Saturday 4th March 2017

Osinbajo Assures on Kaduna Airport’s Readiness for International Flights John Shiklam in Kaduna and Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo yesterday assured foreign and local airlines of the completion of ongoing work at the Kaduna International Airport before March 8, when

the Abuja Airport will be closed to air traffic to allow for its runway rehabilitation.

Fielding questions from Journalists, after an on the spot assessment of the airport in company with the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi,

the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El Rufai and some international airline operators, Osinbajo, said considerable progress work had been achieved at the Kaduna

Airport.

He said: “We have made considerable progress but there's still a lot to be done and some of it are going to be completed over this weekend, especially the ceiling and air conditioning. So, we think that

it will not be in a complete state of readiness by Wednesday but I expect that within a very, very short period, it will be ready."

He urged the contractors to increase their speed by doubling the number of persons working on the ceilings and other

facilities. “They certainly need to work much faster and much more diligently in order to meet the schedule,” Osinbajo added.

While pleading with foreign operators for understanding, the Continued on page 8

No Pre-Conditions in PDP Peace Plan, Says Jonathan ... Page 8 Saturday 4 February, 2017 Vol 22. No 7989. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Jubilation in Minna as Bello Wins in Supreme Court Laleye Dipo in Minna

There was wild jubilation in Minna the Niger State capital especially among All Progressives Congress (APC) members after news broke

that the Supreme Court had upheld the victory of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

APC supporters, mainly youths welcomed the judgement with thanks to Allah and patting of each other’s backs.

About two hours after the judgement, a long motorcade conveying supporters of the party and loyalists of Governor Bello stormed the state capital with some of them driving dangerously while others hung

on the roofs and windows of the cars and buses chanting the APC slogan and singing the praises of the state governor.

They drove to the government house to congratulate the governor before retiring

to the party Secretariat.

Reacting to the judgement, the commissioners for information and that of Justice, Messers. Jonathan Vatsa and Nasara Danmallan described the decision of the

Supreme Court as "victory for democracy".

They said the APC had been vindicated and that all distractions had now been Continued on page 8

CBN Takes Battle to Speculators, Pumps Additional $350m to Energise Naira Obinna Chima

As part of its resolve to sustain the positive momentum in the foreign exchange (FX) market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) again pumped additional $350 million into the market this weekend.

This will take the total amount supplied to the market by the central bank this week alone to a total to $570 million and may further crash the value of the dollar. The Naira traded between N450 and N460 to a dollar at some parallel market points in Lagos.

The move, which is part of the central bank's strategy, is expected to further strengthen the value of the Naira.

According to market sources, this has brought panic among traders and other market participants who are yet to recover from the losses some of them have suffered in the last two weeks owing to sharp and sudden appreciation of the Naira.

Commenting on the development, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications,

Isaac Okorafor, noted that with the improved reserve levels, the central bank was determined to continuously make forex available to all genuine customers through their banks, advising those hoarding the greenback to reduce their losses by selling their dollar stock.

Sources also spoke of the likelihood of a liquidity glut as banks were beginning to send out sales people to scout for customers to buy the dollar in an effort to avoid losses arising from the expected further appreciation of the naira.

With this, the CBN would have so far supplied a total of $570 million to the market made up of $80 milllion for Personal Travel Allowance (PTA), medicals and school fees, $100 million in wholesale forwards, an additional another $350 million planned for injection this weekend.

Travelex had on Thursday intervened in the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market by selling $8,000 each to a total of 2,529 approved Continued on page 8

in the spirit of public service...

L-R: Senator Soji Akanbi; Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi and guest lecturer, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu at the 4th National Public Service Lecture of University of Ibadan Alumni Association held at Trenchard Hall of the university FELIX ADEMOLA ...yesterday

It was Utazi, Not Saraki who Said Raids on Judges' Houses was Illegal ... Page 8

2

T H I S D AY SATURDAY MARCH 4, 2017

一攀眀 昀攀愀琀甀爀攀猀 愀琀 愀

䜀吀䈀愀渀欀 䄀吀䴀 䜀甀愀爀愀渀琀礀 吀爀甀猀琀 䈀愀渀欀 栀愀猀 甀瀀搀愀琀攀搀 椀琀猀 䄀吀䴀猀 眀椀琀栀 攀砀挀椀琀椀渀最 猀攀爀瘀椀挀攀猀 琀漀 洀愀欀攀 氀椀昀攀 攀愀猀椀攀爀 猀甀挀栀 愀猀㨀

䘀漀爀 洀漀爀攀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 瘀椀猀椀琀 眀眀眀⸀最琀戀愀渀欀⸀挀漀洀

T H I S D AY SATURDAY MARCH 4, 2017

3

4

T H I S D AY SATURDAY MARCH 4, 2017

T H I S D AY SATURDAY MARCH 4, 2017

5

6

T H I S D AY SATURDAY MARCH 4, 2017

T H I S D AY SATURDAY MARCH 4, 2017

6 Days Over 16 Venues Over 70 Performances

28 February - 5 March 2017

7

8

saturDAY, MARCH 4, 2017 • THISDAY

page eight

No Pre-Conditions in PDP Peace Plan, Says Jonathan Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that the reconciliation efforts he was spearheading in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not place preconditions on either of the feuding parties.

This is coming against the background of reports that the embattled National Chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff and the National Caretaker Committee led by Ahmed Makarfi had been asked to resign as part of conditions for the new peace effort.

Jonathan said no such condition was attached to the peace moves and that he was determined to continue on the path of inclusive dialogue, with a view to ensuring that genuine peace returns to the PDP. A statement issued on his behalf by his Media Adviser,

Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, also said that Jonathan urged party members to ignore rumours and false information being passed off as the outcome of the continuing dialogue.

Eze said that the former President would address the public on the positive outcome

of the consultations, at the appropriate time.

The statement reads: "There is no doubt that the statesmanship evident in the former President's reconciliation efforts precludes his laying preconditions, as is deliberately being misrepresented by a section of the media.

“We hereby reiterate that the former President is determined to continue on this path of inclusive dialogue, by working with the Governors, the Board of Trustees (BOT), members of the National Assembly and other key stakeholders, until the internal dispute is finally resolved."

Power: Discos Pay for Paltry 24% of Electricity Allocation Ejiofor Alike The Federal Ministry of Power has stated that the 11 electricity distribution companies in the country pay for only 24.9 per cent of the electricity allocated to them.

The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), better known as the Bulk Trader, collects the payment on behalf of the generation stakeholders, leaving a payment shortfall of 75.1 per cent.

In a communiqué issued by the ministry at the weekend, it said the N702 billion payment guarantee support to NBET by the federal government effective January 2017 would enable NBET to pay the generation

companies, gas suppliers, banks and other partners, pending the improvement of remittances by the Discos to the 100 per cent target.

The communiqué noted that the money NBET collects monthly from the Discos was not enough to pay NBET's contractual obligation to the Gencos.

According to the communiqué, in recent months the payment by the Discos to NBET was as low as 17 per cent of NBET's invoice.

“In January 2017, it was 24.9 per cent The Gencos in turn do not pay their gas suppliers, equipment suppliers, banks and other partners what they are contractually bound to pay. The

Discos also do not pay TCN what is contractually due to it for transmitting the energy the Discos sell to consumers. These resulting payment shortfalls and the accumulated debts are increasingly threatening the electricity supply system.

They are also undermining the growth of the economy and the electricity sector by discouraging new investors from building new power stations and transmission facilities,” said the communique.

It added that the stakeholders would work with the Discos, to improve the Discos’ payment performance from its current 24.9 per cent level with 100 per cent payment as the target.

The communiqué argued that NBET was established to buy electricity in bulk from electricity generating companies licensed to produce electricity.

“The intention was that while the Discos take the time necessary to improve and expand their networks of substations and lines, enumerate and meter their customers, buy additional power directly from Gencos and provide better customer services, the existing and new Gencos could confidently make investments to expand generation with assurance that the bulk buyer would pay them for the electricity they deliver.

Government retained ownership for the time being of the

transmission system used to transmit the electricity from the Gencos to the Discos,” the communiqué added.

The communiqué noted that the Discos have not improved customer services at the pace government and the country expect.

“Some of the reasons for this failure are not the fault of the Discos alone – regulatory and tariff inconsistencies of the past Administration, unexpected changes in the foreign exchange market, and lower than expected generation due largely to pipeline vandalism for example, have challenged the Discos’ ability to perform.

But much of the failure relates to their inadequate financial

and technical capacity and some sharp practices of the Discos in their administration of collections from customers,” said the communique.

The power ministry added that subsequent interventions by the government would seek to strengthen financial transparency and discipline to ensure that all industry revenues are fairly distributed to all market participants and their suppliers according to contractual commitments.

The ministry said the government would also intervene to achieve and exceed the contracted and committed ATC&C loss targets and sustain aggregate collection efficiency above 60 per cent.

According to Dunoma, the foreign airlines agreed to join federal government in the inspection of facilities to convince them of government readiness to use the airport.

Dunoma said: "All of them are here and they have not finalised their decision yet, but after this inspection, we will all know their position."

Speaking on behalf of the

foreign airline operators, Ms. Firiehwot Mekonnen of Ethiopian Airlines, said: "We have inspected the airport and everything is okay and we will be flying Boeing 777-30 daily.

"We are going to maintain our usual schedule from Abuja to Addis Ababa and Addis AbabaAbuja. So now it is going to be Kaduna-Addis Ababa and Addis Ababa-Kaduna."

Osinbajo Assures on Kaduna Airport’s Readiness for International Flights acting president said: "Some of the foreign operators are with us on this inspection today.

"I think that what we need to tell the foreign airlines is that this is an emergency, it is a temporary arrangement and they should really work with us. We are as concerned about safety and comfort as they are

and they are here also to see for themselves "So we will be happy if they work with us. We will be happy if they see this as a temporary arrangement. We are persuading them that this is temporary."

In a remark, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports

Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Saleh Dunoma, said Kaduna airport now has all the facilities needed to operate as an international airport.

He said: "What is important is the facility for landing at the airport and we have just driven round the airport with the Acting President to see their

completion.

"We have seen that the runway is good, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) has been installed and the terminal building is hybrid and the contractor has been directed to redouble his effort so that the remaining part should be completed in the next five days.”

Jubilation in Minna as Bello Wins in Supreme Court put away.

A member of the APC, Mustapha Babangida had dragged his party to court on the grounds that he was denied nomination form after paying N4m into the party's account.

The lower and appellate courts had earlier delivered

judgements in favour of both the APC and its candidate in the 2015 governorship election.

The Supreme Court also on Friday ruled in favour of Bello declaring that the case by the appellant, Mustapha Babangida lacked merit.

In the judgment read by the Chief Justice of Nigeria,

Justice Walter Onnoghen, the court said the appellant did not participate in the election neither did he fail in the election even though he is an APC card carrying member.

Justice Onnoghen said after considering the issues, and citing the case of Audu and Nyako and section 87

when mama peace came calling...

sub-section 9 of the electoral Act, 2010 the appellant did not participate, neither did he fail in the elections.

Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs concurred the lead judgement in which it was decided that the appellant had no right to take the matter to court.

R-L: Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan at the burial of late Pa Bethel Obuah, father of the Rivers State PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah at Omoku, Rivers State ...yesterday

FX Speculators Panic as CBN Pumps Additional $350m to Energise Naira BDCs. This amounted to $20,472,000 that the currency dealers received.

The President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe confirmed this.

The CBN during the week revealed that it would sell dollars via book-building process, which is a process of capturing demand in the market, to clear a backlog of demand for companies importing machinery, airline equipment and petroleum products.

Under this arrangement, bidding firms were required to pay the Naira equivalent for their dollar bids on the spot market yesterday, while the

USD will be delivered in two months' time, Reuters reported.

But the CBN did not say how much it would offer at the sale.

The CBN recently introduced new FX measures which among others things was aimed at easing the burden of travellers and ensuring that transactions are settled at much more competitive exchange rates and had directed all banks to open FX retail outlets at major airports as soon as logistics permit.

Furthermore, the CBN said it decided to significantly reduce the tenor of its forward sales from the current maximum cycle of 180 days, to no more than 60 days from the date of transaction.

Corrigendum It was Utazi, Not Saraki who Said Raids on Judges' Houses was Illegal In our story published on the front page of the March 2, 2017 edition, we attributed some remarks, including the declaration that the raid on judges’ homes by the Department of State Service (DSS) last October was illegal, to Senate President Bukola Saraki.

We have since discovered that Senate Chairman, Anti-corruption Committee, Senator Chukwuka Utazii, who spoke at the National Dialogue on the Fight against Corruption organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) and represented Saraki at the dialogue, spoke off the cuff and did not have the remit of the Senate President to make the statements.

Meanwhile, Senator Utazi in a short statement has stated that he expressed his personal opinion when he spoke: "My attention has been drawn to media reports on the views I expressed yesterday at the opening day of the National Dialogue on corruption organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC).

Let me make it clear that though I represented the Senate President at the dialogue, I am owning and adopting the speech I delivered as that of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes which I chair."

The mix up is regretted.

- Editor

9

March 4, 2017 • THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper

RingTrue

Yemi

Adebowale Probing Diversion of Paris Club Refunds 07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

L

ast year, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission investigated how state governors spent the N338 billion bailout funds given to them by the federal government, specifically for payment of the backlog of salaries owed civil servants, and reported that 16 governors stole or diverted a substantial part of the funds. According to the report, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Abdul-Azzez Yari of Zamfara State were most prodigal in the management of the bailout funds. It states further that Imo State applied for and received bailout funds of over N26 billion.

In the course of the analysis by ICPC, it was discovered that some transfers were made

by Okorocha into some suspicious accounts which were not related to salaries and emoluments as follows: “N2 billion paid into a Government Account; N2 billion paid into an Imo State project account, N2 billion transferred into a microfinance bank; and a management fee of N21 million paid into an unspecified account.

I thought the indicted governors would have been tactically excluded from the recent N388 billion London/Paris Club loan refunds, until they have properly accounted for the 2016 bailout funds. Unfortunately, it did not happen, as the Buhari administration chose to look the other way.

It was a clear case of encouraging impunity.

Governors, who ought to have been punished, have joined others to benefit from the current London/Paris Club refunds.

Some may argue that it is constitutionally impossible for the federal government to deal with the recalcitrant governors. For me, a central government committed to the war against corruption must find a way of clipping the wings of the governors without breaching the constitution. How the Buhari administration will do this is entirely its business.

It is pertinent to note that the Paris Club refunds were released to the states on the condition that a minimum of 50 per cent would be set aside to offset backlog of unpaid salaries of civil servants. Pensioners were also listed to get their benefits from

Okorocha

the refunds. It is disheartening to report that many of these states failed to pay their hapless civil servants and pensioners as agreed. The situation is most pathetic in Osun, Oyo, Imo, Benue, Kwara, and Kogi states. As at press time, some of the listed states still have backlog of unpaid salaries.

The situation is worse in Departments and Agencies. As a result, aggrieved civil servants are seething, while the governors and their cronies are living big. Labour and civil society groups must demand for accountability by compelling all the states to publish details of how the funds were disbursed. I have it on good authority that most states spent the bulk of the money on dubious contract bills, from which they also benefited indirectly. Of course, payment of the backlog of their contentious security votes was also prioritised.

Based on the sorry state of civil servants in the affected states, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project concurs that the states were profligate with the funds and recently wrote to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, demanding thorough investigation.

The NGO remarked: “SERAP is seriously concerned about allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds by several

Memo to Babatunde Fashola My dear BRF, the problem of crazy bills from our silly electricity distribution companies (Discos) has assumed an alarming dimension. Unmetered consumers have been going through hell in the last 22 months in the hands of these Discos. Daily, they protest at Discos offices without result. I am sure that you are very much aware of this disorder.

Just yesterday, my neighbour who runs a small shop told me that he was given an estimated bill of N20,000 for January.

This is what this hapless man has been getting monthly, in the last 14 months.

Readings from his post-paid metre is consistently ignored by these electricity distributors from hell. Discos have been milking unmetered consumers with impunity, largely due to the failure of government and its regulatory agencies.

Regrettably, this impunity has continued under your watch as power minister.

These consumers are boiling. BRF, you must take steps to stop the injustice these atrocious Discos are inflicting on Nigerians. They are simply averse to the metering of consumers because estimated billing provides an opportunity for them to extort money from star-crossed consumers. All previous deadlines to metre all consumers have fallen flat because the political will to enforce the deadline is lacking. For me, this horror

Fashola

can come to an end within six months, if government and its regulatory agencies do the needful. Government must insist on an irrevocable deadline to the Discos to metre all consumers across our nation.

Thereafter, all unmetered consumers should enjoy free electricity pending the time they will be metered. If this action is taken, our monstrous Discos will sit up and swiftly metre consumers. Honourable minister, if this is the only thing you are able to achieve during your tenure, your name will be written in gold. This is the challenge from me. May Allah continue to guide you.

states including under-declaration of refunds; diversion of some of the loan refunds; curious payment of service charge to some consultants and tracing of some of the cash to personal accounts of some governors, rather than paying all outstanding salaries of workers and providing targeted social assistance schemes for pensioners.

“This has undermined the human dignity of workers and pensioners facing difficult circumstances that deprive them of their capacity to fully realise their internationally-recognized economic and social rights. It has also exacerbated poverty, social exclusion and violated government’s obligation to use its maximum available resources to fully realise the right of all persons, especially workers and pensioners who are the most vulnerable sectors of the population.”

There are strong indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has since commenced investigation into the funds’ diversion and mismanagement. Ordinarily, one should be glad. But based on the

experience of the ICPC on the 2016 bailout funds, such report may end up in the waste basket. However, labour, civil society groups and the masses of this country must persist in demanding for accountability from these governors. This is the only way to pressure the Buhari administration into taking appropriate action.

It is a shame that many of these governors complaining about financial crunch mismanaged the refunds. They are able to squeeze out money for absolutely useless projects, and delve into all sorts of things that ought to be private sector-driven, while civil servants wallow in poverty. For example, what is the business of these governors with building stadia and running football clubs amidst supposed financial crisis? Okorocha’s Imo runs Heathland Football Club. We also have Abia Warriors and Enyinba being funded by Abia State Government. 3SC is funded by Oyo State; Akwa United by Akwa Ibom State; Wikki Tourists by Bauchi State and Lobi Stars

by Benue State. Virtually all the football clubs in the country are funded by state governments. These are states that can’t pay civil servants, yet, release billions of Naira to run football clubs.

Gabriel Suswam’s Exotic Life Gabriel Suswam’s eight-year tenure as governor of Benue State remains most traumatic for the ill-fated people of this state. Under this man, civil servants were owed salaries running into several months, while key sectors like road, health and education experienced unprecedented decay. Suswam’s excuse then was that the revenue accruing to the state was inadequate. I thought he was also feeling the squeeze, until last week when it emerged that he was actually living big, while the state was bleeding.

This former governor alone is sitting on 45 exotic cars, has 23 aristocratic designer

watches and 21 certificates of occupancy inside his house at 44 Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama-Abuja. I have been waiting for him to deny ownership of these intimidating assets, but no such came. Perhaps, if our anti-graft agencies dig deeper, they would find more of such posh assets belonging to Suswam. While inflicting pain on the people of Benue State and encouraging them to endure, this man was living big. What an irony. This is a classic case of man’s inhumanity to man. There is circumstantial evidence here. Suswam is not a car merchant. I expect our anti-graft agencies to do a decent job on this case.

John Nwodo and the Biafran Agitation If there is one man the Buhari administration should be talking to regarding stemming the agitations in the South-east, then that man should be Chief John Nwodo Jnr, President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo. His ideas on how to tackle the crisis is a pragmatic one. Nwodo seems to be enjoying the confidence of his people across Igbo land on this and other issues.

A lawyer and economist by training, Nwodo is insisting on justice and fiscal independence for his people. At the same time, he has demonstrated a commitment to the Nigerian project based on fairness.

He remarked recently: “No doubt, there is strength in diversity. This is the greatest African country in terms of land mass,

population and mineral resources; and also in terms of potentials for leadership and development. It is in the interest of all of us to work together. But we have got to do it the right way.”

This former minister also wants the Buhari administration to re-tool and put constitutional reform discussion on the front burner: “This federation, as presently structured, does not enjoy the confidence of Nigerians. And to delay a discussion of it further is to exacerbate the tension and increase separatist agitations.” I sincerely hope that Buhari and his men will listen to Nwodo and work with him to strengthen our unity and give the South-east a true sense of belonging in the Nigerian nation.

IGP’s Special Squad Urgently Needed in Ikorodu

The rate of armed robbery, abduction, cultism and other vices has assumed a frightening level in Ikorodu, a bustling commercial and residential town in Lagos State. Hardly will a day pass, without one heinous crime or the other being reported. Security agents in Lagos have been overwhelmed by these highly organised criminals. For me, the only way to flush out these lawless elements from Ikorudu is to send the exceedingly successful special squad of IGP Ibrahim Idris to the town. This is the only team strong enough to smoke them out. This morning, I am making a special appeal to the IGP to act decisively to protect the residents of Ikorodu.

IGP Idris

10

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper • MARCH 4, 2017

super saturday Olawale Obadeyi

Media Practitioners

Are Not ALL Promiscuous

Olawale Obadeyi is technically insightful. He writes with a ‘violent’ and ‘wicked’ imagination. The ‘savagery’ with which he wields a hatchet has earned him unlikely fans outside the literary circuit. His language, laced with simple and complex cadences is an exquisite delight. He tells Adedayo Adejobi how he juggles being an advertiser, a writer and compere, and also talks about how he lost his mother as a teen and the car crash that almost took his life

C

onsidering your expertise in public relations, advertising and broadcasting, what is your assessment of these key industries?

The landscape is, today, mercifully endowed with the gift of technology which should aid creativity. Lamentably, however, the same technology, have lulled the average practitioner to laziness at best and at worst, inactivity.

Looking at the quality of creativity of major advertising campaigns, would you say the industry is fully developed?

My verdict is that there is a very big room for improvement.

Some have claimed that media practitioners, especially men, are promiscuous. Is that correct?

No. You call people whose minds are very open promiscuous? Please, we are naturally friendly; which speaks to the demands of the territory.

You are considered a purveyor of language, how did you cut and sharpen your ‘language teeth’?

From childhood, I had set my sight on what I wanted to do. So, I grew very fond of words and their usage by reading a lot of books and watching such eloquent newscasters as Mike Enahoro, reading the network news.

Little wonder that today I earn a living by deploying the best in the written and spoken word in English Language.

You are referred to as Wally Jay. What’s the story behind the name?

I once worked at the National Arts Theatre. In my department, there were two of us named Wale. One was tall and hunky. The other was little me. So, to differentiate us, I was called Wale Junior, which was later adapted to Wally Jay. The nickname has since stuck with me like white on rice.

What was growing up for you like?

Growing up was very interesting, even if tough. My mother was a disciplinarian, while my father was not too harsh. Somehow, the balance worked well in moulding me.

Obadeyi

the University of Ife. I met this innocentlooking girl from Akwa Ibom, during one of my habitual evening walks in Surulere. Today, to the glory of God, we are blessed with three children, having been married for 20 years.

Can you share your high and low moments?

My highs will be those years when my children started coming. My low, when I lost my mother at age 15.

What do you feel most proud of?

The fact that God answers prayers.

Tell us about your love for music.

Music, for me, is a mood-setter. I grew up under a father whose love for Obey’s music was legendary. So, naturally, he passed that love to me. Apart from that, I am very eclectic in terms of my musical choices. I am also in love with those masterpieces of the 1980s from the likes of the Whispers, Shalamar, Dynasty, Skyy, etc.

What is your favourite music?

My favourite kind of music ranges from Obey’s Juju music and latter-day jollof music.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

Finland. I hear it is organised and life there is as easy as Sunday morning.

If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?

The Bible, a good inspirational book, a radio set, my laptop and a TV set.

What do you want written on your tombstone?

That is when I grow old enough to meet my Maker: ‘Here lies a man who lived and let God’.

Which teacher in school made the most impact on you and why?

That would be my Economics teacher in secondary school. We used to call him ‘Baba Econs’. He was eloquent and knowledgeable about virtually everything under the sun. He used to teach us how to pronounce English words. He was so amazing.

What is your best childhood memory?

When I got a gift from my English teacher, in primary five, for translating the Yoruba word ‘ajodun’ into English – anniversary. He had the whole class give me a standing ovation.

What was one of your most defining moments in life?

September 21, 2014. Seven days to my birthday, when I had an accident .My car somersaulted thrice. I could have been history. I saw God’s goodness in a different light. It was a defining moment.

What key lessons defined your perspective to life?

My parents instilled respect for others and the fear of God in us.

How do you spend your free time?

I spend it with very positive people or I simply pick up a good book to read in the comfort of my room.

If you had a chance for a ‘do-over’ in life, what would you do differently?

It is all in God’s hands. I do not regret anything or feel that there should be a ‘do over’.

Who do you most admire in life?

God Almighty.

How did you meet your wife?

I was an undergraduate back then at

Which are your top five favourite books and why?

They are: Death And The King’s Horseman (A play by Wole Soyinka); for the sheer poetry and elegance in every line; Exposure: Inside the Olympus

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper • MARCH 4, 2017

11

saturday I Am Impatient with Mediocrity…

Music, for me, is a mood-setter. I grew up under a father whose love for Obey’s music was legendary.

So, naturally, he passed that love to me. Apart from that, I am very eclectic in terms of my musical choices. I am also in love with those masterpieces of the 1980s from the likes of the Whispers, Shalamar, Dynasty, Skyy, etc.

Scandal by Woodford, a British-born MD of a Japanese company who discovers an endemic malfeasance of financial mismanagement in the company after his watch as he took office. His attempt to speak about the rot he discovers merely puts him on a collision course with his employers. He loses his job in the process. The third book is: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, which I must have read too many times more than I can count (for the author’s mastery of the prose genre and his uncanny ability to use proverbs effectively).

Next is, A Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela; the story of his life and struggles is gripping and inspiring.

Lastly, The Audacity Of Hope by Barack Obama. The way he enunciates his vision and strategy towards being the first black occupant of the White House is seminal.

What are you most afraid of?

Dying a sinful man; without surrendering to God. If you are president, what is the first thing you will do?

Turn the economy around for the better.

If you could witness any event of the past, present, or future, what would it be?

I was not around when it happened but, I would have loved to witness Nigeria’s Independence.

What is a skill you’d like to learn and why?

Playing the piano; I see those who play it as rarely gifted and adorable.

What are your favourite 1980s and 1990s songs?

For the 1980s, I pick Cheryl Lynn’s ‘Shake it up tonite’ and for the 1990s, all the tracks of Craig David, particularly ‘I’m walking away’.

Obadeyi If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you be and why?

Animal? Have I really given it a thought? Well, certainly, not a prey; maybe, a lion.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

I went to see the film ‘Half of A Yellow Sun’ at the Leisure Mall, in Surulere. A

guy sitting next to me saw me in one of the scenes. After the film show, he asked to take a selfie with me.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

My greatest strengths are my communication skills (writing and speaking).

My weakness is my impatience with mediocrity.

What project are you working on

now?

This project has taken all of four years to achieve. It is my book, a collection of 520 Yoruba proverbs, aphorisms and witticisms. I am committed to publishing and launching the book before the end of the first quarter. I owe this cultural reclamation duty to my children (and that of other children) whose understanding of Yoruba is not wholesome and other children. It is quite a resourceful tome.

Mike Enahoro Was My Model While Growing Up

12

march 4, 2017• THISDAY, THe SATURDAY NewSpApeR

commentary

The NigeriaN auTo-Drive STrucTure Azibola omekwe argues the need for fiscal federalism

T

he word ‘restructuring’ has become pre-eminent in our national life. It has assumed a life of its own, eliciting different meanings across the length and breadth of the country. It is now a thick tick in the neck of Nigeria. Sadly, it does not live.

Some geopolitical quarters see it as a desirable word, while others do not think so. In their eyes it is a monster. When the military were retiring to the barracks in 1998/99, the South-west demanded for a convocation of Sovereign National Conference to discuss Nigeria, not on constituent basis, but on the basis of federal units. Or to borrow the coinage from the South-south, ethnic nationalities. Before then there has been a latent restructuring of the country, the legacy of General Sani Abacha-the division into six geopolitical zones. Of truth, it is not having any legal backing, but okayed by everybody.

The Niger Delta now finds identity in it, and it now appears restructuring might not be a bad idea after all. The South-west insisted on Sovereign National Conference because of June 12.

But the Obasanjo presidency downplayed the June 12 agitation.

Eventually, late Pa Anthony Enahoro-led committee convoked a scrappy one. It did not have the blessings of many Nigerians. When the South-south suddenly realised it has had enough infrastructural neglect, environmental degradation, and the nagging pains of the Ogoni Nine, it decided to take on the pipes. It preferred to use the word “ethnic nationalities conference”. Nigeria was heading for the precipice. The late Umaru Yar’Adua’s government acceded to their demands minus a conference. A deal was struck –and amnesty was born. Apparently, amnesty was good enough for the cloudy resource control demand campaign. Respite was restored and it appeared nobody would ever mention the word restructuring.

The rest is history. The demand for another conference came back, this time resulting from the activities of a more vicious group. This time around, from the far north with the emergence of the Boko Haram group, an extreme Islamic sect which demanded a caliphate.

At birth, Boko Haram had a large followership amongst northern youths. It was when it became bloody with acts of terrorism that it became unpopular. Boko led to the death of more than 20,000 people and displacement of about 2.5 million others. The question now is: should Nigerians be killed and displaced to such magnitude before we talk to ourselves? Recently, there was a report that the military is policing about 30 states of the federation. That is a routine function of the police in a truly restructured and federated state.

During the civil war, the South-south, South-east and Lagos were the only regions that witnessed military actions. It is unfortunate that even in times of peace such as now the military has overstretched itself trying to make sure Nigeria does not explode.

The proliferation of small arms is attaining a frightening height.

The recent interception of weapons by the Nigerian Customs clearly shows that the perpetrators are not in any way smiling at the way the country is managed. Another serious issue on the present structure of the Nigerian state is the incessant inabilities of the various levels of the government to pay salaries. Let me sound it here that the first government that attempted to correct smooth salary flow at the local government level was Sani Abacha’s when it was apparent that the last level of government was handicapped.

It introduced what we now know today as a Joint Allocation Account – a synergy expenditure account for the states and local governments, and with it the federal and the states could afford to pay salaries without blinking. Unfortunately, today, even the federal government is paying salaries out of anger.

Presently, there is some tranquility in the states concerning salaries, partly due to the bailout by the federal government and another “lottery” from the Paris Club that saw over N500 billion accrued to the states. The present structure is aptly called the feeding bottle federalism.

How do you rate the family of a man with grown up children, each with children, yet dependent on their father to feed them all day? And even go as far as waiting for their father’s friends to come visiting so they can get something to eat? Let it serve as a reminder

IT IS UNfoRTUNATe THAT eveN IN TImeS of peAce SUcH AS Now, THe mIlITARY HAS BeeN oveRSTReTcHeD To eNSURe NIgeRIA DoeS NoT exploDe

that most of the governors have barely two years to go. Let it also not be forgotten that same governors have arrears of pensions to pay. The pensioners of one of the central states got nine months arrears of pension settled. In appreciation, the pensioners have resolved to obtain nomination form for the governor come 2019. But the question is: is the governor going to get another bailout funds?

This comic salary scandal is obviously occasioned by lack of fiscal federalism, a key ingredient of restructuring. Presently, many a country can blackmail us to do as they want or else they will stop buying our oil. The ‘One China’ policy controversy is a typical example. If Nigeria recognises Taiwan then we cannot pay salaries again because China would be angry. Now relate that to the father-children rhetorical question asked earlier. It is pitiable that these are the metastases under the present cancerous structure.

China dares not threaten Singapore that way; that is a country she claims is part of her. Lest we forget, China is a big beneficiary of restructuring. The pre-Maoist anti-bureaucracy era, the post Maoist era, the Cultural Revolution and the Tiananmen Square killings of students/intellectuals, are significant examples.

Immediately after the bombardment of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese sacked the royal family they swore was celestial in attributes, and demanded constitutional democracy. The word Perestroika by Mikhail Gorbachev of former Soviet Union is well known, as it is associated with restructuring. It is unfortunate that in the Nigerian context we shy away from restructuring the woeful system we practice. Under the present structure, the federal government has locked itself in with so many responsibilities and functions that are inimical to the constitutional aspiration of true and functional federalism.

Truly, as it is, Nigeria has always been restructured. The amalgamation of 1914 could literally be the beginning. The military did another restructuring; we did not lift a finger. The present North and South presidency structure came on its own. The six geopolitical zones structure came without bargain. A prelude to state creation, Mid-western region, a powerful restructuring, ignited the 19 states system. The Babangida administration took a big leap on devolution of powers by the late Abdulrahman Okene-led committee that ended up as lip service. Most of these restructuring we have had come without our knowledge. They are auto-drive type of restructuring. The restructuring we make bold to say here should be likened to that of Donald Trump in his inaugural speech, “transferring power from Washington, DC and giving it back to you, the people”. This lays credence to the call from Atiku Abubakar who has been hammering on restructuring that reflects on true and fiscal federalism. A restructured system whereby the real owners of the resources are not in Abuja, but in the environment where the resources are extracted and used for their survival and future development of the devastated environment.

A system whereby the owner must be able to play effective role in every aspect of the operation because you cannot know my house more than I do. A system whereby there will be no agitations or insurrection from different groups because their governors are harnessing their potentialities and it is positively trickling down to the lowest person in the cadre. A system where the governors will cast nets in the river themselves and no longer wait for anyone to feed them. It is a system whereby Lagos will no longer be envied for its financial strength, as it will now have many equals. It is a system whereby the usual amount from the federal government to the states will now be seen as not up to the supplementary budgets of same states. It is a system whereby the mature children will now be feeding their old daddy and not the reverse. It is an issue-based ideological agitation from Atiku Abubakar. On how he is going to do it, it is as simple as this: if you want to do something you must know how to do it. I think he is talking of restructuring that is consciously driven.

Hon. Omekwe is a former member of Bayelsa State House of Assembly

Buhari, goverNorS aND corrupTioN

Z

there is need to sustain the war against corruption at all levels of government, writes Yerima Bello

amfara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, AbdulAzizYari has drawn the battle line with the Buhari administration’s war against graft with his arrogant talk down on the Paris Club scandal currently polluting their excellences. At the height of public outrage over the governors’ red-handed rustling of billions of naira from the N388 billion London-Paris Club refunds, specifically approved for release by President Buhari to ensure settlement of pension and salaries of long-suffering retired and unpaid civil servants, Governor Yari was reported to have “dared” the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe and come out with its result. Obviously the governor’s response is informed by the vexatious immunity clause shielding governors from prosecution which is now widely regarded as a licence to loot.

This submission is therefore an equally rude reminder to Governor Yari and his colleagues, particularly those from the North, that the masses have never associated them with the stainless stature of President Buhari. In fact, the governors won their elections riding on the momentous

Buhari tsunami and not any personal qualification, so it would be politically correct if they are also cut to size for powering corruption to fight back and sabotaging the president’s hardshipalleviating initiatives.

If truth be told, the governors’ alleged involvement in such high-level hijack of public funds while masquerading as “supporters” of the war against corruption as Governor Yari implies that President Buhari is all alone in the war against corruption. It should be recalled that the London-Paris Club refund was initiated in the Obasanjo era but deliberately forwarded by successive governments. Out of his empathy for the plight of pensioners and civil servants, President Buhari insisted on providing significant relief, notwithstanding the severe squeeze on government earnings, by making settlement of outstanding pension and salary payments a condition for release of the London-Paris Club refunds.

President Buhari had earlier approved release of “bailout funds” running into billions for the states to pay outstanding workers’ salaries and

pensions. Most of the states misused the money on frivolous foreign trips leaving behind helpless pensioners and workers dying in misery. This time around they looked for smart solution of clinical theft: two former Obasanjo’s boys experienced in “deals” introduced the idea of consultancy for a transaction with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria. A prominent title holder from Sokoto was hired who exploited the culture of corruption in the CBN and the federal legislature to launch a pre-emptive strike at the EFCC which President Buhari had instructed to unravel the super-scam.

They earned more than N4 billion! I pity Buhari.

At this juncture, Nigerians must appreciate the unprecedented scale of exposure and indictment of especially the high-brow pen robbers whose decades of plundering public funds had crippled the national economy. The singular commitment of President Buhari to destabilise and dethrone corruption that infested the ranks of the ruling elite and those in the corridors of power is now unstoppable. Strengthened by policies like the innovative whistle-blowers initiative we can

confidently declare that, like Boko Haram, Nigeria under President Buhari has substantially won the war against corruption.

However, President Buhari should be further emboldened by the groundswell of public endorsement across Nigeria for his crusade to bring the on-going investigation into the LondonParis Club scandal to a thorough and timely conclusion with or without Ibrahim Magu. They guilty must face the wrath of the law besides refunding their loot!

Nigerians must now also understand the difficult circumstances under which President Buhari is fulfiling his life ambition of fighting corruption, in other words fighting for the liberation of Nigeria from the powerful parasitic cabal converting national prosperity into private wealth. The more the powers of corruption are punctured, the more national prosperity thrives for majority of Nigerians and the more fervent mass prayers are needed not only for Mr. President’s good health but also for divine protection from the enemies within helping corruption to fight back.

Dr. Bello wrote from Cairo, Egypt

13

march 4, 2017 • THISDAY, The SATURDAY Newspaper

insight

Another toxic dump?

Can CBN Sustain the Black Market Onslaught?

W

ith the dramatic appreciation of the naira against the dollar and other major international currencies starting Monday, February 20, there had been shifty discomforts as expressed by many Nigerians despite the unrestrained excitement that greeted the impact of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently introduced foreign exchange policy reforms.

Four days after the take-off of the policy, the naira, at the black market, appreciated exponentially by more than 4% from N525 to a dollar to N480 to a dollar. As at Tuesday, a dollar was exchanging for N445, with even greater prospect of appreciating further against the greenback.

Of course, the market response is a testimony to the multiple layers of measures rolled out by the CBN to salvage a hitherto savaged foreign exchange market where the local currency had been on a free fall, especially at the black market.

Expectedly, the naira had been severely pummelled in the forex segment of the economy in direct consequence of an acute shortage of organically sourced dollars and a slowed down flow of the greenback from foreign investors.

However, the CBN, had through an insistence on managing the float of the naira against other currencies sustained the naira/ dollar rate at N305 to a dollar at the interbank forex market. This had drawn different hues of flaks from some commentators who insisted on a free float of the naira even as some other commentators rallied to the support of the CBN, defending the apex bank managed float of the country’s forex regime on basis of the lean foreign exchange earnings as a result of the combination of vastly reduced crude oil production and internationally compelled low price of crude oil. Things started taking a perceptible turn for the good in November 2016 when militant activities in the oil producing Niger Delta area started petering out while the collaborative position of the OPEC and non OPEC member countries led by Russia, fired crude oil price over the $50 per barrel mark.

This was the needed elixir the Nigerian economy desperately needed, especially at a time inflation rate was looking runaway and productive activities were grounding to excruciatingly painful halt. Thankfully, the crude oil price spike and increased price provided the juice to the country’s dwindling foreign reserve which had been decimated to as low as $23billion. The reverse of fortune soon commenced the consistent accretion to the foreign reserve. Within a 12-week period, starting November, 2016 to February, 2017, the foreign reserve added more than $8billion and hugged the $30billion psychological mark.

Apparently, this provided the impetus to the CBN to stream the ‘meet all demand’ measure.

So now, the Personal and Business Travel

Much Ado about Buhari’s Health

O

f all human frailties, ill health of an individual whether a sitting president, governor or an ordinary citizen is usually unforeseen, and not within the control of the affected person. In the case of President Muhammadu Buhari, we are consoled that he is not in any serious medical condition, thus necessitating his counsel to Nigerians “not to worry” about his present state of health. Considering his age and the rigours of his high office, the president needs a deserving rest, so that he can return in a better and reinvigorated form to continue in the arduous task of steering the ship of state.

Now the question is why the hullabaloo about President Buhari’s health when we all know the government is running seamlessly? When some people make allusions to the case of former late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, one is quick to dispute it because the two scenarios are clearly different, separate, and unrelated.

For example, while in the case of President Yar’adua a vacuum was created, as there was no transfer of power to the vice-president, in the present situation, there is a clear transmission of power to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and as it stands today the wheel of state is spinning as there exists no lacuna.

While President Buhari fully recuperates from his medical vacation, Nigerians are expected to show empathy and understanding. Gratifyingly, most Nigerians appreciate the need to pray for Mr President, yet it is important that the naysayers are made to come to terms with the fact that governance is on course.

Similarly the anxiety of those who want him back soon is understandable. Probably, they have come to appreciate the great job Buhari is doing to reposition the country.

But so far, the acting President, Osinbajo has continued to give a good testimonial of the administration. He has not deviated from the set objectives and the basic foundation already laid by President Buhari.

On several fronts, the achievements of President Buhari are increasingly becoming visible.

The treasury single account policy has yielded a humongous amount of money exceeding over N5 trillion.

TH E S AT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R editor SHAKA MOMODU The anti-corruption war is on course, while the economic Deputy Editor YEMI ADEBOWALE diversification programme of this administration is already Managing Director Eniola Bello stimulating the economy.

Deputy Managing Director Kayode Komolafe The positive implication of the policy is the influx of Chairman Editorial Board Olusegun Adeniyi EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN many foreign direct investors, in addition to the locals who have already keyed into it. Of course these policies are being facilitated with the ease of doing business plan of the administration. Just recently a novel idea of issuing visas to serious foreign investors and tourists was mooted by the administration and this will further remove the unnecesTHIS DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M IT E D Editor-in-Chief/Chairman Nduka Obaigbena sary bottlenecks militating against travellers to Nigeria.

Group Executive Directors Eniola Bello, Kayode Komolafe, The absence of President Buhari has therefore not Israel Iwegbu, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU created any vacuum in governance, and it is incumbent Group FINANCE DIRECTOR oLUFEMI ABOROWA on all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to support the Divisional Directors PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, administration and pray for the speedy and full recovery of ANTHONY OGEDENGBE the president.

DEPUTY Divisional Director OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. Associate Director ERIC OJEH President Buhari’s ability to lay a foundation for the Associate Directors HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO growth and development of Nigeria is already gaining cONTROLLERs ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI ground. First, it is now in our consciousness that corruption General Manager Patrick Eimiuhi is an anathema and ought not to be condoned. In the fight Group Head Femi Tolufashe against insurgency, President Buhari has saved Nigeria DIRECTOR, printing production CHUKS ONWUDINJO the agony of constant bomb attacks by the Boko Haram TO SEND Email: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com terrorists.

Chukwudi Enekwechi, Abuja

Allowance that had hitherto had peripheral access to the foreign reserve, and payment of school fees plus medical treatment abroad were all brought in to banking circle thus vastly reducing the pressure points that led to the flourishing of the black market.

This is even as the CBN pumped more dollars into the interbank forex market at $6 million daily intervention in the spot segment of the market. This compares with the miserly $1.5million daily intervention it used to undertake. This, combined with the clearing out of more than $4 billion backlog of demand through its shorter 60 days maturing future market segment, were enough reasons for the naira to start a sharp climb up against the dollar.

But now, a new concern seems to have emerged; can this new naira virility be sustained? The first response to this is predicated on keeping the peace in the Niger Delta. It would seem the federal government has been able to persuade the Niger Delta of its seriousness to dialogue and impact a developmental agenda in the area.

In the matter of sustaining this marginal oil price increase, there’s a growing international confidence that price of oil per barrel may hit the $60 mark. This is because critical stakeholders in the collaboration to cut down on oil between OPEC and non OPEC countries have started demanding for a push back of the six-month due date for the expiration of the collaboration.

Omoniyi Akinsiju, Abuja

14

Polscope

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

Why is Reno Omokri Bitter?

U

ntil the advent of the Goodluck Jonathan presidency, not much was known of Mr Reno Omokri.

He landed the Nigerian political space in recompense for crusading for the sack of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, for failing to hand over to then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, when the former was sick and was flown to Saudi Arabia for treatment.

Omokri, was among those 50-something names, in the Diaspora who signed a petition calling for Yar’adua’s impeachment. It speaks to the delusion some Diaspora Nigerians suffer when they think that they know and mean so much more than Nigerians resident in the country. What is the value of 50-something signatures to a country of over170 million? Have we all forgotten how the nation rose in support of Jonathan, that he should assume the reins of governance against the will of some powerful cabal? However, as a payback, Jonathan hired Omokri as a Special Assistant to help manage his social media concerns. In a way therefore, Omokri had to get into office, climbing the ladder of death of late Yar’Adua.

In the main, Omokri has refused to accept that his former boss, Goodluck Jonathan lost the presidential election of 2015, and by extension, he too has suffered the loss of a veritable source of livelihood. It is only on such score that his continuous and needless attacks on the present government and its officials can be understood. Omokri has chosen to be more Catholic than the Pope. His principal and the real spokesmen (to Jonathan)—Reuben Abati and Doyin Okupe, have all accepted the outcome of the election, and seemingly moved on, but not Omokri who continues to whine and throw diversionary darts, even as he claims he is no longer on the payroll of his former boss. And I ask, why is Reno bitter?

Omokri, I fear, suffers from what is called homogenous complex, a psycho-social state associated with low-life. He sees all politicians in the same hue and hide and relates with them in the same characteristic “ crude and careless despatch” .

This is perhaps the only understanding that underpins the irreverent piece he wrote on the Minister of Transportation, Hon Rotimi Amaechi, where he (Omokri) refuted Amaechi’s alleged claim that his former boss misappropriated $49.8 billion. That figure was what the former CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (now Emir of Kano) had announced as unremitted to the federation account by the NNPC. The figure was later reviewed downwards twice. After a forensic audit of the NNPC records, by KPMG and Pricewater House Coopers (PwC), it was said that the NNPC failed to remit over $1.8 billion. Even at that, several other relevant books and information of the NNPC and some of its subsidiaries like the NPDC were not examined by the auditors.

Mr Omokri, from the foregoing, is it thus wrong to re-iterate the fact that under Jonathan so much money was stolen? Is it not public knowledge that the previous government bled the nation to a state of coma? Or is Omokri’s anger in the fact that it is Amaechi who re-echoed what everybody had always known?

And because he had no defence to the reckless financial malfeasance of his former boss, he settled for rude and raw attack on the person of Hon. Amaechi.

He nibbled round such low-line matters as Amaechi’s politics, clothing, physique etc. Gosh! He cleverly avoided addressing the issue raised. Do the invectives poured on Amaechi discount the fact that under

Omokri

MARCH 4, 2017 • THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper

Jonathan’s administration the nation was ripped off mindlessly? If yes, what then is his gra-gra bad mouth all about? If no, from where are the huge recovered loots from Andrew Yakubu and Diezani Allison Madueke (former GM of NNPC and former Petroleum Minister respectively) amassed? Is Omokri not aware that even the then Minister of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala, never had the guts to question the transactions that went on in the Oil and gas industry, because Diezani was wholly in charge? Thus far, how much has been recovered from those who ran the Petroleum ministry alone? Does Omokri still think Sanusi was frivolous?

Given the tons of huge recoveries of the nation’s stolen wealth from those who ran the previous government common sense should teach the likes of Omokri to zip their lips forever and not stir the hornet’s nest with such vexatious reminders of our plundered past. The homogenous complex will not let him know when to hold his peace in acquiescence or fire bullets from his disabled armoury.

Omokri flaunts the credential of being a pastor.

Really? Pastor? Unlike him, I will not judge the efficacy of his acclaimed ecclesiastical calling. But Mr Pastor, where were you and your dripping anointing when your boss doled out N2 billion, yes, N2 billion to Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, former governor of Sokoto State to go hire marabouts so the 2015 election can be magically manipulated in favour of Jonathan? You lost faith in your fate? What manner of Christian/pastor will be that godlessly foul-mouthed in the name of politics!

How come Omokri forgot the basis of the quarrel between former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole and former minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala?

Did Omokri not know that on several occasions former president Jonathan unilaterally ordered a draw-down from the Excess Crude Account, without discussing with the governors at the time? Yes, I agree and support that in the time of boom, we should save for the rainy day, but how do you reconcile the unilateral rape of the savings in the name of presidential powers? Okonjo-Iweala is alive and knows this as true.

It is the frequent unauthorized withdrawals from the Excess Crude Account that made all the governors at the time (not just Amaechi) to say the money should be shared among all the states. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo who created the ECA did not violate its operations the way Jonathan did. This is the truth.

Yes, the money ended up being frittered by the various state governors, but the fact remains that we must first blame mother hen for exposing the chicks before blaming the hawk for swooping on the chicks.

Spirit-bred pastors are reticent and calculative in their utterances, but our Omokri is garrulous, dwells in buffoonery and even squeals on matters he has little understanding. He talks about betrayals. That Amaechi can sell his mother for the lure of power. Really?

Between Jonathan and Amaechi who betrayed who?

I ask Omokri: where was the ethos of brotherhood between Jonathan and Amaechi when the former, using the federal power at his disposal, to seize the Rivers State plane that flew Amaechi to Akure? All the many claims of ill-documentation of the plane, implying that Amaechi owned the plane etc, were they established till date? Was the plane not handed over to the Rivers State?

Where was the ethos of brotherhood when Jonathan, using the influence of his imperial office, forcibly re-allocated 18 Soku oil wells belonging to Rivers State to his own state (Bayelsa)? All so Rivers State under Amaechi will be punished with less oil funds.

Did Omokri know to what harm the retired AIG, Mbu Joseph Mbu (then Rivers State Commissioner of Police) was put to, in harassing then Governor Amaechi, so much that on one occasion the police blocked the entrance to the state’s Government House? Omokri, where were you at the time?

And finally, where was the ethos of brotherhood when Jonathan not only sponsored Senator Jonah Jang (then governor of Plateau State) against Amaechi in the NGF election, he also declared in a warped mathematical tweak, that 16 was greater than 19? Was it not all meant to quench Amaechi’s political light?

Pray, does this Pastor(?) Omokri have any sense of justice? Not even the Pope will be so gospelled as to support any such one who is so unabashedly against him.

All things considered, I will urge Omokri to finally come to terms with the outcome of the 2015 elections and wean himself of this ingrained bitterness. He cannot be crying over spilt milk for two years. If indeed he shepherds Mind of Christ Christian Center in California and Abuja, he should reconcile with his God, and prove that he is not just another Brother Jero at the beach side.

Canticles...

Xenophobic Flames: East or West, Home Remains the Best

Y Africa.

ou were not in church on Ash Wednesday, to kick off the Lenten season. Was anything the matter?

Oh, We were at the solemn ceremony What solemn ceremony? Is it the sobriety of the Lenten season?

Oh no! Not at all. We went for the funeral of the only son of Ndukwe who was killed in the Xenophobic attacks in South

Oh no! You are talking about Emeka? He was killed?

Yes, in Pretoria, South Africa. The angry youths in South Africa killed him because they said he’s flourishing in their land while they are suffering.

Those lazy folks! They refuse to go to school. They refuse to be enterprising. They love the easy life of being spoon-fed. They thus get jealous when Nigerian and other African youths come around and turn around their circumstances. As Mugabe said, it is only in South Africa that an illiterate South African thinks and believes that the educated African immigrant doctor who picks up a job in South Africa is the cause of his/her misery and poverty.

Emeka probably wouldn’t have died if he remained at home. Just if home was conducive enough for him to earn a decent living.

What are you implying?

I am not implying anything. I am only saying that if our economy was accommodating enough, many Nigerian youths falling as victims of xenophobic attacks would have been spared the agony and the losses. And you know many of them do untoward things in the foreign countries. They said the peddle hard drugs, organise prostitution, take over their homes and jobs etc Are you saying that because they are immigrants in other lands then they should be attacked and killed?

And are you saying that those who push hard drugs or engage in prostitution have to be mobbed to death on the streets? Jungle justice in this 21st century? What is the Zuma job of the South African police?

Is that how America or Britain or Europe or even Asia is killing our people because they are doing well in those countries?

But you should understand that the South Africans don’t like us. They cannot compare with other countries. They are jealous that Nigeria is rated the largest economy in Africa. They hate to see Nigerians because they can’t stand our indomitable spirits. They fret at the sight of the industry of the average Nigerian. We hustle across barriers and make the best of our circumstances.

Are they not the ones who seized the arms we legitimately bought to fight terrorism in 2015? Are they not the ones who whimsically deport Nigerians on the excuse of having Yellow Fever? They are the ones who “beef” us unduly for nothing. They can’t understand how we roll. They forget that we have always been there for them. They forget how we supported their fight against apartheid rule. They forget that we even gave preferential treatment to South African students in our universities. They forget that their biggest companies: MTN, DSTV, Multichoice, Shoprite Malls etc., are literally flourishing in Nigeria. They are even making more profit in Nigeria than in South Africa. Yet we do not battle them on the streets.

So the best way to pay us back for the past gestures of support is to attack us and kill us?

That’s the point. Those attacks and killings are avoidable. Our country should energise its economy and discourage Nigerians from flocking to other countries in search of the so-called golden fleece. Imagine our people being rescued from Mali. Mali! Yes, Mali. What is the allure in that country to attract Nigerian immigrants?

You don’t understand. There are many Nigerians who believe that unless they live the country, they can never make it. So they just go anywhere. Just anywhere. Imagine people flocking to Libya, Liberia, Chad, etc. What are they looking for in those places?

So tell the government at home to make home conducive. Let the economy regain its vibrancy. What is the essence of being the biggest economy and yet cannot provide job for its citizenry?

But the senate has sent a delegation to South Africa to protest the acts of the xenophobes. But even at that, the truth remains that east or west, home is the best. When they run away to other countries because our economy is in distress, who is expected to remain at home to fix it?

Let’s stay home and salvage it together.

15

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper •MARCH 4, 2017

NEWS

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

FG Proposes New Vision for Oil Producing Communities of Niger Delta As Gov Emmanuel at town hall meeting lists areas of need

Okon Bassey in Uyo

In an attempt to reduce tension, violent protest, kidnapping and attack on oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, the Federal Government has proposed a new vision to signpost a new era to oil producing communities in the region.

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo stated this Thursday at a town hall meeting held with elders and people of Akwa Ibom State in continuation of his tour of states in the Niger Delta region.

“I am here as the emissary of President Mohammadu Buhari who after the visit of Pan Niger Delta Forum in November 2016 decided that we must undertake visit to engage with the leadership and people of oil producing communities of the region to hear them and understand their problems and concern”, he said.

He said the tour was to offer communities in the Niger Delta and all oil producing communities a new vision and a new compact in the great source of wealth of the nation.

In this direction, the Acting President said the Federal Government had begun a partnership with oil producing states, LGAs, oil companies, private investors and civil society organisations for the rapid development of all oil producing communities in the country.

“We must treat oil and the oil producing communities as special development areas focusing in particular on how to ensure that that the people see the benefit of the wealth of the land.

“This new vision will define the future of the region. We must make all our oil producing communities’ hub for petro-chemical industries (small and large).We must make these communities hub for refining and related activities”, Osinbajo stated.

Already, the Acting President hinted that the Ministry of Petroleum was collaboration with many major companies working on with illegal refineries in order to establish modular refineries that would be able to produce much better than what

honoured for service...

L-R: former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; presenting a customised Festac '77 number plates to former President and celebrant, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's to mark his 80th birthday anniversary celebration, at his Obasanjo's Presidential Library.......yesterday they were doing now.

He reirerated that the blessing of oil paradoxically had become a curse or at worst a burden as the means of livelihood of the people like fishing and farming had constantly been destroyed by pollution and revenue earned over the years simply disappeared in many cases.

Osinbajo praised the youth of Akwa Ibom State for not engaging in vandalism and violence as there was no real advantage in destruction of asset located in the community as the result was environmental damage

and driving away investment.

He noted the feelings of the state about the absence of the headquarters of International Oil Companies (IOC) operating in the state.

“For the relocation of the headquarters of the IOCs, I direct the Minister of Petroleum to engage with the IOCs on the way forward. I think this is the right thing to do that they should be present here”, he said.

On the non-inclusion of indigenes of the state in the amnesty programme of the federal government, the Acting President said the amnesty office and

ministry of petroleum were working on providing the same benefits of amnesty for the youths in the state as provided in other states.

“The ministry of petroleum and the amnesty office are working with individual states; certainly they will be working with Akwa Ibom State to ensure that they also get the benefits.

“Indeed, as a matter of fact in the 2017 budget, there is a provision of N1billion for the Ibaka deep sea port.

“It is a matter we take very seriously and we intend to partner with the Akwa Ibom State Government

on the issue”, he assured.

The Acting President called on the people of the state not to wait for the federal government to do everything but should work towards attracting private investment.

“The biggest benefit you can obtain is to attract more investment in this state; it is private investments that drive development. Whatever the federal or state government can produce is only a fraction of what private investment can bring. Private investment is the driver of progress anywhere in the world.

“I want to challenge the young professionals and entrepreneurs who are here that it is time for them to set up entrepreneur council, chamber of commerce for young professional and commercial people.

“It is that chamber of commerce that we can identify those who want to involve in technology, agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing. A chamber of commerce properly organized will attract investment locally and internationally investment and partnership even funding”, Osinbajo stressed.

PDP Crisis: Our Victory Assured in Unity, Says Ojo ECOWAS: 13 of 15 Member States Ratify Treaty on Arms Funke Olaode

A former Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Prof. Adesegun Ojo said for its party to return to power in 2019, it must embrace unity while the leadership of the mega party should meet and find a common and lasting solution to the crisis rocking the party.

Ojo was reacting to the recent decision of the appeal court that upheld former Governor Modu Sheriff as PDP Chairman.

To him, seeking legal remedy at the Supreme court to address the current situation as suggested by the leadership was justifiable but not the most logical and pragmatic approach to the problem at hand.

“There is a legal solution and pragmatic solution. The legal path is the Supreme Court but that is a 50-50 chance of the situation being reversed.

There is no advantage in that

path. If it is 70-30 or 80-20 chance, one might say let us give it a try.

But time is of the essence.

The political calendar is non-stop and in as much as these fractious political situations continue, the Party is dying a thousand death and the chances of winning any election is becoming less and less a possibility.

Can we be so self-absorbed on internal party schism, at the expense of helping to find a lasting solution to the myriad of problems facing Nigeria? Can we be engaged in this legal battles and still be capable of taking our solutions to the problems on the economy, poverty, unemployment and other issues facing our nation, to the people? The answer is NO. “That leaves us with the pragmatic option. And Governor Sheriff himself declared his readiness to bring everyone together for a lasting solution to the crisis. I want to appeal to the sages of our great party to bring everyone together under the same umbrella

for a final and acceptable solution. I am more inclined to accept Governor Sheriff’s declaration that that there is no winner or loser in this situation.

The time for a pragmatic solution is now. I join all the others who are calling on the leaders of our party in all the zones, the state levels and the board of Trustees, to be realistic and put premium on unity of the party rather than who controls what in the party. What is the benefit of a party that cannot win any election? Look at what happened in the recently concluded Ondo governorship election. The time for action is now,” he said.

Ojo called on former Governors Ahmed Makarffi and Modu Sheriff, and the entire leadership apparatus to find a final solution now. “This should have been resolved since yesterday, another day, and waiting for months for supreme court deliberation and decision, will be days of inaction and ineptitude.

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A total of 13 out of the 15 Member States that make up the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have so far ratified the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a development that has been described as impressive and a step in the right direction towards addressing the humanitarian issues generated by conflicts in the region.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which disclosed this Friday in Abuja commended ECOWAS for its cooperation and commitment to international humanitarian law, which is described as ‘a body of law that seeks, for humanitarian reasons to limit the effects of armed conflict, particularly in respect of persons who are not or who are no longer directly participating in hostilities.

Mr. Eloi Fillion, Head of Delegation of the ICRC disclosed this

at the ECOWAS-ICRC briefing for ambassadors from member states and donor countries on the Implementation of Humanitarian Laws (IHL) in West Africa on Friday.

Fillion, who was represented by Ms Aleksandra Mosimann, Communications Coordinator, ICRC said, “The joint ICRC-ECOWAS report on implementing IHL in West Africa is a snapshot of regional efforts towards ratification and implementation of IHL treaties. Indeed, these efforts are commendable particularly with regards to the Arms Trade Treaty, which has been ratified by an impressive total of 13 out of 15 Member States, as well as the Kampala Convention, which has been ratified by 10 out of 15 Member States”.

The envoy however stated that while ratification of the ATT and other treaties is only one step, it is incumbent on ECOWAS to respect and ensure that all relevant stakehold-

ers are aware of their obligations and can comply with them. “This requires commitment and political will from governments and legislators in all ECOWAS Member States”, she added.

To fully address the issues of humanitarian concerns in the region, the ICRC urged ECOWAS to adopt a multidisciplinary approach noting that, humanitarian needs resulting from armed conflicts and other violent crises in the sub-region requires significant efforts from all relevant stakeholders.

Also speaking, Director, ECOWAS Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Mrs. Florence Iheme while disclosing that the meeting aimed at presenting and reviewing the ECOWAS-ICRC joint report on IHL, added that the report, published in Dec. 2016 was to measure the status of ratification, domestication and implementation of IHL treaties by member states.

16

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper • MARCH 4, 2017

the alternative with Reno Omokri How Amaechi and Buhari Induced Nigeria’s Recession

T

his has been a most interesting week for me. As many of my readers may have become aware, the minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, gave an interview to some select papers (THISDAY thankfully not included) and repeated the lie that former President Jonathan pilfered $49.8 billion from the national treasury and that is the reason why Nigeria drifted into recession.

Well, I responded to his untruths with facts, figures and dates, but rather than take me up on the issues, Mr.Amaechi took me to the cleaners in an ad hominem attack that did not address the facts in issue. Well, writing is my strength and RotimiAmaechi with all his bluster is not very strong in this area and my responses to him obviously taught him a thing or two as he has not yet recovered enough to launch another salvo at me.

Those who read the Financial Times of London would have read their latest story on Nigeria which appeared as a front-page story in their global print edition on Wednesday the 1st of March, 2017. That piece clearly shows that the Buhari administration is squarely to blame for Nigeria’s recession.

In fact, the Financial Times was diplomatic. The Economist magazine was more blunt and indicted President Buhari without mincing words. In its February 28, 2017 edition, the publication said inter alia: “The economy shrank by 1.5% in 2016. Inflation has more than doubled to 18.7% in 12 months. Meanwhile, the president, Muhammadu Buhari, has been out of the country since January 19th, being treated for an undisclosed illness. The 74-year-old former military dictator could hardly have chosen a worse time to be incapacitated.

But much of the blame for Nigeria’s current economic troubles can be laid at his door.”

But that is not even the worst from The Economist. In the piece, the publication described Nigeria under President Buhari thus: “The country is almost uninvestable.”

It is hard to believe that they are referring to the same country that was rated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as the number one destination for Foreign Direct Investment inAfrica in 2013.

There are a number of reasons Nigeria is facing recession and I will try to list some of them in summary.

The first is the rushed implementation of the Treasury Single Account instead of the gradual implementation planned by the Jonathan administration which conceived the concept of the TSA. The second is failing to appoint ministers on time and when he finally appointed ministers, the President appointed a woman whose highest degree is a Bachelors in Economics from a secondclass British University (The University of East London) to succeed a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and former Managing Director of the World Bank as the minister of finance.

Not done with putting round pegs into square holes, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed a man who studied French to replace a man who has a PhD in agricultural economics from Purdue University and who had worked at the highest levels of the Rockefeller Foundation as the minister for agriculture.

The third reason is the President’s interference with the independence of the Central Bank of Nigeria and his public comments of what he would do with the Naira. This led to foreign exchange restrictions that saw 270 companies fold up (according to the Nigerian Labour Congress), 7 foreign airlines leaving Nigeria, 10 foreign shipping firms divesting from our economy and over $3 billion capital flight from Nigeria.

The fourth and most avoidable reason was the constant negative comments that the President made whenever he left the country on state visits. President Buhari de-marketed Nigerians by calling us ‘criminals’ to the Telegraph of London in February of this year. He went to India and declared that Nigeria’s institutions were massively corrupt and then he went to the US to say the same. Yet he expected foreign investors to flock to Nigeria? I do not think so.

So whenAmaechi says, “As the chairman of the Governors’ Forum, when I started fighting with President Jonathan, I was clear about what the fight was all about. I was the first Nigerian to raise the alarm about the former CBN governor’s letter to President Goodluck Jonathan that $49 billion was missing from the NNPC account and not paid to the federation account. If they had returned it, we would not be in recession. If that $49 billion was there plus other recovered looted funds, perhaps, we would have hit $50 billion. With $50 to $60 billion, you don’t need to look for dollars to buy.”

He reveals a lack of a firm grasp of the principles of elementary economics. He also reveals his tenuous relationship with the truth.

Nigerians will recall that this discredited allegation was made by the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who went on to change the amount that was missing three times.

In September 2013, the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Malam Sanusi Lamido alleged that the sum of $49.8 billion was not remitted to the federation account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. When he was challenged on this amount by the NationalAssembly, the then Minister of Finance, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and the NNPC, the then CBN Governor reduced the amount that was missing to $10.8 billion on December 18, 2013.

In February of 2014, the then CBN Governor wrote another letter to the Senate admitting that he did not know how much was unaccounted for saying it could be “$10.8 billion or $12 billion or $19 billion or $21 billion — we do not know at this point”.

Eventually, it was established that no such monies were missing and even the Buhari administration has kept quiet about the matter knowing that it was propaganda to pull down the previous administration.

Nigerians should realise that it is no coincidence that this allegation is coming just days after the revelation that no record exists of Nigeria’s crude oil sales since June of 2015.

It is quite telling that the single most expensive infrastructure built

Amaechi

in Nigeria in the last decade is the Kaduna-Abuja 187KM modern fast railway that enables you live in Kaduna and work inAbuja.

Though President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated this project on July 26, 2016, it is worth mentioning that neither he norAmaechi had anything to do with this project beyond reaping where they had not sown!

That project was built and completed by the Jonathan administration.

If Nigerians want to know why it was very hard to save money over the last decade, they should point the finger at RotimiAmaechi.

Those in the habit of noising about the ‘alternative fact’ - that the Jonathan administration did not save up during the sunny days for a rainy day should not forget so soon that the Jonathan administration met $6.5 billion in the Excess CrudeAccount upon inception in 2010 and increased it to almost $9 billion by 2012.

However, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, using their influence at the House of Representatives, had got thatAugust body to declare the Excess CrudeAccount illegal in 2012.

So excruciating was the pressure from the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and most notably from the then Rivers State governor, RotimiAmaechi, (now the minister of transportation) for the Jonathan administration to end the Excess CrudeAccount and the Sovereign Wealth Fund regimes and instead share the funds in those accounts amongst the three tiers of government that they approached the Supreme Court, to challenge the legality of the Excess CrudeAccount and then President Jonathan’s decision to transfer $1 billion from that account to the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

In fact, after hosting a meeting of the forum on September 21, 2012, at the Rivers State Governor’s lodge, RotimiAmaechi said inter alia: “On the Excess CrudeAccount, Forum unanimously decided to head back to Court to enforce the Federal Government’s adherence to the constitution.”

To those who do not know what the Constitution says, let me give you an insight by quoting from Section 162.

Section 162, provides that “(1) The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called ‘the FederationAccount’ into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation, except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of theArmed Forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or department of government charged with responsibility for ForeignAffairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory,Abuja. “(2) The President, upon the receipt of advice from the Revenue Mobilisation,Allocation and Fiscal Commission, shall table before the NationalAssembly proposals for revenue allocation from the FederationAccount, and in determining the formula, the National Assembly shall take into account, the allocation principles especially those of population, equality of states, internal revenue generation, land mass, terrain, as well as population density; “(3)Any amount standing to the credit of the FederationAccount shall be distributed among the Federal and State Governments and the Local Government Councils in each State on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the NationalAssembly.”

From the above, it was clear what theAmaechi-led Governors’ forum wanted.

Mr.Amaechi led the governors in taking the Federal Government to court. The Jonathan administration offered an out-of-court settlement with the governors in a deal that would have seen the federal government sharing some of the money and saving up the rest for Nigeria’s future but the governors rejected the offer.

In fact, the JonathanAdministration had argued at the Supreme Court that sharing the money in the ECAwould affect “the day to

day running of the nation’s economy”.

Working in tandem with Mr.Amaechi and his supporters in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the then minorityAPC members of the House of Representatives approached a Federal High Court on the 7th of February, 2014, for a perpetual injunction restraining the Jonathan administration from operating the ECAand to pay all the proceeds of that account into the FederationAccount for sharing amongst the three tiers of government.

As a result of these actions, the Jonathan administration paid the 36 states of the federation a total of N2.92 trillion from the Excess Crude Account between 2011 and 2014. Using the value of the Naira at that time, that amount was just above $20 billion dollars.

So it is quite clear that anyone who accuses the Jonathan administration of not saving for a rainy day is not telling the whole story.

Thankfully, in the last month, things seem to be getting better under the leadership of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. The Naira is appreciating, we are seeing decisiveness for the first time in two years. Gone are the days of blaming past administrations (hopefully). In short, Osinbajo is a blessing to Nigeria.

But from my birth to the present moment, I have never experienced a government like Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

You criticise them and they call you a wailer. You praise their own Vice-President and they complain or call you a ‘mischief maker’!

And that brings me to the call by President Buhari to his spokesman FemiAdesina. The President has so far spoken to President Donald Trump, King Mohammed VI of Morocco, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Kano Governor Ganduje and a few others.

However, the President has not spoken to the Nigerian people.

In March of 2010, Muhammadu Buhari heavily criticised then President Umaru Musa Yar’adua for the secrecy behind his health tourism abroad and went as far as calling for President Yar’adua’s resignation.

Today, he is in the same position, but how does his own behaviour square up to that of Yar’adua’s?

One thing you must give him kudos for is handing over to Vice President Osinbajo. Thereafter, the kudos ends.

In Yar’adua’s case, he did not call the high and the mighty as President Buhari is doing. No. His first and only public call was a call to the Nigerian people via the British Broadcasting Corporation to touch base with us and quieten our anxieties.

On that call on Tuesday the 12th of January, 2010, President Yar’adua said: “At the moment, I am undergoing treatment, and I’m getting better from the treatment. I hope that very soon there will be tremendous progress, which will allow me to get back home. I wish, at this stage, to thank all Nigerians for their prayers for my good health, and for their prayers for the nation.”

Now compare this with President Buhari’s call, not to the Nigerian people but to his spokesman.

President Buhari did not have enough time to say ‘tell Nigerians anxious about the recent killings in SouthAfrica and Southern Kaduna that we will protect them’, but he had more than enough time to throw stones at ‘mischief makers’! I wish he was as concerned about the welfare of his fellow citizens as he is concerned about targeting his critics. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”-Luke 6:45.

Yet, this was a man who criticised President Yar’adua! If it is not an insult to say that a man who drives a car is a driver then it is not an insult to say that a man who criticises others for things he does and even does worse is a hypocrite!

When you examine what the President says and what he does, it is clear to all but those blinded by partisanship that he does not walk his talk.

This is what makes his departure from Nigeria a relief for those who are truly progressives. Things get done better without him.

I wish him well, I wish him quick recovery, although his aides tell us he is ‘hale and hearty’, but I wish he would let us enjoy Osinbajo some more.

If you are one of those, like the folks in the Presidency, who don’t think that personal leadership matters, then ask yourself how come the Naira started to steadily appreciate when Professor Yemi Osinbajo assumed the mantle of leadership. What else has changed?

The price of oil has not increased. The party in power remains the same. The only difference is the PERSON in power. Yes, leadership matters and that is why I support Yemi Osinbajo!

Acting President Osinbajo and substantive President Muhammadu Buhari may share a joint ticket, but they don’t share a joint brain. The brain of one is giving us a better deal than the brain of the other. So if the Presidency likes, they can call all of us who are seeing this plain truth ‘mischief makers’ all they want. The fact remains that it is better to make mischief than to make a fool of yourself.

I am wondering if the Presidency will also release a statement condemning The Economist Magazine for comparing the President’s style with that of Osinbajo and coming up with a verdict that is very unflattering for President Buhari.

In comparing the duo, The Economist said: “Mr Osinbajo, currently in charge, has proved an energetic antidote to his ponderous boss, visiting the Delta for peace talks and announcing measures intended to boost Nigeria’s position in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings, in which it currently ranks a lowly 169 out of 190.”

Now, permit me to change the mood of this piece and pivot once more to Mr. RotimiAmaechi as I end it. To those who say as a Pastor I should not have responded toAmaechi, I respond thus: Where were they when Tunde Bakare and Reverend Father Mbaka did worse to a decent man like Goodluck Jonathan? Everything I have done as regards Chibuike RotimiAmaechi is biblical.

Jesus talked about the ‘Rich Fool’ in Luke 12:20. The Bible prescribes two ways to respond to such people depending on the circumstances. I chose to use the second prescription found in Proverbs 26:5: ‘Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of ......., or they will become wise in their own estimation.’ If I had kept quiet, Amaechi would be emboldened to lie and insult both former President Jonathan and myself in the future!

Plus Suleiman Adamu

Plus Extra pg. 20 Loud Whispers pg. 22 Spy Glass pg. 23 Auto pg. 26 Global Soccer pg. 29 Travel pg. 50

Since I Became a Minister

I Don’t Play Golf Regularly

18

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper March 4, 2017

PLUS

I Am Unhappy 65 Million Nigerians Lack Access to Water

He does not mince words. Diligent and intelligent, he enjoys hard work and success in equal measures. Faced with a Herculean task of providing millions of Nigerians with water, turning a ministry hitherto bogged down by unproductive bureaucratic tendencies, staff with less motivation, lack of adequate funding and a myriad of uncompleted projects that span many years, it is easy for Suleiman Adamu to heave a sigh and throw in the towel. But for his kind of man with a pedigree and passion, no obstacle will make him stumble as he answers the call to national duty. Adamu, the Minister of Water Resources shares with Stanley Nkwazema his staying power, his frustrations and vision for a ministry bedevilled by many woes. He also talks about his loving family and the parents that lovingly cradled him. The minister also reveals where his love lies when it comes to relaxation

I

From Jigawa State with Passion come from Jigawa State. I attended Magwan LEA School Kano and Kaduna Capital School; thereafter I went to Federal Government College Kano. I was part of the first set – the 1974-1979 set. Many of us have been very successful lawyers, engineers, Generals in the military; one just retired as an air vice marshal. We have serving Rear admirals, commodores, Brigadiergenerals. AVM Christian Chukwu, Admiral Ango Jonathan from Zuru; and of course, we had others like, Abdulsamad Isiaku Rabiu, who does not like me calling him my junior but he was a year behind me in school.

I come from a family that cherishes education. My father was an educationist and he made sure he gave us the best education available.

Professionally, I am a civil engineer with specialisation in project management. My first degree in Civil Engineering was from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; and a master’s degree in Project Management from University of Reading United Kingdom. My first job was with the Federal Capital Development Authority and then moved to WRECA in Kano, where I worked for a couple of years and resigned to go into private practice with some of my university mates. I was privileged to be Managing Director from 2000–2015, when I was appointed Minister of Water Resources. Before that appointment I used to be the President of Association for Consulting Engineers in Nigeria (ACEN), fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers and Council member of COREN.

Adamu

Family, Sacrifice and National Duty The day I was appointed a minister, I called my family and said this is a game changer. They have to understand that there is a change of lifestyle because I like to take my job seriously. I rest when I can and I spend time with my family when I can. I am lucky that I married early so most of my children are grownups. My youngest child is 17 years old. They understand that this is a national duty that I must perform.

But I know in their minds that it is not pleasant that they don’t see me at home as they used to. It is a sacrifice we all must make. They understand that very much when I can take a holiday, maybe we can be together.

My wife understands and too. I have four children, three boys and a girl; two graduates and one undergraduate.

Vision for Nigeria I take life simple. I believe one’s destiny has been shaped by the creator. I live by the day and allow God’s will to prevail. But I am passionate about Nigeria and I want to see this country succeed. I do not think this country deserves to be where it is now. We need to be on a higher pedestal. I just want to do my bit wherever I am. I used to say that for me even if I am only able to produce one child that is responsible, that adheres to values, patriotism; I would have done my duty. As long as I live, I will like to do my best for the betterment of my country.

Growing up I did not have any setback. Life has been good. I grew up in a closely knit family. I had loving and caring

They understand that this is a national duty that I must perform. But I know in their minds that it is not pleasant that they don’t see me at home as they used to. It is a sacrifice we all must make.

They understand that very much when I can take a holiday, maybe we can be together. My wife understands and too. I have four children, three boys and a girl; two graduates and one undergraduate

19

March 4, 2017 • THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper

PLUS I Am Not Finding It Easy Professionalising Water Resources Ministry parents. They gave us the best of everything; best of education. My father, Alhaji Hussaini Adamu, was in the state’s civil service until he retired. During the Second Republic, he had a political appointment at the federal level. He started as a teacher and rose to the highest level in the civil service. He was also the longest serving permanent secretary in the Kano state Civil Service, between 1969 and 1976. He was the Emir of Kazaure till he died in 1998.

My mother, Hafsatu Adamu, was a housewife taking care of us and disciplining us when we misbehaved.

From Private Sector to Public Service One should know that working in the private sector is totally different from operating in the public sector.

Luckily, I have worked in the public service, albeit as a fairly young engineer, then the responsibilities were mainly on the sites and the design office, a lot of the time and not occupying a position of leadership or management. The challenge is trying to bring my own experience from the private sector and blending that into the public sector in such a way that I could get the same efficiency. This has proved very difficult because the public sector has its ways and means of carrying out assignments.

I think I have tried to weather the storm. It is not easy. I met a ministry which is supposed to be technical; that is being driven by professionals but that is lacking. I did not see a lot of professionalism in the ministry. I have met quite a lot of good people here, very knowledgeable. But the system has been such that they could not really operate in a professional manner. There are issues of project management. I met so many ongoing projects. None of them was completed or near completion.

Completion as I know it in other sectors whereby you start a project and you finish it, commission and pay off the contractor, you do final accounts and also pay off the contractor. There were a lot of lingering issues which I thought was very awkward because projects have a life. But (at the ministry) it appears that most of the projects are open-ended; comatose.

I also met the ministry which is in charge of River Basins and I found them not really performing, executing their mandates, but doing other things which I felt were not relevant; especially the focus of this administration which is to rejuvenate and put it as the mainstay of our economy.

Battling with Unfinished Business The first thing that I met when I became the minister was the handover notes from my predecessor.

There was a record of 117 ongoing projects in this ministry and I don’t know how many are in the 15 agencies. We owe contractors N88.9 billion. We need over N250 billion to finish the ongoing projects and some of these projects have been on for 15 years. There is no sign that they will be finished. Some projects have been funded for four to five years.

They have reached 60 to 70 per cent completion and funding stopped for the past five years. That has been a major issue for me and coming from a professional circle where having been involved as a consultant, preparing projects and delivering them, I just could not fathom how these projects could be running for years without being completed. As you would notice from the budget of 2016 and going forward, we have paid a lot of attention trying to complete these projects. I am emphasising on completion of projects rather than creating new ones.

With the help of the World Bank,

Adamu

we did a technical audit of all ongoing projects. We prioritised them to high, medium, low priority. We have also decided to discard some of the projects that are not viable. We are now concentrating on the top priority projects. What the technical audit has also done is to tell us whether the procurement process has conformed to the rules and regulation of the BPP Act. We have also signed an MOU with the Chinese to see how we can revive the Lake Chad River Basin.

Over 90 per cent of the lake is gone and we have less than 2,500 square meters of active fishing area. We have also entered an agreement with Congo to pump water from the Congo River into the lake to support life in the area so that fishing could be revived. It’s sad that if nothing is done, the entire place will vanish sooner than later. POWERCHINA International Group Limited is to actualise the transfer of water from the Congo Basin to Lake Chad Basin.

Another Concern The structure of the ministry gives me a lot of concerns. We are doing a few modifications. I want to see a ministry that is highly professionalised; putting round pegs in round holes. We hired a consultant to look at our structure and operations and they came out with recommendations and we are tweaking the structure a little bit: what we can do at the ministry and what we require the support of the Civil Service Commission (to do for us). I hope that by the time we have put in place the units and structures, reforms will be put in place so that we will take the ministry back to its pride of place and status. For instance, this is a ministry that does not have a design office. The planning aspect is not non-existent. Three weeks after my assumption of duty as minister, we decided to organise a retreat and came up with a number of issues and reform ideas; set out to revitalise

the River Basins, find other means of funding our projects and create new irrigation programme which I hope that by the year 2020 we will be able to increase the available acreage for irrigation by another 100,000.

We feel that we need to bring the private sector and also have a national programme because there are so many disjointed programmes. People are doing all sorts of things and we don’t know or have the data and adequate information on the success we are making. We were only able to complete 69 per cent water coverage under the MDGs which translates to 65 million people lacking water.

Our new programme will focus on that particularly targeting the rural areas. We are collaborating with the states and development partners. We want to engage the private sector as well. I am happy to note that we were able to get the national water policy and the National Irrigation Policy approved by the Federal Executive Council. It is now being sent to the National Assembly. We have a horizon to the year 2030 and it’s my hope that even when I leave as the minister whoever comes in will already have a plan in place and continue from where I stopped.

How I Relax I do crosswords puzzle to relax.

I play golf but with my present position, the golf course is a bit far and congested. I spent six hours the few times I went there and felt it is criminal as a minister to spend that kind of time (just to play golf).

When I was in Kaduna, I was also captain of the (golf) club. The golf course was five minutes away from my house and five minutes from my office, so I could quickly go and play 9 holes as I was less busy and I did not have the responsibilities I have today. I play occasionally on weekends. I equally use the treadmill and I sometimes just sit and watch reality TV shows; certainly not ‘Big Brother’.

We have also signed an MOU with the Chinese to see how we can revive the Lake Chad River Basin. Over 90 per cent of the lake is gone and we have less than 2,500 square meters of active fishing area.

We have also entered an agreement with Congo to pump water from the Congo River into the lake to support life in the area so that fishing could be revived.

It’s sad that if nothing is done, the entire place will vanish sooner than later. POWERCHINA International Group Limited is to actualise the transfer of water from the Congo Basin to Lake Chad Basin

20

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper March 4, 2017

Plus eXtra

A-list stars with their winning smiles

Best, Worst and the Most Hilarious

Oscars 2017

Win an Oscar and you are made for life. Since the initial awards banquet on May 16, 1929, in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Blossom Room, 3,048 statuettes have been presented. Each January, additional new golden statuettes are cast by Polich Tallix fine art foundry in New York’s Hudson Valley. Oscar stands 13½ inches tall and weighs in at a robust 8½ pounds. Here’s a look at the most memorable moments from the 89th Oscars on Sunday, starting, of course, with the mistake people will be talking about for years to come, who slept all through, first Muslim to win ever (strange isn’t it?) and EGOT

U

The Best and Worst Mixup in Oscar History h, “La La Land” actually did not win best picture.

That’s a screw-up for the ages for sure, but in terms of awards-show-asentertainment, perhaps the greatest highlight of all time. Presenting the award, Warren Beatty somehow wound up with the wrong envelope — the one announcing Emma Stone’s best actress win — and he handed it off to Faye Dunaway, who quickly named the movie Emma Stone starred in, “La La Land,” as the winner. The whole “La La

Land” team rushed to the stage, giving the requisite effusive speeches. Whoops!

“Moonlight” actually won, though some of the glow of their special moment was lost in the confusion and disbelief on stage.

The Host at His Best Jimmy Kimmel’s whole schtick is puncturing something, and it can sometimes feel sour and imprecise.

But the pomp and self-adulation of the Oscars can stand some roasting, and Mr. Kimmel delivered, dinging Mel Gibson (nominated for best director for “Hacksaw Ridge”), having a little fun with Meryl Streep (also a nominee as

Masherha Alli, first muslim to win an oscar

21

March 4, 2017 • THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper

Plus eXtra

Arrowed: Tiegen sleeping during the ceremony

Streep celebrating her 20th Oscar nomination

Blunder of the night, when la-la land was called instead of Moonlight

Oscars 2017 – Best, Worst and the Most Hilarious well as the target of President Trump’s ire). It was more mischievous than overtly mean. We were off to a good start, at least.

First Muslim to Win an Oscar MOONLIGHT star Mahershala Ali has become the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award at this year’s Oscar.

The Luke Cage star took home the first Oscar of the 89th Academy Awards, scooping the best supporting actor prize for his role in Moonlight. It probably wouldn’t have made headline if Donald Trump is not the current president of USA. The Bit That Worked The Twizzlers and Red Vines floating down from the ceiling was strange and dreamy and so unexpected — and quick.

And the Many Bits That Didn’t Work Jimmy Kimmel’s act quickly grew stale as the evening wore on. He recycled segments from his late-night talk show (but with an Oscar twist!) and used “Lion” actor Sunny Pawar like a human doll. Then there was the tour bus gag, in which Mr. Kimmel brought unsuspecting tourists into the ceremony. It was among the most stressful, uncomfortable few minutes in awards show history. People should get to decide for themselves if they want to participate in Mr. Kimmel’s Oscar “pranks.” They didn’t sign on to be instantly memed on Twitter and turned into caricatures.

The Most Notable Accessory The accessory of the night wasn’t a shiny designer clutch or a strappy stiletto. It was a blue American Civil Liberties Union ribbon. Ruth Negga, nominated for best actress, wore one with a red floor-sweeping Valentino dress. Lin-Manuel Miranda wore a ribbon, too (as did his mother, Luz Towns-Miranda). The model Karlie Kloss attached hers to her white Stella McCartney dress. The A.C.L.U. had a surge

way,” Jimmy Kimmel called out from the stage. “Is that an Ivanka?”

Credit Patrick T. Fallon for The New York Times The Best Nonpolitical Thank-You Viola Davis gives the best acceptance speeches. Her Emmy speech in 2015 was extraordinary, and this Oscar speech was even better: poetic, powerful, personal. (And prepared! Write your speech beforehand, folks.) Explaining that stories need to be exhumed, she said, “There’s one place that all the people with the greatest potential are gathered.

One place. And that’s the graveyard.”

Whew. Now that is a line.

The Best Political Thank-You After releasing a statement protesting President Trump’s now-frozen visa ban for travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, the Iranian director Asghar Farhadi made it clear he would not attend the Oscars in person. Then his drama “The Salesman” won for best foreign-language film and Mr. Farhadi sent a poignant follow-up Davies’ Oscar speech poetic, powerfu and personal message, read by a fellow Iranian, Anousheh Ansari, for the telecast’s in donations last month after President millions of viewers. The strongly worded Trump issued his now-frozen travel ban. condemnation of the “inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S.” The Biggest Dust-Up on the Red Carpet/ was one the loudest heard in a night full Meryl Streep nominated for her 20th of muted political messages.

Oscar Competition for looks is fierce and Most and Least Progress Toward an EGOT tempers run hot. Just before the Oscars, The coveted EGOT — that is, having Karl Lagerfeld, the designer of Chanel, an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony to touched off an international incident by your name — was within Lin-Manuel claiming, in Women’s Wear Daily, that Miranda’s reach this year. He had everyMeryl Streep commissioned, and then thing but the Academy Award, and his declined to wear, one of his gowns, nomination for best song, for “How Far saying she had been paid to wear one I’ll Go” from “Moana,” seemed promisby another designer. Ms. Streep fired ing. But no such luck. “City of Stars” back, in no uncertain terms, in People. from “La La Land” took the prize. But (Mr. Lagerfeld apologized.) Ms. Streep, Viola Davis moved a step closer to an for the record, there to celebrate her 20th EGOT with her win on Sunday for best Oscar nomination, ultimately chose a supporting actress. She lacks a Grammy, gown by Elie Saab. “Nice dress, by the but became the 23rd person to win an

Oscar, Emmy and Tony.

The End of the Longest Losing Streak Susan Lucci won her first Emmy after 19 nominations. But Kevin O’Connell has her beat: He finally won an Oscar — for sound mixing — on his 21st nomination.

In the speech he had waited 34 years to give (he was first nominated for the 1983 drama “Terms of Endearment”), he made a point of mentioning his mother, Skippy O’Connell, who helped get him his first job in sound. He recalled: “When I asked her, ‘Ma, how can I ever thank you?’ she looked at me and she said, ‘You know, I’ll tell you how you can thank me: You can work hard, you can work really hard, and some day you can go win yourself an Oscar, and you can stand up on that stage and you can thank me in front of the whole world. Mom, I know you’re looking down on me tonight. So, thank you.

John Legend’s wife, Chrissy Teigen gets some shut eyes during the Oscars On two occasions during the Academy Awards, the model was spotted appearing to have a power nap and she did again during the Oscars. Teigen, who has a ten-month year-old daughter called Luna with her husband John Legend, appeared to doze off while Casey Affleck gave an acceptance speech for Best Actor for Manchester by the Sea. Teigen was then glimpsed in a similar position just five minutes later when Emma Stone was announced as the winner of the Best Actress award for her role in La La Land.

Unsurprisingly, Teigen, who is famed for her no-holds-barred, no-nonsense tweeting style and is a firm favourite on the social media site, won over the hearts and laughs of Twitter for bringing some slapstick humour to the prestigious, polished event.

“Chrissy Teigen sleeping during the Oscars is my 2017 mood

22

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper • March 4, 2017 with Joseph Edgar (09095325791)

Loud Whispers

Osinbajo

Yemi Osinbajo : Just Before Buhari Returns Let me first throw this out there sir.

Kindly do not get carried away by all these shallow accolades that are being thrown your way by the Pharisees and the Scribes that litter our political landscape.

I kuku trust you for I do not think you are one that gets easily carried away by such things. All these people hailing you as the messiah, the conqueror of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport and the greatest tourist that ever visited the Niger Delta are just after one thing - to push you towards a moving train. They don’t mean well o, don’t mind them I beg my brother.

Continue to be respectful to ‘constituted authority’, sick or not sick. Continue to remember that you are but just in an acting role and that all these accolades would if not properly handled lead to calamity not only for you but for the rest of us. That said, my advice to you sir, just before your oga returns is to immediately invite Ayo Fayose to the State House for lunch. You need to keep him very close to you otherwise things can quickly go awry for you and your Baba’s administration with the way he is going. Did you watch that video where he conducted news men around one hotel room in Abuja claiming all sorts? You know me, I am a very powerful coward so I will not say what he was saying o. Just go to your laptop and Google Ayo Fayose at Nicon Noga and watch all the things he said. This man is something else o. I think you should talk to him over lunch which must be amala and gbegiri and in front of pressmen, ask him matter-offactly, what the problem is. Please do not insist on a dress code otherwise, you will not see him o. You can allow him to come in jeans and T-shirt and he will be there. I like you as a person, I have watched you preach in church and I have also seen you stroll around VGC although that time, I did not know you would emerge as our Vice President otherwise, I would have pushed you to the floor and sat on your chest with my picture taken and framed for posterity. Well I have missed that opportunity because any attempt to try it now, na treason I go dey face but any how I think you should throw a huge pyjamas party for all the whistle-blowers who have contributed significantly to national revenue generation in the last few months.

They should all be given national awards and given pension for life. We must show appreciation for their selfless and patriotic roles. My dear Chief Osinbajo, while commending you for holding the fort, I hope you remember to call Baba at least three times a day assuring him that everything is under control. If not , let me send you recharge card if that could be a challenge. This is the most important national duty you should be doing until Baba comes back. It would not cost me anything to be sending you this credit on a daily basis. This is my own little piece of advice sir, God bless you as you go about your ACTING role.

Xenophobia: Leave MTN and Shoprite Alone I hope I got the spelling right, if not blame my editor. The killings in South Africa of our people remain deplorable and highly annoying, but as usual we continue to react in the lamest and shallowest way.

Each time this wicked act takes place in South Africa, Nigerians will be looking at MTN and other South African businesses.

Michael Ikpoki, MTN CEO,Nigeria

Buhari

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu: Run!!!!

Run!!!!Run!!!!

The Asiwaju has talked about the possibility of his running for the highest office in the land immediately the place becomes vacant. In fact, I have also read in some national dailies about his desire to work within the structures of the APC instead of building another mega party like he did with the APC. All I can say at this juncture is to scream as loud as I can to him to RUN. I have watched the Asiwaju very closely since his emergence on the national psyche, I have attended his birthday parties, driven past his house at bourdillon and counted the number of police patrol trucks in front of the house. Also much more, I have also counted the number of people who hang around his house to the point that from their numbers, I would know if daddy was at home or not. So I must tell you as a keen Asiwaju watcher that this declaration was bound to happen

This time, I hear it is the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) who has threatened to attack MTN and other South African businesses. When the state of education in the country remains in the gutters , why won’t we be producing students who do not understand basic issues or have the ability to analyse things intellectually and come out with a robust and constructive response to an issue that remains of high concern to not only Nigerians but the rest of the world. The lame and childish threat to ‘destroy’ MTN by these so-called students to me , is a direct consequence of the regular ASUU strikes which have impacted negatively on academic pursuit, leaving us with almost zombies as products of our education system. How will burning down MTN and Shoprite who are employing thousands of Nigerians, contributing significantly to the economy now stop the xenophobic attacks being carried out by illiterates and common criminals in South Africa.? Please if the people on the streets do not understand these issues, they should leave adequate response to

especially at this time when the President is convalescing in far away UK. As I sat with him last week under the mango tree near his house, I could see in his eyes the fire of ambition, the strong urge to correct the ills that have been meted out to the Akwa Ibom man in this country and the selfless patriotism only the Asiwaju at this point can muster. Me, I am in total support of this ambition to the point where we would have to ask the South Easterners who may have been looking forward to a possible run also to suspend their plans for this is a special intervention and not an ordinary attempt. So my lord, please remember that I have registered my support quite early and as such would be looking forward to my own special dividends when you are eventually installed at the Eagle Square.

the authorities who I want to believe have the right type of mechanisms and platform to react appropriately to these continuous evil being meted out to our people. Abeg, leave MTN and Shoprite alone, no be dem be our problem. I have said my own.

President Buhari : Where is My Call?

Over the weekend, my daddy called everybody even those who missed the call for whatever reason got a text message. I was alerted to the possibility of receiving a call from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in my capacity as the Duke of Shomolu and a staunch supporter of his administration. So I kept my two phones fully charged, called an emergency meeting because I wanted to put my oga on ‘speaker’ so that everybody would listen.

The reason was very simple: I have had a running battle in convincing my people both at the Parliament and in Shomolu that the President does not have prostate cancer or Ebola. So I wanted people to listen to the conversation and even get to ask him questions about his medical condition directly. So we all sat around the phones

Emefiele

waiting for the call which eventually did not come. You see how our leaders treat their people? Buhari did not call me; a whole me; Me that trekked from Shomolu to Fadeyi in celebration of his victory at the polls; me that has refused to enter the ‘other room’ in solidarity with him since he went on this trip, thereby depriving myself of what Fela used to call ‘bend bend sleep’ all for his sake and now to be embarrassed like this especially in front of my full cabinet, all dressed up in full ceremonial regalia in case the President asked for selfies. Me, I do not see what President Buhari will do that will make me forgive him for this slight. It is one thing to embarrass a man in private and another to do same in front of his people especially those who have been looking for a reason to impeach him from his position - as the Duke of Shomolu. As we waited for the call, I began to check the phones to see if the signals were complete, I even started using my handkerchief to clean the dust on the phones just maybe it was affecting the signals but nothing came. After waiting for four hours, people started leaving one after the other and by the time the last person left, I was looking for my APC card to tear. Well sha, there must be a reason why the President would rather call Femi Adeshina and Garba Shehu who do not even have electoral value and not call me who can decide the fate of his party come 2019. Anyway, as my mummy would say, there is god o.

Godwin Emefiele : Naira Must Fall Sir, whatever you are doing that is making this dollar to tumble, please stop it forthwith. At least until I receive my payment. I have been on a transaction for some months now. Payment for my service was to be in foreign currency, dollars to be specific. As negotiations went on with my partner, me I was looking at the exchange rate. When the clients flew in and we met in our boardroom, all I could think about as I dey look the oyinbo man na the exchange rate. All his English did not scratch me as I was busy chatting with my Mallam asking him minute-by-minute the exchange ratt of dollar to the naira. My long-suffering partner was busy sweating, talking technicalities but me na exchange rate I dey look. Finally, we agreed on a tidy sum to be paid in dollars. When they both looked at me to ask for my concurrence before we shook hands on the deal, I asked them to give me a second. I brought out my calculator and what I saw made me smile, and I quickly shook hands with them. So just as I got the mail to send my domiciliary account number, the news of the crash of the dollar hit me. I screamed, begged the client to pay me in naira at the exchange rate we initially agreed, the oyinbo man wey get sense die no gree o.

Daily as we dey try to open account, dollar dey fall. I feel like impeaching this CBN Governor. Why am I so unlucky? Last time when I was travelling, I bought this same dollar at N490, today that I want to earn good money, the thing has tumbled to N430. Please this is a passionate appeal to the CBN Governor or to whoever is doing this thing: help me hold this exchange rate or move it back to N500 for just one week so that I can collect my money and after that we can continue with the slide of the dollar. I have suffered too much. Just this once, Nigeria help me, naira must fall.

23

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 4, 2017

SPY GLASS

Jonathan’s Ex-aide, Kingsley’s Tale

In his heydays as aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Kingsley Kuku came across as an interesting personality. He was loved by many and had a large following, especially because he had so much money to throw around.

However, immediately after his principal lost the 2015 presidential election, his life came crashing and was no longer the jolly good fellow he used to be.

Shortly after the new government of President Mohammadu Buhari came on board, the Ondo State-born former activist scampered abroad for fear of being arrested by the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, claiming that he was going for a knee surgery at the Andrews Sports, Medicine and Orthopaedic Centre in Birmingham, Alabama, US. But this, it was gathered, was a dummy to escape being interrogated for his role in some corruption- related offences.

Strangely, Spy glass gathered that some of his friends and loyalists were mobilising people in absentia towards his political ambition for the number one job in Ondo State. His posters had flooded major cities in the state then. They were purportedly pasted overnight by his supporters to ostensibly create awareness for his political ambition.

Indeed, an office, which was meant to serve as his campaign office, had been reportedly secured in Akure, the state capital. The posters, it was also gathered, were branded with the colour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bearing his full name with the aspiration of becoming the next Ondo State governor this year.

It appears the past is catching up with him so fast. How? Unlike in the past, his 47th birthday came without the usual fanfare.

The birthday went like that of an unknown person.

No congratulatory adverts in any newspapers or magazines, thereby leaving many to wonder if he has not been abandoned by friends and fans. Perhaps, he had all along been surrounded by fair-weather friends. In fact, a source hinted that the man was fast becoming yesterday’s man.

Kuku embraced activism early in his university days as one of the socio-politically conscious young Nigerian students who were agitated about the then military rule and dictatorship in Nigeria. He was a student leader and one- time National Mobilisation Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) who was active in the campaign and struggle for the demilitarisation of the Nigerian society and absolute return of democratic governance to Nigeria.

Fayose’s Late Sister, Bimpe Sorinolu’s Memory Forgotten?

Three years ago, precisely February 13, 2014, Bimpe Sorinolu, a sister to the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, breathed her last.

Her death, after a protracted battle with cancer of the breasts, had, quite expectedly, sent her family, friends, fans and beneficiaries into mourning.

The feeling of anguish was not unexpected,

with Bayo Adeoye ....08054680651 especially because her earthly sojourn was defined by struggles and some unfulfilled dreams. Besides, she was unwittingly enmeshed in some controversies.

A survivalist, she worked as a cab driver on the streets of London. As if that was not enough, she ventured into the business of fashion design, where she also made a name for herself as seamstress of note. She, indeed, shocked the world when she reportedly singlehanded designed the first house she lived with her husband, Dapo Sorinolu- a creative effort that wowed many trained architects.

Call her a restless spirit, and you would not be wrong. Her lifestyle, to many around her, was like a riddle that could not be easily cracked. She believed God had given her almost limitless talents or abilities, which must be deployed to good use. Perhaps, this was the impetus that goaded her into music and acting at different times in her life.

But it came to a stage when she went into self-discovery of a sort and realised that she needed to give more of her God-given resources to humanity; thereby, she launched Bisochin-Bimpe Sorinolu Charity Initiative, which saw her traverse the length and breadth of Nigeria attending to the destitute and some less privileged citizens.

If no one still remembers her magnanimity or creativity, it is doubtful if anyone would have forgotten the fierce disagreement she had with her governor-brother. The face-off allegedly affected her marriage. While the feud lasted, she suffered a lot, as she was allegedly abandoned by her husband, who eventually married her policewoman friend, even when she was still hovering between life and death.

Though she tried to settle with her husband, for a possible re-union with the children, her efforts were rebuffed.

Sadly, three years after her death, nothing spectacular has been done to keep her memories alive. Spy glass gathered that her mission house, where she was catering to the destitute and the less privileged children, is now a shadow of itself. Aside the first year remembrance that was reportedly not well put together, the family seems to have forgotten the heroic deeds of this super woman.

The third anniversary of her passing on came without any celebration or significant event in her memory.

However, if the deceased could turn in her grave and look back, she would be at peace, knowing that her four children- Damola, Oyinkansola, Monjolaoluwa and Mojoyinolahave been re-united with their father.

PeterElumeluTurns60inStyle

Today, many know Tony Elumelu, Chairman, UBA Plc, like the back of their hands. The reason, without a doubt, is known to all.

But he is certainly not the only one who has done the Elumelu family proud. Among the other professionals who have done so well for themselves and the family is Peter Elumelu Chairman/ CEO, Pet Jibson and Company Limited. He, like his elder brother and banking wizard, commands a great deal of respect in both corporate and political worlds.

The astute businessman, who is described as humble and down-to-earth, played host to friends, family and business associates when he turned 60 last Sunday.

The birthday party, which held at the Oriental Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, started with a thanksgiving service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Fountain of Power parish, Lekki, Lagos. The grand reception, which was the second leg of the memorable event, was attended by the crème de la creme at another venue later in the day.

Elumelu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt and a Master of Science degree in Financial Management Technology from the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO). He has attended several local and

international courses on corporate governance and risk management.

He is an astute businessman cum politician, with over 27years experience cutting across the private and public sectors of the economy.

He currently sits on the Board of several companies, including African Prudential Registrars Plc. He was also the Chairman, Board of Directors of Delta State Urban Water Board, Asaba; and he is also a member of the Institute of Directors.

He was appointed to the Board of Africa Prudential Registrars Plc on February 14, 2013 and the Board of Transcorp Hotels on November 11,2014

Akintunde Ayeni’s New Move

By all standards, Akintunde Ayeni, Chairman, Yem-Kem International, is a successful businessman, as he is recognised for a number of popular brands at home and abroad.

Over the years, the Ekiti State-born entrepreneur is a force to reckon with in the hospitality business. He is ever brimming with ideas and is blessed with the Midas touch.

Interestingly, he has now expanded his business empire by venturing into the night club business with Splendour. Following the birth of this new outfit, sources explained to Spyglass that the business has never been the same again in Ado Ekiti.

Spyglass gathered that within a short period of its opening, it has attracted notable personalities across the country, including Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and top Nigeria-born international show promoter, Ademola Oyefeso, amongst several others. Also, top music stars such 9ice, Wande Coal and Korede Bello have showcased their talents at the night club.

Splendour, which is situated within The Pathfinder Hotel also owned by the businessman, is a luxury night club. It is designed for the upscale youths, while also meeting the business and leisure needs of the discerning business travellers seeking exclusive treat.

Right from the entrance to the large expanse of land housing the club house, guests and customers will be enthralled by the beauty of the hospitality arena from the outside bar, which has become the second home of many fun seekers on a daily basis.

Splendour sits on multiple plots on the super-premium University Road, with its impeccable design and finishing complemented with stunning and first of its kind décor and lighting, world- class customer service and hospitality, renowned DJs and an over- the- roof sound system that pundits say is the first in the market.

Atiku Rekindles Hope

For some time, the body language of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President, shows that he is eyeing the number one seat in the country come 2019.

This is not disputable, as he is said to be making subtle but very frantic moves to make his dream come true in 2019.

Those close to him say that he is leaving no stone unturned. He is said to be having various consultations with virtually all the stakeholders in the political terrain, especially across his party, APC, the platform on which may be contesting in the next general election.

The Adamawa State-born retired customs top shot and politician is not a push-over in the volatile game of politics in the country and is ready to give his best shot for the plum post come 2019.

It was gathered that his allies across the states of the federation have been perfecting strategies and meeting minds with Abubakar

to ensure a soft landing when the time comes for the people to decide.

Within the ranks and file of APC now, the former vice president is seen as the most favoured among the contenders for the post.

Beyond this, one of the factors that may work in his favour is that he is regarded as a man of the people, one who is close to the grassroots.

It will be recalled that as the Vice President to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he controlled a fair-share of the National Assembly membership; and the connection, according to his aides, is still intact till date.

Since his recent moves, he is seen as a desperado and a man with inordinate ambition in some quarters. But those close to him maintain that those who mouth such criticisms do not know him too well.

Abubakar wields a very strong political power and is almost the strongest man in the Northern politics today, considering his vast influence and high network of connections among all political divides.

However, he has a Herculean task ahead of him, one of which is how to tackle his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo who, we gathered, has allegedly vowed to continue to work against his ambition till he breaths his last. Also, another major challenge is the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari, who might seek a re-election in 2019. Indeed, if he succeeds in literally crushing these two oppositions, he will need to also tackle a former Governor of Kano State, Kwakwanso, who put up an impressive showing at the last presidential primaries.

DemolaAdedoyin’sWinningStreak

Demola Adedoyin, the brains behind iTroops and Genity Enterprise Limited, sure knows how to reinvent and remain relevant in his business.

He is known for his uncommon skill to attract high value businesses in the lucrative integrated marketing communication sector.

If you are in doubt, you will be convinced by the time you read his about his rising profile.

His ability to meet his clients’ needs has continued to fetch him mouth-watering deals from multinational companies in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FCMG) sector.

Few weeks after he had a rethink and dumped an earlier business decision to concentrate on public affairs and returned to Lagos from Abuja, where he’d relocated his offices and operations to a couple of years back, he has begun to attract mouth-watering deals among top companies in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FCMG) sector.

Besides his widespread contacts in the industry, those in the know say that his uncommon resourcefulness accounts for why high value businesses have been coming his way.

It was also learnt that one of his motivations is the determination to put to shame vile rumour mongers who lambasted him on account of his decision to quit Unilever to form iTroops and Genity by making a success of his return to the IMC sector with an eye on private sector businesses.

It was further gathered that his latest pursuit is already gathering huge support from highend decision makers in the IMC industry on the account of his inventiveness.

Truth be told, even though relocating to Abuja fetched him some key acquaintances in the corridors of power; he has also learnt valuable business lessons: the private sector is more lucrative when it comes to activation business and Lagos is the epicentre of it all especially when it comes to pan Nigeria campaigns.

Recall that before now, he was one of the hotheads at advertising agency, Satchi & Satchi SOU, before he joined Unilever where he rose to become the Channels Communication Manager, the equivalent of Marketing Communications Director. This is besides being a top shot at a couple of IMC industrybased associations including the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) and the Nigerian Institute of Marketing.

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 4, 2017

VINTAGE With Africa in Focus, Rotary Marks World Understanding Day The Rotary Club of Lagos under Mrs. Modupe Sasore, recently marked the World Understanding Day with a call on Africa to ensure a more peaceful transfer of power on the continent. Labake Fashogbon reports

W

hen Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, former minister of finance in Liberia, was exchanging pleasantries with guests at the foyer of the Agip Hall of the MUSON Centre, in Lagos, last week, he was lost in the crowd. Ngafuan was in Lagos as the keynote speaker at the symposium organised by the Rotary Club of Lagos to mark the World Understanding Day which was help on February 23. Ngafuan, who also at one time, served as the minister of foreign affairs for his country, was unassuming and quite simple. Decked in his native ‘kente’ gown, he gave little away in terms of his intellectual capabilities.

But all that changed when he mounted the podium, all that changed.

Ngafuan spoke on the Challenges of Power Transfer in Africa. While he admitted that he was not an academician, Ngafuan provided insight into why some leaders simply find it difficult to relinquish power in Africa. While admitting that the last 20 years have seen more and more African countries embracing democratic rule, the fact remains that civil strives that have destroyed many African countries in the 90s and early 2000s had always stemmed from the fact that many unpopular leaders did not want to leave power even when it had become so obvious that they had lost every legitimate right or reason to remain in office.

Drawing copious examples from many African countries that have had to ensured tumultuous transfer of power in the continent, the former minister who was once a student leader, made reference to the recent events in The Gambia where it had to take a threat of military campaign against former President Yahya Jammeh before he reluctantly agreed to cede power to the winner of the December 20, 2016 presidential election in the country.

“About a month ago, our West African neighbor, Gambia, teetered on the brink of political violence with huge ramifications for our sub-region when President Yahya Jammeh shocked the world by refusing to accept the results of the presidential election in which he had lost to Adama Barrow. Mr. Jammeh had previously accepted the result and phoned Mr. Barrow to congratulate him. To be honest, given the erratic, dictatorial and sometimes delusional manner in which President Jammeh ruled his country for over 22 years, Jammeh’s decision to reverse his earlier decision of accepting the result did not shock me much. What actually shocked me instead was his

From left, Rotarian Garuba Mohammed, chairman of the planning committee, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, chairman of the occasion, President of the Rotary Club of Lagos, Mrs. Gladys Modupe Sasore, guest speaker and former finance minister of Liberia, Augustine Ngafuan, and Rotarian Ibikunle Ogunbayo at symposium to mark the World Understanding Day by the Rotary Club of Lagos earlier decision to accept the result. We can only say thanks to the unity, tenacity, and wisdom demonstrated by leaders of our regional body, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), supported by the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), which was pivotal in mid-wifing a successful end to the crisis that saw the eventual departure of President Jammeh from Gambia and the inauguration of President Barrow without the loss of a single life,” Ngafuan submitted.

He explained that as a result of their reluctance to leave the stage when the ovation was loudest, many former African leaders are living a shameful post-presidential life. He mentioned former Burkina Faso leader, Blaise Compaore, who came to office after his long time friend and former leader, Thomas Sankara, was brutally murdered in October 1987.

Today, he is on exile. Former Ivorian president, Lauren Bagboy, who nearly plunged his country to another civil war when he refused to hand over to Alaskan Outran, the winner of the presidential election in 2011, is now in jail at The Hague.

Ngafuan said his own country was not left out. Apparently ruled as a one party state for 130 years, the coup of April 1980 that brought to power the late Samuel Kenyon Doe was very popular. But no

sooner had he got to office that he too was swallowed by the sweetness of office. He refused to organise elections and when he eventually did, he was a candidate and he was declared the winner. To sustain himself in office, he became ruthless and was ordering killings and detentions of opposition elements. The armed uprising, led by Charles Taylor, that started against him in December 1989 claimed over 200000 lives including that of Doe himself who was killed by a splinter group of the NPFL rebel group led by Prince Yummier Johnson. It took almost ten years before Liberia recovered. Since election is expected to hold later this year, Ngafuan said if it eventually holds and current president hands over to another elected leader, it would be the first time in the history of the country that will be happening.

“Liberia is scheduled to hold presidential elections in October of this year and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, after serving for twelve years, is expected to turn over power to the newly elected President in January 2018. If everything pans out as planned, this would be the first time since 1944 for Liberia to experience a peaceful transition from one living President to another.”

Expatiating on the way out, the trained lawyer said there was need to show sympathy to some leaders on the continent who themselves have “becomes the

led by their aides.” He stated that some leaders have become prisoners to their aides who see their survival tied to that of the principal. Secondly, he advocated for a good and enticing retirement package for former leaders so that their lives after office are not lived in penury.

In his opening remarks, president of the Club, Gladys Modupe Sasore, said as far back as at the 1921 Convention of Rotarians in Scotland, it was agreed that peacemaking be incorporated into the Rotary constitution and bye-laws He said therefore, all Rotarians are “heirs to a legacy of peace, advocacy, argued and pursued by a long line of our Rotarian forebears.” She said it was “important we keep the torch alight.”

In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said it was time for Rotarians to expand the frontiers of cooperation amongst themselves to effect the needed change in the society. According to him, no other rotary club could spearhead this other than the Rotary Club of Lagos.

As the ceremony drew to a close and Ngafuan once again exchanged banters with guests and members of the Rotary Club of Lagos, it was obvious that his appearance had hidden a rare gem in him.

And if words are true that he might be taking a shot at his country’s presidency, then Liberians have a man with brain and brawn ready to lead them.

Arik Air Introduces N16, 000 Promo Fare, Releases New Kaduna Schedule

A

rik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest carrier has announced a special promotional fare that will enable passengers buy a-one-way ticket to any destination in Nigeria from N16, 000.

The promotion, which runs from March 6 to 20 March, 2017 is to acknowledge and appreciate the loyalty of the airline’s highly esteemed customers that have stood with the airline for over a decade of operation. To enjoy this offer however, customers are advised to buy their ticket on or before

March 20, 2017, while the last date for travel is March 31, 2017.

A statement from the airline added that tickets can be purchased at any Arik Air City Office, Airport Ticketing Office, online at www.arikair.com or the Arik Mobile App. Commenting on the latest promotion, Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Captain Roy Ilegbodu said: “This is an exciting time for both staff and loyal customers of Arik Air. The new management has ensured stability of operations over the last three weeks with improved on-time-performance.”

Captain Roy who further disclosed

that Arik passengers would be greeted with many more amazing customer centric engagements in the months ahead disclosed that management is working hard to expand coverage. He said, “Arrangements have been concluded to return five of the grounded aircraft back to service shortly and this will enable us add more flights to our network. We therefore welcome back our loyal customers and promise them a great flying experience.”

In a related development, Arik Air has released a new schedule for its Kaduna operations following the planned closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe

International Airport, Abuja from March 8, 2017, and the diversion of traffic to Kaduna Airport.

Arik Air will be operating three daily flights between Kaduna and Lagos and one daily flight between Kaduna and Accra, Ghana during this period.

Other destinations to be serviced by the airline from Kaduna are Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Sokoto, Gombe, Yola and Enugu, which will have one daily flight each.

The new schedule will be operated for six weeks when the Abuja Airport is closed to traffic.

25

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper • MARCH 4, 2017

Expression

MEDIAGAFFES by

Zenith Bank, Enugu Gov. Goof

D

AILY SUN of February 27 leads today with this headline blunder: “Countdown to FG’s red card for automotive junks” ‘Junk’ is uncountable.

From the front page headline of Daily Sun of February 21 comes the next infraction and subsequent ones: “Fire outbreak at National Assembly” Delete ‘outbreak’ because of its redundancy.

“Experience a world class (world-class) secondary education in Awka” (Full-page advertisement by British Spring College, Daily Sun, February 21) Yank off the article ‘a’ if you want to inspire the best in your child!

“Kidnapping: Ambode assures parents of wards (wards’) safety in Lagos schools” “We wish you many more feathers to (in) your cap.” (Full-page congratulatory message by Arab Contractors O. A. O. Nigeria Ltd., Daily Sun, February 21) “A well deserved (well-deserved) accolade” “Recently (a comma) there have been series (has been a series) of well funded (well-funded) and sponsored media attacks….”

“FAAN commissions 216 AVSEC, ARFFS officers with high expectations” (Daily Sun Business, February 21) Kudos to whoever cast this headline. This is the first time I am seeing the word ‘commission’ correctly used in a Nigerian newspaper!

“Eagles (Eagles’) defence still source of worry” “The ideal gift for any occassion” (Fullpage advertisement by Zenith Bank, THISDAY, February 25) Spell-check: occasion Still on THISDAY: “From t-shirt on denim to designer wedding trousseau and allexpense paid honeymoon in Dubai….” Get it right: all-expenses-paid honeymoon “…on the review of Nigeria (Nigeria’s

or Nigerian) electoral system.” (Full-page advertorial by the Government of Enugu State of Nigeria signed by Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor, Enugu State, Daily Sun, February 27) “AFDB (AfDB) grants $150m to AIDS affected (AIDS-affected) nations” THE NATION of February 28 comes next with this schoolboy mistake: “It was restored few (a few) weeks ago at N65 and it will take effect from September 1.” “…he said PDP does (did) not need Wike to win election in Rivers.”

“The once popular Ejinrin seaport near Epe, Lagos State, which was once a beehive of activities from slavery to….” No oddity please: hive of activity, preferably, or beehive of activity (not activities)!

“Among the dignitaries at (on) the occasion were….”

“Okada riders, police clash set community on fire” A rewrite: Okada riders’, police clash sets community on fire” “Anambra seeks citizens’ input on (into/ to) 2018 budget” “Residents of Ogun community seek organisation’s probe over (into) human rights violation” “Kwarans are no longer their brother’s keepers….” Fixed/stock expression: brother’s keeper (no matter the plurality) “…ethnic and political lines with the wealth of the state in the hands of just a few individuals.” Going by the context of this extract, it should be ‘few individuals’ and not ‘a few individuals’.

“Dangote pays half year (half-year) bonus” “If that has (had) been the case over the years….”

“The new cases are people who had secondary contacts with late (the late) Patrick Sawyer….”

“Eko Bridge repairs starts (why?), Lagos urges caution, cooperation” “How to restore confidence in (to) Police Force, by Tsav” “Federal Ministry of Agriculture

and Rural Development hereby invites stakeholders to the grand commissioning (inauguration or unveiling) of the 100,000 MT (100,000-MT) silo complex and flag-off (launch) ceremony….”

“Congratulations to an outstanding public officer, accountant per (par) excellence and a man of integrity….” “…on your selection as one of the most exceptional accountant-general in the federation.” Get it right: accountants-general Finally from THE GUARDIAN of February 28 under review: “There seemed to be international conspiracy (an international conspiracy) in (against) Ebola outbreak.”

FEEDBACK

USAGE HINTS: “Beggars must not be choosers”, meaning “a person who is hungry and has no money to buy food should not complain when he is offered bread and cheese instead of roast lamb and new potatoes, with apple tart and cream to follow. He is in no position to argue with his benefactor and should be grateful for anything he is given”, is the standard proverb (not “Beggars can’t be choosers”).

Similar proverbs are NEVER LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH; HE WHO PAYS THE PIPER CALLS THE TUNE. “To have one’s cake and eat it” or “to eat one’s cake and have it” means “to have the advantages of two things or situations when doing, possessing, etc. One of them would normally make the other one impossible’. Mr. Andrew is engaged to one of the sisters but he would like to have his cake and eat it and go out with the other sisters.

-Ize or –ise? The ending –ize and – ization are generally preferred to – ise and – isation in the 21st century usage, hence “sensitize”, like Womanize (not –ise), capsize (not –ise), hospitalize (not –ise), humanize, dehumanize, capitalize, doctorize, Russianize, Americanize, Africanize, Nigerianize, militarize, democratize, globalize, demonize, is the preferred form (not “sensitise”).

Every user of English should keep abreast of the current tendencies and influences in the language.

Ebere Wabara

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

Lest we forget, CELEBRATER or Celebrator is reserved for someone having a good time while “celebrant” is reserved for someone who conducts a religious rite. If “celebrator” becomes overworked/overused or becomes obsolete, then “celebrater”, the original word, will take over (Look it up in The New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary of The English Language, page 214 and The Associated Press STYLEBOOK, page 36).

“Inquire” is the preferred spelling, NOT “enquire” and “inquiry” is preferred to “enquiry” (DICTIONARY OF USAGE, page 91). Besides, in American English, the general preference is to use “inquiry” (GOOD WORD GUIDE, page 99). The debate continues. Well done, brother! (Bayo Oguntunase, Language activist, Adoro62@yahoo.co.uk) MR. Wabara, I have always enjoyed your every Saturday tonic—Media Gaffes. Keep it up. I wish to draw your attention to our discussion on the word ‘about’ in one of last month’s editions.

You inadvertently repeated what was required to be corrected as the correction. Secondly, one of your contributors to that edition should have said, ‘about 1,720 or 1,700’…rounded to the nearest 10 or 100 (sic) would have read rounded up or down to the nearest 10 or 100. And this: 1,729 or 1,700 (to the nearest 10 and 100 respectively). For instance, 1,755 can be rounded up to 1,800 (not 100). Thank you. (Surveyor J. O. Amayo, Benin City, 08051646227) THE next two contributions are by Mr. Kola Danisa (07068074257): “Over four months after their abduction, the girls are yet (have yet) to be located.”

“Liberia is (has) yet to return to….”

DR. Stanley Nduagu (08062925996) sent in the next faulty extract from Aba: “The Nigerian nurses as endangered specie (species)” (Nigerian nurses and midwives’ advertorial) ‘Species’ is both singular and plural. The word ‘specie’ has no place in English language.

More knowledge-based, well-researched, therapeutic and constructive contributions are welcome.

Xenophobia: Time for Nigeria to Look in the Mirror

R

ecent incidences of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa have necessarily raised nationwide indignation in Nigeria. Individual citizens, interest groups, serious associations and nonentities like the derailed National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) have all spoken in condemnation of the attacks. The Muhammadu Buhari administration has also reacted in some measure, demanding of South African authorities to put an immediate halt to the deeply troubling situation. Not one to miss an opportunity to impress, the National Assembly has found a window to appear populist and patriotic in the eyes of an increasingly skeptical public.

The Senate on Wednesday named a delegation headed by its Deputy President, Ike Ekweremadu to visit the Parliament of South Africa and register the displeasure of Nigeria on the matter and seek a joint parliamentary solution to the recurring problem.

What is happening in South Africa serves Nigeria right.

Without disregard to the sensibilities of the issue, the truth is that Nigeria has put herself in this vulnerable situation of being at the mercy of some other nations of the world. The country has lost the commanding heights of diplomacy and global respect she was commanded in the first two decades of independence.

The history of the Nigeria’s foreign relations is noted for a once glorious era when she bestrode Africa and indeed the world at large like the emergent colossus she truly was. Time it was that when Nigeria sneezed, the continent caught cold and the world excused a momentary freeze to understand the implications.

This was the period the country stared the West in the eyes and challenged the inglorious apartheid regime in South Africa till it eventually collapsed and liberated the rainbow nation from that inglorious past. It should count for one of the greatest ironies in the study of international relations that it is same South Africa that has now come to hold Nigeria’s citizens under an unlawful and repugnant siege of xenophobia.

But Nigeria must learn to ignore the symptoms and deal with the root cause of the problem. This is the time to look at the mirror and absorb the bare truths and seek honest paths of redress through introspection. One of such truths is that the country has failed itself and its citizens in not a few aspects.

Decades of debilitating economic conditions that have eventually convulsed into a recession have forced millions to flee into pitch-dark uncertainties in foreign lands. Nigerians are a more regular feature in the dangerous journeys across the turbulent transatlantic Mediterranean oceans and the sun-baked dunes of the Sahara desert. Nigerians have become refugees in many cross-border territories; some others have scaled through barbed wires and stowed away in ships and aircrafts to become illegal immigrants in search of the proverbial greener pastures.

Over the decades, the country has lost countless brains and abundant human resources in this forced migration to other lands.

people2people with

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

Twitter: @resourceme

Zuma

But the real emigration and the greatest irony of all, is the invisible escape of the psyche of citizens from the cavalier body polity of Nigeria. Although they remain within the 923,000 sq km border space of the territory, many citizens have since exorcised their souls and spirits from the artificial covering offered by the nomenclature of the nation-state. This is what the South Africans and indeed, many other nations of the world, have seen that gives them the temerity to treat Nigerians shabbily with mindless disdain. A country that cannot offer substance and benefits of nationality rights to her nationals surely leaves them at the mercy of unfriendly elements. A nation that celebrates nepotism, ethnic jingoism, religious bigotry and manifest cronyism on one hand; and elevates mediocrity, mendacity, and prebendalism to fundamentals of state policy cannot in all fairness and good conscience demand a fair deal for its citizens abroad. This is Nigeria’s greatest handicap: the world knows this and is exploiting it to great advantage. How can Nigeria then blame the South Africans?

Take a look at the mirror Nigeria and see the bleeding fields

of Southern Kaduna. Despite the swooping presence of security agencies, including the deployment of an Army standby force complemented by the Police Mobile Force, the blood-thirsty Fulani herdsmen have continued in their reign of violence, blood and tears against defenceless indigenes. What other inspiration would the killers and persecutors of Nigerians in South Africa have than the endless carnage inflicted by rampaging herdsmen in Kaduna and other parts of the country?

Take a look in the mirror Nigeria and see the conquered nation the Igbos have become in their own country. The second class status the race has been subjected to especially in recent times speaks very loud of the need to interrogate the terms and conditions of Nigeria’s unity, assuming there was ever one.

Despite being one of the dominant legs of Nigeria’s deceitful tripodal ethno-socio configuration, the Igbos have almost always played the second fiddle. From the issue of the vexatious non-representation on the commanding heights of the country’s security apparatus to the campaign of state violence often reported against the people, the Igbos have perhaps never felt more insecure in Nigeria since after the fratricidal civil war of the late 1960s. There is little to suggest that such prevalent disdain is not partly responsible for the renewed agitation for secession by Nnamdi Kanu-led Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) group, no matter how misplaced or wrongful its strategies had been.

But it is hard to dismiss the suggestion that the heavy-handed response of the Buhari administration to IPOB and other associated groups in the South-east has unfortunately tended to reinforce the feeling of marginilzation and state-sponsored hatred against the Igbos. The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, put it rather succinctly in a recent outing in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Hear him: “I feel bad about how our youths are treated. I know of the Boko Haram terrorising the North-Eastern part of the country. They conquered and displaced community authorities and hoisted their flag, invariably announcing their own country but I have not heard of any of them that was arrested. I know of the Niger Delta Avengers who are angry as the MASSOB and IPOB and are destroying oil facilities. I don’t know any of them that has been arrested. What has IPOB done to be treated differently?”

If Igbos can be so despised in their country without redress, why would they not be easy victims in another man’s land in South Africa and elsewhere? Why won’t the injustice against Nigerians abroad hold sway when back home, their case is not any different?

I invite you to take another perspective to the possible inspiration for xenophobic targeting of Nigerians in the Southern enclave of the continent.

––Epia, Publisher of OrderPaper.ng is on Twitter @ resourceme.

Readers can continued online www.thisdaylive.com

26

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper •MARCH 4, 2017

auto

L-R: Managing Director, Volkswagen of Nigeria Automobiles, Mr. Tokunbo Aromolaran; Mrs. Ben Murray Bruce; Senator Ben Murray Bruce; and winner of the Hyundai i10

‘FG Holds Key to Purchase of Made-in-Nigeria Vehicles’ Senator Ben Murray Bruce and Mr. Tokunbo Aromolaran, Managing Director, Volkswagen of Nigeria (VON) Automobiles are both strong advocates for a sustainable market for made-in-Nigeria cars. However, they differ on the closure of the nation’s land borders to importation of cars, reports Bennett Oghifo

T

he Managing Director, Volkswagen of Nigeria (VON) Automobiles, Mr. TokunboAromolaran said his company is unable to expand its assembly plant because everybody drives imported used/tokunbo cars. “If you are driving cars that are made locally, then it will create avenue for additional production and that will create additional avenue for more employment, and create avenue for value added and for GDP; it is chain.”

Aromolaran said he is principally the first person that fights bringing tokunbo items into the country, adding that it matters where a vehicle was imported from, regardless of the fact that everyone desires to drive one. “It is like birth pain; you have to go through that pain before the child comes out. We must all undergo the pain of developing this industry before we can all enjoy the benefit of a viable auto industry.”

Ban on importation of vehicles through land borders…

Aromolaran, who is also the President of Nigeria Auto Manufacturers Association (NAMA) said he defers from his guest, Senator Ben Murray Bruce on the federal government’s ban on importation of vehicles through the nation’s borders.

Senator Bruce said the policy does not make sense, because it would lead to job-loss and explained that the vehicles should be allowed to enter the country with the government ensuring that it collects appropriate duties.

He stated that any Customs officers, who attempts to short-change the government should be sacked to send the message home that the government was serious about not losing money at the border posts.

However, Aromolaran is different on this, saying “I don’t think it will deprive people of jobs. What is happening is that cars come in through land borders, but there is no assembly plant in Cotonou or wherever; they all cars coming from Europe but the come in through Cotonou and because they don’t want to pay duty, they come through wherever. The same people they employ to drive these

vehicles in can be better employed if the industry grows and everybody pays his appropriate duty to government. Those cars that come in through the border don’t pay duty, even when they come through our gate at Seme, they just settle people and they drive pass.

“We are one of those who are fighting that the government should shut down those land borders, because none of those countries that they pass through has an assembly plant but they collect duty on what they have not earned; let our own customs collect the duty. After the closure, those who cannot find work in auto distribution should wait for our own cars that will become the stock of second hand cars. If they allow locally assembled cars to grow, then in the next three years our second-hand market will not be tokunbo cars but cars derived from the ones we produce here. That is how every country develops it second market for cars.”

He said they have their strategy on how made in Nigeria cars can grow; “we can do it and Nigerians will be proud to drive cars that are assembled here. When I resumed here (VON) we started by taking auto mechanics off the streets; mechanics with small shops and their apprentices and trained them formally and turned them into what I can call super mechanics now. They work on an automated conveyor system and they know that the result of their work is important to the next stage and they dare not make mistakes.”

He said they want to create value in the local sense and that Nigerians should also have a sense of pride that the vehicles were made in the country and so would have to use it.

Quality control…

Aromolaran assured that they have strong quality control from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), who are their partners.

He said, “Nissan will not allow any vehicle to leave this plant except it has passed all its tests. So, we adhere to quality control and we have done it to the most sophisticated cars. The Nissan Patrol that we produce here can stand against any car produce by any other brand.

“So, we haven’t done badly but what we want is for Nigerians to give us the opportunity to expand this facility and let us do it here. Of the top-10 most populated countries in the world, only two- Nigeria and Bangladesh don’t have a viable auto industry and we need to change that.”

The market…

Nigeria has a huge auto market inAfrica, particularly the West African segment. “The market is there and where Nigeria is in West Africa is almost in the middle of Africa; Egypt and South Africa are both at the extreme ends of the continent.”

He said they have “looked at the centre core ofAfrica as our base and we need to allow the auto sector to develop here. We have followed the growth of SouthAfrica meticulously to see how they arrived at where they are now. They are working with us and are producing so much because they see Nigeria as a potential market for their components and not for their fully built cars. They know that when Nigeria’s market develops, they well have a market for their components. They have come here and are helping us to push to develop our auto industry and we are busy fighting our industry because the people who are just importing and selling do not want the auto industry to develop.”

Leave the border open…

Senator Ben Murray Bruce is against shutting the nation’s borders because “if you shut the borders, then you’re going to create massive unemployment among millions of people who live in the border towns. The inefficiency or incompetence of Customs should not be the reason you shut down borders rather you improve the quality of Customs and border patrol in Nigeria.”

Giving an analogy, he said, “When I built the first movie theatre in Nigeria, Nollywood came to me and said that I’m killing Nollywood because my theatre prevents them from exhibiting their movies, which, those days was on VHS- and that James Bond movie will be superior to Nollywood movie.

“So, I asked them a question, do I reduce my standard to accommodate you or do you increase your standard so you can make more money. Ten

years later, I won the argument and now they are making millions of dollars.

“So, if you shut down the borders because of the incompetence of Customs and those who guard our nation, then it is a disservice to our people.”

Senator Bruce said he believes the cars should be on ban and “Customs officials who do not do their job should be fired. It is the same position I am taking with the aviation industry- it is a big disgrace. I am very happy that the vice President visited the airport.

They generate a hundred billion in cash annually, yet the toilets don’t flush, escalators and lifts don’t work. The place is a monumental disgrace- They raised $500 million from the Chinese, yet no airport is functioning and sacking 10 people is not going to solve the problem as far as I’m concerned. It needs total overhaul and total privatisation; a big portion of the revenue they make is spent on salaries and no productivity.”

Nigeria, he said has two kinds of people, producers and consumers. “If you’re a consumer, you get fat and if you’re a producer, you get freedom to produce.”

Senator Bruce said he supports made in Nigeria and that Nigerian companies should be successful.

“I believe we should all drive made in Nigeria cars and also believe we should buy what we like but we must create the environment to buy made in Nigeria cars.”

He then charged the banking sector, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, to create a seven-year loan with five per cent interest so that a young graduate can buy a car of three to four million naira in his lifetime- that is what I call the triangle of life. “Also, you insist that all government officials should drive only cars that are made in Nigeria, buy law.”

He said the loan should be for new cars made in Nigeria alone. “If this is in place, then who is going to buy a 10-year old imported car? The government and the Ministers of Transport and Aviation need to think and think about Nigeria and then they can fix this problem. It is not rocket science.”

Senator Bruce, who drives an electric Kia Soul, said he would do all that was necessary to promote made in Nigeria products, “but we cannot move forward if all we do is for a young graduate to drive a 30-year car.”

Made-in-Nigeria Hyundai i10 presentation…

The story of the made-in-Nigeria Hyundai i10 that was presented to a reporter of The Nation Newspaper began last November when some members of the Senate Committee on Trade, led

by Senator Ben Murray Bruce, in the performance of their oversight function, visited VON Automobile in Lagos. It was during the brainstorming session during the visit that Senator Bruce challenged the management of VON to do a raffle draw among the journalists present for one of them to win a made-in-Nigeria Hyundai i10. The draw held and a reporter from The Nation Newspaper emerged winner. The lucky winner was presented the car

by Senator Bruce in presence of his wife, and the Managing Director, Volkswagen of Nigeria (VON) Automobiles, Mr. Tokunbo Aromolaran.

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper •MARCH 4, 2017

27

auto

Diageo, UNITAR Partner to Promote Road Safety

D

iageo, a global leader in the beverage alcohol industry and parent company of Guinness Nigeria Plc has partnered the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to deliver a workshop that aims to promote road safety and sustainable transport systems in Nigeria.

The two-day workshop which held at the University of Lagos brought together various stakeholders who play a part in developing transport systems and promoting road safety in Nigeria. Speaking at the event, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria PLC, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, noted that by partnering UNITAR, Guinness Nigeria/Diageo shows its continued commitment the responsible use of alcohol and the prevention of alcohol-related road traffic accidents. He said: “We believe that a single death caused by drinking and driving is one too many and can and must be prevented.

All new Toyota C-HR SUV

Toyota Launches Stunning C-HR SUV Stories by Bennett Oghifo

T

oyota has brought excitement and driving pleasure to the SUV market with the launch of its radically styled C-HR, or Coupe High Rider.

The new car stands out in the Toyota range and its segment with a coupelike upper body, powerful underpinnings, engaging driving dynamics, punchy turbo petrol

engine and advanced cabin quality.

A high level of standard features and sharp pricing add to the appeal with every C-HR equipped with a suite of advanced safety technologies and in-demand features such as satellite navigation, alloy wheels and dual-zone automatic airconditioning.

Toyota has created a simple pricing structure that starts at $26,990* for the six-speed manual front-drive C-HR, increasing by $2,000 for the continuously variable automatic transmission

(CVT) and a further $2,000 for the traction of all-wheel drive.

Top-of-the-range Koba variants add luxury features including leather-accented seats, keyless entry and ignition, bigger (18-inch) alloy wheels, LED lamps and innovative nanoe (pronounced nano-e) technology that moisturises cabin air - all for an additional competitive $4,300.

A vibrant colour palette accentuates the extroverted styling of the C-HR and is taken further on Koba grades with a $450 two-tone paint option,

adding a white or black roof to specific body hues.

Personalisation is a by-word for the newest Toyota with more than 60 available Toyota Genuine accessories - second only to HiLux in the Toyota range in number - encouraging owners to express their individuality.

Customisation options to expand driveway appeal include eight alloy wheel designs; coloured exterior garnishes, wheel caps and mirror covers; and roof cross-bars for bicycles and other sports equipment.

Hyundai Sonata Getting Aggressive Redesign and Turbo Model

I

t appears the Hyundai Sonata is getting an aggressive facelift. The Korean automaker posted two teaser images on its Facebook page in the form of sketches, giving us a hint about how the facelifted Sonata will look.

Considering the new Sonata was introduced as a 2015 model, a refresh is likely around the corner. It appears Hyundai will make the popular sedan even sportier with the addition of a Turbo model, while the front and rear ends will get restyled to match.

Up front, the new Sonata’s large hexagonal grille follows the design of other new Hyundai vehicles like the Accent and Elantra GT. Engine choices for the facelifted Sonata will likely include the 1.6-liter

turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 178 horsepower, the 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 245 hp and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 185 hp.

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid...

As an alternative fuel vehicle, the Ioniq is going up against gas prices that remain at historic lows.

Convincing consumers to make the move away from fossil fuels was tough when the national average price for a gallon of gas in the U.S. was a whopping $3.60 back in 2012; it’s hard to imagine that reality changing with prices hovering around $2.30/gallon these days.

That this Hyundai is a compact car only makes matters worse for the Ioniq, as the popularity of crossovers continues to climb.

New design Hyundai Sonata

Nigeria Road Safety Strategy: A New Dawn

L

astweek,Itoldyouthattheinaugurationof theNigerianRoadSafetyAdvisoryCouncilwassignificantinoureffortasacountry totacklethemenaceofavoidabledeaths onourroads.Theinauguration hasnow settheballrollingtokickstarttheNigeria RoadSafetyStrategy(NRSS).InthewordsoftheCorps MarshaloftheFederalRoadSafetyCorps,DrBoboye Oyeyemi,the event isanuncommondemonstration ofthegoodwillofthepresentadministrationtoissuesof roadsafetyinthecountry.Soifyouaretrulyconcerned aboutourprogressinbequeathingasaferroadculture, you need to get a copy of the NRSS document and thoroughly digest it.

But while hoping that you will get a copy, this is how the same Mr Vice President captured governments thoughtsinhisforwardinthatnovelNRSSdocument; ‘’thisadministrationisfullycommittedtotherealization ofthislaudableobjectiveandbelievesthatthefirststep towardsachievingtheobjectiveistheinstitutionalization ofstrategicplanning.TheNigeriaRoadSafetyStrategy (NRSS)isamediumtermsectorstrategywhichprovides aframeworkfordevelopingandapplyingthemissing blocksrequiredtoachievetheRoadSafetyVisionwhich cutsacrossthesafesystemsapproachadvocatedbythe UN Decade ofAction (2011-2020)’’ He went further by saying that ‘’The NRSS encapsulates the growing national consciousness on issues of road safety, the spirit of collective responsibility and determination to reduce the level of RTCs and ensure

Safe driving with

Jonas Agwu

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

thatneitherdeathsnorseriousinjuriesresultfromthese crashes. The NRSS has the vision of a country where “Road Traffic Crash results in no death” and a goal of “reducingroadtrafficcrashfatalityrateby35%by2018”.

TheNRSSisanimportant,nobleandtimelyintervention which supports the process of entrenching the culture of safe use of Nigerian highways, the impact of which includes better quality of life for citizens and the socioeconomic growth of the nation as a whole. This is also consistentwithournationalaspirationofrepositioning the country to be among the League of Nations with the safest roads in the world in line with the Federal Government’s changeAgenda.

The NRSS,he further notes,’’ is the end product from all-inclusiveprocesswithstakeholdersdrawnfromboth the public and private sectors. It highlights the current roadsafetysituationinthecountry;interventionstrategies; road safety management; monitoring and evaluation framework;implementationcost;andkeysuccessfactors/

enablesfortheeffectiveimplementationofthestrategy.

One crucial truth about the document is that it paints the true picture though a diagnosisoftheroadsafetysituationinNigeria which reveals thatseveraldistressingissuesthathavecontributed tothecurrentrateofroadcarnageresultingintheloss of over 4,000 lives and an estimated loss of US$8b in 2012 alone. The Nigeria road safety situation, as depicted in thedocumentlacks several vitalcomponentsrequired forsafetyontheroads.Thiscomponentincludesgood roads with the appropriate road furniture, sound and functional health sector with hospitals providing the framework for effective emergency rescue, standard vehicles and of course better trained road users. The NRSSprovidesaframeworktowardsdevelopingand applyingthemissingblocksrequiredtoachievetheRoad SafetyVisionwhichcutsacrossthesafesystemsapproach and the five (5) pillars advocated by the UN Decade of Action (2011-2020).

The Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) sums up Nigeria’sresponseto theglobalcallforconcertedactions and provides a clear direction towards achieving the vision for road safety – “a country where road crashes result in no death”. The NRSS was developed using the Safe SystemsApproach LetmeagainfocusonthemanagementfunctionsperformedbyaleadagencysuchasFRSCwhichincludes resultfocusedapproach,coordination,legislation,funding and resource allocation, promotion, monitoring and evaluation,researchanddevelopmentandknowledge

transfer. Since space is a constraint having dwelled on some of these issues last week, I will scantily pick on some of these funcstions.Let me start with the responsibilityforleadingnationaleffortstoachieveroadsafety goals.Since1988,FRSChasworkedcollaborativelywith partnergovernmentagenciestodevelopanationalroad safetystrategyorstrategicplanwhich incorporatestwo vitalelements;anoutcomesmanagementframework which includes ambitious and achievable targets and intermediateindicatorsthatwillallowdeliveryprogress tobetrackedovertimeandafundedmulti-agencyaction plantoimplementthestrategy,whichisfocusedonthe evidence based interventions necessary to positively impact on the intermediate outcomes being sought.

I must however remind you that a major drawback is that for over 20years, the Corps or the country had confronted road traffic crash reduction without any national road safety policy to guide. While we had a leadagencyinFRSClikeImentionedearlier,thecritical and vital element mentioned by the Acting President were missing, This explained why over the years, the Federal Government single handedly bore a greater portion of the road safety headache including funding with support from the private sector coming from majorlymultinationalorganizationswhoseingrained safety culture compelled them to act within the ambit of their corporate social responsibility. Other levels of government were very passive except for few states whoborrowedaleafasetthefoundationforaddressing trafficchaosandattendantdeathswithintheirdomain.

28

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper • March 4, 2017

Family Health

Do You Suffer From Memory Loss ?

A

s human beings we are complex and intricate in makeup and build.

The human brain, comprising the very dense web of nerves, which controls and marshals your daily life through the sending of signals to and from the relevant lobes . These flow through our nerve pathway for us be able to function as intellectuals with a good memory function. Without your memory working efficiently, you would suffer memory loss. This is simply forgetting things.

Wandering about semi confused, trying to remember what you want to do or say. This is simply put , forgetfulness.

Memory loss, also called AMNESIA, happens when a person loses the ability to remember information and events they would normally be able to recall. It could be something that happened seconds or minutes ago, or a memorable event that occurred in the past. The loss of memory may have started suddenly, or it may have been getting worse over the last year or so. It’s normal to become a bit forgetful as you get older.

However, memory loss could be a symptom of something more serious and should be checked by a doctor .

Memory loss can be distressing for the person affected, and their family. Relatives may fear the worst and assume it’s caused by dementia, but this often isn’t the case. If your doctor thinks you or your relative needs an assessment for dementia, or that there may be another more serious underlying condition, such as brain damage, they’ll refer you to a specialist.

What do you do ?

See your doctor if you’re worried because you or someone you care for has lost their memory. They’ll do an initial assessment and ask questions about symptoms, family history and lifestyle. They may also arrange a blood test. Memory loss has a wide range of possible causes, depending on the type of memory loss.

Doctors classify memories as either: • immediate memories – such as sounds, which are only stored for a few seconds • short-term or recent memories – such as telephone numbers, which stay in your memory for 15 to 20 seconds; the brain can store about seven chunks of short-term information at any time • long-term or remote memories – more permanent memories, which have been reinforced because you’ve repeatedly gone over them in your mind.

Common causes of memory loss: Doctors often find that people who see them about memory loss are most likely to have: • anxiety • stress • depression Their memory loss is a result of poor concentration and not noticing things in the first place because of a lack of interest. Sleeping problems often make the memory loss worse. Your doctors may suggest trying antidepressants. If you have depression or anxiety, your memory problems should get better as the depression or anxiety improves.

An elderly person with memory loss is likely to have depression if they also experience changes in behaviour, such as hoarding or being bad tempered.

Other common causes of memory loss are: • a head injury – for example, after a car accident • a stroke – this cuts off some of the blood supply to the brain and causes brain tissue to die These will cause sudden memory loss, where you either forget events that happened before the trauma (retrograde amnesia), or you forget everything that happened after the trauma (anterograde amnesia).

Memory slips are aggravating, frustrating, and sometimes worrisome. When they happen more than they should, they can trigger fears of looming dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. There

with

Bobo Bode -Kayode

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, 08053372356

reversible causes are at the root of the problem.

Something like getting more sleep, switching a medication, or a stress reduction program could get your memory back on track.

Less common causes • an underactive thyroid – where your thyroid gland (found in the neck) doesn’t produce enough hormones • certain types of medication, such as sedatives and some treatments for Parkinson’s disease • long-term alcohol misuse • bleeding in the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage) • vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency – for example, as the result of a digestive problem • transient global amnesia – problems with blood flow to part of the brain, which causes sudden episodes of memory loss that a person can’t recall afterwards

Memory loss and aging : Normal agerelated memory loss doesn’t prevent you from living a full and productive life.

For example, you may forget a person’s name, but recall it later in the day. You might misplace your glasses occasionally. Or maybe you find that you need to make lists more often than in the past in order to remember appointments or tasks. These changes in memory are generally manageable and don’t disrupt your ability to work, live independently or maintain a social life

are many mundane—and treatable—causes of forgetfulness.

Memory loss and aging : Normal age-related memory loss doesn’t prevent you from living a full and productive life. For example, you may forget a person’s name, but recall it later in the day. You might misplace your glasses occasionally. Or maybe you find that you need to make lists more often than in the past in order to remember appointments or tasks. These changes in memory are generally manageable and don’t disrupt your ability to work, live independently or maintain a social life.

• psychogenic amnesia – a stressful or traumatic event that causes someone to block out the memory, leaving them unable to remember important information • a brain tumour TIPS FOR COPING : Tips for coping with a poor memory 1. Keep everyday items, such as car keys, in the same place and try to do things in the same order each time.

2. Write information down, and keep paper and a pencil near the phone.

Most common causes 1.Lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep is perhaps the greatest unappreciated cause of forgetfulness. Too little restful sleep can also lead to mood changes and anxiety, which in turn contribute to problems with memory.

3. Keep a diary at home as well as at work to remind you to do daily tasks.

2. Medications. Tranquilizers, antidepressants, some blood pressure drugs, and other medications can affect memory, usually by causing sedation or confusion. That can make it difficult to pay close attention to new things. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you suspect that a new medication is taking the edge off your memory.

As shown in the table below, alternatives are usually available. Underactive thyroid. A faltering thyroid can affect memory (as well as disturb sleep and cause depression, both of which can be causes of forgetfulness). A simple blood test can tell if your thyroid is doing its job properly.

5. Repeat important information you need to remember back to someone.

3. Alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can interfere with short-term memory, even after the effects of alcohol have worn off. Although “too much” varies from person to person, it’s best to stick with the recommendation of no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one a day for women. One drink is generally defined as 1.5 ounces (1 shot glass) of 80-proof spirits, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer.

4. Stress and anxiety. Anything that makes it harder to concentrate and lock in new information and skills can lead to memory problems.

Stress and anxiety fill the bill. Both can interfere with attention and block the formation of new memories or the retrieval of old ones.

5. Depression. Common signs of depression include a stifling sadness, lack of drive, and lessening of pleasure in things you ordinarily enjoy. Forgetfulness can also be a sign of depression—or a consequence of it.

6. If memory lapses are bugging you, it’s worth a conversation with your doctor to see if any

4. Use an alarm to help you remember to do something in the future, such as taking something out of the oven.

Amnesia is different from Dementia.

Could memory loss be dementia? If you’re reading this because you think your memory problems may be a sign of dementia, rest assured that they probably aren’t. A person with dementia won’t usually be aware of their memory loss, or may deny it.

• Your memory loss is likely to be caused by something much more common and treatable, such as depression.

• You may be worried that someone you care for has dementia. However, bear in mind around 40% of people over 65 have some type of memory problem, and only 15% will develop dementia each year.

• If your instincts are correct, their denial or lack of awareness of their memory loss can make it difficult to convince them to see a doctor.

Signs that someone has dementia, As a general guide: • Dementia usually occurs in people over the age of 65.

• The memory loss doesn’t happen suddenly, but gets gradually worse over time.

• Someone with dementia will struggle to remember immediate or recent events, but can still recall events that happened a long time ago.

This means that if their long-term memory is affected, it probably isn’t dementia.

GLOBAL SOCCER

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 16, 2011

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Ambrose Efe In a Race against Time

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOT AT STAKE

PAGE. 29 04.03.2017

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 4, 2017

GLOBAL SOCCER

Racing against Time After a good performance at the junior level, late national team coach, Stephen Keshi, invited Ambrose Efe to the Super Eagles ahead of 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. The defender stood like a rock in the defence en route Nigeria’s third AFCON success. However, a dip in form and not having enough playing time may rob Efe of his ambition of playing at the 2018 World Cup, writes Kunle Adewale

A

fter failing to secure a regular playing time under Coach Brendan Rogers at Celtic and as a way of playing himself back to reckoning into the national team having been ignored in two successive World Cup qualifiers against Zambia and Algeria, Ambrose Efe seeks a loan deal to English second tier side, Blackburn Rovers, but the non-issuance of work permit made him return to Celtic.

The 28-year-old stated that he was ready to continue "working and training hard. It’s difficult, as a player you want to play, but as you know, football has its ups and downs; you have good days and bad days. For me, I keep working hard and training hard.

I enjoy every moment I spend on the training field.

“The manager has told me he has seen me; he knows my quality and the kind of player I am, but the most important thing for me is to start playing. When I start playing, he can see me in a different way,” Ambrose was quoted as saying by The Scotting Sun. Blackburn Rovers Manager, Tony Mowbray, hinted that the deal for Ambrose would not happen this year.

“The club has worked very hard behind the scenes to try and make it happen, but it’s not going to be happening. I spoke to the boy. I enjoyed his company as a football guy, he understood the situation and percentage wise, it proved very difficult for us to get a work permit for him.

“It could have taken five, six or seven weeks which would have taken a lot of games out. Whether we address that later on, we will wait and see,” said Mowbray.

Rodgers describes Ambrose as the nicest guy he has met in the game.

But with Dedryck Boyata, Jozo Simunovic, Erik Sviatchenko and even Mikael Lustig ahead of him in the pecking order for the centre-half roles, Rodgers has told him he had no future at Parkhead.

Speaking ahead of Ambrose’s botched switch to Easter Road, Rodgers said: “It was unfortunate for Efe that his move to Blackburn didn’t come off. There was no alternative but for him to come back here and train. I think there was an issue around clearance and a work permit. They thought they could clear it up. He can play here in Scotland, but it doesn’t seem like he could play down there.

“I have to say, I’ve arguably probably met the nicest man in football, I really have. Efe is an absolute gentleman. There aren’t too many men who come into your office regularly and talk about how they appreciate the training and thank you for learning and the work he’s been given.

“In his time here, he’s never missed a training session. Never through illness, never through anything. If you were going to war you’d take Efe with you; that’s for sure. He’s an absolute machine physically, but he’s also a really good guy. Everyone here loves him and loves having him about the place.

“Of course he understands and respects that the game time is limited here. I’m disappointed for him. A couple of people came on to me and I couldn’t speak highly enough of him. He has a lot of attributes, but he’s at an age now where he’ll want to get back playing and playing regularly again. But he’s a wonderful man.

He’s a good guy and hopefully he can get sorted out in the end.”

Ambrose was only selected twice by Rodgers and last played back on July 27.

But Ambrose was desperate to see out the next few months in the UK to allow him to qualify for citizenship.

Rodgers said: “Efe was always going to stay in Britain for the duration of his contract.

“But the work permit issue shouldn’t arise again in the summer.

I think he’ll have his citizenship by then. He will have been here for five years. That was important for him. I don’t want to go into that too deep, but the guy has been here a number of years.

“People talked about him going abroad, but that was never going to happen. Once he’s been here five years, it allows him to maybe go abroad but then come back and work again. For his kids and his family, you have to respect that.”

Ambrose has however been given a soft landing after Neil Lennon, who took him to Celtic Park in 2012, to solve their defensive injury crisis asked him (Ambrose) to rejoin him at Hibs.

Ambrose will stay with Hibs until the end of the season after agreeing a 93-day loan.

In an interview with THISDAY, former Nigerian international, Tajudeen Disu, said inasmuch as he was of the opinion that anybody worthy of Super Eagles jersey should be a regular in his club, he thinks the door should not be shut on Ambrose.

“In our last World Cup qualifier match against Algeria, it was obvious that our weakest link was the defence line, therefore we need experienced players in that area.

Without trying to take anything away from some of the young players that were drafted into the defence line, I think the experience of Ambrose will still count when the chips are down,” Disu noted.

Ambrose started his professional career at Kaduna United in 2006 and two years later, he was loaned to Bayelsa United for the 2008–09 season, but remained with Kaduna United after helping them win promotion.

31

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 4, 2017

GLOBAL SOCCER

Liverpool, Arsenal Take Champion League Ticket Pursuit to Anfield After losing to Leicester on Monday, Liverpool would be hoping to resuscitate their pursuit for a Champions League slot as the Reds welcome Arsenal whose Manager, Arsene Wenger, is under pressure after losing ground to first placed team-Chelsea and their Premier League title hope in ruin

A

rsene Wenger admits he’s wary of the time off Arsenal have had since their last game against Sutton on February 20, urging his players to be ready for a quick start when they face Liverpool at Anfield today.

Jurgen Klopp’s men had been tipped to make the most of their own extended break prior to last Monday’s game with Leicester only to be beaten 3-1 by the stuttering reigning champions.

Looking ahead to this evening’s clash, a game that so often throws up last-gasp goals, the boss called on the Gunners to focus on achieving a morale-boosting victory.

“It’s always high intensity, very competitive. Anfield is a special place where the fans are behind their team, where their team plays at a good pace. For us, after a little break, it’s important to switch on quickly. We have seen that’s not easy – Liverpool showed that against Leicester.

After a break, it’s important that you are

ready from the start again. You lose a little bit the rhythm of the competition and for us it’s vital to start strongly at Liverpool,” said Wenger.

He added: “It is even more important because we have not done well recently in these kind of games. For us, this kind of game at Liverpool is of course an opportunity that we want to take.

“We have to go and take it and not wait for the result. The result comes with a ‘taking attitude’ and that for me is the most important, that we go to just start on a positive attitude. As for the consequences for the rest of the season, of course it will have vital consequences.”

Wenger also made clear that his players can’t dwell on the 5-1 defeat sustained in Munich last month.

“When you have a bad result like that, of course it plays on your mind. But I just think you have to focus on the way we want to play and on the desire to win, to fight and to take the opportunity you have to show your quality.

After that, the recent history being negative, that doesn’t help. But you have to be strong enough to deal with that.”

Liverpool recorded a dramatic 4-3 win away at Arsenal on the opening day of the season and

will need another positive result this weekend to reignite their top four hopes. Champions League qualification is a must for Klopp this season after such a strong start to the season.

But since the turn of the year, Liverpool have won just two of their last 12 games in all competitions The last seven matches in all competitions between Arsenal and Liverpool have produced 31 goals and Lallana expects that trend to continue. “Arsenal are always there or there abouts. People have been talking about the boss but he has done a remarkable job since he has been at Arsenal and I think he deserves respect. I’m sure the players are behind him.

It’s a big game for them and us. It has got the making to be really exciting; there will be goals in it.“Arsenal play the Arsenal way, it is what has brought them success. I don’t think there will be too much different today. It’s important. The battle for the top four is huge.

Two will miss out and this is a head-to-head game," Lallana told BT Sport.

Both Liverpool and Arsenal are in very similar positions, both in the table and in regards to their qualities and downfalls. Both

are scintillating and superb to watch at their best but have defensive weaknesses and issues in terms of breaking down teams that are compact and organised.

The two coaches are very much at risk of missing out on a place in the top four, with Manchester United directly behind the pair ahead of this weekend and can leapfrog the two with a win earlier in the day against struggling Bournemouth. While there is a lot of football still to be played, if the two find themselves outside the top four at kick-off the pressure will be on both managers.

Klopp faces immeasurably less from the fans than Wenger at this point in time, and understandably so given that he is still in the infancy of his tenure at the club in contrast to his opposite number, but he must begin to appreciate the strengths of so called ‘lesser’ opposition. Liverpool’s record against those around them at the top is very impressive after all but only serves to highlight the fact that they seem to take some games more seriously than others.

Liverpool will more than likely be back on it, not only to offer a reaction to Monday’s

32

MARCH 4, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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

26 36 63 26 32 53 25 22 52 25 26 50 26 22 49 25 17 48 26 15 44 26 4 40 26 -9 33 26 -10 32 26 -9 31 26 -13 31 25 -3 30 26 -15 26 26 -17 24 26 -25 24 26 -9 22 26 -13 22 26 -27 21 26 -24 19

v v v v v v v

Bournemouth Hull City Middlesbrough Burnley Southampton Crystal Palace Arsenal

12:30 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 17:30

v v

Everton Man City

13:30 16:00

Chelsea

20:00

LWest Ham v

Seria A

drab display but because it means more to them, more to Klopp’s image perhaps.

The Reds have earned 16 points in eight matches against teams in the top six, which is comfortably the best record of those sides, while Arsenal's is the worst, with just five points from six matches. There’s little question that the German can get things right ‘when it matters most’ but the games that arguably matter most to Liverpool at this stage are the ones like today - that the fans fear as a potential banana skin.

The game certainly promises great entertainment akin to the season opener that so effectively summed up the strengths and weaknesses of both sides.

There are certainly far worse managers to be compared to Wenger. However, if Klopp doesn’t begin to work on restricting the threat of weaker opposition rather than focusing almost all of Liverpool’s work - both offensively and defensively - in the opposition half he may run the risk of facing the same criticism the Frenchman has for years and one that has certainly played its part in Arsenal’s inability to sustain a title bid.

Meanwhile, West Ham United manager, Slaven Bilic, has said his ninth-placed team will need luck to make runaway leaders Chelsea drop points when the two sides clash on Monday, but he believes the Premier League title race is still wide open.

Chelsea visit West Ham's London Stadium with a 10-point gap over secondplaced Tottenham Hotspur, and Bilic, who oversaw a 2-1 League Cup win over the leaders in October, said his team would have to be on top of their game to get a result.

"We beat them, and it means a lot because at least we know it's not impossible.

We have done it very recently. With concentration, dedication and determination -- along with a little bit of luck, which is always needed when you play them -- we can get a result," Bilic told reporters on Thursday.

With 12 league games left to play, overhauling Chelsea will not be easy, but Bilic said there was still a chance that Antonio Conte's men could slip up. "It's still very open," he said. "There are many, many points. Make no mistake, the clubs that are below us need points to stay up and improve. It's the same up at the top with five clubs ... they still think they have a chance to catch Chelsea if they slip and you can slip in every game."

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

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

Hot Shots

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

26 38 66 26 34 59 26 31 54 26 16 51 26 16 50 26 14 48 26 8 47 26 7 41 26 6 36 26 -1 35 26 -6 35 26 -17 31 26 -7 30 26 -7 29 26 -15 28 26 -13 26 26 -22 22 26 -28 15 26 -24 13 26 -30 12

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

Head to Head

14/08/16 Arsenal 13/01/16 Liverpool 24/08/15 Arsenal 08/04/15 Arsenal 21/12/14 Liverpool 08/02/14 Liverpool 02/11/13 Arsenal 30/01/13 Arsenal 02/09/12 Liverpool 03/03/12 Liverpool 20/08/20 Arsenal 17/04/11 Arsenal 15/08/10 Liverpool 10/02/10 Arsenal

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

25 50 57 24 38 56 25 20 55 25 23 46 25 5 45 25 17 42 25 8 39 25 1 38 25 2 36 24 0 35 25 -6 33 25 -4 29 25 -8 29 24 -13 27 25 -10 26 25 -20 21 24 -13 20 25 -29 19 25 -27 17 25 -34 10

Spanish La Liga Fixtures

Premier League TODAY Man Utd Leicester Stoke Swansea Watford West Brom Liverpool SUNDAY Tottenham Sunderland MONDAY

La Liga

17 17 17 16 15 14 12 11 11 10 9 9 8 8 8

3-4 Liverpool 3-3 Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool 4-1 Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal 5-1 Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool 2-2 Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal 1-2 Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool 1-1 Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool

TODAY Leganés Eibar Villarreal Barcelona SUNDAY Sporting Atlético Las Palmas Bilbao Villarreal MONDAY Alavés

v v v v

Granada Real Madrid Espanyol Celta Vigo

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

v v v v v

Deportivo Valencia Osasuna Malaga Madrid

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

v

Sevilla

19:45

Bundesliga Bayern 22 41 53 Leipzig 22 19 48 Dortmund 22 23 40 Hoffenheim 22 17 38 Hertha 22 6 37 Eintracht 22 3 35 Köln 22 9 33 Leverkusen 22 2 30 Freiburg 22 -11 30 Gladbach 22 -4 29 Mainz 22 -6 28 Schalke 22 3 27 Augsburg 22 -7 27 Wolfsburg 22 -13 22 Bremen 22 -15 22 Hamburger 22 -24 20 Ingolstadt 22 -15 18 Darmstadt 22 -28 12

Bundesliga Fixtures TODAY Köln

v

Bayern

14:30

Mainz

v

Wolfsburg

14:30

Dortmund

v

Leverkusen

14:30

Bremen

v

Darmstadt

14:30

Hoffenheim v

Ingolstadt

14:30

M’gladbach v

Schalke 04

17:30

SUNDAY IFrankfurt

v

Hamburger v

Freiburg

14:30

Hertha

16:30

Serie A Fixtures TODAY

Roma Sampdoria AC Milan

v v v

Napoli Pescara Chievo

14:00 17:00 19:45

SUNDAY Atalanta Cagliari Crotone Empoli Torino Udinese Bologna

v v v v v v v

Fiorentina Inter Sassuolo Genoa Palermo Juventus Lazio

11:30 14:00 14:00 14:00 14:00 14:00 19:45

33

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 4, 2017

GLOBAL SOCCERR\\OTHER SPORTS

Honourable Moruf Afuwape presenting a cheque to the winners of Season 4 Ogun State Principal's Cup

Yellow House taking their turn in the match past during St. Martins Catholic Nursery and Primary School Inter House Sport at the Yaba College of Technology Sport Complex...recently

Over 400 Schools for GTBankOgun State Principals’ Cup Over 400 schools are expected to participate in the Season 5 of the GTBank- Ogun State Principals’ Cup which is expected to kick-off in various centres within the state on Monday.

This was made known at a media conference to herald the beginning of the competition by the Chief Operating Officer, COO, of Media Vision, organisers of the competition, Jimi Sogbesan.

However, representative of GTBank, Tolulope Onipede said everyone had in one way or the other benefitted from GTBank Principals Cup and charged the pupils to take advantage of the

platform.

“The competition is a platform the pupils should take advantage of and we hope many more stars would emerge from this year’s edition,” Onipede said.

She however reminded the pupils that not all of them would emerge to become footballers, but that they can still explore other areas of sports like reporting, photography, refereeing and many more.

Representative of the Commissioner of Education, Mr. Akinsolu Martins, thank GTBank for its continuous support of the competition, just as

he said the competition had never recorded any violence as the pupils had never been unruly.

His counterpart in the sports ministry, the Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Mr. Moruf Afuwape, said government alone cannot run sports and therefore charged other corporate organisations to follow the footsteps of GTBank in reviving the Principals’ Cup. The highlight of the event was the presentation of cheques to winners of Season 4 winning schools by sponsors, while the organisers also presented 100 balls, goal post nets and corner flags to the state.

Good Times Awaits DStv Subscribers as FA Cup Gets to Q’finals As the Emirates FA Cup gets to the quarter finals stage, active DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a good time as SuperSport would be starting a promo where football fans can win various prizes like television, decoder and jerseys among other prizes.

In an interview with the General Manager, Marketing and Sales, Martin Mabutho, at the company’s corporate headquarters in Victoria Island yesterday, Mabutho said he was really looking forward to watching a mouthwatering finals. “With

the spectacular form of Tottenham Hotspurs this season, a Manchester United versus Spurs final would be more like it,” he said.

“To add spice to the competition, SuperSport would be rolling out a promo whereby our subscribers can win various prizes like television, decoder and jerseys among other prizes,” he said.

Mabutho said that despite the hard economic hardship in the country subscription prizes had not been increased in spite of adding the rest

of the season of Emirates FA Cup to all the DStv packages, but added that this may change if the economy does not improve.

Against the backdrop in some quarters that SuperSport may likely lose the right to view the Premier League matches next season, the GM, Marketing and Sales said; “come August when the 2017/18 Premier League season will begin, all the matches would be on DStv. DStv shows more Premier League matches than even in the United Kingdom.”

Red House Tops at St. Martins Inter-house Sports Red House emerged as the overall winner at the eighth edition of St. Martins Catholic Nursery and Primary School’s Inter-house Sports which took place on February 15, at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, Lagos.

The Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus House amassed 27 medals, consisting of11 gold, six silver and 10 bronze medals to come tops.

St. Martins House (Green) came second after amassing 21 medals, with nine gold, five bronze and seven bronze medals.

Archbishop House (Blue) was third with 23 medals, winning six gold, 12 silver and five bronze medals, while SS Mulumba and David House (Yellow) was fourth after it accumulated 22 medals- five gold, eight silver and nine bronze.

Speaking on the occasion, the Supervisor of the school, Rev. Sister Stella Maris Idibie, showered encomium to parents and guardians for their supports towards the success of the event.

“Sporting activities are part of the

co-curricular undertakings which are very essential for the social and physical wellbeing of our pupils in accordance with the Federal Ministry of Education in line with the National Policy on education which ensures that sporting activities are organised regularly,” Idibie said.

Continuing she said, “Pupils of St. Martins Catholic Nursery and Primary School have been doing well in the aspect of sports since the inception of our school and their performance today substantiated this assertion.”

Joshua Backs Bellew to Shock Haye Anthony Joshua has reignited his rivalry with David Haye by revealing he wants Tony Bellew to silence the outspoken heavyweight by landing a 'haymaker'.

IBF champion Joshua will be watching closely when Haye steps between the ropes to battle Bellew tonight.

Haye has spoken openly about his desire to fight Joshua in the future, but the unbeaten 27-year-old insists he would be happy for Bellew to ruin those plans with a shock victory at the weekend.

"It's going to be a tough fight, especially for Bellew, the reason being he's had to move up [a weight]," Joshua told Sky Sports.

"I think it would be a different story if Haye had to drop a weight, which I initially thought it was, and it's going to be tough for Bellew.

"But you know what? I would love it if Bellew landed a 'haymaker' and put a sock in David Haye's mouth for a bit. I'm supporting him."

Joshua is preparing to fight Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium on April 29, with the vacant WBA 'super' title also at stake.

Haye, who lost to Klitschko on points in 2011, has suggested that Joshua is facing the Ukrainian at the 'perfect time' and recently issued a typically brash challenge to his fellow British heavyweight.

"If AJ beats Klitschko, which I and the rest of Great Britain are hoping he does, any time he is ready to do it I am ready," the 36-year-old told Sky Sports News HQ. "I'd have fought him on my first fight back from retirement because I know I can beat him.

"Hopefully, if he wins, his team will have the confidence - David Haye is the biggest fight on the planet, let's make it happen. The ball is in his court."

Meanwhile, Haye has said he is aiming to take on Joshua.

Asked about his top target, Haye said, "Joshua and Klitschko, it's a big heavyweight title fight that people are really excited about, so the winner of that.

"I'm hoping and believing that Anthony Joshua is the real deal and he will prove that against Wladimir Klitschko. It's a great fight, huge fight, Wembley stadium, so the winner of that - fingers crossed - is Anthony Joshua.

"I believe it's the biggest fight on the planet and obviously I'm only in boxing for the biggest possible fights - and it doesn't come any bigger than that."

Bellew has promised to cut short the comeback of Haye, who returned last year from a shoulder injury, but the 36-year-old is confident he will possess far too much firepower for the Merseysider."I just see my arsenal being so much bigger and stronger and faster than his, that he's at my mercy," said Haye.

"I can do with him what I will. It will be like a cat playing with a mouse and the cat can eat the mouse any time that he wants, but just lets it run off.

"Come back here and crunch, it's done. That's exactly how it will be."

Chrisland Schools Commissions Sports Centre Chrisland Schools Limited has commissioned an ultra-modern, highperformance sports centre.

The multimillion naira complex, located at Chrisland College, Idimu, Lagos, parades state-of-the-art sports equipment and facilities and it include a fully equipped gymnasium, two five –aside astroturf pitches, three standard basketball courts, a 25-metre tournament swimming pool, nine-lane

ultra-modern athletics tartan tracks, standard volleyball court, 15-metre training swimming pool, standard football pitch and standard tennis court.

The complex is in fulfillment of the organisation’s vision of raising well rounded children who, aside being academically sound, are also physically healthy.

The fruit of this vision could be seen in Chrisland winning the Soccer Fiesta for

four consecutive years and its emergence as the winner of the 2016 Athletics Competition for Junior, Intermediate and Senior Students (AISEN) sports competition.

Present at the commissioning ceremony were prominent figures like former Super Eagles coach, Tunde Disu; former Super Eagles stars Peter Rufai, Victor Ikpeba as well as Olympic silver medallist, Falilat Ogunkoya.

The Proprietress Kids' Court School; Dr. Bimbola Ogundere and the pupils of Zinnia House with their officials, during the Kids' Court School's 4th Inter-House Sports competition at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos...recetly

34

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 4, 2017

MARITIME BITS

WITH

JOHN IWORI 08057763164

Former Chairman, Nigeria Ship owners Association, Chief Isaac Jolapamo; his bride, Mrs. Funke Jolapamo (nee Otti), cutting their wedding cake at the reception shortly after they were joined in matrimony by officials of Ikoyi Marriage Registry.

The new couple are flanked by Senator Barnabas Gemade and the wife of Ooni of Ife, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi in Lagos… recently

L-R: Head of European Union delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ambassador Michel Arrion, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Port Notel Limited, Mr. Victor Akpanika and the Special Assistant, Niger Delta to the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Charles Achodo at the Niger Delta Dialogue at Sheraton Hotel Abuja…recently

Terminal Operators Fret over Concession Agreement Review Terminal operator operators in the nation’s seaports are afraid they may loss out in the imminent review of the port concession agreement they signed with the Federal Government over a decade ago, THISDAY investigation has revealed.

The idea of the review which was muted during the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was given impetus with the advent of President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration about two years ago.

Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman had shortly after taking over the reins of administration from her predecessor, Alhaji Habib Abdullahi said that the 10-year old port concession exercise is due for review.

According to Usman who is regarded as a neophyte in the maritime industry in some quarters stated that the review will broadly examine all facets of the terms of the port concession engagement.

The NPA Managing Director revealed that

the review would cover areas like financing models and the concession environment.

She hinged the review of the concession agreement on the need to adjust according to the vagaries of the nation’s economy.

“As the nation’s economic climate changes, there was need to adjust”, she said.

In order to ensure that no stone is left unturned she said other agencies of government relevant to the exercise shall be fully involved in the concession review.

Her words: “We would reach out to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and they would be part of the review”.

THISDAY checks revealed that at the conclusion of the concession review, some of the concessionaires that might have not performed creditably since they signed the concession agreement might be compelled to relinquish the terminals they are presently operating.

Already, fear have gripped some of the concessionaires as they were said not to have meet

up with the provisions of the agreement they signed with the Federal Government through the management of the NPA. An impeccable source close to one of the concessionaires told THISDAY that their fear is not on their performance as he argued that they have done well going by the prevailing circumstances they found themselves.

According to the source, their greatest fear is that some people close to the corridors of power, especially in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have position themselves to take over the terminals from the terminal operators. So it is not about performance. It is about taking over the terminals from the concessionaires by all means. Many politicians have their eyes on the nation’s seaports. They are angling to take over the terminals for their own selfish interests.

Remember, preparations for the 2019 has started in earnest. Many of them are looking for the funds to fulfil their ambitions.

He maintained that the concessionaires have

Customs Chief Charges Personnel

Peterside: NIMASA Made Provision for Sea Time Experience

The Zonal Coordinator Zone “A” of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, ACG Abueh Monday has charged officers and men of the service to be extra vigilant and dedicated to their duties.

The NCS Head, Public Relations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Headquarters, Yaba, Lagos, Mr. Ephraim Joseph Haruna quoted Abueh saying this while addressing officers during his tour/inspection of commands in Zone “A”.

Haruna quoted Abueh telling officers and men to wake up and be alert to their statutory roles and responsibilities just as he charged them to be more committed to serving their father land.

Describing his charge to them as instructions which they must uphold and keep at all times, Abueh said: “These times calls for greater attention to details. We must become extra careful and vigilant. We must be very thorough.

100 percent examination of containers is a must for all cargo. Do not take anything for granted.

Do not sign any document if you are not sure.

Sign only what you know and be very certain about it”.

Assuring officers that NCS work is one and the same in all commands, the ACG told officers in the zone to concentrate and focus on their work wherever they find themselves.

Abueh stated that officers who want to remain in a particular post are not doing themselves any good because of the limitations they impose on themselves by not willing to work in other departments or units of the service.

“Any officer who wants to succeed in the service should be ready to work anywhere any time. From Excise, to Enforcement, Valuation, Investigation and Inspection, Excise and Free Trade Zones, Administration, ICT and so on, officers should know what to do. But if you think the only place you want to work is in the ports then you are not a proper officer. Any worthy officer should be well grounded in all aspects of Customs Operations”, he said.

The Customs Chief was emphatic that the Federal Government needs revenue to carry out projects across the country, even as he also stressed the issue of securing the country against saboteurs and deviant elements.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has made provisions for sea time experience for the beneficiaries of the Nigerian Seafarers’ Development Programme (NSDP), the Director General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has said.

In line with the global maritime watchdog, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) requirements, the sea time experience is mandatory for the issuance of Certificate of Competency (CoC).

The CoC qualifies the holder to operate in the international waters since ship owners demand it before any crew member is allow to man any vessel.

Peterside who made this known recently in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt during the zonal tour of the agency’s Eastern zonal office by the

NIMASA Governing Board.

He stated that the agency had made provisions for the mandatory sea time for these NSDP graduates in its 2017 budget proposals.

He explained that the provision will be qualifying hundreds of the candidates for the international labour market soon. The NIMASA helmsman restated the agency’s commitment towards building capacity for the maritime sector thereby ensuring that seafarers and dockworkers get the best of training across the globe.

He stressed that the agency is in the process of fortifying the NSDP programme in order for Nigeria to begin to export seafarers and earn the much needed foreign exchange. He added that the challenge had always been the mandatory sea time training which the agency is tackling headlong.

NCS, NSCDC Join Forces to Check Smuggling The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have decided to join forces in order to tackle smuggling, especially in the riverine parts of the country.

The resolve of the two government agencies is coming on the heels of the realisation that inter-agencies cooperation will yield more benefits than it is presently.

The NSC and NSCDC made the resolve to work together when the Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Mohammed Haruna paid a courtesy visit on the NCS, Customs Area Controller (CAC), Eastern Marine Command (EMC), Comptroller Usman Kankara Bello in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

During the visit, the two para-military organisations agreed to work together to boost their operations for the benefit of Nigerians.

They expressed optimism that

this synergy would go a long way in boosting their statutory roles and responsibilities.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), NCS, EMC, Mr. Oyinloye Sunday quoted Bello and Haruna emphasized the need for information sharing, especially in the riverine areas of the state with a view of checkmating the activities of smugglers, pirates and pipeline vandals.

According to the statement which was made available to THISDAY, Bello welcomed Haruna to the oil and gas rich River State even as he congratulated him on his new appointment.

The CAC also used the opportunity to commiserate with him over the death of NSCDC officers who were killed by criminals in the riverine area of the state and advised the officers not to be deterred by the incident but to continue to discharge their duties effectively.

not done badly if the assessment is based solely on their performance in line with the provisions of the agreement.

He also argued that the review of the concession agreement should be holistic as the agreement has components for all parties involved pointing out that there are roles and responsibilities for the concessionaires just as there are roles and responsibilities for the government.

“Unfortunately, most people are only focusing on the aspects of the terminal operators alone.

They totally ignore the areas that have to do with the government. They deliberately close their eyes to the roles and responsibilities of the government which are clearly stated in the concession agreement. Check it. It is written there black and white but no one talks about it. For instance, what about the common users services which strictly fall under the purview of the government? Has government done well?

Of course, it has not. That is the one million naira question begging for answer.

CMP Flays Attacks on Concessionaire The Concerned Maritime Professionals (CMP) has flayed what it called the “incessant media attacks” on one of the concessionaires in the nation’s seaports, Intels Nigeria Limited.

While stating its position in a letter addressed to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo,it also condemned the attack even as it identified those behind it.

CMP stated that the attack was being sponsored by competitors of the foremost logistics service provider for selfish motives.

“Our attention has been drawn to incessant attacks in the media against private terminal operators in the Nigerian maritime industry, especially Intels Nigeria Limited which is one of the few thriving businesses and the largest employer of labour in the maritime sector.

Despite the harsh economic environment, the company has weathered the storm, offering world-class services that could compete both nationally and internationally.

“Recently we have seen organized attacks in the media against the company that has served as robust revenue source for the government especially at this time when so many companies are on bended knees. We consider this uncalled for more so when the attacks are obviously sponsored by competitors and are politically motivated,” CMP said in the letter.

Signed by its Coordinator, Mazi Charles Obi, CMP said while it is not holding brief for Intels and would stand up for any company in Nigeria unjustly pummelled by any group, it wants the Federal Government to caution media houses from being used by competitors to run down the few thriving businesses in Nigeria.

“Recently we see the trend of attacks against Intels Nigeria Limited, ranging from unfounded allegations of monopoly and alleged indebtedness. The entire plot by the competitors smell of mischief.

“To be sure, Intels is not the only company in the Onne free zone and so cannot be accused of monopoly. There are close to 200 firms that operate in the zone with each of them professionally managed and duly regulated by appropriate agencies of government. Intels has operated in the zone for three decades and made meaningful contributions to the socioeconomic development of the country.

35

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper • MARCH 4, 2017

WRITERS’ WORLD

Genres of Fiction and Some Popular Plots

Bisi Daniels bisi.daniels@thisdaylive.com Blog: www.bisidaniels.com, 08050220700

For many of us who were not taught creative writing, the initial response to the urge to write is just to write. “Just download the stories you have up there,” we were told. Not bad for starters, but it is also important to know early enough what one is writing, just as it is for the reader to know what he is reading

S

ome people simply classify fiction as commercial or literary fiction but there is more to fiction. The genres of fiction are worth-knowing. A genre is a category of literature, a way to organize and define various types of fiction, such as romance, mystery and women’s fiction.

However, the lines of genre are blurry, and new categories and subcategories are evolving all the time. The following are some of the best-known categories and their subgenres, and it is by no means a comprehensive list.

Romance: A romance is a love story in which the central focus is on the development of the love relationship between the lead character and a love interest. The romance itself is the key element, as is the emotional engagement of the reader. The book should have a happy or satisfying ending. First-class romance writers include, Victoria Holt, Judith McNaught, Jennifer Greene, and Nora Roberts.

Subgenres include contemporary, gay and lesbian romance, historical romance and inspirational romance Fantasy: Often grouped together with science fiction, fantasy tales are based on heroes, myths, folklore, fairy tales, and magic. The Lord of the Rings is a good example of fantasy fiction.

Women’s Fiction: Women are said to be biggest buyers of novels, so it is not surprising that they have a genre dedicated to them.

Virtually all the selections of Oprah’s Book Club are in this genre. These are books that focus on women’s issues and relationships and are written and read primarily by women. While there are often romantic elements, the focus is not necessarily on one partner, and the endings are more realistic than the happily ever-after endings of the strictly romance division. The field includes such diverse writers as Barbara Taylor Bradford, Alice McDermott, Anne Tyler, Rebecca Wells, and Alice Hoffman.

Horror: This genre involves the supernatural and keeps readers turning the blood-filled pages. From a writer’s perspective, the defining characteristic is the intention to frighten readers by exploiting their fears, both conscious and subconscious: fears of supernatural forces, alien visitations, madness, death, dismemberment, and other terrifying notions.

Tracing its roots back to the classic tales of Edgar Allan Poe, the horror genre today is dominated by Stephen King, whose vast output of bestsellers under his name as well as his alter-ego Richard Bachman has dominated the bestseller lists for nearly 25 years. Other major horror writers include Mary Shelley, Roald Dahl, Clive Barker, Peter Straub, Dean Koontz, and Anne Rice.

Mystery: A mystery usually involves a crime (most often murder), the investigative process, and the resolution of the crime. The main character is often a police officer, a detective or even a journalist like my Peter Abel, and the reader is given clues, both real and false, to help solve the mystery. And the climax usually occurs near the end, and later the solution, complete with surprises, is delivered to the characters and the reader alike.

Subgenres include hard-boiled detective fiction, crime fiction and supernatural mysteries Suspense/thriller: This category often combines elements from other genres.

Readers of this genre can expect action, and lots of it. These novels are tense, exciting, often sensational works with ingenious plotting,

swift action, and continuous suspense. In this genre, a writer’s objective is to deliver a story with sustained tension, surprise, and a constant sense of impending doom that propels the reader forward. Unlike mysteries, thrillers are dominated by action in which physical threat is a constant companion, and a hero (James Bond, for example) is pitted against a nefarious villain.

This genre includes the great espionage writers, including John Le Carre, Len Deighton, Ian Fleming, Clive Cussler, and Frederick Forsythe. I will include Helon Habila’s latest, Oil on Water.

Christian Fiction: This is fiction that reflects Christian views and focuses on the relationship between the main character and God. Christian can include any of the major genres, such as romance or science fiction.

Teen Fiction: Teen fiction encompasses all genres but focuses on characters near a teenager’s own age who deal with issues that are important to their age group, like relationships, teachers, and decisions about their futures.

Science Fiction: Science is the star of this show. Science fiction often takes place in the future and is based on technological advances, both real and imagined, and how they influence the characters and their world.

Subgenres include: • Hard science fiction • Soft science fiction • Cyberpunk • Time travel Historical Fiction: This type of fiction is set against historical backdrops, where the setting is as important as the plot. While considerable research goes into these books, historical accuracy is not the immediate goal.

Some Popular Plots of Fiction

Ronald Tobias, in his popular and practical book, 20 Master Plots, and how to build them, describes 20 common story plots. They are: Quest: The hero searches for something, someone, or somewhere. In reality, they may be searching for themselves, with the outer journey mirrored internally. They may be joined by a companion, who takes care of minor detail and whose limitations contrast with the hero’s

greater qualities.

Adventure: The protagonist goes on an adventure, much like a quest, but with less of a focus on the end goal or the personal development of hero. In the adventure, there is more action for action’s sake.

Pursuit: In this plot, the focus is on chase, with one person chasing another (and perhaps with multiple and alternating chase). The pursued person may be often cornered and somehow escape, so that the pursuit can continue.

Depending on the story, the pursued person may be caught or may escape.

Rescue: In the rescue, somebody is captured, who must be released by the hero or heroic party. A triangle may form between the protagonist, the antagonist and the victim.

There may be a grand duel between the protagonist and antagonist, after which the victim is freed.

Escape: In a kind of reversal of the rescue, a person must escape, perhaps with little help from others. In this, there may well be elements of capture and unjust imprisonment. There may also be a pursuit after the escape.

Revenge: In the revenge plot, a wronged person seeks retribution against the person or organization which has betrayed or otherwise harmed them or loved ones, physically or emotionally. This plot depends on moral outrage for gaining sympathy from the audience.

The Riddle: The riddle plot entertains the audience and challenges them to find the solution before the hero, who steadily and carefully uncovers clues and hence the final solution. The story may also be spiced up with terrible consequences if the riddle is not solved in time.

Rivalry: In rivalry, two people or groups are set as competitors that may be good hearted or as bitter enemies. Rivals often face a zero-sum game, in which there can only be one winner, for example where they compete for a scarce resource or the heart of a single other person.

Underdog: The underdog plot is similar to rivalry, but where one person (usually the hero) has less advantage and might normally be expected to lose. The underdog usually wins through greater tenacity and determination (and perhaps with the help of friendly others).

Temptation: In the temptation plot, a person is tempted by something that, if taken, would somehow diminish them, often morally. Their

battle is thus internal, fighting against their inner voices which tell them to succumb.

Metamorphosis: In this fantastic plot, the protagonist is physically transformed, perhaps into beast or perhaps into some spiritual or alien form. The story may then continue with the changed person struggling to be released or to use their new form for some particular purpose. Eventually, the hero is released, perhaps through some great act of love.

Transformation: The transformation plot leads to change of a person in some way, often driven by unexpected circumstance or event. After setbacks, the person learns and usually becomes something better.

Maturation: The maturation plot is a special form of transformation, in which a person grows up. The veils of younger times are lost as they learn and grow. Thus the rudderless youth finds meaning or perhaps an older person re-finds their purpose.

Love: The love story is a perennial tale of lovers finding one another, perhaps through a background of danger and woe. Along the way, they become separated in some way, but eventually come together in a final joyous reunion.

Forbidden Love: The story of forbidden love happens when lovers are breaking some social rules, such as in an adulterous relationship or worse. The story may thus turn around their inner conflicts and the effects of others discovering their tryst.

Sacrifice: In sacrifice, the nobler elements of the human spirit are extolled as someone gives much more than most people would give. The person may not start with the intent of personal sacrifice and may thus be an unintentional hero, thus emphasizing the heroic nature of the choice and act.

Discovery: The discovery plot is strongly focused on the character of the hero who discovers something great or terrible and hence must make a difficult choice. The importance of the discovery might not be known at first and the process of revelation is important to the story.

Wretched Excess: In stories of wretched excess, the protagonist goes beyond normally accepted behavior as the world looks on, horrified, perhaps in realization that ‘there before the grace of God go I’ and that the veneer of civilization is indeed thin.

Ascension: In the ascension plot, the protagonist starts in the virtual gutter, as a sinner of some kind. The plot then shows their ascension to becoming a better person, often in response to stress that would defeat a normal person. Thus they achieve deserved heroic status.

Descension: In the opposite to ascension, a person of initially high standing descends to the gutter and moral turpitude, perhaps sympathetically as they are unable to handle stress and perhaps just giving in to baser vices.

36

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper •MARCH 4, 2017

FAIRGROUND

Etisalat Thrills Nigerians with #BreakFree Campaign

with

Azuka Ogujiuba

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

N

igerians were captivated last week with an unusual suspense, #BreakFree campaign, that trended on social media, and generated much buzz offline. Many indeed asked the question, “What exactly is going on?”

This was how it all started: As the sun began to set over the Ikeja City Mall, setting the tone for a typical Lagos weekend, a flash mob disrupted the landscape. Two young men and a lady, dressed in prison clothes, sprinted into the mall, chased by about half a dozen men and women in police uniform. The hot chase ended in an energetic dance at the car park of the mall, with crowds pouring to the scene. Photo cameras and videos clicked, and endless conversations immediately went viral in the social media space.

While Lagos residents grappled with the interpretation of #BreakFree, a similar flash mob surfaced at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja. The suspense and ecstasy only went higher.

The puzzle only got solved some days later – February 23 and 24 – at the Hard Rock Café, Victoria Island, Lagos, where the cosmopolitan city hosted a record 24-hour #BreakFree party. Here the nation’s most innovative and customer-friendly telecommunications firm, Etisalat Nigeria, unveiled its revamped EasyCliq proposition, offering three exciting bonus options.

The 24-hour #BreakFree Party was a funfilled dance challenge, and it was attended by hundreds of Nigerian youths. The party had eight of Nigeria’s finest DJs, including Cool DJ Jimmy Jatt in the juke box, providing non-stop music from 12 noon on Thursday to 12 noon on Friday.

Speaking about the initiative, the Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Layi Onafowokan, said the #BreakFree campaign was aimed at inspiring Nigerian youths to break free from limitations and see new possibilities. “#BreakFree is a message of empowerment, it’s about encouraging our youths to use the power of freedom to make better choices for their lives. The freedom to choose is what EasyCliq 2.0 represents. The revamped EasyCliq grants customers access to 250% bonus to call all networks; 350% bonus to call only Etisalat numbers; or 100% bonus on data purchase between 50MB-500MB,” he stated.

Raymond Oluwafemi, a professional dancer, won the star prize - a Hyundai i10 brand new car – having emerging the best dancer for the #BreakFree 24-hour Dance Challenge. Etisalat also gave out 72 Innjoo smartphones during the party, with three phones going to the best dancers every hour.

Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Layi Onafowokan; Etisalat Brand Ambassador, Eniola Badmus; Manager, Teen Segment, Ife Oyeyipo and Director

Adebisi Idowu, DJ Sose, Ken Ogujiofor and Elvis Ogiemwanye

Director, Brand and Experience, Elvis Ogiemwanye, Etisalat Nigeria; Etisalat Youth Amb, Pearl Hart; Head, Youth Segment, Layi Onafowokan and Man

Cross-section of participants at the event... recently

DJ Neptune with Dotun the Hypeman

T H I S D AY SATURDAY MARCH 4, 2017

PREMIERE ACADEMY ‘The Pride of the Na on’

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

2017

premiereacademyng.org

Educa on to go places....

Premiere Academy is a forward-thinking school with an excellent educa onal system, we provide an excep onally caring and learning-focused environment for our students, we offer a progressive curriculum uniquely designed to meet 21st Century educa onal needs.

DATES 11TH MARCH 29TH JULY (Transfer Examina

TEST CENTRES: * Premiere Academy FHA, Lugbe Abuja on) * St Annes Private School, Akin Street, State Housing Calabar, Cross River

* School of Infant Jesus and Mary, 11 Holy Trinity Street, Independence Layout, Enugu

CBT (Computer Based Test)

* Sacred Heart Nursery & Primary School, Independence Road, Kaduna State

9AM

* Carol School, 15A Celes al Church Street, CBD, Off Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos

PROMPT

CONNECT WITH US

* Westhood Park Nursery & Primary School, behind MTN along RayField Jos * Montessori Interna onal School, 15 Perekule, GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt, Rivers * Sanvee Interna onal School, Plot 450, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State * Mount Olive School, GRA Onitsha Anambara State

FOR DETAILS & APPLICATION INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT admissions@premiereacademyng.org, premiereacademyng.org +2348034931175, +2349039507773, +2347033812055 &+2347069797855

Premiere Academy Street Federal Housing Authority Lugbe, Abuja

37

38

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper •March 4, 2017

March 4, 2017 • THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper

39

40

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper •MARCH 4, 2017

media & Marketing

OMD Named Global Most Creative, Innovative Agency

F

or eleven consecutive years running, the Gunn Report for Media has named Omnicom Media Group’s Agency OMD the most creative, innovative and effective global agency network.

The Gunn Report for Media is the industry standard for evaluating media creativity, innovation and effectiveness.

The report summarizes media agencies’ overall performance from January to December 2016 based on the results of global, regional and national Media creative award contests spanning over 40 markets in the world. Most importantly, it recognizes the vital role media agencies play in today’s highly competitive and

fragmented media landscape.

OMD tops the list of other global media players based on awards won in more than 50 annual award competitions worldwide. In addition to OMD leading the list with 632 points, PHD (again an Omnicom Media Group) ranked No 3, moving up 1 rank with 476 points.

OMD and PHDs top ranking reflects recognition earned in 2016 by agencies in every region across its network.

Other players that made the first ten list include Starcom and MediaVest with 537 points, Mindshare 445 points, Mediacom 329 points and UM with 320 points. Others were Carat 212points, MEC with 179, Zenith and Blue 449 which scored 173 points while Havas Media scored 156 points.

In Nigeria OMD trades under mediaReach OMD which is the leading Media Agency with a market share of 24.8%, as per the latest report published by RECMA in June 2015. Like its parent company, mediaReach OMD tops other players in the industry. As at date, it remains the only media agency to represent Nigeria six consecutive times at the Cannes for Young Lions Media.

Commenting on the findings, Isabelle Musnik, editor of the Gunn Report for Media, said: “Media agencies have become their clients’ key strategic partner.

They are creative orchestra conductors at the intersection of technology and traditional media.

The Gunn Report for Media shows that, while technology and data are

with

Kasie Abone 08057511558 (sms only)

fundamental to achieving results, insight, strategy and innovative ideas are essential to delivering them.”

“2016 marked the year of data, mobileonly, apps, programmatic advertising and vertical video, to name a few. OMD is therefore proud to have continued to produce the most creative, innovative and effective work in the world for our clients, not only pushing the boundaries of innovation but delivering strong business results for our clients.

“Our global culture cascades to local markets, with many local initiatives.

We encourage our teams to produce works that deliver on objectives and help overcome Business Challenges”, says Tolu Ogunkoya, Regional Managing Director, mediaReach OMD

Goldberg Excellency Tour: Otapo Bata Drummers Emerge Winners

O

tapo Bata Drummers from Abeokuta have emerged winners at the traditional drummers contest at the kick-off event of the Goldberg Excellency Tour held at Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The group outperformed four other groups at the grand finale to cart home the coveted prize of N250, 000.

Ayanwale Drummers clinched the second position and won N150, 000 while Omo Aribido Drummers claimed the third spot and settled for N100, 000 on offer for the slot.

The other two finalists, Ayandare Drummers and Paramount Band got N50,000 each.

At the commencement of the event on Friday, February 17, 2017, 12 groups auditioned at the cultural centre, venue of the event, with five groups emerging from the pool to reach the grand finale.

The traditional drummers contest which was organised as part of the Goldberg Excellency Tour kicked off with a procession through the major streets of Abeokuta and attracted a huge turnout of residents who were delighted by performances from drummers, praise singers and dancers.

The procession helped to pull a large turnout of residents who trooped to the venue of the contest to support their groups during the different performances.

Speaking at the finale, the Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Funso Ayeni said: “The Excellency

L-R: Josiah Akinola, Assistant Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands, NB Plc; Funso Ayeni, Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands; Otapo Bata Drummers, overall winners of the Traditional Drummers Competition and Lucky Oiwoh, Regional Trade Marketing Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, during the prize presentation ceremony at the Goldberg Excellency Tour in Abeokuta over the weekend

Tour will resonate the brand’s essence and strengthen its identification with the cultural values of the people of South West Nigeria.”

He added that in line with the brand’s ethos, the successful event in Abeo-

kuta also helped to promote local talent, as the competition brought out the best skills from the performers who see the contest as an opportunity to showcase their talents and skills.

While commenting on their victory,

the leader of Otapo Bata Drummers, Mr. Afolabi Mufutau, said it was a thing of joy to see his group clinch the first prize after putting in putting in many hours of hard work in preparation for the competition.

Buildcon Excites Subscribers with Pracht Gardens Estate

S

ubscribers and stakeholders are excited by the architectural skills displayed by Buildcon Global Services Limited in the construction of the Pracht Gardens Estate located in Ikota area of Lagos.

One of the subscribers, Mrs. Juliet Onioma, a Lagos based accountant, affirmed that she was very delighted to see her dream of living in a very modern apartment come true. She stated that Pracht Gardens Estate was a place that has all it takes to keep a family comfortable as there are facilities that addresses the needs of children, like a park and school that eases the burden of moving out of the environment.

She was also pleased with the concept where clients are allowed to do bespoke finishing, as they can re-modify the interior of their homes. According to her, this shows

that the interest of subscribers is paramount to Buildcon, an act that is rare among other real estate companies.

Another subscriber, Mr. Joe Aforieh, expressed delight that the project was delivered on time and with modern facilities that are quite desirable. He stated that the professional skills displayed by Buildcon has put it ahead its competitors in the real estate industry.

“I was quite fascinated with the structural design of the estate and the layout shows a touch of class with all that is required to make life very comfortable. What interests me most is that l have the opportunity to come up with any additional plan to complement what is already being provided,” Aforieh stated.

Also, Mr. John Ojovwo, a would-be resident said the estate encompasses facilities that

make the place worthwhile. He stated that as a person who likes being physically fit, the gym facility would be very useful to him as well as others who may want to explore its benefits.

The Pracht Gardens Estate consists of 40 units of four and five bedrooms fully detached duplexes as well as four bedrooms terraces, and sits on 21,000 metres square parcel of land in Ikota, before Victoria Garden City in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

It has a fully paved road; suitable shopping centre; 24 hours security electrical power transformer; closed-circuit television (CCTV) security technology; ample parking space; power supply and distribution; street lights; recreational centre for children; crèche; as well as electrical fence wire.

As part of added value and to the benefits of occupants of the estate adequate security

measures have been put in place to ensure security of lives and properties.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Buildcon Global Services Limited Mrs. Bukunola Gadzama, said closedcircuit televisions (CCTV) are installed to police activities within the estate. This high tech measure complements functional electrical fence wire that is powered by 24 hours security electrical power transformer, patrol officers that engage in routine check among other measures.

‘In this period of insecurity, with increased awareness towards security by the government and the general public, we thought it wise to install up to date technology that can track any move made within the environment and to ensure that subscribers get the right value for money and are Nice and tidy.

March 4, 2017 • THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper

41

Fashion file

The ANASTASIA Collection by

IAFL

42

Fashion file

The ANASTASIA Collection

I

t represents every woman... She is flawless, She is PERFECTION – ANASTASIA It is the first collection and campaign photos of the year by the label.

IAFL (Isi Atagamen Fashion Label) is a renowned fashion brand which was established in 2012.

Credited for its sharp, chic tailoring the collection possesses a feminine edge, multi-functionality and considerate approach to wearable design. Its designs represent class, strength, attitude, confidence and especially individual uniqueness.

It has since recorded steady growth and considerable achievements.

IAFL has participated in fashion shows across Africa and also at the New York Fashion Show for the NEA awards.

We were named the Official Designer for the Genevieve Pink Ball in 2014. They were one of the choice designers for Daviva Calender and also nominated for several awards including the Eloy Awards for Best Designer of the Year.

They have appeared in magazine covers and inserts.

Photo Credit: Emmanuel Arewa @spotlightpi Make up artist: Oyindamola Adesina @mielsignatureng Hair stylist: Harbey for @ceezysstyling Models: Linda Osifo, Judith Audu, Elma Godwin and Isi Atagamen.

Website: www.isiatagamen.com Instagram: @iaflabel Twitter: @iaflabel

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper • March 4, 2017

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

43

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 4, 2017

WITH

MARKET PLACE

OMOLABAKE FASHOGBON 08033621009

L-R: Director, Brand and Experience, Elvis Ogiemwanye; Vice President, Marketing, Adebisi Idowu; Manager, Teen Segment, Ife Oyeyipo; Director, Consumer Segment, Adeolu Dairo, and Vice President, Consumer Sales and Services, Ken Ogujiofor, all of Etisalat Nigeria at the official unveil of the revamped EasyCliq proposition during the 24-hour #BreakFree party in Lagos

R-L; Member, Society Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council ,Rita Esuru-Okoroafor; Group Head Corporate Communication, Dangote Industries Ltd, Anthony Chiejina; Director Stakeholders Engagement and Communication, Ahmed Mansur; Chairman SPE Nigeria Council, Saka Matemilola; Technical Consultant on Refinery and Petrochemical to President of Dangote Industries Limited, Babajide Soyode; Member of the Board of Lagos Section of SPE, Fanyama Okoli and Chief Operating Officer of AOS Orwell/Member of SPE, Lester Clark, during the courtesy visit by SPE Nigeria Council to Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Projects in Lagos recently

Etisalat Woos Customers with Revamped Easy Cliq Youth-friendly and innovative telecommunications company, Etisalat, has further demonstrated its passion and commitment for customers, especially, the youths, as it renewed the Easy Cliq package with improved benefits.

The EasyCliq product was specifically designed for the youth population, with a consideration on their lifestyle and spending pattern including loads of benefit and cheaper tariff.

The revamped package comes with more offerings and particularly, gives customers the freedom and power to choose from a range of bonus options, which included access to cheap night data plan and free unlmited short message service, SMS.

Operators Seek Reversal of NIMASA’s Directive on 200HP Boat Engine The Association of Boats and Water Transporters of Nigeria, ATBOWTON, has urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, to reconsider its stand on the ban of 200HP boat engines from operating on the waterways.

The association who expressed its grievance over the regulator’s decision, said that such would further paralyse activities in water transportation, hence, weaken the economy.

The President of the association,Tarzan Balogun,while speaking to news men recently, said that the implications of the order was that movement would be restricted as there were certain areas on the waterways that could only accommodate boats that are powered by 200HP engines.

Balogun who praised the agency’s effort at shielding the route from criminal activities following allegations that criminals use boats with the said capacity to escape through the waterways after their operations stated that banning the boats was not the best solution.

“The ban is not the solution to fight sea piracy in the country, the agency should make provision for gun boat which security operatives can work with when on patrol on the waterways”, he said.

He advised NIMASA to re-strategise its operations in curbing the menace of criminals and smuggling on the sea as the latest directive would have ripple effects on many citizens stressing that it was faster to use such engines to travel to interior parts of the coastal communities in the country.

He added that while the decision would force many out of business, operators plying some riverine communities will not be spared as well.

The ATBOWTON President pleaded also with the Federal Government to build filling stations along the coastal areas to ease operators the stress of buying petrol at filling stations far from their routes.

According to the company, among other benefits, the new product affords customers the privilege to access any of the following three options: 250% bonus to call all networks, 350% bonus to call only Etisalat numbers, and 100% bonus on data purchase between 50MB-500MB by dialing *545# to select any preferred option.

Commenting on the new product, Vice President, Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Adebisi Idowu, said the latest product was a clear demonstration of the company’s competitive edge and continuous commitment to smart innovations that give Nigerians the best deals possible, in both voice calls and data plans, and also the freedom to choose what they prefer.

“At Etisalat we have proven it time and again that we can consistently stay ahead of the game when it comes to innovation and offering the best deals to our customers. With the revamped EasyCliq, we have again shown leadership in our industry by giving our customers the power and freedom to choose what they prefer from multiple bonus options.”

The package also come with default features including 25kobo per second default tariff, 200MB for N100; and one free SMS for every billed SMS. More freebies on the new package include access to digital media services like Cloud 9, Football portal, Games portal and Video portal

GTBank Bags Multiple International Awards Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB has been awarded international recognition at the the 2017 Euromoney Private Banking Awards which held in London recently.

The bank stood out among others to emerge as the ‘Best Private Banking Services, Best Commercial Banking Capabilities and Best Net-worth Specific Services in the Africa region.

Reacting to the feat Euromoney private banking editor, Helen Avery, noted that the recognition was well deserved judging the performance and achievements of the bank in recent times.

She said, “This year, close to 700 institutions took part in the survey, 2,951 valid responses were received, representing a 12.8 per cent increase

from last year figures. GTBank’s recognition in three categories is testament to the thorough work the bank is doing to deliver the utmost in banking services to its private banking clients.

It is hard enough to win in just one category but to emerge victorious in three, clearly showcases the strength and efficiency of its value proposition to this particular segment of its customer base.”

The Euromoney Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey is an industry leading barometer for product innovation and service delivery to private banking clients. The survey covers 15 different product and client categories on a global and regional basis, and has ranking results in 70 countries

Indomie Targets 10m Customers, Flags-Off Annual Sampling Exercise For improved delivery and consumers’ satisfaction, Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, will be sampling the minds of not less than 10 million customers, while also offering a free product taste for participants.

According to the company, the annual exercise was in fulfillment of the company’s obligation to the customers which was why it remained relevant in the market.

According to its Brand Manager, Mr. Amber Yadav, “Indomie is using this exercise to remind consumers what quality tastes like. We know things are hard at the moment but people should always remember that there is no price tag that can justify inferiority. Noodles globally is loved by families and when you love your family you are expected to give them the very best.”

He said that the sampling exercise would include all of the variants of the product while the exercise would go round all geo-political zones in the country: North-Central, North-East, North-West,

South-East, South-South and South-West with special focus on key cities, such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, Owerri, Enugu and others.

“We remain consumers’ favourite today as we thrive on getting consumers insight and using the knowledge of their preferences to improve on the brand. Last year, we won awards even outside the noodles category because the brand is built on consumers’ preferences rather than marketing benefits.” Yadav stated.

The company’s Group Public Relations and Event Manager, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, added that “As a brand, we do not claim to know what the consumer wants; that would be arrogant and misleading. We are merely asking our consumers who are the reason we are in business to guide us as we continue to produce the best noodles for their satisfaction and enjoyment. The sampling will also give the undecided consumers a trial experience and gear them towards becoming not just our customers. but Indomie ambassadors.”

all at a discounted rate, as well as 250MB night plan from 12:00am to 5:00am at N50 only.

“Opting-in to the revamped Easy Cliq can be done via all migration channels including IVR, while selecting a preferred bonus option can only be done via USSD - *545#. For existing Easy Cliq customers , opting-in to the revamped Easy Cliq is easy and free as customers need to just dial *244*1#”, Idowu added.

The official launch of the new product was preceded by a campaign, tagged #BreakFree, a project which encouraged Nigerians to live outside the box and embrace opportunities towards actualising their dreams.

Nigerians Await Rebirthed Nokia 3310 as it Relaunches in Spain Nigerians are anxious and highly expectant as the much talked about modern Nokia 3310 finally arrived in Barcelona.

Some device users who spoke with Market Place in Computer Village, Lagos, commended the phone maker on the initiative as they eagerly inquired on its arrival date in Nigeria.

Although, there is no official communication on its release date in Nigeria, the body language of Nigerians suggested that the product would gain ground in the market owing to its proven quality in its first coming as well as additional latest features which included a 22-hour lifespan battery.

In his word, one of the phone’s fans, Adepetun Moses, said, “I will surely get one anytime it’s available for sale, the life span and strength of the phone is second to none.Although it may not look fanciful and attractive, it is better than other fancy and delicate devices which do not offer value for money in terms of durability. I only hope that its quality has not depreciated, otherwise, it’s a phone to possess.”

The Nokia 3310 was loved in Nigeria for its sturdiness.

The new 3310 is produced by HMD Global under a licensing agreement with Nokia company.

The latest model of the phone maintains its sturdy feature along with the popular snake game including other enticing features that guarantee overall value.

According to the Head of Finnish start-up, HMD Global, Arto Nummela, the modern version now allows web browsing, a single camera and users can talk for as long as 22 hours.

In addition to the new 3310, HMD also presented three new smartphones the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 which will sell for different prices.

44

T H I S D AY SATURDAY MARCH 4, 2017

T H I S D AY SATURDAY MARCH 4, 2017

45

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 4, 2017

46

PERSPECTIVE

EFCC v. Emeka Mba: The Puzzles and Contradictions Leo Obaze

T

he continued prosecution of Emeka Mba, erstwhile Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, by the Federal Government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presents several agonizing puzzles and contradictions.

Recently, the Minister of Information, National Orientation and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed admitted that government was grateful for the N34 billion realised by NBC through the special auction of part of the 700Mhz digital dividend broadcast spectrum to MTN Nigeria in June 2015.

Lai Mohammed’s feeling of elation and satisfaction stems from the fact that the amount has been critically pivotal in funding the ongoing implementation of the Digital Switch Over [DSO] from analogue transmission.

In effect, government is satisfied that the Management of NBC under Mba applied good sense of creativity and innovativeness in creating that critical resource pool that leapfrogged and escalated implementation of the digital switch over plan. Ironically, while government has appropriated the outcome of that creative and innovative transaction between NBC and MTN, which has given it the impetus to indeed implement the digital switch over along the framework created by Mba’s Management team, the EFCC, an agency of the same government has been seeking grounds to isolate Mba from the high points of the transaction, which culminated in the funds realized from the licensing of the spectrum.

The same EFCC has been studiously working at the same time to criminalize him for working with NBC’s consultants to achieve the desirable. The same consultants that originated the very idea of auctioning the 700Mhz digital dividend broadcast spectrum. Ever heard of cutting one’s nose to spite the face?

How is EFCC going about this? The Commission literally considers that: “well, maybe after all there’s nothing fishy in the transaction, but how on earth could the legal consultants get paid as much as N2.89 billion? This must be evidence of money laundering.”

A lot of ignorance fly around here.

Consultants generally and legally negotiate transaction success fees in percentageswhether the transaction is a Public-Private partnership requiring the services of transaction advisors or an industry-specific technical intervention such as the one under review benefits are negotiated in percentages.

The consultants benchmarked its demand for a transaction success fee on a threshold. Both the board and Management of NBC negotiated this down. It is important that we go through this carefully once more.

The EFCC has changed its accusations against Mba severally since this matter was evidently manufactured. And it would appear that the idea is to rope Mba in, by hook or crook. Initially, members of the public were told that Mba misappropriated N15 billion. The documents of how the

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commissioning the Digital Switch Over transaction was originated, all the justifications and approvals- by even the relevant ministers and the Federal Executive Council- up till its perfection and the crediting of NBC accounts are clear, open and available.

No money was misappropriated.

As a matter of fact, no money was even under any threat of misappropriation. The amount in question was lodged with Zenith Bank as collateral for the set top boxes manufacture and government approved rebate for Nigerian households, being a key demand by the Set Top Box Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, before they could even engage or manufacture. Never mind that due approvals from the NBC Board, Minister, Federal Executive Council as well as President and Commander-in-Chief are all in place. Puzzles!

The puzzles continue. For example, one of the charges against Mr. Mba is: while being director general of the NBC on or about the 31st day of August 2015, “awarded contracts for the supply of set top boxes in the sum of N1,237,400,000 (one billion two hundred and thirty seven million, four hundred thousand naira) for the Digital Switch Over for the National Broadcasting Commission to Gospell Digital Technology, Trefoil Global Investment Limited, Zinox Technology, Media Concept International Limited, Digitune Media Technology Limited, SMK Engineering & Construction Limited, I-Box Engineering Limited, Innosson Communications Limited, African Cable Television Limited, Trendcorp Africa Limited, TV Enterprises, STB Manufacturing Co Ltd, and Design Build Concept Limited without seeking approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement contrary to section 40 of the Public Procurement Act No. 65, 2007, and punishable under section 58 of the same Act.”

But, if all 13 companies got manufacturing contracts illegally, why are they still being used to manufacture the set top boxes? Is it possible that the fact that they are manufacturing the set top boxes as spelt out in the contracts has vitiated the purported “illegality” of the contract as contended by the EFCC? And if that were to be the case, why is Mba’s status never viewed by the same EFCC through the prism of the successful outcome in every department of the entire framework, engagement, implementation and deployment of the Digital Switch Over?

The reality, however, is that all the set top boxes currently being used for the DSO pilot flag-off in Jos, and the DTT signal distribution service recently launched in Abuja by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, are totally and fully the proceeds of what the EFCC contends are illegal transactions, for which Mba is now being prosecuted. It is like saying that the ram is rotten, but its barbecue (suya) is, nevertheless, irresistibly tasty. Think about this puzzle.

For over a decade, Nigeria despite several vows by government, could not meet its international obligation to transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, as mandated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The recurring challenge over government’s inability to meet this obligation had always been blamed on unavailability of funds. Successive governments failed to appropriate necessary funding for this very crucial national development program, despite mouthing all sorts of promise. In 2014, the NBC’s legal consultant, Basil Udotai, submitted a proposal to the Commission to help raise funds through a special auction for the DSO project.

The NBC Management, headed by Mba thought the proposal was brilliant. He got the board of the agency involved and the board gave its nod. All necessary due diligence were done, and transaction success fee requested by the consultants was cut down from 20% to 10% by the board.

It is the cumulative value of that 10% transaction success fee that the EFCC is now holding unto and dressing it up with the bizarre, but annoying toga of the “crime” of money laundering. The straightforward and intelligent thing to do, you would imagine, is examine records of transaction success fees for consultants in similar or related transactions in Nigeria and show graphically how the one in question differs injuriously to NBC from national industry rates.

Strikingly, for the first time in the history of alleged corruption cases brought up by the Commission, the EFCC has been unable in the charges levelled against Mr. Mba, to trace any money to Mba or establish any ground on which Mba may have directly benefited by the transactions or indeed even by its own standards of money laundering.

But, by gosh, no, just hold Mba; subject him to media trial; intimidate, malign, and wear him out. Like Cinna the Poet (in William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”), lynch him; even if he is obviously not Cinna the Conspirator. After all, some names also carry dire consequences.

Although things rapidly lose their meanings these days and the ceremony of innocence is brutally drowned, Emeka’s case is one puzzle and contradiction that will continue to torment the conscience of this nation.

– Obaze writes from Lagos

POLITY

GOtv Subscribers to Watch the 2017 AMVCA Live

G

Otv subscribers will watch the 2017 edition of the prestigious Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) live on all Africa Magic channels on Saturday, the 4th of March from

4pm.

The live broadcast will capture every fascinating moment of the awards including the red carpet appearances and performances by Nigeria’s king of soul, Timi Dakolo and Africa’s finest female vocalists, Waje and Lira. The event will be graced by

the crème de la crème in the movie industry across Africa and will again be hosted by Ik Osakioduwa and South African media personality, Minnie Dlamini.

The AMVCA is the biggest celebration of film and television talent across Africa with the first edition holding in 2013. This year being the fifth edition, the show promises to be even bigger with top contenders from across Africa competing for honours in a number of voting, non-voting and online polling categories including the newly introduced recognition award for M-Net’s

original productions.

Managing Director MultiChoice, John Ugbe said: “The AMVCA is the biggest platform that recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievement in the African film and TV industry.

We are pleased to bring this event once again to our GOtv subscribers at no extra cost”. The nomination list for the award was earlier released in December 2016 with Nollywood’s historical drama movie entitled ‘76’ topping the list with a recordbreaking 14 nominations.

The categories of awards to be given to nominees include: Best Art Director, Best Actress and Best Actor. Others are Best Movie Producer, Best Make-Up Artist and Best Cinematography amongst others, the Best Overall Movie, which is the most coveted prize at the movie fiesta will also be awarded.

The AMVCA acknowledges and celebrates contributions made by Pan African filmmakers, actors and technicians to the success of the continent’s film & television industries.

47

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •MARCH 4, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

NDDC’s New Commitment to Due Process

T

he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) experienced a new dawn in November 2016 when the federal government constituted a 16-man board of eminent Nigerians to run the affairs of the intervention agency to boost sustainable development in the oil-rich region.

Apparently alluding to the several allegations of corruption against previous boards, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Uguru Usani Uguru, had assured they were called to serve the country and not their pocket.

He charged the new NDDC board to work within the provisions of the law.

Hitting the ground running The new board did not waste time in hitting the ground running and setting aside February 2-4, 2017 for the stakeholder retreat of the agency in Rivers State.

In attendance were the ministers and representatives from the Niger Delta Affairs, Health, Environment and Justice.

Also in attendance were representatives from The European Union, Department for International Development presentation (DFID), Ford Foundation, USAID/ SACE. Represented were the Bureau of Public procurement (BPP), Bureau of public service reforms (BPSR), PIND, SEEFOR, Facility for Oil Sector Transparency (FOSTER), National Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), BRACED Commission, Shell Production DevelopNdoma Egba ment Corporation (SPDC), BudgIT, and others.

In the spirit of the new deal, USAID Themed ‘Colaboration for Sustainable urged the NDDC to adopt a step-byDevelopment’, the event was the first of its step approach to change the norm and kind in the 16-year history of the NDDC. embrace inclusion – these steps would The stakeholders retreat was charged include Shedding the weight in order to with the duty of jointly formulating the set priorities smart, Supporting catalytic commission’s vision, and the drawing and game changing actions that impact up of a roadmap for the actualisation of ALL, Becoming more open in order to this vision. In sharing this charge with the build trust and attract new resources. stake holders, the commission’s chairUSAID also offered support and gave man minced no words in describing the further recommendation to the commisdeplorable state of the NDDC, starting sion to help it out of its present state. from the governance issues, which afflict NEITI encouraged the commission to it (and are evidenced in the number of embrace corporate governance built on failed contracts and abandoned projects in openness, efficiency and accountability. the commission’s name), to the negative It also urged NDDC to embrace EITI image which the public has of the comprinciples for contract transparency and mission. beneficial ownership disclosures. In conAt this forum, the commission’s chairclusion the group expressed a willingness man brazenly admitted the NDDC’s to set up a team (with NDDC) to explore faults, as well as the need for support in the planned and necessary rise of the commission.

The representative of the Minister of Justice, Juliet Ibekaku was quick to point out that “This is the first time we are engaging with a government agency that says ‘We want to be transparent and accountable in our work.”

Ekere presented a paper where he identified poor governance, as the major challenge hindering the growth of the commission.

He went on to deploy a 4R Cage to ‘tame the organisational beast’. He highlighted the 4R steps as “Restructuring the balance sheet, Reforming governance systems, Restoring the commission’s core mandate execution, and Reaffirming the commitment to what is right”. In the end, cost management, transparency, and improved service would no doubt be some of the outcomes from this ‘beast taming’.

Indeed, the gospel was one of change, and from the events of the 3-day discourse, this was no empty mantra, but a call in readiness for battle – the battle to redeem the esteemed intervention agency of the Niger Delta from retrogression. The call for inclusion and collaboration rang out clear as the days wore on.

Call for Collaboration

Indeed, it is a known fact that the Chairman, the distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), the Managing Director/CEO, Nsima Ekere, and the two Executive Directors are still using their private vehicles three months after assumption of duties

areas of cooperation.

On his part, Henry Adigun of FOSTER urged the NDDC to see itself as the knowledge hub for creating the environment for development. Making their budget public and ensuring that the Capital /Recurrent expenditure stayed at 80/20 per cent, were few suggestions proffered to encourage transparency.

BPP was also up for collaboration with NDDC. The Bureau for Public Sector Reform (BPSR) seemed to agree with Ndoma Egbas’ overall assessment of his commission’s present position. Dr. Joe Abah, of the BPSR in his presentation proffered a series of possible steps to reform the commission. The steps covered leadership, funding, and performance management.

Speaking on Partnership for sustainable development (PSD), Prof. Eyo Ita Nyong insisted that stakeholder collaboration was the bedrock of the Niger Delta regional development master plan (NDRDMP).

ICT and sustainable development Gerald Ilukwe’s presentation on ICT development gave practical quick- win suggestions for the commission to further present stance. In propounding the idea of using ICT to deliver greater good, his ideas included the use of technology in the areas of health, environment, agriculture, governance and social services and others. He also suggested ways for the commission to maximise its internal processes.

Unemployment On unemployment in the region, The Ford Foundation stressed the need for skills development along demand-driven lines. They also reiterated their commitment to collaborate with the commission and other stake holders in the area of mapping opportunities in the labour market, as well as renewing the foundation’s financial commitment to skill development programmes in the Niger Delta.

Mrs. Amina Mohammed, the then Minister of Environment and current Deputy UN Secretary General insisted the Niger Delta deserved a better environment than what presently obtains.

She lauded the NDDC as a wonderful vehicle for changing the narrative of the region, by taking the right steps in trying to reposition the Niger Delta. She encouraged better sensitization for coping with the environmental challenges of oil pollution, and oil pipeline theft.

Ekere rounded off the meeting by applauding all the speakers for contributing to a stimulating retreat.

He affirmed that NDDC had a rich resource of human resource, and coupled with the new board which is committed to making a difference in the Niger Delta, they would commit to doing what is right.

He assured the stakeholders that having studied the commission in the few months since their inauguration, the present Board and Management of NDDC would work harmoniously to the very end. In his words: “We are aligned in our thoughts. We are aligned in the determination to make a difference. We are aligned even in the path we have chosen to make the difference.”

Ndoma-Egba had also assured that the commission would work to earn the confidence of stakeholders and partners through honest work and single minded focus.

Debunking allegation of corruption However, the recurrent allegation of corruption against the previous NDDC board reared its ugly head under the new dispensation when Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay recently alleged that NDDC “bought over 70 cars that included eight super Lexus that cost N70 million each and 10 Toyota Landcruiser jeeps at N65 million each.”

Though Professor Okon Eminue has since clarified that “Professor Sagay’s accusation or allegation does not say that the scam is perpetrated by the current leadership of the NDDC,” the agency’s head of Corporate Affairs, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi was also quick to clarify that no such purchases had been made since assumption of office of the new board on November 4, 2016.

“Indeed, it is a known fact that the Chairman, the distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), the Managing Director/CEO, Nsima Ekere, and the two Executive Directors are still using their private vehicles three months after assumption of duties,” he said.

He further clarified that the NDDC is only now in the process of acquiring work vehicles, and is adhering strictly to due process. These include five Toyota Prado jeeps, 10 Toyota Hilux trucks, four Toyota Landcruiser jeeps, one Toyota Coaster bus and two Toyota Hiace buses.

To demonstrate the new board’s commitment to due process and transparency, Amu-Nnadi further disclosed that the commission had just received the Due Process Compliance Certificate from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and is preparing the mandatory memo for the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

He assured that the NDDC was committed to making its transactions transparent, by adhering strictly to processes and procedures of government, as espoused in the Board’s 4-R Initiative.

“We always ready to open its books for audit. We are also committed to responding to any inquiries from well-meaning individuals and groups seeking clarification on rumours and possible false information. The New NDDC is evolving as a responsible public institution and members of the public should feel free to get authentic information on its activities to avoid sensationalism,” he added.

48

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper • March 4, 2017

Interview

AMCON is a Mortician, Not Asset Manager Aviation Consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe is troubled by the manner of intervention of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON in the aviation industry of the country. He suggested to Chinedu Eze ways government can rescue troubled airlines like Arik and Aero. He insists that AMCON lacks the requisite experience to revive ailing airlines and would kill it with wrong approach. Excerpts

T

here is anxiety among Arik Air workers that they may lose their jobs and the future of the airline is uncertain. How do you think the airline could be saved?

The uncertainty in the airline is not unexpected. The staff are right in their feeling because, for me who is not even an employee of the airline, I have great trepidation, great anxiety about the future of that airline under the present intervention of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). AMCON has the record of not being able to rescue an airline because the airlines it got into in the past have all gone down. They went into Virgin Nigeria. It was under AMCON that two brand new Embraer E190 aircraft acquired by Virgin Nigeria were left on the ground to rot. It was under AMCON that Aero, which owned about eight or nine aircraft before its takeover, reduced to two aircraft in its fleet.

Since over five years ago nothing has happened to Aero in terms of improvement. Staff of Aero lost their jobs under AMCON. So when you look at these, you will understand why the staff of Arik should be apprehensive about the future of their jobs and the future of the airline. AMCON in one press release I saw said they are not airline managers.

Of course, they are not; they are morticians. So what they should have done is they have a right to get into Arik and say, you owe us this amount of money and we do not think that the way things are going you will be able to pay. Then AMCON will get all the stakeholders to sit down and say, we will have to change this management. Then they will jointly decide and transparently get a new turn-around management. They will openly appoint a new management that will turn the place around. The work AMCON has put in place today can never turn the place around. They started the process of reduced flight and then gave the impression that things are coming on well, but it is not true.

I do not know whether AMCON has taken care to look at the international ramifications of owning Arik. Foreign creditors will be there and foreign creditors, when they found out that who owns Arik is government organisation, they will get harder in demanding for their money. They can ask for sovereign guarantees if you negotiate with them and if there are properties they can sue to take over those properties. We saw all these in Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL). We also saw it in the Nigerian shipping line. So AMCON going into Arik and saying they are not taking over the airline but they are taking over the management does not make any meaning to those Arik has relationship with internationally. Their idea of taking over Arik is wrong because their equity put together is not likely to be more than Arik’s equity even in its difficulties.

That is why I said this entails calling everybody involved, bring the original owners of Arik and you sit down and agree on the way forward. AMCON has the right to go in but the way they did it is wrong. We need to rescue not only

have looked at. I am sure AMCON has not found this out; if they did they won’t be telling us they just discovered IATA debts. AMCON has no clue about most of these challenges and they may start pushing them as an alibi for the collapse of Arik. It will be very sad if Arik collapses. This is the kind of thing that happened to Nigeria Airways. Its assets were three or four times more than its liabilities when the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo government decided to liquidate it. You only need to put some of its landed properties overseas and here in the GRA to reschedule the defunct airline’s debts. But they did not do that. They should watch what is happening in Arik so that the airline does not go the way of Nigeria Airways.

They should not create alibi to destroy the company. Yes, it is true Arik has had challenges. We in the industry know this but the truth of the matter is that these challenges are not enough to collapse the airline. They should get those who can turn the airline around, and not those who have no idea about how to turn the organisation around.

Aligbe

Arik, but we need to rescue the aviation industry from AMCON. Is there any way AMCON could be made to understand that it cannot effectively manage the airlines and then be made to adopt exit strategy?

The issue of the defunct Virgin Nigeria is not there anymore but AMCON is not telling anybody anything about the debt, who incurred the debts and how the debts were incurred. Who obtained the loan in the airline, how was the loan acquired? They need to tell Nigerians, but they have not told Nigerians yet.

All we know is that N35 billion was taken from AMCON and we are paying for it. When you come to Aero, it was a privately owned airline. That is fair enough, AMCON owns over 60 per cent of Aero if not more. It is a formidable equity holder in Aero. But it is a different thing with Arik because Aero is a domestic, regional operator. Arik is an international operator and it has international obligations. I just read in the papers that they discovered over $70 million Arik owed the International Air Transport Association (IATA). There is nothing like discovery because the debt is there; IATA knows it was being owed and how much it is owed; it was never hidden, so why use the word discover?

So when you give the impression of discovery, you are creating the feeling that, oh, there was a fraud. But there is no fraud in owing IATA. I am not sure that there is any dispute between

IATA and Arik and even if there is any dispute they have a way of solving it.

It was wrong to present it to the public as if it was something that was hidden.

But if the idea is to give impression that there is so much rot in Arik, I don’t think that is the best way to go about it because sooner than later what we will hear is, because of mammoth challenges in Arik, which AMCON didn’t know about, the airline could not be turned around as they wanted to do. It is all the same story. The fact of the matter is that AMCON should sit down with the owners of the airline and other stakeholders and decide the management of the airline.

They appointed forensic auditor for the airline. What they did was right but they shouldn’t have done it themselves; the stakeholders should have decided that. They should stop doing the right thing in the wrong ways because if they continue that way the purpose of rescuing the airline will be defeated.

Arik must be looked at from different perspectives. I don’t know what the current situation is, but I know Arik has three Boeing B777 on order. They are to be delivered 2018 or 2019. AMCON should immediately look into this because the order has gone beyond the point it can be cancelled. This means that the equipment must have to be paid for. These are some of the difficulties.

Before jumping into the management of the airline, as an international carrier, there are so many things they should

There have been allegations lately that NCAA is not effectively regulating the industry and the reason airlines are going under. What is your take on that?

As far as I am concerned there are so much ignorance and so much mischief, which is very, very unfortunate. There are people who don’t know what NCAA is doing or what NCAA has done. They raise an issue and run the entire organisation down and this will not work, no matter the motive or motivations. Yes, there are challenges of economic regulation in the industry, but the challenges are not something you input to human being because some of the challenges are systemic. NCAA today cannot effectively regulate the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) despite its autonomy because FAAN is a government agency and NCAA being a government agency cannot regulate itself. The situation will change drastically when the airports are given out in concession. When they are concessioned, NCAA can now regulate them. Government never succeeds in regulating itself, but to say that NCAA has not done what it should do; that is why airlines are collapsing is not true.

What should NCAA do? Is it to stop an airline that is in distress from operating?

Should NCAA fund the airline that is in difficulty? Or should NCAA sit down and tell an airline, look, you can no longer operate? Airlines have their own challenges but they are not friends among themselves. What should be done in aviation industry is to make sure that the models are there. But I think that NCAA can begin to do the things that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is doing. Nobody can take over the management of any airline without NCAA’s approval. Currently NCAA approves the Accountable Managers of the airlines which is the technical area. I think NCAA should approve the management of the airlines. In the banking sector, CBN approves the management team of banks. This is to ensure that the right people are managing the airlines.

49

March 4, 2017 • THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper

Interview

NPDC/Atlantic Tussle on Cash Call; Civil Breach of Contract, Says Counsel, Lawal Rabana The ongoing trial of Jide Omokore and others continued on Wednesday at a Federal High Court in Abuja, where the Managing Director of NPDC, Yusuf Matashi, the star witness of the prosecution, was cross examined by the Counsel to Omokore, Lawal Rabana, SAN. According to Rabana, Matashi’s testimony, with documents from NPDC is Shows that the entire transaction was commercial and therefore a civil breach of contract and not criminal. He discusses these issues in this interview with Akinwale Akintunde

W

hat is your reaction to the proceedings in court on Wednesday?

We are very happy about the proceedings yesterday in court.

The trial witnessed the Managing Director of NPDC testify and produce so many documents to support his evidence. It is glaring from the documents and evidence, as our position right from day one that this is a commercial relationship between Atlantic Company and NPDC. And that if there is any breach at all it is a breach of commercial transactions, which is either not compliance with the terms of the SAA and there is no sentiments about it. In the oil industry, the players know that when you are talking about cash call arrangement, it doesn’t fall in place automatically the way you expect it. There are times you are able to meet up with the cash call obligations, there are times it is rolled over and as the transactions goes on, reconciliation is made, and payments are made. That is precisely what happened in this case. There is no theft of crude oil by Atlantic or

by Mr. Jide Omokore. Every crude lifted is recorded, going by their own documents, giving the names of vessels that lifted it and the destinations that it was going to, giving the number of barrels that were approved for lifting. They have all these properly recorded. So, where is the illegality in this? I think that it is very important that facts are kept as they are. It is a civil breach of contract of which the parties have several times sat down to reconcile the figures that are due to NPDC and also due to the companies that are involved in the transactions.

Our position is to allow the reconciliation of figures and the funds to run the SAA; they should allow it to work.

Because the impression people are having is that the man stole crude oil and took the money away. Fortunately, such a thing is not possible going by their own documentation. It is not just possible where all the transactions are documented in black and white. And all the documents came from NPDC. The documents they brought to court emanated from them.

So, our position has always been that it is a commercial relationship and we agreed that there had been breach in terms of meeting up the cash call obligations. And we have also demonstrated, several times, willingness to pay the reconciled sum, but in between that came the petitions to EFCC. And our position has not changed, it is a commercial transaction

Rabana

and we are ready to meet up the obligations.

So who is the author of the petition?

Initially from records, some NGOs wrote about the allegations targeted at the then Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison Madukwe but thereafter, the Minister herself wrote inviting EFCC to investigate the allegations. And that was what kick-started all these, but while that was on, every meeting or efforts to reconcile records and bring more investors was stalled.

So, how much is the reconciled figures? We hear a lot of figures being mentioned, like $1.8 million and all that?

They are just bringing confusing figures. The Managing Director of NPDC himself said, from records and that he cannot state exactly how they came about the calculations, the outstanding money is $1.250 billion.

When the question was asked specifically by one of my colleagues, the man said he was not privy to the calculations; he doesn’t know how

they came about it but it is in the records. And these were the issues right from day one, the entry fees is assessed based on parameters and it would have been a different thing if our client is saying no, we are not owing you, we didn’t lift oil, then you can now sue but that shouldn’t be where the two parties agreed as to what is outstanding and then agreed to pay.

So, why did the case go to court?

That is the question for EFCC or NPDC to explain. It is for them to explain why they chose this line of action because everything was documented, nothing has been left out. The main agreement, the memorandum shows the rights and obligations of parties, and even when there is a breach of payment of cash call. There is nothing secret about the transactions. But as I said earlier on, the transactions were recorded up to the vessels that lifted the crude and up to the destinations that they were delivered. And if you have all these on record, then how do you then begin to talk about oil theft, illegality, 419 and all that?

That is the question for EFCC or NPDC to explain. It is for them to explain why they chose this line of action because everything was documented, nothing has been left out. The main agreement, the memorandum shows the rights and obligations of parties, and even when there is a breach of payment of cash call.

There is nothing secret about the transactions.

But as I said earlier on, the transactions were recorded up to the vessels that lifted the crude and up to the destinations that they were delivered. And if you have all these on record, then how do you then begin to talk about oil theft, illegality, 419 and all that?

As Nigerians, we also do not support corruption, we want things to be done properly and when there are documents supporting those transactions, which is civil recovery, you do not have to criminalise anyone and now make it look like every arrangement was planned out.

That has been our stand and it will continue to be our stand. But now that the matter is in court we cannot talk about the merit or otherwise. Our line of defense, which is consistent with the documents already brought to court, is that this is a commercial transaction which has no criminal intention or element whatsoever.

50

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper March 4, 2017

Travel & Leisure

Imagine swimming in one of the longest swimming pools ever created on the beach front. 120 metres with six bars of pure, blue water. Of course you don’t have to be a swimmer to appreciate this luxurious amenity; half the pleasure of poolside living is enjoying the way the cool blue water contrasts perfectly with a lush green lawn or modern gray stone masonry. Stunning traditional pools side furniture and bright azure shade is instantly calming

Making a Splash in Nigeria’s Longest Beachside Swimming Pool “The record-breaking creation planted at La Campagne Tropicana Resort, Ikegu Village, Ibeju Lekki, and Lagos is the brain child of Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, President of the Resort and promoter of Motherland Beckons.

Everything about the pool by the beach front is historical and eventful, apart from being the longest, the pool was constructed within the space of 14 days, with 14 workers who worked on it 14 hours of each day (with breaks for rest, food and rest).

The pool following all international construction guidelines has a unique design of six bars along its course and each of these bars has their brand theme for different taste of drinks including the African palm wine.

Being the first of its kind in the global tourism scene, the management of La Campagne Tropicana Resort kicked it off with the La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort Panorama 2017.

Everything about it will leave you craving summer in a swimmer’s paradise.

It open to the public since January; N5,000 per person.

Cultures melting point

51

March 4, 2017 • THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper

Travel & Leisure

Tourism Bits fets Sponsors Nigeria’s Orange Culture at Fashion Scout One of Nigeria’s leading mobile payments companies, Funds & Electronic Transfer Solutions Limited (fets) has made good its pledge to encourage and support local entrepreneurs in their quest to become global brands. The company recently sponsored one of Nigeria’s rising fashion brands, Orange Culture to the 2017 edition of the Fashion Scout, the international showcase for fashion pioneers, and the United Kingdom’s largest independent showcase for emerging and established design talent during the London Fashion Week. The show takes place between February 17 and February 21 2017.

With the sponsorship, Orange Culture will be the first African menswear brand ever to be invited by Fashion Scout.

Orange Culture will have the opportunity to showcase its collection to the most respected fashion players including buyers from Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

Alongside the brightest British talent, Fashion Scout provides unrivalled platforms for industry selected international designers and collective showcases including those from China, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Having built an acclaimed reputation as a leading international fashion showcase, Fashion Scout is frequented by top media and buyers.

Lymdatex Holds Golden Face of Niger Delta Pageant In order to foster peace in Niger Delta, Lymdatex Ventures, an event packaging organisation, has unveiled a cultural beauty contest, ‘Golden Face of Niger Delta Pageant’, in the restive region.

During the unveiling, recently in Port Harcourt, Managing Director, Lymdatex Ventures, Lydia Emenyi said the event

is open to contestants from states that made up the Niger Delta Emenyi noted that Nigerians will get to vote and choose their most suitable contestants not only by beauty, character, personality and moral but also intelligence, current affairs and cultural/fashion consciousness of the Niger Delta.

All Niger Delta indigenes residing both in the area and out of it between 18 and 25 years are qualified to participate.

Camping exercise will take place at a secure accommodation in Port Harcourt and last seven days. However, the grand finale on the last day will be aired on TV, YouTube and other social media platforms. Participants are required to pay a non-refundable sum of Five Thousand Naira only (N5, 000) to any Sterling Bank branch closest to them, and further go online to download the nomination form.

Sheraton Lagos Hotel looks forward to celebrating with all the lovers of pancakes out there and engaging with those who are interested in getting treated to this savoury dish”, Damian concluded.

Project Tourism: Ned Nwoko to host 100 foreign tourists in Nigeria Chairman of Project Tourism and former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Ned Nwoko, has promised to host 100 foreign tourists for the Host Family Scheme of the project in 2017.

Hon. Nwoko, who made the promised at a dinner held in honour of visiting Miami Dade Trade Mission to Nigeria, in Abuja on Thursday, explained that Project Tourism is to engineer the growth of tourism in Nigeria.

He said, “The committee will put in place what will make visits tourist sites in Nigeria possible. And as my own contribution towards developing tourism in Nigeria, I will organize a lottery through

which I would sponsor 100 foreign tourists to Nigeria next year to experience the tourism potentials in Nigeria. The sponsorship would include their tickets, accommodation and feeding, among other things that would make them comfortable during their stay in Nigeria.”

The former lawmaker added that the committee would create a cordial relationship with other countries to propel growth and development in the Nigerian tourism sector.

Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Mariel Rae-Omoh, in her remarks reaffirmed her commitment to promotion of the Nigerian tourism industry.

Rae-Omoh said: “With the call for Nigeria to diversify her economy from oil after several missed opportunities in six decades since the discovery of oil in 1956, the new question begging for answer now is how fast and far can diversification solve economic recession and other problems in the short, medium and long term?”Leader of Miami Dade Trade Mission to Nigeria, Vice Mayor Erhabor Ighodaro, earlier in his speech Lauded Hon. Nwoko’s commitment to promoting tourism in Nigeria and ensuring cordial relationship between Nigeria and other countries.

Four Points By Sheraton and Cool Fm 96.9 Live Wedding on Radio As it has become the tradition at the Four Points to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a special way, this year Four Points

by Sheraton Lagos partnered with Cool FM 96.9 to organize an all-expense paid wedding for a lucky couple.

On the 13th of February, Four Points presented Jimi and Abisola (the lucky couple) with a free wedding reception including Buffet for 100 invited guests.

The couple enjoyed the Hotel’s beautiful

room and unbeatable hospitality treatment while staying in the hotel for two days. Cool FM’s OAP Dotun and Taymi on the Midday Oasis show aired the joining of Jimi and Abisola in the presence of their parents at the Cool FM studio.

The wedding was equally aired on Cool FM’s sister TV station Wazobia TV. Friends and families joined the couple at the Four Points Lagos Jupiter Ball room which had been tastefully decorated in red, white and silver to reflect the Valentine season.

According to the General Manager of the Hotel- Mr. Wozniak “we are very delighted to be a part of this love story and magnanimous gesture to offer a lucky couple the wedding of their dreams. The families and friends of the couple will be treated to an array of tasty meals prepared by our experienced chefs”.

After the whole celebration, the couple retired to their specially prepared room.

52

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 4, 2017

TRIBUTE Adedeji Adeleke@60:

An Epitome of Peace and Integrity

Olumide Lawal

M

any men have become great, because they were able to rise above defeat. Many people started life from obscurity, while others made it a goal, right from the day, they were born. However, the subject matter of this tribute, is a man, who through the grace of God, made it to the top and remains there, as a result of his resilience, Spartan discipline and commitment to hardiwork without courting controversy or scandals. He is no other than Dr. Adedeji Tajudeen Adeleke, a versatile, effervescent, thorough and dignified personality of no mean repute. The man with milk of human kindness, flowing freely in his eyes, turns 60 years old on March 6, 2017.

Dr. Adeleke comes across as a rare breed in the comity of Nigeria’s socio-economic setting.

He is among Nigeria’s brightest and best ‘First Eleven’. He has committed his entire life in the past 60 years to the improvement of mankind in various forms.

He was born into a noble family but decided early in life to carve a niche for himself, using his God-given high intelligent quotient and business acumen to be where he is today.

Adeleke imbibed rigorous academic, spiritual and manual work disciplines from the great Adventist Grammar School, Ede, under our indefatigable principal of principals, Elder Enoch Olatunde Dare. Chairman, as Dr. Adeleke is fondly called by his close friends and associates, employed lessons learnt in Adventist Grammar School, to bear in his young mind.

The lesson of building souls for Christ, which is the Motto of Adventist Grammar School, Ede, has translated positively on his attitude to life and adherence to Adventist Mission Philosophy, where today he is an Elder.

Aside from building souls for Christ, he has built souls for service with grim determination.

Chairman, made it to the United States

America in the late 70s and before you could say Jack Robinson, he recorded academic excellence and great success in some businesses he tried his hands on in USA. This prepared his sojourn into the private sector of Nigeria economy upon returning home.

Adeleke Back in Nigeria, Dr. Adeleke committed himself to providing employment opportunities for the people with the establishment of Pacific Farms, importation of various items, like iron-rods and sugar. He made a huge success of this venture, to the admiration of his competitors and customers, because he was not cutting corners.

He later graduated into the banking industry, with the establishment of Pacific Merchant Bank, which later metamorphosed into Pacific Bank, now part of the entity known as Unity Bank. He sits comfortably well as

executive chairman Pacific Holdings, which is into energy, haulage, merchandise, banking, among others.

Adeleke’s name may not be found in the Forbes list of world billionaires, but to those who know, he is a phenomenon, who cannot be pushed aside by the wave of the hand by anybody. Perhaps, this noble attribute of his, has enabled him to enjoy peace of mind and total concentration, while serving humanity.

The less privileged members of the society, majority of whom, have tremendously benefitted from his large heartedness and silent philanthropy, through his Springtime Development Foundation, under the headship of his bosom childhood friend, Dr. Zaccheus Babarinde are daily praying for him.

Perhaps, one of the landmark achievements of Dr. Adeleke, in the course of his 60 years on earth so far, is the establishment of Adeleke University, Ede. This version of ‘Harvard University’ in Nigeria gives him personal joy and indeed the entire members of the Adeleke dynasty of Ede. This, among his other successful ventures, keeps him happy and fulfilled. The Chairman is so bonded with the university project, to the extent, that he works round the clock there. He enjoys going round the university’s vast complex on foot. Most times, he arrives the campus in the evening and leaves in the wee-hour of the next day, partaking of the construction works at the various faculties. He moves about the campus at other times, in his bicycle in company of his bosom friends like Mr. Banji, Chief S.B. and Sir Adewale Adeeyo. You will find Dr. Adeleke, smilingly helping the construction workers to put their pans of mixed granite on their heads.

I doff my hat for you Dr. Adeleke. He is cheerful doing this to the admiration of the peasants making a living out of the university jobs.

The Ede City Hall, whose construction has spanned more than 20 years, is now a beneficiary of Dr. Adeleke’s kind gesture.

He has taken it upon himself, to complete whatever works that is left of the City Hall.

Only a few weeks ago, he was at the Osogbo, for the prayer session put up by Osun State

Muslim Community to commemorate the 85th Birthday of Alhaji S. O. Babalola. During the donation session, he sent in a cheque of N5 million towards the completion of the Osun State Muslim Community Hall. The highest donation, coming as it were from a Christian that Dr. Adeleke is. It was the shouting of Allahu Akbar that rented the hall, which had Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Ilorin among other personalities in attendance.

I wish to state that Dr. Adeleke should endeavor to re-activate the radio licence granted him in 1995 by Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, and put up a Pacific F.M Radio Station in Adeleke University, to complement the Performing Arts Department and also hasten the establishment of a Mass Communication Department, as luckily the new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dayo Alao belongs to that field.

One thing you cannot take away from Dr. Adeleke is the bond that existed and still exists between him and his late Jewel of inestimable value- Dr. Veronica Imade Adeleke. This was a woman that positively touched the life of Chairman in more, than one way. She was a pillar of strength for Dr. Adeleke whilst she lived and he in turn, hold her even after her demise in the highest esteem. Our own Queen of the heart, Mother Theresa of our time Veronica, we love you in Ede to no end. To the Glory of God, the matrimonial relationship between Dr. Adeleke and late Dr. Veronica has produced joyful children, among whom is the hip-hop rave of the moment, David Adedeji Adeleke (Jnr) a.k.a Davido.

Give it to Dr. Adeleke, he is a silent achiever, who unlike some money-miss-road businessmen and women, does not attract unnecessary public attention to himself. He carries himself with dignity and honour. Hardly can you find him granting press interviews. He has nothing to hide. This “uncommissioned” write up, will even come to him as a surprise. But it is a job that has to be done.

–Olumide Lawal writes from Ede, Osun State

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB), Mr. Funso Ayeni; Corporate Communications/Brands Manager, NB, Patrick Olowokere; Fuji Musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall; His Royal Highness Oba Babatunde Adetokunbo Awosunle; representative of the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Highness, Oba Adebinni Asoya; Juju Musician, Sir Shina Peters; and Portfolio Manager, Regional Mainstream and Stout Brand, NB, Mr. Emma Agu, at the first Goldberg music roundtable in Lagos...recently

PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Head, Marketing and LPG, OVH Energy Marketing Limited, Mr. Ganiyu Azeez; Acting CEO, Mrs. Olaposi Williams; Winner, O-GAS Teens Cancook National Competition Grand Finale and Student of Niger Delta Science School, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Miss. Emmanuella Walison and President, Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA), Mr. Dapo Adesina, during the grand finale of O-gas cancook competition, in Lagos... recently PHOTO: KOLA OLASUPO

L-R: Deputy President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Sola Tinubu; Vice president, NCRIB Bola Onigbogi; MD/CEO. Linkage Assurance Plc, Pius Apere; President, NCRIB, Emmanuel Okunoren,; past president, NCRIB, Feyisayo Soyewo; and GM Marketing, Linkage Assurance Pl, Joyce Ojemudia, during the February 2017 members evening of NCRIB hosted by Linkage Assurance Plc in Lagos...recently

L-R: Dr.(Mrs) Katia Ekesi; Mrs. Mary Inegbese, her husband, Mike Inegbese and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar at the conferment of Silverbird Life Time Achievement Award to Atiku during 2016 annual Silverbird man of the year award in Lagos...recently PHOTO: MUBO PETERS

53

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 4, 2017

NEWSXTRA Four Risk 56 Year Jail for ‘Self –kidnapping’ Laleye Dipo in Minna

A Minna chief Magistrate court has reserved sentence of four people it convicted for “ self-kidnapping” till Monday March 6, 2017.

This followed the guilty plea entered by four of the five accused persons in the case.

Those to be sentenced are Samson Yebo Taidi, Jibrin Mohammed, Abdulhamid Danladi and Noah Akinoluwa.

Chukwuemeka Elenza Daniel pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The five were brought before Chief Magistrate Jibrin Zabbo on a one count charge of “conspiracy to commit kidnap and self-kidnapping contrary to sections 3 (1) and 6(1) of the kidnapping and cattle rustling ( special provisions) law of Niger state 2016.

The offence according to the law carries a sentence of 14 years without option of fine.

State Prosecuting Counsel Suleiman Bwari Wushishi told the court that Samson Yebo Taidi “arranged his own kidnap in collaboration with the four others with the purpose of getting ransom from his parents”.

The prosecution added that Samson Yebo Taidi traveled to Kuta together with Jibrin Mohammed and stayed at the residence of Abdullahi Danladi who used his phone to communicate and negotiate a N30,000 ransom with the parents of Samson.

Bwari Wushishi added that Chukwuemeka Elenza Daniel was the first to be contacted by

Samson adding that Daniel suggested the involvement of Jibrin Danladi because he Danladi had “greater courage “.

The prosecution further told the court that Noah Akinoluwa was involved in the scheme because he assisted Samson with information on the efforts by his family members to secure his release.

He got N6000 for his efforts from the ransom.

As for Chukwuemeka the prosecution said he refused to tell the parents the truth when he was contacted that Samson was missing.

When the charge was read to the accused persons four of them pleaded guilty and were convicted.

The fifth accused person who pleaded not guilty was remanded in prison custody pending “ the hearing and determination of the case against him” Chief Magistrate Jibrin Zabbo will sentence the convicts on Monday March 6, 2017.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Nasara Danmalam reacting to the development described the action of the court as “ a land mark decision that will reduce the cases of kidnapping in the state.”

“The conviction is the first test to this law” Nasara Danmalam said adding that in the past, arrests were made but there was no relevant law to prosecute offenders “. “ We are very comfortable with the law because of its penalty”.

Ex-Senate Chief Whip, Others Launch New Political Party Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Roland Owie, yesterday led politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some other parties to launch the Edo State chapter of the expected mega-party, Action Democratic Party (ADP).

Speaking at the launching which attracted representatives from neighbouring states of Delta, Rivers and Cross Rivers State, Senator Owie said the new party would adopt an all-inclusive process of picking candidates for elections through direct primaries.

“We will use our registered members to pick candidates, we will vote in all elections, it will be direct primaries. Since 1999, an evil practice entered our politics, and it was introduced by a former President of Nigeria, where they now claim that the governors and president are the leaders of the party whereas we have party state chairmen and national chairman.

Never again will party meetings be held in government house, we have our party secretariat where meetings will be held”, he said.

The new party which has

new executive committee headed by Oloruntobi Gabriel was inaugurated.

In his acceptance speech, Oloruntobi said “Today marks a new beginning in the political space of Edo State with the birth of this party.

Action Democratic Party, as the name implies, is a party built purely on the ideals of democratic tenets that will return power to the people where everyone is recognised.

“Much as we are going to key into the structure of the national body of our party, because of the peculiarities of our dear state, we shall bring about sharp innovation borne out of my experience in party management to make Edo ADP a model for all to follow.

We will not be too afraid to criticise the anti-people policies of the government and we will not be too arrogant to acknowledge their good performance.

He commended Owie who is the South-South coordinator of the party and other persons including former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army Brigadier-General Idada Ikponmwen (rtd).

High point of the event was the opening of a new state secretariat for the party in the state capital, Benin City.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as CLARKSON OJOGUN ANNET, now wish to be known and addressed as CLARKSON OJOGUN ANNET ABIGAIL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AGBOIFOH STANLEY IYONAGBE, now wish to be known and addressed as VINCENT AGBOIFOH STANLEY IYONAGBE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ABIAWARE HELEN, now wish to be known and addressed as ALLI HELEN. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IWINTOLU OYINKANSOLA ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as SIMEON OYINKANSOLA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as SANUSI-OYEWUNMI NURUDEEN, now wish to be known and addressed as SANUSIOYEWUNMI NURUDEEN OLAMILEKAN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MRS ABIODUN TAIWO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABIODUN OLUSANYA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS KEHINDE MODUPE WILLIAMS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEGBOYEGA KEHINDE WILLIAMS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADAH LUCY ASMAU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKPOHS LUCY ASMAU. All former documents remain valid. Lagos Min. of Education and the general public should please take note

I formerly known and addressed as YUSUF AJADI, now wish to be known and addressed as AILERU YUSUF AJADI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MR. OSENI BABATUNDE WASIU, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. OSENI ABDULWASIU BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ANUKWE ABIGAIL CHINELO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHUKWUMA ABIGAIL CHINELO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

POLITY

Kashamu: A Messenger Misunderstood Lewis Chukwuma

W

hen the Vatican recently scouted for candidates for sainthood, his name was not listed. But then so all so were the names of many folks who perceive themselves as heroes and saviours of Nigeria and humanity at large. As it were, much of the contrived controversies linked to the senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Kashamu Buruji, often unfairly distorts the essence of both this messenger and his message.

At a period of our national life when multifarious challenges besiege the polity, it should be worthwhile to listen to the message of this battle-tested messenger from the SouthWest, on weighty crises roiling the nation’s political arena, especially the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his ideas on the way forward. That the political waters in this realm are shark-infested have not stopped this national parliamentarian, notable business guru and exemplary philanthropist from making significant contributions to both national and Kashamu regional discourse.

His Omo Ilu Foundation has pushed so many game-changing health and other humani- matter in the past only for it to be exhumed tarian interventions in for the under-privileged and stoked by powerful political forces in his in Ogun State that has drawn quiet admiration region who perceive he needs to be effectively and appreciation from the region. caged. Regrettably, even the country’s dug Curiously, it was when Distinguished Buruji agency, NDLEA, was involved in trying to entered into the political fray that something of frame him up and get him deported to the US. a Tsunami of intrigues against him that could In a recent interview with THISDAY, Buruji have floored a lesser mortal started. At press again brought even more clarity to the matter. time, the scope of these plots against Buruji His words: “There is no case as far as I am equates a political persecution by forces sworn concerned. The spokesman of the NDLEA to cage him. is making mistakes if you ask me. If he had What are the key issues that have fed the taken his time to study the whole matter, he war against Buruji, both in Nigeria and the would not have spoken in the manner he did. international arena? First, allegations were some There are reasons for this. If they (NDLEA) time ago leveled against him by the US Drug were to follow the law, they were not supAgency, that he was involved one or the other posed to even entertain the matter. There is a in drug-related malfeasance. For some reasons, treaty among Nigeria, Britain and the United the case is fundamentally floored because the States and this has some terms. character involved was Buruji’s brother.

“One of them was that when a matter is six Buruji himself had successively dealt with this years old, you cannot re-open it because it is

statute-barred. Number two, is that you can only extradite a fugitive. I am not a fugitive because I have never entered into America in my life. I have never applied for their visa.

Never in my life have I visited America. A fugitive is someone they are looking for who is running from one country to the other. Some who had been tried and acquitted are no longer fugitives.

“Number three says that anybody that has been arrested within any of these countries that are party to this treaty, if you sentence or acquit the person, you cannot re-arrest that person.

When this case was going on in London, the same NDLEA sent two of their officers (showed a document to back this up) and this they could not have done without going through the attorney general of the federation’s office to obtain a fiat which would permit them to give evidence. And this they did.

“One of these officers was one Dan Asabe and the other was Femi Oloruntoba. They went there to testify in my favour to tell them over there what they had in their records. They testified that it was not me but my brother. It was on record that NDLEA came there and gave evidence. I was exonerated and that it was my brother.

“When you are into politics, you know what you face. I went to court here in Nigeria and I took NDLEA up that they should come and explain why they wanted to entertain extradition. This was in 2013 or 2014 or so. They reconfirmed in an affidavit (which he showed) that I was not the one that was accused and that I have been cleared. The same NDLEA swore to an affidavit that I was not the one and they even wrote a letter that to that effect.

Now they have turned around because I was having problem with some people. That is unfortunate.”

The emerging scenario throws up several legitimate posers. Why should the country’s dug agency change its position on such a sensitive matter involving their own national?

Who is the secret drummer behind the scene?

There is more.

On the political front which many perceive to have contributed in no small measure to his travails, Buruji has shown commendable

humility but is not ready to drop his principles in standing for what he believes. He has even reached out to former President Obasanjo who many believe, he was a protégé to and sought forgiveness for whatever perceived ‘insubordination’. Many believe here that Buruji’s total support for former President Goodluck Jonathan angered Obasanjo who may have decided to seek a pound of flesh.

His victory in the senatorial election, where many of his party men bought votes against him, provoked further gang-up against. But being a strong person of faith also helped him achieve victory. In a sense it would appear that Buruji’s bull-dog tenacity for standing for what he believes is pitting him against many influential people. Take his stand in the Peoples Democratic Party which he is a passionate member, for instance.

The internal crisis in country’s major opposition party has created significant cleavages and compelled major stakeholders to take a position. Buruji is backing the Senator Modu Sheriff ‘faction’ which interestingly has recently secured an appellate court judgment validating Sheriff’s position as the party’s national chairman.

The other major party stakeholders have lined up behind the Senator Makarfi-led national care-taker committee. Amongst these party faithful is Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State with whom Buruji has fundamental but not irreconcilable political differences. Buruji has stated clearly that he will not allow Governor Fayose seize the political party structure in the region and call the shots alone. At press time, former President Goodluck Jonathan has waded into the crisis to seek resolution.

In Buruji’s words - “My issue is not about supporting Makarfi or Modu Sheriff. I told my people that if Makarfi calls meeting, they should go. If Modu Sheriff call a meeting, they should go. We have problems in PDP all over the place but any time I discuss with any faction, I discuss with them as members of PDP. My belief is that if there is misunderstanding, the leaders should be able to call these two guys together and resolve the issue and move forward. I don’t believe in this divisive politics that Makarfi is better than Sheriff or vice versa.”

54

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper •MARCH 4, 2017

news

In Brief

‘Leaders Should Build Presidential Libraries’

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday said African leaders should have the culture and tradition of building presidential libraries, saying his establishment of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) was an act of God to correct his past mistakes. Obasanjo spoke during the 2017 International Symposium with the theme: 'Purpose and Utilitarian Values of Presidential Libraries', organised by the Centre of Human Security, arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) as part of activities marking his 80th birthday. He said idea of a presidential library first came to his mind in 1988, disclosing that it was God that gave him a second chance to correct his past mistakes.

According to him, “OOPL is an act of God to help me correct my past mistakes. I was at the war front, I was head of state and I was a president.

All these feats are significant in my life as well as that of Nigeria, but I was not mindful of collecting materials for future references. The idea first occurred to me in 1988 and I thank God for giving me another opportunity to be able to correct my mistakes. My God is indeed a God of many chances and opportunities". Obasanjo therefore, said he had done several significant things in life, noting that he was not mindful of collecting archival materials for future purpose.

ECOWAS Commission Communication Boss

For drug-Free society...

L-R: Member of the Committee, Mrs Chinwe Thomson; the Governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano in a handshake with Mr Sule Momodu, State Commander, NDLEA Anamra State Command and Mrs. Nwabathili Chinyere during a group photograph with the members of the State drug Control Committee after inauguration

Errant Herdsmen to Face Prosecution in Bayelsa

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

Henceforth, herdsmen found grazing their cattle outside the designated site at the Bayelsa Palms area, around Elebele, Yenagoa, would be arrested and prosecuted, the state government said on Friday.

This is coming after a reported apprehension and relocation of a group of herdsmen from the Ijaw National Academy in Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the State to the designated grazing site.

The state government had recently come up with a decision to restrict all cows in the state to a designated area to avoid a breach of the peace, especially clashes between the herders and farmers.

Sounding a note of warning, in a statement in Yenagoa, the

Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Chief Boma Spero-Jack, stated that despite directives to this effect, a number of herdsmen had refused to relocate to the grazing area.

He restated the government’s position, stressing that the decision to create a grazing site was purely for security reasons to avoid a possible breakdown of law and order.

He reassured the people of the state that government would stop at nothing to protect the lives and properties of the citizens, as well as protect the overall interest of the Ijaw nation. “ We call for the cooperation of every Bayelsan, as the government is doing its utmost best to avert any likely breakdown of law and order.

“ Government urges all to be vigilant and not be deceived into believing that the leadership of the state is ceding valuable land of the state to herdsmen. “ Such unfounded stories are the handiwork of mischief makers, who are more interested in themselves and the political gains they want to make and clearly not about the interest of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw Nation”, Spero-Jack said.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Youths Coalition (NDYC), has condemned the reported killings in Ohali-Elu town in Rivers State allegedly perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen.

The youth group urged Ms Ankio Briggs, an Ijaw activist, who had earlier mobilised from his home state in Rivers to lead a protest in Bayelsa against the

allotment of a space for the herdsmen, to hurriedly lead a similar rally against the attacks in her state.

A statement yesterday signed by its spokesman, Matthew Fobiri, said it should now be clear to Ms Briggs that the decision of the Bayelsa state government to restrict the herdsmen to the palms area in the state was to avoid the kind of killings which took place in Ohali-Elu in Rivers State.

“In the light of the terrible fate that has befallen the Rivers community with many deaths recorded in just one attack, Ankio Briggs owes Bayelsa an apology for kicking against a proactive measure put in place to check any form of security breach that may lead to loss of lives as was the case in Rivers”, the group said.

Host Oil Communities Declare Okorocha Commends IGP, Fasting, Prayers for Buhari DSS, CP for Killing Vampire Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

The leadership of several oilproducing communities in the Niger Delta yesterday declared a period of fasting and prayer for the safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari, currently in London, United Kingdom over health-related issues.

National Chairman of the Host Communities of Nigeria, (HOSCON), an umbrella body of all areas producing oil and gas, Dr. Mike Emuh, said the decision to embark on the religious exercise was hinged on its belief that the current government was capable of solving the problems of the region.

According to Emuh, a bishop, the renewed attention paid by the Buhari-led administration to the agitations by the communities in the region, should be encouraged by all peace-loving people in the oil-bearing communities.

In a statement on Friday signed

by Mr. Monday Whisky, the group's Spokesman, Emuh stated

that the prayer session which had already begun, would last three days, and would be supervised by 50 clerics from the affected oil and gas producing areas.

“At an enlarged national emergency meeting of the Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSCON producing oil and gas, presided over by the national Chairman, Bishop Dr. Mike Emuh (JP) the Issue of the President’s health was exhaustively discussed.

“The need for HOSCON to stand in the gap in offering prayers for the President’s quick recovery was approved by the general house.

“The emergency national meeting resolved as follows: that the entire leadership of the HOSCON in the 17 oil/gas producing, including impacted and satellite states, would starting today, hold a three-day fasting and prayer on a daily basis.

“This is to seek God's intervention in the current health situation of the President, Muhammadu Buhari”, HOSCON leadership said.

Amby Uneze in Owerri

As the celebration in Imo State over the killing of the notorious kidnap kingpin, Henry Chibueze alias Vampire by the Inspector General of Police Special Response Team (SRT) in the early hours of Wednesday in a forest in Rivers State, the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has extolled the efforts of IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris and the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu for the feat.

The governor also extended his commendation to the men and Officers of the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) who first arrested Vampire in Owerri which raised the consciousness of both the Security Agencies and the public about the existence of the hardened criminal.

He reiterated that the declaration he made when he became governor in 2011 that no criminal would survive in

the State was still valid and that was the reason men like Vampire were arrested in Owerri.

He said even when his partners in crime took him away from the Court few weeks ago, he knew it would not be long and his ugly chapter would be closed.

On the reported threat against him and his family

by Vampire over the N5m ransom he placed on his head, the governor said that such threat was an empty one because he knew that Vampire having stepped into Imo State to carry out criminal activities would soon become history and a bad one for that matter.

The governor once again reiterated that Imo State would remain no-go-area for criminals and that those who might succumb to the temptation of ignoring his warning would have themselves to blame at the end of the day.

Marketing Communications Consultant, Legal Practitioner and Public Affairs Strategist, Mr Haroun Harry Audu has been appointed Communications Expert, to oversee and execute the communication and visibility plan of a European Union (EU) fully-funded project in support to ECOWAS Drug Unit Advocacy, Monitoring and Coordination Capacities.

A statement signed by Daniel Akwasi Amankwaah, Principal Program officer, Law Enforcement (Drug) and Project Coordinator, said that the operational location of the project was in all ECOWAS member states and Mauritania, and was consistent with the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan, adding that the appointment took immediate effect. Audu is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and he currently serves as a member of its governing council. He is also an Associate Registered Practitioner in Advertising; a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM); a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and a member of the African Council on Communication Education (ACCE). The project, according to the statement, was to contribute to a reduction of drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and related organised crime inWest Africa by supporting the implementation of the Regional Action Plan that has been developed by ECOWAS to address these issues.

‘We’ll Wrestle Power from APC in Kogi’

The People's Democratic Party in Kogi State has said that in 2019, the party would wrestle power from All Progressive Congress in the state because the party had failed the people. The former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris made the promised while addressing members of the party during the party's stakeholders meeting which took place yesterday in Lokoja. He mentioned that APC deceived the people with empty promises, adding that the economic situation in the country was very worrisome. The former governor pointed out that everybody in the party should come together and forget what happened in the past so that in the next Presidential election PDP would take over. He said that in Kogi State APC had enslaved the people as workers now go begging for food before they could feed their family because in the last one year workers had not been paid their salary. Also speaking the immediate past governor of the state, Captain Idris Wada called on his party members to forget the past and work for the party. Captain Wada who assured that the problem facing the party at the national level would soon come to an end said it was normal for people to have little problem, adding that leaders of the party were working round the clock to settle the problem.

Chevron Health, Environment Safety Award

At the recently concluded Chevron Contractor Line Management HES Forum, RusselSmith Group, a leading Integrated Oilfield Services company, received a recognition certificate in acknowledgment of projects concluded without recordable incidents over a one year period (January 2016 to December 2016) for the Nigeria/Mid Africa Strategic Business Unit of Chevron Nigeria Limited. At the presentation of the certificate which took place at Oakwood Hotel, Lekki, Chevron Nigeria Limited lauded RusselSmith for quality and safety-focused service delivery on projects executed within the period.The event also saw other contractors being recognised for excellent service delivery. This commendation comes just after RusselSmith’s recent celebration of the attainment of 3million man-hours with zero LTI in 2016. It reaffirms RusselSmith’s commitment to excellent service delivery as an ISO 9001:2008 certified Integrated Oilfield Service Solutions provider incorporated to serve the needs of the global Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Industry.

Child Dedication

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ipeh are presenting their baby, Prosper Ekanghe Ipeh to the Lord for dedication tomorrow at Assemblies of God Church, Ariboh Street, Olodi Apapa at 10 am. A statement from Mr. Ipeh on behalf of the family said that guests would be entertained at a venue to be announced at the church after the dedication.

Night of Tributes for Mrs. Umenyi

The final journey of late Mrs. Ify Umenyi (nee Uba) who passed on to glory on the 3rd of February 2017 starts on Monday March 6 with a night of tribute from 5:PM at JD Leisure Centre Kashim Ibrahim Way Wuse Abuja. A statement from the family said commendation service would hold by 12 PM on Tuesday March 7 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Maitama Abuja. Mrs. Umenyi who retired from active Public Service in 2013 was the erstwhile two terms Director General of Consumer Protection Council. She will be buried on March 16, at Sir Francis Umenyis compound, Awalasi Uga in Aguata, Anambra State after funeral service at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church Uga in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper •MARCH 4, 2017

55

news

Assemblies of God: Executive Council Insists Supreme Court Decision Final Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

The 19-member Executive Committee of the Assemblies of God, Nigeria (AGN) led by the General Superintendent, Rev. Chidi Okoroafor on Tuesday in Enugu dismissed as false, deceitful and mischievous claims by the former leader of the church, Paul Emeka that he remained the church's General Superintendent despite last Friday's judgment of the Supreme Court which endorsed his March 6, 2014 dismissal from the church.

Briefing newsmen shortly after their maiden meeting since after the apex court judgment at the AGN Evangel Camp along Enugu-Abakaliki road, Okoroafor who spoke on their behalf said the judgement formally ended the crisis which engulfed the church since 2014, noting that there was no longer

any form of factionalisation in the church.

The Committee which includes, Rev. Ejikeme Ejim (Assistant General Superintendent), Godwin Amaowoh (General Secretary) and Vincent Alaje (General Treasurer) as well as other zonal leaders said there was only one Assemblies of God Nigeria and one elected executive committee.

They further called on the leaderships of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), the federal, states and local governments as well as all banks to be properly informed of the present situation and desist from further dealing with any other groups.

Okoroafor also used the opportunity to once again extend an olive branch to supporters of the former leader who have genuinely decided to return to the main fold of the

church, warning that the anyone who refused to align properly should immediately vacate AGN premises and property in any part of the country.

"We are aware that few of our pastors and members unfortunately decided to pitch their tent with an individual instead of the church.

Some may have been deceived into such costly mistake. Some even claimed to remain neutral awaiting Supreme Court judgement.

Today, on behalf of the leadership of AGN, we extend a generous olive branch to every genuine repentant fellow. We've set up a platform for returnees to access.

We are very open. It’s not about losers or victors. It’s about the church and the mission God handed over to us which must be accomplished without further distractions, " Okoroafor noted.

He however lamented that what ordinarily should be an internal matter of the church was allowed to be settled at the court room, noting however that with the matter over, the church was now prepared to face its major task of winning souls for God. The leadership crisis rocking the Church had come to an end on Friday as the Supreme Court in a unanimous judgement by five Justices, resolved all the issues in favour of the General Council of the Church.

It could be recalled that following the suspension of the former leader of the church, Rev. Emeka by the General Council, he had approached an Enugu State High Court where he got a favourable judgement.

The respondents in the matter, including the General Superintendent, Rev. Okoroafor proceeded to the

Appeal Court where the judgement of the lower court was upturned.

Emeka later headed to the Supreme Court insisting that his fundamental rights were trampled upon.

But in a judgement on Friday, the apex Court ruled that fundamental

right enforcement could not fly over the Assemblies of God leadership.

In the lead judgment by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the apex court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which had upheld the suspension and dismissal of Emeka by the church.

Three Die in Suicide Attack on Maiduguri Michael Olugbode

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that three suspected suicide bombers were killed in a Friday early morning attack in Maiduguri.

The attack, which created panic, happened around the NNPC depot situated on Damboa road in the troubled town.

The blast with a Big Bang sent thick black fume into the atmosphere.

A message by the NEMA spokesman in the Northeast, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said "Three suspected suicide bombers died along Damboa Road Maiduguri as a result of an explosion which occurred

in the early hours of today (Friday).

"Three petrol tankers were also burnt as a result of the incident. The fire has been brought under control while casualty evacuation has been concluded."

According to a resident of the area, Mustapha Aji, a woman and her two children came in the early hours of Friday and exploded the bombs strapped on them.

He said the attack was targeted at parked petrol tankers.

He added that: "The suicide bombers were the only victims of the attack and two empty petrol trucks and another loaded one were burnt."

Set Top Box Manufacturers Want Roll Out Timetable In a lighter mood...

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, Adron Homes and Properties Ltd, Mrs. Gbeminiyi Yinka; Group Head, Corporate Services, Ms. Shola Orunmuyiwa; Group Internal Control Officer, Mr. Irewole Temitope; Group Managing Director, Dr. Adetola Emmanuel King; Group Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Folashade Oloruntoba and Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Turton Adegbola; all of Adron's staff, at the just-concluded Adron Lemon De Val party held for its staff members and clients by the properties company in Lagos

Boko Haram: NCC, GSM Providers to Rebuild Destroyed Facilities Michael Olugbode

The National Communications Commission (NCC) is working with the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication providers to rebuild facilities worth billions of Naira lost to Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

One of the major facilities attacked by the insurgents in a siege that lasted about five years on parts of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states were telecommunications facilities leading to loss of signal in many areas.

With the insurgency winding up, there is need to rebuild the destroyed facilities and restore mobile telephoning GSM to the affected towns.

Speaking in Maiduguri, the Director General of the NCC, Prof. Umar Dambatta said the commission was in talks with the GSM providers on ways to get the destroyed facilities rebuilt and bring back effective telephoning.

Prof. Dambatta who was represented by the Director, Legal and Regulatory Service of the Commission, Hajiya Hafsat Lawan

at the donation of ICT equipment to the Borno State Command of the Nigerian Police on Thursday said: "We are working on making GSM work effectively in Borno State and parts of the Northeast destroyed Boko Haram."

Lawan said the commission was equally ready to make some sacrifices needed to take the full pains off the GSM providers.

Lawan said the representatives of the commission were in Maiduguri to collaborate with the police on ending cybercrime which had added to dent the nation's image in the eyes of the world.

The donation is to assist the police to tackle cybercrime, the NCC boss said while adding that the commission was ready to give further donation in this regard.

Receiving the donation, the Borno State Police Commissioner, Damien Chukwu said they would be put to use in fighting crimes.

He promised the commission that the police would provide needed escort whenever the work on the destroyed telecommunications facilities commenced.

Commodity Exchange: Lead Capital Consortium Emerges Winners Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

With a Financial bid of N76, 304, 500.00 (Seven-six million, three hundred and four thousand, five hundred naira), and a total score of 83.1%, Lead Capital Consortium, on Thursday, emerged winner of the Bids Opening for Nigerian Commodity Exchange Transaction Proposals, submitted by prospective advisers to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

Acting Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dr. Vincent O. Akpotaire who chaired the ocassion explained that the technical bid evaluation performance was given a weghited score of 70 per cent, while the financial bid proposal performance was also weighted at 30 per cent.

The DG while announcing the final outcome of the bids, said, "so, we equalise this by using the following format; the lowest financial bid divided by a particular consortium/ firm financial bids by using the lowest bid of the particular firm and then, multiplied by 100. So, if you take United Capital Consortium, its weighted average, the financial score is 26.33, technical score is 72 per cent, weighted financial score is 7.9 and that translated to 50.4%. So, it has

a total weighted score of 50.4%. So, the overall score for United Capital Consortium is 58.3% and that puts them at 3rd position.

"The next one is PWC, at technical, they scored 79%, with a weight of 0.7, technical score of 55.3 and a financial score of 20.49. Weighted at 0.3, it comes to 6.1. So, the total score for PWC is 61.4% and that puts them at 2nd position. Then, for Lead Capital, the technical score is 75.9%, weighted score is 53.1 for technical.

By the assessment, if you recall, is the lowest bid over the bid of the firm.

So, the lowest bid actually scored 100% in financial, so if you weight that, it comes to 30.% and the total for Lead Capital comes to 83.1% and it comes first in the process.

In his earlier address, the Acting DG said that the Federal Government was desirous of revamping the nation's economy through non-oil export, adding that, "it is instructive to state that the much desired economic revamp strongly hinges on a wellstructured commodity exchange, as a catalyst for enhancing the effective and efficient marketing and distribution of agricultural commodities and other produce; both domestically and across the nation's borders.

Following the House of Representatives ad hoc committee hearing on the challenges being faced by the Digital Switch Over from analogue the committee is expected in Calabar on Monday March 6, to inspect Gospell Digital Technology factory to ascertain the capacity of the company to meet some of the demands of Set Top Box manufacturing.

The committee will be at the Calabar Export Free Trade zone of the company to conduct a check and find out if the indigenous company actually meets the standards.

The visit which is a follow up to the Public Hearing and findings of the committee is coming just as the manufacturers want the National Broadcasting Commission NBC/DigiTeam to adopt a roll out timetable immediately to enable state Governments, stakeholders, content aggregators to key in and plan ahead for actionable roadmap.

The chairman of the manufacturers Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa who confirmed the visit after a parley between the legislators and the stakeholders, explained that the setting up of in-country digital television testing centers by the NBC and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) would create economies of scale in bulk chipset purchase and drive down the cost of STBs Ohuabunwa who is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Gospell Digital Technology, one of the 13 licensed manufacturers of the box said that ‘’the Federal Government through the NBC should liaise with the Local Governments through the State Governments in financing the purchase of the Set Top Boxes since distribution

will enable the states increase their revenues by well over 10-30 per cent per annum.

The Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed had during the meeting disclosed that though the federal Government had set the June 2017 deadline, it may not be sacrosanct, though government was committed in doing everything possible to meet that date.

He also explained that the subsidy regime for the STBs by the federal government alone may not be feasible any longer following the current economic down turn being faced by the country. As such the need to encourage Local Governments through the state governments to procure subsidised digital set top boxes for the poor and indigent in the states.

He told the legislators and the Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed that clear Cut-off date for the suspension of subsidy regime for STBs should be announced so that it would allow for proper planning and deployment of economic and realistic market forces by manufacturers and distributors, also as common with Nigerians who will always wait for the deadline only to rush.

Ohuabunwa however pleaded with the House adhoc Committee to intervene by engaging all stake holders particularly the NBC to meet all outstanding funding/ financing arrangements with the members of STBMAN and the banks in the nature of Bank Guarantees and or Advance Payment Guarantees to enable for the conclusion and settlement of all obligations to the various parties.

TR

Saturday, March 4, 2017

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Kola Adesina on Electricity Crisis

““Electricity availability is predicated on the good health of the value chain.

For Nigeria to be lit up, all the enablers must be made available, both financial, commercial, legal, regulatory, technology and value system. A foundational problem require root and branch solutions. Lip service or blame games by all sectors won’t solve the problem.”

– Kola Adesina, Chairman Egbin Power Plc, speaking at the National Assembly’s Stakeholders Session on power.

PENDULUM Now All Eyes On Nigeria F Dele Momodu dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

ellow Nigerians, when I wrote my article last Saturday little did I envisage I was going to stir the hornets’ nests. And the bees came after me in droves though they couldn’t sting before they were sent back to wherever they came from. What was my offence? I wrote a piece that some people thought gave too much credit to the leadership style of Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. In retrospect, I’m convinced that my attackers did not read the article and if they did, they had a pre-determined motive to find a scapegoat to hang in order to discourage others who may wish to do a seeming hagiography on Osinbajo. I fitted that bill, apparently, and perfectly. But, trust me, they misfired.

I was only being patriotic. I have been to the Aso Rock Presidential villa twice but I have never visited the office of the Vice President.

I have never properly spoken to Prof Osinbajo directly, indirectly or even through proxies since he became Vice President. I met him once at a chaotic ceremony in Lagos and we merely exchanged greetings. I have never called his media aide, Laolu Akande, who was once the North American Bureau Chief of Ovation International, to discuss their performance or otherwise. My first visit was at the instance and invitation of President Muhammadu Buhari himself. And I was very candid and told the President how I had advised the former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan for five solid years but to no avail.

I gave President Buhari a compilation of my articles during the Jonathan era. I promised to continue in the same fashion under his tenure.

And that is what I have been doing.

I have never disrespected the office of our President. He never told me not to criticise him.

In fact, I owe him the truth and nothing but the truth, as a stakeholder in the presidential campaign that catapulted him back to power after 30 years of being forced out of power. I never knew we were expected to dissect the government of Jonathan but not that of Buhari. I’m very sorry to disappoint those Who apotheosise our President and do not expect anyone to tell him the gospel truth. I love and admire Buhari but he needs to know what Nigerians are feeling and saying on the streets. I’m proud to be on record as writing to him and advising him regularly in my column. If he fails, I fail.

If he succeeds, I would have succeeded. It is preposterous to blackmail any critic as someone seeking government appointment. My mission could not be further away. I believe I can do a lot from outside as much as I can do from inside. There is therefore no need for me to critic the Government simply on account of personal gain.

Let me therefore allay the fears of government bigots who attach conspiracy theories to every action of a critic, I’m not seeking any government appointment. I’m of the firm belief that no self-respecting soul should beg to serve his country. It should be strictly on merit. And I don’t see any logic in the ridiculous argument that critics of government want something from government. Those who want something would rather be in the good books of government. The procedure is simple. You must jump like a frog from one party to the other. You must grovel before the godfathers. I’m happy to be adequately engaged and grateful to God for my modest life. My dream is to witness a greater and better Nigeria. I do not have to be in government to make my humble contribution. I write out

When Dele Momodu presented a compilation of Pendulum to President Buhari of love and not out of hating those God has favoured with authority. My writing is didactic and never acerbic. I do not write to destroy. I write to build. Our country needs those who can stare power in the face and say what may not be too palatable to the powerhouse, but say it with decorum.

There is nothing I wrote that is not being discussed everywhere today. The internet is awash with tales about Nigeria and the medical vacation of our President in London. I believe we can determine the narrative and navigate it in the right direction. Making a fetish of our President’s ailment is ridiculous. It means we’ve learnt no lesson from our recent past and contemporary history. It is not a crime to fall sick. We all do every now and then.

Our President is the butt of jokes because some of those who should protect him are busy denying the obvious and concocting tales by moonlight to give the impression that all is well.

We should know that even if we stick to such tradition at home, the foreign media would never imbibe such archaic culture.

As I keep saying, modern day governance requires the President to make a clean breast of his ailment and provide regular updates about his progress. For one thing, this medical treatment is not private, it is state-sponsored.

Secondly, every Nigerian deserves to know what is wrong with our President. It is sad and distressing that most of those in the know are foreigners responsible for his treatment. That is neo-colonialism in another guise.

As if to corroborate my position in last week’s simple and straight-forward epistle, the world media is agog with stories on Nigeria. And for the first time in a long while, Nigeria is beginning to

smell like roses. Everyone agrees that something positive is beginning to happen in Nigeria and it calls for a celebration and encouragement.

Why should anyone take offence that Nigeria is enjoying rave reviews. Reuters, The Economist, Bloomberg, Financial Times, Al Jazeera, BBC, and others are all focussing attention on Nigeria and asking questions about what exactly is happening to our President Muhammadu Buhari that has kept him away from home for so long. While worrying about his supposed ailment, they still found something to cheer in the emergence, conduct and composure of his deputy who is now in charge as Acting President.

There is no doubt that Osinbajo has been very calm and composed and methodical in his approach to governance. Nigerians in unison seem to agree that they want this new style to continue when President Buhari returns. In their paranoia, some of Buhari’s acolytes see the praise of Osinbajo as an indictment of Buhari’s style which many have complained about as being too slow, rigid and overtly combative.

The palpable tension in the land is disappearing and there is a new flow of camaraderie between various arms of governments at all levels.

Osinbajo, soon to be 60 next week, is displaying his agility, dexterity in fast-paced fashion and reaching out to all Nigerians in a bid to fostering unity amongst a perpetually warring people.

Nothing demonstrates this new found cooperation than the blistering and blitzkrieg visits of Osinbajo to communities that once felt ostracised and discriminated against in the past. Just imagine an Acting President of Nigeria, from the ruling party of APC, walking with so much confidence and panache on the streets of Uyo in Akwa Ibom, a PDP enclave. It looked surreal.

The Nigerian economy has suffered miserably from the massive shortfall in oil production that reduced the oil-flow and our national income.

Osinbajo knew what to do and did not shy away from it. He reached out to the angry and vengeful militants who felt short-changed assaulted and insulted by the Nigerian oligarchy. This is not the time for frivolous arrogance or war-war.

What Nigeria needs immediately and urgently is a modicum of modesty to massage the ego of the warlords who are willing, ready and able to bring Nigeria to a halt.

He is also reaching out to members of the private sector. He understands and can speak their language. They feel at ease in his presence. He has engaged the military chiefs in his capacity as Acting Commander-in-Chief. He is representing his boss well and President Buhari must be very proud of the man he chose as his Vice President.

There is nothing to worry about by those who think we are trying to over-praise Osinbajo. That is not our intention. As I clearly explained last week, the team is one, but the style of Osinbajo is just refreshingly different and ostensibly more effective. That should not be a surprise to anyone.

Osinbajo is a much younger man. As I noted earlier, he will celebrate his 60th birthday in a matter of days. He is a distinguished scholar who has worked globally. He has worked in government as Attorney General of Nigeria’s wealthiest State, Lagos, regarded as the California of Africa. He is therefore very current. President Buhari’s appeal rested in his anti-corruption credentials and his ascetic discipline that we’ve all come to appreciate and admire. But it seems the style that worked relatively well for him between 1984-85 is no longer valid at this time and age. There is a world of difference between dictatorship and democracy. Fighting corruption is also more difficult in party politics.

There is no way to arrest corrupt people and not touch some of the kingmakers who made it possible for you to attain power. To harass your benefactors is to be labelled an ingrate and ingratitude is a major sin even in the holy books. It must be so frustrating for a very honest leader like Buhari to find himself in the company of artful dodgers. While EFCC struggles and works hard to catch thieves, the agency has to be careful not to step on some fat toes. We are all human, after-all. There is no way Buhari/Osinbajo would be in power today without the avuncular support of some heavy spenders. Political campaign is no kids’ play anywhere. It is virtually a game of gamblers.

I elaborated well on this agonising reality in some of my memos to the President which some political neophytes described as protecting corrupt people. Buhari started on a war-war note and went after some of his own party members who worked assiduously to fund his campaign. Till this day, I doubt if there has been a landmark conviction of any major culprit. In what must have been as a result of acute frustration, the President went after some Judges who were considered corrupt and a cog in the wheels of obtaining fair justice against corrupt politicians and civil servants. Even that seemed to have meandered into a cul de sac.

Head or tail, Nigeria is a very complicated nation with a convoluted configuration. But for now, something is shifting and we should embrace this positive development with both hands. This Presidential Team is beginning to look like a divine one. Let no one put the team asunder.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. Email: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. Telephone Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com