Saturday 11th February 2017 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Speculative Attack Weakens Naira to over N500 Mark on Parallel Market CBN Official: Gamblers will lose their money

Obinna Chima

The Naira attained a new low of N506 against the United States dollar on the parallel market yesterday, compared with the N500 to a dollar it closed the

previous day. The development was attributed to the activities of currency speculators who are desperately in search of exit strategies to reduce their dollar position. Meanwhile, an official of

the CBN who pleaded not to be named has warned speculators that they will lose their money as the country's foreign reserves continue to rise. Also, a currency trader who pleaded to remain anonymous

argued that there was likelihood that the currency speculators are scared that the successful Eurobond issuance by the federal government would help improve dollar liquidity in the country, thereby hampering their nefarious

activity. But on the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment, the Naira was quoted at N399 to the dollar, just as on the official interbank market, it stood at N315 to the dollar yesterday.

Speaking in a phone interview, the President, Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Mr. Aminu Gwadabe, also blamed the further Continued on page 6

$1b Eurobond: Fayose Blasts FG, Says Loan Burden on Generation Unborn...Page Saturday 11 February, 2017 Vol 21. No 7969. Price: N250

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Osinbajo in Bayelsa, Proposes New Vision for Niger Delta Illegal oil refiners to be incorporated in proposed modular refineries

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa For more than three hours yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, engaged elders, leaders, non-governmental organisations

as well as youth and women groups in the Niger Delta in continuation of the federal governmentâ€™s search for peace in the troubled oil-rich region. The acting president who made a passionate presentation

at the Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, which was filled to capacity, urged the people of the Niger Delta to give the President Muhammadu Buhari administration a chance to make the difference in the lives of the

people by giving peace a chance. Osinbajo who was accompanied by the Minister of State, Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, his counterpart in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Heineken Lokpobiri,

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani and other top government functionaries, told his audience that his tour of the region was due to the importance the current government attaches to the Niger Delta.

According to the Vice President, many decisions taken in the past concerning the Niger Delta contradicted common sense, wondering why the region Continued on page 6

Muslim Brotherhood Planning Deadly Attacks in Nigeria, Says FG Members preparing to attack prisons

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government yesterday issued a warning to Nigerians of the subterranean plan by Muslim Brotherhood Cell in the country to launch terrorist attack. The group is an affiliate of the dreaded terrorist group, Boko Haram and its Nigerian cell is allegedly based in Kogi State, in North-central Nigeria. A statement issued by Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said some members of the group had fought along Islamic State in Libya and were planning to acquire bomb-making chemicals and high-calibre weapons to perpetrate acts of terror, including attacks on banks, arms depots and prisons. Mohammed said that intelligence monitoring revealed the frantic efforts by Muslim Brotherhood to upgrade its capability to make Improvised Explosive

Devices (IEDs) by acquiring chemicals such as Sodium Azide (for producing improvised detonators), Potassium Chlorate (alternative to ammonium nitrate used for producing IEDs) and Aluminum Powder (a fuel source for amplifying explosions). ''One Usman, an IED apprentice, left the cell some time back to join Islamic State in Libya. The new desire to acquire IED precursor chemicals could suggest that Usman or other persons may have returned from Libya and have acquired IED-making skills intended to increase the activities of the group,'' he said. The minister said intelligence also revealed that the group was making serious efforts to acquire sophisticated arms, including shoulder-fired rocket launchers. ''Further intelligence monitoring has revealed that members of the Muslim Brotherhood are planning to forcefully free their Continued on page 6

NEW ERA FOR NIGER DELTA BECKONS...

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson (left) ; Ag. President, Yemi Osinbajo receives a staff of honour from the Council of Elders in the Niger Delta presented by King Alfred Diete Spiff (right) during his tour of the region...yesterday

Lagos Marathon Holds Today, 100,000 Athletes Battle for $50,000... Page 53

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SATURDAY, february 11, 2017 • T H I S D AY

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ECOWAS Parliament Laments Nigeria’s Economic Decline Wishes President quick recovery

Alex Enumah in Abuja Apparently feeling the heat of the economic recession in Nigeria, member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) yesterday bemoaned the economic conditions in the country, blaming it on the sharp drop in the price of crude oil, as well as what it described as the never ending attack on Nigeria’s oil facilities by agitated youths in the Niger Delta region of the country. The community’s parliamentarians expressed these concerns during the 2017 1st Extraordinary Session of the 4th Legislature holding in Abuja. The ECOWAS Parliamentarians also joined millions of Nigerians as well as well-wishers around the world to pray for the health and speedy recovery of

Lift up Buhari in prayers, Atiku tells Nigerians

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari. The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Moustapha Cisse Lo said: “I learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in London, Great Britain for health reasons, I wish him, on your behalf, a quick recovery. “On the economic front and as it concerns Nigeria, our host country, has been suffering since 2015, particularly from the fall in the price of barrel of crude oil and the never-ending attacks of its oil installations by rebel groups, resulting in revenue loss for the government, a high inflation and shortage of foreign currencies. “The decrease in petroleum revenue lays bare the real fragility of the budget.” He however, appreciated Nigeria for all her support in ensuring that the parliamentar-

ians are comfortable and are able to carry out their functions in a peaceful and secured environment. Cisse Lo, also commended his colleagues for their indefatigable support in ensuring that the agenda for 2016 were achieved particularly, the adoption of the Supplementary Act which is being considered as a major landmark towards the full integration of the region. “But the year 2016 was particularly the year during which the adoption process of the Supplementary Act enhancing the powers of the Parliament, set in motion by the previous legislatures, was accelerated. According to him: “It is now for each and every one of us to consolidate on this achievement and work harder in ensuring improvement in democracy in

our community. “Therefore, we must summon up the courage, perseverance and determination to pursue and intensify reforms aimed at boosting the input of Parliament in the integration process.” Earlier, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Marcel de Souza disclosed that in pursuant of institution reforms called by the Chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Commission was able to save about $12 million in operational costs of its institutions in 2016. The president who was represented by his Vice, Edward Singhatey, said that the efficient cost control measures had been implemented to make the organization more effective and credible.

“The cost cutting measures were put in place by the new management when we took over office in March 2016. There was an urgent need for those measures to be put in place because when we assumed the role of management; we found out that the commission was in a precarious financial situation. “We had to look at the financing that was available vis a vis the projects and activities we were supposed to implement and rationalize them; we had to prioritize them and rationalize our expenditure. Lift up Buhari in prayers, Atiku tells Nigerians Also yesterday, former Vice President and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar called on Nigerians of all faiths to lift up President Buhari in prayers.

Atiku said: “Everyone of us is a mere mortal, irrespective of how great or highly accomplished they are. We deserve the care and support of one another in trying times. “President Buhari needs all the prayers and goodwill that he can get at this time, to enable him return from his medical vacation in the UK and continue with his God-ordained assignment of steering Nigeria to her next level of greatness. “Each of us go through times when we are not feeling in top form. The last thing we need in those times is mockery or ill will.” The former vice president urged Nigerians to quit the rumour mongering and to instead, channel that energy in praying for God to strengthen President Buhari and his family through this time.

Production Cuts: OPEC Attains over 90% Compliance Mobil Producing Nigeria gets new MD

Ejiofor Alike with agency reports The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has attained over 90 per cent compliance by its members to the cartel’s output cuts pledged in January, according to figures the exporter group uses to monitor its supply, making a strong start in implementing its first production cut in eight years. This is coming as Mobil

Producing Nigeria Unlimited announced the appointment of Mr. Paul McGrath as the new Chairman and Managing Director effective March 1, 2017. OPEC is cutting its crude output by about 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from January 1 to prop up oil prices and reduce a supply glut. Reuters reported that supply from the 11 OPEC members with production targets under

the deal in January has fallen to 29.921 million bpd, according to the average assessments of the six secondary sources OPEC uses to monitor its output seen by Reuters. This amounts to 92 per cent compliance, according to an OPEC calculation. Compliance of 92 per cent comfortably exceeds the initial 60 per cent achieved when OPEC's previous deal to cut

was implemented in 2009, and the OPEC figures add to indications that adherence so far has been high. OPEC is scheduled to publish its first assessment of January production based on the secondary-source figures in its monthly oil market report on Monday. The figures could be revised before they are published, sources said.

In a related development, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited announced the appointment of Mr. Paul McGrath as the new Chairman and Managing Director effective March 1, 2017. A statement by the company’s Manager in charge of Media and Communications, Mr. Oge Udeagha announced that McGrath will succeed Mr. Nolan O’Neal, who has elected to retire after 34 years of service.

McGrath was most recently a senior executive in charge of project execution for ExxonMobil Development Company, based in Houston, Texas. He joined ExxonMobil in 1999 and has held a variety of technical and managerial positions in upstream and downstream operations while working in the United Kingdom, Korea, Qatar, Australia and the United States.

force, was the solution to the Niger Delta problem. “We have always believed that the solution is to build consensus and not through war or military deployment.” He stressed that being the epicentre and the heart of the Niger Delta and of the Ijaw people, Bayelsa must be taken seriously by the federal government. “All the issues, historical or contemporary, all the contradictions, you will see them in their naked form here in Bayelsa. In this state, we believe in collaboration, working actively with our security agencies and that is why we have this peace,” Dickson said. Osinbajo had also earlier announced that he had been given a chieftaincy title during a meeting with traditional rulers in the state. In his brief comments, Kachikwu urged the Niger Delta to look inwards and clean up its mess before complaining about marginalisation. While reiterating the federal government's commitment to the region, the petroleum minister said that the over $40 billion ploughed into the region in the last few years had been largely unaccounted for. The Chairman of Host Oil and Gas Communities in Bayelsa, (HOSTCOM, Mr Bob Nabena, called for the establishment of a state oil intervention agency so that the affected communities can benefit from the oil wealth. Others who made different presentations were: Mr Udengs Eradiri, President Ijaw Youth Council, IYC; the President, Ijaw National Congress, INC, Boma Boforibo; Morris Alagoa,

Coordinator Environmental Rights Action, ERA, and leaders of women groups. Also present at the occasion were Timi Alaibe, ex-Niger Delta Development Commission

(NDDC) Managing Director, former governor of Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva, Brig. General Boroh, the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty programme, among several others.

OSINBAJO IN BAYELSA, PROPOSES NEW VISION FOR NIGER DELTA which is a natural location for certain industries, had been deprived of such privileges for a long time. He said he and his entourage were in the state to get firsthand information as to the pains the people of the region have endured for a long time, promising that with the rate of progress made in talks with the leaders and youths of the area, it was only a matter of time before things would begin to take shape. Delving into the history of oil exploration in Nigeria, Osinbajo recalled that it was in Bayelsa that the product was first found, but regretted that years after, there was not much to show for it. He noted that the Buhari administration was bent on changing that narrative. “The president decided that we must undertake this visit to engage the leadership of the Niger Delta oil producing communities to seek to understand their concerns first-hand and to offer these communities a new deal and a new pact. “In Oloibiri where the history of oil exploration first began, this oil became the source of 70 per cent of our national revenue and 90 per cent of our export. Over 50 per cent of non-oil revenue is determined by oil revenue. “To many communities, the discovery of oil has become a curse, or at best a burden. Fishing and farming have consistently been destroyed by pollution. Worse still, huge resources earned over the years have simply disappeared,” lamented Osinbajo. The Vice President who drew intermittent applause from the

teeming crowd, noted that homes and farmlands have been destroyed by the exploitation of oil, while social amenities are either non-existent or inadequate. He added that despite the oil wealth of the Delta area, “the people have had very limited access to it.” He continued: “And so, we have come today on behalf of the President, with heads of ministries and agencies to propose a new vision and to signpost a new era for the people of the oil-producing communities and Nigeria. “ The federal government will begin a partnership with the oil producing states in collaboration with local government, private sector and civil society organisations for the rapid development of these communities. “We must intervene in the oil communities to map out what can be done in the short to medium term and we are focused on ensuring that the people benefit from the wealth of the land. This new vision will define the future of the region.” However, he said oil exploration on its own cannot fix the problems of the communities. While promising to alleviate the pains the people are currently going through, he stressed that the challenge was to make the region investment friendly. “We must make the communities hubs of refining and related activities. The ministry of petroleum in collaboration with oil companies are working on a 40-point agenda and new initiatives for the Niger Delta”, he assured. He added that the federal government would henceforth work closely with those into

illegal oil bunkering business and incorporate them into the proposed modular refineries to be established. “In particular, one of those initiatives is that those working in illegal refineries in oil-bearing communities will participate in modular refineries”. While decrying some of the decisions taken in the past, the VP maintained: “There is no doubt that power stations should be stationed here (Bayelsa). It makes sense. Many times, the way we take decisions does not always show that we are applying all of the common sense that we have.” He explained that societies are built on the resourcefulness, innovation and zeal of its people, giving India which has no oil but operates the largest refinery in the world as an example. “I am prepared to work with you, but many investors are scared to put their money in a place that may not be stable. This is why communities must refuse to participate in the destruction of pipelines and other oil facilities. It also pollutes the environment. It’s like cutting our nose to spite our faces”, Osinbajo stated. He warned that any kobo made from oil now has to be put to the best use since the entire world had started moving to alternative sources of energy which might make the mineral resource lose value soon. In his address, Governor Seriake Dickson decried the neglect of the region and warned against politicisation of developmental and security issues. He noted that he had always believed that such meetings, rather than the use of sheer

RENEWED SPECULATIVE ATTACK WEAKENS NAIRA TO N506/$ ON PARALLEL MARKET drop in the value of the naira on the black market on the activities of currency speculators. "In any case, that is only happening in the shallow parallel market. The BDC sub-market FX rate is stable and the interbank is also stable. Don't forget that the Central Bank of Nigeria is also working to improve liquidity. The CBN has increased the allocation to manufacturers from $1 billion monthly to about $1.2 billion monthly. "The central bank also told us recently that it was working on reducing the requirements for International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), so that there would be improved liquidity in the economy. We have a lot of Nigerians in the Diaspora and licensing more IMTOs would help improve dollar flows into the country," the ABCON boss added. Nigeria's forex reserves is currently at $28.699 billion. The federal government on Thursday announced that its US$1 billion Eurobond was 780 per cent oversubscribed,

demonstrating a strong market appetite for Nigeria. The government also revealed that the newly established US$1 billion Global Medium Term Note programme will bear interest at a rate of 7.875 per cent and will mature on 16th February 2032, with a bullet repayment of the principal. Nonetheless, the yield of 7.875 per cent on the $1 billion Eurobond showed that investors priced in the risk of the credit downgrade by Fitch recently. Nigeria intends to use the proceeds of the notes to fund capital expenditure in the 2016 budget. The Director of Information in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Salisu Na’inna Dambatta said: “The development was clearly a sign of renewed confidence in the economy which has been hurt by the slump in crude oil prices.” The notes, according to a statement represented the country’s third Eurobond issuance, following issuances in 2011 and 2013.

MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD PLANNING DEADLY ATTACKS IN NIGERIA, SAYS FG members who are in detention in Kogi, Abuja and Kaduna, including one Bilyaminu, an IED expert for the group who is now at Kuje prison,'' he said.

Subsequently, Mohammed asked Nigerians to be vigilant and to report any suspicious persons or movements to the appropriate authorities.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2017

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •FEBRUARY 11, 2017

NEWS

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

$1b Eurobond: Fayose Blasts FG, Says Loan Burden on Future Generations Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) Governors' Forum, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has described the Federal Government's plan to secure Eurobond which re-payment would last till 2032 may plunge the nation into prolonged economic misery. The governor, who challenged the federal to government make clarifications on the beneficiaries of the bond, stating whether it would be both the federal government and the federating units or federal government alone, adding; "questions must also be asked on repayment of the Eurobond because deductions from what should accrue to the federation account on a bond to be taken by the federal government for its own use only." In a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor said; "What I'm even worried about and which they must explain to us is that you cannot get a bond without committing it to the source. "Is the repayment going to be made by direct deductions from Nigeria's crude oil sales or from federal government share from the federation account? "If it is going to be made directly from proceeds of crude oil accruing to Nigeria as a country, then the bond belongs to the federal, state and local governments and not federal government alone. "The federal government is just one of the federating units making up Nigeria and revenue accruing to the country cannot be used to repay bond taken by the federal government for its own use alone. "The federal government must therefore tell Nigerians how it intends to repay the facility from now till 2032. If it is going to be through direct deductions from revenue accruing to

FOR STABLE POWER...

L-R; Managing Director/CEO, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. , Mrs Funke Osibodu, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and Chairman, BEDC, Mr. Victor Gbolade Osibodu at the Graduation ceremony of the Graduate Trainees/Technicians scheme of BEDC held in Benin ... recently

Nigeria, such that money would be taken from source which would not be part of the accruals to the central body, it means the $1 billion bond belongs to Nigerians and it must be shared among the federating units. "So, we have to find out and

take steps. It is either they bring the money and we share it; we take our percentage and they take theirs. The federal government cannot take that money and take it from source and tell us that the money, which belongs to all of us federating units, is its."

Speaking further, Governor Fayose said; "Fiscal federalism is not manifesting in the agenda of this government. The way they are running the affairs of this country is shrouded in secrecy. We will definitely go to Court and ask

questions." Expressing the fear that the $1 billion Eurobond may plunge the nation into more serious economic woes as its repayment was sheduled to last till 2032. Fayose said: "the APC government was behaving like

the prodigal son who asked for his inheritance and spend it lavishly. "It is a prodigal government who wants to destroy this country. The rate at which they are taking loans which would keep this country indebted till 2032 is quite unfortunate.

Ex-Niger Delta Militants Give HURIWA to DSS: Stop Persecution Ultimatum to NDDC over Contracts of Christian Leaders John Iwori

Former Niger Delta militants have issued a one-week ultimatum to the management of the Niger Development Commission (NDDC) to release the contracts the Federal Government approved for them or face dire consequences. The erstwhile agitators from the nine NDDC states who were offered amnesty by the Federal Government during the administration of former President Umaru Yar’Adua in a statement by their Spokesman, Mr. Gbene Emer Kagbue stated that they would no longer accept the refusal of NDDC management to release approved contracts to them at the expiration of their ultimatum. The former warlords in a statement issued in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, and obtained by THISDAY at the weekend urged NDDC to comply with the Federal Government directive on the award of contracts immediately. The ex-agitators also have an axe to grind with the government intervention agency over

some outstanding stipends the commission owes them since 2015. According to them, the NDDC needed to comply with the Federal Government directives to award certain contracts to them as part of the amnesty programme or be ready for a show down. Accusing the management of the commission of poor performance since it took over the running of the government intervention agency; the ex-agitators said the commission had not live up to the expectations of the oil producing communities. “Officials of NDCC have been playing politics with our fate. Contracts approved for us by the Federal Government as part of the amnesty programme have not been given to us till now. These contracts were meant to serve as palliatives for the people of the oil producing communities but the management of NDDC is sitting on them and playing politics with our fate. This is not acceptable. That is why we are giving the commission this one week ultimatum. At the expiration of the ultimatum, we

will meet and take a decision on our next level of action”, the statement added. According to the statement, some of the contracts approved for the erstwhile agitators include road construction, supply and installation of solar energy light system on the streets of the region, as well as contract of cleaning up water hyacinth causing blockage on waterways in the area to reduce high risks of water accidents. They regretted that it was unfortunate that in spite of how laudable the projects were officials of the NDDC had been frustrating their efforts to secure these contracts. They called on the Federal Government to wade into the matter by probing into why the commission had not been able to carry out its directive on the award of contracts to the ex-agitators. They also called on President Muhammad Buhari to reposition and strengthen the commission so that it could be in a position to meet the challenging needs of the region.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Non-Governmental organisation, Human Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked the Department of State Services under the leadership of Alhaji Lawal Musa Daura to halt the harassment of Christian leaders by its operatives. In a statement, the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf condemned as “selective persecution and harassment”, the recent interrogation of National leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria over a global campaigns to attract funds to rebuild churches destroyed by Boko haram terrorists in North East. The group said there was absolutely nothing untoward for Christian leaders to canvass for genuine funding support to carry out evangelism including the rebuilding of Churches destroyed by Islamic terror group of Boko haram particularly when Christianity was a Universal Religion just like the

Islamic Religion. The Rights group said the action of DSS amounted to profiling of Christian leaders only because of their religious status even as it dismissed the action as absolutely discriminatory and therefore unlawful and unconstitutional. HURIWA said it was unbecoming of a statutory agency of the Nigerian government to assume the unconstitutional duty of profiling only one major religious group in a secular state over the genuine intentions of the leadership of the Christians to legitimately seek international funding assistance to rebuild places of worship destroyed by violent Islamic terror group of Boko Haram in the North East. Expressing consternation that the Department of State Services (DSS) had never interrogated leaders of the Islamic religion who constantly collect funds from international Islamic bodies in Saudi Arabia amongst other places, wondered when it had become a crime for the Christian leaders to scout for genuine funds to implement credible religious obligations of building

befitting places of worship. HURIWA said the Constitution in Chapter four explicitly made freedom of religion guaranteed and “section 10 of the Constitution emphatically says there is no state religion” just as it asked the DSS to face her primary duty of providing better security environment by going after armed terror groups and such other mass murderers like the armed Fulani herdsmen instead of constantly subjecting Innocent Christian religion leaders to needless interrogation. The Rights group would rather want DSS to deploy intelligence gathering efforts to thwart the massive inflow of small arms and sophisticated weapons by a range of freelance armed hoodlums wreaking havoc all across Nigeria. “Why is the DSS going after Christian leaders for canvassing international assistance to rebuild churches when groups in the opposite Islamic religion are known to have received billions of foreign denominated currencies from abroad to build up their places of worship?, they queried.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 11, 2017

SUPER SATURDAY Franca Onyeje Atokolo

My Husband Is a Pastor But Keeps Things Fresh Between the Sheets She is strong, smart, forthright and independent-minded. A style icon with grace and pristine beauty, Franca Onyeje Atokolo is intelligence and ebullience personified. She tells Adedayo Adejobi about her being a reserved girl, growing into a mature woman. Busy with her three kids, she also doubles as church mother, counsellor, chaperon, hostess and a telephone -answering ‘assistant’ to her husband’s ever-growing congregation. Her life has been filled with joy, occasional set-backs and responsibilities Many Still Find It Strange that I Married a Pastor He’s a Pastor but if He Cheats on Me, I Will Forgive Him

Tell us about your background? am from Benue State, the fifth of nine children born to Hon Anthony Akoto and Mrs. Catherine Akoto before my dad became a polygamist. So I’m from a large family of many siblings. I had a good childhood with great and interesting memories, though I had some struggles because of things I needed to overcome to be who I am today. At 19, while in my third year in university, I gave my heart to the Lord and there I found an entirely new meaning to life. With my new found faith and exposure to God’s word, I began to understand that God loved me beyond words and that He had a better plan for my life than what I could comprehend. As I sat under the balanced teaching of the word of God, I began to find my true identity in Christ. As I walked with God, He began to reveal me to me, how He saw me, and His definition of me nullified all the lies the devil had been whispering to me all along. I remember how I failed for the first time in my life. My classmates had to leave me behind and proceed for the one-year NYSC because I had two courses I carried over that resulted in an extra semester. God used this incident to teach me humility and that it’s okay to fail sometimes, but to fail forward. The rudest shock to all who knew me then was my engagement to a preacher. I didn’t look like the ideal preacher’s wife. The stereotype idea then was that a pastor’s wife should be vibrant, and very confident; she has to be very mature in the Lord, and be able to sing and preach. She shouldn’t be too beautiful or attractive, or they’ll say she is a mermaid or seductress sent to destroy the ministry. I wasn’t all these and more. But one thing I knew back then as I prayed was that the opportunity to marry this pastor was God’s will and it was my gateway into God’s plan for my life. It’s been 21 years since that journey began, I’ve been married for 18 years and it has been an interesting and amazing unwrapping.

Franca Atokolo

How about your education and career? I was born in Zaria but then my family moved to Benue State where I enrolled and completed my primary education at the Makurdi International School. I proceeded to Federal Government Girls College, Gboko in 1986 to begin my secondary education. After that, I was granted admission into Benue State University in 1992 to study Economics. After my university education, I took a short break from academic pursuits and went for spiritual enrichment. While already married and nursing my son, I enrolled at the University of Abuja to obtain a postgraduate in education in 2006. I have other professional trainings to my credit in other aspects of education such as the Accelerated Christian Education and Montessori Method of Teaching. I started my first business while still a

student. There has never been a season since I got married I never had a business running, mostly in sales and marketing. As a response to God’s call on my life and a passion to inspire, mentor women to realise and actualise their unique potentials, I founded the Balanced Feminity Network 15 years ago. I have positively affected old and young women. I have always had a love for education and strongly believe in a holistic approach to education. How and when did you meet your husband? I became a member of his church after my conversion in 1995. He was my pastor and predestination happened. What are the roles and challenges of being a pastor’s wife? Pastor’s wife’s role is multifaceted, but majorly to be a supportive help to him, and ensure he is well taken care of at home so he can function effectively as pastor to his congregation. A Pastor’s wife faces unique challenges because of the special position she occupies. It’s one of the toughest roles a woman can play, as it can be extremely demanding, self-sacrificing and emotionally draining. She lives in a glass house where she has no privacy, and as most people peer through the glass, they do it with shades of prejudices and biases. So most of what they see has been distorted because they are not seeing with clear eyes, thus resulting in unnecessary pressures, criticism, and unkindness from church folks who expect a pastor’s wife to be perfect. But she is not in any way. She is a normal woman like any other with emotions, interesting hobbies and hopeful dreams. Do you ever feel vulnerable as a pastor’s wife? Do you also feel the same way about your husband? Yes. This feeling is bound to occur because of our position and visibility. Pastors are always criticised and attacked by dissatisfied followers and ignorant folks who might not necessarily be connected to the ministry. The wife usually faces attacks from congregants as either too forward or too laid back. Often times, neither the pastors nor their wives can defend themselves. Where can a pastor’s wife take all her cares, burdens, anxieties, and even ministry-related complaints to? Wisdom requires a leader passes his or her burden up, not down. A pastor’s wife should share her burdens with her husband who knows and understands her heart more than any living mortal. He might be very helpful. And where God has given her other female mentors that her husband approves of, she can reach out to them, though this must be done with much discretion. Under no circumstance should she pass her burdens to church members or the people she and her husband

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 11, 2017

SATURDAY The First Time I Preached in Church, I Spent Two Weeks Preparing

Franca (right), her husband and the children

are serving. Most importantly however, she should learn to pass her burdens to God in prayer. Are you involved in your husband’s work, and at what point did you become involved? Yes I am. I’ve always been involved from when we got married. However, the depth of direct involvement has grown over the years. For my role on the pulpit, I can remember the first time my husband asked me to speak in church. I prepared for two weeks and was able to speak for only 10 minutes. But the story is not the same now. God has grown me to where I now handle special meetings, conventions and conferences both within and outside the country as God keeps opening the doors. How do you handle stress and pressure? Once I notice I’m getting stressed, I slow down and rest. I rest my mind from work and focus on God for refreshing and rejuvenation. Are you a territorial woman? Yes, shouldn’t I be? I know my territory and I do all I can to protect it. I am not careless about it. But I am not possessive in any way; and my husband can testify to this. Have you ever felt insecure in marriage? Yes there are times I have felt insecure but I don’t stay in it but seek to deal with it as quickly as it comes. Sundays are sometimes the least favourite day for pastors’ wives. Do you agree to that? This is not my personal opinion. Sundays are my best days because I always look forward to the worship and the word. How have you managed the endless hours, nosy and demanding congregants? The rule is to walk by faith and walk in love. God takes care of all other details as we daily

obey Him. Have you at any time thought that your husband would choose a different profession? Never! I haven’t thought about it because it would never happen. He is so convinced and consumed with ministry. It is his life. For him, ministry is not a profession but a divine call. He received the call as a little child of eight years, so he is lost in it and I like that focus. There is the notion that pastors’ wives are sex starved, thus the increase in divorce between pastors and their wives. In a candid response, does your husband keep things fresh between the sheets? You’ve got to trust my husband on this, he definitely does. Who is more romantic between the two of you? My husband is more expressive and definitely more romantic. What inspires your sense of fashion? I believe in excellence. So with that value in mind, it reflects in my appearance. What is the most hysterical ridiculous college trouble you’ve ever gotten into? It was in college. We got hungry a lot as young people. I and four other friends had money on a particular day that could purchase just two of special specie of Benue mangos. So we planned mischief which was to invade the seller’s goods, confuse her and picked five mangos instead of two. So we stole three additional mangos so that each person would have a whole mango to herself. I look back now and can’t believe we did that. What is your go-to outfit? I like the elegance and feeling of royalty a beautifully embroidered kaftan gives me When you pass a shoe shop window do you usually stop to look at the shoes?

I love shoes because they are a necessary accessory that makes a huge difference in my appearance. I don’t stop to look, but I definitely catch a good glimpse. For my husband, I do my best to make sure he is well dressed, though he could tend to care less about such things. How much time do you spend in front of the mirror in the morning? I like to wear make-up. So if I’m doing a full make up, I spend about 30 to 40 minutes. But if I don’t have time, in 10 minutes I do my make-up and I’m off. What is the ideal number of calls a couple should exchange in a day? Ideal here would be relative because every couple is unique and a lot depends on the kind of job they do. These specifics require they figure what works for them. Would you compromise your happiness for the success of the marriage? I don’t need to compromise my happiness for the success of my marriage. Marriage was instituted by God for our benefit, not against us. Marriage is not a trap neither is it a prison room that is meant to rid you of happiness as some people take it to be. Rather, it is meant and ordained to be a good thing, to increase and multiply you. What’s your idea of a romantic vacation? A cruise on one of the Caribbean islands. What’s the single most important thing for a marriage to be successful? Godly wisdom. If your husband ever cheated on you, would you forgive him? Yes. There is no sin God cannot forgive us. So there should be no sin we cannot forgive another human being. I am grateful to God, however, that I have never yet needed to

As a response to God’s call on my life and a passion to inspire, mentor women to realise and actualise their unique potentials, I founded the Balanced Feminity Network 15 years ago. I have positively affected old and young women. I have always had a love for education and strongly believe in a holistic approach to education

experience this. What is the most special memory of your union that you hold? It was our 10th wedding anniversary. We renewed our vows and threw a big reception. It was quite memorable. Which love song best describes your marriage relationship with your spouse? I fell in love with my best friend, by Jason Chen.

Church Members Could be Difficult, but You Must Learn to Deal with Them

FEBRUARY 11, 2017• THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

IMPERATIVE OF FUNDING THE AMNESTY PROGRAMME

Jatto Ajayi argues that adequate funding of the Presidential Amnesty Programme will do the nation a lot of good

uman capital development is the enduring fulcrum on which meaningful progress revolves. The empowerment tool is at the heart of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) which has since 2009 been enabling hitherto militants to acquire specialised education in institutions across the world. The amnesty programme was conceptualised to embody a social agenda that will underpin the health, education, employment, sense of fulfilment and the general well-being of all the people of the Niger Delta region either directly or indirectly. The pervading atmosphere of gross neglect and general malaise was expected to give way to that of fulfilment, contentment, peace and people-friendly development. On the whole the government was expected to recognise the inviolability of an existing social contract between it and the people with promises to deliver the basic necessities for a decent human existence. These needs include food, clothing, shelter, basic education, primary healthcare, security, productive assets, etc., which are mainly provided in the breach despite a rich endowment of natural and human resources, especially in the Niger Delta region. Despite increasing revenue from crude oil and gas, especially in the Niger Delta region, the travails of existence have assumed gargantuan proportion. The increasing incidence of poverty and want in Nigeria (and especially so in the Niger Delta) has become a matter of great concern. The resulting tensions and other social conflicts have eroded the fabric that has held society together over the decades. It is important to state that the challenge is not only to institute reformative measures to jumpstart and boost the nation’s economic growth but also to empower the people as a means of rekindling their faith in government and governance. The foregoing goes to show that the programme is not an end in itself or solely designed to financially empower the leaders of the various militant groupings dotting the creeks of the Niger Delta region or their sorely-aggrieved foot-soldiers along the ladder of engagement. Rather, the prime intention of the programme include some areas that many government officials and ordinary citizens alike will not associate with the N30,000-rich corps of repentant militants who had taken advantage of the new vistas created by the amnesty programme. In empowering the ex-militants through sponsored training and education in selected schools and technical centres, home and abroad, the amnesty programme contributed, in no small measure, to strengthening the Niger Delta, nay Nigeria technological and scientific base. Some of the institutions where many eligible ex-militants are being trained in the liberal arts, science and technology and vocational skills are located in many continents of the world. They include Nilai University, Malaysia; Universities of Strathclyde, Westminster and Dundee in the United Kingdom; Liberty University, Virginia, USA; New York Institute of Technology, University of Arizona, Lynn University, USA; Edinburgh University and University of Essex both in the UK.

IT IS COMMENDABLE THAT ADEQUATE MONITORING AND CONTROL PRECAUTIONS ARE NOW IN PLACE TO PLOT THE TRAJECTORY OF THE FUNDS SO RELEASED AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE PROPERLY AND ADEQUATELY EXPENDED IN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THE PROGRAMME

A veritable testimonial in reference to the contribution of the amnesty programme to the human capital development of the Niger Delta region is the graduation of 51 ex-militants from the Novena University, Ogume in Delta State, with seven beneficiaries graduating in the second class upper division. Two out of the seven were in Intelligence and Security Studies; two in Political Science and one student each in Energy and Petroleum Studies; Accounting and Computer Science. Thirty-one of this set had second class lower division, 10 with third class while one had a pass degree. Two students could not fulfil the due requirements for the award of a degree. It is instructive to note that other students who scaled the requirements had their degrees in Business Administration, International Relations, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Mass Communication. Many are still in schools across the globe. As in all human endeavours, it has not been smooth sailing in some crucial aspects of the programme as there were cases where many ex-militants were deliberately short-changed in the payment of their stipends or not paid for months–on-end. It is gratifying to note that in the circumstance, safer and more accountable measures have been taken and applied. It is commendable that adequate monitoring and control precautions are now in place to plot the trajectory of the funds so released and making sure that they are properly and adequately expended in the true spirit of the programme. As Nigeria enters the eighth year of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, there are indications that it may be wound up this year, 2017. But there are also signs and palpable presidential body language that it may either be reviewed with more ex-militants being inducted into the scheme as a precautionary measure against the simmering unease degenerating into a full-scale war or confrontation. It is improbable that the hundreds of the PAP scholarship beneficiaries will be abandoned mid-stream in their current institutions of studies here and abroad without a clear-cut and painless exit strategy in place. It is no gainsaying the fact that the programme needs more funding at this point in time more than ever before as more emphasis and premium are being placed on creating a well-educated and trained cadre of ex-militants who are proficient in their various disciplines. It is also suggested that those training centres which are presently short of acceptable standards, equipment and other facilities and personnel should be revamped through the infusion of adequate funds. As a matter of policy, the limited employment opportunities open to the beneficiaries of the diverse human capital development schemes of the programme should be bridged through the provision of attractive starter-packs inclusive of soft loan (or given gratis) and technical advice on self-employment, etc., which will, in turn, create employment windows within the region. We are happy the current Senate led by Senator Bukola Saraki has bought into this thought pattern and are ready to liaise with the Presidency to actualise it. Ajayi wrote from Lagos

WHY LAGOS MUST BE CLEAN

The Cleaner Lagos Initiative will enhance the beauty of the city-state, writes Gbolahan Akintunde

ne striking feature of a capital city in any developed country is cleanliness. Most of the capital cities are very clean and this announces to visitors that they are in a capital city. No heap of refuse, no abandoned broken-down vehicles, no bloated dead bodies on the road and no suicide beggars competing with moving vehicles and almost threatening to harm a motorist who fails to give out alms. Unfortunately, this could not be said of Lagos which used to be the nation’s capital and which remains the capital of Lagos State that international visitors must see on arrival in Nigeria after landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Other international capital cities such as London, Washington DC, Oslo, Dublin, Paris, etc., are a beauty to behold because of their sparkling clean environment. The question then remains, how did these capital cities attain their cleanliness? The answer is simply that governments in those countries pay attention to personal hygiene and have a very effective waste disposal system right from individual households. While the efforts of the past and present administrations in Lagos State to keep Lagos clean in accordance with internal best practices in waste disposal should not be lost, much still needed to be done to attain the level of cleanliness as obtained in other developed capital cities across the world. There is no gainsaying the fact that the Ambode administration in Lagos State has made giant strides in achieving the Lagos of our dream, in terms of a megacity that is not only environmentally clean, but a commercial hub that offers prosperity to everyone. It is in this sense that the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) was established as an extensive and sustainable waste management system for Lagos. This new waste management regime will create about 45,000 new jobs. The new waste management policy apart from creating the enabling environment for the private sector to harness international best

practices, will also address the existing challenges in solid waste management in the state. The CLI will engage about 25,000 community sanitation workers who will work as street sweepers and they will reside in their wards so that they won’t have to spend so much money on transport to and from work. Besides, they will be well trained with an attractive welfare package. The sanitation workers will be well kitted with decent uniforms, gloves, boots, pickers, brushes, carts as well as mobile phones with which to communicate with the control centre and they will be well remunerated. This is no doubt a mass employment scheme that would take many unemployed youths off the street and with the propensity to generate additional indirect 500,000 jobs from its value chain. This will also be a boost on the economy of Lagos State. CLI is well-tailored towards maximising the state’s potential in solid waste management that would provide permanent solution to waste recycling, recovery and waste reduction challenges that have dimmed the shine of the state for decades, and offer innovative approach to liquid waste management, drainage management and waste water treatment in the state. It is therefore obvious that this new sanitation policy if properly executed, will most likely achieve in one year, what the cancelled monthly environmental sanitation could not achieve in the last 30 years. The new sanitation workers will take cleaning as a serious business such that residents would only take care of their abodes and surroundings as a complementary service. It is going to be a departure from the cancelled monthly environmental sanitation which many Lagosians saw as forced labour. The cleaner Lagos initiative was informed by the need to correct the flaws in existing waste management system and to introduce modern technology into the management of solid waste. A new law to back the current waste management regime is in

the offing and this will allow big time players in the waste management sector to do business with the government. Residents will still pay what they are paying presently to Private Sector Partnership (PSP) on waste management with the new name of (Public Utility Levy) part of which goes into an Environment Trust Fund. The difference is that they will get more value for their money in terms of effective waste management system that would ensure government’s objective of a cleaner Lagos. The scope of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) shall be expanded to enable it enforce, regulate and generate revenue from the waste management process while the new policy will protect the environment, human health and social living standards of Lagos residents. Also, the need for the new initiative is a confirmation that the current waste management system has failed due to many obstacles. It is therefore high time the government re-strategised to ensure a cleaner Lagos which makes the new environmental sanitation policy a welcome idea. The new sanitation policy will address the current problem of irregular waste collection which leads to irregular and poor payments, bin placement, transfer loading stations, and other supporting infrastructure have been ignored and undue attention placed on waste collection only. In addition, LAWMA in its role as regulator/operator is overwhelmed by the responsibilities of having to coordinate the activities of 350 individual companies and still carry out its own collection services. The billing system is unduly complicated due to the differences and inconsistencies in charges and collection routes, therefore leaving the system open to manipulation and fraud while many individual operators have failed to fulfil their obligations on the trucks. One cheering news is that the current poor waste management situation shall be addressed holistically using modern technology. For example,

apart from the transformation of the existing Transfer Loading Station (TLS) and the introduction of no less that 25 Material Revolving Facility (MRF) where wastes will be sorted, 600 new compactor vehicles will be acquired, and waste dumpsites will be closed and replaced with engineered sanitary landfill sites. The planned shutdown of dumpsites such as the Ojota and Solus dumpsites which had become an eyesore and a threat to health of residents of those areas is a big relief. Dumpsites are dangerous to health and the environment. The leachate and gas to be recovered from the proposed sanitary landfills will be put to good use. In the plan, Olusosun dumpsite will be regenerated and turned into a park, where intercity buses will end their journey and would no longer be allowed to enter into the city. Passengers will from there take taxis and intra-city buses to their destinations in town. Emphasis will henceforth be on zero-dumping, recycling and generation of power from wastes. To achieve this, government will carry out a re-certification of all the 350 PSP operators, re-license them and audit the state of their compactors and there will be a control room where the tracked compactors shall be monitored. It also pertinent at this juncture to allay the fears of the present PSP operators that government has no intention of sending them away, but will only re-certify their vehicles and make them comply with the new rules and regulation towards ensuring cleaner Lagos befitting the status of a mega city. This should be supported by all without prejudice. The restructuring will benefit PSPs because the new environmental policies and laws will not only protect the citizens and the environment, but all waste management operators who painstakingly invest their resources into helping with the clean-up of Lagos. Akintunde, a policy analyst wrote from Karimu, Lagos

FEBRUARY 11, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

The rising cost of food...

Wike: An Intrepid Political Fighter

ike him or hate him, friends and foes alike agree that Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is an intrepid political fighter who packs a deadly punch. This gadfly burst into national consciousness as part of the fall-out of the turf fight between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the then ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the battle for control of the soul of Rivers State in the count-down to the 2015 general elections. And the man, Wike, combatted the then Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who used to be his political soulmate. But in politics, there are no permanent friends, but permanent interests. Wike won that political battle by defeating Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the APC governorship candidate. No sooner did he assume duties in May 2015 did Wike roll his sleeves and immediately settled down to revamping the fortunes of the state. One, on assuming the reins of office, he inherited a backlog of unpaid salaries. Wike, who had just completed a tour of duty as supervising Minister of Education, wondered aloud why a state which usually gets one of the largest revenue allocations in the country should be unable to pay salaries. He moved swiftly to realign expenditure with accruals. And luckily, President Muhammadu Buhari listened to the cries of the incoming governors, majority of whom were in Wike’s shoes, that is inability to pay salaries and pensions. The federal government approved billions as bail-out package for all the states. It was for most of the states a short relief, but not Rivers. For, the latter is one state today that has exited the “no salary and pensions” quagmire. In fact, last December, the governor, while commenting on his administration so far, said: “when people are talking about what to do to pay salaries, we are talking of how we can add money for them for this Christmas”. That is not all. Another area Governor Wike has impacted, most forcefully, in the life of the people is in the provision of roads. In the 20 months of his administration, the government is said to have spent about N90 billion on rehabilitation, reconstruction, construction of roads, bridges and jetties. More than 80 roads of about 110 kilometres have been handled. Some of them are Rumuoghalu Road, Rumuosi-Ozuoba Road, Bishop Okoye Road, Alakahia-Rumualogu Road, Odili Road, Egbelu-Ogbogoro Road, Wimpy-Iwofe Road and Emeka Road, among others. Those are the completed ones. On-going works on other roads are said to be more than 30. And the beauty of it all is that they are spread among the state’s three senatorial zones. Furthermore, Wike refuses to allow politicians to hijack his projects. Because he realises that the buck stops on his desk, he awards the designing, construction and supervision of all the roads to reputable professionals and contractors. It is the same strategy he uses in his intervention in the provision of facilities in the education and health sectors. Both indigenes and non-indigenes of the state are so enthralled by the Wike magic. Their excitement is aptly captured by Chief (Dr.) Granville Abiye Georgewill, a prominent and influential son of the state, who declared recently that Wike has turned Rivers State into a huge construction site. According to him, “Less than two

years in office, Wike has constructed and still constructing scores of roads, hospitals and schools “. Georgewill spoke on behalf of the Rivers Elders Consultative Council. A former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara, is of like mind with Georgewill. He praises Wike for achieving so much within such a short time with very lean resources. Aside the provision of infrastructure, the governor realised that nothing much could be achieved without peace and security. This knowledge comes from his experience as a grassroots politician. Don’t forget he was a two-term Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. And as the Chief of Staff to Governor Rotimi Amaechi between 2007 and 2011, he was part of the inner caucus that was saddled with countering the challenges posed by militants and cultists in Rivers State. Thus, he brought to bear on the security situation in the state, a combination of courage, determination and integrity. Wike pursued an amnesty programme in state that resulted in the surrendering of arms by militants and cultists. To ease the job of security agencies, the governor supported them with not only funds, but procured vehicles and equipment. And the citizenry has started enjoying the dividends. Today, Port Harcourt has become a venue of first choice for organisations holding their annual conferences. Last year, the city hosted the conferences of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) the Rotary International and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). Jethro Omole, Port Harcourt

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In Praise of Tahir Musa

ahir Musa is a quintessential public servant and aside service to the people, he is a man who places premium on human happiness. He is a happy man because he gives happiness to others. Indeed, he gives happiness to our people and it has come to be that whenever his name is mentioned in the land, an air of admiration envelops the people. He makes a difference in our lives. Tahir Musa is but a senior public officer who has made impact out of his moderate earning and that too at a time when majority of our people who are better placed only think of fitting their heads with iron caps. But this Musa is different. It is some form of taboo for him to meet a vulnerable and disadvantaged man without making attempt to improve his lots. Rather than building an empire through amassing wealth, this man by the depth of his heart stands tall as a glowing example and abiding inspiration for the Igala nation. I wish

him loftier heights and a healthy life. My adoration for the man is his simplicity and the extensive sympathy of his heart in seeing to the well-being of the downtrodden. There is not a man who is sick, maltreated, deprived, or is handicapped that come into contact with Tahir Musa and not become better off. His philanthropy is without limit; for him everyone deserves a fighting chance in life so that those whose time it is to die may have enjoyed all that is possible in life. The amazing thing about Tahir Musa is his grassroot involvement. If it is fasting, sallah, Christmas celebration, he is there to share and add to the fun. If its funeral he is there to condole; if it is hospitalisation, he pays the bills; if it is fundraising, he is a contributor. He misses nothing and contributes into everything of his constituency that comes to its notice. It is for this singular reason that we are taking time to thank this man who has made the difference in our lives and that is why Mr Musa is a pride of the Igala nation. Comrade Kabir Y. Egah, Abuja

Alaroye: Not Good Enough

o say that decency and caution have been thrown to the wind through the picture of the number one citizen in Nigeria, as conspicuously published in the front cover page of the current edition of ‘Alaroye’ newspaper (No. 3 of February, 2017) is no news. I have no doubt that lovers and readers of Alaroye would be at a loss and utterly disappointed at what the management of the newspaper stands to achieve by ridiculing and embarrassing our country in the eyes of the world. All Nigerians already know that their president is presently undergoing routine medical checks in a London hospital and limiting your report to this will still achieve the same result without the undeserved publication of the picture of President Muhammadu Buhari. What stops ‘Alaroye’ from using the president’s picture at the back page of the same edition of the paper to support its front page story? Odunayo Joseph, odunayojoseph2006@gmail. com

FEBRUARY 11, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

A Prayer for President Buhari

ear Lord, on behalf of millions of Nigerians who are genuinely disturbed over the health of our dear president, Muhammadu Buhari, I offer this prayer. Father, it is your injunction in the Holy Book that we should pray for our leaders, because your book says all leaders are ordained of God. That means that you approved of President Buhari becoming our president about twenty months ago. It is on that strength that we call your attention to his health. We are reverting to you Lord, not only because he is your son, but more because you are Jehovah Almighty; the Jehovah Rapha… the one that healeth us! Heavenly Lord, our president had gone on a supposed 10-day vacation in England, and merely dropped off adjunct information that he would dash into a medical facility to just do a quick health check and would be back at his desk, February 6. Sir, but just when we were getting ready to welcome him, he sent an urgent letter, on a Sunday, announcing that he would extend his vacation because he still has a “circle of medical tests” to run. No date was given for his return. Hmmmm, it is rather perplexing, except that we know that you are with him. Lord God, we became as confused and apprehensive as we could be. On one hand, the acting President, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, a professor of Law, as well as many of the president’s men are claiming that “ Mr President is hale and hearty”, yet he cannot come home because his doctors will not allow him step out. Why won’t a hale and hearty man bounce back to his seat and resume work? They could not answer Lord. We became apprehensive because it is no more a mere holiday trip. It is now a medical detention. Our fears even got heightened with the tons of bad-belle rumours and messages alleging that our president has passed on. Many of us said, God forbid; declaring that, that affliction shall not arise the second time! Dear Lord, we want you to not only disappoint the wish of the few nay-sayers in the land and heal our president perfectly, but more importantly, that you will transform our president to a new creature. Lord, in your infinite powers, reload our president with hitherto unpossessed virtues. My Father, my Father, they have not told us what type of tests our president is running. But whatever it is, we declare that you own him: from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet… do your transformative works on him. Father, focus maximally on

Buhari his ears and his heart. Those parts have caused a big disconnect between him and Nigerians. Yes Lord, perfect his auditory canal. You had effected your healing on one of the ears last year. Lord, rework the two with perfect finishing this time. Give him the ears of a baby… so he can hear, very clearly, the loud groaning in the land. And when he has heard, may you remove the Adamic heart and give him the heart of flesh, so he can be merciful and grant Nigerians a remarkable relief from the economic purgatory they have been thrown into since he mounted the throne. Father, rejig his patriotic belief so he will remember that Nigeria does not begin and end with the north alone. Lord, Nigerians are urgently in need

of redemption from Thralldom and helotry. Merciful Father, as the tests get underway and treatment commences, may the heavenly spirit enter into those British doctors so they make no mistake whatsoever on our President. Jehovah Rapha, transform our president by renewing every old and waxed part with fresh and functional system. We stand on your promise Lord. Do it for us! Lord, there is nothing beyond you. Your word says in Proverbs 29:2 that “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn”. Lord, we know that our president is not wicked… it’s just that the people are hungry and angry, and he does not seem to care or listen or even know what to do. That is why he needs news ears and a new heart. A heart that will listen and accept superior counsel. A heart that will admit his limitation in modern economics and global commerce. Lord, you are the Great physician. President Buhari is in your hands. Before he returns Lord, plant in him a discerning spirit. Such a spirit that will enable him see beyond the veil of lipdeep Ranka de-de loyalty, so he can flush away many of those surrounding him, who do not mean well for this country. Lord give him the courage to take tough decisions of dealing with the National Grass cutters in the land and those who unduly pad and subvert our budgets and even greater courage to be as hard with the killer squad called Fulani herdsmen the same way he is hard with the IPOB campaigners. . Father, give him a clear head that no politician can spin his brain with metaphysical powers or effects. As his aides have severally claimed, Lord, make our President to really be as fit as a fiddle, so madam, in the “other room”, can also bear witness and douse national tension. Eternal Rock of Ages, I do not intend to overload you with our petitions this early morning. But you know what is best for us as a people. Those of us who clamoured for Buhari and his party, save us from mockery, shame and disgrace…. Let not our critics laugh over us. Nigeria is your country Lord; as you did it for Zion, do it for Nigeria. Turn again the captivity of Nigeria, so we will be like them that dreamed…. The dream of fair fortunes, the dream of good leaders, the dream of fair and just society. No doubt, we shall be careful Lord, to bring you thanks and adoration when our President returns soon with manifest signs of your divine touch.

Gov Wike and the Police Findings

he December 10, 2016, legislative rerun election in Rivers State, like many recent others in the state, was characterised by violence, thuggery and killings. Sadly, that has been the odious pattern of the elections in the state. It originates from the running rivalry between the immediate-past governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi and the sitting governor, Mr Nyesom Wike. Until the duo parted ways politically, elections in Rivers never used to be this bloody. The desperation, especially by the Wike team to prove that they are in higher control of the political crowd in the state has always led to the bloody overdrive in elections. The 2015 governorship and presidential elections were notoriously terrible. The entire state was literally reduced to a killing field. Worse still, political opponents were savagely killed and beheaded, sometimes in the presence of immediate family members. Such savagery was unprecedented. That was why two previous attempts to conclude the legislative elections in the state failed. Arms and ammunition were literally floating on the streets. Aside the acute violence that rocks Rivers elections, the organised compromise of election officials is another running malaise. The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) during the 2015 election, Mrs Gesila Khan, has been accused of compromise and manipulation of the election results to favour the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She was also accused of receiving huge sums of money (found in her bank account) from the former Petroleum minister, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, for the ignoble role she played in manipulating the outcome of the Rivers elections. Last Tuesday, the police investigation team into the December 10 legislative rerun, headed by Mr Damian Okoro, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, turned in its report with a damning

Wike verdict on Governor Wike. The report noted that the sum of N111million was recovered from 23 INEC officials who participated in the conduct of the controversial election. The staggering wads of cash, in bundles and bails were photo-displayed at the submission of the report. The INEC officials were said to have confessed, after initial denial, that they were bribed by the Rivers State government with the sum of N15 million each, with each of the three senatorial heads landing N5 million extra. Many of them returned what they hadn’t spent, which amounted collectively to the N111 million tendered by the investigating team. This is aside the fact that a senior police officer, DSP Muhammed Alkali was beheaded during the said election while a few other policemen and civilians were also killed. Expectedly, the Rivers State government led by its Goebbels, the Information Commissioner, Dr Austin Tam-George has discredited the report claiming it was pre-determined. It is remarkable that the Rivers State

government bluntly refused to cooperate with the investigating team comprising the Police and the DSS. It is therefore to be expected that the state government will rubbish the outcome of such a panel. But beyond the easy and cheap claim of blackmail and such political shenanigans, the question must be answered: how did lowly civil servants like the Rivers INEC officials suddenly become millionaires? Whose money did the investigating team display? Or were they fake Naira notes? Pray, what will Wike and his TamGeorge say about the confessional statements of the INEC officials? The wrappers on each bunch can be traced to the bank from where the money came? Does Wike not know this? Were the INEC officials also coerced to make implicating statements on how they were bribed? We have not forgotten that this same Wike had borrowed N30 Billion within his first 30 days in office. It is not enough to ride roughshod over salient matters or blurt out voluptuous rounds of shallow denials or accuse state institutions of partisanship, the contentious issues must be addressed one by one. This is the same Wike whose alleged telephone conversation on how to pay INEC officials for helping to rig the election, and his threat to kill some unco-operating Election officer was tracked, recorded and released by Sahara Reporters, last December 15, five days after the election itself. Wike had also denied, claiming that there was an app used in making the voice decibel to sound like his (Wike). Did this same Wike not once threaten INEC officials coming to the state to manipulate election results to prepare their will before coming? Pray, how many things will Wike deny? The other question is: why is Wike desperate? Must elections be bloody? Must an election be manipulated to achieve a given end? How comfortable are they when they wade through rivers of blood and march over dead bodies to go sit on those chairs of perforated power? Dia is God!

PENCOM: What’s Going on with Chidi Duru?

or over six years running, there has been a back-and-forth muscle-flexing between the Nigerian Pension Commission (PENCOM) and one of the earliest operators in the industry, Nze Chidi Duru, former member of the House of Representatives (1999-2003). He had set up First Guaranty Pensions Ltd (FGPL) which was doing well in the market, as evidenced from the returns for shareholders. But perhaps responding to some shareholders’ complaints, Nigerian Pension Commission took over the firm (FGPL) and imposed an interim Board of Directors on the company, although the Duru-led board believes the takeover process was breached and warped. So Duru and other Directors went to court, challenging the takeover of their company. They got an ex parte order directing a reversal of PENCOM action. But till date, that order, plus many other instructions from the Attorney General of the Federation have remained disobeyed by PENCOM. The legal adviser to PENCOM, Mr Emeka Elendu insists that while the 2012 court order has been appealed and will be heard next April, the said AGF instructions were frivolous and based on misinformation from Duru. Duru believes the PENCOM DG, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu is engaging in abuse of office as she is serving as both an operator and a regulator at the same time, pointing out that she is fighting a dirty personal war so as to protect and project another PFA (Premium Pensions Ltd) where the DG’s mother, Dame Virgy Anohu, has substantial interest. But Elendu dismissed the allegation saying that the shareholding of the DG’s mother, now transferred to her son, Victor Emeka Anohu, in Premium Pensions is the 48th in ranking order with just 1.06 per cent and “that cannot ever amount to any form of dominating shareholding”, he said.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •FEBRUARY 11, 2017

NEWS

In Brief

Senate Public Hearing on 2017 Budget

The Senate will on Monday hold a public hearing on the 2017 Appropriation Bill, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed last night. In a statement, Abdullahi said the public hearing was aimed at allowing stakeholders and members of the public to make contributions to the proposed legislation before passage by the National Assembly. He said the public hearing would push the budget process a little further by allowing members of the public to make inputs into the appropriation process. “This will be the first time something like this is happening. It’s a testament to the leadership and foresight of the Senate President and the commitment of the eight Senate as a whole to ensure that the budget is passed transparently with adequate feedback from the general public,” he said. He quoted the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as saying that the public hearing was aimed at giving room for citizens' participation in the appropriation processe. “We will continue to create platforms such as these that will allow the general public to play a role in what we do here.

Customs Promotes 1,561 Officers

SET FOR MARATHON...

L-R: Executive Director, Access Bank/Head of Organising Committee, Mr. Victor Etuokwu; Special Adviser/Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Deji Tinubu; Acting President, International Association of Ultra Runners, Mr. Nadeem Khan and Marketing Director of 7UP, Mr. Norden Thurston during a press conference on the Lagos City Marathon at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos ... yesterday

World Bank Report: African Cities Among Costliest in the World Bennett Oghifo

Lagos and other cities in Africa are among the costliest in the world both for business and for households, says a new report by the World Bank. Africa’s cities are growing in population – adding the size of another Nigeria to cities by 2025 – so have a critical role to play in their countries’ economic growth, says the World Bank report released this week. “Improving conditions for people and businesses in African cities by aggressively investing in infrastructure and reforming land markets is the key to accelerating economic growth, adding jobs, and improving city competitiveness,” it says. The report, Africa’s Cities: Opening Doors to the World, notes that to grow economically as they are growing in size, Africa’s cities must

open their doors and connect to the world. Africa’s urban population stands at 472 million people today. As cities grow in size, another 187 million people will be added to urban areas by 2025. In fact, Africa’s urban population will double over the next 25 years, reaching 1 billion people by 2040. “What Africa needs are more affordable, connected, and livable cities,” said Makhtar Diop, World Bank Vice President for Africa. “Improving the economic and social dividends from urbanisation will be critical as better developed cities could transform Africa’s economies.” Lacking capital investment, the report emphasises that investments in African cities’ infrastructure, industrial, and commercial structures have not kept pace with concentration of people, nor have investments in affordable formal housing. The potential for coordinated investments

in infrastructure, residential, and commercial structures is great, which will enhance agglomeration economies and connect people with jobs. The report explains that because of this lack of connection, African cities are among the costliest in the world both for businesses and for households, leaving cities “out of service and closed for business”. It says, “African cities are 29 per cent more expensive than cities in countries at similar income levels. African households face higher costs relative to their per capita GDP than do households in other regions – much of it accounted for by housing, which costs them a full 55 per cent more than in other regions. In Dar es Salaam, for example, 28 per cent of residents live at least three to a room; in Abidjan, 50 percent. And in Lagos, Nigeria, two out of three people live in slums.”

Adding to this, city dwellers pay around 35 per cent more for food in Africa than in low-income and middle-income countries elsewhere. Overall, urban households pay 20 – 31 per cent more for goods and services in African countries than in other developing countries at similar income levels. In addition, urban workers in Africa are also forced to pay high commuting costs, or they cannot afford to commute by vehicle at all, and the informal minibus systems are far from cost efficient, leaving many to have to walk to work. The need to walk to work limits these residents’ access to jobs. Without sufficient formal development, informal settlements that are relatively central and thus close to jobs – such as Kibera in Nairobi, and Tandale in Dar es Salaam – are constantly growing in population.

'Nigeria Records 80,000 Cancer Related Deaths Yearly' Partnership for Eradication of Cancer in Africa (PECA has raised the alarm that Nigeria was losing 80,000 lives yearly to cancer and the death ratio in the country was four in five which was regarded as the worst in the World. Experts have also predicted that by the year 2020 cancer cases in Nigeria will rise from 24 to 42 million and cancer deaths will rise to 72.7/100,00 and 76/100000 for men and women respectively. To tackle the scourge, PECA will today at the Jabi lake recreational ground, stage a Walk and Dance “against cancer in an effort to attract

the girl child and women who are prone to cervical cancer. Nigerians are expected to walk and dance during the programme after discussion on the issue by PECA while donating to the course. The Chief Operations Officer of PECA Dr. Gregoire Williams explained that the programme was a Schoolbased vaccination initiative aimed at keeping parents and women informed about the disease. “According to the WHO, Nigeria has the highest cancer death rate in Africa. The country’s profile for the disease shows that about 10,000 cancer deaths and 250,000 new cases are

recorded early” The PECAN boss disclosed that “Nigeria ranked 10th in the cervical cancer death toll worldwide with 48 million women at risk, 17,550 women are diagnosed yearly, 9,659 women die annually and 26 women daily in Nigeria alone” In a bid to attract public attention towards the cervical cancer, Williams said that “the absence of an HPV anti-cancer vaccination programme mean that cost effective options to stem the cancer incidence is being left unlocked. PECA believes that every child deserves a right to be saved from cancer incidence in the

first instance through prevention” According to reports only 21 out of Africa’s 53 nations have any access to potentially lifesaving therapy and the least able of all developing countries to cope with the disease due to lack of relevant resources, basic infrastructures and skilled personnel to conduct cancer screening, early diagnosis treatment of palliative care support. The World Health organisation predicts that from year 2030, there will be 13 million new cases of cancer every year and with 70 per cent of it occurring in developing countries (about 8.8 million) and sub Saharan Africa shouldering over a million cases.

Boko Haram Kills 7 Nigerian Soldiers in Ambush No fewer than seven soldiers were killed while 19 were injured by Boko Haram fighters in an ambush on a road in the northeastern state of Borno, the military said on Friday. The attack and continued suicide bombings throughout the northeast raise doubts about how close the conflict with the Islamist group is to a conclusion,

despite the military reclaiming most territory held by Boko Haram. The ambush according to Reuters, which was on the Ajiri-Dikwa road hit the troops as they were on a routine rotation on Thursday night, the military said in a statement. "Seven soldiers paid the supreme price in the incident

while 19 soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries," the statement said. Troops were in "aggressive pursuit" of the fleeing Boko Haram fighters, it said. The statement said "many" Boko Haram fighters had been killed, without giving a number. In December, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said the

capture of a key camp marked the "final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa forest" which was once the group's stronghold. But since then attacks have stepped up, with no sign of halting. The Boko Haram insurgency has killed more than 15,000 people since 2009 and forced some two million from their homes.

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) has approved the promotion of 1,561 junior officers to various ranks. The promotion, which is said to be based on the performances of the personnel at the 2016 promotion examination, annual performance evaluation scores, seniority and availability of vacancies at various ranks was released after a thorough vetting to ensure strict adherence to public service promotion guidelines. A breakdown of the promotion shows that 45 officers moved from Assistant Inspector of Customs to Inspector of Customs while 563 were promoted from Customs Assistant I to Senior Customs Assistant. Similarly, 650 moved from Customs Assistant II to Customs Assistant I just as 298 were promoted from Customs Assistant III to Customs Assistant II. Thirty-five other junior personnel are upgrading as a result of additional qualifications, a statement released by the NCS' Acting Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joseph Attah said. While congratulating the affected officers, Ali urged them to see their promotion as a call to higher duties especially at this time when much is expected from the NCS. He urged all affected officers and men of the service to work hard to secure the borders as well as collect maximum revenue for the government to meet the yearnings of Nigerians.

36 Governors Converge On Ondo

Akure, the capital City of Ondo state is expected to play host to, among other dignitaries, the Governors of the 36 states in the country for the public presentation of a book on the outgoing Governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, titled, Mimiko's Oddyssey : A Biography of Revelations, written by Prof Olu Obafemi. According to the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade who briefed newsmen in Akure on the development , aside the serving Governors who are expected to be present at the book presentation, former Governors, including the former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi were expected at the event which will also have serving and Former Ministers in attendance. Akinmade said thepresentationof thepublicationontheformer Minister, Olusegun Mimiko will take place Wednesday, next week at an event where Prof, Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe will be Chairman.

Genetically Modified Organisms

The federal government through its agency, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Friday said it would not halt the deployment of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country, but rather safeguard the health of Nigerians from the practice of modern biotechnology. According to a statement issued by the Head of Communication, Adanna Mgbojikwe, the responsibility of the Agency was to safeguard the practice and the use of genetically modified organisms. The Director General of the agency, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, was quoted to have said that; “the responsibility of NBMA is not to stop GMOs in Nigeria but to ensure it is safe and it does not pose any adverse effect to humans and the environment in accordance with the National Biosafety Management Act 2015. The world is being driven by science and technology and Nigeria cannot shy away from the deployment of safe science and technology to solve problems affecting the nation. Nigeria as a country has taken the necessary legal precautionary measures to ensure that the health of the citizens and environment is not jeopardized by the introduction of genetically modified organisms.

Suspected Ritualists Behead Herdsman

Barely three days a farmer was decapitated in Orisunmibare, a farmstead under Itaji Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, a Fulani Herdsman , Ahmed Dele has been beheaded by yet-to-be identified persons in Omu town with the same council. The development that is currently generating tension in the town has made people to be suspecting that the bloody land dispute between Ayede Ekiti and Itaji had been taken over by ritualists . The victim’s parents are Fulani herdsmen from Ilorin , the capital of Kwara State . Newsmen gathered in Ado Ekiti on Friday that the victim was pursued by his assailants while on grazing expedition before they caught up with him some few kilometers away from the town where he was killed and his head removed. Lamenting the situation, the Secretary Jamunati Fulbe Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State Chapter, Idris Salaudeen said the victim was a member of the association.

Pa Bankole

The entire family of Bankole of Ile Otun Ita Oguru Compound in Boluwaduro LGA, Igbajo Osun State has announced the demise of their beloved father, grandfather and brother, Pa Samuel Adebanji Bankole, who died on January 20, 2017. According to the family, Burial arrangements commence on February 17, 2017 at 7.00am when Body leaves TOS mortuary Lagos to his home town Igbajo, Osun State for interment while final burial ceremony will take place in Lagos later.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 11, 2017

THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri Lai Mohammed and The APC Are Uncommonly Gifted Liars!

ast week, Lai Mohammed, the infamous minister of information (if you can call what he does as dishing out information) denied being a liar and rhetorically asked newsmen interviewing him to “give me one thing that I have said which is not true”. When I read that, I thought that perhaps he had repented from his demonic pastime of lying. But it appears I spoke too soon and I was too hopeful! I say this because just days after justifying himself and in response to the US congress citing Nigeria as “the most dangerous place for Christians in the world”, Lai Mohammed had the following to say: “Such fallacies like the Islamisation of Nigeria, the killing of Christians by Muslims, the labelling of Nigeria as the most dangerous place for Christians in the world.” I do not know about the Islamisation of Nigeria and I doubt that President Muhammadu Buhari has such intentions, but to say that “the killing of Christians by Muslims” is a ‘fallacy’ is a special kind of a lie that could only have proceeded from the lips of a man whose own parents saw the perfidious destiny ahead of him and chose to name their child Lai accordingly! I know for a fact that thousands of Christians have been killed by Muslims since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power including hundreds in Southern Kaduna (possibly thousands), even more hundreds in Agatu in Benue (although the Agatu Community Elders said over 6,000 of their people have been killed), hundreds in Bali and Donga Local Government Areas of Taraba, over a hundred killed in Enugu, hundreds in Delta, and multiple other deaths of Christians at the hands of Islamic extremists Fulani herdsmen. This is besides the thousands of Christians killed by Boko Haram and Evangelist Bridget Agbahime beheaded in Kano (and whose suspected killers were discharged and acquitted on the instructions of the Kano State Attorney General) and Pastor Eunice Elisha killed in Kubwa after the morning ministration (whose killers were not surprisingly never charged). Lai Mohammed has a very distinguished career in lying. I imagine that if he could find his way there, Lucifer will gladly give him an honorary PhD from the University of the Pit of Hell! Elsewhere, I have detailed his lies but in this piece I want to inform my readers of a troubling pattern I am noticing which is that lying seems to be the default pattern of communication for not just Lai, but the ruling All Progressives Congress, its members and sympathisers. I will prove it. Two years ago, Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka, a known APC surrogate LIED that former President Jonathan wanted to kill him. Today, hunger is killing Nigerians and Mbaka’s lying mouth is silent! Again In 2013, Pastor Tunde Bakare, another known APC surrogate, accused Dr. Goodluck Jonathan of BELITTLING his office by kneeling down for Pastor Adeboye to pray for him. I often wonder if he thought King David belittled himself by kneeling down for Samuel to pray for and anoint him. Anyhow, today the same Pastor Tunde Bakare is quiet as President Muhammadu Buhari has belittled the Naira to the extent that $1 now exchanges for N500. Two years ago, Reverend Father Mbaka preached a sermon against then President Goodluck Jonathan titled, ‘From Goodluck to Badluck’. As things unfold today, I hope he is proud of himself! In 2012, Tunde Bakare preached a sermon and said, “Up, up Jesus; down, down Jonathan.” I hope he is proud of himself today! Let me tell them that the Goodluck Jonathan they preached against is now the toast of the world. He is more relaxed and at peace with himself. He is celebrated by world leaders and world institutions. I remind both of them that he whom God has blessed, no Mbaka or Bakare can curse - Numbers 23:8. And then just this week, the notoriously lousy minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi told Nigerians to wait until 2019 before judging the APC. Said Amaechi, “We did not promise you that those challenges will be solved in one year or you would have given us a one-year mandate. But you gave us a four-year mandate, so wait till the end of four years before you can conclude that we have not done well.” Amaechi must think all Nigerians suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder like him. We have not forgotten that a member of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress, an honorable man, a honest man and a trustworthy man in the person of former information minister (it is sad that he has to share that title with someone like Lai Mohammed), Chief Tony Momoh said and I quote: “Stone us if within two years the current government fails to reverse the situation.” So, no Amaechi. We are not going to wait for 2019. The APC has been two years in the saddle and not only has the APC failed, it has made things worse! To put things in perspective, Nigerians cannot name even one promise that the APC-led federal government has kept. Not even one. You may say to me that, at this stage former President Jonathan had not kept his promise and I will respond that you are wrong. By his first 100 days in office, then President Jonathan had achieved a lot including the following which is not even exhaustive: Nigeria’s oil industry expanded by 20% and we reclaimed our position as Africa’s largest oil exporter

Mohammed

which we had hitherto lost to Angola. Recognised by OPEC in July as the 2nd largest oil exporter, 2nd only to Saudi Arabia. It was the first time Nigeria has recorded such a feat. Inflation reduced to almost single digit (by the first anniversary, it was single digit) as the administration enforced tighter fiscal policies e.g. the cashless policy. In June of 2011, the Consumer Price Index showed an inflation rate of 10.2% which dropped to 9.4% in July being the lowest rate in the preceding 4 years. Foreign Reserves rose by 10% to $35 billion. Nigeria’s GDP growth rate month over month continued to grow from 6.7% in May to 6.9% in July of 2011. Nigeria declared top three investment destinations in Africa (number 2) by the Independent Africa Business Panel in the Netherlands. Nigeria generated power at her highest level ever (4000mw) which was still far from enough but which would improve monthly (under Buhari it has reduced to below 3,000MWs) Nigerian Railway Corporation commenced Mass Transit Services in 5 of 6 geo-political zones. Last zone came on stream by year end 2011. With the establishment of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, then President Jonathan facilitated direct investments into infrastructure with priority areas being Power and Roads. The Federal Government also awarded contracts for various road projects across the country whose impact were felt nationwide. Launched NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X Satellites to expand Internet Bandwidth and provide early warning to prevent natural disasters. Then President Jonathan introduced the policy of engaging the Private Sector on kerosene pricing and the price was reduced between May and September, 2011. In Recognition of the sacrifices of NYSC members, then President Jonathan approved an upward review of their allowances from 9,700 to 19,800 Naira. Implementation of Minimum Wage Increase for Nigerian Workers to 18,900 Naira monthly. 35% Slot For Women in the cabinet. Deepened Security and expanding Peace in the Niger Delta. Reduced kidnapping in the South-east with implementation of then President Jonathan’s order establishing the 14 Brigade of the army in Ohafia, Abia state. Maritime Safety was ensured and stabilised in the last 100 days. A stellar cabinet comprising former MDs of the World Bank & Goldman Sachs, Chairperson Accenture and multiple PHDs. The National Automobile Council established an Automotive Development Fund to resuscitate the automobile industry and generate jobs. Approval for genuine foreign investors to obtain visas at the point of entry to facilitate FDI investments. Model Skills Training Centers in Abuja - collaboration between Industrial Training Fund & the Institute for Technical Education, Singapore. Establishment of the Nigerian Vehicle Credit Purchase scheme. All these and more were achieved by Jonathan within his first 100 days. In two years, President Buhari has not achieved half of these. By his first year, Jonathan had built 9 new federal

universities in Katsina, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kogi, Taraba, Jigawa, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Bayelsa. Before the end of his tenure he had built 3 additional federal universities (bringing the total built to 12) and 165 almajiri schools. By his first year, Jonathan had, according to the UN, increased Nigeria’s life expectancy from 47 years to 51. He had, according to the US-based International Food Policy Research Institute, reduced hunger in Nigeria from 16.3 points to 15 points. Today hunger levels have risen in President Buhari’s Nigeria. When Fulani herdsmen struck in Plateau State, President Jonathan did not waste time. In July of 2012, he sent soldiers to go and raid them and rout them from their hideouts in the bush. On the day the soldiers were going to the bush on July 15, 2012, this is what Nasir El rufai, the current governor of Kaduna State said in a tweet. Mind you, I am quoting word for word. “We will write this for all to read. Anyone, soldier or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes.” Today, Fulani herdsmen are having a field day killing Nigerians in almost every state of the country. What has this government done? Have they sent soldiers after them? Have they arrested them? In Enugu, pregnant women were hacked to death, a seminarian was killed. Married women were raped and killed. In Southern Kaduna hundreds have been killed. Whole communities ravaged. In Agatu, hundreds have been killed, in Delta so many lives have been lost to Fulani herdsmen, yet during Christmas as herdsmen were killing our brothers and sisters in Southern Kaduna the government mounted up to 100 road blocks with soldiers and policemen all over the South-east and called it operation python dance. Where they were needed, they were not there! Where they were not needed, they were ‘dancing’! This government claims to be fighting corruption. You and I know that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation was caught when his own company was awarded an overinflated contract to cut grass in the North-east and then, money was paid into his company’s account that he controlled as the signatory. The same President that stormed the homes of Supreme Court justices in the wee hours of the morning. The same President that allowed DSS agents to storm apostle Suleiman’s hotel room in Ado Ekiti, turned to a letter writer and wrote to the Senate in a very clumsy effort to absolve the Secretary to the Government of the Federation using lies that he was not invited to defend himself. Meanwhile, the Senate invited him and a director in the SGF’s office acknowledged receipt of the invitation. Meanwhile in 2012 when the then minister of power, Professor Barth Nnaji was accused of conflict of interest, President Jonathan fired him immediately. He did not write letters. He did not defend him. He fired him. In 2014 when the then aviation minister was accused of involvement in buying overinflated cars, President Jonathan sacked her. So my question to Nigerians is this: Who is fighting corruption between Buhari and Jonathan? Adolf Hitler said, “If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.” The APC is using a propaganda technique known as the Big Lie that was propounded by Adolf Hitler in his 1925 book, mein kampf. According to Hitler, you tell a lie so “colossal” that no one would believe that someone “could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously.” Let me ask you, the APC federal government said that the previous National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki embezzled $2.1 billion in an arms’ scam deal. Now go through the charges they preferred against him in court and calculate the amount in those charges. It is not up to 10% of the amount they claimed was stolen. The man himself said he never stole and is waiting to defend himself in court. All of a sudden, the APC federal government said they want a secret trial. The same people that accused him publicly, the same APC that has been leaking stories to the press suddenly do not want the press to be involved in Dasuki’s trial. They claim it is in the interest of national security. But what national security interests are they protecting? After all, they said the man did not buy weapons. They said he stole the money. So, what possible national security interests could they be protecting if he did not really buy weapons? They are not protecting any national security interests. They are protecting party interests because they know that if the case is allowed to be tried in public it will become clear that Dasuki is innocent and the charges against him are spurious and a part of the ‘Big Lie’ told by a la Adolf Hitler. Let the Federal Government try Dasuki publicly. I repeat, let them try Dasuki publicly if they have nothing to hide. You see, they do have a lot to hide because the APC is the biggest scam of the 21st Century! They scammed you with a lie so big you could not believe they were lying and now that you know they are lying, they want to disenfranchise you by using the phenomenon of ‘inconclusive elections’ which is the only major thing they have achieved since coming into office! You see, Lai Mohammed and his APC are uncommonly gifted liars, but no matter how far and fast their lies have travelled, it must eventually be overtaken by the truth! After all, as Bob Marley sang, you can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time!

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS TRAVEL AUTO MEDIA FASHION FILE PEOPLE

pg. 20 pg. 22 pg. 26 pg. 35 pg. 41 pg. 53

Former US President Barack Obama Vacations on Richard Bransonâ€™s British Virgin Islands where He Learnt to Kitesurf

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBERUARY 11, 2017

PLUS

Obama is pictured larking around in the sea on holiday with pal, Sir Richard Branson, kitesurfing around the British Virgin Islands in a race with his host, Sir Richard

Obama Surfs the Waves A fter the pressures of life in the White House, Barack Obama has been enjoying some muchneeded downtime with billionaire, Sir Richard Branson. While his successor Donald Trump was sailing into choppy waters, Mr Obama went kitesurfing around the British Virgin Islands in a race with his host. Sir Richard revealed in his blog that the ex-president and wife, Michelle, had joined him for a “complete break” on Moskito Island after leaving Washington. Photos and video of the men show them playfighting on board a speedboat before taking to the waves. The business mogul said Mr Obama had confided that he had

not had the chance to go surfing or take part in watersports during his two terms in office. He explained: “It was tremendous to offer him the chance to learn to kitesurf. “The sport has really taken off in the past decade and we have the perfect conditions and team to help anyone learn. “I have also wanted to learn foilboard surfing. So we decided to set up a friendly challenge: could Barack learn to kitesurf before I learned to foilboard? “We agreed to have a final day battle to see who could stay up the longest.” The Virgin founder claimed Mr Obama spent two days learning his new skill, a sport which involves using a surfboard with a power kite attached. And, despite the distraction of a

Obama is pictured larking around in the sea on holiday with pal, Sir Richard Branson after the pressures of life in the White House

FEBERUARY 11, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS phalanx of security guards keeping an eye on him, Mr Obama learned well enough to trounce the entrepreneur in a sun-drenched race later that week. Sir Richard wrote: “Barack and I both fell many times, but we kept trying again and again and made progress over the days. “We were neck and neck until the last run on the last day, when I got up on the foilboard and screamed along for over 50 metres, three feet above the water. “I was feeling very pleased with myself, only to look over and see Barack go 100 metres on his kiteboard! I had to doff my cap to him and celebrate his victory.” And he revealed the pair would holiday together again, when battle would recommence. He wrote: “After all he has done for the world, I couldn’t begrudge him his well-deserved win. “Now he has left, I’m going back into the water to practise for the next challenge. On his next visit, we plan to do the long kite over to Anegada together. “Next time, may the best (British) man win!”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 11, 2017 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Tuface Tuface : A Rebel with no Cause Well, me I don talk am, don’t start what you cannot finish. Last week, I had admonished this my guy to be careful and go concentrate on what he knows best to do instead of trying to distract us with this his attempt at social activism. I was proved right when he posted a very scary video last Sunday cancelling his participation in the planned protest. As I watched the video, I could not help but notice the fear in his eyes. One baba sent me a lengthy text after reading my piece, admonishing me, well I am looking for him now to konk him. You see, social activism comes with its own challenges, you cannot wake up and rustle the leaves and now pull out because you have suddenly seen a threat to safety or that kind thing. The question is that when you were planning the thing, didn’t you know that before, instead of wasting people’s time and energies and decimating a wonderful platform that the masses could have used to send a powerful message to the powers that be? Tubaba or wetin you dey call yourself, you no try at all. Next time, do not play this kind of game with people’s lives, the issues that face us in the country today are more serious than these childish games you are playing o. As I write, I never see power for my Shomolu penthouse in one month. I am now reduced to walking into the Skye Bank on my street to charge my phone and Ipad. Skye Bank, I thank you for the CSR (corporate social responsibility) but help me tell your security men not to bother me, I will soon open an account. Access Bank Marathon: Run Edgar Run!!!!!!!!! I hereby fully announce my decision to pull out of the upcoming Lagos Marathon to all my teeming fans. To the people who have been waiting to see me embarrass myself or even to those ones with morbid thoughts of my demise from exhaustion with the aim to move towards my Queen, I deny you this opportunity. Unlike Tuface, I had secretly commenced training for this event without announcing to anybody my intention. Only my maiguard was aware for he was the time keeper. I would wake up every morning and run from my house to the Shomolu police station where I would sit down with the policemen to drink shepe for 30 minutes. Then on Saturdays, I would jog to the Lekki bridge with my camera to see the wonderful tourist attractions that juggle and jiggle on that bridge. The place is fast becoming a major tourist attraction, remember the Facebook baba came to jog on the bridge for the same reasons. This upcoming Access Bank Lagos marathon has made the bridge even more appealing with the way damsels flock the place to jog. I must confess that was what triggered my interest in the marathon in the first place. After my morning run, I would now take Agege bread with akara to boost my stamina and now sleep for like four hours to rest the muscles. I was the man to beat with this kind of training regimen. Everyday, I would look at my partner, Segun with his Mohawk training like his life depended on it. This one does not understand true training. Me, I train like Usain bolt, I go to Quilox on Fridays, go to MFM - Mountain of Fire and Miracles to pray and offer a portion of my expected winning prize as tithe for spiritual support, so as not to leave any stone unturned, I even went to the shrine called igbogunu in Bariga to drop my running shoes for spiritual power, all angles must be covered, that prize money is more than my four years’ salary - all in my bid to win this marathon and finally end the domination of the Kenyans in these kinds of race. Yes, I was going to bring back the glory to Shomolu and Akwa Ibom. Yes, I am multi-racial, the type that Donald Trump has banned from America. I will address that in future broadcasts. All these powerful preparations came to naught when my last

Wigwe, Access Bank CEO

Buhari

MTN and Arsenal: What Kind of Partnership? I had heard a rumour of this at first so I muted my excitement. You see, these two are my favourite brands. MTN simply because of the massive impact it is having not only economically but on the social lives of our people. Rarely do I single out a commercial enterprise for adulation, but when you see something positive you must commend it, if for nothing else but to encourage and show appreciation. The impact of this telecommunications giant on our lives cannot be overemphasised. For Arsenal, they became my team when Kanu Nwankwo was plying his trade there. Those days when I could still afford to go to London, I used to take the Emirates tour and made it a point of duty to go see the players’ dressing room and their bathrooms. I even once took a pee in their bathroom when I pretended that I would almost die if they did not allow me use it. In those days, they would show you each player’s corner, show you where Manager, Arsene Wenger stands to give pep talk and finally allow you sit and take pictures in your favourite player’s box with his jersey right behind you. Those visits used to be the high point of my trip to London, but those are long forgotten days. With the kind of economy today, na my TV set I dey take the tour. So you can imagine my excitement when I got the invite to come for the launch of the partnership. I jumped into my car, looked for my Arsenal jersey and headed straight to the IMAX theatre where the event was happening. There was palpable excitement in the air as Arsenal Fans thronged the place but with

child, Zara came crying to me one day, that she just had a bad dream about me falling into the gutter as I was running on Ikorodu Road. Kai, na the kind dream Tuface dream wey make am shoot that video with blood-red eyes, pulling out of his own protest. So my people, I asked her to bring my phone and record me: ‘My dear fans and especially the organisers of the marathon who would be losing my regal presence, I hereby pull out of the marathon simply because intelligence report reaching me shows that six women will run faster than me and as a titled chief, I cannot allow such to happen. So, it is with a heavy heart that I withdraw my participation in your international race even as I thank you for bringing joy and a fulfilled Saturday to

also a lot of Chelsea fans who disguised wearing Adire instead of their jerseys. We only realised this - when each time Chelsea scored, the hall erupted in involuntary adulation for Chelsea. Well, that notwithstanding, it was a perfectly organised event, with my legend himself Kanu Nwankwo appearing on stage looking his usual tall self, with braided hair and an oxblood caftan. I also saw Okocha and was that Celestine Babayaro? Deji Omotoyibo led the group of analysts who had half-time sessions analysing the march which Arsenal unfortunately lost. I hear these two brands combined have the largest followership in the country, with Nigerians leading in social media followership of Arsenal globally. This partnership would afford MTN subscribers up-to-date stats, player information and a whole lot of footballing experience that should more than compensate for our inability to go watch these matches live. My people, I bought £100 for N70,000 yesterday. With this kind exchange rate, na only drug lords go fit dey watch matches live, I tell you. After the event, I met or should I better say, I saw their Chairman, pascal Dozie and his lovely wife. I also saw Gbenga Oyebode - that man never ceases to amaze me. He is one of the few Nigerians I utterly respect. I swear, I really did ask his assistant who had continually been stopping me from seeing him, but no matter, I finally saw him that day. Anyway, this is a wonderful partnership that should assist in lowering our stress levels as we continue to strive for an existence in this our country.

Lagosians especially at this trying time. But can I ask if there will be something for people like me who had the intention but could not make it due to these very strategic reasons? You can send your reply through Segun Akande who is my friend and who will be participating in the marathon. He is short and black and will be breasting the tape Sunday evening - a clear 24 hours after the race will have been officially declared closed. Please send me my compensatory gift through him. Well done guys, a powerful message you are sending with this marathon.’ Muhammadu Buhari’s Health: Much Ado about Nothing Everywhere I go, I see people discussing

Erelu Dosunmu the health of our President. I really do not understand why there is so much concern about his health when there is a perfect system of continuity if, God forbids, anything happens to him. I guess the paranoia is as a result of what we went through during the Yar’dua wahala. For me o, there is nothing wrong with Buhari. I have had long conversations with him and have always come out of these conversations with a strong feeling that this Baba is not going anywhere. Government is a continuum and we have a graying although not too tall Acting President who is holding the ship of state in place until Baba comes back. So guys, let’s all concentrate on dealing with those customs officers who cleared 661 rifles from the Apapa ports. This is of more consequence to us than the health of our president who is drinking tea with the Queen. You forgot they went to the same primary school? Can you imagine what would have happened to us as a nation if those rifles had fallen into the hands of the wrongest people? So because of a morsel of porridge, these corrupt customs officials would have just wasted millions of lives? Now I understand the meaning of the poster I saw as I was driving past the EFCC office in Ikoyi. Note I said ‘drive past’ not ‘went’. The poster emblazoned on its face: ‘CORRUPTION KILLS’. The customs boss must be presented this poster in his office and in front of TV cameras and the media. Be like say, he and his officers do not know this. Abeg, Nigerians leave Buhari’s health alone, nothing do am. Erelu Dosunmu and Isale Eko As the executive producer of Isale Eko, I walked into the presence of her regal beauty in her Victoria Island home with confidence. As I was ushered into her roof-top garden, I was immediately gobsmacked with her eternal beauty. The Erelu is still a very beautiful woman o. Her aristocracy sitting on her like well-starched uniform. My knees buckled and I lost composure. She was ravishingly beautiful even at that age. As I introduced myself, she smiled and I saw a Yoruba Mona Lisa that moment o. As we talked, her rich understanding of the history of Isale Eko came to the fore. She educated me and really gave me a massive insight into the rich cultural history of her people. She reminded me that she was the Erelu Kuti of the land and also her role in that wise. She has invited the cast and crew for lunch to further discuss the play and her role. She graciously answered all my questions even as she continued to give me more insights, ensuring that we will have a very brilliant outing come April. I look forward to meeting her again as we begin the countdown to Isale Eko. Have you bought your ticket? Mrs. Clara Macaulay : A Shout Out My dear ‘Aunty Clara’ as Alvin would call you, I would, despite the activities of the forces of youthful exuberance which denied me the opportunity to wine and dine with you at your last birthday, still wish you a happy birthday and God’s continuous blessings. Your birthday party was shrouded in secrecy so that I would not come and toast to your eternal beauty and long life. Well, the forces did not try because you remain one of the most respected people in my life and as such I should have been invited whether or not I would come and finish the food like I heard. Well, I hear you were not totally happy at my absence but do not worry, the most important thing is that you had fun. Not to worry, next year it will be my turn to honour you and it will be party with shorts. We will all wear shorts to honour you madam. Well done and once again, I wish you a long fruitful life.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 11, 2017

SPY GLASS

Aisha Buhari’s Aide, Hajio Sani’s Haughtiness

As a writer, author and educationist, Dr. Hajio Sani, Senior Special Assistant on Administration to the wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, is qualified to be described as an intellect. However, it is doubtful if Sani, who served as Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development under General Sani Abacha, is respected by her staff as well as many others who have business to do within the corridors of power in Abuja. Reason: hers is a total negation of a popular quote by a Hong Kong and American actor and martial artist, Lee Jun-fan, aka Bruce Lee: “Knowledge will give you power, character respect.’’ In other words, being educated has conferred on Hajia some degree of power, but people around her complain that her character leaves a sour taste. Indeed, a number of people who described her appointment as a welcome development are said to be despising her nowadays, as a result of her overbearing attitude. Spyglass gathered that while the wife of the President is struggling to carve a respectable image for herself and also support her husband to deliver on his campaign promises, Sani seems to have a different agenda. Today, some top staff and friends to the president’s wife are said to be displeased with her imperious style. Our source revealed that Sani, who is described as “power drunk”, had brought in her sister, Zainab Maina, with whom she shares “juicy portfolios.” “As soon as she found her way into the Presidency, she manipulated the wife of the President. Many of Aisha Buhari’s friends who stood by her and her husband during the campaign have left, as the SSA wouldn’t allow them to reach her. “In fact, she is power drunk. She acts as if she is the wife of the President. She determines who sees Hajia Aisha Buhari and who doesn’t. She has succeeded in turning some of Hajia’s friends, including Mary Etta and her best friend of 20 years, Dr. Maralia Zian, to her enemies,’’ the source said.

Agbani Darego’s Wrong Move?

By providence, Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite Darego, famously known as Agbani Darego, had put her

with Bayo Adeoye ....08054680651 fatherland on the global map when she was crowned Miss World in 2001. The Rivers State-born beauty can aptly be described as one of the best things to have happened to Nigeria. Hers was a shared victory among her compatriots, especially because it portrayed Nigeria’s positivity at a time the country was battling with an image problem. Interestingly, 16 years after her big win, the 35-year-old has continued to stay relevant in the modeling, entertainment and fashion world. However, the graduate of New York University has been unable to replicate this magic in the business frontier, as her AD Collection has not fared well. Spyglass gathered that the Lekkibased outfit, which was launched two years ago, is now a shadow of itself, as customers are no longer patronising the business. It was further gathered that the shop now serves as her office and hardly opens everyday.

Tonye Cole’s Graceful Heart

Today, Tonye Cole, an oil magnate and co-founder of the Sahara Energy Group, can’t be happier. He has so many reasons to be thankful to his Creator. His paths have been laced with more of roses than torns. In recognition of the special grace of God in his life, he recently rolled out the drums when he turned 50. For obvious reasons, the day meant a lot to him and he took his time to send out invites to family members, friends and business associates to join him in the celebration. But it was not all a wining and dining affair, especially as the respected businessman regaled the guests with the story of his rise to fame as well as the chequered history of the business in the past 20 years. At the event, over 40 prominent individuals who had contributed in meaningful ways to the success of the group were honoured with awards. The long list of awardees includes Funsho Kupolukun, a former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Obumneme Chukwumobi Okonkwo, former Managing Director, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) a subsidiary of the NNPC; Mr. Joe Makoju, a former Director, Dangote Group and Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana and Bayo who was the first banker to grant the group

a $10 million US dollar loan for its first cargo of petroleum products.

Bimbo Ashiru Plans Big For Mom’s Burial

It was a sad day on January 8, when Abimbola Ashiru, the Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Trade and Investment, lost his mother, Alhaja Nimota Moradehun Ashiru, at the age of 96. Though the family of the deceased is still grieving over the loss, there are plans to give her a befitting burial. Consequently, if there is one party that top socialites across the nation are gearing for, it is the burial ceremony, which is scheduled to hold on February 18, 2017 at the Gbenga Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode G.R.A., Ogun State. For those who know the highflying exbanker and top socialite very well, he doesn’t do his things in half measures. The party is expected to be gathering of state governors, top government officials, business tycoons as well as high-flying socialites. The late nonagenarian was a Princess from Fidipote royal family of Ijebu Ode and the ruling house of Owu-Ijebu.

Joy in Yemisi Adeniji-Wada’s Heart

For Yemisi Wada, nothing can be more heart-warming than the fact that she will soon become a grandmother. Spy glass gathered that her beautiful daughter, Temitope Fani-kayode, is reportedly heavily pregnant. Consequently, the ex-wife of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, has jetted out of the country to meet her daughter at her United Kingdom base. “The young lady needs support and no one can give her the needed support except her mother, ’’ said a source. It will be recalled that Temitope got married to her heartthrob of many years, Jaiye Randle, son of Chief J.K. Randle, in Lagos on July 25, 2015 in a high-octane party that attracted high profile personalities from all walks of life. The wedding, which had all the trappings of glitz and opulence, was chaired by the former Minister of Trade and Industry, Olusegun Aganga, who is a cousin to Yemisi.

Tony Elumelu, Liyel Imoke’s Untold Voyage

That Nigeria’s banking guru and Chairman, UBA, Tony Elumelu, is friends with several eminent personalities across the globe is not in doubt. Though one may not be able to establish level of his closeness with some of these farflung friends, it was gathered that his friendship with former Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke, dates back to over 32 years. Interestingly, Imoke, a former Minister of Power and Steel, dropped the hint recently at a ceremony, while he was presenting an award to Elumelu. The ex-governor, it was learnt, had taken the audience on a voyage around their friendship, stopping at every convenient juncture to serenade them about some untold stories of their friendship. According to him, the financial wizard had been close to him, even before he led a small group of investors to acquire the defunct Standard Trust Bank at 34, thereby becoming the nation’s youngest banking managing director then. It was also gathered that the audience was pleasantly surprised when Elumelu disclosed that he gave Imoke the appellation of the youngest Senator when he was appointed a Minister in 1992 at 31. The Delta State-born banker was rated one of the most influential in Africa as well as one of the 2014 Forbes richest men in Africa with net worth of $1 billion. He is reputed to have injected life blood into the African economy through what he termed ‘Africapitalism’, an economic philosophy that embodies the private sector’s commitment to the economic transformation of Africa through long-term investments that create both economic prosperity and social wealth. Imoke, on the other hand, is a politician like his father, Dr. Samuel Imoke, who was a medical doctor. In 1992, Imoke was elected a Senator at 31 during the Ibrahim Babangida transition government. His term ended with the dissolution of the government in November 1993 by the military regime headed by the late General Sani Abacha.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •FEBRUARY 11, 2017

TRAVEL&LEisURE

Inagbe Grand Resort and Leisure in Lagos

Nok Alara

Where Will You Be This Valentine? Recession or not, love is in the air. Valentine’s Day is almost here again and being single is no excuse either. You can have a blast too as a single; just give yourself a good treat. As usual, THISDAY TRAVEL AND LEISURE is here to help you make good decisions

EPE Resort he Resort is a stylish blend of contemporary and traditional design, with 40 rooms consisting of 10 chalets of four rooms each, nestled in the lush green hillside of a tropical forest and bordering the Lekki Lagoon. The resort shocks the wealth of Nigerian culture while delivering the ultimate in personalized services, excellent cuisine, social style and business reliability. the abundance of decorative stonewalls with a blend of rich dark wood interiors create a look of elegance and luxury in the spacious rooms with patios overlooking the sprawling gardens, ideal for all occasion a romantic break, family vacation or corporate getaway. It is located in Epe, Lagos State in the gentle hills north of the lagoon and west of Epe town. La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort La Campagne is an hour away from the busy Lagos life and living. It’s a land of palm-fringed, white sand beaches where time slows down in sync with the rhythm of the waves that gently lap the shore. By day, it keeps you fully occupied with a wide range of activities: canoeing, hiking, hunting or ocean fishing. It provides options such as a bumpy ride on an ATV (quad bike) or a serene excursion around the lagoon. A Volleyball pitch, a mini-spa, fitness centre and cyber-café are also available. And if you must, wi-fi is available around the resort to keep you in touch with the outside world. La Campagne Tropicana is the type of resort you dream about but never realised it is right on your doorstep. Yet, for those lucky enough to have discovered it, this is the tropical getaway for the two of you that allows you to escape the stress of city life and breathe again. The resort is located at Ikegan, IbejuLekki Local Government Area of Lekki/ Epe expressway in Lagos. Inagbe Resort Located just a few minutes from Victoria Island, Inagbe Grand Resorts and Leisure is within a friendly community

and always find something new and exciting to try because they have 4 different menus – lunch, dinner, brunch and garden. I really do appreciate the diversity and the attention to detail, appreciating that people want to eat different things at times and in different environments. It might not always hit, but the amount of thought put into Nok is commendable. Try Hummus with Suya (beef), BBQ beef Ribs that weren’t a struggle to eat, Jerk Chicken Wings, Grilled Corn on the Cob, Goat Sliders. Same with the corn on the cob, they didn’t just grill it, they made it a bit sticky and added sesame seeds. Oh how could I forget the cocktails, as a true Lagos gal, I had theGidi Scent (rum, scent leaf, lime juice, ginger and lemonade) and the Lagosians (Cointreau, brandy, strawberry, lime). Both were good, but the Lagosians was the bomb. Sweet and subtly strong (aka you shouldn’t feel like you’re drinking the liquor straight) as a cocktail should be, in my humble opinion.

Couple on Valentine ‘s day

rich in culture and history of ancient Lagos Monarchy. With the options of being warmly welcomed at the VIP Jetty and Concierge or at the Executive Jetty, a 40,000 square meter well- landscaped garden and park awaits you. Richly adorned with waterfalls and natural artistic elements, a 150 meter long enthralling musical fountain combined with an array of rhythmic water display and colour lightening effect graces your evening at the Lagoon front. First of its kind in Lagos with a potential of being one of the most attractive romantic centres in the megacity, guests have a benefit to experience a refined and warm reception while enjoying intriguing views of the brilliant landscaped gardens complemented with fountains and the Lagos Lagoon as you are being conveyed to your suites. Coupled with its clean skies and adoring sandy beaches, it is referred to as one of the most tranquil locations on the Lagos Island for vacation and relaxation. Inagbe Grand Resorts and Leisure will offer a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat, ideal for enjoying a memorable vacation, with the scenic views and soft

brazen sand. Whether you are planning a special vacation or simply need to unwind, make good use of your holiday and choose from a selection of fully furnished contemporary chalets, Inagbe Resort offers an exceptional stay where every detail is thought to perfection. Rejuvenate, awaken your senses, and revitalize your spirit at the resort spa with a full range of body treatments available to give you a sense of purity and tranquility. As well as enjoy the soothing feel of the sauna and steam rooms. Stay fit in the exquisite healthcare club, offering quality fitness center and extensive health care services with the health- enhancing equipment made available to make your stay truly ideal. It is located just a few minutes from Victoria island via boat. The 5 Best Spots for Valentine’s Day in Lagos Nok at Alara The Garden at Nok is nothing short of perfect. It is situated in victoria Island . One thing I love about Nok by Alara is that you can go there several times

Izanagi The food at Izanagi is quality. However, don’t expect to go here and get a bargain, it’s not “affordable” like that. With their little heart-shaped confetti type sprinkled all over the table, its the cutest thing for lovers. Also in victoria Island, it’s the perfect spot for those couples working on the island Vellvett Vellvett is going all out for Valentine’s Day this year. They’ll have three different Valentine’s Day menus over three days. Uptown @ Avenue Suites If you start the evening a bit earlier, you’re likely to get a great view of the sun setting. Then later in the evening, if the street lights are lit on Adetokunbo Ademola and Ahmadu Bello, you’ll also have another great view as the evening progresses and throw in a stroll on the beach to make the evening great. And the food is sumptuous. Grillroom @ Wheatbaker Great food and ambience situated in the serene part of Ikoyi. And with all that dim lightning, it’ll be the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •FEBRUARY 11, 2017

TRAVEL&LEISURE

by OMOLOLA ITAYEMI omolola.itayemi@thisdaylive.com 08054699602

Lagos Unveils Statue of King Ado

agos State Government has demonstrated commitment to the promotion and development of cultural tourism in the state with the recent unveiling of statues of the first crown king of Lagos, King Ado and the legendary Prince Olofin Atekoye, referred to as the first migrant from Ile- Ife the cradle of Yorubas to settle in Lagos. The statues were unveiled at Ijora Olopa and Moloney roundabout respectively. The Acting Commissioner/ Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola said the unveiling of the statues validates Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s vision of beautifying Lagos landscape with befitting monuments as the state marks 50th anniversary of her creation, tagged Lagos @ 50”. According to Akinsola, the monument sites will continue to serve as a destination for tourists in need of historical information to enrich their knowledge of the Arts and Culture of Lagosians. Giving an insight into the history, Prince Olofin Atekoye was said to be the grandson of Oduduwa, a powerful hunter, warrior and

a renowned blacksmith and the first settler in Lagos. The shrine of Olofin Atekoye still exists at Iddo where he first settled. The Children of Prince Olofin are today known as Idejo’s, the popular white cap chiefs of Lagos. King Ado was the first crowned King of Lagos, son of Asipa, a warrior that came to Lagos from Benin (the capital of present day Edo State). It is of note that the Oba of Lagos has remained in the lineage of King Ado, the first King of Lagos. Akinsola enjoined residents around monuments sites in Lagos State to take responsibility and ownership of the highly important sites. According to her “their cultural and historical value should not be eroded by vandals and miscreants”. Mr. Olurotimi Ajayi, head of the firm that sculptured the statues explained that the fiber glass that form the major component of the statues will last a century if well maintained. The unveiling was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Jamiu Adewale Ashimi alongside Directors and management staff of the Ministry.

King Ado Statue

Hogan Lovells, Academy of Chocolate Host ‘Bean to Bar’ As part of its commitment to celebrating African Art and Culture, global law firm, Hogan Lovells recently teamed up with the Academy of Chocolate in London to host an event honoring the cocoa bean and its impact in many West African countries. The event tagged “From Bean to Bar” held at Hogan Lovells Atlantic house, London, unveiled some of the mysteries behind the chocolate that is known and enjoyed in various forms all across the globe. A host of clients joined Hogan Lovells in an interactive session to discuss,

demonstrate and debate issues regarding sourcing, transparency of cocoa farming and the journey from bean to bar. The session also discussed the future of cocoa production in West African economies, and the benefits available in terms of foreign trade, employment and overall economic growth. Commenting on the success of the event, Andrew Skipper, Partner and Head of the Africa Practice at Hogan Lovells, said: “Being such an important commodity in many West African countries, the story and journey of the cocoa bean is truly fascinating and one that we

felt should be explored. Through a series of talks with respected industry speakers, this event explored both the challenges the industry is facing, being affected by the fall in commodity prices and battling with sustainability issues, but also, and perhaps most importantly, the outlook and future opportunities for this much loved commodity. “Hogan Lovells is committed to doing business in Africa. We seek to understand the culture and respect those we work with. We work with a number of clients with wide interests in Nigeria and many other African countries. Through our

series of events celebrating African art and culture, we hope to demonstrate our deep understanding of some of the key challenges for business, and how we can help clients to overcome them, as well as enjoying some fine African Chocolate”. The finale of the event was a chocolate making and tasting experience led by one of the UK’s leading artisan chocolatiers who demonstrated his craft at the event. The cocoa bean is the largest agricultural export of Nigeria. West Africa accounts for 70 per cent of the world’s cocoa production, with Nigeria being the third largest producer.

Lai Mohammed Visits Owu Fall The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has started a tour of tourist sites in the country with a visit to the spectacular Owu Waterfall in Kwara State. The Minister was accompanied by representatives of the community in which the Waterfall is located, officials of the Kwara State Ministry of Culture and Tourism as well as the media. He described Owu Waterfall as one of the wonders of nature, saying the government is now looking toward natural assets like the waterfall with a view to developing them for economic benefits. “We are all awed by the awesomeness nature of the Almighty. You begin to wonder about the source of this water and what I found most enticing and really baffling is the louder we shout, the more the volume of the waterfall. This is one of those natural assets that

we have been bestowed with and there is no country that has this kind of asset that will not be able to exploit it for economic benefit,” he said. Mohammed underscored the dearth of infrastructure as one of the major challenges confronting tourism development in Nigeria, but expressed optimism that the revitalization of the Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT) will bring about synergy within the government to surmount the challenge. “Fortunately, we have been very busy trying to revitalize the Presidential Council on Tourism because tourism is not a standalone ministry. Without the cooperation of other ministries such as Power, Works and Housing - because you need to rovide road, electricity and security - you cannot actually have a vibrant tourism industry. I am happy I came here personally today and I have seen it and at the next meeting

of the Steering Committee of the PCT, we will actually put this across,” he said. The Minister promised to liaise with his counterpart in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to give priority to the construction of the 7-kilometer access road to the waterfall. He also commended the Owa-Onire Community and the Kwara State Government for encouraging tourists to visit the Owu Waterfall through the facilitation of access and the provision of security. The Tour Guide and a leader in the community, Mr. Akanbi Sunday, who chronicled the history of the Owu Waterfall, thanked the minister for being the first-ever Minister of Information and Culture to visit the waterfall. The Minister had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Onire of Owa-Onire, Oba Abdulraham Fabiyi, telling the traditional ruler he was in the community to have first-hand

knowledge of the Owu Waterfall with a view to developing it as a viable tourist site, in line with the diversification policy of the Federal Government.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •February 11, 2017

SPECIAL REPORT

Abule Egba

Flyovers

How Ambode is Turning Lagos into a Big Construction Site

For commuters and motorists, certain areas in the Lagos metropolis have become a nightmare. These include Abule-Egba, Ojodu Berger, Ajah-Lekki road and Abesan. Relief, however, seems on the way as flyovers and bridges are being constructed while other roads are undergoing expansion. Samuel Ajayi, who visited some of these places, writes aboutAkinwunmi Ambode’s ‘wonders’

hile many might not have noticed it, Lagos has become one giant construction yard. And thanks to the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who seems to have made infrastructural development of the state a passion similar to how an altar boy internalises the Catholic creed. While there are new roads being constructed, the focus seems to have been on construction of bridges and extension of existing roads to make movement easy for residents of the state. From Abule-Egba to Abesan; from Ojodu Berger to Badagry and from Okomomaiko to Surulere, the name of the game seems to be construction and more construction. While it is expected of governments at different levels to make life easier for the people, the fact that some of the roads being reconstructed by the Ambode-led government in Lagos State are federal roads perhaps deserves commendation. And residents of areas where these constructions are going on, will have a sigh of relief when they are completed. Standing out amongst these areas is Abule-

Egba for obvious reasons. Abule-Egba Dual-Carriage Flyover: Lease of Life for Traumatised Residents If there are those who will be grateful to Governor Ambode over the construction of the Abule-Egba dual carriage flyover, one of them would be a certain Labake Kazeem. Labake liked her job as front office executive in one blue chip company located at Ilupeju, in the heart of Lagos. But after incessant brushes with her boss, she had to resign to look for another job. But up till now, she is yet to get a job. Why did she have to resign? She was staying at a place called Kola, which was opposite the road that leads to the headquarters of Africa Independent Television, AIT. Because she had two children to attend to, which included her then 10-month-old baby, she usually woke up by 4 am to prepare the older child for school and also get set for work. By 5:45am, she would have hit the road. But she never got to office earlier than 8:30am. “I was usually leaving home early enough but even at that, I would still be late to work,” Labake told THISDAY. “The problem,

every day, was Abule-Egba. From Kola Bus Stop to Abule-Egba would take at least one and half hours every day. If you look at the distance between Kola and Abule-Egba and that between Abule-Egba and Surulere, you would agree with me that it was between Kola and Abule-Egba that I was always held in traffic. And this usually led to my being late for work almost every day. My boss had given me queries upon queries and it was when he threatened me with sack and coupled with the fact that I never liked waking up my kids very early to prepare them for school that I decided to resign.” There are many Labakes living in that part of Lagos who see passing through Abule-Egba as a daily nightmare. Since it is an intersection that equally links with Pen Cinema in Agege, it is one point that usually causes traffic snarl virtually every hour of the day. But that is about to end. Though a federal road, a flyover bridge is being constructed by the Lagos State government that will ensure that those coming from Iyana-Ipaja to Sango and vice versa do not have to wait for traffic lights before they could pass. Same is applicable for those com-

ing from Oko Oba axis trying to link Sango. According to construction specifications of the project, the Abule- Egba dual carriageway flyover is a bridge of 700 metres with two lanes of 2,500 meters. The project is being handled by Craneburg Construction Company. It started February 1, 2016 and the expected date of completion is at the end April, 2017. The Project is about 70 per cent completed. Habib Aruna, the chief press secretary to the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, said “apart from the aesthetic upgrade of the area, the major significance of this project is to decongest the traffic gridlock at the intersection around Abule Egba axis. The traffic from Iyana Ipaja to Sango and the one from Agege and Oko-Oba would be resolved.” When this reporter visited Abule-Egba a couple of weeks ago, work was going steadily on the project. And there were strong indications that the April 2017 completion date is very much achievable. Another indication that Lagos has become a huge construction yard, albeit for all the right reasons, is the Lagos-Badagry

FEBRUARY 11, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

SPECIAL REPORTS And Ambode Turns Lagos Into a Big ‘Construction Site’ Expressway 10-lane project. Another traffic nightmare of a road, the fact that the road is being reconstructed and expanded is an indication of how. THISDAY findings revealed that Lot One of the construction work, which covers Eric Moore, in Surulere, to Mile 2, which is being handled by construction giants, Julius Berger, is almost completed and ready for use. Lot Two A covers Maza Maza to Okokomaiko and is further divided into three segments. These are Segment A which is from Maza Maza to Agboju and Segment B which is from Agboju to Trade Fair. Segment C covers from Trade Fair to Okokomaiko. These are being handled by another construction big name, China Civil Engineering Construction Company Nigeria Limited, CCECC, and this, according to the state government, “is moving at a very fast pace.” There is also Lot Three which runs from Agbara to Badagry. Presently, work is about to start from the First Gate, the Flyover at Alakija Toll Link Interchange and Abule Ado Bridge. Site engineer for CCECC, Kong Lingchen, and site engineer (project) Sowole Temitope, both expressed optimism that the work would be delivered on schedule. They thanked Governor Ambode for providing all the necessary support towards the success of the project. Imeke Bridge to Whispering Palms: Making Sense of a Road The road from Imeke bridge that links Whispering Palms was another nightmare for motorists and commuters. When Ambode visited the area on December 29 last year to commission the Imeke Bridge, he had immediately directed the contractor (CCECC) to immediately commence work on the dilapidated road linking the bridge to Imeke Community down to Whispering Palms Resort. Ambode believed the road would further open up the axis to more visitors hoping to explore the tourists’ attractions that abound in the ancient town. Two weeks after, the contractor reportedly moved to site and has begun preliminary work on the 6.75kilometre road. Sources close to the office of the governor told THISDAY that due to the swampy nature of the area, sand-filling work had commenced in earnest, while the contractor hopes to deliver the road within eight months before the rainy season peaks.

Ajah

Badagry

CCECC Site Manager, Yang Guo Quan and Assistant Project Manager, Engr. Zannu Thomas, have both assured that the road on completion would be a major link road for Badagry. Ajah Flyover: And the Rich Shall Cry no More When this reporter went on a road voyage to Ita Marun, a sleepy village off the Lekki-Epe Expressway, he was able to have a first-hand impression of how much work has gone on the Ajah Flyover Bridge Work. The project, which is being handled by Hitech, is expected to put a permanent end to the traffic malaise along that axis, especially for the rich and affluent that have their residential houses along that axis. If there is one manifestation of the timeless axiom that the rich also cry, it is the pain commuters and motorists go through linking Lekki and Ajah. “With completion of this bridge, there will definitely be a huge relief for us,” a resident of the area told THISDAY early this year during the trip to Ita Marun. “It is hellish passing through this area every day; especially during the peak periods. We cannot thank Ambode enough. I only hope it is completed on time.” And that is the concern of many people. But if antecedents of Ambode are anything to go by, perhaps, residents of the area have

no reason to nurse any fear of a possible abandoned project. An aide of the governor quoted the Project manager, Mr. Lloyd Bekker, who is in charge of supervision of the project as saying the work had already reached 70 per cent completion while expressing optimism that the May 29 completion and project handing over date is very much possible. To buttress this, beams for the 161 metre-long bridge were being launched when THISDAY visited while work was also ongoing on other sections of the bridge. Ojodu-Berger Pedestrian Bridge: Relief for Pedestrians, Rest of Mind for Drivers Anyone who plies the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway regularly will attest to the fact that one frustration for drivers on the Lagos end of the road is pedestrians crossing at the Ojodu Berger area of the state. At times, traffic occasioned by people crossing from one end to the other carriage-way could extend as far as the Lagos State secretariat at Alausa. “Sometimes, one has to pray before leaving home if you have to pass though that point,” Olusola Ayodeji, who works with one of the nation’s paramilitary agencies, told this reporter. “Traffic caused by those crossing the expressway could make you spend over one hour navigating from Agidingbi to Isheri. I think that bridge

would be a massive relief.” The project being is handled by CCCEC and it has three phases. The Phase one is the flyover which was the first contract awarded in January 2016 and which is almost completed. Phase Two and Three which are the roads beside the lay-bys and the extension by the new bridge were added. This extension was a well thought-out idea which will ensure that a pedestrian can actually move from the carriage that leads to Ibadan down to the petrol station by the roundabout at the Ojodu-Berger road end without having to touch the ground; even on any of the lay-bys. The Phase One of the project is about 95% completed while Phases Two and Three are 75% and 60% completed respectively. The expected date of completion is this month. The significance of this project include is that it will ensure an improvement in the general outlook of Berger area particularly because Berger is the first point of call when coming into Lagos State. And aide of the governor has this to say: “In the past, commercial drivers parked indiscriminately on the road side causing serious traffic but now there is sanity. The development, when completed, would drastically reduce traffic on the expressway. Also the provision of the pedestrian flyover has reduced the number of accidents and death on the highway.” And the Beat Goes On Sources told THISDAY that the current construction projects in the state are more or less a tip of the iceberg. When we visited Abule-Egba for on the spot assessment of a flyover project, an official of the construction firm handling the project, who who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they had been mandated to commence work on similar flyover at Pen Cinema, another troublesome point in Agege axis of northern Lagos. Some Lagosians too have been pushing for such bridge over the Dunlop Tyre U-turn along Oba Akran Road in Ikeja. In Lekki, some roundabouts are being eliminated to ease traffic logjam on the road, especially between Lekki Phase One and Chevron Roundabout. It remains to be seen if other areas will be added, but for now, residents of areas where current projects are ongoing can’t wait to heave a sigh of relief. And for Ambode, they thoroughly deserve it.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •FEBRUARY 11, 2017

AUto

2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Edition

Jeep Adds Wrangler Rubicon Recon Edition to Lineup Stories by Bennett Oghifo

orth America’s favorite mall-crawler is getting some upgrades, with the new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon Edition set to hit showrooms later this month. The Rubicon Recon Edition rides halfan-inch taller than the standard Wrangler Rubicon, and features a beefier front axle and rock sliders that have been shortened to accommodate tires as big as 35 inches. In a disappointing twist, the top-of-the-range

Wrangler only comes fitted with 32-inch BF Goodrich rubber from the factory. The front axle, a locking Dana-44 unit to match the one around back, features strengthened tubes and end forgings, while both axles get cast differential covers. Like the rest of the Rubicon pack, the Recon Edition’s front and rear axles feature differentials that lock electronically. Available in seven colors, the Rubicon Recon Edition is fitted with a bunch of gloss black exterior accents, including the grilled and bumpers, the front of which is prepped to be fitted with a winch. It can also be fitted with body-color fender flares and a vented hood.

Inside, the Recon Edition gets a unique gauge cluster with a unique info screen that includes additional data points like oil pressure, individual tire pressure, and transmission and coolant temperature. It also comes with a standard eight-speakerT stereo, heated seats finished in black leather upholstery, and tons of red interior accents, including the axle locker and swaybar disconnect switches. The Wrangler Rubicon Recon Edition will be stickered at $39,145 ($47,040 in Canada) for a two-door version and $42,945 ($49,440 in Canada) for a family-hauling four-door when it goes on sale later this month.

Triple Triumph for Kia at iF Design Awards 2017

ia has won three prestigious iF Design Awards for the outstanding design of its latest vehicles. The Niro hybrid crossover, Optima Sportswagon and all-new Rio supermini have all received prizes for product design. 2017 is the eighth consecutive year in which Kia has received at least one iF Design Award. The latest hat-trick of prizes brings the manufacturer’s total number of iF award-winning models to 12. Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Designer of Kia Motors Corporation, commented, “These latest iF Awards are recognition for our excellent global design team. All three models, on which the Kia design centers in Korea, Germany and the United Stated cooperated closely, are highly important for our brand. With the Niro and the Optima Sportswagon, Kia has pushed into new market sectors, and has carved out a distinctive position in both segments with innovative, attractive design. With the new generation of the Rio we have given one of our global best-sellers a significantly changed, more mature character.” The Kia Niro marries the practical advantages and aesthetic appeal of a compact crossover with a sleek appearance, differentiating it from more conservatively designed hybrid models, and giving the car a unique presence as the world’s first hybrid crossover. The Optima Sportswagon, Kia’s first-ever

D-segment tourer engineered exclusively for the European market, offers a striking exterior design and high quality interior, with the added practicality and appeal of a tourer bodystyle. Kia’s third prize-winner in 2017, the all-new Rio, goes on sale this quarter in Europe, and offers buyers a bold new design and a modern,

Kia Optima Sportswagon

efficiently-packaged cabin with the latest infotainment and safety technologies. The longer bonnet and more vertical C-pillar give the new car a more purposeful and aggressive stance, with a driver-orientated dashboard which provides an innovative and ergonomic design.

Maserati Recalls Three Models for Potential Fire Hazards

wo different recalls are affecting at least 39,381 Maserati vehicles in North America. The first recall affects the 2014-2017 Maserati Quattroporte, Ghibli and Levante models, with the automaker saying that adjusting the front seat may cause the seat wiring harness to rub against metal points. The defect could eventually lead to the seat malfunctioning and in rare cases, cause an electrical short increasing the risk of fire. Maserati expects to begin the recall of 39,381 vehicles on March 21. The second recall involves select 20142015 Quattroporte and Ghibli units, which have fuel lines that may leak fuel. That recall affects a total of 10,879 units and will begin on February 28.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •FEBRUARY 11, 2017

AUto Kia Partners Arthouse for Affordable Art AuctionToday

2017 Landcruiser

MercedesTrademarks ‘EQ Power +’ for Future Electric Car

Stories by Bennett Oghifo

new trademark suggests that Mercedes is preparing to expand its electric car lineup. Daimler, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, has filed a trademark for EQ Power +, a badge that will probably show up

on something electrified. The name has been protected with the European Union Intellectual Property Office for use on automotive vehicles. “The EQ portfolio will encompass all future battery-electric cars as well as the associated products and services from Mercedes-Benz,” says the brand’s website. Mercedes recently revealed the EQ Con-

cept, the first in a line of battery-electric cars that will launch before 2020. The strategy is to slowly replace all Mercedes models with electric versions, though the switch over will take some time. Based on the name alone, the EQ Power + badge could be used on an electrified powertrain, or possibly on a hotter version of a regular EQ.

n a bid to bring the most affordable art auction to the teeming enthusiasts of creativity and ingenuity, Arthouse is showcasing a collection of seasoned and contemporary works of art by emerging artists, modern masters, and Africa’s most prominent artists at the Affordable Art Auction slated for today, Saturday the 11th of February. The event is aimed at attracting seasoned collectors and first-time buyers to avail the opportunity of owning an artwork at an affordable price with all artworks estimated below One million Naira. Kia has over the years partnered Arthouse to present a meld of astonishingly curated works of art and beautifully designed cars that makes its showroom a destination for collectors and enthusiasts of not just cars, but also modern art and design. In this edition, the collections are all scaled to a more affordable and accessible price point to allow many an art enthusiast own striking artwork with in-depth emotional connection that accentuates their love for art. The Affordable Art Auction aims to engage emerging markets and the rise of a new collector base. ”We particularly look to focus on building a network of local clients to create a more self-sufficient market, and we hope that the auction will attract both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers. This edition of the Affordable Art Auction showcases emerging artists, many of whom are being presented at auction for the first time, alongside leading modern masters and Africa’s most prominent artists —all scaled to a more affordable and accessible price point.

Toyota Landcruiser Wins 4wd of the Year Award

holesale engineering improvements to Toyota’s popular 79 Series double-cab chassis GXL have been rewarded with the rugged workhorse being named “4WD of the Year”. The prestigious award from 4x4 Australia magazine recognises the introduction of a full electronic safety package and revisions to the powertrain that resulted in lower fuel consumption, better responsiveness, more relaxed driving and fewer emissions. Features made standard as part of the late 2016 upgrade include vehicle stability control, active

traction control, hill-start assist control, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution and cruise control, in addition to the existing anti-skid brakes. LandCruiser’s high-torque 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine gained a diesel particulate filter and piezo-electric injectors while the five-speed manual transmission’s gearing was revised with taller second and fifth gears for enhanced touring capability. The award for the 79 Series double-cab GXL follows an extensive test program during which the magazine said its eight judges “hammered” each of the contenders in mainly off-road conditions.

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

Safety Rules For Children-A Parental Guide SAFE

fortnight ago, I leisurely walked into my barber’s saloon on a Sunday and while waiting for my turn for a haircut to make me look and feel younger, I took time to assess the driving habit of typical parents in Port Harcourt, the River State capital. I was stunned by the risk children under the ages of twelve were exposed to as most parents and guardians proudly indulged in either lapping children on the front seat despite the clear warning by car manufactures that children under certain ages must not be allowed to seat in the front seat because of the danger they risk, should there be a crash as they could suffer serious damages and or deaths as the case may be. The National Road Traffic Regulations equally frowns at such practices Frankly speaking, this driving mannerism is not restricted to drivers in Port Harcourt alone. I have worked in Lagos, Imo and Kaduna States in addition to the Federal Capital Territory where parental irresponsibility especially during rush hours and weekends is of grave concern to our operatives. while I worry over these mannerisms, my good friend who equally works in Rivers state recently equally alerted me on the increasing number of school children who ride on bikes exposed, without any iota of safety precaution such as the use of safety crash helmet put in place .The implication is that exposure of children to

DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa (Corps Commander) Corps Public Education Officer Federal Road Safety Corps. + 2348033026491

unnecessary risks is not just restricted to the city but also pervades in the hinterland. During school runs, hell is let loose as parents daily throw decency to the wind all in a hurry to meet school deadline. I have therefore chosen to do a detour on the ongoing speed limiter device enforcement by x-raying safety of our children by emphasizing best practices. But before I dwell on these, I must state here that since 2006 when I had the rare privilege to attend a training programme in Cape Town, South Africa, I have discovered that even at the corporate level, safety of children within and around school environments is either totally ignored or ranks low in the perking order of priorities In all the schools observed by me, appropriate road furniture such as stop signs, speed breakers among others are totally absent. Despite the exposure of these parents and their financial muscles, just a handful of children

are transported appropriately in car restraints. According to a report recently published by the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 24 years and nearly 400,000 people younger than 25 years out of 1.25million people are killed in road traffic crashes every year.Between 20 and 50 million people, more are injured or disabled. Roads are designed with adults in mind unlike children who have under developed peripheral vision and cognitive reasoning. More worrisome is the fact that a child dies on the world‘s roads every 3 minutes. Sequel to this fact a global consciousness has been aroused on saving our young ones. My survey like I said earlier, shows that many schools are not only located at accident prone areas without the appropriate traffic calming structures to curtail excesses of motorists, children and parents need to be adequately armed with pedestrian safety education. WHO ascertained that each year more than 270,000 pedestrians lose their lives globally as pedestrians constitute 22% of all road deaths but same cannot be said for developing countries like Nigeria where data collection is an issue, with unrecorded hit-and-run scenarios involving pedestrians being on the rise daily. Well documented are the key risks to pedestrians which include: driver’s behavior particularly in terms of, absence of dedicated facilities for pedestrians

such as sidewalks, zebra crossings and raised crosswalks among others. My Zone has embarked on a campaign tagged CHILD PEDESTRIAN SAFETYAWARENESS CAMPAIGN as an effective intervention to address these and project a safer road culture for our future generation especially among school children who are the most exposed road users. The campaign involves the following highlights: Selection of select schools identified as high pronged in terms of risk involved, Provision of appropriate traffic calming measures such as the stop signs, zebra crossings, construction of speed breakers (bumps) to slow down speed, production of banners and hand bills and other ancillary materials needed for an effective campaign in tandem with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety. While we await response from corporate organizations and individuals to make this campaign a reality, I wish to treat some vital safety tips for parents and would be parents. The first which I mentioned earlier as totally absent among parents and which has severally been the focus of this column is to make sure your children are in an appropriate child car seat that is fitted and used correctly. The revised Highway Code recommends that children should not sit in the front seat. It says that Children less than 12 months old must ride in a rear facing car seat fixed at the back seat of the vehicle.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 11, 2017

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES BY

Katsina SSG’s Copious Goofs

AILY SUN of February 6 welcomes us today: “Uduaghan arrived (arrived at) the Ibori villa in Oghara at about 3.30 p.m.” Time exactitude counts: either at 3.30 p.m. or about 3.30 p.m., depending on accuracy of timing. “NEMA cautions traders against fire outbreaks” There is no need for ‘outbreaks’ “…APC did same (the same) to get to power….” “Army sets up operation (operational) base in Southern Kaduna” “Vigilante (Vigilance) operative shoots bus driver, self” “…paying their last respect (respects) as the remains of their mother and wife….” “What I am bothered on (about/with) is the methodology.” Sports Minister, Dalung, loses first wife… NFF, Enyeama condole him” Get it right: condole with him or simply console him “Gambia (The Gambia): Building postJammeh era” “Reps probes (probe) FRCN” or House of Reps probes “…to conduct a fact-finding public hearing and report back within four weeks” (Vanguard, January 12) Yank off ‘back’ in the interest of good writing “Kidnapper sentenced to 11 years (years’) imprisonment in Delta” (Source: as above) More infractions from Vanguard: “Court dissolves 15-year-old marriage over diaspora (Diaspora) husband” “9 Ogbe-Ijoh, Aladja, Isaba leaders arraigned, remanded in prison” We certainly do not need the superfluous ‘in prison’ as it has been taken care of by ‘remand’ “Eight (8 for headline purposes) governors’ wives shortlist (shortlisted) for 2017 MVGWA award (Award)” “AFCON 2017: Uyo defeat haunts Algeria (Algeria’s/Algerian) coach” “Army arrests 6 over (for) school commandant’s murder” (DAILY SUN Headline, January 19)

“If he read the handwriting on the wall clearly….” (DAILY SUN Back Page, December 29, 2016) Broken Tongues; writing (not handwriting) on the wall “Conte: Moses has suprised me” (Sporting Sun Front Page Headline, January 30) Always spell-check: surprised “Wayne Rooney is now Man U’s all time (all-time) goal scorer with 250 goals.” “On behalf of the Government and good people of Katsina State, His Excellency, the Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, CFR, FNIM, wishes to congratulate (simply congratulates) the following Senior Police Officers from Katsina State for (on/ upon) your (their) outstanding performance (performances) culminating into (in) your (their) recent promotions to various ranks….” (Full-page congratulatory message signed by Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, Secretary to the Government of the State (sic), Katsina State, DAILY SUN, January 12, 2017, Page 17) “$950m Nigeria (Nigeria’s) loot trapped in US” (NATIONAL NEWS, January 13) “Edo commends firms over (for) quality road construction” (SOUTH SOUTH NEWS, January 13) “Harnessing Nigeria’s vast energy potentials (potential or potentialities)” (DAILY SUN OPINION Page Headline, January 13) Next is the editorial preface from DAILY Sun, Voice of The Nation, of January 13: “The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, recently told a stakeholders (stakeholders’) meeting of the APC in Ebonyi State that the Federal Government would ban the importation of petroleum products into the country from next year.” Would the importation have been outside the country? Just delete ‘into the country’. “Kano flags off (begins) N500bn market construction” “Have other first ladies gotten similar treatments from successive governments?” A rewrite: Did other first ladies get similar treatments from successive governments? “…he played his part well and stamped his feet in the sand (sands) of time.” “Buhari in last ditch (last-ditch) effort to persuade Jammeh to hand over” (THISDAY

Front Page Banner, January 14) “…this premium service enables you schedule the pick up (pick-up) of cash” (Fullpage advertisement by GTBank, THISDAY, January 14) “The estate comprises of luxury apartments, semi-detached and detached duplexes.” (Full-page advertisement by Diamond Bank, THISDAY, January 14) Take away ‘of’ or use ‘consists of’ “We stand with (by) you, former ministers tell Wike” From First Bank come the following improprieties as published in THISDAY of January 14, full page: “…but there is so much that you can do on (at) our contact center (preferably centre) besides making enquiries and giving feedback.” “You can also register for self service (selfservice) banking” “Despite age (a comma) I remain relevant in Nollywood” Still on THISDAY: “For many years (a comma) her face have (why?) appeared on many movies churned out of Nollywood.” “’The buck stops here’ made popular by late (the late) President Harry Truman of the US.” “The entire Management and Staff of SHG Investment & Obafemi Awolowo University, Muslim Alumni heartily congratulates (how?)….” “I grew up amidst (amid) musical instruments” ‘Amidst’, ‘amongst’ and ’whilst’ belong to the old school. “This is against the backdrop of the downturn in the economy which has compelled the President Mohammadu (Muhammadu) Buhari’s administration to….” Maritime Bits: the President Muhammadu Buhari administration or President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration Lastly from THISDAY under review: “Luxury bus, lorry collision leave (leaves) 5 dead, 23 injured” “Police smash human trafficking (humantrafficking) syndicate in Delta” “Junaid’s past time (pastime) is to insult past leaders” “Value of foreign investments in equities fall

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

(falls) 51% on currency challenges” “Poll: Power supply to households drop (drops) 37% in fourth quarter in 2016” “They are being unnecessary (unnecessarily) jittery….” “Man bags death sentence for killing own dad” A rewrite: Man bags death sentence for patricide “…if successive governments had been alive to its (their) responsibilities….” THE next contributions are from Mr. KOLA DANISA, a veteran journalist with a passion for Standard English.

DO WE HAVE UNARMED BANDITS?

SOME media professionals ignorantly use the phrase “armed bandits” as done by the SUNDAY TELEGRAPH in its story entitled “Banditry: Zamfara peace accord suffers setback”, Feb. 5, 2017, pg 43. It stated in the intro thus: “The Zamfara State Government’s effort towards finding lasting solution to armed banditry and cattle rustlings suffered a setback as...” The dictionary defines a bandit as “a member of an armed gang that robs people”. It means a bandit is usually armed; therefore the word “armed” to qualify him is out of place. On the contrary, a robber is someone who “takes property from a person or place illegally”. A robber may or may not bear arms. If he does, he is an armed robber liable to the death penalty upon conviction. As we can see, the distinction between a robber (armed or unarmed) and a bandit is clear.

RAYPOWER, WHAT’S THE PAST TENSE OF SLIDE?

THE nation’s premier independent radio station, RayPower, reported in the business segment of its Nigeria Today newscast on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017 that the country “SLIDED into recession...” Its editors and correspondents, and indeed media professionals, should note that SLID is both the past tense and past participle of SLIDE. It is not in the same word class as GLIDE AND GLIDED.

PERSPECTIVE

Ajimobi and the Storm in a Tea Cup Yomi Layinka

y boss was recently in the eye of the storm, never mind that the storm was in a tea cup. For about a fortnight, the worldwide social media was abuzz with distorted stories, misrepresentations and caricatures of Governor Abiola Ajimobi as well as some members of his nuclear family. Now that we thankfully have some calm in the air, perhaps we can do a brief recap of, and some reflections, on a few of the matters arising from that hoopla. In doing so, it is important to note the very toxic environment in which all these events occur; a universe inhabited by the politically dead, terminally wounded and vengeful foes - always lurking around, looking for any opportunity to pounce and take their pounds of flesh. So, when next you hear that Ajimobi is in the eye of some storm, please be reminded that it may be no more than another round of vilification by a motley crowd of the politically wounded. Here then are some alternative readings and matters arising from that avoidable rumble. First, is our national proclivity for contradictory expectations. As a people, we seem to find it difficult accepting the basic notion that we cannot eat our omelet without breaking an egg just as we cannot eat our cake and hope to have it. At almost every meeting between Nigerians, we are quick to bemoan how things have deteriorated but quicker to absolve ourselves of any guilt in the deterioration. We refuse to take responsibility for our actions and inactions, always passing the buck to the next person who promptly and dutifully passes it on to the next person, ad nauseam. We all complain about the corrosion of our communal ties and values, about the progressive breakdown of law and order in our society but we are also the first to scoff at the few good people trying to fix things.

When our governments take the hard nosed and corrective positions necessary to return our country back to the path of sustainable growth, we swiftly rise in unison urging our functionaries to sabotage the rules. When Ajimobi asks market women to stop endangering their lives by refraining from selling on the highways, we turn logic upside, railing and ranting to score cheap political points. When he directs the law enforcement agencies to follow through on extant laws that demand compliance, interests groups begin to lobby and seek ways out of their obligations. If and when Ajimobi insists on pursuing those laws to their logical conclusions, he is branded obstinate, inflexible and proud. We claim to be worried that our youths are becoming wayward, uncouth and unruly; Ajimobi tries to say the same thing to some disorderly youngsters, but rather than rally behind him, we upbraid the man for correcting his children’s misbehaviors. So, what do we really want? Second: some of our commentators unwittingly, and I believe, in grave error, sniggered at the fundamental importance of culture in the definition, sustenance and growth of any community. To this, I can only plead caution. As we generally ought to know, culture is the totality of a people’s way of life covering their history, lifestyles, arts and the subtler codes of their relationships. It includes the moral anchors and spiritual compasses that help them navigate through Life’s treacherous labyrinths. Without such strict codes of etiquette agreed upon by stakeholders, the journey may be no more than a rudderless adventure that surely leads to communal perdition. Once it becomes acceptable for children to publicly abuse and ridicule their parents and constituted authorities, we may well say goodbye to all the holding devices left of our already fractured society. Our people say, and I concur, ‘it is the lack of respect for the elderly that has turned the world into a crooked place’. As for those who suggest that we can conveniently hide behind the veil of modernity to cover up the shame of our failing society, I

say: look towards China, India and other great and emerging civilizations to see whether they sold their mores and cultural values at the alter of modernity. Which brings me to the much joked about, and now popularized ‘Constituted Authority’ subject. While the phrase itself is not new, Governor Ajimobi may have at last brought the nation’s attention to it in far more important ways that we think. Apart from offering us a chance to ponder the true meaning and implications of the term, he provided us the chance to enjoy big terminologies made simple; much like “Oga at the top’ and ‘The Other Room’ before it. So, while this one lasts, let us enjoy the fun, so long as we do not suddenly find that the joke is on us. Meanwhile, it is noteworthy that neither the rankled critics nor the satirists have argued against the validity of Ajimobi’s claim to the title. No one that I know has competently put a tenable counter to his legal iteration. The Law Dictionary defines constituted authorities as ‘officers properly appointed under the constitution for the government of the people’. Constituted Authorities can be said to be the sacred guardians of the laws, of the orders and of the cultural codes of the community. The refusal or inability of such officers to carry out these functions is not only irresponsible but may threaten the survival of the community. So, what the Governor did was simply to remind the heckling students that he was standing in front of them not only as an older member of an African community who deserves their respect on account of his age and experience but more importantly as a protector of the sacred mantle put in his custody by the people and the laws of the land. Another critical matter for consideration is the ownership question of the Ladoke Akintola University. The university is jointly owned by both the states of Osun and Oyo having been established in 1991 when both states were still in what is now known as the Old Oyo State. While there have since been some undeniable challenges and uneasiness in the relationship

between these two owner-states, their current state governors in a document dated October 19, 2016 “agreed to an irrevocable commitment to the joint ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso in accordance with the laws setting up the institution”. It follows therefore that whatever problems confront LAUTECH, whatever opportunities beckon at her, the responsibilities and gains must be shared in equal measure by both states. Whether the current ownership structure, governing codes and student fee regimes are sustainable is left to be seen. Since a visitation panel has been constituted to look into these and many more critical issues about the university, it is perhaps best to tarry along and await the detailed report of that Wole Olanipekun-led panel. The next, and perhaps the most important, matter arising from this over- dramatized incident is that the time has come for us in Nigeria to start interrogating the insidious, negative and destructive character of the social media. For instance, it is truly confounding that even after the original faux pax, Premium Times and Sahara Reporters still went ahead to broadcast a false, unverified story of ‘an Ajimobi daughter’ who purportedly made a disparaging statement about ‘a generation of mannerless children’ without as much as checking to know if indeed she is the daughter of the governor. After the false story had enjoyed unfettered spread on the global space, Premium Times eventually felt constrained enough to come clean, disavow and apologize for its falsehood. A few days after this, the internet was literally in flames again with the death wishes of some depraved fellows who gleefully announced the demise of our country’s President Mohammadu Buhari. So strong and pervasive was the rumour that most citizens and friends of Nigeria began to believe the twisted story. –––Yomi Layinka, Special Adviser, Communication& Strategy, Governor’s Office, Oyo State. 2nd February, 2017.

Readers can continued online www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER â€¢ JUNE 16, 2011

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

11.02.2017

REDEMPTION SONG PAGE. 29

Yakubu Aiyegbeni

on Mission to Salvage Coventry City

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 11, 2017

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On Mission to Salvage Coventry City 14 years after former Nigerian International, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, had his first taste of English football with Portsmouth, the ’34-year-old’ former Maccabi Haifa of Israel striker is returning to England to play for Coventry City. Kunle Adewale asks if going by Aiyegbeni's age, he still has the agility and pace to salvageThe Sky Blues’ precarious position on the English League One log

Yakubu Aiyegbeni sends an opponent reeling during his time at Everton

fter starring for six English clubs-Portsmouth, Middleborough, Everton, Leicester City, Blackburn Rovers and Reading, not many would bet that Yakubu Aiyegbeni would return to English football, considering the fact that his age, strength and pace are not what they used to be. However, League One side, Coventry, which have yet to register a goal in their last four league games felt the Kayserispor of Turkey player could be an answer to their scoring problems. "He's going to spend some time with us and we'll see how he gets on. He's made a big impression, he's a nice fella and he's been welcomed by the team. He's been away in Turkey; that was his last football club. He's back in England now and wants to get back playing as quickly as he can. I don't think we're a million miles away but sometimes just to find those extra few inches to bridge

that gap. You know one player can do that to find that spark for you to get you some momentum going forward and that's what we're looking for. That's what we desperately need," said Coventry manager, Russell Slade. Yakubu had his last spell in England in 2015 with Reading, for whom he scored one goal in seven appearances and Coventry are bottom of League One and haven't won a league game since November 1. “There are many reasons for which a player in the mold of Yakubu Aiyegbeni would be sought after. First of all, you cannot wish away his record in England, especially with Portsmouth. These are some of the things a club like Coventry might have considered before looking in his direction,” Former Nigerian international, Friday Ekpo, told THISDAY in an interview.

Ekpo further said: “The fact that Aiyegbeni understands English football would always count for him. No doubt the strength may not really be there but his experience would go a long way at helping the club. He would also serve as a motivator to the young players and his presence in the dressing room and on the field would inspire other players in no small measure. “Moreover, when a team is in a deep with little fund to play around with like what Coventry are presently experiencing, a player who is free agent like Aiyegbeni would readily come to mind,” Ekpo noted. Aiyegbeni has been without a club since leaving Turkish side Kayserispor last year having failed to score a single goal during an unsuccessful spell with the team, but Slade still sees Yakubu as a possible solution to his side's goal-scoring problems, with the Nigerian having scored 140 times in English football

during stints with Everton, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers. The former Everton striker was due to report to Ryton on Tuesday morning, ahead of a possible short-term deal with Coventry City. While his credibility in the game is undeniable, he will undergo a fitness test to determine whether he is ready to return to competitive football. The coming weeks will tell whether Coventry have made the right choice by signing Yakubull, as he is fondly called by English commentators. Aiyegbeni is Nigeria’s second highest goalscorer of all time after Rashidi Yekini and its one credential the striker holds in high esteem, and some of his goals had rescued the Super Eagles, to which Nigerian fans had come to appreciate. But all that was rubbished during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, after his missed goal against South Korea in the last match of the group stages, which denied Nigeria an opportunity to progress to the next

FEBRUARY 11, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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At Blackburn Rovers, Aiyegbeni outpaces an opponent...can he re-enact the same form at Conventry City

stage of the competition. Former England international, Alan Shearer, described the miss as ‘the greatest miss in football history.’ “No striker loves to miss a goal. It is the joy of every player to score because it does not only bring excitement to the player it changes the atmosphere at the stadium; everybody get ecstatic, more especially when it is a goal that determines the fate of his side. Of course, I felt sad when I missed the chance against South Korea because I knew what the goal could have meant to Nigeria. But that is football and I would not kill myself for missing a goal,” Aiyegbeni had told THISDAY. “Most great players in the world including legends like Pele and Diego Maradona had missed greater chances during their football career despite having scored memorable goals and I’m no exception. After all, I’m human too. A very good example is Ghanaian striker, Asamoah Gyan, who despite almost single handedly took the Black Stars to the quarter

finals of the 2010 World Cup with his fantastic goal against United States in the second round of the competition, but when it came to the crunch in the last eight against Uruguay, he lost a penalty that would have re-written African history in the Mundial. “He felt bad to let his country down when it matters most but he did not kill himself and he has since been forgiven by Ghanaian; he’s still being idolised back home in his native Ghana. So, I expected the same consideration to be extended to me by Nigerian fans,” the former Julius Berger of Lagos striker said. Aiyegbeni believes he still has many years to offer to the game. “I believe in longevity as far as the game of football is concerned and I have a lot of players I looked up to that played for longer years. So, the question of retirement should not come up for now. As far as my bones can still carries me and I still deriving satisfaction in my game I’ll continue to play football,” he said. Aiyegbeni was born in Benin City, Edo State on November 22, 1982. He

started his career with Julius Berger of Lagos before being loaned to a Portuguese club, Gil Vicente. Thereafter, Israeli side, Maccabi Haifa paid $300,000 for his service. He emerged as the highest goal-scorer at Haifa in the 2001–02 season, when he scored 13 goals in 22 matches. At just 19 Aiyegbeni shot himself to fame after grabbing a Champions League hat-trick against Olympiacos in 2002, a performance that attracted him to Harry Redknapp, who first introduced him to the English league when he signed the striker on loan for Championship club, Portsmouth, in 2003. The powerful forward helped secure Pompey's promotion, and was subsequently awarded a permanent deal on the South coast, in a £4m move. In his first Premier League campaign, Aiyegbeni finished on 16 goals, making him Portsmouth's leading scorer. In a £7.5m move to Middlesbrough, the highest fee ever paid for a Nigerian at the time, he helped Boro reach the 2006 UEFA Cup final in his first campaign losing to Sevilla. The striker joined Everton in August 2007 for a fee of £11.25m, which at the time, was the highest transfer fee ever paid by the Toffees. The forward started his spell at Everton in spectacular fashion after taking just 11 minutes to open his account for the club at Bolton. He scored 29 goals during his four years at Goodison Park, before moving on to Blackburn in 2011 for £1.5m. After a stint at Ewood Park, he moved to Chinese club, Guangzhou R&F, in July 2012, on a three-year deal. He made his Chinese Super League debut in a derby match with Guangzhou Evergrande, and grabbed a late winner to end their rivals' 34-match unbeaten record at home. The Nigerian striker returned to British soil after his contract ended in China, to sign for Reading in February 2015 and managed just one goal in all competitions. He was released after one season, and subsequently moved to the Turkish Super Lig after signing for Kayserispor in the summer of 2015. His notorious chant, "Feed the Yak and he will score" could drown out the Ricoh Arena at some point soon.

No striker loves to miss a goal. It is the joy of every player to score because it does not only bring excitement to the player it changes the atmosphere at the stadium; everybody get ecstatic, more especially when it is a goal that determines the fate of his side. Of course, I felt sad when I missed the chance against South Korea because I knew what the goal could have meant to Nigeria. But that is football and I would not kill myself for missing a goal

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE 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

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 11, 2017

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Liverpool Fans Sing Redemption Song as Tottenham Storm Anfield Match Facts

• Liverpool are on an eight game unbeaten run against Spurs in the Premier League; they last went nine without defeat against them in March 1998. • Spurs have lost 15 of their 24 visits to Anfield in the Premier League (W2 D7) – they have only lost more often at Old Trafford (20) and Stamford Bridge (16). • Mauricio Pochettino has never beaten the Reds as Spurs manager (D3 L3), including losing a League Cup fourth round tie earlier this season. However, when he was manager of Southampton he won two of three games (L1) against them. • Only against Newcastle (88) have Liverpool scored more Premier League goals than against Spurs (83). • There have been nine own goals in Premier League meetings between these sides – more than in any other Premier League fixture. • Liverpool have scored 12 penalties against Spurs in the Premier League – the most by a team against an opponent in the history of the competition. • The Reds have scored more penalties than any other Premier League side this season (6), with all six converted by James Milner. • Liverpool have won just one of their 10 games in all competitions in 2017; this is their worst start to a calendar year since 1993, when they mustered just one win in their opening 11 matches. • Spurs have conceded the fewest goals from open play in the Premier League this season (7). • Indeed, Liverpool have shipped more goals from open play (18) than Spurs have in total this season (16). • Harry Kane has been involved in all three of Spurs’goals in their last two Premier League games at Anfield, scoring twice and assisting once. • No player has more Premier League goals in 2017 than Harry Kane (6 – level with Romelu Lukaku). He is the only player to score 20+ Premier League goals in the last two calendar years (27 in 2015, 22 in 2016). • Four of Spurs’last five away Premier League wins have seen them score four goals, most recently a 4-1 win at Watford on New Years’Day. However, they’ve never scored more than three goals in a game at Anfield. • Jürgen Klopp has an identical record to Brendan Rodgers in his opening 54 Premier League games as Liverpool boss (W26 D16 L12).

Liverpool set to redefine their season with Tottenham visit

Liverpool will be looking to revive their season with a win against Tottenham Hotspurs after some disappointing results which have seen The Reds drop to fifth position and a threat to a place in the UEFA Champions League. The Lilly White on their part need the three points at stake to keep pace with league leaders-Chelsea. Its surely a game for the neutrals to enjoy

f Tottenham Hotspur are to keep up the chase of Premier League leaders Chelsea, they must find a cure for their Anfield jinx and pile on the misery for fading Liverpool today. A victory would see Spurs cut Chelsea's lead to six points before the Blues travel on Sunday to face a Burnley side who are proving formidable at home this season. Tottenham have lost five and drawn three of their last eight league matches with Liverpool. The last time they returned from Anfield with three points was in 2011 and before that, it was way back in 1993. With Liverpool's title ambitions effectively over after they picked up only three points from the last 15 available, it could be the perfect time for Spurs to improve that record. Conversely, it could be just the kind of fixture Liverpool need

to remedy a malaise which has turned up the heat on manager Juergen Klopp for the first time since he took over in 2015. While the perception, until recently, was that Liverpool had moved forward under the German coach, his record after 54 league games is identical to that of his predecessor Brendan Rodgers -- won 26, drawn 16, lost 12. Now would seem a good time to face Liverpool, with J Klopp's side slipping down the pecking order after winning just four of their last 10 league games and picking up three points from a possible 15 since December. Seasoned fans will know there is never really a great time to visit Anfield, with Klopp bound to impress on his team -and the fans the importance of a win today. "In a few days we have an opportunity to play football and we can show then that we are ready for all the other games, because it's Tottenham, who are a top team," former Borussia Dortmund coach Klopp said after a 2-0 defeat by Hull City

last weekend that left them fifth, 13 points behind Chelsea. Spurs have the best defensive record in the league with only 16 goals conceded but will be without two key components of their backline today with central defender Jan Vertonghen down with an ankle injury and left back Danny Rose, still injured in his knee. Vertonghem is still not ready to mark his return to the side with an ankle injury keeping him out of Pochettino’s squad. He is recovering from ligament damage, while Erik Lamela who is nursing a hip problem will also be missing the clash with the Reds. However a boost for Spurs is that Kieran Tripper looks to have recovered from his own hip problem, but isn’t expected to start in front of the in-form Kyle Walker, While, Klopp could be without centre-backs, Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren for the crucial match.

This will come as a huge blow for the German boss as Klavan is a doubt through illness, while Lovren is currently recuperating from a knee injury. Chelsea will be wary of a trip to Burnley who have gathered 28 of their 29 points this season at Turf Moor. "We believe we can beat Chelsea. Our home form has been unbelievable," Burnley's former Manchester United defender Michael Keane said. "They are in for a tough game." Liverpool are not the only side whose title challenge has collapsed. Arsenal's consecutive defeats by Watford and Chelsea have left them down in fourth and the fans grumbling. Manager Arsene Wenger, the focus for much of the angst, will again be in the stands when his side host Hull in today's early game as he completes a four-match touchline ban. Manchester United, unbeaten in 15 straight league games, have seen their hopes of muscling into the top

FEBRUARY 11, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER Premier League Chelsea Tottenham Man City Arsenal Liverpool Man Utd Everton West Brom West Ham Watford Stoke Burnley Southampton Bournemouth Middlesbrough Leicester Swansea Hull Crystal Palace Sunderland

24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24

34 30 20 24 22 15 13 3 -9 -11 -7 -9 -7 -12 -8 -17 -25 -25 -13 -18

59 50 49 47 46 45 40 36 31 30 29 29 27 26 21 21 21 20 19 19

v v v v v v v v

Arsenal 12:30 Sunderland 15:00 Bournemouth 15:00 Liverpool 15:00 West Ham 15:00 Burnley 15:00 Stoke City 15:00 Middlesbrough 17:30

v v

Swansea Man Utd

Seria A

four frustrated by three draws in four matches, although they host Watford buoyed by last weekend's 3-0 win at champions Leicester City. Third-placed Manchester City, three spots and four points above United, travel to fading Bournemouth on Monday. Leicester face a huge match at fellow strugglers Swansea City on

Sunday having fallen within a point of the bottom three. Manager Claudio Ranieri received the backing of the Midlands club's owners this week, but a fifth defeat in a row, especially against a side also battling near the bottom, would raise the prospect of relegation a year after a fairytale title triumph.

Darmstadt Welcome Dortmund Live on StarTimes

t’s another weekend of stars for Nigerians to watch as the German Bundesliga matches hit the homes live courtesy of StarTimes and HS Media. The live telecasts will come from the studios of HS Media, the parent company of HotSports. Struggling SV Darmstadt 98 may have a difficult this afternoon when they welcome a Borussia Dortmund side with designs on the Bundesliga top three. Rock bottom of the table and needing seven points to escape the relegation zone, Darmstadt are

struggling to keep afloat. Having lost 10 of their last 11 league games, Lilies' coach, Torsten Frings - appointed during the winter break will be hoping to put some much-needed points on the board against his former club Having taken three points from RB Leipzig last weekend, BVB will be looking to keep their unbeaten run of seven matches intact. After winning 6-0 against Die Lilien in the reverse fixture, it remains to be seen if there will be a repeat performance with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ousmane Dembele and Marco Reus all at full fitness?

Juventus Napoli Roma Lazio Inter Atalanta Fiorentina Milan Torino Sampdoria Chievo Udinese Bologna Sassuolo Cagliari Genoa Empoli Palermo Crotone Pescara

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Hot Shots

Romelu Lukaku Diego Costa Zlatan Ibrahimovic Alexis Sánchez Harry Kane Jermain Defoe Sergio Agüero Dele Alli Eden Hazard Sadio Mane Christian Benteke Michail Antonio Theo Walcott Roberto Firmino

27/08/16 02/04/16 17/10/15 10/02/15 31/08/14 30/03/14 15/12/13 10/03/13 28/11/12 06/02/12 18/09/11 15/05/11 28/11/10

Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham

13:30 16:00

29 29 23 14 13 11 9 5 7 -3 -8 -2 -11 -5 -16 -6 -17 -23 -18 -31

Everton Chelsea Man Utd Arsenal Tottenham Sunderland Man City Tottenham Chelsea Liverpool Palace West Ham Arsenal Liverpool

Head to Head

Madrid Barcelona Sevilla Atletico Sociedad Villarreal Eibar Espanyol Ath Bilbao Celta Vigo Las Palmas Alavés Real Betis Malaga Deportivo Valencia Leganés Sporting Granada Osasuna

19 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 20 21 21 20 21 20 20 21 21 21 21

34 37 15 20 4 14 3 2 1 -2 -1 -1 -10 -7 -7 -11 -20 -21 -27 -23

46 45 43 39 38 35 32 32 32 30 28 27 23 22 19 19 18 13 13 10

Spanish La Liga Fixtures

Premier League TODAY Chelsea Crystal Palace Everton Hull City Southampton Watford West Brom Tottenham SUNDAY Man City Leicester

La Liga

1-1 1-1 0-0 3-2 0-3 4-0 0-5 3-2 2-1 0-0 -4-0 0-2 2-1

54 48 47 43 42 42 37 37 32 30 29 29 27 27 27 25 22 14 13 9

16 15 15 15 14 14 11 11 10 9 9 8 8 8

Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool

TODAY Malaga Barcelona Atlético Valencia

SUNDAY Sevilla Sporting Sociedad Celta Vigo MONDAY Granada

v v v v

Espanyol Bilbao Leganés Eibar

12:00 15:15 17:30 19:45

v v v v

Villarreal Alavés Osasuna Madrid

11:00 15:15 17:30 19:45

Las Palmas

19:45

Bundesliga Bayern Leipzig Frankfurt Dortmund Hoffenheim Hertha Köln Freiburg Leverkusen Augsburg B’gladbach Schalke Mainz Wolfsburg Bremen Hamburger Ingolstadt Darmstadt

19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19

31 19 10 18 16 6 12 -9 -1 -4 -6 1 -8 -10 -17 -19 -13 -26

46 42 35 34 34 33 32 26 24 24 23 22 22 19 16 16 15 9

Bundesliga Fixtures TODAY

Leverkusen

Frankfurt