state. As every sincere man or woman living in Abia can attest to, similar spontaneous celebrations took over every street and community in Abia on the day Ogah won at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. Much more hilarious one will happen again if Ogah is restored to lead his people, who ofcourse want him very passionately.

Keke riders will celebrate, churches will organise special thanksgiving services, market unions will sing and dance in their market places, students in uniforms, women will as usual compose songs in gratitude to God for saving Abia, civil servants will regain life and confidence in governance and the old ones called pensioners who had been ignored for ages will undermine their romatism-attacked bones and join the celebration in the streets, communities and village squares.

All these will happen for real if the Supreme Court does justice for Abians by giving judgment in favour of Ogah. It is then that Abians will be sure that the man has come, whom God will use to restore the dignity and glory of Abians.

–By Sir G. G. Godwin, From Umuahia, Abia State. Email :sirgggodwin@gmail. com

Now That We Have Forgotten 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC . . . .

Buckingham Palace, London . . .

Eiffel Tower, Paris . . .

Robben Island, Cape Town . . .

A

visit to any of these cities would be incomplete without a whistle-stop and an opportunity of a selfie at one landmark location, at the very least. But why are these places important in today’s hyper-speed gigabyte and terabyte social-mediameanseverything global-village world? Simply because to the nations that these edifices belong, they represent a significant aspect – time, event, personality, achievement – of the development of that nation. Note that I have chosen to use the word nation as the term country does no justice in this context. In other words, the heritage of these nations which has been a long time in formation, is a critical part of the journey to where they are now.

Their today couldn’t have happened without their several yesterdays. And they are proud to say so. Proud to remember their past and determined to make it a reference point that shows their progress in all aspects of life as a people. Acknowledging differences, learning about personalities, healing wounds of a tortuous pathway to development: all in a bid to make sure that a collective amnesia does not envelope the citizens of the geographical entity and make them erroneously believe that only today matters.

So where are we now in Nigeria? If size was all that really mattered, Nigeria would be on

top in almost all areas – population, land mass and potential – compared at least to her neighbours. As many have found out to personal embarrassment, knowing how to use a resource is also key to its value and a definite factor on its ROI. The answer is even more simply put: we have lost it. We don’t even know where we want to go to, where we have come from and therefore it stands to reason that we are going nowhere in a hurry.

If you call your pet dog Bingo, everyone else will address it in the same way. No-one will say, . . . “come here, Rover” because you who owns Bingo has placed value, identification and relevance in the dog as Bingo and nothing else. Bingo is representative of something (or anything) that is held dear or that is simply held. In this context, our Bingo is our heritage and the various ways in which it manifests in our everyday lives. Obviously in the UK, USA and even in our sister nation South Africa, the value ascribed to their ‘Bingo’ is certainly of a different kind than what we as Nigerians are used to.

It doesn’t need a detective or diviner to prove that there is an inherent pride in the citizenry of these nations – a pride that has come from an understanding that today is an incontrovertible result of the jigsaw puzzle that was the turbulence, inventions and personal and idealogical struggles of yesterday which will continue in an unending cycle to make our tomorrow.

Their pride comes from knowing, appreciating, understanding, learning from their indelible and valued past – their history. And because the item, place, relic or dance routine

(for example) is passionately valued locally and outwardly valued too, visitors from far and wide come curious to know wherein lies the reason for the value?

This is an appetite that is very rarely sated – it feeds off the locals pride and so there is always another place to visit, another anecdote to hear, another fact about an amazing people that enhances our appreciation of where these people are as a nation and where they are headed. It’s a national sort of pride.

Nigeria hasn’t got it yet. Maybe it never will.

What exactly is our present situation?

Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site, the 14km-long defensive city walls in Kano known as Kofar Na’isa which were completed mid-14th century were demolished in 2010. The 161-year old Afro-Brazilian style Olaiya House at Tinubu Square, Lagos popularly known as the Ilojo Bar was reduced to rubble on September 11,th again despite its listed status. As if we hadn’t had enough trauma, more recently the famous JK Randle Hall and its ancillary buildings were demolished later that same month. Are we not in a state of crisis? How much more of our built heritage will disappear in the next year? It is extremely important to create the awareness of what our valued heritage is amongst Nigerians, especially the upcoming generation. Legacy (a not-forprofit group involved in the conservation of Nigeria’s architectural heritage) is a role model in this regard and I can only commend most sincerely, its efforts in creating innovative fora at which our creation stories can be told in different easy-to-appre-

ciate formats such as in the pictorial form of Dimeji Coker’s recent superb monochrome photographic exhibition, Ile. There is no time like the present for creating a new value system in young Nigerians and also in those who are older and have the resources to commit to preserving the precious little that still exists somewhat precariously, in an environment where steel and glass are the metaphors of accomplishment in the built environment.

The Department of Architecture at the University of Lagos is proud to have access to Legacy and will continue to benefit from the learning experience which collaboration with Legacy gives.

Ile, in Yoruba is the home, it is where it all starts from. It will always be important and is never to be forgotten.

Let us heed the advice in the artist Dimeji Coker’s words, to reconnect with our origins before all is lost forever, as it may soon be in this mindless craze for misplaced modernity at all costs in the concrete jungle of Lagos.

Please encourage Legacy in its arduous task of costly and time-consuming heritage preservation in any way that you can.

Dimeji Coker’s exhibition was held at the Jaeckel House, Railway Compound, Ebute Meta, Lagos. Jaeckel House, which was named after Francis Jaeckel who served as Superintendent of the Nigeria Railways for almost thirty years, was lovingly restored by Legacy without loss of its architectural style or authenticity.

–Olumide, a chartered architect, lectures in Lagos

49

NOVEMBER 26 , 2016THISDAY, • THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RETURNEE

Changing the Salary Game There are no certainties now. The economy in Nigeria is such that those who were previously in a position of strength have lost their footing and those who are about to graduate already have cause to fear about the likelihood of gainful employment. Oyinkan Braithwaite writes about this tragic reality

B

ut even those who are fortunate enough to have work are being paid salaries that border on the ridiculous. In my final year of university in England, I chose to work in spite of the academic pressures that I faced. I worked 24 hours a week and earned £600 a month approximately. And I didn’t have to pay tax because I was a student. When I graduated, I applied for a job in Lagos as an editor and I got the job.

I was extremely excited; but I didn’t quite understand my salary. I would be earning N80,000 a month, which I was told was reasonable but was less than half of what I had earned in England. This, even though I was a graduate and would be working 40 hours a week.

Since then I have learnt that the cost of labour in Nigeria is low. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who believed they were earning what they deserved to earn. But despite the relatively low wages, the work environment is still high-pressure and low tolerance.

In Nigeria, it is a taboo to leave the office before your boss does, even if you have completed your work for the day and the stars are already flickering in the sky. It is common practice to have an employee work past the typical work hours. And there is never any mention of overtime. In fact, the employee who dares to ask for such…

Nevertheless, I would prefer to work for a lower amount because when an employee is very well-paid in Nigeria, he or she becomes as good as a slave to that company. The demands of the employer become bolder and bolder and soon your weekends are naught but a dream.

This is not limited to Nigerians – an

employer will always do what benefits his or her company, above and beyond the employees needs. However, the rights of an employee’s are meant to be protected by a union. Unions are there to set minimum wages; they are there to monitor maximum work hours, child labour laws etc.

The irony is, though the earnings of the average graduate in Nigeria is pitiful, the cost of homes, land, appliances continue to rise. How then is a young man or woman supposed to gather the funds to start a life for themselves? Because of this both men and women are leaving the home of their parents in their late twenties and early thirties. In true chicken and egg fashion, this factor may also be why employers continue to offer low salary, as they know they don’t need to consider the living expenses of their young staff.

This is why young people in Nigeria are looking outside the traditional workplace.

It is hard to feel a sense of loyalty to an organisation that seems determined to extract all it can from you until you are as hollow as a kolo. Rather they are choosing to start their own businesses, partner with other youths and find creative ways to fund themselves.

I have been asked several times of late, why I haven’t used my status as a British citizen and returned to the UK to find a better paying, more reliable job. The answer is this, Nigeria is a land full of possibilities. We have not even scratched the surface yet. And the work landscape is changing. Now employers are hiring social media managers, 3D graphic designers, animators, writers, and so much more. Jobs that only a few years a go, would have been ridiculed.

Studying law, medicine, engineering, etc, is no longer the answer. I do not mean there are no values in these jobs – they are

as old as time and will be there forever; I just do not see the benefit of an oversaturated industry. Rather than competing with hundreds of thousands of other

The irony is, though the earnings of the average graduate in Nigeria is pitiful, the cost of homes, land, appliances continue to rise. How then is a young man or woman supposed to gather the funds to start a life for themselves?

Because of this both men and women are leaving the home of their parents in their late twenties and early thirties. In true chicken and egg fashion, this factor may also be why employers continue to offer low salary, as they know they don’t need to consider the living expenses of their young staff.

individuals, one can now forge a path and carve out an industry for oneself.

If working a 9-5 doesn’t suit you and if the pay is not sufficient, there are several other options. These days many people are taking advantage of unique opportunities – they are hiring drivers and allowing their car to earn income as a taxi; they are hopping unto online platforms and setting up mini stores, they are becoming online personalities and earning money from adverts.

And this doesn’t only apply to the bushy haired and brown-eyed, you are never too old to learn new tricks and find your place in the workforce. It is even easier now for a senior citizen to find work, as he or she may work from home, so long as they are internet savvy.

However, I do not mean to paint all employers with one brush. Companies do exist where the employees are treated well and compensated fairly. And one way to find these companies is through The Returnees network. The Returnees specialise in connecting companies with the calibre of employee that they seek.

Sometimes companies offer low salaries because they are not entirely sure of what they are getting in return, but The Returnees network and by extension Gidijobs, puts that fear at rest by first getting to know the individuals who are part of the network and then recommending those who would be best for the role.

The truth is, employees have more power than they know. And you can increase your worth and value with the skills and knowledge you acquire, not merely through work training but during your personal time. If you package yourself properly, you can name your price and decide your terms. You can change the game.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

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WITH

MARITIME BITS

JOHN IWORI 08057763164

President, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ); Mr. Waheed Odusile (M) presenting a certificate to the new President of African Maritime Journalists Association (AMJA); Mr. Sesan Onileimo ( R), at the formal inauguration of the association’s executive committee. On the left is representative of Minister of Transportation at the event; Mrs. Ijeoma Chijioke Adindu

L-R: President, League of Maritime Editors, Ovie Edomi; Editor-in-Chief, Tell magazine, Mr. Ayo Akinkuotu; Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) Zone A Cordinator, ACG Charles Edike; Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Boniface Aniebonam; and the Deputy Director, Cabotage , Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Sunday Umoren, at the lecture organised by the League in Lagos...recently

Usman Under Pressure as 70, 000 Apply for NPA Jobs No fewer than 70,000 applicants are jostling for placement in the present recruitment in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Ahead of the deadline for the submission of the application letters, not less than 70, 000 applicants have submitted applications for various positions in the grade ‘A’ parasatal in the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

A breakdown of the figures showed that while no fewer than 50, 000 applicants submitted applications online, 20,000 submitted manually to NPA House, the corporate

headquarters of NPA situated at Marina, Lagos.

Impeccable sources at the authority head office told THISDAY at the weekend that many more applicants are still submitting applications just as the deadline for submission inches closer.

THISDAY gathered that the large number of applicants has put the Managing Director of NPA, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman under pressure as those close to the corridors of power on her neck to ensure that their candidates are shortlisted in in the final list for employment

Expert Flays Attack on NCS A Lagos maritime expert, Prince Olusegun Ologbese has flayed the recent attack on officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Besides, the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, several committees of the National Assembly, as well as the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun had at various times openly condemned officers and men of NCS for their inability to deliver on their statutory roles and responsibilities.

At different occasions recently, they also condemned the service for the corruption in the nation’s seaports, airports and international land borders.

Specifically, Adeosun was quoted in a statement recently calling for the probe of NCS because its revenue generation so far is below the expectation of the Federal Government.

But in a chat with THISDAY, Ologbese who is also the Managing Director and chief executive officer of Ogbese Maritime International Limited averred that it was wrong to put the blame on the ills plaguing the maritime industry, particularly in the cargo clearance chain on the doorstep of the NCS. Popularly called Alaye by his admirers, the maritime expert argued that the NCS was responsible for the present recession in the nation’s economy.

According to him, the recent pronouncements by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, that the service should be probe for alleged inconsistencies in duty remittances into the federation account is in bad taste. The call is borne out of the minister’s ignorance of ports and Customs operations.

Ologbese who is also the life patron of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo/Ekiti Chapters stated that as a registered ports operator he was concerned about what happens in the ports.

His words: “We are all stakeholders. I believe that there is no society or organization that is completely corruption free. With the harsh statements from National Assembly and the Minister of Finance, it clearly shows that the minister does not know much about the statutory roles and responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service and ports operations. The area she was accusing the customs off is an area which customs cannot even help it”.

He maintained that when the NCS receives duties and did not remit it to the appropriate quarters, there are ways and means to checkmate it to avert a reoccurrence. The revered licensed customs agent who has over three decades of experience and exposure in the maritime industry enjoined the minister to check the data in her ministry in order to have an insight into how duties are remitted to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through its agents at the ports.

“After collecting duties, customs do not see that money after agent must have paid. These duties are paid in drafts to the federal government through the CBN. Immediately the customs stamped it, you don’t have authority over it again. Even the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service cannot spend it. CBN has its representatives within the ports.

The money is collected through some designated commercial banks. Customs do not hold onto any money belonging to the Federal Government for a day longer”, he added.

in the authority.

Besides the NPA Managing Director, some of the lobbyists are also on the neck of the board members of the authority in order to favour their candidates.

It was also gathered that some of the lobbyists have turned Usman and the NPA Board Chairman abodes into a Mecca as part of the strategies to get their preferred candidates as employees of NPA. Though no one was ready to speak publicly on the factors that will determine the selection

SOAN Organises All Ship Owners Gala Night The umbrella body of ship owners with a proven track record in the upstream and downstream of the Nigerian maritime industry, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) is set to host the 2016 All Ship owners End of Year Gala Dinner. The event which is scheduled to hold on November 30, 2016, at the Orchid and Lantana Hall of Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos by 5 pm.

The event is expected to attract the business community, top government functionaries and other stakeholders in the maritime industry and beyond.

A statement issued by the organisers stated that the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi will be the special guest of honour and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State will be the chief host, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru will be

the guest speaker. Baru is expected to speak on the topic ‘Benefits of Establishing a National Shipping Fleet for Crude Affrieghtment’.

The chief executive officer (CEO) of the Commonwealth Investment and Enterprise Council (CWIEC), Mr Oliver Everett is expected to give a goodwill message on behalf of the council.

Continuing, the organizers said the event is aimed at bringing together all ship owners in the country, notable business leaders and captains of the maritime industry in the private and public sectors in the economy.

President of SOAN, Mr. Greg Ogbeifun in his remarks said: “SOAN was conceived to promote the interest of members and to provide a forum for dialogue between all ship owners among themselves and with any other interests on topical issues, policies and practices pertaining to the business of ship ownership and management in the country.

NIMPORT Partners Others to Promote Port Equipment Technology As Nigeria seek to further her industry and manufacturing capacity towards promoting export, the ports, terminal and warehousing subsector require to build capacity for heavy duty equipment sourcing, supply, leasing and maintenance to guarantee sustainable operations.

With the challenging problems of high operational cost of running most Nigeria ports and terminals services, investors are looking at improving efficiency of equipment and machinery used at various operations to reduce losses and improve service delivery time.

Industry watchers have started calling for improvement in the equipment and facilities used at our ports to help enhance efficiency and reduce damages on the paving of the ports and road facilities.

These were contained in statement issued by the Chairman of NIMPORT, Mr. Fortune Idu at the inauguration of SANY, a Chinese global leading manufacturer in ports equipment into NIMPORT committee for the promotion of ports and terminals development and technology in Nigeria.

Idu who disclosed that the industry is failing to address the problems caused by the old and used equipment at the ports also stated that for cost reasons many

concessionaire have been shying away from buying new equipment only to spend more money fixing used inefficient equipment.

This he said do not only in the long term bring financial losses to investors but also causes damage to both pavement of the ports work areas and the access to the ports and terminals leading the traffic congestions.

To this end, NIMPORT in collaboration with SANY will be hosting a business networking lunch seminar meeting for operatives in the industry to discuss on this matters and bring awareness on the effect of the practices.

SANY Nigeria Limited is set to deploy various categories of port and terminal equipment into Nigeria to support the growing port and logistics industry.

The company which is registered now in Nigeria desires to grow with Nigeria port and terminal industry and to give the industry full service support of international standard and have begun demonstrating their good intention by supporting the hosting of networking meeting. SANY is very willing to partner with Nigeria companies and people who are interested in being part of its distributor chain for brand new and market built equipment with standing durability and cost effective pricing.

of applicants, it was gathered that qualifications, experience and how influential the person backing each applicants will count in the selection processes.

The board and management of the authority are expected to begin the selection of shortlisted applicants at the expiration of the deadline for the submission of applications.

THISDAY checks revealed those shortlisted who will be subjected to further tests before they are finally selected as NPA workers.

MV Osanyamo Completes Sea Trial MV Osanyamo, the first of the new Damen Azimuth Stern Drive Tug 5114 class has completed the sea trials it started a fortnight ago.

The trial which took place on the Yangtze River, China concluded on November 18, 2016 in China.

While its construction began in June 2015, it was launched into the waters in June 2016 just as its delivery is expected next month.

Apparently impressed by the development, the vessel owner said: “We recall going through the design and detailed engineering stage to the steel cutting and keel laying phase up to the point we are today. At our last technical visit to the shipyard to inspect the vessel, we were impressed at the quality and progress of work. We eagerly anticipate her safe delivery to Nigeria to commence operation.”

Built for Starzs Investments Company Limited (SICL) in Nigeria, the primary purpose of the vessel is to assist in tanker lifting operations alongside FPSOs in the Gulf of Guinea in line with the company a contract with Total E&P Nigeria Limited.

Describing the ASD 5114 model as the largest in Damen’s ASD tug range to date, SICL in a statement obtained by THISDAY said it is 52.3 metres in length and displacing 800 tonnes.

Other features of the vessel include 268 square metres of deck space at 5 tonnes load per m2, large fuel and fresh water tanks with transfer capabilities and towing winches both fore and aft. Her bollard pull capability will be up to 90 tonnes astern and 100 tonnes ahead.

According to SICL, the vessel is a stateof-the-art, highly manoeuvrable vessel fully equipped for offshore operations. The doubletier deckhouse provides accommodation for 14 crew and up to 10 passengers. Propulsion is via two main diesel engines powering twin nozzles designed and built by Damen Marine Components. Additional capabilities include fire-fighting (FiFi1) and oil recovery operations, with 101m of integral oil recovery tanks. She is also equipped to handle hoses and lines for cleaning, inspection and repairs on the aft deck.

Continuing, the firm stated that MV Osanyamo will join MV Osayeme, a Damen ASD Tug 3211 built at Damen Shipyards Cape Town, South Africa and delivered in 2009 and has maintained a record of 5 years of no downtime and loss time injury operations. As ship owners and managers, offshore marine services providers and a private maritime security provider.

THISDAY had reported that SICL owns and operates a range of vessels including terminal tugs, security patrol vessels and OSVs.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2016

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

POLITY

Summit University, Offa: Established to Make Graduates Job Creators

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Hammed Shittu in Ilorin he desire of the federal government to bring education to the doorsteps of the populace through the establishment of private universities has continued to manifest across the country. Since the establishment of private universities in the country, the propensity of individuals to seek more academic knowledge and research has increased tremendously and this has enhanced the

educational growth of the country.

No wonder, one of the Islamic faith societies in the country, Ansar- Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN) took the bull by the horn too to join other faith-based private universities in the country to seek approval for the establishment of a private university. After series of consultations with their members nationwide, the society decided to put up structures on ground at Offa in Kwara State for the licensing authority, National University Commission (NUC) to visit and see how far they have prepared for the approval and accreditation of their courses for the take-off of the proposed

R2TV, Tiwa n Tiwa Launch On GOtv

P

ay-TV provider, GOtv, has added two new channels, R2TV and Tiwa n Tiwa, on its bouquets.

Royal Roots Television (R2TV) is a 24-hour entertainment channel broadcasting in English language, while Tiwa n Tiwa is a Yoruba language music and lifestyle channel.

Tiwa n Tiwa and R2TV are accessible to GOtv Plus and GOtv Value customers on GOtv channels 111 and channel 112 respectively. At launch, both channels will be available to GOtv subscribers in Benin, Ibadan, Lagos and Port Harcourt only.

Both channels feature originally produced and licensed music, fashion, theatre, dance, drama, movies, talk shows, cooking shows, docuseries and reality shows.

Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, said the addition plays a pivotal role in propelling Nigeria towards achieving a successful migration to digital broadcasting while showcasing Nigeria’s rich local content.

“Our customer promise is to make great entertainment more accessible. We find and develop the right mix of international and local channels to give our subscribers a wide range of programming to choose from.

“Furthermore, we are enabling homegrown channels transition from analogue

broadcasting to digital, thus supporting digital migration in Nigeria”, Ugbe said.

Greg Odutayo, Managing Director of Royal Roots, owners of R2TV, said they are excited to be on the GOtv platform.

“R2TV is strategically positioned to provide top-notch youth entertainment with its rich combination of light entertainment programmes and drama series. Viewers are in for entertainment at its best on GOtv channel 112”, said Greg Odutayo, Managing Director, Royal Roots, owners of R2TV. Also, commenting on the launch of Tiwa n Tiwa on GOtv, Kunle Abiola-Ige, MD/ CEO of Big Picture Entertainment Limited, said: “We are delighted to partner with MultiChoice Nigeria on the launch of Tiwa n Tiwa on GOtv. The partnership is significant as it increases our reach.”

Earlier in November, Arewa 24 (GOtv channel 101), Liberty TV, (GOtv channel 110), RAVE TV (GOtv channel 113) and WAP TV (GOtv channel 102) launched on GOtv. Currently, GOtv offers over 50 international and local channels. Other local channels on the platform are Africa Independent Television (AIT), Channels TV, Lagos Television (LTV), Galaxy TV, Murhi International Television (MiTV), NTA I, ONMAX, Trybe TV, SilverBird Television and Wazobia TV.

university During the visit of the licensing authority to Offa, they went around the site of the proposed university called Summit University to verify the claims put forward for the approval and accreditation of the courses at the university. At the end of the visitation, the NUC graciously approved and licensed the Summit University owned by the AnsarUd- Deen Society of Nigeria, located along Irra Road, Offa. The NUC also approved the governing council for the new university.

They include Alhaji Femi Okunu (SAN) who is the National President of ADSN; Alhaji Musiliu Adeola Smith, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the university and former Inspector General of Police; Dr. B.O Babalakin (SAN), Chairman Governing Council of the university and the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Hussein Oloyede. The dreams of the founding fathers of ANSN to add value to the educational growth of the country has now manifested with its recent license of its own university. The choice of ancient town of Offa as its location is not farfetched as the town is the gateway to the north and south of the country thereby placing the location at the middle point for potential students.

Apart from this, Offa is a town with a lot of intellectuals that had excelled well in various academic disciplines thereby allowing the founding fathers of the ADSN to consider the town as a location of the university so that it would help the students to benefit a lot from the rays of intellectuals that are abound in Offa.

The ancient town is also a peaceful as this unique environment would assist the students to have a very conducive environment for their academic pursuits without any hindrance. The university which will start academic works as from next month in Offa has put all machineries on ground in order to ensure a hitch free take-off of the new university in the town.

Speaking with journalists in Offa recently, Professor Oloyede said, “All is set at Summit University, Offa, to commence operations next month with 500 students. The university will start with three colleges - College of Natural &Applied Science, College of Humanities

Oloyede

and College of Management and Social Studies. We are set to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable, highly skilled of excellent moral characters but graduates who are exemplary distinctive in all ramifications.

“With our unique mode of teaching, we are set to make a difference by emphasising the entrepreneurial skill inherent in all the disciplines, so as to make our graduates employers of labour and not job seekers”.

Oloyede who was pioneer vice chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State and owned by Nasrul- Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) added: “As a foremost faith-based institution, the university is set out to inculcate moral values into all spheres of our lives, including the discharge of our mandates in teaching, research and service to the community.

“We are by so doing, entrenching the fear of Allah in the acquisition of knowledge and service to humanity so that our graduates shall not only be successful on this earth but also hereafter. We shall engage first class teaching and non-teaching staff and also make the university fully IT compliant while making our environment fully equipped in respect of lecture rooms, auditorium, teaching, communication, library, financing etc.”

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Company Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Odusola; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Peter Ndegwa; Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Savage; Vice-Chairman, Mr. John O’Keffe and Non Executive Director, Mr. Bismark Rewane all of Guinness Nigeria Plc at the 66th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Benin City...recently

L-R: Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr. Francis Nwifuru; Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State and his wife, Rachael and Ebonyi State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Elizabeth Ogbaga, during 2016 Ebonyi State Cultural Day at National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos...recently PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI

L-R: Country Director, Development Africa, Joshua Kempeneer; Representative of the General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mrs. Helen Nkwo; General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Medical, Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Vincent Nnadi; and Sapetro Executive and representative of Total Upstream companies in Nigeria partners, Mrs. Meg Irozuru, during the Hepatitis-B Awareness and Preventive Campaign in Ikota Community, Etti - Osa Local Government Area, Lagos...recently

L-R: Manager, National Pension Commission (NPC), Mr. Louis Henshew; Head of Compliance, ARM Pensions, Corona Sonuga-Oye; Regional Head, Lagos, ARM Pensions, Mr. Gbenga Dada; and Head, South-West, NPC, Mr. Babatunde Phillips, during the ARM Pension retirees forum in Lagos… recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

RIGHT OF REPLY

Anambra Government and the Odysseus of OurTime Valentine Obienyem

S

ince November 18, 2016, my principal and I have been the subjects of the acerbic pens of aides in the present Anambra State Government. It is as if they have suddenly discovered the Throne of Persia, as they boastfully write, alleging they caught me flagrante delicto [red-handed] taking pictures of an Aircraft parked at the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu and posted it online through my agents as chartered by their boss. They even added that they rescued me from airport security officials.

I was also the subject of a commentary on Anambra State Broadcasting Service (ABS).

Whether Anambra State Government charters aircraft or not is not the issue in focus here. A government that met the type of money the former Governor, Mr. Peter Obi left in the treasury will be under constant temptation to leave extravagantly. Does the present Anambra Government succumb to this temptation? This is not of concern to me; my main concern is that my name was tossed recklessly as having taken pictures of the aircraft when I was neither in Enugu nor the said airport at the time in question.

Despite my confirmed disclaimers, the hordes of aides serving in that government continued to move against me like antibodies gathering to attack an infection. For an administration intent on destroying me, my principal and other perceived enemies, it is curious that these aides would go out of their way to ‘rescue’ me from airport security. More revealing in their subterfuges are that neither has any Enugu airport security confirmed my ‘arrest’ nor the CCTV footage of the said date screened to indict me.

When an account of the present Anambra State Government is documented, it would be presented as a Government that introduced the use of individuals he considered as opposition to write commentaries on State Radio. He did the same with Barr.

Joe-Martins Uzodike, Mr. Mac-Joe, Desmas Onwu and Oderaigbo, the renowned social media activist under the coordination of a Special Assistant, Egbuna Amuta. Egbuna had secured that appointment as a reward

said also that “the way some of his aides even claimed to have seen me personally can only be explained on the theory that they sell dummy to the Government as a means of extorting money from her to fight imaginary enemies. I even went extra mile to clear all doubts by beckoning on God to take my life if were in Enugu that day. I also implored Him to treat my accusers according to His will”.

By choice, many of us have stayed close to Mr. Peter Obi even after he left Government.

We are happy with his continued peopleoriented, value-added pursuits, including his School Apostolate and sharing his experience on good governance at various fora. Yes, monetary compensation is a fact of life, but we have gained more than money.

When one of his Commissioners, a lecturer in a State University, Dr. Patrick Obi applied to join a Federal University, the interview panel told him that to have served with Mr. Peter Obi was enough testament to his qualification to work in any institution in the world. He secured the job. In small business I am engaged in, many of his friends in commerce & industry have granted me generous credit facilities, simply because I am associated with him.

Virtually all the negative publications about the former Governor, Mr. Peter Obi Governor Obiano are procured and sponsored - paid by the Anambra State Government. Each time for producing two damaging videos on Mr. Obi’s popularity which has remained high Peter Obi, which were aired on ABS and some national television networks -- actions threatens to burst at the seams, they respond with panicky, contrived falsehoods. Mr. adjudged by discerning Nigerians as base in purpose and barren in result. In attacking Obi’s inspiring presentation at the 2016 some of the State’s best and being insensitive edition of The Platform and the subsequent mentoring to the youth in Enugu so much to shame, the administration had rendered ruffled feathers in Government House, Anambra a general butt for mockery and Awka that the former Governor was again opprobrium. With such a recurring feature subtly cautioned to stop attending functions in the administration, their propaganda and visiting schools in Anambra State. machinery has cranked into over-drive and Many people of goodwill have wondered caught up with them. In this day and age, it and asked why Anambra Government is is appalling to witness ferocious outbursts of hate, misrepresentations and malice from so hostile to Mr. Peter Obi. Here is a man of substance, even to his enemies --solid with these effete aides. experience, exposure and practical statesThe lies they live with reminds one of the story of the wanderer, Odysseus, who could manship. Anybody that is not happy to be associated with him must be a misogamist. hardly speak without “lying or act without On becoming the Governor, Peter Obi retreachery”. In my earlier release ‘My Life is alized that the dog that buried the bone; the in Danger -- Obi’s Aide Cries Out’, I stated, squirrel that gathered nuts for a later feast; inter alia, that what were going on were the bees that filled the comb with honey; the State-sponsored falsehoods against me. I

ants that laid up stores for a rainy day, were among the precursors of savings. It was these creatures that taught man the wisdom of providing for tomorrow out of the surplus of today. Obi practised this very effectively by creating that surplus through pruning the cost of governance, and was able to save over N75 billion for the State. His US Dollar savings, going by current exchange rate, is valued at over N185 Billion. The SAB Miller project Anambra State Government invested in under him has remitted over N300 million in dividends to the State this year alone. Interestingly, the huge savings were matched with tremendous achievements in all critical sectors with the instrumentalities of the acclaimed Anambra State Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS).

Who is so indolent as not to wish to understand what formulae of governance that Obi applied in 8 years to restore the glory of Anambra State - a thing unique in history?

Those inviting him to talk to them recognize his worth and utility. Many are eager to tap from his experience and replicate in their realm what he did in Anambra State.

All over the world, it is the ideas of great men that rule the world. If you appeal to history, you will discover that the great Ashoka of India built his empire on the ideas of Buddha as Lenin built his with those of Karl Marx. Likewise, people like Rousseau, John Stuart Mill and John Locke gave powerful inspiration to democratic revolutions in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. On the negative pull, Hitler modelled his Third Reich after Nietzsche’s lunatic visions. Peter Obi performed very well for Anambra State and his model has been acknowledged as the best template for States. Indeed, Professor Paul Collier of Oxford University, UK was engaged by the World Bank to study some of the things Obi did to achieve rounded success. It is disheartening that his successor seeks to vilify Peter Obi rather than pursue good governance for the people of Anambra State.

In the eyes of his traducers, Peter Obi’s great weakness is that he does not believe in fighting dirty. If they are discerning, they need not look far to know that his guiding ethics are the fear of God, due process and evidence-based performance.

–Obienyem wrote this piece from Lagos

POLITY

Revolutionalising Businesses the 3A Auction’s Way 3A Auction House Limited, Nigeria’s first general auction house, is set to have its first major auction next week after its launch and official logo unveiling penultimate week. Promoters of the idea, however, have one thing in mind: to change the business of auction in Nigeria and also the attitude of both individuals and corporate bodies to it. Raheem Akingbolu reports.

I

Motivation is Beyond Profit... t came as a surprise when Abimbola Akingboye, the chief executive officer of 3A Auction House Limited, Nigeria’s first general auction house, told this reporter that Nigeria did not have an auction house prior to the unveiling of the logo and official launch of his company penultimate week at the prestigious Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking to THISDAY shortly before the event, Akingboye said he was not motivated by business opportunities alone but the need to fill the gap which he noticed existed in the nation’s business environment; especially in the area of auction.

“I grew up in the United Kingdom and spent a lot of time shuttling between the UK and the United States of America. I discovered that there are many opportunities that people have access to that we do not have here. One of them is that people could buy things there. People can place auctions at the custom, banks and so on. There are so many opportunities to buy from auctions.

I relocated to Nigeria in 2010 and I think it was in 2014 or 2015 that I realised that there was a gap in the market that could benefit both the buyer and the seller but we did not

have such. At that moment, I started looking into auction in Nigeria, reading about it and I discovered there was no general auction house to deal with this all important aspect of business. That was how this idea came that we could provide the avenue for people in the country,” Akingboye explained.

Auction Thrives During Recession…

At the logo unveiling and launch proper, Akingboye said he was not perturbed by the fact that the nation is currently undergoing economic recession at the moment; hence auction business might nit thrive. He believes that “auction does better when there is financial meltdown in any country.”

He drew correlation from the recession in the United States of America and the United Kingdom in 2008. He said people were buying properties below market prices then because they could not afford to keep up with their mortgage. “Those who had houses had to sell and were selling at ridiculous prices.”

In Nigeria, he said there were people who built their properties 20 years ago with N10million. That property could sell at N70million now. He added they won’t mind selling such at N45million.

“Now, building such property now might cost more because the cost has more than tripled. So what you could have built at

N90million, you are buying at half that price.

This is the fact the owner selling built it with N10million but selling at N45million. I feel it is best time to start this.”

‘Why We are Holding our First Auction on November 29…’

Now the company is set to hold its first major auction on Tuesday November 29 and Akingboye said it was an opportunity for the people to know what to expect from 3A Auctions. He dismissed the insinuations that their first auction was postponed for logistic reasons. He said the jet, which was their first lot, was sold on 17th November.

“The auction wasn’t shifted. The jet was sold on the 17th of November, 2016. We accepted a written offer on that day. The other properties that came in missed the cut off date so they had to be entered into the next auction which was 29th of November, 2016. There are due processes that must always be taken before putting up a property for auction and the new lots did not meet the time frame against 17th, hence the new date.”

He added that prospective buyers could expect real estate properties, assets, vehicles, aircrafts, machineries, factories, furniture, appliances, electronics, educational materials and lots more. He explained that catalogues containing available lots will be released from

time to time to update prospective buyers of lots we have available per time.

He explained further that lots for the first auction include a Lexus jeep, a Toyota corolla, a shopping complex, another property, electronic tablets, furniture, and more are still coming in. “3A Auction House is set in the market to cut across every sphere. The lots that are available and will be available subsequently are not restricted to some set of individuals. We are creating opportunities for as many as would take it.”

‘Nigerians Deserve Best like the Rest of the World…’

At the launch proper, Akingboye said the auction house is aimed at providing private individuals and corporate bodies a platform to dispose unwanted assets and properties without hassles.

According to him, there are few auction companies operating online in the country, but 3A Auction House is the first general auction house in the country and is set to reposition the business of auctioning in the country conforming with best global practices.

Akingboye acknowledged that auction market is a difficult terrain in Nigeria, but disclosed that he and his team have gathered needed information to bridge the gap and thrive in the market.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 26, 2016

TRIBUTE

Rasheed Gbadamosi: Service, Culture and the Multi-tiered Life Tunji Olaopa

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his surely cannot be the season of deaths. But the death of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi is another on the national scene that causes extreme pain. In the last few weeks, we have cried out in anguish over Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Ibrahim Dasuki (the former Sultan of Sokoto), and now Chief Gbadamosi. All these are leaders who, in their own unique ways, prop the scaffolds of the national project in Nigeria.

Sometimes effectively vociferous, sometimes strategically silent, all these national figures and public servants exert sufficient heroic influence which become glaring when death snatches them out of reckoning. We can only be the poorer with the demise of these people.

I mourn Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi as a consummate public servant and a determined nationalist. Albert Schweitzer, the German theologian and philosopher, remarks that “The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others.”

Even though Rasheed Gbadamosi is, in our reckoning, gone too soon, I think he fulfilled the purpose of living.

Chief Gbadamosi lived a talented and full life. The trajectory of his life points at a man who got the hang of life with a joie de vivre.

His passing instigates some significant thought in my mind regarding the notion of national service. Here was a man whose life straddled the private sector, public service and the culture industry. Economist, businessman, industrialist, minister and art connoisseur, Rasheed Gbadamosi embodies the persistent possibility of the beneficial interactions between the private and the public for the sake of national development.

At both the national and state levels, he was as dedicated to public service as he was to building his reputation as a leading industrialist. In fact, let us say, together so many others, he constitutes a manual in public service.

One of the significant practices that energize the act of governance in countries like the United States, for instance, is the seamless interaction between core career public service and the private and non-governmental sector.

In other words, it seems taken for granted that

Gbadamosi the government can count on the services of individuals who have made significant marks in business or the private sector. Major ministerial positions and senior executive service in the US government framework are given to experienced individuals with the knowledge that can take the business of government forward.

It really does not matter if that expertise is derived from the public service or from private experience. But in Nigeria, it is not always very easy to attract a successful industrialist into the “poverty” of government job. “Poverty” in this sense refers to so many variables about the public service that constrained innovation, creativity and performance. And all these are further aggravated by political intrigues and the dynamics of office that put a permanent clog in the wheel of progress and development. To therefore find someone in the mould of Chef Gbadamosi who could make this dangerous transition is commendable beyond measure.

In some clear cases, one cannot but detect a

patriotic heart yearning to give back to the nation the experience that had been earned in the trench of serious private business. And where else is most suitable to put the person of Rasheed Gbadamosi’s caliber if not the Ministry of National Planning?

Whenever I think of him, I remember illustrious Nigerians like Michael Omolayole, Christopher Kolade, and Gamaliel Onosode.

Rasheed Gbadamosi lived a long life of service and dedication to Nigeria and humanity. These individuals constitute a significant section of eminent Nigerians whose names would usually not feature with reference to ground-shaking political events. Apart from featuring in some capacities as members of some committees and chairmen of governmental business meetings, their cogent national service consists in their numerous contributions behind the scenes where thorny government issues require deep wisdom and experience that had been acquired within the complex environment of private business. Call them the silent patriots who daily and regularly invest in making Nigera a suitable place to live and be proud.

On another level, Chief Gbadamosi has more of a soul mate in the equally late Ambassador Olusegun Olusola than with the other three Nigerians. Together, Gbadamosi and Olusola signal another level of relating with the Nigerian state. Both of them were art aficionados whose public service also permitted an exuberant dedication to writing and the arts.

Only very few in Nigeria have this sensibility; a modern sensibility that views life through the beauty of arts and the sublime serenity of good music. Only very few Nigerians could see the import of the relationship between arts and governance. I suspect that a dedication to the arts cleanses the soul and enlarges one’s humanity. Ngugi wa Thiong’o, the Kenyan writer, attests to the unique perspective that the arts provide: “The arts then act like a reflecting mirror. The artist is like the hand that holds and moves the mirror, this way and that way, to explore all corners of the universe. But what is reflected in the mirror depends on where the holder stands in relation to the object.”

Most grown up Nigerians enjoyed The Village Headmaster, Nigeria’s longest running

soap opera, from 1968 to 1988. The series was a television dramatisation of Nigeria’s nation building challenges deriving from its cultural diversity. With several plays, including Children of Two Wars, Behold My Redeemer, Trees Grow in the Desert and Echoes from the Lagoon, Rasheed Gbadamosi also contributed to our understanding of the dynamics and pathologies of power and the requirements for the transformation of the Nigerian society. I guess it is safe to say that Chief Gbadamosi’s multi-tiered life enables him, on one hand, to speak truth to power through his capacity to gaze upon the sublime and receive the Muse’s empowerment.

And on the other hand, he was not just an armchair literary critic who hides within the atmosphere of the fictional. On the contrary, if society is to be transformed, it requires willing individuals who are courageous enough to risk operationalizing their beliefs for the betterment of the nation they believe in. Chief Gbadamosi found public office as his own means of assisting in the nation building effort through participating in the building of a governance blueprint that is worthy of democratic governance.

Unfortunately, Rasheed Gbadamosi was just only one man, and our imperfect humanity allows us only some small feats which may not be sufficiently cumulated to the benefit of a nation. After all, we are only just human.

Civilization, according to Cheikh Hamidou Kane, the Senegalese writer, “is architecture of responses.” And so also is the act of nationbuilding.

“Nigeria” is a project that requires the collective responses of every Nigerian, both high and low. And I am too much of a realistic to know that patriotism can take different shape from the critical to the apologetic. In our patriotic commitment, we all recognize that Nigeria is not all too good but yet it is not all too bad.

The differential between the good and the bad in our national affairs then constitute the locus for our collective responses. Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi is now gone, but he left us a unique dynamics of the cultural and the administrative as a framework within which Nigeria could be reworked.

A Life that Shamed Death: Okechukwu Enyinna , 1975-2016 Tunji Olaopa

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ost deaths speak only about death, its loss and pain.

This is the norm, since our corporal frames is attuned to react to the definitive departure with despair. Yet there are some passing on that despite not diminishing the loss yet is suffused with luminous hope that it shames death. Okechukwu Clarence Enyinna’s death on October 11, 2016, was a manifestation of the later.

Okechukwu, 41 years, was the first of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus Enyinna of Ezinihitte Local Government Area of Mbaise in Imo State. An alumnus of Kings College Lagos and the prestigious University of Ibadan, Okechukwu graduated with an honour degree in Electrical Engineering in 1999. He obtained a Masters degree in Business Administration from the Lagos Business School in 2009, M.Phil in 2015 and was due to defend his PhD in IESE (Business School of the University of Navarra, Spain) by the end of this year.

After graduating from the university, he worked at Socketworks Nigeria Limited, an information and computer technology company, rising to the post of Manager of Computer Software Engineering Services.

He later worked as ICT Manager for Lagos Business School before being appointed to the post of Lecturer in Ethics at the Institute of Humanities of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

Yet it was not Okechukwu’s impressive

Enyinna resume that molded the core of his existence.

It was rather a long adventure with Love.

Okey and his three siblings-Uzoma, Nnamdi and Chima- started taking part in activities in the Boys’ Club in Helmbridge since their primary school days. At Helmbridge, the three brothers stood out with their exemplary characters. Apart from excelling in academics, the three brothers also excelled in sports.

Uzoma was a master dribbler in the football field. His dribbling runs along the right flank to mesmerize the defenders and score a goal

earned him the sobriquet “Tigana”, the name of the then French national team player.

In the field of play, Okey was a defensive midfielder. He knew how to gracefully stop the ball so that the aggressive strikers would not score a goal. After participating in Helmbridge activities for a long time, Okey decided to become a Numerary member of Opus Dei, a Personal Prelature of the Catholic Church, on 21st August 1990. Incidentally at that time he was a student of Kings College.

He therefore lived 26 years of silent, hidden and exclusive dedication to his vocation.

With his unfailing apostolic zeal, he brought many of his friends, professional colleagues and acquaintances closer to God. The dispatch rider rode in fury to spread pain and loss but must have been obviously disappointed on finding one who had prepared long for this event. Okey had suffered a degenerative illness since 1998.

Earlier this year he was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. He received the cancer sad news with resignation to the Will of God. He never complained.

As I walked into his hospital room, the respirator blinking with multi-coloured lights, Okey looked up with that trademark smile and serenity of his. He was reading a journal article on his laptop, which had a picture of the Madonna displayed at the corner of the screen. It might seem ordinary but I doubt if I will have such frame of mind to continue studying in the midst of an impending journey to the other side. Although his strength was ebbing away, rather than crave for pity, he assured me of his prayer for my dad (who is yet to recover from an auto crash a year after).

On another occasion, Okey was consoling

his parents. He was conscious of the searing pain they were going through on account of his condition. Yet he told them not to worry, that everything will turn out fine, “it will be fantastic.” His was an optimism that not even a terminal illness could stifle.

Each of the few visits I made to his hospital room was like an existential peering into life.

There is no doubt that Okey bore his illness with Christian equanimity. Throughout the period of his illness, he was always calm and serene even when it was obvious that he was experiencing pain and great discomfort. In his clutches he patiently and happily trudged along the pathway without soliciting for assistance. Okechukwu’s hospital bed was like a professorial rostrum that dispensed knowledge with such ineffable grace. Okey displayed a humility that was so natural that it can be easily missed and a radical courage for a world that that desires happiness without suffering. Till the very last, he was ever conscious of the need of others, and did not seek undue consolations.

With somewhat facial expression, he welcomed all who came to visit him at the hospital. His was a living faith, which drew strength from within, so much so that his bedside was above all, a cathedral of the redeeming power of the Cross. His last wish was to watch the “Passion of the Christ.”

Okechukwu Clarence Enyinna took the sting off death by his exemplary life. He danced in cadence of the ordinary to attain the extraordinary ecstasy of a deep union with God. Like His Master, whom he faithfully served, Okey showed that there can be a death that does not lead to despair. Okey’s death speaks life, the Life that commenced at death, a Life that destroyed death!

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • November 26, 2016

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NewsXTrA

MOJEC Meters’ Abdul is the Outstanding Woman in Power

CONGRATULATIONS...

L-R: Adenike Ogunsugba, Head Retail Performance, North East, North West ; Kenneth Igbo Igwe, DiamondXtra North Directorate draw N1 Million winner; and Chinedu Nwanyanwu, Account Officer Emerging Businesses at the DiamondXtra North Directorate Prize presentation Ceremony held in Abuja recently

We Won’t Succumb to Blackmail, VON Automobile Tells Senate Crusoe Osagie Automobile manufacturers, VON Automobile Nigeria Limited, yesterday refuted allegations by the Senate, accusing the company of economic sabotage, saying it was absolute falsehood and premeditated blackmail to disparage their accomplishment.

VON Automobile Managing Director, Adetokunbo Aromolaran, made this remark in his speech at an extraordinary session with the media at a guided tour of the company’s facility in Ojo, Badagry Highway, Lagos.

Aromolaran who passionately condemned the claim of the senate published on Sunday, November 20, described it as unsubstantiated, adding; “rather than investigate their story, some media houses made themselves easy tools in the hands of mischievous

blackmailers.”

He said: “for the avoidance of doubt, we regard the whole exercise as one of blackmail, the objectives of which will not be realised because they are false.”

He therefore urged the media to always investigate their reports and ignore "calculated blueprints for calumny and cheap blackmail."

Senator Hope Uzodinma-led Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff had on October 28, during one of its oversight assignments claimed that it discovered 1,500 units of exotic vehicles concealed in the Volkswagen warehouse, wondering if the vehicles were assembled at a deserted facility with disused equipment, he was quoted.

The Senate Committee consequently labeled VON Automobile as economic saboteur, warning it would organise a public hearing

to unravel allegations of sharp practices even when the Nigeria Customs Service public relations officer Wale Adeniyi was quoted as saying he couldn’t verify the development.

VON Automobile Limited is the local assemblers of Hyundai, Nissan and Volkswagen passenger cars with Ashok Leyland and Iveco buses and trucks respectively.

Dismissing the allegations as smirk of a preconceived plan to embarrass VON Automobile, the director described the company as a responsible organisation guarded by ethical values and believe in the rule of law and constituted authority in the discharge of its duty, even when times become frustratingly overbearing, he says.

Mr. Aromolaran who claimed the oversight visit to the plant was presumptuous said: “We were at a loss whether the oversight team

was a visit to VON Automobile Nigeria Limited, the vehicle assembly plant or a customs raid on a commodity warehouse.

“Little wonder there was disbelief when they were told no commodities were warehoused on the premises but on insistence, they inspected all warehouses even those not under VON operations and didn’t discover a grain of any commodity - an operation, which in itself, was illegal,” the plant helmsman declared.

The perceived inspection halted VON Automobile plant operations for one week to pave the way for inventory and verification of all documentation of vehicles on the premises and also resulted in the compulsory closure of the factory gates till the examinations was decided, Mr. Aromolaran told the news crew.

Freedom from Fear most Experts Warn Against Important, Fashola Tells Youths Communications, Tax Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, urged the new generation of Nigerians to free their minds from fear to enable them make informed choices at every level of human endeavour.

Fashola, who spoke at the Akin Deko Auditorium, Ugbowo Campus venue of the 42nd Convocation Lecture of the University of Benin, said freeing their minds from fear would enable them to see solutions to challenges of life instead of as insurmountable obstacles adding that it would enable them to look for opportunities, instead of dwelling on and surrendering to problems.

In his Convocation Lecture titled “Freedom from Fear, Choices Before the New Generation”, Fashola, who is an Alumnus of the University, said a mind that successfully eradicated fear would no longer be shackled by words like ‘impossibility’, ‘improbability’, ‘unlikelihood’ and such negative words that impede progress.

The Minister told the graduating students, “I urge you to free your minds from such fears”, pointing

out that the only way to free their minds from such thoughts as “impossibility”, “improbability” and “unlikelihood” was to always see such words as negatives and replace them with positive thoughts and actions.

“If you see unmanaged refuse as a problem, you may not think of recycling and re-use and the economic opportunities that have multiple benefits, including the ultimate removal of the refuse.

If you dwell on traffic gridlock as a problem, you are unlikely to focus on developing intelligent traffic management solutions like traffic lights or a radio station to manage it and create opportunities for yourself and others,” he said.

Describing freedom from fear as the most important freedom, Fashola declared, “A mind taken over by fear cannot express free will and will therefore not fully optimise or benefit from the other freedoms”, adding that a mind focused on crime and its burden might lose the opportunity to focus on crime management strategies like more policemen, crime detection methods, employment and training of judges.

Omolabake Fasogbon

With Information Communication Technology,ICT, being considered as a resort to salvage the economy in its perilous times, experts have advised Federal Government against introduction of communication service tax.

They posited that the government should rather provide incentives for operators in the sector to encourage more investment.

According to the President of Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria ,ATCON, Olusola Teniola, while the government was struggling to balance its budget in the face of recession, it must provide enabling environment such that would sustain businesses and not to further discourage investment through multiple taxes.

It would be recalled that association which recently paid a courtesy visit to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, appealed to the government to cut down the proposed CST from nine per cent to 0.2 per cent .

“The truth is that there is severe over-taxation in our industry. It explains the slow penetration

of services into areas yet to be covered by our services across the country. Contrary to popular belief, telecommunication operators and service providers are barely sustaining their existence in these hard times.

“There are reasons to suggest that the desire to widen the tax net is laudable and that as things stand telecommunication is about one of the few areas where the net-capture may be widened,” the ATCON boss stated.

Still maintaining this position, Teniola stated that an attempt to introduce additional tax to a sector that was still battling excessive taxes would do more harm than good to the economy.

The ATCON President who restated the association's position at a media briefing yesterday noted that the proposed move would be technically and economically disastrous.

"Now that the Central Bank had exhausted all the tools in its arsenal to remedy economic problems, it is high time we talked less and acted more as we may be heading towards depression if we don't act fast.

Nigeria’s Chantelle Abdul, has been adjudged the Outstanding Woman in Power, in West Africa.

Abdul is the CEO of MOJEC Meter Company & MOJEC Power – a key player in Nigeria’s power industry.

At the third edition of the West African Power Industry Awards took place at this year’s West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC) during a gala dinner where industry pioneers and projects were recognised and celebrated in eight different categories.

Ms Abdul clinched the award ahead of six other Africans that made the final list. They are Bahijjatu Hadiza Abubakar, National Coordinator of the Renewable Energy Programme, Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria; Damilola Ogunbiyi, General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board, Nigeria; Eunice Biritwum, CEO, CENIT Energy Limited, Ghana; H.R.H. Princess Abze Djigma, Founder, Abze Solar

S.A., Burkina Faso; and Subha Nagarajan, Managing Director: Africa Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Ivory Coast.

WAPIC Power Industry Awards celebrates the triumphs and successes of West Africa's power sector and its players brought together about 200 of West Africa’s most renowned power industry professionals. It is the leading event and platform to recognise, reward and celebrate the success of West Africa’s power sector during 2016/17.The awards according to the WAPIC aims to recognise, reward, promote and encourage outstanding leaders, organisations and projects who are exemplifying inspiration, vision, innovation, leadership and transformation in the power industry.

Under Ms Abdul’s leadership in the Post power sector privatization era, Mojec's footprint and market share grew from 20% to 80%, with eight out of the 11 utilities in the country as clients.

Happy Hour by Chivita Wears new Look Benneth Oghifo For many influential brands, the need to keep evolving in order to stay relevant and top-of-mind with consumers cannot be overemphasised. Brands adopt varying strategies including rebranding, repackaging and redesigning to retain consumer appeal. It is in this light that CHI Limited recently re-launched its Chi Happy Hour fruit drink, and rebranded it as “Happy Hour by Chivita” Fruit Drink. Happy Hour fruit drink now comes in new refreshing packs, with exciting new features that are appealing and distinct, a new logo and a new brand name “Happy Hour by Chivita” Fruit Drink.

The new design is stylish and comes in vibrant and unique colours of peach, purple, blue, lime green and groovy red. The colourful packs use storytelling and hashtags to communicate effortlessly with the consumer and are emblazoned with interesting visuals that delight the eyes. This visual communication is a great asset to help connect with consumers, reinforce personality of the brand and deepen the brand’s story.

In line with the brand’s aspirational and trendy outlook, every variant pack of the new Happy Hour by Chivita Fruit Drink tells a unique story of excitement and adventure. For instance, consumers can enjoy visuals of a camera, road and car with the #wanderlust hashtag or microphone, disc jockey

and sunglasses with #partymode hashtag as well as guitar, trumpet and musical notes with #nonstop hashtag, among others. Each variant pack shares images that consumers can easily relate to in times of refreshment as they continue to enjoy the fruity goodness every pack offers.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ADEGOKE ADELEKE, now wish to be known and addressed as DAUDA ADEGOKE MOBOLAJI ADELEKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS UMEH IJEOMA VIVIAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OHAZURUIKE IJEOMA UMEH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS UTHMAN AYOLO ASHIAT A. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OYEDEJI ASHIAT ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

Formerly addressed

known

and

ADEAGBO BABATUNDE ADE now wish as

to be known and addressed as

ADEAGBO BABATUNDE ADETOMIWA. All former

documents remain valid. The general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ALABI FAITH AREKPETAN now wish to be known and addressed as IYOHA FAITH AREKPETAN. All former documents remain valid.The general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEBAYO ONAOPEMIPO MUTIAT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JUWE

ONAOPEMIPO MUTIAT ADEBAYO. All former documents

remain valid. The general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ODUTUGA IBIYEMI TINUADE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUFEMIJOSEPH IBIYEMI TINUADE. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

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UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Obasanjo to Buhari administration

“Economy neither obeys orders nor does it work according to wishes. It must be worked upon with all factors considered and most stakeholders involved. The investors, domestic and foreign, are no fools and they know what is going on with the management of the economy including the foreign exchange and they are not amused. The Central Bank must be restored to its independence and integrity.”– Former president Olusegun Obasanjo urging the Buhari administration to take proactive measures to revamp the economy.

PENDULUM Dele Momodu

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Before Everything Falls Apart F

ellow Nigerians, something big is about to happen in our dear beloved country. I wish I could foretell a pleasant development. I truly wish. But what I see is total confusion.

I refuse to see mayhem out of faith and not by conviction. I’m praying, fasting and hoping that our benevolent God would avert yet another dangerous crisis hovering over our great country.

Nigeria has suffered too much since attaining Independence in the year of our Lord 1960. We have tried all sorts of permutations and configurations but nothing has work to our collective benefit.

Each time we thought we were close to Eldorado, something came from the blues to dash our hopes and put us all into absolute disarray.

I sometimes wonder who we have offended as a people and a country. Why are we so jinxed? A gracious God actually provided us with everything we needed to make our lives as comfortable as we wanted or desired. God did not just provide us with what was necessary for existence HE lavished upon us goodies that many nations crave for but have never seen. However, for some unbeknown reason we chose to be a country of excruciating pain and debilitating agony.

We have tried scholars, mediocres and even stark illiterates in government, none has taken us far. What exactly is the matter with us? This is a question begging for answer. The resolution may well be our salvation.

I have gone through this preamble for one major reason. Say what you will about former President Olusegun Matthew Okikiolakan Aremu Obasanjo, he is one man who knows Nigeria inside out. If you like, call him tempestuous, egocentric, cantankerous, or what have you, but you cannot remove the word patriotism from his qualifiers. He is a one-man riot squad. He is a true General who is not afraid of battles, never mind wars. When he talks, the world listens, no matter what he says, or how he says it.

The trick he used to acquire such respectability was simple. As our military Head of State, General Obasanjo voluntarily handed over power to a civilian government at a time it wasn’t fashionable to do such. If he wanted, he could have engaged in a merry-go-round transition programme but he was very smart by presenting the image of a lover of democracy to the world. Everyone, especially, the Western powers, applauded him for that singular action. He has reaped the reward many times over and indeed is still enjoying the accolade and plaudits that are a consequence of his rare feat.

Also, General Obasanjo earnestly attracted and surrounded himself with some of our greatest names in academia and started his regular summits in Ota farm where he promptly established a humongous poultry farm. This was how he began his own personal intellectualisation process as well. He was thus able to transfigure from a rambunctious dictator to a world statesman. In fact, he was close to becoming the United Nations Secretary General. He travelled the globe several times over. At a time, he was trailing only The Madiba, Nelson Mandela, in popularity. He became the voice of our continent and was invited to chair many international occasions and bodies.

Obasanjo seized every opportunity presented to him with both hands. He catapulted himself very skilfully to the pinnacle of leadership in his home country, Nigeria, and became almost indispensable in matters of governance. Obasanjo’s ability to speak up boldly and vociferously completed his transformation into the consciousness and conscience of our complex and complicated country.

He criticised every government that came after him but met his nemesis in General Sani Abacha who brooked no rascality from any quarter. Before

Buhari one could say Jack Robinson, Abacha had roped Obasanjo into some phantom plot to unseat him and pronto Obasanjo landed in an unfriendly archipelago of a prison where he languished forlornly before he was mysteriously freed several years later. His former deputy, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua wasn’t that lucky. He died in prison under strange circumstances. No one ever expected such an ugly fate to befall these highly esteemed and gargantuan leaders but this is Nigeria, a country of all possibilities.

As fate would have it, Obasanjo’s excruciating stint in prison was compensated by the Nigerian Mafia after a short while following the demise of both General Sani Abacha and the man who had won the fairest election in Nigeria, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola. It is interesting that Obasanjo inherited all the goodwill and sacrifices of Abiola, his kinsman, but yet never expressed gratitude or appreciation to his saviour and benefactor. That is a story for another time.

Obasanjo was unceremoniously freed from imprisonment and recalled from retirement to lead the People’s Democratic Party. By then, Obasanjo had become dressed in the robe of invincibility.

In a jiffy, he won the election against a very cerebral economist, Chief Oluyemisi Falae and instantly became one of Africa’s most powerful leaders and secured another fist of being a former military dictator turned civilian autocrat.

For eight blistering years, whilst Obasanjo was at the helm of affairs of this country, he swiftly moved to stamp his authority not just on our nation but also on world affairs. He assembled a very formidable team. His economic blueprint was awesome. He was somehow able to pay off our debts, although the jury is still out on the practical effect of the debt forgiveness deal that went hand in glove with this. He embarked on aggressive infrastructure development. Everything was going well for his government. His vast knowledge of Nigeria and the world came in handy for him. He looked poised to truly create a new and greater Nigeria. But there was a snag.

Obasanjo and his Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who incidentally turned 70 just yesterday (I congratulate and rejoice with him), engaged in a debilitating war of attrition that exposed their government to incredible perils as things fell apart. We all watched incredulously as things

spiralled out of control. Obasanjo unleashed terror against known and imaginary enemies.

His most effective weapon then was the war against corruption. A war that now seems to have come full circle! Two powerful agencies, EFCC and ICPC, helped to pursue the sinners and saints alike with the agility of a thoroughbred warhorse and the savageness of a wounded lion.

No one dared challenge that government.

Time flew at the speed of light. Before long, it was obvious that a third term agenda was being laid and hatched from the innermost recesses of Aso Rock to the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly. Many legislators were being coaxed or coerced into assenting to a bill to change the Nigerian Constitution and set the stage for the possibility of a third or more terms in power for the President. Somehow, this ambitious plan was torpedoed and Obasanjo and his acolytes abandoned the ship of third term and started singing a new song.

It remains a mystery how Obasanjo arrived at his decision to force Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Nigeria as President and Vice President respectively. A party that paraded Governor Donald Duke, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealla, Governor Bukola Saraki, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and many others threw up this less than sparkling combination. Though Yar’Adua appeared to be a good leader, his ill-health would soon prove fatal and he couldn’t do more than his weak strength could carry. The mantle of power fell on the laps of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, a university scholar who was expected to push his team hard in some key sectors. That dream also evaporated.

The ubiquitous godfather, General Obasanjo, would soon emerge from the grove he had retreated into and shred Jonathan, his cohorts and his party into smithereens. It is difficult to

Obasanjo was unceremoniously freed from imprisonment and recalled from retirement to lead the People’s Democratic Party. By then, Obasanjo had become dressed in the robe of invincibility. In a jiffy, he won the election against a very cerebral economist, Chief Oluyemisi Falae and instantly became one of Africa’s most powerful leaders and secured another fist of being a former military dictator turned civilian autocrat

decipher what truly went awry between them but one thing led to another and the falcon could no longer hear the falconer. And that was the beginning of the end. Had Jonathan known, maybe he should have done everything under the sun to offer Obasanjo whatever pacifier was needed and necessary. Obasanjo soon assembled a group of strange bedfellows in his bid to get rid of Jonathan, by fire by force. The strangest face at his Hilltop mansion, in Abeokuta, was that of his former sworn enemy, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Somehow, they were able to brew the concoction that finally killed the ruling party and usher in another former enemy, General Muhammadu Buhari. Many of us provided the media platforms for this conspiracy forged in Hades out of our deep frustration with the manner Jonathan ran the affairs of our nation.

Anyway, Buhari took power and many things have happened. Nigeria has eventually and ostensibly entered an unprecedented recession.

No one has a clue of how long it would take before we are out of the woods. The voodoo economists have been busy cooking up cocktails upon cocktails of economic experiments but none has resolved the intractable crisis.

I had predicted that the romance between Buhari and Obasanjo would soon evaporate and many of my friends doubted. I’m sure they did not know Obasanjo and his uncommon antecedents well. Put a gun to his throat, Obasanjo would still gasp like a stricken chicken but muster enough stamina to spit out and regurgitate whatever he had in mind to say.

Now the chicken has come home to roost and it seems the same man that invented the pencil can also quite easily manufacture the eraser. Obasanjo has started talking in sinister overtones. Tinubu has gone quiet and cleverly eased himself out of circulation. I don’t know who is deadlier, a voluble Obasanjo or a taciturn Tinubu.

I can see some of Buhari’s guys trying to take on both men. I read an article credited to Dr Kayode Fayemi on a certain platform and I prayed it was pure fabrication and not an interview he actually granted. It is gratifying to note that my friend has since come out to deny authorship of this Satanic Verses!

It is too early in the tenure of this government to begin the hocus-pocus of re-election. Nigeria is dangerously haemorrhaging to death on all fronts and what we need is urgent rescue not electoral rhetoric. All this in-fighting won’t do us any good. The political pugilists should please save Nigeria from this fiendish war of egos.

No matter what happens, Buhari should cool temper and manage his benefactors. Even if the leper cannot squeeze out milk from a cow, he can spill out the ones already produced.

No one is above the law but Nigeria deserves some respite after a long period of higgledypiggledy. All men and women of good conscience should beg our powerful forces to allow President Buhari and his Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN to run their full course of four years out of which two are almost gone.

As for me and my house, I’m willing to exercise some patience hoping that a miracle can still happen in the life of this government.

If nothing tangible occurs by the end of next year, then let Nigerians start working on how to assemble a new team and strive to attract our best materials from every part of the world.

It can be done and it should be done. I have seen examples of the giant strides being made by young African leaders in Rwanda, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Botswana, Tanzania and Senegal.

Ours should not be too different, after all we remain the Giant of Africa!

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